Volume Two: First Signs of Brilliance Chapter 0055: Entry (2)

After killing three people in a row, he gasped for breath, sweat pouring down his forehead. He hadn’t even caught his breath before his face changed dramatically—he realized the man-eating flowers were beginning to move. The scent of blood lured them irresistibly in his direction; their roots pierced the corpses, and in less than a minute, the three bodies were reduced to bare bones.

His expression shifted again, for he sensed a powerful force had locked onto him. Damn it, he thought, could it be that after devouring the three, they still aren’t satisfied and want to eat me as well?

He activated the Immortal-Slaying Art, shrouding himself in thunderous power, wild energy swirling around him. Faced with this lightning, the carnivorous flowers dared not approach—wherever he passed, the blossoms retreated.

Yet he hadn’t escaped the encirclement when the ground began to tremble. In the distance, a colossal beast was charging toward him.

“Hell, am I in Jurassic Park now? Are there dinosaurs here too?”

It was a type of dragon known as the Earth Dragon—massive in size, heavily armored, and possessing tremendous strength, for it bore traces of true dragon blood.

The Earth Dragon’s body was covered in scars, evidence that someone had tried—and failed—to hunt it. When its gaze landed on the human before it, murderous intent filled its eyes. It was enraged by the sight of a human and let out a furious roar, its razor-sharp claws slamming down.

“Come on, if you have a grudge, take it up with the right person! This isn’t fair, buddy,” he called, but the Earth Dragon, of course, didn’t understand. It charged with unstoppable force.

Dust billowed, massive claw prints appeared on the ground, making his heart pound with fear. If he’d been struck just now, even if he survived, he would have been skinned alive.

The Earth Dragon’s strength was at the peak of the Dao Initiation Realm, but a beast’s level couldn’t be compared to that of a human—their sheer size and monstrous defenses made them nearly invincible.

A smile curled on his lips. This was the first time he’d faced a ferocious beast head-on; the giant python he’d only glimpsed as a shadow. The Earth Dragon’s corporeal form was clear and vivid—far more real than any movie.

Its enormous nostrils flared, harsh breaths creating gusts like miniature tornadoes with each inhale and exhale.

“Under this kind of pressure, I wonder if I can push my Berserker Body to the second stage.” His eyes blazed with anticipation. After all, to break through with the Berserker Body required opportunity; without it, progress was impossible.

The trace of dragon blood within the Earth Dragon was precisely the opportunity he craved.

He lunged forward, legs pounding the earth, pushing his Berserker Body to the limit. The Dao of Slaughter and the Dao of Thunder flowed through his hands—one gripped the Blood Rakshasa, the other thunder itself.

On his pale cheeks, a fierce battle lust flickered.

Battle intent surged as the Earth Dragon roared, its mighty claws slashing toward him.

“Well met!” he shouted. Never before had he fought so freely—this time, he would savor the battle.

He unleashed the Heaven Demon Fist, his arm swelling with power, veins coiling, appearing almost monstrous.

Boom!

The Heaven Demon Fist collided with the beast, empowered by two Daos and the Berserker Body, barely withstanding the Earth Dragon’s might.

Veins bulged across his face as he grasped its claws and roared, “Get lost!” Gripping the dragon’s talon, he hurled the Earth Dragon aside. Without missing a beat, he leapt into the air, the Ink Dragon Dagger dancing in his hand, slaughterous intent pouring into the blade.

Sparks flew as the dagger scraped across the Earth Dragon’s hide, but it could not pierce it.

He had no time for other thoughts before the beast’s tail, like a steel whip, sent him flying.

Blood spattered, dyeing the talisman at his neck crimson. The blue ring on his finger glowed faintly, but caught in the heat of battle, he didn’t notice.

“What strength!” he muttered. Flexing his arm and finding it unbroken, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Wiping the blood from his mouth, he realized, heart pounding, that the Immortal-Slaying Art within him was circulating ten times faster than usual.

Vast true energy replenished his losses.

His eyes narrowed, tongue licking his lips—this Earth Dragon had to die, or he’d never break through to the Berserker Body’s second stage.

Observing the beast’s formidable defenses and its mastery over the earth, he grinned. “Interesting.”

The Earth Dragon roared, its cries echoing through the mountains and forest, so fierce that even the man-eating flowers fled in terror.

Qin Yang’s expression grew grave; the Earth Dragon was far more troublesome than he’d anticipated. Its overwhelming power left him with no certainty of victory.

Meanwhile, many others had arrived in secret, some familiar faces from his past. But none were in a rush; they intended to wait for both sides to be wounded before making their move.

Let them try to pick up the scraps, he thought. We’ll see if their teeth are sharp enough.

Wu Jian crouched behind a boulder, his long fingers tapping idly as he calculated the best moment to strike. Dozens of Sword Sect disciples stood behind him. As a core disciple, he considered it a favor to even make use of them.

“Senior Brother Wu, when should we act?” someone asked.

Wu Jian shook his head. “Wait a bit longer.”

By now, Qin Yang’s fight with the Earth Dragon had reached its climax. His body was covered in blood, countless wounds crisscrossing his skin, but he refused to yield.

At that moment, he felt the Berserker Body begin to loosen, delighting him, and his understanding of the earth deepened as well.

He had to admit—he owed the Earth Dragon his thanks.

Nine Steps to Shatter the Heavens.

This was the Emperor’s proudest footwork. He had never used it before, feeling his strength insufficient and settling instead for the Gale Step. But now, the Gale Step was far from enough.

With Nine Steps to Shatter the Heavens, each step soared higher; with all nine, even the sky could be shattered—such was its terror.

His body was already formidable, but the demands of this technique were monstrous.

He hadn’t completed the first step before every inch of his skin, every pore, began to bleed.

His face twisted in agony, pain lancing through him, nearly unbearable—but still he endured.

His back split open, teeth gritted, true energy surging madly into the Ink Dragon Dagger.

“Die!” he roared.

He moved like the wind, a shooting star, reaching the Earth Dragon in the blink of an eye. The Ink Dragon Dagger plunged toward its eye.

A shriek rang out—Qin Yang’s speed so shocked Wu Jian that he saw only a blur. Gazing at the exhausted Qin Yang, Wu Jian’s face filled with greed.

Such speed could only belong to a supreme martial art.

And any technique that could grant such explosive power was a prize to covet.

He licked his lips, eyes fixed on Qin Yang, killing intent growing ever stronger.

The Earth Dragon convulsed, throwing Qin Yang aside. Now, half-blinded, it was crippled. Qin Yang charged forward once more.

The Ink Dragon Dagger flashed. “Die!”

Wu Jian sensed danger—he could wait no longer. “Go! Now!”

They moved swiftly, but when they arrived, the sight before them left them speechless.