"I didn't expect the Mulan to be this cautious. Though we've wiped out those spell masters, it barely scratched their real strength. From here on, it'll be a straight-up clash. Brother Ma, you just used the 'Heaven-Concealing Flag' to cover half the mountaintop. Your magical power is still holding up?"
The bald-browed big man let out a soft sigh first, then asked the elder with some concern.
"I deliberately held back a portion of my magical power. When the time comes, it may not be enough to defeat the enemy, but keeping one Mulan Great Grand Master occupied shouldn't be a problem," the elder stroked his beard and replied, unconcerned.
"That's good. Leave the rest of the enemy to me and Daoist Han. Daoist Bu should have recovered some of his vitality by now. I've already instructed my subordinates that if the situation grows dire, they are to bring Brother Bu out from his recovery as well." The bald-browed big man's expression was grave.
"That's all we can do. It's just that giant beast — it may prove troublesome. None of us can afford to divert our attention to it. Core Formation cultivators alone likely won't be able to handle it." The elder extended his spiritual sense to probe the colossal creature beyond the grand formation from afar, and a trace of hesitation crossed his face.
"Hmph! There's nothing to be done about it. With limited manpower, we'll have to rely on the Murong brothers to use the prohibitive grand formation to pin it down for now. Their lightning-attribute techniques are among the most devastating among Core Formation cultivators. Even if that beast is as tough and thick-skinned as they say, it should still feel some effect." The big man himself sounded rather unconfident. After all, the two of them had both heard the retreating cultivators speak of how terrifying that beast was.
"We'll just have to go with that for now." The elder nodded with some worry, accepting the plan.
Just then, a flash of azure light shot out from within the green mist, a streak of brilliant radiance that soared into the sky. After hovering briefly, it seemed to spot the two of them and flew over at once.
"Fellow Daoists, it looks like the Mulan are truly about to launch their assault. Have all the defensive arrangements been made?" The azure light receded, revealing Han Li's figure as he smiled and addressed the two.
"Brother Han, your timing is perfect. We were just discussing the plan. We intend to—" The bald-browed big man, his face breaking into a smile, repeated what had just been discussed.
"A giant beast! That thing is indeed troublesome. It's a rare species from ancient times — no telling where the Mulan found it. Let's follow Fellow Daoist Lu's arrangement." Han Li's brow furrowed momentarily before smoothing out again.
"This battle will rely heavily on Brother Han's abilities." The bald-browed big man chuckled, a note of respect in his voice.
"With the safety of all of Tiannan at stake, I will naturally do my utmost. But if the enemy proves too powerful, I may simply be out of my depth." Hearing these words, Han Li rubbed his nose and spoke calmly.
Having already revealed his strength, there was no point in Han Li being modest now.
"If even Brother Han cannot overcome the enemy, then that is hardly our fault. Surely no one else in the alliance would have cause to complain," Elder Ma said with a broad smile, offering a compliment.
"Brother Ma, you think far too highly of me. My abilities are not nearly as profound as the two of you imagine. Please don't set your expectations too high." Han Li glanced at the elder, the corner of his lips curving into something between a smile and a smirk.
"Heh heh, regardless. Brother Han is no ordinary early-stage cultivator. His abilities far surpass those of Elder Ma and myself. This battle will— oh, the Mulan have begun their attack." The bald-browed big man had been hoping to build closer ties with Han Li, but mid-sentence his expression changed abruptly. He shifted his gaze sharply toward the distance.
Han Li and the elder both reacted immediately, their gazes following his.
From the direction of the spell master army, a faint red glow had appeared — a vast expanse of scarlet clouds spreading across the distant sky like a burning sunset. And within those crimson clouds, dozens of enormous fireballs as radiant as blazing suns were coalescing and forming.
"What is this?" Elder Ma had clearly never witnessed such a sight before and blurted out in astonishment.
"This is a Spirit Technique Grand Formation of the spell masters. It allows numerous spell masters to substitute for formation flags and formation discs, rapidly assembling a magical formation through their combined spirit arts. However, it generally requires a high-ranking spell master to preside over the entire formation. Judging by the size of these fireballs, I'm afraid it's that same spell master who used fire-attribute techniques yesterday who's in charge." The bald-browed big man explained with a grim expression.
"A Spirit Technique Grand Formation!" Elder Ma murmured, still looking somewhat startled. Though he wanted to ask for more details, he knew now was hardly the time, so he held his tongue.
"Let the three of us enter the formation and act as we see fit. Before we clash with their Nascent Soul cultivators, the more low-ranking spell masters we can eliminate, the better." Han Li withdrew his gaze and spoke in an even tone.
"Good!"
Neither the elder nor the big man had any objections.
The bald-browed big man called over several other Core Formation cultivators, issued instructions to each of them, and then led them all streaming into the sea of mist. Ying Ning was among them.
Han Li privately transmitted a few words of advice to her through telepathy.
Then his figure vanished into the mist.
……
Outside the sea of mist, a portion of the Mulan spell masters had split into dozens of small squads, arranged in elaborate and mysterious formations. Each held a gleaming red fire-attribute artifact raised high above their head, channeling their spirit arts to gather the ambient fire-attributed spiritual energy.
Over a hundred zhang above their heads, dozens of enormous fireballs churned and took shape, radiating searing heat that left the spell masters beneath drenched in sweat, their throats parched and ears ringing. Yet every one of them gritted their teeth and persevered through the agony.
In the center of these dozens of Spirit Technique Grand Formations, Ku Yao sat cross-legged with disheveled hair, perfectly still. His hands formed two strange seals, while six enormous crimson banners rotated slowly around him. The fire serpent, roughly a zhang in length, coiled and spiraled above his head, its crimson glow blazing so brilliantly that it stirred billowing waves of fire clouds into constant, rolling turbulence.