As time passed, the spatial barrier meticulously set up by Protector Wu and Protector Sun finally began to show signs of instability.
When they had laid down the barrier, they had deliberately kept the commotion minimal to avoid alerting Elder Yao, and since the battle between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran had not lasted too long, they had not deployed a particularly powerful spatial seal.
Under the continuous, relentless attacks from the experts of the Jia Ma Empire targeting its weak points, the barrier finally loosened and began to tremble violently.
Seeing this, the experts of the Jia Ma Empire showed a flash of joy in their eyes.
"Profound Ice Dragon Soars!"
"Divine Flame Ashes Burn!"
"Earth-Shattering Palm!"
Jia Xing Tian at the peak of Dou Emperor, Fa Ma, and Hai Bodong at Seven-Star Dou Emperor simultaneously unleashed their ultimate techniques. Three terrifying Dou Techniques surged forth like a storm, all striking the weak point of the barrier pointed out by Lin Yuan.
"Rumble… rumble…"
It was as if a calm lake had been struck by a giant boulder, ripples of spatial distortion spread out layer by layer. The entire barrier began to tremble violently.
While entangled with Elder Yao, Protector Wu sensed the rapid weakening of the spatial seal and roared in fury:
"Protector Sun! What are you doing? Why haven't you finished off that brat yet? Deal with him quickly, then go and eliminate those ants!"
"If this continues, the barrier will really be broken. Then we'll be in trouble!"
At the same time, he cursed inwardly: Useless trash. Just a Dou Emperor kid, yet you've wasted so much time and still haven't taken him down, what an embarrassment to the Soul Palace.
Hearing this, Protector Sun coldly stared at Lin Yuan, a trace of solemnity flashing in his eyes.
"Protector Wu, be careful. That kid is strange."
Originally, he intended to casually crush the arrogant youth before dealing with the Jia Ma Empire experts destroying the barrier.
But Lin Yuan's difficulty far exceeded his expectations. Even after using several of his trump cards, he still could not capture the slippery opponent, each time, he was only a step away.
Thinking of this, Protector Sun's gaze turned vicious as he looked toward the Jia Ma Empire experts.
"Jie..jie..jie.., I'll deal with those ants trying to destabilize the barrier first, then slowly deal with you. I refuse to believe you can keep maintaining that forcibly boosted strength from medicinal pills forever."
With a cold laugh, he wrapped himself in black mist and shot toward the Jia Ma Empire experts like lightning, launching a ferocious assault.
"Jie jie jie, ants of the Jia Ma Empire, daring to touch the barrier, you're courting death."
Seeing this, a trace of joy flashed deep in Lin Yuan's eyes, though his expression turned furious as he shouted.
"Protector Sun, stop!"
He immediately let out a low shout.
"Blood Transformation!"
With that roar, his aura surged again, faintly showing signs of breaking through the Dou Emperor realm into Dou Ancestor territory.
At this moment, the aura he emitted was no weaker than Yun Shan, whom he had faced the previous year.
At the same time, an extremely condensed energy began gathering in his hands, terrifying fluctuations spreading between his palms.
"Three Radiance Seal Art—Sun Seal!"
Even Protector Sun's expression turned slightly grave and surprised upon sensing this aura.
"A secret technique that forcibly boosts strength? This brat actually has another trump card."
Meanwhile, at the same moment Lin Yuan formed the Sun Seal, Elder Yao, as if in perfect tacit understanding, gently brushed over the pitch-black Heavy Xuan Ruler.
Immediately, boundless natural energy gathered toward the ruler. The dark blade erupted with blinding white radiance like a blazing sun, making it impossible to look directly at.
"Heaven-Flame Devouring Wave Ruler."
At the same time, Ling Ying's figure silently emerged from the distorted air.
His aura was no weaker than Lin Yuan's.
With rapid hand seals, dense black energy surged from his body and gathered in his palm.
Moments later, a black spear over seven to eight zhang long, covered in eerie runes, condensed into form. Black mist drifted from its tip, adding an even more sinister aura.
"Demonic Snake Devour."
"Another Dou Ancestor-level combat power!" Shocked exclamations rang out.
However, the three did not hesitate.
Lin Yuan's Sun Seal was complete, and he roared.
"Hold on, everyone from the Jia Ma Empire! Elder Yao, let's eliminate his opponent first!"
Their auras locked firmly onto Protector Wu.
Sensing this, Protector Wu's expression changed slightly. A triple Dou Ancestor-level attack would not be easy even for him to block.
