Chapter 861

Xiahou Wuming's gaze merely flickered.

Amid the surrounding shadows, thirty-three tall figures, led by Xiahou Wusheng, silently emerged.

The thirty-three took their positions in a strange formation; though only a few dozen, they became like a million-strong army, forming a bizarre battle array that swallowed the heavens like a monstrous beast, firmly locking Wu Tie and Zhu Ganglie in its center.

Wu Tie raised an eyebrow and instantly saw through the reality and illusion of this formation.

"Thirty-Three Heaven Witch Demon Blood-Offering Array"!

Truly fascinating, this is a secret battle array of the witch clan's core inheritance, its killing power immense, its demands extremely stringent; even within the witch clan it is considered an ultimate array not to be lightly used unless absolutely necessary.

Once this array is deployed, someone is certain to fall.

It is either the enemy or oneself; this is a battle array used to fight desperately in dire straits.

"Thirty-Three Heaven Witch Demon..." Wu Tie softly uttered the first half of the name of this ultimate array.

"Blood-Offering Array!" Xiahou Wuming and his entourage stared at Wu Tie as if seeing a ghost, utterly shocked.

This military formation is a secret array passed down as the core orthodox transmission of the Xiahou clan; since the establishment of the Su Chao dynasty, the Xiahou have employed this secret array only a handful of times. As far as Xiahou Wuming knows, the most recent use was 270,000 years ago.

270,000 years ago, the then head of the Xiahou clan was heavily besieged by the southern Ghost State's massive army; in a death struggle he could not break through, his personal guards suffered ninety percent casualties, the Xiahou urgently sent reinforcements, and a Thirty-Three Heaven Witch Demon Blood-Offering Array forcefully slew a mighty and terrifying ghost lord amidst the Ghost State's tens of millions of troops, killed seventeen ghost emperors, and frightened away millions of elite Ghost State soldiers, thereby rescuing the clan head of that time.

In that battle, twenty-nine of the core clan members forming the array perished, while only four seeds of the secret array returned, gravely wounded.

Xiahou Wuming dares to swear to heaven that the name of this great array, 'Thirty-Three Heaven Witch Demon Blood-Offering Array,' has been passed down orally only by successive clan heads; the core clan members who set up the array know only how to lay it out, but they absolutely do not know the origin of this great array.

Xiahou Wusheng and the other thirty-three Xiahou clansmen forming the array felt as if struck by lightning in their hearts.

They did not know the name of this inherited secret array, only that its power is boundless and that it is used only when the clan faces life-or-death peril.

But today, a stranger named Wu Tie actually blurted out half the name of the great array; looking at Xiahou Wuming's expression, it seems he got it right?

Then how did Wu Tie know? Does he have any connection with the Xiahou clan?

Wu Tie gazed solemnly at Xiahou Wuming, countless thoughts flashing through his mind, especially the secrets passed down by Nuwa concerning Wa Island and even some human mysteries; Wu Tie roughly guessed at some 'truth'.

The Xiahou clan is undoubtedly a branch of the witch clan.

The Xiahou clan surely has the power of Wa Island supporting it from behind.

Look at the Xiahou clan: generation after generation they have served the Su Chao dynasty, and among every ten clan heads, five or six manage to rise to high positions such as Grand Tutor. Such a powerful aristocratic family, enjoying continuous favor generation after generation, cannot be explained merely by good luck.

Ah, the people of the witch clan.

Wu Tie let out a low, deep shout, forming with both hands a hand seal shaped like a flame, its aura mysterious and unsettling.

With a 'hiss,' a strand of ashen flame spewed from the tip of Wu Tie's witch seal, outlining a translucent figure about a chi tall that gave the impression of towering heaven and earth, mighty and incomparable.

Xiahou Wuming stared blankly, then quickly formed hand seals with both hands, creating an identical seal to Wu Tie's witch seal; a strand of white misty flame shot from his fingertips, likewise outlining a translucent figure roughly a chi in height.

