"You Netherworld Old Ghost, you're courting death!" Daoist Kunlun roared in fury, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes. He channeled all the remaining spiritual energy within him into the longsword in his hand, causing its light to reach its peak. "Today, I will avenge the Abbot, avenge all my fallen comrades, and slay you, you Netherworld Old Ghost!"
The Wudang Sect leader was also enraged. He wiped away his tears, a resolute glint in his eyes, and brandished his whisk once more, his spiritual energy surging wildly. " Netherworld Lord, your death is at hand!"
The two charged at Netherworld Lord again, their attacks even more ferocious than before, their eyes filled with killing intent. Although Netherworld Lord was severely injured, he was still unwilling to give in. He circulated the remaining Yin energy within his body and engaged in a desperate battle with the two. Halfway up Mount Hua, a fierce battle broke out once more. Golden righteous energy clashed with black Yin energy, creating a deafening roar and sending rocks flying. The entire Mount Hua was bearing the impact of this fierce battle.
Meanwhile, Snow Empress and Qingyunzi, leading the righteous disciples, had left the Deathly Silent Wasteland and were heading towards the East Sea Dragon Palace. After several days of travel, they arrived at the shore of the East Sea. Before them stretched an endless ocean, its waters azure, its waves surging, and the sea breeze howling, carrying a faint salty smell.
"Holy Maiden, the East Sea is just ahead. The East Sea Dragon Palace lies deep within this ocean." Qingyunzi stood beside the Snow Empress, gazing at the boundless sea, and said solemnly, "However, the East Sea is teeming with Demonic Beast, and the people of the Underworld have undoubtedly arrived here beforehand, setting up ambushes to prevent us from finding the Azure Dragon Jade Pendant. We must be extremely careful and cannot be careless."
Snow Empress nodded, her gaze fixed on the sea, a hint of solemnity flashing in her eyes. " Qingyunzi is right. The East Sea Dragon Palace is the ruins of an ancient Dragon Palace. Not only does it contain the Azure Dragon Jade Pendant, but it is also guarded by many powerful Demonic Beast. Coupled with the ambush from the Underworld, it will be extremely difficult for us to find the Azure Dragon Jade Pendant."
She paused, then continued, "Everyone, be on high alert, circulate your spiritual energy, and prepare for battle. Qingyunzi, you will lead a group of disciples ahead to scout the surrounding area and avoid falling into the Underworld's ambush; the rest of you will follow behind me, cooperating and working together. If we encounter any danger, we will immediately counterattack!"
"Yes!" the disciples responded in unison, circulating their spiritual energy, gripping their weapons, and standing ready for battle. Qingyunzi nodded and led twenty disciples ahead towards the sea, their steps light and cautious as they observed their surroundings. Snow Empress led the remaining disciples, following behind Qingyunzi, slowly advancing into the depths of the sea.
As soon as they stepped into the sea, the water reached above their knees. The icy water carried a chilling cold, and it also contained a faint aura of malevolence. Clearly, the people of the Underworld had indeed arrived beforehand. The Snow Empress frowned slightly, circulating the Ziwei Emperor Power within her body. A faint purple light emanated from her body, resisting the coldness of the seawater and the malevolent aura. At the same time, the Ziwei Emperor Bell hovered above their heads, radiating a faint imperial might, suppressing the surrounding malevolent aura.
The group cautiously advanced through the sea, carefully observing their surroundings with each step. The water grew deeper, gradually reaching their waists, then their chests, until finally they could only float, relying on their spiritual energy to move forward. The surrounding water became increasingly murky, visibility dwindled to just a few meters ahead, and the malevolent energy within the water grew stronger, accompanied by faint, eerie roars that sent chills down their spines.
"Holy Maiden, something's wrong. The surrounding evil energy is growing stronger, and I sense many powerful auras approaching us." Qingyunzi's voice, transmitted through the spiritual energy to Snow Empress's ears, was grave. "I'm afraid the people of the Underworld have already discovered us and are surrounding us."
Snow Empress nodded, a hint of wariness flashing in her eyes. "I sensed it too. Everyone, gather together immediately and prepare for battle! Qingyunzi, you lead the disciples to guard the left flank; I'll guard the right flank; the rest of the disciples, guard the center. No matter what danger we encounter, don't panic, cooperate with each other, and work together to repel the enemy!"
"Yes!" the disciples responded in unison, gathering together to form a tight formation, ready for battle.
Just then, the surrounding seawater suddenly churned violently, and countless black figures rushed out of the water, densely packed, Shrouding the Heavens the sky. Among them were Yin soldiers, disciples, and experts from the Underworld, as well as many Sea Demonic Beast controlled by the Underworld. The leader was a man wearing black armor, wielding a black longsword, and exuding a dense aura of yin and evil. His cultivation had reached the late stage of the Eighth Transformation of Dragon Transformation, and his aura was powerful, second only to the Netherworld General.
"Hahaha, Snow Empress, Qingyunzi, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting for you here for a long time!" The Underworld expert sneered, his tone arrogant and chilling. "By order of the Great Emperor Fengdu, I've intercepted you here to seize the Ziwei Emperor Bell and prevent you from finding the Azure Dragon Jade Pendant! If you know what's good for you, obediently hand over the Ziwei Emperor Bell and surrender, and I might spare your lives. Otherwise, today, I'll make sure you all perish in the East Sea and become food for Sea Demonic Beast!"
Snow Empress sneered, a hint of murderous intent flashing in her eyes. "Who are you? How dare you set up an ambush here to obstruct our search for the Azure Dragon Jade Pendant? Aren't you afraid of divine retribution?"
"Divine retribution?" The Underworld expert cackled. "I am the Black Sea General of the Underworld, second only to the Netherworld Lord and the Great Emperor Fengdu in Underworld. This mere divine retribution is nothing to me! Snow Empress, do you think that with your mid-stage Eighth Transformation of Dragon Transformation cultivation and these remnants of your army, you can withstand my attack? You're delusional!"
As he spoke, Black Sea General swung his black longsword, unleashing a massive black blade aura that hurtled towards Snow Empress and his disciples. The aura contained powerful, sinister energy and the might of the seawater, cutting a huge crevice in the seawater that swept towards them.
"Everyone be careful!" Snow Empress shouted, raising her hand and waving it. The Ziwei Emperor Bell, which had been hovering above everyone's heads, instantly erupted with a dazzling purple light. The bell's ringing was earth-shattering as it blasted towards the black blade energy. " Ziwei Emperor Technique, Ziwei Shield!"
Purple light converged into a massive protective shield, enveloping all the disciples within it.