6kv Chapter 128 Slaying a Rank 5
Chapter 128 Slaying a Rank 5
Chapter 127 Slaying a Fifth-Rank Individual
Back at Tingtao Courtyard, Liang Cheng closed the gate behind him.
He took out three demon cores from his bosom.
One fourth-order weapon and two third-order weapons.
Corpses littered the city walls. He took the demon cores and sneaked away in the chaos, stealing a few without anyone noticing.
"Besides 'The True Meaning of Crossing the Sea,' who can directly refine a demon core?"
Liang Cheng sat down cross-legged and first held the fourth-order demon core in his palm.
The fragment of "True Meaning of Crossing the Sea" operates on its own, and the third level of the Broken Wave Technique circulates throughout the body. The Hunyuan Gang Body is not to be outdone. The violent demonic energy surges into the meridians like a raging torrent, and is cleverly guided and transformed by the fragment's mental techniques, turning into pure true essence.
Three hours later, the fourth-order demon core turned to dust.
Liang Cheng opened his eyes, his gaze even more intense.
[The third level of the Broken Wave Technique: Minor Success (5164/12000)]
[Primordial Body Technique: Minor Success (1437/8000)]
He didn't stop and continued refining two third-tier demon cores.
Although its energy is inferior to that of the fourth order, it has the advantage of being plentiful and filling.
Three more hours passed, and Liang Cheng's true energy surged; his aura became noticeably more solid.
[The third level of the Broken Wave Technique: Minor Success (5552/12000)]
[Primordial Body Technique: Minor Success (1602/8000)]
Although this sea monster tide was dangerous, my strength has indeed improved rapidly.
Sometimes, only through martial arts competition can one make great strides and improve.
"But that's not enough."
Liang Cheng got up and practiced his swordplay in the courtyard.
The Mountain-Slaying Blade can cleave mountains and rivers in one stroke.
Last night's bloody battle replayed in my mind. The ferocious beasts that pounced on me all turned into insights. Real combat is the best teacher.
As the sun rose, Liang Cheng sheathed his sword and stood there, his body steaming with sweat, but his eyes were clear and bright.
[Broken Mountain Blade: Beginner (3841/5000)]
Six hours later, his cultivation level improved again, and his combat skills became more refined.
During the change of guard, the seventh section of the east city wall.
When Ye Zhi Qiu arrived with the three additional martial artists, Liang Cheng was already standing on the wall.
"Junior brother, you're here so early."
Ye Zhi Qiu greeted Liang Cheng and then glanced at the sea.
The fog was a little lighter today, but the seawater was a deeper color, faintly tinged with dark red.
When the alarm rang again, everyone's expression changed.
There seem to be more ferocious beasts than yesterday!
In an instant, the bony arrowfish appeared like a black rainstorm, three city-ramming turtles appeared at the same time, and swarms of iron-clawed crabs climbed the city walls like a tide.
"We must hold on!"
Ye Zhi Qiu unleashed his true energy, his sword rainbow sweeping across, instantly slaying seven or eight swordfish.
Liang Cheng roams around, delivering the finishing blow; every time he draws his blade, blood is drawn.
But soon, he realized something was wrong.
Once those ferocious beasts spotted him, the crimson light in their eyes suddenly intensified, and their attacks became even more frenzied. They completely ignored the other martial artists and focused solely on attacking him!
A fourth-order sawtooth shark suddenly leaped out of the sea, over the wall, and its huge mouth went straight for Liang Cheng's neck.
"roll!"
Liang Cheng slashed at the shark's jaws with his sword, sparks flying, and used the force to dodge to the side. But the shark, after feeling the pain, did not retreat at all, but instead pounced even more ferociously.
"Junior brother, be careful!"
Ye Zhi Qiu unleashed a sword beam, its energy raging wildly. The shark, ignoring everything, was struck squarely on the forehead by this true energy sword, pinning it firmly to the wall.
However, the other ramming tortoise had already taken the opportunity to crash into the section of wall where Liang Cheng was located.
"I'll do it!"
