Chapter 34: The Second Great Clash 2
Both Gold Tier 1 Demonic Beasts surged toward the disciples' defensive lines, trampling the earth beneath them.
BOOM! BOOM!
With every thunderous step, the ground cracked and trembled. Formations lit up once again as cultivators unleashed wave after wave of elemental magic and blade techniques.
"Hold the line!" a disciple from the Iron Fang Sect shouted, blood dripping down his chin as he swung a massive iron saber through a Silver Tier beast's neck.
"I can't feel my legs!" screamed another, collapsing even as his spirit energy surged one last time in a flaming arrow blast.
FWOOOSH!
On the left flank, the already severely injured Gold Tier 1 Demonic Beast lunged once more, only to be met by a staggering but defiant Gold Tier 1 sect disciple who had just rejoined the battle.
"You…?!" muttered a rogue cultivator, stunned as the limping warrior raised his blade with both trembling hands.
"I'm not done yet," the disciple spat blood. "Not while my brothers are still breathing!"
His timely return helped stabilize that side, giving the others just enough breathing room to reform their shattered formation. The beast roared.
GRRAAAAHHHH!!!
But it was met with a barrage of coordinated spells and weapons, each strike shaking the field.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the battlefield, Elton, Christy, Zoro, Cedric, and a group of elite disciples were under heavy assault. The second Gold Tier 1 Demonic Beast, though bearing wounds, tore through the terrain with calculated malice.
CRACK! BOOM!
"We need to aim for its open wounds! It's not slowing down!" Elton yelled, barely dodging a swipe that tore a tree in half.
"I've used up too much magic already!" another disciple cried out, channeling a torrent of wind and ice into the beast's flank.
SHRRAAKK!
Then, a surge of hope echoed from deeper within the battlefield. Two Gold Tier 1 cultivators came sprinting back, fresh from a brutal duel. Behind them lay the corpse of a slain Gold Tier 1 Demonic Beast, steam rising from its gored flesh.
"We took one down!" one of the reinforcements shouted, lightning dancing around his sword. "Only slight injuries!"
They rushed toward the already crippled Demonic Beast on the left flank. As they engaged, the beast snarled, its body convulsing, eyes glowing dark red.
"Something's wrong!" the injured disciple muttered, stepping back just in time.
The beast let out a bone-rattling roar.
SKRREEEEEEE!
Its body cracked with energy. Its demonic core exploded in a suicidal blast.
KRAKABOOM!
A massive burst of corrupted energy swept across the battlefield, wiping out swaths of low-tier demonic beasts and hurling bodies through the air. Several disciples screamed as they were caught in the shockwave.
"AHHHHH!"
KRAASSHHH!
The severely injured Gold Tier 1 disciple was thrown like a ragdoll, crashing into a boulder with a sickening THUD. He fell unconscious immediately, blood soaking his robes.
Of the two Gold Tier 1 reinforcements, one was blasted backward, coughing blood and staggering to one knee. The other fared better, his body smoking but largely intact. Gritting his teeth, he forced several pills down his throat before snapping his gaze toward the second beast.
"I'm not done yet," he growled, then dashed toward the side where Elton and the others were being overwhelmed.
The battlefield was a sea of chaos and blood. Screams, battle cries, and bestial howls echoed as Silver Tier experts clashed desperately with demonic beasts. A dozen Silver Tier 5 and lower beasts swarmed, while at the center of it all, the already injured Gold Tier 1 Demonic Beast continued its relentless assault. Elton and his group fought tooth and nail, locked in a seemingly endless struggle.
"I can't hold on much longer!" one disciple shouted as his blade shattered against a demonic beast's hide. Blood streamed from his mouth as he was knocked back.
"Where the hell is backup?!"
A Silver Tier 4 disciple screamed in agony as his leg was torn open. Another disciple dragged him away, both gritting their teeth through the pain.
Suddenly, a golden flash tore through the battlefield. The Gold Tier 1 cultivator from earlier had returned, bloodied but fierce. With a roar, he launched himself at the rampaging Gold Tier 1 demonic beast, his blade blazing with Ki as it cut a deep gash across its side. The beast shrieked in fury, its attention momentarily diverted from Elton and Christy.
The tides shifted for a moment as hope surged in the hearts of the cultivators. They pressed the attack harder, rallying behind the Gold Tier 1 cultivator.
But it didn't last.
The formation supporting the frontline began to flicker, then shattered as several disciples collapsed, their cultivation burned nearly dry. Meridians strained, essence drained, they could no longer hold the line.
In a blink, the Gold Tier 1 beast broke through.
With a furious roar, it batted the Gold Tier 1 cultivator away with a powerful swipe, sending him crashing through several rocks.
Then it turned its bloodshot eyes on Christy.
With terrifying speed, it launched a claw strike.
"CHRISTY!!!" Elton's scream tore from his throat, joined by Shia, Cedric, and Zoro, their voices raw with panic.
Christy spun, forming a defensive shield at the last second. The impact hit like a falling star. Her body crumpled under the force, blood spraying from her mouth. But at the final moment, her talisman activated, glowing with brilliant light. Her form vanished in a pulse of energy, leaving behind only the scent of blood and burned air.
She had escaped. But she was unconscious, and the blow should have killed her.
Elton froze. His mind shattered in silence.
Then came the voice.
"Tsk tsk. Couldn't even protect her," the inner voice sneered. "In the end you're too weak. Let me show you how it's done."
The change was instant.
Elton's body shook violently as both his meridians activated at once. White lightning Ki exploded from within him like a storm. His skin cracked, muscles tore, and blood streamed down his face. Yet he stood straight, eyes blank.
His sword began to glow with faint starlight, vibrating with lethal intent.
"Hehehehehe… don't worry, Self. I'll get a little revenge for you," the inner voice whispered.
As the battle raged on, the Gold Tier 1 cultivator rejoined the fray, leading the renewed assault. Suddenly, Elton vanished in a flash of speed.
Then a piercing sound echoed, as if the world itself had been split apart.
The Gold Tier 1 demonic beast froze.
Elton's sword had already pierced its gut, driven straight through its core. Inside, white starlight exploded, tearing apart its organs from within.
The beast howled, its shriek shaking the field.
Elton vanished once more, reappearing far behind the battlefield before collapsing to the ground, unconscious, blood trailing behind him like a comet's tail.
Everyone paused for a moment, stunned.
Then, the Gold Tier 1 cultivator roared, "DON'T STOP! FINISH IT!"
The beast, mortally wounded, was swiftly surrounded and put down. The remaining Silver Tier beasts were eliminated in a brutal but methodical sweep.
Gasping for breath, the survivors looked to the distance, where the battle against the other Gold Tier beasts still raged. Trump cards were pulled out. Last reserves of strength summoned.
With weary determination, they began to charge toward the next front, ready to support the other Gold Tier 1 cultivators.
Behind them, Elton lay still.
But his sword still glowed faintly with starlight.