294: parasitic vine

The two Dou Huang Elders, who were firmly imprisoned by the spatial power, had faces full of terror and could not move their bodies. However, relying on the usual ferocity of the Xuanming Sect and the confidence that a Dou Zun Expert was backing them, they did not immediately yield, instead roaring with false bravado.

The Seven-Star Dou Huang Elder had a ferocious expression. He tried to struggle but failed miserably, only able to stare with bloodshot eyes and roar.

"You bastard!"

"This old fellow thought you were so powerful! Turns out you're just a secretive Dou Zong!"

"Kid! Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused?! Daring to kill my Xuanming Sect Disciples and capture our Elders, there is no place for you to live, neither in heaven nor on earth!"

The other Six-Star Dou Huang echoed him sharply.

"If you know what's good for you, release us immediately!"

"Then cripple your cultivation and return with us two to the Xuanming Sect to beg for forgiveness! Perhaps we can still put in a good word for you before the Sect Master and grant you an intact corpse!"

"Otherwise, when our Sect's Dou Zun Ancestor arrives personally, he will make sure you cannot live nor die!"

They attempted to use the reputation of the Xuanming Sect and the terror of the Dou Zun to intimidate Mu Chen, hoping that the other party would retreat out of fear.

However, as Mu Chen listened to their threats, not only did his face show no fear, but he revealed a mocking, cold smile.

He couldn't be bothered wasting words on these two prisoners, and he knew even more clearly that this place was not suitable for a long stay.

The commotion just now was too great; the true experts of the Xuanming Sect would likely arrive soon.

"Noisy."

He uttered the two words indifferently, and with a grasp in the air, the spatial power confining the two Elders suddenly contracted, like two invisible large hands, lifting them up like little chickens.

The next moment, Mu Chen moved. Relying on a Dou Zong's subtle control over space, his figure turned into a blurry blue shadow that almost merged with the environment. Carrying the two struggling and cursing old fellows, he instantly vanished from the entrance of the Hong Family ruins, moving with unimaginable speed!

It wasn't until several minutes after Mu Chen's figure completely disappeared that the surviving Xuanming Sect Disciples dared to gasp for air, collapsing onto the ground, their faces still etched with extreme terror.

Meanwhile, the Xuanming Sect experts who had been alarmed and were rushing over found nothing. They could only rage uncontrollably at the mess and blood scattered everywhere, letting out furious roars.

Only then did the residents and merchants along the surrounding streets, who had tightly closed their doors and windows and hid inside their houses, dare to cautiously push open a window or crack a door, fearfully peering outside.

When they saw the bloody scene at the entrance of the Hong Family, and the miserable state of the Xuanming Sect Disciples—many dead or injured, and the Elders abducted—everyone was stunned!

"My heavens, what just happened?"

"So many people from the Xuanming Sect died?"

"I think I saw a young man snatching the two Xuanming Sect Elders away like he was carrying little chickens?"

"Damn! Is that true? Someone actually dared to deal such a deadly blow to the Xuanming Sect? And abducted their Elders?!"

"Where did this ruthless person come from?! He's too fierce!"

Whispers sounded in the corners of every street, filled with disbelief and a long-suppressed satisfaction.

The Xuanming Sect had long acted tyrannically in the Northern Region, incurring widespread resentment. Seeing them suffer such a massive loss, many people secretly rejoiced.

The owner of the general store who had previously sold information to Mu Chen and received a fifth-tier demonic core was now pressed against the door crack, his face pale with fright and his entire body drenched in cold sweat!

Recalling Mu Chen's calm inquiry and how he had kindly advised the man not to court death, he felt his legs weaken, nearly collapsing onto the ground.

"A Dou Zong! That customer—no, that senior—is actually a Dou Zong!"

"Oh my god, I actually made a transaction with a Dou Zong and then advised him not to cause trouble?"

The shop owner clutched his wildly beating heart, feeling a mix of lingering fear and absurdity.

Only now did he realize that although the man looked young, he must be an old monster with profound cultivation and techniques to maintain his appearance!

"No wonder he didn't even flinch when he heard the Xuanming Sect had a Dou Zun—he himself is a figure standing among the clouds!"

At this moment, Mu Chen's sudden attack and the terrifying strength he displayed were like a giant boulder thrown into the deep waters of the Northern Region, stirring up massive ripples.

Everyone realized that the Northern Region, which had been peaceful for a long time, was likely about to face new turmoil because of the appearance of this mysterious Dou Zong!

Meanwhile, Mu Chen had already carried the two captives hundreds of miles away, finding a secluded valley.

He threw the two ashen-faced Xuanming Sect Elders onto the ground, set up a barrier to isolate detection, and looked at them with icy eyes.

Now, he had all the time in the world to slowly pry their mouths open.

Inside the secluded valley, the barrier isolated the interior from the exterior.

The two Xuanming Sect Elders were thrown onto the cold rock. Although their bodies were still confined by spatial power, their mouths could still move.

