Chapter 9: Only Death in Battle
Crack!
At that moment, the Water Element Shield shattered, and the serpent-like chain shot straight toward Song Changsheng.
“Rise, Blazing Sun Formation!” Song Changsheng raised both hands. Crimson array patterns surged beneath his feet, instantly enveloping everyone.
An illusory sun appeared above his head. As the “venomous serpent” touched the searing radiance, a sizzle resounded, and a cloud of blood mist evaporated on contact.
“Damn it!” The demonic cultivator hastily withdrew the chain. In just that brief moment, the once smooth surface had become pitted and scarred, causing him visible heartache.
“Arrogant fool, die for me!” roared the demonic cultivator at the eighth layer of Qi Refinement. He flung out a blood-red bead brimming with murderous intent.
With one hand controlling the formation, Song Changsheng formed another spell seal. His treasure gourd spun wildly and collided with the bead in mid-air, sparks flying as neither side gave way.
“This one's tough. Attack together!”
The remaining three enemies summoned their magical tools, joining the assault. Instantly, Song Changsheng found himself under immense pressure.
His hands blurred with seals. With a resonant hum, twelve triangular formation flags emerged from the ground. Eyes wide with fury, he bellowed, “Blazing Sun, Burn the Sky!”
The blazing sun above turned a deep orange, and flames erupted across the ground, transforming the battlefield into a sea of fire.
This was no ordinary flame, once it touched the body, it clung like bone-devouring maggots, nearly impossible to dispel. The enemy had to channel a large amount of spiritual energy to keep the fire at bay.
But that was exactly what Song Changsheng had waited for.
The “Fire” character in his palm ignited, and the entire sea of flames bent to his will.
“Fire Rain Art!”
He pressed his palm downward. From the illusory sun, a torrential rain of fire poured forth.
Empowered by the formation and Song Changsheng’s exquisite control from his Water-Fire Commanding Technique, even this first-rank spell exploded with terrifying force, enough to threaten even a ninth-layer Qi Refinement cultivator.
Incredibly, Song Changsheng was now suppressing all four enemies.
Yet his brows remained furrowed. He knew this was only temporary, his spiritual energy was draining fast. He had to break the deadlock.
“You!”
He locked eyes on a short demonic cultivator, only at the fourth layer of Qi Refinement and already showing signs of fatigue.
Song Changsheng's figure flickered. The short cultivator blinked, and suddenly, a shadow was right in front of him.
Startled, he tried to resist with demonic arts, but Song Changsheng flicked a finger and flames pierced through his skull.
Before the lifeless body could fall, it turned to ash in the raging fire.
“Old Nine!” the ninth-layer demonic cultivator howled, eyes bloodshot. He lunged at Song Changsheng, the chain in his hand moving like a viper.
Caught off guard, Song Changsheng took a glancing blow to the arm. A chunk of flesh was torn clean off.
“Fight!”
The pain only fueled Song Changsheng’s fury. A look of fierce resolve flashed in his eyes. He pulled out a porcelain bottle from his qiankun pouch and downed more than half in one gulp.
His eyes widened. Violent spiritual power surged from his Zhongwan acupoint¹, racing through his limbs and bones.
His nearly depleted energy surged back.
“Ah-!”
He let out a thunderous roar. The treasure gourd erupted in power, knocking back all opposing magical tools and returning to his side.
Now, he stood amidst the inferno, holding the Water-Fire Treasure Gourd, the blazing sun above his head, and fire dragons coiling around him like a war god descended.
“Impossible…” The demonic cultivators were stunned. Was this the power of a mere Qi Refinement cultivator?
“Control!”
With both arms outstretched, the fire dragons around Song Changsheng roared forth. One of the remaining fourth-layer enemies didn’t even have time to react before being reduced to ash.
“Damn it! We'll die together!” The final two demonic cultivators grew savage. They attacked from both sides in a pincer strike.
Song Changsheng’s meridians and dantian were bursting with energy. He needed release.
“Come!”
The entire formation roared to life. The twelve flags circled him protectively, and the blazing sun overhead plummeted straight toward the eighth-layer demonic cultivator.
He had spent most of his energy resisting the flames. Now, faced with the falling sun, he could only watch in despair as it engulfed him.
Whoosh!
The sun devoured him completely but Song Changsheng paid a price. A chain slammed into his chest, nearly crushing his organs.
“Come, fight me to the death!” Blood trickled from his lips, but his gaze burned with madness. At this point, he feared nothing.
“Madman!” The last demonic cultivator was exhausted but had no way back. Only one could survive.
“Blood Demon Grand Art!”
The cultivator roared. Blood light surged around him, he began burning his own life force.
Song Changsheng stood firm, glaring. “Today, I will make sure you won't be allowed to enter the cycle of reincarnation!”
With a blinding flash, they collided.
Flames surged. Amidst the chaotic exchange, one figure collapsed then disintegrated into ashes.
When the fire faded, Song Changsheng knelt on one knee, surrounded by shattered formation flags.
Cough, cough. “So this… is the strength of a ninth-layer cultivator…” He clutched his chest and rose with difficulty. It was barely a victory.
He swallowed healing pills and surveyed the area. Within several hundred meters, nothing remained but scorched earth. Fortunately, he had exercised some control or the entire mountain would have been razed.
The demonic cultivators had turned to ash. Only their magical tools and qiankun pouches survived the blaze.
He gathered them, meditated briefly, then prepared to aid Song Luding’s group.
But before he could act, a chilling voice rang out:
“So… Second Brother actually died by your hand. We truly underestimated you.”
Song Changsheng turned.
Four black-robed figures emerged from the forest.
One of them tossed the unconscious Song Changying to the ground. Coldly, he said, “Those two old fools are already in the Yellow Springs. Hand over the brats, or I’ll make her life a living hell.”
Song Changsheng’s eyes burned with fury. “You beast!”
“Hmph. Stay silent, or I’ll crush her skull right now!”
The masked man planted his foot on Song Changying’s head, voice laced with menace.
Just as Song Changsheng was caught in a desperate bind. A streak of rainbow light descended from the sky. A cold voice echoed: “You’re not worthy.”
The masked man blinked. In an instant, his three companions were riddled with silver needles, collapsing dead on the spot.
A sharp pain bloomed in his chest. Looking down, he saw a silver needle thin as hair trembling at his heart.
He panicked, reaching to pull it out only to feel his feet leave the ground.
A cold, murderous female cultivator held him by the throat, lifting him effortlessly.
“Mother, cough.” Song Changsheng finally let out a breath of relief. She had arrived just in time.
Seeing Song Changsheng covered in wounds, Xia Yunxue’s fury reached its peak. Her eyes locked onto the masked man.
“Speak. Who sent you?”
(Chapter End)
¹ Zhongwan Acupoint: An important acupuncture point located on the upper abdomen, associated with the stomach and internal energy flow in traditional Chinese medicine.