Chapter Seventy-Six: Reinforcements!

“Clang!”

A crisp sound of metal striking suddenly echoed through the air. Sun Zhixin’s fiery long whip danced like a dragon, wielding terrifying energy and a sharp whistling wind, colliding fiercely with Lei Fengxing’s mountain-splitting axe. At the same instant, the tip of her crimson whip abruptly extended a shimmering chain of spiritual power, striking out like a venomous serpent, aiming directly at Lei Fengxing!

Lei Fengxing was shocked, his bronzed face tinged with gravity. Earlier, he had scoffed at the rumors of Sun Zhixin’s extraordinary soul power, dismissing them with disdain. To him, only the cultivation of spiritual force was the true path, while the so-called intangible soul power was nothing but a trivial, unorthodox technique.

But now, he had no time to dwell on past opinions. He quickly retreated, barely dodging the whip’s spiritual attack.

“Little girl, you’re not facing just one opponent!”

A cold voice sounded behind her. Long Aodi’s folding fan snapped shut, deep blue ice-type spiritual power flowing instantly, thrusting forcefully at Sun Zhixin’s back!

“Boom!”

A dull, heavy sound rang out. Long Aodi’s pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with disbelief! Despite his sudden strike from behind, Sun Zhixin didn’t even turn her head. Her seemingly frail shoulder trembled, and a fiery spiritual palm appeared out of thin air, clashing head-on with his fan!

Seizing the moment when Long Aodi was stunned, Sun Zhixin tried to turn and strike back with her whip. But just then, a dazzling green light shot forth, aiming straight for her chest!

Sun Zhixin’s expression was icy, inwardly cursing their shamelessness, yet forced to halt her attack and turn to defend.

In a flash, the four exchanged blows with lightning speed, leaving Long Aodi, Lei Fengxing, and Ye Xiulan deeply alarmed!

They had known Sun Zhixin was formidable—her sixth-grade innate fire physique was not to be underestimated. That’s why the three had chosen to join forces. All three possessed fourth-grade talent; Long Aodi even had the special ice-type spiritual body. Most crucially, each of them was at the peak of the third level of the Spiritual Sensing Realm!

Facing such a lineup, even a fourth-level cultivator of the Spiritual Sensing Realm would be forced to retreat. Yet, to their surprise, their combined assault had gained them not the slightest advantage over Sun Zhixin! Instead, her uncanny soul power and deft control of spiritual force drove them into disarray!

Compared to the shock in Long Aodi and his companions’ hearts, Sun Zhixin herself furrowed her delicate brows, sensing her predicament was far from favorable.

Since the Grand Martial Gathering, her strength had advanced to the third level of the Spiritual Sensing Realm. Though not yet at its peak, she had steadily consolidated her position. With her sixth-grade talent’s formidable fire-type spiritual force and soul power exceeding all others, she could easily defeat any one of the trio.

Yet now, with all three attacking at once, she could only rely on her powerful soul to split her focus and occasionally surprise them. But as time wore on, her spiritual force dwindled, and she knew she would inevitably fall behind!

“No need to hold back! Let’s attack with all our strength—her spiritual force will soon be exhausted! Just keep an eye out for her strange spiritual attacks!”

Long Aodi’s face was cold, but a slight curve appeared at his lips as he spoke grimly.

Lei Fengxing and Ye Xiulan nodded in agreement. The three exchanged glances, each gripping their treasured weapons, and surged toward Sun Zhixin once again!

“Crack! Crack! Crack…”

The whip and metal clashed endlessly. In the arena, Sun Zhixin’s arms swept gracefully, her dark hair flowing as her whip twisted and spun like a fiery serpent—a beautiful yet fierce spectacle that left many young onlookers entranced and spellbound…

But as time slipped by, the crimson glow on Sun Zhixin’s whip grew ever fainter, beads of sweat began to dot her pale forehead, and her situation became increasingly dire.

The trio proved extremely cunning. Realizing the danger of her peculiar spiritual attacks, they shifted tactics: combining fierce spiritual force with their weapons for ranged assaults, never daring close combat. This strategy neutralized most of Sun Zhixin’s surprise attacks, and under their relentless barrage, she had no opportunity to unleash her martial arts!

“Even if I’m eliminated, I absolutely won’t let these three profit!”

Seeing her spiritual force nearly depleted, Sun Zhixin gritted her teeth, seemingly making a resolute decision. With a whip, she forced the trio back, then swept her jade hand to her waist, suddenly pulling out her identity token. Channeling her remaining spiritual force, and under the trio’s astonished gaze, she hurled it powerfully into the forest!

“Whoosh!”

The token shot through the air like a streak of light, speeding toward the woods. Long Aodi and his companions jolted awake, cursing her as a madwoman as they raced after the airborne token!

Sun Zhixin, now weakened, crouched on the ground, a helpless, bitter smile tugging at her lips.

She knew in her heart that she was destined to miss her chance to become a disciple of Azure Profound Sect.

For whoever picked up that token would surely crush it, for with over a thousand soul-hunting points, no one could resist its allure!

“You three grown men bullying a lone woman—how shameless…”

Just as Long Aodi and his companions rushed frantically in pursuit of the token, a slender young man stepped out of the woods, smiling as he tossed a jade token in his palm. A closer look revealed it was Sun Zhixin’s identity token!

“Yang Yan!? I advise you not to meddle. We’re also very interested in your identity token!”

Long Aodi was startled at first, but seeing only Yang Yan, a cold smile appeared on his lips.

“It’s him…”

That lonely figure, seeing Yang Yan appear, revealed a complex expression, yet a strange feeling rose unexpectedly in her heart.

With this young man present, things might not be so bleak…

“Oh? So, you’re interested in my identity token as well…”

As the trio glared at Yang Yan, another figure darted out behind him—Liu Zhengqing!

Seeing Liu Zhengqing arrive, Long Aodi’s face darkened completely. For compared to Yang Yan, the fifth-grade talent of Liu Zhengqing posed a far greater threat in their eyes!

They had been so absorbed in their fierce battle with Sun Zhixin and the chase for the token that, with their backs to the light curtain, they had failed to notice Yang Yan and Liu Zhengqing’s approach!