Three figures, swift as lightning, arrived at the fray in the blink of an eye. Innumerable intense Fire Sword Qi lashed out, roaring toward them like countless sharp blades. The sheer speed generated a piercing shriek in the air. Close behind them, Moyin showed no mercy; his Lightning Spells flew almost scraping past Nalan Qiushui and Luo Xiaohongtian’s heads.

The simultaneous, powerful assault from the four Grandmaster-level experts was breathtaking in its intensity.

“I’ll hold them off!” There was absolutely no room for holding back at this moment. The instantaneous burst technique I had comprehended from the Jie Wang Quan had been refined further during my long contest with the Yellow Spring Sect Leader. I instantly pushed my Thunder Dou Qi to the limit of its seventh layer, simultaneously unleashing a massive, seven-colored half-moon that soared forward to meet the dozen or so strands of Fire Sword Qi. The narrow passage offered little space for evasion, leaving no recourse but to meet the attack head-on.

Almost as soon as I unleashed the half-moon Dou Qi, Master Jianli immediately understood my intention. In this situation, any trickery was superfluous; the only contest was over the sheer strength of the Dou Qi, and the giant half-moon I projected was undoubtedly the best means of intercepting the enemy’s energy.

“You defend! I attack!” Jianli’s spirit soared, and he immediately manifested nine Dragon Shadows, surging to catch up with my half-moon sword energy.

Clang! Roar! A dense, heavy boom echoed through the narrow passage. In a dazzling explosion of light, the giant half-moon instantly shattered the first wave of incoming Sword Qi and lightning. However, the nine golden Dragon Shadows suddenly burst forth from the light explosion, charging toward Nalan Qiushui and Luo Xiaohongtian.

All of this transpired in an instant.

Roar! A massive half-moon instantly rushed to meet the nine Dragon Shadows—it was the intercepting Dou Qi unleashed by Nalan Qiushui. Luo Xiaohongtian and Moyin paused for no second, each urging their Dou Qi and magic to launch their full-power attacks!

Boom! Boom! Boom! The narrow underground palace instantly shuddered violently under the impact of countless Dou Qi explosions and magical shockwaves. The dense, muffled roars sounded like peals of thunder on a clear day, vibrating deafeningly in the ears.

This was a pure, head-on collision of Dou Qi and magical energies. Relying on the unique God-Bestowed Bloodline of the Demon Dragon royalty flowing within me, combined with the instantaneous burst control techniques gleaned from the Jie Wang Quan, I maximized my otherwise moderate Dou Qi energy reserves. In this brief span, I managed to withstand the combined assault of the four Grandmaster-level experts. But this was the absolute limit of my capability.

Under my cover, Jianli’s Dragon Shadows darted about unpredictably, soaring and diving like nine sea swallows riding a raging storm. Sometimes they dove low, sometimes they skimmed the ground, and sometimes they weaved side to side, making it impossible to lock onto their true forms. Several times, they managed to break through Jianli’s half-moon interceptions, only to be stopped by the quick reactions of Hongtian and Luo Xiao. However, in defending against Jianli’s Dragon Shadows, the intensity of their own attacks weakened, granting me a rare moment to breathe. If I had to continue launching the giant half-moon continuously, I too would collapse.

Moyin, positioned further back, persistently sent wave after wave of Ice Roar, Lightning Spells, and Fireballs, always targeting Jianli behind me. However, my quick reactions blocked every single one, rendering Moyin’s attacks utterly ineffective.

For a time, neither side could gain the upper hand. While the combined offensive power of the four was certainly strong, Moyin’s contribution was negligible. The remaining attacks from Nalan Qiushui, Luo Xiaohongtian, and Hongtian were intercepted by me immediately, while the others were relentlessly assaulted by Master Jianli’s Dragon Shadows. It was remarkable they hadn't completely lost formation already.

Only at this moment did I witness what true Dragon Shadow Swordplay truly entailed. Ordinary Dou Qi was like a bullet leaving a chamber—difficult to control once fired. Even those like Baihu Luo Yan, whose energy could linger in the air and be controlled, had a time limit. The Dragon Shadow was entirely different. Its method of attack resembled Dou Qi but was far more versatile and controllable at will. More exquisitely, the Dragon Shadow did not dissipate like common Dou Qi; thus, as long as it was controlled, a continuous assault could be maintained. Its power, speed, and trajectory were entirely under command. With Jianli’s cultivation level, the power projected by these nine Dragon Shadows was terrifying. With the exception of the more distant Moyin, Luo Xiaohongtian and Nalan Qiushui were practically surrounded by the shadows, forced into frantic defense. The soaring and diving shadows were like nine master swordsmen attacking; every strike was sharp, bizarre, and impossible to guard against. Coupled with the confined space, evasion was nearly impossible; they could only rely on their protective Dou Qi or use half-moons to block the strikes.

