I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

"roar--!!"

A bloody storm swept over them! The "Blood Pool Beast," towering three zhang tall and formed from filthy blood and broken bones, crashed into the Qingyun Dao Sect's battle formation like a moving mountain of rotting flesh, carrying a nauseating stench and the terrifying pressure of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator! Its shapeless body, pieced together from countless flesh and bones, shook the ground with every step, leaving behind corrosive marks that emitted black smoke.

"Azure Cloud Demon-Subduing Formation, activate!"

Elder Tie Xing roared fiercely, his beard and hair bristling. The Foundation Establishment cultivators, who had already formed an array, instantly poured their spiritual power into the array flags and array plates. A huge light screen, pale blue in color and woven from countless sword-shaped runes, suddenly rose in front of the battle formation, like an impregnable wall, blocking the Blood Pool Beast's path of attack!

"BOOM—!!!"

The Blood Pool Beast's massive, blood-soaked body slammed violently into the azure light barrier! A deep, thunderous roar erupted, and a violent shockwave swept outwards, sending several Qi Refining stage disciples flying. The azure light barrier trembled violently, its light flickering rapidly, emitting a creaking sound as it struggled under the weight. Several Foundation Establishment cultivators within the barrier groaned in unison, their faces paling, clearly enduring immense pressure. The beast itself was also shaken by the recoil, staggering back several steps, large chunks of bloody flesh falling from its body, only to be instantly repaired and replenished by the surging blood light.

"Attack! Hit its weak point! Don't let it get close to the formation!" Elder Yun's clear and cold voice rang out. She had broken free from the entanglement with the three evil cultivator leaders (who had been seriously injured or captured). With a wave of her hand, a silver sword aura, condensed to the point of being tangible, tore through the air like a startled swan from the sky and struck the twisted and ever-changing "head" of the Blood Pool Beast with unparalleled precision!

"Sizzle!"

The silver moon sword energy slashed into the filthy blood, bringing with it a large patch of foul-smelling flesh and even severing several thick bones within. But a flash of blood appeared at the wound, and more filthy blood gushed out, instantly filling and repairing the sword wound. The monstrous beast merely let out an angry roar, seemingly unharmed. Instead, it was enraged, its attacks becoming even more ferocious, its enormous "arm" (composed of countless broken bones and flesh) pounding wildly against the azure light barrier.

"This monster... its regenerative ability is too strong! Normal attacks have little effect on it!" A mid-Foundation Establishment deacon's face was grim. He activated his magic weapon, and a crimson pillar of fire slammed into the monster. Although it sizzled as it burned, it was quickly extinguished by the surging filthy blood.

"Its core is a collection of filthy blood and resentment. We must find its 'core,' or use a powerful attack with the properties of utmost yang, utmost strength, purification, and annihilation to effectively damage it!" Elder Yun calmly analyzed while continuously unleashing sword energy to interfere with and slow down the monstrous beast. However, the Blood Pool Beast's form was unpredictable, making it difficult to pinpoint its core location. Moreover, the mixed aura of blood, resentment, and poison emanating from its body could continuously erode and weaken the power of attacks.

The Qi Refining stage disciples desperately harassed the beast from afar with talismans, spells, and magical artifacts. However, their attacks were like scratching an itch through a boot, only further enraging the monster. It would occasionally swing its "arms," ​​unleashing large swarms of blood-stained poison arrows, or spew corrosive blood mist, forcing the disciples to scramble to avoid it. Several disciples, unable to dodge in time or stained by the blood mist, had their skin torn open instantly, screaming in agony. Had it not been for the timely rescue and purification by Foundation Establishment cultivators, their fate would likely have been grim.

Lu Zhao was also among the ranged attackers. He didn't attack recklessly, but instead focused intently on observing the blood-soaked beast. The dragon-shaped mark between his brows was slightly hot due to the dense aura of blood, resentment, and evil, faintly conveying a hint of disgust and restlessness. At the same time, he activated the [Refining Spirit Technique] to its maximum, combining it with his keen perception of "vitality," "death," and "energy structure" (derived from his understanding of the power of annihilation), attempting to discern the monster's essence and weaknesses.

