Boom!
A loud noise resounded in the air as the Black Venom King’s body was sent flying like a cannonball. He crashed into a hill, causing the entire head of the hill to collapse.
In the air, Tuntun was also pushed half a step back. Foul-smelling black Qi twined around its paw as if attempting to burrow into its body.
*Cough*
The Black Venom King slowly rose from the rubble. There were five deep and bloody gorges on his chest, proof that he had been injured by Tuntun. A venomous look was revealed in his eyes as he looked towards Tuntun.
“What a brainless brute, to think that it dares to allow my poison touch its body!”
However, as this thought flashed in his head, Tuntun suddenly lowered its head, opened its mouth and sucked, swallowing the black poison Qi on its paw into its body.
Huu.
Tuntun shook its head, black mist spewing from its nose as it roared in anger, evidently very unhappy with the poison Qi’s smell.
The venomous look on the Black Venom King’s face instantly froze as he stared in disbelief at Tuntun. He never imagined that his invincible Devil Miasma Poison would have no effect on Tuntun.
Evidently, Tuntun’s poison resistance far surpassed his expectations.
Roar!
However, Tuntun had already been infuriated by the bad tasting poison Qi and its scarlet-red eyes quickly locked onto the Black Venom King. It rode on its scarlet-red Genesis Qi as it shot forward once again, pouncing towards the Black Venom King.
Wei Canglan took this opportunity to beat a dog while it was drowning, golden Genesis Qi whizzing forth as he began to seal off all the Black Venom King’s escape routes.
In the sky, the Black Venom King miserably fled and dodged, while Tuntun and Wei Canglan blocked off the former’s escape routes one by one, slowly forcing him into a dead end.
“Your highness, I admit defeat. As long as you let me leave, I will restrict the many factions of Blackwater and ensure that none of them even dream about infringing the Great Zhou Empire’s borders!” Death imminent, fear finally began to bubble in the Black Venom King as he hurriedly shouted in Zhou Yuan’s direction.
The numerous factions outside the valley kept silent out of fear when they saw the Black Venom King, who was practically unstoppable in Blackwater, being pushed so far. No one dared to harbour even the slightest ill-intent.
Those that were originally wondering if it was possible to steal the Fire Spirit Grain also rationally dispelled such thoughts.
Zhou Yuan’s expression was cold and indifferent. The Black Venom King had done so much harm to the Great Zhou Empire, how could Zhou Yuan let the latter off so easily?
Thus, he did not stop Wei Canglan and Tuntun.
As if sensing Zhou Yuan’s intent to kill him, the Black Venom King’s fear intensified. He threw away all other thoughts and hurriedly said, “Your highness, I am willing to submit to the royal clan and work for them!”
Only then did Zhou Yuan’s indifferent expression ripple slightly. The Black Venom King was after all an Alpha-Origin expert. If he sided with the royal clan, it would undoubtedly be a huge boost to their power.
Wei Qingqing earnestly reminded when she heard this.“Your highness, that fiend is vicious and cunning. Be careful of being betrayed.”
The general’s faction had fought far too many times with the Black Venom King and knew just how sly he could be.
Zhou Yuan nodded in acknowledgement. He was naturally aware of this. Hence, he moved to Yaoyao’s side and asked, “Big sis Yaoyao, is there any way to control him such that he will not harbour any thoughts of backstabbing in future?”
Yaoyao pondered for a while, before her snow-white chin gently nodded. “There naturally is, but the precondition is that the Black Venom King cannot put up even the slightest resistance, or the method will not succeed.”
Zhou Yuan nodded, lifted his head towards the Black Venom King and said in a cold voice, “If you really mean it, give up on all resistance and allow me to deal with you.”
The Black Venom King’s eyes flashed as hesitation flitted across his face. Abandoning all resistance was akin to putting his life in Zhou Yuan’s hands.
“It seems that you are not willing. Since that is so, go accompany the slaughtered citizens of Great Zhou.” Iciness flowed in Zhou Yuan’s eyes.
Tuntun’s and Wei Canglan’s attacks immediately grew increasingly ferocious.
