Chapter 348: Heavenly Fire Technique

After everyone had crushed the jade slips, Uncle Master Huang revealed a satisfied expression. Then, a flash of yellow light appeared in his hand, and a small banner about a foot long appeared. The banner was entirely snow-white, but emitted a yellow glow, making it impossible to see what was embroidered on it. "I will use the Wind and Cloud Banner to conceal the traces of all you junior brothers and sisters, and then when the enemy arrives, we will launch a surprise attack." After saying this, Uncle Master Huang gently shook the small banner in his hand. Countless milky-white mist instantly billowed from the banner, and in the blink of an eye, it formed a huge white cloud dozens of zhang wide, enveloping Han Li and the others within the mist. Han Li and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators were both surprised and delighted! Although the cloud was extremely dense, for some reason, they within the mist had no blurry or unclear vision at all—it was truly an excellent hiding place! Thus, under the middle-aged man's spell, the huge cloud mass carried everyone flying rapidly high into the sky. In the blink of an eye, it had merged with other white clouds, making it impossible to distinguish one from another. Seeing this, Han Li silently clicked his tongue in admiration! His own magic treasure, the "Azure Fire Miasma," could also transform into dense mist, but it simply couldn't compare with this "Wind and Cloud Banner." Not only was its range limited, but it could also only be used on himself. If fellow disciples entered his Azure Fire poison mist, they would likely only be poisoned. Thinking about this, Han Li couldn't help but glance at Uncle Master Huang. He saw that the latter was sitting cross-legged in the center of the mist, eyes tightly closed, body motionless. But beside him, two other Foundation Establishment cultivators stood cautiously behind him, seemingly acting as his protectors. Han Li was stunned for a moment. But then he immediately understood what the other party was doing—searching for the enemy's tracks with spiritual sense. And with the powerful spiritual sense of a Core Formation cultivator, he should be able to sense events within a hundred-li radius! Seeing this, Han Li also sat on his Divine Wind Boat to rest his mind. The upcoming battle would be extremely dangerous! And Qu Hun remained motionless behind him, looking like a loyal servant. After about an hour, he said: "The enemy has arrived. We've deviated by about two li. We must reach the sky above their inevitable path." After saying this, he led the cloud mass flying away without any warning. The people within the cloud naturally dared not leave the mist. Everyone fully channeled their spiritual power, riding their magic treasures to follow closely behind Uncle Master Huang. Seeing this, Han Li slightly furrowed his brow. During the flight, he took out the silver giant sword and threw it to Qu Hun behind him. Although he didn't know what use it would have, adding a bit more combat power couldn't hurt. "Right here. The enemy is almost here, everyone prepare!" Moments later, the huge cloud mass arrived above the so-called inevitable path. Uncle Master Huang unceremoniously ordered. Immediately, everyone brought out their magic treasures and desperately cast protective spells on themselves. Various colored lights rose and fell among the crowd. Han Li, however, took out two round balls of cyan and red from his body. He lightly tapped them together. With a muffled "bang," a thick cyan-red smoke simultaneously billowed from both balls, quickly enveloping Han Li. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a huge cyan-red cloud mass about five or six zhang in diameter, completely hiding Han Li's figure within the mist. Han Li had actually used the "Azure Fire Miasma" to create a cloud-within-cloud defense, astonishing the other fellow disciples nearby. They couldn't understand Han Li's intentions. Han Li had no mind to bother with other fellow disciples. One hand gripped the turtle shell magic treasure, while the other held an ordinary blue flying knife—he hadn't taken out the Black Dragon Hook. Han Li knew very well what he was doing! For him, the more low-key the attacking magic treasure, the better. Only this way could he avoid being targeted by any ruthless characters after the ambush, making it easier to escape. Under everyone's focused waiting, time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, half a quarter of an hour had passed, but there was still no sign of the enemy. This time, most people grew somewhat anxious and impatient, couldn't help but look suspiciously at Uncle Master Huang. The sharp-eyed middle-aged man was equally full of doubt. After a brief thought, he slowly said: "Don't be anxious, everyone. I'll search again with my spiritual sense!" After saying this, he sat down again. But before he could actually begin, a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering roar suddenly came from above. At first it was intermittent, one or two sounds, but soon it resounded throughout heaven and earth, becoming continuous. Everyone was startled and hurriedly looked up at the sky. The sight that met their eyes caused the Yellow Maple Valley cultivators' expressions to change dramatically. They saw that at some unknown time, the sky had turned completely red. All the clouds above had transformed into deep-red fire clouds, rolling ceaselessly like molten lava, producing hanging lava bubbles one after another. The tremendous booming sound was actually the bursting of each lava bubble. "What is this?" Someone beside Han Li cried out in horror. "Be careful! This is a mid-level high-tier spell—the 'Heavenly Fire Technique.' Each drop of lava that falls from above is equivalent to a strike from a Foundation Establishment cultivator. If you can't withstand it, you'll be turned to ashes." The speaker was none other than Uncle Master Huang, though his expression was extremely grim. Obviously, they had intended to ambush others, but had instead been ambushed themselves. "Then why aren't we running? I don't want to take this thing head-on!" another person said in panic. After speaking, the flying treasure beneath his feet lit up, and he prepared to flee wildly on his treasure. "It's already too late. The opponent's spell is already complete; there's no way to escape outside its range. Now listen to my orders—everyone, form a combined protective barrier!" A cold light flashed in Uncle Master Huang's eyes, and he issued the order in a tone that brooked no argument. Hearing Uncle Master Huang's words, the others finally realized the urgency and hurriedly joined hands. Amid a vast expanse of blue light, they released a huge protective barrier. Almost at the instant the barrier formed, the mid-level high-tier spell above finally began its rampage. A drop of deep-red lava about a foot long fell straight down, striking toward Han Li and the others below. But the just-formed barrier easily blocked it. However, this was only the beginning. Countless drops of lava began falling continuously like raindrops. Although most missed, quite a few still struck the barrier, immediately stirring up a shower of red and blue light sparks. At first, everyone felt they had more than enough to handle it. But as the lava drops fell faster and faster, and their density increased, Han Li and the others' spiritual power consumption also accelerated. Before long, everyone found it unbearable. The blue light on the barrier gradually weakened. Fortunately, this spell came quickly and went quickly too. Just as the barrier was on the verge of collapse, the "Heavenly Fire Technique" suddenly ended. The sky full of fire clouds instantly dissipated without a trace. This made the Yellow Maple Valley group extremely delighted! But their joyful expressions had just appeared on their faces when they immediately froze. Because at some unknown time, nearly a hundred cultivators had silently appeared all around them. These people had them faintly surrounded, looking at them with amused expressions. From their attire, they were cultivators of the Six Demonic Sects. The Yellow Maple Valley group was extremely shocked and angry! However, this group consisted only of Foundation Establishment cultivators; no Core Formation cultivators had appeared. This made the Yellow Maple Valley side breathe a slight sigh of relief. Presumably, although their own side had consumed considerable spiritual power, with a Core Formation cultivator taking action, they shouldn't need to fear the opponents. "How did you know our whereabouts? My Wind and Cloud Banner can definitely conceal us from your spiritual sense!" Uncle Master Huang's expression darkened, and he shouted the question harshly. "I can tell you this!" A lazy, seductive voice came from the sky. This voice made Uncle Master Huang's heart tremble, and he hurriedly looked over. He saw a man and a woman descending from the sky. The man had white hair, but was gaunt and bony, as if a gust of wind could blow him away. The woman, however, was seductively beautiful, with a slender waist and full hips. Every movement of hers was captivating. Han Li glanced briefly at these two people, and his heart sank. Two Core Formation cultivators had appeared simultaneously—this was going to be trouble. "Pink Powder Skeleton?" Upon seeing these two people, Uncle Master Huang's pupils contracted sharply. He asked in a extremely solemn tone. Before waiting for a response, he suddenly shook the Wind and Cloud Banner. Immediately, the white mist dissipated. Han Li and the others were revealed. For this Uncle Master Huang, facing a powerful enemy now, he naturally couldn't bother with Han Li and the other junior brothers and sisters. "Hee hee, I didn't expect this Daoist friend to recognize us husband and wife! That's not fair—you know our origins, but we're quite unfamiliar with you. However, I've heard that in Yellow Maple Valley, there's a cold fellow who has a magic treasure called the Wind and Cloud Banner, which is quite interesting. Could it be you?" The seductive woman spoke with a smile, as if she had no hostile intent at all. But seeing this woman's flower-like smile, Uncle Master Huang's expression remained icy cold. He just stared at her without saying a word. "So uninteresting? Then kill him!" Seeing Uncle Master Huang's demeanor, the woman pouted her small mouth slightly. Suddenly, her expression changed as she spoke. "Alright, Senior Sister. Since you want his life, I naturally will oblige!" The skeleton laughed darkly, his voice sinister. At the same time, Uncle Master Huang's voice transmission rang in Han Li and the others' ears. "As soon as we engage, break out immediately. Escape however many you can." Uncle Master Huang's voice held no emotion whatsoever.