’Hong Cheng’s’ movents were as swift as a specter. Although his right arm was severely twisted, it didn’t seem to affect him much.
WHOOSH!
BANG!
The two engaged in battle on the open ground, their figures moving so swiftly that ordinary people could not hope to discern them. Only a cold chill, mixed with rolling heat waves, could be felt.
BOOM!!
The long blade slashed out but was dodged by ’Hong Cheng.’ However, Shen Changqing seized this opportunity, his other hand pressing towards the opponent with a force capable of shattering stones.
Iron Sand Palm!
His palm glowed red, like a searing branding iron, as it struck ’Hong Cheng’s’ body, imdiately emitting the sll of scorched flesh.
"AAAH!"
A sharp screech sounded as ’Hong Cheng’s’ body was sent flying sideways.
But it was at this very mont that a surge of yin energy billowed from behind him. A cold touch ca, along with a stab of pain.
Even at the fifteenth layer of his Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training, his defenses were forcibly breached. The Gang Qi hidden within his Flesh erupted, halting the offensive force.
Seizing the opportunity, Shen Changqing thrust his long blade under his armpit. The heated blade t the cold air, issuing a sizzling sound, akin to flas encountering ice.
"AAAH—"
Another ear-piercing screech.
Shen Changqing withdrew his blade and turned, retreating to the prison entrance before he could clearly see what had ambushed him.
It was a disheveled, rotting-faced Strange Monster, identical to the female corpse he had seen in the Illusory Realm of the broken temple. But there was a difference: this Strange Monster’s left arm was already severed, only its right arm remaining intact.
Obviously, this is the sa Ghostly Level Fiend that ambushed earlier but was injured by my counterattack.
They’re all out! Shen Changqing took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the two Strange Monsters as the mangled flesh on his back slowly healed.
The hierarchy among Strange Monsters was strict. Therefore, the Ghostly Level Fiend with the severed arm must be under the command of the Resentnt Level Monster possessing Hong Cheng. From the current situation, it seed the Eternal Alliance had indeed only dispatched two Strange Monsters.
Two Strange Monsters, one Ghostly Level and one Resentnt Level—the Eternal Alliance really does hold in high regard!
Shen Changqing sneered. In the next instant, his body shot out like an arrow loosed from its bow, launching a fierce attack on the Ghostly Level Fiend. He decided to pick on the weakest link; of the two Strange Monsters, the injured Ghostly Level one was the easiest to kill.
Just as Shen Changqing was about to strike, the female corpse, as if sensing the danger, dispersed like smoke, vanishing as if it had never been there.
In response, he extended his senses to their maximum.
Over here!
Stepping to the left, he slashed his long blade out as if it were an extension of his shadow. Where there should have been nothing, the figure of the female corpse materialized as the blade chopped downwards.
Facing Shen Changqing’s full-force blow, and under the absolute crush of his superior strength, the yin energy around the female corpse flickered like a candle in the wind, on the verge of being extinguished at any mont.
Simultaneously, just as the female corpse was about to be slain, ’Hong Cheng’s’ ghastly figure approached, aiming a stealthy strike at Shen Changqing’s back.
The Resentnt Level Monster made its move. Yin energy blanketed the area.
In that instant, an all-encompassing chill swept over him. But Shen Changqing’s expression showed no fear; instead, a ferocious smile spread across his face.
I’ve been waiting for you!
The blade aiming at the female corpse was abruptly withdrawn. Shen Changqing sidestepped slightly, and his whole body tilted backward, colliding squarely with ’Hong Cheng.’ By the ti he had achieved Perfection in the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training, he had reached a stage where he could direct his force at will.
This backward collision was not much weaker than a frontal blow capable of shattering stones.
Caught by surprise, ’Hong Cheng’ was struck so hard that his sternum caved in, causing him to stagger backward repeatedly.
Having landed the blow, Shen Changqing twisted around, his long blade whistling as he slashed, aiming straight for ’Hong Cheng’s’ neck.
The blade sliced through, sending a large head flying into the air. Blood gushed from the severed neck.
A white figure erged from the corpse, attempting to flee into the distance at breakneck speed.
Still trying to escape! Shen Changqing roared. He forcefully stamped his right foot on the ground, instantly shattering the bluestone tiles. Using this force, he soared from the spot, his long blade slashing viciously at the white figure.
RIP!
"AAAAH!!"
The sound of tearing cloth, accompanied by a piercing and desperate scream, echoed as the white figure was split in two by the long blade.
Shen Changqing landed. When he turned back to look for the female corpse, she was nowhere to be seen.
The scene imdiately fell silent. Only Hong Cheng’s dismbered corpse lay there quietly, blood pooling on the ground.
Two Demon Evils! Shen Changqing looked at Hong Cheng’s body, his expression dark, showing no joy in having slain the Strange Monster.
The Eternal Alliance had dispatched two Demon Evils. One aid to rescue the Zhao Family mbers, while the other was sent to assassinate others within the Yan.
It was clear that their objective was more than just a prison break; they intended to kill everyone in the Yan as revenge for the Strange Monster slain in Guyue Village.
To put it plainly, that Resentnt Level Monster ca specifically for , Shen Changqing.
Standing on the spot, Shen Changqing silently recuperated from the exertion of the battle. The fight might have seed brief, but each mont had been potentially lethal, and the toll it took was significant. Within his Dantian, more than half of his Pure Yang True Qi had already been consud.
