Nobody told me this wasn't a game.

He is the local earth god!

Zuo Chang is not facing a short man who is less than 1.4 meters tall; he is fighting against this land!

How could mere seventh realm possibly penetrate the earth?

Winning or losing...

"puff!"

He spat out a mouthful of blood.

The dwarf's complexion rapidly deteriorated, and he was in pain all over his body!

No, it's not pain in my body.

It's pain inside the body.

It seemed as if countless steel blades were swirling within his body, cutting through his internal organs, limbs, and bones. Beneath his bronze skin, bluish-purple bruises appeared, indicating that his magical power had dissipated.

Zuo Chang's attack was already imminent.

Knowing he was doomed, the dwarf understood everything in his final moments: "I understand... He sent his 'sword intent' into the earth, bringing it to my feet. When I activated my rock-solid body and absorbed power from the earth, all I absorbed was his sword intent! The sword intent entering my body is no less than a hundred swords gouging out my heart and a thousand knives scraping my bones. I was courting death!"

My gaze spun, and the whole world began to roll.

The dwarf understood that the world was spinning because his head had been cut off and his unseeing head was rolling on the ground.

Who exactly is this "coordinate"?

"He not only possesses extraordinary swordsmanship, but also seems to have a wealth of knowledge... He understands the mechanics of the Rock Body as well as I do."

The headless corpse fell to the ground.

Dwarf, defeated!

Chapter 223 The world line ends

"sharp."

Looking at the raging wind surrounding Zuo Chang, Lu Zheng felt a vague sense of familiarity.

Under the influence of the "mechanism," he could not recognize Zuo Chang's face, but the special effects of the Gale Sword Technique remained unchanged.

However, compared to when he showed off his skills in front of Lu Zheng last time, Zuo Chang has now reached a new level!

Lu Zheng felt the face looked familiar, but didn't think about it too deeply.

Zuo Chang's slight exertion indirectly helped to mediate the fight. Unfortunately, he acted too late.

The Transformation Demon was outmatched and was overwhelmed by the fierce attacks of Lu Zheng and the other two, and had already been seriously injured.

Right now—

It had lost too much blood and was on its deathbed.

The helmeted skeleton was no match for the historian Shen Lezhi either; although it was not yet dead, it was too weak to fight any longer.

Lu Zheng and the other two were filled with fighting spirit and glared angrily at Zuo Chang!

But no one made a move.

Surrounded by powerful figures and lurking in the shadows, Zuo Chang, at full power, stood like a towering wall, his every move exuding immense pressure that instilled fear in all who beheld him.

Lu Zheng felt the pressure.

He wasn't sure.

The cloaked woman assessed the situation, glanced at the purple-skinned demon not far away, and whispered, "Lu Zheng, sometimes, running away is a strategic move."

Gulu.

Shen Lezhi swallowed hard and continued, "All the kings who have achieved great things have one thing in common—they do not shy away from defeat. As the saying goes, victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. Our goal is to win the battle for the crown, so why care about the outcome of an insignificant skirmish? I'm well-read, I won't lie to you. Lu Zheng, let's go!"

Lu Zheng frowned, finding it difficult to make a decision.

He looked at Zuo Chang with a solemn expression.

Up to this moment.

Zuo Chang has already noticed something amiss—he may not be the same person he used to be.

Otherwise, it would be difficult to explain Lu Zheng's current appearance.

He seemed eager to pounce and fight to the death, a stark contrast to the tolerant and kind young master that Zuo Chang remembered.

Listening to the advice from the cloaked woman and Shen Lezhi, Zuo Chang silently shook his head.

He said, "Lu Zheng, have you thought this through?"

"?!"

Lu Zheng was taken aback and asked in surprise, "You know my name?"

Zuo Chang didn't answer, but said, "As long as your team wins in the end, even the members who are eliminated along the way can receive the honor and benefits of 'Grand Champion'. Is your purpose for coming here to fight me to the death?"

Lu Zheng remained silent.

He squinted unhappily.

