AGM 565 – Despair Wrought By A Single Stomp
"Trash, you have thoroughly infuriated me." The sinister triangular-shaped eyes of the Black Jiao Python flashed with venom. In here, he was the law that dictated the life and death of this partic.i.p.ants. Those people caught it and placed it inside this realm, instructing it on what it was supposed to do. As long as it followed the basic rules, it could basically do whatever it wanted to.
The only instruction he had to follow was that he mustn’t leave this place and could only guard this checkpoint. At the same time, he had to breathe out poisonous mist to prevent others who wanted to advance pa.s.s him.
As for the rest, he can do as he desired. This meant that as long as he wanted to, he could even slaughter all partic.i.p.ants with impunity. However, although this Black Jiao Python was extremely crafty, it also understood that it cannot invoke the rage of the partic.i.p.ants completely. If not, what happens if everyone joined forces to kill it?
It wasn"t immortal. If a team couldn"t kill it, what about when two or three teams joined forces?
Hence, the Black Jiao Python always ensured its actions wouldn"t infuriate the ma.s.s populace of those partic.i.p.ants. To the humans, it was just a test, and the easiest way to pa.s.s it, was simply to walk underneath it while evading the mist.
The Black Jiao Python didn"t know that right now, a young man in front of it was currently contemplating this possibility as his eyes glimmered with a bright light.
"Although this Black Jiao Python is powerful, we can easily kill it if we get enlist the help of some of these partic.i.p.ants. But would that defy the original intention of this test? Would the Immortal Martial Realm introduce new variables if they slew the guardian?" Qin Wentian speculated silently. He felt that it was highly possible, so they couldn"t pick this method.
But if the Black Jiao Python was intentionally provoking them, their small team banding together to slay it shouldn"t be considered too overbearing, right?
If not, if they followed the rules set by the python, Qin Wentian was confident that he would be able to pa.s.s the test safely. But what about Ye Lingshuang, Fan Le, and the others?
Fan Le was also glaring at the Black Jiao Python. Seeing its venomous look, a strange glow flashed in Fan Le"s eyes as he transmitted his voice to Qin Wentian, "Boss, do you want to f.u.c.k this beast up?"
Qin Wentian didn"t feel weird when he heard Fan Le"s suggestion. This fatty had always been courageous, and since this Black Jiao Python has set its designs on them, there was no other option to pick. They could only act against it.
"f.u.c.k," Qin Wentian spoke, his words causing others to be taken aback. This elegant looking fellow actually uttered such an uncouth word?
"A mere demonic beast yet it dares to be this brazen?" A sinister light flickered in Fan Le"s eyes. The instant the sound of his voice faded, the hearts of the partic.i.p.ants here pounded. Seems like these few fellows didn"t intend to follow the rules of this test, but rather chose to make a move against the guardian instead.
However, this plan of theirs also conformed to the wishes of everyone. If Qin Wentian and his group waged a battle against the Black Jiao Python, didn"t it mean that all of them would be able to pa.s.s this second test easily? After they thought of this, all of them laughed coldly in their hearts. They didn"t even know if Qin Wentian and his group would be able to handle the python. Although they had eight people with them, in front of absolute strength, numbers were useless. If they were facing against a fifth-level Black Jiao Python, it didn"t matter how many people they had. If they couldn"t break pa.s.s its defence, all that was waiting for them was death.
However, this was just a Black Jiao Python at the third-level of Heavenly Dipper, there shouldn"t be any problem killing it if they all worked together. However, with just the strength of Qin Wentian"s group of eight, they might not be able to handle this.
The defense of demonic beast was naturally extremely strong. And this Black Jiao Python"s scales also had a faint characteristic of a flood dragon, glimmering with bright glossy light that was seemingly impenetrable. With that and its cultivation base, it was impossible for first-level Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns to break through its defense. These eight people were truly bold.
"Are all of you courting death?" The body of that Black Jiao Python started moving, causing the entire ground to rumble as it continuously breathed out black mist, causing the saturation of corroding gas to sky rocket.
"We must not be hit by the black mist, this corrosion effect can even wither our bodies, transforming us into nothing but puddles of blood, " Mu Feng reminded them. The others nodded in agreement and those with bloodline powers instantly ignited them to augment their strength. Bloodlines were considered something inherent and innate to cultivators and wouldn"t be suppressed by the Immortal Martial Realm.
"Blind its eyes," Qin Wentian spoke in a low voice, as Fan Le nodded sagely.
"The eyes of this beast are too nefarious, it even still dared to gaze at sister Lingshuang."
"Very filthy indeed." Ouyang Kuangsheng glanced at Fan Le, causing Fan Le to curse in his hearts. What do you mean by that action, are you saying that I"m the pot calling the kettle black? This fatty"s eyes are not filthy when I stare at beautiful women. The look in my eyes is called admiration!
