Chapter 168

"I just contacted the surrounding squads; one responded immediately and is closing in on us."

The squad member replied, incidentally boosting everyone's confidence; the pack of War Mastiffs surrounding the cave entrance let out low growls, driven on by Secret Sect disciples clad in Black Lotus Armor, they surged forward in waves attempting to cross the boundary Wu Tao had drawn with his Cang Lei arrows.

"No rush, arrows are plentiful; these War Mastiffs pose no threat."

Wu Tao's expression was calm, his drawing speed extremely fast, as if it cost him no stamina at all, his arms nearly pulling afterimages.

The sharp arrows wreathed in green light, like precision-guided missiles, struck one by one, blasting the heads of the War Mastiffs whose vitality was extraordinarily tenacious.

His mind was like a clear mirror; that Secret Sect disciple occupying the outer area wanted to probe the limit of his attack range.

"My Heavenly Imperial Divine Arrow Style is an ancient inheritance, emphasizing controlling arrows with Qi."

Wu Tao sneered inwardly; the opponent had little insight and did not understand the cultivation method of the Heavenly Imperial Divine Arrow Style.

Breaking through the Fifty Point Threshold of Qi Life Force allows one to condense Breath into "Arrow Momentum."

As long as the internal circulation persists and the spirit is highly focused, the Arrow Momentum pours down like a torrential rain.

If Wu Tao stepped into the Professional Level, his life would condense into a Crystal, completing Mortal Body Transformation.

The Arrow Momentum he operates could then be stacked further, multiplying its power.

Legend says that Martial Champion who was infinitely close to the Path's endpoint stacked ninety-seven thousand arrows before blasting a star with a single shot.

"Hiding inside serves no purpose. I believe in the Original God; His Divine Blessing makes my techniques exceptionally outstanding in the realm of flesh-and-blood Spiritual Power."

The Secret Sect disciple remained unhurried, maintaining maximum safety distance, quietly retreating and vanishing into the night.

He half-kneeled on the cracked ground, palm pressed down, his consciousness expanding to form a "Domain" of nearly twenty meters radius.

Immediately after, he lowered his head and chanted some awkward syllables, very simple, roughly a sentence or two, repeating the incantation.

About half a minute later, the atmosphere seemed to boil, emitting a buzzing tremor, as if steaming with heat.

The War Mastiffs whose heads Wu Tao had blown apart saw their corpse flesh melt like heated wax, suddenly fusing into pools of viscous substance.

Inside the cave, the other squad members witnessed this horrifying scene; those with weaker mental fortitude nearly leaned against the wall and vomited.

The contaminated flesh turned into sauce, as if stirred and kneaded by invisible giant hands, finally pinched into a massive body shape.

Wu Tao's motion of drawing the composite bow involuntarily paused; he and the other squad members were ultimately not soldiers who had been on battlefields, killing and seeing blood carried no psychological burden, but witnessing such a shocking and disgusting sight inevitably caused an impact.

The flesh of twenty-odd War Mastiffs melted and slowly condensed, transforming into a "Giant Creature" over three meters tall, its surface covered in writhing severed limbs and exposed tendons.

A scarlet heart grew in the center of its chest, roughly the size of a normal person's skull, pumping corrosive blood.

Even from far away Wu Tao could smell the nauseating stench of blood.

He subconsciously drew his bow again, Qi Life Force pouring in, green light surging like furious thunder exploding, blasting the heart of that flesh-and-blood Giant Creature!

Crack!

Flesh was torn open, revealing a deep cavity, as if a hole had been poked through.

But in the span of a few breaths, large clumps of flesh buds grew, filling the wound.

And this time it even "evolved" pale white bone material, like armor.

Bang!

The atmosphere exploded again, the arrow light thick as a beam, nearly piercing a true vacuum channel.

The flesh-and-blood Giant Creature staggered backward, scarlet flowers blooming bewitchingly, corrosive liquid dripping, sizzling on the cracked ground.

But Wu Tao's arrow failed to tear the heart; it was like sinking into a quagmire, its powerful force ground away bit by bit.

"This thing can actually evolve?"

