Chapter 436

Gu Qingwan's face changed, and she hurriedly rolled forward.

However, the "Phoenix Fire Lotus Basin" had already been destroyed by the Golden Radiance Sect disciples using the Heavenly Gang Thunder Fire Disk, turning into fragments in an instant.

This scene left everyone astonished.

Gu Qingwan painfully cradled the shards in her hands, her eyes filled with endless regret.

Lu Yuan, Su Liyan, and King Qi, who had landed at the same time, seeing this, all flashed forward to protect Gu Qingwan amidst the fierce battle with the Golden Radiance Sect disciples.

Everyone was somewhat injured upon landing, and they struggled to rise to their feet.

At this moment, the cave heaven was filled with a thick smell of gunpowder and an aura of regret.

Gu Qingwan whispered, "Brothers and sisters, sorry for disappointing you all..."

Lu Yuan stared fixedly at Lei Ling, his expression resolute yet somewhat sorrowful: "We need not cling to the lost treasure; what matters is our united strength." King Qi and Su Liyan cooperated seamlessly, displaying great strength and combat experience.

They surrounded Lei Ling, swiftly shuttling across the open space within the cave.

Suddenly, Su Liyan swung the Ice Crystal Long Whip, freezing the space around the enemies and sealing Lei Ling's escape route.

King Qi then followed up, wielding the Demon-Breaking Golden Wheel, continuously attacking Lei Ling within the frozen space.

Faced with the counterattacks of King Qi and Su Liyan, Lei Ling became flustered and disoriented; although he had previously shown great strength, he now found himself in a predicament.

He was forced onto the defensive, constantly dodging their attacks.

King Qi let out a cold laugh: "Lei Ling, Lei Ling, you're getting more and more reckless."

"Don't you understand we came to seek treasure? Let go of your obsession."

Su Liyan also joined in mocking: "Yes, Sect Leader Lei is obsessed with the Golden Radiance Sect and fails to see the greater opportunities within this cave heaven."

"Why not let go of your obsession, join forces with us, and together explore the secrets of this cave heaven?"

Lei Ling heard their words, his face turned pale, his mouth twitched: "You're ridiculous!"

"The Golden Radiance Sect is the only thing I believe in; I will never betray them."

King Qi sighed: "Lei Ling, Lei Ling, you chose this path yourself."

"If that's the case, then we have no choice but to end this ourselves."

Su Liyan gazed at Lei Ling, her eyes showing resolve and helplessness: "Lei Ling, I know your persistence is commendable."

"But in this cave heaven, each of us has our own pursuits and beliefs we hold fast to."

"I hope you can understand."

Only now did Lei Ling realize he had been driven into a desperate situation.

Anger, helplessness, and fear intertwined in his eyes. Yet he had no intention of easily admitting defeat.

Under the seamless cooperation of King Qi and Su Liyan, Lei Ling began to struggle increasingly between offense and defense.

Each dodge became relatively difficult, each counterattack appeared hesitant and uncertain.

"I will not give up! Absolutely not!" Lei Ling growled, ceasing his evasive movements in place.

A hint of pride flashed in his pupils.

King Qi's eyes were filled with determination: "If that's so, then we can only decide the outcome."

Su Liyan also nodded firmly: "Lei Ling, please take care of yourself."

In their silence, Lei Ling launched another attack.

But at this moment, he appeared overwhelmed, his moves scattered and lacking order. Lei Ling looked triumphantly at the reclaimed treasure before him—the "Phoenix Feather"—and a surge of victorious emotion welled up in his heart.

He sneered at Lu Yuan, coldly saying: "Lu Yuan, you people of the Golden Dragon Sect are all weak and incompetent."

"With just you, you want to compete with me? You can only forever be beneath my feet."

Lu Yuan, however, was not at all swayed by his words.

He calmly and confidently regarded Lei Ling, lightly laughing: "Lei Ling, you're getting carried away with pride."

"Obtaining the Phoenix Feather does not mean you have already won."

"Let me tell you, I will not let you off easily."

Lei Ling heard Lu Yuan's words and couldn't help but scoff: "Hmph! Lu Yuan, truly laughable!"

"You're merely a minor cultivator; how could you possibly be compared to me?"

Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade: "Lei Ling, since you're so confident, let's see who comes out on top."

Before his words faded, Lu Yuan suddenly raised his Heavenly Gang Thunder Fire Sword.

The blade flashed with a golden light, emitting a dazzling radiance in the sunlight.

"Five Elements Escape Technique, Heavenly Gang Northern Dipper Formation!"

Lu Yuan swiftly executed his immortal art, as mysterious runes wove in the air into a vast and wondrous formation.

Lei Ling, seeing this, couldn't help but reveal a hint of apprehension in his eyes.

His expression changed, and he quickly erupted with great power to oppose Lu Yuan.

The two began to maneuver in space, sword light and lightning intertwining.

Lu Yuan, agile like a spirit snake, continually dodged Lei Ling's attacks and, aided by the Heavenly Gang Northern Dipper Formation's power, launched counterattacks.

Lei Ling couldn't help but feel a bit of irritation in his heart.

He had originally thought that with the power of the Phoenix Feather he could easily defeat Lu Yuan, but reality turned out to be completely different.

Lu Yuan was entirely unlike what he had expected, becoming far stronger and harder to deal with.

"It seems I underestimated you."

Lei Ling let out a cold snort: "But you still cannot stop me."

Having said that, Lei Ling launched another attack.

However, in his moment of triumph, he became overly careless.

At this critical moment, a glint of challenge flashed in Lu Yuan's eyes, and his Heavenly Gang Thunder Fire Sword swept forth violently.

"Ha!" Lu Yuan let out a low roar, sword light like electricity stabbed into Lei Ling's defense line.

Lei Ling raised their head in shock, but it was already too late to dodge.

He only felt a huge force explode from the sword, directly blasting him away.

Lei Ling fell to the ground, a scorched smell rising from his body.

He struggled to climb to his feet, his face turning dark.

Lu Yuan stood in place, watching Lei Ling struggle to get up.

He revealed a resolute yet challenging look in his eyes: "You merely overestimated yourself."

"To me, you are nothing but a pitiful worm."

Lei Ling glared at Lu Yuan, wishing to tear his bones and strip his skin.

But at this moment he also realized he had missed the opportunity.

The Fire Phoenix Feather fell into Lu Yuan's hand again. In that instant, Lei Ling's eyes became extremely panicked and angry, because he realized he had no way to retreat.

He could no longer seize back the Fire Phoenix Feather, while Lu Yuan showed no intention of retreating.

Lei Ling, as if struck by lightning on his body, barely managed to support himself and stand up.

The searing pain made him clench his teeth, but he deeply knew this battle already had no hope of victory.

He raised his head, only to see Lu Yuan standing there, smiling confidently and full of victory.

This young cultivator snatched away everything he thought he had grasped, striking at his deepest pride.

"Are you not going to admit defeat?" (End of chapter)