The so-called "Shuanglong Bao," meaning the Wood-Fire Dual Spirit Explosion.
While the "Wuling Bao," or Five Spirit Explosion, possessed immense power, its consumption was equally staggering.
Moreover, against mere Zi Wentian, there was absolutely no need for the "Wuling Bao."
As the "Shuangling Bao" was unleashed, a wall of fire erupted around Zi Linling, a spectacle of "Blazing Fire Burning the Heavens."
However, this "Blazing Fire Burning the Heavens" was not an offensive maneuver, but rather a defensive one.
Although the "Shuangling Bao" was inferior in power to the "Wuling Bao," the energy generated by its explosion was not to be underestimated.
Zi Linling, while not fearing it, did not wish to be disheveled.
Women's battles, after all, should be pleasing to the eye, shouldn't they?
Zi Wentian's gaze fixed on the incoming red and green energy sphere, his expression growing even more somber.
For he detected an aura of extreme danger emanating from that crimson and emerald orb.
An aura that was akin to death itself.
And when he saw the fiery wall surrounding Zi Linling, the unsettling feeling within him intensified.
Without a moment's hesitation, he activated his Imperial Armament armor.
The moment the Imperial Armament armor was activated, the red and green energy sphere detonated.
The immense shockwave sent Zi Wentian flying backward uncontrollably.
"Bang!"
Zi Wentian slammed into the arena's barrier, causing its light to flare.
This was the sign of the barrier automatically activating upon impact with energy.
"Puff puff puff!"
Zi Wentian spat out three mouthfuls of blood, intermingled with fragments of his internal organs.
His Imperial-grade armor, though intact, had lost its luster and its energy was depleted.
"My heavens! What was that red and green energy sphere? It's too terrifying!"
"Indeed! The patriarch of the Zi family, Zi Wentian, is a peak Saint King realm expert, and he activated his Imperial Armament armor, yet he's in such a wretched state. If not for that armor, wouldn't he have been obliterated?"
"Holy cow, holy cow! One strike nearly annihilated a Saint King realm cultivator. Is this even an attack that a peak Yuan Transformation realm cultivator can unleash?"
...
The spectators outside buzzed with discussion.
They were all cultivators themselves, yet they had rarely witnessed such a battle.
Shen Wenqing's jaw hung open, wide enough to fit two eggs.
Simultaneously, a sense of relief washed over him.
Fortunately, the Shen family had already aligned themselves with Zi Linling. Otherwise, provoking her would have undoubtedly led to their doom.
Grasp the coattails!
He absolutely had to cling tightly to Zi Linling's coattails.
Shen Wenqing secretly resolved to firmly anchor the Shen family to Zi Linling's grand vessel.
Qin Youcheng was not faring any better.
He had been stroking his beard while observing the fight.
The moment Zi Linling's "Shuangling Bao" was deployed, he inadvertently plucked out a large clump of his beard.
"No wonder Mingyue and Mingfei speak so highly of this young lady and implore the family countless times not to provoke her!"
Qin Youcheng also felt a surge of relief within himself.
With this single move alone, even he, an established elder who had remained at the peak of the Saint King realm for nearly a century, would likely not have survived.
Therefore, he was immensely grateful that the Qin family had never offended Zi Linling, and even more so that his granddaughter and grandson were connected to her.
Dongfang Xiongqi's pupils constricted. Recalling his performance in the imperial study that day, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
Fortunately, he had only been testing the waters back then and had ultimately forged a cooperative relationship with Zi Linling. Otherwise, his imperial palace would not have been enough for her to dismantle.
While the spectators' minds raced, Zi Wentian's expression on the arena was complex.
Shock, fear, despair, regret, pity... the term "mixed emotions" would not be an exaggeration.
Yet, none of them knew that Zi Linling's "Shuangling Bao" had only fused two spiritual energies.
If they knew that there were even more terrifying "Sanling Bao," "Siling Bao," and "Wuling Bao" beyond the "Shuangling Bao," what would their reactions be?
The immense shockwave raged across the arena for a full ten minutes before slowly subsiding.
Zi Linling, having already prepared her defenses, was unaffected by the blast.
Save for her delicate hair by her temples fluttering gently and the slight sway of her robes, there was no other change.
Zi Linling frowned, sensing that Zi Wentian's aura was still present.
Logically, the "Shuangling Bao" should have been more than enough to eliminate a peak Saint King realm cultivator.
However, due to the appearance of the Imperial Armament armor, the "Shuangling Bao" seemed to have fallen short of its intended result.
She couldn't help but secretly marvel at the power of Imperial Armaments.
Still, it was for the best. Since Zi Wentian had survived, she could still obtain some of the information she desired.
Zi Linling moved gracefully, slowly approaching Zi Wentian.
Her steps were not swift, yet each one landed on the spectators' hearts, making them pound in unison.
But even at her deliberate pace, by the time she reached Zi Wentian, he had not yet stood up.
It wasn't that Zi Wentian didn't want to stand, but his leg bones had been shattered into several pieces, rendering him unable to support his own body.
"You... *cough*!"
Zi Wentian had barely uttered a single word before he coughed out another mouthful of blood and internal organ fragments.
Zi Linling regarded him with cold eyes, remaining silent. Yet, the overwhelming pressure of a true powerhouse descended upon him, causing the already overburdened Zi Wentian to involuntarily cough up another mouthful of blood mixed with internal organ shards. Su Dan Novel Network
She waved her hand, erecting another barrier, creating a realm within a realm where she and Zi Wentian stood.
The purpose of this barrier was to prohibit prying eyes, functioning much like frosted glass.
Those within the barrier could see the outside clearly, while those outside could only perceive vague silhouettes of the figures within.
Furthermore, this barrier could also isolate sound.
"Zi Wentian, I have a few questions for you. If your answers satisfy me, I will let you go! But if they do not, I will slay every elite you brought with you today. Do not doubt my capability!"
As Zi Wentian was about to speak, he coughed up another stream of blood.
Zi Linling shook her head and flicked a pill. The pill landed precisely at Zi Wentian's throat.
"This Compound Bone-Setting Pill is somewhat of a waste on you, but I have questions to ask. Of course, if I don't get the answers I want, I will have to beat you to the same state as before."
The Restoration and Bone-Setting Pill possessed the efficacy of both a healing and a bone-setting remedy.
As Zi Linling finished speaking, the pill began to take effect.
The bones in Zi Wentian's legs quickly mended to their previous state.
And his mangled internal organs, under the influence of the restorative properties, also healed.
Zi Linling waited until he had recovered about sixty percent before beginning her inquiry: "Twelve years ago, how exactly did you lure my mother to the Zi family?"