When Xu Jingtian saw the power unleashed by the single exploding Ghost Fire, his expression shifted. ’This is bad,’ he thought. It was only the beginning.
Sure enough, after the first Ghost Fire detonated, the others floating in the air attacked in succession, setting off a chain reaction of explosions.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!
The ghostly green flames billowed, and the shockwaves continued to spread. The sheer force was terrifying. The firelight had no heat; instead, it carried a bone-chilling cold.
’An Yin Qi explosion of this magnitude...’
The commotion attracted the attention of the other groups. The disciples from the various sects who looked over all had slight changes in expression. Judging by the aftershocks, most disciples would be in serious trouble if they were hit head-on by more than two of those Ghost Fire bombs.
But the mysterious man from the Red Heart Sect had just been simultaneously struck by dozens of Ghost Fire bombs in an instant.
’Even for someone who can manifest Golden Fire, can he really be alright?’
Xu Jingtian, who was nearby, was already prepared to rush in and help. A bright yellow light flickered around him, coalescing into a long blade in his hand.
Under these circumstances, Zhao Xuanqi might not die, but he would likely be heavily injured.
WHOOSH!!
However, before he could move to help, a figure suddenly burst through the ghostly green flames of the explosion and into view.
Swathed in Golden Fire, his clothes were in tatters. In his Blood Essence state, his engorged, bulging muscles were incredibly massive, making him look like an untamed beast.
Although his clothes were destroyed, his body showed no obvious wounds. He remained completely unscathed, as if the terrifying chain of Ghost Fire explosions had done him no real harm.
’He’s completely unharmed after an attack of that magnitude?!’
’That level of physical toughness... is he made of steel or something?!’
All the disciples near the left side of the battlefield wore expressions of utter disbelief.
It wasn’t just them; even Xu Jingtian, who was not far off, was astonished. Withstanding that level of attack with one’s Flesh Body was impossible for someone in the Blood Strengthening realm. The Red Heart Sect’s Golden Fire was strong, but not *that* outrageously so.
"No, that’s not it!"
But soon, being so close, Xu Jingtian noticed something. He saw that Zhao Xuanqi’s entire body was vibrating faintly. His Qi and Blood, his organs, his muscles, his skin—everything was resonating. As a result, the Golden Fire around him was vibrating in unison, vaguely forming what looked like a thin membrane over his skin.
When the residual ghostly green flames tried to corrode his body, they were instantly repelled by this membrane. The Yin Qi was completely unable to affect him.
"He used a powerful technique to minimize the force of the explosion, reducing it to a level his body could withstand..."
"It’s not just the Golden Fire. His physical strength and his techniques have both reached an unimaginable level. When combined, his power becomes truly terrifying!"
A glint appeared in Xu Jingtian’s eyes, and he couldn’t help but feel a stir of admiration.
’This man’s strength is even greater than I imagined!’
SWISH!!
In the next instant, Zhao Xuanqi’s figure shot through the lingering aftermath of the explosion. He closed the distance and stood before the tall Bone Demon, his eyes meeting its deep, Ghost Fire gaze.
The Ghost Fire in the Bone Demon’s eye sockets flickered, showing a hint of human-like surprise. It seemed to have not expected its opponent to emerge unscathed after so many Ghost Fire attacks.
But it recovered in an instant. As Zhao Xuanqi charged, it struck out with its white, bony palm.
FWOOM!!
The ghostly green flame in its chest erupted. Part of it spread across its body, billowing upwards, while the rest channeled through its joints, giving its attacks a terrifying, explosive acceleration and making them even more ferocious.
As its bony palm swept through the air, the ghostly green flames condensed, vaguely forming a massive, ten-foot-wide Ghost Fire skull that opened its maw to bite down on Zhao Xuanqi.
’Bring it on!!’
A sharp glint flashed in Zhao Xuanqi’s eyes. The next moment, his entire body began to tremble faintly as various hormones flooded his system, intensely stimulating his body.
’Secret Technique: Profound Water Yin Sha!!’
FWOOM!!
With the sharp increase in his Physical Ability, the Golden Fire shrouding his body seemed to have been doused in fuel, and it too erupted in a conflagration.
He unleashed a technique similar to the Bone Demon’s. His entire arm swelled and bulged as he thrust his palm forward.
ROAR!!
The Force stirred the surrounding air, and the erupting Golden Fire clung to it, vaguely forming the head of a giant beast. It opened its cavernous mouth and lunged, biting at the Bone Demon.
