13: Chapter 13 Who is the mantis stalking the cicada?

Everything happened in a flash. The pair of Cultivators who struck first were filled with sudden killing intent, their long-brewed attacks slamming out like a mad Dragon, illuminating the dark night sky.

They must have been waiting outside the Li family for a long time, arriving even earlier than Yuan Feng and his companion, clearly intending to be the oriole.

A sharp glint flashed in the eyes of the sinister-looking middle-aged man; he seemed to have been prepared for a long time. With one hand, he threw out several Talismanic Incantations in succession, which transformed into multiple layers of golden bells that shielded him. With the other hand, he summoned a gray-green bronze mirror and suspended it above his head, engraved with many mysterious patterns.

Swish!

The next moment, the gray-green bronze mirror shook violently, gathering spiritual power. A terrifying Aura permeated it, and a beam of light, thick as a pillar, shot out like a silver Dragon taking flight.

Boom!

The rainbow light unleashed by the pair of Cultivators collided with the silver beam shot from the gray-green bronze mirror. It was a clash of titans, evenly matched, and the sound was as thunderous as a peal of thunder.

"A first-grade top-grade Magical Artifact?!"

A shrill voice rang out. The female Cultivator who had attacked knit her willow-leaf eyebrows together in anger. The Aura of the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining erupted from her, and her Kan Water Spiritual Power, which had mostly liquefied, poured into the long sword in her hand as if it were free, imbuing it with power.

The male Cultivator beside her had thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a tall build. He was also a Cultivator at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, holding a brass broadsword with hanging rings. The Cultivation Technique he practiced was of the Metal element, specifically the Xin Metal among the five metals.

Xin Metal is the metal of finished artifacts, possessing the characteristics of precious treasures. As a soft and feminine metal, it is both gentle and firm, and extremely tough.

Additionally, with the Five Elements generating each other—Metal generates Water—as the male Cultivator increased his spiritual power output, the female Cultivator's Kan Water Spiritual Power surged significantly.

Bang!

The attack unleashed by their combined efforts surged exponentially. The middle-aged man had already been through a major battle and had consumed a great deal of spiritual power. At this moment, he could no longer maintain the output of the gray-green bronze mirror. The rainbow light struck, and the golden bells on his body shattered layer by layer.

"Damn it, since you want to be the oriole, then be prepared to die!"

The middle-aged man roared. Before the golden bells completely shattered, he took out a blood-colored Medicinal Pill and swallowed it. His Aura suddenly surged, becoming almost equivalent to that of a Peak Qi Refining Cultivator.

The bronze mirror above his head shone brilliantly, shooting out a destructive beam of light that forcefully extinguished the combined attack of the male and female Cultivators. His imposing Aura surged as he took the initiative to attack his opponents.

The male and female Cultivators looked at each other. Isn't it just taking pills? They could do that too!

Just like that, both of them also took the blood-colored Medicinal Pill, their Auras surging, though both were still weaker than the middle-aged man.

However, the two of them working together, with complementary attributes and being in good condition, could completely fight the middle-aged man and wear him to death!

Yuan Feng and Chen Fufeng, hiding not far away, were stunned. These three were all ruthless people.

The Medicinal Pill they took was similar to the Blood-Burning Gas Pill that Chen Fufeng had taken before, but it was one grade higher, a forbidden life-risking drug specifically prepared for Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivators.

After taking it, one could gain a quarter-hour burst of strength, after which one would fall, entering a long period of weakness, and combat power would be significantly reduced.

If someone with a shaky Foundation took it, they would even risk falling in Realm.

In the arena, the three were already fighting together. Sword Qi crisscrossed, blade light raged, and the silver bronze light swept in all directions, with blazing spiritual power surging.

The middle-aged man's sleeves fluttered, the gray-green bronze mirror floating above his head. While pouring spiritual power into it, he reached out to form hand seals.

Hum!

A sharp, piercing sound rang out. A bronze warhorse pulling an ancient bronze chariot stepped out from the Void Realm, crushing the sky as it charged straight toward the thick-browed male Cultivator.

The latter's expression changed in shock. What kind of Spell was this? To actually be able to manifest such a thing!

