Chapter 566: Three Gifts

“He… died?”

The Saint War Black Angel was beheaded with a dagger.

It must be said, this truly astounded everyone.

The incredibly powerful beast that had been fighting the Red Clothes for so long was instantly killed by the Storyteller the moment it appeared?

“How powerful must he be?”

The Red Clothes could fight the beast to the death, but what if the enemy they now faced was an entity they couldn’t possibly contend with, regardless of how hard they fought?

A heavy sense of despair couldn’t help but rise in everyone’s hearts.

How could they fight this?

This was a completely hopeless situation!

Lan Ling could clearly see the faint ashen pallor rising on all the Red Clothes’ faces, a sign of complete loss of fighting spirit.

“Steady,” she immediately sent a telepathic message to everyone. “The Storyteller is strong, but not to an excessive degree. Don’t forget, this is his ancient book space. Everything he does is simply to deify himself using the power of this space, aiming to make everyone lay down their weapons and obey his commands. To be afraid before fighting, is that the Red Clothes’ attitude?!”

Everyone’s spirits were jolted.

That’s right.

Indeed.

Although Night Watch had transformed the rules of this realm into a dark tone, gaining some territorial advantage, this was merely a territorial advantage within the ancient book space. No matter how much it changed, ultimately, everyone was still within the space controlled by the Storyteller.

It was like entering an enemy’s throne domain.

The opponent seemed strong. But from another perspective, if everyone were currently in Night Watch’s domain, Night Watch might well be capable of achieving all this.

“Control your minds and don’t let your composure falter,” Lan Ling emphatically stated. “Set your priorities straight. As long as we break through the ancient book space, with the assistance of the Heaven-Sealing Grand Array, Night Watch alone…”

She looked towards Night Watch.

Night Watch nodded silently.

“I can.”

As those three words fell, the fighting spirit rekindled in the Red Clothes’ eyes.

Yes.

The Storyteller was indeed powerful. But on their side, besides the heavily injured Xin, there were also Lan Ling, Hei Ming, and Night Watch, plus the “Heaven-Sealing Grand Array”. As long as they broke through the ancient book space, it wasn’t impossible to defeat the Storyteller.

Hei Ming subtly glanced at Night Watch. He could see the old man’s solemn expression.

“He can?”

Heh. If he truly could, given his volatile temper, he wouldn’t have been able to tolerate Xin’s injuries. But at this moment, conviction was paramount. Hei Ming wouldn’t be foolish enough to undermine his own side. The true way to break this deadlock was to blow up the ancient book space and establish contact with the outside world. The “Saint Servant” members should have been left for the White Clothes to handle! Isn’t that right?

“What new tricks are you thinking of now?” The Storyteller chuckled, watching the Red Clothes’ renewed fighting spirit. “Pointless struggles won’t bring you good results. Just stay put. I’ve said it before, I don’t like killing. My purpose in coming here this time was merely to…”

He extended a hand, and as the ghostly aura dissipated, the Storyteller snatched the black sword directly from the headless figure that passed him.

“The Four Swords, that’s all.”

The Saint War Black Angel’s head and body successively hit the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Yu Zhiwen’s starry eyes trembled violently.

The Saint War Black Angel, shrouded in ghostly mist from beginning to end, only revealed its true form upon death. But why did the face of the head rolling on the ground look so familiar?

“Cheng Xingchu?” Her heart suddenly clenched, and Yu Zhiwen couldn’t hide the horror in her eyes.

Cheng Xingchu, a ghost beast?

“You know him?” Lan Ling noticed Yu Zhiwen’s emotional fluctuation and turned her head to ask.

Yu Zhiwen still found it hard to believe but explained: “Cheng Xingchu, a member of the Cheng family from the Holy Divine Temple branch in Eastern Heavenly Imperial City.”

Lan Ling frowned. After a moment of silence, she softly sighed. “He was exploited.”

