Seventeen figures stood in a precise octagonal formation on the field, a pattern that reminded me of the ancient Chinese Bagua diagram. Layers of flowing, multi-hued light enveloped the area, making everything around it blurry and indistinct under the dazzling glare, impossible to truly discern. Even before stepping into the array, I could feel the potent surge of energy contained within.

"Are you certain you don't want to take the Acorn fruit?" Feng Qingtian looked at me, astonishment etched on his face. It wasn't just him; everyone else wore expressions of doubt and surprise.

"No, not yet at least," I replied, my expression grave. "If my cultivation method doesn't work, taking the Acorn fruit won't make a difference to the outcome!"

"Alright, just be careful!" Feng Qingtian and Xia Ya conceded, realizing the logic in my words, and nodded reluctantly.

For safety, we decided to test this with only eighteen people the first time, and none of us exerted our full strength in channeling our magical Dou Qi or Daoist power. This way, if any accident occurred, it wouldn't immediately be life-threatening. I took a deep breath. Though I knew I possessed the Demon-Devouring Body, I harbored concerns about whether it could truly function effectively within such an intense field of magical energy. Yet, having come this far, there was no turning back, no matter what.

I immediately circulated my Thunder Dou Qi, weaving a protective shield of lightning around myself, and stepped into the formation.

Over five thousand pairs of eyes watched me with intense scrutiny. Everyone understood clearly that the success or failure of this attempt directly determined whether the group would leave this place alive. Long Xin and the others instinctively clasped their hands over their chests, as if in prayer. Only Jin Hong looked at me with unabashed confidence, a flicker of encouragement in his eyes, waving a hand at me. I had to admit, the kid had good composure; he actually had such faith in me.

Following Feng Qingtian's instructions, I took my place at the Qian position of the octagram. The so-called Qian Dragon signified the main attacking position within the Thunder Array, responsible for offensive output. Accompanying me was Han Yunzhen, that young mage from the Han family, who was also the current supreme leader of the Han clan.

The Thunder Array was divided into nine sectors: Qian, Dui, Li, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Gen, Kun, and the central Zhong Gong position. These nine sectors formed the integrity of the array. The most crucial spot was the Zhong Gong at the center, responsible for interconverting the entire energy field, a role shouldered by two highly skilled Daoists. Currently, Xia Ya and Xia Meng occupied the Zhong Gong; they were the most outstanding disciples of the younger generation in the Xia family.

The remaining eight positions included the Qian position—the offensive core of the formation, from which the entire energy of the Thunder Array could be maximally mobilized. Energy from the other sectors would transfer directly here. Previously, this position was held by Xia Xiaochao and Feng Qingtian. According to Feng Qingtian, if Feng Yuanxiao hadn't suddenly died in battle, he would have been the primary attacker in the Qian position. Now, it fell to me, a pseudo-mage, and Han Yunzhen, a genius mage.

Slightly behind and to the right of the Qian position was the Dui position, responsible for supporting the Qian position's attacks and defense. Originally held by Han Zhaolun and another Han elder, I clearly recalled Han Zhaolun taking a direct hit from the Yellow Springs Sect Leader's full-force hammer blow without injury during their confrontation. Their shields were also specially crafted, possessing astonishing levels of durability. Currently filling the Dui position were two warriors: the young Feng family disciple Feng Qingshu and Xia Jie.

To the right of the Qian position was the Xun position, designated for defense and support, occupied by Feng Qingtian and Feng Qingxuan, both warriors, whose weapons were also two large shields.

The remaining five positions were manned by mages whose responsibility was the output and function of the array's energy field. This work was largely composed of elite mages from the Han family. The true might of the Thunder Array depended to a great extent on the strength of the magical power output from these five positions.

"Begin!" With a loud roar from Feng Qingkong, the mages fully activated their magic, casting layers of magical fluctuations around them, forming a clockwise rotating magical vortex. The vortex spun faster and faster, eventually resembling a high-speed electric fan, making the trajectory of the magical fluctuations impossible to track. However, the strange, multi-hued light danced among them like countless ribbons of flowing color.

Everyone inside the array wore serious expressions. I didn't know how they felt, but being within it, I felt nothing unusual—it was much like the time I wandered inside the Sea of Fire Array. The continuously flowing ribbons of light seemed ethereal and illusory, entirely unreal. Yet, my long hair moved slightly, uncontrolled, as if a breeze was passing through.

