The confrontation between Niyal and Lanqi against Tie Ying was far from their first, and they understood each other intimately; thus, all three remained exceptionally cautious.

Speaking of which, we must introduce the warriors of Wolong Villa and the equipment they carried.

In the Wolong world, for a reinforced warrior, the absolute limit of personal cultivation achievable without any equipment was a Life Force Field of 5,000 points, translating to a Battle Qi intensity of 5,000 points.

This represented the peak power the human body could naturally stimulate.

Beyond this, attaining greater strength required the assistance of specialized equipment.

And in the Wolong world, warriors of different tiers possessed equipment of corresponding levels! The Battle Qi, Magic, or Daoist energy enhancement provided by different tiers of gear varied significantly.

This accounted for the power contained within six distinct tiers of equipment.

Of course, this power was only the foundational strength of the set—the basic force achievable simply by wearing the gear. It caused negligible wear and tear on both the body and the equipment, allowing it to be largely ignored.

However, this was only a fraction of the gear's true capabilities.

All equipment could control energy output via the intelligent biological computer housed within the mind—this was known as the Burning System.

The Burning System, as its name implied, demanded a price for energy gain: the consumption of the user’s physical and mental reserves.

In the Wolong world, the Burning System was divided into three primary categories: The Warrior line's Blazing Burn The Mage line's Mana Burn The Taoist line's Soul Burn

Furthermore, each line’s Burning System could be elevated to six distinct levels! Each level doubled the energy output, but corresponded with an increase in physical damage taken by the user. The higher the level of the Burning System, the greater the toll on the body and spirit! The absolute ceiling for the Burning System was Level Six!

Exceeding this level guaranteed certain death! This was, theoretically, the limit; in actual combat, most warriors, mages, and Taoists could barely activate Level Two before exceeding their physical tolerance.

These warriors, mages, and Taoists belonged to the lowest tiers in the Wolong world: the Sky Demon and Thunder levels.

Only a select few elite warriors could shatter this boundary! Those who reached a deeper level of cultivation were the Phoenix Heaven tier, superior to Sky Demon and Thunder. But Phoenix Heaven was not the apex; above them stood the even mightier Enhanced Phoenix Heaven, the Golden Warrior, and the Phoenix Knight (also known as the Raging Thunder Warrior).

Taking the Warrior as an example, there were six clear tiers! The Sky Demon Set: Boosts Battle Qi by 3,000 points + Level One Blazing Burn, for a maximum Battle Qi of 6,000 points. The Thunder Set: Boosts Battle Qi by 5,000 points + Level Two Blazing Burn, for a maximum Battle Qi of 15,000 points. The Phoenix Heaven Set: Boosts Battle Qi by 10,000 points + Level Three Blazing Burn, for a maximum Battle Qi of 40,000 points. The Enhanced Phoenix Set: Boosts Battle Qi by 20,000 points + Level Four Blazing Burn, for a maximum Battle Qi of 100,000 points. The Golden Warrior: Boosts Battle Qi by 40,000 points + Level Five Blazing Burn, for a maximum Battle Qi of 240,000 points. The Raging Thunder Set: Boosts Battle Qi by 100,000 points + Level Six Blazing Burn, for a maximum Battle Qi of 700,000 points.

Naturally, these figures represented the standard calculations within the Wolong world.

However, Lanqi and Niyal were somewhat different from the norm.

Theoretically, the combat power of an Enhanced Phoenix tier should be: Enhanced Phoenix Set: Boosts Battle Qi by 20,000 points + Level Four Blazing Burn, for a maximum Battle Qi of 100,000 points. By standard Wolong metrics, Lanqi and Niyal should each possess a combat power around 100,000 points.

Yet, in reality, due to their prolonged and brutal campaigning against Tie Ying’s Seventh Legion of Sky City Number Seven, Niyal and Lanqi had endured grinding refinement that placed them far beyond ordinary Enhanced Phoenix warriors. They even outclassed Golden Warriors.

