The seven elders, Wang Zhe, Huang Jin, Zhou Wen, Chen Kai, Tianyang, Qi Han, and Cai Rong, assembled alongside the cultivators, ready to confront the demon beast. Those who possessed the ability to fly took to the skies, while the others mounted their serpents. Ling Tian joined their ranks, eager to face the unknown threat.
As they approached the mountain, flames erupted with increasing intensity, some flowing like liquid fire. However, despite the chaos, there was no sign of the demon beast. Elder Qi Han frowned, questioning the guard, "Where is this beast you spoke of? Did you imagine it?"
The guard stood firm, his expression resolute. "I saw two of them, Elder Qi Han. I wasn't dreaming. I saw it with my own eyes."
Tianyang interjected, "The Qiongqi cannot exist here. Let us return; there's nothing to see."
The group began to turn back towards the sect, but Ling Tian's curiosity lingered. The Jade Emperor's Staff, sensing his unease, shook free from his grasp and hovered before him, as if urging him to follow. The staff flew towards the heart of the inferno, and Ling Tian felt an inexplicable pull to pursue it.
Tianyang's voice called out, "Ling Tian, come and let's go."
Ling Tian hesitated, responding, "I'll be there soon."
As the group disappeared into the sect, Ling Tian swiftly followed the staff on his serpent. He deftly dodged the explosions of fire and flames, but suddenly, a greenish spirit sword pierced his serpent's side, causing it to let out a pained roar. The serpent crashed to the ground, and Ling Tian leapt off, standing tall as he scanned his surroundings for the sword's wielder.
The greenish sword returned to its owner, who was fleeing towards a nearby cave. The figure's body seemed to be in a spirit form, allowing them to move with incredible speed. Ling Tian's eyes narrowed, and he whispered to himself, "Specter."Ling Tian swiftly pursued the specter, who darted into a nearby cave. As Ling Tian followed, the Jade Emperor's Staff trailed behind him. A thunderous roar echoed through the cave, causing Ling Tian's concern to grow. "What's that sound... like a lion?" he wondered aloud.
The specter concealed himself behind a massive boulder, pondering, "Who is he? He seems to be at a lower cultivation level, yet he can see me."
Ling Tian's eyes gleamed with a golden light, granting him the ability to perceive his surroundings through opaque objects. He spotted the specter hiding behind the boulder and approached him. "What do you want?" Ling Tian demanded, his brow furrowed in displeasure.
The specter trembled, fearing for his life. "I was obeying orders, please don't kill me... and if I may ask, can you see me?" he stammered.
Ling Tian's expression remained stern. "If I couldn't see you, I would have grabbed you by now. Tell me, who sent you?"
Before the specter could respond, the cave wall burst open, revealing a Qiongqi. The specter's eyes widened in terror as he shouted, "Qiongqi!!"
Ling Tian's eyes sparkled with realization. "I knew it!" he exclaimed.
The specter pushed Ling Tian away and attempted to flee, but the Diamond Seal on Ling Tian's forehead absorbed him. Ling Tian didn't pursue the specter; instead, he fled from the Qiongqi, dashing into another cave. The Qiongqi burst in, and Ling Tian struck the Jade Emperor's Staff with force, knocking the Qiongqi into the wall. However, the beast wouldn't die until its forehead eye was struck.
Unaware of this weakness, Ling Tian continued to flee, dodging the Qiongqi's flames. He stumbled upon a fire orb suspended in mid-air, and its energy removed the greenish orb from the Diamond Seal on Ling Tian's forehead. The orbs combined, forming a higher-grade orb that returned to the Diamond Seal.
The cave began to shake violently, and over two million demon beasts emerged, their anger palpable as they sensed the missing orb. The ground trembled beneath their feet as they roared, and Ling Tian sprinted away in desperation.
With his serpent deceased, Ling Tian couldn't fly, and his panic grew. The Jade Emperor's Staff shook, signaling something, and it glowed with a blue light before flying into the sky. Ling Tian swiftly leapt onto the staff, and they soared towards the sect.
The demon beasts, still enraged, gave chase, their roars generating waves that propelled them through the air. Millions of beasts pursued Ling Tian, their fury unrelenting.
Ling Tian rushed back to the sect, his expression grave as he approached Tianyang. "The Qiongqi is real, I saw it with my own eyes. And they're heading straight for the sect."
Tianyang's face turned icy, his voice laced with concern. "What?! The Qiongqi are formidable creatures, far more powerful than any ordinary beast. And they always come in massive numbers."
Ling Tian's eyes widened, his tone urgent. "There are over two million of them, and they can't be killed."
Just then, a deafening explosion shook the air, and the Qiongqi's flames engulfed the surrounding trees. "BOOOOM!!"
The seven elders flew towards the commotion, their eyes widening in shock as they beheld the Qiongqi. In unison, they exclaimed, "Qiongqi!"
The Dragon Den Clan cultivators swiftly mounted their serpents, ready to face the impending threat. The demon beasts unleashed a mighty roar, sending powerful waves crashing through the air.
Tianyang's voice rang out, steady and resolute. "We must protect the sect at all costs. Prepare to defend our home!"