Shen Luo and Nie Caizhu were already prepared. At those words, their figures flashed, and they charged straight toward the ear canal on one side of the giant's head.
Seeing this, Hou Shan immediately darted after them, only to be blocked by Elder Wuming, who stood across his path and smashed the golden ball of light in his hand down at him.
"Chi Man'er, stop them!" In that moment of peril, a dark red round shield suddenly appeared in Hou Shan's hand. He raised it to block the blow and roared.
Chi Man'er ignored him completely and charged at Elder Wuming again.
"Master didn't tell me to stop those two. I listen to Master," he muttered, once more swinging his enormous pillar, now glowing red-hot, at Elder Wuming's back.
The instant Shen Luo plunged into the giant's ear canal, he heard a thunderous explosion behind him.
But he had no time to concern himself with what was happening there. His attention remained warily fixed on Qing Hu at the entrance ahead.
"Be careful."
Nie Caizhu's warning came from behind him. Before he could answer, rumbling erupted ahead, and torrents of black flame surged toward him.
At the sight, the Pure Yang Flying Sword shot out of Shen Luo's sleeve. Its fiery wings spread in an instant, carving a narrow passage through the black flames like a blade of scarlet fire.
"Cai Zhu, protect yourself. I'll clear the way ahead," Shen Luo instructed.
With that, gold and silver light shone from his arms. He actually unleashed the Wingspan Thousand Li Secret Art right there in the narrow ear canal.
A streak of intertwined gold and silver light flashed, then vanished in an instant.
Almost simultaneously, Qing Hu, who stood ready for battle at the exit leading from the ear canal into