Chapter 234: Are You Prepared for Death?

...

Under the illumination of the flickering flames, Yu Qi's pale face looked unsightly. He hadn't expected that his whereabouts would be completely discovered by this person.

"It's you!" Xu You and Niu Man wore expressions of astonishment on their faces. They never expected that Yu Qi, who had left the team, would find them here.

In this vast forest, how did he accurately locate our position? Xu You wondered.

"Hahaha, that's right, it's me! Surprised, aren't you?" Yu Qi stared at Zeng Yi and the others with his crimson eyes, revealing a cruel smile.

He knew it. The team had split into two groups, and aside from Zeng Yi, he had left marks on everyone else for tracking. Among them, Lin Tong and his group had already died, and as for Zeng Yi's group, he sensed they were inside the forest, so he didn't dare to rashly enter and instead waited for them on the outskirts.

If these people were to die inside the forest and end up in the mouth of Spirit beasts, Yu Qi would feel somewhat regretful. He would have missed out on a few delicious Spirit King's blood and flesh. But if they didn't die, that would be even better. He would personally end their lives and absorb their Spirit power.

After waiting for two days, he finally encountered these people. He was ready to carry out his hunting plan.

However, it seemed that things weren't going according to his plan!

As Yu Qi stared at the three of them, he started to become somewhat vigilant. Nevertheless, he still didn't pay much attention to them, because he wasn't alone.

Even if all three of them obtained Spirit rings and became Spirit Kings, they would only be ordinary ones.

He, on the other hand, was an Evil Spirit Master, naturally capable of suppressing Spirit Masters of the same level. Additionally, over the past few days, he had absorbed the blood and energy of two Spirit Kings and hunted down Spirit beasts, elevating his Spirit power to level fifty-three. It was incomparable to the newly promoted Spirit Kings they were.

Moreover, there was a helper, a Spirit Emperor, by his side. Even if the three of them sprouted wings, they still couldn't escape.

They were nothing more than struggling prey in a cage, providing some amusement for him as a predator.

Observing Yu Qi's posture, Xu You also felt that something was wrong. The gaze staring at him felt like that of a predator eyeing its prey, making him feel somewhat uneasy. However, when he thought of Zeng Yi by his side, that uneasiness instantly dissipated.

He might not be a match for this person, but even 10,000 year-old Spirit beasts were no match for Zeng Yi, who had already reached Spirit Domain. Xu You couldn't fathom what methods Yu Qi had to deal with Zeng Yi.

Just a jumping clown.

Both sides confronted each other with disdain.

"Yu Qi, what do you mean by this? Are you still planning to kill us? Isn't that being too petty over past minor conflicts?" Xu You laughed coldly, wary of Yu Qi.

Yu Qi sneered coldly, "That's right, ever since you entered the Star Dou Forest, your lives have belonged to me, hehe."

"What do you mean?" Xu You and Niu Man were taken aback. They never expected that from the beginning, this person intended to take their lives.

"You must be an Evil Spirit Master." Zeng Yi spoke up, causing Xu You and Niu Man to look at him in surprise, and even Yu Qi was momentarily taken aback.

Zeng Yi stared directly at Yu Qi with sharp eyes, stepped forward slowly, and said, "I've heard that Evil Spirit Masters can quickly elevate their own Spirit power by using some sneaky and sinister methods. For example, through killing humans and absorbing their resentment, blood essence, and Spirit power to rapidly improve oneself."

"Due to their cruel nature and inhumane methods, Evil Spirit Masters are shunned by the Spirit Master community. They are given such a title. Whenever an Evil Spirit Master appears in the world of Spirit Masters, they are met with hostility and attacked by everyone. And you, I assume, are an Evil Spirit Master? You targeted us because you wanted to enhance your evil arts. After all, the blood and energy of a Spirit Master are a hundred times stronger than that of an ordinary person."

