Chapter 853: Blood Battle
Chapter 853: Blood Battle
That smiling tiger has been hiding his true colors all along!
Yu Tsanghai, the sole surviving elder of the Aquarius Sect, didn't even know the whereabouts of the sect's most powerful technique. Yet, this smiling tiger not only obtained it but had secretly mastered it as well.
Who could have guessed...
As Maurice Hoa was still in awe, a sense of danger surged in his heart. Instinctively, he used the Flowing Water Step and a concealment technique to flee.
A Water Sword Qi slashed at the spot where he had been standing, but it missed.
Then, another Aquarius Technique descended, but it also missed.
Derek Tiansi, who had been boasting about his superior control and the Aquarius Technique that had subdued Gordon Changhuai and Sasha Tiansi, now felt inexplicably angry as he looked at Maurice Hoa.
He could easily capture a Golden Core cultivator, yet this little Foundation Establishment brat was as slippery as an eel, impossible to touch even a thread of his clothing.
Derek Tiansi clicked his tongue.
"Fine..."
He turned around, flashed to Oliver Fong and Haven Qianqian.
Oliver Fong and Haven Qianqian's faces were filled with anger. Just as they were about to attack, Derek Tiansi pointed at each of them, using the Aquarius Force to strike their shoulders, instantly aggravating their injuries and leaving them immobilized.
Derek Tiansi held his longsword in front of them, looking at Maurice Hoa with a cold gaze.
Maurice Hoa was helpless.
Uncle Gordon and Sasha Tiansi had been tricked by this smiling tiger and were now subdued by the Aquarius Technique.
Senior Brother Fong and Senior Sister Qianqian were being used as hostages.
Watery Yanluo and Xavier Liu were on the smiling tiger's side.
Tyrone Tianshan stood to the side, watching, and there was nothing he could do.
Counting everyone, only Maurice Hoa was left.
The situation was dire. Maurice Hoa sighed and decided to surrender, saying to Derek Tiansi:
"I admit defeat. Don't chase me anymore."
Derek Tiansi was taken aback, then his gaze darkened. "Young Master, you truly know how to read the situation."
Maurice Hoa nodded. "A wise man knows when to yield. I am indeed a wise man."
Derek Tiansi chuckled and shook his head. "It's a pity. If not for our differing paths and stances, I would have liked to be your fellow cultivator."
Maurice Hoa waved his hand. "We'll see... I have many friends, and I don't need another two-faced smiling tiger."
Derek Tiansi didn't mind and got straight to the point. "Young Master is a smart person, so I won't beat around the bush..."
His eyes flashed with a hint of cunning. "Where is that box?"
By now, Maurice Hoa didn't hide anything and said, "I put it in a secret place. I'll tell you once we leave the Dragon King Temple."
Maurice Hoa looked calm.
Derek Tiansi shook his head. "Young Master, don't treat others like fools."
Maurice Hoa looked confused. "Who am I treating like a fool?"
Derek Tiansi's face twitched. He placed his sword on Oliver Fong's shoulder and glanced at Haven Qianqian, pondering for a moment before smiling.
"What a beautiful girl. It would be a shame if she were to wither and turn to dust..."
Maurice Hoa understood Derek Tiansi's meaning and sighed, saying, "Alright."
Oliver Fong, with blood at the corners of his mouth, smiled bitterly. "Junior Brother Mo, don't worry about me. I am not as skilled as him. Whether I live or die, it's not his fault..."
Haven Qianqian also looked at Maurice Hoa, her face pale, and with a determined gaze, said:
"Junior Brother, run away quickly..."
She held a silver needle, ready to pierce her heart if all else failed.
She would rather die than be humiliated by these villains and used to threaten Junior Brother Mo.
Maurice Hoa couldn't just leave them.
If they were strangers, he might have left. But Senior Brother Fong and Senior Sister Qianqian were close friends, and they often took care of him.
A drop of water deserves a spring of gratitude. This was what his mother had taught him from a young age.
Maurice Hoa nodded. "The Aquarius Sect's most treasured item, the Aquarius Prohibition Box, which is only passed down to the sect leader, is indeed with me!"
This statement shocked everyone, whether they already knew or not.