"Its body, seemingly composed of filthy blood and fragmented flesh, is not disordered. Inside, there is a powerful, chaotic, and hungry bloodthirsty resentment energy constantly flowing and driving it. It is this energy that gives it its powerful strength, regenerative ability, and ability to change form," Lu Zhao pondered.

"The weakness...the core...should be the place where the bloodthirsty resentment energy is most concentrated and where the connection to the outside world is weakest. Usually, it would be a location similar to the 'heart' or 'energy center.' But this monster's form is unpredictable, and the core location will also move accordingly..." Lu Zhao's gaze, like the most precise instrument, swept across the massive, constantly writhing and changing body of the monstrous beast. He noticed that no matter how the monstrous beast changed its form, the fluctuations of the bloodthirsty resentment energy in a certain area on the left side of its chest, near the "shoulder," always seemed to be the most intense and solid. Moreover, the connection with the surrounding filthy blood seemed to have extremely subtle and regular energy flow nodes, as if it was constantly drawing, transforming, and transferring energy to maintain the activity of the entire body.

"There! That's where its energy core is! Or rather, a crucial node and weak point in its defenses!" A glint flashed in Lu Zhao's eyes. But he immediately frowned. That location was in the middle of the beast's body, protected by a thick layer of filthy blood and broken bones. Ordinary attacks, even if they hit it, would hardly be able to shake its core. Moreover, the beast was not an inanimate object; it could dodge and counterattack.

Just then, the Blood Pool Beast seemed to be completely enraged by the continued harassment from the crowd. It let out an even more ferocious roar, and its massive body suddenly accelerated. Ignoring the cyan light barrier, it turned and charged fiercely towards the flank where the Qi Refining disciples were most concentrated and relatively close to the cave deep within the camp! It seemed to want to devour these "weak" prey first to replenish its own energy before turning back to deal with the tough nuts to crack!

"Not good! Stop it!" Elder Tie Xing exclaimed in alarm, and he and several Foundation Establishment cultivators immediately broke free of the formation to try and intercept it. However, the monstrous beast was incredibly fast and seemed to have used some kind of blood escape technique. Its massive body transformed into a blood shadow, instantly breaking through the Foundation Establishment cultivators' interception circle. It opened its huge mouth full of sharp teeth, and a foul stench swept over them, enveloping Hou San, Wang Tie, Huang Ling'er, and several Qi Refining stage disciples of the Qingyun Dao Sect nearby!

"It's over!" Hou San's face turned deathly pale; the fear of death gripped his heart instantly. Wang Tie roared, trying to shield Huang Ling'er with his body. For the first time, a look of shock appeared on Huang Ling'er's usually cold face.

However, at this critical moment, when everyone was in despair, a calm voice, even tinged with a hint of manic excitement, exploded in their ears:

"Scatter! Spread out to the sides!"

It was Lu Zhao! He had somehow managed to stand in front of the gaping maw that was lunging at them! Instead of retreating, he charged forward, braving the carnage, towards the Blood Pool Beast! Moreover, he wasn't charging towards its head, but rather towards the side of its chest and abdomen, towards the "core node" that Lu Zhao had identified!

"Senior Brother Lu!" "Junior Brother Lu!" Hou San and Wang Tie exclaimed in surprise.

"You're courting death!" High in the sky, Elder Yun, who was about to return to help, saw this scene and a hint of surprise flashed in her beautiful eyes. But at this moment, it was too late for her to stop it.

The Blood Pool Beast seemed to be enraged by this little insect that had "delivered itself to its door." It slightly adjusted the direction of its massive jaws and, with even more ferocious power, bit down hard on Lu Zhao! The foul-smelling saliva, mixed with corrosive blood mist, completely enveloped the space several feet around Lu Zhao!

"Flowing Cloud Step! Burning Blood Escape!"

Lu Zhao roared hoarsely, combining his understanding of the "flow" aspect of the [Flowing Cloud Step] with the explosive power of the [Burning Blood Escape Technique] to its fullest extent! He didn't retreat in a straight line, but instead moved like a ghost, narrowly missing the edge of the beast's gaping maw at the last second. He turned, twisted, and accelerated, like a slippery eel, narrowly escaping through the gap between the open maw and the bloody mist! At the same time, he raised his left hand, and several modified [Exploding Flame Sun Talisman] and [Gentle Water Ice Talisman] were activated together, exploding around the beast's mouth. The scorching flames and the extremely cold ice mist intertwined, creating brief chaos and visual interference.

