"Be careful. Don't let your guard down."
Elder Matriarch Long and Qing Daoxun both stopped, their eyes fixed warily on the area before them.
Qin Shaofeng nodded, then slowly closed his eyes and pushed the power of righteous resolve within him to its limit.
His entire body was instantly wrapped in a faint golden glow. Even the air around him seemed to freeze, utterly still and calm.
This was the most powerful cleansing force within the Nine Transformations of the Firmament. Once mastered, it could sweep away all tainted powers.
At that moment, a thunderous roar suddenly rang throughout Heavenly Demon Mountain, deafeningly loud. "Qin Shaofeng, you brat who knows neither the height of heaven nor the depth of earth, you finally came!"
The voice came from a grim black boulder ahead, as though some terrifying creature within the stone were roaring.
Qin Shaofeng's expression turned solemn as he slowly stepped forward.
The surface of the black rock trembled faintly, exuding a cold and dangerous aura.
"Who's there? Come out and die!"
Qin Shaofeng shouted coldly. The Frost Sword was already drawn in his hand, its edge sharp and threatening.
Elder Matriarch Long and Qing Daoxun also tensed, preparing for battle as they stared intently at the black boulder.
"Hahaha, brat, this is where I was reborn. Thanks to Heavenly Demon Mountain's unique terrain and Evil Spirit, that kind helper, I was able to slowly recover!"
The sinister voice rang out again, its joking tone carrying an eerie malice.
"Come out now! Stop hiding like a turtle pulling its head into its shell!" Qin Shaofeng's eyes flashed coldly, and he did not dare relax in the slightest.
"Very well, very well. I shall show you my true form!"
Before the words had faded, the black boulder abruptly split open with