Derek Tiansi had guessed that the item was with Maurice Hoa, but when Maurice Hoa confirmed it, his heart still trembled.
Watery Yanluo and Xavier Liu's eyes gleamed with greed.
Even Tyrone Tianshan's eyes flashed with excitement.
Gordon Changhuai and Sasha Tiansi, who understood the significance of the "sect's treasure" and "leader's inheritance," were shocked despite being controlled by the Aquarius Technique.
"I can give you the box..." Maurice Hoa said, "But I have conditions."
Derek Tiansi suppressed his excitement and nodded. "Speak."
"Release Senior Brother Fong and Senior Sister Qianqian, remove the Aquarius Force from their bodies, and cure the Water Poison." Maurice Hoa said.
Derek Tiansi nodded. "Agreed."
"Do not attack us again inside the Dragon King Temple." Maurice Hoa added.
Derek Tiansi also nodded. "Fine."
"Do what you promised first. Release them, remove the force, and cure the poison," Maurice Hoa insisted, not willing to let go without seeing results.
Derek Tiansi frowned. "Give me the box first..."
Maurice Hoa shook his head, firmly. "You are a Golden Core cultivator, and I am only at the Foundation Establishment stage. I can't defeat you, so you must fulfill the conditions first before I give you the box."
Derek Tiansi thought for a moment and agreed.
This brat, though cunning and quick-witted, uses all his skills to escape. His combat prowess is hardly worth mentioning.
Even if he were to try to kill me, standing still, he might not stand a chance.
Given this, I should give him some breathing room and not press him too hard.
Besides, nothing is more important than the Water Prison Seal Box.
Once I have the Water Prison Seal Box, everything else becomes irrelevant.
Xiao Diansi nodded and said, "Alright."
True to his word, he tapped Ou Yangfeng and Hua Qianqian's shoulders, dispelling the Water Prison energy within them. He then took out a bottle of pills and tossed it to Hua Qianqian.
"Gui Shui Sect's Detoxification Pill can cleanse the poison."
Hua Qianqian hesitated for a moment before taking a pill and swallowing it. After a while, she felt the remaining toxins dissipate and sighed in relief, nodding at Mo Hua.
Xiao Diansi looked at Mo Hua with a serious expression and said, "I've done as you asked, young friend. Don't let me down."
Mo Hua nodded resolutely, "Alright, here's the box!"
Mo Hua reached into his storage bag, took out the Water Prison Seal Box from his storage ring, placed it back in the bag, and then "casually" retrieved it, tossing it cleanly to Xiao Diansi.
His actions were too decisive, too smooth.
It was as if he was not handing over the Water Prison Sect's most treasured artifact but just a common, worthless box.
Xiao Diansi, fearing a trick from Mo Hua, hesitated for a moment.
But in that moment of hesitation, a figure suddenly lunged forward, trying to grab the seal box right in front of Xiao Diansi.
It was Xie Liu!
Xiao Diansi was furious, "How dare you!"
He immediately struck with a powerful sword thrust.
Xie Liu didn't dodge, and Xiao Diansi's sword pierced his shoulder, but he still charged forward, determined to seize the box.
Once he had the seal box, Xie Liu ignored his wound, broke free from Xiao Diansi's sword, and leaped several yards away. Despite the blood streaming from his shoulder, he was elated.
"The Water Prison Seal Box! It's mine!"
He let out a mad laugh, then his face turned fierce with anger.
"With this legacy, I, Xie Liu, will no longer be a nobody! I will no longer bow to others or be at their mercy!"
Xiao Diansi, seeing his treasure in someone else's hands, was enraged, "You're courting death!"
He swung his sword again.
Xie Liu sneered and fled, dodging Xiao Diansi's sword.
Xiao Diansi's sword missed, and his face darkened. He pointed his fingers and a Water Prison Spell materialized, enveloping Xie Liu.
Xie Liu was initially unconcerned.
Earlier, he had seen Xiao Diansi use the Water Prison Spell on that brat, and it never hit. He thought it was a useless spell.
But he didn't realize that he wasn't Mo Hua, who had a keen sense of danger, profound divine arts, and mastery of the Water Prison Spell.