Liang Cheng leaped down from the wall and slashed at the tortoise's reverse scale with his sword. The tortoise that had been ramming the city did not shrink back. Instead, it opened its huge mouth and spewed out a foul-smelling water arrow!
Liang Cheng dodged to the side, the water arrow grazing past him, its corrosive force causing the city wall to hiss and crackle.
"These beasts have gone mad?!"
Ye Zhi Qiu also noticed the abnormality at this time. He unleashed his full True Qi cultivation and stood back to back with Liang Cheng, forcefully withstanding wave after wave of impact.
The two-hour defense of the city was several times more difficult than yesterday.
During the shift change, the squad gained seven more seriously wounded members. Liang Cheng and Ye Zhi Qiu were covered in blood and exhausted. If Ye Zhi Qiu hadn't been a True Qi Realm expert, this night would have been extremely dangerous.
At this moment, Yang Xian led his squad to withdraw from the adjacent defense zone. As they passed Liang Cheng, they paused.
Liang Cheng looked up.
Yang Xian's expression changed visibly, his pupils contracted, but he quickly returned to normal, even managing a fake smile: "Young Master Liang, it seems last night was dangerous."
Liang Cheng didn't speak, he just stared into his eyes.
Yang Xian felt uneasy under his gaze, greeted him, and quickly left.
Tingtao Academy.
Liang Cheng refined the three third-tier and one fourth-tier demon cores he had secretly hidden today, further increasing his cultivation level, but his heart grew heavier—
weight.
This time, Liang Cheng felt a slight swelling and pain in his meridians. He knew that this was because he had refined too much demon core energy in a short period of time, reaching the warning line.
Cultivation sometimes requires a balance of relaxation and rest.
You need to rest for a while to allow your meridians to strengthen; you can't just keep absorbing nutrients.
However, since the true meaning of crossing the sea constantly strengthens the meridians, he doesn't need to wait too long.
[The third level of the Broken Wave Technique: Minor Success (7364/12000)]
[Primordial Body Technique: Minor Success (2243/8000)]
However, the improvement in cultivation is worthwhile.
but----
The unusual behavior of the ferocious beast last night was no coincidence.
Ye Zhi Qiu returned hastily at this moment, his face grim: "According to statistics from the City Lord's Mansion, the intensity of the ferocious beasts' attacks throughout the city last night increased by 30% compared to yesterday, and the situation is becoming increasingly difficult."
Liang Cheng was silent for a moment before speaking, "Senior brother, those ferocious beasts seem to be particularly violent towards me."
Ye Zhi Qiu was taken aback upon hearing this: "What do you mean?"
"Those ferocious beasts, upon seeing me, acted like sharks smelling blood, completely ignoring everyone else and only chasing after me."
Liang Cheng's voice was calm. "Last night, that sawtooth shark actually preferred to take a direct hit from your sword rather than not pounce on me."
Ye Zhi Qiu's expression changed: "Are you sure?"
"Sure."
"Walk!"
Ye Zhi Qiu pulled Liang Cheng away and walked outside, "Let's go find Grandfather!"
The Ye family's living room.
After listening to Liang Cheng's description, Old Master Ye's aged face became somewhat solemn. He told Liang Cheng to stand up straight, and his withered hand hovered three inches above Liang Cheng's head. A gentle force slowly probed in, pausing slightly at the back of Liang Cheng's neck and collar.
The old man withdrew his hand and extracted a small, almost invisible clump of pale blue powder from the inside of Liang Cheng's collar at the back of his neck.
The powder is colorless and odorless, and feels slightly cool to the touch.
"Animal-attracting powder".
The old man's voice turned cold. "It's made from deep-sea demonic algae mixed with the bone marrow of a third-tier ferocious beast. It's colorless and odorless, making it difficult for ordinary people to detect. But for ferocious beasts, its aura is like a beacon in the darkness, especially capable of stimulating their frenzy."
Ye Zhi Qiu was furious.
"Who did this?!"
As Liang Cheng looked at the powder, Yang Xian's fake smiling face flashed through his mind.
