The battle between humans and demons had already been raging for three full days and nights.
At the start of the battle, both sides were evenly matched. Every clash of spells, every strike of weapons, sent ripples of energy across the battlefield. The demon race, relying on their innate wildness, bravery, and racial talents, launched fierce attacks, and their momentum seemed to suppress the human forces.
However, at a critical moment, the authorities urgently deployed another elite squad to provide support. Six powerful cultivators in the Nascent Soul stage appeared simultaneously. Their overwhelming spiritual pressure instantly enveloped the battlefield like six towering mountains, creating immense pressure on the demon race.
Faced with this nearly overwhelming force, the demon forces finally faltered. Their formation broke down, and they were forced to retreat. However, the victory came at a heavy cost. The entire city had been ravaged by the flames of war, and 70% of the area was completely destroyed. Ruins were scattered everywhere, and the once bustling streets were now filled with the scars of war.
Among the six Nascent Soul cultivators, four were severely injured. In the end, only one Nascent Soul cultivator and a few team members remained to deal with the aftermath of the battle.
At this moment, Fang Zheng was hiding in the shadows, his eyes closely watching the movements in the city. Once he confirmed that the battle had come to an end, he stealthily began to make his way into the city.
To ensure he passed unnoticed, he deliberately allowed a demon beast to injure him, letting blood flow down his clothes, making him look thoroughly disheveled.
After entering the city, he found a location far from the guards, slowly collapsed to the ground, held his breath, and pretended to be on the brink of death, his condition seeming dire.
Soon, a member of the guard team discovered him during their patrol. The guard hurried over, noticing that he still had a faint pulse. He immediately pulled out a healing pill from his chest pocket and fed it to Fang Zheng.
A moment later, Fang Zheng "woke up" slowly. He feigned confusion, looking around in a daze, then suddenly grabbed the guard's arm, his eyes reddening. With a voice full of emotion, he began to speak:
"Brother, when I heard the demon beasts were attacking the city, I was so anxious. I immediately dropped everything and rushed here from another area to help. I just wanted to protect my family and defend this city, to contribute my small part to our country. But... but my strength was too weak, and I couldn't match those demon beasts. I watched everything happen, but I was powerless to stop it..."
As he spoke, Fang Zheng wiped away his tears, his expression filled with grief. Anyone who saw him would be moved. His acting skills were impeccable, and his words were filled with genuine emotion, as if he had truly experienced a life-or-death ordeal.
The guard team members passing by overheard his story and couldn't help but sigh in sympathy. They all silently praised him:
"This young man is truly admirable. Such a sense of righteousness, worthy of respect."
The smoke from the battlefield still lingered in the air, the sharp scent of it spreading across the city.
Fang Zheng knelt on the ground, coughing twice, his throat feeling as if it were on fire. He struggled to straighten his back and, with a trembling voice, shouted:
"Help me up, let me collect the bodies of my fallen comrades."
His posture exuded a deep, sorrowful pain. Anyone who didn't know would be deeply moved by his tragic appearance, thinking he was a hero devastated by the loss of his comrades.
In the distance, a Nascent Soul cultivator sat overseeing the situation. His eyes were sharp, and as his gaze inadvertently swept toward Fang Zheng, he furrowed his brows, a look of caution and suspicion in his eyes.
He slightly activated his spiritual power, using his spiritual sense to carefully examine the source of the demonic aura emanating from Fang Zheng.
After a moment, the cultivator's furrowed brows slowly relaxed. It was just a layer of demonic energy, likely from Fang Zheng inadvertently coming into contact with it after attacking an "Shadow Wolf."
The cultivator gave Fang Zheng one last glance. Seeing that he was still alive, despite his disheveled state, he sighed and muttered, "This kid has good luck."
Without lingering further, the cultivator stepped into the void and vanished, heading elsewhere.
Fang Zheng watched the retreating figure of the Nascent Soul cultivator, a breath of relief escaping him.
Turning to the guard team behind him, he spoke in a voice full of weariness and sorrow, "You all go on. Let me be alone to see off these fallen heroes."
He stood tall, his back straight, facing away from the group. He looked like a steadfast monument of grief.
The guard team members opened their mouths, but their throats were choked with emotion. In the end, no words came out. They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with respect and understanding, and then nodded silently, one by one, before turning and leaving.
They left Fang Zheng alone with the fallen comrades, allowing him to bid them farewell.
Once the others were far off, the sorrowful expression on Fang Zheng's face quickly shifted. Looking at the scattered corpses before him, he first pretended to be serious, but the next second, he struggled to suppress the smile forming on his lips.
He began to "collect the bodies" of the demon beasts in a solemn and slow manner, while, unnoticed by anyone, he secretly stretched out his hand to absorb their energy.
"Progress +5."
"Progress +3."
"Progress +0.5."
Each time he absorbed the corpse of a demon beast, Fang Zheng heard this prompt in his mind. His eyes gleamed with excitement as his movements became more rapid.
After half a day, Fang Zheng finished his task, and his progress reached 124%.
The guard members had suggested that Fang Zheng rest and recover, but he refused. He left the area, mainly seeking a safe spot to begin his lottery draw.
After confirming that the surroundings were safe, Fang Zheng opened his system and began the draw.
"Congratulations to the host for a major stroke of luck! Critical hit reward!"
As cheerful system music played, fireworks exploded on the panel in front of him.
"Apostle, Fei Duan Promax"
Name: Fei Duan Promax
Cultivation Stage: Early Golden Core
Spirit Affinity: Blood
Weapon: Bloody March Scythe, Jet Black Spear
Special Abilities: Curse, Immortal Body, Retaliation, Devour
Fei Duan's special abilities were much stronger than what Fang Zheng had expected.
Retaliation: Fei Duan reflects 50%-80% of the damage received, ignoring defenses.
Devour: Fei Duan can consume others to gain a portion of their strength, with a small chance to acquire their cultivation methods or spiritual affinity.
Fang Zheng quickly wrote down the name "Fei Duan" and, as he did, Fei Duan appeared out of thin air. However, Fei Duan was wearing the clothes he had before joining the Akatsuki organization.
"Boss, you finally let me out! I was about to suffocate!"
Unlike Fang Cang and Sasori, Fei Duan was very lively and immediately shouted at Fang Zheng as soon as he appeared.