[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-journey-to-become-the-zenith":3,"chapter-journey-to-become-the-zenith-journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-77":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Journey to Become the Zenith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1828614,2432,"Chapter 77: The Real Battle Begins","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-77",77,"\u003Cp>The Real Battle Begins\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Alibaba chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How fascinating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark mana gathered slowly around the necromancer’s skeletal hands. The energy coiled like liquid shadow, twisting in the air with a faint humming sound that made the torches along the cavern walls flicker uneasily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well then...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...let us see how long that style keeps you alive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s floating needles rotated slowly above his head like silent predators circling their prey. His golden eyes sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alibaba watched the shift in his aura and gave another amused chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The necromancer tilted his skull slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your demeanor changed again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blue flames inside his hollow eye sockets flickered with interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t worry, child. I won’t fault you for your actions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor let out a short snicker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A being that had lived less than a thousand years was calling him a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his previous life, when he was known across continents as the Supreme Demon Emperor the Supreme Demon Emperor, countless ancient beings trembled simply hearing his title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wore the body of a human youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sixteen years old at most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Victor simply shrugged it off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let him talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor rolled his shoulders and slowly lifted the scythe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that I’m back in the game...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips stretched into that familiar vicious grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How about we start the real battle?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment those words left his mouth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mana changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alibaba noticed it immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy surrounding Victor no longer surged wildly like before. Instead, it condensed into something sharp and controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alibaba reacted instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The necromancer’s barrier thickened as layers of mana reinforced the protective spell around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well, child.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His skeletal fingers lifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come at me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor didn’t wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant the words finished—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor raised his left hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His index finger pointed toward Alibaba.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nightfall Veil.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darkness erupted outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of artificial shadow spread across the battlefield like spilled ink. Within seconds the chamber around Alibaba was swallowed by pitch black darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spell designed to blind opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alibaba clicked his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A crude trick.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a master of darkness magic himself, this was far from threatening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He released a pulse of mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The darkness shattered like smoke being blown away by wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The torches around the cavern flickered back to life—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Victor was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alibaba’s eye flames flared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRASH.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something slammed into his barrier from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact cracked the magical shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s foot had struck him directly in the back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kick carried enough force to launch the necromancer forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alibaba smashed into the stone wall of the cavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chunks of rock exploded outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor didn’t hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He followed immediately, scythe raised for another strike—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Alibaba reacted quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grave Bastion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wall erupted between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was made entirely of interlocking human bones, fused together by necromantic mana. Rib cages, skulls, and spine fragments twisted together into a grotesque barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s scythe slammed into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bone wall shattered instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that single second was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alibaba pushed himself upright and lifted his hand again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sentinel of the Fallen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two undead warriors emerged from swirling dark mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each stood over two meters tall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both carried massive tower shields carved from blackened bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They planted themselves between Victor and the necromancer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor didn’t slow down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand flicked forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stonebreaker Spikes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two massive earthen spears erupted upward from beneath the undead guardians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRUNCH.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spikes pierced directly through their shields, impaling both creatures through the chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor leapt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body spun in midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scythe came down in a brutal arc toward Alibaba.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time the strike carried far more power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The necromancer’s barrier shattered instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade was only inches away from splitting his skull—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Alibaba moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body twisted sideways just in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scythe slammed into the ground instead, carving a deep trench through the stone floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alibaba countered immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grave Spear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lance formed from condensed bone shot toward Victor like a bolt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor was still mid-air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kicked against the air itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sky Step.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The invisible platform formed beneath his foot just in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor pushed off it and twisted sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bone spear flew past him and exploded against the cavern wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor landed roughly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His boots scraped against the stone as he slid back a step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He steadied himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both fighters stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence filled the cavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alibaba studied the young man carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And clever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor studied him just as carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still hasn’t shown everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them knew it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them had more hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor spun the scythe once and rested the blade over his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looks like we’re both still warming up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alibaba chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How perceptive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s grin widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that the warm-up is done...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His golden eyes burned with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How about we get to the real thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, across the cavern—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara and Lane were holding their ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fake villagers continued to swarm forward like mindless beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One lunged toward Clara.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CLANG.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her shield intercepted the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact echoed through the cavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara twisted her body and slammed the edge of the shield directly into the creature’s jaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bone cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fake villager staggered backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara followed with a sword thrust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her blade pierced the creature’s chest—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the monster didn’t fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wound began regenerating instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara cursed under her breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lane!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane stood behind her, long black hair swaying as mana gathered around her bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her calm black eyes locked onto the enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These creatures weren’t normal undead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They moved like wild animals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No tactics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Predictable—but difficult to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane pulled back the bowstring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana condensed into a glowing arrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Piercing Wind Arrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She released.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrow shot forward like lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It struck a villager’s skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head exploded instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The body collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara blocked another attack with her shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Headshots only!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I figured!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane pulled another arrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time mana gathered around her hands instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then let’s make it faster.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She whispered softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Storm Scatter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five small wind blades formed around her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They shot forward like slicing crescents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two villagers lost their heads instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara saw an opening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped forward aggressively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her shield slammed into one enemy while her sword pierced another’s skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nice!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane gave a small smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she quickly returned to focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because more were coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fake villagers kept rising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara wiped sweat from her brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These things just don’t stop.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane calmly gathered more mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They will.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes flicked toward Victor and Alibaba.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...once Victor wins.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1105,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.927Z",1,"novelbin.me","88202c621bf768e3c1c8d38628880b9bb0bbf0093605cd6454a222a53947481d","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-78","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-76",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]