Chapter 205: Intense Battle! Subjugation
Chapter 205: Chapter 205: Intense Battle! Subjugation
"I am City Lord Tongzhen! Do not panic! I will hold one of them back!"
The moment he finished speaking, Tongzhen slammed the Bone Staff in his hand onto the ground. His figure, like a great roc spreading its wings, leaped down from the city wall.
His black robes whipped in the wind, and the bead at the tip of his Bone Staff was as scarlet as a flame.
A scorching aura erupted from his body, like a raging fire.
"Fire!"
He pointed his staff, and a pillar of crimson fire appeared out of thin air, blasting toward the giant python.
BOOM—
The pillar of fire struck the giant python’s abdomen, exploding into a ball of raging flames.
The giant python hissed in pain, its body violently recoiling. Its scales were burned black and curled, and the stench of scorched flesh filled the air.
"Damn you!!" the giant python shrieked, opening its mouth to spew a cloud of poisonous mist that enveloped Tongzhen.
Tongzhen stood his ground. He swept his Bone Staff, and the flames formed a wall of fire, incinerating the poisonous mist.
Fire overcomes poison. The toxic mist instantly evaporated in the intense heat.
Both of their hearts pounded as a ceaseless torrent of Witch Power and Demon Qi clashed.
"Witchcraft Fire Techniques specialize in countering vermin like you," Tongzhen’s voice was hoarse yet calm, the flame at the tip of his staff pulsing like a heart.
A flicker of apprehension flashed in the giant python’s eyes. The one thing it feared most was fire.
Zhu Ge, seizing the opportunity, tapped his toes and leaped onto a thrashing tendril on the city wall.
The tendril was as thick as an arm and incredibly resilient, swinging him high into the air and toward the giant python.
’Better to sever one finger than to injure all ten!’
"Light the Incense!"
He used the momentum in mid-air to launch himself even higher, heading straight for the giant python’s vital spot.
Startled, the giant python lashed out fiercely with its tail.
Zhu Ge smashed the tail aside with his rod, shot out his left hand—his five fingers like a hook—and latched onto one of the giant python’s scales.
"Get down here!"
Blood Qi surged forth. He unleashed his strength, wrenching the giant python’s massive body downward.
BOOM—
Man and snake slammed into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Zhu Ge, straddling the giant python, raised the Purgatory Star Rod high. "Giant Pendulum!"
A silver-red light flared as he smashed the rod down on the giant python’s vital spot.
CRACK—
Scales shattered and fresh blood splattered.
The giant python thrashed its head wildly, but Zhu Ge’s legs were like iron pincers, clamping its body down firmly.
"Again!"
The second strike.
The third strike.
The fourth strike.
Each strike landed on the exact same spot. Scales shattered piece by piece, leaving behind a mangled pulp of flesh and blood.
The giant python’s struggles grew weaker and weaker, and the cold glint in its eyes gradually dimmed.
Meanwhile, the Golden Tiger was about to pounce but was intercepted by Tongzhen.
"Stop!" the Golden Tiger roared.
Tongzhen pointed his Bone Staff, and a wall of fire erupted from the ground, blocking the Golden Tiger’s path.
The Golden Tiger crashed headfirst into it, was scorched by the flames, and was sent flying several yards with a miserable howl, its fur and whiskers singed black.
"Your opponent is me," Tongzhen said coolly, the flames on his staff flaring up, dyeing half his face red.
The Golden Tiger roared, and golden flames erupted over its entire body.
It was a metal-attribute Demon Tiger. While the fire could harm it, it was far from being as effective as it was against the python.
It lunged at Tongzhen, its claws carrying a scorching heat.
Unhurried, Tongzhen tapped his Bone Staff repeatedly, sending out a volley of fireballs to engage the Golden Tiger in battle.
His was no ordinary fire; it was Witch Fire, fueled by his own lifeblood through the Witch Dao. Its temperature was extremely high, and a single touch was enough to split the Golden Tiger’s skin and flesh.
Zhu Ge paid no mind to the other battle, focusing on the giant python beneath him.
The seventh strike.
CRACK—
A bloody hole was smashed into the giant python’s vital spot, and blood gushed out like a spring.
"Jianjian!"
Seeing that the giant python had little strength left to resist, Zhu Ge gave a soft shout.
Liu Jianjian immediately understood. "Coming!"
The next moment, Liu Jianjian swiftly approached, forming a hand seal for a Technique. Streaks of crimson light connected her to the giant python.
"Refine!"
Liu Jianjian uttered a single word, then ignored everything else and sat down cross-legged.
Although it had lost the ability to resist, the giant python was a Third Realm existence. Refining it would not be so easy.
Fortunately, all the Demon Beasts she had just released had returned to the strands of her hair, feeding her Demon Qi in return.
