Chapter 56: Velkrus

Area 12 in the Americas was the most desolate region following the cataclysm that swept the continent. Endless stretches of withered trees stretched as far as the eye could see, and the sky was perpetually shrouded by thick, sun-blocking clouds. This eternal gloom cast a shadow over the inhabitants of Area 12. Yet, despite this bleakness, the small town of Dockley, located on the border of the Deadmen’s Jungle, had gained a notorious reputation. This fame, however, had nothing to do with prosperity or vibrancy. On the contrary, it was essentially a haven for the wicked. Over eighty percent of the scoundrels and demons across the American continent gathered here. Even the Order of Light found itself powerless in this forsaken land.

The environment here was utterly unsuitable for any of the professions within the Order of Light to function properly. Dockley, shrouded in perpetual darkness, was thus dubbed the City of Sin by the continent. The people who lived here had grown irritable and darkened in spirit due to their harsh surroundings. Lawlessness reigned supreme; there were no guards, no guilds of the great professions. Yet, a particular occupation flourished in this darkness—the Necromancer.

Zhang Xiao was cloaked in a pitch-black mantle, a cloak he had personally forged. His innate pure Yang energy radiated like a blazing sun in this place—something Zhang Xiao loathed, as it drew too much attention. All he sought was a suitable Yin vein to upgrade his Bronze Armor Corpse into a Silver Armor Corpse. Around him, constant calls for team-ups echoed, “Looking for a team, seeking a Mage Tower group!” Many extended invitations to Zhang Xiao, but he rejected them all; he had no time for childish games.

Striding boldly into the Deadmen’s Jungle, Zhang Xiao invoked the ability of Divine Footsteps to press deeper into the forest. Skeletons and zombies he encountered en route were effortlessly slain. Yet, after two days of searching, no suitable Yin vein appeared. Suddenly, voices floated from ahead, where a temporary group was strolling by. “Hey! Have you heard? A rogue from the Thieves’ Guild infiltrated the Lich’s palace and stole the Lich Star!”

The mention of the Lich Star—a core artifact vital to a lich’s power—made Zhang Xiao pause. It was unimaginable that such a treasure could be stolen. This revelation sparked a glimmer of hope within him. Without the Lich Star, the lich would have fled its lair to hide and attempt to recreate the star. Surely, the vicinity of the lich’s old lair would have an excellent Yin vein suitable for upgrading the Bronze Armor Corpse.

Guided by the map transmitted by Shangguan Hengtian, Zhang Xiao quickly located a ruined site, already crowded with treasure seekers. It seemed he was not alone in coveting the lich’s domain. Since the theft of the Lich Star became known, many had set their sights on the lich’s lair. A lich without its star was no lich at all. Various factions had hastily assembled forces to exterminate the creature, but the lich had long vanished without a trace. Still, the lair remained a trove of valuable resources.

Most of these people were merely gambling on luck and fortune. Zhang Xiao quietly found a cellar—cold, damp, yet blessed with a perfect Yin vein. He casually set up a formation outside, then summoned his Bronze Armor Corpse, ordering it to sit atop the Yin vein. Scales sprouted from Zhang Xiao’s palm, covering half his arm. Having cultivated the Black Tortoise Nascent Soul, he could freely draw nearby spiritual veins and earthly energy. With a single thrust into the soil, all Yin energy within a hundred-mile radius was siphoned into the cellar, instantly turning the space as dark as ink.

The increasingly dense Yin energy gathered into the small cellar, invigorating the Bronze Armor Corpse, which began ravenously devouring it. Zhang Xiao then produced a jade bottle with a flick of his palm. During his nation-building mission in Japan’s Ise Shrine, he had trapped the primordial spirit of a Demon King at the Refining God stage inside this bottle. Now, it was finally time to use it. Opening the bottle, he saw the nearly desiccated spirit lying within. With a flick, he cast the ghostly spirit toward the Bronze Armor Corpse, which opened its jaws wide to swallow it whole.

