Chapter Sixty-Seven: Grade B, A Fierce Battle with the Sword Sage

[Congratulations, Host, for completing Task 2. Reward received. Level upgraded to B.]

[Task 1: Await system prompt, release the energy within the Heart of the Ocean to initiate Deep Sea Awakening. Task reward: Strength upgraded to A-level.]

[Task 2: Enshroud an entire nation in your own fear. Task reward: Three rule-level skills.]

As soon as the system's voice faded, Xiao Zi swept his hand grandly.

“Want to fight? Then let’s go all out!”

With those words, he unleashed his uncanny domain. The blood-red forbidden zone enveloped nearly four hundred square meters, its intense aura of terror instantly overwhelming all other presences.

In that moment, all the Spirit Controllers began to writhe in agony, the peculiar creatures sealed within them struggling as never before.

Yet, Xiao Zi’s target was never them, but the sword-wielding spokesperson.

In a flash, Xiao Zi appeared at the spokesperson’s side.

“Judging by your attack style, you’re a ranged fighter, aren’t you? Well, I’ll drag you in close. Let’s see what you do now.”

But the next second, a gleaming sword pierced straight through his body, leaving a massive hole in his torso.

He glanced down at the gaping wound, then looked up at the spokesperson. “So you can wield your sword by hand after all.”

Before Xiao Zi could make another move, several long swords flew at him.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished from his spot, quickly using the energy within the forbidden domain to heal the hole in his body.

But before he could finish, an ominous aura surged toward him.

“Damn, these swords are homing now?”

In the next moment, countless little swords embedded themselves in his body, pinning him down tightly.

“Why? The energy fluctuations are only at A-level. When I was D-level, I could easily leap ranks and defeat C-level opponents. Now I can’t leap ranks to defeat an A-level? Are spokespersons really this formidable?”

Watching Zhang Chenyang approach slowly, Xiao Zi felt death looming closer than ever for the first time.

This is it. I’ve really messed up this time.

But just as Zhang Chenyang reached Xiao Zi and prepared to swing his sword, something exploded beneath his feet.

The massive shockwave of energy sent Zhang Chenyang flying, raising a cloud of smoke.

Zhang Chenyang twisted his neck, his expression grim, then casually swung his sword to disperse the smoke. Before him now stood a young girl and a man with a wild, bushy head of hair.

“Oh? Long Yun and Xiong San? I’ve heard much about you.”

As two renowned spokespersons of the uncanny creatures’ faction, the intelligence agencies of the Grand Xia had ample information on them. So Zhang Chenyang knew exactly who they were.

“Zhang Chenyang, right? This vengeful spirit is under our protection. You’d best get lost,” Long Yun declared, hands on her hips, her face proud, dismissing Zhang Chenyang as if shooing away a fly.

But facing his adversaries, even uttering a single sentence was Zhang Chenyang’s limit. The next moment, he released several circles behind him, preparing to unleash his swords.

The sight terrified Xiong San, who immediately freed Xiao Zi from his restraints.

“This guy’s patron deity is one of the Twelve Main Gods. He’s been attuning to divine power since childhood. We can’t beat him. Besides, our mission was merely to help you activate the Red Moon. Now our part is done. Quick, open a rift and let us out.”

Hearing this, Xiao Zi was dumbfounded. “Huh? Open a rift? Is that even possible?”

Xiong San: “...”

Before they could converse further, sharp sword beams swept toward them. Xiao Zi swiftly retreated to a safe distance.

“You two hold him off. I’ve got my own plan.”

He looked toward a direction. “Si Li Ren! Why are you hiding?”

Si Li Ren was crouched in a corner, focusing all her energy on concealing herself.

But it was useless; she had a demonic seed from Xiao Zi planted within her.

“What do you want?”

“Let me borrow your body. Don’t resist!”

With the demonic seed inside her, Si Li Ren felt an instinctive compulsion to obey Xiao Zi. Before she could react, Xiao Zi had already possessed her body.

So what if he’s a spokesperson?

Having a deity as a backing isn’t everything.

Guiding the energy within, Xiao Zi unleashed the Blood Fury skill, causing Si Li Ren’s power to erupt without restraint.

In the next moment, six pairs of ethereal wings appeared on his back, his aura soaring to a terrifying level.

He was now incomparable to his former self.

In a flash, he appeared behind Zhang Chenyang, releasing a powerful soul wind blade straight at Zhang Chenyang’s neck.

Yet, just as the blade was about to strike, a tiny sword mark appeared on Zhang Chenyang’s neck, blocking the attack completely.

Damn it! This guy’s cheating!

Before he could escape, Zhang Chenyang turned his head and struck back with a sword.

The blade grazed Xiao Zi’s body, but even so, it tore Si Li Ren’s clothes, exposing her skin beneath.

“Damn, you’re ruthless.”

The opponent’s speed, attack power, and reaction were all superhuman. Yet, Xiao Zi still had his methods.

Now controlling Si Li Ren’s body, his command over the uncanny creature energy within the forbidden domain was stronger, meaning he could fully transform the C-level Spirit Controllers into uncanny creatures.

With this in mind, he moved to the center of the domain, channeling the energy within the Spirit Controllers.

“Long Yun, Xiong San! Hold him off!”

Long Yun and Xiong San’s faces twitched. They knew Si Li Ren was now under Xiao Zi’s control.

Had it not been for the unusual nature of this vengeful spirit, they would have killed him already.

Left with no choice, they braced themselves to stall Zhang Chenyang, hoping to buy Xiao Zi time.

Moments later, the Spirit Controllers’ flesh was eroded by uncanny creature energy, turning them into mindless husks.

“You were all sealed away by these wretched humans. Go, vent your fury on that human!”

At his words, all the uncanny creatures bared their fangs, charging at Zhang Chenyang in a mad frenzy.

Zhang Chenyang’s brow furrowed as he shifted his focus to the attacking uncanny creatures.

Even if he destroyed their bodies, they would shed their flesh and attack him with their remaining energy, their rage evident.

Several sword talismans appeared on his body, yet some areas remained unprotected, leaving him vulnerable.

And that was exactly what Xiao Zi intended.

As expected, both the swords and the strange sword talismans on his body had their limits.

He could launch only sixteen flying swords at a time, and the talismans protected only vital areas.

A smile crept onto Xiao Zi’s face.

In the next instant, he appeared near Zhang Chenyang. “Soul Wind Blade!”

A powerful wind blade slashed forth, catching Zhang Chenyang off guard. He let out a muffled cry of pain, then noticed, to his shock, that his lower leg had been severed cleanly!