At the same time, the Devil Blood Law channeled through the Slaughter Seals beneath Zhi Xuan’s robes responded with wild ecstasy. Ten wisps of fresh Blood Essence from the cultivators whose bodies had exploded were forcibly drawn in. The Slaughter Seals ignited with a fierce blood-fire, processing the thick Blood Essence.

  Fifty Slaughter Seals! With the addition of ten new Blood Essences, Zhi Xuan’s raw physical foundation instantly surged. His muscles expanded, his bones felt denser, and his Heavenly-Blood Body now radiated a far more concentrated aura of Devilish madness.

  Inside the Soul Lantern, the ten newly added Wandering Souls immediately screamed, attacking his Primary Soul with waves of despair and hatred. However, Zhi Xuan ignored them entirely. This brutal enhancement came with a price to pay, but it was nothing compared to the benefits.

  "Silence! I am the Master of Souls like you!" Zhi Xuan roared in his Sea of Consciousness, a voice that could only be heard by Ruo Xianxue and Xiao Die.

  Elder Shi Han and the other Soul Transformation Elder were shocked to the very roots of their souls. In a single strike of Heaven Lightning, Zhi Xuan had not only shattered the front lines of the Poison Formation but had also killed ten Consciousness Transformation cultivators in an instant and increased his own strength before their very eyes.

  "He absorbs Souls! He is a true Devil!" roared the second Soul Transformation Elder, his eyes filled with pure, cold terror.

  "Do not run, Lowly Devil! You will die here!" Elder Shi Han roared, despite being severely wounded. He channeled the remaining Heaven-Reversing Water Poison, along with the other Shi Clan cultivators, forming a Spatial Poison Serpent Formation that was far denser and targeted Zhi Xuan’s lightning.

  ZZRRT! WHUSHH!

  The poison was no longer just chasing; it attempted to lock the space around Zhi Xuan, preventing him from using his Thunder Law to flee further. The waves of Poison moved with incredible speed, coiling around Zhi Xuan and striking him with corrosive toxins.

  BUMM!

  The Poison attack struck Zhi Xuan’s Heavenly-Blood Body. Although the poison was now merely food for the Heavenly Cauldron, Zhi Xuan’s cultivation foundation, which had just been forged with Lightning, felt hot and painful. The poison tried to seep into his meridians, but the Devil Blood Law immediately responded, binding the poison and pushing it into the Heavenly Cauldron. Zhi Xuan snorted coldly. He spat out fresh blood and roughly wiped the corner of his lips.

  "I indeed have no chance to fight you in a fair duel," Zhi Xuan hissed, clenching his teeth as the air pressure exerted by the second Soul Transformation expert suddenly increased. He felt his bones ripple under the released pressure.

  Elder Shi Han, whose face remained deathly pale, and Elder Qiu Yuan, the second Soul Transformation expert, dashed forward, ignoring the losses they had just suffered. In their eyes, this Devil who had just broken through to the Five Elements was a disgrace that had to be annihilated.

  "Lowly devil, you poisoned the Tomb and wounded our foundation! There is no place for you to run!" roared Elder Qiu Yuan, his voice like thunder containing dense Earth Law.

  Elder Qiu Yuan raised his hand, and his pure Soul Transformation spiritual essence condensed into a giant palm made of Earth Law. The palm, sized like a small hill, descended from the sky, targeting the hovering Zhi Xuan. It was the Five Mountain Crusher Palm, a technique containing enough power to destroy a small Kingdom.

  Zhi Xuan felt the air around him solidify. The pressure from the Earth Law locked the space surrounding him, making it nearly impossible to use his newly born Thunder Law to escape. The bones in his Heavenly-Blood Body creaked violently under that pressure. Although his foundation had increased rapidly, the realm difference between Five Elements and Soul Transformation was an unmeasurable chasm.

