Chapter 1058: Magic Suppression

Gui Ling wielded a massive silver axe, from which the phantom of a tiger-like monster emerged, spewing strange yellow mist, barely managing to fend off the black miasma. Meanwhile, Lin Yinping and the young man surnamed Xu, who had possessed the Spirit Rhinoceros Peacock, gathered under the cover of the five-colored spiritual light, similarly managing to protect themselves.

Han Li merely glanced at them before frowning slightly and turning his gaze to the Eight Spirit Ruler and the Black Wind Banner floating in the air.

These two spiritual treasures—one temporarily demonized and the other masterless—were unable to unleash their true power. Yet, the silver lotus, several zhang in size, and the black serpent, resembling a flood dragon, clashed fiercely amidst swirling black winds and drifting silver runes, locked in a stalemate.

However, these two spiritual treasures were positioned conspicuously high in the sky. No matter how much Han Li’s heart stirred with desire, they remained out of reach. Not only would the ancient demon saint’s wolf incarnation not allow it, but the others present would never stand idly by either.

Since the ancient demon saint had broken free, Han Li had realized that its powers were beyond his ability to resist. He had immediately considered fleeing, escaping this perilous place. Yet, the area was a sealed space, leaving him with no immediate means of retreat.

Thus, Han Li had no choice but to steel himself and do his utmost to avoid being dragged into the battle.

Though he had noticed that his Divine Devilbane Lightning was still quite effective against the inky black demonic energy, he only used it to protect himself, refusing to recklessly charge forward and draw attention.

If the ancient demon saint were to notice him and target him specifically, he would be in grave danger.

Moreover, even if the ancient demon saint truly broke free, it would be the Great Jin’s cultivators who would suffer first. Han Li had no intention of taking risks on their behalf.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Han Li discreetly extended his spiritual sense toward the altar.

As expected, the moment his spiritual sense touched the altar’s surface, it was repelled by an inexplicable restriction, unable to penetrate deeper.

Han Li sighed inwardly. When his spiritual sense unconsciously swept beneath the altar, he was momentarily stunned.

Deep underground, beneath the altar, he sensed a golden sphere about a foot in size—the swarm of Gold Devouring Beetles he had secretly released earlier.

These spirit insects had somehow also reached the ninth level.

He had originally released them to search for weak points in the eighth level’s spatial barriers, but due to the appearance of the black teleportation formation, he had lost contact with them. Now, it seemed they had been teleported to the ninth level during the spatial rupture.

Perhaps because they had been underground in the eighth level, they had emerged beneath the ninth level’s altar, unnoticed by anyone else.

Han Li glanced at the flickering stone pillars surrounding the massive altar. After a brief hesitation, he quietly issued a command to the Gold Devouring Beetles.

Instantly, the golden sphere disintegrated, scattering into thousands of individual beetles.

Meanwhile, on the surface, the Ten-Thousand-Year Corpse Bear and “Hua Tianqi” were clearly unwilling to remain in a stalemate. They occasionally launched fierce attacks at the distant stone pillars, attempting to destroy the formation. However, aside from the Corpse Bear’s blood blade leaving shallow marks, all other attacks proved ineffective.

Even “Hua Tianqi’s” seemingly powerful milky-white giant hand could only cause the pillars to tremble slightly.

The material of these pillars was astonishingly resilient.

Of course, if the Corpse Bear or “Hua Tianqi” (possessed by Long Meng) had time to focus on a single pillar, they might eventually destroy it. But whenever any of them attempted to retreat, the two-headed wolf would immediately unleash torrents of black miasma, forcing them back into the fray.

There was no true escape.

Han Li absentmindedly fended off the demonic energy while scanning his surroundings for a way out.

Under Xuan Qingzi’s cover, Seven Wonders True Person had already summoned five emerald-green rings into the air.

Chanting incantations, the scholar continuously fired spells at the rings, causing them to emit strange, fluctuating cries and glow with spiritual light.

The two-headed wolf, having entangled the newcomers with black miasma, turned its attention back to “Hua Tianqi” and the Corpse Bear near the altar.

In the demon’s eyes, these two were its true adversaries.

“Hua Tianqi” was none other than Long Meng, with whom it had battled for control of the silver wolf’s body for years. The Corpse Bear, though only at the late Nascent Soul stage, wielded a blood blade that could counter its demonic energy.

If not for the vast difference in cultivation, the Corpse Bear might have been able to break through the demonic energy alone.

This was why the demon remained vigilant.

In truth, if not for the unexpected control it had gained over a human female cultivator in the eighth level—and the Dragon Transformation Seal it had obtained from her—it would never have ventured to the ninth level. It would have fled the Demon Suppression Tower long ago.

Now, with the altar’s seal partially undone, the demon could draw endless demonic energy as long as it remained on the altar. Not only was it holding its own against the cultivators, but its depleted demonic essence was slowly recovering.

Thus, the demon grew even more cautious, biding its time for the seal to fully break.

However, when the green light in the sky began to shine, the wolf sensed a familiar, terrifying power. Startled, it looked up.

“Demon Restriction Rings!”

Upon recognizing the five emerald rings, the wolf’s eyes flashed with fear. Its black head let out a deafening roar, and black light gathered in its maw as if preparing to unleash another attack.

But Seven Wonders True Person had already completed his spell. With a solemn command, he pointed at one of the rings and uttered, “Restrict!”

The ring vanished in a flash of light, only to reappear around the wolf’s neck, tightening rapidly.

The wolf’s roar was cut short, replaced by a pained whimper. It clawed at the ring, but the emerald light flared, repelling its attack.

Seeing this, the others near the altar rejoiced and intensified their assault on the demonic energy.

Without the wolf’s control, the miasma weakened, allowing the Corpse Bear and “Hua Tianqi” to press forward.

The Silver-Winged Nightfiend and the Lion Hawk Beast, however, suddenly turned and attacked the surrounding stone pillars at the Corpse Bear’s command.

Meanwhile, Xuan Qingzi and Seven Wonders True Person seized the opportunity. The old daoist channeled all his power into his sword, cleaving a path through the miasma.

At the same time, the remaining four rings appeared around the wolf’s limbs, tightening and forcing it to collapse onto the altar.

Witnessing this, Han Li recalled an ancient treasure he had once obtained in the Virtual Sky Palace—the Five Elements Ring. Apart from their differing power levels, the Demon Restriction Rings bore a striking resemblance. Could the Five Elements Ring have been a replica?

Just then, Xuan Qingzi roared in fury, “Bear Master, how dare you?!”

The old daoist transformed into a yellow streak, shooting toward the miasma, while Seven Wonders True Person vanished in a blur of gray mist.

Han Li then noticed that “Hua Tianqi” and the Corpse Bear had transformed into white and green giant hands, respectively, reaching for the Black Wind Banner and the silver lotus.

Mu Furen, meanwhile, was held back by her junior sister, unable to intervene.

Han Li pursed his lips but remained still. Two streaks of light—Lin Yinping and the Spirit Rhinoceros Peacock—shot toward the spiritual treasures.

Gui Ling, however, hesitated and refrained from joining the fray.

The air erupted with chaotic spiritual light and deafening explosions. The alliance against the ancient demon had shattered in an instant as everyone fought over the two treasures.

Han Li’s gaze, however, remained fixed on the altar. After observing the seemingly immobilized wolf, his expression darkened. With a flick of his sleeve, dozens of golden flying swords shot forth, humming ominously.