Lie Feng knew that Zhang Shun, like himself, was a body cultivator, and the hallmark of body cultivators was their immense strength and powerful defense, which made them extremely difficult to kill.Thus, when facing the combined assault of Zhang Shun and his two junior brothers, Lie Feng had originally planned to eliminate Zhang Bo first, then deal with Zhang Jie. Yet he had not expected Zhang Shun's defense to be so tenacious, his body so tough, that Lie Feng could not quickly break through his guard—and worse, the other two were even assisting by using spells to heal Zhang Shun's injuries.Lie Feng realized that unless Zhang Shun was removed, no matter how he attacked, it would be difficult to threaten the other two. Rather than circling around the toughest opponent to strike the weaker ones, it would be better to adopt the simplest and most direct method.So Lie Feng chose the most brutal approach—overwhelming his enemy with sheer strength.
But in focusing too much on his immediate opponent, he overlooked an even greater enemy—Yuan Hong.As Lie Feng revealed one astounding ability after another, Yuan Hong, who had at first watched with calm detachment, now wore a grim expression. He knew that if he did not step in soon, his remaining disciples would all be slaughtered one by one.Seizing his chance, Yuan Hong struck Lie Feng from behind with a palm strike.
The sudden blow sent both Lie Feng and Zhang Shun flying. The immense force of the strike caused Lie Feng immense pain, yet he forced himself to turn his head—only to see Yuan Hong already closing in.Lie Feng immediately hurled the wounded Zhang Shun at Yuan Hong, forcing Yuan Hong to stop and catch his disciple, giving Lie Feng the chance to pull back to safety.
But as soon as Lie Feng steadied himself, a hot surge rose within his chest. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his breathing turning labored.With a single wave of his hand, Yuan Hong scattered the blazing vortex of flames that still lingered. Looking down at Zhang Shun in his arms, he found the youth's entire body flushed red and burning with heat, too weak even to speak. Yuan Hong thought grimly that if he had acted a moment later, Zhang Shun would have been dead.
He handed Zhang Shun over to Zhang Bo and Zhang Jie, giving them a healing pill. "Quickly, treat him."Then Yuan Hong's gaze sharpened with murderous intent as it locked once more on Lie Feng.
Just as he was about to strike again, a sharp cry rang out from behind:"To sneak attack a junior—how shameless!"
Yuan Hong, a master of the Sixth Realm, rarely suffered such insults. His face darkened with humiliation, and he turned to find the speaker. His eyes landed on a masked young woman—it was Li Qiuyun. Yuan Hong nearly lashed out, but then he sensed the aura of the elder standing behind her, equal to his own.
Clearly this woman was no ordinary cultivator, likely some noble daughter of a great power.
He suppressed his anger, deciding that eliminating Lie Feng mattered more.
But as Yuan Hong looked back, he saw Lie Feng already bathed in emerald light, clear water flowing across his body as he healed.Li Qiuyun had seen him channeling energy to heal and had wanted to help, but bound by her position, she could not act openly.
Instead, she had shouted deliberately to distract Yuan Hong for a few moments, hoping to buy Lie Feng more time.
This is all I can do for you now, she thought.
Yuan Hong quickly realized what was happening and surged forward. "Whelp! Did you think I'd let you recover?" he roared, striking down toward Lie Feng's head.
Forced to abandon his healing, Lie Feng retreated rapidly, firing a volley of ice spears at Yuan Hong. Yet with a single wave, Yuan Hong summoned flames like a raging tide, instantly melting the icy projectiles.Again and again, Lie Feng unleashed different techniques to hinder him, but Yuan Hong shattered each one with ease, his advance unbroken, the distance between them closing steadily.
At last, as Yuan Hong pressed close, Lie Feng made his decision. Instead of retreating, he charged forward. Their palms collided—yet what Yuan Hong struck was only a mud clone. The true Lie Feng erupted from the ground behind him.But Yuan Hong had already anticipated this.
A wall of searing flame burst up from the earth, blocking Lie Feng's path. Caught, Lie Feng had no choice but to halt his advance and attempt to retreat—only for Yuan Hong to tear through the fire wall in a flash."I've caught you now," Yuan Hong snarled.
Knowing he could no longer flee, Lie Feng braced himself and launched a desperate counterattack. His strikes were fierce but weakened—his injuries too severe, his strength reduced to only seventy or eighty percent.
Had his body not been reinforced through body cultivation, Yuan Hong's earlier palm to the heart would already have killed him.Even so, the gap in cultivation was overwhelming.
Blow after blow drove Lie Feng back, until one heavy clash hurled him twenty paces away, blood streaking his lips.
Yuan Hong, sensing his foe's weakening force, pressed his assault all the harder.But when their palms collided once more, brilliant light burst from Lie Feng's hand—five colors interwoven. The force of the strike hurled Yuan Hong back nearly twenty steps.
Shocked, Yuan Hong thought, What kind of monster is this? Even gravely wounded, he still wields such power… His arm tingled with numbness from the clash. Gritting his teeth, he resolved: This one must die today, or he will become a calamity.
And so he renewed his attack, fiercer and more vicious than before.
Meanwhile, Qin Fen's heart twisted with turmoil. He wished for Lie Feng to win—if Yuan Hong died, the slave contract binding him would dissolve. Yet he also wished for Lie Feng's defeat—for otherwise, his own cowardice and betrayal would make him a laughingstock.
Nearby, Xiao Cui whispered in awe, "Amazing… what was that multicolored power? He actually repelled a Sixth Realm master head-on!"
Elder Xu You replied, "If I am not mistaken, that was the Power of the Five Elements."
"The Power of the Five Elements?" Xiao Cui echoed.
"Yes. The fusion of all five elemental attributes into a single strike. Its force exceeds any single-element technique. In all the world, likely only this young man could wield such a power—for he is a Prodigy of five reincarnations, born with all five spiritual roots."
Xiao Cui's eyes shone. "Then… does that mean he can win?"
But Li Qiuyun shook her head. "No. He has already lost."
Puzzled, Xiao Cui asked, "Why? Aren't they evenly matched right now?"
Li Qiuyun sighed. "In true battles, cultivators rarely strike with full power. They use only thirty to forty percent, conserving energy for a prolonged fight while maintaining steady recovery.
Yet this Five Elements Power of his… it bridges a vast gulf in strength. Its cost must be immense. Even with a vast reservoir of spiritual energy, he cannot sustain it for long. And with his injuries, he cannot circulate energy efficiently. Inevitably, he will burn himself out."
Xiao Cui's lips trembled. "Then… that means he can only…"
Li Qiuyun's gaze grew heavy. "Yes. He will fight until his strength is spent—and die."
Her eyes lingered on Lie Feng, who still stood his ground against Yuan Hong's relentless assault.
For the first time, she felt truly moved.When they had crossed paths in the secret realm, she had seen him merely as a talent worth befriending, a useful ally for the future.
But now, watching him fight against impossible odds, she felt an unfamiliar pull, a strange magnetism that held her gaze fast.