Chapter 247: Shadow Spider Martial Artist
Yun Cang Town fell into a strange atmosphere, with disciples from various families lining the city walls, and spies scattered for nearly a hundred miles outside the Yun Cang Town territory.
Over half of the Yan Ying Sect disciples were killed by Su Yan alone, and ninety percent of the remaining half did not escape the encirclement of the Mountain Guard.
Under the large-scale killing, Yun Cang Town was essentially in a safe zone.
However, everyone was now like a startled bird, naturally not daring to let down their guard, especially being wary of rogue cultivators and greenwood martial artists who might seize the opportunity to cause trouble.
Therefore, a large number of disciples were dispatched to monitor any disturbances within the Yun Cang Town area.
Meanwhile, the leaders of each faction were precisely the opposite, all wanting to line up to visit the Golden Ape Martial Arts School to pay their respects to Su Yan.
“Everyone, my junior brother has just returned and has important matters to attend to, so he likely cannot host a banquet.”
In the main hall of the Golden Ape Martial Arts School, Li Jinshan faced a crowd of family heads, county magistrates, and captain commanders, politely declining with a cupped fist.
His attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, and Liu Pingchuan, Lin Zhitui, and others all greeted him with smiles.
They said, “How could we dare to ask True Person Su to host a banquet? We are here to express our gratitude, thanking True Person Su for saving Yun Cang Town.”
Several people expressed their thanks consecutively, exchanged pleasantries, and after conveying their sentiments, they did not linger and took their leave one after another.
Their goal was not to hope to see Su Yan at all, but merely to show their respect and declare their stance.
The Golden Ape Martial Arts School dispatched its eldest disciple, Li Jinshan, to appease them, which also indicated a certain attitude.
The Golden Ape Martial Arts School would not act overbearingly and push things to the extreme.
After Li Jinshan saw everyone off, he came to the backyard.
Su Yan and Bai Changlin had already been talking for a long time. Li Jinshan stepped forward and said, “They have all left. They brought substantial gifts to show their stance.”
“You can handle these matters yourself. As long as they don’t cause trouble in your junior brother’s name.”
Bai Changlin cautioned, and they all knew that Li Jinshan was steady and would certainly not do such a thing.
“Yun Cang Town has no third-order spiritual veins or spirit ores, nor does it have any Dan Qiao realm experts. The two Dan Qiao realm martial artists who were dispatched are likely coming for me.”
Su Yan looked at Bai Changlin, whose face was now solemn: “They want to use your uncle and me as a threat?”
“That’s probably their plan.”
Su Yan nodded slightly and then asked, “Are Master and Uncle willing to come to my Dao field mountain to cultivate and live?”
He was now a Dan Qiao realm martial artist and had established a Dao field, so he could naturally have his friends and relatives reside on Ten Thousand Insect Peak.
Of course, residing in this way did not count as being a disciple of the Beast King Sect.
Bai Changlin showed hesitation, but quickly shook his head and refused.
“It will be safe for a while, but everyone will know your weakness. The stronger you become, the easier it will be for people to target you in this regard.”
For now, they were just living in Yun Cang Town. Even if others investigated Su Yan’s background, they might not go to great lengths because of such “shallow” connections.
As time passed, this relationship would become increasingly inconspicuous.
But in the Beast King Sect, it would be entirely different.
Moreover, Bai Changlin would be fine, but if Uncle Xie also went, how could he adapt to the environment of the Beast King Sect?
“Since that’s the case, I will make other arrangements.”
Su Yan and Bai Changlin did not chat for long. As he exited, he saw Wang Cang waiting respectfully at his door.
“Lord.”
Wang Cang bowed in greeting. Su Yan nodded and looked at him, saying, “You did well this time.”
“It is my duty, and it was also due to Miss Nangong’s proper arrangements.”
Nangong Hong Yue had already broken through to the Dan Qiao realm, with her Golden Core reaching the Fifth Turn, relying on the foundation of the Five Insects Heart Casting Gu.
However, without the help of primal blood, she likely would not have been able to complete the final Fifth Turn.
Therefore, Nangong Hong Yue paid even more attention to Su Yan’s matters, arranging everything meticulously as if she were a secretary.
“Hong Yue will receive her own reward, and yours will not be forgotten.”
Su Yan suddenly showed a hint of thought, recalling the Bloodline Gift.
Since the Bloodline Gift could mutate on its own, could the creator actively guide it?
As Su Yan thought about it, he immediately felt a considerable feasibility.
Under the Bloodline Gift, his abilities were not as simple as just a gift.
Su Yan pointed his finger, and a drop of primal blood appeared in his hand.
“Merge the power of primal blood.”
He placed his hand on Wang Cang, and immediately felt the subtle mutations occurring in his bloodline after the primal blood combined with his body.
This was the bloodline of the Shadow Horn Spider. Su Yan’s mind was constantly urging it, trying his best to achieve further mutation.
“Armor of spiders for the body, condense shadows into swords.”
It was as if by instinct, when Su Yan had the thought of modifying his bloodline, this idea immediately sprang from his mind.
