Boom!!!
Two streams of surging malevolent energy clashed, triggering a violent explosion.
The shockwaves from the explosion tossed aside the surrounding turf, snapped trees, and sent even Gou Daoshi and the others tumbling several times.
To prevent them from suffering secondary damage, Jiang Qingxue quickly used Qimen Dunjia to shield them from the flying debris. Otherwise, the mere flying stones could have riddled them with holes.
Gou Daoshi coughed violently, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth again. He watched the two clashing masses of malevolent energy in mid-air and couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh:
"When immortals fight, mortals suffer. I never thought I'd see this day..."
He considered himself to be at the pinnacle of the human realm. Within the entire Xuanmen, there were no more than two hands' worth of people who could defeat him.
Yet, witnessing the battle between Yan Shouyi and the National Master, he suddenly realized he couldn't even intervene.
Even in his prime, if he were to rashly enter their combat zone, he would likely be annihilated instantly.
Miaoji lay beside them, smiling weakly, "Shouyi is the Son of Heaven's Chosen. He was always destined to pull away from us. We just didn't expect it to be in this manner."
The two of them thought back to that incredibly ill-mannered junior. They had personally witnessed him being torn to shreds just moments ago.
But that brat had also played a decisive role – weakening the National Master and strengthening Yan Shouyi's power.
Jiang Qingxue said softly,
"Shouyi was destined for this tribulation. Perhaps Xiao Long is the key to breaking through this fate."
However, Yan Shouyi was her child, and Long Feicheng was also a mother's beloved treasure… To have another's child sacrifice themselves for her own child, Jiang Qingxue felt a deep ache in her heart.
Er Ya burrowed out of the earth and looked up at the sky, cheering them on:
"Little master, you must win, you must win!!"
...
In mid-air, the two streams of malevolent energy collided, chased each other, and counter-attacked without warning.
Yan Shouyi and the National Master were now on an equal footing. One was the Son of Heaven's Chosen, blessed with the aura of a true dragon, while the other was an ancient demon who had lived for a thousand years. Each possessed different techniques, but for a time, neither could gain the upper hand.
Yan Shouyi severed one of the National Master's arms, and the National Master tore off one of Yan Shouyi's legs. However, their injuries healed instantly, and they would immediately launch into the next round of bloody combat.
Yet, as they fought, Yan Shouyi gradually discovered a weakness in the National Master.
The National Master's self-healing speed was actually slower!
Though he didn't know the reason, this was undoubtedly Yan Shouyi's advantage. He could absolutely use this to seize an opportunity and defeat the National Master!
"Golden Light Incantation!"
"Palm Thunder!"
"Five Thunder Orthodox Law!"
Yan Shouyi unleashed his techniques one after another, and the National Master responded with the same moves. These spells often neutralized each other, leaving neither able to overcome the other.
Compared to Yan Shouyi's calmness, the National Master was becoming somewhat anxious.
His goal was not to stall for time but to kill Yan Shouyi and then pursue Old Jin Changshan and the others.
If the stalemate continued, the lower volume of the Luban Shu would be disseminated, making it much harder for him to control the folk cults.
"Golden Light Incantation!"
Seeing Yan Shouyi use the seemingly useless Golden Light Incantation again, the National Master grew annoyed. "Yan Shouyi, are these the only moves you know?"
A flash of golden light appeared before him, and the National Master was shocked to find that he could no longer locate Yan Shouyi!
A whistling sound came from behind him. The National Master turned instantly, controlling his malevolent energy to attack.
The figure behind him instantly shattered into pieces. Only then did the National Master realize that the person behind him was not Yan Shouyi at all, but a wooden puppet avatar controlled by Yan Shouyi!
"Above me?!"
The National Master, alert as a startled mouse, attacked again, only to find it was still a wooden puppet avatar.
"Below me?!"
"I only have two wooden puppet avatars controlled by Yan Shouyi. The first two were avatars, so this last one must be his true body!"
Eager to end the battle, the National Master mobilized all his strength, intending to intercept Yan Shouyi.
As he attacked, he looked down and saw that it was indeed Yan Shouyi!
*Squelch!*
A black tentacle pierced the Yan Shouyi below, but the National Master's expression suddenly turned grim.
It felt wrong!
Why wasn't there any blood?!
This... this wasn't Yan Shouyi's true body, nor was it a wooden puppet avatar. It was the exquisite technique of paper effigy art, the Golden Cicada's Escape!
By the time the National Master came to his senses and tried to retract his tentacle to defend himself, it was already too late.
Golden light flashed behind him, and Yan Shouyi's true body appeared. He swiftly drew his blade and instantly severed the National Master's limbs!
The National Master retreated while trying to counterattack, but his limbs' recovery speed was a beat slower, no longer keeping pace with Yan Shouyi!
"Heavenly thunder rumbles, divine thunder roars. Dragon thunder surges, water thunder churns. Earth's command, thunder and fire, lightning crisscrosses. Divine might unleashed, destroying evil spirits. Heaven's decree, hasten to obey!"
Another Five Thunder Orthodox Law struck the National Master's chest. The thunderclap made him tremble, causing a momentary stiffening.
Yan Shouyi advanced further, cutting off the National Master's tentacles. At this moment, he was right in front of the National Master!
"This blade is for Xiao Long's revenge!!"
Yan Shouyi thrust his blade through the National Master's chest. Before the National Master could react, he withdrew the Soul-Slayer Blade and pierced the National Master's throat with a second strike!
"The second blade is also for Xiao Long's revenge!"
The Soul-Slayer Blade was drawn out again. The National Master's limbs had already fully regenerated, but Yan Shouyi didn't even frown. He instantly retreated, creating distance between himself and the National Master.
The National Master felt relieved. Fortunately, neither of Yan Shouyi's strikes had hit a vital spot, merely causing him slight exhaustion.
Once the wounds healed, it was still uncertain who would have the upper hand!
Unexpectedly, Yan Shouyi, who should have retreated to adjust his state, suddenly gripped the Soul-Slayer Blade and hurled it fiercely at the National Master!
The National Master's face contorted in alarm. He hastily used his malevolent energy to block, but the Soul-Slayer Blade was engulfed in raging Li Fire, forcing back the malevolent energy!
*Squelch!*
The Soul-Slayer Blade sank completely into the National Master's brow, passing through the back of his head!
The National Master's eyes widened.
Even with his Heavenly Corpse Puppet body, having the Soul-Slayer Blade pierce his brow was not pleasant.
"The third blade, still for Xiao Long's revenge!!"
The National Master thought Yan Shouyi's combo would end there, but the next moment, a terrifying coldness emanated from the Soul-Slayer Blade.
That was the power of glaciers!
The Li Fire on the Soul-Slayer Blade extinguished, replaced by the blue glacial power that cracked across the blade. The terrifying cold air nearly froze the National Master's consciousness!
Enduring the pain, the National Master reached out to grasp the hilt of the Soul-Slayer Blade, trying to pull it out.
But the hilt of the Soul-Slayer Blade was entwined with three Palm Thunder talismans!
The talismans instantly ignited, and silver lightning snakes electrocuted the National Master, making him tremble!
"Scoundrel, scoundrel, scoundrel!!!"
The National Master, enraged, pulled out the Soul-Slayer Blade. The horrific wound on his brow resembled Erlang Shen's third eye.
"Yan Shouyi, I will tear you limb from limb!!"
The National Master threw away the Soul-Slayer Blade and uttered the most venomous curses. But when he looked up, what greeted him was not Yan Shouyi, but a bronze sword!
The Ancestral Dragon Sword!!