Chapter 22 : Chapter 22
Chapter 22: The Rat King’s Fall
……
Lu Zhan charged straight in.
His thinking was simple—kill it.
Zhou Hong, Tao Xiao’an, and the others did not hesitate either and followed close behind.
There was no doubt that this was the Rat King’s weakest moment. If they really let it break through to the Fourth Heaven of the Qi-Gathering Demon Acolyte realm, then the only thing awaiting them would be death.
“Fall back.”
After sending the Rat King flying with a single slash, Lu Zhan gave the order without hesitation.
“But...”
Zhou Hong and the others hesitated. This was a Demon Beast on the verge of breaking through to the Fourth Heaven of the Qi-Gathering Demon Acolyte realm.
Brother Lu was only at the First Heaven of the Aperture Opening Realm. Could he really handle it alone?
“You’ll only keep me from fighting freely.”
At those words, Zhou Hong and the other five gave bitter smiles and finally withdrew.
And at that very moment, the Rat King broke through.
“Hahaha, power... such tremendous power! Human, have you decided how you want to die?”
Now that it had broken through to the Fourth Heaven of the Qi-Gathering Demon Acolyte realm, the Rat King finally had the courage to face Lu Zhan again.
“This is bad, Brother Lu, retreat now! The Fourth Heaven of the Demon Acolyte realm is absolutely not something we can handle.”
In Zhou Hong’s eyes, this mission had already far exceeded the limits of their strength.
Abandoning the mission to preserve their lives was the wisest choice.
Yet Lu Zhan’s expression remained calm from beginning to end, and instead he sent Zhou Hong and the others away.
“You go out first and wait for me.”
“Wait for you?”
“Hahahahaha, do you really think any of you will leave this palace alive today?”
In the next instant, countless golden lights began floating inside the palace.
Each one was like a golden needle.
They were metal, but absolutely not ordinary metal.
Tao Xiao’an gritted her teeth. This was not an attack they could withstand.
So she made the decision at once.
“Go!”
“Listen to Lu Zhan! Withdraw!”
In their line of work, the last thing one could afford was indecision. As she spoke, she was already the first to grab Zhou Hong and rush out of the hall.
At this point, the only thing they could do was avoid becoming a burden to Lu Zhan.
Every decision was made in the span of an instant.
The next moment, golden light and crimson radiance clashed without end, and the palace rang nonstop with the sounds of impact.
At the same time, Lu Zhan looked at the Limited-Time Talent section in the system panel and said calmly, “System, permanently fix the Limited-Time Talent—Windshadow Step.”
Limited-time or permanent.
Anyone knew how to answer a choice that simple.
【Ding! The host has chosen to fix the Limited-Time Talent—Windshadow Step】
【Fixing talent... Fixation successful!】
Talent Name: Windshadow Step
Talent Grade: Rare
Growth Potential: ★★☆☆☆
Duration: Permanent
Status: Fixed
Effect 1: Windstride
After activation, your speed increases by 100%, and while moving, you can leave behind three afterimages that carry an aura completely identical to your real body.
Effect 2: Shadow Shift
While the afterimages persist, your real body can switch places with any one of them at any moment.
Although this talent did not have much growth potential, it was extremely practical.
The moment the talent was fixed, Lu Zhan instantly split into three figures and charged toward the newly advanced Rat King.
The three figures looked completely identical, impossible to distinguish with the naked eye.
Yet the Rat King’s response was one of utter contempt.
“A trick of the eye? Don’t you know that rats possess a sense of smell far beyond that of ordinary humans?”
In only an instant, it saw through Lu Zhan’s real body.
“Fool. Remember this in your next life—don’t provoke this king!”
Streak after streak of golden light pierced through Lu Zhan’s body, riddling him with holes.
Phew. That human was finally dead.
The pressure Lu Zhan had put on it had simply been too great.
His realm had clearly been frighteningly low, yet the strength he wielded had been terrifying.
When Zhou Hong and the others, who were about to flee the palace, saw this, they cried out in alarm.
“Brother Lu!!!”
Could it be that a genius like Lu Zhan was destined to fall here today?
