Arc 16The Spirit-Communicating Tunnel

Ren Ye led the Six Gentlemen through the Spirit-Communicating Tunnel, uncovered the linked terracotta-figurine challenge, and earned Wu Yuanjun’s trust while confronting Ghost-Headed Saber’s betrayal. The arc ended as the Witch Lord prepared a campaign against the Imperial Court, with General Feng revealing that the apparent war was cover for a massacre.

  • Ghost-Headed Saber warned Wu Yuanjun about a plot to burn Funan County’s granary, but Wu Yuanjun suspected him and assigned Ren Ye to lead the Six Gentlemen while keeping the others under observation.
  • Ren Ye manipulated the assignment draw and led his companions into the Spirit-Communicating Tunnel, where Big Fat Dragon was left to face the Witch Spirit Ghost Child’s life-or-death games.
  • Ren Ye’s group discovered that moving the painted terracotta figurines triggered curses, and Ren Ye used a balance scale and Sui to solve the linked challenge.
  • Big Fat Dragon sacrificed Snake Dog and Dragon Cat during the Ghost Child’s trials, then lost the wager for Earth Dragon Six Jia despite receiving the tome from the Ghost Child.
  • Ren Ye defeated Ghost-Headed Saber, who confessed to serving as a pawn in the Qingshan plague plot and agreed to help Ren Ye search for the White Python Tribe’s inheritance.
  • Wu Yuanjun rewarded Ren Ye, released Weng Sanren, and gave the Six Gentlemen two assignments, while Ren Ye obtained heart blood from the White Python Heavenly Lord to save Li Yan.
  • Weng Sanren revealed his Great Qian origins and enlisted Poison Wine Flask’s help against Bima Wen, while Ren Ye’s group prepared for the Witch Lord’s campaign.
  • Wu Yuanjun and twelve White Python generals pledged to confront the Heavenly Dragon Tribe and, if necessary, the Imperial Court, but General Feng told Ren Ye and Poison Wine Flask that the supposed war concealed a massacre.
Chapters 376–400 Vol. 4 Read

Ch. 376Struggling in Desperation

Ghost-Headed Saber, imprisoned and stripped of his chance to compete, searched his memories for a way to regain Wu Yuanjun’s trust and secure his release. When he was brought before the Witch Lord, a white python emerged from Clearwater Pool and showed Ghost-Headed Saber extraordinary affection.

  • Ghost-Headed Saber recovered his resolve and decided that memories of events from his childhood might help him escape his predicament.
  • He recalled that the Heavenly Dao forbade him from revealing his identity to Wu Yuanjun, then identified an incident he could use to make a persuasive offer to his father.
  • Ghost-Headed Saber demanded to see the Witch Lord, and the jailers reported his request to Wu Yuanjun.
  • Wu Yuanjun met with a man in a cloth robe and sensed that trouble was approaching as Clearwater Pool began to churn.
  • Ghost-Headed Saber knelt before Wu Yuanjun, and a white python sprang from the pool, wrapped itself around him, and affectionately licked his hair.

Ch. 377Ambition

Ghost-Headed Saber used his memories of the planned arson in Funan County to earn another assignment from Wu Yuanjun, but Wu Yuanjun still suspected him and treated him as bait. The Star Gate branded Ghost-Headed Saber a suspected spy with Trust Value 1, while the steward summoned Ren Ye to meet Wu Yuanjun.

  • Wu Yuanjun questioned Ghost-Headed Saber about the White Python’s unusual affection, and Ghost-Headed Saber claimed that Spirit Python Grass had left a familiar scent on him.
  • Ghost-Headed Saber warned that two of Niu Xi’s Qianhu planned to burn Funan County’s granary, and Wu Yuanjun sent for confirmation.
  • A report confirmed the plot, so Wu Yuanjun credited Ghost-Headed Saber with saving the granary and gave him another mission alongside the Six Gentlemen, excluding Weng Sanren.
  • Wu Yuanjun told the steward that he suspected Ghost-Headed Saber and intended to use him as bait while keeping the other five under observation.
  • The Star Gate labeled Ghost-Headed Saber a suspected spy, granted him the Title “Self-Exposer,” and reduced his Trust Value to 1.
  • The steward found Ren Ye and Big Fat Dragon outside the Kitchen and summoned Ren Ye to Wu Yuanjun.

