Chapter 393: Dominance

Chapter 393: Chapter 393: Dominance

Amidst the battlefield, Zhong Shan's presence was like a meat grinder, with blood and flesh flying everywhere. In any other situation, his foes would have fled in terror, but the Demon Nightmare Legion was peculiarly drawn to violence. The more blood was shed, the more excited they became.

After a while, Zhong Shan felt his inner rage subside, and the relentless slaughter started to lose its appeal. His instincts and purpose drove him closer to the savage leader.

Moving like a force of nature, Zhong Shan carved a path directly toward the sinister leader, who seemed far more rational than the other savages. Holding a green crystal in one hand, absorbing the souls around him, the leader reached into his waist with the other hand, pulling out a small black pouch. With a flick of his wrist, the pouch opened, releasing countless black dots that quickly grew into a swarm of bats.

The bloodthirsty bats filled the sky, their wings creating a deafening roar as they swarmed, circling the black pouch before the leader directed them towards Zhong Shan.

Zhong Shan's protective aura kept the bats at bay, but their sheer numbers and ultrasonic waves disrupted his vision and spiritual senses.

"Hmph!" Zhong Shan let out a cold snort.

"Boom!"

Thunderclouds gathered above Zhong Shan, and with his snort, lightning flashed within them. Thunderbolts rained down around him, disintegrating the bats upon contact. The lightning was basic, but it was enough to deal with the low-level bats.

As the endless bolts of lightning struck, weaker savages were also obliterated, while stronger ones struggled against the electrical onslaught. Yet, Zhong Shan's blade continued its deadly dance, sending more blood and bodies flying.

Seeing the sky filled with lightning, Jian Ao smiled slightly and stepped forward.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

In several places on the battlefield, sword lotuses sprouted from the ground, opening to reap the lives of many savages. Though the savages showed no fear of death, the leader began to feel dread. His eyes widened in panic as he urged his Demon Nightmare to turn and flee.

But Zhong Shan was already too close. From within the thunderclouds, a massive lightning dragon descended.

"Roar!"

The colossal thunder dragon, under Zhong Shan's control, crashed down towards the leader.

"Boom!"

Amidst the blinding lightning, the leader barely evaded the dragon's full force, but his mount was gravely injured.

Seizing the moment, Zhong Shan closed in on the leader, his blade cutting through the air with lethal intent. The leader, now desperate, swung his weapon in a futile attempt to defend himself, but Zhong Shan's power was overwhelming.

With a final, powerful strike, Zhong Shan's blade cleaved through the leader's defenses, ending his life in a spray of blood. The green crystal fell from the leader's grasp, its sinister glow fading as it hit the ground.

As the leader fell, the remaining savages faltered, their previously unwavering resolve shaken. The presence of their fallen leader seemed to momentarily snap them out of their frenzied state, and they began to scatter.

Jian Ao, witnessing Zhong Shan's decisive victory, nodded in approval. Together, they had decimated the Demon Nightmare Legion, turning the tide of the battle with their sheer might.

Nian Youyou and the blue-haired man continued to observe from their vantage point. The blue-haired man, initially dismissive of Zhong Shan, now watched him with a newfound respect.

"Interesting," the blue-haired man murmured, his previous disdain replaced with a hint of intrigue.

"See, I told you he was worth watching," Nian Youyou said, a sly smile on her lips.

The blue-haired man nodded, acknowledging her point. "Indeed. Perhaps I underestimated him."

Nian Youyou's eyes twinkled with amusement. "He's much more than he appears to be. But don't worry, you'll have your chance to see just how formidable he really is."

As the dust settled on the battlefield, Zhong Shan stood victorious, his presence radiating dominance and strength. The once-thriving town was now a scene of chaos and destruction, but the threat of the Demon Nightmare Legion had been decisively eliminated.

"Roar!"

Zhong Shan flew forward, delivering a powerful vertical slash with his blade.

Heaven's Slash! Wind Splitter!

Sekong bowed again, "Follow me."

As they prepared to set off, Zhong Shan couldn't help but feel a lingering curiosity about the items he had collected. The mysteries of the black pouch and the green crystal would have to wait, for now, their journey continued towards the unknown dangers and secrets of the Buddha-Forbidden Ten Thousand Mountains.

"Indeed, are you all planning to enter the Buddha-Forbidden Ten Thousand Mountains?" Monk Sekong asked, looking at the four of them.

"Do you know the location of the Pure Land?" Jian Ao inquired.

"The Pure Land?" Monk Sekong was slightly surprised but quickly nodded. "Of course. My master was fortunate enough to be chosen by the Pure Land. Although I haven't entered it myself, I've accompanied my master nearby and know the way."

"Great, he knows the way," Jian Ao said to Zhong Shan with a smile.

Sekong's expression brightened as he earnestly offered, "If you wish to go to the Pure Land, allow me to guide you. It would also give me a chance to repay the favor of saving my life."

"Zhong Shan, in that case, I won't be accompanying you further. Be careful on your journey," Jian Ao said to Zhong Shan.

"Thank you!" Zhong Shan replied sincerely.

"We won't be going further. You take them to the Pure Land," Jian Ao instructed Monk Sekong.

"Uh?" Sekong was momentarily confused, but seeing Jian Ao gesture towards Zhong Shan and Mr. Corpse, he quickly nodded and smiled.

"Until we meet again," Jian Ao said.

"We surely will!" Zhong Shan nodded and smiled.

With that, Jian Ao and Chujie soared into the sky and disappeared from Zhong Shan's sight.

In the distance, the townspeople still didn't dare to come out.

"Please, follow me," Sekong said with a smile.

"Please," Zhong Shan nodded. He and Mr. Corpse exchanged glances and then followed Sekong northward.

In a distant forest, Nian Youyou and the blue-haired man observed.

"Alright, we don't need to intervene anymore. You pursue yours, I'll pursue mine," Nian Youyou said, and the two quickly dispersed.

Zhong Shan and Mr. Corpse followed Sekong, with Nian Youyou trailing from a distance. Sekong led them through the clouds, heading towards the Buddha-Forbidden Ten Thousand Mountains. Along the way, Sekong appeared very enthusiastic, continuously asking about Zhong Shan's and Mr. Corpse's backgrounds. However, they only revealed their names and nothing more, and Sekong wisely refrained from pressing further.

After about two and a half days of travel, Zhong Shan and Mr. Corpse suddenly halted, their pupils contracting.

"Haha, we are now entering the Buddha-Forbidden Ten Thousand Mountains. Here, aside from Buddhist practitioners, everyone's cultivation is suppressed to about seventy percent of their full strength, while Buddhist practitioners receive a boost in power," Sekong explained with a smile.

Zhong Shan looked around curiously. There was nothing visibly different, yet an inexplicable force seemed to be suppressing him.

"Is it like this throughout the entire Buddha-Forbidden Ten Thousand Mountains?" Zhong Shan asked.

"It is," Sekong confirmed.

"Oh? Is there a height limit to this effect?" Zhong Shan looked up, recalling how the white fog surrounding the ghost palace once had a height limit.

"This power descends from the heavens. It naturally reaches the sky and is boundless," Sekong explained.

Zhong Shan closed his eyes, and the red lotus in the center of his forehead spun slightly. Suddenly, he entered a state of serenity, and the surroundings became extremely quiet. Then, Zhong Shan faintly heard a sound.

"Om Mani Padme Hum."

(To be continued)