NOVGO.NET Chapter 2444 - Capturing a Turtle in a Jar
Chapter 2444 – Capturing a Turtle in a Jar
In just two short months, more than half of the Outsider Celestial Demons had perished.
The stench of death permeated the entire Boundless Battlefield. The flames of the war beacons filled the sky, and the ground ran red with rivers of blood.
“Old Man Heart Demon” knew all of this full well.
He also knew that, as seemingly endless bad news flooded in, the Outsider Celestial Demons were collectively overcome with terror. They could neither eat nor sleep in peace.
By this point, not even the Demon Emperors could remain calm. Their hearts were full of hatred and fury. They weren’t willing to hide and endure any longer.
“Old Man Heart Demon” understood all of that, but it wasn’t yet time for a true all-out battle with Su Yi!
Thus, his response was just a few short words. “Wait a while longer.”
Demon Emperor Chi Nie’s face was instantly ashen. He roared, “We can wait, but our clansmen cannot wait any longer!”
The imposter Old Man Heart Demon’s expression darkened. “Are you defying my orders?”
Demon Emperor Chi Nie’s eyes were bloodshot. “The ones dying are our clansmen! They’re begging us for help, and their lives hang in the balance. How can we… just stand back and watch them die?”
He knelt, then lowered his head to the ground. “Your Excellency, please, permit us to do battle!”
The other Demon Emperors immediately followed suit. “Please, grant us permission to fight!”
The imposter Old Man Heart Demon fell silent. After a while, he said, “Wait just three more days. In three days, arrange for Su Yi to fight us at the Blood Lake!”
Demon Emperor Chi Nie and the others’ spirits soared. All of them voiced their assent.
After they left, “Old Man Heart Demon’s” expression instantly darkened. He pulled a bodhi leaf out of his sleeve and activated it. A curtain of light floated into view, reflecting the Dipankara Buddha seated beneath a bodhi tree.
“It’s been two months!” said the man impersonating Old Man Heart Demon. “You still haven’t resolved the problem with the exit yet?”
“Di E’s demands are excessive,” said the Dipankara Buddha. “If we agree, it’ll deal a severe blow to our vitality.”
“What does he want?”
“The Well of Turbulent Daos,” said the Dipankara Buddha.
“Old Man Heart Demon’s” pupils constricted, and his expression shifted.
The Dipankara Buddha continued, “That aside, he said that if Su Yi dies in the Boundless Battlefield, both the Epoch Spark and the power of reincarnation must go to him.”
“Old Man Heart Demon” was so angry that he laughed. “Isn’t he afraid he’ll burst his stomach with an appetite like that?”
The Dipankara Buddha said calmly, “The crux of the matter isn’t whether Di E’s demands are reasonable or not, but rather, whether or not Su Yi has taken the bait.”
The man impersonating Old Man Heart Demon shook his head. “Not yet.”
The Dipankara Buddha’s brow furrowed. “Did something go wrong?”
“Most likely not,” said the imposter. “Perhaps we have to make him suffer a bit more first.”
“I’ll arrange a way out,” said the Dipankara Buddha. “We cannot wait any longer. Let’s just go find Su Yi and end things.”
The imposter sighed. “Di E is truly a frustrating variable. If not for him, I’d have attacked Su Yi two months ago. How could I possibly have endured all this time?”
“How could we possibly defeat the reincarnation of that mysterious swordsman from the River of Destiny without first paying a bit of a price?” said the Dipankara Buddha.
The imposter fell briefly silent, then said, “Be prepared to welcome me three days from now. No matter what price we must pay, we cannot afford to ruin our plans!”
The Dipankara Buddha inclined his head. “Very well!”
……
Heaven and earth were shrouded in darkness. The ground was utterly barren.
Su Yi sat alone, gazing into the distance.
“Brother Fuyou, earlier, a messenger from the Outsider Celestial Demons arrived. He said that they want to end things at the Blood Lake in three days time!” said Wen Qingfeng, walking toward him excitedly. “They really couldn’t keep their calm. They’ve had no choice but to try to duel us head-on!”
“We aren’t going,” said Su Yi.
Wen Qingfeng was flabbergasted. “Why not?”
“The more frantic our enemies, the more we must stay calm,” said Su Yi. “Even if we decide to duel them, we must be the ones to choose the time and place.”
Wen Qingfeng quickly understood. They were indeed the ones with the initiative. They naturally couldn’t let their enemies decide the details of their stand-off for them!
Su Yi rose, brushed the dust off his clothes, and said, “Come on, let’s keep going.”
……
Su Yi had refused to fight them at the Blood Lake!
Word quickly reached “Old Man Heart Demon’s” ears. He pondered briefly in silence, then sighed.
Su Yi had totally turned the situation around at the Thousand Deaths Mountains, and in doing so, he’d firmly seized the initiative.
Even “Old Man Heart Demon” had no choice but to acknowledge Su Yi’s terrifyingness.
It wasn’t just that he had numerous cards up his sleeves; both his abilities and his spirit were far beyond ordinary people!
“Chi Nie, bring a group to ambush Su Yi,” said the imposter. “Don’t cling to battle. You just need to lure him to the Blood Lake.”
“Got it!” Demon Emperor Chi Nie nodded.
The imposter suddenly recalled something. “Also, command our experts dispersed throughout the Boundless Battlefield to gather at the Blood Lake. I refuse to believe he’ll be able to resist showing up!”
……
Another battle had just ended, but this time, they’d killed just over a thousand enemies.
That was barely enough to fit between the gaps of Su Yi and his allies’ teeth.
Just as they were about to leave, a group of over thirty people appeared over the horizon. Their leader was none other than Demon Emperor Chi Nie!
