In the next moment, the flames around Lin Yan surged again, swallowing the attacker completely. Body and soul were burned away together—another life erased in an instant.
He moved without pause, killing with every step. Against Gu Masters of the same rank, there was no resistance at all. It was overwhelming, almost merciless.
For a brief moment, the Gu Masters across the vast space felt a chill run through them. Eyes turned toward him, disbelief breaking through their composure. "At this age… slaughtering Rank 3s like this… how is that possible?!"
Lin Yan did not slow. Flames roared higher as he advanced, his presence like an army pressing forward alone, charging straight into the chaotic Rank 4 battlefield.
The Cai Clan Head expression twisted, shock and fury mixing together as he watched his people fall. Grief flashed in his eyes as he activated Rank 4 Malicious Wind Gu and struck out with a sweeping motion, unleashing his killer move—Wind Howl and Crane Cry.
A piercing cry rang out. A violent green gale condensed into the shape of an elegant crane, vast and imposing, rushing forward with crushing force.
Lin Yan raised his hand, a blazing sword forming in his grasp. With a single swing, a scorching red arc tore through the air, stretching several meters as it cut across the Void, splitting the incoming crane phantom cleanly in two.
The crane phantom let out a mournful cry before exploding mid-air. In an instant, countless condensed wind currents burst outward like a storm of blades, rushing toward him.
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle…
Lin Yan couldn't avoid it completely. His glass flame bone body, gleaming like forged gold, was struck repeatedly, leaving behind countless fine wounds across his surface.
He let out a low grunt, one hand pressing against his chest. His heart pounded violently, his blood churning as if reversing, thin streams of scorching blood seeping out through his skin.
This killer move was not pure Wind Path—it also carried hidden Sound Path force, making it far harder to defend against.
But the moment the scarlet-gold flame aura around him circulated, Accumulated Ash Gu responded on its own, its effect pushed to the limit. The ashes scattered throughout the battlefield began to surge back toward him like a tide, drawn in from every direction. They flowed into his body, and within a single breath, every wound closed, his condition restored as if nothing had happened.
Immediately after, Lin Yan's presence surged again. The vast sea of fire around him drew inward, gathering and compressing, brewing another terrifying killer move.
At the same time, a Huang Family Rank 4 Elder moved decisively. The moment the Cai Clan Head revealed a flaw, he closed in without hesitation, coordinating with Lin Yan to form a pincer attack.
For a time, the Cai Clan Head was pushed into a dangerous corner. Realizing the situation had turned against him, he let out a deep sigh and used his trump card—a second Rank 4 Gu. His figure scattered, turning into a gust of wind that shot away from the battlefield.
A moment later, he reappeared high in the air, his face pale. He gave the order for retreat, then called out toward Zhang Bai, who was still fighting at the center, "I've done all I can. Heaven is not on our side. This battle is lost."
At once, the remaining Cai Family Gu Masters rode the wind, diving into the tunnels and disappearing without a trace.
The Wei Clan Head and Shen Clan Head were both shocked and furious, afraid they would be left behind as scapegoats. Without hesitation, they broke away from the Huang Family Elders who were pressing them and shouted, "Retreat!"
In the distance, across the Rank 5 battlefield that spanned a hundred of meters, the four-armed giant roared in rage. His body was scorched black, one arm already gone, blood covering his massive frame. "Damn it!"
Zhang Bai had no choice but to withdraw. His form shrank rapidly, transforming into a massive winged beast. With a powerful beat of his wings, he broke free from Huang Ming's pressure and shot into the sky, rising straight into the clouds. Before leaving, his gaze swept across Lin Yan, locking onto him for a brief moment, as if carving his image into memory. His teeth clenched as he shouted, "Let your Huang Family enjoy this while it lasts!"
"Heaven's way is constant, and the mortal world moves in cycles. There will come a day when your Huang Family declines. When that time comes, our descendants will flatten you
"Hahaha!" Huang Ming laughed loudly. "My Huang Family has a peerless genius—I will suppress your Zhang Family for a hundred years!"
Huang Ming was both surprised and pleased. He had expected the outcome to be decided through the Rank 5 battle, but Lin Yan's sudden appearance had overturned everything. Fighting above his level, he had shattered the balance among the Rank 4s and secured the victory.
Zhang Bai's expression darkened with jealousy. He left behind one final sentence before retreating into the distance.
"Heh… I hope such a genius doesn't die young."