59: Lu Chen VS Zhao Feng, all things manifest their power

In Black Wind Valley at dusk, the lingering glow of the setting sun slanted through the valley entrance, painting the yellow sand a golden-red. The tense atmosphere of the two armies confronting each other grew even stronger. Lu Chen stood in the center of the open ground, holding a rune iron sword. Golden-green spiritual light intertwined and flowed steadily around his body. His Middle Stage Foundation Establishment aura was restrained yet immense. Facing the murderous Zhao Feng, his eyes were calm and unwavering, with only a faint chill lingering.

Zhao Feng wore the Zhao Family's distinctive scarlet combat attire and held a long sword with a chilling gleam. The sword body emitted a faint flame spiritual light, clearly a Magical Artifact enhanced with fire-attribute spiritual power. He stared intently at Lu Chen, his eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness. The humiliation at the Pill Dao Assembly and his Family's expectations for him all transformed into Killing Intent at this moment. His Early Stage Foundation Establishment spiritual power erupted without reservation, and strong winds whipped at his robes, revealing a desperate ferocity.

"Lu Chen, today I will definitely slay you here, wash away the previous disgrace, and let everyone know that you are nothing but a mere clown!" Zhao Feng roared. Before his voice faded, his figure shot out, his long sword carrying scorching flame spiritual light directly aiming for Lu Chen's heart. The sword Move was sharp and tricky, precisely a basic Move of the Zhao Family's ultimate technique, the Blazing Fire Burning Heaven Art. Although not yet at Major Achievement, it possessed considerable power. Wherever the sword wind swept, even the surrounding yellow sand was scorched slightly hot.

Lu Chen's expression was calm. He activated the Lightning Movement Technique, his figure like an afterimage as he dodged the attack sideways. The sword wind grazed his shoulder, leaving a charred mark on the ground. He did not rush to counterattack, but merely observed Zhao Feng's sword Moves. The Blazing Fire Burning Heaven Art was known for its fierce and scorching nature, emphasizing the use of fire-attribute spiritual power to unleash attacks with extremely high burst damage, but it lacked sustained power and had defensive flaws. For Lu Chen, it was not a Cultivation Technique that was difficult to break.

"Only know how to dodge? Have the guts to take one of my Moves head-on!" Zhao Feng's attack missed, making him even more impatient. He roared and attacked again. As his long sword swung, countless streaks of fiery sword Qi swept towards Lu Chen, the flames intertwining into a sea of fire, completely blocking Lu Chen's retreat. The scorching aura rushed at him, as if it wanted to ignite the very air.

At the Alliance's front line, Lin Xiaoya watched with trepidation, subconsciously clutching the healing pill in her hand, fearing that Lu Chen might meet with an accident. Yu Lan, on the other hand, had a calm expression. She deeply understood Lu Chen's strength, and even more so the profoundness of the complete Myriad Manifestations Art. As long as Lu Chen fought steadily, victory was only a matter of time. Elder Li Ping and Ling Yun also looked composed. Judging from Lu Chen's previous performance in slaying the Black Bear, dealing with Zhao Feng was more than enough.

Facing the sweeping sea of fire sword Qi, Lu Chen finally moved. He took a deep breath, activated the complete Myriad Manifestations Art, and the Golden Core within him spun rapidly. Vast spiritual power flowed through his Meridians to his entire body, simultaneously drawing in the Spiritual Qi from heaven and earth. The golden-green spiritual light around him suddenly surged. He slowly raised his hand, holding the rune iron sword horizontally in front of him. Spiritual power flowed slowly along the sword body, and a massive spiritual power barrier instantly condensed. The barrier was semi-transparent, with golden and green spiritual light intertwining and circulating within it, exuding endless thickness and stability. This was the defensive Move from the Myriad Manifestations Art—Myriad Manifestations Barrier.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" Countless fiery sword Qi streaks continuously crashed against the Myriad Manifestations Barrier, emitting deafening roars. Flames splattered, and spiritual power shockwaves spread in all directions, kicking up the surrounding yellow sand several feet high. Yet, no matter how the fiery sword Qi impacted it, the Myriad Manifestations Barrier remained as stable as Mount Tai. The spiritual light on its surface merely rippled slightly, never showing the slightest damage. The scorching flames couldn't even get close to Lu Chen by an inch, completely blocked by the barrier.

