166: Chapter 166 The Final Battle in the Eternal Night: Breaking the Qi Barrier and the Final Chapter of the Core Tower

Section 1: Infiltration of the Icefield: The Polar Synergy of Flowing Cloud and the Guide

The polar night of the Eternal Night Icefield shrouded the land. The low temperature of minus 55 degrees Celsius made the air seem to congeal, with only the faint light of the North Star flickering in the black canopy. Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng and the reconnaissance team led by Amir, under the guidance of the Norwegian guide Erik, stepped on the thick ice and sneaked toward the Spirit-Devouring Qi Energy barrier—they were clad in anti-Spirit-Devouring low-temperature battle armor. The Origin Qi coating on the armor's surface shimmered with a pale golden light, resisting the piercing cold wind while shielding their own Qi Energy fluctuations to avoid detection by patrolling Puppets.

"The edge of the Qi Energy barrier is 300 meters ahead," Erik whispered, pointing to the faintly visible black mist in front of them. "Hidden in that mist are 'Spirit-Devouring Sensing Puppets.' Their Qi Energy detection range reaches 50 meters. Once they sense the Qi Energy of a living person, they will trigger the barrier's alarm." He took out an 'Icefield Leyline Crystal' from his backpack. After injecting a small amount of Qi Energy, the crystal glowed with a pale blue light. "This crystal can absorb Leyline Qi Energy. If we follow its guidance, we can bypass the Puppets' detection zones along the leyline fissures."

Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng nodded and injected his pale white Flowing Cloud Qi into the crystal—the Flowing Cloud Qi intertwined with the Leyline Qi Energy, making the crystal's light more stable and tracing a clear blue trail on the ice. The three followed the trail, each step as light as treading on cotton. Amir's Pyramid Qi Energy formed a thin cover around him, instantly transforming exhaled white breath into harmless water vapor to avoid leaving traces on the ice.

When they reached 50 meters from the edge of the barrier, Amir suddenly stopped. The gem on his Qi Energy Sensing Staff turned from pale green to pale purple: "20 meters to the front left, there are two sensing Puppets!" Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng immediately dispersed his Flowing Cloud Qi, probing toward the target like silk threads—surely enough, two snow-white Puppets were half-buried in the ice, with only the detection devices on their heads exposed. Black Qi Energy threads wove into an invisible detection net around them.

"Use 'Flowing Cloud Silk Entanglement' to seal their detection ports!" Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng ordered softly. The pale white Flowing Cloud Qi shot out like venomous snakes, precisely entangling and firmly wrapping the detection devices on the Puppets' heads. Erik took the opportunity to step forward, using an ice axe to gouge small holes in the ice around the Puppets and injecting the Qi Energy from the leyline crystal. The ice froze instantly, firmly fixing the Puppets in place. Amir then took out 'Qi Energy Suppression Stickers' and placed them on the Puppets' core positions, completely cutting off their signal connection to the barrier.

In just 10 minutes, the reconnaissance team cleared 5 sensing Puppets from the edge of the barrier and successfully reached the 'barrier weak point' previously locked through chip data—the black mist here was thinner than in other areas, and the flow of Leyline Qi Energy could be vaguely seen beneath the ice. Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng took out a 'Flowing Cloud Qi Energy Recording Talisman' and synchronized the coordinates and Qi Energy fluctuation data of the weak point to the main force of the alliance. Amir set up a 'Pyramid Warning Array' in the vicinity to ensure no Puppets would approach before the follow-up assault team arrived.

In the global live broadcast's 'infiltration perspective,' viewers watched the desolation and danger of the icefield through the night-vision cameras on the reconnaissance team's helmets. The comment section was filled with messages like: "Too tense! Thank goodness for Erik's crystal!" "Flowing Cloud Qi is so flexible, it can actually seal the Puppets' detection ports!" "Go recon team, we're just waiting for your signal!" Data from the Technical Department showed that the 'focus index' of global viewers surpassed 98% at this moment; everyone was staring at the screen, afraid to miss a single detail.

Section 2: Barrier Assault: The Breakthrough Power of the Five Elements and Origin

Two hours later, the main force of the alliance reached the icefield assembly point. The Five Elements-Hidden Weapon assault team led by Mu Qing and Ling Shuang set out first toward the barrier's weak point—they pushed a special 'Five Elements Formation Vehicle.' The five jade pendants on the vehicle, nourished by Origin Qi, glowed with multicolored light, forming a sharp contrast with the polar night of the icefield.

"According to the drill plan, Ling Shuang is responsible for clearing the surrounding patrolling Puppets with armor-piercing hidden weapons, and I'll set up the Five Elements Formation!" Mu Qing shouted, stopping the vehicle 50 meters in front of the barrier and quickly deploying the formation base—pale green Wood Qi, pale yellow Earth Qi, pale blue Water Qi, pale red Fire Qi, and pale gold Metal Qi spread along the base, forming a massive Five Elements totem on the ice. The groove in the center of the totem fit perfectly with the 'Origin Qi Core' distributed by the fusion jade.

