Once, Yang Ying had been cautious and quiet, weighed down by endless responsibilities. Now, he stood unwavering and fearless, perhaps finally revealing the self that had always been trapped beneath his shell.
Chu Kuang could even vaguely see a shadow of Gu Han in him. How could that be? Then, it occurred to him.
The pills!
âThose pills you took... What exactly are they?!â he demanded.
A streak of light, domineering and fierce to the extreme, was his answer. It was Yang Yingâs spear.
Chu Kuangâs eyes went wide as a surge of threat washed over him, forcing him to retreat. Without hesitation, he shouted fiercely, âPrimordial Savage!â
The colossal maw manifested once more, faintly carrying ghostly wails and devouring intent from another world. It lunged straight toward Yang Ying, about to tear him apart.
Yang Yingâs aura surged up another notch. His spear cracked, seemingly unable to bear the explosive force of his spirit qi any longer, but he didnât seem to notice. Nearly turning into a blurry afterimage, he stabbed his spear straight at the mouth.
Ultimately, the spearâs material paled in comparison to Murong Yanâs hammer. Under the mouthâs assault, its cracks multiplied, on the verge of shattering.
The bloody glint in Yang Yingâs eyes grew even brighter. âBreak!â
His spirit qi swept up and wrapped around the spear, reinforcing it. The next moment, that mouth devoured him.
Chu Kuang was uncertain. âAre you dead yet, Junior Brother Yang?!â
As much as Shen Xuan wanted to help, being beaten by that little beast had nearly cost him half his life.
Suddenly, a wild and violent aura scattered across the field. They saw the mouth tremble briefly before a streak of light shredded it, and Yang Ying reappeared before everyone. He was covered in wounds and bruises, but they were healing rapidly thanks to the Emerald Condensation Pill.
Chu Kuang exclaimed in shock, âThatâs impossible!â
Even if he was far from fully recovered, the Primordial Savage was his strongest move in this world. He never imagined Yang Ying would counter it just like that.
Yang Ying didnât care what he said. Having shredded the mouth, his aura surged another level. He didnât stop there. His spear thrust out like a dragon as the light arrived once more.
Chu Kuang ignored everything else and unleashed his divine sense attack. Yet all it did was make the bloody glint in Yang Yingâs eyes burn even fiercer.
In a flash, the two figures passed each other.
Chu Kuang incredulously stared at the newly appeared wound on his chest, so deep the bone was visible. âYou wounded me?â
Being wounded by Gu Han was one thing. He had come to acknowledge Gu Han, a nine-ring prodigy, as his sworn foe. And yet, he had been wounded by a mere mortal physique, someone he hadnât even deemed worthy of his attention. How could he accept this?
Having fought for so long, Yang Ying said for the first time, his voice somewhat hoarse, âEight rings of the Dao Bell, a heavenly pride, and nothing more.â
However, Shen Xuan couldnât be happy at all. âJunior Brother Yang!â
He understood very well that Yang Ying was staking his very life on this fight.
Right at that moment, a domineering and unmatched spear light flashed, obliterating the little beast which had tormented Shen Xuan.
Not far away, Zhao Mengyou and Di Kan solemnly exchanged a glance. Yang Yingâs strength far exceeded their imagination.
Wu Hanâs had a long face. âGo! All together! Kill him first, then Gu Han! Heâs just a mortal physique!â
Beside him, two followers attacked Yang Ying.
âWorthy of death!â
Yang Ying remained unmoved. He was as fast as lightning, leaving an afterimage where he stood. Instead of dodging or evading, he charged at the two to kill them. With a dragon-like momentum, the glittering spear tip pierced through one followerâs throat.
The dying man stared wide-eyed at Yang Ying. âYouââ
Spear intent surged, bursting from the manâs head in an instant.
The other follower struck Yang Ying. He staggered several steps, seemingly not feeling pain at all. Without turning, he stabbed straight backward, driving the spear shaft toward the man. Though the shaft was blunt, the intent was razor-sharp. It pierced into the man, eliciting a miserable cry.
Yang Ying raised the spear high, lifting the man into the air.
That man endured the agony and shouted for help, âYoung master, save meââ
Wu Hanâs expression twisted grotesquely. âDamn it! You release him rightââ
Yang Ying didnât even wait for him to finish speaking. With a flick of the spear, that man instantly flew toward him. Mid-air, the residual spear intent exploded, reducing the man into a cloud of blood mist. Blood scattered, dyeing half the sky red. Taken by surprise, Wu Hanâs clothes were soon stained with large splatters of blood.
Suddenly, Qi Junâs furious shout rang out. âDevour Spirit!â
Before everyone knew it, he had appeared behind Yang Ying. He seized the fleeting opening in Yang Yingâs guard, dim light streaking over his palms as they hit their mark.
In that instant, his Spirit-Devouring Physique was activated. He intended to convert all of Yang Yingâs spirit qi for his own use. However, Yang Yingâs spirit qi had become so explosive, he could not devour it quickly.
Yang Ying said again, his voice growing even hoarser, âA mortal physique can also slay a heavenly pride!â
He paid no mind to Qi Junâs attack, violently smashing his spear down like a heavy staff. Cracked as it were, when wrapped in his spirit qi, its hardness rivaled a profound item. Qi Jun screamed in agony as the strike nearly shattered half of his shoulder to pieces.
Giving him no chance to breathe, Yang Ying flicked his spear, altering its path. The tip was soon aimed straight at Qi Junâs brow. Suddenly, Chu Kuangâs devouring maw reappeared, biting down on the spear.
Yang Ying frowned slightly. His cultivation base surged to its peak. With a light flick of his hand, he once again tore the mouth to shreds. Qi Jun narrowly escaped with his life thanks to this.
Yang Ying stared at him. âYou lost. So what if Iâm a mortal physique? If I want to slay you, then Iâll slay you!â
Half of Qi Junâs shoulder was a bloody mess. Under the blow of pain and humiliation, his expression grew even more twisted.
Chu Kuang fixed his gaze on Yang Ying. âEveryone, this man must have taken some kind of medicine. It definitely will not last long! All together now! Go all out and kill this man! If we delay any longer, we wonât be able to get anything!â
These words were clearly aimed at Zhao Mengyou and Di Kan. The two exchanged a glance, but ultimately did not make a move. At this moment, they feared Yang Ying more than Gu Hanâs retaliation. The man was a bit too freakishly strong.
Meanwhile, Chu Kuang, Wu Han, Qi Jun, and their followers were closing in on Yang Ying.
Yang Ying lowered his head, his expression unclear. Yet his tone remained the same as before. âHe is my friend. If you want to lay your hands on him, youâll have to get through me first!â
Suddenly, he lifted his head and glanced toward the top of the tower. His flesh and blood were gradually withering. Meridians burned like fire, nearly cracking inch by inch. Waves of dizziness came from his mind. Clearly, his soul power had already burned to the limit.
The man was like his spear, and the spear was like the man. In truth, his body had long since shattered, barely held together by his final conviction. Such a pain would've driven an ordinary man to madness, yet he seemed not to feel it at all.
Hold on before he comes out. I must not be defeated, and I must not die!
Suddenly, he withdrew his gaze and fluidly thrusted the spear downward, burying it half a chi into the ground. âAs heavenly prides, you will remember one name today, and that is Yang Ying of the mortal physique!â
With these words, his eyes turned completely blood-red.