Chapter 103: Jian Li Appears and Is Instantly Defeated

He knew that a direct confrontation with the seven men before him would inevitably lead to a disastrous outcome; he might even lose his life here on Mount Xuandan.

Therefore, as his thoughts raced, he steadied his mind and looked up, discovering that Jian Li was already descending from the air.

"Just in time."

Fan Sheng let out a hysterical roar, channeling all the "Supreme Virtue Like Water" energy within him into the Myriad Imperial Divine Flute. With a sudden push from his feet, he vaulted into the air, meeting Jian Li’s massive halberd head-on.

The energy gathered within the flute surged forth, transforming into several strands of supple force that met the weapon in Jian Li's hand. Originally, Jian Li had unleashed eighty percent of his strength in this strike, aiming to kill Fan Sheng in one blow.

However, when the immense power of his halberd collided with the "Supreme Virtue Like Water" energy, it was as if he had plunged into a bottomless abyss. His fierce, overbearing momentum was completely neutralized by that gentle force, to the point where even moving his arm became an impossible task.

It was truly a case of a scholar meeting a soldier—reason could no longer prevail. The greatest characteristic of the "Supreme Virtue Like Water" technique was its softness. Water’s power is formless; it nourishes all things without ever competing with them. It dwells in the lowliest places of the world, yet silently nurtures everything. The technique harnessed this essence, blending the concept of "softness" to achieve the miraculous effect of using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds.

Jian Li, in his earth-shattering strike, found that not only had he missed Fan Sheng, but his own weapon had been ensnared by the aura from the jade flute. Though the air around his halberd appeared empty, the invisible "Supreme Virtue Like Water" energy had locked his weapon and even his brawny arm in place. He tried to retreat, but with his strength rendered useless, he remained frozen in mid-air, beads of sweat the size of peas rolling down his face in sheer terror.

Once Fan Sheng had immobilized Jian Li, he immediately brandished the jade flute again. A cold gleam shot from the instrument, striking Jian Li’s chest with the speed of a streak of light. It pierced through his body in the next heartbeat, freezing the expression of fear on his face for eternity.

That would be the final expression of Jian Li's life.

As one of the ancient sacred artifacts, the Myriad Imperial Divine Flute killed gods and Buddhas alike. While it might not have been able to destroy the primordial spirit of this ancient demon, his physical body was certainly lost once pierced by that silver beam.

As soon as Jian Li fell, the seven trees that had been encircling Fan Sheng on the ground rose into the air. Joining forces, they hurled their massive halberds, which merged into a single, formidable weapon in the night air, thrusting rapidly toward Fan Sheng’s abdomen.

Because the combined power of the seven was immense and their halberds were no ordinary weapons, the projectile flashed toward Fan Sheng before he could even blink.

Alarmed, Fan Sheng could no longer spare a thought for Jian Li’s fate. He forced his body to retreat, desperately channeling his remaining "Supreme Virtue Like Water" energy, while struggling to swing the Myriad Imperial Divine Flute to deflect the weapon aimed at his midsection.

Fortunately, his flute was crafted from white jade, which is known for its resilience rather than brittleness. Nourished by innate spiritual energy, the flute did not shatter upon impact. This strike, imbued with his full remaining power, finally managed to deflect the halberd just enough.

Though his arm felt as if it were about to dislocate from the recoil, Fan Sheng used the momentary reprieve to shift three feet to the side. The halberd whistled past his waist; while the sharp blade did not pierce him directly, the force of its wake tore through his green robes and sliced a deep wound into his flesh.

Blood instantly soaked his clothing. His jade hairpiece fell, scattering his dark, flowing hair across his shoulders. Fan Sheng, usually so composed and serene, now looked utterly ravaged.

The halberd slammed into the rock behind him, the immense impact shattering the stone into flying debris. The dust stained his pristine robes, leaving him looking disheveled and battered. Yet, he had no time to dwell on this, for a more urgent crisis was already unfolding.

Before Fan Sheng could even regain his footing after dodging the combined attack, the Evil King Zigui materialized a shimmering silver sword and lunged at him, spinning through the air like a dragon. Although Zigui’s cultivation had been cut by nearly half due to breaking through the barrier of Mount Xuandan, he remained an Evil King who had survived for ten thousand years; even half of his power was terrifying.

The blade, laced with traces of dark, evil energy, struck toward Fan Sheng’s chest with unstoppable force. The strike was defined by its power, speed, and lethal precision.

*Clang!*

A crisp, resounding ring echoed from Fan Sheng’s chest. He was sent flying like a withered leaf, crashing heavily into the soil and kicking up a cloud of dust. In his desperation, Fan Sheng had managed to raise his nearly dislocated right arm to block the lethal blow with the flute, narrowly avoiding the destruction of his physical form.

Even so, the earth-shattering power of Zigui’s strike sent him reeling. However, Zigui did not fare much better. Although Fan Sheng was at the end of his tether after the repeated battles, he was far from defenseless. The "Supreme Virtue Like Water" energy contained within the flute forced the Evil King to retreat several feet, only stopping when the seven trees rushed to support him.

Zigui was in slightly better condition, having suffered no substantial injury. Fan Sheng, however, was already in a state of collapse, having fought off the sword blow while nursing a deep wound and a dislocated arm. After struggling on the ground, he finally managed to stand. Though his legs were unsteady, driven by his innate resilience and the noble spirit of the Divine Race, he stood his ground, casting a cold, steady gaze upon his enemies.