Just as the two sides were locked in a stalemate, the Rune Stone suddenly erupted with a dazzling golden light, as though awakened by some immense power. As the light gradually faded, a Mysterious Figure slowly emerged.
An overwhelming pressure radiated from the figure, enough to make one's heart tremble. A faint mist shrouded his face, making his true features impossible to discern. Yet from his icy gaze alone, Yan Zhao felt an unprecedented pressure.
The Mysterious Figure stared expressionlessly at Yan Zhao and said coldly, "Did you think you could so easily break my Illusion Array?" His voice seemed to come from the depths of the underworld, cold and low, stirring instinctive fear.
Yan Zhao clenched his fists and met the Mysterious Figure's gaze without retreating. His eyes were resolute and fearless as he replied, "I will break this Illusion Array and uncover the secret hidden within!"
Before his words had even faded, a thrilling new battle began. The Mysterious Figure sharply swept both hands out, and countless runes flashing with strange light shot from his palms like arrows loosed from a bow, raining down on Yan Zhao.
Yan Zhao's body flashed as he swiftly dodged to the side, evading the wave of runes. At the same time, he chanted under his breath and rapidly formed hand seals, casting a powerful spell that instantly summoned a sturdy shield before him.
A series of deafening bangs rang out as the runes crashed fiercely against the shield, throwing up countless sparks and waves of thunderous noise. Yet Yan Zhao's shield held firm against the ferocious attack.
Seizing this fleeting opportunity, Yan Zhao moved like a ghost and swiftly circled behind the Mysterious Figure. He swung his longsword, sending a peerless streak of sword energy racing like lightning toward the Mysterious Figure's back.
Faced with Yan Zhao's sudden strike, the Mysterious Figure remained remarkably calm. He casually swept a hand backward, gathering vast spiritual power in his palm. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a massive shield that blocked Yan Zhao's sword energy.
"Not bad, but it's still not enough." A cold sneer curled across the Mysterious Figure's lips, as though he held Yan Zhao's strength in great disdain. His voice echoed through the empty Illusion Array, carrying a trace of chill.
As his words fell, the spiritual power around the Mysterious Figure surged violently like raging waves. That immense power seemed to merge with the entire Illusion Array, making the already wild gale and sea of flames even more destructive.
The gale howled like an enraged beast, baring its fangs and claws as it lunged at Yan Zhao. Wherever it passed, space itself seemed to tear apart, emitting piercing shrieks.
The sea of flames burned like ignited gasoline, blazing fiercely as firelight shot into the sky. Billowing waves of heat formed an insurmountable wall, crashing toward Yan Zhao with the force to destroy everything.
Facing such a terrifying attack, Yan Zhao did not dare let down his guard in the slightest. He swiftly mobilized the spiritual power within him, forming a solid barrier before himself. The barrier glimmered faintly, separating Yan Zhao from the violent gale and sea of flames.
However, despite Yan Zhao's full effort, the gale and sea of flames were simply too powerful. Cracks began to appear across the seemingly indestructible barrier under their savage impacts, like glass struck by a heavy hammer, ready to shatter at any moment.
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