Chapter 0560: The Fastest
Meanwhile, the battle between the First Princess and Lan Lan had reached fever pitch. The two had a good idea of the other's strength and thus there was no need to probe. Every blow they exchanged was full of lethal intent.
"High-grade dragon-general resonance art, Green Luan Sword Technique." The First Princess took the initiative to burst out with her strongest resonance art. With a shout, green light blanketed the skies and a thousand-foot Luan took shape, fluttering its wings majestically, causing nine green feathers to gradually descend.
These nine feathers transformed into sword lights in a blink, each possessing heaven-rending sharpness, warping the space around the Luan. One's blood could turn cold just from seeing it.
Even the ones observing from the side could feel a piercing pain in its presence, testament to its unparalleled power.
One does not simply look down upon the First Princess. She was still a peak contender of the Four Star Hall across all of the Sage Colleges across the continent.
Lan Lan similarly did not take things lightly. Seeing his opponent bring out her trump card, his expression turned grave. In response, he formed a series of hand signs with lightning speed, leaving behind afterimages.
At the same time, the blurry avatar behind him started to take form even quicker.
"Green Luan Sword Lotus!"
Her emotionless gaze was coupled with a green rune soaring out of the scepter in her hand, with the nine sword lights arrayed around it, forming an elegant sight that instilled both awe and fear within the viewers around her.
The green sword lotus exuded terrifying might as it whirled with ferocious intent, swallowing and absorbing all of the worldly natural energy, gaining the strength to constantly tear the void apart.
In a blink, it tunneled through the void to arrive straight at Lan Lan.
With great speed and momentum, it collided right into him.
Under the anxious gazes of all, everyone was on the edges of their seats.
Boom!
Right at the moment of collision, millions of green sword lights swept outwards with cataclysmic force, eviscerating everything and anything, gouging out deep furrows in the ground near the point of impact. The space where Lan Lan was standing looked to be even more devastated, almost fragmenting under the pressure of its own existence.
Sword light blanketed half the sky in a momentary flash of grandeur.
First Princess continued to stare at the shattered area of space but 10 breaths later, her expression wryly changed.
As the space gradually repaired and restored itself, where Lan Lan used to stand had appeared a mysterious power that gradually radiated outwards. This strange force seemed to possess immeasurable might and was as vast as the abyss! Where it passed through, sword light would be swallowed and dissipate without a trace.
Just as quickly as it came, the green sword lotus disintegrated into thin air. Meanwhile, Lan Lan was currently floating in midair, the giant avatar behind him already completely materialized.
Incomparable, incomprehensible power radiated from it.
Even the curious gazes from within the mountain forest all contained glints of fear.
This was Lan Lan's Enlightened Sage Scripture finally demonstrating its capabilities.
"Senior Gong, Lan Lan has brought out his trump card. If we don't help out now, the First Princess will undoubtedly be eliminated!" Duze Honglian's expression turned anxious as she blurted out her thoughts.
Gong Shenjun calmly watched the scene before him. "As I said before, The moment I act, the situation will become incredibly difficult. Instead, we should hope that Junior Jiang is able to quickly capture Lu Jinci and turn the tables."
With that, Duze Honglian immediately turned to look towards Jiang Qing'e, one of many watching the other critical battle unfolding.
Bang!
Lu Jinci had been struck by another blast of light resonant energy, being knocked flying and crashing into a boulder.
However, he completely disregarded his injuries, quickly summoning more resonant power and escaping as though his life truly depended upon it.
Right after he moved, a pillar of light crashed down upon where he was just standing, piercing deeply into the ground.
His eyes furrowed at the sight of that attack. That was the light resonant energy's Demonbane Nails, something he had managed to amply experience during the hall-level competition. The moment he was afflicted by it, his resonant power would inevitably be sealed.
If this were to happen, the result would be plain for all to see. Defeat.
"Senior Lan, please act quicker! I can't hold on any longer!" Lu Jinci screamed in fear with cold sweat beading down his back.
Hearing his cries of help, Lan Lan could feel the urgency of the situation, and his expression turned grim. Staring right at the First Princess, he spoke bluntly. "Since you're unwilling to back off, then I'll take you down myself!"
He quickly formed a series of hand seals, and the giant avatar behind him started to move.
Absolute crushing pressure descended from the skies, blanketing the First Princess in its full fury.
Her expression ashen, even she could feel a hint of fear surfacing from deep within. However, this did not mean that she would give up. She steeled her resolve, tightly grasping the green jade scepter, pushing her resonant power to its extremes.
Seven heavenly pearls took form behind her, and resplendent brilliance spilled out from them.
This was the last stand.
The First Princess might be of the fairer sex, but her determination and bravery far surpassed that of any of the guys around her.
Lan Lan took a deep breath but remained unflustered. The massive avatar began to act, and the worldly natural energy around it was frantically incited, creating waves of power in its vicinity.
Alas, just as he was about to execute the three kowtows, a certain voice piped up, ruining the suspense.
"Senior Lan, why don't you stop there? Look who I have!" The interruption was unexpected, and Lan Lan was taken aback. Turning to face the source of the distraction, his pupils shrank at the sight of what greeted him. [1]
Atop a pile of rubble stood a triumphant Li Luo, his hand grasping the Onyx-Elephant Blade with its blade pointing directly at the chest of a kneeling Jing Taixu. There was also a spiritual mirror looming above them. Lan Lan seemed a little lost in thought at that moment.
“Jing Taixu lost?
“How... Why...? What happened and how did Jing Taixu lose so quickly?”
How was this possible? Li Luo may have taken the victory in the hall-level competition, but it was a hardfought, pyrrhic victory. On the other hand, he currently seemed to be radiating with energy, as though he had barely even warmed up!
“How did he win?”
Lan Lan glanced at Jing Taixu, whose expression was pale and seemingly in a trance.
Some surprised shouts could also be heard coming from within the forest.
This was completely outside of everyone's expectations.
Everyone had expected their battle to be drawn out and bitter. Thus, no one had bothered to watch them, considering the fact that speed was the key. In fact, the focus was on Lan Lan and the First Princess.
Yet even before Jiang Qing'e was able to corner Lu Jinci, Li Luo had already concluded the battle.
This was also before Lan Lan could utilize his final move, forcing things into an impasse.
Even Duze Honglian was taken by surprise at this scene. Most people couldn't even believe their eyes.
"How did Li Luo beat him so quickly?" Zhu Xuan asked.
Duze Honglian could only heave a sigh. Although she did not understand how this was achieved, Li Luo had truly captured Jing Taixu as a hostage the quickest. If Lan Lan were to continue with his actions, he would have to bear the consequences.
Even the valiant and heroic Gong Shenjun was astonished. Paying greater attention to Li Luo, he finally let out a smile.
"Our dear Junior Li Luo is truly a man of miracles."
1. TL Note: The ability of the Enlightened Sage Scripture is that the avatar will kowtow thrice, if you've forgotten! ☜