Chapter 215
Translator: JL Editor: CakeHermit
Shi Xueman was caught in a tough battle.
The nine-trace blood cat’s speed was as fast as lightning. Shi Xueman barely managed to keep up by giving it her all. Furthermore, the nine-trace blood cat’s agility also far surpassed hers. If not for the constant changes in [Hydromancy], she would have been in an even worse predicament.
The nine-trace blood cat was different from the other opponents she’d met before. It was nimbler and smarter. Cirrus was unable to play a big role here.
She had to increase the speed at which she used her spear.
Having gone through generations of developments, [Hydromancy] was currently a wide-ranging and profound training system. Each family’s absolute art was not formed in a day, but instead consisted of countless years of hard work by the family members.
The Shi Family still kept with the ancient tradition of being regulated by the clan elders. The numerous clan elders from each generation were commanded by the oldest clan elder. The clan elders usually pay no attention to the affairs of the world, neither do they participate in family affairs. Instead, their sole mission was to constantly develop the absolute arts. They had different specialities. Using the family’s resources, they made use of their gifts and dedicated their entire lifetimes to nurturing [Hydromancy].
The accumulation of knowledge throughout the generations caused [Hydromancy] to constantly expand. It was like a deep-rooted tree with many branches. Some branches that might look unremarkable would actually be a clan elder’s lifetime’s creation.
The spear move that Shi Xueman was using was called [Cloud Whale]. It was created by an clan elder who roamed around the world three hundred years ago. It was not the best amongst all the moved in [Hydromancy], but it was her favorite and she had thrown herself into it. It was also because of this that her father had hunted down a humpback cloud whale to create Cirrus for her.
[Cloud Whale] was not known for being lithe and graceful. Shi Xueman experienced a strain when she met with the nine-trace blood cat.
Before today, she would have definitely been at a loss when meeting with such a formidable opponent. Now, she had slowly learned to battle. While she was unable to come up with a counter attack, she did not panic. Instead, she gave her all and tried her best to contend against the nine-trace blood cat.
At that moment, she heard a loud bang.
The sudden explosion of air surging and hissing shocked everyone present.
Not just her, the sudden sound caused even the nine-trace blood cat to jolt in shock. Shi Xueman witnessed a stunning scene. There was a crack that resembled an over fifty-meter diameter circular cobweb. From a bird’s eye view, it looked like a blossoming flower.
In the centre of the blossoming flower was a youth holding a long sword guarding against the teeth of the nine-trace blood lizard. The diffusion of air waves blew around a huge amount of grey dust, like a retreating grey wave.
Shi Xueman stood blankly for a moment. Just from that explosion of strength, she could determine how terrifying the nine-trace blood lizard’s attack was; however, Ai Hui had managed to block it off. Ai Hui’s figure was puny and his shirt was tattered and unclean. He looked like a mess, yet, his small figure stood upright. This was a scene that stirred their hearts and brought many to astonishment.
This chap… Hadn’t he failed finishing the Eight Palaces Completion?
How had he managed to block that attack?
This chap…
Unlike Shi Xueman, Duanmu Huanghun was situated at a better location and witnessed the entire process. After the surge of air had swept away, he saw the upright Ai Hui and the nine-trace blood lizard which was unable to move even an inch. It was as if Duanmu Huanghun had just gulped some strong spirits.
His handsome face became flushed as if he were drunk.
A sense of excitement and an intent to battle that was hard to put into words led to an uncontrollable tremble. Every inch of his skin was burning up. The raging inferno lit up the wasteland.
His blood was raging under that strong inferno. His heart was churning with the strong intent to battle. He wanted to look up into the sky and blow a long whistle.
His fists were tightly clenched and his nails turned white from the pressure. His trembling was like an electric current spreading throughout his whole body. He strongly restrained himself.
Because this was a magnificent performance by Ai Hui and not him, Duanmu Huanghun.
In that moment, his long, narrow eyes glinted with a strange yet frantic ray. Unconsciously, he licked his pale lips. This was a battle that he was looking forward to. This was the glory that he had been waiting for.
He narrowed his eyes and rushed towards the nine-trace blood fox.
Fatty’s loud howls were as if a wolf had bitten him on his rear.
Jiang Wei was the first to react. Releasing an arrow from his bow, he screamed and ran towards the nine-trace blood lizard.
