Chapter 1713: Trial

This was Long Kun's first practical application of his strongest combat style, which he had developed by combining the power of the Phoenix and the stars after several intense battles.

The Grand Elder before them was undoubtedly the perfect test subject. As the Phoenix's power infused the vast energy of the stars, it coalesced into an indescribable essence. Even Xu Yang, observing from the side, couldn't help but show a look of astonishment.

"Long Kun truly lives up to his reputation as the chosen inheritor of the Phoenix lineage," Xu Yang thought. "His talent is second to none. If he had a bit more perseverance, his cultivation would be far beyond what it is now."

As Xu Yang reflected, Ling Yao on the other side had also unleashed her swordsmanship to its fullest. A massive sword beam, combined with the power of frost, was released, creating a powerful sealing and slowing effect that severely hindered the Grand Elder's physical movement.

The three fought in their own ways: Long Kun led the offense, Ling Yao provided support, and Goddess Yanxia waited on the side for the perfect moment to deliver a fatal blow. Their coordination was flawless.

Xu Yang truly felt proud of them. However, he soon sensed a faint crisis, suspecting that the Grand Elder had a more powerful trump card and was also waiting for an opportunity. He knew the elder wouldn't make a move unless it was decisive.

Xu Yang's premonition proved correct; any move from the elder would be earth-shattering. With his vast combat experience, the Grand Elder waited until Long Kun and the other two attacked simultaneously before finally unleashing his Asura Path Sacred Law.

A dark gray Black Tortoise totem quickly appeared before him. The totem's power materialized into a corporeal Black Tortoise soul entity, unleashing the incomparably powerful defensive ability unique to the divine beast Black Tortoise.

As this dark green light completely enveloped the Grand Elder's position, the combined attack of the three was instantly weakened by the powerful Black Tortoise totem, losing over fifty percent of its explosive power.

The original three-in-one technique would have dealt a heavy blow to the Grand Elder this time.

However, when the Grand Elder manifested the Black Tortoise totem using the Asura Path Sacred Law, Xu Yang realized their powerful combined assault would likely have no substantial effect.

"Hahaha, how about that?" the Grand Elder boomed. "Were you three little ones impressed by my immense power? I wonder, compared to your Lord Xu Yang, who is stronger?"

The Grand Elder had a somewhat jester-like personality, but it had to be admitted that his combat experience was incredibly rich. Before even making a move, he had already clearly analyzed the combat strategy Long Kun and the other two intended to deploy, giving them no opportunity to gain an advantage.

To Xu Yang, such an opponent was the most challenging, as one could never guess what they would do in the next round.

"Alright, you three stand down," Xu Yang commanded. "I'll deal with him personally."

Xu Yang realized this situation needed to stop immediately. Otherwise, if they continued, Long Kun and the others would certainly suffer a great loss at the hands of this cunning old man.

The most powerful characteristic of the Asura Path Sacred Law was its ability to manifest the vital changes of all things in heaven and earth. This meant that as long as their sacred law totems contained the corresponding power origin, they could evolve the forms of such life entities through the Asura Path Sacred Law.

Moreover, these materialized life entities could gain over thirty percent of the original body's combat ability.

In Xu Yang's view, the Asura Path Sacred Law inheritance was actually the most potent among all six human-spirit lineages. When wielded at will by someone with extremely high combat intelligence and rich combat experience, the combat capability and suppression effect it could demonstrate were truly beyond imagination.

Judging from the sparring situation, if it were any other Grand Elder from the six human-spirit lineages, it would be almost impossible to escape unscathed under the combined assault of Long Kun and the other two. Yet, this elder did. The Asura lineage always brought unexpected surprises.

After receiving Xu Yang's command, Long Kun and the other two no longer wished to prolong the fight. Indeed, when their recent combined attack didn't yield the expected results, their belief in victory had already been shaken. They had also sensed an unfathomable strangeness and profoundness emanating from the old man.

Continuing to fight in that state of mind would bring them no benefit. Therefore, Xu Yang decisively chose to call a halt, personally entering the fray to battle this self-important old man for a few rounds.

"Show me your strongest side," Xu Yang declared. "I want to see the ultimate effect of the Asura Path Sacred Law. Even if you summon the Underworld King totem again, I can still make you pay."

However, hearing Xu Yang say this, the Grand Elder burst into laughter.

"The Underworld King totem is merely an evolved form of a cultivation technique within the Asura Path Sacred Law that excels in defensive power," the Grand Elder scoffed. "It's far from being our Asura Path's most powerful ultimate secret. You seem to not fully understand the power of our lineage's inheritance. In the cultivation techniques of our Asura lineage cultivators, any technique and any form of life force can be replicated. Simply put, fighting me alone is equivalent to facing the power of a thousand armies and myriad races. Unless you can instantly kill me in one round, if you intend to engage in a protracted battle, I fear no one of the same level in this world."

It seemed that the Grand Elder's rather boastful statement piqued Xu Yang's interest.

"To be honest," Xu Yang replied, "I truly intended to completely obliterate you with a single strike. But hearing you say that, my interest has been piqued. I genuinely want to see what kind of advantages your so-called protracted battle can achieve."

Xu Yang most liked challenging an opponent's strongest suit, as victories obtained that way were far more meaningful and exciting to him. At that moment, Xu Yang immediately decided to engage in a protracted battle with the old man, eager to witness the true, immense power of an Asura lineage Grand Elder.

The old man snorted coldly and stepped into the air.

Then, his palms rapidly formed hand signs amidst a blood-red glow. A purplish-black source of power swiftly coalesced around his body. As this powerful primordial force of the Asura lineage gathered, various totems of other life forces manifested upon him. This was the Asura Path Sacred Law's ability to inscribe the vitality of all living things.