Chapter 172: Forcing Her to Reveal Her True Form

"Minor General!"

Nan Nan and Dong Dong stared at that figure not far away, shouting uncontrollably.

The Military Advisor and his wife looked up at Long Yan, and in the next second they both furrowed their brows.

Long Yan looked at their injuries, his brows knitting tightly, veins bulging on his sword‑gripping hand, his tone icy and stern: "Release them!"

Jiang Wu gave a scornful laugh: "Using Su Mo to exchange for these four."

"You're dreaming!" Long Yan sank his sword hand, killing intent no longer concealable.

Jiang Wu's eyes narrowed slightly, the corner of her mouth curling into a cold arc; she backhanded the Military Advisor behind her with a whip—"crack!"—and a bloody welt instantly appeared on his body.

She looked at Long Yan, her smile growing more eerie and grim: "Minor General, I advise you to stay calm; the old Military Advisor probably can't withstand a few of my lashes."

Long Yan's brows locked tight, the knuckles of his sword‑holding hand whitening, a flash of pain crossing his eyes.

The Military Advisor frowned at him: "Minor General, you still need to prioritize the bigger picture; I'm already old and ultimately cannot accompany you for life."

Jiang Wu gave the Military Advisor a cold glance: "Your words are mistaken, Military Advisor; if you die like this before Long Yan, wouldn't it leave him uneasy forever? For your sake, the Minor General dared to take the Blazing Fire Pill—such a deeply loyal and righteous person—how could he bear to see you die like this?"

"Minor General, how could you…" the Military Advisor's wife exclaimed, heartbroken.

Jiang Wu's eyes flashed with a cold light: "Little time remains for the Minor General; if you truly can't bear to exchange Su Mo, then exchange yourself instead?!"

The Military Advisor said in a deep voice: "The Dragon Clan isn't just me; the Dragon Clan has countless subjects. Minor General, you must not risk yourself for us! Otherwise I will never forgive myself in this life."

Jiang Wu whipped back, striking again: "Among the myriad of the Dragon Clan, how many Military Advisors are there like you? You're willing to die for them—would the Minor General be willing too?!"

"Stop!"

"Stop!"

Two voices suddenly rang out in the air.

Jiang Wu lifted her gaze, meeting Su Mo's icy, blade‑like eyes on the city wall; she curled her lip in disdain: "I thought you were too scared to show up—what, have you decided to come and exchange these four?"

Su Mo sneered: "Lord Jiang, you've invited me with such grandeur—how could I not come? If I didn't come, how would the City Lord know just how high the heavens are?!"

"Su Mo! Stop bragging—I'll make you know my power today!"

Su Mo narrowed her eyes, the light in them growing colder: "If you really want my life, then bring your people yourself to take it! Capturing some insignificant folk and spreading the word—wouldn't that just be laughed at? Or did Lord Jiang anticipate becoming my defeated subordinate, so you dare not face me? You only dare to play these petty tricks."

Jiang Wu slightly narrowed her eyes, her poison‑tinted gaze fixed on Su Mo: "Don't try to provoke me with reverse psychology; since you're so eager to come to my door, let's see your moves!"

As the words fell, her fingertips conjured a long whip, her killing‑intense gaze locked on Su Mo.

"Wife Master!"

"Miss Su!"

"Host!"

Several voices sounded simultaneously in Su Mo's ears.

Xiao Jiu panicked: "The totem's power has risen, but we still need to be careful…"

Su Mo replied silently: "Just a delaying tactic; as long as I entangle Jiang Wu, they'll have a chance to rescue them. Today we must find Jiang Wu's weak point, so this battle is a must‑fight."

Xiao Jiu's eyes lit up: "Have you thought of something?"

"Mm!" Su Mo nodded: "In the Beastmen's cultivation, every breakthrough is a battle against one's own weakness. If Jiang Wu were truly flawless, how could she be trapped in this endless reincarnation? She has the power of nirvana rebirth, yet she may not escape fate."