The Black Venom King was steadily forced into a corner, the smell of death growing increasingly closer in his heart. In the end, he gritted his teeth and yelled, “Your highness, I submit!”
The moment he said these words, the Genesis Qi around him rapidly receded into his body.
Swish!
Wei Canglan’s figure appeared in front of the Black Venom King as a palm strike was sent flying towards his chest.
Urgh.
The Black Venom King vomited a mouthful of fresh blood as his body fell from the sky, crashing into the ground in front of Zhou Yuan and the rest. The former’s face was deathly pale, showing that he had been seriously injured.
The Black Venom King ignored the intense pain from his body and hurriedly said, “Your highness, your highness, I submit!”
Wei Canglan landed beside Zhou Yuan, a guarded look on his face as he stared at the Black Venom King.
Tuntun also descended as its giant body rapidly began to shrink. It eventually returned its usual appearance and jumped into Yaoyao’s arms.
However, it was obvious that no one dared to underestimate it even in this form. Even Wei Canglan’s gaze was filled with wariness when he looked at it.
“If you intend to submit, I will do something to you such that you will no longer be able to entertain any thoughts of rebelling.” Zhou Yuan’s tone was indifferent as he stared at the Black Venom King.
Upon hearing these words, the Black Venom King’s heart jumped as unease rose within him. However, under Wei Canglan’s and Tuntun’s watching eyes, the former ultimately forced himself to nod. At the end of the day, preserving his life was the best course of action.
“Restrain the Genesis Qi in your body and do not circulate it. Also, make sure that you have no thoughts of resistance.” Zhou Yuan’s tone was cold as he continued, “This technique can only be used once. If it does not succeed… you will die.”
The Black Venom King shivered as he listened to Zhou Yuan’s murder-laced words.
Zhou Yuan then looked towards Yaoyao and saw her give a slight nod before she slowly walked forward, jade-green Genesis Brush in hand. The brush tip stopped three inches before the spot between the Black Venom King’s brows and began to draw. An extremely complex Genesis Rune began to slowly take shape.
A long time later, the completed Genesis Rune slowly descended, landing between the Black Venom King’s brows. It slowly submerged into his skin, leaving behind a green rune.
Yaoyao glanced at the Black Venom King and said, “This is known as the Spirit Locking Son-Mother Rune. If you have any thoughts of rebelling, activating the mother rune will instantly destroy your Spirit.”
The Black Venom King was ashen-faced. He had evidently sensed something lock onto his Spirit.
Yaoyao passed a piece of jade to Zhou Yuan on which an even more complicated Genesis Rune was carved. “This is the mother rune. If you find any disloyalty in him, shatter the jade and he will die.”
Zhou Yuan felt a little happy as he grasped the jade. He looked towards the Black Venom King and said, “Since that is so, you will work for the Great Zhou Empire in future. This may also be considered a form of atonement for the numerous innocents that died at your hands.”
The Black Venom King’s expression was a mix between crying and smiling when he heard this. In the end, he could only nod. As the saying went, better a bad life than a good death, living was still better than dying.
“Understood your highness!”
Chapter 90 Left Behind Treasures
The great battle in the valley
had finally ended with the surrender of the Black Venom King. The Great Zhou royal clan Zhou Yuan represented was clearly the biggest winner of this affair.
Outside the valley, the other factions tactfully withdrew one after another upon seeing this. After all, Qi Manor had been defeated and even the Black Venom King had submitted.
The royal clan’s power will definitely soar to astonishing levels after this event.
In the face of such a powerful royal clan, there were no longer any factions in Blackwater that could match the former.
“Congratulations your highness.” Wei Canglan withdrew his Genesis Qi and cupped his fists together towards Zhou Yuan.
It was clear that Zhou Yuan had grown even more important in Wei Canglan’s eyes, and there was even a trace of respect in his tone. After all, besides the mysterious giant beast and grade 4 Genesis Rune proficient Yaoyao, there was now an additional Black Venom King at Zhou Yuan’s side.
These three were comparable to Alpha-Origin experts.
Such strength could easily subdue the entire Great Zhou Empire. The truth was, the most important reason why Wei Canglan had been able to ignore the imperial edicts was because the royal clan only had one Alpha-Origin expert, Zhou Qing.
