The giant wolf threw back its head and roared. The sound waves sent the surrounding grit flying into the air, turning it into a sharp storm of sand and gravel. Lin Wudao circulated the Mystic Heaven Creation Instruction, and lightning gathered around him into a shield. Grit struck the lightning shield, scattering tiny sparks. His gaze remained fixed on the crystal in the giant wolf's forehead-the markings on that crystal were identical to those on the black jade fragment, and the deep blue light flowing over its surface was actually identical to the restrictions on the secret realm's altar.
"Ding! Ancient Clan seal beast detected-Thunder-Devouring Demonic Wolf. Sealed within its body is critical information on the restrictions of the black jade fragment." The system's prompt rang out urgently. "Warning! The demonic wolf can devour the power of lightning. Using a fire-attribute cultivation method to counter it is recommended!"
Lin Wudao's heart tightened. With a wave of his right hand, he took out the incomplete scroll of the Heaven-Burning Instruction. The moment he unfurled it, it transformed into three crimson runes and merged into his brow. In an instant, he felt a ball of karmic fire ignite in his Dantian, and even his circulating spiritual power carried a scorching heat. Red light flowed over the Chaos Sword's blade, intertwining with its lightning patterns to form eerie purple flames.
The demonic wolf attacked first. Its enormous claw tore through the air, trailing a black blade of fire ten zhang long. Lin Wudao dodged sideways. The fire blade scraped across the ground, plowing a bottomless trench through the Gobi. Seizing the right moment, he swung his sword and unleashed a streak of Heaven-Burning Sword Qi. "Heaven-Burning Instruction: Flame Dragon Break!" A giant dragon formed from flames roared toward the demonic wolf.
Yet the demonic wolf showed no fear whatsoever. Opening its massive jaws, it swallowed the flame dragon whole. Its body began to swell, purple lightning flickering beneath its scales. Clearly, it was forcibly fusing the two powers. Lin Wudao's expression changed drastically. This demonic wolf could not only devour lightning, but absorb and transform the power of flames as well!
"Awooo-" The demonic wolf roared again, and black flames rose a hundred zhang high around it. Countless black chains extended from the flames, the barbs at their ends radiating a chilling menace as they swept toward Lin Wudao. He swung the Chaos Sword and slashed at them repeatedly, only to discover that the chains re-formed immediately after being severed, growing tougher with every rebirth.
Just as Lin Wudao became mired in a bitter struggle, a sudden rush of air came from afar. Three figures descended from the clouds. Leading them was Tianxuzi of the Heavenly Mysteries Sect, with two elders following behind. "Lin Wudao, hand over the black jade fragment and the information on the restrictions inside the demonic wolf!" Tianxuzi held the Xuantian Mirror, its light locking onto Lin Wudao's position.
"You old bastard! Hoping to play the fisherman while others fight?" Lin Wudao ground his teeth, dealing with the demonic wolf's attacks while splitting his attention to guard against the Heavenly Mysteries Sect group. The Chaos Sword suddenly trembled violently. The lightning patterns on its blade resonated with the black jade fragment, actually forming a small lightning domain around him.
"Thunder Domain: Ten Thousand Jun!" Lin Wudao shouted. The power of lightning surged wildly within the domain, blasting every approaching black chain to pieces. Caught in the lightning domain, the demonic wolf howled in pain, then turned and lunged at the Heavenly Mysteries Sect group. Tianxuzi's expression changed abruptly. He hurriedly directed the two elders to form a sword formation. Golden sword light collided with black flames, erupting in an earth-shaking roar.
Lin Wudao seized the opportunity and poured all his spiritual power into the Chaos Sword. The blade blazed with light, and lightning and fire condensed at its tip into a massive ball of power. "Lightning and fire share one source; all phenomena return to the void!" Bearing a heaven-destroying, earth-annihilating pressure, the ball blasted toward the demonic wolf. The wolf tried to evade it, but the Heavenly Mysteries Sect's sword formation trapped it, leaving it no choice but to take the blow head-on.
Boom! Amid the violent explosion, the demonic wolf's body was blown apart, and the crystal in its forehead flew into the sky. Lin Wudao and Tianxuzi rushed toward the crystal at the same time, only to see a streak of black mist flash past. Youmingzi had appeared at some unknown point and snatched the crystal. "My thanks to you both for fighting and leaving this prize ready for me!" Youmingzi laughed smugly and turned to leave.
"You're not getting away!" Lin Wudao and Tianxuzi roared in unison, launching attacks at Youmingzi simultaneously. Youmingzi snorted coldly and brought forth the Netherworld Sect's sect-guarding treasure-the Netherworld Banner. Countless vengeful ghosts surged from the banner, blocking both men's attacks in their entirety.
Just as the three sides reached a stalemate, a beam of seven-colored radiance suddenly descended from the sky. The mysterious white-robed man from the Jade Void Palace walked slowly down from the clouds, a folding fan in hand. With a gentle wave of his fan, the vengeful ghosts on the Netherworld Banner instantly dispersed. Youmingzi turned deathly pale and was sent flying backward.
"The three of you are fighting so spiritedly that it brings to mind the conflict between Great Emperor Xuantian and the Ancient Clan all those years ago." The mysterious man smiled at Lin Wudao. "Little fellow, did you know that besides the information on the restrictions, this Thunder-Devouring Demonic Wolf also held the true key to unlocking a supreme treasure from High Antiquity?"
Lin Wudao's heart jolted. Before he could speak, the mysterious man had already transformed into a streak of light and vanished. Tianxuzi and Youmingzi exchanged a glance, a trace of wariness flashing in their eyes, then each left with his people. Lin Wudao alone remained in the Gobi. Looking at the faintly hot black jade fragment in his hand, he knew full well that this struggle surrounding the secrets of High Antiquity had only just raised its curtain...