At the edge of the cave entrance, the seven-colored energy swirled slowly like flowing water, without dissipating.
The Yao Lao's methods were extremely skillful; he only temporarily "removed" the barrier, rather than destroying its structure.
Inside the cave entrance, the atmosphere of the small island in the lake is palpable.
The island itself was bathed in a soft, luminous white light, serene and peaceful.
However, the blue flame bound by seven-colored chains on the stone platform at the center of the island exudes a ferocious and intense heat that makes one's soul tremble.
The interplay of these two auras made this space, isolated by the barrier, appear exceptionally contradictory.
"Get in quickly! This breach can't hold for long!"
The illusory figure of the Yao Lao trembled slightly, and his voice carried a hint of urgency.
Maintaining this "open" state without breaking the barrier requires extremely high levels of Spiritual Soul Power consumption and precise control.
Ultimately, he is only a remnant soul now, and this also involves the innate abilities of the Medusa Snake-People Tribe, so the consumption is considerable.
Without hesitation, Xiao Huohuo flashed into the seven-colored cave entrance like a fish.
The moment he entered, the seven-colored energy at the edge of the cave entrance trembled slightly as if it were elastic, then slowly closed up and returned to its original state.
From the outside, the barrier appears completely intact.
Upon entering the barrier, one's senses are immediately amplified.
The soft white light of the jade tree shone on me, carrying a faint coolness that seemed to soothe my anxiety.
But even stronger was the scorching, oppressive heat emanating from the direction of the stone platform!
Even though the Green Lotus Core Flame was heavily sealed, its Origin Qi as a rare treasure of heaven and earth still made those who approached it feel their blood boil.
The strange fire essence absorbed from Xiao Yan's martial soul within Xiao Huohuo's body cheered and almost uncontrollably burst forth from her body, throwing herself towards the ball of cyan flame.
He quickly activated the Flame Mantra to forcibly suppress the impulse, his gaze fixed intently on the stone platform.
The stone platform was about ten feet square, entirely black, and its material was unknown. It was covered with serpentine runes that were even more complex and ancient than those on the outside of the barrier.
At the center of the stone platform, the ball of Green Lotus Core Flame was about the size of an adult's head, and the deep blue color at its core seemed to be able to devour a person's soul.
Countless fine, multicolored chains extended from the stone platform, like the toughest spider web, wrapping and tightening it layer by layer. The chains shimmered with light, echoing the runes on the stone platform, forming a powerful sealing force.
Even so, the blue flames continued to flicker slowly, and with each flicker, the chains would tremble slightly, emitting a soft "ringing" sound.
" Heavenly Flames..." Xiao Huohuo murmured, his feet moving forward involuntarily, his eyes filled with Frenzy.
After overcoming numerous hardships, the thing I've been dreaming of is finally here!
" Xiao Xin, take the Heavenly Flames away first, then find an opportunity to refine it."
Xiao Yan's calm voice echoed in his mind.
Xiao Huohuo's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly steadied himself.
The Yao Lao also cautioned, "Don't rush to get closer. The seal on this stone platform and chain is extremely secure, connected to the entire barrier and even the earth's veins."
Forcibly disrupting the fire-starting process will certainly cause a great deal of noise.
Just as Xiao Yan and the others were talking, a sudden change occurred!
The once calm, mirror-like lake suddenly erupted into a huge spray of water near the edge of the small island!
A massive shadow, covered in dark bluish-black scales, burst forth from the water like a long-lurking poisoned arrow, carrying a pungent, fishy smell and water vapor. With lightning speed, it hurtled straight towards Xiao Huohuo, who had just stepped onto the edge of the small island!
That was a giant python!
Its entire body was bluish-black, and its scales reflected a cold, metallic light under the white light of the jade tree. It was over ten zhang long and as thick as a water bucket!
The most terrifying thing was its head, which had faint horny protrusions, and its pair of vertical pupils were cold and ruthless, exuding a ferocious aura equivalent to that of a human Dou Wang!
" Xiao Xin!"
Xiao Yan gave a cold snort.
The flames on Xiao Huohuo's shoulder suddenly roared out and transformed into a figure in mid-air. Xiao Yan, holding the flames, stood in front of Xiao Huohuo.
"Bang!"
A thick ice wall stood between them, but it shattered instantly under the impact of the Magical Beast.
