Chapter 1055: Fracture

Before Han Li and the others could react, the distant light vanished amidst the black-robed woman's sneer. Everyone's vision went black as they were all plunged into a dim, hazy space.

Ancestor Yuancha had, in fact, activated the spatial ability of the Black Wind Flag, resealing the small area and trapping everyone within.

Young Master Xu and the others' expressions drastically changed.

"Quick, teleport away!" came a panicked voice. "Huh? Where's the person who just teleported in?" "The teleportation array is inactive; it's failed!" Several shocked and angry voices echoed, causing some people to panic.

Han Li's heart sank. He, too, hadn't noticed how the teleported individual vanished, nor had he clearly seen their face. However, that was insignificant compared to the teleportation array's failure. With a flicker of his figure, he arrived before the teleportation array.

Lin Yinping and Gui Ling were already inside the teleportation array, constantly inspecting the formation with anxious expressions.

"Let me see!" Han Li said in a deep voice, raising his hand. He immediately cast a spell on the edge of the array. A faint spiritual light flickered, but there was no further reaction. Han Li's expression turned grim.

At that moment, Young Master Xu and the Silver-Winged Yaksha also came over. Since they weren't particularly skilled in array formations, seeing Han Li's grim expression, the Silver-Winged Yaksha couldn't help but ask: "What's wrong? Is there a problem with the teleportation array?"

"The teleportation array itself is fine," Han Li said slowly, gazing at it, "but it's sealed by the Black Wind Flag's spatial power. Unless we break through this space, or the Black Wind Flag's owner voluntarily releases this restriction, we won't be able to teleport out."

"Break through space? How can we do that?" the Silver-Winged Yaksha exclaimed anxiously. "Are we supposed to eliminate Ancestor Yuancha? If we possessed such a divine ability, why would we be in such a hurry to leave?"

"What good does complaining to me do, fellow Daoist?" Han Li retorted impolitely, his eyes flashing. "Fortunately, this demon is currently preoccupied with the person in the palace. She has only trapped us for now and hasn't had time to deal with us. Let's carefully consider our options and see if we can devise a way to escape. Please refrain from uttering such complaints."

The Silver-Winged Yaksha was enraged by these words, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. However, he then seemed to recall something, snorted, and forcibly suppressed his anger, his gaze flickering as he fell into thought. Young Master Xu, standing nearby, also appeared pensive. Lin Yinping and Gui Ling, with deeply furrowed brows, helplessly stepped out of the formation.

As Han Li and the others found themselves momentarily helpless within the sealed space, the black-robed woman, enveloped by a black wind hurricane outside, cast a cold sneer towards the massive flag in the sky, whose dark radiance had significantly diminished. By now, apart from a few wind pillars surrounding her, the fierce winds nearby had gradually subsided. The chaotic aftermath became increasingly clear.

Although activating the spatial divine ability consumed a significant portion of the Black Wind Flag's power, the Nine True Devil-Subduing Formation in front of her was already destroyed. The remaining power was sufficient to contend with the uncontrolled Eight Spirit Ruler. While this spirit treasure was formidable, relying solely on its innate spiritual nature, it could only exert a limited number of divine abilities and likely only suppress the wolf soul within the palace, which lacked a physical body.

As she thought this, her gaze swept outwards. She saw eight spirit beast phantoms constantly shattering and dispersing under the hurricane's tearing force, only to re-coalesce under the Eight Spirit Ruler's divine ability. Although they couldn't penetrate the hurricane, the woman was unwilling to easily step out of its protective embrace.

The black-robed woman expressionlessly shifted her gaze, suddenly looking towards a certain individual on the palace—the large-headed grotesque figure who had remained nearby since the start of the conflict, neither leaving nor daring to make any other moves. Although the fierce winds unleashed by the Black Wind Flag had been violent, the center of the palace had remained an untouched sanctuary. This individual was indeed completely unharmed.

A strange light flickered in the black-robed woman's bright eyes, and a pleasant voice emerged from her lips: "Fellow Daoist Ye, go retrieve the Eight Spirit Ruler for me. Don't worry, with me watching, Fellow Daoist Long Meng will not be able to attack you."

The grotesque figure was startled by these words, revealing a hesitant expression.

"What, are you afraid I cannot guarantee your safety, fellow Daoist?" the black-robed woman chuckled, lightly brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. She then casually raised her hand, pointing towards the distant cultivators of the Ye family. Those individuals were currently releasing their protective magical treasures, huddled around the phantom of the white-robed scholar. Upon seeing the black-robed woman's gesture, they were instantly greatly alarmed.

Her slender, jade-like finger moved! Yet, no spiritual light emanated from her fingertip; the black-robed woman merely seemed to flick her fingers aimlessly in the air. The Ye family cultivators were utterly bewildered. The large-headed grotesque figure was also stunned, not understanding the black-robed woman's intention.

With several muffled 'puffs,' a bizarre, blood-red flower blossomed between the eyebrows of the Daoist nun among the Ye family cultivators and an old man beside her. Their bodies instantly toppled over. Their protective magical treasures and spiritual shields seemed to have had no effect whatsoever. However, before the remaining square-faced middle-aged man, a phantom of a white bone ring flashed. After a ripple of yellow light, it blocked a translucent spherical bead. The bead, only thumb-sized and crystal clear, was repelled by the yellow light. With a 'bang,' it self-destructed and vanished. The phantom of the white-robed scholar also took a hit between its eyebrows, causing the ethereal image to disappear.

