Chapter 1169: Sacrifice

The two women looked embarrassed. They had just heard Yu Yanluo's analogy and instinctively thought of her as Medusa. The serpentine form of her race actually resembled the Death Worms quite a bit, which is why they subconsciously made the connection.

However, the two women knew well that this was not the same thing. They hastily and guiltily turned their heads back, eager to see if Zu An would succeed this time.

Yu Yanluo had no time to scold them. She also squeezed next to them to observe. Unfortunately, she couldn't sense anything besides the Death Worms themselves.

"Where is Ah Zu now?" she asked, worried, quickly turning to the two Grandmasters beside her. Given their high cultivation, perhaps their sensing abilities would be stronger.

"I don't know either," Yan Xuehen said with an embarrassed expression.

Yu Yanluo: "..."

You don't know, yet you were looking so intently?

Yun Jianyue exclaimed in admiration, "Ah Zu's concealment technique is truly formidable. There are many techniques in this world for hiding one's aura, but most have their own flaws, let alone being able to evade the spiritual perception of a Grandmaster."

For example, their Demonic Sect's 'Bright Mirror, Not a Stand' could also conceal one's aura, but if one's form was seen, it would still be exposed, and it couldn't deceive high-level cultivators using soul perception.

But in Zu An's situation, it was a dual concealment from both visual and spiritual perception. Even if they knew he was there, they still couldn't find him, even with a full-force search.

"He should... he should succeed this time, right?" Yu Yanluo nervously clenched her hands. Last time, he barely escaped by throwing out those medicines. This time, there was no such opportunity, especially since the mother worm had just released its attack.

"I don't know." Yun Jianyue was also somewhat worried. Although the 'Star Shattering Seal' was powerful, its weakness was also obvious: it was uncertain whether it would activate successfully each time.

"The critical point is that the Star Shattering Seal can only be activated three times a day. Exceeding that would cause the body to collapse," Yun Jianyue said with a grave expression. "Crucially, he had already used it once during practice, and then there was the failed attempt just now. This is now his last chance."

"What kind of useless technique did you teach him? It's no good when it matters," Yan Xuehen said, highly displeased. She was also very concerned about Zu An's safety now, but couldn't show it, having long suppressed a surge of irritation.

Yun Jianyue retorted angrily, "If you can do it, then you go!"

"The techniques I teach are at least 100% successful, unlike some people," Yan Xuehen said coldly.

Yun Jianyue snorted, "What's the use of merely concealing killing intent? What's needed now is an attack."

"Please, stop arguing, both of you," Yu Yanluo said anxiously. The image of these two Grandmasters in her mind was severely crumbling; whenever they dealt with each other, they were just like two petulant little girls. "It would be trouble if we alerted the mother worm and put Ah Zu in danger."

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue were still arguing fiercely, but upon hearing her last sentence, they both fell silent.

At this moment, Zu An had already arrived beside the mother worm. Concealing his killing intent with the 'Grand Clarity Oblivion Scroll', he slowly brought the 'Poisonous Dagger' closer to its abdomen.

Then he activated the 'Star Shattering Seal' and stabbed directly!

*Clang!*

The tip of the dagger was once again blocked by the scales on its abdomen!

Yun Jianyue, from a distance, exclaimed, "Oh no, it didn't activate successfully!"

Yan Xuehen's heart also sank. She had just heard Yun Jianyue's words: this was the last chance for today, and they would only be able to try again tomorrow.

But by tomorrow, the mother worm would have completely recovered. It usually lurked in the soil, and with its guard up, there would likely be no more opportunities to ambush it like this.

"Zu An, come back!" Yan Xuehen exclaimed. The best solution now was to leave this mine first, come back after their strength recovered, or seek help from other human experts.

Of course, she also knew clearly that if they did that, before their next arrival, these Death Worms would reproduce wildly, and the people of nearby Cloud City would likely suffer.

Seeing Yan Xuehen fly out to help, Yun Jianyue's face was filled with surprise. Didn't this ice-cold woman usually dislike Zu An? Why was she more concerned than herself now?

She didn't dare hesitate, and also flew out to assist Zu An.

Yu Yanluo, however, did not rush out blindly. She knew her cultivation was inferior to theirs. Facing the terrifying Death Worms, Zu An would also have to be distracted to protect her.

So she just held her paintbrush, and from a distance, added blessings to the several of them.

The Scaled Death Worm, sensing the attack, was instantly enraged. This human ant had provoked it again and again, especially disturbing it at a time like this—it was outrageous!

Rage value from Scaled Death Worm +999 +999 +999...

It twisted its body, and its clumsy form swept over him like a lightning whip.

