Chapter 56: Fight (3)
Chapter 56: Fight (3)
As the ground settled from the tremors caused by the serpents' emergence, the once-unified group of Cultivators was now fractured into five smaller, isolated groups. With the original around forty Cultivators scattered, the odds were now heavily skewed in Shangguan Yi's favor.
Shangguan Yi surveyed the chaotic scene with a keen eye. Amongst 40 Cultivators: half of them were Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and the other half, false Core Formation Cultivators. Their numbers dwindled further with the separation, reducing their effective strength. Not letting off this advantage, Shangguan Yi moved swiftly.
Shangguan Yi approached the nearest entrapment, where less than ten Cultivators had gathered. Their hurried movements and anxious whispers filled the air as they tried to manage the chaos around them. The sudden appearance of Shangguan Yi cut through their noise like a knife.
The Cultivators looked up in shock, their faces a mix of fear and confusion. One of the false Core Formation Cultivators, his voice trembling, shouted, "It's demonic Cultivator! He is here!"
Another Cultivator, trying to maintain his composure, demanded, "Prepare yourselves! We cannot afford to be caught off guard!"
Despite their attempts to rally, Shangguan Yi's mere presence was overwhelming. He blinked his eyes several times, and the flames began to flare, casting an eerie light over the scene. The Cultivators' attempts to react were frantic but disorganized.
A young Foundation Establishment Cultivator, eyes wide with panic, shouted, "We're done for! He's too powerful!"
"Focus! We have to fight back!" another Cultivator barked, raising his hand to cast a defensive technique. But before he could complete the incantation, Shangguan Yi's flame wisps intercepted his technique, dissolving it into nothingness.
Shangguan Yi's calm gaze cut through the chaos.
The flames surged forward, overwhelming the Cultivators. The air filled with the sounds of their panicked shouts and the crackling of flames. One Cultivator, desperate, tried to escape. "We can't fight this! Fall back!"
But Shangguan Yi's flames were relentless. With a final, few blinks, he intensified the fire, ensuring no escape. The Cultivators' struggles were futile against the onslaught, and within moments, the area was engulfed in searing heat.
As the flames began to subside and the wisps of white flame appeared, Shangguan Yi collected them and surveyed the scorched remains of the entrapment. His expression was cold and resolute, a stark contrast to the devastation he had wrought. The Cultivators had been caught off guard, their defenses shattered by his swift and merciless assault.
Shangguan Yi remained unfazed, methodically handling the group in just twelve seconds before moving on to the next entrapment.
The second entrapment was a hive of activity. Cultivators had been diligently attacking the entrapment, their focus solely on breaking free. The air was thick with the sound of spells being cast and weapons striking against barriers.
Shangguan Yi's sudden appearance startled them, and they hastily shifted their focus to him. A wave of alarm rippled through the group as they recognized the formidable figure before them.
"It's him!" one of the false Core Formation Cultivators shouted, his voice tinged with panic. "Prepare to attack!"
A Foundation Establishment Cultivator, gripping his weapon tightly, called out, "Don't let him get close! We have to take him down together!"
Despite their hurried attempts to organize a defense, Shangguan Yi moved with unwavering confidence. He blinked his eyes, and the air around him shimmered with the heat of his flames. The Cultivators launched their attacks, spells and weapons hurtling towards him in a desperate bid to stop his advance.
But Shangguan Yi was prepared. He blinked his eyes again, and a wave of flame wisps erupted from him, burning their attacks in mid-air before they could reach him. The flames danced through the air, cutting through spells and deflecting weapons with ease.
The Cultivators recoiled in shock, their attacks having been rendered useless. "What kind of power is this?" one of them gasped, fear evident in his eyes.
"Stay together!" another Cultivator commanded, trying to maintain some semblance of order. "We can't let him pick us off one by one!"
But Shangguan Yi's relentless assault continued. The flame wisps darted through the group, targeting each Cultivator with pinpoint accuracy. Screams of pain and terror filled the air as the flames latched onto their targets, burning with an intensity that left no room for resistance.
A Cultivator, desperately trying to fend off the flames, cried out, "We can't fight this! He's too strong!"
Shangguan Yi looked at them calmly without saying anything.
With one final, few blinks, Shangguan Yi unleashed a concentrated wave of flames that swept through the entrapment. The Cultivators, despite their best efforts, were overwhelmed by the sheer force of his attack. The flames engulfed them, reducing their defenses to ashes and leaving them no chance to regroup.
As the firestorm subsided, leaving only wisps of white flame, Shangguan Yi surveyed the scorched remains of the second entrapment. His expression remained cold and determined. The Cultivators' frantic efforts had been futile against his flame.
With both groups dealt with efficiently, Shangguan Yi moved to the remaining entrapments. The battlefield was now littered with the remnants of his foes. The once formidable enemy force had been reduced to a scattered, weakened remnant, their morale shattered by Shangguan Yi's precise and devastating tactics.
At this moment, he turned his attention to the Song Family Ancestor, who had just broken free. The air around the Song Family Ancestor rippled with the power of his water path cultivation. His face was set in a determined scowl, eyes narrowed with a mix of frustration and challenge.
The Song Family Ancestor stepped forward, his aura pulsing with a commanding presence. "So, you're the one who's been causing so much trouble," he said, his voice cold and resolute. "You've been a thorn in our side, but now you've finally met your match."
