That bloodthirsty crimson radiance flickered endlessly, as if it would drag Gao Han's very soul into its depths. Though they stood a hundred zhang apart, Gao Han felt his blood surge wildly and his heart pound violently in his chest.
Forcing his mind to settle into stillness, he took small, quiet steps forward. Yet before he had moved even two meters, the figure ahead let out a roar—half-human, half-beast, a sound that curdled the blood and stirred dread in the depths of one's being.
Gao Han's heart tightened. He halted, fixing his gaze firmly upon the shadowy form. The figure advanced toward him at an even, measured pace, each step identical to the last, as if laid out by precise calculation.
A master! A true master! Gao Han marveled inwardly. Under normal circumstances, a fight with this foe would leave both sides crippled. Deciding to retreat, he shifted his feet, spun about, and unleashed the Phantom Stride at full power. His body blurred like a wraith as he shot down the hillside.
Once he reached the bottom, Gao Han roared like thunder, "Awake! All of you! A formidable foe approaches!"
The entire company jolted awake from their slumber.
"Who in blazes—what formidable foe? How tall is he? Taller than your grand—" Zheng Kong stumbled out, rubbing his eyes and muttering curses, only to be jolted fully awake by a sharp, icy glare.
"Zheng Kong! What did you just say?" Gao Han stared at him coldly.
Zheng Kong coughed awkwardly. "Er… the weather is simply lovely today! Clear skies, endless blue, bright sunshine overhead!"
"Cousin, what are you talking about? It's the middle of the night! There is no sun," Situ Yan chimed as she walked up to him. Zheng Kong fell silent, utterly at a loss for words.
Before long, everyone had risen and gathered together. Zheng Ling looked at Gao Han with sharp, focused eyes; Lu Zhengchun watched him with a faint, curious smile.
Gao Han took a deep breath and recounted exactly what he had seen. The group frowned deeply. By his description, it was a humanoid shape, yet it could be a Demon Ape—among demonic beasts, only their kind bore a form closest to man and glowed with red eyes. None of them hoped it was indeed a Demon Ape, for even a young one was a Second-Grade beast, equivalent to a human Spirit Fusion expert. Should they encounter such a creature, they would all be slaughtered without mercy. The gap between the True Essence and Spirit Fusion realms was immeasurable, as stark a contrast as a humble cottage beside a towering skyscraper.
As they debated, the half-human, half-beast howl echoed down the mountain once more, this time filled with even greater rage, accompanied by the rumbling din of battle.
Gao Han frowned in confusion. He had seen no other presence up there—how could a fight have broken out? Burning curiosity drove him back toward the eerie heights.
The clan warriors, eager to verify his tale, followed close behind. All were martial artists, and the low slope posed little difficulty, though none could match Gao Han's speed. Even Lu Zhengchun, who specialized in lightness skill, stared in awe at his pace.
"His speed is truly extraordinary. I cannot compete with him in that regard alone," Gu Yunluan remarked gravely.
Hu Kai, listening from behind, snorted inwardly. Don't speak only of speed—you are no match for him in sheer power either.
Hu Kai had been defeated and injured by Gao Han the day before their departure, and it had taken a fortune in precious clan medicine to nurse his wounds enough to join the mission. He had not dared tell Lu Zhengchun and Gu Yunluan, ashamed of his humiliing loss. Thus, the two still believed Gao Han was merely an ordinary Qi Condensation warrior.
Gao Han reached the summit first, and the sight before him left him stunned. Three bald, robed warriors wielding long staffs had surrounded the humanoid monster, striking at it ceaselessly with their weapons.
Gao Han could now see the creature clearly. In form, it appeared human, yet its face was twisted and ferocious. The darkness and its unkempt hair obscured its skin tone, but it looked utterly inhuman. Most distinct were its two fangs, thick as a little finger, sharp and gleaming.
The three bald monks were each at the peak of the First Layer of True Essence, wielding their staffs with fluid precision. Yet when one monk shattered a boulder half a man tall with a single strike, Gao Han no longer underestimated the destructive power of their agile techniques.
What terrified him most was the monster itself—it endured dozens of blows without the slightest injury. Each staff strike landed upon its body with a heavy, metallic clang, as if hitting forged steel.
Gao Han wondered: Could it practice body-hardening martial arts? Such arts forged one's flesh into steel, impervious to blades and spears.
The monster did not strike back often, but when it did, its attacks were thunderous. It braved two staff blows from the other monks, stiffly raised an arm to block a third, and slammed its free hand into one warrior's chest with a piercing howl. The man was sent flying more than a dozen steps, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
For all its ferocity, the monster could not defeat the three monks. As time wore on, the eastern sky paled with the first light of dawn. The monster swept its arm outward with all its might, forcing the monks back a dozen steps, then retreated and vanished into the lingering darkness. The clan warriors, now standing beside Gao Han, stared in stunned silence at the ferocious battle they had witnessed.
The monks did not give chase. Instead, they turned and walked toward the group. The warriors quickly drew their weapons in defense. Gu Yunluan called out, "Halt! Who are you?"
