Chapter 160: Fight Against Ye Fan

A guttural growl ripped from the Iron Hammer Sect leader's throat as his lifeless eyes locked onto Wang Li. "How... how?!" he rasped, disbelief twisting his features. A mere Nascent Soul cultivator had pierced his defenses with such ease. It seemed impossible!

Ignoring this demon, Wang Li turned towards Palace Mistress Jiu Lan, his voice urgent. "Palace Mistress, handle these three. I'll deal with Ye Fan. Once he's out of the picture, I'll assist you."

Palace Mistress Jiu Lan snorted. "Don't underestimate me, young man. I require no assistance from the likes of you."

Pride flickered in her eyes, a facade masking the relief that surged through her. Wang Li's timely intervention had significantly reduced the threat she faced.

Seeing her resolve, Wang Li knew better than to argue. He stole another glance towards Palace Mistress Jiu Lan. This was the moment she would unleash her secret technique, the Jade Lotus Blossoming.

This powerful ability would imbue her with the essence of a thousand jade lotuses, amplifying her strength, speed, and control over wood attribute energy.

However, it came at a cost. The Jade Lotus Blossoming could only be sustained for ten minutes, a harsh limitation.

With a whisper of an ancient chant, Palace Mistress Jiu Lan's emerald robes glowed with ethereal light. Her movements became fluid and graceful, as if she danced with the wind itself.

The air crackled with wood attribute energy as she brandished her Emerald Willow Blade, ready to face the remaining adversaries.

Meanwhile, tension crackled between Wang Li and Ye Fan. The air shimmered with anticipation as they exchanged a silent challenge. Ye Fan, ever the showman, grinned.

"This time will be different, Wang Li. I've absorbed heavenly treasures and honed my demonic body cultivation technique. My body is now a weapon itself, on par with a Nascent Soul Realm artifact!"

Wang Li met his boast with a sardonic smile. "Let's see about that."

Their blades sang as they clashed. Wang Li unleashed his signature technique, the Yin Crescent Slash. A crescent of pure Yin energy erupted from his sword, aiming to sever Ye Fan's defenses.

Ye Fan countered with the Flowing Water Shield, an elegant wave of water attribute energy that deflected the Yin Crescent Slash with surprising ease.

The battle escalated quickly. Wang Li followed up with the Yang Scorching Slash, a fiery arc of Yang energy that scorched the ground at Ye Fan's feet.

The Wyvern Lord, its scales gleaming obsidian black, roared and unleashed a torrent of fire from its maw – the Dragon's Breath. Palace Mistress Jiu Lan responded with the Willow Shield, a swirling vortex of wood energy that deflected the flames harmlessly away.

The Nine-Tailed Fox, wounded but not out of the fight, unleashed a flurry of icy attacks. It launched the Nine-Tailed Ice Shards, a barrage of razor-sharp ice fragments that hissed through the air. Jiu Lan responded with the Willow Ward, a protective barrier woven from countless willow branches imbued with wood attribute energy.

The ice shards clattered harmlessly against the barrier, shattering into shimmering dust.

The remaining Iron Hammer Sect disciples, having lost their leader, fought with a mixture of desperation and fear. They launched a volley of enchanted throwing axes, each infused with demonic energy. With a flick of her wrist, Jiu Lan unleashed the Willow Whip, a single willow branch that extended with incredible speed and accuracy, swatting away the axes before they could find their mark.

While Jiu Lan battled valiantly, the strain of maintaining the Jade Lotus Blossoming began to show. Beads of sweat formed on her brow, and her movements, though still graceful, lacked their initial vigor. The ten-minute time limit loomed large, a ticking time bomb that could turn the tide of battle in an instant.

Back at the center of the battlefield, the duel between Wang Li and Ye Fan intensified. The air crackled with raw energy as they pushed each other to their limits.

Both Wang Li and Ye Fan, despite being Nascent Soul cultivators, managed to push each other to their limits due to their unique cultivation methods.

Wang Li's Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation technique provided a harmonious balance that allowed him to subtly manipulate the elements within his attacks, while Ye Fan's Five Elemental Spiritual Body granted him an exceptional peak in the power of each element.

With a battle cry, Ye Fan unleashed his most powerful Earth element technique – the Mountain Crushing Fist. This technique imbued his fist with the weight and power of a collapsing mountain. Wang Li, anticipating this move, countered with his most potent attack – the Yin-Yang Annihilation Strike. This combined the destructive power of Yin and Yang energy into a single devastating blow.

The two attacks collided in a blinding flash of light. The ground trembled, and shockwaves rippled outwards, sending both combatants flying backwards. A momentary silence descended upon the battlefield as everyone watched, holding their breath, waiting to see who would emerge victorious.

As the dust settled, Ye Fan coughed, blood trickling down his chin. His chest heaved with exertion. Across from him, Wang Li stood tall, his robes slightly singed, but otherwise unharmed. A satisfied smile played on his lips.

Desperation gnawed at Ye Fan's insides. The fight was turning against him, and the exquisite balance Wang Li maintained between Yin and Yang energy gave him a distinct advantage. With a ragged breath, Ye Fan bellowed across the battlefield, "Leader, this fight is lost! We must retreat!"

The Iron Hammer Sect leader, battered and bruised, was all too willing to agree. He cursed under his breath, glaring at the still-formidable Palace Mistress Jiu Lan. With a guttural growl, he wheeled around, intending to flee.

Jiu Lan, her movements becoming a touch sluggish due to the imminent expiration of the Jade Lotus Blossoming technique, did not pursue. Her main focus remained on the remaining opponents – the Wyvern Lord and the Nine-Tailed Fox.

Meanwhile, Ye Fan launched himself into the air, intending to escape the chaotic battlefield. But a chilling sensation washed over him as he felt a barrier materialize around him. It was a subtle force field, transparent yet impassable. His eyes narrowed, snapping back to Wang Li who stood a few paces away, a cocky smirk twisting his lips.