"Thunderflame Soul-Devouring Spear!" Zhao Xiu snarled, striking abruptly.


    He stomped hard, using the force to charge forward, his entire body transforming into a streak of lightning, the thunder spear in his hand roiling with scorching thunder-flames as it pierced the air towards Lin Yueyao''s shoulder.


    The attack was incredibly fierce; an ordinary cultivator likely wouldn''t even have time to react.


    Yet, Lin Yueyao''s gaze remained cool. With a slight slip of her feet, her figure retreated gracefully like a ripple on water. At the same time, her sleeve fluttered as she brought two fingers together on her right hand. A blue water-light flowed from her fingertips as she chanted softly:


    "''Water ripples weave, cold poison hides deep, water blade breaks the foe, chilling qi bites the bone!''"


    Following a clear chime of water, a crescent-shaped water blade suddenly shot out from her palm, sharp Water Spirit Qi, wrapped in chilling intent, meeting Zhao Xiu''s thunder spear like a razor!


    Clang-!


    Lightning and water blade collided. Thunder-fire Spirit Qi splashed outwards as the water blade dispersed into flecks of ice, while Zhao Xiu''s thunder spear, eroded by the cold qi, lost much of its power. However, in the instant of their exchange, Zhao Xiu''s left palm suddenly flipped, another thunder-flame palm strike already formed. He stomped hard, twisted his waist, and sent the second palm, carrying scorching thunder-flames, striking towards Lin Yueyao''s side!


    Lin Yueyao snorted coldly. Tapping lightly with her foot, her figure abruptly spun like swirling water, evading Zhao Xiu''s surprise attack with incredibly nimble movement. Simultaneously, her right hand lashed out with a gust of water energy, striking fiercely towards Zhao Xiu''s chest!


    Bang!


    Zhao Xiu grunted, forced back several steps by the blow, a bone-chilling cold spreading through his chest. His expression changed slightly; he hadn''t expected Lin Yueyao''s Water Spirit Qi to carry the power of cold poison, instantly sealing a portion of his Spirit Qi circulation!


    "''So this is the Lin family''s Water Spirit Cold Art...''" Zhao Xiu muttered through gritted teeth, rapidly circulating his thunder-fire Spirit Qi to dispel the cold poison within him. Immediately after, his body abruptly sank, lightning exploding beneath his feet as he shot forward like an arrow loosed from the bowstring. His palms crossed, thunder-fire condensing within them as a turbulent wave of intertwining fire and thunder energy suddenly surged upwards!


    "''Thunderflame Engulfs Heaven, Fire Dragon Descends!''"


    With a furious roar, Zhao Xiu thrust both palms forward. Lightning crackled in the air. A ferocious thunder-flame dragon image rose from his palms, baring fangs and claws, carrying berserk thunder-fire power as it charged thunderously towards Lin Yueyao!


    Lin Yueyao''s expression turned sharp. Tapping the ground, she leaped up gracefully, sleeves fluttering. Her hands crossed, tracing a Spirit Qi vortex as she chanted softly:


    "''Water Veil protects, cold qi forms frost, heavenly bloom falls shadow, counter the strong foe!''"


    In an instant, a frost barrier condensed from Water Spirit Qi unfolded before her, layer upon layer shimmering like a glacier with a deep blue light. Penetrating cold filled the air, enveloping her completely.


    BOOM-!!


    The thunder-flame dragon slammed heavily into the water veil. Thunder-fire and cold qi clashed violently. Evaporating mist instantly filled the surroundings, lightning arcs scattered, and a series of low, muffled explosions echoed through the air.


    A cunning glint flashed in Zhao Xiu''s eyes. The hand seal in his palm suddenly changed, and the fire dragon abruptly exploded, transforming into dozens of fine streams of thunder-fire that bypassed the water veil like meteors, striking straight towards Lin Yueyao!


    "Not good!" Lin Yueyao instantly sensed the danger.


    The thunder-fire streams rained down densely, sealing off all her paths of retreat. If she tried to forcibly dodge, she would inevitably expose an opening! Acting decisively, she overlapped her palms, spun sharply, and gathered her Water Spirit Qi, condensing it into a shield like solid ice, attempting to block the fatal blow!


    However, Zhao Xiu was already poised for action.


    With a cold laugh, his palm technique abruptly shifted. Thunder-fire Spirit Qi surged, and an even more violent thunderbolt palm strike, accompanied by scorching flames, crashed down!


    Lin Yueyao couldn''t fully defend in time; the frost shield was pierced by the thunder-fire. Flames grazed her shoulder, instantly leaving a scorch mark on her sleeve. She grunted, taking a small step back.


    Pressing his advantage, Zhao Xiu didn''t let up. Lightning flashed as his figure darted forward. Stomping the ground like a thunderclap, he charged straight at Lin Yueyao, his five fingers wreathed in electric arcs aimed straight for her throat!


