81: The battle is raging, and clues are beginning to emerge.

Qiao Feng held the ancient book radiating a mysterious light, showing no intention of backing down against the renewed assault from the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult and the Mysterious Figure. He carefully handed the ancient book to the old man and said, "Senior, please examine the ancient book first; we will hold them off!" The old man nodded, quickly retreated behind the group, and began flipping through the ancient book.

The Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult swung his demonic staff, and a black pillar of spiritual energy, like a Flood Dragon, surged toward Qiao Feng. Qiao Feng unleashed the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms; the golden palm print collided with the black pillar of spiritual energy, erupting in a deafening roar. The immense impact distorted the surrounding air, and massive cracks appeared on the ground.

The Mysterious Figure was not to be outdone. The black mist surrounding him instantly condensed into a massive black Demonic Hand, reaching out to grab Qiao Feng. Where the Demonic Hand passed, the space seemed to tear, emitting a grating "sizzling" sound. Qiao Feng swiftly dodged the Demonic Hand's attack, simultaneously striking back with a palm that hit the Demonic Hand, causing it to tremble slightly.

Fu Hongxue moved like lightning, weaving through the members of the Dark Holy Cult. The long saber in his hand flashed with cold light; the Saber Qi of the "Bright Moon Blade of the Horizon" crisscrossed, constantly reaping the lives of his enemies. Every streak of Saber Qi contained his profound Internal Energy and fierce killing intent, causing the Cultists of the Dark Holy Cult to fall one after another under his assault.

West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng combined their twin swords, their Sword Qi like a rainbow. Their figures flickered like ghosts as they attacked the Mysterious Figure. The Mysterious Figure snorted coldly, and the black mist condensed again, forming a solid shield that blocked the pair's Sword Qi. West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng were not discouraged; they continuously changed their sword maneuvers, searching for a weakness in the shield.

The Man in Black Robe quickly formed hand Seals. Ice-blue runes flew from his body, rapidly forming a massive magic array in the air. The array emitted a powerful freezing force, enveloping the members of the Dark Holy Cult. Where the runes reached, some Cultists were instantly frozen into blocks of ice, unable to move.

The Woman in White played her jade flute. The melodious flute sounds transformed into white light, flowing around the group like a clear spring. The light not only blessed everyone with a defensive shield but also created a confusing effect on the members of the Dark Holy Cult. Under the influence of the light, some Cultists' eyes became hazy, their movements slowed, allowing the people from the Blood Demon Hall and the Nether Ghost Sect to seize the opportunity to attack.

The people of the Blood Demon Hall and the Nether Ghost Sect also unleashed their powerful Cultivation Techniques. The Blood Demon waved his hands, and blood-red threads of spiritual energy shot toward the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult like venomous snakes. The Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult swung his demonic staff, blocking each blood-red thread of spiritual energy, but this caused him to be distracted. The Sect Master of the Nether Ghost Sect waved his staff, summoning a group of powerful Ghost Spirits. The Ghost Spirits emitted eerie cries and engaged in fierce combat with the Cultists of the Dark Holy Cult.

Under the combined assault of the group, the offensive of the Dark Holy Cult members and the Mysterious Figure was temporarily suppressed. However, they had no intention of giving up easily and instead attacked even more furiously. The Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult muttered incantations, and a strange black light flickered at the tip of his demonic staff. A massive black vortex formed in front of him and swept toward the group.

The Mysterious Figure formed hand Seals with both hands, and the black mist surged toward the group like turbulent waves. Black skull heads faintly appeared within the mist, emitting bursts of eerie roars.

Qiao Feng looked at the imminent crisis and quickly pondered countermeasures. He knew that someone must draw the enemies' attention now to buy the old man more time to examine the ancient book. "Listen up, everyone, we must not panic. Fu Hongxue, West Gate Blows Snow, Ye Gucheng, the three of you continue to hold down the Mysterious Figure; Man in Black Robe brother, Woman in White girl, you assist our friends from the Blood Demon Hall and the Nether Ghost Sect in resisting the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult's attack; I will figure out a way to break through their defenses!" Qiao Feng shouted loudly.

Everyone nodded and acted according to Qiao Feng's instructions. Fu Hongxue, West Gate Blows Snow, and Ye Gucheng charged toward the Mysterious Figure again, their attacks growing fiercer, attempting to completely restrain the Mysterious Figure. The Man in Black Robe increased the power of the Rune Magic Array; the ice-blue light nearly enveloped the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult and all his subordinates. The Woman in White played a more spirited melody; the white light surged like a tide, continuously impacting the defenses of the Dark Holy Cult members.

The people of the Blood Demon Hall and the Nether Ghost Sect also unleashed their ultimate hidden techniques, engaging in a desperate struggle with the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult. The Blood Demon utilized the Forbidden Blood Demon Cultivation Method; his own strength instantly increased severalfold. The blood-red spiritual energy, like a roaring Vicious Beast, charged toward the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult. The Sect Master of the Nether Ghost Sect summoned the strongest Ghost Spirit. This Ghost Spirit radiated dense black Yin Qi, and wherever it went, the Cultists of the Dark Holy Cult were eroded by the Yin Qi, severely reducing their Combat Power.

Just as the group was locked in fierce battle with the enemy, the old man finally discovered some crucial clues in the ancient book. "I found it! The ancient book records the location and method for sealing the southern bright fire pearl, but it requires a special Spiritual Object as a Guide," the old man said.

"What Spiritual Object?" Qiao Feng asked while simultaneously warding off attacks.

"It is the flame marrow crystal, a Spiritual Object that grows deep within the Yanhuo Mountain Range. Only by finding the flame marrow crystal can we successfully Seal the southern bright fire pearl," the old man replied.

However, at this moment, the group was tightly entangled by the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult and the Mysterious Figure. How could they escape this predicament to search for the flame marrow crystal? What actions would the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult and the Mysterious Figure take once they learned of their plan? The situation in the Jianghu was growing increasingly tense, and everything awaited the group's efforts to unveil the answers...