"Die, Ling Yuan dog!"
Hearing this from Yang Ning, Long Hua smiles subtly in response to the misunderstanding.
Just as Yang Ning continues to approach, Long Hua draws Shui Yue, and—
*Klanggggg!!!* blocking off Yang Ning's blade by pressing the tip of Shui Yue against it, a sonorous howl rings across the battlefield!
"…!"
Gritting his teeth, Yang Ning feels as if he had just stabbed his blade onto an immovable mass—causing his right arm to turn numb.
*Klang!* slashing with Shui Yue, Long Hua throws Yang Ning backwards.
As soon as Yang Ning crashes onto the ground, Long Hua remarks—
"With only this much strength, you'd dare to challenge an Immortal?"
"…"
Pushing himself off the ground, Yang Ning glares hatefully at Long Hua—thoroughly convinced of the latter being a genuine Ling Yuan family clansman.
Considering how his goal is to incite chaos in the Leng Bing Realm, the more hatred the denizens of this world feel towards the Ling Yuan family, the better; hence, Long Hua can't be bothered to clear this advantageous misunderstanding.
"…"
Appearing alongside Yang Ning, Zhou Chen also glares at Long Hua—not recognizing them due to the recognition inhibiting mask.
Other than mild anger, bitterness can also be seen in Zhou Chen's yellow eyes.
"…"
Batting an eye at Zhou Chen, Yang Ning says—
"If you don't intend to help me kill this bastard, then stand aside."
"…"
In response to this, Zhou Chen heaves a sigh, and readies his trident.
"Oh?"
Looking at the two elderly figures, Long Hua raises an eye. However, his main priority is the tree; hence—
"Let's see if you can keep up with me first."
Saying this, Long Hua turns around, and heads into the gateway.
Without wasting any time, Zhou Chen and Yang Ning gave chase.
...…
Following the three individuals' departure from this battlefield, the 12 masses of stone successfully join together—forming a stone soldier that stands at a height of 50 meters!
"Look out!"
"Ah!"
In a rampant manner, the stone soldier begins to obstruct any weapon spirits that attempted to make their way into the imperial palace!
...…
*Klang! Klang! Klang!* having broken through into the Nascent Soul realm, Qing Ming Yang manages to effortlessly fend off the attacks of Ye Chen and Li Xue—much to their frustration.
Since most of the weapon spirits were looking to enter the palace, Qing Ming Yang didn't have to deal with anyone other than these two—especially so when Lin Yu Heng was also present, to obstruct the other weapon spirits.
*Klang! Klang! Klang!* as Qing Ming Yang continues to defend, rather than to attack, Li Xue shouts—
"Dammit! Is this your way of looking down at us?!"
Towards Li Xue's question, Qing Ming Yang replies—
"And if I say that it is?"
In response to this, Li Xue increases the ferocity of her attacks, whereas Ye Chen goes around Qing Ming Yang.
"…"
Pinched between the two, Qing Ming Yang feels as if the flow of time around him has become slower.
Having found out about the grudge that Ye Chen and Li Xue have with his elder brother, Qing Ming Yang is still feeling a bit complicated about the matter.
Considering how his life bound treasure was gifted to him by his elder brother, Qing Ming Yang feels like he is partially responsible for the two weapon spirits losing a parental figure.
However, that doesn't mean that Qing Ming Yang is willing to pay for the inconveniences that he had indirectly caused them.
(Senior's goal is to incite chaos in this world. These two, they seem capable of contributing to that chaos greatly—if I give them a bit of a push.)
*Klang!* swinging his sword, Qing Ming Yang knocks Li Xue aside, and in the same instance, he turns around to strike a punch at Ye Chen!
"Kuh…!"
The impact of Qing Ming Yang's strike had effortlessly shattered Ye Chen's armor, causing the latter's chest to cave inwards, but despite this—
"Oh?"
Although greatly injured, Ye Chen continues to bring the greatsword that is raised over his head down from above, causing Qing Ming Yang to narrow his eyes—seeing as how this strike is heavily reinforced by the effects of gravity manipulation.
If Qing Ming Yang were to receive this strike as a Core Formation realm practitioner, he would die for certain; however, having made his breakthrough, this situation can't be considered a crisis—
*Boom!!!!!* directly receiving Ye Chen's blade with his head, Qing Ming Yang remains perfectly whole, while the grounds beneath his feet shatters from the impact of the former's attack!
"…!"
Sensing his arms going numb, Ye Chen is overwhelmed by a sense of astonishment.
In the next instance—
*…!!!* tearing through the air, Li Xue's spear flies from the direction she had been thrown towards, and makes a straight-lined charge for Qing Ming Yang's head.
And just as the spear is about to impale its target—
"Die!"
The person herself teleports in, to drive the spear forward with greater force, but—
*Boom!!!!!* despite Li Xue's best efforts, the veil of spirit Qi that shrouds Qing Ming Yang remains unmoving—causing the two weapon spirits to feel both a sense of dread and powerlessness.