53: Nangong fights Mo Jiao

In the core area of the Blood Forbidden Ground, a majestic stone hall stood silently, exuding an ancient and desolate aura.

The hall doors were tightly shut, covered with the marks of time, with faint, blurred runic patterns visible, indicating the extraordinary nature of this place.

At this moment, in front of the stone hall, more than a dozen Disciples dressed in Yanyue Sect attire were clustered around a petite loli-like girl.

The girl appeared to be only fourteen or fifteen years old, exquisitely delicate, with lively eyes, yet her expression carried a maturity and gravitas unsuited to her age.

"Grandmaster, this is the great hall," a leading female Disciple bowed, her tone extremely respectful.

The girl nodded slightly, her gaze fixed on the tightly shut stone hall, her voice clear and pleasant, yet with a hint of agedness: "Is that Black Scaled Serpent inside this hall?"

A male Disciple who had been responsible for scouting earlier immediately stepped forward and hurriedly replied, "Reporting to Grandmaster, it is. In the past few days, no less than ten Disciples from other Sects have rashly entered, and all... all were swallowed alive by that Black Scaled Serpent. Please be careful, Grandmaster."

As he spoke, his face still showed a hint of lingering fear.

Upon hearing this, the girl's delicate face subtly darkened, and a trace of displeasure flashed in her clear eyes: "Oh? You mean, I can't even handle a mere first-rank Yao Beast?"

The male Disciple was instantly startled, and quickly bowed to apologize: "This Disciple wouldn't dare! This Disciple absolutely did not mean that! Grandmaster's Divine Abilities are vast, a mere Black Scaled Serpent is naturally nothing. This Disciple was just... just worried about Grandmaster's safety and spoke out of turn!"

The other Disciples also lowered their heads, not daring to speak further.

Although their Grandmaster had temporarily fallen to the Qi Refinement Stage and her appearance had turned into that of a young girl due to Cultivating a special Cultivation Technique, her true identity and strength were that of a genuine Core Formation Elder.

Even with only Qi Refining cultivation at the moment, she was not someone these Qi Refining Disciples could fathom.

Seeing this, the girl's expression softened slightly, and she said indifferently, "Forget it, ignorance is no sin."

She once again turned her gaze to the stone hall, pondered for a moment, and instructed, "Are you all ready? Proceed according to the previous plan."

"Yes, Grandmaster!" The Disciples responded in unison.

Immediately, they moved swiftly, male and female in pairs, each taking their positions, forming hand seals, and muttering incantations.

Waves of profound magical power emanated from them, connecting with each other to form a nascent, obscure formation.

This was precisely a well-known combined attack technique of the Yanyue Sect—the "Yin Yang Guidance Art."

This Art could temporarily gather everyone's magical power, enhancing the power of the main attacker, and could also provide mutual rescue in times of crisis, proving quite practical.

Just as the Disciples were ready, the girl, who was surrounded in the center, slightly opened her cherry lips.

A point of crimson light flew out from her mouth, expanding as it met the wind.

"Buzz!"

With a soft hum, the crimson light transformed into an ancient, simple circular ring, floating before the girl.

The ring was only palm-sized, entirely crimson, with lifelike Vermilion Bird patterns carved upon it, emitting astonishing fire-attribute spiritual energy fluctuations.

It was Nangong Wan's Lifebound Treasure—the Vermillion Bird Ring!

Nangong Wan extended her fair, delicate hand and lightly pointed at the Vermillion Bird Ring, softly exclaiming, "Go!"

The Vermillion Bird Ring emitted a clear, high-pitched Phoenix cry, spun rapidly, and instantly expanded.

In the blink of an eye, the originally palm-sized ring became as huge as a house, with raging flames spewing forth from its body, forming a massive circle of fire that scorched the surrounding air, making it distort.

The scorching heat waves assailed them, making the Yanyue Sect Disciples forming the array feel dry-mouthed and compelled them to circulate their cultivation to resist.

"Open the hall doors!" Nangong Wan commanded.

Two male Disciples closest to the hall doors immediately stepped forward and pushed the heavy stone doors together.

"Creak—"

An ear-piercing grinding sound echoed, and the long-sealed stone doors slowly opened, a cold, foul stench surging out from within the hall, accompanied by faint "hissing" sounds, sending shivers down their spines.

"Be careful, Grandmaster!" A Disciple couldn't help but remind her.

Nangong Wan's expression remained unchanged; she merely glanced indifferently at the deep interior of the hall and said to everyone, "Follow me into the hall, maintain formation!"

With that, she took the first step, her petite figure entering the darkness.

The giant fire circle formed by the Vermillion Bird Ring, like a loyal guard, floated above her head, emitting scorching light, illuminating a section of the hall's interior.

The Disciples dared not delay, and quickly activated the "Yin Yang Guidance Art," following closely, filing in one after another.

Inside the great hall, the space was extremely vast, with dozens of huge stone pillars supporting the dome, making it appear empty and eerie.

On the ground, scattered pieces of broken clothing and damaged Magical Artifacts lay, and the scent of blood in the air grew even thicker.

"Hiss, hiss..."

The hair-raising hissing sound resonated again, this time, clearly audible.

Deep within the great hall, a massive black shadow slowly writhed, and two lantern-sized crimson pupils flickered with bloodthirsty light in the darkness, staring intently at the intruders.

Nangong Wan snorted coldly, and raised her small hand.

