Chapter 30: Bird, Speech, Flower, Fragrance, Snake, Insect, Rat, Ant

Editor: Atlas Studios

Even if you are in a hurry to hang yourselves, you have to let me catch a breath, right? Chen Luoyang cursed in his heart.

Chen Luoyang remained calm on appearance. "Say it."

It was Azure Dragon 5 who came to report. "Seventh Elder has been attacked at the front, but he didn't see any trace of the enemy. The attackers are those spirit birds and mythical beasts, and their numbers are still increasing. It feels like they were driven here by someone, and there are even some powerful spirit beasts that are also known as beast kings."

The Qian Prefecture, Shu Prefecture, and Dian Prefecture were filled with mountain ranges, dense forests, and plenty of deserted places. These places were paradises for various avians, beasts, and bizarre plants. However, these beasts had the consciousness to rule their own territories; therefore, they split up and ruled their own domains as kings.

The imposing strength of the Demon Cult army was a kind of danger that these beasts would always detect and would take the initiative to avoid. But now, countless beasts were gathering and obstructing Chen Luoyang's advancement. It could already be called a 'beast wave'.

It was like a tidal wave of avians and beasts. Some were flying in the skies; some were tunneling underground. They didn't just cover the entire mountain, they even occupied half the sky. It was truly a horrifying sight.

Shangguan Song retreated. He was a martial king, and in normal situations, no matter how many spirit beasts there were, they wouldn't have been able to threaten him. However, this beast wave felt like it was endless, and the Demon Cult's Seventh Elder had to suspect if he would be exhausted to death before killing all the spirit beasts.

This time, Chen Luoyang didn't censure Shangguan Song. He was busy looking at the massive beast wave and clicking his tongue in wonder.

However, he acted as though nothing had happened and gently tapped on the armrest. "It is a man-made disaster, not a natural disaster."

Xiao Yuntian's body was covered with wind as he replied softly, "It seems the 6th-ranked 'Rat King' Duobu Jie of the Ten Gallants is here. It is said that he is proficient in the control of beasts and has reared plenty of Wolf Fanged Dragon Rats. They are massive in numbers and are tyrants in the Northern Desert."

"I heard that he has also raised a Sacred Rat that can urge other spirit beasts, including the beast kings that are comparable to us martial kings. Duobu Jie is only a martial master, and his title of 'Rat King' originates from this Sacred Rat."

"So, he wishes to use this beast wave to obstruct This Seat's advancement?" Chen Luoyang asked in an indifferent manner.

"He might be hiding other schemes and is waiting for us to be careless before launching a raid or ambush," Xiao Yuntian said. "These spirit beasts were all summoned from the mountains in Qian Prefecture by the 'Rat King'. Even if all of them died, he wouldn't have any losses. His objective must be to exhaust us."

Xiao Yuntian's voice suddenly paused before he continued speaking, "Cult Master's six flood dragons shouldn't be affected by that Sacred Rat. But I am not sure about the rest of the mounts."

At the side, Shangguan Song revealed an unhappy face. Earlier on, the spirit beast pulling his carriage had suddenly become violent and turned back to bite him. As a result, he killed the spirit beast on the spot.

From the looks of it, it was caused by that Sacred Rat. In fact, apart from the six flood dragons that were pulling Chen Luoyang's carriage, all the other spirit beasts that were pulling other carriages were restless and agitated. When facing the beast wave, there were even some mounts that didn't have the intention to protect their master. Instead, they had the intention to join the beast wave.

At the imperial carriage, the six flood dragons were constantly letting out thunderous roars. They stopped in midair and were looking around with vigilance.

"Does This Seat have to make a move personally again?" Chen Luoyang sat high in the throne and said unhurriedly.

Zhang Tianheng immediately stepped forward and knelt down on one knee and said loudly, "How can we dare to disturb Cult Master again? This time, will Cult Master please allow me to handle it? I shall present a great show to you!"

"Stop dawdling and begin then." Chen Luoyang waved his hand casually.

"Yes, I shall comply with Cult Master's orders!" Zhang Tianheng stood up and blew a bamboo whistle.