This number had now shot up to four.
Hence, if the royal clan wanted to, the great general’s faction could easily disappear.
The balance of power between both parties was no longer equal, and Wei Canglan was naturally not foolish enough to treat Zhou Yuan in the same manner as before.
“Great general’s help was paramount to the success in obtaining the Fire Spirit Grain. After I return, I will make sure that your service will not be forgotten. When the Fire Spirit Grain is cultivated in future, great general’s residence will definitely have a share.” Zhou Yuan cupped his fists together towards Wei Canglan.
“Then I’ll take this chance to thank your highness first.”
Wei Canglan chuckled. Soon after, his expression grew solemn as he said, “However, due to Qi Manor’s failure and the fact that Qi Hao has been killed by your highness, Qi Manor will not take this lying down.”
Zhou Yuan let out an icy chuckle. “The ones that will not let this matter rest should be us.”
Previously, Zhou Qing had been very patient and accommodating because the royal clan’s power was equal to Qi Manor’s. If they clashed, it would be a huge blow to the Great Zhou Empire. However, after the events of Blackwater, the royal clan’s power would undoubtedly rise sharply, making it the best opportunity for them to completely eradicate this malignant tumor of the Great Zhou Empire.
Wei Canglan’s heart shivered slightly at the coldness in Zhou Yuan’s tone. He knew that the royal clan would soon begin hostilities against Qi Manor.
“Great general, Qi Manor has been harbouring thoughts of rebelling. If a war breaks out, I hope that you will be able to lend us your aid.” Zhou Yuan’s expression was earnest as he looked towards Wei Canglan.
Wei Canglan hesitated for a split second. In the past, he had refused to interfere in the struggle between the royal clan and Qi Manor. However, this hesitation quickly faded. Since he had already helped Zhou Yuan in the contest for the Fire Spirit Grain, it was likely that Qi Manor already viewed him as part of the royal clan’s camp, making him a thorn in their side. Therefore, why not fully side with the royal clan and aid them in eliminating the threat known as Qi Manor.
Wei Canglan replied in a solemn voice, “Don’t worry your highness, if it is needed, the great general’s residence will do all we can to exterminate the rebels.”
Zhou Yuan sighed in relief upon hearing Wei Canglan’s promise. With his aid, the royal clan’s power would rise once again.
Zhou Yuan looked towards the rest and smiled, “The Fire Spirit Grain is already ours, let’s leave.”
Everyone nodded. Yaoyao however cast her gaze towards the bottom of the valley and suddenly asked, “Have you collected all of the treasure?”
Zhou Yuan was taken aback. “The Fire Spirit Grain is already in our hands.”
Yaoyao gently stroked Tuntun’s fur as her red lips parted slightly, “The Battle Puppet Sect is a rather decent sect, their ruins are likely not as simple as your imagine.”
Zhou Yuan was utterly confused. However, he seemed to have caught a hold something amongst Yaoyao’s words and probed, “Are there other undiscovered treasures here?”
Surprise surfaced in the eyes of everyone else.
Yaoyao said, “You’ll know once you have a look.”
After which, she walked forward towards the bottom of the valley. Zhou Yuan and the rest looked to each other before quickly following.
The group advanced towards the bottom of the valley.
Their footsteps eventually came to a stop just outside the abandoned herb cultivation field where Zhou Yuan had dug up the Fire Spirit Grain.
Zhou Yuan’s eyes darted everywhere, but all he found were the rather desolate bare walls of the valley. There were no traces of anything out of the ordinary.
Wei Canglan’s gaze also scanned the area and was likewise unable to discover anything. Thus, they could only turn their doubtful gazes towards Yaoyao.
“Are there really other treasures here?” Zhou Yuan was a little skeptical.
Yaoyao ignored him as she walked forward into the abandoned herb cultivation field. She squatted down and gently rubbed the ground as she closed her eyes.
Upon seeing this, no one dared to make any noise.
Several minutes later, Yaoyao opened her eyes and pointed towards the large hole that had been left behind after Zhou Yuan had dug out the Fire Spirit Grain earlier and said, “Continue digging there.”