He swung his broadsword in a full circle and slashed at the incoming bronze chariot. A ten-zhang blade light tore through the sky like a river of gold falling from the heavens.

Clang!

A sound like a great bell rang out, echoing in all directions, as if he had struck an indestructible Magical Artifact. The sound waves stirred up like a tide, traveling very far.

The female Cultivator's expression changed slightly. Her Kan Water Spiritual Power turned into a stream of water, wrapping around the bronze chariot and preventing it from moving for a time.

Kan Water belongs to Yin and is dark water, skilled at trapping enemies.

But the next moment, the gray-green bronze mirror above the middle-aged man's head shot out a beam of light, like a silver dragon moving through the sea, unstoppable.

The thick-browed male Cultivator's tall body leaped up. He took out several Talismanic Incantations and stuck them onto his brass broadsword, making its edge several times sharper. With a mighty strike, he cleaved the incoming silver beam of light in mid-air.

"Pfft!"

A mouthful of blood sprayed out. The tall figure of the thick-browed male Cultivator retreated dozens of zhang. The webbing between his thumbs and forefingers split, and he almost couldn't hold his sword.

The middle-aged man was already a Cultivator at the Peak of the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining. After taking the forbidden drug, he could already be viewed as a Peak Qi Refining Cultivator.

Coupled with a top-grade first-grade Magical Artifact, in this situation, even a Peak Qi Refining Cultivator would not have an easy time if they were here in person, and might even be killed by the middle-aged man.

On the other side, the female Cultivator extinguished the broken ancient bronze chariot and stood with the thick-browed male Cultivator, her face becoming very ugly.

"A-Hao, what should we do? This guy is tough. If we keep fighting like this, even if we manage to take him down, we will probably suffer heavy injuries."

"Meimei, you forgot, besides us, there are other orioles!" Hearing this, the thick-browed male Cultivator, who was called A-Hao, looked toward the position where Chen Fufeng was hiding and shouted: "This friend, if you don't come out and help the two of us, I'm afraid you won't get anything!"

After speaking, he didn't care whether anyone responded. Coordinating with the female Cultivator named Meimei, sword and blade light swept out. Xin Metal and Kan Water blended together, producing an effect where one plus one is greater than two.

For a time, the two of them fought to a standstill with the middle-aged man holding the top-grade first-grade Magical Artifact; neither could do anything to the other.

Chen Fufeng, not far away, frowned deeply. The current situation was too bizarre. He already had the intention to retreat; no matter how good the treasure was, one had to be alive to enjoy it.

Originally, with him and Yuan Feng, one human and one Ape working together, taking down the Li family, which had only a few small cats, would have been no problem.

But a ruthless person had appeared from some corner, taking out the Li family single-handedly, and then a pair of Cultivators with strong power had jumped out.

Judging by the current situation, retreating was the best choice.

"Brother Yuan, what do you think?" After much thought, Chen Fufeng decided to ask for Yuan Feng's opinion.

Yuan Feng looked at the three people fighting and had already made a plan.

"Old Chen, if we don't go out and stay here, I'm afraid those three will join forces to deal with us first."

"How about this: you go out first and join that couple to deal with the middle-aged man. When the time is right, I will make my move and settle the matter in one battle!"

Chen Fufeng took a deep breath, left his hiding place, and revealed himself. A crimson long sword appeared in his hand. Operating his Li Fire Spiritual Power, he charged straight at the middle-aged man in the battlefield.

He didn't ask why, but chose to trust Yuan Feng, to trust this partner!

"Well done, Fellow Daoist!" Peng Hao slashed with his blade, shattering the returning bronze chariot, and praised Chen Fufeng as he charged over.

But immediately, his face turned ugly, feeling both happy and disappointed.

What he was disappointed about was that he calculated from the Aura radiating from Chen Fufeng that he was only at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, which would not be of much use for a battle at their level.

What he was happy about was that, from another perspective, a Seventh Layer of Qi Refining Cultivator could not make much of a splash, had no qualifications to seize the Li family's property, and could only be dealt with later.

