Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Sweat began to bead on my forehead.

At that moment, I had a dagger clenched in my left hand, while my right hand was pinching the area above my wrist. One of the Corpse Thread Worms was desperately burrowing into my body, sending a sharp, drilling pain through my flesh.

At the same time, the worms on the ground that had been cut in half started twisting again, stirring restlessly.

My mind raced, and a spell suddenly flashed through my head.

The Northern Emperor Demon-Subduing Spell could drive away poisonous beasts and demons. These Corpse Thread Worms should count as poisonous beasts, right?

Forget it. I had to try.

Seeing those Corpse Thread Worms on the ground closing in on me again, I retreated several steps, gripped the dagger, crooked my fingers into a hand seal, and rapidly began chanting.

“Poisonous beasts of the celestial net, stand guard at the four great gates. Devour the currents, carve out the gall, ugly mountain fiends in swarming ranks. Stretch your throats to seize the heavens, fierce guards thunder aloud.

“Poison dragons raise their claws, golden heads swallow across the field. Mighty soldiers by the tens of thousands receive the talisman and join the mountains. The Six Heavens do not yield, jade joins as one in ranks.

“Demons surge like waves, foul qi scatters everywhere…”

When I finished chanting, the Corpse Thread Worms on the ground froze, then retreated quite a distance. But the one in my arm-whether it was scared or trying to hide-burrowed into me even more desperately.

My face went deathly pale.

Oh my god. I had not expected this outcome. I was done for!

A crisp pop sounded in my ear. The Corpse Thread Worms in my hand had been torn in two.

A splash of dark green mucus splattered onto me, and the last thread of calm in my mind snapped as well.

Seeing a long bulge rise along my arm, my eyes went ruthless. I switched the dagger to my other hand, then stabbed hard into my arm, intercepting it near my armpit and yanking its entire head out.

As I pulled, I gritted my teeth.

“Let’s see if I can’t kill you.”

“Sect Master Qiao, what are you doing?”

Grandfather Murong stood at the entrance of the side chamber, his face full of shock, paler than if he had seen a ghost.

“You-you pulled out your own blood vessel? Huh?”

I casually threw the Corpse Thread Worms onto the ground and pretended to be calm.

“Oh, I got bitten by a poisonous bug. This thing couldn’t stay in me. No big deal. Nothing serious.”

Grandfather Murong was utterly amazed. The way he looked at me was like he was looking at God.

“In all my life, I’ve never admired anyone this much. Sect Master Qiao, you are seriously badass!

“Guan Yu scraping poison from his bone is nothing compared to you. You really had the guts to do it. How are you this tough?

“Compared to you, my Yueyue is practically useless. You’re ridiculously incredible. As expected of the Earth Master successor!”

Grandfather Murong showered me with praise. I was secretly delighted, but I waved my hand with feigned impatience.

“All right, enough chatter. Come turn this Soul Vase and see if the switch is here.”

Grandfather Murong shifted the Soul Vase, and a rumbling boom came from outside. Immediately afterward, everyone began cheering.

“The tomb passage is open!”

“Grandpa, Qiao Moyu, are you two all right?”

“Xiaoyue, I’m fine.”

We came out of the side chamber. Grandfather Murong turned to stare at the coffin in the very center, practically drooling, his eyes shining.

“Sect Master Qiao, since we’re already here, why don’t we-”

I rejected him with righteous severity.

“Absolutely not. Ancient corpses are among the most important archaeological materials. Once the coffin is opened, the body will oxidize. That would be an immeasurable loss to the archaeological world.

“Besides, the dead deserve respect. Why would you go around lifting someone’s coffin lid for no reason? If you were sleeping and someone lifted your blanket, would you be happy about it?”

Grandfather Murong looked deeply ashamed.

“Sect Master Qiao, as expected of a college student. Your ideological awareness really is higher than mine.”

The two of us walked toward the cave entrance. Grandfather Murong kept looking back every few steps.

“Then what if they warmly welcome me to lift their blanket?

“Sect Master Qiao, am I seeing things? Look. The coffin lid is open.”