A standard Enhanced Phoenix warrior could, at most, activate Level Four Blazing Burn, but Niyal and Lanqi, through sheer force of will, could activate Level Six Blazing Burn. This pushed their individual Battle Qi intensity to 140,000 points—the highest possible limit for the Enhanced Phoenix Magic Armor. Furthermore, both had cultivated the Ancient Secret Manual they unexpectedly acquired, the Twin Sword Style!

This miraculous sword technique was paired with a corresponding technique, the Twin Heart Method, allowing them to unleash combat power far exceeding the limits of the body and equipment during battle. Since their style utilized coordinated joint attacks, their actual combat strength was vastly beyond common imagination!

For the Enhanced Phoenix tier (20,000 base Battle Qi) plus Level Six Blazing Burn (120,000), doubled by the Twin Heart Method, their individual effective combat strength reached (20 + 120) X 2 = 280,000 points!

Adding the synergistic effect of their joint sword style, their combined overall combat power soared to an astonishing 680,000 points or so!

It was this immense strength that allowed them to contend with Tie Ying, who possessed a maximum combat value of 700,000 points.

Of course, these were merely theoretical figures!

In actual combat, beyond raw power, one had to account for psychology and tactical application.

However, in terms of mental fortitude and battlefield experience, the three were perfectly matched, which is why the fight had dragged on without a clear victor.

All of this, however, was only valid under the specific conditions of the tunnel.

If they were on the surface or in the open sky, the two would stand no chance against Tie Ying. Unfortunately for them, they were currently underground, meaning Tie Ying dared not underestimate them in the slightest! Previously, equipment limitations had prevented them from defeating him, just as he couldn't defeat them.

But now, they had undergone a massive upgrade! Tie Ying was forced to be doubly cautious.

Activate the Burning System! At this moment, Tie Ying dared not hold anything back! The Burning System ignited! Battle Qi intensity spiked to 200,000 points! A powerful surge of Battle Qi roared forth like a mountain-shattering tsunami! The already formidable aura surged even higher as the energy intensity increased!

On the other side, Niyal and Lanqi simultaneously activated their Burning Systems! Moreover, Lanqi preemptively launched an attack! A cyan figure flashed forward like lightning, its speed matching Tie Ying's previous Flowing Cloud Movement Technique!

Lanqi did not want Tie Ying to have enough time to fully ramp up his Battle Qi, as that offered them no advantage. Although the Raging Thunder Set he wore could massively increase Battle Qi intensity, just as Tie Ying had stated, they could not wield that power with complete ease.

According to the tactical computer's analysis, the Raging Thunder Set, coupled with the Burning System, could potentially boost their combined Battle Qi energy to a terrifying 600,000 points.

However, this figure was purely theoretical; due to the imperfect integration system, once Battle Qi intensity surpassed 300,000 points, it would spiral out of control! Therefore, the maximum Battle Qi energy they could safely manage was capped at 300,000. Even that level was highly risky, carrying a high chance of self-inflicted backlash. Thus, after precise calculation, the optimal sustained Battle Qi energy level was determined to be around 250,000.

This figure surpassed the standard Phoenix Heaven tier by a full 100,000 points, achieved without the burden of uncontrolled Burning System usage.

So, even though they couldn't fully harness the Raging Thunder Set’s energy, their combat power had definitely increased significantly compared to before.

Yet, this figure paled in comparison to Tie Ying, whose maximum output reached 700,000, and he suffered no risk of energy loss of control.

But Niyal and Lanqi possessed the advantage of the Twin Sword Style and the Twin Heart Method. Based on the tactical computer's projection: Niyal and Lanqi's combined actual combat capacity should be: 250,000 (Equipment Limit Battle Qi) X 2 (Twin Heart Method doubling) X 2 (Twin Sword Style doubling) = 1,000,000!

This was merely the theoretical data analyzed by the tactical computer; what Niyal and Lanqi had to do was convert this theory into tangible combat reality!

Their tactic was simple: rely on flawless coordination to fully unleash the strongest potential of their combined might! They harbored a degree of confidence in defeating Tie Ying.

