They moved through the village searching for the groups of people. Rarely did they find villagers who had managed to hide. Some th to the group. Then there were the enemy groups, usually two or three people.
Bandits were often rummaging around inside houses. Looking for loot of any sort. Sometimes they saved a woman by killing the bandits. They had killed a total of thirty-one bandits through this method.
Tang Yuan added the 31 to 13 for 44 bandits so far. It was a large number to be sure. Once more the primary force was still in the middle of town. They would be at least thirty strong likely more. Including the bosses, who were likely Soul Masters.
Tang Yuan brought his hammer down upon a bandit's head. His mind was not completely on the death. "How many groups remain?" he asked Ah Yin who acted as their sensor.
"This was the last one. Only the main force remains active in the middle." Ah Yin spoke after a moment of concentration.
"They must have entered from the opposite direction." Bibi Dong deduced based on that. They had already finished ransacking the side they entered from. The side with the apothecary was opposite them.
Tang Yuan nodded agreeing with her. "We haven't faced retaliation either. The bosses either don't care or haven't noticed. I assume the latter." Even if they cared little for the lives of their men. To simply let so many die, they must not be strong enough to notice.
"So they should be on the weaker side, Soul King at most. More likely below that Soul Sect is more likely. Though how many Soul Masters they have is the question." Tang mused to his friends.
In groups, the leader will be the strongest one with a noticeable gap between them and their subordinates. Especially in a bandit group like this with few morals. A Soul Sect leader, and several Soul Honor followers. Their numbers weren't particularly large after all. Nor did it seem like they had faced attack or battle before.
He recounted his assumptions to his comrades. So that they could share their own. They might have different insights to give to the situation.
Ah Yin turned her gaze to the center of the village. She sensed a large number of people, but many were likely villagers. Yet even still "they don't seem to notice me looking at them. A more powerful individual would have noticed long before." That was her assumption of the matter.
Bibi Dong thought about it. Her mind was cold as she remembered everything they had seen. "We should start with my Poison Cloud where possible. If not we can use my webs. That will deal with non-spirit masters easily enough."
Tang Yuan nodded dealing with the small fry was the first step. Dealing with Soul Master bandits and normal bandits would not be fun. "We don't know our enemies' composition yet. But Dong'er you will likely be the main force. While that happens Sister Yin and I will take down the others, or keep them busy."
With someone like Ah Yin providing assistance to him. They should be able to whittle down the enemy forces. Bibi Dong was the strongest of the three of them in direct battle. It was one of the best plans they could come up with. It would all depend on the distance between them and her.
Tang Yuan realized he should have interrogated a bandit. Even if he only obtained the number of soul rings. Not even the number of soul masters they had. It would have been far better if they had.
Even with that sheer lack of information. Their group moved closer to the center of the village. Slowly trying to catch sight of the enemy. As they moved closer, they paused every once in a while. Allowing Ah Yin a chance to sense their enemy with increasing focus.
Ah Yin focused her more tuned senses on the nearing center. Suddenly she sensed something noticeable. "There are three signatures more powerful than the others. One is particularly powerful. Also one of the weaker two I think has a plant martial soul."
Their group paused at the three revelations. So three soul masters unless others were concealed from Ah Yin. Also one had a plant martial soul of some kind. Finally Ah Yin had a rough idea of their power.
Tang Yuan glanced at her "How strong are they to us?" If they knew that they could be more confident. That or runaway as this was a lost cause.
"The strongest is stronger than us, but not by an insurmountable amount. Not a Soul King, he is likely a Soul Sect. The other two I think are weaker than us by a bit." Ah Yin gave her assessment of them. Their lifeforces didn't feel equal to her friends'.
They continued moving forward in silence now. Feeling more confident with a better idea of their enemies' abilities. Distance continued to shrink as they moved. Until finally they stopped a few meters from the center. They paused to glimpse the situation in the center.
A raging fire in the middle, surrounded by bandits. Bandits drank and ate around the fire. Some seemed to be gambling, and others were arguing over loot it seemed. It looked like they were in full party mode now.
At least most of the bandits were in party mode. Two groups of villagers were also around the fire. A group of bandits rested between them guarding them. One group was men, and the other was women and children.
It looked like the women were being watched especially. Thankfully, there was no sign of any of them having been raped yet. The groups must have been chosen for slavery. So they planned to sell them as virgins if possible.
