Rise of the Otherworld.

Chapter 998: Seeking Opportunity in Desperate Situations

Zhang Hao deftly dodged the black energy waves the centipede occasionally fired, his mind racing as he pondered a countermeasure. Each energy wave that passed by unleashed a frightening gust of wind, a force that seemed to slice through the air with a sharp whistle. He knew that if he continued to stalemate with the centipede, their spiritual energy would eventually be exhausted, and the situation would be disastrous.

He scanned the battlefield, watching Ling Yu constantly disrupting the centipede with wind blades, the mysterious man manipulating stone pillars to restrict its movements, and the Lingyun Sect disciples stubbornly fighting the other dark creatures. However, the centipede's defenses were truly astonishing, and ordinary attacks were unlikely to inflict fatal damage. The centipede's scales, like an indestructible layer of black armor, sent only a few sparks flying despite various spells.

Suddenly, Zhang Hao noticed that every time the centipede was attacked, a faint light flickered between its scales. This light was especially pronounced where its head joined its body. A thought struck him: Could that be the centipede's weak spot? The thought flashed through his mind, like a ray of light suddenly appearing in the darkness, rekindling his hope.

Zhang Hao seized the opportunity, taking advantage of the centipede's momentary distraction by Ling Yu's wind blades, and charged at it like lightning. He channeled all his spiritual energy into his longsword, which instantly shone brightly like a blazing star. That light not only illuminated his path but also seemed to dispel the darkness. As he neared the centipede, he harnessed the power of the stone pillar controlled by the mysterious man and leaped high, like a blue meteor, hurtling towards the point where the centipede's head and body met.

Sensing danger, the centipede twisted its massive body violently, like a black mountain in motion. Its movement unleashed a powerful gust of wind, snapping surrounding trees. But Zhang Hao was prepared. He dove sideways in mid-air, nimble as a swallow, dodging the centipede's attack and thrusting his sword forward. However, the centipede's scales were incredibly tough, and the sword penetrated only a few inches before penetrating deeper, as if piercing a piece of impenetrably solid black iron.

At that moment, Ling Yu saw Zhang Hao's actions and immediately understood his intention. He concentrated all his wind energy, forming a massive cyan wind blade. This blade was more condensed than any before, gleaming with a metallic sheen, as if it could cut through anything. The air around the blade distorted, emitting a buzzing sound. Ling Yu fired the blade towards the point where Zhang Hao's sword had penetrated.

The wind blade whistled through the air, emitting a sharp hissing sound like the roar of death. With incredible speed and precision, it struck the longsword. With the wind blade's help, the longsword penetrated even deeper. The centipede let out a painful roar, a sound like a landslide, shaking everyone's eardrums. Its body trembled violently, as if the entire earth was shaking with it. Black blood gushed out from the wound, splattering on the ground, corroding a scorched earth and emitting a pungent smell.

Seeing this, the mysterious man manipulated more stone pillars to rise from the ground. Like giant arms reaching out from hell, they tightly wrapped around the centipede's body, preventing it from twisting. Mysterious runes were engraved on their surfaces, glowing yellow, as if speaking of the power of the earth. The Lingyun Sect leader seized the opportunity and unleashed his most powerful spell, "Lingyun Breaking Heaven Slash." A massive golden sword energy erupted from his sword, resembling a giant golden dragon, slashing towards the centipede with devastating force.

The sword energy struck the centipede, unleashing a dazzling burst of light, as blinding as the sun, illuminating the entire dark battlefield. A deep wound was slashed across the centipede's body by the sword energy, and black mist continuously poured out from the wound, as if the power of darkness was struggling. But even so, the centipede remained standing. A frenzied glint shone in its eyes as it struggled desperately to break free from the stone pillar. Each of its struggles caused the stone pillar to crack, as if it would break at any moment.

At this moment, Zhang Hao felt unprecedented pressure. The centipede's resistance was intensifying. If he couldn't slay it quickly, the stone pillar would break free, and everyone would be in danger. He clenched his teeth, his facial muscles trembling slightly with the effort, and once again channeled his spiritual energy, preparing to deliver the final blow. Ling Yu, the mysterious man, and the Lingyun Sect's leader also gathered their spiritual energy. Their eyes were filled with determination, ready to join Zhang Hao in delivering the centipede's fatal blow. The air was filled with tension, as if time had stood still at this moment, and everyone waited for the decisive blow...