The instant the Ice Emperor's Domain expanded, both Li Bufan and Jiang Xiaofan felt overwhelmed, as if an ancient mountain pressed down upon them.
The two exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a readiness to die.
Facing a foe like Yan Jinghong was truly terrifying. Even if they used all their strength, they had no hope of victory.
"You still have the courage to draw your swords? Interesting."
Yan Jinghong narrowed his eyes like a high ruler; within his Ice Emperor's Domain, he reigned supreme.
"Yan Jinghong, you're going too far!"
Yue Yunlan, also drawing her sword, rushed forward while gritting her teeth. "We are warriors of the same empire. How could you kill your own?"
"Killing my own?" Yan Jinghong laughed lightly. "Just slaughtering mere chickens and dogs is hardly what I'd call killing one's own."
"You!" Yue Yunlan clenched her teeth. "If you want to kill them, you'll have to step over my dead body first! Unless you intend to be enemies with the entire Cangqiong Sect, stop now!"
"Miss Yue, there's no need to say more!"
Li Bufan's sword glinted as he said coldly, "I want to know just how strong this so-called Empire’s Legend really is!"
"Exactly! Others may fear him, but I, Jiang Xiaofan, don't!"
Jiang Xiaofan too raised his large sword. Yan Jinghong was an enemy of Ling Feng, so he was his enemy too.
"Ignorant courage, indeed." Yan Jinghong laughed and beckoned them with a finger. "Very well, let's play a few rounds. Show me your best. I hope you can provide me with at least some entertainment."
Nearby, Shen Lang, an expert from the Tianlong Empire, shrugged and muttered, "Brother Yan, just finish them quickly so you don't lose your advantage."
"Shen Lang, our cooperation is only temporary. How I handle things is none of your concern!"
Shen Lang sighed, took a sip from his wine gourd, and thought to himself: Yan Jinghong's strength is undeniably strong, but he isn't someone you want as an ally.
Without turning around, Yan Jinghong raised his hand, and a spear of ice formed. His gaze then swept over Li Bufan and the others as he taunted, "Come!"
"Thunderstorm Possession!"
"Xuanwu Transformation!"
Without hesitation, Li Bufan and Jiang Xiaofan unleashed their ultimate techniques and charged at Yan Jinghong.
Yue Yunlan quickly performed hand seals, commanding her treasured sword to launch a barrage of sword qi like a storm at Yan Jinghong.
Meanwhile, Ling Feng and his group had left the medicinal herb garden after lingering there for half a day.
Out of admiration for Ling Feng, Feng Yan decided to form a temporary alliance with him so that they could search for opportunities together within the Lost City.
"What's wrong, Big Brother Ling? You seem a little uneasy," Mu Qianxue asked softly as she approached Ling Feng, who had been looking anxious along the way.
"Nothing... I just have a strange feeling."
Ling Feng's brows knitted; since earlier, he had felt a strong premonition that something bad was happening.
At that moment, they heard the sounds of battle up ahead. It seemed that two groups had clashed near a fairly intact grand hall.
The Tiandan Pavilion of the ancient Huangji Sect.
At that moment, Li Bufan had been blasted into a wall, covered in blood and barely conscious.
Jiang Xiaofan was barely standing. He was propping himself up with his massive sword, but his body was full of wounds. Sharp ice spikes jutted from his flesh, the intense cold freezing his muscles until they turned purple.
Since obtaining Xuanwu blood, this was the first time Jiang Xiaofan had suffered such severe injuries.
If not for Jiang Xiaofan shielding Li Bufan from an attack with his own body, Li Bufan would likely have died on the spot.
Now, only Yue Yunlan remained unscathed, but even she was immobilized by Yan Jinghong's ice trap.
Jiang Xiaofan coughed up blood again, his body trembling from the cold as he stared at Yan Jinghong with fierce determination.
The difference in strength was overwhelming!
Even with Yue Yunlan, he and Li Bufan could barely scratch Yan Jinghong, who had injured Li Bufan and him with just two moves.
Jiang Xiaofan could not comprehend how someone seemingly younger than him could wield such terrifying power.
Seeing this, Ling Feng's eyes filled with rage, and he rushed forward to support Jiang Xiaofan. He placed his hand on Jiang Xiaofan's back, channeling warm fire-attribute true qi into him.
In an instant, a flow of true fire melted the ice shards in Jiang Xiaofan's body, and his trembling stopped. With his powerful recovery abilities, he would regain mobility soon.
Meanwhile, Mu Qianxue and the others also arrived. Mu Qianxue released Yue Yunlan from her icy prison and checked on Li Bufan's condition, saying to Ling Feng, "Big Brother Ling, Brother Li is unconscious but not in mortal danger."
Relieved that his friends were safe, Ling Feng set his gaze on Yan Jinghong, his fists clenched as fury blazed in his eyes!
"Senior Sister Yue, are you alright?" Mu Qianxue gently asked, helping Yue Yunlan to her feet.
"Phew... yes... I'm alright..."
Yue Yunlan shivered as she realized that Ling Feng and his team had arrived just in time. Although she knew Ling Feng's strength was no match for Yan Jinghong, she felt a profound sense of security with him nearby.
Even if the sky fell, she would have no fear.
Jiang Xiaofan, now more conscious, shivered as he exhaled a breath of cold air. "I... I'm sorry for embarrassing you..."
"Xiaofan, you did well!" Ling Feng patted his shoulder. "Take care of Bufan. Leave the rest to me."
"Oh? Even a weakling like you came?"
Yan Jinghong didn't even raise his gaze. "So eager to die? Although I intended to save your life for the Royal Sword Team challenge, if you get in my way, I won't hesitate to kill you."
"I think you're worried your so-called undefeated Royal Sword Team will lose to my team, so you took it out on my friends," Ling Feng said coldly, staring at Yan Jinghong.
Yan Jinghong laughed uproariously. "Ling Feng, Ling Feng, your tongue is sharp, but today, there's no half-step human emperor to back you up. Unless you plan to sacrifice your life for these people, you'll be dying in vain."
Ling Feng clenched his fists. Indeed, without the despicable donkey or Yan Cangtian, he felt powerless against Yan Jinghong. But that didn't mean he had no options.
If he unleashed his full power, assisted by Mu Qianxue, and activated nearly all of his meridian gates, he might be able to drive Yan Jinghong back with his Heaven-Slaying Sword Art.