Crossing the wilderness to survive, starting with a broken kitchen knife.

Zhang Shi knew he couldn't afford to be overwhelmed. He used his retreating momentum to roll and create distance. He took a deep breath, channeling his inner strength. A faint black glow shone from Lao Duan's blade, foreshadowing his impending Shadow Slash. The lizardman leader refused to give him a moment to breathe. He swung his wand once more, and several black spikes burst from the ground, shooting towards Zhang Shi like arrows.

Zhang Shi's eyes focused as he unleashed Shadow Step, his figure moving ghostly between the spikes. In the blink of an eye, he was close to the lizardman leader, his blade wrapped in a surging shadow force, slashing fiercely at the man's throat. The lizardman leader reacted with incredible speed, dodging to the side and blocking with his wand. There was a loud "clang" and a shower of sparks. He looked back at the wand and saw that Old Duan had already cut a section off, breaking it in two.

The two exchanged blows, the battle intensifying. The black mist within the hall swirled with magical energy, reducing visibility. Zhang Shi groaned internally, fearing his strength would eventually run out if he continued this strenuous battle. He needed a quick victory. Suddenly, an idea struck him, remembering the lizardman leader's reliance on the frequency of magic waves when casting magic circles. He feigned defeat, retreating repeatedly, while secretly gathering strength in his hands, preparing to unleash his shadow attack, attacking from two directions simultaneously and delivering a decisive blow.

The lizardman leader, believing Zhang Shi to have been defeated, was overjoyed and intensified his attack, waving his wand with impenetrable force, sending streams of black energy whistling out. Just as he was feeling elated, Zhang Shi, seizing the perfect opportunity, shouted loudly, unleashing a shadow and simultaneously performing Shadow Step. Instantly, the lizardman leader felt his wand stagnate, his previously smooth flow of magic now clogged. Glancing again, he saw a frost spreading to his feet, making even walking difficult.

Zhang Shi used the trap props prepared in advance by Ge Dalong. He only needed to attach the frost breath to the weapon in advance, and it would accumulate at all times and eventually freeze the enemy.

Seeing the opponent plagued by the frost, Zhang Shi seized the opportunity and unleashed his ultimate Shadow Strike, unleashing a powerful, dark sword energy like a raging dragon emerging from the sea, piercing the Lizardman leader's chest. Terrified, the Lizardman leader quickly dodged, but the sword still grazed his shoulder, leaving a deep wound and gushing black blood.

"Damn humans!" The lizardman leader was furious and regardless of his injuries, he frantically recited a long spell. As he chanted, the ground in the hall began to tremble violently. The black mist around him seemed to be pulled by an invisible force and gathered towards him. In the blink of an eye, a pair of huge black wings formed behind him. As the wings flapped, a gust of wind was brought up, and the debris on the ground was swept into the sky.

Zhang Shi's heart trembled, knowing that the other party was going to fight to the death. He did not dare to be careless at all. He held the weapon tightly, separated his feet slightly, and took a defensive posture. At the same time, he stared at the lizardman leader's every move, trying to predict the next attack direction from his casting movements.

The lizardman leader, harnessing the power of his wings, shimmered through the air like a ghost, appearing instantly above Zhang Shi. Clutching his wand, he thrust it downward fiercely. The tip of his wand shimmered with a strange, all-consuming black light. Zhang Shi quickly employed his Shadow Step to evade, but the black light followed him relentlessly. In the nick of time, Zhang Shi gritted his teeth, spun around, and hurled his weapon forward. The black light collided with the blade, unleashing a deafening roar. The powerful impact sent him flying, sending him careening into a stone pillar, snapping it.

Zhang Shi struggled to his feet, feeling his blood surging and blood oozing from the corners of his mouth, but the fighting spirit in his eyes only grew more intense. The lizardman leader was also in pain. He stumbled a few steps after landing, his face pale, and his black wings dimmed slightly. The two men exchanged a glance and charged at each other again, a life-or-death struggle unfolding in this hall filled with the aura of death.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield outside the palace, Zhao Feng and Ge Dalong were locked in a bitter battle. The Lizardmen's offensive intensified, with a steady stream of reinforcements pouring in from all directions. Despite the Alliance's desperate resistance, casualties continued to mount. Zhao Feng's wounds multiplied, blood staining his armor red. Yet, he stood firm like a god of war, each swing of his axe carrying a resolute determination to fight to the bitter end. Ge Dalong's magic power was nearly depleted, and his ice and lightning spells were far less potent than before. Yet, he gritted his teeth, forcing out a continuous stream of spells, barely maintaining his defensive magic, offering a final barrier for his comrades.

Despite the dire situation, they all held onto their faith in Zhang Shi, confident that he could find a way to defeat the enemy deep within the palace and end this nightmarish battle. Just as everyone struggled to hold on, a sudden surge of energy erupted from the depths of the palace. A dazzling beam of light shot straight into the sky, followed by a scream that pierced the air.

Zhao Feng and Ge Dalong were greatly encouraged upon hearing this. Zhao Feng brandished his battle axe and roared to the heavens, "Brothers, Zhang Shi has succeeded! Let's work harder and kill all these reptiles!" His roar was like a resounding bell, causing the surrounding Lizardmen to freeze. The Alliance warriors, like a shot of adrenaline, felt a surge of strength surge through their weary bodies. With shouts, they launched a fiercer charge against the Lizardmen.

Ge Dalong struggled to support his overdrawn body, took out the last magic crystal from his arms, and crushed it with force. The surging magic power instantly poured into his body. His eyes regained their brilliance, and he danced with his hands, creating an unprecedented giant ice wall, which temporarily blocked the surging lizardmen and bought a moment of respite for his comrades.

Deep within the palace, the duel between Zhang Shi and the Lizardman leader reached a fever pitch. The scream had come from the Lizardman leader. Zhang Shi's all-out attack, while not fatal, had inflicted heavy damage. But the Lizardman leader, relying on his tenacious will to survive and the strange power of the wings behind him, continued to resist.

Zhang Shi took advantage of the other's injury and dodged, closing in again. His blade flashed with a cold gleam, and with lightning speed, he stabbed the lizardman leader's abdomen several times. The lizardman leader frantically parried, suffering several more wounds, and black blood splattered all over Zhang Shi. But just as Zhang Shi was about to deliver the final blow, the lizardman leader suddenly opened his mouth and spewed a stream of corrosive black venom. Zhang Shi was unable to avoid it, and the venom splashed on his right arm, causing a sharp pain. The venom had penetrated his black light armor, and his flesh began to fester.

Zhang Shi gritted his teeth, enduring the pain, and launched a flying kick at the lizardman leader's chest, using the momentum to leap back and distance himself. He looked down at his right arm, thinking, "Oh no!" The venom was too potent. If he didn't treat it immediately, his arm would be crippled. But he had no time to think. The lizardman leader attacked again, his wings flapping, sending up a stream of black wind blades that swept towards Zhang Shi.