Enemies Were Treasure: Dragon Wandering Amulet Hand

No sooner had Ma Rusong left than Yang Shan hurried into the Steward Building. "Steward Lin, I brought the Thousand Liao Bestiary. It contains detailed information on the Marsh Python Liao Tribe."

Yang Shan was quite efficient at getting things done!

Lin Xuankong accepted the bestiary and looked at Yang Shan. "Everyone is somewhat fearful of battle in this mission. What do you think?"

Yang Shan cupped his hands decisively. "These past days, this disciple has eaten the Yin Talisman Sect's medicinal herbs and received the Yin Talisman Sect's monthly stipend. Especially since Steward Lin put me in charge of the Food Hall and wine tavern, which have brought in considerable profits. Having received so many benefits, this disciple must contribute some effort!"

"Aren't you afraid of dying in battle?" Lin Xuankong asked.

Yang Shan smiled freely. "Of course I'm afraid. But Martial Cultivators cultivate the skills to kill enemies and preserve their own lives; we live our days licking blood from the blade's edge.

"Besides, this disciple gained some insight during that Entry Level Combat Tournament and broke through my bottleneck. Two days ago, I already advanced to the Early Second Layer. My chances of surviving this mission should be a little greater!"

Lin Xuankong was somewhat surprised. "You've already reached the Early Second Layer? That fast!"

Yang Shan said, "I have a family-inherited martial art and began laying my foundation at the age of six. I reached the First Layer at eighteen, and now, at twenty-four, it took me a full six years to advance from the First Layer to the Early Second Layer.

"This cultivation speed is decent among Rogue Cultivators, but it is far inferior to a genius disciple like Steward Gu Beicheng. I heard he reached the late first layer after only six years of martial cultivation!"

Lin Xuankong smiled. "It's good that you've reached the Second Layer. Our Barracks have gained another fierce general!

"Go back and prepare well. Once we return victorious, we'll celebrate properly together!"

After Yang Shan left, Lin Xuankong could not help shaking his head. Gu Beicheng was known as a Four Seal, a once-in-ten-thousand genius of the Yin Talisman Sect, whose talent was second only to Jiang Yurán's—yet his cultivation had been so slow?

He had actually needed a full six years just to cultivate to the late first layer. Lin Xuankong himself had taken only a little over a month to reach the late first layer!

Accustomed to his own soaring cultivation speed, he only realized today just how difficult martial cultivation was for others.

Without comparison, there was no knowing; once compared, the difference was startling!

After sighing inwardly, Lin Xuankong carefully read the contents of the bestiary.

"Marsh Python Liao Tribe:

"Humans contaminated by the Demonic Energy and Demonic Speech of python demons. They grow white scales at the center of their foreheads, possess vertical pupils in both eyes, and have wide mouths that can expand several times their normal size.

"They enjoy eating rodents, frogs, and reptiles. They possess considerable intelligence and take pleasure in slaughtering humans and destroying cities.

"Contaminated by Demonic Energy, Marsh Python Liao People grow tails over three meters long from their buttocks.

"They favor using their long tails to hurl objects in attack. In close combat, they favor whipping and binding with their tails. They possess part of a marsh python's demonic power. For example, when injured, merely coming into contact with water allows them to recover at astonishing speed. Unless their Forehead Scales are knocked off, they can regain their fighting strength in an instant.

"Their ranks are distinguished by the color and number of white scales on their foreheads. Those with one pure-white scale possess strength comparable to a Late Mortal Transformation Layer One Martial Cultivator; those with two scales...

"The white scales on the foreheads of Marsh Python Liao People are one of the important materials used to make Amulet Armor, Amulet Soft Armor, Amulet Gauntlets, Amulet Weapons, and other equipment. They are extremely valuable."

After reading through the bestiary and its detailed introduction, Lin Xuankong began to ponder in secret.

There was no need to worry about the Marsh Python Liao Tribe's methods of attack.

Even if their long tails could whip and bind, as long as they were not Late Second Order, there was no way they could be more formidable than his Young Lady's iron staff!

What required caution was their powerful recovery ability. The moment they touched water, they could rapidly recover from their wounds. That was far too outrageous!

The destination of this mission, Xunhe Town, had abundant water sources nearby and many streams. Those Marsh Python Liao People were surely not fools. When attacking Xunhe Town, they would definitely bring Water Pouches, waterskins, and the like!

If they carried large quantities of water with them, would they not become indestructible cockroaches? A Martial Cultivator on his side would be crippled by severe injuries, while the enemy only needed to touch some water to recover to full strength on the spot!

Only by destroying the white scales on their foreheads would there be a chance to kill them. The problem was that these Forehead Scales were one of the key materials for making Amulet Equipment and were exceedingly tough. If his Locust Stones struck them, they would probably do no more than make a sound.

Lin Xuankong frowned as he considered methods to deal with the Marsh Python Liao Tribe.

A moment later, footsteps sounded outside the Steward Building.

Lin Xuankong looked outside and saw Steward Ma, who had overseen the Combat Tournament, walking in.

This Steward Ma Jiang was now his immediate superior. He was at Mortal Transformation Layer Three; in the Yin Talisman Sect, one had to reach at least Early Mortal Transformation Layer Three before qualifying to serve as a Steward!

"Steward Ma!" Lin Xuankong rose to greet him.

Steward Ma nodded slightly. "Are you worrying that this mission is too difficult and too dangerous?"