    "Thunderflame Void-Shattering Claw!"


    Lin Yueyao''s eyes turned cold. With a flip of her wrist, a silver-blue radiance instantly materialized between her fingers. Water Spirit Qi rapidly condensed, and a mirror artifact with a rippling surface appeared in her palm-the Cold Water Moon Shadow Mirror.


    "Frost Rebound! Bone-piercing Cold!"


    Following a low hum, the surface of the Cold Water Moon Shadow Mirror rippled gently like water, then suddenly erupted with a deep blue cold light, like a frigid tide swallowing all warmth between heaven and earth. Zhao Xiu''s Thunderflame Void-Shattering Claw slammed viciously towards the mirror''s surface, but it felt as if caught by an invisible current. The thunder-fire power was instantly devoured by the mirror, only to immediately backlash with even fiercer frost!


    "What?!" Zhao Xiu''s pupils contracted sharply. Caught completely off guard, he felt an icy, bone-piercing spiritual power surge back along the path of his own attack. The momentum of his thunder-flame instantly disintegrated, the scorching Spirit Qi freezing solid under the frost''s assault! His arm was encased in cold qi, the Spirit Qi in his fingertips stagnating. Frost spread along his meridians, cold poison invaded his flesh, and waves of bone-deep agony washed over him!


    He hurriedly activated his thunder-fire Spirit Qi to resist, barely forcing back the cold poison, but his face had already darkened.


    He stared at the mirror glowing with deep blue light and sneered, "Heh... so it''s the Moon Shadow Mirror. A Mortal Rank Mid-Grade defensive artifact. Not half bad." He glanced down at his frost-covered arm, the corner of his mouth tilting up slightly. "A pity it can only be used once a day."


    He slowly raised his eyes, fixing Lin Yueyao with a grim stare, his voice tinged with contempt. "You just wasted your life-saving chance like that? First Miss Lin, it seems you''re even more foolish than I imagined."


    Lin Yueyao lightly brushed the frost from her shoulder, a mocking smile touching her lips. "Why would I need a life-saving chance just to deal with you?"


    Lin Yueyao retracted the Cold Water Moon Shadow Mirror. Stomping her foot, she sent faint cracks spreading across the bluestone ground. Her figure shot towards Zhao Xiu like a gale. Her right hand opened slightly, Water Spirit Qi rapidly gathering, flowing and transforming into an azure whip that coiled around her fingers like a roaming dragon before lashing through the air, striking straight for Zhao Xiu''s midsection!


    "Ice Edge Whip Shadow! Sever Flow Like Frost!"


    The water whip tore through the air, carrying bone-chilling cold qi as it lashed towards Zhao Xiu with lightning speed!


    Zhao Xiu snorted coldly. With a jolt underfoot, lightning arcs crackled as he darted backward like a phantom, simultaneously crossing his palms forcefully. Thunder-fire surged, condensing into a blazing shield before him!


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    "Thunderflame Barrier!"


    The water whip struck viciously against the Thunderflame Barrier. Thunder-fire and cold current collided, sending up great clouds of steam. Zhao Xiu seized the moment, turning slightly, his gaze frigid. His palm flipped, lightning swirling around it, electric arcs surging wildly as he instantly gathered power for a fierce strike!


    "Thunderflame Void-Shattering Claw!"


    Violent lightning erupted, like a fierce beast tearing through the night, lunging straight at Lin Yueyao!


    Lin Yueyao''s pupils shrank. Her figure spun abruptly, water rippling beneath her feet as she utilized the flexible nature of Water Spirit Qi to slide aside like flowing water. With a light flip of her wrist, her left hand suddenly formed a seal. Water Spirit Qi flowed, instantly condensing into a floating water-mirror barrier!


    "Water Veil Heavenly Radiance! Mirrored Flow!"


    The Thunderflame Claw crashed into the water veil. Violent frost energy immediately surged back along the attack''s path, creating a backlash against Zhao Xiu''s arm. He felt a bone-deep chill pour into his meridians along with his own Spirit Qi, his fingertips instantly stagnating!


    Zhao Xiu''s expression changed slightly. Just as he was about to retreat, Lin Yueyao gave a cold smile. Her water whip lifted, then suddenly spiraled back, coiling upwards like a spirit snake to wrap tightly around Zhao Xiu''s arm. Cold poison seeped through his skin, freezing his Spirit Qi circulation!


    "Ice Frost Soul Lock!"


    Zhao Xiu cursed inwardly. With a jolt of his right arm, lightning surged violently as he barely resisted the cold poison''s erosion. However, he realized that if this dragged on, he would only become more passive!


    His eyes hardened. He abruptly clapped his palms together. Lightning arcs crackled as the Spirit Qi around him vibrated wildly. Space began to twist unstably, and a mysterious spirit glyph appeared beneath his feet!


