Chapter 34: Ants

Chapter 34: The Ant

Lying in the cave before them was a fifty-thousand-year-old Rock Dragon Lizard. The scorching heat radiating from its body and the pulsating red veins running across its hide signaled that this particular specimen was of the Fire Element, the most aggressive variation among all elemental Rock Dragon Lizards.

The air was thick with a sweltering heat that made breathing difficult. Even Xiao Wu felt parched, her tongue darting out repeatedly to moisten her dry, cracked lips. She desperately wanted a drink of water, but seeing Bibi Dong standing beside her, she dared not voice even such a trivial request. She could only fix her gaze on Zhong Yan, who was locked in combat with the beast, praying for him to end the fight quickly.

Facing the razor-sharp claws swiping toward him, Zhong Yan did not retreat. Instead, he brandished the Vortex Vanquisher, executing the "Rock Rain" spear technique to clash head-on with the lizard.

Only a short while ago, the Rock Dragon Lizard had been jolted awake by a stone. Upon opening its eyes, it saw a puny human throw yet another stone at it. Enraged, it roared at the human, determined to make this insect pay for disturbing its slumber. When it swung its claws at the tiny figure, the man’s strange spear had nearly sheared its limbs off.

Howling in agony, the creature was now consumed by fury. It resolved to devour this pest. It rarely ate humans—they were lean and tasted foul—but if it didn't feast on this one, it would be an insult to the wounds on its claws.

It began to draw fire elemental power from the earth. While all Rock Dragon Lizards could naturally absorb elements from the soil, they could only channel this power from within their own bodies once they reached fifty thousand years of age. The fire element, which had lain dormant for tens of thousands of years, was awakened. It surged through the red veins on its body, turning the previously dull crimson markings into a vibrant, glowing scarlet.

Now, the lizard no longer feared the strange spear. Yet, as it traded blows again and again with the human, it felt deeply bewildered. The creature before it was so small, yet it possessed strength to rival its own. To be fought to a stalemate by an insect was maddening. With its body now fully warmed up, it could command the dormant fire element at will. It would burn this insect to ashes!

Zhong Yan, meanwhile, was reveling in the intensity of the battle. It had been a long time since a soul beast of only fifty thousand years had forced him to unleash his full potential; it was exhilarating. His "Rock Rain" spear technique was becoming increasingly fluid, and he could now manifest the true "intent" of his spear.

Spearmanship had three realms: Form, Intent, and Spirit.

"Almost... almost there. I am on the verge of touching the threshold of the Spirit realm. Come, again!" he shouted inwardly, his strikes growing sharper and more ferocious.

Suddenly, the lizard spat a fireball. Zhong Yan cleaved it in two with a single strike, only to realize that the first fireball was followed by a relentless barrage of others.

"Trying a sneak attack? Fine, if you want to abandon the rules of fair combat, so be it."

As he spoke, he split another fireball and shifted his feet, retreating. To his surprise, the lizard’s fireballs were both numerous and precise, tracking his every move.

Zhong Yan’s first soul ring ignited.

Stone pillars erupted beneath his feet, launching him into the sky. In his hands, he gripped the Vortex Vanquisher, which had been gathering power during his movements.

"Earth’s Core!" The spear flashed with a blinding golden light as he thrust it toward the lizard.

The creature could sense the overwhelming power contained within the weapon. Instinct screamed at it to dodge, but would Zhong Yan grant its wish?

The ground beneath the lizard collapsed, swallowing it into a pit. Simultaneously, stone pillars rose from all directions, pinning it within the crater. The Vortex Vanquisher descended with unstoppable force.

*BOOM!*

A violent explosion rocked the pit, shattering the stone pillars and kicking up a dense cloud of dust. When the haze cleared, there was no movement from the crater.

"Whew... finally..." Xiao Wu let out a long sigh, then quickly covered her mouth, remembering that Bibi Dong was still there. *It's finally over. Zhong, hurry up and get me some water,* she thought, daring only to finish her sentence in her heart.

The pit remained silent. It seemed the lizard had perished.

"Quickly, adjust your state and absorb the soul ring. To think that a fifty-thousand-year-old soul beast could no longer slow my pace."

However, Xiao Wu failed to notice that Bibi Dong had stiffened, leaning slightly forward. As for Zhong Yan below, he was even less likely to notice her subtle movements.

Suddenly, without warning, the lizard—which should have been dead—burst from beneath Zhong Yan's feet. It opened its massive maw, releasing a concentrated torrent of fire element that had been gathering for a final assault, engulfing Zhong Yan entirely.

"Zhong Yan!" Xiao Wu gasped, watching his figure vanish into the raging deluge of fire. In her panic, she failed to notice that Bibi Dong had not shown the slightest bit of concern, instead relaxing her previously tense posture.

The concentrated fire element flowed like molten lava from the creature's mouth. Suddenly, the lizard seemed struck by an invisible force; it ceased its attack and retreated, letting out a pained howl.

As the "magma" dissipated, Zhong Yan stood perfectly unharmed. Despite the continuous, intense searing, not even the hem of his clothes had been singed.

"Out of fire? Is that it? You call that an attack? You didn't even scratch my shield."

"Since you're out of fire, we can proceed."

A tidal wave of rock surged toward the lizard, forming crystalline stone formations that encased it. He raised his hand, and the Planet Befall appeared, circling him twice before landing in his palm. At the same time, his pitch-black third soul ring lit up.

The previous attack had been a mere show of force to intimidate Tang San, easily handled by his own soul power. But this one was different.

Zhong Yan connected with the Ley Lines. He was instantly overwhelmed by the vast, majestic aura, as if he were staring directly into the face of "Heaven" itself. Just as his consciousness threatened to be assimilated by the greatness of the Ley Lines, the Gnosis within him pulsed, snapping his awareness back.

"That was close. Even for those few seconds, my consciousness was nearly absorbed."

He instinctively checked himself; the connection to the Ley Lines remained, and he could still feel that boundless power, but the overwhelming, god-like presence had vanished.

"Forget it. No use dwelling on it."

Looking at the lizard struggling amidst the shifting stone tiers, Zhong Yan curled his lips into a smile, and the Planet Befall vanished from his hand.

Dark clouds loomed as if to crush the city. A breath of destruction permeated the heavens and earth.

Zhong Yan folded his arms, standing like an Emperor. His golden eyes gazed coldly at the lizard’s massive frame, his sharp, piercing stare looking down at the creature as if it were nothing more than a tiny insect.

"This is the mandate of Heaven!"