The enormous Vermillion Bird Ring floating above her head suddenly accelerated, carrying whistling winds and raging flames, and shot towards the black shadow, aiming directly at the vital seven-inch point of the shadow, clearly intending to trap it with one blow.

Facing the aggressive Vermillion Bird Ring, the black shadow neither dodged nor retreated; its massive head suddenly rose, emitting a deafening roar!

"Roar!"

Immediately after, it opened its gaping maw, and a jet-black water column, as thick as a bowl, shot out like an arrow released from a bowstring, accurately striking the incoming Vermillion Bird Ring.

"Bang!"

Flames and black water clashed, producing a dull, thunderous sound.

The scorching flames were instantly extinguished by the jet-black water column, and the Vermillion Bird Ring's forward momentum was abruptly halted, locked in a stalemate with the water column in mid-air, its body's light dimming somewhat.

"What?!" Nangong Wan's expression drastically changed, her usually calm small face showing surprise for the first time.

Her Vermillion Bird Ring was a top-tier Magic Treasure, immensely powerful; the attack of an ordinary first-rank Yao Beast should not have been able to shake it in the slightest.

But the water column spewed by this Yao Beast was not only incredibly powerful but also carried an extremely strong corrosive force, capable of suppressing the Vermillion Bird Ring's flames.

"No, this... this isn't a Black Scaled Serpent!" Nangong Wan's beautiful eyes widened, and she exclaimed in surprise, "This is... a Black Flood Dragon!"

"Black Flood Dragon?" The Disciples, upon hearing this, all looked bewildered and astonished.

Nangong Wan saw the expressions of the crowd and sighed inwardly.

If her cultivation wasn't restricted at the moment, a mere Black Flood Dragon that hadn't fully advanced could be exterminated with a flick of her hand.

But now, she had to proceed with caution.

However, she was, after all, a Core Formation Elder, with an incredibly firm resolve.

"What are you panicking about!" Nangong Wan snapped, her voice, though youthful, carried an undeniable authority, "Though the Black Flood Dragon is strong, it hasn't completely entered the second rank yet! I have a way to deal with it!"

She made up her mind; although the Black Flood Dragon was much stronger than the expected Black Scaled Serpent, it was still within the scope of a first-rank Yao Beast, and her Vermillion Bird Ring was not without a fighting chance.

Nangong Wan's small hands rapidly formed hand seals, and profound runes flew from her fingertips, merging into the Vermillion Bird Ring that was stalemated with the Black Water of the Void Realm.

"Buzz!"

The Vermillion Bird Ring's light once again flared brightly, and the flames roared back to life, their color becoming even deeper, faintly revealing a reddish-gold hue.

"Caw!"

An even higher, clearer Phoenix cry emanated from the ring, and several large fireballs shot out from the Vermillion Bird Ring, striking the Black Flood Dragon from different angles.

The Black Flood Dragon seemed to sense the danger; its massive snake tail violently lashed out, stirring up gusts of foul wind, while continuously spewing Black Water of the Void Realm from its mouth, attempting to block the fireballs.

Just as the Black Flood Dragon's attention was drawn by the fireballs, a sharp glint flashed in Nangong Wan's eyes, and her hands, forming seals, suddenly changed!

The Vermillion Bird Ring, which had been stalemated with the Black Water of the Void Realm, spun rapidly in the air and then vanished into thin air!

"Hmm?" A trace of doubt flashed in the Black Flood Dragon's massive pupils; it clearly hadn't expected the opponent's Magic Treasure to suddenly disappear.

The next moment, a sudden change occurred!

Just above the Black Flood Dragon's head in the Void Realm, a crimson light flashed, and the enormous Vermillion Bird Ring silently reappeared.

Taking advantage of the moment before the Black Flood Dragon could react, the Vermillion Bird Ring suddenly descended, with lightning speed!

The Black Flood Dragon seemed to sense the danger above its head, letting out an angry roar, and its massive body twisted violently, attempting to dodge.

But the Vermillion Bird Ring's descent speed was simply too fast, and the timing was perfectly executed.

"Pfft!"

With a soft sound, the enormous Vermillion Bird Ring, without deviation, precisely encircled the thick midsection of the Black Flood Dragon's body, and then sharply contracted!

"Bind!" Nangong Wan uttered a cold word, and her hands pressed down sharply.

On the Vermillion Bird Ring, countless crimson runes circulated, and the power of the flames surged, tightly constricting the Black Flood Dragon's body.

"Roar—!"

The Black Flood Dragon let out an agonizing roar, its massive body wildly rolling and thrashing on the ground, attempting to break free from the Vermillion Bird Ring's restraint.

The hard stone ground was shattered by its impact, sending rocks flying, and the entire great hall trembled.

But the Vermillion Bird Ring clung to it like a maggot on bone, tightening ever more, and the flames continuously scorched its scales, emitting sizzling, burnt smells.

Seeing this, the Yanyue Sect Disciples all let out long breaths of relief, their faces showing the joy of having escaped disaster.

"It worked! Grandmaster succeeded!"

"Excellent! As expected of Grandmaster's Lifebound Treasure, no matter how formidable this Black Flood Dragon is, it won't escape!"

A few impatient Disciples, seeing the Black Flood Dragon trapped and no longer able to cause trouble, immediately relaxed their minds and subconsciously released the hand seals that maintained the "Yin Yang Guidance Art."

They felt that the situation was settled.