122: Black Dragon Tribe, an "unexpected" encounter

After clearly discerning that the entire Pangu Tomb had become an “ultimate hunting ground” where all old and new grievances converged, the playful curve of Lin Tian’s lips deepened.

He didn’t rush towards the core area of the tomb, which was filled with the unknown and temptation, like a shark smelling blood, as others did.

A hunter never races with his prey.

All he needed to do was appear at the right place at the right time, and then… cast his net.

Before that, he needed some “preparatory work.”

He turned his head, his gaze falling upon the figure in the team, dressed in a red, form-fitting outfit, heroic and valiant—Dragon Snow Phoenix.

“Xuehuang,” he spoke calmly, “Earlier, outside the Heavenly Pride Zither Gathering, you were injured by Bai Feng’s Holy Light Blade. Although you received treatment, that Xenomorph energy still left a hidden danger within your Physical Body. Am I right?”

Dragon Snow Phoenix was startled by his words, then nodded with a bitter smile: “Nothing can be hidden from Master’s eyes. That energy is indeed very troublesome, like a maggot attached to the bone, constantly eroding my Meridians. I’m afraid it will take several months of painstaking effort to completely eradicate it.”

“No need for such trouble.” Lin Tian shook his head, a flash of shrewdness passing through his deep eyes, “I learned from my Family’s ancient texts that there is a ‘Medicine Valley’ on the outskirts of this Pangu Tomb, where an ancient Spirit Medicine called ‘Dragon Blood Grass’ grows. This grass is the best medicine to remove that Xenomorph energy from your Physical Body.”

He surveyed the group, issuing new instructions in an unquestionable tone.

“Everyone, turn around. Target—Medicine Valley.”

This seemingly “secondary” decision, made out of “consideration for subordinates,” left Long Qingtian, Elizabeth, and others somewhat puzzled. In their view, time was precious now, and they should head to the core area as soon as possible to seize the initiative.

However, no one questioned it.

Because they knew that behind every decision made by this young Master, there must be a deeper strategic layout that they could not fathom… The Medicine Valley, located on the eastern edge of the Pangu Tomb, was a vast mountain valley surrounded by mountains, where Spiritual Qi was so dense it almost materialized.

When Lin Tian and his group arrived, they were all shocked by the sight before them.

Within the valley, exotic flowers bloomed everywhere, and jade-like grasses grew abundantly. Countless legendary Spirit Medicine that had been extinct for tens of thousands of years in the outside world, existing only in the most ancient alchemy scriptures, were here, as common as weeds on country paths, growing wantonly.

However, just as Lin Tian was about to use the powerful perception of his Heart of God to find the “Dragon Blood Grass” from this treasure trove…

A raw, aggressive, and wild hostility surged from the other side of the valley!

“Who goes there! This is the territory of my Black Dragon Tribe, retreat at once!”

Accompanied by a furious roar, more than a dozen figures, clad in grotesque black bone armor, wielding massive axes and war hammers, and exuding an incredibly violent Aura, leaped out from the dense forest, surrounding Lin Tian and his group.

Their eyes were filled with vigilance and hostility towards all outsiders, like Vicious Beast guarding their lair.

The Black Dragon Tribe!

They were precisely the tomb-guardian tribe Guardian had mentioned earlier, those who had abandoned their “guarding” mission and believed in “evolution” and “power”!

Long Qingtian and the others instantly tensed, their powerful S-rank Aura erupting, forming a standoff with the opposing side. The atmosphere was tense, on the verge of breaking out!

Just then, a more stable and powerful Aura slowly emanated from behind the Black Dragon Tribe members. A burly middle-aged warrior with a grotesque scar on his face, whose Aura had already reached S-rank Peak, pushed through the crowd and stepped out.

He should be the leader of this team.

However, Lin Tian’s gaze did not linger on his powerful Aura.

