Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 174 Blood Spirit Cult Protector
Liu Sijun was intently observing the Taixu Mirror, and his forehead gradually became covered with fine beads of sweat.

Time passed second by second, and the pressure within the blood mist seemed to be increasing, as if an invisible force was urging them on.

Finally, a glimmer of light flashed in Liu Sijun's eyes, "I've found a clue to decipher the rune sequence, but I need everyone's cooperation."

Upon hearing this, everyone gathered around, awaiting Liu Sijun's instructions.

Liu Sijun pointed to the runes on the stone platform and said, "These runes are divided into three groups, each corresponding to a different elemental power. Brother Tong, you are responsible for attacking the rune representing the fire element; Brother Yuan, you control the earth element power and attack the rune representing the earth element; Changzhou, you use the power of stars to attack the rune representing the water element. I will use the Taixu Mirror to guide everyone on the timing and order of the attacks."

Everyone nodded in understanding and prepared their spiritual power. "On my command, three, two, one, attack!"

At Liu Sijun's command, everyone launched an attack simultaneously.

Tong Lei swung his longsword, unleashing "Flaming Dragon's Fury," and a giant fiery dragon roared as it charged towards the rune representing the fire element. The raging flames instantly enveloped the rune, which flickered with light, seemingly resisting the powerful force of the fire.

Yuan Jingshan quickly formed hand seals and chanted, "Earth Spirit Gather, Earth Shatters and Impacts!" The ground instantly cracked open, and thick pillars of earth rose from the ground, crashing into the runes representing the earth element.

The earthen pillar contained a heavy earth-elemental spiritual power, which collided with the runes, producing a dull sound.

Gu Changzhou channeled the power of the stars, his body radiating starlight. He unleashed "Starfall Water," sending countless star sword energies crashing down like meteors toward the runes representing the water element.

The starlight sword energy carried a chilling aura, and upon contact with the runes, it splashed up a burst of blue light.

Liu Sijun stared intently at the Taixu Mirror, where runes and patterns flickered and changed. Following the prompts in the mirror, she shouted, "Brother Tong, increase the power of your flames and concentrate your attack on the upper right corner of the rune! Brother Yuan, manipulate the earth pillar to rotate and attack the rune from the side! Changzhou, condense your star sword energy into a beam and thrust it straight at the center of the rune!"

Upon hearing this, the three immediately adjusted their attack strategy.

Tong Lei poured all his fiery spiritual power into the Flame Dragon, causing its body to swell several times in size. The dragon's head was aimed at the upper right corner of the rune, and it suddenly spewed out a blazing flame.

Yuan Jingshan manipulated the earth pillar to begin rotating, forming a huge earth-based vortex that swept towards the rune from the side.

Gu Changzhou condensed the Star Sword Qi into a dazzling pillar of light, like a sharp blade, and pierced straight towards the center of the rune.

Under the combined attack of the three, the three sets of runes flickered and began to show fine cracks.

Looking at the Taixu Mirror, Liu Sijun was overjoyed and shouted, "Everyone, give it your all! The runes' defense is weakening, keep attacking at this pace!"

Tong Lei, Yuan Jingshan, and Gu Changzhou gritted their teeth and continued to increase their spiritual energy output.

Flames, earth pillars, and starlight sword energy continued to assault the runes, causing the cracks on them to grow larger and larger.

Finally, with a loud bang, the rune representing the fire element shattered first, turning into countless rays of light and dissipating into the air.

Immediately afterwards, the runes representing the earth and water elements also shattered.

As the three sets of runes shattered, the blood-red light screen on the stone platform began to tremble violently, and its light gradually dimmed.

Finally, the light curtain shattered completely with a loud "boom," turning into nothingness.

"Success!"

Tong Lei shouted excitedly.

However, before the crowd could even rejoice, the blood-red crystal on the stone platform suddenly emitted a burst of intense light, and within the light, a phantom figure slowly emerged. This figure wore a black robe, its face was indistinct, but it exuded a powerful and evil aura.

"You think you can destroy the array's core by destroying the protective runes? How naive!"

The illusory figure let out a sinister laugh, the sound echoing through the blood mist, sending chills down one's spine.

"Are you a member of the Blood Spirit Cult?"

Gu Changzhou gripped his sword tightly, watching the illusory figure warily.

“That’s right, I am one of the protectors of the Blood Spirit Sect. You trespassed into the Burial Valley and ruined our plans; today is your death day!”

As the illusory figure spoke, it waved its hands, and countless crimson tentacles instantly surged out of the blood mist, rushing towards the crowd.

Liu Sijun shouted a warning: "Watch out for these tentacles!"

She quickly activated the Void Mirror, which emitted beams of runic light in an attempt to block the attacks of the blood-red tentacles.

After the runic beam struck the tentacle, it paused briefly but quickly continued forward.

Tong Lei unleashed "Flaming Dragon Strangulation," his longsword flashing as countless fiery blade energies slashed towards the blood-red tentacles.

The fiery blade energy severed some of the tentacles, but more tentacles surged out from the blood mist, relentlessly rushing towards the group.

Yuan Jingshan used earth magic to build a thick earthen wall in front of everyone.

The blood-red tentacles slammed into the earthen wall, and cracks began to appear on the wall.

Gu Changzhou channeled the power of the stars and unleashed "Star Storm." Countless star sword energies swirled in front of him, forming a powerful storm that shredded the approaching blood-red tentacles.

However, the blood-red tentacles seemed endless, attacking the group wave after wave.

The illusory figure stood on the stone platform, watching the crowd struggle against the tentacles' attacks, and let out a smug laugh.

While manipulating "Star Storm" to defend against the blood-red tentacles, Gu Changzhou quickly considered countermeasures. This passive defense was not a long-term solution; he had to find the illusory figure's weakness and take the initiative.

Liu Sijun was equally anxious. She activated the Taixu Mirror to shoot out runic rays while keeping an eye on the movements of the illusory figure.

She noticed that every time the illusory figure waved its hands to summon tentacles, the black robe on its chest would flutter slightly, as if some key was hidden there.

Liu Sijun shouted, "Watch out for the illusory figure's chest; it might be his weak point!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Changzhou's eyes sharpened. Seizing the opportunity, he used the gap between the tentacles being shredded by the "Star Storm" to activate the power of the stars and unleash the "Star Rift Step," his figure rushing towards the illusory figure like a meteor.

Tong Lei and Yuan Jingshan immediately understood Gu Changzhou's intention.

Tong Lei unleashed "Roaring Dragon of Flames," and a massive fiery dragon roared forth from his longsword, carrying intense heat and immense power, charging towards the area with the densest concentration of blood-red tentacles to clear a path for Gu Changzhou.

Yuan Jingshan manipulated earth magic, transforming the earthen wall into countless sharp earth spikes that shot towards the illusory figure. On the other side, Liu Sijun fully activated the Taixu Mirror, from which shot out a huge beam of light containing powerful purification energy, blasting towards the illusory figure.

(End of this chapter)