Chapter Seventeen: Tenfold Gravity

In a secluded mountain valley, the clashing of metal rang ceaselessly. Luo Hao, Zhao Xin, and their companion had encircled Mu Yudie at the center, desperately fending off the relentless onslaught from the agents of “Dark Nether.”

The tall, thin man in gray, with a silver moon emblem embroidered on his shoulder, stood at the fore. His eyes, visible beneath a pallid mask, were cold and sinister as he directed his eight subordinates, all wielding sharp weapons, to keep Luo Hao and the others firmly surrounded.

“Miss Mu, I advise you to come with us to see the Lord of the Nether. Otherwise, we’ll have a hard time explaining ourselves.” The leader’s voice was icy as he commanded his men to attack, his words chilling and unyielding.

Mu Yudie’s delicate face was etched with disdain. She shook her head resolutely. “I’d rather die here than go back with you!”

“Since you won’t cooperate, I’ll just have to capture you and deliver you as ordered.” The leader paused, then barked coldly, “Luo Hao! You know well the strength of ‘Dark Nether.’ Defying us is nothing short of courting death!”

Luo Hao burst out laughing, his voice booming like thunder. “I’ve always walked alone. If your ‘Dark Nether’ wants to kill me, you’ll have to pay dearly. As the Nether Moon Envoy, with your cultivation at the second tier of the Hundred Tribulations, you’re certainly worthy of dying alongside me!”

“You’re not qualified to take me with you to the grave.” The Nether Moon Envoy shook his head, his body flickering like a ghostly shadow.

In the next instant, he appeared three meters before Luo Hao, extending his left hand—fingers curved like iron hooks. Wisps of chilling green light streamed from his fingers, weaving like ribbons and suddenly lashing out to entangle Luo Hao.

“Nether God’s Emerald Claw!” Luo Hao’s expression shifted as he called out gravely, “Zhao Xin, you three—protect Little Die!”

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

Luo Hao’s heartbeat thundered, pounding several times faster than normal. Around him, gravity instantly intensified tenfold!

All the Nether Star Envoys of “Dark Nether” near Luo Hao staggered, as if burdened by a mountain of iron; their knees buckled, nearly forcing them to kneel. Even the Nether Moon Envoy was affected, his body trembling before he snorted coldly. “Luo Hao, I didn’t expect your Gravity Martial Spirit to advance further, reaching over tenfold gravity. No wonder you’re so bold.”

“Haha! Without some skill, how could I dare to drag you with me?” Luo Hao laughed again, his face still carrying a nonchalant smile. Yet the broadsword on his shoulder flared with blue light, its aura surging from him like a mountain.

He laughed boldly, swinging his broadsword as he planted himself before Mu Yudie, blocking the Nether Moon Envoy’s advance.

The Nether Moon Envoy’s “Nether God’s Emerald Claw” was stifled by the increased gravity. The eerie green rays became sluggish, forcing him to bend his fingers and face Luo Hao head-on, joining three Nether Star Envoys to surround him.

“Zhao Xin, take Little Die and go!” Luo Hao roared, his momentum soaring as he swept his broadsword in arcs of blue light, fending off nearly ten of the Dark Nether’s agents alone.

Fifty meters behind the Dark Nether’s envoys, Shi Yan halted at the base of an ancient tree. Concealed behind its trunk, he observed the battle ahead, his pitch-black eyes glittering.

Each Nether Star Envoy from “Dark Nether” was at the innate realm, and the Nether Moon Envoy, with the silver moon emblem, possessed the cultivation of the second tier of the Hundred Tribulations. Their strength was formidable—if Shi Yan acted rashly, he might be dealt with before even reaching Mu Yudie and the others.

Frowning, a flurry of thoughts raced through his mind as Shi Yan searched for a solution.

Five seconds later, his eyes lit up. He quietly slipped off his pack, took out a bundle wrapped in soft cloth—Bone-Corrosion Powder—gripped it in his palm, and crouched low as he silently climbed the ancient tree.

Moving nimbly along the slender branches, Shi Yan crept closer to the melee. Bone-Corrosion Powder was a poison concocted by Karu, an unorthodox alchemist. It numbed the muscles and bones, drastically sapping strength for up to three hours—enough to alter the course of any battle.

“Zhao Xin! Go!” Luo Hao’s furious roar echoed as his broadsword blazed blue, holding back nearly ten of Dark Nether’s envoys alone.

“Miss Mu!” Zhao Xin urged anxiously, stamping his foot. “Hurry!”

