"A mere trick, yet you dare to flaunt it before me!" The Black Dragon Lord sneered, wielding his dragon-shaped scepter with a sudden swing. A black light barrier instantly appeared before him, completely protecting him behind him. " Dark Dragon Wall!"
"Boom--!"
The Ziwei Emperor Bell struck the Dark Dragon Wall first, producing a deafening roar. The Dark Dragon Wall trembled violently, its black light flashing incessantly, actually managing to withstand the attack of the Ziwei Emperor Bell. Following this, Qingyunzi's white sword energy and the attacks from the disciples also landed on the Dark Dragon Wall, but only left shallow marks, unable to break through its defenses.
"What?" Snow Empress's expression changed drastically. She hadn't expected that the Black Dragon Lord's Dark Dragon Wall would be so sturdy that even their combined full-force attack couldn't break through it.
"Hahaha!" The Black Dragon Lord laughed wildly, " Snow Empress, do you think you can harm me with your meager skills? You're delusional! Since you're courting death, I'll grant your wish!"
As he spoke, the Black Dragon Lord swung his dragon-shaped scepter, and the Dark Dragon Wall instantly transformed into countless black blades that shot towards the Snow Empress and the others. The blades contained powerful sinister energy, leaving black streaks in the air wherever they passed.
"Be careful!" Snow Empress exclaimed in alarm, hurriedly activating the Ziwei Emperor Bell to try and block the black blades. However, her Ziwei Emperor Power had been mostly depleted, and the power of the Ziwei Emperor Bell was also much weaker than before, making it impossible for her to completely block all the blades.
"Ah--!"
Several screams rang out as several disciples, unable to dodge in time, were struck by the black blades. Their bodies were instantly corroded by the evil energy, turning into pools of black pus. They didn't even have time to utter a few screams before completely dissipating into the air.
"No!" Snow Empress's eyes were bloodshot, filled with grief and anger. These disciples were her fellow disciples who had followed her through thick and thin, yet now they were dying right before her eyes, and she was powerless to stop it.
"Holy Maiden, run!" Qingyunzi grabbed Snow Empress, trying to drag her away from the battlefield. " The Black Dragon Lord is too powerful; we are no match for him. We must retreat and plan our next move!"
"No! I can't leave!" Snow Empress shook off Qingyunzi's hand, her eyes filled with determination. "I can't abandon my disciples, and I can't let the Azure Dragon Jade Pendant fall into the hands of the Underworld! I will fight to the end!"
"Holy Maiden!" Qingyunzi cried out anxiously, sweating profusely. "As long as we live, we can fight again! If we all die here, who will find the Azure Dragon Jade Pendant? Who will thwart the Underworld's conspiracy? We must survive to avenge our fallen comrades!"
Snow Empress shuddered. Qingyunzi's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over her head. She came to her senses and realized that Qingyunzi was right. Now was not the time to be reckless. If they all died here, everything would be over.
"Everyone, retreat!" Snow Empress roared, activating the Ziwei Emperor Bell to erect another purple protective shield, protecting the remaining disciples within. "Retreat towards the Dragon Palace!"
"Trying to run? Too late!" The Black Dragon Lord sneered, his figure flashing as he instantly appeared before the Dragon Palace gates, blocking everyone's path. "Today, none of you will leave this place! I will slaughter you all here, one by one, and use your blood to commemorate my dragon-shaped scepter!"
After speaking, the Black Dragon Lord waved his dragon-shaped scepter again, and countless black dragon-shaped energies flew out from the scepter, bombarding the Snow Empress and the others. At the same time, the Underworld soldiers and the controlled dragon-shaped Demonic Beast also launched their attacks, surrounding the Snow Empress and the others.
"I'll fight to the death!" A resolute glint flashed in Snow Empress's eyes. She knew there was no turning back now; only by fighting to the death could she possibly carve out a bloody path.
" Ziwei Emperor Technique, Emperor Bell Body Protection!" Snow Empress shouted, Ziwei Emperor Bell instantly shrank, hovering above her head, emitting a dazzling purple light that protected her and her disciples. The purple light collided with the black dragon-shaped energy, producing a series of explosions.
Qingyunzi also exerted all his strength, constantly wielding his longsword, unleashing streaks of white sword energy to slay the charging Yin soldiers from the Underworld. The disciples also formed a circle, back to back, to jointly defend against the enemy's attacks.
But the enemy was too numerous, and the Black Dragon Lord's strength far surpassed theirs. Every time they withstood an attack, they paid a heavy price. Disciples were constantly struck by the black energy, falling to the ground and closing their eyes forever.
"No, if this continues, we will all die here!" Snow Empress was extremely anxious. Her Ziwei Emperor Power was almost exhausted, and the light of the Ziwei Emperor Bell was getting dimmer and dimmer, and it was likely to go out at any time.
At this critical moment, a deafening shout suddenly came from outside the Dragon Palace.
"Kill--!"
Immediately afterwards, countless white sword energies and golden Buddhist light surged in from outside the Dragon Palace gates, repelling the Underworld soldiers and the controlled dragon-shaped Demonic Beast.
Snow Empress and Qingyunzi were stunned for a moment, then their faces lit up with joy.
"It's Daoist Kunlun and the leader of the Wudang Sect! They've come to our aid!" Qingyunzi shouted excitedly.
As expected, Daoist Kunlun and the leader of the Wudang Sect led hundreds of righteous disciples into the East Sea Dragon Palace. Daoist Kunlun's Daoist Evil-Slaying Sword a powerful sword aura, could kill several Underworld soldiers with each strike. The leader of the Wudang Sect wielded a whisk that was agile and unpredictable, with streaks of white energy weaving through the enemy ranks like serpents, killing them one by one.
" Saintess Snow Empress, we're late!" Daoist Kunlun approached the Snow Empress and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"
Snow Empress shook her head, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Daoist Master, Sect Leader, thank you for coming to our aid. Otherwise, we would probably all be dead here."
"No need for formalities." The Wudang Sect Leader waved his hand, his gaze falling on the Black Dragon Lord, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes. "This is the Black Dragon Lord of the Underworld? His cultivation has actually reached the Early Stage of Dragon Transformation Nine Changes. No wonder you couldn't withstand him."
"That's right, it's him." Snow Empress nodded. "The dragon-shaped scepter in his hand is extremely powerful, and he can also control dragon-shaped Demonic Beast. We are no match for him at all."
"It's alright." Daoist Kunlun sneered, "With the three of us joining forces, plus the power of the White Tiger Token, we might not be no match for him."
As he spoke, Daoist Kunlun took out the White Tiger Token from his robes. The token shimmered with white light, radiating a rich, righteous aura. He handed the token to the Snow Empress, saying, " Saintess Snow Empress, the White Tiger Token contains powerful White Tiger energy, capable of suppressing evil spirits. With the White Tiger Token in hand, combined with the Ziwei Emperor Bell, you will surely unleash even greater power."
Snow Empress received the White Tiger Token. The token was warm to the touch, and a powerful aura of righteousness instantly surged into her body, repairing her damaged meridians and replenishing the Ziwei Emperor Power she had consumed.