Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er clung tightly to the stone bridge railing in the howling wind. Once the wind subsided slightly, they dared not delay and continued towards the cave on the other side. Every step was taken with extreme caution. The stone bridge swayed beneath their feet, creaking and groaning in a terrifying manner, as if it might break at any moment.
Finally, they successfully stepped onto the ground in front of the cave. A cool breeze blew out of the cave, carrying a faint smell of decay, as if warning the intruders. The two exchanged a glance, gripped their swords tightly, and cautiously entered the cave.
The cave was dimly lit, with only a few luminous moss patches on the walls providing a meager illumination. They hadn't gone far when they heard faint footsteps and the clanging of weapons. Xiao Yichen gestured for silence, and he and Lin Wan'er quietly approached the source of the sound.
As they rounded a corner, they saw a group of men dressed in black, none other than Murong Xuan's subordinates. Some of them carried long swords, others held chains, their eyes filled with fierceness and coldness, and they were talking in hushed tones.
"It seems Murong Xuan sent them to guard this place. We need to find a way to break through them," Xiao Yichen whispered to Lin Wan'er.
“Yes, there are quite a few of them, we need to be careful,” Lin Wan’er replied.
Just then, Murong Xuan's men seemed to sense their presence, turning around with wariness and hostility in their eyes. The atmosphere instantly became extremely tense, and a battle seemed imminent.
One of the men, who appeared to be the leader, stepped forward, wielding a massive curved sword whose blade gleamed coldly in the dim light of the moss. "Xiao Yichen, Lin Wan'er, you've finally come. Today is your death day!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the cave.
Xiao Yichen sneered: "You? Murong Xuan has committed numerous evils, and you have aided and abetted him. Today you will surely be punished."
Having said that, he charged towards the enemy first. His figure was as swift as lightning, the sword in his hand transforming into a silver streak, thrusting straight at the leader. Seeing this, the leader brandished his curved saber to meet the attack. Swords clashed, sparks flying, the powerful impact forcing both men to stagger back several steps.
Lin Wan'er was not to be outdone. Seizing the opportunity, she attacked the enemy's flank. Her sword moved with the agility of a serpent, specifically targeting the enemy's joints and vital points. She moved nimbly among the enemies, and in an instant, several were wounded by her.
Seeing this, Murong Xuan's men swarmed around Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er, surrounding them completely. They worked together seamlessly, attempting to overwhelm the two with their numbers. However, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er showed no fear, standing back to back, facing the attacks from all directions.
Xiao Yichen's swordsmanship was fierce, each strike imbued with powerful internal energy. His sword techniques were ever-changing, sometimes as swift as a storm, sometimes as delicate as a gentle stream. He fought against multiple opponents without being at a disadvantage. When those enemies wielding long swords approached him, they were all forced back by his swordplay, some even suffering cuts to their arms and chests.
Lin Wan'er, on the other hand, used her lightness skill and agility to maneuver around her enemies. She skillfully dodged their attacks and then swiftly counterattacked when they showed any weakness. The sword in her hand moved with the lightness of a dance, yet it was deadly. She spotted an enemy wielding an iron chain, and as he swung the chain at her, Lin Wan'er dodged it and then thrust her sword into his wrist. The enemy cried out in pain, and the chain slipped from his grasp.
However, the number of enemies was simply too great, and Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er gradually found themselves struggling in the battle. While Xiao Yichen was fending off an enemy's attack, another enemy ambushed him from the side, slashing his shoulder and staining his clothes with blood.
"Yichen, are you alright?" Lin Wan'er's heart tightened when she saw Xiao Yichen injured.
"I'm fine, don't get distracted!" Xiao Yichen said through gritted teeth, his sword swinging even faster, as if he were turning his pain into strength.
Seeing Xiao Yichen injured, Lin Wan'er felt a surge of anger. She unleashed her ultimate technique, "Flying Flowers Chasing the Moon Sword," her figure transforming into a series of afterimages as her sword weaved through the enemies like flying flowers. Each afterimage was accompanied by a burst of sword energy, and the enemies, wounded by the sword energy, fell one after another.
This tactic temporarily repelled the enemy, but they knew the enemy wouldn't give up easily. Sure enough, the fallen enemies quickly rose again and surrounded them once more.
"This can't go on. We need to find a way to break through their encirclement," Xiao Yichen said.
They began searching for weaknesses in the enemy's encirclement. Xiao Yichen noticed several relatively weaker enemies on the enemy's right flank, their eyes revealing a hint of fear.
