Daqin Zhentiansi

The venomous python's eyes blazed red, abandoning its immediate target. Its nine heads, shrouded in the shadow of death, greedily devoured the flying "delicious prey"!
"Brother!!"

"Do not--!"

Ling Hao's eyes were bloodshot, but he was also shocked. Seeing that he was powerless to help, his eyes were instantly filled with despair and resentment.

The disciples of Taixu Sword Pavilion and Xuan Yin Valley smiled and turned to rush towards the broken halberd and the jade fungus.

Those disciples of the Great River Sword Sect were in dire straits.

"Roar--!!!"

A more domineering and ferocious roar resounded like a muffled thunderclap from the depths of hell!

A huge shadow fell over the desperate disciples of the Great River Sword Sect!

The massive, mountain-like body of the Blood Armored Dragon Crocodile crashed down!

Its thick, pillar-like forepaws, carrying the force of a thousand mountains suppressing the enemy, along with overwhelming power and a dark golden aura, slammed precisely and fiercely into the three main snake heads of the nine-headed venomous python as it pounced down!

"Boom!—Pfft!"

A dull, heart-stopping bang, mixed with the sound of bones and flesh completely exploding!

The python's head, as hard as iron, exploded into a bloody pulp and fleshy mess, just like three ripe watermelons struck by a heavy hammer!
The enormous python's body was smashed into the coral reef below by this terrifying force, emitting a shrill and distorted scream!
Amidst the bloodshed and carnage, a figure in black robes shot out like an arrow from the back of the dragon crocodile!
Faster than a storm!
Zhang Yuan's figure swept past the disciples of the Great River Sword Sect, and he stepped onto the flattened python's body!
"Crack!!"

The spot beneath his feet was precisely where the remaining heads of the nine-headed venomous python were connected to the spine!
With a stomp imbued with the immense power of a dragon and an elephant, the spine and the massive snake body were completely broken and crushed!
The giant python, which was ferocious and powerful just a second ago, suddenly lost all its life!

Without pausing, Zhang Yuan used the recoil from crushing the snake's body to transform into a blurry afterimage that was difficult to discern with the naked eye. In the astonished, shocked, and unprepared gazes of the cultivators from Taixu Sword Pavilion and Xuan Yin Valley, he instantly broke through the last line of defense of both sides!

An arm shot out!
"Hey!"

He had firmly grasped the "Ice Heart Blood Jade Mushroom" and the broken halberd, which were emitting a hazy blue light!

The light seemed to dim slightly the moment it touched his fingers, as if it were overwhelmed by his aura.

The smugness on the faces of the cultivators from Taixu Sword Pavilion and Xuan Yin Valley instantly froze, then turned into rage and ferocity!

The Ice Heart Blood Jade Mushroom and the broken halberd, which was suspected to be a fragment of a divine weapon, were actually intercepted right under their noses!

"How brave!"

"You're courting death! Drop the treasure!"

The two sides roared angrily, and their magical weapons, sword lights, and demonic banners instantly unleashed astonishing pressure, ready to attack Zhang Yuan at all costs!

Just then, a sharp-eyed disciple of the Great River Sword Sect exclaimed excitedly, his voice cracking, "Senior Brother Zhang... Senior Brother Zhang?! It's Senior Brother Zhang Qingyang!!"

He suddenly pointed to the jade pendant at Zhang Yuan's waist, which was now shining brightly!

Everyone subconsciously glanced at the information that was being updated simultaneously on their waist tags.

10th on the leaderboard: Zhang Qingyang of the Great River Sword Sect – 21,800 points!

"Zhang Qingyang!!!"

"That's Zhang Qingyang, who was ranked tenth on the leaderboard?! Didn't he drop three hundredth?!"

"The Blood-Armored Dragon Crocodile mount... he stomped a Nine-Headed Poisonous Python to death?!"

Screams and fear instantly replaced anger.

The shadow of the famous tree of man!

The fearsome reputation of being ranked tenth on the leaderboard, and the terrifying strength of riding a Grandmaster-level demon beast and instantly killing a nine-headed venomous python, weighed heavily on my heart like two giant mountains.

The faces of the Taixu Sword Pavilion disciples and Xuan Yin Valley cultivators turned deathly pale instantly, their greed and anger overwhelmed by an overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear.

