My lord, spare his life!

Zhang Yang hadn't expected the zombie to come back to life.

[Pfft—cough cough, who did you say came back to life?]

Zhang Yang suspected he was hallucinating. He glanced at the system log's conversation history in disbelief, confirming it was indeed a corpse rising from the dead and not some homonym. The soldier hadn't just come to report the corpse rising incident; he was also ordered by Lü Yuan to request his lord to come and provide support.

The soldiers guarding the body could not control it.

Lu Yuan rushed over immediately, but even his strength couldn't subdue her. Ignoring his disheveled state, he immediately sent someone to fetch his adoptive mother.

Zhang Yang didn't ask any more questions about the details and got up to leave.

The first thing she saw wasn't the resurrected corpse, but her own soldiers being violently thrown into chaos. At the heart of the turmoil, familiar presences lingered: besides Lü Yuan, there were Wang Qi and Guan Si.

[None of the three managed to win?]

This zombie mutation is ridiculously powerful, isn't it?

She caught a soldier who had been blown away, and stepped forward to see clearly Lu Yuan and his two companions, as well as the person who had caused their ship to capsize. As soon as Zhang Yang arrived, Guan Si darted away, unintentionally tricking Wang Qi, who ended up getting punched: "Guan Siyin—"

The punch did not injure Wang Qi; it only made his blood and qi boil.

Zhang Yang took a look and realized that none of the three had capsized, and none of them looked disheveled. Only Lu Yuan had a bruise on the corner of his mouth. The other two hadn't even been able to summon their Star Phantoms, and Lu Yuan was still unarmed.

Zhang Yang asked, "What's going on? You can't even get this?"

Guan Si gave him a meaningful glance. Wang Qi rubbed his slightly sore wrist: "The Mountain Ghost makes it sound so easy. You try taking her down yourself. It's easy for you to say, standing there without experiencing the pain."

The mountain spirit's back didn't hurt, but his did.

That woman who seemed to have risen from the dead wasn't even human anymore; she was practically a walking monster. She clasped her hands together and slammed them down from mid-air. If Wang Qi hadn't been prepared and dodged quickly, half his back would have been smashed into a pulp. I've seen strong people, but I've never seen anyone this strong.

If it were just about physical strength, Wang Qi could kill her too.

But they had other tricks up their sleeves.

Zhang Yang rolled up his sleeves: "I'll do it, fine. It's bad, what's the harm in admitting it? Why make excuses for yourself?"

Wang Qi clicked his tongue in surprise and stepped aside to make room for her.

Zhang Yang: [...]

Why did she have such a bad feeling?

Time didn't allow Zhang Yang much time to think. Without Guan Si and Wang Qi to share the burden, Lü Yuan was about to be beaten into a pulp by the resurrected red-named monsters. Zhang Yang jumped into the battlefield, caught Lü Yuan, and pushed her behind him: "I'll do it!"

Before he could even steady himself, Lü Yuan hurriedly reminded Zhang Yang.

Stepmother, be careful—

Zhang Yang's first thought was, what is there to be careful about?

She was the one who got the first kill on the resurrected red-named player.

The second thought had barely formed when the fist of the resurrected red-named zombie came hurtling towards him. Zhang Yang raised his hand to block, but upon contact, he immediately realized the abnormal strength of the opponent and was caught off guard, suffering a hidden loss.

She quickly adjusted and pulled up the other party's data panel.

At first glance, something seems off.

Take one more look...

Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions, tens of millions, hundreds of millions... the first digit of this string of numbers isn't even one...

Zhang Yang shifted his gaze to the health bar above the opponent's head.

The numbers on the health bar were ticking away rapidly.

At first, she thought the change in health was caused by Lu Yuan and the other two working together to reduce the opponent's health. But upon closer inspection, she realized that the opponent's health bar wasn't decreasing, but rather increasing. The rate of increase only slowed down significantly after the health bar entered the second tier.

"roar--"

The other party let out a beast-like roar.

Her eyes were bloodshot, her pupils were elongated, and she was completely irrational.

Ever since Zhang Yang appeared, the person who came back to life has only been targeting Zhang Yang.

They completely ignored the existence of Lu Yuan and the other two.

She threw punch after punch, creating a whooshing sound as her massive body pressed forward relentlessly. Her body seemed even more swollen than before she was alive, making her appear even more imposing. Zhang Yang, however, relied on her agile movements to dodge the attacks, and soon found her rhythm, sometimes using subtle techniques to deflect the opponent's force elsewhere, while also taking a moment to check the changes in her opponent's data panel.

Skipping over factors like intelligence, ambition, loyalty, and morality, Zhang Yang only considered the other party's Star Talent and the ability to subdue evil spirits through the stars.

Xuanwu Ox, Golden Ox, Summer Cultivation Corpse.

Zhang Yang knew the previous one, just like Guan Zong.

But what is Xia Geng's corpse?

I didn't see this item when I looked at this person's profile before.

Zhang Yang asked: 【What is Xia Geng's corpse?】

Realizing that the resurrected corpse's hatred was all directed at him, Zhang Yang found his rhythm, deliberately adjusting the distance to prevent the opponent from hitting him, while also kiting the opponent to avoid disrupting the surroundings.