His eyes, already capable of discerning all genetic Origins under the blessing of the “Scroll of the Physical Body,” merely swept over him, instantly seeing through the fatal flaw hidden beneath this leader’s seemingly powerful exterior.

He noticed that the Black Dragon Tribe leader’s complexion was abnormally pale, and each breath he took carried a subtle, almost imperceptible irregularity. More importantly, deep within his genetic chain, a black energy, like a maggot attached to the bone, filled with pollution and ominous Aura, was slowly yet firmly eroding his life Origin.

That was a… genetic-level curse!

“Interesting.” Lin Tian’s lips curved into a playful arc.

He knew that his true “target” for this trip had appeared.

Facing the hostile gazes of the Black Dragon Tribe members, Lin Tian did not release any Aura. He simply took a calm step forward, and facing the pale-faced leader, he spoke, revealing his biggest secret.

“Your genetic chain is being internally eroded by an external ‘source of pollution.’”

Lin Tian’s voice was not loud, but it exploded in the Black Dragon Tribe leader’s ears like the loudest thunder!

For the first time, an unprecedented shock and disbelief, as if he had seen a ghost, appeared on the leader’s face, which was covered in grotesque scars!

This secret was his greatest weakness, and also the highest secret of the entire Black Dragon Tribe! Besides himself and the tribe’s Great Shaman, no third person knew about it!

How did this young-looking outsider… see through it at a glance?!

Lin Tian ignored his shock, simply continuing in a tone full of absolute authority, like a divine doctor diagnosing a patient, calmly pronouncing his “death sentence.”

“This erosion has already penetrated deep into your genetic Origin, irreversibly destroying your life structure. It will make you stronger and stronger, but that is merely a final burst of activity before death. If it’s not eradicated in time…”

Lin Tian paused, looking at him with a hint of pity.

“…In less than three years, your Physical Body, along with your Soul, will completely collapse, turning into a meaningless genetic sludge.”

Boom!

The Black Dragon Tribe leader’s mind went blank!

Every word of Lin Tian’s was like the most precise surgical knife, cutting open, slice by slice, the most fragile and terrifying reality he had hidden beneath his powerful exterior!

Indeed, three years ago, during a conflict with the Azure Dragon Tribe, in order to seize a mysterious item that had leaked from near the “Forbidden Coffin,” he was eroded by the strange energy contained within it. In these three years, his strength had greatly increased on the surface, making him the strongest in the tribe, second only to the Great Leader. But only he knew that his Physical Body was irreversibly heading towards destruction! The Great Shaman had tried every method, but was helpless!

And now, this secret was seen through by an outsider, with just one glance?!

He looked at Lin Tian, his gaze shifting from initial “vigilance and hostility,” to “shock,” then to “skepticism,” and finally, transforming into a trace of… awe and craving, as if he had grasped the last straw!

“You… who exactly are you? How do you know all this?!” His voice, for the first time, carried an undisguised tremor.

“Who I am is not important,” Lin Tian said calmly. “What’s important is that I can save you.”

“What?!” The leader’s body trembled violently, and an unprecedented glint burst forth from his tiger-like eyes!

“It’s very simple.”

Lin Tian looked at him, finally revealing his true purpose for this trip, his smile like that of the most brilliant chess player, luring the opponent’s pieces to willingly enter his carefully arranged chess game.

He used this as a bargaining chip, proposing a secret agreement that the other party could not refuse, filled with devilish temptation.

“You, send your people to ‘hunt’ me.”

“Help me put on a show. Stir up this water even more, to attract the attention of… those other rats hiding in the dark.”

He paused, the curve of his lips deepening.

“After it’s done, I will help you completely eradicate the ‘curse’ on your Physical Body.”

The Black Dragon Tribe leader, after a brief and intense internal deliberation…

On one side, there was certain death.

On the other side, there was the only hope, though full of unknowns, of… surviving.

He made his choice.

He slowly lowered his proud head, which had never bowed to anyone, towards Lin Tian.

“…A pleasant cooperation.”