The spear and the long halberd clashed in mid-air, the immense force instantly igniting a colossal storm.
The residual energy from a battle between Holy Emperors, even from tens of thousands of meters away, could still be felt.
Had Qingyu City, as the main city of the Water Marsh Kingdom, not been protected by a Saint-grade formation to ward off the aftermath, the entire city would have likely been leveled by this terrifying power.
The stalemate in mid-air lasted only a second before Luo Ningshuang found herself unable to withstand the might of the Moon Demon's power.
Indeed, even with her combat power boosted to One-star Holy Emperor, she was no match for the Three-star Holy Emperor Moon Demon.
Her pre-existing internal injuries worsened, causing her to cough up another mouthful of blood, her face pale, like a wilting flower drained of color.
The Moon Demon, unwilling to continue this stalemate with the human slave insect before him, condensed a ball of dark energy within his halberd, intending to shatter Luo Ningshuang in a single strike.
At that very moment, Xin Ci rushed forward.
The Sixteen-star Moon Chains, under his control, danced like agile serpents, instantly coiling around Luo Ningshuang's waist and pulling her back.
Only then did she narrowly evade the Moon Demon's halberd attack.
Subsequently, Xin Ci unleashed his Asura Battle Art, elevating his combat power to Four-star Heavenly Venerable.
With a raise of his hand, thousands upon thousands of golden sword blades materialized out of thin air, pouring down upon the Moon Demon like a torrential rain.
Facing the assault of the Void Condensing Sword Art, the Moon Demon cast a disdainful glance, not even bothering to dodge.
He allowed the countless sword blades to strike him.
The Moon Demon's formidable Nether energy formed an impenetrable shield around him.
As Xin Ci's sword blades landed on this shield, they were all repelled.
"Human slave insect, is this all the strength you possess?" the Moon Demon taunted.
But Xin Ci offered no response, merely raising a finger.
The Moon Demon immediately sensed something amiss. Unbeknownst to him, his body had become covered in countless tiny, blue light spots.
In an instant, these spots transformed into sixteen gleaming silver chains, sealing the Moon Demon's wings and limbs.
The sudden turn of events caused the Moon Demon to falter, and the Nether energy shield around him vanished.
Seizing this opportunity, Xin Ci, wielding the Profound Sun Sword, teleported before the Moon Demon, his Undying Phoenix Flame coiling around the blade. He channeled all his internal true essence, aiming for a fatal blow.
However, just as the Profound Sun Sword was about to strike the Moon Demon's face, Xin Ci felt his entire body immobilized, as if frozen in mid-air.
Luo Ningshuang, too, had appeared behind the Moon Demon at some point, attempting a surprise attack.
But she, too, was frozen in mid-air, unable to move.
The Moon Demon looked at the two of them and sneered, "Merely two Heavenly Venerate realm human slave insects, you truly thought you could kill me? How foolish!"
This Moon Demon's combat power was truly terrifying; even a human expert of the same Three-star Holy Emperor level would struggle against him.
Following this, both Xin Ci and Luo Ningshuang were enveloped by a strange black mist that began to consume them, bit by bit.
They both struggled with all their might, but to no avail.
Mu Qingqing, within the consciousness space, thought that perhaps now was the time for her to act.
However, Xin Ci gritted his teeth, seemingly having made a decision.
Then, golden light surged from his body, his skin taking on a dragon scale texture.
Golden Scale Art, Protective Golden Scales!
To execute the Supreme True Meaning of the Golden Scale Art with his Two-star Heavenly Venerate true essence realm was pushing the limits.
But this further boosted Xin Ci's combat power, bringing him close to the Holy Emperor level.
Yet, it wasn't enough. Xin Ci's indomitable fighting spirit caused the Asura Battle Art to break through to its second level on the fly.
His combat power increased again, reaching the Holy Emperor level in one fell swoop.
The Moon Demon sensed that this human before him was becoming increasingly peculiar, and he was starting to lose control.
Xin Ci made another daring decision, converging his Undying Phoenix Flame and the Immortal Dragon Soul contained within his Immortal Golden Blood onto the Profound Sun Sword.
The Profound Sun Sword instantly erupted with world-ending power.
Dragon Emperor Phoenix Cry Sword!
As the sword was swung, the roar of golden dragon shadows and the phoenix cry of raging fire echoed through the heavens.
At this moment, Xin Ci finally broke free from the Moon Demon's control and severed one of the Moon Demon's dark arms with a single sword strike.
The Moon Demon was utterly stunned, staring blankly at his severed right arm. Then, with an incredulous expression, he turned and fixed his gaze on the human.
He, a dignified Holy-grade Nether God, had been wounded by a mere human slave insect of the Heavenly Venerate realm. This was unforgivable.
This humiliation intensified the pain of losing his right hand.
"Damn you, human slave insect! Today, I shall tear you limb from limb!"
The Moon Demon roared hysterically, a terrifying power erupting from his body, creating gusts of wind that tore numerous houses and trees from the ground.
Xin Ci's eyes were forced shut by the gale, and having forcibly unleashed the Supreme True Meaning and the Dragon Emperor Phoenix Cry Sword, his body was already in a state of overload.
This meant that even moving was difficult for Xin Ci now.
With no other choice, Xin Ci turned to Mu Qingqing for help.
"Qingqing, the rest is up to you."
Then, the personalities switched, and Xin Ci's body was now controlled by the second personality, Mu Qingqing.
Mu Qingqing, now in control of the body, nodded slightly, "Leave it to me, don't worry."
It had to be said, Xin Ci's performance impressed Mu Qingqing.
To sever an arm of a Three-star Holy Emperor with the true essence realm of a Two-star Heavenly Venerate was beyond her imagination, especially when the opponent was a Moon Demon, one of the Nether God race.
"Die, human slave insect."
Enraged and in a frenzy, the Moon Demon charged at Mu Qingqing recklessly, determined to kill the human who had severed his arm.
Luo Ningshuang, still controlled by the black mist, saw the Moon Demon charging towards Xin Ci on the ground. A surge of anxiety welled up within her, bringing back memories of her closest loved ones perishing before her eyes.
Hatred flashed in Luo Ningshuang's eyes. She absolutely would not allow such a thing to happen again. Even if it meant exceeding her body's limits, she forcefully activated the fourth level of the Asura Battle Art, determined to save her junior sister.
Just as she was about to channel the Asura Battle Art, she saw the Moon Demon suddenly stop.
Before her stood Mu Qingqing, who had turned around at some point and extended a delicate, slender index finger to touch the Moon Demon's forehead.
A simple touch like this sent the Moon Demon into a shuddering fear, rendering him immobile.
He was filled with immense dread. How had this human, who was just a Two-star Heavenly Venerate, suddenly transformed into a terrifying peak Holy Emperor?
Mu Qingqing looked at the frozen Moon Demon before her, a faint smile gracing her pretty face. "I'm in a hurry to finish up, so please disappear now."
"Wait, wait a moment...!"
The Moon Demon's face paled with panic. Before he could utter a word of plea,
Mu Qingqing's finger erupted with blinding golden light.
Under this golden radiance, the Moon Demon's body was utterly annihilated, turning to dust.