Chapter 417: Now!

Li An paid no attention to Lan Ran's taunts, his gaze remaining focused and resolute. He kept dodging Lan Ran's attacks while searching for a chance to strike back. Finally, in one fierce exchange, Li An spotted a tiny opening in Lan Ran's guard.

"Now!" Li An shouted inwardly. He gathered all his spiritual power, preparing to deliver a fatal blow. However, just as he was about to strike, Lan Ran seemed to sense the danger. He swiftly adjusted the rhythm of his attacks, and a powerful spiritual power barrier instantly appeared before him.

Li An's attack slammed heavily into the barrier with a tremendous crash. The tremendous recoil sent him staggering back several steps, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. "Damn, he still noticed." Li An was filled with frustration. He knew that defeating Lan Ran would be no easy task.

Lan Ran looked at the injured Li An, a triumphant smile spreading across his face: "You see, I told you, you could never defeat me. Give up obediently, and perhaps I'll spare your life~

."

"In your dreams!" Li An roared. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, an unyielding will shining in his eyes. "I will never give up easily. I will definitely win this battle!"

Saying so, Li An launched another attack. His strikes grew even more frenzied, each one carrying the momentum of burning his boats and sinking his cauldrons. Lan Ran no longer dared let his guard down either, meeting Li An's attacks with everything he had, and the two fell into a stalemate.

The battle entered the white-hot stage, with both sides going back and forth, neither yielding. The surrounding space had already been riddled with holes by their spiritual power impacts, on the verge of complete collapse at any moment. Guo Yao watched the whole scene anxiously from afar, her heart in her throat, her eyes full of worry and fear. How she wished she could help Li An, but she knew she was utterly useless in this battle—she could only silently cheer him on in her heart.

Just as the two sides were locked in fierce combat, Li An suddenly sensed a slight fluctuation in Lan Ran's spiritual power. His heart stirred, and he realized this might be an opportunity. He immediately focused his mind, carefully observing Lan Ran's every move once more. Sure enough, he discovered that after Lan Ran launched an attack, the recovery speed of his spiritual power showed a brief delay.

"So that's it, that's your weakness!" Li An rejoiced inwardly. He knew the scales of victory had already begun to tip in his favor. This time, he did not rush to attack, but patiently waited for the best moment.

Lan Ran seemed completely unaware that Li An has already discovered his weakness, and continued to launch frenzied attacks. Finally, the instant Lan Ran's spiritual power showed a delay after yet another attack, Li An moved.

His body shot forward like an arrow leaving the bowstring, instantly charging toward Lan Ran. A dazzling spiritual light gathered in his hand, as blinding as the sun, illuminating the entire dark space. "Die, Lan Ran!" Li An roared, pouring all his spiritual power into this single strike.

Lan Ran sensed the danger and tried to dodge, only to find his body seemingly frozen in place, unable to move. A flash of fear appeared in his eyes—this was the first time he had felt a genuine threat from Li An.

"No!" Lan Ran let out a desperate cry. But it was already too late. Li An's attack struck Lan Ran squarely, the powerful spiritual power instantly engulfing his body..