42: Chapter 42

42

...information flowed into his consciousness: Not a demon, but an ancient beast, a "Kun Whale."

Third-Order, with the innate talents of "Colossal Strength"

and "Qi Manipulation."

Currently in its prime state.

The colossal creature was slowly lowering its altitude, casting a terrifying shadow below.

The crowd, which had just barely managed to steady itself, collapsed again, scattering in all directions with cries and screams.

“Woo——”

Another dull roar shook their internal organs.

Immediately after, an invisible shockwave descended from the sky like an unseen giant hammer smashing down.

Over a dozen people didn't even have time to scream before they were instantly transformed into a mist of blood.

A thick, metallic scent of blood immediately filled the air.

“Cover your ears!”

Jiang Haojie shouted sternly at the survivors. At the same time, he took a deep breath, his internal energy suddenly sinking into his dantian.

A transparent lion's head materialized above him. A roar tore through the air, and sound waves rippled outward.

“Woo——”

The Kun Whale let out a dull, angry roar. Its massive body, like a moving mountain range, crashed straight toward where Jiang Haojie was standing.

The pressure bore down like something physical. Several people with weaker cultivation felt their legs go soft and collapsed to the ground, their hearts already soaked in regret.

A flash of sword light appeared as the crimson flame sword was already gripped in Jiang Haojie's hand.

The giant tail approached like a collapsing mountain peak. He swung his sword, and the blade ignited with a layer of blinding fire.

He held nothing back in this strike; power exploded the moment they made contact.

Amidst a thunderous boom, Jiang Haojie was knocked back more than ten steps, a sweet, metallic taste of blood rising in his throat.

The Kun Whale fared even worse. Blood rained down from its half-severed tail, drenching everyone below.

In the rain of blood, many pairs of eyes widened.

They had long known that "X"

was very strong, having heard rumors that he could contend with Fourth-Order entities.

But seeing this sword strike with their own eyes made them realize they had still underestimated him.

Their fear receded slightly, replaced by a budding sense of dependent relief—following him might actually allow them to survive.

The Kun Whale was completely enraged.

Its giant mouth opened and closed, and an invisible wave of air swept toward them.

Jiang Haojie moved rapidly, his footwork like an illusion, narrowly avoiding the attack.

But several short screams came from behind him as those who couldn't dodge in time were turned into blood mist by the airwave.

The weight of life and death pressed down on everyone, making it hard to breathe.

The Lions Roar rose again.

The sound waves slammed into the Kun Whale's massive body, actually pushing it back several dozen feet.

Jiang Haojie took advantage of the momentum to rush forward, the crimson flame sword raised once more.

On level ground, killing a Third-Order beast would have been effortless, but this giant beast was suspended in mid-air, holding the absolute advantage of height.

Awakened were not mutated birds; only upon reaching the Seventh-Order could they fly. This was a rule, and also a limitation.

Fortunately, the Kun Whale swooped down to attack him, giving him a sliver of opportunity.

A giant fin suddenly slapped down.

Having learned its lesson, the Kun Whale no longer took the sword's edge head-on. The edge of its fin struck heavily against the side of the blade, knocking the crimson flame sword aside.

Amidst flying sparks, Jiang Haojie used the force to spin his body. His eyes were like torches as he searched for the next opening to strike.

The webbing between Jiang Haojie's thumb and index finger vibrated violently, and the crimson flame sword almost flew from his hand.

That tyrannical impact forced him back two steps before he could steady himself.

He couldn't keep wearing himself down like this.

His brow furrowed tightly.

This monster's size was terrifying, and its strength was even more staggering.

If not for the B-rank weapon in his hand, he probably would have been defeated already.

The whale-like creature charged again, kicking up dust and sand across the ground.

Jiang Haojie shouted to the people behind him: “Are there any support-type Awakened here?”

If he had a buff, he might be able to confront it head-on or find an opening for a finishing blow.

The survivors looked at each other and ultimately shook their heads—after the bitter struggle, only those skilled in combat remained; the supporters were long gone.

He couldn't count on anyone else.

Jiang Haojie's mind raced. Suddenly, he ducked low and skimmed across the ground like a shadow, sliding beneath the giant beast's belly.

The crimson flame sword stabbed upward without hesitation!

“Woo——!”

A deafening cry of pain rang out.

The sword tip pierced through the tough hide. Blood poured down like a torrential rain, drenching Jiang Haojie completely.

He had no time to wipe it away. Gripping the hilt, he sprinted toward the tail, intending to disembowel the giant creature.

