Chapter 14: Fierce Battle in the Frozen Abyss, the Secret of the Blood Soul Revealed

Li Hongjun and his companions stood ready, unflinching in the face of the tide of black-clad assailants surging toward them. Iron Tiger swung his great blade with glee, shouting, "Good! Let me vent all my pent-up frustration on you!" With that, he unleashed the "Tiger's Wrath Against Ten Thousand," his blade flashing as several black-clad men fell before him in an instant.

"Ha! You petty lackeys think you can snatch anything from us?" Monkey teased, dodging attacks with nimble grace, his throwing knives darting out like black lightning, each one finding its mark with deadly precision.

Bear let out a thunderous roar, unleashing the "Bear's Rampage Through Rivers and Mountains." His massive form barreled through the enemy ranks, sending black-clad men flying in all directions. "With such pitiful skill, you dare act so brazenly here!"

Lin Yu, wielding his azure longsword, executed the "Verdant Gale Phantom Sword Technique." Sword shadows whirled about him, forming a blue whirlwind that repelled all who drew near. "If you want the treasure, you'd best ask my sword first!"

The mysterious woman summoned the "Dark Storm," a black tempest sweeping through the enemy ranks, leaving screams and misery in its wake. "Fools courting death," she scoffed.

The white-haired elder raised the "Heaven and Earth Seal," a colossal sigil that crashed down upon the black-clad men, crushing many into pulp in a single stroke. "Cause trouble here, and you’ll pay the price!"

Li Hongjun called upon the power of the stars, unleashing the "Cosmic Star Technique." Like a dazzling star, he plunged into the enemy horde, every blow radiating stellar energy, scattering the black-clad men like leaves before the wind. Yet their numbers were vast, pouring in ceaselessly as if endless.

"Shadow League really doesn’t mind the expense, sending so many after us," Li Hongjun remarked, fighting as he spoke.

"They must have sensed we've uncovered something important and rushed here to seize it," the mysterious woman replied coldly, weaving spell after spell of dark magic.

At that moment, the middle-aged man leading the enemy, his face darkening as he saw his men unable to break through, began to chant and form hand seals. Suddenly, a surge of dark energy burst from him, coalescing into a massive hand of darkness that reached for Li Hongjun and his allies.

"Everyone be careful, this old bastard’s about to unleash something big!" Li Hongjun shouted. Instantly, the group cast their strongest defenses: Li Hongjun summoned the "Stellar Shield," forming a radiant barrier around them; Iron Tiger called forth the "Iron Wall Guard," a thick iron bulwark; Bear raised the "Bear’s Bastion," merging his bear-shaped shield with the iron wall for added strength; Lin Yu conjured the "Verdant Wind Sword Array," swirling blades of wind circling the group; the mysterious woman shrouded them in a "Shadow Veil Shield"; while the white-haired elder enveloped everyone in the "Primordial Cosmos Barrier."

The dark hand crashed down on their shields, making a hissing sound as the barriers trembled violently under the strain. "This thing is strong!" Iron Tiger gritted his teeth.

Li Hongjun’s eyes flashed as he observed the hand, then he called out, "Look—there’s a glow at its wrist, that must be the weak point! Focus all your attacks there!"

At his signal, they struck as one. Li Hongjun unleashed the "Stellar Burst Fist," its force howling toward the hand’s wrist; Iron Tiger brought down the "Tiger’s Heaven-Splitting Slash," a massive blade arc cleaving the weak spot; Bear’s "Bear’s Earth-Shattering Fist" sent a colossal fist crashing into the wrist; Lin Yu’s "Verdant Splitting Sword" shot a bolt of sword energy straight at the target; Monkey’s "Star-Shattering Finger" drove a beam of spiritual force home; the mysterious woman hurled the "Bone-Eroding Curse," black runes flying forth; the white-haired elder delivered the "Cosmic Rift Palm," a mighty blow at the same spot.

Under their combined assault, a crack appeared at the wrist, quickly spreading until, with a thunderous crash, the dark hand dissolved into smoke.

"Now’s our chance—counterattack!" Li Hongjun shouted. The group charged with renewed vigor, scattering the enemy in chaos.

The middle-aged leader’s expression turned ugly as he witnessed the rout. Though regretful, he was not yet willing to give up. He drew a strange black orb from his robes—the Shadow Pearl, its eerie glow pulsing in his hand.

"If you refuse to drink the toast, then you'll swallow the penalty! This is the Shadow Pearl—let me show you its power!" With a yell, he flung the orb into the air. Instantly, a flood of darkness poured forth, enveloping the entire cavern.

"What is that? Feels stronger than that last hand!" Bear exclaimed nervously.

Li Hongjun summoned the power of the stars, trying to pierce the darkness and discern their surroundings. Suddenly, he felt a tremendous suction from the Shadow Pearl, as if it was trying to drain all of their spiritual energy.

"Not good! It’s absorbing our power—everyone, channel your energy and resist!" Li Hongjun cried. The group quickly focused their energies, fighting against the orb’s pull.

Yet the suction only grew stronger, and soon they were on the verge of collapse. In that moment, Li Hongjun remembered an ancient text which hinted at a special connection between the Blood Soul Stone and dark forces. Seizing the thought, he channeled the energy linked to the Blood Soul Stone within him, trying to disrupt the Shadow Pearl’s power.

A miracle occurred—the energy he summoned resonated with the Shadow Pearl, and began to absorb its darkness in return. "Don’t panic! I think I’ve found a solution—hold steady while I try to absorb and transform this darkness!" Li Hongjun called out.

