Chapter 1485

The Red Cloud High Priest's party walked across the Lotus Bridge to Tranquil Heart Pool, everyone began chanting sutras, Hu Xiaotian also moved his mouth opening and closing, he couldn't even speak the simplest Red Barbarian language, how could he possibly chant along, fortunately with so many people singing together no one noticed whether he made a sound.

The party walked across the Lotus Bridge, arrived before the three-tiered altar at the center of Tranquil Heart Pool, the white elephant slowly knelt down, the Red Cloud High Priest descended from the elephant's back with utmost grace.

Hu Xiaotian paid more attention to Granny Shadow, who never left Red Cloud's side; to rush forward and seize Red Cloud, he first had to get past her. Although he was confident in his martial arts, he lacked absolute certainty—Granny Shadow was a senior elder of the Wuxian Sect, her strange methods would surely be endless; even if he could defeat her in martial skill, there would still be variables in combat. His main goal was to abduct the Red Cloud High Priest and retreat safely; only thus could he turn defeat into victory.

Hu Xiaotian decided to patiently wait for the opportunity, and would not act unless he had full confidence.

Hu Xiaotian followed the woman ahead step by step; seeing her go up to the second level, he also stepped onto the stairs, but his sleeve was tugged by someone. The foot he had just lifted onto the step he hastily pulled back, only then realizing the second level was already packed; fortunately his companion reminded him in time, otherwise he would surely have given himself away.

Hu Xiaotian felt secretly ashamed, pretending to find his place and stand still; then he sensed someone seemed to be looking at him, he glanced furtively and met Yan Nujiao's gaze. Although he had just managed to recover, he was still spotted by Yan Nujiao standing outside the altar's outer circle; he gave her a quick wink, then hastily lowered his head.

Yan Nujiao had been doubtful, but seeing this fellow wink, she instantly guessed his identity. She knew Hu Xiaotian possessed the Tendon Changing Bone Shifting ability, allowing him to freely change his appearance; she never expected his courage to be so great—he dared to disguise himself as a servant girl and mix into the sacrificial procession.

Yan Nujiao secretly speculated that Hu Xiaotian's visit certainly wasn't to see her; even if he wanted to, he wouldn't pick this moment. Needless to ask, he was likely planning something harmful to her senior sister; Yan Nujiao worried inwardly, thinking Hu Xiaotian still didn't know her master had already arrived.

The Red Cloud High Priest came to the center of the altar. She spread her arms, murmuring incantations; as she chanted, the surrounding maidens began to circle the altar counterclockwise. Hu Xiaotian followed suit, copying the others' movements.

Yan Nujiao's gaze involuntarily drifted toward him; at such a moment Hu Xiaotian actually found time to throw her a flirtatious look. Yan Nujiao almost laughed out loud, then immediately realized she must not laugh now—if it aroused suspicion, it would be detrimental to Hu Xiaotian. Just what medicine is this kid selling in his gourd? What exactly does he intend to do?

The Red Cloud High Priest's body began to spin on the spot, faster and faster; the surrounding maidens spun ever more swiftly. In the formerly tranquil Tranquil Heart Pool, nine fountains shot up into the sky. Amid the fountains' spray, a golden lotus slowly rose, the fountain's mist falling upon it, and the golden lotus gradually unfurled.

The watching believers, seeing this marvel, all prostrated themselves on the ground, praying repeatedly.

Hu Xiaotian secretly admired the Red Cloud High Priest's tricks; this wondrous scene before him was entirely man-made, the golden lotus had long been hidden in Tranquil Heart Pool, all this mystery merely to deceive those believers. Hu Xiaotian had seen similar scenes before; although the golden lotus had not yet opened, he already guessed that a person must be hidden inside the bud, and to produce a false spirit maiden the Red Cloud High Priest had gone to great lengths.

Hu Xiaotian understood that once the golden lotus opened, all believers would undoubtedly trust the spirit maiden within; he must promptly stop this and divert the believers' attention. At this moment Hu Xiaotian had rotated to another angle, just right to avoid Granny Shadow; he made a swift decision, launched into action—he was as swift as a fleeing hare—and aimed to seize the Red Cloud High Priest before Granny Shadow could react.

Everyone's attention was focused on the slowly opening golden lotus; no one expected such a sudden change. By the time they realized it, Hu Xiaotian had already leapt over the crowd and rushed to the Red Cloud High Priest's front.

In the hurry, Red Cloud raised her hand to grab Hu Xiaotian; the metal sheaths on her fingernails detached from her fingers like a crossbow releasing, shooting with a series of 'whoosh whoosh whoosh' at close range toward Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian's movement was ghostlike; he instantly vanished before Red Cloud, leaving only several afterimages. The metal sheaths all missed, two of them actually struck maidens, who cried out once and died innocently.

Hu Xiaotian went behind the Red Cloud High Priest, wrapped his arms around her shoulders and locked her neck, tipped his toes, and flew down from the altar.

Granny Shadow had silently approached Hu Xiaotian, about to launch an attack, when she heard Yan Nujiao's sharp cry: 'Where do you think you're going!' She raised her right arm and fired successive sleeve arrows; Yan Nujiao's sleeve arrows appeared to be aimed at Hu Xiaotian but actually flew just behind him, thereby blocking his rear route and effectively stopping Granny Shadow.

