Novel Full Chapter 242: Gathering - 5
Chapter 242: Gathering – 5
Xue Ming’s hammer was forced backward as the tremendous physical strength contained in Li Yun’s punch overwhelmed even the enhanced force of his Strength Intent.
Xue Ming staggered backward several steps, his arms trembling violently from the impact as disbelief filled his face.
Li Yun, however, remained standing calmly where he was, his breathing steady and expression relaxed, as though this entire battle were nothing more than a simple exercise.
From beginning to end, he had never once been under pressure.
He was not struggling.
He was merely playing with Xue Ming.
Just as Li Yun was about to continue pressing the attack, another figure suddenly stepped into the battlefield.
“That is enough!”
Seeing Li Yun repeatedly targeted by Xue Ming, Han Li could no longer stand by and watch. His figure descended swiftly, landing between them with cold determination in his eyes.
“Han Li! Get out of here!” Xue Ming’s expression darkened as he glared at him. “This is a matter between the Boundless Martial Palace and the Martial Ascension Gate. It would be wise for your Burning Heaven Sect to stay out of it.”
Han Li’s voice turned icy. “Li Yun is my savior. If you make trouble for him, then you are making trouble for me.”
As a True Disciple of the Burning Heaven Sect, Han Li possessed considerable strength. Although he was only at the sixth level of the Qi Sea Realm and could not match Xue Ming directly, he was still capable of contending with him for a time.
Of course, he was nowhere near as monstrous as Li Yun. If Li Yun himself had reached the fifth level of the Qi Sea Realm, he could likely have killed Xue Ming in an instant.
Seeing Han Li intervene, Xue Ming turned sharply toward the third floor of the restaurant and called out, “Fan Qing, are you not going to make a move?”
Fan Qing remained seated, his expression calm and indifferent. “Why should I?”
Though they both belonged to the Boundless Martial Palace, he had no interest in helping Xue Ming.
At that moment, Yan Luo stepped forward and said coldly, “Fan Qing, do you know that during the expedition to the Black Wind Desert, more than half of the disciples from our Boundless Martial Palace died at Li Yun’s hands? Some of them were members of your Hegemony Alliance.”
Li Yun’s eyes widened in shock.
That was a blatant lie.
He had not killed anyone in the Black Wind Desert. On the contrary, he had spared them all. Not a single disciple of the Boundless Martial Palace had died by his hand there.
Hearing this accusation, Fan Qing finally turned his gaze toward Li Yun and asked in a low voice, “Is this true?”
“Absolutely not. She is lying,” Li Yun said firmly.
Yet inwardly, he already knew the truth. Fan Qing would never believe him. In this cultivation world, lies and schemes often carried more weight than honesty, and Li Yun could only sigh inwardly at how treacherous it truly was.
“You deserve to die.”
The moment those words left Fan Qing’s mouth, his figure vanished like a shadow.
In the next instant, he was already in front of Han Li.
His staff flashed with blue lightning, surging with the power of 30% Lightning Intent as it came crashing down.
Clang!
Han Li reacted instantly, drawing his sword and meeting the attack head-on. His blade shone with the force of 30% Sword Intent as the two powers collided violently.
The ground beneath them cracked apart under the impact.
In the end, Han Li was forced several steps backward.
Though both were True Disciples of their respective sects, Fan Qing’s cultivation was two levels higher, standing at the eighth level of the Qi Sea Realm. That advantage was enough to overpower Han Li in direct confrontation.
“Brother, I will help you.”
Han Xue immediately descended as well, landing beside Han Li and Li Yun, her expression filled with determination.
“Han Li, step aside.”
Fan Qing’s cold gaze locked onto Han Li, and a sharp killing intent flickered in his eyes like lightning before a storm.
Han Li did not retreat. His expression remained firm as he replied, “Fan Qing, do not forget that one piece of the incomplete map is still in my possession. Without me, none of you will ever find the tomb.”
Fan Qing’s eyes narrowed, his voice turning colder still. “Then I will simply kill you and take it.”
“Then try.”
Han Li drew a deep breath, and the killing intent in his own eyes surged forth in response.
Before the confrontation could erupt, Li Yun stepped forward and drew his sword.
“Han Li, Han Xue, leave them to me.”
Han Li’s gaze fell upon Li Yun’s unsheathed blade, and he immediately felt a wave of relief. He had not forgotten the single sword strike with which Li Yun had killed Mo Tian.
That attack had been one of the most terrifying sword techniques Han Li had ever witnessed, and Li Yun had used it as casually as though it were nothing. Seeing him draw his sword now gave Han Li complete confidence that Li Yun could face them head-on.
Fan Qing had not yet moved when Xue Ming let out a grim smile and said, “Fan Qing, let us join forces and wipe out all three of them.”
“That is right,” Yan Luo added coldly.
As she spoke, a small crimson banner appeared in her hand. The blood-red cloth fluttered in the air, releasing a vast and sinister aura that seemed soaked in endless slaughter.
Just as the tension reached its peak, Mu Lan rose from her seat.
“That is enough.”
Her voice was calm, yet it carried an authority that instantly froze the room.
A gentle aura spread outward from her body like ripples across still water, dissolving much of the murderous pressure in the hall and suppressing the battle intent filling the air.
Still, killing intent was not so easily erased. In the eyes of Xue Ming and the others, their hostility had only lessened, not disappeared.
“Attack!”
Xue Ming ignored her warning and still prepared to strike.