“We’ll break through from the right!” Xiao Yichen said to Lin Wan’er.
They adjusted their tactics and charged towards the enemy on the right. Xiao Yichen unleashed his full power; his sword moved like a dragon emerging from the sea, repelling each enemy in his path. Lin Wan'er assisted him from the side, using her sword to deflect the enemy's weapons and clear a path for Xiao Yichen.
Under their fierce attack, the enemy's defensive line on the right flank began to crumble. They seized the opportunity to break through the encirclement and flee deeper into the cave. Murong Xuan's men pursued them relentlessly.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er ran while searching for a way to stop the enemy. Suddenly, they saw a narrow passage ahead, with some protruding stones on the walls on both sides.
“We can take advantage of the terrain here,” Xiao Yichen said.
Once inside the passage, they quickly climbed the stones on the wall. When the enemy pursued them into the passage, they launched an attack from above. With Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er positioned high above, the enemy, unable to maneuver in the narrow passage, was caught off guard.
After a fierce battle, the number of enemies was greatly reduced. But they knew that this was only a part of Murong Xuan's forces, and there might be even more powerful enemies waiting for them.
After shaking off the enemies, they continued deeper into the cave. The cave grew increasingly spacious, and a huge cavern appeared ahead. An even stronger evil aura permeated the cavern, and they could sense that Murong Xuan was nearby.
In the center of the cave, there was a circular stone platform with strange objects on it, as if some kind of ritual was being performed. Around the platform stood several more mysterious figures, dressed in black robes and wearing hoods, their faces obscured, but the aura emanating from them suggested that their strength was not to be underestimated.
"It seems we're getting closer to Murong Xuan, but these people are not easy to deal with," Xiao Yichen said.
"No matter how strong they are, we cannot back down," Lin Wan'er said firmly.
They walked towards the center of the cave. The black-robed figures seemed to sense their arrival and slowly turned around. An invisible pressure washed over them. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er gripped their swords tightly, preparing to face a new challenge. This would be an even more difficult head-on confrontation, a final battle between good and evil.
Just as they were about to make their move, one of the men in black robes suddenly spoke up: "You shouldn't be here. This is your burial ground." His voice was low and hoarse, as if it came from the depths of hell, sending chills down their spines.
"Hmph, we came to stop Murong Xuan's evil deeds. Even if we die, we will not back down," Xiao Yichen shouted back.
The atmosphere of battle intensified, with both sides waiting for the other to make the first move. The outcome of this battle would determine the fate of the Misty Forest and even the entire martial arts world.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er faced off against the man in black robes, the atmosphere tense as a bowstring about to snap. The evil aura permeating the cave grew stronger, as if an invisible hand was gripping everyone's hearts tightly.
The men in black robes moved first, their figures darting about like ghosts as they attacked Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er. One of them waved his hands, and a plume of black smoke billowed from his sleeves, spreading towards Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er. The smoke seemed to carry a sharp, whistling sound, like countless tiny blades slicing through it.
Seeing this, Xiao Yichen immediately shouted, channeling his inner strength into his sword and unleashing a sword aura. The sword aura, like a white ribbon, sliced through the black smoke, dispersing it. But the black-robed man didn't stop. He then drew a strangely shaped curved blade from his robes, its blade gleaming with a ghostly blue light, clearly coated with potent poison. He swung the blade, slashing at Xiao Yichen. Wherever the blade passed, the air seemed to be torn apart, hissing as it passed.
Xiao Yichen dodged the curved blade attack to the side, simultaneously thrusting his sword at the black-robed man's throat. The black-robed man reacted swiftly, leaning back to avoid the fatal blow, then kicking Xiao Yichen in the process. Xiao Yichen leaped backward, regaining his balance, and charged at the black-robed man again, the two instantly locked in combat.
On the other side, Lin Wan'er was also besieged by several men in black robes. These men worked together seamlessly, launching attacks from different directions, trying to overwhelm Lin Wan'er. Lin Wan'er used her lightness skill to nimbly weave through the gaps in the men's attacks. Her sword moved like a nimble silver snake, each swing creating a flurry of sword flowers as she parried the attacks.
A man in black robes, wielding two swords, thrust them at Lin Wan'er in a crossed stance. Lin Wan'er seized the opportunity, slightly shifting her body to the side, the swords grazing her clothes. She then struck the man's wrist with the hilt of her sword, causing him to wince and nearly drop his weapons. But another man in black robes seized the opportunity to attack from behind. Feeling the whoosh of air behind her, Lin Wan'er quickly rolled forward, dodging the attack.
