However, in close combat, this Yuan Chang was an invincible existence.
Its agile speed combined with a gaping maw that could devour all spells meant that a moment's carelessness could lead to instant death.
But at this point, close combat was the only way to grasp a sliver of hope for survival.
Fight!
Without a word, Yu Daohan took out two more glass bottles containing Gu worms from his pocket and swallowed them.
Just in case, he took out two more small bottles and crushed them.
As the two small bottles shattered, a surge of ghostly energy permeated the surroundings, eventually flowing into Yu Daohan's body. He then took out a black talisman and stuck it on his arm.
Yu Daohan had made thorough preparations before coming.
Five black talismans, twenty small bottles of ghostly energy, and five bottles of Gu worms.
The black talismans would offset the consumption of blood tears, while the ghostly energy would maintain his Ghost Horn state. Finally, the Gu worms ensured rapid recovery from injuries.
Two sariras were kept as a backup.
This was arguably the best combination for close combat.
Yet, even so, Yu Daohan was reluctant to engage in close combat with this creature.
But with no other way out, close combat was the path to survival.
"Damn it!"
Yu Daohan cursed, then activated his Ghost Horn state. Ghostly energy surged around him, and a horn grew from his forehead.
Ever since entering this painted world, he had been unable to defeat anyone he encountered.
In his previous Ghost Horn state, he believed himself to be invincible in the martial world.
But in this painted world, even ordinary beings could force him to flee.
Yu Daohan took a deep breath, preparing himself mentally.
The Ghost Horn state could reduce pain, but it didn't eliminate it.
The excruciating pain of broken limbs, even for a veteran of countless battles, would be difficult to endure.
"Let's do this!"
Yu Daohan conjured two Blood Tear longswords and charged forward with a roar.
Seeing Yu Daohan's bravery, Yuan Chang was stunned for a few seconds.
How many years had it been since it had encountered someone who didn't flee in terror, be it human or deity?
Such valiant fearlessness was a rarity.
Yu Daohan swung his twin swords, striking first.
Yuan Chang easily dodged, its body moving like a loach to Yu Daohan's back. Then, it opened its mouth and lunged to bite.
Yu Daohan turned quickly, but it was too late. His waist was already caught in its bite.
Blood splattered everywhere, creating a gruesome scene.
Yu Daohan endured the intense pain and brought his sword down fiercely, aiming for Yuan Chang's head.
Sensing the danger, Yuan Chang released its bite and retreated.
Yu Daohan looked at the shocking wound on his waist and secretly rejoiced.
Fortunately, his sword swing was fast enough, and the Blood Coagulation and Flesh Regeneration Gu was potent.
Otherwise, that bite would have taken his entire kidney.
Yuan Chang's face, which already had only one eye and one mouth, became even more hideous.
The more its prey resisted, the more excited it became!
Yuan Chang charged again, and Yu Daohan met it with his swords.
With the enhancement of the Ghost Horn state, he could barely keep up with Yuan Chang's speed.
He swung one sword, but Yuan Chang easily dodged. Yu Daohan then swung his other hand.
This time, Yuan Chang couldn't dodge in time, and a small cut appeared on its face.
Yuan Chang paused for a moment, then quickly moved behind Yu Daohan, opening its massive maw to repeat its previous move.
Yu Daohan had anticipated this and swung his sword back.
The sword struck Yuan Chang's mouth directly, splattering green blood.
A drop landed on Yu Daohan's face, corroding it like acid.
Yu Daohan was horrified but instinctively swung his sword again to finish it off.
Yuan Chang, aware of the power of the Blood Tear longsword, hastily dodged.
Yu Daohan's expression grew serious as he watched Yuan Chang's wound rapidly heal.
This creature's blood was poisonous, and its wounds could heal.
However, no spell in the world could heal infinitely without any cost.
Not even deities could.
Perhaps it had been too long since it had felt pain, as Yuan Chang's face contorted into an excited, sinister grin, and it lunged forward.
"You want to fight to the death, huh?"
Yu Daohan, not to be outdone, swung his twin swords.
The two clashed, and Yuan Chang seized the opportunity, biting Yu Daohan's shoulder.
Seeing this, Yu Daohan raised his sword to stab.
Both were splattered with blood.
Yuan Chang's green blood splashed all over Yu Daohan, its corrosive nature causing him immense pain, yet his sword speed did not falter.
Both possessed healing abilities, with wounds sustained moments ago recovering instantly.
Yu Daohan had lost count of how many times he had been bitten, and Yuan Chang had been cut an unknown number of times.
Inside the cave.
The man and the ferocious beast fought fiercely, eventually abandoning all defense and evasion.
Every extra bite or cut was a gain.
Both were clearly enraged, fighting like street brawlers with no strategy.
The ground was soaked with two colors of blood, red and green. Due to the sheer volume, it flowed along the ground and out of the cave.
Yu Daohan had achieved a state of oneness with his swords, completely disregarding the severity of his injuries.
The world seemed to fall silent at this moment.
Morning!
Yu Daohan sat by the cave entrance, smoking, his eyes devoid of life, his expression vacant, like a living dead.
His clothes were tattered, and though uninjured, he was covered in blood.
Inside the cave behind him.
Walking deeper, bloodstains covered the ground.
A little further in, a head lay on the ground, its face frozen in terror.
Five meters further, a headless corpse lay there.
The ferocious beast, the Son of Chaos, Yuan Chang, was thus slain with a single sword.
Yu Daohan looked up at the sky. Although there was no sun, judging by the humidity and dew, it was likely morning.
By this calculation, he and Yuan Chang had fought for a day and a night.
Yu Daohan had no idea how he had endured that day and night.
He and Yuan Chang had been like two mad dogs, tearing at each other.
He vaguely remembered being torn to shreds by Yuan Chang, with bone visible through the wounds.
He didn't know how he had survived.
He only knew that when his ghostly energy ran low, he replenished it, and when the Blood Coagulation and Flesh Regeneration Gu reached its limit, he swallowed another.
After this battle, Yu Daohan had very little of his equipment left.
He had two Gu worms remaining, two black talismans, and only five small bottles of ghostly energy.
However, he was fortunate to have survived.
That was enough!
Counting from now, he had been separated from Liu Feng for two days.
He wondered where Liu Feng was and how he was doing.
Fortunately, the two deities had not pursued him.
Now, as long as he could rendezvous with Liu Feng, they could execute their plan.
After finishing three cigarettes, Yu Daohan collected himself, not wanting to dwell on the battle. He stood up and began searching for the markers Liu Feng had left.
Behind a rock by a small stream, Liu Feng clutched his stomach, a gaping wound bleeding profusely, his face pale.
He had escaped at the time but noticed the distant sword lights and knew something was wrong. He had deliberately gone to investigate.