Ch. 378Who controlled the winds of Shenzhou?

Ren Ye impressed Wu Yuanjun after the White Python treated him with unusual reverence, and he invented a prophetic dream to explain their connection. Wu Yuanjun concluded that Ren Ye might be destined to become Shenzhou’s central figure and invited him to sit beside him.

  • Ghost-Headed Saber suspected Prince Huai had framed him and worried that one mistake in the Secret Realm could get him killed.
  • The White Python emerged from the Pure Water Pool, approached Ren Ye, and licked his hand while behaving as though it revered him.
  • The White Python confronted Big Fat Dragon, then splashed him with mud before returning to the pool.
  • Wu Yuanjun questioned Ren Ye about the White Python’s behavior, and Ren Ye told him an invented childhood dream about killing a white snake and hearing a prophecy.
  • Wu Yuanjun interpreted Ren Ye’s story and the White Python’s deference as signs that Ren Ye might be destined to rule, then invited him to sit beside him.

Ch. 379The second assignment

Ren Ye was appointed leader of the Six Gentlemen and given authority over their next assignment as Imperial Court forces gathered for battle. The group fought over the dangerous Red Brocade Pouch, and Ren Ye proposed drawing lots while making its recipient share Star Source with the others.

  • Ghost-Headed Saber told the Six Gentlemen that the Witch Lord had released him and hired him again, while the others teased him about his special treatment.
  • The steward announced that Ren Ye would lead the Six Gentlemen and take charge of their next assignment, then delivered five brocade pouches and a sheet of Xuan paper.
  • After the steward left, Ghost-Headed Saber and the others argued over who should take the Red Brocade Pouch to earn the greatest Trust Value.
  • Poison Wine Flask, Hundred-Flower Immortal, Big Fat Dragon, and Ghost-Headed Saber bid increasingly large sums of Star Source for the Red Brocade Pouch.
  • Ren Ye stopped the bidding by threatening to report the infighting to the Witch Lord, then proposed drawing lots and splitting five hundred thousand Star Source from whoever drew the Red Brocade Pouch.

Ch. 380Assigning tasks, the Spirit-Communicating Tunnel

Ren Ye manipulated the draw for the six assignments, steering Ghost-Headed Saber toward the task with the higher Trust Value reward while arranging for Hundred-Flower Immortal to negotiate with him. The Star Gate then revealed that the group must retrieve eighteen Painted Terracotta Figures and clear the dangerous Spirit-Communicating Tunnel within two days.

  • Big Fat Dragon produced a Silence Lamp to prevent telepathic cheating, and the group agreed to draw willow twigs to determine their assignment order.
  • Ren Ye secretly signaled Big Fat Dragon and Hundred-Flower Immortal, then used his Destiny to influence Ghost-Headed Saber into choosing the shortest twig.
  • Ghost-Headed Saber left with Hundred-Flower Immortal to negotiate for her assignment, while Ren Ye told Poison Wine Flask to discuss their possible shared interests during the mission.
  • Ren Ye heard the Star Gate's orders to retrieve eighteen Painted Terracotta Figures, clear the Sui from the Spirit-Communicating Tunnel, and return within two days.
  • Ren Ye telepathically told Hundred-Flower Immortal that the Witch Lord had tasked him with keeping an eye on Ghost-Headed Saber and instructed her to sell him her assignment.

Ch. 381Setting out, refusal

Ren Ye arranged the assignments for the Spirit-Communicating Tunnel and the group prepared to enter, while Ba Wu refused a suspicious gift from Zou Qing. After six hours of travel through the Immortality Mountain secret realm, Ren Ye and the others reached the tunnel entrance.

