Chapter Sixteen: Capture

“Since you’re confident in dealing with this centipede, do you have a way to lure it out?” After a long silence, Partridge Whistle finally spoke.

“My Wrathful Rooster is the natural enemy of that centipede. When they meet, they’ll be driven to fight by instinct—there’s no need to worry about it not appearing. The problem is, it’s incredibly fast. We’ll need a way to trap it first, then I’ll have my own means to subdue the beast.” Stroking the Wrathful Rooster at his side, Li Yang looked around at the group.

“My junior siblings and I can set up the Sky-Piercing Locks to trap it. Chief Chen, if you could lead your men in support nearby, we can prevent its escape.” Seeing the confidence on Li Yang’s face, the group’s unease began to dissipate; it was as if they had found a pillar to rely on, and their spirits lifted once more.

“Done! We’ll do exactly as Brothers Li and Partridge Whistle suggest. Listen up, everyone! Whoever takes down that giant centipede will be handsomely rewarded by old Luo!” As everyone went about their preparations, Old Luo Wei stroked his chin and raised his hands, calling out loudly.

“Chief Chen, please split your men into three groups for support. That centipede is massive—its strength must be extraordinary. The three of us from the Mountain Movers may struggle to hold it down, so act as you see fit if the need arises.” After greeting Chen Yulou, Partridge Whistle led his junior siblings to begin preparations.

Meanwhile, once everyone had concealed themselves, Li Yang guided the Wrathful Rooster aloft, landing atop the arched bridge.

With a series of sharp, provocative cries, the rooster challenged the darkness below.

Sure enough, in no time at all, a gust of wind rose from the fissure beneath the bridge, and a huge, dark shadow burst skyward.

The moment the six-winged centipede appeared, the Wrathful Rooster could barely contain itself, eager to pounce, but Li Yang calmed it firmly with his will.

“Brothers, fire!”

A volley of gunshots rang out at Old Luo Wei’s command, sparking showers of fire against the centipede’s armored body.

“Damn, this thing’s tough—bullets don’t even scratch it...” Seeing the centipede completely unharmed, Old Luo Wei’s face darkened and he spat in frustration.

“Capture!”

With a shout, Li Yang summoned all his blood energy to its peak. The words “Expand” and “Contract” flashed through his mind, and as his blood surged, the Wrathful Rooster’s form swelled massively. From his pouch, the Golden Toad leapt out as well.

With a furious cry, the Wrathful Rooster, now the size of a water buffalo, swooped down upon the six-winged centipede, its talons like silver hooks scraping sparks across the armored back.

It truly was as hard as expected. Though Li Yang had been prepared, seeing the centipede unscathed left his expression grim.

Furious at being clawed, the six-winged centipede coiled like a serpent, lashing out in a flash to entangle the Wrathful Rooster. The two creatures clashed repeatedly in midair, their speed blurring the eye. The Golden Toad crouched close, eager to intervene but unable to find an opening.

Suddenly, the combatants parted. The centipede reared up and spat a cloud of black poison mist at the Wrathful Rooster.

With a resounding crow, the rooster unleashed a wave of golden-red light from its crown, instantly dispersing the toxic fog. Bathed in this brilliance, the centipede froze, dazed.

Now’s the moment.

Seizing the opportunity, the Golden Toad lashed out its sticky, mucous-covered tongue, binding the centipede tight.

The Wrathful Rooster dove, pinning the writhing creature with its iron talons.

“Floral Spirit, Foreigner, let’s go!” Partridge Whistle called his junior siblings, and together they pounced, their hooked chains snaking out like living things to bind the centipede further.

“Help out, brothers!” As the centipede thrashed, the three Mountain Movers gritted their teeth, straining to hold the ropes. At a gesture from Chen Yulou, the ranks of the Ridge Raiders surged forward, gripping the Sky-Piercing Locks and easing the strain on the Mountain Movers.

Seeing the situation under control, Li Yang breathed a sigh of relief; things had gone far more smoothly than he’d dared hope.

“Well, well! It really does have six wings. Lend a hand, everyone!” Old Luo Wei hurried over with his men, sizing up the centipede as he called for help to relieve Chen Yulou’s group.

“Everyone, I’m about to cast a spell to subdue this beast. Hold it steady—don’t let it move!” Watching the centipede’s relentless struggle, Li Yang gritted his teeth. Wealth lies in risk, he thought.

This six-winged centipede was no domesticated Wrathful Rooster, nor a young Golden Toad—it was a near-millennial ancient monster, having absorbed the medicinal energies of Mount Bottle’s depths for centuries and even developed a spiritual core. Li Yang had no certainty he could subdue it, but at this point, he had no choice but to try.

Muttering incantations, he bit his tongue and spat a mouthful of blood. A rune, glowing with crimson light, shot forth and imprinted itself firmly upon the centipede’s head.

In that instant, their minds connected. Li Yang was struck by a surge of savage, primal will, battering his consciousness with furious force.

A deafening roar filled his mind as his spirit reeled, adrift like a leaf in a storm, his vision dimming.

Not good! Sensing danger, Li Yang panicked, but could find no solution.

He had been careless. Ever since crossing into this world, his journey had been smooth, making him complacent. Greed had gotten the best of him; he’d hoped to leap ahead by seizing the centipede’s millennium of cultivation, forgetting his own strength was still shallow.

As his thoughts scattered, hallucinations crowded in. His awareness faded, on the verge of slipping away entirely.

“Something’s wrong with Li Yang! Everyone, hold the centipede steady!” Partridge Whistle, standing nearby, saw Li Yang’s pallor, his bloodless lips and sweat-drenched brow. Feeling the centipede’s renewed ferocity, he cried out in alarm.

“Brother Li, don’t you falter! If you collapse, what are we supposed to do?” Seeing Li Yang sway on his feet, Old Luo Wei rushed over to steady him.

“Miss Hong, go see what’s happening!” On the other side, Chen Yulou and his men heard the commotion, but their hands were full; all they could do was send Miss Hong to check.

Sensing its connection with Li Yang weakening, the Golden Toad croaked anxiously.

At that moment, the Wrathful Rooster atop the centipede let out a piercing cry. The red glow from its crest blazed like the midday sun, flooding the underground hall with daylight. Waves of heat rolled forth, and the black and white energies above its crest surged, separating and transforming into a stream of yin-yang light that shot straight into Li Yang’s mind.

With that outburst, the Wrathful Rooster’s energy instantly waned. Its form shrank rapidly, collapsing to the ground in exhaustion.

Freed from the rooster’s suppression, the six-winged centipede began to thrash, emitting a series of strange, hissing cries.