Chen Ping and the mysterious figure each staggered back several steps, eyes locked on one another, neither daring to lower their guard.
Chen Ping exchanged a glance with Liu Xue. Determination flashed between them. They both knew that only by fighting as one could they seize any chance of survival in this treacherous ruin.
“Leader Liu, we hit him from both sides and catch him off guard!” Chen Ping whispered, his voice low but decisive.
Liu Xue gave a slight nod. Her long sword hummed as cold light rippled along the blade. “Good!” she cried.
The moment the word left her lips, both shot forward like lightning. Chen Ping channelled his spiritual power, golden radiance blazing around him like a scorching sun, as he charged at the mysterious figure’s right.
Liu Xue leapt lightly, graceful as a swallow in flight, and struck from the left.
The mysterious figure sneered with disdain. His hands flew through seals while he muttered an incantation.
At once, the surrounding black light thickened and formed countless dark spikes that hurtled towards them.
Chen Ping’s eyes hardened. He thrust both palms forward and a surge of spiritual power condensed into a massive golden shield, deflecting every incoming spike.
At the same moment, Liu Xue twisted aside, evading the barrage with fluid grace. Her sword traced a beautiful arc through the air and stabbed straight at the figure’s chest.
The mysterious figure shifted sideways, dodging effortlessly, then whipped his hand around. A wave of black energy roared towards Liu Xue.
She reacted instantly, tapping the ground with her toe and floating backwards out of reach.
“That all you have?” the figure taunted.
Chen Ping snorted. “Don’t celebrate yet!”
His hands flashed through a new series of seals while ancient words rolled from his tongue. The air shuddered violently. Golden runes burst from his body, weaving together overhead into an enormous golden formation.
“Go!”
With a shout, Chen Ping sent the formation crashing down.
The mysterious figure felt the terrifying pressure bearing down on him and his expression shifted. He hurriedly formed his own seals to resist.
Yet Chen Ping’s golden formation was overwhelming. The figure’s defences began to buckle.
Seizing the opening, Liu Xue let out a delicate shout. Dazzling light exploded from her sword as she unleashed the Earth Fiend Alliance’s ultimate technique, Earth Fiend Sword Shadows. Countless deadly sword images streaked towards the guardian.
Caught between the crushing golden formation and Liu Xue’s relentless sword shadows, the mysterious figure could barely cope.
He roared in fury. Black light flared wildly around him as he struggled to break free.
Chen Ping poured even more spiritual power into the formation, its golden radiance intensifying, pinning the figure in place.
Liu Xue darted forward like a bolt of lightning, her sword thrusting towards a vital point.
“No!”
A desperate, enraged cry tore from the mysterious figure’s throat. He tried to twist away, but it was too late.
Liu Xue’s blade pierced clean through his chest. Black blood gushed from the wound.
The figure swayed, then slowly collapsed.
Yet in the instant before he fell, a faint smile flickered across his face, unnoticed by either Chen Ping or Liu Xue.
Chen Ping dispersed the golden formation and exchanged a relieved look with Liu Xue.
“It’s over,” Liu Xue said, weariness mingling with a satisfied smile.
Chen Ping nodded. “Let’s take the book.”
They stepped up to the stone platform and fixed their eyes on the ancient volume glowing with golden light.
Chen Ping reached out slowly. The moment his fingers brushed the cover, blinding radiance engulfed them both.
“Ah!”
A cry of shock escaped them as an immense power flooded their bodies. The world spun violently, and in an instant they lost consciousness.