Black mist surged violently around him, forming a solid dark defensive barrier.
"Soul Defense of Dark Spirits."
Meanwhile, Protector Sun had already killed a Dou King and was suppressing the Jia Ma Empire forces.
Seeing the three Dou Ancestor-level attacks targeting Protector Wu, he felt a flash of satisfaction. If Protector Wu took this blow, he would gain an advantage in the final distribution of spoils.
But at the same time, his eyes locked onto Lin Yuan with a cunning glint.
"That opening is perfect for a sneak attack… I'll take his soul."
"Die, Protector Wu!"
A furious roar erupted from Lin Yuan.
At the last moment, the three simultaneously shifted their aim, not toward Protector Wu, but toward the weak point of the spatial barrier.
"No—!"
Protector Wu's expression changed drastically as he realized the deception.
But it was already too late.
The three Dou Ancestor-level attacks slammed into the weak point of the barrier. A massive crack instantly tore open.
Crack… crack… crack…
The fracture spread rapidly across the entire seal.
At the same time, Protector Sun seized the opening while Lin Yuan released his attack and shot toward him like lightning. Several black chains pierced forward, striking during Lin Yuan's brief vulnerability.
"Be careful!" Hai Bodong roared.
But it was too late.
Protector Sun's eyes filled with triumph.
"You can't dodge this, brat!"
Yet at that instant, space around Lin Yuan suddenly distorted.
The chains that were supposed to strike him deviated sharply, grazing past his body.
The entire battlefield erupted in shock.
Protector Sun's killing blow missed, and after a brief moment of disbelief, he shouted.
"Which Dou Ancestor is hiding here?! Show yourself!"
A cold voice echoed.
"And what if I refuse?"
A woman in a colorful dress appeared out of thin air, standing in front of Lin Yuan, gazing coldly at Protector Sun.
Her sudden appearance stunned everyone. A completely unfamiliar Dou Ancestor?
Without hesitation, Lin Yuan waved his hand, forming several cyan flame orbs that shot toward Protector Sun.
"This place is no longer safe. Everyone, retreat."
Before his voice even faded, the Purple Cloud Wings behind Lin Yuan suddenly spread open as he grabbed Medusa Queen and shot toward the gap in the shattered barrier at an astonishing speed.
At the same time, Elder Yao controlling Xiao Yan's body and Ling Ying also tacitly unleashed their restraining attacks before bursting toward the opening in the barrier, escaping out of its range.
Seeing this, Protector Wu and Protector Sun exchanged a glance. The killing intent in their eyes surged dramatically were the prey about to escape?
They absolutely could not allow that to happen.
"Chase! Even if it costs us dearly, we cannot let Yao Chen escape!"
As soon as the words fell, both figures transformed into two streaks of black mist, like bolts of lightning, shooting after Lin Yuan and the others. In an instant, the two black shadows vanished from the sight of the Jia Ma Empire experts.
The remaining experts let out a long breath of relief finally, they had survived this calamity.
"The world these days I truly can't see through it anymore," Jia Xing Tian said, wiping away blood from the corner of his mouth with a bitter smile. "For decades, the Jia Ma Empire barely saw a few Dou Emperors, yet today we encountered so many in a single day."
Fa Ma tossed a healing pill to Jia Xing Tian and sighed. "Who says otherwise? And the gap between Dou Emperor and Dou Ancestor is truly like heaven and earth."
After swallowing the pill, Jia Xing Tian patting Fa Ma's shoulder. "Old Fa, don't be discouraged. Those Dou Ancestors were not ordinary, they were far stronger than Yun Shan, whom I once fought after his breakthrough."
Then his gaze turned to Hai Bodong as he asked solemnly, "Old Hai, what exactly is the background of your honored guest? That young man's strength at that age is a bit outrageous."
Recalling the earlier battle, Jia Xing Tian still felt lingering fear. Protector Sun's strength had been overwhelmingz he had suppressed all high-level experts of the Jia Ma Empire alone and even killed a Dou King effortlessly.
Yet that young man, who seemed no older than Xiao Yan or Nalan Yanran, had single-handedly fought the enemy for a long time without showing any signs of defeat.
Such talent, such strength it completely surpassed Jia Xing Tian's imagination.
Compared to him, even the dazzling performances of Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran today seemed dim.
Hai Bodong steadied his chaotic breathing and replied calmly, "He does not wish for too many people to know his identity. Are you sure you still want to ask, Jia old ghost?"