"Roar!"
The giant snake opened its blood-red maw, revealing its white, interlocking fangs. A stream of foul-smelling, dark green venom shot out like a water arrow, aimed directly at Xiao Yan's face!
At the same time, a thick snake tail swept in from the other side, blocking any room for dodging!
" Xiao Xin!" Xiao Huohuo and Yao Lao shouted at the same time.
Although Xiao Yan was startled, he remained calm and reacted extremely quickly.
He unleashed his Soul Power, his body jerking backward to narrowly avoid the venomous water arrow.
The venom grazed his clothes and landed on the ground behind him, instantly corroding the rocks and creating smoldering pits!
At the same time, the Bone Spirit Cold Flame in his hand condensed into a long spear of mysterious ice, and he used the momentum to thrust it at the sweeping snake tail.
"Bite!!"
A crisp, metallic clang rang out, and sparks flew everywhere!
Xiao Huohuo felt an overwhelming force coming from the gun, his tiger's mouth was in excruciating pain, and he was shaken back several feet, his feet carving two shallow furrows in the rocks on the island, his blood and qi churning inside his body.
" Nether Water Underworld Serpent, Fifth Rank Magical Beast! Equivalent to a human Dou Wang."
"It seems to be a trick left behind by Medusa. She has been lurking at the bottom of the lake, perfectly concealing her presence with the help of the lake water and the water system barrier. She has fooled me."
The Yao Lao's gaze swept over the Magical Beast, his tone somewhat unfriendly.
" Cold Fire - Netherworld Lock!"
" Cold Fire: The Everfrost Mausoleum!"
The moment Xiao Yan sensed the power of the Magical Beast, he knew he was no match for it, so he attacked with all his might.
Several pale white chains of flame appeared out of thin air, carrying a chilling aura that could freeze the soul, and cunningly shot towards the eyes, vital points, and other crucial areas of the Nether Water Underworld Serpent, attempting to restrict its movements.
At the same time, an extremely cold Soul Power spread out from Xiao Yan, and a thin layer of ice quickly formed on the lake surface at the edge of the island. The temperature in the air dropped sharply, attempting to weaken the environmental advantage of this water-attribute Magical Beast.
The Nether Water Underworld Serpent was clearly quite intelligent; sensing the danger of the pale chains and the chilling aura, it twisted its massive body with extraordinary agility, avoiding most of the chains.
However, it still grazed his side, instantly covering the scales with a layer of white frost, and his movements were slightly slowed.
It roared angrily, its giant tail swept across again, and at the same time opened its mouth to spew out more venom. It also manipulated the lake water, condensing it into several high-pressure water blades, which attacked Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo from different angles at the same time!
"Whoosh!" Xiao Huohuo dodged it. Fifth Rank Magical Beast was far beyond his current ability to deal with.
Xiao Yan did his best to maintain the Everfrost Mausoleum domain, with the Bone Spirit Cold Flame condensing into layers of ice shields in front of him to resist the poison and water blades, while simultaneously manipulating the Netherworld Lock to continuously harass them.
"Boom boom boom! Hiss hiss hiss hiss!"
Xiao Yan's martial soul-transformed flame attack clashed violently with the dark green venom, high-pressure water blades, and the body of the Netherworld Serpent!
The edge of the island was suddenly engulfed in a surge of energy, with flying rocks, ice shards and flames intertwined, and the pungent smell of corrosive venom filling the air.
Even the brilliance of Yushu seemed to have dimmed somewhat.
However, the gap in strength was ultimately too great!
The Nether Water Underworld Serpent is Fifth Rank Magical Beast, and given its favorable environment, it possesses remarkable vitality and astonishing defense.
Although Xiao Yan's attack injured and hurt it, and depleted its venom, it was far from fatal.
However, Xiao Yan was only Martial Soul clone, and maintaining the domain and using Soul Skill consumed a great deal of energy.
After withstanding several attacks from the Nether Water Underworld Serpent, he was already somewhat exhausted.
"This can't go on!"
The Yao Lao's voice was solemn:
"Let me handle this. This beast is tough and resilient; if we drag this out, the resulting battle fluctuations might attract Medusa's attention!"
The moment Yao Lao finished speaking, the Nether Water Underworld Serpent seemed to be completely enraged. It suddenly raised its upper body high, its eerie green snake eyes locking onto Xiao Yan.