However, if the fight devolved into a full-power Battle Qi exchange, the damage to the entire underground defense base would be severe. Consequently, Niyal and Lanqi preferred to avoid such a confrontation. They decided on a strategy of swift execution, aiming to end the battle before Tie Ying could fully activate the highest levels of his Burning System.

The Raging Thunder Set held immense Battle Qi energy, but this energy could not be unleashed instantaneously; it required a ramp-up period.

Previously, Xingchen had inadvertently exploited this vulnerability to nearly defeat Weipeng and Lao Niu. Now, Niyal and Lanqi intentionally sought to eliminate their opponent during this initial buildup phase! Though their motives differed, the method was the same! Therefore, the moment Tie Ying’s energy intensity began to shift, Lanqi launched a silent, fierce assault! He absolutely could not allow Tie Ying’s Battle Qi to climb any higher!

Tie Ying activated the Burning System to build up greater Battle Qi energy to enhance his combat strength, but Lanqi tracked his every subtle movement with perfect clarity, granting him no breathing room.

Tie Ying was well aware of this, so while Lanqi’s attack was sudden, he felt no surprise! His gaze deep, his eyes narrowed slightly. Lanqi’s sword moved fast, yet Tie Ying’s consciousness locked onto it! The cyan greatsword carved a bizarre and uncanny arc through the void—effortless and graceful—yet this seemingly casual strike managed to slice through Tie Ying’s tightly compressed aura, cleave ten meters of empty space, and close the distance rapidly.

A perfect strike! And Tie Ying knew this single blow concealed at least six different variations; a single misstep in his defense meant certain death! Thus, he dared not relax.

While parrying Lanqi’s strike, he remained wary of Niyal and Long Hao as well! He knew clearly that Niyal and Long Hao had held back not out of concern for fighting unfairly—such courtesies rarely mattered on the battlefield. Niyal remained still because he was waiting for the opportune moment: the instant Tie Ying’s guard was compromised by Lanqi’s offensive.

Therefore, Tie Ying’s counter was standard and meticulous, leaving no opening for exploitation! His black Sky Opener spun gently, tracing a circle before his chest. Under masterful control, the potent Battle Qi instantly condensed into a strange, golden shield that slammed against the thrust Lanqi delivered!

“Pfft…”

The golden shield accurately met Lanqi’s thrust, but it emitted a muffled, bizarre sound of pressurized air exploding, like a large rubber ball being punctured! This was followed by a shockwave from the air burst, forcing Tie Ying to stumble back a step!

Though Lanqi’s sword was blocked, it had cleaved through Tie Ying’s swirling Battle Qi shield and forced him to retreat involuntarily. While the effect was minimal, it disrupted the mountain-like stability of Tie Ying’s aura, creating a minuscule ripple, akin to a tiny pebble dropped into a still lake! It was an almost instantaneous, infinitesimal flaw.

But a flaw, no matter how small, was a flaw! At that precise moment, the waiting Niyal moved! His cyan greatsword swept in like a gentle breeze, aimed at Tie Ying’s abdomen!

This thrust was even faster and more urgent than Lanqi’s preceding assault! Equipped with the Raging Thunder Set, Niyal and Lanqi’s speed and experience had seen astonishing improvements! Niyal was supremely confident in this strike.

Yet, what his seemingly certain strike met was merely an elusive, ghostly afterimage! This did not surprise Niyal; Tie Ying’s movement technique was famously fast, and evading the attack was anticipated.

What stunned Niyal, however, was the direction Tie Ying drifted! Towards the depths of the tunnel—the location of Long Xun and Long Hao, who were observing from a distance!

Ah! This was bad! “Move quickly!” Niyal instantly grasped Tie Ying’s intent!

“Ah!” Long Hao and Long Xun could never have imagined that Tie Ying, locked in a life-or-death struggle with Niyal and Lanqi, would suddenly charge toward them!

Tie Ying’s objective was transparent: use Long Hao and Long Xun as an opening to shatter Niyal and Lanqi’s coordination.

From that brief exchange, Tie Ying had grasped that Niyal and Lanqi were no longer the same as before. In the past, although their Battle Qi energy lagged far behind his, they could still match him with their exquisite joint sword style.

