Zhou Yan's expression shifted slightly. With a thought, he summoned the Fire Spirit Crystal, preparing to integrate it into his body for a transformation. However, the moment his palm touched the Fire Spirit Crystal, the entire valley suddenly echoed with eerie, terrifying howls.
Roar, roar, roar!
It was as if countless beasts were roaring in unison, sending shivers down the spine.
"This is bad..."
The man in the green shirt's face changed drastically, his hairs standing on end as an inexplicable sense of crisis washed over him.
Swish!
Just then, Zhou Yan suddenly looked up. In the pitch-black night sky, dark clouds gathered, lightning flashed, as if an unparalleled devil god had descended!
"Damn it!"
He cursed and swiftly retreated, his spiritual energy surging.
"Hahaha, too late!"
However, before the man in the green shirt could retreat a few steps, Zhou Yan's figure, like a phantom, intercepted him. With a fierce thrust of his long spear, he pierced through the void.
Boom!
An immense force struck the man in the green shirt. He let out a scream, his body flying back like a cannonball. He crashed through a wall, blood streaming, and struggled to his feet, his face filled with shock and terror.
"You... how can your speed be so fast?"
His face contorted, filled with disbelief.
How could this Zhou Yan possess such astonishing strength? He was a half-step Xiantian realm expert, yet he was defeated by Zhou Yan in an instant.
"Hmph, what if my speed is fast?"
Zhou Yan snorted coldly, killing intent flashing in his eyes. "You're fated to be buried here today!"
Swish, swish, swish!
Before his words finished, Zhou Yan's spear trembled, and sharp spear-light whizzed out, blocking the man in the green shirt's escape routes.
"You're seeking death, forcing me to fight for my life!"
The man in the green shirt's face turned ferocious. He gripped his long sword tightly and slashed out.
Clang!
A piercing metallic clang echoed, and ripples of energy spread outwards. Although the man in the green shirt resisted with all his might, it was futile. He was pushed back, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"Such terrifying attack power. This Zhou Yan not only has formidable strength but also a martial will far exceeding that of warriors at the same level." The man in the green shirt marveled inwardly.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, the man in the green shirt's gaze sharpened as he looked at Zhou Yan. He saw that Zhou Yan was holding a black long spear.
It was a pitch-black heavy spear, its surface inscribed with complex and mystical runes. Tendrils of dark demonic energy coiled around the shaft, instilling a sense of extreme dread.
"This... this is..."
Looking at the spear in Zhou Yan's hand, the man in the green shirt's pupils contracted. His mind went blank for a moment, and he mumbled, "Soul Devouring Spear... this is impossible..."
The Soul Devouring Spear was a third-grade precious artifact. Due to its extremely high quality, it could even rival a fourth-grade precious artifact, and it was the national treasure spiritual weapon of Beiyue Prefecture City.
Furthermore, it was rumored that the former sect master of the Soul Devouring Sect had used this spiritual weapon to slaughter an entire royal family, eventually becoming the overlord of Beiyue Prefecture. Their Soul Devouring Sect also became the only artifact-crafting sect in the prefecture city.
"No wonder I lost... it's this Soul Devouring Spear. I understand now..." the man in the green shirt muttered to himself, his expression dazed. Black runes also appeared on his body, vaguely forming a mysterious pattern.
The pattern was a skull, lifelike, ferocious, and terrifying.
Crack!
At the same time, a crisp ripping sound was heard. The long sword in the man in the green shirt's hand shattered.
"You... how can you possess the Soul Devouring Spear...?"
The man in the green shirt was completely bewildered, his face a mask of disbelief.
The Soul Devouring Spear was the treasure of the Soul Devouring Sect, with immense power, capable of easily destroying any spiritual treasure. But how could Zhou Yan possess it?
After all, there was only one Soul Devouring Spear in the entire Beiyue Prefecture City!
"Heh heh, you have too many questions!"
Zhou Yan grinned, his eyes flashing with coldness. With a flick of his wrist, the Soul Devouring Spear emitted a dazzling radiance, tearing through the air with a sharp whistle, and ruthlessly stabbed towards the man in the green shirt's neck.
"Damn you, do you think an attack of this level can defeat me? Dream on!"
The man in the green shirt grunted, forming hand seals. Obscure and ancient runes emerged, surrounding his body. Then, he stomped heavily on the ground.
Thump, thump, thump!
Accompanied by violent tremors in the ground, a creaking sound of wood decaying could be heard. From the ground, green plants sprouted, their leaves lush and vibrant, writhing wildly and surging towards Zhou Yan.
These plants were entirely green, like jade. Faint purple energy swirled around them, emanating a strange fragrance, seemingly containing poison that caused dizziness upon inhalation.
"Poisonous grass!"
Zhou Yan's brow furrowed. He leaped into the air and gracefully landed.
Bang, bang, bang...
The roots of these poisonous grasses crackled and whipped out like whips, striking at Zhou Yan's legs. Fortunately, Zhou Yan reacted swiftly and narrowly dodged them.
"These poisonous grasses can actually attack humans, and their attack power isn't strong, equivalent to an ordinary person. But there are too many of them. Once contaminated by their poison, death is certain!"
The man in the green shirt sneered. He had taken an antidote and had recovered some of his cultivation. He now controlled the poisonous grass, engulfing Zhou Yan in an attempt to annihilate him here.
Buzz!
However, at this moment, Zhou Yan's eyes flashed with cold light. With a wave of his arm, the long spear slashed through the void, and a fierce spear-light burst forth, like a dragon, fiercely piercing the poisonous grass.
Hiss!
Wherever the spear-light passed, the poisonous grass withered, turning into a pile of dry bones, falling to the ground and quickly desiccating.
"What? My meticulously cultivated poisonous grass was so easily cut down by him?" The man in the green shirt's eyes widened in distress.
"Hmph, mere trickery."
Zhou Yan's gaze was icy. He danced with his spear and charged forward again.
"Damn it, you really dare to kill me!"
The man in the green shirt's face turned pale with fright, his soul about to flee his body. He had never imagined that Zhou Yan's combat power would be so terrifying, effortlessly crushing his swordsmanship with every move.
"Why wouldn't I dare to kill you?" Zhou Yan's eyes flashed with coldness. Without hesitation, he wielded the Soul Devouring Spear, transforming it into a blur of black shadows that engulfed the man in the green shirt. Waves of chilling spear-light erupted, completely submerging him.
"You... you can't kill me... I'm the steward of the Northern Nether King's Manor... if you kill me, you'll be hunted!" The man in the green shirt let out a desperate wail, struggling left and right within the spear-light, trying to break free, but to no avail.
"Heh heh, Northern Nether King's Manor? I'd like to see who dares to hunt me?" Zhou Yan scoffed, his Soul Devouring Spear dancing like rain, its spear-light like a tide, completely drowning the man in the green shirt.