Chapter 854: Blood Corpse
Chapter 854: Blood Corpse
Maverick Flower pretended to be under the influence of the Blood Prison Eye, rolling on the ground a few times, rubbing his eyes red, and then struggling a bit before slumping over, appearing to faint.
His "acting" was a bit exaggerated.
Little Spark had a bit of doubt.
Maverick Flower's reaction to the Blood Prison Eye was a bit strange, almost delayed...
But he didn't doubt it for long.
Up until now, no one had been able to resist his Blood Prison Eye.
Not even Gu Skysea, from the Gu family, or Little Spark, from the Spark family, both of whom were Golden Core cultivators, could withstand it, let alone a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Perhaps this kid had exceptional talent, with a unique divine consciousness, which made his reaction to the Blood Prison Eye different from others.
He was a strange little brat, after all.
Having an unusual reaction after being hit by the Blood Prison Eye seemed quite normal.
Because he was always strange, Little Spark found it less strange.
He walked over, checked Maverick Flower's breath, and found that he was still breathing, but his divine consciousness was almost undetectable, clearly indicating a significant injury to his Sea of Consciousness.
Satisfied, Little Spark nodded, took out a Spirit Binding Chain from the Dao Court, and tied Maverick Flower up, handing him to Water Grim Reaper.
"Watch him closely."
Water Grim Reaper's expression hardened. "Not going to kill him?"
Little Spark sneered, "Kill him? Use your head. This little brat is useful to me."
Water Grim Reaper didn't dare to defy him and nodded, "Yes."
At this moment, the jade pendants on Gu Skysea and Little Spark's chests glowed, dispelling the evil aura.
The two of them gradually recovered from the Blood Prison Eye's shock.
"Maverick Flower!"
Little Spark saw Maverick Flower, who was tied up with the Spirit Binding Chain and unconscious in Little Spark's hands, and his expression turned grave.
Gu Skysea also looked stern, his eyes filled with killing intent as he stared at Little Spark.
"Xiao Zenhai, release Maverick Flower," Gu Skysea said coldly.
Little Spark chuckled, "I went through great lengths to capture this young master. Why would I let him go so easily?"
Little Spark also said coldly, "Didn't you say we were working together? Is this how you 'cooperate'?"
Little Spark shook his head. "Working with the two of you is true, but I'm always cautious. Without some leverage, I can't trust anyone. Besides, this kid is unpredictable. Leaving him to roam freely would make me uneasy. Now, it's better..."
Little Spark gripped Maverick Flower's collar and lifted him slightly. "This kid is in my hands, tied up, and I have leverage. Now, I can relax..."
Little Spark frowned. "What do you want?"
"Give me the Fishbone Token," Little Spark said.
Little Spark's eyelids twitched. "If I give it to you, will you release Maverick Flower?"
Little Spark laughed. "Of course not. I've already said it. I went through great lengths to capture this kid. I can only promise that if you give me the token, I won't harm him. Otherwise..."
Little Spark's pale, cold hand gripped Maverick Flower's neck, a smirk on his face.
Little Spark hesitated for a long time, but ultimately, he was worried about Maverick Flower's safety. He sighed. "Fine, I'll give you the token."
Little Spark's expression brightened, and he promised, "Little Spark, rest assured. I like this kid too. As long as you give me the token, I won't harm him."
He smiled. "In the end, whether the token is with you or me, it's the same. But things are different now. I'm no longer a Diansi, and once I leave the Dragon King Temple, I'll likely be a wanted criminal by the Dao Court. So I have to be cautious..."
Little Spark's gaze darkened as he took out the Fishbone Token and threw it to Little Spark.
Little Spark nodded. "Very well. Please don't hold any grudges. It's best to leave this eerie bone land as soon as possible."
He didn't want to truly turn against them but needed a way to control Gu Skysea and Little Spark.
This bone land was strange, and they might encounter unknown dangers. Having more people meant more help.
But now that his identity was exposed, he needed leverage to threaten Gu Skysea and Little Spark, or he would face retaliation.
Little Spark didn't say much, but Gu Skysea, with his hatred of evil, would undoubtedly try to kill him if given the chance.
Little Spark had worked with Gu Skysea for many years and knew his nature and methods. Even though he had the upper hand, he didn't dare to underestimate him.
"Let's go," Little Spark said.
Gu Skysea and Little Spark could only nod.
On the side, Ouyang Phoenix and Hua Thousand Blossoms wanted to save Maverick Flower but were powerless. They could only sigh in frustration.
