"Mmmm… hihihihi. Oki doki! I'll get it for you, Mo Fang."
Boufang staggered forward, his massive hammer already raised. The weapon was nearly twice Lian's size, its weight warping the air around it.
"Give back Mo Fang's bag… or you die!"
"Tch. You fool."
Lian Xing vanished.
In the next instant, he reappeared directly in front of Boufang.
"Celestial Blade — Third Form: Piercing Blade."
A deafening bang echoed through the area.
Lian's blade struck Boufang's shoulder, and a razor-thin strand of Qi burst from its tip. The force was overwhelming—Boufang was launched backwards, his body tearing through the air like a ragdoll.
Wind howled violently as the shockwave tore through the surroundings. Trees bent, grass flattened, and the earth cracked beneath the pressure.
Crack.
Crack.
Fine fractures spread along Lian's blade.
"Whoa…" Lian exhaled, lifting his gaze slightly.
"I almost forgot just how strong the Celestial Blade is."
He turned back calmly.
"You still want my b—"
A sharp whistling sound sliced through the air.
Music.
The woman had raised her flute.
At first, the sound was gentle—soothing, almost comforting. Lian's breathing slowed unconsciously.
Then it changed.
The melody twisted, growing violent and chaotic. His chest tightened. Anxiety surged without warning.
"Song of the Demon God — Verses One through Ten."
She played fiercely now.
Behind Lian, the trees began to shake, their branches rattling as if something massive was awakening within the forest itself.
"Just what kind of technique is this…? It's disturbing my heart."
Lian grimaced.
"I have to get rid of her quickly. She's dangerous."
Lian leapt forward, ready to strike—
—but before he could reach her, four blades shot toward him.
They were impossibly fast, slicing through the air with sharp whistles.
Clank!!!!
"Damn it," Lian muttered as he deflected all four strikes.
But the clash came at a cost.
His blade cracked further, thin fractures spreading along its surface after colliding with the wind-infused weapons.
"Wind Essence…" Lian narrowed his eyes.
"So I'm not the only one who's grasped a law essence."
A faint grin tugged at his lips.
"If that's the case… let's see what your wind can do against my fire."
Flames surged into Lian's palm as he condensed his Qi.
"Flame Arrow."
He hurled the compressed mass of fire forward and followed immediately behind it.
"Chan Chan, move behind me. I'll handle this attack."
Mo Fang stepped forward, his posture far steadier than before. Confidence gleamed sharply in his eyes.
Chan Chan retreated behind him—never stopping her tune. The flute's melody continued to twist the air itself.
"Dance of the Wind God."
Mo Fang began to move.
His steps became rhythmic, his body swaying in harmony with the music. The wind responded, spiralling around him as his twin blades shot forward, slicing into the incoming flames—
Only to be incinerated instantly.
"Whoa…" Mo Fang muttered, dropping his blades.
"These aren't ordinary flames."
His hands flowed into elegant hand seals, movements smooth and precise. The wind around them began to stir violently, gathering and compressing.
"HAAAAAAAA!"
Mo Fang roared, thrusting his palm toward Lian.
In that instant, Lian felt his body freeze—just for a heartbeat—
Then a massive gust of wind slammed into him, catching the fireball midair and hurling it back, its power amplified by the wind.
"I have to block it!"
Lian slammed his Qi outward, condensing a giant wall of ice, reinforcing it layer by layer with his essence.
BANG!!!
Fire and ice collided violently.
The ice evaporated instantly, and the battlefield was swallowed by dense, boiling fog