Chapter 96
The Safe Zone, a place where many people with different backgrounds on medicine concoction and healing are gathered. This area is close to the Dark Forest but is being protected by a very powerful magical defensive array. Every clan trial being held in the Dark Forest, the safe zone is the place where a lot of people are always occupied with many things to do.
Right now in a particular place in the safe zone stood a temporary structure made of wood and beast skin. Inside this structure are rows after rows of makeshift beds, where there are already many lying while recuperating.
Upon the entrance of the structure, there stood four middle-aged men wearing long cultivator robes of different colors.
"First Elder, it seems that we have many casualties this year." One of the men said as he tried to explain things to the one in the middle of their group.
"And the… the youngest young master survived... Those who lived in that assault has already been taken care of so don't worry." The man added.
"Good, good... I guess that the brat has finally shown his fangs. Let's see what would happen if he meets that older brother of his… Hehehe." The first elder of the clan muttered with a laugh.
"I know the attitude of the elder young master, he is a very competitive person. He doesn't differentiate between siblings when it comes to his foes. Even Ya Nian would have died already without the support of the second elder's group." another one said.
"Humph! Sooner or later I will kick those two out of the clan. They must not be a hindrance to the succession of the elder young master." The first elder said with a sneer on his face.
While they are talking, there was a sudden commotion that happened outside.
"What is happening?" the first elder said as he didn't turn around and just continue watching the rows of bed as if looking for something.
"First Elder, we have a piece of bad news. The flood dragon is not a level 3 normal demon beast. It… it is actually a level 3 demon beast king. And many of those who are in Wei Qi Nian's group have been sent here." an elder replied.
"What? How about the elder young master? Is he with the group that was sent to the safe zone?" the first elder suddenly shouted as he quickly rushed outside and scan his surroundings.
Then all of a sudden something happened in the safe zone as the group saw a chaotic scene where many figures suddenly appear after a flash of light. But the thing is that when they appear they seem to have been hit by something as they came flying and tumbling everywhere.
Their pitiful state made everyone became frantic, there are even those who have their arms or legs broken like a twig, and also those who became unconscious because of head trauma or multiple injuries in their body.
"This… what the heck is happening?" shouted one of the healers within the safe zone as panic can be seen in his eyes.
The scenery where a hundred people began dropping, flying or falling made everyone in the dumbfounded.
...
Meanwhile inside the Dark Forest within a lake area stood a gigantic beast. Smoke is rising from its body and burn-marks can be seen on its scales. The once grayish scales of the flood dragon were partly turned into black.
Though it seems that the flood dragon suffered some wounds but in truth, those are superficial. The flurries of attacks that the young cultivators sent its way were only able to break its Qi field and some of its scales, but it didn't hurt its vitality.
Right now the flood dragon is slowly rising from the ground where it is currently embedded. The rubbles and dust from its body began to fall revealing its sorry figure. But when it emerges, it suddenly shows its majestic and domineering aura. The sorry figure was suddenly changed into a very ferocious creature and right now that creature is glaring at a group of three people who are looking at it with horror on their faces.
Zen Nian, Rat Ling, and Shin Jiao didn't expect things to go south. They were just watching the fight and saw the people surrounding the demon beast get beaten. But then all of a sudden, the beast was actually pushed towards their direction. This made the three felt indignant at the shameless and crafty action of Zen Nian's older brother.
"Damn, we have to run. We cannot possibly fight against a demon beast king while these people are watching." Shin Jiao thought as his mind began to work on a plan on how they can escape.
Actually Shin Jiao could choose to fight but, judging from how these people treat Zen Nian, he is sure that they would stab them in the back while they are busy facing the demon beast. So, running is the best way to solve this predicament. But before he could do anything a figure suddenly dashed towards the Flood dragon.
"Rat Ling! That stupid idiot." Shin Jiao cursed because now that Rat Ling made his move their choice has become limited and escape is not an option anymore so one of the best choices is to fight.
Rat Ling was currently rushing towards the flood dragon with an elated feeling at a chance to test out the new skill that he had just comprehend. For a martial artist, having an actual battle is the best way to gain more enlightenment when it comes to new skills.
The new skill he had learned is called the Humming Blade. While they were traveling, because of their lack of skills and techniques Shin Jiao taught it to them. At first he instructed them on how to manipulate their Qi so that they would be able to materialize it outside and freely wielding the spiritual energy in their bodies.
