Chapter 358: White‑Hot Battle

Ao Li, Lín Jìn, Ling Yin and the Silver Armor Guard successfully repelled the previous wave of Black-robed People, and the battlefield's brief calm was like a false tranquility before a storm; the Hēidòng Society seemed utterly enraged, pouring out en masse, and more Black-robed mysterious figures surged like a raging tide from all directions, covering the sky. In an instant the battlefield atmosphere shifted sharply, the intense killing aura felt solid, spreading through every inch of space and pressing people so they could barely breathe.

The Black-robed People appearing this time were clearly stronger. Dark darkness swirled around them, as if demons crawled up from the endless abyss. Their weapons flashed with a cold light that seemed able to devour all life. Leading them were two Black-robed elders, faces withered like weathered bark, eyes sunken like black holes, exuding endless gloom and evil, making everyone shiver.

"Hmph, you ants who know not life or death, daring to sabotage the grand cause of our Hēidòng Society again and again. Today is your death day!" one Black-robed elder said in a sinister tone, his voice like nails scraping rough glass—sharp, grating, making the skin crawl.

Ao Li was unafraid, swinging her long sword horizontally; a torrent of golden light burst from within her, like a rising sun, instantly illuminating the surrounding darkness. "You wicked scum, today is your Day of Judgment!" Her voice was firm and powerful, like a great bell, resonating across the battlefield, full of reassuring authority.

Lín Jìn stood steadily beside Ao Li, his surrounding energy roiled like a boiling sea, forming a brilliant blue aura that made him look like a war god descended upon earth. His gaze was icy, locked onto the Black-robed opponents like a cheetah eyeing prey, ready to strike a lethal blow at any moment. Ling Yin placed the Jade Flute to her lips again; the melodious, mysterious flute sound spiraled over the battlefield, seeming to possess magical power—boosting morale and subtly disrupting the Black-robed people's minds, slowing their actions.

The Silver Armor Guard, under their commander's steady command, swiftly changed formation. They raised their spears in unison at a slant, spear tips flashing with icy cold light; from afar they resembled a forest of silver steel, exuding a suffocating pressure, as if announcing their indomitable resolve to the enemy.

The battle erupted without warning; the Black-robed People rushed forward to attack. In an instant, countless black energy beams shot out from their ranks like a downpour, resembling a swarm of black claws, bearing destructive aura, howling toward Ao Li and the others. Ao Li's eyes hardened instantly, and she unhesitatingly unleashed the Inheritance Power at full force. A massive golden shield rose like a towering golden wall before them, firmly blocking the frenzied black energy beams. The beams struck the shield like cannonballs, erupting in a series of deafening booms; gold and black light interwove and collided, lighting the battlefield as bright as day.

Seeing this, Lín Jìn quickly formed hand seals before him, muttering an ancient, mysterious incantation. As the words left his mouth, the sky swirled; a huge blue energy vortex appeared out of nowhere, like a deep cosmic black hole, exuding strong suction. Countless blue bolts of lightning, like dragons, raged down from the vortex, bearing a destructive momentum, hammering toward the Black-robed crowd. The Black-robed people's faces changed dramatically, each casting spells to resist; black energy shields rose among them like clusters of black mushroom clouds. Yet under the fierce blue lightning, many of their shields cracked like fragile glass, ready to shatter.

At the same time, Ling Yin played a rapid, stirring melody. The flute sound seemed to turn into visible sharp Sound Wave Blades, shooting at the Black-robed people faster than the eye could follow. Where the blades passed, the air tore, emitting a sharp whistling. The Black-robed bodies were sliced by invisible blades, crying out in pain, blood spraying. Some weaker Black-robed individuals were pierced through, collapsing lifelessly on the ground.

At the commander's single order, the Silver Armor Guard shouted in unison and charged bravely toward the Black-robed foes. Their steps were orderly, momentum like a rainbow, spears like dragons and snakes emerging from holes, thrusting into the enemy ranks. The Black-robed fighters, unwilling to yield, swung their weapons, fiercely engaging the Silver Armor Guard in close combat. For a moment, shouts, weapon clashes, and battle cries interwove like a blood‑soaked, brutal symphony. The air was thick with a pungent scent of blood, making one want to vomit.

Ao Li moved like lightning, weaving through the Black-robed crowd as a nimble golden phoenix. Each swing of her sword shed a burst of dazzling blood‑colored petals, like death flowers blooming in darkness. A Black-robed warrior attempted a backstab; Ao Li sensed the danger instantly, flashing her form like a ghost and evading the attack. She then reversed her sword in a clean, decisive motion, the blade piercing the assailant's throat; the foe barely managed a scream before his eyes widened and he fell slowly.

