Chapter 2422: Chapter 2486: The Power of a Single Punch
"You rest first, I’ll handle the two of them, have your summoned beasts assist!" Li Yifei turned his head and said to the Saintess. Although the Saintess’s expression wasn’t pleasant, she knew she had been a bit impulsive earlier. Forcing herself would be dangerous; of course, this was only Li Yifei’s intention, whether the two on the other side would comply was another matter.
The Saintess nodded and said, "Alright, I’ll assist you from the side!"
Li Yifei winked and said, "No problem."
Phoenix took a few breaths, grasped her Flame Sword, and walked over, standing beside the Xuanwu Tangtortoise. Hearing Li Yifei and the Saintess’ conversation, her expression turned icy cold, her eyes carried a strong killing intent, she put away all contempt, looked at Li Yifei and the Saintess, and said, "Xuanwu, if you don’t show your true strength, I’m afraid our mission will fail today."
The named Xuanwu Tangtortoise slapped his thigh and said, "Since you put it this way, then I’ll be more serious, though you know I don’t really like fighting."
"I don’t know, I only know if you want the mission to fail, then just keep being a turtle!"
"Xuanwu is a turtle..." Although Xuanwu Tangtortoise said this, his whole aura suddenly seemed different, though there wasn’t much change on the surface. At the same time, Phoenix’s aura also changed, when the two stood together, their fierce forces merged as if an sharp sword, instantly thrusting at Li Yifei.
Li Yifei knew these people wouldn’t be easily dealt with, so he was mentally prepared before the encounter, but these two had been hiding their strength all along... Li Yifei glanced at the Saintess, knowing unless he went all out today, both would be at risk instead.
He had been a bit complacent, Li Yifei was gathering True Qi, though he wasn’t extremely worried. The situation wasn’t disadvantageous, even though the Xuanwu and Phoenix in front of him couldn’t... wait, are the Four Great Beasts supposed to include a Phoenix? Shouldn’t it be a Vermilion Bird? Li Yifei got distracted by this question, shook his head cleanly snapping back, whether it’s Vermilion Bird or Phoenix, he’d deal with them all now, what’s strong? Hasn’t he defeated enough strong opponents?
Li Yifei took a deep breath, releasing his aura completely, not falling behind.
The Saintess directed two beasts to stand at Li Yifei’s sides, Li Yifei gripped the Mohist War Blade, witnessing Xuanwu Tangtortoise pull out something resembling a Turtle Shell from his arms, weighed it in his hand with an odd smile, tossed it up. There, the Turtle Shell suddenly manifested a giant phantom enveloping Xuanwu’s entire body, as if an additional layer of qi shield appeared out of nowhere.
This seemed to be a kind of magical artifact, possessing very strong defensive effects. At this time, Li Yifei’s True Qi inside wasn’t much, only about forty percent. The Innate Vital Energy hadn’t been used yet, no matter what, they couldn’t lose today, of course, if really unable to resist, then retreat immediately. He and the Saintess’ objective wasn’t to genuinely clash head-on with the Noah’s Ark, but to kill, if possible; if not, then leave. The main goal was finding the opponent’s base, ultimately having the two major forces unite to annihilate them.
Currently not just the Twelve Holy Beasts were provoked but also the Four Great Beasts, while that Captain only heard by name and unseen had not emerged yet. Whether he’s Murong Zheng or Murong Zheng is one of the Twelve Holy Beasts or Four Great Beasts remained unknown.
Simply relying on two people, wanting to overturn such an organization as Noah’s Ark was like a fool’s dream. Even if the entire organization stood still to let them kill, it would take quite some time.
First, let’s fight, Li Yifei held the blade to launch the attack. Now it seemed as if Phoenix exerted all her strength, the Phoenix tattoo on her face suddenly emerged with a red layer like it was suddenly engorged with blood, becoming alive, no—actually alive. A small Phoenix first emerged on her face, spread its wings and flew; it gradually grew larger until it enveloped Phoenix’s whole body.
Quite eerie indeed, Li Yifei secretly thought, feeling the scorching aura from Phoenix even from such a distance, sensing a wave of burning, simultaneously enhancing Phoenix’s strength.
Could this be their cultivated true form? As these thoughts crossed his mind, both opposing figures moved. Li Yifei’s Mohist War Blade hacked against the turtle shell of Xuanwu, emitting a sound of gold and stone. The blade, infused with overwhelming True Qi, surprisingly failed to break through that layer of protection. Xuanwu, enduring the impact, lifted his head with a smug grin and a black aura flickered in his eyes as he said, "My defense, how can it be so easily broken by you."
"Really?" Li Yifei smiled faintly, unconcerned, and swung his blade intending to strike again, but a Flame Long Sword flew from the side. This time, the sword transformed directly into a fiery phoenix diving towards Li Yifei.
