Volume 1 Volume 7 Chapter 80

Volume 7 Chapter 80: The Eerie Treasure Hunt (11)

As most of the Shura Clan’s attention shifted to the surprise attack by Xuan, Chou, and others, Tian Zhenxian and his brother Tian Zhenling, along with the infiltrators from Tianzuo Camp, were mostly quite successful.

With "Xuanye," who has senses far beyond all living beings, he quietly moved toward the place with the strongest Shura Clan aura. Guided by him, they met with hardly any danger. The Shura Clan members, both in the open and hidden, were detected early. While the Shura Clan members were nervously focusing on the distant battlefield, the excellent teamwork of Tianzuo Camp members took down two hundred Shura Clan members without being noticed at all.

However, being inside the Shura Clan’s stronghold, everyone was extremely cautious, and with the occasional surprise attacks, their speed naturally slowed down.

Thus, when Chou found himself in danger, the Tianyou Camp was almost destroyed in the chaos, and Xuan was gradually at a disadvantage, the Tian family brothers finally arrived at their destination.

The Shura Clan built an enormous black fortress as their base by the volcano, but the location of the "Shura Holy Pearl" was by the side of this black fortress, inside the volcanic crater filled with blazing fire and smoke.

After entering the volcanic crater, they found an incredibly huge black gate on the rolling hot lava, and beside the gate, eight Shura Clan members were constantly patrolling with serious expressions. The view was a bit hazy under the black smoke.

"Squeak… squeak…"

Outside the volcano, "Xuanye" kept whispering to Tian Zhenling with a hint of fear in his voice, as if warning his master not to go on, for there was something terrifying ahead.

Tian Zhenxian and Tian Zhenling exchanged a glance and saw that they both had furrowed brows.

The eight members of the Shura Clan were patrolling independently, appearing to have no pattern. However, if one of them was ambushed, the other seven would certainly notice. Considering the strength of Tianzuo Camp, defeating these eight Shura Clan members wasn’t too difficult, but achieving it quietly was impossible.

Moreover, Xuanye’s warning suggested that there was something inside that black giant door that they could not resist.

After the two brothers furrowed their brows in thought for a moment, they both nodded, as if they had come up with an idea.

"Can you silently kill a few Shura Clan members at the same time?"

Tian Zhenxian asked a Tianzuo Camp cultivator beside him.

This Tianzuo Camp cultivator also frowned like the Tian family brothers. After a moment of thought, he replied, "These eight Shura Clan members are all from the new generation of Shura warriors and are among the elite. The strongest one is roughly equivalent to a human golden core cultivator. We can at most kill five at the same time, and that would be very risky."

Tian Zhenling nodded and said, "Okay, let’s make a plan. Under my command, you will not harm any of the people, and the three who are left will be dealt with by us brothers."

Upon hearing Tian Zhenling’s words, the Tianzuo Camp cultivators were stunned. Even though the Tian family brothers had not shown any mistakes along the way, they had not displayed anything remarkable either. At this moment, when six or seven Tianzuo Camp cultivators could only take down one Shura Clan member, how could the Tian family brothers handle three at the same time?

You must know that this requires silently and instantly defeating them! How could the Tian family brothers be so strong? It was hard to see.

Seeing the confusion in the hearts of the Tianzuo Camp cultivators, Tian Zhenxian explained, "We have a secret method to control them, rather than to kill."

Hearing what Tian Zhenxian said, the Tianzuo Camp cultivators felt relieved. As disciples of Xu Qingfan, they knew they could not treat them as ordinary Real Golden Core Stage cultivators.

Next, everyone assigned their targets and then quietly waited for the command from the Tian family brothers.

Meanwhile, the Tian family brothers calmly observed the scene inside the volcano, showing no signs of impatience, quietly waiting for something.

Inside the volcano, eight Shura warriors continued to patrol along the walls, blissfully unaware of the danger approaching.

When three Shura Clan members accidentally gathered together during their patrol, Tian Zhenling suddenly shouted, "Strike!"

Suddenly, more than thirty Tianzuo Camp cultivators transformed into white smoke, gathering in groups of six or seven, quickly rushing towards those Shura Clan people.

The Tian family brothers remained hidden inside the "Wangliang," not moving, seeming to rush towards the three overlapping Shura Clan figures.

The first to attack were the Tian family brothers; suddenly, a wave of energy surrounded the three overlapping Shura Clan figures, and then they disappeared, completely enveloped by the "Wangliang."

Seeing this strange turn of events, the other five Shura Clan members were greatly surprised. Just as they were about to do something, a thick white mist surrounded them, filled with poisonous vapors that seeped into their bodies through their openings. At the same time, two or three Tianzuo Camp cultivators suddenly appeared, raising their "Qixia Swords" to stab into them.

