Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Giant Beck

Then, roaring furiously toward the sky, a rush of black virus surged through the dark infusion tubes stabbed into his body, causing his muscles to swell even further without reason. Those viruses were the source of his strength; this monster was devouring the power of the Celestial Slayer Clan’s virus to enhance his own might, his own flesh.

With a sudden stomp, Baker smashed his foot into the ground, the violent tremor gouging a deep trench that nearly sent Wujue toppling into it. Yet Wujue leaped nimbly, landing atop Baker, pressing down on his head and taunting, “Looking for something a bit more thrilling? Then come on.”

He lunged for the infusion tubes, attempting to tear them out. But the moment his hand touched them, an indescribable numbness shot through his arm. Baker roared with laughter, “These viruses—without a body strong enough, even I wouldn’t dare touch them so carelessly. You’re courting death!”

He seized Wujue, slamming him to the ground, then brought his foot down in a brutal stomp. The impact was so fierce that Wujue could barely draw breath, all thoughts of defensive martial arts abandoned under the onslaught.

Baker hoisted him into the air, ready to hurl him into the distance, but Princess An Yi rushed over, landing a fierce blow to Baker’s chest. The force of her strike sent Baker hurtling dozens of feet away, making him release Wujue in the process.

An Yi pressed her attack, launching a flurry of blows. After enduring a dozen punches, Baker suddenly drew a different virus from the tubes—this one a new color—and his body changed hue accordingly. Miraculously, he withstood An Yi’s assault, then grabbed her and flung her aside. “Vexing woman, go die!”

Climbing to his feet, Wujue noticed that Baker absorbed different viruses to counter various attacks. Behind him, two metallic devices must have been storing different strains of the Celestial Slayer virus to power his body.

It was clear—the only way to defeat Baker was to destroy those devices. Wujue drew his pistol and fired repeatedly at Baker. One bullet grazed his shoulder, curving midair to strike the instrument on his back with a shower of sparks.

“You think you can defeat me so easily? Not a chance. Today, you all die!” Baker leaped into the air, diving toward Wujue.

Wujue vaulted upward as well, unleashing a series of Dragon Descending Kicks midair, each one landing squarely on Baker’s chest. The massive brute’s body arched from the force, then was sent flying.

Before Baker could absorb more virus, Princess An Yi pounced onto his back, yanking one of the infusion tubes free. Wujue’s earlier gunfire had cracked the tube, giving An Yi the opening she needed.

In an instant, Baker howled in rage as the virus spilled out, spraying into the air. Both An Yi and Wujue leapt back. Strangely, once exposed, the virus instantly vaporized and burned away, vanishing into nothingness.

So the virus could not survive contact with air. Now deprived of his power source, Baker collapsed to the ground, utterly spent.

As they looked down at the gasping Baker, Wujue and An Yi supported one another and sighed, “Is it finally over?”

“No! Not yet!” Baker staggered up, clutching a button. He slammed it down, and a massive explosion tore through the air.

The blast hurled Wujue, An Yi, and the others—Xiulun, Xiao Han—far into the distance. As they landed, dazed, they realized that countless corpses in the ruined city had begun to rise.

In the explosion, Baker’s body had dispersed the virus rapidly, infecting the dead before he perished, transforming them one by one into new giant Bakers.

Soon, the entire city was crawling with Baker’s hulking form. Wujue could only shout, “Run! Everyone, run!”

Despair and struggle filled his voice. Now was the time to preserve their strength. Whatever happened, in this apocalypse, survival was paramount.

With those words, Wujue charged at one of the reanimated Bakers.

“The big monk—he’s chosen to face it alone again!” Xiao Yang shook his head at the airship, then darted inside.

At a time like this, getting the airship working and escaping with everyone was the only thing that mattered.

Xiulun scrambled in after him. “Well, can you do it?”

“We’ll have to make do,” Xiao Yang replied, hurriedly activating all the systems. Watching the airship’s sluggish start, he gave it a hard kick. “Don’t you dare break down now.”

