Movie: Get Alpha Dog at the start

Chapter 1380 Demonic Invasion

Chapter 1380 Demonic Invasion

Xuanzhen Daoist tapped his knuckles on the armrest of the jade chair, the dull sound echoing in the hall. He pondered for a moment, then finally sighed softly, his brow furrowed with deep worry: "To be honest, Junior Brother, just three months ago, the six sects of the Demonic Path, with their wolfish ambitions, successively conquered the Jiang Kingdom and the Cheqi Kingdom! Their momentum is overwhelming, and next, I fear, they will target our Yue Kingdom. The Nascent Soul Ancestors of the seven sects have already issued decrees, ordering each sect to prepare for war... What follows is likely a world-shaking war concerning the life and death of our seven sects!"

Qin Hao's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained calm. In his heart, however, he saw things clearly: Sure enough! The higher-ups of the Seven Sects had anticipated this! Recalling the almost bizarre restraint shown by the Nascent Soul stage monsters on both sides after the demonic invasion, and how they tacitly refrained from fighting to the death, it was clear that they had secretly reached some kind of agreement to divide the spoils!

However, upon further reflection, it makes sense. After all, a Nascent Soul cultivator is a sect's trump card, bearing the honor and disgrace of the entire sect. If anything happens to a Nascent Soul cultivator, it could lead to the downfall of the entire sect. No one can afford to lose, and no one dares to gamble.

Seeing that he remained silent, Xuanzhen Daoist assumed that he was worried about his own safety, so he softened his tone and said with a hint of reassurance, "Junior Brother Zhang, there is no need to worry. With your extraordinary talent in talisman making, staying in the rear to continuously provide the front line with excellent talismans is far more effective than fighting on the front line yourself. The sect will protect you."

Qin Hao could only sneer at these words of "protection." The seven sects of Yue Kingdom were ultimately defeated and forced to retreat. Although Huangfeng Valley was criticized for ruthlessly abandoning some disciples, it ultimately preserved its foundation and vitality. But Qingxu Sect? It suffered the most devastating losses among the seven sects. Even a Golden Core cultivator like Fuyunzi perished. If he, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, truly believed these lies, what good would come of it when the Qingxu Sect's ship sank completely?

However, he had to maintain a facade. Qin Hao immediately put on an expression of relief and deep gratitude, bowing deeply to Xuanzhen Daoist: "Sect Leader, your thoughtfulness and protection are deeply appreciated!"

“Junior Brother Zhang, you flatter me. Fellow disciples should help and support each other.” Master Xuanzhen stroked his beard and nodded, quite satisfied with Qin Hao’s “sensible and tactful” attitude.

As I emerged from the main hall, the sky was just beginning to lighten, and the mountains surrounding Qingxu Gate were shrouded in a somber morning mist.

Qin Hao frowned, walking quickly along the bluestone path, his mind racing: the invasion of the demonic path was a foregone conclusion, and the chaos would be a golden opportunity to fish in troubled waters! He had to find a legitimate reason to leave the sect and infiltrate the capital of Yue Kingdom! He had to get his hands on the fragment of the Void Heaven Palace map in the hands of the Black Fiend Sect Leader, no matter what!

"But now is not the time..."

Qin Hao shook his head inwardly. Although the Seven Sects were aware of the crisis, they were far from being unable to take care of themselves. To act against Emperor Yue now would be tantamount to stirring up a hornet's nest, inevitably inviting a fierce pursuit from the Seven Sects' higher-ups—far too dangerous. A small act of impatience could ruin a great plan.

Having made up his mind, Qin Hao did not hesitate any longer. He returned directly to his cave, activated the restrictions, and began a secluded cultivation period.

On one hand, they produced a large number of talismans to hoard and speculate on the market; on the other hand, they made every effort to break through to the fourth level of the "Great Evolution Technique".

Three months have passed in the blink of an eye.

The news of the six demonic sects' brazen invasion of Yue Kingdom finally struck like a thunderbolt, shattering the superficial peace of the seven sects. Panic spread like a plague among the lower-ranking disciples.

Outside a pavilion in Qingxu Sect where Qi Refining disciples could rest, several young disciples surrounded a composed-looking "Senior Brother Wang," their voices filled with barely concealed panic.

