On the other side,
Lin Xiu is currently battling with Gold and Silver Elders.
Both of these individuals are at the peak of Dou Emperor realm. Whether in terms of realm strength or physical prowess, each one is weaker than Queen Medusa.
However, their cooperation is extremely tacit. Between attacks and defenses, they seamlessly switch, with their assaults coming in waves, one after another.
Despite them possessing strong practical combat experience, Lin Xiu has narrowly avoided being caught off guard by them several times.
Fortunately, his reactions are quick enough and his offensive is formidable, barely managing to fend them off.
However, he hasn't been able to inflict any additional injuries on them.
If this continues, being dragged down by them, he fears he may fall into their rhythm.
It must change!
"Burning vitality!"
Lin Xiu guided the Secret Technique, his internal energy boiling, his skin turning red, and flames leaping in his eyes.
His strength surged all the way up to 4 Star Dou Emperor.
"Secret Technique? This is desperate. Once your Secret Technique ends, you'll be fish on the chopping block."
Elder Silver noticed Lin Xiu's change in aura and not only felt no fear but even a sense of assured excitement.
"Don't be careless!"
Elder Gold frowned and reminded him.
"I know."
Elder Silver responded.
The two knew that Lin Xiu had great strength and speed, so they adopted a continuous alternating attack strategy.
They neither engaged Lin Xiu head-on, preventing him from using his strength advantage, nor gave him a chance to utilize his speed.
The three fought fiercely, flashing around the valley, shattering rocks and leaving pits in the ground wherever they went.
Some Dou Spirits and Dou Grandmasters, unable to dodge in time, were struck by the residual energy. At best, they lost limbs; at worst, they died on the spot.
This scene scared the other onlookers into retreating a hundred meters, fearing they would become the next victims.
"To think that Lin Xiu can hold his ground for dozens of rounds against the combined forces of the Gold and Silver Elders! His strength is terrifying. He might even be able to contend with an early-stage Dou Ancestor for a while."
Han Beng was completely stunned, a chill rising in his heart.
He recalled how he once suggested to his master that he wanted to teach Lin Xiu a lesson.
Luckily, his master hadn't agreed at the time.
Otherwise, he might already be dead and buried.
"Fortunately, the Gold and Silver Elders are here this time. If it were any other Dou Emperor, they might not have been able to handle him."
Seeing Lin Xiu caught in a dilemma, Han Beng felt a wave of relief.
The battle between the three had reached a fever pitch.
Lin Xiu's frantic exchange of blows, trading injury for injury, made Gold and Silver Elders deeply distressed. It also left the four elders unable to find a suitable opportunity to intervene.
Suddenly, Lin Xiu's aura weakened visibly, showing signs that his Secret Technique was nearing its end.
"His Secret Technique is about to dissipate!" Elder Gold's spirit surged, and the energy of Dou Qi around his body intensified as he launched a frenzied assault.
"Young man, I've roamed the Black-Corner Region for many years, and I must admit, among individuals of your age with such strength, I've only seen you," Elder Silver remarked with some admiration, seemingly impressed by Lin Xiu's formidable power.
However, in the next moment, his tone changed. "To have such a genius die at my hands would be such a marvelous thing..."
In mid-air, Lin Xiu staggered as several attacks landed on him, blood spewing from his mouth.
"Second brother, leave him some breathing room! He possesses several Earth Rank Dou Techniques."
Elder Gold said solemnly.
In their recent exchange, he had discovered that Lin Xiu had used at least three Earth Rank Dou Techniques. The fact that Lin Xiu could utilize so many Earth Rank Dou Techniques and still fight for so long suggested that his Qi Method might also be of Earth Rank.
A person like this is more valuable alive than dead. At least, until we've extracted all his value, we can't let him die so easily.
Elder Silver remained silent but eased off his force slightly.
Cough, cough...
