Chapter 161: The Crimson Nether Mark Awakens

“Do you know what truly makes the Crimson Nether Mark formidable?”

As the defense system activated and Jiang Yan and Chang Yin remained locked in a stalemate, Han Wu, who had been observing from a distance, suddenly spoke up.

“The Crimson Nether Mark?”

“We haven’t really paid attention to that. Everyone says the Crimson Nether Mark is incredible, but from what we’ve seen in the fight with Jiang Yan, it seems rather ordinary.”

Someone chimed in, clearly knowing little about the true power of the Crimson Nether Mark.

Han Wu aimed his recording device at Jiang Yan and Chang Yin and casually explained, “The true ability of the Crimson Nether Mark can only be fully unleashed when its master is on the brink of death.”

“On the brink of death?” The crowd was astonished. “If the Crimson Nether Mark can only unleash its full power when its master is near death, how did Chang Yin become so strong before?”

Han Wu adjusted his equipment while responding, “The Crimson Nether Mark usually remains in a stable state. However, once its master experiences unusual emotional fluctuations, it awakens from its dormant state and grants its master a certain amount of power.”

“Damn, no wonder that guy is usually so cold, as if someone owes him millions. Turns out he’s adjusting his power through emotions!”

“And when the master is on the brink of death, the Crimson Nether Mark will go berserk, taking over the master’s consciousness and entering a super combat mode. At that moment, the Combat Power increases by at least fivefold, though the exact value remains unknown!”

“If Chang Yin could perfectly control the Crimson Nether Mark, he could unleash its full power. Unfortunately, he can’t do that yet and can only let the Crimson Nether Mark take over his Physical Body to achieve its peak strength.”

“The Tianshuo Defense System will dissipate in thirty seconds. Once that happens, the renowned Jiang Yan will face off against Chang Yin, the wielder of the Crimson Nether Mark. Once I release the video, my followers are bound to skyrocket by tens of millions, hehe~”

Han Wu aligned his recording device, eagerly anticipating capturing the upcoming epic battle.

As for why he wasn’t live-streaming?

Because the bionic dragonfly had been destroyed by Jiang Yan, and cross-Secret Realm live-streaming was extremely expensive. His equipment had long been overdue on payments.

Thus, he could only record the battle in this makeshift manner.

Ahead in the ruins, Chang Yin’s body was buried deep underground.

The defense barrier firmly protected him inside. Jiang Yan tested it and found that his attacks could chip away at the barrier slightly, but it wasn’t necessary.

The barrier before him flickered, clearly on the verge of fading away.

He couldn’t help but marvel inwardly at the profound resources of prodigies from major factions, who possessed such powerful defensive means.

Soon, the light barrier dissipated, and the rubble ahead seemed to lose its gravity, floating upward from the ground.

Beneath it, Chang Yin slowly rose from the deep pit.

He was covered in filth, and since his upper body was bare, large patches of stones and bloodstains clung to his skin, making him look utterly disheveled at first glance.

Tap—

Tap—

Gravel fell from his body as Chang Yin stood up completely. His hair, now cut in half, danced wildly in the air, and the Crimson Nether Mark on his chest had vanished at some point. What drew attention were his eyes.

His eyes no longer held their usual aloof indifference. His Aura was wild, his emotions suppressed yet frenzied, like a nuclear bomb that had been brewing for a long time, ready to destroy everything here at the slightest misstep.

Blood-red pupils made him seem like a completely different person from before. Fierce patterns crawled across his face, spreading and forming several sinister fang-like shapes.

An aura of destruction radiated from his entire body. At this moment, the Crimson Nether Mark had completely taken over Chang Yin’s body. The demon suppressed within him for so long had finally awakened at this very moment.

Roar!

A deep, thunderous roar struck the hearts of everyone like a massive bell, giving rise to a feeling named fear. It was as if they were facing a world-destroying Devil King.

Han Wu’s hand trembled as he filmed, his voice becoming shaky:

“Brothers, filming this video isn’t easy. Please give me a follow.”

