novelden Chapter 168 Trying to Run Away? Too Late
Chapter 168 Trying to Run Away? Too Late
In the mountains and forests, birds chirped, and sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Zhuang Yu and Wang Yao walked along the forest path. The joy of victory had not yet completely dissipated, but a tense atmosphere permeated the air.
"Young master, are we really going to take this path?" Wang Yao asked softly, her delicate brows furrowed as she anxiously looked around.
Zhuang Yu smiled slightly, but a barely perceptible cold glint flashed in his eyes. "Yao'er, believe me, although this road seems dangerous, it will get us back faster." His hand unconsciously tightened around the hilt of his sword, his knuckles turning slightly white.
The surrounding trees towered into the clouds, blocking out the sun, making the light in the forest even dimmer, as if entering a huge maze.
The wind rustled through the leaves, making a sound like countless whispers, which sent chills down one's spine.
Wang Yao followed closely behind Zhuang Yu, her palms slightly sweaty.
“Young Master…” Wang Yao hesitated, feeling an inexplicable sense of oppression, as if something was lurking in the shadows, waiting for its chance to strike.
Zhuang Yu stopped and took a deep breath. The air was filled with a faint smell of blood, mixed with a hint of decay, which made him even more certain of his judgment.
"Yao'er, hold my hand tightly," he said in a deep voice, his tone carrying an undeniable authority.
Without hesitation, Wang Yao reached out and tightly grasped Zhuang Yu's hand. A warm feeling emanated from his palm, which reassured her considerably.
Zhuang Yu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a confident smile. "Don't worry, everything is under my control." He took Wang Yao's hand and continued walking forward, his steps firm and powerful.
With a "whoosh!", a sharp arrow pierced the air and headed straight for Zhuang Yu's face.
With lightning speed, Zhuang Yu pulled Wang Yao behind him and simultaneously swung his sword to deflect the incoming arrow.
With a crisp clang, the arrow was deflected and embedded deeply into the trunk of a nearby tree.
"Who goes there? Sneaking around like that, get out here right now!" Zhuang Yu shouted coldly, his voice echoing through the mountains and forests like thunder.
There was silence all around, and no one responded.
"Young master, be careful!" Wang Yao exclaimed in alarm, as she sensed a powerful killing intent surging in from all directions.
Zhuang Yu's eyes sharpened.
A cold laugh echoed from deep within the woods, "Heh, what arrogance..."
Before the cold laugh had even faded, more than a dozen figures burst out from the depths of the woods and surrounded Zhuang Yu and Wang Yao.
The person in charge was none other than Hong Qi, who had a previous conflict with Zhuang Yu in the market.
He stared at Zhuang Yu with a sinister look, his eyes flashing with venomous light. "Boy, you've chosen the path to hell when there's a way to heaven! Today is your death day!"
Zhuang Yu looked around and sneered inwardly.
These rogue cultivators were at most at the late Foundation Establishment stage, and were no threat to him at all.
"You think you can take my life with your rabble?" he said contemptuously, with a hint of mockery.
"Hmph, stop putting on airs!" Hong Qi roared. "Brothers, attack! Kill him!"
The rogue cultivators swarmed forward, unleashing a barrage of magical artifacts and spells upon Zhuang Yu.
However, Zhuang Yu remained completely calm.
With a thought, a wisp of pale golden flame rose from his palm, radiating terrifying heat.
This is the extraordinary fire he refined—the Golden Crow True Fire!
As soon as the strange fire appeared, the surrounding temperature instantly rose, and the air seemed to be distorted.
The rogue cultivators sensed this terrifying aura and were immediately terrified, their faces changing drastically as they retreated in disarray.
"A strange... strange fire?!" Hong Qi stared in horror, his voice trembling. He never expected that this seemingly ordinary young man would possess such a powerful strange fire!
A burly, rugged cultivator with a face full of scars, who was none other than Ah San, whom Zhuang Yu had previously taught a lesson to, roared and brandished his giant axe, charging towards Zhuang Yu first.
"Kid, I'll kill you first!" He thought Zhuang Yu was too weak after the previous battle, and it was the perfect time to strike.
However, he greatly underestimated Zhuang Yu's strength.
Zhuang Yu dodged Ah San's attack with a flash, and at the same time, he struck Ah San's chest with a backhand.
"boom!"
With a muffled thud, Ah San flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground, spitting out blood.
The trees around him rustled and leaves fell from the tremor.
Another rogue cultivator standing next to Ah San, Ah Si, turned pale with fright upon seeing this scene, and almost dropped his longsword.
He hesitated, not daring to step forward.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Hong Qi's face turned terribly gloomy.
He took a deep breath and slowly raised the staff in his hand...
Hong Qi's face was gloomy. He knew that he was no match for Zhuang Yu in a one-on-one fight.
A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. He raised his staff high and shouted sharply, "Attack together! We'll wear him down to death!"
