Li Qi and Zhang Zong stood face-to-face with the ancient Earthly Deity, Xiang Liu.
The nine-headed serpent coiled its massive body and exhaled poisonous fumes.
The poison smoked across ten thousand li. Wheat could not form ears, leaves withered yellow, grass could not sprout, and turnips lost their roots.
Countless nightmare-yellow miasmas gnawed at souls. Hungry apes dared not descend to feed, morning birds dared not fly. The miasma was especially vile; something lurked within the air, unseen in form, making cooing sounds. It was like poisoned soup simmering in stifling heat, steam rolling and sweltering.
But none of this amounted to much for Li Qi and Zhang Zong. Those suffering were the lives within the surrounding ten thousand li.
Fortunately, there were exceedingly few truly mortal lives on the divine side. Most possessed the aptitude to become gods, or had already reached the seventh rank. Thus, though Xiang Liu's breath was dangerous, it could also be considered an opportunity for them.
If they could gain something from it, they would benefit for the rest of their lives.
Moreover, this was the territory of the Xiang Liu Clan. To them, it was a great tonic, so Li Qi had not asked Xiang Liu to stop breathing.
And this was only breathing. If Xiang Liu were truly bled as the legends described... no wonder every place touched by that blood had to be dug out and could not be left behind.
This really was...
"Then aside from combat strength, what else can you improve for me?" Li Qi asked.
"Very simply. The current Divine Path is an ally of the Shaman Path, isn't it? Haotian has always treated you shamans quite well," Xiang Liu said.
That was true.
Haotian was gentle toward all living beings.
Though shamans were not necessarily gentle,