The other squad members froze; the flesh-and-blood Giant Creature summoned by the Secret Sect disciple had clearly improved its defensive power.

"Life Sect bastards!"

Wu Tao narrowed his eyes, roughly guessing the Secret Sect disciple's origin.

Generally speaking, Dongxia does not advocate religion; even though the Four Pillar Gods lean toward the lawful camp and have fairly deep dealings and cooperation with the Dongxia Republic.

But the Dongxia Republic, which ended the turbulent Dark Ages and vowed to eradicate all the ills of the Empire Period, does not allow Administrative Stars to erect temples or build shrines; even organizations with religious nature are treated with a strict policy of suppression.

The only concession and compromise made is to respect the Tianzhu Autonomous Region's freedom of belief.

Aside from that, all religions involving flesh-and-blood sacrifice and living body worship are categorically classified as "Heretics."

"Gouging eyes for candles, flaying spines for stairs..."

The Secret Sect disciple laughed strangely:

"Return to Life, pain births new life! The Divine Spirit's power guides the direction of evolution, leading me to the Path's endpoint! If you are willing to abandon yourselves and throw into my God's embrace, perhaps you can beg for a way to survive!"

Wu Tao stared at the flesh-and-blood Giant Creature, stopped shooting the War Mastiffs; the Life Sect originated from ascetic monks of the Ancient Era who transformed.

Originally asceticism was the act of tempering the fleshly body and forging the spirit, a Transformation undertaking, but was misinterpreted by some who believed that mutilating the body and creating suffering could glimpse the world's truth.

This sect, the more they offer their own limbs to the Divine Spirit, the richer the bestowal they receive.

"The Spiritual Path is truly perverse, it does not deceive me!"

Wu Tao pondered; that flesh-and-blood Giant Creature could withstand dozens of his arrows and would very easily cross the defense line he had forged with Cang Lei.

Hiding in the cave won't work; another solution must be found.

He was decisive, having the squad members initiate rescue, deploy Electronic Markers; an extremely powerful signal Wave Fluctuation penetrated the Great Rift Valley.

"I'll continue pinning the enemy down; you choose to forfeit the match and save your lives."

Wu Tao did not intend to leave; he had signed a contract with the Ying Clan, deeply bound.

If the "mission" was not completed, obstructing the Nanhuang Dojo Disciple from obtaining a Top Hundred ranking.

Even if he kept his life, he would face severe punishment.

He held Cang Lei, stamped his foot heavily, and rushed out of the cave at high speed.

Simultaneously, several arrows in a pin formation blasted toward the flesh-and-blood Giant Creature, drawing its attention.

"An archer's greatest strength lies not in precision, but in Body Technique and concealment."

If the battlefield were confined to the cave, Wu Tao would instead find it hard to display his strength; if expanded to the surrounding few miles, he might well have the opportunity to shoot the Secret Sect disciple dead.

That's also points!

On the Hunting List, every region's Final Boss is worth over a thousand points, deciding the ranking!

"Nighttime Great Rift Valley, where do you think you can run!"

The Secret Sect follower's gaze was cold, he extended mental tentacles, drove the remaining War Mastiffs toward the Cave, then manipulated the Giant Creature to chase Wu Tao.

The Great Rift Valley hadn't had "visitors" for a very long time; as a believer of the Life Sect, whether improving his spell skills or performing sacrifices, he needed fresh flesh and organ materials.

"You can't escape! I have Blood Flesh Tracking, your Smell has already been captured; unless you can escape this Great Rift Valley, sooner or later I'll drive you into a dead end!"

The Secret Sect follower waved a great hand, his mind extremely condensed, turning into a shining ring of light, hanging behind his head.

Space rippled with strange Wave Fluctuations, like some signal; beside the towering cliffs, a cloud suddenly drifted over.

Wu Tao looked back and fixed his gaze—it was actually hundreds of Blood Bats!

They flapped their wings at extreme speed, like thick clouds, pressing down on Wu Tao!

"Spiritual Path is really troublesome!"

Wu Tao Scolded angrily.

This Secret Sect follower should also be at the Saint Embryo Stage, mastering several spell skills with extremely high Proficiency.

