The Immemorial Demon Soul Formation activated, and the Great Desolate Eon Yazi Beast revealed itself and reared its head as it roared.
A berserk aura surged out of the Yazi Beastâs body, kicking up an endless rush of overwhelming sea waves.
Under Xiao Suoâs control, the Yazi Beast Demon Soul leaped up with its horrifying aura. Then, it swung a paw towards the sea in front.
In the force field unique to the Protector, his will of soul merged with the world. Every move of his could cause the world to change color and the waves to crest.
With every move, the Protector could drivve the power of the world in front of him.
It was like the Iron Hand Yama was not fighting against a person but the world. A palm strike was like the sky pressing down.
However, the claw of the Yazi Beast Demon Soul was like a strange object descending from the sky, forcibly breaking the Protectorâs force field. It used the most violent method to attack at lightning speed.
The Protectorâs expression changed slightly. When he looked up, he saw a shadow flash, so fast that he could not clearly see it. In his fluster, his body flinched away.
âBang!â
The Yazi Beast Demon Soulâs claw landed on the surface of the sea, turning all the seawater soft and making it sink deep.
In actual fact, it was naturally impossible for seawater to become soft. However, when the Yazi Beast Demon Soulâs claw landed, the impact was too immense and too rapid, creating this special phenomenon.
âBoom!â With a loud sound, the seawater rebounded. The surface of the sea suddenly surged, and a three-kilometer-tall giant wave appeared, an extremely terrifying tsunami.
âWhat in the world is this thing?â The Protector showed an uncertain expression, appearing puzzled.
It was like a ghost or a soul, but a ghost or soul should not be this ferocious or have such berserk power. It looked no different from a real ferocious beast.
Now that the Iron Hand Yama got a break, he breathed deeply and recovered quickly.
The Protectorâs will of soul pressured the Iron Hand Yama to the point of suffocation. However, the appearance of the Yazi Beast Demon Soul helped him a lot.
The moment the Yazi Beast Demon Soul appeared, it used a brutal method to directly shatter the other partyâs will of soul.
To the Iron Hand Yama, this was good news.
Without the suppression of the will of soul, the Iron Hand Yama would have a much easier time.
âBig Brother Iron Hand, are you alright?â Xiao Suo asked nervously as he controlled the Yazi Beast Demon Soul.
âDonât worry. This old man wonât die. Just continue what you are doing. Do not ever let this bald monkâs will of soul appear again. If we work well together, we might be able to deal with this corrupt bald monk.â
âGreat!â
The two formally established cooperation. After the Iron Hand Yama rested for a while, he took the initiative to charge over.
When Xiao Chen saw this scene, he eased his bated breath. Then, he focused his attention on the six remaining black-clad arhats.
Xiao Chen would take things one at a time. With the unexpected assistance on the Iron Hand Yamaâs side, the situation slowly took a turn for the better.
After four hours, Xiao Chen, Elder Tang, Xiao Suo, Luo Nan, the tortoise beast, and the two Cold Steel Eagles finally finished off the six black-clad arhats by working together.
This battle was even more problematic than Xiao Chen had anticipated. It turned out that the black-clad arhats all differed in strength.
The strongest black-clad arhat could equal three of the other black-clad arhats. This caught Xiao Chen and the others somewhat off guard.
Xiao Chen did not know that the seventy-two arhats of the Black Lotus Church were ranked by numbers representing their strength, their glory.
The first-ranked black-clad arhat was definitely someone equal to the Iron Hand Yama.
Fortunately, none of the eight black-clad arhats before them were among the top ten. Otherwise, this would have been a disaster.
âBig Brother Xiao Chen, please donât abandon us, alright?â Fei`er urged gloomily as she sat on a Cold Steel Eagle and looked at Xiao Chen.
Elder Tang said, âAlthough this old man knows that you have kind intentions, however, by doing this, you make us wonder where we stand in your heart.â
Xiao Chen felt warmth in his heart as he nodded thoughtfully. âSorry, I will not be this reckless in the future. Iâll judge others by my own measure. If I were you all, I would not feel good, either.â
âAlright, letâs not speak about that for now. Now, there is only that Protector left. We might still have a chance at victory,â Elder Tang said seriously as he looked at the battle in front.
Xiao Chen entered deep thought and then said, âAttack together and end the battle quickly. There is indeed some chance.â
âRight!â
Everyone felt a hot-bloodedness surge in their hearts. They did not hesitate to soar into the air and charge at the Protector.
Although Elder Tang and the others did not fear death, they still exercised good judgment and did not blindly send themselves to their death. They only chose to harass the Protector from a distance.
Xiao Chen relied on the strength of his physique, bringing out the Azure Dragon War Body and opting to engage in close combat.
His Great Dao Energy merged into his saber light and could place great pressure on that Protector. He was as much of a problem as the Iron Hand Yama was for the Protector.
Of course, the main force was still the Yazi Beast Demon Soul.
