Chapter 2: Conspiracy (Part 1)

Guo Shieru aimed at a Snow Symbol Wolf that had dived into the enclosure. This wolf was extremely cunning, slipping in through gaps between people at incredible speed. Its target was Huo Bao and the other three, as they were the weakest among them—by the instincts of a beast, they represented delicious prey.
Two golden threads shot forward, emitting soft “pfft” sounds. The Snow Symbol Wolf let out a shrill howl as two tiny holes appeared on its body, with blood spraying out. Yet just two holes weren’t enough to kill it. The wolf immediately turned its attack toward Guo Shieru, hating that little guy riding on the ox’s back.
Huo Bao shouted, “Shieru, be careful!”
Suddenly, the Snow Symbol Wolf expelled a white mist, shooting toward Guo Shieru like an arrow.
Guo Shieru spat out six firebirds, which rushed at the white mist one after another. A series of crackling sounds followed as the firebirds disappeared one by one, and the white mist vanished as well. The white mist emitted by the wolf was extremely cold frost, and it rushed forward along with it. The Dark-Winged Demon Scorpion swung its tail violently, its stinger at the end releasing sudden force.
The Snow Symbol Wolf let out a terrified whine as the foot-long stinger pierced through its jaw and emerged from the back of its neck. Its body hung from the stinger, and it was killed in one strike by the Dark-Winged Demon Scorpion.
Qi Nanshan rushed to the wolf king’s side in an instant. The wolf king probably didn’t expect such speed either. Without hesitation, it opened its mouth to bite.
Qi Nanshan sneered, exerted sudden force, and punched down like a giant hammer. The wolf king failed to bite properly; instead, extreme cold frost burst from its open mouth, hitting Qi Nanshan’s chest. At the same time, Qi Nanshan’s fist struck the wolf king’s head.
Bang!
The wolf king collapsed to the ground, creating a pit, with half of its head buried in the mud. Qi Nanshan felt icy cold in his chest, his movements slowing down. In fury, he kicked out.
The wolf king’s tiger-sized body was sent flying by Qi Nanshan’s kick. Before it could land, Qi Nanshan kicked again—bang!—sending it flying even higher. This time, it spat out a mouthful of wolf blood. Like an enraged devil, Qi Nanshan roared like thunder, launching relentless attacks. The wolf king never touched the ground again until it died.

Luo Jie launched several Thorn Sky Wheels, instantly killing a Snow Symbol Wolf. Lan Tianbao’s attacks were even more terrifying; she commanded a swarm of tiny insects to tear the Snow Symbol Wolf to shreds. Tan Laoxi sadly realized that he was the weakest among all the masters—so far, he hadn’t even managed to take down a single Snow Symbol Wolf.

Huo Bao and the other three children also engaged a Snow Symbol Wolf, but they were in a difficult situation. It was only when two Symbol Warriors joined in that they managed to kill the wolf together.

Guo Shier’s Sword Symbol proved extremely powerful, slaughtering three Snow Symbol Wolves in a row. Its golden blades were indestructible and moved at incredible speed. However, he also discovered its weakness: the farther the distance, the weaker its power. The optimal range was ten to thirty meters, within which its strength was astonishing.

In less than five minutes, the entire pack of Snow Symbol Wolves was wiped out, with three wolf cubs captured alive. Tan Laoxi, after working hard for so long, had only killed one young wolf, roughly on par with the results of Huo Bao and the other three children. Only then did he realize just how strong this team really was—especially Qi Nanshan, who killed the Wolf King as easily as killing a chicken.

Qi Nanshan dragged the Wolf King’s corpse and laughed loudly, “So satisfying! So satisfying! Shier, here’s the Wolf King you wanted—its fur is intact, not a single scratch. Haha, I killed it with my fists!”

Guo Shier said thoughtfully, “Master, Grandpa Nanshan, we have the strength to fight against the mutated Symbol Beasts!”

Tan Laoxi said excitedly, “We’re incredibly strong. Damn it, if we don’t go after those mutated Symbol Beasts, it would be a waste—such a shame…” He started talking nonsense again.

Guo Shier ignored him and said, “Master, let’s head to the area where the mutated Symbol Beasts are.”

Luo Jie laughed and said, “Heh, I didn’t expect Dashan to be so fierce. Alright, let’s go hunt those mutated Symbol Beasts!”

Guo Shier smiled and said, “Master, you purify the Wolf King’s blood. Let me use the other Symbol Beasts to practice.”

Tan Laoxi looked hesitant, pacing around Guo Shier. Guo Shier asked, “Uncle Tan, why are you circling me? Is there something?”

Luo Jie glanced at Tan Laoxi and suddenly understood what he was thinking. He laughed and said, “Heh, Shier, someone wants to ask you something.”

Tan Laoxi said, “Heh, Shier, uncle has a favor to ask… heh…”

Guo Shier said, “Speak!”

