Chapter Seventy-Five: Azure Dragon Sword Aura, Evil Spirit's Ghostly Eye

The kobold waved his sleeve lightly, and a stone table appeared at his side, adorned with a wine jug and plates of meat. He glared fiercely at Han Chong while tearing into the meat, evidently prepared to wait him out.

But Han Chong could not afford to play this waiting game. Though he had some dry rations in his storage pouch, if this dragged on, he would have to learn another fasting technique to endure, which felt wasteful.

Rather than waste time in stalemate, he decided to study the newly acquired Azure Dragon Sword Manual in his mind. If he could master it quickly, perhaps he could use it to slice through the gray net!

The manual consisted of only three pages, detailing the method for circulating energy, the essentials of controlling sword qi, and the chapter on the intent of the Azure Dragon sword.

In a haze, Han Chong felt himself drifting among clouds in the nine heavens, then plunging into the tide of the sea. He saw a gigantic sword qi dragon, shimmering with azure light, flickering in and out of sight. Its swaying head and tail radiated supreme majesty.

Half a day passed in the blink of an eye. Outside the net, the kobold grew impatient, having yet to devise a way to deal with Han Chong. He could only watch as the troublesome youth began to draw his sword and practice within the Immortal Refining Net.

“Lord Evil Spirit, that kid really is stubborn as a mule, still refusing to give up—he’s still dreaming of a beast’s last stand!” the lacquer-faced judge fawned.

“I’ve got it! I’ve thought of a brilliant way to deal with him!” The kobold’s eyes lit up with joy.

“Oh? Lord, you are truly wise and mighty. What is this ingenious method?”

But the kobold merely fixed a sharp gaze on the lacquer-faced judge, making his heart tremble.

“Heh heh, the Immortal Refining Net traps even gods and ghosts, but it can allow things to enter. I still need to control this treasure, so you, Judge Innocent, must go inside for me,” the kobold said, patting him on the shoulder with a heavy smile.

The judge’s mouth twitched, his face troubled. He hadn’t expected such a rotten idea. He could tell that boy was formidable—a tough bone to chew. If entering the net meant an easy kill, fine; but if they wounded each other, given the lord’s capricious nature, he might also be refined into a wraith, doomed for eternity.

“Lord, I am ever loyal to you—year after year, I worship and pay tribute,” the judge pleaded.

“Fool! As if I don’t know your loyalty. Rest assured, if you kill that boy, I’ll give you command of all the monsters and ghosts in Yunzhou. You’ll be second only to me!”

“This... As you wish, my lord. I shall go,” the judge replied bitterly, unable to refuse.

The kobold lifted his left paw, creating a gap in the gray net, then grabbed the judge with his right and threw him inside.

Han Chong watched their actions, secretly hoping for just this outcome.

As he danced his sword, threads of sword qi, each as long as a finger, began to circle around him, lingering ever longer before dissipating. Gradually, they converged before him, forming a serpentine shape.

The azure serpent grew larger from its initial half-length, and in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, it reached nearly two lengths, still swelling.

Han Chong understood: the technique of the Azure Dragon Sword Manual compressed and condensed one’s sword qi to form the body of the Azure Dragon, capable of destroying heaven and earth!

Yet, this sword manual demanded immense energy and placed great strain on the mind. Moreover, it required intimate knowledge of the anatomy of dragon- and serpent-type monsters to unleash its full power.

Though formidable, its flaw was the time needed to condense the dragon body. In a duel between masters, victory is often decided in moments—not after such lengthy preparation. But trapped within the Immortal Refining Net, it was the perfect place to employ this technique.

Han Chong believed that once he mobilized all his energy into condensed sword qi, he would surely break the net!

As the lacquer-faced judge entered, he witnessed Han Chong’s sword qi serpent forming, its tail swaying with a sharp, chilling aura.

Outside the net, the kobold saw this too, frowning. But it was too late to withdraw the judge now; he could only wait and see.

The judge’s expression hardened. He wielded a white-haired vermilion brush, writing three blood-red characters for “kill,” launching them at Han Chong. The blood-red characters, dripping with menace, were his strongest attack.

“Go!” Han Chong pointed with his left hand, setting the sword qi serpent loose. It struck like a storm, piercing through the three “kill” characters in succession, twisting violently.

In less than two breaths, the characters shattered. The sword qi serpent shot toward the judge.

Terrified, the judge fled around the giant net, like a mouse chased by a cat.

“Freeze!” Han Chong pointed again, immobilizing the judge’s body and soul.

“Ah!” The judge screamed, breaking free from the paralysis in an instant, only to see the sword qi serpent pierce his chest and coil around him, shredding his protective ghost aura and grinding him to dust, dead beyond redemption.

Outside the net, the kobold’s eyes bulged, almost popping from his skull. This youth was truly uncanny!

When the judge first reported the failed Yunzhou plan, all thanks to Han Chong, the kobold hadn’t believed it. But in just a few days, three of his four lieutenants had been slain by this boy!

Even he himself was helpless against Han Chong—truly a nightmare!

Han Chong continued dancing his sword, ever more sword qi pouring forth. The depleted sword qi serpent visibly regenerated and grew, nearing three lengths.

The kobold paced with his hands behind his back, spinning in anxious circles. At this rate, Han Chong’s condensed sword qi would soon break the Immortal Refining Net!

Han Chong saw the kobold suddenly turn, his eyes emitting a sinister silver-gray light. Han Chong’s mind was involuntarily drawn into those diabolic dog eyes, as if he had entered a realm of evil spirits.

He saw monstrous beings a hundred feet tall sharpening their blades, eyeing him hungrily. Even the strongest will would be shaken, forever lost in terror!

The kobold chuckled coldly. His Evil Spirit Ghost Eyes were his hidden trump card, rarely used unless necessary, as it would take ten years to recover.

But once unleashed, the victim would be eternally trapped in a nightmare, living in agony for life!

Han Chong’s face twisted. Though his will was iron, he broke out in cold sweat, his mind reeling.

Suddenly, the power of virtue within him surged, flooding into his eyes, and a revelation dawned.

Divine Virtue Sight!

For the first time, Han Chong felt he could control the power of virtue within him. His mind cleared, and he intensified the outflow of virtue.

A torrent of virtue power flooded back toward the kobold’s eyes.

With a scream, the kobold struggled desperately, covering his eyes with his paws, rolling and howling as blood and tears streamed down his face, staining it a muddy yellow.

“Damn brat, you actually broke my Ghost Eyes! You deserve to die! Ahhhh!”

After a short while, the kobold finally calmed, rubbing his eyes furiously, squinting at Han Chong.

He saw a nearly five-length azure serpent coiled and formed, bursting forward with a crack, tearing a huge hole in the Immortal Refining Net and rushing toward him.

“Damn!” His treasured artifact broken again, the kobold’s heart bled. He scrambled to evade.

“Evil dog, prepare to die!”

“You little bastard, you—you—what did you call me?” The kobold staggered to his feet, trembling with rage.