While Han Li was silently pondering, the woman at the center of the hall, Baohua, suddenly raised her delicate brows and spoke:
“Fellow Daoists, be alert—they’re here.”
Baohua didn’t specify what “they” were, but the previously composed expressions of the other Grand Ascension cultivators instantly tensed. Some even immediately swept their spiritual senses beyond the giant ship without hesitation.
Han Li’s heart tightened, and he did the same.
The surrounding sea of insects stirred, and suddenly, fiery red monstrous insects resembling blazing fireballs emerged.
These insects weren’t particularly large, only about ten feet in size, but their bodies were covered in faint golden spirit patterns. Their eyes were emerald green, with shifting five-colored radiance swirling within.
As soon as these insects appeared, the Grand Ascension cultivators stationed at the bow and stern of the ship paled and immediately activated their treasures and spells.
Sword beams, saber auras, fireballs, and black mist surged forth with overwhelming momentum.
The ordinary insects nearby were instantly reduced to ashes under such ferocious attacks.
However, when the fiery red monstrous insects were struck, they merely fluttered their wings, their bodies blurring as they vanished from the attacks.
In the next moment, seven or eight of them reappeared right beside the Grand Ascension cultivators, their hind legs propelling them forward like arrows.
The Grand Ascension cultivators were shocked. Some unleashed a barrage of piercing spikes, others summoned protective treasures with glowing auras, and one even reached out to grab an insect directly.
Yet, regardless of their countermeasures, the insects simply flickered again, bypassing all obstacles as if intangible, appearing right beside the cultivators. Their bodies then erupted with blinding crimson flames, preparing to self-destruct.
The Grand Ascension cultivators inwardly cursed, realizing they could only rely on their formidable physiques to endure the explosions.
But at that moment, Baohua’s cold voice echoed through the void:
“Fear not. Leave these to me.”
A white beam shot out from the ship’s hall, splitting into several smaller rays that struck the self-destructing insects, sending them flying dozens of feet away.
A series of deafening explosions followed, and several crimson suns appeared in midair. The surrounding space trembled, cracks spreading as if the void itself might tear apart.
The power of these insects’ self-destruction was terrifying.
The Grand Ascension cultivators watched in shock. Had they endured the explosions at such close range, they might not have perished, but severe injuries would have been inevitable.
Above the ship, space rippled, and a phantom of a giant pink flower flashed before Baohua appeared in the sky, expressionless.
Before the cultivators could thank her, a dozen more fiery red insects materialized around her, preparing to self-destruct and annihilate her.
Baohua sneered, and countless silver stars erupted from her body, transforming into a vast galaxy that engulfed the insects.
A few muffled explosions later, the crimson suns flickered out like fireworks within the galaxy, leaving no damage.
The stars coalesced into a ten-foot-long banner adorned with shimmering constellations—the Falling Star Banner.
Meanwhile, streaks of light shot from the ship as more Grand Ascension cultivators emerged, including Han Li, who watched Baohua’s actions with keen interest.
The repeated failures of the self-destructing insects enraged the swarm. Soon, nearly a thousand more crimson insects surged forth.
Even Baohua’s expression tightened. She unfurled the banner again, summoning the galaxy to shield the ship and its occupants. At the same time, she pointed at the small mirror in the sky.
The mirror, originally palm-sized, expanded into a cold, golden moon, releasing hundreds of beams that pierced through the insects.
A hundred insects exploded on the spot, their flames incinerating nearby ordinary insects. The rest flickered and vanished, teleporting away.
Baohua’s eyes gleamed as she silently activated her treasure.
The seemingly calm galaxy surged violently, stars shifting chaotically as spatial ripples spread.
Under these conditions, the hidden insects were forced back into visibility, their movements sluggish as if trapped in thick syrup.
With a cold smile, Baohua channeled her immense spiritual power into the golden moon.
Beams of light rained down, obliterating the trapped insects one by one, though the moon itself dimmed with each shot.
After a relentless barrage, most of the insects were annihilated, but the moon’s light faded entirely, reverting to a small mirror that fell from the sky.
Baohua caught it midair, then glanced at the remaining insects in the galaxy. With a hand seal, the galaxy inverted violently, stars colliding and exploding into a silver storm filled with white spatial rifts.
“Temporal Storm!” a Grand Ascension cultivator exclaimed in shock.
The others were equally stunned, while Han Li smirked thoughtfully.
The remaining insects were swallowed by the storm, vanishing without a trace.
Satisfied, Baohua dispersed the storm and retrieved the Falling Star Banner, its spiritual energy visibly depleted.
After all, a Temporal Storm was a heaven-defying power beyond ordinary imitation treasures. The banner must have employed a self-sacrificing secret technique to unleash it.
Baohua descended to the ship, announcing calmly, “The self-destructing insects are eradicated. Fellow Daoists need not worry any longer.”
The other cultivators exchanged glances before returning to the ship, murmuring about the display of power. Han Li simply resumed his seat.
With the obstacles cleared, the fleet sped forward unhindered.
Hours later, before reinforcements could arrive, they broke free from the insect sea and glimpsed the distant Origin Seal Land.
However, the elite demon army had suffered heavy losses, reduced to just over ten thousand as they escorted the ship to their destination.
Upon arrival, the Grand Ascension cultivators disembarked, some marveling at the desolate hills and silent ruins at the edge of the land.
Strangely, the pursuing insects halted at the hills’ border, as if terrified of something within, unwilling to advance further.
“This is the power of the ancient seal—it suppresses these insects. Let the others stay here to monitor the swarm while we proceed deeper,” the Copper Crow Elder declared coldly.
Baohua nodded. “Agreed. As planned, Fellow Daoists Que and Feng, remain here with your disciples to repair the damaged outer formations. These formations are linked to the ancient seal—restoring them will aid its recovery.”
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