Shen Xiaochuan stared at the wet footprints on the ground and whispered, “The footprints are very shallow, as if someone dragged their legs across them.”
He turned to Chen Yan and said, “You bring two men with you, the rest of you guard the Main Hall.”
Chen Yan nodded, picked up his spear and left, with two soldiers following closely behind.
The four followed the footprints, passed through a long corridor, and entered a side room.
The door was ajar, and a pool of blood on the floor had not yet dried.
Further inside, a hidden door was slightly ajar, with a faint light shining through the crack.
Shen Xiaochuan raised his hand to signal them to stop, squatted down, touched the bloodstains on the ground, and frowned slightly: “The blood hasn’t dried yet, there’s someone inside.”
Chen Yan gripped his spear tightly: “Shall we ram the door?”
“Don’t rush.”
Shen Xiaochuan shook his head.
“Let’s see what they’re doing first.”
He gently pushed the door open a crack and peered inside.
The room was small, with a stone table in the center.
A Japanese god was kneeling on the ground, his hands clasped together, chanting incantations; another person, with his back to the door, was stuffing a jade pendant into a crack in the wall.
On the table was an open wooden box containing a black fish—its bones protruding, its eyes bloodshot, seemingly glaring angrily even in death.
“Snake-bone fish,” Shen Xiaochuan whispered.
Just then, the kneeling person suddenly raised his head, his gaze fixed on the doorway.
“Someone’s there!”
The person with their back to them turned around instantly, a flash of cold light in their hand, and a short knife was drawn.
The two of them lunged at the table at the same time, trying to seize the wooden box.
Shen Xiaochuan kicked open the hidden door and rushed inside.
“Trying to run?”
He strode forward, grabbed the wooden box with one hand, and drew his sword with the other, sweeping it horizontally.
The knife-wielder was unable to parry in time, and his arm was slashed open, leaving a bloody gash.
He groaned and staggered back two steps.
“You have already lost.”
Shen Xiaochuan put the wooden box into his pocket.
“Hand over everything now, and you can still live.”
“Chinese dog!”
The kneeling man roared, “Lord Orochi will never let you go!”
Before he finished speaking, he slammed his palms on the ground, and crimson patterns suddenly appeared on his body.
His muscles swelled, his nails grew longer, his ears became sharp, and his entire body began to twist and deform.
“Is he going to transform?” Shen Xiaochuan frowned.
“Watch out!” Chen Yan shouted.
The monster leaped into the air, its sharp claws aimed straight for Shen Xiaochuan’s face.
Shen Xiaochuan dodged to the side, his sword flashing upwards to slash at his opponent’s ribs.
The werewolf, though suffering a painful blow, pounced again without hesitation.
Shen Xiaochuan stopped trying to take the hit head-on.
He took a step back, retrieved a bottle of [Enhancement Liquid] from Faith Mall, and drank it all in one gulp.
Combat power increased from 128 to 145.
The werewolf’s attack intensified.
As it drew near, Shen Xiaochuan suddenly crouched down and slashed his battle blade upwards.
The blade sliced into his neck, and blood gushed out.
The werewolf’s body stiffened, a gurgling sound came from its throat, its knees buckled, and it collapsed to the ground, motionless.
Another Japanese Gods, pale-faced, gripped the dagger with trembling hands.
“I…I surrender!
I am willing to sign the covenant and offer up the mark of divinity!”
He trembled as he pulled out a talisman and held it high above his head.
Shen Xiaochuan stood still, without moving an inch.
He sneered, “Weren’t you pretty tough when you were hiding the jade pendant?
Why are you scared now?”
The prisoner trembled, his voice trembling with sobs: “My lord…
I’m just trying to save my life!
Spare me, and I’ll give you anything!”
Shen Xiaochuan stepped forward.
Just as the two were about to touch the talisman—
A cold glint flashed in the man’s eyes, and the talisman suddenly burst into flames, the fire shooting straight at Shen Xiaochuan’s chest like a snake! Visit g.com for the full chapter.
Shen Xiaochuan was prepared; with a flick of his left hand, a shield of light appeared.
The fire line collided with the light shield, exploding into a burst of red light.
“I told you.”
His voice was icy.
“I’m not hunting them down because it’s unnecessary.”
He raised his foot and kicked hard, hitting the opponent squarely in the chest.
The man was sent flying backward, crashing heavily into the wall, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
Shen Xiaochuan slowly approached, grabbed him by the neck, and lifted him up.
“When you dealt with Zhang Heng, did you ever think about begging for mercy?”
“I…I was just following orders…I was really wrong…Please spare my life!” The prisoner kowtowed desperately.
Shen Xiaochuan stared at him, then slowly released his grip.
The man collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.
Shen Xiaochuan drew his sword and held it to his neck.
“One last question.
Besides this snake-bone fish, are there any other blueprints?”
“There is…there is also the [Red Flame Spear Diagram], in…in Zhang Heng’s hands.”
“He’s still alive?”
