Elder Youquans angry strike was terrifying! He was after all a Golden Core middle-stage cultivator, even with damaged mind-heart, under forced activation, that black-line figure still carried terrifying aura of tearing everything, wherever it passed, even the air produced sizzling sounds of corrosion!
However, just as his attack was about to touch the altar.
Rumble!
The entire Dragon Palace Ruins suddenly violently shook! As if an invisible giant hand was madly shaking this independent space.
That vast starry sky canopy above began to show massive, spider-web-like cracks, those stars emitting eternal light flickering uncertainly, then falling like meteors, one after another extinguished! Massive jade stone fragments and broken pillars fell from the height, producing deafening roars.
The smooth as mirror green jade floor below also began to crack inch by inch, deep fissures like monster mouths rapidly spreading across the ground, devouring everything. The coiled-dragon gold pillars supporting the hall groaned from bearing too much, toppling one after another, stirring up sky-high dust and smoke.
With the loss of the Azure Dragon Soul Crystal as core power support, this ancient secret realm that had been dilapidated and barely maintained for countless years finally began a complete collapse!
The ruins are collapsing! Liu Yuns face changed, swinging her sword to slash a falling giant boulder.
The attacking Elder Youquan was also caught off guard by this sudden heaven and earth upheaval, body pausing, having to first wave to smash several giant fragments falling toward himself.
And those three Dragon-Man guardians, in the chaos of the ruins collapse, let out even more furious roars, seeming to recover some instincts, no longer focusing on attacking Shadow Snake Pavilion people, but beginning to indiscriminately destroy everything around them, or trying to find escape paths.
Go!
Xiao Qi acted decisively, grabbing Liu Yun, evenwithout time to to carefully feel the new power from the soul crystal recognizing its master, his form like a swimming dragon, leaping down from the violently shaking, already tilting altar!
Want to run? Hand over the soul crystal! Elder Youquan how could he be resigned, regardless of the collapsing ruins, eyes crimson, locking onto Xiao Qi again, like flesh-boring parasites, relentlessly pursuing! His several Shadow Snake Pavilion disciples behind him, also under the black-robed elders leadership, clumsily dodging falling objects, trying to follow.
In this grand hall walking toward destruction, a life-and-death chase in collapse and chaos unfolded!
Xiao Qi and Liu Yun pushed speed to the extreme, relying on memory of the path they came and keen perception of energy fluctuations, weaving between constantly collapsing palace ruins, cracking ground fissures and randomly attacking Dragon-Man guardians.
A massive, dragon-pattern carved hall roof crashed down ahead, blocking the way. Xiao Qis eyes turned sharp, finger like a sword, a blue sword blade containing newborn Azure Dragon power burst forth, not scorching yet carrying unyielding sharpness and vitality, whoosh, actually cut that hard boulder like tofu, creating a gap! The two passed through without stopping.
Behind, Elder Youquan roared continuously, black aura churning, forcefully blasting away blocking obstacles, but his speed was inevitably affected by the collapsing environment, being pulled ahead by a small distance.
Left! Liu Yun shouted, her Autumn Water sword pointing to a left corridor not yet completely blocked. That was precisely one of the routes they came through.
The two charged into the corridor without hesitation. The corridor was also collapsing, crystal dome constantly shattering and falling, wall paintings on both sides peeling off. Xiao Qi constantly swung sword qi, or condensed water spiritual aura to form protective shields, resisting falling debris, protecting Liu Yun as they rushed forward.
Behind, Shadow Snake Pavilion people also followed in, but in the narrow corridor, they not only had to dodge falling objects but also constantly guard against mistaken injury from the completely mad Elder Youquan pursuing from behind, appearing even more disheveled, disciples occasionally hit by giant boulders or swallowed by fissures, letting out tragic screams.
The information about Shadow Snake Pavilion team provided by Quick Ghost played a role at this moment. Xiao Qi knew Elder Youquan was the core, must shake him off, otherwise once caught in the collapsing ruins it would be extremely dangerous.
When crossing a fork in the road, Xiao Qis eyes flashed a trace of determination. He abruptly stopped, turned to face the pursuing Elder Youquan, quickly forming seals with both hands, the newly fused Azure Dragon power and Purification Source both activated within his body!
Azure Wood Restricting Dragon Formation!
He shouted, using his own spiritual power to invoke the abundant water spiritual aura and remnant wood spiritual aura around him, instantly constructing a cyan-misty temporary barrier at the fork, interwoven with countless vines and water waves! This barrier was not for killing, but for blocking and delaying!
The moment the barrier formed,just at that moment blocking the charging Elder Youquan head-on!
Bang!
Elder Youquan crashed into the barrier, the cyan-misty barrier shook violently, vines broke inch by inch, water waves rippled, clearly could not hold much longer, but successfully blocked him for an instant!
You little beast!! Elder Youquan was furious, frantically attacking the barrier.
