However, the Azure Void Earth Hammer was quite helpless against the Yin Souls.
These Yin Souls appeared to have formed physical bodies, but in reality, they were still composed of gathered Yin Qi. When Thunderstorm struck down with the hammer, it indeed shattered the Yin Qi. However, as soon as the Yin Qi gathered again, the Yin Souls reformed and charged forward, albeit dimmer and weaker than before.
After striking down more than ten times with the Azure Void Earth Hammer, Thunderstorm finally managed to completely eliminate one Yin Soul. After several attempts, Thunderstorm dared not use the magical artifact to confront the enemy anymore.
In an environment where magical power could not be replenished in time, engaging in such futile efforts was simply foolish.
Though Thunderstorm's Purple Flame Heartfire was powerful, he noticed that Xunuo's Heavenly Shadow Spike thrived in this environment. Moreover, after a period of nurturing, its power seemed to have increased.
Thus, Thunderstorm chose not to compete with Xunuo but only unleashed his Purple Flame Heartfire when the Yin Souls gathered and trapped both of them.
However, this Purple Flame Heartfire was astonishingly powerful. Although it could not match a magical artifact, it was still the most potent spell Xunuo had ever encountered.
Feeling envious, Xunuo inquired about the origins of this spell, harboring thoughts of learning from it.
Since Xunuo was clearing the path and even choosing the route, Thunderstorm had the leisure to explain roughly about the spell.
Spells were categorized into different levels. Some common spells could be purchased for just a few spirit stones. The power of these spells would only increase with the practitioner's realm advancement. If a practitioner's magical power did not progress, then the spell's effectiveness would stagnate as well.
On the other hand, some profound spells had inherent potential for enhancement. Even if a practitioner's magical realm remained stagnant for a long time, as long as they continued practicing the spell, its power would still improve continuously. A spell that could rival a magical artifact in strength would be considered fully mastered.
However, such spells could not be bought with spirit stones. They were held by certain Cultivation Sects and were treasured by Cultivation Families as heirlooms, even more so than magical artifacts.
The Purple Flame Heartfire of Thunderstorm was just that—a spell capable of advancement. Over the years, Thunderstorm had invested considerable effort into this spell while trapped in the Eleven Layers.
Now, this Purple Flame Heartfire was nearly on par with ordinary magical artifacts.
Upon hearing this, Xunuo suddenly recalled several powerful spells he possessed, which seemed to fall into the category of advanced spells. It was worth considering which spell to focus on for cultivation.
However, Xunuo couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. With such a formidable enemy at hand, there was no time to ponder these matters in detail. He had no choice but to set it aside for now.
The three cultivators, although faster than Xunuo and Thunderstorm, found themselves at a disadvantage due to Xunuo's superior Divine Sense, which was now fully manifesting its advantages.
Xunuo expanded his Divine Sense completely, quickly revealing a significant portion of the path ahead. Based on the density of the wandering souls along the way, he chose the easiest route to navigate.
As a result, although Xunuo and Thunderstorm appeared slower in dispatching the wandering souls, their descent accelerated significantly. They ultimately managed to outpace their adversaries and concealed themselves along the way.
This was the plan that Xunuo and Thunderstorm had devised to eliminate the three cultivators.
The main point was that neither of them agreed to follow behind for a kill. Especially Xunuo, who excelled at using formations to ambush others; he particularly disliked trailing behind someone else. Instead, he preferred to circle around and lie in wait ahead, catching his opponents off guard—this was his favorite tactic.
After lying in ambush for a moment, both their expressions turned grim. The location they had chosen for the ambush was on the main passage that the three cultivators were traversing.
However, those three cultivators had taken an unexpected turn at an intersection ahead and veered onto another path.
This unconventional move immediately raised suspicions for both Xunuo and Thunderstorm, causing them to feel tense. They quickly extended their Divine Sense towards both ends of the passage and all side paths. After a moment, they exchanged glances and shook their heads—nothing had been discovered.
Thunderstorm frowned and said, "I'll force him out."
Xunuo nodded slightly, releasing his Divine Sense far and dispersing the Heavenly Shadow Spike as well.
Upon seeing the Three Cultivators suddenly change their route, both Xunuo and Thunderstorm considered simultaneously that someone might be tracking them.
Since the three of them had not left any traces of their magical power, it was impossible for anyone to know about the ambush through other means.
If Divine Sense could not detect them, they would have to find a way to force the enemy out. The method would be a powerful area attack spell, such as the Earthquake Technique or Thunderquake Technique.
Thunderstorm formed hand seals and silently recited incantations. After a brief nod to Xunuo, he slapped his palms down towards the ground. Instantly, the entire passage trembled slightly; the shaking was brief and sudden.
Even Xunuo, who was mentally prepared, was jolted several feet into the air by the unexpected tremor.
The rumbling sound spread out with this slight and abrupt vibration.
As Thunderstorm unleashed the Earthquake Technique, Xunuo intensified his Divine Sense search. It wasn't until the rumbling ceased that Xunuo shook his head at Thunderstorm.
Thunderstorm questioned, "Could it be just a coincidence?"
Xunuo continued to shake his head, pondering for a moment before saying, "Please, Thunder Friend, provide me with a Guardian."
