Chapter 94: If you choose death, I’ll stuff these Fire Spirit talismans up your rear end

Alexander chuckled softly, "So, have you considered surrendering?"

CharmingPrince collapsed on the ground, trembling, his eyes flickering uncertainly. Should he really surrender?

But even in surrender, there’d be no good ending! The power this man wielded was terrifying! Moreover, he had killed his own comrades. How could he face his fallen disciples if he surrendered now?

Was there no other choice but to use that one particular move? A precious talisman that cost ten million dollars apiece... He’d never used it before, but given its price tag, its power must be substantial.

Alexander had deployed powerful techniques and likely hadn’t had a chance to recharge. Perhaps his spiritual energy was depleted. If that were the case, even if he couldn’t kill Alexander, injuring him would be a victory.

CharmingPrince’s head dropped, and he let out a sinister, bone-chilling laugh. His whole body began to tremble violently, and slowly, he rose to his feet. "Do you think I would surrender?"

Alexander was taken aback. What was this?

"System, check his spiritual energy level immediately," Alexander commanded warily.

[Ding! Scanning complete. Target’s spiritual energy is at 1%; no lethal threat to host.]

Alexander was puzzled. With no capability to resist, why was the man so defiant? Did he have a horrifying ace up his sleeve?

Slowly lifting his head, CharmingPrince’s eyes turned blood-red. Through gritted teeth, he said, "I didn’t want to use this, but don’t force my hand!"

Alexander paused, asking, "What is it, a divine artifact?"

A raspy laugh emerged from CharmingPrince’s throat as he clenched his fists, whispering, "This is the only card I have left to play! I believe I can land a fatal blow on you!"

Alexander sensed the surge in the man’s aura. Was this the final desperate struggle of a cornered beast?

Having lived for 90 years, Alexander’s wealth of life experience told him that the last resort was often the most terrifying move. The air around them grew tense, suffocating in its heaviness.

Silence hung like a dense fog, as if even the clouds above had frozen in the tension of the moment.

Suddenly, CharmingPrince threw his head back and roared, his energy erupting in a blaze. "Alexander! Take this!"

Alexander narrowed his eyes, alert, "Here it comes!"

In the next instant, Alexander saw talismans—Fire Spirit talismans, to be precise—fly out of CharmingPrince’s pockets and whirl around him.

Five of them!

Alexander’s face tightened."This..."

CharmingPrince’s eyes were bloodshot as he thrust out his hand, the five Fire Spirit talismans revolving around his arm. Snarling, he said, "I’ve never used these talismans before; you forced this on me! Now, let us perish to—"

"Perish your fucking ass!" Alexander couldn’t help but curse.

Using the power of water elements, Alexander conjured an ice sphere and hurled it through the air. It struck CharmingPrince squarely on the forehead.

Thud!

CharmingPrince fell to the ground.

With a resigned sigh, Alexander said, "I was all geared up for some incredible ultimate move or trump card, and this is what you show me?"

In a flash, Alexander appeared in front of CharmingPrince, grabbing him by the collar and glaring into his eyes. "Are you messing with me?"

Swallowing hard, CharmingPrince trembled, "These are Fire Spirit talismans, worth ten million dollars each. They’re incredibly powerful; if they were to explode—"

Alexander cut him off, "Have you ever used them before?"

CharmingPrince shivered, "No, but they’re ten million each. They have to be powerful."

Just then, Alexander reached into his coat and pulled out a kilogram of Fire Spirit talismans, setting them down before him with a clatter.

CharmingPrince exclaimed, "Holy shit!"

Still gripping his collar, Alexander glared, "You mean these?"

Stunned, CharmingPrince stared at the kilogram of Fire Spirit talismans, trembling, "Well, mine are—"

With a clattering noise, Alexander pulled out another kilogram of Fire Spirit talismans.

CharmingPrince screamed, "Oh my god!"

Glaring, Alexander said, "Do you think these could kill me?"

Stunned, CharmingPrince responded, "No, they can’t..."

Alexander once again reached into his coat, pulling out another kilogram of talismans and setting them down with a clatter.

CharmingPrince’s body involuntarily shivered, stammering, "I, I..."

