A burst of green light erupted from Xu Qingning's body following her angry shout, and then the branches on her body began to fall off inch by inch.
Like withered branches in winter, they soon all turned brown, and even finally turned to ash bit by bit, scattering on the ground.
"Ku Mu Feng Chun."
Watching Xu Qingning perform her technique, Su Xi couldn't help but reveal a glint in her eyes, disbelieving that Xu Qingning possessed such a cultivation method.
The Ku Mu Feng Chun technique had reached the level of a Heaven-grade technique, rumored to have the ability to bring the dead back to life. Such a powerful technique was rare even in the Five Great Immortal Mountains.
And Xu Qingning, just a disciple, possessed a Heaven-grade technique, and such a potent one at that.
Who exactly was her identity?
Lan Ling had also not expected Xu Qingning to have such a means of rebirth, but at the final moment, she was unwilling to give up just yet.
If Xu Qingning did not die, then she would be the one to die.
As long as Xu Qingning was thrown out as a sacrifice, the Silver Soul Wood would mature completely, and she would save a lot of trouble.
Therefore, she quickened her pace and, with a sudden surge of strength, directly hurled the still-incomplete Xu Qingning towards it.
The Silver Soul Wood was no ordinary object; even with Xu Qingning's powerful technique, if it touched the Silver Soul Wood, it would ultimately turn into withered wood, becoming a sacrifice.
Just as the Silver Soul Wood was about to touch Xu Qingning, her body suddenly shrank. In an instant, she returned to her human form, creating a gap between herself and the Silver Soul Wood.
Seizing this sliver of opportunity, Xu Qingning turned and, at the last possible moment, dodged the touch of the Silver Soul Wood.
Reborn, Xu Qingning now stared at Su Xi and Lan Ling with bloodshot eyes, her killing intent undisguised. If it weren't for these two, she would never have had to pay such a heavy price to use this technique.
Although the method of Ku Mu Feng Chun was extremely powerful, it came with a great cost each time it was used.
To return to her human form, she had consumed two hundred years of her lifespan, and her end was not far off. If she could not advance to the next stage, she would die.
Her cultivation had been forcibly shortened by such a significant period, and Xu Qingning naturally felt immense anger, desperately wanting a place to vent her rage.
"You will all die today." Xu Qingning's voice trembled with agitation, and a chilling aura began to emanate from her entire being.
Instantly, a series of storms appeared around her body.
Within this aura, everything in its path withered, and all life was instantly devoured.
"???"
Lan Ling had not expected Xu Qingning to possess such a formidable ability. She immediately hid behind Su Xi, praying incessantly.
She could only place her hopes on Su Xi now, hoping Su Xi could deal with Xu Qingning.
She was still young and did not wish to die so soon.
Su Xi, looking at Xu Qingning displaying her might, did not appear overly worried. Instead, a hint of mockery lingered on her face.
Ku Mu Feng Chun was an excellent survival skill, but it did not necessarily mean its offensive capabilities were equally powerful. As long as she was careful and prudent, the victor was still uncertain.
After all, Xu Qingning, despite her current cultivation, had used such a potent technique, so she must have considerable expenditure.
As long as she could endure, she would eventually wear Xu Qingning down.
Xu Qingning also knew that her current sudden surge of power to the late Golden Core stage was purely due to a deathbed resurgence, hence this temporary boost.
Once time passed, her cultivation would revert to its previous level, and she would also experience a prolonged period of weakness.
Therefore, if she wanted to defeat Su Xi, she had to act quickly while she was strong, or she would become the prey.
With this thought, Xu Qingning's movements suddenly accelerated. Tangible vines erupted from the ground around her, coiling towards Su Xi.
Although the vines were not large, they were covered in barbs, each one glinting with a cold light. If entangled, it would certainly be more than just a mere scratch.
Seeing the coiling vines, Su Xi knew they were not simple. She raised the Meteor God Sword in her hand and struck directly.
However, to Su Xi's surprise, these vines could not be cut. Instead, they coiled along the sword's blade.
In an instant, the Meteor God Sword was densely wrapped.
At the same time, Su Xi felt an immense force transmitted through the Meteor God Sword, and then the sword was pulled from her grasp.
What had just happened?
Lan Ling's face turned pale as she witnessed this scene.
Now that Su Xi's weapon had been taken away, what would they do next?
Would she truly die here with her?
If only she hadn't helped Su Xi back then, she wouldn't have ended up in this predicament.
"Let's see what other tricks you have," Xu Qingning said, wielding the vines in her hand and looking at Su Xi with a smug expression.
Without her divine weapon, Su Xi would be unable to utilize many of her abilities and would not be her opponent.
"Oh, really?" Su Xi looked at Lan Ling, showing no signs of tension. She was completely unconcerned that her weapon had been snatched away.
Since she knew Xu Qingning had ill intentions, she wouldn't have been unprepared.
She had made preparations long ago.
The Meteor God Sword earlier was merely to deceive Xu Qingning.
"I don't believe you have any other options," Xu Qingning thought it was all a bluff from Su Xi and unhesitatingly swung the vines towards Su Xi again.
No matter what trick Su Xi played, as long as she could eliminate Su Xi, it would be enough.
"Bang!"
With a loud crash, the dense vines lunged towards Su Xi.
The seemingly soft vines had now become incredibly sharp, blocking all of Su Xi's escape routes.
Seeing the approaching vines, Su Xi raised her hand, and the air in front of her instantly rippled.
The vines that were shooting towards her suddenly plunged into the ripples and vanished without a trace.
"???."
Xu Qingning, seeing the scene before her, could not fathom what had happened. Why could Su Xi counter her vines?
These vines were not ordinary; they had been specially cultivated by her. Not only were they difficult to deal with using conventional weapons, but what method had Su Xi used?
Before Xu Qingning could voice her question, she suddenly heard a meow and a black cat appeared before her.
"Meow."
The black cat appeared before Xu Qingning with elegant steps.
In the midst of the intense battle, the sudden appearance of a black cat only deepened Xu Qingning's confusion. She couldn't understand what was happening.
Why was a cat here?
Had someone's cat wandered out?
However, even though she didn't understand, Xu Qingning clearly had no intention of sparing the black cat.
She could kill humans, let alone a mere cat, especially one that looked so ugly.
The spirit cat looked at Xu Qingning not far away, feeling helpless. When had she become someone who helped others?
But since it was Su Xi's arrangement, she could not refuse.
After all, she had already become a spirit pet.
There was no other choice but for the spirit cat to take out all its frustrations on Xu Qingning.