Aboard the massive flood dragon, the demons watched in stunned uncertainty. A few Demon Cultivators, unable to restrain themselves, unleashed their magic directly at the Yinluo Flying Ship.

Several dazzling beams of Demonic Light shot through the air and struck the white sphere of light created by the Two Realms Flower, only to vanish without a trace.

The Ox Demon stared wide-eyed and asked in astonishment, "What kind of Demon Technique is this?"

Ren Yan said calmly, "Legend has it that when this flower blooms, it can sever space itself to form its own realm. Only when its petals wither will it merge back into our space."

"To think I’d get to see a treasure as rare as the Two Realms Flower today."

The Ox Demon rubbed his horn. His cultivation was considerable, and he had seen it clearly: when the offensive magic from the Demon Cultivators behind him struck the white light, it was as if they had entered another dimension, their distance to the Yinluo Flying Ship stretching infinitely far...

"Goddammit, how are we supposed to fight that?!"

The Ox Demon turned to Ren Yan and snarled, "Younger Brother Ren, why don’t we just wait here? That flower can’t stay in bloom forever, right?"

Ren Yan shook his head. "If the Yinluo Sect notices they haven’t returned, they’ll probably send reinforcements. If just two or three Inner Sect Elders arrive, the two of us are guaranteed to lose."

His eyes shifted to the Ox Demon. "Brother Niu, our only option now is to see if we can ask His Majesty, the Demon King, for help. If he personally takes action, this Two Realms Flower won’t stand a chance."

The Ox Demon mulled this over, then said in a low voice, "I’ll ask Master."

With that, he took a Jade Pendant from his robes and held it up with both hands. The pendant floated into the air, its light flaring brilliantly.

The Ox Demon knelt on one knee and said, "Master, this old ox has an urgent matter to report."

A misty light swirled on the Jade Pendant, revealing a blurry figure who said simply, "Speak."

The Ox Demon hurriedly recounted the entire sequence of events.

After listening, the figure said, "Now is not the time to start a conflict with the Yinluo Sect. You and Ren Yan are to come to my Cave Mansion immediately."

After speaking, the light from the Jade Pendant faded.

The Ox Demon respectfully took the Jade Pendant and tucked it away carefully.

He turned to Ren Yan and said, "Younger Brother Ren, Master wants us to go and see him."

Ren Yan shrugged and glanced at the Yinluo Flying Ship with a hint of regret. He chuckled, "So be it. I guess it wasn’t their day to die!"

「Aboard the Yinluo Flying Ship.」

Gao Chong stood proudly at the ship’s bow, his presence as imposing as a mountain. His hair and beard bristled with rage, and his body was a mass of bulging, steel-hard muscle. He remained utterly motionless.

His skin was covered in black markings, and his muscles, swollen to their absolute limit, resembled compressed Profound Iron Immortal Gold, gleaming with a hard, cold metallic luster.

His cold, grim eyes were filled with a terrifyingly ferocious light. A ghastly, spectral image flickered behind him, radiating an intense demonic intent.

Lu Wei stood slightly behind him, holding the Two Realms Flower. Her dark brows were knitted in a slight frown, her beautiful eyes fixed on Ren Yan and the Ox Demon.

Fang Cheng and the other Outer Disciples had all emerged from the cabins onto the deck, ready to fight for their lives.

Like Fang Cheng, some had already recognized the Two Realms Flower in Lu Wei’s hands, which put them slightly more at ease.

Seeing that Ren Yan and the Ox Demon intended to leave, Gao Chong suddenly frowned and asked, "Elder Lu, I’ve heard the leaves of this Two Realms Flower are also quite useful."

Lu Wei nodded and replied gently, "That is correct. Holding one of its leaves allows one to pass in and out of the realm created by the Two Realms Flower."

"Good!"

Gao Chong gave a cold laugh, reached out to pluck a green leaf, and instantly stepped off the Yinluo Flying Ship onto a wisp of cloud.

He passed through the white sphere of the Two Realms Flower and calmly drew a Carved Longbow from his sleeve. He gripped the riser firmly in one hand, nocked an arrow with the other, and squinted as he aimed at Ren Yan.

The arrowhead shone like a cold star, its chilling glint menacing, as if eager to fly out and devour its target.

Aboard the massive flood dragon, just as Ren Yan was about to depart, the bow was aimed at him. He felt a chill run down his spine and was stunned.

’How could a True Disciple of a Yinluo Sect Supreme Elder lack a powerful Magical Artifact?’

’My previous plot to trap him in the Blood Nightmare Demon Cocoon only succeeded because I caught him off guard. That’s how I was able to seize the initiative, kill three Yinluo Sect Elders, and even grievously wound the renowned Inner Sect Elder, Feng Jiuzhang.’

Now, seeing his opponent’s towering rage, Ren Yan couldn’t help but consider a strategic retreat.

Beside him, the Ox Demon’s eyes widened, not expecting the Yinluo Sect Cultivator to be foolish enough to come out on his own.