Glaring, Alexander demanded, "Then why did you use these as your trump card?"

On the verge of tears, CharmingPrince was flabbergasted. How could Alexander have so many Fire Spirit talismans?

Weren’t these supposed to be worth ten million dollars each, a treasured rarity? Yet here was Alexander, pulling them out by the kilogram!

Alexander wore a stern face. "What a waste of my emotions. I thought you’d bring out something epic like the Infinity Gauntlet or Mjölnir. And you’re fooling me with this tissue paper?"

Tissue paper? CharmingPrince felt utterly crestfallen. Was his prized possession just "tissue paper" to Alexander?

"Last chance," Alexander intoned ominously. "Surrender or die. If you choose death, I’ll stuff these Fire Spirit talismans up your rear end and light them up."

CharmingPrince gulped, trembling, "I...I surrender."

"You won’t put up any resistance?" Alexander inquired.

"N-no," CharmingPrince hastily shook his head.

"Good boy," Alexander’s eyes narrowed in satisfaction.

He then began applying Fire Spirit talismans one by one on CharmingPrince, who looked on in horror.

"What are you doing?" CharmingPrince stammered.

"Just some insurance. If you think of escaping, I’ll detonate these talismans on you," Alexander explained.

"Could you maybe not stuff them up my rear end? I’m scared," CharmingPrince pleaded tearfully.

"If you behave, I won’t. But if you don’t, every orifice on your body will be filled!" Alexander threatened.

"I’ll behave, I promise! Whatever you ask, I’ll do," CharmingPrince hurriedly assured him.

Minutes later, after CharmingPrince was fully adorned with talismans, Alexander stood up, clapped his hands, and looked at the mummy-wrapped, pitiful CharmingPrince.

"Neutralize the poison for my friends, and I’ll spare your life for now."

Soon, a trembling CharmingPrince handed over the antidote to the poisonous fog—a special mixture that, when activated with spiritual power, could disperse into a dense mist.

Minutes later, Alexander looked at soldiers rising dazedly amidst the dissipating fog and smiled. "Good. They should be fully recovered soon."

At that moment, a system notification echoed in Alexander’s ear.

[Ding! Congratulations! You have received system rewards: Flying Swords x100, Lightning Talismans x100, ’Secrets of Invisibility’ x1].

Alexander’s eyes lit up. It seemed he had completed the three tasks assigned by the system.

Flying Swords were conventional weapons manipulated by spiritual energy, while Lightning Talismans were a higher level of talismans than Fire Spirit talismans, with even more staggering power. But what intrigued Alexander the most was the manual.

"Secrets of Invisibility? System, care to explain?" Alexander rubbed his chin.

"Secrets of Invisibility is a beginner-level manual. Once learned, you can easily mask your aura. As you advance, even opponents stronger than you won’t be able to gauge your true level," the system informed. "Most importantly, you can obscure your opponent’s vision!"

Alexander paused, then exclaimed joyfully, "So, you’re saying I could become invisible?"

"Theoretically, yes!" confirmed the system.

In Alexander’s mind, a cascade of scenarios unfolded where he could use ’Secrets of Invisibility’. As he internally deemed the technique an ultimate game-changer.

...

Meanwhile, deep within the sprawling Amazon forest, under a full moon.

Atop the tallest tree stood a young girl in a light blue dress. Her toes touched a leaf, swaying gently with the wind. Her long hair flowed freely.

A melodious flute melody weaved through the dark night, enveloping the forest. Hearing the music, all the lurking beasts in the forest raised their heads, migrating towards the sound.

Beneath the tree, a woman who had previously been observing Alexander and his group at the airport knelt on one knee. From under her long cloak, her shapely figure was barely visible.

Her name was Ayu, a member of the Order of the Wandering Oracles.

As the young girl took her lips off the flute, the sound abruptly ceased. All the beasts in the forest stopped their migration.

"What’s the matter?" the young girl named Dalina asked softly, her voice melodious.

Ayu looked up, her eyes flashing a momentary respect before turning towards the distance, filled with concern. "Great Elder, did you hear the explosion just now?"

