The surface of the golden scroll shimmered with countless golden characters the size of millet grains, constantly pulsing and fluctuating in volume, and it also twisted and rocked incessantly between the fingers, as though inherently endowed with a certain spirit. Ma Liang furrowed his brows, pondering deeply before finally resolute, gently shook the scroll. "Pffft!" With a flash, the scroll instantly transformed into a golden rainbow several zhang long, soaring through the air and spiraling around Ma Liang, hovering and dancing erratically. At the same time, Ma Liang began rapidly forming hand seals and reciting a series of obscure incantations. As the black and white energies flashed across his body, a terrifying aura surged forth from the young man in the black robe, growing rapidly and intensifying without cease. Within moments, the surrounding void itself trembled under the pressure, emitting low, resonant hums. Such an overwhelming aura seemed utterly out of place in the spiritual realm. Beyond the River of Blood, Yin Gangzi was swiftly activating over a hundred silver loom-shaped treasures, each about a foot long, and with a powerful surge, once again tore through the blood-jade serpent, blasting it into a thousand wounds and shattering it. A pleased expression appeared on his face. But at the very next moment, his expression suddenly changed, his eyes flashing with a spark of alertness as he hurried to gaze toward the River of Blood. The other several cultivators at the Grand Multiplication level also sensed the overwhelming presence emanating from the River of Blood, all of them startled, momentarily pausing their attacks and shifting their focus to observe the unfolding changes there. As for Ming Zun, who was overseeing the entire scene from the circular platform, he did not show any signs of alarm upon sensing this powerful aura. Instead, his eyes narrowed slightly, subtly conveying a hint of anticipation. "Crack!" A brilliant light array suddenly emerged within the platform. After the light subsided, the gray-robed man named Xuan Jiuling appeared, pale and breathless. "What's going on? It seems you've taken quite a beating. Yet you've managed to defeat that spirit creature?" "Master Ming turned his head and, upon noticing that half of his companion had vanished into thin air, was immediately slightly startled and asked, 'Nothing serious, I hope. That creature was indeed the legendary fire-born holy beast. Fortunately, it had lost its consciousness and now functions only as a puppet; otherwise, I wouldn't have made it back alive. But don't worry—I have already slain it. The array's core is unharmed as well, so your important matter will not be delayed.'" Xuan Jiuling gently exhaled in reply. The True Immortal seemed to be beginning to unravel the seal as well, preparing to restore his full strength. "You'll be making your move soon—take this Water Source Pill now, and work it through your qi circulation. It should do you some good with your current condition." The Ming Zun's expression softened slightly, then with a flick of his sleeve, a blue-tinged pill shot forth toward the gray-robed man. "Thank you. The Water Source Pill should be quite beneficial to my current state." Xu Jiuling didn't hesitate, grasping the blue pill in his hand and tossing it into his mouth, swallowing it whole. Koi settled gracefully in place, assuming a meditative posture and closing his eyes to heal. Suddenly, the Blood River roared with thunderous sounds, and the blood surged wildly, rising in one wave after another of massive blood-colored surges. Stimulated by this, the eight Blood Dragons and four Blood Giants also saw a significant surge in their strength, managing to hold firm against the attacks of the four Black Nio beasts and the numerous Great Stage cultivators. The overwhelming aura emanating from the Blood River had grown so potent that anyone who came into contact with it was instantly struck with awe and fear. In the sky, a sudden flash of clear lightning erupted, and a seven-colored cloud materialized spontaneously, defying the Two-Principles Dust Array barrier, rapidly expanding until it completely enveloped the entire Mingsha region. Suddenly, the seven-colored cloud began to spin, and with a rumble of thunder within, streaks of purple-golden lightning flickered and emerged. Amidst the Blood River, Ma Liang still maintained a single hand in seal formation, though his eyes had now closed. Suddenly, a dense cluster of purple-gold glyphs shimmered into existence within the swirling void around, spinning rapidly before settling into seven or eight long, purple-gold chains. After a slight tremor, they swiftly wound themselves around Ma Liang's body... A deep, resonant boom echoed. The golden scroll swirling above and around Ma Liang suddenly burst apart, spewing forth countless golden filaments that surged outwards and instantly formed a net-like web, fully enclosing the nearby purple-gold chains. A clear, ringing sound erupted! At Ma Liang's forehead, where his heavenly crown opened, a small golden figure materialized spontaneously. This figure remained expressionless, then raised a hand and gestured toward the chains now encased in the golden web. Immediately, a series of sharp "pffft" sounds resonated— The purple-gold chains instantly transformed into seven or eight beams of golden light, shooting straight toward Ma Liang's forehead and vanishing in a flash. The golden figure then swayed slightly, its golden aura folding in, and returned seamlessly to the space of his heavenly crown. The terrifying aura radiating from Ma Liang vanished with a single hum, and as he slowly opened his eyes, a