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

"kill!"

At the sect leader's command, the Hehuan Sect's army surged out like a tidal wave.

The array patterns on the flying boat lit up, and countless Daoist spells transformed into multicolored rays of light, pouring towards the Blood Fiend Sect and Yinming Sect's camps. Fireballs, ice blades, sword energy, and lightning intertwined into a destructive torrent, tearing the air apart and emitting ear-piercing explosions wherever they passed.

The Blood Fiend Sect was not to be outdone. Tens of thousands of blood-robed cultivators simultaneously activated their techniques, their bodies radiating intense crimson light. The blood-fiend energy condensed into a massive crimson barrier, completely blocking the attacks from the Joyful Union Sect and the Heavenly Demon Sect. At the same time, countless blood blades shot out from the barrier, slashing down on the allied forces.

Screams echoed everywhere. A group of Hehuan Sect disciples were struck by the blood-red blades, their bodies instantly corroded by the bloodthirsty aura, turning into pools of pus. Before their souls could escape, they were absorbed by the Yinming Sect's Soul Banner, becoming nourishment for the Myriad Soul Banner.

Li Hanshan stood on the flying boat, his gaze grave. The battle had barely begun, and they had already suffered casualties. The Blood Fiend Sect and the Yinming Sect were cooperating even better than expected; the Blood Fiend Sect was responsible for direct confrontation, while the Yinming Sect lurked in the rear, launching sneak attacks with their Yin spirits—making them impossible to defend against.

In the sky, the battle between Nascent Soul level cultivators has already begun.

The nascent soul energy clashed fiercely in the air, each clash causing dramatic changes in the celestial phenomena. The clouds within a radius of a hundred miles were torn to shreds, and the ground was blasted into one deep crater after another by the dissipated spiritual energy.

In battles at the Nascent Soul level, Golden Core cultivators have no say. It's a contest on a completely different level; even being caught in the aftershocks is enough to annihilate a Golden Core cultivator.

Li Hanshan withdrew his gaze and focused his attention on the battlefield before him.

The Golden Core cultivators from both sides had already clashed. Song Qingyun, the quasi-saint of the Joyful Union Sect, faced off against a late-stage Golden Core elder of the Blood Fiend Sect, his sword energy surging and forcing his opponent into a retreat. Meanwhile, Ouyang Ming, along with several Golden Core cultivators, was flanking the Yinming Sect's army of Yin Souls.

Qin Muyue and Leng Yue each found their opponents. Qin Muyue's pink ribbon danced in the air, each strike causing a Yin spirit to tremble. Leng Yue's spatial techniques were even more bizarre; her figure flickered constantly in the void, and with each appearance, a Blood Fiend Sect cultivator fell.

Chu Mengyao stood a little further away, observing the battlefield instead of making a move. In her hand she held a jade-green bead, which emitted a soft light that enveloped her. Occasionally, a wandering spirit would approach, only to dissipate like snow upon touching the light.

Li Hanshan did not rush to make a move. He stood on the flying boat, his gaze sweeping across the entire battlefield, searching for the place where he was most needed.

"Han Lang, what should we do?" Hua Nongying stood beside him, having put away her pipe and replaced it with a red flying sword.

"No rush," Li Hanshan said calmly. "Let them wear themselves down for a while."

Hua Nongying nodded without asking further questions. She knew Li Hanshan had his own plans.

Just then, the Yinming Sect suddenly made a big move.

A colossal banner of ten thousand souls rose from the Yinming Sect's camp, blotting out the sky and reaching a height of a hundred feet. Countless distorted faces on the banner struggled and wailed, emanating a chilling aura that sent shivers down one's spine.

An old man dressed in black robes emerged from beneath the banner. His face was withered, his eyes sunken, and he was surrounded by an overwhelming aura of malevolent energy. His presence was terrifying; he was clearly at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage!

"Sect Master of the Yinming Sect!" The voice of the Hehuan Sect Master came from afar, tinged with shock, "You're still alive!"

The old man in black robes grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth: "I faked my death back then to escape, all for this day. The debt for destroying my sect will be settled today!"

With a wave of his Myriad Souls Banner, countless beams of black light surged forth. These were a vast multitude of Yin spirits, densely packed, blotting out the sky, their numbers impossible to count. Among them were over a hundred Yin spirits at the Golden Core level!

"Not good!" the Third Elder shouted. "All disciples, form a defensive formation!"

But it was too late. The vengeful spirits surged onto the battlefield like a black tide, and wherever they passed, disciples of the Joyful Union Sect and the Heavenly Demon Sect fell one after another. Their souls were forcibly pulled from their bodies by the vengeful spirits, turning into wisps of gray light, which were then absorbed into the Myriad Soul Banner.

The battles at the Nascent Soul level were also affected. The Hehuan Sect Master was entangled with the Yinming Sect Master, and the First Elder and Second Elder were each besieged by Nascent Soul Yin Spirits, unable to escape for the time being.

"Hahaha, today, I'll borrow your souls to help me break through to the Nascent Soul stage!"

The arrogant laughter of the Yinming Sect Master echoed across the entire battlefield.

Li Hanshan's face darkened.

He had intended to continue concealing his strength, but now it seemed the situation was more dire than he had imagined.

He was pondering whether or not to make a move when suddenly his heart tightened.