Lín Jìn was now locked in a heart‑pounding duel with the two Black-robed elders. The elders combined to unleash a bizarre dark spell; black mist surged from the ground like a tide, instantly enveloping Lín Jìn. Within the mist, black tentacles, swift as poisonous snakes, snapped out, clawing at him, trying to drag him into the endless abyss. Lín Jìn's expression hardened; he pumped his internal energy, a brilliant blue light flaring like raging flames, dispersing the mist swiftly. Simultaneously, he released powerful energy shockwaves, surging toward the two elders like a mountain‑crushing tide.

The Black-robed elders' faces darkened; they waved their staffs, and a black energy shield rose again like a dark sky, firmly blocking Lín Jìn's assault. Then they swung their staffs hard, chanting, and sharp black rocks shot up from the ground like black spears, hurling toward Lín Jìn at breakneck speed. Lín Jìn reacted swiftly, flipping in the air with eagle‑like agility, deftly evading the rocks. He then gathered a massive energy sphere, its surface crackling with electric arcs, containing world‑shattering power, and slammed it hard at the two elders.

Elsewhere, Ling Yin continued to play the Jade Flute, disrupting the Black-robed foes while deftly dodging their attacks with agile movements. Her lithe form danced among the Black-robed crowd, yet danger loomed. Spotting the moment, she played a melody that could confuse minds. The flute's sound slipped like an invisible thread into the enemies' heads. Many Black-robed warriors' eyes grew hazy, falling into hallucinations; they seemed to see their deepest fears, and their movements slowed involuntarily. The Silver Armor Guard seized this perfect chance, attacking like tigers descending a mountain, spears flashing like lightning, cutting down the hallucinating Black-robed foes.

Nevertheless, the Black-robed tide kept coming endlessly. As the fight wore on, Ao Li and her allies felt mounting pressure. Though the Silver Armor Guard fought bravely, treating death as a return home, many were wounded by the Black-robed onslaught. Blood stained their silver armor, glittering with tragic brilliance in the sunlight.

Seeing the wounded Silver Armor Guard, Ao Li's heart ignited with volcanic fury. She fused the Inheritance Power with her own strength to the utmost, her golden light blazing even brighter, like a scorching sun. "Everyone, don't give up; we will defeat these evil scum!" she shouted, her voice full of inspiring power, as if injecting a dose of courage into everyone.

Lín Jìn also knew there was no retreat; he must fight to the death. He gathered all his spirit, preparing to cast an even more powerful, unparalleled spell. His hands fluttered rapidly like butterflies among flowers, dazzling the eye. Around him, energy was drawn by an invisible giant hand, raging toward him, forming a massive blue energy ball. The ball spun at high speed, emitting deafening roars, like a miniature star about to explode, containing terrifying, world‑destroying power.

"Ao Li, Ling Yin, brothers of the Silver Armor Guard, prepare yourselves; after this strike we launch the final assault!" Lín Jìn shouted, his voice firm and resonant like a great bell echoing across the battlefield. Ao Li, Ling Yin, and the Silver Armor Guard nodded, their eyes showing steadfast belief. They knew this would be the decisive blow that would determine victory or defeat.

Lín Jìn poured all his strength into hurling the energy ball toward the densest part of the Black-robed ranks. The ball streaked across the sky like a meteor, blazing blue, and exploded amid the Black-robed crowd. A powerful shockwave radiated from the blast like a surging tsunami, flinging the Black-robed fighters like leaves in a gale; the battlefield filled with black smoke, dust, and intermittent cries of agony.

"Kill!" Ao Li shouted, her cry like a phoenix's call across the heavens, and surged forward toward the Black-robed foes. Her figure was a golden lightning, unstoppable. Lín Jìn, Ling Yin, and the Silver Armor Guard followed like a steel torrent, bearing unwavering resolve, engaging the Black-robed in the final showdown. Light flashed on the battlefield, both sides' forces clashed fiercely, sparking brilliant yet dangerous fireworks. Who could emerge from this white‑hot battle as the focus of all eyes? Ao Li's sword glittered gold in the sun, each swing carrying mountain‑crushing force; Lín Jìn's blue energy halo shone like a radiant star, its waves battering the Black-robed defenses; Ling Yin's flute sounded fierce and uplifting, like a battle horn urging everyone onward, her agile form weaving through the field, adding a unique flair; the Silver Armor Guard moved like a steel flood, steps steady and firm, spears like a forest, cold light flashing, each thrust lethal. This heart‑pounding battle, fueled by everyone's bravery, reached its most critical moment, and all were swept into the destiny‑shaping storm.