Chapter 579: Chapter 578: Joining the Ranks, The Great Battle
Inside a strictly-guarded room, a six-foot square pool had been formed. The water in the pool was blood-colored, and bubbles on the surface were constantly frothing, as if boiling.
Shi Xiaole, Xin Zhuliu, and another top Lord, were all brutally thrown into the blood pool.
"Ah!"
The face of the top Lord twisted with pain, his veins protruding on his face. Just as he tried to stand up, he was pushed back by the laughing Devil Path experts. He fought back, splashing large amounts of water.
"Dare to waste the Demon Liquid, you’re asking for death."
A Devil Path expert harshly slapped the man across the face. His front teeth were shattered, and he finally quietened down.
Xin Zhuliu closed his eyes, his eyelids were trembling.
Shi Xiaole, however, remained expressionless, but his fists under the water were clenched tightly.
It’s hot!
Intensely hot!
The water in the pool was at least 100 degrees Celsius; no ordinary person could survive. Even the three of them, who had undergone body tempering could feel unbearable pain under this condition where their powers were sealed.
Besides, Shi Xiaole discovered that there was a force in the Demon Bone pool, unceasingly drilling into his pores. Some of it entered his spine and some into his mind.
The part of the force that entered his spine ignited the reaction of the Demon Bone. It slightly shuddered, and with a bang, this force was brutally expelled and could no longer enter.
The part of the force that entered his mind appeared to have a confusing effect. However, Shi Xiaole’s spirit was incredibly strong and unshakeable, hence this bit of force that was like light rain didn’t work.
However, had it been someone else, they might have completely lost their sanity, becoming puppets controlled by others over years and months. Shi Xiaole vaguely understood the so-called Demon Bone plan.
"Prisoners should be prepared to be prisoners. From now on, all of us are one of our own, so enjoy..."
Several Devil Path experts stood around, smirking.
These so-called Righteous Path experts, who were disdainful of joining hands with the Devil Path, what happened in the end? Weren’t they still going to become the Saintess’ personal soldiers, even more pitiful than themselves!
Day by day passed.
In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.
Apart from Shi Xiaole, Xin Zhuliu and the other top Lord had already fallen into deep unconsciousness and in a daze.
Through the footsteps, Shi Xiaole judged that the several Devil Path experts guarding them had retreated outside the room. He didn’t dare to open his eyes as another set of footsteps sounded.
The person paused for a moment and then silently left, leaving only the faint scent of her fragrance.
It was Ren Mengzhen!
"She dripped a drop of blood into the Demon Bone pool just now. What is she doing?"
The images fed back by his spiritual power left Shi Xiaole somewhat restless. He checked himself repeatedly, even sensing the Demon Bone pool several times, but found nothing unusual.
"Shi Xiaole, are you ready?"
A voice suddenly echoed in his ears. It was Xin Zhuliu.
"Have you woken up?"
The antidote Ji Morou had given that was incorporated into his blood, required a deep stimulation from the Demon Bone pool to take effect.
"I had a very long dream. I almost didn’t wake up. Unfortunately, the witch is so cunning. We must find a way to find the others and wake them up."
Although Xin Zhuliu was not a chivalrous swordsman, he had, after all, sworn an oath to Ji Morou, and didn’t dare to violate it.
Soon after, the several Devil Path experts who were guarding them walked in again. One of them touched the blood water of the Demon Bone pool and laughed, "The medicine has almost taken effect. These three should have become Demon Bone soldiers. However, the Saintess has ordered that they should not be let out."
Xin Zhuliu and the other top Lord were shocked.
Damn it, if they weren’t let out, how would they save other people? The witch was too hateful!
Shi Xiaole was not surprised by this outcome, or rather, he had some understanding of Ren Mengzhen, knowing that she was difficult and scary.
From now on, it all depended on Ji Morou’s arrangements.
In this way, a few more days passed.
Shi Xiaole’s Illusion True Intent had finally increased to 80%. At this moment, he wasn’t even sure how powerful his mental attack was, and he would have to find a test object to know.
While Shi Xiaole was enjoying himself, Xin Zhuliu, and the other top Lord were suffering every day.
The effect of the antidote was time-limited, but the people of the Dreamy Sect kept adding substances into the Demon Bone pool. Due to the decrease of their antidote effect and the increase of the pool’s influence, Xin Zhuliu and the other Lord began to feel like they were going into a coma again, and if they fell into a coma this time, they would indeed become Demon Bone soldiers.
"Shi Xiaole, are you still alive?"
Xin Zhuliu anxiously sent a message.
"So, does Lord Xin have any emergency?"
Shi Xiaole asked.
"An emergency your head! Our asses are on fire, and you’re still so calm?"
Xin Zhuliu responded irritably, "I’ve discussed with Lord Tianhe, and we’re going to make a move in a day. Do you want to join us?"
Shi Xiaole’s strength was not to be underestimated, just a bit weaker than him. With his help, the odds of the three of them escaping would undoubtedly increase, although it was still slim.
But it was still better than becoming Demon Bone soldiers who were puppets.
"Why bother, Lord Xin, soaking in the hot spring every day is so comfortable."
Shi Xiaole’s words made Xin Zhuliu want to slap him, but he was a smart man, and an idea popped into his head. He laughed and said, "Hahaha, Young Hero Shi really is young and handsome, but even if the beauty gave you more antidotes, you wouldn’t be able to hold on for long."
What does he mean?
Shi Xiaole quickly understood. It seems that this old fellow thought that Ji Morou had given him special treatment, so he had given him more antidote?