But the next moment, he saw Chen Fufeng take out a Medicinal Pill and swallow it, his Aura surging significantly, and he felt a strange sense of relief.

If Chen Fufeng didn't put in any effort, the two of them would have to take him out first and then turn to deal with the middle-aged man.

After all, he was still a Seventh Layer of Qi Refining Cultivator. If the three of them fought until they were both injured, it really might benefit Chen Fufeng.

Now, Chen Fufeng had taken a Medicinal Pill to temporarily boost his combat power, which meant he really intended to join forces with them to kill the middle-aged man and would not withhold effort.

"Fellow Daoist, we will take the lead in attacking; you just need to assist from the side!" After Peng Hao finished speaking, he stood side-by-side with Liu Mei and unleashed a killing move together toward the middle-aged man.

In the air, a small golden mountain manifested, with an dark black river winding around its waist. The Xin Metal mountain and the Kan Water river combined, spiritual power surging, thick and boundless, suppressing downward with unparalleled power.

This was the strongest killing move mastered by the Cultivator couple Peng Hao and Liu Mei, a fourth-grade combined Spell, 'Xin Mountain and Kan River Pressing the Long Sky.' Its power was peerless among fourth-grade Spells, with lethality comparable to a fifth-grade Spell.

This combined Spell required the two to work together to cast it; one must Cultivate Xin Metal, and one must Cultivate Kan Water, only then could it exert its most powerful force.

The middle-aged man's expression was solemn. First, he formed hand seals with one hand, once again manifesting an ancient bronze chariot that rumbled toward Chen Fufeng.

Then, the gray-green bronze mirror above his head bloomed with unprecedented brilliance, like a silver sun rising, and the area near the Li family instantly became as bright as day.

Boom!

A thick, incomparable beam of light swept out, like a silver dragon rising from the sea, like a pillar of heaven rising from the vastness, colliding with the descending Xin Mountain and Kan River. The violent sound shook the surrounding dozen or so li.

Fortunately, the Li family was located in a remote area, and the forces stationed in this region were all small ones; otherwise, with such a commotion, other Cultivators would have already arrived.

Chen Fufeng continuously slashed with his long sword, sword after sword. The crimson Sword Qi was continuous, each sword stronger than the last, like patches of fire sea flapping, melting the ancient bronze chariot in mid-air.

Afterward, he looked to the side, his heart shocked, and quickly retreated.

In the center of the battlefield, light radiated everywhere and spiritual power boiled, like a mountain thrown by an immortal god suppressing a silver dragon that had wreaked havoc on the great wilderness, turning everything upside down and erasing the nearby small hills.

When the brilliance dissipated and the dust settled, three figures were revealed. The broadsword in Peng Hao's hand was broken, and Liu Mei's long sword was full of cracks.

The gray-green bronze mirror above the middle-aged man's head was dim and lusterless, his entire Aura plummeted, he could barely maintain his figure, and he almost fell from the sky.

Without needing Peng Hao to remind him, Chen Fufeng seemed to have received an order and threw out several Talismanic Incantations in succession, transforming them into three golden spears several zhang long, piercing through the air to attack the middle-aged man.

He himself waved his long sword, evolving two Li Fire Black Birds, beating their flame wings, and rushed toward Peng Hao and the other with the power to melt gold and iron.

"Fellow Daoist, do you really think you can pick up a bargain?"

Peng Hao's face was ferocious. He put away his broadsword, formed hand seals with both hands, and Xin Metal spiritual power gathered. A small golden mountain manifested again, crushing toward the Li Fire Black Birds.

At the same time, Liu Mei on the side waved her hand gently, and the Kan Water Spiritual Power turned into a swamp, trapping Chen Fufeng in the air.

The couple worked together, and Chen Fufeng's attack not only failed to take effect, but he himself was trapped and had difficulty breaking free.

"Do you think you can take me?" Chen Fufeng smiled leisurely at this moment, making Peng Hao and his companion's hearts skip a beat.

"No, ah..."

A shrill scream came, and Peng Hao and his companion looked in the direction of the sound, their hearts turning cold.

