Embersteel: Legend of the Warrior BlackSmith

Chapter 24: Battle of Experts

The tension in the air crackled like the charged atmosphere before a storm. Jiang Feng's heart raced as he took in the scene before him, the battered form of Lin Rou, the sinister figure of Jin Wu, and the looming presence of Lin Moyi. Each second felt like an eternity as he weighed the precarious situation. His mind raced with thoughts of escape, but the weight of his power, unrefined yet potent, pulsed within him, begging for release. He could not simply stand by and watch; something deep inside urged him to act, but deep down he knew he couldn't.

Jin Wu's gaze shifted, his predatory smile widening as he focused on Jiang Feng, sensing the boy's hesitation. "You think you can protect him?" the shadowy figure taunted, but his eyes never left the old man for a second, his voice smooth as silk yet laced with venom. "You're nothing but a candle in the wind, flickering and soon to be snuffed. Join me, and I can show you the true potential of your power. Resist, and you'll find yourself consumed by the very shadows you see before you." He voiced out to Jiang Feng all while looking at the old man.

"Jin Wu, to think that after all these years, you're still colluding with the Shadow Church," Lin Moyi's voice echoed with a quiet, almost painful disappointment, his aged face revealing the weight of his words. "The shame of the Royal Jin clan—one of their brightest talents, yet here you are, slaying your people in cold blood. A disgrace."

Jin Wu's expression twisted in fury. The old man's words struck a nerve that ran deep, a resentment that burned in his heart for years. His dark eyes smoldered, momentarily forgetting Jiang Feng as he leveled his dark sword toward Lin Moyi. "The Jin clan?" he sneered. "Nothing but a pack of loyal dogs, taking orders from those too weak to seize real power. Axina Minor World could have been ours if they had only listened to me. But now... it's too late. Die, old fool!"

"Umbral Severance!" Jin Wu roared, and waves of dark spiritual energy surged from his sword, splitting into seven shadowy blades that tore through the air. Each blade was a manifestation of his hatred and defiance, cleaving towards Lin Moyi with enough force to splinter the very air. The earth trembled as the shadow swords closed in, the sheer darkness of their essence warping everything around them.

But Lin Moyi remained calm, a single word escaping his lips. "Wind."

In an instant, a massive gust of wind surged forth, powerful and relentless, sweeping away the dark swords as though they were mere wisps of smoke. The barn was obliterated in the backlash, and several surrounding buildings crumbled from the blast, their remains scattered through the empty village. Lin Rou had evacuated the villagers upon sensing the Celestial Shadow Church's presence, and Lin Moyi had ensured their safety before arriving on the scene.

Yet even as Lin Moyi held off the attack, the force of Jin Wu's assault sent Lin Rou and Jiang Feng flying, their bodies colliding with the ground, blood trickling from their wounds. Lin Rou quickly dragged himself up, rushing to Jiang Feng's side. The young warrior struggled to rise, his body battered, but his eyes burned with hate as he glared at Jin Wu.

Jin Wu's face twisted further in rage, his pride wounded. He conjured yet another wave of dark energy, his intent murderous as he lunged forward, aiming to finish Lin Moyi. But Lin Moyi's presence remained like a mountain, immovable, and his winds surged to meet Jin Wu's every strike.

The clash of their battle unleashed a tempest of elemental fury, cascading through the air with an intensity that shook the very ground beneath their feet. As their powers collided, a deafening roar reverberated around them, echoing through the valleys and striking fear into the hearts of all who heard it. Dark spiritual energy swirled chaotically, enveloping their surroundings in a thick, ominous mist that seemed alive with malevolence.

Massive waves of energy rippled outward, distorting the air and warping the visibility, while the sky above twisted into a swirling tapestry of ominous clouds, crackling with lightning that unveiled glimpses of the fierce combatants within. The atmosphere was charged with a palpable tension, wrapping around them like a shroud as their opposing forces clashed, each blow resonating with the weight of ancient power. Air currents blasted forth like a raging dragon. The dark energy came with a corrosive effect that ate away at the ground.

Knowing they couldn't stay, Lin Rou seized his chance. In one swift motion, he grabbed Jiang Feng by the arm, pulling him to his feet. "Come on, Feng. We can't stay here."

"But...," Jiang Feng began, glancing back at Lin Moyi, who was locked in a fierce struggle with Jin Wu.

"There's no time and there's nothing we can do, they're both Core Formation experts, if we stay any longer we'll both die!" Lin Rou barked, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument. With a final glance at the deadly duel unfolding behind them, Lin Rou pulled Jiang Feng, sprinting towards the edge of the village. Shadows and wind clashed violently in the background, the air thick with the echoes of Jin Wu's dark energy and Lin Moyi's relentless counterattacks.

Realizing he was losing ground, Jin Wu let out a low snarl, his frustration palpable as he saw his quarry escaping. He gritted his teeth, deflecting another blast of wind before retreating into the darkness. "This isn't over, old man. The boy will be ours, I'll let the elder know that you're still as lively as ever hahaha!" he spat, his voice a deadly promise before his form melted into the shadows, vanishing as swiftly as he had appeared.

As the silence settled, Lin Moyi lowered his staff, watching the spot where Jin Wu had disappeared. He knew this battle was only the beginning of the war to come, he would have to move his village but that wasn't the troubling part. The question at hand was, why has the Celestial Shadow Church become so active, to dare take risks on the surface as they did today, who's their currently leader and how did they found out about Jiang Feng's situation so quickly?