The sound of the whistle wasn't loud, nor was it sharp; it was gentle like someone whispering by the ear.

In response, Vajra grinned and said, "Xiao Zhang¹, are you going to call for your group of snakes, insects, rats, and ants from the Dian Prefecture?"

"I heard that the Left Sage King Xiuzhe's subordinates had a few martial masters, but none had reached the martial king stage. However, they are still part of the Ten Gallants, and it is precisely because of their expertise that make them outstanding among the martial masters." Zhang Tianheng revealed a cold sneer. "Xiuzhe's unconventional and flexible viewpoint of choosing his subordinates is something that I agree with as well."

Soon enough, six figures arrived at the main hall. Three men and three women stood together before bowing to Chen Luoyang and Zhang Tianheng.

"These subordinates pay their respects to Cult Master and Protector. Long live Cult Master."

"You may rise," Chen Luoyang stated.

He looked at the six individuals below and attempted to match their faces to their names. During the attack on Shu Prefecture and the battle at the Golden Summit, when the Demon Cult members were confronting the orthodox faction experts, Chen Luoyang had been observing the battle and noticed a few of them before.

However, he was looking at them from far away back then, and this was the first time he met them face to face.

These six individuals were direct subordinates of Protector Zhurong, Zhang Tianheng. They were Joss Masters¹ of the Demon Cult Branch at the Dian Prefecture.

Second Master Bird was adept at communication and investigation. He also domesticated spirit birds.

Fairy Speech had mastered the Inferno Sea Six Voices. She could use voice to kill and speech to subdue the enemy.

Madam Fragrance was an extraordinarily beautiful woman who was specialized in charm and seduction and also the user of the Fragrant Powder Array.

Young Lady Snake could tame beasts and was especially proficient in controlling spirit snakes.

Daoist Insect nurtured all sorts of poisonous insects.

General Ant had perfect command of an army of fearless ants. He could command them to form battle formations and even towers with their massive numbers.

The six of them had accompanied Zhang Tianheng into the Shu Prefecture.

Staying behind to guard the Dian Prefecture were Grandmother Flower, who was great at planting spirit flowers and herbs, using them to concoct medicine and poison; and also the Great Master Mouse, who raised the World Searching Mouse and was an expert in prospecting for treasures.

They were known collectively as the Dian Prefecture's Eight Joss Masters. They were also the eight arms of Protector Zhurong, Zhang Tianheng, who governed Dian Prefecture.

In the outside world, they were known as 'Bird, Speech, Flower, Fragrance, Snake, Insect, Rat, Ant.' All of them were Zhang Tianheng's trusted aides.

Zhang Tianheng had governed the Dian Prefecture like a firm iron bucket. Apart from Cult Master Chen Luoyang and Zhang Tianheng, no one else's words held any weight in Dian Prefecture.

When they were attacking Shu Prefecture, these six individuals were commanded by Zhang Tianheng to lead the Dian Prefecture's branch members and had achieved outstanding results. They were truly a headache for the members of the orthodox faction.

In terms of cultivation, they were all martial masters, but they had their own strengths. And when they had coordinated under Zhang Tianheng's command, the sight of the battle had truly left a deep impression on Chen Luoyang.

"Snake, Cult Master has already given the orders. You have free rein to do your things," Zhang Tianheng said to a woman. This woman had a beautiful and pleasant face. She was slightly tanned, and her clothes were obviously different from those of the people of the Central Province.

After hearing Zhang Tianheng's words, she let out a delicate giggle and said, "Thank you, Cult Master and Protector."

She then turned and exited the main hall. Immediately after, there was a tiny silver snake that slithered out from her sleeve. When this tiny silver snake appeared, the beast wave's imposing presence, which was overwhelmingly aggressive, suddenly lessened.

As for the mounts and spirit beasts on the Demon Cult side, they were all stabilized. However, they were still rather restless.

The only difference was a change of master.

Previously, it was the Rat King's Sacred Rat, which could not be spotted anywhere. But now, it was the silver snake that was spitting out its forked tongue on the arm of the 'Snake Queen'.