The spider, after feasting, seemed to have lost interest in playing with Xi Chengan and the others. It climbed onto a branch and dangled in mid-air, amusing itself.
"Captain, this Thousand-Faced Spider is just keeping us penned like livestock. Since we're all going to die anyway, Captain, you should focus on recovering your strength. Perhaps there's still a sliver of hope."
One of the team members, seeing that the spider had lost interest after devouring a teammate, urged Xi Chengan to regain his power.
But before Xi Chengan could speak, the Thousand-Faced Spider, which was a Demon Emperor, remained on the branch. The truly terrifying Demon Venerable spider descended from the tree, appearing ready to attack Xi Chengan.
As soon as the Demon Venerable spider came down, a claw, like a bayonet, plunged directly towards Xi Chengan.
Xi Chengan's cultivation was in disarray, and facing a Thousand-Faced Spider of Demon Venerable strength, he had no chance of resisting.
Closing his eyes and awaiting death was the best outcome. In his heart, he prayed that his sister would not come here.
After a long while, Xi Chengan, with his eyes closed, still felt no pain. He slowly opened his eyes and saw that the three team members around him had their eyes wide open, completely stunned.
As for the Demon Venerable Thousand-Faced Spider, it was still poised to attack him. The only change was that a man was standing on the back of the Demon Venerable Thousand-Faced Spider.
As Xi Chengan looked at the man, the man was also sizing him up. He slowly opened his mouth and asked, "Is Xi Luomeng your sister?"
This person was Xia Feng, who happened to be passing by and stumbled upon this scene.
He had heard Xi Luomeng mention outside that her brother had gone to Qiansong Lake first, and judging by his attire, this was almost certainly him.
"Yes. May I ask who you are, Senior?"
Xi Chengan swallowed hard. Looking at Xia Feng, who was standing on the spider, he felt his mind reel. The sight was astonishing.
Late-stage Immortal Emperor?
Just now, when Xia Feng had moved to deal with the Demon Venerable spider, he hadn't concealed his strength. Xi Chengan himself was a powerful cultivator at the late stage of Immortal Sovereign. As long as Xia Feng wasn't deliberately hiding his power, he could perceive Xia Feng's cultivation level.
Xi Chengan's eyes bulged, and then he immediately knelt on the ground, shouting loudly, "Thank you, Immortal Emperor, for saving my life!"
As soon as Xi Chengan finished speaking, he berated the three still standing members, "Why aren't you paying your respects to the Immortal Emperor quickly?"
The other three were not cultivators at the Immortal Sovereign stage and couldn't discern Xia Feng's realm at all. After Xi Chengan's shout, they finally came to their senses, all kneeling on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.
The Demon Venerable Thousand-Faced Spider beneath Xia Feng's feet was already dead. The moment Xia Feng’s gaze fell upon it, all its meridians were shattered by Xia Feng, and it died silently.
The other Thousand-Faced Spider, dangling from the tree, also reacted and quickly attempted to escape. Xia Feng flicked his finger lightly, and the Immortal Sovereign-level Thousand-Faced Spider fell from the air. It didn't even have time to move its claws before it was undeniably dead.
"Rise," Xia Feng said calmly.
They were all humans. When he encountered demons attacking humans, regardless of whether these people were the "big brother" Xi Luomeng had mentioned, Xia Feng would not hesitate to intervene.
"Thank you, Immortal Emperor." The four people rose hesitantly, not daring to even glance at Xia Feng.
This was an Immortal Emperor, and not just any Immortal Emperor, but one in the late stage, a top-tier existence in the entire Immortal Realm.
Xia Feng tossed down three pills and said, "Give these to them."
Looking at the three individuals whose life force was rapidly depleting, Xia Feng threw out three pills. If they hadn't encountered him, they would have been beyond saving.
"Thank..."
Before Xi Chengan could finish his thanks, Xia Feng had already vanished from their sight. Xi Chengan bowed towards the distance, "Thank you, Immortal Emperor."
