Chapter 2841

Unexpectedly, the spear exploded upon approach, turning into dozens of shadowy silhouettes, one of which arced around and lunged directly at the Goddess of Illusory Music, while the rest went to intercept the other demons.

This sudden turn of events left not only the demons startled, but even Bao Chi Hai froze for a moment before bursting into delight.

Ah, that spear was formed from nightmares! He hadn't expected that "Hundred-Faced Demon Lord" was not merely a title, but truly possessed that many nightmares.

The Hundred-Faced Demon Lord's main body still had dozens of faces, indicating it had concentrated most of its power to deal with the Goddess of Illusory Music; the remaining dozens of nightmares then howled toward the demons.

The Hundred-Faced Demon Lord itself is a conglomeration of nightmares—the more concentrated, the stronger it becomes; even the well-traveled and knowledgeable Goddess of Illusory Music had never seen such a rare nightmare variety. Having received He Lingchuan's assignment, it naturally prioritized the Goddess of Illusory Music, while simultaneously manifesting numerous clones to entangle the other demons, easing the pressure on He Lingchuan and Bao Chi Hai.

Although the Hundred-Faced Demon Lord has made great progress in cultivation in recent years, simultaneously facing twenty or so demons is unrealistic; within just a few breaths, several of its nightmare clones were blown apart by the demons.

But it doesn't matter—its task is merely to buy time, for He Lingchuan never intended to stay here and fight to the death!

The countdown on the Great Vessel: less than twenty breaths remain.

Interestingly, the Earth Mother's gaze never wavered, as if she hadn't even noticed this huge swarm of nightmares flying wildly about.

Besides, the nightmares weren't attacking her. The Goddess of Illusory Music was busy dealing with the Hundred-Faced Demon Lord and had no spare attention to give the nightmares new forms like shrimp soldiers and crab generals.

And He Lingchuan once again crossed blades with the Sea Emperor Xuan Du.

The shockwaves from their battle were enough to shove everyone else back ten zhang or more, making close approach impossible; whether demon or Bao Chi Hai, willing to help but unable to get near.

The Sea Emperor's might is beyond doubt. He Lingchuan faced him again and once more felt that suffocating sensation of a raging tide crashing over him, as three years prior.

Even without fighting in the sea, Xuan Du's combat power is off the charts.

The Sea Emperor was also surprised. Compared to their first encounter three years ago, Jiu You has made tremendous progress in cultivation!

In the previous Liuli Sea battle, Jiu You could exchange a few moves with Xuan Du without defeat, mainly relying on pure elemental power.

But here is a dream realm—elemental power cannot be brought in. This is also the crux of Duanmu Heng's plan: as long as Xuan Du enters the field, stripped of elemental power's aid, Jiu You would struggle to be a match for a true immortal, especially with twenty or so demons added; in the Dream Realm, the odds of capturing Jiu You are at least eighty percent or higher!

Yet the Sea Emperor now feels Duanmu Heng is being overly optimistic.

Jiu You's performance here is even more formidable, skilled, and effortless than in reality.

Isn't it said that ordinary people, even ordinary immortals and demons, struggle in dream battles, because dream realms have too many laws differing from reality, making it hard for ordinary folk to adapt after a few entries?

It's like humans fighting underwater—usually quite clumsy.

But Jiu You shows not the slightest discomfort in this regard; in fact, he adapts even better and more smoothly than the Sea Emperor!

Could this fellow frequently haunt dream realms?

However, the Sea Emperor soon noticed that Jiu You's left waist lacks agility, his turns always half a beat slow.

In a battle of this scale, that shouldn't be the case.

He twitched his nose twice and laughed: "You've suffered heavy injuries!"

The Sea Emperor's nose is sharper than a shark's; even without water here, he can still smell the concealed bloodiness.

Jiu You is injured—and badly!

He is far from appearing as composed as he seems on the surface.

Xuan Du doesn't know where Jiu You's injury came from, but this is truly a heaven-sent opportunity!

