In the blink of an eye, the [Mountain Crashing Hammer] descended, threatening to smash Chen Xingze’s head into pulp.
CLANG—!
A metallic clangor exploded through the courtyard, sharp enough to pierce eardrums.
Zhou Kai felt a tremendous force rebound from the hammer’s handle. The downward momentum of his strike was forcibly halted mid-air, as if he had hit an immovable mountain.
Looking closely, a pitch-black, rod-like object had been slammed into the ground at a slant, intercepting the hammer just inches above Chen Xingze’s skull.
No, it wasn’t a rod. It was a flagpole, its banner tightly furled.
“Pfft—!”
Although Chen Xingze had escaped being crushed, the shockwave from the collision sent him flying seven or eight zhang. He smashed hard against the courtyard wall, sliding down like a broken doll. He opened his mouth and violently spewed blood mixed with fragments of internal organs, his aura instantly withering to a flicker.
“Patriarch!” Chen Xingze cried out hoarsely, his eyes wide with terror and relief.
Zhou Kai’s gaze locked firmly onto the owner of the banner.
Chen Rulong stood there, one hand gripping the flagpole, his sleeves fluttering without any wind. His aura was vast, pressing down on the courtyard like a heavy cloud.
“Foundation Establishment!” Zhou Kai gritted the words out through clenched teeth.
Chen Rulong was a Foundation Establishment cultivator!
When did he break through? This old fox hid it deeply!
Zhou Kai’s mind raced. The Chen Family had prepared four sets of materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill. One went to the Wang Family, one to him. The other two were meant for the Heavenly Spring Sect.
Since they hadn’t gone to the Sect yet, there was only one possibility.
The Wang Family had succeeded. But instead of giving the pill to the young genius Chen Xingze, they gave it to the Patriarch.
It made sense. Chen Rulong had been stuck at the Great Perfection of Qi Condensation for years. A single pill could push him over the edge immediately, adding a true Foundation Establishment powerhouse to the family instantly.
Chen Rulong didn’t speak. He knew his opponent was a body cultivator; letting Zhou Kai close the distance was suicide.
He retreated several steps and suddenly unfurled the banner in his hand.
Zhou Kai grinned, though his eyes were cold. “Patriarch Chen’s skill in hiding his strength is something I truly admire.”
Before his words faded, he tapped his foot. Instead of retreating, he launched himself forward, swinging the Mountain Crashing Hammer once more, aiming directly at Chen Rulong’s chest!
HUMMM.
The [Hidden Kill Heaven-Confusing Array] was already active. Waves of mist surged, isolating the courtyard from the world, invisible killing intent swirling within the fog.
“Kill!” Chen Rulong snorted, wasting no words.
Whoosh—!
The banner unfurled, revealing a surface black as ink. Dozens of beastly shadows roared and struggled within the fabric, and a stench of blood and savagery rushed forth.
“Awooo—!”
Three mournful wolf howls sounded in unison.
A flash of light appeared before Chen Rulong as three massive black demon wolves materialized out of thin air. Their eyes burned crimson, and their fangs dripped with spectral saliva.
Wisps of black Qi drifted from the banner, flowing into the wolves. Empowered, their bodies swelled, their muscles bulging under a layer of faint black armor. Their auras climbed rapidly, infinitely approaching the Foundation Establishment realm!
“A magic treasure!” Zhou Kai’s eyes narrowed.
The [Hundred Beast Banner]. A genuine magic treasure.
“Roar!”
The three demon wolves pounced from different directions, their speed blurring into black streaks. Their claws tore at the air, stirring up gusts of foul wind.
“Hmph, mere beasts dare act recklessly?”
Zhou Kai showed no fear.
His figure became blurry, like the moon reflected in rippling water.
[Roaming Dragon White Jade Body]! [Dragon Roaming the Void]!
He evaded the simultaneous pounce with a flicker of movement, reappearing instantly at Chen Rulong’s left flank.
