Chapter 348: The Art of Celestial Fire

Seeing everyone shatter their jade slips, Uncle Huang showed a satisfied expression.

Then, with a flash of yellow light in his hand, a small banner about a foot long appeared. The banner was entirely snow-white but emitted a yellow glow, making it impossible to discern what was embroidered on it.

“I will use the Wind Cloud Banner to conceal all of your tracks. Once the enemy arrives, we will launch a surprise attack,” Uncle Huang said.

After speaking, he gently shook the small banner in his hand. Countless milky-white mists instantly billowed from the banner, quickly forming a massive white cloud dozens of zhang wide, enveloping Han Li and the others within its mist.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators, including Han Li, were both shocked and delighted! Despite the cloud’s extreme density, for some reason, their vision remained perfectly clear within the mist. It was truly an ideal hiding place!

Under the middle-aged man’s spell, the enormous cloud carried everyone rapidly into the high sky, blending in with other white clouds in the blink of an eye, making it impossible to distinguish one from another.

Seeing this, Han Li was inwardly astonished!

Although his own magical tool, the “Green Fire Mist,” could also conjure thick fog, it was utterly incomparable to this “Wind Cloud Banner.” Not only was its range limited, but it could only be used on himself. If any of his fellow disciples entered his green poisonous mist, they would likely only suffer from poisoning.

Lost in thought, Han Li couldn’t help but glance at Uncle Huang.

He saw the man sitting cross-legged in the center of the mist, eyes closed and body completely still. Behind him stood two Foundation Establishment cultivators, vigilantly guarding him as if protecting him during his meditation.

Han Li was momentarily puzzled but soon realized what the other was doing—using his spiritual sense to search for enemy traces. With the powerful spiritual sense of a Core Formation cultivator, he could likely detect movements within a radius of a hundred li.

Seeing this, Han Li also sat quietly on his Divine Wind Boat, conserving his energy. The upcoming battle would be extremely perilous! Meanwhile, Qu Hun stood motionless behind him, appearing every bit the loyal servant.

After about an hour, Uncle Huang suddenly opened his eyes and said, “The enemy has arrived. We are about two li off course and must hurry to the air above their必经之路.” Without another word, he led the cloud swiftly away.

Those within the mist naturally dared not leave its cover. They all channeled their spiritual power to the fullest, riding their magical tools closely behind Uncle Huang.

Seeing this, Han Li frowned slightly. During the flight, he took out the massive silver sword and tossed it to Qu Hun behind him. Although he wasn’t sure of its use, having an extra tool to boost combat power was always good.

“Right here. The enemy is almost upon us. Everyone, prepare!” Moments later, the massive cloud arrived above the so-called “must-pass route.” Uncle Huang issued the command without hesitation.

Immediately, everyone brandished their magical tools and desperately cast protective spells on themselves. Multicolored lights flickered among the group as spells were activated.

Han Li, however, took out two round balls, one green and one red, and gently clinked them together. With a dull thud, a thick green-red smoke billowed from the two spheres, swiftly enveloping Han Li. In an instant, it transformed into a massive green-red cloud about five or six zhang in diameter, completely obscuring Han Li’s figure within the mist.

Han Li had actually used the “Green Fire Mist” to create a protective layer of mist within the cloud, astonishing his fellow disciples nearby, who were puzzled by his intentions.

Han Li had no mind to explain himself. With one hand gripping the turtle shell magical tool and the other holding an ordinary blue flying dagger, he notably did not take out the Black Dragon Claw.

Han Li knew exactly what he was doing! For him, the more low-key his offensive tools were, the better. Only then could he avoid drawing the attention of formidable enemies after a surprise attack and make it easier to escape.

Amid everyone’s tense anticipation, time flew by. In the blink of an eye, half a quarter of an hour had passed, but there was still no sign of the enemy.

Most of the group grew anxious and impatient, casting doubtful glances toward Uncle Huang.

The shrewd middle-aged man was equally puzzled. After a moment’s thought, he said calmly, “Don’t rush. Let me use my spiritual sense to search again!”

But before he could act, a deafening, earth-shattering roar suddenly erupted overhead. At first, it was just sporadic sounds, but it quickly filled the entire sky, becoming a continuous rumble.