The monstrous beast missed its bite, becoming even more enraged. Its thick "arm," made of broken bones and flesh, slammed down on Lu Zhao, who was passing by.

However, Lu Zhao had already calculated it! The position he passed through was exactly the side of the "core node" on the chest of the monstrous beast, and the closest blind spot for attack! When the monstrous beast's arm slammed down, Lu Zhao used the momentum of passing through to leap upwards. At the same time, all the spiritual power in his body, as well as the wisp of pure annihilation primordial dragon energy that he had initially refined from the dragon-shaped mark between his eyebrows, and all his will and killing intent, were instantly and without reservation gathered at the tip of his right index finger!

At his fingertips, the dark gray annihilation spiritual power, mixed with a trace of dark golden dragon energy, spun and compressed wildly, transforming into a deep, cold, dark gray light spot that seemed capable of devouring all light and life. Inside the light spot, the faint phantom of an angry gray dragon was roaring!

"Nirvana Finger - Dispelling Evil!"

He roared and unleashed his strongest attack, which combined all his power, will, and understanding of "annihilation," "destruction," and "restraint of evil spirits," striking the precise location of the "core node" on the beast's chest!

This time, it was no longer a "fake," but a true Annihilation Finger containing a trace of the primordial dragon energy of annihilation, with a slight "evil-dispelling" and "annihilation" attribute! Its power far surpassed the "Touch of Death" used to kill the Bone-Rotting Crocodile and the evil cultivator leader!

"laugh--!!"

The fingertips made precise contact with that area covered in thick layers of filthy blood and broken bones, but which was the most vulnerable part of the energy node!

There was no earth-shattering noise, only a very faint yet chilling "hiss" sound, like a red-hot iron poking into rotting flesh.

In that instant, time seemed to stand still.

That dark gray, annihilating finger force, like the most deadly poison, instantly penetrated into the "core node" of the Blood Pool Beast! The annihilation, obliteration, and decay power contained in the finger force, as well as that trace of annihilating dragon might originating from a higher level of life, clashed, annihilated, and eroded the violent, chaotic, and resentful blood energy inside the node in the most direct and intense way!

"Awoooooo!!!"

The Blood Pool Beast suddenly let out an unprecedented, agonizing howl filled with extreme pain, rage, and an indescribable fear! Its massive, writhing body abruptly convulsed violently! Around the "core node" that Lu Zhao had struck, the dark red filthy blood boiled and bubbled wildly, its color rapidly turning gray, drying up, and losing its vitality! Gray-black cracks spread rapidly from the node like a spider web, congealing the filthy blood and turning shattered bones into dust wherever they passed!

More importantly, the powerful bloodthirsty resentment energy driving the entire monstrous beast, like a punctured balloon, began to leak and dissipate wildly from the hole! The monstrous beast's aura weakened rapidly at a visible speed! Its massive body also began to become unstable, and large pieces of its filthy flesh began to peel off and disintegrate!

"It...it worked?! He hit the beast's vital point!!" "Heavens! What kind of finger technique is that? It can actually cause such damage to the Blood Pool Beast!" All the Qingyun Dao Sect cultivators who witnessed this scene were dumbfounded and utterly shocked! Even Elder Yun and Elder Tie Xing's eyes shone with disbelief!

"Now's the time! Attack with all your might! Destroy it!" Elder Tie Xing was the first to react, roaring with wild joy. His giant sword once again unleashed a terrifying blade aura, slashing fiercely at the beast's crumbling neck! Elder Yun's Silver Moon Sword Aura, along with the attacks from the other Foundation Establishment cultivators, were like a storm, instantly engulfing the beast's body, which had lost its energy core support and had greatly weakened its defenses!

"BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM—!!"

Under the bombardment of countless attacks, the Blood Pool Beast, already on the verge of collapse due to the destruction of its core node and the dissipation of its energy, could no longer hold on. It let out a mournful cry of unwillingness and despair, and its massive body exploded! It turned into a sky full of foul-smelling blood, broken bones, and gray-black residue that had been purified and annihilated, which fell like a torrential rain, corroding the ground and leaving it pitted and uneven.

