Chapter 0383 – Surrounded by Enemies

The Human-Faced Demon Spider was no ordinary fierce beast. This was a king-tier predator, laced with deadly venom throughout its body. In real combat, it was nearly unmatched among its peers—utterly savage. Those eight spider spears were like war pikes, deadly weapons that swept through all directions. Even more frightening was its beautiful human face, which bewitched the surrounding beasts, compelling them to follow it like devoted pawns.

"The south! There's another tier-two king-level beast! A crocodile—no, a giant crocodile! What bloodline is that? It just surged out from the river… and there are many more following it!" a cultivator shouted.

From the southern riverbank, a colossal crocodile as massive as a small mountain stepped out.

It stretched dozens of zhang long, its gray scales emanating a vicious aura. It looked like a waterborne demon dragon, with an overwhelming murderous presence. Its rows of fine, razor-sharp fangs were enough to terrify anyone at a glance. The sheer bulk of its body radiated an oppressive pressure, shaking the ground with every step.

This was no ordinary crocodile. It was the Emperor Crocodile, a sovereign among its kind. Known to prey upon other fierce beasts, it stood at the top of the food chain.

Around it, more crocodiles emerged, filling the air with their brutal aura, echoing across the battlefield.

They came from all directions, each one a dreadful foe, sweeping in alongside the beast tide like sovereigns commanding ten thousand savage creatures. Wherever they passed, the skies were darkened with dread.

Even other fierce beasts dared not approach them.

"Come then! The more, the better. I want to see how many beasts and birds prowl these lands. However many come, I'll slaughter them all. I'll carve out a clear and bright world for humanity, and forge the fearsome name of Xuanhuang Town! Once these monsters are slain, this land for ten thousand li around will belong to us. Let Xuanhuang Town stand supreme!"

Yi Tianxing's gaze turned cold, brimming with murderous intent.

This beast tide engulfed an area of ten thousand li. If they could exterminate it here, that entire region would become fertile ground for human growth—and the foundation of Xuanhuang Town's future.

"The Sword Dragon is mine,"

Amidst the four attacking king-level beasts—each striking at a different wall of the city—stood existences equivalent to cultivators at the Life Aperture Realm. Facing them head-on meant courting death.

At that moment, Fu Hongxue stepped forward and appeared atop the wall facing the Sword Dragon King. His hand rested on the hilt of his saber, though he had yet to draw it. His essence, energy, and spirit naturally converged into his blade. His internal true qi, the surrounding worldly energy, and his internal saber intent all surged into the weapon at a non-human speed.

His momentum surged wildly. An invisible saber intent locked onto the Sword Dragon King, as though the saber itself was pointing directly at the beast.

"Eighth level of the Divine Sea Realm, and his saber intent is more than twice as strong as it was months ago. He's using the Draw Blade Technique."

Yi Tianxing's eyes narrowed in recognition.

Fu Hongxue had spent the past months cultivating in the Tongtian Pavilion, making use of Xuanhuang Town's resources. Coupled with his own deep foundation, and supplemented by numerous techniques and skills, his cultivation had transformed dramatically. Now at the eighth level of the Divine Sea Realm—nearing completion of his inner foundation—and wielding true martial intent no weaker than any Life Aperture divine ability, he was ready for battle.

Though a step behind the tier-two king-level beasts, a human's intellect, tactics, and combat arts might yet close the gap. Victory or defeat in such a clash was far from certain.

The Draw Blade Technique relied on momentum, willpower, and the belief that a single draw could split the heavens. The stronger the saber intent, the greater the power—and the longer it was charged, the more destructive its release.

It was the convergence of all one's essence into a single strike.

Roar!

As the Sword Dragon King charged forward, it instinctively sensed the saber intent locking it down and suddenly halted. The beasts behind it crashed into its massive body, but were instantly shredded by the sword aura radiating from its flesh—its blood-forged sword qi, vicious and impossible to block, reducing them to chunks of mangled meat.

Its icy eyes turned toward Fu Hongxue. It had clearly sensed who had marked it for death.

But it did not retreat. Instead, it threw back its head and roared to the sky, its massive form resembling a sword-like war machine as it charged.

