"Arrogant?"

Zhang Yao’s expression remained unchanged, his Divine Thought shaking the surroundings:

"I don’t think so."

"If you truly detected our plan and dared to play along, then the arrogant and conceited one is you!"

From the very beginning of the planning, during the three-man discussion, he had pointed out the focus of this battle - battlefield division.

The Faceless Shadow was actually Ascendant Tianying’s avatar, and the many Black Death Beasts were also under his control. The coordination of the three was exquisite and unleashed even greater power.

As for the three of them working together, there was no way to match the opponent, so dividing the battlefield into three sections was the only way to win.

He and Ascendant Tianying fought fiercely all the way, seeming to be in a stalemate, but in reality, he was firmly in control, subtly guiding the battlefield further and further apart—the real reason he was gradually falling behind.

"Hahaha..."

Ascendant Tianying’s laughter was like thunder, his Divine Thought growing louder, with a mocking tone becoming increasingly intense:

"Do you really think that I haven’t detected your battlefield division during our long battle?"

"I merely went along with it, borrowing the momentum."

"And thanks to you, you personally delivered the key to the door of victory to me..."

Hearing his words:

Zhang Yao’s expression slightly changed, his thoughts rapidly flashing by:

"What other trump cards does he have?"

The previous battle for the Sun Burning Celestial Sunflower, with Tianying’s avatar transfer and death substitution method, had left a deep impression on him.

He had always been on guard against this move, so he deliberately stretched the battlefield far apart.

At this moment:

Ascendant Tianying’s true self was at least a hundred miles away from both the Black Death Beasts and the Ghost Shadow Avatar.

"In the outside world, his Divine Techniques spanning hundreds of miles might not be surprising, but this is the deep layer of the Nether Abyss, where the Earth’s Magnetic Field suppression is only stronger!"

"In the second district, he only used the death substitution method across a distance of several thousand feet..."

Someone who could use Divine Techniques over a span of more than a hundred miles in the deep layers of the Nether Abyss would be a rare presence even among Golden Core Perfection.

If Ascendant Tianying truly had such an ability, they would have been defeated long ago, how could they have resisted until now?

Yet strangely, Zhang Yao felt a vague sense of foreboding, his thoughts racing:

"What is going on? Is there some aspect I’ve overlooked..."

Zhang Yao’s contemplation seemed long but, in fact, was just a brief moment.

"Whoosh!"

As Ascendant Tianying’s laughter subsided, the immense shadow directly dissolved, revealing a seven-foot true form.

Following this, under Zhang Yao’s shocked gaze, a dark shadow abruptly leaped out from his body, terrifying as if a soul leaving the body!

"Swish!"

The soul-like dark shadow flew toward the distance at an unbelievable speed, so fast it was only visible as a faint black line!

After the dark shadow detached, the blurred shadow that had been shrouding Ascendant Tianying also dissipated, revealing beneath the Magic Robe, a bloody, skinless body that collapsed directly to the ground!

"It’s the corpse of Mo Heng Daoist!!"

Zhang Yao’s mind shook explosively as he almost instantly deduced a terrifying truth.

"We’ve all made a mistake!"

"This Ascendant Tianying is fundamentally not a person!"

Ascendant Tianying’s life form was no longer that of a normal Human Race Cultivator.

Whether he experienced a posthumous rebirth similar to Sima Yan or utilized some Secret Technique Formulas to cultivate into this state, he probably didn’t even have a Golden Core anymore, yet possessed part of the soul’s nature, allowing for free transfer!

In the earlier battle for the Sun Burning Celestial Sunflower, everyone thought his critical death substitution method, used to ambush Yin Flame Ancestor and ensure his own safety, was a Divine Communication Skill.

According to normal thinking, since it’s a Divine Communication Skill, there would definitely be a distance limitation.

But in reality, it’s likely that Ascendant Tianying deliberately created this illusion to mislead the judgment of Zhang Yao and the Nether Abyss Ancestor’s side; after all, from today’s perspective, he had a better, less risky way to slip away.

Until now, Zhang Yao and his team fell into the thinking trap he set, only then did he boldly reveal his trump card, exposing his true form.

"Damn it!"

Zhang Yao cursed, instantly transforming into a dazzling white rainbow, urgently pursuing.

"A misstep by a single move!"

"One crucial piece of information missed could lead to the entire situation collapsing!"

Zhang Yao’s mood grew extremely heavy, as Zhou Clan’s Magical Power surged endlessly, fully activating the Aurora Escape Technique.

Yet the distance between them didn’t decrease; on the contrary, it widened further, with Zhang Yao only able to watch as that faint black line sped into the distance.

"This is bad..."

Zhang Yao’s heart sank as he immediately realized the situation was dire.

It’s not that the Aurora Escape Technique was weak, but rather his Magical Power was not pure enough, and most importantly, he was being oppressed by the environment!

This is the Nether Abyss!

For other Golden Core Cultivators, they would only be suppressed by Primordial Magnetic Power, but Zhang Yao had to endure both Primordial Magnetic Power and Dark Attribute Spiritual Qi suppression!

Especially the Light Attribute Aurora Escape Technique, it was the hardest hit among Divine Techniques suppressed here, it was only because of its inherent strength that Zhang Yao maintained a certain advantage in battles with other Golden Core Cultivators.