    "Spatial Distortion Art-Shadow Thunder Instant Kill!"


    Zhao Xiu''s figure suddenly blurred. Forcibly breaking free from the water whip''s bind, he instantly flashed to Lin Yueyao''s side-rear flank. Lightning flickered rapidly. A Thunderflame Dagger condensed in his palm, carrying destructive spiritual pressure as it stabbed straight towards the side of her neck!


    Lin Yueyao''s gaze was icy, utterly unfazed. With a slight turn of her wrist, Water Spirit Qi formed a vortex barrier at her side. Her left leg sank slightly, her body sliding down with the movement, allowing the Thunderflame Dagger to skim past, brushing against strands of her hair. The scorching aura grazed the side of her neck, raising a faint wisp of smoke!


    "Hmph!" Zhao Xiu sneered. Pressing his advantage, he advanced rapidly, thrusting out his left palm, thunder-flame exploding within it as he abruptly changed tactics-


    "Thunderflame Soul Devour!"


    Violent thunder-fire carried a distorted spiritual pressure, space trembled, and a powerful suction force suddenly surged. Killing intent naked in his eyes, Zhao Xiu attempted to completely seal off Lin Yueyao''s retreat!


    But in that very instant, Lin Yueyao''s mouth curved slightly. The water whip coiled back like a spirit snake, smoothly wrapping around Zhao Xiu''s ankle before fiercely pulling!


    "Water Bind Flowing Shadow!"


    Zhao Xiu''s Spirit Qi faltered beneath him, and his body abruptly lost balance. His expression changed drastically. Just as he tried to stabilize himself, Lin Yueyao twisted her wrist, the water whip lashing out swiftly like a spear piercing the void, striking straight for his chest!


    Zhao Xiu cursed inwardly again, rolling sharply to dodge, but he was still grazed by the whip. Bone-chilling power instantly permeated his skin, obstructing his Spirit Qi circulation once more!


    Zhao Xiu''s face was grim. He knew clearly that if he continued this direct confrontation, his energy consumption would only increase. He had to turn the tables quickly!


    Suddenly, his palms trembled slightly, and the lightning abruptly converged. The spirit glyph beneath his feet spun rapidly, the space around him twisting faintly. In an instant, his figure became an afterimage and vanished from the spot!


    "Spatial Distortion Art-Illusory Shadow Flash Step!"


    Lin Yueyao instantly sensed the anomaly. Her gaze swept around, only to find Zhao Xiu''s figure was nowhere in sight!


    The next instant-


    "Lin Rui, watch out!!" She spun around abruptly, her eyes suddenly fierce!


    Lin Rui felt a bone-chilling killing intent assault him from behind. His heart sank, and a cold dread crawled up his spine!


    Zhao Xiu''s figure, like a swift lightning shadow, appeared unexpectedly behind Lin Rui. Thunder-fire coiled in his palm, scorching electric arcs instantly condensing into a thunderbolt chain. The chain, wreathed in blazing flames, coiled like a venomous snake as it shot straight towards Lin Rui''s divine soul!


    "Soul Binding Art-Thunder Shadow Soul Devour!"


    Zhao Xiu gave a low shout as the thunder-flame chain shot out explosively. The air seemed to freeze, Spirit Qi vibrated violently, and space itself felt torn apart by the thunder-fire power!


    Lin Rui''s pupils contracted sharply. His limbs felt imprisoned, the thunder-fire aura locking directly onto his soul. He wanted to dodge, but found his consciousness being distorted by that bizarre spiritual power. It felt as if an invisible pressure was pinning him down, rendering him immobile!


    Life and death hung in an instant!


    "Army-Breaking Gale!"


    A furious roar tore through the night! A violent wind surged as a sharp blade light, carrying piercing wind pressure, slashed down through the air!


    Zheng-!


    An arc of silver light ripped through the sky like a gale sweeping the battlefield, slashing straight towards Zhao Xiu''s wrist!


    Pfft!


    Blood splashed. Zhao Xiu grunted, retreating explosively as half his sleeve, along with flesh and blood, was torn away by the blade light. His expression changed drastically as he stared at his severed right hand, fury and shock filling his eyes!


    At that moment, a burly figure darted over, landing firmly in front of Lin Rui. His feet stomped hard onto the ground, instantly cracking the bluestone pavement beneath him!


    It was-Lin Hu!


    He gripped a large great saber with both hands. The blade was dark gold, wide and thick, flowing with Violent Wind Spirit Qi, and the hilt was inlaid with unique Lin family runes. The blade''s name was-


    The Wind-Splitting Mountain-Cleaving Blade, Mortal Rank Mid-Grade. Its body contained the power of violent winds, and swinging the blade could generate wind pressure, enhancing its destructive force. Specialized in heavy slashes and breaking defenses!


