The Legend of the Netherworld

Chapter 199 Li Hong

The sky gradually darkened, and the dense forest was completely silent, broken only by the occasional chirping of insects. Lin Xiao and Murong Rui walked side by side, passing through a low bush. The view ahead suddenly opened up, and they could vaguely see a winding stream, shimmering in the moonlight.

Just as they were about to stop for a short rest, Lin Xiao suddenly paused, his expression suddenly grave. He sensed an extremely dangerous aura slowly approaching from not far away.

"Someone is coming." Lin Xiao said in a low voice, looking sharply at the dense forest in the distance.

Murong Rui also immediately became alert, cold sweat breaking out on his palms: "If you feel dangerous, I'm afraid the person coming is not simple, right?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, slow, steady footsteps could be heard. Lin Xiao and Murong Rui looked up and saw a man in a dark green robe slowly emerging from the forest. His face was pale, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's, and a sinister smile curled his lips. In his hand, he held a dark cane, the tip of which was inlaid with a blood-red crystal that emitted an unsettling glow.

"Lin Xiao, long time no see." The man's voice was low and hoarse, revealing an inexplicable sense of oppression.

"Li Hong." Lin Xiao's eyes turned cold and he tightened his grip on the sword.

Murong Rui was stunned for a moment, then asked in a low voice: "Lin Xiao, who is this guy?"

Lin Xiao didn't answer, his gaze still fixed on Li Hong. He knew in his heart that this man was no ordinary opponent. Li Hong, a powerful warrior of the Jiayin Ninth Realm, was also a key figure in the Blood Shadow Sect, notorious for having carried out numerous assassination missions. However, his true strength and methods remained a mystery.

"It seems you still remember me." Li Hong sneered and said, "Yes, a night like this is perfect, let's have a good 'reminiscent time'." Before he finished speaking, he swung his crutch suddenly, and a blood-red light cut through the night sky and headed straight for Lin Xiao.

"Be careful!" Lin Xiao shouted, and at the same time, he quickly retreated, using the "Dragon Swimming Across the Seas" technique to avoid the light. The light landed on the ground, instantly exploding a huge deep pit with astonishing power.

"He's certainly not a simple character." Lin Xiao snorted coldly, his internal energy rapidly circulating, and sword energy gathered in his palm. Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately unleashed "Sword Dance Spinning Spin", and countless sword energies poured towards Li Hong like a torrential rain.

Li Hong remained calm upon seeing this. He sneered and waved his cane. The red light was like a barrier, blocking all the sword energy. At the same time, he stomped his foot suddenly, and his figure approached Lin Xiao like a ghost, and his cane stabbed at Lin Xiao's chest like a venomous snake.

Lin Xiao retreated quickly, simultaneously unleashing his "Illusionary Body Skill: Imitative Phantom," creating two phantoms to fight alongside him. However, Li Hong seemed to have already seen through the flaw in this move. He snorted coldly and swung his cane, sending ripples through the surrounding air, shattering the phantoms.

"Lin Xiao, stop wasting your time. You're no match for me." Li Hong's voice was filled with disdain. "But I'd like to know where you got the confidence to kill your way here."

Lin Xiao didn't answer, his brows furrowed, but his eyes lit up with a stronger fighting spirit. He knew that Li Hong's strength was indeed above his own, but he was not without the ability to fight.

"Murong Rui, step back. This guy is not someone you can deal with." Lin Xiao said in a low voice, and at the same time, he circulated the strength in his body again, preparing to use a more powerful killing move.

Murong Rui gritted his teeth. Although he was unwilling, he knew that staying would only become a burden. He quickly stepped aside and watched the battle nervously.

Li Hong smiled contemptuously upon seeing this: "Not bad, you know how to assess the situation. But, Lin Xiao, do you really think you can escape from me unscathed?"

Lin Xiao sneered: "Just try it and you'll know." After that, the energy in his body surged wildly, and he instantly displayed the "Sword Qi Zongheng Jue" and "Blue Sky Sword Rain Weaving". The sword energy in the sky was like a violent storm, sweeping towards Li Hong.

