Chapter 399 - 209: A Level 4 Soul, the Ticket to Hell

Chapter 399: Chapter 209: A Level 4 Soul, the Ticket to Hell

Xiao Mu’s murderous words stunned the Rainbow Tree Rope Demon.

Although it detested the Ancient Tree Deer Spirit Race, it had never considered killing their chieftain—especially not at a critical time like this, when they were fending off the Alien Insect Army.

Even the Flame-toothed Giant Elephant, which had seemed detached from the whole affair, suddenly jerked its head up and stared at Xiao Mu in horror.

’Has this guy gone insane?’

’Starting an internal conflict at a time like this?’

"Why?" the Rainbow Tree Rope Demon asked, unable to understand.

Xiao Mu sneered. "Did you think it’s enough just to get the planar coordinates and the teleportation technology? Without the demons’ cooperation, we’ll never be able to teleport safely to the Hell Plane."

"And to get those greedy demons to help, we have to offer a reward that will satisfy them. What do you think demons desire most?"

"What demons want most... souls, of course." It suddenly dawned on the Rainbow Tree Rope Demon. "You mean... we’re to offer Tining’s soul..."

Xiao Mu said coldly, "To satisfy those demons’ desires, an ordinary soul won’t be enough. We’ll need a level-four soul, at the very least."

"Right now, the only level-four beings in the entire Red Agate Mountain Range are the four of us here today. If we don’t sacrifice Tining’s soul, then whose should we offer? Yours? Mine? Or the Flame-toothed Giant Elephant’s?"

As Xiao Mu’s gaze fell upon it, the Flame-toothed Giant Elephant immediately grew wary.

"Xiao Mu, I’m warning you! Don’t get any ideas about me!"

Xiao Mu snorted. "Relax. One level-four soul is enough. But you... you should consider joining us. You don’t really want to go down with this plane, do you?"

The Flame-toothed Giant Elephant was instantly tempted.

Despite its apparent indifference to dying, it certainly wouldn’t refuse a chance to survive.

Even going to a cruel place like Hell was better than staying here to die.

’But did it have to turn on the Ancient Tree Deer Spirit for this?’

Seeing the Flame-toothed Giant Elephant hesitate, Xiao Mu sneered. "At a time like this, you still have the heart to feel sorry for Tining? You probably don’t know she’s already found her own escape route, do you?"

"What?"

At these words, both the Rainbow Tree Rope Demon and the Flame-toothed Giant Elephant were taken aback.

The Flame-toothed Giant Elephant stared at Xiao Mu, stunned, and said in a heavy tone, "Is that true?"

Xiao Mu sneered. "I’ve approached Tining in private several times, trying to subtly sound her out. I hinted that she should leave this plane with us, but she refused without the slightest hesitation. Do you really think she wants to go down with this plane? It’s obvious she’s already found her own way out!"

The Flame-toothed Giant Elephant’s expression instantly darkened.

It wasn’t just because it had learned that among the four chieftains, it was the only one without an escape plan.

More importantly, it understood the implication behind Xiao Mu’s words.

Clearly, Xiao Mu’s initial plan had been to ally with Tining and offer the elephant’s soul as payment to the demons. Only because Tining refused did Xiao Mu approach it for cooperation instead.

This infuriated the Flame-toothed Giant Elephant.

But it also understood that Xiao Mu’s blatant honesty was, in its own way, a threat.

If it refused, Xiao Mu and the Rainbow Tree Rope Demon might very well revert to their original plan.

After all, it was indeed weaker than Tining, which made it a much easier target.

"Have you made up your mind? Are you joining us?" Xiao Mu asked coldly.

The Rainbow Tree Rope Demon also looked its way, its dense thicket of tentacles swaying gently in a threatening manner.

The Flame-toothed Giant Elephant’s expression flickered with indecision. Finally, it grit its teeth and made its choice.

"Alright, I’m in!"

With those words, the tense atmosphere instantly dissipated.

Xiao Mu swayed its branches in satisfaction.

"Excellent. You’ve made a wise choice."

"One day, you’ll be glad you made the right decision."

Tining was extremely powerful. With only itself and the Rainbow Tree Rope Demon, they would have to pay a steep price for victory, even if they could achieve it. But with the Flame-toothed Giant Elephant on their side, success was guaranteed.

...

In a clearing in the forest, a herd of Ancient Tree Deer Spirits was grazing peacefully.

Resources were scarce in the Red Agate Mountain Range, and rare, energy-rich plants were few and far between. As a result, the Ancient Tree Deer Spirits could only subsist on large quantities of common plants to replenish their energy. It was better than nothing.

Back at her clan’s settlement, Tining sat on the ground, leaning against a tree.

A few fawns ambled over, tilting their heads to gently nudge her back with their antlers, letting out a series of clear bleats.

Tining smiled and stroked their heads, then turned to gaze into the distance, a flicker of worry crossing her face.

The Wood Spirit Potions she’d gotten from Pei Ze were almost gone. If another battle broke out, her people would have no fast-acting potions to heal their wounds. She feared they would suffer heavy casualties.

’I wonder what Pei Ze is doing right now.’

Tining had tried contacting Pei Ze a couple of days ago, but the response indicated he wasn’t in the Star Realm Alliance and was unreachable. This left her feeling a little disappointed.

’Could he have gone to another plane?’

Tining sighed. The situation was growing worse by the day. The Alien Insect Army could reach the Red Agate Mountain Range at any moment.

When that happened, her clan would have no escape.

Tining trusted Pei Ze. Since he had promised to help her race leave the Ancient Forest Plane, she knew he would keep his word.

But trust was one thing; she couldn’t help but worry.

Especially since she’d had a nagging feeling recently that Xiao Mu was secretly plotting something.

The Half Deer Maiden disliked conflict, but she wasn’t a fool. She could sense that something was wrong with the way Xiao Mu looked at her.

She was already starting to consider whether she should break away from this small alliance and lead her people to another part of the Red Agate Mountain Range.