Chapter 1273: Chapter 1271: Fight to the End (Part 2, for ’poonlo’ 10/10)
Zhang Xiangfeng, Gui Zhihang, Duanmu Keren, and Mu Ling, once the four illustrious prodigies of the East Victory Continent, had likewise gathered together.
Zhang Xiangfeng alone faced six top Forbidden Martial Emperors.
The sword in his hand was no longer traceable in its path, there were only beams of sword Qi a hundred meters long. Although the distance was short, they were incredibly condensed, capable of neatly slicing a ten-thousand-meter-thick mountain into two halves.
Under the swing of the sword light, the six top Forbidden Martial Emperors dared not clash head-on and could only attack Zhang Xiangfeng with long-range techniques, detonating bursts of blood mist in the void.
"Push harder, this kid will be done for soon!"
"To obstruct the holy war is a crime deserving a thousand deaths. I will tear him to pieces!"
The six experts wore ferocious expressions, wearing down Zhang Xiangfeng with a war of attrition, constricting the formation, and slowly forcing him into a corner.
"Ling Hui, I’m afraid I won’t be seeing you again."
The image of his wife, Zhong Lingsui, flashed before Zhang Xiangfeng’s eyes.
She was seven months pregnant, which was why she did not accompany him to this grand decisive battle. It was the first time the couple had been separated since they met.
In two or three months, the child would be born. With the people of Nine Heavens Mountain taking care of them, mother and child should be safe, right? But was it a boy or a girl?
Strangely, Zhang Xiangfeng suddenly thought of Shi Xiaole. If this close friend were in dire straits, what would he do? Accept his fate?
No, if it were so, he would not be Shi Xiaole!
"Xiangfeng, I and the child will wait for you at Divine Sword Villa, always waiting for you."
Separated by thousands of mountains and rivers, Zhang Xiangfeng saw a lone, graceful figure standing on the peak wrapped in clouds, her eyes brimming with tears, silently yearning.
A fierce will to live catalyzed the unparalleled swordsman to unleash the hidden potential within him. A golden core within his body suddenly shattered, then compacted, reformed, and rotated, elevating his power level after level.
"Flying Dragon in the sky!"
Confronting six ferocious streams of Vigorous Air, Zhang Xiangfeng’s body spun, with sword Qi roaring like a protective divine dragon, helping him break through the encirclement. The six great masters below were grazed by the swirling sword Qi, screaming as their bodies shattered.
"Invincible from all directions!"
Not just Zhang Xiangfeng, but Gui Zhihang had made a breakthrough as well.
Amidst the waves of murderous aura, Gui Zhihang finally comprehended the killing move of the Mysterious Martial Truth Skill. His body suddenly split into ten, with Vigorous Air overflowing and intertwining, like thousands of troops galloping across, submerging the entire land.
The nine Outer Heaven experts who were attacking him, Duanmu Keren, and Mu Ling, were shaken until they coughed up blood. Despite their ferocity, as they had each killed countless enemies in different worlds, they rushed back even faster without pausing.
At this moment, Gui Zhihang had exhausted all his Vigorous Air and knelt weakly on the ground, smiling as he welcomed death.
"Raging Lion Fist!"
An earth-shaking lion’s roar erupted, and Mu Ling’s fist carried a sort of magic power. The surrounding heavenly and earthly spirit Qi transformed into energy, absorbed through the pores of his body, converted into Vigorous Air, continuously enhancing the power of this punch.
This peerless demonic skill that absorbed the essence of heaven and earth for one’s use could only be sustained and exhibited by Mu Ling, who had cultivated the Upright Heart Demonic Great Method.
Boom!
Three Outer Heaven Forbidden Martial Emperors burst open on the spot, while the remaining six had already been injured by Gui Zhihang. Now struck by the demonic fist, they sustained new injuries.
However, these six, hardened by battles, did not stop even for a moment, instead returning more ferociously.
"Phoenix Bathing in the Celestial Flames!"
In the tumultuous battlefield, a phoenix phantom bathed in celestial fire raced across, incinerating everything in its path. The corpses of Outer Heaven Demons were reduced to nothingness.
In the nick of time, the phoenix phantom swooped down with its wings, blocking in front of the six great experts. Countless flames burst forth from its body, red with hints of blue, turning the surroundings into a furnace.
Spurt, spurt, spurt, spurt, spurt, spurt.
Relying on sheer willpower alone, the six experts couldn’t hold out any longer and were turned to ash.
