Chapter 120: Extinguishing the Lamp

But after all, Jin Tianzuo was a figure renowned for decades. His cultivation had long placed him among the elite masters of the Linglong Continent. How could he surrender so easily? Just as he was being cornered, he suddenly roared. His beard flared out like a cascade of golden light, transforming into thousands of golden spikes that surged toward Hong Lin and Jiu Xi.

The two were momentarily blinded by the dazzling gold, and only in the next moment did they realize it was thousands of needle-like golden spikes, as numerous as cattle hair. They dared not underestimate them and immediately raised their defenses. Hong Lin’s purple Yihua flower blossomed explosively, forming an enormous floral shield, while Jiu Xi’s Heavenly Dao spiritual sword returned before him, spinning rapidly to create an impenetrable wall of blades.

The clashing sounds rang out loudly as their respective spiritual shields deflected all of Jin Tianzuo’s golden spikes to the ground. But as the golden light faded, they instantly noticed Jin Tianzuo had vanished from his previous spot. Suddenly, an immense pressure seemed to bear down on their heads. Looking up, they saw a golden light shimmering around an old man in the air, wearing a vicious smile — it was none other than the triumphant Jin Tianzuo. He bellowed, “Prepare to die!” Around him, three golden lanterns trembled.

Before Hong Lin and Jiu Xi could react, the three lanterns began spinning rapidly under Jin Tianzuo’s spiritual command. In the next moment, they merged into one enormous golden lantern. Jin Tianzuo shouted, “Strike!” The lantern howled through the air and crashed down from above, aiming to crush the two on their heads.

Startled, Hong Lin and Jiu Xi tried to escape, but suddenly the golden lantern flickered intensely, as if candle wax was dripping. In the next instant, a ring of fierce flames erupted around them, trapping them within. The fire roared savagely, hemming them in with a deadly encirclement. They found themselves caught between a pincer attack from above and the surrounding flames.

Jin Tianzuo hovered in the air, admiring his handiwork. “Thinking you can escape now?”

Hong Lin and Jiu Xi exchanged a glance before simultaneously unleashing their spiritual energy, shooting it at the golden lantern. Jin Tianzuo laughed wildly, “You think you can stop the descent of my golden lantern with such feeble attempts?” But at that moment, the two streams of spiritual energy rebounded off the falling lantern’s weight, ricocheting toward the ground. Hong Lin and Jiu Xi shouted together, driving their purple Yihua flower and Heavenly Dao Dayu sword downward with tremendous force, instantly smashing a large hole through the floor.

Hong Lin sneered, “Senior Jin’s golden lantern is indeed formidable, but you forgot one thing — this is Guihai Pavilion, a multi-story building with an empty space below.” With that, they both leapt down, retreating three levels beneath to evade the crushing lantern.

Jin Tianzuo, still suspended in the air, roared in frustration. He had used this golden lantern technique countless times without a single failure. His foes were either crushed outright or consumed by the surrounding flames. Never had he expected these two juniors to exploit the building’s structure to escape. The golden lantern, howling with the wind, smashed a terrifying hole from top to bottom in the Guihai Pavilion.

“Hmph, you’re fast, I’ll give you that,” growled the undying golden lantern.

“You’re wrong. We haven’t escaped,” came a melodious female voice from behind Jin Tianzuo. Yet instead of delight, a chill ran down his spine. He had never imagined these two would forgo flight and launch another attack.

Moments ago, just as the lantern brushed past their bodies, the two exchanged a glance. For the first time, Jiu Xi unleashed his Heavenly Dao Upright Sword—a domineering blade that pierced through the floor. Seizing the opening created, Hong Lin leapt upward again, coldly casting a purple Yihua flower behind Jin Tianzuo.

With a thud, the flower struck him squarely. Jin Tianzuo spat a mouthful of blood and was thrown back several meters. At once, a powerful spiritual sword slammed into the ground where he fell—Jiu Xi’s lethal blow.

Clang! A maple leaf-shaped spiritual shield blocked Jiu Xi’s strike, but its bearer was pushed back three paces before regaining footing. Supporting Jin Tianzuo, he said, “Junior Sister Hong Lin, today, give me some face and call it a day.”

Hong Lin narrowed her eyes and recognized the newcomer—Mr. Jun Buruo, the gift presenter. She had no room to argue; after all, she had just used Jun Buruo to help Jin Tianzuo escape. Now that he had appeared, what else could she say? The Luoye Sect was not involved in the Lingjue Arena incident.

She nodded to Jiu Xi, who swiftly retracted his spiritual sword and stood with hands behind his back. Hong Lin smiled, “Brother Jun, please escort Senior Jin out of Guihai City quickly. It may not be long before the city is engulfed in bloodshed.”

Jun Buruo nodded in thanks, “Thank you both. I will take Senior Jin away immediately.” As he turned, Jin Tianzuo, badly wounded, spoke coldly, “You juniors are impressive indeed. But know this—what happened today is far from over. One day, I will exact my revenge with a single strike.” He coughed up a fresh mouthful of blood.

Jun Buruo’s face darkened with sorrow. Thinking, Third Senior Brother, we must leave quickly. Angering him further could bring disaster. Without another word, he flicked his robe and flew out of Guihai Pavilion.

Watching their retreating forms, Hong Lin sighed helplessly. “At least one formidable enemy is gone. But I wonder how Mo Bai is doing. If they manage to destroy the Ten Thousand Spear Vault, the blow to Guihai City will be even greater.”

Jiu Xi’s eyes clouded with uncertainty. After a long moment, he smiled faintly, “Do you think there’s anything he can’t do?”

Hong Lin chuckled softly, “Perhaps. But I hope there’s nothing he can’t accomplish here in Lingjue Arena.”