“Alert!” Tang Buyu roared in a low voice, his body instantly tensing up, and the surrounding metal fragments vibrated slightly as if summoned!
Just as his voice fell!
“Roar—!!!”
“Ugh—!!!”
“Rip—!!!”
Deafening roars and screeches suddenly exploded from all directions! Behind the pile of rubble ahead! Under the collapsed low wall on the left! In the half-buried fountain on the right! And even… the corner they had just passed!
Dense, hideous corpse-ghouls surged out like a tide! Their eyes flickered with a speed faster than before! Their roars were even more synchronized!
“Damn it! It’s a trap!” Tang Buyu’s face changed dramatically! He instantly understood the reason for the abnormal silence! These corpse-ghouls… had actually learned to ambush?!
“Li Bing! Protect Bai Lingdong!” Tang Buyu roared, pushing his hands forward forcefully!
Boom! Boom!
Scattered marble sculpture fragments, broken metal railings, and even exposed rebar on the ground were picked up as if by an invisible giant hand!
Instantly transforming into two violent torrents of metal!
One on the left, one on the right! With a piercing sound of rushing air! They slammed fiercely into the two waves of corpse-ghouls charging at the front!
Splat! Crack! Thud!
The metal fragments tore through rotten flesh like a meat grinder! Crushing bones! Instantly sending a dozen or so corpse-ghouls at the front flying with blood and gore!
They flew backward! But the corpse-ghouls behind were fearless! Stepping over their companions’ bodies! They charged forward even more frantically!
“Roar!”
A particularly tall corpse-ghoul, covered in thick bone armor and with sharp bone spurs on its elbows, violently pushed away the metal fragments!
Its crimson eyes locked onto Tang Buyu! Charging wildly with an aura of crushing everything! Its speed far surpassed that of ordinary corpse-ghouls!
A Bone Eater Realm?! Tang Buyu’s pupils contracted! This was definitely an elite among the corpse-ghouls!
“Get lost!” Tang Buyu roared! He slammed his hands together! Countless metal fragments instantly condensed and compressed in front of him! Forming a huge, cold, gleaming metal shield!
Bang—!!!
The bone-spurred corpse-ghoul’s giant claw slammed heavily onto the metal shield! Emitting a deafening crash! The immense force made Tang Buyu grunt! His body slid backward uncontrollably! The surface of the metal shield instantly became covered in spiderweb-like cracks!
At the same time!
“Watch out behind you!” Bai Lingdong screamed in terror!
Several corpse-ghouls, as swift as leopards, had somehow circled behind them! Their sharp claws, carrying a fishy wind, fiercely clawed at Bai Lingdong’s back!
“Shadow Bind!”
Li Bing’s figure appeared behind Bai Lingdong like a ghost! He slammed his hands onto the ground! The shadows beneath his feet instantly spread like living things! Transforming into several dark chains! Precisely wrapping around the ankles of those few ambushing corpse-ghouls!
Thud! Thud!
The corpse-ghouls instantly lost their balance! Falling heavily to the ground! Emitting angry roars!
But Li Bing’s face instantly turned pale! Simultaneously binding several speed-type corpse-ghouls consumed a huge amount of his mental energy and ability!
“Bai Lingdong! Use the fragment!”
Tang Buyu, while desperately holding back the bone-spurred corpse-ghoul’s furious attacks, roared hoarsely! The cracks on the metal shield grew more numerous! He felt as if his arms were about to be shattered!
Bai Lingdong looked at the corpse-ghouls surging like a tide, at Tang Buyu struggling to hold on, and at Li Bing’s pale face; the immense fear almost suffocated her!
But the instinct for survival and her companion’s shouts made her grit her teeth!
She gripped the spatial fragment pendant around her neck! Concentrating all her mental energy! Trying to communicate with that cold and vast power!
“Open… for me!”
Buzz—!!!
The spatial fragment suddenly burst forth with dazzling silver light! An indescribable spatial fluctuation instantly spread out!
However, this time, the expected spatial tear did not occur!
The silver light merely formed a thin, rippling… spatial ripple in front of her, like water!
Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!
Several corpse-ghouls charging at the front slammed into the spatial ripple! Their bodies were like hitting an invisible wall! Instantly being repelled! But the ripple also fluctuated violently! The light rapidly dimmed!
“Not enough! Not enough power!” Bai Lingdong was so anxious that tears were about to fall! She could feel the power of the fragment, but her mental energy was like a dry riverbed, unable to guide this vast power at all!
“Roar—!!!”
The bone-spurred corpse-ghoul seemed enraged by the spatial fluctuation! It let out an even more ferocious roar! Its giant claw, covered in bone spurs, slammed down again!