They saw the middle-aged man, who had previously been majestic and fighting one against two, have his protective spiritual power and defensive Talismanic Incantations broken by a single punch from a Black Ape over two zhang tall, with a black-yellow luster all over its body and scarlet eyes, which then pierced through his chest.

Yuan Feng was expressionless. He had already unleashed his Frenzy Talent, and his strength had reached the Peak he could currently achieve.

Pfft!

Yuan Feng's right arm shook violently, the middle-aged man's eyes dimmed, his entire body was torn apart, and he died on the spot.

This scene made Peng Hao and his wife's eyelids twitch wildly, and they immediately wanted to run away. The majesty of that Black Ape was too strong, giving them the feeling of facing a Peak Qi Refining Cultivator.

In their current state, facing a powerful Black Ape in its Peak state, there was only a dead end.

But Chen Fufeng suddenly erupted, his Li Fire Spiritual Power pouring into the long sword in his hand like a broken dam, and a ringing sword sound rang out.

Swish!

Immediately after, the crimson long sword left his hand and transformed into a Flying Sword. Under the control of Chen Fufeng's Divine Thought, it crossed the sky like a crimson meteor, charging toward Peng Hao and his companion.

After breaking through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, his Divine Thought had increased significantly, and his use of the Flying Sword technique was even more handy.

The crimson long sword in his hand was not a simple Magical Artifact, but an ancient Legacy Magical Artifact left by that ancient Cultivator. It would gradually unlock as the owner's Realm improved, capable of exerting unimaginable power.

"Damn it! Meimei, you go first, I will cover the rear!"

Peng Hao roared, actively meeting them head-on. Fire sparks splashed all over his body, accompanied by flying blood. In just a moment, he was drenched in blood, and many places were wounded.

Liu Mei didn't say much and turned to leave, but Yuan Feng's speed was even faster than hers. Like a savage dragon, he rammed forward, blocking her path.

"What is your relationship with that person? A Yao Beast daring to act fiercely in our Human Race's territory!" Liu Mei scolded.

Yuan Feng looked at her with the eyes of someone looking at a fool. Without a word, he formed a fist seal. A fierce and wild Aura swept over, with powerful and unmatched force gathered on it, which could simply shatter a mountain with one punch.

"Ah!"

Liu Mei let out a scream. Her remaining Kan Water Spiritual Power condensed into a pool of water, and at the same time, she threw out several Talismanic Incantations, transforming them into pieces of golden armor draped over her body, wanting to block this punch.

But obviously, everything she did was in vain. That huge fist shattered the Kan Water Spiritual Power, smashed the pieces of golden armor, and finally blew her up in the air.

"Ah!!! No!!! Meimei!!!"

Peng Hao realized his wife's death and couldn't help but let out a sorrowful and angry roar. This momentary distraction was seized by Chen Fufeng. The crimson Magical Artifact sword slashed continuously and then circled around his head.

A fine head fell, and bright red blood spurted out from the severed neck like it was free, dyeing a large area of land red.

Yuan Feng gathered the Storage Pouch left by Liu Mei and the Storage Ring left by the middle-aged man, flashed to Chen Fufeng's side, and urged: "Old Chen, let's go quickly."

Chen Fufeng nodded, put Peng Hao's Storage Pouch into his pocket, and left with Yuan Feng without looking back, moving extremely fast.

Not long after the human and the Ape left, a rainbow light flew in from afar, arriving above this battlefield in an instant.

A Divine Sense surging like a river swept over, plowing three feet into the ground, but found nothing.

As for the corpses on the ground, the person who came didn't pay much attention, but walked toward Binyang Mountain where the Li family was located.

A moment later, the person walked out with a gloomy face and saw two rainbow lights land, revealing two figures.

"Brother Wang, any findings?" the person on the left asked.

"So it's Brother Zhang and young friend Tang. We are all late; the items have all been looted. How daring to commit such a tragic annihilation case in my Liming Town!"

The two people opposite them exchanged a glance without a trace, both showing a look of contempt. Has your Wang family annihilated few families? Perhaps this Li family annihilation was done by your Wang family.

If Chen Fufeng were here, he would definitely be shocked to see these three.

Because these three came from the Tang Family, the Zhang family, and the Wang family, and they were all Great Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment level!