Chapter 214

Dozens of li from the riverbank, Wu Tie and the others hid in a small sunken ravine.

All around were dense mushroom thickets, spiders big and small crawling about, dozens of tamed rock rats of Lao Bai scattered near and far, and they would sound an alarm at any movement.

Lao Tie sat beside Wu Tie, a sheet of black sand and dust hovering before him, the black wind and sand swirling into a black vortex several zhang in diameter.

A layer of dim light flickered in the vortex, and every word and deed of Da She Yi and the others was laid bare in that light.

"I'm back, this is filling your last shortcoming." Lao Tie laughed triumphantly: "Look, now we're finally complete… we can count as a full combat squad."

He exhaled, and Lao Tie's tone grew a bit dejected: "Just… too weak, too trash, too rookie…"

Wu Tie had no reply, only able to give Lao Tie's head a hard pat.

However, Shi Fei, Lu Ji, Tie Da Jian and the others exchanged glances, nodded as if understanding something, and laughed together.

As Lao Tie said, this group truly each had their own abilities, and with Lao Tie mastering the strange divine power to monitor enemies from afar, they were finally complete.

Wu Tie needs no saying—he is the solid squad leader and the strongest main-force attacker.

Tie Da Jian needs no saying—he is a veteran mercenary with rich experience, highest cultivation realm, strong physique, firm will, worthy of being the team's pillar; with him in the team, everyone feels more at ease.

Shan Dun, unassuming and ordinary-looking middle-aged man, yet warm-hearted, most trustworthy, especially skilled in defensive divine abilities and secret arts, an indispensable figure in the team.

Shi Fei, skilled in socializing, his mouth can make the dead sound alive. Though he looks bloated, he actually possesses considerable combat strength; especially, once the Shi Family's Giant Bloodline is activated, his command of divine arts and secret techniques is quite impressive.

Lu Ji, specializing in long-range and wide-area attacks, is studying the Primordial Magic Art taught by Wu Tie; he will surely produce even more impressive, powerful works, and his role will keep growing.

Lao Bai, a decent scout and information source, plus his skill dealing with various small beasts and insects, excels at infiltration, hiding, assassination; he even has mastered several methods of concocting potions.

Yan Han Lu, having obtained the Azure Flame Fire Seed, possesses astonishing lethality; especially calm and patient, she now records the team's daily schedule, each person's affairs, tallies supplies, etc.

Mo Zhang Wang needs no saying—just look at his ability to exhale poisonous mist; his value to the team is immense.

Even the witch… holding the Wind and Cloud Banner, mastering the Moon Trace, occasionally performing astonishing feats; to Wu Tie and his enemies, the witch is an utterly unpredictable danger……

Now Lao Tie this old monster has joined; previously Wu Tie and company lacked the means to scout enemies from dozens of li away or farther, but with Lao Tie, that last shortcoming is filled.

Wu Tie merely patted Lao Tie's head; this jackal's head practically begs to be slapped repeatedly.

Shi Fei and the others smiled at each other, exchanged a few glances, and suddenly felt that they were bound by life and death, a complete team, inseparable.

Even Lao Bai unconsciously puffed out his chest, straightened his waist, looking left and right, full of spirited vigor.

Such high spirits are rarely seen among ratfolk.

In the dim light, Great Serpent Yi was pinned to the ground by metal stakes and chains, electricity crackling wildly over his body, rendering him limp and unable to move. He howled in rage, frantically roaring and struggling, but to no avail.

Dozens of Black Snake youths rose to their feet, following behind Mu Chan and the others, each with a complex expression as they gazed at Great Serpent Yi.

Over a hundred Bodhi clan experts of the Life Pond realm still surrounded these Black Snake youths, watching them warily.

Even if they showed reverence and obedience to the Bodhi clan, the Bodhi clan people still felt uneasy.

Great Serpent Yi wailed madly, cursing those Black Snake youths for daring to betray him, damning them to death.

The youths' expressions grew ever more complex and grim; they lowered their heads, letting Great Serpent Yi curse and rant however wildly, standing there without uttering a sound.

"They are my Bodhi clan's people." Mu Chan gasped, speaking low: "Excellent, they have not disappointed the clan; they remain the most loyal and reliable of our kin."

He snorted coldly, Mu Chan gestured to Mu Cang.

