SWNOVELXO Chapter 6 - A Centipede Does Not Stiffen Even in Death!
Chapter 6: A Centipede Does Not Stiffen Even in Death!
Elder Wu launched several attacks, yet none bore fruit. Deciding to conserve his strength, he withdrew his powers and instructed Mad Dog Taoist to step forward.
Given that the opponent’s artefact countered his own techniques, persisting in a direct clash would deplete his spiritual energy, potentially worsening old injuries and wasting valuable time.
“Senior Wu, I’ve been waiting for your command! Leave everything to me.”
Mad Dog Taoist, who had long been itching for a fight, leapt into the fray the moment Elder Wu summoned him. Riding his sinister bone artefact into the battlefield, he fixed his cold gaze on Fu Qu, hiding behind the immense green leaf. He sneered, “A fine artefact you have, little girl. But alas, your luck ends here. Allow me to show you the might of your master—Mad Dog!”
Fu Qu’s expression was one of utter disdain. “A mere cultivator at the mid-stage Foundation Establishment realm—what can you possibly do?”
From start to finish, she had never taken Mad Dog Taoist seriously. Her artefact, Obscuring Leaf , was a superior-grade magical item. If Elder Wu had failed to overcome it, she couldn’t see how the reckless Mad Dog hoped to succeed.
“Junior Sister, do not underestimate your foe,” cautioned Xiao Yu (萧羽, Xiāo Yǔ). Surrounded by whirling fire shields, his expression was solemn. If Elder Wu is sending Mad Dog Taoist out now, there must be a calculated reason. We must tread carefully.
Suddenly, Mad Dog Taoist reached into his storage pouch and retrieved a plump, multi-hued insect.
“Hungry, my little darling?” he cooed. “Go on, then—feast!”
The fat insect wriggled lazily in his palm, its body glimmering with golden fuzz. Without warning, it spread its six wings and shot into the air with astonishing speed. In a flash, it burrowed into the verdant leaf.
Before long, the once-immaculate surface of the leaf bore a gaping hole, gnawed through by the creature.
“Oh no!” Fu Qu cried in dismay.
She immediately flew forward on her sword to slay the pest, but a crimson beam intercepted her path, blocking her advance. The delay proved catastrophic; in the blink of an eye, the green leaf was riddled with more holes. Through them, dozens of similar insects could be seen voraciously devouring its surface.
The creature’s rapid proliferation and razor-sharp mandibles were simply beyond belief.
“Junior Sister, retrieve your artefact at once!” Xiao Yu urged. Watching the leaf deteriorate rapidly under the assault, he feared it might be irreparably damaged within moments.
“Understood!”
Fu Qu chanted an incantation. At her command, the massive green leaf shrank rapidly, transforming into a pendant that flew back into her grasp. The pendant, now riddled with small holes, left her heart aching with distress.
Mad Dog Taoist hovered above, cackling triumphantly as he summoned the white insects back into his control. “Well, little girl, how do you like the taste of my Undying Stiffworm (不死僵螢, Bù Sǔ Jiāng Chóng)? Still think you can look down on Mad Dog?”
[ Undying Stiffworm (不死僵螢, Bù Sǔ Jiāng Chóng): A mythical parasite known for its resilience and destructive capabilities.]
“A centipede does not stiffen even in death. Using the Undying Stiffworm against Obscuring Leaf is simply the perfect counter,” Elder Wu remarked coldly. A murderous glint flickered in his eyes as he began to approach Fu Qu and Xiao Yu. Without the barrier of Obscuring Leaf, his Scarlet Demon Eye (赤魔眼, Chì Mó Yǎn) would be nearly unstoppable.
[“A centipede does not stiffen even in death” (百足之虫，死而不僵, Bǎi Zú Zhī Chóng, Sǐ Ér Bù Jiāng): A Chinese idiom meaning that a formidable opponent remains dangerous even in decline.]
“Senior Brother, what should we do now?” Fu Qu asked, her voice trembling with urgency as Elder Wu drew nearer.
If Elder Wu deployed his Scarlet Demon Eye, she would be forced to use Obscuring Leaf again, only for the worms to destroy it entirely. The result would be her inevitable death.
Xiao Yu’s expression grew grave. “Junior Sister, stand behind me.”
Despite being merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Xiao Yu understood there was no escape. The speed of their enemy, a powerful Golden Core master, made flight futile. The only path forward was a desperate fight to the death.
The city of Tianyong (天壹城, Tiān Yōng) lay thousands of miles away, too far to summon aid. Xiao Yu had no one to rely on but himself.
[Tianyong City (天壹城, Tiān Yōng): A legendary stronghold for cultivators, synonymous with unassailable strength.]
If we lose this battle, not only will I die, but Fu Qu will also perish. Victory is our only option, he thought resolutely.
“Yes, Senior Brother!”
Fu Qu, understanding the gravity of their situation, did not hesitate. Trusting Xiao Yu implicitly, she moved behind him. Over the years, regardless of the peril, Xiao Yu had never abandoned her. He would protect her now, just as he always had.
“Wu, have you considered the consequences of killing us? My master’s wrath would be boundless. Do you truly believe you, with merely a Golden Core cultivation, can escape his retribution?”
Standing upon his flying sword, Xiao Yu cut a striking figure. Against the backdrop of a blood-red sunset, his long hair streamed in the wind, tassels swaying gracefully. He seemed the very embodiment of an ancient sword immortal.
Elder Wu chuckled dismissively. “Your threats mean nothing to me, boy. Allow me to enlighten you: after today, neither of you will leave a trace behind. Even your master will find no clues. Everything proceeds according to my plan.”
“According to plan?” Xiao Yu echoed mockingly. “Have you never heard the saying, ‘No plan survives the unexpected’?”
As he spoke, he swiftly formed a sword seal with his hands. The air trembled, and with a resonant hum, countless sword projections materialized in the void, coalescing into a colossal sword dragon.
“Myriad Sword Heavenly Dragon (万剑天龍, Wàn Jiàn Tiān Lóng)—attack!” Xiao Yu roared, pointing forward.
[Myriad Sword Heavenly Dragon (万剑天龍, Wàn Jiàn Tiān Lóng): A legendary sword technique revered for its unmatched offensive might.]
The immense dragon, formed of a thousand gleaming blades, roared skyward before surging toward Elder Wu with a deafening whoosh, tearing through the heavens as it advanced.
“The Myriad Sword Heavenly Dragon!”
“One of Tianyong City’s eight legendary techniques!”
“It is said that at its zenith, this technique can summon eight dragons, each composed of ten thousand swords, capable of moving mountains and draining seas!”
From her vantage point, Fu Qu’s wide eyes sparkled with awe as she watched the massive sword dragon in action. “I can’t believe Senior Brother has mastered such an extraordinary technique!”