Chapter 268: Chaos In The Yanwu Mountain Range
At this time, the seven people were still filled with shock in their hearts; the bloodline transformation was actually formed with a casual wave of the hand.
Now, they were all equivalent to possessing an Innate Martial Body, with their talent and cultivation greatly enhanced.
Such a method that turns decay into magic probably could not even be achieved by someone at the Golden Body Realm.
Or rather, it could not be done so casually.
“Do you know your own power now?”
Su Yan waved his hand, letting the few stand up, then asked them.
Yu Luo immediately replied: “This subordinate’s injuries have healed, and soul power has greatly increased. Physical body cultivation has already advanced, and I can control the Rock Demon Ant swarm.”
The physique Yu Luo obtained from the Rock Demon Ant Queen placed her only below the Rock Demon Ant Queen among the Rock Demon Ant clan.
Within the bloodline inheritance, this information was already imprinted in her mind.
Wu Nan and Na Goru also successively reported their situations in full, though there were slight differences in the details.
Like Wu Nan, although he obtained the Flame Armored Scorpion bloodline, he did not get the hard flame armor; instead, his Demonic Fire was fully enhanced, integrated into his Fire Crow True Intent, and his fire control technique was amplified several times.
As for Wuli Ke and Wu Yun, they obtained the flame armor physique. Their Demonic Fire was not as strong as Wu Nan’s, but in close combat and fiery melee, they were superior.
As for Na Goru obtaining the Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust bloodline, the Bone Mountain Bear’s malevolent energy soared to the heavens, self-healing ability greatly increased, and he also gained the ability to nurture and control Blood Bees and Fiend Bees.
After listening to the few’s words, Su Yan said: “The Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust and Rock Demon Ant Queen will give birth to sufficient numbers of offspring in the Yanwu Mountain Range and Small Secret Realm. You three tribes cooperate with my Sacred Insect Dao to continuously nurture them well, producing Blood Crystals and Rock Ant Black Crystals endlessly, while also searching for Exotic Insect news for me. Understood?”
“We shall obey Lord’s command.”
The few had all realized this was a tremendous opportunity, enough to sustain their tribes for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Wu Nan’s expression moved slightly. Leaning on his staff, he spoke: “Lord, to take down this Yanwu Mountain Range, we probably need to first deal with the Tianshui Sect, Huoyun Sect, and Tieying Sect’s three forces. Right now, they have gathered over two thousand disciples, plus servants, poised for action.”
For ordinary forces, over two thousand disciples was already considerable.
Su Yan merely glanced at the three, then said: “You handle it. As for their sect disciples, capture them all to serve as slaves in the Small Secret Realm.”
Su Yan waved his hand grandly, and from the Insect Realm Space flew out fully thirty thousand Blood Bees and Fiend Bees, plus over a thousand Rock Demon Ants arranged neatly, pitch-black like soldiers clad in armor.
“This subordinate will not fail the master’s entrustment.”
The three responded in acknowledgment. Seeing Su Yan’s extraordinary methods, they became even more respectful.
They arranged Su Yan and Nangong Hong Yue in the most luxurious tent, with fine furs and jade vessels all treasures, rare fruits and fine wines all presented, far surpassing the previous tribe leader’s large tent.
After settling Su Yan, the three tribes dared not cause him the slightest dissatisfaction; the rise and fall of the three tribes now lay entirely in Su Yan’s hands.
Once Su Yan left, the three tribe leaders each took Wuli Ke and the others away.
In the new tent, Wu Nan, Na Goru, and Yu Luo sat facing each other in silence.
Standing opposite them, Ling Yuer and the others were silent for a long time.
Yu Luo’s aged eyes drooped, gleaming faintly. She sighed: “You all have this Blood Fiend Marrow Worm in your bodies too, right? You’ve suffered.”
Without waiting for blame, when Ling Yuer heard Yu Luo say this, she could no longer hold back and cried like a tearful person.
“Not suffering, not suffering. As long as Master is fine.”
Wuli Ke, Wu Yun, and Na Hu were not to that extent, but Na Goru kicked Na Hu, asking him: “Stand up and speak. What happened that day in the Small Secret Realm—can you talk about it now?”
Though Na Goru said it irritably, there was no real anger.
Na Hu rolled to his feet and immediately said: “Dad, that day in the Small Secret Realm while contending for the secret realm core, along with the Rock Demon Ant Queen, we were all struck down by Lord in one move. Lord did not kill us but planted a restriction, requiring us to cooperate with his actions.”
His face showed bitterness, then he said: “Whoever disobeys, their tribe gets exterminated.”
Na Goru and Wu Nan looked dejected. This was no empty threat; with the methods the master displayed, annihilating a tribe was effortless.
Under such a threat, how could the four of them dare speak out.
Wu Nan said gravely: “That matter is in the past. But the current situation—you all realize it too, right? This is an opportunity, but also a crisis of extermination. Since we’ve followed Lord, we have no path of retreat.”
“Elder Wu is right.”
Na Goru’s expression also turned serious, his face increasingly grave.
