Chapter 161: Encountering the Kindred Once Again

We were heading back the same way. With hundreds of rock caves here, it was impossible to figure out which one Xu Fu actually intended to enter.

And what on earth was he looking for? Since he didn't even want the sacred artifact, it meant whatever he was searching for must be far more precious than that item!

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

Just as we were about to enter the next cave, a sudden sound of rushing wind echoed from above the magic abyss. Judging by the momentum, it sounded as if something was about to dive down, and the presence it exuded was overwhelmingly fierce.

"Everyone, hide quickly! The newcomers mean no harm—wait, they are hostile!" Xu Fu raised a hand and warned the group. The moment he finished speaking, his figure flickered into a nearby rock cave.

The others followed closely behind him, flashing into the darkness. We all hid within the black hollows, watching the gloom above the abyss to see what unknown entity was about to descend. We couldn't tell if it was a creature of the demon race, or some powerful masters and secluded alien tribes from afar.

"Huh? Wait, this aura... it feels so familiar. It's... it's the Blood Clan!"

My guess was spot on. The newcomers were indeed members of the Blood Clan, though I never expected their leader to be the Ultra Blood Emperor, Macas.

Damn it, what a narrow path for enemies to cross! If a fight broke out here, our side would be at a massive disadvantage. Let's not forget that Macas was an Ultra Blood Emperor, an existence surpassing our Corpse King tier, essentially on par with Jiang Chen.

There were twelve Blood Clansmen in total, making it thirteen including Macas. Aside from His Highness Macas, the other twelve all radiated the aura of quasi-Blood Emperors. If a battle were to erupt right now, I estimated our entire team would be wiped out within ten minutes.

The landing posture of the Blood Clan members was exceptionally graceful. First, they wrapped their entire bodies in their bat-like wings, then plunged downward in a fierce descent, landing on one knee while using their hands to slowly prop up their upper bodies. Finally, they retracted their wings back into their bodies. The entire sequence of movements was clean and decisive.

...

"Your Highness Macas, are you certain the thing you're looking for is in this wretched place?" a silver-haired Westerner asked the leading Macas, his tone filled with utmost respect.

"I believe there is no mistake. This used to be the ruins of gods and demons. According to the records of the Blood Clan's history, after our Three Evil Progenitors were banished from the alternate world, the Three Benevolent Progenitors scattered the seven keys that open the gates of the alternate dimensions across this mortal realm. Four of those keys were scattered in the East. If I am not mistaken, the Blood Clan records indicate that one of the keys fell right here."

Upon hearing this, Macas raised his head to look at the cave entrance, then gazed across the thousands of rock caverns within, unable to help frowning. I figured I could understand his mood at that exact moment!

However, hearing Macas talk like this made me realize how shallow my own knowledge was. I had no idea that entering an alternate space actually required keys. By his logic, wouldn't that mean I would also need to gather all seven of these keys?

Later on, it was Buck who told me the legend concerning these seven keys. He explained that these seven items were not merely locks and keys in the traditional sense, but objects imbued with the immense spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Some of them existed within human bodies, passed down through mortal bloodlines; others existed within ghostly forms, guarded by deities and spirits. In short, these seven keys manifested in the mortal world in various forms.

Buck also mentioned that according to their Kui Ba history, the seven keys were named: "Ultimate Yin Ghost, Reincarnation Stone, World-Grinding Disc, Three-Life Blood, Hundred-Life Tribulation, Helplessness, and Fatal Encounter!"

To be honest, the names were all quite bizarre, especially the last one. Just by hearing the name, you could tell that thing was definitely going to be trouble.

However, I felt like I had just heard a very familiar name. Thinking back carefully, it seemed to be the Ultimate Yin Ghost—the very object that various ninjas had fought over in the past. If I remembered correctly, it was currently in the hands of the Earth Deity!

.......

(Back to reality!)

"Everyone, search separately!"

Could the wise choice Macas had made actually be intended to let them pick us off one by one?

High Dukes weren't the real problem; the issue was that the moment we channeled our supernatural powers, Macas would undoubtedly detect it. Just thinking about it gave me a headache.

Yet, at that moment, a heavily built High Duke was already approaching our direction. With perhaps no other choice left, a ball of pitch-black flame suddenly flared in Xu Fu's hand.

"Hey, stop right there, Alexander!" Macas's roaring voice pulled the High Duke back from his steps, but everything was already too late.

"Wahaha, go to hell!"

With a swift sword-step, Xu Fu rushed forward and slammed the pitch-black flames directly onto Alexander's head. Alexander didn't even have time to let out a scream before dying instantly on the spot, leaving behind only the headless corpse of a giant bat on the ground.

Without another word, the remaining High Dukes swarmed over. Seeing this situation, Xu Fu alone couldn't possibly defeat them all. Exchanging glances with Buck and the old village chief, we decided it was time to make our move!

Besides, Macas was my enemy to begin with, and I had long wanted to get rid of him. Although our current strength was still not enough to defeat him head-on, if the few of us joined forces, we still stood a fighting chance.

Striking with overwhelming force for a fatal blow, the three of us moved simultaneously, and three more dead giant bats instantly hit the ground. Yet, Macas the Ultra Blood Emperor didn't pay them any mind, instead looking at our four-person team with a half-smile.

"Oh, I know you. You're Hu Xiaodong, right?" Macas raised his left hand with fluid elegance, pointing it straight at me.

To be fair, his tall figure truly lacked any ungraceful angles. Aside from his cunning mind, on the outside, he was undeniably a top-tier handsome man.

"Do you know him?" Xu Fu and the old village chief stepped forward to ask me. I could only nod and tell them, "Yes, but he is a despicable person, so everyone must be careful. Also, he is an Ultra Blood Emperor—a very powerful guy!"

"Hehe, Xiaodong, we're old friends by now, aren't we? Am I really that terrible in your eyes? Ah, since it's rare that we meet today, let me give you a wonderful gift!"

"Clap, clap!"

With those words, Macas raised both hands and clapped them near his right ear. Immediately afterward, a High Duke behind him stepped forward and used his supernatural power to project an image onto the cave wall!

It was the village of the old village chief, Chu Tian. Above the village hovered more than a dozen Blood Clan dukes bearing massive bat wings, while down below were all the villagers. Macas was standing right before them, delivering a speech.

The projection was silent, but it seemed they were negotiating something. The villagers clearly refused to submit to Macas, which ultimately brought about a fatal disaster.

Every single member of the village was slaughtered by the Blood Clan. Some had the blood completely drained from their bodies by the blood族 members, and not even the elderly and children were spared from the grim fate.

"Damn you, you beast! I'm going to avenge my fellow villagers. Go to hell!!!"

The scene playing out on the projection incessantly assaulted old village chief Chu Tian's heart. The village he had painstakingly guarded for a thousand years had been entirely wiped out by someone. How could he not be consumed by rage?

In the end, Chu Tian broke free from the restraining hands of the three of us, waving his hands to summon his will and innate talent. He rapidly gathered his supernatural energy and charged madly toward Macas, the power of every single punch multiplying manifold compared to his previous strength.

Damn it, was this the power of wrath? It was too terrifying! His momentum instantly surged by several tiers. Measured by the ranks of corpse fiends, Chu Tian had now reached the absolute peak of a first-generation corpse fiend, hitting the quasi-Jiang Chen level. What the hell kind of crazy development was this!