Amidst the blazing heat, a giant tree slowly toppled to the ground with a bang, and sparks of fire splashed everywhere.
The spider leader made a shrilling hiss that pierced their eardrums.
This was its territory, its home and now it was being burned to the ground. What it saw before its eyes made it furious.
Unlike regular spiders, it did not fear the flames and its spiderwebs had a qualitative change that made it resistant to fire.
With the main culprits in front of it, it was going to throw all its anger at them!
It did not worry about Zi Di as she was already trapped in the spiderwebs and only had a black iron level aura.
It's only concern was Zhen Jin.
This teenagerâs auraâthe spider could not sense it.1
The spider leaderâs killing intent was focused toward Zhen Jin.
It shot more and more webs at Zhen Jin.
At first, it had only bound the spear and the youngsterâs hands with webs, however it quickly covered Zhen Jinâs body in a layer of spiderwebs, so much so that it was beginning to cover up his ears and nose.
If Zhen Jin had a dagger to cut the webs, he could have freed himself from this predicament.
Huang Zao had the opportunity to throw him the dagger, but he didnât!
So, Zhen Jin was caught in dire straits.2
A blade was critical to escape this trap.
Perhaps if Zhen Jin had that longsword, he could easily solve this situation.
Even a knife wouldâve been fine if he didnât have a longsword.
In short, anything that wasnât a spear.
Zhen Jin did not give up as he constantly used his full strength to break free of the spider webs!
Although his strength had increased, he was still far from what was needed to break free from the webs.
His attempts only brought him more despair.
If he could not struggle free despite using all his strength, then he had no hope. Recklessly struggling would only tighten the spiderwebs around him. It was like sinking into quicksand; futile attempts would only hasten death.
Zhen Jin remained motionless and anxiously tried to find a way to escape his crisis.
As a layer of spiderwebs wrapped around him, the spider leader seeing the teenager seemingly resigned to his fate, pressed its face close to him. On its hideous looking face, there were a total of ten orb-like-eyes that were packed tightly against each other.
The spiderâs eyes stared at Zhen Jin, and its mouth faintly opened with a creaking sound, like it was laughing at Zhen Jin!
It wanted to carefully ravage this teenager. It wanted to skewer him, to drain his blood while injecting spider venom into Zhen Jinâs body. It wanted to watch the venom corrode the youngsterâs body from the inside out and see it slowly rot. Finally, after the teenager finished rotting into a liquified ooze, it wanted to suck the remains bit by bit into its belly, leaving nothing behind.
This was the consequence of offending it!3
Zhen Jin didnât struggle, gritting his teeth as he was forced to look at the spider leader.4
As both sides faced each other, they were but a few steps away from each other.
As the spider leader raised its two front legs, its front feet seemed like sharp swords as they easily cut through the spiderwebs.
Soon after, Zhen Jin grunted as he felt the two dagger like spider legs attempt to pierce through his back.
The chainmail displayed its value as it resisted the two legs.
This hindrance infuriated the spider leader even more.
It ruthlessly pulled on a spider thread and closed the distance between it and Zhen Jin, its eyes only a palmâs width away.
Skreeâ!
The spider leaderâs large mouth opened and Zhen Jinâs face was sprayed with a rotting stench.
At the same time, lots of green sticky liquid dripped out like saliva from the spiderâs mouth.
Zhen Jinâs eyes opened wide as he thought the spider leader was going to bite off his head!
But the next moment, the spider leader slightly relaxed, closed its mouth and shook its head at Zhen Jin.
Zhen Jin actually saw the spider leaderâs face ridiculing him and smiling viciously.
His heart froze and he immediately realized: the spider before him purely wanted to intimidate him, torture him, and slowly eat him. All while allowing him to experience the pain in full. Hearing the screams, cries, and howls while watching him struggle little by little to death!
The pressure on the chainmail was increasing. It had finally reached its limit. The chainmail was no longer able to protect him and it was pierced by the spiderâs sharp legs.
The spider legs finally stabbed into Zhen Jinâs flesh.
The teenager first felt cold, then the pain attacked him.
Besides the intense pain, there was also extreme fear.5
Zhen Jin could distinctly feel the movement of the two feet. They impaled his skin and one continued to slowly penetrate deeply, endangering his internal organs. The other leg was obstructed by his ribs.
The spider leader continued to exert itself as it started to fracture Zhen Jinâs ribs.
âAhh!â Zhen Jin couldnât help but shout in pain as his handsome features were distorted instantly.
The fire continued to burn bright as it reflected off Zhen Jinâs malevolent face, he now looked as if he were a devil.
The spider leader was quiet as it enjoyed itself, and its dozen eyeballs perfectly reflected the teeangerâs expression. However, the spider leader was quite disappointed it didnât find any cowardliness or pleading from Zhen Jinâonly indignation and hatred!
The flame within Zhen Jinâs heart burned greater than the surrounding forest fire.
âAh, ah, ah!â As the spider leader tormented him he continued to groan.
His head felt like it was going to split open and explode when a new memory appeared.
It was a martial arts tournament packed with people.
The showdown in it was nearing its end.
âYou are truly worthy of being a former southern noble!â said a teenager as he was forced into a corner.
His body was injured with some wounds so deep they showed bone. He was in an extremely difficult situation.
This was the templar knight Qing Kui.
His opponent was a middle aged man with two slender beards, and he was completely unscathed. He slightly raised his head and leisurely strolled in front of Qing Kui.
Zhen Jin found himself among the crowd, nervously watching the two.
His eyes were mainly focused on the middle aged man.
It was because this middle aged man was his father, the Bai Zhen Clan patriarch!
There were many familiar templar knights crowded around Zhen Jin.