During the fierce battle, the stone platform in the cave was affected. Some strange objects placed on the platform were shaken off, including a crystal ball that emitted an eerie light, which rolled to the ground. As the crystal ball rolled, it released beams of colorful light, which intertwined to form a complex pattern that enveloped the fighting group.
Influenced by the colored light, the black-robed men's attacks became even more ferocious. They seemed to have been infused with new power, their speed and strength significantly increased. Xiao Yichen clearly felt the increased pressure from the black-robed men during their battle. Each swing of their curved blades carried greater force, forcing Xiao Yichen to concentrate fully on countering them; a slight misstep could result in being cut by the blades.
Meanwhile, Lin Wan'er's situation was becoming increasingly critical. The attacks from the black-robed men were becoming more and more intense, and she had already sustained some abrasions. But she gritted her teeth and persevered, with only one belief in her heart: to defeat these enemies and stop Murong Xuan's conspiracy.
Seeing Lin Wan'er in trouble, Xiao Yichen was anxious. He decided to finish the fight quickly, dealing with the black-robed man before helping Lin Wan'er. He took a deep breath, gathering all his inner strength into the tip of his sword, and then roared, unleashing his ultimate move, the "Sky-Piercing Sword Technique." His sword transformed into a dazzling beam of light, shooting towards the black-robed man like a meteor. This sword strike contained all of Xiao Yichen's power; its speed and strength were so great that the black-robed man had no time to dodge.
The man in black robes sensed the power of the sword strike. He tried to block it with his scimitar, but under the immense power of the "Sky-Piercing Sword Technique," the scimitar was instantly knocked away. The sword pierced directly into the man in black robes' chest, and he let out a scream before slowly collapsing to the ground.
After dealing with one of the men in black robes, Xiao Yichen immediately rushed towards Lin Wan'er. He moved like a black lightning bolt, weaving through the flashing blades. At this moment, Lin Wan'er was being forced into a corner of the cave by three men in black robes, her situation extremely dangerous.
Upon arriving, Xiao Yichen immediately joined the battle without a word. His arrival greatly reduced the pressure on Lin Wan'er, and the two, back to back, once again engaged in fierce combat with the black-robed man. Xiao Yichen's swordsmanship was incredibly sharp, each strike aimed at the black-robed man's vital points. Lin Wan'er also rallied her spirits, coordinating with Xiao Yichen; their attacks flowed smoothly and in perfect harmony.
Under their combined attack, the black-robed men began to falter. One of them, while attacking Xiao Yichen, revealed an opening, and Xiao Yichen seized the opportunity, stabbing him in the abdomen. The black-robed man clutched his wound and collapsed to the ground. Seeing his companion injured, another black-robed man panicked. Taking advantage of this, Lin Wan'er unleashed her "Flying Flowers Chasing the Moon Sword," her figure transforming into a series of afterimages as her sword flashed like flying blossoms, piercing the black-robed men. Wounded by the sword's dazzling display, the black-robed men sustained multiple injuries and were ultimately defeated by Lin Wan'er.
Seeing the situation was dire, the remaining black-robed figures tried to escape. But Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er wouldn't let them get away so easily. They gave chase and cornered the last black-robed figure at the edge of the cave. Despair filled the black-robed figure's eyes; he knew he had nowhere to run.
"Tell me, where is Murong Xuan?" Xiao Yichen asked, pointing his sword at the man in black.
The man in black robes sneered, "You'll never find him. His plan is unstoppable." With that, he suddenly pulled a black pill from his robes and swallowed it. Instantly, his body began to swell, then exploded with a deafening roar.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er quickly retreated, avoiding the impact of the explosion. The smoke from the explosion filled the cave, blurring visibility for a moment.
Just when they thought the danger had temporarily passed, several black beams of light suddenly shot out from the smoke. These beams were extremely fast and shot towards them at tricky angles. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er quickly dodged, and the beams left deep marks on the cave walls.
"There are still enemies!" Xiao Yichen shouted, and he and Lin Wan'er became alert again.
As the smoke gradually dissipated, they saw a new figure emerge from the depths of the cave. This figure was shrouded in a black cloak, revealing only a pair of blood-red eyes that radiated endless evil and cruelty. In his hand he held a black wand, the tip of which was inlaid with a large black gem that emitted an eerie light.
