Lighting Lanterns in the Mountains and Seas

Before the mirror image, those with experience could see from the reactions of Zhu Xiangxin and the other two after the Thunder Sound Sect's attack that their cultivation techniques were unusual, especially the Dharma Aspect exhibited by Zhu Xiangxin, which seemed quite extraordinary.

Previously, when Shi Chun broke through the encirclement to rescue people, even in such an urgent situation, this woman did not take action. Was it because she could no longer hide her skills when facing the experts from a major sect?

Some suspected that Zhu Xiangxin might actually be the strongest among them.

Little did they know, under the almost overwhelming momentum of Thunder Sound Sect's initial strike, Zhu Xiangxin was the most nervous of the three lined up together, and because of her nervousness, she unleashed all her power.

For she considered herself the weakest among the three.

Since cultivating the 'Fire Prison God Suppression Stele', she had pulled Tong Mingshan and An Wuzhi for sparring and could only pull these two within Mingshan Sect for sparring. She, being in the Earth Immortal Realm, could not pull those in the Human Immortal Realm for sparring; others simply did not have the strength to accompany her, nor could they achieve the intended sparring effect.

When battling with Tong Mingshan and An Wuzhi, she unleashed her Fire Domain to suppress them but could not suppress her companions, let alone suppressing any god. Once the companions broke free from her Fire Domain, she was easily defeated.

This had quite discouraged her at one point, feeling that the cultivation technique she practiced was somewhat of a chicken rib — unsuitable for combat.

However, it was evidently stronger than the cultivation technique of her original sect, and since the original sect did not pass down her cultivation techniques completely due to the gradual inheritance process, the complete 'Fire Prison Suppression Divine Power' she acquired naturally made her continue cultivating it grudgingly.

She was quite open-minded, as a woman inherently uninterested in fighting and slaughter; Alchemy suited her better and mastering it raised her value in the team.

Thus, she considered herself the weakest among the three, facing Thunder Sound Sect's experts — what more could she do but give her all?

As the Thunder Sound Sect expert charged, a vague group of shadows followed, likely numbering in the thousands, evidently their teammates.

Zhu Xiangxin dared not let the Thunder Sound Sect expert approach to attack; lacking in speed and cultivation compared to her opponent, close combat was not feasible. Fortunately, she could attack from a distance, so she took the initiative and struck first, waving her sleeve and pointing a finger, shouting: "Hurry!"

Behind her, the towering Blood Stele suddenly surged with Flame Energy, a rumbling sound rolled like muffled thunder, abruptly bursting forth chains of dark red surrounded by flame energy, dozens shooting out simultaneously, sweeping with the force of wind and thunder, their eerie assault like phantom shadows in a wild gale.

On the beach, Wu Jinliang, Lao Changtai, Chu Jingtang, and Chai Wenwu, just recovering, looked up and were shocked — these people had never seen Zhu Xiangxin execute such a move before; the divine skill and momentum of the attack stunned them.

Especially Wu, Lao, and Chu, they were shocked — is this still the alchemy-loving woman they once knew?

With just this move, she far surpassed their understanding of their comrade; a twenty-year gap had grown so vast?

In the back, Mulan Qingqing, sword in hand, was once again amazed.

The people before the mirror images of the five combat teams were also astonished; upon seeing this scene, they immediately confirmed — this woman truly cultivates a divine skill!

Beiju Commander Lan She tightened the corners of his mouth, nervously clutching for the disciples of the same sect.

Chongxing, charging at the target crowd, was also taken aback upon seeing the emergence of the Flame Blood Stele, slowing his rushing speed, becoming cautious and investigative, seeing dozens of flaming iron chains coming at him, and since the opponent had already retaliated, he clearly could not remain indifferent.

He immediately met the iron chains soaring skyward, slashing fingers at them, another clangorous power shout — "Break!"

The voice swept like a strong wind extinguishing a lamp, the flame energy on the attacking chains suddenly waning, fire stars flying as the scene became strikingly spectacular.

The group on the beach, just stabilized, once again found themselves lightly shaken by this bout of Thunder Sound; each one flipping white-eyed and falling.

Wu Jinliang had already summoned the Demon God Dharma Aspect of the Three-in-One Treasure to defend but still could not block this sound.

Chu Jingtang's 'Sudden Slash', Lao Changtai's 'Heavenly Net Sword Bone Umbrella' were also summoned, but ineffective against the sound.

Also, they dared not use Magical Treasures to attack Chongxing; anyone with a bit of experience knew that it was unwise to hurl treasures at Thunder Sound Sect disciples unless they wanted to lose their treasures.

Fortunately, having suffered once, they all prepared defenses; this time none spat blood due to the shock, they dared not act recklessly, sitting cross-legged, spells defending first, lest one noise after another became truly unbearable.

After preparing defenses, the trio withstood this round of Thunder Sound attacks with only a slight flicker.

Zhu Xiangxin wielded magic with her arm and finger, reversing the wave of dissipated flame energy on the dozens of attacking chains, fire stars swirling, spiraling around the chains and rebounding, reviving the dead chains which now blasted before the target.

Hovering in mid-air, Chongxing, with a piercing gaze, beard fluttering below his helmet, met the attack without dodging or avoiding, a misty glow suddenly surrounded him, the light quickly tensed as if the void twisted, instantly transforming into countless fine arcs of electricity encircling him.

A thunderbolt as thick as an arm was flicked out, striking the approaching chains.

Boom, sparks flew, shattering a section of the chain.

Yet the remaining chains continued their relentless siege.

Seeing the effective lightning strike and understanding the opponent's novel attacking methods were nonetheless ordinary, Chongxing felt reassured, raising a single palm to his chest, surrounded by arm-thick lightning bolts — a volley of booming, cannon-like bursts as any chain daring approach was instantly snapped or crushed to pieces.