With that, she immediately realized. In the battle, besides the terrifying presence of the Storyteller, there should be one last figure who hadn’t appeared yet. Lan Ling immediately connected with Night Watch telepathically and asked: “What was the situation earlier? The person from the ‘Waning Moon Gray Palace’…”

“She’s here.”

Night Watch’s gaze swept downwards. At the same time, the void suddenly trembled. Even the Storyteller, now holding the Four Swords, couldn’t help but look down. Next to where Cheng Xingchu’s head had rolled on the ground, a smooth arm suddenly stretched out from a void crack and snatched the head.

The next second, Jiao Tangtang’s figure emerged from the crack. Her gray robe was torn, and the purple chain was gone. Even her hair tie was broken, leaving her with disheveled hair, as if she had endured a great battle in the shattered currents of space.

“Oh, there’s another one?” The Storyteller chuckled and stepped back, sensing the strong ghost beast aura emanating from the newcomer. He slowly asked, “Your mission?” He looked at the Red Clothes.

Night Watch’s eyes instantly blazed with killing intent. This woman’s disheveled state was a result of his battle with her in the shattered currents of space. At that time, her aura wasn’t this terrifying; she was merely a regular King-level. But now, after stepping into the battle, with just a glance, Night Watch knew this woman had removed her “Waning Moon Restraint.”

“Path-severing… As expected of a ghost beast, another troublesome existence!”

“Moo—”

Accompanying a furious roar, four tall, unparalleled Minotaurs rushed through the sky from the horizon. Just as Night Watch was about to move, Jiao Tangtang instantly turned around and softly asked: “Can you give me some time?”

“Time?” Night Watch paused for a moment, then turned to look at Lan Ling.

Lan Ling immediately understood Jiao Tangtang’s intention. Currently, within the ancient book space, the greatest enemy of both the Red Clothes and the ghost beasts was not each other, but the Storyteller. And while the Red Clothes were still unable to deal with the Storyteller, Jiao Tangtang seemed to have the idea of confronting him?

“The Four Swords?” Lan Ling’s thoughts settled, and her gaze fell upon the Four Swords held by the Storyteller. Was it because of this? That’s it! Of all the forces that came to Leaving Sword Grassland, who wasn’t here for the Four Swords? So, this ghost beast, whose vessel seemed only capable of matching a Path-severing expert, intended to snatch the Four Swords from the Storyteller’s grasp?

Although she didn’t know what this woman’s plan was, still…

“Cooperation?” Lan Ling hesitated for a moment. Cooperation between the Red Clothes and ghost beasts was an utterly preposterous idea. Yet, under the Storyteller’s immense pressure, it had become a viable option. One side was after the Four Swords, the other sought to break open the ancient book space…

Lan Ling paused, unable to make a choice immediately.

“You can,” Night Watch answered for her. Having fought this woman, he vaguely sensed that she possessed an even more terrifying trump card. At this moment, the best solution was nothing less than letting the “Saint Servant” and “Waning Moon Gray Palace” wear each other out. As long as the fight was loud enough, breaking the ancient book space wouldn’t be a problem. As for the grievances between the Red Clothes and the ghost beasts… they could settle it once they were out!

“This?” Hei Ming turned his head, somewhat unable to accept it.

But before he could question it, Lan Ling had already made up her mind.

“Everyone, fall back!”

With a wave of her hand, with a flash of light, the power of the grand array directly teleported all the Red Clothes to the very rear. Watching the fire from across the bank was not a bad pastime!

“Little sister, you want to fight me?” The Storyteller watched Jiao Tangtang on the ground with interest. He wondered where this young woman got her confidence. “Just for the Four Swords? Do you even have the power for that!”

“I just want to ask one question…” Jiao Tangtang took a deep breath. “Elder Feng, is he with you?” She didn’t want to fight. But she had appeared with the intention of merely retrieving the Ghost Beast Pearl, and as she drew closer, she sensed a faint, almost imperceptible ghost beast aura on the Storyteller—a sealing aura! Recalling what Xu Xiaoshou had once said, perhaps what one seeks is found unexpectedly close. Elder Feng truly was with the Storyteller!

