Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Want to Be Stronger?

An old man with a white beard and hair appeared before Su Han. He was dressed in a blue robe, his features gaunt and his eyes sharp.

The Fourth Elder of the Qin Family! Su Han’s eyes narrowed as alarm bells rang in his mind.

He recognized the man as one of the Qin Family’s four great elders, a powerful expert at the Ninth Layer of the Divine Sea Realm.

So the old saying is true: walk by the river long enough, and your shoes are bound to get wet. It seems my opponent came prepared tonight, lying in wait just for me.

”We released four baits, each monitored by the Family Head and one of us three elders,” the Fourth Elder said expressionlessly, shaking his head. ”You were lucky to run into me. But you’re also unlucky, because you won’t be escaping.”

The Fourth Elder was the weakest among Qin Xiong and the great elders, as the others were all experts in the Heavenly Human Realm. For Su Han, encountering him was a stroke of luck amidst his misfortune. But the Fourth Elder was still an expert at the Ninth Layer of the Divine Sea Realm, and even as the weakest of the group, he was more than a match for Su Han.

”Ninth Prince, surrender now and spare yourself the pain,” the Fourth Elder said blandly, showing no fear of Su Han’s royal status.

The two were in an alley outside a teahouse. With no one else around, it would be extremely difficult for Su Han to find a chance to flee. He took a deep breath, knowing tonight’s battle was unavoidable. However, surrendering was not his style.

SWISH!

With a flick of his wrist, the Black Blade was in his hand, wreathed in Demonic Qi.

If a fight is unavoidable, then so be it!

Seeing Su Han draw his blade, the Fourth Elder’s gaze turned icy. Stubborn fool.

BOOM!

A tremendous wave of spiritual power, like a colossal tidal wave, crashed toward Su Han. Its strength was as vast as the ocean, far beyond his ability to resist.

”One Thought Into Demonhood!”

Not daring to be careless, Su Han quickly mobilized his own spiritual power. Although his spiritual power was infused with a Demonic Nature, the Fourth Elder’s was simply too immense. The moment their powers made contact, Su Han felt as if his head had been struck by a heavy blow. He staggered back seven or eight steps, his face deathly pale as a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

The spiritual wave continued to bear down, threatening to overwhelm him completely.

”Draw Sword Slash!”

Demonic Qi poured into the Black Blade as it lashed out. A dark ray of blade light, like a bolt of lightning, tore through the Void and slashed toward the spiritual wave. The Black Blade’s Soul Devouring ability, honed by consuming countless souls, could inflict a powerful spiritual attack. It collided with the spiritual wave and, though it struggled, managed to cleave through.

”Ah!” the Fourth Elder cried out in pain as his spiritual wave recoiled. His face turned pale. His spiritual power had clearly been damaged.

A Demonic Blade! The Fourth Elder’s gaze was fixed on the Black Blade in Su Han’s hand. He had heard rumors that Su Han had acquired a Demonic Blade, but he never expected it to be so strange that it could damage his own spiritual power. Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit. I can’t afford to be careless and lose to him here!

With this in mind, the Fourth Elder produced a Steel Whip and unleashed a Mysterious Rank, Low-Level Martial Technique. ”Yin Snake Whip Law!”

He infused it with Spiritual Energy, and the Steel Whip seemed to come alive, lashing through the air toward Su Han. Su Han swiftly countered with his Black Blade, but the force from the whip was immense. He felt a great power sweep over him, making his arms ache and sending him skidding back seven or eight meters.

Facing such a powerful opponent, Su Han didn’t hesitate to take out the Ghostly Face Mask and put it on.

BOOM!

Su Han’s aura instantly skyrocketed, turning chillingly cold and sinister.

Divine Sea Realm Fourth Layer!

Divine Sea Realm Fifth Layer!

Divine Sea Realm Sixth Layer!

With its first seal released, the Ghostly Face Mask’s power boost was significantly stronger, allowing Su Han to break through three minor realms consecutively.

”Hm? You have such a treasure!” The sudden increase in Su Han’s power surprised the Fourth Elder. His attention was drawn to the Ghostly Face Mask, and a flash of greed appeared in his eyes. Such treasures are rare and coveted. If I could get my hands on it, I might even attain the power of the Heavenly Human Realm!

The Fourth Elder’s eyes glinted sharply as he channeled another Mysterious Rank, Low-Level Martial Technique. ”Poisonous Serpent Devouring Heart!” Boundless Spiritual Energy poured into the Steel Whip, which glinted with a cold light as it lashed out like a venomous serpent striking its prey.

”Character Technique of Motion!”

Su Han activated the technique, turning into a shadowy figure. His speed was so incredible that he managed to avoid the Steel Whip’s attack. But the alley was narrow, with limited space for evasion. Su Han couldn’t keep dodging forever.

”Draw Sword Slash!”

Surging Demonic Qi leaped along the Black Blade as he slashed out fiercely, a motion that seemed to split the night sky itself.

CLANG!

The Black Blade collided with the Steel Whip, sending sparks flying as the piercing clang of metal on metal rang out. Su Han retreated three steps, while the Fourth Elder took only one. Even with the Ghostly Face Mask, the gap between them had narrowed, but Su Han was still at a disadvantage.

”Yin Snake Whip Law!”

The Fourth Elder continued to swing his Steel Whip, relentlessly striking at Su Han. With his higher realm and more robust Spiritual Energy, coupled with his spiritual attacks, he forced Su Han to keep retreating. Seizing an opportunity, he swiftly activated a Spirit Talisman. ”Cold Qi Talisman!”

A frigid wind swept over Su Han, making him feel as if he had been thrown into an ice cellar. The encroaching cold chilled his limbs. This was a Superior Grade Spirit Talisman, capable of freezing a person solid. Affected by the Cold Qi Talisman, Su Han’s speed dropped sharply.

CRACK!

In that instant, the Steel Whip lashed out, sending him flying into a wall.

Apart from the Ghostly Face Mask and the Black Blade, Su Han possessed no treasures to rival the Fourth Elder’s.

The Fourth Elder struck again, activating another Spirit Talisman. ”Green Vine Talisman!”

Immediately, seven or eight thick vines shot out and coiled around Su Han’s feet, severely hindering his Character Technique of Motion. Even though Su Han was of a lower realm, the Fourth Elder took no chances. He used two Superior Grade Spirit Talismans in a row to completely neutralize Su Han’s speed.

The Steel Whip struck like a serpent, thrusting toward Su Han’s throat, heart, and other vital points. Grasping the Black Blade, Su Han struggled to defend himself. Already at a disadvantage, he was now even more on the defensive under the influence of the Cold Qi Talisman and the Green Vine Talisman.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Su Han was beaten back step by step, until the Steel Whip finally struck him in the chest. PFFT! He spat out a mouthful of blood as he was sent flying through the air, crashing to the ground.

”Ninth Prince, you killed a disciple of my Qin Family. Your crime is unforgivable!” Murderous intent filled the Fourth Elder’s eyes. He had initially intended to capture Su Han alive, but upon seeing the Ghostly Face Mask, greed took over. He decided to kill Su Han and take the treasure for himself.

PFFT! Wounded, the injured Su Han was even less of a match for the Fourth Elder. He was beaten until he was spitting blood continuously, hovering on the brink of death.

”Die!” the Fourth Elder roared, raising the Steel Whip for a final, killing blow.

At that exact moment, a seductive voice echoed once more in Su Han’s mind:

*”Do you want to become stronger? Accept my power, and you can kill him!”*