Sizzling... Li Yifei even felt the intense heat coming straight for him, almost setting his hair aflame. As he swung the Mohist War Blade to fend off the attack, Li Yifei employed his footwork, rapidly retreating. Behind him, the Saintess commanded two summoned beasts to intercept. The beast resembling a unicorn from western myths blocked the phoenix’s Flame Sword. A holy light shot from its horn, dispersing the flames. The fire-formed phoenix chirped lightly, driven away by the Holy Light, but quickly reformed as the controller pointed a finger. The Flame Sword spun in the air, swiftly charging at Li Yifei once again.
This sword control technique was indeed formidable, especially since the Flame Sword was itself no ordinary weapon. Though Li Yifei’s Mohist War Blade was exceedingly sharp, it was difficult to unleash its full potential at the moment, forcing him to retreat repeatedly under pressure from the Flame Sword, appearing somewhat awkward. Behind him, the Saintess was becoming anxious, and although her summoned creatures were not weak, they seemed to lack strength against the current foe. In her urgency, the Saintess yanked a pendant from her neck, intending to crush it.
"No need." Li Yifei, turning back, saw the Saintess’s movement and immediately called out. He knew the secret of the pendant around the Saintess’s neck — it was a legacy treasure from the Holy War Organization, containing a substance known as Holy Water. In a moment of danger, it could be consumed. While the Holy Water wouldn’t instantly enhance the user’s cultivation and strength, it would guide them into a miraculous state that could communicate with the heavens and earth, enabling highly destructive magic spells.
The consequences, however, were severe. Lightly injured, one could be bedridden for months, perhaps even years. Severely injured, one might suffer a permanent backlash, carrying internal wounds that might never heal. Therefore, upon seeing the Saintess about to activate the pendant, Li Yifei certainly wouldn’t agree. He retreated rapidly, reaching the Saintess’s side and said, "Your husband hasn’t been defeated; no need for this. Keep it safe; just continue directing those two creatures."
"But..." The Saintess was about to speak when Li Yifei gently pushed her, sending her a bit further away. With a swing of the Mohist War Blade behind him, a massive burst of blade energy collided with the incoming fiery phoenix, dispersing it once more. As it attempted to reassemble, Li Yifei had already arrived before Xuanwu Tangtortoise, launching a punch. He felt the rebound force, confirming the shell’s formidable defense, but knew there was always a flaw.
After landing, the Saintess continued to command the two summoned beasts. She had faith in Li Yifei, and since the crucial moment hadn’t yet arrived, she needn’t use it yet, considering the severe consequences and her current physical condition.
After onslaughts of several tackles on Xuanwu Tangtortoise’s back, Li Yifei hadn’t achieved the desired effect. Xuanwu Tangtortoise sneered, leaping up, and said, "Don’t think I can’t attack; I simply disdain it. But since you’ve hit me so many times, I need to strike back a few times."
In that moment, Xuanwu launched a palm thrust, resembling the illusory image of a turtle’s head rushing forward. Li Yifei glanced at Xuanwu and instead revealed a trace of a triumphant smile, mobilizing the Innate Vital Energy within. Li Yifei saturated himself with True Qi, transferring the knife to his left hand while his right fist punched out, heading for Xuanwu’s palm.
Fist against palm, usually the latter is at a disadvantage. Li Yifei’s punch, enveloped in Innate Vital Energy, was a kill stroke among killing techniques. Upon collision with Xuanwu’s palm, the protective turtle shell was shattered. Xuanwu’s eyes widened, and his mouth gaped as a huge power surged from his palm, telling him clearly that his Xuanwu Shield had been broken; and it wasn’t just...
His body was sent flying, propelled by a massive force. The overwhelming True Qi rushed into his system, instantly devastating his right arm. Xuanwu Tangtortoise seemed to hear the sound of bones breaking — inch by inch they snapped, conveying a power he found unbelievable.
At this moment, he understood the meaning behind Li Yifei’s smile—it seemed to mock him, thinking he was invincible, implying that Xuanwu itself wasn’t that powerful, and it could be resolved with just one punch.
In disbelief, Xuanwu Tangtortoise flew backward more than ten steps before barely halting, his entire right arm drooping. The phoenix on the side had just repelled two summoned beasts and was preparing to attack Li Yifei with its sword, regardless of whether two against one might be dishonorable. But before she could join forces against Li Yifei, she saw Xuanwu’s shield shattered, his arm broken, and flying away...
The phoenix hesitated. Xuanwu’s defense was recognized within the Noah’s Ark Organization; he was initially a witch doctor in Africa, even just a lesser witch doctor. It was the captain who discovered him there, helped him find the heritage, and brought him back to the organization for training. Only ten years later did he reach this level today, obtaining the Divine Beast Position in the organization. His defensive capability was probably second only to the captain, as even the phoenix, Green Dragon, and White Tiger might not easily break his defense.
Yet mere seconds ago, the incredibly strong Xuanwu defense was shattered by Li Yifei’s single punch... How did he manage it? How could he suddenly become so formidable? Naturally, the phoenix couldn’t comprehend it. As she was momentarily stunned, Li Yifei’s body advanced without hesitation, rushing straight towards Xuanwu Tangtortoise.