"Do it." As the sound of Qin Wentian"s voice faded away, the faces of everyone turned solemn. Qin Wentian led the way and rushed forth, executing the Fiend Transformation Art and causing a layer of scaly armor to envelop his body. A pair of demonic wings took form behind his back; he was fully prepared to protect himself.
"DIE!" The Black Jiao Python spat out a mouthful of black mist towards Qin Wentian. The terrifying corrosion energy permeated the air, but at that instant it breathed, Fan Le and Chu Mang"s arrows were already zooming over aiming straight for its eyes.
The Black Jiao Python instantly closed its eyes when it saw the arrows shooting over, and used its perception to sense the location of its opponents instead. It breathed out once again, intent on pursuing Qin Wentian who was using Stellar Transposition.
A long spear appeared in Qin Wentian"s hand. This wasn"t a divine weapon, just an ordinary mortal-ranked long spear instead. Using Stellar Transposition, Qin Wentian instantly moved through the air as he blasted out a spear strike with the speed of lightning towards the eye of the Black Jiao Python.
The Black Jiao Python opened its huge maw and stretched its neck in the direction Qin Wentian was, preparing to chomp down at any moment. If Qin Wentian really dared to rush over, it would swallow the spear down together with Qin Wentian.
"MU FENG!" Qin Wentian called out. Mu Feng transformed into a series of shadows as he blasted out blood-color palm imprints towards the huge maw of the python before he executed Stellar Transposition and retreated together with Qin Wentian. And indeed at the instant of their retreat, the huge maw of the Black Jiao Python fiercely snapped shut. The power of that bite caused the entire s.p.a.ce to rumble, but the blood-colored palm imprint had already been successfully blasted into the mouth of that python.
So it turned out that Qin Wentian"s attack was merely a feint.
The Black Jiao Python was truly enraged. Its immense head dashed towards Qin Wentian and the others. Its body was extremely long and sinuous, hence it didn"t need to move much to extend the range of its attacks. Yet another mouthful of black mist spat out, seeking to drown Qin Wentian and the others within it.
"Freeze!" Yun Mengyi"s will from the Mandate of Icesnow enveloped the black mist, while in the next instant, the arrows from Fan Le and Chu Mang thundered mercilessly into its maw, causing the Black Jiao Python to issues terrible wrathful roars filled with pain.
Qin Zheng blasted out with his palm as his spatial energy enveloped the frozen black mist, easily teleporting the entire cloud away with a wave of his hands.
"ARGH HOWOLLLL~ AROOO!" the Black Jiao Python howled in agony. Evidently Mu Feng"s poison arts were starting to take effect. How could Qin Wentian and Ouyang Kuangsheng be courteous with it? They flew into the air and madly unleashed their attacks, targeting the eyes of the python.
"Before the suppression on our cultivation base is lifted, let"s not provoke this bunch of mad men," many were silently thinking in their hearts. This wasn"t because of Qin Wentian"s group strength. After all, there were many Heaven Chosen here. But rather, the methods Qin Wentian"s group of eight employed were simply too ruthless, and the main point was that they had a tacit understanding and worked extremely well together. This fact alone was enough to cause restraining fear in the hearts of others because if everyone"s cultivation bases were equal, a group that was completely united was a power not many could deal with.
Indeed, not long later, that Black Jiao Python was slain by Qin Wentian"s group of eight. The ma.s.sive corpse lay there on the ground with completely no hints of life emanating from it. That d.a.m.nable fatty actually still walked over and furiously stomped on its body continuously.
"Let"s go." Qin Wentian"s heart was as calm as ever. They had just entered the Immortal Martial Realm and their actions saved a whole lot of trouble for the other partic.i.p.ants, which caused them all to allow Qin Wentian"s group to once again take the lead. There were even some among the partic.i.p.ants whose eyes flickered with cold light when they stared at the back of Qin Wentian.
Although there were tests in the Immortal Martial Realm, there would also be strokes of good fortune at the end. Although the partic.i.p.ants had not reached the point of falling out and fighting against each other yet, if a treasure really appeared, it would definitely ignite the flames of desire which they are all suppressing in their hearts, leading to a great battle among all the partic.i.p.ants for the sake of contending for the treasure.
And after they walked on for a bit, Qin Wentian suddenly halted as he stared dumbfoundedly at the scene before him. Not only him, everyone else was dumbstruck as well.
"BOOM!" A thunderous sound rang out, causing the hearts of everyone to pound.
"BOOM! BOOM ! BOOM!" The thunderous noise continued relentlessly, causing many to quiver in fear. That sound, was actually the sound of footsteps.
In front of them was a gargantuan demon that was over a hundred meters tall. Its head was akin to a large house, and the partic.i.p.ants could only see it when they inclined their heads. Its feet were over tens of meters wide and was continuously stomping upon the ground. And just so as luck would have it, the place this gargantuan was stomping at, was precisely the entrance to the next area.
