Chapter 69: Showdown.
Just as a cloud of gloom settled over the crowd, fretting about the negotiation outcomes…
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two wildly different “meteors” plummeted from the sky, crashing at opposite ends of the clearing outside town, instantly drawing every eye.
A closer look revealed the two dog bosses from Nether Ancient Town, nearly tearing up the streets with their performance art!
The machete-backed yellow dog landed steadily on all fours, dust undisturbed, its face radiating a “I’m badass, don’t mess with me” vibe. The oversized blade on its back glinted coldly in the sunlight.
On the other side, the long-legged, black-stockinged, yellow-skirted husky… landed true to husky form. Its spindly legs wobbled, nearly face-planting, but it quickly straightened, puffing out its chest to maintain a “this汪is super cool” stance. The crooked skirt and nearly-snapped stockings betrayed its inner panic—or just classic husky chaos.
“Huh? Aren’t those Otherkin bosses? They… don’t seem to get along?” The onlookers whispered, sensing this drama was getting juicy.
With the arrival of these heavyweight “dog stars,” it was like flipping a switch. From the shadows, familiar and unfamiliar figures emerged like ghosts.
“Look! That’s Snow Venerable!” A sharp-eyed cultivator pointed at a man in a snowy white robe, his face shrouded in the shadow of a hood.
A loudmouth, unafraid of trouble, chimed in with gossip: “Pfft! Snow Venerable? Used to strut around as ‘Snow Sword Immortal.’ Got humbled by some big shot who couldn’t stand his swagger—beaten to a pulp, Dao heart nearly shattered. Slunk back to ‘Snow Venerable’ after that!”
The voice was just loud enough for the crowd to hear, sparking stifled, knowing chuckles. But when eyes searched for the source, all they saw were serious faces—no culprit.
Only those with grudges against Snow Venerable would dare mock him, and they weren’t about to let a bunch of rogue cultivators spot them.
Laugh out loud in front of a big shot? Good luck. One of their lackeys’ lackeys might make you regret it.
Following Snow Venerable, a colossal Otherkin figure appeared—a twenty-meter-tall armored giant, encased in dark gold armor etched with arcane patterns, its race a mystery. Each step made the ground groan, its presence terrifying.
Buzz! The giant spoke, its voice like a thousand broken bells, rattling eardrums. “Snow kid, long time no see! Dropped the ‘Snow Sword Immortal’ title? Not worthy anymore?” It jabbed at his sore spot with relish.
Snow Venerable’s shadowed hood flickered, but his voice stayed calm. “Outskilled, I concede.” He seemed gracious, taking it in stride.
“Hmph! At least you know your place!” The giant’s buzzing laugh rolled like thunder. “‘Immortal’? You? Even your Jiang Clan’s founder, an imperial titan, wouldn’t dare claim that…”
Clang!
A piercing sword hum cut it off. Snow Venerable’s snow-white blade, radiating icy chill, unsheathed in a flash. Within a hundred meters, the temperature plunged, and snowflakes began to fall.
“Ho! Touchy, eh?” The giant didn’t flinch. Its armor plates glowed earthy yellow, like a waking mountain, exuding crushing pressure. “Truth too much for you? Fine! Let’s see how long your brittle snow sword lasts against my Immovable Mountain Armor before it snaps.”
“Puny log, squatting in the body of a venerable who fused flesh with armor—you think you’re my match?”
Just as the two seemed ready to clash, tension crackling…
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
Four more formidable auras descended on the Otherkin side!
Leading was a white tiger—not the fierce beast imagined, but… almost scholarly? It walked upright, sleek and snow-white, covered in circuit-like blue-glowing runes, its eyes gleaming with cold intelligence.
To its left was a comically grounded figure—a massive, rotund orange tabby, dwarfing the “frail” tiger. Its wobbling belly rippled with each step, but its strides were steady, its cat eyes radiating domineering disdain.
On the right, a towering stag, also upright, clad in flowing, metallic armor, its antlers like twin steel halberds. Each step left deep hoofprints, brimming with power.
Hovering above, never landing, was an elegant figure cloaked in liquid-gold feathers. Each wingbeat scattered radiant golden light, bathing the sky in divine majesty.
Not to be outdone, the human side responded.
Four cryptic figures, their auras deep and elusive, emerged like ripples from water, silently appearing beside Snow Venerable. Shrouded in hazy light or warped space, their forms and faces were hidden, radiating only heart-stopping fluctuations.
In an instant, the clearing split into two camps!
On one side, the eclectic Otherkin titans: machete yellow dog, stocking husky, runic white tiger, chubby tabby, armored stag, golden bird.
On the other, the enigmatic, overpowering human contingent.
The air froze! Invisible Dao charms and auras clashed, crackling like thunder. A battle seemed imminent!
The crowd held its breath, hearts in their throats.