Buzz...
Li Xuanfeng drew his bow once again, the golden bowstring filled with razor-sharp brilliance. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he observed Murong En of the Murong Family clutching his stomach in the distance as a vast cloud of black qi billowed around him.
The Murong Family possessed many Dao lineages, and Murong En’s cultivation differed distinctly from Murong Wu’s. Instead, he resembled the Maha Murong Xia, his body like assembled mud, dispersing and reforming at will.
No one knew just how many things his stomach contained. Various scattered dharma artifacts occasionally flew out along with the black qi, sometimes accompanied by black clouds that transformed into human-shaped shadows.
“He doesn’t seem like a devil cultivator, rather, he resembles a Master Monk...”
Buzz...
The golden arrows at Li Xuanfeng’s waist vibrated restlessly. Most of them shone brilliantly in gold and were engraved with glowing white mystical patterns. Only one arrow remained quiet, a slender and elegant piece tinged in red and gold hues.
This red-gold profound arrow had been refined using Six Ding Merging Fire within a grotto heaven, and later incorporated by the Purple Mansion Realm spirit artifact, Zhi Ge Ring. It had been unintentionally catalyzed during a clash between two Foundation Establishment Realm elites and had become exceptionally formidable. As a hidden trump card, it wouldn’t be casually used, so Li Xuanfeng drew only a regular golden arrow.
The arrow's mystical patterns slowly gained two layers of golden radiance, one layer sharp and swift, the other darker and heavier. Intertwining golden lights hummed as they fused at the arrow tip, causing the devil cultivator before him to noticeably slow down.
"Damn it!"
Faced with the dazzling golden brilliance, Murong En felt a sharp pain between his eyebrows once again. Hatred surged within his chest, choking him with rage as he urgently circulated his mana again, No wonder Murong Wu died. This man’s archery is astonishing. His artifacts and spiritual robe are both powerful. Qi Wang's Profound Heaven Hearing described him as born with immense physical strength and had his aperture in his palm... truly rare indeed...
Despite his hatred, Murong En had to acknowledge his opponent’s strength. The man appeared to have consumed some pills or used a secret technique. His arrows contained dual-layered mana—one extremely sharp, the other corrosive—making them exceptionally difficult to counter.
The sense of danger between his eyebrows grew increasingly intense, and his heart suddenly went cold. A single thought flashed through his mind, “He's aiming for my left arm!”
Instantly, his left arm dispersed into black mist, narrowly avoiding the golden light that pierced past him and left a golden trail several kilometers behind him. Murong En cried out in pain, his expression gloomy, but he felt relief and resentment. He thought, If the master hadn’t given me the spirit artifact Qi Wang's Profound Heaven Hearing to foresee the target of his profound arrow... damn it... just wait a bit longer...
Although Murong En’s body could reform at will, Li Xuanfeng’s golden arrows weren’t easy to evade. Whenever they struck him, Murong En screamed in agony, the golden Astral Qi fiercely slicing away chunks of demonic qi.
Though Li Xuanfeng steadily forced the devil cultivator back, his heart remained heavy with doubt. His grey eyes narrowed as he stared intensely, anxiety gripping him, There should have been two devil cultivators here... Where's the other one?
Li Xuanfeng felt something off. They had exchanged nearly a hundred blows, Murong En’s demonic body was mostly shattered, and yet despite his pitiful cries, he had no intention of retreating.
What is he waiting for...? thought Murong En.
Li Xuanfeng’s eyes narrowed in suspicion and he cast a cold glance at Tang Shedu. Had this man not constantly guarded against him, hesitating and holding back from fully confronting the devil cultivator opposite them, how could this demon still be standing?
Master Monks were naturally adept at manipulating others' minds. Murong En had easily caught onto Tang Shedu’s hesitation and cautiousness, so he deliberately avoided fully attacking Tang Shedu, instead constantly targeting Li Xuanfeng, wary of his spiritual arrows.
Li Xuanfeng glanced grimly at the cultivators amidst the fog. His subordinates were faring slightly better. Lin Shouye possessed decent strength, and Zhuang Cheng had already slain their opponent with his sharp talisman sword.
Kongheng and Wushao had each held back three devil cultivators. Lingu Lanying was similarly exceptional as she nearly dissolved the enemy’s demonic body. They'd lost only one cultivator, as even Bai Yinzi fought fiercely.
Qinghong went toward Tang Shedu’s side...
Li Xuanfeng looked toward the distant battlefield, taking in the falling immortal lights and raging demonic qi. Ominous premonitions filled his mind. Though he had the advantage here, Tang Shedu’s forces had already collapsed. There were scarcely any immortal lights left amid the rampant demonic clouds...
“What a reckless arrangement... I wonder how Xizhi is faring. Qinghong must have gone to aid him...” muttered Li Xuanfeng.
Li Xuanfeng slowly drew his golden bow back once more, his eyes growing dark with suspicion. His naturally fierce expression, coupled with the menacing glint in his grey eyes, became even more intimidating.
Something’s wrong... very wrong...
His heart felt like a stone slowly sinking into a lake. Golden light silently rose from his arms as a terrifying suspicion formed in his mind, Tang Shedu...
Why had Tang Shedu’s forces collapsed so swiftly and completely? Was he truly holding back solely out of wariness toward him, even in such a critical mission? Tang Shedu was renowned as the wielder of the Changtian Halberd. Even when he was restrained, he should have been formidable. Yet, his fighting was sluggish, as if he weren't truly there at all...
Li Xuanfeng’s eyelids fell as a chilling thought formed in his mind. It was one so shocking that it could shake every cultivator and nearly break Mount Yan Pass, Tang Shedu is afraid... He fears Tu Longjian... He fears...
His golden bow froze momentarily in mid-air as streams of light emerged across his body. Opposite him, Murong En’s demonic aura and bloody radiance suddenly stalled.
A crisp ringing sound echoed from his chest, and the devil cultivator erupted into a deafening roar, “Tang Shedu!”
Tang Shedu!
Clang!
A piercing mana whistle resonated as a flash of golden-white emerged from endless darkness. It shook countless mulberry leaves from trees, whipping flesh and bones from tombs into the sky, only to have them rain down again.
A long-prepared platinum halberd tore through thick layers of clouds. Its golden brilliance, akin to the first rays of dawn dispelling evil, surged forward like a golden pill bursting from endless mist, stabbing fiercely forward!
The halberd churned the wind and clouds, manifesting twelve smaller platinum branches. Powerful mana surged along the weapon, its aura elegant and smooth, reflecting the accumulated might of countless years.
Golden light climbed upward, illuminating pale-colored soft armor and sturdy arms, and finally revealing Tang Shedu’s calm yet ruthless face. His slender fingers were tightly wrapped around the halberd’s white handle.
The halberd was pointed straight at Li Xuanfeng!
This strike had been gathering strength for who knows how long. It had emerged like silent golden lightning slicing through the night, abrupt and sharp, even quicker than Murong En’s roaring voice.
Only when the halberd was already thrusting forward did the rolling demonic voice finally resound clearly, “The Qi Wang's Profound Heaven Hearing has sounded! He already harbors suspicion! Eliminate him immediately!”