（Chapter 59）Decisive Kill!

"Kid, it seems I've underestimated your strength."

Elder Zhao waved his hand, his expression turning grim, as he charged forward once more with his sword drawn.

He understood that if he failed to kill Lin Chen now and let him escape, dealing with him in the future would be extremely difficult.

Thus, he had to seize this opportunity.

Elder Zhao cast a spell, increasing the power of his magical sword.

Lin Chen roared and charged forward, the two sides clashing dozens of times in rapid succession. Spiritual energy surged, accompanied by intermittent, muffled explosions.

For an instant, sword lights danced and flames interwoven.

Each sword strike could tear cracks in the void, and killing intent permeated the air.

"Die!"

Elder Zhao sneered and thrust his sword at Lin Chen.

He then summoned the Flame Giant and sent it to attack Lin Chen.

Countless sharp sword energies blocked Lin Chen's escape routes, while the Flame Giant rushed forward, its intent clear: to trample Lin Chen to death.

"Stele Splitting Palm!"

Lin Chen's eyes remained calm, and after pushing his agility to the limit, he struck out with lightning-fast precision.

His target wasn't the Flame Giant, but Elder Zhao's sword!

Lin Chen trusted Tuntun to handle the Flame Giant.

"Boom!"

Lin Chen's palm, hard as iron, struck the sword.

The magical sword trembled violently, releasing a terrifying shockwave that knocked it flying.

The ground beneath Elder Zhao's feet shook, sending gravel flying.

The powerful shockwave spread, even dispersing the dense spiritual energy clouds.

The Flame Giant, meanwhile, was instantly ensnared by dozens of vines, which then pulled tightly, toppling its massive form.

Tuntun stood in the distance, a vine in hand, a sneer on his face. "Fool, I'm your opponent!"

The Flame Giant roared in fury, spewing a torrent of flames from its mouth.

"Pfft!"

The flames exploded in the void, forcing Tuntun back several steps.

Tuntun was enraged. He spat twice into his palms and tightened his grip on the vines.

"Creak!"

The vines tightened their hold, their barbs piercing the Flame Giant's flesh, causing it to roar in agony.

The soundwave was so powerful that it cleared the clouds in the sky!

Elder Zhao glanced at the Flame Giant's plight, his eyes turning cold.

This boy's spirit beast is truly formidable. I recall it being only at the second level the last time I saw it, but now it's at the fifth!

Furthermore, the searing pain from the sword wound in his chest only made Elder Zhao's expression more menacing.

There was no more time to waste.

"Die!"

Elder Zhao erupted with energy, surging forward like a bolt of lightning.

He was no pushover in hand-to-hand combat either.

With his fists, he unleashed a fierce wind that could fell tigers!

Lin Chen was already exhausted, and resisting such a relentless assault was all the more difficult.

He managed to hold on for only a few breaths before his defenses were shattered by a punch.

Fists rained down on him like raindrops, each impact bringing excruciating pain.

"Dragon's Claw!"

Elder Zhao closed in on Lin Chen and seized his wrist like a leech, twisting it violently in an attempt to break it.

Lin Chen's eyes flashed with pain, but he didn't retreat. Instead, he executed the Stele Splitting Palm and struck back with all his might.

"Boom!"

Their palms collided, and both men remained motionless.

Time seemed to freeze, and all sound ceased.

Then, the sound of bones cracking echoed through the air!

Lin Chen's face turned pale. The time limit for his 'Iron Skin' technique had expired, and despite his enhanced strength, he couldn't withstand Elder Zhao's relentless attack. The collision had fractured his metacarpals.

Elder Zhao's expression was savage as he backhanded Lin Chen's chest with lightning speed.

"Puff!"

Lin Chen staggered and coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Elder Zhao pressed his advantage, clearly determined to give Lin Chen no respite.

'Emperor's Decree, activate!'

Lin Chen roared in his mind, his eyes blazing like a beast's.

His fractured bones glowed with a sudden burst of green light, mending rapidly.

As Elder Zhao closed in for the kill, Lin Chen summoned his remaining strength and delivered another crushing Stele Splitting Palm!

"Tricks!"

Elder Zhao laughed mockingly, raising his hand to block Lin Chen's palm and pressing forward.

But in an instant, he felt a sharp pain in his wrist.

It was as if something had stabbed him!

When Elder Zhao turned his head, a look of horror spread across his face.

One of Lin Chen's arms had transformed into a vine and had pierced deep into his wrist!

"Grrrrrrrr!"

The vines seemed to be absorbing water, relentlessly draining Elder Zhao's life essence and blood.

"You... what vile technique is this?"

Elder Zhao's pupils dilated, his body trembling, and he felt his strength waning.

Lin Chen gasped for air, his eyes feral.

He had initially been repulsed by the idea of directly absorbing the life essence of others, considering it utterly evil.

But now, it didn't seem so evil after all.

The path of cultivation was fraught with danger. It was either kill or be killed!

Where was there room for mercy?

The only way to survive was to kill decisively!

Besides, if not for this technique, he would have been unable to defeat Lin Yilong and would never have come this far!

Elder Zhao's arm withered away before their eyes.

Unsatisfied, the vines extended to his head, their razor-sharp thorns piercing his temples.

"Ah!"

With a final shriek, Elder Zhao's eyes glazed over, and within moments, his body collapsed to the ground, drained of all its life essence and blood.

Lin Chen felt a surge of potent spiritual energy coursing through his body, requiring immense cultivation to fully absorb it!

Retreating his hand, he leaned against a rock, panting heavily.

His eyes gradually returned from their feral state to their usual composure.

This battle had been perilous!

Without Su Yuwei's two spiritual scripts, he might have fallen at Elder Zhao's hands.

But managing to slay an Earth Spirit Realm 10th-level cultivator on his own was undoubtedly a testament to his growth!

At that moment, on a cliff not far away, an elegant figure stood silently.

Su Yuwei's beautiful brows were slightly furrowed. She had been tempted to intervene several times before.

But she had ultimately held back.

She wanted to witness the extent of Lin Chen's capabilities.

And she had borne witness to a desperate, life-or-death struggle.

When Lin Chen had declared his intent to visit the back mountain for revenge, Su Yuwei had worried that he was no match for Elder Zhao, so she had followed him secretly, hoping to provide assistance when the time came.

But after witnessing his repeatedly perilous situations, Lin Chen had managed to pull through!

"This boy's killing intent is astounding!"

Su Yuwei withdrew her gaze, her lips curving into a faint smile.

If he continued to improve at this rate, in less than a year, another dazzling genius would rise and shine upon the Five Nations!