radiothebook Chapter 538 - 25: Advancing to envisage the Martial Sect
Chapter 538 - 25: Advancing to envisage the Martial Sect
Although the Mad Daoist’s technique of "One Qi Transforming into the Three Pristine Ones" is not an orthodox method, it is extraordinary nonetheless, as all three clones can, to some extent, be considered his true self.
However, two of these clones are formed by condensing mana through primordial spirit and spiritual light, devoid of actual physical form.
And now.
The incoming Explosive Bullets, more than three hundred rounds per second, instantly submerged the clones.
"Boom boom boom..."
The sound of explosions merged into one.
"Ah!"
The Mad Daoist screamed towards the sky as water surged around him for several meters, pushing the Five Elements Sea Absorption Secret Technique to its limits.
Moreover,
A flood dragon’s phantom faintly appeared within the flowing water.
Water may seem gentle, but it excels in defense; even a barrage of arrows cannot penetrate three feet of water.
Let alone water imbued with a secret technique, transformed by divine power?
And now.
The explosions persisted, piercing through several feet of water, with the remaining force submerging a clone on the spot.
"Boom!"
In just five seconds.
A clone exploded on the spot.
Fang Zheng shouldered the 2030 Close-in Defense Cannon, pivoting the barrel, aiming at the other clone fighting the Ghost King.
Fire!
"Dadada..."
The barrel rotated, and Explosive Bullets poured out.
"Bang!"
Under the Ghost King’s suppression, the second clone could not hold out much longer and exploded on the spot, like fireworks blooming.
Having lost two clones in succession, leaving only his true self, the Mad Daoist’s expression changed dramatically, revealing fear in his eyes for the first time.
And also...
Madness!
The "madness" of the Mad Daoist was no joke; no sane person would willingly split their primordial spirit into three.
In rage and fear, he became even more frenzied.
Feixiao Swordsmanship!
Unlike Lv Hua, this top-tier sword technique from the Luofu Immortal Sect revealed terrifying power in the hands of the Mad Daoist.
The sword light surged, sweeping like an army, filling the area within dozens of feet with sword light.
Meanwhile.
The Wind and Cloud Banner danced wildly, creating storms linking heaven and earth, sweeping everything around.
Various magical lights shot out in all directions amidst the chaos, causing unknown numbers of buildings to collapse, civilians to die.
Yang Meng shouted angrily, with the battle array formed into a flood dragon hovering in the sky, gradually narrowing the Mad Daoist’s range of movement.
The elusive Ghost King launched sneak attacks from the side.
"Dadada..."
Fang Zheng, with a grave expression, pressed the switch, as Explosive Bullets rained down, balls of fire exploding incessantly.
After a long while.
"Boom!"
With a muffled roar, a hurricane swept across most of Gu’an County, the core area laid to waste.
"Bang!"
Fang Zheng dropped the overheated defense cannon, his face somber as he looked at the scene before him.
Ruins!
The long streets near the county government office had all turned to ruins, with countless civilians dead on the spot.
The private soldiers likewise suffered heavy losses, with only five of the nine flood dragons remaining, their bodies riddled with wounds and their auras dwindling.
The military array nearly collapsed on the spot.
Even the Ghost King wobbled unsteadily.
"Master."
Yang Meng landed swiftly and, glancing at the defense cannon beside her, a trace of fear flashed in her eyes. She clasped her fist respectfully:
"I am incompetent, having caused... so many deaths."
She had thought that relying on a battle array of several thousand elite soldiers, it would not be difficult to suppress a master, but she never imagined...
The terror of a master was so great!
If not for Fang Zheng’s assistance, it’s feared that the thousands of private soldiers would all have perished, without necessarily being able to bring down the Mad Daoist.
’I overestimated the military array.’
’Not to mention a master, even this Mo Family device in the master’s hands could blast the array apart.’
"It’s not your fault."
Fang Zheng shook his head:
"It was my impulsiveness, forgetting that even among masters, the Mad Daoist is top-notch."
"You did well."
"Huff..."
He exhaled a long breath:
"Count the dead and wounded soldiers, treat the civilians nearby, and double the compensation for the warriors and victims."
"Yes."
Yang Meng bowed her head in agreement.
...
"439 private soldiers from the Fang Mansion died, over 1,300 were injured, and those seriously injured exceed 600."
"The final death toll is over 600."
Shangguan Duo reported, his voice trembling:
"Civilians..."
"The casualties already exceed 5,000, and the tally is not yet complete; the final number may reach over 10,000."
"Those dead have exceeded 1,000."
"Collapsing buildings and other losses are still being assessed; there is also a significant shortage of doctors and medicinal supplies."
Gu’an County is too small and densely populated, especially around the county government office, which is all residential areas.
The counterattack by the Mad Daoist before his death affected most of Gu’an County, almost leveling the area around the county government office.
Seeing Fang Zheng silent for a long time, Shangguan Duo spoke quietly.
"Master."
"Hmm."
Fang Zheng came back to his senses and said:
"Contact the nearby counties to find doctors and herbs, saving as many as we can, and leave no one unattended."
"Ask the city’s residents to vacate houses as much as possible to accommodate the injured, the costs borne by the Fang Mansion."
"..."
He gave his instructions methodically:
"This turmoil must have alarmed nearby areas, so instruct the uninjured soldiers not to relax."
"Just in case..."
"Yes!"
Shangguan Duo replied affirmatively.
After delivering his report and leaving, Linghu Qiuchan emerged from behind the folding screen and approached Fang Zheng.
"Husband."
She bit her lip and said softly:
"Some things are inevitable, you don’t have to blame yourself."
"Sigh!"
Fang Zheng sighed lightly.
As his confidante, Linghu Qiuchan understood him better.
She knew Fang Zheng’s demeanor was somewhat aloof compared to others, yet he was not truly cold and heartless.
So many people died because of him, his heart could not be at ease.
"But because of something I said, a decision I made, thousands have died, and it’s hard to bear."
Fang Zheng stood up and looked into the distance, his eyes deep:
"It seems I’m not someone fit to accomplish great things."
"Husband has sheltered our people for decades, and that is already great compassion and mercy." Linghu Qiuchan clasped her hands together and said: