Chapter 897
The Team Reassembles
Qingyun Sect, Blood Wolf Gang, Han Family.
The three forces appeared from three directions almost simultaneously.
Elder Liu of the Qingyun Sect stood on the left cliff face, his white robes fluttering in the wind, his slender sword already drawn, a drop of azure dew clinging to its tip. His gaze was cold and sinister.
"Fellow Daoist Zheng, the autumn hunt is dangerous. How about... lending my sect the Broken Mountain Sword?"
Iron One-Eye of the Blood Wolf Gang stood on the right, a scimitar slung over his shoulder, a blade of grass falling from the corner of his mouth. He grinned maliciously.
"I don't care about swords! Hand over that purple-gold thing of yours, and I'll spare your life!"
The young man in the brocade robe from the Han family stood directly in front, with disciples in moon-white robes forming a crescent formation behind him. His voice carried an arrogant and condescending tone:
“Mr. Zheng, I have no intention of being your enemy. Just tell me how the Broken Mountain Sword recognizes its master, and I guarantee you will leave the hunting ground safely.”
In the fog, murderous intent surged like a tide.
Zheng Yi pulled on the reins.
The chestnut horse neighed softly and pawed the ground restlessly with its front hooves.
His gaze swept across the three sides.
The voice was calm.
"Trying to steal the sword?"
"can."
"But... you have to be alive to take it."
Zhao Sanhuai flicked his short sword, and the blade flashed like a bolt of lightning:
"Sir! Let's break out!"
Zheng Yi shook his head:
"We can't fight our way out."
"The three parties together number over two hundred people, with twelve of them being from the later stages of Mahayana Buddhism."
"We...can't win."
The illusory image of the green lotus in the palm of the withered lotus master surged, and his voice was deep and heavy:
"Sir, what should we do?"
Zheng Yi looked into the depths of the fog.
There, the faint glow of purple and gold could be seen.
That's the core area of the hunting grounds.
It's also... the place with the most strange beasts.
He suddenly spoke, his voice extremely low, yet everyone could hear him:
"dispersion."
"They all fled."
"Run towards the core area."
"The places with the thickest fog also have the most strange beasts."
"They dared not pursue it too deeply."
"Those who escaped... gather at the cliff on the east side of the hunting grounds three days later."
Zhao Sanhuai became anxious:
"Sir! I'm not leaving! I'll stay with you—"
Zheng Yi's gaze turned cold:
"This is an order."
Zhao Sanhuai's Adam's apple bobbed, and finally he gritted his teeth:
"Yes!"
Zheng Yi looked at everyone:
"Survive."
Only then can I take revenge.
Only then can you... protect what you want to protect.
Everyone's eyes reddened.
At the same time, they clasped their hands in a fist salute:
"Yes!"
Zheng Yi suddenly spurred the horse's belly.
The chestnut horse neighed and charged into the mist.
Zhao Sanhuai roared:
"Disperse!"
The group scattered instantly.
Like twenty-three arrows, they shot into the depths of the fog.
Elder Liu of the Qingyun Sect's expression changed drastically:
"Chase!"
The Blood Wolf Gang's Iron One-Eyed grinned maliciously:
"Don't let them get away!"
The young man from the Han family snorted coldly:
"kill!"
All three groups gave chase at the same time.
In the fog.
Swords flashing and shadows swirling.
Shouts of battle.
Screams.
They blended together.
Zheng Yi took the lead.
The chestnut horse galloped wildly through the fog.
Behind them, the footsteps of the pursuers grew closer and closer.
He suddenly reined in his horse.
The horse reared up, its front hooves raised high.
Zheng Yi flipped over and jumped down.
The longsword was drawn.
The purple-gold sword light surged.
He swept his sword across the room.
The sword light flashed like a bolt of lightning, sweeping out thirty feet in an instant.
The Qingyun Sect disciples who were leading the charge were the first to be hit.
A flash of sword light streaked past.
Blood splattered violently.
All three were cut in half at the waist.
Screams echoed through the fog.
Zheng Yi didn't stop.
He turned around and continued forward.
Behind him, Zhao Sanhuai led two swordsmen to attack from the flank.
The short sword flashed like lightning.
Cut down two Blood Wolf Gang mercenaries.
The withered lotus immortal's blue lotus form bloomed, and twelve lotus petals flew out to block the ice arrows from the Han family disciples.
Lady Bixiao played her short flute, and the sound waves transformed into dark green spears, piercing through three disciples of the Qingyun Sect.
Iron-Armed Marquis unleashed his warhammer, the wind from which thunder roared, shattering a section of ice wall.
The Ghostly Old Man's figure flickered, his bone blade reaping heads.
The group scattered and fled in the fog.
Yet it is also like a loose net.
Whenever someone is caught up, a companion always emerges from the flank.
The smell of blood grew stronger.
The mist was tinged with a pale pink.
Zheng Yi was running in the lead.
There were the most pursuers behind them.
Elder Liu of the Qingyun Sect personally led the team.
The rapiers flew like rain.
Sword energy crisscrossed.
Zheng Yi fought while retreating.
With each step back, a sword is swung out.
Wherever the purple-gold sword light passed, sword energy shattered, and blood and flesh flew everywhere.
Elder Liu roared:
"Zheng Yi! You can't escape!"
Zheng Yi did not answer.
He suddenly turned around.
A sword strike was unleashed.
The sword's edge gleamed like a bolt of lightning.
They aimed straight for Elder Liu's throat.
Elder Liu hurriedly parried with his sword.
"clang!"
Swords clashed.
Sparks flew everywhere.
Elder Liu staggered back three steps, his tiger's mouth splitting open.
Zheng Yi, however, used the momentum to leap backward.
His figure disappeared into the mist.
Elder Liu's face turned ashen:
"Chase!"
Deep in the fog.
Zheng Yi stopped in his tracks.
He turned around.
Through the fog, the footsteps of the pursuers grew ever closer.
He suddenly laughed.
Extremely pale.
Extremely cold.
"bring it on."
He raised his hand.
The purple-gold longsword hummed.
The sword's blade emitted a burst of purple-gold light.
He took a step forward.
They charged toward the pursuers.
Behind.
Zhao Sanhuai's roar rang out:
"gentlemen!"
"I'm here to help you!"
The blade flashed like lightning.
Rushing into the fog.
The withered lotus blossoms with green lotus.
Lady Bixiao's voice was like a surging tide.
Iron-Armed Marquis's warhammer thundered.
The Ghost Shadow Elder's bone blade is like a ghost.
The team was in the fog.
Like a pack of wolves.
Hunting hunters.
The smell of blood grew stronger.
The fog grew increasingly red.
Shouts of battle.
Screams.
The sound of weapons clashing.
They blended together.
Zheng Yi was at the forefront.
A sword was swung out.
The purple-gold sword light swept across.
Three Qingyun Sect disciples were simultaneously cut in half at the waist.
Blood mist gushed out.
He continued forward.
Behind him, Zhao Sanhuai roared:
"kill!"
The blade flashed like lightning.
They killed two people.
The withered lotus immortal, in his blue lotus form, protected the flanks.
Block the ice arrow.
Lady Bixiao's sonic waves pierced a person's throat.
Iron-Armed Marquis smashed a man's head with a single hammer blow.
Ghostly Old Man's Bone Blade Harvest.
The team was in the fog.
They fought their way out.
The pursuers gradually grew fearful.
Some people started to back away.
Elder Liu roared:
"Anyone who dares to retreat will be killed without mercy!"
But before he could finish speaking...
Zheng Yi slashed down with his sword.
The sword's edge gleamed like a dragon.
Go straight for his brow.
Elder Liu hurriedly returned his sword.
But it was a beat too late.
The sword's edge grazed his left shoulder.
It sent up a jet of blood.
Elder Liu let out a miserable scream.
They retreated ten zhang (approximately 33 meters).
His face was deathly pale.
Zheng Yi didn't chase after him.
He turned around.
He shouted to the team: "Let's go!"
"Head towards the core area!"
Everyone turned around.
They plunged into the depths of the fog.
Behind.
The pursuers hesitated for a moment.
In the end, I didn't dare to pursue it any further.
The fog is getting thicker and thicker.
The roars of beasts grew closer.
Zheng Yi walked at the front.
The purple-gold longsword hummed.
He spoke in a low voice:
"Survive."
"Only then... can we continue to protect."
In the fog.
Everyone said in unison:
"Yes!"
Deep within the hunting grounds, the mist seemed alive, its color gradually changing from light gray to deep purple. Sunlight could barely penetrate, leaving only a few streaks of fine gold filtering through the treetops, casting dappled patterns on the ground. The ground was covered with a thick layer of decaying leaves and moss, soft and sticky underfoot, each step producing a slight "creak," like stepping on a waterlogged sponge. The air was thick with the stench of rusty blood, the sweet and sour smell of rotting leaves, and an indescribable, foul odor—the stench left by a large, strange beast that had passed by.