The three, flustered by the constant pressure, found that any concerted Dou Qi attack they managed to launch was easily intercepted by me. In this stalemate, it was actually the master and disciple pair who held the advantage. But both Jianli and I knew this was temporary; once they deployed their ultimate techniques, the outcome would be uncertain.

In the blink of an eye, a minute passed. Under the combined lockdown of the master and disciple, Nalan Qiushui and the others could not advance an inch.

Roar! Unable to break through, Nalan Qiushui finally roared in frustration: “Fall back.” Instantly, Nalan Qiushui was enveloped in a sphere of blue light. Even from a distance, Jianli and I felt a dreadful aura emanating from it.

Roar! Black Tortoise Shield. Boom! The blue sphere shot forward like a cannonball leaving its muzzle.

Roar! Without hesitation, Jianli and I simultaneously unleashed two massive half-moons, sweeping toward the mass of blue light.

Clash! Boom! The narrow passage was instantly illuminated as if by daylight by the dazzling explosion of light. Within the blinding flare, that heart-stopping aura surged towards us. In the state of the Eye of Death’s Desire, we clearly perceived the blue sphere, but we were completely unable to halt its approach. The two half-moons, which had absorbed nearly all our internal Dou Qi, were instantly smashed to pieces. The blue sphere’s speed did not diminish, striking directly toward us.

“Ah!” Jianli and I simultaneously cried out in alarm. Evasion was impossible. Clang! Roar! In an instant, we were struck squarely, thrown uncontrollably backward against the side walls. It felt like being hit by a massive truck coming head-on and then slamming into a concrete barrier. Although we both managed to activate our protective Dou Qi in time, the sensation was agonizing; it felt as if every bone had shattered, and a sweetness rose in my throat, forcing me to spit out a mouthful of blood.

Before we could even land, the blue sphere shot toward the end of the passage like a meteor.

“Chase!” Almost simultaneously, Luo Xiao, Hongtian, and the others sprang up, rushing forward rapidly. Jianli and I adjusted our forms almost at the same moment, desperately channeling our Dou Qi, preparing for close-quarters combat.

Luo Xiao, Hongtian, and Moyin, seizing the moment when we were unsettled, imitated the move, activating their protective Dou Qi to forcefully plow through. Even more aggravating, Moyin erected a magic shield and charged forward like lightning.

In the next instant, Luo Xiao, leading the charge, brought his blade down. The fierce blade energy tore through the air, reaching me with extreme speed and power. Due to the violent impact from before, I was unable to adjust my angle or force to meet his blow directly.

Years of fighting had honed my body into near-instinctive reactions. Dou Qi surged momentarily, and my feet struck the ground like springs, propelling my body electrically into a startling Z-shaped arc. Simultaneously, I raised the Dragon Shadow Sword horizontally, guarding my 'Golden Beam' against the thunderous downward slash.

Clang! At the moment the blade and sword met, a terrifying force transmitted instantly through the sword, nearly shattering my right hand gripping the hilt.

The powerful surge of Dou Qi also jolted Luo Xiao’s form sideways, but his gleaming great saber still pierced through my protective Dou Qi. I felt a sudden coldness on my chest, and blood sprayed wildly.

I took a blow in that first exchange, and Luo Xiao, without pausing after brushing past me, sped toward the end of the passage.

Almost the moment Luo Xiao slipped past, a flurry of saber shadows swept over me, an oppressive, sharp killing intent tearing through the air. Instinctively, I knew this strike was aimed at my left shoulder.

Roar! Fighting back the chaotic internal energy caused by enduring Luo Xiao’s previous strike, I took a deep, fierce breath. The Dragon Shadow Sword instantly spun with astonishing speed. In the state of the Eye of Death’s Desire, I locked onto the true essence of that blade and struck out with a single sword thrust.

Clash! At the moment the blade and sword intersected, I spun with the momentum, the slender Dragon Shadow Sword bending instantly into a C-shape. Utilizing the resilient springiness of the Dragon Shadow Sword, I neutralized the terrifying impact of the strike. Not only that, but I followed up with a sweeping horizontal slash. The Dragon Shadow Sword, compressed to its limit, snapped straight like a released spring.

Splat! As blue light flashed, a mist of blood sprayed skyward.

