Including Lin Li, Baixing Kingdom had a total of ten Core Formation cultivators. Among them, the vanguard general, Yang Sheng, like the Boundless Empire's Grand Marshal Tu Long, was also a late-stage Core Formation cultivator.
Given that the Boundless Empire had two fewer Core Formation cultivators than Baixing Kingdom, and with Baixing Kingdom lying in ambush, having Lin Li lure the enemies into a trap, the eight Core Formation cultivators of the Boundless Empire quickly found themselves at a disadvantage!
Yang Sheng and Tu Long were locked in a fierce battle, exchanging blow after blow. However, since Tu Long's specialty was earth-based magic, fighting over the waters off Nanchuan Island significantly limited his abilities. In contrast, Yang Sheng, a martial cultivator wielding a long spear, suffered no such disadvantage, steadily pressuring Tu Long throughout the battle.
As for the other Core Formation cultivators, their battles were evenly matched.
However, Baixing Kingdom had the advantage of two additional Core Formation cultivators.
While the others were entangled in their individual fights, Shallow Water Daoist, who specialized in water-based magic, acted as a reserve. Whenever a Baixing Kingdom cultivator found themselves in a crisis, Shallow Water Daoist would intervene. Unlike Tu Long, Shallow Water Daoist's abilities were enhanced by the sea, and even though she was only at the first level of Core Formation, her power was greatly amplified by the ocean environment.
Meanwhile, Lin Li activated Like a Fish in Water, and targeted enemies who were already being suppressed by Baixing Kingdom cultivators. He bided his time, waiting for them to reveal an opening, then struck with deadly precision, delivering fatal blows and finishing off those already wounded.
As two martial cultivators clashed, Lin Li seized the opportunity. He instantly teleported next to the Boundless Empire's sword-wielding cultivator. At the very moment that the enemy was fully engaged in blocking the knife-wielding Baixing Kingdom cultivator's attack, Lin Li struck unexpectedly, driving his sword through the heart of the Boundless Empire's swordsman!
"You?!"
The swordsman had successfully parried the Baixing Kingdom cultivator's attack, only to be caught off guard by Lin Li's ambush. He was filled with both rage and shock. Without wasting time, Lin Li withdrew his sword and swiftly moved on.
Soon, he neared two water-based magic cultivators locked in combat. Taking advantage of the chaos as various water-based spells were cast, Lin Li slashed the arm of the enemy cultivator.
At this moment, Ye Fan received a system notification: [Killed a second-level sword cultivator of the Boundless Empire, gained 26,666 evolution points.]
"Oh?"
With his 360-degree vision, Ye Fan noticed that the sword cultivator, after being pierced through the heart, had begun to turn blue due to Ye Fan's passive skill, Poison. Pressured by the Baixing Kingdom cultivator, the poisoned swordsman succumbed to his injuries and died!
As Ye Fan celebrated the 26,000+ evolution points he had earned, Lin Li continued moving swiftly across the battlefield, launching surprise attacks and wounding many enemies.
[Killed a third-level water-based cultivator of the Boundless Empire, gained 34,444 evolution points.]
[Killed a first-level body cultivator of the Boundless Empire, gained 18,888 evolution points.]
[Killed a second-level fire-based cultivator of the Boundless Empire, gained 26,781 evolution points.]
"In one-on-one combat, the poison's effect isn't significant," Ye Fan thought. "Weaker enemies are killed by Lin Li instantly, and stronger ones are immune to the poison due to their higher cultivation."
"But in a chaotic battle like this, the poison really shines!"
"Most of these cultivators are only slightly wounded by Lin Li, except for the first swordsman whose heart was pierced. But even these minor injuries are enough to poison them. While they're preoccupied with fighting, they can't focus on resisting the poison."
"This makes poison perfect for battles like this! As long as Lin Li injures them, I'll gain evolution points!"
The Boundless Empire, which had started with eight Core Formation cultivators, had already lost four.
The only ones remaining were Tu Long, who was struggling against Yang Sheng, two mid-stage Core Formation cultivators, and one early-stage Core Formation cultivator.
Lin Li quickly targeted the early-stage Core Formation cultivator, launching a fierce attack with his Breaking Heaven Sword, cooperating with a fellow Baixing Kingdom cultivator to eliminate the enemy.
[Killed a third-level wood-based cultivator of the Boundless Empire, gained 34,753 evolution points.]
"Lin Li! You're so strong!"
Shallow Water Daoist exclaimed, witnessing Lin Li's immense contributions to the battle, having slain five enemy cultivators.
"Of course!" Lin Li smiled confidently.
After killing five early-stage Core Formation cultivators, Lin Li, already at the third level of Core Formation, received a surge of feedback energy from Ye Fan, causing his cultivation to skyrocket!
Soon, Lin Li broke through to the peak of the third level of Core Formation!
At that moment.
Lin Li activated both Slaughter State and Like a Fish in Water, using Ye Fan's passive skill, Skyborne, to join the battle between the two mid-stage Core Formation cultivators and the late-stage Core Formation expert.
He darted in and out of the skirmish, harassing the three Boundless Empire cultivators and poisoning them in the process.
Although their cultivation levels were higher than Lin Li's, making the poison less effective, the poison still weakened them in the prolonged, intense battle.
Finally!
Lin Li saw his chance. In his Slaughter State, he unleashed his Breaking Heaven Sword, coordinating with two mid-stage Baixing Kingdom cultivators to kill both of the enemy's mid-stage Core Formation cultivators!
[Killed a fifth-level body cultivator of the Boundless Empire, gained 59,999 evolution points.]
[Killed a sixth-level wood-based cultivator of the Boundless Empire, gained 62,222 evolution points.]
At last!
With all eyes on him, Lin Li unleashed his trump card. Under the astonished and awed gaze of every Baixing Kingdom cultivator, he dashed behind Tu Long, who was struggling under Yang Sheng's relentless assault.
"Stunning Sword!"
With a powerful shout, Lin Li unleashed a brilliant, golden sword arc tinged with blood-red energy. At the very moment when Tu Long was fending off Yang Sheng's attack, the Stunning Sword Arc sliced through the air, severing Tu Long's head!
[Killed eighth-level earth-based cultivator of the Boundless Empire, Tu Long, gained 87,356 evolution points.]
"Wow!"
The crowd erupted in shock and awe!
No one had expected Lin Li to unleash such a devastating attack!
Even Yang Sheng felt a chill in his heart!
"If that sword had been aimed at me, could I have blocked it?"
Yang Sheng was uncertain. He had no confidence he could.
"This battle, Lin Li, you've performed admirably!"
Yang Sheng flew over to Lin Li and gave him a heavy pat on the shoulder, praising him, "If not for your daring move to infiltrate Nanchuan Island and lure the enemy, our capture of the island would not have gone so smoothly. And not only that, but in the final battle among the Core Formation cultivators, your performance was extraordinary!"
"Don't worry, when I return, I will personally report your contributions to the kingdom!"
Shallow Water Daoist also flew over, genuinely delighted. "Lin Li, your accomplishments in this battle will surely grant Hailan Kingdom great commercial benefits in the surrounding seas! The ruler of Baixing Kingdom will not hesitate to reward both you and Hailan Kingdom generously!"