Chapter 162 - Dire Straights (1/2)

Rumbling Blood Bat, a seldom-seen peculiar spiritual beast.

In the world of spiritual beasts, the strong preyed on the weak. The higher the level, the stronger they were. Yet, this creature was an exception. It was no stronger than a 1st level spiritual beast and had neither claws nor fangs.

It had a shocking trait though. the Rumbling Bat Wave. It was a sound attack that struck the soul. It would leave one in a coma or, worse, annihilate one’s soul.

After using it, it would then go and bore its fangs into the victim, sucking blood away. It may be a mere 3rd level spiritual beast, but few were capable of surviving its sound attack.

Not even a 4th level spiritual beast could stand up to a flock of ten Rumbling Blood Bats.

Who cared how tough you were? Who cared how skilled you were? You’d still die from this creature’s sound attack if your soul lacked heart.

This creature that bared Zhuo Fan’s escape was one that could strike fear even in 4th level spiritual beasts.

Jumping out of the hole, Zhuo Fan looked up at the ten bats. He was finally sporting a serious expression. Then looking at the speaker and saw Vicious Pill King.

He was holding a gourd, smiling at Zhuo Fan.

“Now I see. This must be your final move!” Zhuo Fan squinted.

He’d seen the old man carry the gourd for a while now. But only discovered it was a beast holding item.

When cornered by Iris Overseer, Chu Qingcheng, and Long Jiu not too long ago, he was still putting a tough front because of the Rumbling Blood Bats in his gourd.

It was smart of them to back off and not to attack then, or they would’ve been doomed.

This old man wasn’t to be pushed around. Even after using blood essence four times, he still couldn’t be underestimated no matter how weak he appeared.

Zhuo Fan’s eyes flashed in admiration.

Long Jiu’s group just came out through the hole and saw him standing amidst ruins. They turned to the sky and paled, “Rumbling Blood Bat! And ten of them?!”

They all turned grave.

Just when they thought Zhuo Fan had free reign of the skies outside the arena, he was met with ten Rumbling Blood Bats. Zhuo Fan was now cornered by two Profound Heaven experts and a 4th level spiritual beast equivalent flock of bats.

Not even a Profound Heaven expert could pull an escape out of this, least of all, a winged Bone Tempering expert.

Their hearts were now stretched taught.

“Ha-ha-ha, Elder Yan. In the end, you are the most reliable to block this brat!”

Laughing freely, Huangpu Qingyun floated next to the old man. Then, he stuck up his chin at Zhuo Fan, “Kid, let’s see you run now!”

Hell Valley’s 5th elder landed beside them, eyes flashing with cruelty.

Sighing, Vicious Pill King looked on with regret, “Song, uh, Grandmaster Zhuo, I am in awe of sir’s wondrous refining skill. I am pained to have you as my enemy. But I am bereft of any choice!”

His words stirred the sympathy of many clan delegates, as well as the alchemists participating today.

The demon Zhuo Fan, who offended Hell Valley, was Grandmaster Song. Such sorrow!

A cruel death awaited all who dared oppose the Seven Noble Houses. But an exalted alchemist to find his end in such a wretched way, was lamentable.

The least the crowd could do was show deep respect while sending off this great man on his final journey…

But Zhuo Fan only snickered, “He-he-he, Elder Yan, you think too highly of your batsies. They can scare a 4th level spiritual beasts, but in the end, they’re a flock!”

Zhuo Fan vanished as he took flight.

The bats flapped their wings and opened their snouts. The air rippled and a visible wave traveled at Zhuo Fan.

Zhuo Fan sidestepped. The wave hit the ground but nothing happened. Yet, the stones around turned to dust.

The people began to fear the Rumbling Blood Bat even more. A normal Bone Tempering expert struck by this wave would’ve died in anguish.

But Zhuo Fan relied on his uncanny speed to dance among the attacks. He was almost out of their encirclement.

“Damn, Zhuo Fan is too sly. He noticed that the ten bats are unable to coordinate and slipped through the gaps in their attacks. Let’s block him together, 5th elder!”

Huangpu Qingyun cried in panic, to which, Vicious Pill King dismissed his words, “Second young master, don’t worry. You’ll only make it worse if you charge along with the blood bats. I will make sure he won’t have anywhere else to run.”

Vicious Pill King opened his gourd and made a hand sign.

A screech came from within it, followed by another flock of bats flying to the gap Zhuo Fan was aiming for, shutting it tight.

Hum~