“Lord is divinely capable; with a wave of his hand, he can alter bloodlines. Such ability even legendary Golden Body Realm experts could hardly achieve.”
Not to mention their knowledge of experts; just considering recent ones like Qin Jingtian, a Golden Body Realm expert who had glimpsed the Martial Saint Realm.
To alter a family bloodline, it was also through secret techniques and years of nurturing to slowly change to Blood Flood Dragon bloodline.
One could imagine how difficult it was to alter bloodlines.
“Our three bloodlines all originate from two Fierce Insects. I’m afraid the master has even more Fierce Insects under his command.”
Yu Luo voiced her guess, and everyone’s pupils contracted—especially Ling Yuer and the others, who had personally seen Su Yan’s other Fierce Insects and knew this was no lie.
“So, the Yanwu Mountain Range matter must be handled beautifully. The Tianshui Sect and the other two sects must die, and all their disciples must become slaves.”
This old woman Yu Luo was ruthless, her turbid eyes hiding ferocity. For the tribe, outsiders had to suffer.
‘Tianshui Sect has thoroughly offended this old woman.’
Wu Nan thought incessantly, but this was normal. The three had all seen that bringing Su Yan must have been Ling Yuer’s initiative.
There was only one reason to do so: Tianshui Sect’s Lan Tian Shui had severely wounded Yu Luo, putting her in a certain-death predicament.
Ling Yuer wanted to save her and had to make a choice.
This grudge must be settled, and pinned on Tianshui Sect’s head.
Wu Nan continued: “It must be a splendid victory, and you four.”
His gaze fell on the four, and he snorted coldly: “After obtaining the Innate Martial Body, breaking through to Dan Qiao Realm has no barriers, but mere breakthrough is not enough. Forming a Fifth Turn core—that is the requirement for you.”
The four had good talent and originally had a chance to break through to Dan Qiao Realm.
Of course, the foundation at breakthrough might not be that solid, and Second Turn core formation was probably the limit.
But now it was different.
Na Goru said: “Correct. If you want to keep up with him—Lord’s pace, you must continuously solidify your foundation. Next, we three will personally guide your cultivation. You may mobilize the tribe’s resources.”
“Yes.”
The four immediately agreed, not daring to refuse.
Wu Nan nodded slightly, looking at Yu Luo and Na Goru, asking: “The Tianshui Sect and the other two sects have been holding still, probably waiting for an opportunity. If they don’t gather, even with Lord’s Exotic Insects, annihilating them all won’t be easy. We need a method.”
Yu Luo sneered: “Isn’t the method simple? What if this old body ‘returns to heaven’?”
Na Goru and Wu Nan drew in sharp breaths, exchanging a glance and pondering briefly before immediately saying: “Feasible. Then set an ambush in Gray Goose Valley.”
——
Outside the Yanwu Mountain Range, in the three sects’ large camp.
At this time, the sect masters of Tianshui Sect, Huoyun Sect, and Tieying Sect had hurriedly gathered together.
Lan Tian Shui and Zhu Fang were in the center, with Huoyun Sect’s Liao Qiaofeng and Tieying Sect’s Gao Hongzhong on either side.
The four all had solemn expressions. The reason they rushed here was that they sensed Dan Qiao Realm battle fluctuations deep in the Yanwu Mountain Range.
Though not intense, it was enough to prove something had changed in the Yanwu Mountain Range.
Lan Tian Shui said: “News from our sect spies suggests Yu Luo fought with Wu Nan and Na Goru, contending for the secret realm core, attempting to use the secret realm as a retreat. Fellow Daoists, how much of this do you think is true, how much false?”
Tieying Sect’s Gao Hongzhong narrowed his eyes slightly, a sinister smile curling on his waxy yellow cheeks, like a venomous snake: “That old woman Yu Luo is cunning. This news is probably half-true, half-false. I believe she has the secret realm core, but I don’t believe they’d fight to the death at this juncture.”
“Correct.”
Huoyun Sect Sect Leader Liao Qiaofeng said: “They’re probably trying to lure us over for a mutual destruction fight, to take out one or even two of us and break the siege.”
Tianshui Sect Deputy Sect Leader Zhu Fang and Lan Tian Shui exchanged a covert glance; both had the same suspicion in their eyes regarding last night’s sudden battle.
Last night’s battle was too coincidental.
It happened right after they had just severely wounded Yu Luo not long ago, and now Yu Luo’s trio erupted in infighting—how could there be such a suspicious matter.
“Let’s probe further then.”
Lan Tian Shui set the tone. Not just him—even Huoyun Sect and Tieying Sect continued sending spies to investigate the movements of the three tribes in the Yanwu Mountain Range.
But half an hour later, the spies’ report arrived in this tent.
Traces of activity from the three tribes were found in the Goat Horn Mountain area, and quite a few martial artists had gathered.
Seeing this news, Lan Tian Shui immediately showed a cold smile: “Back then, the secret realm was at Goat Horn Mountain. Now the three tribes gather there—they’re truly afraid we won’t go.”
The more so, the less Lan Tian Shui and the other three believed it.
“With the three tribes gathered, if Yu Luo really died, could the three tribes still gather?”
