Chapter 555: Chapter 557: Peerless General
Dressed in white and wielding a silver spear, Zhao Suoxiang stood defiantly. He was the same Zhao Suoxiang from the Iron Spear Sect on Heavenly Wolf Island, Zhong Shan's old friend. After the sect was annihilated, Zhao Suoxiang, with Zhong Shan's help, inherited the sect's treasured Spear Heart and left for Shenzhou with his senior uncles to seek development.
"It's Zhao Suoxiang!" Tian Ling'er exclaimed in surprise.
Tian Ling'er knew Zhao Suoxiang from her first journey with Zhong Shan. They had later faced enemies together at the Zhong Residence. Although they were not very familiar, she remembered him.
"Is that man really just at the Nascent Soul peak? Is he planning to fight the entire monkey horde alone?" Gu Qianyou asked with a hint of doubt.
Nascent Soul peak? There were thousands of demon monkeys before him, with over a hundred at the Nascent Soul stage and six at the Integration stage. Could Zhao Suoxiang handle them all alone?
As Gu Qianyou and others pondered, Zhao Suoxiang let out a long howl and charged into the horde with his spear.
The lower-level monkeys attacked first, each wielding a stick and displaying their brute strength. However, as soon as Zhao Suoxiang entered the fray, a terrifying disaster unfolded.
With a single sweep of his spear, Zhao Suoxiang caused a monkey to explode. Despite their enormous size, the monkeys were no match for him.
As one monkey exploded, Zhao Suoxiang's spear danced wildly, sending countless monkey corpses flying into the sky. Blood and limbs rained down, and his spear carried a fierce masculine aura. Wherever his spear pointed, nothing could stand in his way.
Despite the overwhelming number of monkeys, Zhao Suoxiang quickly adapted, his body moving fluidly. Hundreds of spear energies shot out from his sides, resembling rockets, and they struck in all directions, creating a storm of carnage.
The battle turned frenzied as Zhao Suoxiang spun his spear with unparalleled precision, reaping the lives of the monkey horde like a machine. Any Golden Core stage monkey that touched his spear was instantly annihilated. Even the Nascent Soul stage monkeys met the same fate, unable to withstand his attacks.
"Incredible! In such a short time, he has already killed nearly five hundred monkeys, and yet his clothes remain unstained by blood," A'da remarked in amazement.
"Didn't you notice? Zhao Suoxiang's movements are perfectly efficient—no wasted motion at all," Zhihuo observed, narrowing his eyes.
As the group marveled, one of the enormous Integration stage demon monkeys could no longer tolerate it. In a brief period, five Nascent Soul stage monkeys had perished under Zhao Suoxiang's spear, which seemed like a call of death. The giant monkey leapt, raising a colossal club, and descended upon Zhao Suoxiang with crushing force.
The club's fall sealed Zhao Suoxiang's escape route. He had no choice but to face it head-on.
The Integration stage monkey's strike was incredibly powerful, creating a gale that pushed the surrounding monkeys away.
Zhao Suoxiang's eyes widened. He assumed a bow-and-arrow stance, his spear pointing directly at the descending club.
"Ha!"
With a thunderous shout, veins bulging on his forehead, Zhao Suoxiang's spear seemed to swell tenfold in strength.
A monumental clash ensued between Zhao Suoxiang's spear and the giant monkey's club.
The peak of Nascent Soul clashed fiercely with the power of the Integration stage.
"Boom!"
The spear and club collided, unleashing a powerful shockwave that pushed the surrounding monkeys further back. Zhao Suoxiang's stance was firm, his feet dug into the dry ground, which cracked and raised a cloud of dust under the immense pressure.
As the dust settled, Zhao Suoxiang's eyes blazed with battle intent, while the giant monkey's club lay broken in two. The giant monkey, stunned by disbelief, could only watch as Zhao Suoxiang leaped up. His spear danced in a deadly arc, and a massive spear energy shot towards the monkey's face.
Zhao Suoxiang's muscles strained against his once-loose white robe, now stretched taut and ready to tear. The giant monkey, seeing the spear energy coming, hastily tried to defend itself.
They knew Zhao Suoxiang had been at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, needing only an opportunity to break through. The day and night of relentless fighting had provided that opportunity, pushing him to the Integration stage.
Upon breaking through, Zhao Suoxiang immediately looked up.
"Friends in the sky, have you seen enough?" Zhao Suoxiang's eyes turned cold.
At his words, the ten subordinates drew their spears, ready for combat.
With a wave of his hand, Zhong Shan dispelled the illusion hiding them.
Seeing the group, the subordinates' eyes turned colder.
"Zhao Suoxiang!" Zhong Shan called out loudly.
The moment the illusion vanished, Zhao Suoxiang spotted Zhong Shan at the center and recognized him instantly.
"Zhong Shan! It's you!" Zhao Suoxiang exclaimed in surprise, his face lighting up with joy.
The general knows these people? The ten subordinates were momentarily taken aback.
"Hahaha! What a fierce battle! Your iron spear is as mighty as ever!" Zhong Shan laughed as he and his group descended from the clouds.
"You flatter me. I imagine this level of battle wouldn't even catch your eye," Zhao Suoxiang replied with a hearty laugh.
Hearing Zhao Suoxiang's words, the subordinates were even more surprised. Their general, usually stern and proud, was now laughing heartily and speaking humbly. Who were these people?
"Still as modest as ever, I see. You've grown stronger, but the spirit remains the same," Zhong Shan said with a smile.
"These are my friends and allies. Meet my companions: Bao'er, Ling'er, Qianyou, A'da, A'er, Zhihuo, Qinghong, and two wolf generals," Zhong Shan introduced.
"It's good to see you, Zhao Suoxiang. You've become even more formidable," Tian Ling'er greeted him warmly.
"And you haven't changed a bit, Ling'er," Zhao Suoxiang responded with a grin.
"This battle was impressive. You've always been a peerless general," Gu Qianyou remarked.
"Thank you. It's an honor to receive such praise," Zhao Suoxiang replied, bowing slightly.
The ten subordinates exchanged glances, realizing the significance of Zhong Shan and his companions. Respecting their general's demeanor, they sheathed their weapons and stood at attention.
"So, what brings you here, Zhao Suoxiang?" Zhong Shan asked.
"We are on a mission to exterminate the demon monkeys of the Blue Flame Empire. It's been a challenging task, but your presence here is a most welcome surprise," Zhao Suoxiang explained.
"It seems fate has brought us together again. Let's join forces and complete this mission," Zhong Shan suggested.
"With pleasure," Zhao Suoxiang agreed.
And so, the two groups merged, combining their strength and experience, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in the Blue Flame Empire.