Just as Ling Chen (Lin Chen) successfully sowed the seeds of dependence in Su Hengying's heart and initially detected the subtle opportunity for her healing ability to awaken, dozens of kilometers away, deep within the Linghui Academy Ruins, a completely different "drama" was unfolding.
Blood Sacrifice Canyon, where an eerie wind howled. Compared to when the Dawn Squad explored it earlier, the atmosphere here was even more sinister. On the crude altar, fresh bloodstains had long since dried and blackened, but the pervasive silence and desecrating aura in the air grew thicker. The black stone slab, inscribed with twisted runes, still lay quietly at the center of the altar, as if waiting for something.
In the shadows on one side of the canyon, a massive figure covered in dark golden bone armor stood silently, like a lurking beast. It was Zhuang Han.
But at this moment, its scarlet pupils no longer held the ferocity and greed it displayed when facing the Knights Templar, nor the cruelty and mockery it showed when pursuing the Dawn Squad. Instead, there was an almost devout anticipation and absolute calm.
The wounds on its body, left from its fierce battles with Li Fan and the Temple Knights, had largely healed. Its aura had not weakened; instead, it had become more restrained and profound, subtly touching the threshold of the Hundred Forms Realm mid-stage.
If any powerful individual skilled in soul perception were present, they would surely discover a cold, supreme, and absolute law-like soul imprint glowing faintly deep within Zhuang Han's consciousness.
The shape of that imprint originated from the same source as Ling Chen's Soul Jade Physique's primal runes!
"Master..." Zhuang Han's consciousness echoed with its silent thought waves, filled with reverence and fanaticism, "Everything... is ready... awaiting your... guidance."
It recalled the moment, several months ago, that changed its life.
A cold will forcefully invaded its consciousness, reshaped its soul core, and left an indelible mark of loyalty. Ling Chen did not kill it; instead, he bestowed upon it clearer intelligence, greater evolutionary potential, and... a grand mission.
To play the role of a mad, powerful, and constantly evolving mutated leader, creating enough panic and threat to draw the attention of various forces to the Western Rift Zone and Jiu'an City region, providing chaotic cover and necessary "pressure" for its master's true plan—to explore and control the "Martial Training Grotto-Heaven" left by the ancient Strategist Zhang Liang and the fourth path to ascension.
Thus, there was the "bloodbath" at Pan Shi Outpost, the "attack" on the exploration team, the "rampage" and "hidden strength" during the Temple's purification ritual, and the "cat and mouse game" with the Dawn Squad... Everything unfolded according to the script meticulously crafted by Ling Chen. Most of the flesh and blood energy it devoured was secretly converted and continuously sent to Ling Chen in Shengjing through the soul imprint's channel, helping him stabilize his Soul Jade Physique! Its deliberate "devouring" of the garrison after breaking through the outpost was to create terror and obtain military intelligence; its "fear" of holy light was to highlight the "value" of the Temple, intensifying factional conflicts; its "chase" of the Dawn Squad without killing them was to hone "whetstones" like Li Fan and create opportunities for Ling Chen to "rescue" and "demonstrate his value."
Even that crucial black stone slab was placed in advance by Ling Chen and deliberately "discovered" by the Dawn Squad! The runes on it were, of course, forged by Ling Chen based on some characteristics of the Soul Jade Physique, with the aim of pinning the label of "ancient evil inheritance" on Zhuang Han (and himself), guiding the direction of the investigation.
And the little girl Su Hengying, unexpectedly encountered in Crying Valley, who possessed peculiar dual abilities... was the only unexpected variable in the script. Zhuang Han received new instructions from Ling Chen via the soul imprint: "Show strength appropriately, create a perilous battle, and ultimately be 'forced' to retreat to Blood Sacrifice Canyon. As for that girl... do not devour her for now; observe her abilities, especially the fleeting healing aura."
Therefore, its battle in Crying Valley, though seemingly ferocious, was actually restrained. It deliberately allowed itself to be "interfered with" by the girl's skeletal giant, deliberately exposed weaknesses to be hit by snipers and Li Fan; everything was to make the performance more convincing and to draw this unexpected "small fish" to the final stage—Blood Sacrifice Canyon.
"Master's calculations are flawless... even unexpected pawns can be turned into aid..." Zhuang Han's consciousness was filled with adoration. It could feel that its master was very interested in that girl, an interest even surpassing that for it, a loyal subordinate. But it felt no jealousy, only absolute obedience. Its master's will was its law.
At this moment, the soul imprint warmed slightly, and a clear command arrived: "The time has come. According to the plan, enter the final stage. Attract all 'spectators' to Blood Sacrifice Canyon. Prepare for the 'curtain call.'"
