Chapter 21: The Emergence of the Colossal Elephant

When the black dragon was struck by the God-Slaying Profound Sword, its roar of agony echoed across the heavens. Yet, what puzzled the experts of both the human and demon races outside the War God Temple was: who had just launched such a formidable strike?

Was it that youth at the third stage of Body Refining?

Impossible. For someone at the third stage of Body Refining, let alone launching such a powerful attack, even if they could unleash such a technique, their physical body would be unable to withstand the backlash.

Does this mean there is another peerless powerhouse hidden within the War God Temple? Could it be that the mentor the youth spoke of has finally appeared?

If there were indeed a peerless expert hidden inside, everything would make sense. Many demons could not help but sigh inwardly; the tiny Kun Kingdom was truly a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers resided.

Unlike the experts outside, the Heaven-Swallowing Great Ape in the backyard of the War God Temple was clearly aware of the battle unfolding within. Wu Shu’s prowess in spiritual energy was simply too overwhelming; it was not only shocking to the Heaven-Swallowing Great Ape, but also something it could hardly believe.

A teenager, barely over ten years old, fighting against a Demon Ancestor and instantly unleashing such unheard-of spiritual power.

Could it be just because his surname is Wu? Has the Wu family become so powerful that even a random clansman can possess such terrifying strength? Yet, people on the Thick Earth Continent, including the Wu family, were known for excelling in body cultivation, while their spiritual cultivation was generally considered pathetic.

Regardless, the Demon Ancestor had lost this round, and Wu Shu had won. Relying on his powerful spiritual energy, Wu Shu crushed his opponent, the Demon Ancestor, with an imposing posture.

Looking toward the temple, the Heaven-Swallowing Great Ape remarked meaningfully, "Fine lad, he truly has the bearing of the Wu family ancestors!"

Unlike the onlookers outside, Wu Shu did not let his guard down after defeating the demon’s projection. He looked calmly at the giant elephant and said, "Stop pretending. Although you hid your aura well, your disguise is a joke in front of me."

"Hahaha..."

"What an arrogant boy. This trip to the Giant Elephant Mountain Range has certainly been full of surprises."

As Wu Shu finished speaking, another sinister black demonic aura spilled out from the elephant’s body, and a gloomy voice echoed from the southeastern corner of the temple.

Glancing coldly at the source, Wu Shu replied calmly, "I thought you would keep hiding. I didn't expect you to be in such a hurry to die."

At the source of the voice stood a young demon with cold eyes and an indifferent expression.

Since he had been exposed, the youth had no intention of hiding further. He walked toward Wu Shu, boasting proudly, "Human boy, you are indeed strong. I never expected someone like you to exist in the Kun Kingdom."

Knowing that Wu Shu hailed from the Wu family, the youth added, "However, since you come from that family, it is only natural that you possess innate divine strength."

That family?

Wu Shu wanted to ask if he had some misunderstanding. No one knew better than Wu Shu how dire the current situation of the Wu family was.

The Wu family had fallen to the point where they had to walk on eggshells even in the small Dongsu City.

Innate divine strength? If the Wu family currently possessed a peerless genius capable of battling heroes, Wu Shu would be thanking the heavens from the bottom of his heart.

Looking the youth up and down, Wu Shu questioned, "And who might you be?"

The youth before him had an innocent-looking face, but under the perception of Wu Shu’s powerful spiritual sense, he could clearly feel that this person was highly unusual. The spiritual fluctuations emanating from this youth made Wu Shu wary.

"Who am I? I don't think you would want to know. Two demon ancestral-level powerhouses appearing in the tiny Kun Kingdom simultaneously—should I call this the misfortune of the Kun Kingdom, or its luck?"

The youth’s tone was conceited, and his manner of speaking was that of an old veteran. Regardless, Wu Shu did not like this youth, simply because he was a demon and had come to the Giant Elephant Mountain Range with ulterior motives.

In Wu Shu’s eyes, any threat that could pose a fatal danger to the Kun Kingdom or his family had to be eradicated now.

Not wanting to waste more breath—as the youth would never reveal what Wu Shu wanted to hear anyway—Wu Shu said coldly, "Seal! All under heaven are but mortals!"

As Wu Shu mobilized his spiritual energy once more, everything in the War God Temple seemed to lose its spiritual essence. Everything looked like ordinary objects, and Wu Shu and the young demon appeared to be nothing more than two commoners.

This sudden change was jarring, and since it originated from Wu Shu, the young demon’s expression turned even colder.

After the sealing formation took shape, Wu Shu said calmly, "I hear that the demon race has many cultivation methods. If I’m not mistaken, those insects constantly devouring the spiritual energy of the temple were released by you."

"However, in the face of this sealing formation which draws upon the power of the earth, what methods do you and your insects have left to fight me? In this formation, both you and I are merely flesh and blood."