The thought of fighting this didn"t even appear in the minds of the partic.i.p.ants. This gargantuan demon was an ox-type demonic beast. It appeared as though it was sleeping, repeating the same action over and over again – lifting its hooves and stomping them down at varying tempo. Even at the slowest tempo, one would require the speed at the very peak of first-level Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns before they could cross over to the entrance. And if the tempo quickened, even someone at the third-level of Heavenly Dipper with insights of the Mandate of Wind at the transformation boundary of the second level, would definitely be unable to pa.s.s it.
Thus, whoever encountered the fast tempo would definitely die. And if one encountered the slow tempo, it would first depend on the speed of the individuals, followed by their luck.
Everyone instantly shut their mouths as silence descended. Other than that stomping sound, there was no other noise in the air. Everyone started communicating via voice transmission, they were afraid that they would accidently wake the Ox Demon up. In that case, only death awaited them; it could crush them all into pulps of b.l.o.o.d.y flesh with just a single stomp.
"Based on our current cultivation level, if we encounter the fast tempo, we won"t be able to cross it even if we used Stellar Transposition. However, if we encountered the normal or slow tempo, we should be able to succeed," Qin Wentian transmitted. Stellar Transposition was a technique all of them had cultivated, n.o.body would find such a movement technique a ha.s.sle.
"Mhm, as long as we don"t encounter the fast tempo, we should be fine. Death to the unlucky ones who encounter that."
They soon all came to a consensus. "Sister Lingshuang, I will bring you along," Qin Wentian transmitted his voice to Ye Lingshuang. Amongst all of them, he was the one who was most proficient with Stellar Transposition. Effects of bloodline powers and other movement techniques didn"t interact with Stellar Transposition, and based on the proficiency of his understanding of this technique, this was the method which he had the most confidence in.
Ye Lingshuang glanced at Qin Wentian as she nodded her head, climbing onto Qin Wentian"s back allowing Qin Wentian to carry her.
However before they acted, one of the other partic.i.p.ants was already prepared to make his move. A pair of wings formed behind his back as the will from the Mandate of Wind enveloped him. He was obviously an expert that was proficient in speed. At the instant the ox lifted its foot, he instantly zoomed past like a gust of wind.
Fast, too fast to the point where after-images were left behind. The hearts of the crowd pounded as they watched the ox"s hoof beginning its descent. That person had almost reached the entrance to the next area.
"BOOM!" That hoof stomped down as the hearts of everyone pounded violently in tandem with it. When that hoof lifted again, the crowd only saw a pool of blood where the person who made the attempt used to be.
The bodies of many started s.h.i.+vering involuntarily. That person who made the try was already so fast, yet he failed to cross over? The speed in which the hoof stomped down at that instant could be considered the normal tempo, and this failure caused looks of despair on the faces of vast majority of the crowd. They had all witnessed personally for themselves how quick the speed of the person who attempted it was.
"Hu…" Qin Wentian drew in a deep breath.
Ye Lingshuang lying on his back spoke, "Wentian, I think I will just stay here. I don"t wish to burden you."
Truth to be told, if he wasn"t carrying Ye Lingshuang, Qin Wentian would be even more confident.
"Sister, trust me," Qin Wentian spoke in a low voice. He walked nearer to the stomping hoof and drew in a deep breath. Earlier, he saw that the person who attempted didn"t choose the right moment, which was what led to his death. Qin Wentian dashed forwards the instant the hoof slammed down, and executed Stellar Transposition with all his might the very instant the hoof was lifted up. His grasp of time of that single instant was perfect.
"BOOM!" That gigantic hoof landed once more, as Qin Wentian"s heart thumped together with it. Ye Lingshuang who was trembling with her eyes closed finally opened her eyes. They didn"t die! Her beautiful eyes flashed with a bright glow of light upon realising that they didn"t die.
"He succeeded." At the other end of that gigantic hoof, the hearts of the partic.i.p.ants trembled. This movement technique was simply too fast.
"I"m next." Qin Zheng walked out. Similarly, he drew in a deep breath and mirrored Qin Wentian"s movements exactly. He succeeded as well.
The members of Qin Wentian"s group all had expressions of excitement on their faces. As for the other partic.i.p.ants, there were quite a lot of them who had expressions of jealousy on their faces.
"My turn." Fan Le walked out, his eyes flas.h.i.+ng with excitement. Rus.h.i.+ng ahead, he instantly executed Stellar Transposition.
"Rumble!" At the instant Fan Le moved, lightning crackled in the air, causing the heart of Qin Wentian to tremble slightly. The next moment, an overwhelming demonic qi filled the air, there was someone who intentionally wanted to wake the ox demon by using the power of lightning to blast it.
Staring at that gigantic hoof stomping down with quickening speed, Qin Wentian saw the look of despair on Fan Le"s face.
"NOOOO!" Qin Wentian roared in rage.
"They have a unique and extremely powerful movement technique with them, don"t let any more of them cross over." At the instant where Qin Wentian"s roar of rage rang out, the eyes of everyone were staring at Ouyang Kuangsheng and the others that had yet to cross over.
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