Chapter 1753 - 902: Monsters

"Good, very good."

Ling Shuo nodded expressionlessly, took a step back, and withdrew the Light of Redemption from his hand: "Since you have such loyalty and integrity, accompany Ji Jue on the journey then..."

The darkness boiled, and as a thread of candlelight drifted away, strange hands stretched out once more.

Under the weak candlelight's call and command, in the direction where countless arms extended, a huge rotten face with exposed bones faintly emerged.

Crack—crack—crack—

In the sound of bones grinding against each other, the Taboo Beast, nurtured by countless curses over the years, slowly approached, its hands pulling at Ling Shuo, lifting his soul.

It opened its mouth excitedly, inhaled deeply, foul-smelling breath roared out, chaotic teeth exposed, and upon them, a twisted face squirmed, howling mournfully.

Just like that, it lightly tossed Ling Shuo into the dark mouth.

The curse's end, the mouth of destruction suddenly snapped shut!

Then...

Crunch!

The Taboo Beast froze on the spot.

The huge face appeared stupefied, a flicker of confusion in its dark eye sockets, feeling for the first time in its 'life,' the pain of something stuck in its teeth.

It instinctively opened its mouth, closed it again, chewed, but the sharp edges wedged between its teeth grew increasingly fierce, even piercing its gums, breaking teeth, bringing a sharp pain.

The Taboo Beast roared, crazily chewing and biting, black blood continuously gushing forth.

From the dark mouth, a strand of silver light silently appeared.

Amidst the sticky black blood and teeth, Ling Shuo, nearly shattered, convulsed and spasmed, as the light between his fingers exploded, bursting forth!

Like a rope, it extended out towards the distance, landing on the other end, pulling him, rising from the darkness's end.

The Taboo Beast raged, its throat extended dry hands, grabbing the flying Ling Shuo, unwilling to let the food in its mouth escape, pulling hard.

But that silver light grew more intense, enveloping Ling Shuo entirely, lifting him inch by inch.

Soon, as if impatient, it abruptly extinguished.

Ling Shuo fell again.

The Taboo Beast was overjoyed, but before the rotting face could form a smile, its dark eyes were illuminated by the exploding silver light.

The sky shattered.

The darkness was smashed, splitting open a huge rift... and beyond the crack, in the void, a massive hand of flowing Silver Radiance explored.

It lifted, then swung wide.

Towards its face.

Smack!

A loud slap landed crisply, then another, and yet another!

Finally, it clenched into a fist, punching down on the rotten teeth.

Like a hammer.

Boom!!!

The cracks spread, the rotten flesh fell, the Taboo Beast shrieked in pain, rolling and howling.

And the hand, as if finally venting some frustration, snatched Ling Shuo back, clutched it tightly.

Just like that, it pulled him back up to the sky, where he was meant to go.

At the very last moment, Ling Shuo struggled fiercely, turned his head, looking down... at that pale-faced old thing protected by the candlelight.

He extended his hand, pointing at that twisted face.

Withdrawing his finger, he swiftly and decisively drew it across his own throat.

His lips moved silently.

—Old dog, just you wait!

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Distant booming noises echoed, as Ling Shuo's entire body convulsed in the dizzy swaying, eyes opening wide, mouth opening with a muffled scream.

In the dense fog, everything was so dark.

Only the sound of collapse far away echoed, flames danced, spread, and the smell of ash drifted in the wind.

He was carried on someone's shoulder, stumbling and running frantically forward.

And at his drooping right fingertips, that ring still emitted a faint glow, pulling him back from Hell.

"Stop..."

He gasped, coughed, and patted the subordinate carrying him forcefully: "Stop."

"President, you're awake?"

The subordinate, half-covered in blood, was pleasantly surprised, gritting his teeth, gasping: "Can't stop, President, while the green hills remain, there's no fear of running out of firewood, we..."

"I said..."

Ling Shuo hoarsely yelled: "Stop!"

The running crowd hesitated for a moment, eventually stopping in a small alley, carefully placing Ling Shuo down, then fell silent, their eyes wandering.

"... What's wrong?"

Ling Shuo struggled to take the water offered by a subordinate, unable to even unscrew the cap, then realized his hands were covered with cracks and ulcerated spots.

When someone mustered the courage to bring a phone over, he finally saw his face.

Half of his face was full of ulcerating sores and scars, as if he had suddenly aged ten years, his hair already partly white, with some spots faintly balding.

"Heh heh..."

Ling Shuo studied those cold, sinister brows, couldn't help but laugh: "Really resembling that old dog to some extent."

"Let's go, President, they're catching up!" A subordinate mustered courage, softly warned: "If we don't leave now..."

"No need to leave anymore."

Ling Shuo collapsed backwards, leaning against the wall, chuckling softly.

Finally relaxing.

He said: "We're safe now."

"Huh?"

Several subordinates were momentarily shocked, bewildered.

Only at the alley's entrance, Elder Chu, who was silently observing the surroundings, suddenly trembled slightly, his whole body tensed as if facing a great enemy.

In shock, he looked towards the densest part of the fog.

"This... is just a bit..."

Too exaggerated...

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In the mist, the vague Flame Light danced, and distant booms sounded again, shaking the soul.