"Lord Xin, how about this: if you join my Wuling Villa, I’ll help you to remove the influences of the Demon Bone pool. How does that sound?"
"Hehe, you dare to covet my Great Lethal Star. You’re thinking too much."
Shi Xiaole said no more, ignoring Xin Zhuliu’s attempts to communicate as if he hadn’t heard a word.
At this, Xin Zhuliu grew anxious.
If they could temporarily avoid the effects of the drug, no one would want to risk their lives, especially when it could mean death. However, Shi Xiaole’s indifferent attitude clearly signified that he wouldn’t back down.
"Kid, aren’t you afraid I’ll reveal your condition?"
Xin Zhuliu threatened, gnashing his teeth.
"You’re welcome to try."
Shi Xiaole responded nonchalantly.
He wasn’t afraid of Xin Zhuliu’s threats as the worst case scenario for joining his Wuling Villa was losing his freedom. If he exposed himself, he would either die or become a Demon Bone dead soldier. Even a fool would make the smarter choice.
In fact, Shi Xiaole had set his sights on Xin Zhuliu early on.
Considering Qi’s exceptional talent in Shuntian Capital at under forty years old, despite having no affiliations, it was unimaginable. If given enough resources, he would not lag behind Tian State’s geniuses!
Such talents were rare opportunities. If Shi Xiaole didn’t seize them wisely now, he would be the fool!
"Scoundrel!"
Xin Zhuliu felt like cursing out loud.
What Shi Xiaole didn’t know was that Ji Morou had also proposed to recruit Xin Zhuliu during their private meeting, but was sternly rejected.
In his mind, no amount of power or resources could compare to a life of freedom and joy. Although he wanted to increase his power and breakthrough to the Divine Barrier Realm, if it came at the cost of his freedom, he would rather give up.
Xin Zhuliu was such a stubborn man. He would rather risk everything to obtain the means to level up through trading than follow Ji Morou obediently.
Who would have thought he would now be blackmailed by Shi Xiaole? If he had known, he would have agreed to Ji Morou’s proposal!
"Hmph, if I die, so be it. Xin will never submit to anyone else."
"Young Hero Xin, you’ve misunderstood. I intend to make you the head of Wuling Villa. Let’s say... three years. After that, if you want to leave, I won’t stop you. To trade three years of freedom for a life, or to die nobly, the choice is yours."
Xin Zhuliu didn’t respond. It seemed as if he had given up.
Shi Xiaole wasn’t in a hurry, willing to wait whether or not he would agree.
By the next afternoon, Xin Zhuliu’s senses were growing hazy. Finally, he begrudgingly said, "Master Shi, your patience is admirable. Fine! Employ whatever means you have to save me. If you can help me, I’d be willing to lead the Villa for three years."
As soon as he finished speaking, two invisible blades rushed into his mind. With two swift strokes, the medication lingering on the surface of his mental sea, which was difficult to remove, was cut in half.
"Your mental power..."
Xin Zhuliu was shocked.
He finally understood the source of Shi Xiaole’s genius. With such mental power, it was no wonder he had such a quick understanding.
Having saved Xin Zhuliu, Shi Xiaole naturally wouldn’t leave Tianhe Lord behind and easily resolved his issue as well.
In fact, even if Xin Zhuliu hadn’t agreed to his terms in the end, he would have chosen to act anyway. It was all a bet.
The three of them soaked in the Demon Bone Pool, quietly waiting for an opportunity. Finally, a deafening explosion was heard from the outside with a wild aura of the Array System released.
"Damn, the people from Pudu Peak are attacking again!"
"Kill!"
The shouts and sounds of fighting reached their ears.
The Devil Path masters guarding the room looked at each other. One of them said, "Without the orders of the Saintess, we cannot act rashly. The Saintess will handle everything."
Whoosh.
A tall and masculine body suddenly stood from the Demon Bone Pool.
"What are you doing? Go back!"
One of the men tried to send Shi Xiaole back with a push. However, halfway through, his hand was crushed into powder, and his entire body turned to ashes.
The others wanted to shout, but their bodies also disintegrated and turned into ashes in the blink of an eye.
"Kid, you planning to break out?"
Xin Zhuliu and Tianhe Lord also emerged from the Demon Bone Pool. Xin Zhuliu was the one who asked the question.
"Now is our only chance."
Shi Xiaole pushed open the door and darted out. By the time he reached the battlefield ahead, he was dressed in a fresh green robe. The Hidden Edge Sword had been confiscated, so he pulled out another lower grade spiritual sword from his system space.
The high-level masters from both sides were fiercely fighting each other.
Ji Morou had brought even more skilled fighters this time. Although the fighters at the same level as Xin Zhuliu were the same three as last time, the number of other top Lords had nearly doubled.
However, Ren Mengzhen was also prepared and released the Demon Bone dead soldiers, who, in collaboration with the Devil Path masters, were ruthlessly targeting the Righteous Path.
"Kid, don’t just stand there, help!"
When they saw Shi Xiaole, a bald swordsman with one eye from the Devil Path side shouted. He was the same man who had captured Shi Xiaole before and knew that he had turned into a Demon Bone Dead Soldier. Although his power was not as strong as theirs, he should not be underestimated.
Shi Xiaole disregarded him and instead killed six Devil Path Lords nearby with one stroke of his sword.
"Huh?"
In their standoff, Ji Morou and Ren Mengzhen turned their attention to him, both taken aback.
"You bastard, dare to cause trouble?"
The bald swordsman’s eyebrows shot up. He had just repelled the three top Lords of the Righteous Path facing him and immediately turned to attack Shi Xiaole.
