Chapter 209: Killing the Elite Zombies

Killing the Elite Zombies

Asher raised Myriad Forge.

The wolf-masked zombie stood several metres away, dark Corpse Qi curling around its battered body. Behind it, the spectral wolf flickered, its shape growing less distinct.

Both were wounded.

Neither had fallen.

Asher tightened his grip. The wolf could attack independently, while the zombie used its movements to create openings. Fighting them one at a time would leave him exposed to the other.

He needed to strike them together.

The wolf lowered its head. The zombie bent its knees.

Then both charged.

The spectral wolf came first, jaws opening as Corpse Qi gathered in its mouth. The zombie followed close behind, claws scraping across the ground.

Asher rushed toward the wolf instead of retreating.

Golden metallic Qi surged along Myriad Forge.

[Myriad Sword Technique—First Form: One Blade Principle!]

His sword thrust straight into the wolf’s open jaws.

The spectral body shuddered. Before it could dissolve, Asher twisted his wrist and sent golden Qi through the blade.

BOOM!

The wolf’s head burst into dark mist.

At the same moment, the masked zombie appeared beside Asher. Its claws swept toward his shoulder.

Asher turned.

CLANG!

Myriad Forge caught the strike, but the impact jarred his injured arm. Pain flared through his shoulder.

The zombie followed with its other claw, aiming for his abdomen. Asher shifted aside, then drove his knee into its stomach.

The creature staggered.

Asher’s sword cut across its chest, reopening the wound from his earlier attack. Dark blood spilled down its robes.

The zombie stumbled back, but the spectral wolf’s scattered Corpse Qi was already gathering again.

Asher watched it reform.

"You’re persistent."

He raised Myriad Forge. Metal fragments scattered across the clearing trembled, then shot toward the gathering mist.

The fragments pierced through the forming wolf from several directions. Its shape twisted, and a howl rang out as it struggled to take form.

Asher stepped forward.

[Metal Art: Golden Edge!]

A sharp golden arc swept across the clearing, scattering the mist before the wolf could reform.

The masked zombie roared. Its dark veins lit beneath its skin, and Corpse Qi hardened around its torso as it charged.

Asher’s expression turned serious.

He lowered Myriad Forge and gathered golden Qi along its length. The ground cracked beneath his feet.

[Myriad Sword Technique—Second Form: Heaven-Splitting Edge!]

A massive golden blade formed above him.

The zombie crossed its arms, gathering its remaining Corpse Qi to defend itself.

Asher brought his sword down.

BOOOOOOM!

The golden blade broke through the creature’s defenses. Its arms were forced apart, exposing its chest. The strike cut deep, and the zombie dropped to one knee.

Asher slid forward with the force of the attack. Blood ran from the corner of his mouth, and pain throbbed through his injured shoulder.

He kept his sword raised.

The zombie tried to stand. Its dark veins flickered as Corpse Qi gathered around its body, attempting to close the wound.

Asher stepped in and thrust Myriad Forge through its chest.

The zombie stiffened. Its claws reached for him, then slowly fell.

The Corpse Qi around its body dispersed.

The wolf-masked zombie was dead.

Asher withdrew his sword and took a steadying breath. His shoulder bled, and his Spiritual Qi had thinned, but the battle was still going.

——————————

Nearby, the plain-masked zombie burst through Seana’s blood restraints.

Its dark veins pulsed. The force it had absorbed from her attacks gathered inside its body.

Seana narrowed her eyes. The creature had adapted. Every time she restrained it, it absorbed the impact and released it in a burst.

She couldn’t keep using the same approach.

The zombie lunged. Its claws swept toward her face.

Seana tilted her head, letting them pass close to her cheek, then stepped back and raised one hand.

Three Crimson Blood Pearls shot forward.

The zombie swung its arm.

BOOM!

A burst of stored force shattered the pearls’ formation and sent them flying.

Seana’s eyes narrowed. The creature wanted to draw her into a direct exchange.

She had no intention of cooperating.

Her fingers moved. The remaining pearls spread around the zombie, while blood gathered beneath its feet.

The creature noticed and leapt.

A faint smile crossed Seana’s face.

"Too late."

She turned her wrist.

Blood surged from the ground, forming tendrils that wrapped around the zombie’s legs and dragged it down.

The creature roared. Corpse Qi burst from its body, making the tendrils tremble and stretch.

Seana brought her hands together.

[Crimson Blood Sovereign Art—First Form: Crimson Lotus Burial!]

A crimson lotus formed beneath the zombie. Its petals opened across the ground, then rose around the creature.

It struggled, its dark veins glowing as it absorbed the pressure. Then the stored force erupted.

BOOM!

Several petals shattered. The lotus shook.

Seana didn’t flinch. She had expected the burst.

The broken petals dissolved into streams of blood that wrapped around the zombie’s limbs. As it gathered force for another release, Seana tightened her fingers.

The blood pulled its arms apart, exposing its chest.

Its veins brightened.

Seana lowered her hand. The blood withdrew, leaving the zombie briefly exposed.

Then the nine Crimson Blood Pearls struck.

They hit its chest, shoulders, abdomen, and limbs in rapid succession. Each impact drove concentrated Blood Qi into the creature’s wounds.

The zombie convulsed.

Seana closed her fist.

The pearls pulled in different directions. The dark veins across the zombie’s body ruptured one after another.

It gave a final, broken roar, then collapsed.

Seana lowered her hand. The Corpse Qi faded around the body.

——————————

A heavy collision shook the rooftop.

Nyren slid backward, her Frostveil Sword scraping across the stone as she steadied herself.

The demonic beast before her was covered in thick scales. Demonic Qi rolled from its jaws with every breath.

Nyren raised her sword. Silver-white frost gathered along its edge.

The beast charged.

She stepped aside, letting its bulk rush past, and cut across its hind leg. Frost spread through the wound. The beast stumbled, and Nyren turned, thrusting toward the gap between its scales.

Her blade pierced its side. A burst of frost spread inside the wound.

The beast twisted, sweeping its tail toward her.

Nyren ducked. The tail passed overhead, and she withdrew her sword before retreating several steps.

The beast wasn’t alone.

Another appeared behind her.

Nyren turned just in time to block its claws.

CLANG!

The impact forced her back. The first beast was already recovering.

Nyren tightened her grip. She was caught between them.

Nearby, Oren’s four projections moved around another demonic beast. One drew its attention while another attacked from the flank. The other two moved behind it, forcing it to keep turning.

Oren’s real body stayed back, tracking the fight.

The beast suddenly released a wave of Demonic Qi. The projections were swept away.

Oren’s expression changed. He raised his hand.

His floating sword shot forward as Telekinesis Qi seized the beast’s upper body.

[Telekinesis Art: Heavenly Star Grasp!]

The creature’s movement stopped.

"Now!"

Oren’s four projections reappeared around it and struck together. Its scales cracked under their blades.

Oren moved his fingers. The floating sword shot through the opening.

The beast roared and collapsed.

Oren pulled the sword back.

Another creature was already charging toward him. He turned to face it.?