  • Ren Ye assigned Big Fat Dragon the dangerous pouch, took a difficult assignment with Ghost-Headed Saber, and left ordinary assignments to Poison Wine Flask and Hundred-Flower Immortal.
  • Big Fat Dragon learned he had to entertain the Witch Spirit Ghost Child guarding the tunnel, and Ren Ye advised him to bring treats and gifts.
  • Ren Ye and Hundred-Flower Immortal argued over the Star Source Ghost-Headed Saber had paid to exchange pouches, while Ren Ye hinted that the payment would accrue heavy interest.
  • Ba Wu examined Zou Qing's Bronze Disc, refused to accept it, and ordered his steward to repay the value of all the gifts Zou Qing had brought over two years.
  • Ren Ye and the others followed the map for nearly six hours and reached the entrance to the Spirit-Communicating Tunnel.

Ch. 382The past of the Spirit-Communicating Tunnel

Ren Ye and the others entered the Spirit-Communicating Tunnel, survived a blast of cutting wind, and split up to search its passages. In the left passage, Big Fat Dragon vanished, and Ren Ye encountered a flirtatious-looking Hundred-Flower Immortal whose appearance startled him.

  • Big Fat Dragon described legends that the Witch God Clan built the Spirit-Communicating Tunnel while fleeing enemies, and the five travelers kowtowed at its entrance before entering.
  • Poison Wine Flask, Ren Ye, Hundred-Flower Immortal, and Ghost-Headed Saber pushed open the bronze doors, releasing a freezing sandstorm that cut and scratched them.
  • The five reached a decayed hall and split up, with Ren Ye and Big Fat Dragon taking the left passage while the other three chose another route.
  • Ren Ye questioned Big Fat Dragon about the Witch God’s alleged break with the Human Emperor, but Big Fat Dragon disappeared while they walked.
  • Hundred-Flower Immortal appeared in the passage acting coy and wearing disheveled clothes, and Ren Ye recognized something about the strap on her shoulder that shocked him.

Ch. 383False Body

Ren Ye and Big Fat Dragon fought their way through a maze of tunnels filled with False Bodies that imitated people they knew. They reached a hall covered in military stratagems, where a child’s voice announced that Earth Dragon Six Jia would belong to the one destined to receive it.

  • Ren Ye saw through a False Body of the Hundred-Flower Immortal, struck it with his sword, and fled down the tunnel.
  • Ren Ye reunited with Big Fat Dragon, who mistook him for a False Body and slapped him before escaping from four copies of Ren Ye.
  • Ren Ye chased Big Fat Dragon, then helped fight off False Bodies while demanding four hundred thousand Star Source from him.
  • Ren Ye and Big Fat Dragon escaped the pursuing False Bodies and reached a spacious hall after encountering copies of Ren Ye, the Hundred-Flower Immortal, and Ghost-Headed Saber.
  • A blue-green light revealed Chinese military stratagems on the hall’s walls, and a child’s voice declared that Earth Dragon Six Jia would belong to the one destined to receive it.

Ch. 384Witch Spirit Ghost Child

Ren Ye and Big Fat Dragon encountered the Witch Spirit Ghost Child, who offered Big Fat Dragon a deadly wager for the Earth Dragon Six Jia. As their first game began, Ren Ye left to find the others and reunited with the Hundred-Flower Immortal.

  • The Witch Spirit Ghost Child arrived in the stone hall and frightened Big Fat Dragon with his rattle drum, while the sound drove False Bodies away from the tunnels.
  • Big Fat Dragon stayed to play with the ghost child, and Ren Ye left to complete his other assignments.
  • The ghost child offered Big Fat Dragon a choice between three ordinary games and a wager for the Earth Dragon Six Jia that would cost Big Fat Dragon his life if he lost.
  • Big Fat Dragon chose the life-or-death wager and tried to placate the ghost child with pastries and human breast milk, but the ghost child began the game anyway.
  • The ghost child's drum transported Big Fat Dragon to a mountain village, where he found a Snake Dog at his feet.
  • Ren Ye found the Hundred-Flower Immortal, learned she had mutilated a False Body that attacked her, and was embarrassed when she implied it had been his False Body.

