Chapter 323: My Seventeen

To outsiders, the scene was undeniably miraculous and terrifying, yet Yang Chen didn't find it particularly noteworthy. With his internal cultivation now perfected, he could freely manipulate his true qi.

As he passed by Judith and the others earlier, a powerful pressure rendered them unable to resist, even forgetting to breathe. Meanwhile, Yang Chen's formidable true qi emitted an aura akin to a "domain." Within this domain, a slight surge of the Sutra of Transcendental Contemplation's internal force generated an incredibly pure and penetrating pressure, causing imperceptible internal injuries to the six individuals.

Their internal organs shattered, and they collapsed lifelessly. There was no blood because they fell before it could reach their mouths or noses.

After executing this seemingly divine move, Yang Chen felt little satisfaction. It was merely a normal technique he could perform at his current level, relying solely on strength rather than finesse.

Tokugawa Zangyo, accompanied by the Banya and Tanuki, stood solemnly prepared. Even the previously playful Nine-Tailed White Fox and the short-haired woman stood respectfully by Yang Chen's side. They understood that Yang Chen's displayed speed had surpassed their comprehension. Their only option was to face him head-on; there was no other path to take.

"It is said that among the ancient art of Yanxia, there exists a technique called 'Shrinking into Inches.' Masters of this technique, when reaching a high level, can achieve a teleportation-like ability. It seems, my Lord of the Underworld, that you are not far from achieving this legendary art," remarked Tokugawa Zangyo gravely. His demon blade Myouhou Muramasa still flickered with a blood-red light, trembling slightly as if eager to strike again.

"Oh, I haven't heard of that. But in comparison to teleportation, there's still a gap between my speed and theirs," replied Yang Chen casually.

Tokugawa Zangyo raised Myouhou Muramasa within two feet of Yang Chen, pointing it directly at him. "Even so, I will need to give it my all to have a chance."

Yang Chen wasn't concerned with the blade pointing at him. He glanced at the remaining five present and addressed the short-haired woman who hadn't shown her hand yet. "You must be another sister of the Nine-Tailed White Fox, the Nine-Lives Cat Demon."

The yellow-haired Nine-Lives Cat Demon's pupils contracted momentarily, her dark brown eyes turning emerald green. She smirked darkly, "So you already know who I am."

"Although Gao Tianyuan is an organization without a leader, it seems you seek revenge for your sister, Yuki-Onna. Is that a decision you made on your own?" Yang Chen inquired.

"Indeed, unfortunately for us, you seem much stronger than we anticipated. It's quite frightening for us sisters," the Cat Demon chuckled, patting her chest mockingly.

Yang Chen remained calm and composed, shirtless with his hands casually tucked into his pockets. He spoke with genuine interest, "I've crossed paths with many clandestine organizations, and I must say, Gao Tianyuan's people are quite innovative. Each of you carries your own unique heritage. I look forward to seeing what new things you can show me."

The Nine-Lives Cat Demon's glossy green eyes flashed with annoyance. "Do you think we'll be afraid just because you can stand up again? Stop playing tricks and face this move!"

Before her words had even settled, the Cat Demon transformed into a blur, appearing in front of Yang Chen in an instant. One hand revealed razor-sharp claws, emitting a faint electric current, as she swiftly thrust towards Yang Chen's throat.

Yang Chen's reflexes were sharper than ever. Though fast, the Cat Demon's attack was effortlessly dodged as he sidestepped.

Undeterred, the Cat Demon's agility was remarkable. Missing the first strike, she immediately countered with a sweeping leg kick, generating a spiral of fierce wind that shattered the door frames of the nearby ancient mansion, creating a ripple in the air.

Yang Chen finally realized the Cat Demon's versatility and speed. As her cyclonic kick came towards him, he calmly slapped it away with a single large hand.

The Cat Demon grunted in frustration as Yang Chen's palm nullified the powerful vortex, leaving her no advantage. Using Yang Chen's force, she rolled back and landed on the ground, then shouted, "Rise!"

Before Yang Chen could discern her intentions, he felt the wooden floor beneath him tremble.

"Boom!"

With a thunderous roar, several shoots of rock-like earthen spikes burst from the ground, aiming directly at Yang Chen's lower body.

