Qingyunzi carefully observed the runes on the ground and said in a serious tone. He had grown up in the Kunlun Sect since childhood and had a certain understanding of ancient restrictions. Upon seeing these runes, he immediately recognized them as the " Trapping and Killing Restriction " from ancient times. Once triggered, one would be surrounded by countless ice blades and yin fire. Even a powerful expert at the Dragon Transformation Fourth Transformation would find it difficult to escape unscathed.
The Snow Empress nodded, signaling Qingyunzi to lead the way. Qingyunzi took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the runes on the ground, his steps slow and cautious, following the trajectory of the runes step by step. The Snow Empress followed closely behind, gripping the Emperor Bell tightly in her hand, vigilantly observing the surroundings, ready to deal with any unexpected situations. The icy path was eerily silent, save for the sound of their footsteps and the faint light emanating from the runes. Occasionally, a cold wind would blow by, carrying a biting chill that sent shivers down one's spine.
After walking for about half an incense stick's time, the ice path ahead suddenly opened up, revealing a huge plaza. In the center of the plaza stood a massive ice platform, upon which floated a purple fragment—the last remaining piece of the Emperor Bell! The fragment shone with intense purple light, resonating strongly with the Emperor Bell in the Snow Empress's dantian. A surge of pure Ziwei Power flowed from the fragment, permeating the entire plaza.
"Finally, we've found the last fragment!" Qingyunzi's eyes flashed with joy, and he couldn't help but whisper. Snow Empress's heart also surged with excitement. As long as they obtained this fragment, the Emperor Bell could be completely repaired, and the Underworld's conspiracy could be completely stopped, protecting all living beings. However, just as the two were about to step forward to snatch the fragment, a cold laugh suddenly came from all around the square. Immediately afterwards, several black figures darted out from the shadows and blocked their way.
The figures were shrouded in black cloaks, surrounded by a dense, sinister aura. Their faces were obscured by black masks. The leader was tall and imposing, possessing a powerful aura. His cultivation had reached the Dragon Transformation Fifth Transformation, surpassing even the Snow Empress. He held a black longsword in his hand, wreathed in black, sinister flames, and emanating a pungent, bloody stench, clearly stained with the blood of countless lives.
"Hahaha, Saintess Snow Empress, Daoist Qingyunzi, how have you been?" The leader of the men in black spoke, his voice hoarse and cold, carrying a mocking tone. "I didn't expect you to actually find the last fragment of the Emperor Bell. It saves us the trouble of searching everywhere."
The Snow Empress's expression hardened, her gaze fixed on the leader of the men in black. She spoke in an icy tone, "Who are you? So you really are from the Underworld! How dare you infiltrate the Kunlun Secret Realm, murder Kunlun Sect disciples, and steal fragments of the Emperor Bell? Aren't you afraid of divine retribution?"
"Divine retribution?" The leader of the men in black sneered, his tone full of disdain. "Before my Underworld, so-called divine retribution is nothing but empty talk. I am General Black Impermanence, under the command of General Black Fiend of the Underworld. I have been ordered to seize the fragment of the Emperor Bell. Once we obtain the fragment, we can help you forge the Ten Thousand Yin Banner and awaken the ancient evil god. At that time, the entire world will belong to my Underworld, and you so-called righteous cultivators will all become sacrifices to the evil god!"
"Wishful thinking!" Qingyunzi roared, brandishing his longsword and unleashing a streak of azure sword energy towards General Black Fiend. " The Emperor Bell is an ancient divine artifact, used to suppress evil spirits and protect the world. How can you wicked villains be allowed to use it for evil deeds! Today, even if I, Qingyunzi, risk my life, I will never let you take the fragment!"
A fierce glint flashed in General Black Fiend's eyes. He raised his hand and swung his black longsword, unleashing a black sword aura that collided with Qingyunzi's azure sword aura. "Boom!" A deafening roar erupted as the two forces collided, generating a powerful shockwave. The snow on the plaza was instantly ripped up, and the ice sculptures trembled precariously. Qingyunzi felt a powerful, sinister force rush towards him, involuntarily taking two steps back. His blood surged, and a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.
"Senior Brother!" Snow Empress exclaimed, rushing forward to support Qingyunzi. At the same time, she circulated her Ziwei Power, sending a surge of pure spiritual energy into Qingyunzi's body to stabilize his breathing. " General Black Fiend, your opponent is me!" Snow Empress raised her head, her gaze icy as she stared at General Black Fiend. The Emperor Bell in her dantian instantly flew out, hovering above her head, its purple light blazing, its imperial might awe-inspiring, pressing down on General Black Fiend.
General Black Fiend felt the oppressive power of the Emperor Bell, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his cold expression. " The Ziwei Emperor Bell? Although it has recovered ninety percent of its power, you, a cultivator at the Dragon Transformation Fourth Transformation, are not enough to unleash its full power. Today, I will kill you first, and then take the fragments!" With that, he moved, his black longsword, wreathed in black eerie flames, thrusting towards the Snow Empress. Wherever the sword passed, the air sizzled and crackled, and an eerie aura permeated the air, sending chills down one's spine.
The Snow Empress's eyes sharpened. She manipulated the Emperor Bell, smashing it towards the black longsword. "Clang!" A crisp, loud sound rang out as the Emperor Bell collided with the black longsword. Purple light and black Yin fire intertwined, bursting into dazzling sparks. The Snow Empress felt a powerful force rush towards her, her arm went slightly numb, and she involuntarily took a step back. However, she did not retreat. Instead, she once again channeled the Ziwei Power, pouring it into the Emperor Bell Emperor Bell, making its purple light even more intense.
"Brothers, attack together! Kill them and seize the fragments!" General Black Fiend roared, and the men in black behind him immediately attacked, surrounding Snow Empress and Qingyunzi. The cultivation levels of these men in black were between the First Transformation of Dragon Transformation and Third Transformation of Dragon Transformation. Although they were not strong individually, their numbers were numerous, and they were skilled at teamwork. They were surrounded by sinister energy, and their moves were ruthless and difficult to defend against.
"Holy Maiden, you deal with General Black Fiend, I'll handle these minions!" Qingyunzi pushed away Snow Empress's hand, a resolute glint in his eyes. He gripped his longsword tightly once more, channeling his spiritual energy into it, and charged towards the men in black. Although he had just recovered from his injuries, his fighting spirit was high. He unleashed his full power as Third Transformation of Dragon Transformation, his azure sword energy crisscrossing as he slashed towards the men in black. Each sword energy carried a chilling spiritual aura, capable of easily slaying First Transformation of Dragon Transformation cultivator in black.
Snow Empress nodded, her gaze returning to General Black Fiend. General Black Fiend was charging at her again, wielding his black longsword, unleashing countless black sword energies and yin flames. Snow Empress manipulated the Emperor Bell, forming a purple barrier in front of her to block all attacks. Simultaneously, she activated the Ziwei Emperor Technique, silently chanting incantations. Purple light surged from the Emperor Bell, and countless purple chimes rang out, bombarding General Black Fiend. The chimes contained powerful divine energy, capable of deterring evil spirits. Upon hearing the chimes, General Black Fiend felt a jolt in his mind, his blood surging, and his movements slowed considerably.
"Damn it!" General Black Fiend roared, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. He hadn't expected that the Snow Empress was so powerful, able to contend with him with her Dragon Transformation Fourth Transformation.