Intense pain caused the giant beast to twist frantically, its twin wings flapping hard in an attempt to ascend.

How could Jiang Haojie let it escape? He immediately let out a furious roar. The sound wave, like a lion's roar, caused the monster's movements to falter.

Taking advantage of this split second, he sprinted backward with all his might.

The crimson flame sword dragged a scarlet gash across the beast's belly. The smell of scorched flesh spread along with the sparks.

Finally reaching the base of the tail, the sword pulled free of the body.

Though limited by the length of the sword and unable to damage the internal organs, the wound—deep enough to see bone—caused the colossal creature to crash to the ground, wailing incessantly.

Seeing the crisis temporarily resolved, the crowd dared to surround it to get a closer look at this never-before-seen ancient beast.

But Jiang Haojie did not hesitate. He stepped in front of its head, raised the crimson flame sword high above his head, and plunged it into the skull with all his strength!

The blade sank in completely, right up to the hilt.

The giant beast struggled a few last times before finally falling silent.

The Kun Whale's massive body had not yet completely stilled; every heavy breath carried the wheezing sound of life fading away.

Jiang Haojie could clearly feel that the mountain-like aura was rapidly withering. Death was certain.

His brow was tightly furrowed as his gaze swept over the gradually cooling carcass of the giant beast.

If the creatures inhabiting this Mystic Realm were all as terrifying as this Kun Whale, the path ahead would be filled with thorns.

Dealing with this one had required his full effort. How would he handle an even older or more ferocious existence?

Before long, the final breath also ceased.

Jiang Haojie gave his wrist a flick, pulling the crimson flame sword from the Kun Whale's skull. He wiped the thick, dark fluid from the blade against the beast's rock-rough hide.

“Sir,”

A companion stepped forward, his voice still carrying lingering fear. “Where... where do we go next?”

After this battle, the way everyone looked at Jiang Haojie was no longer just with their previous trust, but with a degree of awe that bordered on worship.

Jiang Haojie looked up. The team of a hundred that had set out was now reduced by nearly thirty percent, and they hadn't even truly entered the heart of the Mystic Realm.

“You've all seen the situation for yourselves,”

His voice was calm, but every word was clear. “If we go further, casualties will only increase.

Facing these kinds of strange beasts, it's difficult enough for me to look after myself, let alone protect everyone.

Whether to stay or go is a decision you must make for yourselves.”

As his voice fell, there was dead silence.

The scenes of their companions being torn apart and devoured by the giant beast just now were still fresh in everyone's minds.

“I... I'm out.”

A middle-aged man was the first to break the silence, his voice dry.

“I'm out too.”

Once someone started, the retreat spread like a tide.

In the blink of an eye, the vast majority chose to turn back. In the end, only ten silent and determined figures remained by Jiang Haojie's side.

Jiang Haojie nodded slightly.

Those leaving could return the way they came, while he would lead these ten people forward.

“Roar——!”

Just then, another violent beast roar echoed from deep within the Mystic Realm, like muffled thunder rolling across the earth.

Everyone's expressions changed drastically.

Those who had decided to quit no longer hesitated for a moment, scrambling to run toward the entrance they had come from.

Jiang Haojie wasted no more time, barking a low command to the remaining ten: “Move!”

His figure shot out like an arrow from a bow, rushing in the opposite direction of the roar. The ten figures followed closely behind, quickly disappearing into the gloomy depths of the Mystic Realm.

---

“Regiment Commander Peng, we'll leave the defense of this place to you. We're withdrawing first.”

Peng Tian nodded solemnly: “Don't worry. With us guarding, we won't let a single demon beast cross this line.”

Outside the Mystic Realm, Liu Jinglong and the Guard Department were about to withdraw when the light screen at the entrance suddenly fluctuated violently.

Following that, the explorers who had previously swarmed inside came pouring out in a pathetic state, their faces filled with lingering terror.

Liu Jinglong's heart sank. He stepped forward quickly and grabbed one of them: “What happened inside? Why is everyone coming out? Where is Mr. X?”

“We... we encountered...”

The man's teeth chattered as he incoherently described mountain-sized giant beasts and strange whales soaring through the sky.

After hearing this, Liu Jinglong and the Guard Department officials beside him felt a chill run down their spines.

“To think it would be like this...”

Liu Jinglong's expression was grave.

The large-scale retreat of explorers meant that although Jiang Haojie was still inside, trying to uncover the truth of this bizarre Mystic Realm with only a dozen people would be as difficult as climbing to heaven.

