20: Chapter 20 Traps VS Cultivators

By the side of the Clear Stream, the Chen Family Manor stood.

With its upturned eaves, bracket sets, blue tiles, and white walls, it possessed the dignified air of a century-old noble clan.

Inside the inner hall, sandalwood incense curled in the air. A middle-aged man in brocade robes sat in the seat of honor, holding a teacup and looking indifferent.

He was the current head of the Clear Stream Chen Family, Chen Xiao.

Below him, a young man in a steward's uniform with a proud expression was bowing as he reported. This was Chen Ping.

"Patriarch, that group of commoners entrenched in the back mountain actually dared to injure our Chen Family's mountain patrol and even attempted to touch the edge of that spirit stone vein. In my opinion, they're just a pack of wild dogs who found some fortuitous encounter and don't know the height of the heavens," Chen Ping's tone was full of contempt. "I request permission to take ten Household Servants. Within three days, I will surely drive them out and clear the area, upholding the prestige of our Chen Family."

Chen Xiao took a sip of tea without even lifting his eyelids. "A group of private soldiers raised by mortals is worth such a fuss? Since they don't know life from death, let them learn the difference between immortals and mortals. Go and return quickly; do not let these filthy matters disturb my peace."

"Your son obeys!"

A flash of joy crossed Chen Ping's eyes as he responded loudly.

To him, this was a contribution that was as easy as reaching out and taking it.

In the face of a true Qi Refining Immortal Master, what difference was there between those so-called 'Mad Demon Private Soldiers' and ants?

He had even begun to calculate which technique he should use to demonstrate his Majesty without losing the grace of an Immortal Master.

Perhaps a single Fire Rain Spell would be enough.

...

Half a day later, Chen Ping led over ten aggressive Chen Family Household Servants into the mountain forest that the players regarded as an extension of the 'Novice Village'.

This place was exactly where the low-grade spirit stone vein was located, and it was also where the players and the Chen Family patrol team had first clashed.

The forest path wound along, flanked by dense shrubs and towering ancient trees. The sunlight was sliced into fragments, casting mottled shadows that felt somewhat gloomy.

"A group of rats hiding their heads and showing their tails." Chen Ping walked at the front. His spiritual sense swept lightly over the area, and finding no aura of practitioners, his disdain grew.

He only noticed that this forest seemed to have been haphazardly 'remodeled'.

There was some freshly turned soil on the ground, strange scratches on the tree trunks, and several piles of fallen leaves that looked natural but were piled a bit too deliberately.

"Lord Steward, could these mountain bumpkins have been so scared by us that they ran away overnight?" a household servant said with a fawning smile.

The corner of Chen Ping's mouth curled into a mocking arc. "Run? Where could they run to? Once I find their nest and burn down that damn ancestral hall, I'll see how they can still cause trouble!"

Just as he finished speaking, the ground beneath the servant walking at the very front suddenly gave way. With a short cry of alarm, the man fell straight down.

*Puchi—*

The tooth-aching sound of sharp blades entering flesh came from the bottom of the pit, followed by dead silence.

Chen Ping's face darkened.

It was a trap!

The most primitive and crude spiked pit trap!

"On guard!" he shouted sharply. Spiritual energy circulated slightly within his body, and his Flying Sword unsheathed, hovering by his side, emitting a cold, chilling light.

However, before his voice could fade, a sudden change occurred!

*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*

From the dense forest on both sides, dozens of sharpened, barbed, thick bamboo spears suddenly shot out!

These bamboo spears were not launched haphazardly; they precisely covered the entire path of the squad's advance, sealing off all their space to dodge.

"Raise shields!"

The Household Servants were well-trained and instantly raised the fine steel small shields they carried.

*Ding ding dang dang!*

A series of dense impact sounds rang out, sparks flying everywhere.

Although the servants blocked most of the attacks, they were forced back repeatedly by the massive impact, their formation becoming slightly chaotic.

Two unlucky servants had their calves pierced by bamboo spears and fell to the ground screaming.

"You seek death!"

Chen Ping was furious.

Mere mortals dared to use such low-class methods to ambush an Immortal Master?

This was a massive insult to his status!

He pinched a spell gesture, and the Flying Sword hovering by his side let out a clear chime, about to turn into a stream of light to strike toward the direction the spears had come from.

But at that very instant, an indescribable, bizarre gale mixed with dozens of foul odors swept in from all directions!

*Puff! Pa! Puff!*

Dozens of 'bombs' wrapped in rags and animal skins, still dripping with dark green juice, fell from the sky like hail.