Zu An felt as if he had been hit by a train; his entire body's bones felt as if they were about to fall apart.

At this moment, the most rational course of action would be to use the recoil force to quickly leave and then devise a new plan. But when he thought of how difficult it had been to create such a precious opportunity, which might never be replicated again...

Although he was no saint, he was still a person of flesh and blood. Thinking of the potential disaster of Death Worms plaguing Cloud City territory and the resulting devastation, he still felt a responsibility to do something.

Gritting his teeth, he endured his injuries and activated 'Great Wind' again. He instantly appeared in front of the mother worm, and the 'Poisonous Dagger' in his hand thrust straight out.

Because normally, given the disparity in their strengths, his speed wouldn't be enough to stab the opponent. So, he activated the 'Star Shattering Seal' again!

Only by enhancing his speed and attack power tenfold could he hope to stab the opponent.

As long as he could wound the mother worm with the 'Poisonous Dagger', he would succeed!

*Thud!*

Failed again?

"Damn it!"

Zu An was almost cursing.

If he ever got the chance, the first thing he would do when he got back was hang Yun Jianyue up and spank her!

However, he likely wouldn't get that chance, because the mother worm had already opened its ferocious maw and was biting down.

His strength was depleted, and having forcefully over-activated the Star Shattering Seal, his meridians felt as if they were tearing apart. There was no time to dodge at all.

Just then, a palace lantern flew into the air, casting down a yellow light.

The Changxin Palace Lantern!

Illuminated by the lantern's light, the mother worm's body stiffened for a moment.

But the next second, it began to move again.

The Changxin Palace Lantern dimmed and fell to the ground. Yun Jianyue's body trembled, and she spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. If not for Yu Yanluo's blessing, given her current state, she probably wouldn't even have been able to activate the Changxin Palace Lantern.

Even with the strenuous activation, it couldn't truly hold the mother worm still.

Fortunately, Yan Xuehen had already arrived beside Zu An. With one hand, she scooped him up by the waist, and with the other, she thrust her sword through the air.

Snowflake Divine Sword!

The top of the mother worm was instantly covered in a layer of frost. Yan Xuehen took the opportunity to lightly tap her foot, attempting to take Zu An away.

Unfortunately, it was only slowed for a moment. The mother worm immediately shattered the frost on its body and spat out a stream of black light.

Yan Xuehen let out a muffled groan. A mouthful of fresh blood seeped out, clearly indicating she had been hit in the back.

She was no longer able to maintain flight. Holding Zu An, they both plummeted towards the ground.

Fortunately, Zu An had regained his breath by this time. He turned and embraced her.

Normally, Zu An wouldn't mind a descent where they stared into each other's eyes, exchanging glances, and spinning around like in an old drama. But at this moment, he knew very well that they had no chance of escaping.

Just then, the aura of an ancient fierce beast permeated the air. Zu An and Yan Xuehen were both greatly startled. They were both very familiar with this aura; it was the pressure from when Yu Yanluo had fully unleashed her Medusa's Gaze!

They saw Yu Yanluo slowly rising in mid-air. Her long hair swirled wildly around her, faintly resembling small snakes hissing.

Her entire eyes had also turned a brownish-yellow color. It was the color of the earth!

Had she gone mad?!

She had already used it multiple times consecutively before and was severely injured. Now, unleashing it without reservation like this, regardless of the outcome, she would likely not escape death.

Yan Xuehen felt a sense of bewilderment. Were demon races also so emotional and righteous?

She knew, of course, that the other party was mainly doing this for Zu An, but it was also a fact that she had been saved by her.

She had always pursued and hunted her, only to ultimately be saved by her in return. What an irony this was.

At this moment, the mother worm's entire outer skin began to petrify. However, Yu Yanluo's body had reached its limit, and she directly fell from mid-air.

The mother worm's ferocity was also provoked. It immediately released a terrifying wave of energy, completely dispelling the petrification on its body.

Zu An didn't concern himself with Yu Yanluo behind him, nor did he have time to catch her. Only one thought remained in his mind: to kill the mother worm, for only then would they have a sliver of hope for survival.

He did not waste the moment Yu Yanluo had gained. His figure had already appeared beside the mother worm.

Star Shattering Seal!

Activate!

"He's going to die!" Yun Jianyue, lying on the ground, exclaimed in alarm upon seeing this scene. Even she could only use it three times a day. How many times had he used it already?

Even if he succeeded in activating it this time, his body would completely collapse.

His actions were clearly meant to sacrifice himself to save the few of them.

She, the dignified Demonic Sect Master, a fearsome figure who shook the world, had not shed a single tear since she was five years old. Yet now, her eyes were blurred with tears.