An idea struck him. His reflexes were lightning-fast; driven by pure combat instinct, his demonic energy flared and he transformed into a searing beam of Demonic Light, shooting straight for Gao Chong.

Gao Chong’s brow furrowed. He had no choice but to turn his bow slightly and aim at the Ox Demon.

The Ox Demon let out a savage laugh. While still in the air, he channeled all his Demon Power and activated a Spell bestowed upon him by the Demon King. In a mere instant, a mirror of shimmering water materialized before him! 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Arcs of lightning flashed within the watery light, and with a flicker, it unleashed a blinding glare.

Gao Chong was focused on holding his bow, staring intently at Ren Yan and the Ox Demon. Struck by the flash of Thunder Light, his eyes felt a sharp, stabbing pain, as if pricked by needles. His vision went completely white, rendering him momentarily blind.

He let out a sharp cry and, relying on instinct alone, released the arrow.

The arrow shot forth, striking the Ox Demon’s Mirror Light Technique dead-on!

Like a silver vase shattering, the Thunder Light exploded outward. The Ox Demon cried out in pain, his face turning deathly pale. The speeding arrow had torn off one of his arms, which burst into a spray of blood and gore.

Fortunately, he was a battle-hardened veteran and remained composed. At that critical moment, he swung his remaining arm, unleashing a Hand Saber wreathed in lightning at Gao Chong!

The arcs of lightning formed a razor-sharp blade of light that slashed down toward Gao Chong’s head. At the same time, Ren Yan also attacked.

Without a word, he summoned a jade axe and swung it at Gao Chong’s neck.

As the Thunderous Blade Light and the jade axe closed in, the cloud beneath Gao Chong’s feet billowed, carrying him out of harm’s way and back into the Two Realms Flower Realm.

The blade of lightning and the jade axe struck the edge of the white sphere and vanished.

Ren Yan beckoned with his hand, and the jade axe flew back out of the white light.

At the edge of the sphere of light, Gao Chong drew his massive bow again and aimed it at Ren Yan.

The bow’s power was immense. ’Even the physical body of a Tier Two Mid Stage Demon Cultivator like the Ox Demon couldn’t withstand it,’ Ren Yan thought. ’I’d have an even harder time.’

Most importantly, Gao Chong could advance to attack and retreat to defend, withdrawing into the Two Realms Flower Realm at will. The two of them, man and demon, were completely powerless against him.

What’s more, Gao Chong cultivated the Yinluo Sect’s Netherworld Dharma Body. Not only did it grant him immense strength and a durable physical form, but it also allowed him to vanish into the void, turning from solid to ethereal. He had no fear of attacks from Magical Artifacts or Divine Techniques.

The only reason he had dodged was to avoid consuming too much of his Primordial Energy and Magical Power.

Ren Yan held his jade axe, clicked his tongue, and shouted, "Brother Niu, let’s just go!"

Before his voice had even faded, Gao Chong stepped out of the white sphere again and fired an arrow at Ren Yan.

The arrow tore through the air, reaching Ren Yan in an instant. With a SQUELCH, it pierced his Protective Spiritual Light, stabbed through his abdomen, and emerged from his lower back.

Strangely, the arrow did not pass all the way through his body!

Ren Yan let out a muffled grunt. His body trembled as he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Brother Ren!"

The Ox Demon cried out in alarm. He repeatedly slashed at Gao Chong with his Thunderous Blade Aura, hoping to force him on the defensive and relieve the pressure on his ally.

Seeing this, the other members of the Demon Race also launched a volley of attacks at Gao Chong.

With a savage look on his face, Gao Chong floated back into the Two Realms Flower Realm, once again evading all their attacks.

Witnessing this, everyone on the Yinluo Flying Ship breathed a collective sigh of relief, overjoyed that Gao Chong was getting his revenge.

But in the next moment, the expressions on the faces of Fang Cheng and the others changed completely!

Ren Yan straightened up as if nothing had happened. He grabbed the arrow with one hand and, with a great roar, yanked it out. Blood instantly gushed from the wound like a fountain. He took a deep breath and circulated his Profound Skill. In a flash, the wound closed, and in the blink of an eye, he was completely healed!

"Gao Chong, I’ll be back to test your skills another day!"

Ren Yan’s body blurred, transforming into a streak of Demonic Light that shot into the distance, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

His Nine Nether Flood Dragon let out a long cry, then turned and flew off in pursuit of its master.

The other demons exchanged glances, then looked to the Ox Demon for orders.

Just as the Ox Demon was about to speak, a piercing arrow light shot toward him. He dodged in a panic, but his other arm was blown off.

He didn’t dare to linger. He turned and fled frantically in the direction Ren Yan had gone.

Gao Chong stood proudly alone in the sky, firing his bow again and again. The other Demon Cultivators lacked the skill in Escape Techniques that Ren Yan and the Ox Demon possessed; they were struck one by one and fell from the clouds.

...

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