The venom of the Wolfbane is so potent that even the Poison Spirit Clan, seasoned masters of poison, dare not approach it lightly. Even Shennong fell victim to it—truly a world-shaking poison. The most terrifying aspect of Wolfbane lies in its rapid spread. Among its properties is a parasitic venom that, once inside a living being, breeds Wolfbane Parasites—creatures that gnaw into flesh and bone like maggots into marrow.
Should the Wolfbane enter a human Immortal City and turn its entire population into corpses, it would be no laughing matter. The venom could potentially spread at an alarming pace, leading to even greater catastrophes.
"Wolfbane isn't something to be trifled with," a Shadow Demon clan member said grimly. "If it spreads unchecked, it won't just wipe out a Human Immortal City. Even our tribal lands might be eradicated. The damage would be unimaginable. Before provoking the Wolfbane, we better think twice."
The toxicity of Wolfbane was savage and uncontrollable. Who could guarantee that it would stay confined to a single Human Immortal City? What if it spread? The result could be extinction over thousands of miles—complete desolation.
No one dared claim they could contain its spread.
Failing to control it would spell disaster—a true cataclysm of extinction and death.
"Let's think it over again."
Even the Snake Demon experts hesitated. Clearly, they were reluctant to unleash such a dangerous force.
"That's right."
"Best to reconsider."
Many of the assembled clan leaders instinctively suppressed the thought. It was a double-edged sword—no one knew what consequences it might bring. For now, the Wolfbane remained dormant in a secret location. As long as no one disturbed it, its toxicity would not leak out.
"Other than the Wolfbane, are there any other ways? We're talking about humans here. With the heritage of our various clans, surely we have other means of punishing them?" a Cannibal Ogre sneered.
None of the assembled races were weaklings. Though these were merely offshoot branches, their hidden powers were not inferior. Take, for example, the Ghoul Clan's Devour-Heaven Grand Formation. If it weren't for Guan Yu, even a Law Manifestation Realm cultivator would've been devoured by it. But such trump cards were rarely used and always kept secret.
"How about... a sacrifice?"
At that moment, Fan Wencheng spoke again.
"A sacrifice?"
The words made every non-human expert tremble slightly, a serious expression forming on their faces.
"Which altar? Which god or demon are you planning to sacrifice to?" asked the Lava Giant, who finally opened his eyes. His voice carried an overwhelming sulphuric intensity that filled the air with violence.
To perform a sacrifice, an altar is required.
Altars are among the most mysterious and mystical creations in all existence. Each represents a supreme being. In the presence of such beings, even Law Manifestation cultivators are like ants—powerless and easily crushed.
Sacrifices require altars, which act as a conduit for offering and reward.
"I don't know exactly who it belongs to, but I discovered an altar in a desolate valley," Fan Wencheng said. "In that valley, fierce beasts regularly offer prey as sacrifices. In return, they gain strength. I found an ancient sacrificial scripture inscribed on the altar, praising a being known as the Demon God of Ten Thousand Gu. This deity supposedly commands all manner of parasitic insects. If we offer a sacrifice, he grants us Gu worms of various kinds."
Indeed, he had found such an altar. More importantly, it was unclaimed, lying in the wilderness where any race or creature could offer sacrifices. Once offered, the altar would bestow various Gu worms.
For example, a fierce beast might receive a Blood Vitality Gu, turning it into a walking elixir that strengthens the body with incredible life force. Another might receive an Ironbone Gu, reinforcing bones to be as hard as steel.
These Gu worms could significantly increase a being's combat ability.
Others, however, were far more dangerous. Some Gu were weapons of mass destruction—capable of eradicating an entire Immortal City's population within moments.
"The Demon God of Ten Thousand Gu? Never heard of him," someone muttered. "But he doesn't seem tied to any specific race. Since he dwells in the wilderness and accepts offerings from all, this might actually be safer than using Wolfbane. At least it won't spiral out of control."
"I agree," said the Ogre. "But what about the sacrificial offerings?"
Every altar requires suitable offerings—the more generous, the greater the reward.
"If we want to destroy Great Yi Immortal City, our offering must be worthy. The more, the better," added a Dark Elf expert.
"If the target of our worship is the Demon God of Ten Thousand Gu, then naturally he would favor venomous creatures," said a Poison Spirit Clan member. "We can provide a batch of such offerings."
"The Snake Demon Clan can contribute as well," their representative added.
"I believe human slaves would be most pleasing to the Gu Demon God," Fan Wencheng proposed coldly. "They are plentiful in our possession and do nothing but consume resources. Why not use them properly?"
His voice was utterly devoid of emotion, chilling everyone around him.
A faint fear rose in every clan leader's heart as they turned their eyes toward him.
"Fan Wencheng is truly venomous," they thought. "Once a human, he now turns on his own kind without a shred of hesitation. This is a man who would betray anything for ambition. To make an enemy of such a snake, you must either ignore him or destroy him completely."
"I am no longer human," Fan Wencheng said plainly. "I am of the Blood Clan now. Humanity is my past, not my future."
"Very well," said the Lava Giant. "We will begin the sacrificial offering—venomous beasts and insects, human slaves, blood offerings. All of them. Gather the offerings quickly. Once the sacrifice succeeds, we shall bring down Great Yi."
"We cannot allow the humans to expand unchecked. If we don't teach them a lesson, they'll never learn respect."
The clan leaders agreed. If they showed no reaction to humanity's rise, they'd lose all credibility. None of them were willing to be seen as weak.
Meanwhile, hidden outside the volcano, two black-clad figures concealed themselves within a tree trunk.
Their appearances were peculiar—one had oversized ears, and the other, unusually bright eyes.
"Windcatcher, can you hear anything?"
"Shadowseeker, can you see anything?"
Both spoke at once.
"I can't hear anything from inside," Windcatcher replied. "There's a barrier. All I hear is the churning of magma."
"I can't see inside either," said Shadowseeker. "Too much fire. But with so many non-human elites gathered here, they must be scheming something big against the Great Yi Dynasty."
"No matter what it is, we must report this to the Hall Master at once. He'll know what to do."
They exchanged glances and disappeared into the shadows.
These two were elite agents of the Calamity Hall—a division that had recruited numerous gifted individuals. Windcatcher possessed the Windcatcher Ears, capable of hearing distant sounds carried on the wind, rivaling even the legendary Wind-listening technique. Shadowseeker had eyes awakened through the Eye Meridian, capable of perceiving even the swiftest of movements.
Together, they were unmatched in espionage and information gathering.
And now, they had spotted none other than Fan Wencheng—one of Calamity Hall's most wanted fugitives.
His presence confirmed this was no ordinary gathering.
Without hesitation, they raced back to report the grave situation.