The confrontation between Yunlan Mountain's Foundation Establishment cultivator and the rogue elder grew increasingly intense. Spiritual energy roared through the battlefield, with sword energy and fist strikes colliding repeatedly, producing deafening booms. As the fight progressed, the three remaining Qi Refining disciples of Yunlan Mountain joined the battle, forming an overwhelming eight-against-three situation against the rogue cultivators.
Wang Quan stood on the edge of the battlefield, observing coldly. He realized that the situation had already tilted significantly in favor of Yunlan Mountain. Not only did the Yunlan disciples outnumber the rogue cultivators, but their cultivation was formidable, especially the Foundation Establishment cultivator, who had the rogue elder on the brink of collapse. If this continued, the rogue team would be completely wiped out soon.
"If I don't act now, there won't be another chance," Wang Quan muttered to himself. He knew that he needed to act decisively, and now was the best moment.
"My Five Elements Secret Art should be enough to turn the tide against these Qi Refining cultivators."
Wang Quan steeled his resolve as his spiritual energy surged. He moved quietly into the battlefield, careful not to reveal his identity as a Yunxiao Sect disciple. To the Yunlan Mountain cultivators, he appeared to be just another rogue, blending into the chaos.
On the battlefield, the Yunlan Mountain cultivators were relentlessly suppressing the rogue team. The Foundation Establishment elder barely held his ground against the onslaught, relying on the Black Iron Armor from the relic to withstand the continuous attacks. His spiritual energy was nearly depleted, and he was clearly struggling.
Meanwhile, the two remaining Qi Refining rogue cultivators were being severely overwhelmed by the four Yunlan disciples. They were barely able to defend themselves and were being driven back with every exchange.
At this critical moment, Wang Quan decided to strike.
With his sword in hand, spiritual energy surged into the blade as he unleashed a powerful strike. A blazing dragon of gold and fire shot forth, hurtling towards one of the Yunlan Mountain disciples.
"Golden Spirit Sword Art—Blazing Slash!"
The sword energy streaked through the air, scorching everything in its path. The targeted Yunlan disciple, caught off guard, had no time to react as the blazing sword energy bore down on him.
"Boom!"
The sword energy crashed into the disciple's defensive artifact, melting it under the intense heat. The artifact shattered into blackened debris, and the disciple was sent flying, spitting blood from the impact. He was gravely injured.
This single strike shocked the Yunlan Mountain disciples, and all eyes immediately turned to Wang Quan.
"Who is this guy?"
The Yunlan disciples were astonished. They hadn't expected such a powerful sword technique from someone they had assumed was just another rogue. This unexpected variable left them momentarily shaken.
Wang Quan wasted no time. He seized the advantage created by his initial strike and continued to draw upon the power of his Five Elements Secret Art. This time, he channeled the forces of earth and wood, causing the ground to tremble beneath him. The power of stone and wood surged into his sword, forming a powerful earthen sword energy.
"Wood Spirit Sword Art—Vine Bind!"
As he swung his sword, vines burst from the ground like serpents, entangling the legs of another Yunlan disciple. The vines constricted tightly, pulling him down into the dirt, preventing the flow of his spiritual energy and rendering him unable to break free.
"Damned rogue! How dare you act so arrogantly in front of Yunlan Mountain disciples!" one of the remaining Yunlan disciples roared, his eyes burning with fury. He swung his sword, unleashing a wave of icy blue sword energy directly at Wang Quan's chest.
But Wang Quan remained calm. With a flash of his body, he evaded the strike. At the same moment, his Five Elements Plate in the storage bag emitted a faint glow, boosting his speed as he dodged. In an instant, Wang Quan reappeared at the Yunlan disciple's side, sword ablaze with fiery spiritual energy, and struck directly at the disciple's waist.
The attack was swift and deadly, and the Yunlan disciple had no time to defend properly. Wang Quan's blade pierced through his protective barrier, the scorching energy searing into the disciple's body.
"Aaargh!"
The disciple screamed in agony as he staggered back, his sword nearly slipping from his hand. Smoke billowed from the burnt wound, marking the severity of the damage.
Wang Quan's actions were fast, precise, and devastating. In a matter of moments, he had significantly altered the battlefield, leaving the Yunlan Mountain disciples stunned.
"Who the hell is this guy?"
The remaining Yunlan disciples were shaken, realizing that Wang Quan was no ordinary rogue. His mastery of sword techniques was far beyond what they had expected, and his spiritual power was deeper than that of any normal Qi Refining cultivator. He could easily crush those at the same cultivation level.
Seeing the dire situation, the Foundation Establishment cultivator from Yunlan Mountain finally recognized the threat. His face darkened as he fixed his gaze on Wang Quan, his voice cold and filled with killing intent.
"A mere Qi Refining rogue dares to behave so recklessly!"
With that, the Foundation Establishment cultivator surged forward, his sword gleaming with lethal intent as he lunged toward Wang Quan. The overwhelming pressure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator descended like a mountain, and his sword light rained down like a tidal wave, clearly intent on ending Wang Quan's life in one blow.
"Not good!"
Wang Quan felt the immense pressure bearing down on him and immediately understood the gravity of the situation. Despite his confidence in the Five Elements Secret Art, he was still at a disadvantage against a Foundation Establishment cultivator, especially one with such formidable swordsmanship.
However, he didn't panic. His hands quickly formed a series of seals as he circulated his Five Elements spiritual energy, silently activating the power of the Five Elements Plate.
"Earth Spirit Shield!"
With a low shout, a thick, earth-colored barrier materialized before him, formed from the earth element. The Foundation Establishment cultivator's sword strike collided with the barrier, producing a deafening crash as the shield shattered under the impact. Though the shield was destroyed, it successfully blocked the first wave of the cultivator's assault.
Wang Quan seized the moment, rapidly retreating to create distance between them. Simultaneously, he channeled the power of gold and fire, his sword radiating a blinding light as fiery sword energy surged forth.
"Five Elements Sword Art—Blazing Gold Slash!"
The fiery sword energy roared out like a river of flames, hurtling toward the Foundation Establishment cultivator. His face shifted as he swung his sword, sending a retaliatory strike to meet Wang Quan's attack. The two forces collided mid-air, creating a massive shockwave that whipped up spiritual energy like a tempest.
As the battle raged on, the balance of power shifted further. Though Wang Quan's secret arts allowed him to hold his ground temporarily, he knew he couldn't endure a prolonged battle against a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"I need to take out the remaining Qi Refining disciples first!"
Wang Quan gritted his teeth, resolute, and shifted his focus back to the remaining Yunlan disciples who hadn't yet been injured.