Houtu Tribe

The faint earth-yellow spiritual light in the mountain crevice, though weak, contained extremely pure and dense Earth elemental origin and the "Bedrock" Dao rhythm, which was fatally attractive to Li Su!

However, the battle between the Qiongqi ferocious beast and the Witch Clan warriors was in full swing, and the battlefield happened to cover that area.

Violent energy shockwaves continuously tore apart everything around. To rashly approach at this time would easily draw one into the battle, becoming a target of attack for both sides.

Li Su concealed his aura and hid behind a distant stone mountain, observing calmly.

That Qiongqi was powerful, comparable to a mid-stage Celestial Immortal. Its hide was thick and tough, resistant to Witch poisons, and it could spew corrosive soul-devouring flames.

The group of Witch Clan warriors numbered about a dozen. The leader was an exceptionally tall, burly man wielding a bronze battle-axe. His Blood Essence was immense, and his combat power was around the early Celestial Immortal stage. The rest of the warriors were mostly at the Earth Immortal and Void Refining stages.

The battle formation they had formed was quite mystical, drawing upon the power of the earth. They could barely hold their own against the Qiongqi but were already showing signs of fatigue. Warriors were constantly being struck by the Qiongqi's claws or doused by its poisonous flames, resulting in death or injury.

He couldn't wait any longer! The mountain wall showed signs of collapse after repeated tremors. If the spiritual light were buried or destroyed, the loss would outweigh any gain.

Li Su's mind raced, and he made a decision instantly.

He wasn't trying to help either side; he intended to stir up trouble and seize the treasure in the chaos!

He quietly shifted his position, circling to the flank of the battlefield. Just as the Qiongqi opened its mouth to spew poisonous flames again, a very subtle point, yet condensed with powerful Stellar Evil Energy, shot out silently. Its target was not the Qiongqi's vital points but the joint connecting its wings to its body!

Hiss!

The dark light penetrated! The Qiongqi's movement, just as it was about to spew poisonous flames, suddenly froze. It let out a roar mixed with pain and anger!

The Soul-Devouring Dark Light's sting to its soul caused it to momentarily lose focus, and the condensed poisonous flames almost backfired!

In this split second! The experienced Witch Clan leader seized the heavenly opportunity without hesitation, even though he didn't know why the Qiongqi had suddenly lost control!

"Roar! Earth Splitting Strike!" he bellowed, his Blood Essence burning. The bronze battle-axe in his hand erupted with dazzling yellow light. He leaped fiercely and brought his axe down hard on the Qiongqi's exposed neck weakness, which it revealed due to the pain!

Squelch! Blood splattered! The Qiongqi's tough scales were actually split open by this axe, creating a massive wound that nearly severed half its neck!

Severely wounded, the Qiongqi let out a dying wail and struggled frantically. Its tail whipped out, sending two nearby Witch Clan warriors flying.

And this was the chaotic moment Li Su had been waiting for! His bamboo body moved like lightning, employing the rudimentary transformation techniques he had learned from the Eight Nine Mysterious Art.

He mimicked his aura to resemble an ordinary rock, staying close to the ground, and charged towards the crevice at extreme speed!

Just as he was about to touch the earth-yellow spiritual light, the burly Witch Clan leader seemed to sense something. He abruptly turned his head, his gaze sweeping over like lightning: "Who?!"

Li Su didn't hesitate. His bamboo roots coiled, scooping the "Wu Earth Essence" from the crevice—a treasure the size of a pigeon's egg, warm and lustrous like jade, radiating immense Earth elemental origin and Bedrock Dao rhythm—into his embrace, while simultaneously retreating rapidly!

"Leave the treasure!" Although the burly man didn't know what it was, his intuition told him it was extraordinary. He roared in anger and cleaved through the air with his axe! The powerful Blood Essence axe-light tore through the earth!

Li Su's Profound Star Swirl Body Protection flashed, enduring the blow. He used the force to fly backward, and with a flick of his bamboo branches, several Star Spirit Bamboo Leaf Blades shot towards the struggling Qiongqi nearby, further creating chaos.

"Roar!" The Qiongqi, in pain, went berserk again, charging at the burly man regardless of its injuries.

The burly man had no choice but to turn and face the Qiongqi's final counterattack.

Taking this opportunity, Li Su flickered a few times and disappeared into the vast mountain range.

Behind him, he heard the Qiongqi's final wail and the cheers of the Witch Clan warriors. It was clear that the Qiongqi had been slain.

But Li Su was already dozens of miles away.