Ch. 385Three medicinal ingredients

Ren Ye found and harvested Sui spirit moss in the Spirit-Communicating Tunnel, identifying the remaining ingredients he needed to cure the Thousand Gall Poison plague. Meanwhile, Big Fat Dragon faced the Witch Spirit Ghost Child’s deadly treasure-hunt game, and Ren Ye’s group discovered a faceless pottery figurine.

  • Ren Ye and Hundred-Flower Immortal hurried through the Spirit-Communicating Tunnel to catch up with Ghost-Headed Saber and Poison Wine Flask.
  • Ren Ye identified the moss growing on the tunnel walls as Sui spirit moss, scraped it all off, and considered how to obtain century-old white boa blood and the Formless Fruit.
  • The Witch Spirit Ghost Child assigned Big Fat Dragon a treasure hunt in which Snake Dog had to find a Dragon-Shaped Military Tally before sunset, or Big Fat Dragon would die of old age.
  • Big Fat Dragon tried to feed and communicate with Snake Dog, but the exhausted beast ignored his efforts while the Witch Spirit Ghost Child prepared Zhuer for the contest.
  • Ghost-Headed Saber found a faceless, multicolored pottery figurine in the Spirit-Communicating Tunnel, and Ren Ye, Hundred-Flower Immortal, and Poison Wine Flask gathered to inspect it.

Ch. 386A Hellish Start

Ren Ye and the others triggered a curse while trying to move a painted figurine, and Ghost-Headed Saber began growing mushrooms from his head and face. In the Witch Spirit Ghost Child’s Secret Realm, Big Fat Dragon finally roused the snake-dog by cutting flesh from his own leg.

  • Ren Ye, Poison Wine Flask, and Hundred-Flower Immortal stayed behind cover while Ghost-Headed Saber tried to lift the figurine, which flashed with colored light before he set it back down.
  • Ghost-Headed Saber became exhausted and developed a rapidly growing mushroom on his scalp, followed by more mushrooms on his face.
  • Poison Wine Flask identified the growths as a curse possibly connected to beings in the Twenty-Four Tombs, and Ghost-Headed Saber received a Star Gate warning that three instances meant certain death.
  • Big Fat Dragon failed to persuade the starving snake-dog to help him, despite promising it food, a temple, and worshippers.
  • With time running short, Big Fat Dragon cut a piece of flesh from his thigh and offered it to the snake-dog, which immediately sprang to its feet.

Ch. 387I Got Hit Too?

Big Fat Dragon sent the aged Snake Dog to search the mountain for the Dragon-Shaped Military Tally, while Ren Ye tried to move the cursed terracotta figurine. The curse entered Ren Ye, but the Reincarnation Lotus Lamp lit up and began drawing it in.

  • Big Fat Dragon fed Snake Dog the flesh he had cut from his wounded leg, then gave it the wooden box to sniff for the military tally’s scent.
  • As departure time arrived, Big Fat Dragon sent Snake Dog toward the mountain to compete with the stupid pig in the search.
  • In the Spirit-Communicating Tunnel, Ren Ye and the others compared what they had observed when Ghost-Headed Saber moved the terracotta figurine and suspected its base contained a mechanism.
  • Ren Ye lifted the figurine while strengthening himself with Destiny and the Human Emperor Sword’s Radiant Might.
  • The mechanism activated and the figurine’s designs flowed, sending an uncanny curse into Ren Ye.
  • The Reincarnation Lotus Lamp ignited in Ren Ye’s Consciousness Space and began pulling the curse’s gray mist toward itself.