Seeing Mo Hua dodge easily, Xie Liu had become complacent. But when he faced it, he was instantly bound by the Water Prison Spell.
Xie Liu's expression changed dramatically.
Seeing Xiao Diansi's sword approaching, Xie Liu panicked, gritted his teeth, and mustered all his spiritual energy to break free from the Water Prison Spell, barely managing to escape.
But he was still struck by Xiao Diansi's sword on his back.
Xie Liu endured the pain, retaliated with a sword strike, and then fled into the distance.
Xiao Diansi, however, was running out of strength.
Despite his power, he was only at the early Golden Core stage. Frequent use of sword qi and spells, especially the advanced Water Prison Control Spell, had drained his spiritual energy. Chasing Xie Liu now was extremely difficult.
Xiao Diansi was both shocked and angry.
He never imagined that after all the cunning and effort he and Gu Changhuai, along with Mo Hua, had put in, Xie Liu, an insignificant figure, would take advantage of the situation and steal the Water Prison Sect's treasure!
Xiao Diansi yelled, "Xie Liu, return the seal box, or I will tear you to pieces!"
Xie Liu sneered inwardly.
Return the treasure to you? Does this Xiao Zhenhai really think I'm a fool?
"The box is sealed with a secret technique. Without the means to 'unlock' it, it's useless to you," Xiao Diansi said.
Xie Liu ignored him and ran forward, determined to keep the box no matter what.
Seeing the skeletal boat within reach, Xie Liu quickened his pace, eager to board and escape.
Xiao Diansi's expression turned terrifying.
His forehead veins bulged, his face turned ashen, and his eyes, which had been narrowed, suddenly opened wide, filled with bloodshot. A surging, uncontrollable aura of death radiated from him.
"Xie Liu, die now..."
Xie Liu, who had been running smoothly, suddenly felt a terrifying killing intent and a chilling aura from behind, causing him to shudder.
"What's happening?"
Xie Liu was horrified.
What is Xiao Zhenhai planning to do to kill me?
The skeletal boat was right in front of him. If he could board it, he could temporarily escape Xiao Zhenhai and find a chance to leave the Dragon King Temple, thus keeping the Water Prison treasure for himself.
But Xie Liu was still uneasy.
Xiao Zhenhai, as a Dao Court official, was deep and calculating, with ruthless and unpredictable divine arts.
Xie Liu had no idea what other tricks Xiao Zhenhai had up his sleeve, fearing he might be killed in one strike. So, he turned back to look.
But that one glance was the difference between life and death.
He saw Diana Snow's eyes.
They were blood-red, and within them seemed to lie a Dao prison, where the prisoners were enduring bloody tortures, screaming in agony.
Blood flowed from the prisoners, gradually filling the entire prison.
The prisoners' faces were blurred, struggling in despair.
And in the next moment, the prisoner's face became clear, suddenly changing into Lucas Lee's own face.
Lucas Lee's face turned pale, his soul lost.
The tortures the prisoner endured seemed to be "transferred" to him.
He was the sinner, the prisoner, the one who would suffer countless torments in the depths of hell, never to be reborn.
His divine soul was severely shaken by the malevolent energy.
Pain was eroding his mind.
His aura was also being torn away from his body in the torment.
Blood Prison Pupil!
And it was a more profound, more powerful, and more malevolent version of the Blood Prison Pupil than the Water Netherworld Pupil!
Lucas Lee, struck by this pupil technique, was instantly severely damaged in soul and spirit. He stood there like a puppet, his face contorted in pain and despair.
"Still thinking of running?"
Diana Snow sneered, slashing a sword beam through the air, severing Lucas Lee's arm, who was defenseless after being hit by the Blood Pupil technique.
Lucas Lee's arm was severed, blood splattering, and the severed limb fell to the ground, still clutching the Water Netherworld Forbidden Box.
The intense pain brought Lucas Lee back to his senses.
Despite the violent trembling of his soul, the excruciating headache, the malevolent energy eroding his mind, and the blood-red vision, Lucas Lee struggled towards his severed arm.
Towards the box in his severed hand, which contained the supreme inheritance of the Water Netherworld Sect.
"My... my..."
But it was too late.
