C15 Xiao Hei

Feeling the spiritual energy coursing powerfully through his veins, Zhang Yu nodded with satisfaction. A warrior not yet sixteen was a rarity in Yishui Town, an event that might come once in a hundred years!

Yet Zhang Yu knew he had to keep pushing himself. The memory of the earth-shattering battle between Martial Ancestors he had just witnessed sent his heart racing—not from fear, but from a deep yearning. He was merely a warrior, one among countless others across the vast expanse of the Vast Dragon Continent. But he held onto the belief that one day, he too would wield the formidable power to level mountains and fill seas.

It had been nearly twenty days since his journey began, transforming from an obscure Qi-cultivating fighter to a warrior.

"Just a few more days of training, and then after a full month, I'll return home and strive to break through to the peak of my warrior capabilities. Father will surely be overjoyed to hear of my progress," Zhang Yu mused silently.

After organizing his pack and having a quick meal, Zhang Yu stepped out of the cave.

"What a brilliantly shining sun!" he exclaimed, stretching languidly. "Onward to the path ahead!"

...

"Take on my 'Sunset of the River' if you dare," Zhang Yu challenged, lifting his long sword and channeling a massive surge of spiritual energy into it. With a mighty yell, he thrust the blade at the demon beast before him.

The Mammoth Demon Beast, wounded by the Thunder Shocking Sword, let out a pained howl as it flung its long trunk, charging at Zhang Yu.

"Not dead yet? Then face my 'Drizzle of Flying Flowers'!" In an instant, Zhang Yu increased the vibration frequency of his Thunder Shocking Sword, scattering sword light like a sudden burst of raindrops.

With a swift thrust, the sharp blade pierced the mammoth's skull. Zhang Yu stirred the sword, and the beast collapsed with a thunderous fall.

Wiping the sweat mixed with blood from his face, Zhang Yu steadied himself on his sword, breathing heavily. Gazing at the fallen Third Grade Demon Beast, he expertly extracted the Demon Crystal from its carcass. Battle-hardened from countless skirmishes, Zhang Yu had outgrown the thrill of fighting Level 1 and 2 Demon Beasts and had set his sights on hunting those of Level 3.

At first, Zhang Yu underestimated the power of the Level-3 Demon Beasts, suffering several harsh defeats due to his lack of understanding. However, after numerous setbacks, he made a breakthrough. With his mastery of the Shape Moving Shadow Changing technique and the powerful Thunder Shocking Sword Spell, Zhang Yu finally turned the tables. He had now slain his third Level-3 Demon Beast.

As he gently wiped down the blade, Zhang Yu's affection for the increasingly radiant Thunder Shocking Sword deepened. "Thunderbolt, I owe you my thanks for standing by my side. Without you, I couldn't have taken down a Level-3 Demon Beast so effortlessly. I'm not sure what my limits are now, or if I could defeat an Early Level-4 Demon Beast with all my might."

Having rested and tidied up the aftermath of battle, Zhang Yu slung the Thunder Shocking Sword over his shoulder, ready to depart. Suddenly, he sensed an unusual disturbance emanating from the Creation Jade Disc. "What's happening?" he wondered, probing the disc with his divine sense. To his astonishment, he found that the disc had absorbed all the Demon Crystals he had stored, channeling all that energy into the Black Snake egg. And that wasn't all; it had also drawn in the spiritual power from hundreds of Middle Grade Spirit Stones and funneled it into the egg as well.

Unable to make sense of the situation, Zhang Yu could only silently observe the unfolding events.

Like a bottomless abyss, the egg consumed the massive influx of energy. The spectacle was far from over. Suddenly, a beam of light burst forth from the Creation Jade Butterfly, piercing into the Black Snake egg.

"Crack, crack!" Roughly fifteen minutes later, Zhang Yu watched in awe as the shell of the Black Snake egg began to fracture. From within emerged a slick, black creature, no thicker than a pinky finger. At first glance, it resembled a mudfish, but upon closer examination, it bore a striking resemblance to a black Giant Snake, complete with scales. It was an odd hybrid, seemingly part snake, part dragon. The Little Black Snake, having freed itself, then turned and methodically ingested the remnants of its own eggshell.

In just a fleeting moment, Zhang Yu experienced something astonishing. The aura of the Little Black Snake had surged, doubling in strength and now on par with an ordinary Level-3 Demon Beast.

