Chapter 35: Slaying

“Who dares to trespass on Second High School grounds!” Schoolmaster Wang’s voice resonated across the campus.

Though the city-wide protective array could not be activated, Second High School’s surveillance system still managed to detect intruders.

Schoolmaster Wang mounted a flying sword and soared towards the northern end of the campus, followed by several cultivator teachers—including Teacher Zhang and Mr. Zuo—all tense with anxiety. The very thought of an accident occurring at their school was unbearable. Now that rogue cultivators had invaded, they were determined to respond with all their might.

“Director Xu, there’s another group of cultivators breaching from the east! Take some teachers and handle it immediately!” Schoolmaster Wang commanded as he received yet another alert mid-flight.

Director Xu, once a military cultivator himself, had been reassigned to the school after sustaining injuries that regressed his cultivation realm. Despite being only in the sixth layer of Qi Refining, his strength rivaled even those in the seventh layer.

Leading a contingent of cultivator teachers, Director Xu rushed off towards the eastern perimeter.

By then, Schoolmaster Wang had arrived at the north side of the campus. The invading cultivator had already retreated beyond its borders. However, Wang faintly sensed a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator outside, locking onto him through spiritual energy.

After a momentary hesitation, Schoolmaster Wang chose not to pursue the attacker beyond the campus boundary. While Second High School boasted numerous cultivators among its staff, he alone remained capable of combat within the late stages of Qi Refining. At this critical juncture, ensuring the safety of Second High School took precedence over all else.

With the late-stage Qi Refining cultivator refusing to leave, Schoolmaster Wang was forced to remain on standby.

“Send an emergency signal to the Security Bureau!” he instructed firmly.

The attack on Second High School at this critical moment gave him a sense of foreboding. He had to prioritize the safety of his students and faculty.

Just as one teacher sent out the distress message, another alarm sounded from a different part of the school—reporting yet another intruder.

“Mr. Zuo, Mr. Zhang,” Schoolmaster Wang commanded two combat instructors, both among the most powerful mid-Qi Refining stage cultivators. “Go handle the situation immediately!”

At the Security Bureau, they weren’t just receiving pleas for help from Second High School; several other schools and multiple businesses were also calling for assistance.

Chief of Public Security and Guard Shang donned their martial fighter armors, but even with these enhancements, they felt utterly overwhelmed by the flood of distress signals.

Most of the bureau’s policemen had already been dispatched. Sending out those who remained would render the Security Bureau completely defenseless.

“I’ll go check it out myself,” Guard Shang said gravely. “If there truly is trouble brewing, we must address it swiftly before it escalates.”

“No need,” the chief shook his head resolutely. “We stay here. This feels like someone’s trying to draw us away from our post—a classic ‘lure the tiger from its den’ strategy.” His experience told him that such tactics often concealed more sinister plots within their deceptive simplicity.

“But if several schools were to suffer incidents,” Guard Shang cautioned helplessly, “we simply couldn’t bear the consequences!”

His concern wasn’t for the attacked corporations; their employees were adults capable of self-defense. Schools, however, were different—filled with numerous underage students who lacked any means to protect themselves.

“Hold on just a little longer!” the Chief insisted.

Guard Shang was about to protest further, but seeing the chief’s unwavering stance, he acquiesced to his command.

Within Second High School, a security guard approached Class 1-Yixiu—the novice cultivator class. The guard emanated only a third-layer Qi Refining aura, and coupled with his verified identity as a school security member, it failed to trigger any alerts from the school’s surveillance system.

Had the guard’s cultivation exceeded the third layer of Qi Refining, even with proper authentication, the discrepancy would have been noticed. After all, Second High School did not employ any security guards at the intermediate stages of Qi Refining.

Li Zhen, still awaiting news from Yu Nan and Han Wenqin’s families, suddenly snapped his gaze towards the classroom door.

Both Han Wenqin and Yu Nan simultaneously sensed something amiss—a terrifying presence loomed outside the classroom.

Li Zhen recognized this aura instantly: it was that of a demonic entity undergoing transformation. He had faced such foes before in battle.

With a thunderous kick, the classroom door burst open. A monstrous figure strode in—over two meters tall, its face akin to a wolf’s snout, body covered in dense brown fur. It was a demonized being, born of terror itself.

In the first-year cultivator class, there were 53 students in total, but those with actual combat capabilities could be counted on one hand. Moreover, having never faced genuine peril before, each student paled at the sight of such a terrifying demonic figure.

As soon as the demon entered the classroom, its blood-red eyes locked onto Cheng He.

Instantly, the students around him scrambled away, leaving Cheng He alone in its path.

Cheng He himself was frozen by the demon’s gaze, completely forgetting that he possessed the strength to slay this very creature—a hero capable of vanquishing demons.

