[author]
PATREON - DarkChaoticSoul
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Su Wen planted his sword into the frozen ground and slowly pushed himself upright. Fresh blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, which he calmly wiped away with his sleeve.
The impact of the Peak Grade 3 Goblin's strike still echoed through his body. His arms trembled faintly, his chest felt heavy, and every breath sent a dull ache through his ribs.
Yet instead of weakening his fighting spirit, the pain only caused it to burn even brighter.
His gaze swept across the battlefield.
Twelve Early Grade 3 monsters surrounded him.
Four Mid Grade 3 monsters waited behind them.
And finally...
The dungeon's Peak Grade 3 Goblin stood at the centre, like a king commanding its army.
Charging straight into all of them would be nothing less than suicide.
But...
He didn't need to.
A faint smile slowly spread across his face.
"Then... I'll kill them one by one."
The instant those words fell...
Celestial Void Steps!
His figure vanished.
"ROAAAR!"
The boss goblin reacted immediately.
Gripping its gigantic icicle with one hand, it hurled the weapon towards Su Wen with terrifying force.
Boom!!
The dark icicle tore through the air before crashing into the spot Su Wen had occupied only an instant earlier.
Ice exploded skyward as violent cracks raced across the chamber floor, while the shockwave swept through the battlefield.
Crack... Crack... Crack...
The ceiling shuddered violently.
Dozens of razor-sharp icicles broke free, raining down like heavenly spears.
The boss goblin's dark emerald eyes swept across the battlefield, relying on its beastly instincts to locate Su Wen.
Too late.
Su Wen had already appeared behind an Early Grade 3 Black-Tail Wolf before it could sense his presence.
Swish!
His sword flowed like the wind.
The wolf's body suddenly stiffened.
A razor-thin crimson line appeared across its neck, slowly spreading as blood began to flow.
Thud!
Its head slipped from its shoulders before the headless corpse collapsed onto the frozen ground.
Before the corpse even touched the ground, Su Wen had already vanished again.
His figure flickered through the battlefield like a ghost.
In the next instant, he appeared before an Early Grade 3 Ice Goblin.
The goblin reacted instantly, thrusting its icicle spear forward with all its strength.
Sword collided with frozen crystal, scattering brilliant sparks.
Their clash shook the chamber, causing another rain of razor-sharp icicles to fall from above.
Yet Su Wen's movements remained perfectly controlled.
He glided between the falling icicles as though dancing through a rainstorm, his sword never ceasing for even a heartbeat.
The goblin suddenly twisted its spear and stabbed towards his head.
Su Wen had already predicted the attack before the goblin made its move.
Tilting his head slightly, the razor-sharp icicle grazed past his cheek.
Before the goblin could react...
Puchi!
His sword pierced straight through its skull, killing it instantly.
The monster stiffened before collapsing lifelessly.
Everything had happened in less than a breath.
Only the boss goblin managed to keep up.
"ROAAAR!"
It pursued Su Wen with murderous fury.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Its enormous body shook the frozen ground with every step, advancing like an unstoppable avalanche.
Su Wen merely glanced over his shoulder before smiling faintly.
He had no intention of fighting the towering goblin.
Not yet.
Nor were the Mid Grade 3 monsters his immediate target.
Reduce their numbers first.
Leave the strongest opponent for the end.
Boom!
The towering goblin ripped its gigantic icicle from the frozen ground and hurled it once again.
The enormous weapon ripped through the air before crashing into the spot Su Wen had occupied only an instant earlier.
The frozen floor erupted.
Using the shockwave to propel himself forward, Su Wen accelerated instead of retreating.
His figure blurred.
The next moment...
He stood before another Early Grade 3 monster.
Swish!
A white arc flashed through the air.
Another head soared skyward.
Before the boss goblin could even retrieve its weapon...
Su Wen was already moving again, weaving through the battlefield like an untouchable phantom as another monster unknowingly entered his path.
Unlike human cultivators, the monsters lacked the ability to adapt or coordinate.
Driven only by instinct, they pursued the intruder who had invaded their territory with relentless fury.
The battlefield soon descended into a chaotic pursuit.
Su Wen sprinted across the chamber at full speed.
Behind him thundered the Peak Grade 3 Goblin.
Behind the goblin followed the four Mid Grade 3 monsters.
