Chapter 8: The Green Blade Scorpion (Part 2)

Five pure-steel javelins were launched. As magical runes flashed, five silver streaks cut through the air with a sharp whistling sound. Immediately afterward, five more javelins were thrown, bringing the total to twenty in four consecutive attacks. These rune warriors were highly experienced—they didn’t target just one point but covered a wide area.

Guo Shier shouted, “Uncle Eagle Demon, attack the Green Blade Scorpion’s joints! Grandpa Qi Nanshan, distract it!”
Qi Nanshan clashed head-on with the scorpion and was sent flying backward. The scorpion also stepped back, letting out a threatening hiss. Qi Nanshan cursed, “Its shell is damn too hard!” He stomped hard on the ground and rushed forward again, this time wielding a pure-steel javelin.

With two metallic clangs, two holes appeared on the hard shaft of the javelin. Qi Nanshan roared and thrust his javelin like lightning, aiming at the scorpion’s slender neck. Just then, the thrown javelins plopped down. Most landed on the ground, with only six or seven embedding themselves in the scorpion’s body.

Squeak! Squeak…
The pure-steel javelins, heavy and adorned with runes, finally pierced the scorpion’s hard shell but didn’t go very deep—no more than a foot. Green blood sprayed everywhere, driving the scorpion wild.

Crack! Clang!
Qi Nanshan dodged quickly, but his javelin was severed by the scorpion. He shouted, “Be careful! It’s enraged!”
Luo Jie didn’t dare press further. He summoned the Thorny Wheel—a green, thorny disc—that whistled toward the scorpion.

The scorpion stood upright, emitting sharp squeaks. Its two front limbs moved frantically, creating countless green shadows that formed a green barrier at incredible speed. The Thorny Wheel collided violently with it.

There was a series of crackling sounds, followed by a loud explosion. The scorpion used its front limbs, transformed into massive blades, to shatter the Thorny Wheel. Yet it too suffered—this was an attack from a great rune master. Upon closer inspection, fine cracks could be seen all over its front limbs.

Seizing the opportunity as the scorpion was attacked, Eagle Demon swung a blade suddenly. This time, following Guo Shier’s instructions, he struck one of the scorpion’s hind leg joints, severing it. Unfortunately, the scorpion had six legs, so even though one joint was broken, it didn’t hinder its movement.

The scorpion’s wings flared up abruptly and began vibrating at high speed. That’s when Guo Shier took action. He swept his hand and shouted, “Dodge quickly!”

A golden blade suddenly appeared and swept across the Green Blade Beetle’s raised wings at the exact moment it was about to strike. With a crack, the immense force of the impact sent the beetle tumbling. Guo Shier was shocked to find that his sword talisman couldn’t cut through the beetle’s wings—it only created a large gap in its translucent green wings.

Luo Jie shouted, “Great!” The timing was truly admirable.

Guo Shier lifted his finger slightly, then lowered it, causing the blade of light to descend straight down. The Green Blade Beetle screamed and quickly moved aside, as the blade struck the ground beside it with a loud crash, creating a deep groove.

Seeming to sense the danger from Guo Shier, the beetle rushed at him like lightning.

Luo Jie roared, “Block it!”

Eagle Demon swung his sword again, severing one of the beetle’s back legs, but he was already behind it and unable to stop it. Qi Nan Shan let out a shrill cry as a huge talisman shield appeared in his hands, charging straight at the beetle.

Luo Jie launched two more attacks with Thorny Sky Wheel. The old man broke into a cold sweat—this Green Blade Beetle was far too tricky.

Guo Shier calmly ordered the blade of light to strike the beetle once more, but the beetle was already on guard and tried its best to dodge the attacks. Though large, it wasn’t clumsy at all; it dodged with remarkable agility, its speed truly frustrating. Luo Jie’s two Thorny Sky Wheel attacks also missed, hitting the ground and causing chaos.

“Master, use an ice talisman… to freeze its speed!”

The old man, anxious, tore a page from his life talisman book and shouted. The page flew out as a streak of light and slammed into the beetle. With a soft pop, an extremely cold aura spread, instantly freezing the beetle’s body. The once-lightning-fast beetle suddenly became sluggish, its movements slowed and reactions delayed.

Guo Shier yelled, “Everyone, attack together!”

The blade of light suddenly rose vertically, forming a triangular shape as it plunged downward. Everyone rushed forward, wielding their weapons in a fierce attack. This was their chance—if they failed to seize it, the battle ahead would be even harder.

After tearing another page from his life talisman book, Luo Jie appeared listless.

The blade pierced through the beetle’s belly. Immediately afterward, Qi Nan Shan slashed at the beetle’s triangular head, making it shake violently. Eagle Demon swiftly cut off the beetle’s third leg.

