Chapter 974: Chapter 974

Lan Xingling and Zhao Xiaohua arrived at a square.

Countless statues of copper soldiers stood solemnly here, each holding primitive weapons, exuding an imposing atmosphere.

"These are soldiers of the Nine Li Tribe!" Lan Xingling's heart jolted.

Though lifeless, the soldiers appeared lifelike, as though they might spring back to life at any moment.

"So Chiyou still hasn't given up. He summoned all these troops here, preparing to strike back against China. But why did all these soldiers die here?"

Lan Xingling's attention was drawn to three elderly figures seated on stone chairs.

The three sat upright, their faces expressionless.

"What's going on?" Lan Xingling scrutinized the statues with some bewilderment.

"What's wrong?" Zhao Xiaohua asked.

Lan Xingling approached the three desiccated corpses and explained, "Logically, those seated on these chairs should be commander-level individuals. Judging by their attire, these three appear to be mere soldiers. How could they possibly deserve to sit here?"

As Lan Xingling voiced her thoughts, one of the corpses suddenly moved its eyes and reached out a withered hand to grab her.

"Watch out!" Zhao Xiaohua grabbed Lan Xingling's shoulder and retreated swiftly.

At that moment, a terrifying scene unfolded as the three dried corpses rose stiffly to their feet.

"How is this possible?" Lan Xingling's eyes nearly popped out of her head in shock.

Zhao Xiaohua narrowed her eyes, fixating on the three corpses.

Then, something even more unexpected occurred—the corpse standing in the middle began to speak.

"Cough, cough. It's been thousands of years, and now we meet living humans again." The tall, thin elder shambled forward, his voice hoarse.

The short elder chuckled lightly, "Who would've thought? In what remains of our lifetime, we can still encounter the living here."

The stout elder gave a cold glare at the pair, "Which tribe are you descendants from?"

Lan Xingling's eyes gleamed as she smiled, "We are descendants of the Nine Li Tribe, just like you."

Upon hearing Lan Xingling's words, the tall elder cracked a sinister smile, "So, you're our descendants!"

Stepping directly to Lan Xingling, he grinned and said, "I never imagined we'd get to meet our own descendants in this lifetime. Cause for celebration indeed."

"Honored elder, your thousand-year vigil here must have been exhausting," Lan Xingling bowed respectfully.

Suddenly, the tall elder struck heavily against Lan Xingling's back with his palm.

Lan Xingling couldn't dodge in time and was slammed hard against the stone wall behind her.

"Why is this happening?" Lan Xingling spat blood and stared at the tall elder in confusion.

By all reasoning, she was a descendant of the Nine Li Tribe. Why would they attack her?

The stout elder snorted coldly, "Apologies, but we're from the Youxiong Tribe. That means all of you need to die."

"Haha! It's been so long since I've tasted fresh human flesh and hearts. The flavor must be exquisite." The short elder licked his tongue as he spoke.

"Impossible! How could you possibly be from the Youxiong Tribe?" Lan Xingling clutched her chest, disbelief etched across her face.

The tall elder snorted coldly, "The three of us were ordered by Huang Emperor back in the day to infiltrate the Nine Li Tribe. The decisive battle then succeeded because of our intelligence, enabling Huang Emperor's armies to utterly annihilate the Nine Li Tribe. Later, we fled here together with Chiyou. Unexpectedly, he received divine enlightenment and sought to rise again. Foolish ambition! On the day of their campaign, the three of us killed the divine oracle and, using his forbidden techniques, slaughtered everyone. Hahaha!"

Zhao Xiaohua couldn't help but feel secretly horrified upon hearing this. She hadn't expected these three elders to have such godlike prowess.

Lan Xingling's face turned pale, unable to process that her ancestors had fallen to the schemes of these elders.

At that moment, Lin Chen and the others emerged from the mountain cavern.

Ai Xiaoying stared intently at the three elders. Her eyes sparkled as she suddenly knelt, "Are the three of you the legendary Three Saints?"

Upon hearing Ai Xiaoying's words, the three elders froze momentarily. A trace of gratification flickered on the tall elder's face, "Who would've thought someone still remembers our names? It seems you truly are our descendant."

"Yes, ancestors. I am a descendant of Huang Emperor." Ai Xiaoying spoke excitedly.

"Heh, not bad, not bad. We've been trapped here for a thousand years, surviving on these lifeless corpses every day. Now that you're here, offer yourself to us. Tsk, tsk. These three beauties are so delicate and stunning—we'll each take one. As for the Nine Li leftover and that man, kill them." The stout elder sneered.

"You… you can't do this." Ai Xiaoying paled and stammered.

"We can't? A mere junior dares to defy us?" The tall elder's gaze turned icy as he lunged directly at Ai Xiaoying.

Lin Chen snorted coldly and darted like lightning in front of Ai Xiaoying.

"Bang!" Their palms collided, sending Lin Chen flying and crashing heavily onto the ground.

On the other side, Zhao Xiaohua and Wang Zixuan were also defeated in one vicious blow, collapsing heavily to the earth.

"Incredibly strong!" Lin Chen's face paled. The elders' strength was at the peak of the Void God Realm, just a step away from the True God Realm.

The tall elder snorted coldly, "We've been confined here for a thousand years. Now we'll finally collect our due."

"Tsk, tsk. If only Chiyou and Huang Emperor had known that after battling for so long, the final victors would be us!" The short elder laughed hysterically.

"When we rejoin the world, we shall savor its riches and pleasures. I'll claim three thousand beauties and revel in them every day!" The stout elder roared with laughter.

"We cannot let them escape into the world. If these three emerge, it will spell disaster for humanity." Lin Chen gritted his teeth and pushed himself upright.

"Hmph, how could a mere ant like you hope to stop us?" The tall elder sneered, channeling a forceful energy that instantly sent Lin Chen flying with a strike. Lin Chen coughed up blood, utterly devoid of strength to fight on.

"Before we leave this place, let us enjoy these three exquisite beauties." The stout elder laughed lecherously and reached out to pull the gravely injured Zhao Xiaohua toward him.

The other two elders also smiled wickedly, drawing Lan Xingyue and Wang Zixuan towards themselves.

"No… don't!" Lin Chen screamed furiously as the three elders prepared to violate the girls.

"Hahaha! What's the matter? Are these three beauties your women? Then watch carefully as we ravage them and savor each part of their flesh and hearts afterward." The stout elder sneered, his hand extending toward Zhao Xiaohua.

"You dare court death!" At that moment, a frigid aura erupted faintly from Lin Chen's body.

"Impossible! How could this be his aura?"

The three elders felt the chilling energy and their expressions darkened abruptly, terror flooding their eyes.