In Zhuang Han's scarlet pupils, a carefully feigned fury and greed erupted instantly! It let out an earth-shattering roar, filled with "anger" and "hunger," that shook the heavens! This roar contained the terrifying pressure of the Hundred Forms Realm, like a physical shockwave, spreading far and wide!
At the same time, its massive body violently crashed into the nearby rock wall, creating a huge commotion, and then, with an "impatient" posture, it bolted towards Blood Sacrifice Canyon! Along the way, it deliberately released strong energy fluctuations, stirring up a sky full of dust, as if afraid others wouldn't know its whereabouts... Temporary Forward Base, Command Center.
The piercing alarm blared through the sky once again!
"Report! Detecting extremely high energy readings from Zhuang Han! It's bursting out of the Linghui Academy core area, heading towards... Blood Sacrifice Canyon! Moving extremely fast!" The radar operator's voice was tense and held a hint of confusion, "Its energy fluctuations are very violent, seemingly... in an extremely excited state!"
Gao Zhan, Brigade Commander Zhang (via video communication), and Ling Chen, who had just returned after comforting Su Hengying, immediately gathered before the tactical sand table.
"What is it doing in Blood Sacrifice Canyon?" Gao Zhan frowned deeply, "What else is there besides that altar and stone slab?"
Ling Chen's gaze was fixed on the sand table, his finger pointing to Blood Sacrifice Canyon as he said in a deep voice, "Chief Gao, Brigade Commander Zhang, do you remember our previous speculation? The ancient sacrificial ruins in Blood Sacrifice Canyon are very likely related to the source of Zhuang Han's power! Its sudden departure there now can only mean two things: one, there's something critically important to it there, which it intends to acquire or protect; or two... it was enraged by our previous exploration and intends to make that the battleground, using the terrain to its advantage against us!"
He skillfully steered the possibilities towards the latter, which better fit the persona of a "mad mutated creature."
A sharp glint flashed in Li Fan's dragon eyes: "Whatever it intends to do, this is our chance! In the canyon terrain, its massive body and horde advantage will be limited! It's the best time to encircle and eliminate it!"
Priest Barder's voice also came through the communication (the Temple had a liaison office at the base): "Evil is gathering! We must stop it from desecrating the ancient ruins! The Knights Templar request to participate in this purification operation!"
All factions were once again mobilized by Zhuang Han's actions.
After a quick discussion, Gao Zhan and Brigade Commander Zhang made a decisive call: "Order! The main force of the joint task force, immediately mobilize towards Blood Sacrifice Canyon! Establish a firepower blockade on the periphery! The 'Gravedigger' task force, as the vanguard, depart immediately, track Zhuang Han, ascertain its intentions, and seize opportunities to restrain it! The Knights Templar... may provide support on the periphery, responsible for purifying any potential undead contamination!"
The command for the final battle was officially issued!
A cold glint, imperceptible to anyone, flashed in Ling Chen's eyes. (The fish are all in the net. The actors are in place, the stage is set, just waiting for the protagonist to appear and enact this final... climax and ending.)
He looked at Li Fan, his tone "resolute": "Captain Li, the mission is arduous. Zhuang Han will undoubtedly be emboldened on this trip, so be extremely careful."
Li Fan snorted heavily: "Don't worry! This time, it won't be returning!" His suspicion of Ling Chen had not vanished, but eliminating Zhuang Han took precedence over everything else.
Ling Chen then "deliberately" went to the Medical Center to check on Su Hengying. Citing "major military operations ahead, the base might not be safe," he instructed her not to leave the Medical Center and left two "Ashes" squad members to "protect" her. In reality, this was to isolate her in a relatively safe place for subsequent observation and control.
Su Hengying watched Ling Chen's retreating back, an inexplicable sense of unease rising in her heart. She always felt that something terrible was about to happen.
Soon, the "Gravedigger" task force set off again, speeding towards Blood Sacrifice Canyon. This time, the atmosphere in the team was even more somber; everyone understood that this could very well be the final battle with Zhuang Han.
Ling Chen sat inside the command vehicle, eyes closed in meditation. The will of the Soul Jade Physique, however, maintained a silent communication with Zhuang Han in the distance through that soul imprint.
(Perform to your heart's content, my loyal mad dog. Your 'death' will pave the way for me. Your crystal core will be one of the most important cornerstones for me to reach the pinnacle.)
Zhuang Han's thoughts came through, filled with determination and glory: "For Master... I offer everything!"
Blood Sacrifice Canyon, this final stage chosen by Ling Chen, was about to usher in its most "glorious" and cruel moment. And all those entangled within it had never anticipated that what they were about to witness was not a decisive battle between justice and evil, but a grand deception... orchestrated and directed by the puppet master behind the scenes.