Baptism by Blood

The desolate battlefield stretched as far as Zhang Yong's eyes could see, littered with the corpses of those who dared invade Earth. The sky above was painted in hues of crimson and black, a reflection of the chaos and carnage below. Zhang Yong stood at the center, his shirt torn, his body drenched in blood none of it his own. The faint glow of his Qi Refinement Realm cultivation enveloped him, pulsating with a ferocity that belied his seemingly meager strength.

The invaders were not ordinary men. They were cultivators from a distant world, each one towering over Zhang Yong in power and arrogance. They saw Earth as a treasure trove, its spiritual energy reawakened and ripe for plunder.

One of them, a man clad in golden robes, sneered. "Is this what Earth has to offer? A pitiful mortal playing cultivator?" His sword gleamed as he pointed it toward Zhang Yong. "Kneel and accept death. Make this easier for yourself."

Zhang Yong didn't respond with words. His lips curled into a smirk as he stepped forward, his aura sharpening like a blade.

The golden-robed man scoffed, charging toward him. "Die!"

Zhang Yong sidestepped with precision, his hand lashing out like a serpent. His fingers pierced through the man's chest, crushing his ribs and grabbing hold of his heart. The invader's scream was short-lived as Zhang Yong ripped the heart out, blood spraying in an arc.

"Still think I'm a mortal?" Zhang Yong's voice was calm, almost mocking, as he crushed the heart in his hand, letting the crimson fluid drip to the ground.

The other cultivators hesitated, their confidence wavering. They had underestimated him, a mistake they wouldn't live to regret.

One by one, they attacked, and one by one, Zhang Yong dismantled them with merciless efficiency. He snapped necks, tore limbs from bodies, and shattered skulls with his bare hands. The battlefield became a canvas, painted with the blood and entrails of his enemies.

One man fell to his knees, clutching his severed arm. "Please... spare me," he begged, tears streaming down his face.

Zhang Yong crouched before him, his eyes devoid of sympathy. "Spare you? Were you planning to spare my people when you invaded?" His hand shot out, grabbing the man by the throat. "Die knowing you are nothing but a stepping stone for my ascent." With a flick of his wrist, he snapped the man's neck, letting the lifeless body collapse at his feet.

As the last of the invaders fell, a mechanical chime echoed in Zhang Yong's mind.

Ding!

System Update: 5 invaders killed. 500 points earned. Absolute Krishna Domain has been activated.

Zhang Yong's surroundings shimmered as an ethereal domain materialized around him. Within this domain, time seemed to slow, and the air grew heavy with his dominance. He could feel it the power to create, destroy, and reshape reality within this space. A grin spread across his face as he clenched his fists, the domain pulsating in response to his will.

"This is just the beginning," he muttered.

Suddenly, a voice interrupted his thoughts. "You're brutal, but there's a certain beauty to it."

Zhang Yong turned to see a woman emerging from the shadows. Her crimson eyes glowed, and a pair of dark, bat-like wings unfurled behind her. Her presence was both seductive and menacing.

"And who are you supposed to be?" Zhang Yong asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

The woman smiled, her fangs glinting. "Your future ally or perhaps your future wife. That depends on how this meeting goes."

Zhang Yong raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Then you'd better not disappoint me."

The woman chuckled, her gaze never leaving his. "Oh, I won't. But first, let me see if you're as strong as you claim to be."

The tension crackled between them as the promise of battle or perhaps something more hung in the air.