Supported by the Scarlet Blood War Banner, the Yazi Beast Demon Soul with two pearls lit up possessed the strength of an ordinary Star Venerate.
What was more important were the Yazi Beast Demonâs berserk aura and the fact that it was an ancient ferocious beastâs soul.
This completely countered the Protectorâs will of soul. When he brought out his will of soul and merged with the world, it would be ruthlessly broken.
Otherwise, with the appearance of the will of soul, the others would not be able to get close to the Protector, much less harass him.
âWhoosh!â
The Protector nimbly dodged the Yazi Beast Demon Soulâs attack once more. However, when he was about to move again, he discovered that the tortoise beast in the sea below had stuck its head out and bitten one of his legs at lightning speed.
Given such a rare opening, the Iron Hand Yama did not hesitate to go forward and throw a punch.
The Protectorâs face sank as he glared and roared. He did not move from his original spot as he forcefully traded punches with the Iron Hand Yama and sent the Iron Hand Yama flying.
âWhoosh!â
However, at this moment, Xiao Chenâs saber light arrived at lightning speed.
âCrack!â The Lunar Shadow Saber landed on the Protectorâs collarbone. After Xiao Chen used all his strength, the blade sank in by two centimeters.
âWhoosh! Whoosh!â
Two beams of cold light flashed. At the crucial moment, the two Cold Steel Eagles each sacrificed a precious tail feather and shot them into the Protectorâs chest.
The Protector howled involuntarily in intense pain.
âNow!â
Xiao Suo controlled the Yazi Beast Demon Soul to open its huge maw and descend from the sky, wanting it to swallow up the Protector directly.
With victory at hand, everyone revealed an expression of anticipation.
At this moment, the Protector suddenly revealed a cruel smile. He shouted coldly, âHonored Sect Venerate, hear my call! Black Lotus Sect Art, Outer Dharmic Golden Body!
âWhen the black lotus blooms, the revered one of the world becomes a sage. Only I reign in the world!â
[TL Note: The revered one of the world is a Buddhist reference to Buddha.]
Strange Buddhist scriptures rang out in the sky.
Clouds churned, and a black lotus bloomed. A black Buddha image stood up and crossed the universe, traveling an unknown distance.
Then, the black Buddha image pierced through the clouds and entered the Protectorâs body in the time it took for a spark to fly.
âThis is not good!â
Xiao Chenâs expression changed, and he quickly retracted his saber.
However, he was still half a beat too late. Black light burst out of the Protectorâs body, blasting him away. Just the shock waves alone made him feel like his skin was burning.
This caused Xiao Chen incredible pain.
Then, the Protector stomped down with his free leg and kicked the tortoise beast to the bottom of the sea. The thick tortoise shell that was like a mountain cracked; this looked extremely terrifying.
âGolden Body Protection!â the Protector shouted, and many black scriptures spread across his body. His skin turned dark and flickered with a metallic sheen, looking like dark gold.
As the Protector punched, countless scriptures surrounded his fist light. This knocked the approaching Yazi Beast Demon Soul into the sea.
The Black Cutlass, which was in the chest of the Yazi Beast Demon Soul, shook continuously. Then, Xiao Suo vomited a mouthful of blood.
Xiao Suo was the one running the formations. This punch inflicted severe injuries on him.
By executing his secret art, the Protector immediately turned the tables. He radiated a strong aura, pressuring others to the point of suffocation.
Due to Xiao Suoâs severe injuries, the Yazi Beast Demon Soul, which everyone placed their hopes on, could not get up from the sea.
âHumph! Even after doing your best, you are just a group of dancing clowns. Before the revered one of the world, everything is like an ant!â
Although the Protector said that, his heart was full of rage. He felt an intense heartache. When dealing with such a group of people, he actually had to execute his forbidden art, nearly dying here.
This was simply a great humiliation.
âCome with me!â
The Protectorâs eyes swept through the place before locking on Xiao Chen. Then, he hurriedly walked over.
It was like the Protector was worried about something. He did not care about the others, only wanting to bring Xiao Chen away quickly.
Black scriptures surrounded the Protectorâs entire body. The black Buddha image appeared like a shadow. As the Protector walked over, Xiao Chen did not have any chance to retaliate.
âDong!â
Just at this moment, a strange sound suddenly rang out over the churning seawater. It seemed distant yet substantial. It sounded like footsteps in a deserted valley and, at the same time, like a morning bell at a monastery.
When this sound rang out, the Protectorâs expression changed radically.
âDong! Dong! Dong!â
Many similar sounds rang out. Xiao Chen finally made out what this sound was. It was the sound of a wooden fish.
[TL Note: A wooden fish is a percussion instrument that Buddhist monks use when chanting the scriptures or praying. One of its purposes is to help keep the rhythm.]
âWhich evil Buddhist sect disciple dares to appear near Potala Mountain?!â
A loud voice came from a distance. Xiao Chenâs heart leaped. The Potala Mountain was one of the Grave Seaâs three blessed lands.