The Redfire Divine Skill is divided into three stages, with the highest realm being blue flames.
Clearly, Duanmu Keren was close to reaching this realm. Combined with her Phoenix martial arts, her killing power on the battlefield far exceeded that of Gui Zhihang and Mu Ling.
"You two focus on recovery."
The three formed a small circle, with Duanmu Keren leading the way, and the other two guarding the flanks, protected under the shadow of enormous wings.
No thanks were exchanged—the deep bond between them was evident without words.
In the distance, there were Hua Yiyun, the master of Illusion Orchid Tower, Xin Zhuliu, the Swallowtail Sword Couple, the husband and wife of Niu Dali, and other Nine Heavens Mountain experts, each putting up a ferocious fight, causing blood and gore everywhere.
Further away were the three odd men, Qiao Yu, Chou Hentian, Qi Yuanzheng, Yang Feng, and others.
Due to differing strengths, everyone was spread out across various battlefields. Just moments after combat commenced, many already sustained severe injuries, especially the couple Niu Dali, who were staggering, narrowly escaping death several times.
Sssss...
Waves of fierce energy surged past, killing all the enemies surrounding the couple Niu Dali.
"Elders, retreat quickly."
The young man who spoke was one of Nine Heavens Mountain’s distinguished disciples. Along with the other five, they charged past, forming a battle array like a thousand-meter azure dragon, matching the strength of Outer Heaven experts who were a level above them. The aftermath even shattered numerous Outer Heaven beings.
The Six Harmonies Azure Dragon Array!
Indeed, what the six Nine Heavens Mountain disciples had executed was the Six Harmonies Azure Dragon Array from Yuan Shisanxian.
When Yuan Shisanxian designed this array initially, it was to kill Zhuge Shenhou. Its power was not to be underestimated; on the battlefield, it acted as a massive killing machine.
Apart from these six, around them, other Nine Heavens Mountain disciples could be seen forming groups, using the Six Harmonies Azure Dragon Array to reap lives mercilessly, rescuing many warriors from East Victory, much to the chagrin of the Outer Heaven Demons.
"We’re truly done for."
Niu Dali said bitterly.
"After being with you for so long, it’s the first time I’ve seen you give up. Mr. Niu, do you think our child will remember us in the future?"
Qiu Mingyue, who had been hit thirty-nine times, was barely hanging on to consciousness, using sheer willpower to stand, even finding speech difficult. However, she was afraid that if she didn’t speak now, she’d never have the chance again.
"Child, who has memories, anyway? But Rourou will take care of him. It’s a pity, old Niu, we won’t be able to wait for Brother Shi’s return."
"Do you think the Great Master isn’t dead?"
"Nonsense! Who in this world could kill him?"
"Then, then let’s hold on a bit longer, maybe, just maybe we’ll make it until he arrives."
The couple stood back to back, struggling to move in the surge of people. Sword strokes greeted them from time to time, and as the blood splattered in a rain, their chance of survival also steadily slipped away.
Clang!
Xia Yunxi’s sword was knocked away. With her cultivation at the Divine Barrier Realm and despite the advantage of the Solar Blood medium, her innate talent still fell short compared to unparalleled geniuses. In the chaos of battle, she quickly found herself at a stark disadvantage, facing extreme peril.
Several long halberds ferociously aimed at the overextended Xia Yunxi.
Thankfully, at the crucial moment, someone parried the blows with their sword and pulled Xia Yunxi back in retreat.
"Brother Zhou!"
The newcomer was a swordsman with a refined appearance and three strands of long beard; Xia Yunxi remembered he was one of Shi Xiaole’s friends, Crown Sword Marquis.
"Miss Xia, you still came! Our situation is dire; I fear we will meet our end here."
Crown Sword Marquis said with a wry smile, positioning himself before Xia Yunxi and wielding his sword rapidly. As it collided with the surrounding halberds, it sent a chaotic shower of sparks flying.
Holding back the force of the impact with his arms, his bones made a crackling sound like popping beans, and in an instant, Crown Sword Marquis’ right arm twisted grotesquely.
But he didn’t utter a sound, switching to his left hand to continue swordplay, and said with a smile, "Only today have I come to know that the pain of the flesh can be so vivid—to be cherished, in fact."
Xia Yunxi, moved by his indifference to pain, picked up a sword from the ground and took the initiative to face the sneak attacks from the rear, echoing with a smile, "Life and death are but a dream. In the blink of an eye, prosperity fades to emptiness. Brother Zhou, there’s no need for sorrow. Perhaps death is not our end but a new beginning."