With a forced smile, Tan Laoxi said, “Shier, you know, I’m a Great Beast Symbol Sorcerer. Heh, with all these Snow Symbol Wolf corpses, uncle can use them to create several beast symbols…”

Guo Shieru couldn’t help but become interested and said, “Create beast talismans? But we don’t have time to waste here; I’m afraid it won’t be enough.”
Tan Laoxi quickly replied, “There’s enough time! I already have half-finished beast talismans—all we need is to extract the spirit of the Snow Talisman Wolf.”
Guo Shieru thought for a moment and said, “That’s not right. If it were just about extracting the spirit of the Snow Talisman Wolf, you wouldn’t have come to ask me. There must be more I don’t know.”
Luo Jie and Qi Nanshan both laughed. It was almost impossible for Tan Laoxi to deceive Guo Shieru.
Tan Laoxi said, “Hehe, the spirit is related to the blood of the talisman beast. Well… if I were to extract the beast’s spirit, then… the blood would be useless.”
Upon hearing this, Guo Shieru became upset. Apart from its fur, the blood of the Snow Talisman Wolf was its most valuable asset. Beast blood was always highly prized, and once Tan Laoxi extracted its spirit, the essence of the blood would be lost. He said, “Impossible! The Snow Talisman Wolf you killed can be used to create beast talismans, but those killed by others… it’s impossible for you to use them.”
Tan Laoxi immediately grew anxious and said, “Damn it… uh, she’s not here…” He was about to curse but suddenly remembered he couldn’t, so he quickly changed his words and said, “Sigh, Shieru, you’re my little ancestor, my little grandpa… just agree! Please, uncle…”
Guo Shieru said, “I’m a child…”
Tan Laoxi replied, “No! You’re not a child—you’re my ancestor…”
Everyone burst into laughter. Tan Laoxi’s persistence was truly admirable. Guo Shieru said, “I’m a child. If someone tries to steal something a child loves… what do you think will happen?” He was even more stubborn than Tan Laoxi.
Tan Laoxi was stunned. Stealing something a child loved would drive the child crazy. If Guo Shieru were just an ordinary child without strength, then stealing from him would be fine, but since Guo Shieru was stronger than him, stealing from him would have serious consequences.
Tan Laoxi’s mind snapped into gear, and he suddenly understood. He said, “Alright, I get it. How many beast talismans do you want?”
Guo Shieru smiled and said, “Hmm, Uncle Tan has finally figured it out. Hehe, my demands aren’t high. Give me one beast talisman to seal the spirit of the Wolf King. As for the rest… well, Sister Lan, you can take one too. Pick a Snow Talisman Wolf corpse for yourself. Master, do you want one?”
Luo Jie shook his head; he wasn’t interested in beast talismans.

Lan Tianbao would of course not refuse; obtaining talismans from other sects was also part of her mission. She smiled and said, “Thank you, Ershier, hehe.” She didn’t thank Tan Laoxi but thanked Guo Ershier instead.
Tan Laoxi wished he could smash this little brat to death. The Wolf King was a talisman beast on the verge of mutation, with an extremely powerful spirit. It had to be sealed using a spirit talisman-level beast talisman. He pointed at the Wolf King’s corpse and then at himself, looking hesitant.
Guo Ershier asked, “Agree? Or not? Hurry up! If you don’t do it, I’ll have to ask our master to purify the blood.”
Tan Laoxi was reluctant, but if he relied on himself alone, he might not even be able to fight a single talisman beast, let alone one on the verge of mutation. Gritting his teeth, he said, “I’ll do it! Of course I’ll do it! Damn it, these times… it’s impossible to get by, shit…” Grumbling, he went over to the Wolf King’s corpse and sighed, “Sigh… this is a Wolf King on the verge of mutation! What a strong body… what beautiful fur…”
He made a small cut in the corpse to draw out the blood, then took out a silver talisman plate, which quickly absorbed the blood. He chanted over a dozen spells in a row, then took out a beast talisman to start creating a beast spirit talisman.
This beast spirit talisman was just one step away from completion—it was designed to capture the spirit of talisman beasts in the wild.
Attaching the beast talisman to the silver plate, Tan Laoxi skillfully chanted a few spells. Instantly, the Wolf King’s blood began to boil. A blood-red Wolf King gradually appeared on the silver plate. It tried desperately to raise its head, open its mouth wide, and roar at the sky, but no sound came out, giving an eerie feeling.
Tan Laoxi shouted, “Capture it!”
The blood-red Wolf King rushed into the beast talisman like flowing water. Tan Laoxi said, “It’s done!” He was already drenched in sweat.
Guo Ershier didn’t hesitate. He snatched the beast spirit talisman and said with a smile, “Uncle Tan, and one more beast talisman for Sister Lan.” He was generous, though it was Tan Laoxi who paid.
After creating a beast talisman for Lan Tianbao, Tan Laoxi sighed deeply. “It’s not easy, damn it… How easy is it for me…” He gathered the corpses of over a dozen Snow Talisman Wolves, took out a larger silver talisman plate, and drained the blood of all the dead wolves at once. He actually managed to trap the spirits of those wolves into a single talisman.
Only then did Guo Ershier realize Tan Laoxi’s plan—he had created another beast spirit talisman. He couldn’t help but say, “Uncle Tan, you’re really cunning…”
Tan Laoxi replied amidst his busy tasks, “I dare not, I dare not… I’m far inferior to you…”

Luo Jie said, “Interesting. It’s a shame… such a waste of blood, truly a waste.”