Chapter 230: Deadly Thunder Bomb, Stealing from the Tiger's Mouth
Deep within the forest, a squad of elite soldiers followed closely behind the man in the fiery red robe. Although the group was small, consisting of only twenty to thirty individuals, each one possessed immense strength, with the weakest being a high-level Da Dou Shi.
"Huo Zong, did you anticipate that I would strike?" Gao Lie's face turned extremely dark as he realized that his ambush plan had been leaked after seeing the sudden appearance of the Liehuo Sect's forces.
"Hmph, Gao Lie, your ambitions are known to all. But if you think you can take food from the mouth of the Liehuo Sect, you'd better ask me first if I agree!" The man in the red robe snorted coldly. A surge of immense fire-attribute energy erupted from within him, heating the surrounding air.
As Huo Zong's aura soared, the soldiers of the Liehuo Sect drew their weapons, releasing a murderous intent that soared into the sky, showcasing their elite nature.
Seeing this, the Savage Beast Sect wasn't about to back down. One after another, fierce auras erupted from their members, and the atmosphere on the battlefield became tense, like a drawn sword ready to strike.
"Then today, I'll see just how much you've mastered the Xuan Tian Inferno Art, Huo Zong!" Seeing Huo Zong's stance, Gao Lie knew that there was no way this would end peacefully. Besides, he was determined to obtain the Shapeshifting Pill, and no unexpected developments would change that.
"Kill them and take back the Shapeshifting Pill!" Gao Lie roared, his eyes flashing with a vicious glint. He unleashed a powerful wave of Dou Qi that sent leaves and debris flying, showcasing the might of a high-level Dou Wang.
At his command, nearly twenty Savage Beast Sect experts drew their weapons, their Dou Qi surging as terrifying energy circulated around them like a rampaging beast. They then charged at the red-robed warriors with immense force.
"Liehuo Sect, give these Savage Beast Sect dogs a taste of our fury!" Huo Zong, his body enveloped in flames, waved his hand as he issued his command.
At his order, the Liehuo Sect soldiers drew their weapons, emitting an aura no less formidable than that of the Savage Beast Sect, and charged towards their opponents.
Two torrents of black and red clashed violently in the center of the road. A wave of energy rippled out from the point of contact, spreading like a tsunami.
The Savage Beast Sect warriors, with vicious expressions, struck with bloodthirsty intent, their blows silent yet deadly. The Liehuo Sect fighters, with grim faces, channeled their Dou Qi to the limit, their weapons slicing through the air with a sharp hiss as they aimed for the vital points of the Savage Beast Sect warriors.
Both sides were composed of formidable warriors, trained and experienced in battle. The clash was intense, with no grand sounds but the deadly struggle for life, punctuated only by the occasional muffled sound of weapons piercing flesh, followed by spurts of blood.
As the two sects engaged in a brutal melee, Gao Lie and Huo Zong finally clashed.
Though both had exchanged harsh words before the battle, they were extremely cautious when they actually began fighting. As long-time rivals, Gao Lie and Huo Zong were well aware of each other's strength and harbored deep caution in their hearts.
As the two fought, the battlefield around them cleared, creating a vast no-man's-land. Even Dou Ling-level experts knew that stepping into this zone would mean being caught in the deadly crossfire between the two and suffering severe injuries.
At this moment, Huo Zong's expression was cold. He wielded a sword made of flames, and each time the curved blade twisted in an eerie arc, it left a bloody gash and a spray of blood on Gao Ba's body.
Yet Gao Ba seemed completely unfazed by the injuries, his powerful physique seemingly allowing him to ignore the damage entirely.
"What a domineering technique, that Savage Flame Beast Body Art. It's worthy of being a high-level Xuan-class technique. Gao Lie, your strength has improved considerably," Huo Zong said coldly as he fought.
"Your Xuan Tian Inferno Art isn't bad either. In time, you might even earn a spot on the Black Ranking. Unfortunately, you won't live to see that day!" Gao Lie replied, his voice brimming with confidence. His attacks forced Huo Zong to retreat repeatedly, though the small frown on his face whenever the flaming sword cut him showed that he wasn't as invincible as he appeared.
"Hmph, if I could get my hands on the pure bloodline of a sixth-tier magic beast, my Savage Flame Beast Body Art would rival a Di-class technique. Then, I'll wipe out the Liehuo Sect completely!" Gao Lie thought to himself as he fought, feeling frustrated by how troublesome Huo Zong was proving to be.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Gao Lie glanced down at the battlefield.
By now, the road was littered with bodies, including those of both Liehuo Sect and Savage Beast Sect members.
Seeing the casualties among his forces, Gao Ba couldn't help but feel a pang of pain in his heart. These were the elite of the Savage Beast Sect, and if they suffered heavy losses, it would take ten years to recover. But there was no time to dwell on it. If they could seize the Shapeshifting Pill, it would all be worth it.
With this thought, Gao Lie looked towards his son, Gao Ba.