Zheng Yi walked at the head of the group. His chestnut horse had been left at the entrance, and he was now on foot, his purple-gold longsword slung diagonally behind him, the scabbard gleaming faintly with a cold metallic sheen in the mist. The hem of his fox-fur cloak trailed on the decaying leaves, stained with dark brown sap, clinging damply to his calves. Every few steps he would stop, the tip of his sword lightly touching the ground, fine golden threads seeping into the soil along the blade, as if probing the earth's veins.
Zhao Sanhuai followed on the left, a short knife in his hand, the blade still stained with the green sap from the vines he had just cut. He lowered his voice:
"Sir, this fog is too eerie. I have a feeling that someone is watching me from behind."
Zheng Yi didn't turn around; his voice was calm:
"Not human."
"It is a beast."
No sooner had he finished speaking than the fog ahead suddenly churned violently.
A strange beast, as large as a water buffalo, slowly appeared.
Its entire body was covered in dark red scales, each scale edged with barbs, like wearing a studded iron armor. Its head resembled a wolf's, but it had three eyes; the central vertical pupil glowed an eerie green, while the two on either side were crimson red. Its tail was long and thin, ending in a cluster of bone spikes, from which hung dried pieces of flesh and blood. When it growled, two plumes of white vapor spewed from its mouth and nostrils, condensing into two twisted dragon shapes within the mist, releasing a stench-filled wave of heat.
“Blood-Eyed Wolf Rhinoceros,” Master Kulian murmured. “Peak of the third rank, approaching the fourth rank. Its scales are as hard as black iron, and its tail thorn has a paralyzing poison.”
Lady Bixiao had her flute pressed to her lips, her voice strained:
"It's testing us. It's not completely locked on yet."
Iron-Armed Marquis slammed his warhammer into the ground, sending decaying leaves flying.
"Testing it my ass! I'll smash it to death with this hammer!"
Zheng Yi raised his hand to stop him.
He looked at the Blood-Eyed Wolf Rhinoceros, his voice calm:
"Don't rush."
"Let's look at its weaknesses first."
The Blood-Eyed Wolf Rhinoceros growled and took a step forward.
The claws crushed the decaying leaves, making a crisp "crunch" sound.
All three eyes locked onto Zheng Yi.
The vertical pupils shone with a brilliant, eerie green light.
It suddenly accelerated.
Like a dark red lightning bolt.
They rushed straight at Zheng Yi.
Zheng Yi will not back down.
The longsword was drawn.
The purple-gold sword light surged.
He took a step forward.
The sword tip pointed directly at the wolf-rhinoceros's brow.
"Zheng—!"
Swords and claws clashed.
Sparks flew everywhere.
The blood-eyed wolf rhinoceros was jolted back half a step, its claws carving two deep furrows in the ground.
Zheng Yi used the momentum to leap backward, landing three zhang away.
The wolf-rhinoceros roared.
The tailbone spike lashed out like a whip, striking Zheng Yi's side.
Zheng Yi turned to the side.
Bone spikes brushed past the cloak.
Tear open a gash.
He swung his sword backhand.
The sword's edge gleamed like a bolt of lightning.
It slashed at the rhinoceros's side.
"puff!"
A gash was cut into the scales.
Fresh blood gushed out.
The wolf-rhinoceros, in pain, became even more ferocious.
All three eyes are glowing at the same time.
It suddenly lowered its head.
A beam of eerie green light shot out from the vertical pupil in the center of his forehead.
The beam of light travels at extremely high speeds.
He aimed straight for Zheng Yi's chest.
Zheng Yi's pupils contracted slightly.
A long, purple-gold sword was held horizontally in front of him.
The golden flames surged.
It transformed into a golden shield of light.
"boom!"
The beam of light struck the light shield.
The golden shield trembled violently.
Zheng Yi was so shocked that he staggered back five steps, his boots carving two long furrows into the decaying leaves.
The light shield shattered.
However, it also blocked the beam of light.
The wolf-rhinoceros seized the opportunity to pounce.
The giant claw slammed down on his head.
Zheng Yi suddenly ducked down.
The sword tip moves from bottom to top.
It stabbed at the wolf-rhinoceros's throat.
"Pfft!"
The blade penetrated three inches into the flesh.
Fresh blood gushed out.
The wolf and rhinoceros howled in agony.
The giant claw missed its target.
It crashed to the ground.
The earthquake created a deep crater.
Zheng Yi drew his sword.
Rear jump.
Fresh blood flowed down the blade.
It dripped onto the decaying leaves.
It corroded out small pits in an instant.
