Chapter 113: Fierce Battle

Magic patterns shimmered as a surge of overwhelming demonic energy erupted from his body. In an instant, the very heavens and earth seemed to shift in color. Yin Tianfang’s eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise.

"Boy, today I shall let you witness my true power!" A cold, menacing voice, heavy with icy murderous intent, echoed through the air. As the words faded, Zhao Zixiong’s figure suddenly vanished from where he stood, as if he had teleported.

Yin Tianfang’s pupils contracted. Only cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage could execute teleportation. No matter how high Zhao Zixiong’s cultivation base might be, it was impossible for him to have reached the Nascent Soul stage. Had he truly attained that level, he would not have been in such a wretched state under Yin Tianfang’s previous attacks.

With this thought, a spark of fervor ignited in Yin Tianfang’s heart. Zhao Zixiong must possess an incredibly profound technique that allowed his speed to achieve an effect akin to teleportation.

As he pondered, a chill rose from behind him, and the terrifying force of the incoming strike made his hair stand on end. Without a moment’s hesitation, he lunged toward the front left.

"Where do you think you're going!" Having missed his mark, Zhao Zixiong’s expression remained frigid; he flashed, vanishing from his spot once more. With a sharp glint in his eyes, Yin Tianfang retreated rapidly.

After retreating a hundred yards, Yin Tianfang finally came to a halt, his divine sense sweeping across the surroundings. After repeating this cycle several times, a faint, almost imperceptible smile curled the corners of his lips.

"As I thought," Yin Tianfang mused. Although the movement technique Zhao Zixiong employed was exquisite, it had its limitations. Within a hundred yards, he could achieve a teleportation-like effect, but once beyond that distance, he was left reaching for the unreachable.

With a flick of his will, crimson lotus flowers bloomed around him. Yin Tianfang slowly closed his eyes, his divine sense spreading out like fine threads, permeating every inch of the surrounding space.

He pointed a finger, and a crimson lotus spun, flying in the direction he indicated. The petals withered, dancing in the wind before suddenly dispersing into streaks of crimson sword energy, a sharp, killing aura sweeping through the area.

Under the onslaught of these countless sword strikes, a figure was forced into view, appearing in a disheveled state.

Zhao Zixiong stared at Yin Tianfang with a dark expression. The magic pattern on his forehead pulsed, and suddenly, a brilliant black radiance flared. "Boy, I admit you are strong, but you are still going to die!"

Zhao Zixiong’s voice was icy, thick with rage and malice. He formed seals with his hands, and a terrifying aura surged from his body. Obscure, incomprehensible syllables spilled from his lips as his form was gradually engulfed by darkness, as if he were devouring the very light around him.

Yin Tianfang’s expression turned grave. He pointed a finger, and countless lotus flowers transformed into a torrential rain of swords, flying toward Zhao Zixiong. Countless sword beams struck the darkness, only to be swallowed whole, disappearing without a trace.

"Hm?" A look of shock instantly appeared in Yin Tianfang’s eyes.

As he watched in astonishment, the darkness gradually dissipated, revealing Zhao Zixiong within. At this moment, Zhao Zixiong’s eyes were pitch black, the magic pattern on his forehead glimmered with dark light, and his face had become twisted and terrifying, with two sharp horns protruding from his brow.

With a flash, Zhao Zixiong moved like a bolt of black lightning, charging straight at Yin Tianfang. Carried by a mountainous aura, he raised his fist and slammed it toward Yin Tianfang with brutal force.

It was a savage blow, lacking any nuance; it possessed only raw, peerless power. As the fist struck the void, the compressed air erupted in waves of sonic booms.

Yin Tianfang’s expression shifted slightly, and he felt a sense of dread at the power contained within that punch. For a cultivator at the Core Formation stage to possess such a formidable physical body was something even spirit beasts might not achieve. Yet, this Zhao Zixiong before him had pushed his physique to the absolute limit.

He flicked his sleeve, and an invisible giant hand swiped violently toward Zhao Zixiong.

Boom!

The explosion echoed through the air. Zhao Zixiong shattered the hand formed by the Gravity Technique with a single punch, his speed undiminished as he charged at Yin Tianfang.

Yin Tianfang’s expression changed again. With a flick of his mind, crimson lotus flowers appeared in the void, and a sea of petals began to rain down.

Zhao Zixiong remained cold-faced, throwing another punch. The terrifying force was such that even the void seemed unable to withstand it; as his fist struck, ripples spread through the air, and a terrifying storm surged forward. Under this invisible force, the rain of petals faltered for a moment before shattering completely.

One punch to break all techniques!

Every technique Yin Tianfang used was crushed by this single strike from Zhao Zixiong. By now, Zhao Zixiong was already upon him, and Yin Tianfang had no time to cast another spell.

Watching the rapidly enlarging fist, Yin Tianfang slapped his storage bag. A magical treasure flew out, forming a barrier, followed immediately by a second, then a third...

In a matter of moments, Yin Tianfang had erected ten layers of defense before him. The terrifying fist smashed through them, shattering the treasures one by one.

As the treasures exploded, the residual force of the punch struck Yin Tianfang’s body. He groaned, a mouthful of blood spraying into the air.

A flash of light occurred, and Yin Tianfang’s figure vanished instantly from the spot. Zhao Zixiong’s punch slammed into the space where Yin Tianfang had just stood.

Thud!

The void emitted a sound like a beating war drum. Zhao Zixiong slowly retracted his fist, his gaze fixed on Yin Tianfang a hundred meters away, his icy eyes narrowing slightly.

Yin Tianfang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, clutching a jade slip in his hand.

"Crack!" A fissure appeared on the slip. Looking at the crack, a pang of heartache crossed Yin Tianfang’s eyes. This jade slip was something he had obtained from Yang Bo; it was a secret treasure crafted by a Nascent Soul cultivator that allowed the user to teleport. This was true, genuine teleportation.

However, it had a limited number of uses—each time it was activated, the remaining count diminished. Once the jade slip shattered completely, it would be rendered useless.

At the critical moment just now, it was precisely by activating this slip that Yin Tianfang had evaded Zhao Zixiong’s lethal strike. He knew that had he taken that punch head-on, he would have been severely injured.

Looking at Zhao Zixiong, Yin Tianfang licked his lips, an irrepressible glint of greed flashing in his eyes. Yet, his state of mind remained remarkably steady; he did not lose his composure.

"You dare show me greed? You are courting death!" With a cold snort, Zhao Zixiong’s expression grew frigid and even more grotesque. He flickered continuously, rapidly closing the distance to Yin Tianfang.

"Die!" A thick black radiance emanated from his fist. The immense pressure bearing down on him made Yin Tianfang feel as if he were facing a prehistoric beast.

The fist, shimmering with dark light, was like a black hole, consuming everything. As the blow descended, it seemed as if even the surrounding air were being swallowed. Yin Tianfang felt a powerful force emanating from behind him, pushing him toward the fist.

The air to his left, right, and behind him acted like three invisible hands, pinning him in place and forcing his body to draw ever closer to Zhao Zixiong.