The shell-like segment was ripped from where it was seated and a geyser of greyish-green blood exploded from the tear!

****

The centipede roared from the pain before erupting into a frenzy because of the wound.

Boom!

The spikes that held it in place were now being shattered one by one as it writhed and squirmed about. If someone asked you how nasty this was and looked, the correct answer would be yes.

“Hngh!”

Shi Zhu, the nitu demon who was responsible for the erection of the spikes earlier, gritted his teeth as he pumped even more energy to keep the massive centipede relatively still.

However, the demon that caused all this appeared prepared in advance as he took out something from his spatial ring. Looking closely, it was a strange blade.

The blade section was split down the middle, with a tiny hole at the point of both tips. Curiously, dark, mysterious symbols decked the length of it.

In addition, the end of the handle sported a glowing red orb that swirled with a mysterious energy.

Without hesitation, the demon then plunged the blade into the exposed flesh of the centipede.

Shing!

The orb’s glow intensified and the swirling red energy within was draining at a visible pace. Soon enough, the dark symbols lit up one by one as the energy passed through to the holes at the end of the blades’ tips.

Ksssh!

Lava-like cracks appeared around the area around the blade wound and spread at an alarming rate.

“!!!”

The thrashing of the centipede increased for a short moment when this was done. Its spasm was so fierce that it seemed like its body would fold in on itself and snap in half, but its flexibility saved it from this fate.

However, this didn’t save it from the intense pain it suffered. Before long, the thrashing somewhat calmed down.

Eventually, it slowed down to a crawl until finally; it stopped moving, and just like that, all life drained from the body of this terrible magical beast.

When the demon saw that there was no further reaction from the centipede, his expression fell.

“Nothing here,” he whispered under his breath.

“S-Sir Jinzi Buxia is as powerful as they say.”

A voice called out and the demon, known as Jinzi Buxia, turned around to see Zhen Song hobbling over.

He eyed the strange blade Jinzi Buxia was holding onto with a contemplative expression.

“Tch! What is someone who was mostly useless throughout the battle acting like they’re close to Sir Jinzi Buxia for!?” another voice filled with scorn echoed out.

They both looked to see the figure of Xue Zi quickly arriving.

When Lord Jinzi Buxia saw who it was, his expression became a bit better, and he nodded in Xue Zi’s direction. “It seems even the disciples of the Blood Crypt Sect can prove useful. Young sect leader Xue Zi must be pleased.”

When he heard how Jinzi Buxia called him young sect leader, Xue Zi’s expression became cocky with an inflated ego before he cupped his fist in response, saying, “Sir Jinzi Buxia is too kind with his words!”

He wasn’t the current sect master or anything, but it was all but confirmed that this seat would be his in the future. As a result, even though his words were humble, the hubristic smile on his face gave away his true feelings.

Rumble!

Suddenly, the ground shook for a short moment until a figure composed of what appeared to be earth formed from the ground.

It was the same Nitu demon who, by himself, was able to erect several spikes that could hold down the centipede, Shi Zhu.

“Sir Jinzi Buxia was able to bring down a rank 3 Sable Armor Mountain Centipede. This one is in awe.” the Nitu demon said with a cupped fist.

His tone was clipped, and his movements sharp. He was known for being uncompromisingly loyal to Chen Jie.

Unlike Xue Zi, Shi Zhu’s demeanour matched his words perfectly. He was neither unduly humble nor overbearing. Jinzi Buxia looked favourably upon this Nitu demon.

“Shi Zhu is too polite. It was with the others and your help that I was able to take down this Sable Armor Mountain Centipede.”

Zhen Song’s expression turned ugly at this. When Jinzi Buxia said this, he expressly turned to both Xue Zi and Shi Zhu of the Blood Crypt Sect and the Infernal Myriad Ground Sect.

This was Jinzi Buxia, letting him know that he didn’t think much of him at all.

Boom!

A separate explosion went off a fair distance away and everyone could see another Obsidian Armor Mountain Centipede with large chunks of its shell-like armour missing!

This one was much bigger than the ones they fought and its features were even more exaggerated.

Several horns protruded from its armour, but even most of these had their points broken by a seemingly powerful force.

Obviously, this Obsidian Armour Mountain Centipede was of a much higher rank than the ones they conquered.

What was even more incredible was that there were only two figures that faced it.

“Out of my way! I’m finishing this Obsidian Armour Mountain Centipede off!”

A larger-than-life fellow who was part of the duo shouted. His expression was fierce and unrestrained.

Just standing near him required absolute strength, as his blood qi was oppressive and overbearing. Its power was like a volcano just waiting to erupt!

Every crashing into the bend of a vein was like a shockwave that shook the innards of anyone who stood by.

Yet, even with such daunting strength the other two who stood by him were able to do so with seemingly little trouble.

“Savage Taitan, this Obsidian Armour Mountain Centipede might be injured now but you need to watch out for any death throes…” another said warned warily as he eyed the massive magical beast.

The one who spoke was a young Nitu demon. Countless lines were on his body, much more than the Nitu demons that Long Di fought on both counts.

What was even more daunting and eye-catching among the innumerable black lines was a strange dull green line that ran the centre of his body. This was something that no other Nitu demon had ever possessed.