Wen Qingfeng and the others were instantly startled. After a moment’s surprise, murderous intent welled within their hearts. The Demon Emperors have finally shown themselves!!
They knew a fierce battle was sure to follow, but none of them were scared. On the contrary, they were ready and raring to go.
But against all expectations, Su Yi shook his head. “They won’t dare to fight us head-on. If I’m not mistaken, their goal is just to lure us to the Blood Lake.”
“Why do you say that, Brother Fuyou?” asked Wen Qingfeng.
“Do you think these Demon Emperors will be any match for the Tribulation of the Five Witherings without the Well of Turbulent Daos to protect them?” asked Su Yi. “They’re not stupid, either. Surely they realize that, too.”
His friends instantly understood. He was right. If Su Yi summoned the Tribulation of the Five Witherings, the Demon Emperors would amount to nothing at all!
“Die!” Demon Emperor Chi Nie and his subordinates charged without a single wasted word, attacking directly with furious momentum.
In a flash, all manner of attacks swept toward Su Yi and his companions. Those who didn’t know better would have assumed the Demon Emperors were putting everything on the line; they couldn’t have been any fiercer.
But when Su Yi used the Epoch Spark to invite the Tribulation of the Five Witherings, the Demon Emperors turned and fled like startled birds.
They arrived quickly, and fled even more quickly!
The sight left Wen Qingfeng and the others wide-eyed and tongue-tied. It’s true. They really aren’t here to fight us. If they were, how could they turn tail and flee the very moment the Tribulation of the Five Witherings appeared?
“They won’t really run away. They’re like a pack of wolves. If their first strike fails to kill their target, they’ll flee, regroup, and try again. If we get tangled up in battle with them, it’ll be trouble,” said Su Yi. He pondered, then said, “Let’s just set a trap and wait for them to come to us. Then it’ll just be a matter of capturing a turtle in a jar!”
His friends’ eyes lit up.
Indeed, just as they expected, Chi Nie and his Demon Emperors continuously attacked and harassed them. When a strike failed to destroy its target, they slipped off.
They weren’t the least bit interested in tangling with Su Yi. On the contrary, Su Yi didn’t even need to summon the Tribulation of the Five Witherings; they fled before he got the chance.
They were as pesky as flies.
Late at night, Demon Emperor Chi Nie and the others returned with fierce bluster.
But when they arrived, they were unwittingly stunned. Su Yi was sitting on the ground in the distance, drinking alone. There was no sign of anyone else in the area.
The Demon Emperors’ first response was, “It’s a trap!”
“Retreat!” Chi Nie turned to leave without the slightest hesitation.
“…” Su Yi said nothing at all.
Just an hour later, Demon Emperor Chi Nie and the others returned over the horizon, but just like before, they saw Su Yi just sitting cross-legged on the ground.
“If you’re bold enough to fight me, I promise not to summon the Tribulation of the Five Witherings,” said Su Yi, finally breaking his silence. “Of course, if you don’t believe me, you’re welcome to disregard my promise.”
Demon Emperor Chi Nie and the others exchanged glances. Without exception, their brows furrowed.
“We naturally wouldn’t mind playing with you if you come with us to the Blood Lake,” said Chi Nie. “Do you dare?”
Su Yi laughed. “And why should I go with you?”
Demon Emperor Chi Nie had nothing to say in response.
“I won’t lie to you,” said Su Yi. “I’m the only one here. My friends have left to hunt down your clansmen. If you don’t care, you’re welcome to linger here as long as you like.”
The Demon Emperors looked stricken. Their expressions shifted erratically.
Su Yi paid them no further heed. He just sat there and drank. This was called “leading your enemies around by the nose!”
After a while, Demon Emperor Chi Nie and the others turned to leave.
A night passed before they returned. Su Yi was still sitting there, meditating quietly. He showed no sign of leaving any time soon.
The wind howled, carrying with it the dust and sand.
Suddenly, heaven and earth shook, and a group of supreme ancient variant beasts shot over. The soaring Spirit Annihilation Butterfly, swarms of Void Ants, the mountainously huge Purple Lightning Serpent, and the Goldenflame Blue Lion on its arc of golden light…
Their ranks were enormously grand.
These were the same ancient variant beasts who’d tried to intercept Su Yi and his companions on their way to the Thousand Deaths Mountains.
They’d returned!
Su Yi didn’t even need to think to know that the Outsider Celestial Demons had sent them here.
He remained seated. All he did was silently use the Epoch Spark to invite the Tribulation of the Five Witherings.
Boom!
When the tribulation appeared, its terrifying light enveloped the entire area.
The ancient variant beasts instantly suffered a heavy blow. Their desperate cries shook the heavens, and all of them turned to flee in panic.
By the time the Tribulation of the Five Witherings dissipated, the entire area lay in ruin.
Su Yi took it all in, his eyes not so much as rippling as emotion. He rose, then shot into the distance. He was planning to find another place to resume meditation.
But just as he was about to leave the area… Boom!
The skies were plunged into turmoil as Demon Emperor Chi Nie and the others reappeared.
“So, there really isn’t an ambush waiting for us here. I must say, you really are bold,” sighed Demon Emperor Chi Nie.
Su Yi said calmly, “You used those beasts to see if I was bluffing or not. You’re quite something too.”
Demon Emperor Chi NIe snorted coldly, then roared, “Attack!”
The thirty Demon Emperors all attacked in unison, surrounding Su Yi from all sides.
Su Yi flipped his palm, and the Sword of Proximity floated into the air.
Clang!
The sword’s hums swept out in waves, resounding throughout the nine heavens.
Su Yi had been waiting a long time. He didn’t retreat. Instead, he leaped into the fray, sword swinging.