Chapter 580: Unloading the Donkey and Killing It

At this critical juncture, Lingyao and Shi Lingyun instinctively soared into the air, attempting to shield Long Kun from the fatal blow, but Xu Yang promptly intervened to stop them.

Xu Yang had deliberately kept his plan hidden from the two goddesses other than Long Kun, aiming for their reactions to make the performance seamless and flawless.

It was precisely Lingyao and Shi Lingyun's genuine, instinctive reactions that made the Great Spirit Historic Demon lower his guard. He believed Xu Yang and his companions were truly incapable of resisting his powerful Great Spirit Domain, which emboldened him to unleash his full might on Long Kun.

Only then, upon learning Xu Yang's true intentions, did the two goddesses finally put their minds at ease, realizing that Long Kun was never truly in danger; it was merely a ruse.

Indeed, both the Great Spirit Historic Demon and the Dragon-Snake Four Symbols above were completely ensnared by the elaborate scheme orchestrated by Long Kun and Xu Yang.

"Big guy, you've gone too far!"

Finally, just as the Great Spirit Historic Demon's colossal arm was about to descend, the Dragon-Snake Four Symbols, who had been observing the entire time, launched a decisive attack. They not only thwarted the Great Spirit Historic Demon's killing blow but also thrust powerfully towards the shoulder blade of its right arm.

That location was precisely one of the Great Spirit lineage's rare fatal weaknesses.

In fact, while the Great Spirit's body-reinforcing cultivation technique is exceptionally potent, its weaknesses are equally glaring. All the joints that connect the body's powerful limbs are their irremediable fatal flaws.

This is because all the life essence within a Great Spirit body prioritizes the four attacking limbs, rendering the other joints connecting to the torso the most vulnerable. During the most intense combat, these areas can even lose their entire blood supply.

Over time, this leaves the Great Spirit body's joints extremely fragile. Without the nourishment and vitality of potent bloodline energy, their rigid limbs become their Achilles' heel.

This time, the Dragon-Snake Four Symbols were not part of the Great Spirit Historic Demon's defensive scheme. Its primary adversaries were Xu Yang's group of four, which already presented a formidable challenge. To then divert attention to defend against others was impossible. Consequently, when faced with this sudden ambush, the Great Spirit Historic Demon had no means of parrying, and its right arm was violently severed by the Dragon-Snake Four Symbols.

Normally, this might not have been so critical. However, at this precise moment, the Great Spirit Historic Demon was enveloped within its own Great Spirit Domain and had also unleashed a protective reverse domain force around itself. This significantly accelerated the depletion of its life force.

Now, a massive vulnerability had appeared in its energy system. With an entire right arm severed, the life force gushing from the gaping wound was continuously amplified by the domain force itself. This single blow almost entirely stripped the Great Spirit Historic Demon of its previously overwhelming advantage, sending it plummeting from its peak to rock bottom.

"Dragon-Snake Four Symbols, you scoundrel! How dare you ambush me!"

As anticipated, Xu Yang's unparalleled ingenuity finally paid off spectacularly. He not only used the Dragon-Snake Four Symbols' power to shatter the Great Spirit Historic Demon's domain seal but also caused these two former allies to turn on each other in the heat of battle.

"Don't look at me like that. I never said we were allies. While we are both among the Seven Great Historic Demons, that doesn't mean we are friends. In my eyes, you were merely a useful lout. Now your value has expired, and I can end you at any moment."

The Great Spirit Historic Demon was already grievously wounded, its life force rapidly escaping. Hearing such words from its adversary pushed it to the absolute limit of enraged despair.

"What exactly do you want? Didn't I promise to split all the spoils with you once I succeeded? And even if you've wounded me, setting aside my potential retaliation, do you truly believe your own strength is sufficient to contend with those four?"

To this question, the Dragon-Snake Four Symbols clearly had his answer prepared long ago.

"That is no longer your concern. The only thing you need to do now is perish!"

What transpired next was not part of Xu Yang's meticulously laid plans. Even Xu Yang himself had not anticipated that this external aid, forcibly drawn into the scheme, would prove so utterly ruthless. Showing no regard for any past connection, he struck with a brutality far exceeding that of Xu Yang's own team members.

A weapon, similar to a "Solitary Dragon Spike," suddenly materialized in his hand and was savagely plunged into the Great Spirit Historic Demon's grievously wounded shoulder.

A mournful cry of excruciating pain escaped the Great Spirit Historic Demon's lips. However, at this point, he was already gravely depleted of energy, utterly lacking any means to resist his assailant. He could only resign himself to becoming meat on the chopping block.

"If you must assign blame, don't blame me. Blame yourself for provoking the inheritor of the Phoenix lineage. You know very well that the Phoenix lineage has always been the most critical missing element in my cultivation technique. Once I rectify this, my power will transcend that of all other Historic Demons, and it might even enable me to break free from the seal of this wretched place."

"So that's it. I was careless after all, unable to see through you, you monstrous fiend, harboring such malicious intent!"

The Dragon-Snake Four Symbols chuckled lewdly, his voice particularly insidious: "Blame yourself for being dim-witted and unable to discern human nature. How could you possibly reach the summit and become the world's most supreme expert? It's over!"

Finally, a grayish-white hue rapidly condensed within the Dragon-Snake Four Symbols' pupils. When this gaze struck the Great Spirit Historic Demon's body, its massive form instantly began to petrify!

A grinding, creaking sound reverberated!

A distinct, crisp sound of bones cracking and stiffening echoed forth. The Great Spirit's colossal body swiftly disintegrated, and thus, the powerful Great Spirit lineage member among the Seven Great Historic Demons met his end.

"I must say, you're truly ruthless. That primal instinct that erupts when you glimpse a benefit genuinely startled me!"

Long Kun clapped his hands and rose to his feet, a sight that visibly startled the Dragon-Snake Four Symbols.

"You... how? How did you recover so quickly?"

Long Kun burst into laughter: "You fool, you finally understand, don't you? That was merely a trap set by my boss to lure you in. He instructed me to step forward and flaunt all my Phoenix power, while secretly activating my other body-protecting technique, the power of the Mystic Turtle, to shield my core essence. This ensured that no matter how severely I was beaten, my fundamental essence would remain utterly unharmed. Congratulations, young man, you've hit the jackpot!"

The Dragon-Snake Four Symbols, of course, understood the concept of "when lips are gone, teeth feel cold" – the inevitable interdependence. Regardless, the other Historic Demons were the dominant forces on this battlefield. If any alliance were truly viable, it could only have been between him and the Great Spirit. Xu Yang's four-person team, however, was bound to act as a united front. Now that he had personally eliminated the Great Spirit, and then discovered that Long Kun and the other three were in perfect, peak combat condition, he finally realized he had indeed fallen into a trap.

"I still have one question I can't quite grasp: Why did you decide to draw me into this scheme? I never made a move from beginning to end. How did you determine that I was aligned with the Great Spirit? And how were you so certain I would intervene to help you eliminate him?"

Xu Yang sneered: "From the very moment you appeared, I discerned your ambition. Enough talk. Now, it's your turn!"