Chapter 173: Grand Magic – Dark Magic

Ka’s wings behind him trembled for a moment, then instantly shrank into a small tuft of white feathers perched on his shoulder.

""I was hoping you’d run into me slowly, but I didn’t expect you little mice to actually run away. So I had no choice but to intercept you myself. No rush, my companions will be here soon.""

Hiding under someone’s cloak, Muxue couldn’t help but shiver: [A-Chu, this person’s aura is strong—at least stronger than Wei An. And there are three people coming straight at me!]

[A-Xue, you’re only sensing this person? Not the one in front of you?]

Muxue: [No, just him, and three others with magical strength equal to Wei An.]

That triangular object Muxue sensed ahead was probably his hiding place.

Sang Chu looked at Ka, calmly controlling the man-eating vines and flowers to set up an ambush underground. Tu You had already slipped under Sang Chu’s cloak, and was restraining Meng Wei An. As soon as Sang Chu gave the order, they would attack together.

""Sir, I’m just a messenger. The old lady here has a magical artifact in her hand. If you like it, I can give it to you, as long as you spare my life.""

Sss—

The reinforcements arrived: a dark mage in a black robe embroidered with black roses.

""Little mouse, I’ll take the thing you’re offering—and you as well!""

At that moment, a withered hand lifted the curtain, and a woman, her whole body tightly wrapped, stepped forward.

Her eyes were beautiful, a crystal violet like glass—the more you looked, the more enchanting they became.

""Sang Sang!""

Xi Rui quickly covered Sang Chu’s eyes and pulled her back, bumping into Xi Rui’s sharp gaze, which instantly turned white. A burst of energy exploded in the air like a flower.

Ruizhi’s lips curled slightly under her veil. She didn’t speak, but her determined expression made it clear—her goal was within reach.

The reinforcements’ leader said coldly, ""We’ve finally found Sang and the others.""

Sai He sat above, lazily saying, ""Don’t worry, I’ve already set up traps all around. Anyone who comes close will be dragged underground. Boss wants them all dead, right? No rush, let’s take our time.""

""Sang Sang?""

Yi Ping and Sang Jingwen had both arrived, anxiously watching Sang Chu. But her eyes were vacant, and no matter how they called her, she didn’t respond.

Xi Rui handed Sang Chu to Granny Xiang for support: ""Granny, watch over Sang Sang. Yi Ping, Sang Jingwen, use your magic to hold off the one who attacked me. Nai Shen, Ri Yi, the three of us will take down the witch. Once she’s dead, Sang Sang’s soul can be retrieved!""

The dark mage ignored the woman with the bow and arrow, laughing: ""Little mouse, did you forget about me?""

Xi Rui snorted coldly: ""Attack!""

Yi Ping and Sang Jingwen—one controlling fire, the other arrows—attacked Ka. But he only lazily lifted his hand, and the magic in his palm flared, blocking all attacks.

""Overestimating yourselves. Go!""

Ka flicked his wrist, and the fire and arrows were instantly redirected back at Yi Ping and the others.

""Damn! What the hell is this?!""

Yi Ping rolled aside to dodge the arrows, while Sang Jingwen tried to regain control over them.

Meanwhile, Xi Rui led the charge. Ruizhi stood calmly in place, and as the arrows reached her, a massive black door appeared, swallowing them all.

""Gate of the Underworld?""

Granny Xiang broke out in a cold sweat at the sight of the black door.

Sai He leapt down from above, her fitted white dress accentuating her perfect figure. Her waist-length wavy hair and red lips gave her a seductive charm.

Sai He’s slender fingers, tipped with blood-red nails, gently stroked the black Gate of the Underworld. She said with a mocking smile, ""Didn’t expect there’d be someone else with this power. What a pity—I can’t send you all to the underworld to keep my little pets company.""

She suddenly turned to Ka: ""Boss, why don’t you let me have a go? My little darlings haven’t eaten anyone in a long time. They’re getting hungry.""

""One person isn’t enough to fill the gap. Keep going—the more you feed them, the stronger they get.""

Sai He played with her beautiful nails, shrugging: ""Fine, you’re the boss. I’ll listen to you.""

As time ticked by, Xi Rui, Sang Jingwen, and the others gradually revealed their exhaustion. Even with all their tricks, they couldn’t break through—anxiety crept in.

Sai He glanced at Ruizhi, frowning in confusion: ""What’s wrong with you today? Why so quiet? When can you control that woman?""

Ruizhi looked up at her without a word, slowly stepping forward. Sai He, puzzled, asked, ""Ruizhi, what’s gotten into you?""

Sss—

""You!""

Ruizhi’s withered hand pierced Sai He’s neck, blood gushing out. Before she could react, Ka had already noticed something was wrong.

""Damn it, Ruizhi’s been controlled!""

He struck Ruizhi with his palm, sending her flying, blood pouring from her mouth.

Sai He: ""B-boss...""

Sang Chu, having returned to her body, immediately drew a magic card, pressed it to her palm, and performed a blood contract.

Sai He, unable to control herself, was forced to cast spell after spell, summoning one Gate of the Underworld after another. Her face turned deathly pale, and her skin visibly withered.

""Stop! Please, stop!""

She screamed and begged, but Sang Chu continued to control her, forcing her to summon more Gates of the Underworld.

""Sai He!""

Ka glared at Sang Chu, instantly summoning his own magic. All around, man-eating vines surged up, and Meng Wei An and Liao Tian Niang broke free, attacking him.

Xi Rui fired arrows in quick succession.

The dark mage was distracted by the attacks, but behind him, a Gate of the Underworld silently appeared. A three-meter-tall underworld beast lunged out and bit him in half, swallowing him whole.

Seeing the underworld beast, Ka roared, ""You’re crazy! Do you know what that thing is? If you let it out, everyone in the fortress will die!""

Sang Chu smiled: ""No, not everyone—just you.""

As her words fell, the underworld beast lunged at Ka. He hurried to fuse with his wings and tried to escape.

But Sang Chu saw through his escape route, opening a Gate of the Underworld right above him.

Ka tried to dodge, but three beasts pounced, devouring him in an instant."