Half a quarter of an hour later, a long roar suddenly erupted from the dense forest near the demonic fortress, followed by a flash of emerald light. Over a hundred colossal wooden figures, each dozens of feet tall, emerged from the forest and charged toward the fortress with astonishing speed. Behind these giants, thousands of Wood Clan members surged forth, riding various flying artifacts.
In their hands, emerald-green wooden spears and bows materialized, and with a single motion, countless emerald streaks shot densely toward the fortress. Both the spears and arrows swelled several times their original size the moment they were released.
The protective barrier of the demonic fortress instantly erupted with countless blinding bursts of light, accompanied by a continuous cacophony of deafening explosions.
By then, the hundred-odd wooden giants had reached the fortress. With a flick of their hands, their limbs transformed into massive hammers glowing with white light, smashing relentlessly against the barrier.
A series of tearing sounds echoed as the fortress barrier, after violent tremors, shattered into fragments within moments.
The entire process lasted only a few breaths. By the time the ordinary demons on the fortress walls reacted, alarms and shrieks erupted from all directions. Waves of black light poured from the battlements, raining down like a storm to envelop the Wood Clan forces below.
In an instant, an intense battle erupted before the fortress. Black and emerald lights intertwined, weaving a colossal net of radiance above the fortress, flashing and roaring incessantly.
Though the wooden giants appeared somewhat clumsy, their bodies were as hard as steel. Ordinary demonic attacks left only shallow dents, failing to inflict any real damage. Within moments, they had already breached the fortress walls, smashing through to create massive gaps and fearlessly charging inside.
These wooden giants seemed born with immense strength. Swinging their hammer-like arms, they sent any demons blocking their path flying in a bloody mess, leading the charge deep into the demonic ranks.
However, this enraged the higher-ranking demons. At the command of a high-ranking demon, several deep roars echoed from the fortress’s massive structures, and a dozen or so rhino-like demonic beasts, each dozens of feet long, charged out.
These monstrous beasts, their eyes bloodshot, opened their mouths and unleashed beams of white light, which struck the wooden giants in a flash. A dozen of the giants staggered, nearly toppling over. Where the beams hit, charred holes appeared.
Undeterred, the remaining wooden giants clenched their fists and charged at the beasts. The demonic rhinos, equally fierce, lowered their heads and transformed into a whirlwind, clashing with the wooden giants in a chaotic melee.
Amid deafening roars, the two sides seemed evenly matched for the moment.
Meanwhile, thousands of feet above the ground, the elderly Wood Clan member and the middle-aged couple stood facing four armored demons.
“Hmph, so this is why you’ve grown so bold—you’ve called for reinforcements. No matter. Once we eliminate this old man, there will be no higher-ranking Wood Clan members left in the area,” sneered a high-ranking demon covered in black bristles, resembling a massive bear. His gaze swept over the elder, his expression not of fear but of cruel delight.
At his words, the Wood Clan couple’s expressions flickered, but the elder remained calm. “With just four of you at the Deity Transformation level? Your arrogance is astounding. Let me test your abilities first,” he replied coolly.
“If they’re not enough, what about me?” A thunderous boom echoed as space rippled, and a black-robed figure with twin horns appeared among the four demons, his cold eyes gleaming with cruelty.
The elder’s spiritual sense swept over the newcomer, and his heart sank. This demon was at the late-stage Void Refinement level—two whole stages above his own early-stage cultivation. The odds were overwhelmingly against him.
The Wood Clan couple, though unable to discern the demon’s exact cultivation, sensed his overwhelming aura and paled.
“Lord Inspector, your arrival is most fortuitous. These Wood Clan members lead the resistance here. We humbly request your assistance,” the bear-like demon said, bowing deeply.
The horned demon laughed disdainfully. “Just these three weaklings? I could crush them with one hand. Don’t worry—they won’t escape.”
“Friends, the situation is dire. I’ll hold off this demon. You must retreat with the others—save as many as you can!” the elder transmitted urgently to the couple.
“Elder Bamboo, don’t fight him head-on! Escape if you get the chance!” the man replied anxiously.
The elder nodded gravely. Without another word, he flicked his sleeves, releasing over a dozen green wooden orbs that transformed into a barrage of emerald streaks, enveloping all five demons.
“Seeking death!” the black-robed demon snarled. His horns glowed crimson, unleashing countless red threads that pierced every emerald streak with pinpoint accuracy.
But before he could smirk, the streaks shattered like porcelain, erupting into blinding bursts of light. Temporarily blinded, the five demons instinctively shut their eyes.
Seizing the moment, the Wood Clan couple blurred into two green streaks, retreating rapidly while emitting contrasting cries—one sharp, one soft.
The demons recovered almost instantly, their fury erupting. “I’ll tear you apart and refine your soul! You four, chase those two. This old fool is mine!” the horned demon roared. Dark demonic energy surged from his body, coalescing into a shadowy, two-headed demonic apparition.
Though indistinct, the apparition let out a sinister hum before lunging at the elder.
Unfazed, the elder spat out several yellow bamboo-like sword beams, weaving a protective barrier around himself. Though the demonic apparition pressed fiercely, it couldn’t immediately breach his defenses.
The four Deity Transformation demons hesitated briefly before transforming into black winds, pursuing the fleeing couple.
Below, the Wood Clan forces heard the retreating cries. After a moment of shock, they swiftly reversed course, fleeing en masse.
But the demons, unwilling to let them escape, surged from the fortress in pursuit. The wooden giants, however, remained locked in combat with the demonic rhinos, unable to disengage.
Chaos reigned inside and outside the fortress.
Unnoticed amidst the turmoil, a faint green shadow flickered at the edge of the ten-thousand-foot-high “node,” materializing into Han Li, who had concealed himself with stealth techniques.
The node was shrouded in black demonic energy, guarded by over a hundred spear-wielding demons aboard a dozen warships. Far more disciplined than their counterparts below, they remained vigilant, unmoved by the battle.
Startled by Han Li’s sudden appearance, they barely had time to react before he flicked his sleeve, releasing dozens of small green swords. The blades blurred into hundreds of green threads, slicing through the air and reducing the demons and their ships to dust in an instant.
Han Li then exhaled a silver flame, which exploded into countless sparks, erasing all traces of the demons and their wreckage.
With a hand seal, five-colored gray mist enveloped him. To his surprise, the demonic energy—likely a defensive formation—parted before the mist, dissipating upon contact.
In moments, Han Li pierced through the energy, facing the massive, pitch-black node. Waves of demonic energy billowed from its depths.
His expression turned grave. After a brief hesitation, he gritted his teeth and slapped his chest. Black energy roiled as an ancient-looking demonic armor materialized, encasing him in swirling black runes.
With another incantation, Han Li rolled forward, his body erupting in radiant light as he transformed into a magnificent, five-colored phoenix. The creature exuded an awe-inspiring aura, its wings stirring the void and dispersing the black winds.
Without hesitation, the phoenix dove into the abyss.
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