Chapter 161: Killing Ye Fan And Enduring Heavenly Tribulation

"Trying to run away already, Ye Fan?" he taunted, his voice dripping with amusement. "I wouldn't want to miss the grand finale, would I?"

Ye Fan's heart hammered against his ribs. It was then he realized Wang Li had anticipated this. That invisible barrier was likely a portable array, activated discreetly to prevent his escape.

He gritted his teeth and raised his sword, preparing to face the inevitable clash. The battle resumed, a desperate struggle against an energized enemy. However, without the vastness of the open area to maneuver, Ye Fan felt trapped, his attacks becoming predictable.

The metallic clang of swords echoed repeatedly through the decimated battlefield. With each clash, Ye Fan felt his grip loosen, his once-pristine sword nicked and dented against the relentless force of Wang Li's weapon, imbued with the combined power of Yin and Yang.

The inevitable finally occurred. With a deafening screech, Ye Fan's sword shattered, falling into glittering shards at his feet. Panic surged through him as he realized his only defense lay shattered on the ground. He watched in horror as Wang Li closed the distance, his own sword glowing with an unearthly light.

"This ends today, Ye Fan," Wang Li snarled, his voice devoid of all mercy. "Prepare to meet your maker!"

Just as Wang Li's blade was about to cleave through Ye Fan's throat, a sudden shift in the atmosphere jolted everyone on the battlefield. The clear blue sky above them vanished, replaced by an ominous canopy of swirling black clouds. Bolts of crimson lightning, thick as a man's arm, crackled and pulsed within the storm, radiating an aura of raw power and impending destruction.

A collective gasp tore through the battlefield. It was a Heavenly Tribulation, a terrifying phenomenon reserved for those attempting to ascend to the Soul Integration Realm. But this was impossible! Neither Ye Fan nor Wang Li were on the cusp of such a breakthrough!

Wang Li, momentarily stunned, stared at the ominous storm above. This wasn't natural. This was Heavenly Tribulation, a terrifying phenomenon reserved for those who dared defy the natural order by defying fate. And here it was, seemingly summoned to intervene and save Ye Fan's life.

Fury coursed through him. He wouldn't let this divine intervention stop him. Not now, not when victory was in his grasp. With a ferocious roar, Wang Li ignored the crackling lightning arcing towards him. He raised his weapon, unwavering, his intent clear – to finish what he started.

The crimson lightning descended, aiming for Wang Li, who stood resolute, his face etched with grim determination. His blade still aimed at Ye Fan's exposed throat, prepared to strike even if it meant defying the Heavens themselves.

A sickening crunch echoed through the battlefield as Wang Li's blade met its mark. Ye Fan's eyes widened in disbelief as the metal sliced through flesh and bone, separating his head from his body in a single, brutal motion. Blood sprayed in a crimson arc, painting the ground around them.

Just as Wang Li withdrew his weapon, a deafening roar tore through the newly formed silence. The crimson lightning, thick and pulsating with raw power, slammed into him. He roared in defiance, the impact sending him flying through the air like a ragdoll.

This would create a powerful attraction, a bond that went beyond mere gratitude. She would find his aura more pleasing, her body subconsciously yearning for the Yang energy he possessed.

It was a subtle form of seduction, a clever manipulation that could work wonders when dealing with a powerful and independent woman like Palace Mistress Jiu Lan.

A low groan escaped his lips as the transfer of energy began. It was a draining process, but a necessary one. He would endure the pain, for the potential reward was far too tempting to ignore.

As the minutes ticked by, sweat beaded on his forehead, his body feeling like a battlefield itself. Yet, a sense of satisfaction bloomed within him. He was not just healing, he was playing a dangerous game, and the stakes couldn't have been higher.

Time seemed to blur as Wang Li pushed himself to his limits. He watched from the corner of his eye as a faint tinge of pink returned to Palace Mistress Jiu Lan's cheeks.

Her breathing, shallow and labored at first, slowly began to even out. A small smile played on her unconscious lips, as if she was experiencing a pleasant dream.

A triumphant grin spread across Wang Li's face, even as exhaustion threatened to claim him. His gamble was paying off.

He had defeated his enemy, earned the respect of the Jade Lotus Palace, and most importantly, started a subtle seduction of a powerful and alluring woman. Now, all he needed was for Palace Mistress Jiu Lan to awaken.

And when she did, he would be there, the one who had saved her life, the source of the energy that had revitalized her.

The battle was over, but the real game had just begun.

The battlefield, once a scene of chaotic combat, became eerily quiet. The remaining disciples of the Jade Lotus Palace, their jade green robes shimmering in the fading sunlight, surveyed the aftermath with a mixture of relief and exhaustion. The air still crackled with the lingering energy of the battle, a testament to the ferocious clash that had just unfolded.

Among the fallen lay the mangled bodies of the Wyverns, their once-proud figures reduced to mere carcasses. The remaining Jade Lotus Palace disciples, many of them young women with determination etched on their faces, carefully cleaned the battlefield, a grim yet necessary task.

Elder Zhu Xingyu, her silver hair pulled back in a tight bun, approached the spot where Wang Li lay sprawled beside the unconscious Palace Mistress Jiu Lan. Her brow furrowed in concern. "What should we do with him?" she asked, her voice crisp and authoritative.