"I'll take the big spider. I, Ye Zhiqiu, am a master of Qimen Dunjia—not just an empty name. Time to show off some tricks."

Ye Zhiqiu walked toward the northern wall, facing the massive Human-Faced Demon Spider. His normally carefree expression now held a trace of seriousness. He too had reached the eighth level of the Divine Sea Realm, and had spent these months cultivating various spells, even forming divine rune talismans.

These talismans, similar in concept to the magic models engraved by Western mages, were stored within the divine sea and served the same function.

Though less potent than full Life Aperture divine abilities, divine rune talismans could unleash portions of that power, drawing on one's own mana and the world's elemental force. The Eastern cultivation system, however, wielded such arts with greater finesse and intricacy.

With so many spells under his belt, Ye Zhiqiu's confidence had grown. Now, he stepped forward voluntarily to face the Human-Faced Demon Spider.

"Lord Yi, I'll stop the crocodile," said Huang Chengyan with a smile.

"Good. Then I'll take the red-furred giant ape."

Yi Tianxing nodded in approval.

Seeing that none of them were intimidated by the terrifying momentum of the enemy beasts, he had no reason to stop them. Standing atop the walls gave them a natural advantage. Even if they failed, they likely wouldn't be seriously injured.

Daring to challenge such foes was a rare opportunity for growth.

Victory would strengthen their personal momentum and solidify their will.

With the roles distributed, Yi Tianxing didn't hesitate. With a flash of light, the Meteor Bow appeared in his hand. A white bone war arrow was nocked to the string.

He exhaled, filling the bow with internal energy. Golden light shimmered along the arrow, crackling with fierce sharpness. A surge of arrow intent poured into it naturally.

Whoosh!

From drawing to releasing the arrow, less than a breath passed. A golden streak tore through the sky, standing out even amidst a rain of arrows.

It was the king among arrows—its aura and power unmatched, its brilliance unmistakable.

Roar!!

The red-furred giant ape's eyes flared with killing intent. Flames erupted from its body as it roared and raised its iron staff, smashing it down toward the incoming arrow.

A wave of red flames wrapped around the iron staff, sending the surrounding temperature soaring. With a single swing, even the space around the weapon seemed to warp. A sharp sonic boom split the air.

Clang!!

A deafening explosion followed as the arrow and staff collided. Gold and red light burst out in every direction. The shockwave shredded nearby beasts to pieces.

Even the powerful arrow intent was crushed by the red flames.

The red-furred giant ape hadn't budged an inch. Cracks spidered through the ground beneath its feet, and the surrounding earth was scorched black.

"Such immense strength… What kind of flame is that? Even Big Brother Yi's arrow intent couldn't pierce it—it was completely shattered." Cai Yan looked on in shock.

She knew full well how powerful Yi Tianxing's arrows were. He had cultivated arrow techniques daily in the Tongtian Pavilion, nurturing his intent. His archery had reached terrifying levels.

To see it broken by a single swing proved that this red-furred ape was no ordinary foe.

"Arrow intent is a martial truth—an extension of willpower. Though not immortal, it is incredibly potent. To shatter it, you need either overwhelming force or techniques imbued with Heavenly Dao laws, like Life Aperture divine abilities. That flame—it's potent enough to burn the land barren for a thousand li."

Yi Tianxing nodded, his eyes still fixed on the ape.

"But since you've come, don't expect to leave in one piece."

That earlier arrow was merely a test.

Swish!

Two more white bone arrows appeared in his hand.

He nocked both at once.

Twang!

Two golden streaks burst forth, aiming for the ape's throat and heart.

This time, the arrows were even faster and more forceful—silent, and instantly upon their target.

Yet the ape's reactions were monstrous. Swinging its iron staff like a whirlwind, it struck at the air itself.

Clang! Clang!

Two more booming clashes rang out—the arrows once again broken in midair.

Roar!!

Now utterly enraged, the red-furred giant ape's eyes turned blood-red, its body enveloped in killing intent. Then, without warning, it charged forward, leaping dozens of zhang with every bound, aiming straight for Yi Tianxing in a killing frenzy.