Han Li and Luanlong Tianjun hovered motionless in a triangular formation above the lava lake, their spiritual senses quietly probing downward into the molten depths.
They detected a strange, layered resistance within the lava, preventing their senses from penetrating more than a hundred zhang deep.
This was already an impressive feat for Han Li, whose spiritual power far surpassed that of Luanlong Tianjun and the others. If the other demonic venerables had attempted the same, they would have been lucky to reach thirty or forty zhang.
At a depth of a hundred zhang, Han Li could vaguely discern a massive shadow lurking in the deeper parts of the lava lake. However, due to the interference from the fluctuating energy within the lava, he couldn’t make out any details. He couldn’t confirm whether this shadow was their target—the late-stage demonic beast.
Though the shadow remained motionless like an inanimate object, Han Li remained on high alert, coldly monitoring its movements.
Meanwhile, while Bai Yunxin and the others were setting up the formation, the two Bai family ancestors were not idle.
The yellow-haired burly man had already summoned the ancient prismatic mirror into the air, transforming it into hundreds of fragmented reflections that hovered above the lava lake, emitting faint black demonic light downward. His lips moved silently, his expression grave—clearly, performing this technique while most of his magic power was suppressed was no easy task.
The purple-haired woman, on the other hand, formed a single-handed seal, causing a pristine white demonic armor to materialize around her. With her other hand, she reached into the void and grasped a long black halberd. With a mere flick of the weapon, the faint silhouette of a massive black unicorn tiger appeared, growling menacingly as if ready to strike at any moment.
Within the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Bai Yunxin and the other five completed the formation. Instantly, clusters of black mist rose around the lava lake, exuding a murderous aura. Flickers of cold light shimmered within, as though countless hidden blades lurked inside. The six Bai family Void Refinement disciples concealed themselves within the mist, secretly controlling the formation.
“Fellow Daoist Luanlong, the formation is ready. Force the beast out of the lava,” the yellow-haired man transmitted to Luanlong Tianjun.
Upon hearing this, Luanlong Tianjun’s plump face twisted into a savage grin. With a loud shout, he pointed a finger at the blue alms bowl.
The bowl trembled, expanding into a massive blue moon. A clear chime rang out as a thick blue beam shot forth, plunging aggressively into the lava below.
The beam churned the lake like a giant rod, causing fiery waves to surge violently.
A furious roar erupted from the depths. The lava split apart, and a stream of green energy burst forth, colliding with the blue beam and forcing it back out of the lake.
Luanlong Tianjun sneered, releasing a surge of terrifying aura. His stubby fingers flicked rapidly toward the bowl, sending out over a dozen black streaks that vanished instantly.
The blue moon’s chime grew sharper, its surface covered in white runes. The beam it emitted thickened, doubling in size, and pressed down with overwhelming force. The green energy, caught off guard, was instantly obliterated.
The blue beam plunged back into the depths of the lava lake.
**BOOM!**
The entire lake trembled—the attack had struck the hidden demonic beast.
“How does that feel?” Luanlong Tianjun laughed maniacally, preparing another assault.
But suddenly, the cavern shook violently. The lava surged, transforming into a crimson wave that swept toward Luanlong Tianjun, Han Li, and Han Qizi.
Han Li’s expression remained unchanged. The five-colored lotus beneath his feet spun slightly, forming a frigid barrier that effortlessly repelled the flames. Han Qizi, likewise, remained motionless as twelve swirling orbs of cold light expanded into a protective shield.
Luanlong Tianjun, however, let out a furious shout as an invisible force sent him flying backward. He crashed into the cavern wall, embedding himself several feet deep.
In the space where he had been floating, a massive green-flame-wrapped claw appeared, having struck him away.
Though his robes were shredded, Luanlong Tianjun’s black armor had absorbed most of the impact. Aside from looking disheveled, he was only slightly injured.
Enraged, the obese demonic venerable’s face flushed crimson. With a growl, he broke free from the shattered rock, summoning a peculiar three-pronged blade. His body swelled with black mist as he swung the weapon, sending a yellow blade-light slashing toward the green claw.
The claw, despite its size, moved with unnatural speed, vanishing into thin air before the attack could land.
Below, the lava surged again as a colossal figure wreathed in green flames emerged—over twenty zhang tall, emitting deep, bull-like bellows.
Han Li and Han Qizi retreated swiftly. Han Li unleashed countless gray threads of light, while Han Qizi sent two of his twelve cold orbs streaking toward the beast, trailing icy rings.
Yet the beast merely shook its head, its green flames forming layered barriers that dissolved both the gray threads and the ice rings upon contact.
Han Li’s eyes narrowed. His Magnetic Divine Light, which could suppress the five elements, had been effortlessly neutralized—an unexpected turn of events.
Han Qizi’s cold orbs, however, flared with white light, piercing the green flames and hurtling toward the beast. But with a snort, the creature spat two streams of black energy, reverting the orbs into crystalline banners that plummeted downward.
Han Qizi retrieved them with a gesture, his expression briefly startled.
The beast roared again, and the cavern’s temperature skyrocketed. Countless crimson fireballs materialized around it, poised to attack.
But the yellow-haired man and the purple-haired woman struck first.
The man chanted, pointing at the fragmented mirrors. Black lightning erupted from each reflection, weaving into a net that descended upon the beast.
The woman thrust her halberd downward, unleashing the black tiger phantom. It roared, transforming into a streak of black light that twisted space itself, bypassing the fireballs to strike at the beast.
The beast retaliated by conjuring a twin-headed green serpent from its flames, which clashed violently with the tiger phantom. Though both were mere projections, their battle was ferocious, filling the air with roars and hisses.
The black lightning net was held at bay by a barrage of fireballs, preventing it from descending further.
For a late-stage demonic beast, this creature was holding its own against multiple demonic venerables—even gaining the upper hand.
Seizing the moment, Luanlong Tianjun reappeared above the beast, his face dark with fury. He slapped his navel, and a small, blood-red drum emerged from his abdomen.
The drum, covered in snowflake-like runes, emitted no sound when struck. Yet the air around it grew frigid, and crimson snowflakes materialized, falling like a blizzard upon the beast below.
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