Although the battle had raged intensely, no one from the Yan had co to investigate. Considering the earlier commotion elsewhere within the Yan, either everyone was dead, or any survivors were hiding, too afraid to show themselves. Regardless of the outco, Shen Changqing’s heart remained mostly unperturbed.
After a long while, faint sounds reached his ears. Shen Changqing turned his head and spotted a furtive figure. At such a distance, he couldn’t make out the person’s face clearly.
"Who’s there? Show yourself!"
"Is... is it... Lord... Lord Shen?" a trembling voice arose in the still night air, but the figure dared not approach carelessly.
Shi Qingsheng? Just by hearing the voice, Shen Changqing identified the speaker.
"It’s !"
After receiving confirmation, the figure hesitantly approached, quivering. As he ca closer, Shi Qingsheng’s face was revealed. Unlike his usual self, his complexion was now stricken with panic. His pallor turned frightfully pale, especially upon seeing Hong Cheng’s decapitated corpse lying on the ground.
"My... My Lord, Constable... Constable Hong, what—" Shi Qingsheng’s hand trembled as he spoke. He stuttered, particularly when he saw Shen Changqing standing with his blade, its tip still dripping blood, causing his heart to pound violently.
Shen Changqing sheathed his long blade and spoke calmly, "A Demon Evil attacked the Yan. Hong Cheng was possessed, so I had to slay him. What’s the situation in the other areas?"
The mont Hong Cheng was possessed by the Demon Evil, his fate had been sealed. It didn’t matter whether the Demon Evil would have left his body or not; he had been dood either way.
Shi Qingsheng, by comparison, was a surprise. For a Principal Clerk, who was so weak he couldn’t even trap a chicken, to have survived until now was rather astonishing to Shen Changqing.
Hearing this, Shi Qingsheng forced himself to calm down, but he still swallowed hard upon glimpsing Hong Cheng’s corpse. "R-Reporting to My Lord, I was asleep when I heard a disturbance. I imdiately headed towards the residential area for the Governnt Officials. Unfortunately, by the ti I got there, several had turned into desiccated corpses. Later, I heard noises here, so I ca to check, not expecting to find My Lord having just dispatched the Demon Evil."
Shen Changqing understood. With Shi Qingsheng’s level of courage, it’s highly unlikely he would have rushed over imdiately upon hearing a disturbance. He probably waited until everything was quiet before daring to check. As for why he isn’t dead, it can only be attributed to good luck; the Demon Evil hadn’t found him yet. After killing a few Governnt Officials and achieving Possession of Hong Cheng, the Resentnt Level Monster learned of the failed prison break and imdiately ca to provide backup, which is how Shi Qingsheng was temporarily spared.
"The Demon Evil has been slain by ," Shen Changqing ordered. "There won’t be any major actions in the short term. Imdiately have people co over and deal with the bodies of Hong Cheng and the others. Ensure the proper compensation is given without delay. You don’t need to concern yourself with other matters."
Upon hearing this, Shi Qingsheng nodded. "Your subordinate obeys!"
As Shi Qingsheng retreated, Shen Changqing finally settled his mind and reviewed his status panel.
Slaying a Resentnt Level Monster must have yielded a significant gain. The Strange Monster from Guyue Village, which wasn’t even Resentnt Level, had given fifteen Slaughter Value points. The one that possessed Hong Cheng couldn’t be any less.
And indeed, on his status panel, the Slaughter Value had startlingly jumped from six to thirty-two points. Excluding his original six points, the Resentnt Level Monster had contributed a whole twenty-six Slaughter Value points.
Thirty-two Slaughter Value points will allow my strength to increase significantly! Shen Changqing nodded with satisfaction, considering it the only good news of the evening.
The Eternal Alliance just sent two Demon Evils. I’ve slain one, and the other has fled. My strength must have been exposed. Although I doubt the Eternal Alliance will act in the short term, there’s no guarantee sothing unexpected won’t happen. To ensure absolute safety, enhancing my strength is an urgent priority.
Having made his decision, Shen Changqing’s focus shifted to the Heavenly Martial Gang Qi. With the higher-ranking Heavenly Martial Gang Qi available, there was no need to improve the Pure Yang Technique.
With that thought, he spent four Slaughter Value points, and the Heavenly Martial Gang Qi was imdiately elevated to the fourth layer.
At the fourth layer of Heavenly Martial Gang Qi, the quality of True Qi in his Dantian improved greatly. Although his vitality suffered so depletion, it was within an acceptable range.
If it’s bearable... then I’ll continue to improve!
Instantly, under Shen Changqing’s focused intent, the Heavenly Martial Gang Qi steadily progressed.
Heavenly Martial Gang Qi, fifth layer!
Sixth layer.
Seventh layer.
When the Heavenly Martial Gang Qi reached the eighth layer, the Heavenly Centipede True Qi in his Dantian underwent a powerful transformation, seeming to beco denser and significantly more potent.
Imdiately after, a severe sense of weakness washed over him, turning Shen Changqing’s face pale.
I’ve reached my limit! He was no stranger to this state. It was due to the rapid improvent causing a deficit in his vital energy. This ant the Heavenly Martial Gang Qi could only be raised to the eighth layer for now. He would need to wait for his body to recover before attempting further upgrades.
Even so, reaching the eighth layer of Heavenly Martial Gang Qi allowed a Martial Artist to officially reach the Innate realm.
User Comments
0 comments from readers