58: Chapter 58

58

Jiang Haojie's gaze swept past them, landing directly on the several people bound in the back.

Seeing that his parents, Jiang Shangquan and Xiao Yufen, along with Huang Xingshan and the others, showed signs of panic but were otherwise unharmed, his racing heart finally settled slightly.

He slowly scanned the surroundings, his voice calm and steady. "I have arrived. It is time to let them go."

This calm tone reached the ears of Jiang Shangquan and Xiao Yufen, causing them both to startle. They exchanged a suspicious, surprised look—why did this voice feel inexplicably familiar?

"Let them go?"

Han Shan let out a sneer. His body began to swell and deform amidst his laughter, his skin rapidly hardening into thick, greenish-gray armor. His head jutted forward as a thick, sharp single horn sprouted from his forehead.

In the blink of an eye, he had transformed into a giant rhinoceros, three meters tall and resembling a mobile fortress.

His voice became deep and muddy. "Today, no one leaves this place."

"And that includes you."

Clang!

The heavy iron door was slammed shut from the outside, cutting off the last sliver of daylight and plunging the factory into deeper gloom.

"Do it!"

The rhinoceros that Han Shan had become let out a low, thunderous growl and was the first to charge. His heavy hooves stomped on the ground, causing the entire factory to tremble slightly.

The encirclement tightened simultaneously as more than ten Fourth-Order Awakened used their various methods to pounce on Jiang Haojie from different directions.

"Roar—!"

Jiang Haojie did not hesitate, immediately unleashing the Lions Roar Technique.

However, the terrifying sonic wave expected to shatter metal and stone did not appear. Only a somewhat hollow roar echoed in the factory, which was promptly drowned out by the whistling sounds of various attacks.

Jiang Haojie's brow suddenly furrowed.

What was going on? This ability had never acted so abnormally before!

In the heat of the moment, there was no time for him to think deeply.

The rhinoceros Han Shan, enveloped in a fierce wind, had already rushed before him, and the surrounding attacks were closing in.

Jiang Haojie's eyes sharpened. He gripped the empty air with his right hand, and a longsword, entirely crimson as if flames were flowing within the blade, appeared in his grasp.

Even if the Lions Roar Technique had mysteriously failed, he was not limited to just that skill.

The crimson flame sword flickered at his wrist, instantly blooming into several sharp and brilliant sword flowers. Cold light points precisely met the first few incoming attacks.

The exquisite moves of the Huashan Sword Technique were deployed. The sword light was like a net, managing to carve out a space amidst the airtight siege.

The sword's edge constantly clashed with special abilities, fists, feet, and weapons, erupting in a series of metallic clangs and energy explosions.

Jiang Haojie's movements were agile and his sword momentum dense. Though heavily surrounded, Han Shan and the others found it difficult to break through his defense or harm him in the slightest for a time.

However, the opponents were numerous and coordinated well, tightly sealing all gaps for his breakout. The battle fell into a stalemate.

Jiang Haojie forced back an enemy attacking from the side with a sword strike. Taking advantage of the moment they retreated, the way energy flowed within his body suddenly changed.

An ancient and majestic aura rose from all around him.

Under the astonished gazes of Han Shan and all the attackers, Jiang Haojie's figure suddenly blurred and elongated, transforming into a crystal-clear, nearly transparent Oriental Divine Dragon! The dragon's body coiled; though its scales and claws were illusory, they radiated a heart-stopping pressure. A dragon's roar, more piercing than the previous Lions Roar Technique, shook the entire factory space.

As the Dragon God Art reached the intermediate level, the manifested transparent dragon shadow became increasingly solid and lifelike, with even the scales, claws, and whiskers becoming faintly visible.

Earlier, when Jiang Haojie activated this technique, he could at most manifest a majestic dragon head, barely outlining the shape of an Oriental Divine Dragon. Now, performing it again, the transparent dragon form had actually grown four limbs with sharp claws. Only its body, as clear as glass, lacked a bit of the resplendent aura that would awe all directions.

With a flick of the dragon's tail, Jiang Haojie swept out of the encirclement like a gust of wind.

Miao Hao watched with a cold eye and sneered. "So what if you escaped the encirclement? An inescapable net has already been laid here. Where else can you run?"

"Run?"

A mocking curve rose at the corner of Jiang Haojie's mouth. "To deal with you all, why would I need to run?"

The reason he broke out was, for one, to clear space to perform his martial arts, and for another, to protect his parents, Huang Xingshan, and the others behind him. Only by eliminating his worries could he fight with his full strength.

Before his voice finished, he took two consecutive steps, sank his energy into his waist, and slowly swung his arms as if gathering cloudy waves.