"Senior Brother Wang, do you think... we can really stop the Six Demonic Sects? I've heard they're incredibly fierce..."

"Sigh..." Senior Brother Wang sighed heavily, his face full of worry: "It's difficult! Do you know how profound the foundation of the six sects of the demonic path is? There are at least... more than forty ancestors who are at the single Nascent Soul stage!"

"More than forty?!" A cry of alarm rang out, trembling with despair: "Then our seven sects of Yue Kingdom... all seven sects combined only have seven or eight Nascent Soul Ancestors, right? This... isn't this like throwing an egg against a rock?"

"There's no need to be so pessimistic." Senior Brother Wang changed the subject: "The real main force behind this invasion of Yue Kingdom by the demonic path is the Ghost Spirit Sect. Among the six demonic sects, this sect is only the weakest, and its number of Nascent Soul cultivators is at most comparable to our seven sects. As long as our seven sects unite as one, rely on our terrain and the mountain-protecting formation, and fight with all our might, we may not be without a chance of victory! We must not panic and boost the morale of the enemy!"

"I see! Thank you for clearing up my doubts, Senior Brother Wang!" The despair on the faces of the Qi Refining disciples subsided slightly, as if they had grasped a lifeline. They bowed and took their leave.

As the bewildered figures disappeared at the end of the path, the calm and reassuring expression on Senior Brother Wang's face vanished instantly, replaced by respect and solemnity. He turned and strode quickly toward the majestic main hall atop the mountain.

"Disciple Wang Jian greets Sect Leader Uncle." He bowed respectfully inside the hall.

Master Xuanzhen sat upright on the jade chair, nodded slightly, and said in a voice devoid of emotion: "Nephew Wang has done a good job. Go down to the Hall of Affairs and get a bottle of Yellow Dragon Pills."

"Thank you, Sect Leader Uncle!" Wang Jian bowed again and quietly withdrew.

Silence returned to the main hall. Xuanzhen Daoist gazed at the empty hall doors, his brow furrowed. Finally, he sighed deeply, muttering to the void, almost to himself: "This demonic path's psychological warfare is layered and insidious, truly impossible to defend against… I only hope that Uncle-Master Fuyunzi and the others can win a victory at the Jin Gu Yuan front as soon as possible, to slightly boost their crumbling morale. Otherwise… if morale completely collapses, how can this war continue?"

Just then, a tall and imposing figure, carrying a lingering, sharp talismanic aura, appeared at the entrance of the main hall. Xuanzhen Daoist looked up, a barely perceptible glint in his eyes, then immediately rose to greet him with a warm smile: "Today is not yet the monthly talisman delivery deadline, yet Junior Brother Zhang has already emerged from seclusion? Could it be that your talisman-making skills have improved again? Truly a cause for celebration!"

Qin Hao cursed inwardly that this old fox really thought he was a tireless talisman-making puppet. However, he showed a perfectly timed look of humility and fatigue on his face, cupped his hands and said, "Senior Brother Sect Leader, you flatter me. It's just a matter of practice makes perfect. I dare not say that I have made any progress."

As he spoke, he presented a heavy storage bag with both hands.

Xuanzhen Daoist took the talismans and scanned them with his divine sense. Inside were fifty neatly arranged mid-level talismans brimming with spiritual energy, all of superior quality. Among them were fifteen improved versions of the "Exploding Flame Talisman," which he had specifically requested. His smile widened, and he nodded in satisfaction: "Junior Brother Zhang, you've worked hard. Based on the sect's wartime merits, these talismans are quite valuable. This time, Junior Brother, would you like spirit stones, pills, or materials for refining talismans?"

Since the invasion by the demonic path, the battle has been far more brutal than anticipated. Besides the massacres at the main battlefield of Jin Gu Yuan, the six sects of the demonic path have dispatched countless small elite forces, like leeches, to relentlessly attack the mines, herb gardens, and markets of the seven sects. Their methods are ruthless and difficult to defend against. Lower-ranking disciples have suffered heavy casualties, and in the ensuing panic, there have even been several large-scale defections.

