185: Chapter 185 Bitter Battle to Repel the Enemy

Outside the Immortal Cave, the moon was hidden and the stars had sunk, the evil wind cutting like a knife.

Three figures stood in a Three-Talents formation, pinning down the Void Realm and completely sealing off all his paths of retreat.

The leader was none other than Gao Ling, who had returned!

Beside him were two followers at the third level of the True Martial Realm; their Killing Intent was solid, and a cold gleam flowed over their weapons, reflecting the absolute Killing Intent in their eyes.

"Ye Tian! Did you think this mere Immortal Cave could protect you?"

Gao Ling's voice carried a chill that froze the Soul. "In the Contribution Hall, your luck hadn't run out! Tonight, this place shall be your burial ground!"

Ye Tian's thoughts raced as a chill rose from his spine.

The opponent had returned and chosen to strike in the dead of night to pull up the roots and eliminate the source!

"Gao Ling, breaking into a fellow Disciple's Immortal Cave at night to assassinate them—are you not afraid of the Sect's iron laws and having your cultivation stripped?"

Ye Tian's voice was ice-cold; the Five Elements True Essence within him surged and roared, his Protective Aura faintly appearing as his Divine Sense spread out, searching for a sliver of life.

"Iron laws? Hmph!"

Gao Ling let out a sneer that vibrated through the surroundings. "On this grand Dao, only living Prodigies are worthy of respect!

The fallen are nothing more than dry bones in a tomb!

Who would fight to the death against the forces behind us for the sake of a corpse?"

His words were arrogant, showing his deep Foundation and lack of fear.

"Noisy! Send him on his way!"

Gao Ling spoke no more and suddenly gave a thunderous shout!

The blade in his hand rang as it left its scabbard, the blade's body erupting with an eerie light!

Blade aura gushed out, transforming into a Nether Poison Python with grim scales; it opened its world-swallowing maw, and a foul wind swept through, distorting the Void Realm wherever it passed as it lunged straight for Ye Tian's throat!

This was an Intermediate Profound Rank Martial Skill—Umbral Shadow Fiend-Slaying Blade!

Exercising its full power now, its ferocious might shook heaven and earth!

Almost simultaneously, the followers on the left and right also launched their attacks!

One person's blade light was like the Milky Way hanging upside down, sealing the Eight Desolations and Six Directions.

The other's long whip was like a Poison Dragon rending the sky; whip shadows filled the air, instantly locking down all of Ye Tian's paths for evasion!

All retreat was cut off!

Only a battle to the death remained!

A fierce light burst from Ye Tian's eyes!

He pushed the Taixu Star-Shift Steps to the limit; as his body flickered, several solid afterimages were left in place, while his true body traversed between reality and illusion, dodging the Nether Poison Python's fatal pounce at the critical moment!

At the same time, he pointed with his right hand, a speck of divine light at his fingertip carrying peerless sharpness as it struck the weakest point of the Dao patterns in the blade light on the left!

His left hand transformed from a palm into a seal; water vapor misted between his palms as dark undercurrents surged, striking toward the long whip!

"Boom!"

The finger strength and the blade edge collided violently, erupting in a deafening roar as thousands of sparks exploded, lighting up the night!

The palm seal and the long whip clashed, and the airwave burst like a dam breaking, scattering in all directions and sending all the stones within several yards flying, leveling the area!

Ye Tian's body shook violently; he felt two primordial forces crushing down on him, the blood in his body churning and his Meridians feeling as if they would burst!

This was the absolute gap in Realm.

He staggered back a dozen steps, each step crushing the bluestone and leaving deep pits in the ground; a trail of crimson blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

The Killing Intent of Gao Ling and the other two grew even more intense, their offensive like a collapsing galaxy, continuous and unending!

The Nether blade aura and the sky-rending whip shadows intertwined into a Domain of death, completely submerging Ye Tian within it.

Ye Tian pushed his movement technique to the limit, shifting desperately within that sealed dead land; between his fingers, palms, fists, and kicks, the Five Elements True Essence flowed incessantly.

