Chapter 324 Awakening
Fear spread like a plague. The originally unstoppable rebel army was now being forced back by a single person.
The Black-Robed Daoist's withered figure stood before the city gate, black mist surging around him, with dozens of withered corpses piled at his feet. Every time he raised his hand, it was accompanied by shrill screams.
The charging rebel soldiers were either pierced through the chest by ghost shadows or dragged underground by bone claws. Blood soaked the bluestone slabs, and the air was filled with a pungent smell of blood.
However, what was unbelievable was—
The rebel army had miraculously not yet collapsed!
Their formation was retreating, but no one turned to run. Everyone's gaze involuntarily turned to the high platform behind them—where a tall, straight figure stood.
Ye Fan.
The person who led them all the way to the Imperial Capital.
The person who promised to let them live a good life.
As long as he hadn't retreated, they still had hope!
Ye Fan's breathing became rapid, his chest heaving violently. Scenes from the past dozen days flashed back in his mind.
The village chief, who had been driven to ruin by the authorities, knelt before him, his cloudy eyes full of hope.
"Young Master Ye, the lives of these people in my village are all in your hands!"
That thin young boy, holding a rusty firewood knife, followed behind him, his eyes burning hot like charcoal fire.
"Brother Ye, you are right! This world, it is time for a change!"
And by the bonfire last night, those rough hands patting his shoulder, that hoarse yet firm voice.
"Leader Ye, we trust you!"
—They trusted him.
Believed he could lead them to fight a path to survival!
Ye Fan's fists clenched until they crackled, his fingernails digging deep into his palms. According to the rules of the Immortal Spirit Holy Land, he absolutely could not expose his cultivation in front of these mortals.
Once he used spiritual power, his identity would be exposed, he would fail the assessment, and might even be expelled from the sect.
But this Black-Robed Daoist before him was a genuine Mystic Realm cultivator! Even if he struck with all his might, it would be difficult to win in a short time.
But if he did not make a move—
"Ah—!!"
Another shrill scream came. Ye Fan suddenly looked up, only to see a young rebel soldier entangled by black mist, his whole body withering at a speed visible to the naked eye, finally turning into a withered skeleton!
That was a boy only sixteen or seventeen years old. He remembered that three days ago, the boy had blushed and asked him.
"Leader Ye, when we win, can I marry Cui'er from the village entrance?"
"Damn it..."
Ye Fan cursed lowly, blood streaks spreading in his eyes.
Rules? Assessment? To hell with it all!
"Clang—!"
The moment the iron sword left its sheath, the sword hummed like a dragon's roar, and cold light tore through the dim battlefield!
Ye Fan took a step forward, the green bricks under his feet exploding. His figure was as fast as lightning, and the sword point went straight for the Black-Robed Daoist's throat!
Where the sword tip passed, the air was severed, emitting a sharp whistling sound!
"Hmm?"
The Black-Robed Daoist turned his head abruptly, a trace of surprise flashing in his dark green pupils.
"A mere mortal, also dares to—"
Before the words fell, Ye Fan's sword had arrived!
"Pu!"
The sword pierced into the Black-Robed Daoist's shoulder, and black blood sprayed like a spring! That blood was actually corrosive.
Splashing on the ground, the green bricks immediately made a "sizzling" sound, emitting pungent white smoke!
"You—!"
The Black-Robed Daoist was furious, his withered face twisting like an evil ghost. Ghosts and mist surged from his sleeve, instantly turning into a ferocious ghost claw as large as a grinding disc.
The five sharp claws glowed with dark green cold light, fiercely grabbing at Ye Fan's chest!
Ye Fan dodged sideways urgently, the ghost claw grazing past his lapel. With a "rip," his war robe was torn open with five cracks, revealing bloody scratch marks underneath!
He turned his sword, madly pouring spiritual power into the sword body, and the iron sword immediately bloomed with blinding cold light!
"Boom!"
Sword energy like a rainbow, a sword light three zhang long swept out directly, smashing the ghost claw into pieces! The aftermath did not cease, plowing a deep ditch into the ground, with gravel flying everywhere!
The Black-Robed Daoist's pupils suddenly shrank, and his figure violently retreated ten zhang.
"A cultivator?!"
Ye Fan did not answer, his sword momentum like a violent storm and rain. Every sword carried sharp spiritual power.
Sword light crisscrossed in the air, weaving a net of death, forcing the Black-Robed Daoist to retreat again and again! Where the sword energy swept over the city wall, deep sword marks over a foot long immediately appeared!
"Seeking death!"
The Black-Robed Daoist shouted sternly, suddenly biting his tongue, spraying a mouthful of essence blood onto both hands, and forming a strange magic seal.
"Rumble—"
The ground shook violently, and countless pale bone claws broke out of the soil. Each one was as large as a grinding disc, with knuckles joints, carrying a rotting aura of death.
They grabbed at Ye Fan's legs from all directions!
Ye Fan leaped up three zhang high, sweeping his sword. A ring-shaped sword energy burst out, severing all the bone claws within three zhang of his body!
But just as his old strength was exhausted and new strength was not yet born, the Black-Robed Daoist took the opportunity to strike out with a palm!
"Roar—!"
The black mist condensed into a giant python as thick as a water bucket, opening its bloody mouth, with vicious fangs, and fiercely crashed into Ye Fan's chest!
"Bang!"
Ye Fan was as if struck by lightning, his whole body flying backward, heavily crashing into the city wall, with bricks and stones shattering!
He "wah" sprayed a mouthful of blood, the clothes on his chest completely shattered, revealing a dark black palm print, and the skin was rotting at a speed visible to the naked eye!
"Mere early stage of the Mystic Realm, you also dare to contend with me?"
The Black-Robed Daoist sneered and took out a human skin drum from his sleeve. Distorted human faces were still vaguely visible on the drum surface.
His withered fingers tapped on the drum surface.
"Dong!"
Sound waves spread like a physical substance. Everywhere they passed, the ground bricks and stones were all shattered!
Ye Fan's eardrums instantly ruptured, blood gushing from both ears, and everything before his eyes went pitch black!
Severe pain came like a tide, Ye Fan fell to his knees, bleeding from seven orifices. In a trance, he seemed to see those rebel brothers who died in battle beckoning to him.
"Is it... going to end?"
No!
He suddenly bit his tongue, the severe pain clearing his mind! The spiritual power in his body surged madly, and the bloodline power of the Desolate Saint Body was fully activated for the first time!
"This sword—!"
Ye Fan roared and rose up, his whole body blooming with blinding golden light. The rust on the iron sword peeled away inch by inch, revealing the sword body shining with cold light!
A sword light fully ten zhang long rushed into the sky, like the Milky Way pouring down, illuminating the entire battlefield!
"Puchi!"
Blood light burst forth!
The Black-Robed Daoist's head flew high into the air, his face still frozen with an expression of disbelief.
Ye Fan breathed heavily, blood dripping from the tip of his sword.
All around was deathly silent.
The rebels stared at him blankly, their eyes full of shock.
Ye Fan slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over those familiar faces.
—They were still waiting for him.
He took a deep breath, gripped the sword hilt tightly, and there was no more hesitation in his heart.
Even if this assessment failed, he would also let these people—
Truly live like humans!
He took a deep breath again, raising his long sword high.
"Full army, attack! Kill!"
...
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