But now, confronted with a formidable enemy, he was immediately reverted to his true form—the opponent’s form thrived in the Nether Abyss while he was suppressed at every turn, unable to even match the Escape Light.

"Can’t catch up!"

Zhang Yao quickly accepted this reality, feeling particularly heavy-hearted:

"Now I only hope they can hold on for a while longer, otherwise..."

...

Sima Yan was in a great mood.

His opponent, Faceless Shadow, indeed had some extremely tricky abilities.

Even without the Master’s control, Faceless Shadow inherently possesses strong combat instincts, and its strength remains at the Late Stage Golden Core level.

But as they say, blessings and misfortunes come hand in hand. Without a normal physical body, Sima Yan finds he is more at ease in battling Faceless Shadow. After all, the Yin Wood Dharma Body is not made of flesh and can resist much of the Power of Yin Poison.

"Die early!"

Sima Yan cursed twice and fiercely urged his Magical Treasure to attack, suppressing Faceless Shadow forcefully.

After fighting for almost half an hour, Faceless Shadow across him already has many wounds, faintly oozing black liquid, and its aura is greatly diminished.

Continuing like this, winning this battle is just a matter of time for Sima Yan.

"Nether Abyss Ancestor over there should be almost resolved too?"

In Sima Yan’s heart, thoughts churned:

"Once he joins me, we can quickly kill this monster and then go support Qingxu!"

"With the strength of the three of us, defeating Old Thief Tianying’s true form is quite easy, but we must guard against his escape. After all, ’Phantom Wishing Technique’ for escaping is just too formidable..."

Just as he was thinking this:

"Swish!"

A figure suddenly appeared in the void behind him and slammed a palm on his back.

"What?"

Sima Yan couldn’t even react, and his Protective Magical Power was already torn apart. The terrifying power of the Fierce Spring Divine Palm instantly eroded him!

"Ahhh..."

He let out a piercing scream, his body convulsing and twisting instantly, the green vines around him visibly withering, leaves drifting to the ground!

The Yin Wood Dharma Body doesn’t have pain sensations, but his Divine Soul attached to it was also torn apart, enduring unimaginable agony at this moment!

The Yin Wood Dharma Body couldn’t resist the terrifying Fierce Spring Divine Palm; it could only hold on for a couple of more moments at most.

What’s the use of this time? Absolutely nothing! He can only watch helplessly as he marches towards death!

"Very good!"

"This is the true power of the Fierce Spring Divine Palm!"

Ascendant Tianying’s true form—an ever-twisting shadow, withdrew his palm, revealing a satisfied look.

Earlier, when fighting and engaging in Magic Battles with Elder Qingxu, the Fierce Spring Divine Palm hardly had any effect, nearly costing him his life under the opponent’s killing moves, and this made him doubt life.

However, fortunately, this time a perfect sneak attack displayed the terrifying power of the Fierce Spring Divine Palm again, proving that the earlier was just a little accident.

"Such a freak even the Fierce Spring Divine Palm can’t handle... better kill it sooner!"

With this realization, Ascendant Tianying’s murderous intent surged, not even bothering to take another look, turning into a black streak and flying off swiftly.

"Boom!"

Faceless Shadow also soared up, rushing rapidly towards another battlefield.

In place, only a pile of corroded black ashes remained, falling silently, speaking of unspeakable desolation.

...

"Roar roar..."

The Black Death Beast continually roared, but its voice uncharacteristically carried weakness and hesitation.

Nether Abyss Ancestor panted heavily, covered in black blood, yet a hint of excitement showed in his expression. The battle spirit within his chest grew ever more vigorous.

Surrounding him were eight Black Death Beasts, down to four now, each wounded.

As they expected:

Nether Abyss Ancestor’s talent overwhelmingly restrains the Black Death Beast, so much that he has steadily maintained an upper hand since the battle began.

These subdued Black Death Beasts seemed like they’ve undergone systematic training; even without anyone controlling them, their cooperation was exceptionally tight.

The first Black Death Beast was the hardest to kill, as Nether Abyss Ancestor almost suffered severe injuries for it.

But after the first reduction, the process sped up, the power between both sides rapidly adjusted, and the deaths of Black Death Beasts increasingly accelerated.

To kill the first Black Death Beast, Nether Abyss Ancestor spent nearly half an hour.

To solve the remaining four, even in his imperfect state now, he confidently needs just a quarter-hour at most!

"Boom boom boom!"

He propelled the Black Tide Power fiercely upward, pounding the four Black Death Beasts into powerless sandbags.

"Rip!"

Soon, he seized another opportunity, tore through a Black Death Beast’s body, then utilized the Devouring Power to quickly devour and refine the Black Death Beast’s strength.

In the midst of woeful and bleak wails, this Black Death Beast soon expired.

Yet the remaining three Black Death Beasts showed a trace of fear at this moment, stepping back several paces.

"Hahahahaha..."

Nether Abyss Ancestor looked at the trembling trio of Black Death Beasts, feeling immensely proud and laughed heartily:

"The game is decided!"

"Ascendant Tianying, you’re doomed!"