Chapter 21: Valley of Shadows (Part Three)
Shen Yuan sat amidst the scattered corpses, his chest heaving violently as his breath scorched his throat like burning embers.
He raised his head toward the dark sky — the faint stars barely visible through the black mist that filled the valley.
Blood dripped from his right arm in steady trails, forming a small pool beneath him, but it was only a fraction of the suffering consuming his body.
Only two minutes had passed — just enough for him to confirm he was still alive — before the ground began to tremble again.
This time, the sound of crawling was slower, heavier, carrying a murderous intent that made his skin crawl.
From within the shadows, two stone-backed crocodiles emerged — each twice the size of the previous ones. Their rocky armor was thicker, their eyes glowing with a dark crimson hue.
The elder's cold voice echoed in his mind:
"These are the guardians… both are at the high middle stage of the Second Star, close to its peak. Be careful, Yuan — even the smallest mistake will cost you your life."
Shen Yuan replied, struggling to his feet,
"I know… but I won't back down now. If I stop here, I'll never make it past this valley."
He gripped the black sword with both hands, veins glowing faintly red beneath his skin.
At that moment, his face was streaked with sweat and blood, but his eyes were unwavering — as if the whole world had shrunk into his pupils.
The first crocodile moved suddenly — the earth shattered beneath its weight as it charged like a rolling boulder.
Yuan raised his sword and unleashed every shred of energy he had left.
His first strike met the beast's armor, the clash echoing with a deafening metallic roar. The shock traveled up his arms until he thought his bones might crack.
"Damn… its armor is harder than stone!"
He cursed inwardly as he retreated, but the second crocodile had already circled to his flank, its tail whipping through the air like a massive whip.
The gust alone shattered nearby rocks.
He knew if that hit him directly, his body would be crushed.
He lunged forward and leapt, barely dodging. As he spun midair, he thrust his sword toward the beast's eye.
But the creature shut its rocky eyelid just in time — the strike clanged uselessly off solid stone.
Yuan hit the ground on one knee, blood dripping from his palm.
The elder's voice thundered in his mind:
"Use the energy of your Primal Body to reinforce your muscles! Don't rely on it just for offense — let it be your shield as well as your blade!"
The Primal Body Technique wasn't merely passive — it could be activated. By channeling chaotic energy through the body, it granted temporary, explosive power.
Yuan exhaled sharply and closed his eyes for a single heartbeat.
When he opened them again, his blood felt like fire coursing through molten veins, energy spinning violently in his chest.
Every cell in his body vibrated, heat radiating from his skin until his sweat turned to steam.
A dark aura rose around him, distorting the air.
"Come then… let's see if you can stop me now!" he roared, charging forward.
This strike was nothing like before.
When his sword fell, all the force of his primal body focused into his arm — the blow crashed down like a boulder from a mountain.
The crocodile's armor shuddered; fragments of stone flew for the first time.
The beast howled in pain, a sound like grinding iron, and lunged to bite, but Yuan spun behind it, slashing at its hind leg.
The blade didn't sever it, but left a deep, jagged crack.
"It's breaking! I can break it!" he gasped, hope flickering in his eyes.
But that moment didn't last. The second crocodile charged from behind, slamming its massive forelimb onto him.
The crunch of bone echoed, and his scream tore through the valley.
The sword flickered weakly, nearly slipping from his grasp.
The world spun; the pain blurred his vision.
"No… not now… I won't die here…"
He forced his trembling hand against the blood-soaked ground, dragging himself free just before the beast could crush him.
He stood again, staggering, blood running from his nose and ears — yet still, he raised the sword.
The elder shouted within him,
"Stop relying only on your strength! Let your blood flow guide your movement — learn from the battle itself!"
Yuan closed his eyes once more.
This time, he didn't think of striking or blocking — only of the rhythm of his blood. How it pulsed, flowed, and surged.
When he opened his eyes, his body moved with newfound fluidity — not strength, but instinct.
The first step was swift. The second faster. By the third, he was already behind the beast.
Before the crocodile could react, his sword pierced the narrow joint beneath its jaw.
A sharp cry tore through the valley as black blood gushed out like a fountain. The creature convulsed violently before collapsing to the ground.
But the other one didn't hesitate — it attacked in a frenzy.
Its tail whipped through the air, scattering rocks as it slammed into Yuan's side.
He couldn't fully dodge; the blow tore through his ribs, pain exploding through his body.
Yet even as he coughed blood, he screamed from the depths of his chest and drove his sword upward — straight into the beast's throat.
Hot, viscous blood splattered across his face.
For a long moment, neither he nor the beast moved.
Then, with one final breath, the creature fell — and the valley went silent again.
The elder's voice came softly now:
"Well done… but the leader is coming. And this time, it will not be like any fight you've faced before."
Shen Yuan slowly raised his head, the crimson light still burning in his eyes.
He smiled faintly and whispered,
"Then let it
come… even if it's stronger than the heavens themselves — I'll make it bleed like me."
---
Enjoy everyone:)
What do you think of this part?