The Death Game Begins

Chapter 29: The Death Game Begins

As the woman finished her series of movements, the man wielding twin daggers struck toward her neck. With a crisp "pop," the protective barrier the woman had summoned failed to block the attack, shattering and vanishing without a trace after only a single exchange.

Seeing this, the woman's face changed drastically, turning deathly pale. Fortunately, the flames continuously spewing from her cyan gourd artifact seemed quite formidable; the moment the man with the twin daggers touched the flames tightly enveloping her, he immediately recoiled, as if he were extremely wary of the pale yellow fire.

Only after the man retreated did the woman heave a sigh of relief, though her face remained pale. Had she not reacted quickly enough to deploy her cyan gourd artifact, she would surely be lying on the ground, having lost her life! Recalling that lightning-fast moment, the woman still felt a lingering fear.

After the man with the twin daggers withdrew, he stood three zhang away, coldly watching every move the group made, his expression gloomy and his gaze icy.

This man was, without a doubt, Luo Mu!

Upon hearing the commotion earlier, Luo Mu had rushed to this location without hesitation, only to arrive just as the group was preparing to besiege the Plum Blossom Snakes he kept. Furthermore, the man leading them had already trapped all the snakes within a magical artifact.

This infuriated Luo Mu, yet he did not rashly attack. Instead, he vigilantly released his divine sense to gauge the cultivation levels of the group. Aside from one person whom Luo Mu could not see through, the strength and cultivation of the others were all imprinted in his mind.

The person Luo Mu could not see through was, of course, Le Tian. However, as Luo Mu carefully sensed the other's strength, he realized the aura emitted was not much stronger than his own, which allowed Luo Mu to breathe a slight sigh of relief.

As for the disparity in numbers, Luo Mu did not take it to heart. A few people like this were not even enough for his five White Jade Ants to eat, let alone his three Octagonal Spikes.

However, this time, Luo Mu did not intend to let his spirit insects fight just yet. Having stayed here for a year, Luo Mu had never fought against other cultivators; today, in his view, was the best opportunity to gauge his own strength.

Having failed his first strike and nearly been injured by the woman's cyan gourd artifact, Luo Mu had to abandon the idea of using a sneak attack to eliminate her.

"Who are you! Why did you ambush us? We are all students of Jinxiu Academy. By harming us, you are making an enemy of the entire Jinxiu Academy! I hope you will think twice before acting, fellow Daoist!"

Just as Luo Mu revealed his form, the leader, Le Tian, struggled to control the Black Iron Chain in his hands to prevent the Plum Blossom Snakes from breaking out, then turned his face to speak to Luo Mu in a low, heavy tone, the threat in his words audible to anyone.

Jinxiu Academy? Isn't that the academy Xiao Ling'er was admitted to, the one in Jinxiu City? Hearing the words "Jinxiu Academy," Luo Mu's expression shifted, and he thought to himself.

Luo Mu's changing expression fell into Le Tian's eyes. Le Tian felt incredibly smug, assuming Luo Mu was truly intimidated by their academy, and an arrogant look appeared on his face. Not only Le Tian, but the others also wore expressions of pride to varying degrees.

This was hardly surprising; those who could enter Jinxiu Academy were all heaven-favored children with spiritual roots, accustomed to the admiring gazes of ordinary people, which gradually fostered a sense of superiority.

Seeing their self-satisfied expressions, Luo Mu had no intention of wasting words with them. A cold sneer curled his lips, and he utilized his Phantom Movement Technique once more. From the moment they attacked his Plum Blossom Snakes, Luo Mu had already sentenced them to death; he had no interest in engaging in a war of words with the dead.

The moment he used the Phantom Movement Technique, Luo Mu also issued a command to the thirteen Plum Blossom Snakes, telling the little ones to slow their attack rhythm slightly, as he saw that the leader, Le Tian, was already struggling to hold on. Luo Mu, wanting to have some fun and practice his skills, did not want the game to end so quickly.

"Wait! May I ask, fellow Daoist, are you using the Bai Family's Phantom Movement Technique?" Le Tian had long found the movement technique familiar, but in his panic, he couldn't recall it. It wasn't until Luo Mu used it again that Le Tian finally remembered the name and its origin!

"Oh? You recognize the Phantom Movement Technique I use?" Luo Mu's just-vanished figure reappeared, and he asked with interest, sounding surprised.

"Senior, why waste words with him? This guy is clearly here with ill intent. With only the strength of the sixth level, he actually dares to attack so many of us from Jinxiu Academy—he is simply courting death!" A man who, like Luo Mu, was at the sixth level of Qi Refining, looked up at the Bronze Bell suspended above his head, his face extremely gloomy as he spoke.

"Exactly, with so many of us, killing a sixth-level cultivator is a piece of cake!" another woman added, her face full of baleful qi.

