The crimson gold serpent cut through the land, its vast body tearing through spirit fields and stone paths alike. Scales scraped harshly against rocks, throwing off showers of sparks as it twisted and surged forward with extreme urgency.
Within its massive body, the middle aged man shuddered uncontrollably. Every violent turn sent pain through his wounded body, as though his bones were being ground into powder.
The serpent was fast, far faster than Jiang Chen, yet fear gnawed at the man's heart like never before.
'Hurry… hurry…'
Through the serpent's shared senses, he watched Jiang Chen advance toward his residence.
His wife. His son.
The thought shattered his composure completely.
'Damn it… damn it all… why must mortals be dragged into cultivator disputes… why must you force me like this…'
Hatred surged alongside terror. Hatred toward Jiang Chen for being ruthless beyond reason. Hatred toward himself for lacking the strength to stop him. Hatred toward this heartless cultivation world. Why must reality be so cruel?
Jiang Chen arrived first.
He raised his leg and kicked the metal gate, sending it flying across the courtyard.
He had only managed to take one step inside when the ground behind him trembled. The crimson gold serpent smashed through the compound wall, bricks scattering like rain. Its massive body lunged forward with terrifying speed, fangs bared like blades.
"Kill him!" the middle aged man roared from within.
Jiang Chen acted as if he had expected it all along.
Golden light flared.
The punch landed squarely against the serpent's skull. The collision sounded like thunder striking iron. The shockwave rippled outward, cracking the stone beneath Jiang Chen's feet as he slid back several steps.
The serpent fared worse. Its enormous body was blasted sideways, crashing into the opposite wall and collapsing it completely as rubble buried half its form.
Dust rolled across the courtyard like fog.
The serpent hissed venomously.
It charged again.
The battle erupted fully within the confined space. The serpent coiled and slammed its massive body downward, attempting to crush Jiang Chen into a bloody paste beneath its sheer mass.
Jiang Chen was fearless.
Heavenly Tiger Fist roared without end. Each strike carried the ferocity of a divine tiger tearing mountains apart. Golden phantoms clashed against crimson scales, sending shockwaves through the courtyard, cracking tiles and rippling the water surface in the pool.
Inside the serpent, the middle aged man screamed in fury.
"Kill him! Kill him now!"
Every impact rattled his already broken body. Shock transferred directly through the beast into his organs. He swallowed pills like a madman, forcing his consciousness to remain intact.
The serpent fought like a cornered beast. It twisted, constricted, and lunged relentlessly. Its vitality was terrifying. Its speed even made Jiang Chen click his tongue.
Minutes stretched like hours.
Gradually, the tide of the battle shifted.
Jiang Chen started gaining ground. His strikes became more effective. The serpent was forced into defensive movement, its coils tightening, its charges growing weaker and slower.
Still, it did not fall.
Jiang Chen's breathing became uneven. His arms burned faintly, shallow cuts lining his knuckles. The spiritual essence in his dantian was barely half its former quantity.
But his eyes remained steady.
'This is dragging on…'
Jiang Chen suddenly changed tactics.
He stepped past the serpent instead of engaging it. His body blurred as he charged straight toward the house.
The cruel intent was nakedly clear.
The middle aged man's heart nearly stopped.
"No! Stop him!"
His mind erupted into panic as he forced his will into the serpent. The serpent lunged desperately, forcing its massive body between Jiang Chen and the stairs, scales tearing as it ignored fresh wounds.
"You choose death," Jiang Chen uttered as he fought on.
By now, the courtyard was soaked crimson from gashes along the serpent's body.
The serpent's movements grew more sluggish. Its roars continued to weaken.
Nevertheless, it fought on.
'This has gone far too long. I have to end it.' Jiang Chen's gaze hardened.
"Ugh…!" Inside the serpent, the middle aged man hacked violently, blood spilling from his lips as his eyes turned bloodshot.
He too reached the same conclusion as Jiang Chen. His injured body could no longer endure, and the treasured beast carrying him was nearing its limits as well.
Both sides prepared to gamble.
Jiang Chen clasped his hands together. Golden light exploded outward like sunrise tearing through clouds.
He smashed downward.
BAM-!!!
The serpent's head was driven straight into the ground. The earth cracked open like a broken shell. The courtyard shook with a ear-shattering sound as the serpent's skull was buried halfway into the ground.
The beast convulsed in pain.
Jiang Chen moved instantly. He vaulted over the writhing coils and charged up the stone steps. He was a breath away from smashing the wooden door open.
From within the house came the quiet cries of a woman and a child.
The middle aged man roared in panic and despair.
"Get up! Get up now!"
The serpent shrieked and forced itself upright. Scales split apart as blood streamed freely. Ignoring everything, it charged with terrifying speed straight toward Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen turned with golden light blazing along both arms.
At the instant of collision, two figures peeled away from his body. One to the left. The other to the right.
Both the clones struck simultaneously.
Twin golden fists smashed into the serpent's jaws. The impact forced its mouth open.
Inside, the middle aged man was exposed. His face drained of all color.
"Shit!"
Jiang Chen rushed forward. His right leg stomped downward, forcing the serpent's lower jaw apart, while both fists punched upward against the upper fangs. His muscles screamed as he attempted to rip the serpent's mouth fully open.
Flesh tore.
A geyser of hot blood erupted.
For a heartbeat, it seemed the beast would be torn apart.
However, the serpent resisted furiously. Its entire mouth shuddered under the strain. Blood poured from within, splashing across Jiang Chen's arms and face.
Driven mad by fear, the middle aged man ripped the embedded sword from his palm and stabbed forward ruthlessly, aiming straight for Jiang Chen's chest.
"Die!"
Jiang Chen reacted instantly. His left leg hooked beneath the serpent's tongue and swept upward. The sudden movement disrupted everything. The man lost his footing and tumbled backward, curses spilling from his mouth.
At that instant, another clone split from Jiang Chen.
It plunged straight into the serpent's mouth.
A muffled scream echoed from within.
The clone struck like an eagle. Its hands formed claws and tore into the man's throat, ripping out a chunk of flesh in a spray of blood.
The man's eyes widened, regret flickering briefly before life vanished.
'Why… did I return…'
The scream ended.
The serpent froze mid motion.
Its massive body went limp, collapsing lifelessly.
Jiang Chen leapt backward, escaping just before its bulk slammed into the earth with a heavy crash.
Moments later, the clone burst out from the serpent's side. Flesh exploded outward as it dragged the corpse in one hand and the sword in the other, tossing the body unceremoniously at Jiang Chen's feet.
Jiang Chen stood there, breathing roughly.
"Hah, you were more troublesome than expected."
He surveyed the ruined courtyard.
It was an ugly sight.