This newly reformed Tian Yang puppet seethed with boiling, rolling flames. Like a fiery dragon, it charged headlong toward the inverted mountain.
Boom!
It drilled into the mountain from the inverted peak, piercing straight through the massive rock.
Amidst a non-stop series of explosive roars, countless fissures spiderwebbed across the surface of the inverted mountain.
Finally, the fire dragon burst out from the base of the mountain, shattering it from within.
It soared into the sky, roaring in defiance.
A moment later, it shifted form again, reshaping itself into a humanoid figure.
It stared coldly down at the inverted mountain beneath it.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
The enormous inverted mountain exploded violently into fragments.
Countless pieces fell like meteors, crashing down onto the black seabed of cooled magma.
With the destruction of the inverted mountain, that mysterious voice sounded once more.
"Interesting. Truly worthy of being the inheritor of the Embodiment Transformation Dao Sect from ancient times."
It held none of the expected fury, instead brimming with keen interest.
"To have attained such power after several thousand years despite having only Golden Core potential..."
Above the Tian Yang puppet's head, the illusory mountain peaks grew increasingly solid and real.
Seemingly provoked by the words "only Golden Core potential," the Tian Yang puppet issued another roar of defiance, a direct challenge to the spectral mountains.
"If you are going to fight, let's change the venue." Just then, a languid female voice cut through the air.
Heaven and earth abruptly dimmed.
Li Fan and Zhang Haobo looked up. The sun had vanished from the sky, replaced by what seemed like a massive hole torn in the celestial canopy.
Inside, starlight glittered, resembling a night sky.
Gossamer strands of starlight drifted down, falling upon the Tian Yang puppet.
“ROAR!"
It managed only a single furious bellow before its massive form vanished.
"Excellent! We can now have a proper fight!"
The mountain projections also disappeared.
The torn sky slowly knitted itself back together, the stars winking out one by one.
The sun shone brightly once more. The world was quiet, serene, as if nothing had happened.
Only the nearly shattered Congyun Sea surrounding them bore silent witness to the cataclysmic battle that had just transpired.
Those two who just appeared must have been Spirit Transformation cultivators from Myriad Immortals Island.
Such magnificent power is truly awe-inspiring.
This was the first time Li Fan had seen Spirit Transformation powerhouses take action personally. He felt his pulse hammering with excitement.
Coming back to his senses, he turned to look beside him.
Zhang Haobo was still staring blankly at the sky, the shock on his face slow to fade.
It seems the illusions conjured by the Cloudwater Dream Illusion Art still can't compare to the real experience. Otherwise, having truly witnessed Crimson Flame scorching the sea, I definitely wouldn't be so overwhelmed by a mere clash of Spirit Transformation cultivators. Li Fan mused to himself.
Releasing his Insect Binding divine ability, Li Fan asked, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, how do you feel?"
Zhang Haobo started, jolted from his reverie.
The spiritual qi within him flared instantly, and twenty-four blue Sea-Calming Swords materialized around him in the blink of an eye.
"Hmm?" Li Fan tilted his head, looking at him.
Remembering something, Zhang Haobo's aura hitched. He recalled the blue water swords.
He scratched his head somewhat awkwardly, then bowed deeply toward Li Fan, speaking with grave sincerity, "Thank you for saving my life, Fellow Daoist."
Li Fan laughed heartily and waved his hand dismissively. "A trivial matter. Fellow Daoist Zhang, you are a mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivator, yet you fought seventeen puppets alone.
"The sight of those countless water swords filling the sky, completely suppressing every last puppet, was truly impressive!"
Zhang Haobo quickly shook his head. "It pales in comparison to your abilities, Fellow Daoist."
Then, he lifted his gaze to the sky, his expression turning wistful. "Originally, I felt rather pleased with myself for advancing from a mortal to the mid-stage Qi Refinement realm in just over a year... But today, witnessing true super powerhouses, I finally understand.
"In their eyes, a Qi Refinement cultivator is truly no different from an ant."
Li Fan spoke to comfort him. "There's no need for dismay, Fellow Daoist Zhang. With your talent, given time, it is not impossible for you to become such a super powerhouse yourself.”