Ch. 281Zhu Zhuqing vs. Myriad Demon King
Chapter Summary: Zhu Zhuqing vs. Myriad Demon King
Key Plot Points and Events
- Bear Lord awakens after Bi Ji’s treatment. Although badly injured—much of his fur burned away and his chest caved in—he is already able to stand due to his powerful physique.
- Having witnessed Ning Rongrong’s strength, Bear Lord now respects her rather than underestimating her. Ning Rongrong, satisfied after venting her anger, holds no grudge against him.
- Zhu Zhuqing becomes the final fighter for her group and faces Myriad Demon King, one of the most difficult-to-read and potentially strongest ferocious beasts aside from Di Tian.
- Both combatants immediately enter the battlefield without preliminary testing. Zhu Zhuqing activates her Martial Soul Avatar, while Myriad Demon King unleashes his time-accelerating domain, A Moment, a Millennium.
- Myriad Demon King’s domain rapidly drains stamina and Soul Power while causing his Demon Eye Tree vines to grow at an astonishing speed, eventually covering a huge area around the battlefield.
- Zhu Zhuqing counters with her Black Death Domain, reducing her own Soul Power consumption and increasing Myriad Demon King’s. This weakens the effect of his domain but does not stop the rapid spread of his vines.
- Zhu Zhuqing uses her hundred-thousand-year soul skill, Demon Shadow, creating a shadow that perfectly copies her attacks.
- Myriad Demon King briefly disrupts Zhu Zhuqing’s aim with an eye technique, but her shadow still lands the duplicated claw strike, injuring his left arm.
- Myriad Demon King attempts to trap Zhu Zhuqing with his vines, relying on their paralysis effect. Zhu Zhuqing instead uses Ghost Shadow Step, becoming intangible and allowing the vines to pass through her.
- After observing her technique, Myriad Demon King identifies its weakness: Zhu Zhuqing cannot be attacked while intangible, but she must briefly become corporeal to strike.
- He deliberately exposes an opening, successfully luring Zhu Zhuqing into attacking. Her claw pierces his chest, causing purple blood to flow.
- At the moment she becomes vulnerable, Myriad Demon King summons vines from beneath himself and binds Zhu Zhuqing tightly, ending the chapter with her captured.
Character Developments
- Bear Lord: Recovers enough to stand after his devastating defeat and develops genuine respect for Ning Rongrong. His earlier arrogance is replaced by recognition of her power.
- Ning Rongrong: Demonstrates confidence and magnanimity, choosing not to hold Bear Lord’s insults against him after defeating him.
- Zhu Zhuqing: Reveals a highly aggressive and disciplined fighting style built around speed, precision, deception, and assassination tactics. She remains calm under pressure and quickly adapts to Myriad Demon King’s domain.
- Myriad Demon King: Establishes himself as a highly analytical and dangerous opponent. Rather than relying solely on overwhelming power, he studies Zhu Zhuqing’s abilities, discovers their limitation, and creates a tactical trap.
- Di Tian and Bear Lord: Offer contrasting assessments. Di Tian cautiously favors Myriad Demon King unless Zhu Zhuqing has a hidden trump card, while Bear Lord believes the human fighters must possess further powerful techniques.
Significant Themes
- Respect earned through strength: Bear Lord’s attitude toward Ning Rongrong changes completely after witnessing her power.
- Adaptation and counterplay: The battle emphasizes the importance of understanding an opponent’s abilities rather than simply overpowering them.
- Hidden trump cards: Both sides possess unexpected techniques, particularly Zhu Zhuqing’s attacking shadow and intangibility.
- Speed versus control: Zhu Zhuqing relies on mobility and precise strikes, while Myriad Demon King controls the battlefield through domains, vines, and entrapment.
- Calmness under pressure: Zhu Zhuqing’s composure allows her to counter the effects of Myriad Demon King’s domain, while his patience enables him to uncover the weakness in her technique.
Character Interactions
- Ning Rongrong and Bear Lord move from hostility to mutual respect after their battle.
- Xiao Wu warns Zhu Zhuqing to be cautious, recognizing that Myriad Demon King is likely the strongest opponent she has faced.
- Di Tian and Bear Lord discuss the likely outcome, revealing differing opinions about Zhu Zhuqing’s hidden capabilities.
- Zhu Zhuqing and Myriad Demon King exchange only brief words before battling, but their actions show mutual recognition as reserved, highly capable fighters.
- Their fight becomes a contest of tactical intelligence: Zhu Zhuqing exploits her shadow and phasing abilities, while Myriad Demon King studies those powers and ultimately uses Zhu Zhuqing’s own attack pattern against her.