Finding a secluded cave and setting up restrictions, Li Su finally took out the "Wu Earth Essence."

Feeling the immense energy and Dao rhythm within, he was overjoyed.

This item would be of great benefit to him in improving his "Bedrock Rune," tempering his bamboo body, and even comprehending Earth elemental spiritual power!

[Acquired Innate Wu Earth Essence, containing the origin of the Great Earth and Bedrock laws. Absorption will greatly enhance Earth affinity, physical strength, and Bedrock Rune comprehension.]

He carefully guided a trace of its origin power into his bamboo body, and immediately felt a vast and dense energy flow through him.

His bamboo body became even more stable and resilient. The cracks on its surface healed rapidly, and its color even began to shift towards a deeper ink-black, as if it now carried the weight of the earth.

Not daring to linger, Li Su refined only a trace before continuing his journey.

Several days later, he finally arrived at his destination—Ten Thousand Witch City.

It was a colossal city standing on a vast plain. The city walls were not built of bricks and stones but were forged from enormous beast bones, rocks, and some form of Witchcraft. They towered a thousand zhang high, exuding an aura of wildness, density, and solemn killing intent.

The city walls were covered in traces of battles, and countless Witch Clan warriors patrolled the defenses, their Blood Essence soaring into the sky, forming a standoff with the demonic energy permeating the air.

The buildings within the city were crude and grand. The streets were mostly populated by tall Witch People, along with a small number of descendants of mixed marriages between Witch People and Humans, as well as cultivators from other races who had come to trade or seek refuge.

The atmosphere was tense and oppressive, with discussions about the war on the front lines everywhere.

Li Su's bamboo spirit form was quite conspicuous in the city, attracting many gazes. However, sensing the faint "Buzhou essence" on him and his steady, dense aura (after refining the Wu Earth Essence), most Witch People did not show hostility.

Following the hint from Yuqing Zhenren, he did not wander around but went directly to the central area of the city—the Houtu Tribe's encampment.

Unlike the solemn killing intent of other tribes, the Houtu Tribe's area was filled with a relatively gentle, inclusive, and dense earthy aura.

In the center of the tribe stood a massive statue of a woman with a human upper body and a snake's lower body, holding a Teng Snake—the Ancestral Witch of Earth, Houtu.

Li Su stated his purpose, requesting an audience with the tribe's priest, and subtly released a trace of the Guardian Dao Rhythm from the damaged jade pendant he had obtained from the golden skeleton (after research, he found this aura bore some resemblance to the Houtu Tribe's benevolent Dao of Earth).

Soon, an old woman in a coarse linen robe, holding a wooden staff, and with a kind face, received him.

The old woman's aura was profound; she was actually a Great Witch comparable to a True Immortal.

"Esteemed friend from the Ling Clan, the aura you carry is very peculiar. It possesses the density of the earth, the remoteness of the stars, and a trace of... a reassuring protective intent."

The old woman said gently, "What brings you to my Houtu Tribe?"

Li Su respectfully bowed. "Junior Mo Xing greets the High Priest. I was traveling and arrived here, sensing the compassion and inclusivity of your tribe, so I came to pay my respects.

Previously, I accidentally obtained an item that contained Guardian Dao Rhythm, but I don't know its details. Seeing that your tribe's Dao methods have some similarities to it, I came to seek guidance."

He didn't take out the jade pendant directly but instead used his divine sense to simulate a trace of its Dao Rhythm aura.

The old woman sensed it carefully, and a trace of surprise and recollection flashed in her cloudy yellow eyes. "This is... the aura of an ancient 'Oathkeeper'? Although it's weak and incomplete... child, where did you obtain this item?"

Oathkeeper? Li Su noted the term and briefly replied, "I found it in an ancient ruin."

The old woman pondered for a moment and sighed. "The 'Oathkeepers' are an extremely ancient belief system, upholding guardianship and oaths. Their Dao spread in all directions and even had some connection with my Witch Clan...

Unfortunately, they vanished long ago in the river of time. It is fate that you received this legacy."

She looked at Li Su with even gentler eyes. "Since you have come to my tribe, you are fated. Now that a great calamity has begun and the outside world is perilous, you may temporarily reside in my tribe.

If you are willing to contribute, I can arrange for you to assist in maintaining the city's formations or care for the wounded. My Houtu Tribe has always treated friends kindly."

Li Su's heart stirred. This was exactly what he needed! He could gain a relatively safe foothold, get close to the Witch Clan, and perhaps even find some opportunities.

"Thank you, High Priest! This junior is willing to do my part!"