Upon hearing this, the young demon was momentarily stunned. However, after clenching his fists tightly, he burst into laughter. "Hahaha... boy, you have truly trapped yourself! A piece of trash at the third stage of Body Refining dares to abandon his powerful spiritual attacks to engage in hand-to-hand combat with me? How foolish!"

The youth’s reasoning was sound; in this self-created formation, all spiritual attacks would fail. But he could not have guessed that Wu Shu had prepared a backup. He had already used the Great Sealing Technique, the Heaven and Earth Form-Spirit Seal, to seal his own body to prevent it from collapsing.

As for hand-to-hand combat? Wu Shu already had a plan.

"Hand-to-hand combat?"

Thinking that the youth expected a direct brawl, Wu Shu shook his head and smiled. "What 'ancestor'? You’re confused. Your opponent is not me."

What?

Upon hearing that his opponent was not Wu Shu, the young demon frowned. "Boy, stop playing games."

When he cast the sealing technique, Wu Shu was certain that even if he lost his spiritual advantage, this formation would free the golden giant elephant guarding the temple.

As the temple’s guardian beast, the golden elephant was undoubtedly sturdy. One could see this from the Heaven-Swallowing Great Ape, which had been fighting it.

Although currently heavily injured, Wu Shu had no intention of continuing the fight himself. Ignoring the demon, he walked toward the stone tablet and the golden elephant.

As he reached the tablet, Wu Shu stored it into his body and said, "Stop pretending. Within the seal, all spiritual attacks vanish. Even if this formation doesn't affect a powerful spirit-user much, it is certainly enough to break the control over this so-called Demon Ancestor."

Mocked in such a way, the golden elephant lying on the ground looked around as if playing dumb, then spoke in a human voice, "What happened? What is this? Why have I become like this?"

Hearing the elephant’s clumsy act, Wu Shu felt a headache coming on.

Please, the acting is so poor—could you stop pretending? This is an emergency!

Giving the elephant a disgusted look, Wu Shu said meaningfully, "I heard the War God Temple was created by the Wu family ancestors. Today, I am honored to see their relics, and this junior is truly shocked! Tsk... it is a pity, though. The guardian beasts and stones left by my ancestors seem rather... underwhelming. In front of a demon expert, every one of them is fragile."

When Wu Shu praised the temple, the elephant’s eyes were bright, but as the tone shifted, its heart sank. When Wu Shu uttered "underwhelming," the elephant felt ashamed, and upon hearing "fragile in front of the demon," it was filled with fury.

With a whoosh, the elephant straightened its body and roared at the young demon, "Demon, you dare invade the War God Temple while I, the Heaven-Reaching Elephant, was dozing? If I don’t leave you in pieces today, how can I face my master again?"

No longer fearing the demonic spiritual attacks, the Heaven-Reaching Elephant shouted with renewed vigor, "Demon, come and meet your death!"

The young demon would not, of course, heed the command and walk to his death. The enraged elephant looked as if it were about to explode, its aura alone capable of crushing everything.

In a few strides, the massive elephant appeared before the young demon. Facing it at close range, the youth was suddenly dumbfounded. He felt deep regret for having forgotten about this giant.

Without spiritual control, the restraints on the elephant had vanished. The battle could only be a test of raw physical strength.

Looking down at the youth, the elephant bellowed, "Demon whelp, tell me, who gave you the courage to violate the War God Temple again?"

Unable to control the elephant’s mind and being berated like this, the youth retorted angrily, "Stupid elephant, watch your tongue!"

"Hmph!"

With a cold snort, the elephant lifted its foot to crush the youth. Its massive frame made the movement feel like a mountain rising from the ground.

With a simple stomp, a boom echoed, and gale-force winds swept through the temple.

The young demon was no pushover; his agility was remarkable. He stood calmly as the attack began, only vanishing at the very last second before impact.

Surprised by the youth’s speed, the elephant muttered, "To have the strength of at least the Secret Method stage at such a young age—that is truly unexpected."

The youth, not rushing to engage in close combat, looked at Wu Shu instead. "Reaching the Secret Method stage in earth power is not difficult, but to cultivate spiritual energy to the Divine River stage, or even beyond, is truly astonishing."

On the Thick Earth Continent, spiritual cultivation was arduous; many spent their entire lives without producing even a thread of spiritual power.

The Divine River stage was a realm most spirit-cultivators only dreamed of. Most stalled at the Spirit Cave stage, never reaching the Spirit Image or Spirit Creek stages, let alone the Divine River.

Seeing the youth ignore him to praise Wu Shu, the elephant was extremely displeased. Wu Shu was from the Wu family and had mocked the elephant’s failure to guard the temple; the elephant wanted to prove its strength by slaying the youth.

Yet, in the eyes of the young demon, only Wu Shu seemed to pose a threat. The elephant grumbled, "You’re getting arrogant, aren't you? Secret Method stage? Is that really so impressive?"