28: Chapter 28 Zhang Hao's Backer, Blood Shadow Old Monster

The sky of the Ten Thousand Beast Ridge Secret Realm was covered by a layer of gray haze at some point.

The dense Spiritual Qi began to become turbulent, and the distant spatial rifts flickered slightly, emitting fluctuations that suggested they were about to close. This meant that the half-month-long Secret Realm exploration was about to come to an end.

In the valley, the corpse of the Earth-Splitting Giant Bear had long since been divided up by everyone. The bear gall, bear skin, and bear bones were all stored in storage rings; every single one was a priceless treasure. At this moment, the surviving Geniuses were gathered together, tallying their respective harvests, their faces filled with exhaustion and joy.

Lin Zhou and his two companions were also among them.

With the blazing sun sniper bow slung across his shoulder, Lin Zhou was wiping the blood from the tip of an arrow, his gaze calm. During the half-month of Secret Realm training, he had not only slain the Earth-Splitting Giant Bear and comprehended the arrow Dao Concept, but he had also found several thousand-year-old Spirit Medicines in a hidden cave, enough to support him in breaking through the legendary rank Bottleneck. Qin Yue was sitting cross-legged nearby, adjusting her breathing with her longsword resting on her knees. Sword Intent flowed around her, clearly indicating she had also gained some insights. Su Ye was the most excited, holding a pile of exotic beast furs in his arms and humming an out-of-tune little ditty.

"It's about time to leave." Lin Zhou put away the wiping cloth and looked up at the sky. "The spatial rifts are about to close."

Qin Yue opened her eyes and nodded. "Yes, this Secret Realm journey has been very fruitful. After going back, it's also time for me to break through to the legendary rank."

Su Ye grinned. "Once we're out, I'm going to eat three large bowls of braised pork! Eating dry rations for the past half-month has made my mouth so bland it's unbearable!"

Just as the three were laughing and talking, a sinister voice, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, suddenly rang in everyone's ears.

"Want to leave? I'm afraid it won't be that easy."

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried a bone-chilling cold that made everyone's hair stand on end.

Lin Zhou's expression changed abruptly, and the perception of his Celestial Fox Physique was instantly pushed to its limit. A thick scent of blood, mixed with a decaying aura, diffused from deep within the dense forest behind him. He suddenly lunged to the side, pushing Qin Yue and Su Ye away.

"Watch out!"

Before his voice could fade, a pitch-black claw shadow shot out from the dense forest like a specter, aimed straight for Lin Zhou's heart! The claw wind was fierce, carrying the terrifying pressure of a Pseudo-King Rank expert. Everywhere it passed, the air was torn apart, making a sizzling sound.

This strike was as fast as lightning and as powerful as a thunderbolt!

If it had been an ordinary Epic Peak expert, they likely wouldn't even have had time to react before their heart was pierced, killing them on the spot.

But Lin Zhou was different.

The Celestial Fox Physique with 30% Awakening gave him perception and speed far beyond that of ordinary people. The moment the claw shadow attacked, his body drifted three feet to the side like a willow catkin in the wind, narrowly dodging the fatal blow.

*Slash—*

The claw shadow grazed his back, the force tearing a long gash in his robes and leaving a burning pain on his skin.

Lin Zhou used the momentum to retreat rapidly, putting distance between himself and the black shadow. The blazing sun sniper bow was instantly in his hand, an arrow notched on the string and pointed directly at the newcomer.

Qin Yue and Su Ye also reacted, flanking Lin Zhou to protect him. Qin Yue's longsword was unsheathed, her Sword Intent soaring, while Su Ye swung his giant axe, his Berserker Bloodline Power erupting as veins bulged across his body, radiating a menacing Evil Qi.

The crowd retreated one after another, their faces filled with terror.

From the shadows of the forest, a hunched old man slowly emerged. He wore tattered black robes, his face was covered in wrinkles, but his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, flickering with a sinister light. His right hand was as thin as a dry twig with pitch-black nails; the fatal strike from before had come from that very hand.

A faint blood mist lingered around the old man, emitting a nauseating smell of blood.

"Blood Shadow Old Monster!"

Someone in the crowd cried out the name, instantly triggering an uproar.

