Chapter 312
by post_apiChapter 312: Past and Present
The Hellhound had not died for a reason.
Its ability to rise from beneath the surface meant it had received power beyond the path of a saint, a residual protective force. This explained how it could be swallowed by a terrifying beast and still possess the strength to support the Beast’s Mouth.
To survive, the Hellhound had sacrificed its final layer of protection.
Originally, its goal was to use that fearsome power to intimidate all saints above ground, gather resources, strengthen itself, establish dominion, and ultimately open a passage to the surface.
That had been its mission.
But to preserve its life, the Hellhound had released that ultimate power prematurely, striking down the monstrous giant beast at the cost of falling into a deep coma.
Yet, by fortune or fate, it avoided further disaster.
Instead, it drifted into the Death Crossing, eventually joining forces with Yaoruoxian to execute a lethal ambush.
Revenge!
The Hellhound had gone mad.
Its monstrous jaws opened wide, fangs wrapped in Hellfire, fully capable of tearing Zhang Yang apart.
Another sudden twist!
This was a true test of one’s ability to react under pressure, a pure assessment of battle instincts in a life-or-death moment.
Zhang Yang didn’t have time to think.
He instinctively thrust the Crimson Sun Divine Rod forward.
Bang!
The rod pierced into the beast’s gaping maw, striking its teeth and producing a jarring metallic clang.
Yet the Hellhound was far too wild, too crazed. Despite the hit, it drove forward violently, forcing Zhang Yang back over a meter.
Zhang Yang let out a cold snort, releasing his Holy Might, halting the beast’s advance.
The overwhelming Slaughter Thunder Saint Power surged from his body.
The fearsome Slaughter Sacred Thunder exploded outward, colliding with the Hellfire in a storm of destruction.
Whoosh!
Zhang Yang advanced again, driving the Hellhound back with the Crimson Sun Divine Rod.
No matter how savage its bite, the Hellhound could not endure the combined power of the divine rod and Slaughter Thunder Saint Power. Its fangs might have resisted many weapons, but against the Crimson Sun Divine Rod, especially after being reforged by Shui Lianyi, it stood no chance.
The rod was approaching the power of a genuine sacred weapon.
Toothache!
It wasn’t an illness, but when the pain hit, it was deadly.
The Hellhound recoiled in agony.
Yet just as Zhang Yang stepped forward, he suddenly gathered his strength.
Whoosh!
He forced the Hellhound to retreat violently.
Swish!
A sharp sword light zipped past hit, it was Yaoruoxian.
Having been pushed back, Yaoruoxian had come to fully grasp the terror of Zhang Yang. Yet she neither panicked nor felt fear; instead, her fighting spirit soared, and a name involuntarily flashed through her mind.
Yu Wushuang!
That unparalleled female immortal who had risen during the mid-to-late stages before the Eternal Night, sweeping across countless races and leaving behind a legacy of glorious battles.
And yet, this very name ignited a competitive fire within Yaoruoxian.
She wanted to surpass time itself—to challenge that legend and prove her own worth.
She would never admit defeat.
Still, an uncomfortable feeling lingered in her heart.
Although she understood the significance of that name, it was only recently that Zhang Yang had mentioned it to her, pointing it out deliberately, even telling her to remember it for the future. In that moment, she realized he had essentially designated her as someone destined to lose, advising her not to be too weak and to become a worthy opponent for him.
He was a master, too lonely.
How infuriating!
Yaoruoxian sorted through the deep arrogance that came from Zhang Yang. Though it filled her with pride, it also sparked an even stronger killing intent.
She launched a powerful attack.
But once again, it fell short.
The battle wisdom Zhang Yang displayed was terrifying, as if he had been born a Battle God, calculating power, trajectories, and danger with precision.
In truth, this state had been present since his very first battle.
After pushing the Hellhound back, Zhang Yang’s strength momentarily dipped.
And in that moment, the Hellhound decisively shut its mouth, spitting out the Crimson Sun Divine Rod.
Why? Because of the toothache.
Still staring at Zhang Yang, the Hellhound noticed a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips, instantly triggering a sense of dread.
Before it could react, Zhang Yang moved.
This wasn’t a sign of fatigue. Even with the explosive surge of Consummate Slaughter Thunder Saint Power, it wasn’t enough to make him falter. He had already reached the Ninth level of the Ascending to Heaven realm.
He was nearing the Opening the Sky realm, where wielding holy power martial arts techniques became far more fluid.
Zhang Yang had deliberately given the Hellhound an opportunity.
In truth, he was also giving himself one.
As he retrieved the Crimson Sun Divine Rod, he channeled all his strength into his right leg.