Mu Yudie’s expression was serene, but her gaze was resolute. “I won’t go. If you all stay and fight, we might yet prevail. If all three of you leave, Uncle Luo will surely fall under siege. Without him, we’d never stand against ‘Dark Nether.’ Our fate would be the same in the end.”

“Fine! Then we fight to the death!” Zhao Xin, clever as he was, finally made up his mind. “Di Yalan! Hu Long! With me!”

The three formed a defensive ring around Mu Yudie, their weapons slicing through the air as they fired at the Dark Nether attackers besieging Luo Hao.

“Four of you, deal with those three juniors. Be careful not to harm Miss Mu—our Lord’s orders are clear, she must be ‘invited’ back alive, without a scratch,” the Nether Moon Envoy commanded coldly.

“Yes!” Four Nether Star Envoys responded, charging at Zhao Xin and his companions.

Just then—

A faint, unusual sound came from above. The Nether Moon Envoy, ever vigilant, looked up and shouted, “No! Evade!”

Too late!

A gray dust, like a fine rain, descended from the sky, enveloping the entire area. Everyone—Dark Nether and Luo Hao’s group alike—was doused in the powder, with no exceptions.

The Nether Moon Envoy reacted swiftly, holding his breath as he leapt back, but still couldn’t avoid being coated in gray dust. The powder possessed a strange permeating power, seeping through his skin and numbing his limbs. Alarmed, he hurriedly channeled his essence to resist.

The Nether Star Envoys were less alert; many inhaled the Bone-Corrosion Powder. The toxin rapidly affected them—within seconds, they felt their bodies grow numb, their bones limp, sap drained from their muscles.

Luo Hao’s face changed; he too was afflicted, his strength ebbing. Circulating his essence in haste to counteract the poison, his eyes grew sharp as he glared upward.

A lean figure suddenly emerged from the ancient tree’s branches above. With a calm expression, he leapt to land quietly beside the astonished Mu Yudie, handing her a pouch. “Inhale the fragrance inside—Bone-Corrosion Powder’s poison will be dispelled.”

“You?” Mu Yudie’s beautiful, moon-like face was filled with shock—she had never expected Shi Yan to descend from the sky.

She studied him closely and was even more surprised. In just a few days since their last meeting, Shi Yan had already reached the innate realm?

“You saved me twice, once unwittingly, once deliberately—I remember both,” Shi Yan grinned, watching her accept the medicinal pouch. “The powder’s effects last for three hours. That’s neither short nor long—you’ll know how to use that time.” A glint of icy intent flickered in his dark eyes.

“I understand,” Mu Yudie replied, wrinkling her delicate nose as she took a deep breath of the pouch’s fragrance, then quickly handed it to Zhao Xin. “Hurry!”

The Nether Moon Envoy, desperately channeling his essence to resist the poison, saw the situation turning and shouted coldly, “Attack! Seize the pouch! If Luo Hao’s group recovers from the poison, none of you will survive!”

With that, he forced his essence to surge and charged Luo Hao again.

The Nether Star Envoys, realizing the gravity of the situation, ignored their own afflictions to besiege Zhao Xin’s group, their attacks sluggish but relentless.

Zhao Xin, unable to retrieve the pouch from Mu Yudie amid the onslaught, had to focus all his energy on defending against the frenzied attacks.

Hu Long and Di Yalan were no better off, their opponents’ assault leaving them no chance to inhale the antidote.

Mu Yudie clutched the pouch, unable to find an opening to pass it on, anxiety growing on her lovely face.

Helpless, she turned to Shi Yan, her beautiful eyes pleading.

Though his cultivation was not high, in this moment—when everyone was afflicted by Bone-Corrosion Powder and she herself could not circulate her essence—Shi Yan suddenly became vital.

Under her imploring gaze, Shi Yan smiled faintly. “May I ask your name, miss?”

“Mu Yudie.”

“A lovely name.”

He nodded solemnly, committing it to memory, then suddenly darted forward under her watchful eyes.

Brandishing a dagger, Shi Yan plunged into the midst of the Nether Star Envoys, his expression cold as he slashed, each strike a flash of deadly light.

A Nether Star Envoy worst stricken by the poison received a deep gash across his neck and fell backwards.

Like a blade himself, Shi Yan wove through the ranks, leaving bloody furrows on his foes.

“Uh…” Mu Yudie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a strange look in her eyes and on her face. “I only wanted him to help pass the pouch…”

…

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