https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-383-Sorcerer-s-Battle-of-Venomous-Bugs/12918682/
Chapter 384: Salt Elder
Chapter 384: Salt Elder
The opponent had already deployed two types of toxins, both of which had been dealt with, but no one present dared to relax. Aside from these two, there were still ten more toxins, and any one of them could strike at any moment. With this in mind, as they glanced outside the valley, their eyes drifted slightly.
"Looks like we need to stay alert."
From a distance, Hu Ma exchanged a glance with Old Abacus, and he understood the situation. He spoke in a low voice, "Clan Leader Wu Gong is a righteous man, coming to help us dispel the toxins and save people. But we can't just rely on them; we must also take action. Divide the miners into two shifts to guard against any unforeseen circumstances."
As he spoke, he personally assigned the people present, including the flesh-carving artisans, into two shifts.
One shift was led by Zhuang Erchang, with Zhou Datong as his deputy, accompanied by Zhao Zhu and half of the flesh-carving artisans, patrolling during the day.
The other shift was led by Hu Ma himself, along with Zhuang Erchang's two disciples and the remaining bolder flesh-carving artisans, responsible for night patrols.
As a Year-End Guardian, it was only right for him to take action at this time, and no one dared to complain. Hu Ma reassured the flesh-carving artisans, "I know you're here to work, and it's truly unfortunate to be caught up in this situation."
"But since we're already involved, the most important thing is to ensure our safety. So, let's support each other, and it will be less likely for anything to sneak in. Rest assured, even if we don't go down the mine these few days, you'll still receive your daily wages!"
"..."
His generosity made the flesh-carving artisans feel elated and motivated.
To be frank, this world was still different from his previous life. In his previous life, if the flesh-carving artisans stayed in the valley, they would still have to receive their daily wages, whether they went down the mine or not.
However, at the Blood Meat Mine, although people came, they would only receive their daily wages if they went down the mine. If they didn't work in the mine, being able to eat a bowl of meat-filled rice every day would be considered a kind act by the mine owner.
With this arrangement in place, the entire mine cooperated with Clan Leader Wu Gong, keeping watch in the valley day and night to prevent any unexpected incidents. Hu Ma felt slightly relieved to see that his words held weight, but he still dared not be truly careless.
Taking advantage of a break, he found Old Abacus and spoke in a low voice, "According to the current situation, is this the only way we can guard against them?"
"The toxins they use are hard to defend against, so we can only guard like this. Following their instructions is the safest option."
Old Abacus had been frowning for the past few days. He spoke in a low voice, "To deal with a toxin user, there are two options. One is to defend against their attacks, like we're doing now. When they run out of options, they'll stop."
"The other is to disregard everything and directly kill the toxin user. Find the person using toxins and chop them up. No, the safest thing to do is to destroy their venomous altar."
"..."
Hu Ma listened, slightly startled. "Is destroying their venomous altar more important than killing them?"
"Indeed."
Old Abacus whispered, "Some toxins can still harm people even if you kill the user. It's like killing the person who poisoned you, but the poison on your body remains and cannot be removed."
"But if you destroy their venomous altar, it's different. That altar is their lifeblood. Many toxin users only have one altar because it becomes more vicious and malevolent the more they use it. It's like a treasure, and the longer they use it, the more powerful the toxins they create."
"So, few toxin masters use two altars to craft toxins. They don't want to divide their energy, and as a result, the altar is intimately connected to their toxin bugs."
"Once their altar is destroyed, you don't even need to kill them. Their own toxin bugs will turn against them, and the first thing they'll do is counterattack their master."
"..."
As he explained, he suddenly thought of something, blinking his eyes and looking at Hu Ma expectantly. "Brother Hu, with your skills..."
"Don't even think about it."
Hu Ma glared at him and said, "There are still ten types of toxins that the madman outside hasn't used. Do you want me to take on all these risks and run out to fight the toxin user?"
"Why don't you go?"
"..."
"Ahem..."
Old Abacus felt a bit embarrassed. "Old brother, I came to the mine to calculate accounts with you. Plus, I'm getting old, and I can't do this kind of fighting and killing..."
"Then think of another good strategy!"
Hu Ma left him aside and returned to his room to rest, hands behind his back.
In fact, if it weren't for the toxin user outside being Monkey Wine, Hu Ma would have considered other strategies, even if he didn't directly confront and kill the toxin user. But since he knew who the toxin user was, he might as well follow the procedure.
He didn't even ask about the order in which Monkey Wine had deployed the toxins, to avoid knowing in advance and giving away his identity.
If he were to accidentally fall victim to the toxins, it would only prove that his skills were still lacking. In that case, he would have no choice but to ask Monkey Wine to help him dispel the toxin.
Of course, he still needed to be vigilant and try not to be affected by the toxins. Otherwise, Monkey Wine would know who he was.