Beneath the moonlit sky, Dalina looked up and gently parted her lips, "Someone detonated a large number of Fire Spirit talismans. By my estimate, at least ten thousand."

Ayu’s eyes widened in disbelief, "Ten thousand Fire Spirit talismans? That’s absurd!"

In this era of scarce spiritual energy, who could possess so many talismans?

Yet, she would not question Dalina, who was not one to jest; her abilities and demeanor were terrifying enough to chill anyone to the bone.

"Our time is running out," Dalina said calmly. "Adding the owner of today’s Fire Spirit talismans, there are now five highly troublesome entities in the Amazon. You must stop them at all costs before they find the Illusory Netherworld."

Ayu immediately responded, "Yes! I will do my utmost to ensure they do not approach the Illusory Netherworld."

Dalina raised her gaze towards the direction of the firelight, "These are the last batch of beasts to escape from the Illusory Netherworld. Once we gather them, we will have enough blood from a hundred thousand beasts. With that, we can activate the Fierce Spirit Formation, and our great endeavor can be completed."

Dalina gently waved her sleeve, and a pouch adorned with dragon motifs and a rustic yardstick floated down into Ayu’s hands.

Ayu hesitated, asking, "What is this?"

Dalina calmly replied, "This is a highly precious artifact. The Dragon-marked Bag can help you capture any cultivators who trespass here. Once they’re sealed inside, they will dissolve into a bloody liquid within 15 minutes. However, this artifact isn’t for you. Pass it on to Elder Kasa."

"As for this yardstick, once activated, it will weigh a thousand tons and can instantly shatter rocks. Keep it for your own battles."

Ayu’s face lit up as she clasped her fists, "Yes! Thank you, Elder Dalina!"

Dalina closed her eyes, saying no more. She gently picked up the flute, and the melodious notes once again filled the air.

The beasts resumed their migration.

Meanwhile, inside the hotel,

When the High Priest, Robert, and the others saw that the forest outside had turned into a wasteland of ruin, everyone was stunned. The entire forest was ablaze, with large numbers of soldiers fighting the fire to prevent it from spreading further.

The High Priest turned his head and looked at Alexander, puzzled. "Are you saying that this man drugged us while we were resting and set fire to the forest?"

Alexander nodded, his eyes sternly fixed on CharmingPrince, who was bound to a railing, wrapped like a mummy. "Exactly! These scoundrels will stop at nothing to kill us."

Mouth sealed, CharmingPrince’s eyes widened as he made muffled noises. ’I didn’t! I didn’t set fire to the forest!’

Nearly in tears, he thought, ’You can’t just pin any crime on me! You were the one who burned the forest!’

Alexander sat in his chair, nonchalantly clutching his chest, then began to cough forcefully.

"Alexander, are you alright?" Louis hastily asked.

Alexander sighed, "Not really. This guy is formidable. He’s left me severely injured, even causing some internal bleeding. If it weren’t for my resourcefulness in draining his spiritual power, we would all be dead by now."

Frustrated, CharmingPrince made more muffled noises.

Louis frowned and quickly turned to shout, "Quick! Summon the best local doctor..."

Alexander shook his head, "No need. I’ll heal over time. But being able to serve and protect everyone fills me with genuine honor. For all of you, even my life is expendable."

Laura thought to herself, ’Darling, you’re such a drama king. With your acting skills, you could be Hollywood’s best leading man.’

The eyes of those around Alexander instantly filled with respect, particularly the soldiers, who looked at him with excitement and adoration. Is this the unique charisma of Alexander? He’s truly an exemplar of fearlessness, and that’s so great!

The High Priest’s eyes misted over, "Alexander, I knew I wasn’t wrong about you!"

Robert also choked up, lowering his head to say, "Thank you, Alexander!"

The Ava triplets also shifted their gaze towards Alexander, no longer as cold as before. ’Though he’s a bit of a flirt, he’s definitely reliable when it matters.’

Still clutching his chest, Alexander coughed and added, "Of course, I’m not one to seek fame or fortune. I’m just a bit sore all over right now. If some beauties could give me a massage, that would be wonderful."

"And one person might not be enough, I think it’s best if three people do it; that way I’ll recover faster," Alexander further noted.

Ava: "..."