The golden light screen remained unshaken amidst the explosions, yet it flickered violently under the erosion of clusters of green mist. Although the process was exceptionally slow, the screen’s power was indeed gradually diminishing.
However, at that very moment, the formation within the fortress was finally fully activated. The silver light spheres flashed and then vanished one after another from the center of the formation.
The next instant, spatial fluctuations rippled through the void dozens of feet above the fortress, and the silver light spheres reappeared, spinning rapidly before erupting with loud crackling sounds.
Streaks of silver lightning surged forth, transforming into massive electric nets that swept toward the enemy.
Whether fireballs, wind blades, or green mist, everything was instantly shredded into nothingness upon contact with the electric nets, vanishing amidst the thunderous roars.
Then, with another flash, countless silver serpents descended into the demonic mist.
A continuous series of deafening explosions erupted as the demonic mist and silver arcs intertwined before violently detonating.
Despite their frantic attempts to evade, the two types of demonic beasts suffered heavy casualties under such concentrated attacks. Many demonic lizards and venomous insects turned to charcoal the moment they were struck by the lightning.
However, the number of demonic beasts injured by the explosive arcs far exceeded those killed, leaving countless maimed creatures writhing in the demonic mist, their agonized howls filling the air.
Though the remaining demonic beasts continued their frenzied assaults wave after wave, they could do little to breach the golden light screen in the short term.
Meanwhile, the light spheres hovering above the fortress unleashed silver lightning arcs one after another, growing increasingly ferocious.
In the blink of an eye, nearly half of the two types of demonic beasts had been annihilated.
Witnessing this from afar, the purple-armored demonic figure turned livid. Without a word, he raised a hand and summoned two of the small flags floating before him. With a firm twist of his hands, the flags dissipated into wisps of green smoke.
Then, with another flick of his fingers, the remaining flags emitted low hums, and nearly half of them began to tremble faintly.
Among the demonic beast army, two milky-white giant snails suddenly emitted flashes of white light from their bodies. Raising their massive tentacles into the air, they let out deep, bull-like roars before firing two milky-white beams from their mouths. The beams streaked across the sky and struck the golden light screen with devastating force.
The previously unshakable screen rippled like a lake disturbed by thrown stones, and moments later, it trembled before being pierced by the beams.
The dozen or so fortresses behind the screen, along with the cultivators inside, were instantly reduced to ashes as the beams swept past, offering no resistance whatsoever.
Not only that, but the vast horde of demonic beasts at the rear also stirred into action, charging toward Tianyuan City with thunderous roars.
The demonic beings hovering high in the sky also began to advance, their bodies glowing ominously as they unleashed waves of dark light or billowing demonic mist, their momentum terrifying.
From the higher reaches of the demonic mist, the thunderous beats of war drums echoed as over a hundred pitch-black chariots soared forth. Each chariot carried several or even a dozen high-ranking demonic warriors clad in various demonic armors, wielding long spears and halberds with murderous intent.
A piercing shriek resounded as, behind the hundred chariots, an enormous chariot pulled by two massive beasts emerged from the demonic mist. The chariot was hundreds of feet long, exuding an overwhelming aura.
The two beasts at the front of the chariot were entirely purple, resembling rhinoceroses, but with golden horns on their noses, radiating a fearsome presence.
On the chariot stood hundreds of armored warriors, with the purple-armored demon and the green-robed elder at the center, both expressionless.
After careful probing, the demonic forces had finally launched their true assault.
On the high platform, Elder Gu and the others frowned slightly at the sight.
The number of elite demonic warriors before them was far fewer than expected, starkly contrasting with the ferocity of the first wave of attacks in previous demonic calamities.
Though the demonic beasts were indeed formidable, this level of strength alone was far from sufficient to conquer Tianyuan City—it was nothing short of a pipe dream.
As the demonic beast army pressed forward, ignoring the relentless barrage of silver lightning, they reached the golden light screen, unleashing their innate magical attacks or simply ramming into it with their thick hides.
Meanwhile, the demonic beings in the sky wielded their demonic artifacts, conjuring dark clouds to block the lightning and minimize the casualties below.
The demonic chariots carrying armored warriors halted about ten miles from the light screen, their occupants brandishing their weapons to launch long-range attacks.
