Ice Serpent

"You were sent by the Nangong Family, weren't you? But you're from a Beast Tamer sect that's long extinct in the Immortal Realm. You're trying to disguise yourselves as Demon Beasts to attack? It seems you're still afraid of my father."

After Xiao Yu's explanation of the Beast Tamer sect, Li Mu quickly pieced together the situation. Nangong Bo desperately wanted him dead, but he also feared the might of the Li Family. That's why he'd brought in this rare Beast Tamer, intending to use the opportunity of him entering the Black Dragon Mountain Range to create an "accident."

Li Mu had already figured out the cause and effect, but in reality, he had overestimated Nangong Bo. The method of disguising themselves as Demon Beasts for an attack was the plan of the Blood Fiend Camp captain; Li Mu had mistakenly attributed it to Nangong Bo's brilliant strategy.

"Heh heh... heh heh... I didn't expect that Li Yubai's sons would truly be useless. Rumor has it you've given up on cultivation for years, living a life of debauchery in pleasure houses. It was all an act, wasn't it? Did Li Yubai sense something? Setting up a hidden move in advance?"

The Beast Armor was now acting like a completely normal person. He wiped the blood from his body and looked at the young man and woman before him. His words seemed to hint at many secrets, but he didn't bother to conceal them. In his eyes, these two were already as good as dead.

"Xiao Yu, if things get too dangerous later, you go first. I'll cover your retreat and tell my brother everything that happened here, so he can fully alert the Nangong Family."

The Beast Armor's demeanor and words filled Li Mu with a deep sense of unease. Was he really sent by the Nangong Family? What was the secret he mentioned that his father couldn't find out about? Why would a Beast Tamer, a sect extinct in the Immortal Realm, appear here? These questions swirled in Li Mu's mind, but no matter how he analyzed them, the tangled clues remained like a dense fog, obscuring the truth.

"Brother Mu, Xiao Yu isn't leaving. Didn't we just agree? No matter what happens, we'll face it together."

Nie Xiaoyu shook her head vigorously, firmly refusing the suggestion to escape alone. Her determined gaze seemed to demand a reason, otherwise, she wouldn't survive alone under any circumstances.

"Xiao Yu, the situation is different now. We still don't know which faction this Beast Tamer belongs to, but the power of this faction is far from normal. What we can be sure of is that the Nangong Family has an inextricable link to this force. Moreover, I have a feeling there's a world-shattering secret hidden within. Regardless, this information must be passed on so my father can be prepared. That's why I'm asking you to leave, not just for your sake, but for the sake of the many citizens of Qinglan City. Do you understand?"

Li Mu's expression was exceptionally serious. He was no longer the kind-hearted but naive Li Mu from before, but a brand-new soul from the 21st century. In his previous world, he had been exposed to five thousand years of human civilization and history. Beyond brilliant inventions and innovations, conspiracy, strategy, and war were also important components. This knowledge made the current Li Mu involuntarily vigilant.

"I understand, Brother Mu. If it truly comes to that, I will leave. But no matter how powerful the opposing force is, Xiao Yu will do everything in her power, by any means necessary, to avenge you in this life!"

The intelligent girl instantly grasped Li Mu's intentions. Looking at the Beast Armor, who was bare-chested before her, her expression became extremely grave. Her promise to Li Mu was not just words; if she truly had to survive alone today, her remaining life would have only one purpose: revenge, at any cost!

"Have you finished making your arrangements? Don't worry, I'll make sure you two become lovers in the afterlife. No one is leaving today."

The Beast Armor's dismissive attitude ignited Li Mu's anger. After all, he was a transmigrator with a cheat system. In other novels, he would undoubtedly be an invincible protagonist. Although his golden finger had been a bit weak so far, he shouldn't be looked down upon like this. He could tolerate anything, but not this.

"It's not clear who won't be leaving today. None of us are in the Core Formation Realm, so what makes you think you can keep me here? It's two against one, you should be the one worried. But then again, you're a Beast Tamer, you probably spend too much time with wild beasts, so your intelligence dropping is understandable. I get it."

Li Mu fully utilized his "verbal combat skills" honed in a certain canyon game. He had once been a notorious figure on a server called "Zu'an," and when it came to trash talk, he had never feared anyone.

"Sharp tongue. I hope you can still say that later. Also, let me clarify, since you know I'm a Beast Tamer, you shouldn't judge me by the strength classifications of your immortal cultivation system. But it doesn't matter, as none of that will be useful to you later. You will die in the Black Dragon Mountain Range today."

The Beast Armor removed the remaining three bamboo tubes from his waist. He then took a deep breath, as if he had made a great decision. Raising his hand high, he smashed all the bamboo tubes to the ground.

As the bamboo tubes shattered, three blue shadows shot out. With sinuous, flowing bodies and translucent, ice-blue scales, their triangular heads flicked their scarlet tongues. They were three peculiar little snakes.

Li Mu suddenly felt the surrounding temperature plummet. Frost formed on the grass and trees where the three little snakes crawled. Upon closer inspection, it was evident that the three snakes were enveloped in a dense, visible mist of frost.

"Ice Serpents! Level two Demon Beasts!"

Nie Xiaoyu, standing beside him, immediately recognized the identity of the blue snakes. They were indeed a type of Demon Beast, and specifically, a level two Demon Beast, far more powerful than the Storm Wolf. One of them could already contend with a peak cultivator at the beginner stage of the Core Formation Realm.

And now, there were three of them!

Li Mu's current strength was at the peak of the Half-step Core Formation Realm. With the Shadowless Sword and the Li Family Sword Style, combined with the Yuan Qi reserves provided by the Innate Art, he could exchange a few blows with an ordinary beginner Core Formation cultivator. But it would only be a few blows; if the fight dragged on, he would only be defeated.

Nie Xiaoyu's combat power hadn't even reached Half-step Core Formation yet. Although they were two against one, Li Mu would have to fight alone, with Nie Xiaoyu only able to provide harassment from the side.

With such a paper strength, defeating three level two Demon Beasts was impossible. They would likely be defeated in the first encounter.

Li Mu's thoughts raced. When he heard Nie Xiaoyu exclaim "level two Demon Beast," he had already prepared to let the girl leave alone. If they were entangled by these three snakes, along with the Beast Armor, they might not even have a chance to escape.

However, these three Ice Serpents did not attack as the two expected. Instead, they lunged directly at the Beast Armor, baring their fangs and biting fiercely into his arm.

With a cry of pain from the Beast Armor, a strange energy linked him to the Ice Serpents. The three snakes then seemed to go mad, pouring all their frost power onto the Beast Armor.

"It's the Sacrifice Technique, just like his berserk state before. He's using some method to forcibly transfer the souls of these three Ice Serpents into himself, while also plundering their power."

Nie Xiaoyu watched everything unfold and immediately realized that the Beast Tamer was once again using the Soul Companion Sacrifice Technique.

"Then we should be fortunate. It's better than facing three level two Demon Beasts. We'll stick to the original plan: force out his true soul, wouldn't that work?"

As soon as Li Mu finished speaking, an ice arrow appeared out of nowhere, grazing his scalp as it flew past.