[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou":3,"chapter-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-52":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Ink Saint of Great Zhou",{"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},2292015,4481,"Chapter 52: Chapter Fifty-Two: We","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-52",52,"\u003Cp>“Do we still go today? Maybe wait a day or two—going now, they’ll be on guard!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shui Yao said anxiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang shook his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We must go today. Think about it—the demon clans are united, and they can’t rapidly mobilize strong forces in a short time. Waiting another day or two only gives them more time to prepare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, the human race’s destiny, the Kun, won’t last much longer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We must quickly end our diversion in the east and head west to meet with Pei Kuang and the others for the next phase of the plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shui Yao said nothing more and once again transformed into black mist, clinging to Lu Fang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To save Xue Luo Sha, she had no other choice but to follow Lu Fang to the bitter end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Trust me—before, I only had a sixty percent chance of success. After communicating with He Zixuan via transmission talisman yesterday, I’m now confident it’s eighty percent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang offered a few words of reassurance and headed once more toward the eastern flank of the demon-human frontline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After days of accumulation, his scholarly aura had nearly reached two strands, allowing him to better handle the dangers ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as it wasn’t a coordinated strike by the demons’ top-tier forces, he believed he could handle it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From He Zixuan, he also learned that Pei Kuang had gathered over thirty people—far exceeding his expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was progressing in the right direction…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky of the Lesser Upper Realm was strangely capricious: just moments ago, the sun blazed high; now, dark clouds rolled overhead, thunder rumbling deep within them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was because Lu Fang had lured and killed the barbarians yesterday, scaring them, or for some other reason, the mountains to the east were eerily silent, radiating a sense of deathly stillness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confidence was one thing; caution was another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Lu Fang did not boldly fly toward Bald Mountain to provoke them—he walked slowly, creeping forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he sensed demonic aura scattered everywhere, he sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they were prepared—barbarians replaced by demons as sentinels?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was expected. If no powerful enemy had been stationed here, Lu Fang would have hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demons ahead weren’t clustered together—they were spread out everywhere!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After roughly mapping the surroundings, Lu Fang suppressed his aura and silently approached the two demon sentinels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the last time!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to perform an act so shocking it would terrify the demon-human alliance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right here, within this Bald Mountain frontline, he would kill each demon one by one!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bolt of lightning struck down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where Lu Fang had just stood, rocks shattered, plants withered, and dust swirling upward still crackled with electric arcs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Found you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fire-Stepping Thunder Leopard hovered above, its hooves resting on flames, its sleek black fur crackling with electric sparks, and behind it, a semi-transparent wing formed from wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Run!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shui Yao’s voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since they were prepared, retreat was better than fighting!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang instantly became a streak of light, fleeing back the way he came—he hadn’t sensed the Fire-Stepping Thunder Leopard at all before being spotted; clearly, it possessed some special perception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to abandon his original plan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know if the demons had other tricks up their sleeves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fire-Stepping Thunder Leopard watched Lu Fang flee, a mocking smirk on its leopard face. It let out a long, piercing roar—and immediately, sharp howls echoed from all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From every corner of Bald Mountain, over a dozen demons rose into the air, forming a ring that trapped Lu Fang in the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shui Yao felt a terrible premonition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re done!” Lu Fang’s voice was louder than hers, his face twisted with regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead, a bull demon blocked his path—its hooves hovering in midair, its muscular bulk like boulders, wielding a long-handled great blade that radiated terrifying authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Done? Moo, let Old Bull here chop you in half!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bull demon excitedly flicked its short, stubby tail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lu Fang neared the bull demon, his face grim, he suddenly grinned, letting the Xuan Armor carry him forward while he raised both hands diagonally upward and clenched them tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spectral image of Guan Yun Chang appeared!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spiritual Soul: Green Dragon Crescent Blade!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of cold light swept across the bull demon!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bull demon’s blade had barely risen when its massive body was severed at the waist!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prime beef!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After killing the bull demon, Lu Fang didn’t flee—he stuffed the “beef” into his storage pouch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why aren’t you running?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shui Yao’s voice rose several octaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Lu Fang could answer, the Fire-Stepping Thunder Leopard arrived—its speed like a gale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re done! It’s too fast!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang’s voice cracked with panic; under the Xuan Armor’s pull, he shot away as a streak of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fire-Stepping Thunder Leopard’s face grew serious—the immense power Lu Fang had just displayed, slicing the bull demon in one blow, had made it wary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clever human!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just shouted “We’re done!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then struck instantly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fire-Stepping Thunder Leopard changed tactics—relying on its speed, it only blocked Lu Fang’s escape, refusing to fight him directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its main goal was harassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re clever, aren’t you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We have numbers—we’ll wear you down, one by one!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re done! They’re all catching up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time Lu Fang changed direction to flee, the Fire-Stepping Thunder Leopard “perfectly” intercepted him. He cried, “We’re done!”—but his hands swung hard at the approaching purple-furred marten: “Spiritual Soul: Green Dragon Crescent Blade!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The purple-furred marten was famed for its speed, so it was the first to pursue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the moment they met, it seemed locked in place—despite its evasive maneuver—it was still cut down in one stroke!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re done! This leopard demon wants to wear me down!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang dodged another lightning bolt spat by the Fire-Stepping Thunder Leopard, glared furiously at the beast watching from afar, sighed helplessly, and changed direction again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When another demon caught up, Lu Fang slashed it down with one blow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This pattern repeated again and again…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, Shui Yao frantically urged him to flee—but gradually, she fell silent. Watching this scene, even a fool could see—he was feigning weakness!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if this continued, it was clearly disadvantageous for him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why didn’t he use his extraordinary power—Zang Hua Yin—to restrict the Fire-Stepping Thunder Leopard’s speed and escape?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking with Xue Luo Sha via transmission talisman, Shui Yao knew Lu Fang’s extraordinary power could suppress an opponent’s full range of abilities—she just didn’t know it could also enhance him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She also didn’t know his scholarly aura was sufficient to sustain this prolonged battle against the demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang had originally intended to flee—but after testing the Fire-Stepping Thunder Leopard’s strength, he changed his mind on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would continue his plan: instilling fear in the demon-human alliance within the eastern region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fire-Stepping Thunder Leopard was fast?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, very fast!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang had Zang Hua Yin—he welcomed opponents with strong momentum and speed; it made no difference to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re done! We’re done!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang spoke again, noticing the remaining demons all wore expressions of “Again? Who are you fooling? Which demon is that stupid?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d all learned their lesson—the strongest, the Fire-Stepping Thunder Leopard, held back, and the others kept their distance, doing nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>",1214,"2026-06-20T03:56:21.568Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9f2c43045d225c744dc02c568df484e086a535c142b5df116fb339ba3d7eb827","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-53","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-51",289,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-cover.jpg"]