In an instant, streaks of dark rainbows shot from the chariots, streaking toward the light screen in a relentless assault.
Before the golden light screen, the clamor of battle shook the heavens.
Han Li sighed and turned to Golden Zen Master and the others, frowning slightly. “Fellow Daoists, it seems the demons have deviated from their usual tactics—this attack is merely a probe. In that case, I shall take my leave. I am currently refining a treasure at a critical juncture, and once completed, it may prove useful in resisting the demons.”
“This wave of attacks is indeed far less fearsome than anticipated. We were overly alarmed due to past rumors. Since Fellow Daoist Han has pressing matters, feel free to attend to them. If the demons are adopting a cautious approach, it seems we, the Body Integration cultivators, need not intervene for now,” Golden Zen Master replied with a nod, though his expression remained grave despite the demons’ lackluster assault.
“Indeed. Had the demons launched an all-out attack from the start, I would have been more at ease. Given the current situation, we must remain vigilant. As the city’s strongest combatants, we each have responsibilities and cannot afford to be tied down by mere harassment. Here’s my proposal: unless the demons mount a full-scale assault, we shall take turns in pairs to oversee the defenses. Fellow Daoist Han, since you are not a member of the city’s Elder Council and are unfamiliar with its personnel and defenses, you need not participate in the rotation. However, should the city face true peril, we hope for your aid,” Elder Gu suggested after a brief contemplation.
“Elder Gu’s plan is sound!”
“I have no objections either!”
The others readily agreed.
Han Li also nodded in approval.
Thus, even as the demonic beasts continued their fierce assault in the distance, Han Li clasped his fists and transformed into a streak of azure light, departing swiftly.
Golden Zen Master, Silverlight Fairy, and the others soon followed suit, leaving the white jade palace.
In the blink of an eye, only Elder Gu and the leather-clad burly man—both Tianyuan City elders—remained in the palace.
“Elder Gu, are we to stand idly by like this? It’s far too passive. Moreover, the Golden Dawn Mirror’s barrier is consuming an exorbitant amount of spirit stones under such relentless attacks,” the black-robed man, who had remained silent until now, asked coldly as he watched the distant battlefield.
“Hmph, rest assured, Fellow Daoist Bao. Since the demons are using these beasts as cannon fodder to test our defenses, we shall not disappoint them. Let us deploy the Seven Stars Essence Fire Formation to teach them a lesson and crush their morale,” Elder Gu replied with a glint in his eyes.
“The Seven Stars Essence Fire Formation? To reveal one of our trump cards so soon—is that wise?” The black-robed man was taken aback, hesitating.
“No matter. I will activate only one-tenth of the formation’s power. That way, we can strike a blow without revealing its full might. It may even mislead the demons into underestimating us, working to our advantage,” Elder Gu said confidently, waving his hand.
“Very well. If you deem it so, I shall comply,” the black-robed man agreed after a moment’s thought.
With their consensus reached, the two Body Integration cultivators issued their orders without further delay.
Deep beneath a crimson tower in Tianyuan City, seven white-haired elders clad in red robes sat cross-legged at the nodes of a pale golden formation diagram, meditating in silence.
Their bodies radiated fluctuating flames, indicating their mastery of fire-based cultivation techniques. Judging by their spiritual pressure, all seven were at the Void Refinement stage.
Suddenly, a clear chime rang from the eldest among them.
The deeply wrinkled elder opened his eyes, revealing pupils ablaze with flickering flames.
With a flip of his hand, he produced a white jade plate. After a quick glance, his eyelids twitched.
“Activate the formation. Summon only one-tenth of the Seven Stars’ essence fire,” he commanded sternly.
“As you command, Elder Brother!” the other six elders chorused, opening their eyes in unison.
They formed hand seals, their bodies erupting with crimson flames before slapping their own foreheads.
With a series of soft pops, seven crimson infant souls emerged from their heads, each clutching a fiery treasure—a ring, a banner, a sword, a blade, a pagoda, a tablet, and a pearl.
The treasures pulsed with intense heat, their red glow swelling as the infant souls chanted incantations. The artifacts then floated toward the center of the formation, descending slowly.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage