As Cao Changjing continued his relentless slaughter, the once spacious and bright hall had become utterly unrecognizable, with most of the structure already collapsed.
Dust filled the air amidst the chaotic wreckage.
The guests who had originally come merely to spectate were now utterly terrified, their souls nearly frightened out of them.
They scattered in all directions, none daring to step forward and stop Cao Changjing's rampage.
The Nine Bones Master watched this scene unfold with growing fury burning in his heart.
His eyes widened as he glared fixedly at Cao Changjing, violently flicking his fan.
With several "whooshing" sounds, numerous flying swords shot forth like meteors, aiming straight for Cao Changjing's vital points!
Cao Changjing was already entangled by several demon generals.
Further suppressed by the Nine Bones Master's cultivation.
Though Cao Changjing fought with increasing ferocity, having slain multiple high-level demon generals.Much to the Nine Bones Master's distress.
Cao Changjing's legs were pierced through by flying swords.
Yet he paid no mind, his hammer clashing against the swords with loud banging sounds.
Amidst his ecstatic slaughter, Cao Changjing failed to notice his body was already drenched in blood.
While Cao Changjing was immersed in his bloody battle.
Li Xuanxiao at the back mountain was far from idle.
Li Xuanxiao's three clones flitted ghostlike through every corner of the rear peaks.
Wherever they passed, demons and monsters fell in droves.
The fifteen puppets followed closely behind, some wielding giant axes, others unleashing powerful spells to eliminate the remaining fiends.
Amidst this carnage, Li Xuanxiao's three clones never paused.
Their targets were clear - heading straight for several treasure troves in the rear peaks.
These were originally the demons' hidden stashes, but now became Li Xuanxiao's plunder.
Arriving at the treasure locations, the three clones unceremoniously looted everything inside.
Whether precious elixirs, magical artifacts, or rare materials - all were claimed by Li Xuanxiao.
Li Xuanxiao well understood the principle that thieves never leave empty-handed.
Since he'd come, returning without gains was unacceptable.
He incidentally rescued some imprisoned "blood food" - captured humans held here.
Only after thorough looting did Li Xuanxiao recall his dispersed clones.
"............"
Cao Changjing lay sprawled on the ground, completely exhausted.
Yet his weapon still emitted thick murderous aura.
Though Cao Changjing lacked strength to even lift it now.
"Blissful!!"
Blood bubbles burst from his throat as he spat these two words.
Then Cao Changjing fell unconscious.
The Nine Bones Master burned with rage, glaring furiously at Cao Changjing, roaring:
"Only by mincing you to pieces today can my hatred be quenched!!"
Cao Changjing could struggle no more.
Immediately, a subordinate demon general charged forward with trident.
"My King, leave this trash to me!"
With that, he thrust the trident downward.
Only for it to strike with a dull "thud" sound.
Hmm!?
The demon general stared bewildered ahead.
There, an eight-zhang tall Dharma Form Avatar had manifested.
Li Xuanxiao lifted Cao Changjing, giving him an approving nod.
This aura indicated great accomplishment indeed.
Dharma Form Avatar!?
The Nine Bones Master gasped - only peak Transformation Spirit cultivators could barely manifest such an avatar.
Had this opponent reached peak Transformation Spirit realm?
The Dharma Form Avatar represents the metamorphosis from Nascent Soul.
The core of Transformation Spirit stage requires fusing Nascent Soul with spiritual essence to form the higher "Primordial Spirit."
The Dharma Form essentially materializes this Primordial Spirit, a product resonating with the cultivator's mind, will and cosmic energies.
Yet Li Xuanxiao's Dharma Form appeared markedly different from ordinary ones.
Due to his dual Nascent Souls.
When breaking through from Nascent Soul to Transformation Spirit.
One Nascent Soul transformed while the other - which had mysteriously appeared during cultivation - remained unchanged.
Thus Li Xuanxiao hadn't truly reached peak Transformation Spirit.
But his cultivation foundation was so profound that even at initial Transformation Spirit stage, he could forcibly manifest this form.
Perhaps this was part of Heaven's reward for surviving such tribulations.
Li Xuanxiao's Dharma Form phantom bore a sword.
An ancient cyan sword phantom hovered along its spine.
The blade was carved with archaic inscriptions, its sword intent so condensed it seemed capable of cleaving the heavens.
This was the lifebound sword left to Li Xuanxiao by senior brother Xue Yun, now fused with the Dharma Form.
Its left hand held a black poisonous pellet, its surface writhing with sinister ghost faces.
This was the product of Li Xuanxiao's toxic cultivation.
Where the black miasma passed, vegetation withered and spiritual energy dissipated, even corroding opponents' magical artifacts.
Its right chest contained mechanical fragments that squirmed like living things, ready to reassemble into weapons.
This incomplete mechanism represented Li Xuanxiao's Mo Family craftsmanship studies.
He would need future opportunities to fully refine it.
Beneath it floated a cauldron phantom - a massive bronze tripod stabilizing the Dharma Form's foundation.
Blood-like flames within the cauldron anchored the form unshakably to the ground.
Around the cauldron phantom pulsed an immense aura, creating a natural, formidable presence.
The Dharma Form's mere appearance shocked the Nine Bones Master profoundly.
As Li Xuanxiao raised his hand, the avatar mirrored the motion.
Its dharma eyes blazed with golden light.
The gaze it cast upon the Nine Bones Master dripped with contempt.
"Die!"
"............."
Carrying the unconscious Cao Changjing, Li Xuanxiao departed Nine Bones Mountain Range with the rescued alchemists.
Two days later.
Cao Changjing awoke from coma to find himself soaking in a medicinal tub, his body stinging with pain.
"Huh? What happened?"
"Truly, calamity avoided brings fortune after," remarked Li Zhi'an.
Cao Changjing looked at Li Zhi'an. "Thought you were dead. How'd you get captured?"
Li Zhi'an sighed deeply. "In these times, survival itself is blessing enough. Being demon-captured beats becoming a cultivation cauldron."
Cao Changjing smiled bitterly, then remembered something.
"Right, where's my friend?"
Li Zhi'an said: "That friend of yours? Asked me about the Frost Venom Toad's location and rushed off immediately."
"You know where it is?" Cao Changjing exclaimed excitedly.
Having brought Li Zhi'an here specifically for this, it'd be embarrassing if his old friend knew nothing.
Li Zhi'an sighed. "I do know. Saw it in my youth. But retrieving it means nine deaths out of ten attempts.
No - ten deaths out of ten!!"
"Oh? That dangerous? What exactly is this Frost Venom Toad?"
The Frost Venom Toad is born in the Heavenly Extremity Cold Secret Realm.
Its back grows crystalline ice spines, its breath can freeze spiritual energy, leaving frost poison wherever it passes - hence the name.
Li Zhi'an continued: "Countless have sought to enter that realm since ancient times, yet few return alive.
When I followed my master there, he said the toad's nest lies beneath eternal profound ice.
Only moonlight essence can reveal its location - ordinary cultivators can't even hope to track it."
Cao Changjing asked: "That place is extremely dangerous? Did he say anything before leaving?"
"Yes - that if he doesn't return, you should do him a small favor."