The murderous intent that had been so fierce just moments before was now extinguished instantly, like charcoal fire doused with ice water.

"Retreat...get out of here!"

The female cultivator from Xuan Yin Valley's voice trembled slightly, and she immediately turned the bone banner around and retreated rapidly.

The disciples of Taixu Sword Pavilion had conflicting expressions, but in the end they could only grit their teeth in resentment, glare hatefully at Zhang Yuan and the treasure in his hand, and then flee in disarray with their swords.

They knew very well that even if they joined forces, they might not be able to gain the upper hand against this evil star, not to mention there was a group of Great River Sword Sect disciples who had recovered!

Zhang Yuan coldly watched their retreating figures, casually putting away the Ice Heart Blood Jade Mushroom and the broken halberd, not bothering to give chase at all.

He turned around, his gaze falling on Ling Hao and the other disciples of the Great River Sword Sect.

At this moment, the dozen or so disciples were covered in blood, but their faces were filled with extreme shock, admiration, and excitement at surviving the ordeal.

The way they looked at Zhang Yuan was as if they were looking up to a god.

"Senior Brother Zhang!"

"Thank you, Senior Brother Zhang, for saving my life!"

"If it weren't for our senior brother's divine intervention, we..."

"Brother is awesome!"

One of the younger disciples was so excited that he became incoherent.

Ling Hao stood up, clutching his chest. Looking at Zhang Yuan, who stood on the back of the dragon crocodile with his hands behind his back, his face no longer held any of the arrogance and challenging spirit he had shown on the Wave-Treading Platform. Only deep awe and complexity remained.

He struggled to clasp his hands in a fist salute, his voice hoarse yet incredibly solemn: "Junior Brother Zhang... no, Senior Brother Zhang! Today... Ling Hao is completely convinced! Thank you for your help, Senior Brother!"

Zhang Yuan glanced at them, said nothing, but nodded slightly and pointed to the enormous remains of the nine-headed venomous python on the ground: "This thing is yours."

After saying that, he patted the head of the dragon crocodile at his feet.

With a low growl, the Blood-Armored Crocodile turned around, carrying him and parting the waves of blood, heading towards a deeper and more mysterious place.

"This..." The disciples were both surprised and delighted as they looked at the python corpse, which was almost equivalent to all their gains on this trip.

They understood that this was something Zhang Yuan had given them because he didn't think much of it.

Ling Hao's eyes deepened with complex emotions, but they ultimately turned into gratitude. He led everyone in bowing, saying, "Thank you for your gift, Senior Brother! We respectfully see you off, Senior Brother!"

Only when they watched the dark figure and the ferocious dragon beast disappear rapidly into the blood mist did the disciples of the Great River Sword Sect dare to stand up straight.

"Senior Brother Zhang... is unfathomable..."

"Even their mounts are at the Grandmaster level... We..."

Some people shook their heads and smiled bitterly, their eyes filled with longing and a hint of disappointment.

"Indeed... he's not even qualified to follow..."

"Enough with the nonsense, hurry up and pack! This is a gift from Senior Brother Zhang, don't waste it!"

Ling Hao suppressed the turmoil in his heart and immediately began to give instructions.

Although disappointed, this windfall still thrilled them, and Zhang Yuan's image had become an insurmountable peak in their hearts.

……

The Blood-Armored Crocodile carried Zhang Yuan, traversing hundreds of miles through the surging, blood-red ocean.

Zhang Yuan sat cross-legged on the crocodile's back, his eyes closed, sensing the aura of the treasure he had obtained. Suddenly, the thick blood mist in front of him swirled, and a figure appeared without warning, blocking his path.

This person did not use any magical artifacts; instead, he stood on a strange, ever-flowing cloud of energy that resembled liquid fire jade, radiating a scorching yet pure aura.

He was dressed in a magnificent robe with red stripes and gold trim, with a handsome face and an air of arrogance between his brows.

He crossed his arms over his chest, with an ancient longsword, gleaming with a sharp crimson light, hovering behind him.

His aura was profound and deep, subtly rivaling the raging blood sea of ​​evil energy around him; he was clearly a powerful expert at the second level of the Grandmaster Realm!
His gaze was sharp as a sword, locking onto Zhang Yuan, a hint of predatory delight playing on his lips.

