Chapter Twelve: Slaying the Dragon-Hound

At that very moment, Zhao Yuan moved. The black flames that burned fiercely surrounded the Dragon Devourer Beast, his hands entwined with fire. One large hand seized the beast’s forepaw.

Impossible.

Everyone thought the same—no matter what strength Zhao Yuan still possessed, he could not possibly be a match for the Dragon Devourer Beast!

Yet reality was astonishing. The black flames transformed into a blade, gripped tightly by Zhao Yuan, and he brought it down hard upon the beast’s forepaw. The ruthless ferocity of the strike stunned the Zhu family.

Man and beast clashed once more, but this time, the battle was no longer one-sided. Though Zhao Yuan’s strength did not surpass the Dragon Devourer Beast, there was an undeniable dominance about him.

The Dragon Devourer Beast was battered into constant howls, retreating in terror.

A furious roar burst forth from the beast as black smoke sizzled from its wounded forepaw, slashed by Zhao Yuan. Driven mad with pain, it lashed out wildly.

Its strength was formidable, but Zhao Yuan’s relentless assault had broken its composure; fear had taken root. This beast, stronger by a margin, had been cowed by Zhao Yuan.

Throughout the fight, Zhao Yuan’s power only grew. He was like a war god, braver with each exchange, while the beast, though a rare creature, was consumed by dread. The tide of battle turned against it.

“Nine stars—Zhao Yuan definitely possesses the power of nine stars now!”

The Zhu family watched in terror. Though not as strong as the Dragon Devourer Beast, Zhao Yuan had reached nine stars—no longer someone to be easily subdued. What was even more frightening was that he had not yet reached his limit.

His relentless dominance in battle, crushing his foe with overwhelming might, filled onlookers with fear and an almost suffocating sense of suppression.

Such a scene was usually seen only when facing those with weak fighting spirit; who had ever witnessed a ten-star Dragon Devourer Beast being beaten into submission by Zhao Yuan?

Again, the beast roared, afraid of the madman before it.

“Zhao Yuan, if you harm it, you’ll make an enemy of the Demonic Scourge Sect! They won’t let you go! That beast is Su Lie’s beloved pet!” a voice shouted in warning.

Zhao Yuan sneered. So what if it was Su Lie’s pet?

His strength would only grow stronger. He would eventually defeat every adversary in his path, leaving no opportunity for others to exploit. How could he falter here?

No, impossible—absolutely impossible!

Zhao Yuan stepped forward again, each stride as unshakeable as a mountain bearing down on the Dragon Devourer Beast.

The beast dodged with greater desperation, wanting nothing more to do with this madman, frantically evading every attack.

With a thunderous crash, Zhao Yuan launched a sudden assault. Already wounded, the beast’s paw was split in two by his strike, falling to the ground.

“Are you mad, Zhao Yuan? This is suicide!” the crowd cried in horror. That was Su Lie’s cherished pet—how were they to answer for this disaster?

“Stop! Stop at once!”

With the power of nine stars and such ferocious attacks, not even the Dragon Devourer Beast could withstand Zhao Yuan. Was he still human?

Everyone’s hearts were filled with fear, yet more terrifying was the fact that Zhao Yuan’s every action further wounded the beast.

Soon, it was covered in wounds. If this continued, Zhao Yuan would truly kill it!

Cries erupted from all sides, demanding that Zhao Yuan cease. But he could no longer hear them; in his mind, there was only the fight—battle to the death! What did it matter who stood behind his foe?

He could kill them all the same! Victory would be his, even at the cost of his enemy’s life. Zhao Yuan strode forward, swiftly blocking the beast’s escape.

The Dragon Devourer Beast shook its head and tried to shield itself, using its massive frame to resist the onslaught.

It died. Zhao Yuan suddenly erupted with power, black flames consuming its body. The enormous creature collapsed, lifeless and silent, as if the brutal, thunderous battle before had never happened. Its death was abrupt, chilling everyone to the core.

“Dead? How is this possible? How did Zhao Yuan do it?”

Fear—overwhelming fear—spread among the crowd. In their eyes, Zhao Yuan had become an insurmountable force.

“He’s so strong!”

The same thought arose in every heart—the Dragon Devourer Beast had fallen.

Seizing the moment of chaos, Zhao Yintian burst into action. In a few swift leaps, he escaped far into the distance, vanishing from sight.

Zhao Yuan was spent, collapsing where the battle had raged, beginning to recover. No one dared approach him. Even weakened, he was still the figure they had just witnessed in battle.

“How could Zhao Yuan possibly be so strong?”

That question echoed in every mind.

Now, no one dared to be careless. They surrounded him cautiously, wary of any change. The situation reached a delicate balance: Zhao Yuan did not flee, and none dared attack. This moment of “harmony” was a precious chance for Zhao Yuan to recover.

Members of the Demonic Scourge Sect hurried to a nearby cave. The beast was dead—the shocking news unsettled them deeply.

Yet Old Master Zhao remained unconscious, seemingly unable to awaken.

As long as he was there, they felt some reassurance and could breathe a little easier.

Outside, the Dragon Devourer Beast’s corpse lay starkly, a testament to Zhao Yuan’s actions. He was the undisputed protagonist, standing like a statue as his strength rapidly recovered.

Zhao Yuan was the very image of a warrior who grew stronger in battle, and the beast’s death was the ultimate proof. For now, none dared challenge him—not even the Demonic Scourge Sect knew what to do.

Their anxiety grew unbearable. Su Lie’s pet was dead—what would he do?

Some turned to Su Lie. His expression was shrouded in gloom, terrifying to behold.

Yet he did not move. The shadow in his eyes was fixed on Zhao Yuan, but he remained still.

Was this an admission of defeat?

Zhao Ling’er finally breathed a sigh of relief, coming to Zhao Yuan’s side to guard him.

“Do any of you still dare to make a move?” Zhao Ling’er shouted coldly. “Let’s see who dares to try!”

These people, after attacking Zhao Yuan and losing a ten-star Dragon Devourer Beast, could hardly muster the face to continue.

Zhao Ling’er, with her authority, stilled them all with that command.