Ch. 388The God of Wealth Who Came from Afar

Ren Ye worked out a cautious plan to overcome the cursed figurine mechanism while the Lotus Lamp slowly devoured the curse inside his Consciousness Space. Outside the Secret Realm, Li Yan, posing as the God of Wealth, agreed to help Zou Qing in exchange for an Azure Dragon Book Slip Fragment, leaving his plans for the Southern Border unresolved.

  • The Lotus Lamp drew the cursed mist from Ren Ye and slowly devoured it, weakening the curse on him while strengthening the ghost in its wick.
  • Ren Ye discovered that the curse had left black hair on his arms and hands, then reasoned that the figurine mechanism had to be countered with a carefully prepared weight-swapping tool.
  • Ren Ye proposed making a balance scale and required the group to prepare thoroughly before attempting the remaining eighteen figurines; Poison Wine Flask stayed after Ren Ye threatened to report his departure to the Witch Lord.
  • In Funan County, Zou Qing confirmed the God of Wealth's token and allowed him to stay after he said he would perform one job for the Celestial Surveillance Bureau's side.
  • The God of Wealth was revealed to be Li Yan, who had traveled to the Southern Border seeking an Azure Dragon Book Slip Fragment and planned to visit Qingliang Prefecture afterward.
  • Li Yan told his attendant that he would retaliate if the Celestial Surveillance Bureau failed to honor its bargain and give him the fragment.

Ch. 389Waiting at the Village Entrance for a Triumphant Return

Big Fat Dragon waited for Snake Dog to return, enduring an aging curse that took sixty years from his life, and Snake Dog won the first round by ambushing the black pig and claiming the Dragon-Shaped Military Tally. After the Witch Spirit Ghost Child revealed that Snake Dog must die for Big Fat Dragon to obtain the spirit beast needed for the second round, Big Fat Dragon and Snake Dog froze in each other’s embrace.

  • As Snake Dog remained away, the Witch Spirit Ghost Child’s curse aged Big Fat Dragon by sixty years, and Big Fat Dragon crawled toward the village entrance despite breaking his leg.
  • A black pig returned carrying the Dragon-Shaped Military Tally, and Snake Dog ambushed it near the village entrance as Big Fat Dragon watched.
  • Snake Dog fought the black pig until its venom brought the pig down, then took the tally and returned to the courtyard, ending Big Fat Dragon’s aging curse.
  • Big Fat Dragon embraced and thanked Snake Dog, while the Witch Spirit Ghost Child confirmed that Big Fat Dragon had won the first round.
  • The Witch Spirit Ghost Child revealed that the spirit beast for the second round would appear only if Snake Dog sacrificed its life, leaving Big Fat Dragon and Snake Dog frozen together.

Ch. 390A line of small text flashed across the base

Big Fat Dragon sacrificed Snake Dog to continue the Witch Spirit Ghost Child’s game, while Ren Ye’s group tested a balance scale for the pottery figurine and discovered the quest required an evil entity’s spirit. Outside the Secret Realm, Er Leng was stranded in Immortality Mountain after Daoist Fenglin abandoned him.

  • The Witch Spirit Ghost Child offered Big Fat Dragon a chance to quit, but Big Fat Dragon cut meat from his leg for Snake Dog to eat before killing it and choosing to continue.
  • The Witch Spirit Ghost Child introduced Dragon Cat as the spirit beast for the second round.
  • Ren Ye, Poison Wine Flask, Hundred-Flower Immortal, and Ghost-Headed Saber used a balance scale to match the pottery figurine’s weight, and Poison Wine Flask endured a curse that grew mouths on his body.
  • Ren Ye saw the message that an evil entity’s spirit had to be offered in sacrifice and concluded the figurine challenge was part of a linked quest.
  • Er Leng recalled reaching the second tier and helping Daoist Fenglin escape an ambush, then lamented that Daoist Fenglin had disappeared and left him alone in Immortality Mountain.