"You've certainly made it this far, but your journey ends here," the mysterious man said in a low voice, which echoed through the cave, seemingly possessing a magical power that instilled a sense of fear in everyone's hearts.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er were not intimidated by the mysterious man's imposing aura. They knew this was the final battle and they had to give it their all. Gripping their swords, they charged towards the mysterious man. Seeing this, the mysterious man brandished his wand and chanted incantations. The cave floor began to tremble, and numerous black vines sprouted from the ground, coiling towards Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er like snakes.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er continued their advance towards the mysterious figure, dodging the attacks of the vines. Xiao Yichen swung his sword to cut down the vines that approached him, while Lin Wan'er used her lightness skill to weave through the vines. Their speed did not slow down at all; their eyes were fixed on the mysterious enemy.
As they approached the mysterious figure, he waved his wand, unleashing a black energy wave towards them. The energy wave surged towards them like a raging tide, destroying everything in its path. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er sensed the immense power of this energy wave; they dared not be careless and immediately channeled their inner strength to try and withstand the attack.
Xiao Yichen gathered his inner energy in front of him, forming a shield. Lin Wan'er did the same. Their shields flickered under the impact of the black energy waves, as if they would shatter at any moment. They gritted their teeth, resisting the impact of the energy waves with all their might. The battle had entered a white-hot stage, and life and death hung in the balance.
While resisting the energy wave, they were also looking for an opportunity to counterattack. Xiao Yichen noticed a brief pause after the mysterious man released the energy wave, and he guessed this was an opening. He gave Lin Wan'er a wink, and she understood. When the power of the energy wave weakened slightly, they simultaneously rushed towards the mysterious man, preparing to deliver a fatal blow and end this fierce battle.
The moment the black energy wave weakened slightly, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er charged towards the mysterious figure like arrows released from a bow. Their eyes were filled with determination, and every step they took carried an indomitable spirit.
The mysterious figure saw them break through the energy wave and hurtle towards him, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes, but it quickly returned to its cold expression. He brandished his black wand, chanting an even more complex incantation. With the incantation, the surrounding air seemed to be sucked away, and a powerful suction force emanated from the mysterious figure, attempting to prevent Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er from getting closer.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er were prepared. They channeled their inner energy to its limit, firmly planting their feet on the ground to resist the suction force. Xiao Yichen took the initiative, letting out a loud shout as his sword unleashed a dazzling beam of light, thrusting towards the mysterious figure. This strike contained his profound inner strength and unwavering conviction; the blade sliced through the air with a sharp whistling sound.
The mysterious man raised his wand to block, the wand clashing with the sword with a deafening roar. The powerful impact forced him back a step, his arm trembling slightly, clearly indicating the blow had taken a toll on him. Lin Wan'er seized the opportunity, attacking the mysterious man from the side. Her sword, swift as a snake, skillfully bypassed his defenses, aiming for his waist.
The mysterious man sensed Lin Wan'er's attack and tried to dodge, but Xiao Yichen's sword struck again, leaving him caught between a rock and a hard place. At the last second, the mysterious man barely avoided a fatal blow, but Lin Wan'er's sword still grazed his arm. Black blood flowed from the wound, dripping onto the ground with a sizzling sound, as if it were corrosive.
"You actually managed to hurt me; you're not to be underestimated," the mysterious man said in a low voice, a hint of anger in his tone.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er did not respond; they continued their attack. Their coordination grew increasingly seamless. Xiao Yichen spearheaded the attack, his swordsmanship fierce and ruthless, each strike carrying unstoppable momentum; Lin Wan'er focused on defense, simultaneously searching for weaknesses in the enemy to deliver a fatal blow. Their attacks surged like relentless waves, one after another, towards the mysterious figure.
The mysterious figure was beginning to struggle to keep up. His black cloak was torn during the battle, revealing black armor beneath. The armor was covered in mysterious runes, which shimmered with an eerie light, seemingly providing some kind of protection. Even so, under the combined attacks of Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er, new wounds continued to appear on the mysterious figure's body.
During an attack, Xiao Yichen spotted a weakness in the mysterious man's defense and thrust his sword fiercely towards his chest. The mysterious man hurriedly tried to block with his magic wand, but Xiao Yichen's internal energy was too strong; the sword still pierced through the wand's defense and penetrated the mysterious man's armor. Although the armor prevented the sword from going any deeper, the blow still severely injured the mysterious man, who coughed up a mouthful of black blood.
"You won't succeed!" the mysterious man roared. He brandished his wand, creating a black vortex around him. The vortex was filled with powerful energy, and black lightning flashed within it. The mysterious man pushed the vortex towards Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er. Wherever the vortex went, the ground was torn apart, and stones were swept into it, instantly turning into dust.
