The four giant beasts exchanged glances, then suddenly opened their massive jaws simultaneously. A dense barrage of pitch-black wind blades surged forth like a torrential downpour, sweeping toward the blood-colored giant in overwhelming numbers.
These black wind blades were clearly different from ordinary ones—not only did they flicker in and out of visibility like phantoms as they shot forward, but upon striking the blood-colored giant, they would vanish in a flash of black light, taking large chunks of flesh with them.
The four beasts themselves blurred momentarily before their massive bodies lunged forward in the wake of the wind blades. With a sweep of their forelimbs, streaks of black cold light slashed down from the void.
Unfazed, the blood-colored giant reached out with both massive hands, unleashing a rolling tide of bloody energy. At the same time, the blood-red tentacles on its back writhed wildly, forming a crimson curtain to meet the attack.
Though the blood-colored giants were instantly riddled with wounds, clearly no match for the Black Qilin Beasts, their advantage lay in their undying nature. No matter how severely their bodies were torn apart, they would instantly regenerate as soon as the blood river surged behind them.
Despite holding the upper hand, the four Black Qilin Beasts showed some wariness toward the tentacles released by the giants, and the two sides found themselves locked in a stalemate.
“Master, allow me to lend a hand. Though these Black Qilin Beasts are troublesome, I happen to know some of their weaknesses,” Yang Lu said respectfully to Ma Liang upon seeing the situation.
“No need. These four Blood Spirits have only recently been refined—letting them engage in battle is beneficial. As for you, I have another important task,” Ma Liang replied indifferently, his gaze fixed on the distant battle.
“Master, please command me!” Yang Lu responded deferentially, though inwardly tense.
“I’ve already secretly inspected the formation. There should be two key nodes. Go and destroy one of them. Once the node is broken, I won’t need to expend most of my power resisting the formation’s restrictions and can swiftly eliminate our enemies,” Ma Liang instructed without hesitation.
“As you command, I will proceed immediately. But what of the other node, Master?” Yang Lu bowed in acknowledgment but hesitated slightly before asking.
“Hmph, focus on your own task. The other node is none of your concern,” Ma Liang snapped, his expression darkening.
“Yes, I spoke out of turn. Forgive me, Master. I will destroy the node at once,” Yang Lu said hurriedly, lowering his head in fear.
“Wait. I have two more things for you.”
With that, Ma Liang raised his hand toward the sky, summoning a swirl of light from the massive umbrella shrouding the blood river. A ball of azure light shot down, transforming into a miniature umbrella a few inches tall. At the same time, he tapped his forehead with a finger, and a crystalline orb emerged.
“Take these! The Thought Pearl contains the location of the node I sensed earlier. With it, you can pinpoint the spot, and I can monitor your progress. This replica of the Azure Chaos Umbrella can shield you from the formation’s restrictions, but its effects are temporary. Be quick,” Ma Liang ordered sternly as he tossed the two items.
“Rest assured, Master. I will not disappoint you,” Yang Lu replied solemnly, catching the objects.
He then threw the small umbrella forward, where it expanded into a curtain of azure light enveloping his body. After scanning the orb with his spiritual sense, he rolled on the ground, transforming into his true form—a beast with a deer’s head and a bear’s body.
With a whooshing sound, the massive creature surged out of the blood river and plunged into a cluster of giant banners in a certain direction, vanishing in a swirl of radiance.
Only after Yang Lu had departed did Ma Liang shake his sleeve, releasing a crimson jade box. He pointed a finger at it.
With a *bang*, the lid flew open, revealing a crimson figurine no more than half a foot tall, adorned with several golden talismans. The figurine had crimson hair, wore a ghostly mask, and its body was covered in intricate red patterns faintly glowing with red light.
For the first time, a trace of gravity crossed Ma Liang’s face as he regarded the figurine. Without hesitation, he formed a single-handed seal and sent a streak of silver light into the crimson figure.
The silver light vanished into the figurine, and moments later, the golden talismans silently fell away. The eyes behind the ghostly mask slowly opened, revealing a pair of dull, lifeless red orbs.
Ma Liang channeled his power into his brow, summoning another Thought Pearl, which he flicked into the figurine.
