Volume Two: The First Signs of Brilliance Chapter 54: Entering (1)

This was an icy cavern, stretching endlessly into darkness, its terminus unknown to any. The ice sculptures glowed crimson, as if bathed in blood, lending them a mournful beauty.

He kept his gaze fixed on his surroundings, suddenly frowning as a pungent scent of blood grew stronger and stronger. The people around him had noticed it too—Chen Tian and two other masters of the Profound Realm had already vanished without a trace.

Bang!

Cracks began to spider across the ice, growing wider and wider as water seeped from the fissures within the cave.

"This is bad, we need to go, now!"

No sooner had the words been spoken than the ice behind them gave way, shattering under immense force. Through the gaps, everyone caught sight of a massive black shadow, their faces draining of color.

It was easily a hundred meters long, its blood-red eyes glowing like lanterns.

Could it be a super serpent?

He had heard many legends about the Western Mountain Range, dismissing them as myth—never expecting to see one come to life.

His eyelids twitched violently. Staying here any longer was perilous; there was no telling what might happen next. He swiftly launched into Gale Step, charging forward at full speed.

Behind him, screams echoed. Those who lagged behind were swallowed whole by the giant serpent, not even disturbing the air.

Human lives meant nothing to these ferocious beasts—merely food to sate their hunger.

The serpent broke through the ice, dropping into the cavern, its immense body undulating as it pursued the fleeing shadows.

Its blood-soaked maw opened wide, a terrifying suction drawing in a dozen people at once.

Everyone was gripped by mortal terror; there was no retreat, only the imperative to press forward—and faster still. Anyone slow was doomed to be devoured.

Qin Yang was just about to speed up when a flash of sword light blocked his path.

His expression changed dramatically. Wu Jian, smiling broadly, barred his way, fury igniting in Qin Yang’s heart. A torrent of seawater surged up and swept him away.

The roaring river, he had no idea where he was being carried.

His organs were wounded to varying degrees, his complexion pale. He surveyed his surroundings warily.

Finding himself alone, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Wu Jian, I’ll kill you for this."

He darted through the terrain, finding a cave to hide in. Looking out at the verdant leaves and scorched earth, he realized he had entered some ancient site.

Outside, winter reigned, but here the climate was gentle, remarkably comfortable.

All was quiet. He was about to begin cultivating when he spotted several beautiful flowers in the distance suddenly open wide and swallow nearby rabbits whole.

His eyes widened as he swallowed hard.

Man-eating flowers.

For three days, he sat motionless in that spot, finally awakening after the third day. Most of his wounds had healed. He summoned the Black Dragon Dagger—this place was far too dangerous; he needed to be ready for anything.

Walking across the blackened earth, every hundred meters or so he found bleached bones scattered on the ground, many years old, impossible to date precisely.

He suddenly spied a blue ring hanging from one skeleton and swiftly pocketed it.

Shshshsh—

He had barely straightened up before he realized he was surrounded.

"Qin Yang of the Northern Seas, hand over the ring you just found. If you do, the three of us will spare your life."

The three brothers of the Zhuang family.

Each was a master of the Dao Realm, and together they were well-known figures.

Unfortunately, he was not from the ancient martial world and knew little about them. He sneered, "If you want it, come and take it."

Zhuang Ku was enraged by the remark, gripping his steel blade and hurling it at Qin Yang.

The scorched earth beneath them suddenly turned white, as if they walked a path paved with countless bones.

He had mastered the Bone Road; at its peak, one could summon armies of skeletons to fight on his behalf.

Clang! Clang!

The Black Dragon Dagger deflected the attack, but the incredible force sent Qin Yang flying, blood spraying from his lips and his eyes wide with shock.

"Damn, with strength like that, why aren’t you hauling cargo down at the docks? You could make a fortune!"

The Zhuang brothers’ faces darkened at the comment. If strength alone qualified, then the Profound Realm masters might as well be hauling bricks.

"Second, stop wasting time. Deal with him quickly. I heard there’s a Dao Enlightening Tree in here. If we can get a Dao Fruit, it’ll greatly boost our comprehension—even let us grasp another kind of Dao intent."

He spoke lightly, but his eyes burned with heat and greed.

Dao Fruit?

Qin Yang’s heart trembled. Dao Fruit was a treasure—whether consumed directly or refined into elixirs, it was coveted. If he could obtain it, he could train legions of experts.

The thought set his heart pounding.

"Qin Yang, you have two choices. First, hand over the blue ring. Second, surrender the technique that boosted your cultivation. If you do, I’ll spare your miserable life."

"Heh, keep dreaming."

He retreated a few steps, unleashing the Berserk Demon Body, his aura skyrocketing.

He blended the Dao intent of slaughter and thunder.

Both sought ultimate destructive power; this was no mere sum of parts.

Zhuang Bi and Zhuang Fan saw this and their faces changed. Without hesitation, they joined the battle.

They had never seen Qin Yang fight, but his aura already surpassed any one of them.

Palm strikes thundered forth, terrifying whirlwinds swirling like dragons.

The fierce wind hit them, causing their bodies to freeze for a split second.

That instant was enough for Qin Yang.

He pushed the Black Dragon Dagger to its limits, his eyes flashing with cold light.

Die!

Now was not the time for mercy—hesitation would mean certain death. He showed no pity, killing Zhuang Ku outright. Zhuang Bi and Zhuang Fan’s attacks followed, leaving him no time to dodge, only to avoid fatal wounds.

Hiss—

A cut opened along his back, blood flowing freely. Zhuang Fan kicked him hard in the chest, his blood and qi churning, his face grim.

"Courting death!"

The Black Dragon surged in his hand, transforming into a crimson flash that shot out.

Zhuang Fan’s face twisted in horror; he couldn’t evade in time. Qin Yang moved like a specter, sticking close to him, finally plunging the Black Dragon Dagger into his skull.

His eyes grew dim, life fading away.

"Big brother, second brother..." Zhuang Bi stared at his fallen siblings, rage consuming him.

"I’ll tear you to pieces!"

"Heh, so you know pain now?" Qin Yang shook his head, speaking solemnly, "Too late. Don’t forget, you struck first."

If the three had joined forces from the start, he would have been forced to flee.

But they hadn’t.

He launched into Gale Step, pairing Phantom Hand with Devil Fist, unleashing a savage assault. Zhuang Bi’s bones broke inch by inch, his face twisted beyond recognition.

"You like to act tough? I’ll give you tough!"

He kept beating him, venting his fury, slashing Zhuang Bi with the Black Dragon Dagger.