With a mere thought, Zhang Yu retrieved the newborn Little Black Snake from the Creation Jade Disc and placed it by his side. To his surprise, the snake flicked its tongue and cuddled up to him, seemingly adopting Zhang Yu as its kin, the first living creature it had seen.

Gently stroking the sleek Little Black Snake, Zhang Yu whispered, "Even though your father has passed, you've chosen me as family, so I'll look after you from now on. We're family now, so I'll call you Little Black."

Little Black seemed to possess an uncanny intelligence, as it tenderly coiled around Zhang Yu's arm and nestled into his sleeve, stubbornly refusing to leave.

"You sure have a knack for picking out a cozy spot," Zhang Yu chuckled. "Well, I guess I'll indulge you this time."

...

With a splash, Zhang Yu's head burst through the surface of the water, shaking his drenched hair. Catching sight of his own clear and handsome reflection, he couldn't help but boast, "Not too bad—I do look pretty sharp."

Zhang Yu had stumbled upon a small waterfall that day, which over years had carved out a sizable pool. Longing for a bath, he eagerly plunged into the pool, frolicking with Little Black in sheer delight.

"What a rush!" he exclaimed joyously.

Suddenly, the usually calm Little Black hissed at Zhang Yu, seemingly pressing him to make a swift exit.

"What's the matter, Little Black?" Though puzzled, Zhang Yu was aware of the keen danger sense Demon Beasts possessed. Without hesitation, he scrambled ashore and dressed quickly.

Caught off guard by a fierce gust, Zhang Yu was struck by an immense force before he could even react.

"Damn, what just happened?" he muttered, wiping the blood from his lip, only to look up and find himself face-to-face with a Level Four Demon Beast, a Heaven Swallowing Python. "So that's why Little Black was so anxious—it's a big one! I've been looking for a Level Four Demon Beast to test my limits. Well, it looks like it's time for a showdown!"

Zhang Yu swiftly snatched up the Thunder Shocking Sword from the ground and lunged at the Heaven Swallowing Python.

"Long River Setting Sun!" he bellowed, seamlessly blending Shape Moving Shadow Changing into his movements. He flickered to the side of the Heaven Swallowing Python and executed the Thunder Shocking Sword Spell with precision.

Initially, after Zhang Yu's strike, the Heaven Swallowing Python didn't pursue him further but coiled itself, fixing him with a chilling, triangular gaze. Yet, upon witnessing this insignificant human daring to unsheathe his sword and strike, the Heaven Swallowing Python's pride felt deeply challenged. Enraged, it charged at Zhang Yu without a second thought.

The clash of Zhang Yu's sword resulted in mere superficial wounds on the Heaven Swallowing Python. It regarded Zhang Yu with contempt, then, with a sinuous twist, encircled him in its coils, intent on crushing him to death.

But Zhang Yu had anticipated its plan and wouldn't succumb so easily. In the blink of an eye, he employed Shape Moving Shadow Changing to leap free. He then unleashed "Drizzle Flying Flower," scattering a shower of sword light upon the Heaven Swallowing Python as he swiftly moved to a new position.

With a thunderous "Bam!" the ground where Zhang Yu had just stood was obliterated by the Heaven Swallowing Python's formidable strike.

Zhang Yu inhaled sharply, a chill running down his spine. He was lucky to have moved quickly; otherwise, he would have been reduced to a mound of flesh.

With determination, Zhang Yu channeled all his spiritual power into the Thunder Shocking Sword. A brilliant burst of white light erupted from its tip, striking the Heaven Swallowing Python.

"Sword Break!" he cried out.

Despite Zhang Yu's all-out effort, the attack inflicted significant damage but fell short of seriously wounding the Heaven Swallowing Python.

Provoked by Zhang Yu's assault, the Heaven Swallowing Python became even more ferocious. It snapped its gaping jaws towards him. Sensing the impending peril, Zhang Yu dodged to the side. Little did he know, this was precisely the diversion the Heaven Swallowing Python had planned. Its tail swept up, ensnaring Zhang Yu against its massive form.

As Zhang Yu faced imminent danger, Little Black, who had only recently been born, zipped toward the Heaven Swallowing Python with a swift motion. Clamping its jaws around the python's body, Little Black managed to pierce through the creature's formidable hide.

The Heaven Swallowing Python writhed in pain, flinging Little Black away with a swift contortion of its massive form. Then, with its gaping maw drenched in blood, it lunged at Zhang Yu, intent on devouring him.