Yuan Futong's heart tightened. He knew Zhao Lei was casting a spell, so he struck first, whipping a Treasure Wheel from his robes. A flash of yellow light shot straight toward the enemy's rear!
Zhao Lei was concentrating on his incantation when he suddenly saw a wheel-shaped disc gleaming with frost-white and scarlet flames. He affixed a Tai Chi Talisman Seal to it, and in an instant, icy air surged while waves of heat steamed upward. Ice Crows appeared in midair, beating their wings, while fire serpents raised their heads and lunged at Yuan Futong together!
But the Treasure Wheel had already silently transformed into a streak of light. It circled around to Zhao Lei's back and suddenly flared brilliantly. With a muffled boom, yellow light crashed down like a mountain. Zhao Lei's shriek had yet to fade when blood spurted from his seven apertures. He toppled from his mount and died on the spot.
Yuan Futong threw back his head and laughed. He took out an Azure Porcelain Alms Bowl and tapped it once. A clear stream shot out, sweeping away the Water and Fire Spear beside Zhao Lei's corpse and his Li Li mount. Then he returned triumphantly to the city.
Grand Tutor Wen gazed toward the place where Zhao Lei lay dead. His throat tightened, and he sighed heavily. "Poor Fellow Daoist Zhao was loyal to the end, yet he went to the underworld without accomplishing a thing... My heart feels as though it's being cut by knives! Quickly carry his remains back and give him a grand burial!"
The three Daoists accompanying him glared until their eyes nearly split, their teeth grinding audibly. Together, they said, "Yuan Futong killed our Elder Brother! This hatred is irreconcilable! We must tear him into five pieces before the hatred