Afterward, the corpse grinned foolishly and said, “Don’t laugh, hurry up and refine the Demon King’s spirit.” Zhang Xiao ordered it to sit cross-legged and begin refining the spirit. The overwhelming ghostly energy made the corpse colder and colder. Combined with the endless influx of Yin energy, the corpse suddenly trembled violently. Silver spots emerged across its body. As the saying went, extreme Yin gave birth to Yang—these silver markings were the nascent Yang energy within.

Seeing this, Zhang Xiao hastily channeled pure Yang energy to assist the corpse’s evolution while dispersing the surrounding Yin energy. Once the corpse transformed its internal Yin into Yang, it would be reborn—not only gaining enhanced intelligence but also the ability to learn Daoist arts and forge magical artifacts. However, such a transformation defied the laws of Heaven and Earth and would inevitably attract numerous hardships. Thus, Zhang Xiao guarded it with all his heart.

Suddenly, the soil above cracked open, releasing a torrent of Yin energy from the cellar. People searching the ruins overhead turned their heads sharply. Seeing the Yin energy nearly materialize from the earth, they eagerly unleashed their skills upon the cellar. Explosions rocked the underground chamber, creating a large hole. The treasure seekers rushed in, eyes gleaming.

Zhang Xiao’s brow furrowed as he summoned the Five-colored Cloud Banner to shield his Bronze Armor Corpse. This was a critical moment; any disturbance could ruin the corpse’s evolution, causing the newly formed Yang and residual Yin to violently clash and incinerate it to ashes. He could not let his loyal Bronze Armor Corpse be destroyed after all these years. Facing the rushing crowd, he drew forth the Celestial Sound Bell and struck it with a finger. A resounding bell wave radiated outward, scattering many attackers.

Yet, among these treasure hunters were formidable experts. A warrior swung a long blade and forcibly cleaved through Zhang Xiao’s shockwave. At that moment, a bowstring twanged, and a black arrow tore through the void toward Zhang Xiao. His expression darkened. Scales appeared on his palm, blocking the arrow effortlessly. He snatched the arrow, spun it around, and hurled it back at ten times the speed. The arrow pierced the chest of a tight-clad archer.

Seeing Zhang Xiao’s formidable strength, the surrounding crowd hesitated to advance. Relieved, Zhang Xiao’s concern was not fear of these people but the potential interference with the corpse’s evolution. Just as he relaxed, a cold sneer came from the side: “Oh? What a grand show of power.”

A man approached, wielding a curved saber. He appeared somewhat aged, with a long beard and thick hair, clad in leather armor. His aura was profound as an ocean, rivaling Zhang Xiao’s own strength. Zhang Xiao was taken aback—he had never heard of such a master in the Americas. Those familiar with this man called him Vicarus, the strongest figure in Dockley, though rarely venturing outside, hence his low profile. Many factions labeled him the Mad Warrior. Along with Bellina, the Warrior Goddess of the Order of Light, and Garrick, the genius mage of the Magic Guild, he was counted among the Three Heroes of Europe and America.

As Vicarus advanced, Zhang Xiao prepared for confrontation. The corpse’s evolution was at a critical stage, and Vicarus’s hostile tone left no room for negotiation. Drawing the Celestial Yang Sword, Zhang Xiao pointed at him and warned, “Take one more step, and don’t blame me for being ruthless.” A flash of sword light sliced a deep mark on the ground at Vicarus’s feet.

Vicarus’s eyes gleamed with excitement. Though Zhang Xiao’s secret treasure, the Sky-covering Ring, concealed his true power, the sword technique alone revealed that Zhang Xiao’s strength was comparable, perhaps even surpassing his own. “Ha ha ha, besides Garrick and Bellina, you’re the first I’ve met with such formidable strength.”

The excitement in Vicarus’s gaze stirred unease within Zhang Xiao. Such a look only appeared in the eyes of lunatics or warriors obsessed to the point of madness. Still, Zhang Xiao was intrigued by the names Garrick and Bellina. Their mention suggested they were as powerful as himself, yet he had never heard of them. This mystery gnawed quietly at Zhang Xiao’s mind.