Li Hong was startled for a moment, then a cold look flashed in his eyes. "Interesting! Let's see where your limits are!" He swung his cane violently, and a blood-red light condensed into a massive shield wall, blocking all the sword energy. At the same time, he spun around, and the cane in his hand transformed into countless afterimages, suddenly attacking Lin Xiao.

The two men clashed in an instant, sword energy and blood light collided in the air, making a deafening explosion. The surrounding trees collapsed one after another, and the ground was torn into cracks.

The battle became more and more intense. Although Lin Xiao's strength was inexhaustible, Li Hong's offensive was like a tide, one wave after another, without any flaws.

Murong Rui watched nervously from the side, his heart full of anxiety: "Can Lin Xiao win? No, I can't just stand by and watch!" He gritted his teeth, secretly took out a fire talisman from his waist, and aimed his eyes firmly at Li Hong's back.

"Now!" Murong Rui growled and threw the explosive fire talisman out.

The Explosive Flame Talisman drew a fiery arc in the air, shooting straight towards Li Hong's back like a meteor. The talisman paper emitted a dazzling light, accompanied by a sharp sound of breaking through the air, and the air wave quickly spread out.

Li Hong sensed a hint of danger behind him. A cold light flashed in his eyes, and he snorted coldly, "Thinking of using this to sneak attack me? How naive!"

With a wave of his cane, the blood-red light emerged again, quickly transforming into a blood-red protective shield that enveloped Li Hong. The explosive flame talisman suddenly hit the protective shield, causing a loud explosion, flames splashing everywhere, and the air wave shook the surrounding trees.

However, Li Hong's protective shield remained motionless, easily neutralizing the Explosive Flame Talisman's power. "You dare to shake me with just this little trick?" Li Hong sneered, quickly turning in Murong Rui's direction, his eyes flashing with a murderous gleam. "But since you want to die, I'll grant your wish."

Murong Rui's face changed, and his heart beat violently, but he knew that he could not withstand Li Hong's attack at all. Seeing that Li Hong was about to pounce on him, Murong Rui suddenly remembered something, lowered his head and suddenly took out a small jade talisman from his arms.

"There is always a way out!" He shouted in his heart, quickly pressed the jade talisman on the palm of his hand, and with a sudden swipe of his finger, the jade talisman suddenly emitted a bright light.

"What are you doing?" Li Hong frowned. Just as he was about to chase after him, he felt an extremely powerful wave emanating from the jade talisman. Immediately afterwards, the light on the jade talisman suddenly flashed, forming a transparent barrier that blocked Li Hong's attack.

"Talisman!" A hint of surprise flashed in Li Hong's eyes, but he did not give up. With a wave of his crutch, the blood-red light blasted towards the barrier again. However, the barrier created by the jade talisman was extremely strong. Although Li Hong's attack was fierce, he could not break through it.

"You do have some skills," Li Hong said through gritted teeth, his gaze fixed on Murong Rui once again. "However, this little trick can only barely save you for a while. I want to see how long you can hold on."

Murong Rui gripped the jade talisman tightly, but a surge of anxiety filled his heart. This talisman could indeed block the attack temporarily, but its duration was definitely limited. If Li Hong continued to attack with all his strength, he would not be able to hold out for much longer.

At this moment, Lin Xiao's figure appeared in the center of the battlefield again. He frowned, knowing in his heart that although Murong Rui's talisman could save his life temporarily, it was by no means a long-term solution.

"Murong Rui, retreat!" Lin Xiao shouted, instantly unleashing all his strength, unleashing the dual sword techniques of "Sword Qi Horizontal Decision" and "Blue Sky Sword Rain Weaving." The sword energy pierced the air like countless sharp arrows, fiercely charging towards Li Hong.

Li Hong sneered at Lin Xiao's attack and swung his cane violently. A blood-red light surged like a tide, colliding head-on with the sword energy. The explosion rang out again, and the surrounding trees were blown away and collapsed by the powerful air wave.

