The events unfolded with startling abruptness, devoid of any prelude.
A disciple of the Sky Wolf Gang suddenly collapsed, emitting a piercing scream as blood splattered from his body. As if his essence had been drained, he instantly withered into a desiccated corpse.
Following suit, the others fell one by one, utterly defenseless, meeting a tragic end.
Ma Peng, terrified beyond measure, instinctively tried to flee.
However, he found his wrist firmly grasped by Tian Xiong, rendering him immobile.
"If you wish to live, do not move."
Tian Xiong spoke in a low voice, unfazed by the gruesome spectacle unfolding around them, as if he had anticipated it.
Had he not been held back, Ma Peng would have likely collapsed to the ground in a heap.
His heart pounded with boundless fear. What in the world was happening?
Not a single person on the scene escaped; all fell victim to the carnage. Even the horses perished, turning into shriveled husks.
Finally, even the corpses within the sacks were completely consumed, leaving behind only empty skins.
It was then that Ma Peng seemed to grasp the reason why Tian Xiong had transported the bodies here. This was to feed some terrifying entity.
Fortunately, with Tian Xiong protecting him, the calamity did not befall Ma Peng. He breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as though he had just brushed past death's door.
"This batch of blood food is quite good."
The voice of the Nine Nether Ancestor emanated from the ancient tomb, accompanied by a satisfied belch, indicating genuine contentment.
Five hundred living souls and hundreds of corpses had finally satied the Nine Nether Ancestor.
Upon hearing this, Tian Xiong's taut body finally relaxed, his expression losing its tension. He respectfully replied, "It is good that the Ancestor is satisfied."
Ma Peng, standing beside him, was too horrified to speak. The corpses were one thing, but what about the five hundred brothers? Had Tian Xiong fed them to an ancient monster as fodder?
Would he himself become blood food one day?
The thought sent a chill into Ma Peng's gaze as he looked at Tian Xiong.
"As long as you serve diligently, the Ancestor will naturally not treat you unfairly."
From beneath the ground, a dark radiance shot out, merging into Tian Xiong's body. Simultaneously, Ma Peng also received a benefit, as a wisp of dark light seeped into his brow.
This was the reward bestowed by the Nine Nether Ancestor.
Employing both reward and punishment, the old fiend was adept at manipulating people's hearts.
Tian Xiong's face was filled with ecstatic joy. He felt his cultivation level surge significantly, advancing from the early to the middle stage of the Spirit Emperor realm.
Ma Peng, too, was filled with disbelief. This single wisp of dark light was equivalent to several years of his own arduous cultivation. It was simply unimaginable.
At this moment, he finally came to accept Tian Xiong's methods.
With such benefits, what were five hundred sacrificed brothers? Even more lives lost were deemed worthwhile.
"I require more blood food."
The Nine Nether Ancestor's sinister voice echoed.
As Tian Xiong and Ma Peng departed the primeval forest, their bodies were completely drenched in sweat, as if they had been fished out of water.
When the sunlight fell upon them, they let out a heavy sigh of relief, finally able to relax.
Only then did the feeling of being shrouded by death completely dissipate.
"Godfather, what was that?"
Ma Peng finally couldn't help but ask, his voice trembling.
Such an existence was too terrifying and evil, absorbing the vital essence of living beings and treating humans as mere ants. It was truly horrifying.
"Do not ask. Keep this matter buried in your heart. Do not let a third party know."
Tian Xiong cautioned. If the information about the Nine Nether Ancestor were to leak, they would surely face utter annihilation.
Although they had gained benefits this time, the Nine Nether Ancestor's appetite was growing. If they were ever unable to satisfy it, he feared he himself would be devoured.
"Your son understands. We merely need to provide blood food, and the benefits will flow continuously."
Ma Peng, having tasted the sweetness, was now insatiable.
He finally understood the reason for Tian Xiong's improved strength, believing that by serving the Nine Nether Ancestor diligently, he too would receive immense benefits.
