Chapter 75: Metamorphosis?

"...Martial God's Path?"Jian Changsheng froze, watching the black ribbon fly straight towards him. He stumbled to his feet, glancing down at Yan Xicai's bloody, mangled corpse and the blood-stained dagger in his own hand. A complex expression crossed his face... Destiny, it seemed, was truly wondrous.

The Martial God's Path materialized before him, intertwining to form a stairway reaching into the sky. Jian Changsheng hesitated for a moment, then finally stepped onto it.*Thump—!*The instant his foot touched down, the Divine Path solidified!A torrent of information and power surged into Jian Changsheng's mind. He stood dazed for a long time, then looked down at his hands... the Martial God's Path, First Tier."Asura Path?" A look of bewilderment appeared on his face.

Having been an enforcer for so long, Jian Changsheng naturally knew about some of the Martial God's Path routes. The Asura Path was undoubtedly one of the strongest among them—it was said that even Lu Xuanming had sought it in vain.Yet, he had actually awakened this path?"Perhaps... I really am a genius of the Martial God's Path?"

As Jian Changsheng murmured to himself, he moved his body, discovering that since he had embarked on the Asura Path, his lame leg was no longer lame. He felt lighter than ever, and an unprecedented surge of power coursed through his entire being.It was a feeling more addictive than gathering killing intent. He closed his eyes, carefully flexing every muscle and bone in his body, emitting soft crackling sounds.He took a deep breath, slowly exhaling the murky air... When his eyes reopened, they shone with a fiery brilliance."I really am a genius, aren't I?!"

Jian Changsheng's lips curled into an uncontrollable grin. He spat at Yan Xicai's corpse; that pile of mud had hindered his life for over a decade, and now... he felt his life was finally back on track.Perhaps it was due to his personality being suppressed for too many years, but at this moment, Jian Changsheng felt an explosion of confidence, like a parvenu. He was eager to find a target to test his newfound strength.

"Huh?" A surprised voice came from nearby. Number 10 stood at the edge of the hill, looking down at Jian Changsheng and Yan Xicai's corpse. He opened his mouth in astonishment,"Killed by someone else? Tsk..."

The moment Jian Changsheng saw the Usurper, his eyes lit up. Gripping the blood-stained dagger, he charged towards the hill without hesitation!His speed was incredible, his steps leaving a trail of crimson. In Number 10's eyes, he saw only a bloody blur rapidly approaching him."Another one on the Martial God's Path?" Number 10's heart sank, and he immediately grew wary. He hadn't seen the first-tier skill of the Asura Path before, but it was visibly different from the Iron Armor of others.

Number 10 flipped his hand, and a pistol appeared in his palm. He aimed at the rapidly approaching Jian Changsheng and pulled the trigger repeatedly!*Bang, bang, bang—*Three consecutive shots all struck Jian Changsheng. Unlike the Iron Armor wearers, his skin wasn't as tough, and the bullets easily embedded themselves."That's it?" Number 10 was momentarily stunned, but the next moment, he realized something was wrong.

After being hit by three shots, Jian Changsheng not only didn't stop but moved even faster. He crossed dozens of meters like a phantom. Before Number 10 could fire again, a cold glint flashed before his eyes!Number 10 cried out in alarm. His "Theft" ability instantly activated, making Jian Changsheng's dagger vanish into thin air, leaving only an empty fist to smash against Number 10's ear.*Thud—!*The terrifying force instantly deafened Number 10, and blood immediately streamed from his ear.*How could this guy be so fast after taking three bullets? And this strength is even more outrageous than those Iron Armor users!*

Number 10 endured the intense pain and dizziness, gripping his dagger and stabbing Jian Changsheng's lower abdomen three times, each thrust burying itself deep.Yet, after three stabs, Jian Changsheng showed no reaction to the pain from the wounds. Instead, he fought with renewed vigor, his bare fists unleashing terrifying power. In half a second, he struck Number 10's chest five times, so fast that crimson blurs appeared in the air!Number 10's chest visibly caved in, his ribs almost entirely broken. He violently coughed up a mouthful of blood, drifting several meters like a severed kite before collapsing to the ground.

Blood ceaselessly seeped from Jian Changsheng's wounds, yet he seemed entirely unaffected, leaving bloody footprints as he slowly walked towards the fallen Number 10... In his blood-red eyes, a mix of satisfaction and arrogance emerged!"So this is the Asura Path... So strong, completely different from other paths!" Jian Changsheng couldn't help but laugh aloud."I, Jian Changsheng, truly am a genius!"

Number 10 watched the blood-red, demonic figure approach, terror rising in his eyes.This guy seemed utterly immune to pain, whether from bullets or knives. And the more wounds he sustained, the more ferociously he fought... He was nothing short of a human beast!Number 10 lay in a pool of blood, constantly trying to retreat, but Jian Changsheng stepped on his chest. The excruciating pain made him scream, and the more terribly he screamed, the wider Jian Changsheng's smile became.

"Usurper? Nothing but this."He crushed Number 10's ribs with his foot. The broken bone fragments pierced his heart, and Number 10's pupils suddenly constricted before he lay motionless on the ground.

A cold wind swept across the blood-soaked ground. Jian Changsheng stood alone, like the sole victor on this battlefield... His gaze slowly shifted from the corpse beneath his feet to the chaotic battle in the distance.Killing intent flickered in his eyes once more."Let me put an end to all of this..." He sneered, his bloody footprints crossing the hill and gradually disappearing into the wilderness.

Much later.A figure in red slowly emerged from the shadows.Chen Ling watched Jian Changsheng's receding back thoughtfully, muttering, "The Asura Path, huh... That skill looks quite good."

Jian Changsheng's transformation was unexpected for Chen Ling. He had long noticed the lame man who consistently lagged behind Yan Xicai's group and had witnessed how Yan Xicai humiliated and verbally abused him. Chen Ling had assumed he would simply continue to endure in silence...He never imagined that beneath that seemingly humble and frail body lay such a fierce soul. No wonder the Martial God's Path favored him.

In previous years' Martial Path Ancient Tombs, Jian Changsheng would undoubtedly have been a dark horse, having lived a life of compromise for most of his existence, only to risk everything here, overthrowing the obstacle that loomed over him, and gaining a powerful path. One could easily imagine his future being smooth sailing from this point on... In a novel, he would be the quintessential protagonist.But alas... this dark horse was destined to perish here.

Just as Chen Ling was about to head towards the battle, which was nearing its end, a rustling sound suddenly came from nearby.He let out a soft exclamation and turned his head. To his surprise, Yan Xicai's already mangled corpse was emitting a faint blue glow... On his chest, a petal-like sacrificial artifact was radiating the aura of life.