The attack was right on target. The Python let out a shrill hiss, its body writhing wildly as dense green blood spurted from a deep wound on its jaw.Zhi Sang didn't waste that moment. He attacked again, this time aiming for the snake's neck which was starting to weaken.Slash!Kach!with combined attacks, they finally brought down the beast."Good job," said Zhi Hao as he approached, his voice still cold but full of confidence. "You two are starting to understand the importance of coordination. But remember, always think about your next step before acting."Zhi Sang breathed a sigh of relief while smiling proudly. "Thank you for the guidance, Brother Hao."Zhi Chan added, "Without your guidance, we might have been overwhelmed. I will be braver in the next fight."Zhi Hao nodded slightly. "Good. This Secret Realm is full of much greater dangers. Never let your guard down. We're moving."Zhi Hao raised his hand suddenly, signaling the group to stop. His gaze was sharp, staring at the b
Trap in the Dark ValleyDark Valley, as the name suggests, is filled with dense fog and shadows that shift between the rocks. The sound of the wind blowing like a whisper of death adds to the tense atmosphere. Wang Han and Wang Hui stood at the edge of the valley, observing from a distance.“That's there, the entrance,” whispered Wang Hui while pointing at a large rock crevice that was almost hidden behind the bushes. The faint light of ancient symbols shone faintly on the door.Wang Han nodded. "We won't go in. These Goblins are known to be aggressive and smart. we just need to bring Zhi Hao here. They'll take care of the rest.""Brother Han," Wang Hui smiled slightly. "Are you sure he won't suspect us?"Wang Han grinned. "He's arrogant, too confident in his strength once we give him a reason to target the Lightning Relic, he'll forget all about it. Besides, we will play the victim. There is nothing more convincing than a desperate person."They left the location, ensuring that every
Zhi Hao led the attack with incredible speed, his sword flashing with deadly lightning ripples. "Lightning Sword Technique - Thunder Rain!" he shouted, swinging his sword at three Goblins at once. Lightning struck their bodies, leaving them thrown, burned, and unable to move anymore.However, the fighting spirit didn't just burn Zhi Hao. Zhi Chan, stimulated by his brother's action, spun his spear nimbly. "Wind Spear Technique – Storm Spin!" he shouted. A strong wind was created from the spin of his spear, hitting the two approaching Goblins, sending them crashing into the rocks.Zhi Sang on the other hand moved decisively. "Stone Sword Technique – Layered Waves!" He struck the ground with his sword, creating a wave of energy that traveled towards the Goblins, hitting several at once. The sound of thunder and the clink of weapons echoed each other, adding to the tension of the battle."Don't fall behind, Zhi Lan!" shouted Zhi Sang while slashing a Goblin who was trying to attack him f
The Goblin leader tried to hide his unease with a chuckle. "An interesting weapon, but it won't be enough to defeat me!" He dashed forward, swinging his crystal staff with full force, trying to attack before Zhi Hao could launch an attack.However, Zhi Hao moved faster. With one light swing from Qianlong, a wave of sharp black energy shot towards the Goblin leader, cutting through the opponent's attack before it reached Zhi Hao. The Goblin Leader staggered, his eyes widening as he felt a small wound begin to open in his chest."Impossible..." whispered the Goblin leader, his voice shaking. "I've never been hurt... in my own territory!"Zhi Hao smiled faintly. "That's just the beginning."The Goblin Leader growled, thick green blood dripping from the wound on his chest. "You'll regret incurring my wrath, human!" he shouted, then stomped his crystal staff on the ground. The dark red energy spread rapidly, creating a thick protective layer around his body.But Zhi Hao did not show any tr
In front of the Secret Realm's entrance, a tense atmosphere was palpable in the air. The three Clan Patriarchs—Patriarch Lin, Patriarch Wang, and Patriarch Zhi—stood side by side, but there was obvious tension between them. Mayor Cao stood in their midst, accompanied by several important city officials and heavily armed guards.Patriarch Lin folded his arms with a cold expression. "It's more than the appointed time. They should be out by now."patriarch Wang added in a tone full of confidence. "I'm sure the Wang Clan's children won't disappoint. Wang Han and Wang Hui are the best."Patriarch Zhi, who was standing quietly, just stared at the entrance with sharp eyes. "We'll see who comes backThis Secret Realm is full of danger, and only the strongest will survive."Mayor Cao raised his hands, asking them to calm down. "Gentlemen Patriarchs, we just need to wait a little longer. The Secret Realm has strict rules. Once the time is up, the portal will force everyone out. if something does
Wang Xiang glanced at Wang Sani, then patted his shoulder gently. "We're not acting recklessly, San. His strength has already exceeded our expectations. Even though I'm in the same realm as him, I can't guarantee victory in the duel if we attack now, it will only bring us destruction.""Then, what is the plan, Patriarch?" Wang Sani asked, although his tone was still filled with impatience.Wang Xiang smiled faintly, a smile full of strategy. "We need help from stronger alliesWang clan is no small force, and we have ties with the Purple Heaven Sect, one of the strongest affiliated sects. I will send a message to their Elders for help."The other clan members nodded, although some of them looked doubtful. Wang Xiang continued, his voice firm. "You have to understand. In this battle, we are not only facing Zhi Hao, but also the Zhi Clan which is starting to rise with the Purple Heaven Sect on our side. We can not only destroy Zhi Hao, but also humiliate the Zhi Clan in front of everyone.
