Chapter 1938: Reversal

The object flashed with light, revealing what appeared to be an ordinary scroll.

As the scroll flew above the green sphere, it slowly unfurled, displaying a painting adorned with countless golden flying swords.

This was none other than the “Ten Thousand Swords Painting” that Han Li had recently refined.

The moment the painting unfurled, a surge of sword energy shot into the sky, and a dazzling golden sword light erupted from within.

When the golden light vanished, the green sphere that had been hovering before the painting had disappeared—it had been absorbed into the Ten Thousand Swords Painting.

A faint smile appeared on the wooden face of the green-skinned spiritual body as it formed a hand seal with one hand. The golden sword painting slowly rolled back up, transforming once more into a scroll that floated quietly in the air.

At that moment, the golden-furred giant ape raised a massive hand toward the sky.

A thunderous boom echoed!

The illusory palace and pavilion, which had been flickering indistinctly thousands of feet above but held back by some mysterious force, suddenly emitted a radiant glow from its base. With a whoosh, the scroll was drawn into it.

Then, multicolored lights churned, and a dense white mist enveloped the palace and pavilion, obscuring all the structures within.

Meanwhile, inside the area transformed by the Nine Palaces Heavenly Talisman…

The Ten Thousand Swords Painting trembled violently, its surface shimmering with golden light before abruptly unfurling again with a muffled sound.

However, the scroll had only managed to open halfway when the phantom of a seven-colored pagoda emerged from within.

A deafening explosion followed, and the scroll shattered into countless golden streaks that scattered in all directions.

Amidst the explosion, a seven-colored orb shot out—none other than the small seven-colored pagoda.

Yet, upon closer inspection, a deathly pale face could faintly be seen flickering on the pagoda’s surface—the visage of the youth who had merged with it.

His face was ghastly pale, twisted with shock and fury, clearly indicating that activating the pagoda had drained a significant amount of his vitality.

But before the seven-colored pagoda could unleash any further abilities, the golden streaks from the explosion suddenly intensified, becoming blindingly bright.

A shrill chorus of cries erupted as countless golden flying swords materialized around the pagoda. Each sword gleamed identically, their numbers so vast that they formed an endless sea of blades.

The entire area had transformed into a true ocean of swords, with nothing but golden light in sight.

The face attached to the seven-colored pagoda froze at the sight.

Yet, in the next instant, all the swords let out piercing shrieks as their tips turned unerringly toward the pagoda.

“Not good!”

The youth’s face on the pagoda paled further at the sight of ten thousand swords aimed at him.

The pagoda emitted a resonant hum as rings of seven-colored light radiated outward.

Instantly, the surrounding golden swords trembled before unleashing a storm of sword beams, all converging upon the pagoda.

Though the seven-colored light possessed formidable defensive power, under the relentless assault of countless sword beams, it flickered wildly, on the verge of collapse.

The blood-light avatar, fused with the pagoda, could not simply stand by. Yet, under such a ferocious attack, it had no time to employ other techniques.

With a low growl, it channeled a surge of spiritual power into the pagoda. The seven-colored light stabilized momentarily, repelling some of the sword beams.

But the onslaught was unending—the golden swords seemed indestructible.

As the next wave of sword beams descended, the seven-colored light wavered once more.

Helpless, the avatar poured more of its energy into the pagoda, reinforcing its defenses.

For the time being, the seven-colored pagoda was trapped, unable to escape.

Meanwhile, outside the Nine Palaces Heavenly Talisman’s domain, Han Li, in his giant ape form, sensed the situation within and felt a surge of satisfaction.

With a roar, his massive body lunged toward the lead youth, who was still entangled with the Gold Devouring Beetles.

The spiritual body below flickered with light, preparing to follow.

But then, a streak of blood-light appeared in the distance, racing toward them—another avatar of the Blood Light Saint Ancestor, the one who had pursued the Purple Word Cauldron.

Whether it had reclaimed the treasure or not was unclear, but it was now swiftly rejoining the lead youth.

“Stop him!”

Han Li immediately commanded the spiritual body through divine sense.

In response, the spiritual body veered toward the approaching avatar.

The youth’s eyes flashed coldly as he flicked his fingers toward the spiritual body.

Ten blood threads shot from his fingertips, transforming into a thick crimson sword beam that slashed down menacingly.

At the same time, he spat a torrent of black flames.

Though the spiritual body was weaker in power, it did not back down. It retaliated with a burst of green threads and summoned a silver ruler, unleashing a storm of ruler shadows.

The avatar was momentarily stalled, unable to advance.

Meanwhile, Han Li’s giant ape form chanted incantations, its six arms weaving silver runes in the air. These runes swirled before transforming into crushing forces that surged toward the lead youth.

The youth, who had initially been confident in his fellow avatars’ battle, was now alarmed.

The Purple Word Cauldron had inexplicably slipped from their control, and now the seven-colored pagoda and one avatar had been sealed away.

Were it not for the faint sense that the avatar was still intact and might break free, he would have fled immediately.

Yet, hesitation flickered in his mind.

Han Li’s attack, however, ignited his fury. With a sinister laugh, the eight blood specters battling the Gold Devouring Beetles dissipated, and the eight green demon heads shot from the giant ring, merging into his body.

Instantly, the demon avatar’s body swelled, matching the golden ape in size. Eight black fumes rose from his shoulders, forming eight grotesque heads, each displaying a different emotion—rage, joy, sorrow, and more—making him even more terrifying.

With a roar, the demon swung its arms, sending claw shadows flying. The eight heads spat black fumes that coalesced into a massive black flower, colliding with Han Li’s crushing force.

Though the flower shattered under the pressure, it absorbed most of the attack. The remaining force was dispersed by the claw shadows.

The golden ape’s six eyes gleamed before it let out a thunderous shout, staggering the demon.

A faint golden sword shadow flickered before the demon’s eyes.

Though dazed, the demon reacted swiftly, grabbing at it—only for the sword to vanish like an illusion.

Before the demon could comprehend the attack, a searing pain erupted in its mind as the sword reappeared and slashed downward.

“Ahhh!”

The demon clutched its head, howling in agony.

This was Han Li’s newly mastered “Mind Sword Technique,” derived from the Ten Thousand Swords Painting—a strike aimed directly at the soul.

However, the technique bore ties to immortal arts, making it perilous to wield. Only by merging with the Mountain-Sundering Ape and the Golden Saint Physique could Han Li dare to use it.

Even so, his three-headed, six-armed form shuddered as blood threads erupted from his body, leaving him in worse shape than the demon.

Yet, Han Li had anticipated the backlash. Suppressing the pain, he lunged forward, crossing a hundred feet in an instant to loom above the demon.

Six golden blades materialized in his hands, slashing down toward the demon’s central head.