The voice chuckled.
"You are quite cautious. You don't have to come, but I can't guarantee the safety of those people. After tonight, they will all die."
After the voice fell, an image appeared in front of Lin Xiao Tian.
Upon closer inspection, this was the scene of the Apostle capturing Yang Lin.
In the image, Yang Lin had almost no power to resist. Yang Xin and Li Xue went to help, but were also easily subdued. Several black dogs took them away as well. Lin Xiao Tian had heard about the Apostles' methods from Xiao Liu Zi; it was said that at the Apostles' place, one either died or was turned into an emotionless puppet.
Thinking of this, Lin Xiao Tian couldn't help but worry.
If he didn't go, and Li Xue and Yang Xin met with disaster, he would surely be filled with guilt for the rest of his life.
Lin Xiao Tian finally walked forward.
Just as he took ten steps forward, a gust of black wind swept towards him.
Lin Xiao Tian realized something was wrong and rapidly retreated. He knew this was the work of the speaker.
The next moment, he felt something touch his back.
Turning his head, Lin Xiao Tian was stunned.
A dragon?
A gray behemoth appeared before him. Its body was covered in thick scales, and a pair of horns sat atop its head. Its appearance was exactly like the dragons in mythology.
Lin Xiao Tian, having inherited the latest part of the Shen Nong Medical Canon, immediately recognized the other party's identity.
"Jiao!"
"Heh heh, it seems you know quite a bit. That's right, I am a Jiao."
A Jiao, or Flood Dragon, is a divine beast from ancient mythology. It is a water beast with dragon blood, and it is one of the species that fish, snakes, and other aquatic creatures evolve into on their way to becoming true dragons. If they can overcome their tribulations, they can transform into true dragons and possess immense power.
Just like the white viper Lin Xiao Tian encountered in Black Mountain, its next stage of evolution was a Jiao.
As a divine beast, the Jiao already possessed some magical power. When it appeared beside Lin Xiao Tian, lightning was already crackling around it.
Lin Xiao Tian watched it warily. "I didn't expect a legendary divine beast to have to scheme to lure me here?"
The Flood Dragon smiled. "You don't need to be nervous. I have no choice. This place is full of restrictions, and I am locked here, unable to leave. I could only let you in."
Lin Xiao Tian had heard about restrictions from the Insect King. He had initially thought it was just an illusion formation, but he hadn't expected it to be able to trap a being like a Flood Dragon. This showed how terrifying the power of the formation setter was!
"You said you wanted to help me. How will you help me now? You can't even leave this place, can you?" Lin Xiao Tian looked at it.
Although the Flood Dragon's appearance was frightening, after witnessing other demonic beasts in this place, Lin Xiao Tian was much calmer now. He wasn't afraid that the Flood Dragon would do anything to him. This monster hadn't done anything upon meeting him but instead spoke politely, clearly having something to ask of him.
"Although I can't leave, you can. As long as you are willing to leave my mark, I can tell you what I perceive."
The Flood Dragon paused specifically at this point. "At the same time, you will also gain a small portion of my power."
Lin Xiao Tian frowned. "Why are you being so nice to me?"
"Heh heh, the aura flowing through you is very familiar. It must be related to that person. I have been confined here for thousands of years, waiting for an opportunity to leave. Seeing you now, I feel that the opportunity has arrived."
The Flood Dragon spoke beautifully, but Lin Xiao Tian didn't believe it. These demonic beasts were all very cunning.
"Of course, you can refuse. However, with your current strength, you probably won't be able to save your companions. Think carefully; time is running out."
The Flood Dragon's words struck Lin Xiao Tian's weakness precisely. As it said, Lin Xiao Tian had no room for negotiation at this moment.
"Alright, I agree."
The Flood Dragon was also very decisive, suspending its five claws above Lin Xiao Tian.
A loud dragon roar echoed, seemingly piercing the soul.
"Do not resist, otherwise the mark will not be able to enter."
Lin Xiao Tian took a deep breath and ceased resisting.
As the dragon roar subsided, the Flood Dragon's mark was finally imprinted within Lin Xiao Tian.
Lin Xiao Tian scanned with his divine sense and could clearly perceive a gray dragon in his sea of consciousness. However, the gray dragon was currently quiet, as if it were asleep.
"To activate the mark, you will need to expend your magic power. Remember, at this time tomorrow, you must return to see me, or you will die!"
Lin Xiao Tian gritted his teeth.
The Flood Dragon hadn't said this just now.
This meant it had done it intentionally, wanting to engrave the mark on Lin Xiao Tian.
This was tantamount to turning Lin Xiao Tian into its slave.
"This isn't a mark, what is this?" Lin Xiao Tian glared at it.
The Flood Dragon smiled faintly. "Of course it's a mark, but with a little curse added."
"A curse!" Lin Xiao Tian clenched his fists.
This was more terrifying than the Original Gu. The Original Gu damaged the body, while a curse damaged the soul.
Some vicious curses could even strip away the cursed person's luck!
"Kid, I didn't force you. You did it willingly. Otherwise, my curse wouldn't have succeeded."
"You've cursed me with a high-level curse!" Lin Xiao Tian was furious.
Curses had levels.
Besides being related to the skill of the caster, it was also related to the willingness of the cursed.
The more one accepted the curse, the greater the threat it would ultimately bring.
Therefore, most casters preferred to target infants, as infants lacked self-awareness and were easily cursed.
"Hahaha... did you have a choice?"
Lin Xiao Tian took a deep breath.
He didn't linger any longer and walked out.
Even though he was cursed, he had no choice. Li Xue and Yang Xin were still waiting for him.
After leaving the Flood Dragon's confinement area, Lin Xiao Tian began to infuse spiritual energy into the mark.
As expected, the mark reacted.
Lin Xiao Tian felt the direction of the mark and madly sprinted towards it.
The mark contained the power of a curse, and a high-level curse at that. This indirectly enhanced Lin Xiao Tian's strength considerably.
The so-called curse could often be used as a short-term stimulant. The more vicious the curse, the greater the power gained by the cursed.
At this moment, Lin Xiao Tian's body was already covered in arcs of electricity, which was the Flood Dragon's power. This strength was equivalent to ten times his original power!
Of course, the reason for such a significant increase was also that his current strength was too weak, and there was a large room for improvement. If he were stronger, the increase would not be so pronounced.
With the enhancement of the Flood Dragon's power, Lin Xiao Tian quickly arrived at the location marked by the imprint.
At this very moment, the Apostle was performing a ritual.
It lifted Yang Lin up, positioning his face towards the sky, and streams of blood flowed from his arm. This was Yang Lin's blood.
To his left and right were Li Xue and Yang Xin.
Streams of black energy coiled around them, as if they could be swallowed at any moment.
This was poisonous miasma, which could disorient the mind. Prolonged exposure to it would cause severe damage to one's mental faculties. Lin Xiao Tian recalled Luo Ping from the psychiatric hospital. If this wasn't stopped, Li Xue and Yang Xin would end up like him.