Chapter 39: The Last Stand Begins

As dawn broke over the crumbling ruins of the Phoenix Temple, the horizon was painted in hues of blood-red and gold. But the beauty of the morning was lost on Li Feng and his companions. They stood atop the temple steps, looking down at the approaching horde.

Shen Longwei's forces had encircled them completely. Rows of armored warriors, mercenaries, and assassins stretched as far as the eye could see. Their banners bore the sigil of the Scarlet Iron Sect, fluttering ominously in the breeze. War drums echoed across the valley, their rhythmic beats like a death knell.

Zheng Wei tightened his grip on his staff, his robes scorched from the battle before. "We hold here," he said firmly. "We cannot let them take the temple."

Mei Lian, breathing heavily, scanned the field with sharp eyes. "Are you insane? Look at them. We're outnumbered ten to one. We need to find a way out, now."

Li Feng remained silent, his gaze locked on the enemy ranks. He could still feel the lingering energy of the Phoenix Sigil pulsing within him, a fire both powerful and consuming. Every muscle in his body ached, but he knew Mei Lian's words, while logical, were not an option anymore.

"We run, they hunt us down. We stand, we fight on our terms," Li Feng said, clenching his fists. "There is no escape. Not this time."

Mei Lian exhaled sharply but didn't argue. Zheng Wei nodded approvingly.

"Then we make this place a battleground," the monk said. "We set traps, bottleneck their forces in the corridors, make them bleed before they reach us."

They worked quickly. Mei Lian set explosive talismans along the temple's entrance, placing them strategically to collapse sections of the ruin and create choke points. Zheng Wei etched sigils into the stone, ancient wards meant to disrupt enemy movements. Li Feng, though drained, focused on his breathing, feeling the warmth of the Phoenix Sigil flow through him as he prepared for what was to come.

The first attack came at midday. Jiang Ren, recovered and burning with fury, led the vanguard. He moved with deadly precision, his twin blades carving through the air as he commanded the Scarlet Iron Sect's elite.

"Do you think delaying will change your fate?" Jiang Ren called out. "Surrender now, and Shen Longwei might grant you a swift death. Fight, and you'll suffer before the end."

Li Feng's answer came in the form of a firestorm. He summoned the power of the Phoenix Sigil, sending a wave of golden flames crashing toward the first wave of invaders. The front lines scattered, men screaming as the sacred fire burned through their armor.

Jiang Ren smirked, stepping back as his warriors were forced to regroup. "Impressive. But how long can you keep this up?"

The answer came quickly. The flames died down, and Li Feng staggered, nearly collapsing from exhaustion. The backlash was worse this time, his vision blurring as the power consumed his stamina.

Mei Lian darted forward, striking down an enemy who had tried to slip past the flames. "You're going to burn yourself out! Stop using it so recklessly!"

Li Feng grit his teeth. "If I don't use it, we won't last the hour."

The battle raged on. The Scarlet Iron Sect adapted quickly, using their sheer numbers to overwhelm the defenses. The outer walls of the temple had already crumbled, and Jiang Ren was closing in fast.

Zheng Wei stood at the temple's center, chanting an incantation. The ground beneath him glowed with ancient runes as the wards activated. A shockwave erupted, sending a dozen enemy warriors flying back. But even as they fell, more pressed forward.

Jiang Ren leaped onto the temple's broken steps, his blades coated in crimson energy. "Enough games, Li Feng. Let's end this."

Li Feng raised his own sword, struggling to steady himself. He knew Jiang Ren wasn't here just to fight—he was waiting for the right moment, testing Li Feng's limits. And he had found them.

Then, the sky darkened. A shadow loomed over the battlefield. The flames of war flickered against the ominous presence descending upon them.

A figure stepped forward from the ranks of the Scarlet Iron Sect, her elegant robes untouched by the bloodshed around her. Lady Yuexiang.

She smiled, her voice like silk against the chaos. "This dance has gone on long enough. Let's see what fate has in store for you now."

Thunder rumbled in the distance as the final phase of the battle began.