Chapter 56

"A bunch of trash! You can't even take down a few juniors! What use are you?!"

Before the words had even faded.

A suffocating pressure, like dark clouds pressing down from above, instantly enveloped the entire battlefield!

Everyone currently engaged in battle could not help but stop their movements, looks of horror appearing on their faces!

A withered and hunched figure, leaning on a heavy black iron staff, slowly walked out from the darkness.

Every step he took seemed to land on the hearts of those present, making them feel waves of oppression and fear.

Within those deep-set eye sockets, a cold and venomous light flickered, like that of a viper.

It was none other than the leader of the Four Great Evils of the Western Xia's Hall of One Grade, known as "Evil to the Core," Duan Duan Yanqing!

He had actually come in person!

Moreover, judging by the powerful aura radiating from his body, he was clearly a genuine grandmaster-level expert!

Although his cultivation base might not yet compare to top-tier figures like the Eastern Heretic, Western Venom, Southern Emperor, or Northern Beggar—the Five Greats.

Within the grandmaster realm, he could definitely be considered one of the best!

Especially his family's signature "One Yang Finger," which was infinitely powerful and unfathomable!

"Duan... Duan Duan Yanqing!"

Seeing Duan Duan Yanqing appear, the expressions of Qu Qu Lingfeng and the others changed in unison!

They never expected that this notorious leader of the evildoers would actually come out himself!

Now they were in big trouble!

Even the Northern Beggar Hong Hong Qigong, who was watching from the sidelines, had his expression change slightly upon seeing Duan Duan Yanqing.

He naturally recognized this former Crown Prince of the Dali Kingdom.

He also knew of the grievances and grudges between him and the Duan family of Dali.

He just hadn't expected that he would fall to the point of associating with an evil organization like the Western Xia's Hall of One Grade.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly; how could the Dali Duan family produce such a venomous and degenerate wretch?

He wondered to himself, why hadn't that mysterious Island Master of Flood Dragon Island appeared yet?

If he didn't appear soon, Qu Qu Lingfeng and these few juniors alone would likely be unable to withstand Duan Duan Yanqing, a long-renowned grandmaster expert.

He had already secretly made up his mind that if the situation turned dire, he would intervene immediately to stop Duan Duan Yanqing first.

He could not just stand by and watch these juniors die miserably at the hands of Duan Duan Yanqing.

Duan Duan Yanqing swept a cold gaze over the disheveled subordinates of the Hall of One Grade on the field.

He glanced at the dead companions on the ground, a flash of anger in his eyes.

He let out a cold snort, and the iron staff in his hand struck the ground heavily!

"A bunch of useless things! Get out of the way!"

Upon hearing this, Yun Yun Zhonghe and the others, as if granted amnesty, scrambled away in terror, not daring to say another word.

Duan Duan Yanqing's gaze, like a viper, landed on Qu Qu Lingfeng and the others.

His hoarse voice rang out again, filled with unquestionable majesty:

"Hand over the Nine Yin Manual, and let the Eastern Heretic come out to die! Otherwise, today, Peach Blossom Island will flow with blood!"

Although Qu Qu Lingfeng and the others were terrified, they forced themselves to remain calm and said loudly:

"Duan Duan Yanqing! Stop being so arrogant! The Nine Yin Manual is not on Peach Blossom Island! My Master is currently in seclusion! How can you be allowed to run wild here!"

"Hmph! Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit!"

A cold light flashed in Duan Duan Yanqing's eyes, and he said no more.

He paused the iron staff in his hand abruptly, and an invisible force burst forth!

Following that, he extended his right index finger and pointed from afar!

A condensed finger-qi, flickering with a faint golden light, tore through the air like an arrow released from a bow, shooting toward Qu Qu Lingfeng!

Wherever that finger-qi passed, the air itself emitted a shrill hiss of unbearable strain!

Its length had actually reached a staggering dozen meters!

Its power was strong enough to pierce through metal and stone!

It was none other than the ultimate technique of the Dali Duan family—the One Yang Finger!

The expressions of Qu Qu Lingfeng and the others changed drastically!

They never expected that the moment Duan Duan Yanqing struck, it would be such a heaven-shattering killing move!

They simply could not withstand finger-qi of this magnitude!

Just at this critical moment, when Qu Qu Lingfeng and the others were almost in despair!

Suddenly!

A majestic and cold voice, like an oracle from the nine heavens, rolled out from the depths of Peach Blossom Island, clearly entering everyone's ears:

"A mere Hall of One Grade from Western Xia dares to come to my Peach Blossom Island and act so wantonly?!"

"Do you truly think that my Peach Blossom Island has no one left?!"

"A mere Hall of One Grade from Western Xia dares to come to my Peach Blossom Island and act so wantonly?!"

"Do you truly think that my Peach Blossom Island has no one left?!"

That voice was like an oracle from the nine heavens, and also like a dragon's roar echoing from the abyss.

Majestic!

Cold!

Filled with unquestionable dominance and an indifference that looked down upon all living beings!

Within the voice, there was even a hint of an indescribable, strange power.

It seemed capable of piercing directly through one's eardrums and shaking one's heart and soul!

Duan Duan Yanqing's One Yang Finger finger-qi, which had been aimed for success and condensed with his full ten percent of power.

At the moment that voice rang out, it actually trembled slightly!

The fierce killing intent contained within it, as well as that unstoppable penetrating power.

Seemed to have been weakened by several degrees by an invisible force!

Its speed also slowed by a fraction!

Although this weakening was extremely subtle, almost imperceptible.

But for warriors like Qu Qu Lingfeng who had been through hundreds of battles.

This momentary change was enough to alter life and death!

"It's the Island Master!"

"The Island Master has struck!"

Hearing this familiar yet even more majestic voice of Ning Chuan.

Qu Qu Lingfeng, Lu Lu Chengfeng, Wu Wu Mianfeng, and Feng Feng Mofeng, who had already fallen into despair.

Felt an incomparably brilliant light burst forth in their eyes!

The fear and unease in their hearts dissipated completely at this moment!

Replacing it was infinite confidence and fighting spirit!

Their pillar of support had returned!

"Form the array!"

Qu Qu Lingfeng made a decisive decision and roared!

The four of them instantly changed positions, and together with dozens of Peach Blossom Island servants, they once again formed that profound combined-attack array!

Everyone's internal energy was tightly linked through the operation of the array, converging into a much more powerful force!

"Break!"

Facing that weakened version of the One Yang Finger finger-qi that still carried terrifying power.

Qu Qu Lingfeng and the four of them roared in unison, combining the strength of the four of them and the reinforcement of the array from dozens of servants.

They suddenly unleashed their most proud move!

Four powerful forces of different attributes, yet perfectly fused through the array, converged in the air into an even thicker torrent of energy.

It slammed fiercely into Duan Duan Yanqing's dozen-meter-long golden finger-qi!

— Author's Notes —

PS: Sorry, dear readers, those who don't like buildup can skip directly to Chapter 49 to watch, it's pure satisfaction! Sorry, I will be careful to reduce the buildup in the future.