“Alive, but dying.”
Shen Xiaochuan sheathed his sword.
“lead the way.”
The prisoners struggled to their feet and led them back to the Main Hall.
Zhang Heng lay in the corner, covered with a tattered cloth, his face pale and his breathing weak.
Shen Xiaochuan squatted down and examined his eyelids for a moment.
“Still alive.”
He took out a bottle of [revival potion], pried open Zhang Heng’s mouth, and poured it in.
A few seconds later, Zhang Heng coughed twice and slowly opened his eyes.
After a moment of blurred vision, I finally focused on Shen Xiaochuan’s face.
“It’s you?”
His voice was hoarse, “Um…
the one with the wind wolf meat…
Shen Xiaochuan?”
“It’s me.”
Zhang Heng’s lips twitched slightly: “I didn’t expect…
you would come to save me.”
“You trust me, that’s why I came.”
Zhang Heng raised his hand, his voice weak: “Take this…
This is the [Crimson Flame Spear Diagram]…
And…
the Snake Bone Fish can be used to forge weapons, you must make good use of it…”
Shen Xiaochuan took the scroll and nodded solemnly: “Thanks, I will use it well.”
Can you do me a favor?
“explain.”
A glint flashed in Zhang Heng’s eyes, and his voice lowered even further: “I’ve drawn a map of town layouts…
hidden in the third level of my divine realm’s cellar…
take it…
it’ll be useful for building your divine kingdom…”
Shen Xiaochuan’s gaze was firm: “I will go find it, don’t worry.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Heng’s head lolled to the side and he fainted.
Chen Yan checked his breathing.
“He’s still alive, but he’s too weak.”
“Send him to the medical tent.”
Shen Xiaochuan stood up.
“Send five hundred men to guard the area strictly and do not allow anyone to approach.”
“yes.”
Shen Xiaochuan turned to the prisoner: “Where’s the jade tablet you mentioned?”
The prisoner lowered his head: “On the wall…
behind the mechanism.”
“Take it out.”
The prisoner did as instructed, prying the jade tablet out of a crack in the wall and presenting it with both hands. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
Shen Xiaochuan took it and immediately deposited it into Faith Mall.
System notification: Basic resource pack x1 available for redemption.
He ignored the man and turned to walk out the door.
As dawn broke, a hazy light fell upon the ruins.
Three thousand Believers stood in neat rows, silent and still.
Shen Xiaochuan stepped forward and held up the wooden box and scroll.
“We got the Snake Bone Fish and the [Red Flame Spear Diagram].”
Everyone looked up at the same time.
“In this battle, we saved lives, killed the enemy, and reclaimed what belonged to us.”
No one spoke, but everyone stood tall and straight.
“Next.”
Shen Xiaochuan packed up his belongings, looked eastward, and said, “Let’s go to Yuling Lake.”
Chen Yan asked Dao, “Three giant bears, each with combat power of 403, a direct confrontation would kill many people.”
“I know Dao.”
Shen Xiaochuan replied, “But we must take it.
This is a top-tier territory; we can’t let others have it.”
“Then let’s launch a full-scale attack?”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“We’ll outsmart them.
First, we’ll send out scout spirits to explore, then we’ll split into three teams.
You’ll lead one team to flank from the north slope, while I’ll lead the main force to advance from the front.”
What if they join forces?
“Then force them to separate.”
Shen Xiaochuan gripped his spear tightly, “Kill them one by one.”
Half an hour into the march, Scout rushed back, looking tense.
“Lord God, something has happened by the lake.”
“explain.”
“A giant bear is dead.
Two other bears are eating its carcass.”
Shen Xiaochuan’s eyes narrowed.
“How did he die?”
“There are no visible external injuries.
But its eyes are black, as if it has been poisoned.”
Shen Xiaochuan frowned, a sense of unease creeping into his heart.
He immediately opened Faith Mall to check the attributes of the snakefish.
[Snake Bone Fish – Rare Materials ]
Uses: Can be used to refine poison-based weapons; releases neurotoxins upon contact with water, lasting for 3 hours.
He immediately understood.
“Someone made the first move.”
Chen Yan leaned closer, his voice tense: “God, should we retreat first?
Wait until the poison dissipates before fighting again?”
Shen Xiaochuan sneered: “No need.
Poison is our advantage now.
Tell everyone to wear gas masks, circle upwind, and proceed as planned.”
The group quickened their pace and quietly advanced along the ridge.
Two hours later, we arrived at the west shore of Yuling Lake.
The lake was calm, its water tinged with blue.
Two giant bears were still devouring their companion, their movements slow and their eyes cloudy.
Shen Xiaochuan raised his spear and pointed it at the high ground in the center of the lake.
“The goal is the altar on the high ground.
Whoever gets it first will be the Lord of the Lake.”
Chen Yan asked, “Shall we make our move now?”
Shen Xiaochuan nodded.
“Let’s do it.”
Just as he was about to order a charge, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a dark shadow rising from the center of the lake.