Chapter 159: Wang Li Gets Revealed On Battlefield
One detail gnawed at Wang Li – Ye Fan’s absence. Where was his nemesis in all this chaos? Ye Fan’s arrival could drastically shift the balance of power.
Wang Li focused his Heavenly Fate Pupils, a powerful technique that allowed him to perceive the flow of energy and identify points of strategic importance. He saw the defensive array flag points, nodes of power that fueled the protective barrier around the Jade Lotus Palace cultivators. These points, when overwhelmed by the enemy, would begin to appear as swirling black mist in his vision.
Whenever a flag point was about to be overrun, Wang Li took swift action. If his formations were still active in that area, he manipulated them to disrupt the enemy’s advance. If not, he relied on his silent, deadly Yin Attribute energy to eliminate the threat with surgical precision.
The constant drain on his Yin Energy and spiritual reserves was immense. He knew he needed to recharge soon. Scanning the battlefield, his eyes landed on Liu Xue, her flowing robes a whirlwind of grace and deadly intent as she battled a group of Fox tribe warriors.
A mischievous grin spread across his face. With a silent movement, he materialized beside her and engulfed her in a quick hug. Liu Xue, recognizing his touch, didn’t flinch. Through their spiritual link, he reassured her, “Xue’er, I need to recover my Yin and Spiritual Energy. It will just take a few moments.”
His Yin-Yang Cultivation Ability, honed to perfection, kicked in. As he held Liu Xue close, he subtly absorbed Yin Energy from her body while simultaneously replenishing his own Yin Energy and spiritual reserves.
A subtle smile played on Liu Xue’s lips as she understood. Not only was he replenishing his energy, but his Yin Attribute cultivation technique was unknowingly bolstering her own strength. With renewed vigor, she cut through the ranks of Fox tribe cultivators like a whirlwind, dispatching them with ruthless efficiency.
After a few minutes, revitalized, reluctantly released Liu Xue, ready to rejoin the fray. Together, they swiftly dispatched the remaining Fox tribe warriors surrounding them.
But an unsettling chill ran down Wang Li’s spine as he activated his Heavenly Fate Pupils once more. He couldn’t believe his eyes.
A swirling vortex of deathly black aura pulsed around the area where Palace Mistress Jiu Lan was engaged in a fierce battle.
“Xue’er,” he said urgently, sending a mental message. “Stay here. I need to help your Master.”
Liu Xue, sensing the urgency in his voice, didn’t argue. “Go and save my master. Also, please take care of yourself,” she replied telepathically.
With a burst of speed, Wang Li launched himself towards the epicenter of the dark aura. The sight that greeted him made his blood run cold.
Palace Mistress Jiu Lan, surrounded by the Wyvern Lord, the Iron Hammer Sect leader, and the Nine-Tailed Fox, was on the verge of collapse.
Blood stained her robes, and her movements, once graceful and powerful, were now sluggish.
Wang Li’s heart hammered against his ribs. Charging in recklessly would be suicide. He was a peak Nascent Soul Realm cultivator facing three Soul Integration Realm opponents. One wrong move, and it would be over for him.
But doing nothing wasn’t an option either. Palace Mistress Jiu Lan, despite her immense power, was teetering on the brink. The relentless assault from the Wyvern Lord, the Nine-Tailed Fox, and the Iron Hammer Sect leader was taking its toll.
He had to act subtly. With a flick of his wrist, he activated the remaining formations near the battle zone. A web of shimmering light pulsed, targeting the Wyvern Lord. The Sonic Disruption Array flared to life, unleashing a cacophony of sound that temporarily disoriented the colossal beast, its leathery wings flapping erratically. The Binding Chains Array materialized, intangible chains constricting its movements for a fleeting moment.
Though the effect on the Wyvern Lord was temporary, it was enough. Palace Mistress Jiu Lan seized the opportunity. With a defiant roar, she unleashed her signature technique – the Emerald Willow Dance. Her Emerald Willow Blade, infused with wood attribute spiritual energy, blurred into a whirlwind of emerald light. The air itself seemed to resonate with the wind attribute, enhancing her movements as she danced around her opponents.
The Nine-Tailed Fox, caught off guard by Jiu Lan’s sudden resurgence, let out a surprised yelp as a shimmering blade slashed across her flank, drawing a furrow of red. The Iron Hammer Sect leader, his demonic aura surging, roared in frustration. The Emerald Willow Dance had decimated the puppets he’d been controlling, leaving him momentarily vulnerable.
“Impressive, Palace Mistress Jiu Lan,” the Iron Hammer Sect leader growled, his voice laced with grudging respect. “But you can’t fight us all forever.”
With a flick of his wrist, he activated a glowing red amulet, summoning forth a massive iron golem pulsating with demonic energy. The Wyvern Lord, its sonic torment abated, let out a deafening screech and dived towards Jiu Lan, its razor-sharp claws glinting in the sunlight.
