A cold and majestic voice echoed from the depths of the palace. The voice contained a powerful, malevolent aura, revealing a cultivator who had reached the Early Stage of Dragon Transformation Nine Changes, even surpassing the Netherworld Lord in strength. "I have been waiting for you here for a long time. Today, I will ensure that all of you perish in the East Sea Dragon Palace. The Azure Dragon Jade Pendant and the Ziwei Emperor Bell will both belong to me!"
As the sound faded, countless black figures surged out from all directions of the palace, densely packed and Shrouding the Heavens. Among them were Underworld soldiers, disciples, and experts, as well as many dragon-shaped Demonic Beast controlled by the Underworld. The leader was dressed in a black dragon robe, wore a black crown, and held a black dragon-shaped scepter. He exuded a strong aura of yin evil and dragon might. Clearly, this Underworld expert was an important figure in the Underworld, second only to the Great Emperor Fengdu in status, and possibly even a confidant of the Great Emperor Fengdu.
Snow Empress's expression changed drastically. She could sense that this expert from the Underworld was extremely powerful, Early Stage of Dragon Transformation Nine Changes, coupled with the immense power of the dragon-shaped scepter in his hand. Even she would find it difficult to withstand it. However, there was no fear in her eyes; instead, a resolute glint flashed. She knew that she could not back down, could not give up. For the sake of all living beings and for the sake of her fallen comrades, she had to defeat this expert from the Underworld and find the Azure Dragon Jade Pendant.
"Who are you? How dare you set up an ambush here to steal the Azure Dragon Jade Pendant and the Ziwei Emperor Bell? Aren't you afraid of divine retribution?" The Snow Empress shouted coldly, a hint of killing intent flashing in her eyes. The Ziwei Emperor Power in her hand condensed once more, ready to launch an attack at any moment.
"Divine retribution?" The Underworld expert cackled. "I am the Black Dragon Lord of the Underworld, ordered by the Great Emperor Fengdu to guard the Azure Dragon Jade Pendant, seize the Ziwei Emperor Bell, and obstruct you righteous scum! Snow Empress, do you think that with your mid-stage Eighth Transformation of Dragon Transformation and these remnants of your army, you can withstand my attack? Utterly delusional!"
As he spoke, the Black Dragon Lord swung his dragon-shaped scepter, unleashing a massive black dragon-shaped energy blast towards the Snow Empress and his disciples. The energy contained powerful sinister energy and dragon might, shattering the surrounding jewels and jade stones as it swept towards them.
"Everyone be careful!" Snow Empress shouted, raising her hand and waving it. The Ziwei Emperor Bell instantly erupted with dazzling purple light, its resounding chime shaking the heavens and earth as it blasted towards the black dragon-shaped energy. " Ziwei Emperor Technique, Ziwei Shield!"
Purple light converged into a massive protective shield, enveloping all the disciples within it.
"Boom--!"
The black dragon-shaped energy slammed into the purple Ziwei Shield, producing a deafening roar. The entire East Sea Dragon Palace trembled violently, and jade fragments fell from the palace roof, as if it were about to collapse at any moment.
Snow Empress gritted her teeth, her Ziwei Emperor Power surging wildly within her body to maintain the stability of the Ziwei Shield. Her face instantly turned pale, and veins bulged on her forehead. Clearly, the power of the Black Dragon Lord's attack far exceeded her expectations.
"Holy Maiden!" Qingyunzi exclaimed, immediately circulating his spiritual energy and placing his palm on Snow Empress's back, continuously channeling his own spiritual energy into her. "I'm here to help you!"
The disciples quickly realized what was happening and, with all their might, gathered their spiritual energy and poured it into the Ziwei Shield. With the support of everyone's spiritual energy, the purple shield became increasingly solid, barely managing to withstand the impact of the black dragon-shaped energy.
"Hmph! Like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, utterly overestimating yourselves!" The Black Dragon Lord sneered, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. "Do you really think you can withstand my attack with your rabble? I'd like to see how long you can last!"
As he spoke, the Black Dragon Lord brandished his dragon-shaped scepter once more, unleashing a barrage of black dragon-shaped energy blasts that hurtled towards the Ziwei Shield like a raging storm. Each energy blast contained powerful sinister energy and dragon might, making it even stronger than the previous one.
"Boom boom boom boom--!"
A series of deafening roars echoed within the East Sea Dragon Palace. Under the continuous bombardment of the black energy, the Ziwei Shield trembled violently, its purple light dimmed, and fine cracks began to appear on its surface, as if it would shatter at any moment.
The Snow Empress's face grew increasingly pale, and the Ziwei Emperor Power within her body was being consumed extremely rapidly, her aura becoming increasingly weak. Qingyunzi and the other disciples were in no better condition; their faces were pale, their breathing disordered, and clearly, they were on the verge of collapse.
"Holy Maiden, this can't go on!" Qingyunzi said anxiously. " Black Dragon Lord's cultivation far surpasses ours; we simply cannot withstand his attacks! We must find a way to counterattack, otherwise, we will all die here!"
Snow Empress nodded, a resolute glint in her eyes. She knew that passive defense would only lead to death; she had to take the initiative to find a glimmer of hope.
"Everyone, heed my command!" Snow Empress roared, a resolute glint in her eyes. "When I count to three, we'll all remove the Ziwei Shield, then launch a full-scale counterattack and catch Black Dragon Lord off guard!"
"Yes!" the disciples responded in unison, their eyes filled with determination. They knew this was their only chance, and even if it meant paying with their lives, they would never back down.
"One!"
As the Snow Empress began the countdown, the Ziwei Emperor Power within her body began to circulate wildly. The Ziwei Emperor Bell hovered above her head, and the purple light on the bell grew stronger and stronger, radiating an aura of world destruction.
"Two!"
Qingyunzi and his disciples also circulated the remaining spiritual energy within their bodies, concentrating all their power on their weapons, preparing to launch their strongest attack.
"Three!"
As the Snow Empress's final countdown ended, the Ziwei Shield vanished instantly. Almost simultaneously, the Snow Empress, Qingyunzi, and their disciples launched their attacks.
" Ziwei Emperor Technique, Emperor Bell Suppresses the World!" Snow Empress roared, and the Ziwei Emperor Bell instantly expanded, transforming into a huge purple-gold bell, which crashed down on Black Dragon Lord. Purple lightning flashed on the bell, radiating a powerful imperial might, as if it would suppress the entire East Sea Dragon Palace under the bell.
"Daoist secret technique, Demon-Slaying Sword Art!" Qingyunzi swung his longsword, and a huge white sword aura slashed towards the Black Dragon Lord. The sword aura contained the righteous energy of Daoism, and wherever it passed, the evil energy in the air was purified.
"Kill--!"
The disciples shouted in unison and unleashed their strongest moves. Sword energy, blade light, and magic filled the sky like a storm, bombarding the Black Dragon Lord and the Underworld soldiers.
Black Dragon Lord's expression changed slightly. He hadn't expected that Snow Empress and the others would dare to withdraw their defenses and launch a counterattack. However, he quickly regained his composure, a disdainful sneer appearing on his lips.