At this moment, He Lingchuan's cloak unfurled behind him, and the Blood Demon materialized out of thin air, shielding his master on one side while attacking the Sea Emperor on the other.

It and He Lingchuan fight two against one.

He Lingchuan then asked Bao Chi Hai: "Do you and the Earth Mother share any secret signals or gestures unknown to outsiders?"

Bao Chi Hai has long guarded the Earth Mother Plains, frequently communicating with the Earth Mother about plains and Secret Realm affairs; the two are familiar and in sync.

Secret signals, gestures?

Bao Chi Hai pondered briefly, then his eyes lit up: "Yes, there are!"

Seizing a lull in the battle, he made the commonly used gesture from the plains toward the Earth Mother.

He didn't know what image he presented in the Earth Mother's eyes at this moment, but the Goddess of Illusory Music can alter his "appearance"—including face, weapon, attire, and speech—but cannot change the "action" he performs in real time.

This gesture, the Earth Mother will surely understand!

Sure enough, the Earth Mother froze at first sight.

First came the appearance of the Golden Dew Lotus, then this gesture emerged; even if she were slow-witted, she should have sensed something amiss by now?

But Bao Chi Hai's action was likewise seen by the demons.

The Goddess of Illusory Music, observing the whole scene from afar, cried out sharply: "Oh no, this nightmare is giving the Earth Mother a signal!"

The Sea Emperor Xuan Du immediately issued an order:

"Kill him!"

But the Earth Mother only froze for a second, then resumed swinging her fist at Bao Chi Hai.

With her broad, sturdy frame and long arms, she stepped right in front of the Sea Emperor in one motion.

The Sea Emperor had no choice but to sidestep two steps.

Bao Chi Hai choked with frustration, nearly vomiting blood: "When will this stone-headed blockhead finally wake up!"

After years together, does this lump truly not recognize him at all?

It infuriates him!

Yet the Earth Mother's next move was to reach up and rub her eyes, glance at Bao Chi Hai, then at He Lingchuan, suddenly half-turn her body, and smash a fist toward the Sea Emperor Xuan Du's crown.

This change came from left field—no one expected this stone giant to suddenly turn hostile. But Xuan Du reacted with lightning speed, flinging himself sideways to dodge the blow.

However, the Earth Mother spread her five fingers, turning the strike into a grab, and continued reaching for Xuan Du.

He had no choice but to draw the Sea King's Halberd, jabbing its tip into her palm.

With a few splats, several chunks of stone broke loose from her palm, but she paid them no heed.

Another demon lunged at her; she didn't even look back, simply heaved him aloft with one hand.

With immense strength and weight, she could meet any change with constancy.

Bao Chi Hai rejoiced: "You've finally come to your senses!"

Yes, the Earth Mother has regained her sharp hearing and clear sight; in an instant, she saw everything with perfect clarity:

Before my eyes, the Sea Emperor "Xuan Du," who had been brutally beaten by a crowd, and the dark-skinned yaksha were actually He Lingchuan and Bao Chi Hai, and the ones beside me were...

X, what kind of monsters and demons are these!

And that purple giant moth fluttering its wings in the distance must surely be the demoness who caused me to fall into the dream—the Illusion Goddess of Phantom Music!

The Illusion Goddess tricked her so badly, yet she was still happily chatting with others all the way!

After weighing the pros and cons just now, the Earth Mother still decided to take the risk, dropping the last drop of dew lotus into her own eyes. This substance has the power to break barriers and dispel illusions; earlier, it helped her see through the illusion in the Purple Flower Dream Maze and find the way out.

When did the effect of the dew lotus wear off?

When did the Sea Emperor Xuan Du, who was impersonating "He Lingchuan," appear?

The Earth Mother carefully recalled—it seemed to have been right after I fell into the sea of the previous dream.

At that time, he was blasted into the sea by a giant yaksha, water got into his eyes, and it stung a bit.

Could it not have been then that the Illusion Goddess secretly used seawater to wash away the effect of the dew lotus in his eyes?