The surroundings remained utterly desolate. Perhaps the death of the Evil Centipede had caused the gradual emergence of mutated creatures like the Pincer Worms and Grubs. I found a well-concealed corner and thoroughly annihilated the Black Vicious Grubs and Pincer Worms nesting there before finally settling down with peace of mind.

According to Yun Peng's calculations, it wouldn't be long before Feng Qingtian, Yun Xi, and the others located this place by following the special communication markers left by the Yun family.

Ten days later, I finally welcomed Feng Qingtian and his entourage.

"Heh heh, you sly dog. It's only been a year, and you've stirred up something earth-shattering again," Feng Qingtian and the others exclaimed with immense excitement.

"Incredible," Xia Ya added.

"We heard you've already passed the Summit Road and defeated White Tiger Luo Yan. Is that true?" Han Yunzhen asked, agitated.

"Well, heh heh," I chuckled, "Just a bit of good luck."

"As expected of the number one figures on our Azure Moon War God List and Saint Demon List!" The nearby Vermilion Bird Alliance members were beside themselves with excitement. Upon closer inspection, many of them were the same individuals who formed the Thunder Array back in the Yellow Springs World.

Although we had been separated for only a year, I could clearly feel that their strength had advanced significantly compared to a year ago, suggesting they must have undergone extremely arduous cultivation during this time.

Of course, we all understood that this was not the time for reminiscing. After a round of heartfelt greetings and exchanges, we quickly got down to business.

"How is the main contingent faring?" Yun Xi's expression was grave.

"I believe they should have entered the sixth layer by now..." I then relayed the experiences from the fifth layer of the Illusionary Realm to Feng Qingtian and Yun Xi.

When they learned that I had managed to lure the Yellow Springs Cult Master away, Feng Qingtian and the others were greatly astonished, and naturally, they were even more shocked by the power the Cult Master displayed.

"I can't believe even the mages from the Demon Sealing Brotherhood were helpless against it," Feng Qingtian said gravely, then immediately inquired, "Is the Yellow Springs Cult Master in this Illusionary Realm much stronger than the one we encountered before?"

"That's for certain," I analyzed. "I witnessed the pinpoint attack power of the Demon Sealing Brotherhood's elite mages firsthand." As I recalled the breathtaking scene of over two thousand mages simultaneously unleashing the Seed-Mother Lightning pinpoint attack, I continued, "In terms of destructive power, the Seed-Mother Lightning pinpoint attack executed by the brotherhood's elite mages is definitely one of the strongest moves I've ever seen, no less potent than the Thunder Array we cast in the Yellow Springs World."

"..." Han Yunzhen and the others also looked solemn. "We've long heard that the brotherhood's mages excel at group coordination, and this Seed-Mother Lightning pinpoint attack is a renowned super-combined skill across the continent. To think even they couldn't handle the Yellow Springs Cult Master—it seems the monsters guarding the depths of this Illusionary Realm will only grow stronger."

"Do you think we stand a chance against the Yellow Springs Cult Master?" Xia Ya asked. "That's hard to say." I continued, "If we use our strength from a year ago in the Yellow Springs World as the standard, I doubt we could defeat the Illusionary Realm's Yellow Springs Cult Master. I personally saw it break through the Seed-Mother Lightning attack that combined the power of over two thousand elite brotherhood mages. However, Elder Feng once told me that you have increased the power of the Thunder Array several times over this past year. Perhaps now we could defeat the Yellow Springs Cult Master if we faced him." I hesitated slightly as I spoke, "Of course, this is just speculation. After all, this is the Illusionary Realm; things are constantly shifting. No one can predict what will happen, nor can I accurately gauge the true strength of this Yellow Springs Cult Master." This wasn't unfounded worry; a burnt child dreads the fire for ten years. Who could guarantee that the Yellow Springs Cult Master wasn't unleashing his full power after going berserk?

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if, at the final moment, he pulled off a magnificent transformation like a Super Saiyan.

After all, this was the ever-unpredictable Marfa World, where nothing was too strange, let alone this—the most miraculous place within the Marfa World, the Illusionary Realm.

"..." Everyone looked grave.

