At this moment, though Zhang Yan was still more than ten li away from that woman, with a slight probe he could vaguely sense that his surroundings seemed to be enclosed by an invisible surge of Mana.

This art bore some resemblance to the Forbidden Locking Heaven and Earth Skill, yet when set in motion it was even harder to detect; it was clearly the Divine Skills of a Cave Heaven True Master. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Once the Daoist Cultivation between the two sides differed too greatly, any clever trick became a futile gesture. Even if the other party had only sent a wisp of Shadow avatar here, it was by no means something he could confront head-on. To escape from her hands, ordinary methods would absolutely not work.

Thoughts turned in Zhang Yan’s mind, yet his figure did not pause. Stepping on the Gang Wind, he traveled forward, and in little time arrived close before that woman. Under the press of her gaze, cold and sharp as a blade, he still remained composed, with not the slightest trace of fear showing on his face.

The woman stood with hands clasped behind her back, stared at him for a moment, and said, "You are Zhang Yan? You indeed have a bit of guts. No wonder Qing Yun died in your hands. However, since she was simply inferior in skill, I will not come to trouble you over that. Leave the Junyang Essence here today, and I will let you pass. Otherwise, I will seize you and take you back to my Mountain Gate; I will scarcely fear you refusing to yield."

A slight flash passed through Zhang Yan’s eyes. Although those two from before had also come for the Junyang Essence, they still maintained some degree of cover in their actions and had not torn things completely open. This woman, however, voiced it so carelessly and without scruple, which fully showed that she had already set her mind on obtaining this item. He cupped his hands and said in a deep voice, "I do not know how to address senior?"

The woman said coldly, "Even if I speak my name, you would not know it. There is no need to say more. I grant you half a stick of incense; you would do well to think it over clearly."

Speaking to this point, as though to remind him, she added, "Though this place lies before the Mingcang Sect Mountain Gate, do not place your hopes on anyone coming to save you."

Zhang Yan, hearing this, simply flicked his sleeve and said in a ringing voice, "No need. Since you intend to make a move, why wait further? Let us swiftly bring this to an end here and now."

The woman had not expected Zhang Yan to answer with such resolute finality. Her expression stiffened slightly, then a flush of anger rose to her face as she snapped, "So ignorant of life and death—this is what you have brought upon yourself!"

She rolled up her sleeve and raised her hand, revealing half a jade-like arm, and pointed toward the front. In an instant, thousands of flying stars rose up like fireflies in the night, turning into streaks of flickering, uncertain streams of light, drawing across the sky from all directions of Heaven and Earth.

Although that Da Wei Cloud Palace of Zhang Yan’s could no longer withstand this person, he still had several defensive treasures besides it. He crushed the "Golden Luo Earth Axis Talisman" long hidden in his sleeve, and at once a band of golden light rose up, encircling his body firmly. At the same time, with a tug of his will, a strand of Purple Light emerged from between his brows, flickering there as though it could shoot out at any moment.

In the countermeasure he had devised, this first step was especially crucial; only by withstanding the opponent’s initial strike could there be talk of anything further.

Yet what subtle and unfathomable methods a Cave Heaven True Master might possess, he had no way of knowing and thus could not judge accurately. Therefore he could only prepare for the worst. If this Golden Talisman could not resist, then he would have no choice but to unleash his final killing move.

The scattered rain of stars came crashing down, and in but a moment collided with the golden light of the Dharma Talisman. At once they beat the golden radiance into wild flickers and leaps, trembling incessantly, and it seemed it would not last for much longer.

Zhang Yan’s spirit, however, lifted. What he wanted was precisely this brief respite. Seizing the chance, he gave his body a shake and set the Little All Heaven Moving Technique into motion, suddenly turning into a streak of light plunging toward the ground. Upon reaching the surface, he abruptly sank into it and vanished without a trace.

The woman had clearly not anticipated that he possessed such ability. She started for a moment, then gave a cold laugh and said, "Even if your Escape Technique is fine and wondrous, these fifty li around us are all under my Forbidden Locking of Heaven and Earth. Let us see where you can run to."

She pressed her hand down lightly into the air. The Cloud Light by her side sank downward, and hundreds and thousands of starry points poured down together, pounding wildly upon the ground. The earth rumbled unceasingly; in the mere blink of an eye, dozens of pits a hundred zhang deep were blasted open, and still the strikes continued to pound further down.

At this time, within the Heavenly Cloud above, that middle-aged Cultivator and Old Daoist Xin were watching the battle. The middle-aged Cultivator said with a tone of amusement, "This Daoist Zhou has quite the temper. To act so wantonly—she is not afraid of angering the Mingcang Sect?"

Old Daoist Xin said expressionlessly, "Zhou Ruying has only recently achieved Cave Heaven and is still full of satisfaction and pride. Think back to ourselves in those days—were we not just as flaunting?"

The middle-aged Cultivator nodded and said, "If the Yuxiao Sect were to obtain the Essence Qi, it would not be a bad thing. With the prior agreement of the Ten Sects, they will have to share a portion of it. Only, having offended this Daoist Zhang today, Miss Zhou will be gaining a great enemy in the days to come for no good reason."