Su Mo looked up and saw Jiang Wu fling an arrow: "If that's the case, then die!"

Su Mo dodged the arrow, swept it up with her whip in a smooth motion, and called low: "Cang Lan, follow me down!"

Then a black shadow flashed through the air—Cang Lan's true form bore Su Mo as she swiftly leapt down from the city wall.

After the totem's power increased, Su Mo's control of the whip became utterly smooth!

The whip's sweep sent the opposing Beastmen crashing down in a heap, the bloody stench in the air instantly thickening.

Jiang Wu lunged forward, wrapping her whip around Su Mo's lash as she swung it again, and the two instantly became entangled!

Not far away, A Ci furrowed his brows: "Watch those four! The rest of you follow me—let's slaughter them, leaving not a scrap of armor!"

Amid the flashing blades and swords, roars shook the heavens.

Jin Tong, while fighting Long Yan's people, never failed to observe Su Mo's every move.

Her cultivation had indeed increased!

No wonder she dared to match wits with Jiang Wu.

Jin Tong had already read the intent in Su Mo's moves; today she struck with killing intent each time, hoping to force out Jiang Wu's ultimate technique.

He couldn't help but narrow his eyes—she actually wanted to find her death point from Jiang Wu's ultimate skill?

Should one say she's fearless, or just reckless? A Level Ten Beastmen's ultimate skill—how could an ordinary person endure it?!

But in his memory, from his past life until his death, Jiang Wu had never used her ultimate skill.

This life is the same.

Why doesn't she use it? Such a blood‑loving person, capable of defeating an enemy in a single move, would never waste time giving the opponent a chance to catch their breath,

Unless her ultimate isn't yet perfect… or perhaps… using it would truly expose her weakness!

Su Mo's intention is so obvious, Jiang Wu naturally noticed it as well.

She looked at Su Mo with a darker gaze, her moves growing even more vicious!

Her gaze shifted, locking onto the leopard beneath Su Mo.

The moment she whipped, the direction suddenly shifted!

Su Mo's eyes narrowed, she quickly discerned the motive and flung the dagger from her hand!

As Jiang Wu dodged to the side, Su Mo hooked her whip!

Su Mo's wrist sank sharply, she secretly exerted force to fling that whip outward!

As Jiang Wu lunged to catch it, a "crack" rang in her ears—Su Mo's whip struck her hard, the welt running from arm to waist, shocking and blazing like flames.

Su Mo curled her lip coldly: "This counts as repaying the last time—you still owe Xuan Qing that whip."

Jiang Wu gritted her teeth at the wound on her arm—damn, she'd actually smeared poison on the whip!

However, her internal energy can barely still suppress those medicinal effects.

Instantly, Jiang Wu's killing intent in her eyes spread like a blood mist; she stared fixedly at Su Mo, wishing to rush forward and tear her to pieces.

She must make Su Mo bleed today!

Although Jiang Wu is injured, her internal energy is profound; each of her moves carries a determination to fight to the death.

The dark pattern on Su Mo's wrist faintly heated up, apparently because it had just touched Jiang Wu's blood.

Xiao Jiu excitedly said, 'Master, her blood seems able to upgrade the totem's power!'

Su Mo felt delighted; this is truly a good thing!

Jiang Wu had just been hit by her poisoned whip coated with medicine; unknown how long she can hold out, but it doesn't matter—she should have the energy today to keep draining her.

At this moment, on Mo Xiao and Fei Yan's side, after a bloody battle, Long Yan has already brought people to approach the Military Advisor couple.

A Ci and Ruo Xu are leading people in a strict defense!

Jiang Wu said in a deep voice to Jin Tong, 'Go quickly help A Ci!'

Jin Tong tilted his head to look in her direction, his peripheral vision still on Su Mo, then lightly leapt to A Ci's side.