“Elder Feng?” The Storyteller tilted his head, pondering for a moment. “Who’s that? I haven’t heard of him.”

“Let me put it another way,” Jiao Tangtang’s gaze burned. “The sealed ghost beast.”

“Oh, you mean that one?” The Storyteller’s expression cleared, and he said indifferently: “That’s my new little pet. It’s your elder?” He paused, then shook his head. “Sorry, that’s a small gift I’m giving to someone else. It’s highly unlikely I’ll be returning it to you.”

“Elder Feng…” A fervent glint rose in Jiao Tangtang’s eyes. Heaven knew how many difficulties she and Xin Gugu had gone through, traveling from the Southern Domain, for this mission. And the final outcome was that Elder Feng was actually trapped?

“Saint Servant…”

“Storyteller…”

The enemy was very strong. If possible, Jiao Tangtang wouldn’t even have considered talking to or provoking him. But as long as it was for the mission, all obstacles had to be crushed!

“Then there’s nothing more to say.” She slapped her palm onto Cheng Xingchu’s head. Jiao Tangtang’s original move to retrieve the Ghost Beast Pearl naturally morphed into an activating hand seal.

“Waning Moon Imprint, release.”

With a booming sound, the ground was directly shattered by the surging gray energy waves erupting from Jiao Tangtang. Above the sky, largely dyed by darkness, a gray full moon suddenly rose. Under the moonlight, Jiao Tangtang’s hands moved rapidly, and her expression gradually became ferocious.

“Saint War Black Angel, unleash!”

The color instantly drained from her pretty face, and Jiao Tangtang seemed to age decades in an instant, her face acquiring several wrinkles. And the Ghost Beast Pearl, now infused with life essence, no longer limited by a host, floated directly into the air.

“Boom!”

A huge explosion erupted. Cheng Xingchu’s head couldn’t even hold for a moment before it was blown into a mist of blood. The next second, the thick blood mist was directly absorbed into the Ghost Beast Pearl. The ground began to wriggle. The sea of blood previously summoned by Xin Gugu, and the crimson liquid that had seeped into the ground due to the earth’s collapse, were also drawn out. A hazy crimson drifted through the void. Thread by thread, it swirled into mist, then was gulped down by the Ghost Beast Pearl.

In the rear, the Red Clothes, observing from afar, all frowned. Such bizarre and inhumane methods were almost unbearable for everyone. But this time, it was the ghost beast itself that wanted to fight the “Saint Servant”. Even Night Watch clenched his fists and endured.

“What terrifying power…” Hidden underground, Xu Xiaoshou, who only wanted to escape the battle scene, couldn’t help but be drawn in now. Indeed. The ghost beast’s methods were truly repulsive. Even he felt a surge of revulsion, vaguely beginning to understand the Red Clothes’ determination for genocide. As for Cheng Xingchu’s death… it was truly regrettable and lamentable! Although he only had a very negative impression of him, such a way of dying… hmm, it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible. After all, everyone who came to Leaving Sword Grassland should, in essence, have been prepared for death. Death was instantaneous. What Jiao Tangtang did was merely exploit the remaining value of a person after death. Even the Red Clothes couldn’t bear to watch such methods. But Xu Xiaoshou understood that Lan Ling’s earlier “net-fishing” tactic had essentially also exploited the lives of the White Cave trial participants.

“No one here is a good person, that’s for sure,” he thought.

Xu Xiaoshou was filled with worry. He had initially thought that the Storyteller, after such a long setup, would powerfully suppress all other presences the moment he appeared. But now, the situation seemed to have changed? And yet… looking up at the nonchalant Storyteller, Xu Xiaoshou almost burst out cursing.

“Can’t you just suppress your damn playful attitude? Do you have to let your enemies’ power fully form, and then brazenly engage in a contest? This is insane!”

He wanted to persuade him, but everyone was already caught in the situation. Xu Xiaoshou dared not easily expose himself. He could only wish that the powerful figure he was relying on wouldn’t fail him at a critical moment.

