Chapter 166: Metamorphosis Again! The Strongest Dark Horse!

Afterwards, Lu Zhangsheng returned to Qin Ruoshui's side, quietly watching as she collected the tokens.

I'll just keep five of these tokens.

Qin Ruoshui smiled sweetly and threw all the tokens in her hand over.

These items can be exchanged for some Spiritual Creatures when she leaves; she also lacks no cultivation resources, so keeping just the five that can advance her is enough.

Then I won't stand on ceremony.

Lu Zhangsheng smiled as he took the tokens, and afterward the two flew forward.

The two flew side by side, weaving through the dense forests.

The fierce wind fluttered their robes, making them look like a perfect couple.

In the days that followed.

Lu Zhangsheng brought Qin Ruoshui to search extensively for other martial artists' traces within the Mountains and Rivers Map.

The tokens in his hand grew increasingly numerous.

Moreover, as the number of martial artists eliminated by Lu Zhangsheng grew, the luck-red python above his head steadily increased.

Lu Zhangsheng's reputation also grew louder, causing the martial artists still within the Mountains and Rivers Map to fear him like a tiger.

Many even regarded Lu Zhangsheng as a top-tier expert on par with the top ten of the Heavenly Pride Ranking.

Such days passed in the blink of an eye, amounting to over a month.

Soon it was the few days before leaving the Mountains and Rivers Map.

That day, at dawn.

On a stretch of rocky wasteland.

Black clouds covered the sky, and the yin wind howled.

Lu Zhangsheng stood with his hands behind his back, suspended in the high air, his expression calm as water.

A large scattering of tokens remained beside him, clearly the aftermath of a sizable battle not long before.

Whoo—whoo——

Lu Zhangsheng's luck surged wildly above his head, and countless streams of luck began to gather in the void.

In this battle, he directly shattered a formation of over a thousand people, causing his own luck to surge again.

Furthermore, after these days of fighting, the giant python above his head had already reached about six feet.

Now, as vast amounts of luck poured onto his head, the luck-red python began to roar.

Six feet.

Seven feet.

……

Nine feet.

After an unknown period, when the luck-red python grew to nine feet nine, it finally stopped.

Lu Zhangsheng felt that this layer of luck had reached its limit, only one step away from the next Metamorphosis.

This made him quite delighted.

Under the influx of vast luck within himself, his mind grew ever clearer, and even cultivating the Slaughter Domain became much easier.

Even without resource boosts, he could gradually advance his cultivation of the Slaughter Domain.

This is the great benefit brought by his talent.

Beside him, Qin Ruoshui continued collecting tokens, her face always filled with a smile.

Seeing this, the outside crowd all wore strange expressions.

Their familiar interactions made them look more and more like a couple.

"Your humble servant congratulates the Marquis; you will soon gain an excellent son-in-law."

On the high platform, Di Zhiyu laughed and offered his congratulations.

He could also clearly see that Lu Zhangsheng likely possessed the strength of the top ten of the Heavenly Pride Ranking.

He might even become this realm's strongest dark horse, with a hope of forcefully seizing first place.

Furthermore, it was obvious at a glance that Lu Zhangsheng and Qin Ruoshui shared a deep relationship, so he naturally spoke up to offer early congratulations.

"We congratulate the Marquis."

The many officials below all offered their congratulations.

The tumultuous sound echoed throughout the hall, lingering for a long time.

Qin Zhaoyang heard this, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

He also did not speak.

His own little girl had long been consumed by the other party, and now Qin Ruoshui seemed to have some feeling toward Lu Zhangsheng again—truly sinful.

He couldn't explain anything, only forcing an embarrassed smile and pretending to be unaware.

Even Luo Tianxiang felt somewhat surprised in his heart.

Being able to secure a son-in-law from the top ten of the Heavenly Pride Ranking is also a joyous occasion.

Qin Zhaoyang's expression left him somewhat unable to fathom.

