The nodes of the formation were completely destroyed, and the Lei Clan had no choice but to rely on their own strength to fight against the Xiao Clan.
They were not weak; even without the formation's enhancement, they were not necessarily at a disadvantage. Their previous reliance on the formation was merely to reduce casualties.
Although the Lei Clan was known for being warlike and seemed like brutes, they were not without strategy. Of course, all of this was predicated on Lei Ying being able to single-handedly hold back the Xiao Clan's three Elders.
However, at this moment, Amon's will had taken over the bodies of the three Elders. Only the "First Elder" and "Second Elder" were needed to restrain Lei Ying, while the "Third Elder" was freed up to influence the battle on the other side.
Lei Ying's face became extremely grim. He had originally hoped that his clansmen could use the power of the formation to hold back the "Third Elder," but he never expected the situation to take such a sharp turn for the worse.
Just then, a spatial rift appeared in the sky not far away, and Xiao Yan, Xiao Ning, Xiao Ke, and Xiao Mei emerged from it.
The few of them did not conceal their aura. Lei Ying's face changed drastically, knowing in his heart that their arrival was enough to decide the outcome of the battle!
Xiao Ning immediately saw the monocle on the right eyes of the "First Elder" and "Second Elder," as well as the starlight flowing around their bodies. His expression instantly darkened, and he asked anxiously, "Grandpa, did you use 'Soul Awakening'?"
The "First Elder" did not answer, his expression indifferent, as if he had not heard his inquiry.
Xiao Yan showed a bewildered expression: "What is 'Soul Awakening'?"
Xiao Ning quickly explained: "This is a method of awakening Amon's will within the body through prayer. Amon's will will take over the body, thereby gaining powerful combat strength.
"As you know, all our power is borrowed, much weaker than cultivators of the same level.
"Although the Amon Clan's Worm of Spirit cannot fight alone, once it Parasites in the host's body, it can exert extremely strong combat power.
"The Worms of Spirit parasitizing in our bodies are all carefully selected, those with very strong combat awareness.
"After they take over the body, they are almost equivalent to normal individuals of the same level, and may even slightly exceed them."
Seeing Xiao Ning's nervous expression, Xiao Yan also realized that this method was not without side effects, and asked: "Will it have a bad impact?"
Xiao Ning nodded, his voice heavy: "Yes. Frequent use of 'Soul Awakening' will make the consciousness of the Worm of Spirit parasitizing in the body more active, and may even completely replace the host's consciousness.
"Amon once said that unless the host's strength increases to be comparable to the Worm of Spirit, this risk cannot be avoided.
"Normally, a symbiotic relationship where both sides have equal strength is the best, as there would basically be no such risk.
"But as you know, the situation of our family… Grandpa and their talent is limited, their own strength is only at the Douwang level, and the gap with the Worm of Spirit in their body is too large."
A hint of bitterness appeared on Xiao Ning's face.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan's expression also became solemn: "How to stop Soul Awakening?"
Xiao Ning replied: "You just need to communicate with Amon's will. The Amon Clan Leader once ordered that the Worms of Spirit parasitizing in our bodies must obey the host's command."
Xiao Yan did not hesitate and immediately shouted: "Please return control of the bodies to the Elders."
The "First Elder" looked back at Xiao Yan, his expression indifferent, as if he was unfamiliar with him:
"You are also from the Xiao Clan? I did not sense the aura of a companion on you."
Xiao Yan was momentarily speechless and looked at Xiao Ning.
Xiao Mei chuckled and explained: "Cousin does not have a Worm of Spirit parasitizing in his body, so they don't recognize you."
Xiao Ning quickly said: "This is our Young Clan Leader, and also a key figure in the plan."
The "First Elder"'s gaze remained indifferent: "What Young Clan Leader? What plan? These do not concern me."
Xiao Ning scratched his cheek with his index finger and whispered an explanation:
"The Amons are like this; they only care about the part they are responsible for. Except for a few who oversee the overall situation, these individual Worms of Spirit know nothing at all."