After taking a few moments to grasp the situation. They made their move sneaking onto the soon-to-be battlefield. Ah Yin aimed for the prisoners' location. Bibi Dong moved toward the large groups of partying bandits, Tang Yuan was prepared to enter battle as necessary.
The bandits continued to party unaware of the impending attack. Three members of the group sat in silence. Jiao Ze drank a large sip of wine a look on his face as if smelling something foul.
"Boss Ze, not enjoying the party? The wine is cheap I know, but we can drink all we want." spoke a large heavily muscled man taking a swig of wine. He laughed at the thought of all the wine.
"It's cheap wine, but still drinkable. No I simply have a foul feeling even now. Despite running so far this feeling." Jiao Ze scowled as he drank more wine. It made everything worse, and he didn't know why.
A man to the left of Jiao Ze looked at the man to the right. "Perhaps you simply find it distasteful to run from the city. Despite the necessity, it was certainly disheartening," he spoke calmly to his boss trying to calm his nerves.
Jiao Ze's scowl grew worse at those words. Running was something he had to grow used to. He was simply too weak, his talent was weak. "Nearly three decades, and I have only reached level 43." he exhaled at his own words.
He wasn't weak, but he wouldn't ever be truly strong. He'd already passed thirty, he was now 34 years of age. Soul King or even Soul Emperor if he was fortunate. Like a nail waiting to be hammered down, or a dog waiting to be put down.
That was the world he knew. So after this, they would lie low and bide their time. Simply live in seclusion, while he would find a method of growing further. Maybe come out for some fun every now and then.
He thought about what he would do in the coming days. Something changed bringing him out of his musings. Soul Power he sensed the presence of soul masters. He stood up from his seat throwing his cup to the ground. He tried to yell, "Intruders everyone…"
It was already far too late. Blue vines emerged from the ground at one part of the camp. Each vine pierced through a guard some pierced multiple guards. Another group emerged separating the bandits from the shocked villagers.
At the same time, globs of sickly green landed amongst the bandits. They burst into clouds of deadly poison. Quickly the drunken men found themselves inhaling the toxin. Coughing started instantly, in moments pain, within a dozen seconds suffering. Within a minute the first death happened followed by more.
The number of bandits had been halved already. That number quickly continued to build as the poison progressed. Until only a few remained alive even as many of those clutched at their throats.
Jiao Ze watched in horror at the effects of the poison. It was gas but it caused death in minutes. The other group had been impaled by plants. His group was devastated in what seemed like an instant.
He slammed his foot on the ground. Yellow, Yellow, Purple, and Purple four rings rose around him. His body grew bulkier in an instant as he gained a full head of height. His hands turned into scaly-skinned claws, as his mouth turned into a maw of fangs.
Next to him the large muscular man had Yellow, Yellow, and Purple. He hoisted an iron axe longer than his own arm. The weapon had a single bearded iron blade. Its handle was made of wood and studded with rough iron. "Cleaving Iron Greataxe," the man spoke aloud as power filled him.
The third man cupped his hands together as Yellow, Yellow, and Purple appeared. A greenish-yellow plant remained in his right hand. Numerous vines protruded from the plant's core like snakes. "Desert Creeping Vine," he spoke the name of his martial soul.
As they drew upon their power the three bandits sensed their enemies. Bibi Dong, Tang Yuan, and Ah Yin appeared before the three leaders. Martial souls already activated as rings circled the forms to some shock.
Jiao Ze grimaced slightly at the sight of them. Three brats, three rings each not even twenty years old. Once more two somehow had purple rings for their second. Then what did that mean for the third ring?
If that wasn't enough, there was the younger girl's martial soul. High level that was obvious at a glance. If she had a fourth ring this battle would be a guaranteed loss. Her friend's martial souls didn't seem weak either.
Tang Yuan observed the enemies' martial souls. One was a weapon type an axe, so like him an assault master type. The other was a plant with vines, likely a control master. Although he glanced at Ah Yin possibly an attack-type control master.
The third though was by far the most noticeable. It was akin to his own crocodile martial soul. Considering the Endless Desert was still close. This man likely had a connection to Jiao Zheng, and his clan.