"Could it be...?"

His eyes flickered slightly, and in an instant he had a hint of an idea.

……

Within the Mountains and Rivers Map.

Just as Lu Zhangsheng and Qin Ruoshui were preparing to leave, a sudden change occurred.

"Huh——"

From afar came a series of whistling sounds, and a huge crowd of silhouettes rushed toward Lu Zhangsheng at speed.

The speed was as swift as a sudden thunderclap.

In no time, the crowd surrounded Lu Zhangsheng and his companion, and the atmosphere on the field instantly grew very solemn.

At the front stood a man in a white robe, his face as smooth as jade, holding a feather fan in his hand, looking exceedingly carefree.

"Not good, this is the eleventh‑ranked top‑tier powerhouse Zhong Yuntai on the Heavenly Pride List, who cultivates the Flame Domain, and his divine abilities and strength are extremely terrifying."

Qin Ruoshui's face was full of seriousness.

Although she guessed that Lu Zhangsheng possessed top‑ten strength, she had never verified it, and felt somewhat uncertain.

Now the two were surrounded by a massive crowd, and the situation was rather dangerous.

"Lu Zhangsheng, I claim your Qi fortune; obediently admit defeat, and I will let you exit the Mountain River Diagram."

Zhong Yuntai waved his feather fan, his tone exceedingly arrogant, his contempt evident in his eyes.

In his view, Lu Zhangsheng was nothing but a name without substance.

Many on the Heavenly Pride List claimed top‑ten power, only to be easily suppressed by him.

Moreover, his own strength was not inferior to those top‑ten individuals, so naturally he did not regard Lu Zhangsheng at all.

As he spoke, his Qi fortune above his head suddenly erupted.

"Hoo—hoo—hoo…"

Accompanied by a series of dragon roars, an enormous orange serpentine beast appeared above his head.

A powerful dragon aura spread out, the giant serpents' eyes flashed like lightning, and the sense of pressure was astonishing.

It made the people around them struggle to breathe.

Lu Zhangsheng watched the opponent's Qi fortune above his head, his expression flickering slightly.

The giant serpents above his head measured about three zhang, had no horns but bore dragon whiskers, a flat head, and were already quite close to a true dragon.

As a dragon breed, the serpents rank a level above pythons and exude a wondrous imposing pressure.

This piqued his curiosity.

"What a strong Qi fortune this person has."

Qin Ruoshui's gaze hardened, and she felt deeply worried.

The opponent must have defeated countless Heavenly Pride members to have accumulated his Qi fortune to this level.

The next step was already near, and it was truly frightening.

A surrounding crowd also looked at Zhong Yuntai with faces full of reverence.

They had also witnessed his strength; apart from those few top figures, everyone else had been crushed along the way.

Lu Zhangsheng was certainly not a match.

"Guess how many moves Lu Zhangsheng can block?"

"I think he'll be defeated within fifty moves."

"I believe he can sustain at most thirty moves."

…

A crowd began to discuss wildly, all doubting Lu Zhangsheng.

Many warriors from the Qingjing Mansion outside also showed worried expressions upon seeing this.

Fang Qing and his sibling, seeing Lu Zhangsheng trapped in a perilous situation, could only pray silently.

A crowd stared intently at the scene within the Mountain River Diagram, awaiting the final outcome.

On the high platform, Qin Chaoyang frowned, and his heart sweated for Lu Zhangsheng.

This battle was probably Lu Zhangsheng's greatest challenge within the Mountain River Diagram.

Luo Tianxiang beside him gave a faint smile; in his view, Qin Ruoshui and Lu Zhangsheng were likely to be eliminated.

Just as the crowd debated, the Mountain River Diagram shifted again.

"If you want my Qi fortune, you can fetch it yourself; it depends on whether you have the ability."

Lu Zhangsheng remained expressionless, his tone very calm.

He seemed to pay no heed to Zhong Yuntai at all.