Plus he's a disgusting Flesh System user, truly very troublesome!

He accelerated underfoot, Qi Life Force filling Bai Gu, like a car flooring the accelerator charging straight, occasionally twisting to draw his bow, using arrows to clear large gaps.

But the Blood Bats were dense as locusts; even if some were wiped out, they'd soon fill back in.

They all emitted ultrasound that disturbed the mind, making Wu Tao uncomfortable, his steps slightly chaotic.

His fast-moving figure gradually slowed, becoming sluggish.

"Damn it! Can't shake off these bats!"

Wu Tao was extremely annoyed; transforming and driving War Mastiffs, summoning and condensing Giant Creatures had already consumed a lot of spiritual energy.

He had received complete Supernatural Education, deeply knowing the Spiritual Path wasn't about using spell skills at will.

The level of the mind, the Intensity of the spirit, determined the number of Spell Slots.

"Three spell skills—he must have received Divine Spirit favor!"

Wu Tao took a deep breath, understanding he'd reached a life-or-death moment.

He gripped Cang Lei tightly; Qi Life Force surged out, turning into strands of Green Flame as if substantial, attached to his body's surface.

The flames wrapped around the exquisite Composite Bow of extraordinary material; his fingers hooked the bowstring, and with several 'whoosh' sounds, arrows shot out like rain!

The Blood Bats were swept away in waves, exploding into clusters of crimson, nearly dyeing the Cliff red.

The strong fishy Smell drifted, making the beasts hiding in the Cave unable to restrain themselves.

"You can run quite well!"

The Secret Sect follower laughed softly; his speed wasn't fast, but fortunately he shared vision with the Blood Bats, which was how he kept up with Wu Tao.

Now his "Small Pets" had been mostly wiped out; the originally clear vision was instantly lost, becoming blind, watching as he was about to escape.

"Pity! I just finished a sacrifice!"

The Secret Sect follower's eyes flashed with an unusual Color, like translucent amber; immediately after, his mind was like a drawn slingshot, storing some power.

With a 'swoosh', his gaze locked onto Wu Tao about to disappear into the night, chanting:

"Pain measures the Soul! Dismember the mangled body! Sublimate the essence!"

The awkward Syllables were urgent and fast, like a key inserted into a keyhole, completing the final step.

The mind condensed unprecedentedly, turning into a beam of dazzling light, shooting out from his forehead!

Faster than a Bullet leaving the chamber; in an instant it hit Wu Tao; the Mortal Body wrapped in Green Flame suddenly stiffened, as if Petrified.

His figure maintained the Stance of running forward, but his movement stopped, and he fell heavily.

"Flesh Dissolution..."

Wu Tao's heart was full of fear; he felt his Flesh Vitality greatly diminishing, as if being decomposed, melted, into a pool of pus.

"How does he have a fourth Spell Slot!"

The Secret Sect follower raised both hands, calling to the sky; Spiritual Field Light flared again, summoning a group of Blood Bats.

He was very cautious, driving his pet to capture Wu Tao.

This guy's Qi Life Force should be over Eighty Points; even hit by "Dissolution Technique", he wouldn't die so easily.

"The materials for the next sacrifice are complete again."

The Secret Sect follower was very Satisfied; the life-saving "Black Lotus Armor Device", and the fourth "Spell Slot", were both Divine Spirit gifts.

If a few more prey with high Sheng Li Fa came, perhaps enough to gather all the sets for this "Device".

"Huh?"

The Secret Sect follower was about to return to the Cave, to clean up the remaining few "materials"; fresh flesh and organ materials were the more the better for him.

But for some reason, that Giant Creature, made by combining War Mastiff flesh and consuming most spiritual energy, suddenly severed its mental link with him.

He strode toward the Giant Creature's location, only to see it split in half, a mountain-like corpse collapsing.

"No longer healing—this means 'Vitality' was severed too!"

The Secret Sect follower was secretly shocked; the Giant Creature wasn't a simple stitched monster; it itself possessed a trace of Vitality, so the wounds Wu Tao caused with Cang Lei would heal instantly and complete shallow Evolution.

That is to say, unless the opponent could wipe it out at once, every attack would make the Giant Creature improve.

