"Elder Hua, I don't wish to be your enemy. If you retreat now, we shall remain strangers," Long Yi stated. "If Elder Hua insists on a fight to the death, I will surely give my all!"
Long Yi's eyes held a sharp glint, and he drew the long sword from his back. A formidable aura permeated the entire valley, filled with boundless fighting spirit. Even facing a quasi-Emperor level expert, his heart held no fear. This was because he was not fighting alone; both Lu Fan and Lin Ke had given him immense confidence.
"Quite the bold words!" Elder Hua's voice was icy. "My leaving Cang Long Academy this time was precisely to capture you. Do you think I would let you go?"
"Old hag, don't speak too soon!" Lu Fan sneered coldly. "You surely know our combat prowess is not to be underestimated. If you wish to win, it may not be so easy!"
"Hahaha..." Elder Hua burst into laughter, filled with disdain. "With just the three of you, you expect me to retreat? Do you think Cang Long Academy is merely a decoration!"
In that instant, Elder Hua brought out the Demonic Ancient Zither again. Streams of energy surged forth, appearing endless, causing the very mountainside to explode, a shocking sight. The scene before them was not something ordinary people could accomplish; normal martial artists could never reach this level, yet Elder Hua had achieved it, and surpassed it.
"Be careful, his Demonic Ancient Zither is quite powerful and imbued with supreme spiritual energy!" Long Yi warned. "Emperor realm experts are no ordinary martial artists!"
At these words, Long Yi's brow furrowed. Elder Hua was already a quasi-Emperor level expert, capable of transforming inner force into spiritual energy. Such a terrifying aura was not comparable to ordinary Imperial realm experts.
"I will hold him off. You two act according to the opportunity!" Lu Fan said, then, using the Sky Walking Art, he rushed towards Elder Hua. He knew very well that Elder Hua excelled at long-range attacks; only through close combat might they have a chance.
"Presumptuous brat!" Elder Hua sneered coldly, continuously unleashing spiritual energy from the Demonic Ancient Zither towards Lu Fan. In that sudden surge, stones exploded wherever Lu Fan passed. If not for the extreme speed of the Sky Walking Art, Lu Fan's life would have been in peril.
Lin Ke frowned, and without hesitation, lunged at Elder Hua with a punch. Lu Fan's life hung by a thread; any slight misstep could lead to his demise. Now that Lin Ke possessed formidable strength, he absolutely refused to let such a thing happen.
Long Yi also pushed his sword intent to its limit, surging towards Elder Hua. Quasi-Emperor level experts were terrifying. If not for the three of them being peerless prodigies, they would have long since been defeated.
Sensing the sharp intent, Elder Hua retreated rapidly, while simultaneously controlling the Demonic Ancient Zither. He stamped a foot on the ground, and an invisible spiritual energy emanated from him, carrying an overwhelming force, crashing towards the three of them.
*Boom...*
A massive boom echoed. The three figures were violently repelled, blood trickled from their lips, and their bodies trembled. Under the impact of the powerful spiritual energy, they found it difficult to withstand.
Elder Hua also staggered back. He had suffered minor internal injuries from his powerful strike, and he felt a sense of surprise. As a quasi-Emperor level expert, he was an supreme existence before War Emperors. Yet, he had not expected the three of them to be able to wound him.
"Are you two alright?" Long Yi steadied himself, his gaze becoming heavy. Through the brief exchange, they had confirmed Elder Hua's formidable strength, which made them wary.
"We're fine!" Lin Ke waved his hand. "I'm tough and resilient. He can't hurt me!"
"I truly didn't expect the three of you, fighting together, to be able to stalematea me!" Elder Hua said with a darkened face. "I underestimated you!"
"Elder Hua, why must it come to this!" Long Yi spoke up. "A mutual destruction is not good. If you continue to attack, it's uncertain who will win or lose!"
"Do not try to deceive me!" Elder Hua's voice was cold. "As an instructor of Cang Long Academy, how could I give the three of you a chance!"
With that, Elder Hua shot into the sky, intending to attack again. Lu Fan and the other two frowned deeply, knowing very well that if the fight continued, they would not last much longer. After all, a quasi-Emperor level expert was not famous for nothing.
*Boom boom boom...*
Another series of clashes erupted. Lin Ke was violently pushed back, seemingly unable to cope. Although his strength was boundless, he ultimately lacked combat experience, making it quite difficult to reach a very high realm. Meanwhile, Long Yi and Lu Fan were also beginning to tire. Fighting against an Emperor realm expert, they dared not be negligent for even a moment.
Elder Hua frowned. He had unleashed numerous moves, yet they had still been resisted. This was not good for him. Although he was a quasi-Emperor level expert, the current battle was consuming a great deal of his energy. He was also at the end of his rope, and if forced into a direct confrontation, he might not gain any advantage.
"Lu, we're here to help you!"
At that very moment, several aged voices rang out. The elders of the Dragon Kingdom appeared one after another, their presence exuding immense power and supreme authority.
"Great Elder!" Lu Fan's body trembled slightly. "Why are you here? This place is quite dangerous. You must not venture here lightly!"
"If Lu is in trouble, how can we stand by!" The Seventh Elder spoke up. "Rest assured, we are all seasoned fighters. With our numbers, what do we have to fear from him!"
"That's right, let's attack together and suppress him!" the elders chimed in.
"Just you ants?" Elder Hua glanced at them with disdain. These people were like ants in his eyes; he would not take them seriously.
"If my guess is correct, you are from an ancient sect!" the Great Elder stated. "According to regulations, you should not be here!"
"You are the Great Elder of the Dragon Kingdom?" Elder Hua glanced at him. "According to the rules of the major sects, I indeed should not be here, but that applies only to the major sects. What right do you have to control me?"
The Great Elder's face turned ashen. He was well aware of the rules, but Elder Hua's formidable strength meant that as long as he defied them, no one could stop him. Su Dan Novel Network
"The Dragon Kingdom has always been protected by us, and the ancient sects have never lent a hand. You reside in the Dragon Kingdom, and you should be law-abiding!" the Third Elder stated coldly. "Even if we cannot deal with you, other ancient clans will surely not stand idly by!"
"A bunch of ants dare to lecture me here!" Elder Hua's expression was indifferent. He raised a hand, and the Demonic Ancient Zither unleashed another surge of energy, carrying a sky-shattering momentum.
In that instant, the elders all stepped forward, not daring to delay, their eyes filled with fear.