As Zeng Yi spoke, a cold and oppressive killing intent emanated from him. Xu You and Niu Man were overwhelmed by this killing intent, feeling as if a sword edge was behind them, causing their bodies to tremble involuntarily.

Zeng Yi had learned about this from someone who described several villages where people died tragically almost overnight, their deaths appearing eerie as if their blood had been sucked dry and their bodies turned into dry corpses. According to them, it was the work of an Evil Spirit Master.

Previously, Yu Qi had killed Spirit beasts and their deaths also involved their blood being sucked dry. Zeng Yi wondered if there was a connection.

Zeng Yi studied Yu Qi's information. His current strength was at the fifty-third level of Spirit power. Even if he found suitable Spirit rings and became a Spirit King, it had only been ten days since they separated, and it was impossible for ordinary Spirit Masters to raise their Spirit power by two levels in such a short period.

Zeng Yi was able to reach level forty-two, approaching level forty-three, because he fused with Spirit rings over twenty thousand years old and possessed Spirit bones.

As for Yu Qi, he had already reached the fiftieth level and possessed a fifth Spirit ring. His physical condition could withstand Spirit rings ranging from one year to twenty thousand years. Even if he fused with a ten-thousand-year Spirit ring, it was impossible for him to directly ascend two levels. Unless he fused with a fifty-thousand-year level Spirit ring or had been storing Spirit power previously, waiting for a Spirit ring to massively increase his Spirit power.

However, Zeng Yi immediately dismissed these possibilities. If Yu Qi could fuse with a fifty-thousand-year level Spirit ring, it would mean he had some sort of external assistance, destined to be extraordinary in this life. Yet, there was no such character in the original story, so it was unlikely. As for the second possibility, artificially holding back one's level, Zeng Yi believed that someone pursuing strength wouldn't do something like that.

Hearing Zeng Yi's words, Yu Qi's face turned gloomy. His Spirit power surged, crimson light flashed around him, an invisible force of energy stirred, and crimson flames flickered in his eye sockets. He stared at Zeng Yi, becoming cautious.

"That's right, I am an Evil Spirit Master, and you all will become the nourishment within my body, transforming into my Spirit power, hahaha." Caught off guard, Yu Qi saw no need to hide anymore and burst out laughing.

In the forest, dozens of bats fluttered, countless crimson lights flickered like ghostly flames in the darkness.

Zeng Yi smiled indifferently and said, "You, alone, think you can take the lives of the three of us? You don't have that ability. Hand over your accomplice, or else, you will die soon."

Hearing Zeng Yi's words, Yu Qi felt a chill in his heart. How did he know I have another person? Can this guy even detect the Spirit Emperor's presence?

Xu You and Niu Man were also shocked. There was actually an accomplice. But thinking about it, if Yu Qi didn't have someone else, why would he provoke trouble with the three of them? Was he tired of living?

But now he might really be tired of living.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

A series of applause resounded in the dark, and then a figure slowly appeared within their sights.

It was a person wearing a black robe, holding a skull staff with withered hands. A mist shrouded his face, making it impossible to see his features.

With each step the black-robed man took, the pressure on Xu You and Niu Man increased. Fear of death emanated from this man.

"It seems that you do have some strength, actually discovering my hidden presence. Not bad, you have the qualifications to become my plaything." As the hoarse voice sounded, the black-robed man's feet lit up one Spirit ring after another. The Spirit rings rose, revolving slowly around his body, emanating a suppressing force.

Zeng Yi was also somewhat astonished. He hadn't expected this person to be a Spirit Emperor-level expert.

Interesting!

He had just reached Spirit Ancestor and hadn't found an opportunity to vent his pent-up energy. Unexpectedly, a Spirit Emperor arrived as his opponent. Zeng Yi had to appreciate what Yu Qi had done.

The wind started, becoming swift. Tree branches, shrubs, and weeds rustled in the wind, and fallen leaves danced on the ground.

"Are you prepared to face death?"