To stabilize the situation, the seven factions used ruthless methods to suppress the deserters as an example, while also understanding the principle that in chaotic times, harsh punishments must be accompanied by generous rewards. A strict "wartime contribution" system was quickly implemented. Whether completing sect missions, defending strongholds, or slaying demonic cultivators, corresponding contribution points could be obtained.

These contribution points can be exchanged for almost all the treasures in the sect's treasury—including Foundation Establishment Pills, which are usually strictly controlled and enough to drive countless Qi Refining disciples crazy!

The generous reward, though not completely quelling the panic, did temporarily mend the sect's crumbling order.

"Materials, please." Qin Hao had already planned ahead and answered decisively: "I would be grateful if you, Senior Brother Sect Leader, could exchange all of my contribution points for 'Copper Essence'."

"Copper essence?" Xuanzhen Daoist's smile faltered slightly, a hint of surprise and scrutiny flashing in his eyes: "This is one of the core materials for refining magic weapons, extremely precious... Could it be that Junior Brother... has already reached the bottleneck of Core Formation?"

His tone was tentative, and even more so, it carried a hint of complexity that he himself was unaware of.

Qin Hao revealed a bitter expression at just the right moment, shook his head repeatedly, and sighed, "Sect Leader, you jest. I've only recently broken through to the late Foundation Establishment stage, and the path to Core Formation is so uncertain. However, with the great battle imminent and dangers lurking everywhere, I've thought long and hard and decided to use this copper essence as the main material to forge a top-tier protective magic weapon, just to increase my chances of survival. As for Core Formation..."

He chuckled self-deprecatingly: "To be able to glimpse the shadow of that threshold in this lifetime is already a stroke of good fortune."

Upon hearing this, the subtle tension in Xuanzhen Daoist's heart quietly dissipated, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If Zhang Tie had truly succeeded in breaking through to the Core Formation stage in such a short time, it would have been far too monstrous.

However, he still comforted him, saying, "I see. Junior Brother's foresight is indeed admirable. But Junior Brother, there's no need to underestimate yourself. With the exceptional talent you've displayed in talisman making, the sect will certainly do its utmost to cultivate you. After this defeat of the demonic path, based on the merits you've achieved, you might very well gain the favor of a Supreme Elder and be granted the opportunity to form your Golden Core! At that time, the path to the Golden Core may not be just a mirage!"

The pie in the sky was so big and round that Qin Hao seriously suspected this guy might be a former executive from some major internet company who had transmigrated. His face instantly lit up with anticipation, and his voice trembled with gratitude: "If I ever have the chance to see the Supreme Elder's mercy, I will forever remember the kindness of my Sect Leader Brother in helping me today!"

Seeing Qin Hao's "deeply encouraged" expression, Xuanzhen Daoist was greatly pleased. He stroked his beard and smiled, "Very good! Since Junior Brother has made up his mind, this piece of bronze essence is yours!"

With a flick of his sleeve, a fist-sized, bronze-colored ore with faint dark gold patterns flowing inside flew steadily toward Qin Hao.

"Thank you so much, Senior Brother Sect Leader!" Qin Hao thanked him sincerely.

Having obtained the goods, Qin Hao was about to bow and take his leave when a series of hurried and flustered footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall. He saw that Steward Liu's face was deathly pale.

"What's the matter with such a panic? What kind of behavior is this?" Xuanzhen Daoist frowned and scolded.

Disregarding Qin Hao's presence, Deacon Liu rushed to Xuanzhen Daoist's side, leaned close to his ear, and whispered something in a very low voice.

As Steward Liu spoke, Xuanzhen Daoist's face turned ashen at a visible speed, eventually becoming so gloomy it seemed to drip water! A suppressed anger and anxiety instantly filled the entire hall.

"Alright! I understand! Go and handle the follow-up matters immediately!" Xuanzhen Daoist's voice was deep.

Deacon Liu felt as if he had been granted a pardon, bowed deeply, and hurriedly withdrew.

Once only the two of them remained in the hall, Xuanzhen Daoist let out a long breath and turned to Qin Hao, his face showing only deep exhaustion and a hint of helplessness: "Junior Brother Zhang... an urgent report from the front lines."

