Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 858

*A thud echoed as a massive rhinoceros demon, easily over a dozen yards in size, collapsed. The ground seemed to tremble from its sheer weight.

A flash of light appeared, and dozens of red threads shot out from the rhinoceros’s body, returning to a red-clad figure.

“Brother Chuk’s Crystalline Flame Threads are becoming more formidable by the day. The hide of a mid-level Black Rhinoceros Beast is comparable to that of a high-level demon, yet you pierced it so easily! I doubt even Biya of the Southern Long Tribe could accomplish this,” exclaimed a nearby figure, and the others agreed. The one who had killed the rhinoceros demon was none other than Chuk Eumja of the Red Fusion Tribe, accompanied by other Red Fusion Tribe Sages [powerful and wise individuals].

They were in a vast, ring-shaped basin spanning thousands of miles, a bald patch amidst a dark green jungle. Above them were numerous round, gray stones the size of heads.

At the center of the stone pile was a black cave, over a hundred yards wide, leading deep underground.

The Red Fusion Tribe members were lingering at the cave entrance when a rhinoceros demon suddenly emerged from the jungle, only to be killed instantly by Chuk Eumja.

“Hmph, all of you are just flattering me! We’ve been waiting here for three or four days, and aside from wiping out a minor branch, we haven’t found the Heavenly Collapse Tribe. They must have gone down another passage or are still lingering on the second floor. While the Heavenly Collapse Tribe must be eliminated, we can’t give up on the Netherflame either. Here’s what we’ll do: Jeokcheon and Hongsa, follow me to the third floor. The rest of you will stay here. I’ll personally retrieve your share of the Netherflame,” Chuk Eumja said, his voice resonating in the air.

“Brother Chuk, the cultivation of one of the Heavenly Collapse Tribe members was quite formidable. What if something happens with only a few of us left behind?” Jeokcheon asked, his eyes darting around with concern.

“Haha, don’t worry about that. Priest Yong’s cultivation is not far behind mine, and we’ll leave behind the tribe’s treasure, the Soul-Falling Bell. This bell activates silently and is impossible to block, so even a Spirit Transformation cultivator [a very powerful cultivator] could be caught off guard. If Priest Yong launches a surprise attack, nothing will go wrong,” Chuk Eumja explained his plan. He opened his mouth and retrieved a small bell glowing with green light. With a flick of his wrist, the bell vanished and slowly descended above the head of a sturdy Red Fusion Tribe giant.

“Thank you, Brother! I will not let you down.” The giant, surnamed Yong, accepted the bell with a stoic expression. He wasn’t one for many words, but his skills were reliable, so Chuk Eumja nodded in approval. He then transformed into a red light with Jeokcheon and Hongsa and disappeared into the cave.

“Everyone, use your concealment techniques to hide your presence. Set up a formation at the entrance and lie in wait. When the target appears, we’ll attack with the Soul-Falling Bell. It won’t be too late to come out then.” As soon as Chuk Eumja left, the giant gave his orders without hesitation. He was the second-highest cultivator after Chuk Eumja, so everyone obeyed without complaint.

In an instant, everyone vanished into the void using the power of treasures and magic, and the giant, surnamed Yong, also moved near the entrance. Soon, the area around the massive cave became eerily silent, as if no one was there.

* * *

On the second floor, deep within a jungle covered in dark green trees, a massive yellow pillar rose into the sky. Those who approached realized that the giant pillar was actually a colossal plant, entwined with countless vines.

Within a radius of several dozen miles around the giant plant, not a single blade of grass grew, making it look like a desert. Suddenly, an explosion erupted from the base of the giant plant, accompanied by a flash of spiritual energy.

Unexpectedly, the Spirit Wing Tribe Sages were surrounded by tens of thousands of golden moths. One group consisted of about a dozen people, both men and women, with black tattoos on their faces, while the other group was entirely composed of tall men.