Zhou Yuan was somewhat puzzled. He was the one who had dug that hole, and had not felt any peculiar undulations from below. However, he still nodded towards Lu Tieshan and the rest due to his trust in Yaoyao.
Thus, Lu Tieshan and a few Heaven Gate experts moved forward began to circulate their Genesis Qi, sending waves of Genesis Qi into the hole to dig deeper and deeper.
Layers of soil were sent flying and the originally six feet deep hole very quickly became over thirty feet deep. If one looked in, all one would see was pitch-black darkness.
Buzz!
As one of the Heaven Gate experts shot out another stream of Genesis Qi into the soil, a sound was heard as something had been struck. Light suddenly emerged from the depths of the hole, blasting away the Heaven Gate expert with a ‘bang’, causing him to slam into one of the valley walls.
This sudden turn of events stunned everyone.
“It’s a Genesis Rune boundary!” Zhou Yuan’s eyes flickered brightly as he stared at the bottom of the pitch-black hole. When the light appeared earlier, he had sensed a very faint pulse from inside.
“Let’s go down and take a look.”
Everyone carefully descended into the pit. They quickly discovered a barrier stretching over one corner of the pit where a bronze door stood.
Wei Canglan uttered in astonishment, “I never imagined that there would be such a thing below the herb cultivation field.”
Zhou Yuan also gasped in surprise. The barrier outside of the bronze door was a Genesis Rune boundary that both protected and sealed off any undulations. No wonder he was unable to detect it before.
Thank god for Yaoyao’s powerful Spirit perception, or no one would have realised that there were still treasures under the herb cultivation field.
“This Genesis Rune boundary seems to be very powerful.” Wei Canglan’s expression was grave as he stared at the barrier. Even someone as powerful as himself could feel an extremely fatal sensation from it.
Yaoyao observed the barrier as she explained, “This is a special Genesis Rune boundary, and a very specific Genesis Rune is needed to open it. Forcibly opening it would cause it to self-destruct, turning the trespasser and the treasures inside to nothingness.”
“If it self-destructs, I’m afraid that nothing within a hundred mile radius will survive
.”
Upon hearing her words, everyone’s hearts trembled as they involuntarily took several steps backwards. Even Zhou Yuan was a little frightened.
“Looks like it’s hopeless for us.” Zhou Yuan smiled bitterly. It was likely that only the most high-ranking members of the Battle Puppet Sect knew of the special Genesis Rune, let alone people like themselves.
Without the special Genesis Rune, they would not be able to open the barrier regardless of how capable they were.
Everyone else nodded in agreement as feelings of regret rose within them. A treasure mountain stood before their eyes, but none of them could enter.
However, while everyone was feeling regret, Yaoyao suddenly grinned.
“That may not be so…”
Chapter 91 Underground Palace
“That may not be so…”
The moment these words left Yaoyao’s mouth, Zhou Yuan, Su Youwei, Wei Canglan and the rest immediately cast their gazes towards her, looks of bewilderment on their faces. Could it be that Yaoyao was able to decipher even a Genesis Rune boundary like this?
As if she could read their minds, Yaoyao shook her head and said, “One needs to have at the minimum mastered grade 5 Genesis Runes to attempt deciphering this Genesis Rune boundary. The current me is unable to do so.”
Everyone was even more confused after hearing this. Since she was unable to decipher it, what other method was there?
Yaoyao said in an offhand manner, “Won’t we be able to open it as long as we have that special rune?”
Everyone forced a smile and shook their heads. Why would they be standing around if they knew the special rune?
However, Su Youwei’s eyes glimmered at this moment as she asked, “Does big sis Yaoyao know the special rune?”
Yaoyao carefully inspected the runes on the Genesis Rune boundary. A while later, she finally nodded. “It seems that I was correct.”
As she spoke, she tapped the Universe bag at her waist and a black jade tile appeared in her hand.
Zhou Yuan was taken aback when he saw the black jade tile. It was the item he had payed an unfair price of twenty thousand Genesis crystals previously in Devil Prison City.
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 56