"It's actually him! That notorious Evil Cultivator!"

"I heard he specializes in absorbing the essence and blood of Martial Artists to Cultivate, and his methods are extremely cruel. I didn't expect him to be hiding in the Ten Thousand Beast Ridge Secret Realm!"

"We're finished! He's a Pseudo-King Rank expert; we're no match for him at all!"

Fear spread like a plague, leaving many Geniuses pale-faced and weak-kneed.

The Blood Shadow Old Monster ignored the crowd's panic. His gaze was fixed intently on the blazing sun sniper bow in Lin Zhou's hand, a glimmer of greed flashing in his eyes. "A sun-shooting bow fragment... it really is in your hands, kid."

Lin Zhou's heart sank, and he barked coldly, "Who are you? Why did you ambush me?"

The Blood Shadow Old Monster grinned, revealing a set of yellowish teeth. "This old man does not change his name or surname; I am the Blood Shadow Old Monster. As for why I ambushed you... naturally, it's for this sun-shooting bow fragment."

His gaze turned toward the crowd, scanning them sinisterly before finally landing on the pale-faced Zhang Hao.

Zhang Hao trembled all over and quickly forced a fawning smile. He hurried to the Blood Shadow Old Monster's side and said submissively, "Old Ancestor, it's this kid. He stole my Opportunity and made me lose all face in Jiang City! You must avenge me!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd was instantly in an uproar.

So, this Blood Shadow Old Monster was actually Zhang Hao's backer!

Lin Zhou's eyes instantly turned cold, and his gaze toward Zhang Hao was filled with killing intent. "Zhang Hao, you certainly have some tricks, actually colluding with an Evil Cultivator!"

Hiding behind the Blood Shadow Old Monster, Zhang Hao no longer showed his previous cowardice. His face was full of resentment. "Lin Zhou, you won't be smug for long! The Old Ancestor is a Pseudo-King Rank expert; crushing you is as easy as crushing an ant! If you're smart, hand over the sun-shooting bow fragment obediently, and maybe I'll spare your life!"

"Spare my life?" Lin Zhou sneered, his tone full of disdain. "With just you?"

"Impudent!" the Blood Shadow Old Monster roared. The pressure of a Pseudo-King Rank expert erupted instantly, bearing down on Lin Zhou and his two companions like Mount Tai. "Kid, don't refuse a favor! Hand over the sun-shooting bow fragment, and I can give you a quick death! Otherwise, I will certainly pull out your tendons, skin you alive, and drain your essence and blood!"

As the terrifying pressure swept over them, Lin Zhou and the others felt as if their chests were being crushed by giant rocks. Their breathing became difficult, and their legs trembled slightly.

Qin Yue's face was pale, yet she still gritted her teeth, her Sword Intent resolute. "Evil Cultivator! To dare to forcibly seize treasures in broad daylight, do you not fear being hunted by the Martial Arts Alliance?"

"Martial Arts Alliance?" The Blood Shadow Old Monster laughed wildly, his eyes full of contempt. "I am hiding within this Secret Realm; what can they do to me? Besides, once I obtain the sun-shooting bow fragment and my strength takes another step forward, even a legendary rank expert might not be my match!"

As his voice fell, the Blood Shadow Old Monster attacked again.

His figure flashed like a ghost, instantly appearing before Lin Zhou. His withered right hand turned into a claw shadow, carrying a thick blood mist as it aimed straight for Lin Zhou's throat!

"Watch out!" Qin Yue cried out, her longsword swinging out as a sharp sword light slashed toward the Blood Shadow Old Monster's wrist.

"Paltry tricks!" The Blood Shadow Old Monster snorted coldly and waved his left hand casually. A burst of blood mist surged out, swallowing the sword light.

Su Ye roared and swung his giant axe, striking toward the Blood Shadow Old Monster's back with the force of a thousand tons. The axe sliced through the air with a whistling sound, its power formidable.

Without even turning his head, the Blood Shadow Old Monster kicked backward, precisely striking the handle of the giant axe. A powerful force surged through, and Su Ye felt as if he had been hit by a giant hammer. He groaned and retreated repeatedly, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Seeing the claw shadow about to pierce Lin Zhou's throat, Lin Zhou's gaze suddenly sharpened.