Instantly, a chilling aura emanated from the bodies of these Shura Clan members. In a moment, thick dark ice sealed them. As the white mist entered their bodies, these Shura Clan members were subdued; the poison infiltrated their bones, their organs were damaged, and with dark ice sealing them, even with the Shura Clan’s strong healing abilities, they would be unable to move for a long time.

All of this happened in an instant, and during their attack, their presence was only revealed for a brief moment and was very subtle.

After completing all of this, all the Tianzuo Camp cultivators immediately rushed to the location of the Tian family brothers. Although the Tian family brothers were very confident, those Tianzuo Camp cultivators still felt extremely uneasy about these two Island Masters who seemed to be good at nothing but arguing.

However, when these Tianzuo Camp cultivators arrived more than ten yards away from the three missing Shura Clan members, they felt as if they had entered a curtain of water; the scenery before them changed dramatically. The missing three Shura Clan members and the Tian family brothers appeared before their eyes, having already entered the body of the "Wangliang."

Inside the "Wangliang," one Shura Clan member was already dead on one side, with his neck turned into a skeleton. That "Xuanye," which seemed to only have sharp senses, was still nibbling on the corpse of the Shura Clan member, making Tianzuo Camp cultivators suddenly remember that this cute creature resembling a little mouse, besides its sharp senses, also had remarkable speed and powerful teeth.

Though Xuanye’s performance surprised them, what truly astonished them was the Tian brothers’ performance, or rather the cultivation method they were using.

The Tian brothers held hands, while their other hand pressed against the chest of a Shura warrior. The two Shura Clan members they touched had expressions of pain and were unable to move. Their mouths were wide open, as if they wanted to scream, but no sound came out.

Strangely, the bodies of these two cultivators alternated between withering and becoming plump, aging and rejuvenating, while blood constantly seeped from their seven orifices.

"Formula of Life and Death!"

Seeing this scene, the Tianzuo Camp cultivators gasped in surprise. As elite cultivators from the Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands, they knew well the unique skill that their Island Master had become famous for, but they had not expected it to be practiced by the unremarkable Tian brothers.

Among Xu Qingfan’s seven disciples, Ting’er, Bai Yu, Zhang Ningmei, and Chou were all exceptionally gifted, but their strong individual traits led Xu Qingfan to teach them differently. Ting’er had his magical fire, Bai Yu could transform, and Zhang Ningmei used mental attacks. Chou was even more unique, as it was difficult to ask them to give up their own advantages to learn Xu Qingfan’s cultivation method. Although it would not be a complete waste of effort, it would squander their natural talents. The sixth disciple, Shen Gang, lacked unique traits and qualifications. Xu Qingfan had created the Formula of Life and Death and wanted to pass it on to the Tian brothers, who had weaker qualifications but greater potential.

However, unlike Xu Qingfan, who cultivated both life and death energies, the Tian brothers each focused on one. This meant they avoided the harm and threats that arise from conflicting energies when cultivated to a certain level. Because they were linked by blood and had a deep connection, they practiced together and merged their energies, avoiding the physical mutations from focusing solely on life energy or the injuries from focusing solely on death energy. By specializing in one path, their cultivation speed increased.

In this respect, the two brothers were Xu Qingfan’s true direct successors.

However, previously, when they became Xu Qingfan’s disciples, they already had the strength of the Fake Golden Core Stage. Over the years, they dedicated themselves to practicing the Formula of Wither and Flourish, converting their Spirit Qi into the two energies of Wither and Flourish, and slowly absorbing life and death energies to enhance their Spirit Qi. As a result, they had made the slowest progress among Xu Qingfan’s seven disciples. Even Shen Gang, who had the weakest qualifications and was the last to be accepted as a disciple, had quietly begun to surpass them in strength over these years.

However, after the two completed their basic training, their future training speed would surely increase greatly. Even now, under their combined attack, very few in the entire Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands could defeat them.

The secret technique that the Tian family brothers were using at this moment was similar to Xu Qingfan’s "Cycle of Life and Death" and "Life and Death Finger," and Xu Qingfan called it the "Life and Death Grinder." When they worked together, the two types of life and death energy blended together, invading their opponent’s body while sealing them to immobilize them, and they could also continuously damage the opponent’s body with the life and death energy.

Seeing this scene and remembering the two’s spirit pets—one good at defense and stealth, and the other good at attack and tracking—the Tianzuo Campcultivator couldn’t help but sigh. Even if Xu Qingfan’s seven disciples seemed useless, none should be underestimated.

"Why are you still dazed? These two Shura Clan members have good talent. We could trade them for many valuable things with Zhang Xusheng in the future. Do we really have to force us brothers to kill them? Hurry and capture them!"

Upon seeing the Tianzuo Campcultivator only staring blankly after arriving, Tian Zhenxian spoke urgently.