“Old thing, take my hammer!”
The Mountain Crashing Hammer tore through the air with a piercing shriek.
If this hammer landed, even an early Foundation Establishment cultivator would be crippled!
Chen Rulong’s expression changed. He hadn’t anticipated Zhou Kai’s movement technique being so bizarrely fast. He threw out a round shield magical tool to protect himself and held the banner horizontally to block.
BANG!
The round shield shattered instantly.
The hammer continued, striking the banner shaft. Chen Rulong felt an immense power surge through the weapon. His Vitality roiled, his arms went numb, and he was forced back two steps.
What a formidable physical body! Chen Rulong was shocked.
He poured his Mana into the banner, holding nothing back. Black Qi flourished, and countless illusory beast shadows rushed out, swarming Zhou Kai like a tide. Simultaneously, the three demon wolves turned and attacked again.
The [Hidden Kill Heaven-Confusing Array] shredded the weaker shadows, but the black Qi from the banner neutralized much of the array’s power.
Zhou Kai let out a low shout. A layer of jade-colored radiance surfaced on his skin as he pushed his body cultivation to the limit.
He ignored the wolves. He ignored the shadows. His target was locked.
“Danyangzi! You’re too naive! Under my Hundred Beast Banner, you have only one path—death!” Chen Rulong sneered.
He commanded the wolves to tear at Zhou Kai. Claws raked across Zhou Kai’s back, leaving shallow bloody gashes, but they failed to injure the bone.
Bone Forging Realm defense!
“Must end this quickly!”
Zhou Kai’s eyes turned ruthless. He stomped his foot, accelerating again.
“Die!”
He gathered his entire Vitality into the hammer and smashed it down.
Chen Rulong panicked. This isn’t an alchemist! This is a madman!
He blocked again with the banner.
BOOM—CRACK!
The hammer struck the banner. The force transmitted through the shaft, slamming into Chen Rulong’s chest. He spat a mouthful of blood, his arms screaming in agony.
But Zhou Kai’s hammer, merely a mid-grade magical tool, couldn’t withstand the clash against a magic treasure. With a crisp ring, it shattered completely.
Weapon destroyed.
But Zhou Kai didn’t pause.
No hammer? Then use fists!
He closed the distance instantly, catching up to the tumbling Patriarch.
To get here, he paid a price. Two demon wolves bit into his lower back and thigh, their fangs piercing inch-deep into his flesh. Blood dyed his trousers red.
Zhou Kai ignored the pain. He protected his neck with one hand and swung his fist with the other.
“No… spare…”
THUD!
One punch!
Chen Rulong’s protective spiritual light shattered like glass.
THUD!
Two punches!
His chest caved in, ribs snapping, heart exploding.
THUD!
Three punches!
Zhou Kai’s fist smashed into the crown of Chen Rulong’s head.
Pfft!
The Patriarch’s head exploded like a watermelon. Red and white matter splattered across the courtyard. His limp body flew backward, the [Hundred Beast Banner] slipping from his grasp.
In mere breaths, the newly ascended Foundation Establishment Patriarch was beaten into a headless corpse.
The demon wolves, losing their power source, whined and dissipated into smoke, shredded by the array.
Zhou Kai stood there, panting heavily. He swallowed several healing pills whole and looked down at the corpse.
“Pity. I didn’t want to kill you originally. Who made you two come seeking the pill?”
He picked up the banner and turned.
Nearby, Chen Xingze had collapsed on the ground, a wet patch spreading across his crotch. He was scared witless.
“Senior! Senior spare my life!” Chen Xingze wept, snot and tears flowing freely. “The Chen Family will pay any price! We have resources! Please!”
Zhou Kai ignored him. His body shimmered, and his disguise faded, revealing his true face.
Chen Xingze’s eyes bulged.
“It’s you! Zhou… Zhou Kai?! How could it be you?!”
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