The situation reversed with astonishing speed.
Everyone had initially suspected Luo Chaoqun of being the murderer, only for a bolt of lightning to instantly reveal Luo Yi's demonic identity.
The elders' faces were grim. To be so thoroughly manipulated by a demon in plain sight was beyond their comprehension. They were baffled as to why no one present had discerned Luo Yi's true nature, with only Ji Mo possessing such keen insight.
*Boom!*
Tianma attacked again.
Blinding arcs of electricity flashed, and terrifying thunderbolts struck Luo Yi.
*Clang...*
Luo Yi immediately summoned a Dream-tier shield. Its dark radiance pulsed, emitting ripples that deflected the blow.
"Ji Mo, you've ruined my plans! I will tear you limb from limb!"
Luo Yi's eyes were cold and sharp, filled with boundless殺意. He had meticulously orchestrated his scheme, believing he could control everyone, only for Ji Mo to shatter it all. With his identity exposed, all his calculations were in vain. At that moment, Luo Yi wished he could grind Ji Mo into dust.
"Demon Emperor Realm peak!"
Luo Zheng and several other Luo family elders’ expressions turned stern. They had not anticipated Luo Yi hiding such profound depths. Without a word, the elders lunged at Luo Yi simultaneously.
"Demonic Shadow Clone Technique."
Luo Yi's body was engulfed in rolling demonic energy, black mist swirling around him as shadowy figures split from within. Most terrifyingly, these clones possessed strength comparable to his own. There were eight clones in total. Several engaged the Luo family elders, while the remaining ones, along with Luo Yi himself, surged towards Ji Mo. Luo Yi's primary objective was to kill Ji Mo, and secondarily, to seize Luo Li as a means of escape. Concurrently, Luo Yi secretly sent a distress signal to the Luo family's forbidden grounds.
Tianma let out a long cry, electric arcs coursing through its body, emitting dazzling lightning. It wielded the power of thunder, specifically effective against various malevolent entities. The surrounding demonic energy was dispersed, and the single horn on Tianma's forehead unleashed dozens of lightning snakes, shattering the charging shadowy figures one after another.
Seizing the opportunity, Luo Yi closed in on A'Li, his palm spewing black energy as he reached for her shoulder. The moment his hand brushed against A'Li's clothing, he let out a pained cry, retracting his hand as if electrocuted, his face a mask of panic.
"Immortal True Fire!"
Luo Yi stared at the layer of crimson flames emanating from Luo Li's body, his face contorted as if he had eaten something foul. His palm and arm were blackened, nearly reduced to charcoal. He finally understood that the young girl, A'Li, had undergone a monumental transformation and was no longer a pushover he could easily manipulate.
Taking advantage of the moment, Tianma unleashed a barrage of ferocious attacks. Lightning blazed, and thunderous energy surged. Bolts of lightning, tens of meters long, rained down upon Luo Yi like a storm. Luo Yi cried out in agony, demonic blood splattering, on the verge of being obliterated.
Just then, the void distorted, and a colossal hand appeared, snatching the near-death Luo Yi and pulling him back into the Luo family's forbidden grounds.
"This demon has been lurking within my Luo family for years, undoubtedly harboring an unfathomable, earth-shattering conspiracy. I shall interrogate him personally."
A voice of immense age echoed from the Luo family's forbidden grounds, its terrifying aura piercing the heavens.
"Half-step Mortal Immortal Realm!"
Tianma's eyes narrowed, sensing an immense pressure. The speaker was likely an ancient elder of the Luo family, which was why Tianma did not intervene.
"Supreme Elder, that's the Supreme Elder's voice."
"I sense Immortal Spiritual energy. Could it be that the Supreme Elder has broken through the Emperor Realm's shackles and successfully entered the Mortal Immortal Realm?"
"Ah, our Luo family is about to rise!"