The furious roars behind him were enough to send a chill down even Su Wen's spine.
Thanks to his Body Cultivation, Su Wen's physical strength had already surpassed that of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Coupled with the explosive speed granted by Celestial Void Steps, he darted across the battlefield like a startled rabbit.
Even so, the distance between him and the pursuing monsters continued to shrink.
He had only a breath or two to eliminate each target before the boss goblin reached him.
Another Early Grade 3 Ice Goblin stepped into his path.
Its crimson eyes flashed with killing intent as it raised its icicle spear.
Su Wen's sword moved first.
Swish!
A streak of white flashed through the chamber.
Using the Cloud Step Sword Technique, his blade slipped past the goblin's weapon like flowing water.
Before the monster could react, the sword pierced directly through its throat.
Puchi!
The goblin's eyes widened.
Before it even realised what had happened, life had already left its body.
Thud!
Its corpse collapsed onto the frozen ground.
At that exact moment...
"ROAAAR!"
The towering goblin had caught up.
Gripping its gigantic dark icicle with both hands, it swung down towards Su Wen's head with enough force to split the chamber apart.
The enormous weapon descended like a collapsing mountain.
Su Wen's instincts screamed.
He immediately raised his sword.
Clang!!
The deafening collision echoed throughout the chamber.
The instant sword and icicle met, Su Wen twisted his wrist, redirecting the terrifying force to the side instead of taking it head-on.
Even so, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
His entire body was blasted backwards before crashing heavily into the frozen wall.
Boom!
Spiderweb cracks spread across the ice.
His bones screamed from the impact, and his muscles trembled uncontrollably.
But ignoring the pain, Su Wen forced himself upright.
He couldn't afford to stay down.
The Peak Grade 3 Goblin was already charging again.
This time, it didn't even bother closing the distance.
With an enraged roar, it hurled its gigantic icicle like an enormous javelin.
Whoosh!
The weapon shot through the air, locked onto Su Wen's head like a deadly spear.
Death loomed before him.
His instincts shrieked.
At the final moment, Su Wen jerked his head sideways.
Boom!!
The gigantic icicle shot past his face by barely an inch before embedding itself deep into the frozen wall beside him.
The chamber trembled.
A massive web of cracks spread through the wall.
Su Wen slowly turned his head.
His eyes landed on the thick, dark icicle buried beside his face.
He swallowed.
"..."
'This bastard... would've won Olympic gold back on Earth.'
Without another thought, he tried to grab the icicle with both hands.
'Mine now.'
However, the gigantic icicle suddenly trembled.
Dark Qi wrapped around it, and before Su Wen could react, the weapon tore itself from the wall and flew back into the goblin's hand.
Su Wen stared blankly.
"..."
"That's cheating."
The Peak Grade 3 Goblin naturally ignored his protest.
It let out another furious roar before charging once again.
The four Mid Grade 3 monsters followed close behind.
Seeing the overwhelming pursuit behind him, Su Wen didn't hesitate.
He turned around...
...and ran.
Straight towards the remaining Early Grade 3 monsters.
Whenever the Peak Grade 3 Goblin attacked, Su Wen dodged whenever possible.
If he couldn't, he raised his sword and endured the collision.
Sparks erupted as sword and icicle clashed violently.
Every impact sent him skidding backwards across the frozen ground.
His arms gradually went numb, while his Spirit Qi surged frantically through his meridians to suppress the damage accumulating within his body.
Even so... His sword never stopped.
One Early Grade 3 monster after another fell beneath his blade until the final creature collapsed onto the frozen ground.
Su Wen glanced behind him at the still-rampaging boss goblin and the four Mid Grade 3 monsters relentlessly pursuing him.
The corner of his eye twitched.
"This damn goblin... can't you just give me a minute?"
The huge chamber, which had been packed with monsters only a few minutes ago, now looked almost empty.
Only five monsters remained.
Su Wen held his sword tightly, his breathing heavier than before, yet the battle intent in his eyes remained high.
His figure blurred as he charged directly into the group of Mid Grade 3 monsters, deliberately avoiding the dungeon boss once more.
His sword carried both Sword Intent and Space Intent, tracing a faint grey arc through the air.
The Mid Grade 3 Ice Goblin instinctively raised its icicle weapon to defend itself.
But it was already too late.