The moths surrounding them shimmered with golden light and flapped their wings, covering the sky with moth powder.

Both groups were using various divine abilities and treasures to prevent the moth powder from touching them.

Despite being surrounded by moths, two Spirit Wing Tribe members floating in the air showed no intention of attacking. One was Oh Cheong of the Seven Moon Tribe, and the other was a man with four pupils in each eye.

“Brother Oh, I don’t recall any demonic insects like the Golden Nether Moths in the Ten Thousand Islands before. These swarms are usually only found on the fourth floor of the Netherworld. What on earth is happening in the Netherworld?” the tall giant asked slowly, as their attacks were ineffective against the swirling powder.

“I know the situation is strange without you having to point it out. But with mid-level demons appearing on the first floor, is encountering Golden Nether Moths here such a big deal? What happens in the Netherworld is none of our concern. If you follow me on the third floor, don’t blame me if I cut you down first,” Oh Cheong replied coldly.

“Miss Oh, there’s no need to be so harsh! Do you really not understand my sincerity? I’ve already proposed marriage to your tribe three times, but each time you’ve personally refused. I really don’t understand. Your tribe values alliances between strong individuals, and you’ve declared that you’ll marry the strongest among the Sages. Am I not qualified?” The tall man’s four pupils glowed strangely. He was, unexpectedly, Biya of the Southern Long Tribe, who was mentioned in the same breath as Chuk Eumja and Oh Cheong.

“As you said, our Seven Moon Tribe Sages, regardless of gender, choose their partners from among the strong of other branches. But I know your strength, even if others don’t. It’s not enough to catch my eye, so wake up from your foolish dreams.”

“Although my strength is not comparable to yours, Miss Oh, there is no one among the other Sages who is better than me. If I don’t meet your standards, then it’s even more impossible for others. Could it be that you have your eye on that Red Fusion Tribe guy, Chuk? If so, I’ll go find him and kill him right now,” Biya shouted, his eyes wide open.

“Chuk Eumja? Hmph, who would care about such a person. But I did find someone interesting at this gathering. I didn’t have a chance to fight him directly, but I have a feeling his divine abilities are not inferior to yours,” Oh Cheong chuckled.

“Which tribe’s Sage is it? Just tell me! I’ll go and fight him myself. If his divine abilities are superior to mine, I won’t bother you anymore. If not, I’ll…” Biya’s face darkened. They continued their conversation, unconcerned by the moths swarming around them.

“You want to confirm his strength, so I’ll tell you. He’s a Sage from the Heavenly Collapse Tribe, and his surname is Han, I believe? He’s a stranger, and I don’t know any other information about him,” Oh Cheong said with an intrigued expression.

“A Heavenly Collapse Tribe Sage? How could such a weak branch produce a powerful Sage?” Biya asked, puzzled by the unexpected name.

“Well, I don’t know either! Just because the Heavenly Collapse Tribe is weak doesn’t mean they can’t have a Sage with innate talent, right? You know that I’ve mastered the mystical Seven Aperture Profound Connection Technique, so my senses are very keen. I only saw him briefly from afar, but I felt like it was difficult to gauge the depth of his strength. If you really plan to fight him, you should worry about your own life first,” Oh Cheong stated coldly.

“If that’s true, then I understand. But if your judgment is wrong, I’ll propose marriage to the Seven Moon Tribe again after this trial. If I remember correctly, your coming-of-age ceremony isn’t far off. You won’t be able to refuse me this time.”

“Hmph, you know a lot of information. Yes, there are only three years left until my coming-of-age ceremony, so I can’t delay any longer. If he’s really not as good as you, then there won’t be anyone stronger than you in the Spirit Wing Tribe. If that’s the case, I promise to accept your proposal when we return,” Oh Cheong said arrogantly, lifting her head.

“Haha, is that a promise? It would be best if I met that Han Sage on the third floor of the Netherworld, but if not, I’ll challenge him when we return. If he’s as outstanding as you say, he won’t fail the trial.”