Seeing this, the Rat King laughed triumphantly.
“Hahaha, the envoy said that the flesh and blood of Martial Artists is a great tonic for us Demon Beasts.”
“In a moment, I’m going to eat him.”
When it recalled the humiliation Lu Zhan had inflicted on it, its fury surged again.
Letting that terrifying human die so easily had really been letting him off too lightly.
Yet very soon, it discovered that the figure from just now was gradually turning faint and unreal.
Wait... could it be...
A horrifying thought sprang into its mind.
A chill instantly spread through its entire body.
“How did a rat like you get so arrogant? You want to eat me? You think you’re worthy?”
That voice... why did it sound so familiar?
That human?!!
He really was still alive!
But how could he still be alive?!
It had clearly sensed the other party’s real body.
At that moment, terror and confusion flashed across the Rat King’s face, followed immediately by endless despair.
It wanted to flee!
But behind it, a blade of light lit up.
Sharp, cold, and carrying boundless killing intent.
Slash!
A head flew high into the air.
Lu Zhan slowly sheathed his saber, then looked coldly at the corpse and said icily,
“Fool. In your next life, don’t provoke me again.”
He returned the exact same words to it without changing a single one.
At the same time, the system notification sounded.
【Ding! Detected that the host has slain a Fourth-Heaven Demon Beast of the Qi-Gathering Demon Acolyte realm above your level. Reward: 3300 Slaughter Points (Base Slaughter Points: 2400 + Higher-Realm Bonus: 600 + Title Bonus: 300)】
【Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the quest—Rat Tide Riot. Reward: Talent—Immunity to All Poisons】
Talent Name: Immunity to All Poisons
Talent Grade: Rare
Growth Potential: ★★☆☆☆
Duration: Permanent
Status: Fixed
Effect 1: Toxin Immunity
You are completely immune to 90% of toxins, and can also control or make use of toxins to a certain extent.
Effect 2: Toxin Detection
When toxins or strong disease sources are nearby, your skin will feel a faint prickling sensation. Once you focus your attention, you will be able to see the faint aura emitted by the toxins.
Effect 3: Detox Expert
Your blood possesses the property of neutralizing common toxins. By using a small amount of your own blood, you can ease or remove some toxins from others. The weaker the toxicity, the better the detoxification effect.
Although this talent did not have much growth potential, it was extremely practical.
With this talent, Lu Zhan felt that his margin of safety had risen sharply.
At the very least, there were now many poisons he could simply ignore.
Suddenly, the system popped up again.
【Ding! Congratulations, host. The Longevity Saber has met the conditions for advancement. Advance?】
Good fortune really did come in pairs.
Without any hesitation, Lu Zhan answered, “Yes!”
In the next instant, the Longevity Saber in his hand suddenly emitted a crimson glow. For a brief, hazy moment, Lu Zhan seemed to see a blood lotus and a green lotus slowly blooming.
But it lasted only an instant, as though it had been nothing more than an illusion.
Satisfied, Lu Zhan opened his personal panel.
Name: Lu Zhan
Identity: Apprentice Demon Exterminator
Realm: First Heaven of the Aperture Opening Realm
Spirit Root: Mortal Spirit Root
Title: First Showing of One’s Edge (Equipped)
Cultivation Method: Seven Killings Scripture (Spirit Rank, Upper Grade)
Martial Arts: Iron-Slaying Saber Art Entering the Divine (Mortal Rank, Upper Grade), Cloud-Crushing Fist Perfection (Mortal Rank, Middle Grade), Glimmering Light Shadow Escape Entering the Divine (Mortal Rank, Upper Grade)
Slaughter Points: 6300
Weapon: Longevity Saber (Spirit Rank, Middle Grade)
Fixed Talents: Rare: Gluttony, Strength of Nine Oxen and Two Tigers, Immunity to All Poisons, Windshadow Step
Talent Fragments: 7
The gains from this mission were actually no less than what he had obtained during the assessment, perhaps even greater.
As expected, joining the Demon Extermination Bureau back then had been absolutely the right choice.