A man in a black robe walked into the room, bowing respectfully. "Teacher, do you have any orders for us?"Nong Bai turned his head, his eyes narrowed. "Summon our core disciples. Prepare battle formations. We will help the Lin Clan… but with conditions. the promised treasure must be ours."The man nodded, then went to carry out the order. Nong Bai looked out the window again, his cold grin widening even more.“Zhi Hao… I wonder how strong the ‘Lightning Sword’ they are so proud of isIf you're that great, let's see if you can survive the Dark Shadow Sect."*Zhi Clan ResidenceMeanwhile, at the Zhi Clan residence, Zhi Hao sat in the backyard with Zhi Chan and Zhi Sang. They were discussing the events in the Secret Realm and their impact on the relations between the clans."Brother Hao," said Zhi Chan, "after what happened, you believe the Lin Clan or Wang Clan will just stop like that? They must be planning something."Zhi Hao smiled faintly. "Of course they won't stop. But this is ac
Zhi Hao looked at his father with eyes flashing with emotion. On the one hand, he understood Zhi Sao's concerns. But on the other hand, his mind was churning with unwillingness to leave his family in danger.“Father,” Zhi Hao said in a trembling voice. "How could I leave you guys at this time? This is our home. The Zhi Clan is my responsibility too. If I leave, what will happen to all of you?"Zhi Sao patted Zhi Hao's shoulder, his expression firm but loving. "Kid, a leader must know when to defend and when to attack. You are our last hope. If we all fight and lose, the Zhi Clan will be completely extinct. But if you live, then the Zhi Clan still has a future."Zhi Hao tightly grasped the Lightning Star Core in his hand, feeling the extraordinary energy flowing within it. "I can't leave you, Father. Let me fight. I'm strong enough. With this Core, I can fight them all."Zhi Sao shook his head slowly, his tone hardening. “Your strength is indeed great, Hao’er, but our enemies this time
The man in the black hood lay sprawled on the floor of the cave, his body trembling from the agony he had just endured. Black 5 stood beside him, twirling a small silver needle between his fingers, a cold smirk on his face.“You thought you could toy with my master and walk away unscathed?” Black 5 said in a low, menacing voice. He crouched down, slowly pressing the needle into the man’s shoulder, sending sharp pain coursing through his body.“Aaagh!” the hooded man screamed, his body arching in agony.Black 4 stood nearby, arms crossed, his expression unyielding. “You’ll talk eventually. We’ve got plenty of time. But for you, every second will feel like an eternity.”Zhi Hao stood a short distance away, his piercing gaze fixed on the man. He raised his hand slightly, signaling Black 5 to continue.Black 5 chuckled darkly. “You know this is just the beginning, right?” He pressed the needle into the man’s knee this time, twisting it slowly. “This pain won’t kill you, but you’ll wish it
That night, Zhi Hao prepared his next move. Calm and composed, he stood in a dimly lit room at his temporary base, illuminated only by the faint glow of a small lantern. Before him lay a map of Linggau City, marked with strategic annotations.Black 5 returned from his reconnaissance, bowing respectfully before speaking. "Master, the hooded man appears to have connections with the shadow group from the West. They’ve been using the teahouse on the city outskirts as a temporary meeting place, but their movements are swift and difficult to track."Zhi Hao didn’t respond immediately, his sharp gaze fixed on the map. "How many people did you see?""At least seven, including the hooded man. Four looked like seasoned mercenaries, while the other two seemed to be intermediaries or messengers."Zhi Hao nodded slowly, then shifted his gaze to a burly man standing in the corner—He Lian, one of his combat commanders. "He Lian, assemble the team. We begin the operation tonight."He Lian grinned bro
The dark night enveloped Linggau City. In a luxurious inn on the outskirts, the mysterious man sat in a dimly lit room. Several documents were scattered on the table before him. He gazed at them calmly, lifting his teacup and taking a sip.A plain-looking man entered the room quietly and bowed respectfully. "Everything is going according to plan, sir. Zhi Hao continues to pressure the Ling and Huai Clans. Tensions between them are escalating."The mysterious man placed his cup down and nodded slowly. "Good. Has the document reached Zhi Hao?"The man nodded. "Yes, sir. An anonymous courier managed to slip it into one of his frequent haunts. He must have read it by now."The mysterious man smirked, his eyes gleaming coldly. "Zhi Hao will see it as a golden opportunity. He’ll use the document to humiliate the Ling Clan and possibly provoke direct conflict with the Gray Sky Sect. In the process, he’ll expend considerable resources and energy.""And if he succeeds?" the man asked cautiousl
The following day, Linggau City was shrouded in an invisible tension. Rumors of a potential conflict between the Ling Clan and the Huai Clan spread quickly, leaving merchants and ordinary citizens anxious about their safety. Behind the scenes, Zhi Hao continued to maneuver his pieces, unseen by anyone.In a secluded tea house at the edge of the city, Black 1 sat at one of the tables, conversing with a nervous informant."The Huai Clan has started deploying small forces along the border. They're preparing for something, but Patriarch Ling doesn't seem fully aware of it yet," the informant said in a low voice.Black 1 gave a slight nod. "Keep watching. Make sure we know their every move. Zhi Hao wants this information on time."The informant hurried away, leaving Black 1, who soon melted into the bustling market crowd. He knew Zhi Hao's next steps would be pivotal.Meanwhile, at the Ling Clan residence, Patriarch Ling felt pressure mounting from all sides. Reports about the Huai Clan's
