Chapter 68: Eradicate Early

Zhang Shen had long been present, concealed in the shadows, eager to observe how his disciple would manage the situation. Even if Sun Xing were to interfere, with the life-saving techniques he had imparted to his disciple, she could endure at least briefly. His primary objective was for Li Zhi to experience confronting a formidable opponent.

Yet, Sun Xing was disgustingly egocentric. Despite encountering various self-absorbed individuals in his previous life, Zhang Shen still found such personalities deeply repugnant. Overwhelmed with revulsion, he couldn’t bear it any longer and simply wanted to strike Sun Xing down.

“Zhang Shen?” Sun Xing, initially startled, then understood, “Ah yes, you’re on patrol duty in Lin Yuan City. It’s indeed been five years.”

After his grandson targeted Li Zhi, Sun Xing had delved into Zhang Shen’s background using his connections. He was unashamedly self-serving, yet not imprudent enough to antagonize those beyond his capability to confront.

Realizing Zhang Shen was merely at the True Core’s second layer, Sun Xing felt no intimidation. He himself was a formidable practitioner at the True Core’s third layer.

“Hmph, a dog doesn’t spit ivory. You show no regard for your seniors. I’ve been part of Lin Yuan City’s ranks for over a hundred years before you. To encounter a senior and show such disrespect, what an uncultured display for someone of your age.”

Sun Xing continued his tirade, but Zhang Shen had no interest in engaging in verbal quarrels.

His aura of killing intent was palpable, his magical power surged tumultuously, preparing for an unstoppable onslaught.

Caught off guard, Sun Xing wondered if Zhang Shen was actually going to strike. Where did such confidence stem from?

With a Clang! the Flaming Sun Sword materialized. Its formidable, fiery energy engulfed the surroundings.

Sun Xing’s brow furrowed, acknowledging the attack’s formidable might, feeling a genuine threat.

A black iron staff materialized in his grasp, blocking Zhang Shen’s assault.

“Such tyranny, such swiftness with the blade,” Sun Xing acknowledged apprehensively. 

Zhang Shen’s prowess exceeded his expectations, yet he believed it remained within his capacity to counter.

The Inferno Blade Technique was unleashed. Martial skills like Meteor Shower, Falling Stars, Overbearing Fire, and Scorching Hell reverberated through the air.

Zhang Shen masterfully executed his sword techniques, showcasing the near-perfect Inferno Blade Technique with unmatched power. Despite his cultivation at the second layer of the True Core stage somewhat restricting its full might, it remained formidable enough to overwhelm most warriors at the third layer of the True Core stage.

Sun Xing’s brows knitted tighter, finding it preposterous that he was struggling against this opponent. His survival thus far owed much to his mastery of the Three Qi Enlightenment Scripture, known for its exceptional defensive capabilities.

Unperturbed, Zhang Shen noted his opponent’s defensive aura, akin to an impenetrable shell.

A challenge? Hardly.

What was a turtle shell, after all? If it couldn’t be shattered right away, it simply served as an ideal target for practice.

Sun Xing was neither a threat nor capable of escaping his clutches, so Zhang Shen saw this as an excellent opportunity for rigorous training. Typically, his sword practice involved cutting through air or battling beasts during his five-year patrol. This was his first time joyfully fighting a True Core stage warrior.

He was exhilarated!

Relying solely on his True Core second layer cultivation, without tapping into his physical strength, Zhang Shen had effectively subdued Sun Xing.

Meanwhile, Li Zhi struggled to maintain her footing amid the tumult of their clash.

Sun Fang, previously overpowered, had been whisked away by the wind, tumbling awkwardly to a location a kilometer away.

“Zhi’er, what are you waiting for? Go, and finish off Sun Fang,” Zhang Shen said.

While engaging in vigorous swordplay. He noticed Li Zhi, still at a distance, stunned by the intensity of a True Core stage battle, and shouted to her.

Cornered, Sun Xing’s eyes seethed with fury, “You dare! Zhang Shen, if my grandson perishes, I swear eternal enmity against you.”

Zhang Shen scoffed dismissively, “Eternal enmity? From you? Would you even dare to step out of your shell?”