Only then, did the others start to react.
Holding on to the Golden Silk Longbow, Sang Zhijun placed four sharp arrows close together. A ray of light flashed past her eyes. The four arrows swiftly blended into one and became a brilliant ray of light.
The nine-trace blood lizard was in a pathetic state. Its force had been met with force and it had received a tremendous impact. While it was still in a state of bewilderment, it was met with countless of attacks and was placed in a dangerous and difficult situation.
Furthermore, as the red glow surrounding its body had dispersed, all these attacks landed solidly on its body.
The rays immediately swallowed up the nine-trace blood lizard. It started to tremble violently and its disintegrated scales spattered around.
As Ai Hui was in close proximity to the nine-trace blood lizard, everyone withheld their attacks for fear of affecting Ai Hui. Nevertheless, the waves of attacks inflicted serious damage on the nine-trace blood lizard. Its scales were all over the place and its body was badly mangled. Black smoke was rising in spirals. It took the most hits on its abdomen, where there was now a thumb-sized hole out of which blood was flowing out. Sang Zhijun and Jiang Wei’s masterpiece. Jiang Wei’s arrow had cut open the nine-trace blood lizard’s scales and Sang Zhijun’s Arrow Fusion Technique had landed on the exact same spot, piercing through the nine-trace blood lizard’s abdomen.
The nine-trace blood lizard displayed extraordinary vitality. Even though it looked battered and exhausted, it didn’t look any less threatening. Its initially cold eyes had now become scarlet red. Its eyes contained a fury that caused heart palpitations.
It gave a loud snarl. Not only did it not retreat, it brazenly tore at Ai Hui. The densely packed teeth sent chills through the people watching. The teeth were like huge metal shears and the thick neck contained a formidable brute force. Even before the nine-trace blood lizard had gone through the blood transformation, it had easily bitten a bison to death. The bison’s huge body had been snapped in half by the lizard’s teeth.
Now it was even stronger and its teeth was sharper and harder. Even if there was a thick steel bar blocking its way, it could still break it effortlessly.
It looked like the nine-trace blood lizard was going to bite Ai Hui. Ai Hui moved.
He was so fast, his movements were a blur. The nine-trace blood lizard’s vision blurred and a violent pain exploded in its mouth. Its tongue was like a blood ball that burst into a bloody mist. Blood started to immediately flow out of its mouth, which had become filled with the taste of fresh blood. It was the taste of its own blood.
It had never before experienced such intense pain. It retreated. The pain controlled the blood-traced lizard’s movements. It tumbled around on the floor to relief the pain, but to no avail. Fresh blood continued to flow out through the gaps in its remaining teeth. Its head constantly knocked on the floor. The floor quaked and stones shattered and flew.
Sang Zhijun and the rest reacted much faster this time. Different forms of attacks were thrown towards the nine-trace blood lizard. Many arrows and rays of light enveloped the blood-traced lizard in a split instant.
Without any restraints, the people threw in all their might and attacked like crazy.
They did not dare to stop and they did not bother to conserve their elemental energy. If they did not grasp hold of this opportunity, any future attack from the nine-trace blood lizard could very well cause many deaths and casualties.
Facing such a blood-traced fiend, they were not in a position to conserve their elemental energy. The fact that they could act with their elemental energy was already a good outcome.
Only after they had expended all their elemental energy and poured it onto the nine-trace blood lizard, did they stop their attacks.
Everyone was panting for breath.
The nine-trace blood lizard laid motionless and everyone exhaled in unison.
This round of attacks was fatal to the nine-trace blood lizard. No matter how strong its will to live was, it could not bear those crazy attacks from all over the place.
The poor nine-trace blood lizard did not have a single piece of intact flesh on its body.
"It should be dead by now?" Fatty asked apprehensively.
The yellow ray in Lou Lan’s eyes flickered. "Yes, it is dead."
Fatty gave a long exhale. After a moment, he asked anxiously, "Is Ai Hui alright?"
Lou Lan tilted his head. "Ai Hui is in a strange condition. Lou Lan is also unable to differentiate, however, he has no injuries. Let’s not disturb Ai Hui. He needs to break away from that state of mind by himself."