“Li Zhen, Yu Nan,” Han Wenqin said, drawing out a stack of talismans from her waist. “Let’s work together to take it down!”

Li Zhen had already sensed the spiritual aura emanating from her, though he didn’t expect it to be a set of talismans. Judging by their aura, these appeared to be mostly mid-grade items.

Yu Nan retrieved his own magical artifact: a small yet potent first-rank copper bell. He positioned himself protectively in front of Han Wenqin.

Li Zhen understood well that without resorting to dragon might, his individual power alone would struggle to overcome this demon.

Upon transforming into its true form, the demon’s physical prowess skyrocketed—from the equivalent of third layer Qi Refining to that of sixth layer. This transformation also significantly enhanced its defenses, strength, and speed.

The demonic figure lunged at Cheng He as Han Wenqin’s Golden Sword Talisman struck true, landing on its airborne form.

A mid-grade Golden Sword Talisman unleashed the Golden Sword Technique—a potent gold-based attack spell known for its razor-sharp edge capable of piercing even the toughest defenses. For a cultivator in the middle stages of Qi Refining, such a talisman posed an immense threat.

Caught completely off guard, the demonic entity felt the full force of the Golden Sword Technique strike against its back. Blood blossomed across its skin like crimson flowers under this assault.

In agony, the creature instinctively shifted its target—a reaction born from pain rather than strategy. Had it retained more intelligence after transforming into its demonic form, it might have refrained from hastily changing targets. However, demonification greatly diminished its cognitive abilities; now, actions were driven primarily by instinct.

With a deafening howl, the creature turned towards Han Wenqin with renewed ferocity.

Yu Nan’s spiritual energy surged, manifesting his small copper bell into one three meters tall, which he positioned before them as a shield. The enlarged bell was barely large enough to fully protect both Yu Nan and Han Wenqin behind him, leaving Li Zhen exposed outside its protective embrace.

The demonic figure moved with terrifying speed. Before Han Wenqin could ready her second talisman, it had closed the distance, reaching out with claw-like hands aimed directly at the copper bell.

A mid-grade copper bell was no easy target to destroy. As the creature’s claws scraped against its surface, they emitted a grating sound that made teeth ache upon hearing alone.

Li Zhen was now merely three meters away from the demonic figure. With a flick of his finger, he released an Iron Thread Vine seed. The glowing green seed landed on the demon’s body.

In an instant, the Iron Thread Vine seed transformed into a deep emerald vine, securely binding the demonic figure.

Yu Nan and Han Wenqin were utterly astonished. While Wrapping Technique is a basic spell, applying it effectively in combat wasn’t something one would expect from a freshman—indeed, even few third-year students could master such use of the technique.

The bound demon thrashed wildly, its body contorting as if possessed. From within the iron thread vines came faint cracking sounds; at this rate, it seemed only moments before the creature would break free from their constraints.

After all, the Iron Thread Vine was but an inferior first-rank spirit plant. Restraining a being equivalent to the sixth level of Qi Refining alone was already pushing its limits.

Han Wenqin activated another Ice Arrow Talisman, but alas, its power proved insufficient to penetrate the demon’s defenses.

Meanwhile, Li Zhen had drawn his Xingrui E07 longsword. In two swift steps, he positioned himself behind the demon, catching sight of the wound on its back—the very spot where the Golden Sword Talisman had struck earlier.

This injury, once gaping wide open, was rapidly closing up—a testament to the extraordinary regenerative capabilities bestowed by demonization.

Li Zhen thrust his sword forward, striking true to the wound.

There was no skin or fur to protect it; the blade sank three inches deep into the flesh.

Though such a wound would be grievous for an ordinary person, demons were resilient. Unless their vital organs were hit, even penetration of three inches wouldn’t significantly impair their combat capabilities.

Li Zhen withdrew the Xingrui E07 longsword. Just as he prepared to strike again, the demon managed to break free from the Iron Thread Vine’s entanglement.

At that moment, two attacks converged on the demon: Han Wenqin’s talismans and Li Zhen’s sword assaults. Recognizing the greater threat posed by Li Zhen’s blade, the demon instinctively turned to face him.

Li Zhen’s feet danced across the ground, maintaining his position behind the demon. His speed matched that of the transformed creature effortlessly. The steps he employed were foundational sword technique movements, seamlessly integrated into his minor achievement realm swordsmanship.

The Xingrui E07 longsword did not pause in its assault. Another blow pierced the original wound, this time delving into the demon’s abdomen.

Unfortunately, before any further damage could be inflicted, Li Zhen had to withdraw the Xingrui E07 at the onset of the demon’s counterattack. With fluid grace, he shifted his stance once more, placing himself directly behind the demon. This time, unimpeded by any obstacles, his sword found its mark—a single, fatal thrust into the demon’s heart.