"I'll Let You Beat the Drum!"

When Li Huowang was attacked, a distant You Laoye quickly flew back and slammed into the two gods. However, unlike previous encounters where it had always been a virtual body, this time it collided with solid flesh. The impact didn't cause it to sink in; instead, it rebounded back violently.

"Ahhh!!" A coarse shout echoed as a thick wooden staff swung through the air, narrowly missing Li Huowang's face before striking the two god's head with a tremendous thud.

"Crack!" The sound of flesh tearing rang out as the two god was knocked back, but Li Huowang also had a large chunk of flesh ripped off his shoulder. The intense pain almost caused him to lose consciousness, but he couldn't afford to be distracted. He quickly pulled out two bottles and handed them to Gouwa, who was trying to assist him.

"One's poison, the other's sleeping medicine. Rub them on the blades, and keep this thing contained."

He couldn't afford to fight on both fronts—he had to handle one side at a time.

Gouwa, clearly shaken and with unsteady legs, looked at the two bottles in his hand. "Senior Li, are you sure this will work on that thing?"

Before Li Huowang could respond, Xiaoman, without a second thought, snatched the bottles and rushed forward with determination. "Doesn't matter if it works. We'll use it anyway!"

Li Huowang knew it was a gamble, but there was no other option. If he didn't deal with Li Zhi, the celestial beings would just keep coming.

Meanwhile, the three You Laoyes surrounded Li Zhi, trying to strike but constantly thwarted by invisible barriers.

Seeing Li Huowang approach, Li Zhi continued to tear at his own belly and sang his ritualistic chant with force.

"Old Immortal, when you come, don't forget the three treasures of the sect! Three treasures, oh three treasures! The celestial lock, binding rope, and soul capture bottle. Throw the treasures on the disciple's body, kick him if it's not tight, stomp him if the rope slips!"

As he finished the chant, Li Zhi swung the short whip he used for drumming directly at Li Huowang. Although nothing physically appeared, the You Laoye clearly felt something dangerous.

One of the You Laoyes quickly flew back, positioning itself in front of Li Huowang, but it was shattered with a sharp cracking sound from the whip's force.

Li Zhi struck again, aiming at Li Huowang, but he had no time to dodge. Just as it looked like the whip would land, Li Huowang quickly grabbed the Book of Heaven from his back and held it in front of him like a shield.

The sound of metal clanging rang out. Li Huowang's hand numbed slightly, but the Book of Heaven had managed to block the blow.

With his shield raised, Li Huowang didn't hesitate, shaking the copper bell in his other hand. The sound grew louder, overpowering the drumbeat as more You Laoyes appeared to assault Li Zhi.

Despite the barrage, Li Zhi seemed unfazed. His head tilted back as his mouth tore open, and a crimson tongue shot out like a serpent's. His voice shifted into a sorrowful, distorted tune.

"SmokeCloudOh~~"

With those words, the wind howled, and the drumbeat resumed, overpowering the bell's sound. A haunting, feminine whisper echoed in Li Huowang's ears as everything around him began to distort.

Gradually, the wind, the drum, and the bell were replaced by a cacophony of strange sounds: conversations, the turning of a Rubik's cube, the tapping of high heels, the ping of a smartphone.

When he came back to his senses, he found himself in a hospital garden, wearing a blue-and-white striped hospital gown, being supported by someone as he walked outside.

"This is all fake! It's all an illusion!"

Li Huowang's heart raced as he looked around, recognizing the scene. He saw Old Liu walking toward the gate, supported by his daughter. The scene was eerily similar to the one he had just left behind with Li Zhi.

"Huowang, what's wrong?"

Li Huowang's expression twisted into a cold sneer. "So you want to fool me with an illusion, huh? You picked the wrong person. Illusions don't work on me."

He shook off the hand that was supporting him and stepped forward with determination, his eyes fixed on Old Liu.

"Doctor, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, my father wouldn't have recovered so quickly."

"Ah, it's nothing. Just doing my job. Liu Shi, remember to take your medicine on time after you get home, alright?"

"Okay, okay."

"Li Zhi!" Li Huowang's shout caught everyone's attention, including Old Liu, who had changed into a new outfit to leave the hospital.

"Boom!" Li Huowang's fist landed squarely on Old Liu's jaw, sending his dentures and blood flying through the air.

In that instant, the illusion shattered. Li Huowang saw the real Li Zhi, his head tilted back and blood gushing from his nose.

The celestial beings tried to intervene, but six You Laoyes quickly blocked them.

"I'll let you beat the drum!" Li Huowang hissed, drawing his sword.

The sharp blade sliced through the air, severing Li Zhi's fingers and plunging deep into his exposed, mutilated flesh. The sword cut through his stomach and pierced straight through.

The drumbeats and bells stopped. The celestial beings and You Laoyes gradually faded away. Silence descended upon the forest.

Li Zhi, stunned, looked down at the blood pouring from his stomach, staggering backward before collapsing onto the ground, gasping for air.

Li Huowang, breathless, watched the dying Li Zhi for a moment before turning to look at the distant two god, who had also disintegrated.

"Heh... Li Zhi... my apologies..."