95. Clash of Shadows and Light

The battlefield was a cacophony of screams, steel clashing, and the thunderous roar of qi explosions. Ling Tian moved like a storm incarnate, his azure-gold qi illuminating the battlefield as he carved through the Nightshade warriors with terrifying precision.

Xu Qing'er was a phantom in the night, her sword weaving deadly arcs that severed throats and pierced hearts with surgical accuracy. Together, they were an unstoppable force, their movements synchronized in perfect harmony.

Nightshade Xian stood at the center of the chaos, his piercing gaze locked onto Ling Tian. He did not panic, nor did he retreat. Instead, he smirked.

"You think this is enough to shake my foundation?" His voice was calm, yet it carried an underlying menace.

Ling Tian stopped a few feet away, his sword dripping with blood. "I don't need to shake your foundation. I just need to bury you in it."

Nightshade Xian chuckled. "You underestimate me."

With a flick of his wrist, a dark mist erupted around him, spreading through the battlefield like a living entity. The moment it touched the Nightshade warriors, their wounds stopped bleeding, and their movements became faster, sharper.

Ling Tian's eyes narrowed. "Dark Blood Arts?"

Nightshade Xian's smirk widened. "Correct. And I must thank you, Ling Tian. Without this battle, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to test my latest refinement."

He raised his hand, and the blood-soaked ground trembled. The corpses of fallen Nightshade warriors twitched, their lifeless bodies rising once more, their eyes glowing with eerie red light.

Ling Tian's expression darkened. "Undead puppets?"

Xu Qing'er's grip on her sword tightened. "Disgusting."

Nightshade Xian laughed. "Disgusting? No, this is art."

With a mere gesture, the reanimated warriors charged forward, their speed and power surpassing their previous limits.

Ling Tian exhaled. "Fine, then."

With a flick of his fingers, a golden rune ignited in the air.

"Burn."

A massive golden flame erupted, consuming the undead warriors in an instant. Their bodies writhed as the purifying flames devoured them, turning them to ash.

Nightshade Xian's smile faltered.

Ling Tian tilted his head. "Your tricks are useless against me."

But before he could advance, an oppressive force surged behind him.

A veiled woman materialized from the shadows, her dagger aimed directly at Ling Tian's heart.

Xu Qing'er's eyes flashed coldly.

In a blur, she intercepted the attack, her sword clashing against the assassin's dagger in a burst of sparks.

The woman's eyes glowed beneath her veil. "So, you're the infamous Xu Qing'er."

Xu Qing'er pushed forward, her qi erupting. "And you are?"

The woman smirked. "Shadow Empress Mei."

Their battle began in an instant.

Meanwhile, Ling Tian stepped forward, his aura surging.

"Now, Nightshade Xian," he said, his voice cold as ice. "It's time we finished this."

Nightshade Xian drew his sword, its black blade humming with a sinister energy. "Agreed."

The final clash was upon them.

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