Crunch, crunch!
Amid chewing sounds that made everyone's scalps crawl, the Shaman King's body was swallowed by the demon.
He wore a smile throughout. His expression, twisted by pain, looked somewhat deranged, yet he never let out so much as a cry.
When he disappeared entirely into the Centipede Heavenly Dragon's mouth, smoky blood energy spread out, soon wreathing its entire body and even billowing in every direction.
The centipedes crawling out nearby seemed stimulated by this blood energy and grew restless. Some were shrouded in bloody mist, thick crimson shadows rising around them.
Amid a chorus of rustling, some centipedes visibly swelled, their carapaces becoming brighter and more solid.
"H-has he gone mad?" exclaimed the Rogue Cultivator controlling the Sword Cultivator Human Puppets.
Wizard Ze said gravely, "He's using a blood sacrifice to offer himself up and nourish the evil dragon! This is bad. With all that essence blood and vital energy, and no master left to restrain it, this monster will revert to its demonic nature and awaken its true self!"
He directed the black panther spirit to strike fiercely with its claws. Amid sparks scattering like electrical flashes, the Centipede Heavenly Dragon thrust out its pincer-like legs, its long fangs slamming into the panther like a battering ram mounted on the front of a chariot.
Bang!
The black panther shattered like a bubble.
"Whatever it is, kill it!"
The Controller spurred his puppet on with his thoughts, sending the longsword in its hand shooting like an arrow toward the Centipede Heavenly Dragon's eye.
The monster swung its head and suddenly darted forward. The longsword struck its heavy-armor-like carapace with a clear clang.
"No, this isn't doing anything! Give it everything you've got!"
The other Controller focused and steadied his breathing. Suddenly, his Human Puppet spread its hands,