Hu Xiaotian seized the opportunity to swoop out, carrying the Red Cloud High Priest like a great bird, he flew onto the white elephant's back, raised his right hand and slammed down hard on the elephant's buttocks; although the elephant's skin was thick, the heavy blow made it scream in pain and it flung open its four legs, galloping forward.

Originally those believers had prepared to rush forward to rescue the high priest, but seeing the white elephant suddenly go mad, they all fled to the sides in fright; no one dared to charge up then, for doing so would only end up being trampled into pulp.

The white elephant swung its long trunk, its ears flapping like huge palm-leaf fans, its four legs galloping; although its movements were not large, its speed, owing to its height and length, was not to be underestimated.

Granny Shadow stepped on a believer's head to push off and leap into the air; Yan Nujiao also caught up to her side, feigning panic: 'Master, Senior Sister has been abducted!'

Granny Shadow gave her a doubtful look; this girl had obviously been deliberately blocking her own path earlier, and now was intentionally delaying—did she really think the old woman couldn't see through it? She said in a low voice: 'Hurry up and chase!'

At this moment the white elephant carrying Hu Xiaotian and the Red Cloud High Priest had already run a distance; the nearly one hundred thousand believers present, seeing the high priest captured, paid no heed to the golden lotus on the Tranquil Heart Pool's surface, all following the elephant in pursuit. Such a magnificent sight could only be seen in a battlefield where two armies face off.

Hu Xiaotian, however, was alone, facing nearly one hundred thousand pursuers behind him; he showed no panic at all, gazing at the pale-faced prize, he laughed loudly, turned his head, and saw Granny Shadow and Yan Nujiao soaring above the crowd, leaping like rabbits and falcons, approaching him from two different directions.

Hu Xiaotian secretly groaned, 'Granny Shadow's movement is so fast!' Xia Zhangming, Xia Zhangming, you brat, you should have arrived by now; if you don't come, I'm afraid I'll be held up!

Just as Hu Xiaotian awaited Xia Zhangming's arrival, a large patch of dark clouds drifted across the clear sky, the flapping sound like muffled thunder; the believers looked up, only to see that what hovered overhead was not clouds but tens of thousands of birds gathered together, blotting out the sky and blocking the sunlight. Suddenly the birds swooped down from above, launching a frenzied attack on the believers below.

Granny Shadow was about to catch up to the white elephant, but the road ahead was blocked by the bird flock; she had to slow down and drive off the birds that kept coming.

Hu Xiaotian guided the white elephant, rein loose; at that moment a white flock of birds swooped down from above—it was Xia Zhangming driving a bird flock to his side. Hu Xiaotian laughed, 'You finally arrived just in time.' He tossed the Red Cloud High Priest to Xia Zhangming, who carried her aloft amid the bird flock; according to Hu Xiaotian's plan, the bird flock maintained a height of thirty zhang and slowly drifted toward the Butterfly Garden.

Hu Xiaotian continued to drive the white elephant forward at full speed; some saw the Red Cloud High Priest taken away by the birds, while others still thought she remained on the elephant, causing the pursuing crowd to split.

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily; different paths, same goal—he also intended to lead this crowd to the Butterfly Garden, step by step carrying out his predetermined plan.

Baheer sat astride a black tall-headed horse, gazing at the Butterfly Garden's gate, his eyes filled with deep-seated hatred; he gritted his teeth and said, 'Zhuozha? Why haven't you launched the attack yet?'

Zhuozha said, 'Lord Mayor, didn't you say they would not attack until after nightfall when they still haven't handed over people?' He felt somewhat puzzled; why had Baheer suddenly changed his mind?

Baheer nodded hatefully and said, 'Pass the order: level the Butterfly Garden, and kill everyone inside, leaving none alive!'

Although Zhuozha was the Red Barbarians' greatest warrior, he was not a reckless bravo; hearing Baheer's order, his heart startled—encircling the Butterfly Garden was one thing, slaughtering all the guests inside was another. He quietly reminded Baheer, 'Lord Mayor, those inside are the Princess Yingyue and her consort of the Tianxiang Kingdom; this…'

Baheer glared at Zhuozha, 'Are you also going to defy my orders? Redwood River has never belonged to the Tianxiang Kingdom; this is our Red Barbarians' land. I will chop off their heads and hang them on the branches of the Watch-Heaven Tree, so that the Tianxiang lot will know that the Red Barbarians' territory tolerates no foreign intrusion!'

Zhuozha fell silent; any sensible person could see that Baheer was on the brink of madness. Though the Red Barbarians were brave and tenacious, they were still no match for the Tianxiang Kingdom; if they truly slaughtered the Butterfly Garden, killing the Tianxiang princess and consort, it would likely bring utter disaster upon the entire Red Barbarians.

Baheer suddenly drew his waist saber and pointed it at Zhuozha, 'Have you heard? Have you heard?'

It's already the fifth watch; the Monthly Ticket is still short of about four hundred to reach fifteen thousand, which should be no problem. Zhangyu has gone down to write; seven consecutive chapters burst out—not Zhangyu boasting, but looking around there's no one else. Don't doubt it, there's truly no stockpile; each character is typed out while sitting still. As for Zhangyu, if he doesn't speak, fine; but once he speaks he will certainly follow through—because Zhangyu is a man of principle, and in everything he does he must follow the rules.

There are still two chapters to go; Zhangyu has gone down to write. If you find him diligent, give Zhangyu a like; if you think his writing is passable, don't forget to cast your Monthly Ticket! (To be continued~^~)