Guo Shier felt relieved and smiled, “Great! It worked!” He retracted the sword talisman and suddenly noticed Luo Jie’s pale face and slight trembling. Alarmed, he quickly supported Luo Jie, repeatedly asking, “Master, master… What’s wrong with you?”
Luo Jie reassured him, “It’s fine. I just tore out a page from my life talisman book. A couple of days of rest will be enough.”
Guo Shier hurriedly brought out a piece of animal skin to cushion Luo Jie as he sat down. He said, “Master, please sit. Xiaohong, bring some water quickly.” He took out a talisman pill and put it in Luo Jie’s mouth, saying, “Master, rest for a while.”
Luo Jie sighed, “We still lack powerful attack talismans. Sigh, we’ll have to rely on sheer strength.”
Guo Shier was secretly worried. If something happened to his master, it would be a huge loss. He comforted him, “Master, your talismans are already very powerful.”
Luo Jie shook his head and said, “They might be enough where we are, but in the secret realm… they’re clearly insufficient. Only now do I realize that our strength… is probably far behind that of people from other places.”
Seeing Guo Shier’s worried face, Luo Jie gave a bitter smile and said, “Don’t worry, Shier. You’re different from me. You still have a chance. If possible, I hope you can go to other places to learn and see more…”
Guo Shier’s nose suddenly stung. He nodded and said, “Yes, master. I will!”
Luo Jie nodded in satisfaction and smiled, “Shier, with this sword talisman, your strength is already on par with mine.”
Guo Shier understood well. He shook his head and said, “Master, this is thanks to the power of the talisman. It can’t compare to yours.”
Eagle Demon rushed back excitedly, smiling, “That was awesome! Really fucking awesome! I’ve never fought such a powerful mutated talisman worm before. Ah, having the support of a great talisman master makes all the difference. Hey, what’s wrong with the old man?”
Guo Shier said with a bitter smile, “Master is injured.”
Eagle Demon was surprised, “What?”
Luo Jie smiled and said, “It’s fine. Shier is overreacting. I’m okay. A little rest will do.” He then said to Guo Shier, “Go check the loot. Hehe, mutated talisman worms are rare. They’re full of treasures. If the people from Nanfu Gate saw them, they’d go crazy.”
Guo Shier shook his head and said, “I’ll stay with master.”
Luo Jie knew Guo Shier was worried about him. He said, “Shier, support me over there. Don’t worry. I’m not that weak yet. I just tore out a page from my life talisman book. It’s no big deal.”

Eagle Demon watched the master and disciple with envy and said, “Let me help. Old man, you’ve got a great disciple.” Luo Jie immediately smiled. He leaned on Guo Shier and Eagle Demon to stand up and said, “Eagle Demon, if you’re envious, go find your own disciple too, hehe.” Qi Nanshan rushed over. He too sensed something was wrong. Seeing Guo Shier and Eagle Demon supporting Luo Jie, he quickly asked, “Old man, what’s wrong?” Luo Jie laughed and said, “It’s nothing. Just a bit tired. Hehe, I’m getting old; I’m not as strong as you young folks.” Qi Nanshan and Eagle Demon were speechless. They thought they were still young? They were all over a hundred years old. But Luo Jie indeed had the right to say so—he was already over two hundred years old. Guo Shier said, “Uncle Eagle Demon, we can’t leave today. We need to stay here for at least three days.” Luo Jie said, “Stop talking. Let’s go quickly. The blood of the mutated sigil worm is even more precious than that of the mutated sigil beast. Hurry up and collect it before we waste it.” The green scythe beetle lay quietly on the ground. Its natural, blade-shaped forelimbs, over two meters long, were covered with fine cracks, yet countless light green sigil patterns could still be seen. Its dark green body also had numerous light green sigil patterns. Even after death, this green scythe beetle still displayed exquisite body patterns. Guo Shier murmured, “It’s so beautiful…” Luo Jie said, “Yes, the more beautiful it is, the more dangerous it is. If we weren’t prepared, we would probably all die at the hands of this beautiful green scythe beetle. Luckily, it made a sound first. Hehe, it was also our good luck.” Eagle Demon was completely impressed by Guo Shier. Although the boy was young, his calmness and wisdom were truly astonishing and admirable. No wonder Luo Jie had let him command the battle. Guo Shier said, “Master, I only know the Four-Sigil Purification Method. This is a mutated sigil worm. I’m afraid I’ll waste it.” He didn’t want to burden his master, but this green scythe beetle was simply too rare. Luo Jie laughed and said, “It’s not that serious. I’ll purify the blood, and you handle the rest.” Guo Shier said worriedly, “Master, if it doesn’t work, please don’t force yourself. Your health is important. There will still be other opportunities for the rest.” Luo Jie smiled slightly. His disciple’s concern warmed his heart. He said, “Don’t be so cautious. Go prepare quickly. I’ll do the purification.” The Sixteen-Sigil Purification Method was currently the best way to purify. Luo Jie was very excited. The blood of the mutated sigil worm was an extremely precious material, no less valuable than that of the mutated earth dragon. He gave an order for Guo Shier to take out the prepared sigil vial and start the purification process.

An hour later, they obtained blood purified using several large vials, totaling less than 100 jin. No matter what kind of insect it was, its blood volume wouldn’t be very large. Luo Jie said, “Alright, it’s your turn now. Don’t worry; I’ll guide you from the side.”
Guo Shier and a few martial artists using talismans began dismembering the Green Knife Mantis.
“Master, look, what is this?”
Guo Shier took out a fist-sized green bead from the Green Knife Mantis’s head.