Chapter 72 United in Dismantling

Li Guang’s shadowy form looked at Master, a cold sneer curling on his lips. “Human, let’s see what tricks you have left to dare challenge me.”

Master, panting heavily, raised his head to meet Li Guang’s gaze but said nothing. Li Guang, as if growing bored with his own cruelty, spoke again, “Very well, human warrior. I shall grant you the honor of a glorious death.”

With those words, he swung his massive axe once more, bringing it down on Master in a savage arc. At that instant, the corpse handler, Cheng Quanguang, who had been silent for some time, suddenly shouted, “Elder, dodge! Quickly!”

Master rose to his feet, adopting a defensive stance. Yet just as the axe was about to fall upon him, a sharp metallic clang rang out—a cold gleam flashed past from behind Master, arresting the axe mid-air.

Startled, Master glanced at the silvery light before him. He saw a long spear, crackling with silver lightning, braced against the great axe. He turned his head at once to look at me.

At that moment, I was sprinting toward Master, the black and white double fish on my arm leaping forth, growing several times larger in the air as they charged straight for Li Guang’s shadow. Caught off guard, Li Guang hastily withdrew his axe. Seizing the opening, I vaulted forward, snatching the Tianyinpo spear from where it was embedded in the ground, using its momentum to launch myself at Li Guang’s shadow.

Everyone was stunned—Master’s face showed disbelief as he watched me shoot toward the airborne shadow.

Li Guang’s shadow was entangled by the black and white fish, unable to free himself. Gripping Tianyinpo, I thrust it forward; silver lightning exploded first, striking Li Guang’s form with a thunderous crash, blasting a gaping hole in him. He let out a pained howl, swinging his axe at the double fish, but they dodged nimbly. The spear itself followed, driving straight through his body. Although he was but a shadow, Tianyinpo pierced him cleanly, yet this blow visibly wounded him.

Landing heavily, I summoned the spear back with a gesture—Tianyinpo shot out from behind Li Guang’s shadow and returned to my grasp. The double fish also returned, swirling around me. Li Guang’s shadow had suffered three grievous wounds—at this point, even ‘fury’ could not describe his state.

He pounded his chest with force, bellowing, “Damnable humans! I’ll kill you all! You will die!”

His roar swept through us like a gale, whipping my hair skyward. I stood beside Master; my sudden intervention had given him a moment to catch his breath. He called out to me, “Kid, do you think you can handle those creatures?”

Following his gesture, I saw the four remaining witch beasts eyeing us menacingly. Strangely, though I had just wounded Li Guang’s shadow, they had not moved, as if awaiting orders.

I nodded. Master nodded back, clapping my shoulder. “Leave Li Guang to me—you’re no match for him. Those witch beasts are troublesome enough—just hold them back.”

I nodded again, my gaze icy as I looked at the four beasts. “They hurt you, Master. I won’t just hold them back.”

Master paused, glancing at my profile. I stood beside him, expressionless, my eyes cold, hair and robes streaming back in the wind—a true general’s bearing. Master smiled faintly. “Be careful!”

Just then, Li Guang’s shadow regained his composure. He drew a bull skull from his belt, crushing it violently—the bone crumbled to white ash and drifted toward the witch beasts. Receiving the command, the four beasts sprang at me, confirming my earlier suspicion.

Tightening my grip on Tianyinpo, I frowned at the onrushing creatures. The black and white fish swirled protectively around me. I charged to meet the beasts head-on. Master, catching up to what was happening, murmured, “This kid was still afraid of giant spiders just now, and now he charges in. He truly is my disciple.” He smiled, then shouted, “Brat, be careful!”

I didn’t answer, all my focus on the four beasts. One lashed out with a giant paw—I ducked beneath it, using my momentum. Tianyinpo struck, piercing the beast’s belly. As they say, an animal’s weak spots are its belly and eyes—this proved true, as the beast howled in agony and collapsed.