Crack—!!!
The metal shield… shattered with a crash!
Tang Buyu was hit hard! He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood! His body flew backward like a broken kite! Slamming heavily into a collapsed stone statue behind him! Rubble flew everywhere!
“Buyu!” Bai Lingdong let out a heartbreaking scream!
The bone-spurred corpse-ghoul’s crimson beast eyes locked onto the fallen Tang Buyu! With a destructive killing intent! It took large strides! Charging straight at him!
Li Bing’s eyes were splitting with rage! He wanted to rescue him! But he was tightly entangled by several fearless corpse-ghouls! The Shadow Bind chains trembled violently! They could break at any moment!
Just at this critical moment!
A massive, hideous figure, covered in dark jade bone armor… like a demon god… descended from the sky! Slamming heavily between the bone-spurred corpse-ghoul and Tang Buyu!
Boom—!!!
The ground trembled violently! Dust rose into the sky!
Zhuang Han!
His crimson beast eyes swept across the chaotic battlefield, over the fallen Tang Buyu, over the terrified Bai Lingdong, over the struggling Li Bing, and finally… landed on the bone-spurred corpse-ghoul that had been pushed back several steps by his landing impact.
A cold will echoed in Zhuang Han’s mind: “Only through slaughter… can the strongest warriors… be born…”
He looked at the raging savagery in the bone-spurred corpse-ghoul’s eyes and… a hint of provoked anger, and the corner of his mouth very subtly… curled into a hideous arc.
He had originally wanted to have some fun with these three little guys, but he hadn’t expected that besides him, there were other Bone Eater Realm mutants in this academy.
Never mind, there was no point in playing with those three little guys; it would be better… to have a good, satisfying fight!
“Very good… You… are worthy… of being… a whetstone!”
The dust slowly dispersed, revealing Zhuang Han’s figure standing like a demon god.
His body, covered in dark jade bone armor, exuded a cold metallic sheen under the dim daylight.
His massive body was like an insurmountable mountain, standing between the bone-spurred corpse-ghoul and the fallen Tang Buyu.
“Roar—!!!”
The bone-spurred corpse-ghoul staggered backward, shaken by the impact of Zhuang Han’s landing, and an even more furious rage instantly erupted in its crimson beast eyes! It felt an unprecedented threat!
It suddenly stabilized its body, and its giant claw, covered in thick bone armor, slammed heavily onto the ground! Emitting a dull thud! Its massive body once again charged like an out-of-control locomotive, with a terrifying aura of crushing everything, slamming fiercely into Zhuang Han!
“Ugh…”
Tang Buyu struggled to prop up his upper body from the rubble, blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth, his chest aching unbearably. He looked at the two figures confronting each other like mountains, his eyes filled with unbelievable horror!
That terrifying mutated dog?! How could he be here?! And… he seemed… to be targeting that bone-spurred corpse-ghoul?!
“Bai Lingdong! Li Bing! Come over quickly!” Tang Buyu roared hoarsely, enduring the severe pain, and slammed his hands onto the ground!
Buzz—!!!
The scattered metal fragments around him instantly gathered in front of him! Spinning, compressing, and condensing frantically!
Forming a relatively smaller but more solid metal shield! Protecting him and the stumbling Bai Lingdong and Li Bing who were running towards him!
“Buyu! Are you alright?!” Bai Lingdong rushed to Tang Buyu’s side, seeing the blood at the corner of his mouth and his pale face, tears instantly welled up. She fumbled to help him up, but Tang Buyu pushed her away.
“I’m fine! Watch your pendant!” Tang Buyu’s voice was hoarse and urgent, his gaze fixed on the center of the battlefield.
Li Bing’s figure appeared beside them like a ghost, his face pale, his breathing rapid. Simultaneously binding several speed-type corpse-ghouls earlier had greatly exhausted him.
He vigilantly scanned their surroundings; the corpse-ghoul horde, temporarily halted by Zhuang Han’s pressure, still stared at them with crimson eyes, like a pack of wolves waiting for an opportunity.
Boom—!!!
In the center of the battlefield! The bone-spurred corpse-ghoul’s giant claw slammed heavily onto Zhuang Han’s bone-armored forearm!
Bang—!!!
An extremely dull thud! Like two iron mountains colliding! A visible shockwave exploded violently! Kicking up dust everywhere!
The bone-spurred mutant’s massive body trembled violently! Its bone-spurred giant claw was actually blocked head-on! Unable to advance an inch! A hint of unbelievable shock flashed in its crimson pupils!
Two mutants, one humanoid, one beast-like!
And Zhuang Han! His massive body remained motionless! There wasn’t even a single scratch on his dark jade bone armor! In his crimson beast eyes, that cold amusement grew even stronger!
