"Husband, step back quickly. This level of demonic energy is no longer something an ordinary person can resist."
Looking at Hongmao, shrouded in rolling demonic energy in the air, Shui Lingling's expression was grave as she pushed Gui Jiujiu towards the courtyard.
Previously, although Hongmao's aura was also fearsome, it hadn't exceeded her own foundation and was within manageable limits.
But the current Hongmao, with his world-suppressing demonic might and the peerless Demonic Rainbow Sword…
His baleful aura...
Even the Demonic Sect that suppressed the world ten years ago would have required masters at the elder level to match him.
"Wife, be careful. If necessary, you can use 'that'," Gui Jiujiu nodded, stepping back while worriedly advising.
"Mm." Shui Lingling nodded, mentally preparing for the worst.
A hundred years ago, during the Phoenix Martial Arts School's peak, they successfully studied under the Santai Pavilion and obtained a drop of the Pure Origin Pearl.
A century had passed, the original Pure Origin Pearl had long been consumed. But the treasure vessel that contained it had been nourished, gaining a trace of spirituality comparable to the Seven Swords' divine weapons.
That treasure vessel was the Phoenix Martial Arts School's final trump card!
"Heh, with the Demonic Rainbow Sword in hand, my strength increases by another thirty percent. Gui Jiujiu, since you refuse to hand her over, today I will destroy your Phoenix Martial Arts School!"
Meanwhile, in mid-air, Hongmao had completely finished tempering the Demonic Rainbow Sword.
A three-foot blue blade, with vast, billowing black energy.
A ferocious black dragon was outlined along the sword's body, its eyes glaring angrily.
Countless mysterious and sinister patterns were engraved on the Demonic Rainbow Sword, greatly enhancing its various attributes.
The current Demonic Rainbow Sword, in terms of righteous aura and its amplification of fire-attribute internal energy, was far inferior to the previous Changhong Sword.
But its destructive power, lethality, sharpness, and amplification of demonic arts surpassed the Changhong Sword by ten times!
The Demonic Rainbow Sword was the voluntary, darkened transformation made by the Changhong Sword's spirit for Hongmao alone.
Abandoning righteousness, abandoning the blazing sun, abandoning all living beings under heaven.
It was the pursuit of pure destructive power, the most evil demonic sword!
"Demonic Rainbow Sword Technique, First Form: Demonic Rainbow Devours the Sun!"
Hongmao raised his right hand.
A profound dark demonic dragon materialized from the tip of the Demonic Rainbow Sword, carrying a terrifying aura that seemed to swallow heaven and earth, aimed directly at Shui Lingling's head.
The peak of the seventh level of the Heavenly Demon's Wild Dance demonic arts, combined with the inherent power of the Demonic Rainbow Sword…
If this strike landed, even a Hall Master-level figure from the Demonic Sect back in the day would have to exert their utmost to barely withstand it.
"Wind-Guiding Art, Wind Impact Wave!"
Facing such terrifying pressure, Shui Lingling's expression couldn't be more grave.
She gathered all her wind-attribute internal energy, forming a massive shockwave above her head.
The Wind-Guiding Art wasn't the highest-level technique she mastered, but it was the one she had cultivated most deeply.
The Wind Impact Wave she unleashed at full power was enough to destroy a small hillock and half of the Phoenix Martial Arts School.
Boom!
Howling winds, rolling black clouds.
Amidst the violent collision, a scornful smile curled on Hongmao's lips as he sneered.
"Petty tricks dare to show off before the Demonic Rainbow Sword?"
"Shatter for me!"
As his words fell, the savage black demonic dragon instantly opened its bloody maw.
The evil demonic energy instantly swallowed the Wind Impact Wave, not a trace remaining.
Moreover, it gained an additional swiftness from the wind-attribute internal energy, continuing its fierce charge towards Shui Lingling.
"Not good! Wife, use Soaring Wind and Clouds!" Gui Jiujiu's pupils contracted sharply upon seeing this, and he loudly instructed.
"Mm."
