Chapter 704: Outaction

Volume Five: Renowned in All Directions

"Go!"The old woman pointed a finger at the faint light silhouette in the air, speaking solemnly.

Instantly, a flash of red and white light appeared, and the Thunderflame Cone swiftly reached the blue crystal wall in front of the old woman, striking it forcefully without hesitation.

A muffled 'thud' sound echoed, and arcs of electricity and fierce flames burst forth instantly, engulfing the entire surface of the wall and making it impossible to see what was happening inside.

Upon seeing this, Han Li's pupils slightly constricted.

Although he hadn't personally experienced the power of the Thunderflame Cone, judging solely by the current spiritual energy fluctuations, this treasure's power was undoubtedly extraordinary.

No wonder Lady Tai had proposed the test with such confidence.

"However, facing the Grand Marvelous Divine Restriction, mere divine abilities like this might still..."

Before Han Li could finish his thoughts, the power of the thunderflame on the wall had dissipated.

The Thunderflame Cone floated gently a few inches in front of the wall, but the crystal wall's surface remained completely intact, without even a single crack.

Marquis Nanlong, standing by, showed a hint of disappointment on his face, but still said with a smile:

"Although this treasure's power is considerable, it's still a bit lacking to break through the Grand Marvelous Divine Restriction. Thank you, Fellow Daoist Tai! Let's see if any other fellow daoists have abilities that can break this restriction."

"Hmph! When did I say this was the true power of this treasure? I merely tested it with a single strike just now. It seems I truly need to fully activate this treasure." The old woman seemed a bit embarrassed and huffed. "Oh! If Fellow Daoist Tai has other methods, please feel free to display them!" Marquis Nanlong's eyes lit up, and he said with a joyful expression.

Hearing this, the old woman said no more. She immediately formed a hand seal with both hands. The previously motionless Thunderflame Cone suddenly transformed into a streak of light and shot back to hover above her head. Then, under the activation of her incantation, it began to spin in mid-air, its speed increasing rapidly as lightning and fierce flames gradually intertwined, emitting a strange, low humming sound.

Seeing this sight, everyone else's spirits lifted, and they watched without blinking.

A moment later, the Thunderflame Cone's own electrical arcs and red flames seemed to truly merge into one, transforming into a demonic crimson electrical arc that continuously flickered and danced across the surface of the now shadowy cone, appearing incredibly bizarre.

Han Li's heart stirred upon seeing this. He vaguely thought of something and showed a pensive expression.

The others likewise showed surprise, and their estimations of the Thunderflame Cone's power significantly increased.

Just then, the woman surnamed Tai uttered the word "Break."

A tearing sound, like something ripping through the air, echoed.

The Thunderflame Cone, spinning almost too fast to be seen, with its bizarre crimson electrical arcs, vanished with a single movement, piercing once again towards the original crystal wall.

This time, there was no thunderflame explosion; instead, there was a soft 'puff' sound.

With the assistance of its high-speed rotation and crimson electrical arcs, the Thunderflame Cone was only slightly obstructed by the crystal wall's surface before it truly plunged into the crystal wall.

Once the treasure penetrated the crystal wall, although its speed greatly reduced, it continued to spin desperately and slowly advance under the old woman's control.

At this, both the white-robed elder and Marquis Nanlong showed expressions of pleasant surprise.

Meanwhile, Wang Tiangu and the cultivator surnamed You, among others, had flickering lights in their eyes, also revealing tension.

It was unclear if they hoped the old woman would succeed in breaking the restriction, or if they wished for her to fail.

Han Li saw this and inwardly sneered, a slight curl of his lips revealing a hint of derision.

Han Li's expression went unnoticed by others, but Yan Ruyan happened to glance over and catch sight of it.

The woman paused, and a hint of doubt appeared in her bright eyes.

The Thunderflame Cone, which had penetrated about a foot into the crystal wall, finally met its demise.

The crystal wall, previously unchanged and seemingly stable, suddenly erupted with brilliant blue light. Then, to everyone's astonishment, countless searing white, fine threads of light appeared within the wall. These threads instantly wrapped themselves around the advancing Thunderflame Cone in numerous layers. The light threads then fiercely constricted with a wild flash.

With a resounding 'boom,' the Thunderflame Cone instantly burst apart, and its light flashed and vanished, leaving the crystal wall to return to its calm state.

The old woman's face immediately turned pale, and then an expression of extreme shock and anger appeared.

This Thunderflame Cone was an ancient treasure she had painstakingly acquired, and to have it destroyed so easily filled her with unbearable heartbreak and regret.

