Zhi Buyou’s body twisted in the air, his eyes completely dark. The vitality of a Guiyuan Realm expert is incredibly strong. Even though Yun Hai’s sword inflicted a fatal injury, it did not kill him immediately.
A blue Sword Light slashed towards him once more. Although Zhi Buyou’s mind was somewhat muddled from cultivating the Demon Technique, he was still clear about the urgency of protecting his life.
Hence, sensing the fierce Sword Qi behind him, Zhi Buyou’s body instantly flashed, flying away into the distance. In the blink of an eye, he was already a kilometer away.
Chu Ming’s heart skipped a beat. Although Yun Hai and the withered elder could defeat Zhi Buyou, if he wanted to leave, they couldn’t stop him.
Letting Zhi Buyou escape would indeed be a future disaster.
Yun Hai knew this truth as well and immediately turned to chase after Zhi Buyou, his body transforming into a dazzling Aurora.
Chu Ming summoned the sky eagle, leaped onto its back, and pursued Zhi Buyou as well. Although he was no match for Zhi Buyou, he still had two Fire Essence crystals in his Storage Ring.
If given the chance, even if he had to use both Fire Essence crystals, he would ensure Zhi Buyou was eliminated. Otherwise, he would be a ticking time bomb for the Chu Family.
Instances appeared countless times on the continent, where a Martial Artist failed to eliminate a strong enemy, later bringing disaster upon their family, resulting in its complete destruction.
Initially, Yun Hai and Zhi Buyou’s flying speeds were similar, but as Zhi Buyou flew, his injuries worsened, gradually slowing down, narrowing the distance between them.
Five hundred meters... three hundred meters... one hundred meters...
"Cloud Soaring Extreme Kill!"
The longsword in Yun Hai’s hand transformed into thousands of phantoms in an instant, attacking Zhi Buyou from all directions, blasting the air apart. The Sword Dao light illuminated the distance for a hundred meters.
Zhi Buyou knew escaping was as difficult as ascending to the heavens while injured, triggering his rage. Biting the tip of his tongue, he began to burn his vital blood. In that instant, a blood-colored glow surrounded him, twisting the air around him.
The vital blood of a Guiyuan Realm Fifth Layer expert was immensely powerful, creating a crimson pillar that reached the heavens, transforming his aura into a white tornado that erupted wildly in all directions.
As his vital blood burned, Zhi Buyou’s destructive power increased by at least thirty to forty percent over his peak state. With a single palm strike, he shattered the sky full of Sword Light, sending fierce blades scattering in all directions.
By now, Chu Ming had closed within a hundred meters of Zhi Buyou, and two fist-sized, red Fire Essence crystals had appeared in his hands at an unknown moment.
Success or failure rested on this move!
Both Fire Essence crystals were hurled towards Zhi Buyou. Given Zhi Buyou’s current destructive power, one Fire Essence crystal wouldn’t even qualify to injure him. Two would only hasten the burning of his vital blood.
The two Fire Essence crystals slowly shattered in midair, releasing a scorching heatwave that evaporated all the moisture from the surrounding air.
One Fire Essence crystal was equivalent to a full-force strike from a Guiyuan Realm Fifth Layer expert. Being tossed out together, Zhi Buyou had no choice but to defend with all his might.
"Celestial Demon Technique!"
A black hole rapidly appeared on Zhi Buyou’s body, traversed by countless blue starlights, and quickly spread outward. As the black hole emerged, a terrifying suction force was generated, rapidly absorbing the energy from the two Fire Essence crystals into Zhi Buyou’s body.
Once the heatwave dissipated, Zhi Buyou’s face flushed red. Using the Celestial Demon Technique wasn’t without cost, otherwise, he would be invincible.
Burning his vital blood would typically last an incense stick, but using the Celestial Demon Technique shortened that duration significantly, likely lasting no more than half a stick.
Zhi Buyou took the initiative to attack. If he was destined to die today, why not drag someone with him before his death? Both Yun Hai and Chu Ming were decent choices.
A blood-colored Palm Seal, resembling a mountain, roared towards Yun Hai, mixed with gusts of blood and wind. In an instant, the air ahead repelled to both sides.
The longsword in Yun Hai’s hand instantly transformed into an Aurora, as if to pierce the sky, slashing towards the blood-colored Palm Seal!
Sparks flew from the blood-colored Palm Seal, resembling a fiery rain. His longsword was directly blasted away. Facing the Zhi Buyou burning his vital blood, Yun Hai stood no chance.
Nonetheless, he had no intention to engage in a life-and-death struggle with Zhi Buyou. Zhi Buyou was consuming his vital blood, so as long as he dragged out the fight, Zhi Buyou would surely die.
As soon as his longsword was blasted away, Yun Hai’s body instantly retreated, the scenery on both sides turning blurry. Extending his right hand, his longsword immediately transformed into a streak of extreme light, returning to his hand.
By now, Chu Ming had already distanced himself. Even the shockwaves from Zhi Buyou and Yun Hai’s clash were too much for him to handle.
With one palm strike, Zhi Buyou unleashed several in succession, seemingly intending to tear the sky apart. Half the sky was illuminated red.
Yun Hai didn’t choose to go head-to-head but instead evaded like a nimble fish, weaving through the palm seals. Even so, his blood and Qi surged violently as the palm seals grazed him.
Their shadows flashed through the air. As time passed, the blood and Qi around Zhi Buyou diminished, and his aura rapidly declined. Unlike Yun Hai, every attack he made consumed his vital blood, and by now, he had nearly exhausted it.
A white Sword Light flashed, slicing through a blood-red streak. Zhi Buyou’s body was instantly cleaved in two from the top, countless blood droplets falling from the air, but they were devoid of any vitality.
Seeing Zhi Buyou’s death, Chu Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t want him to escape and leave a hidden danger for the Chu Family.
Chu Ming and Yun Hai flew towards the Taihang Mountain Stronghold. In the battle, Yun Hai and Zhi Buyou had already strayed beyond the stronghold to a distance of over ten miles.
Within a mere dozen breaths, they returned to the prefect’s stronghold. However, the place was in chaos, with destructive attacks blasting in all directions as over two hundred Martial Artists fought fiercely.
Chu Ming landed beside the withered elder, asking in puzzlement.
By now, the withered elder’s face had regained its color, and he had temporarily suppressed his internal injuries. At least, outwardly, there was no indication he had been injured.
"It’s the other Martial Artists of the Taihang Mountain Stronghold, they’ve arrived!"
He replied slowly. He had been standing by and did not intervene. They had only promised Xu Nian to eliminate Zhi Buyou, but had not agreed to help him seize the position of Great Village Chief.