The incantation from the Heavenly Blue Saintess grew increasingly urgent as she suddenly extended a jade-like finger towards the cauldron. The lid transformed into a streak of azure light and soared into the air. A dazzling radiance erupted as sparkling blue sand shot out from the cauldron, dispersing into countless starlike specks that enveloped the sky above the altar. Anyone who gazed upon it would find themselves lost in a dreamlike trance.
The silver-robed woman paused her chant and pointed at the thin chains binding the demon beast on the altar. With a flash of spiritual light, the silver chains reverted to fine threads, slicing into the beast’s body like hundreds of blades simultaneously. The Wind-Splitting Bull was gruesomely dismembered into countless pieces, filling the square with the stench of blood in an instant.
At that moment, the blue sand cascaded down like a celestial river, densely covering the altar. The beast’s remains were instantly coated in a layer of azure light, and the grains of sand flickered ominously, as if feasting on the flesh and blood. The sight sent chills down one’s spine.
A greenish light suddenly burst forth from the beast’s remains, darting into the sky—the Wind-Splitting Bull’s painstakingly cultivated spirit. But countless azure streaks shot up from the altar like arrows, striking the fleeing light down in the blink of an eye. The blue sand surged forward, swallowing the beast’s spirit whole.
In mere moments, the massive beast’s flesh and blood vanished without a trace, leaving not even a single bone behind. The sand, now tinged with a faint crimson hue, had fully absorbed its essence.
Unfazed, the silver-robed woman gestured toward the colossal white serpent. Silver threads transformed into chains, binding the creature tightly before silently transporting it onto the altar.
After an identical blood sacrifice, the blue sand, having devoured the essence of two seventh-tier demon beasts, coalesced into a crimson cloud, hovering motionlessly above the altar.
The silver-robed woman then chanted another incantation, and with a resonant hum, the massive cauldron slowly descended onto the altar.
“Let us begin summoning the Sacred Beast. I ask for your assistance,” she said respectfully to the elegant woman beside her.
“Of course, we will spare no effort,” the refined young man replied with a calm smile.
The purple-haired beauty also nodded with a faint smile.
The silver-robed woman raised her hands, fingers flickering as she sent a series of spell seals into the surrounding formation. Instantly, spiritual light flared across the altar, activating the array.
The cauldron pulsed in sync with the formation below, its azure glow flickering rhythmically. The flames atop it, however, seemed to weaken.
Stepping forward, the woman tilted her head slightly and began chanting an arcane incantation. The two Great Immortal Masters beside her each placed a hand on her shoulders, channeling pure spiritual energy into her body.
Her silver robes shimmered as a bizarre pattern—a bull-headed, flood dragon-bodied emblem—slowly emerged on her forehead. She clasped her hands together before parting them, releasing two beams of pure spiritual energy that struck the cauldron.
The cauldron spun rapidly, absorbing the white light before suddenly spewing forth a burst of azure radiance. The light condensed into a blinding, head-sized sphere, compressing relentlessly at its core.
The silver-robed woman’s expression grew solemn as she manipulated the energy flow, her beams of light fluctuating in intensity. The refined young man and the purple-haired beauty also remained vigilant, continuously feeding her spiritual power.
Time passed, and the radiant sphere grew ever brighter, emitting a piercing hum. The formation around them resonated, shooting multicolored spiritual light into the sphere.
The woman’s chant grew softer, her focus unwavering.
After what felt like an eternity, a thunderous explosion erupted as the sphere contracted violently before bursting apart. A blinding azure sun flared momentarily before vanishing, leaving behind a small, hazy green void. This aperture lasted only briefly before dissipating.
In that fleeting moment, a crimson streak shot out, plunging into the hovering blood cloud.
The crimson sand surged like iron filings to a magnet, enveloping the streak and forming a blood-red cocoon the size of a foot in diameter. Within it, something writhed visibly.
The surrounding Immortal Masters of the Utmost Sky Tribe gaped in awe, but the silver-robed woman remained silent. With a wave, azure threads lashed out, dragging the cocoon into the cauldron before a beam of light sealed it shut.