Ch. 391Acting alone, he ran into a sunny young man

Ren Ye realized the group needed to catch Sui whose weight matched the terracotta figurines, and the four split up to search. Ghost-Headed Saber secretly pursued a different goal, but Ren Ye found him alone and confronted him, ending as they prepared to fight.

  • Ren Ye explained that the assignments were connected and that Sui could replace the terracotta figurines by matching their weight.
  • The four left the chamber and split up, with Hundred-Flower Immortal collecting bluestone slabs while the others searched for Sui.
  • Ghost-Headed Saber used a map from a previous visit to seek an item he hoped would earn him Trust Value with Wu Yuanjun, but the chamber was empty.
  • Ren Ye found Ghost-Headed Saber alone and began recording his suspicious detour for the Witch Lord.
  • Ghost-Headed Saber drew his weapons, and Ren Ye summoned an ancient longsword as they prepared to fight.

Ch. 392Fighting a Third Grade

Ren Ye revealed his strength and powerful Human Emperor treasures after Ghost-Headed Saber pushed him into a fierce duel in the Secret Chamber. He defeated Ghost-Headed Saber and left him badly injured on the floor.

  • Ghost-Headed Saber attacked Ren Ye with his halberd and taunted him while keeping him on the defensive.
  • Ghost-Headed Saber unleashed Cloud-Thunder Halberd-Annihilation, but Ren Ye endured the strike and mocked his Third Grade strength.
  • Ren Ye opened his Holy Eyes, summoned the Human Emperor Seal, and knocked Ghost-Headed Saber's halberd aside.
  • Ren Ye countered with Sword Presses Both Banks of the Yellow River and hurled Ghost-Headed Saber into the wall.
  • Ren Ye used The Sword Holds a Divine Kingdom, broke through Ghost-Headed Saber's lifesaving defenses, and left him badly injured.
  • Ren Ye planted a foot on Ghost-Headed Saber's chest and taunted him as he lay unable to rise.

Ch. 393Showdown

Ren Ye confronted Ghost-Headed Saber about his past, the Qingliang Prefecture plague, and the conspiracy behind him, then decided to keep him alive as a useful lead. Ghost-Headed Saber revealed he had found a Cloud-Thunder Halberd and Star Source, and Ren Ye forced him to acknowledge them as his discoveries.

  • Ren Ye questioned Ghost-Headed Saber about his supposed inheritance, and Ghost-Headed Saber said Wu Yuanjun had left him without guidance or the White Python Tribe’s inheritance.
  • Ghost-Headed Saber recounted surviving his family’s massacre and admitted he had abandoned competing with Ren Ye in the Secret Realm to focus on survival.
  • Ren Ye condemned Ghost-Headed Saber for the plague deaths in Qingshan, and Ghost-Headed Saber explained his plot and claimed he had intended to provide an antidote after abducting Ren Ye and Daoist Fenglin.
  • Ghost-Headed Saber revealed that a larger force used him as a pawn and pleaded for Ren Ye to spare him, offering to help uncover the White Python Tribe’s inheritance.
  • Ren Ye asked what Ghost-Headed Saber had sought in the secret chamber, then insisted that he had found a Cloud-Thunder Halberd and Star Source; Ghost-Headed Saber reluctantly agreed.

Ch. 394Brutally Extorted, Rapid Progress

Ren Ye, Poison Wine Flask, and Hundred-Flower Immortal entered the Mountain-Outer Road and began fighting the Sui, while Ghost-Headed Saber stayed behind, injured and grieving after Prince Huai extorted his weapon and savings. The chapter left the group battling the Sui as Big Fat Dragon and Dragon Cat passed the second round of the Witch Spirit Ghost Child’s test.

