Chapter 215: Ziyun

A tall figure dressed in purple robes darted out. Slung across her shoulder was a thick tube still flickering with flames. The fire and explosion moments ago had blasted from this very tube.

This was a firearm known as Dragon’s Roar, crafted from sulfur, saltpeter, and charcoal. The shed-like device fired explosive flames, like a dragon breathing fire.

Beneath the purple-clad woman was a massive Snow Domain Silver Wolf, its fur glossy and silver-white, easily three to four meters long, charging forward with her riding upon it.

Moments earlier, while buried in the snow, the woman’s face had been pale blue, her lips purple, shivering violently from the cold. But now, the warmth radiating from the Dragon’s Roar’s blast transferred to her through the flames, driving away much of the chill that had gripped her entire body.

The Power of Mind and Spirit could forcefully twist a person’s spirit, making them feel cold. Similarly, surrounding fires or the air’s temperature could make a person feel warmth, chasing away the chill. One was mental, the other physical, yet they could interact and influence each other. This represented a mysterious, cyclical force within the world.

Zuo Zhicheng’s figure appeared dozens of meters away. Seeing the purple-clad woman on the wolf’s back, he softly clapped his hands. “You must be Ziyun? I am Zuo Zhicheng. If you don’t want to get hurt, it’s better you come with me quietly.”

Ziyun glanced at the spot still smoldering from the flames, then back at Zuo Zhicheng’s current position, surprise flickering in her eyes. She seemed shocked by his incredible speed. Yet, hearing his name, a flash of understanding crossed her gaze.

“So it’s the Heavenly Serpent King. I’d never imagined a small woman like me would warrant your personal attention.”

As she spoke, she whistled sharply. From the snowy tunnel behind her, four more Snow Domain Silver Wolves, slightly smaller in size, leaped out. They shook themselves vigorously, shedding snow from their fur, and fixed predatory stares on Zuo Zhicheng’s location.

Evidently, the Snow Domain Silver Wolves, with their extreme cold resistance, had endured Zuo Zhicheng’s wave of chilling power.

Zuo Zhicheng looked calmly at the wolves flanking Ziyun. His expression was serene, as if they weren’t formidable Ancient Beasts, but mere dogs.

“I see,” he remarked. “It seems the intelligence was mistaken. You don’t attract Snow Domain Silver Wolves; you control them. I’m quite curious how you manage that.” He sniffed the air lightly, a trace of realization dawning on his face. “You carry an unusual odor on you. Is that the key?”

Seeing Ziyun’s expression stiffen, Zuo Zhicheng continued, “Looks like I guessed correctly. My task is to bring you back. Unless absolutely forced, I have no wish to kill you.”

“So, I advise you, for your own life’s sake, not to resist.”

“Even ants struggle to stay alive,” Ziyun countered. “What good outcome could I expect if I fell into the hands of your Shadow Corps?” She waved her hand. Immediately, the Snow Domain Silver Wolves circling them began advancing slowly towards Zuo Zhicheng, forming a ring.

However, the wolves clearly understood Zuo Zhicheng’s power, approaching cautiously, their eyes filled with wary vigilance.

Zuo Zhicheng shook his head. “Your Dragon’s Roar is impressive. Such devices are exorbitantly costly to make. Even the most skilled artisans succeed only once in ten attempts. That you possess one speaks volumes about your high status within the Dìyù Gate. The higher your rank, the safer you’ll be if captured.”

“And though the Dragon’s Roar’s firepower is formidable – a direct hit would likely kill even an ordinary Human Aspect Martial Artist on the spot – your own skill is too poor. Even if I stood on one leg, you couldn’t hit me.” Zuo Zhicheng’s eyelids lowered. “I urge you not to be foolish. That way, I won’t end up killing you by accident.”

He appeared like a master both compassionate yet supremely arrogant, but in truth, he was using his words to pressure Ziyun’s psyche while seizing the moment to recover his own Heartscape.

Zuo Zhicheng never underestimated any adversary. Despise the enemy strategically; respect them tactically. Having fought and killed his entire life, he understood this principle well.

Indeed, a flicker of uncertainty crossed Ziyun’s eyes. But she quickly shook her head, regaining her resolve. “Don’t think you can confuse me with words. Today, even if it means death, I will not fall into the Shadow Corps’ hands.”

“Then you can try.”

The syllables “try” had barely left Zuo Zhicheng’s mouth when his feet stirred minutely. His figure blurred, and he appeared directly before Ziyun. Violent winds whipped around him, shrouding his form. A pale, delicate hand shot out towards Ziyun’s shoulder.

The speed was incredible. The displaced air struck Ziyun’s shoulder with a sharp crack, a fraction of a second before Zuo Zhicheng’s hand would have connected. That mere graze sent waves of numbness and soreness through her shoulder, temporarily paralyzing it.

The gap between an ordinary person and Zuo Zhicheng was simply too vast. Just a brush could break bones and sever tendons.

Yet, this supremely fast, supremely ruthless strike, one Zuo Zhicheng was certain would succeed, closed on empty air.

Zuo Zhicheng grabbed nothing. Ziyun hadn’t reacted. But the enormous Snow Domain Silver Wolf beneath her had. As an Ancient Beast with Orange-Level Physique Strength, it registered the movement instantly. Without even glancing at Zuo Zhicheng, its four legs pistoned against the snow, speeding away instantly.

“Hmph?” A cold snort escaped Zuo Zhicheng. To Ziyun’s ears, it seemed the very world dimmed with that sound, frozen by boundless killing intent and chill. Behind her, accompanied by the sharp shriek of rushing air, a deathly pale hand clawed at the center of her back.

But something strange happened again. Zuo Zhicheng’s fingers snapped closed with a metallic clash, like an iron claw retracting. This time, he had missed by mere centimeters. The blow struck nothing.

In that split second of delay, the giant Silver Wolf surged forward putting dozens of meters between itself and Zuo Zhicheng in the blink of an eye.

Missing consecutively twice, however, only drew a grin onto Zuo Zhicheng’s face.

‘Just as the intelligence described… this effect… is it Close at Hand?’

Still smiling, his hand pushed backwards casually, almost lazily. Yet, the head of one of the charging Snow Domain Silver Wolves seemed to fly into his palm. A sickening CRUNCH echoed. The wolf’s skull shattered under his grip. With a choked whine, it went limp, dead.

Undeterred, the remaining three wolves lunged savagely. Their eyes burned crimson, as if gone mad. One hurtled towards his shoulder, teeth bared. Zuo Zhicheng casually chopped sideways. His hand slammed like a blade into another wolf’s throat, shattering its spine instantly. But the wolf, its lower body paralyzed, ignored its own fate. Its jaws clamped down viciously on Zuo Zhicheng’s shoulder with bone-crushing force, acting like they shared some deep hatred.

Zuo Zhicheng frowned slightly. He hadn’t anticipated the wolves’ suicidal ferocity. A subtle shudder ran through his shoulder. As he activated the Yama Golden Body, the embedded teeth shattered against his hardened flesh. With a casual twist of his palm, he flung the still-biting wolf carcass over a dozen meters away.