"Yan Family Fortress... has openly surrendered to the Ghost Spirit Sect! Martial Uncle Fuyunzi has issued an emergency order, commanding all Foundation Establishment mid-stage and late-stage disciples within the sect to immediately proceed to the front lines at Jingu Plain to assist in the battle! No mistakes are allowed!"

Qin Hao's heart skipped a beat, a surge of immense joy coursing through him like an electric current! The Yan Family Fortress had betrayed them! This was a godsend, a golden opportunity to escape! Finally, he could rightfully leave this tightly monitored prison!

He forcibly suppressed his turbulent emotions, his face instantly filled with astonishment and helplessness: "This... Sect Leader, is there really no... room for maneuver? The front lines are dangerous, and I'm not good at fighting..."

"Junior brother, don't worry!" Master Xuanzhen quickly interrupted, his tone reassuring: "Uncle Fuyunzi values ​​your talent for making talismans highly! The order specifically mentioned that even if you go to the front lines, your primary task will be to supervise the production of talismans to replenish your war preparations. He will never let you charge into battle easily!"

"I hope so..." Qin Hao nodded reluctantly, his face still showing worry.

The next day, the sky was overcast with low-hanging leaden clouds.

The atmosphere in the vast training ground of Qingxu Sect was as heavy as if frozen. Nearly a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators in the middle and late stages had already gathered here, each with a serious expression, some solemn, some apprehensive, and some with a numb resolve.

An invisible pressure and a sense of bewilderment and fear about the unknown road ahead filled the air.

Qin Hao stood silently in the crowd. Soon, the elder in charge of the allocation announced the group assignments—three people per group, heading to the front lines at Jingu Plain!

This move serves two purposes: first, to prevent the capture of all spies from the demonic path, and second, to prevent anyone from deserting midway due to cowardice.

Apart from Qin Hao, who was in the late Foundation Establishment stage, the other two members of his group were in the mid Foundation Establishment stage.

One was a middle-aged Taoist priest with a weathered face and a thin build. His Taoist robe was washed until it was faded, and his eyes were slightly cloudy. He carried an old whisk on his back, and his Taoist name was Qingyuan.

The other was a plump and charming young woman with willow-leaf eyebrows and phoenix eyes, dressed in a light purple palace dress, named Liu Yun.

Without exchanging any further words, the three of them bowed slightly to each other, then each rode their own escape light and soared into the sky, flying towards the Golden Drum Plain in the southeast.

The Taoist Qingyuan used an ordinary high-grade flying sword, which emitted a grayish light and had average speed.

Liu Yun stood on a pink peach blossom-shaped magical artifact, her escape light shimmering, and her speed slightly faster. Qin Hao, on the other hand, still wielded the Crimson Soul Blade, but suppressed his speed to a level comparable to the two of them.

Three streaks of light silently streaked across the sky, the atmosphere heavy and suffocating. Everyone knew that the front lines were perilous, and the lives of Foundation Establishment cultivators were sometimes less valuable than blades of grass. The longer they cultivated, the more obsessed they became with the hope of immortality, and the more...the more they cherished their lives.

Two days later, the three had completely left the Qingxu Sect's territory. Before them lay a continuous, towering, nameless mountain range. Peaks rose one after another, ancient trees reached for the sky, and dense primeval forests covered the land, stretching as far as the eye could see.

"Senior Brother Zhang," Qingyuan Daoist spoke first, his voice tinged with fatigue and hoarseness. "We have been traveling for two days without sleep or rest, and our magical energy has been greatly depleted. The mountains ahead are treacherous, and there may be ferocious beasts lurking there. Perhaps... we should rest here for a while before continuing our journey?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yun's beautiful eyes lit up, and she immediately echoed softly, "Yes, Senior Brother Zhang, the deadline set by Ancestor Fuyunzi for reaching Jin Gu Yuan is still half a month away, which is quite ample time. Rushing into this unfamiliar and dangerous place could lead to unforeseen mishaps and would only delay the Ancestor's orders..."

Although her words were tactful, the meaning was crystal clear—she wanted to delay as long as possible.

Qin Hao's gaze swept over the vast, desolate mountains and forests below, and then he glanced at the undisguised fear on the faces of the two men. He understood them perfectly and nodded in agreement: "Alright, this place is quite open. Let's rest here for a day and recharge our energy before we continue."