Wang Cang let out a pained groan, and shadows gathered around him. Beneath his skin, black carapaces emerged, like a suit of black armor.
The armor completely encased him, like a shadow warrior with a pair of scarlet eyes, like a hunting spider.
He raised his hand, and shadows coalesced into a blade, merging with his weapon.
His True Essence surged, and in the blink of an eye, he broke through the Condensing Momentum Stage and entered the Spirit Merging Stage.
Wang Cang felt the powerful bloodline within him. Although his True Essence consumption increased several times under the Shadow Spider Armor Body state, this state also granted him greater power.
“It’s done.”
Su Yan’s eyes lit up. This was his first time creating a materialized bloodline power using primal blood.
Shadow Spider Martial Artist.
The two subsequent abilities continuously enhanced the bloodline’s convergence of shadow power, finally transforming into armor and sharp shadow blades.
“Thank you for your gift, Lord.”
Wang Cang knelt on the ground, his eyes filled with fervor.
The primal blood had instilled in him a reverence for his bloodline, but Su Yan’s methods were what truly turned Wang Cang, a man who admired power, into a fanatical believer.
Only those with the power of creation like Su Yan were worthy of being supreme beings.
“You will be responsible for matters around Yun Cang Town from now on. Accumulate strength and break through to the Dan Qiao realm as soon as possible.”
“Your subordinate understands.”
“Follow me.”
Su Yan waved his hand and summoned the Myriad Insect Prison Suppressing Tower. The tower was about ten feet tall. With a slight flash of light, it drew the two into it.
On the first floor of the tower, Old Ancestor Bai Cang, the White Cang Ape, and Yuan Ye were all bound by chains.
The two people and one ape sat on the ground.
Old Ancestor Bai Cang and Yuan Ye, due to their previous cooperation, were not having their True Essence continuously drained by the chains.
However, the sealing power of the chains had not weakened in the slightest.
The two opened their eyes and saw Su Yan, a flash of fear immediately appearing in their pupils.
This was not due to fear of Su Yan’s previous methods, but because a few hours prior, the True Essence Golden Cores of two Dan Qiao realm martial artists had been directly thrown onto this floor of the tower.
Both Golden Cores were entangled by chains, and then impurities were gradually stripped away, and they were slowly devoured.
Now, the two Golden Cores were hanging nearby.
One Golden Core represented a Dan Qiao realm martial artist, and in this person’s eyes, Dan Qiao realm martial artists were probably no better than a meal on a plate.
Su Yan noticed their expressions and showed a look of satisfaction.
It was a good thing they had reverence.
“I will give you a chance to live.”
With a thought, two blood eggs appeared in his hands.
These were Blood Fiend Marrow Worms produced by the Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust, at the same level as the Blood Fiend Marrow Worms on Nangong Hong Yue, possessing even greater control and corrosive abilities.
Even a Dan Qiao First Heaven martial artist who was infected would have difficulty removing them without sacrificing their Origin and paying a great price.
Although it could not control life and death, it was a particularly powerful means of control.
And for Su Yan, the consciousness descent brought by the Insect Consciousness Seed was the strongest means to maintain this control measure.
He could grasp their movements.
“Swallow them.”
Su Yan said indifferently. The two did not dare to resist at all. They took the insect eggs and swallowed them directly.
Soon, they discovered something was wrong. The insect eggs immediately hatched, and after absorbing their True Essence and bloodline, they transformed into malevolent energy and injected into their spinal cords, taking on the form of Blood Fiend Marrow Worms.
“The Blood Fiend Marrow Worms can instantly destroy your spinal cords, even your brains. With your abilities, you will be crippled even if you don’t die, and your Origin will be damaged, causing your cultivation to drop.”
Old Ancestor Bai Cang’s face turned pale, and Yuan Ye was not much better. He quickly said, “Your subordinate will serve you with all his might, even unto death.”
Their words were not entirely empty. They already knew how formidable Su Yan was.
At their first encounter, he might have only had the capability of a Half-step Dan Qiao, yet he could already suppress Dan Qiao realm martial artists.
Now, more than a month later, he possessed Dan Qiao realm cultivation, and furthermore, both the Fourth Tier Spirit Tools and various exotic beasts indicated that this person was not simple.
Following such a heavenly prodigy might also be an opportunity.
“Fifty years. Serve me honestly, and after fifty years, this Blood Fiend Marrow Worm can be removed. As for your reward for these fifty years, take it.”
Su Yan condensed two drops of primal blood, which flew towards Old Ancestor Bai Cang and Yuan Ye respectively.
As the two absorbed the primal blood, they immediately sensed its extraordinary nature.
They instinctively refined the primal blood, but their bloodlines underwent changes.
Su Yan controlled it with his mind, unlike Wang Cang, where he directly intervened.
Pained groans came from their mouths. Their bodies began to change, and layers of insect armor continuously emerged from their bodies.
Old Ancestor Bai Cang’s was a black crystalline armor, shaped like an ant beast, and his entire body became somewhat broader.
Yuan Ye, like Wang Cang, condensed the Shadow Spider Armor Body.