One plump, bald monk stepped forward and bowed politely. "We are warrior monks of the Southern Cang Buddhist Temple. We passed through this area and discovered this fiend preying upon mortals, so we stepped forth to eliminate it."
Gao Han started, unable to help asking, "The Buddhist Temple?"
The plump monk turned, smiling and nodding. "Indeed."
Gao Han recalled the sect records in the Misty Sect's Scripture Pavilion: the Southern Cang Buddhist Temple, one of the mightiest sects in all the Southern Cang Region. Established half a century ago, its monks were ascetics who abstained from meat, women, and worldly pleasures—rules many deemed self-punishing.
Yet for all their strict precepts, the monks were revered by all martial artists, for their cultivation was formidable. When the temple first opened its gates to recruits, a Spirit Fusion expert had come to disrupt the ceremony, wounding and killing many novices. A long-bearded monk then appeared, letting the Spirit Fusion warrior attack without defending himself. After half a day, the powerful cultivator had exhausted every secret technique, yet the monk remained unharmed. Defeated and breathless, he left in humiliation.
From that day onward, the Buddhist Temple's name spread like wildfire, known and feared across the entire Southern Cang Region.
The clan warriors hastily returned the bow. "Revered brothers of the Buddhist Temple!" One by one, they announced their clan affiliations.
The monks smiled warmly. "We have long heard of the great clans of the Ling Kingdom."
Gao Han never cared for idle words, so he spoke directly. "Revered brothers, there is something I do not understand. What was that monster just now, that it possessed such fearsome power?"
At the mention of the terrifying creature, everyone fell silent. Its steel-like body, unharmed by a hundred strikes from three True Essence warriors, and its soul-devouring crimson eyes had left them all shaken.
Situ Yan, still haunted by the monster's dread presence, clung tightly to the arm beside her, unaware that she had grabbed Gao Han. Her long, sharp nails dug deep into his flesh, making Gao Han frown.
The monks fell quiet for a moment, then spoke gravely. "That creature is a jiangshi—a zombie, of legend."
"A zombie?" The group echoed in perfect unison.
Zombies are ageless and undying, born from corpses corrupted by the world's resentful qi. They possess no intelligence, feed on blood, and wield resentment as their power. Their bodies are as hard as diamond. Legend holds that they arise from miasma emanating from the underworld, marking them as creatures of hell. One thin monk explained.
The plump monk continued, "The zombie we faced was only of moderate power, which is why we survived its assaults."
Zheng Ling's face turned icy. "Then the villagers of those massacred villages—"
"Were killed by this very zombie," the monk confirmed.
"Then we must hunt it down and avenge them! How can we destroy such a creature?" Zheng Ling spoke through gritted teeth.
The three monks studied him for a moment, then nodded to one another. "The youths of the Zheng Clan are truly righteous and compassionate, thinking always of the people. The Ling Kingdom is fortunate to have you. To destroy this zombie, we will need your aid."
Zheng Ling bowed modestly, while the Situ clan warriors smiled in approval. The Zheng faction rejoiced; the Lu faction, however, scowled. Did these monks dare imply that the imperial clan was a disgrace to the Ling Kingdom?
"Revered brothers, what shall we do next?" Gao Han asked solemnly, bowing slightly as he gently pulled his arm free from Situ Yan's grasp. He had his own motives. He had read of zombies in the Scripture Pavilion, tales of their highest forms capable of soaring through the skies, tunneling through the earth, shattering mountains, and splitting the heavens. He longed to see one fight with his own eyes.
One monk looked Gao Han up and down, sighing softly. "Young friend, you are only at the Qi Condensation realm. I urge you not to come. Qi Condensation warriors cannot harm this zombie in the slightest. Let the True Essence brothers accompany us to slay this beast."
Gao Han smiled faintly. "Are you so certain I am useless? Why not a small contest? If I win, allow me to join you."
"What? You wish to duel me?" The plump monk asked in astonishment. "Young friend, I beg you to reconsider. You cannot defeat me. If you truly insist on coming, you may—but this fiend is ferocious. If we cannot protect you and you fall, do not blame us."
"In that case, I thank you." Gao Han smiled. His only goal was to witness the zombie, not duel the monk. Now that he was permitted to go, there was no need for conflict.
Gu Yunluan snorted coldly. "Foolhardy. Does he think superior speed makes him unbeatable?"
Murmurs of disdain rose from the others.
Before the whispers could escalate, a sharp voice cut through the crowd. "Shut your damn mouths! You useless lot dare to judge him? Your heads are filled with mud! Go home to your wives, who are probably entertaining other men even now!"
The group's faces turned livid with rage. Gu Yunluan snapped, "Zheng Kong, watch your tongue!"
Zheng Kong replied innocently, "Why so defensive? I didn't name you. Are you admitting it's true? Your face has gone green—could it really be you?"
Everyone knew Zheng Kong was a hopeless ruffian. Those who argued with him in the imperial city usually fainted from rage and were bedridden for days. They chose to stay silent. Bored of ranting, Zheng Kong turned to talk to Gao Han.