Liao Qiaofeng also showed contempt. This action seemed like opening the secret realm to seek refuge.
But upon closer thought, everyone knew where the problem lay.
Seeking refuge—they had to actually escape first.
Entering the Small Secret Realm without dealing with these people—wasn’t that just handing their lives over? At the least, if they surrounded the entire Goat Horn Mountain, aside from Dan Qiao Realm experts, who else could escape?
Wu Nan and the other two all prioritized their tribes; they wouldn’t make such a suicidal decision now.
Precisely because of this, this action seemed even more like a trap.
“No!”
Zhu Fang suddenly shouted loudly.
Everyone looked at him in surprise, frowning and asking: “What’s wrong?”
“Too obvious!”
Zhu Fang furrowed his brows, tone solemn, speaking at extreme speed: “The initial news was of infighting, but our investigation shows the three tribes heading to Goat Horn Mountain together, on such good terms—doesn’t this ‘lure the snake out’ scheme seem too childish?”
Lightning flashed through the three’s minds, spiritual light dawning; their faces instantly changed as they all reacted.
“Diversion! Goat Horn Mountain is just a diversion—quickly find their real traces!”
The four rushed out of the tent, personally leading teams to search. In just a quarter-hour, they found another team from the three tribes in the opposite direction.
The four gathered at the mountain path position. Tents and supplies were scattered everywhere, footprints unmasked, signs of haste evident.
“That old woman Yu Luo is dead—they’re fleeing!”
“Pursue!”
The four finally discovered the truth and immediately assembled all their disciples to chase in this direction.
Night was deep, gradually dawning. Under the dark blue sky, martial artists holding firelight formed a fire dragon, footsteps hastening straight into a massive mountain valley.
This chase lasted a whole hour, until the traces ahead suddenly vanished.
Over a thousand from the three major sects were now fully inside Gray Goose Valley, surrounded by tall trees with swaying ghostly shadows. In the distance were towering stone forests and jagged cliffs.
Gray Goose Valley was narrow at both ends—one long and slender like a flying goose’s neck, the other short and pointed like its tail—while the central valley was vast and open, hence the name Gray Goose Valley.
“Sect Master, the f-footprints have disappeared.”
By now, the disciples had noticed something amiss and immediately turned back to report.
Lan Tian Shui’s face was ashen, expression sunk like water, immediately saying: “Be on high alert.”
His voice had just fallen when suddenly strange birds rustled up from the cliff, their eerie cries making everyone’s hearts crawl.
“Quick, look!”
Countless Fire Crows soared into the sky, like clumps of flames charging straight at the thousand-plus martial artists.
Lan Tian Shui immediately struck to intercept, waving out True Essence impact like rippling blue waves.
The attack extinguished many Fire Crows, but more Fire Crows landed amid the crowd.
Fire like meteors crashed onto martial artists—lighter cases charred black patches, heavier ones pierced guts and bellies, internal organs burned.
The scattered torch lights were thrown into chaos, falling everywhere; meteoric fire turned the martial artist ranks upside down.
Lan Tian Shui, Zhu Fang, Liao Qiaofeng, and Gao Hongzhong were furious beyond measure, successively striking, summoning all their True Intents, True Essence surging to the heavens, continuously annihilating the Fire Crows.
Lan Tian Shui shouted loudly: “Wu Nan, you old thing, come out!”
“Hahaha, Lan Tian Shui, you think if I come out, you can escape?”
Wu Nan leaned on his crutch, stepping forward slowly. Behind him, Fire Crow Tribe warriors were all armored and armed, eyes resolute.
“Enough talk—take them down.”
Na Goru strode forward, burly like an iron tower. He wielded a Heavy Saber like a door panel, pitch-black throughout like ink stone.
His figure flashed, already before Lan Tian Shui, saber slashing down—saber wind preceding, carrying blood-colored malevolent energy straight at Lan Tian Shui’s vitals.
Bad!
Lan Tian Shui cursed inwardly, immediately swinging his Spirit Sword to block. Upon blocking, his figure actually retreated several steps.
He widened his eyes, sword-holding arm trembling slightly, blurting out: “You’ve broken through?!”
Na Goru merely sneered coldly, ignoring him. Behind him, Bone Mountain Bear True Intent emerged, roaring with might, directly clawing out.
Behind Lan Tian Shui, a Water Leopard True Intent emerged to contend, but upon clash, it shook his figure.
“Again!”
Na Goru pressed step by step. Zhu Fang charged in now, also a fierce Water Leopard mixed with moon-like Saber Momentum, slashing at Na Goru.
Na Goru’s gaze sharpened, figure transforming—growing inch-inch dark red Insect Armor, especially arms with hard armguards, five fingers like claws, clanging on friction.
He punched out, shattering the Saber Momentum, merely forced back a step by the Water Leopard.
Liao Qiaofeng and Gao Hongzhong wanted to charge in too. Wu Nan stepped into the void, staff offered up, becoming like an impassable high wall blocking them.
Behind him, Fire Crows flew out; sky-filling Demonic Fire nearly illuminated the entire Gray Goose Valley.
