Chapter 481 - 276: Zhong Nan vs. Ming: A Battle Waged for Life (Part 2)
Ming soared into the sky and finally shed its human form. With a roar, it exploded in mid-air, transforming into a colossal Nine Netherworld Snake, over a hundred meters long, with nine heads, each distinct from the others.
As its Beast Aura was fully unleashed, many Demon Beasts and Spirit Beast Legs below could no longer move.
The Humans also turned their heads skyward and swallowed hard.
Is it about to begin?
Does this mean that the war between the Human Race and the Demon Race starts now?
....
In the sky, a dragon and a snake were locked in fierce combat. Occasionally, thunder rumbled, and the earth trembled, with massive craters appearing atop the Celestial Realm Mountain.
Lin Chen and his group thought that observing from two kilometers away would suffice, but they didn’t expect the battle to grow so intense that it spread beyond the two kilometers range.
"Let’s go." The Great Elder made a decisive call, saying, "This Celestial Realm Mountain is not safe to stay in."
Fortunately, under the protection of the Tree Ancestor, they watched from three kilometers away.
Not only the Tree Ancestor but also figures like Yin Shi, the Undying Phoenix, and others, whether Humans or Demons, awaited the final result.
The battle raged for a day and a night, the sky almost being torn apart with a hole.
Yet there was still no victor. Lin Chen couldn’t see how things were going, but when the fight moved into the second day, the Tree Ancestor suddenly spoke:
"The moment of decision is upon us."
Before the words were finished, the ground shook violently, followed by a heaven-shattering dragon roar.
Lin Chen looked down and saw a gigantic golden dragon Illusion Spirit rise from the earth.
Lin Chen realized this was the Celestial Realm Mountain’s dragon vein.
When the dragon vein was fully invoked, it indicated that Zhong Nan intended to conclude the battle.
Indeed, moments later, the colossal golden dragon flew towards Zhong Nan, diving directly into the Spirit Dragon’s body.
The next second, the Spirit Dragon shone like a deity, with its radiance piercing through the Nine Heavens and illuminating the entire land.
Unyielding, Ming’s nine serpent heads revealed Divine Patterns on their foreheads, beginning to gather energy.
Even at such a distance, Lin Chen could feel the surrounding space starting to distort into small and large space rifts due to the energy waves.
"This power is truly terrifying...."
The spectators swallowed hard.
In recent years, battles of this scale have been rare in the Cangling Ancient Country.
Before everyone’s eyes, the Spirit Dragon roared, charging at Ming with a thunderous momentum, while Ming’s nine heads unleashed energy blasts of different colors. The waves collided intensely with the Spirit Dragon’s charge.
Boom!
As a deafening explosion resounded, the sky turned blindingly white, covering almost everyone’s vision, forcing them to close their eyes.
"Who won?"
"Who won?"
Someone asked loudly.
Lin Chen also found it hard to open his eyes, feeling the earth tremble beneath him.
As the light dimmed, Lin Chen finally managed to squint gingerly, but he still couldn’t discern what was happening in the distance.
Lin Chen quickly turned his head, looking at the Tree Ancestor and the Great Elder, only to find them appearing downcast.
Gulp!
Lin Chen clenched his fists, swallowing hard.
Did they lose?!
Did Zhong Nan already lose?!
At that moment, the mist above dispersed, revealing an elderly man with white hair riding the Spirit Dragon on the horizon. Though his posture was upright, he coughed up blood wildly!
"Zhong Nan!"
The Great Elder and Sun Ji flew up, about to approach but were stopped by the Tree Ancestor.
The Tree Ancestor warily watched the direction of the Nine Netherworld Snake, fully aware that anyone daring to enter now was courting death.
Zhong Nan’s face was as pale as paper. He looked at the distant Nine Netherworld Snake, struggling several times for a final stand, but it was futile.
He ultimately couldn’t hold on.
National Preceptor Zhong Nan’s final battle for the Human Race, for the Cangling Ancient Country...
Defeat!
Yet, the Nine Netherworld Snake stood there, laughing wildly. Like a demonic king, it stood high, looking down on the land, and then it laughed heartily, saying:
"Once I recover, I shall level the Humans."
"It’s time to rename this Cangling Ancient Country!"
With that, a dark Qilin appeared.
Yin Shi was the first to act, summoning a Spirit Beast to try to intervene.
But the nearby Undying Phoenix and other Demon Kings wouldn’t sit idly by.
"Do you really want to start a war?" Yin Shi questioned coldly.
Yet, the Undying Phoenix’s face was ashen, for it understood that even if the Demon Race won, it would be a victory paved for the Nine Netherworld Snake.
But there was no choice. By blood, they were kindred.
It was the Undying Phoenix who said, "Go see him, accompany him on his final journey."
Yin Shi and others clenched their fists but were helpless, forced to watch the Nine Netherworld Snake leave.
The Demon Kings of the Demon Race also gradually departed. Yin Shi led the Humans quickly over, and as they approached, they were shocked to find Zhong Nan even weaker than anticipated.
His body was withered like dry wood, his gaze vacant, covered with so many age spots it was painful to behold.
Sun Ji stepped forward, summoning a Spirit Beast to prolong Zhong Nan’s life, but Zhong Nan said, "Old Sun, don’t bother trying...."
Sun Ji clenched his fists.
He also knew it was beyond help.
"I’ve foreseen this; my end isn’t far off this year. With Ming’s nature, no matter the outcome of this Celestial Realm Mountain battle, Ming won’t spare the Humans."
"After I’m gone, it will definitely start a war."
"In this battle, I ultimately lost."
"The future of the Cangling Ancient Country’s path is for you all to carry on."
Upon hearing those words, everyone clenched their fists, feeling a pang in their hearts.
Zhong Nan indeed carried the weight of the Cangling Ancient Country his entire life and journeyed on.
At the end, Zhong Nan coughed violently, and Sun Ji quickly performed healing arts, but before the spell was completed, Zhong Nan suddenly collapsed onto the ground.
The shine left his face, and as he fell, everyone’s hearts skipped a beat.
Thud~~
The heavy sound of him falling echoed like nails driving into everyone’s minds.
Ultimately, the Great Elder stepped forward, patting his robe, and loudly declared:
"Yu Xiu... bids the National Preceptor farewell to heaven!"
Everyone’s eyes were moist, but they all mirrored the Great Elder, tidying their sleeves, bowing low, and with the highest courtesy of the Cangling Ancient Country, they all said in unison:
"Bidding the National Preceptor farewell to heaven!"
....
Celestial Capital
Zhang Jin paced back and forth, heart filled with unease.
Since Zhong Nan’s departure, his sense of unease had only intensified.
Until a tree outside broke suddenly, Zhang Jin leapt sharply, landing in Zhong Nan’s courtyard, where the center’s dragon spring now spewed black filth.
In that moment, Zhang Jin understood his teacher was gone.
His eyes turned instantly red, and he kneeled on one knee, loudly declaring:
"Bidding farewell to the teacher on his journey to heaven!"
His voice was loud, reverberating throughout the National Master’s Institute.
Upon hearing the news, Bai Ling rushed out of her room, looking at the sky, now dreadfully dark over the Celestial Capital.
"Old sir...."
Tears filled Bai Ling’s eyes as she knelt on one knee, her heart feeling lost in that moment.
She wasn’t a fool and understood what Zhong Nan hoped from her.
Yet, she had no interest in the position of National Preceptor.
She had studied earnestly, but her character wasn’t suited for the role.
Before long, it started to rain heavily.
No.
It was black rain!