Upon hearing this, the rogue cultivators' eyes flashed with ferocity, and they attacked Zhuang Yu once again.
Amidst the clash of swords and the flurry of spells, the forest was filled with flying sand and stones, swaying trees, and deafening shouts of battle.
Although Zhuang Yu was strong, he understood the principle that many ants can kill an elephant, given the sheer number of his opponents.
He dodged left and right, his sword energy crisscrossing, repelling wave after wave of attacks, but the rogue cultivators were fearless and relentless, gradually making him feel overwhelmed.
With a "rip," Zhuang Yu's sleeve was torn by a wind blade, revealing a shallow bloodstain on his arm.
He frowned slightly, feeling the stinging pain in his arm, and thought to himself, "It seems I can't delay any longer."
Seeing Zhuang Yu injured, the rogue cultivators became even more excited and their attacks became even more ferocious.
Zhuang Yu's clothes were torn in several places, revealing a few small wounds.
The land around him was also shrouded in dust from the battle, and the air was thick with the pungent smell of blood and earth, creating a tense and oppressive atmosphere.
"Zhuang Yu! Go for it!" A clear shout pierced through the noisy fighting and reached Zhuang Yu's ears.
Zhuang Yu turned his head and saw Wang Yao standing not far away, staring at him with a firm gaze. Although her voice was not loud, it was like a warm current flowing into Zhuang Yu's heart.
Zhuang Yu felt a warmth in his heart, and a powerful force surged from the bottom of his heart.
He took a deep breath, his gaze sharp as he scanned the surrounding rogue cultivators, a confident smile playing on his lips.
He felt Wang Yao's trust, which made him more determined and fearless.
To protect her and to live up to her trust, he must defeat the enemy before him!
"Yao'er, look at me!" Zhuang Yu shouted, his voice full of strength and confidence.
He gripped the sword with both hands, raising it high above his head. A powerful aura erupted from him, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze.
"Next, I'll show you true power!" Zhuang Yu's voice echoed through the mountains and forests like a booming bell.
A glint of light flashed in his eyes, and he slowly closed them, silently reciting an ancient and mysterious incantation...
Zhuang Yu slowly opened his eyes, a flash of golden light passing through them.
The longsword in his hand emitted a clear, ringing sound, as if responding to its master's call.
A powerful surge of spiritual energy emanated from Zhuang Yu and spread outwards, causing the surrounding trees to shake violently and leaves to fall like rain.
"Golden Crow Burning Heaven Technique!" Zhuang Yu roared, and the long sword in his hand transformed into a golden stream of light, soaring straight into the sky.
Golden light illuminated the entire mountain forest, as if turning night into day.
A scorching heat swept over them, and the rogue cultivators felt as if their faces were being roasted by fire, making it difficult to breathe.
"What kind of technique is this?!" Hong Qi's expression changed drastically; he had never seen such powerful strength before.
As the golden light faded, a giant golden firebird appeared in mid-air, letting out a deafening cry.
With a flap of its wings, the firebird unleashed countless golden flames that fell like meteors, engulfing the rogue cultivators.
"what!"
"Help!"
Screams rose and fell as the rogue cultivators were engulfed by the golden flames and instantly turned to ashes.
Hong Qi was terrified. He turned around and tried to escape, but a golden light blocked his way.
Zhuang Yu's figure appeared before him like a ghost, the long sword in his hand radiating a chilling aura.
"Want to run? It's too late!"
Zhuang Yu swung his sword, and a sharp sword aura sliced through the air, heading straight for Hong Qi.
Hong Qi tried to defend himself in a panic, but it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot; he was utterly helpless.
"puff!"
Hong Qi coughed up blood, flew backward, and crashed heavily to the ground.
He struggled to get up, but found himself powerless and could only watch helplessly as Zhuang Yu approached step by step.
"Spare...spare my life..." Hong Qi begged in a trembling voice.
Zhuang Yu looked at him coldly, without a trace of pity in her eyes.
"In your next life, remember not to provoke the wrong people."
After saying that, Zhuang Yu pierced Hong Qi's heart with his sword.
The remaining rogue cultivators, seeing this, were already terrified and knelt down begging for mercy.
"Please spare us! We won't dare to do it again!"
Zhuang Yu ignored their pleas for mercy, and his long sword transformed into streaks of golden light, killing them one by one.
The battle ended, and the mountains and forests returned to calm, with only the strong smell of blood in the air silently telling the tragic story that had just unfolded.
Zhuang Yu sheathed his sword, walked to Wang Yao's side, and said gently, "It's alright, Yao'er."
Wang Yao looked at Zhuang Yu, hugged him tightly, and felt his warmth and strength.
"Young master, you are truly amazing!"
Zhuang Yu gently stroked Wang Yao's hair, a slight smile appearing on his lips.
Just then, Zhuang Yu suddenly sensed an unusual aura. He looked up and found that the sky in front of him had become extremely dark, as if night had fallen.
"Yao'er..."