For a fleeting moment, the distance between them seemed meaningless.
The blade passed through the narrow opening beside the icicle, as though space itself had been sliced apart.
Swish!
The sword passed through the goblin's neck.
Its head soared into the air as dark blood sprayed across the frozen ground.
The headless corpse staggered for a moment before collapsing with a heavy thud.
Three Mid Grade 3 monsters remained.
They immediately attacked together.
Three icicles wrapped in Dark Qi shot towards Su Wen from three different directions.
Su Wen's expression remained calm.
He raised his sword and forcefully intercepted all three attacks simultaneously.
Boom!
The collision sent a violent shockwave through the chamber.
Su Wen's body trembled as he was forced backwards, sliding across the icy floor before finally stabilising himself.
However, before he could launch a counterattack...
The giant monster had already arrived behind him.
Its massive body moved like a falling mountain as it swung its gigantic dark icicle towards Su Wen's back.
The terrifying pressure alone caused the surrounding ice to crack.
Su Wen's instincts screamed danger.
He didn't dare block it directly.
Space rippled beneath his feet, and his figure vanished instantly.
The enormous icicle smashed into the ground where he had stood moments earlier, causing the entire chamber to shake.
Su Wen reappeared behind one of the Mid Grade 3 monsters.
His sword shot forward with the speed and precision of a spear thrust.
Puchi!
The blade pierced straight through the back of its skull.
Before the corpse even collapsed, Su Wen had already moved.
He turned towards the remaining two Mid Grade 3 monsters and attacked.
Behind him, the towering goblin let out an enraged roar and immediately launched another devastating attack.
The gigantic icicle shot forward with unstoppable momentum, aimed directly at Su Wen's face.
Su Wen's eyes narrowed.
He dropped low and performed an almost impossible split across the frozen ground.
Whoosh!
The enormous icicle passed directly above him.
But it didn't stop.
Puchi!
The weapon pierced straight through the chest of another Mid Grade 3 monster behind him.
The monster was sent flying before being pinned against the frozen wall, its life fading away almost instantly.
'Wow... friendly fire.' Su Wen laughed.
The boss goblin didn't seem to care in the slightest.
It simply extended its hand, attempting to call the weapon back.
Before the weapon could return, Su Wen had already disappeared.
Celestial Void Steps activated once more.
Swish!
A white flash crossed the battlefield.
The last monster froze.
A moment later, its body collapsed.
The chaotic battlefield finally fell silent.
Only two figures remained standing.
Su Wen slowly lowered his sword and steadied his breathing.
Across from him, the boss goblin caught its returning weapon and stood amidst the mountain of corpses, its emerald eyes filled with cold killing intent.
The two stared at each other in silence.
For a brief moment, the entire chamber fell still.
Then...
They moved simultaneously.
Boom!
The sword and gigantic icicle collided.
A terrifying shockwave erupted outward, shaking the entire frozen chamber.
Su Wen was forced backwards several metres as the impact shattered the ceiling above them, sending countless icicles raining down like frozen blades.
His arms instantly went numb, and a violent tremor ran through his entire body.
Yet his movements remained flawless.
Guided by his sharpened perception, Su Wen moved through the storm of falling icicles, deflecting some while avoiding others by the narrowest margins.
The towering goblin, however, ignored everything.
It leapt into the air.
Its gigantic body cast a shadow over Su Wen as it raised its icicle high.
Then it struck downward.
Su Wen refused to retreat.
Instead, he stepped forward and challenged the attack head-on.
His sword swept upward in a powerful arc.
Boom!
The clash erupted with overwhelming force.
Su Wen's body was forced downward.
One knee slammed into the frozen ground, causing cracks to spread outward like a spiderweb beneath him.
A sharp pain travelled through his body.
His vision blurred for an instant as the terrifying force rattled his bones and shook his internal organs.
Before Su Wen could recover, the boss goblin moved.
Its massive fist shot forward with a furious roar, aimed directly at his head.
Su Wen immediately raised his sword horizontally before him.
Bang!
The goblin's fist struck the flat side of the sword.
The force was monstrous.
Su Wen's body was launched backwards like a cannonball.
He flew across the chamber before twisting his body in mid-air and landing safely on his feet.
His boots carved deep marks into the frozen ground as he slid backwards before finally stopping.