Hearing Tian Zhenxian’s words, the Tianzuo Campcultivators came to their senses, turned into smoke, trapped them in fog, and used the "Qixia Sword" to create mysterious ice to seal them. Meanwhile, the various functions within the two Shura Clan members had already been destroyed by the life and death energies of the Tian family brothers.

Only at this moment did the Tian family brothers let out a sigh, sorrowfully looking at the Shura Clan member who was devoured alive by "Xuanye." They had promised Zhang Xusheng that they would capture two hundred Shura Clan members this time; the extra ones would be traded for various rare materials, and losing one would mean a loss of at least several thousand spirit stones in the future.

They took out two "Spirit Sealing Talismans" to completely seal the two Shura Clan members, then controlled the "Wraith" to keep moving, sealing the other five Shura Clan members one by one into that bottle.

After doing all of this, the only obstacle between the Shura Clan members and the Tian family brothers seemed to be that huge black door.

At least, on the surface, it seems to be so.

"This door seems to have some kind of warning that says we must not enter. What should we do?"

Tian Zhenxian asked.

"Aren’t there those things on Chou’s body? Silly."

Tian Zhenling scoffed.

"Those things? You use them. I think they are gross…"

When the Tian family brothers truly approached the huge black door, "Xuanye" kept making mouse-like squeaking sounds, extremely anxious, as if there was something very dangerous inside the black door. However, the Tian family brothers only tried to comfort it. Although their expressions were serious, knowing that "Xuanye" would not be alarmed without reason, they still appeared unconcerned.

No matter what danger there was, some things they had to do.

However, the Tian family brothers and all the Tianzuo Camp cultivators took out a half-rotten wooden mask and wore it over their faces.

…

At the same time, inside the large black door, a skilled warrior from the Shura Clan sat calmly on a high platform. His presence was strong, comparable to that of a great master among humans. He was the only elder from the old generation of the Shura Clan who had not gone out.

His previously closed eyes opened when the Tian family brothers and the Tianzuo Camp cultivators made their move, revealing two strange green lights that shone within them, fixated only on the distant black door.

The Shura Clan is known for its fierce and battle-loving nature. They can become angry and may even kill. However, this skilled warrior from the Shura Clan remained extraordinarily calm, much like the Grand Elder Asura or the Grand Elder Great Brahma of the past, showing no signs of madness. His gaze flickered slightly, but what he was thinking remained a mystery.

In fact, this person was born in the "Aishura tribe" within the Shura Clan, just like Asura.

"Ai" in the language of the Shura Clan means "very close," similar to "A," bringing them very close to being Shura, which means they are not Shura.

The "Shura Statue" in Feng Qingtian’s hands, used to spread the phoenix bloodline to others and strengthen the Feng family’s power, was originally made by the Shura Clan to spread their bloodline and increase their number and strength.

Therefore, whether it is Asura or this Shura Clan member, they were originally part of humanity tens of thousands of years ago. Only through the assimilation of the "Shura Statue" did they acquire the bloodline of the Shura Clan, being called the "Aishura tribe."

However, the Aishura tribe was created by the Shura Clan to resist the growing opposing forces of humanity, spirit race, sea race, and others. After creating the Aishura tribe, they discovered that these Aishura were unreliable, both in strength and loyalty. Thus, the "Shura Statue" became something of little use.

Later, Great Brahma gave them to Eight Wilderness Hall, which was then stolen by Feng Qingtian. After Eight Wilderness Hall used the "Shura Statue," even though Great Brahma had very little Shura blood, the Eight Wilderness Hall cultivators had weaker Shura blood compared to the Aishura tribe from years ago. In some ways, the cultivators of Eight Wilderness Hall who caused great disaster had become like the Aishura tribe and were quickly wiped out by the Righteous Alliance.

However, although the Aishura tribe had been abandoned by the Shura Clan, there were still a few special beings, specifically the few Aishura tribe members who were created at the beginning.

Because they were originally created as part of an experiment, when they were assimilated and transformed by the "Shura Statue," they consumed hundreds of times more Shura blood than ordinary Aishura tribe members. Their bloodline and strength were even stronger than those of ordinary Shura Clan members, and due to the misunderstandings and attitudes that humans had towards them when the Aishura tribe first appeared, they forged a deep hatred towards humans and became fiercely loyal to the Shura Clan from that point on.

For thousands of years, these few remaining Aishura tribe members have considered themselves part of the Shura Clan, and the Shura Clan has already accepted them. They serve as the intelligence advisors of the Shura Clan and are a force not to be ignored in battle. Among them, Asura has even become the Grand Elder of the Shura Clan.

For example, Asura used his familiarity with humans to plan countless schemes to destroy them, and the hunting plan of the "Azure Crystal Treasure House" was one of them.

