The Confrontation

The thickening blue mist that filled the sky hinted at an increasingly intense battle within, punctuated by occasional clashes of Dou Qi. However, it seemed that the mist somewhat favored Ye Wu Dao, who was using it to his advantage, skillfully navigating through it. "Tsk, tsk... At this rate, this could drag on forever..." Li Yi observed for a while before sighing, realizing he couldn't discern much within the mist.

"This battle won't last long," Gong Wushuang stated matter-of-factly. "Though Ye Wu Dao is using the mist to create some illusions, such a strange technique consumes a great deal of Dou Qi. I'm confident he can't maintain this for long. He's likely betting on Wind Emperor Hai Xin arriving soon to save him... For him, every moment of delay is a victory..."

Li Yi rubbed his nose, "When do you think Hai Xin will show up?"

"At least after Ye Wu Dao takes a hit or two. Hai Xin is probably lurking nearby. He must be annoyed that Ye Wu Dao tried to ditch him earlier... Even though he won't let Ye Wu Dao die – a King level fighter is too valuable in this situation – I doubt he'll intervene immediately," explained Gong Wushuang.

Just then, a fiery red Dou Qi burst forth from the mist, clearly striking someone, followed by Yan Qing's boisterous laugh, "Ye Lao Gui! That trick may work on them, but I've fought you too many times not to know your tricks! Every time you use this Blue Cloud Mist, your strength drops to seventy percent. Even though you're slightly stronger than me normally, let's see how long you last after taking my hit!"

Ye Wu Dao's cold voice emerged slightly hoarse, "Yan Qing, don't be arrogant! Even if I die, I'll drag you down with me! Besides, I've already crushed my life-saving jade token; Wind Emperor will be here any minute, and then I'll personally kill you!"

Yan Qing scoffed, "Your Wind Emperor might not know how long it will take to arrive! And since you just tried to ditch him to monopolize the Emperor's tomb, he must be furious! You've been clever all your life, but foolish now. A watchdog should be obedient, not biting its master. That's not good!"

"Damn you! Die!" With that, a series of intense collisions resonated, indicating Ye Wu Dao and Yan Qing had engaged in combat once more, though the outcome was obscured by the mist.

Suddenly, a distant laughter echoed, followed by a calm voice, "Gentlemen, though Ye Wu Dao serves as a guardian elder for the Ye family, he also holds a position in the Beidou Sect. If you kill him just like that, wouldn't that be a loss of face for our Beidou Sect?"

As this voice rang out, the atmosphere tensed slightly. Li Yi, frowning, looked toward the west. A lustrous, fiery Dou Qi briefly flashed in the sky before revealing Wind Emperor Hai Xin floating above the ruins, his lustrous, fiery Dou Qi wings boiling behind him. The Moonlight Guardians also emerged, adding to the three figures' overwhelming presence, clearly overshadowing the original five Kings. Even Shang Jie, already collapsed on the ground, seemed to lose the strength to tremble.

Gong Wushuang frowned slightly, and Li Yi guessed that if not for her current weakened state, she might have rushed to confront Hai Xin. But with Hai Xin's arrival, where could Barin be?

As the blue mist began to dissipate, the previously obscured figures reemerged. Ye Wu Dao now sported a cut on his forehead and his Dou Qi armor was heavily damaged. Even his normally sage-like face was contorted with rage. Despite Li Yi's usual disdain for the Ye family, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Ye Wu Dao – the foremost among the ten Kings and the first under the seven Emperors of Tianfeng Empire, now humiliated like this.

In contrast, the other four Kings appeared calm, showing no signs of injury. Clearly, they hadn't suffered in their combined assault, and even Hai Xin's arrival didn't seem to faze them. As the five Kings ceased fighting and landed, Hai Xin chuckled, "I didn't expect to see five great Kings gathered in these ruins today... Quite a sight. But now that I'm here, perhaps you should wisely step back?"

"This Hai Xin, always so arrogant... But with the backing of the Beidou Sect and being an Emperor level fighter, he has the right to be... Yet, why do I feel these four Kings aren't that scared? If it were me, I'd have run away by now!" Li Yi commented quietly, touching his nose.

He and Gong Wushuang were well-hidden in the shadows of the ruins, their remaining energy carefully concealed. Even an Emperor level fighter wouldn't easily detect them without a thorough search. But Hai Xin's main focus was on the still-unseen Barin, with only a fraction of his attention on the four Kings.

As the blue mist cleared completely, revealing the five figures again, Ye Wu Dao's forehead bled from a fresh wound, his aura damaged. His usually composed face now looked ferocious. Despite Li Yi's lack of fondness for the Ye family, he felt sorry for Ye Wu Dao – once the top among the ten Kings and now so pitifully outmatched. The other four Kings, however, were calm, showing little injury and no surprise at Hai Xin's appearance.

