Chapter Ninety-Five: Half-Step into the Artistic Realm

He had originally thought that, with his sixth-level strength, he could easily overwhelm this man. Now, it seemed he had underestimated his opponent.

Facing Zhang Haoran’s attacks, Song Ce used the power of wind to dodge as much as possible, while counterattacking in turn. Yet his efforts yielded little effect.

Zhang Haoran’s attack speed was far from slow, and the heavy sword didn’t hinder him at all. Song Ce was astonished that Zhang Haoran could wield such a hefty blade with such ease. Even if he himself relied on the power of wind, he doubted he could achieve the same.

After a few exchanges, Song Ce discerned what power Zhang Haoran was currently wielding.

“Half-step Intent Realm!”

“A body cultivator!”

Over the past decade, humanity’s means of gaining power no longer depended solely on life cards. One could also cultivate oneself, a process not so different from nurturing a life card. Body cultivation simply directed the energy meant for the life card into oneself. The downside was lacking the aid and augmentation of a life card’s power. The advantage: breaking through the sixth level required only comprehending the Martial Intent Realm, regardless of the life card’s quality.

Each path had its pros and cons—one’s choice depended on the individual.

Of course, it wasn’t a matter of picking one or the other; dual cultivation was also possible.

Song Ce wasn’t sure what Intent Realm Zhang Haoran was cultivating, but he knew it was related to strength and that Zhang Haoran hadn’t fully grasped it yet. Otherwise, he wouldn’t still be at the peak of the fifth level.

The battle grew fierce. Zhang Haoran ignored anything Song Ce said, swinging his massive sword relentlessly, determined to cut Song Ce down. His flowing Daoist robes and his orderly yet unpredictable movements gave him an ethereal air, even though he wielded a heavy blade.

Even as a sixth-level cultivator, Song Ce couldn’t subdue Zhang Haoran immediately; in fact, he seemed to be falling behind.

Pressed by Zhang Haoran’s relentless assault, Song Ce was forced to use the abilities of his life card.

With a clash, he borrowed its power to leap away from Zhang Haoran.

With a wave of his hand, a multitude of gray, sword-like feathers appeared behind Song Ce. As he swept his hand, the sword feathers shot forth like arrows.

Zhang Haoran lifted his sword, holding the middle, and spun the massive blade.

“Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!...”

The clash of metal echoed again and again.

Every sword feather was deflected.

Upon seeing this, Song Ce sheathed his long knife. A black bow appeared in his hands. He set a blue arrow, drew the string to its fullest, and let fly. The blue arrow shot out like a beam of light.

By the time Zhang Haoran reacted, the arrow was already upon him. Instinctively, he raised his sword to block. The tremendous force sent Zhang Haoran flying!

He crashed into the ground with a thunderous boom that shook the earth twice.

Lu Sheng glanced towards the fight and asked Xiong Zijie, “Is your brother alright?”

Xiong Zijie strode forward, unconcerned. “Don’t worry. The little Daoist is far more skilled than I am. He’s only facing a newcomer to the sixth level and still hasn’t beaten him. He’s just using the opponent for practice—he could have left long ago.”

Lu Sheng was momentarily speechless. Were these two really so formidable?

If not for the sheer numbers of the Mad God Sect, these two could have fought their way out alone.

Now, they too were about to face battle, and Lu Sheng had no time to spectate further.

Surrounded by Mad God Sect followers, the Giant Crocodile charged ahead, crushing obstacles with its massive body.

The Mad God Sect members weren’t cowards; they acted in unison to halt the Crocodile’s advance.

Various attacks struck the Crocodile, forcing it to stop. All the Mad God Sect forces gathered in front of them. The Crocodile endured the first barrage, its body instantly riddled with wounds.

Lu Sheng ordered the Rock Bear to finish off the Crocodile.

Without hesitation, the Rock Bear slammed its paw onto the Crocodile’s head.

Xiong Zijie’s brows jumped. What was this about?

He couldn’t understand why Lu Sheng would have his own creatures kill each other. True, the Crocodile had been crippled by the initial barrage, but killing his own seemed unnecessary.

Xiong Zijie didn’t dwell on it; it wasn’t his affair to meddle in others’ business.

To him, Lu Sheng was simply odd: he had so many powerful minions and was surely strong himself, yet he refused to act personally.

All of Lu Sheng’s summoned creatures had engaged the Mad God Sect, and Xiong Zijie seized the opportunity to charge forward.

Whipping out his machete, he slashed at a foe. The man dodged, but Xiong Zijie pressed the attack.

He drove his opponent back with ferocity; after a few moves, he severed both arms, then beheaded him, leaving the body limp on the ground.

With a bear-like roar, a bear spirit appeared behind Xiong Zijie—a buff, no doubt. After the bear spirit manifested, his physical prowess became terrifying.

Strength and speed increased dramatically.

Where he’d once needed several strikes to kill an opponent, now two would suffice.

He charged forth like a bulldozer, smashing all obstacles before him.

But he was only one man, surrounded and vulnerable at the flanks and rear.

Lu Sheng quickly sent the Frogmen and Goblins in to help, regardless of losses.

Their only goal was to break through at all costs, and Lu Sheng could use this to earn Xiong Zijie’s favor. Xiong Zijie was the young master of Hero’s Village, and Lu Sheng needed their Gravity Iron—perhaps he’d get his chance today.

If the Frogmen or Goblins died, so be it; he could easily raise more.

With their arrival, the gaps in Xiong Zijie’s defenses were filled.

Though weak, the Goblins and Frogmen could offer enough resistance.

As the battle intensified, both sides fought in earnest.

A truth was soon uncovered.

“These Mad God Sect members aren’t all fifth-level! Some are fourth-level!”

“Excellent!”

“Let’s kill them and break through!”

The Mad God Sect had many fifth-level members, but a small portion were only fourth-level.

This was fantastic news for the group.

In an instant, their morale soared.

With newfound momentum, their combat strength surged.

Xiong Zijie, at the front, suddenly grew taller; already as tall as Lu Sheng, he now surpassed two meters, his bulk transforming from fat to muscle.

He gripped his machete, veins bulging like enormous earthworms writhing beneath his skin.

In a second, he had transformed. He struck with a heavy blow, splitting the air with a sonic boom; three enemies ahead were cleaved in half, weapons and all.

Blood sprayed as Xiong Zijie strode forward, and in moments, more foes surrounded him.

The Mad God Sect members seemed indifferent to their comrades’ corpses and unfazed by Xiong Zijie’s rampage.

Not far away, Song Ce’s expression grew grim as he battled Zhang Haoran.

This situation seemed doomed—even his prompt intervention couldn’t turn the tide.

He looked at the man before him, crackling with blue arcs of electricity and possessed of astonishing strength, and felt a headache coming on.

Zhang Haoran was panting, his arm trembling slightly as he gripped his giant sword. Exerting himself at full strength took a heavy toll.

But seeing Xiong Zijie about to break through, Zhang Haoran felt much relieved.

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