Chapter 227: Ch-227: One Shot
"I see, so it's true—the regeneration... Looks like I'll have to try using the other method," Wang Ming mumbled as he watched the beasts regenerate once again. This time, it was even more grotesque, with multiple heads and limbs sprouting from various parts of its body.
"Hey, do you guys mind if I try something? It might kill it," Wang Ming said to the two stunned women as he pointed towards the grotesque beast he had just cut.
Wang Ming's voice seemed to snap both women out of their shock, and they turned to look at him.
"Thank you for saving my daughter, Disciple Wang Ming. Without you, she would have died," Mu Ning Xue said gratefully.
"Yes, thank you so much," Mu Shiran added, still shaken by what could have happened if Wang Ming hadn't stepped in.
"It's fine. Now, can I try it?" Wang Ming asked. Mu Ning Xue and Mu Shiran exchanged confused glances, suddenly recalling he had asked something earlier, but they were too shocked to catch it.
"Sorry, could you repeat your question?" Mu Ning Xue asked, a bit embarrassed.
"I was asking for permission to try an attack on the beast, to see if it can kill it," Wang Ming clarified, pointing to the creature. It was being held in place, unable to move, thanks to the low-powered 'Immortal's Gaze' technique Wang Ming had used.
"Huh... sure?" Mu Ning Xue replied, still sounding a bit skeptical. She had doubts if Wang Ming could kill the beasts in one shot or not.
"Wang Ming, do you really have a technique that can kill the beast in one shot?" Mu Shiran asked excitedly, her faith bolstered by the fact that Wang Ming had just saved her.
"I think I do. Well, let me try. Move back a bit," Wang Ming said. The two women obliged and took several steps away from him, and after Wang Ming was sure they would not be caught in the attack looked back at the beast.
Wang Ming grabbed his sword, took his stance, and prepared to unleash his technique.
"Heavenly Sword Art—Second Form: World Slicing Strike," he muttered. Mu Ning Xue and Mu Shiran, standing nearby, felt a sudden prickling sensation across their bodies. A large golden arc erupted from Wang Ming's sword, speeding toward the beast. The immobilized creature sensed the danger and tried to move, but the 'Immortal's Gaze' held it in place.
All it could do was watch as the arc closed in on it.
BOOOOOOOOOM!
As soon as the arc struck the beast, a massive explosion erupted, completely obliterating it.
Sensing the danger, the other two beasts struggled against their chains, even managing to break free. But the golden arc sliced through them as well, destroying the nearby surroundings and leaving nothing behind in its wake.
"Heavens!"
"W-What!?"
The women were captivated by the beauty of the golden arc, but when it made contact with the beast, the ground shook violently, and they fell back on their butt in shock. As they stared at the crater and the destroyed surroundings, their eyes widened in disbelief.
'Heavens, was that a Heaven-rank technique? No, maybe even an Immortal-rank technique…' Mu Ning Xue gulped, looking back at Wang Ming with astonishment.
"What was that noise? What happened?" shouted Mu Zihan, the city lord. Hearing the explosion from the treasury, he had rushed over with some guards, fearing the beasts his wife and daughter had shown Wang Ming had escaped. But when he saw the scene in front of him, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. He stared in shock at his wife and daughter, who were still on the ground.
"Shiran, Ning Xue, what happened?" Mu Zihan hurriedly helped his wife and daughter to their feet.
"D-Disciple Wang Ming... killed all three of the beasts," Mu Ning Xue said, her voice trembling.
"WHAT!?!" Mu Zihan exclaimed, his eyes darting to Wang Ming.
"Disciple, is that true?" Mu Zihan asked nervously, trying to grasp the power of the technique that caused such destruction.
"Yes, I'm sorry for the damage," Wang Ming said, turning to the city lord. He could already tell the repairs would be costly.
"N-No problem. C-Can you tell me what rank this technique is, if you don't mind?" Mu Zihan asked, his voice shaky but filled with hope. He wondered if Wang Ming might be able to help with the crisis they were facing.
"Oh, it was an Ancient Rank sword technique," Wang Ming said casually, while everyone else remained in disbelief. Even the guards looked like their jaws might drop.
"A-Ancient Rank?" Mu Zihan stuttered. Even if Wang Ming had said it was Immortal Rank, he would have been shocked, but now he felt like he might have a heart attack.
'Who is he? What kind of background does he have to be so nonchalant about using an Ancient Rank technique? Even the royal family doesn't have an Immortal Rank technique, let alone an Ancient Rank one,' Mu Zihan thought, concluding Wang Ming might be a young master from a secluded family outside the Black Bamboo Kingdom. He grew even more respectful towards him.
"By the way, do you have any leads on where I can find the headquarters of this clan? I could take them out without too much trouble," Wang Ming said casually.
"Yes, I have some leads. Why don't you come inside? I'll join you in a bit," Mu Zihan said, signaling his wife and daughter to show Wang Ming in.
"Was that really an Ancient Rank technique? I've only heard about them from ancient records," Mu Shiran asked, catching up with Wang Ming and speaking excitedly as they walked through the corridors.
"Yes, it was indeed an Ancient Rank technique," Wang Ming confirmed.
"Sigh, I wish I could become a cultivator like you," Mu Shiran said dejectedly.
"Shiran, don't worry. Your father will find a way," Mu Ning Xue said, trying to comfort her daughter.
"Hmm, I might have a solution for your problem," Wang Ming said.
"What?" Both women exclaimed, turning to look at Wang Ming.