Chapter 106: The Mad Blade

The giant's eyes, round as copper bells, gradually turned blood-red, brimming with fury and violence. Unlike the others before him, this mountain-like titan, despite the absence of life force within, possessed emotions of his own.

He glared fixedly at Yin Tianfang, his face twisted in a hideous grimace. Opening his maw, he let out a roar that echoed through the expanse. As the thick fog churned, the shadowy figures around them vanished, replaced by tendrils of black mist that flowed directly into the giant's gaping mouth.

As the black mist was consumed, the giant’s aura grew increasingly powerful, faintly verging on the threshold of the Core Formation realm.

Yin Tianfang’s heart sank. He formed hand seals, and the demonic dragon manifested from his dark flames let out a roar, weaving through the sea of fog. It struck down the various figures, plundering the black mist from within them. As the dragon devoured the mist, Yin Tianfang could feel the energy surging within it becoming ever more formidable.

Boom!

A massive fist descended from the sky, smashing toward Yin Tianfang. With a sharp whistle, the demonic dragon flew back instantly.

Yin Tianfang shifted his hand seals, and as the dragon grew, he opened his mouth and swallowed it whole. A terrifying aura erupted from his body, setting off a gale that stirred the air. Black mist began to emanate from his pores like silken ribbons, coiling around him. He looked up at the descending fist, and in an instant, his eyes turned pitch black.

With an enraged roar, Yin Tianfang thrust his own fist upward to meet the attack. Beneath that colossal fist, he appeared as insignificant as an ant.

"Boom!"

The two fists, one vast and one small, collided with a thunderous crash. The resulting shockwave swept outward, scattering the surrounding fog in all directions.

Yin Tianfang’s legs were driven into the ground up to his knees, yet his fist held firmly against the mountain-like blow.

"Go!" As the fog dispersed, he focused his intent, maneuvering a sliver of purple energy with his consciousness, sending it hurtling toward the giant's head. The purple light flickered, vanished into the void, and reappeared directly at the center of the giant's brow.

Puff!

The purple sliver pierced through the giant's forehead and exited from the back of his head.

"Roar!" The mountain-like giant let out a final, resentful cry before his massive body collapsed to the ground, disintegrating into dust just like those before him.

A dense cloud of black mist emanated from his remains. Yin Tianfang flicked his finger, releasing a black flame that transformed into a sea of fire, enveloping and consuming the mist.

Stable, rhythmic footsteps sounded in Yin Tianfang’s ears. Not far away, the swordsman who had remained motionless until now began to walk toward him. Behind him, several figures like demonic mountains stood still, their copper-bell eyes locked onto Yin Tianfang.

"You are quite impressive." The swordsman stared at Yin Tianfang with eyes devoid of any emotion, his voice matching his gaze—entirely flat.

"My name is Mad Blade!" As he spoke, a brilliant blade light flared. The strike cut across the sky and arrived in an instant. Beneath this radiance, a bone-chilling cold seized Yin Tianfang.

"Core Formation realm?!"

This man, who called himself Mad Blade, had clearly attained the Core Formation stage. The intensity of his presence made Yin Tianfang feel the shadow of death closing in. Unlike the giant, this man possessed higher intelligence and greater strength, yet they shared one common trait: neither emitted any sign of life. They were human in form, but they were the walking dead.

How could a dead man possess thoughts and such immense power? Yin Tianfang could not fathom it, but this was no time for contemplation. The priority was finding a way out of this hellish place.

Tapping his toes against the ground, Yin Tianfang retreated at top speed, yet the massive arc of the blade remained locked onto him.

Looking at the towering blade above, Yin Tianfang formed hand seals, his body bathed in a red glow. With this light, his speed increased significantly.

The sudden surge in speed felt like hitting a wall; he groaned as a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

"Boom!" The terrifying blade struck the earth, carving a bottomless abyss several yards wide. Debris flew, the ground shattered, and a storm of dust and smoke filled the air.

"Pfft!" Although not struck directly, the sheer force of the impact left Yin Tianfang severely wounded. He vomited blood and was sent flying by the shockwave, crashing heavily to the ground.

Struggling to his feet, he glared at Mad Blade, deep black light radiating from his body.

Swish!

Mad Blade flashed forward, arriving before Yin Tianfang in a heartbeat. Expressionless, he raised his long blade once more to strike.

The sharp intent to kill locked onto Yin Tianfang, and the oppressive aura weighed upon him like a mountain, making every movement a struggle.

Just as it seemed he would be cleaved in two, a streak of black light shot out from within his body.

"Clang!" Sparks flew as the sound of metal clashing rang out. The long blade was blocked—not by Yin Tianfang, but by a pitch-black sword.

The black sword, emanating a profound, dark light, hovered above Yin Tianfang’s head, parrying the downward strike. It was the very same blade that had been taken by Daochenzi, now reappearing to save him.

Looking at the sword, Yin Tianfang reached out and gripped the hilt.

Boom!

The moment his hand touched the hilt, the black lotus in his dantian vibrated and bloomed in its entirety. His aura surged violently.

He let out a sharp cry, and a black orb of light appeared beside him—it was the demonic flame he had previously released to consume the giant.

The art of the Demonic Path: Spirit Seizure—to consume all power, assimilate it, and make it one's own!

He swallowed the demonic flame in one gulp, and his aura skyrocketed, instantly propelling him from the mid-stage to the late-stage of Foundation Establishment.

His cultivation in the Demonic Path had now surpassed his Immortal path, and it continued to rise.

Enveloped in dense black light, his eyes cold and pure black, he tightened his grip on the sword and pushed with massive force, sending Mad Blade reeling back several steps.

"Hmm?" Mad Blade, who had previously been entirely emotionless, finally displayed a look of surprise.

"Boy, what exactly are you?" Mad Blade asked, staring at the figure shrouded in dark light.