Chapter 85: Man and Serpent Against an Entire Sect! [Fourth Update—Seeking Monthly Votes]

As more and more cultivators from the Azure Cicada Valley emerged from the surrounding forests, a vast poisonous mist rose and billowed across the mountains and fields. Wherever it passed, flowers, grasses, and trees withered at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Fang Wang stood upon the hillside, gazing out; he was now completely surrounded.

He had not acted immediately, waiting instead for the Azure Cicada Valley to close in, so as to prevent them from pursuing Fang Hanyu.

Countless venomous insects flew in from the horizon, blotting out the sky and sun, casting the land into darkness.

“Even if it means braving blades and fire, I’ll stay by your side, young master. Don’t worry—I’ve spent all these years in the Sacred Cave, I’ve learned a fair few skills!” Xiao Zi, trembling, clung to Fang Wang’s shoulder. Though its voice was frail, it had already released its demonic aura, ready for battle.

Powerful energies erupted everywhere—even from the woods behind Fang Wang, huge poisonous creatures crawled forth: beetles, spiders, scorpions, moths, ants, serpents—every kind imaginable.

A figure emerged from the rolling poisonous fog, overlooking Fang Wang’s back. He wore a red robe, his frame burly, his face covered in a thick beard. Black and white hair coiled beneath a black centipede, whose two long antennae floated like phoenix feathers. The poisonous aura swirling around him was the strongest of all.

“Fang Wang, you killed my disciple Li Hongshuang. Do you admit it, or not?” The red-robed man asked coldly, eyes filled with greed.

Fang Wang tilted his head, glancing sideways at him. “Who are you in Azure Cicada Valley?”

“I am the master of Azure Cicada Valley—Pang Tun Tian!” the man answered, unable to hide his murderous intent.

Fang Wang sneered. “I never thought the mighty master of Azure Cicada Valley would mobilize so many just to kill a junior like me!”

Pang Tun Tian raised his right hand, crimson poisonous mist erupting from his palm. A long whip, almost tentacle-like, appeared. His expression was icy as he said, “Blame yourself for possessing the Heavenly Origin Treasure Spirit. If you wish to live, there’s still one chance.”

“Kneel and beg for mercy. After I seize your body, I’ll find you a new flesh vessel. You’ll serve Azure Cicada Valley from now on. How about it?”

Fang Wang burst out laughing.

More and more powerful cultivators of Azure Cicada Valley approached, all at the Profound Heart Realm, numbering two or three hundred. The disciples below that realm formed arrays in the distance, faces grave and tense.

Though they were many, none dared underestimate Fang Wang. They believed Azure Cicada Valley could capture him, but the one who slew a great demon king and defeated the Sword Sect would exact a heavy price—no one wished to be the next corpse.

“If you won’t, then prepare for me to tear out your tendons and drain your blood. When you’re weak to the extreme, I’ll forcibly seize your body!” Pang Tun Tian’s voice was chilling. With that, he lashed out with his whip at Fang Wang.

A fierce wind tore through the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, producing a shrill noise.

Fang Wang advanced instead of retreating, brandishing the Celestial Palace Halberd as he charged at Pang Tun Tian.

The battle began in earnest!

The powerful cultivators of Azure Cicada Valley all brought forth their own treasured spirits, accelerating toward Fang Wang.

Facing Pang Tun Tian’s whip, Fang Wang took eight swift steps, then hurled the Celestial Palace Halberd.

Boom!

The halberd unleashed terrifying power, severing the whip along its path and hurtling unstoppably toward Pang Tun Tian.

A perfect sword technique!

And the true power of battle infused!

In his stride, Fang Wang invoked the true power of battle, clearing his mind of all distractions. He was determined to slaughter Azure Cicada Valley’s demon cultivators.

He had no intention to flee!

Pang Tun Tian’s expression changed drastically; confronted by the charging halberd, he instinctively raised both hands, conjuring a shield of spiritual energy.

Yet the halberd struck forcefully, shattering the shield, severing both his arms, and piercing his chest. Blood splattered as he was thrown backward into the woods.

Fang Wang stopped almost simultaneously, turned, and charged, drawing the Azure Lord Sword in his right hand.

Outnumbered, he chose not to expend his spiritual energy directly, deciding instead to kill his foes by the simplest means.

“Kill!”

Seeing Pang Tun Tian injured in an instant, the Azure Cicada Valley cultivators’ faces changed drastically, but they unleashed their own techniques, besieging Fang Wang.

Countless spells surged from all directions, engulfing Fang Wang. He ran to the cliff’s edge and leapt, his eyes cold, gaze unwavering—only enemies before him.

Xiao Zi, clinging to Fang Wang’s shoulder, opened its serpentine mouth. The scene froze: man and snake facing a sky full of demon cultivators, neither showing the slightest fear.

...

Within the woods.

Fang Yin walked in the middle of the group, brows tightly knit, feeling inexplicably uneasy.

Fang Meng, walking beside him, noticed his expression and scolded, “What, tired already? I told you to cultivate more, but you never listen!”

Fang Yin gave a bitter smile. “Cultivation yields no results—it’s hard to focus. But I’m not tired, I just feel something big is happening.”

“Hmph, always so superstitious.”

Fang Meng shook his head and continued forward.

Just then, the Fang family disciples ahead stopped, all looking up. Fang Yin and Fang Meng followed suit. The trees here were sparse, so they could see clearly: the sky darkened, as if thunderclouds were about to roll in, the air oppressive.