Although Monkey Wine had revealed his identity to Hu Ma, it would be reasonable for Hu Ma to reveal his identity in return. But who could blame this old brother for looking so foolish? Hu Ma hadn't asked, and he had voluntarily disclosed his identity.
I know you, but you do not know me.
In the world of reincarnators, this is a huge advantage, one that must not be missed.
After all, although he currently leans towards Monkey Wine as being more reliable, he is indeed a madman, and who knows what he might do...
So, during these few days, he truly restrained his temperament. Every night, he patrolled, patiently observing the battle of enchantments between his father and siblings. While assisting, he also didn't forget to consume the Blood Pellets, using the time to enhance his abilities.
With the situation unclear and hidden dangers lurking, the more powerful he became, the better. And so, he reached his daily limit of refining three Blood Pellets, any more would result in an overflow of Yang Qi, leaving no time to channel it into his brain and meridians, causing it to dissipate. There was no other way; one couldn't become fat all at once.
After four days, the mad sorcerer outside indeed released toxins into the valley from time to time, causing harm.
However, the Year-End Guardians and the flesh carvers, along with Wu Ya and Nengneng, under the guidance of the Wu Clan Leader, repeatedly broke through several of the opponent's toxins.
There were Flying Cry Toxins, Blinding Eye Toxins, Mind Chaos Toxins, and more. Each toxin attack was bizarre and eerie, causing panic, but they managed to handle them without much danger, which boosted everyone's confidence.
Even the Wu Clan Leader whispered, "I've been worshipping toxins these past few days, and they're almost ready."
"Once this toxin is complete, Wu Song will be restrained and unable to retaliate. Although the toxins I've been nurturing aren't ready yet, their aura is already suppressing Wu Song's toxins, making his ineffective."
"But we can't be careless. The more this happens, the more powerful Wu Song's released toxins will become."
"..."
Everyone silently nodded in agreement. During patrols, they became even more diligent, and when they met to switch shifts, their faces showed smiles, unlike the heavy pressure they felt before.
But on this day, just as they were about to gather and send another group for a meal, they suddenly heard a sinister laugh from an old lady outside the valley, startling everyone.
They quickly turned to look, only to be shocked by the sight of an old sorceress lady walking on the small path in the forest outside the valley. Her head was adorned with dirty silver ornaments, and she carried a little girl doll on her back.
Her entire body was covered in mud, her face was greenish-blue, and her smile was stiff. Her mouth remained open, occasionally emitting a sharp, eerie laugh. Her walking speed was incredibly fast, almost like flying, as she quickly approached the valley.
"Not good, it's a Vengeful Spirit Toxin!"
The Wu Clan Leader, who had been staying in the shelter these past few days, rarely spoke, but he was patiently worshipping toxins, seemingly at a critical stage. However, upon hearing this laughter, his face changed drastically, and he abruptly lifted his head.
Wu Ya and Nengneng, who were eating from a large bowl beside the shelter, also hurriedly put down their bowls and stood up.
Upon seeing the old lady, they recognized her, and their faces showed fear.
They glanced at the Wu Clan Leader in the shelter, then stomped their feet. One of them picked up a drum from their waist, while the other held a charred cow bone. They rushed towards the old lady who was approaching the valley.
"What's going on?"
Hu Ma, sensing something amiss, quickly took two steps forward, positioning himself beside the shelter. In a deep voice, he asked, "This toxin seems different from the ones we've encountered before. Is it very powerful?"
"The Vengeful Spirit Toxin is the most harmful. It requires feeding on a living person's blood every day..."
The Wu Clan Leader spoke urgently, his voice filled with resentment. "It's all because of Wu Song's evil deeds. This toxin is forbidden in our camp. But back in the camp, this Salt Elder didn't watch over her granddaughter, who drowned in a pond."
"That madman, Wu Song, insisted that the Salt Elder deliberately killed her granddaughter. So, he planted her corpse on the old lady's back, turning her into this neither human nor ghostly form..."
"The old and the young, filled with mutual hatred, enduring endless torment. Only by feeding on living people can they find slight relief..."
"This is the Vengeful Spirit Toxin..."
"..."
"Hmm?"
Although Hu Ma listened intently, he felt something was amiss in this cruel story, but before he could ponder further, he suddenly saw Wu Ya and Nengneng, who had just reached the valley entrance, being thrown back.
The old lady, carrying the doll, crossed her tiny feet, and her speed was as fast as lightning.
Wu Ya and Nengneng, blocking the valley entrance, were about to beat the drum and burn the cow bone, but before they could cast their spells, the old lady had already rushed to their front. She lifted her hands, and despite her emaciated appearance, she grabbed Wu Ya and Nengneng, two living people, and threw them into the valley.
Then, with a flash, she also entered the valley.
Her green face was eerie, and her curved fingernails resembled withered claws as she reached out to grab the nearest worker.
(End of Chapter)
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