The genius who counterattacked the mainland

The Flame Soul Crystal hovered above the altar, its light like a raging sea of ​​fire, so dazzling that the surrounding air was shrouded in layers of distorted heat. The black-robed man's attack became increasingly fierce, his fingers hooked. With each swing, black claws tore through the air, carrying wisps of decaying black smoke as they clawed at Xu Tiancai's throat and chest.

Xu Tiancai's form flashed, and the Star Sword danced in front of him in a curtain of light. The shadows of the swords were impenetrable, and the clanging of metal clashed relentlessly, like a torrential downpour striking a bronze bell. However, the black-robed figure's strange power seemed to cling to him. While the sword shadow blocked the sharp claw strike, a wisp of dark energy snaked along the blade, encroaching on his arm. He felt a sudden chill and tingling sensation, as if ants were gnawing at his heart. "Hmph, a mere trick!" He growled, and the star power within him surged back into his right arm like a surging river, forcing the dark energy back, which dissipated in wisps of green smoke.

Ah Gang seized the moment between the black-robed man's attacks. His muscles tensed, veins bulging like coiled, furious dragons. He brought his axe down with immense force, the blade slicing through the air with a sharp whistling sound, like the cry of a night owl. This blow, delivered with unstoppable momentum, struck squarely at the black-robed man's back. But the black-robed man seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, his body as lithe as a willow catkin. The hem of his black robe grazed the axe, narrowly avoiding it. Then, taking advantage of the situation, he kicked Ah Gang's wrist, causing him to nearly lose his grip on the axe.

Lin's staff spun rapidly, and wind elements gathered around the altar into a raging tornado. Sand and stone collided within the tornado, sparks flying everywhere, like roaring sand and stone beasts, impeding the black-robed figure's movements. Sweat dripped down her forehead, her face pale but her gaze resolute. She chanted incessantly, controlling the tornado's compression, attempting to strangle her opponent with its furious force. The black-robed figure formed hand seals, his robe surging as a black vortex erupted from his body, countering the wind tornado. The two engaged in a stalemate, drawing the surrounding rocks in and instantly pulverizing them.

The Ice Princess clasped her hands together, icy magic surged and gathered. A blue light flashed in her eyes, and she cried out, "Ice Prison Seal!" Instantly, giant icicles erupted from the altar floor, overlapping one another to form a crystalline cage, trapping the black-robed figure. The black-robed figure sneered, a dark aura surging around him. He stretched his hands out sharply, and with a crackling sound, the icicles shattered into pieces, sending shards flying and reflecting a multicolored light.

Su Yao's zither played a high-pitched note, the sound waves transforming into tangible golden threads, weaving and entwining in the air, forming a vast net that enveloped the black-robed figure, intent on restraining his magic. The black robe swirled around him, and dark magic seeped out like ink, corroding the golden threads. The threads broke, and the rebounding force caused blood to flow from the corners of Su Yao's mouth. However, she continued to play the zither, her fingers flying, changing the tune, disturbing his mind with her soul-calming music.

At this moment, the Flame Soul Crystal shone, and a blazing pillar of flame shot up into the sky. Within the flame, the shadow of an ancient beast roared, the sound rolling and shocking. The black-robed figure's expression suddenly changed. He stopped fighting with the others and rushed towards the Flame Soul Crystal with all his might, intending to seize it by force in this chaotic situation. Xu Tiancai refused to give up. He lightly tapped the altar rune with his toes, using the force to launch himself out. With the Star Sword in front of him, he and the sword became one, transforming into a dazzling stream of light. "Don't even think about succeeding!" he roared. The sword was about to pierce the black-robed figure's back, but he suddenly turned and slapped out a black light curtain with his hands. The light curtain was covered with a hideous ghost face, and it was in a stalemate with the Star Sword.

At the moment of stalemate, the Flame Soul Crystal erupted with a chaotic heatwave, seemingly carrying the power of the remnant soul of an ancient Flame Demon, sweeping across without distinction. Xu Tiancai bore the brunt of the impact, feeling a hammer strike his chest, spurting hot blood. He was flung backward, landing heavily on the edge of the altar, creating a shallow crater filled with smoke and dust. Agang and the others were also buffeted by the heatwave, staggering. The Ice Princess's shield instantly melted, Lin's wind tornado was dispersed, and Su Yao's zither music abruptly stopped, several strings snapping.

The black-robed figure fared no better, flung back several feet by the heat wave. His robes tattered, his pale face exposed, blood oozing from the corners of his mouth, a disastrous sight. Yet, greed lingered in his eyes as he struggled to his feet, pouncing once more on the Flame Soul Crystal. Seeing this, Xu Tiancai forced himself to stand, wiping the blood from his mouth. He propped his Star Sword against the ground, leveraging the force to leap upward. The stars within him merged with the mysterious power, transforming into a sword energy shaped like a phoenix. The phoenix cried out, carrying a message of purification and destruction as it charged towards the black-robed figure.

The black-robed figure couldn't dodge, and the Phoenix Sword Qi grazed his shoulder. He screamed, his shoulder a bloody mess, and a black aura permeated the air, as if dark magic had been purified. But he remained steadfast, chanting a spell and summoning several "Shadow Demon Dogs" condensed from dark magic. The demon dogs were the size of bulls, their fangs bared, and surrounded by black smoke. They roared and pounced on the crowd, buying him time to seize the Flame Soul Crystal.

Agang swung his battle axe at the demon dog. With one blow, the dog, though chopped apart, instantly reassembled, proving extremely formidable. Lin flicked her staff, blasting wind blades and fire arrows at the dog's vital points. The Ice Princess's icy magic froze the dog's limbs, slowing its movement. Su Yao played a tragic melody on her broken harp, the sonic waves slowing the dog's movements and weakening its strength.

Xu Tiancai freed himself from the demonic hound and rushed towards the Flame Soul Crystal, confronting the black-robed figure beneath it. The crystal's surging heat dried and cracked their skin, their clothes smoking. Xu Tiancai gritted his teeth and said, "How could such a sacred object fall into the hands of such an evil being as you?" The black-robed figure chuckled sinisterly, "Hmph. Power is supreme. Only when it belongs to me can its true value be realized!" With that, the two clashed once more, fists and swords intertwining. Every clash caused the Flame Soul Crystal to gleam and surge with heat. The altar runes seemed to activate, shimmering with an ancient, mysterious light, as if witnessing this fierce struggle between good and evil, between fate and destiny. Meanwhile, the crowd battled fiercely with the demonic hound. The sounds of killing and the clash of magical energies mingled across the wasteland, creating a chaotic and brutal scene. Victory hung in the balance, and the test of life and death loomed ever closer.