Swallowing the Stars: The Wind Sword Master.

Chapter 24 The Long-Haired Blue Demon

The Beginning of Autumn has passed.

Ning Ze left Mingyue Community and took a taxi to a branch hotel of the Underground Alliance.

Follow the waiter into a private room.

As soon as the door opened, Xu Liang sat on the leather sofa and called out, "Come, come, our genius is here! What do you think? After half a month apart, don't we have to look at you in a new light?"

Ning Ze found an empty seat, smiled slightly, and said, "My cultivation over the past ten days has been quite smooth. My movement techniques are relatively proficient, and the Wind Slash is also doing well. My strength has increased a bit."

"Hahaha!"

"Hahaha!"

Upon hearing this, the members of the War Squad burst into laughter.

"You little rascal, you fooled us last time, but we won't fall for it this time!" Zuo Xingyuan laughed and scolded. "Why don't you just tell us how much your strength has increased!"

Ning Ze smiled faintly and said calmly, "It hasn't improved much. I've just fully mastered the second level of 'Wind Slash,' and my strength has increased by 1200kg. My movement technique is still the same, but it feels a bit more proficient. I think I can control it more precisely. I haven't fought, so I'm not really sure." Because he could cultivate both genetic energy and movement techniques at the same time, his cultivation speed was faster.

Xu Liang patted him on the shoulder, laughing and scolding, "Get lost! Your strength has increased by 1200kg! After exerting yourself, you're no worse than Old Ma! And you're telling us you haven't improved much!"

Ma Yu said with a gratified look, "After exerting his strength, his power exceeded 1. His strength is no weaker than mine, and his movement technique has even improved. He is stronger than me."

Zuo Xingyuan said excitedly, "Our team now has three generals and three advanced warriors. This time we're going to City 011, formerly NJ City! What do you all think?"

"This level of strength is acceptable. However, it's quite dangerous," Zhang Chen said.

Ma Yu frowned slightly but nodded in agreement. Now that the Poison Wolf Squad was gone, they didn't need to be as cautious as before and could hold back their strength.

"F-class monsters pose no threat to Ozawa. City 011 is an exception, but even the outer areas have numerous Beast General-level monsters, and they don't have many subordinates."

"This..." Ning Ze hesitated for a moment, and everyone looked over. He asked in confusion, "Didn't the captain say he was going to take me to City 003?"

City 003, formerly SH City, was the economic center of the entire Huaxia Kingdom before the Great Nirvana period!

That area can be described as one of the most terrifying regions in the entire Eurasian region. It is located near the ocean, so there are a large number of sea monsters in some of the rivers.

This place boasts the most numerous architectural complexes in almost all of Asia, which also results in an astonishing number of monsters here. There are many lord-level monsters here, and even monsters that surpass the lord level reside here!

A large number of top martial artists have come here!

Even martial artists from other base cities in China have come here specifically!

This place is practically a battleground for human warriors and monsters!

"You brat!"

"Do you think I'm afraid?"

Zuo Xingyuan laughed and cursed, then explained indignantly, "Going to city number 003 is fine, but all we do is go out there and beg for money?"

"If you really go inside, there are tons of lord-level monsters."

"Since we're going to an event, shouldn't we at least go downtown? Otherwise, would you dare say you've been there?"

"snort!"

"Don't underestimate 011. That's the Yangtze River basin, where countless monsters from the sea can swim here. There are quite a few lords there too. If you really run into them, you'll have no choice but to run!"

"I feel... Uncle Zuo, you'd better not say such things," Ning Ze said hesitantly.

"Hahaha, yes, shut your stinking mouth!"

"We'll only encounter high-level beast generals!"

"If we attract a lord-level monster, you can forget about being the captain!"

The war squad, amidst laughter and chatter, returned to the wilderness as night fell.

Along the way, Ning Ze easily dealt with those high-level beast soldiers.

Because of the short distance, they arrived at the outskirts of City 011 in just three hours.

On the second floor of a two-story building that had not yet collapsed, the combat squad temporarily rested and prepared to start hunting monsters during the day.

"Not bad, Xiaoze can kill F-class monsters like it's nothing now." Zuo Xingyuan's words were full of praise.

Ma Yu smiled and said, "Being able to exert force is naturally different. Even a high-level warrior has the strength of a junior general, not to mention that his movement technique is at the microscopic level. These F-level monsters are nothing to him."

Ning Ze nodded slightly, turned to look out the window, and tentatively asked, "Uncle Zuo, can I go out and hunt monsters now?"

Upon hearing this, Zuo Xingyuan's expression changed drastically, and he retorted, "Nonsense! Those predators are nocturnal, and darkness is their preferred fighting environment. Going out now is just suicide!"

Ning Ze remained silent for a moment. He knew his own situation. His current strength was close to 5700kg, and after three times the strength, it would be 17100kg, which would reach the level of intermediate warrior. In addition, he also had the ability to move with great precision. His strength was even greater than that of Zuo Xingyuan.