Because of this, these Aishura tribe members are even more dangerous to humans, as they show no mercy and are stronger than most of the Shura Clan, possessing more wisdom and understanding of patience than the majority of Shura Clan members.

And this Aishura tribe member, after a moment of flickering eyes, suddenly sneered, hiding his figure. Behind him, on a high platform, a glowing blue pearl sparkled eerily and dazzlingly; it was the legendary "Shura Holy Pearl!"

…

Outside the black giant door, after a brief argument, the Tian family brothers finally decided that Tian Zhenling would perform what he had mentioned about the "things on Chou."

With a look of disgust, Tian Zhenling took out a pouch from his sleeve, a faintly transparent pouch filled with a thick green liquid.

This pouch was made from the skin of Chou, and the green liquid inside was his blood.

The two could never forget the day when, under Xu Qingfan’s arrangement, Chou suddenly found them. He calmly removed a large piece of skin from his own body to make the pouch and collected a lot of his blood, then handed it to them.

Chou’s blood, which had been modified, was already extremely corrosive, and with the addition of a large amount of death energy, its ability to corrode was even stronger. It had amazing effects against certain sealed barriers, but because it was so corrosive, only Chou’s own skin could hold it.

This was also the reason why the two felt so uneasy; this thing was indeed useful but too disgusting, especially since they had witnessed its creation process with their own eyes.

Tian Zhenling tried to stretch his arms, keeping the pouch as far away from his body as possible. Then he opened the pouch and used a secret technique, causing the green liquid inside to turn into thick mist that moved towards the black giant door.

As the green mist touched the black giant door, it began to dissolve silently under the powerful corrosive effect, eventually disappearing entirely, while the countless sealed barriers on the door did not activate at all.

After the black giant door melted away, what lay before everyone was a dark, hollow entrance, with nothing visible inside.

"Let’s go in. Although most of the strong experts here should have been lured away by the previous designs, there might still be some powerful ones inside. Everyone, be careful."

With Tian Zhenxian’s soft whispers, the "monsters" enveloped the Tian family brothers, while the Tianzuo Camp cultivator transformed into mist, moving deeper into the black hole.

The black entrance was deep and seemed to have no end. Everyone moved carefully, and although there were no obstacles in sight, it still took them a long time to pass through the tunnel and reach the end of the dark cave.

The mountain path turned sharply, and suddenly everything was clear, but the sight before them made everyone gasp in surprise.

Before them was a vast space covering over a hundred acres. Inside the cave were countless growths that looked like tumors, each the size of a person, hanging all around the cave, densely packed with tens of thousands, stretching as far as the eye could see. Thick, colorful slime dripped from the growths onto the ground, building up to several feet deep, the different colors of slime mixed together and wriggled disturbingly, making them feel nauseated.

"What are these growths?"

Tian Zhenxian asked softly.

"How would I know? Maybe they are unique decorations of the Shura Clan? Who knows, perhaps they just like these kinds of designs…"

Tian Zhenling replied. Although "Xuanye" had felt fear before, upon entering the cave, they had not encountered any skilled fighters, not even a single ordinary Shura Clan member. Feeling a bit relieved, the brothers also felt an unexplainable tension rising in their hearts.

As the two brothers ventured deeper, they arrived at a rough yet imposing altar, where they finally understood what these disgusting growths were.

On top of the altar, there was a blue pearl the size of a fist, glowing with a blue light that illuminated the dark space around it, strange and mysterious. Surrounding the altar was a vast pool of blood, within which countless bodies of Shura Clan people floated continuously, cruel and bloody, making anyone who saw it feel terrified.

The blue light constantly shone on the pool of blood, and after a while, the bodies of the Shura Clan suddenly burst apart, sending forth numerous clouds of blood that gradually condensed into the fleshy lumps seen before. The lumps sprouted tentacles that connected with various parts of the mountain wall, hanging in the air.

Upon seeing this scene, the Tian family brothers looked at each other in shock.

"Is that the ‘Shura Holy Pearl’? The Shura Clan actually lays eggs?"

"Those fleshy lumps… are they the eggs of the Shura Clan? There are… so many?"

Imagining the scene of tens of thousands of those lumps turning into tens of thousands of Shura Clan people attacking the Human Alliance in the future, both brothers felt a chill in their eyes.

"Place all your ‘Thunderbolt Pills’ around those fleshy lumps and blow them up! We’ll both go for the ‘Shura Holy Pearl’!"

Tian Zhenxian used a secret method to command the Tianzuo Camp cultivator, while he and Tian Zhenling slowly approached the "Shura Holy Pearl" on the altar.

Flying over the pool of blood, as they came closer to the "Shura Holy Pearl," just when Tian Zhenling took out a green jade box to prepare to collect the "Shura Holy Pearl," a sudden change occurred!