Chapter 62 - Battle at Heavenly Jade Castle: Part 2

The air was thick, practically humming with tension as Jianfeng’s aura flared to life, filling the room with an oppressive, tangible weight. The raw, uncontained fury coursing through him manifested in waves of concentrated Ki radiating outward. His face, usually so composed, was contorted with anger as he glared at Bai Huolong, who lounged with a smirk playing at his lips, looking wholly unimpressed.

“Shen Yue…”

Jianfeng’s voice was a low, thunderous growl, each word sharp and unyielding.

“Stay back with the others. Deal with those Jiang Shi and the corpses. I’ll handle Bai Huolong myself.”

Shen nodded to his father’s words, though his gaze lingered on him, concern flickering in his eyes before he tightened his grip on his staff. The reanimated vice-captains, devoid of their former selves, stood at attention with hollow stares, their postures jerking and rigid, while the Jiang Shi – corpses with a grotesque mix of twisted flesh and dark energy – awaited their orders.

“Oh, always so serious, Jianfeng.”

Bai Huolong’s mocking tone rang out, resonating against the cold stone walls of the mansion’s inner chamber. He laughed, low and condescending, his amber eyes flashing with an unsettling glint.

“You’ve always been so… Predictable. Can’t you ever have any fun?”

Jianfeng ignored the taunt, his piercing gaze locked on his enemy. He knew, as did Bai Huolong, that this was no ordinary battle. The Don, once a formidable ally and friend, was now twisted by his allegiance to Lord Varek. And while Jianfeng knew his own strength, he could sense an unnatural power radiating from his enemy – a power not of this world. He clenched his fists tighter. It was clear that the once-close bond they shared had been completely eroded by Bai Huolong’s new, otherworldly abilities.

The Don’s smile widened, reading Jianfeng’s determination.

“Do you honestly think you can match me now? Not after everything Lord Varek has given me, the power I wield is beyond anything you could even fathom. If I were in your place, I’d have given up long ago.”

A moment later, without another word, the Alliance’s leader sprang forward, and Bai Huolong’s sneer turned to a look of fierce concentration, and as their fists met in a thunderous collision, a shockwave rippled from the impact that seemed to make the entire room tremble.

Further back, Adam’s gaze locked on the reanimated vice-captains and the Jiang Shi now moving toward them in unison, clearly intent on overwhelming the smaller group. Through his [Cursed Eyes], he saw it – a faint, dark aura flickering around each reanimated corpse, a buff imposed on them by some dark art. His mind quickly cataloged the threat level, taking in the details of their unnatural strength. These weren’t just undead minions; they were designed to be relentless, unyielding, and nearly impervious to pain.

[ Jiang Shi - Rank B ] ⌠Additional Information⌡ ⌠Once honored as masters of their craft, these reanimated warriors are now cursed to roam as Jiang Shi, a twisted reflection of their former glory. Bound to their master's will, they retain fragments of their martial arts expertise, utilizing their skills with an eerie precision that is unhindered by mortal limitations. Their rigid, corpse-like bodies move with unnatural jerks, leaping in short, sudden motions, limbs snapping forward like a marionette's, powered by sheer spiritual energy instead of muscle.⌡ [Cursed Vision Knowledge] [Hint: As part of the undead race, the Jiang Shi is vulnerable to the [Divine] and [Fire] attributes.]

[ Reanimated Martial Revenant - Rank B ] ⌠Additional Information⌡ ⌠Once a revered master in life, this revenant is neither fully a Jiang Shi nor a common zombie, but something in between—a restless spirit bound to its decayed, semi-autonomous body by forbidden arts. These revenants retain an echo of their martial prowess, moving with a staggering, unpredictable rhythm as their broken bodies push past natural limits to pursue their targets. Bound by resentment and dark energy, these revenants instinctively seek out strong opponents to kill.⌡ [Cursed Vision Knowledge] [Hint: As part of the undead race, the Reanimated Martial Revenant is vulnerable to the [Divine] and [Fire] attributes.]

“We’re outnumbered.”

