Zhao Ming, who had lost his right arm, glared furiously at Qin Hao. He clenched his left hand in midair, and a longsword appeared in it. He unleashed a fierce sword technique, every move aimed at killing Qin Hao.
Qin Hao ignored everything else, gripping the woodcutter's knife and hacking relentlessly at Zhao Ming. At this moment, only a sky-shaking fury remained in Qin Hao's heart!
Zhao Ming could never accept Qin Hao's strategy of exchanging injuries. He had already witnessed Qin Hao's terrifying recovery ability. If he exchanged injuries with Qin Hao, he would be the only one to suffer in the end!
Left with no choice, Zhao Ming interrupted his assault, retreated seven steps, and assumed a defensive stance.
“I never expected you to still be alive. How did you enjoy the flames?”
As he retreated, Zhao Ming mocked him verbally. Seeing Qin Hao's appearance, like a vengeful ghost from the flames, Zhao Ming found it impossible to imagine what kind of terrifying physique could allow someone to survive amid those blazing flames.
“Are you surprised that I’m still alive?” Qin Hao glared at Zhao Ming, his eyes blood-red, furious flames flickering within them. In a low voice, he said, “I don’t care what you did to me, but your mistake was attacking those villagers. Today, I will kill you!”
Corpse qi churned as Qin Hao finally revealed the true appearance of the corpse king: a rotten, hideous face and a body filled with corpse qi. To ordinary people, he looked like a corpse that had been buried for many years and had already rotted away. Yet this body possessed an extraordinary power that ordinary people could never imagine!
Without another word, Qin Hao lunged forward. The woodcutter's knife in his hand swept through the air. Although his movements had no technique, Qin Hao’s superhuman strength made the blade seem like a streak of light, its trajectory impossible to see clearly.
Zhao Ming swung his sword with his left hand. Spiritual power coiled around the sword body as he met Qin Hao’s strike head-on.
“They’re only mortals. Being able to restore my injuries is their honor.” After blocking Qin Hao’s attack, Zhao Ming wore an utterly unconcerned expression, as if the bodies lying around him were not villagers, but merely a pile of paper figures.
This made the fury in Qin Hao’s heart burn even hotter. Zhao Ming was utterly unworthy of living in this world, and even less worthy of calling himself a member of a righteous sect!
Qin Hao’s movements grew faster. Although they still appeared clumsy, they posed a tremendous threat to Zhao Ming.
“You’re merely a member of another race. Why are you so agitated? Could it be that someone you care about is among these villagers?”
Zhao Ming wore a mocking smile as he continuously waved his longsword to ward off Qin Hao’s attacks. Although Qin Hao was powerful, he clearly had not fully mastered this strength. Thus, despite having lost an arm, Zhao Ming still appeared completely at ease. Moreover, Qin Hao was currently in a furious state, making his attacks utterly disorganized and even easier to defend against.
After Zhao Ming said this, Qin Hao recalled those innocent eyes, and immense grief filled his heart.
Immediately afterward, Qin Hao unleashed a frantic storm of attacks with no regard for his own life, striking with all his strength without pause. Zhao Ming could no longer hold out. He was already injured, and before he had fully recovered, Qin Hao had interrupted him and severed one of his arms. He was now relying on spiritual power to temporarily staunch the bleeding, but if this continued, he would undoubtedly die!
Zhao Ming decisively crushed a talisman.
“A powerful being whom the host currently cannot resist has been detected approaching. Please evacuate as soon as possible, host!”
A machine-like voice echoed through Qin Hao’s mind, but he paid no attention at all and continued attacking Zhao Ming. Zhao Ming could only struggle to defend himself, completely helpless. However, a faint smile hung from the corner of his mouth. Once help arrived, Qin Hao would be at his mercy!
However, Qin Hao’s attacks were even more ferocious than he had imagined. Before long, several more wounds had appeared on Zhao Ming’s body. What puzzled him was that every time the woodcutter's knife in Qin Hao’s hand struck him, he felt a painful sensation as if his soul had been damaged!
“There’s definitely something strange about this woodcutter's knife. Why hasn’t the dao protector arrived yet?”
Zhao Ming understood that he absolutely could not allow himself to be struck by the woodcutter's knife in Qin Hao’s hand. If he was hit again, it could very likely cause irreversible damage!
It was precisely in this moment of distraction that Qin Hao seized his opportunity. Relying on the immense strength granted by the Corpse King Physique, Qin Hao cleaved through the longsword in Zhao Ming’s hand with a single strike. Just as he was about to cut Zhao Ming in two, a massive hand of spiritual energy appeared and slammed into Qin Hao. Like a rag doll, Qin Hao was sent flying.
“Why did you take so long?” Zhao Ming coldly berated the dao protector who had arrived.
“I came as quickly as I could.” The dao protector remained expressionless and replied indifferently.
The dao protector said nothing more. Zhao Ming continued using his evil technique, beginning to absorb the blood and recover from his injuries. Looking at Qin Hao lying nearby, he laughed loudly and said:
“Weren’t you so powerful? I want you to watch helplessly as I absorb all the blood from these villagers!”
“Zhao Ming, you’ll die a horrible death!” Qin Hao spat out several mouthfuls of corpse blood and glared viciously at Zhao Ming. That palm strike had been far too terrifying. Even with his terrifying physique, he had been gravely injured and was unable to move!
Qin Hao looked toward the dao protector and felt as though he were facing a great mountain, impossible to shake, bringing unparalleled pressure.
“He belongs to the Corpse Clan. Should I kill him?” The dao protector frowned as he looked at Qin Hao.
“There’s no rush.” Zhao Ming shook his head. Looking at Qin Hao, he continued laughing loudly. “Weren’t you so capable? Come and kill me. I’ll stand right here without moving, with my neck washed clean, waiting for you to kill me. But do you have what it takes?”
Qin Hao lay to one side, his fists clenched tightly as he watched Zhao Ming laugh. An unprecedented hatred arose within him.
“The host currently possesses fifty-one devouring points. In consideration of the current crisis, please spend ten devouring points to purchase a Minor teleportation talisman and escape.”
The System’s prompt sounded. Qin Hao took a deep breath, cast Zhao Ming a vicious look, then purchased a Minor teleportation talisman. He transformed into a streak of light and vanished.
Seeing Qin Hao disappear, Zhao Ming revealed an astonished expression and looked at the dao protector beside him in confusion.
“What were you doing? How did you let him get away?”
“He used an extremely precious talisman. Unless one has reached the golden core stage, it is impossible to stop him.” The dao protector spoke indifferently.
“This!” Zhao Ming gritted his teeth. The look in Qin Hao’s eyes before he escaped made him uneasy. If he could not eliminate Qin Hao, he would never be able to eat or sleep in peace. Qin Hao’s physique was far too unusual, and he was also a member of the Corpse Clan. If he was not dealt with soon, he would inevitably become a threat!
“Protect me personally from now on!”
“What about the other disciples?”
“My life is worth more than theirs!” Zhao Ming said coldly.
“Understood.” Although the dao protector was unwilling, Zhao Ming’s identity was special, so he could only obey.