Previously, when he switched shifts, Yang Xian specifically greeted him with a completely different attitude, and the more he thought about it, the more something seemed off.
"Don't make this public."
Liang Cheng suddenly spoke.
Ye Zhi Qiu and the old man both looked at him.
"The enemy is in the dark while we are in the light. The whole city is united in our resolve. We should not make any wild guesses that would only cause trouble. Since someone wants me to die in the beast tide, then I will wait."
He looked at the old man and said, "Please keep this a secret for me, and even Senior Brother Ye should pretend not to know for the time being."
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The old man gave Liang Cheng a deep look and nodded slowly: "I'm sorry you had to go through this. I'm glad you understand."
Ye Zhi Qiu said urgently, "Junior brother, what are you doing—"
"Don't worry, senior brother. You're right here with me, so nothing will happen. I have my own plans."
He bowed to Old Master Ye, turned and left the secret room, and Ye Zhi Qiu quickly followed.
"Senior brother, please help me investigate Yang Xian's connections."
"Yang Xian?"
Liang Cheng laughed. "Senior brother, you don't really think I'm just going to let this go, do you?"
Ye Zhi Qiu chuckled.
"Okay, don't worry. It seems you want to handle it yourself. You go first, and if you can't, your senior brother is here for you."
"Thank you, senior brother."
Back at Tingtao Courtyard, Liang Cheng closed the door, his fierce glint finally no longer concealed.
Yang Xian.
If you want me to die, then let's see who ends up dying.
The next two days of defense went smoothly.
The ferocious beasts no longer attacked Liang Cheng relentlessly.
Bone-spined swordfish, iron-clawed crab, and ramming turtle —
The offensive remained fierce, but at least it returned to normal, treating everyone on the wall equally.
Liang Cheng sneered inwardly.
really.
The beast-attracting powder has been removed; the person behind it is either unaware or waiting for the next opportunity.
He still managed to grab a few demon cores amidst the chaos, but this time he didn't rush to refine them to improve his cultivation. Now, his meridians had reached their limit after absorbing nutrients over the past few days and needed to be nurtured.
Martial arts are like sailing a boat; if you only charge and fight recklessly, you will easily fall apart. You must maintain a balance between tension and relaxation.
So after defending the city, he practiced his sword in the courtyard.
The Duan Yue Blade's progress became increasingly clear in the life-and-death battles.
Where the blade flashed, a touch of decisiveness was added.
On this day, during the shift change, a familiar figure in white appeared in the reinforcement team behind Ye Zhi Qiu.
Xiao Qingxue.
She remained standing with her sword in her arms, her cold expression revealing no emotion. She simply nodded slightly to Ye Zhi Qiu: "Senior Brother Ye, the City Lord's Mansion has issued a summons for me to assist in the seventh section of defense."
Ye Zhi Qiu was taken aback: "Junior Sister Xiao? Your home—"
"I was locked up for three days."
Xiao Qingxue spoke calmly, as if she were talking about someone else's business, "I told them either let me onto the city wall or collect my corpse."
Upon hearing this, Liang Cheng couldn't help but glance at her.
Xiao Qingxue sensed his gaze, turned her head to look at him, a flash of fighting spirit in her eyes: "Senior Brother Liang, the beast tide is a good time to hone your skills, don't disappoint me."
Liang Cheng nodded: "Likewise."
With the addition of Xiao Qingxue, the pressure on the seventh defense zone was significantly reduced.
What's even more remarkable is that she, Liang Cheng, and Ye Zhiqi are subtly forming a triangular relationship.
Liang Cheng's sword strikes are fierce and powerful, focusing on frontal attacks; Xiao Qingxue's swordplay is light and agile, specializing in breaking through blind spots; Ye Zhiqiu's true energy is vast and powerful, sitting in the center, ready to provide support at any time.
The three had not rehearsed, yet they responded to each other.
Often, as soon as a fourth-tier ferocious beast shows its face, Liang Cheng will strike it head-on with his sword, while Xiao Qingxue's sword will pierce its vulnerable spot from an unbelievable angle, and Ye Zhi Qiu will decide its fate.