âQing Kui, surrender if you can't win!â
âHis opponent is too powerful and he is too young. There is no shame in losing.â
âThink of your younger sister Qing Kui, donât be stubborn.â
The young templar knights shouted many things.
Qing Kuiâs sister was also present, right now her face was completely pale and her body trembled like a pitiful little flower in a howling wind and fierce storm.6
Qing Kui took a breath. His body was shaking as he used his remaining strength to lift his sword at the Bai Zhen Clan patriarch.
âAlas!â a sigh rang out from somewhere in the crowd.
âThis duel was initiated by Qing Kui, wanting him to concede defeat is practically harder than repelling a large dragon.1
âWhat can be done then?â
âEven if Qing Kui admits defeat at his own accord, it would depend on whether the Bai Zhen Clan patriarch wishes to let him off.
âYes, Qing Kuiâs father and grandfather both died in the war at the hands of the Bai Zhen Clan. The two clanâs hatred runs deep.â
Qing Kui shouted out a war cry as he launched another futile charge.
The Bai Zhen Clan patriarch effortlessly dodged, and with a slight twist of his sword, he disarmed Qing Kui.
Cling.
The longsword flew into the air and embedded its green blade into the marble behind Qing Kui.
The difference in their strength was clear.
Qing Kuiâs sister could not bear it any longer as she begged the old knight who was incharge of the duel: âUncle Commander, on behalf of our familyâs many years of friendship, I ask you to save my older brother.â
This old templar knight was the commander of the 5th legion.
He coldly snorted and looked annoyed: âThis is a sacred knight duel between knights. It is fair and impartial. There will be no favoritism.â
He looked at Qing Kuiâs younger sister with a stern gaze: "I have been trying to save your older brother for a long time, however as a member of my 5th legion he did not obey its commander, but insisted on challenging the Bai Zhen Clan patriarch.
âHmph. How old is he? How strong is he? He hasn't even fully cultivated his Qing Clanâs signature battle art, Bronze Arms, yet he still dared challenge the Bai Zhen Clan patriarch.
âIs this the fearlessness and bravery of a knight? It is the foolishness of being blinded by revenge!â
âThe result is as you see. You watched the Bai Zhen Clan patriarch use the Thousand Needle battle art to completely destroy your older brotherâs Bronze Arms.â
âThe Thousand Needle is the advanced version of the Bai Zhen Clanâs signature battle art, the Hundred Needle Wind. It is a move that can only be used with a gold level cultivation. Hundreds, even thousands of imperial knights have died to it. Back then, even I was pierced through the heart by a Bai Zhen Clan rapier!
âYour elder brother Qing Kui did not respect the Templar Knight creed, he abandoned courage and went against patience. This is his own undoingâ2
âAs the current patriarch of the Qing Kui clan, he needs to bear responsibility for his recklessness. He must pay the priceâeven if that price is his life.â
The commanderâs merciless words showed no quarter and rendered her powerless. Qing Kuiâs younger sister fell to the floor paralysed, covered her face, and wept.
The surrounding templar knights were silenced by the commanderâs rebuke although they were indignant.
They could only grit their teeth and clench their fists.
The Bai Zhen Clan patriarch gave the commander a deep look before approaching Qing Kui again. He said in an arrogant tone: âPatriarch Qing Kui, what other abilities do you have to continue resisting? Where is your battle qi?â
âThen, I will take your life.â The Bai Zhen Clan patriarch slowly raised his rapier and held it pointing upward, its tip was up to his nose.
âThis will be the final act of your life. So, keep your eyes open and watch it.â
âBe at ease, killing you with the Thousand Needle art is rather excessive. You fall short compared to your father and grandfather, therefore the Hundred Needle Wind is more suitable to bury you.â
âIf you are lucky enough to stay alive after taking this move, I will spare your tiny life. There is no harm in that, right?"
After saying that, the Bai Zhen Clan patriarchâs rapier turned into a bright sword shadow.
Qing Kui roared. He had been waiting for this moment.
He activated the remaining battle qi in his body into a flashing green light that vaguely resembled a knightâs lance.
Bang!
Both sides collided and passed each other.
An arm flew in the air, dripping blood as it fell outside the arena.
The arm held a rapier.
It was the Bai Zhen Clan patriarchâs arm!
The audience was shocked.
It was deathly still.
Plop, Qing Kui fell motionlessly to the ground.
The Bai Zhen Clan patriarch used his left arm to cover his wound, his complexion was extremely pale.
âFath- father!â Zhen Jin cried, his voice was trembling violently.
The old commander entered the arena at this time to separate the Bai Zhen Clan patriarch and Qing Kui.
With deeply furrowed eyes and solemn expression, he looked at the middle aged noble with a severed arm: âBai Zhen Clan patriarch, the words spoken in a duel are sacred. This duel is over.
The middle aged manâs eyes contracted as he glared at the unconscious Qing Kui. He gritted his teeth as the blood constantly flowed, his face full of anger and hatred.
After a while he nodded and slowly stumbled off the martial arena with malice and unwillingness.
âFather!â Zhen Jin ran like the wind to assist the Bai Zhen Clan patriarch.
The surrounding crowd was cheering, and Qing Kuiâs younger sister was crying tears of joy, the young templar knights raised their arms and were shouting loudly, and an inconceivable amount of passersby were yelling.7
The middle aged man looked around and took in the surrounding spectacle, his face had already regained tranquility: âMy son, look at me. Tell me the clan motto.â
âYou should not overestimate people and you should not underestimate people.â Zhen Jin barely raised his head and said with a sobbing voice.
âVery good, remember it, inscribe it in your heart! the Bai Zhen Clan patriarch gritted his teeth and said firmly.
Liked it? Take a second to support Novels on Patreon!