Zuo Chang raised a hand and continued, "No, right? I can sense that your two defeated teammates had a strong desire to win. They attacked me without hesitation, not so that you could avenge them, but to win the championship! Your fighting me here is a betrayal of their expectations!"

You sensed a ghost!

The cloaked woman really wanted to rebuke Zuo Chang like that.

but……

After hearing Zuo Chang's words, she suddenly realized that this inexplicable "coordinate" in front of her seemed to know Lu Zheng better than she did!

Yes.

Trying to persuade Lu to accept the tax by using the words "danger" or "being pragmatic" is unlikely to be effective.

If you use "friendship" and "the expectations of the deceased teammates" to persuade them, the effect will obviously be outstanding!

Let's see!

Although Lu Zheng made no statement, he was clearly hesitant, and his fighting spirit was visibly waning.

He will make the right choice soon.

"Ugh."

After a moment, Lu Zheng sighed softly, abandoning his intention to fight.

Just as he was about to say something, a rapid sound of horses' hooves suddenly rang out.

Everyone present turned to look, and saw in the distance billowing smoke and dust, more than ten riders galloping towards them with a terrifying momentum.

Zuo Chang looked at them from afar and asked in surprise, "This is... the Gold Rush Knights? Why would they appear at this time!"

Having participated in the Grand Wars once before, Zuo Chang was no stranger to the Gold Rush Knights.

This is a very important organization in the story; they are the royal guard directly under the old Golden Empire, and they bring together the nation's elite.

The number of gold prospectors was small, less than thirty including the commander.

However, their average cultivation level is as high as the eighth realm, making them prominent figures in this era and not to be underestimated.

According to the normal procedure, after all the "Advanced Exorcist Squads" have assembled, the Gold Rush Knights will lead them into Bloodmist Ridge to engage in a life-or-death struggle against the demonic group "Glory Evolution".

Why now...

It was revealed ahead of schedule?

The knights were all dressed in black armor, each one broad-shouldered and burly, exuding an extraordinary aura of power.

Their horses were not only fire-riding steeds with demonic blood, but they were also armored just like the knights on their backs.

The first one was a nobleman with flaxen hair.

He looked at the shapeshifter's corpse on the ground, then turned to Lu Zheng: "I am the commander of the Gold Rush Knights, and also a prince of the Old Golden Empire. Exorcist, I ask you—did you kill this shapeshifter?"

Lu Zheng was taken aback, then replied, "We killed them, Your Highness."

"Good. Here's a reward."

The prince turned around and called out, and another knight stepped forward and threw a package on the ground.

Gold bars, about two fingers wide and one finger long, spilled out of the package.

Zuo Chang glanced at it a couple more times.

These gold bars...

Is it safe to take it out with me?

Without looking away, Lu Zheng said, "Your Highness, what my friends and I want is not gold, but your promise—to kill the shapeshifter and be immediately promoted to a high-level exorcist squad."

The prince looked at him: "You wish to join me in conquering Blood Mist Ridge?"

"Yes."

"……May I have your name?"

Lu Zheng bowed slightly: "I am Lu Zheng, and these two are my friends."

Lu Zheng pointed at the cloaked woman and Shen Lezhi.

The prince, his expression indifferent, cracked his whip and said, “Then follow me, Mr. Lu Zheng! The demons have been rampaging here for far too long! We should, and must, drive them out! In His Majesty the Emperor’s kingdom, I will not allow even the slightest evil to run rampant, to bestow death upon the demons, and to bring peace to my subjects!”

The prince was full of energy, but he didn't get the response he expected.

A moment later, Shen Lezhi raised his hands high and shouted, "Glory to His Highness! Glory to the Gold Rush Knights! Glory to the Old Golden Empire!"

"oh oh……"

Immediately, the cloaked woman and Lu Zheng raised their hands and gave a symbolic cheer.

The prince was displeased with their slowness!

If they were his subordinates, they would have already knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!" They wouldn't be as listless as these three people in front of them!

So, these common people...

It was a disappointment.