Lin Xuankong said, "Although the Marsh Python Liao Tribe is extremely troublesome, I have several Second Layer experts here, and Steward Han Lu has strong fighters on his side as well. As long as we arrange things properly, we may not necessarily lose. Of course, our chances of victory would be greater with more manpower!"

Steward Ma held several white-jade dice in his hand and lightly rolled them around.

"It comforts me somewhat that you can think this way! But forget about having more people assigned to you. Even I must head to other territories to deal with the Liao People Tribe. Not only me—even Grand Manager Jiang and the three Great Stewards have already gone to the Outer City to deal with powerful demons!"

Lin Xuankong was somewhat astonished. "Even Manager Jiang has gone into battle?"

Steward Ma said, "The Liao People Tribe and our Yin Talisman Sect have recently fought until both sides have blood in their eyes. More than ten clans are targeting our territory, but no matter what, we must endure through this. By early June, there will be a turning point!"

He paused. "Your mission truly is extremely difficult. I saw that among the houses near the Assembly Ground, many of your disciples are writing wills for their families!"

Lin Xuankong fell silent at those words.

Steward Ma suddenly clenched the dice in his hand until they crackled.

"I came here this time to tell you some bad news! Your Deputy Manager, Ma Rusong, spent a considerable price and pulled some major strings to transfer himself to Gu Beicheng's Barracks. In other words, he will not be going with you to fight at Xunyang Town.

"Not only will you gain no additional manpower for this mission, you will also lose an Early Second Layer expert!"

A trace of disgust rose in Lin Xuankong's eyes. "The Hall Master Order has already been issued, yet he can still transfer away. He truly found some powerful connections!"

Lin Xuankong had not pinned his hopes on others for this mission, much less expected to rely on Ma Rusong. But Ma Rusong's conduct was worse than that of many ordinary disciples below him, and he truly found it repulsive!

Steward Ma frowned. "At a time like this, he wants to transfer away. The fury in my heart is immense! If everyone in the sect were like him—appearing righteous and upright, yet turning into a turtle shrinking into its shell when trouble came—how could we ever speak of growing stronger in the future!"

"Forget it, let's not talk about him. Does Steward Ma have any good news?" Lin Xuankong asked.

Steward Ma exhaled heavily.

"To tell the truth, against more than a hundred Marsh Python Liao People, the hall would previously have sent at least two hundred disciples. This kind of Liao People Tribe may not possess top-tier killing power, but their recovery ability is so strong that it gives people headaches!

"So after learning of your mission, I went straight to the Thousand Treasures Pavilion and intended to apply for a piece of Amulet Equipment for you.

"Unfortunately, there are not many Amulet Equipment pieces within the sect. Grand Manager Jiang took away two, while the other Great Stewards took the rest!"

He reached into his robes and drew out a glove covered in white scales, its radiance flowing and shifting. A pained expression appeared on his face.

"After thinking it over, I could only split off one of my Dragon Wandering Amulet Hands for you!

"The Liao People Tribe has powerful defenses and Demonic Energy in their bodies. The Demonic Energy on them causes Martial Cultivators' qi and blood to deplete. With this Dragon Wandering Amulet Hand, your power will increase greatly in battle, and it will isolate Demonic Energy!

"Of course, this gauntlet is rather heavy. If you feel your own strength is insufficient to use it, you may give it to Li Er. Do your best to let it display the power it should possess!"

"However, every piece of Amulet Equipment is worth a city, and even our Yin Talisman Sect's Thousand Treasures Pavilion does not have many! I relied on these dice and gambled for over twenty years before winning enough silver taels to buy these Dragon Wandering Amulet Hands. You must cherish it!"

Lin Xuankong carefully examined the glove several times, and his heart stirred.

This Dragon Wandering Amulet Hand looked extraordinarily impressive and was certainly worth a great deal. The white scales on it were exactly the same as those illustrated in the bestiary. They should be the Forehead Scales of the Marsh Python Liao Tribe.

Liao Person Forehead Scales! The Marsh Python Liao Tribe truly was treasure!

He looked at Steward Ma. "Is Steward Ma not afraid that I'll lead people there this time and perish there? Then this priceless Amulet Hand will be gone!"

Steward Ma held the dice and frowned. "Of course I know that. I have already prepared myself for your failure!"

Lin Xuankong was somewhat speechless. Was it really good for a superior to speak such discouraging words right in front of his subordinate?

Yet Steward Ma held the dice and said:

"However, I know that no equipment, however precious, can compare to the lives of disciples!

"So if all of you truly perish at Xunhe Town and lose the gauntlet, I can only accept it as having lost a gamble. But my gambling luck has always been very good!"

Having said that, he turned and walked outside.

"The Hall Master asked me to pass along word that Turtle Agaric Miracle Pills and other battle merit rewards have been set for you!

"So you must return victorious. Otherwise, it will be a loss—and in the future, I will lose faith in my gambling luck!"

Turtle Agaric Miracle Pills? Lin Xuankong's eyes immediately lit up after hearing this. "Take care, Steward Ma!"

If they won, there would be battle merit rewards such as Turtle Agaric Miracle Pills.

If they killed enemies, there would be a chance to obtain valuable materials such as Liao Person Forehead Scales.

Moreover, by completing the first of the three missions, he would take a great step closer to being able to cultivate the Yin Talisman Art!

This mission had come with tremendous force!

He lowered his head to look at the Dragon Roaming Evil Warding Gauntlet covered in white scales on the table. Once activated with qi and blood, what effects would this piece of equipment, said to be worth a city, possess?