Everyone was startled and hurriedly looked up. What met their eyes made the Yellow Maple Valley cultivators pale with fear.

The sky had turned a fiery red without warning, all the clouds transforming into deep crimson “burning clouds” that churned like molten lava, producing hanging bubbles of magma. The tremendous roars were the sounds of these bubbles bursting.

“What is this?!” one person beside Han Li exclaimed in terror.

“Be careful! This is the intermediate high-grade spell ‘Heavenfire Art.’ Every drop of molten lava falling from above is equivalent to a strike from a Foundation Establishment cultivator. If you can’t withstand it, you’ll be reduced to ashes,” Uncle Huang said, his expression grim.

Clearly, their attempt to ambush the enemy had backfired—they were the ones being ambushed.

“Then let’s run! I don’t want to face this thing head-on!” another person panicked, his flying tool glowing as he prepared to flee.

“It’s already too late. The opponent’s spell is complete, and we can’t escape its range. Now, listen to my command: everyone, form a joint protective barrier!” Uncle Huang’s eyes flashed coldly as he issued the order sternly.

Hearing this, the others quickly realized the urgency and joined forces. Amid a vast blue light, they conjured a massive protective shield.

Almost the moment the shield formed, the intermediate high-grade spell in the sky began its onslaught. A drop of deep red molten lava, about a foot in size, fell straight toward Han Li and the others. The newly formed shield easily blocked it.

But this was only the beginning. Countless drops of molten lava began to fall like rain. Although most missed, many struck the light barrier, instantly stirring a shower of red and blue sparks.

At first, everyone felt they could handle it with ease. But as the lava fell faster and denser, Han Li and the others found their spiritual power draining rapidly. It wasn’t long before they could no longer endure.

The blue light on the protective shield gradually dimmed.

Fortunately, the spell ended as quickly as it had begun. Just as the shield was on the verge of collapse, the “Heavenfire Art” abruptly ceased. The fiery clouds in the sky vanished without a trace, filling the Yellow Maple Valley group with immense relief.

But their joy was short-lived, freezing on their faces almost instantly.

Unnoticed, nearly a hundred cultivators had silently surrounded them. These people, dressed in the attire of the Six Demon Sects, looked at them with mocking eyes.

The Yellow Maple Valley cultivators were both shocked and furious! However, all of these enemies were Foundation Establishment cultivators, with no Core Formation experts among them. This gave the Yellow Maple Valley side some relief. Although their spiritual power was largely depleted, with a Core Formation cultivator on their side, they shouldn’t need to fear the opponents.

“How did you discover our tracks? My Wind Cloud Banner should have been able to conceal us from your spiritual sense!” Uncle Huang demanded sternly, his expression dark.

“I can answer that!” a lazy, seductive voice called down from the sky. Uncle Huang’s heart sank as he looked up to see a man and a woman descending.

The man had white hair and was emaciated, as if a strong wind could blow him away. The woman was enchantingly beautiful, with a slender waist and full hips, her every movement captivating.

Han Li’s quick glance at the two made his heart sink—two Core Formation cultivators had appeared simultaneously. This was trouble.

“Pink Skeleton?” Uncle Huang’s pupils contracted sharply as he asked with utmost gravity.

Without waiting for a reply, he shook the Wind Cloud Banner fiercely. The white mist dissipated, revealing Han Li and the others. Faced with such powerful enemies, Uncle Huang could no longer afford to protect his juniors.

“Hehe, so you recognize us, husband and wife? How unfair—you know our origins, but we know nothing about you. However, I’ve heard that Yellow Maple Valley has an icy fellow with a magical tool called the Wind Cloud Banner. Would that be you?” the enchanting woman said with a light laugh, as if without any hostility.

But Uncle Huang’s expression remained cold as he stared silently at her.

“So boring? Let’s kill him,” the woman pouted, her expression suddenly turning fierce.

“Of course, dear sister. If you want him dead, I’ll gladly oblige,” the skeletal man chuckled darkly.

At the same time, Han Li and the others heard Uncle Huang’s voice transmitted directly into their minds: “The moment the fight begins, break through the encirclement immediately. Save as many as you can.”

Uncle Huang’s voice was utterly emotionless.