Chapter 078: The Fierce Battle with the Bat King (Part One)

In the pitch-black bat cave, Xu Xuan’s heart began to beat faster. The purple crystal pearl nestled in the concave stone platform emanated a spiritual aura far superior to even the best purple crystal ore. He surmised that this was the essence nurtured within the stone platform—a mother crystal of extraordinary value.

Even though the bead was only the size of a thumb, its worth likely surpassed the sum of all the purple crystal ore present. Xu Xuan quickly stowed away the purple pearl. Without a storage pouch, he could only keep it close to his body, immediately sensing a flow of ethereal, dreamlike energy coursing through his limbs and bones.

This sensation delighted him. Clearly, this treasure could facilitate the transformation of one’s physique, and prolonged contact would refine the purity of his internal mana, advancing his cultivation. Such a treasure belonged among the rare wonders of the world, its value incalculable.

"Xu junior, did you find anything?" came a familiar, irritating voice.

Wan Fushan soon darted inside, his gaze landing on the demonized bat pup in Xu Xuan’s hand. He paused, a flash of greed in his eyes.

"This is probably the offspring of the Demon Bat King—its aptitude and potential are unimaginable. If you present it to Elder Lu, or trade it with other cultivators, you could earn a hefty sum of spirit coins," Xu Xuan said, with a hint of self-satisfaction. Naturally, he was diverting attention to conceal the secret of the purple crystal pearl.

Wan Fushan’s face soured as his gaze darted about the cave, searching for other demonized bat pups. Yet, it seemed there was only the one in Xu Xuan’s possession, leaving Wan Fushan disgruntled.

Soon, Le Feng and others entered the cave. Their eyes lit up when they saw the demonized bat pup in Xu Xuan’s hand.

"If you auction this pup in Yellow Dragon City, it could fetch at least hundreds of thousands of spirit coins," Le Feng said, envy in his tone.

Hundreds of thousands! This far exceeded Xu Xuan’s expectations. He hadn’t imagined that a demonized bat pup could be worth so much—comparable to some high-quality cleansing pills.

"That’s just a conservative estimate. If the pup’s aptitude is exceptional, its value could multiply several times, even tenfold," Le Feng added.

"Such a valuable pup—the profit should be shared equally, don’t you all agree?" Wan Fushan raised his voice.

Share equally? At his words, Senior Lin and others’ eyes brightened and they nodded in agreement.

"No, the pup rightfully belongs to Senior Xu. I will report this to the chief disciple," Le Feng shook his head, immediately rejecting the proposal.

Upon hearing this, Wan Fushan and the others were far from pleased.

"If it doesn’t belong to Junior Xu, I, Nie Han, will see justice done for him," came a cold, domineering voice from the cave entrance—the Sword Sect’s Nie Han.

Everyone was puzzled, recalling Xu Xuan’s roar before they lost consciousness. What had transpired afterward?

Wan Fushan, Senior Lin, and the others looked suspiciously at Xu Xuan, their eyes flickering with speculation. They could surmise that Xu Xuan must have done something after they fainted to turn the tide, earning great merit; otherwise, Le Feng and Nie Han would not be so adamant in defending him.

With Le Feng and Nie Han standing firmly by Xu Xuan, no one else voiced opposition. Afterwards, everyone entered the cave to excavate the remaining purple crystal ore.

Xu Xuan had no magical tools and could only watch, though the ore would be distributed later, so he was quietly delighted.

As the group excitedly mined the crystals, a furious, mournful screech echoed from the cave entrance.

Boom!

The mountainside near the mine quivered. Even from afar, the invisible sound waves made everyone tremble with fear.

"Not good—it must be the Demon Bat King!" Wan Fushan reacted swiftly, his face contorted with terror.

The Demon Bat King!

Everyone’s heart skipped a beat. Among the disciples who entered the secret realm, aside from Yun Yuanhang and Yu Mo, who else could contend with the Demon Bat King?

The rumbling of the mountain grew louder—the Demon Bat King’s cries approaching, likely already returning to the cave.

"Prepare for battle!" Le Feng, after a moment of panic, quickly gave the order.

"Leave the nest now—the space here is too narrow. If the Demon Bat King breaks in, there’s no escape," Nie Han said grimly, clearly the calmest among them.

Everyone hurried out of the nest, leaping into the wide mine tunnel.

Xu Xuan noticed the pup in his hand screeching and sensed trouble, quickly tossing it aside.

But at that moment, a piercing, earth-shattering shriek resounded.

Whoosh—

The Demon Bat King, its massive body riddled with wounds, burst into the mine, howling winds swirling as its crimson eyes blazed with deep-seated hatred.

Its overwhelming aura and sonic vibrations chilled everyone to the core.

Suddenly, the Demon Bat King spotted the recently discarded pup and let out a sharp, shrill cry, transforming into a huge purple shadow rushing toward Xu Xuan and the others.

As the sharp sound waves hit, everyone’s spirits quaked—a cold, fierce wind swept over them, chilling their bodies. Those with weaker cultivation stood frozen, blood trickling from their ears and noses.

Except for Nie Han and Le Feng, none could withstand the Bat King’s sonic assault.

Xu Xuan’s muscles tensed—he sensed the Bat King’s murderous intent focused on him.

He activated his breathing technique, letting out a roar to counter some of the sonic force. The massive purple shadow descended swiftly from above, its wings sweeping fiercely, unleashing a powerful purple gale. Most disciples, caught as if in a hurricane, lost control of their bodies, unable to resist.

Chaos erupted instantly.

"Xiao Qian!" Le Feng called softly, barely managing to grab Yang Xiaoqian and roll aside, escaping the gale’s range.

Nie Han grabbed a Sword Sect disciple and darted aside, his sword singing from its sheath—a flash of silver lightning slashed back at the Demon Bat King, the only one brave enough to retaliate.

After his roar, Xu Xuan seized Yu Qin’s delicate hand beside him, surging with energy, carrying her into the air.

"Ah—"

Senior Lin screamed, with no one to save him. The Bat King’s purple wings struck him, slicing him in half in a horrifying death.

With a single attack, the Demon Bat King killed a third-level Qi Refining cultivator, then, still full of hatred, charged at Xu Xuan and Yu Qin floating in the air.

Xu Xuan cursed inwardly, not expecting the Bat King to hold such a grudge.

Even in midair, though he could dodge, if the Bat King pursued relentlessly, he would be in grave danger.

As the Bat King rushed over, it unleashed another piercing screech—the forceful sound waves shook the surrounding walls, showering them with stone fragments.

Xu Xuan, suspended in the air, had no choice but to open his mouth, gathering his vital energy, and unleashed a thunderous roar:

Hey!

A shockwave like a thunderclap burst from Xu Xuan’s mouth, colliding with the Bat King’s sonic assault. The two forces crashed together with a deafening explosion, triggering a massive windstorm that swept through the mine with overwhelming force.

Many disciples nearby—like Wan Fushan and others with weaker cultivation—were battered senseless, vomiting blood, caught in the crossfire.

In an instant, the scene was in turmoil: winds howled, most were powerless to resist, cries for help and shrieks mingled in the chaos—an unprecedented disorder reigned.

(First update, please recommend...)