Adam muttered, his tone grim, a shadow of unease flickering in his eyes. His voice carried over to the others as they prepared for the oncoming onslaught. He raised his hand, summoning the ‘Espectronomicon’, the spectral book materialized before him, a skull-like form floating by his side with its pages looking alive with ghostly blue flames.

Drake and Gregor exchanged a quick glance, each silently reaffirming the other’s resolve, they both shifted into martial stances, muscles coiled and ready, their forms solid as stone. Drake’s expression was sharp, and calculating, a rare fire in his eyes as he steeled himself. Gregor, on his part, exuded a quiet intensity, his gaze cold and focused, mentally preparing to face whatever came next.

Kazue took a step forward, her arms raised as her two gauntlets materialized, encasing her hands in shimmering, metallic armor. She clenched her fists experimentally, feeling the weight of the weapon in each hand, the familiar hum of energy dancing around her body. She was ready to unleash her power, her determination fierce, unwavering.

Li stood beside her, his spellbook materializing in his hands, glowing as he started to pour his own energy into it. He flipped through its pages with practiced ease, feeling the arcane energy pulse beneath his fingers, his face set in quiet concentration.

Finally, Shen positioned himself at the front, his staff gripped firmly with both hands. He exhaled slowly, centering his mind, and grounding himself to the calm before the storm... He was ready.

Together, they stood as a unified front, each member’s energy feeding into the collective determination of the group.

The chaotic scene unfolded with brutal intensity. The six Jiang Shi with serrated teeth and sharpened claws launched themselves forward, moving with unnerving, jerky speed, their lifeless eyes fixed on the living. Accompanying them were nine reanimated vice-captains, each lumbering with immense, inhuman strength yet limited agility. The combined force was overwhelming, their collective presence casting a dark, oppressive weight over the battlefield.

Drake, his expression hardened, moved in close for hand-to-hand combat, his body shifted as he focused his Ki, a mastery he had been developing. In an instant, he felt his weight fluctuate, becoming as light as a feather, allowing him to dodge the powerful but sluggish swipes of a vice-captain. With another surge of his trait, he reversed it, grounding himself with a weight of 700 kilograms, a new record he had gained after his daily training. His feet embedded themselves into the ground as he launched a punch with bone-crushing force, only for his fist to pass through the Jiang Shi’s torso as if it were made of smoke. Confusion and frustration flickered in his eyes. The Jiang Shi and undead vice-captains seemed to be insubstantial, their forms resisting any direct hit while still retaliating against his team.

Kazue, undeterred, unleashed a crackling arc of electricity from her right gauntlet, her Ki channeling through her body to enhance the power and control of the current. The charge danced across her skin, harmlessly absorbed due to her immunity, while her left gauntlet heated to an intense red, glowing with a fierce heat. With a shout, she lunged at one of the Jiang Shi, landing a direct punch with her searing gauntlet, only to watch in frustration as her strike phased through the creature’s form. Her skill, [Burn the Witch!], remained unused, as the Jiang Shi and undead seemed untouched by her attack.

Li, observing the stalemate, raised his spellbook, flipping through its well-worn pages. His voice rang out as he cast [Begiru Rakketen], and from his hand shot ten shimmering missiles, each trailing ethereal light as they sped toward the enemies. The projectiles collided with the undead in a dazzling display, yet they too passed through as if striking nothing but air. The undead remained unfazed, unrelenting in their assault.

Gregor gritted his teeth, engaging with one of the vice-captains in close-quarters combat. He fell back on his military martial art, his form precise and his stance rooted channeling his Ki, his muscles tensed, enhancing his strength and resilience. He threw his weight into a shoulder throw, but the undead’s body twisted like smoke around his grip, leaving him open to a clawed swipe that grazed his side. A sharp, shallow pain bit into him, a reminder that these creatures could harm them even when they could not return the damage.

Shen moved with fluid grace, his years of training making him a force to be reckoned with. He wielded his metal staff, each strike aimed with pinpoint accuracy at the creatures, his movements were swift, a blur of precise hits meant to break and disable—but the staff passed through his targets without resistance. His brow furrowed in frustration as he danced back, narrowly evading a blow from a Jiang Shi that sliced the air beside him.