Guan Si kindly stepped aside to avoid being accidentally injured: "You already recognize what her 'Star-Descending Calamity' is, why are you still asking what it is?"

Zhang Yang: [I don't have time to look through my notes right now.]

Wang Qi is better; he's even willing to answer questions.

[There was a headless figure, standing with a spear and shield, named the corpse of Xia Geng. Therefore, Cheng Tang attacked Xia Jie at Zhangshan, defeated him, and beheaded Geng before him. Geng, now headless, fled in disgrace and surrendered at Wushan.] In conclusion, [this is similar to the existence of a physical form.]

Who is Xing Yao?

[A type of celestial being descending to wrath, commonly known as Xing Tian.]

Both types of Star-Descending Calamities are headless and wield an axe and shield or a halberd and shield, making them easy for the unwary to mistake one for the other. However, even if mistaken, it doesn't matter much, as their appearances are very similar, and another reason is their rarity. One might fight a lifetime of war and never encounter even one.

The one before me, newly resurrected, is stiff and inflexible, devoid of rational thought, acting solely out of the hatred she harbored for revenge in life; her power is far less than at its peak. The Mountain Spirit should be able to withstand her attack.

Zhang Yang: [...Why did she only hit me?]

"You cut off her head, who else should we hit if not you?"

After taking Xia Geng's corpse for a spin, Zhang Yang noticed something: "Is she running faster than before?"

【That's for sure.】Resurrected through the descent of the stars, the limbs need an adaptation process to transform from corpses into living beings. Only when they have fully adapted can they be considered truly resurrected, transforming from living corpses into living people.

Zhang Yang: [...]

In other words, it cannot be delayed; the longer it is delayed, the more trouble it will cause.

Zhang Yang simply spun around and slid behind Xia Geng's corpse, preparing to pull out the gold brick and smash it into the back of the head. Even if she couldn't knock it back, it would be enough to give it a good beating. The moment the gold brick touched her, Zhang Yang sensed something was wrong. Xia Geng's corpse displayed a movement completely incongruous with its body, abruptly leaning back and folding itself in half, its head striking Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang could even hear the bones cracking. She broke out in a cold sweat and jumped away to create distance.

Her cold sweat wasn't due to Xia Gengshi's actions.

Zhang Yang looked at the negative status that had silently appeared below his profile picture and understood why Guan Si and the other two couldn't defeat the person.

[The Realm of Xia Geng's Corpse]

Effect: When you get within three zhang of her, all internal energy will be ineffective, and you can only conquer her with your bare body!

In gaming terms, all mana-based skills are banned.

Not to mention Zhang Yang, none of the three, including Lü Yuan, could use star power or yin energy to enhance their own status. Attacks composed of these two elements would be decomposed into the purest form of heaven and earth energy upon entering a three-zhang radius around Xia Gengshi. To defeat Xia Gengshi, only pure physical attacks could be used.

Zhang Yang: [...]

Trying to defeat a tank with 200 million HP using only physical attacks?

Thankfully, this is reality, not a game world. If the game designers dared to introduce a boss with such a mechanism, they would most likely lose their entire family and be cursed out.

Zhang Yang said: "Give me something."

Lu Yuan picked out the thickest and heaviest shield and threw it to Zhang Yang.

[The stepmother caught it.]

Zhang Yang caught the whirling shield with one hand, and in a near-close-quarters movement, hooked his feet around Xia Gengshi's drooping, unraised arms, coiling them like a snake around the back of his neck. He hooked one foot under Xia Gengshi's chin, stepped on his back with the other, and, holding the shield in both hands, slammed it down on the back of Xia Gengshi's head with a loud thud.

click-

Something has cracked.

But it wasn't the target's skull that cracked, but the shield.

A hole larger than the opponent's head circumference was torn open in the center of the shield, making the heavy shield look like an iron yoke hanging around the opponent's neck.

What is this skullcap?

Zhang Yang watched in disbelief as the back of Xia Geng's head twisted backward until the corpse's features faced her. A normal person's neck shouldn't be able to twist 180 degrees, but this person did. With outstretched arms, the fists struck Zhang Yang's waist and abdomen.

Zhang Yang: [...]

The bad news is that conventional weapons are not very effective.

Good news, the opponent's health bar has been reduced by a little from the shield.

Not only was the skull incredibly hard, but the opponent's skin would also turn from its normal color to iron gray. Swords and spears would strike it as if hitting metal, and the rebounding force made Zhang Yang's hands go numb. For a moment, Zhang Yang was filled with regret.

I shouldn't have mocked them last time for getting easily beheaded without armor. Now look what's happened, their skin got an epic buff.

Zhang Yang: [...Won't she run out of energy?]

Wang Qi said: "[Yes, but you'll have to outlast her, or you could lure her to a cliff edge and let her fall to her death.]"

It's not that you can't kill them, it's just a lot of effort.

Not only that, but we also have to be very careful.