“Go. Destroy the other node. Kill anyone who stands in your way,” Ma Liang commanded, his words deliberate.
The crimson figurine’s eyes flashed faintly red before it soared into the sky, circling once before streaking away as a crimson rainbow. The external laws of the world seemed to have no effect on it.
On the full moon, Ming Zun, who had been overseeing the battle without participating, frowned slightly at the sight. After a brief consideration, he turned to Liu Yi, who had also refrained from action due to depleted energy, and said, “Fellow Daoist Liu Yi, it seems our enemy has discovered the nodes. Though I’ve already sent Fellow Daoist Han Li and the siblings Yun Dan and Yue Shu to guard them, as a precaution, I’d like you to intercept and delay their approach.”
“Do you think I’m in any state to hold them off now?” Liu Yi retorted, having witnessed the earlier events.
“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t ask you to confront them directly. I have a formation disk crafted from a remnant of a Profound Heavenly Treasure. Activate it, and it will trap them for a time. If they break free, you may retreat at your leisure,” Ming Zun replied calmly.
“If it’s just a matter of running an errand, I suppose I can manage. Very well, show me the disk. If it truly can trap enemies, I’ll make the trip,” Liu Yi conceded after a moment’s thought.
Ming Zun smiled faintly and flicked his wrist, tossing a prepared milky-white disk toward Liu Yi.
Liu Yi caught it with a single hand, examined it briefly, then nodded in approval.
“Fellow Daoist Bing Feng, accompany Liu Yi and lend your assistance,” Ming Zun added, addressing the Ice Phoenix standing nearby.
“Of course. This battle concerns our very lives. It’s only right to contribute,” Bing Feng agreed with a graceful smile.
Pleased, Ming Zun reached into the void, producing a small, translucent black flag. He pointed it toward Liu Yi and Bing Feng.
With a *boom*, a colorful formation materialized beneath them. With a single rotation, it whisked them away in a hum of energy.
“Should I handle the other location? It seems I’m not needed here for the time being,” Xuan Jiu Ling’s voice suddenly echoed from beneath Ming Zun’s feet.
“Are you confident you can handle that crimson figurine? If you fall into its hands, it’s no laughing matter,” Ming Zun hesitated.
“Relax. Though its aura is peculiar, it’s likely just a transformed spirit beast or demon. My techniques counter such beings perfectly. It’ll be effortless, and I won’t delay matters here. Besides, if I don’t go, who will? Only you can maintain control of the situation through the formation,” Xuan Jiu Ling replied leisurely.
“Very well. If you’re certain, then so be it. But once I send you, act swiftly. Eliminate the target and return immediately,” Ming Zun relented after a moment’s thought.
“You doubt my abilities? I’ll be back before you finish a meal,” Xuan Jiu Ling laughed.
A ripple appeared before Ming Zun as a middle-aged man in gray robes materialized.
Ming Zun raised the black flag and pointed it forward, summoning another five-colored formation. In a swirl of radiant light, the man vanished.
Below, in the blood river, Ma Liang’s golden eyes dimmed as he observed Ming Zun’s actions from afar. A cold smirk played on his lips, but he made no further moves, content to watch the fierce battles unfolding around him.
Ming Zun, seeing his adversary’s inaction, was equally content to remain on the moon, maintaining his vigilant stance.
—
Han Li remained seated below the altar, eyes closed in meditation.
Suddenly, his expression shifted, and his eyes snapped open, turning toward a distant direction with surprise.
Almost simultaneously, a faint rumble echoed from the horizon, accompanied by a rolling wave of energy. Though too distant to threaten the node, the thousand armored guards stationed there tensed, adopting defensive postures.
Han Li narrowed his eyes, blue light flickering in his pupils as his gaze spanned thousands of miles, taking in the scene clearly.
In what had been empty sky, a massive milky-white formation now hovered. Within it, a towering black shadow thrashed violently, unable to break free. Above the formation floated two figures—a silver-robed woman with cold beauty and a white-robed man whose face bore golden and silver tattoos.
“Oh? Her? Then the man beside her must be my Six-Winged Frost Centipede,” Han Li mused, his gaze lingering on the man’s familiar features. A faint, amused smile tugged at his lips.
—
**Volume 11: The Descent of the True Immortal**
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage