Chapter 68
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Chapter 68: Level Eight Returning to Origin Realm
Previously, the battle between the Ironback Blue Bull and the purple-eyed thunder bird had ended in a draw.
Later, in their next encounter, the purple-eyed thunder bird had won by taking advantage of its superior numbers, leaving the Ironback Blue Bull covered in dirt and shame.
After that defeat, the Ironback Blue Bull ran away and refused to fight again, leading many to believe that the excitement of their rivalry had come to an end.
Little did they know that on this day, the Ironback Blue Bull returned—bringing an army with him to challenge the purple-eyed thunder bird once again.
The sight left everyone astonished.
The Ironback Blue Bull led a massive army of Ironback Blue Bulls, their dark forms covering a vast area. Even beneath the shade of the Ancient Tree, their numbers seemed endless.
Some people rushed to check and estimated that there were around eight thousand of them.
The most thrilling moment came when the Ironback Blue Bull leapt onto a large rock and boldly shouted at the purple-eyed thunder bird, “You mangy bird, come down and fight! I, the Great Bull, will definitely defeat you this time!”
He could actually speak now!
As he let out a low roar, his body shone with dazzling blue light, transforming the area within a ten-meter radius into a world of shimmering blue.
He exuded an invisible pressure, resembling a fierce divine bull.
His cultivation had also risen—he was now a Level Four beast, nearing Level Five.
The Ironback Blue Bull army roared in unison, their combined presence awe-inspiring.
Now, it was the purple-eyed thunder bird’s turn to feel envious, especially since it still couldn’t speak.
As for fighting, there was no possibility—the difference in numbers was simply too great.
The Ironback Blue Bull was full of pride, confidently displaying his newfound power.
Zhang Yang rushed out and, after asking around, learned that the Ironback Blue Bull had been seriously bullied, which had prompted him to seek help from Yuan Tong.
In the end, Yuan Tong had indeed awakened the Small Tree King once more, who provided him with guidance.
Afterward, the Ironback Blue Bull disappeared to seek out the grand opportunity pointed out by the Small Tree King. He ultimately acquired the legacy of the ancient divine bull. Not only did he gain the ability to speak, but his combat strength surged, and most importantly, he gained the power to command other bulls, as if he were born to be the king of bulls.
Thus, there were now three great Beast Kings present:
Golden Ape King, Yuan Tong!
Purple-eyed thunder bird, the Bird King!
Ironback Blue Bull, the Bull King!
The number of commanding beasts also increased. Although the golden apes were fewer in number, the Golden Ape King Yuan Tong had recently taken action himself. With his newly awakened speech and formidable combat skills, he subdued many golden apes, bringing their total to over nine hundred.
Altogether, these beasts now numbered an astonishing ten thousand.
This was true strength, directly boosting their overall power by several levels.
People felt increasingly confident about facing the Demon Slayer Team.
Three more days passed, and Zhang Yang showed noticeable progress in his cultivation. He sensed that he was not far from a breakthrough.
After more than half a month of rain, the sun began shining more frequently, and he continued to push himself.
Then, just one day later, the Night Stalker returned.
He had successfully trained a total of five hundred air forces, which he had gathered and established from the Vast Forest. They worked seamlessly with the purple-eyed spirit birds.
Despite this remarkable achievement, the Night Stalker still felt it was not enough and admitted feeling a bit ashamed. Zhang Yang, Li Kunhai, and Shang Zhu were speechless—this was already an incredible feat.
People quickly recognized the Night Stalker’s extraordinary talent, not only in organizing an air combat force but also in rallying others. Everyone knew the situation: after the Demon Slayer Team had destroyed the Divine Forbidden Gate, most people avoided them like the plague. Yet, somehow, the Night Stalker had managed to recruit such elite fighters.
Shang Zhu immediately invited the Night Stalker for a drink and asked him to help recruit more people into the Divine Forbidden Gate, as he intended to rebuild it. To entice him, Shang Zhu offered many valuable rewards.
The Night Stalker was speechless as well. He wanted to lead a team into battle, not spend his time recruiting people. But the offers were too tempting, so in the end, he agreed.
Everyone worked with enthusiasm and passion.
Tension soon rose as well. The intelligence personnel stationed outside sent back alarming news regarding the Demon Slayer Team’s army.
One hundred thousand troops were only five days away from the Vast Forest.
Five days later would be the day of the decisive battle.
Zhang Yang threw himself into cultivation, determined to make a breakthrough before the battle began.
At noon two days later, he achieved his goal.
Level Eight Returning to Origin Realm!
He had finally completed his breakthrough.
The advancement thrilled Zhang Yang. He knew that, as someone who bullied the weak, his growing power only made him stronger and more unstoppable.
In his eyes, anyone who entered the Vast Forest was weak—far beneath his notice.
That evening, Zhang Yang prepared to test whether the so-called darkness was what he suspected, but he was interrupted by Yuluan.
“Your sister has come out of seclusion!”
Zhang Yang was overjoyed.
Since Xue Feishuang’s revival, she had remained in the Snow Palace, announcing her seclusion, and had not appeared since.
Without delay, the two of them flew to the Snow Palace.
Yuluan opened the palace door and pushed Zhang Yang inside, closing the door behind him.
Inside, the Snow Palace was adorned with distinctly feminine decorations.
However, despite the elegant touches, the large space felt empty, with no one in sight.
Zhang Yang observed carefully.
With his extraordinary vision, he faintly detected a figure moving around him.
His senses confirmed the presence of a vibrant and powerful life force.
He focused his energy into his eyes.
In an instant, the world sharpened into clarity.
The moving figure came fully into view.
“Sister.”
He quickly reached out and managed to grasp her.
“You really can’t hide from your junior brother,” he said.
Xue Feishuang revealed her true form.
After having not seen her for some time, Zhang Yang noticed she appeared slightly thinner, but she radiated a vibrant vitality.
“Sister, you’ve lost weight,” Zhang Yang said.
Xue Feishuang smiled and replied, “Doesn’t that make me even prettier?”
Zhang Yang nodded emphatically.
Xue Feishuang playfully pinched his nose and laughed. “Look at you, you’ve become quite the flatterer.”
At that moment, Yuluan walked in with her arms crossed and teased, “Guess what your sister has been cultivating in seclusion.”
“A method of invisibility?” Zhang Yang guessed.
“That’s half right,” Yuluan responded. “She chose to practice the Boundless Shadow Technique because she didn’t want to burden the Green Sparrow Palace and wanted to fight alongside you. This technique is one of the top assassination skills, but the training process is like living through hell. She didn’t want you to know, afraid you’d stop her, all just so she could stand by your side in battle.”
Zhang Yang felt deeply moved and embraced Xue Feishuang.
“It’s not as dramatic as Yuluan makes it sound,” Xue Feishuang said softly. “Besides, the saint’s blood and the three True Spirits of Wind you gave me were a tremendous help.”
Yuluan asked, “Have you reached the Opening the Sky realm?”
Xue Feishuang chuckled. “Not quite. I’m still in the Ascending to Heaven realm, level nine.”
“Wow!”
Yuluan exclaimed in excitement.
Level nine Ascending to Heaven realm meant she could step into the Opening the Sky realm at any moment, and beyond that awaited the immeasurable stage.
It was worth noting that during the battle for the title, Xue Feishuang had only been at level three of the Ascending to Heaven realm. The progress from her recent retreat was astonishing.
The three of them felt invigorated, each having made significant improvements.
Yuluan suggested they celebrate with drinks.
Both agreed.
They gathered in the Snow Palace, just the three of them, drinking and chatting.
Throughout the night, Yuluan playfully teased Zhang Yang, seeking revenge, while Xue Feishuang quietly observed, smiling. However, when Zhang Yang accidentally met her gaze, he noticed her eyes sparkling, filled with fiery energy.
As midnight approached, Yuluan’s wild side emerged. She pulled Xue Feishuang into dancing and singing. At first, Xue Feishuang was shy, but she quickly let herself go and even dragged Zhang Yang into the fun.
The three of them drank and laughed the night away.
The next day, under the bright sun, they were once again full of energy.
Xue Feishuang continued to hone her assassination techniques and told Zhang Yang that after the decisive battle, she wanted to form a shadow guard composed of assassins to protect him.
Yuluan insisted on strengthening the Snow Guards as well.
Zhang Yang vowed to train harder and become a true saint capable of shielding them from any storm.
In the Howling Wolf Palace, the Divine Forbidden Gate, and among the beasts, everyone trained with relentless determination.
On Wolf God Mountain, the Ice and Snow Divine Palace also received Zhang Yang’s message regarding the impending war and began their preparations.
Amid the intense busyness, time passed swiftly.
As expected, the Demon Slayer Team’s hundred thousand troops arrived at the Vast Forest.
This was the same army that had struck fear into the Green Sparrow Palace and destroyed the headquarters of the Divine Forbidden Gate.
The decisive battle had begun.