"Indeed, you are a branch of my witch clan's Metal lineage." Wu Tie said with his hands behind his back, voice deep: "Then we ought not to be enemies."

Xiahou Wuming looked at Wu Tie with a complex expression; after a long while he came to his senses and shivered involuntarily.

He spoke solemnly: "As it turns out, the words spoken by successive clan heads when passing on the position are all true; our Xiahou clan is merely an insignificant offshoot of a great bloodline. The duty of the Xiahou clan is to 'keep to our proper place' and guard the Su Chao dynasty… then we can naturally turn misfortune into blessing and danger into auspiciousness."

"Over the years, our Xiahou clan has endured countless storms and obstacles, and successive clan heads have vaguely sensed that some powerful external force has been helping us overcome worries and difficulties… I never imagined that today we would finally meet a true person."

Xiahou Wuming drew a deep breath, raised his right hand, and gave a light wave.

Xiahou Wusheng and the other thirty-three Xiahou clansmen swiftly vanished into the surrounding darkness; after a breath, Xiahou Wusheng darted back, standing ramrod straight behind Xiahou Wuming, a pair of bell-like large eyes fixed unblinkingly on Wu Tie.

Wu Tie smiled and said slowly: "What an unexpected stroke of luck; I never imagined I could meet a clansman here."

After exhaling, Wu Tie chuckled: "Really fortunate, really fortunate; I had Feng Xiao's kid send people to rescue the relatives of the Xiahou Grand Tutor from the heavenly prison; rest assured, Xiahou Grand Tutor, Feng Xiao's brother and nephew are in my hands, and your kin will surely be unharmed."

Xiahou Wuming drew a heavy breath.

Wu Tie produced that witch seal, which unmistakably marked him as a true blood-brother of the clan.

The Xiahou clan's successive heads have passed down orally that anyone able to produce this witch seal is a true clansman worthy of entrusting one's life to.

The Xiahou clan dare not doubt their ancestors, yet they likewise dare not blindly believe the injunctions handed down by those ancestors, nor can they simply and lightly accept Wu Tie's words.

To sit on the Su Chao Grand Tutor's throne and endure four divine emperors, Xiahou Wuming could never so easily 'trust' someone.

Nevertheless, Xiahou Wuming's mood lightened considerably; at least Wu Tie is a person with a background, a true clansman as spoken of by successive heads, and compared to the already mad Feng Rong, Wu Tie clearly puts Xiahou Wuming more at ease.

"May I dare ask your esteemed name?" Xiahou Wuming looked at Wu Tie, forcing out a somewhat unnatural smile.

"Wu Tie: the 'wu' of the witch clan, that is, the 'wu' in ancient myth that can communicate with heaven, earth, ghosts, and gods; 'tie' refers to the metal among the five elements." Wu Tie clasped his fists, using the witch clan junior's salute to greet his senior, and bowed to Xiahou Wuming.

Xiahou Wuming and Xiahou Wusheng simultaneously reached out their hands, using the utmost standard witch clan etiquette; Xiahou Wuming supported Wu Tie, while Xiahou Wusheng gave a light, virtual assist from the side.

Wu Tie straightened his body and laughed.

Xiahou Wuming and Xiahou Wusheng exhaled together and also laughed.

Just as their bodies touched, both simultaneously activated their bloodline power according to the witch clan's secret method; a chaotic primordial 'Original Witch' bloodline aura surged from Wu Tie, while a pure and overbearing Geng-metal bloodline aura surged within Xiahou Wuming.

Though the two bloodline auras differed in nature, upon contact they instantly blended like water and milk, merging without hindrance.

Such a feeling of bloodline fusion, indivisible and intimate, can be aroused only by pure-blooded witch clan descendants.

