He glanced back for only a moment before scrambling to his feet and sprinting away.

Unfortunately, he had planned to use this building to stall for more time, but that plan was dashed.

The power gap between the Second Rank and the Fourth Rank was simply too vast.

He never expected that Mrs. Yan, even after mutating into a Gu Worm, could still wield the powers of a Heavenly Master!

Five minutes and thirty-seven seconds.

At that moment, countless leaves trembled violently, the torrential rain suspended mid-air, gravel on the ground trembled and rolled, and countless iron rails were forcibly bent, their sharp edges pointing directly at him!

Gu Jianlin froze in horror; this was the ability Minister Lu had mentioned, the power of a Fourth-Order Heavenly Master.

Telekinesis!

Boom!

Without hesitation, he extended his hands, gathering negative energy into quivering black particles in his palms.

Dark Shock Burst!

The massive explosion echoed through the night sky, and Gu Jianlin was sent flying by a powerful shockwave, landing squarely on an iron railing. Its sharp spike pierced through his abdomen, and blood sprayed out violently.

The severe injury left his face pale, and the Ghost Fire flickering on his forehead wavered like it was about to extinguish. If not for the Breathing Technique aiding him in restoring spirituality constantly, he would've already collapsed.

This was undeniably the most dangerous battle he had faced since joining the Extraordinary World.

His mind was recalling the essence of the Breathing Technique.

Feeling the immense pressure of life and death, along with the kind of courage that throws caution to the wind.

The rhythm of his breathing seemed to merge into the storm.

Deep in his consciousness, something appeared to be… igniting!

With a deafening roar, Mrs. Yan surged out from the ruins, her head surrounded by converging elemental turbulence. Wind and rain intertwined with fire and gravel, forming what resembled a cataclysmic storm that roared incessantly.

Gu Jianlin downed another bottle of Blue Blood, fueling the spiritual tide in his mind to rise and fall violently. It surged like towering waves reaching out to shatter some kind of barrier and rise to an even greater height!

Crack!

Gu Jianlin reached behind his back, snapped the iron spike with brute force, pulled it out, and hurled it backward.

Finally, he raised his middle finger and growled, "Die!"

The mere iron spike was no match for Mrs. Yan, who had transformed into a monster. She ignored it entirely, letting her body endure the impact, creating nothing but a gaping hole. Dark green blood sprayed out, mixed with toxic mist, dispersing in the storm.

When the Ghost Curse Technique's curse landed on her, she bled profusely again, eerie spells marking her entire body like tattoos.

Yet the problem was that the pain only made her more frenzied, and her speed increased!

Gu Jianlin reached out and touched a maple tree, igniting the Divine Sacrificial Fire, channeling life force into his body.

His injuries instantly healed, returning him to his peak condition!

"Thank you, Divine!"

"The Divine is the strongest path!"

Turning on his heels, Gu Jianlin ran headlong into the storm, a gargantuan monster hot on his heels.

Shattered stones and razor-sharp wind blades whistled toward him intermittently.

Flying debris hammered his back, tearing his flesh open.

The torrential rain turned sharp as hailstones, scraping him all over till his body was covered in bruises and gashes.

Blood mixed with rainwater spread everywhere, and the excruciating pain left the boy's vision blackened.

Seven minutes and forty-four seconds.

In such circumstances, Gu Jianlin had no time to use Divine Sacrificial Fire to heal himself. Yet the physical resilience brought by the Ghost Transformation was enough for him to endure these injuries and keep running.

Nevertheless, his pace slowed down while the monster grew increasingly ferocious, speed accelerating dramatically.

At this rate, he wouldn't last more than ten minutes and would die soon.

Gu Jianlin didn't want to die, but there were things he wouldn't do; otherwise, he'd prefer death over living.

Uncle Mu was right.

He was nothing short of a stubborn madman, born with unparalleled pride and arrogance.

Anything others could do, he insisted on being able to do as well.

Anything others couldn't do, he was determined to accomplish it too.

Gu Jianlin had never intended to be a hero; he simply hated losing.

He hated losing in anything.

Jing Ci once said that true strength isn't about how powerful one is but rather about courage.

Just like Old Gu back on the highway.

And Uncle Mu, who fought to the death for his family at the shelter.

Including the Vulture and Old Zhong in West Port, and that little brat.

All of them had the courage to lay down their lives if necessary.

Suddenly, something clicked.

He realized he could keep going.

He could move even faster.

Eight minutes and thirteen seconds!

Amidst trees blasted by raging winds and iron rods piercing through the ground, lightning illuminated the Treasure Appraisal Shop ahead. Through the storm came a familiar voice.

Gu Jianlin never expected he had circled back to the Treasure Appraisal Shop!

"Xiao Gu! The motorcycle is locked at the door! The password is your wages for today! Run already!"

"Xiao Gu! The motorcycle is locked at the door…"

"Xiao Gu…"

It was the shopkeeper's voice, looping on a loudspeaker. Truth be told, the man's voice was annoying, like a screeching duck.

But hearing it now, it inexplicably reawakened a spark of energy in Gu Jianlin's exhausted body.

He sprinted to the shop's entrance, gasping for air as he input three digits on the password lock.

Three-Five-Zero!

The motorcycle keys were already in the ignition.

Gu Jianlin swung himself onto the seat in one fluid motion, cranked the throttle to maximum. The second-hand motorcycle roared ferociously like a giant dragon!

Boom!

Just then, Mrs. Yan shot upward, her twenty-four sharp appendages gleaming coldly, stabbing straight toward the boy's back.

Clang!

At the critical moment, the strings of a Gu Zheng were plucked, splitting the Void open with a chilling crack!

Through the storm, a murderous melody rang out, its sharp clarity like splashing water from shattering silver bottles. The somber tune carried the relentless energy of swords clashing on a battlefield, mingled with swirling sand, spilled blood, roaring blades, and ringing steel!