"Oh!" and "Ah?" came simultaneously from the black-robed woman and the large-headed grotesque figure. The black-robed woman voiced surprise, while the grotesque figure exclaimed in shock.

"A Moon Reflection Ring? No, a counterfeit!" the black-robed woman murmured, a hint of surprise appearing on her face.

"Ancestor, what is the meaning of this?" The grotesque figure's face immediately clouded over.

"What meaning?" the black-robed woman said nonchalantly, glancing at him. "Since Fellow Daoist Ye doesn't trust this Ancestor, I naturally had to demonstrate my capabilities. What, are these people related to you in some way?"

"Hmph!" The large-headed grotesque figure snorted, appearing somewhat displeased, but said nothing further. However, his gaze ultimately landed on the spot where the white-robed scholar's phantom had vanished, and a hint of surprise reappeared on his face.

At that moment, the bodies of the two deceased Ye family cultivators burst open, and two nascent souls flew out in a panic, heading directly towards the square-faced cultivator. The square-faced cultivator, his face grim, retracted the bone ring before him, allowing the two nascent souls to vanish into his sleeve. He then immediately released the bone ring again. Throughout this process, he stared unblinkingly at the black-robed woman, fearing she would seize the opportunity to launch another deadly attack.

It was unclear whether her attack had missed, or if she disdained to strike again, or perhaps she merely wanted to demonstrate her power to the large-headed grotesque figure. In any case, the black-robed woman ignored the square-faced cultivator's action of retrieving the nascent souls and continued speaking to the grotesque figure: "Fellow Daoist Ye, simply help me retrieve this Eight Spirit Ruler, and you will have lent me a hand. Once we are free, I will personally imbue you with demonic qi, greatly extending your lifespan. Furthermore, you won't need to participate when we deal with that demon empress later. Can you truly not even accomplish this small task, fellow Daoist?"

As she spoke, the black-robed woman's jade-like face turned cold. Her bright, black-and-white eyes suddenly became veiled with a layer of blood-red, making her appear extraordinarily eerie and demonic.

The large-headed grotesque figure's expression shifted. He naturally detected the dissatisfaction in Ancestor Yuancha's avatar. After a moment's consideration, realizing he had no choice but to take this risk, he gritted his teeth without a word and drifted towards the Eight Spirit Ruler.

The instant the large-headed grotesque figure moved, a cold snort echoed from beneath the palace. Suddenly, space twisted above the grotesque figure's head, and a colossal hand, over ten zhang in length, appeared. It unceremoniously clenched into a fist and, like a small mountain, smashed down towards him. Sensing the terrifying spiritual pressure emanating from the giant fist, the large-headed grotesque figure was immensely startled and immediately prepared to retreat. However, at that moment, the black-robed woman let out a light chuckle and gently clapped her jade hand towards the palace. With a tremendous 'boom,' the giant fist seemed to be struck by something powerful. It vibrated violently, was sent flying sideways, and then dispersed into specks of white light.

The grotesque figure's heart settled. Without further delay, his escape light flashed, transforming into a streak of yellow and darting directly towards the Eight Spirit Ruler. However, just as his escape light traveled a mere ten zhang, a faint, almost inaudible sigh echoed from one side. Subsequently, a strange light flashed in the nearby void, and a bizarre black-red blade shot out, transforming into a sweeping expanse of black-red blade light that slashed directly towards the grotesque figure.

"The Black Blood Blade!" the large-headed grotesque figure gasped and blurted out the name. Without hesitation, he opened his mouth, and a small yellow sword shot out, transforming into a giant blade roughly a zhang in length. After a brief swirl, it conjured numerous sword shadows, enveloping him in protection. Immediately after, the grotesque figure flipped his hand, and a pristine white small bottle appeared. As if facing a formidable enemy, he aimed the bottle's mouth at the incoming blade light and tilted it.

A white mist shot out from the bottle, instantly meeting the two swiftly arriving blade lights. The moment they clashed, the black-red blade light churned slightly, tearing the seemingly thick mist into fragments. Immediately, the black-red radiance surged, and the blade light condensed into a single black-red giant blade several zhang long, which slashed directly down towards the grotesque figure.

The large-headed grotesque figure's expression turned somewhat panicked. He quickly formed a hand seal, activating the yellow giant sword to resist. At the same time, with a flick of his sleeve, another flying trident transformed into a streak of silver light and shot into the air. After the black-red giant blade descended, it was momentarily halted by the numerous sword shadows. However, with a low hum, all the sword shadows were shattered like mere paper scraps by a single slash, striking directly at the main body of the giant sword. The yellow giant sword let out a mournful cry, and a crack immediately appeared on its blade where it had been struck by the blade light.

The grotesque figure's face paled, and he couldn't help but open his mouth to spit out a mouthful of black blood. Fortunately, at that moment, the flying trident arrived, and with a shake, it transformed into a swath of silver light, urgently assisting the giant sword in resisting the giant blade's downward momentum. However, it was clear that even with the addition of the extraordinary silver trident, the two treasures would not be able to withstand the blade light for long. With a flash of spiritual light around his body, the large-headed grotesque figure was about to shoot sideways to retreat.

Seeing this scene, the black-robed woman in the distance's face darkened. She flicked a single hand towards an empty spot above the palace. Instantly, a muffled groan was heard, and a faint white shadow stumbled before materializing at that spot. It was none other than the Ye family's Grand Elder, the white-robed scholar who had remained invisible all along.