But Lin Xiao's sword energy came in waves like a storm, layer upon layer, forcing Li Hong's protective shield to constantly collapse.

"Lin Xiao, you are very capable!" Li Hong snorted coldly, and swung his crutch again. A beam of blood shot out from the top of the crutch, directly facing Lin Xiao's sword energy.

"Finally!" Lin Xiao's eyes turned cold, and a strong determination surged in his heart. His internal strength rapidly increased, and he suddenly used the "Illusionary Body Skill: Imitating Phantom Moves" to summon two energy phantoms at the same time. The atmosphere instantly became extremely tense.

Li Hong's eyes flashed with disdain: "What a waste of time! Do you think I can be fooled by these illusions?"

Before he finished speaking, Li Hong swung his crutch violently, and blood fell like raindrops, instantly covering the entire battlefield. Lin Xiao's phantom was completely shattered at this moment, and the energy fluctuations dissipated instantly.

"Lin Xiao, want to escape?" Li Hong sneered, pointed his crutch suddenly, and the blood light turned into countless sharp blades, stabbing towards Lin Xiao.

"Too late!" A cold light flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes, and he swung out his sword in an instant. The sword energy was like a dragon, tearing through the air and colliding head-on with the blood.

"Boom!" A deafening explosion sounded, and Lin Xiao's strength burst out almost completely. The two swords intertwined and broke through Li Hong's blood light.

However, Li Hong's attack did not stop there. His eyes were filled with venom: "Do you think this is enough? Today, I will kill you!"

With his roar, blood surged and instantly turned into a huge blood net, covering Lin Xiao.

"It's over!" Lin Xiao's heart sank, knowing he had to make the final decision. He channeled all his energy, his eyes determined, and without hesitation, drew the dagger hidden behind him. He activated his "Tiger Roar Palm" and "Weapon Control Technique," pouring all his strength into the dagger.

"Now let me show you my true power!" Lin Xiao growled, suddenly leaping up, and the dagger in his hand slashed towards the core of the blood net like thunder.

At this moment, everything seemed to freeze.

The dagger in Lin Xiao's hand was like a brilliant meteor, streaking through the void, with the momentum to tear everything apart, pointing directly at the core of Li Hong's blood network. The dagger burst into a golden light in mid-air, the light was dazzling, and it quickly collided with Li Hong's blood network.

"Buzz!"

There was a deafening roar, and the air seemed to be distorted by this powerful force. The blood net trembled violently after being hit by the dagger, as if it was under tremendous pressure, and the layers of blood threads began to crack.

The flash of astonishment in Li Hong's eyes finally made him realize that the young man before him was not as simple as he had imagined. The aura emanating from Lin Xiao's dagger was more powerful than any attack he had encountered before, like an indestructible force that even broke through the defenses of his blood net.

"Damn it!" Li Hong cursed, waving his crutch violently. Blood gushed out, forming a denser shield in an attempt to block the dagger. However, Lin Xiao did not stop. He burst out with all his strength, and the dagger delivered another deafening blow.

"break!"

Lin Xiao roared, and the dagger pierced the blood net like lightning, instantly tearing a huge gap. The blood net's defenses completely collapsed at this moment, and blood splattered like a torrent. Li Hong's eyes became more and more shocked and angry.

"You! You dare to destroy my blood net!" Li Hong's voice was filled with anger and murderous intent. His body suddenly shook, and his entire body instantly burst out with endless blood energy. Blood light surrounded his body, making him like a blood-colored god, extremely terrifying.

"Today, I will kill you!" Li Hong shouted and swung his crutch violently. A huge ball of blood burst out from the crutch and pounced towards Lin Xiao.

A cold light flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes. He realized that if Li Hong could use this kind of attack again, he would have little chance of survival. So he suddenly stimulated his internal energy to the limit, and his figure flashed like lightning, appearing in front of Li Hong in an instant.