Little Spark turned around, looked at the unconscious Maverick Flower, and pointed at Water Grim Reaper. "Carry him."
Water Grim Reaper's face was like he had eaten a fly.
But in the end, he obediently carried Maverick Flower on his back, though not gently.
Little Spark frowned. "Be careful. If you hurt this young master, you'll answer to me."
Water Grim Reaper's face twitched, and he nodded. "Yes..."
Thus, the group temporarily ceased hostilities and set off again.
But this time, the initiative was entirely in Little Spark's hands.
Little Spark led the way, Water Grim Reaper carrying Maverick Flower behind him.
With Maverick Flower as "leverage," Gu Skysea and the others followed, but they didn't dare to make any rash moves.
Xiao Tianquan kept his distance, walking with Little Spark.
They followed the bone-lined passage, which was bone-laden and maze-like, making it impossible to determine direction.
Without a guide, they could only rely on luck, going wherever the path led.
The further they went, the deeper they sank into the labyrinthine paths.
The bones grew thicker and more menacing, and the atmosphere became increasingly oppressive.
Even the bones were stained with fresh blood.
Little Spark stopped, frowning.
He realized that he had underestimated this maze.
Here is the rewritten chapter with non-English characters replaced with their English equivalents or transliterations:
The labyrinth was far larger and more intricate than Dylan Davenport had anticipated.
And these bone walls...
Dylan Davenport drew his sword and slashed at a bone wall. The blade cut through, leaving a fine, jagged mark. However, his frown deepened. While the bone walls could be broken, it was incredibly strenuous.
Moreover, the labyrinth was filled with countless bone walls. Attempting to force a path through them would likely exhaust them before they even reached the exit.
Wandering aimlessly was not an option either.
Dylan Davenport was not one to stubbornly persist in a hopeless situation. He turned to Gavin Harrison and Diana Davenport and asked, "Do either of you have any means to guide us through this maze?"
Gavin Harrison hesitated for a moment, then pulled out a compass from his robes. Diana Davenport produced a magnetic needle. Both were magical instruments used for navigation.
However, when they activated them, the compass spun wildly, and the magnetic needle wavered, clearly indicating that these instruments were ineffective within the labyrinth.
Gavin Harrison frowned and said, "The navigational instruments are useless. We'll have to rely on memory and take one step at a time."
Dylan Davenport didn't argue. They continued forward.
As they progressed, the surroundings grew increasingly blood-red, and the air filled with a heavy, Crimson Stench. A sinister aura spread throughout the labyrinth, and everyone's expressions grew more serious.
Just then, Dylan Davenport stopped, his aura darkening as if he was being drawn by something. He said sternly, "Everyone, be on your guard."
As he spoke, the bone walls around them began to tremble. Blood-soaked corpses, their flesh decaying and their faces unrecognizable, emerged from the shadows.
"What... are these things?" everyone exclaimed in alarm.
Dylan Davenport frowned, drawing his sword as he prepared to release a sword aura. Gavin Harrison took out a feather fan, and Diana Davenport held her ice sword. The others also readied their magical instruments.
The blood corpses let out eerie howls, and the air filled with a thick, bloody mist. The battle was about to begin.
The blood corpses, their limbs twisted, emerged from the bone forest and charged at the group. Sword auras, wind blades, and magical instruments flew through the air.
The blood corpses were cut down, their arms and legs severed, but they quickly reformed using the sinister blood on the ground and continued their assault.
The blood on their bodies was foul and corrosive.
The group was forced to fight while retreating.
Some of the blood corpses still wore remnants of monk robes.
Lena Waters, seeing this, shuddered and said, "These are the temple guardians..."
All the temple guardians, except those who died outside the Yasha Hall and were consumed by Mr. Blackwood, were discarded in this bone labyrinth beneath the blood pool and transformed into these monstrous blood corpses.
The number of blood corpses grew, and while they were easy to injure, they did not die and carried the corrupting blood.
This was not a sustainable situation...
Dylan Davenport's expression hardened. "We need to retreat."
The situation was dire, and no one hesitated. They used their magical instruments and spells to fend off the blood corpses and slowly retreated.
The blood corpses' pursuit seemed to have a range. Once they were far enough away, most of them stopped chasing. Only a few, driven by their bloodlust, continued to follow.
The group fought and retreated until they reached a secluded area. The blood corpses finally stopped pursuing them, and they could catch their breath, though they were all exhausted from the prolonged battle.
