C16 Return Home
Zhang Yu was taken aback, hastily channeling his spiritual energy to raise his sword in defense.
With a resounding "clang," the Thunder Shocking Sword collided with the Heaven Swallowing Python's ghastly white fangs! The python's assault was thwarted, its body coiling tightly in response. Zhang Yu's eyes reddened with the strain, a suffocating sensation gripping him.
Feeling his soul teeter on the brink of leaving his body, a long-dormant volcano in Zhang Yu's heart erupted with force.
"I refuse to die. I have dreams yet to fulfill, countless tomorrows to face. I must ensure the world hears my voice," Zhang Yu bellowed, his face twisted with rage.
In a sudden surge of strength, Zhang Yu thrust the Thunder Shocking Sword through the python's formidable defenses. Clamping his jaws onto the fresh wound, he greedily guzzled the creature's blood. As it trickled down his throat, a fiery energy engulfed his entire being.
With an enraged cry, Zhang Yu's aura became wildly erratic. Spiritual Qi from the surroundings coalesced as if drawn by an invisible force, surging frenetically into his body.
"Shatter!" At this life-or-death juncture, Zhang Yu ascended to Warrior Peak. His sword carved a deep, bone-exposing gash across the python's skull in a flash.
Seizing the momentary lapse as the python recoiled from its injury, Zhang Yu made a swift getaway.
The clash had now escalated, with both adversaries' bloodlust flaring. The Heaven Swallowing Python, driven mad, glared with a single eye that radiated a terrifying glow. It was intent on annihilating Zhang Yu, who dared to wound it repeatedly, and was set on devouring him piece by piece.
Fury consumed Zhang Yu as well, yet he was acutely aware that the python was no easy prey. He bided his time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike a lethal blow.
As the Heaven Swallowing Python charged, Zhang Yu let out a thunderous yell. His clothes billowed as if caught in an unseen tempest, and he unleashed a formidable surge of combat power that slammed into the python. The resulting shockwave left Zhang Yu reeling, forcing another mouthful of blood from his lips.
Despite the chaos, Zhang Yu remained unflustered. With nimble movements, he cautiously engaged the enraged Heaven Swallowing Python. Each thrust of his sword released a brilliant flash of white light. While his strikes didn't yield significant results, the cumulative damage slowly took its toll on the python.
The creature's gray-green blood oozed continuously, and it acutely felt its strength ebbing away. It realized that if it continued to be nibbled at by this persistent adversary, death might be imminent. In a fury, it lunged at Zhang Yu with the force of a collapsing hill.
Zhang Yu was acutely aware that any lapse in concentration could spell disaster, so he kept his gaze fixed on the Heaven Swallowing Python. At that critical juncture, Xiao Hei emerged from nowhere, clamping down on the python's flesh, refusing to release its grip despite the creature's violent thrashing.
"Now!" In a moment, Zhang Yu's energy surged and then rapidly diminished, as if years had been drained from him in seconds. He appeared on the brink of collapse, yet his eyes blazed with a radiant intensity.
"Weeping Blood Setting Sun!" he bellowed. The Thunder Shocking Sword, glowing with a fierce red aura akin to a miniature sun, impaled the Heaven Swallowing Python's skull with an unstoppable force, piercing straight through. And for the python, there was no after.
The aftermath of the lethal blow left Zhang Yu utterly spent, and he collapsed to the ground.
Hearing the fall, Xiao Hei scurried over, anxiously flicking its tongue and nuzzling Zhang Yu's face. With a weak effort, Zhang Yu managed to stroke Xiao Hei's head. Reassured of his safety, the creature settled down.
To vanquish the Heaven Swallowing Python, Zhang Yu had resorted to the forbidden technique of the Thunder Shocking Sword Spell, the Weeping Blood Setting Sun, draining an immense amount of his life essence and giving him an air of withered age. Only after two hours of rejuvenation from the Creation Jade Disc did Zhang Yu's vitality begin to slowly return.
Zhang Yu had just used his Thunder Shocking Sword to extract the Demon Crystal from the Heaven Swallowing Python when Xiao Hei scampered over, tongue flicking eagerly. Its beady eyes were practically drooling with desire.