The three worked together seamlessly.
The day's defense of the city ended, and surprisingly, no one in the squad was seriously injured; only two sustained minor injuries.
"Miss Xiao, your swordsmanship is excellent."
Ye Zhi Qiu rarely smiled after the marine mammal tide occurred.
Xiao Qingxue sheathed her sword and looked at Liang Cheng: "I'm still not as good as Senior Brother Liang."
Liang Cheng shook his head: "Each has its strengths and weaknesses."
A flash of fighting spirit crossed Xiao Qingxue's eyes. Without another word, she turned and left.
And so, another two days passed.
The beast tide offensive maintained a stable intensity, enough to exhaust the defending warriors without causing them to collapse instantly.
However, the atmosphere in Bibo City grew more and more somber each day.
The death toll continues to rise.
The price of elixirs has risen to five times its usual price, yet there is still no market for them.
Cracks appeared in many places on the outer city wall. Craftsmen worked day and night to repair them, but the repair speed could not keep up with the damage.
On the morning of the seventh day, when Liang Cheng and Ye Zhiqi climbed the city wall, they found that Xiao Qingxue was already standing on the top of the wall.
She gazed at the sea, her brows slightly furrowed.
Something's not right.
She suddenly spoke.
Liang Cheng followed her gaze.
The seawater was a deeper color.
The sea was unusually calm, and even the waves had become slow.
Ye Zhi Qiu's expression was grave: "It's the seventh day."
"A hurdle every seven days."
Xiao Qingxue continued, "According to the family records, every seven days during a beast tide, the ferocious beasts gather to counterattack. Today, we're afraid we'll see the real test."
Upon hearing this, Liang Cheng gripped the hilt of his knife tightly.
His gaze swept across the city wall.
Today, the city defense command has clearly increased its manpower, with several more True Qi Realm warriors added, and all the crossbow carts have been replaced with heavy Qi-piercing arrows that gleam with a cold light.
The amount of molten rock and oil piled up at the base of the wall was twice as much as usual.
"Gentlemen!"
A middle-aged general clad in black armor, exuding a powerful and imposing aura, stepped onto the city wall. His voice boomed, "I am Zhou Meng, the commander of the city defense division."
"Today is the seventh day of the beast tide. The ferocious beasts will surely launch a major attack. The city lord has ordered all defense zones to hold their ground and not retreat!"
"Anyone who retreats without authorization will be executed!"
"Those who desert in the face of battle—behead them!"
"Those who sow discord among the troops—behead them!"
The three "斩" characters exude a murderous aura.
The warriors on the wall remained silent, gripping their weapons tightly.
Liang Cheng calmly looked at the sea.
The dark blue seawater began to slowly rotate, forming a huge whirlpool.
At the center of the whirlpool, the bottom was unfathomable, as if it connected to the deepest, darkest sea.
A deep roar faintly echoed from the depths of the vortex.
With a thud, Ye Zhi Qiu took a deep breath, his true energy slowly circulating, and a faint blue light emanated from his body.
Xiao Qingxue drew her longsword half an inch from its sheath, its sword energy contained but not unleashed.
Liang Cheng held the Zhengxian sword horizontally in front of him, his left hand gently brushing the blade.
The true essence within the body quietly circulated, and nine true essence light clusters lit up like stars, while the seventy-two acupoints of the Hunyuan Gang Body pulsated simultaneously.
The dark whirlpool on the sea surface spun larger and larger, its diameter now exceeding 100 zhang (approximately 33 meters).
The seawater was churned up violently, with waves surging up, yet it was strangely suspended in mid-air, as if held up by an invisible hand.
"Ready—!"
Zhou Meng's roar suddenly exploded on the city wall.
All the crossbows were cocked at the same time, the clattering of the taut bowstrings creating a continuous chorus.
The martial artists held their breath, their inner energy flowing through their weapons, the various colors of light illuminating their tense faces.
Liang Cheng stared intently at the center of the vortex.
Suddenly, there was a deathly silence.