A Guard Department official suggested: “Should we urgently mobilize more First-Order Awakened for support?”

Peng Tian shook his head, looking at the flickering entrance of the Mystic Realm. He said in a deep voice: “The situation is unclear right now. Even if we bring in more people, it will likely just result in more casualties without helping.”

The convener looked around at everyone with a heavy expression: “Everyone, if the Mystic Realm is truly as dangerous as they say, then sending more people in will likely just increase the death toll.”

Liu Jinglong sighed, his voice low: “Regiment Commander Peng is right.

For now, we can only wait for X to return.”

They had originally thought it was just a routine investigation, but who would have expected it to turn into such a situation.

The Guard Department representative frowned, his voice tinged with anxiety: “Are we really helpless besides waiting?”

“I'm afraid... that's all we can do for now.”

Liu Jinglong turned his gaze toward the terrified First-Order Awakened who had just escaped the Mystic Realm. “You all go back and rest first.

When needed, we will call upon you again.”

Those Awakened felt as if they had been granted a general amnesty. They nodded one after another and then hurried out of everyone's sight.

Peng Tian pondered for a moment and suggested: “Should I mobilize a group of First-Order military elites? Their discipline and coordination are far better than those of civilian Awakened.”

Encountering such a turn of events during the initial investigation had cast a shadow of mission failure over his heart.

Liu Jinglong slowly shook his head, his voice steady and firm: “There's no need to let the soldiers take risks for now.

I believe in X. He will definitely come out.”

As soon as he said this, everyone's eyes involuntarily turned toward the deep, mysterious entrance of the Mystic Realm with its flowing halo.

If not for the rule that the first investigation could only be carried out by First-Order Awakened, they would have already rushed inside.

At this moment, they could only suppress the anxiety in their hearts and wait quietly on the spot.

Liu Jinglong and the Guard Department officials exchanged a look, and no one mentioned leaving again.

...

Inside the Mystic Realm, the scene was entirely different.

Not long after Jiang Haojie and his ten companions had retreated, he suddenly came to a halt.

Blocking their path was a ferocious tiger.

It wasn't mountain-sized, but its lines were powerful and fluid. Most striking were the two scimitar-sharp fangs protruding from its mouth, glinting with a cold light.

The tiger's amber pupils locked onto the group, and a pressure mixed with bloodlust and wildness spread silently.

A faint light flashed in Jiang Haojie's eyes as a certain power of insight was quietly activated.

Information about this beast immediately surfaced in his mind:

Ancient Beast: Saber-toothed Tiger

Rank: Third-Order

Talents: Wind Control, Mental Shock

Status: Prime

“Gulp.”

The sound of someone swallowing hard came from behind him.

The ten First-Order Awakened turned pale and simultaneously took half a step back.

The pressure brought by this Saber-toothed Tiger was not as suffocating as the giant creature they had encountered before, but it was sharper and more aggressive, like a cold blade pressed against their skin.

“Roar——!”

The Saber-toothed Tiger let out an ear-splitting roar and its hind legs suddenly pushed off the ground. It turned into a blur of green light and pounced straight at Jiang Haojie at the front of the group.

Jiang Haojie didn't dodge. His chest suddenly swelled, and he let out a roar of his own.

Visible ripples of sound waves spread out, not targeting his companions behind him, but precisely enveloping the pouncing beast.

The vibrating power of the Lions Roar Technique caused the Saber-toothed Tiger's forward momentum to stall, and its pouncing trajectory shifted slightly.

Now!

Jiang Haojie's mind raced.

Although this Saber-toothed Tiger was also Third-Order, its size was nowhere near that of the heaven-shading Kun Whale, and it couldn't fly. The pressure was indeed much lower.

But he knew this place was fraught with danger and he had to end the fight quickly. Delaying would only attract more unpredictable ancient beasts.

Taking advantage of the moment the Saber-toothed Tiger was pushed back by the sound waves and its body swayed, Jiang Haojie exerted force with his feet. He shot out like an arrow, and the crimson sword in his hand trailed a hot stream of light as he slashed straight at the tiger's head!

Beastly instinct allowed the Saber-toothed Tiger to tilt its head and dodge at the critical moment. The crimson flame sword grazed its ear, severing several needle-like hairs, and the scorching sword qi left a charred mark on its cheek.

The pain only made the Saber-toothed Tiger more ferocious. Its bloody maw opened wide, a foul wind blowing as it bit down hard toward the nearby Jiang Haojie.