Their goal was not to cause damage, but... to precisely coat Chen Ping and his Household Servants.

Chen Ping's reaction was not slow; he immediately propped up a light blue Spiritual Energy Shield.

However, after those 'bombs' burst, what splashed out were not blades, but a thick, slimy, and pungent-smelling liquid.

It was mixed with animal feces, rotting herbs, unknown oils...

The Spiritual Energy Shield was instantly covered by a thick layer of filth, and his vision became blurred.

Even more terrifying was that soul-shattering stench, which seemed alive as it burrowed into his nostrils and rushed straight to his brain.

Even with Chen Ping's firm resolve, he was made dizzy and lightheaded by this sudden 'biochemical attack'. His stomach churned, and his spellcasting faltered.

"Blech..."

The servants behind him were in even worse shape. Without a Spiritual Energy Shield, they were coated from head to toe.

Some had their eyes glued shut by slime, some were choking back tears from the pungent smell, and others were blinded by the lime powder mixed in, rolling on the ground screaming.

The dignity of an Immortal Master vanished completely.

The Chen Family's formation collapsed entirely at this moment.

"Now's the time! For the Old Ancestor's golden coffin! Charge!"

A roar full of fanaticism and excitement exploded from the forest.

Demolition Office Director led the charge. He wore only the simplest leather armor, but in his hand, he held a fine steel broadsword captured from Black Wind Stockade, which had just been enchanted with a 'Sharpness' rune by Grandpa Li.

Behind him were dozens of players with glowing eyes, like a pack of wild wolves that had smelled blood, launching a charge without fear of death.

And charging at the very front were over a dozen players with the most bizarre style.

They held no knives or swords; instead, each carried a giant shield larger than a door, pieced together from wood and iron sheets.

On the shields, the character 'Solid' was carved in crooked handwriting, shimmering with a faint light.

It was Shield Mountain and his hand-crafted 'Tortoise Shell Formation'!

"Shield wall! Push up! Create an environment for the DPS!"

Shield Mountain let out a roar and slammed his giant shield heavily into the ground.

A dozen giant shields instantly pieced together, forming an arched, airtight steel barrier like a giant turtle, sealing off all paths of retreat.

"Fireball Spell!"

Chen Ping finally recovered from the shock of the stench, both shocked and furious.

Looking at the group of enemies who seemed like mad demons and that ridiculously thick shield wall, he didn't even think before blasting a Fireball Spell at them.

A washbasin-sized fireball, trailing a blazing tail of flame, smashed hard against the shield wall.

*Boom—*

A loud explosion rang out as the fire burst, and a scorching wave of air swept in all directions.

The giant shield that was hit was instantly charred black, and the iron plating on its surface turned slightly red.

The player holding the shield had his arms numbed by the massive impact, and his health plummeted.

But he did not retreat!

Two players behind him immediately stepped up, pressing their shoulders firmly against his back. With the three of them working together, they actually managed to withstand the Fireball Spell!

"Holy crap! We held it! The Runic Tortoise Shell Formation is awesome!"

"Damage sharing! Where's the healing group? If you're not dead, give us a heal!"

Chen Ping's pupils suddenly contracted.

His Fireball Spell, which was enough to melt fine iron, was actually... blocked by a wooden shield?

Although that shield looked like it was on the verge of breaking, it had indeed blocked it!

How was this possible?!

!

He had no time to think, because more players had already circled around from the flanks of the shield wall.

Their attacks were completely unorganized—some hacked with knives, some stabbed with spears, and some simply hugged a servant's leg and bit down.

One servant had just swung his blade to cut down a player and hadn't even caught his breath before another player slammed into him, a dagger stabbing ruthlessly into his ribs.

He discovered in terror that these 'private soldiers' weren't afraid of death at all!

There was no fear in their eyes, only a spine-chilling excitement and greed, as if he weren't a living person but a pile of walking... experience points and contribution points.

"A bunch of demons! All of you, die!"

Chen Ping had fallen into a total rage. His Flying Sword turned into a green rainbow, weaving back and forth through the crowd.

*Puchi!*

A flash of sword light, and a player's head soared into the air.

[-1245! Critical Hit!]

The player's body swayed and fell straight down, his face even carrying a hint of surprise: "Holy crap, the damage is so high."

But his death did not bring about fear in anyone else.

"The BOSS is using a skill! Interrupt it quickly!"