Three streaks of light descended in response, like boulders thrown into a calm lake, startling countless birds in the forest and causing lurking wild beasts and snakes to scatter in all directions.

The three of them each found a clean, sheltered spot, sat cross-legged, swallowed pills, and closed their eyes to regulate their breathing.

Both Qingyuan and Liu Yun appeared preoccupied, their breathing fluctuating. Qin Hao, on the other hand, seemed unusually calm, silently circulating his cultivation technique. His powerful divine sense, like an invisible spiderweb, quietly spread outwards, covering an area of ​​dozens of miles in radius.

A day passed in oppressive silence amidst the chirping of insects and the roars of animals.

The next morning, the three set off again. Shortly after their escape light disappeared into the horizon, several ghostly, pitch-black figures silently emerged from the depths of the dense forest below.

The leader was a gaunt man, wrapped in a large, blood-red cloak. His face was deathly pale, like a zombie crawling out of a grave, but his lips were as red as blood. He licked his lips with his scarlet tongue, letting out a chilling laugh like that of a night owl: "Hehehe~~~ What great luck! One late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, two mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators... truly top-quality flesh and souls! The main soul of my Myriad Soul Banner is finally secured! That late-stage Foundation Establishment brat, none of you should try to take it from me!"

"Hehe, Blood Child, you have quite the appetite. That late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator's essence is yours, but that pretty little lady, I'll have to have a taste of her heart and blood. Tsk tsk, the essence of a Foundation Establishment female cultivator's heart and blood is a great tonic!" Another voice, sharp as the scraping of metal, belonged to a short, lewd-looking man whose greedy eyes were fixed on the direction where Liu Yun had disappeared.

"Stop talking nonsense! You two good-for-nothings! Hurry up and chase them! Don't let them get away!" The last man was burly and his voice was deep and rumbling like thunder, sounding somewhat impatient.

Three streaks of black light, imbued with a dense aura of malevolent energy, followed the lingering scent of Qin Hao and his companions like maggots clinging to a bone, tearing through the air at an even faster speed!

An hour later.

Qin Hao, who was flying away, suddenly frowned and a cold glint flashed in his eyes!

"Not good!" Qin Hao suddenly shouted, "Demonic thieves have locked onto us and are rapidly pursuing us! There are at least three of them, and their cultivation is not weak! Quick! Split up!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Yun and Qingyuan Daoist beside him were both stunned. They subconsciously pushed their divine senses to the limit and spread them out to explore behind and around them.

However, after a few breaths, apart from the chirping of insects and birds in the forest and the sound of the wind, neither of them sensed anything unusual.

A hint of suspicion flashed across Liu Yun's face as she said sweetly, "Senior Brother Zhang, are you being too nervous? This place is still far from the front lines..."

Qingyuan Daoist also frowned, clearly feeling that Qin Hao was making a mountain out of a molehill.

Just as doubts began to form in their minds, their expressions changed drastically! As if they had been pierced by invisible ice picks!

"Run!" Qingyuan Daoist exclaimed in alarm, his voice trembling!

Liu Yun turned pale and lost all hesitation!

Unfortunately, it's too late!

Just as they realized what was happening, three jet-black beams of light, exuding a murderous aura, like three black lightning bolts tearing through the sky, instantly passed over them with an almost tyrannical manner, suddenly spreading out in front of them in a triangular shape, firmly trapping the three of them in the middle!

The demonic energy surged! The eerie wind howled! Liu Yun and Qingyuan Daoist's hearts sank to the bottom, their faces turned ashen, and a chill ran from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads! If they had listened to this Senior Brother Zhang and decisively scattered and fled, they might still have had a sliver of hope.

"Hehehe~~~ Oh, your reaction isn't slow at all!" The leader, a pale-faced cultivator draped in a blood-red cloak, chuckled eerily. His sinister eyes, like those of a venomous snake, were fixed on Qin Hao, as if he were examining a priceless treasure. "You were the one who detected us first with your divine sense, weren't you? Tsk tsk tsk... A mere late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet your divine sense is so refined and powerful? Unheard of! Good! Excellent! Your soul will be perfect for refining the main soul of my Myriad Soul Banner! It will surely increase the banner's power several times over!"

