That roar was so immense, it sounded as if millions of war drums were being beaten simultaneously. Under that colossal sound, the iceberg, which had been pressed firmly against the ground, began to shake violently, as if an earthquake had struck.

This iceberg was forged from the Nine Nether Cold Iron that Daoist Hanbing had discovered in the North Sea. It was severed using supreme magical power and then required nearly a hundred years of smelting to create this top-tier magical treasure. It weighed ninety-nine million, nine hundred and ninety-nine thousand jin. At its largest, it could expand to cover an area of a hundred li, and at its smallest, it could shrink to the size of a mere token, carried about the person. While perhaps not comparable to innate supreme treasures like the Heaven-Overturning Seal, it was undeniably a first-rate immortal artifact. If it failed to strike the opponent, there was nothing more to it; but once it connected, recovery was nearly impossible. The number of immortals and devils who had perished beneath this iceberg seal was countless. Even when facing an expert at the Absolute Immortal realm, it typically resulted in an instant crush. This level of disturbance after being struck was unprecedented.

Daoist Hanbing’s expression turned grim. His hands constantly formed hand seals because he felt an immense power surging upwards from beneath the iceberg. He could only continue to deploy seal after seal to suppress the structure.

But no matter how hard he tried to suppress it, the iceberg’s tremors intensified, and the aura erupting from it grew ever more magnificent.

This commotion was so pronounced that even Tianjun Xuanmiao in the high heavens sensed that something was amiss. He, too, had to intervene, throwing down hand seals to quell the iceberg. Yet, at this very moment, Ni Bo sensed the enormous roar emanating from below the ice. He transformed into his true form once more, his mouth releasing bursts of dragon roars that echoed, intertwined, and merged with the original sound.

A powerful momentum erupted from his body, and his physique continued to swell, growing larger and larger. In a very short time, he towered several tens of zhang high, and yet he was still expanding. Sensing Ni Bo’s overwhelming fighting spirit and his continuously increasing aura, a sharp glint flashed in Daoist Xuanmiao’s eyes. He pointed a finger, and the massive mountain formed of mental power hanging in the air plummeted downward.

Almost instantaneously, the mountain forged from pure psychic energy slammed down upon Ni Bo, forcing his colossal body to halt its growth and checking his expansion. But Ni Bo fought as if his life depended on it, relentlessly forcing his power upward. His body continued to balloon, even as the descending mountain carved deep furrows into his spine.

Seeing Ni Bo resist his suppression with such desperation, a flicker of anger crossed Tianjun Xuanmiao’s face. He was about to unleash his full power to seize Ni Bo when he suddenly heard a sound like shattering glass...

Oh, pardon me—there is no glass in the Celestial Realm. However, they did hear the sound of crystal breaking. It was clear, crisp. The sound wasn't loud, yet not only Xuanmiao but everyone present heard it as if it resonated directly within their minds.

Immediately afterward, everyone watched Daoist Hanbing vomit a mouthful of bright red blood. The seemingly solid iceberg cracked open down its center with a massive fissure, which then spread outward like a spiderweb. Finally, to the astonishment of all present, the iceberg, which spanned dozens of li, completely shattered, breaking into countless ice shards that shot out in every direction.

A colossal figure wrenched itself free from the debris. It was a monstrous creature resembling a goat but possessing tiger claws, eyes situated beneath its armpits, and a massive, gaping mouth. This was the true form of Taotie. However, compared to its usual state, it was now immense—its body was like a mountain. Its horns alone were thicker than standard high-rise buildings. One of its horns appeared to be half-broken, likely damaged by the impact of the iceberg seal. Its mouth resembled a massive black hole, seemingly capable of swallowing all things in existence.

Its body was covered in large swathes of wounds. Countless streams of golden blood flowed down its form like small rivers, presenting a terrifying spectacle.

Its formerly vibrant green eyes were now blood-red, filled with a savage, brutal aura. All traces of its usual endearing appearance were gone.

This was the true Taotie—the ferocious beast that once caused pain to the assembled gods of the Primordial Era, the beast that inspired terror, devoid of all reason.

“Awooo, awooo…” A deafening roar erupted from Taotie’s maw. Its blood-red eyes fixed intently on Daoist Hanbing, whose spirit had been wounded. It had been this fellow, this person, who had struck him with that ridiculous object and inflicted injury. If Ye Jingyu had not helped him absorb the brunt of the force, he might have been crushed to death by the impact.

All his life, he had been the one doing the bullying; when had he ever been treated like this? He was a ferocious beast, not some pet to be slaughtered at will.

With a tremendous roar, Taotie charged directly toward Daoist Hanbing with its massive body.

Seeing the gigantic form barreling toward him, Daoist Hanbing’s face convulsed. His Iceberg Seal was so sturdy, yet it failed to kill the creature. How physically resilient must this thing be? (He was unaware that Ye Jingyu had actually broken the Seal’s main force…) If this beast managed to get close, he would stand no chance. He had not forgotten the horrifying scene of his companion being swallowed whole.

No longer daring to linger, he flew backward while frantically pulling out a small, purplish-copper hammer engraved with runes. He brought it down squarely on Taotie’s head. Instantly, a massive bolt of lightning descended from the sky, slamming directly onto the beast’s skull, carving out a deep, bloody crater. Large chunks of flesh fell away, and golden blood sprayed forth. Taotie roared in pain, but its forward momentum only increased. It paid no mind to the injury on its head. Seeing Taotie’s ferocious persistence and escalating savagery, Daoist Hanbing threw the Lightning Hammer he held. In an instant, the hammer swelled to hundreds of zhang in height.

Facing the seemingly durable Lightning Hammer, fashioned from unknown materials, Taotie showed no intention of dodging. Instead, it lowered its one remaining intact horn and drove it straight into the colossal hammer.

Brawny—absolutely brawny. A recklessness that scorned life. At times, the actions displayed by Taotie surpassed even the frenzied intensity of Ni Bo…

If Ni Bo fought like his life was on the line, then the berserk Taotie fought as if it had already thrown its life away…

(Two more chapters this afternoon!)D