"Is… is your injury fake?"
Unconsciously, Lin Chen's muscles started to tense as his gaze became sharper.
He had to admit that Elder Zhao was truly sinister. He had realized how determined Elder Zhao was to kill him, which was why he had resorted to such a plan.
"My injury is real, but the scheme against you is even more so."
Elder Zhao let out a sinister smile as he tore off his robe, revealing a horrifying sword wound on his chest.
This sword wound would have been fatal if it had been an inch higher.
"I would not hesitate to stab myself with a sword just to lure you here as I plot against you."
Elder Zhao casually threw his shirt aside, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. "Fortunately, you did not disappoint me."
At that moment, an intimidating aura emanated from his body.
"Boom! Boom!"
Behind him, a colossal flaming elephant slowly emerged from the clouds.
It was tall and majestic, its body engulfed in flames that caused the surrounding space to ripple incessantly.
Its very appearance exuded an immense aura of power.
"Lin Chen, you are indeed the most resilient genius I have ever encountered!"
Elder Zhao took a step forward, a cold glint in his eyes. "After your status was stripped from you, not only did you not fall into despair, but you also displayed astonishing cultivation talent once more. It is truly admirable. Sometimes, I cannot help but wonder how far you could have gone if you had been allowed to grow freely. Unfortunately, today must be the end of your journey."
"Stand up and let us fight."
Lin Chen instructed Tuntun.
Tuntun leapt down from Lin Chen's shoulders, his body rapidly expanding until he reached a height of over ten feet.
"This battle will be a little difficult…"
Tuntun looked at the colossal flaming elephant and sighed in resignation.
"No matter how difficult it is, we must fight! This old man must die today!"
"Otherwise, there will never be peace!"
Lin Chen clenched his fists tightly, his gaze hardening as a ferocious murderous intent surged from his eyes.
At the same time, an intense evil aura burst forth from his body.
Even though this battle would be an uphill struggle, Lin Chen refused to be daunted.
"Die!"
Elder Zhao's body shot into the air, a sharp magic sword appearing in his hand.
The magic sword radiated intense heat, as if it could melt anyone it pierced!
"Iron Skin Pattern!"
"Fire Resistance Pattern!"
Lin Chen activated two level 4 spirit patterns in rapid succession.
A flowing black light appeared on his arms, giving them the strength of steel.
Beneath the black light was a layer of red light that could reduce the damage from fire attacks.
"Level 4 spirit patterns?"
Elder Zhao's pupils contracted, but he quickly regained his composure and sneered, "What good will that do? The gap between us is so vast that no external force can bridge it!"
"Swoosh!"
The sword thrust towards him, but Lin Chen dodged it by twisting his body.
"Dragon Jade Hand!"
Lin Chen bellowed and raised his hand to catch the magic sword.
The combined effects of the Dragon Jade Hand and Iron Skin Pattern made Lin Chen's arms as strong as iron!
"Clang!"
Lin Chen's palm met the magic sword head-on, resulting in a deafening clash of metal.
Elder Zhao twisted his wrist, causing the magic sword to burst into flames and force Lin Chen's wrist away.
Without hesitation, he thrust the sword at Lin Chen's chest.
Lin Chen's pupils shrank.
In close combat, his opponent's speed was too fast for him to keep up with.
He could only see afterimages!
Lin Chen relied on his instincts to protect his chest with his palms.
"Clang!"
The magic sword stabbed into Lin Chen's palm, but it was unable to penetrate any further.
Elder Zhao's eyes turned cold as he clenched his other hand into a fist and struck the hilt of the sword, driving it forward!
The power of the magic sword surged, piercing straight through Lin Chen's palm.
Lin Chen gritted his teeth and raised his hand, using all his strength to send Elder Zhao flying away.
On the other side, the colossal flaming elephant and Tuntun were locked in a fierce battle.
The two spirit patterns activated by Lin Chen were also bolstering Tuntun.
Tuntun charged forward recklessly, roaring as he collided with the colossal flaming elephant.
Despite his imposing height of ten feet, he still seemed insignificant compared to the colossal flaming elephant.
Yet, every collision unleashed unimaginable force.
The rocks at the foot of the mountain shattered into pieces, sending cracks spreading in all directions.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Tuntun fought with abandon, his fists striking like a raging storm.
But despite landing blows on the colossal flaming elephant, the impact was minimal.
This colossal flaming elephant was a sixth-order spirit beast with thick skin and an immense amount of flesh.
Even though Tuntun had awakened his bloodline power to the fifth level, greatly enhancing his overall combat strength, he still struggled to break through the colossal flaming elephant's defenses due to the vast gap in their cultivation levels.
"Boom!"
After a violent barrage of attacks, Tuntun was sent flying by a swing of the colossal flaming elephant's trunk.
However, he was undeterred and immediately charged back into the fray with an earsplitting roar.
"Dragon Jade Hand!"
"Boom!"
Tuntun's figure flashed as he struck the colossal flaming elephant between the eyes.
The immense force of his blow sent the colossal flaming elephant tumbling backward several steps.
There was hope!
Tuntun's eyes lit up, and he attacked with even greater ferocity.
Compared to the battle between Tuntun and the colossal flaming elephant, the confrontation between Lin Chen and Elder Zhao was far more intense, filled with murderous intent that permeated the air.
Lin Chen's clothes were torn and he had sustained over a dozen sword wounds.
Fortunately, the 'Iron Skin Pattern' protected his entire body, so his injuries were not life-threatening.
"Lin Chen, I will prove to you today that the gap between us is insurmountable, and no amount of external assistance can bridge it!"
Elder Zhao laughed wildly as he slashed his sword relentlessly.
Each sword strike was accompanied by intense flames that threatened to burn everything in its path!
The 'Fire Pattern' absorbed a significant amount of the flames, but the scorching heat still caused Lin Chen immense discomfort.
The gap between him and those at the tenth level of the Earth Spirit Realm was truly vast!
"Swoosh!"
Elder Zhao seized an opportunity and struck Lin Chen in the waist with his sword.
The sharp edge of the sword sliced open a bloody gash.
Even the 'Iron Skin Pattern' and the 'Myriad Wood Spirit Body' were unable to withstand the attack.
Lin Chen fought with desperation. Ignoring the pain, he gritted his teeth, closed the distance to Elder Zhao, and unleashed a powerful punch aimed at his chest.
This punch was enhanced by the Dragon Jade Hand.
He targeted Elder Zhao's wound!
The deafening blow was like the impact of a hammer, causing Elder Zhao's body to tremble violently.
A savage murderous intent flashed through his eyes once more. "Boy, I will slice you into pieces today!"
'It seems that his injury is severe.'
Lin Chen noticed beads of sweat forming on Elder Zhao's forehead.
Having confirmed his opponent's weakness, Lin Chen felt a surge of inspiration. His pupils turned a deep scarlet, and his murderous aura intensified, like a starving wolf that had caught the scent of blood!
The previous injury had ignited the savagery within him.
Upon witnessing the change in Lin Chen, Elder Zhao was astonished.
This kid is actually becoming more aggressive as the battle progresses!
"Old dog, die!"
Lin Chen roared fiercely, kicked off the ground, and charged forward.
Elder Zhao was caught off guard by Lin Chen's sudden burst of energy after a prolonged battle.
He extended his hand to block the attack, hoping to reduce its impact.
Clearly, he had underestimated Lin Chen!
There was a muffled thud as Elder Zhao was forced back dozens of steps, his wrist throbbing with pain.