The others were also sharpening their blades, convinced they had Luo Mu in the bag.

Seeing Luo Mu admit he was using the Phantom Movement Technique, Le Tian breathed a sigh of relief, thinking there was still room for mediation. At the same time, he felt fortunate that he hadn't engaged in a full-blown battle with the youth before him; otherwise, even with his high status in his family, it would have been difficult to resolve.

However, just as Le Tian relaxed, the other students began to clamor, causing his heart to jump back into his throat.

"Hmph!" Having just stopped, Luo Mu was merely curious as to why the other party recognized his technique. But their incessant clamoring caused his curiosity to fade, and with a cold snort, he prepared to strike.

"Silence! Brother, listen to me. If you can use the Bai Family's Phantom Movement Technique, you must be a core member of the Bai Family in Jinxiu City. I am from the Le Family of Jinxiu City, and we have been on good terms with your Bai Family for years. Please state your reasons for attacking us, so we don't end up fighting a confused battle!"

Le Tian shouted at the students from Jinxiu Academy, then turned to explain to Luo Mu. It seemed Le Tian had mistaken Luo Mu for a member of the Bai Family.

From Le Tian's tone, Luo Mu clearly sensed that he was extremely wary of the Bai Family he mentioned. Even the other students from Jinxiu Academy had their expressions shift several times; it seemed they all knew something about the Bai Family Le Tian spoke of.

Stopped by Le Tian's cold glare, these arrogant students felt somewhat indignant, but constrained by Le Tian's strength, they dared not act out, though they were quite displeased.

However, when they heard Le Tian mention the Bai Family, and that the man who had appeared might be a core member, these arrogant students were moved. They were secretly shocked and grateful to Le Tian; had he not intervened, they might have committed a grave mistake!

The Bai Family of Jinxiu City was a true, formidable cultivation clan. Their influence and strength were not something their families could provoke. Offending the Bai Family could easily lead to the destruction of their own clans.

Moreover, the Bai Family was famous for being protective of their own. That was why they were so shocked to hear that Luo Mu might be a core member.

As for why Le Tian recognized the Phantom Movement Technique, it was because he had once seen a core member of the Bai Family use it, which allowed him to name it instantly.

"Little brother, are you really from the Bai Family of Jinxiu City? Haha, this... this is truly embarrassing, we really were blind." The student who had been clamoring the loudest now forced a hideous smile after his expression shifted repeatedly, and said to Luo Mu. The sycophancy in his words made even Luo Mu feel it was hypocritical.

"The Bai Family? Heh!" Luo Mu gave a cold laugh. He didn't offer any reply, just lowered his head to toy with the Poison Fang in his hand. The other party had satisfied his curiosity, and Luo Mu had obtained the information he wanted. Thus, there was no point in continuing to entangle himself with his enemies.

His gaze turned cold, his movements with the Poison Fang stopped, and Luo Mu used the Phantom Movement Technique once again!

Seeing this, the group immediately realized Luo Mu had no intention of negotiating. Although they didn't know why he would do this, they weren't fools; they wouldn't just stand there waiting to be slaughtered without fighting back.

"This brat must be impersonating a Bai Family member! Everyone, no need to hold back anymore, kill him!" Just as Luo Mu vanished again, Le Tian's face turned terrifyingly gloomy. Killing intent erupted in his eyes, and he commanded the other students in a cold tone.

How could they not understand what Le Tian meant? In their hearts, regardless of whether Luo Mu was a Bai Family member or not, he had clearly developed killing intent toward them. That was undeniable. To save their own lives, they had to eliminate this detestable fellow.

Yet, constrained by the fear of the Bai Family, they had to follow Le Tian's lead, playing dumb. Only by killing him could they have an excuse if the Bai Family ever investigated.

Besides, no one present was a fool. If the person really was from the Bai Family, who would be stupid enough to admit it after killing him? As long as no one spoke, who would know?

Thinking of this, intense killing intent erupted from them simultaneously. Even the female student had a resolute, frost-covered face.

They released their divine sense without hesitation, vigilantly watching their surroundings. Alas, the Phantom Movement Technique was incredibly eerie; these Jinxiu Academy students simply could not catch a glimpse of Luo Mu's shadow.

Unable to attack, they all took out defensive artifacts to protect themselves, preventing a repeat of the sneak attack on the woman. Not far away, Le Tian wore an expression of extreme confusion.

The Plum Blossom Snakes previously trapped in the Black Iron Chain had resisted fiercely, and several times Le Tian had almost failed to suppress them. But now, he clearly felt the attacks of the thirteen snakes weakening, and their rhythm slowing down.

What Le Tian did not know was that the performance of the thirteen Plum Blossom Snakes was the prelude to Luo Mu starting the "Death Game," and simultaneously, the beginning of a nightmare for this batch of Jinxiu students!