Ling Shuang led the hidden weapon squad, holding 'Qi Energy Armor-Piercing Crossbows' aimed at the Puppets around the barrier—these Puppets were more powerful than the Dark Qi elites encountered before, with 'Origin Absorption Runes' engraved on their armor that could actively absorb surrounding Qi Energy. "Aim for their joints! There's no rune protection there!" Ling Shuang pulled the trigger, and pale golden armor-piercing crossbow bolts streaked past like meteors, precisely hitting the Puppets' knee joints. The Puppets' movements instantly stiffened; the squad members took the opportunity to fire more bolts, destroying all the Puppets' joints and causing them to lose mobility.

"Five Elements Formation ready! Requesting Origin Qi injection!" Mu Qing's voice came through the communicator. Chen Wu immediately placed the Origin Core distributed by the fusion jade into the totem's groove—pale gold and pale green Qi Energy surged into the formation like a tide. The Five Elements Energy was instantly activated, and multicolored light soared into the sky, colliding with the black mist of the barrier and producing a 'sizzling' sound of Qi Energy friction.

"Now! Activate the 'Five Elements Origin Barrier-Breaking Formula'!" Mu Qing formed hand seals, and the Five Elements Energy condensed into a massive 'Formation-Breaking Hammer' in front of him, smashing toward the barrier's weak point—the black mist fluctuated violently, and a two-meter-wide gap appeared, but the mist at the edges of the gap flowed rapidly, attempting to self-heal. "Use Armor-Piercing Halberds to fix the gap!" Ling Shuang reacted extremely fast, leading her squad to insert Origin Qi-infused Armor-Piercing Halberds into the ice on both sides of the gap. The golden light from the blades acted like anchors, firmly fixing the gap in place.

Just then, 10 'Dark Qi Commander Puppets' suddenly rushed out from inside the barrier—their bodies were twice the size of the elite Puppets, and they held 'Spirit-Devouring Energy Great Axes' in their hands. The purple corrosive Qi Energy on the axe blades could directly destroy Origin Qi. "Master Xuankong! Requesting support!" Mu Qing shouted. The defense-healing team led by Master Xuankong immediately stepped forward, their golden Zen Energy forming a massive shield in front of them to block the Puppets' axe attacks. Pale golden light collided with purple Qi Energy, bursting into brilliant sparks on the icefield.

"Use Zen Energy to purify their corrosive Qi Energy!" Master Xuankong shouted, injecting Zen Energy into the shield. The golden light spread like ripples, and the purple Qi Energy on the Puppets' axe blades was instantly purified. Granny Yao took the opportunity to inject the Nature Qi of Spirit Incense Grass into the ice; the pale green light spread along the ice, entangling the Puppets' ankles and preventing them from advancing. Mu Qing and Ling Shuang seized the chance to increase the Qi Energy output of the Five Elements Formation again. The gap expanded from two meters to five meters, enough for the main force to enter. The barrier assault was a complete success!

Section 3: Puppet Containment: The Alliance's Hot-Blooded Collaborative Counterattack

After breaking through the barrier, the main force of the alliance advanced toward the Core Tower but encountered a large-scale Puppet containment at the 'Spirit-Devouring Square' in the center of the icefield—a full 50 Dark Qi Commander Puppets were arranged in a 'Spirit-Devouring Absolute Kill Array,' surrounding the alliance in the center of the square. The Puppets' great axes were raised simultaneously, and purple corrosive Qi Energy condensed on the blades, forming a massive Qi Energy encirclement.

"Everyone, break out by squads!" Chen Wu's voice spread across the field through the communicator. "Engineering team, set up temporary defensive fortifications. Medical team, be responsible for treating wounded members. Signal team, maintain contact with the Qi Energy stations. Assault team, follow me and break through toward the Core Tower!"

The engineering team led by Wang Lei acted immediately, tapping rapidly on the ice with Qi Energy Reinforcement Hammers—pale golden Origin Qi was injected into the ice through the hammer tips, and half-meter-high Qi Energy defensive walls rose from the ground, protecting the alliance members within. Nurse Emily's medical team set up 'healing points' behind the defensive walls, using the Zen Energy-Nature Qi first aid method to purify the wounds of members grazed by corrosive Qi Energy. On the wounded members' battle armor, black marks vanished instantly upon contact with the pale green Nature Qi.

