Chapter 1118: Jiangtian Branch

Chapter 1118: Crimson Heaven Branch

Seeing this, the smaller centipedes following behind were stunned. The centipede Chen Ling had grabbed was only a second-tier creature, seemingly the smallest and weakest junior in its family. As its body was uncontrollably seized by the red paper, the small centipede struggled frantically, emitting sharp squeals. The red paper contracted around Chen Ling, forming a sharp, grotesque hand that gripped the centipede tightly and slowly lifted it to his eye level. Chen Ling's face grew larger and larger in the small centipede's vision. It could clearly see his red-glowing pupils and the red tongue that lightly licked his lips. The fear of death, like a surging tide, engulfed its heart. The next moment, its struggles and squeals intensified.

Chen Ling clearly felt the large centipede beneath him tremble and accelerate, while simultaneously letting out a series of squeals. In the past, Chen Ling couldn't understand the sounds of these monsters, but now he seemed to grasp the emotions within them. It was pleading, begging him for more time, even offering to detach some of its own legs for Chen Ling to eat if he was truly hungry, in exchange for its child's life. Chen Ling couldn't help but click his tongue.

Chen Ling suddenly felt like an irredeemable villain, threatening a family with their child's life to get things done, much like an ancient tyrant. After a moment of hesitation, he casually tossed the small centipede back. While Chen Ling was somewhat tempted, he wasn't so deranged as to start eating right then. His actions were merely intended to pressure the centipedes, and it seemed to be quite effective. As the red paper dispersed into the air, the small centipede Chen Ling had thrown back rolled twice on the ground and then lay motionless, as if it had fainted from fright.

A grateful squeal emanated from below him again. Without a word, the large centipede promptly pulled off several of its own legs and respectfully offered them to Chen Ling. Chen Ling was speechless. "...You don't have to be so polite," Chen Ling said, taking the centipede legs. Adhering to the principle of not wasting food, he put them to his mouth and took a bite, producing a crisp crunching sound. Although these "chicken" legs weren't roasted over a fire, lacking in texture and aroma, they made for a decent snack on the go.

A dense army of shadow centipedes scurried frantically across the desolate grey world, continuously unearthing new centipedes from the ground and sending them out to search for clues. After an unknown period, the centipede beneath Chen Ling suddenly changed direction, accelerating deeper into the darkness. Chen Ling raised an eyebrow, guessing they had likely found something.

Finally, the shadow centipede carried him to a raised mound. Chen Ling looked ahead and saw faint glimmers of light flickering deep within the dark, desolate cliffs, resembling an ancient human village. Occasionally, he could even spot silhouettes moving within it. "Someone actually lives in this place?" Chen Ling wondered, utterly astonished. Combining this with Teacher Ye's previous deductions, Chen Ling could roughly guess the identity of these people. If he was right, it was a Crimson Heaven Cult dwelling, though not many people lived there; it was likely just a branch. While the Fusion Faction resided in the grey world under the protection of the Mother Tree, it seemed truly anti-human for the Crimson Heaven Cult to inhabit such a remote and eerie place.

A low squeal rose from beneath Chen Ling. The large centipede seemed to be asking Chen Ling if they should charge directly into the village and flatten it, as the people Chen Ling was looking for were likely inside. After a moment of hesitation, Chen Ling dismounted the centipede and said calmly, "Not for now. You all wait here. I'll give you a signal if necessary." Since Linglong and Xiaobai were in the village, charging in with a group of calamities would inevitably cause chaos, and it would be disastrous if the two children were accidentally harmed in the confusion. Moreover, this was Chen Ling's first time seeing a Crimson Heaven Cult dwelling, and it would be a lie to say he wasn't interested. After all, the Crimson Heaven Cult possessed a large shard of the Crimson Star; what if this small village held a piece too? Even a small one would do.

Upon receiving Chen Ling's command, dozens of centipedes, packed tightly together, concealed themselves in the darkness, silently gazing at the strange village without making a sound. They resembled ancient executioners hidden behind screens, waiting for Chen Ling's single command to slaughter an entire household. Chen Ling reached up and tore at his face, changing his conspicuous large red opera robe to black. He then submerged himself in the darkness, slowly approaching the village. This village was built on a cliff and was not large, comprising roughly a dozen buildings. Most were constructed from stone and dead wood, appearing as crude as a primitive settlement.

In the center of the village, a tall bonfire blazed fiercely. As Chen Ling approached the bonfire's vicinity, his vision blurred. The village, originally only in shades of black, white, and grey, suddenly burst into color, as if the bonfire's light had dispelled some force within the grey world, bringing a sense of warmth. "No wonder the Crimson Heaven Cult can survive in the grey world... It seems they do have some power," Chen Ling muttered, hidden in the shadow of a building. Just as he was about to make a move, a commotion suddenly arose from nearby. Figures clad in red robes were continuously emerging from houses and gathering towards the village entrance, as if something there was drawing them in. Without much hesitation, Chen Ling secretly followed them.

Torches flickered in the darkness as three Crimson Heaven Cult members, also clad in red robes, approached from a small path on the other side of the cliff, bringing with them two petite figures. Seeing those two small figures, Chen Ling suddenly froze. "How are they here??" The ones brought by the Crimson Heaven Cultists were indeed Xiao Tao and Miaomiao, but their expressions were blank, their movements stiff, and their pupils were consumed by two masses of chaotic black lines, making them look like manipulated puppets.

"Why did they bring back two more?" A Crimson Heaven Cultist who had emerged from the village frowned deeply upon seeing this. "Didn't we say not to provoke the Fusion Faction unnecessarily? We already had two yesterday, and now two more today. The Fusion Faction will surely grow suspicious, and it'll be trouble if they track us down here!" "No, it's not like that! We didn't abduct them! We were just on a normal patrol, and in the blink of an eye... they... they just suddenly appeared, like ghosts!" The Crimson Heaven Cultist holding the torch protested, sounding quite wronged.

Another Crimson Heaven Cultist stepped forward and observed Xiao Tao and Miaomiao closely for a long time, his frown deepening. "Just like the two yesterday... they seem to be hypnotized." "Once could be a coincidence, but twice is definitely a problem!" the cultist said coldly. "Could it be that the Fusion Faction has found us... and is using this method to test us?" "If that were the case, why wouldn't they just attack directly?" "Who exactly is pulling strings in the shadows..."