Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 278 Finding a Way In

After pondering for a moment, Gu Changzhou nodded and said, "Alright, Li Qing, you and Tong Lei will cooperate, while Jun'er and I will lead the elites of each sect to storm the altar and destroy the core of Tianxu Palace."

After receiving their orders, everyone began to take action.

As they approached the Heavenly Ruins Palace, the "Shadow Devouring Soul Array" was indeed activated, and black mist filled the surroundings, from which faint, chilling sounds could be heard.

Some cultivators with lower cultivation levels began to turn orange-colored, their eyes revealing confusion and fear.

Upon seeing this, Li Qing and Tong Lei immediately cast spells.

Li Qing's Netherworld Purifying Fire transformed into streaks of fire snakes, weaving through the mist and burning with an evil aura; Tong Lei, on the other hand, controlled the phantom of the Golden Roc, spreading its wings and stirring up gusts of wind, attempting to disperse the mist.

However, the power of the "Shadow Soul Devouring Array" was far greater than they had imagined.

Although the Netherworld Purifying Fire could burn the mist, the mist continued to emerge; the Golden Roc's phantom wind could only temporarily disperse the mist, which soon gathered again.

Li Qing gritted his teeth and increased the output of the Netherworld Purifying Fire, making the flames even hotter, but he still couldn't completely break the formation.

Just then, Liu Sijun suddenly remembered the mysterious bead.

She quickly took out the mysterious bead, which shimmered with an eerie light in her hand.

Liu Sijun said, "Perhaps this mysterious bead can help us break this formation."

She focused her mind and guided the power of the mysterious bead with her thoughts.

The light from the mysterious bead gradually intensified, merging with the power of the Netherworld Purifying Fire and the Golden Roc's Evil-Breaking Technique.

As the three forces merged, the black mist began to churn violently, seemingly resisting this powerful force.

Suddenly, the mysterious bead emitted a dazzling light, which, like a sharp blade, sliced ​​through the black mist.

As the fog gradually dissipated, the power of the "Shadow Devouring Soul Array" also weakened.

Gu Changzhou seized the opportunity and shouted, "All sects, listen to my command! Charge with me!"

The crowd surged toward the altar of Tianxu Palace like a tidal wave.

However, the master of Tianxu Palace had already set up multiple defenses in front of the altar.

A group of men in black robes, wielding magical artifacts, blocked their path.

These men in black robes were the elite of the Heavenly Ruins Palace, and their strength should not be underestimated.

The leader of the black-robed men looked at Gu Changzhou and the others and sneered, "You think you can enter the altar just because you've broken the 'Shadow Devouring Soul Array'? How naive! Today, you will all perish here!"

As he spoke, the leader of the black-robed men launched the first attack, his magical artifact emitting beams of black light that shot towards Gu Changzhou.

Gu Changzhou brandished the Molin Sword, its blade gleaming with a cold light, shattering the black beams of light one by one.

Liu Sijun also cast a spell, and the power of the Taixu Spirit Crystal transformed into beams of golden light, colliding with the black beam of light from the black-robed man.

The two sides engaged in a fierce battle, with flashes of swords and dazzling magic.

During the battle, Gu Changzhou discovered that although the black-robed men's attacks were fierce, their formation had a weakness.

He quickly transmitted his voice to Liu Sijun: "Jun'er, their formation has a weak point on the right side. Let's concentrate our forces to attack there."

Liu Sijun understood immediately. She and Gu Changzhou cooperated and led the elites of various sects to launch a fierce attack on the right side of the black-robed man's formation.

Under their combined attack, the black-robed man's formation finally showed a flaw.

Gu Changzhou seized the opportunity and slashed at the leader of the black-robed men with his sword.

The leader of the black-robed men hurriedly dodged, but was still slashed on the arm by the Mo Lin Sword.

The leader of the black-robed men's expression changed. He knew he was no match for Gu Changzhou, so he ordered a retreat. Gu Changzhou and his group successfully broke through the black-robed men's defenses and arrived at the altar.

When they saw the altar, they found it emitting an eerie light, as if a powerful force was surging within it.

Liu Sijun frowned. She activated her Eye of the Void to observe the altar: "This altar seems to be controlled by a mysterious force. We must be careful."

Just then, a deep voice suddenly came from the altar: "You think you can destroy the altar so easily? Today, I will make sure you don't leave alive!"

As the sound rang out, countless black tentacles surged forth from the altar.

The black tentacles lunged at the crowd with the speed of a serpent, their speed astonishing.

Lang De, the second elder of Yaohua Palace, sharpened his eyes, knowing he couldn't panic at this moment.

The magical artifact in his hand flashed and instantly transformed into a huge shield, covered with mysterious runes.

"Protect!"

Elder Langde shouted, and his shield rapidly expanded, firmly blocking the oncoming tentacles.

After being repelled, the tentacle twisted in the air, seemingly filled with rage.

Then it pounced on them again in a frenzy.

Elder Langde dared not slacken in the slightest, and activated his magic artifact with all his might. The runes shone brightly, firmly resisting the surrounding tentacles and buying precious time for the other cultivators around him.

Elder Di Sheng swiftly formed a hand seal on his desk and chanted the incantation: "Ethereal Sword Shadow!"

As he shouted, countless transparent sword shadows appeared out of thin air, like a flock of agile birds, flying towards the black tentacles.

The sword shadows collided with the tentacles, producing a piercing sound, and black liquid splattered everywhere.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Elder Di Sheng's forehead, but he still gritted his teeth and persevered, constantly urging the sword shadows to try to weaken the power of the tentacles.

Song Hongyuan's eyes were resolute. He gripped his sword and uttered a low shout: "Shadow Sword Technique!"

Instantly, his figure darted among the tentacles like a ghost, wielding his long sword and unleashing streaks of sharp sword light.

Each sword strike landed precisely on the tentacles' vital points, and black blood flowed continuously.

His movements were extremely agile, skillfully dodging the tentacles' attacks while simultaneously delivering heavy blows to them.

Gao Yongxiu and Song Hongyuan came from the same school, and their teamwork was so good that no one could stop them.

Tong Lei, not to be outdone, shouted: "Golden Roc Breaks Evil!"

The golden roc phantom rushed toward the tentacles like a golden lightning bolt.

Its claws gleamed with a cold light, and with each swing they could easily tear open the skin of its tentacles.

The phantom of the Golden Roc circled continuously in the air, coordinating with the attacks of other experts to gradually suppress the tentacles' offensive.

While everyone was fighting the tentacles, Gu Changzhou and Liu Sijun took the opportunity to carefully observe the altar.

Liu Sijun activated the Eye of the Void, as if searching for the key to the altar.

“Cheung Chau, the core of the altar seems to be below here. We must find a way to get in.”

Gu Changzhou nodded slightly, a hint of determination in his eyes.

He brandished the Inkscale Sword, severing the approaching tentacles one by one.

"Jun'er, you find the entrance first, I'll block these tentacles."

As Gu Changzhou spoke, he flashed forward, blocking Liu Sijun's path. His sword flashed, firmly blocking the tentacles.