162: Take the initiative

As the saying goes, he who strikes first gains the advantage. Before his voice even faded, a fierce light flashed in his eyes, and he no longer hesitated!

"Asura! Come out!"

A low shout rang out like a clap of thunder!

The space beside Yao Delong suddenly distorted, and a figure nearly ten feet tall.

A massive figure emanating an endless aura of Evil Qi crashed down into existence!

This Puppet's entire body had a dark, dull metallic luster, and its six thick, hideous arms were knotted with terrifying strength.

Its joints were covered in sharp bone spurs, its head resembled a malevolent ghost with bared fangs,

and deep within its hollow eye sockets, two points of crimson light ignited like the fires of Hell!

Although its massive body was covered in several deep cracks,

as if it had undergone a tragic battle, the terrifying pressure released from its core—driven by the core Formation upgraded by the System—

far exceeding the Early Nascent Soul Stage, swept across the field like a physical tide!

Late Nascent Soul Stage!

This unmasked, malevolent aura caused all the demonic cultivators,

including Xue Li at the Mid Nascent Soul Stage, to feel a surge of palpitations! The air seemed to freeze.

"Go!"

Yao Delong did not hesitate, slamming a bulging Storage Pouch into the shimmering energy furnace slot on the back of the Puppet!

Buzz—!

One thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones were instantly swallowed and crushed by the furnace!

A massive amount of pure Spiritual Qi surged like a bursting flood, frantically pouring into the Puppet's core driving Formation!

The massive body, covered in cracks, suddenly shuddered, and countless profound runes instantly lit up on its dull metallic surface.

Its crimson essence-stone eyes erupted with a piercing blood-red light!

A terrifying aura, even more violent and ferocious than before, as if from the ancient primordial era, suddenly exploded,

forcing back the surrounding dark purple demonic miasma by several yards!

"Roar—!"

A roar that didn't sound human, filled with pure destructive will, erupted from the Puppet's mouth, making the valley hum and vibrate!

"A Nascent Soul Stage Puppet?!"

Xue Li's expression changed drastically as he shrieked, feeling a lethal threat!

The small black banner in his hand, emanating a thick scent of blood and resentment—the Heaven Rank Low Grade Magic Treasure "soul devouring banner"—shook violently!

"Wuwuwu—!"

A shrill ghostly wail, enough to tear the Soul apart, instantly filled the world!

The soul devouring banner's black light intensified, its surface seemingly transforming into an entrance to the Nine Netherworld Hell!

Countless solid vengeful Souls and malevolent spirits surged out like a black tide!

These vengeful Souls were no longer illusory shadows; their faces were twisted,

emanating sky-high resentment and Yin chill, with several powerful Ghost Generals among them radiating Golden Core Perfection fluctuations!

Ghostly Qi was thick, blotting out the sun and carrying a chill that froze the Soul,

as they fiercely pounced toward the six-armed Asura emanating terrifying Evil Qi!

"Hmph!"

Yao Delong snorted coldly, not even glancing at the world-shaking tide of ghosts.

With a thought, he pushed Xin Yuelan, whom he held, toward Lin Qingxue: "Junior Sister, watch her!"

At the same time, his hands formed seals as fast as lightning. Within his Sea of Consciousness,

the emerald Life-Generating Creation Fire and the formless, intangible,

yet terrifyingly high-temperature dark red Void Flame Blazing Fire rose simultaneously!

"Void Transformation into Pill, Fire Deriving All Laws! Dual Fires forming a Formation—Demon Burning and Evil Expelling!"

Yao Delong shouted low, his hands dancing like butterflies weaving through flowers,

pushing his exquisite fire control techniques to the extreme!

The emerald Life-Generating Creation Fire and the dark red Void Flame Blazing Fire did not undergo Fusion, but instead, like two agile divine dragons,

they quickly outlined and intertwined in the air under his subtle guidance!

Countless profound flame runes instantly took shape, linking together,

forming a simple flame Formation diagram over ten yards in diameter, emanating a Pure Yang and extremely firm aura that burned away all evil!