Sun Xing cast a wary glance at Zhang Shen’s blade, its lethal edge sending a shiver down his spine.

Despite his overwhelming fear, he continued to bluster defiantly.

“What does it matter if I don’t come out? Zhang Shen, your strength is remarkable, far exceeding my expectations. But can you penetrate my defense? You can’t kill me. If my grandson dies, I won’t face you in person, but who among your subordinates can withstand my wrath? Spare my grandson, and I promise we will disappear from your sight.”

Sun Xing thought he had sufficiently demeaned himself by offering this concession. For someone of his stature, a True Core stage expert, to lower himself in this manner was rare, and he viewed it as a significant, almost noble act that should easily nullify their prior conflicts.

However, he was oblivious to the increasing coldness and murderous intent in Zhang Shen’s eyes.

Zhang Shen had no faith in the assurances of such a dishonorable man. Moreover, using his own forces as a threat was equivalent to signing his own death warrant.

Divine Technique Annihilation Intent!

A terrifying radiance enveloped the Flaming Sun Sword, drastically amplifying its destructive power. This divine technique, born from Zhang Shen’s determination to obliterate all foes, was the embodiment of annihilation.

Sun Xing’s heart raced with terror, feeling the unmistakable presence of death. ‘Does he genuinely intend to kill me?’

Panicked, Sun Xing abandoned his bluster. He pushed the Three Qi Enlightenment Scripture to its limits and even unleashed its derived divine technique, the Three Qi Unification, in a desperate defense.

Yet, Zhang Shen’s sword sliced through Sun Xing’s defenses as effortlessly as a hot knife through butter, severing him at the waist. Unsatisfied, he continued, his blade flashing, reducing Sun Xing to fragments and then to mere dust.

Only a True Core, a magical weapon, and a storage bag were left intact, his soul completely extinguished. Zhang Shen swiftly collected these items.

In an instant, the entire situation had shifted dramatically.

Li Zhi, who had been hesitant due to Sun Xing’s plea, now revealed a hint of a smirk. Clutching the Hunyuan Hammer, she approached the stunned Sun Fang, left speechless by Sun Xing’s death.

Thud, thud, thud…

A series of muffled echoes resonated, leaving behind nothing but a muddy slush where Sun Fang had stood. A burst of innate fire descended, reducing everything to ashes.

Descending from above, Zhang Shen smiled, “That’s how my excellent disciple should act. Next time you face such a situation, do not hesitate.”

Li Zhi nodded, herself taken aback at how effortlessly her master had dispatched a True Core stage powerhouse.

“Master, I’ve brought trouble upon you,” Li Zhi lamented.

Zhang Shen shook his head in response, “Seeking out trouble is one thing. But when misfortune comes uninvited, that’s an inevitable disaster. Don’t dwell on it.”

After Li Zhi’s departure, Zhang Shen fell into deep thought. The act of killing Sun Xing was unexpected, not part of his original plan. However, Sun Xing’s threats, combined with his limitless shamelessness, convinced Zhang Shen that such a threat needed to be eliminated promptly.

But now, he had to deal with the consequences of killing Sun Xing. He examined Sun Xing’s storage bag. In contrast to himself, Sun Xing lacked a powerful backing or family. He only had a single grandson. The complication was that Sun Xing, too, was an official member of Lin Yuan City.

Reflecting on this, Zhang Shen retrieved a small sword, a token from Li Xiao.

“The Mainframe Tree, Terminal Leaves, Transmission Talismans, and now this uni-directional communication device. Such a diverse array,” he mused.

This diminutive sword was a True Core magical artifact forged by Li Xiao. Despite its high grade, it was designed for a singular purpose and was relatively simple to create, requiring only the skills of a True Core cultivator.

Upon examination, Zhang Shen confirmed its simple design, lacking any tracking features. Its sole function was communication, with an impressively broad range. He inputted the entire sequence of events and information about Sun Xing into the sword, sending the message to Li Xiao.

“Given the distance between the Ancient Covenant and the patrol paths, it will likely take about eight to ten days for Li Xiao to receive this message.”

This delay was not excessively long. Considering the immense distance of several hundred thousand miles, the ability to transmit the message at all was indeed noteworthy.