Mountain of the Four Tributaries — Lower Grove
The spiritual bell spun—each rotation faster, more aggressive than the last. The pressure of the Foundation Establishment finally fully unfurled. The entire grove trembled: ancient trunks cracked, roots snapped, and leaves turned to ash before they even touched the ground.
Wang Tao felt his bones groan—they didn't break, but the agony was bone-deep. The Shadow raised a hand, and the flames answered.
Battle Technique: Circle of Fire.
A ring of roaring flames erupted around them, towering like fortress walls. The forest had become an arena.
— Let's see how much your body can take... — the Shadow hissed.
The flames surged forward, shaping themselves into jagged spears. Wang Tao slammed his palm against the earth; water rose from the stream, forming serpents that exploded into thick steam upon contact with the fire. He created space, but nothing more. The heat was relentless; every breath was a lung-searing struggle.
The Shadow lunged, pulling chains from a spatial bag—at their tip was a scythe-blade coated in viscous green poison. The chain rose into the air on its own, propelled by spiritual energy. Then, the Shadow performed a seal.
Battle Technique: Reinforced Metal.
Now, the blade at the end could cut through the very flow of Qi. Wang Tao leaped back, pulling a defense talisman—a golden circle of Pure Qi enveloped his body. The chain streaked toward his shoulder, slicing through the air and the protective Qi alike.
Wang Tao didn't want to risk it; he tried to dodge, but...
SLASH.
Blood sprayed. His arm was nearly severed, torn down to the bone. Wang Tao fell to his knees, clutching his shoulder. His breath hitched for a moment, but his eyes remained steady, defiant.
The Shadow smirked.
— A refined body... not that it matters. You are still mortal.
The weapon lunged again. Wang Tao rolled, drawing his twin daggers, trying to parry.
CLANG—CLANG—SLASH.
Another deep gash opened on his right flank. His dark robes were now soaked crimson, his vision blurred, and the heat was becoming unbearable. He tried to dash toward the ring of fire, but the Shadow made another hand movement. The flames surged with life, sealing every possible path of escape.
The blade kept coming. Wang Tao turned to face it, gritting his teeth. He pulled more metallic wires from his bag.
Combat Technique: Wire Control — Metal Style.
They flew like arrows toward the Shadow: five lines—two on the right, two on the left, and one aimed straight for the heart. The bell spun and glowed, creating a Qi barrier.
TING.
The strike lost its momentum. However, the artifact was spinning more feebly now; its energy was nearly depleted.
From the other side, the scythe arrived. Wang Tao didn't dodge; he tried to catch it with his bare hands, using his raw physical strength.
CRUNCH.
The skin of his fingers was torn to the bone, but he held the blade firm. The Shadow spoke with pure disdain:
— Yes, keep going. It wouldn't be any fun if you just gave up.
Wang Tao struggled to keep his grip on the chain, but then he saw it: the Shadow was forming another seal—a torrent of flame was rushing toward him. Sweat and blood evaporated from his skin, the chain bucked to escape his control, and the fire closed in.
He grit his teeth. And then...
BOOM.
His body was hurled toward the walls of fire. His black robes were ablaze, his skin charred, his blood drying instantly. He coughed, choking on blood. The Shadow approached slowly.
Until, suddenly...
---
LIGHT.
From the sky—violet and blue—a bird shaped from sky-blue Qi tore through the arena of fire. Its feathers, wet as if with fresh ink, wept droplets as it soared.
The Shadow spun around. — What?!
Two figures leaped from the back of the ethereal bird: one holding a brush, the other clutching wooden threads.
Yan Li.Wei Lian.
The envelopes in their hands were open and glowing with power. Yan Li looked at Wang Tao on the ground, then at the Shadow. Her gaze shifted, turning cold and sharp.
— Get away from our brother.