Chapter 1178: Mysterious Fire Feathered Robe

The small tribe had been wiped out, their blood turned to ash, a scene of utter desolation.

The burly Elder Bashan angrily declared, "Young Master, we must pursue them quickly and flay the villains from the Shugu tribe alive to appease the spirits of our fallen kinsmen."

Beside him, the composed Elder Bachuan also nodded with a solemn expression. "If we don't pursue them soon, those Shugu villains might vanish without a trace."

Danzhu's sharp gaze affirmed his decision, and he nodded, "Very well."

The immediate problem, however, was that they had no idea where the Shugu villains had fled and where to pursue them. After all, a day had already passed, and the Shugu villains must have fled far away.

If they chased in the wrong direction, going completely astray, it would be a wasted trip. Not only would they fail to exact revenge, but they might also become the laughingstock of other tribes.

Elders Bashan and Bachuan decided to first search the surrounding area for tracks to determine the direction of the Shugu tribe's escape.

But Mohua lightly pointed west. "They fled that way."

Bashan was startled and asked, "How do you know?"

Mohua pointed skyward. "The Divine Master told me."

Bashan was left speechless, his expression sour.

Danzhu glanced at Mohua, then, after a moment of thought, decisively said, "Very well, we will pursue them to the west."

"Young Master..." Bashan still wanted to advise caution. After all, pursuing in the wrong direction would mean missing their chance and wasting too much effort.

Danzhu, however, said with an air of finality, "There's no time to lose. West!"

With that, he led the way in the direction Mohua had indicated. Bashan and the others had no choice but to follow. The hundred barbarian soldiers, seeing Young Master Danzhu depart, also set off after him.

The tall, strong barbarian general Chifeng, with hair like fire, frowned slightly as he watched Mohua's inscrutable figure, but he said nothing, silently following the others.

The group pursued westward, crossing mountains and cliffs for a good half a day. But along the way, they saw no one and no trace of the Shugu tribe.

The more Bashan thought about it, the more he regretted their decision, and he said to Danzhu, "Young Master, we've taken the wrong path. There's not a single person on this mountain route; the Shugu tribe certainly didn't come this way."

Danzhu had clearly noticed the issue as well, but he trusted Mohua and hadn't questioned him throughout their journey. Yet, at Elder Bashan's words, Danzhu's brows furrowed, and he looked at Mohua.

To their surprise, Mohua nodded and admitted, "That's right, the Shugu tribe indeed didn't take this path."

Danzhu was stunned.

Elders Bashan and Bachuan looked bewildered, then grew somewhat angry. "You..."

Their Young Master, along with them and the hundred barbarian soldiers, had all been played for fools by Mohua, this deceitful minister.

Mohua calmly glanced at them and said with composure, "The Shugu tribe is a day ahead of us. If we follow the path they took, how could we possibly catch up to them in such a short time? I led you this way because it's a shortcut."

Elders Bashan and Bachuan were also stunned. Barbarian General Chifeng's gaze slightly narrowed.

Elder Bashan frowned and questioned again, "You say it's a shortcut, and it is? You don't have all-seeing eyes; how do you know where the Shugu tribe is?"

Mohua pointed skyward again. "Didn't I already say? This is a revelation from the Divine Master. Ignorant people wouldn't understand."

When in doubt, it was a prophecy from the Divine Master. When unable to explain, it was a revelation from the Divine Master.

Elder Bashan was so exasperated he could barely speak, utterly devoid of temper.

"Alright, let's hurry on..." Mohua calculated roughly on his fingers. "In another half a day, before dawn, we should be able to catch up."

Danzhu nodded.

The two Golden Core elders, Bashan and Bachuan, had no way to deal with Mohua, this "Mister Wu" who defied all convention; they could only let him act as he pleased.

Bashan merely sneered inwardly, "Such pretense, spoken with such certainty. When we don't catch up, I'll see how you explain yourself to the Young Master."

After that, he said no more.

The group, following Mohua's instructions, crossed barren mountain ridges and continued westward in pursuit.

About half a day later, they arrived at the foot of a mountain, where the ground suddenly showed disordered wheel tracks and dense footprints. The wheel tracks were deep, and the footprints were varied. There were also drag marks, as if people had been pulled along on all fours.

Elder Bashan knelt, scraping away the soil in the footprints with his fingertips. He found brownish bloodstains within the dirt and couldn't help but look up at Mohua, his face full of astonishment. "You... you were right?"

Mohua ignored him, instead instructing, "Be careful, tread lightly, and make no sound."

Danzhu nodded and relayed the orders.

Following Mohua's instructions, the group entered a small grove on the mountainside and proceeded circuitously up the slope. When they reached halfway up the mountain, Mohua had the barbarian soldiers halt their advance.