Then he quietly began recording the battle that was about to unfold.

The others, affected by this roar, felt their Souls tremble. Even powerful Martial Artists with True Intent couldn’t help but feel fear at this moment, instinctively retreating several thousand meters away, daring only to watch from a distance.

Only Han Wu remained at the forefront.

“No one can stop my determination to gain followers, not even you, Jiang Yan or Chang Yin!”

He withstood the pressure and took another step forward, giving Chang Yin a close-up shot.

“Come on, smile for the camera.”

Roar!

“Holy shit!”

Han Wu was directly blasted away by the sonic wave, his head buzzing, but he quickly adjusted and continued filming.

“My precious sword was destroyed today—I have to earn it back!”

This was Han Wu’s conviction, and not even Jesus could stop him!

Jiang Yan watched the frenzied Chang Yin with great interest. He didn’t notice much else, only seeing vast amounts of Battle Intent gushing forth.

Jiang Yan’s fifth War Ruins Engraving faintly began to take shape.

“Buddy, you should’ve told me you could fight like this earlier!”

There was no caution in Jiang Yan’s eyes when facing a formidable enemy. Instead, they were filled with intense delight, as if he had met Chang Yin far too late.

The purity of Battle Intent was directly linked to strength, Combat Power, will to fight, and desire for battle.

And at this moment, Chang Yin not only had explosive Combat Power but was also in a frenzied state under the control of the Crimson Nether Mark. In just a short time, the pure Battle Intent he emitted was already equivalent to an hour’s worth from the Dueling Arena!

He was simply a Treasure Trove!

Chang Yin charged straight forward, his face distorted by the fierce wind, his figure so fast it turned into a blurry black shadow.

Now, with his consciousness suppressed by the Crimson Nether Mark, Chang Yin knew only one thing—attack! Attack! Attack!

His speed, strength, and reactions were completely incomparable to the Chang Yin from before.

Jiang Yan was delighted by his frenzy and eagerly engaged him in battle.

Boom!

Their fists collided.

Jiang Yan felt pressure surge over him, his figure retreating a step, while Chang Yin was instantly slammed into the ground. In the next instant, a piercing sound erupted from underground as a black shadow counterattacked, moving so fast that no After-Image could be seen.

Another massive wave of Battle Intent was absorbed by Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan continued to tangle with him, afraid that a single punch might kill him. He even deliberately deactivated the instant-kill Trait to avoid ending the fun too quickly.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Space continuously exploded and disintegrated, reducing all surrounding obstacles to flat ground.

Afraid of damaging his own Dueling Arena, Jiang Yan punched Chang Yin away, then quickly caught up and delivered another punch straight to his abdomen.

Blood sprayed out, and the dent in his chest instantly repaired itself. Chang Yin, seemingly oblivious to pain, frantically attacked Jiang Yan.

Fortunately, they were already some distance away from the Dueling Arena, so there was no need to hold back anymore.

Jiang Yan grinned fiercely, shook his hand, and grabbed Chang Yin by the neck.

Rip—

He tore off Chang Yin’s right arm with brute force.

Blood sprayed wildly, the scent of carnage and brutality saturating the battlefield. Yellow sand swirled through the air, blotting out the sun and casting a vast shadow, oppressive and despairing.

Roar!

Chang Yin’s eyes grew even more ferocious. Ignoring his injuries completely, he swung wildly with his remaining left fist at Jiang Yan, his movements utterly chaotic.

Jiang Yan punched through his heart, then followed with a kick that tore through the air with a sonic boom, striking squarely at his lower back.

Crack.

His spine shattered and splintered. Chang Yin’s body plummeted uncontrollably toward the ground.

Mid-air, the densely patterned markings on his face flashed. His muscles convulsed and contorted, and soon, his lost right arm regrew from the shoulder.

His shattered spine regenerated, even breaking through the skin in a savage surge of growth, restoring his body to its peak condition once more.

Jiang Yan smiled faintly, his expression growing even more satisfied.

The fifth War Ruins Engraving was nearly complete.