A familiar aura surged from the tide of ghosts, carrying intense killing intent, and rushed straight towards him.

Li Hanshan suddenly looked up.

Amidst the tide of ghosts, a golden figure burst forth, aiming straight for his face. It was an old man in a golden robe, his face withered, surrounded by a chilling aura, but Li Hanshan would never mistake that face.

Wu Zhanlong.

No, it's Wu Zhanlong's ghost!

His soul was more solidified than in life, emanating an aura that clearly indicated he was in the late Golden Core stage. His pair of ghostly green eyes were fixed on Li Hanshan, filled with resentment and killing intent.

This guy isn't completely dead?

"How could that be!"

Li Hanshan was somewhat surprised.

After he killed Wu Zhanlong, Xiao An tore Wu Zhanlong's soul to pieces.

How did this guy turn into a ghost?

Could it be something special about the Underworld?

What surprised Li Hanshan even more was that after Wu Zhanlong became a ghost, his strength increased dramatically, and in a short period of time, he had the strength of the late Golden Core stage.

Judging from the looks of it, this guy must have been specially refined by the Yinming Sect Master.

Such refining techniques can indeed rapidly enhance one's strength, but they also have many side effects. For example, the spirit will completely lose its freedom and even its self, turning into a killing machine.

"You old bastard!" Wu Zhanlong's voice was hoarse and piercing, as if it came from the deepest hell. "You killed my son, destroyed my golden core, and left me with unresolved grievances in death! Today, I will take your life!"

Before he finished speaking, he transformed into a golden lightning bolt and pounced on Li Hanshan.

Li Hanshan's expression darkened, and he retreated rapidly. But Wu Zhanlong was too fast, and in the blink of an eye, he pounced on him, his sharp claws aimed straight for his throat.

"Han Lang, be careful!" Hua Nongying cried out in alarm, trying to intercept him, but was pushed away by Li Hanshan.

"Back off!"

Li Hanshan's voice was cold and sharp. Hua Nongying had never seen him like this before. She was startled and quickly pulled Yun Shuyue back.

The surrounding disciples also noticed the commotion.

"It's a Golden Core Yin Spirit!"

"Who is that old man? How did he get targeted by a Golden Core Yin Spirit?"

"Run! We can't handle a Golden Core level Yin spirit!"

Several core disciples retreated hastily, fearing they would be caught in the crossfire. However, some recognized Wu Zhanlong, their faces showing surprise.

"That's... Elder Wu?"

"Wasn't he dead? How did he become a ghost?"

"I heard Elder Wu died in the Netherworld, but now it seems he was turned into a ghost by the Netherworld Sect!"

Deacon Lu stood not far away and saw this scene, his eyes flashing with shock.

"Li Hanshan! He actually killed Elder Wu!"

Deacon Lu was shocked and shouted.

Although he thought it was unlikely, since Wu Zhanlong's ghost had said so, he had to confirm it and make sure Li Hanshan died without a burial place.

However, the next moment, everyone's expression froze.

Facing Wu Zhanlong's attack, Li Hanshan did not retreat, but instead took a step forward. He raised his hand, and pure yang fire of purple-gold condensed at his fingertips, transforming into a fireball the size of a fist, which went straight to meet Wu Zhanlong's sharp claws.

boom!

The fireball exploded, and the purplish-gold flames engulfed Wu Zhanlong. Wu Zhanlong let out a shrill scream, his soul trembling violently as it was burned by the pure yang fire. He was sent flying dozens of feet away, his soul covered in large charred marks.

"Golden Core! He's a Golden Core cultivator!" someone exclaimed.

"Li Hanshan is a Golden Core cultivator? How is that possible!"

"Didn't he just break through to the Foundation Establishment stage not long ago? How did he become a Golden Core cultivator?"

Deacon Lu's smile froze on his face. He stared intently at Li Hanshan, his eyes filled with disbelief. Golden Core? This old man is a Golden Core cultivator? Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

But the aura released by Li Hanshan was clearly that of a Golden Core cultivator!

The Third Elder also noticed the commotion. His gaze sharpened, landing on Li Hanshan, and a deep sense of surprise appeared in his eyes. This old man was indeed hiding a secret.

Quasi-Holy Son Song Qingyun and Ouyang Ming also looked over. Song Qingyun frowned slightly, his gaze lingering on Li Hanshan for a moment before shifting away. Ouyang Ming, on the other hand, glanced at him a few more times, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.

Qin Muyue and Leng Yue, however, remained calm. They had long known Li Hanshan's true cultivation level, and seeing him expose it now, they actually breathed a sigh of relief. This old man had finally stopped pretending.

Chu Mengyao, who was in the distance, also looked over. A hint of surprise flashed in her clear eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

Li Hanshan stood on the flying boat, pure yang fire of purple-gold swirling around him, evaporating all the yin energy around him. His gaze swept across the entire scene, taking in everyone's reactions.

So be it, let it be exposed.

Since we can't hide it anymore, we might as well stop hiding it.

He glanced back at Hua Nongying and Yun Shuyue, giving them a reassuring look. Then, he turned to Wu Zhanlong, who was severely injured by the Pure Yang Fire, his eyes flashing with killing intent.

"Wu Zhanlong, you were no match for me when you were alive, and you're even less of a match now that you're dead."

Before he finished speaking, he flashed forward and pounced on Wu Zhanlong.