Chapter 228: A Spell Duel Across Distance
“Since Your Excellency knows my background, and I have no intention of causing you trouble, how about we each mind our own business and not interfere with one another?”
The demonic-looking man had already sensed that Zhou Ming’s aura had not surpassed the Professional Rank. However, the methods Zhou Ming displayed were far too bizarre, and he was unwilling to risk himself.
After all, although the people before him could borrow external power to wield Ferocious Beast bloodlines, their strength had ultimately not reached Professional Rank. Their attraction to him was far less than he had imagined.
“Coming when you please, leaving when you please—do you think this place is a cafeteria?”
After confirming that the demonic-looking man came from the Dark Card Organization, Zhou Ming had no intention of letting him leave smoothly.
He had never gone looking for trouble with the Dark Card Organization, yet they had repeatedly sought trouble with him. Did they really think he was made of clay?
Moreover, given the Dark Card Organization’s style, Zhou Ming did not believe that line about “minding their own business.” He was not a three-year-old child.
In addition, the Crimson Apostle possessed knowledge of refining Blood Energy Essence, which would help him perfect his plan to advance to Transcendent Master. There was no way he would let such a gift delivered to his doorstep slip away.
“Must Your Excellency really tear your face apart with me? No matter how strange your methods are, your strength has not surpassed that of a Professional Beast Tamer.”
“Besides, you are merely a strand of Spiritual Consciousness descending here. What means do you have to fight me?”
Seeing that Zhou Ming refused to let him go, the demonic-looking man’s expression turned cold, and a chilling killing intent flickered within his sinister eyes.
Although he was only Entry-level Professional Rank, the opponent had not descended in person either. However bizarre the methods, they could not possibly crush him outright.
“Oh? Perfect. I’ll use you to test my methods.”
While the two spoke, the Ironthread Snakes hidden in the Wilderness had already gathered under Zhou Ming’s summoning.
Without hesitation, Zhou Ming implanted his spare Spiritual Seed into the Spiritual Consciousness of an Ironthread Snake, using Li Hu as the medium across distance.
The next moment, Zhou Ming withdrew from Li Hu’s body and directly entered the newly contracted Ironthread Snake.
Only then did he feel true compatibility.
Previously, he had been able to descend his consciousness here through Li Hu not only because the Snake Soul Curse Seal had been unsealed—releasing the Ironthread Snake and his bloodline—but also because this place was close enough to the Camp, and because of the considerable gains he had made in bloodline and spiritual research over the past half year.
However, with Li Hu’s Spiritual Consciousness present, Zhou Ming had always felt as if he were wearing shoes that did not fit—extremely uncomfortable.
“So this is your method? A group of ordinary Ironthread Snakes that don’t even possess the strength of low-tier Ferocious Beasts.”
Seeing large numbers of Ironthread Snakes gathering, the demonic-looking man felt no threat. With his ability to control blood, he could easily annihilate them.
“Is that so?”
As Zhou Ming’s words fell, a ripple-like Spiritual fluctuation spread out. Led by the contracted Ironthread Snake, the surrounding snakes intertwined and forcibly began to fuse together.
As the Ironthread Snake swarm gradually merged, their bloodlines were forcibly pried open. At the cost of life itself, they gained tremendous power, their strength surging visibly.
Ever since Zhou Ming had found his path, he had experimented endlessly with Ironthread Snakes. Even uncontracted ones were under his effortless control.
“Not good.”
Seeing the transformation of the snake swarm, the demonic-looking man’s expression shifted in shock. He immediately cast a spell, attempting to halt Zhou Ming’s method.
Blood mist spread, condensing into crimson tentacles as thick as thighs. They rapidly extended, striking toward the Ironthread Snake Zhou Ming inhabited.
The crimson tentacles were slick and nauseating, yet they carried a bizarre power.
Zhou Ming could feel the blood within the Ironthread Snake he controlled—and the Snake Guards nearby—beginning to boil, as if trying to break free from the confines of their flesh.
“Power that controls blood?”
The thought arose, and Zhou Ming immediately erupted with the bloodline aura of the Emperor of the Snake Race. His will enveloped the surroundings, forcibly severing the influence of the opponent’s spell.
In that instant, the colossal Ironthread Giant Snake formed from thousands of fused snakes raised its head and spewed out dark-green venomous mist.
By prying open bloodlines and burning life as the price, the fused Ironthread Giant Snake now possessed the strength of a high-tier Ferocious Beast.
The venomous mist it expelled was equally terrifying, surging like a tide and intercepting the crimson tentacles.
“Zi…”
A corrosive sound rang out. The slick blood-red tentacles were instantly riddled with holes, like leeches thrown into saltwater, their bodies gradually dissolving.
In their first probing clash, Zhou Ming clearly held the upper hand.
However, the demonic-looking man would not admit defeat so easily.
Seeing the crimson tentacles falter, he immediately commanded his Blood Beast to attack. Skirting around the venomous mist, the Blood Beast opened its massive maw and lunged at the Ironthread Giant Snake Zhou Ming controlled.
Inside its gaping mouth were several rows of razor-sharp teeth, like a meat grinder capable of tearing prey apart with ease.
Moreover, its teeth carried hemolytic venom, highly effective against flesh-and-blood creatures.
Without knowing the Blood Beast’s nature, engaging in close combat would easily result in a fatal ambush.
In response, the Ironthread Giant Snake Zhou Ming controlled swung its tail like a long whip, intercepting the Blood Beast.
The Blood Beast immediately bit down. As long as it could inject the hemolytic venom into its target, the battle would end with the demonic-looking man’s victory.
“Clang…”
Sparks burst forth. The Blood Beast had bitten the Ironthread Giant Snake’s tail, yet the sound of metal clashing rang out.
At this moment, the Ironthread Snake’s tail gleamed with metallic luster, its hardness far surpassing alloy.
Since Zhou Ming studied Ironthread Snake bloodlines, he naturally had not neglected his own mutated Ironthread Snakes.
For Inkband, Vermilion Jade, and several other Ironthread Snakes, although he had not used them directly as experimental subjects, drawing blood for research had been common practice.
Among them, Silver Scale and Iron Block—adept in defense—had been thoroughly researched by him. Thus, it was only natural that the Ironthread Snake he currently controlled could temporarily manifest such abilities.
Of course, this was mainly because Zhou Ming had completely shattered and reconstructed the bloodline structure of the snake he now controlled. Though it possessed only fleeting strength and a lifespan as brief as a shooting star, all his research results could be displayed through it.
At this moment, Zhou Ming treated the battle before him as an examination of his year-long research.
After all, there were plenty of Ironthread Snakes in the Wilderness. No matter how many died, he would not feel heartache.
The instant the Blood Beast was knocked flying, the demonic-looking man once again cast crimson tentacles.
This time, however, the tentacles split into over a dozen strands, targeting the Snake Guards around Zhou Ming—clearly employing a tactic of attacking the weak to force a rescue.
Sensing that the life force within the Ironthread Giant Snake he controlled was rapidly draining, the demonic-looking man immediately abandoned direct confrontation.
Even if he slew the Ironthread Giant Snake, it would not cause Zhou Ming actual harm. It was better to stall and wait for the snake’s life to exhaust itself.
Seeing this, Zhou Ming chose to end it swiftly.
A mournful cry escaped from the Ironthread Giant Snake’s mouth. The scales on its body lost their luster, and its massive form shriveled visibly, as though all nutrients had been drained in an instant.
Just as the Ironthread Giant Snake—formed from over a thousand fused snakes—lost its life, a half-human, half-snake phantom appeared within the valley.