236: A world of difference

Inside Global Port, the battle had entered its most difficult phase.

The lightning barrier shook violently under the impact of the Yao Beasts' sharp claws, and each strike accelerated the consumption of Fang Yuan's spiritual energy.

"Damn it, why are these things like unkillable cockroaches!"

Liu Lian swept away the attacking Evil Cultivator with a single sword strike, taking a moment to catch his breath. His Flying Sword, though sharp, couldn't be fully utilized in the crowded mall, hindering him at every turn.

"We're being held back."

Han Li formed hand Seals, various Talismans floating around him, repelling the attacking Yao Beasts one by one, calmly analyzing the battle. "Their goal isn't to kill us, but to exhaust us to death, and in the process, create greater panic."

Just as the three of them felt their hearts grow heavier, a calm voice, devoid of any emotion, resonated directly in their minds.

"The other students have already gone to the company's headquarters in Dragon Country."

It was Xie Wangsheng!

Fang Yuan and the other two felt a shock in their hearts.

"What you need to do now is feign weakness and await my activation of the Heaven-and-Earth Reversal Formation."

Hearing that familiar, always calculating tone, Han Li's tense body suddenly relaxed a little. He couldn't help but smile bitterly.

After all that, their impulsive charge to investigate was merely a part of Xie Wangsheng's plan.

He was truly a clear and obvious pawn.

This guy's strategic mind was indeed so formidable that it left people speechless.

"Damn it! Xie Wangsheng, you old schemer! Playing so dirty!"

Liu Lian's complaint exploded in their minds, full of indignation but without a trace of anger. "You're making us three bait, and you're hiding behind to collect the kills, aren't you!"

Fang Yuan said nothing, merely reinforcing a Thunder Shield that was about to shatter.

But all three of them knew that if Xie Wangsheng didn't have a backup plan, in another ten minutes, with their spiritual energy exhausted, they truly wouldn't be able to protect the thousands of ordinary people behind them from the endless attacks of these demons.

Blame?

No, they only felt fortunate.

Amidst the chaotic crowd, screams rose and fell, but many people, especially the young ones, were staring intently at the three figures holding their ground at the front.

Lightning flashed, Sword Qi surged, and Talismans danced.

Those three were like guardian deities descended to the mortal world from myths and legends, using their flesh and blood to shield them from the arrival of Hell.

"Are they... students from Kunlun Academy?"

A young boy, hiding in his mother's arms, gazed dazedly at Fang Yuan's back. Something was quietly sprouting in his heart, which had been previously consumed by fear.

"I want to join Kunlun Academy too!"

"I want to become like them!"

Such thoughts grew wildly in the hearts of many young people.

And opposite them were more than ten Yao Beasts of various forms, and several Evil Cultivator with black Qi swirling around them.

The leading Evil Cultivator licked his lips, revealing a cruel smile.

"Genius of Kunlun Academy? Nothing special, really."

"Look at them, to protect those useless ants, they can't even fully exert themselves. How laughable!"

Fang Yuan stared at the opponent. He could clearly perceive that these Evil Cultivator had all broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

The chillingly evil aura was identical to the Medicinal Pill Sun Fang had consumed earlier, but even purer and more powerful.

This definitely had something to do with the loosening of the Ancient Demons' Seal!

"Stop talking nonsense with them! Get rid of them, and turn all those people behind into our sustenance!"

The leading Evil Cultivator roared, and over a dozen Yao Beasts and several Evil Cultivator simultaneously erupted, charging towards Fang Yuan and the two others, and the crowd behind them, with a foul wind.

This attack was more ferocious than any before!

Fang Yuan was prepared to take serious injuries to block this strike.

But at this very moment...

An irresistible sense of weightlessness suddenly seized all the demons and evil entities present, including Fang Yuan and the other two.

Heaven and Earth seemed to invert at this moment.

The mall ceiling, the terrified crowd, and the dazzling array of shops instantly twisted, elongated, and finally dissolved into nothingness.

The next second...

Whistling wind rushed into their ears!

The biting cold air made the Evil Cultivator shiver violently.

They were horrified to discover that they had appeared ten thousand meters above Global Port!

Below them was the brilliant night view of the demon capital, like a chessboard.

"Wh-what's going on?"

"We're in the sky!?"

"It's a Formation! We fell into a trap!"

The demons and Evil Cultivator were completely plunged into chaos and panic, flapping aimlessly in the high sky, utterly bewildered by what had happened.

However, in stark contrast to their terror...

Fang Yuan, Liu Lian, and Han Li, after a brief moment of weightlessness, felt an unprecedented sense of liberation!

"Hahahahahahaha!"

Liu Lian's unrestrained laughter echoed through the night sky. He stood on his Flying Sword, his white robes flapping in the strong wind, all his previous frustrations and suppressions swept away.

"Finally, I don't have to hold back!"

"You grandsons, your grandpa is here to play with you properly!"

Han Li didn't laugh. He simply calmly took out stack after stack of Talismans, thick as bricks, from his Storage Pouch and floated them in front of him.

Fang Yuan didn't even bother to say a word. He just looked up at the sky.

In an instant, dark clouds gathered, and thunder rumbled!

Without the constraints of civilians, the Geniuses of Kunlun Academy's Combat Department could finally unleash their terror without reservation!

"Azure Thunder Transformation!"

Fang Yuan formed hand Seals, and a pitch-black, world-destroying Heavenly Thunder descended from the sky. Guided by him, it transformed into a ferocious, roaring Thunder Dragon, its body stirring the wind and clouds, swooping down towards the bewildered horde of demons!

"Five Finger Fist Heart Sword!"

Liu Lian also struck his signature pose, his right hand clenched into a fist, raised high. Endless, sharp Sword Qi erupted from his body, weaving into a net that covered the sky!

"Go."

Han Li softly uttered a single word.

Hundreds of Talismans in front of him instantly activated, transforming into fire dragons, ice Phoenixes, wind blades, and earth walls, overwhelming everything, forming a colorful torrent of death!

At this moment, these previously arrogant demons and evil entities finally felt what despair was.

"No! Impossible!"

The leading Evil Cultivator looked at the Thunder Dragon, whose might was enough to tear apart Divine Souls, felt the Sword Qi that could cleave all things, and the Talisman storm that could blast them to smithereens, letting out an incredulous scream.

"We are all in the Foundation Establishment Stage! Why is the difference so vast!"

No one answered him.

His only answer was the all-destroying attack descending from the sky, a mixture of thunder, Sword Qi, and myriad spells.

Before they were completely engulfed, they finally understood one truth.

Though both were in the Foundation Establishment Stage, the Foundation Establishment Stage of Kunlun Academy and their Foundation Establishment Stage were not on the same level at all.

Between the two, there was a world of difference!