Unfortunately, the total amount and quality of his True Essence were far inferior; every head-on clash shook his Divine Soul, and he relied entirely on his Physical Body to hold on. The situation was already as precarious as a pile of eggs!

"Rip!"

A poisonous whip lashed heavily across Ye Tian's back!

His Protective Aura dimmed violently and instantly turned to ash; a whip mark deep enough to see the bone burst open, and blood immediately stained the night sky!

"Bang!"

Immediately after, Gao Ling took advantage of the opening with a Cold Poison Palm Print, striking Ye Tian's shoulder!

The poisonous power instantly invaded his body, frantically freezing his life force!

Ye Tian let out a muffled groan, his face turning deathly pale instantly; more blood gushed from his mouth, and his aura withered visibly to the naked eye.

In the blink of an eye, Ye Tian was covered in blood, his aura fluctuating violently.

A cruel pleasure appeared on Gao Ling's face, his offensive becoming even more violent, intending to kill him in one stroke.

"Only in a desperate situation... can one achieve Nirvana!"

A look of resolve flashed in Ye Tian's eyes; he suddenly bit the tip of his tongue, burning a drop of essence blood containing his life Origin, and his Divine Soul blazed brightly!

Inside his body, the five True Essences representing the Five Elements Origins surged frantically at an unprecedented speed, and a hazy Dao Palace within his body roared!

The supreme potential belonging to the Five Elements Sword Body was completely triggered at this life-and-death moment!

He no longer blindly defended; his gaze pierced through the air, and he actually endured a blade aura aftershock with the flesh of his shoulder, using that counter-shock destructive force to charge toward Gao Ling!

At the same time, his hands traced profound trajectories, drawing all the remaining True Essence around him to outline Dao talismans!

"Five Elements Rotation, Sealing the Heavens and Locking the Earth!"

Boom!

A massive five-colored divine ring suddenly appeared in the Void Realm!

The divine ring rotated, drawing the resonance of earth, fire, water, and wind, producing a terrifying binding force that instantly enveloped Gao Ling and the swordsman!

"A mere grain of rice dares to compete with the bright moon?!"

Gao Ling roared, the deep blue poisonous light within him erupting fully, frantically battering the walls of the five-colored divine ring.

The swordsman also roared repeatedly, his blade aura like a silk ribbon, frantically hacking at the light ring and kicking up a sky full of Spiritual Qi fragments.

Taking advantage of this fleeting gap, the sharp light in Ye Tian's eyes surged!

He used his fingers as a sword, condensing all his remaining strength—and even a wisp of the newborn Five Elements Sword Intent—at his fingertip!

"Swoosh!"

A sword glow containing the true intent of returning to Chaos shot out from his fingertip!

The target was aimed directly at the slight flaw Gao Ling revealed the moment he broke free from the restraint.

Gao Ling's expression changed drastically; a sense of fatal crisis instantly enveloped his entire body, and his Soul trembled!

He hurriedly brought his blade back to block, the eerie light on the blade condensing like a shield!

" Clang!"

The Chaos sword glow rubbed violently against the blade's edge, making a sound like tearing silk, and ripples appeared in space!

Although the sword glow was mostly weakened by the blade aura, it was still peerlessly sharp, instantly piercing through the protective True Essence on Gao Ling's wrist!

"Ah!"

Gao Ling let out a miserable scream as a terrifying bloody hole appeared at his wrist, blood gushing out!

The Sword Intent eroded him, and the heart-piercing pain caused his combat power to plummet instantly!

As for Ye Tian, having exhausted all his True Essence, he suddenly spat out a large mouthful of Origin essence blood; his body swayed, and his aura withered to the extreme, already on the brink of death.

"Senior Brother!"

The two followers were so frightened that they hurriedly flew forward to protect the heavily injured Gao Ling.

Gao Ling clutched his blood-drenched wrist, his face ashen with a hint of deathly gray; he looked at the fiercely glaring Ye Tian with shock and anger, and a bone-chilling coldness rose uncontrollably in his heart!

This boy was simply a desperate Vicious Beast from the primordial era!

