Urban Martial Saint

Within minutes, countless long-toothed rats had all swarmed into this Swallow Sea Valley. These long-toothed rats bypassed the Wanyan family’s people, encircling Ye Qing’s group completely. However, they did not immediately rush to attack Ye Qing’s people, instead surrounding them in the center, constantly making various gnawing sounds. Yet, they did not cross the line, as if they were well-trained.

Facing so many long-toothed rats, the expressions of Ye Qing’s group changed dramatically. Although most were Peak Masters, their strength seemed useless against so many long-toothed rats.

It was unclear how many long-toothed rats there were; tens of thousands? Hundreds of thousands? Millions? Anyway, the whole mountain was surrounded by long-toothed rats, the entire valley filled with them, a vast gray sea as far as the eye could see, with no end in sight. Both inside and outside the valley, the long-toothed rats were densely packed, leaving no space to step. At a glance, the sight of these gray rats scurrying everywhere made one’s teeth chatter, involuntarily causing a shiver to run through the body.

Especially those who had heard Ye Qing’s tales of the long-toothed rats before, now seeing them again, were filled with dread. These rats, highly bloodthirsty, could gnaw a person to the bone. With such powerful bites, among so many present, apart from a few body-cultivation experts, who could withstand an attack by these rats?

Even those body-cultivation experts were terrified facing these rats. After all, there were just too many of them, and when they swarmed, how long could their bodies hold out?

Although a few were body-cultivation experts, various cultivation methods were related to Inner Strength. Apart from Ye Qing, even Bloody Monk’s Vajra Indestructible Body would lose strength when Inner Strength was exhausted. Surrounded by so many long-toothed rats, as soon as his strength was depleted, Bloody Monk was doomed.

The long-toothed rats were small and individually not very powerful, just slightly stronger than ordinary rats. The key was their sheer numbers and strong bite force. So many could, within ten minutes, consume everyone in the valley down to the bone!

Seeing the swarm of long-toothed rats, to be honest, many from the Wanyan side were visibly shocked. Apparently, even most of the Wanyan family weren’t aware of such a thing. Discovering the emergence of the long-toothed rats, they were understandably shocked. Luckily, the rats bypassed them, easing their fears significantly.

Wanyan Second Master stood on a high rock, looking over at Ye Qing and others, sneeringly saying, ”Alliance Leader Ye, what do you think now? Are you willing to cooperate with our Wanyan family?”

Ye Qing took a deep breath, frowned tightly at Wanyan Second Master, and said in a deep voice, ”So it was your Wanyan family that raised these long-toothed rats from Xiliang Mountain!”

In fact, ever since leaving Xiliang Mountain, Ye Qing had been pondering this matter. Near the cave in the mountain center, it was evident someone was living there. Furthermore, that Tai Chi Circle was clearly a trap laid down for Shijia. Fat Wang broke the trap, saving Shijia’s life, but the crisis at Xiliang Mountain wasn’t fully resolved—the biggest threat was the long-toothed rats.

The cave should be the rats’ nest, filled with dens, where they all gathered. Outside the cave, people lived, which shouldn’t be possible given the rats’ habits. Whoever lived there would be attacked. But one not only lived outside the cave but had carved a path, implying peaceful coexistence with the rats inside. Therefore, Ye Qing speculated that someone must have been raising these rats!

Now, with the Wanyan family deploying these rats, Ye Qing’s speculation was confirmed—they were indeed someone’s pet, specifically the Wanyan family’s.

Finally, Ye Qing understood why the Wanyan family dared to confront the three major organizations of Shenchuan City at this time. They were confident in swallowing up all the powers of Shenchuan City. With so many rats swarming, the three organizations of Shenchuan City or any masters in the world weren’t a match for the Wanyan family.

The thousand-year plan of the Wanyan family had this as the crucial element—the long-toothed rats. Really unimaginable!

”Alliance Leader Ye, isn’t it a bit too late to learn of this?” Wanyan Second Master laughed loudly, glancing at the rats beside him, ”Our plan with the rats has been studied by the Wanyan family for over three hundred years. Over three centuries ago, our ancestors discovered the power of these rats, but lamented their small numbers. So, they opened land in Xiliang Mountain specifically to raise them. Over three hundred years, do you know how much effort and resources our family has poured into it? Now, their numbers are beyond what you could imagine in your lifetime. To deal with you martial artists, these rats can settle everything. Hahaha, our thousand-year plan is finally coming to fruition!”

As he spoke, Wanyan Second Master’s expression could only be described as arrogant. But now, none dared to call him arrogant. With so many rats here, the Wanyan family was indeed unbeatable. Surely, no one could stop the Wanyan family’s plans!

Ye Qing frowned deeply, now it became clear that everything about Xiliang Mountain was Wanyan’s deliberate arrangement. Even Patriarch Bodhidharma’s clues were meant to lead them there—it seems Wanyan’s machinations were extensive!

During the silence, Zhou Haoyang from the Seven Steering Committees of Hong Alliance suddenly cursed, ”A bunch of filthy rats, who are you scaring?”

Everyone turned to look at Zhou Haoyang, who really spoke without thinking. Always impulsive and outspoken, this man didn’t think before speaking.

Wanyan Second Master wasn’t angry but laughed, saying, ”Filthy rats? Hahahaha, there’s something else I forgot to mention. These rats, aside from their incredible bite and vast numbers, have more killing power now. For over three hundred years, we’ve sacrificed hundreds to strengthen their poison. Now, they carry paralytic poison within them.”

Zhou Haoyang loudly declared, ”Hmph, no matter what powerful poison you use, it can’t harm us at all. Such a trivial paralytic poison, what can it do to us?”

”Of course, I understand all present are top experts, and a mere poison couldn’t hurt you. But as they say, ’many a little makes a mickle,’ and with enough ants, even elephants are bitten to death. A single dose of poison may be ineffective for you, but what about one hundred rats? A thousand? Ten thousand?” Wanyan Second Master laughed loudly, ”We’ve tested; the paralytic poison from a hundred rats is enough to render a Peak Master powerless, leaving them as food for these rats. I have millions of them—care to try?”

Upon hearing this, everyone was even more alarmed. Already, so many rats could gnaw everyone to bits, but if they were also poisonous, it was even worse. Peak Masters aren’t afraid of small doses of poison, but a large amount entering the system is beyond detoxifying with Inner Strength. If paralyzed by so many poisons and falling into Wanyan’s hands, it would be perilous. Although no one knew what Wanyan’s tactics were, seeing Nalan Jingwei help Wanyan earlier made everyone shiver internally.

Seeing everyone’s shocked expressions, Wanyan Second Master was overjoyed, casting a proud glance at the assembly, saying, ”What is everyone’s decision? To be honest, my rats are rather hungry. If you refuse to cooperate with us, you can at least feed my little pets!”

As Wanyan Second Master spoke, he whistled lightly, and the rats, as if signaled, rushed forward, seemingly preparing to pounce on those in the middle.

Everyone was originally on high alert; seeing the rats charge, they shivered in fear, hastily retreating. But surrounded on all sides by rats, where could they actually retreat? The rats advancing forced them to crowd further inward, and no one could escape!

Wanyan Second Master clearly meant to terrify those present, seeing them retreat in fear of the rats, he laughed again, saying, ”Everyone, I apologize, the rats got a bit out of control, my mistake. Generally, they don’t lose control unless starving. So, I hope for your prompt decision on cooperation, to determine your stay!”

Ye Qing’s group exchanged looks; this outcome was unexpected by anyone. To be encircled by so many Wanyan family rats was beyond mere strength—this battle didn’t need to be fought!