Seeing that Ning Ze remained silent, Zuo Xingyuan's expression softened considerably. He patiently said, "I know you're talented and enjoy challenges, but nighttime is just too dangerous. Besides, we're not familiar with this area, which makes it even more dangerous!"

"Tomorrow we'll hunt a monster. If your strength satisfies me, I'll let you go."

Ning Ze considered it for a moment. He was also unfamiliar with the night, but as a mid-level warrior, he would have a hard time dealing with those assassins.

Currently, his proficiency in both movement techniques and swordsmanship exceeds 5500. Based on his current training progress, he should be able to raise it to 6666 in two or three days of combat. Following the pattern, he should be able to train to exert power four times over by then, which would further enhance his strength and make him much safer.

"good!"

Silent all night.

The next day, they arrived at the roof of a bar, which was considered a relatively tall building in the suburbs; anything taller had basically collapsed.

Six people lay on the rooftop, using binoculars to search the entire city.

Xu Liang excitedly exclaimed, "We spotted a black-armored, purple-eyed crocodile at the 33 o'clock position! Judging by its size, it should be a mid-level beast general! Damn! There's another large one next to it; we didn't even see it when it was lying motionless in the sand. This one definitely has the strength of a high-level beast general! One... two... three... five... wow! They're all beast generals!"

Zuo Xingyuan kicked to the side, "Don't fucking look over the river. You want to die, but I don't. Who knows how many monsters are hiding in there? This is already downstream; further downstream is the East China Sea! I wouldn't be surprised if a beast tide appeared."

"There are so many monsters here. I've found one too. We only have a few hundred under our command, but we can handle it. It's just a bit far." Yang Chao was very happy, his voice filled with excitement.

Ma Yu warned, "Old Yang, check your gun carefully. You'll need a silencer here. Otherwise, with such obvious gunfire, who knows how many beast generals will suddenly appear? Besides, they even have lord-level monster leaders among them."

"Don't worry! My gun is my precious treasure, it definitely won't have any problems!" Yang Chao assured him.

"At the 45 o'clock position, at the crossroads two kilometers away, there's a Bloodthirsty Tank. Its strength should be that of a mid-level Beast General. It also has hundreds of subordinates around it, but they're all injured. I feel like we can make our move here." Zhang Chen rationally analyzed the situation and turned to look at Zuo Xingyuan.

"A mid-level beast general?"

Zuo Xingyuan's eyes lit up, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "This one works. It's close, and they have fewer men. It's just that they're injured. Let me take a look first."

Xu Liang looked at a 45-degree angle and quickly found the monster. He said with a look of fascination, "I feel like money is beckoning to me! Even a mid-level Beast General-grade Bloodthirsty Tank costs 5000 million. That's comparable to a high-level Beast General."

Ning Ze also adjusted the binoculars.

A bizarre, entirely red monster, resembling a tank, was coiled there, heavy and full of power.

It was surrounded by a hundred or so boar-like monsters, including one-horned wild boars and iron-haired wild boars. Many of them were limping, clearly having just finished a battle.

Zuo Xingyuan observed for a moment and said, "It's mostly my men who are injured, but this big guy is fine. The hostile monster shouldn't be too strong. Here, let's start the first battle of the day with this one."

It was time for Yang Chao to shoot again, and Ning Ze and the others remained quiet to avoid affecting Yang Chao's judgment.

"Boom!"

A deep sound rang out, bullets traversed space, the ears of the Bloodthirsty Tank deformed at a visible speed, the monster's head shook, and then blood gushed from its ears.

The surrounding unicorns and iron-haired boars panicked, circling the corpse of the Bloodthirsty Tank, with some of the larger ones even nudging it.

"Charge! Finish this quickly!"

Zuo Xingyuan gave a soft shout and took the lead, rushing downstairs and running towards that direction.

Ning Ze followed closely behind the group.

As Yang Chao ran, he continued firing in short bursts; with each thud, a monster fell. The horde became even more panicked; some fled, while others stood in front of the beast general-level monsters.

The group ran forward at a speed exceeding 50 m/s, reaching the monster horde in just 40 seconds.

Seeing the charging unicorn boar, Ning Ze casually thrust out his sword.

As their figures clashed, Ning Ze pierced the eye of the one-horned boar with his longsword, and continued rushing forward without pausing for a moment.

Without Beast General-level monsters, their charge could not be stopped at all, and the monsters that did not escape were quickly killed.

At this moment, Zuo Xingyuan ordered, "Ning Ze, be in charge of guarding. The rest of you, deal with the corpses of the Bloodthirsty Tanks. These monsters were attacked earlier, and there may be another group of monsters nearby."

"good!"

Ning Ze carefully observed his surroundings. He hadn't been able to see them clearly before because of the distance, but now, upon closer inspection, he could see not only the wounds from swords and bullets, but also very obvious claw marks.

Some parts of their faces even had patches of skin and flesh missing, looking somewhat like they'd been scraped with a knife, but they certainly wouldn't attack a monster like that.

