Chapter 32: Sensing the Threat

Seeing all this, the jiao dragon felt a chill in its heart, realizing that if it were hit, the outcome would be equally tragic. This flame was unusually powerful, far surpassing anything seen before.

"Well done, Yao Yan, keep going!" Fang Yun shouted, simultaneously releasing runes to strengthen Yao Yan. A surge of power poured into Yao Yan's body, causing its speed to surge, like a golden lightning streaking toward the jiao dragon.

The jiao dragon brandished its spear, trying to block, but Yao Yan was unafraid; with a single strike, all defenses were shattered. The jiao dragon was forced to retreat, its spear trembling, the throat split open with blood gushing.

At the same time, Fang Yun transformed into Xing Tian, gaining the upper hand in the battle. Another demon, shaken after its companion fell, was seized upon by Xing Tian, who delivered a heavy slash.

The slash turned the situation in an instant, and Fang Yun's side began to fully suppress the opponent. Kun Peng, witnessing the scene, furrowed his brows slightly.

"I originally thought it could be resolved easily, but now it seems I have to reconsider," he said softly. "It appears to be tricky; these incompetent subordinates will have to be dealt with by me personally."

Kun Peng had originally planned to deal only with Zhou Yi, believing his other subordinates could handle the remaining people.

He did not anticipate the sudden turn of events. He was not displeased that the jiao dragon used others as shields, but he despised his subordinates' incompetence; together they could not even match two members of the Human Race.

Then Kun Peng sprang into action. With a light flick of his sleeve, seawater gathered swiftly, forming a massive dragon that surged toward Yao Yan. Yao Yan could not evade and was struck by the wave, sent flying.

"Yao Yan!" Fang Yun shouted, his jade brush dancing rapidly in his hand, the characters falling onto the water surface like lively tadpoles, intending to aid Yao Yan.

But how could Kun Peng let that happen? In an instant, Kun Peng appeared before Fang Yun, gripping his throat with one hand and lifting him up, snatching away the characters Fang Yun had written.

"The Human Race can actually write Dao script? No, this differs from Dao script," Kun Peng said, puzzled.

Normal Dao patterns must harmonize with spiritual energy, but these characters carry a vast, righteous qi, uniquely like demon script. "Underestimated the Human Race, truly didn't expect that."

"But today, everything will end; you and the Human Race will both die here," Kun Peng said coldly.

Fang Yun's chest transformed his vast righteous qi into a treasured sword, emitting an earth-shaking hum. Kun Peng's pupils contracted; he hurriedly released his grip and stepped back. Yet the righteous sword pursued him like a shadow, relentless.

Kun Peng ceased evading, resolutely met the attack; the righteous sword pierced his shoulder, leaving a horrifying wound.

After completing the attack, the vast righteous qi returned to Fang Yun's body. Fang Yun gasped heavily, almost thinking he had narrowly escaped disaster.

Kun Peng looked at the wound on his shoulder, his brows tightly knit.

The wound was difficult to heal on its own; the lingering aura continuously eroded his flesh, and if the flow of spiritual power decreased even slightly, the wound would enlarge.

"You, a mere mortal, have mastered such power. Unfortunately, I am not Taiyi; I will only be more resolute in taking your life," Kun Peng said coldly.

Fang Yun's complexion shifted from red to normal, the handprint on his neck gradually fading. He then recited a verse: "Great winds arise, clouds soar."

In an instant, the surroundings seemed enveloped by a mysterious force; the gentle breeze turned into a gale that swept the heavens and earth.

Facing this scene, Kun Peng wore a puzzled expression, not understanding why, at this life‑and‑death moment, the opponent chose to recite poetry instead of fleeing. However, this was not an attack move; it was meant to empower Yao Yan.

The flames on Yao Yan suddenly surged, that was the Imperial Flame formed by merging multiple exotic fires.

When the flames ignited, the surrounding seawater seemed to retreat in fear.

A golden lotus blossomed from his hand. "After all these years, this technique remains unbeatable!"

