Chapter 495: Fierce Battle with Ao Xuan
Boom! Boom!
An astonishing wave of energy violently erupted from the depths of the lakebed, spreading out with deafening intensity.
Countless silhouettes intertwined with black streaks of light, each collision generating deep, resounding echoes. Occasionally, someone would cough blood and fly backward, but more often, the dark silhouettes shattered apart one after another.
Faced with the endless stream of treasure-seeking experts pouring into the battlefield at the bottom of the lake, even the previously formidable black corpses began to lose ground.
In numerous places, dozens of powerful experts grouped together to assault a single black corpse, clearly indicating that the tide of this corpse uprising was turning.
Thud!
Lin Langtian moved like a ghost, instantly appearing beside a black corpse. His palm shot out like lightning, pressing firmly against its chest. A spark of Chaotic Demonic Flame flickered from his fingertips, swiftly penetrating into the corpse.
In an instant, the corpse froze solid. Shortly afterward, energy rapidly condensed inside it. Within a few breaths, an Energy Crystal successfully formed under numerous greedy gazes.
As soon as the Energy Crystal materialized, Lin Langtian swiftly seized it and stored it inside his Qiankun Bag.
"Eighteen now…" Lin Langtian murmured softly, a slight smile curving the corners of his lips.
"Lord Manor Master, we've acquired sixteen crystals." Liu Da and his two brothers approached, respectfully reporting to Lin Langtian.
Lin Langtian nodded approvingly. Such a harvest was indeed remarkable. After all, the lakebed was overflowing with powerful competitors; many hadn't even managed to obtain a single Energy Crystal.
"Be cautious of those from the Deep Sea Mysterious Flood Dragon Clan. They've been eyeing us for some time," Lin Langtian whispered quietly.
As he spoke, his gaze subtly shifted to a gathering of Deep Sea Mysterious Flood Dragon experts led by Ao Xuan.
Ao Xuan seemed to sense Lin Langtian's attention. He turned his head slowly, his eyes locking onto Lin Langtian's before breaking into a sinister smile.
"These persistent, troublesome fellows," Mu Lingshan muttered, gritting her silver teeth. She tightened her small grip on the Life-Death Coffin Lid, barely restraining herself from swinging it at them.
Lin Langtian gave a chilling smile. The Deep Sea Mysterious Flood Dragon Clan might indeed be strong, but if Ao Xuan believed Lin Langtian was an easy target, he was gravely mistaken.
As time passed, the chaos at the lakebed gradually subsided. The remaining black corpses were swiftly eliminated under the relentless assault of the many powerful cultivators.
With the final corpse destroyed, the lakebed momentarily fell into silence.
Blood drifted through the energy-infused waters, staining the lakebed faintly red. Evidently, many experts had lost their lives amid the earlier chaos.
Some casualties resulted from the corpse attacks, while others were treacherously killed by opportunistic rivals. Those who had entered this place were all ruthless individuals—if presented with the chance, they wouldn't hesitate to eliminate anyone blocking their path to treasure.
Exhausted from the fierce fighting, many warriors breathed heavily, their auras destabilized.
Those who had gained crystals appeared excited, but their gazes were alert, suspiciously scrutinizing others nearby, fearing someone might suddenly strike and steal the hard-won crystals.
Thus, the atmosphere at the lakebed turned abruptly tense and strange. Even those who had fought together moments earlier now distanced themselves cautiously, their eyes filled with guarded suspicion.
"Hehe."
Amid this tense atmosphere, Ao Xuan suddenly chuckled softly, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
Ignoring the curious stares, Ao Xuan fixed his sinister eyes on Lin Langtian.
Lin Langtian met his gaze coldly, waiting to see what Ao Xuan intended.
"Lin Langtian, if I'm not mistaken, your group must have reaped quite the reward. I suspect you have around thirty Energy Crystals, right?" Ao Xuan remarked mockingly, his eyes narrowing.
His words caused an immediate uproar. Numerous experts' eyes reddened with envy.
They had fought desperately yet barely managed to secure two or three crystals. Yet Lin Langtian's group possessed nearly thirty?
