"Master Baohua, these people have already located the spiritual pool—shouldn't we act now?" The black-armored man, watching Han Li and his companions enter the valley, blinked several times before hesitating and asking. "No need to rush. We don't need to use our hands—others will naturally intercept them. That person will arrive shortly!" The white-robed woman replied calmly. "Others?" "Most of my journey back to the Sacred Realm this time was to restore my former spiritual power. A portion of it, however, was specifically for this person." The white-robed woman smiled softly, and the air around her suddenly became still and dense. The black-armored man was somewhat puzzled, but upon noticing the unusual atmosphere around the white-robed woman, he fell silent, unable to speak further. The air soon returned to normal around her, yet after a brief pause, she suddenly raised her brow, then swept her palm through the air, drawing a clear arc before her. Suddenly, a strange, mercury-like liquid materialized before him, solidifying slightly and transforming into a luminous screen. Within it, flashes of light danced, revealing an exceptionally clear image. In the scene, at the edge of the thunder sea where electric arcs roared, a ripple of spatial disturbance surged, and a massive black orb, spanning a hundred zhang in diameter, appeared instantly from the void. As the orb's light dimmed, its contents revealed themselves—none other than a three-headed black dragon, stretching seven or eight dozen zhang in length. Its entire body was covered in glossy, dark scales, and the three large heads, gently swaying like those of a gallery, cast waves of black flames that shimmered subtly across its vast form, appearing both formidable and terrifying. What was even more astonishing was that standing steadily on the central head of the great dragon was a young man in a plain black robe, barehanded. His eyes were a soft purple, his face as radiant as jade, with straight sword-like brows extending to his temples. Despite his composed expression, an aura of martial grace and solemnity seemed to emanate from him. The young man in black robes glanced at the sea of thunder and emitted a cold sigh. With a mere gesture of his palm, countless black runes surged forth from his hand, coalescing into a long, dark spear. Measuring several zhang in length, the spear was inscribed with layered magical runes and symbols—upon closer inspection, they were so intricate that one felt dizzy. He gave a slight flick of his wrist, raised the spear with one hand, and lightly pointed it forward. The young man, with a single flip of his hand, had his black spear burst apart with a sharp "pffft," dissolving into black runes that vanished into thin air. With a tap of his foot on the black dragon's head, he prepared to plunge into the Sea of Thunder. But at that moment, the young man in black robes suddenly sensed something, his face instantly pale as he tilted his head. His entire face now appeared clearly on the mirror's luminous screen, his eyes flashing purple as he issued a low command: "Who dares to secretly observe me, the Supreme Ancestor!" As the words rang out, an invisible ripple surged through the void and manifested instantly upon the mirror's surface. A deep thud followed, and the mirror shattered into countless streaks of silver light. The armored man watched in stunned silence, his face now pale as a sheet. After a long pause, he murmured, "It's the Yuan Yan Supreme Ancestor! The Supreme Ancestor Himself! Did the Ancestor have been waiting for the Dream-Yan Ancestor all along?" "Indeed, I have been waiting for Yuan Yan. Are you now afraid?" The white-robed woman seemed entirely indifferent to what had just transpired, and upon hearing the black-armored man's words, a cold expression flickered at the corner of her lips as she asked, "With the esteemed Flower Elder present, how could I possibly be afraid? Though your current cultivation level has not yet recovered, wouldn't it be somewhat inappropriate to see the Yuan Yan Elder now?" The black-armored man began to sweat profusely. "With me here, what could you possibly fear? Moreover, I've observed Yuan Yan—there's no need for me to intervene immediately. But shortly thereafter, I shall require you to accomplish one specific task." The white-robed woman smiled lightly, then her voice suddenly grew cold. "Please go ahead and instruct me, and I will do my utmost to fulfill your request." Relieved, the black-armored man straightened and replied. "As long as you successfully complete this task, no matter what happens, I will ensure your safety. Listen carefully!" The white-robed woman slightly moved her lips, and her voice carried directly to him. The tall man in black armor bowed his head, listening intently. After a while, a sudden look of comprehension flashed across his ugly face, and he finally understood why this noble lady always brought him along, even though she didn't take others with her. He nodded vigorously. "Very well. Once this matter is settled, you'll surely receive your due rewards. But now, I'd like to see exactly which of the intruders the earlier divination indicated." The woman in white beamed with satisfaction, raised her jade hand once