An Understated Dominance

While the expedition teams of various powers struggled through different regions of Buzhou Mountain, fighting for opportunities and their lives, the massive and abrupt empty city at the mountain's base and the sprawling temporary camps surrounding it still held tens of thousands of people. There were some civilians who hadn't fully evacuated, personnel and supply lines left behind by various factions, independent cultivators and martial artists who had come upon hearing the news but hesitated to act, and core figures like Margaret and Dustin who commanded from the rear or watched developments unfold. No one had anticipated that Buzhou Mountain, this divine peak silent for three thousand years, had never limited its trials to those who actively chose to climb. At noon, a sudden change occurred. Without warning, countless intersecting golden patterns—intricate and profound to the extreme—blazed across the massive base of Buzhou Mountain. These patterns were like living veins, spr...

All of them cultivated lightning techniques, giving them higher resistance to wind and thunder forces. Their cultivation methods also subtly harmonized with this environment, and their morale was high. However, Wind Thunder Cliff's dangers far exceeded their estimates. The gale winds were no ordinary mountain winds—they contained "Essence of Xun Wind" from the ninth heaven. Not only was the force extraordinary, but it could also erode spiritual energy barriers. And the heavenly lightning struck without any pattern, its power unpredictable. Even Yu family members wouldn't fare well if struck directly. Shortly after they began climbing, a mid Foundation Establishment cultivator had his spiritual barrier worn down too quickly by the Xun Wind. Caught off guard, he was grazed by a sudden golden thunderbolt. With a scream, his body charred black as he plummeted off the cliff, leaving no remains. Yu Zhenting didn't even furrow his brow. He bellowed: "Steady and meth...

 "Careful!" Bai Wei called out in a low voice, a pair of gleaming short blades already in her hands as she charged forward first. Bai Qingxue also drew her longsword, frost forming along the blade. The remaining Bai family members each employed their techniques, frost spells and sword energy crisscrossing the air. These black ice sha spirits were formidable, and in this extreme cold environment they were in their element—their forms flickering, their ice blades sharp and carrying a severe frostbite effect. One Bai family member was careless and had his arm slashed by an ice blade. The wound was instantly covered in white frost that spread toward his shoulder, and his entire arm immediately went numb. Seeing this, Bai Wuhen's gaze sharpened. He didn't even draw his sword. He simply pointed two fingers at the clan member's wound from a distance. "Hiss—" A fine yet incredibly condensed thread of frost sword energy shot out, precisely entering the wound. The...

"Thunder spirit! Hold the formation!" The squad leader shouted. The thunder spirit slammed into the Dark Water Formation's barrier, erupting in blinding purple light and crackling sounds. The Dark Water Formation used water to counter lightning and should have had some advantage, but the Zixiao Thunder Sha contained within this thunder spirit was extraordinarily pure and violent. It sent the barrier shaking violently, and several members of the formation paled. Seeing this, a calculating gleam flashed in Mark Montgomary's eyes. He was about to order the second squad to provide support when he heard Qin Xue giggle from behind: "Brother, this thunder spirit is rather interesting. The condensed thunder sha is quite pure." Qin Hao merely nodded slightly, giving no other indication. The three Qin family guards were like wooden statues, completely indifferent to the fierce battle ahead. The chill in the hearts of the Montgomary Palace members deepened. A gloomy ex...

 She knew that if she didn't block the phantom spirit, the team would suffer devastating losses. The Liaoyuan spear erupted with unprecedented crimson flames. She and her spear became one, transforming into a meteor as she charged headlong at the descending giant light sword! "Scarlet!" Adam called urgently, but it was too late to stop her. "BOOM—!" Spear and sword clashed, producing a deafening blast and blinding light. Scarlet grunted, her body thrown backward, a trickle of blood at the corner of her mouth. But her arms gripping the spear were steady as rock. The light sword phantom was also jolted, its radiance dimming slightly. "It's not a physical entity—its power comes from the crystals! Attack the largest crystal clusters!" Scarlet stabilized mid-air and shouted. Adam understood instantly, directing the team members still able to fight: "Fire and lightning techniques, concentrate on the third and fifth clusters on the left! Everyone els...

 The next day, at the first glimmer of dawn. At the foot of Buzhou Mountain, the southeastern "Ancient Dust Path" entrance—its massive ancient stone steps resembled the gaping maw of a great beast. Nearly a hundred members of the official expedition stood in solemn formation, their auras concentrated. Leading them were Scarlet and Adam Spanner. Scarlet wore red robes with silver armor, her Liaoyuan spear in hand, radiating a commanding presence. Adam was dressed in dark blue-green fitted attire, a longsword at his waist, formation flags on his back—refined elegance sharpened with an edge. Margaret had come personally to see them off, with Dustin standing at her side. Gazing at the assembled team, Margaret said gravely: "Everyone, the road ahead is perilous. I will be waiting here for your triumphant return! Remember—safety first!" "Yes! Your Highness!" The company responded in unison, their voices shaking the mountain's base. Scarlet and Adam gave Marg...