The overwhelming aura radiating from Chen Mo's fist instantly enveloped everyone present. The immense pressure, stronger than anything they had ever felt, forced them to their knees involuntarily.
"Is this the power of a Battle Emperor?" Shaluo wondered, unaware that this was the power of a Battle Ancestor.
The strongest expert he had ever encountered was a Battle Emperor, and anything beyond that seemed unreachable in his lifetime.
"Is the Pavilion Master really this powerful?" The members of Lingyan Pavilion were utterly shocked, their jaws practically hitting the ground.
Nalan Yanran's beautiful eyes sparkled with an unusual light. "Junior Brother, is this your true power?"
The Sixth Elder, who had been hiding in the shadows, now looked as if he had seen a ghost.
A Battle Ancestor? Is this a joke?
Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's faces changed drastically as they witnessed this. They knew that if such a powerful punch landed on Xiao Yan, he might not survive...
"Help me! Captain, save me!" Xiao Yan's desperate plea echoed just as the scorching magma swallowed several members of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.
The remaining mercenaries, some of whom were burned by the magma, suffered varying degrees of injury.
Before the battle had even truly begun, the Desert Iron Mercenary Group had already suffered heavy losses.
"What are you waiting for? Get them!" Shaluo shouted, seizing the opportunity to attack.
The members of Lingyan Pavilion surged forward.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan was struggling due to the effects of Chen Mo's God Elephant Suppression Technique, which severely suppressed Yao Lao's soul power. Yao Lao could only exert half of his strength.
Xiao Yan had barely dodged the previous lightning strike, but there was no way he could avoid the powerful punch that followed.
He raised his Xuan Heavy Ruler to block, hoping it could absorb some of the impact.
Boom!
A figure, like a cannonball, was sent flying backward at incredible speed.
Chen Mo understood well the principle of striking while the iron was hot. In an instant, he appeared above Xiao Yan, the Godly Spear of the Underworld materializing in his hand, its tip aimed directly at Xiao Yan's heart as he thrust it downward.
"Xiao Yan!"
"Young Master Xiao Yan!"
Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and Qing Lin watched in horror.
"Arrogant! How dare you get distracted in a fight with me?" Shaluo roared, slashing Xiao Ding's back with his blade.
"Captain!"
"Big Brother!"
With one side still unresolved, the other was already gravely injured. Xiao Li gritted his teeth and rushed to help Xiao Ding.
Just as the situation reached its most critical point...
A piercing sound suddenly rang out as Chen Mo's spear tip collided with an energy shield that had appeared out of nowhere.
The energy shield shattered, but in the next instant, Xiao Yan's figure was pulled far away from Chen Mo.
"You finally decided to show yourself?" Ignoring the half-dead Xiao Yan, Chen Mo looked up and fixed his gaze on a seemingly empty spot in the air.
The next moment, a shadow emerged eerily from the void.
It was an old man in a black robe, floating above the ground, looking down at everyone.
"Suspended in midair without external aid... A Battle Emperor," the onlookers gasped.
"Another Battle Emperor." For those with lower cultivation, it was impossible to tell that both Chen Mo and Xiao Yan had borrowed external power.
Chen Mo frowned as he felt the time limit on his [Battle Ancestor Experience Card] nearing its end. He had sensed a Battle Emperor hiding in the void when he exited the passage. At first, he wondered who it was.
Now it seemed it was Ling Ying.
But didn't Ling Ying appear only during the Three-Year Agreement? Was this a change caused by my interference?
Or could it be that...
He has been silently protecting Xiao Yan all this time?
Chen Mo's eyes grew cold as he asked sternly, "Are you here to protect him?"
"I never expected to find someone as talented as you in a small place like the Jia Ma Empire," Ling Ying replied, not bothering to hide his intentions. "No matter what, I must take this boy named Xiao Yan away today."
"With just you?" Chen Mo looked at the old man with disdain.
"As far as I can tell, this power you're using doesn't belong to you. It must have a time limit. Once it expires..." Ling Ying didn't finish his sentence. As an experienced elder, he knew better than to make outright threats, especially while the power was still active.
"Before that time limit expires, I'll make sure to send you to the underworld," Chen Mo retorted coldly. If you think you can protect him just like that, won't I lose face?
Chen Mo didn't immediately strike, and Ling Ying realized that Chen Mo wanted a way out.
"Name your terms for letting him go."
"It's simple. He needs to get out of the Tagore Desert, and also..."
"Impossible!" Xiao Yan interrupted before Chen Mo could finish. He had come here specifically to find the Heavenly Flame and advance his Flame Mantra. Leaving was not an option.
"Then there's nothing more to discuss," Chen Mo said as he slowly ascended into the air, reaching the same height as Ling Ying in the blink of an eye.
With the time limit approaching, he needed to deal with this troublesome old man first.
"Wait," Ling Ying said, seeing Chen Mo's aura about to surge again. He knew he couldn't afford to provoke a fight between a Battle Emperor and a Battle Ancestor. "I agree."
"Very well."
Neither of them paid attention to Xiao Yan's protests below.
Ling Ying continued, "What other conditions do you have?"
"Not bad, you're from one of the Eight Great Clans, after all." Chen Mo purposely mentioned his identity, giving the impression of having a powerful backer.
Ling Ying's pupils constricted. How does he know my identity? Could he also be from one of the Eight Great Clans? Judging by the lightning technique he used earlier, is he from the Lei Clan?
Chen Mo continued, "As you know, I had just emerged from the passage when he attacked me. Because of his actions, my subordinates have suffered severe injuries. So, I think it's only fair to ask for some compensation."
Upon hearing this, the members of Lingyan Pavilion, who were previously unscathed, suddenly collapsed, groaning in pain. "I can't take it anymore. My hand hurts so much."
"My leg is in agony."
"My entire body is in pain."
Ling Ying's mouth twitched at the exaggerated display, clearly seeing through their act. Could you at least try to make it more convincing?
However, he chose not to argue, and with a wave of his black robe, several bottles and jars floated in front of Chen Mo.
Without hesitation, Chen Mo accepted them all and smiled. "We've settled Xiao Yan's compensation. Now let's discuss his brothers' compensation."
Ling Ying frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You only said you were protecting Xiao Yan, not his brothers. So, logically speaking, this is a separate matter," Chen Mo explained.
Understanding instantly, Shaluo collapsed and began spitting blood. "See? My most trusted subordinate is already vomiting blood."
Ling Ying, feeling the sting, had to offer up another wave of compensation.
Just when he thought it was over...
"Now let's discuss compensation for his brothers' subordinates."
Unable to bear it any longer, Ling Ying swept his sleeve, taking Xiao Yan and his brothers and leaving immediately.