The metamorphosis of the two took a full two hours, much longer than Wang Cang’s.
“Such immense power!”
After completing their metamorphosis, Old Ancestor Bai Cang and Yuan Ye’s eyes were filled with disbelief.
Their bodies were filled with power, and their bloodlines had changed, as if they had an Innate Martial Body.
Insect armor for protection, condense shadows into blades (spirit as the blade)…
Special abilities, even if not fully developed, were formidable means for them.
And all of this originated from the man before them.
Unconsciously, Old Ancestor Bai Cang and Yuan Ye’s gazes towards Su Yan became more submissive.
The bloodlines created by the primal blood began to gradually influence them.
“Clatter.”
Su Yan released the chains, and Old Ancestor Bai Cang, the White Cang Ape, and Yuan Ye were all freed.
“Greetings, Lord.”
The two people and one ape dared not make any move. Instead, they knelt on the ground, completely devoid of the dignity of Dan Qiao realm martial artists.
“Bai Cang, you and the White Cang Ape will from now on guard Yun Cang Town and the Yunling Mountain Range and work with Wang Cang. If any enemies beyond the scope of True Intent realm appear, you will handle them.”
Old Ancestor Bai Cang quickly nodded: “Your subordinate understands and will certainly complete the mission.”
Old Ancestor Bai Cang was originally a rogue cultivator and practiced the White Cang Ape True Intent, appearing to have some connection with the Golden Ape Martial Arts School.
Whether it was providing covert assistance or occasional intervention, it would not attract too much attention.
This was Su Yan’s contingency plan and his strategy for the future.
Nangong Hong Yue was stationed in Southern Sky City, so there needed to be another Dan Qiao realm expert stationed in the outer areas like Yun Cang Town.
Only in this way could they more boldly develop the breeding farms.
“Yuan Ye.”
“Your subordinate is here.”
Su Yan said, “Disguise yourself and stay by my side, be my shadow. I presume you know quite a bit about your colleagues in the Yan Ying Sect, point them out to me this time.”
Yuan Ye immediately realized something: “Has Yan Ying already stirred up trouble?”
“Mhm.” Su Yan didn’t guard against him. “Yan Ying has become the Yan Ying Sect, occupying Lishan County, and now Dharma Aspect realm True Persons are dispatched, attacking Wan Ning County and Bailu County.”
He told Yuan Ye about Yun Cang Town being attacked and the three third-order spiritual veins and spirit ores in Bailu County being occupied.
Yuan Ye’s expression immediately turned grim: “If Lord wanted to raid the spiritual veins and spirit ores, it’s probably too late to kill the Dan Qiao realm martial artists there.”
Su Yan frowned: “What do you mean?”
“Yan Ying has tampered with the True Intent Beast Spirits of their core disciples. True Intent realm disciples who obey orders can have their True Intent shattered with a single thought, crippling their cultivation. Even Dan Qiao realm True Persons would not be subjected to such methods, but they have means to perceive life and death, which can be applied to us.”
“Do you have it too?”
Yuan Ye nodded and replied, “Yes, but in Lord’s tower, it was fortuitously worn down and swallowed by these chains.”
He then asked, “When Lord killed the Dan Qiao realm martial artists, do you remember if they reported their names, or what their Natal Spiritual Artifacts were?”
“One of them had a fox-like True Intent and wielded a water-blue spiritual long sword. The other was short and stout, using a golden gourd small hammer about a foot long, capable of short-range teleportation.”
“They are Li Qiulong and Feng Hong, both Dan Qiao realm martial artists from our Yan Ying Sect.”
Yuan Ye said in a deep voice, “With their deaths, it’s likely that others in Yan Ying have received the news to varying degrees. Bailu County City will probably be difficult to deal with.”
Yuan Ye’s words were soon confirmed by a spy from the Mountain Guard.
After Su Yan came out with Yuan Ye and Old Ancestor Bai Cang, the spies sent out to gather information soon reported back.
Pang Tianlei, the Old Ancestor of the Pang family in Bailu County City, lost a gambling match and was killed by a sword from Zhuo Chengyun of the Yan Ying Sect.
The three third-order spiritual veins, Lang Gan stone ore, and Huo Xuan gold ore outside Bailu County City, occupied by the Yan Ying Sect, were more than half plundered by Yan Ying Sect disciples, especially the mineral warehouses which were completely looted.
All Yan Ying Sect disciples were now gathered within Bailu County City, the city gates sealed, and formations set up to prepare for battle.
Su Yan listened and couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.
“Truly a bunch of turtles hiding in their shells.”
The Commander of the Mountain Guard, Zhai Gaoyi, advised, “True Person Su, Bailu County City has at least two Dan Qiao realm martial artists gathered, and with the power of the formations and their prior preparations, they are likely more difficult to deal with than the Dan Qiao realm martial artists today. Should we request reinforcements from True Person Xia and True Person Lan for safety?”
“No need, we will go directly to Bailu County City.”
Su Yan was unafraid. It was better for them to gather together so he could catch them all in one net.
