The other side didn’t even bother to look at the Bagpipe Squad, instead wearing an expression of impatient eagerness—clearly, they didn’t have the Bagpipe Squad or this match on their mind.
Unlike Jing Lie from yesterday, they didn’t care about the Shenzhou Cup and hated these meaningless fights.
In their view, today was just about “coming to chop some meat,” going through the motions, and then returning to their peaceful lives.
But Jiang Ke’er was paying attention to them.
Their appearance was rather bizarre.
A man in a white robe sat on a wheelchair Dharma tool, with a refined and scholarly air, pushed from behind by a burly man.
A burly man who cultivated in a Yang Dragon Vein, and a delicate woman who cultivated in a Yin Dragon Vein.
Finally, a seemingly ordinary agility-type cultivator holding a dagger—though he looked ordinary, Jiang Ke’er didn’t overlook him, because she knew that in the assassination profession, the stronger one was, the better they were at avoiding attention.
Overall, it should be two strength types, two agility types, and one magic cultivator, the same as the Bagpipe Squad’s old lineup.
The strength of such a lineup lay in its stability.
Unless facing extreme formations like five magic cultivators, the rest of the time it came down to testing the strength gap between opposing cultivators.
Once one opposing cultivator had an overwhelming advantage, they could tip the scales of victory.
Of course, this was only a preliminary prediction based on appearances. The actual situation would have to be judged through real combat.
“Hmm… Hello, I am the captain, Seventh Seat, Shi Yue,” the man in the wheelchair spoke politely. “The match hasn’t started yet. You still have time to tuck your tails and run like mice. In a little while, it’ll be too late.”
The man’s attitude was polite, but his words were full of provocation.
“No,” Jiang Ke’er didn’t take the bait to retort, instead saying calmly, “It’ll still be in time to leave after we kill you first.”
“I’m just giving you friendly advice,” Shi Yue said with a half-smile. “Since you appeared, Shenzhou has had a lot more excitement. Countless little monsters have started blindly idolizing you, imitating you, trying to rebel… The Demon Catching Teams haven’t been this full of harvests in a long time. So, I hope you can survive and lead them to continue hopping around.”
“I appreciate your kindness,” Jiang Ke’er raised an eyebrow. “As thanks, I’ll cut you up more deliciously later, so the bacteria and maggots have a more enjoyable time decomposing your corpse… I wonder if bacteria can develop spiritual intelligence. If they can, I look forward to the Tribulation Immortal Hall’s countermeasures.”
Shi Yue’s heart skipped a beat. He subconsciously imagined the situation Jiang Ke’er described and felt a flash of panic.
It wasn’t death he feared, but the possibility of those microorganisms gaining intelligence.
The smaller the creature, the harder it was to deal with.
The last epidemic poison had proven that… If those microorganisms joined the Demon Race’s side, the situation would be unimaginably bad.
Fortunately, it wasn’t that easy.
The smaller the creature, the simpler its body structure, making it harder to support spiritual intelligence…
Otherwise, with the terrifying reproductive ability of microorganisms, the large animals of Shenzhou would have gone extinct long ago.
After thinking it over briefly, Shi Yue relaxed and smiled. “You don’t actually think you can win, do you?”
“Why not?” Jiang Ke’er looked at him sideways.
“Even if you haven’t heard of the strength of a Dao Seat, you must have heard of Grade 8 artifacts,” Shi Yue looked at Jiang Ke’er with pity.
“You have no idea of the class gap between us… Those powerful Grade 8 artifacts you wouldn’t even dare to dream of are the standard equipment for every Dao Seat disciple of the Tribulation Immortal Hall.”
Jiang Ke’er froze, scratching her head. “…Grade 8 artifacts are indeed impressive.”
“Leaving aside the fact that our cultivation base crushes yours, even if you could use some dirty tricks to temporarily catch up to our cultivation, you’d still lose at the artifact stage… Wealth, companions, techniques, and land—the four major elements of cultivation—we have reached the pinnacle in every one. What kind of pipe dream are you demonic talents and mud-legged peasants having?” Shi Yue gave a contemptuous smile.
“Who gave you the courage to stand here? Are you even worthy?”
In the audience stands, the human cultivators erupted, shouting Shi Yue’s name.
That was such a satisfying insult!
“Emmm…” Jiang Ke’er’s expression turned strange.
[The match hasn’t started yet, but the two sides have already sparked intense verbal clashes! Clearly, both sides harbor deep killing intent. This match definitely won’t be peaceful!]
Huang Bozhong’s commentary rang out at the right moment.
[As the captain of Team Deities, leading the team to win many championships, His Highness Shi Yue… He truly has the capital to proudly mock like this. Moreover, any cultivator understands the importance of artifacts. If Team Deities really has a Grade 8 artifact per person as Shi Yue said, then the outcome of this match might have been decided from the very start!]
[If it were a few days ago, if the Demon Race exhausted their entire clan’s strength, sold everything, and went bankrupt to fund the Bagpipe Squad, they might have been able to scrape together one Grade 8 artifact,] his partner Li Ming’s sarcastic voice immediately followed.
[Unfortunately, I’m sure everyone has already heard the news about that ‘Light of the Human Race.’ A grandmaster of terrifyingly immense wealth bought up all the Grade 8 artifacts available on the Shenzhou market just two days ago. Even if the Demon Race were willing to empty their pitiful stockpiles, they couldn’t buy one now…]
[A Grade 8 artifact isn’t just a symbol of wealth, it’s a symbol of status! The Demon Race? Hah, just a bunch of dirt clods who don’t know their place…]
“Ah, indeed,” Jiang Ke’er showed an expression of three parts disappointment, seven parts unwillingness. “The power of a Grade 8 artifact is truly terrifying. The Demon Race has been oppressed for years, finances are tight, we truly can’t come up with the money to buy Grade 8 artifacts. Those are at the level of sect-treasured relics…”
Seeing Jiang Ke’er’s expression, Shi Yue was very satisfied—he actually didn’t like undignified, shrew-like mocking and insults. His original purpose in taunting was to disrupt his opponent’s mental state.
He wasn’t arrogant because of his Dao Seat status.
Even though he firmly believed the strength gap in this fight was so vast no skill could bridge it, and he couldn’t possibly lose… he still didn’t let his guard down and would strive to seize every tiny chance to win.
Taunting and making the opponent unable to stay calm, whether they became angry or despondent, would make his own victory easier.
And clearly, he had successfully found their sore spot. Using Grade 8 artifacts as an attack, he successfully made them aware of the gap and filled them with fear!
Watching the Bagpipe Squad’s unwilling, disappointed appearance, Shi Yue pressed his advantage. “Surrender. Why keep struggling?”
“No!” Jiang Ke’er’s gaze suddenly turned resolute, assuming a heroic, righteous, and glorious aura, as if ready to die a martyr’s death.
She gently wiped the corner of her eye and declared sternly, “Even without Grade 8 artifacts, even if the chance of victory is slim, we will fight to the death! You don’t understand. This is the integrity of the Demon Race!”