CHAPTER 514: 513

Shangjia Moti was confident he could defeat anyone here, but the prerequisite was that the person had to step forward and use the same Insect Summoning Technique. Others could do it as well, even kill a Black Viper, so presumably, their abilities wouldn’t be much inferior to his own.

The old man with the gloomy look in his eyes gazed at the silent darkness around him. After receiving no response, he quietly released a seven-tailed centipede from the palm of his hand. This centipede was one of his strongest Gu; although not as powerful as the one he raised in the house, it was still more than enough to deal with ordinary people. Originally, Shangjia Moti had intended to train this centipede into his Lifebound Gu. Seven-tailed centipedes were not easy to come by, firmly holding the seventh spot on the Gu ranking list. However, the intruder’s abilities did not seem inferior to his own. Rather than simply send a few insects to their death, it was better to unveil something more formidable to dissuade him from proceeding.

The seven-tailed centipede slid over the palm and down the Kasaya robe to the ground, moving silently and disappearing into the night. Shangjia Moti stood quietly in the darkness, feeling increasingly that something was amiss. Suddenly, he remembered the fleeting thought he had while making his calculations earlier; something was still rather obscure and not fully revealed. Panicking, Shangjia Moti made calculations again, but the results were the same – those matters remained vague and did not disclose any information. Being naturally cautious, Shangjia Moti did not hesitate any longer and turned to go back inside. However, the moment he turned around, he caught sight of a dark figure standing at the entrance of the courtyard with the corner of his eye.

Indeed, someone had come.

Since this person could stand here completely intact, obviously the seven-tailed centipede was dead.

A fellow practitioner? Unlikely. There wasn’t the slightest hint of a negative aura about him; on the contrary, he exuded an air of masculinity that Gu loathed.

Sure enough, the various stray insects kept in the yard started to become restless, and even a few scorpions scurried out from their crock pots. However, they stopped in their tracks and lay motionless, their pincers and venomous tails hanging limp to the ground without a sign of life.

This person was simply the bane of Gu!

"Who are you?"

Shangjia Moti pointed at Ye Tian and asked, his tone tinged with impatience.

A bug was tossed over and landed on the ground – it was the seven-tailed centipede.

"Why do you want to kill me?"

Ye Tian feigned profundity with his question. Although he didn’t know the name of this insect, the aura it exuded was indeed frightening. However, this insect’s energy was different from his own. It seemed likely that Tang San had acted against him not because of this man.

Gui Xiao, oh Gui Xiao, why did you lead me to such a place, to this perverse old man? Ye Tian inwardly lamented, but to save face, he stood his ground and refused to retreat.

Hearing this disconnected statement from the other party, Shangjia Moti felt his anger ignite. In his eyes, this person was clearly looking for trouble, with the sole purpose of stealing the Ice Worm from his hands, resorting to such a trivial excuse, foolishly naive!

"Hmph, correct, it’s me who wants to kill you, what about it? Do you really think killing two of my insects is a big deal? I don’t know what your abilities are, but since you’re here, stay awhile. My insects haven’t eaten for a few days, you’re here just in time for their meal!"

With a fierce swing of his Kasaya robe, Shangjia Moti stretched out both arms, and instantly, the ground was covered with a dense multitude of insects of all shapes and colors.

For a moment, a rustling sound filled the entire courtyard, resembling the noise of static on a television screen, enough to give anyone goosebumps.

At this point, Ye Tian truly regretted his actions – why the silly bravado?

In fact, had this man said a few more words, Ye Tian could have used the excuse of having the wrong person and simply left. But Shangjia Moti didn’t give him that chance, acting immediately and firmly, which was unexpected to Ye Tian. Although he had some reservations about Gu, he came with the mindset of striking first for strength – if not to take the upper hand, then at least to save his own life. But now, things seemed to have gotten complicated.

"Just want to take the Ice Worm from my hands? But I’m afraid you have the heart but not the courage!"

At Shangjia Moti’s command, the insects that were still circling in place suddenly acted as if receiving an order, rushing forward in unison. A wave of colorful poisonous insects surged with deadly intent, aiming to bite the man before them.

Ice Worm! A shiver went through Ye Tian’s heart.

He still remembered the pale-faced woman lying on the ice bed, the one who fainted suddenly during his wedding, the one wrapped in a finely handmade red Qipao. He also remembered the promise made under the starry night sky in the back mountain, "Let me accompany you through landscapes as picturesque as paintings!" Yet, he still stood, while she had fallen.

He remembered the words of Ghost Doctor Liu Haiju, "Only the Ice Worm can save her."

Could it be that this man possessed the legendary Ice Worm?!

Ye Tian had thought to just walk away. He did not believe he could outfight this withered old man, but when it came to running away, no one could match him. But now, after hearing his words, Ye Tian changed his mind. Even at the cost of half his life, he had to obtain that Ice Worm. Whether it was real or not, he would find out once he had it in his possession.

"Do you truly have the Ice Worm?" Ye Tian asked earnestly.

Hearing his tone, Shangjia Moti sneered inwardly, yet another pitiful wretch lured by the Ice Worm.

"Yes. Come and try to take it!"

That settled it.

King of Witchcraft, you shall be mine!

A surge of determination rose in Ye Tian’s chest. Previously, his Spiritual Power would emanate from his wrist, but ever since his enlightenment of the Second Finger in the Dark Space against Panchen, the warm Spiritual Power began to radiate from the heart in his chest.

This newly acquired power felt even more natural in his control than that from his wrist; its robustness seemed to increase by yet another ten percent. It was like the ever-flowing stream from a mountain brook, abundant and inexhaustible. So this was the power of the Small Zen Realm, wasn’t it?

However, this power from the Small Zen Realm was indeed too vast. With a single hand raised, Ye Tian struck a pose, ready to unleash an attack.