Meng Hao's Golden Arm Shield erupted with powerful defensive and rebounding force at a critical moment, instantly turning the tide of battle and catching the assassins from Youmingfu off guard.
"Counterattack!" he roared, and the shield, shimmering with golden light, trembled violently. The blades and hidden weapons that had been deflected surged back like a tidal wave, shooting towards the assassins.
The assassins were caught unprepared, cries of agony echoing as many were struck down by their own weapons, collapsing to the ground. This scene ignited a flicker of hope in the hearts of those who had previously felt despair.
Bai Yunzi's eyes lit up as she unleashed the Seven Injuries Fist, sending several Youmingfu assassins flying with fierce gusts of wind from her palms. The Steel King bellowed in fury, swinging his massive hammer with tremendous force; each strike shattered bones and crushed the attackers surrounding them.
However, the assault from Youmingfu showed no signs of weakening.
"Meiying, attack!" A chilling voice emerged from the darkness, laced with an eerie killing intent.
In the next moment, several phantom-like figures darted out from the shadows like wraiths. They moved with incredible speed, wielding not ordinary blades but poisoned needles that glimmered with a sinister green light.
These weapons from Meiying could bypass Meng Hao's Golden Arm Shield entirely, piercing through the protective barrier and aiming straight for the vital points of his companions.
Meng Hao's heart sank as he felt a cold energy penetrate his shield, piercing his skin.
"What the hell is this?!" he growled, swinging his Heavenly Axe in an attempt to fend off the Meiying attackers.
Yet their speed was too great; their attacks were relentless, leaving Meng Hao struggling to defend himself.
"Meng Lang, be careful! This is Youmingfu's Bone Corroding Needle, specifically designed to counter inner strength defenses!" Li Yunyan's voice rang in his ears, tinged with rare urgency.
Her slender figure darted swiftly, her fingertips releasing silver flashes that accurately struck down several Bone Corroding Needles before they could reach him.
Meng Hao glanced at Li Yunyan, a complex expression crossing his face. This woman had chosen to help him at this moment?
"Youmingfu's Poison Matriarch, you finally show yourself!" Bai Yunzi shouted angrily, her gaze fixed on a shadowy figure barely visible in the darkness.
An elderly woman hunched over slowly emerged from the shadows; her face was lined with wrinkles, yet her murky eyes glinted with a sinister light. She held a gnarled staff topped with a coiled black snake whose crimson tongue flicked in and out, exuding a nauseating stench.
"Heh heh... I've been waiting for this moment for quite some time," the Poison Matriarch cackled harshly as her cold gaze swept over Meng Hao before settling on Li Yunyan. "Li Yunyan, you've done well; you haven't disappointed the Holy Master’s expectations."
Li Yunyan smiled slightly, playfully tucking a strand of hair behind her ear while casting a flirtatious glance at Meng Hao. "Meng Lang, don’t blame Yun Yan; we were never on the same side. The power of Youmingfu far exceeds your imagination."
Her voice carried a hint of mockery but also an imperceptible pride.
Meng Hao's heart sank further; he had anticipated Li Yunyan's betrayal long ago, yet when that moment finally arrived, he still felt a chill within him.
"Well done, Li Yunyan! How could you betray Brother Meng after all he has done for you?!" Steel King roared as he raised his massive hammer, ready to charge at Li Yunyan.
"Steel King Sect Leader, don't be impulsive!" Bai Yunzi exclaimed as he grabbed him. "The killing formation of Youmingfu has already been activated; we are trapped!"
Just as Bai Yunzi said, with the appearance of the Poison Matriarch, a strange wave of energy began to permeate the air around them. Countless black runes emerged from the ground, intertwining to form a massive array that completely ensnared everyone.
Yinming Killing Formation!
Meng Hao felt an overwhelming sense of pressure; his surroundings became blurred, and chilling howls echoed in his ears.
"This is the Yinming Killing Formation! It can devour one's mind and weaken internal energy!" Bai Yunzi's face turned grave as he sensed his internal power rapidly depleting.
The assassins from Youmingfu, bolstered by the killing formation, became even more ferocious, surging forward like a tidal wave, attempting to drown everyone in their onslaught.
Though Meng Hao's Golden Arm Shield was formidable, it too began to tremble under the influence of the killing formation.