  "Ancient Devil Monument!" Zhi Xuan roared in his Sea of Consciousness, taking a breath that was barely audible. Ruo Xianxue, who had now absorbed enough Divine Herbs, responded quickly. The dark Ancient Devil Monument in Zhi Xuan’s Sea of Consciousness emitted a dark gray light, shattering runes on the Monument which immediately created a protective seal to stabilize Zhi Xuan’s Soul, preventing it from collapsing under the realm pressure.

  Without hesitation, Zhi Xuan released the Sea-Breaking Thunder Sword. The sword blade, enveloped in Pure Lightning, roared. Zhi Xuan channeled all of his new Thunder Law, Devil Blood Law, and a bit of Extreme Yang essence from the Heavenly Devouring Chalice into the sword.

  "Heaven-Shattering Thunder Bolt!"

  Zhi Xuan swung the Thunder Sword, releasing a thick lightning sword blade, attempting to split the Five Mountain Crusher Palm.

  KRAKK! BOOM!

  The Lightning Sword struck the Earth palm, causing an explosion that deafened the spiritual ears. However, the Five Mountain Crusher Palm only cracked slightly, then continued to press down with undiminished speed.

  "Weak Devil!" Elder Qiu Yuan roared with a cruel smirk. "Your technique is merely a toy in the face of Pure Natural Law!"

  Zhi Xuan did not wait for the Palm to strike. He channeled the Thunder Law to strengthen his Heavenly-Blood Body. In an instant, he changed his fighting style, jumping to the side with agility, his body trembling violently as he escaped the reach of the Earth Palm’s destruction by only a span’s width.

  The Five Mountain Crusher Palm hit Heaven Mirror Lake. The lake water exploded into the air, creating waves dozens of zhang high, and the lake water evaporated instantly in the area hit by the Earth Palm. The pure power made Zhi Xuan stagger, even though he was not hit directly. Before Zhi Xuan could stabilize himself, Elder Shi Han dashed forward. The Heaven-Reversing Water Poison remaining around him condensed, forming a pitch-black poison spear in his hand.

  "You wounded my soul! I will cut your meridians!" hissed Elder Shi Han, his anger overcoming his pain. He threw the poison spear. The spear moved faster than Zhi Xuan’s lightning, and in an instant, it pierced through space, targeting a vital point in Zhi Xuan’s chest.

  "Four-Directional Blood Shield!"

  Zhi Xuan roared. Four layers of thick blood shields appeared in front of him. The Heaven-Reversing Water Poison spear pierced the first and second layers with ease. At the third layer, it slowed down, and at the fourth layer, the spear stopped, but the Heaven-Reversing Water Poison seeped from the tip of the spear.

  Zhi Xuan spat out a mouthful of spiritual blood; the pressure from these two Soul Transformation experts was too great. His foundation, newly forged with Lightning, felt turbulent. He could not last long in a pure duel with protective artifacts, especially with two opponents far above his realm.

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  "Heavenly Devouring Chalice!"

  Zhi Xuan channeled Extreme Yang into the Chalice. The Chalice spun, trying to suck in the poison spear. But Elder Shi Han only snorted coldly.

  "You think a Heaven-Grade Artifact can save you from a Soul Transformation Dao? Your artifact does not yet possess a Full Will!"

  Elder Shi Han waved his hand, and the poison spear instantly exploded, releasing corrosive Heaven-Reversing Water Poison around Zhi Xuan, forcing the Heavenly Cauldron to work harder to absorb it.

  "Damn it!" Zhi Xuan hissed. He had to discard his blood shield and dash again, using the Thunder Law to avoid the spreading poison.

  ZZZT!

  He shot into the air, but Elder Qiu Yuan had already positioned himself above. He reached out, and the dense Earth Law condensed around Zhi Xuan, creating a giant stone cage that tried to imprison him. The Eleven-Layer Earth Cage.

  "Where will you run, Devil?" mocked Elder Qiu Yuan.

  Zhi Xuan smirked coldly. He punched the stone cage with the Shattering Fist, a technique strengthened by the Heavenly-Blood Body and Thunder Law.

  BOOM! KRAKK!

  The stone cage shook violently. He managed to destroy the three outermost layers, but the remaining layers were too dense. He was locked in.