"How daring."

Zhong Yuntai roared, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.

A massive surge of aura suddenly erupted, crushing Lu Zhangsheng and his companion.

He hadn't expected Lu Zhangsheng to be so 'reckless', never before had anyone dared ignore him; it was courting death.

The surrounding people seemed to feel a massive mountain pressing on their chests, making breathing difficult.

A crowd stared at Lu Zhangsheng as if watching a fool.

Lu Zhangsheng's provocation of Zhong Yuntai clearly offered no benefit, only a harsher defeat.

Everyone's hearts were already resolute.

"Later I'll cover you and cut through the encirclement."

Qin Ruoshui beside him clenched her teeth.

Her strength was far below Lu Zhangsheng's, so even if eliminated the loss would be minor.

If Lu Zhangsheng didn't make it to the second round, it would be too regrettable; at this moment, she only wanted him to escape.

Yet she was completely unaware that a strange feeling had already risen in her heart.

When she prepared to cut off Lu Zhangsheng, there was not the slightest resistance in her heart.

"No need for such trouble; watch how I cut him down."

Lu Zhangsheng smiled confidently, his face full of dominance, his tone unmistakable.

In front of Qin Ruoshui, he displayed his edge for the first time.

Qin Ruoshui heard that, wore a strange expression, eyes full of doubt, clearly thinking that Lu Zhangsheng was bragging.

The opposing side was numerous, and there was a strongman close to top‑level Heavenly Pride; the two of them could hardly break through the encirclement.

"Ha ha… cut me?"

Zhong Yuntai heard that and, in a fit of rage, laughed.

It was the biggest joke he had heard in all these years.

Even the nearby onlookers gave a mocking look toward Lu Zhangsheng.

Destined to fail, yet daring such arrogance, he was truly unique.

A few breaths later.

As Zhong Yuntai's laugh faded, he struck directly.

His first move was earth‑shattering; he intended to quickly blast Lu Zhangsheng.

His internal Qi and blood suddenly erupted, a surge of refined energy soaring straight into the heavens.

The powerful momentum, like ocean waves, swept the entire arena.

At the same time, within a radius of one li, the area instantly turned into a sea of fire, scorching hot.

Without any hesitation, he unleashed his own flame domain.

Clearly, genuine anger had been provoked.

"What a powerful flame domain."

The surrounding crowd wore faces of awe.

They hurriedly stepped back toward the periphery.

Qin Ruoshui's gaze grew increasingly solemn; she seemed to feel as if she were inside the flames, her lungs burning.

Now, even if the two tried to flee, it would be difficult; they could only rely on Lu Zhangsheng's strength.

"Boom— Boom— Boom—…"

At that moment, Lu Zhangsheng made his move.

His killing domain suddenly spread around him, instantly overlapping with the flame domain.

It completely nullified its scorching heat.

Moreover, it reversed to suppress the opponent's domain.

Within the one‑li radius, a thin blood mist filled the area, countless skeletons surged from the mist, creating a rather chilling scene.

"Impossible."

Seeing this, Zhong Yuntai's face was full of shock.

His domain's power was utterly unable to match Lu Zhangsheng's.

Clearly, Lu Zhangsheng's domain was already extremely close to the second realm, beyond his reach.

In recent days, Lu Zhangsheng's talent had surged, and his understanding of killing had deepened.

He was getting ever closer to the second realm domain.

At this moment, suppressing the opponent's flame domain was very easy.

Even the surrounding onlookers wore shocked faces.

No one had expected Lu Zhangsheng's domain power to be so terrifying.

Even Qin Ruoshui secretly exhaled a sigh of relief, a hint of confidence appearing on her face.

The outside crowd also began to look forward, as a dragon‑versus‑tiger battle was about to commence.

At that moment, Lu Zhangsheng moved.

He raised the golden radiant blade in his hand and suddenly slashed forward.