Facing this powerful attack, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er did not back down. They exchanged a glance, then simultaneously used their lightness skills to leap in different directions. The black vortex passed between them, missing its target. However, the vortex's power was too great; they were still affected during their evasion, and the strong airflow made them sway slightly.
"We can't give him a chance to catch his breath," Xiao Yichen shouted.
They charged at the mysterious man again, this time changing their tactics. Xiao Yichen unleashed a new sword technique, one that emphasized agility and versatility. His sword danced in his hand like a butterfly, each strike aimed at the mysterious man's eyes, throat, and other vital points. Lin Wan'er, meanwhile, used her inner energy to disrupt the mysterious man's vision and concentration. She transformed her inner energy into invisible streams of air, blowing towards the mysterious man. These streams contained a special power capable of affecting his senses.
The mysterious man was caught in a predicament under their new tactics. His vision blurred and his senses were impaired, making it impossible for him to accurately judge Xiao Yichen's attacks. Xiao Yichen's sword repeatedly approached his vital points, and he could only barely defend himself by relying on instinct and the protection of his armor.
During an attack, Xiao Yichen's sword pierced the mysterious man's shoulder, embedding itself deeply into his body. The mysterious man let out a painful roar and attempted to attack Xiao Yichen with his wand, but Lin Wan'er arrived in time. She blocked the wand's attack with her sword and then kicked the mysterious man's wrist, knocking the wand out of his hand.
The mysterious man, having lost his wand, was greatly weakened. A hint of panic flashed in his eyes as he began to retreat. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er pressed their advantage, giving the mysterious man no chance to escape. Xiao Yichen picked up the mysterious man's wand, snapped it sharply, and the black gem at the top fell off, losing its luster.
“Your end is nigh,” Xiao Yichen said, as he and Lin Wan’er pressed closer to the mysterious man.
The mysterious man was cornered in the cave, his body pressed against the wall, his eyes flashing with resentment and anger. He tried to cast a spell again, but due to his severe injuries and disordered internal energy, he could not succeed.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er raised their swords, preparing to deliver the final blow to the mysterious man. Just then, a powerful energy fluctuation suddenly emanated from the cave, a black light flashed, and the mysterious man vanished before their eyes.
"Oh no, he's been rescued," Lin Wan'er said.
Xiao Yichen frowned, sensing Murong Xuan's presence within the energy fluctuations. "It must be Murong Xuan. He doesn't want us to ruin his plans. We have to hurry and chase after him."
They followed the direction from which the energy fluctuations originated, encountering no obstacles along the way. Soon, they arrived at a new place, resembling a vast underground palace. The palace walls were inlaid with countless luminous gems, illuminating the entire place as bright as day. In the center of the palace was a huge circular pool, from which black smoke billowed, and within the smoke, a figure seemed to appear and disappear.
"Is it Murong Xuan?" Lin Wan'er asked.
"Whether it is or not, we need to be careful," Xiao Yichen said.
They slowly approached the pool, and as they drew near, the mist in the pool suddenly dissipated, revealing a figure before them. It was Murong Xuan, standing in the pool with a cold smile on his face.
"I'm quite surprised you managed to get this far. However, this will also be your final resting place," Murong Xuan said.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er were not intimidated by his words. They gripped their swords tightly, preparing for a final battle with Murong Xuan. At this moment, they had gained the upper hand and were full of confidence. They believed that justice would prevail over evil, and they wanted to avenge those who had been harmed by Murong Xuan and stop his conspiracy.
Murong Xuan frowned slightly upon seeing their fearless demeanor. He stepped out of the pool, not a drop of water on him. In his hand he held a long sword, its blade covered in runes that shimmered with an eerie light.
"Come on, let me see what you're capable of," Murong Xuan challenged.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er charged toward Murong Xuan without hesitation, and the final battle began. They had already accumulated enough momentum and strength in the previous battles, and were gradually gaining the upper hand in this contest between good and evil, moving toward victory.
From the very start, Xiao Yichen unleashed his strongest swordsmanship, his blade surging forth like a dragon emerging from the sea, aimed directly at Murong Xuan. Lin Wan'er, meanwhile, coordinated from the flank, her sword flashing like petals chasing the moon, attacking Murong Xuan's side. Facing their combined assault, Murong Xuan dared not be careless. He wielded his longsword, engaging Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er in a fierce battle. The glint of swords flashed within the palace, and shouts of battle echoed through the air. This fight would determine the fate of the entire martial world.
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