C33 Gate of Life

Qiao Mao was intimately familiar with the aura of the Nether Clan. In his past life, he had spent his entire existence locked in combat with them, enduring numerous bloody battles, driving out legions of Nether Clan troops, and slaying a multitude of their strongest warriors.

This was why the Nether Clan harbored a deep-seated hatred for Qiao Mao, yet they also feared him greatly. He was even bestowed the title Feather Devil Imperial Sovereign by the Nether Clan themselves.

To the Nether Clan, Qiao Mao was the epitome of a demon, a nightmarish figure of unspeakable terror. Merely hearing the name Feather Devil Imperial Sovereign was enough to send shivers down the spines of the weaker Nether Clan People.

"The Nether Clan, what is this race?"

This question echoed in the minds of all present, as they had never encountered the Nether Clan before and knew nothing about them. Puzzlement creased their brows.

Upon witnessing the emergence of black fog and the eerie face concealed within it, everyone was struck by an ominous sensation that left them deeply unsettled.

At that moment, the two Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven Martial Dao Great Masters before Qiao Shen exhibited the same phenomenon. They were enveloped in a black aura that birthed a face of horror.

"I no longer need to conceal myself." The two Nether Clan experts burst into wild laughter as they revealed themselves. Inhabiting human bodies had been a source of great discomfort for them, and they reveled in the liberation from their corporeal confines.

Many guards had already fallen to Qiao Mao and Qiao Shen, and the survivors hastily retreated, their expressions etched with terror. Clearly, they were petrified by the emergence of this unknown entity.

Qiao Shen's brow was furrowed as he distanced himself from the two Nether Clan Martial Artists, his hands aglow with Spiritual Energy, poised for any threat.

Unlike the other guards, Qiao Shen was not afraid, but his concern was evident. He recognized Qiao Mao's heightened vigilance towards the Nether Clan.

"Has Mao encountered the Nether Clan before?" Qiao Shen pondered. Yet, to his knowledge, Qiao Mao had never ventured beyond Martial Sun City.

Furthermore, Qiao Mao had previously been weaker, struggling to advance his cultivation. It was only recently that he had experienced a significant surge in power, a development that puzzled Qiao Shen.

"Mao," Qiao Shen said, turning his gaze to Qiao Mao. He seemed to be searching for answers in Qiao Mao's expression, but ultimately, he remained silent.

Qiao Mao's expression was somber. He harbored a deep-seated blood feud with the Nether Clan from his past life, yet the time for vengeance had not yet arrived. As far as Qiao Mao was aware, the Nether Clan's invasion in his past life was supposed to occur six months later, and not in Martial Sun City. Now, everything was different.

What troubled Qiao Mao the most was the alliance between the Nether Clan People and the Qiao family people. Had the Qiao family secretly pledged loyalty to the Nether Clan? If so, this spelled trouble. Despite being ousted by his own clan, he shared the same bloodline. The thought of slaughtering his entire clan was unthinkable.

"No, there's definitely more to it," Qiao Mao quickly dismissed his initial suspicion, sensing that something was off.

Yet, two facts were crystal clear to him. The fall of the Qiao family in Martial Sun City in his previous life was undoubtedly the work of the Nether Clan. Moreover, the Main Family was likely harboring numerous Nether Clan experts, mirroring the situation in Martial Sun City.

Realizing this, Qiao Mao was consumed by rage. His desire for retribution flared, fueled by the knowledge that the Nether Clan was the root cause of his troubles in both lives.

"If that's the case, then you can all go to hell," Qiao Mao declared, lifting his head to fix a piercing glare on the phantom silhouette of the stranger. His eyes blazed with a fearsome killing intent.

In that instant, Qiao Mao's aura surged, more formidable than that of an ordinary Martial Dao Great Master, nearly reaching the Mortality Transcending Level Eight Heaven.

The stranger's illusory figure atop his head showed a flicker of surprise. "To exhibit such potential at a time like this... Your talent is commendable. But today, you will meet your end."

"We'll see about that. And let's not forget, I have quite a few scores to settle with you," Qiao Mao retorted with a cold smirk.

In both his past and present lives, Qiao Mao harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Nether Clan. Eliminating these three Nether Clan Martial Artists was merely the initial step in his quest for vengeance.

"You're nothing but rubbish, and you think you can kill us?" jeered a Nether Clan Martial Artist. Once the Nether Clan Martial Artists unleashed their full power, their combat abilities would significantly increase. Thus, he was supremely confident in his ability to defeat Qiao Mao and his companions.

"Killing you is as effortless as slaughtering a dog," Qiao Mao retorted icily. Clutching the Profound Iron Bow, he launched a Spiritual Energy Arrow at the Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven Nether Clan Martial Artist.

In that strike, Qiao Mao invoked the Army Breaking Archery and subtly employed the Ten-direction Prison Suppressing Technique. The arrow struck the Nether Clan Martial Artist in an instant.

The Nether Clan Martial Artist's phantom-like form burst into black fog and exploded. Shortly thereafter, his voice echoed once more: "You can't kill me. No one in all of Martial Sun City can."

Yet, in that instant, a cold smirk crossed Qiao Mao's face. He surged forward, a droplet of Blood Essence materializing on his right hand. He aimed at the black fog and bellowed, "Blood Killing!"

"How did you discover my weakness?" the Nether Clan Martial Artist shrieked as the reassembling black fog was utterly obliterated, vanishing completely.

"How could you possibly know the Nether Clan's vulnerabilities and the methods to counter us?" the stranger inquired in a raspy voice, his face atop the void growing increasingly sinister.

He was profoundly shaken by the turn of events. Qiao Mao's combat prowess was formidable, and he could repeatedly execute martial skills. Crucially, he was privy to the Nether Clan's weaknesses and the techniques to suppress them. Should he survive, the Nether Clan would face an unending threat.

"The Nether Clan has exactly nine thousand weaknesses, all of which I'm aware of, not to mention the methods to subdue you. To handle low-ranking Nether Clan members like you, Blood Killing is more than sufficient," Qiao Mao declared with a chuckle. He had spent his previous life locked in conflict with the Nether Clan, ultimately falling at their hands. His knowledge of the Nether Clan was extensive.

Indeed, within the vast confines of Martial Sun City and the broader Fire Crow Empire, he was the foremost authority on the Nether Clan.

The stranger was utterly astonished. It was no secret that the Nether Clan possessed nine thousand vulnerabilities, yet Qiao Mao was aware of each one. Blood Killing was the typical tactic employed against lower-ranking members of the Nether Clan, but few humans were privy to this knowledge, and even fewer understood the more intricate techniques.

At a mere fifteen years of age, how could Qiao Mao possess such extensive knowledge? The man, a member of the Nether Clan himself, couldn't help but feel that Qiao Mao had a deeper understanding of the Nether Clan than he did.