They were all forced into a defensive position, wounds—thankfully shallow—marking their skin as the undead found openings to strike. Then Adam, who had been studying the situation from a distance, finally saw what was happening.

[ Skill: Echoing Rhythm of the Undying Beat Lv 5 ] [Summons two massive speakers that pulse with energy, filling the battlefield with a relentless beat. As long as the music plays, allies resonate with an untouchable rhythm, giving them the passive skill [Ethereal Beatguard] ] [Cursed Vision Knowledge] [Notice: Allies wrapped in the sound’s protection receive the altered status [Intangible], letting them slip past attacks while striking from within the rhythm.]

That was it! The music wasn’t just for show, it was part of the skill. Then, Adam’s voice rang out above the sounds of battle, commanding orders.

“Fall back! Now!”

Incredibly, the others did not hesitate, their practiced formation instincts taking over as they retreated to a safe distance.

Adam raised his arm at that moment, summoning one of his newly acquired treasures, the ‘Dragon’s Pride Aegis’. A massive, rectangular shield materialized before him, imposing and unyielding, with a golden dragon head embossed in its center, immediately after, as the shield faced the undead, the dragon’s head roared, a sound so powerful it cut through even the blaring music. At that signal, spectral red chains materialized around each Jiang Shi and reanimated vice-captain. The chains tightened, growing brighter until, one by one, they vanished from sight as if they’d never been there at all.

[Skill: Golden Hex of Sloth Lv2] [A special curse from the “Golden Pavilion”, casts a dark enchantment that afflicts its victim with the condition [Skill Sealing].]

Adam’s hex, brought directly from the last scenario, had activated, sealing away the skills of the undead and dispelling the buff they’d been receiving from the music. The speakers crackled and went silent, since there were no ‘allies’ who could benefit from it, the battle music died out as the effect wore off.

“Now they’re vulnerable!”

Adam shouted, his voice carrying a fierce edge as he signaled his teammates to attack. Without hesitation, the group surged forward, no longer hampered by their enemies’ intangibility.

Drake closed in with renewed determination, his Ki allowing him to anchor himself once again at an immense weight. He swung a powerful blow, this time feeling the satisfying impact as his fist connected with a Jiang Shi’s body, sending it sprawling backward. Kazue leaped forward, electricity surging along her right arm, and struck a Jiang Shi directly, the lightning crackled through the undead’s form, and with her left gauntlet still red-hot, she landed a blow that ignited the creature in flames, her skill [Burn the Witch!] finally unleashed, setting one of the undead vice-captains body on fire.

Li, feeling the advantage, cast [Doruku Pantser], invoking his atomic black armor around him, its power enhancing his physical capabilities. He charged forward, his steps thunderous, and struck an undead with overwhelming force, sending it reeling. Gregor fought alongside him, executing brutal close-quarters techniques, his Ki enhancing his resilience as he withstood each strike and countered with punishing blows. Meanwhile, Shen wielded his staff once again with an artistry that seemed otherworldly, each movement fluid and precise as he kept two Jiang Shi at bay.

Adam, meanwhile, fought with spectral lupine claws and legs, his [Feral-Type Manifestation] turning him into a fearsome sight. He clawed and slashed through the undead, his spectral form giving him an edge. Yet, as he engaged one of the Jiang Shi, he noticed something peculiar: the creature seemed reluctant to fight him, almost submissive.

Curiosity sparked, Adam held the Jiang Shi with his spectral claws, locking it in place as he fixed it with a focused gaze. A system window suddenly materialized in his field of vision, giving him insight into the situation.

⌠Notice: The title ‘Ghostmarked Warden: Bound and Cursed’ has affected an undead creature in the vicinity.⌡ ⌠You are recognized as a revered entity to Jiang Shi - Rank B ⌡

He couldn’t believe it at first, but his first title was influencing the Jiang Shi, compelling it to see him as a superior. A surge of inspiration took hold—something he’d never attempted before. Concentrating, he activated [Lesser Undead Control Lv2], but something happened.

