In Zhu Xian, people start to rise from plundering entries

At this critical moment——

"Om-"

A deep, ancient hum, seemingly originating from countless ages ago, suddenly resounded from within the core protective shield of the main hall.

The sound wasn't loud, but it possessed a strange penetrating power, instantly overwhelming all the howls, roars, and clashes of energy, clearly reaching everyone's ears and even the depths of their souls.

The source of the buzzing sound was the ancient tortoise shell that Biyao was holding tightly in her hand!
The tortoise shell, which had always exuded a faint, cool aura, now emitted a soft, water-like pale blue halo. The halo wasn't intense, yet it carried an indescribable weight and antiquity, as if bearing the memories of the ancient ocean. On the surface of the shell, the naturally formed, strange patterns that Shi Yi had once thought might be related to "Guixu" (the Void of Return) now flickered with a faint light.

Biyao had woken up at some point, or rather, she had been in a state between sleep and wakefulness, clinging to a sliver of clarity in her mind. The unusual movement of the tortoise shell resonated strangely with the qi and blood within her body, especially with the cool sensation emanating from the Soul-Stabilizing Pearl between her brows. Subconsciously, she poured her remaining spiritual energy, along with all her mental will, into her hand, which was tightly gripping the tortoise shell.

"The Ruins of Return...the Guiding...Town!"

A fragmented, faint yet exceptionally clear thought, not a sound, directly surfaced in the minds of Su Han, Lu Xueqi, Elder Mu, and even the shadowy figure. This thought was ancient and vague, seemingly not uttered by Biyao herself, but rather a scattered piece of information revealed by the tortoise shell under certain conditions.

A pale blue halo of light rippled outwards from the tortoise shell.

Where the halo passed, a strange scene unfolded.

The raging, all-pervasive black mist, as if encountering its nemesis or like ice and snow under the scorching sun, instantly became sluggish and shrunken, emitting a hissing wail. It was swiftly purified and dispelled by the seemingly gentle halo of water! Even the claw that the black shadow was using to grab Lu Xueqi was swept by the halo. The black mist on it dissipated violently, revealing a twisted and grotesque body underneath that seemed to be formed from shadows and filth. It let out a painful scream and abruptly withdrew.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lu Xueqi quickly retreated and returned to Su Han's side. A trace of blood spilled from the corner of her mouth, but her eyes remained clear and sharp as she stared intently at the black shadow that was filled with surprise and uncertainty due to the strange change in the tortoise shell.

Su Han quickly supported her, channeling a wisp of pure primordial spiritual energy to help her calm her blood and qi, his eyes filled with concern and lingering fear. Lu Xueqi shook her head slightly, indicating that she was alright, and her gaze also fell on the tortoise shell in Bi Yao's hand, revealing a look of surprise.

Elder Mu was both surprised and delighted: "This tortoise shell... it really is a token of the Void! And it seems to have an extremely strong effect in suppressing and purifying this evil power! Biyao, can you control this object?"

Biyao's face was ashen, fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead; clearly, the blow she had just suffered had taken a heavy toll on her. She shook her head with difficulty, her weak thoughts surfacing: "I...can't control it...it seems...it was merely triggered by the power of that shadow...or rather, by some aura contained within that shadow's power...a mere instinctive reaction..." At that moment, the dark aura within the hall was pushed back considerably by the pale blue light emanating from the tortoise shell, clearing the space considerably. But the blurry figure did not retreat; its crimson eyes were fixed on the tortoise shell in Biyao's hand, the greed and desire in its gaze almost tangible.

"The Guiding Light of Return to the Void... It really is the Guiding Light of Return to the Void! Hahahaha!" The shadowy figure's voice became wild and excited, no longer trying to conceal it. "I never expected that in this desolate and ruined world, I could not only find the Soul-Stabilizing Pearl, but also encounter the lost fragments of the Key to Return to the Void! It's fate! It's truly fate! It's my destiny to receive this fortune, return to the Void Sea, and reshape my true form!"

Its figure tumbled and twisted in the black mist. Although its aura was somewhat unstable due to the restraint of the tortoise shell aura, its madness and determination to win were even more intense.

"Boy, hand over the tortoise shell and the girl to me! I might spare your lives and even grant you a great opportunity, how about it?" The shadowy figure turned his scarlet eyes to Su Han, his tone full of temptation and threat, "Otherwise, when my true form descends, I will not only take the items, but also extract your souls and refine them into the Netherworld Death Qi, to suffer eternal torment!"

Su Han shielded Lu Xueqi behind him, sword held horizontally to his chest. Facing the threat from the shadowy figure, his expression was cold and fearless: "Wishful thinking! If you want to harm Yao'er, you'll have to step over my dead body first!"

"Stubborn to the end!" the black shadow roared, seemingly losing patience. It ceased its attempt to completely erode the surrounding black energy, instead violently converging it upon itself. In the blink of an eye, the blurry, distorted figure solidified considerably. Though its exact features remained indistinct, its outline was distinct, resembling a giant draped in a heavy black robe. The oppressive aura emanating from it suddenly intensified, its chilling, deathly, and evil aura becoming even more pronounced. The sense of "returning to nothingness" and impending doom grew stronger, subtly clashing with the pale blue halo emanating from the tortoise shell, forcing the halo's spread back to within three feet of Biyao's bedside.

"Since you're courting death, I'll grant your wish! I'll show you what true 'annihilation power' is!"

The black-robed giant, formed from the shadowy figure, shook its arms, and two colossal hands, composed entirely of condensed black energy, materialized out of thin air. One hand reached for Su Han and Lu Xueqi, while the other grabbed directly at Bi Yao, who was shrouded in a pale blue aura! Wherever the giant hands passed, the space itself seemed to be corroded, leaving faint black marks and emitting a teeth-grinding sizzling sound. This attack was far more powerful than any before!

Elder Mu's expression changed drastically: "Be careful! It has used its source power! Do not take it head-on!" He frantically activated the restriction, and countless emerald green vines and pale gold light blades shot out from the ground and walls, trying to block the two giant hands. However, as soon as the vines and light blades came into contact with the black giant hands, they quickly withered, dimmed, and disintegrated, with little effect.

Su Han and Lu Xueqi felt an unprecedented threat of death. Even before the giant black hand reached them, the aura of annihilating all life had already made their spiritual energy stagnate and caused a stinging pain in their souls.

At the critical moment of life and death, Su Han calmed down completely. The general outline of the *Hun Yuan Jing* appeared in his mind, and the wisp of the Heaven-Opening Axe Intent within him seemed to tremble slightly, stimulated by the extreme "ending" intent from the outside world. He had a sudden inspiration and no longer pursued changes in techniques or the vastness of spiritual power. Instead, he poured all his spirit, will, and even his heart for protecting Bi Yao and his thoughts of protecting his companions into the sword in his hand, into that faint axe intent.

He stepped forward, completely shielding Lu Xueqi behind him, gripped the sword with both hands, and slowly raised it. The movement was slow, yet carried a peculiar rhythm, as if stirring up invisible chaos. Pale golden spiritual energy was contained within the sword's blade, with only a tiny, extremely bright point of light, seemingly capable of cutting through any obstacle, gathering at the tip. (End of Chapter)