Emperor vs. Emperor

Above the sky, the immense tornado unleashed by Hai Xin hurtled towards Gong Wushuang. The tornado roared with countless shrieking sounds and swirling wind blades. The force of these wind blades alone was something ordinary people couldn't withstand. Wherever the tornado passed, the dense forest transformed into a land of sand. Even the two King level practitioners kept their distance, seemingly apprehensive to engage with such a move. The distance kept Li Yi safe from the impact, but he wouldn't miss the opportunity to observe such a rare Emperor level battle, watching intently.

"Nice move!" Watching the approaching tornado, Gong Wushuang sneered. With a swift slash of her fighting spirit sword, a several meters high blaze of ice flames burst forth, colliding with the tornado. The violent tornado and boiling ice flames clashed in mid-air, seemingly cracking the very space at the moment of contact.

"Boom—" The earth-shattering noise seemed to make the entire forest shudder. But the vibration didn't stop there; the slightly separated ice flames and the wild wind collided again and again, endlessly. Each collision sent countless ice flames and wind blades spilling out, either freezing everything in their path or slicing it into pieces.

"Boom—" Finally, after one last collision, the ice flames and the tornado intertwined like battling serpents before bursting towards the sky, exploding at a certain point like a miniature sun. The green wind blades and frosty ice flames engulfed everything, obscuring the sky and earth.

However, this move's conclusion didn't determine the victor of the battle. It was more of a mutual test. Of course, losing one's life in this test would mean no need for further combat. But judging from the current situation, it seemed...

As the ice flames and wind blades gradually dissipated, Gong Wushuang's ice flame wings flickered slightly. Then, she shot forward like lightning, her energy converging into a powerful strike. In what seemed like an eternity, yet only a blink of an eye, she appeared behind Hai Xin. Her fighting spirit sword swirled, aimed at Hai Xin's back, the blade boiling with ice flames, instantly extending several feet.

"Ding—Ding—Ding—" Hai Xin's lucent wings acted as if they had eyes, intercepting Gong Wushuang's sword. The clear clash of their energies resounded mid-air. Amidst Gong Wushuang's tempestuous assault, Hai Xin's wings perfectly parried every attack.

Li Yi, watching from afar, felt his eyes widen. He exhaled deeply, "I thought fighting spirit wings were only for flying. I never expected them to be used like this..."

The Serpent Venerable responded, "Normally, fighting spirit wings are for flying, but Hai Xin has clearly cultivated some unique fighting spirit, turning his originally green wings lucent. This technique probably enhances his flight speed and gives his wings a defensive capability... The millennium legacy of the Beidou Sect is indeed extraordinary..."

Self-activating defense... Li Yi stuck out his tongue but knew well these things were beyond his reach for now. He continued to watch the fierce battle.

The rapid exchange in mid-air continued for a while. Under Gong Wushuang's tsunami-like sword moves, Hai Xin stood immovable, allowing his wings to deflect her onslaught. Simultaneously, Hai Xin's hands constantly shifted, forming seals. At one instant, he spun around, pushing forward with both hands. Numerous wind currents surged towards Gong Wushuang!

"Thousand-Year Wind Dance!" The serpent-like currents of wind momentarily stiffened Gong Wushuang's attacks. With a light tap in mid-air, she retreated several meters, her eyes flashing. Her left hand morphed rapidly, and with a low shout, she thrust it forward.

"Thousand Mile Ice Wind!" A cold gust surged from her left hand, colliding with the wind currents. A muffled grunt followed, and both forces dissipated simultaneously.

"Laughable! You think that will stop me!?" Hai Xin laughed heartily, his figure flashing suddenly, appearing right in front of Gong Wushuang. This time, he launched a ferocious kick.

"Shocking Cloud Kick!" A layer of fighting spirit formed a strange beast's foot on Hai Xin's right leg, slamming towards Gong Wushuang's head. She frowned slightly, her fighting spirit sword flicking forward, causing the moisture in the air to coalesce into a giant Xuan Ice Shield.

"Thousand-Year Xuan Ice Shield!" The kick landed heavily on the shield, and his green fighting spirit boiled, followed by a crisp crackling sound. The shield, covered in web-like cracks, shattered into the air.

