Chapter 126: The White Jade Fragment

In the depths of Blue Stone Valley.

A black-scaled giant python, over ten zhang in length, lashed out with a tail thicker than a tree trunk, sending several cultivators who dared approach it flying. It then slithered with agility, moving to coil around the demon cultivator known as Silver Wolf.

"This black-scaled python possesses a formidable aura and violent demonic energy; it is likely on the verge of advancing to a third-tier beast. The Black-White Eagles truly have some skill to be able to command such a beast."

Hidden in the shadows afar, Jiang Min suppressed her presence to the absolute limit, observing the strength of both sides.

"Silver Wolf’s advantage lies in agility, not brute strength. I fear he will find it difficult to contend with this python, especially with the other Twin Eagle Alliance members interfering."

The tactics of the Twin Eagle Alliance were quite intriguing. The leaders, the Black-White Eagles, were responsible for controlling the beasts and engaging the opponents head-on. The remaining twenty or so cultivators kept the members of the Silver Wolf Gang completely surrounded, locking them in a military-style formation. They constantly unleashed various methods—magic treasures, spells, blades, and swords—pinpricking the cultivators in the valley and inflicting numerous wounds.

The terrain of Blue Stone Valley, surrounded by mountains on three sides, gave the Twin Eagle Alliance an absolute advantage. Conversely, the dozens of Silver Wolf Gang cultivators were in a state of utter disarray in the open valley floor. Seeing them rely on Daoist talismans, flying shuttles, chains, and hooks, Jiang Min deduced that the Silver Wolf Gang was adept at maneuvering and ambushing in complex terrain; the open ground was entirely disadvantageous to them.

"I wonder how the Black-White Eagles lured the Silver Wolf Gang here. They must still have reserves, while the Silver Wolf Gang seems unlikely to turn the tide."

Jiang Min reckoned that if she did not use her Peach Demon abilities and lacked the Heart-Protecting Mirror, she would also struggle to handle such an encirclement. Her Sword Intent was powerful, but it had its limits; it could not reach the level of holding off ten thousand men single-handedly—unless she could achieve the Sword Shadow realm. But one must eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time. The Sword Shadow realm was still far off.

In the air, the White-Clad Black Eagle, perched upon his giant hawk, looked down coldly at Silver Wolf’s struggle. "Silver Wolf, you certainly have some ability, but that is all."

He let go. Two white mists flew from his sleeves, landing on the valley floor. As the mists dispersed, two massive tigers slowly emerged, opening their terrifying, blood-red maws to roar at Silver Wolf and his companions.

"Roar!"

The Silver Wolf Gang was alarmed. "Two more peak second-tier beasts!"

Aside from Silver Wolf himself, most of the gang members were at the Great Perfection of the Foundation Establishment stage. Typically, they would need several people to unite just to barely fend off a single peak second-tier beast, let alone face three such creatures while dozens of cultivators pelted them with spells. Worst of all, this was not the extent of the beasts commanded by the Black-White Eagles.

"Brother Wolf, we shouldn't have chased that person here; it was clearly a trap! Let's retreat!"

"Brother Wolf, we can't hold on much longer!"

Anxiety spread among the Silver Wolf Gang. Silver Wolf’s back hunched, wolf fur sprouted across his body, and his eyes transformed into vertical pupils. He leapt to dodge the python’s sweeping tail. Just as he was about to speak, the Black-Clad White Eagle in the air let out a mocking laugh.

"Silver Wolf, of all the paths you could have cultivated, you chose to become a half-human, half-beast demon cultivator. Look at the fate of such beasts; wolf demons like you are meant to be mounts! Ha ha..."

Cultivators who reached this level were seasoned veterans who could control their emotions. The White Eagle's taunts were not merely for sport but were intended to provoke Silver Wolf and prevent his retreat. However, Silver Wolf was a clear-headed man; he was not enraged, and instead shouted, "Retreat!"

The Silver Wolf Gang members were all skilled in mobile combat; if they dragged this out, their disadvantage would only grow.

"You want to leave?" the Black Eagle said coldly. "Leave your tokens behind first!"

He waved his hand, and the two giant tigers leaped to block the only exit of the valley. Following closely, the python driven by the White Eagle caught up. To escape, the Silver Wolf Gang had no choice but to take down these beasts.

In the distance, Jiang Min shook her head. "Hard to escape."

The moment the Silver Wolf Gang stepped into Blue Stone Valley, their defeat was sealed. Sure enough, under the joint assault of the beasts and the Twin Eagle Alliance, Silver Wolf was first entangled by the python, and then his followers were defeated one by one. Even those willing to surrender their tokens or join the Alliance did not escape death.

When Silver Wolf was crushed to death by the python, the White Eagle laughed heartily and clapped his hands. "I've been wanting to deal with this guy for a long time. Finally, I caught him and lured him out. Let's go! Divide the loot!"

The two giant hawks descended from the sky. From beginning to end, the Black-White Eagles had only deployed their beasts and had not yet lifted a finger themselves. It was the rule of the Twin Eagle Alliance to settle accounts and divide the spoils on the spot. The tokens and spirit stones were split sixty-forty between the leaders and the twenty members, while all other treasures went to the Black-White Eagles. This distribution, heavily favoring the leaders, was harsher than most other factions, but because the Alliance was backed by powerful cultivators, people begged to join rather than the other way around. Even with the unfair split, many flocked to join before the start of the Villain's War. After all, for most cultivators, surviving with a token was the only thing that mattered.

All the storage bags of the Silver Wolf Gang were gathered in one place. The cold-faced Black Eagle walked over and, under the watchful eyes of all, opened them one by one.

In the distance, Jiang Min shook her head with regret. "It seems there is no chance to scavenge. The Twin Eagle Alliance is too strong; if I faced them directly, I wouldn't have the confidence to handle their combined strength."

She turned to leave.

Hum!

Suddenly, her palm vibrated slightly. It was the Immortal Statue hidden within her palm. Usually, it had no reaction, but at this moment, something seemed to resonate with it, awakening it.

"Hmm?"

Jiang Min paused. Sensing a pull, she looked toward the direction of the Twin Eagle Alliance in the valley. She saw the Black Eagle, while clearing out Silver Wolf's storage bag, pull out a fragment of white jade from an exquisite brocade box and ask in confusion, "What is this?"

The jade fragment was incomplete, devoid of any carvings or decorations. It looked plain, but since Silver Wolf had carefully stored it in a brocade box, it had to be extremely precious. The White Eagle glanced at it; the fragment had no spiritual fluctuations or restrictions—it was just an ordinary piece of jade. He said dismissively, "Probably some memento. It's useless."

Finding no answers, the Black Eagle agreed and placed the jade fragment back into the box, tossing it casually into a storage bag. The moment he put the box away, the strange sensation in Jiang Min’s palm vanished.

Seeing this, Jiang Min was certain that the jade fragment was likely related to the Immortal Statue in her palm. If they were connected, it could very well be a legacy or a clue to the Immortal Path!

"I originally wanted to avoid the Twin Eagle Alliance and go find other gangs to seize tokens," she stared intently into the distance, her black eyes narrowing. "But now, I have no choice but to act."