The mysterious man unrolled another small scroll, revealing a document detailing secret transactions. The writing on the paper recorded the shipment of weapons and hidden agreements between the Grey Sky Sect and several small clans in the region. He grinned. "I got this from an informant in the black market. This is proof that the Grey Sky Sect has a contract to supply weapons to the Ling Clan and other clans. If this document reaches Zhi Hao, he'll definitely use it to expose the Ling Clan's betrayal."The younger man sitting across from him, still sharp but appearing less experienced, chuckled softly. "You're truly crafty. With this, Zhi Hao will shift his focus to destroying the Ling Clan while we remain in the shadows."The mysterious man nodded slowly, his eyes gleaming with the calculation of a well-thought-out plan. "And that’s just the beginning. If Zhi Hao and the Ling Clan destroy each other, we only need to wait for the right moment to swoop in and take what's left."The yo
On the other side, at the Ling Clan's residence, Patriarch Ling stood in front of a large window, gazing out at the tranquil garden below. His eyes were vacant, yet his mind was filled with plans and concerns. The sky, tinged with red, seemed to reflect the pressure he was feeling.Ling Mei approached with light steps, but there was tension in her expression. She carried a cup of tea for her father and placed it on the small table beside him."How was your meeting with Zhi Hao?" Patriarch Ling asked without turning, his voice low yet full of attention.Ling Mei sat in the chair near him, adjusting the folds of her long skirt before answering. "He’s clever and hard to read. But I feel he hasn’t completely closed himself off from our approach."Patriarch Ling chuckled softly, but there was no humor in his tone. "Of course. A man like Zhi Hao won't be easily trapped. He plays at a different level, and that makes him dangerous."He took a sip from his teacup, then continued, "However, tim
Ling Mei stood on the balcony of her pavilion, gazing at the starry night sky. Her mind was filled with images of her meeting with Zhi Hao. His sharp words, his cold demeanor yet full of power, and his calculating gaze made her feel both intimidated and captivated."I have to do this," she muttered to herself, trying to gather her courage. Patriarch Ling had entrusted her with the task of approaching Zhi Hao and ensuring the success of the alliance.The following day, Ling Mei began preparing her first step. With the help of her personal maid, she decided to send a private invitation to Zhi Hao, asking him to meet her in the bamboo garden at the edge of Linggau City. The place was quiet and beautiful, far from the bustle of the clan—a location she hoped would make their conversation more personal.The message was delivered by a messenger of the Ling Clan and was received directly by one of the Black. Zhi Hao, who was reviewing documents about the Ling Clan's weaponry at his residence,
Zhi Hao sat casually, his gaze sweeping the room before finally settling on Patriarch Ling. “Let’s get to the point, Patriarch Ling. I don’t like wasting time with pleasantries.”Patriarch Ling was slightly taken aback by the direct tone, but quickly masked his discomfort with a thin smile. “Very well. We would like to propose a marriage between you and my daughter, Ling Mei. This marriage will not only strengthen our relationship but also bring great benefits to both clans.”Ling Mei lowered her head gracefully, appearing shy, but Zhi Hao, with his sharp observation, could see the tension in her face.Zhi Hao smiled faintly, his gaze cold and piercing. “Interesting. But what benefits will the Zhi Clan gain from this marriage?”The elders of the Ling Clan exchanged looks, but Patriarch Ling quickly responded, “Full support from the Ling Clan in any conflicts the Zhi Clan may face. Additionally, the Ling Clan has resources and networks that could strengthen your position.”Zhi Hao chuc
The quiet of the night enveloped the Ling Clan's headquarters, with only the moonlight reflecting off the grand stone walls. Inside the main pavilion, the atmosphere was livelier. Black 1 stealthily crept towards one side of the building, approaching a half-open window. Inside, Patriarch Ling was sitting with five clan elders, their faces serious, indicating the discussion underway."This marriage is a golden opportunity for us," Patriarch Ling said in a low voice, full of authority. His sharp eyes swept across the table, ensuring every elder understood his point. "Zhi Hao is not just a genius, he is the key to our future power."One elder, an old man with gray hair and a long beard, nodded slightly. "But Patriarch, Zhi Hao is known to be difficult to control. If he doesn't agree with our terms, this plan could turn into a threat for us."Patriarch Ling smiled coldly. "We don’t need his consent directly. If he marries Ling Mei, we can slowly use that relationship to gain control. Ling