Diana Snow had already approached him, stepping on his severed arm and taking the Water Netherworld Forbidden Box.
Seeing Lucas Lee approach him in a daze, Diana Snow sneered with disdain.
But his sneer froze halfway.
Behind Lucas Lee, a figure stood.
At some point, the once timid Mr. Blackwood had appeared behind Lucas Lee, his face dark and sinister.
Taking advantage of Lucas Lee's severe injuries from the severed arm and the mental breakdown caused by the pupil technique, Mr. Blackwood pounced on Lucas Lee, biting into his neck and frantically devouring his blood and flesh.
Everyone's faces changed color, and Raven Ink also sensed something was off, hastily shouting:
"Stop him!"
Diana Snow no longer hesitated, striking again with his sword, but it was too late.
Mr. Blackwood, having consumed Lucas Lee's blood and flesh, began to twist and contort. Scales suddenly appeared on his body.
Diana Snow's sword struck the scales but did no damage, instead enraging "Mr. Blackwood."
Covered in scales, half-human and half-monster, Mr. Blackwood screamed:
"A group of beasts! A group of swine! You desecrate the divine, you all must die!"
Then he blurred and dragged Lucas Lee into the blood pool.
The filthy, corrupt blood pool instantly corroded and swallowed them both.
This sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard.
"Is this Mr. Blackwood seeking his own death?"
Diana Snow's face was grim.
Raven Ink looked at the blood pool, recalling the scales on Mr. Blackwood's body, his pupils constricted.
He knew it wasn't that simple...
The others, clearly aware that something was about to happen, were on edge.
Godfrey Chang and Diana Snow, finally breaking free from the Water Netherworld technique's control, approached Raven Ink.
Both were disheveled but deeply wary.
Raven Ink also sighed inwardly.
The control effect of this Water Netherworld technique was much stronger than he had anticipated.
Compared to the Water Prison technique, it was in a completely different league.
No wonder the Water Netherworld Sect revered it as their ultimate technique, only to be passed down to the sect leader.
If he had the chance, Raven Ink would truly like to learn it, but his spiritual energy was too weak. Even if he learned it, he might not be able to use it.
However, now was clearly not the time to consider such things.
Raven Ink expanded his divine consciousness, sensing the surrounding blood pool, and then said solemnly, "The array has been activated..."
Before he could finish, a thunderous sound echoed, and the ground shook.
The central altar began to rotate and sink.
The surrounding blood pools suddenly surged, the blood water roaring and rushing toward some unknown destination.
Bony pillars grew from the blood pools, twisting upward and merging together.
In the void, array patterns began to glow.
The blood pools flowed to unknown places, the ground continuously distorted and changed, and more and more bony pillars grew from the blood pools...
Everyone could only do their best to protect themselves, adapting to the changing terrain, avoiding the evil bony spikes that sprang up everywhere, and sidestepping the filthy blood water...
Fortunately, this seemed to be just the "activation" phase of the array, and this array was not primarily designed for killing.
After some time, the array stabilized, and the surrounding environment calmed down.
Everyone stood still, and when they looked around, they saw that the vast blood sea had transformed into a white, bone-filled forest.
The vast, densely packed bones resembled bricks, forming towering walls and spiky palaces.
These walls and palaces twisted and turned, stretching out without end, creating an immense "Bone Maze."
Mo Hua was shocked but not surprised.
When he saw the Blood Sea, he had a hunch that it hid a puzzle array and a corresponding "maze."
It was similar to the bronze maze he encountered in the Bi Mountain Demon Cave.
In this Dragon King Temple, there was an entire "Bone Maze."
However, the scale and complexity of the maze, constructed entirely of bones, exceeded Mo Hua's expectations.
It seemed to be a form of an evil god's altar, with the maze built around it to protect the altar.
But now, he was trapped in the maze, while the "altar" had vanished.
Mo Hua sighed.
He knew from the start that the altar wouldn't be so easy to reach.
Mo Hua glanced around and noticed that everyone was still present. Though they had been startled when the array activated, they were all unharmed, and he silently breathed a sigh of relief.
Of course, Mo Hua and his companions were fine, and Xiao Diansi and his group were also unscathed.