Seeing that Mu Chen did not kill them, they mistakenly assumed he was wary of the Xuanming Sect's retaliation, and thus, various malicious curses and threats poured out like sewage.

"You little bastard! You better release us right now!"

"Otherwise, my Xuanming Sect will surely extract your soul and refine your spirit, preventing you from ever reincarnating!"

"When the Ancestor finds you, he will definitely make you taste the most painful tortures in the world!"

Mu Chen completely ignored the foul language, his expression remaining utterly calm.

He slowly walked up to the two men, crouched down, and extended his right hand. At his fingertip, extremely pure and sharp Dou Qi was condensed.

"What are you trying to do?!"

The Seven-Star Dou Huang felt an inexplicable palpitation as he looked at Mu Chen's terrifyingly calm eyes, and he yelled with false bravado.

Mu Chen did not reply. His fingertip, like the sharpest scalpel, sliced lightly.

"Tear!"

The robes on their chests instantly ripped open, exposing their skin.

Immediately afterward, the Dou Qi swept past, cutting several wounds on their chests—not too deep nor too shallow, but enough to draw blood.

"Ah!"

The intense pain made both men scream, but what was greater was a sense of unknown dread.

"Bastard! What exactly are you going to do!"

Mu Chen remained silent, acting like a focused artisan.

He took out several inconspicuous, small, dark-green seeds from his storage ring. With a flick of his finger, he accurately shot them into the wounds.

The moment the seeds touched the warm blood, they seemed to come alive, wiggling slightly before drilling deeper inside.

"What the hell did you plant inside us?!"

The Six-Star Dou Huang screamed in terror; he could feel a foreign object drilling into his body!

Only then did Mu Chen clap his hands, stand up, and speak in a tone so calm it was as if he were introducing a type of flower.

"Nothing much, just a little toy. They are merely the seeds of the Life-Devouring Parasitic Vine."

"The Life-Devouring Parasitic Vine?!"

Hearing that name, the pupils of both Elders instantly contracted to the size of needlepoints!

All the color instantly drained from their faces, replaced by extreme terror! As Xuanming Sect Elders, they were experienced and naturally had heard of this sinister and terrifying demonic plant!

Once this thing enters the body, it parasitizes wildly, drawing the host's Dou Qi and life essence to grow until it sucks the host into a dried corpse!

The process is slow and painful, a torture that even those in the Demonic Path dread to mention!

"Demon! You are a demon!"

The Seven-Star Dou Huang was scared witless, screaming shrilly.

"I warn you! We both have Soul Tablets left in the Sect!"

"If you kill us, the Sect will know immediately! You won't escape!"

"Soul Tablets?"

The corner of Mu Chen's mouth curled into an icy arc.

"That's perfect. It saves me the trouble of having to find the people of your Xuanming Sect myself."

After speaking, he ignored the two men's curses and threats. With a thought, he began to activate the parasitic vine seeds that had already taken root.

"Ugh Ah—!"

Almost instantly, the two Elders let out agonizing wails that sounded inhuman!

They could clearly feel the seeds rapidly rooting and sprouting inside their bodies. Countless tiny vines, like living venomous snakes, madly drilled toward their internal organs, meridians, and bones!

Wherever the vines passed, they brought not only tearing pain, but also the Dou Qi and vital essence they had painstakingly cultivated for years, which was greedily drawn and devoured by the vines like floodwaters rushing through an open gate!

Their skin visibly began to lose its luster and become shriveled. Wrinkles started appearing on their faces, and their hair gradually lost its color.

This process of watching their strength drain away and their lives approach their end was thousands of times more terrifying than direct death!

"No! Stop! Stop it! Hurry and stop!"

The Six-Star Dou Huang was the first to break down, pleading tearfully.

"Senior! Sir! Have mercy!"

"I'll talk! I'll tell you everything! Please, spare me!"

The Seven-Star Dou Huang was still desperately holding on, but feeling the rapid loss of vitality inside his body and the pervasive pain, his will was quickly destroyed, and he eventually let out a desperate howl.

"Stop! I'll talk too!"

"I will tell you all the secrets of the Xuanming Sect, and everything about the Hong Family! I only beg you to give me a quick death!!"

Watching the two men, who had just been arrogant but were now twisting and wailing on the ground like two maggots, weeping and begging for mercy, Mu Chen slowly reduced the activation of the parasitic vines.

He crouched down, looked at their faces, which were contorted by fear and pain, and spoke indifferently with a hint of mockery.

"Oh? You can't handle this already?"

"I thought the Elders of the Xuanming Sect would have much harder bones."

"Speak. Tell me everything you know about the Hong Family and about a woman named Red Silk. If there is even half a lie..."

Mu Chen's eyes suddenly became bone-chillingly cold.

"I will let this parasitic vine grow inside your bodies for forty-nine days, allowing you to taste the world's most extreme pain before permitting you to die."

Feeling the killing intent that had almost solidified, the two Elders trembled all over, no longer daring to conceal anything or harbor any thoughts of luck. They scrambled to confess everything they knew.