Chapter 3748: What Are They?
For Lin Moyu, the price paid this time was considerable. Fortunately, the cost was still within an acceptable range, and he had received a warning not to act too recklessly.
Suddenly, Xiao Xiong's voice came through: "Master, how should we deal with those guys?"
The two primordial beasts, large and small, had also been severely injured by the residual lightning strikes. Their bodies were shattered, but their recovery abilities meant they would heal soon.
Meanwhile, the Great Dao Lord from the Outsider Alliance trapped in the Thousand Paths and Myriad Images Formation was still "enjoying" the burning torment of the World-Burning Fire. Due to the formation's isolation, he remained oblivious to what had transpired outside perhaps still waiting for his comrades to rescue him.
Lin Moyu activated his will, and the Sword Dao Spirit transformed back into a massive sword, landing in the hand of the five-element giant. Though its lower half had been destroyed and the Prison Primordial Formation damaged beyond use for now, its right hand remained intact and capable of wielding the sword.
The giant raised its sword high and slashed at the primordial beasts. Without invoking the Sword Dao Spirit's full power, it relied solely on the sharpness of the Great Dao Sword.
Under dazzling sword light, both primordial beasts were completely destroyed on the spot, leaving behind two clusters of primordial beast essence.
The five-element giant then slowly entered the Thousand Paths and Myriad Images Formation to deal with the trapped Great Dao Lord. Amidst agonized screams, it beat him to near death before delivering him to the center of the formation, where he was finally consumed by the World-Burning Fire leaving behind a high-quality soul crystal.
With the battle concluded, Lin Moyu began cleaning up.
He released numerous Divine Runes from his soul to repair the Thousand Paths and Myriad Images Formation. Simultaneously, pre-stored formations from within Soul Shaking Mountain emerged to assist in repairing the five-element giant.
However, this time, the damage to the giant was too extensive for stored formations alone to suffice. Lin Moyu would have to intervene personally for full restoration.
While multitasking between repairs and reflection on the battle, Lin Moyu reviewed his biggest takeaway: witnessing firsthand the combat power of elemental liches.
From their abilities, he could extrapolate insights into both true body Great Dao Lords and world wills in their Formation stage.
Although elemental liches replicated true body Great Daos and became akin to true body Great Dao Lords in form, they were ultimately not genuine true body Great Dao Lords making them slightly weaker. Furthermore, liches faced numerous restrictions that prevented them from fully unleashing their power widening this gap further.
True body Great Dao Lords likely possessed strength comparable to Great Domain Emperors or world wills in their Formation stage. However, even among world wills in this stage, there were variations in strength. For instance, the world will of the Origin Continent had survived countless ages and was undoubtedly among the strongest of its kind.
It had defeated even a joint effort from Black Blood Realm and Heavenly God Realm's world wills.
Thus, Lin Moyu recognized that elemental liches still fell short compared to such formidable entities. At that level of power, even minor differences translated into significant disparities in combat effectiveness.
Lin Moyu understood this deeply and never underestimated the world will of the Origin Continent. Even if his plan succeeded in having Great Domain Emperors suppress it within the Soul Void weakening its strength in reality it would remain a formidable opponent.
Absolute preparation would be necessary for any confrontation and ideally strategies to weaken it further beforehand.
After considerable effort, Lin Moyu finally restored the Thousand Paths and Myriad Images Formation. While recognizing its limitations, he lacked alternatives for creating a stronger formation at present so it would have to suffice for now.
The five-element giant had partially self-repaired; Lin Moyu stepped in to complete its restoration while also replenishing stored formations within Soul Shaking Mountain as contingency measures.
From afar came soul flames signaling Shi Haifeng's group's return. Judging by Shi Haifeng's expression they had successfully killed their targeted Great Dao Lord.
All six members bore injuries; Shi Haifeng's wounds were relatively minor compared to two others who appeared on death's doorstep. Lin Moyu suspected they might die at any moment.
Shi Haifeng used his Great Dao power alongside several treasures to protect these two but such methods were temporary fixes that couldn't last long.
Lin Moyu wondered why they had returned instead of retreating immediately to their world perhaps seeking aid from their world's master might still offer solutions.
Approaching Lin Moyu closely, Shi Haifeng said: "Lin Daoyou I first apologize for my earlier actions."
He glanced discreetly at the primordial beast essence the two clusters were conspicuously radiant. Clearly aware that Lin Moyu had slain them and noting how badly damaged his five-element giant was it was evident that a fierce battle had taken place here earlier.
Lin Moyu waved dismissively: "I understand your actions though displeased I won't hold a grudge. At least you offered your allegiance."
Shi Haifeng replied gratefully: "Thank you for your magnanimity! The Outsider Alliance's Great Dao Lord we pursued has been eliminated how did things fare on your end?"
Lin Moyu understood why Shi Haifeng had returned; he feared Lin Moyu might have failed to kill his targets...
"What happens if they escape?" Lin Moyu asked quietly while staring at Shi Haifeng.
Shi Haifeng's expression shifted slightly: "If they escape it could become very troublesome. One race within their alliance excels at tracing enemies through cause-and-effect."
"They would track us through surviving members ultimately leading back to you."
Lin Moyu detected subtle fear in Shi Haifeng's tone regarding this Outsider Alliance and asked pointedly: "I imagine they wouldn't stop at me they'd come after you too?"
Shi Haifeng smiled bitterly: "That's inevitable but our world isn't weak we also have allies so we're not overly concerned about them. However being targeted by these lunatics creates endless trouble during expeditions."
His implication was clear the Outsider Alliance was dangerous; provoking them could render external ventures perilous or even impossible altogether.
Lin Moyu asked directly: "What exactly is this Outsider Alliance?"
Before Shi Haifeng could answer a soft sound interrupted them as one member's soul began disintegrating rapidly despite his efforts using Great Dao power to slow its collapse without stopping it entirely...
Shi Haifeng looked visibly pained as did his companions all deeply affected by witnessing their comrade's imminent demise after years spent fighting side-by-side...
Such losses were inevitable among cultivators walking paths defying natural order but accepting them remained difficult nonetheless...
Watching silently Lin Moyu flipped his hand summoning two blooming soul flowers into existence...
"Place them inside," he instructed calmly "Perhaps there's still hope."
Shi Haifeng hesitated briefly before seizing this lifeline placing both souls into respective flowers which closed gently around them...
Turning back toward Shi Haifeng Lin Moyu said evenly: "Now let's continue discussing this Outsider Alliance...what exactly are they?"
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