Gaining the upper hand, a cold smirk appeared on Hai Xin's face. He didn't hold back due to compassion but instead lashed out with his right foot again, moving almost as fast as lightning. This sharp offensive forced Gong Wushuang to dodge repeatedly. Her ice flame wings flickered continuously, moving her through the air without a chance to counterattack. However, Li Yi, watching from a distance, knew well that it was too early to determine the victor. Unless someone had a lethal technique, the battle could last for an unknown duration.

Li Yi watched the increasingly intense struggle and the exploding fighting spirit in the sky, feeling indescribably complex. At this moment, he realized that tricking Gong Wushuang wasn't just due to his cunning; luck also seemed to favor him. "Are they planning to keep fighting like this?" Li Yi mused after a while.

The Serpent Venerable casually remarked, "Both probably don't have the patience for that. Given their current commotion, most strong practitioners near the Naga Mountains must have sensed it. The reason others haven't intervened yet is probably because they're waiting to pick up the spoils... Both of them are aware of this, so neither is revealing their trump card. The battle seems fierce, but they're both holding back. However, it seems the girl is slightly at a disadvantage."

"How so?"

"Don't forget, Hai Xin has two King level attendants. Although they can't significantly influence a battle of this level, in a deadlock, any small change could tip the scales... But..."

"But what?" Li Yi asked, frowning.

The Serpent Venerable continued, "Though the so-called 'Seven Emperors of Tianfeng' are more of a joke, these individuals value their reputation highly. Even if Hai Xin were losing, he wouldn't let his attendants intervene... So the stalemate will persist... Let's just watch."

Li Yi scoffed, "I don't have that much time to watch. Old Coot, what if I intervene?"

"You?" The Serpent Venerable chuckled, "You're hardly enough for an Emperor level practitioner to pick his teeth with... Don't rush to your death."

Li Yi rolled his eyes and sighed, "But I don't have much time to waste."

The Serpent Venerable responded, "It's not a waste of time. You're fully involved now. Until there's a conclusion, where can you go? So... I have a suggestion for you."

"What is it?"

"This treasure hunt is rare. Why not encourage the girl to take action and pick up the spoils for yourself? With an Emperor level practitioner as your backup, your strength will definitely not be weak. Besides, anything left by an Emperor level practitioner won't be simple. Maybe there's even a Baihu level technique or something..."

The Serpent Venerable's cunning voice was enticing, sparking an idea in Li Yi. The technique he knew was powerful but time-consuming. If he could acquire other Baihu techniques...

"Moreover, since you're already involved, why not seize the opportunity? If you get it, it's a bonus; if not, there's no loss, right?" This prompted Li Yi to smile lightly, "Alright, if Emperor Hai Xin forces us into this drama, then let it be as he wishes..."

"Only, I wonder how long this battle will last..."

"It shouldn't be much longer," The Serpent Venerable suddenly chuckled slyly, "Someone has already started to make a move!"

Li Yi frowned but said no more, merely making his hiding spot more secure while still keeping his eyes on the sky. The two figures continued their rapid chase, and even the occasional sparks of collision seemed to have little impact on the overall fight.

Suddenly, Hai Xin halted his motion, looking at Gong Wushuang, who had also stopped. He smiled, "Impressive. It's been many years since someone lasted so many moves against me without a scratch... Just this achievement alone could earn you great fame in the Tianfeng Empire. But... you've made me take this seriously."

Gong Wushuang shook her head slightly, "Emperor Hai, you underestimate yourself. I know you haven't used your real strength... If we're going to fight, let's be serious, shall we?"

Hai Xin smiled gently, "Interesting... Since you're asking for it... I can't blame myself then. I admired your talent, stepping into the Emperor level at such a young age. But now, I must eliminate you here, lest you become a formidable enemy in the future."

Gong Wushuang responded, "Emperor Hai is too kind. This situation is forced by you... What enmity do we really have?"

"You're right, but at this point, does that even matter anymore?" Hai Xin replied coldly.

"Of course not!" Gong Wushuang smiled.

"Then don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"Is that so?"

"You're seeking your own death!!!"