Seeing the giant, several zhang tall, radiating crimson light from every inch of his body and standing astride two fire dragons, charging directly toward him, Fang Guyou’s face drastically changed. Especially upon feeling the terrifying might emanating from the giant, his heart hammered with dread. Before he could even react, the colossal phantom struck out with a palm, sending Fang Guyou flying, blood spurting wildly from his mouth, accompanied by a sharp, cracking sound throughout his body—it was impossible to tell how many bones had been shattered.

This physical body was one Fang Guyou had painstakingly reforged after surviving his ninth Heavenly Tribulation. It had consumed countless amounts of his energy and dedication, rivaling the physique of a Ninth Heaven Martial God. Yet, even this body could not withstand a single blow from the massive phantom.

With a deafening roar, the fiery red figure continued its assault on Fang Guyou, seemingly unconcerned with Ye Jingyu’s ashen complexion, as if taking pleasure in draining Ye Jingyu’s power.

When the crimson figure lunged toward him once more, Fang Guyou summoned a pale blue pagoda with a lift of one hand. He cast it forth, and it materialized above his head, completely enveloping his body.

“Roar…” But the fiery phantom appeared utterly indifferent, delivering another sweeping palm strike, unleashing a torrent of violent flame energy.

“BOOM…” With a tremendous crash, the pagoda, which Fang Guyou had refined by imitating the Fang Tian Tower, was pulverized into dust. He spat out another mouthful of blood; moreover, blood now streamed incessantly from his eyes, ears, and nostrils.

However, Ye Jingyu was hardly faring any better. Although the force being siphoned by the fiery phantom was significantly less than at the beginning, those two consecutive strikes had nearly exhausted half of his strength. Such rapid, massive extraction, even for his incredibly robust body, caused him immense distress.

It was akin to using a high-powered water pump on a reservoir when the intake pipe was only the size of a fist—the physical structure could barely handle the pump’s output capacity.

Yet, the fiery phantom obeyed no control from Ye Jingyu. Failing to kill Fang Guyou with one blow, it surged forward again, the flames enveloping its entire form now rising higher and denser than before.

This time, it did not strike with an open palm but clenched its fist tightly. Crimson orbs of light continuously flashed around its knuckles. The remaining half of the power within Ye Jingyu’s body was then completely drawn out, and the phantom’s form briefly solidified.

“Sky-Burning Shattering Fist!” A booming shout echoed from the phantom’s mouth. As the surrounding flames roared, the figure lunged, unleashing a single punch.

Its body was so immense that its punch resembled a small mountain, trailing flames across the heavens as it smashed down towards Fang Guyou. Before the fist could connect, the sheer thermal wave almost rendered Fang Guyou unconscious. Faced with this overwhelming blow, Fang Guyou dared not hold back any longer. He brought his hands together, chanted an incantation, and another colossal pagoda rose from within his body.

It was a pagoda of pure, snow-white hue, yet its structure was heavily scarred, appearing grievously wounded, with cracks marring many sections as if it could shatter at any moment.

But this broken tower, precisely as it was, materialized above Fang Guyou’s head, completely enclosing him within its fragile embrace…

“CRASH…” The phantom’s terrifying punch slammed brutally against the white pagoda, generating waves of crimson light. The massive recoil forced Fang Guyou to spew blood repeatedly, nearly draining the essence from his body.

The pagoda pulsed with a faint white radiance—it was this subtle luminescence that completely neutralized the colossal impact of the fire shadow’s strike.

The pervasive flames were ruthlessly shattered. The fiery red phantom paused, clearly surprised that its punch had been halted by this decrepit tower. After carefully examining the battered structure, it sighed softly, murmuring, “So it is this thing. If my true form had not perished, if my strength were at its peak, perhaps I could have shattered it. But now… alas…”

Its body dissolved into a streak of light, vanishing back into the bone chopsticks. As for Ye Jingyu, he simply slumped over, unconscious.

With Ye Jingyu’s collapse, the grand formation lost its controller, and the surrounding black mist began to dissipate. Seeing the turn of events, Zhuge Yishi and the others snatched up Ye Jingyu and fled for the exit.

Watching Ye Jingyu and his companions escape, fury contorted Fang Guyou’s face. However, he himself had just narrowly avoided being shaken into spirit dust and was incapable of immediate pursuit.

“All of you go! Anyone who slays them, I will teach the complete method of immortal cultivation!” Fang Guyou roared out. The dozens of figures beside him flickered and vanished entirely.

“Grand-Ancestor, your injuries?” With everyone rushing off to hunt Ye Jingyu, only Xuanyuan Ruoxing approached Fang Guyou, asking solicitously while his eyes constantly appraised the broken tower emitting soft white light.

“I am unharmed. You should go too; you absolutely must not let them get away!” Fang Guyou shook his head, his gaze fixed on Xuanyuan Ruoxing, feeling a deep satisfaction. What a good child, caring for his elder, unlike his own disciples who bolted the moment the promise of immortal cultivation was mentioned, caring nothing for their master.

“Yes…” Xuanyuan Ruoxing nodded firmly and prepared to fly off, but Fang Guyou called him back.

“You possess no truly fine magical artifacts. Take this ancient sword, which I acquired from some ruins. I don’t know its grade, but it is certainly no lower than Heaven-rank. It is bestowed upon you.” As he spoke, Fang Guyou produced a sword, entirely black, its blade etched with countless patterns and runes.

At first glance, the ancient sword bore no aura of energy, resembling instead a mere antique. But Xuanyuan Ruoxing knew this was no ordinary relic.

“Grand-Ancestor, this cannot be a common item? Why… why did you not use this ancient sword to dispatch them earlier?” Xuanyuan Ruoxing was quite astonished that Fang Guyou would bestow such a treasure upon him.

“Though this ancient sword is exceptional, it is not one I refined myself; it’s not as comfortable in my hand as my Nine Yin White Bone Sword. As for this tower, it nearly drained all my internal power just now. Until I have fully integrated it, I will not use it lightly unless absolutely necessary,” Fang Guyou replied with a helpless shake of his head. These treasures, however fine, could not be wielded at will.

“You mean this tower nearly exhausted your power?” Hearing Fang Guyou’s admission, a peculiar look flashed in Xuanyuan Ruoxing’s eyes.

“Yes… Ahhh!” As Fang Guyou nodded in agreement, a sudden scream escaped his lips, and his expression shifted violently…

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