The moment this flame Formation diagram formed, a burning, pure power that seemed capable of purifying all filth exploded outward!

Sizzle, sizzle—!

Like boiling oil on snow! The dark purple demonic miasma emitted by the Nine Nether Origin Locking Grand Array covering the valley

made a violent melting sound upon contact with the power of the flame Formation diagram!

That strange power, heavy as a mountain and suppressing the flow of essence, was instantly and significantly weakened as if it had met its natural enemy!

"This... the suppression... it's lightened!"

Liu Tiezhu's body shook, a look of wild joy appearing on his face!

He felt the Nascent Soul essence within him, which had been like sinking into a quagmire,

instantly become much smoother. Although not fully recovered, he could at least exert ninety percent of his strength!

He suddenly gripped the door-sized Mountain-Cleaving Great Axe in his hand,

and his thick, earthy-yellow essence erupted like a mountain range, letting out a muffled roar!

Lin Qingxue also felt a weight lift from her. Her ice-blue Flying Sword shone brightly,

its piercing cold freezing the approaching Devilish Qi. While sealing Xin Yuelan, her Sword Intent became even more condensed and sharp!

And Yao Delong, who was at the center of the flame Formation diagram.

felt the suppression of the Nine Nether Origin Locking Grand Array was like a breeze on his face, almost negligible!

His gaze was like lightning, instantly locking onto the startled and uncertain Xue Jiu!

"Devil Head! Your opponent is me!"

Yao Delong gave a clear shout, his figure shooting out like a bolt of lightning!

Before he even arrived, five sharp sword lights of different colors and attributes shot out from his storage ring!

"Great Five Elements Sword Formation—Trap!"

Gold, green, blue, red, and yellow sword lights instantly intertwined, turning into a massive Five Elements sword net,

carrying the profound power of endless cycles and sealing everything, descending upon Xue Jiu!

"Kid! You're looking for death!"

Seeing Yao Delong dare to charge at him alone, Xue Jiu was first startled, then wildly joyful!

A mere Middle Golden Core Stage dared to actively challenge him, a Golden Core Perfection?

He was simply seeking his own death!

The bone-spur dagger in his hand, coated with a faint green poisonous glow, traced a tricky path,

stabbing straight at Yao Delong's heart with the speed of a ghost!

However, his wild joy only lasted for an instant!

Just as the sword Formation descended, the ancient longsword "golden crow setting sun" in Yao Delong's hand suddenly erupted with a piercing Pure Yang golden light!

"Instant Body!"

Yao Delong's figure vanished from the spot like a ghost!

In the next moment, he appeared out of thin air in front of Xue Jiu, who was trapped in the sword Formation and trying to break out! They were almost face-to-face!

"What?!"

Xue Jiu's Soul almost left his body, his pupils shrinking! This speed... how is it possible?!"

"Pure Yang Sword Art—Blazing Sun Burning the Sky!"

Yao Delong's eyes were cold, and the golden crow setting sun in his hand, carrying the Pure Yang Sword Intent that burned away all demons,

stabbed straight forward without any fancy tricks!

The sword light was brilliant, extremely firm and righteous, faster than Xue Jiu's reaction limit!

Pfft!

Xue Jiu only managed to barely twist his body, but the Pure Yang Sword Qi had already pierced through his left shoulder!

A terrifying Pure Yang Power, seemingly capable of igniting blood, instantly surged into his body through the wound!

"Ah—!"

Xue Jiu let out a shrill scream as black smoke billowed from the wound,

the Pure Yang Power like a maggot in his bones, frantically eroding and burning his Demonic Essence!

He felt half of his body go numb!

In a single exchange, the winner was clear!

"This kid is strange! Someone come! Attack together, take him down first!"

Xue Jiu was both shocked and furious. Enduring the intense pain and the chaos of his internal essence, he roared frantically.

He finally understood why this kid could escape from Liu Sha, who was in the Late Nascent Soul Stage!

This was simply not an ordinary Middle Golden Core Stage!