He then took Danzhu, Barbarian General Chifeng, Elders Bashan and Bachuan, and a small squad of personal guards on a detour, leading them to the foot of a small cliff.

Looking out, they saw a faint glimmer of firelight in a grove on the opposite mountainside. These firelights were not conspicuous, but upon closer inspection, they revealed a group of strangely behaving barbarian cultivators. In the night, they were dancing an eerie dance around a bonfire, and there were quite a few of them.

"It's the Shugu tribe..." Elder Bachuan whispered. "But..." He frowned. "What are they dancing? The Shugu tribe shouldn't have this ritual..."

Mohua's gaze was profound as he slowly said, "Get ready, begin the encirclement."

This particular Shugu tribe was a "roaming division" of the larger Shugu group. Unlike the Danque tribe, the Shugu tribe was more of an "alliance" of groups, lacking a unified heritage or bloodline. As a result, its members were diverse, and their actions were often uncoordinated and difficult to control. This led to a significant portion of the Shugu tribes existing in a "wandering" or "dislocated" state. They roamed everywhere, burning, killing, and looting, committing many atrocities. While not all of these roaming divisions were evil, the vast majority were certainly not good. This time, the atrocities committed by this particular Shugu roaming division were even worse than any before.

Danzhu then began to arrange his forces for the encirclement and suppression. As the Young Master of the Danque tribe, he had learned the basics of barbarian warfare, even if he lacked actual combat experience. Elders Bashan and Bachuan were also providing advice, and the plan was overseen by the battle-hardened Barbarian General Chifeng, the Danque tribe's vanguard. To completely encircle and wipe out this Shugu roaming division in the mountain forest on the mountainside was not a major problem.

This Shugu roaming division comprised about eighty or ninety people, and their leader was likely a Golden Core cultivator. However, the Danque tribe was clearly stronger, and with careful planning against an unaware enemy, their advantage was even greater. Mohua glanced at the overall battle plan and also deemed it sound. Danzhu was a genius, and Chifeng was a seasoned general. Even if Mohua had devised the battle plan, it couldn't have been arranged any better.

Mohua pondered for a moment, then said to Danzhu, "Young Master, you lead the charge."

Danzhu was naturally pleased.

However, Elders Bashan and Bachuan quickly interjected, "Young Master, these petty villains of the Shugu tribe are not worth your personal involvement. You should consider the overall situation and command from the rear." The two of them were Danzhu's guardian elders, extremely worried that he might suffer even the slightest mishap during the battle. Although with Danzhu's strength, generally speaking, there wouldn't be much risk. But it was better to be safe than sorry. Danzhu was too precious. If he truly encountered any accident, they, as his guardian elders, would be beyond redemption.

Danzhu naturally wanted to personally charge into battle and slay his enemies. But he also greatly sympathized with the painstaking efforts and difficulties of Elders Bashan and Bachuan. Danzhu again looked at Mohua.

Elders Bashan and Bachuan felt bitter upon seeing this. Their perfectly capable Young Master, whenever indecisive, would look to this effeminate, fawning minister.

Sure enough, Mohua said, "Go ahead and fight the enemy with confidence; there will be no danger this time."

Danzhu nodded. "Alright, Mister."

Bashan and Bachuan were choked with anger.

Elder Bashan still tried his best to persuade, "Young Master, this concerns your safety; you absolutely must not believe him lightly..."

But before he could finish, Danzhu, seemingly "bewitched" by Mohua, cut him off. "No need to say more, my mind is made up."

Elder Bashan could only sigh deeply.

Afterwards, Danzhu began to deploy his troops, dividing the hundred elite barbarian soldiers of the Danque tribe into three routes. Elders Bashan and Bachuan, each leading over thirty people, would encircle from the other two sides. Danzhu and Chifeng, leading the remaining barbarian soldiers, would charge from the front. With a three-pronged attack, they would completely annihilate this Shugu roaming division. Capture if possible, kill if not.

As a "shaman," Mohua was physically frail and only at the Foundation Establishment realm, possessing no combat ability. Therefore, he didn't need to lead the charge and could simply observe the battle from the side. This point was unanimously agreed upon by the Danque tribe. After all, Mohua was indeed "frail."

After the plan was arranged, the Danque tribe's barbarian soldiers began to move in separate groups. In the darkness, a subtle, murderous aura began to circulate.

The barbarians of the Shugu roaming division were still dancing their eerie dance, immersed in a world of madness. A moment later, each barbarian soldier team was in position, ready to ambush.

From the Shugu tribe's camp, a sharp shriek suddenly rang out, as if someone had detected danger. This meant that this Shugu roaming division indeed had a Golden Core leader. And this person's spiritual sense was quite keen. He had detected the Danque tribe's ambush.

