Hun Miesheng felt as though he was trapped in a cage, but this prison had enveloped the entire vast desert.
Although Hun Miesheng had seen all kinds of trials and tribulations in his life, this was the first time he had encountered such a situation, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of desolation befitting a fallen hero.
Even a powerful being like him, when facing a true threat to life, would reveal the fear that ordinary people feel.
He didn't understand what this move was, but Hun Miesheng and his peers were absolutely incapable of reaching this extent.
With an understanding of space power to such an extent, casually covering such a vast space, even with his Dou Saint Five Stars' cultivation level, he couldn't break through this barrier.
How overwhelmingly powerful was this?
Could it be that not even a Pinnacle of Nine-Star Dou Saint could achieve this level?
"I never imagined I, Hun Miesheng, would have such a day," Hun Miesheng lamented in despair, not bothering to try and flee any longer. He knew he couldn't escape.
Even before Xu Ran had appeared, he had already rendered him helpless.
Xu Ran had dared to give him time to flee because he was absolutely confident he could catch up with him.
In Xu Ran's eyes, he feared he was just like a toy, never truly seen by Xu Ran.
"However, even if I am to die, I must absolutely convey the news here to my clan. Xu Ran knowing the plan of the Spirit-Devouring Extinction Array is an unprecedented and formidable enemy to our Soul Hall, more dangerous than even the Gu Clan," Hun Miesheng resolved. His body began to dissipate into black mist, preparing to use a secret technique to send a message to the Hun Clan.
"Hun Miesheng, you may as well save your effort," Xu Ran appeared, and the Dou Qi rising from Hun Miesheng quickly retracted back, the surging Dou Qi instantly calmed down.
"Xu Ran, what on earth are you?"
Even preparing himself for death, when he saw Xu Ran, his soul trembled immensely.
The fear Xu Ran brought him was even greater than that of Hun Tiandi.
Who could have known that such an enigmatic powerhouse existed in this world, unknown to them?
"Me? What else could I be?"
Xu Ran shrugged, not understanding.
"Since my death is certain, could you let me know your identity and strength before I die? Let me die with understanding," Hun Miesheng looked at Xu Ran, resigned to his fate.
There were too many mysteries surrounding Xu Ran, and if he didn't figure them out, he would die with his eyes unshut.
Moreover, he had an inkling that Xu Ran's strength was no ordinary matter.
With Xu Ran's strength, if he knew that the Hun Clan was covertly setting up the Spirit-Devouring Extinction Array, why would he just sit and wait for death? Once the array was successfully deployed, even a pinnacle Dou Sheng would undoubtedly die.
Yet, the other party clearly knew all this and didn't make any move, which was one of the biggest doubts in his heart. Could it be that Xu Ran tampered with the Spirit-Devouring Extinction Array in secret?
"The Spirit-Devouring Extinction Array might be extremely powerful, but I am not afraid of this formation," Xu Ran said calmly. The Spirit-Devouring Extinction Array might be able to kill those who have just reached the level of a Dou Di, but it posed no threat to him.
"Your arrogance truly knows no bounds," Hun Miesheng mocked. He wished for Xu Ran to remain arrogant, to continue his arrogance, so that one day Hun Tiandi and the others would seek revenge on his behalf.
Hun Miesheng was all too familiar with the legends of the Spirit-Devouring Extinction Array. A powerful being of the Hun Clan had once used this formation to even slay a Dou Di.
As strong as Xu Ran was, he certainly couldn't be stronger than a Dou Di, could he?
But now, the Spirit-Devouring Extinction Array was almost fully set up by him, and the location of the formation eye was known only to him—Xu Ran wouldn't even dream of disrupting it. If Xu Ran was thinking of waging war against the Hun Clan, even if it were Hun Tiandi himself unleashing the full might of the Spirit-Devouring Extinction Array to its extreme, sacrificing nearly half of Zhongzhou's living beings' life force—even without the power of a Dou Di, it would be nearly the same—he didn't believe Xu Ran could survive that.
"I've answered your first question; now for the second one," he continued.
Hun Miesheng's expression turned solemn as he watched Xu Ran. He hoped Xu Ran wasn't too powerful, or else he would become a great enemy of the Hun Clan. Yet, he somewhat hoped Xu Ran was strong enough, for dying at the hands of a peerless powerhouse would not be a regrettable death.
"As for my identity, I can't tell you just yet. But my strength..."
"Dou Di."
Xu Ran said teasingly. He seldom revealed his true strength to others. When he mentioned it to Xun Er and the others before, they all thought he was joking. Only Zi Yan and Zhukun knew of his Dou Di strength on the entire Continent.
"What?"
"Impossible!"
"How could there possibly be a Dou Di in this world? Could it be that you are the Tuo She Ancient Emperor?"
Hun Miesheng's eyes were hollow; Xu Ran's words had shocked him beyond measure.
A Dou Di was a terrifying realm indeed! Countless mighty warriors aspired to it, yet almost all ended up in bitter regret.
Attaining Dou Sheng was already considered a brilliant and rare talent of a generation, what then of Dou Di, how unreachably high was that existence?
"Tuo She Ancient Emperor? I bear no relation to him. Well then, let me show you the power of a Dou Di before you die." If he could subdue Hun Miesheng now, causing him not to harbor even the slightest intention of resistance, then refining him into a puppet would be all the easier.
From Xu Ran's being, the sealed Dou Di Origin was released, the vast and boundless power of a Dou Di enveloping this piece of the heavens and the earth. Xu Ran, too, took on an imposing and Holy aura, and even as an amiable person, under this aura, he exuded an air of authority without anger.
The world seemed to change color at this moment, everything under the heavens appeared to be under Xu Ran's control, life and death hinging on his very thoughts.
Hun Miesheng felt like a tiny insect in the scheme of the universe, so weak in the face of this absolute power, as if he were no more than an ant. No wonder Xu Ran knew of their preparations and yet did nothing to stop them. Xu Ran truly didn't care about them; their commotion, no matter how large, was like ants fighting—of no concern to him.
In the face of absolute power, all schemes are nothing but illusions.
If Xu Ran truly wished to make a move, even the Spirit-Devouring Extinction Array wouldn't be able to touch him.
A Dou Di! To think that there existed such a powerful being in this world. What significance then did the Hun Clan's machinations hold?
Hun Miesheng's eyes were dull, his unyielding heart utterly crushed by Xu Ran's display of might. Without the heart of an absolute powerhouse, witnessing such terrifying, boundless power would not lead one to strive forward, but towards despair, even to the extent of losing all hope.
And now, Hun Miesheng's heart was indeed dead. He had even begun to picture the future of the Hun Clan. The Hun Clan, I'm afraid, would suffer a fate similar to the Xiao Clan's in the past. Offending a Dou Di, there was no path to survival.
But it was too late for him to convey this message to Hun Tiandi and the others. All he could do was watch from the underworld as they gradually offended Xu Ran more and more, until he grew tired of them as if they were mere toys and discarded them.