Slaughter Thunder Saint Power.
Slaughter Sacred Thunder.
And his own physical strength.
Never underestimate Zhang Yang’s physical prowess, his half-awakened bloodline had granted him a terrifyingly strong physique, one that rivaled even holy bodies.
With a single kick, the air exploded with wind and thunder.
Countless bolts of lightning crackled outward.
Everyone watching the moon-returning dragon, Jin Zhihong, Liu Yuewu, Yuan Chimuyu, and others felt a massive surge of life energy rush through the air.
The Slaughter Sacred Thunder pushed the boundaries of life’s essence while simultaneously suppressing destructive forces.
Why was that?
Many couldn’t understand.
The battle wasn’t following the pattern they expected.
It was all happening far too quickly leaving no time to react. Even Yaoruoxian, who had just swung her sword and missed, found herself unable to strike again before Zhang Yang’s kick landed.
The Hellhound reacted with animal instinct twisting its massive head, jaws flaring wide, razor-sharp teeth blazing with Hellfire as it bit down fiercely.
Bang!
Zhang Yang’s foot collided with the Hellhound’s open mouth, striking those massive fangs—each like an indestructible artifact.
Whoosh!
Enveloped by overwhelming Slaughter Sacred Thunder, the Hellhound was sent flying like a cannonball.
At that moment, everyone understood why Zhang Yang had chosen to activate the life-oriented aspect of Slaughter Sacred Thunder.
Because outside there was a Bone-winged Death Bird!
A death beast brimming with boundless hatred and hostility toward all life.
A holy beast.
And not just any holy beast, it was one infuriated by an Ascending to Heaven realm cultivator who had escaped under its nose using the Thunder-struck Sacred Wood.
Whoosh!
Without a sound, the Bone-winged Death Bird suddenly appeared, catching up to the airborne Slaughter Sacred Thunder in a flash.
Crack!
With a vicious swing, the Bone-winged Death Bird slashed its terrifying, blade-like bone wings.
Whether it was the Slaughter Sacred Thunder or Hellfire, even the resilient Hellhound was no match, it was sliced cleanly in half by the bone wings.
A shrill cry erupted but was instantly devoured by the Bone-winged Death Bird.
The Hellhound was utterly dead.
Yaoruoxian, who had been poised to launch another attack, halted in her tracks. She sheathed her sword and gave up on the battle.
This decision made Zhang Yang smile to himself. It left a deep impression—she had accepted that she could not defeat him.
“The Seventh Battle, you won.”
Yaoruoxian showed her strength in a different way, acknowledging her defeat with grace and decisiveness.
Zhang Yang simply shrugged, as if this outcome had been expected all along. He didn’t gloat. Instead, he stored away the Crimson Sun Divine Rod and turned his gaze toward the Skull Banner.
As for the Bone-winged Death Bird, it no longer required his attention. Even if it attacked again, it wouldn’t matter. The long, storied history of the Ghost Ship of the Buried Immortals safely traversing the Abyss of the Buried Immortals was proof enough of its protection.
On the other hand, the Blood Skeleton on Ghost Island looked toward Zhang Yang and whispered,
“A terrifying man. If I ever step into the sunlight, I will never be his enemy.”
He felt fear.
The ship fell into silence.
The moon-returning dragon, Jin Zhihong, and the others who had witnessed the entire scene were flooded with turbulent emotions.
Especially Jin Zhihong, who had been tasked by the Supreme Emperor with killing Zhang Yang, his head throbbed with helplessness. How could he possibly defeat someone like that?
Zhang Yang stared at the Skull Banner for a while, but unable to discern its meaning, he eventually walked over to sit beside the moon-returning dragon and the others. Quietly, he continued refining his Slaughter Thunder Saint Power.
At that moment, he wasn’t seeking other awakened bloodlines, what he truly wanted was to push his Slaughter Thunder Saint Power to the level of Great Perfection.
Meanwhile, Yaoruoxian stood alone, gazing at the vast waters of the River of Death, her expression distant, her heart restless.
And so, a day passed.
The Ghost Ship of the Buried Immortals continued its journey through the River of Death, with no land in sight—only the ceaseless current and the heavy aura of death. From time to time, death beasts emerged, clashing with the ship’s defenses.
Until light appeared ahead, swirling on the water’s surface and illuminating a stretch of the river. This was a place the Ghost Ship of the Buried Immortals had to pass through.
Jin Zhihong, the moon-returning dragon, and the others all grew solemn.
Yaoruoxian’s hair danced in the wind. Her face was serious, but her eyes held a glint of excitement she couldn’t suppress.
She whispered,
“The Eighth Battle—between past and present. The first to awaken wins.”