But they heard no thunder.

Fang Meng pondered for a moment and said, “Alright, stop here. Form an array nearby and prepare to rest.”

The Fang family disciples had no objections, but as they worked, they kept glancing toward the sky.

The phenomenon was so terrifying it filled them with unease.

Fang Yin stood where he was, gazing at the horizon, his unease intensifying.

For some reason, he thought of Fang Wang.

“It shouldn’t be—he’s so powerful, how could anything happen to him?”

Fang Yin tried to comfort himself; after all, there was nothing he could do.

At this moment, he suddenly regretted that he hadn’t worked harder at cultivation. Even if his talent was lacking, becoming stronger would be better than nothing.

...

The clouds rolled, the world blanketed in endless poisonous fog. All the forests across the mountains withered; everywhere lay blood and corpses.

Countless demon cultivators and venomous insects moved through the poisonous mist. Spells bombarded the ground, stones flying, the fog surging violently.

Looking closely, a golden figure flickered rapidly in their midst!

Boom!

The forest exploded. A gigantic purple python, as massive as a mountain range and as fierce as a dragon, burst forth. At its head stood a shining golden figure—it was Fang Wang.

Fang Wang was clad in golden-scaled white-feathered robes, streams of golden dragon energy swirling around him. In his right hand he gripped the Celestial Palace Halberd, exuding a commanding aura, like a divine general descending to earth.

Blood stains marred his robe, and Xiao Zi was covered in wounds, but their momentum only grew more violent.

“Ten Thousand Poisons Formation! Raise the Ten Thousand Poisons Formation now!”

An elder of Azure Cicada Valley stood atop a giant ant, shouting hoarsely. Before his words finished, a piercing sound split the air from the poisonous mist ahead—a flash of cold light, and the Azure Lord Sword shattered his skull.

Fresh corpses piled atop old!

Xiao Zi crushed its way forward, spitting sword energy from its mouth, blasting through Azure Cicada Valley’s demon cultivators. Dust flew, flesh splattered, screams echoed without cease.

Fang Wang leapt, his form like an eagle, both hands wielding the halberd and smashing it down in fury. A middle-aged demon cultivator raised his blade to block, but his arms and shoulders went numb from the impact, terror etched on his face.

He looked up in fear, meeting Fang Wang’s icy gaze.

No words were exchanged. Fang Wang struck with force, cleaving half his body away, blood and flesh flying as the man screamed in agony.

“Stop him!”

Pang Tun Tian shouted desperately, his face covered in blood. His arms had transformed into countless tiny blood-red insects; his right hand held a whip, his left a large flag. As he spoke, he gathered himself, surging crimson poisonous mist whirling toward Fang Wang like a tornado.

Fang Wang landed and charged straight toward him, unstoppable.

As he ran, he swung the halberd swiftly, dispersing spells attacking from all sides. Nine fireballs hovered behind his head, keeping the poisonous mist at bay. His charge tore a rift through the ocean of poison in the wilds.

Seeing Fang Wang approach, Pang Tun Tian, terrified, swung his whip and smashed it into the ground. The earth shattered, streams of crimson flames erupted and extended toward Fang Wang.

With the Mystic Sun Divine Sutra shielding him, Fang Wang ignored the flames and forced his way through, terrifying Pang Tun Tian.

“This guy...”

Pang Tun Tian was filled with dread. Even with half the power of Azure Cicada Valley, he could not suppress Fang Wang.

Impossible!

Had the battle with Sword Sect not exhausted Fang Wang?

No matter how strong the Heavenly Origin Treasure Spirit, spiritual energy must have a limit!

Thinking this, Pang Tun Tian’s gaze turned fierce. He could retreat no further; Fang Wang had to die.

He bellowed in rage, his flesh exploding apart, transforming into countless blood insects that swarmed at Fang Wang.

Fang Wang leaped, the energy around him suddenly coalescing into a green dragon’s head. As a green dragon, he charged into the sea of blood insects.

The swarm was torn apart. Fang Wang’s eyes narrowed; he thrust the halberd forward.

A sickening sound—!

The blade pierced Pang Tun Tian’s chest; he had not become the swarm, but hidden within it.

“You—”

Pang Tun Tian’s eyes widened, his bloodied face resembling a vengeful ghost.

Fang Wang’s right arm trembled, and the halberd severed his head. Endless blood insects tried to approach, but the nine fireballs behind Fang Wang’s head burned them to ash.

The next moment, Fang Wang seized Pang Tun Tian’s head, leaped out of the storm of blood insects, wrapped the head in cloth from his storage pouch, and stowed it away.

He turned, halberd in hand, and charged toward Xiao Zi.

The storm of blood insects dissipated; Pang Tun Tian’s body fell, headless.

“The master is dead! Kill! We must avenge him!”

A gaunt man shouted angrily, clearly of high status. He stood atop a toad as large as a hill, surrounded by four poisonous flags, forming an array.

All who heard his words had eyes red with fury. By now, the Azure Cicada Valley cultivators had forgotten fear; their eyes held only Fang Wang and Xiao Zi.

Fang Wang must die, or disaster would follow!

Boom—

The earth trembled, poisonous mist surged at the horizon, condensing into a deep crimson canopy rising into the sky, an indescribable pressure suffusing the world.