However, Xie Liu was gone.
Xia Diansi looked at Xiao Diansi with cold eyes, recalling the strange Water Prison Technique. His expression was grave as he said in a cold, indifferent tone, "I had no idea that Xiao Diansi had such a powerful Dao technique hidden up his sleeve."
Xiao Diansi smiled, "Just a minor trick, I'm ashamed to show it."
Gu Changhuai sneered, "Where did you learn that Dao technique? Neither the Water Prison Sect nor the Kui Water Sect would have given you such a technique, would they?"
Xiao Diansi replied, "The transmission of Dao techniques is a secret. I cannot reveal it to you, Gu Diansi. Instead, let's consider what to do next."
Gu Changhuai said coldly, "What do you suggest?"
Xiao Diansi said, "Now that the Bone Token is in your hands and the Water Prison Box is in mine, we've both achieved our goals. We can temporarily cease hostilities. The only problem is this Bone Palace..."
"That mysterious Mr. Wu and the dangers hidden in this Bone Palace make it unwise to fight among ourselves. We might both suffer, giving others a chance to take advantage..."
Gu Changhuai raised an eyebrow, "You want to join forces?"
Xiao Diansi shamelessly said, "Exactly."
"There's no other way," Xiao Diansi continued.
Gu Changhuai glanced at Xia Diansi, who frowned but then nodded, "Agreed."
She didn't trust Xiao Diansi, but the current situation left her no choice but to temporarily ally with him.
Xiao Diansi's expression brightened as he bowed, "Xia Diansi is truly wise."
"Let's go. Time is pressing, and we need to find a way out..." Xia Diansi said.
"Agreed," Xiao Diansi nodded.
The group then regrouped, continuing their search for an exit. However, they kept a distance from each other, staying on guard.
For a while, they moved without incident.
Mo Hua relaxed slightly, following behind Gu Changhuai and Xia Diansi, observing the bone pillars and deducing the array's traces, his mind partially elsewhere.
A moment later, while pondering the array, Mo Hua suddenly sensed a familiar malevolent presence heading his way.
He was momentarily incredulous.
Again?
This scoundrel still wants to attack me?!
How shameless...
Mo Hua was momentarily speechless. He turned his head slightly and, as expected, saw Xiao Diansi taking advantage of the opportunity to use the Water Shadow Step, closing to within three paces.
Mo Hua sighed and had no choice but to keep dodging.
The moment Xiao Diansi made his move, Gu Changhuai and Xia Diansi also noticed. Their expressions turned cold as they protected Mo Hua and attacked Xiao Diansi together.
At the same time, the Water Judge, standing nearby, eyes turned red, and a murderous aura surged as he quietly used the Blood Eye Technique.
Not good!
Gu Changhuai and Xia Diansi, veterans of many battles, reacted instinctively to the eye technique.
They quickly averted their gaze, narrowly avoiding the Water Judge's Blood Eye Technique.
But when they turned their eyes, they saw the same bloody gaze.
It was Xiao Diansi!
Xiao Diansi's eyes were blood-red, with a sea of blood churning and a surge of murderous intent, and the cries of vengeful spirits.
The Water Judge was a decoy, while Xiao Diansi was the real threat.
Gu Changhuai and Xia Diansi dodged the first eleven attacks but couldn't avoid the fifteenth. They were ultimately hit.
With the Water Judge's assistance, Xiao Diansi aimed for a quick victory, unleashing his Blood Eye Technique with lightning speed.
His Blood Eye Technique far surpassed the Water Judge's.
Gu Changhuai and Xia Diansi felt the murderous intent enter their minds, causing intense pain in their consciousness. They turned pale, their expressions contorted in agony, and they stood frozen.
"Uncle Gu!"
Mo Hua was alarmed and tried to run, but when he looked up, he saw Xiao Diansi's blood-red eyes.
Mo Hua paused, but his eyes remained clear.
Xiao Diansi was surprised by Mo Hua's reaction.
In an instant, Mo Hua reacted, letting out a scream and collapsing to the ground, clutching his eyes and rolling around in feigned pain.
"Ah, my eyes..."
Mo Hua subtly rubbed his eyes red.
(End of Chapter)
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