Chapter 115: Grievously Wounded

Sun Wukong’s body was enveloped in a golden light that shielded him, rendering him nearly impervious to all attacks. Originally arrogant, Yang Jian now found himself overwhelmed and suppressed by Sun Wukong. Even Yuan Wuji was taken aback by Sun Wukong’s prowess.

At the moment Yuan Wuji and Sun Wukong clashed, Yuan Wuji sensed that Sun Wukong possessed not only the power of the golden light but also an increasingly sharp offensive force within his body’s metal element. This force faintly surpassed the attack power generated by Yuan Wuji’s own Geng Metal Golden Core.

The tide of battle was clear: Sun Wukong led, Yang Jian followed, and Yuan Wuji lagged behind.

Sensing the unfavorable situation, Yang Jian decided to seize the opportunity to defeat Yuan Wuji first before dealing with Sun Wukong. Resolute, Yang Jian suddenly ceased his assault on Sun Wukong and directed his full strength against Yuan Wuji.

Sun Wukong was momentarily stunned by Yang Jian’s sudden move but quickly recovered. However, by then, Yang Jian had launched a full-scale attack on Yuan Wuji. Curious to observe Yuan Wuji’s skills, Sun Wukong slowed his movements.

Yuan Wuji, upon witnessing Yang Jian’s intent, understood clearly.

“Er Lang, if that’s all you’ve got, you might as well return to Guanjingkou,” Yuan Wuji sneered. “You’re just a monkey; don’t overestimate yourself.”

Yang Jian believed Yuan Wuji was merely buying time, so he wielded his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade with even greater ferocity and speed.

“Today, I’ll show you the true 36 Transformations of the Heavenly Gang.”

Although Yuan Wuji’s genuine mastery of the 36 Transformations was limited to the Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Seizing technique, it was more than enough to handle Yang Jian.

Activating the Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Seizing technique, both the Ten Thousand Demons Golden Core and the Heavenly Gang Golden Core within Yuan Wuji rotated in unison. As a result, blood and golden light radiated fiercely from his body. The combined aura of demonic energy and divine power erupted, instantly overwhelming Yang Jian.

“Roar!”

Two pairs of blood dragons and blood tigers, alongside golden dragons and golden tigers, circled Yuan Wuji’s sides. The imperial aura of the dragons paired with the domineering spirit of the tigers forced Yang Jian to retreat several steps.

Even Sun Wukong, who had dared to approach, halted, staring intently at Yuan Wuji in the center. At that moment, Yuan Wuji’s aura sparked a memory in Sun Wukong:

“How is this aura so similar to the one the King of You Rong used against the Monkey King back then?”

The appearance of the blood dragons, blood tigers, golden dragons, and golden tigers made Yang Jian realize that Yuan Wuji was no ordinary opponent. Yet, Yuan Wuji would not give him any chance to flee once they collided.

Yuan Wuji’s severed-head staff slammed heavily onto Yang Jian’s Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade, the impact stunning Yang Jian and forcing him to retreat several yards.

The golden and blood dragons seemed imbued with spirit. As Yang Jian was driven back, they launched their attacks upon him. The blood tigers and golden tigers, though a bit sluggish, followed their lead and also charged at Yang Jian.

Having once devoured the souls of three divine dragons, along with the imperial aura they consumed in the mortal realm, the dragon souls now possessed true sentience, while the tiger souls were somewhat less potent.

“Yang Jian, if you lack the skill, you’d best stay put in Guanjingkou!”

Though Yuan Wuji’s words were sharp, he showed no mercy in battle.

Entangled by the Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Seizing technique, Yang Jian was directly assaulted by Yuan Wuji’s severed-head staff aimed at his head.

“Clang!”

Yang Jian had no choice but to defend, but during his block, a blood dragon found an opening and slashed across his waist with razor-sharp claws.

“Ah!”

Three bloody claw marks appeared on Yang Jian’s waist, blood trickling down.

“Why won’t it stop bleeding?” Yang Jian asked in panic.

“Of course it won’t,” came Yuan Wuji’s voice from behind.

In that instant of Yang Jian’s alarm, the blood and golden dragons and tigers retracted into Yuan Wuji’s body. Yuan Wuji’s aura surged dramatically, completely overwhelming Yang Jian, who was a full realm below.

A powerful aura of suppression radiated from Yuan Wuji, and Yang Jian could only watch helplessly as the severed-head staff descended once more.

The overwhelming pressure was terrifying.

“Pfft!”

Yang Jian was slammed onto the ground, spitting blood. Sensing the threat behind him, he quickly distanced himself from Yuan Wuji despite his injuries, narrowly avoiding the second strike.

Now, Yuan Wuji no longer concealed his aura, fully unleashing his power. His half-demon, half-god form drew the attention of all deities and demons on Huaguo Mountain. Coupled with the intimidating effect of the Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Seizing technique, Yuan Wuji radiated an eerie and terrifying presence.

Even Yuan Wuji himself was unaware that his temperament had become strange during this full eruption of power.

“Hehehe, Yang Jian, is this fun?” Yuan Wuji’s voice carried a sharp edge.

“Truly a despicable creature. No wonder he did such foul deeds,” Yang Jian quickly recovered, realizing his previous assault had not been fatal.

“You recover quickly, but I fear you’ll fall just as fast,” Yuan Wuji said with a wicked grin.

“Demon monkey, I was merely careless just now. Do you truly think you can defeat me?” Yang Jian retorted.

Yang Jian had reached the True Immortal Realm of Taiyi, which required mastery of two elements in the Five Elements system to the point of perfection.

Yuan Wuji was unaware of Yang Jian’s other elemental attribute, but it was certain that Yang Jian’s Earth element was perfected. This explained why Yang Jian’s body had not suffered fatal injuries despite Yuan Wuji’s heavy blows.

“Then come again.”

Yuan Wuji’s malevolent aura surged as he instantly closed the distance to Yang Jian, launching relentless attacks that grew increasingly fierce.

Still wounded, Yang Jian became passive against Yuan Wuji’s escalating ferocity, forced to defend without any chance to break through.

“Clang clang clang!”

Yuan Wuji wielded the severed-head staff against Yang Jian. The tremendous force both suppressed Yang Jian and strained the staff itself.

The Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade was an innate spiritual treasure, whereas the severed-head staff was a postnatal spiritual treasure. Though Yuan Wuji was overpowering Yang Jian, his weapon could not sustain the assault indefinitely.

Yet Yuan Wuji paid no heed to the staff’s condition, pressing his attacks relentlessly. The staff began to crack and splinter under the strain, the fissures growing with each strike.

“Bang!”

“Pfft!”

The sound of the staff shattering echoed alongside the noise of Yang Jian spitting blood.

“Die!”

Seeing his weapon broken, Yang Jian, ignoring his injuries, seized his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade and thrust it toward Yuan Wuji.

Momentarily stunned by the loss of his weapon, Yuan Wuji was caught off guard as the blade pierced through his abdomen.

Struck heavily, Yuan Wuji’s Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Seizing technique instantly faltered, and his aura plummeted, quickly returning to its prior state.

“This…”

Yuan Wuji touched the wound in his lower abdomen, blood flowing from the puncture. Fortunately, his Golden Core remained intact; had Yang Jian shattered it, the consequences would have been unimaginable.