He greedily stuck out his scarlet tongue and licked his lips, his blood-red robe trembling slightly with excitement.

Qin Hao's face was ashen: "Then we'll see if you have the ability!"

"Hmph! You ignorant fool! You dare to be so stubborn even when you're about to die!" Blood Child sneered, and his murderous aura erupted like solid black flames! A terrifying pressure far exceeding that of the late-stage Foundation Establishment peak pressed down on Qin Hao like a mountain!

"Fake pills!" Liu Yun and Qingyuan Daoist exclaimed in shock at the same time, their voices filled with despair!

The so-called "fake core" refers to a cultivator whose magical power is already at the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage, but who has not yet condensed a golden core. Although they are not as terrifying as core-forming cultivators, they are definitely not something that ordinary late Foundation Establishment cultivators can contend with.

Just as the two men looked ashen-faced, Qin Hao had a sudden inspiration and shouted at them, "I'll hold them off, you two get out of here!"

“Clang!”

The Crimson Soul Blade emitted a deafening clang, transforming into a scorching blade intent that could burn across the entire world, fiercely slashing towards the short and wretched Ghost Spirit Sect cultivator! Wherever the blade light passed, the air seemed to ignite, emitting a sizzling, burning sound!

At the same time, two venomous daggers, their bodies a deep, eerie green, gleaming with a deadly cold light and exuding a strong, sweet, and pungent odor, silently slashed through the void like two lurking vipers, aiming at the throat and lower abdomen of another burly man from the Ghost Spirit Sect with extremely cunning and ruthless angles! The green light flashed and disappeared in an instant, so fast that only afterimages remained!

"How dare you, you brat!" The two attacked were both shocked and furious! The short cultivator let out a strange cry, and a pitch-black bone shield engraved with a ferocious ghost head instantly appeared in front of him, exuding a sinister aura.

The burly man roared and slammed down a heavy bronze cymbal. The cymbal's surface was covered with magical patterns and emitted a dull hum, attempting to block the eerie green dagger.

"Pfft! Sizzle sizzle sizzle—!"

The Crimson Soul Blade slammed into the pitch-black bone shield, producing a teeth-grinding scraping sound. The crimson flames and the pale green ghostly energy collided and annihilated violently!

The venomous dagger was barely blocked by the bronze cymbals, but the wisps of dark green poison gas seeping from the tip of the dagger corroded the sturdy bronze cymbal surface, creating pits and making a soft "sizzling" sound!

This sudden, precise, and ruthless counterattack actually managed to entangle the two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Ghost Spirit Sect for a moment!

Liu Yun and Qingyuan Daoist had already fallen into despair, but now, seeing Qin Hao actually single-handedly hold off two great demonic cultivators and buy them a life-or-death opportunity, the long-extinguished flame of survival in their hearts was rekindled! Immense gratitude and guilt instantly overwhelmed them!

"Senior Brother Zhang...!" Liu Yun's beautiful eyes filled with tears, her voice choked with sobs.

"Brother Zhang's kindness is immense! Qingyuan will never forget it! If I survive, I will repay this kindness!" Qingyuan Daoist roared hoarsely, his voice filled with sorrow.

Without the slightest hesitation, the two frantically poured their remaining magical power into the magical artifact beneath their feet! Qingyuan Daoist's flying sword let out a mournful shriek, transforming into a dim gray light as it fled desperately towards the northeast!

Liu Yun's peach blossom magic artifact scattered countless illusory pink petals, enveloping her like a pink shooting star as she shot towards the northwest horizon! Their speed was pushed to the limit they had never reached in their lives!

"You bastard! Trying to run? Did you even ask me?!" Blood Child roared in fury! He was about to give chase himself when— However, the instant he made that thought—

The cold smile on Qin Hao's lips suddenly widened!

"Hmph! Your opponent is me!" Qin Hao snorted coldly and threw a "Golden Blade Storm Talisman" at Blood Child.

"Like a mantis trying to stop a chariot! Die!" Blood Child was completely enraged. How dare a mere late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator repeatedly challenge his authority as a Pseudo-Core cultivator! His eyes flashed with bloodlust, and he slammed his hand on a small banner hanging at his waist!