  "Devil Blood Sword!"

  Zhi Xuan manifested the Devil Blood Sword. He channeled all his remaining essence into the sword, trying to cut the cage from the inside, but before he could swing his sword, Elder Shi Han appeared in front of the cage.

  "You destroyed my Will, Devil! I will let you die in your own poison!"

  Elder Shi Han raised his hand, and the dozens of remaining Shi Clan cultivators below immediately channeled their remaining Heaven-Reversing Water Poison. The poison seeped into the Earth Cage through the cracks, targeting Zhi Xuan.

  Zhi Xuan’s situation suddenly became extremely critical. He was locked in, surrounded by corrosive poison, and his energy was drained by the clash of realm power. He could not use his Thunder Law fully, and his Heavenly-Blood Body was unable to withstand the continuous pressure of two Soul Transformation experts.

  In his Sea of Consciousness, the Ancient Devil Monument shook violently. Ruo Xianxue channeled all the essence she could, but she knew that Zhi Xuan would not be able to withstand this combined attack.

  "Zhi Xuan, do not fight against their foundation! You must run!" Ruo Xianxue commanded, her tone filled with cold Primordial firmness.

  "I know!" Zhi Xuan roared. He felt the poison starting to lick his skin, a piercing pain. He withdrew the Devil Blood Sword and his Shattering Fist. His eyes ignited with the fire of Devil blood; a crazy decision was made in the last second. He had no other choice.

  "I apologize to all the Wandering Souls," Zhi Xuan hissed, his voice filled with absolute coldness. Zhi Xuan flicked his right finger. A drop of his spiritual blood, enveloped in thick Devil Blood essence, shot into the Soul Lantern. As soon as that Devil blood touched the Soul Lantern, Elder Hui’s seal holding hundreds of souls immediately cracked, creating whispers of souls that gnawed at his consciousness.

  "OUT!"

  Zhi Xuan roared. It was not a spiritual roar, but the command of an Ancient Devil.

  WHUSHH! WHUSHH! WHUSHH!

  Hundreds of wisps of Wandering Souls filled with despair, anger, and pure spiritual energy exploded out of the Soul Lantern. Those souls, which were the remains of Consciousness Transformation cultivators killed by Zhi Xuan and ancient wandering souls sealed within, instantly filled the Eleven-Layer Earth Cage, creating an unparalleled chaotic spiritual vortex.

  The Wandering Souls, having no physical form and driven by the instinct of madness, could not be held by the Earth Cage. They seeped out, targeting Elder Shi Han and Elder Qiu Yuan who were outside.

  "Wandering Souls?! He has a Soul Harvesting Artifact?!" Elder Shi Han roared, his eyes widening with terror.

  Wandering Souls were existences that were very difficult for high-realm cultivators to face. They had no physical foundation to be attacked by Laws, and their touch could damage the unprotected Primary Soul of a cultivator.

  Elder Shi Han, whose Primary Soul was already wounded, was the perfect target. Hundreds of Wandering Souls swarmed toward him, attempting to touch his Sea of Consciousness.

  "Soul Defense Formation!" Elder Shi Han roared, forced to focus all his essence on building a spiritual shield. Elder Qiu Yuan was also forced to stop his attack. He could not allow that many Wandering Souls to touch his Primary Soul.

  "Zhi Xuan, you are mad! Sacrificing hundreds of Wandering Souls just to run!" roared Elder Qiu Yuan, as he channeled pure Earth Law to suppress those souls. In the midst of the spiritual chaos created by hundreds of Wandering Souls, a gap appeared. The Eleven-Layer Earth Cage shook violently, disturbed by the onslaught of those souls.

  ZZZT!

  Zhi Xuan did not waste this opportunity. He channeled the new Pure Thunder Law into his Heavenly-Blood Body. In an instant, he transformed his physical form into a Pure Lightning Flash, a technique that allowed his body to penetrate barriers. He pierced through the Eleven-Layer Earth Cage, leaving only a purple-blue flash in the air. His body felt shattered, but Xiao Die’s rainbow powder healed him.