The dazzling blade light flickered in the void, as if to cut through everything, its momentum ferocious beyond compare.

With the amplification from his killing domain, his attack power had reached its limit.

Around the blade edge, strands of blood‑colored killing aura surged, emitting whistling sounds like countless evil spirits howling.

Zhong Yuntai's eyes were filled with gravity.

He sensed an extremely strong threat from Lu Zhangsheng's long blade.

He dared not delay, and swung his own blade forward.

His internal Qi and blood were driven to the limit.

Blade qi shot straight to the sky, bearing endless cold light.

"Boom— Boom— Boom—…"

In an instant, the two long blades collided, fierce force sweeping all directions, uprooting trees from the ground.

Within the one‑li radius, a cloud of dust and smoke billowed.

"Pfft—…"

With that strike, Zhong Yuntai suddenly opened his mouth, spouting fresh blood wildly outward.

His breath weakened considerably.

He was flung backward rapidly, crashing through and breaking more than a dozen giant trees midway, looking extremely disheveled.

Lu Zhangsheng, however, stood steadily in the void, his expression as calm as water.

With a single slash, he made the opponent spew blood, utterly unable to parry.

All the onlookers around wore faces of shock.

They found it hard to believe.

"Zhong Yuntai can't block a single move?"

The crowd opened their mouths slightly, eyes filled with terror.

Even Qin Ruoshui wore a shocked expression, his perception of Lu Zhangsheng's strength refreshed once more.

Many martial artists in the outside world had already been plunged into shock.

It sparked an extremely heated response.

"Lu Zhangsheng absolutely possesses top‑three strength."

"This killing realm combined with divine blade technique is truly terrifying."

"Indeed, I didn't expect a dark horse to appear at this Ten Thousand Flowers Fruit gathering..."

…

Numerous Qingning Residence readers cheered, their voices echoing throughout the venue.

Fang Qing and her sibling wore excited expressions.

All this happened in an instant.

Just as Zhong Yuntai hadn't recovered, Lu Zhangsheng struck again.

He swung another slash forward.

Its momentum was slightly stronger than the previous slash.

"Not good."

Zhong Yuntai's face filled with fear, and he hurriedly raised his blade to block.

But in the haste, he failed to summon much innate Qi.

"Bang bang bang…"

Lu Zhangsheng's slash instantly pierced the opponent's chest, swift as a thunderbolt.

Zhong Yuntai turned into radiance, vanished directly into the void, leaving only dozens of tokens falling to the ground.

Two slashes, Zhong Yuntai was defeated.

If this had been in the outside world, he would likely have been beheaded.

"Run fast, this person cannot be overpowered."

The crowd, faces full of panic, scattered in all directions, like birds and beasts fleeing.

Outside world.

Zhong Yuntai appeared on the plaza, his face still haunted.

At that moment, he truly felt the breath of death.

It filled him with dread.

He was convinced that Lu Zhangsheng absolutely possessed the strength to vie for first place.

Clearly, he was not someone he could provoke.

Losing to such a strong opponent was no disgrace.

A nearby group also kept their distance from Zhong Yuntai, eyes full of contempt.

Many thought Zhong Yuntai was all hype, unable to block even two slashes.

Zhong Yuntai gave no explanation, and walked straight backward.

In his view, sooner or later someone would encounter Lu Zhangsheng, and then they'd understand his situation.

It would also let others truly "feel" Lu Zhangsheng's terrifying power.

He thought darkly to himself.

Within the Mountain River Diagram.

Lu Zhangsheng stood in the void, Qi flow above his head swirling rapidly.

Countless Qi flows from the outside world converged on Lu Zhangsheng, seemingly limitless.

"Roar roar roar…"

Dragon roars echoed, an orange giant serpent flew above his head, exuding great dominance.

The giant serpent continued to grow.

"One zhang."

"Two zhang."

…

It kept expanding until about three zhang, then gradually halted.

(End of chapter)