Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 154 The Shadow Appears Again

Directly in front of the crack, there stood another human-shaped dark figure.

It was about three zhang tall, completely black, with no facial features, only a pair of blood-red eyes that gleamed eerily in the darkness.

In its hand, it held a black spear with strange runes engraved on the tip, emitting a faint black light.

It exuded a suffocating pressure, several times stronger than the clone we had encountered before.

"An avatar of an extraterrestrial demon, and even more powerful than the previous one."

Zhou Ning gripped the Qingfeng Sword tightly and poured his Nascent Soul power into it.

The sword shone with a dazzling purple-gold light.

Han Wei rushed to his side, his face pale: "Young Master Zhou, what is that?"

Zhou Ning said, "The extraterrestrial demon's clone is another version of himself created by the original body, but it is not as strong as the original body. It seems that he has created quite a few clones."

"Lord Han, you and the guards hold the city walls, I'll deal with it."

Han Wei quickly said, "It's too dangerous for you to go alone. I'll go with you."

Zhou Ning shook his head: "No need. Too many people will only make us more likely to die. You guys hold the city walls and don't let the shadowy figures break in."

He leaped down from the city wall, his figure as swift as an arrow, and sped toward the humanoid black shadow.

The shadowy figure seemed to sense his presence, turned around, and stared at him with blood-red eyes.

Its lips curled up slightly, revealing a strange smile.

"Zhou Ning, we meet again."

Zhou Ning's face turned cold as he directly raised his Qingfeng Sword and slashed out.

A purple-gold sword aura shot out from the sword tip, like a giant purple-gold dragon, heading straight for the black figure's chest.

Wherever the sword energy passed, the air seemed to be torn apart.

The dark figure snorted coldly, swung his spear, and a black spear aura rushed forward.

"boom!"

The two forces collided, producing a deafening explosion.

The land on the wasteland was ripped up, stones flew everywhere, and dust filled the air.

Zhou Ning was forced back several steps, and the dark figure also took a step back, a hint of surprise flashing in its eyes.

"Your strength has increased again; that's truly unexpected."

Zhou Ning did not answer, and instead unleashed another sword strike.

This time, he once again combined the "Demon Slayer Technique" and the "Sky-Splitting Slash," and the sword energy once again transformed into four sword energies, attacking the shadow from four directions simultaneously.

The shadowy figure swung its spear to parry, shattering the three sword energies, but the fourth sword energy grazed its shoulder, leaving a deep wound from which black blood gushed out.

"ah--!"

The dark figure let out a scream and staggered backward.

Its eyes were filled with resentment as it stared intently at Zhou Ning.

"You haven't improved at all. The same old attacks, and you're hurting me in the same spot. Zhou Ning, is that all you know?"

Zhou Ning didn't waste any more words with it, giving it no chance to breathe. He concentrated all his Nascent Soul power at the tip of his sword and unleashed the ultimate move of the "Demon Slaying Technique".

"This move will kill you just like last time. You can try it a few times, and I'll kill you a few times."

A dazzling purple-gold light shone on the Qingfeng Sword.

The light grew stronger and brighter, like a small sun, dispelling all the surrounding darkness.

"cut!"

A massive purple-gold sword aura shot out from the tip of the sword, heading straight for the head of the dark figure.

The shadowy figure tried to dodge, but the sword energy was too fast; there was no time to react.

"Pfft!"

The sword energy pierced through the shadowy figure's head, and black blood gushed out.

"Zhou Ning, I will come again next time. You can't kill me all."

The dark figure looked at Zhou Ning with a sinister smile, then collapsed to the ground, turning into countless black fragments that dissipated into the air.

Zhou Ning sheathed his sword, panting heavily, and walked to the crack.

He stretched out his hands and poured his true energy into the edge of the crack.

This time, the crack did not slowly close; instead, it closed instantly under the glow of purple-gold light and disappeared completely into the sky.

Zhou Ning slumped to the ground, panting heavily.

Large beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Nearly 90% of his Nascent Soul power had been consumed, but he felt incredibly relaxed and joyful.

"Success again."

He stood up and walked back to Qingfeng City.

The black mist over the wasteland gradually dissipated as the cracks disappeared, revealing the parched earth and black fragments scattered everywhere.

Moonlight streamed through the gaps in the clouds, casting a pale halo over this weathered land.

Zhou Ning slumped to the ground, panting heavily.

The Qingfeng sword lay horizontally on his lap, its purple-gold light gradually dimming.

His clothes were soaked with sweat and clung tightly to his body. The wound on his arm was still throbbing, caused by the gunshot wound from the shadowy figure.

The nascent soul in his dantian dimmed considerably, and its purplish-gold light became weak, as if it might be extinguished at any moment.

Although his power in the late Nascent Soul stage was formidable, the continuous battles and the use of the ultimate move of the "Demon Slaying Technique" had taken a heavy toll on him.

"Young Master Zhou!" Han Wei's voice came from afar.

Zhou Ning looked up and saw Han Wei leading several guards running down the city wall and rushing towards him.

Their faces were filled with anxiety and worry, and the weapons in their hands were still stained with black blood, clearly indicating that they had just fought with the shadowy figures on the city wall.

"I'm fine."

Zhou Ning struggled to stand up, but her legs gave way and she almost fell.

Han Wei quickly helped him up, his eyes full of concern.

"You still say you're fine? Your face is as white as paper."

Han Wei took out a clean cloth from his pocket and handed it to him.

Wipe your sweat.

Zhou Ning took the cloth, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and then wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

His movements were slow, and each movement seemed to require a great deal of effort.

"Lord Han, what are the casualties on the city wall?"

Han Wei said, "More than a dozen were injured, but none died. It's all thanks to you taking down that big guy in time; otherwise, if the shadowy figure had rushed in, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

Zhou Ning breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good. Let everyone go back and rest; they probably won't be coming again tonight."

Han Wei nodded and ordered the guards to return to the city.

He helped Zhou Ning walk back to Qingfeng City step by step.

In the city, the people had already been awakened.

They stood at the door and, seeing Zhou Ning return, all crowded around him.

Some brought hot water, some brought food, and some brought clean clothes.

A warm feeling welled up in Zhou Ning's heart, but he was too exhausted to respond to everyone. He simply waved his hand, signaling everyone to go back and rest.

Han Wei helped him into the Demon Suppression Division's encampment, where the guards had prepared hot water and clean clothes.

Zhou Ning took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and ate a bowl of hot porridge before feeling some strength restored.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, regulated his breathing, and focused his mind on his dantian.

Within the dantian, the nascent soul sat cross-legged in the center, its hands forming a mudra, emitting a faint light.

Although the light was dim, one could sense the vitality it contained.

The nascent soul is gradually absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to repair its damaged parts.

This process is slow, but very stable.

"The side effects of the Nascent Soul Technique haven't completely subsided yet, and we've already fought another battle. This time, we'll probably need to rest for even longer."

Zhou Ning gave a wry smile.