Volume 4 Chapter 94

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Volume 4 Chapter 94: Fierce Battle (Part 4)

When he saw Number Two’s skin suddenly change to a deep greenish-blue and his eyes gradually turn gray, like a zombie, a sense of extreme danger began to spread from him. Even Xu Qingfan, who was charging at him, and Number One and Number Three beside him couldn’t help but react. Although they had spent decades with Number Two, they had never seen him transform like this.

Compared to them, Xu Qingfan was even more shocked because he clearly felt that after Number Two’s transformation, a strong wave of death energy emanated from him!

Death energy! How could a human have such a strong death energy?

Xu Qingfan had dealt with death energy more than most in the cultivation world. His understanding of the relationship between death energy and the human body was among the best in the cultivation world.

Xu Qingfan knew that in the human body, life energy and death energy maintain a delicate balance. The ebb and flow of these determine a person’s life and death. A cultivator’s task is to increase the capacity for life energy as much as possible to suppress the growth of death energy. This balance is crucial and must not be broken. While life energy is manageable, an overflow before the body adapts can only cause imbalance. However, an abrupt increase in death energy can only lead to rapid aging and death.

As far as Xu Qingfan knew, only zombies, ghosts, and creatures like the Dark Crow could possess pure death energy. Even Xu Qingfan himself only practiced an impure form of "Withered Qi" and even then had to carefully suppress its development.

Yet, somehow, Number Two in front of him possessed such strong death energy. He didn’t seem to suffer the usual aging effects. Instead, he exuded an intimidating aura of terror.

Regardless, Xu Qingfan had already charged to within a few dozen yards of Number Two and had no choice but to continue. Moreover, Number Two’s sudden surge of death energy actually benefited Xu Qingfan’s plan. So, after noticing Number Two’s transformation, Xu Qingfan didn’t slow down; instead, he rushed at Number Two even faster.

"Twenty yards, as long as I get within twenty yards, I am confident I can kill him."

Xu Qingfan thought to himself secretly and unconsciously tightened his grip on the "Holy Spirit Stone" in one hand, while silently taking out the "Thunderbolt Pill" with the other hand from his sleeve.

At this time, Xu Qingfan was still forty yards away from him!

"Number Three, stop him!"

Meanwhile, Number Two’s transformation was not yet complete; his hair began to grow longer and turn green, and eventually, two sharp fangs started to emerge. Long bone spurs slowly protruded from his joints, making him resemble a zombie. Seeing Xu Qingfan charging closer, he shouted at Number Three.

It was evident that Number Two’s command was far more effective than Number One’s. Hearing Number Two’s shout, Number Three hesitated not for a second, disregarding his previous internal injuries, and instantly transformed into a thick blood mist, rushing towards Xu Qingfan.

Thirty yards!

Seeing Number Three blocking his way, Xu Qingfan did not pause for a moment. He released the "Withered Qi" from his body, which enveloped him in a field of gray mist. As the blood mist formed by Number Three enveloped Xu Qingfan, at the precise moment the two mists collided, a pained groan from Number Three was heard from the blood mist, as the massive blood mist was instantly reduced by half under the corrosion of the "Withered Qi."

Immediately, Number Three dared not touch Xu Qingfan at all, then swiftly retreated back to Number Two’s side in his solid form.

Twenty-five yards!

After such a delay, the changes in Number Two had already completed. If one were to say that Number Two was not human but a zombie, there would be absolutely no doubt. Number Two possessed all the characteristics of a zombie, with bone spurs at the joints that were truly frightening.

Seeing Xu Qingfan lunging towards him, a trace of disdain flashed across Number Two’s face. He then clenched his fist and swung it at Xu Qingfan in mid-air. Xu Qingfan felt a tremendous force rushing towards him as Number Two’s punch struck, leaving him shocked. However, having charged too fast earlier, he had no momentum left to dodge.

"Boom…"

In the nick of time, Xu Qingfan once again unleashed the "Five Spirit Bell," transforming it into a protective shield of five colors to block Number Two’s attack. Under the immense force, Xu Qingfan was knocked back more than ten yards. He could even feel the shield formed by the "Five Spirit Bell" dent inward.

After Number Two’s transformation, the power of his punch was overwhelming!

The distance Xu Qingfan had painstakingly closed in earlier was once again widened to forty yards after that single punch.

But fortunately, after the "Five Spirit Bell" rang, neither Number Two nor the nearby Number One and Number Three could help but become dazed.

Seeing this situation, Xu Qingfan felt assured, understanding that despite Number Two’s zombie-like appearance, he still retained primarily human traits. Otherwise, if Number Two had truly turned completely into a zombie, the "Five Spirit Bell" attack, which specifically targets the Original Soul, wouldn’t have affected him so much.

If that’s the case, then Number Two’s body should still need to maintain the balance of life and death energies, which gave Xu Qingfan even more confidence in his plan.

Once Xu Qingfan regained his balance, he did not hesitate and immediately charged at Number Two again, taking advantage of Number Two and the others’ moment of surprise, he swiftly moved towards Number Two once more.

Thirty-five yards!

Thirty yards!

Twenty-five yards!

With no interference, the distance of twenty yards disappeared in an instant, and he quickly closed in to twenty-five yards away from Number Two. At this moment, Number Two finally recovered from his state of shock. Seeing Xu Qingfan closing in, murderous intent flickered in his eyes. He intended to launch his previous divine attack on Xu Qingfan again, but recalling the countering effect of the "Five Spirit Bell" from before, he hesitated for a moment.

Twenty yards!

In that brief hesitation, Xu Qingfan managed to close the gap between them to twenty yards.

"Hmph…"

Number Two gave a cold snort, and his hands were enveloped in a dense black aura of death, as if preparing to use another powerful attack on Xu Qingfan.

But just at that moment, Xu Qingfan suddenly raised the "Holy Spirit Stone" in his hand, gathering the little "Flourish Qi" and "Phoenix Spirit Qi" within him, channeling it into the "Holy Spirit Stone."

Triggered by the two fiery energies inside Xu Qingfan, the "Holy Spirit Stone" suddenly emitted a dazzling light, followed by a burst of pure, sacred energy that shot towards Number Two.

Number Two was about to unleash a pure death energy attack, not expecting Xu Qingfan’s action. Under the radiant light of the "Holy Spirit Stone," Number Two felt his control over the death energy nearly slip, his body experiencing a burning sensation, causing him to pause.

Taking advantage of Number Two’s hesitation, the ray of light from the "Holy Spirit Stone" finally hit Number Two successfully.

Twenty yards, exactly the attack range Xu Qingfan had predicted for the "Holy Spirit Stone."

"Ah!"

Just as Xu Qingfan expected, the light composed of "Holy Spirit Qi" successfully struck Number Two. After being hit, Number Two, who was filled with death energy, was completely overpowered by the "Holy Spirit Qi." The death energy inside him was mostly dissipated, and out of control, it began to corrode his body. Although Number Two looked like a zombie, his skin quickly lost its luster and wrinkles started to appear, showing clear signs of aging.

Although Xu Qingfan didn’t know how Number Two possessed death energy, it was clear that the balance of life and death energy within him was beginning to unravel.

But just as Xu Qingfan thought the battle was over, he saw Number Two suddenly spit out green blood, which covered his body like a jade coating. Then Xu Qingfan was surprised to feel that the balance of life and death energy within Number Two was gradually being restored!

"Luckily, I had another plan, which is now."

Xu Qingfan thought secretly.

In a moment of deep thought, Xu Qingfan suddenly threw another "Thunderbolt Pill" from his hand while quickly retreating.

Even if Number Two could barely use a secret method to rebalance the forces of life and death within, he was still extremely weak at this moment. Another "Thunderbolt Pill" would be enough to kill Number Two.

