Cultivation System: Stronger with Age
Chapter 49 - 44 The Terrifying Deterrence of the Twin Vine Demon Pearl

Chapter 49: Chapter 44 The Terrifying Deterrence of the Twin Vine Demon Pearl

"Miss Zhuo, the Zhuo Family has fallen to such a state, leaving only you, a woman, to desperately hold on. Why must you be so stubborn?" Zhang Wu swayed, his gaze fixed on the woman’s chest as he repeatedly gulped. "At this moment, not even Immortals can save you... If you obediently submit to me, you’ll become the Stewardess of the Black Tiger Gang. Why bother toiling away at alchemy to earn money?"

"Bah! Do you think I don’t know you’re scheming for the Zhuo Family’s Alchemy Technique? No matter how far the Zhuo Family has fallen, our Alchemy Technique will never be handed over to you or the Black Tiger Gang!" The beautiful woman glared at Zhang Wu, her eyes filled with hatred. "I warn you, if you dare touch me, the Zhuo Family’s Alchemy Technique will vanish from this world forever with my corpse!"

"It seems Miss Zhuo is still unaware of my methods. Rest assured, after I’ve had my pleasure with you tonight, you’ll willingly tell me everything!" Zhang Wu sneered, bringing the wine cup to his lips. "Besides, how could I bear to let such a delicate Little Alchemist die at my hands?"

Just then, BOOM!

A thunderous crash resounded as a large hole was blasted into the wall of the bridal chamber. Brick fragments flew in all directions, and dust plumed upwards. The sudden, deafening noise startled Zhang Wu so badly that he nearly spilled the wine all over his face.

From within the swirling dust, Lin Xuankong, wearing a conical hat and mask, stepped through the gaping hole into the bridal chamber. He looked at the stunned Zhang Wu, who had jumped to his feet, his voice as cold as ice, "Filthy wretch! From now on, you’ll have no more opportunities to defile women!"

Zhang Wu stared at the advancing Conical Hat Strange Guest. Hearing Lin Xuankong’s peculiar voice, altered by the infusion of Qi Blood, something seemed to click in his mind. His expression changed drastically. He whirled around and bolted towards the outside, screaming, "It’s that Conical Hat Strange Guest! Everyone, get the hell over here and cut him down!"

In the past ten-odd days, Zhang Wu had already entered the Early Stage of the Second Layer, his strength greatly increased. However, to his astonishment, just when he thought his power had soared and he could escape the bridal chamber in a single leap, his feet, before he could even exert force, were suddenly ensnared by thick Demon Vines, binding his legs securely.

Countless Demon Vines spread madly, continuously coiling around Zhang Wu’s abdomen.

The Demon Vine’s entanglement sobered Zhang Wu considerably. With a tremor of his hands, silvery fingernails abruptly extended, and he began slashing furiously at the encroaching Demon Vines.

Unfortunately, he soon discovered to his despair that no matter how fast he slashed, the Demon Vines regenerated even faster.

Despite being a master of the Early Stage Second Layer and delivering hundreds of slashes within mere moments, he couldn’t break free!

The Demon Vines already entwined around his legs and abdomen relentlessly tightened. Zhang Wu could clearly feel the flesh of his legs being rapidly compressed and deformed. Agonizing pain shot from his leg bones, foot bones, pelvis, and knees—the kind of unbearable torment produced only by bones fracturing and shattering!

If such pain were inflicted upon an ordinary person, they would have fainted long ago. Fortunately, Zhang Wu was no ordinary man. He was a respected master of the Early Stage Second Layer. Thus, even though the pain was utterly unbearable, he could only endure it, showing no signs of passing out.

Finally, Zhang Wu could bear it no longer and let out a bloodcurdling shriek, like a pig being slaughtered. This scream was utterly horrifying...

The Black Tiger Gang Members and Leaders, drawn by the commotion and Zhang Wu’s orders, rushed towards the room. However, upon witnessing the eerie, Demon Qi-wreathed Demon Vine and hearing Zhang Wu’s agonizing screams, they all stopped dead in their tracks, faces aghast. Not a single one dared to charge inside.

It wasn’t just them. These Black Tiger Gang Members, who tyrannized Qingshui Street and others, these Leaders who lorded over countless Independent Martial Cultivators—all of them broke out in a cold sweat at the sight of the Conical Hat Strange Guest and the Black Demon Vine, sobering up considerably!

The names "Conical Hat Strange Guest," "Invincible Hidden Weapon," and "Twin Vine Demon Pearl" weren’t terrifying to hear about. What was terrifying was seeing the Conical Hat Strange Guest and the Twin Vine Demon Pearl manifest right before their very eyes!

