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墨書 Inktalez
Human Sacrifice
The volcano trembled, and lava flowed like a river.
The crowd below scattered in all directions. Even though they were all members of the Daoist Sect, being burned by lava would still mean certain death.
Just as everyone was about to escape the Medicinal Valley, a barrier suddenly rose around it. Those who had just entered the depths, seeing the crowd fleeing in panic, turned back in confusion, only to be thrown back by a barrier that appeared behind them.
"What’s happening? Why has a barrier suddenly appeared?" someone shouted in terror.
A barrier is one of the most advanced formations in Daoist magic, usually activated to protect a sacred place or when a great calamity befalls the mountain gate.
The formation consumes an immense amount of energy, gathering Spirit Energy from the surrounding mountains and rivers, and requires multiple people to set it up simultaneously. The deepest part of Herb Valley concealed Holy Medicine, yet there was still a barrier; no one knew how this barrier had come to be.
One characteristic of the barrier is that those outside cannot leave, and those inside cannot escape.
The crowd stopped in their tracks, huddling together, bewildered by the sudden turn of events.
At that moment, the volcano ceased its eruption. After a brief silence, a thunderous roar echoed through the air.
A massive serpentine creature emerged from the volcano's mouth, its chains broken. It breathed fire, its body scorched by molten rock, leaving multiple wounds that emitted black smoke.
"That's the Coiling Dragon!" someone exclaimed. "It’s the only dragon left in the world!"
According to both Daoist records and folk tales, dragons are among the most powerful beings on earth. They do not have wings but can summon clouds and rain at will, looking down upon all living things. There are many types of dragons; in ancient legends, one dragon was summoned by an emperor to fly into his palace but refused to go to the realm. This dragon is known as the Coiling Dragon.
In architecture throughout history, whether on stone pillars or tablets, any carving depicting a soaring dragon is an image of the Coiling Dragon.
This Coiling Dragon resembled the legendary dragon but was not identical. Its head did not resemble that of a horse and bore no horns; instead, it had two fins resembling cobra hoods beneath its head. Although its body was less than one percent of that of Futu Ridge or Snake Goddess, it was still at least a hundred meters long. Who had ever seen such a colossal creature?
The most critical moment arrived as the Coiling Dragon emerged, letting out a roar that echoed like a dragon's chant. Thunder rumbled in the sky, and the clouds rolled ominously.
"Could it really be a dragon?" I murmured to myself, unable to believe it. At that moment, I stood behind the crowd, my face concealed by a mask of black and white.
The Coiling Dragon slithered out of the volcano, appearing unable to fly. Its body twisted and writhed in agony, flames spewing from its eyes, glowing red as blood.
The nearest disciples were quickly caught by the Coiling Dragon and swallowed whole. After devouring several disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect, the flames on its body diminished slightly. Although the gaping wounds on its surface showed no signs of healing, the billowing black smoke emanating from them lessened.
Raising its massive dragon head, the Coiling Dragon gazed at the gathered disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect. It let out a roar but did not charge; instead, it suddenly turned to look towards the distant Mountain Valley.
Everyone turned their heads to see several elderly figures standing atop the Mountain Valley.
Their attire was distinctive, especially that of the leader in the center, clad in bright red armor that exuded an imposing presence. The armor was adorned with golden serpent totems—he was none other than the Leader of the Serpent Cult.
Six months prior, at the foot of Yaowang Mountain, Elder Si Tu Nan of the Serpent Cult had led a group of disciples to hunt me and Douding down. Douding perished, and in my frenzy, I unleashed the power of the Book of Life and Death within me. The force from the Book allowed me to tap into terrifying strength in my rage, slaughtering hundreds of Disciples of the Serpent Cult and nearly killing Si Tu Nan. However, Si Tu Nan summoned the Dao Body of the God Serpent Cult Leader using paper figures, which shattered my power with a single strike. Even though I was utterly exhausted at that time, I could sense that even in my prime, I would not have been his match.
Now that I had finally stepped into the Entrance to the Dao and opened my Qi Sea, looking at the God Serpent Cult Leader revealed just how terrifying he truly was. The fluctuations of Dao Qi emanating from him were unfathomably strong, like tangible waves that made it impossible to gauge his true strength.
Upon seeing the God Serpent Cult Leader, the Coiling Dragon charged forward violently, scattering grass and trees along its path as birds and beasts fled in terror.
"Leader," an elder beside the God Serpent Cult Leader asked with concern. "This beast is ultimately not a true Coiling Dragon; after being confined for so many years, it remains wild and untamed."
"That's fine," replied the Serpent Cult Leader coldly, his expression unchanging as he watched the approaching Coiling Dragon.
The Coiling Dragon opened its massive jaws and lunged at those standing on the banks of Mountain Valley. With a loud crash, it collided with a barrier and was thrown off balance; the barrier shook violently, shimmering with light as it produced a tremendous echo.
The Coiling Dragon flipped over and charged again towards the God Serpent Cult Leader. The barrier tore open a gap as sparks flew from its head, igniting everything in its path.