⌠Warning: The skill [Lesser Undead Control Lv2] has failed to dominate the target due to the rank difference.⌡ ⌠Hint: Usage of a different control technique is advised to increase the chances of success.⌡

A second system window appeared, notifying him that the skill level was too low for complete control, but it offered an alternative. Intrigued, Adam read the suggestion and, after a brief consideration, decided to try on the skill he had but hadn’t even tried before.

[ Skill: Parasitic Undead Plague Lv1 ] [The skill unleashes a spectral, parasitic virus upon a target, infecting them with a malevolent force that warps their body for monstrous efficiency. Once infected, the host undergoes horrific physical mutations, reshaping their muscles, bones, and senses to maximize strength, speed, and durability. Infected creatures become conduits of the plague, spreading it through direct contact, as they inject the virus into others, creating a chain of cursed, undead hosts. This plague's influence corrupts the host’s mind, diminishing their autonomy as they serve as deadly carriers, driven by an insatiable urge to spread the infection further.] [Cursed Vision Knowledge] [Warning: There is no way to contain the virus nor the primal urges of the infected when the infection has already started.] [Warning: Its effect is multiplied in organic hosts with a weak or no mind.] [Notice: The virus is synthesized by the [Overmind Parasite - Rank A+], it allows total control over the virus and the infected via the [Hivemind] passive skill. ]

Spectral tendrils extended from his hands, sinking into the Jiang Shi’s head.

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The transformation was grotesque and rapid. The Jiang Shi’s body convulsed as it mutated, its arms stretching and twisting into segmented, unnatural lengths, its legs warping similarly. The head split into four, each section opening like a jagged maw lined with sharp teeth, and finally, thin, sinuous tentacles erupted from its back, writhing and twitching as it adapted to its monstrous new form. Adam felt a chill, momentarily repulsed by the creature he’d just created.

Then, his passive [Hivemind] activated. A strange, unfamiliar sensation filled him, not quite unpleasant, but distinctly alien. Through this connection, he felt and saw the world as the mutated Jiang Shi did, able to command it with a mere thought.

[ Mutated Jiang Shi - Rank B ] ⌠Additional Information⌡ ⌠A once-traditional Jiang Shi, this creature has now been transformed by a ghostly plague, warping its body into a grotesque, hulking form. Twisted beyond recognition, its limbs are elongated and sinewy, its fingers sharpened into jagged claws, and its once-grayish skin now marred with pulsating veins of dark energy. Though faint traces of the martial master it once remained in its distorted movements, the Mutated Jiang Shi’s sole purpose is to kill or infect anything in its path, driven by an insatiable, virulent hunger.⌡ [Cursed Vision Knowledge] [Hint: As part of the undead race, the Mutated Jiang Shi is extremely vulnerable to the [Divine] and [Fire] attributes and immune to any mental attacks.]

Few had witnessed the events that had just unfolded, yet Li and Shen, in the thick of battle alongside the others, caught the full display of Adam’s eerie transformation and the monstrous creature he’d unleashed. Even as they engaged the reanimated creatures, both couldn’t shake the image of the boy’s chilling handiwork from their minds.

Li’s face twisted in momentary confusion, his eyes lingering on Adam’s new creation, but the uncertainty quickly faded, replaced by a wide, approving grin. Power like this, to him, was something to be valued above all else. Adam had proven his utility once again, and Li felt an undeniable satisfaction, as he thought that that was what he wanted in allies, while dodging another swing from a vice-captain before landing a punishing blow.

Shen, however, remained cold and silent, his expression hardening as he processed what he’d seen. He deflected a clawed strike from a Jiang Shi, but his gaze returned to Adam, unmasking a deep, simmering discontent. He thought it was unnatural, his lips pressed into a thin line as he suppressed a feeling of unease. He watched Adam warily, considering the extent of his teammate’s powers and the repercussions they might bring.

Then, in a disturbing display, the ‘Mutated Jiang Shi’ turned toward its own kind, propelled by a predatory instinct and Adam’s command. It lunged forward, its grotesque, elongated claws slashing through the air; the other undead failed to register it as an enemy, leaving them defenseless against its brutal assault. The creature drove its massive claws through another Jiang Shi, shredding its torso with sickening ease. Its jaw stretched open, and from within, a horrid, serrated tongue shot forth, piercing into the defeated Jiang Shi’s face.