The "First Elder" continued: "He called me out, and the pre-set instruction he gave me was to eliminate the one who uses lightning."
Xiao Yan softly said: "Let him continue to sleep, awaken the First Elder's consciousness, and I will deal with the Lei Clan Leader."
"Are you confident?"
"Let's try first."
Xiao Ning glanced at him, chose to trust him, and said loudly: "We can deal with the Lei Clan Leader, please go back."
The "First Elder" looked at him and nodded slightly. The starlight in his eyes gradually receded, becoming normal.
The "Second Elder" and "Third Elder" also underwent the same change.
Seeing this, Xiao Ning breathed a sigh of relief, muttering: "Thankfully, it's not the kind of rigid and difficult to communicate Worm of Spirit."
Xiao Yan sensed the hidden dangers within, not to mention the possibility of the Amon Clan Leader breaking ties with the Xiao Clan. Even assuming the two sides remained friendly, using the Worm of Spirit seemed to be a very dangerous thing:
"If the task given in advance is never completed, then will the Worm of Spirit's consciousness never return?"
Xiao Ning nodded: "That's right, there have already been cases in the clan where consciousness was completely replaced because of this. 'Soul Awakening' is very dangerous; we generally only use it during battles, and it's best to have fellow clansmen nearby to maintain self-awareness."
Xiao Mei saw Xiao Yan's furrowed brow and said with a smile:
"There are indeed many problems in the clan, so cousin, you must work hard. The clan has placed all its hopes on you. Only by winning this gamble can we gradually resolve these worries."
Xiao Yan's expression was solemn: "I will."
The three Elders had already regained consciousness, glanced at Xiao Yan, then at Lei Ying, with a hint of doubt in their eyes.
Xiao Yan softly said: "Three Elders, you have worked hard. The rest is up to me."
Saying that, he looked at Lei Ying: "Lei Ying Clan Leader, I will be your opponent."
Lei Ying had not moved until now, partly intimidated by the power of Xiao Yan and the others, and partly wanting to glean some information from their conversation.
His eyes, crackling with arcs of lightning, directly met Xiao Yan's: "It seems your Xiao Clan has borrowed some strange power to possess such strength. Aren't you worried about bringing trouble upon yourselves?"
Xiao Yan was noncommittal: "That's not for you to worry about. If we didn't ignite this fire, the Xiao Clan would probably be gone by now."
Lei Ying sighed: "Indeed, in the face of racial survival, even if one knows it's drinking poison to quench thirst, one must do it… You are worried that my Lei Clan will interfere with your Emperor Realm plan, aren't you?
"I can promise that from now on, I will seal off the Lei Realm and no longer meddle in any external affairs. How about it?"
Xiao Yan shook his head: "Not enough. Promises can be broken. We won't pin our hopes on you keeping your word. Moreover, we have the advantage now. It wouldn't be that difficult to completely annihilate your Lei Clan."
Lei Ying's face was icy cold, like an unbreakable glacier. He said in a deep voice: "Even if you can destroy us, you will have to pay a price. Do you want to see how many of your teeth my Lei Clan, this bone, can chip?"
Xiao Yan's expression was calm, and he said in an even tone:
"Even if teeth are chipped, it's better than having our throats choked at a critical moment… As long as you don't die, the Lei Clan still has the possibility of interfering."
Lei Ying took a deep breath and said loudly: "Then do you dare to fight me alone? If I win, your Xiao Clan will retreat. If you can defeat me with a single move or two, then I will commit suicide on the spot.
"As long as I die, my Lei Clan will no longer be able to interfere in this conflict, and you can rest assured, right?
"The alliance between the Xiao Clan and the Soul Clan can absolutely not last forever. When facing the opportunity in the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave, you are bound to have a battle.
"You also don't want to waste valuable combat power on my clan, leading to ultimately losing to the Soul Clan, do you?"
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then nodded:
"Alright, it's a deal. If I win, you commit suicide, the Lei Clan seals its realm and does not emerge, and the Xiao Clan no longer invades the Lei Clan. If you win, we leave."