Shangguan Yi met his gaze with a steely determination.
The Song Family Ancestor raised his hand, and the air around him shimmered as countless drops of water formed, each glistening with lethal intent. "My Water Tears will make short work of you. Your flames are impressive, but they can't stand up to this."
Shangguan Yi's eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation.
The Song Family Ancestor's expression shifted to a smirk, a hint of confidence in his eyes. "You're brave, but bravery alone won't save you. Prepare yourself."
As the Song Family Ancestor unleashed his Water Tears, a torrential downpour of razor-sharp droplets, Shangguan Yi blinked rapidly, his flame wisps darting through the air to intercept the attack. The collision of water and flame created a cloud of steam, briefly obscuring both combatants.
Emerging from the steam, the Song Family Ancestor's expression was one of concentration, his eyes tracking Shangguan Yi's every move. "Impressive dodging," he called out, his voice echoing through the mist. "But you can't keep this up forever."
Shangguan Yi, momentarily hidden in the chaos, not replying anything.
The Song Family Ancestor's gaze sharpened as he prepared for the next phase of their duel, his confidence undeterred by Shangguan Yi's counterattacks. The battle continued, a clash of fire and water that would determine the outcome of their fierce confrontation.
The air crackled with tension as the two Core Formation Cultivators faced each other. Without a word, they launched into battle, their techniques clashing in a spectacular display of power.
The Song Family Ancestor summoned his Water Tears, a barrage of water droplets hurtling towards Shangguan Yi. Each drop was as sharp as a blade, cutting through the air with deadly precision.
Shangguan Yi countered with his One Blink Technique, blinking his eyes to create flame wisps and sending them towards his opponent. The flame wisps sizzled as they collided with the water droplets, creating a cloud of steam that obscured the battlefield.
For over ten rounds, they exchanged blows, neither able to gain the upper hand. The Song Family Ancestor's Water Tears technique proved to be an effective defense against Shangguan Yi's attacks, while Shangguan Yi's agility and precise flame control kept him out of the reach of the water attacks.
"Impressive," the Song Family Ancestor said, his voice carrying over the noise of their battle. "But do you really think you can defeat me?"
Shangguan Yi narrowed his eyes, determination burning in his gaze. "I don't think. I know."
He activated his Polar Star Flame Technique, the flames swirling around him as he moved like a falling star, zigzagging across the battlefield. The Song Family Ancestor struggled to keep up with his speed, his Water Tears striking empty air.
But the water path cultivator was not so easily bested. He focused, channeling his core essence to amplify his technique. The water droplets grew in number and intensity, creating a veritable storm around him. "You're not the only one with tricks up your sleeve," he retorted.
Shangguan Yi blinked away, avoiding the worst of the attack, but he could feel the strain of the prolonged battle. He needed to end this quickly.
During this moment, the remaining Cultivators had managed to break free from their entrapments. As they regrouped, their expressions reflected a mix of relief and frustration. They quickly assessed the situation, noting the fierce clash between Shangguan Yi and the Song Family Ancestor. Determined to join the fight, they attempted to approach, eager to aid their ally and turn the tide of battle.
However, Shangguan Yi was prepared for this eventuality. With a swift, decisive movement, he activated his Polar Star Flame Technique and blinked across the battlefield. As he reappeared, he used his core essence to activate an array, the ground shook, the serpents once again encircled the Cultivators, trapping them effectively. The sudden resurgence of the entrapment left them struggling against the serpents, their efforts to intervene thwarted. Shangguan Yi's focus remained steadfast on his duel with the Song Family Ancestor, ensuring that no further disruptions would interfere with their critical fight.
At this moment, Shangguan Yi muttered to himself, "It seems that I must use it."
Summoning the few reserves of his core essence, he began to activate his Solar Solitude Technique. A small sun-like core materialized in his hand, radiating intense heat that warped the air around it. "This ends now," he declared with resolve, hurling the miniature sun towards his opponent. The immense power of the technique was poised to deliver a decisive blow, signaling the end of the fierce confrontation.
The Song Family Ancestor's eyes widened in shock and disbelief as the blazing core hurtled towards him, his composure faltering for the first time. His face, previously stern and confident, now showed a mixture of horror and desperation. With his mouth agape, he exclaims, "No... this... this can't be! The power is beyond anything I've faced!" His voice trembles as he realizes the sheer magnitude of the impending destruction.
With a final, desperate effort, the Song Family Ancestor tried to dodge, but the Solar Solitude struck its target. An explosion of heat and light enveloped the battlefield, the shockwave knocking back the remaining Cultivators.
As the dust settled, Shangguan Yi stood tall amidst the devastation, his breathing heavy but victorious. The Song Family Ancestor lay defeated, his once formidable power extinguished by Shangguan Yi's relentless assault.
The remaining Cultivators, who had sustained various degrees of injuries, were now facing a grim reality.
Soon, Xia Feng and Xia Cao, leading the Xia Family forces, appeared with determined expressions. Their arrival was marked by swift, coordinated movements as they began to hunt down the remaining scattered foes. With precision and efficiency, they pursued the weakened Cultivators, ensuring that no enemy escaped the aftermath of Shangguan Yi's devastating assault.