The tongue pulsed, each beat a grotesque rhythm as it spread its infection, and the transformation took hold immediately. The Jiang Shi’s body twisted and convulsed violently, bones snapping and reforming as it mutated, limbs stretching and cracking into segmented shapes. Its jaw split, widening in a silent scream as tendrils forced their way out from beneath its shoulders, twisting like grotesque mockeries of wings. The transformation ended as quickly as it had begun, and the new aberration took its place beside the Mutated Jiang Shi, mirroring its monstrous form.

One by one, the Mutated Jiang Shi continued its grim work, sweeping through the ranks of the Jiang Shi and vice-captains alike, spreading its infection with horrifying efficiency. Each infected creature underwent the same hideous metamorphosis, transforming into a new, twisted version of itself, complete with serrated claws, segmented limbs, and gaping maws. The air grew thick with the stench of decay and the low, inhuman growls of the new creatures as they took their place under Adam’s dark control.

The team had been on the defensive for quite a while, struggling against the overwhelming numbers of their undead enemies, and were nearly at their breaking point. The line was beginning to falter under the sheer weight of the onslaught. Gregor, panting and bloodied, found himself cornered, barely keeping one Jiang Shi at bay with his remaining strength. Just as its claws reached for him, a dark blur shot past, intercepting the creature’s attack. It was the Mutated Jiang Shi, tearing into the undead attacker that threatened the man with merciless precision.

The corrupted creature’s claws sliced clean through its target, dismembering it with ease and the Jiang Shi's broken body eventually fell to the ground, convulsing as the infection spread through it. Gregor staggered back, watching in shock as the Jiang Shi he’d been fighting underwent the same grotesque transformation.

As the last of the Jiang Shi and vice-captains fell, mutated by the infection or torn apart, the battlefield fell eerily silent. Fifteen monstrous aberrations now stood where their enemies had once been, each a nightmarish reflection of the original Jiang Shi or vice-captain they had been, their bodies twisted and grotesque.

Kazue, watching from the sidelines, felt her stomach churn. She hadn’t expected Adam’s power to extend so far, and while she kept a calm expression, the sight disturbed her.

“How… How can he control something like that?”

She muttered to herself, her mind racing as she clutched her gauntlets, torn between fascination and dread.

Drake’s expression, on the other hand, was less conflicted. A deep frown etched across his face, his unease unmistakable as he glanced at Kazue, who met his gaze, both silently sharing the same unsettling thought… What else was Adam capable of?

But before anyone could voice their concerns, Adam let out a guttural groan, falling to his knees. His hands clutched his stomach as he gasped, pain contorting his face. His spectral limbs faded, and he buckled forward, coughing violently until he spat up blood, his body trembling as his energy waned.

“Stay back!”

Adam choked out, his voice strained and desperate.

“Stay…back! I…I can’t hold it… It hurts, it hurts!”

The sheer effort of controlling so many mutated creatures was draining his energy, more than he’d ever expected. He was slipping into a state he’d read about but never experienced with such intensity—[The Hunger]. His consciousness flickered, each beat of his heart pushing him closer to the edge. He could feel his control slipping, the pull of the aberrations feeding on his remaining strength, urging him to lash out, to feed indiscriminately, the feeling was indescribable to the point that the boy began to tear from the sheer pain.

“Let them go! Just stop controlling them!”

Li shouted, desperation flashing in his eyes, but Adam forced himself to look at him, his expression twisted in anguish, and gasped.

“I… Can’t, they’re… Bound to me. It’s like… They’re part of me now. If I let go, they’ll turn on all of you!”

Li exchanged a glance with Shen, nodding grimly.

“Then we’ll have to take them down ourselves.”

Said the young man, steeling himself as he charged toward the nearest creature with his iron staff ready to strike.

