A Compendium of One Hundred Demons: My Path to Immortality in a World of Demons and Monsters

"You... what kind of monster are you?" Zhang Biao's voice was hoarse, his expression filled with undisguised shock. "A fourth-level Blood Refinement cultivator withstood a strike from me while in Blood Burning state, and still survived?"

Xu Yuan leaned on his sword and stood up, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. At this moment, his blood and qi were churning inside him, and his internal organs were aching. However, the Hungry Ghost Compendium was operating wildly, absorbing the blood and evil energy that had been released during the collision and quickly repairing his injuries.

What surprised Xu Yuan even more was that, under the pressure of life and death, his Blood Fiend Blade Technique seemed to have broken through a bottleneck. Not only did his blade intent become more refined, but the murderous aura around him also changed from light red to dark red.

"Who I am is not important." Xu Yuan took a deep breath, suppressing his injuries. "What's important is that you can't leave today."

Zhang Biao's face was ashen: "Kid, are you really going to fight to the death? I admit you have some skills, but that last stab already seriously injured you, didn't it? If it happens again, you'll be dead for sure!"

"You can give it a try," Xu Yuan said calmly.

Zhang Biao's eyes flashed with a fierce light, then he suddenly laughed: "Fine, very well! Since you insist on courting death, then I'll grant your wish!"

After saying that, he raised his sword again to attack, but this time, the sword strike was no longer as violent and fierce as before, but instead became erratic.

His blade trembled slightly, emitting a buzzing sound, and the light of the blade poured out like mercury, covering Xu Yuan from all directions.

This is Zhang Biao's trump card sword technique—"The Thirteen Ghostly Blades." The blade strikes like a ghost, and although its power is not as great as before, it is superior in that it is difficult to distinguish between real and feint, and it is designed to target vital points.

Xu Yuan's pupils contracted slightly as he unleashed the full power of the Blood Fiend Blade Technique, the blade light transforming into a blood-red curtain to protect him.

But he soon discovered that Zhang Biao's swordsmanship was too strange. It looked like he was slashing at the chest, but when he got close, he suddenly turned to the throat; it looked like he was slashing at the arm, but in fact the blade was aimed straight at the waist and abdomen.

"laugh---"

Xu Yuan suffered another wound on his left arm, so deep that the bone was visible. If he hadn't dodged in time, this strike might have ended the battle!

"Hahahaha!" Zhang Biao roared with laughter. "Kid, now you know how powerful I am, right? My 'Thirteen Ghostly Blades' has slain three experts at the sixth level of Blood Refinement! You're just a mere fourth level; dying under this sword technique is quite an achievement!"

Xu Yuan remained silent, enduring the excruciating pain, and focused intently on dealing with the situation. He knew he couldn't afford to lose his composure now, or it would be the end for him.

Five cuts, ten cuts...

Xu Yuan had several more wounds on his body, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

In countless life-or-death battles, his understanding of the Blood Fiend Blade Technique is rapidly improving. More importantly, he is gradually able to "see" the flaws in Zhang Biao's blade technique!

Instead of seeing with his eyes, he used the Yin energy perception ability brought by the Changgui Illustrated Manual. He could even sense the rhythm of Zhang Biao's blood circulation and thus predict the trajectory of his next strike!

With the eleventh strike, Zhang Biao's blade pierced straight for Xu Yuan's heart. This strike was as fast as lightning, with a tricky angle, seemingly impossible to avoid.

At this critical moment, Xu Yuan made a move!

Instead of retreating, he advanced, and at the moment the blade was about to strike, his body twisted half an inch at an incredible angle.

It was that half-inch mark that caused Zhang Biao's blade to graz his armpit, leaving only a superficial wound.

At the same time, Xu Yuan swung his sword.

This strike was devoid of any fancy moves, just a simple slash. But it struck precisely at the exact moment when Zhang Biao's old strength was exhausted and his new strength had not yet been generated, aiming for his throat with unparalleled accuracy.

Zhang Biao's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly sheathed his knife and leaned back desperately. Xu Yuan's blade grazed his throat, leaving a bloody mark.

"You..." Zhang Biao's expression changed drastically, filled with shock and anger.

Xu Yuan gave him no chance to catch his breath, his long sword slashing down like a storm.

The Blood Fiend Blade Technique is a battlefield combat art with concise and ruthless moves. Now, Xu Yuan has used it to its fullest extent, forcing Zhang Biao to retreat repeatedly.