He tilted his head to look at the not-far-away suspended Dragon Clan Military Advisor, then rejoined the battle.

Su Mo today intends to force Jiang Wu to her limit, exhausting her stamina to the maximum in order to better unleash the whip's medicinal effect.

This melee lasted from dawn until dusk; blade lights and sword shadows gradually faded into darkness, and the night wind swept through the air, carrying a chilling bloody scent.

After a day of entanglement, Jiang Wu's determination to kill Su Mo has grown even stronger!

In just a few days without clashing, Su Mo's ability has actually improved? She actually ended up being entangled and fought by her for a whole day? This is truly absurd!

Jiang Wu has run out of patience; she must quickly end this battle! See, she suddenly stepped back, and her long sword instantly turned into a bow and arrow!

The first arrow was dodged by Su Mo's whip flick; the second arrow was lightly avoided by Cang Lan.

Jiang Wu quickly nocked three sharp arrows, aimed, and with a clang, the three arrows shot forth together!

Cang Lan's golden vertical pupils narrowed to a slit; his agile body, following Su Mo's whip motion, leapt up!

The whip tip in Su Mo's hand cleanly swept aside the arrows Jiang Wu shot, but upon landing, she sensed another sharp killing intent approaching from her side.

A Ci seized the moment and flung a hidden weapon at Su Mo.

Cang Lan failed to dodge in time; the hidden weapon grazed Su Mo's left shoulder, piercing her clothing and instantly turning the bright red bloodstain into a shocking sight.

"Wife Master!"

Several people behind shouted in panic.

Su Mo furrowed her brows slightly, calmly took out a pill from her waist and swallowed it.

Jiang Wu smiled satisfiedly, not believing that Su Mo, who has no internal energy, could rely solely on medicine to suppress her poison for long!

She said she would definitely make Su Mo bleed today!

The nearest Xuan Qing had already flown over and entangled A Ci, who wanted to entangle again.

After several rounds of entanglement, Su Mo faintly felt that the medicinal effect inside her was surging, and the totem's power would be limited!

In the next instant, Mo Xiao and the others' side also seemed to be affected.

Jiang Wu timely noticed her change, knowing the medicine was taking effect.

She couldn't help but sneer: 'Su Mo, this poison was specially prepared for you! You, a weak female with no strength to truss a chicken, also want to fight me? Do you think I've lived these years in vain? I know your abilities inside out! Be sensible and quickly surrender; I might let your beast husbands off.'

Su Mo gripped her whip tightly, frowned and asked Xiao Jiu, 'What's going on? Why is the totem's power limited, and Mo Xiao and the others are also affected?'

Xiao Jiu frowned and said: 'It's not clear what trick she used, but it seems that beast husbands who have successfully formed a binding contract with the master are affected! However, the Third Young Master and the Minor General seem unaffected.'

'Nonsense! They haven't formed a binding contract with me! Is there any solution now?'

Su Mo, while asking Xiao Jiu, lifted her gaze to face Jiang Wu across from her and said: 'Jiang City Lord, what big talk you spout—victory isn't decided yet! You're getting happy too early!'

A flicker of delight crossed Jiang Wu's lips: 'Then I'll let you know what it means to call heaven and earth and get no response!'

Su Mo sneered: 'Really? Why don't you try using your internal energy again?'

She suddenly flicked that long whip again; although its strength was clearly not as before, it could still barely manage a fight.

Su Mo clearly understood in her heart that she only needed to drain her a bit more to force Jiang Wu's true form out!

As long as she catches a glimpse of her true form, she can find a way to expose her weakness.

Jiang Wu's brows furrowed slightly; the moment she exerted her internal energy, she sensed something was wrong.

What's going on? Now, whenever she uses her internal energy, she uncontrollably wants to transform into her true form!

What Su Mo gave her wasn't really poison; she came here to force Jiang Wu to reveal her true form!

