An incredible scene unfolded.
The instant Daoist Crab's finger touched the air, a point of golden light suddenly emerged there. After spinning rapidly, it transformed into a golden sphere of light roughly ten feet in diameter.
The black axe beam slashed into the sphere without so much as a sound — not the slightest noise escaped.
But the next moment, the sphere flickered violently several times, then shattered apart on its own. Layers of golden waves surged outward, curling back toward the axe beam in a counterattack.
In the blink of an eye, black radiance and golden waves interwove, and the black tide froze in midair, unable to advance a single inch further.
The golden-armored giant's expression shifted in the distance, a flicker of astonishment passing through his eyes.
On either side of Han Li, a loud hissing erupted from the void. Clusters of golden light burst open in the empty space, and countless slender sword beams shot out in every direction, crisscrossing one another.
Within those sword beams, spatial ripples pulsed, and two figures each flickered into view at the points where the golden light had detonated.
One was wreathed in a hazy white glow, with violent winds spiraling around his body as he soared skyward, scattering every sword beam with raw force.
The other was crackling with arcs of lightning throughout, swatting down every approaching golden ray with effortless ease.
These were the robed elder and the three-eyed, thickset man.
Clearly neither had expected to be forcibly dragged out of the void. Stunned by the surprise, the three-eyed man fixed Han Li with a savage glare.
The two demon women, witnessing this scene, felt the demonic energy rolling across their bodies stiffen. They exchanged a glance, surprise flickering across their faces.
"Hmph, you've got quite the nerve. Did you really plan to take on all five of us with just the two of you? Don't tell me you think you're Mahayana-stage old monsters — or are you truly courting death!" The robed elder's expression shifted several times before he snorted coldly, his voice dark.
"I may not be a Mahayana cultivator, but you aren't the Ancestors themselves either. So what is there for me to fear?" Han Li yawned lightly and replied in a calm, indifferent tone.
"What arrogance! Fellow daoists, it seems we'll need to deal with this nuisance before we can move on. Let's strike together — finish them off and be on our way." The robed elder narrowed his eyes, a glint of cold steel passing through his pupils as he addressed the others.
Though he had not yet discerned what confidence underpinned Han Li's bold words, a vague thread of danger had surfaced in his heart without warning. It sent a chill through him, and he immediately resolved to strike with full force and eliminate the enemy before them.
"No one touches them — these two opponents are mine! Do you really think I can't handle two mere Fusion-stage cultivators?!" But the golden-armored giant roared in fury, his face brimming with killing intent.
The three-eyed demon and the two demon women had been on the verge of springing into action, but his words gave them pause. They hesitated, their advance faltering.
"Brother Niu, have you forgotten the orders we were given? This operation concerns the outcome of the entire campaign — this is no time for you to indulge your temperament. If this battle fails because of you, you can explain yourself to that lord personally when we return." The robed elder's face darkened, and he spoke without a trace of hesitation, his words carrying an unmistakable note of menace.
"Ah… haha, I was merely excited just now and spoke rashly. Brother She, please don't take it to heart. An operation this important — of course Niu will not disobey orders. Let's strike together, then. These two seem to have some ability, so we should kill them quickly." The golden-armored giant shuddered, his expression cycling through several changes before settling into an apologetic grin.
The speed of the golden-armored giant's turnaround left even Han Li across from him at a loss for words.
The robed elder, however, showed no surprise whatsoever. Without so much as a change in expression, he called out to the others. The five demons then encircled Han Li and Daoist Crab, closing in slowly.
Though the five moved at a leisurely pace, they had already roused the vast Magical Power within their bodies, no longer bothering to conceal the terrifying auras emanating from their frames.
"They really are all Ancestor incarnations. Brother Crab, how many can you handle?" Han Li narrowed his eyes slightly and addressed Daoist Crab.
"Two — I can kill them outright. Three — I can only hold my own without winning or losing," Daoist Crab replied flatly, his expression as impassive as ever, as though discussing the most mundane matter imaginable.
"Then take three. I'll handle the remaining two." Han Li showed no surprise at the answer. A sharp light flashed through his eyes.
"Very well. No problem." Daoist Crab agreed without hesitation.
"Heh heh, you two still dare to put on airs? Take another swing from Niu first!" The golden-armored giant heard their exchange and flew into a rage. He surged his Magical Power, and black light flickered behind him as the phantom of a bull's head the size of a small mountain materialized. Demonic energy rolled down both his arms as he hoisted the pitch-black great axe and cleaved it savagely toward Han Li once more.
This attack was different from the last.
The great axe blurred, then split into thousands of axe afterimages — each one the size of a washbasin, wreathed in pitch-black demonic energy — hurtling toward Han Li and Daoist Crab in a dense, overwhelming barrage.
And the golden-armored giant's strike seemed to ignite the killing intent in the hearts of the other demons as well. All four struck at the same time.
A vicious expression flickered across the robed elder's face. He gave both sleeves a violent shake, and a loud buzzing erupted as two swarms of bright crimson insects poured forth — venomous wasps, each as large as a finger.
These wasps not only had bodies so red they seemed to drip with blood, but they also exuded a pungent, acrid stench. The moment they emerged, they formed into an insect cloud and streaked forward like meteors.