The battle resumed with renewed intensity. Jiu Lan, her movements a blur of green and emerald, weaved through the Wyvern Lord’s attacks. Her blade sang a deadly song, deflecting the Iron Golem’s thunderous blows. The Nine-Tailed Fox, eyes blazing with icy fury, unleashed a blast of freezing wind. Jiu Lan, anticipating the attack, spun gracefully, deflecting the icy shards with a practiced flick of her blade.
Jiu Lan retaliated with her Willow Whispers, a technique that sent razor-sharp blades of wind energy slicing through the air. The Wyvern Lord roared as several blades found their mark, drawing rivulets of blood through its thick scales. The Iron Hammer Sect leader, his golem temporarily disabled, conjured a wickedly barbed whip from his robes and lashed out at Jiu Lan.
Jiu Lan, anticipating the attack, used her Dancing Willow Branches, a defensive technique that created a shimmering barrier of willow branches woven with spiritual energy around her. The whip met the barrier with a sickening snap, leaving a web of cracks on its emerald surface.
The battle raged on, the air thick with the stench of burnt flesh and demonic energy. The Jade Lotus Palace disciples, witnessing their leader’s valor, fought with renewed fervor. Liu Xue, her eyes blazing with determination, became a whirlwind of violet flames, eliminating any Fox tribe warrior who dared approach her.
Wang Li, cloaked in invisibility, watched with a mixture of admiration and worry. Palace Mistress Jiu Lan was a formidable opponent, but even a Soul Integration Realm cultivator had limits. He needed to find a way to tip the scales in her favor.
Wang Li’s brow furrowed. His last resort, the formations, had been used up. Directly intervening felt like staring down a bottomless pit. Yet, he couldn’t just stand by and watch the Jade Lotus Palace beauties fall. The only reason they were holding on was the defensive boost from Palace Mistress Jiu Lan’s activated array. If she fell, their fate… he couldn’t even contemplate it. Liu Xue…
Gritting his teeth, he made a gamble. With a flick of his wrist, a dozen smoke bombs exploded, enveloping the battlefield in a thick, black fog. Even Soul Integration Realm divine senses wouldn’t penetrate this.
This was his window. Seizing the opportunity, Wang Li darted towards the Iron Hammer Sect leader, relying on his memory of the leader’s location before the smoke bombs erupted. At point-blank range, he unleashed his strongest technique – the Yin-Yang Annihilation Wave.
The leader, sensing a surge of spiritual energy, scoffed. A mere Nascent Soul cultivator? He raised a dismissive hand, conjuring a basic shield of spiritual energy to block the attack.
This proved to be a fatal mistake. Empowered by the Yin-Yang attributes, the attack shredded his shield like paper and slammed into his chest. This was the location Palace Mistress Jiu Lan had struck earlier, a wound he’d hastily sealed. Now, a gaping hole erupted, spraying blood and demonic energy across the smoke.
Just as he prepared to vanish and reactivate his invisibility, his Heavenly Fate Pupils detected a faint flicker of Golden Fate in the distance, rapidly approaching the battlefield. His heart plummeted – Ye Fan!
With a burst of wind gust, Ye Fan tore apart the smoke cloud, revealing the battlefield to the shocked eyes of everyone.
The wind howled, and the smoke cleared away, revealing a stunned battlefield. Palace Mistress Jiu Lan, the Wyvern Lord, the Nine-Tailed Fox, all stared at Wang Li in disbelief. They hadn’t even noticed him before.
Palace Mistress Jiu Lan’s eyes widened in recognition.
She had met him a few weeks ago, the young man who had dared to pursue both Xia Qingwu and Liu Xue.
A storm of emotions roiled within her. Relief that he had been helping them, anger at his womanizing ways, and a flicker of gratitude for his contribution to the battle. But that could wait. Now, they needed to focus on their real enemies – the wounded Iron Hammer Sect leader, the enraged Wyvern Lord, and the cunning Nine-Tailed Fox.
Meanwhile, Ye Fan materialized beside Wang Li, his face splitting into a wide grin. “Took you long enough, friend,” he chuckled. “This little gathering wouldn’t have been the same without you!”
Wang Li fought back a smirk.
Ye Fan had no idea he’d just played right into Wang Li’s hands. He’d been lured here, yes, but now Wang Li had the chance for revenge.
He adopted a mask of calm indifference. “Pleasure to be of service,” he said drily, his eyes flashing with a challenge.
The air crackled with unspoken tension as Ye Fan turned his charismatic smile towards the remaining combatants. “Well, well, well,” he drawled, his voice ringing clear. “Looks like the party’s just getting started!”
The Jade Lotus Palace disciples, initially stunned by Wang Li’s sudden appearance, erupted in cheers. Their morale soared, bolstered by the unexpected support. The combined forces of the Wyvern Race, Fox Tribe, and Iron Hammer Sect, however, were thrown into disarray.