"As long as he is not injured." Fatty’s gaze relaxed. Thinking back to his pathetic state, he pleaded, "Lou Lan, do not tell Ai Hui I fled."
"Why not?" Lou Lan widened his eyes. "Fatty was very brave."
"It is no use being brave." Fatty’s face was filled with grief and indignance. Could being brave reduce the amount of training? No!
If Ai Hui found out about this, what would await him would be countless training assignments.
The current training assignments that Ai Hui designed could cause Fatty to whine for days. Thinking back, life was better in the Wilderness. Ai Hui did not know then what training was. Otherwise, he definitely would not have had a chance to leave the Wilderness.
Not as a result of being eaten up by the dire beasts; instead, he would have worked to death doing Ai Hui’s training.
Looking at his fat, Fatty was filled with grief and indignation. He has lost weight from all the training.
"Was the blood crystal destroyed by us?" Sang Zhijun asked worriedly. The blood crystal was even more important than money.
"Nope, just hand it over to Lou Lan!" Lou Lan said happily and confidently. He transformed into a sandstorm and rushed toward the mangled nine-trace blood lizard. The sandstorm wrapped around the blood-traced lizard and the flesh was quickly stripped off to expose the white bones.
The sandstorm rotated constantly until only shattered bones remain.
The sandstorm returned to everyone and transformed back into Lou Lan.
Ding, ding, ding.
A melodious chime could be heard. Lou Lan was holding a few more blood crystals. After checking, he happily announced, "These blood crystals’ quality is even better than before!"
The students cheered in unison.
Soon enough, their gazes fell on the remaining two who were still in the midst of battle.
Fatty stared for a moment before slapping his thigh and shouting, "Hey! Lure the monster over and let Ai Hui kill it!"
Sang Zhijun and the rest of the students’ eyes brightened. Fatty’s idea was good. Given Ai Hui’s puppet-like state, no matter what rushed towards him, he would kill it without a second thought. Shi Xueman and Duanmu Huanghun only needed to guard at the side. They could strike when the opportunity arises and it would be easier for them to gain victory.
Fatty’s shout immediately triggered the two’s anger.
Shi Xueman looked on coldly. To get help from that scoundrel? My goodness.
The craze in Duanmu Huanghun’s eyes became stronger. To be defeated by Ai Hui? Dream on.
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Translator: YH Editor: X
"Did they really find out how to use the blood crystals?"
The dean found it hard to believe what he had just heard. The researchers in the mayor’s residence were all teachers, yet they had been unable to discover anything. It was not particularly shocking to hear that students were able to discover things faster than the teachers, but the speed at which the A-1 unit had accomplished this was no mean feat.
"It’s been tested," Wang Zhen stated. "It’s effective."
Wang Zhen was taken aback when he first heard about it as well. He had not expected much when Ai Hui informed him that they wished to study the blood crystals.
"Since they don’t have an officially designated researcher, the accomplishment will be considered as a group effort. Ai Hui and his core members will receive 400 Heaven Merit Points each, while the ordinary members will receive 100 Heaven Merit Points each. In addition, all members of their unit can each choose one inheritance."
When announcing the A-1 unit’s rewards, Wang Zhen felt a little envious. Troubled times were indeed the best times to accumulate merit and accomplishments. It was hard to imagine the meritorious service required to earn 400 Heaven Merit Points during peacetime.
But this contribution was indeed worthy of such a reward.
Compared to the last time they were given a reward, the service rendered by the A-1 unit this time was much more impressive. Discovering the blood crystal’s uses had far-reaching implications for not just battle, but also for the blood disaster as a whole. 400 Heaven Merit Points alone were honestly not a sufficient reward for such an enormous contribution. Under the present circumstances however, the higher ups probably could not award anything better. Although, Wang Zhen believed that the higher ranked authorities were beginning to keep an eye on Ai Hui and the others.
They would have bright futures if they managed to survive this disaster.
"The higher authorities have also requested for me to present them with suitable rewards." Wang Zhen laughed bitterly. "How can there be anything good left? The supplies and items that we still have are not exactly useful. I guess we’ll just have to reward them with more blood crystals."
"Such an amazing group of youths," the dean commented solemnly. Thinking about their discovery, he soon perked up and said, "It’s great that the blood crystals can provide such large benefits though."