After the bloody battle, only ruins remained in the center of the camp, along with a huge, several-foot-deep crater belching black smoke and emitting a pungent, acrid smell. The terrifying, blood-soaked beast that had once plunged everyone into despair had vanished without a trace.

silence.

A deathly silence.

Everyone's gaze instinctively fell upon the young man in the blue robe who was slowly descending from mid-air, kneeling on one knee, supporting himself with his hand, breathing heavily, his face as pale as paper, with traces of blood seeping from his seven orifices, but whose eyes were still bright and sharp.

Lu Zhao.

It was he who, at the moment of despair, with incredible agility and precise judgment, found the fatal weakness of the Blood Pool Beast. It was he who, with his cultivation at the sixth level of Qi Refining, unleashed that strange, terrifying gray finger force that seemed capable of suppressing all evil spirits, severely injuring, or even destroying, this terrifying monster at the late Foundation Establishment stage with a single strike!

What courage! What strength! What incredible...unbelievable!

"Junior Brother Lu..." Hou San murmured, looking at Lu Zhao as if he were a monster. Wang Tie's mouth was agape, unable to close it for a long time. Huang Ling'er's usually cold eyes also showed a hint of barely concealed turmoil.

"Good! Good lad!" Elder Tie Xing was the first to stride forward, his large, fan-like hand slamming heavily onto Lu Zhao's shoulder (Lu Zhao swayed from the impact, almost falling over), making his ears ring, but his eyes were filled with undisguised admiration and ecstasy. "Well done! I didn't misjudge you! I'll definitely recommend you to the sect later!"

Elder Yun also gracefully landed, her cool gaze lingering on Lu Zhao for a moment. Seeing that although he had suffered great exhaustion and damage to his soul (due to forcibly activating the origin of the dragon-shaped mark), his foundation was intact, she breathed a slight sigh of relief. With a flick of her jade hand, she sent a milky-white pill, exuding a rich medicinal fragrance, into Lu Zhao's mouth.

"Jade Marrow Pill can quickly restore spiritual power and nourish the soul. Adjust your breathing immediately, there is no time to lose." The clear, cold voice carried an undeniable concern.

The pill entered his stomach, transforming into a gentle yet powerful warm current that rapidly spread, nourishing his nearly parched meridians and damaged soul. Lu Zhao glanced gratefully at Elder Yun, then, disregarding everything else, immediately sat down cross-legged and focused all his energy on refining the medicinal power to recover.

He knew that this time, he had been completely "exposed." The "Annihilation Finger," imbued with the aura of annihilation dragons, and the terrifying power it displayed, would inevitably attract countless speculations, investigations, and even... covetousness. But he didn't regret it. In this critical moment, he had to act. Moreover, he vaguely sensed that this forced use and successful defeat of his enemy would greatly benefit his control and understanding of the power of annihilation, and even the refinement of the dragon-shaped mark between his brows.

"Clean up the battlefield! Treat the wounded! Search the entire stronghold to see if any survivors have escaped, and... what secrets are hidden deep within that blood pool!" Elder Tie Xing's voice snapped everyone out of their shock.

The disciples of Qingyun Dao Sect immediately sprang into action. Their gazes toward Lu Zhao were filled with awe, admiration, and a touch of complexity. After this battle, Lu Zhao's name would likely resound throughout the sect once again, and in a more dazzling, yet also more attention-grabbing (or fearful) way.

Meanwhile, in the distance, Li Mu, who had already been brought under control, watched this scene with a deathly pale face, his eyes filled with jealousy, fear, and a deeper, more venomous resentment. He had thought Lu Zhao's entry into the Blackwater Swamp was a suicide mission, but unexpectedly... he had soared to great heights!

Lu Zhao closed his eyes to regulate his breathing, shielding himself from everything outside. He knew the battle wasn't completely over. The "blood pool" deep within the cave, and the many more secrets that might exist there, were the true objectives of this trip. And that last finger strike had taken a huge toll, with significant backlash; he needed to recover as quickly as possible.

Even greater challenges may lie ahead.