But it was too late; at the same moment the shriek rang out, Danzhu took the lead and launched his charge. Fiery red, lava-crystal-like Golden Core power surged through his entire body, radiating immense might. Scarlet, flowing-fire-like feathers encircled Danzhu's body, making him appear even more resplendent and glorious, as if the Sacred Son of the Vermillion Bird had descended to earth, inspiring awe. Wherever Danzhu charged alone, the ordinary barbarian cultivators of the Shugu tribe were no match for him, not even for a single move, incinerated by karmic fire, their meridians withered, and they died. This was Danzhu's first time fully unleashing his Golden Core power to charge into an enemy camp.

The barbarian soldiers of the Danque tribe, seeing Danzhu so heroic, his body ablaze with flowing, vivid red splendor, all felt a surge of admiration. And such a majestic and handsome figure was their Young Master. Their Young Master was leading by example, incinerating the Danque tribe's enemies. They instantly developed intense admiration and "loyalty" towards Danzhu; it was as if a raging fire burned in their hearts, and their morale was greatly boosted.

"Kill!"

At the same time, Bashan and Bachuan's two teams converged, joining the slaughter. The Danque tribe's barbarian soldiers, united in their hatred, tore through the night with their battle cries, shaking the mountain forest.

The Shugu roaming division was scattered in disarray by the charge. However, these tribesmen were already fierce and mad individuals, and after dancing their eerie ritual around the bonfire, their minds were completely dominated by madness. After a moment of panic, they disregarded life and death, shaking their heads and screaming like lunatics as they clashed with the Danque tribe's barbarian soldiers. Before Danzhu, however, these Shugu tribesmen were truly no match. After fighting for a while, they began to show signs of defeat.

Just then, a black mist swirled, and from among the Shugu tribesmen, a sinister-looking cultivator flashed out, his face painted like a skull and his hair in dreadlocks. This Golden Core cultivator appeared to be the leader of the Shugu tribe. His voice was sharp and babbling; he seemed to say something, then activated his magic artifact, a white bone staff, summoning various sinister energies and attacking Danzhu.

Seeing this, Danzhu also activated his innate magic artifact. A fiery red Vermillion Bird feather cloak, seemingly woven from flowing fire, enveloped Danzhu's entire body. Danzhu himself appeared even more magnificent and noble, and his aura was astonishing.

The Vermillion Bird Profound Fire Feather Cloak.

This was Danzhu's innate magic artifact, said to be a supreme treasure passed down by the Danque tribe since the era of the Great Wilderness Royal Court. When activated, the Vermillion Bird feathers would transform into profound fire, enveloping his entire body like a magnificent Vermillion Bird fire robe. This allowed him to incinerate enemies when advancing and protect himself with feathers when retreating, making it a truly rare innate magic artifact. It was both offensive and defensive, not only powerful but also exquisitely beautiful.

Mohua watched from afar, his heart filled with envy. He looked at Danzhu's magic artifact, then at his own situation. From Qianxue to Lizhou, and then adrift in the Great Wilderness, after all that trouble, he still only had one set of unlearnable array diagrams. His innate embryo hadn't been shaped, and not even the shadow of a magic artifact had formed. Mohua couldn't help but sigh. Indeed, comparing himself to others only brought frustration.

If only he also had such a Vermillion Bird Profound Fire Feather Cloak as a magic artifact, shimmering with brilliant colors when activated, how wonderful that would be... Of course, Mohua knew he could only dream about it. A truly top-tier, luxurious magic artifact like the Vermillion Bird Profound Fire Feather Cloak must have extremely strict inheritance conditions, requiring exceptionally high talent. In the entire Danque tribe, perhaps even the entire Great Wilderness, only a peerless genius like Danzhu, who formed his Golden Core at twenty, could forge such an artifact. With his mid-to-low grade spiritual root, he could forget about it in this lifetime.

Mohua couldn't help but wonder what his own innate magic artifact would look like. According to his current plan, he would use the Wood-White-Gold-Jade Bone Forging method to forge array mediums, then engrave the Twelve Meridians Taotie Spirit Skeleton Array onto his own bones, and finally cultivate this Taotie Array to merge with his very essence, becoming one. If his magic artifact was carved onto his bones, wouldn't it show no light at all when activated? He wouldn't end up cultivating a plain, rustic magic artifact with no visual effects, one that others wouldn't even be able to see, would he?

Although it was good to be low-key and to conceal one's strength. But for a magic artifact painstakingly forged to be invisible to others, that would truly be... too much like "walking in fine clothes at night." It wouldn't showcase his identity as a Golden Core cultivator at all...

Mohua looked again at Danzhu, adorned in flowing fire as clothing and Vermillion Bird feathers, shining brilliantly in the darkness like a profound fire deity, and felt even more unbalanced.

