Chapter 113: Chapter 22: A Head to Consecrate the Blade
The moment the scarlet pollen sprayed out, it completely enveloped Su Zhou. It then spread in all directions, dyeing the snow-covered ground a deep red. The other Demon Soldiers nearby saw this and hastily scattered, trying to avoid contact with even a single particle.
Those who couldn’t get away in time found their energy instantly sapped the moment they escaped the pollen’s range. They took one, two, three steps, then collapsed to the ground, not even twitching.
This was clearly a Spiritual Poison potent enough to kill even Undead Demon Soldiers outright, or at the very least, completely rob them of their ability to fight back!
"The Red Land Flower!"
Behind them, the Hundred Schools’ Righteous Army was locked in combat with the other Demon Soldiers, and the two other Grandmasters were also engaged. Li Daoran, however, was cutting a path toward Su Zhou with his sword, intending to provide support. But upon seeing the crimson pollen, he was startled. He immediately channeled his Inner Strength to manipulate the air, creating a spiraling vortex to blow the pollen away.
One could see that wherever the pollen touched the surrounding pine forests, the needles yellowed and fell at a rate visible to the naked eye. If this poison were allowed to spread, while it might not scorch the land for a thousand miles, it would certainly leave a wide area completely barren.
"Younger Brother Su?!"
However, before Li Daoran and the other members of the Rebel Army could even begin to worry, a sharp intake of breath was heard from within the shroud of red pollen... followed by the sound of dry heaves!
"BLECH, BLECH, BLECH—this pollen stinks!"
Amidst the toxic pollen, Su Zhou’s figure still stood tall. He lifted his foot and aimed a vicious kick straight at the Red Land Demon General’s spine!
Su Zhou’s furious kick packed enough force to flip a sedan. The Red Land Demon General was sent flying and tumbling over ten meters away, its entire armored form falling to pieces. But there was no crisp snap of a breaking spine; clearly, the Red Land Demon General lacked such a vulnerability.
"Hoo, heh heh heh..."
As an eerie sound emanated from the helmet, tangled masses of roots began to squirm out from the cracks and crevices of the enormous armor with a rustling sound, wrapping around the pieces until they formed a humanoid shape once more.
When the armor rose again, its movements completely defying the limits of human joints, what stood before them was a suit of shattered red armor held together by a tangle of wooden roots. Four reddish-yellow eyeballs swiveled independently in the center of its helmet. At the back of its head, a blood-red Demon Flower, as large as a basin and shaped like a human face, was in full bloom!
"This Red Land Demon General was originally just named ’Red Land’ because he often used the poison of the Red Land Flower and possessed Yang Flame Internal Power. Now he’s actually become a humanoid poison flower... The Demon Dynasty’s evil arts are truly terrifying!"
Li Daoran had arrived by this point and stood shoulder to shoulder with Su Zhou. He seemed unfazed by the Red Land Demon General’s new form, as if he had seen it before. The Grandmaster had intended to offer Su Zhou a vial of Antitoxic Pills, but he noticed that apart from looking nauseous, as if he’d eaten something foul, Su Zhou showed no signs of weakness whatsoever.
"I’m fine. I have a special constitution, immune to all poisons... or at least, this one is no threat. I was hoping this poison would be like the Blue Azure Leaf Poison, with a fresh taste worth savoring. I never expected it to be like bloody sludge—just a corrupt, nauseating stench!"
Su Zhou took several deep breaths as the strong wind on the mountaintop blew away the last of the pollen. After spitting out the final red particles, he grit his teeth. "Grandmaster Li," he growled, "don’t tell me every Demon General has a second form like this?"
Without waiting for an answer, he charged forward, spear in hand. The brilliant Exorcism Spirit Light and the ominous Dark Spiritual Light flared on his Cross Spear Blade, mixing with the Qi Blades generated by his Qi Manipulation and Sky Breaking technique. Wreathed in a ferocious gale, he rushed toward the bizarre, root-bound armor!
"Only the older generation of Demon Generals, those who have abandoned their human bodies and cast aside their humanity..." Li Daoran sighed.
Before he could finish his explanation, Li Daoran also raised his sword and charged forward. Behind him, the trio of Zhou Buyi, Fang Hui, and Liuu Xizhao had used a coordinated attack to temporarily incapacitate several Demon Soldiers. They now rushed to the front lines, eager to lend their master and their friend a hand.
"Master, Brother Su, we’re here to help—huh?"
But Zhou Buyi, who was in the lead, could only stare, dumbfounded. The Red Land Demon General had revealed its complete demonic body and should have been overwhelming them with a powerful counterattack. Instead, it was being utterly dominated from start to finish...
He watched as Su Zhou swung his fifty-kilogram Spirit Iron Cross Spear as if it were a simple wooden branch, a blur of afterimages trailing in its wake. When a swing missed, it sent snow blasting meters into the air and shattered the frozen earth. When it hit, the armored humanoid was knocked airborne, utterly unable to even think about counterattacking.
’Transforming doesn’t make you any heavier. What’s the point of a bigger body and more strength!’
Swinging his spear like a gale, Su Zhou attacked relentlessly—a swing to the left, a swing to the right, a thrust forward, a stab from behind. He even periodically pulled iron chunks from his belt and hurled them at the enemy’s joints, forcing it to constantly change its stance. For the most part, the Demon General could only defend itself. The fight between Su Zhou and the Demon General with its half-broken blade was a ferocious, chaotic mess, sending sparks flying with every clash.
Zhou Buyi saw his master try several times to join the battle with his sword. He even attempted to stir up a Spiral Wind, intending to use the Air Blades formed from his Inner Qi to strike from a distance. But he was always forced back, caught between the pollen from the Red Land Demon Flower that filled the air and the gale produced by the Cross Spear. After a few attempts, he had no choice but to retreat.
"Leave Grandmaster Su to it! Let’s go back to killing Demon Soldiers!"
With a wry chuckle, Li Daoran called out, his tone impossible to read as either pleased or frustrated. Zhou Buyi and the others, still stunned, grunted in agreement and turned back to fight the Demon Soldiers.