The skill is like the normal Qi blade, but what Shin Jiao taught them is a very unique skill which he discovered whiles trying to improve his fighting prowess. Unlike normal Qi blade that most cultivators use which would usually use any elements to coat their swords, the Qi blade that he taught them is unique but very simple. The gist of it is on how they can run the Qi from their body towards the sword and back in a very fast manner.
The transfer should be fast enough that it would create tiny vibration on the blade which in turn would make the blade 10 times sharper. Though it is like a normal cultivation cycle, however, the focus is towards the blade.
The beauty of this technique is that, because of the speed of the Qi flow, the Qi fluctuation on the blade is very fine which is almost invisible. But once the blade hits something it will surely be able to cut it, that is unless the object is as tough as the black stone or has the ability to negate the flowing Qi on the blade.
Looking at Rat Ling's expression Shin Jiao realized that the kid might have a breakthrough in learning the Humming blade, which made him smile.
"Rat Ling, come back here!" Zen Nian shouted as he was also stunned at Rat Ling's action.
"Shin, we need to help him." Zen Nian said as he turns to look at Shin Jiao.
"Not yet… let's just watch first." Shin Jiao replied while his eyes are glued to Rat Ling's figure.
The flood dragon felt intimidated at the rushing figure of a lone man. It didn't know whether the small human is brave or just a babbling fool ready to face his death. The demon beast suddenly snorted as it also charges towards Rat Ling.
When the two figures collide, Rat Ling immediately brandish his sword and sent a slash towards the incoming claw of the flood dragon. But before his sword clashed with the flood dragon's claw, Rat Ling showed a frown on his face.
Ding!
The echoing sound of two metals permeated through the air.
"He made a mistake." Shin Jiao muttered.
"What do you mean?" Zen Nian immediately asked while standing beside Shin Jiao.
"He is still too young, his sudden impulse is breaking his concentration. And because of that, the flow of the Qi on the sword became too weak and before his sword collides with the demon beast's claws it has already dissipated." Shin Jiao explained while shaking his head.
"Well, we just learned this new skill. We both still need time to digest everything that you taught." Zen Nian reasoned.
"Well, I guess you're right." Shen Jiao casually replied.
While the two are talking, Rat Ling has already exchanged a couple of move with the flood dragon. Because of the Shadow steps, Rat Ling is like a ghost which the flood dragon cannot hit. While Rat Ling is also having a hard time maintaining the Qi rotation on his blade, resulting in multiple failures.
Roar!!!
In anger and frustration the flood dragon suddenly roared, this time it uses its whole body to slam towards Rat Ling. When the demon beast roared, Rat Ling was actually a little stunned and immediately covered his ears. But before he could recover, his eyes went wide in horror.
The huge body of the flood dragon is actually crashing towards him. With their distance, he surely cannot escape this predicament. He can use Shadow step, but that would just send him a few steps away from the flood dragon and will still be hit. So, without a choice, Rat Ling wanted to just accept his fate and slowly closes his eyes. But the moment he was about to close his eyes, he suddenly remembers Shin Jiao's words.
"When you successfully master the rapid flow of Qi, your sword will be able to almost cut anything."
As if cold water was poured on him, Rat Ling suddenly felt awakened. Then he immediately acted which made his swords abruptly hummed like the buzzing sound of a mosquito. At this time, Rat Ling wanted to jump in delight but he didn't have time. The huge body of the flood dragon is already barreling over him, So Rat Ling did a Shadow step to the max distance on the side along with a quick slash.
Then a splash of hot red blood was splattered on his face as a deep wound appears on the flood dragon's back. That strike also sent him to tumble sideways as the force of Qi field covering the flood dragon's body reacted.
"I… I did it!" Rat Ling shouted in glee while trying to stand up from the ground and not minding the glaring flood dragon near him.
The flood dragon, on the other hand, felt its pride shattering. It was the first time that the flood dragon was wounded, and by a tiny human at that. Though the pain is intolerable it gritted its teeth not wanting to roar in pain. But it is clear that the wound it receives is a little deep from the non-stop gushing of its blood.
With anger-filled eyes, the flood dragon immediately jumps back up and turns to face Rat Ling.
Meanwhile, the onlooker was all stupefied.
They could not believe that a mere servant of Zen Nian was able to give the demon beast a heavy-looking wound on its back. They know how hard the scales of the flood dragon plus its strong Qi field when they all have tried to attack it with all their might, but what they all did was futile and instead just angered the demon beast more. This situation is a blow on their pride as martial cultivators of the Nian clan.
But now that they see the long gaping wound on the flood dragon's back, they look at it with greedy eyes and planning to grab the chance to now attack while the demon beast is wounded.