But as soon as Li’s armored strike met the first creature, it reacted instinctively, raising an arm to block his blow, demonstrating that the creature’s movements were surprisingly coordinated. Shen’s attack fared no better; the creature evaded his assault with unsettling speed, even utilizing Adam’s own [Ghost Phasing] skill to avoid Shen’s strikes. The moment it phased, a surge of pain erupted through Adam, doubling him over as he screamed in agony as he teetered on the edge of losing himself to [The Hunger].

The backlash hit Adam like a sledgehammer. A searing pain coursed through his mind, his vision dimming as he felt himself slipping further into darkness. He gritted his teeth, choking on the agony as his skin grew cold. He glanced up, and in the reflection of a broken piece of metal on the ground, he saw his eyes. One was entirely black, a void where his iris should be—a sign he was losing himself.

But then, he felt something warm, something grounding him, pulling him back from the edge. He blinked, his fading consciousness suddenly revived by the unexpected sensation. Drake and Kazue were at his side, both kneeling beside him, each with an arm wrapped around him... He felt their Ki surge into him, a steady, stabilizing flow of life force as they channeled everything they had.

“What? … Don’t… Don’t do this.”

Adam murmured weakly, the pain in his voice barely audible.

“Shut up, you fool!”

Kazue snapped, her voice fierce but pained, her face contorted with agony as she maintained the connection, refusing to let go despite the searing discomfort.

Drake, breathing heavily, pulled two small vials from his belt, each containing a bright, glowing liquid, the stamina potions he had been given by his otherworldly fanbase.

“Take these.”

He muttered to the girl, handing her one as he downed the other, even though they had meant to use them as last-resort energy boosts for the fight, neither hesitated now. They needed the extra life force for Adam, and both understood the risk without a second thought, and for several agonizing moments, they remained there, their arms around him, their bodies pressed against his as they continued to pour their life essence.

As the potion took effect, a renewed surge of Ki channeled into Adam, he could feel it as it mingled with his own body, and beneath the pain, he also felt the steady warmth of their energy, like a beacon cutting through the storm of his hunger staving off the dark hunger clawing at him. The pain in his gut lessened, and he could see clearly again, his vision no longer obscured by shadows, so he looked to his sides and found Drake and Kazue, their faces twisted in pain but filled with fierce determination, both of them enduring the agony of the process just to keep him stable.

A strange, unfamiliar warmth stirred within him, a mixture of disbelief and raw vulnerability. His mind fought to process it—he’d spent his life studying, secluded in books, his only meaningful human interaction with his parents, these two—Drake and Kazue—were his allies, yes, tied together to a sinister fate inside these cursed scenarios, but he’d never thought of them as friends. And yet, here they were, risking their lives to save him.

He’d never experienced this before: people willing to put themselves at such risk, not out of necessity, but out of care. Flashes of what it supposed to be an actual doctor crossed his mind, it was a duty, but this… This was different. The conflict within him grew, emotions he’d never known or understood surfacing as he tried to realize the extent of their actions.

With each passing moment, the pain in his body faded, replaced by a gentler warmth that soothed him, a sensation that quieted the hunger gnawing at his mind. Slowly, his aura settled, the ghostly black receding from his eye as his features returned to normal.

The flow of energy stopped, and Drake and Kazue finally let go, both collapsing onto the ground beside him, their bodies exhausted from the pain. They sat there, panting heavily, still feeling the remnants of the ordeal pulsing through their veins.

Adam, his breaths ragged, struggled to find words. He finally found the strength to look at them, the gratitude evident in his eyes as he opened his mouth to speak, to thank them, but before he could say a word, Kazue grinned, her eyes sparkling with relief despite the weariness etched into her face.

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t get all emotional on us now.”

She managed a small, teasing smile, her voice tinged with relief.

Drake gave him a reassuring nod, his own exhaustion plain as he lifted a trembling thumb.

“You did it, man. We got through it.”

Adam looked from one to the other, overwhelmed by their loyalty, their courage—and for the first time, he truly felt that, maybe, he was starting to understand what having actual friends meant, the bond that had been forged in the fires of their trials.

