Chapter Nineteen: Save My Son

Zhao Yuan knew all too well that this could not go on; it was no solution. At this moment, Su Lie still feared his strength, but if Su Lie were to brace himself and fight to the death, he would truly stand little chance of victory. Moreover, Zhao Ling’er was by his side. If Su Lie’s desperation resulted in harm to Ling’er, things would take a turn for the worse. Ling’er’s power was still insufficient, and while Zhao Yuan could withstand Su Lie’s abilities to a degree, she could not.

“If Ling’er gets hurt, there’s no telling what might happen,” he thought anxiously.

Now, only the barbaric ox bloodline remained as an option. Though he possessed merely the Black Rune of the First Star, he hoped it would be enough to withstand Su Lie’s assault. If he did not risk it now, both his and Ling’er’s lives would likely end here. That damned woman, Yu’er...

“Hah, you thought to use me as a tool, to harm them, and this time you succeeded,” he muttered bitterly.

When he survived this tribulation, he would see how he dealt with her.

Suddenly, heaven and earth changed color. Lightning streaked down from the sky, and Zhao Yuan’s body began to grow, his muscles swelling with power. Bolts of lightning circled him, and those nearby scattered, fearing for their own safety—who knew if these bolts might strike them, innocent bystanders though they were.

Everyone knew Zhao Yuan carried the barbaric ox bloodline, but none had imagined its power could be so terrifying.

From afar, Su Lie saw this and sensed imminent danger. He shouted, “You dare, boy!”

“Su Lie, old villain, what don’t I dare? You’ve pushed me to this point; what is left that I would not risk?” Zhao Yuan replied, his strength growing ever more formidable.

Su Lie realized that if he did not act now, all would be lost. Zhao Yuan was determined to fight to the death. Yu’er too—this time, she had met her match. He had once valued Zhao Yuan, but now saw him as a fool incapable of recognizing good fortune.

If he could not make this talent his own, so be it. It was time to use that object.

“This boy, to force me to use the Beast Rune—such luck! Most will never see such a thing in their lifetime.”

To witness it was enough; even if the boy died, he could die without regret. Of course, this time, he was doomed. The Beast Rune was wasted on him—how fortunate. Hmph!

When he returned, he would caution Yu’er to be more careful, to avoid provoking such formidable opponents again.

Su Lie drew out the Beast Rune. The sky, which had been in turmoil, suddenly calmed, though lightning still surrounded Zhao Yuan. Comparing both sides, it was impossible to tell who held the greater advantage.

Su Lie tossed the rune into the air. Amidst the wild winds, the delicate sheet of paper did not drift but hovered steadily in midair. He bit his finger and, using his blood as medium, traced a mysterious symbol in the sky.

In an instant, dazzling light erupted. All manner of magical beasts leapt from the rune, each displaying its most majestic posture. In that moment, those who had lingered nearby, hoping to seize the spoils, scattered and fled desperately. This battle was now beyond their comprehension or ability to interfere.

If Su Lie failed to control the rune’s power, even the slightest touch could mean death or grave injury for them. None could bear such a consequence; moreover, if handled poorly, Su Lie himself risked being consumed by the rune’s power.

“Run! Run!” cried the terrified onlookers.

Zhao Ling’er was already stunned, not knowing what to do or what she could do. She stood there, dazed, watching the struggle between Zhao Yuan and Su Lie.

The old Zhao patriarch, fallen to one side, witnessed this and was furious, wishing he could rush forward and take Ling’er away. The girl was simply too foolish; her presence was a burden to Zhao Yuan, and this confrontation with Su Lie had arisen because of her. Regardless of whether Zhao Yuan won or lost, his days would not be easy. Su Lie, that old villain, had always been cunning and treacherous. The patriarch himself had fallen foul of him once and suffered dearly for it.

He thought, “This time, my son Zhao Yuan has come. With his talents and the inherited barbaric ox bloodline, he does not disgrace our clan.”

“Su Lie, old villain, it was one thing for you to plot against me and confine me for years in that dark, sunless place. I have never sought repayment, yet you persist, continuing to strike at my clan’s descendants. Do you intend to wipe us out entirely? As long as I live, I will not let you succeed again!”

In the gloom, as the rune’s power was about to strike Zhao Yuan, a figure rushed out and shielded him.

“Father!” Zhao Yuan’s bloodline power began to wane. Before him, the old patriarch, struck by the rune’s force, fell downward.

Blood gushed from the old man’s mouth, unstoppable. Zhao Yuan sensed his father’s life ebbing away.

He tried desperately to save him with his own power, but it was futile. The old patriarch died.

In Zhao Yuan’s arms, his father’s form grew faint, trembling as he spoke:

“Yuan’er, Su Lie is a treacherous man. No matter if you win or lose, he will not let you go. You must fight with all your strength; perhaps, there is still a chance to prevail. When I am gone, perhaps you and Ling’er may live better. Remember, flee far and hide—live well.”

Zhao Yuan, consumed by rage, heard his father’s words but refused to accept them. He let out a long, anguished cry, and the power within him surged again, even stronger than before.

Su Lie, seeing this from afar, was momentarily stunned, realizing things had turned dire. Now Zhao Yuan’s power was even greater, filled with hatred toward him, with no hope of reconciliation.

Thinking thus, Su Lie began to retreat, but it was already too late.

The next moment, Zhao Yuan’s power reached him. With a scream, before anyone could react, Su Lie vanished from the world.

The demon legions were instantly left leaderless. As the crowd still struggled to comprehend what had happened, a small voice rang out, proclaiming Zhao Yuan as their leader. Zhao Yuan’s strength was indeed overwhelming.

No one recognized that the voice belonged to Zhao Ling’er.