NOVEL SIMPLE CHAPTER 280
CHAPTER 280 The Crumbling Iron Lump—A Clash of Titans and the Call for Redemption
Outside Archean City, the earth trembled and rolled as if caught in a devastating earthquake. The cause of this upheaval? The clash between Lu Ming and Tang Chongye.
No… This wasn't a battle anymore.
It was a one-sided crushing, a brutal display of dominance nearing its end.
“A Constriction technique,” Esek observed—a hint of admiration in his voice. “The ultimate weapon in close combat.”
“A fully formed constriction technique is nearly impossible to break. The bound individual has only two options—admit defeat or die.”
Esek's Zombie Beast Poison seeped into Tang Chongye's body through the wound Lu Ming had inflicted. Though the damage itself was minor, the poison was wearing down Tang Chongye's golden pattern power, causing his once-impenetrable Demon Gold Body to soften.
And a softened Demon Gold Body was no match for Lu Ming's relentless assault.
This was the cycle of death.
Tang Chongye's golden body crumbled, leaving him barely clinging to life. Finally, Lu Ming spoke.
“The reason why I said you have no skills at all is because you didn’t adjust your combat logic according to my physical characteristics at all.”
He'd shown his ability to transform while traversing the Saber Web. Tang Chongye should have known better. Such a body was extremely suitable for using the Constriction technique!
Of course, Lu Ming’s constriction technique was definitely different from the normal Constriction technique, but the essence was actually the same—they both used entanglement and restraint as a means of attack.
In situations where physical strength was not significantly different, once entangled by Lu Ming’s constriction technique, it was equivalent to losing the ability to fight back completely.
Therefore, for Tang Chongye, the best choice was to keep a distance and avoid close combat with Lu Ming. Speaking of which, even if he didn't realize that Lu Ming had a constriction technique, common sense should dictate that using a long saber against fists wouldn’t work very well, right?
At his feet, after hearing Lu Ming’s words, Tang Chongye was silent for a moment before smiling bitterly.
“I’m just too dependent on my Demon Gold Body…”
With the Demon Gold Body as his foundation, Tang Chongye was always invincible in close combat.
But today, he encountered a monster like Lu Ming.
“Forget it, no use in saying more, let’s end it.”
Lu Ming muttered and increased his strangulation force.
With Lu Ming’s increase in strength, Tang Chongye’s already crumbling golden patterns collapsed and disintegrated in an instant.
With the temporary loss of his golden patterns power, Tang Chongye also lost his Demon Gold Body.
In the next moment, the mass ensnared by Lu Ming erupted into a mist of crimson blood.
Yet, amidst the swirling red haze, a faint voice emerged, barely audible over the chaos.
“Thank you for the lesson you gave me.”
“I promise, it won’t be so simple next time.”
Lu Ming stood momentarily stunned, caught off guard by the unexpected words. As he remained in his daze, Tang Chongye’s battered form disintegrated before his eyes, turning to ashes that swiftly dissipated into nothingness.
“This is…” Lu Ming, who had reassembled his body, gradually returned to his [Self-Limitation state]. He pointed at the place where Tang Chongye had disappeared and looked at Esek for an explanation.
Hearing this, Esek said calmly, “It’s a method of resurrection for the Insect Clan.”
Lu Ming immediately frowned, “So the iron lump is not dead?”
Esek took a moment before realizing that Lu Ming’s so-called Iron Lump was referring to Tang Chongye.
He immediately shook his head and smiled, “It’s not completely dead. After all, the potential of Golden patterns is greater and is more valued by the clan. In the end, it comes down to different statuses. Silver Patterns can be mass-produced to some extent, but Golden Patterns can’t.”
“So, the major large clans will definitely provide Golden Patterns with means of survival and even revival. But as for Silver Patterns, especially those with little potential, they don’t get that kind of treatment.”
Therefore, Tang Chongye could be revived, but Zhanglang Gu could not.
To put it bluntly, it was just a difference in treatment between geniuses and mortals.
Lu Ming immediately frowned. It bothered him that he had not completely eliminated the threat.
Esek stepped forward and patted Lu Ming’s shoulder lightly.
“Although it may seem like letting a tiger return to the mountain, there’s not much you can do about it. Besides, even if you let that Iron Lump escape, he probably won’t have the time to come looking for trouble with you in the short term.”
This made Lu Ming look at Esek, “Are you saying…”
Esek smirked, “The war among the three clans is very intense. Trust me, I’m a greater threat to the insects than you.”
“Speaking of which…”
Esek changed the topic and pointed at the two insects running for their lives in the distance.
“Aren’t you going to take revenge?”
In a remote insect nest, a distant rumble signaled the arrival of something unexpected. A massive, pale golden insect egg cracked open, sending fragments flying as Tang Chongye emerged, staggering and disoriented.
He panted heavily, wiping the sticky residue from his body, trying to shake off the chaos that clouded his mind. Memories of his recent defeat came rushing back: Lu Ming's fierce visage, his contorted form, and the overwhelming might of his combat skills.
“This… this is impossible!” Tang Chongye thought, shivering as he recalled Lu Ming’s devastating techniques. “The disparity in our fighting styles is insurmountable. I need to turn this around!”
The sheer intensity of Lu Ming’s abilities had left Tang Chongye feeling inadequate and humiliated. He stood motionless, his eyes closing in contemplation.
“I’m so weak…” he admitted bitterly. “Weaker than I ever thought. I can't even avenge my fallen brothers…”
A wave of anger and shame surged through him, causing his body to tremble uncontrollably.
The approach of footsteps drew Tang Chongye’s attention. His eyes flew open, and a voice cut through the air, cold and unyielding.
“Ye'er, you’re back…”
The voice was like the clash of metal, and Tang Chongye’s fear intensified, even more daunting than the fear of death itself. He lowered his gaze as the owner of the voice approached, finally coming into view.
The figure was nearly identical to Tang Chongye but towering over him at over three meters tall, with a powerful physique. The right hand had transformed into a long, slender saber, and the entire body was covered in mystical patterns—golden magatama, silver waves, and blood-red eyes.
The presence of this figure was overwhelming, sending waves of pressure that Tang Chongye could barely withstand. His lips moved as he managed to say, “Father…”
“Mm—”
“You’ve come back from the dead?”
“Yes, Father,” Tang Chongye replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Trash!”
Tang Chongye's head drooped even lower. “Yes, Father.”
Tang Shan, a quasi-Divine realm expert of the Insect Clan, surveyed his son with a mixture of disdain and indifference. “Thirty years ago, you advanced to the Ancient Realm with your golden patterns. Then you left the clan’s territory to consort with miscreants.”
“And now, thirty years later, you return with your strength unchanged…”
A flicker of disappointment crossed Tang Shan’s face, but it vanished quickly.
“Forget it. You’re not my only descendant. Do as you wish.”
Tang Shan turned to leave, but the sudden sound of a “thud” halted him. Tang Chongye had fallen to his knees, his forehead striking the ground in a fervent kowtow.
“Father, help me!”
Tang Shan’s eyes hardened with renewed disappointment. “Help you? Seek revenge?”
“No, Father. I’ll handle my own revenge,” Tang Chongye insisted, his voice full of resolve.
Tang Shan’s gaze softened slightly. “Then what do you need my help with?”
“Help me obtain greater power!”
A rare smile appeared on Tang Shan’s lips as he looked at his son with renewed interest.
“Rest today. Tomorrow morning, come with me to the Saber Hall.”
End of Chapter 280