The Rat Cultivator

Chapter 147: Attack and Kill

On the surface of Polong Lake, the sounds of slaughter shook the heavens.

A massive crab demon raised pincers larger than its own body, clamping a fish demon in half. However, before it could even gloat, a stealthy Sword Shrimp lurking in the mud stabbed it from behind, piercing its shell and spilling crab roe all over the lake bed.

The Black Water Flood Dragon Snake watched the chaotic melee with cold eyes. He couldn’t even distinguish his own subordinates anymore.

The mournful sound of the bone flute rose in waves, driving the water demons into a killing frenzy. Confused by the bloodlust and the sonic assault, the conscripted soldiers forgot their initial plans to slack off. They fought with suicidal abandon, tearing each other apart.

Beside him, the Red Refined Fire Snake hissed with resentment. “We didn’t even attack that old river otter yet, and he actually dared to strike first!”

The Black Water Snake remained calm. “Good. This is the perfect opportunity to round up the last resistance in one fell swoop.”

“I’ve already pinpointed the enemy commander’s location. Let’s go together. Kill him, and this war is over.”

The Black Water Snake was extremely cautious. Even facing Bibo, who was weaker than him, he refused to let his guard down or separate from his brother. He wanted the Red Refined Fire Snake where he could see him.

However, just as he prepared to move, he noticed a thick white mist spreading across the battlefield.

His vertical pupils contracted instantly. “This isn’t right!”

Without hesitation, he turned and fled, abandoning his subordinates and his brother in a heartbeat.

The Red Refined Fire Snake was bewildered. He didn’t sense anything wrong with the mist, but his instincts screamed at him to follow his brother. He turned to chase.

The Black Water Snake looked back, only to see the white mist surging like a living thing. It extended in all directions, transforming into two giant, vaporous arms that pulled him into a cold embrace.

His Demonic Sense was instantly blinded.

“Damn it! I was still too careless!” he cursed with hatred. “It’s actually Netherworld Soul Mist!”

“Who is the Soul-Flogging Demon behind this?!”

Demonic souls began to emerge from the mist one after another—countless, wailing spirits that pounced toward him.

The Black Water Snake’s expression changed drastically. A protective sphere of black light erupted around his body, blocking the soul assault.

“Fortunately,” he gasped, “they’re just minor demon souls.”

CRACK!

A whip shadow flew out of the mist, striking his protective light. The barrier flickered unsteadily.

The Black Water Snake immediately spat a stream of black water infused with lightning toward the source of the attack, but it hit nothing but fog.

“I can’t locate the enemy!” he realized with horror.

Then, another whip shadow flew over. This time, soul flames ignited along its length, accompanied by the mournful shrieks of a thousand ghosts.

WHAM!

The strike penetrated the black light and lashed across his scales.

An intangible shockwave impacted his soul. His vision went dark, and his body twisted involuntarily in the water. He had no defense against soul attacks. This was the terror of the Soul-Flogging Demon Rat.

Very few Qi Condensation cultivators had soul defenses, let alone beasts.

Hiding in the nearby water weeds, Bibo plucked a strand of his own beard in surprise.

“I knew the Soul-Flogging Demon Rat was powerful, but I never expected One Ear could suppress the Black Water Flood Dragon Snake single-handedly!”

Bibo had intended to help One Ear, but it seemed the Grim Reaper didn’t need assistance. Instead, the Winged Tiger fighting the Red Refined Fire Snake might need backup.

Just as Bibo turned to leave, a faint mental transmission echoed in his mind.

“Bibo,” One Ear’s voice was strained. “Help me hold off the Black Water Snake. Together.”

“I have a plan.”

“I’ll have the Winged Tiger intentionally let the Red Refined Fire Snake escape. We just need to stall the big one.”

Bibo was puzzled. “You have the upper hand. Can’t you just kill him?”

“Absolutely not,” One Ear replied, his tone grave. “I only have the advantage because he’s unfamiliar with my abilities. Once he adapts, or uses his life-saving trump cards, I can at most lightly injure him.”

“If he is determined to flee, I cannot stop him. Besides, we cannot weaken him too much.”

“If he dies, the Golden Armor Lion will covet Polong Lake. We aren’t strong enough to hold this territory yet. We need the Black Water Snake alive to act as a deterrent on the surface.”

“We need the brothers to fight each other. That is our chance to develop.”

Elsewhere in the Mist.

The Red Refined Fire Snake warily watched the spreading fog. Unlike his brother, he lacked the experience to recognize the Netherworld Soul Mist, so he wasn’t terrified—just uneasy.

Suddenly, his body tensed.

The white mist parted, revealing a massive, familiar figure.

“Long time no see, Red Refined Fire Snake!”

The Winged Tiger emerged, his voice carrying a hint of mock reminiscence.

The Red Refined Fire Snake relaxed slightly, but his guard remained up. “It’s you, Winged Tiger. Your wings have shrunk. I didn’t recognize you.”

The Tiger snorted. “Why did you invade my territory?”

“We didn’t know it was you behind the river otter!” the snake explained, feigning innocence. “And wasn’t it you who attacked first?”

The Winged Tiger’s tone shifted, becoming conspiratorial.

“I know you’re cunning at heart. You definitely aren’t of one mind with your brother.”

“The Black Water Flood Dragon Snake is strong. Aren’t you afraid he’ll eat you when you’re no longer useful?”

The Winged Tiger leaned in. “He has done it before. Don’t tell me you don’t know how your younger siblings disappeared. I deal in intelligence; I know everything.”

The Red Refined Fire Snake’s expression changed drastically. “What exactly are you trying to say?”

Seeing the seed of doubt take root, the Winged Tiger stopped beating around the bush.

“I want to form an alliance with you against the Black Water Flood Dragon Snake.”

“I only want the waters on the south bank. I plan to establish a neutral trading market here to earn Spirit Stones.”

“As long as you stop your brother from attacking us, I will give you twenty percent of the profits. Pure profit. No fighting required.”

The Red Refined Fire Snake fell into thought. After a moment, he sneered. “Are you transitioning from an intelligence merchant to a landlord?”

The Winged Tiger curled his lip. “Being a spy has no future. Market commissions are where the real money is.”

“Why the south bank?” the snake asked suspiciously. “Why not the main peak?”

The Winged Tiger looked at him as if he were an idiot. “Have you become inflated? Is the main peak a place we can touch? If I set up a market there in the morning, the Golden Armor Lion would skin me by noon!”