CHAPTER 429: CHAPTER 238 TRAP, CHAOS_2

Sensing the pressure from the sword radiant energy, Qian Duoduo immediately unleashed his strongest martial arts technique, the Chaotic Wind Hammer Skill.

The Chaotic Wind Hammer Skill is a Dark Level martial arts technique that employs a unique force-exertion method to swing the hammer precisely eighty-one times. The power of each swing can be layered upon the next.

When the full eighty-one swings are completed, its power is absolutely overwhelming!

Unfortunately, Gu Sheng didn’t give him the chance. When the sword radiant energy struck, Qian Duoduo had already swung both hammers with maximum effort but had only accumulated forty swings. Seeing the sword radiant energy closing in, he had no choice but to unleash both hammers simultaneously.

"Boom!"

The sword radiant energy smashed into Qian Duoduo’s twin hammers, erupting with a deafening explosion. The powerful shockwaves spread outward instantly, causing Qian Duoduo to let out a tragic scream as his corpulent body was sent flying.

Behind him, Linghu Qingwan’s expression stiffened at the sight, and she hurriedly sidestepped out of the way.

A moment ago, she had also felt the terrifying aura emanating from Gu Sheng’s sword radiant energy.

After days of intense practice, Gu Sheng’s mastery of sword radiant energy had improved significantly. Coupled with Qian Duoduo’s underestimation of him, that strike had forcefully sent Qian Duoduo flying.

Qian Duoduo landed heavily on the ground, disheveled and pathetic. His clothes were shredded, his flabby body covered with countless small wounds, and his entire figure was drenched in blood, causing his chubby face to scrunch up in pain.

Gu Sheng raised his sword and coldly addressed Linghu Qingwan, "Yield, or fight?"

Linghu Qingwan, wielding a giant sword taller than herself, exuded a rolling aura and wore a grave expression.

She hesitated for a moment, her conflicted gaze gradually solidifying into resolve. After taking a deep breath to steady her feelings, she replied calmly, "We withdraw from this contest!"

Although Qian Duoduo’s defeat carried some elements of carelessness, the impression left by Gu Sheng’s sword radiant energy was far too profound. After mentally simulating a confrontation repeatedly, Linghu Qingwan realized that even if she exerted her full strength, she might struggle to withstand that strike unscathed.

The biggest concern was that the previous strike seemed to have been carried out casually by Gu Sheng, without utilizing any martial arts techniques at all.

Linghu Qingwan was well aware that Gu Sheng had already mastered the renowned Gale Nine Swords technique. After weighing the situation, she chose to surrender.

Previously, the Giant Sword Sect had collaborated with the Haoyang Sect during their time at the Demon Suppression Sect, and their relationship was still amicable. If unnecessary conflict could be avoided, Gu Sheng wouldn’t want to antagonize the Giant Sword Sect.

Gu Sheng nodded toward Linghu Qingwan, "Thank you!"

With that, he activated his Gale Boots and rushed toward the Ten Thousand Soul Banner.

On his way, Gu Sheng encountered many trying to impede him, but after he swung a few sword strokes, they obediently stepped aside.

Gu Sheng quickly approached the vicinity of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner.

The banner was now enveloped in dense black energy, a sensation that felt oddly similar to the aura on Kang Tai’s body. Yet, Gu Sheng faintly discerned that the aura surrounding the Ten Thousand Soul Banner appeared far more noble than Kang Tai’s.

Though doubtful, Gu Sheng suppressed his growing disgust and stretched his hand toward the Ten Thousand Soul Banner.

Suddenly, a black hand seized the banner before him.

"Haha, this artifact is beyond your reach."

A voice, deep and low, emanated from behind the banner.

The sound seemed to arise from the depths of the underworld, sending a chill down Gu Sheng’s spine.

As the black banner lowered, a face—one he found disturbingly familiar—materialized before him.

"Zhao Honglie!"

Gu Sheng gasped in shock upon seeing the face, then immediately turned and activated his Gale Boots to flee at full speed.

Zhao Honglie briefly recalled him and then broke into a malevolent grin, "Oh! Fancy running into an old acquaintance here! Tsk tsk, that backwater dump of Canghe County actually produced a talent like you—what a rarity! Golden Bone Realm at eighteen? This level of genius as blood food must be extraordinary."

Zhao Honglie recognized Gu Sheng. However, instead of chasing him, he merely smiled with a predatory gleam, gazing at everyone present as though they were prey.

