Chapter 23: The First Battle

The creature gathered all of its Qi into its left fist and launched a devastating punch directly at Shen Hao's face.

But luckily, Shen Hao's instincts kicked in just in time — he barely dodged the attack.

Before he could even react, the second creature appeared above him in a flash and delivered a brutal kick to his head. Shen Hao plummeted toward the ground at an incredible speed but somehow managed to stabilize himself mid-air.

"Damn it!" Shen Hao thought, gritting his teeth. "These creatures are too powerful… and experienced."

"No! I can't lose. I won't lose!"

Gathering all of his Qi into his fists, Shen Hao launched himself straight at them. The two elemental beings did the same — charging forward with their own Qi-infused strikes.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Shen Hao roared as they clashed mid-air.

Fist after fist collided. Powerful blows were exchanged. Shen Hao, though clearly outnumbered and slightly weaker, was holding his ground surprisingly well.

Suddenly, one of the creatures backed away while the other stepped in to cover him.

"What are they planning?" Shen Hao narrowed his eyes.

The one who stepped back began forming a strange set of hand signs, concentrating his Qi into a single point. He placed one hand over the other, forming a stance like he was preparing to fire a beam. A deep purple energy ball began to take shape between his palms, glowing with raw, terrifying power.

"No!" Shen Hao shouted. "I can't let him finish that attack!"

He rushed toward them with everything he had. Even Lingfeng, locked in combat with five other creatures, sensed the surge of energy and also began to race toward them.

But unfortunately, they were too late.

The elemental being fired the energy beam — a pure force of destructive Qi — directly at Shen Hao's chest.

Time seemed to slow. Everything blurred and faded as Shen Hao froze.

"Is this it? Is my journey over? Am I really going to die… just like this?"

But just then — from deep within him — a strange surge of energy erupted. A transparent Qi shield suddenly materialized in front of him, protecting him from the beam.

"What… What is this?" Shen Hao whispered, stunned.

The energy felt foreign yet strangely familiar. As the beam collided with the shield, Shen Hao realized he had a chance. The shield absorbed most of the blow, giving him just enough time to leap out of the way.

The beam missed by inches.

Though the shield shattered right after, Shen Hao was alive — and confused.

That's when he heard a familiar voice echo inside his mind.

"Don't you dare forget about me, brat!"

"Master!?" Shen Hao gasped. "That was you?"

"Of course it was me!" Mo Han replied smugly. "You didn't think I was just here to fly around and give you lectures, did you? I may be weakened in this form, but I still have a few tricks up my sleeve!"

The elemental creature who unleashed the beam now looked drained — the attack had taken nearly all of its Qi. The second one was also breathing heavily, clearly exhausted.

Now, it was Shen Hao's turn.

His lips curled into a fierce grin.

"My turn," he said coldly.

He clenched his fists, eyes glowing with determination — ready to deliver a counterattack that would mark the true beginning of his legend.