"As it turns out, a true clansman has indeed arrived." Xiahou Wuming stared unblinkingly at Wu Tie and said solemnly: "You are Wu Tie, the one who rescued Feng Xiao and made Feng Rong fly into a rage, issuing orders to hunt you down?"

"I am Wu Tie, the one whom Feng Rong went to his own turf to run amok, was bullied by him, and now has come to your door for revenge." Wu Tie said with a smile: "I had Old Brother Gangliang use secret arts to startle you; originally I wanted to discuss a deal with you… but now it seems the deal won't happen."

Xiahou Wuming laughed: "Indeed, true clansman, speak plainly; if we were to talk about buying and selling… I'd beat you off with an old rustic's stick!"

Wu Tie smiled and nodded, producing a jade talisman, spoke a few words into it, then crushed it in his palm. He laughed: "Rest easy, Grand Tutor…"

Xiahou Wuming shook his head, cutting off Wu Tie's words: "Grand Tutor and such are too formal… our seniority is hard to judge; frankly, our lineages are too ancient… let each speak for himself; I am somewhat older, so how about you call me elder brother?"

Zhu Ganglie stood to the side, laughing so hard that drool trickled from the corner of his mouth.

Interesting, interesting; our newly sworn-in cheap younger brother has actually struck up such a rapport with Xiahou Wuming?

Heaven above, this truly is our luck arriving.

Ah, ah, who could have imagined such fortune? Truly unexpected, you couldn't figure it out even if you racked your brains!

"Elder brother!" Wu Tie, taking the hint, directly addressed him as 'older brother' per Xiahou Wuming's suggestion: "Just now I had people send all of your elder brother's household members here; they should arrive in a few days."

Xiahou Wuming smiled and nodded.

He came from a military family, his character bold and fierce, and he simply likes Wu Tie's unpretentious nature.

He could see that Wu Tie had Pig Ganglie startle him into coming out of the camp to meet, which was surely intended to use his relatives as a bargaining chip.

Regardless of whether Xiahou Wuming agreed or not, since his relatives were in Wu Tie's hands, he had already been put at a disadvantage.

But strangely, because of a great formation, the two sides suddenly became related—turns out they are actually close paternal cousins.

Although Xiahou Wuming was still a bit clueless about where this blood‑relation had come from, at this moment he couldn't help but somewhat believe the words passed down by past heads of the family.

Well, Wu Tie had people directly send back his relatives' old and young, which directly earned a bit of trust from Xiahou Wuming.

Not much, just a bit—but with that bit of trust, many later matters become easier to discuss.

"Brother, are you looking to deal with Feng Rong?" Xiahou Wuming asked Wu Tie bluntly.

"Yes, I not only want to deal with Feng Rong, I've also made an agreement with Feng Shang that I shall have a piece of Suichao's land." Wu Tie said coldly: "Feng Rong, Feng Shang, commanding the great armies, they run rampant on my brother's territory, slaughtering countless, and even looted my beloved, imprisoning her here……"

"They want war, so I'll give them war. But war cannot be on my turf, so I've come to Suichao!"

Xiahou Wuming quickly analyzed Wu Tie's words in his mind, then hurriedly asked: "That Wuguo with countless billions of citizens……"

Wu Tie patted his own chest: "I am the king, Wu King Wu Tie—that Wuguo is entirely mine, brother."

Xiahou Wuming continued: "And Feng Shang is with you? How dare he promise you Suichao's territory?"

Wu Tie laughed: "If he doesn't comply, he'll die……He and the Smiling Buddha, the hundred thousand disciples of the Red Lotus Temple, and over five hundred thousand Suichao imperial troops—all were captured in one sweep by me; now their powers are sealed, and they're doing hard labor in my Wuguo."

Xiahou Wuming opened his mouth wide, staring at Wu Tie in astonishment.

Xiahou Wusheng couldn't maintain his usual composure and calm, exclaiming: "A million Suichao imperial troops, even the weakest soldiers are inferior gods……They said that although that nation is populous, its cultivation level is extremely low, so a million troops could run rampant, right?"