Noticing his father's gaze, Gao Ba casually killed a Liehuo Sect Da Dou Shi, then glanced up at his father. Seeing the meaningful look in his eyes, Gao Ba sneered and nodded.
"Oh? It seems the Liehuo Sect has something else up its sleeve," Mo Yu, who had been observing the battle from the sidelines, raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm, the Savage Beast Sect wouldn't have dared to attack the Liehuo Sect without a plan. Even if the Liehuo Sect was prepared, the Savage Beast Sect likely has more tricks up their sleeve," Snake Uncle commented.
"That Liehuo Sect elder may only be a Dou Ling, but he's always guarded by two other Dou Ling experts. If we make a move, it will definitely draw the attention of Gao Lie and Huo Zong, which could be troublesome."
Mo Yu's gaze swept over the battlefield below, where the Liehuo Sect elder was wielding a flaming saber, slicing a Savage Beast Sect expert in half. The two elderly men by his side never left his side, staying within a meter of him at all times.
"Don't be in a hurry to snatch the Shapeshifting Pill. If you act too soon, you'll attract the firepower of both sects, which could be troublesome. Even for me, dealing with two near-Dou Huang experts at once would be challenging. And because of the Soul Palace's involvement, I can't lend you my soul power as recklessly as before. From now on, you'll need to be more cautious when facing strong opponents," Snake Uncle warned, his tone filled with caution.
Mo Yu nodded slightly, sighing inwardly. He knew all too well how terrifying the Soul Palace was. If they attracted the attention of the Soul Palace, even obtaining the Shapeshifting Pill would not be worth the cost.
So, he would have to wait patiently for the right opportunity.
As Mo Yu was lost in thought, the situation on the battlefield suddenly shifted, catching his attention.
He saw Gao Ba push back a Liehuo Sect expert before taking a few steps back. A sinister grin spread across his face as he lightly brushed his hand over his storage ring. Suddenly, a terrifying black thunderbolt, radiating a deadly and poisonous aura, appeared in his hand.
Seeing the thunderbolt, Mo Yu's face changed drastically as he exclaimed in shock, "Dark Yin Venom Thunder!"
The familiar aura was unmistakable—it was the Dark Yin Venom Thunder, ranked eighth on the Mysterious Thunder List, which Mo Yu had brought from another continent!
"Wait, this isn't the original Xuan Yin Venom Thunder, but rather a secondary thunderbolt. And mixed within it is the terrifying E-rank venom... Xiao Yixian, she..."
Mo Yu frowned slightly as memories flooded back. After leaving Wu Tan City, he had ventured into the Magic Beast Mountain Range and met Xiao Yixian. Through a series of adventures and mutual understanding, he discovered that the appearance of the Xuan Yin Venom Thunder was closely linked to the E-rank Venom Body. As a result, Mo Yu entrusted the Xuan Thunder's source to Xiao Yixian, hoping that her E-rank Venom Body would help the Xuan Yin Venom Thunder grow.
Since then, Mo Yu had lost contact with Xiao Yixian. They hadn't communicated at all, so encountering a secondary thunderbolt from the Xuan Yin Venom Thunder today made Mo Yu's brow furrow. Could it be that something had happened to Xiao Yixian?
Shaking his head, Mo Yu dismissed this thought, considering Xiao Yixian's growth path in the original story. He continued to observe the scene below.
At this moment, with the appearance of the Xuan Yin Venom secondary thunderbolt, the faces of the Liehuo Sect members changed drastically. The evil and venomous aura surrounding the black lightning, combined with the ominous stillness of the E-rank Venom Body, sent chills down their spines.
"Hahaha, this thunderbolt is a super poison we purchased from the recently famous Heavenly Poison Woman in the Cloud Empire. It cost us five million to acquire it! Not only does this thunderbolt have the terrifying power to poison anything it touches, but it also carries the deadly E-rank venom from the Heavenly Poison Woman's own E-rank Venom Body. You could say that this small thunderbolt is like a miniature E-rank Venom Body eruption. Just imagine the power it holds!" Gao Ba boasted with a sinister smile.
As soon as he finished speaking, the members of the Liehuo Sect stopped fighting, their faces turning pale as they exchanged worried glances. They had heard of the E-rank Venom Body's fearsome reputation, even if they had never encountered it directly. Every eruption of the E-rank Venom Body caused catastrophic damage, leaving nothing but scorched earth in its wake, obliterating all life, plant or animal.
The thought of the black thunderbolt possessing even a fraction of that power was terrifying. If it unleashed its venomous force, it could decimate everything in its path, leaving no survivors.
Mo Yu, upon hearing this explanation, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Heavenly Poison Woman... Xiao Yixian has made a name for herself so quickly, it seems." It appeared that entrusting the Xuan Yin Venom Thunder to Xiao Yixian had greatly aided her growth.
Mo Yu wasn't left empty-handed either. Judging by the appearance of the Xuan Yin Venom secondary thunderbolt, the original had likely reached maturity, just one step away from its peak form.