The wolf-rhinoceros shook its head wildly.
The vertical pupils glowed again.
But it was a beat too late.
Zhao Sanhuai roared:
"on!"
The short sword flashed like lightning.
It slashed at the rhinoceros's hind leg.
The blade struck the scales.
Sparks flew everywhere.
But it only left a shallow mark.
The withered lotus blossoms with green lotus.
Twelve-petaled lotus leaves flew out.
They entangled the wolf and rhinoceros's limbs.
Lady Bixiao played her short flute.
The sound waves transformed into dark green spears.
It stabbed at the wolf-rhinoceros's eye.
Iron-Armed Marquis unleashed his warhammer.
The hammer blows with the force of thunder.
It smashed into the wolf-rhinoceros's waist and abdomen.
The Ghostly Old Man's figure flickered.
The bone blade aimed straight for the wolf-rhinoceros's back.
The wolf-rhinoceros roared.
The tailbone spur swept across.
Sweep the lotus leaves off.
Shatter the sound spear.
The warhammer was thrown off course.
But it was a moment too late.
Zheng Yi seized the opportunity.
His movements were as swift as lightning.
A sword thrust out.
The purple-gold sword light surged.
It pierced straight at the wolf-rhinoceros's brow.
"puff!"
The sword tip pierced his brain.
Golden flames surged into the sword.
The wolf-rhinoceros froze.
All three eyes lost their light at the same time.
The massive body crashed to the ground.
The ground trembled.
Fresh blood gushed from wounds in various places, including between the eyebrows, in the throat, in the waist and abdomen, and in the hind legs.
They converged into streams on the decaying leaves.
The smell of blood in the air instantly became ten times stronger.
The line quieted down.
Only heavy breathing could be heard.
Zhao Sanhuai sheathed his short sword and grinned.
"Sir! Well done! This beast... he must be worth quite a few points, right?"
Zheng Yi sheathed his sword.
The bloodstains on the sword were instantly evaporated by the golden flames.
He looked at the wolf-rhinoceros carcass.
At the center of his brow, a fist-sized purple-gold beast core slowly rose up.
The surface of the beast core was covered with fine cracks, from which an extremely intense purple-gold light shone.
He stretched out his hand.
The beast core fell into his palm.
Warm.
It carries extremely strong life force.
Master Kulian walked over, his eyes shining:
"A peak third-tier beast core! The core purity is extremely high! It's worth at least three hundred mid-grade spirit stones!"
Lady Bixiao nodded:
"The points... should be enough to rank in the top fifty."
Zheng Yi put the beast core into his storage bag.
The voice was calm.
"Midstream".
"Not enough."
He looked into the depths of the fog.
There, the roars of beasts were even more frequent.
Closer.
Even more ferocious.
He whispered:
"continue."
"Find something bigger."
Zhao Sanhuai grinned:
"Order!"
The team regrouped.
We walked deeper into the fog.
The fog in the middle of the hunting grounds was like a layer of boiled milk, so thick that you could barely see your hand in front of your face. The air was filled with the smell of damp, rotting wood, the sour stench of wild animal droppings, and the rusty scent of blood turning cold. The ground was no longer smooth bluestone, but uneven, black, rotten soil. Every step sank half an inch, and when the soles of your boots were pulled out, they made a sticky "pop" sound, like something being torn apart. The roars of beasts in the distance were intermittent, sometimes near, sometimes far, sometimes sounding like they were rising from the ground, and sometimes like they were exploding right next to your ear, making it impossible to tell which direction they were coming from.
Zheng Yi's group moved extremely slowly through the fog, each person keeping three steps apart to avoid trampling each other. The scabbard of the purple-gold longsword gleamed faintly in the fog, like the tail of a floating firefly. Zhao Sanhuai walked on the far left, his short sword held horizontally in front of his chest, a few drops of undried beast blood clinging to the blade, the blood droplets slowly turning black in the fog. He cursed under his breath:
"Sir, this fog is damn weird. I keep feeling like something is circling around us."
Zheng Yi didn't stop; his voice came back from the fog ahead, as calm as if he were talking about the weather:
"It's not going in circles."
"It's an encirclement."
No sooner had he finished speaking than the fog wall in front of him suddenly exploded.
Two figures lunged out at the same time.
The man on the left was draped in a grey-black wolf pelt, and carried a spiked club as thick as a baby's arm, its head welded with three barbed iron spikes. He landed, sending rotten earth flying, and roared:
"Blood Wolf Gang is on official business! Bystanders, get out of the way!" (End of Chapter)