Zhang Yan had crossed paths with the Blood Essence Sect cultivators several times before, thus well-acquainted with their ways. From his repertoire of techniques, there was no doubt that the Purple Cloud Divine Thunder was most effective against them.
However, he did not utilize this technique at the onset, because most of the sect’s disciples possessed the Blood Transformation Escape Technique. This technique, one of the three great escape skills of the Demon Sect, would allow them to evade with ease if a thunder net were to be cast, making it difficult to achieve any substantial success. Thus, he chose to confront them using the Five Elements True Light.
At this moment, he exerted all his effort to expand the Fire Element True Light, gradually pushing outward. But after expanding over ten miles, he stopped.
It wasn’t because he couldn’t extend it further, but because there was no need. The broader the range of the True Light, the larger the defensive circle that needed guarding, and with tens of thousands of Blood Essences surrounding him, even with the Water Element True Light defending below, their speed was so swift, like lightning, that it was inevitable some would slip through.
At this moment, he had internal fire light swirling and external water light guarding, effectively forcing all the Blood Essences outside.
However, he did not seal the gate entirely, but deliberately left a weak spot in one place.
In such combat, the opponent’s sole chance at victory was to find a way to breach the inner circle. He had already prepared a deadly strike, just waiting for them to rush in before unleashing it.
From several miles away, Feng Qingping commanded tens of thousands of Blood Essences swirling around Zhang Yan, seemingly overwhelming him; yet, in truth, his heart was heavy with anxiety. Ordinary Daoist skills could reach a thousand feet at most, incomparable to Zhang Yan’s tens of miles distance.
Currently, he was forced outside, unable to get closer. No matter how advanced his divine passage skills, they were useless if he couldn’t reach his opponent.
Though the Blood Essences were numerous, even if they charged in, they were annihilated halfway before reaching Zhang Yan.
He knew very well that even if the battle lasted several days, as long as Zhang Yan’s mana remained, he would be powerless.
At this moment, he only had three options: First, to avoid direct confrontation and adopt a guerrilla tactic; Second, to break through the defense head-on and enter the Central Palace directly; Third, to find an opportunity to break through and seize the chance to kill Zhang Yan once inside.
The first method was indeed the best strategy, but his fellow disciples were in grave danger, their lives at risk at any moment, not allowing for any delay. He could not afford to do so.
As for the second method, Zhang Yan’s mana was vast and overwhelming, unmatched among his peers. A frontal clash would be seeking one’s own demise.
Thus, the last method was all that remained. Feng Qingping knew this might be a trap set by Zhang Yan, waiting for him to jump in.
But the problem was, aside from this method, he had no other plans.
"Very well, as long as I’m cautious, there may be a chance of victory."
Having made up his mind, he took a deep breath, took out a small treasure cauldron the size of a bowl from his sleeve, held it in his hand, gave it a slight shake, and instantly, blood light shot into the sky as hundreds of Blood Evil Yin Thunders burst forth, descending below, scattering the Water and Fire lights over a wide area.
Seeing a path cleared, he dared not enter himself. Instead, he shook his body, driving a Blood Essence with expressive eyes, mixing with thousands of ordinary Blood Essences, charging along the path inward.
This Blood Essence, named "Ningzhen," was one he painstakingly cultivated over a hundred years with countless spiritual medicines, producing only two.
Its mystique was exceedingly rare as it could wield any divine passage skill he knew. For half a moment, its mana could match that of his true body. Sending this Blood Essence was akin to dispatching himself.
The Blood Essence also shared his appearance, easily confounding the opponent. Even if there were traps laid ahead, it could test them out, allowing him to be prepared the next time he went personally.
Originally, in battles, he would release both Blood Essences simultaneously, effectively making it three against one, with few able to contend. But against Zhang Yan, he felt uncertain and could only use it as a probing pawn.
Zhang Yan, experienced in battle, saw that Feng Qingping did not enter through the open gate he had set, but forged a new path instead, realizing the opponent likely guessed his intentions. Hence, this attack was a probe, with no immediate intent to settle the battle.
This was within his expectations. As long as not forced into a desperate situation with no way out, the opponent would be unwilling to personally take the risk.
But now, the initiative was firmly in his grasp. If he could neutralize the opponent’s techniques one by one, he would eventually force him to come forth.
Thus, with a wave of his wide sleeve, there was a thunderous crash as hundreds of Purple Lightning Thunder Lights burst forth like a vast waterfall, scattering and breaking the charge of thousands of Blood Essences.

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