  • Ren Ye returned to the Terracotta Warrior Secret Chamber with Ghost-Headed Saber, whose injuries prompted Ren Ye to lead Poison Wine Flask and Hundred-Flower Immortal onward without him.
  • Ghost-Headed Saber took a pill and reflected on Prince Huai’s extortion and his determination to survive and avenge his family.
  • Ren Ye and his companions found the sealed Netherworld Passage, then entered the Mountain-Outer Road after Poison Wine Flask pointed out the Sui-Binding Iron Chains.
  • The three took the chains and encountered a crowd of humanlike Sui as the tunnel’s bronze lamps ignited with green flames.
  • Ren Ye, Poison Wine Flask, and Hundred-Flower Immortal attacked the Sui, whose mystical spells all came from the Chaos Faction.
  • Big Fat Dragon and Dragon Cat passed the second round of the Witch Spirit Ghost Child’s test, but Big Fat Dragon treated his teammate coldly.

Ch. 395Epilogue

Ren Ye and his companions discovered that five Sui could replace each pottery figurine without triggering its curse, and they began replacing them throughout the chamber. In Witch Spirit Ghost Child’s secret realm, Big Fat Dragon killed Dragon Cat to pass the second game, then set out to retrieve the Earth Dragon Six Jia and stopped at the mountain path as a beast roared.

  • Ren Ye, Hundred-Flower Immortal, Poison Wine Flask, and Ghost-Headed Saber used five Sui whose combined weight matched the stone slab to replace a pottery figurine, trapping the Sui in gray mist and turning them into clay figures.
  • Poison Wine Flask found that the replaced figurine had become light enough to store in a consciousness space, and the four companions began replacing the remaining figurines.
  • Ghost-Headed Saber tried to please Ren Ye by offering to do his share and giving him Immaculate Water, which Ren Ye accepted.
  • Witch Spirit Ghost Child told Big Fat Dragon that he had to kill Dragon Cat to enter the third game, and Big Fat Dragon killed it without hesitation.
  • Witch Spirit Ghost Child sent the Earth Dragon Six Jia to Qingshan and told Big Fat Dragon to reach the summit to claim it.
  • Big Fat Dragon reached the village entrance and paused at the dog kennel and cat bed beside the mountain path, whereupon a beast roared from the woods.

Ch. 396Four Words

Big Fat Dragon fought Qingshan’s countless beasts to reach the summit, but was defeated and learned the trial was a lesson about the companions and achievements he had already lost. The Earth Dragon Six Jia revealed Snake Dog and Dragon Cat’s fates, and their brief return ended with them leaving in opposite directions as Big Fat Dragon wept.

  • Big Fat Dragon climbed to the ninth step and fought Qingshan’s legendary beasts, but they overwhelmed him and sent him crashing back to the foot of the mountain.
  • The Witch Spirit Ghost Child told Big Fat Dragon that he had lost their wager and owed a life to the Southern Border, then explained that Snake Dog and Dragon Cat had already embodied the Earth Dragon Six Jia’s true value.
  • The Witch Spirit Ghost Child took the Earth Dragon Six Jia from the summit and tossed it down to Big Fat Dragon before vanishing with the mountain path.
  • Big Fat Dragon saw illustrations of Snake Dog and Dragon Cat in the tome, and the two figures appeared, watched him, and departed in opposite directions.
  • The Earth Dragon Six Jia burst into the words “Great Virtue Carries All Things,” and Big Fat Dragon cried as he searched for Snake Dog and Dragon Cat.

Ch. 397Whoever comes at me, I'll go after him

Ren Ye reported the mission to Wu Yuanjun, secured praise for his leadership, and arranged for Ghost-Headed Saber to remain under suspicion. He then asked Wu Yuanjun for Heavenly Lord's blood to save his supposed brother Li Yan, leaving the Witch Lord stunned.

