48: Chapter 48 The Song Family of Jiangnan, Thunderous Eagles!
Dragging his weary yet satisfied body back to the dormitory building, Zhou Heng was about to pull out his key to open the door when he noticed the door opposite his—the one that had always been empty—was slightly ajar. Light spilled out from within, accompanied by faint sounds of things being moved.
"Huh? A new neighbor?" Zhou Heng was somewhat curious.
The dormitory conditions at Military Martial University were excellent, mostly single rooms. Whoever was moving in across from him was most likely a specially admitted freshman like himself.
Just as he was thinking this, the door opposite was pulled open from the inside, and a figure stepped out.
It was a boy who looked about the same age as Zhou Heng,
slightly shorter in height, with delicate, handsome features. His face wore a gentle smile, and his eyes were bright, giving off a very pleasant feeling.
He was holding a half-open suitcase, seemingly in the middle of unpacking.
Seeing Zhou Heng at his door,
he paused for a moment, then offered a friendly smile, greeting proactively, "Hello, you must be the student living across from me. I just moved in today. I'm Song Yunle, from Jiangzhou. I'll be in your care from now on."
His attitude was natural and forthright, neither overly enthusiastic nor the slightest bit arrogant, making him easy to like.
[Target: Song Yunle]
[Realm: Spirit Awakening Four-Star]
[Divine Seal Sequence: S-Grade Golden Soul Blade Spirit]
[Status: Calm, Friendly, Slightly Curious]
[Note: Hails from the Jiangnan Song Family, registered Demon Slayer, no ill intent.]
"The Jiangnan Song Family?" Zhou Heng's heart stirred. That was a prominent, immensely wealthy family in the Eastern Brilliance Nation, with deep involvement in energy, pharmaceuticals, equipment, and other sectors, possessing substantial financial power.
He hadn't expected a scion of the Song Family would also come to endure the hardships at Military Martial University.
His expression remained unchanged as he also smiled, "Hello, Zhou Heng. 'Care' is a strong word. Let's just look out for each other."
"Pleased to meet you, Zhou Heng,"
Song Yunle nodded with a smile, seemingly unfamiliar with Zhou Heng's name, or perhaps indifferent to it. "I just moved in, so things are a bit messy. Sorry about the mess."
"No problem. Need any help?" Zhou Heng offered politely.
"No, no, I can manage. Thank you," Song Yunle waved his hand, his attitude still gentle and courteous. "I won't disturb your rest then."
"Alright, you carry on," Zhou Heng nodded, opened his own door, and went inside.
Closing the door, Zhou Heng rubbed his chin. "Song Yunle... the Song Family... interesting." But he didn't dwell on it. Military Martial University was full of hidden talents; having a wealthy classmate wasn't unusual.
As long as the other person didn't cause trouble, he couldn't be bothered.
Taking a hot shower,
washing away the fatigue and the lingering "virtual" pain from the simulation battle, Zhou Heng collapsed into bed and fell asleep.
The intense mental focus and yuan energy expenditure allowed him to sleep exceptionally soundly.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning,
Zhou Heng awoke refreshed and alert. Feeling the once-again abundant yuan energy and vitality within his body, along with the clearer combat insights in his mind, he nodded in satisfaction.
After a simple wash-up, he headed out to the cafeteria for a high-energy breakfast. He didn't run into Song Yunle during the meal.
After breakfast, he headed straight back to the Comprehensive Combat Hall.
Yesterday's simulation battle had been immensely rewarding.
He was eager to continue the challenge, especially to solidify [Shocking Thunder Break] and that half-baked phantom technique, and to apply them against even stronger opponents.
Paying with credits, he selected a simulation pod.
[Mode: Extreme Challenge (Pain Sensitivity: 10%)]
[Target: Upper Second-Tier Demonic Beast - Thunder Roc x 1]
[Environment: Thunder Mountain Range]
"Thunder Roc..." A flicker of excitement and gravity passed through Zhou Heng's eyes.
This was a flying demonic beast notorious for its speed and ferocious thunder-based attacks, extremely troublesome!
Perfect for testing his thunder cultivation!
The scene transformed!
Instantly, he found himself atop a towering peak that pierced the clouds, perpetually shrouded in thunderclouds!
Underfoot were jagged, black grotesque rocks,
while leaden clouds hung low overhead, silver lightning snakes danced chaotically, and deafening thunderclaps roared incessantly! The air was thick with violent thunder-attributed energy!
Kree——!!!