"Space Jump Arrow!"

He shouted low, his Mental Energy erupting with full force as the arrow was instantly fired.

This arrow was not aimed at the Blood Shadow Old Monster but at the nearby Void Realm. In the next second, the arrow traced a bizarre arc through the air as if it had traversed space, instantly appearing behind the Blood Shadow Old Monster and pointing directly at his heart!

"Hmm?" The Blood Shadow Old Monster's expression shifted slightly; he hadn't expected Lin Zhou to have such a bizarre skill. He was forced to retract his claw shadow and sidestep to dodge.

"Now!" Lin Zhou seized the Opportunity, his spiritual power flooding into the blazing sun sniper bow.

"Cloud-Piercing Arrow Technique!"

The gold-and-red interwoven arrow, carrying the sharpness of the arrow Dao Concept and the blazing power of the sun-shooting bow fragment, shot toward the Blood Shadow Old Monster like a falling star chasing the moon!

Qin Yue also seized the chance, her longsword dancing as a brilliant sword light soared into the sky, containing all she had learned as it slashed toward the Blood Shadow Old Monster!

"Combined attack!" Lin Zhou shouted.

Although Su Ye was injured, he still charged forward with a roar, his giant axe carrying violent power as it cleaved toward the Blood Shadow Old Monster's legs!

The attacks of the three formed an airtight net of firepower, enveloping the Blood Shadow Old Monster within!

The Blood Shadow Old Monster's expression finally changed. He hadn't expected these three epic rank juniors to be able to unleash such formidable combat power!

"Seeking death!"

The Blood Shadow Old Monster roared, the blood mist around him surging to form a Blood-Colored Shield.

*Boom!*

The arrow, sword light, and giant axe all struck the Blood-Colored Shield simultaneously, producing a deafening explosion.

The Blood-Colored Shield vibrated violently, and dense cracks appeared. The Blood Shadow Old Monster groaned and retreated several steps, his face pale, clearly having suffered significant injuries.

He looked at the three of them, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes. He knew that if the fight continued, he wouldn't gain any advantage and might even suffer an unexpected defeat.

"Good! Very good!" the Blood Shadow Old Monster said through gritted teeth. "I will remember today's humiliation! Kid, you just wait! The next time we meet, I will certainly shred your body into ten thousand pieces!"

As his voice fell, the Blood Shadow Old Monster suddenly turned, his figure transforming into a blood shadow that plunged into the dense forest, disappearing without a trace.

Seeing this, Zhang Hao turned pale and tried to run.

"Trying to run?" Lin Zhou's gaze turned cold as he fired an arrow.

The arrow seemed to have eyes as it instantly pierced through Zhang Hao's thigh.

"Ah!" Zhang Hao let out a miserable scream and fell to the ground, blood gushing out.

Lin Zhou walked slowly to Zhang Hao and looked down at him, his gaze icy. "Zhang Hao, you brought this on yourself."

Zhang Hao was terrified and kowtowed repeatedly. "Lin Zhou! I was wrong! I won't do it again! Please spare me!"

Lin Zhou snorted coldly and ignored him, turning to look at Qin Yue and Su Ye. "Are you two alright?"

Qin Yue shook her head, while Su Ye grinned and rubbed his chest. "I'm fine! This little injury is nothing!"

Just then, the spatial rift in the sky flickered sharply, emitting a strong suction force.

"The Secret Realm is closing! Let's go!"

The crowd's expressions changed, and they no longer cared about Zhang Hao, rushing toward the spatial rift one after another.

Lin Zhou and his companions looked at each other and hurriedly followed.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled through the spatial rift, falling on Zhang Hao's despairing face. His screams were drowned out by the roar of the Secret Realm closing, gradually fading away.

The figures of Lin Zhou and his companions also disappeared within the Ten Thousand Beast Ridge Secret Realm as the spatial rift closed.

A crisis was thus averted.

But Lin Zhou knew this was by no means the end.

The threat of the Blood Shadow Old Monster was like a sword hanging over his head, a constant reminder that the path of martial arts is never-ending. Only by becoming stronger could he protect everything he wanted to protect.

He gripped the blazing sun sniper bow in his hand, a determined light flashing in his eyes.

legendary rank, here I come!