On the Stairs, the dragon-like sprawling mountains were shrouded in thick mist, almost tangible, while the changes of the Chaotic Staircase were undeniably unfolding.
Below, a dozen powerful auras surged upward in a frenzy. This was a fact, yet no one knew what was happening down there. The most intense aura among them belonged to Lu Fei Fan, surging like the ocean's Tide, both tumultuous and ancient, yet raw and youthful.
The members of the Lian Family were the first to dash upward, closely followed by Dongfang Hui and the Dongfang Family. However, those who realized what was happening midway also began to accelerate. Yet, the Stairs trembled with a resounding vibration, clearly indicating that this disturbance was no good omen.
Amidst the swirling dust and smoke, Lu Fei Fan had already swept through, leaving a trail of chaos behind. His speed astonished many.
“Who was that Masked Man’s Fellow just now?”
“His speed is incredible!”
“This Pulse Breathing Technique resembles the military’s Fu Mai Xi Shu, but it also feels different.”
“Are you kidding? How could such a trashy Pulse Breathing Technique exude such an astonishing aura of a giant sea beast?”
Many people followed suit in their discussions as they rushed forward. Gradually, the powerful figures trailing behind Lu Fei Fan also surged past those who were idly chatting, each face grave with concern.
Those who had yet to react found themselves caught off guard.
Suddenly, someone screamed in the thick fog, shouting out in panic.
“What on earth is this?!”
The sound of gunfire erupted from behind, followed by deafening explosions that lit up parts of the mist and revealed some of the chaotic happenings below the Stairs.
Suddenly, those who were still stunned in place were taken aback by the scene before them.
Before their eyes, a series of centipedes, each about a meter long, slowly raised their bodies, emitting a series of chirping sounds. Beneath their horned heads lay sharp, menacing jaws, and their blood-red eyes seemed to see countless prey, drooling incessantly.
“Blood Armored Centipede!”
Someone in the crowd immediately recognized these creatures.
“No, this is an Ancient species!” another person corrected loudly.
After all, the Blood Armored Centipedes before them were larger, their limbs waving menacingly like blades. Illuminated by the flames from the recent explosion, those who had fallen first became food for these centipedes. The sound of them gnawing on flesh and bones sent chills down everyone’s spine.
What was even more despairing was that beneath the Stairs lay a seemingly endless swarm of them, appearing to number in the thousands!
“Run!” someone finally reacted and bolted away.
Hiss...
The centipedes charged fiercely forward. Those who were close could only draw their Zhan Dao to fight back.
However, the sharp metal Zhan Dao merely left dents on the centipedes’ carapaces. In contrast, they sprayed streams of red venom that caused excruciating paralysis or corroded flesh like acid upon contact with those nearby.
Despairing screams were drowned out as a massive wave of centipedes surged forward. Everyone ran up the Stairs as if they had seen a ghost. They began to understand how ironic the expressions of those who had rushed past them moments ago had been, secretly regretting that they hadn’t fled alongside them.
But now, the centipedes were drawn by the scent of blood from those who had fallen. As they climbed with a rumbling sound, their overwhelming numbers filled everyone with dread. Clearly, these centipedes—once dormant somewhere in the mountains—had been attracted by the blood and flesh of those who had perished on the Stairs.
Lu Fei Fan also felt a sense of relief; he had originally planned to proceed at a steady pace. Who would have expected such a terrifying swarm of Blood Armored Centipedes to emerge? Moreover, these monsters had barely been subdued by the relentless bombardment of Energy Grenades.
Of course, Lu Fei Fan had witnessed several Top War Generals engage in fierce battles with the swarm, ultimately being overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Thus, those who saw this horrific scene were left with only one thought: to desperately activate their Pulse Breathing Technique and ascend towards the top of the Stairs. After all, there was no way back; below them lay thousands of hungry Blood Armored Centipedes eagerly awaiting any unsuspecting souls to serve as their next meal.
Lu Fei Fan originally planned to use the Pulse Energy Technique, but he soon realized that the higher he climbed the Stairs, the heavier the invisible pressure became. The drawbacks of the Pulse Energy Technique were laid bare in this environment, magnified infinitely.
After all, its operational speed was inadequate under such immense pressure. In a high-pressure environment, the speed at which this technique could transmit Pulse Energy to the body was clearly insufficient, which was why it was only suitable for cannon fodder.
Lu Fei Fan, who had fallen behind on the Stairs, felt somewhat helpless as many people ahead of him turned to look at him with expressions of impending doom. Yet, whether it was due to the environment or the sudden awakening of the dormant Consciousness within him, he could not tell.
An ancient, beast-like rhythm of energy circulation took over Lu Fei Fan's body. This aura swirled around him like a giant beast, and it felt as if he were being swallowed by a Whale!
It astonishingly merged the surrounding Pulse Energy with his own body, instantly dissipating the overwhelming pressure that had weighed heavily on Lu Fei Fan. His previously leaden steps now felt as light as air.
What was even more surprising was that Lu Fei Fan's nearly extinguished Pulse Breathing Technique suddenly burst forth with a radiant surge of Pulse Energy. This was a scene that Dongfang Hui and Lian Chongtang had witnessed on the Stairs.