A piercing, rock-splitting shriek, saturated with terrifying thunder might, tore through the clouds!
The next moment, a massive black shadow ripped through the thunderclouds, diving down at a speed difficult for the naked eye to track!
It was a magnificent, extraordinary giant eagle!
Its wingspan exceeded five meters,
its body covered in blue-black feathers, the edges of which shimmered with blinding electric sparks!
Its sharp talons and beak were a dark gold color, entwined with violent lightning!
Its eagle eyes were sharp as electricity, filled with arrogance and savagery!
[Target: Thunder Roc (Upper Second-Tier)]
[Traits: Extreme Speed, Mastery of Thunder, Aerial Dominance, Ferocious Attacks, Extremely Strong Visual Perception.]
[Status: Peak Condition, Highly Aggressive]
[Skills: Thunder Flash Assault, Sky-Rending Thunder Talons, Thunderstorm Feather Arrows, Eagle Eye Lock...]
[Weaknesses: Relatively weaker in close combat (but extremely difficult to get close to), slightly inferior sustained burst power, fears extreme freezing and powerful binding.]
"So fast!" Zhou Heng's pupils contracted. His [Omniscient Eye] instantly captured its trajectory, but his body could barely react!
[Thunder Flash]!
He erupted sideways with all his might, without hesitation!
Boom!
The spot where he had just been standing was violently struck by a terrifying thunderbolt as thick as a bucket, shattering the rocks and leaving a charred black mark!
Crackle!
Missing its first strike, the Thunder Roc violently beat its wings, unleashing a rain of countless lightning-condensed feathers covering a vast area with extreme speed!
Zhou Heng retreated hastily, his dragon spine spear whirling like a wheel!
[Rushing Thunder Thrust]! Rapid strikes!
Clang! Clang! Clang!
He precisely shattered several of the most threatening lightning feathers, but there were too many, and some still slipped through!
Thud! Thud!
Two lightning feathers grazed his arm and thigh, instantly leaving charred wounds. Excruciating pain shot through him, accompanied by a strong numbing sensation!
"Tch!" Zhou Heng sucked in a sharp breath. The attack power was terrifying! The speed, range, and force were all ridiculously extreme!
Kree!
The Thunder Roc executed an elegant yet swift turn in the air, locking onto Zhou Heng once more. It transformed into a streak of lightning, its talons tearing through the air with rending sharpness as it swooped down! [Sky-Rending Thunder Talons]!
Gritting his teeth, Zhou Heng channeled power into [Shocking Thunder Break] and thrust his spear forward, a direct clash!
BOOM!!!
Spear met talon! Lightning exploded!
Zhou Heng felt an overwhelming, irresistible force surge through him. His tiger mouth split open, blood flowing freely as he was sent flying backward, crashing heavily against the rock wall. A sweet taste rose in his throat!
The Thunder Roc, however, merely staggered slightly in its flight. A white scratch appeared on its talons, but it was completely unharmed! Its defense, augmented by lightning, was astonishingly formidable!
"Damn! That hard?!" Zhou Heng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his expression growing even more grave.
The Thunder Roc gave him no chance to catch his breath, attacking again, even faster!
Its assaults came like a violent storm,
Thunder Flash, talon strikes, feather arrows alternating unpredictably, leveraging its aerial dominance to the fullest!
Zhou Heng was plunged into a desperate battle!
He pushed [Thunder Flash] to its limits, constantly evading lethal attacks. Occasionally, he found an opening to counter with a [Shocking Thunder Break], but most were blocked or dodged by the opponent's superior speed or stronger thunder strikes!
New wounds kept accumulating on his body—charred, torn, numbed... The pain simulation at 100% was excruciatingly real!
"No good! Can't match its speed! Attacks can't penetrate its defense! I'll die for sure if this continues!"
Zhou Heng's mind raced furiously. His [Omniscient Eye] madly analyzed the roc's every movement, searching for that fleeting opening!
He attempted to employ that crude phantom technique,
but the blurry, split-off lightning phantom was almost instantly seen through under the roc's sharp [Eagle Eye], rendering it useless!
Boom!
Another thunderbolt grazed past his body. Zhou Heng rolled away awkwardly, looking utterly miserable.
"Damn, getting beaten up pretty badly..." Zhou Heng spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, yet an unyielding flame burned in his eyes. "But... it's exhilarating!"
This pressure of teetering on the edge of life and death was the best catalyst for unlocking potential!
He took a deep breath, suppressing his churning vitality, as his thunder-attributed yuan energy boiled once more!
"Again!"