CHAPTER 631: CHAPTER 630: WHO TO ELIMINATE? WHO TO KEEP?

"Can we only take three?"

The other six Fox Demons finally sensed the crisis—out of seven, only three can be chosen. How can they ensure they get a spot?

Hu Zhili grew more anxious and tense. His son was still hiding in the secret passage, and the medicine pills that could conceal one’s aura were in Hu Jun’s hands. The situation wasn’t looking good for him!

If he risked using the curse technique to find the coordinates of the Otherworld and grab the right to use the Magical Treasure Immortal Shuttle, he would have the power to take his beloved youngest son along. But what’s the success rate?

Quickly calculating the lifespan he’s already lost, the Blood Curse could reclaim at least four to five hundred years, enough to counter this expenditure. The problem is whether he could control the Immortal Shuttle or not.

What if the Magical Treasure already has a soul contract with the Void Hunter, making it unusable by anyone else? If he uses the curse technique, it might ruin his last chance of survival...

"If I give up on Zhixun, what are my chances of safely getting a seat?" The hope of reaching a beautiful new world alive was tempting him, and he was even having thoughts of abandoning his most beloved youngest son.

Hu Zhile added fuel to the fire, saying, "You all do know about the horrors of the Ghost Realm, don’t you? When you first set foot on this land, you found those anomalies; they were formed in the Ghost Realm!

It is the most terrifying and mysterious place. Even a Daluo Golden Immortal might not know what’s truly inside the Ghost Realm.

If you’re sucked in, nine out of ten will vanish without a trace; only two or three out of ten may come out. All living beings either become anomalies or turn into grotesque fusion creatures.

My master and I have seen many unfortunate cultivators. After coming out of the Ghost Realm, they fused with houses and objects, neither human nor ghost, unable to live or die."

They were starving yet unable to eat; with just half their face left on the wall, even if given food, chewing on the wall wouldn’t help them swallow it. Tsk tsk tsk, how pitiful!"

"Then, what happened next?" Even Hu Jun, who had seen much of the world, living in a small world with limited cultivators, had never heard of such bizarre scenarios.

Thinking about a body fused with the wall, unable to move or eat, yet conscious, sent a chill down his spine.

At the same time, he felt a bit fortunate. Thankfully, last time human cultivators joined forces to fend off disaster. Now it seemed, becoming an anomaly wasn’t too bad; it was certainly better than fusing with other objects!

"And then? What else could be done? No one could kill them, even if the fused walls or houses were destroyed, it only made them cry out in pain, unable to get relief.

With no solution, they were left on the ruins of that world, crying day and night as they drifted away. Out of sight, out of mind." Hu Zhile sighed, "Looking on the bright side, at least they achieved the ultimate dream of cultivators—immortality.

Immortal and indestructible, albeit with some suffering. Maybe, drifting for a few more decades or centuries, with some luck in encountering the Ghost Realm again, getting swallowed and disappearing completely would perhaps be relief."

Hu Jun forced a weak smile and said fearfully, "Such immortality, better not to have. When do you two plan to leave? With only three spots..."

He turned his head and cast a hard glance at the remaining six clan members, signaling them not to ruin things by fighting for spots.

"Firstly, my master needs to rest for a moment; slaying anomalies is no easy task." She counted on her fingers with a playful expression, "Secondly, the land remnants are just starting to speed up, so we still have a day or two to escape. We have to dig as many Spirit Stones as possible; we can’t leave empty-handed.

If this place truly falls into the Ghost Realm or drifts too fast to locate and search again, we’ll suffer a huge loss!"

Jiang Yuan remained silent, leisurely sipping Spirit Tea from a Gilded Jade Cup to replenish his Physical Strength Bar.

The rich aroma of top-grade Spirit Tea wafted from the cup. The more calmly he drank, the more anxious Hu Jun and the others became.

The only good news was there was still a day or two left, and Hu Da’an should be able to make more medicine pills, but they’d still need to be divided among three people, which made Hu Jun feel a bit pained.

For a moment, he felt the urge to send the others away and leave alone with all the pills. But then he remembered the dangers of the Otherworld and thought of bringing two pawns as meat shields at crucial moments.

Time is tight, and the chance of survival is within reach yet conflicted; he was at a loss, bowed, and took his leave, saying, "Fellow cultivator, please feel free to rest in this hall. We won’t disturb you for now.

Taking only three people and not being able to return is unexpected. It’s a significant matter, and I need to discuss with my clan how to allocate the three spots. I apologize for any lack of hospitality."

Jiang Yuan waved them off and then invited his contracted pet to drink tea with him.

"I wonder how long it will take for those human anomalies to find the secret passage entrance. Hopefully, they start fighting soon," Hu Zhile sipped the fragrant Spirit Tea, lowered his voice, and said, "Thank you, Venerable Family, for your support. With life and death crises so close and limited numbers, it’s similar to before. Let’s see how they tear each other apart."

