The battlefield erupted into a frenzy of slaughter.
Undead Soldiers poured in without end, surging across the vast wilderness in a rolling tide of dust. Yellow sand and blood blurred into one, while wails rose alongside the roar of battle.
Ning Ye swung the rusted, dull blade in his hands as he fought on the front line against the Undead Soldiers.
His blade rose and fell, and one Undead Soldier after another crumpled into the dust.
The situation on the battlefield had gradually begun to shift.
The Immortal Seekers who had acquired spells were slowly gathering together, trying to fight as a team and strike back against the undead. With strength in numbers, they had managed to form pockets of relatively stable ranks amid the battlefield's tangled chaos, like reefs amid the surging tide—standing firm against wind and rain.
This was what the Black and White Divine Palace had hoped for. The Undead Soldiers had not been placed there to kill anyone, but to test them.
"Hey, you over there! Come fight with us!" a man whose whole body shimmered with golden light called to Ning Ye.
He had probably acquired some kind of defensive spell that could withstand the Undead Soldiers' attacks.
Since the formation supplied their magic power, the Immortal Seekers did not need to worry about running out. The man could almost use his defensive spell without pause, and with the Undead Soldiers' limited attack power, he was extremely safe. He spoke with confidence to match.
Ning Ye did not even look at him, continuing to charge forward.
What a joke. Fight alongside you?
This was a trial!
Only the best performer had a chance of winning!
Ning Ye had several reasons for choosing the Killing Heart Blade, and one of the most important was that attacking made it easier to earn merit than defending!
So he chose to fight alone!
He charged fearlessly into the undead horde.
At the far end of the valley, where yellow sand filled the air, Undead Soldiers kept appearing without end. There was no killing them all.
Ning Ye vaulted and darted through their ranks alone. He let the blades of the phantom soldiers sweep across his body, while the Killing Heart Blade always found its true target with pinpoint accuracy.
The blade fell, and the undead scattered.
Amid the constant clatter of bones collapsing, Ning Ye could almost hear the sound of coins dropping and his score climbing.
It really was like a game. Too bad killing enemies didn't make loot drop.
Thwack!
A blade skimmed Ning Ye's shoulder, drawing a thin line of blood.
Three real Undead Soldiers attacked him at once. Unable to dodge them all, Ning Ye took a hit.
But he did not retreat.
His blade flashed again, carving out an arc. In an instant, he severed all three real undead's heads. He took two more cuts himself, one slashing across his stomach and leaving a long gash that nearly spilled his guts.
Ning Ye ignored the pain and charged on.
The Killing Heart Blade was founded on slaughter—overbearing and fierce, allowing no trace of fear or retreat. Otherwise, its might would fade and its momentum would weaken.
Ning Ye was not the sort to fight with reckless valor. Given the choice, he would rather strategize from the rear.
But he had to admit, courage was sometimes more likely than cleverness to draw people's attention—and more likely to lower their guard.
For the sake of his grand plan, he had to act like a true warrior.
Fortunately, he truly had courage in him!
True courage did not lie in a rugged appearance, but in daring to stake everything on a desperate fight for survival, in being able to fear neither death nor pain and hold nothing back.
Those who dared to throw themselves into a fire, disfigure themselves, and cripple their cultivation were not lacking in courage.
So he charged, and so he roared!
He fought with blood streaming down his body!
"Argh!!!"
After smashing apart another Undead Soldier and taking a slash from it in return, Ning Ye threw back his head and let out a shrill cry.
His roar split the wind and rain, shattered the clouds. In that moment, he unleashed all the domineering fury within him, drawing the attention of those nearby.
The blue-robed woman who wielded water magic looked at him, visibly moved. "Though he's ugly, he has a fine spirit."
The man protected by Golden Armor said, "He may be a fierce warrior, but he's a lone wolf."
A handsome young man in flowing white robes looked his way as well. His long sword was spotless and seemed not to have come from the battlefield at all, but to have been brought along with him. He smiled too. "There's something interesting about him."
