Chapter 1184: Right on Target

The two Nascent Soul cultivators were the first to engage.

The moment they made contact, they fought mercilessly, each determined to end the other's life.

Having fought many times before, they knew their opponents well.

Their cultivation levels were similar, and neither possessed a divine ability capable of a one-hit kill. In a one-on-one confrontation, defeating their opponent quickly was almost impossible.

Unless an unexpected event occurred, continuing the fight would merely repeat the results of their previous encounters. Both sides had victories and losses, but neither gained a significant advantage, often retreating discontentedly after a fierce battle.

Nevertheless, the battle between the two Nascent Soul cultivators was not without purpose.

They served as the cornerstone of morale for all lower-level cultivators in their respective factions.

On the battlefield, they were the focal point, attracting everyone's attention.

Their every move and action directly influenced their own side's morale, even swaying the tide of battle. Therefore, even knowing they couldn't kill their opponent, they held nothing back.

Old Demon Tan's arm twitched, and the fiery rope coiled around it loosened. It swiftly detached from his arm, one end held firmly in his hand, while the other end, instead of hanging down, rose like a fiery serpent, its tip pointing directly at Si Di.

It stretched and retracted unpredictably, exceptionally nimble.

Only then could the true form of this magical treasure be discerned.

The fiery rope was over ten feet long yet extremely slender. Though its main body was constructed from interlocking clasps, it appeared more like a fine thread.

Its surface blazed fiercely, radiating scorching heat.

The fiery rope sprang violently towards Si Di, and intense flames surged forward. With a hiss, a massive fireball detached from the rope, hurtling powerfully towards its opponent.

The fireball appeared somewhat ethereal, but its power was undeniably real. Falling snowflakes instantly melted, the biting cold wind could not penetrate, and this section of the void was stained crimson.

Si Di refused to be outdone. He formed a hand seal, and the Transcendent Gold Mirror abruptly hovered before him, then began to spin rapidly.

Only then did it become clear that the golden protuberances on the Transcendent Gold Mirror were not merely decorative.

Beams of golden light shot forth from these protuberances, as sharp as the sword gleams unleashed by a sword cultivator. They pierced into the fireball, covering everything, omnipresent.

Amidst the surging flames, golden flowers bloomed within, then transformed into arm-thick golden pythons. These monstrous pythons savagely devoured the tongues of flame inside the fireball.

Bang!

The fireball, at its limit, exploded with a sound, and the golden flowers and pythons vanished along with it.

This exchange appeared to be an even match.

Si Di scoffed, "Tan, it seems you haven't made much progress lately!"

"The feeling is mutual!"

Old Demon Tan sneered, "This old man shall see how much ability you possess now!"

Before his words faded, Old Demon Tan suddenly tossed the fiery rope away. Crossing his hands over his chest, he unleashed a series of dazzling hand seals towards the rope.

The fiery rope twisted, instantly forming into the shape of a lotus.

The flames on the fiery rope intensified, and the entire magical treasure resembled a blazing fire lotus blooming in the void.

The fire lotus drifted towards Si Di, appearing slow but actually moving with great speed.

Simultaneously, the fire lotus's color shifted from crimson to deep red, and a faint blue began to appear at its core. Its temperature and aura escalated rapidly, inspiring involuntary fear.

Si Di's expression grew solemn. Without a second thought, he tossed the Transcendent Gold Mirror high into the air.

The Transcendent Gold Mirror suddenly flipped, its mirror surface facing the fire lotus. With a hum, a pillar of white light shot from its center, moving faster than the fire lotus.

The white light was chilling, possessing a tangible quality like metal.

Wherever the light pillar passed, the tongues of flame emanating from the fire lotus were instantly swept away. The light pillar then plunged directly into the fire lotus.

No shattering occurred. The white light transformed into a white halo, firmly locking the fire lotus within it, sealing away even its intense fiery power.

Any magical treasure or Daoist art, once struck, had the potential to be locked by the Transcendent Gold Mirror. If an opponent were slightly weaker and caught unawares, their magical treasure might even be seized by Si Di.

A low crackling sound...

The halo contracted, squeezing the fire lotus, causing it to deform slightly.

However, Old Demon Tan already knew Si Di and the Transcendent Gold Mirror inside out. Without haste, he pointed a finger, and the fire lotus's power momentarily contracted, then suddenly erupted!

Boom!

The fire lotus shattered, its rampant fiery power instantly shattering the halo. The residual shockwaves transformed into countless fiery pythons, surging in all directions. Amidst the chaos, the fiery rope sprang forth, lashing fiercely towards Si Di.

The fiery rope was exceedingly slender, cunningly concealed within the chaotic flames.

Si Di's face paled slightly, but as if anticipating this, he unhesitatingly gestured towards the Transcendent Gold Mirror. The mirror flew back, intercepting the fiery rope, while golden light circulated over its protuberances, condensing into a golden film.

Snap!

The fiery rope struck the instant the golden film formed.

The Transcendent Gold Mirror vibrated, sending out ripples. Both magical treasures flew back into their masters' hands, neither cultivator sustaining injuries.

However, others were not so fortunate.

Though they tried their best to avoid the Nascent Soul cultivators' fight, it was difficult to evade quickly on the crowded battlefield. Many were still unfortunately caught in the aftermath, their lives consumed by the residual shockwaves.

Si Di glanced down, then waved his hand, obliterating the residual shockwaves rushing towards his own faction. His gaze swept around, and with successive flashes of his figure, he flew towards the outer reaches of the battlefield.

Noticing Si Di's actions, Old Demon Tan understood that he intended to fight elsewhere to avoid unnecessary casualties. Their clashes would affect both factions.

However, a strange glint appeared in Old Demon Tan's eyes.

The direction Si Di chose was precisely where Chan Ling was hidden!

They had originally planned to wear Si Di down for a while, waiting for Old Demon Pei to stabilize the formation with the Nether Crystal Pagoda. Then, Old Demon Tan would lure Si Di towards Chan Ling, and they would collectively ambush and kill him.

Unexpectedly, Si Di ran directly into the trap himself.

"You've walked straight into hell's gates! Since you seek your own death, this old man can hardly be blamed!"

Old Demon Tan sneered inwardly; Si Di's choice was exactly what he wanted.

Without hesitation, he secretly sent a signal and pursued closely.

Meanwhile.

Hidden in the shadows, Qin Sang and Jing Lin had been waiting for a long time. Seeing this, they knew the moment was ripe. They circled around to the rear, stealthily approaching the Nether Crystal Pagoda.

"Get back here!"

Old Demon Tan feigned a posture, furiously attacking with the fiery rope.

At the same time, he conjured another magical treasure: a blue triangular flag. The small flag was made of cloud brocade and seemed to ripple with clear waves.

The next moment, the triangular flag flew high into the air.

Streams of water poured from its surface, instantly transforming the surrounding void into a vast expanse of water.

The two magical treasures, one of water and one of fire, were originally opposing forces. Yet, at this moment, they achieved a peculiar effect of water and fire complementing each other!

Fiery pythons rampaged across the mist-shrouded waves.

Towering waves, each more ferocious than the last, aided the fiery rope, escalating its momentum and making its fierce flames burn even brighter.

Si Di turned to face the terrifying, rapidly approaching attack. His body flew backward, his expression calm, and his lips subtly moved as he silently chanted an incantation.

Zing!

The Transcendent Gold Mirror suddenly soared high, pausing in the sky and radiating brilliant light, like a golden sun. Its golden light was sharp as swords, impossible to look at directly without feeling a stinging pain.

Both the fiery rope and the triangular flag were enveloped by the golden light!