Wang Lin roared, channeling the ancient god’s true form. A tempestuous power erupted from him, colliding invisibly with the ancient demon’s howls.

Meanwhile, the ancient demon, Bero, halted his escape, a mad, demonic gleam in his eyes.

“The three ancient races converge today, a magnificent sight! If I, Bero, flee, I dishonor my ancient demon heritage!” The demonic light intensified. Bero swelled, his seven-starred ancient demon form rivaling Wang Lin’s ancient god stature.

The battleground transformed. It was no longer a conflict of mere cultivators, but a clash of ancient powers.

Bero roared, unleashing an invisible shockwave, joining forces with Wang Lin to assault the ancient demon, Taga.

“A royal-blooded ancient god!” Taga stared at Wang Lin, detecting a golden glimmer within the five stars on his brow, the mark of royalty.

The combined roars of the ancient races created an unparalleled storm, tearing through the eighth layer of the Immortal Emperor’s cave. Buildings crumbled, and even the sky seemed to collapse, revealing scorching heat.

“Ancient God, dare you fight this ancient demon with me?” Bero strode forward, his voice booming.

Wang Lin clenched his fist, conjuring a colossal rift in the air. Violet lightning crackled as he pulled forth a hundred-foot-long God-Slaying Spear, roaring, “What is there to fear?”

Bero laughed, summoning a hundred-foot banner that blotted out the sky, hurtling it toward the ancient demon.

Wang Lin charged after it.

The ancient demon sneered, raising his thick-backed blade. Heavenly light erupted, and he cackled, “Insignificant five-starred god, seven-starred demon, do you believe you can challenge me?”

The blade light slashed forward in two arcs: one from the heavens, the other from the earth, representing the celestial and terrestrial realms. Their intersection would unleash apocalyptic power.

Bero waved his hand, transforming the banner into a swirling cloud of demonic energy to meet the celestial blade light, his demonic aura shaking the heavens.

Wang Lin hurled the God-Slaying Spear, unleashing a cataclysm of violet lightning as it collided with the terrestrial blade light.

The earth shattered as the spear and blade light clashed, unleashing a shockwave that obliterated the landscape, collapsing the ninth layer and merging it with the eighth.

Wang Lin’s ancient god body reeled from the impact. Bones cracked, and blood gushed from his mouth as the stars on his brow dimmed.

Bero’s banner met the celestial blade light. A deafening blast echoed, and a ring of force swept outwards, causing more cracks in the sky, seeping with blood-red magma.

“Wang Lin, we fight or die! None of us will escape otherwise!” Bero roared, lunging at the ancient demon, only to retreat at lightning speed, seeking the sky.

But Wang Lin was faster. He snatched Wang Wei and Hu Juan, leaping upwards and punching the fragile sky.

The sky shattered under his blow, and a torrent of magma poured down like rain. Wang Lin dove into it, heading upwards, with the cursing ancient demon following.

Xukong Zi, despite his weakened state, possessed a moment of clarity. He spat out blood and fled into the magma, abandoning any desire to trouble Wang Lin, focusing solely on escape.

Wang Lin plunged into the seventh layer, met by a wave of magma. He shrunk to his normal size, spitting out blood as pain slowed him. His ancient god form had taken grievous wounds.

Had he not acted, Wang Wei and Hu Juan would have perished, and his own escape would have been doubtful.

Hu Juan seized Wang Lin and Wang Wei, their path leading upwards. She had consumed the last wax pill, restoring her power to carry them through the molten currents.

The magma flowed around Wang Lin, nourishing him with its fire essence. He communicated telepathically, “Venerable, go ahead! I sensed a fire spirit nearby. It may delay the ancient demon.”

Hu Juan hesitated. Were it another time, she would not have paused, but Wang Lin’s rescue had earned her gratitude. She knew she needed to repay him.

“Go!” Wang Lin shook free of Hu Juan’s grasp, diving deeper into the flowing magma. Hu Juan, after glancing at Wang Wei, who needed treatment, reluctantly carried him away.

Wang Lin’s selfless act was calculated. He sought their gratitude, hoping they would aid him later, even if Qing Shuang did not awaken.

In the magma, Wang Lin inhaled deeply, drawing fire essence into his body. He channeled the power to heal his wounds, summoning the Vermillion Bird to intensify the flow. The engulfing magma brought forth an overwhelming surge of fire.

At that moment, a titanic roar shook the volcano. In the depths of the magma, a dragon’s head rose up. The molten substance gathered around the dragon.

In an instant, all the magma in the seventh layer vanished, replaced by a colossal fire dragon, its eyes fixed on the creatures below.

Far away, in the vast starry sky beyond the land of the demon spirits, a fiery glow blazed, revealing a gargantuan Vermillion Bird.

The bird soared towards its destination: the true location of the demon spirits!

Behind it followed a host of cultivators led by six elders robed in red, radiating power. Each of the six was an Exalted Shatterer.

“The true spirit lies where our kin awakens. This is the place where strange sensations emanated from. There are trials ahead, but we must protect our awakened kinsmen at any cost!” The elders exchanged determined glances as the Vermillion Bird Saint Sect stood firm in their resolution!

Meanwhile, in the headquarters of the Alliance of Star Systems, a majestic voice resounded from a planet above the vortex.

“Suspend the war with Luo Tian. Dedicate all strength to the location of Qing Shuang’s cave!”

Simultaneously, outside the headquarters of the Alliance of Star Systems, a silhouette formed: Qingshui, his eyes flashing with a crimson light as he beheld the headquarters.