Mu Cang walked over and kicked Great Serpent Yi's head hard, making his huge snake head jerk violently, shattering a stone beside his head.

"Great Serpent Yi, back then my Bodhi clan took in your senior."

"Without our Bodhi clan, your Serpent clan would have long gone extinct."

"But does your Serpent clan owe the Bodhi clan anything? Leaving aside what your senior did, look at these kids…… you infused them with the Black Water Mystic Serpent bloodline…… while you yourself possess the Ba Serpent bloodline."

Great Serpent Yi gave a dry laugh: "The Black Water Mystic Serpent bloodline is not inferior to the Ba Serpent; in myth, it's even stronger."

Mu Chan replied calmly: "So what? Even if the Black Water Mystic Serpent is strong, the bloodline you infused them with is so diluted…… whereas your Ba Serpent bloodline is nearly complete. What our Bodhi clan wants is a complete Ba Serpent bloodline, not a thin gruel like the Black Water Mystic Serpent bloodline."

Mu Chan's tone grew extremely stern: "Originally, there were differing opinions in the clan about you, but you actually married Miss Xu…… really…… but this time it's perfect—you killed so many of our clansmen, we'll flay you, strip your tendons, take your bloodline, and who could still gossip?"

As he spoke, Mu Cang gave another kick to Great Serpent Yi's head.

Then another kick, another, another…… Great Serpent Yi's head, the size of a water jar, was kicked left and right wildly; the thunder spirit pearl in his mouth spewed forth abundant electricity, blasting Great Serpent Yi into hysterical 'hiss-hiss' roars.

Mu Chan continued: "But… you can't blame us…… this loss is truly huge; this sin can only be borne by you."

"With you taking the blame, plus us bringing you back to seize your complete Ba Serpent bloodline…… we will not only be blameless, but earn great merit."

Mu Chan grinned and said softly: "So, we can only wrong you, then?"

Great Serpent Yi lifted his head, flicking his tongue.

His tongue was wrapped in countless tiny electric sparks; the normally straight tongue twisted and writhed like a stimulated earthworm, and Great Serpent Yi's voice became distorted.

"My father, my grandfather—they will not let you off."

A flicker of worry crossed the faces of Mu Chan, Mu Cang, and the others, but soon Mu Chan laughed: "That is, only if they can emerge from that relic secret realm…… but basically, impossible, impossible……"

Mu Chan laughed loudly: "You think that relic secret realm is some good place? It's where our Twelve Ruling Families plotted against those deathless old masters of the Great Peacock King clan…… once you go in, it's basically death with no life……"

Taking a deep breath, Mu Chan said calmly: "If not for that, with those old monsters around, how could we have launched the rebellion, how could we have exterminated the Great Peacock King clan?"

Great Serpent Yi looked at Mu Chan in panic.

In this area, everyone turned their gaze to Mo Zhang Wang.

Mo Zhang Wang stood there foolishly, then suddenly gave a wry smile: "No wonder, when they stormed the imperial palace, those legendary ancestors whose strength neared divinity—none of them showed up……"

Mu Chan laughed again: "But you're still easier to deal with than your father and grandfather; look at these youths—you know how you infused them with bloodline, that method we've already learned…… as long as we obtain your complete Ba Serpent bloodline……"

Mu Cang laughed loudly: "Our Bodhi clan's bloodline is indeed noble, but if we could gain another strong warlike lineage possessing the Ba Serpent bloodline, how wonderful would that be?"

Mu Chan, Mu Cang, and all the Bodhi clan Life Pond realm experts were laughing, happily laughing.

Only Great Serpent Yi was still struggling, chains tightly locked around his body; no matter how he strained, he could not break free.

The group of Taotie Birds moved.

Taotie Bird, his four Life Pond realm subordinates, plus Wa Yao—these six had azure-blue cold light flickering under their feet, tracing a perfect six-pointed snowflake pattern, and they six stood exactly at the six points.

Other subordinates of Taotie Bird, those likewise able to draw on the power of the Heavenly Divine Implement—the 'Chosen Ones'—were likewise grouped in sixes, forming hexagons with the same snowflake-pattern cold light underfoot, and together they all composed a huge strange formation.

"Chosen Ones…… so cheap, so many of them." Lao Tie activated his divine power, placing the movements of Taotie Bird and company within the wind-sand vortex; Wu Tie saw their actions and couldn't help but sneer.

