This was the final battle, fought for so many years. Nearly two million human cultivators had fallen, and even with Chen Xiaohan present, casualties were unavoidable.
Although tens of millions of Sky-Slaying tribesmen had been killed, this was still a loss humanity could not bear.
The two sides regrouped. Wang Teng still dared not bring back the Pillar of Heaven. The closer they got to the end, the fewer mistakes could be afforded. If their home was raided, victory would be as meaningless as defeat.
Yan Xing gripped his halberd, his body enveloped in raging flames. As the leader of humanity in this world, he had fought countless battles, and his presence alone instilled immense peace.
"If I were you, I would have ripped space and fled by now. I didn't expect you to dare come and die!"
Yituo Xiang and Yituo Shi's faces were grim. This world should have been theirs for the taking, but the arrival of the Ice Sword Mercenary Group had drastically changed the situation.
"Heh, you really think you've won?"
"Judging by the current scene, it certainly looks like it. So, you'd best not run later, as I intend to sever your heads myself!"
Yituo Shi took a deep breath, a look of desperate resolve flashing in his eyes. He said coldly, "Yan Xing! You are finished this time. As long as you die, they will have no future, no matter how formidable they are!"
Yan Xing remained expressionless, but his heart stirred.
Just as Li Qingyun had predicted, this guy intended to fight to the death. He was the key to this battle; everyone else could afford to lose, but he could not.
"When you flee in disarray later, you'd best remember your words now!"
"Battle!"
The two sides clashed immediately. Chen Xiaohan stood on the back of the ice phoenix, Aji, while the others constantly surrounded Chen Xiaohan, with Aji carrying them into the depths of the battlefield.
Aji was now a sixth-tier demonic beast, equivalent to a Nascent Soul realm cultivator, but even stronger, as ice phoenixes possessed top-tier bloodlines.
Even the eighth-tier Sky-Slaying tribesmen dared not approach them, for this mercenary group could easily kill eighth-tier peak cultivators. Fortunately, the foolish De Aibi had gone to test them earlier, allowing them to discover that besides the Pillar of Heaven, the Ice Sword Mercenary Group possessed another method of trapping opponents.
Though Li Qingyun and the others were killing enemies, their gazes frequently drifted to the battlefield between Yan Xing and Yituo Xiang and Yituo Shi. The outcome of their battle would determine the ultimate victory.
Furthermore, their plan was for Yan Xing to achieve victory without facing a life-threatening situation.
"Yan Xing! Today, even if I, Yituo Shi, have to pay with my life, I will take you down!" Yituo Shi roared.
"Boom!!!"
Pitch-black flames erupted from Yituo Shi's body, the sky itself distorting from the heat. Yituo Shi's aura surged in that instant!
Yituo Xiang was moved to tears, trembling as he said, "Brother! You are the pride of the Sky-Slaying tribe!"
Yes, Yituo Shi had activated his Demonic Body Sacrifice to Heaven, his strength instantly rising by a tier. Gripping his spear, he charged towards Yan Xing!
Yan Xing took a deep breath, feeling immense pressure. In the past, he would have unhesitatingly self-destructed his Dao Palace, but now...
His halberd collided with the opponent's spear, and he was immediately sent flying by a massive shockwave, the sky seemingly pierced.
Yituo Shi, his face contorted, continued to charge at Yan Xing. He had exchanged his life for this temporary surge in power and was determined to kill Yan Xing!
Yituo Xiang, fearing his brother might not be able to defeat Yan Xing, also gripped his spear and swiftly charged forward.
Everyone in the Ice Sword Mercenary Group's eyes gleamed at this moment!
"This is the moment!"
As Yituo Shi reached Yan Xing, Yan Xing extended his hand, and a small lotus gently floated out. It was the Lotus of Creation.
The Lotus of Creation was already a quasi-Emperor artifact, only lacking true Emperor intent.
Therefore, it was perfectly capable of blocking Yituo Shi under his Demonic Body Sacrifice to Heaven.
"This is useless against me!"
However, at this moment, a little girl, using a lotus leaf as an umbrella, emerged from the Lotus of Creation. She lowered the leaf and extended her tiny hands.
Instantly, two Curses of Desolation were unleashed, directly bombarding Yituo Shi.
"Ding—"
A withered aura seeped into Yituo Shi's body, causing his power to falter slightly and his cultivation to slowly decline…
Seeing this, Yituo Shi burst into wild laughter. "Curses of Desolation? Using this against me? Do you think a battle between us can involve Li Qingyun?"
"Brother! I'll help you!"
Yituo Xiang charged furiously, his spearhead aimed directly at the Lotus of Creation.
"You go kill Yan Xing! I'll shatter this damned lotus until its artifact spirit dies!"
But Yan Xing began to laugh, his voice cold as he said, "I've been waiting for you! Li Qingyun! Make your move!!"
"I know!"
Li Qingyun's response echoed back. Gritting his teeth, he reached out and controlled his Lotus of Creation.
"Lotus Realm!"
The Lotus of Creation unleashed ripples, then directly absorbed Yituo Xiang into the Lotus Realm.
Seeing his brother absorbed, Yituo Shi erupted into laughter.
"A bunch of fools! Do you think this small world can trap my brother? He can easily shatter this entire world..."
The entire Lotus of Creation vibrated violently, as if Yituo Xiang, imprisoned within, was about to break free.
But Li Qingyun directly recalled the Lotus of Creation and, with lightning speed, activated the teleportation imprint.
"Brothers! I'm taking my leave! I'll bring good news!"
With that, a golden light enveloped Li Qingyun, and he, along with his Lotus of Creation, vanished. He was returning to Blue Star…
…
Blue Star, Xia Nation.
A black vortex appeared before Chu Yang.
Before anyone emerged, a flustered voice was heard!
"Brother Xian! Brother Xian! I've brought you a great treasure! My Lotus Realm is about to collapse, quickly help me kill him!!!"
Li Qingyun stumbled out of the vortex, then tossed the violently shaking Lotus of Creation before Chu Yang.
Chu Yang's eyes widened. He used his Insightful Eye to examine the scene within the Lotus Realm and was utterly dumbfounded.
"It can... do this?"