more, and with a flash of silver light, another mirror-like screen materialized. This time, however, the image displayed was of the lush, green valley. In the scene, Han Li and the others were gathered around the pond, each casting various divine artifacts, fiercely attacking the invisible barrier that enveloped the entire valley. What was visible was a kaleidoscope of precious treasures dancing wildly in the air, various beams of light and thunderous flashes pouring down from all directions like a torrent, yet that invisible barrier remained as solid and unyielding as a mountain, showing no sign of breaking or collapsing. "Impossible," said the elder of the Long family, suddenly halting his assault and speaking loudly. "This barrier must have been established by the holy ancestors of the demonic clans. Ordinary methods will simply not suffice—it will require our most reserved, decisive measures." "Indeed," replied Bai Qi, after gathering his several streams of white swordlight and glancing at the elder of the Long family. "I have brought a jade orb that has been decaying for ten thousand years—this should have some effect on the barrier. However, relying solely on this method, I still lack full confidence. I would need the support of other companions to strike simultaneously. Your earlier golden axe was particularly powerful and perfectly suited." "Though the golden sand axe is indeed formidable, each time it is used, it consumes a considerable amount of my true energy." Long's elder ancestor has already used his power once; if he uses it consecutively, it might harm his cultivation. Then, I have another divine ability that specializes in breaking various seals—this could also assist Brother Bai in his efforts." The elder ancestor furrowed his brows and replied. "That will do! Friend Han has always been enigmatic; surely he possesses some unique techniques as well." Bai Qi paused slightly, nodded gently in the white light, then turned to Han Li and said. "I still have two rare treasures in my possession, whose power greatly surpasses ordinary top-tier artifacts—these can greatly assist both of you." Han Li spoke calmly and simply. "Excellent. After this, we three will take the main offensive, while the other guests will do their best to support us. Though this seal may be intricate, I believe with our combined efforts, we can destroy it in a single strike." The Saintly Maiden of Qianchou smiled brightly and said. At that moment, Bai Qi struck his waist where a leather pouch rested, and instantly a gray crystal orb shot out, spiraling slightly before hovering before him, emitting wisps of pale gray vapor. The vapor was strangely eerie, carrying an indescribable sense of decay—yet not unpleasantly sharp, instead subtly infused with a faint, lingering fragrance. Meanwhile, the elder of Long family and Han Li also began to take action. One expanded in form, then rubbed his palms together, and suddenly a golden glow emerged between them, growing longer and thicker with each movement, eventually forming a blurry, cone-shaped object. Han Li, on the other hand, remained simple—just flipping his palms once, and instantly two mountain peaks, one green and one black, each about a foot tall, rose up before him. Seeing that the three late-stage Consolidation-stage cultivators had all prepared, the thousand-year-old maiden and Hui Elder quickly intensified their efforts, urgently accelerating their cultivation techniques and summoning their treasures, making the assault appear significantly more powerful. "Let's go!" Bai Qi roared, immediately pointing his finger at the spherical orb before him. The gray-white vapor emitted by the orb instantly solidified, condensing into dozens of white ribbons that surged forward, forming an intangible barrier. Lóng family's elder patriarch also didn't hesitate, launching his cone-shaped golden glow at once. A thunderous roar echoed as the golden light flashed out like lightning, appearing utterly unyielding. As for Han Li, he merely flicked his wrist, throwing two misty mountain peaks into the air, which then swiftly shifted and transformed into hundreds of feet-high miniature mountains—one shrouded in gray mist, the other glowing with myriad streaks of jade light. A flash of black light surged above the pond, suddenly revealing a massive creature several dozen zhang long, its three heads swaying and undulating—none other than the three-headed giant serpent. High in the void, a few zhang above the young man in black robes stood motionless, raising only his hand and lightly pressing the air toward the attacks launched by Han Li and the others. Besides Han Li, the young spiritual-bodied man named Zhi-shui, after his body sank slightly, merely swayed a few times before standing still as if nothing had happened. Yet, when he suddenly raised his head to gaze at the black-robed youth, a brilliant silver glow erupted from his eyes, and silver spiritual patterns surged across his skin, layer upon layer, nearly enveloping his entire body. It looked utterly strange! At that moment, the elders of Long family and others felt their bodies grow stiff, their feet completely losing sensation, as though they no longer existed. The group was stunned, both amazed and furious.