In contrast, Feng Qingkong and Xia Ya’s eyes were wide open, as if they were enduring some form of pain.

"Xingchen, attack!" Seeing my apparent calm and lack of reaction, Feng Qingtian and the others showed surprise but still prompted me. "You can start now."

Though I couldn't sense the surrounding magical fluctuations, watching the increasingly potent and dense multi-hued light gather around me, I knew the Thunder Array had accumulated immense magical power.

"Fireball!" I muttered reflexively, channeling my Dou Qi into the miniature magic array on the Flame Ring. The surrounding energy field converged at my right hand with astonishing speed. Then, with a peng!, a blinding seven-colored ball of light shot out from the ancient jade scepter I wielded.

Peng! RUMBLE! What followed was an earth-shattering tremor! I didn't even see what happened before a massive hole, still billowing with thick smoke, exploded in the wall two hundred meters away.

"Ah!"

"Ah! That was... that was an incredibly powerful Fireball," Feng Qingtian and the others were dumbfounded.

"My heavens, is that truly just a Fireball?" Han Yunzhen trembled. "What terrifying destructive power."

It wasn't just them; everyone watching was startled. Looking at the smoke-billowing crater, roars of approval erupted from the crowd.

"It worked!"

"It really worked!"

"A Super Fireball!"

....................

Inside the array!

"It seems there really is a way to resist the magical backlash!" Feng Qingtian and the others were overjoyed. "That was just the test phase of magical output. Now we need to increase the magic slightly. If anything feels wrong, tell us immediately."

"Bring it on," I said, full of confidence. Clearly, I had succeeded, and I felt no discomfort whatsoever. It was as easy as waving my hand, without even the slightest sensation of heat.

"Increase magical output," Feng Qingtian commanded loudly.

"Yes!" The ten mages behind the array sprang to attention. The Thunder Array erupted with dazzling flowing light once more. Upon closer inspection, the light was brighter than before, indicating a much higher intensity.

"Attack!" Feng Qingtian roared.

"Fireball!" The moment my Dou Qi powered it, the seven-colored light streams surged furiously into my right hand!

Swish! With a wave of my hand, another beam of seven-colored light shot forth! Brighter and more spectacular than the last, it moved with incredible speed, impossible to track.

Peng! Stone shattered with the sound of thunder! Earth shook and mountains trembled! A vast opening was blasted into the wall two hundred meters away.

"........................." Everyone was stunned, staring blankly at the huge hole two hundred meters distant, more than double the size of the previous one.

"Oh my god."

"Is that still a Fireball?"

"That guy is a monster."

"............" This time, I was also taken aback. Even now, I felt a sense of unreality—such terrifying destructive power with just a simple wave? I looked at Feng Qingtian and the others with disbelief!

"This... just now, you all saw it?" I murmured. "That was indeed my Fireball."

"We saw it," Feng Qingtian confirmed excitedly. "It was definitely you who cast it."

"Did you feel anything unusual?" Xia Ya asked nervously. "Can you still hold on?"

"No. I think you should all maximize the power of the Thunder Array now," I said, eager to try more. "I want to see just how powerful the Thunder Array is at full throttle."

"Good!" Feng Qingtian and the others saw that the last Fireball had affected me not at all. Though they couldn't understand how I managed it, they were ecstatic.

"Everyone, focus. This time, fully engage the Thunder Array," Feng Qingtian commanded, barely suppressing his excitement. "Yunzhen! You should move back to the rear formation. If the magical fluctuations at the Qian position increase again, even you won't be able to handle it."

"Yes!" Han Yunzhen nodded. Only then did I notice how pale Han Yunzhen was. Although he hadn't channeled magical energy, standing relatively close to me, the dense magical fluctuations swirling around me had already made it difficult for him to cope. It was fortunate Feng Qingtian was thoughtful; otherwise, the boy would have suffered greatly. Now, only I stood alone in the Qian position.

The mages were equally thrilled. Each one was gathering their strength, knowing they were about to unleash their full magical potential.

Whoosh! Whoosh! The Thunder Array flashed again! The giant swirling vortex of light reappeared, and the intense energy fluctuations seemed to buffet the surroundings like a powerful typhoon, sending rubble flying.

