Chapter 223: Zhang Dongtian

The Wild Dragon Snake corpse, ha ha ha, finally found.

Fellow Daoists, why don't we join forces to kill these beasts, then slowly share the Wild Dragon Snake corpse, how about that?

A white‑clad youth smiled as he stepped forward; the moment he spoke, everyone's gaze inevitably focused on him. Those about to engage in battle paused to watch. Zhuge Ruolan and Feng Feifei turned their eyes toward the youth. The graceful white‑clad youth, brandishing a sword, had a demeanor and aura distinct from the others.

"Zhang Dongtian, you looking for death?"

The Azure Water Mystic Snake recognized the man before him: a prodigy of the Zhang family of the Great Qi Dynasty, also praised as one of the strongest talents of the Zhang family. Unexpectedly, this time he also came; it seems the Zhang family also wants a share.

Along with him emerged another youth; unlike Zhang Dongtian, this youth was inconspicuous, acted low‑key, hands tucked in his sleeves, eyes narrowed, and his smile gave off a dangerous vibe.

Clearly human, yet like a venomous snake.

Bai Family, Bai Chong.

The great families of the Great Qi Dynasty are all renowned talents within the empire; the appearance of these two drew human attention. Zhang Dongtian looked at the Demon‑Subduing General and laughed, "What do you think, Demon‑Subduing General?"

The Demon‑Subduing General replied calmly, "I don't mind; demonic beasts really shouldn't interfere with human affairs."

The Peerless Ghost beside him nodded, endorsing the general's words. They didn't want demonic beasts to obtain the Wild Dragon Snake corpse; if suppression is to be applied, it must be thorough, never allowing them to rise. Should a demonic beast acquire the Wild Dragon Snake's flesh and blood, it might awaken its bloodline or even achieve Advancement, which they certainly didn't want to see.

The northern part of the empire must remain stable; they don't want their workload to increase nor any upheavals.

"Ming Jianzi?"

Ming Jianzi shrugged, indicating he's fine with it; slaying demons and monsters is just his task.

Killing a few demons and monsters along the way isn't out of the question either.

Zhang Dongtian's smile deepened as he turned to Zhuge Ruolan and Feng Feifei on the other side. Though they aren't confronting each other, human versus human conflicts are generally settled by humans themselves; those not of our kind have different hearts.

After surveying the scene, Zhang Dongtian received everyone's approval and then looked at the Azure Water Mystic Snake and the Deepwater Giant Crocodile.

"Both of you, it seems you're destined to die here today."

The Azure Water Mystic Snake's eyes fixed on Zhang Dongtian, its serpentine breath in and out.

"If you're not afraid of death, you can go ahead, Zhang Dongtian."

"The Wild Dragon Snake is a senior demonic beast of ours; now that it's dead, its corpse belongs to us demonic beasts, not to you humans."

"Mere humans also want to claim it as their own—impossible."

The Deepwater Giant Crocodile sneered, "Shameless humans, hypocrites."

The two of them didn't retreat at all; they wanted to fight, launching straight attacks.

Zhang Dongtian heard that and burst into laughter, "Ha ha ha, it seems the two haven't grasped the situation. In that case, we'll let them see clearly. Fellow Daoists, make your move."

With those words, everyone struck.

They besieged the two demonic beasts; since the agreement was reached, they killed.

"Damn, you bastards, actually…"

Attacks flooded the two demonic beasts.

They revealed their true forms directly: a massive snake, not as large as the Wild Dragon Snake corpse, only about one‑tenth of it.

The Deepwater Giant Crocodile opened its huge maw, intending to swallow everyone.

Zhang Dongtian brandished his sword, "Your attack is truly feeble."

"Split."

One slash, and the darkness of the sky split.

A cut appeared in the Deepwater Giant Crocodile's mouth.

Immediately, attacks from others followed.

Ming Jianzi unsheathed his sword; with a single strike, the Deepwater Giant Crocodile's body split in two.

The Demon‑Subduing General threw a punch; the body shattered into minced flesh.

One demonic beast died.

Seeing this, the Azure Water Mystic Snake turned to flee, but Bai Chong shook his head and extended his right hand.

"No."

"Humans, you are too shameless, actually…"

"Crunch."

The battle ended.

Both demonic beasts were slain; Zhang Dongtian looked at Zhuge Ruolan and Feng Feifei, who at that moment had not acted.

These two women were dangerous; Bai Chong also glanced at them.

Everyone else had acted, but they withdrew at the last moment.

"Both of you, do you also want to die?"

Bai Chong gave a cold glance.

The Demon‑Subduing General and the Peerless Ghost stared at them.

Zhuge Ruolan had known this would happen; after the demonic beasts died, these people would target them.

"Feng Feifei, go."

Feng Feifei, not daring to delay, released a Yin Ghost; darkness enveloped the surroundings, blocking everyone's Spiritual Sense and sight.

Zhang Dongtian swung his sword; the darkness dispersed, and the two figures vanished.

"Damn, they've entered the Wild Dragon Snake corpse."

"Everyone, let's go in as well."

Zhang Dongtian acted first, with Bai Chong following closely.

Ming Jianzi stared at their silhouettes, not charging forward but staying in place.

The two Song Wu of the Heavenly Heart Sect also did not move; at this point, with the demonic beasts slain, their battle among themselves was about to begin.

Each fought on their own.

The Suppress Demons General and the Peerless Ghost walked slowly ahead, passing through them.

Their footsteps halted, they turned back, nodded at Ming Jianzi, then quickened their pace and walked forward.

Song Wu clasped his hands: "I have met Fellow Daoist Ming Jianzi."

Ming Jianzi clasped his hands: "I have met Fellow Daoist Song Wu and Fellow Daoist Ge Xuan."

After the salutations, Song Wu asked: "Fellow Daoist Ming Jianzi also witnessed my senior brother's death; the threat from these people is not the greatest—it is the hidden Blood Demon."

"How about we join forces?"

Song Wu offered an olive branch: one more person, one more strength.

The others here are all from the dynasty; those gathered here are not all of them.

They had to be careful, lest they end up like Senior Brother Zhang Wen.

The aura within the Wild Dragon Snake's cave heaven has been disrupted, making it impossible to feel specific auras; however, this cave heaven, the Wild Dragon Snake before them, and how smoothly they entered—there is definitely something wrong inside.

"Fellow Daoist Song Wu means this is a scheme, and we are all pawns."

Song Wu nodded: "From our arrival to our entry into this place, don't you feel it's been too smooth, Fellow Daoist?"

"The cave mouth, the altar, the blood aura, and even these people—it's all… too coincidental."

"The Blood Demon has not yet been seen, and we have lost his aura; if we start fighting among ourselves first, we might end up doing his work for him."

"Furthermore."

Ming Jianzi spoke: "You also felt that feeling?"

It feels very strange, also very abrupt.

It seemed as if someone was watching them; everything around felt strange, as if traces had been wiped away.

Since they arrived here, they have had that feeling.

Song Wu nodded solemnly: "Fellow Daoist may not know, but my junior disciple's soul is rather special, making him more sensitive to certain things."

"Oh?"

Ge Xuan said softly: "That place is very strange; the blood aura is off, the mountain peak is off, and the surroundings are also off."

"I always feel that someone has been around here; although that person wiped away the traces, traces cannot truly be erased—they will eventually leave a tail."

The three of them said no more, merely nodding, and their cooperation was sealed.