“Saint War Black Angel… is that it?”

The Storyteller was indeed observing. He had vaguely heard legends of this ghost beast, but they were very indistinct. Earlier, seeing the combat power unleashed by this ghost beast, he had been greatly disappointed. But now, it seemed this ghost beast was merely limited by its host, and its power could advance even further?

“To what extent will it grow?” The Storyteller was full of curiosity. If possible, he wanted to add one more gift for his brother; after all, good things come in pairs.

“You’re not stopping me?” Jiao Tangtang swallowed a medicinal pill, barely managing to smooth out the wrinkles on her face. But the loss of life force couldn’t be remedied in a short while. She had originally prepared many methods to prevent the true formation of the Saint War Black Angel from being disturbed. She hadn’t expected the Storyteller to be so arrogant.

“An opportunity!”

“This is a chance!”

Jiao Tangtang, still feeling a slight joy in her heart, suddenly noticed four Minotaurs rushing from behind the Storyteller, a scene that was all too familiar. Wasn’t this the exact scene of the Saint War Black Angel’s demise earlier?

“Stop!” Jiao Tangtang’s eyes widened in alarm. “Xin Gugu, stop!”

“Moo—”

A bovine roar echoed in the nearby area. Xin Gugu, now in his fully formed ghost beast state, had completely lost his rationality and couldn’t understand Jiao Tangtang’s words at all. How could he stop?

The Storyteller turned with a smile, looking forward, his expression calm and unperturbed. The next second, he clapped his hands together.

“Boom!”

The space in front of the four Minotaurs suddenly collapsed, and chaotic black hole currents directly devoured the charging bovine demons.

“Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle…”

Blood spurted, scattering in all directions. Before it could fly far, it was sucked into the black hole currents.

“Fission?” The Storyteller’s eyes were filled with delight. He really wanted to know if this ghost beast truly possessed such an ability. Then, after this wave of attack, could every drop of blood transform into a small bovine demon? If so, this third gift would surely be even more peculiar.

“Xin Gugu…” Jiao Tangtang watched Xin Gugu, who had been completely devoured by the black hole space and ceased to exist. Her hand stretched halfway, then froze.

“Hah hah hah.” The strange, forced laugh he would make when his mind went blank echoed in her ears. Every time, after she landed a whip kick, he would drop all defenses and allow himself to explode. Then he would use that repulsive blood regeneration technique to disgust her.

But… Jiao Tangtang clutched her head and collapsed weakly to her knees on the ground with a thud. “But… this shouldn’t be happening, it shouldn’t be like this! Just wait a little longer, just a little longer!” Her mind buzzed explosively. Before Jiao Tangtang, the scene of Xin Gugu parting ways with her in the White Cave seemed to reappear.

“Relax, leave it to me. You go find Xu Xiaoshou first. I’ll lay in wait at Leaving Sword Grassland for a few days, refine the sea of blood first, and hide it deep underground, where even the Red Clothes won’t find it. Then, as soon as you arrive, I’ll go straight in and draw everyone into the fight. Even if things go wrong, if there’s a loss, the blood vitality can still awaken the Ghost Beast Pearl, and the mission will be completed… what was that about Elder Feng? I don’t understand these things, anyway, I’m just in charge of fighting, so that’s that!”

From the Southern Domain, from the Waning Moon Gray Palace, from Master Greedy God being sent away… until now!

“He was clearly such a coward…” Jiao Tangtang’s eyes were bloodshot, and she gripped the ground tightly. She suddenly realized that the so-called fact that ghost beasts didn’t need emotions, and all the elders’ instructions and commands… were completely useless! Before Xin Gugu was annihilated, she also believed she could do it. Everything for the mission.

But now… with one hand gripping the Ghost Beast Pearl, Jiao Tangtang, without thinking, directly swallowed the Ghost Beast Pearl, which was radiating an extremely violent aura.

Mission? She could worry about that later, if she could survive this wave. Now, Jiao Tangtang only wanted this damn pervert in front of her… to go to hell!!!

“Die, you monster!”