The red flames and white sword light clashed repeatedly, causing loud explosions. Below, Xuanjing was caught in the chaos, engulfed in a sea of fire.
The fight between the two didn't last long. Kou Hong's cultivation level was already lower than Dao Xuanzi's, and he had also been weakened by the immortal miasma earlier, so he quickly fell behind.
Dao Xuanzi didn't hold back either, and his sword attacks became even more fierce. Just then, an old voice rang out again.
"Dao Xuanzi is unpredictable and holds grudges. If he wins, we have no chance of survival. Everyone, help Immortal Master Kou Hong against Dao Xuanzi!"
Hearing this, Kou Hong was overjoyed. He quickly moved away from Dao Xuanzi and watched as Dao Xuanzi was overwhelmed by a barrage of bullets. Kou Hong shouted with satisfaction, "As they say, those who do evil will eventually destroy themselves. Who would have thought that the self-proclaimed noble Dao Xuanzi would betray and face backlash!"
Dao Xuanzi, already frustrated by the secret attacks, felt even more enraged upon hearing Kou Hong's words. "You fool!" he couldn't hold back and cursed at Kou Hong.
"Ah, so you finally speak your mind!" Kou Hong retorted, "You claim to be smart, yet why are you now deserted by everyone, even the mortals you recruited have turned against you? This is what happens when cleverness backfires!"
Dao Xuanzi was speechless at this. He chose to ignore Kou Hong and focused on slashing the mortal soldiers attacking him. However, these mortals were like locusts, endless in number. After killing one group, another quickly appeared.
Dao Xuanzi had to be cautious of the immortal miasma, using energy-consuming long-range attacks to kill. The situation reached a strange stalemate.
The old voice, persistent as ever, spoke again. "Immortal Master Kou Hong, our people are nearly all dead. Once Dao Xuanzi kills us all, will you be spared? If you don't act now, when will you?"
Reminded by the voice, Kou Hong suddenly realized. He looked at Dao Xuanzi, his expression serious. "You're right. Dao Xuanzi, we've known each other for a hundred years. Though we've become enemies over the Golden Core technique, seeking longevity is understandable. I'll give you one last chance. If you give up the technique and leave, I won't trouble you. Otherwise, only one of us will survive."
Dao Xuanzi sighed softly, saying nothing, but raised his sword to face Kou Hong.
"Very well, during my recent escape, I've comprehended a new technique. Let me send you on your way!" Kou Hong said seriously. He then drew a symbol with his hand, "Technique: Dragon Prison!"
Instantly, fiery chains appeared in all directions, forming a massive cage, trapping Dao Xuanzi in the center.
"Break for me!" Dao Xuanzi felt the immense pressure on him, his expression grave. He took a deep breath, and a rusty iron sword's shadow appeared behind him.
With the shadow's power, his sword light seemed enhanced. When it struck the fiery cage, the flames froze and quickly dimmed.
Kou Hong seemed to have anticipated this, laughing loudly, "Dao Xuanzi, we've fought side by side countless times. People say my cultivation is far inferior to yours, and that's true. But cultivation is one thing, fighting is another. In a life-and-death battle, who knows who will win?"
"There's no need to hold back. Let's see if your Dao Xuan Sword is stronger or my technique prevails!"
Kou Hong's eyes filled with fighting spirit, "Technique: Dragon Swallow!"
The flames extinguished, but Dao Xuanzi's face changed drastically with the cage's disappearance. Beneath the flames were brown branches, lying in wait like venomous snakes. With the flames gone, they shot toward Dao Xuanzi, growing rapidly into a twisted monster, ready to devour him!
"Dao Xuan!" At the brink of life and death, Dao Xuanzi remained calm. The rusty sword's shadow fully appeared in the sky.
The branches paused as if meeting a natural enemy but then resumed their frenzy, rushing at Dao Xuanzi. Dao Xuanzi swung his sword, and the shadow followed suit.
The space ahead froze like water under extreme cold. The branches clashed with Dao Xuanzi's sword, but quickly retreated.
The branches shattered into crystal fragments, unable to withstand even one strike from Dao Xuanzi's sword!
Kou Hong's carefully prepared technique was easily defeated. As the sword shadow neared, Kou Hong stood firm, unafraid.
"Technique: Dragon Transformation!"
With a roar, some of the shattered branches came alive, forming a new branch. It was darker than before, with two protrusions like dragon horns!
The branch, like a sword, aimed at Dao Xuanzi, accompanied by a faint dragon's roar!
Dao Xuanzi's eyes showed a hint of admiration, but his sword didn't waver. In a life-and-death struggle, decisiveness was key. The winner lives, the loser dies, nothing more.
At this critical moment, the old voice echoed over Xuanjing again.
"Immortal Master Kou Hong, we will aid you!"
Before the words finished, fiery trails, like planned missiles, targeted Dao Xuanzi, exploding into a rain of blood!
"Ah!" Caught off guard, Dao Xuanzi cried out, his aura diminishing.
The sword shadow dimmed, and the branch seized the chance, breaking through the frozen space, embedding into Dao Xuanzi!
Dao Xuanzi's sword strike, weakened, only made Kou Hong cough up blood before dissipating.
"Cough, cough..." Dao Xuanzi laughed bitterly, wanting to speak but unable to.
In moments, under the branch's devouring, he turned to bones.
(End of Chapter)