Chapter Twenty: The Dragon’s Shadow Follows

For the first time, a shadow darkened Notian’s face. “If that’s how it is, then come at me together!” An astonishing aura surged forth—not the manifestation of cultivation, but a pure, oppressive presence that made everyone close by feel a strange difference.

Seeing his opponent still capable of such composure under these circumstances, Chen Tian was momentarily taken aback. His expression soon hardened. “Pretending to be strong comes with a price. Attack him, dead or alive.”

Immediately, a dozen or so people joined forces against Notian. Though their formation was simple, it was enough to keep him from escaping the encirclement. Yet, with only his bare hands, he managed to fend off the blows aimed at his body.

Besides training their own techniques and martial skills, disciples also practiced basic coordinated formations to better cooperate with companions during their journeys across the continent. Even the simplest formations were far superior to fighting alone or in pairs.

These dozens of disciples at the Human Hero Realm were clearly well-practiced in such tactics, moving with remarkable coordination. Each strike targeted Notian’s vital points. It was the first time Notian had faced such a situation; he had no choice but to rely on his agility and fists to block the incoming attacks. Soon, fresh wounds appeared on his body, and his already tattered clothes became even more ragged, bloodstains seeping through.

Seeing Notian accumulate injuries, Chen Tian sneered coldly at the side. No matter how extraordinary you are, facing over a dozen experts of the same level working together, it’s hard to gain any advantage.

Confronted with this scenario for the first time, Notian truly grasped the fearsome power of formations. He hadn’t expected these men to be so practiced; it seemed they had often worked together before. Though he bore a few injuries, Notian cared little. His unique constitution ensured that his energy would recover swiftly—his hidden trump card for this challenge, something Chen Tian had not anticipated. While there were special physiques in this world that could aid cultivation or hasten recovery, none were as heaven-defying as Notian’s.

He narrowly dodged each blow, and at first had no way to counterattack. No sooner had he repelled one strike with his fist than another came immediately after; he could barely keep up.

But as time passed, Notian found himself gradually adapting to the situation. What’s more, his Celestial Dragon Footwork was making remarkable progress—it seemed true that combat was a catalyst for cultivation.

At the sidelines, Qin Yixin watched with bated breath, especially when blood appeared on Notian. Her heart nearly leapt into her throat, terrified that he would fall. If Notian were to collapse, the consequences would be dire. Regardless of the environment, the law of the jungle prevailed. If Notian lost this fight, no one would hold these men responsible, given the prestige of the Hall of Hidden Dragons; she herself might also be in danger. Qin Yixin felt a pang of guilt—if not for her, this senior brother would not have been drawn into such trouble. With his talent, he could very well become a formidable master in the future.

Moreover, she remained deeply curious about this senior’s identity. He seemed to have fallen from the heavens—did he have no master? Such talent surely would not go unnoticed by a teacher. And if he had one, why had no one come to his aid? The sect, though large, would have news spread quickly if something happened to an inner or outer disciple.

Nervously, Qin Yixin watched the battle unfold, but soon noticed with surprise that her senior’s speed seemed to increase, until she could only see a blur.

This observation did not escape Chen Tian and Chen Po, whose cultivation was higher. That boy was actually adjusting to the siege; from being wounded at first, he was now gradually handling the attacks with growing ease.

Notian’s fists struck back rapidly, repelling two attacks before he sprang upward, nimbly evading several more strikes and quickly appearing outside the encirclement.

No one felt Notian’s improvement more keenly than the dozen disciples besieging him. They were all Human Hero Realm disciples, two even at the peak, yet their combined efforts were gradually being adapted to by this youth. He was like a slippery fish, impossible to catch.

Breaking from the encirclement, Notian called out, “Hey, your coordinated formation isn’t bad, but I’ve gotten the hang of it. Now, let’s see my counterattack.” A surge of true dragon energy materialized before him, a dragon’s head at his fist, its body coiling around him. A dragon’s roar echoed, and with the sound, the manifestation lunged swiftly at the group.