Its abdomen bulged, and a dark green venom, far deeper and more viscous than before, brewed in its mouth. At the same time, a bluish-black light shone brightly around its body, drawing the lake water and forming a huge waterspout behind it!
It seemed poised to unleash its strongest attack! Its target was none other than Xiao Yan!
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed, and he poured all his remaining Soul Power into the Everfrost Mausoleum Domain, condensing it into an incomparably thick and heavy Xuanbing shield in front of him, while simultaneously retreating rapidly.
However, the power of the enraged attack from the Nether Water Underworld Serpent was beyond imagination!
"Roar--!"
A column of dark green venom, mixed with its own deadly poison, shot out like a high-pressure cannon, slamming hard into the giant ice shield!
Following closely behind was a massive waterspout, brimming with terrifying cutting power!
"Crack... Boom!!"
The giant ice shield only lasted for a moment before it became cracked and shattered with a deafening roar!
The venom pillar and water tornado continued their relentless assault on Xiao Yan!
At the critical moment!
"You beast! How dare you act so violently!"
At the critical moment, Yao Lao's Spiritual Soul Power appeared, carrying the Bone Spirit Cold Flame. A giant hand, entirely formed from cold white flames, appeared out of thin air in front of Xiao Yan, its five fingers spread wide, grabbing the combined attack!
"Laugh--!!!"
Milky white flames clashed fiercely with dark green venom and raging water tornadoes, producing teeth-grinding sounds of corrosion and evaporation!
The essence of Yao Lao's Bone Spirit Cold Flame was so pure and powerful that the venom and water tornado were melted and evaporated at a speed visible to the naked eye!
However, just as Yao Lao made his move to block the attack of the Nether Water Underworld Serpent, his Spiritual Soul Power and the power of the Heavenly Flames fluctuated violently.
Buzz!!!
The colorful membrane that had been covering the small island in the lake suddenly began to tremble violently without warning!
Especially in the barrier area near the small island, the light flickered wildly, and the runes flickered unpredictably!
A powerful surge of soul energy, filled with shock and rage, emanated from the core of the barrier like an alarm, piercing through space and heading straight for the temple at the center of the Holy City!
The Yao Lao's expression suddenly changed:
"This is bad! This barrier is far too closely connected to Queen Medusa's mind!"
The energy level of my primordial Spiritual Soul Power and the power of the Heavenly Flames I used was too high, which still triggered a stress reaction in the barrier and touched the Soul Imprint she left behind!
Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
The attack of the Nether Water Underworld Serpent was easily dispersed by the Yao Lao. It was also intimidated by the terrifying aura that the Yao Lao suddenly unleashed. It retreated in surprise and uncertainty, coiled its body, and let out a threatening growl.
But it was too late.
Almost the instant the barrier violently fluctuated—
Who is it?!
A cold, authoritative female voice, filled with boundless rage, swept across the entire Mirror Lake space like a chilling Han Feng from the depths of hell!
The sound did not come from the outside, but exploded directly in every inch of space within the barrier, deep within the souls of Xiao Huohuo, Xiao Yan, and Yao Lao!
Above the island, the moonlight seemed to be seized and condensed by an invisible hand, causing ripples to spread across the space like water.
A figure with an exquisitely graceful form, yet radiating a terrifying pressure that seemed to freeze the soul, suddenly appeared in mid-air.
Her long hair flowed like a waterfall, her purple dress outlined her breathtaking curves, her stunning beauty could eclipse the Sun Moon, her Dou Qi Wings flapped behind her, and her bare jade feet lightly treaded in mid-air.
But those eerie purple vertical pupils were now burning with a fury and a chilling killing intent powerful enough to incinerate everything!
Queen Medusa!
She arrived the instant the barrier was triggered.
Her gaze, like the sharpest icicle, swept across the entire area in an instant, seeing the ferocious but still terrified Nether Water Underworld Serpent, and the panting, wounded Xiao Yan.
Finally, the focus settled on Xiao Huohuo's body, which exuded a vast aura and terrifying power.
When she sensed the ancient and profound soul pressure emanating from Yao Lao Xiao Huohuo's body—a pressure no less powerful than hers, and perhaps even more ancient and profound—a hint of undisguised shock flashed in her purple eyes, only to be replaced by an even deeper chill.