Everyone's eye is burning with passion while looking at the long gash on the flood dragon's back. Unknown to them, while they are eyeing the flood dragon's wound its eyes are slowly turning red while it is looking at Rat Ling.
Now it's treating the despicable human as its nemesis, and those who will come between it and its target will feel its wrath.
Then all of a sudden a number of young cultivators could not wait anymore and rushed towards the unmoving flood dragon. When a group of 8 people arrives near the demon beast, they began to send a flurry of sword strikes and used elemental spell scrolls towards the flood dragon.
Roar!!! Roar!!!
The painful cry of the flood dragon reverberates through the air and thick dust of black smoke from the spells and attacks devastation began to cover the area. Still, the cultivators didn't stop attacking as they didn't want to let go of the chance to kill the demon beast.
But then all of a sudden, within that thick dust flashes of lights began to appear followed by the screams and wailing of the people within it.
"Rat Ling fall back!" Shin Jiao suddenly shouted.
But before Rat Ling could move, a black streak suddenly appears from within the dust cloud. Then he felt that his body was like hit by a powerful swing of a huge hammer which flings him to the air. Luckily his Qi was active and he unconsciously lifted his sword to block the attack, though the Qi on the sword was interrupted but it was enough to save his life.
While on the air, Rat Ling felt his whole body aching. Though he was able to defend, but the impact is truly great as he estimated that some of his bones might be broken.
Then he noticed that the flood dragon suddenly appears while it is opening its huge mouth directly below him.
"No shit!" Rat Ling cursed as his eyes widen in horror.
Seeing the lines of razor-sharp teeth greeting him, Rat Ling immediately felt that his skull is going numb.
But before he could feel despair at his situation, a figure appears like a ghost beside the flood dragon.
"Zen Nian!" seeing the person who made his move, Ya Nian could not believe her eyes.
She didn't even notice how Zen Nian reached that place as he was like a shadow who just appears from out of nowhere. Upon seeing his skill and confident look, a smile appears on her beautiful face.
Ya Nian felt really happy, but in contrast, Wei Qi Nian is now glaring at Zen Nian in anger and hatred. He didn't expect that the young weakling he treated like an ant before would now show a terrifying ability. And looking at the situation, it may also seem that Zen Nian is actually not afraid of fighting against the huge demon beast king.
The sudden appearance of Zen Nian beside the flood dragon was a surprise so he didn't waste any more time and just sent a casual stab towards the demon beast's neck. The flood dragon was really surprised and unconsciously twisted its neck to evade. It didn't know why but when it saw the blade of the sword on the human's hand it suddenly felt a terrifying pressure coming from it.
Now that the flood dragon's mouth is out of the way, Rat Ling immediately grabs the opportunity and sent a kick towards the side of the flood dragon's head which propels him to fly a distance away from it. Meanwhile, when Zen Nian missed, he likewise sent a turning roundhouse kick while on air towards the body of the demon beast.
Because the two incidentally sent their kick together, the flood dragon was sent hurtling towards the thick clouds of dust while Rat Ling and Zen Nian were able to gain a few distances away from it. These series of action was done in a smooth and fast manner that it only took a few seconds.
"Those two are good… I want them." Suddenly princess Yun Bo Xi said while pointing at Rat Ling and Zen Nian.
Even the two servants beside her nod their head in agreement. They could not deny that the two are really amazing to be able to send a huge creature tumbling to the ground by just their kicks. And not only that, their cultivation is actually lower than their opponent.
"Princess, I think there is something wrong. It's better if we also make some distance from this place." The woman with a veil advised Yun Bo Xi.
"No, I want to watch this fight. Besides you're here to protect me so, I'm not afraid." Yun Bo Xi said with confidence.
"Thank you for your trust princess." The woman replied.
But worry can still be seen in her eyes.
Zen Nian and Rat Ling held their swords preparing for any attack from the flood dragon which is currently hiding behind the thick cloud of dust. They didn't know when the demon beast would make its move, so they just waited with vigilance.
In the meantime, Shin Jiao is also watching the situation from afar and he can't help but frown. He didn't know why but right now there is a feeling of dread in his heart. In his life, he would always trust this instinct of his which has saved his life countless times.
And right now it is telling him that a great danger is going to appear and it is coming from the place where everyone is looking at. And true to his expectation, Shin Jiao immediately shuddered as he clearly saw a blurry thing coming out of the cloud of dust, but all he can do is shout.
"Watch out!"