He knew his injuries were extremely severe, and that strange wisp of Sword Intent was still frantically eroding his Meridians; while the opponent was at the end of his rope, that final counterattack of dying together might be even more terrifying.

Tonight's matter could no longer be accomplished; if they delayed any longer and attracted the Sect's patrol experts, everything would be lost.

"Go!"

Gao Ling squeezed out an extremely unwilling word from between his teeth, glared at Ye Tian fiercely, and then, supported by the two followers, transformed into three streaks of light and fled hastily into the vast night.

With the powerful enemies temporarily retreated, Ye Tian's tense will relaxed slightly; he could no longer hold on, staggered a few steps, and leaned against a cracked giant rock, coughing up blood heavily. Every breath pulled at the terrifying injuries all over his body, and his aura was weak, as if he would completely perish the next moment.

This heavy blow had almost shattered his Dao Foundation.

Just then, the sound of breaking air came from the distant horizon.

Two divine rainbows arrived gracefully, landing not far from Ye Tian and revealing the exquisite figures of Su Xuan and Mu Yu.

The two women's gazes swept over the ravaged battlefield and the blood-soaked Ye Tian leaning against the rock, and worry appeared on both their faces.

Su Xuan stepped forward a few paces but still maintained a reserved distance: "Junior Brother Ye? You... how did you end up so heavily injured?"

Her beautiful eyes moved, passing over the tragic traces on the battlefield, and her willow-like brows furrowed slightly as if in anger. "Could it be... Gao Ling's doing again?"

Mu Yu's gaze fell on the shocking wounds on Ye Tian's body: "Junior Brother Ye, your injuries are more important; take the medicine quickly."

She tapped her jade finger lightly, and a white jade pill bottle emitting a refreshing medicinal fragrance landed on the rock beside Ye Tian. "This is Jade Marrow Flesh-Growing Ointment; it has miraculous effects on physical injuries."

Ye Tian raised his head with difficulty, his face so pale there wasn't a trace of color: "Thank you, Senior Sisters..."

He didn't immediately take the pill bottle but instead struggled to circulate the faint remaining True Essence in his body to first suppress the rampaging foreign True Essence and cold poison.

Su Xuan sighed softly, her tone filled with indignation: "That scoundrel Gao Ling is acting more and more ruthlessly and recklessly!

To actually dare to use such a killing move!

Junior Brother Ye, please rest easy; I will definitely report this to the Law Enforcement Hall Elders and seek justice for you!"

Mu Yu also softly agreed: "Junior Brother, the most important thing right now is to recover from your injuries; the Evil Qi here hasn't dissipated, so it's not suitable to stay for long."

She scanned the surroundings vigilantly, her Divine Sense probing slightly, as if guarding against any hidden Killing Intent.

Ye Tian suppressed the metallic taste in his throat and barely cupped his hands, the movement pulling at his wounds and causing him to frown deeply: "I appreciate the Senior Sisters' kindness.

I will settle this Karma myself. I wouldn't dare trouble you."

His voice was weak, yet it carried a hint of distance.

Su Xuan and Mu Yu looked at each other, a strange light flashing in their eyes, but they did not insist.

Su Xuan nodded slightly: "In that case, Junior Brother should heal in peace; it's not convenient for us to disturb you.

If you need help, you can come to Tianji Peak to find me."

Mu Yu also nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

The two women spoke a few more gentle words of advice about resting quietly and then once again transformed into two brilliant divine rainbows, departing gracefully.

Watching the horizon where the two women disappeared, Ye Tian leaned against the cold rock and suddenly coughed violently, spitting out large mouthfuls of stagnant blood.

He exhausted his last bit of strength to struggle back into the Immortal Cave, fully activated the layers of Restrictions, and immediately sat cross-legged, taking the healing Medicinal Pills and circulating his Mystic Art with all his might to repair his nearly shattered Meridians.

This was the most severe injury he had suffered since embarking on the path of martial arts.

But it also allowed him, in a desperate situation, to have a deeper impression of the great terror between life and death.

Inside the Immortal Cave, the scent of blood and medicine intertwined, and the five-colored Dao patterns flickered.

For Ye Tian, this night was a Nirvana, long and agonizing.