Woo——!

In an instant, the cries of ghosts and wolves resounded through the sky! The heavens and earth lost their color! The small banner, originally the size of a palm, swelled in the wind and instantly transformed into a huge black banner that blotted out the sky!

Black mist billowed across the banner, and countless twisted, struggling, and wailing souls floated and roared within it! The eerie ghostly aura descended like a cold hell from the deepest abyss, completely enveloping the space within a radius of several miles!

A biting wind howled, the light dimmed, and countless illusory ghostly claws emerged from the black mist, carrying a chilling aura that could freeze the soul, reaching for Qin Hao! This was none other than the Blood Child's reliance—the Myriad Soul Banner! A wicked magical artifact refined with the sacrifices of countless living souls, it specialized in corrupting magical treasures and eroding the souls of those who possessed them!

"Hehehe~~ You ignorant fool, let me show you what despair is!" Blood Child stood under the banner, like a netherworld messenger who controlled life and death, and let out a triumphant laugh.

However, faced with this terrifying demonic artifact, which could freeze the soul of an ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator and leave them helpless and waiting to die, Qin Hao's eyes showed not fear, but rather a chillingly mocking look.

"Really?"

Under the astonished gazes of the three Blood Child disciples, Qin Hao suddenly formed an extremely profound hand seal: "I was just looking for an excuse to disappear in a righteous way! You've delivered yourselves right to my doorstep!"

Before he finished speaking, he pressed his hands, which were forming a hand seal, down sharply!

"Om-!"

A strange buzzing sound seemed to resound from the depths of the earth! Centered on Qin Hao, countless crisscrossing and intricate array patterns suddenly lit up on the ground within a radius of several dozen feet! Five-colored spiritual light shot into the sky, and the red, yellow, blue, green, and gold light pillars instantly intertwined into a huge, ever-flowing net of spiritual energy!

Reversing the Five Elements! Forbidden Void!

The three of them only felt a blur before their eyes, and the ghost claw attack of the Ten Thousand Souls Banner completely missed its target.

"What kind of formation is this?!" The sneer on Blood Child's face froze instantly, replaced by horror! He never expected that the opponent had been prepared all along and had set up such an exquisite formation!

"Dead men don't need to know that much!"

Qin Hao's hands moved like butterflies flitting among flowers, so fast they were just a blur! One after another, the Exploding Flame Talismans, shimmering with violent fire elemental power, were activated as if they were free, transforming into lava fireballs several feet in diameter, radiating a destructive aura. Like a meteor shower, they bombarded the two Ghost Spirit Sect cultivators trapped in the formation, who were filled with shock and rage!

"Damn it! It's a mid-level talisman!"

"Quickly block it!"

The burly man roared, and his bronze cymbal instantly enlarged, transforming into a giant wall in front of him. The short cultivator desperately activated his pitch-black bone shield, its eerie aura protecting him.

Boom boom boom boom——! ! !

Deafening explosions erupted one after another! Violent fire shockwaves raged and compounded within the space confined by the Inverted Five Elements Array! The temperature soared dramatically!

The giant bronze cymbal was violently deformed by the explosion, the demonic patterns on its surface dimmed, and it kept emitting mournful cries!

The pitch-black bone shield sizzled as it burned, and the edges even began to char and smoke, as most of the ghostly energy was purified!

The two were blasted so badly that their blood and qi surged, and they were forced to retreat in a sorry state. The spiritual light of their protective magic artifacts dimmed rapidly!

"Youngster! I'd like to see how many intermediate-level talismans you can use!"

Blood Child's eyes widened in horror, his heart bleeding! The Myriad Souls Banner was his most precious possession! He frantically made hand seals, and the Myriad Souls Banner surged with black energy. A huge, pitch-black ghost claw, formed from hundreds of ferocious souls, with an aura that seemed to tear everything apart, fiercely grabbed at the array's light barrier, attempting to rip open a hole.

"Enough to annihilate you all!"

Qin Hao sneered. He wouldn't hold back when dealing with a fake Core Formation cultivator! This time, he grabbed a handful of talismans from each hand! On the left was a stack of sharp, golden talismans—Golden Blade Storm Talismans! On the right were still dozens of Exploding Flame Talismans!