"I feel like we’ll miss the exciting scenes." He stretched his neck to look out of the half-open window, "They’ll fight privately. Do you think they might kill two or three over a disagreement?"

"They have to kill four; we only gave them three spots. But, Venerable Family, be on guard against them getting desperate, especially against falling victim to any sudden curses."

"Don’t worry, it won’t happen." Jiang Yuan glanced at the hanging task, thinking that although curses are formidable and hard to guard against, with the system in hand, these dark tricks can always be countered on the spot.

Hu Jun and his six companions hurriedly left the West Great Hall, dodging the intense discomfort enveloping their bodies from the light, and slipped into a dark side room of the main hall. As soon as the door closed, he spoke in a deep voice, "How do you want to allocate the other two slots?"

Six options for two slots, clever old fellow, considers himself directly.

The Fox Demons’ eyes flickered, each wanting a share, regardless of who might perish. After all, all the Medicine Pills were still in Hu Jun’s hands, so feigning submission was necessary until they had full assurance.

"Elder Nine, I was the first to support your plan and stand up to express my trust," Hu Zhili said somberly, "Taking one slot isn’t asking too much, is it?"

Think it over, the Void Hunter has formidable skills, and his Otherworld surely contains many cultivators as powerful as him. When the time comes, you will need people."

"Zhili brother, are you willing to leave your precious son? Surely he is still waiting for his father to return to find him, think about what fate Hu Zhixun would face if you left him behind to go on your own."

"That is the last of your bloodline, now transformed into something eerie, and our noble Snow Mountain Fox Race has been extinguished. You won’t find pure blood like your dear wife’s to birth such a lovely child again."

"Yes, yes, instead of scrambling for the few slots, why not stay to safeguard your precious son? The Void Hunter never said he couldn’t come again; he’s excavating the Spirit Stone Mine. You and Hu Zhixun can secure two of the three slots next time; wouldn’t that be better?"

........

When there is an obvious target within a group that can be attacked, everyone may band together to attack for their benefit, thus reducing the competition.

Once one is eliminated, they look for another attackable target to continue the group attack; apart from the unlucky one chosen, all others instinctively cling tightly to ensure their interests remain unharmed.

"Elder Nine, it’s not right to say that," Hu Zhili sensed discord and cast a sinister look at the others, his narrow eyes narrowing slightly.

The Fox Demons instantly felt their hair stand on end, unconsciously stepping back a few paces.

This young man had kept his talent hidden; back in the Snow Mountain Fox Race, no one knew Hu Zhili secretly practiced Curse Technique. Only when he cursed the strong-willed girl pointing and cursing constantly upon stepping onto the continent did the secret reveal a glimpse.

Latterly, the Sect Leader of the fierce sect who killed his wife and daughter died unexpectedly, rumored to be due to his curse.

The Fox Demons secretly guarded themselves even more, after all, Curse Technique does not reveal itself, who knew when he might curse from behind? If targeted and killed by a curse, others couldn’t wait to celebrate.

"Isn’t this what we are discussing? Why be anxious? We still have a day or two to decide, stop fighting among ourselves!" Hu Jun lamented, realizing he had to eliminate a few undoubtedly; the temptation of a stable new world was too great, no one could easily give up.

Who to eliminate? Who to keep?

Once the list is decided, executing it need not be worried; the problem was the two tribesmen he had to take needed to be exceptionally capable!

Also, should Hu Da’an be given a spot?

Though not an Alchemist, he had self-taught pharmacology, creating Medicine Pills to mask strange auras in such a harsh environment. Truly talented, taking him to the new world could greatly aid in establishing a foothold.

Yet, Hu Da’an’s lack of combat skills meant he would be a burden when action was needed.

What about Hu Zhili?

He slyly glanced at Hu Zhili, harboring admiration, disdain, and concerns about this man.

Admiration for his high realm and formidable skills, else he wouldn’t have drifted through void chaos for years protecting his useless son.

Disdain felt Hu Zhili had no discernment, preferring incompetent offspring despite having many talented children, ruining a promising hand.

Concerns were simpler—he could curse foes whenever needed, naturally capable of using Curse Technique against oneself; carrying him along, any discord could spell danger.

"Elder Nine, what should we do now?"

"Just wait?"

"How should the secret path be handled? Surely we can’t let them know about the three slots," said one sharply, eyes wary turning to Hu Zhili, coldly adding, "Your precious son is in the secret path, imagine if you selfishly leak this..."

Other Fox Demons upon hearing this grew fierce, eager to eliminate one to ease competition.

Immediately, chills ran down his spine, as Hu Zhili’s gaze turned sharp as well.

If he engaged directly, he was surely no match for them; risking lifespan and cursing them might grant him a chance to take his precious son Zhixun to the new world along.