The illusory form of the Eight - Headed Serpent let out a deafening roar that seemed to shatter the very fabric of space. The golden foil on the palace dome peeled off in flakes, fluttering down like a rain of molten gold, while the air crackled with a malevolent energy that made the hair on the back of their necks stand on end. Chen Jiuzhang instinctively shielded Shen Qingluan, his muscles tensed as they rolled to the side. The ground trembled violently beneath them, and chunks of the ancient marble floor broke apart, revealing deep fissures that oozed a pitch - black, viscous substance.The jade pendant in his hand suddenly flared with an intense, searing heat, as if it had been thrust into a furnace. It burned his palm painfully, leaving a red, blistering mark. "This jade pendant... it's reacting to the serpent's power!" he shouted, his voice barely audible over the cacophony of the serpent's roar and the crumbling palace. The birthmark on his chest began to glow with a strange, pulsating light, resonating with the pendant and casting a series of distorted, otherworldly shadows that danced wildly on his skin, as if they were alive.Zhang Chengying, ever the daredevil, stepped on the wheel of the electric bike wreckage. He maneuvered with surprising agility, zigzagging through the debris and smoke like a seasoned acrobat. With a fierce battle cry, he rushed towards the serpent's tail, his peachwood sword held high. The moment the sword struck the serpent's scales, it was like hitting a wall of diamond - hard metal. Sparks flew in all directions, creating a dazzling display against the backdrop of the dimly lit, crumbling palace. "Come on! Taste my ultimate blow, you monster!" he roared defiantly. But before he could even finish his challenge, the serpent's massive tail whipped around with lightning speed. Zhang Chengying tumbled clumsily on the ground, his body bouncing off the hard stone surface. Half of his peachwood sword was sent flying through the air, embedding itself deeply into the wall with a loud thud, leaving a long, jagged crack in the ancient masonry.Su Nian, her face pale but determined, shook her broken bell with all her might. The sound it emitted was a discordant, mournful wail, like the cries of the damned. In an instant, nine chains shot out from the bell, transforming into blood - colored pythons that lunged at the serpent's body. They coiled tightly around its massive form, constricting with all their might. However, the serpent was a being of unimaginable power. With a mere flex of its muscles, it easily broke free, and the force of its struggle sent shockwaves through the air. A new, terrifying crack appeared on the surface of the bell, spiderwebbing across its once - smooth surface, a clear sign of its impending destruction.Wu Laogou, his eyes narrowed with concentration, threw the burning Tui Bei Tu into the air. The ancient, parchment - like talismans fluttered and transformed, turning into a seething net of fire that billowed and crackled as it engulfed the serpent's head. "Jiuzhang! The star map is still rotating. We have to find a way to interrupt the 'Mars Confronting the Heart'!" he shouted, his voice hoarse from the smoke and the exertion of using his power. Chen Jiuzhang looked up, his heart pounding in his chest. The crimson dot at the center of the star map had moved to the position of the "heart," and strange, intricate sacrificial patterns began to emerge on the ground. They glowed with an unholy, pulsating light, as if they were the markings of some ancient, malevolent ritual.Gripping the Broken Snake Saber tightly, Chen Jiuzhang felt the light from the Celestial Master Order intertwine with that of the jade pendant. A powerful, almost overwhelming energy coursed through his veins. The two lights merged and condensed into a blood - red blade of light on the edge of the saber, which seemed to throb with a life of its own. "Get out of the way!" he roared, his voice filled with a mix of determination and desperation. He stepped on the Seven Star Steps, a complex and ancient martial arts footwork, moving with a grace and speed that defied the chaos around him. As he charged towards the serpent's body, the ground beneath his feet cracked and splintered, unable to withstand the sheer force of his movement.The serpent, sensing the threat, opened its huge mouth wide. A river of purple venom poured down like a torrential rain, hissing and steaming as it hit the ground, melting everything it touched into a bubbling, corrosive puddle. Shen Qingluan, her face drained of color and her body trembling from exhaustion, managed to hold up the fragment of the Imperial Jade Seal with all her remaining strength. A golden shield materialized in front of them, but it was visibly strained. The venom slammed into the shield, causing it to shimmer and flicker. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, and her legs trembled violently from the exhaustion of using up her power. Taking advantage of the momentary protection, Chen Jiuzhang leaped into the air, his body soaring through the smoke - filled air. He brought down the blood - red blade of light with all his might, aiming for the serpent's neck.However, the serpent's scales were incredibly tough, like layers of impenetrable armor forged in the fires of hell. The blade of light only left a shallow mark, sending a jolt of shock through Chen Jiuzhang's arms. Watanabe Miyuki's mocking laughter came from within the shadow of the serpent. "Fools! The illusory form of the Eight - Headed Serpent is protected by the power of the Gui Xu's origin. Did you think you could defeat it with such tricks?..." Her words were cut short as the shadow of the serpent suddenly twisted violently. The birthmark on Chen Jiuzhang's chest flared brightly, like a miniature sun, and the jade pendant let out a 龙吟 - like hum that echoed through the entire palace. From the void, a golden chain emerged, glowing with a divine light. It wrapped around the serpent's heart, constricting tightly and causing the serpent to thrash about in pain."Is this... the forbidden technique of the Chen family, 'Dragon Spine Soul - Binding'?!" Wu Laogou's eyes widened in shock, and he almost dropped his pipe. Chen Jiuzhang felt his strength being drained away like water from a burst dam. His vision blurred, and his knees threatened to give way beneath him. But he gritted his teeth, summoning every last ounce of his willpower. With a final, desperate push, he thrust the Celestial Master Order into the serpent's neck. "Break for me!" he shouted. The golden light clashed with the purple light in a spectacular explosion of energy. The shockwave sent debris flying in all directions, and a deafening blast echoed through the palace, shaking the very foundations of the ancient structure.The serpent let out a dying roar, a sound that seemed to come from the depths of the underworld. Its massive body collapsed, crashing to the ground and creating a huge pit. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air and the ground, knocking everyone off their feet. Chen Jiuzhang was sent flying by the shockwave and landed heavily on the edge of the altar, his body battered and bruised. Shen Qingluan, her face etched with worry, stumbled over and hugged him in her arms. "Jiuzhang! Wake up!" she pleaded, her voice filled with fear and desperation. Her tears fell on the jade pendant, which suddenly emitted a gentle, healing light. It slowly began to mend the wounds on Chen Jiuzhang's body, though the process was clearly painstaking and slow."It's not over yet..." Chen Jiuzhang weakly raised his finger towards the sky. On the star map, although the "Mars Confronting the Heart" had been interrupted, a crack opened in the center. An even more powerful, malevolent dark aura seeped out, filling the air with a sense of impending doom. Watanabe Miyuki's figure reappeared, a triumphant and crazy smile spread across her face. In her hand, she held a fragment that fit perfectly with the jade pendant. "Thank you for helping me break the first seal! Now, let me show you the true power of the Gui Xu Secret Realm..."Her words were interrupted by a violent tremor that shook the entire palace. The sound of gears turning, ancient and creaking, came from the depths of the palace. The group then realized that all the sacrificial patterns on the ground had lit up, and the gate leading to the deeper part of the secret realm was slowly, ominously opening.
Chapter 23 - Chapter 23 The Duel of Blood and Fire
More Chapters