This prevented her from being as powerless as when she had refined the Sword and Axe Mantis and the Strong Monkey King.
While Liu Jianjian was refining the beast, Zhu Ge turned his gaze to the Golden Tiger.
The Golden Tiger was locked in a struggle with Tongzhen.
Its golden fur stood on end, wreathed in flames, and every swipe of its claws was accompanied by a wave of scorching heat.
Although Tongzhen’s Witch Fire was effective against serpents, its effect on the Golden Tiger, which also had a fire attribute, was greatly diminished.
The two fought for dozens of rounds, but neither could gain the upper hand.
"City Lord Tong, I’ll help you!"
Zhu Ge tapped his toes, his figure becoming like smoke and mist as he rushed toward the Golden Tiger.
The Golden Tiger’s pupils shrank.
It had just witnessed this young man brutally suppress the giant python. Seeing him charge over now, a chill ran through its heart.
A Second Realm practitioner suppressing a Third Realm one was sometimes even more frightening than a Third Realm suppressing another Third Realm.
"Get lost!" the Golden Tiger roared, swiping with its claws.
Not dodging or evading, Zhu Ge met the attack with his Purgatory Star Rod.
CLANG—
The rod and claws collided, creating a piercing screech of metal on metal. Zhu Ge retreated three steps, while the Golden Tiger took one step back.
"What incredible strength," Zhu Ge said, shaking his numb arm, but an even fiercer fighting spirit ignited in his eyes.
Tongzhen seized the opportunity and pointed his staff. A pillar of fire shot up from under the Golden Tiger’s feet.
The Golden Tiger couldn’t dodge in time and was engulfed by the flames. It let out a wretched howl, a patch of its golden fur singed black.
"Furious-Eyed Vajra Palm!"
Zhu Ge rushed forward and smashed his rod into the Golden Tiger’s side.
CRACK—
The sound of cracking bone. The Golden Tiger had two ribs broken, and its massive body staggered a few steps.
"You... you’ve gone too far!" the Golden Tiger roared. The golden flames on its body surged, transforming into a scorching ball of fire that shot toward Zhu Ge.
Instead of retreating, Zhu Ge advanced. The silver-red light on his Purgatory Star Rod flared brilliantly.
He smashed his rod forward, colliding with the fireball.
BOOM—
A shockwave spread out. Zhu Ge was blown back several yards, and a trickle of blood escaped the corner of his mouth.
The Golden Tiger didn’t fare well either. The fireball’s momentum had been brutally halted, and the flames on its body dimmed slightly.
"City Lord Tong!" Zhu Ge yelled.
Tongzhen understood immediately. He raised his Bone Staff high, and the bead at its tip erupted with a blinding red light.
"Witch Fire Burning Heaven!"
A thick pillar of fire descended from the sky, engulfing the Golden Tiger.
The Golden Tiger struggled frantically, but the pillar of fire was like a cage, trapping it securely.
Zhu Ge took a deep breath. His Heart of Martial Arts Origin began to beat wildly, and Blood Qi surged out of him like a tide.
He gripped the rod with both hands, pouring his Blood Qi into it.
The Purgatory Star Rod shone brilliantly, silver and red light interweaving as a faint phantom image appeared on the rod’s body.
"Go!"
With all his might, he threw the Purgatory Star Rod. It flew like a shooting star, pierced through the pillar of fire, and struck the Golden Tiger squarely on the head.
BOOM!!!
The Golden Tiger let out a yelp and was knocked unconscious.
Seeing that Tongzhen was about to deliver the killing blow, Zhu Ge hurriedly stopped him.
"Wait!" Zhu Ge held up a hand. "City Lord Tong, I have someone under my command who can refine Demon Beasts for her own use. Please, stay your hand."
"Refine?" Tongzhen’s expression shifted. He glanced at Liu Jianjian in the distance and nodded slowly. "As expected, hero. Your ranks are filled with talented individuals."
Then, the two of them looked at the seemingly endless horde of Demon Beasts on the battlefield.
"And these..." Tongzhen asked.
Zhu Ge smiled.
"As it happens, my forces are short on Demon Beasts. This is battle power delivered right to our door. City Lord, could you provide support from the side? Don’t let any Second Realm Demon Beasts escape. As for the First Realm ones? Unless they have talent, unique traits, or some use, they can be killed."
"Very well." Tongzhen nodded slowly. "Hero, you helped Mengzi City. It is only right that I help you."
Zhu Ge nodded, then shouted, "The Golden Tiger and the giant python have been refined! All Demons, Ghosts, Spirits, and Monsters, surrender now or be shown no mercy!"
Zhu Ge’s voice was amplified by his Blood Qi, spreading across the entire battlefield and echoing throughout the whole city.