The atmosphere outside the ancestral hall seemed to freeze, even the steam from boiling dumplings hung motionless in the air as the ‘Year Beast’ emerged from the night.
As it “squeezed” through the doorframe, it felt as if the night itself flowed into the hall.
In an instant, the Ying family ancestral hall dimmed. You could hear a pin drop; everyone was scared into silence, as if they sensed a primitive fear rising from ancient times.
“So… this is… the Disaster Beast?”
Li Mo felt a sudden realization, but it came with a sense of absurdity.
Legends say that the Qilin is a sign of good fortune.
Yet, among the many magical beings like True Dragons, True Phoenixes, and Golden Crows that once existed in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, there were no Qilin. In the realm of the Jade Phoenix Divine, the true spirits of the myriad races were preserved, except for the Qilin.
Let alone this ‘Year Beast’ that resembled a Qilin.
And that phrase it uttered, “You’re back,” was directed at Little Ice Chunk?
Suddenly, Li Mo shivered.
It was Little Ice Chunk.
He saw Little Ying Bing biting her lip, her clear eyes surging with turmoil, and an unbearable chill radiated from her.
“!”
Li Mo’s expression changed; her bloodline was fully unleashed for the first time, was it during the New Year?
The gaze of the Year Beast darkened further, its invisible darkness painting the ground into a deep lake, from which numerous bizarre and grim beasts surged forth.
They were as big as calves, their appearances were all kinds of strange, but they shared one common trait.
They looked really hungry.
“Grave-guarding Beasts?!” One elder of the Ying family cried out in terror, and before the words left his mouth, he was knocked down to the ground.
A greyish dream rippled into the first hint of bl**d.
“Run!”
“The Disaster Beast is here! Quickly go and spread the news!”
“Those trained in martial arts, hold these beasts off together!”
There were escapees, rebels, and those paralyzed on the ground in fear.
Everywhere, there were screams, roars, and the sounds of flesh being torn apart; chaos erupted.
Meanwhile, the Year Beast walked slowly forward, its deep-set eyes seemingly holding a hint of mockery.
Grave-guarding beasts?
Li Mo furrowed his brow deeper.
It was said that strong warriors, before dying, would place beasts in their graves to prevent grave robbing, and since there was no food, those beasts would end up devouring each other.
Eventually, they would become unrecognizable and extremely ferocious.
This was the ‘domain’ of the Year Beast!
But he had no time to think too much.
Little Ice Chunk’s body was getting colder.
The Year Beast drew closer, sending a chill down the spine that surged from the depths of the soul.
If it were a normal situation, our God Hammer Little Overlord would definitely pull out a hammer and smash it first. But with his current strength being that of an ordinary child, he couldn’t even dream of it.
“Keep up!”
Ying Xuliang scooped up his daughter and, with his wife, ran toward the statue of their ancestor.
Li Mo followed suit without hesitation.
He saw it.
In the dimly lit hall, there seemed to be only that exquisitely carved statue emitting a faint glow!
The few Grave-guarding Beasts behind had already bitten down a number of Ying family members who lagged behind, darting toward them like shadows.
“Wuwu…”
But as soon as they rushed into the area illuminated by the statue’s glow, they were enveloped in hissing black smoke like oil ignited in fire.
They had no choice but to stop in their tracks, fearful.
The Year Beast emerged from the pack, its huge eyes examining the statue.
Deep-seated hatred couldn’t mask its fear.
Sure enough, after years of worship by the Ying family, the statue had gained some spirit, and the material it was made from was exceptional.
“After all, it’s still just a dead object.”
“Go!”
So, just when everyone let out a sigh of relief, the Year Beast commanded, and the Grave-guarding Beasts rushed toward the area engulfed in light.
Even though black smoke billowed from their bodies, and some turned into bl**d right there, they clearly feared the Year Beast more than the statue of their ancestor.
The glow began to waver!
Some who had squeezed to the edge let out agonized screams as they were bitten to d*ath by the Grave-guarding Beasts!
“Husband… what do we do?” Ying Qi trembled in fear, her voice quivering.
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, we have to protect Ice Girl first.”
Ying Xuliang tried to remain calm; suddenly, he seemed to remember something.
“Bing’er, Little Mo, come here!”
“Uncle Ying?”
Seeing that Ke Mo wasn’t exhibiting any fear, Ying Xuliang finally spoke:
“The center of the ancestor’s statue is hollow. I used to crawl in there to play with Ke when we were kids.”
“Later, the elder moved the statue and blocked the back entrance.”
“Your mother and I will move the entrance out for you, and you take Bing’er and squeeze inside. No matter what happens outside, you mustn’t come out! Not even if you hear our voices, unless it’s your father, got it?”
“You’re a little man now. If we don’t make it back, you have to take care of her…”
With that, the couple hurried to the statue, pushing with all their might.
The statue was heavy, and neither of them had practiced martial arts, so it took all their effort to move it just a bit.
And clearly, an adult couldn’t fit inside.
“Uncle Ying…”
Ke Mo clenched his fists, finally understanding how Little Ice Chunk survived that night.
She had been stuffed into the ancestor’s statue by her father.
A wave of helplessness washed over him.
Even if it was a dream, even if this had happened long ago, he wished he could change that night.
“Oi! Old thing!”
Little Ke suddenly stepped forward, his clear voice standing out sharply.
Year Beast: “?”
“d*mn it!”
Ke Mo’s defiance echoed.
“???”
The Year Beast was left speechless.
Everyone was stupefied.
Really? You’re gonna provoke it now?
Are you trying to get yourself killed?
The Year Beast squinted its eyes, not wanting to pay attention to this little brat, after all, these people were bound to d*e anyway; it was just a matter of time.
“Little mouth’s dirty…”
“Dark and foodless in the grave, you must have eaten your own poop.”
“?”
“While other auspicious beasts are worshiped as gods, you’ve fallen to the point of eating poop. Aren’t you ashamed enough to k*ll yourself? I’m just asking.”
“I’ll freaking roast you!”
Maybe struck by the truth, the black Year Beast seethed with fury, its killing intent bubbling as it seemed prepared to make Little Ke its first meal.
But to its surprise.
The little guy didn’t retreat from the light but instead dashed towards the nearby window.
That’s right!
Ke Mo’s plan was aimed at the ‘Void’ that had been erased!
He intended to lead the Year Beast to crash into the air wall!
The air wall was at the back door of the Ying family’s ancestral hall, which only elders could enter, and it was clear Ying Bing had never gone in!
There was no glow of the ancestor statue there, so he had to act fast…
“Roar!”
Suddenly, a roar rang in his ears, and a fierce wind rushed at him just as Ke Mo was about to reach the back door, a massive shadow had already blocked his path.
Right at the back door.
Ke Mo was forced to stop in his tracks.
Stinking saliva dripped from the black Year Beast’s jagged teeth onto the ground, hissing as it hit the ground and rose in smoke.
Its eyes burned not just with furious resentment but also with thick, greedy desire!
The dark tide around it surged, threatening to engulf Ke Mo’s tiny figure.
Ke Mo clenched his fists, staring defiantly at the beast.
It was so close…
So cold, it had been so long since he felt this cold… This was clearly a dream, but why did it feel so real?
Wait.
Ke Mo realized the chill was coming from his shoulder, carrying a familiar fragrance.
This touch was even more familiar, soft jade and warmth…
He looked up and was met with Cold Fairy’s enchanting aura, her frosty demeanor stunning him.
Not Little Ice Chunk.
It was Cold Fairy.
She looked down at Little Ke:
“Little one… isn’t this adorable?”
……..
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