"Go!"
The old woman pointed at the faint light shadow in the air, her voice grave and solemn.
Instantly, a flash of red and white light erupted, and the Thunder Fire Cone hurtled toward the blue crystal wall before the old woman, striking it without the slightest hesitation.
A muffled boom rang out as electric arcs and raging flames detonated in an instant, engulfing the wall's surface entirely, making it impossible to see what was happening within.
At the sight of this, Han Li's pupils contracted slightly.
Though he hadn't personally felt the Thunder Fire Cone's power, judging by the spiritual energy fluctuations alone, this treasure's might was absolutely extraordinary.
No wonder that woman surnamed Tai had been so confident in offering to give it a try.
"However, against the Grand Profound Divine Restriction, this level of power alone probably isn't quite enough…"
Before Han Li could finish his thoughts, the thunder and fire's assault on the wall had already faded.
The Thunder Fire Cone hovered gently a few inches from the wall's surface, but the crystal wall remained completely unscathed — not even a single crack had appeared.
A hint of disappointment flickered across the face of Marquis Nanlong beside them, though he still managed a smile as he spoke: "Though the treasure's power is considerable, it falls short of breaking the Grand Profound Divine Restriction. Thank you for your trouble, Fellow Daoist Tai! Let's see what abilities the other Fellow Daoists possess — perhaps someone can break through this restriction."
"Hmph! When did I ever say that was this treasure's full power? I was merely testing the waters just now. It seems I really will have to push it to its limits." The old woman's expression grew slightly stiff, and she snorted in displeasure.
"Oh! If Fellow Daoist Tai has any other tricks, by all means, let's see them!" Marquis Nanlong's eyes lit up with delight.
Upon hearing this, the old woman wasted no more words. She immediately formed a series of hand seals with both hands, and the Thunder Fire Cone, which had been hovering motionless, transformed into a streak of brilliant light and shot back above the old woman's head. Under the driving force of her spell, it began spinning in place, its speed increasing moment by moment. Thunder and flames gradually intertwined, emitting a strange, low-pitched hum.
At this sight, everyone perked up, watching with unblinking intensity.
Moments later, the electric arcs and crimson flames of the Thunder Fire Cone appeared to truly merge into one, transforming into eerie, scarlet lightning that crackled and flashed across the surface of the now-blurry spinning cone. The sight was truly bizarre.
Han Li's heart stirred at this, a vague association forming in his mind, a contemplative expression crossing his face.
The others were similarly astonished, each revising their estimate of the Thunder Fire Cone's power significantly upward.
Just then, the old woman spat out a single word: "Break!"
A tearing sound ripped through the air.
The Thunder Fire Cone, now spinning too fast for the eye to follow, carried its scarlet lightning and vanished in an instant, plunging once more into the same crystal wall.
This time, no thunderous explosion erupted. Instead, there was only a soft "pfft."
Under the combined force of its furious rotation and the scarlet lightning, the Thunder Fire Cone met only the briefest resistance at the wall's surface before plunging headfirst into the crystal.
Once inside the wall, although its speed decreased dramatically, it continued spinning desperately under the old woman's spell control, slowly advancing forward.
At this, both the white-robed elder and Marquis Nanlong revealed expressions of surprise and joy.
Wang Tiangu and the cultivator surnamed You, along with the others, had glinting eyes that flickered with an anxious tension.
It was impossible to tell whether they hoped the old woman would succeed in breaking the restriction — or whether they secretly wished she would fail.
Han Li observed this with a cold, inward sneer, the corner of his mouth lifting almost imperceptibly, a trace of mockery showing on his face.
No one else noticed Han Li's expression, but Yan Ruyan happened to catch it with a passing glance.
She froze for a moment, a hint of puzzlement appearing in her bright eyes.
Then the Thunder Fire Cone, having penetrated roughly a foot into the crystal wall, finally met its doom.
The crystal wall, which had shown no change and appeared perfectly stable, suddenly blazed with brilliant blue light. Then, to everyone's astonishment, countless scorching-white, gossamer-thin threads of light materialized within the wall and instantly wrapped around the advancing Thunder Fire Cone, binding it in countless strands. The threads then flashed violently and constricted with savage force.
With a thunderous boom, the Thunder Fire Cone was torn apart in an instant, its light flickering once before vanishing entirely, and the crystal wall returned to its prior calm.
The old woman's face drained of color in a flash, followed by an expression of extreme shock and fury.
The Thunder Fire Cone was an ancient treasure she had gone to tremendous lengths to acquire, and to have it destroyed so easily — how could she not feel agonizing heartache and regret?
In that moment, she felt a burning sensation in her chest, nearly spitting up a mouthful of vital blood.