“Third Brother!” This was followed by cries of alarm. Only then did I clearly see that the one I had just fought was Luo Family’s Third Elder, Luo Kai. However, he was now decapitated by my single strike. My long-term cultivation in the Demon Dragon World, especially within the Skull Cave, made my instinctual attacks target the opponent's vital points—either the throat or the head. That last strike was purely instinctive, without hesitation or pause. Coupled with my vastly increased current speed, the Luo Family’s Third Elder, Luo Kai, was beheaded in a single exchange.

This was not something I had anticipated.

“Die!” A roar of grief and fury erupted, leaving residual images as something instantly approached, bringing another tragic, fierce blade energy sweeping toward me! I recognized the attacker as the Luo Family’s Fourth Elder, Luo Fang. His brother’s death had clearly driven Luo Fang into a blinding rage. This strike possessed astonishing power; the massive saber aura was like a colossal dragon churning rivers, descending upon my head with suffocating might.

The continuous fighting had left my internal Dou Qi on the verge of exhaustion; I could not afford to take another direct hit from this blow. I forced myself to calm my mind, and under the Eye of Death’s Desire, the trajectory of this strike was once again firmly locked in my vision. It unfolded like a slow-motion sequence in a film, and in a flash, I determined the blade's landing spot. Simultaneously, I discerned the flaw in Luo Fang’s attack: the exposed throat gap created when both hands gripped the saber for the full-power downward slash.

The greatest secret of the Eye of Death’s Desire is seeing through everything—every attack, and every weakness. While this advantage is less pronounced against Grandmasters who also possess the Eye, Luo Fang was not Luo Xiao, and that was sufficient.

The four-foot blue edge of the Dragon Shadow Sword darted out like lightning. This incredibly fast thrust carried no attached Dou Qi and was not heavy, relying solely on sheer velocity.

Thwack! A light, crisp sound, accompanied by a slight resistance and a familiar sensation, told me the strike had accurately pierced Luo Fang’s throat.

It lasted only a brief moment. Almost immediately upon succeeding, I executed a slight sidestep, moving sideways to evade the descending blade. As I retracted my long sword, it left a crimson trail behind it.

Thump! Luo Fang’s massive body crashed heavily to the ground.

Boom! Boom! Almost at the exact moment Luo Fang fell, two other bodies slammed heavily onto the ground—Jianli had slain Nalan Jingtian and Nalan Jingtao in that same flash of lightning.

The remaining opponents seized this gap and swiftly passed through our interception, surging toward the end of the passage.

Thump! Thump! Only then did Jianli and I collapse weakly onto the ground, looking utterly defeated. Ever since Nalan Qiushui forcefully blasted us away, we had been suffering internal injuries, relying only on sheer willpower. We had not only withstood Luo Xiao’s blow but also killed Luo Kai and Luo Fang. We were clearly past our limits. Now that the main enemies had gone, we could hold on no longer.

“Ugh! Ah!” Jianli gave a wry smile. “How embarrassing, to be sent flying by that old turtle.”

“At least they didn’t take the opportunity to kill us,” I managed, leaning on the Dragon Shadow Sword to stand up shakily. If Luo Xiao and Hongtian had pressed their advantage while we were reeling from Nalan Qiushui’s impact, Jianli and I wouldn't have survived.

“You think they were being kind?” Jianli winced in pain. “If they wanted us dead, it would have cost them a few minutes—time they couldn’t afford. Now that the old turtle has taken the lead, their chances are slimmer.”

“What a terrifying move,” I still felt a lingering fear thinking of that blue light. “Even our full-power half-moon interception couldn't scratch him.”

“Black Tortoise Dou Qi is renowned for its formidable defense, and the Black Tortoise Shield is the ultimate technique among supreme skills. We weren't smashed to death; that’s a blessing from the heavens,” Jianli said with a bitter smile. “Once that old turtle gets serious, no one can stop him.”

“Just this Black Tortoise Shield cost us dearly. If he uses his ultimate technique, Turtle Dive, Serpent Swim, we would surely die.” At this moment, I truly understood what a monster looked like. “I can only hope Yun Ju and the others have found the Crimson Blood Demon Sword.” We could only pray now. Although our master-disciple interception only lasted two minutes, those two minutes were bought with our lives.

“Two minutes—it’s not long, but I hope they can make good use of it,” Jianli looked at me with a pained smile. Both of us had already given our all. “Can you still move?”

“I’m alright now,” I replied. Although my breathing was still uneven, the injury wasn’t severe anymore.

“Let’s hurry and catch up,” Jianli quickly regulated his breathing and stood up.