Immediately after, an oceanic aura enveloped Lu Fei Fan within a ten-meter radius. The Pulse Energy he generated resembled that of a colossal ancient beast, sending shivers down people's spines. It felt as if this ancient giant beast was ravenously devouring the brilliant essence of Pulse Energy around him, continuously absorbing it into Lu Fei Fan's body.
"Roar!"
Lu Fei Fan shouted as his figure shot upward like a streak of light.
This was the method of energy inhalation and exhalation implanted in his body by the Tomb of the Giant Whale.
Not knowing what to call it, Lu Fei Fan decided to refer to it as the Whale Devouring Pulse Technique!
Under the operation of the Whale Devouring Pulse Technique, Lu Fei Fan's speed soared; he moved through the air like a fish in water or a whale in the sea. The pure and untainted Pulse Energy surged into him, illuminating the chaotic void within him that had once been dim.
During his ascent, Dongfang Hui enveloped her companions from the Dongfang Family with her Wuxiang Dominance Technique domain. The supreme Pulse Breathing Technique was fierce and domineering, making it easier for them to counteract the pressures of the Chaotic Staircase. The group of over ten people moved much more easily within her Pulse Domain, allowing their speed to continually increase.
Dongfang Hui understood that the Pulse Energy on this Chaotic Staircase wasn’t suppressing them; rather, it was simply too pure for many who were accustomed to cultivating their Pulse Breathing Techniques in the outside world. They were unable to adapt immediately.
Fortunately, Wuxiang Dominance Technique grew stronger when faced with strength and became even more domineering in such an environment. Once she adapted, this atmosphere posed no suppression for her; instead, it provided benefits. Thus, she navigated her Wuxiang Dominance Technique domain with even greater ease.
The Masked Man suddenly turned his head, his eyes widening in shock.
“Che.”
Before Dongfang Hui could speak, she sensed something and quickly turned around.
Dongfang Jun was being held back by the two elders of the Soul Snatchers, struggling a bit. However, when he saw the astonished expression on his sister's face as she turned around, he also looked back. Just then, a figure darted past them like a ghost. He didn’t even catch a glimpse of the person; he only felt an overwhelming presence akin to a massive beast sweeping through everyone’s hearts, sending chills down their spines.
“What... what is this?” Dongfang Jun stammered, disbelief evident in his voice. There were only a handful of people from the Free Federation who could surpass his sister in such an environment—Great Fox Manor counted as one, his older brother as another, and that mad dog Bai Xu Chang was another. Lian Qingzong and Luo Jing were slightly less capable, but they were still not in the running at all.
Yet that person had just breezed through effortlessly, turning the surroundings into their own domain without any effort!
In the brief moment that passed, Dongfang Hui’s expanded Wuxiang Dominance Technique domain felt as if it had been crushed by a giant beast, scattering in all directions. However, Dongfang Hui was not one to be easily defeated.
“Is that Great Fox Manor?” someone exclaimed in shock.
“Not likely! The Deep Sea Behemoth's method of devouring isn’t the Izumo Overlord Technique from Great Fox Manor!” another person asserted confidently.
“Let’s move!” Dongfang Hui interrupted the murmurs in the crowd, turning around and leading everyone forward. The Wuxiang Dominance Technique domain once again enveloped them all.
The masked man named Che glanced at Dongfang Hui as he passed by her. She focused intently on him, trying to discern more about this mysterious figure.
Watching that fleeting silhouette disappear into the distance, Dongfang Hui wondered who this person was. How could he surpass her in such an environment? If she weren’t leading a group of people, she might have been able to chase after him and find out more.
What shocked her even more was that her Wuxiang Dominance Technique and Pulse Domain had been disrupted merely by his passing. The level of frustration and astonishment she felt was immense!
Dongfang Hui’s pride was something Lu Fei Fan was unaware of; he was simply focused on moving forward. As he passed by Dongfang Hui, he didn’t wish to have any noticeable contact with them, so he deliberately quickened his pace. The Whale Devouring Pulse Technique flowed through him with newfound familiarity and ease as if it had just been activated.
He was unaware that his unintentional passing had caused such a significant psychological shock to Dongfang Hui.
However, just as he surged forward for a short distance, he encountered another group of people.
These were members of the Lian Family. He recognized Jiang Lao and Lian Qingzong among the crowd. These two old rivals prompted Lu Fei Fan to decide to charge past them just as he had before.
Once again, an astonishing azure glow surged forth from Lu Fei Fan, and the members of the Lian Family clearly sensed the approaching aura behind them. They all turned to look at Lu Fei Fan with a sense of impending danger.
Yet, with his mask on, Lu Fei Fan's appearance was indistinguishable from that of an ordinary mercenary, not resembling any scion of a prominent family.
Lu Fei Fan transformed into a blue streak, moving swiftly like a vibrant rainbow.
But Lian Chongtang, who was leading the way, furrowed his brow in reluctance and anger surged within him.
"Hmph, I must see what you're made of!" Lian Chongtang raised his hand and immediately reached out toward the figure that had suddenly overtaken him.
A massive Energy Giant Claw shot toward Lu Fei Fan from behind with a thunderous roar!
Comment 0 Comment Count