Chapter 2609

The numbers of powerful beings on both sides were roughly equal, but the average cultivation of the immortals and demons of the Spirit Nourishment Palace was stronger, while the immortals and demons of Cangyan had better coordination and superior strategy, and they also held a strong home-field advantage.

But truly determining a victor would be difficult and time-consuming.

Thus He Lingchuan assigned his subordinates a very specific task: to drag them into the Secret Realm and completely sever their connection with the Spirit Nourishment Palace.

When the immortals and demons of the Spirit Nourishment Palace realized they were trapped in the Secret Realm, and their leader Helu Tian's avatar had been taken away, their attack on Panlong City and Cangyan became somewhat chaotic for a time.

The person who had unleashed the earth-shattering strike had vanished again, but the intimidation he left behind remained; during battles, the immortals and demons dared not unleash their full firepower, always holding back some ultimate moves for emergencies.

Geng Yue Shen took a deep breath and shouted loudly: "Don't worry, that strike was merely a coincidence—he is no longer in the Secret Realm!"

As soon as his words fell, the flying sword of Immortal Mingke arrived, interrupting his continuation.

But his meaning was understood by everyone present.

If that strike could be unleashed so casually, the immortals and demons of the Spirit Nourishment Palace present would have long been knocked to the ground—why would the other side still be locked in battle with them?

And the fact that the enemy's strong ones had taken Helu Tian's avatar clearly showed they were targeting the Spirit Nourishment Palace—why would they still remain in the Secret Realm?

The immortals and demons present, if sent to the outside world, would each be top-tier experts with clear minds; Geng Yue's words hit their guesses, and seeing that person make no further move, they all calmed down.

Veterans like them, rich in experience, knew that once the situation had reached this point, retreat was useless—only a fierce assault remained!

No matter how the Secret Realm, its capacity is ultimately limited. Defeat the Cangyan people, break the Secret Realm, and only then can they return to aid the Spirit Nourishment Palace!

At this moment, Dong Rui was also somewhat distracted, and seeing the enemy begin a desperate struggle, their attack power actually increased, so he asked the crowd: "Has there been any news of Jiuyou, who's been gone for so long?"

Ling Jinbao shook his head: "At first, he was still saying a couple of words to Yu Hui Shen on the Cloud Terrace, but after that, there was no movement."

Through the Panlong Secret Realm, they and He Lingchuan could still maintain contact, but at the start of his actions, He Lingchuan occasionally said a couple of words, and afterward, he fell completely silent.

Everyone understood: it was because He Lingchuan had once again infiltrated the Liuli Sea, where the risk was extremely high, and it was not safe to speak casually.

How long has it been? Jiuyou has had no news, leaving everyone anxious and uneasy.

"Stay calm, don't panic." Zhu Xiuer leapt forward, grabbing and helping Dong Rui's demon puppet withstand a strike from the heavenly demon, then said with serene composure: "We've already weathered so many great winds and waves—what's one more? Since Jiuyou has full confidence, we must trust him."

Immortal Mingke sighed: "Truly worthy of being an elder lady—unlike us, whose Dao hearts are not steadfast."

He too is a several-thousand-year-old immortal who has passed through countless life-and-death trials, but thinking of the gravity of this mission, he still feels his heart burning with anxiety, each breath feeling unbearably long.

Zhu Xiuer let out a snort.

On the South Gate Plaza, another gust of wind blew over the tall Juoluo trees, their branches and leaves rustling.

The gurgling sound from the Blessing Pool at the center of the plaza also became less loud.

A human figure emerged from the spring water—black helmet, black armor, with several strands of seaweed hanging from his body, looking somewhat comical.

Just then, a heavenly demon chased a bat demon puppet across the plaza, coming within less than five zhang of him; he raised his hand and fired a spear—swift and vicious.

The heavenly demon did not expect someone to suddenly appear beside him for a sneak attack; in his haste, he could only swipe his right hand, forming a light shield.