This spell skill—he sacrificed over fifty percent of his own flesh and organs to receive the Divine Blessing.

Not only rare, but very powerful!

"Who silently dealt with the Giant Creature!"

The Secret Sect follower's eyes brightened; his mind was exceptionally focused; his eyes like lit torches, scanning all directions.

Hum!

His nearly one hundred points of Spiritual Field Power expanded a hundred meters in an instant, like rings of radar signals, and quickly locked onto the target.

But it was like kicking an iron plate with his foot; the Secret Sect disciple's head shook slightly, a faint ache rising.

"A Spiritual Path practitioner too? And a bit familiar……"

The Secret Sect disciple closed his eyes, gazing into the thick night.

Thin mist and cold frost churned, like sea tides striking the shore wave after wave.

A tall, straight figure seemed to walk on the waves; mist and frost were gently pushed aside by surging Qi Life Force, lightly swept away, unable to approach.

Under the Spiritual Path's visual senses, the Secret Sect disciple saw several Halos suspended behind the other's head, as if a sacred Blessing.

"Such strong Spiritual Field Power! Wait, these Divine Emblems……"

The Secret Sect disciple was surprised by the height of the other's Heart Spirit Level, but had no intention of Retreat whatsoever; he grasped four Spell Slots, and was a main combat fighter.

Could it be he still needed to avoid the edge of an outsider?

But soon, the Secret Sect disciple discovered Something Wrong.

That person's spiritual Halos, upon closer look, why were they so familiar to the eye?

【Taiyi】!

【Renren】!

【Divine Machine】!

【True Dragon】!

"His mother's, poked the Four Pillar Gods' nest? Send a Shouguanzhe?"

The Secret Sect disciple's Mood was complex, similar to the Snake Mother Gang's Fang Xin.

He merely committed a "small mistake"; how could it alarm the "Shouguanzhe" jointly Chosen by the Four Pillar Gods!

But as his physical eyes opened, the "anomaly" presented by the spiritual senses vanished.

The dazzling Halos, and the Symbolic Emblems, all gone.

Only remained a "little guy" standing with knife propped, Qi Life Force in the low eighties!

"Scared me a jump! Almost surrendered on the spot!"

The Secret Sect disciple's heart pumped wildly; Dongxia's Four Pillars' deterrence was truly stern and solemn.

There isn't a single Heretic who isn't Afraid!

"Such a perfect body……"

As a Flesh System practitioner, the Secret Sect disciple had considerable insight into the structures and merits of various Creatures.

The Wu Tao he had captured with great effort immediately lost its appeal.

"Since you ruined my Flesh Giant Creature, then use yourself as Claim."

The Secret Sect disciple still used one move "Dissolution Technique"; against the Martial Path, first apply a Debuff, lest these barbarians jump in the face and ult.

The Dissolution Technique can dissipate Flesh Vitality, even separate and shatter limbs; it can be called the Martial Path's nemesis!

Qin Shi propped the knife with both hands; just now he had slain that Flesh Giant Creature, and he perceived the Perfect Grade Electric Shock Military Saber seemed to emit a slight joyful hum, the patterns on the blade becoming more profound, as if strengthened once.

"Things given by the Pillar Deity, the quality is just different! Even has Growth Potential!"

Qin Shi Considered while mobilizing his spirit; the Inner Landscape suddenly unfolded, like a solid shield, blocking the Dissolution Technique head-on.

Completely taking Wu Tao's spell Skill, to him, was like a wisp of breeze brushing the face, not a hair harmed.

Immediately after, he stepped forward; the blade slowly Drawn from the Black Scabbard inserted into the cracked ground, like a dim electric light tearing through the twilight.

The Secret Sect disciple was shocked, hair standing on end; keen Spiritual Field Power made him instantly perceive Danger; within his Sight, that tall figure was in place one moment, and vanished the next.

Strong wind pressure swept away the Blood Bats swooping down, blowing them over, crushing them.

Then, the Windbreaker fluttered, the blade light bright!

That abnormally young face, and the inexplicably cold Long Blade, simultaneously appeared before the Secret Sect disciple!

(Chapter End)