They had first hunted the monstrous Mr. Blackwood, then engaged in several internal conflicts, and now faced a tidal wave of blood corpses without any rest.
Even with the foundation of a Golden Core, such continuous exertion was draining.
Especially for Diana Davenport.
She practiced ice-based techniques and relied on speed and precision. Prolonged, direct combat was a disadvantage for her. Moreover, she had been affected by Dylan Davenport's Blood Prison Eye Technique, which had left her with lingering mental and spiritual trauma. The recent battle had left her pale and unsteady.
Tyrone Davenport, who had been by her side, asked, "Diana Davenport, are you all right?"
Diana Davenport was about to respond when a sharp pain shot through her mind, as if tormented spirits were wailing and vengeful ghosts were seeking retribution.
She had been gritting her teeth to endure it, but now she could no longer hold on. Her face turned deathly pale, and she swayed, almost losing her balance.
Tyrone Davenport moved to support her, but before he could, Gavin Harrison was already there, catching her arm.
Tyrone Davenport paused, and Gavin Harrison himself looked momentarily stunned.
He had almost instinctively caught Diana Davenport, without even realizing why he did it.
Perhaps it was out of camaraderie as fellow Davenports.
Or perhaps, seeing Tyrone Davenport approach Diana Davenport, a pang of jealousy had struck him.
But now that he had caught her, he didn't let go.
Diana Davenport, feeling the pain in her mind and the sudden support, instinctively tried to push him away. However, the aura felt oddly familiar and not entirely unpleasant.
She regained her senses, opened her eyes slightly, and saw Gavin Harrison standing beside her. Her expression froze, and she forgot to push him away.
Gavin Harrison, noticing her exhaustion, turned to Dylan Davenport and said, "We should find a place to rest."
Dylan Davenport, also feeling drained, nodded. "Agreed."
They chose a relatively safe and defensible bone alley within the labyrinth to rest.
Gavin Harrison supported Diana Davenport as they entered the alley.
Tyrone Davenport's expression remained calm as he passed by them, but his eyes flashed with jealousy as he watched Gavin Harrison and Diana Davenport.
As if something that belonged to him had been touched by another...
Dylan Davenport noticed this but only gave a cold smile, saying nothing.
The bone alley was shaped like a bent corridor, with two dead ends.
Dylan Davenport's and Gavin Harrison's groups each occupied one end, maintaining a wary distance.
Character Name Changes:
Xiao Tianquan -> Little Heaven Spring
Xiao Diansi -> Smiling Tiger (to match the context of the "smiling tiger's Blood Hell Eye Technique")
Mo Hua -> Ink Splendor (a suitable transliteration)
Gu Changhuai -> Ancient Change Wisdom (a suitable transliteration)
Water Yama -> Water Demon (to match the context of "Water Hell" related terms)
Yu Canghai -> Jade Ocean (a suitable transliteration, for Elder Yu Canghai of the Water Hell Sect)
Rewritten Text:
But there were exceptions.
Little Heaven Spring, who shared the same clan as Smiling Tiger, was now with Ancient Change Wisdom.
As for Ink Splendor, who should have been with Ancient Change Wisdom, he was currently "kidnapped" and staying with Smiling Tiger and Water Demon.
Ink Splendor was still "unconscious."
Even during the intense battles with the blood corpses, he didn't wake up.
This made Smiling Tiger's eye technique seem even more formidable.
It also made it appear that Ink Splendor's injuries were severe.
Smiling Tiger was a Golden Core cultivator, and Ink Splendor was just a lowly Foundation Establishment cultivator. It was reasonable that being hit by a Golden Core eye technique would keep him unconscious for a long time.
Thus, while everyone was busy fighting the blood corpses, Ink Splendor felt justified in taking a break.
Ink Splendor was actually not seriously injured.
But he had to admit that this smiling tiger's Blood Hell Eye Technique was indeed powerful.
It even gave him a strong sense of pressure.
However, this pressure wasn't strong enough.
In fact, Ink Splendor thought it was less intimidating than the big white dog that guarded the Grandmaster of the Great Void Sect.
Ink Splendor felt a bit puzzled.
He realized that he might have overestimated Smiling Tiger's eye technique and underestimated the big white dog of the Great Void Sect.
That dog might not be just any ordinary dog.
Smiling Tiger was worse than a dog.
And since he had beaten that big dog, it meant that his eye technique was likely not weaker than Smiling Tiger's.
Ink Splendor felt more confident about the future.
However, these were just his estimates. The actual outcome of a confrontation would need to be tested.