"After waiting for so long, I've finally found someone worthy of my attention. Zhang Qingyang?"

The voice of the newcomer pierced through the blood-red waves and clearly reached Zhang Yuan's ears.

The jade pendant at Zhang Yuan's waist vibrated slightly at the right moment, updating the information.

Fifth place on the leaderboard: Yuwen Zhen of Yunliao Sword Sect, with 27,450 points!

Yuwen Zhen laughed loudly, and the ancient sword on his back hummed, its crimson light shining brightly: "Your mount is not bad, but I'm looking for you! Do you dare to join forces with me and venture into the real 'Blood Sea Burning Heart Palace'? That place... can't be entered alone!"

With his gaze fixed on Zhang Yuan, Yuwen Zhen's fighting spirit surged.

"Of course, I need to see if you're qualified to travel with me—"

The sea of ​​blood surged and churned, its stench filling the air.

Yuwen Zhen's invitation carried an undeniable forcefulness and a condescending scrutiny.

The ancient sword behind him hummed, its crimson light flickering.

The "Crimson Clouds" beneath their feet emitted a scorching heat, forcing the surrounding foul blood energy back several feet, creating a relatively clear area.

Zhang Yuan sat cross-legged on the broad back of the Blood Armored Dragon Crocodile and slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze, like a deep, ancient well, calmly fell upon the proud man who ranked fifth on the leaderboard.

There was neither anger at being challenged nor joy at being valued.

He simply patted the dragon crocodile's head, and the massive beast, as large as a small mountain, let out a low thud, obediently suppressing its ferocious aura and quietly hovering in the blood waves.

"qualifications?"

Zhang Yuan's voice was low and calm, yet it seemed as if a heavy stone had been thrown into a viscous sea of ​​blood.

Yuwen Zhen laughed loudly and said arrogantly, "That's right! The Blood Sea Burning Heart Palace is no ordinary place. Without strong support, going in is suicide. I, Yuwen Zhen, do not like to associate with mediocre people."

"Zhang Qingyang, your points have risen so quickly, your strength is indeed considerable. However, we still need to verify..."

Before he finished speaking, the fighting spirit in his eyes suddenly blazed fiercely!

"Look at the sword!"

The ancient sword behind him, emitting a crimson light, suddenly soared into the sky without warning, emitting a clear and piercing sword cry, and transformed into a crimson ribbon that stretched across the blood-red sky!

This sword strike was faster than the limits of visual perception. The scorching and sharp sword energy steamed up the sea of ​​blood and tore through the sky. The sword's edge was aimed directly at Zhang Yuan's brow!

"Crimson Blaze Burns the Sky!"

The moment the sword was unleashed, Yuwen Zhen's immense aura, that of a Grandmaster at the second level of the Profound Realm, poured out without reservation, like a tidal wave, instantly enveloping an area of ​​dozens of feet in radius.

The sword intent shone brightly like the blazing sun in the sky, and the sword momentum was as vast as a galaxy pouring down!
The fierce killing intent was enough to make an ordinary grandmaster despair!
The dragon-crocodile beneath Zhang Yuan's mount felt a primal fear and growled as it retreated slightly.

Zhang Yuan remained standing on the crocodile's back, his body motionless.

Just as the blazing sword light was about to touch his forehead, he finally moved.

Without pulling out the ruler, or even getting up, he simply raised his right hand very casually.

With fingers spread wide, facing the dazzling sword light that resembled a blazing sun falling, he simply pressed down!
"Om-"

An invisible, terrifying force, so heavy that it made the space itself groan, suddenly descended!
That was not the surge of true essence, nor the rush of sword intent, but a pure, primordial, unparalleled physical power that seemed to come from ancient times, like a dragon and elephant crushing mountains and a bright king suppressing the world and crushing the heavens!

It was his unparalleled divine power, forged and refined in his flesh and bones on that land of Yongtianzhou, a land heavily shackled by the Great Dao!
A million times stronger than an ordinary physique, a terrifying foundation surpassing even divine beasts!
"Crack!"