With immense effort, he drew the Shadow Pearl’s dark power into himself, transmuting it into stellar energy. The darkness in the cavern gradually receded. The middle-aged leader, witnessing this, was dumbfounded—"How can this be?!"

"Nothing is impossible! Now it’s our turn!" Li Hongjun sneered, unleashing the "Blood Soul Starburst"—a blinding beam of energy fused with darkness. The leader tried to resist, but was no match for such force, and in an instant, he was obliterated, vanishing in a puff of blue smoke.

Leaderless, the black-clad men fell into disarray. Li Hongjun and his companions seized their chance, swiftly wiping out the remainder.

"Phew, that’s finally over," Iron Tiger said, wiping sweat from his brow.

"That was close, nearly fell for their tricks," Monkey said, still shaken.

Li Hongjun gazed at the ancient tome in his hand. "The Blood Soul Stone truly is no ordinary artifact. Not only can it resonate with dark forces—it can absorb and transform them. We’re one step closer to solving the mystery."

The mysterious woman nodded. "Indeed, but we must not let down our guard. The Shadow League surely has more tricks in store. We should leave and find a safe place to study the text and unlock the Blood Soul Stone’s secrets."

All agreed, and quickly departed the ancient frozen realm. They found a secluded mountain valley, where they set about poring over the ancient writings. After days and nights of research, they finally uncovered crucial information: the Blood Soul Stone required a specific combination of spiritual energies and an ancient formation to control the primeval demon beast.

"It seems the energies of the few of us are precisely what’s needed," Li Hongjun observed.

"But we’ve never seen such a formation before. What should we do?" Lin Yu asked, frowning.

At that moment, the white-haired elder remembered something. "I recall mention of a similar formation in my family’s old records. Perhaps we should return to my clan—there might be a clue there."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!" Iron Tiger urged.

Without delay, they set off for the elder’s ancestral home, proceeding with utmost caution lest the Shadow League discover them. At last, they reached the clan grounds.

The elder’s family was an ancient cultivation clan, rich in old texts and relics. He led them to the family’s library, a hall filled with ancient tomes exuding an air of antiquity.

"There are so many books here—it won’t be easy to find the right clue," the mysterious woman remarked.

"Let’s split up and check every book carefully. The answer could be hidden anywhere," Li Hongjun said.

They dispersed through the library, searching diligently. For a long while, there was no progress. Then, just as hope was fading, Monkey suddenly called out, "Brother Li, everyone—come quickly! I think I’ve found something!"

They hurried over. Monkey was holding a tattered volume, on which was drawn a complex formation—strikingly similar to the one they sought.

"This is it! I’m sure this is the formation we need," the white-haired elder exclaimed with excitement.

Studying the formation closely, they discovered it could only be enacted at a specific location—the central square of Ruili City.

"Ruili City's central square? That’s troublesome. It’s one of the Shadow League’s strongholds. If we try to perform the ritual there, they’ll throw everything they have at us," Iron Tiger said grimly.

"No matter how difficult, we have to try. For the peace of Ruili City, we must master the Blood Soul Stone and control the ancient demon beast," Li Hongjun declared resolutely.

"Brother Li is right! We can’t back down—if necessary, we’ll fight the Shadow League to the end!" Bear said, clenching his fists.

They began to draw up a detailed plan, preparing to enact the formation in the city’s central square. They knew it would be a grueling battle, but for the future of Ruili City, they would not falter.

Once everything was ready, they set out for Ruili City, rehearsing their plan along the way to ensure nothing went awry. At last, they arrived.

The city appeared calm, but Li Hongjun and his companions knew the Shadow League must be watching from the shadows. Cautiously, they approached the square, but before they could reach it, a band of black-clad men surrounded them.

"So you’ve finally come. This time, you won’t escape!" the leader sneered.

Li Hongjun met their gaze without fear. "You think you can stop us?"

A fierce battle erupted once more. Li Hongjun unleashed the "Cosmic Star Technique," stellar energy swirling around him as he charged into the enemy, scattering black-clad men wherever he passed. Iron Tiger swung his blade, his "Tiger’s Wrath Against Ten Thousand" felling all who drew near. Bear’s "Bear’s Rampage" sent enemies flying with his massive frame.

Monkey darted among the enemy like a phantom, his knives striking vital points with unerring aim. Lin Yu’s "Verdant Gale Phantom Sword" conjured clouds of sword images, driving the enemy back. The mysterious woman’s "Dark Storm" tore through the ranks, leaving only shrieks behind. The white-haired elder’s "Heaven and Earth Seal" crushed foes in droves.

Yet the enemy’s numbers only grew, endless as the tide. As their strength began to flag, Li Hongjun suddenly shouted, "Listen! Don’t get bogged down—break through their lines and get to the square!"

At his command, everyone unleashed their strongest attacks, driving a wedge through the enemy ranks, and at last making their way to the city’s heart.

There, the square was already crowded with Shadow League members, led by a black-robed elder whose face broke into a cold smile at their arrival.

"So you’ve come at last. I’ve waited long for this day. Today, you will die!" he announced icily.

Li Hongjun faced him, his voice unyielding. "In your dreams! Not only will we perform the ritual here, we’ll also put an end to Ruili City’s crisis!"

Thus began the ultimate battle for the fate of Ruili City. Would Li Hongjun and his companions succeed in completing the formation, mastering the power of the Blood Soul Stone, subduing the ancient demon beast, and vanquishing the Shadow League once and for all? All these questions await their answers in the chapters yet to come… To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the continuation of the tale.