"This…" Xiao Ke hesitated to speak.
"Listen to the Young Clan Leader," Xiao Ning said indifferently.
"Everyone, stop fighting," Xiao Yan and Lei Ying shouted in unison.
Lei Ying transmitted his gamble with Xiao Yan to every clansman's ear through Dou Qi:
"Listen to my command. If I lose, Lei Dong will take over as Clan Leader, and from now on, the Lei Realm will be sealed for three hundred years."
"Clan Leader, no, we'll fight them!" someone shouted.
"Yes, at most it's death, who's afraid?"
Within the Lei Clan, many people loudly objected, preferring death to surrender.
"All of you, shut up! I am the Clan Leader. The continuation of the Lei Clan is the most important thing… And do you not believe I can win? How many years have I cultivated, and how many years has Xiao Yan cultivated? If I lose to a young man who is only thirty years old, then I have no face to live on," Lei Ying reprimanded.
The Lei Clan members all fell silent.
Then, Lei Ying looked at Xiao Yan: "Let's begin, please."
Xiao Yan also extended his right hand, palm flat, making a "please" gesture.
Their gazes met in mid-air. A golden electric arc flashed around Lei Ying, and he vanished from his original spot.
At the same time, Xiao Yan's figure also disappeared.
Boom!
A deafening roar sounded in the distance, and a huge spatial rift suddenly appeared, as if the entire Lei Realm was about to be torn in half.
Terrifying energy scattered, stirring up strong winds that swept in all directions.
They left the Lei Realm and clashed in the void.
Lei Ying raised his hand and waved, thunderclouds surged in his palm, and a massive electric palm print suddenly condensed, carrying a world-destroying might, heading straight for Xiao Yan.
"Try my Ninefold Thunder Tribulation Palm!"
Xiao Yan's gaze narrowed. He lightly raised his right hand, and a dazzling six-colored Fire Lotus appeared in his palm. The lotus rotated, and flames surged.
"Buddha's Fury Fire Lotus!"
The two forces collided, erupting in a deafening roar.
Lei Ying did not expect to defeat Xiao Yan with one move. He formed hand seals, and the thunder around him surged, golden lightning coiling around his body like giant dragons.
He let out a low roar, pushing both hands forward abruptly. Countless bolts of thunder transformed into golden spears, overwhelming the sky and shooting towards Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan's expression remained unchanged. He lightly stepped his foot, and silver firelight flowed. His figure flickered like Gui Mei, dodging most of the thunder spears.
The few thunderbolts that came close were effortlessly dispelled by him.
Facing this formidable enemy, Xiao Yan dared not be careless and summoned Qing Meng.
"Meng!" Qing Meng emerged from his shoulder, staring intently at Lei Ying, a serious expression on his small face.
Three-colored Fire Lotuses, one after another, were thrown like meteors by Qing Meng towards Lei Ying. These attacks posed little threat but served as a distraction. At the same time, his spirit power surged out, forming a spirit power impact that attacked Lei Ying.
Lei Ying clasped his hands together, and the power of thunder condensed into a massive golden shield in front of him, blocking all the meteor-like Fire Lotuses.
However, a spirit power attack was not so easy to defend against, especially an attack launched by Xiao Yan with his Emperor Realm soul power, which made Lei Ying let out a muffled grunt.
"Lei Ying, it's over." Xiao Yan slightly panted, a Fire Lotus fused with nine different Heavenly Flames appearing in his palm.
Before his words finished, the Fire Lotus in his hand suddenly flew out.
Lei Ying's pupils constricted. He frantically mobilized the power of thunder within his body, attempting to resist. However, the Fire Lotus exploded with a bang, its terrifying power unstoppable, instantly piercing through Lei Ying's defense and fiercely striking his chest.
"Pfft…"
Lei Ying spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his figure sent flying backward like a falling star, crashing towards the Lei Realm.
Rumble…
Lei Ying smashed through the Lei Realm's space and, without losing momentum, landed on the ground of the Lei Realm, collapsing a mountain peak.