Xiao Juan and Karim's signal team hid behind the defensive wall, holding Qi signal sticks glowing with red light. They needed to maintain contact with global Qi stations and obtain real-time support under the Qi interference of the Puppets. "The signal fluctuation is too great!" Karim shouted anxiously. Xiao Juan suddenly remembered the 'Nature Qi Resonance' taught by Granny Yao and injected the Qi of Spirit Incense Grass into the signal stick. The pale green light intertwined with the red light of the signal stick, and the signal stabilized instantly, clearly transmitting support instructions from the London Qi Station: "Global Qi stations have simultaneously released Origin Qi to provide you with remote Qi replenishment!"

The assault team led by Chen Wu seized the opportunity and charged toward the Core Tower. He held the fusion jade above his head, and the dual Origin Qi formed a 'Purification Charge Formation' in front of him; the pale gold and pale green light cut through the Puppets' Qi encirclement like sharp blades. Amir's Pyramid Qi and Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng's Flowing Cloud Qi intertwined, forming a 'Qi Passage' in front of the assault team to avoid the Puppets' giant axe attacks. Ling Shuang's armor-piercing hidden weapons precisely attacked the Puppets' cores, with each crossbow bolt injected with Origin Qi, destroying a Puppet in a single hit.

The most blood-pumping part was the 'remote support' from global martial arts fans. Through the 'Qi Resonance' function of the traditional martial arts APP, 380 billion fans simultaneously transmitted their own Qi to the allied forces. On the surfaces of the assault team members' battle armor, the pale gold light grew brighter and brighter, as Origin Qi poured into their bodies like an endless tide. "I feel like I have inexhaustible strength!" Wang Lei brandished his Qi Energy Reinforcement Hammer, breaking a Puppet's giant axe with one blow. The pale gold Qi spread along the hammer handle, purifying the corrosive Qi on the Puppet.

Half an hour later, all 50 Dark Qi Commander Puppets were destroyed, leaving only broken alloy wreckage and melted ice on the Spirit-Devouring Square. Although the members of the allied forces were exhausted, they could not hide the excitement in their eyes—they were only the final 1,000 meters away from the Core Tower, and victory was in sight. In the bullet chat of the global live stream, viewers cheered: "The allied forces are too amazing! Even 50 Puppets couldn't stop them!" "Remote Qi support was too crucial; this is the power of global traditional martial arts!" "The Core Tower is right ahead, charge!"

Section 4: The Core Tower Decisive Battle: The Origin Purification of the fusion jade

The allied forces finally arrived at the foot of the Core Tower—this metal building, about 50 meters high, was entirely covered in pitch-black Spirit-Devouring Runes. The 'Artificial Qi Core' at the top of the tower glowed with purple light, continuously absorbing the Leyline Qi Energy of the icefield. Beneath the ice layer around the tower, countless black 'Qi Conduits' were entwined, transporting the absorbed Leyline Qi Energy into the core.

"Those are 'Origin Plunder Conduits'!" Granny Yao pointed at the conduits under the ice, her eyes full of anger. "They are not only absorbing Leyline Qi Energy but are also extracting the Origin Qi of traditional martial artists worldwide through those conduits! We must cut the conduits first, then destroy the core!"

Mu Qing immediately led the Five Elements Team to set up a 'Five Elements Purification Formation' around the Core Tower. Five jade pendants were inserted into the key nodes of the conduits, and pale five-colored Qi spread along the conduits, colliding with the black Spirit-Devouring Energy. The flow of Qi in the conduits instantly stagnated, and the purple light of the core at the tower's top dimmed slightly. "The conduits have been cut!" Mu Qing shouted, "But the core's self-repair ability is very strong. We can only trap it for 10 minutes at most. We must destroy the core within 10 minutes!"

Chen Wu took a deep breath, gripped the fusion jade tightly in his hand, and the dual Origin Qi at his Dantian circulated violently. He flew toward the top of the Core Tower, the pale gold and pale green Qi forming a 'Dual Qi Ladder' beneath his feet, making every step as stable as if he were treading on solid ground. Just as he was about to reach the top, a black figure suddenly rushed out from the core; it was the final leader of the Spirit-Devouring Organization—the 'Spirit-Devouring Sovereign'!

"You think with this little bit of skill, you can destroy my Core Tower?" The Spirit-Devouring Sovereign's voice carried a metallic coldness. He was shrouded in dense black Qi, holding a 'Spirit-Devouring Origin Sword' in his hand, the runes on the sword sharing the same source as the Core Tower's runes. "I have already absorbed the Origin Qi of over a hundred traditional martial arts schools. Now, I am the 'New Dominator' of traditional martial arts!"

The Spirit-Devouring Sovereign swung his sword at Chen Wu, and the black Qi fell like a waterfall. Chen Wu immediately blocked it with the fusion jade. The pale gold and pale green Origin Qi collided with the black Qi, exploding into a massive Qi shockwave at the top of the tower, even causing cracks to open in the ice. "What you absorbed is not the Origin of traditional martial arts, but a twisted, evil power!" Chen Wu shouted, injecting his dual Origin Qi into the fusion jade. The light from the jade grew brighter and brighter. "Today, I will use the true Origin of traditional martial arts to purify your evil existence!"