The aura surrounding Zhao Honglie was incredibly profound, surpassing even Lin Tianhao’s.

Gu Sheng knew that Zhao Honglie’s true power was far beyond what he currently exhibited. Back then, his strange transformation had left an indelible mark on Gu Sheng’s memories.

Upon seeing Zhao Honglie, Gu Sheng felt his heart race uncontrollably. Especially when the black banner fell into Zhao Honglie’s hands, its aura was seamless, proving it belonged to him all along!

A sudden burst of realization hit Gu Sheng, allowing him to piece everything together.

This Ten Thousand Soul Banner had been intentionally released by Zhao Honglie to lure them here!

"Run! Leave this place immediately!"

Even while escaping at top speed, Gu Sheng shouted aloud.

Hearing Gu Sheng’s clamorous warning, Lin Tianhao and the others halted their battles momentarily. When they turned toward Gu Sheng’s direction, they saw Zhao Honglie, whose face was filled with a twisted grin as black energy surged from his body.

"Junior Brother Gu, what’s going on?"

Lin Tianhao flew toward him, his gaze filled with solemn curiosity.

From their prior interactions, Gu Sheng always seemed mature beyond his years. Even when confronted with Kang Tai before, he hadn’t lost composure like this. Lin Tianhao found this drastic shift perplexing.

"Senior Brother Lin, there’s no time to explain! Run—this is a trap! That man is several times more terrifying than Kang Tai!"

Without stopping, Gu Sheng rushed toward Yun Tianyi.

"All disciples of the Holy Pill Sect, heed my orders—retreat immediately! Go!"

Gu Sheng didn’t bother explaining further. After issuing the command, he ran to Lin Miaomiao’s side, grabbed her arm, and activated his Gale Boots to flee.

Recalling Kang Tai’s fearsome power made Lin Tianhao shudder. Now, hearing Gu Sheng’s urgent warning, he didn’t hesitate to lead the Haoyang Sect disciples in a frantic retreat behind the Holy Pill Sect.

The remaining factions quickly sensed that something was wrong. Overcome with terror, they followed closely behind in flight.

Watching the crowd scatter in fear, Zhao Honglie erupted in gleeful laughter.

"Since you’ve come, don’t leave! Obediently become my blood food!"

Zhao Honglie tossed the Ten Thousand Soul Banner into the air. Initially small, it expanded hundreds of times over, blanketing the sky like a black curtain. Then Zhao Honglie laid both hands on the ground, causing dense black energy to surge into the earth.

The dirt beneath them churned, revealing mysterious black runes inscribed deep within.

Zhao Honglie had long prepared a powerful array here. As it absorbed demonic qi, the array activated, summoning black curtains from all directions.

These black barriers resembled cages, trapping everyone—including Gu Sheng, who had fled the fastest.

Seeing the barrier before him, Gu Sheng immediately activated his Blood Activation Skill, releasing all his stored Qi Blood Power. Without reservation, he unleashed Gale Nine Swords against the curtain.

The swirling winds from Gale Nine Swords collided with the black barrier, generating waves of force—but failing to move it an inch.

Lin Tianhao, witnessing this, was greatly alarmed. Approaching Gu Sheng, he asked anxiously, "Junior Brother Gu, who is this man? Why is he trapping us here?"

Realizing that all attempts to break through the barrier were futile, Gu Sheng’s spirits dampened.

"This man was originally just the leader of a gang in Canghe County. But somehow, he underwent a transformation similar to Kang Tai. I don’t know the cause of those changes, but one thing is clear: following these transformations, their strength skyrockets! Judging by his current aura, even if we join forces, we still wouldn’t be a match for him—let alone factoring in the powerful array he had prepared in advance."

Lin Tianhao turned to look at Zhao Honglie.

By now, Zhao Honglie’s body had undergone a transformation. He was several times larger, his skin black as ink, with faint golden patterns etched across his face. Behind him grew four pairs of menacing bone wings, turning him into a complete monster devoid of humanity.

Feeling the horrifying aura emanating from Zhao Honglie, Lin Tianhao’s fighting spirit rapidly faded.

Transformed and demonic, Zhao Honglie went into a frenzy, laughing maniacally as he gazed at the panicked masses.

"Haha, don’t be afraid! You shall all become part of me, the great one. This is your honor! I will lead you on a supreme evolution, to witness sights you’ve never imagined! Come, meld with me, and join the mighty Sacred Demon Clan!"