Jia Xing Tian hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "In that case, I won't ask."
After a pause, his tone softened with sincerity. "Still, Old Hai, for the sake of our long friendship, I hope you can do me and the Jia Ma Empire a favor. If possible, please introduce that friend to us. As the host nation, the imperial family will prepare a generous gift."
Hearing this, Hai Bodong considered briefly before replying seriously, "I can agree to that, but whether he meets you is not something I can guarantee."
Jia Xing Tian laughed and punched Hai Bodong's shoulder. "That's enough! Thank you, Old Hai."
Then his gaze swept across Misty Cloud Sect.
The entire sect was now in ruins from the previous battle, and many disciples had died from the shockwaves of the experts' clashes.
A sharp glint flashed in Jia Xing Tian's eyes. "Given what happened today, Yun Shan and Yun Leng still haven't appeared. It seems the intelligence was correct, Yun Shan is truly gone. What do you two think?"
Fa Ma glanced at him and said calmly, "No rush. This matter requires joint discussion later. For now, we should leave, this place is still unsafe."
With that, he led the Alchemist Association members down the mountain while still deep in thought about Elder Yao's identity.
Hai Bodong also said, "I agree with Old Fa," before leaving with the Mittel family.
Watching their figures depart, Jia Xing Tian looked toward the retreating crowd below the shattered barrier and thought to himself: It seems the Misty Cloud Sect matter cannot be rushed.
Then he also led the imperial experts away.
At another spot in the plaza, Nalan Jie asked, "Yanran, are you really not coming back with me? This place is not safe."
Nalan Yanran glanced at the ruined sect and shook her head heavily. "Grandfather, the sect is in crisis. Master and Grandmaster are not here. As the Young Sect Leader of Misty Cloud Sect, I must take responsibility."
"Haah… you've truly grown up then," Nalan Jie sighed as he left.
In truth, he had expected to be angry after all, today he had witnessed Xiao Yan's terrifying potential and the power behind him, a perfect match for the Nalan family. Yet Nalan Yanran's impulsive annulment had severed that connection.
But seeing her determination in battle and her pale face even after taking healing medicine, his resentment faded.
"Forget it perhaps this is fate," he thought bitterly. "Xiao Yan is not the only extraordinary one. That young man earlier is truly monstrous. Perhaps Yanran will meet someone like that in the future."
After Nalan Jie left, Nalan Yanran turned her gaze toward Gu He.
Gu He was staring in the direction Lin Yuan and the others had left, his mind in turmoil.
Three types of Heavenly Flames what a pity none belonged to me. That Green Lotus Core Flame must be the one from the Tagor Desert.
He immediately suppressed any unrealistic thoughts after recalling Lin Yuan's terrifying strength.
"Forget it he is indeed more qualified to possess it than I am. Perhaps I, Gu He, am not destined to obtain a Heavenly Flame."
He turned to Nalan Yanran and asked softly, "Yanran, how is your recovery?"
"Thanks to your pills, I'm much better. I'd like to ask you for a favor."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Misty Could Sect is in a dangerous situation, so I want to enter the Gate of Life and Death early to gain the strength needed to take over the sect's burden. I hope you can help persuade Elder Yun Ming, who is currently in charge, he is quite conservative and difficult to convince."
"What? The Gate of Life and Death?"
Meanwhile, after leaving Misty Cloud Sect, Lin Yuan and the others rushed toward the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
Behind them, two black shadows were still rapidly pursuing.
"As expected, these 'black-clad bastards' are extremely fast. We can't shake them—the distance is even closing," Lin Yuan said with a cold gaze. "Senior, proceed with the plan. It looks like this battle is unavoidable."
Possessing Xiao Yan's body, Elder Yao nodded and called out to Ling Ying before separating from Xiao Yan, returning to his soul form along with the Bone Flame Ring.
Ling Ying smoothly took over supporting the now-weakened Xiao Yan after the Dou Emperor-level power withdrew.
"Follow the plan. Take Xiao Yan away first. Hide him, then return for battle," Elder Yao said gravely. Then he looked at the approaching Protector Wu and Protector Sun. "They will be held off by me, Tian Shu, and Queen Medusa."
Xiao Yan looked deeply at the three of them but said nothing.
"Go!" Elder Yao shouted.
The three exchanged a glance.
Then, suddenly, they all turned around sharply and stopped mid-air.
In the next instant, they unleashed the attacks already prepared in their hands, blasting fiercely toward the two pursuing protectors.
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