The teeth-grinding cracking sound didn't originate from the blade, but rather... from the vast sword aura surrounding the sword light!
It was as if a huge glass dome had been pressed down by a tyrannical giant hand, causing it to dent, twist, and shatter!
The crimson sword light, powerful enough to burn the sky and sever the flow of water, was forcibly stopped by an invisible force just three inches away from Zhang Yuan's palm, and even bent visibly!
The incomparably sharp sword intent was like a wall of the Yellow Springs that pierced through the nine netherworlds, instantly dissipating and dissolving!
The core energy that constitutes the sword light itself crumbles and disintegrates inch by inch before that pure, heavy, and brute force that is so unreasonable!
Yuwen Zhen's arrogant confidence froze instantly, turning into horror and shock!

He felt as if the spiritual power he used to control the flying sword had crashed into a towering mountain, causing his sea of ​​consciousness to roar, his blood to surge, and his sword energy to almost go out of control!
What's even more terrifying is that the opponent didn't use any special moves or techniques at all. He simply crushed his proud sword style with the heavy force field emanating from his palm!
"This...how is this possible?!" Yuwen Zhen was filled with utter shock. "His physical body...is a monster!"

Just as Yuwen Zhenxin was terrified and his flying sword was almost out of control, Zhang Yuan's left hand, which had been resting on the broken handle of the heavy ruler, moved very slightly.

"Chong-"

A faint metallic clang, extremely brief yet seemingly capable of piercing the very soul, resounded!
That wasn't the sound of a sword, but rather the power of a fragment of the Soul-Devouring Wheel dormant within Zhang Yuan's body, activated by the power of his fingertips, slashing directly at Yuwen Zhen's soul across the void!
Like a silent, sharp thorn from the deepest abyss!
"hiss……"

Yuwen Zhen felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow. He let out a muffled groan, his face instantly turning deathly pale, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

The ancient sword, already suppressed by immense force, flew back with a mournful cry.

The light dimmed, and the scorching sword intent attached to it was like a candle flickering in the wind, almost going out!

The arena was deathly silent, save for the surging waves of blood and Yuwen Zhen's heavy breathing.

His gaze toward Zhang Yuan was filled with unprecedented fear and lingering dread, devoid of any condescension, replaced only by a chilling, bone-chilling terror and an incredulous shock.

The heavy ruler has no sharp edge, yet this person is already invincible in close combat!
His physical body was beyond description by humans or demons; it was simply an ancient god or demon in human skin!
That final, silent attack on the soul is even more insidious and terrifying, and impossible to defend against!

Yuwen Zhen forcibly suppressed the surging blood and the stinging pain in his soul, and with great difficulty, sheathed the sword that had flown back behind him. He forced an extremely ugly smile onto his face, and his voice was extremely dry: "...Good, good indeed, a heavy sword without an edge! Yuwen...I'm convinced!"

"Brother Zhang... no, Fellow Daoist Zhang possesses extraordinary divine power; I was blind to his abilities!"

He no longer dared to call him by his name, much less refer to himself as "senior brother".

"I apologize for my earlier offense, Fellow Daoist Zhang. As for the Blood Sea Burning Heart Palace... if Fellow Daoist Zhang is still interested, I would be happy to follow suit!"

He adopted an extremely humble posture, befitting a peer of a strong person, or even someone stronger.

Zhang Yuan had already withdrawn his hand, as if he had merely swatted away a fly.

He remained indifferent, showing no sign of relenting to Yuwen Zhen, but instead cast his gaze toward the area deep within the sea of ​​blood that was even more viscous and thick, as if it had solidified into a patch of dark red amber.

Within the swirling blood-red clouds, the massive outline of a palace could be faintly discerned, emanating an ancient and menacing aura that sent chills down one's spine.

Blood Sea Burning Heart Palace!

The Blood River Ancestor's memory fragments left a deep imprint on this place, and it seems that an ancient and wondrous object, "Nine Nether Blood Soul Crystal," is buried within it.

This is exactly what Zhang Yuan needs to temper his soul and break through to a higher realm!

"lead the way."

Zhang Yuan uttered only two words before turning his gaze from the distant outline of the Blood Sea Burning Heart Palace to Yuwen Zhen.

Yuwen Zhen's head stiffened, and he dared not be negligent: "Fellow Daoist Zhang, please follow me!"

The crimson clouds beneath his feet shifted, no longer as unrestrained and flamboyant as before, but much more gentle, guiding the way ahead.

The Blood-Armored Crocodile carried Zhang Yuan, silently following behind. (End of Chapter)