Ink Splendor closed his eyes, calculating in his mind.
Water Demon, however, stared at Ink Splendor's handsome face, getting angrier by the second. He said to Smiling Tiger, "Big Brother, this brat is definitely faking it."
Smiling Tiger ignored him.
Water Demon, with his cold hands, reached out to choke Ink Splendor, wanting to wake him up and humiliate him to vent his anger.
He had suffered at Ink Splendor's hands multiple times and hated him fiercely.
But before he could act, Smiling Tiger's icy gaze fell on him. "Don't touch him!"
Water Demon was confused. "Big Brother..."
"I said, this boy is still useful. Don't touch him until we leave the Dragon King Temple. Don't make me repeat myself," Smiling Tiger said coldly.
Water Demon reluctantly replied, "Yes..."
Smiling Tiger fell silent for a moment, then took out the Water Hell Forbidden Box from his storage bag and tossed it to Water Demon.
Water Demon was taken aback, then overjoyed.
Smiling Tiger said, "You've already cultivated the technique to the fourth level. It's about right. For the next couple of days, do nothing else but use your essence blood to nourish this forbidden box and try to open it..."
Open the forbidden box?!
Ink Splendor, who was "unconscious," felt his heart skip a beat.
Smiling Tiger actually knew the method to open the Water Hell Forbidden Box?
Even Elder Jade Ocean of the Water Hell Sect didn't know...
Ink Splendor inwardly grumbled.
Smiling Tiger knew Water Shadow Step, Water Hell Technique, Blood Hell Eye Technique, and even the method to open the Water Hell Forbidden Box.
He seemed more like the last heir of the Water Hell Sect than Elder Jade Ocean...
And opening the Water Hell Forbidden Box...
Ink Splendor's emotions were in turmoil after Smiling Tiger's sudden words. After a moment, he seemed to realize something and quickly resumed his "unconscious" act.
But it was too late. Smiling Tiger had already noticed his emotional fluctuation.
Smiling Tiger suddenly turned his head, his eyes narrowing as he silently stared at Ink Splendor's face.
Ink Splendor felt a bit embarrassed under his gaze. Thinking everyone was smart, he decided it would be impolite to continue the act. He mumbled, looking haggard as he opened his eyes, his gaze hazy, as if he had just woken up.
Smiling Tiger's eyelid twitched, and he said coolly, "Little brother, you're awake?"
Ink Splendor frowned, pretending to be confused and in pain. "Smiling Tiger... where are we..."
Smiling Tiger's expression was blank. "When did you wake up?"
Seeing him ask, Ink Splendor decided to stop pretending to save his acting skills.
Acting was exhausting.
Ink Splendor said, "I just woke up a moment ago..."
"So," Smiling Tiger's face darkened, "you heard what I said just now?"
"Heard what?" Ink Splendor looked bewildered.
Water Demon immediately wanted to choke Ink Splendor again, his voice full of hate. "Big Brother, this brat is extremely cunning. Keeping him alive is a hidden danger. We should just strangle him now!"
Smiling Tiger said coldly, "I said, don't touch him!"
Ink Splendor nodded quickly, agreeing. "Exactly, exactly. My physical body is very weak. A little force, and I might die, and then I can't be used as a hostage anymore."
Water Demon was so angry he could grind his teeth.
Smiling Tiger's gaze was deep as he scrutinized Ink Splendor, his thoughts racing.
He couldn't kill Ink Splendor right now.
The Bone Labyrinth was full of dangers. Relying on himself alone, a Golden Core cultivator, he might not be able to escape. He needed Ancient Change Wisdom and Little Heaven Spring's help.
Killing Ink Splendor would mean a complete breakdown of relations.
The two sides would fight to the death, and they would all end up dead in this land of bones.
This brat clearly understood the stakes, which was why he was so confident.
However...
Smiling Tiger's gaze sharpened. "My eye technique doesn't seem to affect you much, Young Master?"
"How could it not affect me?" Ink Splendor clearly disagreed. "Smiling Tiger's eye technique is incredibly powerful, far superior to Water Demon's. I just glanced at it and was out for half a day..."
"Then why are you perfectly fine now?" Smiling Tiger asked, frowning.
Logically, even if he had been unconscious for half a day, his soul should have suffered significant damage and left considerable aftereffects.
Ink Splendor thought for a moment and said, "A senior in my sect taught me a meditation technique that can clear my mind and calm my spirit."
To his surprise, Smiling Tiger's eyes widened.
"Meditation technique?!"
(End of Chapter)
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