Chapter 115: The Elemental Showdown

Qiyana's smile was serene but chilling. Slowly, she lifted her right hand, and the ambiance of the battlefield changed dramatically. First, the lustrous gleam of metal emerged, followed by the verdant glow of wood, the shimmering blue of water, and finally, the passionate blaze of fire. These four elements began rotating around her hand, growing in speed until they merged into a singular cyclic beam of energy.

Li Yang, recognizing the imminent threat, directed Ares to unleash a combined attack of wind and lightning, pouring in all their might. The battlefield became a stage for the two powerful forces clashing; Qiyana's quad-elemental beam and Ares' dual-elemental strike. The impact was devastating. Ares could only counter 80% of Qiyana's force. The remaining 20% hit Ares directly, causing him to cough up blood and wobble, clearly wounded.

Qiyana, watching with amusement, teased, "Can you continue, young one? If you can withstand my quintuple elemental attack, I'll concede. Do you accept the challenge?" 

Without hesitation, Li Yang responded with unwavering determination, "I will never back down. I accept!"

"Brave. Very brave," Qiyana remarked, admiration evident in her voice. She raised both hands, summoning the five elements in a brilliant pentagonal formation. The glowing star was a testament to her unparalleled prowess.

Seeing the looming danger, Li Yang pushed Ares to unleash the full force of their wind-lightning fusion, holding nothing back. As Qiyana's elemental pentagram surged forward, it met Ares' fierce gusts intertwined with electric energy. The resulting explosion rocked the platform. Ares managed to counter only half of Qiyana's energy. The residual force threatened not only severe injury to Ares but perhaps even his demise.

Witnessing the dire situation, Li Yang, without a second thought, rushed forward, positioning himself in front of Ares. The protective armor of the dragon turtle materialized around him, with crossed arms preparing to take on the oncoming assault. The impact was cataclysmic. Both Li Yang and Ares were thrown backward, with Li Yang landing on one knee, using one hand to support himself on the ground. Blood trickled from the corners of his mouth. Ares lay sprawled nearby, bleeding from various parts of his body.

Qiyana, seeing their resilience and Li Yang's willingness to protect his beast, spoke in a softer tone, "Impressive. It's rare to see such bond and courage. You've won." With those words, Li Yang's vision blurred and darkness took over.

The journey had reached its pinnacle, but what lay beyond the challenge? Only time would tell.