Smaller stones, about the size of basketballs, actually disintegrated into powder on the spot, then were swept away by the strong ripples of the energy field, creating clouds of swirling dust that filled the air.

"Attack," Feng Qingtian roared.

"Fireball." Identical to before, a light wave of my right hand. Flowing light shot forth!

This time, the light was so bright it hurt the eyes.

Amidst the blinding glare, sounds of shattering earth and mountains echoed repeatedly.

When the light faded, what lay before everyone was a stretch of ground as flat as a desert. Two hundred meters away, the wall had been blasted open into a huge cavity resembling a train tunnel.

"..................."

Silence!

Everyone stared at the scene two hundred meters away with looks of absolute horror and disbelief!

"Roar! Roar! We succeeded!" The observers in the distance could no longer contain themselves, shouting wildly and venting their excitement desperately.

Everyone was ecstatic!

Inside the array!

"........" Feng Qingtian was slack-jawed, unable to utter a word.

"My... heavens!" Xia Ya collapsed onto the ground.

"........" The others were equally stunned, staring blankly at the tunnel-like hole ahead, then subconsciously looking at me.

"This," I murmured, "should be the strongest attack eighteen of us can unleash."

"That's right!" After a long pause, Feng Qingtian recovered. "However, its power is still considerably less than the Thunder Array's previous peak strength."

"But," Xia Ya interjected, "we can now confirm that you can completely withstand the strong magical backlash, even if I don't know how you managed it."

"Now is the time to apply our theory to reality!" Han Yunzhen gripped his ancient jade excitedly. "Since eighteen people aren't enough, let's double the number."

"Good! Damn it, let's risk it," Feng Qingtian declared resolutely.

"Second team! Enter the array." Immediately, another ten people stepped inside!

The crowd watching from a distance erupted in cheers again!

"They're adding more people!" Long Xin was incredibly anxious. "Can Xingchen handle it?"

"Don't worry," Jin Hong said calmly. "He definitely can. No amount of magic can do anything to him."

"This guy," Long Qi said with complex emotions, "is simply a monster."

"If this continues, and the numbers can increase indefinitely," Dong Guan muttered, "even gods and demons couldn't withstand his Fireball."

Everyone involuntarily nodded their agreement!

Inside the array!

"Begin!" With Feng Qingtian's loud shout, the Thunder Array fully mobilized once more!

Dazzling flowing light! Violent roaring! And earth-shaking tremors! The entire underground palace seemed to be struck violently by an invisible hammer. Although everyone was already accustomed to it, those present were utterly horrified, their faces pale as they stared at the radiant array that looked like a scorching sun in the distance.

The initial excitement and thrill had transformed into awe and dread! Facing the Thunder Array's ever-increasing destructive power, no one could remain composed.

"Fireball!" Dou Qi activated, the ancient jade raised lightly! A massive fireball shot out like lightning!

Two hundred meters away, the earth split and mountains crumbled again!

Everyone was becoming numb to this terrifying destructive force!

"............." Feng Qingtian and the others stared at me with expressions of seeing a ghost, and I stared back with an equally bewildered face.

"This monster," Xia Ya mumbled.

"Truly a monster," I had to agree involuntarily. Damn it, I was still acting like nothing happened!

"Third team, enter the array," Feng Qingtian gritted his teeth and waved his hand!

.........................

"Ah! More people are joining!" Long Xin exclaimed in shock.

"It's alright," Jin Hong remained calm. "No matter how many more join, Xingchen can endure it."

"Is this guy still human?" Dong Guan murmured.

"We are at forty-eight people now," Bai Ling and the others were so tense they could barely breathe.

The Thunder Array in the distance continued to swirl with flowing light. Looking closely, the space around it had begun to show layers of bizarre ripples and distortions, shifting unpredictably. Everyone knew this was spatial warping caused by terrifying magical fluctuations.

"Fireball!" No one had ever imagined that the three words "Fireball" could bring such soul-stirring shock. Following these three notes, sounding like the descent of a demon god, a dazzling beam of light shot out like lightning! Two hundred meters away, the earth split and mountains trembled again! Even those who were prepared and covered their ears were left dizzy and nauseous by the deafening roar, almost spitting blood.

"...................." Everyone was becoming numb. Facing what was happening before them, and the monster within the luminous array, they no longer knew whether to feel shocked or amazed. Now, everyone wanted to know: what was his limit in terms of numbers?