Azure flames roared to life, engulfing the cauldron as the formation below channeled immense spiritual energy into the inferno.
The Heavenly Blue Saintess finally exhaled in relief.
“The ritual proceeded smoothly, but we must wait a month to confirm whether the Sacred Beast’s avatar remains. However, even if it cannot linger long in this realm, it should stay for at least seven or eight days—enough time to locate that outsider using its power. You may all rest now. Once the Sacred Beast reforges its spiritual form, the two Great Immortal Masters and I will personally lead the hunt.” Her voice was cool and authoritative.
The Utmost Sky Tribe’s Immortal Masters bowed and dispersed, though some cast curious glances at the cauldron before leaving.
Soon, only the woman and the two Great Immortal Masters remained.
“Fellow Daoists Xu and Sun, I must trouble you to guard for two more days, lest any mishap occurs during the Sacred Beast’s reforging,” the Heavenly Blue Saintess said.
“Of course. We would not let over a decade of effort go to waste,” the purple-haired beauty replied without hesitation.
The refined young man nodded silently.
The silver-robed woman relaxed slightly—until a low, thunderous growl echoed from the cauldron. Her expression hardened as she exchanged glances with the two before solemnly sitting cross-legged around the altar.
—
Two days later, the Heavenly Blue Branch Hall’s bells tolled melodiously. Tribesmen and low-level cultivators still nearby turned their gazes toward the sacred structure in surprise.
From behind the hall, over a dozen streaks of light shot into the sky, forming a dazzling procession that streaked southward. Though too swift to identify the figures within, the sheer power of the radiance confirmed they were no ordinary cultivators, eliciting gasps of awe.
The procession showed no signs of stopping, racing relentlessly southward.
—
Three days later, above the southern stretch of the Tian Shui River—the largest river in the Heavenly Blue Grasslands—an azure streak circled the waters before revealing a crimson, bull-headed, flood dragon-bodied beast.
The creature, no more than thirty feet long, was shrouded in a hazy azure glow. Standing atop its head, the Heavenly Blue Saintess surveyed the river with keen eyes.
Soon, more streaks of light arrived, led by the two Great Immortal Masters.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, has the Sacred Beast found him?” the purple-haired beauty asked.
“It should not be mistaken. Given the sheer number of Gold Devouring Beetles he carries, even concealed in a spirit beast pouch, the Sacred Beast’s senses would detect him. He must be nearby. How cunning—hiding beneath the river’s surface. No wonder so many failed to track him. Let us proceed,” the silver-robed woman declared confidently.
“Good. I’d like to see if this man truly is a Yin Luo Sect elder. To survive Fellow Daoist Hu’s Great Five Elements Immortal-Seizing Hand unscathed—I’d like to test his abilities,” the refined young man said coldly.
“Rumors say he appears young. I, too, wish to see what kind of formidable figure he is,” the purple-haired beauty mused.
“Since you’re both eager, let us go.” The silver-robed woman chuckled, a silver mark glowing on her forehead as she addressed the beast beneath her in an ancient tongue. The creature snorted before transforming into a streak of azure light, darting ahead.
The others hurried to follow.
After flying along the river for four to five hundred miles, they reached a narrow stretch. Suddenly, a bloody silhouette erupted from the water in the distance before vanishing in a flash of crimson.
“Damn it! The outsider sensed us and fled using a secret technique. He’s now hundreds of miles away. His spiritual sense is formidable—this may prove troublesome. The others are too slow. Let us three pursue and intercept him before he grows cautious and evades us again,” the Heavenly Blue Saintess said decisively.
The other two agreed without hesitation, sending a message talisman to the trailing group before giving chase at full speed.
Though none could lock onto the outsider’s spiritual signature at such a distance, the Sacred Beast’s avatar guided them unerringly, relentlessly pursuing Han Li.
The chase lasted an entire day and night. Though Han Li repeatedly used his Bloodlight Evasion to shake them off by thousands of miles, they always recalibrated and resumed pursuit.
After forcibly unleashing his sealed power three times to no avail, Han Li’s heart sank.
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