C12 Mysterious Giant Claw!

Tian Yuling's words filled Zhang Chen with immense gratitude. She was the first person to show him care since his birth. Should he rise to prominence in the future, he vowed to repay her kindness.

"Kid, stop pining for that girl. Focus on getting through the current predicament first!"

As Zhang Chen sped toward Cloud Water Peak on his Divine Steed, the voice of the Young Man In White echoed in his mind. Before he could respond, a whooshing noise approached. The Divine Steed neighed, its wings flapping chaotically, and Zhang Chen teetered on its back, nearly tumbling off.

They were hundreds of meters up in the air—a fall would certainly be fatal.

"Kid, you've crossed me, and you think you can make it back to Cloud Water Peak unscathed?"

A mocking laugh followed from behind. Ning Feihong, armed with a strong bow and crossbow, was in pursuit on his own Divine Steed.

Realizing the danger, Zhang Chen quickly soothed the injured Divine Steed, guiding it to land swiftly to avoid a deadly fall. Despite this, Zhang Chen's face was etched with worry. Ning Feihong, at the Master Stage with the strength of nine bulls and two tigers, was not someone Zhang Chen could easily evade—even on solid ground.

Outer Disciples often sought the protection of Inner Disciples for the benefits and security it provided. The competition within the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace was fierce, with Outer Disciples frequently battling for the coveted Inner Sect positions. Only the strongest could avoid elimination.

Except for the safe havens like Tianshu Mountain or the domains of Inner Disciples where fighting was forbidden, Outer Disciples were vulnerable everywhere. Thus, even if Ning Feihong were to slay Zhang Chen, the higher-ups of the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace would not hold him accountable.

The moment Zhang Chen touched down, peril struck. The shrill sound of an arrow slicing through the air filled his ears as it sped toward his chest. Forged from dark metal, the arrow had the force to penetrate both metal and stone.

"Oh no!" Zhang Chen was taken aback as he witnessed the unfolding scene. He realized with dread that it was already too late to evade.

Ding!

To his surprise, the black metal arrow that struck him produced a sound akin to metal clashing.

Upon closer inspection, it became apparent that the arrow had merely torn through Zhang Chen's clothing, while his skin emitted a burst of white light, repelling the arrow.

It was the Universe Diagram!

In that crucial moment, the Universe Diagram on Zhang Chen's person had saved his life.

Nevertheless, the formidable force of the arrow's impact still sent Zhang Chen flying. This force, however, allowed him to increase the distance between himself and Ning Feihong.

"Impossible!"

Ning Feihong, who had just swooped down, could hardly believe his eyes as he saw Zhang Chen survive his arrow and seize the chance to flee.

The bow in his grasp was no ordinary weapon but a powerful bow crafted from black and red profound iron. Though not a magical artifact, it was a High Grade Common Level weapon that could severely weaken anyone below the Energy Master level with a single shot. Yet Zhang Chen, a mere Martial Master, had not only survived but also managed to escape with enough energy to flee. Ning Feihong was astounded!

"Could this kid be wearing some kind of protective soft armor? Regardless, I must pursue him first. After being chastised by Eldest Senior Brother, I have to kill him to release my frustration!" Ning Feihong said, as he set off in pursuit of Zhang Chen.

"What do I do now? Ning Feihong is at the Peak of the Master Stage; he'll catch up to me in no time. And with that powerful bow and crossbow, no matter how fast I run, I can't outpace his arrows!"

Zhang Chen's heart plummeted as he desperately fled through the forest.

"Ning Feihong must have a good number of Blood Nourishing Pills on him. If you can get your hands on them, you'll definitely be able to advance to the Master Stage!"

As Zhang Chen raced on, the voice of the Young Man In White echoed in his mind.

"What? You're suggesting that I kill Ning Feihong? That's impossible. He's at the Peak of the Master Stage; he could take me out with a single move. I wouldn't stand a chance."

The Master Stage had thoroughly refined the practitioner's muscles, bones, skin, and internal organs. Whether it was speed or explosive power, it far surpassed the Martial Master Stage. Moreover, Zhang Chen had scant real combat experience. Going head-to-head with Ning Feihong would be a certain death sentence.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen's concerns, the Young Man In White gave a cryptic smile. "It would have been impossible, but now there's a way! You have forty Blood Nourishing Pills, right? If you refine them all, I can muster enough strength for my true form to launch an attack that could take him down!"

Zhang Chen blinked in surprise. "Your true form?"

"I'm not human. What you see is merely an illusion. Enough with the chatter—hand over your Blood Nourishing Pills. It's been ages since I've had a good fight!" The Artifact Spirit's voice brimmed with excitement.

Without hesitation, Zhang Chen pulled out the pouch of Blood Nourishing Pills from his waist, only to watch the Universe Diagram snatch them away like a thief in the night.

Meanwhile, Ning Feihong had caught up. "Boy, why have you stopped running?" he asked with a menacing grin upon spotting Zhang Chen.

The sight of Ning Feihong's malevolent gaze sent a shiver down Zhang Chen's spine. He tried to reach out to the Universe Diagram, but there was no response, causing his heart to sink.

"Ning Feihong, we have no quarrel. Why are you so intent on killing me?"

"Hmph! You chose the wrong side, and because of you, I got a tongue-lashing from the Eldest Senior Brother! I bet you're wearing some kind of protective armor; otherwise, my arrow wouldn't have failed. Once I kill you, it will be mine."

With a lick of his chapped lips, Ning Feihong drew an arrow and gripped it tightly, inching closer to Zhang Chen.

"You can't kill me, Ning Feihong. I'm a disciple of Cloud Water Peak. If you do, Senior Sister Yuner won't let you get away with it..." As Ning Feihong advanced, Zhang Chen's demeanor turned to one of sheer panic.

"Hehe, the fact that you're a disciple of Cloud Water Peak is exactly why I must kill you. And it's not just you—I won't spare her two younger siblings either!" Ning Feihong seemed quite pleased with Zhang Chen's reaction. With a sinister chuckle, he raised his arrow, poised to pierce Zhang Chen's heart.

In that critical moment, a soft yellow glow erupted from Zhang Chen's body.

Suddenly, the world was bathed in a dusky yellow light, and Ning Feihong witnessed an incredible sight.

A massive claw emerged from Zhang Chen's chest, its scales densely packed and entwined with a yellow radiance. It snapped open and lunged for his head.

Though unsure of what was happening, Ning Feihong instinctively tried to evade.

But it was too late.

With a resounding thud, the giant claw struck, sounding like a watermelon bursting. Ning Feihong's head instantly vaporized into a mist of blood, and his body collapsed without a sound.

The yellow light receded as quickly as it had appeared, and brightness returned to the world, leaving behind only a headless corpse on the ground.