He felt all his body trembling before steadying himself once more, then bent his knees slightly and pointed his sword forward.
Then, using his powerful legs, he propelled himself towards the goblin like a cannon, his sword acting like a spear.
Just as he was only a few metres away from the goblin...
He disappeared.
Celestial Void Steps!
Su Wen appeared directly behind the goblin, his sword inches from its back and ready to pierce through its heart.
But at the final moment, relying on its superior monster instincts, the boss goblin reacted immediately.
It swung its icicle weapon sideways.
Ting!
The enormous weapon deflected Su Wen's sword.
Then, with a furious roar, the goblin threw a punch straight towards Su Wen's chest with a force comparable to a charging truck.
Su Wen couldn't bring his sword around in time.
He could only bring both arms up to protect himself.
Crack!
The sound of breaking bones rang out.
A terrifying force slammed into his arms, and he felt something crack beneath the impact before his body was sent flying.
Bang!
He crashed into the icy wall like a broken kite.
"Cough! Cough!"
Su Wen coughed violently, blood spilling from his mouth and staining the frozen ground red.
His arms were almost completely numb, while a deeper agony spread through every corner of his body.
"Ugh..."
"Bastard... Boss monster for a reason..."
"Every single attack feels like it's trying to tear my body apart."
"I can barely feel my arms anymore."
Su Wen slowly pushed himself up.
"Enough... This won't go!"
His eyes became increasingly sharp.
"This next attack... will be all or nothing."
Su Wen slowly stood.
His robes were torn, his body covered in wounds, and his hair completely dishevelled.
He looked nothing like the refined scholar who had entered the dungeon.
Yet he still straightened his back.
His eyes burned with an unyielding fighting spirit.
Gripping his sword tightly with both hands, he met the goblin's malicious gaze.
The towering goblin let out a furious roar and charged towards him.
It had decided to end the battle with this attack.
Su Wen didn't move, he had the same idea.
He slowly lowered his centre of gravity.
His left leg bent slightly forward while his sword pointed upwards over his right shoulder.
The air around him seemed to tense.
Spirit Qi rushed through his meridians like a raging river.
His Soul Sense erupted completely, locking onto every aspect of the technique.
His body, soul, and Spirit Qi were driven beyond their limits.
Instantly...
A terrifying Grade 3 Sword Qi erupted around Su Wen's blade, spreading outward like a storm.
His sword shone with pure white light.
An overwhelming pressure erupted from his body, forcing the surrounding air to tremble.
"Pride of the Heavens... Second Form!"
A terrifying sword force erupted as Su Wen swung his blade downward.
His sword descended like the heavens crashing towards the earth, carrying an overwhelming might that seemed capable of cleaving apart everything in its path.
This strike combined all three paths of cultivation into a single attack.
His body provided the explosive strength behind the strike.
His Soul Sense controlled every movement with absolute precision.
His vast Spirit Qi pushed the technique beyond its limits.
The sword descended with unstoppable momentum.
Boom!!
The Peak Grade 3 Goblin's gigantic icicle shattered beneath the force.
The remaining sword force continued forward, cutting across its massive body.
A dark-red line appeared from its shoulder, extending all the way down to its left waist.
The goblin's massive body froze.
Its instincts sensed danger, yet its body could no longer react.
The terrifying sword force had already torn through its defenses, leaving its life force rapidly fading away.
But at that very instant...
A blue figure silently appeared between them.
The dark-red wound instantly froze over, transforming into crimson-red ice.
Du Yue stood between Su Wen and the goblin.
She gently raised her delicate hand and touched the monster's head with one slender finger.
The Peak Grade 3 Goblin remained completely motionless.
Its emerald eyes were still wide open, frozen in the final moment before death.
It was as though even its soul had been sealed in ice.
'What is she doing?'
Su Wen stared at the scene in confusion.
Du Yue slowly turned around.
A cheerful smile immediately appeared on her face.
"Good job, Husband!"
"You won."
"You cleared the entire dungeon all by yourself."
Su Wen looked at her smile.
'Hmm...?'
For some reason...
The smile in front of him felt strangely different from usual.
For the briefest instant, a cold and sinister glint flashed deep within her beautiful eyes.
It disappeared so quickly that Su Wen almost wondered if he had imagined it.
'Must be my imagination.'