The chimes grew sharper and more urgent. The dragon soul, already hanging by a thread and weakened to its limit, finally lost the last remnants of its instinctive resistance and transformed into a streak of light that shot toward the white banner. 

But at that very moment, a shrill screech erupted from the sea of yellow sand. "THAT'S MINE!"

A gigantic hand burst from the sands and crashed toward the ritual altar. 

The sudden turn of events caught Wu Qi and his companions completely off guard. Their bodies stiffened, and fear flashed across their faces.

BOOOMM!!

The altar shattered beneath the impact. The last patch of ground disappeared as the yellow sands flooded in from everywhere. Amid the collapse of the formation and the sandstorm, Wu Qi lunged forward and snatched up the white banner. "GO NOW!" 

Three Adepts turned into three streaks of light that instantly entered the shuttlecraft. The vessel tore through the sweeping sands and shot skyward at incredible speed. 

With the...