Lin Xuankong paid no heed to Zhang Wu’s screams, nor to the Black Tiger Gang Leaders who had gathered around, now frozen in terror.

His gaze fell upon the woman on the wooden bed. For some reason, looking at her, he was suddenly reminded of the woman who had died so tragically in that wooden building. A slight frown creased his brow as he walked over. With a gentle tug, the ropes that Zhuo Yunbing had been unable to break snapped into several pieces.

Zhuo Yunbing’s expression flickered as she stared at the Conical Hat Strange Guest before her. Her heart surged with the elation of having narrowly escaped death, yet it was also gripped by a fear of the unknown.

Lin Xuankong then walked over to Zhang Wu, whose leg bones and pelvis were now completely crushed. With a shattered pelvis, Zhang Wu indeed wouldn’t have any chance to defile women in the future.

Looking at the now unmoving Zhang Wu, Lin Xuankong couldn’t help but recall those two months he had spent treading on thin ice. His eyes narrowed. For a degenerate Martial Cultivator like Zhang Wu, crippling him is a fate worse than death. For the living, the dread of awaiting death is infinitely more terrifying than dying instantly... Zhang Wu doesn’t deserve to die so easily!

"Zhang Wu, stop playing dead," Lin Xuankong said. "I won’t kill you now. Of course, I won’t spare you either. In the coming days, I might come to kill you at any time—perhaps tomorrow, perhaps the day after, or perhaps any other day!"

Zhang Wu shuddered, his eyes snapping open from his feigned death. The unbearable pain and intense hatred caused the muscles in his face to twitch uncontrollably. "Who the hell are you?! Don’t you know I’m a member of the Black Tiger Gang? A Steward! The entire Black Tiger Gang stands behind me! You wouldn’t dare kill me! You absolutely wouldn’t dare!"

"Is that so?" Lin Xuankong retorted. "Xuu Zhongxiong and his subordinates were all members of the Black Tiger Gang, weren’t they?"

He ignored Zhang Wu and glanced at Zhuo Yunbing. "Come with me."

With that, Lin Xuankong, leading Zhuo Yunbing, began to walk towards the hundred or so Black Tiger Gang Members. At this moment, fueled by his immense Qi Blood, thick, flexible, tentacle-like Black Demon Vines proliferated around him. These Black Demon Vines followed his steps, constantly advancing, writhing, and extending. Occasionally, they would lift their tips and sway gently, like colossal black pythons seeking prey. The scene possessed a strange, ferocious beauty, as if Lin Xuankong himself had suddenly transformed into a terrifying Demon!

At this critical moment, the Black Tiger Gang—renowned throughout the Great Marsh Prefecture—had over a hundred elite Transcendence Realm disciples and seven Late Stage First Layer Leaders present. Yet, not a single one dared to intercept or obstruct Lin Xuankong. These elite disciples and Leaders scrambled to retreat to either side of the courtyard, clearing a wide path. They could only watch, dumbfounded, as Lin Xuankong and Zhuo Yunbing walked out of the courtyard.

And then... not one of them dared to follow.

「At Sishui Street’s entrance,」

Zhuo Yunbing looked at Lin Xuankong. "Thank you for saving me!"

Being near this Demon Vine Manipulator, this Conical Hat Strange Guest, she couldn’t stop goosebumps from prickling her arms. Her heart remained constricted with unease, even though she knew he was her savior.

"I saved your life. How do you intend to thank me?" Lin Xuankong asked, his tone devoid of warmth.

I’m no philanthropist; there’s no such thing as a free rescue. So what if Zhuo Yunbing is beautiful? Does she think some pretty words are enough before she just walks away? Besides, I’m very curious to find out if acquiring the Zhuo Family’s so-called Alchemy Technique would have any effect on my [Vigorous in Old Age] Life Plate!

"You... You?" Zhuo Yunbing stammered, somewhat taken aback.

After a moment of contemplation, she knitted her delicate brows. "Such a great life-saving debt must indeed be repaid. However, my Zhuo Family has already fallen into ruin, and I am penniless. I truly have nothing of value with which to thank you!"

Lin Xuankong did his best to project an image of cold, ruthless indifference, like a killer devoid of mercy.

"Either you give me the Refining Manual for the Divine Protection Elixir," he declared, "or I will take back the life I just saved!"

That should make me sound like an emotionless killing machine. She won’t see through my act!

"You...?" Zhuo Yunbing looked at Lin Xuankong, utterly astonished.