In a secluded mountain valley, several oddly shaped individuals gathered furtively.
There was a burly man with a large head and thick neck, sporting bulging fish-like eyes. Beside him stood a monk as thin as a bamboo pole, with a long, horse-like face. Then came a refined scholar, yet he carried a wolf-toothed mace…
If any cultivators happened to pass by, they would have been so terrified they’d wet themselves.
These were all renowned figures!
Some were sect leaders who commanded respect in their territories, others were ruthless killers, and there were even heinous great demons…
“Old Hong, are you getting weaker with age? A Spirit Venerable expert, and you surrendered without even throwing a single move?”
“I think he’s just a coward, scared off by that fellow named Ji. That Ji Mo is probably just a pretty boy, not some reclusive master at all.”
“Exactly. I’ve never heard of such a person. Among the great powers of the current era, there’s no one named Ji.”
Several people surrounded Hong Qian Tu, criticizing him and mocking him.
It was a rare opportunity to ridicule a contemporary expert, and their spirits were soaring.
Hong Qian Tu’s old face flushed red. He had gathered these people to deal with Ji Mo, not to be ridiculed by them.
He couldn’t stand this humiliation. With a stern face, he gritted his teeth and said, “Fine, fine, if you’re so capable, you go ahead. I’m washing my hands of this.”
He had kindly offered a warning, but instead of appreciating it, these people had mocked him. Hong Qian Tu decided to watch from the sidelines and let them deal with Ji Mo themselves.
“Isn’t he just a kid who likes to play mysterious? I, Xuan Ao, will go and take care of him.”
The burly man with the large head and thick neck rumbled, his entire body exuding monstrous energy.
His true form was a thousand-year-old Xuan Turtle, with a trace of the divine beast Xuan Wu’s bloodline flowing within him. He was arrogant and looked down on everyone, never believing in any mysterious reclusive masters.
“How about this, whoever can eliminate that Ji Mo gets an extra share of the White Emperor’s tomb’s fortune,” someone suggested.
“Agreed!”
“It’s settled then.”
This proposal was immediately accepted by everyone.
Several people nodded in agreement, unanimously approving.
To deal with just one person and gain an extra benefit was like a pie falling from the sky. Who wouldn’t be tempted?
They didn’t take Ji Mo seriously at all.
Hong Qian Tu snorted, “That Ji Mo is definitely not simple. If you want to court death, I won’t stop you. But don’t blame me when you suffer.”
“Old Hong, it seems you’re truly scared out of your wits. Just wait, I’ll go and get that kid’s head and avenge you.”
Xuan Ao cackled, transforming into a streak of yellow light and heading straight into the distance.
The remaining few exchanged smiles, each with their own calculations. They weren’t in a hurry to act. It was good to have a foolish fellow like this go first and test Ji Mo’s strength.
Before long, Xuan Ao appeared in front of Ji Mo’s courtyard.
He glanced around, a look of disdain on his face. “I thought there was something significant, but it’s just relying on a strange door god to intimidate people. That Hong Qian Tu is also a timid rat, scared by this.”
After observing for a while and confirming there were no other anomalies, Xuan Ao revealed his true form, transforming into a large Xuan Turtle. He avoided the door god and burrowed into the courtyard from underground.
The ease of entry only increased Xuan Ao’s contempt.
He looked around and saw Tian Peng basking in the sun by the vegetable patch.
“Demon Venerable!”
At the same time, Tian Peng also spotted Xuan Ao. The terrifying aura emanating from the latter made him tremble.
But upon seeing the figure not far away, Tian Peng’s mood instantly calmed.
With his master present, why should he be afraid?
Preening his feathers, Tian Peng acted as if he hadn’t seen Xuan Ao, continuing his sunbathing.
“Tian Peng Bird, you, a dignified Demon Emperor, are actually guarding a human’s house. You’re truly disgracing our demon race.”
Xuan Ao glared at Tian Peng, his anger rising.
How could a Demon Emperor have so little self-respect, submitting to a human?
Tian Peng ignored him and said in a low voice, “For the sake of being fellow demons, I’ll give you a piece of advice. It’s still not too late to escape.”
“Escape? Ridiculous, I’m here to kill…”
Xuan Ao sneered, his killing intent palpable.
Little did he know, danger was already upon him.
“Hmm, what a fat turtle!”
Ji Mo’s eyes lit up as if he had seen a peerless beauty. He rushed forward with powerful strides and stepped on Xuan Ao’s shell.
This step was incredibly precise, and Xuan Ao couldn’t dodge it, watching helplessly as he was stepped on.
He felt as if he had been hit by a meteor. His most prized strong physique couldn’t withstand it. His limbs went soft, and he collapsed to the ground.
Xuan Ao was utterly horrified. Even a great mountain could be borne on his back, but now he was pinned down by a human, unable to move.
“Such a large turtle, how nourishing would it be if boiled into old turtle soup?”
Ji Mo licked his lips, saliva almost dripping.
He had never seen such a large turtle before. He estimated that one pot wouldn’t be enough.
Xuan Ao’s body trembled, not from pain, but from rage.
Utter, extreme rage.
What was he hearing? This lowly human was calling him a turtle and wanted to boil him, to make old turtle soup.
He, Xuan Ao, was a descendant of Xuan Wu, of noble lineage, yet he was being treated as food.
“Die, you die for me.”
Xuan Ao’s anger soared. He roared in his heart, frantically channeling all his demonic power.
He was truly beside himself with rage, disregarding all consequences. He directly activated the Xuan Wu bloodline within him, intending to镇杀 Ji Mo with the most brutal means.
Sensing the astonishing power erupting from beneath his feet, Ji Mo was also a little surprised. This old turtle was quite fierce, possessing considerable strength.
However, such wild old turtles were the most nourishing, and their meat must be excellent.
He spotted the iron cauldron beside him and his eyes brightened.
Xuan Ao finally broke free, transforming into a ball of light and smashing fiercely towards Ji Mo.
*Crack…*
The next second, he was sent flying, landing dazed and disoriented, his entire body feeling as if it were falling apart.
Even more terrifying was that his indestructible turtle shell was covered in cracks. If not for the protection of his Xuan Wu bloodline, he would have likely been smashed into a pulp.
Tian Peng watched it all calmly, silently mourning Xuan Ao’s fate. Running into his master, this old fellow was in for a rough time.
Then, he couldn’t help but swallow his saliva. It seemed old turtle soup was indeed quite nourishing, and he might get a taste of it himself.
Xuan Ao was terrified, almost scared out of his wits, and immediately wanted to burrow into the ground and escape.
His proudest turtle shell was so vulnerable. This iron cauldron was definitely a treasure of unimaginable origin.
And then, an iron cauldron, as massive as a mountain, smashed down once more.
“It’s over!”
Xuan Ao felt as if he had plunged into an ice cave. His entire body felt drained, and an irresistible force crushed him.
“What level of magical treasure is this? Its power is so astonishing.”
At this moment, he realized that no matter how he struggled, he couldn’t move. His body felt as if it were carrying an entire mountain range, making it almost impossible to breathe.
Even more terrifying was that all his demonic power had been completely absorbed.
Now, he was utterly without the means to resist.
Ji Mo grinned, raising the iron cauldron again and smashing it down, much to Xuan Ao’s horrified gaze.