Even the sea breeze seemed to stand still.
next moment--
boom-!!!
The vortex exploded!
Instead of splashing water, an endless tide of black beasts surged into the sky from the seabed like a volcanic eruption!
Schools of bony swordfish roamed in formation, followed closely by iron-clawed crabs. Within the translucent body of the shadow jellyfish, phosphorescent venom sacs shimmered. A swift razor-finned shark, its dorsal fin slicing through the waves like a blade.
At the very front of this black beast tide were three enormous creatures.
To the left is a giant tortoise covered in a bluish-black, rock-like shell, its shell covered with jagged bony spikes, each over ten feet long. It paddles with its limbs, each movement creating huge waves.
"A Tier 5 early-stage ferocious beast, the Rock-Armored Thorn Turtle!"
Ye Zhi Qiu gritted his teeth and said.
To the right was a jet-black sea serpent over ten zhang long, with a single horn on its head and its body covered with dark gold rings. Wherever it passed, the seawater froze into a thin layer of ice.
"A fifth-tier, early-stage ferocious beast, the Xuanbing Horned Python!"
And at the center end—
It was a monster that resembled neither fish nor dragon.
It was nearly twenty feet tall, with a single eye on its head, a mouth full of spiral-shaped sharp teeth, and a row of bone sails on its back, with blood-red patterns flowing on the sails.
It did not move, but hovered in mid-air, its single eye indifferently looking down at the city wall.
"Peak of the fifth tier, the one-eyed bone-sailing whale!"
A rare tremor appeared in Xiao Qingxue's usually cold voice.
A peak fifth-tier ferocious beast, below the mortal realm, none can rival it.
"Ballista, fire!"
Zhou Meng roared angrily.
hum!hum!hum!
Hundreds of ballistae fired simultaneously, their arm-thick, powerful arrows tearing through the air and transforming into a torrential downpour of steel!
Arrows rained down, instantly clearing the sea surface. Blood mixed with severed limbs fell in droves, but the sea beasts behind them, fearless of death, charged forward one after another.
The shadow jellyfish opened its semi-transparent bell, its venom sacs swelled, and it sprayed out a sky full of venom. The venom landed on the city wall, and the bluestone was corroded until it sizzled and smoked.
"Shield Formation!"
Zhou Meng commanded all the teams, unleashing his full True Qi Realm strength. A cyan light shield opened up, and venom splashed onto the shield, creating ripples.
The blade sharks have reached the outer city wall. They are swimming at an astonishing speed on the surface of the water, their dorsal fins like blades, frantically cutting through the foundation of the wall!
Boom! Boom!
The Rock-Armored Tortoise and the Mystic Ice Horned Python simultaneously crashed into the outer city wall!
The rock-armored tortoise slammed into the wall, sending shards of rock flying. Three martial artists who couldn't dodge in time were sent flying, spitting out blood.
"You beast!"
Zhou Meng leaped into the air, his True Qi Sword Rainbow hanging like a long river, slashing fiercely at the tortoise shell!
clang-!!!
Sparks exploded like fireworks.
Only a faint white sword mark remained on the tortoise shell.
The rock-armored tortoise cried out in pain, turned its single eye toward Zhou Meng, and opened its huge mouth, spewing out a turbid, yellowish-brown column of water!
The team behind Zhou Meng worked together as one.
the other side.
The Xuanbing Horned Python had already climbed the city wall and was on the east wall. With a single coil of its body, it tore a ballista cart and three crossbowmen to pieces, and a cloud of blood mist exploded out.
At this moment, Xiao Qingxue's sword flashed like snow, aiming straight for the python's eye.
The Xuanbing Horned Python's tail swept across, sending a chilling wind through the air, and thick frost condensed on the ground. Liang Cheng slashed at the python's tail with his blade!
Wind and Thunder Slash - Thunderclap!
The blade sliced into the scales, but only penetrated three inches into the flesh before being jammed by the hard snake bones. The Xuanbing Horned Python hissed and its body tightened suddenly, attempting to strangle Liang Cheng along with the blade!
"cut!"