Peng! The roar was as usual! The distant cave wall bore another huge hole! However, this time, there were no large fragments flying out. Those with keen eyes could see that the interior of the wall was fine, sandy powder—the terrifying temperature of the Fireball had instantly melted the wall, and the blast opening was a very regular circle, about the size of a person, as if carved out with precise calculation. The dark opening looked bottomless.

There wasn't that earth-shattering roar and tremor, but it was terrifyingly shocking. Everyone understood that the debris hadn't had time to fly out before being incinerated.

No one dared to imagine the sheer power contained within that colossal fireball!

"They're adding more people!" Dong Guan murmured. "With this level of power, isn't it enough to defeat the Yellow Springs Sect Leader?"

"Yes! Although the current Thunder Array is powerful, facing the Yellow Springs Sect Leader, we might not be certain of victory," Jin Hong replied. "We still don't know how strong the Yellow Springs Sect Leader truly was when he went berserk last time."

"For safety, the stronger the Thunder Array's power, the better," Long Qi stated.

"Exactly. It would be best if one Fireball could annihilate the Yellow Springs Sect Leader, leaving him no chance to unleash his full power," Bai Ling said seriously.

"But can they actually do it?" The big bald man muttered.

"I think the issue now isn't Xingchen's limit, but rather how much magical energy Feng Qingtian and the others can provide him," Fang Rou stated solemnly.

........................

The numbers kept increasing!

"Tenth team, enter the array," Feng Qingtian said in a deep voice.

"Yes!" Finally, the last tenth team stood within the Thunder Array!

"One hundred and eighty people," Dong Guan murmured. "One hundred of them are mages alone."

"This is the strongest combination possible now," Bai Ling said in a low voice.

"Watch closely. This strike might become an immortal legend," Jin Hong gripped his Silver Serpent tightly.

.............................

"Fireball!"

Swish! A massive sphere of light shot out like lightning, slamming into the cave wall two hundred meters away at incredible speed!

No ear-splitting roar! No world-shaking tremor!

Just a muffled thud! The distant cave wall was breached, revealing a circular aperture five meters in diameter, leading into a bottomless depth.

"This is the destructive power manifested by the maximum magical energy the Thunder Array can provide," Jin Hong murmured. "I think even the Yellow Springs Sect Leader, if hit by this, would not escape death."

"En!" Bai Ling nodded slightly. "Now it depends on whether Xingchen can hit the Yellow Springs Sect Leader with this Super Fireball."

Inside the array!

"This level of destructive power should be enough to kill the Yellow Springs Sect Leader, right?" Xia Ya was long past being shocked, and the surrounding mages nodded subconsciously.

"Yes, the rest is figuring out how to hit the Yellow Springs Sect Leader," Feng Qingtian said. "Honestly, that's what worries me the most. The Yellow Springs Sect Leader's speed is terrifyingly fast!"

"Don't worry," I said confidently. "Though his speed is fast, I am not slow either." I possessed absolute confidence in my own speed. While the Yellow Springs Sect Leader had been very fast last time, I was sure I could track him if I went all out. However, necessary practice was required.

That was training on how to use the Fireball technique to strike a fast-moving object. Han Yunzhen had extremely rich training experience in this regard.

"Next, I will train you on how to hit a high-speed moving target with a Fireball," Han Yunzhen looked at me with a peculiar expression. "I never thought the final hope would fall upon you, a half-baked mage."

"This! Hehe," I scratched my head awkwardly. It was true; who would have thought things would turn out like this? But having a method was better than none; at least now it was certain that if the Yellow Springs Sect Leader took one of my Fireballs, he would definitely be finished!

"Now, I need a few fast warriors to act as targets. Who's interested?" Han Yunzhen asked.

"I'll do it," Feng Qingtian volunteered.

Ah! Feng Qingtian! To be my target! I nearly stumbled. After all, he was the leader of the Vermilion Bird Alliance!

"Interesting!" Bai Ling became excited. "Now we have something to watch."

Everyone watched with wide eyes, nervously focusing on the two men on the field!

Feng Qingtian VS Xingchen

"A clash of Super Warriors versus a novice mage who only knows Fireball!" Dong Guan roared excitedly. "Place your bets!"