He wore a simple grey robe, and his expression was of perennial calm. He stood there immovable, as if the earth itself was his foundation.

However, Savage Taitan couldn’t care less about any of this and readied himself without a moment’s notice.

“Too much talking!” Savage Taitan quickly grew impatient and rushed towards the centipede.

“Cl-cl-cl-cl-cl…!!!”

The centipede’s entire body reeled back like a snake rearing to strike.

Shu!

It lunged forward at a speed that its huge size would make one think is impossible!

Savage Taitan drew his weapon and brought it down with a crushing force!

Boom!

The collision elicited a destructive shockwave that spread in all directions.

The young nitu demon didn’t panic in face of the incoming shockwave. Instead, he stood there calmly and offered a simple raise of the hand which compelled one of the black lines on his body to run into the ground as if of its own volition.

Rumble!

A giant wall of earth rose up and blocked the devastating fallout.

After lowering his hand, the wall of earth fell and scattered like the sands of the desert.

Surveying the scene, the nitu demon rose an eyebrow in contemplation. His main focus was on the cauldrons spinning at high speeds behind Savage Taitan.

The brute had a mix of white and red and cauldrons even though he was the prized disciple of a decent sect.

“I wonder…” thought the nitu demon before it trailed off into silence.

Crack!

A sickening, wet crack roused him from his rumination. He looked up to see Savage Taitan’s weapon lodged firmly in the creature’s head where its beast xin would be.

The nitu demon saw an opportunity with this and through his control of the earth summoned a massive spike that sped towards the creature and by extension Savage Taitan.

Savage Taitan saw this, which caused his expression to quickly change. He left his weapon lodged in the creature as he quickly got out of the way!

Boom!

The spike crashed into the weapon with a violent force sending it much deeper into the centipede’s head!

With this, the centipede stiffened before it fell limply to the ground without a loud crash.

“Chen Jie were you trying to kill me!?” Savage Taitan yelled as he rushed over before firing off a punch at the nitu demon.

That’s right, this nitu demon was the most powerful and gifted genius of the Infernal Myriad Ground Clan.

His innate talent and the resources poured into him are not something anyone could imagine, and living up to the expectations of the clan's elders, he made sure to use them to full effect.

Chen Jie’s gaze slowly slid into Savage Taitan’s direction before a wall popped up out of nowhere, blocking the punch.

Shing!

Before anything else could happen, a beam of light pierced through the centipede from the inside.

Both Chen Jie and Savage Taitan squinted their eyes due to the intensity of the blinding light!

The glare eventually died down a bit, allowing everyone to see what was inside. It was a truncheon.

An old truncheon to be specific. It was filled with holes and emanated a powerful fluctuation.

“A spiritual artefact!”

A shout from a distance disclosed what was happening here.

“They’re in the magical beasts!”

Another shout echoed out that spread like wildfire, not just among the demons, but among all the races present within the realm.

Every time the Spiritual Bingqi Realm opens, a bulk of the more powerful spiritual artefacts would be in peculiar places.

Once when it opened, the weapons were under the ground. Another time, they would be in the trees and other spiritual herbs. Once they were in the void, a circumstance that had a pitiful few of the disciples within able to retrieve them.

No one knew who or what was responsible for a bulk of the more powerful weapons to be in these places, but it was up to those within to figure out where they were and to take what they could.

“So it’s true…” Savage Taitan stared up at the phenomenon with less surprise, even pausing his attack on Chen Jie as he did so. “Was it really wise to advertise it like this?”

Chen Jie shrugged his shoulders as he did the same. “It’s not our job to question it. Too many strange things have been happening lately. Something’s got the larger sects shaken up and according to them, it’s best to arm the fodder for something that could very well be happening in the future.”

Savage Taitan went quiet on this. This was the first time something like this took place. Every time this realm opened up, the more powerful sects would consult the sects and individuals specialised in divining.

This was the practice of reading the lines of fate and karma that tied events and people alike. Correct utilisation of this heaven-defying ability could in theory allow one to tell the future.

Though it wasn’t one hundred percent accurate, it was better than nothing. In addition, it was far from cheap even if it was wrong.

This was because divining anything between heaven and earth could cause a backlash in karma. The backlash could range anywhere from a mild injury to as severe as death.

As a result, any sect that paid the price of divining anything would never divulge the information to outsiders. The price they paid was far too great to give it away for free. This was the case for the location of the weapons within the Spiritual Bingqi Realm.

However, not just the Nether Immolation War Temple, and Infernal Myriad Ground Clan, other top sects including the top ten great sects, unanimously decided to let everyone know where the weapons were from the beginning.

Savage Taitan and Chen Jie were aware of this and wondered what it could mean.

By now, several cultivators of all races knew where the spiritual artefacts were.

“It’s mine!”

A random cultivator lunged toward the spiritual artefact enveloped in the pillar of light.

He reached out to pierce the pillar of light to snatch away the spiritual artefact.

Upon seeing this, Savage Taitan smirked while Chen Jie sighed.

“Aaaaah!!”

As if expecting this, a bloodcurdling scream erupted as the pillar of light burned away the arm of the cultivator until his entire body suffered the same fate soon after.