    Lin Hu stood holding the saber, his gaze as fierce as a tiger''s, his killing intent overwhelming.


    "A Thunder-Flame cultivator? You dare run wild on Lin family territory? Courting death!"


    Zhao Xiu gritted his teeth, forcefully enduring the intense pain. He gathered his thunder-fire Spirit Qi again, just about to adjust his condition, when Lin Hu struck once more!


    "Wind-Splitting Slash-Raging Waves Trio!"


    Lin Hu took a sudden step forward, swinging the Wind-Splitting Mountain-Cleaving Blade horizontally through the air. The force of the slash was incomparably fierce, instantly unleashing three sharp wind blades that layered like raging waves in a storm, sealing off Zhao Xiu''s room to evade!


    Zhao Xiu''s expression changed. Knowing full well that meeting the attack head-on would only worsen his injuries, he hastily retreated, simultaneously thrusting out his left palm as lightning burst from its center!


    "Thunder Shadow Escape Form!"


    Lightning flashed, and his figure transformed into a lightning phantom, rapidly skimming towards the center of the area!


    "Trying to escape?!" Lin Hu barked coldly. Just as he was about to give chase, he suddenly heard the Lin family guards shout loudly in unison-


    "Form Array-Spirit-Sealing Wood-Binding Formation!"


    The surrounding Lin family guards were already prepared! Twelve guards leaped into the area simultaneously, wielding Green Vine Wood Staffs-the Lin family''s unique formation medium. These staffs, crafted from special spirit wood, contained potent plant spirit power and specialized in sealing and confinement.


    The guards stepped onto activating spirit glyphs, striking the ground in unison with their Green Vine Wood Staffs. Spirit Qi surged. The ground suddenly split open, and countless emerald vines burst forth like writhing pythons, instantly coiling towards Zhao Xiu!


    Zhao Xiu''s expression changed drastically again. He could clearly feel the surrounding Spirit Qi being forcefully suppressed. Moreover, these vines were not only incredibly tough but also contained Spirit-Sealing Power. Once entangled, circulating his Spirit Qi would become extremely difficult!


    "Damn it!" Zhao Xiu roared inwardly, realizing he was completely surrounded!


    Lin Hu stood outside the formation''s edge, slowly raising the Wind-Splitting Mountain-Cleaving Blade. Its edge gleamed with a grim cold light, his gaze frigid. "A Thunder-Flame cultivator? Is that all you''ve got?"


    Zhao Xiu''s eyes flickered. Knowing he couldn''t delay any longer, his palms trembled slightly as he swiftly took out an ancient-looking jade disk. The disk was covered in complex spatial patterns, with a dark gold crystal embedded in the center that faintly pulsed with distorted ripples.


    "Boundary Rending Disk, help me escape!"


    Zhao Xiu shouted, fiercely pouring his remaining thunder-fire Spirit Qi into it! Instantly, the jade disk flared with brilliant light! A black spatial rift abruptly tore open beneath his feet, like an abyss about to swallow his figure!


    However, just as he was about to step into the rift-


    Backlash!


    Space suddenly trembled violently, and a bizarre backlash force erupted!


    Pfft-!


    Zhao Xiu''s face turned deathly pale in an instant as he violently spurted a mouthful of blood! His feet were already engulfed by the rift, but the spatial power tore at his body like Soul-Devouring Blades!


    "Wh-what''s happening?!" Zhao Xiu''s pupils shrank as he looked in horror at the Boundary Rending Disk in his hand. But now, the jade disk was covered in cracks! The once-brilliant crystal was dim, its runes rapidly disintegrating!


    "Damn it! They actually tricked me-"


    Before his horrified cry could finish, the spatial rift suddenly expanded explosively. Violent tearing forces instantly engulfed his entire body. His flesh and blood were pulverized by the distorted spatial power. Not even his Primordial Spirit could escape, turning to nothingness in an instant!


    It was as if he had never existed!


    Hiss-!


    Both Lin Yueyao and Lin Hu''s expressions changed slightly. They leaped simultaneously to the spot to investigate. However, on the ground, apart from the rapidly closing spatial rift, not even a single drop of blood remained.


    Zhao Xiu had vanished completely.


    Lin Rui, just recovering from his astonishment, slowly walked over and crouched down. He touched the charred edges of the fading rift with his fingertips, his brow deeply furrowed as he muttered:


    "It''s over... Witness and evidence, all gone. Not even dust left behind. More thorough than destroying a corpse and erasing all traces."


    Lin Yueyao snorted coldly, crossing her arms, a hint of impatience in her eyes.


    "What else can be done? At least there''s still one live captive."


    She tilted her head, glancing towards the edge of the area where Chen Laosan was being held firmly by several Lin family guards.


    "Hand him over to my father. At least this mission will have some sort of conclusion."