Damn it!

Her true form must absolutely not be revealed in front of Su Mo!

Su Mo thought to Xiao Jiu: 'Taking advantage of this opportunity, we must find a way to rescue people as soon as possible.'

Xiao Jiu frowned and said: 'Xuan Qing is already approaching the Military Advisor's direction!'

Su Mo caught a glimpse in that direction; Xuan Qing, with thunderous force, swept aside those before Jiang Wu, then only saw Xuan Qing throw the dagger in his hand with a clang, and the iron chain suspending the Military Advisor snapped instantly!

She quickly threw the antidote: 'Xuan Qing, catch it!'

Xuan Qing reached out and steadily caught the pill Su Mo threw, then tossed it to the Military Advisor; he quickly went on to rescue the two little ones and the Military Advisor's wife.

Only a flash of a figure passed before her eyes; the next second, Jiang Wu's whip lashed toward the two dragon cubs trying to flee.

At the critical moment, the Military Advisor's wife lunged forward with a palm, pushing Nan Nan and Dong Dong toward Long Yan's direction.

Jiang Wu's eyes were filled with bloodthirsty killing intent; if she still couldn't kill Su Mo today, then killing others would be fine too! In any case, her whip must taste blood!

The next second she swept up the person who had flown over…

With a boom— the Military Advisor's wife was heavily thrown down, amidst a sea of blood she weakly laughed.

The Military Advisor flew over, trembling as he embraced the blood-covered person, weeping uncontrollably: 'Xiao Yu, Xiao Yu!'

The person in his arms weakly smiled, raising a hand to wipe his tears: 'As long as you are safe, that is my greatest comfort. Don't cry; what your heart desires is also what my heart longs for. Fulfilling you is also fulfilling myself. You must protect the Dragon Clan's people wholly, while I… only wish for your safety. I, as long as you are safe, that's enough—remember that?'

The Military Advisor's eyes brimmed with tears, clasped her slightly cool fingers into his palm, and solemnly nodded, "Very well."

……

Although today she witnessed countless lives fall, Su Mo still felt heavy‑hearted; if it weren't for Jiang Wu's greed and murderous intent, these people might not have had to die!

She raised her hand, lifted the bow in her grasp, and aimed at Jiang Wu: "You want to know why you're trapped in this endless Reincarnation and cannot meet a good end?"

Jiang Wu frowned; did she know? Did she know she is a person who has reincarnated many times?!

So what of it?

She has reincarnated many times, opponents come and go in waves; those people are merely passersby, but she Jiang Wu is eternal! Everyone wants to defeat her, yet no one has ever truly beaten her!

Jiang Wu sneered, "I don't need to know why; I am meant to be the ruler of this world!"

"You will never be the ruler of this world; even if you reincarnate ten million times you cannot change the destined death, because you never change yourself! That is why you lose every time!"

Jiang Wu's eyes narrowed, and she shouted, "It's not my fault at all! It's that damned script! He doesn't want me to win completely! He refuses to let me win easily, so I must fight him to the end! My life was meant to be the protagonist's, how can I be controlled by him!"

Jiang Wu shouted again, "I have nothing more to say to you—receive death!"

Su Mo's stamina now lags behind her early self, yet Jiang Wu is no better; in another fierce entanglement, Jiang Wu eventually can't help but unleash her true form!

She forced the last sliver of will: "A Ci, take me away!"

Su Mo said gravely, "Stop him!"

In the next instant she lifted the medicinal powder from her sleeve, a blinding flash streaked through her sight, and Jiang Wu's true body manifested without surprise.

Beak like red jade, claws like golden hooks, each feather seemed to radiate a gilded glow, and in an instant everything around dimmed.

And Su Mo was concentrating fully on finding Jiang Wu's Reverse Feather!

Found it!

Just as she raised her bow to aim at that Reverse Feather, a slash of darkness swept across her vision!