I'll make you the furnace and the cauldron, so you can refine Yin and Yang and prove the Great

The flying boat silently passed through the mountains and forests, rapidly approaching the direction of the fluctuating aura.

Standing at the ship's railing, Li Hanshan unleashed his full divine sense. His late-stage Nascent Soul divine sense spread out like an invisible net. Three hundred li, two hundred li, one hundred li—the scenery ahead gradually became clearer in his perception.

It was a sizable city, with towering walls and a vast area, capable of holding at least hundreds of thousands of people. But at this moment, the entire city was shrouded in a thick, impenetrable black fog.

Li Hanshan felt a chill run down his spine and probed even more cautiously with his divine sense.

Within the black mist, countless jet-black soul banners rose from the ground. These banners were densely packed, blotting out the sky, numbering at least a thousand. Each banner was covered in blood-red runes, emanating a chilling, malevolent aura. The runes writhed like living beings, emitting an eerie red light that flickered in and out of the black mist.

The soul banners connected together, forming a huge array that firmly trapped the entire city.

Within the city, hundreds of thousands of people fled in terror. Some cried out, some screamed, and some knelt in supplication. The streets were packed with people, men, women, and children, supporting the elderly and carrying the young, desperately trying to escape the city. But wherever they ran, they were blocked by the black mist. From the mist, pitch-black ghostly hands reached out, dragging those who approached into the fog, followed by piercing screams.

The screams rose and fell, echoing through the night sky, sending chills down one's spine.

Above the city, a black figure stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at the inferno below.

It was a tall man with a sinister face, deep-set eyes, and an aura of intense malevolence that swirled around him. His skin was an unnatural grayish-white, like that of a long-dead corpse, covered with dense black lines that resembled a spider web covering his entire face.

His aura was terrifying; even from hundreds of miles away, the pressure made Li Hanshan feel suffocated.

Even if severely injured, he is still at the Nascent Soul stage.

"Once I've dealt with everyone here, I'll be able to recover thirty percent of my strength," the demon muttered to himself, his voice hoarse and grating, as if it came from the deepest hell. "At that time, the Joyful Union Sect and the Heavenly Demon Sect will all die."

He raised his hand, his fingers slightly spread, and strange black runes appeared in his palm. These runes echoed those on the soul banner below, and the entire formation began to operate at an accelerated pace. More ghostly hands surged out from the black mist, rushing towards the people in the city.

Li Hanshan withdrew his divine sense and turned to the sect leader with a solemn expression: "Master, that demon is just a hundred miles ahead, currently massacring the city. He said... once he finishes dealing with the people here, he can recover thirty percent of his strength."

The sect leader's expression changed slightly. A Nascent Soul cultivator at thirty percent strength is a completely different concept from the heavily injured and dying Nascent Soul cultivator he is now. If he were to recover thirty percent of his strength, it would be much more difficult to kill him.

"We can't wait any longer," the sect leader said in a deep voice. "Everyone, prepare to attack."

The airship continued forward, gliding silently.

Fifty li.

Thirty li.

Twenty li.

The demon seemed absorbed in the operation of the great formation and was unaware of their arrival. The sect leader raised his hand to signal everyone to stop, his gaze sweeping over the First Elder, the Second Elder, and the Heavenly Demon Sect Master, finally settling on Li Hanshan.

"Li Hanshan, stay here and don't go near." Her voice was very low. "That demon's methods are strange. It's too dangerous for a Golden Core cultivator like you to get involved."

Li Hanshan clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Disciple understands."

The sect leader nodded and turned to look at the city ahead. Black mist surged, ghostly hands danced wildly, and the demon's figure appeared and disappeared within the black mist.

"Let's do it!"

The sect leader let out a cold shout and was the first to charge out from his hiding place. The black palm print, carrying a world-destroying aura, struck towards the demon's back.

The First Elder, the Second Elder, and the Sect Master of the Heavenly Demon Sect followed closely behind. Azure sword light, red palm print, and black blade light—four Nascent Soul level attacks were unleashed simultaneously, tearing through the night sky as they hurtled towards the demon.

The demon's expression changed drastically. He turned around abruptly and raised his hand to meet the sect leader's black palm print.

Rumble!

The two forces collided in mid-air, exploding into a blinding flash of light. The shockwave spread in all directions, leveling buildings on the ground and even dispersing most of the black mist.

The demon groaned, sent flying dozens of feet backward, a trickle of black blood spilling from the corner of his mouth. His expression grew even more grim as he stared at the five people who had suddenly appeared, his eyes blazing with murderous intent.

"The Joyous Union Sect? The Heavenly Demon Sect?" His voice was hoarse, tinged with disbelief. "How did you find this place?"

The sect leader did not answer, but raised his hand and struck again.

The First Elder attacked from the side, his azure sword light aimed straight for the demon's throat. The demon dodged to the side, but was struck on the shoulder by the Second Elder's red palm print, letting out a muffled groan and staggering. The Heavenly Demon Sect Master's black blade light followed closely, slashing at his back, tearing open a deep, bone-revealing wound from which black blood gushed out.

The demon roared, his hands forming hand seals, and the Soul Banner formation below suddenly contracted. Countless beams of black light surged from the Soul Banner, entangling the five people. These black lights contained Yin Sha Qi at the Nascent Soul level, and wherever they passed, even the air hissed and corroded.

"Scatter!" the sect leader shouted coldly, and his figure retreated rapidly.

The First Elder, the Second Elder, and the Heavenly Demon Sect Master also dodged in different directions. But the black light was too fast, and in the blink of an eye, it enveloped the five of them.

The demon sneered, his hands forming hand seals, and black light wove into a giant net, trapping the five people within. The wraiths on the net frantically pounced on the five, tearing at their protective aura, producing a teeth-grinding scraping sound.

"I originally intended to let you live a few more days, but since you've delivered yourselves to my doorstep, don't blame me for being ruthless!" The demon's voice was filled with murderous intent. "After refining a few of your Nascent Soul cultivators, my strength will recover to at least eighty percent!"