“Too weak.” Zhuang Han let out a low growl from his throat, like metal grinding. He suddenly shook his left arm!
An unimaginable terrifying force instantly erupted!
Crack—!!!
The bone-spurred corpse-ghoul’s giant claw, covered in thick bone armor, capable of crushing steel… shattered like fragile glass… instantly covered in spiderweb-like cracks!
Followed by… crumbling into pieces! Dark golden blood mixed with bone fragments sprayed out like a fountain!
“Ow—!!!”
The Bone Eater Realm let out a shriek so distorted it was horrifying! The intense pain made its massive body tremble violently! It instinctively wanted to retreat!
But Zhuang Han was faster! His gigantic bone claw shot out like lightning! He grabbed the Bone Eater Realm's shattered right claw at the wrist! He held it in a death grip, like iron pincers!
"Roar—!!!"
The Bone Eater Realm struggled madly! Its other intact giant claw, with a screech that tore through the air, fiercely clawed at Zhuang Han's head! It tried to break free!
Zhuang Han didn't even dodge! He sharply tilted his head, which was covered in bone armor!
Bang—!!!
The Bone Eater Realm's giant claw slammed into Zhuang Han's shoulder blade!
It produced a grinding metallic sound that set teeth on edge! Sparks flew! But... it still... couldn't leave even a single mark!
"Waste." Zhuang Han's voice was devoid of any emotion, cold as ice. He exerted force with the giant claw gripping the Bone Eater Realm's wrist! At the same time, his massive body spun like a top!
Whoosh—!!!
The Bone Eater Realm's enormous body was swung up by Zhuang Han like a tattered sack! It arced through the air!
Boom—!!!
Like a meteor falling to earth! The Bone Eater Realm was slammed hard onto the rocky ground! The hard ground instantly cracked! Forming a huge deep pit!
Dust billowed into the sky! The Bone Eater Realm let out an even more agonizing shriek! Its entire skeleton groaned under the unbearable pressure! Blood gushed from its mouth and nose like a stream!
But this wasn't over!
Zhuang Han's massive body followed closely behind! His gigantic foot, covered in hardened bone, lifted high! The sole of his foot, covered in dark jade bone armor, gleamed with the cold light of death! He stomped down fiercely on the struggling Bone Eater Realm in the deep pit!
Boom—!!!
Shattered rocks flew like bullets! The deep pit instantly expanded! The Bone Eater Realm's chest instantly collapsed under the terrifying stomp!
That mutated creature was naturally miserable beyond compare.
"Awooo... ugh..." The Bone Eater Realm's howl instantly turned into a wheezing sound like a broken bellows! Its crimson beast eyes were filled with extreme pain and... bone-deep fear! Its massive body twitched violently, its life force rapidly dimming like a candle in the wind!
Crushing! Absolute crushing!
Zhuang Han, as if playing with an ant, easily brought this Bone Eater Realm, which was enough to put Tang Buyu and Li Bing in a desperate situation, to the brink of death!
However, Zhuang Han did not deliver the final blow.
He slowly lifted his gigantic bone foot.
His crimson beast eyes coldly swept over the dying Bone Eater Realm in the deep pit. That gaze... held no killing intent, no anger, only a kind of... indifference... and... a hint of... expectation? ...as if looking at a failed experiment.
"Not... strong... enough..."
Zhuang Han emitted a low growl from his throat. He slowly raised his head, his crimson beast eyes sweeping over the surrounding zombie horde, who were too intimidated to move.
"Roar—!!!"
A roar full of command exploded!
The zombie horde trembled violently! The bloodthirsty desire in their crimson eyes, suppressed by Zhuang Han's pressure, was ignited once more!
They looked at the dying Bone Eater Realm in the deep pit, at the dark golden blood flowing from it, emitting an alluring scent... Greed instantly overwhelmed fear!
"Eat!"
Zhuang Han's cold will clearly transmitted to every zombie's mind!
"Devour it! Only those who survive... are worthy... of following the Master!"
The command was given!
Like a spark thrown into boiling oil!
"Roar—!!!"
"Ugh ah—!!!"
"Hiss—!!!"
The zombie horde instantly erupted! Like a pack of hungry hyenas!
They wildly pounced on the dying Bone Eater Realm in the deep pit! They shoved and bit each other! Just to snatch a mouthful of that flesh and blood containing powerful energy!
Pfft! Crunch! Hiss—!!!
The teeth-grinding sounds of tearing, bone-crushing, and flesh-separating instantly replaced the previous roars! The Bone Eater Realm let out one last faint and despairing wail, instantly drowned in the zombie horde's frenzied tearing!
