Half an hour later, a buzzing sound echoed through the void as a flash of cyan light revealed an emerald-green formation disk appearing in a palm. A spell incantation flickered briefly before vanishing into it.
The next moment, the delighted voice of the Wood Clan warrior immediately rang out:
“Brother Han, are you alright over there? I’ve completed my preparations here and can activate the restrictions now. Lure those Saint Ancestor avatars into the mountain range, and I’ll trap them with the grand formation.”
“No need for such trouble. Save those restrictions for the next wave of enemies. I’ve already dealt with things here.” Han Li replied indifferently, holding the formation disk in one hand while examining a black axe with keen interest in the other.
This axe was none other than the demonic weapon wielded by the golden-armored demon earlier.
The surrounding void was now empty, save for Crab Daoist and the battered spirit puppet. The ground within a hundred miles, however, was pockmarked with craters, not a single patch left intact.
Clearly, an even fiercer battle had erupted here not long ago.
“What? Brother Han, what do you mean by—” The Wood Clan warrior’s voice from the formation disk faltered in shock, as if unable to believe what he had just heard.
“Those Saint Ancestor avatars have already been dealt with by me and Brother Crab. You should conserve the restrictions you control for later.” Han Li chuckled, flicking his wrist to make the black axe vanish.
In the earlier battle, he and Crab Daoist had easily overpowered the golden-armored warrior and his two demonic companions. Though the trio had tried desperately to flee, they were ultimately hunted down and slain.
“Brother Han and Brother Crab’s abilities are truly beyond my imagination. With this, our second formation node is now completely secure.” The Wood Clan warrior’s voice brimmed with joy, now tinged with a hint of reverence.
Clearly, Han Li’s display of power had made the Wood Clan warrior reconsider treating him as an equal, his tone now carrying a trace of awe.
Han Li smiled faintly and was about to reply when a series of muffled thunderclaps suddenly rolled across the sky. White light flashed wildly in all directions as waves of energy surged from one horizon, sweeping past him in mere moments.
Almost simultaneously, the Wood Clan warrior’s startled exclamation came through the formation disk.
Han Li’s smile froze as his eyes flickered uncertainly. After a pause, he slowly transmitted his voice into the disk:
“Brother Cao, was that anomaly just now the destruction of the first formation node?”
“You’re right, Brother Han. The reserve sacred tree confirms that the first node has indeed been destroyed. It seems the Saint Ancestors attacked all three nodes simultaneously.” The Wood Clan warrior’s voice was laced with bitterness.
“Expected. I suspect we’ll soon receive a second wave of guests here as well.” Han Li replied with a cold laugh.
“Brother Han, you and Brother Crab should return and rest for now. If more Saint Ancestor avatars come, we’ll need your strength to hold them off. It’s best to recover as much energy as possible.” The Wood Clan warrior suggested after a moment of contemplation.
“Sound advice. Brother Crab and I will return to rest then.” Han Li nodded in agreement, his eyes glinting.
Without further delay, he stowed the formation disk and signaled to Crab Daoist before soaring into the sky.
The two transformed into streaks of light, streaking toward the heart of the mountain range.
Below where they had stood, the ravaged earth suddenly glowed with verdant light as lush grass and shrubs sprouted in an instant. Countless trees shot up at a visible pace, reclaiming the land with towering hundred-zhang giants that concealed all traces of the battle.
Half a day later, tens of thousands of miles beyond the mountain range, a thunderous roar erupted in the void. A black streak flashed across the horizon as an endless tide of dark energy surged forth, rolling toward the mountains.
Hidden within the ominous black mist was a pitch-black, mountain-like palace.
On a platform atop the palace stood seven demonic men and women in varied attire, conversing in low voices. Each radiated an overwhelming aura, clearly no ordinary demonic elders.
“Those useless fools from the She Clan! While our two groups succeeded effortlessly, they vanished without a trace, forcing us to make this extra trip.” A towering demonic man wreathed in blue light grumbled irritably.
“In terms of strength, the five from the She Clan were nearly our equals. That’s why they were assigned to handle this node alone. Their silence likely means they’re trapped in some formidable restriction.” A graceful palace-robed woman chuckled.
“Hmph! If we and Sister Sha’s group succeeded so easily, the She Clan’s failure can only mean they’re incompetent.” The towering demon sneered, clearly harboring no goodwill toward “Old She.”
“If they’re merely trapped, that’s one thing. But if they’ve met a powerful foe and perished, we must proceed with caution.” A yellow-haired elder interjected coldly.
“Impossible. Unless they encountered a Mahayana cultivator, they should’ve been able to escape. The loss of contact is likely due to the local restrictions—nothing unusual.” The palace-robed woman dismissed the concern lightly.
“Regardless, if the defenders here could stop Old She’s group, they must have some tricks. Caution is warranted.” The yellow-haired elder insisted impassively.
“If Elder Ji says so, we’ll be careful.” One of the other demons replied nonchalantly, with the rest nodding in agreement.
The yellow-haired elder nodded, about to add more when his expression suddenly changed. He jerked his head up, scanning the sky.
“Elder Ji, what is it?” The towering demon asked, puzzled.
Before the elder could answer, an unbelievable surge of energy erupted above. Cyan light flashed as a vast azure curtain materialized, transforming into a colossal net that descended like lightning.
“Scatter, now!” The elder bellowed, rolling to the ground and morphing into a giant yellow-feathered eagle. With a flap of its wings, it shot skyward as a streak of golden light.
The other six demons reacted swiftly, each activating their escape techniques to flee in all directions.
The cyan net spanned hundreds of acres, sweeping up the black mist and four demons too slow to evade. The remaining three demons—the elder among them—circled back, their auras flaring as they prepared to rescue their trapped comrades.
But the net shimmered and condensed into a colossal glowing sphere, letting out a piercing cry before vanishing into the heavens.
The three demons outside stared in shock before fury took over. They were about to pursue when two figures—one cyan, one gold—materialized in their path.
The yellow-haired elder and his companions tensed, scrutinizing the newcomers warily.
The cyan figure was none other than Han Li, who had crossed the void. After a brief glance, he spoke coolly:
“Since you three escaped the restriction, I’ll send you on your way first. Don’t worry—your companions will join you shortly. You won’t be lonely.”
With that, Han Li slapped the crown of his head, releasing a golden Nascent Soul. A clear chime sounded as five more golden lights emerged from his body, morphing into massive phantoms—a giant ape, a rainbow phoenix, a silver roc, a peacock, and a golden dragon—circling him rapidly.
The Nascent Soul gestured, and the five phantoms merged into it.
A thunderous boom!
The Nascent Soul erupted in blinding golden light. When it faded, both Han Li and the Nascent Soul had vanished, replaced by a towering, monstrous figure clad in golden scales, a single azure horn jutting from its forehead and a third black eye glaring ominously between its brows.
Han Li had activated the first stage of his Nirvana Sacred Body transformation.
Beside him, Crab Daoist crackled with silver lightning as he reverted to his true form—a colossal hundred-zhang crab.
The three demons below paled at the sight.
—
Hours later, the first formation node of the Wood Realm Grand Formation was completely engulfed in demonic energy. Below, countless demonic soldiers stood in orderly ranks, while high-ranking demons exchanged grim looks overhead.
“Elder Ji’s group has also lost contact! There must be something wrong with the second node. Two groups sent there, yet not a single message returned.” A demonic youth clad in exquisite black armor murmured darkly.
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