Zhang Shuangmo strikes, his first display of power.

At the outer barrier, black whirlwinds violently churned, emitting deafening roars. Two powerful auras erupted without reservation, aggressively impacting the whirlwind barrier with brute force!

"Hmph! As expected, there's something strange! There must be a secret beyond this barrier!" A sharp, piercing voice rang out, filled with intense greed.

"Old Monster Green Bat, less talk! Let's break it open together! As for what's inside, it's every man for himself!" another hoarse, gloomy voice responded.

Boom! Boom!

Demonic power and Devilish Qi violently erupted. The terrifying power of the Soul Transformation Stage continuously bombarded the black whirlwinds, causing the entire barrier to tremble violently. Although it couldn't be broken open for now, the periodic safe path was completely disrupted, and the space became even more chaotic.

Evidently, these two Soul Transformation Cultivators native to the Northern Region did not possess Nightmare's precise control over Law or the System's auxiliary calculations, choosing the most crude method of forced entry.

Nightmare's eyes were cold. Allowing them to bombard it like this could very likely lead to the complete collapse of this already fragile remnant Formation space, rendering his previous discoveries and the System's deductions futile.

He had to stop them!

With a thought, he didn't reveal himself directly. Instead, he formed hand Seals, drawing upon the dense, chaotic spatial power and star Evil Qi of the area.

"Condense!"

As he let out a low roar, the previously chaotic and rampant black whirlwinds seemed to be pulled by an invisible hand, suddenly converging to form two ferocious, roaring black wind dragons. With the terrifying might of tearing space, they lunged towards the two auras outside the barrier!

This move was not a profound Spell, but rather an absolute control over power through rule fragment, using their strength against them, turning the local danger into his own advantage!

Old Monster Green Bat and Old Ancestor Profound Bone, who were fully bombarding the barrier, were caught off guard. They only felt a force several times more violent than before counterattacking them. Their expressions changed slightly, and they hastily turned to defend!

"What is that?!"

"Be careful! This fierce wind is strange!"

Old Monster Green Bat's figure was agile. A pair of green fleshy wings sprang from his back. With a fierce flap, countless sharp wind blades swept out, slashing towards the wind dragons. Old Ancestor Profound Bone was even more direct; his gaunt skeletal body erupted with monstrous Devilish Qi, and he punched out, a massive white bone fist print growing larger against the wind!

Boom!

A violent collision erupted outside the valley, and the energy impact scattered, leveling all the surrounding rocks and trees!

The two wind dragons were, after all, like water without a source. After being struck with full force by the two Soul Transformation Cultivators, they eventually dissipated. However, Green Bat and Profound Bone were also forced back several steps by the recoil, their blood and Qi slightly churning, and their faces showed expressions of shock and uncertainty.

"The Formation is defending itself? No! That last strike felt like someone was controlling it!" The soul fire in Old Ancestor Profound Bone's eye sockets flickered, and he said hoarsely.

"Which rat is hiding and peeking around! Get out here for This Old Ancestor!" Old Monster Green Bat shrieked, his Divine Sense sweeping into the barrier like a tide, but it was like a clay ox entering the sea, interfered with by the chaotic spatial power and star Evil Qi, making it difficult to discern the truth.

Just then, the churning black whirlwind barrier suddenly parted slowly to both sides, revealing a passage just wide enough for one person to pass through.

At the end of the passage, a black-robed youth stood with his hands behind his back, looking at them with cold eyes, as if observing two foolish thieves who had trespassed into his backyard.

"This place is not where you should be." Nightmare spoke indifferently, his voice not loud, yet clearly overpowering the howling wind, "Retreat now, and you may avoid death."

Old Monster Green Bat and Old Ancestor Profound Bone's gazes instantly locked onto Nightmare. Sensing the equally Soul Transformation Stage, yet profound as an abyss and heart-palpitating aura emanating from him, their pupils slightly contracted.

But then, greed overshadowed caution.

"Early Spirit Transformation Stage?" After carefully sensing, Old Monster Green Bat's face revealed a sinister smile, "You hid quite well, I was almost fooled by you! How dare a mere Early Spirit Transformation Stage Cultivator speak so arrogantly in front of us?"

He perceived that Nightmare's cultivation seemed inferior to theirs (Old Ancestor Profound Bone was at the Peak of Early Spirit Transformation Stage, and he himself had been at Early Spirit Transformation Stage for many years), and emboldened by having two people, his courage instantly surged.

Old Ancestor Profound Bone also let out a sinister laugh: "Kid, no matter what Opportunity you obtained here, hand it over obediently, and perhaps This Old Ancestor might show some mercy and leave you a complete corpse!"

Upon hearing this, Nightmare's lips curled into a cold arc: "It seems there's nothing to discuss."

He never expected these two old demons, who had been causing trouble in the Northern Region for many years, to retreat so easily. His previous words were merely a formality.

Since they couldn't reach an agreement, then... kill!

Nightmare moved!

Without any warning, his figure vanished from its original spot like a ghost!

The next moment, he had already appeared before Old Monster Green Bat! His speed was far beyond their expectations!

