Chapter 442: Unexpected Answer

"Hmph, I don't care if he's a god or a ghost; anyone who comes to our Astonishing Cloud Valley with Murong Jian is trouble."

Ice Elder wasn't specifically targeting Xu Yang, but anyone who dared to harm Yun Shu in his presence would instinctively be classified as an enemy.

Without warning, the icy figure shot forward, closing in on Xu Yang. The terrifying freezing power was visibly stronger than when he had defended against Murong Jian moments earlier, indicating he was using at least eighty percent of his strength in this surge. He moved so fast that a chilling ice trace was left in the very air where he passed.

However, just as this power hurtled towards Xu Yang's face, an invisible aura seemed to surge. A gentle breeze then swept through, silently melting away all the icy energy around him.

"My heavens, this power is terrifying!"

Lei Zhen's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but exclaim in awe. The Flame Woman next to him also looked shocked. Although Thunder Duke said nothing, his eyes clearly showed a mix of admiration and reverence, acknowledging his own inferiority.

"Your ice power is useless against me. I have an innate immunity to ice and cold, so save your strength."

Xu Yang had no intention of humiliating Ice Elder. He wasn't there to fight; he had a new objective and no need to create unnecessary tension. However, Ice Elder insisted on challenging him, which was clearly a self-inflicted wound.

Ice Elder was a smart man. After that single exchange, he immediately realized he was no match for this outsider. If Murong Jian was merely a decent opponent, then in Ice Elder's eyes, Xu Yang was an unapproachable deity. Even more astonishing, no one had yet seen Xu Yang unleash a proper ultimate move, yet he had already completely overwhelmed the Xuanmen sect.

"You are very strong, and I am no match for you. But I must still warn you: this is Xuanmen. If you have any ulterior motives or special designs, everyone in Xuanmen will be your enemy. We will never compromise, even in death."

Xu Yang spread his hands helplessly. "There's no need to make things so tense, is there? As I said, I only came to see your young lady and seek an answer."

The moment Xu Yang spoke, Yun Shu instinctively furrowed her brows, clearly realizing his true purpose for being there.

"I have nothing to tell you. Please leave."

Yun Shu immediately adopted an icy expression, turning her face away and refusing to look at Xu Yang again. Clearly, she had some unspoken secret she wished to keep hidden. However, Xu Yang was not one to give up easily; in all his years, there had been no goal he set that he failed to achieve.

"I want you to tell me what is hidden beneath Astonishing Cloud Valley. The source of the five elements must be within this valley."

"Five Element Elders, make them leave!"

Yun Shu's voice was clearly tinged with anger. Although the individuals controlling the five different elements had a good impression of Xu Yang and had no desire to fight him, the moment they heard Yun Shu's command, their expressions changed completely, and they gravely surrounded Xu Yang once more.

"Apologies, Great Master, but this is the Young Lady's command. We must obey, even if it means death. Although we truly don't wish to be your enemies, we have no choice but to offend you..."

Lei Zhen spread his hands in resignation. Xu Yang merely responded with a smile.

"I understand. So, this time I'll witness the full power of the Five Elements, won't I? Excellent, that's just what I wanted."

After speaking, Xu Yang didn't immediately make a move. Instead, he gave the five individuals before him ample space to display their full strength.

RUMBLE!

With a burst of energy, five fierce lights flashed simultaneously. Ice Elder and Thunder Duke's lights were the most intense: deep blue and silver-white, intertwining. Simultaneously, the auras of the other three Five Elements Elders also converged.

"Five Elements Ultimate Formation — Phoenix Seeks Phoenix!"

The five spoke in unison. The two merged powers resonated in the void, continuously converging towards a central point. The formidable momentum instantly astonished everyone present.

"Such powerful strength..."

Murong Jian couldn't help but speak, his gaze fixed on Xu Yang. He was both astonished by Xu Yang's composed demeanor and found himself involuntarily worrying for him. After all, Murong Jian clearly understood that if this power were directed at him, he would be utterly unable to resist.

"Don't worry, General Murong, our boss isn't as fragile as you think."

Long Kun stood by, occasionally glancing around, his attention barely on his boss. Instead, he was filled with curiosity about Miss Yun Shu, who was surrounded by people and riding a unicorn.

"General, don't be so oblivious, alright? Look at that young lady with the mask over there; her attention has been on you this whole time!"

Murong Jian was indeed quite oblivious in such matters. Only after hearing Long Kun's words did he belatedly turn his head, and the other person, perhaps in embarrassment, quickly averted her gaze.

RUMBLE!

In the void, the phoenix totem conjured by the five intertwined and swirled. This power, forged from the convergence of five distinctly different elemental forces, erupted with an almost unassailable, crushing wave. Without exaggeration, this power would likely be sufficient to contend with a typical Tribulation Peak-stage expert.

Then, the perfect phoenix totem locked onto Xu Yang's aura, beginning to impact the protective light surrounding him. The five elemental forces began to burn, and the phoenix totem swiftly melted into its most primitive yet terrifyingly sharp form, tearing at the supreme protective power.

BOOM!!

After sensing the full extent of the five's combined strength, Xu Yang finally revealed a satisfied smile.

"It seems I've found the answer I was looking for. Beneath this Astonishing Cloud Valley, a divine beast with a god-level bloodline is sealed!"

Yun Shu, still wearing her mask, reacted with another jolt of shock, gazing at Xu Yang in disbelief.

"Who is this guy? Where did he get this information? Could there be a mole among us? How is that possible?!"

Yun Shu's mind was racing, yet no matter how she racked her brain, she couldn't fathom how Xu Yang had possibly guessed the answer. Little did she know, the moment the five formed the "Phoenix Seeks Phoenix" formation totem, Xu Yang had already discerned its profound meaning.

"Alright, you've had your fun for long enough; it's time to stop."