Chen Tian was shaken. During their own battle, he’d heard a dragon’s roar but not seen its form; now, a genuine dragon shape appeared. This was the true form, not a lesser water dragon.

Throughout the continent, there was consensus: any technique able to manifest one of the Four Divine Beasts was a top-tier art, and such techniques were rare even in the great sects. For someone at the Human Hero Realm to produce such a vivid dragon form, his cultivation method must be extraordinary. For the first time, Chen Tian doubted Notian’s identity.

The Hall of Hidden Dragons was powerful, but not all-powerful. If this boy truly belonged to one of the other three halls and had a powerful backing, Chen Tian might not dare harm him. Moreover, that he still had energy left to strike back—what kind of monster was he? Any other disciple at this level would have collapsed by now.

Notian unleashed the Dragon Shadow Pursuit, a technique from the Celestial Dragon Battle Method combining movement and fistwork. Though he had not mastered it, its power was astonishing. No longer merely defending, Notian charged into the formation, each attack returning the force of his enemies’ blows, sending shockwaves through their weapons and nearly making them lose their grip.

With their formations broken, Notian fought without restraint; the attacks could no longer threaten him. Effortlessly blocking the attacks before him, he followed up on a retreating disciple, hurling a full-force punch. The disciple was stunned by the sudden focus; several attacks tried to intercept Notian, but they struck only afterimages as his true strike landed, sending the disciple flying in a spray of blood, incapable of further fighting.

One by one, Notian dispatched his opponents in this manner. Soon, dozens of figures lay defeated around him, the dragon shadow dissipating. He looked at the fallen, then turned to Chen Tian. “Do you have anyone left? It seems the Hall of Hidden Dragons isn’t so impressive after all!”

Chen Tian was speechless, staring at the defeated disciples. How could a mere Human Hero Realm youth be so powerful? After fighting above his level, he could still take on dozens of peers at once—was this a demon? Why had he never seen him before?

Hearing Notian’s mocking words, Chen Tian had nothing to say. Dozens of them couldn’t defeat him—what more was there to add?

Qin Yixin’s mouth hung agape at the outcome, wide enough to fit a beast egg, her eyes glued to Notian, sparkling with awe.

Notian approached her. “Don’t look so surprised, little sister. It’s not that I’m strong—they’re just too weak.” His tone was light and casual, almost flippant.

If disciples at the Essence Spirit Realm were considered weak, what did that make you, who seem only to be at the Human Hero Realm? Qin Yixin thought wryly.

As Notian turned to leave, Qin Yixin hurried after him. Glancing back at her, Notian sighed. “Pretty little sister, you’re not planning to follow me, are you?”

Qin Yixin took a deep breath. “I’ve decided. If senior doesn’t mind, let me serve as your maid?”

There was a custom: all elite disciples could accept outer disciples as servants, a way to cultivate the latter. Many elite disciples took in pretty female outer disciples as maids, though in truth they were little different from concubines. To become stronger, many women willingly offered themselves—though only if they so chose.

Notian was slightly surprised but not shocked; such things were common in the Sword Sovereign Sect.

He was about to reply when a voice full of murderous intent came from the air: “A mere Human Hero dares look down on the Hall of Hidden Dragons?”

Looking up, Notian saw a figure swiftly flying towards them—this was true flight, not just leaping. To fly freely, one had to reach at least the Central Core Realm.

The newcomer was a young man in his early twenties, dressed in black robes, fair-skinned, with sword-like brows and strands of hair framing his face. Several water dragons were embroidered on his clothes, giving him a cold aura. Clearly, he was a disciple of the Hall of Hidden Dragons; all those Notian had seen so far wore similar attire.

Recognizing the voice, Chen Tian looked up. When he saw who it was, he cried out, “Third Young Master, Zang Meng!”