Bones started breaking within Jiang Feng's body as his spiritual energy worked to fix them, but left with only a fraction of his spiritual energy reserves, injuries continued to pile up on him.
By now, Jiang Feng's consciousness had started to blur out as cuts appeared on his head, with blood staining his clean face.
The bull didn't give a care as it continued dragging Jiang Feng's body with its horn, throwing him onto a tree before coming to a stop.
Lying on the ground face down, Jiang Feng had lost all capabilities of retaliating. Lifting his head up as much as he could, Jiang Feng stared at the approaching bull as each and every step of it made the floor tremble.
The towering figure stopped right before the fallen cultivator, looking down on his bloodied state as helplessness filled his eyes.
It decided to give the man a release from his pain, its legs rose and ready to stomp down on Jiang Feng.
'Ha…why am I so weak?'
Staring at the descending foot, time seemed to have slowed down as thoughts surfaced in Jiang Feng's mind.
'It's only a few hours in, yet I'm already about to depart from the living world again.'
'How frustrating it is to be weak.'
'I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye to Ling. Well, I'm sure she'll reach me moments before I pass.'
Reaching his final moments, calmness was the only thing in Jiang Feng's mind as he shutted his eyes, awaiting for declaration of his death.
…
…
…
'Hmm? Have I not died yet? Why is it taking so long? Or is this what it feels like to die?' Pondering about the reason why he still hand't feel anything yet, Jiang Feng returned to waiting.
…
…
…
A few more seconds passed by, nothing happened.
'Weird. What's going on? Why does my body suddenly feel so warm, no, hot?'
Opening his eyes, Jiang Feng tried to look at the foot that was supposed to have crushed his head.
However, he immediately became stunned as he stared at the small fire hovering between him and the towering bull.
'That's…that's Ling's Ghost Fire!'
Shouting so inwardly, Jiang Feng began trying to get up as he struggled to stand on his feet. His eyes continued to stare at the small bud of flame as intense spiritual energy waves spread from it, blocking the foot of the bull from descending further.
Jiang Feng could also feel his spiritual energy recovering in an instant as the injuries on him healed, returning him to his peak state.
The bull looked at the scene before it taking place, as confusion was reflected in its eyes. Its leg seemed to be held in place by the small blue flame, unable to retract or move forward.
It wasn't until the small bud of flame floated towards the forehead of Jiang Feng did such a restriction lifted.
Seeing that the bull was stunned in place, Jiang Feng closed his eyes and took the chance to examine the small bud of flame that was now laying dormant within his dantian.
He tried triggering a reaction from it as his spiritual energy moved to enshroud the flames, only to be gently dispersed by it.
A notification seemed to mysteriously appear in Jiang Feng's head afterwards, as he somehow knew that the speck of Ghost Fire that Ling left in him wouldn't be usable for the next 3 months.
With that, Jiang Feng decided to postpone his research on a later time as he shifted his attention back onto the bull.
The bull had already recovered from its shock as it looked at Jiang Feng who was now back at his peak, while a part of its spiritual energy was already expended into maintaining this state and disabling Jiang Feng's Spiritual Energy Manipulation over it.
It didn't show any signs of fear though, as it believed Jiang Feng still wouldn't be able to defeat him with his current strength.
The same thoughts were in Jiang Feng's mind as he thought back on his earlier battle against the bull. Not a single attack managed to pierce its defense, less harming it. Only when he spent a huge amount of spiritual energy was the bull's defense broken through, yet that caused just a small slit.
This meant that if he didn't had anything else up his sleeves, his defeat would be imminent.
'There has to be a way of breaking past that defense of it.'
Jiang Feng's brows furrowed as he stared at the bull that was getting ready to attack again.
The Nameless Spell was casted as Jiang Feng's speed hastened, allowing him to swiftly dodge the pouncing attack from the bull. His figure quickly pulled back to maintain a distance as his thoughts accelerated, trying to come up with a plausible plan of victory.
The bull wasn't giving him an easy time with it, as the intervals between each of his attacks shortened, the force behind it increasing as well.
Jiang Feng's sword began to move as they blocked the horns of the bull whenever he failed to dodge perfectly, allowing him to come out unscathed as the exchange continued.
'Just what can I do? I don't have any Spells or Arts that can…wait, there's one.'
A look of realization appeared on Jiang Feng's face as he thought of a possibility. He then looked at his sword that he was holding, gritting his teeth before risking his choices.
'It's all or nothing. At least I can still escape.'
Spiritual energy immediately covered the blade of the sword as it formed a thin layer over it. Yet, unlike the usual process, no flames appeared on the sword as the spiritual energy continued to encase the sword.
'Come on!! Please work!!!' Jiang Feng prayed as he focused on modifying one of his spells while dodging the attacks of the bull.
Through the corner of his eyes, Jiang Feng monitored the sword for any changes. Expectant feelings began blooming within as he watched the thin layer of spiritual energy, waiting for his efforts to show on it.
Just as Jiang Feng was about to give up on the test, the spiritual enegry enveloping the sword finally changed.
'It's a success!!'
Without wasting a single second, Jiang Feng dodged another attack of the bull before standing still, facing the monster straight in the eye.
The bull noticed Jiang Feng's actions as it turned serious, putting its guard up as strength filled its hind legs, ready to pounce on Jiang Feng the moment he tried to approach it. Spiritual energy was also enhancing the muscle content in its body, with thin lines appearing to shape its limbs.
Taking in a deep breath, Jiang Feng brought the hand holding his sword to the back while his knees slightly bended.
The Nameless Spell was used again as the spiritual energy enshrouded his whole body, enhancing his durability and strength.
"Here it goes!"
Lunging forward, Jiang Feng thrusted the sword forward as the tip neared the head of the bull.
The bull had also reacted the moment Jiang Feng shouted, directing its horns at him, aiming to pierce through Jiang Feng's body with it.
Arriving at the other side where their opponents stood earlier, a tensed silence loomed over the place.
Slowly turning around, Jiang Feng stared anxiously at the bull as he gulped.
The moment of waiting for the unknown was short, but felt like an eternity for Jiang Feng as the spiritual energy encasing his sword dissipated.
Thud!!!
Ignoring the dust that got kicked up, Jiang Feng stared at the fallen carcass of the bull as blood began puddling up around it.
The bull, had died.