Shui Lingling and Gui Jiujiu were of one heart as husband and wife.
Almost the moment he spoke, a pair of wings formed from wind and clouds gathered behind Shui Lingling, and she suddenly flew skyward.
Bang!
The black dragon pounced, landing heavily on the ground in front of the Phoenix Martial Arts School's entrance.
Demonic energy ran rampant, the destructive power was astonishing.
A massive trench, ten meters deep, stretching all the way to the training ground, appeared before their eyes.
"What power... If not for my husband's timely reminder, I'm afraid I would have been utterly annihilated by that." Shui Lingling looked at the trench still emitting demonic energy, her heart filled with lingering fear.
"Wife, the demonic Hongmao's moves are strange. It seems he can devour your techniques, supplementing his own demonic arts and further increasing their power." Gui Jiujiu narrowed his eyes, analyzing.
Although he knew no martial arts, his wisdom was extremely high.
He could easily find flaws in any martial arts move after just a couple of glances.
But Hongmao's every move, his every gesture had no weaknesses to be found.
He was like a war god who had experienced countless battles, his combat experience and talent both at the highest level, surpassing any martial arts grade that could be defined in the mortal world.
Moreover, that Demonic Rainbow Sword, radiating an extremely evil aura, also had quite sinister abilities.
He knew this fierce battle was likely fraught with danger.
'Heh. The Demonic Rainbow Sword possesses the characteristic of devouring all internal energy. Any technique or move weaker than mine will become nourishment for the Demonic Rainbow Sword, helping it increase its power!'
Hongmao coldly watched the two from the Phoenix Martial Arts School, thinking silently.
This was the Demonic Rainbow Sword's response to him.
As long as he held the Demonic Rainbow, he feared nothing, even if opposed by the entire world.
"Hongmao! Your demonic might suppresses the world, your baleful aura overwhelms the heavens. I admit I am no match for you."
Just as Hongmao raised the Demonic Rainbow Sword, preparing for another strike, Shui Lingling took a deep breath and suddenly spoke.
"I have one final move. If you can withstand it, my century-old Phoenix Martial Arts School will be destroyed without the slightest complaint."
"Little Black, my daughter... I will leave them entirely to your disposal. And your fellow Seven Swords companions, I will also return them to you safe and sound..."
"Oh? Are you threatening me?" Upon hearing Shui Lingling's words, Hongmao crossed his arms, his face full of a cold sneer.
"It's not a threat, just a mother's final struggle in a desperate situation." Shui Lingling said solemnly, her sharp gaze fixed on Hongmao.
"If you cannot withstand it, the prime culprit, Little Black, my Phoenix Martial Arts School is still willing to hand him over to you. But regarding my daughter, I beg Hero Hongmao to be merciful and spare her life."
"Are you telling me what to do?"
The world-suppressing demonic Hongmao paid no heed to Shui Lingling's threat, looking down from his superior position.
"Whatever move you have, use it."
"I won't make any more promises to anyone. I've long had enough of those."
"The only thing I can promise..."
A sinister curve lifted the corner of Hongmao's mouth, his pale white teeth gleaming with cold light.
"...is that if you dare lay a hand on the Seven Swords, I guarantee you will regret it. A regret so deep you couldn't rest in peace even in the Yellow Springs."
Thud.
Hongmao's calm words were like an ill wind blowing in the depths of winter.
They shocked Shui Lingling, cold sweat pouring down her back, her heart palpitating with extreme fear.
Only at this moment did she finally understand.
Before the current Hongmao, all strategies, all schemes, all moral and ethical pressure...
Were utterly useless.
All she could do was fight with all her strength.
That was all.
"It was naive of me. Hongmao, since words are useless, then come." Shui Lingling took a deep breath, driving out all the fear within her.
The final move.
As a martial artist, as a mother, as the heir of the Phoenix Martial Arts School...
She absolutely could not lose!
"Dragon-Guiding Art, Pure Origin Pearl!"
"Thousand-Mile Ice Seal! Thousand-Handed Guanyin!"