Kakumei said slowly, “Think you can take us down? It must be out of its mind. We’re not just some tofu to be easily squashed.”
Zephyr laughed, teasingly adding, “I don’t know about that. It seems more like a cowardly turtle to me. Why else wouldn’t it show itself?”
The three of them burst into laughter. Suddenly, the grand sarcophagus made of golden nanmu wood on the high platform began to tremble again.
Then, a terrifying, piercing howl erupted from within the sarcophagus.
Immediately following was a thunderous crash.
A massive coffin lid flew into the air, shattering instantly into countless splinters that scattered everywhere.
From the grand sarcophagus, a towering figure slowly rose, exuding an overwhelming aura as if a mountain had stood up.
The three were horrified. Upon closer inspection, they saw a general with a greenish face and blood-red eyes, his fierce and arrogant nature evident in his expression, resembling a beast.
Not only that, he wore a golden helmet and armor, with a silk sash draped over his shoulders. Despite the passage of a thousand years, his armor remained bright and imposing.
Indeed, he was a formidable general. One could only imagine the power he wielded in his prime.
On the high platform, the general scrutinized them with his fierce eyes, his thoughts unknown.
Suddenly, the general raised his arm and let out a long howl. A fiery aura burst forth, shattering the grand sarcophagus into fiery splinters.
Leo and the others’ faces changed instantly. This person knew magic; he had become a Drought Zombie!
Kakumei and his disciple were drenched in sweat from nervousness.
The general sneered and spoke, “I am out now. Who called me a cowardly turtle earlier?”
If he weren’t a Drought Zombie, he wouldn’t be able to speak.
Kakumei and his disciple swallowed hard, their faces grave.
Leo, having dealt with Drought Zombies before, remained unafraid. He steadied himself and sneered, “It was me. What can you do about it?”
The general turned his gaze towards Leo and sneered, “Good, you have guts. You’re a real man.”
Then his expression changed suddenly. “But those who defy me will die, without exception!”
Leo scoffed, “Really? Bragging won’t kill anyone. Back in the day, didn’t you lose to Shane despite your ambitions?”
This struck a nerve with the general, a grudge that had tormented him for over a thousand years.
The general roared madly, “Who said I lost to that despicable guy! In direct combat, he was never my match. I beat him back every time.”
“Do you know how he won in the end? By fortifying his defenses and refusing to fight head-on while secretly cutting off my supply lines, causing my army to collapse from starvation. Utterly despicable.”
Leo laughed heartily, “I know. Your army starved and then Shane pursued you relentlessly until your entire force was annihilated.”
“All’s fair in war. A loss is a loss. Shane was simply better at strategy, understanding the blend of direct and indirect tactics. Later, Shane became an emperor of great renown. Losing to him isn’t exactly disgraceful.”
“What!?” The general was furious. “An emperor of great renown! I refuse to accept it!”
His angry roar echoed through the hall.
Kakumei suddenly spoke loudly, “A thousand years have passed; everything has turned to dust. Why cling to such grudges?”
“Life is but a fleeting dream. Holding onto past grievances will only bring you more pain.”
“I have a suggestion. Let go of your resentment. I can help you move on and reincarnate as a human. What do you think?”
“Rubbish!” The general’s face twisted with rage. “I will not rest until my revenge is complete!”
Leo couldn’t help but mock, “General, Shane’s dynasty has been gone for over a thousand years. Who are you going to take revenge on?”
The general paused, then went mad again. “I don’t care! I will kill all of Shane’s descendants. The world has wronged me; they all deserve to die.”
The general had become a true madman, consumed by millennia of resentment.
He hated the heavens, the earth, and all people, believing everyone owed him something. If released, he would surely bring untold carnage to the world.
In that moment, Leo and the others exchanged glances and made up their minds-they could not let this madman go free!
Leo’s face turned cold. “General, since you are so stubborn, don’t blame us for being ruthless. Today, we will put you to rest.”
The general laughed maniacally. “Over the centuries, I’ve become invincible with divine powers. What can you clowns do to me?”
Leo sneered, “Fine, then let’s see what you’ve got. Masters Kakumei and Zephyr, are you with me?”
Kakumei gritted his teeth and declared firmly, “For the sake of righteousness, today we fight!”
The general grinned wickedly and leapt down from the high platform, arrogantly beckoning with his large hand. “Come at me if you dare!”
Kakumei shouted and raised his flying sword. “I’ll go first! Go!”
A golden streak shot out towards the general.
The general stood there nonchalantly as if he intended to take the hit directly.
With a loud crash!
Though the flying sword struck sparks off his golden armor, it didn’t penetrate at all. Instead, it shuddered and dimmed.
The general reached out and grabbed the sword blade with his hand, which ignited with fierce flames.
The flames slithered up the blade like serpents, melting it into molten steel in an instant.
The flying sword had been crafted by Kakumei over three years using supreme black iron and five elemental essences. Now it was destroyed in an instant.
Kakumei almost spat blood from the pain.
Zephyr shouted angrily, “You dare destroy my master’s treasure? Taste my shield’s power!”
As he spoke, he summoned his round shield.
It spun rapidly in mid-air, crackling with electricity as it hurtled towards the general like a thunderbolt.
The general stood there again without flinching as if ready to take another direct hit.
With another loud crash, the shield struck the general’s chest, exploding in sparks and lightning. But the general didn’t even budge.
How could this be?
In their shocked eyes, the general laughed wickedly again and grabbed the electrified shield without fear.
Another wave of fierce flames surged from his hand, engulfing the shield.
In an instant, the lightning vanished and the shield shattered.