"Five hundred brothers were sacrificed this time. What will we do in the future?" Tian Xiong frowned.
If not for the dire circumstances, Tian Xiong would not have used the members of the Sky Wolf Gang as sustenance. If this continued, the entire Sky Wolf Gang might not be enough to satisfy the Nine Nether Ancestor's appetite.
"Your son is willing to share the burden with Godfather."
A hint of malice flashed in Ma Peng's eyes. Living people were not that difficult to acquire.
As long as one was ruthless and unscrupulous, enough blood food could certainly be obtained.
Subsequently, an aura of bloody terror began to spread.
The Brahma Sect and the Mystic Maiden Pavilion discovered that the Sky Wolf Gang had conceded and retreated.
Having seized a significant portion of the Sky Wolf Gang's territory, they required time to digest it, thus temporarily halting their siege.
However, a terrifying development occurred.
Cultivators from the Brahma Pavilion and the Mystic Water Pavilion began to disappear consecutively, as if they had vanished into thin air, leaving no trace.
Concurrently, some rogue cultivators and cultivators from other factions met the same fate, disappearing inexplicably.
In just ten days, over a hundred cultivators went missing, causing widespread panic.
"What is happening? Who is operating in the shadows?"
Lin Zhan and Qiao Surong conferred, unable to devise a solution.
Their subordinate cultivators were disappearing, their motives unclear, and each act of mischief left no clues.
Initially, they suspected a plot by the Sky Wolf Gang. However, the disappearances of rogue cultivators as well immediately cleared the Sky Wolf Gang of suspicion, as Tian Xiong had no reason to target them.
"Panic is rampant now, and we have no countermeasures. Why don't we seek guidance from Mr. Ji?"
Qiao Surong proposed.
The situation had spiraled beyond their control. If this trend continued, it was unknown how many more personnel would be lost.
Lin Zhan shook his head and said, "We cannot even handle such a minor matter. How can we have the face to trouble Mr. Ji? In my estimation, it is highly likely that a Spirit Emperor realm expert is abducting these individuals. As long as we investigate thoroughly, we are bound to find something."
As subordinates who had received so many benefits, yet contributed no merit, Lin Zhan felt too ashamed to seek help from Ji Mo. Thus, he wished to resolve it himself.
He refused to believe that people could disappear into thin air; there had to be some trace.
After much deliberation, the two decided to set a trap to lure the enemy out.
Their successive successes, unmarred by suspicion, emboldened Tian Xiong further.
In a mere half a month, he had secretly captured over three hundred cultivators, all of whom were fed to the Nine Nether Ancestor.
Meanwhile, Ma Peng, with his meticulous planning, even targeted his own people, abducting dozens of Sky Wolf Gang members. He masterfully orchestrated a "thief crying stop thief" scenario, clearing himself of suspicion.
Who would have thought that the Sky Wolf Gang, with the most missing persons, would have its leader and young leader as the masterminds behind the entire affair?
"Ma Peng, I owe you greatly. Had you not devised this strategy, Lin Zhan and Qiao Surong would likely have found us by now."
Tian Xiong patted Ma Peng's shoulder, immensely pleased.
Now, he no longer worried about a lack of blood food. As long as the plan proceeded smoothly, the Nine Nether Ancestor would soon be able to reappear in the world.
At that time, annihilating the Brahma Sect and the Mystic Water Pavilion would be a mere trifle.
"Thank you for your praise, Godfather. It is merely my duty."
Ma Peng's eyes darted about, his surface respect masking inner resentment.
After exerting so much effort, all the benefits went to Tian Xiong, leaving him with nothing. If he could replace Tian Xiong, then wouldn't...
An unseemly thought began to form in his mind.
At that very moment, a voice echoed in Ma Peng's mind: "Eliminate Tian Xiong, and all that he possesses will be yours."