The crisis had been narrowly averted, and the air around them held a heavy silence, thick with the weight of what had just happened. Adam knelt on the ground again, his chest heaving as he took deep breaths, the tension in his body slowly easing. The fifteen grotesque, mutated Jiang Shi still stood, their twisted forms looming behind him, an eerie testament to the power he had barely managed to contain.

Shen approached cautiously, his hand still resting on the hilt of his staff, and his eyes flickered with a mixture of distrust and wariness. His gaze shifted from Adam to the horrific creatures at his back, unable to hide the concern that lingered beneath his calm exterior.

"Adam… You’ve stabilized, but are you sure you can keep them under control?”

Shen’s voice held a careful, measured tone, though his brows furrowed with doubt. He took a half-step closer, his posture tense, as though he expected the creatures to turn on them at any moment.

Li, sensing Shen’s unease, placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. His voice, though soft, carried a certainty that cut through the thick tension in the air.

“It’s under control. I know it looks unsettling, but the guy’s handling it. He’s proven himself today.”

Both men's gaze met, firm yet understanding, urging him to trust Adam’s resolve.

Shen hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered Li’s words. His gaze lingered on the cursed boy, then on the monstrous figures that loomed like silent sentinels. After a long moment, he let out a quiet breath, nodding slowly, though a hint of caution remained in his eyes.

“Fine. But if there’s even the slightest hint of instability… I won’t hesitate.”

Gregor approached without a word, his face etched with a quiet, brooding intensity. He had watched the entire exchange in silence, observing Adam’s struggle and the monstrous transformations that had unfolded before them. Now, his expression was unreadable, a mixture of caution and silent respect as he drew closer to the boy’s side. He didn’t speak, yet his presence was enough—a quiet acknowledgment, a subtle gesture that told Adam he was willing to stand by him, even if he couldn’t fully understand what he’d just witnessed.

In the stillness that followed, a new sound broke through, drawing their attention away from the aftermath of Adam’s ordeal. All eyes turned toward the distant clash between Jianfeng and Bai Huolong, a battle that raged with an intensity that made even the horrors they had just faced seem insignificant. The two fighters were locked in a brutal struggle, suspended high above the ground as they moved through the air, their forms illuminated by flashes of energy and raw power.

The barrier that surrounded the area limited their range across the ground, yet seemed to have no end in terms of height. Jianfeng and the Don took full advantage of this, their forms rising higher and higher, each movement blurring as they ascended, waging their battle in the open sky after breaking the castle ceiling. Bai Huolong moved with a ferocity that was terrifying in its precision, each of his attacks filled with a calm, measured intensity but with an everlasting mocking laugh. Jianfeng, on the other hand, was responding with movements fueled by a seemingly boundless rage, like a storm unleashed by an iron will.

With each clash, an explosion of sound erupted, a concussive force that sent rippling shockwaves outward, stirring the air in fierce, spiraling waves that could be felt even from a distance. The impact of their strikes reverberated through the surroundings, the ground beneath their feet trembling as if in awe of the raw power on display. Each collision of their blades left trails of energy in their wake, streaks of brilliant light that flared and vanished almost instantly, leaving faint afterimages burned into the vision of those who watched from below.

The sky seemed to darken around them, as if the very heavens themselves recoiled from the intensity of their battle. Their movements were so fast, so precise, that the eye could barely follow; yet each strike, each parry, was deliberate, a masterful display of skill that spoke of years of discipline and unwavering resolve.

Kazue’s eyes widened as she watched, and her breath caught in her throat, the sheer magnitude of their clash was beyond anything she had ever seen, a level of combat that went beyond mere skill—it was a raw, elemental struggle, as if the two fighters were forces of nature locked in a battle that transcended human limitations. She could feel the power of their strikes resonating through her bones, an almost painful pressure that seemed to press down on her from all sides.

Drake’s expression was one of grim admiration, his gaze fixed on the battle above.

“This… Is what true power looks like.”

He murmured, almost to himself, his voice tinged with a mixture of awe and trepidation.

“And to think that’s the real enemy.”