Wu Tie stood with his hands behind his back and laughed loudly, raising his head arrogantly: "If it weren't for me, they could indeed run rampant……but with me, they would break their weapons and sink into the sand, never to return."

With a cold snort, Wu Tie said coldly: "Elder brother, do you know that Feng Rong and Bai Su Xin only escaped with their lives from my brother's territory? The imperial troops they led, three hundred thousand disciples of the White Lotus Palace, were utterly annihilated!"

Xiahou Wuming stared at Wu Tie in shocked disbelief, then slowly exhaled: "So, brother, you came to Suichao……so you struck Feng Rong's vital point with a stick—hehe, the Yin Crown Prince raised the rebel banner, the righteous army rose against the tyrant… what a tactic, what a tactic!"

Wu Tie looked at Xiahou Wuming with a smile: "Then, elder brother, are you willing to lend me a hand? If not, please at least do not become my brother's enemy."

Xiahou Wuming pondered for a long time, then with a solemn expression asked Wu Tie: "Could you tell elder brother what gives you the confidence to come to Suichao?"

Wu Tie fell silent for a moment, then smiled: "I am the 'God‑King', a God‑King who entered the Dao through a thousand or more grand dao principles."

Xiahou Wuming and Xiahou Wusheng were so frightened they both stepped back three paces, staring at Wu Tie as if seeing a ghost.

Pig Ganglie also shivered, his fatty flesh trembling all over. He stuck out his tongue, like a starving dog seeing a meat bun, and almost lunged to hug Wu Tie tightly.

Entering the Dao through a thousand or more grand dao principles?

Unheard of—is this even still a person?

Wu Tie continued: "I have twelve thousand and three brothers of the Wu clan, each of whom entered the Dao through a hundred or more grand dao principles as a 'God‑King'."

With a "Crack!", Xiahou Wuming and Xiahou Wusheng simultaneously broke their own big front teeth.

Pig Ganglie's saliva kept dripping from the corner of his mouth, just like seeing a warm‑hearted red‑plaquet auntie in a brothel when she meets the era's most refined gentleman—his whole body went limp.

Twelve thousand and three God‑Kings!

Heaven, even the whole Suichao couldn't muster that many God‑Kings!

No, not even the whole Suichao together with the monsters, demons, and hostile nations of the four directions could gather that many God‑Kings.

"Brother, you're defying heaven!" Xiahou Wuming's body trembled slightly, his knees feeling weak.

"I—no, to be precise, it's my mother who received the directive of the Great Matriarch of Qi Island to thoroughly investigate the Qi tribe; some may have already betrayed all of humanity… this person is very likely inside Suichao."

Wu Tie said in a deep voice: "I even suspect that person is Feng Rong's mother, the Empress Dowager of Suichao, Qi Qingluan!"

Xiahou Wuming was stunned, Xiahou Wusheng was stunned, Pig Ganglie was stunned……

The Qi tribe, they know of it.

But Qi Island?

The Great Matriarch of Qi Island?

Where is Qi Island?

What kind of person is the Great Matriarch of Qi Island?

"Betray all of humanity"? That charge sounds inexplicably terrifying—what is it about?

"Brother, wait a moment—I've got a headache!" Xiahou Wuming shook his head hard; given his status and experience, he felt as if the world had suddenly become alien.

"Don't wait, we can't wait… hey, Xiahou brothers, I never thought we'd still have this kind of fate!" Pig Ganglie sprang up: "I remember—back when we four master‑disciples went west to seek the true scriptures, our master had a white dragon horse… Xiahou Grand Tutor, you are truly a dragon among men, noble and lofty—you are exactly the reincarnation of that little white dragon from back then!"

Wu Tie's face turned completely black.

This is utterly embarrassing!

Just hearing it makes one feel embarrassed!