"Never mind..." Mohua sighed. He hadn't even earned money yet, and he was already thinking about how to spend it... He hadn't even formed his Golden Core yet, and he was already worrying about the appearance of his Golden Core magic artifact... He was truly overthinking it. If he could honestly just forge his innate magic artifact and form his Golden Core, then all would be well. Whether the final magic artifact was cool or good-looking, with his current circumstances, he had no right to be picky...

Mohua collected his thoughts and continued to observe the battle from afar. The battle unfolded without major surprises. Danzhu's innate magic artifact was truly exceptional and incredibly powerful, demonstrating overwhelming strength. That Shugu tribe leader, with his skeletal face paint, looked sinister, but in the face of absolute strength, he couldn't stir up any trouble. Before long, he was utterly suppressed by Danzhu's profound fire.

Mohua watched from a distance, and couldn't help but sigh in admiration that young Danzhu was truly too strong, his talent too exceptional. He must "train" him well; in the future, Danzhu would certainly achieve great things.

After that, it was largely a mop-up operation. The Shugu tribe leader did indeed put up a dying struggle; bloodstains cracked on his magic artifact, the white bone staff, as it summoned bloody, polluted water capable of contaminating other magic artifacts. The contamination of a magic artifact was extremely dangerous. Even some Golden Core cultivators in the mid-stage with profound cultivation might suffer a great loss if slightly careless. But Danzhu's magic artifact was truly too "top-tier." This polluted blood, as soon as it touched his Vermillion Bird Feather Cloak, was instantly evaporated completely by the profound fire. A high enough rank could overwhelm all techniques. The Shugu tribe leader exhausted all his means, but couldn't break through Danzhu's magic artifact's defense, and felt despair in his heart. Even Mohua found it somewhat unbearable to watch. Top-tier magic artifacts were simply too unfair...

Soon, the Shugu tribe leader ran out of tricks and was completely subdued by Danzhu. The remaining remnants of the Shugu tribe were mostly killed, with only a few captured alive as prisoners.

Seeing that the battle was almost over and the situation mostly settled, Mohua slowly made his way to the battlefield, walking with his "Flowing Water Steps." As he got closer, Mohua discovered human arms and legs hanging over the Shugu tribe's bonfire. These Shugu tribesmen were roasting human flesh to eat. Mohua felt a bit uncomfortable, and his expression turned grim.

Danzhu and the others were equally furious. Earlier, during their charge, they hadn't paid much attention. Now, upon closer inspection, they discovered that the Shugu tribe was indeed "eating people." What these Shugu roaming divisions had killed and eaten were all their own tribesmen from the Danque tribe.

Someone angrily said, "Young Master, let's kill all these beasts! Break their limbs, strip off their skin, and let them die by a thousand cuts! These animals..."

The Danque tribesmen were all filled with righteous indignation.

Danzhu was also extremely furious, but then he looked at Mohua, who appeared dazed and pensive, and instantly calmed down, asking, "Mister, is there a problem?"

Mohua looked around and mused, "It seems... something is missing..."

"Missing what?" Danzhu didn't quite understand.

Mohua again carefully surveyed the surroundings, then his gaze suddenly shifted, catching sight of a small, unnoticed cave in a nearby corner. In front of the cave, some patterns were drawn with human blood. But the cave was very shallow; looking inside, it was empty and unobstructed, yet there was nothing.

Mohua turned his head to the Shugu tribe leader and asked, "What is this cave for?"

The Shugu tribe leader, firmly bound by chains after his defeat, merely sneered and did not answer.

Mohua then said, "Someone, come and cripple his limbs."

Danzhu and the others exchanged glances. The Shugu tribe leader was a Golden Core cultivator, while Mister Wu was only at Foundation Establishment. Logically, he certainly couldn't cripple a Golden Core cultivator. Such a task required a Golden Core cultivator. But Bashan and Bachuan were somewhat unwilling to listen to Mohua. Danzhu then considered doing it himself.

Barbarian General Chifeng, however, stepped forward before him, saying, "Young Master, I'll do it." In the recent battle, Chifeng hadn't really taken much action; his presence was merely to serve as a backup. The real fighting and true tempering still had to be done by Danzhu himself. But now, Danzhu had performed very well, and the battle had subsided. This small matter, for Chifeng, was just a trivial effort. Moreover, as a Golden Core mid-stage cultivator, he would be swifter and more ruthless in severing someone's limbs.

Seeing the tall, burly, and fierce-looking Barbarian General Chifeng walk over, about to strike ruthlessly, the Shugu tribe leader's face immediately turned pale. He gritted his teeth and said, "I'll talk!"

Chifeng paused his movement slightly.

Mohua, however, said calmly, "Too late... Even if you speak now, your limbs must first be crippled." He had a bad temper and a ruthless heart, and he never liked to bargain with others, especially not with villains. If you didn't answer his questions, you had to pay the price.