"Indeed!" Wang Zhen nodded. "All those mercenary people out there will put their best efforts into hunting the blood-traced fiends once they find out about the blood crystal’s uses. The higher ups have already released an announcement informing everyone that blood crystals can be exchanged for Heaven Merit Points."
The blood crystals’ immense value would change many things.
"How’re the golden needles coming along?" the dean asked, deeply concerned. "This is the real key to victory."
"It’s not progressing very well," Wang Zhen replied truthfully, his face racked with worry. "We lack a lot of the materials required, especially since a lot of the stores have been reduced to rubble. Thus, we have to dig through the ruins to find the relevant materials. The number of blood-traced fiends within the city has increased, impeding our progress."
"Ah, we need to hurry though." The dean sighed. "I wonder why the reinforcements aren’t here yet. We’re really running out of time."
All Wang Zhen could offer in reply was an awkward laugh.
Deep within the blood forest, a resting Tian Kuan was rudely awoken by the activity in the sky.
He shook his head, attributing the commotion to two blood birds fighting. Blood birds were sadly out of his reach.
Tian Kuan had yet to fully recover from his injuries. That fellow from the Infantry Division had sacrificed his two arms to cause massive damage to Tian Kuan. Luckily for Tian Kuan, the fight had taken place in this blood forest that was full of blood-traced fiends. Otherwise, his injuries would have been much worse.
After devouring more than 20 nine-trace blood fiends, Tian Kuan had only managed to replenish half of his blood spiritual force. Nine-trace blood fiends were more capable of conscious thoughts, resulting in the emergence of territorial awareness and corresponding behaviours. As such, they were more spread out, and Tian Kuan had to travel longer distances between fiends.
He was unable to tap into blood refinement before completely recovering.
He regretted not learning the beast coercion spells. He would have been able to amass a huge number of nine-trace blood fiends by now if he had learned it, which would make for a really easy recovery meal.
The others must have progressed far ahead of him by now.
A huge explosion rang out in the sky, followed by brilliant flares which lit up the sky and immense fluctuations of elemental energy. Tian Kuan was startled by the display that signalled the presence of elementalists.
Elementalists who still dared to venture this deep into the blood forest were definitely not to be belittled. If it was a group, they would most likely be a particular division’s elites. If it was an individual, then it would be someone that Tian Kuan could not afford to provoke.
He noiselessly leaped up a tree, hiding behind its lush cover to survey the skies.
Tian Kuan was gobsmacked when he saw the figure fighting in the air.
He immediately recognized that the lanky elementalist was Yu Mingqiu, the vice division leader of the Deathgrass Division. Seeing this big-name target stirred him up. The contribution he’d make if he took down a vice division leader…
Tian Kuan eyes flashed with greed and aggression, but he quickly calmed down.
Even at full strength, he might not be able to handle Yu Mingqiu. With his present injuries, this was definitely not the right moment to strike.
Tian Kuan’s ominous gaze was locked onto Yu Mingqiu’s opponent, who he recognized as Situ Zhong, the apostle that Tian Kuan disliked the most. Situ Zhong was treacherous, cunning, and merciless. He was someone that could not be trusted at all.
Situ Zhong’s black robes fluttered in the wind, making him look like a large bat flitting through the sky. Tian Kuan knew that the blood-red patterns embroidered on Situ Zhong’s huge sleeves were his trump card.
Situ Zhong was a sly one. He hid among the blood birds, moving about erratically.
Countless blood birds completely surrounded Yu Mingqiu like a cloud made up of blood rather than water vapor.
Tian Kuan was shocked by Yu Mingqiu’s sudden display of power.
More than 100 green arrows of light burst forth without warning, piercing through the blood-red cloud in all directions. Situ Zhong’s face turned pale and he began to flee. Tian Kuan shivered in fear as he watched the wretched-looking Situ Zhong escape, his black robes riddled with small holes.
Tian Kuan hid behind the tree trunk, afraid to even breathe too loudly. It was only after the two figures disappeared from his view that he cautiously re-emerged.
That was too scary!
Was that the strength of a vice division leader? No wonder their superiors did not want them to engage in direct combat with elementalists that were equal or above this level. They had instead proposed to lure the stronger elementalists deep into the blood forest and ambush them with an army of blood fiends.