After all, three or four low-level Kings might be manageable, but three or four high-level Kings, working together, could pose a real challenge to an Emperor level fighter. If any of them possessed high-level techniques or skills, it wasn't impossible for them to fight above their rank. Therefore, even with Hai Xin's arrogance, he couldn't guarantee their safety. Naturally, he wouldn't have the capacity to check if there were others hidden below. Besides, even if there were, he probably wouldn't care. As for Barin, who was hiding somewhere, he definitely wouldn't expose Li Yi and Gong Wushuang.

Gong Wushuang frowned, "I'm not sure about Yan Qing, but the other three daring to collaborate must have something up their sleeves. When they attacked Ye Wu Dao, they probably anticipated that Ye Wu Dao would call for Hai Xin. Still, they went ahead with their plan, which must mean they have another arrangement... Anyway, we continue to watch; now is not the time to stir the waters."

Li Yi replied casually, "I'm well aware of that. Unless Barin shows up, I won't act according to the plan... As long as we can get our hands on Shang Jie, even if we have to run now, it's fine. If we can't get him, killing him will do."

Gong Wushuang shook her head, "It might not be that easy..."

Li Yi just smiled lightly without further comment, his gaze returning to the sky. The Kings surrounding Ye Wu Dao formed a quasi-encirclement, showing no intention of backing down. They were silent, seemingly unconcerned about Hai Xin.

Hai Xin's eyes flickered with curiosity, but he maintained his smile, "It seems you are not willing to leave just like that?"

Yan Qing chuckled without saying much. Given his strained relationship with both Ye Wu Dao and the Beidou Sect, he wisely chose to side against them, shifting half a step to block Ye Wu Dao's escape route, decisively choosing his allegiance. This move caused Hai Xin's eyes to narrow, a flash of killing intent passing through them.

After a moment, Zong Bing suddenly smiled coldly, "Wind Emperor indeed has grandeur and a fierce aura. Just showing up expects us four to retreat obediently... To be blunt, if a word from Wind Emperor could make us retreat, we wouldn't have come to Wanmu Forest today... So, we can leave, but Wind Emperor needs to show some capability, right?"

Hai Xin smiled slightly, "Very well! Impressive! I didn't expect that after a few years of seclusion, these youngsters would become so fearless... Since you want to die, don't blame me! Miss Zong Bing, you might be from the Martial Deity Temple, but others may fear your temple, but not our Beidou Sect... If you don't leave now, and lose your life later, don't blame me for not sparing you in respect of the Grand Priest."

Zong Bing coolly responded, "Let's talk about that when Wind Emperor can actually do something! For now, it's better not to say too much!"

Hai Xin shook his head and after a moment said softly, "Moonlight Guardians, handle the other three. Ye Wu Dao, your old nemesis is yours... As for Miss Zong Bing, let me take good care of her."

"Attack!!!" "You dare!!!" As Hai Xin shouted, an explosive sound rang out from a distance. This sound made Hai Xin pause, stopping the Moonlight Guardians' movement, but he swiftly swung his arm, launching a Dou Qi whip. Bei Hao, initially in the front, quickly dodged to the side. Fortunately for Hai Xin, this move was not meant to attack but to rescue. Once Ye Wu Dao used the opportunity to break free from the encirclement and retreated behind Hai Xin, the Wind Emperor frowned slightly, looking forward.

Distant thunderous noises echoed, and the surrounding fighters instinctively stepped back cautiously. Suddenly, a lightning-like figure appeared amidst them. This person, incredibly ugly yet exuding an aura of dominance, appeared with fiery red Dou Qi wings boiling behind him, immediately raising the temperature around him. His appearance alone rivaled Wind Emperor Hai Xin, with unmistakable killing intent in both their eyes. The Moonlight Guardians and Ye Wu Dao showed visible fear; they were well aware of this man's fearsome reputation. As for Zong Bing and the others, they seemed relieved at his arrival, their backup plan now in place. Facing Hai Xin, they had been uncertain, but now the sides were evenly matched, or even in their favor, with one more King level fighter on their side. In such a situation, a single King could turn the tide.

"Barin... finally appeared!" Li Yi inhaled sharply, muttering. Gong Wushuang looked serious, watching for a moment before saying, "I miscalculated earlier. Barin likely has the strength of a Six Crystal Emperor! You know, advancing a rank at the Emperor level is as hard as climbing to heaven... Even at my peak, I wasn't a match for a Six Crystal Emperor! Wind Emperor, who has been contending with Barin for years, must also have the strength of five or six crystals."