A wisp of a half-real, half-illusory dragon roar suddenly rippled through the air, and then both palms were thrust forward—

"Dragons Repentance!"

Before the shout died down, a transparent dragon shadow surged from his palms, pouncing directly toward Han Shan and the others.

Han Shan's expression darkened, and he shouted sharply, "This boy has endless treacherous tricks. We cannot let him use them. Everyone, press forward together!"

Without needing further words, the surrounding Psionics all struck at once, forcibly shattering that first dragon shadow.

The crowd did not hesitate further, turning into several streaks of light and shooting forward.

Jiang Haojie's gaze narrowed, and his palm technique changed again.

"Flying Dragon in the Sky!"

Dragon roars rose one after another as several illusory shadows crisscrossed, entangling and biting like living creatures, forcing Han Shan's group into a panicked and pathetic state.

Fury rose in Han Shan's heart. He had thought that by suppressing the sonic attack, they would hold the upper hand, but he hadn't expected the opponent to still have such difficult moves.

Although that dragon-shaped energy was hard to make lethal, it was like a maggot on a bone; a moment's inattention would lead to new injuries, making it extremely frustrating.

"Twin Dragons Fetching Water!"

"Dragon Combat in the Wild!"

Between the fluttering palm shadows, the dragon roars were incessant.

The more Han Shan fought, the more shocked and angry he became. To kill this brat, he had exhausted his favors to gather sixteen Fourth-Order Awakened. He had thought it would be a thunderous strike, but after nearly twenty minutes of fierce fighting, the opponent was still unharmed.

Was his side too incompetent, or was this person strong beyond all reason? If the news that twenty Fourth-Order Awakened joined forces and couldn't handle a single Second-Order Awakener got out, they would probably become the laughingstock of the world.

In a flash of thought, Han Shan suddenly changed the formation:

"Mutants, follow me for a frontal assault! Physical Enhancers, find an opportunity to close in! Psionics, provide long-range support! Support-type Awakened, apply buffs immediately!"

Once the command was issued, everyone moved in response, instantly turning into four distinct torrents that swept up again.

Jiang Haojie only gave a cold glance at Han Shan's group's formation, a trace of contempt flitting across his lips.

His palms flew as the airflow around him suddenly surged, as if invisible dragon shadows were condensing and circling in the void.

"Chufan!"

"Tail Flick!"

Each low shout was accompanied by a solid dragon-shaped energy blast. Eighteen dragon shadows in total pounced on the enemy formation one after another. Where they passed, the air hissed and dust swirled from the ground.

Having pushed this set of palm techniques to the limit in one breath, fine sweat broke out on Jiang Haojie's forehead, and his chest rose and fell slightly.

With a thought, two tubes of azure potion appeared in his palms. He tilted his head back and drained them, and only then did the power that had almost hit bottom begin to flow slowly through his meridians again. If he hadn't harvested enough magic plants in the Fallen Zone today, he likely wouldn't have been able to keep this up.

In a thunderous explosion, the formation Han Shan and the others were barely maintaining was torn to shreds by the dragon shadows.

Several of the weaker ones were sent flying, spitting blood on the spot. The rest stumbled back, only avoiding a total wipeout because their numbers dispersed the attack.

"He can't sustain this kind of killing move for long!"

Han Shan wiped the blood from his lips and roared hoarsely, "Take him down now while you have the chance!"

Suppressing their fear, the crowd surrounded him once more.

Jiang Haojie's eyes were indifferent. With a flick of his wrist, the crimson flame sword was back in his hand.

The blade hummed like a bloodthirsty beast.

He faced the crowd, his steps showing not a hint of hesitation.

Although the opponents still numbered over twenty, they had long since lost their initial momentum—most were injured, and their formation was in chaos.

It was time to harvest.

The sword light flowed as the crimson flame drew one burning arc after another. Every swing brought up a mist of blood.

Jiang Haojie's pupils gradually took on a crimson tint. Every shadow blocking his path became a dead soul beneath his blade.

The smell of blood in the factory was so thick it wouldn't dissipate. In a far corner, Jiang Shangquan and Xiao Yufen were pale-faced and could barely stand—they had never seen such a slaughterhouse.

Even Han Shan and his group felt waves of chill.

It wasn't because of the blood, but because of the young man before them.

Was this really a Second-Order Awakener? Twenty Fourth-Order Awakeners had joined forces, yet more than ten had already been slain... This was simply an inhuman realm.

At this moment, Jiang Haojie was covered in blood, looking like a demon god stepping out of a pool of blood in hell.