Wu Tie still remembered what Wa Yao, Gongsun Sheng, and the others had said in Wa Valley.

These so‑called Chosen Ones…… one or two of them still have a touch of mystery, a slightly unsettling, enigmatic veil.

But Taotie Nie's underlings suddenly produced hundreds of so‑called Chosen Ones…… this, this, the supposed mystery and eeriness now seem like a joke.

"Nothing more than…… selling themselves to seek refuge, becoming lackeys of bandits…… people who don't even care for their ancestors…… they deserve to die." Lao Tie's tone grew extremely deep, his originally pitch‑black eyes now covered with a deep blood‑red hue.

"In short, the so‑called Chosen Ones deserve to die." Lao Tie made a swift, decisive decision.

Taotie Nie took the lead; they donned armor forged from condensed profound ice, each raising their heads, devoutly gazing at the vault above, while Taotie Nie alone muttered something unintelligible.

Gongsun Sheng stood alone far away, mingling with the ordinary cultivators under Taotie Nie's command.

He gritted his teeth, staring fixedly at Taotie Nie and Wa Yao.

Such a large‑scale ritual of praying to the "heavenly gods," according to Gongsun Sheng's understanding, would surely bring all kinds of unforeseen benefits if it succeeded. Yet such an opportunity, Gongsun Sheng found himself excluded from.

Taotie Nie would not let him participate, and Wa Yao didn't even speak up for him.

"This little slut…… she's set on hooking up with that scum." Gongsun Sheng's body trembled slightly; he gritted his teeth, hardening his resolve—he would certainly not let this adulterous couple—off.

Mu Tan, Mu Cang, and the others were still tormenting Da She Yi.

They wanted to exhaust Da She Yi's strength before capturing him alive; prior to that, they could not possibly loosen the chains and metal pins that bound him.

Moreover, serpents are naturally long‑lived; Da She Yi's true form is a Ba snake, so both his physical strength and magical reserves are vast and enduring—exhausting his power would be impossible without prolonged torment.

A crowd surrounded Da She Yi, punching and kicking him, then bombarded him with various heavy weapons, and intermittently subjected him to fire and lightning, pouring thunderbolts into his open mouth.

Da She Yi's body twitched all over; although he could not move, his cursing never ceased.

Mu Cang kicked Da She Yi in the jaw, snapping his head upward toward the vault.

Da She Yi's pupils suddenly shrank to a fine thread; he stared blankly at the vault and screamed shrilly: "You idiot…… what is that?"

Mu Tan, Mu Cang, and the others simultaneously lifted their heads, their pupils contracting to pinpricks.

At the center of the vault a kilometer high, a point of deep‑blue cold light flickered; a strangely shaped sword, about a meter long, continuously emitted a chilling glow and sprayed shards of ice, hovering beneath that point of azure radiance, its tip pointing directly at Da She Yi and the others.

Just as they saw the sword, before Mu Tan and the others could react, it plunged straight down, trailing a wisp of ghostly light.

The sword struck heavily into the ground a dozen zhang behind Mu Tan, half of its blade sinking into the riverbank.

Vast sheets of cold surge condensed into numerous deep‑blue ice blades, howling forth from the sword's body like a sudden burst of blue lotus, instantly sweeping across the entire riverbank.

Mu Tan was cut in half at the waist, Mu Cang was cut in half at the waist……

The Life Pool Realm experts of the Bodhi Clan were each cut in half at the waist……

Cold Qi spread rapidly from their wounds, instantly freezing their upper and lower halves, then sealing their Life Pools.

The biting Cold Qi produced continual cracking sounds; the Life Pools of Mu Tan, Mu Cang, and the others burst one after another, their souls frozen into ice shards.

The over two thousand Bodhi Clan warriors who had fled here were slaughtered without resistance, all encased in thick blocks of ice, turning into countless bizarre ice sculptures.

Only Da She Yi and several dozen black‑snake youths remained unharmed, untouched by the ice blades condensed from the cold surge.

However, fine ice crystals clung to them, forming floating cords of Cold Qi that tightly bound them in place.

Evidently, the aim was to capture them alive, not to kill them.

"Who? Who is it?" Da She Yi cursed madly.

"Of course it's us, it's us……" Taotie Nie laughed loudly, stepping on the cold wind as he drifted down from the air.