Seeing that Xunuo still believed they were being followed and wanted to try another method to force the enemy to reveal themselves, Thunderstorm naturally agreed and summoned a Guardian beside him.
Xunuo then sat cross-legged in place, with Six Heavenly Shadow Darts hovering beside him, appearing as if he had entered a meditative state.
Xunuo could hardly believe that under the powerful sweep of his Divine Sense, a Foundation Stage Practitioner could conceal themselves. However, considering his own Great Illusion Concealment Talisman, he couldn't dismiss the possibility that others might possess similar means.
Moreover, Xunuo was absolutely convinced that the sudden change in direction of the Three Cultivators was no mere coincidence.
The spell he was preparing to invoke was called Sea Collapse. This sea referred to the Sea of Consciousness, and its collapse naturally pertained to the Sea of Consciousness as well.
This spell was recorded in the Dan Jue, one of the few spells contained within it.
The Sea Collapse Spell was noted on the second layer of the Dan Jue, which also specified that one must complete the first layer of Elixir Formula cultivation before attempting to practice this spell.
Xunuo was familiar with these spells recorded in the Dan Jue but had never coveted them in the slightest.
The starting point for these spells required at least reaching great success in the first layer of Dan Jue cultivation. In the past, Xunuo had either lacked confidence or energy to fully master the first layer of Dan Jue.
This time, having achieved minor success in the first layer of Dan Jue, Xunuo was quickly drawn into this matter without time to carefully ponder or practice these spells. However, after so many years with Dan Jue, he had long memorized its contents and would not face the embarrassment of flipping through pages at a critical moment.
The Sea Collapse Spell was a Divine Sense attack spell. Although Xunuo had never practiced it before, he understood it well.
Furthermore, Xunuo believed he had some talent in Divine Sense. Even if this was his first attempt at hurriedly cultivating it, he should still achieve some results.
This confidence stood in stark contrast to his feelings about practicing other spells.
However, this spell had a drawback: it took a considerable amount of time to cast.
In fact, this spell was not suitable for use in combat. In the fast-paced nature of battle, by the time one managed to invoke this spell, they would have likely faced defeat countless times already.
However, there was no longer any concern about that. Xunuo clasped his hands and silently recited the incantation, mobilizing the Sea of Consciousness.
Xunuo's talent in the realm of Divine Sense was indeed not to be underestimated.
In a moment, under the influence of the incantation, the waters of the Sea of Consciousness surged and roiled. In an instant, a hurricane seemed to rise above the Sea of Consciousness, and towering waves crashed against the surrounding dark space.
Xunuo remained calm and sat quietly for a while. Suddenly, he spoke to Thunderstorm, "Please, fellow Daoist, guard the Sea of Consciousness."
Then he brought his hands together in front of his chest and slowly raised them. Xunuo's expression was exceptionally serious, with light smoke swirling above his head, as if he were exerting great effort.
Upon hearing Xunuo's words, Thunderstorm was momentarily stunned.
He immediately understood that Xunuo was about to launch a Divine Sense attack.
Among cultivators, those who practiced Divine Sense attack spells were extremely rare.
The conditions for cultivating Divine Sense attack spells were stringent. Furthermore, Divine Sense attack spells were auxiliary spells that could not directly slay an opponent on the battlefield. Thus, cultivators who practiced such spells were few and far between.
Defense against such spells primarily relied on withstanding them with one's own Divine Sense.
However, most practitioners of Divine Sense attack spells were those with weaker realms of power. In this case, as long as the opponent's Divine Sense was not stronger than yours, their Divine Sense attack would not have a significant impact on you. It might even pose little threat at all.
But Xunuo's Divine Sense was extraordinarily powerful; Thunderstorm was well aware of this. Therefore, Xunuo's Divine Sense attack was something Thunderstorm could not withstand.
At the same time, Thunderstorm had no means to defend against a Divine Sense attack.
If Xunuo had reminded him earlier to use Divine Sense to attack, he could have dodged far away. Now, he could only think of ways to withstand the assault.
Thunderstorm first summoned his treasured artifact, the Azure Void Earth Hammer. Channeling his mana, the Azure Void Earth Hammer grew to a height of two zhang, its eighteen hammer faces sharp and gleaming.
Then, he patted his storage bag, and a white Bone Shield flew out. With a flick, it transformed into a Bone Beast, standing guard before Thunderstorm and in front of.
Next, Thunderstorm pulled out a defensive Talisman, glanced at it, shook his head, sighed, and tossed it back into the storage bag.
In fact, these two artifacts were Thunderstorm's strongest means of defense.
If these two artifacts couldn't hold up, then no amount of Talismans would do more than provide a sense of comfort. They would not offer any substantial protection against this Divine Sense attack. It was reasonable to abandon such futile efforts.
At this moment, Xunuo had his hands pressed together above his head. His fingertips pointed upward while his palms rested on the Mud Pill Palace for a moment.
Immediately, an eerie red tide appeared around Xunuo. His palms remained together as they slowly opened like a blooming lotus flower from the tips of his fingers. As the two palms separated like petals of a lotus, a bright azure lotus suddenly sprang forth between them.
This lotus was three feet in size, clear and transparent yet eerily lifelike. It hovered above Xunuo's palms, motionless, illuminating the surroundings with an extraordinary brightness and radiating a sacred light.
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