Chapter 1173: 须雷

On the mountaintop, Gatou's face was impassively fixed on the light screen before him, a murderous intent so palpable in his eyes that it seemed to lower the temperature of the heavens and earth.

He hadn't expected Zhou Yuan to directly kill Xiao Yin with a single palm strike.

"Forty-three billion units of Genesis Qi foundation.""Genesis Qi ranked at the peak of the eighth grade.""A palm imprint comparable to a Sacred Genesis Art."Gatou's eyesight was incredibly sharp. His previous observation had given him a clear picture of Zhou Yuan's approximate strength. However, Xiao Yin's instant death was ultimately due to his own overconfidence; Gatou had originally assigned two individuals from the same lineage to team up with Xiao Yin against Zhou Yuan.Had they joined forces, Zhou Yuan might not have been able to defeat them so overwhelmingly.But that fool insisted on showcasing his own abilities first, and as a result, he was gone.

Gatou's face remained expressionless. With a wave of his sleeve, an extremely complex network of light lines appeared within the screen before him.These interwoven lines represented the barrier pathways of the "Sacred Evolution Boundary Array," and the intersections of these lines were the locations of individual barrier nodes.Currently, some of these nodes had already begun to dim, a clear sign of damage.

"This Zhou Yuan is truly a menace. If I had known this, I should have eliminated him earlier," Gatou said coldly.

Unfortunately, the intelligence they had gathered before didn't even mention Zhou Yuan's name. A mere mid-stage Heavenly Sun realm cultivator wasn't even worth their attention.But who could have known then that this Zhou Yuan would pose such a significant threat?

"It seems our attempt to set up this grand array and swallow the nine main veins was indeed a bit risky," a voice came from behind Gatou. It was a white-haired man carrying a crimson-gold staff on his back. When his eyes opened and closed, faint golden lightning flickered.This person was Xulei, a Saint Heaven's Chosen from the Sacred Ancestral Heaven, second only to Gatou.

Gatou's expression was calm as he said, "Although this Sacred Evolution Boundary Array still has some flaws, it was ultimately deduced by the joint efforts of our Saint Race's Saints. Its complexity and profundity are such that even a powerful expert whose spirit has reached the Roaming Spirit stage might not be able to find its hidden weaknesses.""That Zhou Yuan must possess some kind of unique treasure."If it weren't for Zhou Yuan, the forces from the five great heavens, even if they fought to their last breath, probably wouldn't have been able to advance a single step into the array.It was a pity such an unforeseen error occurred.

Xulei gazed at the light screen and suddenly said, "The barrier hasn't fully activated yet. If we dismantle it and gather our strength, it shouldn't be difficult to eliminate the people from these five great heavens. This would also be the safest method."

"No!"Gatou refused without hesitation. "Once the barrier is dispersed, our power won't be sufficient to reform it. In that case, we wouldn't be able to swallow all nine main veins."

Xulei frowned slightly but didn't retort. Doing so would also leave him feeling somewhat unwilling, and besides, the other Saint Heaven's Chosen would oppose it. If they stirred up widespread indignation, Gatou and Xulei wouldn't be able to control the situation.Reporting this back to the Sacred Ancestral Heaven wouldn't be easy either, and they might even face punishment, given that the Saints had been preparing for years to completely devour these ancestral qi main veins.

"Although the situation is a bit unexpected, there's no need to panic. These lowly ants can't truly shake this barrier," Gatou said, looking at Xulei. "Everything before this was just an appetizer. Do you really think they can breach the final nodes we are guarding?"Upon hearing this, Xulei thought for a moment, then chuckled softly and shook his head."It's like ants trying to topple a tree."

Gatou also revealed a faint smile, calmly stating, "So, everything is under control. Let them feel a glimmer of hope now, and then crush it at the very end. I imagine their expressions at that moment will be exceptionally entertaining.""Very well, let them be happy for a while then," Xulei nodded.

So, one sat and the other stood before the light screen, quietly observing the changes within the barrier.They watched for more than half a day.

The light spots representing the nodes on the screen continuously dimmed.This indicated that more and more nodes were being destroyed.And the turmoil within the barrier was gradually intensifying.

Gatou's expression was indifferent. He paid no attention to the ordinary teams from the five great heavens; even if they caused chaos on the periphery, they couldn't truly destroy the barrier. His gaze remained fixed on the deepest nodes.That was the most crucial route.And this was precisely the direction the top experts from the five great heavens were breaking through.After a full day of advancement, they had begun to reach the deeper defensive lines.

"That's enough. There's no need to let them continue, or we'll truly be playing with fire," Xulei said calmly from the side.Gatou also nodded slightly. The next defensive line would be the final one protecting the core of the barrier.

"Issue the order; tell them to prepare to act."Then Gatou looked towards a particular node, which was likely Zhou Yuan's location. Murderous intent flowed in his eyes as he slowly said, "Xulei, I'll leave this Zhou Yuan to you."Xulei was the second most powerful Heavenly Sun realm cultivator in the Sacred Ancestral Heaven, only surpassed by Gatou. His strength should be sufficient to deal with Zhou Yuan. The fact that Gatou dispatched Xulei indicated that he no longer underestimated Zhou Yuan.

Xulei stretched leisurely and said carelessly, "If I go, you probably won't get to play anymore."His words carried an undisguised arrogance.

Gatou chuckled, "There's nothing for it. I must remain here to guard against any unforeseen circumstances."

Xulei raised an eyebrow and said, "This 'unforeseen circumstance' — does it refer to me being defeated by Zhou Yuan?"Gatou replied, "Don't pick apart my words. I must be responsible for our mission, although I also believe there won't be any problem with you going..."

"By the way, if you take care of Zhou Yuan, break all his limbs and bring him to me. I will refine him into a blood slave later, and then take him to kill all his family members." As he spoke, a cruel and bloodthirsty expression appeared at the corners of his mouth.Evidently, Gatou harbored deep hatred for Zhou Yuan, who had repeatedly disrupted his plans.

"As you wish."Xulei waved his hand nonchalantly, said no more, and stepped forward. The void before him shattered, and his figure vanished.

As he watched Xulei's departing figure, Gatou's expression turned indifferent. He looked at the light spot on the barrier where Zhou Yuan was located and said with a hint of pity, "Poor, lowly ant. You've toiled all day, only to accomplish nothing useful in the end.""Next, you will experience what despair truly feels like..."He flicked a finger, and an invisible ripple emanated from within the grand array, spreading outwards.

At the same time, within the Sacred Evolution Barrier, top experts of the Saint Race suddenly unleashed astonishing Genesis Qi fluctuations. Their figures moved, piercing through the barrier, and finally headed towards the last defensive lines.Before this, apart from the Saint Heaven's Chosen whom Zhou Yuan encountered, the others posed no real threat.But now,The true show was beginning.