"go with!"

Buzz! Boom! Rumble!

A burst of golden light! Countless incomparably sharp golden wind blades swept out like a storm, slashing fiercely at the huge, dark ghost claw!

Immediately following were several violently exploding fireballs that exploded violently on the ghost claw!

Under the relentless onslaught of the storm's cutting and the blazing flames, the enormous ghostly claw let out a mournful wail, instantly becoming riddled with holes and scattering black energy, as if it had been forcibly blasted apart!

"Pfft!" With the ghost claw destroyed, the Blood Child, whose mind was connected to it, suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, his face paled even more, and his eyes were filled with disbelief, terror and resentment!

The hundreds of souls within his Ten Thousand Souls Banner had suffered heavy losses and their spiritual light dimmed under the barrage of this series of precise and ruthless talismans!

"Die!" Qin Hao's eyes were icy cold, his killing intent was resolute! He no longer looked at the two Ghost Spirit Sect cultivators who were blown to bits and were struggling to hold on, and instantly grabbed five Explosive Flame Talismans in each hand!

Ten in total!

Without the slightest hesitation, Qin Hao poured all his magical power into it and shook his arms!

boom--! ! ! !

Time seems to stand still at this moment!

Ten improved Explosive Flame Runes were activated, stacked, and exploded simultaneously! It was no longer a fireball, but ten suns compressed to their limit and then exploding with a roar!

The blinding crimson and white flames instantly engulfed all the space within the Inverted Five Elements Array! A massive, destructive energy erupted in an instant!

Flames soared into the sky, the intense heat distorting everything! The earth melted amidst groans! The air was completely ignited! A terrifying shockwave, carrying the power to incinerate the entire world, slammed violently into the five-colored light barrier of the Inverted Five Elements Array. The light barrier rippled and caved in violently, emitting a hum that seemed unable to bear the weight, as if it were about to shatter at any moment!

"Do not--!!!"

Blood Child let out a desperate, shrill scream! He only had time to desperately protect the Myriad Soul Banner in front of him, and his blood-red robe burst forth with dazzling blood light! But in the face of the combined power of ten "Exploding Flame Talismans" exploding, it was as fragile as paper!

In an instant, the protective blood-red light on his body vanished like bubbles! That exceptional blood-red robe turned to ashes in the intense heat of the flames! The Myriad Souls Banner let out a final, piercing tearing sound as its surface was ripped apart. Countless fierce souls and demons let out a shriek of liberation in the pure yang flames, vanishing into nothingness!

Merely caught in the aftershocks, the burly man's bronze cymbals shattered into pieces like fragile shards of pottery! The short cultivator's pitch-black bone shield was even vaporized!

The three figures, like rotten wood thrown into a steel furnace, didn't even have time to utter a second scream before being instantly reduced to nothingness in the raging flames and shockwaves!

The terrifying explosion lasted for several breaths before the intense heat and violent energy gradually subsided.

The light barrier of the Inverted Five Elements Array gradually stabilized, and its light dimmed considerably.

Inside the formation, chaos reigned. A massive, charred crater had been blasted into the ground, its bottom flowing with dark red lava, billowing heat and emitting a pungent sulfurous odor. The air was thick with the smell of burning and turbulent energy.

Qin Hao's figure slowly emerged from the distorted light and shadow at the edge, his dark scale armor glowing with a faint light, insulating him from the remaining high temperature.

"The superimposed activation method of the AI ​​is so terrifyingly powerful. However, the success rate of making this superimposed talisman is less than half that of the improved version. Only I can afford to use it. An ordinary talisman master would have gone bankrupt long ago!"

"It seems we should make fewer of these ten-stranded talismans in the future. They're too powerful; they even destroyed the storage bags. Wasting them is shameful!"

"Hmm, the material of this Ten Thousand Souls Banner is quite good. It's actually quite well preserved. I'll try to refine it later. If that doesn't work, I can remelt it and break it down. I should be able to extract some useful materials from it!"

After cleaning up the battlefield and making sure nothing was missed, Qin Hao piloted the "Ink Dragon Boat" with its stealth function activated and began to speed towards the capital of Yue Kingdom.