"What? A centipede has arrived?"
Guan Ling was puzzled.
Why would a centipede show up out of nowhere?
"What’s the background of this centipede?"
Guan Ling pressed further.
"Reporting to the Sect Master, we don’t know, but this centipede made a grand entrance, walking with an especially arrogant stride. It’s clearly no ordinary creature, so I rushed here to inform you!"
"Take me to see it immediately."
Guan Ling’s eyes narrowed.
At this moment, a centipede appearing outside the mountain gates was no coincidence—it hinted at something far from simple.
Led by Guan Ling, the group of elders hurried toward the core of the mountain’s protective formation.
None dared to step outside the sect’s gates, so they could only observe the outside through a forbidden artifact embedded in the formation’s focal point.
Before them, an image unfolded.
A centipede draped in a black cloak, its body reared high and tilted backward, antennae standing straight, eyes scanning its surroundings with blatant disregard.
Its countless legs moved in two distinct ways—the lower half strode forward with steady steps, while the upper half crossed like human arms, exuding sheer arrogance.
The sudden appearance of this centipede naturally put the Yunjie Sect on high alert.
Every eye was fixed on it, and the cannons on several ominous-looking spirit ships were trained directly at the creature.
Yet the centipede ignored it all, leisurely advancing toward the front gates of the Yunjie Sect.
Its unhurried pace made it clear it feared nothing.
"Hey, stop right there!"
Finally, from the deck of one of the spirit ships, the Yunjie Sect’s Grand Elder, Zhou Song, issued a warning: "The Yunjie Sect is conducting business here. Outsiders, leave at once."
The centipede glanced at him sideways and didn’t even bother to respond.
"Hmph, refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit!"
Zhou Song was a ruthless man.
He knew full well that a centipede appearing at such a time was no accident.
This level of arrogance suggested it intended to interfere in the conflict between their sects. Since warnings went unheeded, he had no choice but to strike first.
"No one dares to defy the Yunjie Sect’s spirit ships. Teach it a lesson."
The Grand Elder gave the order without hesitation.
The moment he spoke, a massive energy blast erupted from one of the spirit ship’s cannons, hurtling toward the centipede with terrifying force.
The attack struck the centipede without delay.
But to Zhou Song’s shock, the blast merely sparked against the centipede’s hardened shell, leaving not even a scratch.
Both inside and outside the formation, members of the Yunjie Sect and the opposing force gasped in disbelief.
That cannon blast was equivalent to a full-power strike from a Ninth Tribulation Realm expert—yet it couldn’t even breach the centipede’s defense?
Zhou Song was decisive. Once the first shot was fired, there was no turning back—especially now that they knew the centipede was no pushover. They couldn’t afford to let it retaliate.
The moment his command rang out, the spirit ships shifted, their dark cannons locking onto the centipede once more.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom—"
The first deafening blast was followed by a relentless barrage.
Attacks rained down on the centipede, blotting out the sky and shaking the earth.
The surrounding air was compressed into a vacuum.
The sight sent chills down the spines of the Yunjie Sect’s members.
If such firepower were directed at them, survival would be impossible.
Moreover, the sheer intensity made them realize they had severely overestimated their protective formation.
Under this level of assault, their barrier would last, at most, half a month before shattering like an eggshell.
In the blink of an eye, the attacks reached the centipede.
Despite its earlier display of power, everyone believed it was doomed.
Yet once again, the outcome defied expectations.
The centipede casually summoned a spectral figure and placed it in front of itself as a shield.
"Yahaha! Little Spirit, even weak energy is still energy! Might as well absorb it—every bit counts!" the centipede cackled.
"Hah! Thanks, Bro Feng! Even scraps are a snack to me—consider this a little appetizer!" the spirit replied gleefully.
And just like that, under the duo’s taunts, the spirit ships’ attacks were utterly useless. The energy was instantly absorbed by the spirit, not even causing a ripple.
Zhou Song and the others gaped, their legs nearly giving way beneath them.
W-what kind of power is this?!
Their most fearsome attacks had just become someone else’s snack?!