"Unexpectedly, Miss Xia, you’ve had such profound insights."
"It’s not me who said it, it was Shi Xiaole."
The two fell silent for a while.
In this decisive battle, Xia Yunxi knew that her contribution was negligible. Even her presence could disrupt the Nine Profound Mountain’s plans, yet despite everyone’s dissuasion, she still sneaked over here.
Because she wanted an answer.
People were saying that Shi Xiaole was more likely dead than alive, but Xia Yunxi firmly believed that he must still be living, that he would certainly come.
She staked her own life on this belief. If she won, they would be together for life. If she lost, perhaps she would accompany him in the afterlife, or maybe she would leave alone, but he would definitely remember her!
Did she have any regrets?
"Brother Zhou, today there’s no way out alive. Let’s fight with all our might."
Suddenly, Xia Yunxi charged forward, heedless of her own safety. Her fatalistic charge took Crown Sword Marquis by surprise, and then he laughed heartily and quickly followed her lead.
The deeper they fought into the enemy ranks, the more they got engulfed by the tide of foes. Facing countless blades interlocking in combat, they soon became riddled with wounds and struggled to move.
Every warrior of East Victory had forgotten life and death, using their last strength and brilliance to protect the land beneath their feet, not retreating an inch.
But the situation did not change one bit because of their efforts.
The decisive battle that would determine the outcome of the struggle took place in the skies, yet it was the most lopsided and the most despair-inducing fight in the battlefield.
East Victory’s five giants were all covered in injuries, none at their peak.
On the other hand, the Outer Heaven camp boasted twelve giants, their numbers alone crushing East Victory. Not to mention, three of their number were in prime condition, superiority undeniable.
The Wansheng Madman, an invincible giant only second to the Supreme Lord, was a notch above everyone else.
He stood there unmoving, one hand behind his back, the other lightly waving, causing swathes of East Victory experts below to perish, utterly powerless to resist.
And he hadn’t even laid a hand on the giants of East Victory, simply relying on the remaining eleven to force the enemy giants to retreat steadily.
"I, I can’t accept this."
Being continuously struck and sent flying by two Outer Heaven giants, the body of the Sect Leader of the Demon Exorcism Sect was nearly sieved, with his blood almost dried up.
Facing another lethal attack from his enemies, a resolute expression flashed across his eyes as he suddenly bellowed, "Demon exorcism, demon exorcism, today I do not betray this name, hahaha..."
Boom!!
His body exploded in midair, creating a shockwave ten times more powerful than an atomic blast. Despite anticipation by the two Outer Heaven giants, the impact still jarred their chests and inflicted serious injuries.
A legend of the South Sea, an undefeated giant, thus vanished into smoke and ash.
At this moment, countless warriors of East Victory wept inwardly.
In the era of the Sect Leader’s rampage across the Martial World, he performed many acts of righteousness, but also had his share of wrongdoing, a mixed legacy. Today, everything—every last bit—drifted away with the blast into the wind.
"After disputing for ten thousand years, I didn’t expect you to be the first to die, Demon Exorcism. I haven’t beaten you, we’ll settle our score in the netherworld."
The Wind Wave Ancestor laughed loudly thrice, despite being peppered with holes, still desperately clutching his foe. With a loud explosion, he and an Outer Heaven giant perished together, following in the footsteps of the Demon Exorcism Sect Leader.
"Take this punch!"
Xuanyuan Di’s hair and beard went wild as he lunged with a fist at the Wansheng Madman, who had a frosty countenance. If death was inevitable today, then he wanted to test the strength of the one touted as invincible below the Supreme Lord before he died.
"You are very talented, not inferior to me, but too young."
The Wansheng Madman had a hint of admiration and ruthlessness in his eyes. He allowed no obstruction, and with a slight swing of the fist behind his back...
Thump!
From miles away, Xuanyuan Di’s upper body burst, depriving him of his fighting strength, utterly unmatched in power.
In an instant, three giants of East Victory remained, barely holding on and on the verge of falling at any moment, while ten giants of Outer Heaven stood intact. And with one of their own dragged into death’s grasp, the Wansheng Madman, seething with battle lust, was ready to strike at any second.
All hope in the hearts of East Victory’s warriors that had been hanging by a thread was finally, in that moment, shattered by the brutal reality.
They had lost, indeed lost.
Heaven, after all, did not bestow a miracle.