The entire Luo family rejoiced ecstatically. Luo Zhenjiang, the Luo family's Supreme Elder, had remained aloof from worldly affairs for years, cultivating in seclusion within the forbidden grounds, aiming to break through his bottleneck. It seemed he had finally taken that crucial step.
"We pay respects to the Supreme Elder!"
From the elders to the ordinary disciples, all members of the Luo family bowed respectfully towards the direction of the forbidden grounds.
Ji Mo frowned. Through the ethereal Immortal Spiritual energy, he perceived faint wisps of decaying, evil energy.
"Luo Li, your innate talent is peerless. You are the hope for the Luo family's resurgence. Why don't you follow me from now on, and I will guide your cultivation? Are you willing?"
Luo Zhenjiang's voice resonated again, filled with warmth and kindness, creating an atmosphere as pleasant as basking in the spring breeze. Luo Zheng's face lit up with joy. The Supreme Elder personally mentoring A'Li was an extraordinary opportunity. More importantly, he did not wish for A'Li to be too close to Ji Mo. He observed that A'Li was overly reliant on Ji Mo, which was not ideal. If A'Li were to become the family head in the future, the Luo family might indirectly fall into Ji Mo's hands.
Luo Zheng advised, "A'Li, quickly express your gratitude. To gain the Supreme Elder's favor is your great fortune. Listen to your third grand-uncle, and follow the Supreme Elder to cultivate diligently."
A'Li felt a flicker of temptation. Her talent was unparalleled, yet she lacked guidance on cultivation. Being mentored by the Supreme Elder would undoubtedly help her avoid many detours. However, Ji Mo gently held A'Li's hand and shook his head. This suddenly appearing Supreme Elder made him uneasy. Furthermore, his act of rescuing Luo Yi suggested unclear intentions.
"Supreme Elder, A'Li thanks you for your kind offer," A'Li politely declined.
"Ji Mo, what do you mean by this?"
Luo Zheng's expression turned hostile. The faces of the Luo family elders darkened. Their future family head so readily obeying an outsider, being dictated by an outsider, was certainly not a good sign.
"Who are you, daring to bewitch my Luo family's Little King?"
Luo Zhenjiang roared. A tempestuous aura, like a surging flood, swept towards Ji Mo from all directions. Tianma's body radiated a sacred aura, also emitting its own pressure.
*Bang!*
The two overwhelming pressures collided, shaking the heavens and earth, and altering the very winds and clouds.
"I never imagined Tianma would also take that step. Its might is only slightly inferior to the Supreme Elder's."
The Luo family elders were astonished. In this era where the path to immortality was severed, reaching the Mortal Immortal Realm was incredibly difficult. Tianma's talent should not have allowed it to reach this stage so quickly. They were also utterly perplexed as to why Tianma acted like a subordinate, guarding Ji Mo.
"Tianma, what is your intention? Are you willing to go to war with my Luo family for this person?"
Luo Zhenjiang's voice boomed like thunder, echoing through the sky. Although Tianma possessed the ability to contend with him, this was, after all, the Luo family's territory. As long as they were willing to pay the price, destroying Tianma was not impossible.
"If it's war, then war it is. I'm not afraid of you."
Tianma showed no fear. With Ji Mo as its backer, there was nothing to be afraid of. Moreover, this was an excellent opportunity to prove itself, and it naturally adopted a firm stance.
"Tianma, this is not the Ten Thousand Demon Forest. This is not a place for you to run wild."
Several Luo family elders formed a semi-circle, subtly encircling Ji Mo and Tianma. The dignity of the Luo family could not be infringed upon, and they would not permit a demonic beast to cause chaos within their ancestral home.
"If you dare to lay a hand on my Brother Ji, then don't blame me for being impolite."
A'Li's voice carried a childish tone, but her words were resolute. As she spoke, the fiery mark on her brow pulsed, and the phantom image of a pair of resplendent wings appeared behind her back, fully unleashing the powerful aura of a Human King.
Tensions escalated, and battle was imminent!