“Do as you please. These bugs are starting to annoy me. Should I take care of them, or will you?” Oh Cheong asked calmly, looking around.

“Leave such trivial matters to me.” The giant laughed loudly and suddenly swung the massive sword on his back.

Woong!

The sword vibrated and soared into the sky, spinning in the light. Biya’s body transformed into a monstrous bird with a dragon’s head and tail. The monstrous bird spread its wings and flew high into the sky, merging with the golden light that the giant sword had become.

Whir!

The moths, seeing the intense light, surged towards it madly. Even before the demonic insects could approach, their powder flew towards the light, but a tremendous roar echoed, and thin golden rays shot out like a storm from the golden light, attacking the moths.

Chiiik.

The moths, whose bodies were thickly protected by moth powder, were pierced by the intense heat and fell apart. Countless moths fell, and half of the swarm was killed in an instant.

Kkiiik!

The largest of the Golden Nether Moths let out a strange sound, and the remaining demonic insects scattered in all directions. Oh Cheong, who was watching from below, chanted a spell, and a dark, shadowy figure appeared behind her.

It was the form of a monster with seven strange heads, some resembling monkeys, others leopards, all with ferocious appearances.

As Oh Cheong urged it with a magic seal, all the heads slowly opened their eyes, their red eyes flashing as they opened their mouths. Then, seven beams of green light shot out in all directions.

Then, an unbelievable thing happened. Wherever the seven beams of light passed, the Golden Nether Moths were sucked in and fell as blood. Less than 20% of the moths managed to escape.

* * *

Meanwhile, Han Li and his group were passing through the land of Ice Shroud. A small, cute shadow appeared and defeated several black demons. As the black demons dissipated into black energy, the small, cute beast absorbed them and returned to Han Li’s shoulder.

The small, cat-like beast was the Ice Scale Beast that Han Li had subdued.

“Wow, I didn’t know Brother Han had a spirit beast that was the natural enemy of the Ice Shroud demons. I didn’t even notice them, but it found and dealt with them first. May I ask what the spirit beast’s name is? I’ve never seen a spirit beast like it before,” Jin Hyo of the Yano Tribe said, clicking his tongue in amazement. Lei Lan and Baekbyeok also looked at the Ice Scale Beast with astonishment.

“I don’t know its name either. It’s a spirit beast I obtained by chance, and I didn’t know it liked to absorb the energy of the Ice Shroud,” Han Li said, stroking the small beast’s fur with a smile.

Not long after entering the land of Ice Shroud, the small beast, which had been sleeping like a soul in the spirit beast pouch, had awakened. Moreover, it had urgently conveyed to him through consciousness that it wanted to go out.

Han Li was puzzled, but he knew that it was small but had innate divine abilities, so he let it out. Then, the Ice Scale Beast surprised Han Li’s group.

The beast, which seemed more refreshed than ever in the land of Ice Shroud, was extremely sensitive to the Ice Shroud demons and found and dealt with the demons that had merged with the black ice, which even Han Li had not detected.

When the Ice Scale Beast swung its claws a few times, the Ice Shroud demons shattered, and the small beast happily absorbed them. It wasn’t that they couldn’t defeat the Ice Shroud demons, but they were annoyed by the fact that they attacked secretly in conjunction with the land of Ice Shroud.

However, when the Ice Scale Beast approached and howled at the ice, the Ice Shroud demons were terrified and ran away. Of course, the Ice Scale Beast did not leave the fleeing Ice Shroud demons alone and swallowed them all.

Han Li was also unfamiliar with this situation, so it was natural for the others to be curious.

While they were passing through the area, the number of Ice Shroud demons that the Ice Scale Beast had swallowed exceeded a thousand, and its originally striped yellow fur began to shine white. It was clear at a glance that its cultivation had greatly increased.