Liang Cheng roared, unleashing his full power to activate his Hunyuan Gang Body, creating a pale golden light shield around his body. At the same time, he thrust out with his left hand, unleashing Xuan Yin sword energy as sharp as needles, directly piercing the snake's wound!
puff!
The sword energy penetrated, unleashing a burst of chilling power.
The Xuanbing Horned Python, in pain, relaxed its body slightly. Liang Cheng seized the opportunity to draw his sword and retreat quickly. His arm was already covered in frost, but fortunately, he was unharmed due to the presence of Hunyuan Gang. His true energy flowed and he returned to normal.
"Senior Brother Liang, Senior Brother Ye, let's join forces!"
Xiao Qingxue gave a clear shout.
She changed her sword stance, transforming it into a dense net of swords that enveloped the seven-inch mark of the Xuanbing Horned Python. Each sword strike landed on the joints of its scales, but it had little effect.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Liang Cheng rushed forward, pouring his true essence into his blade. The blade flashed with blue-purple lightning, and he slashed directly at the wound caused by the sword energy!
The blade pierced flesh by only a foot or so, but the Xuanbing Horned Python swung its tail back, forcing Liang Cheng to dodge!
Ye Zhi Qiu strode forward, unleashing his true energy, instantly attracting most of the attention of the Xuanbing Horned Python.
Liang Cheng and Xiao Qingxue seized the opportunity to strike, but their swords never strayed from the wound. Snake blood gushed out like a spring, staining the city wall dark red.
Ye Zhi Qiu unleashed his true energy, going toe-to-toe with the Xuanbing Horned Python. After a prolonged battle, Ye Zhi Qiu was covered in python blood, and his true energy was greatly depleted.
His swordplay grew increasingly fierce, resulting in a complete clash. His azure sword light repeatedly struck the same wound on the seven-inch mark of the Xuanbing Horned Python, causing its scales to shatter and its blood to gush out.
The Xuanbing Horned Python gradually weakened under his desperate fighting style.
Liang Cheng and Xiao Qingxue's attacks became increasingly fierce, relentlessly beating a drowning dog. But just then, the Xuanbing Horned Python, on the verge of death, completely erupted. Its body suddenly tightened, and Ye Zhi Qiu, caught off guard, was tightly strangled along with his sword!
"Senior Brother Ye!"
Xiao Qingxue shouted, and her sword light pierced the python's body like a storm. Ye Zhiqiu protected his body with true qi, but his bones made cracking sounds.
"Never mind me! Attack its weak point!"
Liang Cheng's eyes sharpened, knowing that Ye Zhi Qiu was buying him time. He moved like an arrow, taking seven steps in a short distance, narrowly avoiding the sweeping python tail, and pounced straight at the python's head.
There's a palm-sized, whitish reverse scale there!
Sensing the danger, the Xuanbing Horned Python's single eye blazed with ferocious light, and its massive mouth opened, unleashing a torrent of condensed icy blue breath!
Before the cold air even arrived, Liang Cheng's eyelashes were already frosted over.
But instead of retreating, he advanced.
He pushed the Hunyuan Gang Body to its limit, a pale golden light shield covering his body. His left hand, fingers joined together like a sword, thrust out the Xuan Yin sword energy first, while his right hand, like a vanguard blade, unleashed wind and thunder!
The blade slashed straight down, unleashing a chilling sword aura!
The Xuanbing Horned Python froze abruptly, and a cloud of blood mist exploded from its reverse scale.
It's now!
The blade swept upwards, slashing along the crack in the neck, severing the cervical vertebrae!
In excruciating pain, the Xuanbing Horned Python released Ye Zhi Qiu. Ye Zhi Qiu acted instantly, his sword rainbow piercing straight through the head of the Xuanbing Flood Dragon!
Pfft—!
The swords pierced the python's head almost simultaneously.
The crimson in the Xuanbing Horned Python's single eye instantly froze, its massive body convulsed violently, and it crashed down onto the city wall, raising clouds of dust.
With the combined efforts of the three, the early-stage fifth-tier ferocious beast was dead!
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