What surprised Mo Yu even more was that Xiao Yixian had managed to combine the Xuan Yin Venom Thunder with her E-rank Venom Body to create a mini Venom Thunder Bomb, which she was now selling. One such bomb fetched five million gold coins—an amount comparable to a fifth-tier pill or weapon. It was both amusing and impressive.
"Kid, this black thunderbolt is extremely venomous, but it carries a familiar aura, similar to your Xuan Thunder. It seems to be connected to you somehow," Snake Uncle remarked, sensing something off.
Mo Yu didn't hide anything and slowly recounted his experiences in the Magic Beast Mountain Range and his relationship with Xiao Yixian.
"Oh? The Xuan Yin Venom Thunder and the E-rank Venom Body... Kid, you're quite the strategist, using the E-rank Venom Body to help your Xuan Thunder grow. However, those who possess the E-rank Venom Body throughout history have been known for their cunning and untrustworthiness. If Xiao Yixian grows stronger, she might covet the Xuan Yin Venom Thunder. Who knows what could happen then..."
"Don't worry, Snake Uncle. I trust Xiao Yixian..." Mo Yu smiled faintly, not offering further explanation. He had memories from the original story and knew Xiao Yixian's character well, so he was confident in her.
Even if Xiao Yixian did betray him, as the master of the Xuan Thunder, he had his own means of counteracting it.
Seeing Mo Yu's calm demeanor, Snake Uncle, knowing his nature, didn't press the matter further. He understood that Mo Yu had his own methods and plans.
"Gao Lie, using such a despicable method—are you trying to drag us all down with you?!" Huo Zong's expression darkened as he witnessed the change in the situation. The power of a mini E-rank Venom Body eruption was something even he feared. His anger boiled over, and he shouted furiously.
"Hahaha, your Liehuo Sect members may die, but my Savage Beast Sect may not. Gao Ba, what are you waiting for? Get it done!" Gao Lie laughed, quickly retrieving a potent, aromatic pill from his storage ring and swallowing it.
Not just Gao Lie—Gao Ba and the other Savage Beast Sect members also took out identical pills from their storage rings and consumed them.
"High-grade antidote pills? So you were prepared all along... Damn you, Savage Beast Sect! This isn't over between us!" Seeing this, Huo Zong realized that the Savage Beast Sect had planned for this from the start. High-grade antidote pills were fourth-tier medicinal pills, and for every Savage Beast Sect member to have one meant they had paid a great price.
"Liehuo Sect disciples and elders, retreat immediately!" Huo Zong ordered, finally showing fear. The Liehuo Sect didn't have high-grade antidote pills on hand—only regular ones. If they were caught in the eruption of the Venom Thunder Bomb, they would be helpless lambs to the slaughter.
"Hahaha, too late! Liehuo Sect, take this!" Gao Ba sneered, his face twisted with malice as he hurled the black Venom Thunder Bomb towards the Liehuo Sect.
With a crackling sound, a terrifying surge of venomous gas erupted from the thunderbolt, spreading out like a whirlwind.
The deadly venomous aura instantly turned the surrounding forest into a poisonous wasteland, killing all life within its range in seconds.
Even the Liehuo Sect members, caught in the venom's grip, were in agony as the toxin spread through their bodies, rendering them nearly powerless.
Huo Zong, the leader of the Liehuo Sect, looked grim, struggling to suppress the venom within him, not daring to relax for a moment.
"Hahaha! In the end, my Savage Beast Sect has won!" Gao Lie laughed heartily at the sight of the Liehuo Sect's suffering. His joy was indescribable as he saw the Shapeshifting Pill within reach.
"Father, allow me to personally retrieve the Shapeshifting Pill," Gao Ba said with a smile.
"Go ahead," Gao Lie replied. With the Liehuo Sect incapacitated by the venom, he wasn't worried about any unexpected surprises.
Gao Ba cracked his knuckles with a series of popping sounds, his face twisted in a cruel grin as he approached the Liehuo Sect elder. With a vicious punch, he smashed the elder's head, sending blood and brains splattering everywhere.
Seeing this, the Liehuo Sect members were furious, but the more their anger flared, the more the venom spread within them.
Gao Ba sneered and took the storage ring from the dead elder's finger. After rummaging through it for a moment, his face lit up with undisguised joy as he pulled out a red pill radiating an extraordinary aura.
"Hahaha, the Shapeshifting Pill is finally in the hands of my Savage Beast Sect!" Gao Ba laughed maniacally as he held up the pill.
But just as he was laughing triumphantly, a sudden surge of spatial energy appeared out of nowhere, and the red pill vanished, landing instead in a slender hand.
"Heh, thanks for your hard work, Gao Ba. But I think it's better if I hold on to this," a voice echoed from a withered tree. A figure in a black robe had appeared, holding the red pill in his hand, which glinted faintly in the sunlight.
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