Bang! Extremely terrifying undulations of resonant power swept out of Li Luo in a violent tempest. This resonant power was so strong that it was ripping apart Li Luo's body whilst destroying the void around him as well. He swung the Dragon Elephant Blade downwards, and a tyrannical beam of blade energy pierced through the void, directly colliding against the karmic flames. When the beam of energy swept past, the karmic flames that had been suppressed by Jiang Qing'e were snuffed out like a candle by the hurricane-like force.
This frightening scene caused those watching to turn pale.
"Li Luo actually chose to destroy his own Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfried?!" Li Foluo exclaimed with a pained look. That was a Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfried! Any ordinary genius pursued this goal relentlessly in the Duke Stage. Meanwhile, Li Luo seemed to have casually chosen to give it up, which demonstrated how exemplary his sheer will was. Anyone else would rather die than to sacrifice the embodiment of their potential and opportunities. Perhaps it was precisely this sort of determination that allowed him to forge a Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfried to begin with. His mental fortitude and grit were so incredible that he believed that it was just a matter of time to forge yet another one in the future. Furthermore, he was only capable of breaking through this desperate situation by going all out. Additionally, Qin Lian was also from a Heavenly Emperor bloodline and possessed exceptional talent and a foundation that superseded her peers; she wasn't someone that a rogue cultivator could aspire to beat. Qin Beiming, Li Zhihuo, and all the other fifth-grade Dukes would have been brutally slaughtered by her even if they joined forces.
Li Luo couldn't hold back in any way if he wished to overcome this predicament.
He continued carrying out his plan while the crowd was left to their own thoughts. Majestic amounts of sword energy condensed in the sky, forming an ancient and mystical formation.
At the same time, four incredibly sharp Dragon Fang Swords nestled into place.
The difference was that the waves of the sword energy were several times mightier than before. Roiling sword energy filled the world, causing everyone to be able to feel the heart-stopping sword energy.
The Myriad Resonances Dragon Fang Sword Formation!
Four Dragon Fangs Swords!
Condensed Obliteration Sword Embryo! Sword hymns reverberated throughout the space as sword energy poured out of the formation like a torrent, transforming into an embryonic chaotic sword.
The sword embryo was much larger and more magnificent in comparison to before. Its appearance was still illusory, but it struck fear into everyone's hearts.
As the sword embryo floated above, flitting between reality and illusion, it resembled a gigantic beast, capable of devouring anything before it.
Li Luo's body was riddled with injuries, but his gaze remained sharp and steadfast whilst a murderous intent brewed within.
He had only encountered such life-and-death situations a few times before. However, he would sever all of the karma between them with this attack. Li Luo took in a deep breath as his body thrummed with resonant power. It then poured out like a raging tide into the embryonic chaotic sword.
"Qin Lian, it's time for the second round!"
Li Luo's voice reverberated throughout the world.
A moment later, the embryonic chaotic sword sliced through the void. The sword hymns intensified to the point that even people outside the Treasure Domain were capable of hearing it.
"A piddly second-grade Duke... even if you were to destroy both Bergfrieds, you would not be able to escape death today!" Qin Lian's expression was twisted.
Li Luo's desperate counterattack had caused her to sense a hint of danger. If she were in her right mind, she might have chosen to dodge the edge of the blade. However, the hatred that clouded her heart and mind only gave rise to even more resentment, and madness overtook her. The eight Duke Bergfrieds above her roared to life, each of their runes emitting wondrous light. Vast amounts of resonant power flowed out and further supplemented the Nine-tiered Golden Rampart Karmic Flame Pagoda. The originally dark-red karmic flames blazed with even greater intensity.
A tiny crack had appeared on the towering Golden Rampart Pagoda. Right after the first crack appeared, it was as though a chain reaction had been set off. In a few moments, countless cracks riddled the massive structure; even the eye-catching golden walls began to break.
Meanwhile, Qin Lian's black, vortex-like eyes were fluctuating intensely upon seeing this. She could smell death approaching her. "How could this be possible?!" Her vision became distorted.
Her entire body was trembling as she quickly formed hand seals whilst resentment continued to pour out of her gaze. If only looks could kill.
Once the seals were complete, the eight Duke Bergfrieds above her began to shake and cracks appeared on them.
Qin Lian was similarly planning to detonate her own Duke Bergfrieds! Such an explosion would emit a tremendous amount of energy akin to a bomb that would wipe out all life within tens of thousands of meters of her. However, this would also bring about a humongous backlash. If she was unlucky, the energy explosion would backfire onto her and annihilate her as well.
This was a vicious double-edged sword. That said, Qin Lian didn't care at all about the consequences.
She had activated her Duke Bergfrieds and was determined to struggle to the death.
But just as she was about to complete this act, her gaze fell upon a certain location beneath her. It was there where a beautiful figure completely enveloped in black feathers was revealed in the aftermath of the destructive blows that rained down upon the battlefield.
That was none other than Qin Yi.
Her eyes were wide open, dripping with tears as she quietly watched her mother.
When their gazes met, it was as though a drop of pristine spring water had fallen upon Qin Lian's demented and twisted heart, setting ripples throughout her soul and stimulating the final trace of humanity she possessed. Waves of endless fatigue washed over her tormented heart. This was the tiredness that had built up as she pursued her obsessive path of hatred over the years.
It was then that a thought ran through her mind.
Perhaps her death would bring about peace and relief.
"Qin Yi..." Qin Lian murmured.
"These years have been bitter for you. I'm sorry. I haven't been a good mother to you."
Qin Lian froze momentarily, just before activating the final seal that would catalyze the self-destruction of her Bergfrieds.
The embryonic chaotic sword continued to arc through the skies, cleaving through all eight Duke Bergfrieds and Qin Lian's body during that moment of hesitation. Bang! All the Duke Bergfrieds were shattered, transforming into a rain of light that poured down across the entire domain as a vast energy tempest erupted. Every beautiful mote of light was reflected in Qin Yi's light-blue eyes.
Unabated tears fell like rain. "Mother!" Qin Yi cried with a heart full of grief and pain.