Chapter 85: Purple Crystal Beast

The squad boarded a low-altitude transport aircraft of the Town Demon Army and headed for Disha Pass; thirty minutes later, the silhouette of Black Wind Gorge appeared below.

The canyon’s steep cliffs were covered in green moss, while a faint black mist hung over the valley floor, faint whispers of monstrous roars echoing from within.

“Descend altitude, prepare for airborne insertion,” Jiang Xia ordered, being the first to open the cargo door.

Spiritual energy coalesced beneath his feet; he leapt forward and landed firmly, his Sharingan activated, capturing every detail within a hundred meters.

Dozens of fourth-rank Black Wind Wolves scattered across the valley, their eyes glowing red as they howled around a fifth-rank Ironclad Bear, while deep within a distant cave, the oppressive aura of a Wang-jie monster lingered.

“Something’s off,” Ye Lingxi landed beside Jiang Xia, her ice ability subtly activating. “These Black Wind Wolves’ auras are chaotic—they’ve been forcibly controlled.”

Before she finished speaking, one Black Wind Wolf suddenly turned, its crimson eyes locking onto Jiang Xia’s squad, launching itself forward.

Du Gu Yun drew his sword, unleashing a cyan sword qi that cleaved the wolf cleanly in two—its corpse dissolved into a wisp of black smoke upon hitting the ground.

“An illusion?” Wang Shichen frowned, spreading his spatial ability. “No—it’s the monster’s ability. There’s a Wang-jie monster nearby that can generate illusions!”

Ling Zhantian immediately raised his heavy shield, his God of War ability erupting as golden light engulfed his body: “Stay alert! These illusions have physical substance!”

More Black Wind Wolves surged from the mist, far exceeding the intelligence estimate.

Wang Teng swung his Soul Devouring Scythe, spreading gray-black death energy: “Fengdu Secret Spell: Hundred Ghosts Marching at Night!” Countless ghostly shadows surged toward the wolves, temporarily halting their assault.

Jiang Xia’s left Rinnegan spun rapidly—he instantly saw the source: deep within the cave, a three-zhang-long Purple Crystal Beast sat cross-eyed, a crystal horn atop its head emitting waves that controlled the surrounding monsters.

“The target’s inside the cave!” Jiang Xia pointed toward it. “Ling Zhantian, lead the way! Ye Lingxi, freeze the canyon walls to prevent encirclement!”

Ling Zhantian slammed his fists into the ground, golden blood qi surging like a flood, carving a path through the wolf pack.

Ye Lingxi extended both hands forward. “Ice Seal for a Thousand Li!”

Ice-blue frost spread along the cliffs, freezing any monsters attempting to ambush from above into crystalline statues.

Du Gu Yun moved fastest, his sword qi falling like rain—each strike precisely targeting the wolves’ vital points.

He glanced back at Jiang Xia, noticing that though the latter hadn’t used his full strength, he always appeared exactly where he was needed most—his earlier disdain began to fade.

The cave entrance was blocked by a fifth-rank Rock Spike Beast, its skin as hard as stone, dozens of sharp bone spines protruding from its back.

“Leave it to me!” Ling Zhantian charged forward, his heavy shield colliding with the beast’s bone spines in a deafening crash. His arms bulged with veins as he channeled all his spiritual energy.

“Shatter Armor!” He punched the beast’s chest—the rock-like hide cracked instantly.

Wang Teng seized the opening, sweeping his Soul Devouring Scythe; death energy flooded into the wound, causing the beast to roar in agony before collapsing.

Inside the cave, thick purple mist swirled, the Purple Crystal Beast’s form flickering within it.

It slowly opened its eyes, a flicker of contempt passing through its violet pupils: “Itachi brats dare disturb my cultivation?”

“Itachi’re controlling the monsters?” Jiang Xia asked coldly, his Sharingan locked on the beast. “Why gather so many low-rank creatures?”

The Purple Crystal Beast sneered, its crystal horn blazing with light: “The spiritual fortune of Shanhai Pass is reviving—these monsters are my offerings! Once I absorb their power, I’ll break through to Half-Demon King realm!”

Before he finished speaking, it whipped its tail, launching a violet energy wave toward them.

Du Gu Yun struck first, vertically slashing his sword—the cyan blade qi clashed with the wave, forcing him to stagger backward.

“Such immense power!” His face darkened. “This is a late-stage Wang-jie monster!”

Ye Lingxi instantly raised her ice shield: “Xuanming—Ice Wall!” The ice-blue barrier blocked the wave but instantly cracked across its surface.

Ling Zhantian charged forward, bracing the ice wall with his shield, pouring his blood qi into it frantically: “Hold on! Find a way to strike its crystal horn!”

Jiang Xia's right Rinnegan slowly opened, his palm facing forward: "Universal Pull!"

A powerful suction erupted from his palm, forcing the Purple Crystal Beast’s body to tilt forward involuntarily.

Its expression changed; the crystal horn flared again, struggling to break free.

“Now!” Du Gu Yun seized the moment, his sword becoming a streak of cyan light, piercing straight for the beast’s crystal horn.

The Purple Crystal Beast roared, lashing its tail—but Wang Shichen twisted its trajectory with spatial ability.

“Soul Devouring Scythe: Yousheng Slash!” Wang Teng’s voice came from the side, gray-black blade qi slicing toward the beast’s hind leg, forcing it to divert its defense.

Jiang Xia drew a deep breath, both his left Sharingan and right Rinnegan blazing: “Susanoo—Second Form!”

Spiritual energy erupted from his body, forming a Susanoo clad in muscle and skin, wielding a black-flame longsword.

“Kagutsuchi!” Black flames wrapped around the blade; the Susanoo stepped forward violently, the sword tearing through the air as it slashed toward the beast’s crystal horn!

The Purple Crystal Beast’s pupils shrank—it summoned all its energy to defend, but it was too late.

The black-flame sword struck the crystal horn; violet energy clashed violently with black fire, the horn instantly cracking across its surface.

“No—!” The beast let out a shrill scream as its internal energy spiraled into chaos.

Du Gu Yun seized this once-in-a-lifetime chance, driving his sword into the beast’s third eye: “Break Illusion!” Cyan sword qi exploded within the beast, utterly destroying its life force.

The Purple Crystal Beast collapsed, its internal energy crystal splitting into six beams of light, flying into the hands of the team.

The instant Jiang Xia grasped the crystal, his jade seal warmed slightly on his forehead; pure energy surged up his arm, causing the peak of his Wu Zong early-stage realm to tremble with the hint of breakthrough.

“Mission complete,” Jiang Xia dismissed Susanoo, glancing at his wristwatch. “Clear the battlefield, collect the monster corpses, prepare for return.”

The team divided tasks: Wang Teng used his Soul Devouring Scythe to absorb the monsters’ death energy, his cultivation showing signs of imminent breakthrough.

Ye Lingxi collected ice-type monster blood essence to strengthen her own ability.

Du Gu Yun stood aside, wiping his sword, his gaze toward Jiang Xia now carrying a touch of respect.

On the return journey to the training camp, the transport aircraft fell silent. Wang Teng couldn’t help asking.

“Lao Xia, how much of that Purple Crystal Beast’s energy crystal did Itachi absorb? I felt your aura grow significantly.”

Jiang Xia nodded. “I’m close to breaking through. The crystal’s energy is pure—combined with the spirit liquid pool, I’ll reach Wu Zong mid-stage within three days.”

Ye Lingxi smiled faintly. “Congratulations. The ice essence I collected will also let me break through to Wu Zong mid-stage.”