Chapter 581: Virtual Sky Thunder

The black panther emerged from the shadows. Its fur was incredibly sleek and shiny black, without a single blemish. Around its neck, it wore a golden collar that did not resemble a magical artifact.

The black panther blocked the entrance to the stone hall, watching the two people who were ready for battle, its gaze tinged with amusement. It appeared very relaxed, as if it didn't even notice Qin Sang, his companion, or the Flying Yaksha, treating them like mere playthings. For a demonic beast at the mid-Demon Core stage, Pseudo-Core stage cultivators were negligible. Even the most powerful Flying Yaksha could be effortlessly slain.

“A Shadow Devourer Panther!” Yun Youzi’s gaze turned cold, and his expression beneath his mask grew solemn. He warned Qin Sang, “The Shadow Devourer Panther clan is subservient to the Feather Demon King. This is the king of their clan, and its ability to conceal its aura and traces is top-notch even among demonic beasts. Brother, you must be careful.”

Qin Sang understood why. The Shadow Devourer Panther's stealth ability was exceptionally outstanding, and it was quite well-known among cultivators. Moreover, its cultivation was at the mid-Demon Core stage, two full realms higher than theirs, so it was normal that Yun Youzi's hidden mark had not detected any trace of it.

Looking at the Shadow Devourer Panther before him, Qin Sang's heart suddenly sank. He stood by the lake, unable to move, his body stiff, his blood feeling as if it were about to freeze. He had already sensed a faint, almost imperceptible aura locking onto him.

The Shadow Devourer Panther slowly paced, appearing very leisurely. It seemed to have no murderous intent, and did not even look at the Vermilion Cloud Purple Fruit on the opposite bank, showing no intention of contending for it. But Qin Sang knew clearly that if he dared to move forward even an inch, what he would face next would undoubtedly be a thunderous strike. If it were only a demonic beast at the early Demon Core stage, he could unseal his Corpse Core and, with his magical artifacts and the Flying Yaksha, there would be a good chance of defeating the opponent. But facing an opponent at the mid-Demon Core stage, he had no confidence whatsoever.

His only hope rested on the Void Sky Thunder. Even if a demonic beast's physical body was formidable, if it were hit by the Void Sky Thunder, it would at least be severely injured. The Shadow Devourer Panther did not know that he possessed a treasure that could threaten it. Perhaps if he caught it off guard, he might have a chance. Thinking of this, Qin Sang tightly gripped his palm, concealing the Void Sky Thunder.

Instead of directly unsealing his Corpse Core, he raised his right hand, and the Ten Directions Yama Array flew out from his fingertips. Ten ghostly banners encircled Qin Sang, sticking into the ground. After the transformation of the spiritual energy within his body, his strength had jumped to a new level, surpassing ordinary Pseudo-Core stage cultivators. His speed in setting up formations had become extremely fast, allowing him to easily complete the array without unsealing his Corpse Core. He swallowed a few spiritual pills, then cut an incision in his palm. Essence blood spurted out and was completely devoured by the eagerly awaiting main soul, causing the main soul's aura to surge as it stood ready for battle. At the same time, Qin Sang secretly held the Ten Directions Yama Banner magical treasure in his palm.

Most demonic beasts relied heavily on their physical bodies; even if they had magical artifacts, they were only used as auxiliary tools. The Blood Impurity Divine Light ability of the Ebony Sword would probably have little use. In intense combat, the Ten Directions Yama Banner could play a greater role. No matter how powerful the Ten Directions Yama Array was, it was only a set of magical tools and could not compare to magical treasures.

The Shadow Devourer Panther glanced over, not bothering to pay it much heed. It looked at Yun Youzi with a playful expression and said, “Old man, it seems you know the demonic race well, even my identity as king. If you honestly tell me who dared to betray my clan and expose the location of the Vermilion Cloud Purple Fruit, I can grant you a swift death.”