Red-eyed gazes immediately shifted toward Lin Langtian's group.
"This bastard is truly shameless," Lin Langtian thought darkly, feeling the intense gazes around him.
Ao Xuan's cunning words had effectively turned everyone's envy toward him. Thirty Energy Crystals were more than enough to incite greedy intentions in anyone.
"That hateful scum!" Mu Lingshan's face reddened angrily, preparing to strike someone with the coffin lid, but Lin Langtian held her back gently.
"Ao Xuan, I assume your clan also holds dozens of crystals?" Lin Langtian suddenly smiled, turning the conversation around.
Ao Xuan raised his eyebrows, confidently nodding. Even if they possessed numerous crystals, no one would dare challenge his powerful clan.
"Since you seem so interested in my crystals, why don't we place a bet? You and I fight one-on-one. If I lose, I'll hand over all my crystals to everyone here. But if you lose, you give half your crystals to me and distribute the rest among everyone else. How about it?" Lin Langtian proposed, smiling innocently.
His words instantly ignited another uproar. Many gazes shifted expectantly toward Ao Xuan.
"What courage to openly challenge the prince of the Deep Sea Flood Dragons!"
"Thirty crystals as a wager—truly impressive. But does Prince Ao Xuan dare accept?"
Faced with mounting pressure, Ao Xuan's expression darkened visibly. He hadn't anticipated Lin Langtian's ruthless maneuver, placing him in a difficult situation with such a high-stakes gamble.
"You're challenging me?"
Ao Xuan's smile disappeared, replaced by a cold fury. If he retreated now, his reputation as a prince would surely be mocked.
Killing intent surged from Ao Xuan. He abruptly grasped a white Flood Dragon halberd, releasing a fierce aura accompanied by his chilling voice.
"Since you're seeking death, I'll gladly oblige!"
Ao Xuan's formidable power erupted violently. Holding the halberd—shaped like a sinister white Flood Dragon radiating lethal sharpness—his half-step Profound Death stage aura exploded fully, displacing the surrounding water.
"Impressive aura worthy of a dragon prince!" murmured someone nearby, impressed by Ao Xuan's strength.
Lin Langtian smiled faintly, facing Ao Xuan's fierce presence. "I assume you agree to my terms?"
Ao Xuan stared icily, gripping the halberd tighter. "As agreed. Thirty Energy Crystals on the line. Though I doubt you'll have any left once we're done!"
Lin Langtian simply smiled coldly. Ao Xuan had provoked him too often; this open challenge was exactly what he'd wanted.
"Lord Manor Master, shall we handle him?" Liu Da asked cautiously.
"No need. Just watch the others," Lin Langtian replied calmly.
Lin Langtian clenched his fist, feeling bones crackle with power. Flames ignited around him, his inner Fire Furnace rumbling fiercely.
He stared intensely at Ao Xuan. "Come."
"You won't be smiling much longer," Ao Xuan spat venomously, anger boiling at Lin Langtian's composed expression.
Ao Xuan surged forward, his halberd slicing rapidly through the water, launching dozens of lethal strikes aimed directly at Lin Langtian's vitals.
Lin Langtian calmly drew his fiery feather sword, deflecting Ao Xuan's vicious attacks with a rapid series of clangs and sparks.
He swiftly closed the gap, engaging Ao Xuan in fierce, close combat. His fists, elbows, and sword strikes relentlessly pressured Ao Xuan, forcing him onto the defensive.
Though initially overwhelmed, Ao Xuan quickly regained composure, turning his halberd into a formidable barrier, enduring Lin Langtian's punishing assault.
The two fought with astonishing speed, causing violent disruptions in the surrounding water. Each clash unleashed waves of powerful energy, pushing back onlookers.
Lin Langtian's final, powerful strike collided with Ao Xuan's halberd, bending it from sheer force. Ao Xuan retaliated fiercely, pushing Lin Langtian back, but his eyes now carried deep caution.
"You're strong," Ao Xuan admitted grimly. "But now, I'll end this with my next move!"
The atmosphere intensified sharply as both men prepared to unleash their full strength, their eyes locking in a final, deadly confrontation.
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