Dark golden blood splattered like a fountain! Mutilated flesh and internal organs were wildly snatched!
A bloody and cruel... feast of cannibalism... was wildly unfolding... under Zhuang Han's cold gaze!
"Ugh..."
Bai Lingdong looked at the hellish scene before her, her stomach churning, and she couldn't help but gag, her face ashen.
Tang Buyu and Li Bing also had grim expressions.
They looked at Zhuang Han's figure, standing like a demon god, watching him coldly "directing" this tragic act of cannibalism, and a chill shot up their spines to the top of their heads!
This was not a battle at all! This was... raising Gu! Using the most brutal method... to select... the strongest monsters!
Zhuang Han's gaze slowly turned to Tang Buyu, Li Bing, and Bai Lingdong.
His crimson beast eyes swept over them, especially lingering for a moment on the spatial fragment pendant on Bai Lingdong's neck.
That gaze was cold and indifferent, as if looking at three... slightly stronger... insects.
Tang Buyu instantly tensed his nerves! Metal fragments vibrated wildly in front of him! Ready to launch a desperate attack at any moment!
Li Bing's figure also instantly became more blurred, as if he could blend into the shadows at any moment!
Bai Lingdong clutched the pendant tightly, her knuckles white from the effort, her body trembling violently from fear.
However, Zhuang Han did not attack them.
He just... slowly... bared his fanged maw. That smile... was ferocious and... cold.
"Whetstone... needs... time..."
He let out a low, hoarse sound from his throat, as if talking to himself, and yet as if proclaiming something.
Then, his massive body slowly turned, his spiky tail scraping a harsh sound on the ground.
He no longer looked at the bloody devouring scene behind him, nor did he pay attention to Tang Buyu, Li Bing, and Bai Lingdong, who were on high alert. He took heavy steps, one by one, slowly walking towards the stadium...
The heavy footsteps were like the drumbeats of death, pounding in everyone's hearts. Only when that massive figure disappeared around the corner of the ruins did the suffocating terror slowly dissipate.
The zombie horde was still frantically tearing at the Bone Eater Realm's remains, emitting chilling chewing sounds.
"Hurry!" Tang Buyu endured the severe pain, struggling to stand up, his voice hoarse and urgent, "Before they finish eating!"
Li Bing immediately stepped forward to support him. Bai Lingdong also suppressed the fear and nausea in her heart, following closely behind.
The three did not dare to linger for a moment, not even daring to glance at the bloody devouring scene again, stumbling and running as fast as they could towards the back door of the cafeteria, fleeing for their lives!
It wasn't until they rushed into the half-collapsed back door of the cafeteria and blocked the entrance with a pile of heavy kitchen utensils that the three collapsed to the ground as if exhausted, panting heavily.
The inside of the cafeteria was a mess, tables and chairs overturned, the floor covered with dried bloodstains and broken glass. The air was filled with the sour smell of rotting food and the strong smell of blood.
But at this moment, it became their temporary sanctuary.
"He... what exactly does he want to do?" Bai Lingdong hugged her knees, her body still trembling uncontrollably, her voice choked with tears, "Why like that... why make them eat each other...?"
Tang Buyu leaned against the cold wall, his chest heaving violently, the bloodstains on the corners of his mouth already dry. His eyes were terrifyingly gloomy, and he slowly spoke, his voice carrying an indescribable chill.
"He's... raising Gu."
"Using the most brutal method... to eliminate the weak... and cultivate the strong."
"That Bone Eater Realm... was just the first... whetstone."
Li Bing silently wiped the blood from his short spear, adding in a low voice, "And... he knows us!"
Tang Buyu suddenly remembered Zhuang Han's cold glance at the pendant before he left, and an alarm bell rang in his heart!
"Lingdong! That fragment! You absolutely cannot use it lightly!" Tang Buyu's voice carried an unprecedented solemnity, "That monster... his 'Master' behind him... is very likely after it!"
Bai Lingdong subconsciously clutched the pendant, its cold touch sending a shiver down her spine.
She remembered Zhuang Han's crimson eyes, like an abyss, and his cold smile as he left... an indescribable fear once again gripped her heart.
"Then... what do we do?" Her voice was filled with despair.
Tang Buyu took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He looked around the messy cafeteria, his gaze finally falling on the passage leading to the internal kitchen.
"First, find food and water. Only by surviving... will we have a chance to think of anything else."
He struggled to stand up, metal fragments hovering and spinning in his palm, emitting a low hum.
"Li Bing, be on alert. Lingdong, stay close to me."
His voice carried an undeniable resolve. Fear would not solve the problem. Only by surviving and becoming stronger could they find a glimmer of hope... in this hellish ruin!