"Nice move!" Yang Chen exclaimed hurriedly dodging them, but still ended up splattered with mud, looking slightly disheveled.

"It's said that every nine years, a Nine-Lives Cat Demon gains an additional tail, granting them control over different aspects of nature. By the time they have nine tails, they can wield nine types of abilities: gold, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, rain, thunder, and lightning. Looks like you've mastered at least three," Yang Chen remarked casually, without a hint of urgency.

Unable to harm Yang Chen no matter what she did and being toyed with, the Cat Demon seethed with rage. "I'm not done yet!"

With that, the Cat Demon's claws elongated again, now five inches long, crackling with electricity as she lunged fiercely towards Yang Chen, her speed even faster than before.

Seeing her own sister locked in a life-and-death struggle with Yang Chen, the Nine-Tailed White Fox turned her fierce gaze towards Tokugawa Zang Er beside her. "Tokugawa, if you want to live, you must cooperate with us. Do you intend to wait until our sisters are dead before going to your own doom?"

"If there's a fight, I'll fight, but there's no need to drag me into this. I will settle my score with him on my own," Tokugawa Zang Er remained unmoved.

The White Fox glared at him resentfully, wishing she had the time to gouge his eyes out. Though skilled in disguise, illusions, and mind-reading, she lacked confidence in battle. Recklessly joining the fray would only hinder the Cat Demon, so she could only fret from the sidelines.

As the White Fox hesitated, pondering whether to use Yang Chen's distraction to escape with her illusions and leave the green hills intact, the battle between Yang Chen and the Cat Demon suddenly took a turn.

The Cat Demon's fierce thunderous claw aimed at Yang Chen's forehead, but to her surprise, Yang Chen swiftly raised his left hand and blocked her claw with ease. Blue-purple electricity crackled around Yang Chen's hand, yet he remained unfazed.

"It seems your skills are limited," Yang Chen remarked dryly. With a swift motion of his left hand, he pushed away her claw.

"Ahh!" The Cat Demon cried out sharply in pain. Her razor-sharp claw on her right hand had been neatly folded and broken by Yang Chen's seemingly effortless twist.

Blood sprayed from her fingertips as the Cat Demon hastily retreated to a corner, glaring at Yang Chen with intense resentment. Instead of a cat, she looked more like a furious leopardess.

Just as Yang Chen prepared to press his advantage, the Cat Demon's claw immediately began to regenerate, the blood flow ceased, and it seemed as if she had not been injured at all.

"Hmm, no wonder they call you a Nine-Lives Cat Demon. Your recovery ability is quite strong," Yang Chen chuckled.

"Hmph," the Cat Demon was about to counterattack again when the Nine-Tailed White Fox suddenly shouted, "Assistant!"

Yang Chen's gaze shifted, his expression suddenly changing.

There stood the Nine-Tailed White Fox, now transformed once again into the appearance of Seventeen. Clad in a blue dress with black hair flowing lightly, Seventeen's sorrowful expression, especially the mournful look in her eyes as she gazed at Yang Chen, resembled Seventeen resurrected, standing in front of Yang Chen.

"Thirteen! Don't kill again!" Yang Chen was stunned.

Even though Yang Chen knew this wasn't the real Seventeen, just an illusion created by the Nine-Tailed White Fox's transformation art, he still froze for a moment.

However, in a battle between experts, even a momentary lapse can lead to a significant turning point! Not only did the Nine-Lives Cat Demon seize the opportunity and lunged straight at Yang Chen's heart, but even Tokugawa Zang Er, who had hesitated to act earlier, now flashed a fierce glint in his eyes. With his demonic sword Muramasa like a dragon out of water, he fiercely stabbed towards the back of Yang Chen's head!

With attacks coming from the front and the back, the concentrated force of their joint assault momentarily endangered two vital parts of Yang Chen's body!

Just as the two thought they were about to succeed, "Seventeen" standing there suddenly widened her eyes, showing a face of disbelief.

"Why?"

The Yang Chen who had originally stood there suddenly dissipated into a blur in place, while the real Yang Chen, at some point unknown, had already moved behind "Seventeen".

"Seventeen" coughed up a streak of blood from his mouth, then, knelt down, and his eyes closed.