The rocket hit the Blood Guard squarely in the back, and flames quickly engulfed him.
After dealing with the Blood Guards, Leo walked to the rock wall and examined it carefully.
Just like the rock wall they had encountered upon entering the underground structure, this wall also had a strange pattern.
Leo extended his right hand, channeled his spiritual energy, and struck the pattern with his palm.
The pattern suddenly lit up, emitting a burst of blood-red light.
Immediately, a rumbling sound echoed as the rock began to split in two, sliding apart to reveal a passage.
There was no one behind the rock, only a wall glowing red-hot like molten iron.
Leo used his spiritual sense to guide his way and stepped inside.
In the depths of the cave, something seemed to be burning, emitting a strong red glow.
After walking about a hundred steps and taking several turns, he still hadn’t reached the end of the passage.
Judging by the marks on the rock walls, it was half natural and half man-made.
After another fifty meters, he finally saw a spacious exit.
Leo became alert, crouched down, and quickly approached, using his spiritual sense to carefully probe the entrance.
Outside the entrance was a massive cavern with fiery red rock walls. A long stone staircase wound down to a flat area about twenty meters below.
At the bottom was a spacious area of about one or two thousand square meters, with a huge pit in the center emitting a blood-red glow. Faintly visible were streams of molten lava flowing deep within.
It turned out there was an active volcano here, which explained the intense heat in the air.
Near the volcano’s mouth stood a group of people from the Curse Sorcery Cult, Five Poison Sect, and Ghost Path Church.
The members of the Five Poison Sect and Ghost Path Church looked both surprised and excited.
Clearly, they had seen something they desired.
Even from a distance, Leo could vaguely sense an ancient and powerful force.
At that moment, led by Master Amirah, everyone knelt down and began chanting fervently.
Now would be the best time to rush down and destroy Chiyou’s remains. But he didn’t know where the children were hidden; if these people went mad and killed them, it would be a disaster.
Master Amirah stood up and respectfully praised Chiyou’s remains: “Great ancestor, your devoted followers are about to summon you from the dark abyss. Mighty war god, you will lead us to revival once more!”
“Nine Heavens Star River Formation, prepare to activate!”
Leo’s eyes widened, and he grew tense.
After Master Amirah’s shout, a rock wall automatically split open, revealing a group of guards.
Each guard wore a serious expression, carrying Miao Blades and holding unconscious children in their hands. They lined up in front of Master Amirah.
There were ninety-eight guards in total. Five of them held lifelike figurines and stood at the back.
Master Amirah looked at the guards and said loudly: “Followers, today is the day our great ancestor Chiyou is resurrected. As witnesses and participants, you should feel immensely honored.”
“Immortal ancestor!” The guards shouted fanatically.
Master Amirah waved his hand in satisfaction, and the guards quieted down.
“Go to your positions as rehearsed and await further orders,” Master Amirah instructed.
The guards carried the children and figurines to various points around the volcano’s mouth, standing in a strange formation.
Around the volcano’s mouth were forty-nine black and white points. Each point was a small hole with a blood-colored flag inserted into it. The flags were covered with incomprehensible sorcery curses and star images.
The guards stood by each flag, forming a large array. The volcano’s mouth was the core, with smaller arrays formed by groups of seven guards each, intricately linked together.
Leo couldn’t help but admire their skill. The Curse Sorcery Cult indeed had profound knowledge in Miracle Fighter Formations, rooted in Atraria’s oldest Witch Sect.
“Fellow Daoists, the Nine Heavens Star River Formation is about to activate. Please give your full support,” Master Amirah said, looking back at the members of Five Poison Sect and Ghost Path Church.
“Rest assured, Master Amirah. We will do our utmost!” they responded eagerly.
Leo knew he couldn’t wait any longer. If that Nine Heavens Star River Formation activated, it would be too late.
“Fellow Daoists, how could you not inform me of such a significant event as summoning Chiyou’s resurrection?”
Everyone turned towards the voice in surprise and astonishment.
Leo leaped from over twenty meters high, landing lightly like a feather. The crowd was stunned before their expressions changed drastically.
Even a fool could see that Leo was no ordinary person.
Master Amirah glared at Leo coldly. “Though you’re wearing Curse Sorcery Cult robes, I know you’re not one of us. Who are you? What do you want?”
Leo smiled and replied: “It doesn’t matter who I am. What matters is that my presence means your dream of resurrecting Chiyou is over.”
Master Amirah sneered: “Just you?”
“Yes, just me.”
Such arrogance enraged everyone. Many couldn’t help but shout: “No matter who he is, kill him and use his blood to honor our great ancestor!”
Master Amirah waved his hand angrily. Five elders from Curse Sorcery Cult leaped out, surrounding Leo.
“Elders, time is short. Deal with him swiftly.”
“Yes, Master Amirah!” The five elders responded solemnly.
“Heavenly Blood Toad Formation!” Master Amirah shouted fiercely.
The six elders began chanting strange and obscure sorcery curses.
As they chanted, blood-red light emanated from their bodies, exuding an eerie and sinister aura that surged towards Leo.
“Enough with your tricks. Die!” Leo shouted angrily, forming hand seals with his hands.
His hands shot out flames like fire lances, fiercely pressing towards the six Curse Sorcery Cult elders.
The flames clashed with the blood-red light. The light intensified and merged into one entity in mid-air, forcefully pushing back against Leo’s flames.
Leo’s spiritual fire was unexpectedly repelled towards him. He quickly changed his hand seals to disperse the returning flames.
The blood-red light from the six elders connected in mid-air to form a complete blood-colored barrier that trapped Leo inside.
With the barrier formed, Master Amirah pointed to the sky with one hand and shouted: “Blood Toad Devour!”
The six Curse Sorcery Cult elders trembled violently within the blood-red light. A terrifying aura surged like raging waves within the barrier.
They were using their ultimate move right from the start. Leo felt immense pressure but also had his fighting spirit ignited.
He took out a talisman and activated it. A layer of golden armor appeared on him automatically.
It was a defensive talisman called “Golden Armor Talisman.”
He then activated another talisman, summoning a flaming sword into his hand.