Gregor’s eyes narrowed as he continued to watch, his jaw set in a determined line. The sight before him was both humbling and unsettling, a stark reminder of the scale of the power they were up against. Each blow, each clash, was a brutal testament to the reality of their situation. He felt a shiver of dread creep up his spine, yet he forced himself to keep watching, to face the enormity of the threat without flinching.

Jianfeng’s movements were fluid and precise, each strike honed to perfection as he met Bai Huolong’s attacks head-on. His expression was one of focused determination, his gaze locked onto his opponent with an intensity that bordered on obsession. Bai Huolong, in contrast, fought with a feral, unrestrained aggression, his attacks wild yet calculated, each one aiming not just to defeat but to destroy.

As another massive explosion of sound shook the air, Adam, now standing with the support of his comrades, looked up at the clash with dread, just how would they even help? … His grip on the control of his mutated Jiang Shi was steady, but the sight of Jianfeng and Bai Huolong reminded him of the realm of the enemies this time, as if Don Park Zhen had not been proof enough of the level difference. This was a conflict that went beyond individual struggles, beyond personal demons—it was a war against an unstoppable force, and he knew that to stand against it would require every ounce of strength they possessed.

Li, standing beside him, clenched his fists, his expression hardened as he watched the ongoing battle, clearly frustrated, as the feeling of helplessness was something he hated the most.

But at that moment, above Bai Huolong’s head, a strange symbol began to form, drawn as if by an unseen hand. The shape became a pentagram, a dark and sinister design that pulsed with malevolent energy. From within its lines emerged a massive, skeletal hand, so enormous and rapid in its descent that Jianfeng barely had a moment to react, he saw it coming but knew it was already too late; his only choice was to raise his arms and brace himself.

The skeletal hand struck him with devastating force, hurling him downwards with terrifying speed, making him crash into the ground below, his impact sending up a shockwave of dust and debris that exploded outward in a cloud, obscuring him from view. The ground itself seemed to tremble from the sheer power of the blow, leaving a crater in its wake.

The skeletal hand vanished as swiftly as it had appeared, leaving nothing but the echo of its devastating strike. Adam, still holding control over his Mutated Jiang Shi, squinted upward, trying to discern the technique that Bai Huolong had just used, yet the distance was too great to have his eyes activate their effect.

As the dust settled, Bai Huolong began to descend, slowly lowering himself to the ground with an infuriating, mocking calmness. A smirk twisted his lips, and his eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction.

“Oh, did you see that?”

He laughed, his voice filled with a taunting amusement.

“And here I thought you might actually put up a fight, but look at you—face down in the dirt, all for a pathetic attempt to block one simple attack!”

His laughter echoed through the clearing, biting and filled with disdain, the sound grating against the ears of everyone who heard it.

The Don, who had been watching with narrowed eyes, finally turned his attention to Adam and his group, his gaze taking in the twisted forms of the Jiang Shi and reanimated undead that he had originally summoned. His expression shifted from intrigue to a deep, simmering anger, though his ever-present smile remained, curling with a charismatic edge that somehow made the fury behind it all the more chilling.

“Well, well… Quite the display of ingenuity, to take a technique like that, one given to me by Lord Varek himself, and twist it to your own ends.”

His words were spoken with a deceptively light tone, yet the rage that flared behind his eyes was unmistakable. An aura of palpable menace began to radiate from him, filling the air with a chilling sense of foreboding, the very atmosphere seemed to thicken, pressing down on the group with a weight that was almost suffocating.

Gregor felt the oppressive aura like a hand around his throat, and a shiver ran down his spine as he glanced uneasily at the others. Shen’s hand twitched near his weapon, his body tense as if readying himself for the worst, while Li’s face was out of focus, his glowing red eye fixed on the enemy.

Bai Huolong’s laughter subsided as he turned his gaze fully onto the group, his mocking smirk widening into something far more sinister. He straightened, cracking his neck with a casual ease that belied the deadly intent in his eyes.

“Enough games, I’ve had my fun. Now, let’s put an end to this pathetic resistance.”

He raised his arm slowly, his fingers curling into a claw-like gesture as his gaze burned with a murderous light.

“You all will die now.”