Physical attacks and soul attacks were two completely different attacks. Physical attacks, as its name suggested, would leave physical injuries and could be countered with strength. Soul attacks, on the other hand, left no injuries on the physical body as it would destroy one's soul. Moreover, it was almost impossible to stop it unless one had an object with a Restriction Formation. Unfortunately, Restriction Formations were only available in Devata Realms.
For this reason, Gongsun Wen Tian was confident the defective metal piece that Duan Ling Tian had shot out would be helpless to stop his soul attack. He was certain his soul attack would easily pierce through the defective metal piece and destroy Duan Ling Tian's soul!
Similarly, Gongsun Hong who was standing next to Gongsun Wen Tian and Xuan Yuan Zhi, the Nine Tribulation Bodiless Celestial from the Yellow Thearch Mansion, who was standing next to Duan Ling Tian, had the same thought as Gongsun Wen Tian.
'Brother Ling Tian, that's a soul attack! You won't be able to repel it!' Xuan Yuan Zhi was certain Duan Ling Tian would die.
Meanwhile, the Eight Tribulation Bodiless Celestials from the Gongsun family could vaguely see the situation before them. They smiled coldly, certain that Duan Ling Tian would die. Many people thought Duan Ling Tian's actions were futile.
"The old ancestor has cast his soul attack, right?"
"Hum! Duan Ling Tian is seeking death!"
"Our old ancestor is a Nine Tribulation Bodiless Celestial after all. His soul attack is comparable to the soul attack of a Heavenly Celestial at his peak. As a mere Eminent Celestial, it's impossible for Duan Ling Tian to repel our ancestor's soul attack!"
"Duan Ling Tian is truly seeking death!"
"Duan Ling Tian is trying to defend against the soul attack from Gongsun Wen Tian? How pointless! Not only is he doing something useless, but he has also lost the chance to take Gongsun Wen Tian down with him!"
"I wonder what's going through his mind? Don't tell me he thinks his physical attack is able to stop Gongsun Wen Tian's soul attack?" The only two Eight Tribulation Bodiless Celestials present on the scene shook their heads.
The two Eight Tribulation Bodiless Celestials were the only ones who could vaguely see what was happening. They thought Duan Ling Tian was foolish for not trying to take Gongsun Wen Tian down with him but cast such a useless attack instead.
Just a moment later, as the Eight and Nine Tribulation Bodiless Celestials watched on, there was a sudden disturbance...
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
The defect metal piece that Duan Ling Tian had thrown out finally collided with Gongsun Wen Tian's soul attack!
Their eyes soon widened in disbelief when they saw Gongsun Wen Tian's soul attack that was like a pair of dragons playing with a pearl disappeared as soon as it touched the defective metal piece! It was as though the defective metal piece had devoured or absorbed the soul attack!
Swoosh!
Before the onlookers regained their senses, Duan Ling Tian casually waved his hand. The defective metal piece made a turn and returned to his hand immediately. He played with the defective metal piece in his hand as he glanced at Gongsun Wen Tian coldly. He said in an indifferent tone, "So this the soul attack of a Nine Tribulation Bodiless Celestial? Is that all?"
When the Eight and Nine Tribulation Bodiless Celestials regained their senses, they inhaled sharply. Their eyes were filled with shock and fear when they looked at Duan Ling Tian again. This was especially true for the strongest person in Yan Huang Realm, the old ancestor and Nine Tribulation Bodiless Celestial from the Gongsun family, Gongsun Wen Tian.
Gongsun Wen Tian did not hold back and had unleashed all his strength when he had cast the soul attack earlier. He had exhausted a part of his soul and would need ten to fourteen days to recover. However, Duan Ling Tian had easily blocked his soul attack!
'What's that metal piece?' Gongsun Wen Tian, naturally, knew the defective metal piece Duan Ling Tian was playing with was the reason Duan Ling Tian was able to counter his soul attack.
Naturally, the Eight and Nine Tribulation Bodiless Celestials shared the same thought as Gongsun Wen Tian. Their eyes were all glued to the defective metal piece in Duan Ling Tian's hand at this moment.
The defective metal piece looked very ordinary at a glance. However, upon closer inspection, they saw a faint and mysterious light surrounding it. When they subconsciously extended their Divine Consciousness to probe the metal piece, they discovered the metal piece was like an insatiable beast that kept devouring their Divine Consciousness. It was difficult for them to withdraw their Divine Consciousness from the defective metal piece!
Xuan Yuan Zhi, the Nine Tribulation Bodiless Celestial from the Yellow Thearch Mansion, who was standing next to Duan Ling Tian, sighed in relief as he looked at the defective metal piece in Duan Ling Tian's hand. 'That's why it's able to block Gongsun Wen Tian's soul attack. Brother Ling Tian's metal piece is, indeed, extraordinary!' A wry smile appeared on his face as he continued thinking to himself, 'No wonder Brother Ling Tian is so calm. As it turns out, he already has a plan.' If Duan Ling Tian had told him about this earlier, he would not have felt so frightened earlier.
"What's that piece of metal in your hand?" Gongsun Wen Tian looked at Duan Ling Tian in fear and shock. At the same time, he realized the ominous feeling he had earlier was accurate. As it turned out, Duan Ling Tian was truly not afraid of his soul attack. He knew regardless of how many times he cast his soul attack, he would not be able to injure Duan Ling Tian as long as Duan Ling Tian possessed the defective metal piece. For a moment, he felt remorse flooding him. He should not have been greedy and covet Duan Ling Tian's technique that could snatch Celestial Supreme Treasures away. Otherwise, he would not be in this predicament now.
Everyone, non-members and members of the Gongsun family alike, was confused since they could not see what happened earlier due to their weak cultivation bases. However, they could tell that Duan Ling Tian seemed to hold the upper hand. They could see the fear in Gongsun Wen Tian's eyes. He seemed as though he was looking at a monster when he looked at Duan Ling Tian.
"W-what's going on?"
"Didn't our ancestor cast his soul attack? Why is Duan Ling Tian still alive?"
"Can anyone tell me what's going on?"
One of the onlookers who was more astute said, "Look! Apart from Gongsun Wen Tian, even the other Nine Tribulation Bodiless Celestial from the Gongsun family seems afraid of Duan Ling Tian."
Instantly, an uproar broke out.
"W-what's going on?"
Gongsun Wen Tian, the Nine Tribulation Bodiless Celestial of the Gongsun family who was widely acknowledged as the strongest person in Yan Huang Realm, looked at Su Li whom he held in his hand. As though he was clutching at straws, he said threateningly, "Duan Ling Tian! Swear on the lighting penalty oath that you won't be an enemy of the Gongsun family for the rest of your life. Otherwise, I'll kill Su Li right now!" He stared at Duan Ling Tian with reddened eyes. He seemed like a cornered beast at this moment.
Faced with Gongsun Wen Tian's threat, Duan Ling Tian remained calm. Those who were not in the know would think he did not care about Su Li's life. He replied nonchalantly, "I've already said, you can kill Su Li. However, if he dies, I'll kill and destroy your entire family!" Then, he turned to look at Su Li before he asked, "Su Li, you won't blame me, right?"
Su Li coughed twice as he struggled to breathe. A faint smile could be seen on his face as he said with great difficulty, "I-I can't even thank you enough, so how can I blame you? With a top force like the Gongsun family accompanying me in my death, I, Su Li, will die without regrets!"
Duan Ling Tian nodded. "I'm relieved to hear that."
As soon as Gongsun Wen Tian heard Su Li's words, his expression changed dramatically.