The skull head met the beast head!
Nether Fire against Golden Fire!
For a moment, the two types of flames clashed. Yin Qi and Primordial Qi surged against each other, creating a loud sizzling sound. The two flames were locked in a brief stalemate before the golden beast head and the ghostly green skull both detonated simultaneously.
However, Zhao Xuanqi remained motionless, while the ball of ghostly green fire in the Bone Demon’s chest swayed violently. It seemed that when the attacks had exploded, some Golden Fire had pierced through, damaging its very source.
’Not bad,’ Zhao Xuanqi thought. ’It actually managed to block that attack.’
Zhao Xuanqi narrowed his eyes, slightly surprised. The opponent’s strength was a little beyond his expectations.
’Still, let’s see how many more you can block!!’
HAH!!
Zhao Xuanqi let out another low grunt. His Qi and Blood, organs, and muscles vibrated violently. Using Force Transformation to dissipate the recoil, he instantly recovered and unleashed his power once more.
This time, he didn’t use his palms. Instead, he clenched his fists, which swelled like warhammers as he unleashed the Form of the Fierce Beast, the Vermilion Ape Form.
CRACK! CRACK!
The joints in his arms extended, becoming as flexible as whips, yet as hard as iron.
He swung his fist down like a hammer, channeling the Mystic Tortoise’s Force from his organs to create a powerful Vibration.
DONG!!
DONG!!
DONG!!
Three consecutive collisions, each a wide, sweeping blow, rang out like a temple bell. Golden Fire radiated outwards in ripples. The Bone Demon’s skeletal body shook so violently that it seemed to leave afterimages in the dim night. The ball of ghostly green fire in its chest swayed erratically, on the verge of being extinguished by the waves of Golden Fire.
At the same time, Xu Jingtian joined the fray, coordinating with Zhao Xuanqi. He slashed out from an incredibly tricky angle, unleashing a ten-foot-long blade of bright yellow light.
The timing of the slash was perfect. In concert with Zhao Xuanqi’s assault, it sealed off nearly all of the Bone Demon’s paths of retreat.
Under their combined assault, just as the Bone Demon seemed on the verge of collapse and about to be slain, it suddenly did something astonishing.
CRACK!!
With a sharp crack from its joints, the Nether Fire in the Bone Demon’s chest exploded. Its body instantly shattered into pieces. Both Xu Jingtian’s blade of light and Zhao Xuanqi’s attack missed, as neither had anticipated such a move.
BOOM!!
Propelled by the force of the explosion, its scattered bones shot in all directions, creating distance between it, Zhao Xuanqi, and Xu Jingtian. Then, the scattered white bones rapidly reformed, restoring its original shape.
Zhao Xuanqi’s eyes narrowed. He immediately pushed off the ground to give chase. Xu Jingtian didn’t hesitate either, moving to encircle the Bone Demon from another direction, determined to slay it on the spot.
However, the Bone Demon seemed to be prepared. With no intention of fighting them, it turned and fled. Using the propulsive force from its Nether Fire explosions, not even Zhao Xuanqi could catch up to it right away.
"If it wants to run, let it go. We shouldn’t get tied up with it. Let’s go help the others kill the other Evil Spirits!"
Xu Jingtian said in a low voice. This Bone Demon was unusually fast, but the other Evil Spirits weren’t. If the two of them intervened in the other battles, they could quickly turn the tide. If this Bone Demon wanted to run, they might as well ignore it.
Zhao Xuanqi nodded slightly, not rejecting the proposal. Yet, just as the two were about to turn away, a flash of fire erupted beside them.
BOOM!!
Two balls of Ghost Fire shot at them from behind, crossing over ten meters to detonate beside them.
The Bone Demon that had been fleeing had actually turned back and was using its abilities to attack them from a distance.
A fierce glint flashed in both of their eyes. They turned to give chase, but the moment the Bone Demon saw them turn, it immediately fled again without the slightest pause. But as soon as they stopped their pursuit, it would immediately turn back and attack from a distance with its Ghost Fire.
"It’s stalling for time," Xu Jingtian said. "Or rather, they never intended to wipe us out in one go. Their goal is to harass us, to prevent us from recovering. They’re dragging this out until the next Night Parade of Hundred Demons, when we’ll be worn down and killed!"
Xu Jingtian understood their intentions. These special Evil Spirits possessed an extraordinary degree of intelligence!