"Impossible! How is this possible!" Zhao Feng's pupils constricted, his eyes filled with disbelief. His full-powered fiery sword Qi couldn't even shake Lu Chen's defense. This huge disparity instantly shattered his confidence, and a hint of fear quietly emerged. Unwilling to accept this, he once again circulated all the spiritual power within his body, pushing the Blazing Fire Burning Heaven Art to its limit. He raised his long sword above his head, and the flame spiritual light around him surged. A massive fiery sword blade, several feet wide, condensed. Flames churned on the blade, emitting an aura of world-destroying power. This was the ultimate Move of the Blazing Fire Burning Heaven Art—Heaven Burning Slash.

"Die! Lu Chen! This Move will definitely turn you to ashes!" Zhao Feng shrieked, bringing the massive fiery sword blade down fiercely towards Lu Chen. The blade whistled through the air, carrying scorching heat, as if it wanted to turn the entire Black Wind Valley into scorched earth. Its power far surpassed all previous attacks.

A cold glint flashed in Lu Chen's eyes. He retracted the Myriad Manifestations Barrier and slowly raised the rune iron sword in his hand. The spiritual power of the complete Myriad Manifestations Art completely erupted. The golden and green spiritual light fused with the golden runes of the rune iron sword, and the sword body shone brightly. A sword Qi imbued with the power of the Myriad Manifestations of heaven and earth slowly condensed. This sword Qi no longer pursued extreme speed and explosive power, but rather exuded a profoundness that encompassed all things and was indestructible, as if it could withstand all attacks in the world and break through all obstacles.

"Myriad Manifestations Return to One!" Lu Chen softly uttered, and the rune iron sword in his hand, carrying immense sword Qi, met Zhao Feng's Heaven Burning Slash. The two massive attacks collided in the center of the open ground. There was no earth-shattering roar, only a soft yet extremely penetrating spiritual light spreading out. Zhao Feng's fiery sword blade, upon contact with Lu Chen's sword Qi, rapidly melted like ice and snow meeting the scorching sun. The scorching flames instantly extinguished, leaving no trace.

"No!" Zhao Feng let out a desperate cry. He could clearly feel that his spiritual power was utterly powerless against Lu Chen's sword Qi. The immense force within the sword Qi impacted his Meridians, causing a dull ache, and his long sword flew out of his hand, heavily hitting the ground. He wanted to retreat, but found his body already restrained by Lu Chen's spiritual power, completely unable to Move. He could only watch helplessly as Lu Chen's sword Qi approached him.

Lu Chen did not deliver a killing blow. He merely channeled the spiritual power within his sword Qi and gently struck Zhao Feng's chest. Zhao Feng felt a gentle yet irresistible force, and his body involuntarily flew backward, crashing heavily in front of the Zhao Family allied army. He spat out fresh blood, his internal spiritual power completely chaotic, and his Meridians severely damaged. He could no longer stand up, having completely lost his combat ability.

"Zhao Feng!" Seeing this, Zhao Kun's eyes were filled with anger and heartache. He wanted to rush forward to treat him, but Elder Li Ping's gaze held him firmly in place. He could only forcefully suppress his impulse, his face ashen as he looked at Lu Chen, his eyes filled with gloom and unwillingness.

At the Alliance's front line, the soldiers cheered, their morale instantly reaching its peak. The cheers echoed through Black Wind Valley, completely dispelling the previous tension and replacing it with soaring fighting spirit and an unyielding belief in victory. Cries of "Captain Lu is mighty!" and "Alliance must win!" rose one after another. Even the Cultivators from Qingyun Sect and Hundred Herbs Valley showed admiration, praising Lu Chen's strength.