Regaining his composure, Lin Xiu coughed several times, spitting out large beads of blood. He had never fought such a difficult battle before!
These two old guys weren't particularly terrifying on their own, but together, they didn't give him a chance to strike.
After this encounter, Lin Xiu also understood why Su Qian couldn't immediately defeat the two of them. It wasn't because he didn't want to, but because he couldn't!
"Lin Xiu!"
Seeing Lin Xiu's clothes stained red and his condition, several Elders and Han Yue became anxious. It was the first time they had seen Lin Xiu in such a miserable state.
Zi Yan leaned against Han Yue, her eyes red, her body trembling uncontrollably. She wanted to help, but her body refused to muster any strength.
"It's all my fault! It's all because of me!" Zi Yan felt immense pain in her heart.
Boom!
An impact struck Lin Xiu, knocking him down from the sky. The ground trembled, kicking up a large cloud of dust.
Elder Gold waved his sleeve, dispersing the dust that obscured the view. "Lin Xiu, if you are willing to hand over your Dou Techniques and Qi Methods, I can let you and your friends off today."
"Elder Gold, you can't!" From afar, Han Beng couldn't help but feel anxious at the words.
"Noisy!"
Elder Silver suddenly turned his head, swung his hand, and slapped Han Beng into the mountainside.
"How about it?" Elder Gold looked down at Lin Xiu, revealing a self-perceived gentle smile.
"Although I have spent most of my time in the Academy since coming to the Black-Corner Region, I understand that this is a place where there is no need for mercy, and there is no righteousness or promise. Are you talking to me about promises now? Do you really think I'm a three-year-old child? If I hand things over to you, wouldn't it be a dead end in the end?"
Lin Xiu sneered.
"Not only are you highly talented, but you are also quite smart."
Having his intentions guessed, Elder Gold didn't get angry. A faint smile still hung on his lips, but there was a hint of coldness in his eyes.
"Now let me see how tightly shut your mouth really is!"
"There's a difference between unwillingness to speak and not knowing."
"The former can be coerced into speaking with some methods to jog the memory and make someone talk."
"And we have plenty of methods at our disposal."
After all, to grow to this strength in the Black-Corner Region, one must have quite a few tricks up their sleeve to survive here.
"Hahaha..."
Seeing Lin Xiu suddenly burst into laughter, his teeth stained red with blood, appeared rather eerie.
"What are you laughing at?" Elder Gold remained cautious.
"You two old fools, do you really think you've got me figured out?"
Lin Xiu stood up again, wiping the thick blood from the corners of his mouth.
"You still want to play tricks at this point? I'll break your limbs right now and see if you can still stand!"
Upon hearing Lin Xiu's words, Elder Silver snorted coldly and dove straight down.
His speed was astonishing.
Despite their efforts, the four elders nearby strained to intercept him but couldn't catch up.
Han Yue's beautiful eyes trembled, showing a trace of sadness and helplessness.
Just when everyone thought Elder Silver was about to capture Lin Xiu,
An unexpected scene unfolded.
"Those who dare to move against this Queen, are you tired of living?!"
Suddenly, beside Lin Xiu, the void distorted, and a cold and crisp rebuke echoed.
Immediately after, a woman dressed in a blood-red gown, with a delicate and noble face, exuding a cold, stern, and majestic aura, stepped out from the void.
Her icy eyes lifted as she looked towards the approaching Elder Silver. With her fair and delicate jade hand raised, she clenched her five fingers.
The space in front of her distorted, seemingly influenced by a certain power.
"Urgh..."
The figure of Elder Silver, charging forward, suddenly stagnated in mid-air.
It was as if an invisible hand had grabbed his neck. His face quickly turned red, his skin rapidly flushed, and his eyeballs bulged outward.
"D-Dou... Dou Ancestor?!"
Elder Silver's face was full of horror, his eyes filled with fear and dread, yet also surprise. "Bro... Brother, sa... save me..."
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