"So fast!" Old Monster Green Bat's heart jolted. His fleshy wings behind him snapped shut to protect his front, and at the same time, he opened his mouth to spew an invisible sound wave attack, aiming directly at the Divine Soul!

This was his famous unique skill, the "Green Bat Demonic Sound," impossible to guard against!

However, Nightmare simply pointed with one finger.

The power of the rule fragment at his fingertip flickered slightly. The invisible sound wave, upon approaching three feet in front of him, was like hitting an invisible barrier, dissipating and disintegrating on its own!

At the same time, that finger continued its momentum, pointing towards the closed fleshy wings!

Rip!

The Finger Wind, imbued with the power of Law, was far sharper than imagined! The tough fleshy wings, capable of resisting attacks from an Early Spirit Transformation Stage Cultivator, were easily pierced like paper! A bloody hole appeared on the fleshy wing, and black demonic blood sprayed out!

"Ah!" Old Monster Green Bat cried out in pain, shocked and enraged, hastily flapping his wings to retreat!

But Nightmare followed like a shadow, his other hand flattened like a blade, Demonic Essence condensed, and he slashed towards Old Monster Green Bat's neck! The palm wind was sharp, cutting through space!

Just then, Old Ancestor Profound Bone, who was nearby, finally reacted, roaring, "How dare you, kid!"

His gaunt palm suddenly struck out, and a giant ghostly claw made entirely of white bones appeared out of thin air. Its nails were sharp as blades, and with a mournful ghostly wail, it grabbed towards Nightmare's back! Attacking the enemy's weak point to relieve the siege!

Nightmare seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, completely ignoring the incoming white bone ghostly claw, his palm blade still slashing down!

Old Monster Green Bat was scared out of his wits, desperately twisting his body, while also conjuring a small green shield to block in front of him!

Crack!

The small green shield shattered in response!

Pfft!

The palm blade swept past. Although it failed to sever the head due to the small shield's obstruction, it still left a huge, bone-deep wound on Old Monster Green Bat's chest, with demonic blood gushing out!

At the same time, the massive white bone ghostly claw firmly grabbed onto Nightmare's back!

Old Ancestor Profound Bone's face had just shown a hint of smugness, but the next second it turned to horror!

He saw that the white bone ghostly claw, which was strong enough to shatter Spirit Treasures, struck Nightmare's black robe, actually causing a series of sparks to erupt! Beneath the black robe, Nightmare's skin displayed a jade-like luster, with faint starlight flowing!

Myriad Poison True Demonic Body! Stacked with star source core tempering!

Crack, crack, crack!

Not only did the white bone ghostly claw fail to penetrate Nightmare's defense, but its finger bones shattered from the recoil, bouncing back!

"What?! Your Physical Body?!" Old Ancestor Profound Bone exclaimed in shock, unable to believe his eyes! What kind of monstrous physique was this?!

Nightmare's figure only swayed slightly from the blow, then he casually turned around, his cold gaze fixed on Old Ancestor Profound Bone.

"It's your turn."

Before his words finished, he clenched his fist, the power of the star source core and Myriad Poison Demonic Essence boiled, and his fist seemed to condense a miniature starry sky, carrying terrifying power that suppressed everything, punching towards Old Ancestor Profound Bone!

Old Ancestor Profound Bone's face drastically changed. Daring not to hold back any longer, he let out a sharp cry, and a bone banner, refined from countless pale white skulls, flew out from the top of his head! The banner surface swayed, and thousands of skulls spewed out emerald green Nether ghostly fire, forming a wall of fire to block in front of him. At the same time, countless resentful souls shrieked and lunged towards Nightmare!

This was his life-bound Magic Treasure, the "Myriad Skull nether banner," which he had refined for many years!

However, facing Nightmare's punch, which fused the star Law and rule fragment, the seemingly fierce Nether ghostly fire and resentful souls, upon contact with the fist wind, were like encountering their nemesis, screaming and dissolving into nothingness!

The force of the punch unceremoniously struck the main body of the Myriad Skull nether banner!

Boom—!!!

An earth-shattering roar!

That extremely high-grade demonic banner violently trembled, and countless fine cracks instantly appeared on its surface! It wailed incessantly!

Old Ancestor Profound Bone was struck as if by a heavy blow, spitting out a large mouthful of black blood. His figure staggered backward, and the soul fire in his eye sockets dimmed somewhat. Clearly, the damage to his Magic Treasure caused him a severe backlash!

In a single exchange!

Nightmare, fighting one against two, lightly injured Old Monster Green Bat and severely damaged Old Ancestor Profound Bone's life-bound demonic Magic Treasure!

Demonstrating terrifying strength that crushed those of the same cultivation stage!

Old Monster Green Bat clutched his chest wound, looking at the dispirited Old Ancestor Profound Bone, and then at the black-robed youth who was completely unharmed and whose aura was as deep as the sea. Finally, an unconcealable look of fear appeared in his eyes!

What kind of monster is this person?! How could an Early Spirit Transformation Stage Cultivator be this strong?!