For a moment, the old woman felt a heat in her chest, almost as if she would spit out a mouthful of blood.

Everyone else watched, dumbfounded and deeply shaken.

Among them, Yan Ruyan, with a flash of surprise in her eyes, glanced at Han Li again, a thoughtful expression on her face.

Fortunately, the old woman was no ordinary person. After her wrinkled face flushed red and then paled several times, she took a deep breath and managed to calm the turbulent energy within her.

"I've truly made a fool of myself in front of you all this time. This Grand Marvelous Divine Restriction truly lives up to its reputation as one of the Ten Great Ancient Restrictions. I have no way to break it. However, other fellow daoists possess vast divine abilities; perhaps there are other ways to dispel this restriction!" She turned her head and said with a bitter smile.

After saying this, the old woman stepped back a few paces, indicating her surrender.

The joyful expression on Marquis Nanlong's face had long since faded. Hearing her words, he could only sigh and say:

"Fellow Daoist Tai's efforts fell short at the last moment; what a pity. Are there any other fellow daoists willing to give it a try?" After saying this, Marquis Nanlong specifically glanced at Wang Tiangu and the others.

After all, Wang Tiangu's reputation as a grand master of formations was quite considerable in the cultivation world.

However, after witnessing the old woman's treasure being destroyed, the others' initial eagerness to try was completely extinguished.

It was a joke; a living example was right in front of them. Who would risk their precious treasures on such a dangerous endeavor?

Wang Tiangu, meanwhile, stood silently in a corner of the hall.

He knew well that although he had some understanding of ancient formations, he had never encountered restrictions at the level of the Ten Great Ancient Restrictions, let alone knowing how to dispel them.

Given this, he naturally wouldn't step forward and embarrass himself.

However, Han Li, who had been silent all this time, now spoke calmly.

"This Han is not very skilled, but I would like to give it a try. What do the two fellow daoists think?" Han Li said, seemingly casually.

However, upon hearing these words, Wang Tiangu and the elder surnamed Yun were greatly surprised. Marquis Nanlong, even more so, directly showed astonishment, but readily agreed:

"Of course. Fellow Daoist Han, please feel free to try!"

Han Li didn't stand on ceremony. He immediately stepped forward a few paces and approached the crystal wall that the old woman had failed to break.

Wang Chan, standing behind Wang Tiangu, was startled by this scene. His eyes, behind his mask, flickered with a cold sneer and mockery, and he suddenly moved his lips slightly, sending a voice transmission to Yan Ruyan beside him.

Yan Ruyan listened to these words, her face expressionless, seemingly unimpressed.

As for Wang Tiangu, although his expression was normal, he fundamentally did not believe Han Li could break this restriction.

Han Li stood before the crystal wall. Instead of acting immediately, he raised a hand and extended a finger. With a slight activation of spiritual energy in his body, a several-inch-long green light instantly emerged from his fingertip.

The light flashed, and the green radiance swept across the crystal wall's surface, but it had no effect whatsoever, as if the blue-jade-like wall remained completely intact.

Han Li, however, was not discouraged. Instead, he enveloped his entire palm in a layer of green spiritual energy. Then, spreading his five fingers, he placed his palm flat against the crystal wall.

He then remained motionless, seemingly sensing something.

Han Li's strange actions left the observing cultivators behind him somewhat bewildered and very doubtful. However, no one stepped forward to disturb him.

Unknown to these people, Han Li, with his back to them, had faint blue light flickering deep within his pupils as he gazed intently into the depths of the crystal wall, seemingly trying to discern something with great effort.

This observation lasted a full quarter of an hour. Although no one showed impatience or urged him on.

But just then, Han Li let out a long breath, and the blue light in his eyes flashed and vanished.

Without hesitation, he slapped his storage pouch at his waist with one hand, then flipped his palm, taking out a large pile of items.

Everyone looked and couldn't help but be surprised; it was more than a dozen formation flags of various colors and similar items.

What was he going to do?

"So, Fellow Daoist Han also excels in the Way of Formations? Is he perhaps trying to break a formation with a formation? Did he know the mysteries of this Grand Marvelous Divine Restriction before?" The white-robed elder, after being taken aback, asked with a moved expression.

"It's not about knowing any mysteries. I merely studied some ancient formations of this type before. Let's just give it a try!" Han Li replied nonchalantly.

But then, he opened his mouth and exhaled a mouthful of green vital energy onto the formation flags in his hand.

With a flash of light, all the formation flags flew from Han Li's hand. Propelled by his spiritual sense, their tips aimed at the crystal wall's surface, and they floated motionless in mid-air.