Nearby, Xiao Han, chased by enemies, shouted, “Hurry up! They’re almost on us!” With a quick move, he shook off two of the cloned Bakers.

Xun’er, dragging along the hapless Reaper, floated into the airship and asked, “What about him? Should we just leave him to die?”

Feeling the ship lurch, Xiao Yang slid into the pilot’s seat. “Do as you see fit. Either way, we’re getting out of this hellhole.”

Reaper grinned. “You’re still so optimistic at a time like this. Aren’t you afraid?”

Xiao Yang gazed toward the square where Wujue and An Yi were fighting for their lives. “Afraid? I’m afraid I won’t be able to fight side by side with my companions.”

***

Meanwhile, Wujue, desperately fending off the Bakers, was once again mired in a bitter struggle.

His twin pistols had long since run dry; only the chain dart at his side remained, which he wielded with ruthless precision.

At the most perilous moment, An Yi appeared at his side, fighting back to back. “You’re not alone, Wujue. There’s no need to always fight by yourself. Let us share the burden.”

With that, she swung her fists, knocking down several attackers.

Wujue, moved, replied, “With you all by my side, I have a duty to lead you forward. No matter what, I must be the one to give everything.”

“Then you’re the most foolish leader in history,” An Yi said, smashing her fist into a zombie’s arm, shattering it, though the body still barreled into her, pushing her aside.

Quick as a flash, Wujue stepped up, blocking her with his shoulder. In one motion, he looped his chain dart around the zombie’s head, and with a crack, decapitated it.

Without turning, An Yi laughed, “Looks like we really do make the perfect team!”

Retrieving his weapon, Wujue replied, “Aren’t we, right now?”

They shared a knowing look, then, with a furious roar, plunged back into battle.

After another grueling round, Xiao Yang finally got the airship aloft, everyone scrambling aboard as it wobbled skyward.

From the airship, Xiao Yang shouted, “Wujue, we’re leaving! Get over here!”

Wujue and An Yi glanced up and smiled. “They’re fighting hard too,” Wujue said.

An Yi leaped, pulling Wujue upward. Suddenly, a zombie lunged, grabbing An Yi’s right ankle. Wujue reacted instantly, chopping off the hand with a single blow.

Standing amid the horde, Wujue said, “Looks like I’ll have to hold out a while longer. You go ahead.”

He summoned his Iron Body technique, protective energy surging, blasting zombies away in all directions.

For a moment, Wujue seemed a demon god incarnate, standing alone at the city’s heart, chain dart in hand, laughing. “Come on, monsters!”

He struck the nearest zombie, yanking it into the air and swinging it in a wide arc, knocking down others with a sweeping blow.

Treading atop the fallen, Wujue threw back his head and roared, “Let me show you the fury of Wujue!”

A thunderous blow swept the field.

From the airship, An Yi gazed silently at Wujue, fighting for his companions, her mind awhirl.

But she wasn’t alone—everyone aboard was gripped by the same emotion. Xun’er muttered, “Wujue, you fool. Always risking everything—is it really worth it?”

Xiao Yang sighed, “You don’t understand. Wujue has lost so much—his fellow disciples, even the monastery at Dalin. Now, he won’t let his family die before his eyes.”

“So we’re just going to watch?” Xiao Han asked softly.

Xiulun stepped out of the hatch. “Of course not. We would never abandon a comrade.”

He jumped out first, Xiao Yang steering the ship, while Reaper, for once, spoke up. “Are you all mad?”

“Most people fear death, but you’re all lining up to die. You’re insane.”

Xun’er pouted. “You don’t get it. We’re a pack of lunatics, cherishing each other above all else—something you’ll never experience.”

Hearing this, Reaper actually smiled. He suddenly broke free of his restraints, spreading his arms. “Then let me show you what true madness is!”

He vanished from the airship, and instantly, the entire city began to quake and tremble.

A new, more terrifying calamity had begun.

Super Death Mode—activated!

End of Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Giant Baker