Another man, with a sinister gaze and a smile on his face, remarked, "Every time he strikes, he finds a real Undead Soldier. He isn't fooled by the illusions at all. Impressive!"
More and more people looked toward Ning Ye, their faces full of envy and jealousy. The timid ones even ran to him, hoping for his protection. But Ning Ye charged too fast, always seeking out places swarming with the ghost troops. They had no chance of getting under his protection—though they might have had a chance of taking a blade meant for him.
So, having discovered that their lifeline would not save them, they turned to resentment and curses, calling Ning Ye cold and heartless.
Ning Ye paid them no mind. In fact, he welcomed it.
He charged forward in a frenzy, releasing all the hatred in his heart and turning it into a towering killing intent. The blade in his hand even began to glimmer with a blood-red sheen.
The blade itself was not red; the crimson glow was formed from manifested magic power.
He had only just learned the sword art, yet had already gained some insight. Clearly, he was suited to the path of slaughter!
A powerful figure who had been watching in secret fixed his gaze on Ning Ye, and more than a few comments followed.
"This child has talent. He can be put to use."
"It's a pity he's too ugly."
"Too ugly, indeed. Taking him in would bring shame."
"This child... I'll have him!"
A voice rang out, and everyone fell silent.
The battle continued.
Ning Ye continued fighting with all his might.
But his body was beginning to tire. His arms felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead, and he could barely lift them.
The Undead Soldiers kept pouring in, surging forward with unstoppable, overwhelming force.
Gazing at the undead warriors beneath the windblown sand, Ning Ye let out a long breath.
How many Undead Soldiers had he killed?
He had no idea.
But he knew that as long as the battle was not over, his blade could not stop!
So he kept swinging, mechanically, numbly, with a deathly resolve and murderous intent.
It was dangerous. His magic power was endless, but his stamina had nearly run dry.
Yet Ning Ye knew this was the crucial moment.
He did not know what the powerful figure concealed in the shadows thought of him, but he knew what that person liked. He also knew that at this critical moment, he absolutely could not back down.
When facing a powerful enemy, fight to the death!
That famous declaration of the powerful figure's needed no divination; everyone knew it.
How could an ugly man catch the eye of a powerful figure?
There was only one way!
Appeal to his tastes!
That was why Ning Ye had chosen the Killing Heart Blade, and why he had chosen to fight to the death.
He knew this was the only way to pique the other person's interest—and only someone like that might take him as a disciple, regardless of his looks!
So he continued to fight with all his strength.
Just then, the wind howled behind him.
A sudden, searing pain struck Ning Ye in the back.
He cried out, kicked away the Undead Soldier in front of him, and wheeled around with a slash. His attacker had already dodged away like a ghost.
When he turned, he saw that it was the Green-Faced Man who had fought him for the Killing Heart Blade earlier. He still held a Snake Awl in his hand.
The Snake Awl was unsuited to slashing, but perfect for stabbing. Wounds it inflicted would not heal, and blood poured from them in torrents.
It seemed the man had also acquired a spell, one that let him conceal himself and move silently. He had crept close without a sound and ambushed Ning Ye.
"Damn it!" Ning Ye glared at the Green-Faced Man.
The Green-Faced Man cackled. "That's what you get for stealing my chance!"
As he spoke, he thrust the awl at Ning Ye again.
At the same time, a real Undead Soldier charged toward Ning Ye from across the battlefield.
Attacked from both front and back!
"Die!" the Green-Faced Man howled in triumph.
But Ning Ye smiled.
The fierce grin on his ugly face made the Green-Faced Man freeze.
Ning Ye said, "You're not worthy of the Killing Heart Blade!"
The crimson glow along his blade flared.
Ignoring the Undead Soldier striking from behind, Ning Ye brought his blade down.
Looking at that simple, unadorned slash, the Green-Faced Man realized in horror that he could not escape. It was as if there were nowhere to flee, above or below, in heaven or on earth.
"No!"
He let out a despairing scream.
Thwack!
One slash, and he was cut in two!
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