The spear struck the light shield, suddenly exploding with a boom—countless electric lights burst forth!

The shield shattered, and the person was blown away.

The heavenly demon was blown over ten zhang away by the exploding electric light, his exposed right arm already scorched black. As he hit the ground, his right arm began to fall off piece by piece, then his shoulder, his right ribs...

This sudden thunderbolt strike actually carbonized his entire body!

His soul and spirit instantly flew out of his body.

He was merely an avatar descending, not a true god descent; the first thing his soul and spirit did after leaving his mortal frame was to fly toward his companions behind him.

But before the other heavenly demons could arrive, a net came flying from the side and ensnared him, dragging him back to the ground.

Before the battle began, Zhu Xiuer had reinforced three layers of silk net, then added a layer of black gold thread, enabling it to capture the enemy's soul and spirit.

Dong Rui's No. 66 demon puppet burst up from underground and violently pierced the soul and spirit, causing it to explode.

This sudden turn of events left the Spirit Nourishment Palace immortals and demons no time to react; Zhu Xiuer leapt to the edge of the Blessing Pool and exclaimed joyfully:

"You're back!"

The comer was none other than He Lingchuan.

"Done." He said just three short words, and the spirits of the Cangyan people were greatly lifted.

Jiuyou goes forth—never misses!

This fellow, before disappearing and after reappearing, always instantly kills an opponent to display his power. When the Wuyu Immortal Maiden and others suddenly saw his shadow, they all shuddered, then immediately called their companions to hurry back to defense.

This person's power is terrifying; they must stand firm in unity and must never again be picked off one by one.

The words of Jiuyou were also heard by the immortals and demons, and in their hearts they felt a heavy weight:

Did this person truly retire after achieving cultivation in the Spirit Nourishment Palace, or did he hit a wall and return to save face, lying to them to their faces?

But the seaweed he threw on the ground instantly began to transform, quickly becoming starfish of various shapes.

Those heavenly demons in the know took one look, and their hearts turned cold halfway: this person's indeed just returned from the Liuli Sea of the Spirit Nourishment Palace!

The seaweed fragments of the Hidden God Lord exist only in the Liuli Sea.

But how could this be possible?

How could these enemies possibly break through the shackles of the Cloud Terrace, or escape the arrangements of the Spirit Nourishment Palace?

Just how strong is the power of this Jiuyou Great Emperor before our eyes?!

At this moment, the feeling rising in the hearts of Wuyu Immortal Maiden and others was a long-lost fear.

If this person is someone the Spirit Nourishment Palace could not retain even with all their strength, what effort would it take for him to deal with these ten or so immortals and demons before us?

What should we do? Staying here is just sending ourselves to death—should we think of a way to escape and survive? Thinking this, the immortals and demons' attack inevitably slackened, and immediately two were wounded by the Cangyan immortals.

The earth mother's avatar, a little stone man, also popped his head out of the ground, speaking in a muffled, jar-like voice: "Since you've returned, what should we do with these immortals and demons?"

They hold the advantage of terrain, and still they are locked in a hard fight with the Spirit Nourishment Palace immortals and demons—precisely because the enemy is indeed strong, while our side lacks a super-explosive burst-type player like Jiuyou Great Emperor. If we followed the original plan, with Jiuyou as the spearhead and everyone else as the flanks cutting in, we should easily break the stalemate.

He Lingchuan paced forward, calm and unhurried, each step feeling like stepping on the enemy's heartbeat, making people feel half-dead with distress.

"Kill!" His words were like a fierce wind blown from purgatory, echoing in every immortal and demon's ear: "Not one left!"

But Zhu Xiuer, Immortal Mingke, and others standing behind him saw his left hand behind his back, quickly making two hand gestures.

This is their internal secret language, meaning: just drive them away.

Everyone understood, but on the surface they all summoned twelvefold spirit, advancing toward the enemy with loud, fierce singing.