The pressure radiating from him made Han Shan's breathing sluggish and his chest feel tight.

Jiang Haojie himself was not faring well either: his energy was nearly depleted, and his internal organs were thumping with pain. Although he was wearing the Crocodile Stomach Scale Armor, which could deflect ordinary attacks, it was hard to completely withstand the combined impact of so many Fourth-Order Awakened.

If not for the "Shifting Stars"

mental technique deflecting part of the force, he would have been covered in wounds by now.

But he still did not stop.

From the moment Han Shan used his parents to threaten him, the outcome had been decided.

"X!"

Han Shan retreated in panic and shouted hoarsely, "That's enough for today! We'll call a truce—"

"Too late."

Jiang Haojie spat out two words as the last of his internal power burned fiercely.

He turned into a blurred afterimage, the crimson flame sword bursting with fire as bright as the sun as he charged straight through.

After Han Shan's gang fell, Jiang Haojie's figure swayed, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.

He forcefully bit the tip of his tongue, using that sharp pain to brace his spirits. Then, with a flip of his palm, several potions of different colors appeared in his hand.

He tilted his head back and downed the healing liquid, stamina agent, and recovery potion. As the cool liquid slid down his throat, the strength that had been on the verge of dissipating gathered once more in his limbs and bones.

He walked over to Jiang Shangquan and the others, neatly cutting the ropes that bound them.

"Mr. X, you have saved me once again."

Huang Xingshan looked at the figure before him, his voice carrying an undeniable reverence.

This was the second time he owed his life to this man, a debt so heavy he didn't know how to repay it.

Jiang Haojie just waved his hand casually. "After this, they won't dare move against you for a short while."

Jiang Shangquan opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, a slow and clear sound of clapping came from the warehouse entrance.

Everyone looked toward the sound as a middle-aged man in a dark coat strolled in unhurriedly.

Jiang Haojie's pupils constricted slightly, and his muscles tensed instantly. At the same time, he quietly activated the Eye of Inspection.

[Name: Unknown]

[Age: 48]

[Level: Fifth-Order]

[Talent: A-grade · Angry Howl]

[Ability: Mutation Type · Mastiff Form]

[Status: Peak]

The newcomer had a faint smile on his lips, his gaze falling on Jiang Haojie. "As expected of X. So many Fourth-Order Awakened, yet they all fell by your hand."

"Someone from the Black Dragon Society?"

"Correct."

The middle-aged man nodded slightly. "Deputy Hall Master of Gumu Hall, Le Wenbo."

Jiang Haojie turned his head and gave a look to Jiang Shangquan and the others. "You guys leave first."

"X..."

Huang Xingshan wanted to say something more, but Jiang Haojie raised a hand to stop him.

"Go. Don't stay here."

Jiang Shangquan looked at Jiang Haojie's calm face. Knowing that staying would only be a burden, he grit his teeth and pulled the others toward the exit.

Le Wenbo did not stop them, only watching with a half-smile as they disappeared through the doorway.

His target had only ever been one person.

Once the footsteps had faded, Le Wenbo spoke leisurely: "The people are gone."

"Don't say I didn't give you a chance—if you're going to make a move, do it now. Once I make my move, you won't have a chance."

Jiang Haojie didn't say a word. He simply took out potions one after another from his invisible storage space and downed them bottle by bottle.

Le Wenbo watched with interest, not lifting a finger to stop him.

As a Fifth-Order Awakened, he had absolute confidence in himself.

As the medicinal liquid went down his throat, a warm power rapidly spread. Jiang Haojie's pale cheeks gradually regained their color, and his depleted stamina and energy returned at a startling rate.

Before long, his aura had returned to its peak.

"Those little bottles and jars are quite interesting, to be able to let you recover to such a state."

Le Wenbo raised an eyebrow, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes.

He had never seen such a method before.

What caught his attention even more was that X actually possessed storage-type equipment—even he had only luckily obtained one not long ago, yet this young man was only at the second order.

Jiang Haojie remained silent.

He had no intention of attacking, knowing clearly in his heart that he was absolutely no match for Le Wenbo.

At this moment, all his thoughts revolved around how to safely escape from this place.

It wasn't that Jiang Haojie didn't have a chance to escape; if he wanted to leave now, he could turn and disappear into the depths of the streets and alleys.

However, he had concerns—leaving would be simple enough for him, but he feared Le Wenbo would turn around and seek trouble with his parents.

If his parents fell into the opponent's hands as bargaining chips, he would truly be in a dilemma.

He was waiting for a secure opportunity.

As long as his parents could meet up with Liu Jinglong, in this territory of Dragon City, no one would be able to harm them anymore.