Chapter 1344: Not an Even Match

The ebony sword harvested a group of specters, then coiled back.

Under the cover of the sword light, something silently dropped into Qin Sang's palm.

At the same time, a whisper-like voice transmission reached his ear.

Qin Sang's movements paused slightly as a result.

The others noticed something was amiss.

Realized Cang Hong asked with concern, "Fellow Daoist Qin, what's wrong?"

"The Blood Infant's counterattack is becoming increasingly fierce."

Qin Sang shook his head, feigning an excuse. He narrowed his eyes slightly, looking into the depths of the ghostly mist. The surrounding space was again filled with endless specters and ghosts. The voice he'd heard just now was Bai's, but he couldn't be sure of its direction. Bai's movements were extremely cautious, as if he was guarding against something.

Realized Cang Hong had no doubts and nodded with a worried expression, saying, "After that massive sound, the number of blood clouds and specters has been increasing. Old Demon Ye has clearly noticed us, and his intention is obvious: to stop us from approaching the altar with all his might. That thundering sound earlier was truly earth-shattering. The anomalies in the inner hall have probably escalated to an extremely intense degree. Barring any surprises, Old Demon Ye's plot should be surfacing soon..."

Qin Sang listened to Realized Cang Hong's words silently, noncommittal. A strange glint flashed deep within his eyes. He clenched his palm, feeling a chilling touch; a thin cord had appeared in his hand. Bai had controlled a specter to quietly return the Demon-Binding Cord!

Afterward, Qin Sang maintained his composure, continuing to lead the way with his sword as if nothing had happened, though he was now on high alert.

The blood clouds were thick.

Ghostly wails echoed repeatedly.

As Realized Cang Hong had expected, they had attracted most of the evil array's power, and Old Demon Ye was driving more and more specters and ghosts towards them.

The group was completely surrounded by blood clouds. Everything within their sight was crimson, and the blood clouds were so dense that their vision couldn't penetrate them. Coupled with the endless specters and ghosts, everyone felt as if they had been thrown into a bloody hell, and the pressure on them grew steadily.

The blood clouds followed their movements closely, like living entities, constantly swirling.

'Boom!'

The Nascent Soul Talisman Puppet dispersed a mass of blood cloud, charging forward with a fierce momentum.

This scene had repeated countless times; there was nothing unusual.

The Nascent Soul Talisman Puppet's contribution to their rapid movement was undeniable.

But at this moment, Qin Sang, who was always on guard, his pupils suddenly contracted. A strong sense of alarm rose in his heart, and he unleashed a pre-prepared sword art without hesitation.

'Hum!'

The sword's hum shook the heavens!

Everyone was startled and looked at Qin Sang. They saw the ebony sword's light, like a dragon, with sword energy streaking across the sky, instantly slaying countless surrounding specters and ghosts.

'Boom!'

The sword light shone with extreme brilliance, slashing rapidly towards the void in front of Qin Sang!

Everyone was surprised and doubtful. Before they could clearly see what had happened, sudden changes occurred around them. The dense blood clouds pressed down with a roar, sweeping countless specters and ghosts, and fiercely charged into the crowd!

A moment of chaos ensued.

For a moment, it was difficult for everyone to even maintain their footing. Their formation instantly broke, submerged by the blood clouds, and they frantically activated their magical treasures to defend themselves.

In front of Qin Sang.

The sword light pierced the air, descending from above.

Beneath the sword light, a figure quietly emerged—it was Jade Bone!

Jade Bone rotated his neck, his bones clicking with a 'kaka' sound. He raised a hand and effortlessly blocked the sword light. The ghostly fire in his eye sockets conveyed a sense of disdain. "Heh heh, a mere early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, able to see through my evasion technique. No wonder little Ye is so wary of you."

"Who are you?"

Qin Sang's expression was composed as he asked coldly.

Seeing Jade Bone's appearance, a chill involuntarily rose in Qin Sang's heart.

In the battle of Blood Lake, it was unclear whether Jade Bone had feigned death or if a demon from the Sinful God Palace had taken over his body.

All of Jade Bone's flesh had withered, making him no different from a skeleton, yet he was still alive and possessed such terrifying strength. Even with Bai's warning and early precautions, Qin Sang had barely managed to draw his sword in time.

His mind was stretched to its limit, and the hand gripping the Demon-Binding Cord was starting to sweat.

As expected, this sword strike caused no damage to Jade Bone.

As he asked the question, Qin Sang didn't hesitate. His sword art changed again, and the ebony sword transformed into a sword array, instantly shrouding the void in gloom.

"You seek death!"

Sensing the fluctuations of the sword array, the ghostly fire in Jade Bone's eye sockets flickered violently. With raging fury, he let out a roar, and his figure vanished into thin air.

The next moment, countless shadowy bone claws erupted!

'Bang, bang, bang...'

Qin Sang's face was filled with horror.

The technique Jade Bone used was something Qin Sang had never seen before. Even with the aid of his Heavenly Eye ability, he could only barely distinguish between the illusory and the real attacks.

But this was meaningless, as he couldn't react in time or keep up with the changes in the claw shadows, let alone counter them.

Qin Sang did his utmost, changing his formation repeatedly, but with little effect.

The sword lights were extinguished one after another.

'Bang!'

The ebony sword let out a wail, struck by immense force, and was almost sent flying.

In an instant, subtle ripples appeared in the void before Qin Sang. A bone claw suddenly extended, radiating a terrifying, bone-chilling cold that seemed capable of freezing a person solid, and aimed directly for Qin Sang's glabella!

"I am no match for him, not even for a single move!"

This thought flashed through Qin Sang's mind.

'Crack!'

A thunderclap erupted.

The phoenix wings 'swished' open.

Lightning flowed between the feathers, making the phoenix wings dazzling and magnificent.

Qin Sang instantly transformed into a bolt of lightning, retreating backward.

'Rip!'

The bone claw easily tore through Qin Sang's head, but no blood splattered; it was merely an afterimage he left behind.

But the ghostly claw was relentless, showing no pause as it pursued Qin Sang, vowing to tear him apart, and its speed was even faster than Qin Sang's lightning evasion!

Qin Sang felt a stinging pain in his glabella.

Just then.

Two vortices formed within the blood clouds, and two figures emerged simultaneously: Realized Cang Hong and Daoist True One!

They were the first to break free from the blood clouds and were shocked by the power Jade Bone displayed as they saw him pursuing Qin Sang.

"Sky-Breaking Finger!"

Seeing Qin Sang in danger, Realized Cang Hong dared not hesitate. His eyelids lowered, he chanted softly, and his hands formed a complex incantation seal.

Around him, a cluster of green light swirled, full of vitality.

Inside the green light, a vine had grown. It had no roots, emerging from the void, climbing along Realized Cang Hong until it reached above his head. Its leaves were layered and swayed slightly.

The vine's main body was hidden beneath the leaves, and the layers of leaves formed a green armor.

The blood clouds and specters furiously counterattacked, shattering countless leaves, but immediately after, green light flickered, and new leaves grew, preventing them from getting close.

The vine was clearly an extraordinary protective treasure.

Realized Cang Hong remained at ease, focusing on casting his secret art. An ancient and boundless aura emanated from him, profoundly startling.

Dazzling white light surged behind him.

In an instant, the white light dissipated, and a colossal figure stepped out of the void. Judging by its facial features and physique, it was an illusory projection of Realized Cang Hong himself.

The illusory figure was a hundred zhang tall, towering between heaven and earth! (To be continued)