Chapter 1408: Chapter 1409: Protection Money
The young man was brimming with confidence, casually dangling a scroll in his hand. The scroll was etched with dense, esoteric scriptures.
When he unfurled it, threads of ash-black scripture extended outward, flowing like rivers into the ink-black Hellfire.
“Watch closely, Junior Sister. This is the cultivation technique personally gifted by Master. ‘Words becoming truth’—anything it touches will be forced to retreat, no exceptions, not even flames as eerie as these!”
The young man chuckled proudly.
“This is Master’s ‘Words becoming truth’—Senior Brother actually brought it out here!”
The female cultivator’s mouth gaped wide as she recognized the scroll in his hand. It was a piece of parchment with a large, commanding character, “散” (“Disperse”), inscribed on it.
This was **Rule Power**, harnessed by high-level cultivators. A single word could transform illusion into reality. The scroll was but a basic application: one word, “散,” could repel the flames and create a safe passage.
“Indeed. Our task here is only to investigate and confirm whether treasures reside within. Once we verify, we retreat immediately. Such phenomena are beyond our reach!”
“Master will surely reward us for uncovering its mysteries.”
The young man chuckled, hands clasped behind his back, as he led the female cultivator forward into the pitch-black flames.
However, unbeknownst to them, icy, sinister gazes lay hidden deep within the fire, locked firmly onto their movements.
Within the Hellfire.
A group of cultivators held their breath, waiting silently as the pair approached.
Li Xiaobai closely observed their every move within the flames. There were only two—a man and a woman—judging by their aura, they weren’t particularly powerful cultivators, with cultivation levels similar to his. However, the scroll in the man’s hand radiated an indescribable, terrifying aura.
Its inscriptions transformed into rivers that poured into the Hellfire. Wherever they flowed, the flames retreated automatically, though the fire also slowly eroded the power emanating from the inscriptions—but at an agonizingly slow pace.
“This scroll packs quite a punch. It’s definitely a treasure.”
Li Xiaobai waved his hand, signaling those behind him to disperse, manipulating the flames to make way for the young pair to enter.
“The flames are actually burning Master’s scroll!”
“Though its strength seems meager right now, its corrosive power is shockingly strong. It’s terrifying—give this fire some time to spread on its own, and it could easily become a catastrophic disaster!”
The young man and woman explored the flames, their gazes growing more astonished, their hearts shaken to the core. Their Master was a prominent figure in Cangtian City, yet the handiwork of such an esteemed individual was being consumed by an ordinary, unknown flame—further proof of the sheer rarity of this Hellfire.
“Senior Brother, I can’t shake the feeling that someone is watching us from within the flames. Should we go back?”
The female cultivator felt a chill run down her back, her scalp tingling painfully. That unsettling feeling gnawed at her instincts, warning her that something else lurked within the fire. Yet, each time she turned around, there was nothing to be seen.
“Junior Sister, your imagination is running wild. With Master’s personal inscription protecting us, nothing untoward will happen. We’re the first group of cultivators to arrive—we have to gather as much first-hand information as possible.”
The young man ignored her concerns and continued deeper inside.
It was at that moment that the pair suddenly felt their bodies go limp. Their knees buckled, dropping them to the ground in a kneeling position, arms raised high above their heads in a posture of supplication.
“What’s happening?”
“Why am I kneeling?!”
“Who’s attacking us from the shadows?”
The young cultivator’s face was a mixture of shock and confusion. He couldn’t comprehend what was happening. His female companion, however, was blanching with dread—her instinct had been spot on. There were indeed living entities within the fire, and they’d now made their move.
As the duo hesitated between panic and realization, silhouettes began to emerge from the flames. Footsteps echoed around them, followed by disjointed voices engaged in a chaotic conversation.
“Master’s technique has immobilized them!”
“Kill them and loot their resources!”
“The first lucky ones have delivered themselves right to us!”
“Don’t kill them—let’s tie them up and haul them away. They’re the disciples of influential figures. We can leverage them for long-term gains—sell them back to Cangtian City’s elites and pocket a tidy sum!”
“Move, move! Just tie them up first!”
The voices were cacophonic, but the young man and woman could hear them all too clearly. It turned out there had been others lying in wait amidst the flames, ready to ambush anyone who wandered in.
“Who are you people?!”
“How dare you! Do you know who I am? Such malicious deeds—aren’t you afraid of the City Lord’s wrath?”
A flicker of fear glanced through the young man’s eyes. However, he still chose to angrily threaten them, hoping to use his influential background to intimidate the hidden assailants. But the silhouetted figures in the shadows responded neither with hesitation nor acknowledgment.
A dozen cultivators sprung forth from the flames, overwhelming the young pair without a word. Ropes flew through the air, binding them thoroughly and reducing them to motionless captives.
“Quiet down!”
Ma Niubi delivered a swift kick to the young man’s chest, sending him rolling backwards in a miserable heap.
“Who are you people? Why are you targeting me?”
“I’ve never had grievances with any of you…”
The young man’s face was flushed red—partly from rage, partly from embarrassment.
“We’re not targeting anyone in particular. You just wandered into my turf. Pay up, hand over your resources, and we’ll spare your lives!”
Li Xiaobai stepped forward and rifled through their belongings, pocketing every valuable resource the pair possessed.
He casually tossed a note at them, saying indifferently, “Whoever’s behind you—send them this letter. Have them bring money to release you.”
“Money in three days, you walk free. No money? Consider yourselves dead!”
Several minutes later.
The uproar within the black flames settled down. The pair of “lucky” individuals had been knocked unconscious and bundled up for transport. As the flames closed up and healed over, the group retreated into their hiding spots once more, biding their time until the next lucky victim arrived.
Li Xiaobai eyed the scroll now in his hand, his brows twitching slightly. He wasn’t unfamiliar with its capabilities—similar to a Saint Realm decree from the Central Origin Realm. One “散” character had the power to disperse his Hellfire. This was undoubtedly a treasure; whoever had crafted it was surely a master. Extorting a hefty sum for its return would be a priceless payoff.
Yet, much to his chagrin, before even entering the city, he had already offended multiple influential figures. The road ahead did not bode well.
“Master, the letter’s ready. These two are from the ancient clan in Cangtian City. The clan isn’t large, but it boasts formidable experts with unparalleled cultivation—definitely not people we want as enemies…”
Fu Tiantian held the envelope in his hand and began reporting details.
“Keep it simple—summarize.”
Li Xiaobai cut him off bluntly. He had no interest in their family’s histories or backgrounds.
“They’re filthy rich, swimming in wealth. If we play this right, we’ll make a killing!”
Fu Tiantian succinctly summarized.
“Ah, excellent…”
…
At the same time.
In the outside world.
A grand contingent was marching into Wild Grass Village. Over the past few days, rumors about the emergence of an ancient inheritance had spread like wildfire. Countless Loose Cultivators flocked here, eager to seize a piece of the pie.
“Treasure belongs to the worthy—it’s not exclusive to the powerful!”
“I care little for ancient inheritance—as long as I can claim that mysterious black Hellfire, an artifact capable of devouring treasures to fortify itself, even the smallest fragment will suffice!”