Without pause, I spun Tianyinpo, seized it, and swept it forward. A flash of cold light and crackling silver lightning struck another beast, felling it before it could even scream.

But as I dispatched that beast, a roar came from behind. I turned—another beast’s massive hand slammed down. I braced Tianyinpo against it, but its hide was tougher than I expected—the spear couldn’t pierce it. The last beast charged me from behind. I tugged at Tianyinpo, but the beast’s paw pinned it to the ground.

Left with no choice, I abandoned the spear and leapt back, dodging their attack. The beast skidded to a halt, spun, and lunged at me with jaws agape. Sensing danger, the black and white fish flew toward it. The white fish blazed with intense light, trapping the beast, while the black fish swelled to several times its size and swallowed the beast’s massive shadow whole.

I was stunned—my black fish could devour a beast the size of a villa! The last remaining witch beast, witnessing this, panicked, retreating in terror. I summoned Tianyinpo back to my hand, raised it, and hurled it at the beast. With a piercing whistle and a beast’s dying scream, the last shadow vanished.

I retrieved Tianyinpo, clutching it tightly, and looked toward Master. He and Li Guang’s shadow were still locked in fierce battle. Seeing the witch beasts destroyed, Li Guang’s face changed. Distracted, he faltered—Master seized the chance. Golden light burst from his eyes, a colossal golden Dao Eye shining down on Li Guang’s head, golden runes streaming forth. Li Guang recoiled in alarm. I acted at once, Dao patterns flaring from my palm, floating around us as I vanished and reappeared behind Li Guang’s shadow. With Master’s Dao Eye in front and my ancient runes behind, we trapped him between us—one side golden, the other exuding an aura of antiquity.

In an instant, golden radiance erupted from Li Guang’s shadow in all directions. Everyone squeezed their eyes shut and fell back. I closed my eyes briefly, hearing Li Guang’s anguished screams. Yet he kept swinging his axe wildly. Master and I didn’t give ground; we pressed our advantage. At last, Li Guang dropped his axe, collapsed to his knees, clutching his head and howling in pain.

After sustaining the Dao Eye for so long, I was exhausted, my strength drained, vision blurring. Yet still Li Guang’s shadow did not dissipate, his screams unending. Seeing me about to collapse, Master shouted, “Hang on, boy! Just a bit longer!”

Master’s shout jolted my fading consciousness awake. I forced my eyes open, gasping and gritting my teeth, Dao patterns streaming endlessly from my palm, swirling before Li Guang’s shadow.

“Aaaargh!” Li Guang’s screams continued. I fought to stay upright. Master, though weary, showed little sign of strain. Then I suddenly remembered the black and white fish still on my arm. My focus had been on Li Guang’s shadow, neglecting them. With a thought, I sent them forth—every Dao rune imprinted upon their forms.

Empowered by the runes, the fish let out a piercing cry and shot toward Li Guang’s shadow. With a thunderous explosion, the fish struck him, and the pressure on me eased. I looked up to see Li Guang’s shadow shattered by their assault, dissolving into drifting motes of light.

Relief washed over me. A smile touched my lips, but I could hold on no longer—my eyes closed and I collapsed. Master moved swiftly, catching me before I hit the ground. Cradling me, he checked my condition, finally sighing in relief. He whispered, “You’ve done well, boy.”

Cheng Quanguang, witnessing the end of the battle, hurried over and knelt beside Master. Master glanced at him and said, “Take care of him for me. There’s still one matter left to settle.”

Cheng Quanguang nodded, understanding what Master meant, and took me into his arms.

Master looked across at Lu Tangjun, who now stood pale as death. Seeing Master’s gaze, Lu Tangjun backed away in terror, pointing at him. “Tan Boqing, don’t do anything rash! Do you know what happens when you push someone too far?”

Master’s face was grim as he advanced, replying, “And what happens when you push someone too far?”