"Originally, I thought the enhanced Thunder Array would make us invincible," Feng Qingtian admitted. "It seems we were too optimistic about the outside world."

"If the Yellow Springs Cult Master on the fifth layer is already this powerful, the ones beyond must be even harder to deal with," Yun Xi worried. "Can the main contingent really make it to the bottom layer smoothly?"

"My master and the others have discussed this issue," I replied. "But until the last moment, nothing is certain. Just as the Thunder Array remains as the final hidden ace outside, perhaps the Black Tortoise Alliance, White Tiger Alliance, Azure Dragon Gang, and the Brotherhood all have trump cards they are holding back. Unless they are truly forced into a corner, I doubt anyone will reveal their hand prematurely."

"That's true," Yun Xi conceded. "It would be truly strange if an old fox like Nalan Qiushui hadn't kept something in reserve!"

"On the surface, the White Tiger Alliance has Blood Tiger Luo Jiang," Tong Lei pointed out, "And as far as I know, the Nalan family's secret technique, Tortoise Submergence and Serpent Glide, is also an incredibly terrifying killing move—no one has ever seen what it looks like. As for the Azure Dragon Illusory Array, its true power must be more than just what we saw with Azure Dragon Emerges. Furthermore, the Brotherhood's mages are certainly not as simple as what we witnessed; they must have kept something hidden."

"It's a bit early to discuss this now," Yun Xi interjected. "In short, everyone be careful and act according to the situation." Saying this, Yun Xi instinctively glanced at me. "Since Xingchen has rejoined us, let's move to the next level quickly."

"En!" Feng Qingtian and I nodded simultaneously.

However, the thought that the Yellow Springs Cult Master was still lurking on the fifth layer worried me. It wasn't just me; after learning that the Cult Master remained on the fifth floor, everyone became quite tense.

"Before entering the fifth layer, let's have Xingchen integrate with everyone from outside first," Feng Qingtian suggested. "After all, the current Thunder Array is many times stronger than before. It will take some time to train to achieve complete control."

"That's right," Xia Ya agreed. "Although the five-hundred-person Thunder Array has centered its training around your presence for the past year, we don't know its actual power since you haven't been here."

"I was thinking the same thing." I was also very eager to find out the true power of the five-hundred-person Thunder Array.

The five hundred elite disciples consisted of slightly fewer than one hundred Taoists and Warriors combined; the rest were Mages. This was a modified version of the Thunder Array specifically tailored for me, as the main offensive energy relied on the magic within the array.

The five hundred and forty people were divided into eight small square formations, creating a regular Bagua pattern. I was still positioned in the Qian position within the array, the main offensive core. To my sides were Han Yunzhen and other Han family disciples, forming the flanking support group—the position Feng Qingtian previously occupied.

The rest, including Xia Ya and Feng Qingtian, only needed to circulate their Dou Qi or Dao arts to maintain the constant energy field of the entire Thunder Array.

Although I knew I was a Demon Devourer Body, I didn't know the combined strength of over five hundred people, so I was somewhat nervous. Not just me, but Feng Qingtian, Xia Ya, and Han Yunzhen were also extremely tense.

The other Vermilion Bird Alliance disciples, however, were beaming with excitement and fervor. As for Yun Xi and Tong Lei, their faces showed only shock and anticipation.

Everyone was impatient.

Han Yunzhen handed me the Blood Drinker I had used before. Everyone looked at me holding the Blood Drinker with a rather peculiar expression.

Not just them, even I felt a strange incongruity. I was wearing standard Warrior Zuma armor but wielding a Blood Drinker in my hand. This appearance would look utterly bizarre anywhere.

"Heh heh, the Thunder Mage finally makes an appearance!" Yun Xi said with mock seriousness.

"Indeed, the Thunder Mage! Such unique styling," Xia Ya chimed in jokingly.

"Haha, that's right! This is the signature look of the Thunder Mage," Feng Qingtian laughed. "What do you all think?"

"Not bad," Han Yunzhen managed, barely suppressing a smile.

"..." Seeing everyone's strange looks, I started to feel uncomfortable. "Perhaps I should change into a set of Mage gear?"

"Haha, no need, no need!" Tong Lei laughed. "This way, you stand out! Besides, changing into Mage gear wouldn't have much practical value for you. If any unexpected situation arises, you are still fundamentally a Warrior; showing up in full Mage gear would be detrimental."

