Chapter 16: Brutal Battle

"My Di Nong Hall is also a righteous faction in the martial world, and besides, Daoist Guan Lan once showed me kindness. It is only right that I eradicate evil and protect the path!"

Hero Yan Bei said loudly.

"Hmph, fine! After taking care of the three of you today, I will also deal with the Qingcheng Sword Sect and Di Nong Hall!"

Yun Shou and the others quickly recognized the newcomers. Besides the chief assassin Hei Lin from the Heishi organization, there was also a figure from the Twelve Zodiac organization known as the Toothless Seer, along with the infamous Poison Granny, Old Lady Wen.

"What brings you here?"

"Hey, where is your Heishi leader? Why do you only bring these others?"

"I am a member of Heishi myself, and there is no need for Lord Wheelturn to personally handle you Xuanzhen Temple." Old Lady Wen snorted coldly.

The Toothless Seer merely sneered without responding, seemingly lost in thought.

Hearing this, Yun Shou let out a sigh of relief. After all, the Wheelturn King had a formidable reputation; if he arrived, the situation would be significantly more challenging.

However, he hadn't expected that Heishi had a hidden powerhouse like Old Lady Wen and that the Twelve Zodiac people were involved, not knowing how much silver they had spent.

Unfortunately, his companion from Yukun Mountain had yet to arrive.

"Hei Lin, I have long harbored a question: Your Heishi organization has always kept to itself, so why did you ambush my temple's transport team six months ago and now come here to attack?"

Although Yun Shou had some suspicions, he ultimately asked what puzzled him most.

A glimmer of light flashed in Hei Lin's eyes as he coldly laughed, "It seems someone from the organization leaked confidential information, but the dead do not need to know!"

"Enough, it looks like we must have a thorough reckoning tonight."

Yun Shou sighed, and in an instant, a strong aura erupted from him.

After some verbal exchanges, the atmosphere suddenly grew tense, as if the very air had solidified, and the wind turned sharp and biting.

"Toothless, your involvement this time was personally arranged by the Wheelturn King, and he has given you plenty of benefits, so do not overreach."

Hei Lin had just noticed that Toothless's thoughts seemed to be shifting and worried that he might play tricks, quickly used a secret method to remind him.

"Hehe, don't worry; I know my limits."

Upon hearing this, Hei Lin felt slightly relieved and began to explain the fighting strategy to the two of them.

Meanwhile, Yun Shou was also communicating with Daoist Tongya and Hero Yan Bei using a secret method.

"Hei Lin will face me directly. As for the other two, what do you both plan to do?"

"Old Lady Wen specializes in poisons, and my Di Nong Hall has some expertise in herbs. How about I handle her?" Yan Bei asked tentatively.

"I have no objections," Daoist Tongya readily agreed.

"The Twelve Zodiac are quite mysterious; I only know that this Toothless Seer excels at hidden weapons, so Daoist Tongya, please be cautious."

After just a few breaths, both sides seemed to have settled on their plans.

Before him stood six distinct figures, their forms flickering and appearing as if they had suddenly manifested, and at this moment, they all attacked together.

Daoist Tongya drew his longsword, its blade shimmering with cold light. His steps were light and agile, moving with the grace of a gentle breeze caressing willows, like a flash of lightning cutting across the night sky.

A beam of sword light burst forth, its chilling gleam shooting straight towards the Toothless Seer, who seemed to be prepared for this strike.

The Toothless Seer's figure swayed, dodging the lethal blow like a ghost, his movements as swift as a fleeting shadow.

At the same time, he quickly counterattacked with the technique "A Rain of Flowers Covers the Money," unleashing countless hidden weapons that transformed into flickering cold stars, venomous and ruthless, all aimed directly at Daoist Tongya's vital points.

The sound of the flying hidden weapons was sharp and piercing, akin to a death knell, sending chills down the spine.

Daoist Tongya resembled a graceful crane, the tip of his sword slightly raised. He moved fluidly, like flowing water, effortlessly deflecting the barrage of hidden weapons.

Then, another beam of sword light shot out, resembling a startled swan or a swimming dragon, targeting the Toothless Seer with deadly intent.

The sword light was incredibly sharp, as if it intended to split the dark night in two.

A flash of cold light shot through the dark, glinting with a chilling radiance, as if it were a soul-claiming light from the underworld. The two beams collided, creating a gust of energy.

Subsequently, the sword light and cold light continued to clash, creating sparks that flew in the night. The ground and walls around them were filled with sharp holes.

But the Toothless Seer moved with the unpredictability of his mask, appearing as elusive as a drifting shadow, and his hidden weapon techniques were equally enigmatic and unpredictable. Each strike was like a venomous snake blending into the night, silent yet deadly.

Though Daoist Tongya's longsword appeared soft and gentle, it contained immense power within.

For a time, it was difficult to discern a winner.

At the same moment, on the other side, the hero Yan Bei from Di Nong Hall faced off against Old Lady Wen.

Whether by coincidence or premeditation, the intentions of both sides coincidentally clashed.

Yan Bei's muscles instantly bulged, veins popping like a coiled dragon, and he threw a punch that seemed to carry millions of pounds of force, as if he intended to shatter Old Lady Wen completely.

Old Lady Wen's eyes glowed with a green light, and she quickly retreated. After dodging, a surge of vigorous inner breath erupted from her, using her cane to strike at Yan Bei's throat.

However, Yan Bei's punching technique was unmatched in ferocity; his sturdy arms became the best weapons. Each punch was a powerful strike, as if a mountain were crashing down, creating a whirlwind.

The shadow of her cane was heavily blocked, even causing Old Lady Wen to feel a bit numb in her hands.

"Eh, you didn't get poisoned!"

"Could it be that you've been using inner breathing all along? And those fist wraps of yours are quite remarkable; no wonder my poisonous wooden cane had no effect on you."

Old Lady Wen realized that Yan Bei had not been affected by her cane's poison-enhanced technique, finally understanding the reason.

"Our Di Nong Hall has had several pharmacists, so we naturally have some knowledge to pass on."

Yan Bei had been cautious, operating his inner breath and adjusting himself to inner breathing before he struck.

"Hehe, inner breathing consumes energy; you're just an ordinary innate master. Let's see how long you can hold out!"

As she spoke, Old Lady Wen gathered her strength and suddenly flicked her cane, striking at Yan Bei like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

Yan Bei's arms moved, letting out a sharp screech as he once again used the Di Nong Fist to counterattack.

As the intense battle reached its peak, Bai Yichen finally arrived on the scene.

However, he was self-aware and knowledgeable about others, so he did not rashly join the fray. Instead, he chose to leap onto a tall ancient tree outside the courtyard.

Utilizing the high vantage point provided by the mist-clearing jade stone and his unique perception, he observed the fierce combat.

Bai Yichen's gaze was naturally focused on the central figures in the courtyard: Yun Shou, the true man, and Hei Lin.

It was precisely within this defensive counterattack that they were the strongest in cultivation, the only two to have reached the peak of innate mastery.

Yun Shou and Hei Lin had already exchanged tentative blows for several rounds, but neither had managed to gain the upper hand.

Hei Lin's gaze was cold and resolute as he wielded his sword, unleashing a continuous barrage of strikes, his form seemingly merging with the sword itself.

Whether he was thrusting, slashing, or piercing, his movements were fluid, without a hint of hesitation or muddiness.

Yun Shou, on the other hand, employed a highly unpredictable palm technique.

At times, he moved like a azure dragon commanding clouds and rain; at others, he resembled a white tiger roaring fiercely; sometimes he looked like a vermilion bird spreading its fiery wings, and other times like a black tortoise, steady and protective.