"No! That pervert gets to go? If he does, then I'm going too!" A clear, melodic voice rang out—it was Situ Yan.
Everyone sweat-dropped. It was as if she were signing up for an award, not a life-or-death hunt.
Gao Han, too, was exasperated. Before he could speak, Situ Jian exploded. "Pervert?!"
Fire flashed in his eyes as his True Essence aura erupted. He appeared before Gao Han in an instant, grabbing him by the collar. "What have you done to my sister? If you do not explain yourself, you will die here today!" He raised his fist, ready to strike.
Situ Yan realized her brother had completely misunderstood her. Flustered and apologetic, she shouted, "This has nothing to do with you! It's between him and me! Stay out of it!"
Now not only Gao Han but also Zheng Kong was left speechless. Her words only made the misunderstanding worse. Gao Han would never clear his name now.
Sure enough, Situ Jian only grew more enraged. He drew his gleaming sword and snarled at Gao Han, "What excuse have you left now?"
Gao Han had intended to explain, but Situ Jian's threats and drawn blade left him with no desire to. Proud and unyielding, he would not back down from such provocation.
His eyes narrowed as he glanced at the hand clutching his collar. "Let go."
Situ Jian refused, snarling, "Let go? I will teach you a lesson today!" He thrust his sword toward Gao Han's face.
Gao Han's fury boiled over. He would explain no more. Before the sword could reach him, his own blade cleared its sheath. With a flick of his wrist, he knocked Situ Jian's sword aside, then channeled inner qi throughout his body, shaking the man's grip free.
He landed lightly, pushed off with one leg, and darted back five meters. Holding his sword slanted behind him, he stared coldly at Situ Jian. "To battle!"
With a roar, he activated the Phantom Stride. His body blurred into a shadow, crossing the five-meter gap in an instant. His sword trembled and sliced upward in an oblique arc toward Situ Jian.
As a True Essence warrior, Situ Jian reacted at once, swinging his sword horizontally to meet the blow. The two blades crashed together, sending a violent gust of wind swirling outward. Both men leaped back. Gao Han glanced at his Steelpoint Sword—unscathed. Truly a masterpiece among mortal weapons, it had withstood a brutal clash with a low-grade spiritual sword without damage.
In that brief contact, he had realized Situ Jian wielded a spiritual weapon, which would make the fight far more difficult. Situ Jian, too, was shocked: their clash had been evenly matched. His sister had not lied—this man really had wounded Hu Kai.
Gao Han began gathering his strength, pushing his power beyond his body's normal limits. Moments later, his eyes snapped open with ferocious intensity. A wispy cold radiance emanated from his entire body, frosting over his robes. Since his physique mutated, this was the first time he had unleashed such excess power. He wanted to see just how many strikes Situ Jian could endure in this state.
Everyone present, including the three monks, stared in astonishment. They had not yet found the zombie, yet their own group had descended into infighting. And from Gao Han's aura, he had unleashed some terrifying technique—Situ Jian might well lose.
Zheng Ling quickly weighed the pros and cons of the duel. Zheng Kong watched anxiously, shouting, "Cousin! It's not what you think! Stop this fight!"
Situ Yan had never imagined her words would spark such chaos. Tears welled in her eyes as she cried hoarsely, "Brother! Please stop! I'm begging you!"
But Gao Han heard nothing. His battle lust had erupted to its peak. Deep down, he had always craved combat; five years of hardship had buried that side of him, but Situ Jian's provocation had torn the restraint away. His fighting spirit blazed like wildfire.
With a thunderous roar, he shouted, "Situ Jian! Take this! Frigid River-Sundering Soul-Breaking Sword!"
Gao Han's sword blazed forth like a streak of white light. Frost crystallized on the sprouting grass within five meters of him. As his icy blade swept past nearby leaves, they froze solid in an instant.
This strike's power exceeded that of an ordinary First Layer True Essence warrior. The sword cut toward Situ Jian, who realized the attack's lethality at once. He pushed off the ground and shot backward, narrowly dodging the slice. But Gao Han's strike did not end there.
As the sword hit the ground, a six-foot-long sword aura burst forth, continuing its charge toward Situ Jian. Hanging in mid-air, Situ Jian's eyes narrowed to pinpricks. He poured all his true qi into a four-foot sword aura of his own.
The two auras collided. Situ Jian's aura froze, shattered, and dissipated into thin air. Gao Han's aura blazed onward, unstoppable. Situ Jian's life hung in the balance.
At the very moment of peril, a golden staff shot before him. The staff whirled into an unbreakable golden shield. Gao Han's sword aura crashed into it, forcing the shield and its wielder back six full meters before the aura vanished. The shield dissipated, revealing a plain black staff, its ends lightly frosted.
Though his aura had faded, Gao Han's fighting spirit burned even brighter as he looked at the monk holding the staff.
"Warrior monk of the Buddhist Temple—mysterious and powerful. Shall we duel?"
His voice steady, Gao Han stared at the plump monk, his battle will soaring to the heavens.