The demon cultivators who reported upward received Lan's response, "Disguise yourselves to facilitate action. We must not let anyone escape. Kill!"

Before replying, Lan also consulted with the red-clothed woman beside her, whose stance was unwavering.

Thus, Li Hongjiu moved, the demon cultivator holding the Mother-child Talisman immediately struck, raising his hand in a lethal chop.

The East Victory Army glanced to know that a Heavenly Immortal realm expert had made a move, indicating their opponents' strength might rival theirs.

They had no intention to rescue Li Hongjiu; originally, they wanted to clearly draw the line due to Shi Chun's nonsense, wanting to declare to the demon cultivators that they would only take Shi Chun, leaving the others behind.

Unexpectedly, they took action without confirmation, directly attacking.

Thus, they expressed indifference through their actions, merely watching Li Hongjiu's demise, knowing it wasn't their doing even if Yanbao Sect investigated later.

The terrifying power of that strike could clear the moisture, and from the surrounding water vapor's change, it clearly reached Li Hongjiu.

With Li Hongjiu's speed, he couldn't escape; those inside or outside the mirror image held their breath in tension.

Unable to dodge, Li Hongjiu slightly tilted his head and took in the changes around him, showing no panic. Instead, a hint of coldness and unexpected surprise appeared in his eyes, as someone unexpectedly acted for him.

It was Shi Chun!

The visibly shocked Shi Chun threw out the Flying Dragon Sword, the treasure sword turning into a stream of light, speeding to block that strike for Li Hongjiu.

This sudden color change wasn't feigned; it genuinely showed concern.

Had he not steadied his mind during such a critical and urgent moment, it might have shaken Li Hongjiu's spirit.

Yet a deep question lingered in his mind, "Is it real? That bastard really cares about me?"

Indeed, it wasn't false; Shi Chun absolutely did not want Li Hongjiu to lose his life, as it concerned his own future. How could he sit idly by with his prospects at stake? Losing his future, how could he not panic?

Yet, a Heavenly Immortal expert's strike was so fast that Shi Chun's minor abilities couldn't intervene; even a Fifth-grade Magical Treasure wouldn't suffice.

He helplessly watched as that terrifying power directly struck Li Hongjiu, watching Li Hongjiu explode.

But it wasn't truly an explosion, just an instantaneous illusion. Li Hongjiu's wide robes fluctuated wildly for a moment as if about to burst.

In a fleeting moment, Li Hongjiu wielded the double-handed sword, flipped in mid-air, and blocked the overwhelming power without much collision sound, then spun and reversed the sword, countering back, instantly clearing the water vapor along the way.

The shock from this sword strike was something only the bystanders could feel.

Sitting in front of the mirror image, Wei Mo was so startled he stood up in shock, exclaiming, "A true celestial being..."

Young Master Nan was no exception.

It was said Li Hongjiu was the top among the new generation of rising figures; today, they witnessed firsthand how dazzling this so-called top figure was.

A mere Human Immortal realm capable of blocking a Heavenly Immortal realm's strike and countering it, was like a grain competing with the moon; if not witnessed firsthand, who would believe it?

However, Young Master Nan also noticed another point: What was going on with Shi Chun? With no leverage, how could he stand steadily in mid-air? Had his cultivation also broken through to the Human Immortal realm?

At this moment, only he noticed this unusual point.

Boom!

The demon cultivators swiftly moved to block Li Hongjiu's counterattack, and the resonating sound seemed to shake the heavens and earth.

Shi Chun unleashed the Black Lotus Treasure, releasing its power to help him withstand the explosive aftermath weakly.

The Flying Dragon Sword missed, quickly returning to its owner.

"Brother Jiu, this way!" Shi Chun shouted desperately amid the booming explosion, fearing the other wouldn't hear.

Li Hongjiu glanced aside, wondering if it was safe to rely on those people close to capturing him.

Though unsure why Shi Chun was so anxious, he, who usually distrusted Shi Chun, followed his intuition this time, unexpectedly flashing to Shi Chun's side after the strike.

As the two approached, Shi Chun widened his eyes at Li Hongjiu's back, seeing the demon cultivators gearing up, ready to strike again. He urgently shouted, "Go, take me!"

Grabbing Li Hongjiu's arm, he abandoned the Black Lotus Treasure, letting it independently activate its Dharma Aspect for support, and quickly summoned the Boundless Banner for protection.

While grabbing Li Hongjiu's arm, he was also pushing him away.

Seeing those numerous Magical Treasures in the mirror image, with one they had heard of, Young Master Nan was already in toothache anguish, while Wei Mo slammed the table, "Shi Chun, it's him!"

The people he sent weren't amateurs; seeing Shi Chun trying to escape right in front of him, the square-faced leader snorted coldly in ridicule and moved in a flash to grab. The moment he stretched his hand, his expression rapidly changed.

Initially thinking it might be an illusion, he felt his speed seemed sluggish, then realized he couldn't move.

An immobilization charm? This thought flashed in his mind. He had been warned about Shi Chun having a Fifth-grade Body-Stabilizing Talisman, yet still fell into the trap unexpectedly.

But then again, a mere Fifth-grade Body-Stabilizing Talisman was like a thread binding him, unable to hold him.

Yet the next moment he widened his terrified eyes, exerting all his strength to break the shackles but failed to dodge the scene that filled him with terror.

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