"Shit-Stirrer Number One, it's up to you!"

A player with the ID 'Shit-Stirrer Number One' gave a mischievous laugh and pulled a small bag wrapped in tough pigskin from his chest. It emitted a strange fragrance. He used all his strength to hurl it at Chen Ping's face.

That was a 'Mental Shock Bomb' specially made by Skillful Hands Mending, filled with 'Prickly Grass' that had been dried and ground into powder.

Chen Ping was about to activate his Flying Sword to kill the next enemy when the small bag came flying at him.

He instinctively slashed it open with his sword.

*Puff—*

Green powder exploded everywhere, coating his face.

An unbearable stinging itch instantly spread from his facial skin, as if countless ants were gnawing on his flesh.

He subconsciously closed his eyes, and the flow of his spiritual energy was interrupted once again.

This was the moment!

War God Number One had long been waiting. He let out a low roar, the muscles on his arms bulging, and a faint saber glow from the Black Wind Saber Technique lit up on his broadsword.

"Black Wind Slash!"

He stepped with a strange footwork, circling to Chen Ping's side, and slashed his blade heavily into Chen Ping's waist.

*Dang!*

The sound of clashing metal rang out. The spiritual light on Chen Ping's brocade dharma robe flashed, blocking the strike.

But he was also sent staggering by the massive force.

"Defense broken! His spiritual energy is almost exhausted!"

"Don't hold back! The Old Ancestor's mission reward is right before our eyes!"

Seeing this, Demolition Office Director's eyes turned blood-red. He lunged forward recklessly, grabbing Chen Ping's legs and laughing wildly: "Immortal Master? Let's see how you fly now!"

One, two, three...

More and more players pounced like mad dogs.

They used their teeth to bite, their nails to scratch, and their bodies to weigh him down, using the most primitive and savage methods to pin this high-and-mighty Mid-Stage Qi Refining Immortal Master firmly to the ground.

Chen Ping fell into total fear and despair.

His spiritual energy had been mostly consumed in the previous battle, and now, pinned down by so many people, he couldn't break free at all.

The Flying Sword, having lost its master's precise control, could only hover futilely in the air.

He could feel countless crude weapons hacking frantically at his expensive dharma robe; with every strike, the spiritual light on the robe dimmed a bit more.

He could smell the 'mortal' scent of sweat, blood, and soil on his enemies.

He could hear the shouts in his ears—phrases he didn't understand, yet were full of greed and ecstasy.

"Quick! The BOSS's mana bar is empty!"

"Loot the body! Don't snatch from me! The Flying Sword is mine!"

"Who's stripping off his robe? That's a dharma tool!"

*Puff—*

Finally, with a soft sound, the spiritual light on his dharma robe was completely extinguished.

In the next second, dozens of long sabers, short swords, daggers... even rusted hoes, stabbed into his body at the same time.

Intense pain surged.

Chen Ping's eyes were wide, his face full of disbelief.

He saw countless faces distorted by excitement.

He couldn't understand how he, a dignified Qi Refining Immortal Master, could die at the hands of such a group of... lunatics who weren't even considered 'human'.

This was the last thought he left in the world.

[System Notification: Congratulations to the team led by players 'War God Number One', 'Demolition Office Director', 'Shield Mountain'... for successfully killing 'Clear Stream Chen Family Steward - Chen Ping'!]

[Family Mission 'Majesty' Progress Updated: Kill Chen Family Cultivator (Steward) 1/1.]

[Server-wide Reward: All family members receive 500 contribution points!]

The cold system notification rang in all the players' ears like the most beautiful celestial music.

The nauseating blood and stench on the battlefield seemed to turn into the fragrance of victory at this moment.

"It dropped! It dropped! There's a golden light!"

Someone shouted.

All players' eyes instantly focused on Chen Ping's corpse, which lay there with eyes still open.

A small sword with green light flowing, a yellowed thread-bound book, and an exquisite storage bag were lying quietly in the pool of blood, emitting an alluring glow.

The battlefield, which had just been filled with a tragic atmosphere, was instantly replaced by an even more fanatical vibe.

On a distant hillside, an illusory figure stood in mid-air, quietly watching everything.

After absorbing the vast baleful aura generated by this battle and the players' ecstatic 'incense', Lu Bei's soul condensed a bit more.

He looked at the group of 'Filial Sons and Virtuous Grandchildren' who were dividing the loot like a swarm of locusts, and the subtle arc at the corner of his mouth became even more pronounced.

Clear Stream Chen Family?