The golden lotus leapt out of the sea surface. Seizing the moment of Kun Peng's confusion, Fang Yun curled a cold smile at the corner of his mouth, "You will understand."

The previously tranquil space was suddenly ravaged by fierce winds. The flame lotus rode the wind, expanding rapidly, nearly covering half the sky.

"Fire borrows the wind's momentum, and can also blaze across the plains," Fang Yun shouted loudly.

Watching the ever‑growing lotus, Kun Peng's face darkened, unease rising within him. The jiao dragon and another demon silently hid behind him, feeling the oppressive pressure, fully aware that if they were affected, they would instantly turn to ash.

When the lotus reached its limit, it suddenly burst open. Light blazed like a rising sun, dazzling everyone present to the point they could not open their eyes. Temperature surged dramatically, seawater boiled and churned, massive steam shot upward, forming clouds at the horizon, only to be instantly incinerated by the golden flames.

Under such overwhelming power, space twisted and deformed; looking up at the sky from below, only distorted silhouettes were visible. Time seemed likewise affected; any cultivator mastering temporal laws present would be shocked by the flame, for the river of time itself had come to a standstill.

After the flames dissipated, Fang Yun and Yao Yan stared intently toward Kun Peng's direction, full of anticipation. Yet what ultimately disappointed them was that, aside from torn clothing, Kun Peng showed no other obvious injuries.

One had to admit, this power was truly astonishing; even the Golden Crow fire paled in comparison before it.

"Do you think I possess only this little ability? Look above," Kun Peng said contemptuously.

"The Demon Master's Palace is a treasure I painstakingly forged, having devoured over a dozen spirit relics. Even a being of Quasi‑Saint Peak cannot breach my defenses."

"Not to mention you, the Great Luo Golden Immortals who cannot even fully grasp the power of laws."

Kun Peng spoke arrogantly, his face full of smugness.

"Demon Master!" the jiao dragon and another commander shouted flattery.

They personally felt that terrifying heat; if it were them, they would likely be reduced to ash in an instant. Fortunately, Kun Peng had just assisted.

Kun Peng gave the two a casual glance, said nothing further. He waved his hand, and Fang Yun seemed to have his throat gripped by an invisible force, involuntarily flying toward Kun Peng, only to be seized tightly again.

Yao Yan's complexion turned pale, yet he still clenched the mysterious heavy ruler, gritting his teeth to fight.

"Demon Master, hand him over to me!" the jiao dragon said, his face full of flattery, stepping forward.

Seeing that Kun Peng did not object, the jiao dragon immediately brandished a silver spear, charging at Yao Yan, manipulating seawater into a massive dragon that collided fiercely with Yao Yan.

Already exhausted, Yao Yan was no match at all, and was quickly knocked to the ground.

"Kid, where is your courage? Get up, today I'll let you see my might," the jiao dragon raised his spear, preparing to deliver a fatal strike.

Just as he was about to pierce Yao Yan, a massive hand suddenly seized the spear tip.

The jiao dragon was terrified, and before it could react, a golden giant hand appeared behind it and slammed down.

Sensing the threat, he swiftly fled.

After seeing the newcomer clearly, a flash of surprise crossed Kun Peng's eyes, and he wondered how these people had entered the sealed area.

Just as he planned to first eliminate the present enemies before searching for Zhou Yi, Shi Hao and the Reincarnation Treasure Technique arrived, changing everything.

Shi Hao intervened in time to rescue Yao Yan, and said to Kun Peng, "You are Zhou Yi, aren't you? Taiyi promised to withdraw for a hundred years, why backtrack now?"

Zhou Yi kicked aside the jiao dragon and helped Yao Yan to his feet.

Looking up at Kun Peng in the sky, he angrily shouted a question.

At the mention of this matter, Kun Peng's anger flared.

He stared wide‑eyed at the opponent, gritting his teeth, and said, "These are two different matters. I ask you, did you abduct my aquatic tribe, lock them up like livestock to breed, and use our Demon Race's blood to create a blood pool, is that true?"