Xia Gengshi was already incredibly strong, but this one possessed such a physique that Wang Qi suspected she could become the strongest Xia Gengshi. If she were hit even once, she would suffer at best broken bones, and at worst, half her life. In contrast, ordinary attacks would be like tickling her. While Wang Qi offered advice, Zhang Yang also had to think things through.

Until Guan Si's words sealed the deal.

Try not to kill.

Wang Qi: [Why not kill them and keep them for the New Year?]

Guan Sidao: [Don't kill them, force them to surrender.]

Those who are resurrected through the descent of the stars have a certain probability of losing their memories of their previous life, and recovery takes a long time. The condition for the formation of Xia Geng's corpse is decapitation. After Bo Yuan cut off the other party's head, he swung it around like a long spear ornament, even shaking the brains to even them out.

Memory loss is to be expected.

Zhang Yang: [How to subdue him?]

Guan Si crossed his arms: "Does Bo Yuan know how to train a hawk?"

Zhang Yang: [...You can give it a try.]

But soon, Zhang Yang discovered that there was a pitfall in this matter.

It was best not to rely on a second person throughout the entire process; Zhang Yang had to endure it all himself. Zhang Yang wondered if something was amiss. What was even more amiss was that Guan Si and the others were just watching from the sidelines, observing Zhang Yang being chased by Xia Geng's mountain-like corpse, sometimes dodging, sometimes counterattacking. When he couldn't avoid it, he would use his strength to clash with the opponent, creating distance and continuing to run away.

Xia Gengshi is incapable of thought or rage.

The other party will only keep searching for their mortal enemy!

At first, Lu Yuan was worried that her adoptive mother might not be able to handle it, but she quickly calmed down. For a moment, she couldn't even tell which one was Xia Geng's corpse. A resurrected corpse is someone who has just died and come back to life, which is why they have such a brave and determined state, but her adoptive mother is not.

In some ways, she is more terrifying than the Xia Geng Corpse because she is a living person who can withstand this state purely through physical means.

Its strength is terrifying, but its stamina is even more terrifying.

He would run around all over the place with Xia Geng's corpse when it got dark, and even after dawn he could grab Xia Geng's corpse's arm and throw him to the ground.

Lu Yuan even caught a glimpse of Zhang Yang's taut waistline as she bent over; the clean, sharp curves made her eyes light up.

[Stepmother, what a strong back!]

Unexpectedly, her adoptive mother, who didn't appear as robust and muscular as a military general, possessed such impressive assets beneath her clothes. Lu Yuan had always liked this style—well-proportioned yet powerful; too bulky and she found it cumbersome, too thin and she found it weak—this was just right. Lu Yuan couldn't hide the admiration in her eyes, but as soon as she finished speaking, Guan Si gave her a cold, sidelong glance: "She's your adoptive mother."

Respect ethical norms.

What do you know!

To appreciate it purely, rather than actually trying to take it for oneself.

How could Guan Si slander her filial piety towards her adoptive mother?

The commotion alerted the others as well.

Xiao Sui and Han Wo arrived shortly after hearing the news. After ascertaining the details, they immediately ordered a training ground to be prepared so their lord could enjoy himself. The more people gathered to watch and cheer, the more Zhang Yang felt like she was being roasted on a fire, unable to back down. As an NPC, she had a limited stamina bar. This kind of competition, which mobilized all her strength, caused her stamina to deplete at a rate comparable to diarrhea.

With her stamina completely depleted, she didn't even dare to think about what might happen.

Whether you collapse from exhaustion in public or something else, it's all very embarrassing.

As her stamina dropped to the warning level, Zhang Yang's forehead began to sweat profusely, her clothes soaked through. Disgusted by the heat, she ripped open her round-necked robe, revealing only a vest on her upper body and loose-fitting harem pants on her lower body. She ignored the salty sweat clinging to her eyelashes.

He shouted: "Again!"

You should never embarrass yourself in public.

When her stamina exceeded the warning threshold, the stamina data turned red, but the rate of decline slowed significantly. Zhang Yang simply ignored the stats and focused entirely on "training the eagle." She shoveled down the lunging Xia Geng corpse, simultaneously climbing onto its back in a few swift movements, clamping one arm around its shoulder, and scissor-like with her legs. Large beads of sweat splattered onto its gradually fading, iron-gray skin. Zhang Yang's eyes were bloodshot, and her hair was damp with sweat.

I'm just asking you, are you going to admit defeat or not?

Unable to feel pain, the other person forcefully broke free, their hand like a claw, gripping Zhang Yang's arm and flinging her away, attempting to kill her with the fall. Zhang Yang, of course, did not comply, landing lightly on the ground.

This is the scene that Guan Zong saw when he arrived.

Zhang Yang was panting heavily, while Xia Gengshi moved slowly, lacking both strength and speed. Zhang Yang was covered in dirt, while Xia Gengshi looked even more disheveled, his exposed skin bruised and battered from the violent slamming, not a single patch of unscathed flesh.

Xia Gengshi's roar was weak and feeble.

It seemed they had no strength left even to hate.

??ヽ(ー_ー)ノ

Zhang Yang: My pride and sense of face made me finish the whole game with only 1 point of stamina.