"What a 'Myriad Manifestations Return to One'! The complete Myriad Manifestations Art truly lives up to its reputation!" Ling Yun exclaimed, his eyes filled with awe. He could feel the profoundness of this Move; seemingly gentle, it actually contained infinite variations, combining offense and defense, far more profound than his azure cloud sword technique. Elder Li Ping also looked pleased. Lu Chen's performance far exceeded his expectations. With such a powerful vanguard, the Alliance's chances of victory had increased by several points.

Lu Chen put away his rune iron sword and calmly scanned the ranks of the Zhao Family allied army. The pressure around him grew even stronger. Seeing this, the soldiers of the Zhao Family allied army all showed fear and retreated, their previous arrogance completely gone. The scene of Lu Chen breaking the Heaven Burning Slash and defeating Zhao Feng had completely shattered their confidence. In the face of absolute strength, all ferocity became vulnerable.

At this moment, next to Zhao Feng's fallen long sword, a tattered small booklet slowly appeared. Lu Chen bent down to pick it up. The cover read "Blazing Fire Art Breaking Technique," and it detailed the weaknesses and breaking methods of the Blazing Fire Burning Heaven Art, even including various Moves that countered fire-attribute spiritual power. It was clearly an auxiliary guide for Zhao Family Cultivators practicing the Blazing Fire Burning Heaven Art, but now it had become Lu Chen's spoils of war. He carefully put the booklet away, secretly pondering that if he encountered enemies who practiced fire-attribute Cultivation Techniques in the future, this breaking technique would surely be of great use.

Zhao Kun stood at the front, looking at the disheartened soldiers and then at Lu Chen, who stood calmly not far away. His eyes were filled with malice and humiliation. In a short time, he had lost two major generals, Black Bear and Zhao Feng. Morale was completely crushed, and the original advantage was gone. The initiative of this great battle had fallen into the hands of the Anti-Zhao Alliance. He clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails digging deep into his palms, blood seeping out unnoticed. He secretly vowed that he would repay today's humiliation twofold in the future.

Lu Chen slowly walked back to the Alliance's front line. Elder Li Ping stepped forward and patted his shoulder, his eyes full of praise: "Lu Chen, well done! You not only defeated Zhao Feng, but also boosted our army's morale, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent great battle."

Lu Chen nodded, saying in a steady tone: "Elder, you flatter me. This is what I should do. Although the Zhao Family allied army's morale is low, their strength should still not be underestimated. We must not let our guard down and need to launch a general attack as soon as possible to crush them in one fell swoop."

Elder Li Ping nodded in agreement, his gaze sharp as he looked at the ranks of the Zhao Family allied army, and shouted loudly: "Zhao Kun, your two major generals have been defeated, and your morale is lost. Today, you are bound to lose! Those who know what's good for them, surrender quickly, otherwise, kill without mercy!"

Zhao Kun snorted coldly, his eyes full of unwillingness, but he also understood the current situation. He knew that if they continued to fight, they would only suffer more severe losses, and might even be completely annihilated. But he was ambitious and completely unwilling to surrender, so he gritted his teeth and said: "You want us to surrender? Dream on! Even if we have to fight to the last man, I will battle you to the death!" With that, he raised his hand and commanded: "Everyone, listen to my order, attack with full force! Kill one to break even, kill two to profit!"

Seeing this, the soldiers of the Zhao Family allied army could only brace themselves and charge forward. A full-scale battle finally officially erupted. Lu Chen, holding his rune iron sword, once again charged at the very front. The Alliance soldiers followed closely, rushing towards the Zhao Family allied army. Inside Black Wind Valley, sword light and shadows intertwined, the sounds of spiritual power collisions and screams rose one after another. A decisive battle that would determine the peace of the Cultivation World had entered a white-hot stage.