  As soon as he was out of the cage, Zhi Xuan did not look back. He shot toward the West, changing his initial course of wanting to fly North; the speed of his Thunder Law was now driven by pure fear and urgency.

  "I will return to hunt you, Shi Clan!" Zhi Xuan roared, his voice echoing in the Night Sky. He left behind hundreds of Wandering Souls dancing in madness, creating an inevitable spiritual struggle for the two Shi Clan Soul Transformation experts.

  Zhi Xuan, now appearing only as a purple-blue flash in the air, shot through the darkness of the night. He felt immense pain from the misuse of the Thunder Law to penetrate the Earth Cage, but he ignored it. His speed now far exceeded any speed he had ever reached in the Consciousness Transformation realm. He traveled without hesitation toward the West, away from Heaven Mirror Lake which was now filled with a lethal spiritual battle.

  Behind him, he could hear the suppressed roars of anger from Elder Shi Han and the frustrated shouts of Elder Qiu Yuan. Releasing hundreds of Wandering Souls was an unthinkable act for an Orthodox cultivator; it was an act of pure Devilry, a deliberate sacrifice to create chaos and escape.

  "Mad Devil! You think you can get away!" Elder Shi Han roared, his voice containing wounded spiritual turmoil and deep hatred.

  Zhi Xuan snorted coldly in the air. He no longer thought about the Shi Clan. His focus was on recovery and enhancement. While speeding away, he allowed the Slaughter Seals to work, supporting his body that felt broken, yet the Heavenly-Blood Body Law quickly regenerated his body parts.

  "Ruo Xianxue," Zhi Xuan hissed in the Sea of Consciousness, the Pure Thunder Law churning within him. "Help me recover. My Thunder foundation feels unstable. Quickly process those Divine Herbs."

  Ruo Xianxue snorted, but her tone was calmer and less mocking than usual. "I told you, do not fight against a realm far beyond your own. The Divine Herbs you gathered are being processed into pure Spiritual Essence by me and the little moth. You will soon feel the benefits. Go to the Northwest and catch up with the two people on your Seven Star Boat."

  Zhi Xuan nodded; he had to quickly catch up with Ao Sheng and Zhao Xue whom he had previously launched toward the Northwest. He sharpened his divine sense and tracked the spiritual trail of the Seven Star Boat. Meanwhile, he occasionally looked back to see if the Shi Clan was pursuing.

  "It seems those wandering souls are quite tough," Zhi Xuan muttered hoarsely; he smiled coldly but was also slightly sad about wasting the souls. "Fortunately, those souls will not return; if the released souls returned to the Soul Lantern, my soul would surely be destroyed."

  Zhi Xuan accelerated his pace, the Pure Thunder Law resonating with his fast-beating heart. He could not waste time. Although the Wandering Souls he released had created enough chaos to stop the Soul Transformation experts, the time given was only as long as the duration of the souls' madness.

  His body, now enveloped in a more stable purple-blue flash, sped through the night. He focused a small part of his divine sense to track the unique spiritual fluctuations of the Seven Star Boat, an artifact with a distinctive star pattern, which now left a faint trail in the distance.

  "Master, I will carry you!" Xiao Die suddenly buzzed. The little moth immediately drifted out of Zhi Xuan’s body and enlarged in the air. In an instant, Zhi Xuan sat atop the Heavenly Moth. "Hold on tight, Master!"

  WHUSSHH!

  Xiao Die shot forward, splitting the night air with a spiritually deafening speed. The rainbow wings emitted a subtle spatial aura, not merely fleeing, but jumping between spaces on a large scale. This speed was far beyond the speed Xiao Die had when she was newly reincarnated, a flight capability possessed only by Ancient Insects that had entered the adolescent phase.

  In just a few space jumps, a spatial rift opened and the Heavenly Moth managed to catch up with the Seven Star Boat, which even caused the Seven Star Boat to become turbulent, making the tense Ao Sheng and Zhao Xue atop the boat even more shocked to see Zhi Xuan sitting atop a large moth they did not yet recognize.