In an instant, a chilling wind whistled through the void, and boundless black mist erupted from his white bone seal. Countless specters also emerged from the black fog, lunging towards Ye Jingyu along with the massive white seal.

This white bone seal was something Fang Guyou had refined over many years, using ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine human bones. While not as potent as the Nine Yin White Bone Sword, his named magical artifact, it was undoubtedly a Heaven-tier or higher treasure. A mere Martial God struck by it would be instantly annihilated, with absolutely no possibility of survival.

Ye Jingyu's brow twitched. Before he could react, the white bone seal was already descending upon his head, while countless specters rushed to engulf his body.

Normally, Little Peach Peach would have instantly devoured all these specters in its vicious beast form. However, at this moment, it was painfully distended by the power of the Dragon Pearl and was utterly incapable of manifesting as the fierce beast.

Ye Jingyu hurled the creature away with great force, leaving himself standing in place to withstand the impact of the white bone seal.

Crack... With a heavy thud, the white bone seal smashed down onto his shoulder, staggering him violently and nearly sending him tumbling, but that was all. The white bone seal didn't even leave a scratch on him; instead, cracks webbed across the surface of the seal itself.

Seeing the astonishing resilience of Ye Jingyu's physical body, Fang Guyou’s face was etched with sheer terror. Was this fellow's physical might even greater than that of the Dragon race?

"You strike me once, and I return the strike!" Ye Jingyu bellowed at the stunned Fang Guyou. With a flick of his wrist, the Heaven-Flipping Seal, which had nearly repaired itself, appeared in his hand. Without hesitation, he unleashed it.

However, perhaps due to its incomplete restoration, the Heaven-Flipping Seal only transformed into something several dozen feet across, faintly trailing arcs of fire as it shot toward Fang Guyou.

Seeing the iron seal barely spanning a few dozen feet, Fang Guyou smirked disdainfully. He made no attempt to evade, instead pointing a single finger toward the Heaven-Flipping Seal. He intended to shatter this dark iron seal with one touch, proving his might to Ye Jingyu.

Yet, the moment the Heaven-Flipping Seal contacted his fingertip, a crisp crack echoed out. His entire index finger shattered. An unbearable, searing pain shot through him. Fang Guyou recoiled in horror and rapidly dodged sideways, but the Heaven-Flipping Seal still sent his entire arm exploding into dust.

This was only because the Heaven-Flipping Seal was not fully repaired and was exerting less than one-thousandth of its true power. Had the seal not been damaged by the Eastern Emperor Bell, this single blow might have been enough to utterly atomize Fang Guyou, costing Ye Jingyu nothing more than draining the power within his body.

Having barely escaped death, Fang Guyou broke out in a cold sweat, instinctively patting his chest with an expression of lingering terror.

He had lived for an unknown number of years. Apart from the surprise attack by Fang Zhentian that nearly annihilated his soul back then, he hadn't felt so close to death in ages. Even during his tribulation crossings, he had always been supremely confident, but just now, he had truly perceived the proximity of death.

To ascertain what that massive seal truly was, Ye Jingyu quickly recalled it. The main body of the Heaven-Flipping Seal was still far from fully repaired; using it now only worsened the damage, and he dared not force it further lest he destroy this Innate Supreme Treasure.

At this juncture, Zhuge Yi Shi seized the chaos to rescue Luo Ling'er, Hei Ming Shixuan, Zhuge Siyu, and the others. However, Fang Guyou’s disciples had snapped back to attention, and dozens of Soul Immortals and True Immortals surrounded the rescued group. Yet, seemingly awed by the terrifying power of Ye Jingyu’s black seal, none dared to act rashly.

"Kid, what magical artifact was that just now? Hand it over, and I will let all of you leave safely!" Fang Guyou asked Ye Jingyu with extreme caution.

With the Dragon Pearl gone, refining the Heaven Tribulation Pill was now impossible, making his final lightning tribulation crossing exceedingly difficult. However, if he could obtain that artifact from just now, passing the thunder tribulation should no longer be an issue.

"Do you truly expect me to believe you?" Ye Jingyu closed the distance to Luo Ling'er and the others in a few strides. Seeing that Luo Ling'er was unharmed, he finally spoke.

"Do you think you have any other option?" Hearing Ye Jingyu's dismissive tone, Fang Guyou snorted coldly.

Besides Ye Jingyu’s passable strength, the others were utterly weak. Even without his personal involvement, his disciples were more than capable of keeping them detained. Did they really think they could escape safely just by relying on one magical artifact?

"Of course, I have an option!" Ye Jingyu sneered. As his words fell, he pulled out twelve bone chopsticks and flung them directly into the void.

Twelve streaks of white light flashed, and the bone chopsticks vanished completely into the emptiness. The tattered Chiyou Banner appeared in Ye Jingyu's hand. With a forceful wave, he instantly felt countless tendrils of black mist generate from the void. The previously clear sky was immediately shrouded in dark clouds, thick layers pressing down, and in the blink of an eye, the entire heavens turned black.

Dense demonic energy erupted, punctuated by roars emanating from the black fog. Countless demons flickered in the void, and a colossal, fiery red phantom manifested in the darkness, seeming poised to tear through the air at any moment to strike them all down.

Sensing the overwhelming demonic qi and the formidable power emanating from the phantom, Fang Guyou's expression shifted dramatically once more. What kind of magical formation possessed such terrifying might?

"Heavenly Stellar Soul Formation, Deploy!" All traces of his earlier confidence vanished. Fang Guyou roared the command, and eighteen True Immortals immediately ascended, followed by eighteen other masters ranging from Soul Immortals to True Immortals. Every face was grim with murderous intent, their hands weaving arcane seals while chanting strange incantations.

Gusts of powerful wind surged, seemingly attempting to blow away the dense black fog, and faintly, several intense bolts of lightning flashed within the great array...

"Retreat..." Ye Jingyu had no intention of fighting Fang Guyou to the death. He swept the black banner in his hand, sending dozens of demons rushing out from the void to assault the Soul Immortals and True Immortals. Black mist continued to proliferate as he himself fled outward with Luo Ling'er and the others. However, Fang Guyou seemed to have anticipated this; with a flash of movement, he slipped out of the array and materialized, blocking Ye Jingyu and his companions.

Ye Jingyu hardened his heart, spat a mouthful of vital blood onto the Chiyou Banner, muttered an invocation, and a massive, fiery red figure strode forth from the void, charging directly at Fang Guyou...

(Arrived home tonight. There will be a small burst of updates this week, either Wednesday or Thursday. Please show more support, everyone. August has been the month where Star Chen has struggled the hardest, achieving the best results, but also the most frustrating. Haha, a very tragic situation. Opening a new group; brothers who haven't joined yet, please do so. Those already in, please do not join again. Guardian * Star Chen Group: 36961782)