cold smile played at the corners of his mouth. A thunderous roar echoed in the sky, and the thick, vibrant seven-colored clouds and the purple-golden arcs that had hung there dissolved into a hazy, formless mist. Within just a few breaths, the heavens returned to their original state, as if everything that had just occurred had been nothing but a fleeting illusion. Although the silver-jade disciples could not clearly perceive the changes in Ma Liang within the Blood River, the disappearance of that overwhelming aura brought them a sense of relief, prompting them to swiftly activate their divine powers and artifacts, launching a fierce assault upon their adversaries. At that very moment, Ma Liang raised his arm and pointed a finger toward the outer void. With a roar, the eight blood dragons and four blood giants each erupted in fury, countless white streaks appearing across their bodies. Then, with a flash of bloodlight, they burst into a deluge of black blood rain, completely enveloping the surrounding space. The Yin Gangzi and others were naturally startled,纷纷 casting spells to evade. The four black nílì beasts, merely twisting their bodies, instantly dissolved into black mist and vanished in place. However, the blood rain covered an extensive area, and there had been no prior warning at all—thus, the bearded man and the lady in a regal, jeweled gown, though slightly slower in their movements, still were struck by the rain. Both felt their hearts sink simultaneously. The bearded man immediately roared low, and the several silver-disk treasures swirling around his body suddenly burst forth with brilliant light, forming multiple layers of silver shields that protected his entire form. At the same time, his body blurred, transforming into a hazy, dark silhouette. The lady in light green robes, meanwhile, frowned, and with a swift press of her palms, activated her hand seals, the sound of rushing air rising sharply. This woman's headful of pearls and jade instantly transformed into dozens of various defensive artifacts, shooting forth in all directions, forming a dense network of defensive seals above her head. At the same time, a wave of shimmering light rolled across her green palace robe, revealing various green incantations that formed a protective symbol array encasing her entirely. Undoubtedly true masters among the Great Stage practitioners, both immediately sensed the terrifying power embedded within the black and crimson blood rain upon its arrival and, without hesitation, unleashed their strongest defensive techniques. In the next instant, nearly a hundred drops of blood rain simultaneously landed upon the two Great Stage practitioners. As the black and crimson droplets touched the defensive artifacts and the various protective light barriers, they burst forth with plumes of pale mist, piercing straight through and striking directly upon the protective spiritual radiance of the two masters. Two sharp cries rang out. The bald man and the lightly green-dressed woman still surged forward as twin streaks of dazzling light, cutting through the blood rain. But when both of them staggered and reappeared nearby, the others—Yin Gangzi and the rest—gasped in unison. To their astonishment, the bald man's entire face on one side had been stripped bare, revealing a pale, eerie bone structure glowing with a strange gray light, so startling that it sent shivers down their spines. Though the woman's face remained unharmed, her entire arm had completely vanished, as if dissolved into nothing, leaving not even a trace of bone. "Such a powerful attack—how could the blood rain be so devastating?" Lady Wu Ling exclaimed, her voice trembling. The others' faces shifted between shock and concern. "This appears to be the legendary 'Blood Source Power' attained at the pinnacle of the Blood Path cultivation. It is said that a single drop of this blood can pierce mountains and seas. Even if its power isn't quite that formidable, it surely comes very close." As the waves of energy surged above, Ming Zun took a single step and materialized from the void, his expression grave. "Blood Source Power? Hah! How could they dare to call this even a trace of such strength? It's merely a slight refinement of the spiritual blood I've gathered over the past few periods. I'm still far, far away—ten thousand eight thousand li—from achieving true Blood Source Power." A soft voice echoed from the Blood River. Suddenly, the blood in the river parted, revealing Ma Liang's figure, his face tinged with a cold smile. Upon Ma Liang's appearance, the others—Wu Ling Lady and the rest—were instantly alert, their eyes sharply fixed on him. "Indeed, you must be from the Celestial Realm?" Ming Zun asked, his eyes briefly narrowing, yet his tone remained calm. "Correct. I have attained the rank of True Immortal for no fewer than countless years. Had it not been for a pressing duty, I would never have come to this humble, fading realm of yours." Ma Liang replied with quiet assurance. "A pressing duty?" What matter do you have that involves our spiritual realm? Kindly state it clearly. Upon hearing this, Ming Zun swiftly turned over his thoughts in his mind, yet showed not the slightest change on his face, and asked with composure. "There's no need anymore. I already have a clear plan. All it takes is to eliminate you these humble insects, and the matter will be settled easily. Now, then, I shall personally send you all on your way." Ma Liang spoke calmly, regardless of the reactions from the numerous Great Stage cultivators, and with a single hand extended before him, formed a peculiar hand seal resembling a lotus blossom with his five fingers.