Clang, clang, clang—
Sparks flew as Li Yun fought Wudang barehanded, catching her blades with his empty hands.
In the area on the other side, Gui Ling and Jin Ling were in a far more miserable state, constantly dodging under the pursuit of the God-Slaying Flying Sword.
As for the Shangqing Divine Thunder they unleashed, it could not even break through the True Dragon Soul protecting Li Yun.
What was more, the Shangqing Divine Thunder they jointly cast occasionally affected Wudang as well, forcing her to evade and dodge cautiously much of the time.
"Foolish!"
"With minds like yours, you dare call this teamwork?"
"There is absolutely no coordination or tacit understanding among the three of you."
Taking in the scene, the disciples of the Chan and Jie Sects around them could not help shaking their heads.
Especially the Interception Sect disciples.
The way they looked at Jin Ling and the other two was filled with disappointment and frustration.
They were Direct Disciples, for heaven's sake. Why did they not possess even a shred of combat sense? Did they really think Li Yun could be dealt with through Sorcery and Divine Abilities?
With the power of that dragon protecting him, combined with his own formidable physical strength, there was no hope at all unless one's cultivation surpassed his by at least two major realms.
The Chan Teachings' Direct Disciples had personally tested this before. Even Minor Accomplishment Yuqing Divine Thunder had ultimately failed, despite their cultivation exceeding Li Yun's by more than one major realm.
They had thought the three women joining forces meant they had some kind of method or plan.
But now, it seemed utterly foolish. Not only had they gained no advantage, they had humiliated themselves in a three-against-one fight.
"Ah..."
Just then, a scream rang out.
Looking over, they saw the God-Slaying Flying Sword pierce through one of Jin Ling's arms. Blood sprayed as she collapsed to the ground in agony.
At the same time, under Li Yun's control, the God-Slaying Flying Sword appeared before Jin Ling. Its tip was less than three inches from her forehead. Terrifying killing intent and icy coldness surged forth, making her shudder from head to toe as she felt the threat of death descend upon her.
"I surrender!"
"I surrender."
Faced with the threat of death, Jin Ling cried out instinctively and scrambled backward.
Li Yun took in the entire scene.
Without wasting any words, he willed the God-Slaying Flying Sword away from Jin Ling and sent it after Gui Ling instead.
He himself continued fighting Wudang. Through their unceasing exchanges, he gradually adapted to the sharpness and offensive force of her Sword Dao, even beginning to counterattack and drive her back step by step, forcing her into passive defense.
At the same time, the system notification appeared.
[Defeated Jin Ling, obtained Trait: Golden Light (Purple)] [Golden Light (Purple): After equipping, you may transform into golden light and use it as an escape technique, increasing your speed fiftyfold!]
"Phew..."
Seeing this, Jin Ling let out a sigh of relief.
Though she felt stifled and humiliated, at least she had preserved her life.
More importantly, the lingering aftereffects left by the God-Slaying Flying Sword after it struck her made her soul ache intensely.
Although it had not damaged her foundation, the piercing agony still made her feel terribly uncomfortable. Struggling to rise from the ground, she then walked toward the outside.
In response, Interception Sect Golden Immortal Realm cultivators such as Duobao did not show any intention of stepping forward to support or comfort her.
Even Kong Xuan, Da Peng, and the others, who were Registered Disciples and Outer Disciples, were no exception.
That was because what Jin Ling and the other two had done was simply too unacceptable, even making them feel incomparably ashamed.
If Jin Ling and the other two had not been Direct Disciples, Kong Xuan and the others would have been tempted to curse them outright.
Previously, the Chan Teachings' ten Golden Immortals had all been Direct Disciples. They knew full well that they were no match for Li Yun in a one-on-one fight and might even lose, yet they still stepped up despite that, with no intention whatsoever of breaking the rules and joining forces against him.
But what about now?
Jin Ling and the other two had directly broken that rule, becoming people who went back on their word.
If it had only been the three women themselves, that would have been one thing. But they were Direct Disciples, representing the honor of the entire Interception Sect.
Even if they had truly won and defeated Li Yun, it would have been disgraceful. Let alone the fact that they had lost, and failed after holding out for barely any time at all.
"Junior Sister, switch with me!"
At that moment, Gui Ling's urgent voice rang out.
Looking over, they saw that she was in an extremely sorry state. Under the God-Slaying Flying Sword's pursuit, she had blocked its attacks with her innate talent, but the pain left behind whenever the flying sword grazed her skin was still very real.
Because of this, Gui Ling knew perfectly well that, empty-handed and without an Innate Spirit Treasure, she could not withstand the God-Slaying Flying Sword's attacks. Her only hope was for Wudang to take over.
After all, the sword in Wudang's hand was also an Innate Spirit Treasure. It should be able to block the God-Slaying Flying Sword for a while. Then...
"Trying to leave?"
"That won't do~"
Seeing Wudang instinctively try to retreat, Li Yun curled his lips. "Senior Sister Wudang, I will not give you a chance to get away before you are defeated."
As he spoke, Li Yun suddenly intensified his assault. The True Dragon Soul burst from his body, directly manifesting as a Nine-Clawed True Dragon that attacked Wudang. At the same time, the God-Slaying Flying Sword, which had been pursuing Gui Ling, paused quietly before turning and attacking Wudang.
In an instant, Wudang felt Alexander.
Under the Three-in-One siege of Li Yun, the dragon soul, and the God-Slaying Flying Sword, she could not withstand them with only her sword in hand, nor could she defend herself from every direction.
In only a few breaths, the God-Slaying Flying Sword slashed open Wudang's arm, while the dragon soul's claws tore a gash into her waist, taking away a portion of her flesh.
Li Yun's fists also struck her again and again, beating Wudang until she repeatedly spat blood. With a scream, her body was sent flying before crashing heavily to the ground.
"Good heavens!"
"Senior Brother Li Yun actually managed to reach this level."
"The perfect coordination of Lingbao, divine abilities, and the body itself—who could withstand such a Three-in-One combination?"
"I have learned something! Three-in-One combat techniques and methods combining flying sword arts, divine ability arts, and one's own body!"
"When I return, I will start refining artifacts. I must get myself a powerful flying sword to fight alongside me as well!"
"Indeed, this method is highly suitable. Although it may be more difficult to cultivate, once completed, the Three-in-One combination will absolutely bring a tremendous increase in one's combat strength."
"Exactly! Senior Sister Wudang is a Golden Immortal Realm cultivator, yet she had no power to resist against Senior Brother Li Yun's attacks. This shows just how important it is to combine techniques, treasures, and oneself!"
"..."
At this moment, the disciples of the Chan and Jie Sects erupted into an uproar.
The Outer Disciples and Registered Disciples all stared with blazing eyes.
They were neither Direct Disciples nor Inner Disciples. They generally could not obtain Innate Spirit Treasures bestowed or rewarded by Saints, and the methods they learned were extremely limited, leaving them lacking in offensive means.
But the Three-in-One combat techniques and methods displayed by Li Yun this time had opened their eyes. Lingbao, spells, and one's own body could all be fused together to unleash combat power far beyond those of the same level. If they could master it, then...
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