Houtu Tribe

The earthen-yellow spiritual glow within the crack in the mountain wall was faint, yet it contained an incomparably pure and dense earth-element origin, as well as the "Bedrock" Dao Rhythm. Its allure to Li Su was fatal!

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

Violent energy shockwaves constantly tore through everything around them. Approaching rashly now would make it all too easy to get dragged into the battle and become a target for both sides.

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

That Qiongqi was immensely powerful, comparable to a mid-stage Celestial Immortal. Its hide was thick and its flesh tough, immune to witch poison, and it could even spew poisonous flames that corroded the soul.

There were roughly a dozen Witch Clan warriors. Their leader was an exceptionally tall and burly man wielding a bronze battle-axe. His blood and qi surged mightily, and his combat power was around the Early Stage Celestial Immortal. Most of the other warriors were at the Earth Immortal and Void Refinement Dao Integration levels.

The battle formation they had formed was quite profound. It drew upon the power of the earth and could barely keep the Qiongqi at bay, but they were already showing signs of exhaustion. Warriors were constantly being struck by Qiongqi's claws or tainted by its poisonous flames, leaving them either dead or wounded.

He could not wait any longer! After repeated tremors, the mountain wall was already showing signs of collapse. If the spiritual glow was buried or destroyed, the loss would outweigh the gain.

Li Su's thoughts raced, and he made his decision in an instant.

He had no intention of helping either side. He only wanted to muddy the waters and seize the treasure amid the chaos!

He quietly shifted position and circled around to the flank of the battlefield. Just as the Qiongqi opened its mouth again, preparing to spew poisonous flames, a nearly imperceptible point of light appeared,

yet it contained powerful Stellar Evil Energy. The Soul-Devouring Dark Light shot out soundlessly, targeting not the Qiongqi's vital points, but the joint where its wing connected to its body!

Sizzle!

The dark light sank in! The Qiongqi's motion as it prepared to spew poisonous flames suddenly froze, and it let out a howl filled with pain and fury!

The soul-piercing agony of the Soul-Devouring Dark Light distracted it in an instant, and the poisonous flames it had gathered nearly backlashed onto itself!

In that fleeting instant, the leading Witch Clan brute displayed his vast combat experience. Though he did not know why the Qiongqi had suddenly lost control, he would never let such a heaven-sent opportunity pass!

"Roar! Earth Splitting Strike!" He bellowed as his blood and qi burned throughout his body. The bronze battle-axe in his hand erupted with dazzling yellow light. He leaped high into the air and brought the axe down savagely upon the weak spot on the Qiongqi's neck exposed by its pain!

Splat! Blood sprayed everywhere! The Qiongqi's hard scales were actually cleaved open by that axe, leaving behind a massive wound that nearly severed half its neck!

Gravely wounded, the Qiongqi let out a dying wail and struggled madly. Its tail lashed out, sending two nearby Witch Clan warriors flying.

And that was precisely the moment of chaos Li Su had been waiting for! His bamboo body flashed like lightning as he used the rudimentary transformation technique he had learned from the Eight Nine Mysterious Art.

He mimicked the aura of an ordinary mountain rock, skimming along the ground as he charged toward the crack at tremendous speed!

Just as he was about to touch that earthen-yellow spiritual glow, the leading Witch Clan brute seemed to sense something. He abruptly turned his head, his gaze sweeping over like lightning. "Who goes there?!"

Without hesitation, Li Su swept out with his bamboo roots and stowed away the pigeon-egg-sized Wu Earth Essence from the crack. It was warm and jade-like throughout, radiating immense earth-element origin and Bedrock Dao Rhythm. At the same time, he retreated at high speed!

"Leave the treasure behind!" Though the brute did not know what it was, his instincts told him it was anything but ordinary. He immediately roared and swung his axe through the air! A powerful axe light of blood and qi tore through the earth!

The light of Profound Star Swirl Body Protection flashed around Li Su as he forcibly endured the strike. Borrowing its force, he fled backward through the air. At the same time, he flicked his bamboo branches, sending several Star Spirit Bamboo Leaf Blades toward the struggling Qiongqi to create even more chaos.

"Roar!" The Qiongqi howled in pain and went berserk again, ignoring its injuries as it pounced on the brute.

The brute had no choice but to turn back and deal with the Qiongqi's final desperate counterattack.

Seizing the chance, Li Su's figure flickered several times before vanishing into the endless mountains.

Behind him came the Qiongqi's final wail and the cheers of the Witch Clan warriors. Clearly, the Qiongqi had been slain.