"boom!"

When the blood sphere was less than three meters away from Lin Xiao, he suddenly shouted and swung the dagger in his hand violently, bringing with it countless sword energies that pierced the blood light. Just as the blood light was about to engulf him, Lin Xiao suddenly turned his body and inserted the dagger into the center of the blood sphere again at a strange angle, stabbing it fiercely.

"Oh!"

With a violent explosion, the blood sphere burst completely, and blood scattered everywhere, like a blood rain, instantly filling the entire battlefield.

Li Hong's body was suddenly shaken back, his face extremely pale, obviously having suffered considerable internal injuries. He staggered to his feet, his eyes filled with uncontrollable rage.

"Lin Xiao, I won't let you go!" Li Hong gritted his teeth, his blood and energy flowing like a torrent, his aura becoming increasingly unstable, as if he were in a state of rage. He swung his crutch again, unleashing an even more terrifying blood technique.

"Go to hell!" Li Hong roared, and the blood light suddenly condensed into a huge blood dragon, rushing towards Lin Xiao frantically.

Lin Xiao's face was grim. Although he had already mastered some of Li Hong's combat power, the opponent's blood magic was undoubtedly extremely powerful. Especially when Li Hong was furious, the power of the blood dragon was even more terrifying. Lin Xiao knew that if he was hit by this attack, his fate would be extremely tragic.

"We can't delay any longer!" Lin Xiao's heart tightened. He knew that if he fell into Li Hong's rhythm, he would be in extremely dangerous situation. He stepped back suddenly, and quickly displayed the "Dragon Swimming Across the Seas" movement. His entire figure disappeared in a flash of lightning.

The blood dragon chased after him, its roar shaking the heavens, but Lin Xiao was able to fly through the air at a much faster speed, dodging the blood dragon's attack in an instant. At the same time, he swung his hands rapidly, and the sword energy swept towards Li Hong again like a tide.

"Damn it!" Li Hong's face changed, and he immediately crossed his crutch across his chest, gathering a strong blood energy to defend himself. However, this time, Lin Xiao's attack did not directly face Li Hong, but cleverly changed the attack route.

The sword energy flew past like a meteor, aiming directly at Li Hong's cane. Instantly, the sword energy struck with a resounding bang. Li Hong's defenses weren't completely broken, but the fierce impact of the sword energy caused his cane to bend slightly, and the fluctuations of his blood and energy stagnated briefly.

This is Lin Xiao’s chance!

"Go!" Lin Xiao shouted, and the dagger stabbed directly into Li Hong's chest. The dagger exuded an extremely powerful aura, like a sharp arrow, and the strong sword energy directly penetrated Li Hong's blood defense.

"puff!"

Li Hong spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes filled with shock and unwillingness. The crutch slowly slipped out of his hand and fell to the ground. Li Hong's body swayed, and his eyes gradually lost focus.

"Lin Xiao..." Li Hong's voice trembled a little, but he still tried to calm down and said, "You...can't...kill me..."

"You should understand that the best outcome is to kill you." Lin Xiao said coldly, the dagger still stuck tightly in Li Hong's chest.

With the final blow, Li Hong's body completely collapsed and he fell to the ground.

Lin Xiao stood there, without a trace of pity in his eyes. He took a deep breath and looked down at Li Hong's body, but his heart was not moved at all.

"Finally, a problem is solved." Lin Xiao murmured to himself softly. He knew that this was just the beginning, and more challenges and dangers were still waiting for him.

At this time, Murong Rui also walked over from a distance. He looked at Lin Xiao's back, was silent for a moment, and finally said: "Did you really...solve him?"

Lin Xiao turned his head, a sneer on his face: "His death was not unjust. Now should be our chance."

At this moment, Li Hong's body instantly disappeared in front of Lin Xiao and Murong Rui.

"Oh no, he's not dead!" Murong Rui exclaimed and chased after him.

"Don't chase him," Lin Xiao hurriedly stopped him, but Murong Rui had already disappeared.