He calmed his nerves, shifting his focus once again to his recovery. The scene that he had just witnessed made him realize that his original plan would not work. Even if he managed to complete the next phase of his blood refinement, he still would not be able to handle someone as strong as Yu Mingqiu.
He needed someone to aid him.
The beast coercion spells provided the easiest means of creating unquestioningly obedient allies, but he had not learned them. Tian Kuan was an obstinate man, but he was no fool.
A flash of inspiration hit him.
He started to move after thinking through his new idea.
Jade Embroidery Workshop.
Mingxiu stood guard outside her master’s door. She reported softly, "Junior has rendered great service again and was awarded 400 Heaven Merit Points."
Her eyes revealed a hint of sadness. She had initially been unable to understand or accept her master’s decision. Having been with her master for so long, however, Mingxiu knew her well enough to know when she had firmly made up her mind.
Han Yuqin’s cold, emotionless voice came from behind the door, "Your junior is better than you in that aspect."
Mingxiu cheerily replied, "Junior has naturally become stronger than me."
After a moment of silence, Han Yuqin slowly asked, "How’s Shouchuan? Be honest."
Mingxiu was caught off guard and bit her lower lip before she could bring herself to answer, "He’s aged quite a bit."
Han Yuqin heaved a heavy sigh. She kept silent for a long while before speaking again, "Don’t let your junior know."
Mingxiu’s tender disposition took another blow as the sadness in her eyes deepened. Looking down, she said, "That’s what he instructed as well."
Han Yuqin laughed softly before falling silent again.
The elementalist in charge of delivering the mayor’s reward had a weird expression when he delivered it to the A-1 unit’s current location.
At one spot, Ai Hui was standing motionless like a wooden puppet. Anyone who went near Ai Hui would be swiftly attacked by him.
Duanmu Huanghun decided to give it a try and moved toward Ai Hui. He was almost stabbed in the throat.
Bangwan was frightened stiff. His recent gains in strength had helped him to narrowly escape dangerous situation after dangerous situation. Nearly being stabbed in the throat, however, drenched his back with sweat. The lofty thoughts that he had after beating the nine-trace blood fox were all but gone.
After Classmate Bangwan’s demonstration, the rest of the students consciously made sure that they kept their distance from Ai Hui.
"Is he experiencing spontaneous enlightenment?"
"That’s right," Shi Xueman replied, throwing up her hands in frustration. "There’s nothing we can do."
"I understand!" The elementalist nodded. He looked at the three blood-traced beast corpses on the floor that were still warm and realized just how strong the A-1 unit was.
Everyone in the unit had become numb to receiving Heaven Merit Points. To these students, rewards that could not be cashed in immediately were not of much use. Nobody knew if they would still be around by the time they could actually use these points.
However, the inheritances and blood crystals that were offered brought on cheers from the students.
These two things were what they really needed.
Shi Xueman promptly shut down all intentions to immediately pick out an inheritance. She pointed toward Ai Hui and explained, "We’ll wait for him to wake up first."
The students who were prepared to rush forward and claim their rewards stopped dead in their tracks. Nobody moved up to choose an inheritance.
Classmate Bangwan could not stand it any longer. He snorted, "I’m not waiting for him since I have no need for an inheritance."
Right after he spoke, Duanmu Huanghun walked over to a corner and began to train by himself.
The elementalist from the mayor’s residence who came to deliver the rewards was taken aback by the amount of respect that Ai Hui commanded from the rest.
It was an impressive achievement considering that this was a loosely-formed group.
"No problem. You have until midnight to pick out an inheritance from the mayor’s residence," informed the elementalist before he left.
Seeing the elementalist leave, Shi Xueman asked Lou Lan, "Lou Lan, how many blood crystals do we have now?"
"26 of them," Lou Lan answered. "We have 10 lower quality blood crystals that were given as a reward and 16 of higher quality that were obtained from the nine-trace blood fiends."
Shi Xueman thought of the sword thrust that almost pierced Duanmu Huanghun’s throat.
Was Ai Hui not a little too stalwart?
Wait a minute, it would be a waste not to make use of his current state…
She thought about how she and Bangwan had spent so much effort killing blood fiends. Oh, I’m also starting to call him Bangwan..
Shi Xueman’s eyes twinkled as she thought of a brilliant plan.
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