And Xiao Qi used this precious instant, and Liu Yun quickly charged into another relatively intact passage, temporarily leaving the roaring Elder Youquan behind.
The two did not dare to linger, desperately rushing outward along the remembered route. Scenery along the way was like the end of the world, magnificent palaces collapsed in sections, precious spiritual jade turned to dust, those fluorescent plants quickly withered in the energy turbulence.
Finally, ahead appeared that massive, already shattered hall doors, and outside, that rotating energy light gate!
The exit was right ahead!
However, just as they were about to rush out the hall doors, another change occurred!
A massive, blue-scaled thick arm, like a pillar appearing across the sky, carrying space-tearing whistles, abruptly sweeping from the side! It was that earliest encountered, most powerful mutated Dragon-Man guardian! It also seemed driven to the exit area by the collapse, falling into final madness!
This strike came too fast and fierce, covering a huge range, almost completely blocking their path to rush outside!
Nowhere to hide!
Xiao Qis eyes turned ruthless,was about to forcefully confronting, Liu Yun abruptly pushed him aside, while herself facing that massive arm, pouring all her spiritual power into the Autumn Water sword, the sword erupting with unprecedented azure-blue radiance!
Ice Seal Ten Thousand Miles!
Extreme cold air erupted from her as the center, instantly freezing that sweeping massive arm along with surrounding space with a thick layer of rune-glittering profound ice! That Dragon-Man guardians movements suddenly became extremely slow!
Go! Liu Yuns face suddenly deathly pale as paper, clearly this move depleted greatly.
Xiao Qis heart tightened, knowing this was not the time to hesitate, pulled the almost exhausted Liu Yun into his arms, body turning into flowing light, dangerously passing through the gap beneath that temporarily frozen massive arm, instantly rushing out the shattered hall doors, diving headfirst into that rotating energy light gate!
At the last moment before entering the light gate, Xiao Qi glanced back, saw the profound ice rapidly shattering, the berserk figure also about to break through the barrier and pursue, and the entire magnificent Dragon Palace Main Hall collapsing before his eyes, turning into endless dust and chaotic energy turbulence.
Light flashed, the tearing sensation of spatial transition came again.
When they again felt the cold seawater and perpetually present fog, they knew they had escaped that destroying secret realm.
Looking back, in the center of that sea area, a massive, unstable energy vortex was madly rotating, devouring everything around it, stirring up sky-high waves. That once magnificent Dragon Palace Ruins slowly sank to the seabed, turning into eternal dust.
Xiao Qi held the unconscious Liu Yun, with difficulty maintaining form in this violent sea area. Azure Dragon Soul Crystal power surged within his body, providing him with endless water spiritual power, preventing him from being swallowed in the terrible waves.
He looked toward the sea surface, through gaps in the fog, vaguely seeing several black dots moving in the distance. That was the Wave-Breaking Number! Uncle Hai and the others were still waiting for them!
Xiao Qi exerted all strength, swimming toward those black dots. Liu Yun in his arms had weak breath, but the fire of life had not yet extinguished, as long as they could receive timely treatment, there was still hope.
Just as he was about to become exhausted, a rough strong hand suddenly reached over, grabbing his arm.
Caught! Quick, pull them up! Uncle Hais familiar rough voice rang in his ears.
Xiao Qi and Liu Yun were pulled onto the deck. Once aboard, he immediately input spiritual power to Liu Yun to protect her heart pulse, while having Uncle Hai bring the best healing pills.
How are her injuries? Uncle Hai anxiously asked.
Depleted her origin, needs long-term recuperation. Xiao Qis face looked terrible, but her life was saved.
Uncle Hai relaxed, patted Xiao Qis shoulder: Being alive is what matters, being alive is what matters!
Xiao Qi nodded, looking toward that gradually calming sea area, heart full of complex emotions. The Azure Dragon Soul Crystal was finally obtained. But along this journey, the price paid was also heavy. Liu Yun seriously injured, Shadow Snake Pavilions pursuit like shadows following, and more challenges ahead waiting for him.
He touched the jade pendant at his chest that had become more warm, feeling the vast vitality it contained. Not only power, but also responsibility.
The Wave-Breaking Number slowly sailed away from the dangerous sea area, returning in the direction they came. Xiao Qi guarded Liu Yun beside him, while treating her injuries, while vigilantly watching surroundings. He knew Shadow Snake Pavilion people likely also escaped, their pursuit would never stop.
But no matter what, they must first survive and leave here, return to Wanghai City, let Liu Yun properly recover, then make plans.
The wind and waves at sea gradually calmed, sunlight pierced through clouds, shining on the wet deck. Xiao Qi raised his head, looked toward the distance, eyes containing both the fortune of surviving and firmness toward the road ahead.
He believed that as long as they persevered, they would certainly find a way to gather the Four Symbols Soul Crystals and prevent the impending catastrophe. And before that, he would use all his strength to protect everyone around him.