"Go!"

The two exchanged glances and instantly reached a consensus. While Opportunity was good, one needed to be alive to enjoy it! This person was not to be resisted!

Without the slightest hesitation, Old Monster Green Bat's fleshy wings violently flapped, transforming into a green light to escape. Old Ancestor Profound Bone also gritted his teeth and activated his 遁術 (escape technique), transforming into a ball of black Qi and fleeing in another direction!

"Trying to leave now? Too late."

Nightmare's cold voice was like a declaration of death.

He did not chase after the two who were fleeing in different directions, but simply raised both hands.

His left hand made a grasping motion in the Void Realm towards the direction Old Monster Green Bat was fleeing!

His right hand, with two fingers together, sliced towards the direction Old Ancestor Profound Bone was fleeing!

The power of rule fragment activated the Laws of Heaven and Earth!

Old Monster Green Bat, who was frantically fleeing, suddenly felt the space around him instantly become like a quagmire, solidifying and contracting! He was horrified to discover that he had been forcibly pulled out of his escape light, and the surrounding space, like shackles, tightly bound him in place! No matter how he struggled, he couldn't move an inch! Spatial Imprisonment!

Meanwhile, Old Ancestor Profound Bone on the other side felt an extremely sharp, invisible force, as if capable of cutting through all things in the world, silently sweep past his escape light!

Rip!

The black Qi he had transformed into was easily cut in half! His protective Demonic Essence was as good as non-existent!

A mournful scream rang out. Half of Old Ancestor Profound Bone's body was almost severed, connected only by a bit of flesh. Black bone marrow and internal organs were exposed, and his injuries were extremely severe. His escape light instantly dissipated, and he fell from the sky!

One move: Spatial Imprisonment! One move: Blade of Law!

With effortless ease, he captured one and severely wounded the other of the two Soul Transformation Cultivators attempting to flee!

Nightmare's figure flickered, first appearing before the severely wounded and dying Old Ancestor Profound Bone. Under the latter's desperate gaze, he slapped his skull, directly extracting his Nascent Soul and sealing it away. The damaged Myriad Skull nether banner also fell into his hands.

Then, he took a step and appeared before Old Monster Green Bat, who was spatially imprisoned and filled with fear and pleading.

"Senior, spare my life! This Junior was blind! I am willing to offer my soul imprint and serve as a slave forever! Please..." Old Monster Green Bat was utterly terrified, screaming for mercy.

Nightmare's eyes were cold, without the slightest waver.

"This Sovereign does not need it."

He simply pointed with one finger between his eyebrows.

Pfft!

The Finger Wind pierced through his skull, annihilating his Divine Soul!

Old Monster Green Bat's voice abruptly ceased, his eyes instantly dimmed, and his corpse was casually put away by Nightmare.

In just a short while, two infamous Soul Transformation old demons from the Northern Region had both perished here!

Nightmare hovered in the air, his black robe spotless, as if he had merely swatted two flies.

His gaze swept over the ravaged battlefield and the black whirlwind barrier in the distance, which was slowly closing again.

After this battle, he had a clearer understanding of his strength at the Perfection of Early Spirit Transformation Stage. With rule fragment, star source core, and a powerful Physical Body, crushing ordinary Early Spirit Transformation Stage Cultivators or even contending with Middle Stage Cultivators was no longer an issue.

"System, clear the battlefield, analyze the spoils, and continue deducing the Formation."

[Command received... Initiating cleanup... Obtained 2 Soul Transformation Cultivator Nascent Souls, 1 life-bound demonic Magic Treasure (damaged), several storage Magic Treasures... Analyzing...]

[Myriad Skull nether banner: Its Origin Nether Qi can be extracted to nourish the myriad soul banner...]

[Soul Transformation Nascent Soul: Contains vast energy and partial Law insights. Can be refined and absorbed to increase cultivation, or used to enhance demonic banners/demonic vines...]

[Formation deduction progress: 7.3%...]

Nightmare nodded slightly, his figure slowly descending, once again merging into the shattered remnant Formation space.

After this battle, no one foolish enough should come to disturb him for a short while.

What he didn't know was that at the moment Old Ancestor Profound Bone perished, millions of miles away, deep within the Northern Region, in a vast, gloomy palace built from countless white bones, a life lamp burning with green soul fire cracked with a snap.

The Disciple guarding the life lamp was stunned for a moment, then his face turned pale, and he scrambled into the depths of the grand hall.

"This is bad! Old Ancestor... Old Ancestor's soul lamp has shattered!"

The news, like a thunderclap, instantly exploded within the first-rate Demonic Path sect known as Profound Yin Bone Mountain, causing a huge commotion!

Although Old Ancestor Profound Bone was not the Sect Master, he was one of the top three powerful Elders within the sect. His sudden demise would undoubtedly bring new variables to the entire situation of the Northern Region's Demonic Path.

A storm was quietly escalating. Yet, Nightmare, at the center of the storm, was once again immersed in Cultivation and deduction.

The door to the Mid-stage Dao Replenishing was slowly opening for him.