Han Li’s brow flashed with crystalline light as a burst of radiant threads shot forth, vanishing in an instant as they aimed to pierce the giant insect’s body.
But in that very moment, with a “bang,” the corpse of the massive insect burst apart like foam, dissipating into countless points of white light.
The crystalline glow flickered once more as the threads coiled back into Han Li’s brow. His expression shifted to one of sudden realization, followed by a shadow of gloom.
Meanwhile, in another part of the void, countless pink floral shadows filled the sky, intertwined with frenzied arcs of silver lightning.
Unnoticed, Baohua had already arrived beside Crab Daoist, deploying her spiritual domain to jointly trap another monstrous insect.
This insect’s abilities clearly lay in its bizarre psychic powers, but Crab Daoist remained unaffected, and Baohua, within her domain, seemed entirely immune.
Even its innate thunder abilities, formidable enough to contain a trace of destructive law capable of shattering even Heavenly Treasures, proved futile.
Crab Daoist and Baohua, both cunning beyond measure, avoided direct confrontation initially, leaving the insect seething with frustration.
Only when Baohua expended her vitality to unleash her Heavenly Domain, trapping the insect by surprise, did the tide turn.
Desperate, the insect unleashed waves of ashen thunder to escape, but the Heavenly Domain, renowned as a true immortal’s technique, made escape nearly impossible.
Layer upon layer of pink petals, summoned by Baohua, confined the insect at the domain’s core, an endless tide.
Though the insect resisted, its movements slowed imperceptibly.
Encased in a crystalline shield of psychic energy and crackling with ashen lightning, it was already battered under the combined assault of Crab Daoist and Baohua, teetering on collapse.
Witnessing this, Han Li’s expression flickered. With a flick of his sleeve, his emerald sword reappeared, and twelve green streaks slashed forth.
A chorus of shrieks erupted in Baohua’s domain as the streaks materialized beside the insect, slicing through it in an instant.
The insect, its shield, and the surrounding lightning shattered into motes of white light, vanishing as if never there.
Baohua, startled, scanned her domain carefully before withdrawing it with a frown.
Nearby, space rippled as Han Li blurred into view.
A thunderclap followed as Crab Daoist retracted his golden crab form, reappearing behind Han Li as an arc of lightning.
A quick glance confirmed Crab Daoist bore only superficial burns, easing Han Li’s concern.
“Brother Han, what skill! Had I faced that strike, even with my domain, I doubt I could have withstood it,” Baohua remarked, her gaze peculiar.
“You flatter me, Daoist Baohua. The strike relied on my treasure’s power and the insect’s weakened state. Otherwise, success wouldn’t have come so easily,” Han Li replied lightly.
“It’s hardly that simple,” Baohua demurred, her eyes lingering where the insect had vanished, a hint of doubt in her expression.
“You’ve noticed the anomaly too. Clearly, our battle didn’t truly eradicate them. The Mother Moth’s avatar aside, these insects weren’t physical entities, making them hard to destroy,” Han Li observed gravely.
“Indeed, they felt odd from the start. Their abilities were extreme—one with overwhelming psychic power, the other with brute strength—yet lacking versatility, exposing weaknesses we exploited,” Han Li added.
“If these were bred by the Mother Moth, it’s strange she’d create such flawed beings,” Baohua mused.
“But consider this: had they combined their strengths into one, we might have fled for our lives,” Han Li chuckled darkly.
“True. Such a fusion would have been dire,” Baohua admitted, paling.
“Moreover, the Mother Moth’s avatar and these insects seemed at odds, even hostile. Had they cooperated, we couldn’t have picked them apart so easily,” Han Li noted meaningfully.
“Strange indeed. If they were her creations, why defy her?” Baohua frowned, perplexed.
“Unclear. But their dissolution resembled projections,” Han Li remarked offhandedly.
“Projections? You suspect interference from another realm? For mere projections to challenge us so, could it be… immortals?” Baohua’s face darkened.
“Speculation only. But if true, this complicates matters. Perhaps consult the Seal Spirit for clues?” Han Li suggested.
“The Seal Spirit is too weakened now. Unless you wish the ancient seal to fail immediately,” Baohua replied bitterly.
“Then we’re in trouble,” Han Li murmured.
“Regardless, we’ve come too far to turn back. With no word from the others, we must investigate personally,” Baohua declared resolutely.
“Risk it is. I’ll accompany you, but if faced with insurmountable danger, I won’t throw my life away,” Han Li stated coolly.
“Naturally. Nor would I. And I doubt you’re truly stranded here without the Phoenix Compass,” Baohua smiled.
“Good. Let’s proceed.” Han Li nodded, diving into the water with Crab Daoist. Baohua followed, vanishing into the depths.
Moments after their descent, the gray sky rippled faintly, strands of multicolored light coalescing into the semblance of a colossal, closed eye.
Simultaneously, in the abyssal depths, the colossal insect skeleton floated motionless, its hollow eye sockets now ablaze with searing demonic flames. Beside it lay shattered artifacts—a broken jade tablet and a cracked black spear—relics of the two fallen mighty cultivators.
Above the skeleton, two hazy white lights materialized, forming the spectral outlines of the previously slain insects, now weakened and translucent.
From one flaming socket emerged a woman clad in silver gauze, her face eerily reminiscent of the devoured girl, yet matured.
The insect phantoms prostrated before her.
“Useless. Unable to handle mere lower-realm cultivators. Yet their wounding of the Mother Moth’s avatar allowed me to fully consume it. Now, with my spirit partially restored, your purpose is served. Return your strength to me.”
With that, she pointed at the phantoms, her voice devoid of emotion.
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