"A monster with long fangs?"

Ning Ze pondered for a moment. In the distance, he saw a blue figure rapidly passing by the street. It was gone in a flash, and because of the distance and speed, he couldn't see what it was.

"An ordinary monster?"

Ning Ze frowned, his eyes intently fixed on the dilapidated streets to the east.

Suddenly, his expression changed drastically.

Along the street a mile away, streaks of blue shadows darted left and right, and not only on the ground, but also between the buildings on both sides, making the street seem as if it were entangled by countless blue threads.

"Captain! There's trouble on East Street!"

Zuo Xingyuan immediately turned his head to look, his pupils suddenly contracting. With his experience, he turned to look to the west, where countless blue shadows were also moving about. Blue shadows were also scattered throughout the north and south, though not as densely as on the east and west sides.

"Oh no, we're in big trouble! That's a long-fanged green demon! Everyone on alert, prepare to break out!"

"Aren't they used to roaming in the wild? How come they've come into the city?" Xu Liang's face was very grim.

"There's no point in talking about that now. Since they've appeared, there must be at least a thousand of them! As naturally social monsters, they are extremely good at teamwork, and their leaders are highly intelligent. They are also very cunning! Let's first determine the direction of our breakout." Zuo Xingyuan's eyes were sharp as he observed all directions.

Ma Yu said worriedly, "The most troublesome thing now is that we don't know their strength. If they are leaders of junior warriors, there may only be a thousand or so, but if they are leaders of intermediate warriors, the number will be at least twice as many."

"How could we not have noticed before? These guys are too cunning; they must have been hiding." Xu Liang was furious.

"We use monster materials to make equipment, and these monsters also eat meat to evolve. This bloodthirsty tank should be their prey," Zhang Chen analyzed rationally.

Zuo Xingyuan instantly understood and gave the order, "Let's go, we'll head east!" After saying that, he ran eastward.

To the east lies the city center.

The Bloodthirsty Tank is a native monster, while the Long-Fanged Blue Oni is an invasive hunting group. If they want to escape and survive, they can only head towards the direction of the Lord Monster in the depths.

As the War Squad began to flee, long-fanged blue demons instantly sprang out from all directions, the ground seeming to be swept by a layer of blue waves. Their figures filled the four streets at the crossroads, completely surrounding the War Squad.

As Ning Ze got closer, he was able to see the monster's appearance more clearly.

Its fur is either blue or greenish-blue, and it looks somewhat like a wolf, but its thick limbs and huge head make it look more like a cat-like monster.

Their faces are very ugly, with round heads, long pointed snouts, long hair around their eyes that can only be seen as thin slits, and two fangs on their mouths that look like two curved blades. Overall, they are very terrifying.

They either pose as if attacking on the street, or they stick out their ugly heads from the windows of the commercial buildings on both sides of the street.

Zuo Xingyuan didn't look at these ordinary long-fanged green demons. These monsters were notorious in the wild, and he had seen plenty of footage of martial arts teams being attacked online.

His eyes trembled as he stared at the three monsters on the wrecked bus ahead.

Compared to the ordinary long-fanged blue oni, these three monsters were significantly larger. The ordinary long-fanged blue oni was only two meters long, while even the two smaller ones of these three monsters were over four meters long. They were lying sideways on the bus.

As for the middle end... it's impossible to tell how long it is. It faces forward and stands on a two-meter-high bus, looking down at the members of the War Squad. It's at least six meters tall, with a shoulder height of more than three meters.

What terrified Zuo Xingyuan the most was their fur color. Two of the long-fanged green demons had small parts of white fur, while the largest long-fanged green demon was almost half white.

According to the monster data, the two long-fanged blue demons were at the level of junior generals, while the leader was at the level of intermediate general.

"We've fallen for their trap! These bastards figured out we were trying to escape deeper into the city!"

"Old Yang!" Zuo Xingyuan turned around, his eyes seeming to ask if he was confident in taking down the one in the middle.

Yang Chao shook his head with a grim expression.

The Long Fang Green Demon is known for its speed; even though it is a mid-level beast general, it is faster than a high-level beast general and can easily dodge bullets.

Sniper rifles are of little use against monsters of this level unless there is overwhelming firepower!

Zuo Xingyuan was only asking tentatively, and he had anticipated this outcome. He shouted, "Let's go all out!"

To catch the thief, first catch the king. If possible, they can only choose to kill these three monsters. If not, they can escape to the city center.

As for other directions... Long-haired Green Demons are monsters that roam the wild, and their greatest skill is roaming the wild. Not only will they not be able to escape, but they will also be exhausted to death. They can only fight head-on!

Ning Ze sensed the tension mixed with despair among the crowd. He gripped the Qinghong Longsword tightly in his hand, and a faint blood-red glint appeared in his eyes.

"If I kill them all, Uncle Zuo should allow me to fight alone, right? How much will I improve in this battle?"

(End of this chapter)