But Li Su had already fled dozens of miles away.

After finding a concealed cave and setting down restrictions, Li Su finally took out the Wu Earth Essence.

Feeling the immense energy and Dao Rhythm within it, joy filled his heart.

This item would be of tremendous benefit in improving his Bedrock Rune, tempering his bamboo body, and even comprehending earth-element divine abilities!

[Obtained Innate Wu Earth Essence, containing the origin of the earth and the laws of the Bedrock Dao. Absorbing it can greatly improve earth-element affinity, physical strength, and comprehension of the Bedrock Rune.]

He carefully guided a thread of its origin power into his bamboo body, and immediately felt a vast, heavy energy spread through him.

His bamboo body became steadier and tougher. The cracks on its surface rapidly healed, and even its color deepened toward a darker black, as though it bore the weight of the earth itself.

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

Several days later, he finally arrived at the destination of this journey—Ten Thousand Witch City.

It was a massive city standing upon a vast plain. Its walls were not built from bricks or stone, but forged from enormous beast bones, rocks, and some kind of witchcraft. They rose a thousand zhang high, radiating a savage, heavy, murderous aura.

The city walls were covered in traces of battle. Countless Witch Clan warriors patrolled and stood guard, their blood and qi soaring into the heavens as they confronted the demon aura filling the sky.

The buildings within the city were rough and grand. Most of those walking the streets were tall Witch People, though there were also a small number of descendants born from unions between the Human Race and Witch People, as well as cultivators of other races who had come to trade or seek shelter.

The atmosphere was tense and oppressive, and discussions of the fighting on the front lines could be heard everywhere.

Li Su's bamboo spirit body was rather conspicuous within the city and drew many gazes. Yet after sensing the faint trace of "Buzhou Intent" around him and his steady, heavy aura from refining the Wu Earth Essence, most Witch People showed no hostility.

Following Yuqing Zhenren's hint, he did not wander around. Instead, he headed directly for the central district of the city—the Houtu Tribe's territory.

Unlike the killing intent that pervaded the other tribes, the Houtu Tribe's territory was filled with a relatively gentle, inclusive, and heavy aura of earth.

At the center of the tribe stood a gigantic statue of a woman with a human body and a serpent's tail, holding a Teng Snake. It was Houtu, the Ancestor Witch of Earth.

Li Su stated his purpose and requested an audience with the tribe's priest. He also released a faint trace of the Guardian Dao Rhythm from the damaged jade pendant he had obtained from the golden skeleton. After studying it, he had discovered that this aura bore some resemblance to the Houtu Tribe's compassionate Dao of Earth.

Before long, an elderly woman dressed in a coarse linen robe and holding a wooden staff received him.

The old woman's aura was deep and unfathomable. She was actually a great witch comparable to a True Immortal.

"Spirit friend from afar, the aura around you is quite peculiar. It carries the heaviness of the earth, the remoteness of the stars, and also a trace of... a reassuring intent to protect."

The old woman spoke gently. "May I ask what brings you to our Houtu Tribe?"

Li Su bowed respectfully. "This junior is Mo Xing. Greetings, High Priest. This junior has traveled here and felt the compassion and tolerance of your tribe, so I came to pay my respects.

Previously, I happened to obtain an item containing Guardian Dao Rhythm, but I do not know its origins. Seeing that your tribe's Dao arts share much in common with it, I came to seek guidance."

He did not directly take out the jade pendant. Instead, he used his divine sense to imitate a trace of its Dao Rhythm.

The old woman carefully sensed it, and a flash of surprise and reminiscence passed through her dim yellow eyes. "This is... the aura of the ancient Oathkeepers? Though it is faint and incomplete... Child, where did you obtain this item?"

Oathkeepers? Li Su committed the term to memory and answered briefly, "I obtained it from an ancient ruin."

The old woman pondered for a moment before sighing. "The Oathkeepers were an extremely ancient faith. They upheld protection and oaths, and their Dao spread in all directions. They even once had some ties to our Witch Clan...

"Unfortunately, they have long vanished into the river of time. That you were able to obtain this legacy is also fate."

Her gaze toward Li Su grew gentler. "Since you have come to our tribe, it is fate. A great calamity has now begun, and the outside world is dangerous. You may stay in our tribe for the time being.

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

Li Su's heart stirred. This was exactly what he needed! Not only would he gain a relatively safe place to stay, but he could also come into close contact with the Witch Clan. Perhaps he might even obtain some opportunities.

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