Even when it was injured, it remained undeterred, suddenly whipping its tail to strike the barrier, attempting to break through. Anger shone in its eyes as it roared, as if it held a deep-seated grudge against the God Serpent Cult Leader.
"Leader, if we don't subdue it soon, the barrier may be destroyed," another elder with white hair said.
The God Serpent Cult Leader chuckled softly and looked down at the Coiling Dragon. "After all these years, you still remember me. However, the one who sealed you back then was not me. Now the Ancestor Sect wishes to see you, and in your current state, he will not be pleased."
Hearing the words of the Serpent Cult Leader only fueled Coiling Dragon's rage further, and it charged towards the crack in the barrier once more. Suddenly, the God Serpent Cult Leader pulled out a palm-sized round orb from his robe. Upon seeing the orb in his hand, Coiling Dragon trembled; its fin-like hood quivered as well. It curled up and emitted a whimpering sound.
"I am returning your Dragon Pill to you now," said the Serpent Cult Leader. "The Ancestor Sect's intention is merely to facilitate your transformation; it is not meant to torment you."
With that, the Serpent Cult Leader tossed the Dragon Pill towards Coiling Dragon. The pill hesitated momentarily upon contact with the barrier before falling directly towards Coiling Dragon.
Coiling Dragon swallowed the Dragon Pill whole, and its pupils appeared in its eyes, becoming clearer.
Soon, thunder rumbled atop the mountain as Coiling Dragon's wounds rapidly healed after consuming the Dragon Pill. Black smoke dissipated while white smoke billowed forth. In no time at all, a layer of fur began to grow on Coiling Dragon's body, with scales faintly visible among the fur. Its four dragon legs appeared underdeveloped, resembling mere fleshy lumps.
The God Serpent Cult Leader sighed and said, "Even with this gathering of Earth Fire energy, it has not fully transformed. That is why the Ancestor Sect devised a plan using the Dragon's Essence Flower to summon those from the Daoist Sect. Now that members of Azure Cloud Sect have entered as disciples of Yang Sanqian, they are just enough in number—your offerings for a living sacrifice to compensate for your years of imprisonment."
This scene was eerily reminiscent of six hundred years ago when Ming Dynasty troops slaughtered Three Thousand Young Boys and Girls in the Forbidden Area of Pagoda Ridge to perform a living sacrifice for a colossal White Snake. The White Snake absorbed the power of the Dragon Vein and became what is now known as the Snake Goddess, still lying dormant in the wilderness.
Today, however, members of the Serpent Cult sought to massacre Yang Sanqian's disciples from Azure Cloud Sect to perform a living sacrifice for this half-dragon, half-snake Panlong Remnant.
Coiling Dragon glided close to the ground towards the crowd upon hearing the God Serpent Cult Leader's words.
"Who are you? Why do you wish to slaughter us? Do you know we are from Azure Cloud Sect?" Ma Yuan shouted with Dao Qi enhancing his voice.
The God Serpent Cult Leader turned to Ma Yuan and replied, "Azure Cloud Sect? I've heard of it; you claim to be the foremost sect beneath the Five Great Supremes. In reality, it's just that."
"I have no enmity with you. If the Sect Leader finds out, he will definitely annihilate you completely," Ma Yuan said angrily.
The God Serpent Cult Leader did not respond at all, seemingly ignoring the situation. Many disciples shouted curses, and as Coiling Dragon charged forward, Ma Yuan declared, "Azure Cloud Sword Formation! I refuse to believe that a few thousand people can't take down a beast!"
All the Azure Cloud Disciples drew their swords, spreading out to form a massive Sword Formation. Ma Yuan took an Iron Sword from another disciple, leaping into the air to strike at Coiling Dragon's head.
Seeing the tiny humans attacking like ants, Coiling Dragon did not dodge at all. Ma Yuan's sword struck its head, sparks flying as the Iron Sword became dull.
Coiling Dragon suddenly opened its mouth and breathed fire. Ma Yuan was taken aback and quickly formed a hand seal, chanting, "Paper Crane Divine Technique, life-saving talisman!"
To everyone’s eyes, Ma Yuan in mid-air was scorched by the flames. However, amidst the firelight, another figure descended. Ma Yuan landed safely but looked extremely pale, blood spilling from his mouth.
"Brother, how are you? Let me go!" Wang Xing shouted, ready to attack, but was stopped by Ma Yuan. Stealthily, Ma Yuan slipped a Dragon's Essence Flower into Wang Xing's embrace and said, "This beast is beyond our current realm to confront. Do not signal for Master unless the Sect Leader or an Elder comes personally; otherwise, even Master won't be enough."
The Azure Cloud Disciples' Sword Formation crumbled under Coiling Dragon's sweeping tail. It opened its mouth and devoured Azure Cloud Disciples whole; in an instant, nearly a hundred disciples were consumed.
At that moment, Xiao Yan, who had been holding back, suddenly bent his arms. Countless vines around him coiled toward Coiling Dragon like raging serpents. At the same time, Game Master Liang Yu joined in; he reached for the river in the depths of the land. The river surged and roared as two massive torrents rushed toward Coiling Dragon.
In an instant, the vines and torrents wrapped around Coiling Dragon, halting its movements.
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