Having forged good relations with the Nascent Soul cultivators and learned that he would receive rewards upon returning, Qin Sang now had a fallback plan. He was no longer so determined to obtain the Vermilion Cloud Purple Fruit. Before coming here, he had already prepared for failure. If he encountered a powerful enemy, giving up the Vermilion Cloud Purple Fruit was not out of the question; his life was the most important thing. He had never expected that the journey would be so smooth, and that the golden condor would be easily trapped. Yet, just as he was about to succeed, he was blocked here by a Shadow Devourer Panther at the mid-Demon Core stage.

The stone hall had only one entrance, which was blocked by the Shadow Devourer Panther, leaving nowhere to escape. What Qin Sang had to consider now was no longer whether he could obtain the Vermilion Cloud Purple Fruit, but how the two of them could escape from the panther's maw. If abandoning the Vermilion Cloud Purple Fruit could buy them a chance to escape, Qin Sang would certainly not hesitate.

As he prepared for a major battle and was about to tell Yun Youzi his decision, he first heard Yun Youzi's spiritual message. His expression shifted, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

“A mere beast, daring to threaten this Daoist priest?” Yun Youzi sneered, dismissing it with disdain, and spoke mockingly. However, with his Pseudo-Core stage cultivation, saying such words to the Shadow Devourer Panther felt incredibly out of place. It would only be fitting if he were a Nascent Soul cultivator.

As expected, the Shadow Devourer Panther was enraged, and murderous intent appeared in its eyes.

“You seek death!” The Shadow Devourer Panther's body arched slightly, then suddenly vanished from the spot. At that instant, the Shadow Devourer Panther's figure and aura completely disappeared from Qin Sang's and Yun Youzi's perceptions. They had no idea where it had gone.

Qin Sang's heart tightened, and he unhesitatingly ordered his main soul to raise the magical treasure.

‘Whoosh, whoosh…’ A gust of dark wind suddenly arose, stirring large waves on the calm lake. The Nine Nether Demonic Flames transformed into a fire dragon, silently appearing and enveloping Qin Sang, leaving not a single gap. All of this happened in a flash. Just as Qin Sang had summoned the Nine Nether Demonic Flames, he suddenly heard Yun Youzi roar, “Get out!”

‘Bang!’ With a loud bang, the four walls of the stone hall suddenly shone brightly, converging into a pillar of light at the dome. It descended from the sky, striking an empty spot in front of Qin Sang.

The white light was blinding. Qin Sang squinted his eyes and saw a black shadow struck out of the void by the white light, crashing heavily onto the ground. It was the Shadow Devourer Panther. Instantly, cold sweat broke out on Qin Sang. The panther's speed was too fast; it had been mere inches away in an instant. What was even more terrifying was that he hadn't detected the slightest fluctuation.

The Shadow Devourer Panther bounced off the ground, appearing unharmed. However, its panther eyes were wide, and it assumed a hunting posture, reverting slightly to the savage habits of a beast before its intelligence fully developed. It roared with extreme shock and rage, “Why can you manipulate the Blood Ban left by my clan's Great King? Who exactly are you?!”

Being called ‘Great King’ by the Shadow Devourer Panther could only refer to the Demon King of Celestial Demon Hill. Qin Sang looked at Yun Youzi, his face full of surprise. Earlier, when he heard Yun Youzi's spiritual message, Qin Sang had been skeptical, but with the facts laid bare before him, he had no choice but to believe. Yun Youzi could actually manipulate the Blood Ban left by a Great Demon in the Transformation stage, even if he only activated a portion of its power. His attainments in the Dao of Restrictions could only be described as unfathomable!

Yun Youzi paid no heed. His hand seals changed continuously, and streaks of incantations flew into the Flawless Bead. The Flawless Bead glowed brightly, and restrictions frequently appeared on the four walls of the stone hall, seemingly all activated by the Flawless Bead. The hall was brightly lit, and more and more light converged towards the Shadow Devourer Panther.

The Shadow Devourer Panther stared fixedly at the Flawless Bead, suddenly feeling an ominous premonition. It had originally thought it could easily deal with these two playthings, but it felt a threat from them that it had never anticipated. This felt utterly absurd and unreal to the Shadow Devourer Panther. However, the sensation the Flawless Bead gave it was not false, leaving it utterly bewildered.