The two demons exchanged a glance, swiftly forming hand seals before casting the last spiritual items into the gray mist above the altar.

"Begin!" Gu Heng barked the order, his voice strained.

Everyone knew their role. Each pressed a palm onto the altar, pouring in true essence. Qin Sang disguised his input with demonic qi, managing not to give himself away.

Whether it was their combined efforts or the effect of the final offerings, the engraved patterns of celestial beasts on the white jade altar suddenly lit with dazzling radiance. 

The altar grew ever brighter, illuminating every corner of the stone hall. At the same time, the gray mist churned violently. The altar let out a deafening hum, and a beam of light shot upward, slamming against the stone ceiling in the...