But now, the Raging Thunder Set had drastically amplified their Battle Qi energy. Even with the current imperfection of incomplete control, Tie Ying’s analysis from their first clash suggested their Battle Qi intensity hovered around 250,000 points.

And in this state, they showed no signs of Battle Qi runaway. This meant that within the 250,000 range, they maintained absolute control.

This was not good news. Using this as a baseline, Tie Ying discovered through his tactical computer’s analysis that his probability of victory was extremely low, perhaps nonexistent! He quickly conceived a plan to retreat.

But he knew Lanqi and Niyal would not allow him an easy escape. To gain the opportunity to break free, he had to disrupt their formation, and Long Hao and Long Xun were currently the perfect targets!

Tie Ying had activated Level Two of the Blazing Burn, and combined with the Flowing Cloud Movement Technique, his speed was simply unbelievable! By the time Long Hao and Long Xun realized what was happening, Tie Ying’s sword had lightly grazed Long Xun’s throat! The proud Golden Warrior hadn't even perceived when Tie Ying’s blade appeared!

It could not be called anything other than tragic; the gap in strength was too vast. But realizing it now was too late!

“Damn it!”

When Niyal and Lanqi registered the shift and simultaneously moved to rescue, they were a step too late. What was worse, as they instinctively lunged to help, they realized they had walked straight into Tie Ying’s trap.

The moment they flew to intercept, the tight spatial control they maintained developed a slight flaw. This was the exact result Tie Ying had meticulously calculated. Now that Niyal and Lanqi had taken the bait, Tie Ying seized the opportunity to burst free.

The Flowing Cloud Movement Technique suddenly accelerated to its limit, causing Tie Ying’s entire form to shoot backward like a phantom, illusory gleam of light, instantly passing through the gap between Niyal and Lanqi’s positions.

However, Niyal and Lanqi’s reaction was equally astonishingly fast. Almost instinctively, both greatswords swept out, releasing two sharp sword energies that chased Tie Ying’s retreat! Though delivered hastily, the sheer density of the Battle Qi energy, combined with unparalleled speed, was formidable.

Splat! Blood sprayed like a shattered rainbow across the void, staining Tie Ying’s left shoulder. He had been struck by Niyal’s sword energy. Even the Raging Thunder Set’s immense defenses failed to withstand this penetration.

But Tie Ying roared as if unaffected, rocketing away like a cannonball fired from its muzzle!

He was fast, but Lanqi was not slow. The impact of the sword energy had caused Tie Ying’s momentum to shift slightly, slowing him by half a beat—a fleeting moment that Lanqi seized with astonishing combat awareness! The sword energy that had been slicing toward Tie Ying’s right flank abruptly changed direction. The transition was incredibly swift, executed seamlessly, like a perfectly guided tracking missile chasing Tie Ying from behind!

So fast, he didn't even have time to dodge! Tie Ying was horrified! Had all his careful scheming ultimately led him to death? Was he truly fated to die by the blade of this Demoness?

In that instant, Tie Ying recalled Niko’s death! He had been too confident! Niko had been ambushed and killed by them in this very tunnel. He had failed to heed that prior warning.

Now, Tie Ying was truly filled with regret! Regret for his arrogance, regret for attacking before his teammates could assemble!

But regret now seemed futile! Just then!

Whoosh! A strange stream of light appeared as if conjured from thin air! Clang! It smashed into the sword energy sweep unleashed by Lanqi! The entire area exploded with a violent shockwave of Battle Qi! The powerful impact jarringly threw Tie Ying forward a step, making him look utterly disheveled!

But Tie Ying was ecstatic. Though momentarily clumsy, he had escaped death! What feeling compared to escaping doom by a hair’s breadth? This was a miracle! And the creator of this miracle was not Tie Ying, but a sword that had materialized out of nowhere—a gleaming silver greatsword.

The owner of the greatsword was a figure as majestic as a mountain! A warrior clad in silver armor!

“Silver Fox!” Lanqi was the first to exclaim, as he was the first to clearly see the miracle that had saved them! The arrival was none other than Silver Fox! One of the Seven Phoenix Knights!

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