"Exactly! This is so convenient now," Han Yunzhen smiled. "With the Blood Drinker, you're the Thunder Mage; switch to the Dragon Shadow Sword, and you're the Blue Lightning. It’s just too convenient!"

"Hahahaha." Everyone almost collapsed from laughter.

"Alright, now is the time to test the results of our cultivation," Xia Ya stated seriously.

"We've practiced for so long! Finally, we get to witness how powerful the Thunder Array truly is," some of the younger Vermilion Bird Alliance disciples exclaimed excitedly.

"Everyone, just follow the usual training procedures," Feng Qingtian commanded solemnly.

"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.

"Begin." Following Feng Qingtian's order, the disciples inside the array simultaneously activated their magic, Dou Qi, and Dao arts. In an instant, the Thunder Array composed of five hundred and forty people emitted a dazzling streak of seven-colored flowing light, resembling a massive swirling vortex of light, which began to rotate slowly. However, very quickly, this seven-colored light vortex spun faster and faster, making it impossible to distinguish any specific color.

Even I, as the Demon Devourer Body, could feel waves of slight paralysis brought on by the violent fluctuations of magic elements. I didn't know what Feng Qingtian and the others were experiencing, but looking at their outwardly calm and composed faces, the slightly trembling corners of their mouths and taut expressions betrayed the pain they were currently enduring. Clearly, the impact of this massive surge of magical energy on them was far beyond what I could imagine.

Everyone inside the formation wore grave expressions; the critical moment had arrived.

"Fireball!" Under the state of Thunder Dou Qi, I felt completely merged with this immense field of magical energy, yet simultaneously maintaining a relative sense of independence.

If the current thunder energy was a raging, turbulent ocean, then I was like a submarine submerged within it. Although I was enveloped and wrapped layer by layer by the surrounding thunder energy, the water could not erode me. This was truly a wondrous state.

I clearly felt my right hand enveloped by a powerful energy—a beam of energy the size of a basketball, formed with the Fire Ring as its center.

With a wave of my hand, the energy beam surged along my right hand into the Blood Drinker. Lightning shot out.

"Boom!" followed by a dull, heavy roar.

Although there wasn't that earth-shattering explosion, everyone stared at the stone wall struck by the fireball with their mouths agape.

Not just them, even I was somewhat stunned.

Damn! How perverse! It was practically a miniature nuclear bomb.

The original mountainside had been blasted open into a deep cavity. Even from afar, I could smell the scorching heat and the scent of carbonized residue.

And in the center of the impact zone, one could see patches of fiery, dazzling light—rock that had turned brilliant red due to the terrifying high temperature, resembling the magma spewed out by a volcanic eruption.

"...................." Yun Xi could barely believe his eyes. After a long pause, he murmured, "Just a simple Fireball is this powerful?"

"Too terrifying," Tong Lei exclaimed excitedly. "Is this the Thunder Fireball?"

"Hoo!" Feng Qingtian and the others looked immensely relieved. "This is the Thunder Fireball."

"Xingchen, does anything feel off?" Xia Ya asked.

"Nothing unusual," I replied instinctively. "It feels the same as when we were in the Yellow Springs World. How about you all?"

"Everything is normal," Han Yunzhen confirmed. "It feels just like our regular training. It seems my Super Thunder modification was a success."

"Roar! That's great! It finally worked!" Everyone couldn't help but cheer jubilantly.

"Let's move out now," Feng Qingtian declared, full of righteous fervor.

"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.

At this moment, I was also filled with confidence. I believed that with the power just displayed, we might not necessarily lose against the Yellow Springs Cult Master. Unlike the Ancestor Lightning pinpoint attack used by Mo Ling and the others, our Thunder Fireball was not only more focused and powerful, but most importantly, with my cultivation under the effect of the Eye of Death Lust, no matter how fast the Yellow Springs Cult Master moved, he couldn't escape my locked-on attack.

Therefore, in a sense, the Thunder Array surpassed the Seed-Mother Lightning pinpoint attack in both destructive power and mobility.

Yellow Springs Cult Master, prepare to meet your end!