Misfortune Mates

From Jin Guangba's account, Lin Huang learned a little more about the God-Fallen Battlefield.

According to Jin Guangba, every so often, many people were drawn into the God-Fallen Battlefield. Every one of them was a genius, and under the battlefield's rules, they were forced into endless slaughter.

Whether they wanted to obtain a great fortune or leave, they needed enough flesh and blood for a sacrifice. Divine materials and treasures could also be used, but gathering a hundred thousand of them would take far too long. Sacrificing the flesh and souls of their enemies was much quicker.

"I've been trapped here for a thousand years. I've seen people come in, but never anyone leave. At least, I've never heard of it." Jin Guangba glanced at Lin Huang, worried that what he'd said might be useless and that he'd be treated as a sacrifice. He hurriedly added, "But this time, we might have a chance to escape. This is the first time I've ever seen so many people come in."

Lin Huang nodded and pointed. The Seven-Colored Refined Gold Chain around Tunbao's neck fell into his hand. He formed a hand seal, and soon three golden collars were around the necks of Jin Guangba, Xue Linglong, and Tunbao.

Tunbao looked aggrieved. "I don't need one, do I? I've been so good."

Lin Huang waved a hand. "Spit out all those people. If even one hair is missing, I'll come after you."

Tunbao let out an angry yelp and gnashed her teeth, but obediently spat out everyone she'd swallowed. She watched them emerge reluctantly, drooling as they came into view.

Lin Huang looked them over and made sure Tunbao hadn't eaten anyone. Only then did he nod. With a flick of his finger, collars landed around their necks one after another. When he was done, he waved them off. "Go. I want a hundred thousand sacrifices within three days. If you can't manage it, you'll be the sacrifices. And I only want divine materials and treasures."

Everyone exchanged glances. They didn't know exactly what had happened, but even Xue Linglong, a Descendant of Divine Blood who'd once been so arrogant, had a collar around her neck. There was also a Golden Light Hou who looked vicious and domineering. Even the densest among them could tell that they were all Lin Huang's captives now.

No one dared move. Tunbao stared at him in disbelief. "You're just going to let us go?"

Tunbao was sure Lin Huang had some scheme in mind. He'd put a collar on her and then let her go—there had to be a catch.

Xue Linglong barely managed to take human form. Her face was pale, making her already delicate features seem even more pitiful. She touched the collar around her neck. "Impressive. I didn't expect you to master the Blood Dao so quickly."

After speaking, Xue Linglong glanced at Tunbao, who still didn't understand how dangerous the collar was. "It's been empowered with a Blood Dao forbidden art. If you try to run, you'll die horribly."

Tunbao panicked and reached for the collar. The moment she tugged at it, it shrank, binding her completely. She screamed, "I was wrong! I was wrong! I won't do it again. I really won't!"

Lin Huang flicked a finger and relieved Tunbao's pain. He looked at the shaken crowd. "Go. Remember, you have only three days."

He thought for a moment, then added, "And everyone is to write down your ultimate techniques for me. Otherwise, you die."

Everyone's expressions changed. Hao Renjie gripped the Blazing Fire Divine Sword and thought for a moment before stepping forward. "I don't have to, do I? Lin Huang, look, we know each other so well. I even helped you last time."

"Sure. You're in charge of this, then. If you don't get it done, I'll kill you." Lin Huang nodded, sat cross-legged on a chair, and sank into deep contemplation.

Hao Renjie nearly burst into tears. Seeing everyone glare at him, he gritted his teeth and swung his sword. "What are you looking at? Every one of you has to write something down! Anyone who refuses—if I die, you won't live either!"

"Damn it! A scholar would rather die than be humiliated. Treating us like slaves is one thing, but now you want to force our cultivation techniques out of us? I won't do it. Go on, kill me if you've got the guts!"

Someone shouted, unwilling to suffer the humiliation.

Xue Linglong sneered. "Idiot. You think dying will be that easy? Look at him. Jin Guangba, peerless genius of a thousand years ago, at the upper stage of King-Sealing, with a perfected Vajra Divine Body. And yet he's still trapped here, unable to live or die."

"He's already invincible, at least as far as we're concerned. And now he's mastered Blood Dao secret arts. Even if you kill yourself, he can still use your bloodline to take everything from you."

Xue Linglong sighed and looked at Hao Renjie. "Those who understand the times are true heroes. Let's cooperate."

Tunbao drooped her head. "That's right. We have to stay alive, at least. Even if we can't kill Lin Huang later, we can still live long enough to see him die."

Jin Guangba wore a fierce expression. "If you want to die, go ahead. I don't. Anyone who doesn't do as they're told gets killed right now."

With the three strongest among them each having spoken, the others immediately gave up the idea. They sighed and groaned, on the verge of tears.

Xue Linglong forced herself to rally and gather everyone, then glanced at Lin Huang.

Lin Huang sat cross-legged on the chair, eyes closed as he contemplated. He hadn't put up any defenses, but no one dared approach him.

"What's done is done. We have to work together. Lin Huang hasn't killed anyone yet, but that's only because we're useful to him. Someone like him, who has reached Sage Rank, always keeps his word. If he says something, he'll do it. If we don't finish the task in three days, we're really dead."

"So listen to me. Jin Guangba, take a group south. Tunbao, take a group north, and don't eat anyone. Hao Renjie, right? Take a group west. The rest of you, come east with me."

Xue Linglong quickly assigned everyone their tasks. Her eyes flickered as she lowered her voice. "We have two choices now. First, we do as we're told. If we run into other people, we capture them and make them share our humiliation. Second, we secretly spread the news and contact others, then join forces to kill Lin Huang."

Everyone's eyes shifted as they quickly reached the same decision.

"We're all geniuses. Who'd willingly accept this humiliation? No matter how strong Lin Huang is, we have to try."

"Good. Then that's settled." Xue Linglong clapped her hands. Her gaze wandered as she sneered inwardly. I'll let these fools provoke Lin Huang while I take the chance to escape.

Jin Guangba also sneered inwardly. Those Blood Clan women are so devious. Still, this works out nicely. I can take the chance to escape, too.

Tunbao looked from side to side and stroked her fur, acting sweet and obedient as she chuckled to herself. Hehe, if Lin Huang gets beaten, I'll swallow him at once. If he wins, I can just act cute and adorable. Xue Linglong and that big fool are definitely planning to run away. I can use them as scapegoats then.

Even if I end up back in Lin Huang's hands, I'll still be second only to him, with everyone else beneath me. I can throw my weight around and eat my fill.

Hao Renjie kept a straight face, but sneered inwardly. These people all have ulterior motives. Should I inform on them? From my last dealings with Lin Huang, he's actually treated people pretty well. If I tell him, maybe he'll teach me the method of achieving Sage Rank by an unconventional path. Then I can stand above the other geniuses and roam the world at will.

A band of fellow sufferers looked at one another, each with their own calculations. They forced a few smiles, then went their separate ways.