And once Number Two was dead, the endless zombie threat would be gone, and dealing with a seriously injured Number Three and a fully merging Number One would greatly increase the chances of victory.

But just as Xu Qingfan was thinking about how to deal with Number One and Number Three after killing Number Two, Number Two’s actions once again surprised Xu Qingfan.

When Number Two saw the "Thunderbolt Pill" flying towards him, his expression changed slightly, clearly understanding its power. At that moment, he was unable to move as he was controlling the out-of-control death energy and driving out the residual "Holy Spirit Qi." But Number Two remained unflustered, a look of determination flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly grabbed the nearby Number One, who was about to dodge. Number Two used some sort of supernatural power, and once Number One was caught, he couldn’t move at all. Without hesitation, Number Two threw Number One towards the "Thunderbolt Pill!"

Number One was already shocked by Number Two’s strength, which was so overpowering, and even more shocked that such a powerful Number Two was so easily wounded by Xu Qingfan. Upon seeing Xu Qingfan throw the "Thunderbolt Pill," he was stunned again, and in his distracted state, he did not notice Number Two’s actions. As a result, when Number Two grabbed and hurled him towards the "Thunderbolt Pill," he didn’t even have time to show a look of resentment.

Sad Number One, to his dying breath, he never knew that he was always just a shield for Number Two. In life and in death, he was still that, whether being deployed by the "Ming" organization or being used against Xu Qingfan’s "Thunderbolt Pill."

"Boom…"

As Number One collided with the "Thunderbolt Pill," a tremendous explosion erupted, the roar was deafening, and the force blew away all the rocks and trees on "Ningyun Mountain," with smoke and dust blotting out the sun.

Finally, as the dust settled, Number Two appeared once again before Xu Qingfan.

After enduring Xu Qingfan’s earlier "Holy Spirit Qi" and then the residual power of the "Thunderbolt Pill," Number Two’s appearance had become much more disheveled. The bone spurs on its body were broken, most of its green hair was burned away, and green blood continuously trickled from the corner of its mouth.

But strangely, Number Two kept smiling at Xu Qingfan. Meanwhile, Number Three had somehow moved to shield Number Two.

"You made a mistake."

Number Two said softly.

Xu Qingfan nodded, speaking slowly, "I never imagined that even this wouldn’t kill you, nor did I expect you to sacrifice your companion just to survive."

Number Two chuckled, "Indeed, the righteous can never fathom the lengths we on the dark path will go."

Xu Qingfan snorted coldly and said, "Whether it’s the righteous path or the evil one, there aren’t many who can still laugh like you when facing death."

Xu Qingfan knew that after these two setbacks, Number Two was no longer able to use his powers.

Number Two smiled slightly and said, "I didn’t expect you to have the ‘Holy Spirit Stone’ in your possession, but now you can’t use its power again, can you?"

Xu Qingfan snorted, "Are you sure?"

Number Two nodded, "If you could wield the ‘Holy Spirit Stone’ a second time, you wouldn’t have thrown the ‘Thunderbolt Pill’ just now but continued using it."

A heavy aura of "Withered qi" surged again around Xu Qingfan, and he said coldly, "Even so, with my current strength, I can still kill you. You’re out of strength, and Number Three is too severely injured to stop me."

Number Two sighed softly and said slowly, "Though it has always been my intention, being underestimated has become annoying."

Saying this, Number Two quickly moved his fingers, and after a moment, gestured towards the Twelve Corpse Generals battling Deng Tianao Chou Xuan and others in the sky, and commanded, "Twelve merge into one, Death God Descend!"

Hearing Number Two’s words, Xu Qingfan suddenly recalled a terrifying technique from the "Corpse Refining Art," his face turned pale, and he rushed towards Number Two. Unfortunately, he was blocked by Number Three, who ignored his own injuries, making it impossible to stop Number Two in time.