Translated by XephiZ

Edited by Aelryinth

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Since Mu Bai had Summoned the Ruler-level Insect he had raised, Zhao Manyan believed the fight would only last for a few minutes.

Zhao Manyan put on a suit of Concealing Armor as he made his way to the Eighth Mound. It was not very useful in fights, but it could help him avoid demon creatures when he was in their territory.

Most demon creatures were carnivores. They would attack humans at first sight, and those with a sharp sense of smell could pick up a human scent from several kilometers away. It was unlikely that human Mages who ventured too deep into the woods would leave in one piece.

This expensive magic Equipment was useful in situations like this, like an invisible hack. Zhao Manyan did not have to worry about attracting demon creatures as he ventured deep into their territories.

They would only treat him like a common hare in the woods, which they would not bother wasting their time on.

Zhao Manyan kept hearing roars of demon creatures between the Seventh and Eighth Mounds. He was not as strong as Mo Fan, and could not just clear a path with force. He would find himself at a standstill if he was surrounded by demon creatures!

“Strange, where is the Mound?

“It’s supposed to be here, but why is there nothing but a muddy swamp?

“These mud statues look very real, but why are they in such weird postures?

“So it’s here, I was almost buried alive under the mud! Why did they build the Eighth Mound in a pit?”

Zhao Manyan looked around and discovered a structure in the mud pit. It had almost blended in with the surroundings.

He was merely following the guidance of the green stones. He was about to set out for the Ninth Mound when a filthy man crawled out of a half-collapsed structure.

The man was wearing a kasaya. He smelled like mud, too.

“Brother, what happened here? Are you alright?” Zhao Manyan quickly went over and helped the man up.

“I’m fine!” The man was a little alert, yet pretended to be grateful.

“Someone is trying to break through the Seventh Mound, so Hansen told me to deliver a message, but I didn’t find anyone here. I was about to go to the Ninth Mound,” Zhao Manyan told the man.

“I’m not sure what happened here either. I’m just a little Deacon,” the monk answered.

“That’s a little troublesome,” Zhao Manyan wiped off the rain on his face. His expression suddenly changed, “A little Deacon will do!”

Zhao Manyan suddenly slammed his right fist into his left palm. A brown light burst out of his hands and spread rapidly into their surroundings.

The brown light swept across the mud nearby. A huge boulder with jagged edges emerged from the swamp. It was as heavy and thick as a bridge pier!

More bridge piers emerged from the swamp and surrounded the area like a wrestling ring.

The monk was trapped in the ring together with Zhao Manyan, who had a grin on his face.

He really was getting smarter. He was able to expose a Deacon of the Black Vatican so easily!

A Deacon’s status was quite high in the Black Vatican. Even though they were after the Evil Herbalist, it was likely that the Deacon might know where the Evil Herbalist was!

“Brother, what are you doing? I didn’t do anything to you,” the monk protested with a confused face.

“I’m just building a shelter from the rain. Don’t take it seriously,” Zhao Manyan replied lightly.

A shelter from the rain? The monk felt an urge to spit on Zhao Manyan’s face. The ring was completely enclosed. There was no gap for even sunlight to pass through!

On top of that, the ring was slowly shrinking. It was obvious that only one of them could leave the ring alive!

“Brother, you should think twice about this. I’m just a pilgrim. I’m not a fan of killing and fighting. I don’t care which faction you are from. Let’s just treat it as a simple meet and greet,” the monk offered quickly.

“Why are you so oily-mouthed as a monk? Isn’t your job delivering all living creatures from suffering?” Zhao Manyan scolded him.

“Are you saying I don’t have work ethics? After what happened last time, I went to Potala Palace and prayed for every life that was lost. I’ve already prayed thirty-four thousand six hundred and seventy times,” the monk said righteously.

The monk purposely took off his hood to reveal his forehead and face.

He was surprisingly tanned. There were obvious scars on his forehead, which looked like his third eye.

“After what happened? What do you mean?” Zhao Manyan asked.

“Bo City! I prayed the same times as the number of casualties. How can you say I have no virtue? It’s rare to find a considerate monk like me!” the monk Wu Ku stated proudly.

“F**k me!” Zhao Manyan yelled.

What the heck? Wasn’t he just a little Deacon? How is he even related to Bo City?

Wasn’t Bo City Mo Fan’s hometown? There were a lot of casualties during the calamity, but Zhao Manyan had no idea of the exact number. How could this monk know the number by heart?

“Who? Who are you!?” Zhao Manyan demanded.

“Why are you trapping me here if you don’t know who I am?” Wu Ku’s eyes widened.

Wu Ku thought the man already knew he was a Head Priest in the Black Vatican, and that was why he had trapped him in the ring.

Wu Ku even panicked a little. He had thought Zhao Manyan was an authority of the Holy Judgment Court, or one of the Angels of the Sacred City.

It turned out to be a false alarm!

“You told me you were only a little Deacon, so I was planning to take you down in return for some prize money!” Zhao Manyan replied quickly.

“I was lying to you when I found out you weren’t telling the truth… it seems there’s a little misunderstanding between us,” Wu Ku answered.

“Yeah, it’s a misunderstanding,” Zhao Manyan felt his head hurting.

The guy was not just a little Deacon! He was actually someone important in the Black Vatican, based on what he knew about Bo City!

Zhao Manyan was well aware of his own strength. It was impossible for him to take on a core member of the Black Vatican, since he was just a defensive Mage!

“Actually, I don’t like killing and fighting either…” Zhao Manyan lost his confidence.

The monk was a little too strong for him. He had no chance of defeating him. He had to drag the fight out until Mo Fan or Mu Bai came along!

“So why don’t we part ways without any hard feelings? I can tell you have a bright future ahead based on your looks. You shouldn’t be risking your life on a petty monk like me, right?” Wu Ku proposed.

Wu Ku was also unsure of Zhao Manyan’s strength, and he was not a great fighter. He just had some tricks to preserve his life.

Mo Fan’s sudden appearance had disrupted their plans. Wu Ku had decided to run away on his own to protect his cover. He did not expect to stumble into a guy and get trapped in a ring as soon as he left the underground.