In an instant, the offensive and defensive positions shifted!

"This is impossible! How could you, a mere fourth-level Blood Refinement cultivator, possibly see through my swordsmanship!" Zhang Biao's unwilling roar echoed in the cave.

Xu Yuan remained silent, his sword thrusts growing even faster.

He felt his blood and qi boiling wildly within him, and with each swing of his sword, he gained new insights.

The power absorbed from the mountain spirits' flesh and blood, the ghosts' yin energy, and the bandits' blood and evil spirits is now being completely refined under the pressure of life and death, and is perfectly integrated into his blood and qi!

"boom---"

It was another fierce battle, and both men retreated three steps.

Xu Yuan coughed up a mouthful of blood, but his eyes became even sharper.

Zhang Biao was panting heavily; the effects of the Blood Burning Pill were wearing off, and his strength was beginning to decline.

"Kid, there's really no need for us to fight to the death," Zhang Biao said in a disheveled manner, his tone softening again. "Let me go, and I'll tell you a huge secret."

"What secret?"

"Regarding the true purpose of the Xiongnu's southward invasion!" Zhang Biao lowered his voice, "You think they're just here to plunder? Wrong! Their target is the entire thirteen northern prefectures! The Right Wise King's army has already assembled 100,000 cavalry and will be marching south soon. Qingyang County is merely an appetizer!"

Xu Yuan's heart skipped a beat: "Continue."

"There's a great shaman on the grasslands who deduced that an ancient artifact is sealed somewhere in the north. Whoever obtains it will control the destiny of the entire north!" Zhang Biao stared at Xu Yuan. "And that place is near Qingyang County."

Xu Yuan's pupils suddenly contracted.

A seal? Ancient relics? Near Qingyang County? These pieces of information, put together, inevitably led him to Shuangshan Village!

How do you know all this?

"The envoy sent by the Right Wise King told me this himself," Zhang Biao said wistfully. "They promised that if my Black Wind Stronghold could provide a guide to help them find the location of the seal, I would be appointed captain of a thousand cavalry, and enjoy endless wealth and honor!"

He paused, his voice now full of allure: "Young man, you are exceptionally skilled. If you are willing to cooperate, we can join forces and surely obtain immense wealth. At that time, the Shen family and the government troops will be nothing more than stepping stones for our advancement!"

Xu Yuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "Zhang Biao, if you had said these words to me three days ago, I might have considered them."

"And now?"

"Now?" Xu Yuan gripped the hilt of his knife, his eyes icy. "Now I only feel that you deserve to die even more!"

Zhang Biao's face darkened: "Why?"

"Because the Shen family has done me a great favor," Xu Yuan said, emphasizing each word. "If you want to touch Qingyang County, you'll have to get past my sword first!"

"Utterly foolish!" Zhang Biao roared in fury. "In this chaotic world, everyone looks out for themselves! What use are you, a mere ant at the fourth level of Blood Refinement, staying in Qingyang County? When the Xiongnu cavalry arrives, won't you all be reduced to ashes?"

"We'll have to wait until they arrive." Xu Yuan slowly raised his sword. "Now, I'll send you on your way."

"You're courting death!" Zhang Biao was completely enraged. Ignoring the fading effects of the Blood Burning Pill, he forcefully activated his blood and qi and pounced again.

His swordsmanship became even more frenzied, resembling a reckless, death-defying fighting style.

Xu Yuan knew he was fighting a desperate battle; as long as he could hold out until the effects of the Blood Burning Pill wore off, the outcome would be revealed.

The two clashed again, their blades flashing and their energy surging. Stone chips flew everywhere in the cave, and the water in the underground river was stained a pale red.

Thirty moves, fifty moves...

Zhang Biao's aura grew weaker and weaker, while Xu Yuan fought with increasing ferocity.

In this life-or-death struggle, the various powers accumulated within his body were fully activated and refined, and his qi and blood increased at a visible speed.

Finally, on the 103rd move, Xu Yuan seized an extremely obvious opening in Zhang Biao's defenses and severed his right arm with a single strike!

"Ah—!" Zhang Biao screamed in agony as his broadsword flew out of his hand.

Xu Yuan showed no mercy, and his second strike followed immediately, aiming straight for Zhang Biao's heart.

But just as the blade was about to pierce through, a glint of madness flashed in Zhang Biao's eyes, and he suddenly pulled out a crumpled yellow talisman with his left hand and slammed it hard against his chest.