"Captain, who... who is this Immortal Emperor?" One of the men stammered, his teeth chattering.
"I don't know," Xi Chengan shook his head.
Xia Feng's figure flickered, and he arrived above Qiansong Lake. The Xuanyuan Sword and the Fuxi Qin were summoned by Xia Feng.
This kind of artifact subjugation matter could be left to them to handle.
And they would handle it perfectly.
As soon as these two divine artifacts appeared, the lake's surface suddenly rippled, and a voice emanated from the depths of the lake, a voice that only the Xuanyuan Sword and Fuxi Qin could hear.
Kunlun Mirror: Two old friends, why are you here?
Before the Kunlun Mirror even appeared, its voice had already traveled up.
Xuanyuan Sword: Get out here quickly and pledge allegiance to my master.
Kunlun Mirror: (⊙o⊙)…?
The Kunlun Mirror was somewhat bewildered. It hadn't said anything, so why was it being rudely addressed like this?
Kunlun Mirror: Little Qin, what's wrong with this sword?
Fuxi Qin: If you don't come out, we'll act.
Fuxi Qin was too lazy for further banter. It acted as it spoke, directly sending a burst of zither music into the water.
Kunlun Mirror: I'm coming out. Let's talk.
As soon as the Kunlun Mirror spoke, the lake's surface surged, and a mirror appeared in mid-air.
Xuanyuan Sword: You know what's good for you. If Brother Donghuang Bell were here, you would have been flayed by now, and we'd just create another one.
Thus, the Kunlun Mirror was coerced into signing a contract with Xia Feng.
Although it was forced, once the contract was signed, the Kunlun Mirror became one with Xia Feng. It had no intention of resisting.
"Master," the Kunlun Mirror's respectful voice echoed in Xia Feng's mind.
"No need for formalities. Do you know the whereabouts of the remaining six divine artifacts?" Xia Feng asked.
Since the Xuanyuan Sword had mentioned the Donghuang Bell earlier, the Kunlun Mirror knew which six Xia Feng was referring to.
"Reporting to Master, I know that the Pangu Axe and the Kongtong Seal have gone to the Divine Realm. I haven't heard any news about the other four." The Kunlun Mirror replied swiftly.
"Good, we'll deal with that later." Xia Feng nodded slightly.
After speaking, Xia Feng put away the three divine artifacts. Just as he was about to leave, he noticed a White Snow Lotus in the lake that had borne fruit. This item was the main ingredient for the Yuan Breaking Limitless Pill.
Furthermore, there were eight fruits. With Xia Feng's alchemy skills, this was enough to refine at least a hundred Yuan Breaking Limitless Pills.
Xia Feng casually collected them and left Qiansong Lake.
In an instant, Xia Feng reappeared above Xi Luomeng's campsite. He had previously promised to give her a grand gift.
The White Snow Lotus fruits he had just picked would be of great use to an Immortal Sovereign, but they needed to be refined into pills first. Therefore, Xia Feng decided to directly give her two Yuan Breaking Limitless Pills, a one-step solution.
"Why didn't you go?" Xi Luomeng asked in surprise as Xia Feng approached.
With such speed, he must have turned back midway.
"I've already come out of Qiansong Lake. I promised to give you a grand gift, and I'll leave after I give it to you." Xia Feng finished speaking, and two pills appeared in his hand. He flicked them towards Xi Luomeng, saying, 'Yuan Breaking Limitless Pills. They will be useful for you and your brother.'
Before Xi Luomeng could react, Xia Feng vanished from her sight. A voice echoed through the air, "See you again if fate allows."
Xi Luomeng stared at the Yuan Breaking Limitless Pills in her hand, stunned. Feeling the power emanating from the pills, she knew they were real.
So the question was, who was he?
...............
(PS: Don't blame me, I'm not padding anymore. Either go to the Divine Realm or return to Earth.)