Chapter 11: Bloodline That Connects to the Underworld

Two more days passed, and seeing Jiang Yan had fully acclimated, Morax prepared to set off toward the Domain of the Dust God.

Since the method had been Jiang Yan's idea, Morax naturally intended to take him along.

Jiang Yan offered no objection.

He never intended to stay here long anyway; this trip to the Dust God's territory was the perfect chance to thoroughly loot the treasure chests!

He aimed to unlock the Wood Human Technique as soon as possible!

"Shake the Heavens, Shatter the Earth!"

A pillar of rock erupted from the ground, instantly shattering the rock peak before him.

Revealing a common treasure chest hidden inside.

Jiang Yan rushed forward and opened it.

"Let me see what goodies are inside."

"Hmm... by general logic, treasure chests like this usually don't contain anything valuable."

Morax's voice behind him carried a hint of resignation.

After about a week since leaving the tribe, he had essentially become Jiang Yan's personal laborer.

Breaking open rock peaks, smashing the rocks locking the treasure chests.

"You don't get it! Opening treasure chests is all about the unknown—you never know what's inside until you open it, and that's what makes it fun."

Jiang Yan grinned, feeling his physique had slightly improved, filled with joy.

"Fine, do as you like."

Morax had long given up resisting.

Or rather, he had grown accustomed to it.

"Help!!!"

As they walked through a mountain range, a sudden scream from nearby drew Jiang Yan and Morax's attention.

"Go see!"

Instinctively, Jiang Yan wanted to check out the commotion.

On a winding path, a middle-aged man was frantically running forward, clutching a young child.

A protruding rock tripped him, sending him sprawling; the bandits behind him quickly surrounded him.

"Hehehe, you dog runs fast, but no more talk—hand over everything valuable on you right now!"

The bandits circled the man with cold smirks, their broadswords glinting sharply.

The man clutched his last child tightly, his eyes filled with desperate resolve.

Hidden in his sleeve was a dagger—he would die, but take at least one bandit with him!

"Save him?"

Jiang Yan spoke softly.

"Mm, there's something strange about him."

Morax nodded.

"Then I'll handle it. A few petty bandits aren't worth your effort."

Jiang Yan stretched his wrists and stepped forward.

"Huh? Kid, where the hell did you come from?"

The bandits had naturally spotted Jiang Yan approaching.

Jiang Yan smiled, saying nothing, only clasping his hands together.

Then his arms slowly extended toward the bandits.

"Talk, you bastard!"

Several bandits moved to surround him.

"Wood Release: Cutting Technique!"

Several wooden spikes erupted from Jiang Yan's arms, instantly skewering all the bandits in a single row.

Blood splattered across the man's face; he clutched his child, his body trembling uncontrollably.

"Y-You... who are you?"

The man stared, trembling, at Jiang Yan—who had just calmly slaughtered the bandits—and at Morax, slowly approaching behind him.

He did not relax; instead, he grew even tenser. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind—was this oriole now coming to claim the prize?

He had still believed he could resist the bandits, but these two made him feel no urge to fight at all.

Too terrifying!

"I'm Jiang Xiaobai. He's Zhong Li."

Jiang Yan smiled, having decided before their journey began to travel under aliases.

Both had independently chosen pseudonyms.

"What's your name?"

"I... I'm Hu Xing."

Hu Xing's voice still trembled.

"Hu, huh? Interesting."

Morax's voice came from behind; he regarded the middle-aged man with interest before speaking:

"If you seek protection, head southwest."

"When you reach Hengshan, find Liu Yun Jie Feng and say Zhong Li sent you."

Morax still used his alias—he had no intention of revealing his true name.

Having finished speaking, Jiang Yan left this place with Morax.

After they had gone far enough, Jiang Yan turned his head and asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Ever since meeting that middle-aged man surnamed Hu, Morax's smile seemed to have never stopped.

"I've found a treasure."

Morax spoke softly, leaving Jiang Yan somewhat puzzled.

"Meeting someone surnamed Hu means finding a treasure?"

Morax chuckled lightly, shook his head, and explained faintly.

"That middle-aged man just now has a bloodline within his body capable of communicating with the power of the Netherworld."

"That same feeling is present on the young child he is holding."

Power of the Netherworld?

Jiang Yan's eyes suddenly widened.

Surnamed Hu

Possessing a bloodline capable of communicating with the power of the Netherworld.

Isn't this exactly Hu Tao's ancestor?

Damn! Is it really that coincidental??

Instantly, the look in Jiang Yan's eyes as he gazed at Morax carried a certain complexity.

This isn't you finding a treasure at all.

You have clearly secured a meal ticket for yourself thousands of years in the future.

"... What is that look in your eyes?"

Morax felt that the way Jiang Yan looked at him was somewhat off.

"Nothing, let's go."

Suddenly, a violent tremor came from the distance; in an instant, the sky shook and the earth quaked, causing Jiang Yan to stumble and nearly sit down on his buttocks.