"Do you want this?" Zhang Yu teased, waving the Demon Crystal before the eager creature. Little Black bobbed its head affirmatively. Zhang Yu acknowledged that without Xiao Hei's life-risking distraction of the Heaven Swallowing Python, his lethal strike might not have found its mark. Seeing Little Black's desire, he saw no reason to withhold the prize.
As Zhang Yu tossed the Demon Crystal to it, Little Black's tail wagged furiously before it gobbled up the crystal in one swift motion, a look of sheer bliss crossing its face. Zhang Yu couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief at the creature's audacity to consume such a thing without a second thought.
Shortly after ingesting the Demon Crystal, Little Black began to sway and doze off as if drunk. Zhang Yu understood this was part of a Demon Beast's cultivation process—using sleep to assimilate the vast energy consumed. Confident in this natural cycle, he gently placed Little Black back into the Creation Jade Disc for its slumber.
Zhang Yu didn't spare the Heaven Swallowing Python's carcass this time around. The beast was a treasure trove from head to tail, and considering it had nearly cost him his life, he felt entitled to reap some 'interest' from its remains.
Once he was certain nothing of value was overlooked, Zhang Yu dedicated a full day to healing his wounds. He only rose to his feet when he felt his strength fully restored.
"Now it's truly time to head home." Reflecting on the past month's trials, he realized he had matured to a point where he no longer needed his father's protection. In Yishui Town, the mightiest was his father, a mid-level Great Sword Master, who would have only been evenly matched with the Heaven Swallowing Python at best, let alone defeat it. The thought that he had reached milestones in mere weeks that took others decades filled Zhang Yu with a profound sense of pride. Yet, the grueling challenges he faced and the brushes with death he endured were experiences only he could fully appreciate.
The taunts and unbearable memories of the past had vanished. Now, Zhang Yu was a man who would turn heads throughout Yishui Town.
Bathed in the lingering light of the setting sun, Zhang Yu set off on the path back home.
...
"Abiao, is everything arranged for our clansmen?" Zhang Sen, his brow furrowed with concern, inquired of his younger brother, Zhang Biao.
"Big brother, rest assured, I've taken care of everything. The moment the battle commences, I'll have Zhang Hao lead the elders and children to break out through the west gate. They've packed only their valuables, leaving everything else behind. Our job is to engage the enemy, draw their fire, and hold them off until the others have safely escaped. Only then will we make our breakout," Zhang Biao replied, his voice steady and resolute.
"That's a relief. The Liu and Wang families have unexpectedly banded together, mobilizing their elite forces for a surprise assault on our Zhang family. Their current strategy of encirclement without attack is clearly designed to throw us into disarray and minimize their own losses. We can't afford to panic now; staying calm is our only hope for survival," Zhang Sen addressed the gathered Zhang family warriors with a grave tone.
"The moment of truth for our Zhang family has arrived. Whatever grievances you had with each other before, they don't matter now. In this moment, you are brothers bound by blood, ready to trust each other with your lives. Our family's legacy depends on your courage and effort."
"Are you scared?" Zhang Sen called out.
"Not at all!" came the resounding reply from the Zhang family members.
"I'm proud to have you as part of the Zhang family. Sons of the Zhang lineage, let's show our enemies the true mettle of our blood! To the might of the Zhang family!"
"To the might of the Zhang family!"
"To the might of the Zhang family!"
...
Witnessing the high spirits of the besieged Zhang family, Liu Dongsheng, the patriarch of the Liu family, remarked to Wang Pengfei, the head of the Wang family, "Mr. Pengfei, it seems the Zhang family won't be easily broken."
"Dongsheng, my brother, you worry too much. With our families united in this cause, we will surely eradicate the Zhang family root and branch, and divide their amassed wealth. This alliance will propel both our families to greater heights," Wang Pengfei declared with unwavering confidence.
"At this point, we're left with no other option but to wipe out the Zhang family. Brother Dongsheng, let's move out. We shouldn't keep Zhang Sen on tenterhooks."
"You're spot on, Mr. Pengfei. Let's proceed and annihilate the Zhangs." Saying this, Liu Yunsheng and Wang Pengfei, along with their families' finest warriors, advanced toward the Zhang family's inner courtyard.