The two engaged in a fierce duel at the top of the tower. The Spirit-Devouring Sovereign's sword moves were ruthless, each strike carrying corrosive Qi, attempting to destroy Chen Wu's Origin Qi. Chen Wu relied on the purification power of the fusion jade, using his dual Qi to skillfully neutralize the attacks while searching for a flaw in the Spirit-Devouring Sovereign's defense. When the Spirit-Devouring Sovereign swung his sword again, Chen Wu seized the opportunity to press the fusion jade against the runes on the sword's blade. The pale gold and pale green Qi spread along the runes, and the black Qi was instantly purified as dense cracks appeared on the blade.

"No—!" The Spirit-Devouring Sovereign let out a miserable scream and tried to reclaim his longsword, but he was struck in the chest by Chen Wu's dual Qi punch, falling heavily onto the Core Tower's platform. Chen Wu took the chance to press the fusion jade against the artificial core. Origin Qi poured into the core like a tide, and the purple Spirit-Devouring Energy was rapidly purified. The core began to flicker violently, emitting a 'crackling' sound as it shattered.

"Traditional martial artists of the world, inject your Qi with me!" Chen Wu's voice spread across the globe through the Qi network, and 380 billion fans simultaneously transmitted their Qi. Pale gold and pale green Qi converged at the top of the Core Tower like a river of light. The fusion jade's radiance reached its peak, and the last trace of Spirit-Devouring Energy in the core was completely purified. The metal shell of the Core Tower began to lose its black color, revealing the pale gold Leyline Qi stone core inside.

Section 5: Dawn of Victory: The traditional martial arts Sunrise on the Eternal Night Icefield

With the purification of the core, the black Qi mist of the Eternal Night Icefield began to dissipate, and the light of the North Star once again illuminated the land. The Leyline Qi Energy beneath the ice resumed its normal flow, becoming even denser than before—it turned out that the foundation of this artificial core was an 'Ancient Leyline Qi Stone' that had been forcibly modified by the Spirit-Devouring Organization. Now, under the purification of the fusion jade, it finally returned to its original form.

The Spirit-Devouring Sovereign lay on the platform, watching the dissipating mist, his eyes filled with despair: "I thought that by controlling the Origin of traditional martial arts, I could become the Dominator, but I didn't expect that the true Origin of traditional martial arts is protection, not plunder..." Under the purification of the Origin Qi, his body gradually turned into specks of light, dissipating into the air of the icefield.

The members of the allied forces gathered beneath the Core Tower, looking at the fusion jade and the Leyline Qi stone at the top, their faces filled with the smiles of victory. Wang Lei and Erik high-fived, celebrating the successful Breakthrough of the barrier; Nurse Emily and Granny Yao embraced, relieved that there were no serious casualties; Xiao Juan and Karim ran across the icefield holding their signal sticks, leaving behind a trail of joyful footprints. Hidden masters like Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng and Master Xuankong stood to the side, watching this hard-won victory with eyes full of gratification.

The final frame of the global live stream lingered on the dawn of the Eternal Night Icefield—the first ray of sunlight broke through the polar night sky, spilling onto the Core Tower. The pale gold Leyline Qi intertwined with the sunlight, forming a massive pillar of light that shot straight into the clouds. The members of the allied forces stood under the pillar of light, raising their weapons and Qi equipment, shouting in unison: "traditional martial arts will prevail! Protection will prevail!"

In the bullet chat, 380 billion viewers simultaneously sent messages like "We won!", "traditional martial arts are too great!", and "We did it!", forming a "River of Victory" that covered the globe and intertwined with the pillar of light on the icefield, illuminating the future of traditional martial arts. Chen Wu stood at the top of the tower, holding the fusion jade, feeling the Qi Resonance of traditional martial artists worldwide. He knew that the final battle on the Eternal Night Icefield was not the end, but a new beginning for the Legacy of traditional martial arts; as long as traditional martial artists worldwide held onto their original intention of 'protection' and remained united, the light of traditional martial arts would forever illuminate the world, allowing the philosophy of 'traditional martial arts protect everyone, and everyone inherits traditional martial arts' to flow on forever.

As the allied forces left the Eternal Night Icefield in transport planes, the Leyline Qi stone on the icefield still glowed with pale gold light, as if guarding this land that was once shrouded in evil, and also witnessing the great victory of the traditional martial arts alliance against the Spirit-Devourers. In the distant sky, the North Star and the sunlight shone together, signaling a new dawn for traditional martial arts civilization.