"There's no way out; this is utterly outrageous!" Meng Hao gritted his teeth, defiance shining in his eyes. He knew that if they could not break this formation, they would all perish here.
He plunged the Heavenly Axe into the ground, and a powerful wave of energy instantly radiated outward.
"Golden Arm!" Meng Hao roared, his body glowing with golden light as the shield's brilliance intensified. A tremendous energy burst forth from him, forcefully tearing a crack in the surrounding Yinming Killing Formation.
The Youmingfu assassins who were close to him were instantly blasted away by this surge of power, spitting blood as they flew back.
"Breakthrough!" Meng Hao shouted fiercely; he knew this was their only chance for survival. He charged toward the crack, wielding the Heavenly Axe with each swing embodying the might of Opening Up the Heavens and Splitting the Earth, sending any obstructing assassins flying.
Seeing this, Bai Yunzi and Steel King also erupted into action, following closely behind Meng Hao in an attempt to escape through the gap.
However, how could the Poison Matriarch allow them to flee so easily?
"Want to leave? Not so fast!" The Poison Matriarch sneered, her bony fingers weaving a spell. The crack in the Yinming Killing Formation instantly sealed shut as black runes flickered once more.
At the same time, a venomous snake shot out from her hand like a bolt of black lightning, heading straight for Meng Hao.
The snake moved with incredible speed, carrying a corrosive poison that could erode everything. Meng Hao had no time to dodge and could only brace himself with his Golden Arm Shield.
Sizzle!
The snake collided with the shield, producing a piercing sound as wisps of black smoke began to rise from its surface. Meng Hao felt a sharp pain in his arm as he noticed a crack forming on the Golden Arm Shield.
"What powerful poison!" he thought in shock; the strength of this Poison Matriarch far exceeded his expectations.
“Meng Lang, how much longer can you hold on?” Li Yunyan's voice rang out again, tinged with a hint of gloating.
Her deep-set eyes seemed to pierce through Meng Hao's every secret. She knew that while Meng Hao's Golden Arm was powerful, its energy absorption was not infinite, and it was now nearing its limit.
At that moment, an indescribable sense of despair washed over everyone. They were trapped in the killing formation, their inner strength continuously depleting, while Youmingfu's assault showed no signs of weakening.
“Is it really going to end here for us today?” a disciple murmured in despair.
However, just at this life-and-death juncture, Bai Yunzi suddenly burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! Youmingfu, you underestimate my fellow martial artists!” he roared, his gaze sweeping over the despondent crowd. “We, as chivalrous warriors, would rather die standing than live on our knees!”
A resolute light flickered in his eyes as an indomitable will erupted from within him.
“Disciples of Kongtong Sect, heed my command! Fight to the death with me!” Bai Yunzi shouted, leading the charge into the ranks of Youmingfu assassins.
“Men of Iron Hammer Sect, follow me! Let them taste my iron hammer!” Steel King also let out a thunderous roar, swinging his massive hammer with even more ferocity.
Inspired by Bai Yunzi and Steel King, the previously despondent crowd reignited their fighting spirit. They understood that at this moment, only by fighting to the death could they hope for a sliver of survival!
“Kill!”
The battle cries shook the heavens and earth as a group of heroes once trapped in the killing formation unleashed unprecedented power, engaging in a desperate struggle against Youmingfu's assassins.
Meng Hao watched everything unfold before him, his blood boiling with excitement. This was chivalry! This was the martial world!
He took a deep breath, his gaze resolutely fixed on the Youmingfu assassins as the golden light of his Heavenly Axe surged once more.
“No retreat in the face of oppression; defiance is our path!” he shouted, and at that moment, the Golden Arm Shield underwent another evolution!
The cracks on the shield began to mend; the golden light became purer, and an even more formidable wave of energy erupted from within him.
Qilin Arm!
Under the crucible of life and death, Meng Hao's Golden Arm Shield broke through its limits and ascended to become the mightier Qilin Arm!
This new power filled Meng Hao with an unprecedented sense of strength. With a single swing of his axe, the golden Axe Shadow sliced through the darkness with earth-shattering force, instantly reducing dozens of Youmingfu assassins to dust!
The Yinming Killing Formation began to tremble violently under the impact of Qilin Arm!
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