  • Ren Ye waited until last to meet Wu Yuanjun, then reported that Big Fat Dragon had fought the Witch Spirit Ghost Child while the team retrieved the pottery figurines.
  • Ren Ye described his own role in solving the figurines' curse and characterized Ghost-Headed Saber as unremarkable, prompting Wu Yuanjun to decide the man was deliberately lying low.
  • Ghost-Headed Saber received no Trust Value and cursed Ren Ye, realizing Ren Ye would not let him regain standing.
  • Wu Yuanjun announced a final assignment for six people and ordered the group to bring Weng Sanren out of prison.
  • Ren Ye asked Wu Yuanjun for Heavenly Lord's blood to cure his brother Li Yan, leaving Wu Yuanjun dumbfounded.

Ch. 398Asking the Heavenly Lord to Draw His Own Blood

Ren Ye collected his reward from Wu Yuanjun and asked the White Python Heavenly Lord for blood, receiving a drop of heart blood. As Weng Sanren was released from the Dungeon, a mysterious black-robed figure arrived to meet Wu Yuanjun.

  • Ren Ye received four hundred thousand Star Source and twenty Trust Value from Wu Yuanjun, bringing his Trust Value to 94 and his accumulated Star Source to 1.57 million.
  • Ren Ye told his companions that Wu Yuanjun had permitted Weng Sanren’s release, and Poison Wine Flask agreed to fetch him from the Dungeon.
  • Ren Ye went to Clearwater Pool at midnight and asked the White Python Heavenly Lord for blood to save a brother.
  • The Heavenly Lord sneezed water and mucus over Ren Ye, then sent him a drop of heart blood.
  • Poison Wine Flask told Weng Sanren he was free, but Weng Sanren said he felt safe in the Dungeon and did not want to leave.
  • At Immortality Mountain, Wu Yuanjun examined the eighteen Pottery Figurines as a short black-robed figure entered the main hall.

Ch. 399The stablemaster's promotion, the final authority

Ren Ye received the final assignments from the Witch Lord and divided the Six Gentlemen between two difficulty levels as war approached. The red-pouch group reported to General Feng, who revealed that their assignment was to remain in the Main Hall.

  • Weng Sanren left the Dungeon and questioned the others about the events he had missed during the second assignment.
  • Ren Ye heard officers say the Witch Lord planned to march against the Imperial Court at Deer-Watching Mountain the following dawn.
  • The steward gave Ren Ye six brocade pouches and entrusted him with assigning the Six Gentlemen to the two assignments.
  • Ren Ye assigned himself, Big Fat Dragon, and Poison Wine Flask to red pouches, while Weng Sanren, Ghost-Headed Saber, and Hundred-Flower Immortal received green pouches.
  • The green-pouch group received orders to escort the Witch Lord's family away, while the red-pouch group was told to await General Feng's instructions.
  • General Feng told Ren Ye and Big Fat Dragon that their assignment was in the Main Hall, where armored soldiers and weapons had been assembled.

Ch. 400Night banquet

Poison Wine Flask secretly agreed to work with Weng Sanren against Bima Wen, while Ren Ye and his companions waited at Immortality Mountain for an unexplained assignment. After Wu Yuanjun and the White Python Twelve Generals vowed to fight the Imperial Court, General Feng revealed that no war would take place and that the night would end in a massacre.

  • Weng Sanren admitted that he came from the Great Qian Court and asked Poison Wine Flask to help defeat Bima Wen in exchange for the Earth Dragon Six Jia.
  • Poison Wine Flask agreed to Weng Sanren's proposal and requested a pledge of allegiance during the escort assignment.
  • General Feng brought an old Taoist priest to the side hall, where they planted a formation flag while Ren Ye, Big Fat Dragon, and Poison Wine Flask waited.
  • Twelve White Python generals arrived to discuss the coming campaign, and Wu Yuanjun announced that his tribe would confront the Heavenly Dragon Tribe and fight the Imperial Court if necessary.
  • After Wu Yuanjun and the twelve generals pledged to fight together, General Feng told Ren Ye and Poison Wine Flask that the supposed war was a cover for a massacre meant to reassure the sovereign.
Arc 16 of 47