Another Transformation

Signaling in the wind and snow was inherently difficult. It wasn't until a strong signal flare rose from within Baishi Village that the following group of Pirates reacted.

They hadn't expected their brethren ahead to be so reckless. They didn't even rest for a moment longer, waiting for them and preparing their strategy. They had just charged straight in.

They probably ran into an ambush or a trap. The signal flare proved they had other ambushes nearby, and possibly had already discovered their tracks.

Now, their only remaining option was to charge straight in.

If they fled, the mission assigned by their superiors would be unfulfilled. They couldn't possibly return in disgrace without having fought a single battle.

They had traveled all this way just to make a living. They were all men who lived by the blade; were they afraid of these newcomers?

They needed to teach them a harsh lesson.

Weren't there only a dozen or so of them? They would kill them all!

The scar-faced leader spat, lowered his head, and trudged on, wrapping his robes tighter against the snow. His low voice carried, "No need to leave anyone behind later. That idiot definitely messed up."

"We don't know if they're alive or dead, so we'll assume they're all dead. We'll avenge them."

The first group was meant to be a decoy. The people here had far superior combat strength. The scar-faced leader wasn't particularly surprised by their failure.

They certainly didn't expect that the idiot had taken his men and circled around to the south gate of Baishi Village.

They came directly to the east courtyard wall. A thick layer of snow covered the ground, making it look not too high, though an ordinary person couldn't jump very high in the snow.

A Pirate pulled out a Lava Turtle from his embrace. The Demon Beast Spirit immediately phased and merged with his body. He gathered his strength, and the thick gloves on the Pirate's hands slowly began to smoke.

Then they burned to ash.

This was because his fists had turned into charred, hardened rock, covered in fiery red patterns that flashed with light from time to time.

The strength of this person and his Demon Beast Spirit were likely no longer low-tier.

The people tidying up in the courtyard hadn't noticed the situation here yet.

They had just dealt with the Pirates outside the main gate and brought them in. They were helping to tie them up, and several had already been knocked unconscious.

Ren Yuan, Old Zhao, Zhao Dun, and Zhao Chuan were all helping. Only Ming Shu was anxious, wanting to climb back up the arrow tower but afraid there wasn't enough time.

Then they heard the booming sound of the east wall being struck.

The Pirate's fists repeatedly hit the courtyard wall, knocking down ice and snow with a rushing sound. The remaining wall, which hadn't been repaired for many years, quickly broke open after repeated heavy blows.

Hearing the noise, everyone rushed over to defend.

A person sat on the courtyard wall, brewing a demon art for a long time. Seeing Ren Yuan and Old Zhao charging over, he waved his hand, and countless ice shards and ice arrows shot out.

Ren Yuan swung his staff, blocking with all his might.

Old Zhao also dodged by circulating his energy. He unleashed a palm strike, shattering several ice arrows aimed at him.

Ming Shu, from behind, saw this and quickly found the guy on the Fate Book. Demon Spirit: Ice Turtle!

Behind the Lava Turtle Pirate who broke through the wall, there was another Pirate with a Rock Ice Turtle helping.

The two of them quickly enlarged the hole in the courtyard wall to a passable size.

Other Pirates also stormed in.

Zhao Dun and Zhao Chuan, along with other guards and farmers, organized a defense with their knives, spears, and clubs.

Old Zhao and Ren Yuan no longer advanced recklessly.

The two sides engaged in a battle of offense and defense in the area within the east wall.

The difficult part was the Pirates' unpredictable demon arts.

They could only rely on Ren Yuan and Old Zhao to help block. If they were just defending passively, Old Zhao wouldn't be able to hold on for too long.

He relied purely on internal energy to resist and fight.

Fortunately, Ming Shu's timely discoveries and warnings helped them avoid danger multiple times.

The two leaders, Ming Shu identified their Demon Beast Spirits as a Snow Moon Frog and a Moonlight Snow Frog. They could help them gain strength and reduce consumption in the wind and snow, but they didn't seem to have any particularly powerful demon arts.

The two of them stood by the hole in the wall, not rushing to attack.

Other Pirates continuously attempted to break through the defense. Several times, they managed to scatter the defensive human wall.

But Ren Yuan, with his staff, drove them back.

They quickly discovered the problem: Ren Yuan was not easily dealt with. On the other hand, Ming Shu could always detect their prepared demon arts in advance and easily command the others, clearly indicating he was an important figure.

Let's deal with him first.

The Rock Turtle, being tough, would hold Ren Yuan, while the Fire Cloud Turtle, despite its severe performance drop in this weather, could still tie up Old Zhao for a short time.

The deputy leader with the Moonlight Snow Frog also made a move. Zhao Dun and Zhao Chuan had to step up to fight him. Although this deputy leader didn't use any demon arts, his martial arts alone surpassed those of the other Pirates.

He was even more troublesome.

The two seasoned fighters managed to barely block his attacks, but without them, the other guards would have an even harder time resisting the Pirates' onslaught.

This deputy leader must have the strength of a Martial Artist at the fifth stage.

Ming Shu had to step forward and fight alongside the other farmers and guards.

In his hand was a short spear, custom-made for him, only slightly shorter than his height. It was quite easy to wield.

Those pirates who relied on demonic arts were less skilled in martial combat, and couldn't easily defeat Ming Shu in one or two moves.

Of course, they had prepared a big move for him.

And Ming Shu had already seen it from the Fate Book while he was hiding.

Demon Beast Spirit: Shadow Moon Frog.

Spirit of the Shadow Moon, its demonic art is to stealthily hide within shadows, its power and spell effects amplified under moonlight. It can operate in water for a certain period.

Ming Shu was also fishing. His Demonic Spirit had not yet been unleashed, nor had Ren Yuan's Demonic Spirit.

This was their first killing move. The second was to stall for as long as possible, waiting for Little Zhao to lead the Butcher and the others in surrounding them.

Old Zhao had led the pirate wielding the Demonic Spirit Fire Cloud Turtle all the way to the front yard. Chong Li was there, sealing off the remaining pirates.

Old Zhao must have had a way to deal with him, otherwise, he wouldn't have been so confident in luring him away.

Ming Shu shouted, directing everyone to work together to block the enemy, while also personally joining the fight. Without realizing it, he had advanced to the front of the group.

Opportunity knocks.

The shadow beneath his feet suddenly stirred.

Ming Shu's own shadow finally moved, and a person leaped out from it.

Covered head to toe in black cloth, holding a short knife, they stabbed towards Ming Shu's back.

The distance was too close.

Ren Yuan was in no position to help.

Therefore, as the shadow launched its attack, he also activated the Demonic Spirit within him: Sky Pillar.

Physical body enhanced, strength increased, specializing in sumo wrestling techniques.

His physique seemed to grow taller, and a red bandana suddenly appeared wrapped around his head. A crimson silk sash was tied around his waist.

On his hips, he wore a golden mandarin duck embroidered shirt.

His knee guards were made of copper, as were the protective plates on his groin area. Iron pieces and rings adorned his waist.

His wrist wraps were tightly secured, his kick shoes firmly tied.

One punch generated wind, like a tiger's roar, sending three nearby pirates flying consecutively.

With a great roar, he charged towards the leader.