Both sides reached their own conclusions in silence. Then both sides chose to act. Hoping to seize the advantage early in this battle. Negotiation had never even been considered this time.
Desert vines emerged to block the bubbles of poison popping them. Even so, sparse drops of liquid poison withered the vines as the gas spread. Blue Silver vines in turn emerged aiming to impale the enemy. Only for an axe to cut through the majority of them in a heavy swing.
As the battlefield cleared from the opening exchange. Tang Yuan expected the result honestly. These guys weren't amateurs like that group before. Ideal normal soul ring configuration, along with good martial souls. Once more they were experienced both individually and as comrades.
Jiao Ze stomped the ground as his second ring lit up. "Crocodile's Roar," he yelled before taking a deep breath. Then he roared as loudly as he possibly could.
Tang Yuan felt the roar as it hit them. For a moment feelings of fear and anger emerged. A taunt-like skill almost like a mental attack. Both fear and anger disappeared seconds later as his mind calmed. He glanced at the girls momentarily.
Ah Yin shrugged the effect off easily. Bibi Dong took a few moments to bring herself to normal. The instincts of her martial soul felt challenged, more like insulted. That this weak creature would challenge the Death Spider Emperor.
Jiao Ze noticed the effect instantly. Two were barely affected, but the third had a small issue. Still, he knew it would have minimal effect, but so little. These brats weren't weak novices. Thinking that he charged forward ready to do battle.
Bibi Dong met the strongest enemy in battle. Aiming to affect him with her poison. Then she could end the battle when he faltered.
Jiao Ze had realized the danger of her poison avoiding her attacks. Finding that her speed wasn't as far from his as he would have liked. Her physical strength was at least a step above his as well. As the damaged ground from a punch attested.
Following his boss the axe wielder rushed forward. Intending to strike down Bibi Dong in the distraction. His steps came to a sudden halt his third ring lit up. "Cleave," he spoke as he swung his axe. A red bloodthirsty aura flowed from the weapon.
The axe strike met a hammer glowing with gold and crackling with lightning. As the two met in a clash both weapon users fought for dominance. This clash ended as suddenly as it began. The hammer overpowered the axe slightly forcing it away.
The axe user was forced to retreat a step. He quickly regained his footing recovering from the exchange. He realized his enemy had already initiated another swing. So he swung a half-powered swing to reduce the blow.
The hammer met the axe once more. This time Tang Yuan's Third Ring lit up. With the power of Heavy Impact, the strike easily overcame the axe. Tang Yuan stepped forward as his enemy was put off balance.
As the second of the bandit forced tried to recover. He realized Tang Yuan had already swung a third time. The man prepared to use his arm to counter. Only for yellow vines to emerge before him in defense.
Tang Yuan's strike hit the wall of vines. They were rather strong, his hammer was unable to pass. A noticeable dent had been made in the vines as lightning charred them. He stepped away from the wall as it faded away.
The axeweilder let out a breath as he recovered his form. That was close if not for his brother's help. His gaze turned more focused as he locked onto Tang Yuan.
At the same time, the plant martial soul user sensed it. Manipulating his vines he moved away from the location. Just as the ground exploded with blue-silver vines. He turned his gaze back to his own dangerous opponent.
Ah Yin glanced at the man before moving her gaze. Neither of her friends had needed her intervention yet. She decided to focus on her enemies. "Third Skill: Blue Silver Impalement," she activated her skill targeting Bibi Dong's opponent.
Jiao Ze grimaced as he avoided another spider leg strike. Glancing at the ground he jumped backward. As he did Ah Yin's attack burst from the ground. He sidestepped most of the spear-like plant tips, save for a glancing cut to his arm.
After avoiding the vines his third ring lit up. "Crocodile's Claws," Soul power gathered at his claws. He swung both, cutting a spider web from the air. He refocused on his primary opponent as she moved.
Bibi Dong fired her first skill as well. It burst into a poison mist deftly avoided by her enemy. She entered the mist her deft steps carrying her towards him. Firing another web at him, she took the side of it.
Jiao Ze moved away from the cloud as he waited. Slashing the web she fired as he moved his eyes. She emerged from the right side of the cloud. He prepared himself for another exchange with her.
Tang Yuan brought his hammer down as the axe wielder countered. He forced his enemy to step backward once more. Unleashing a number of further blows. His enemy had quite a bit of combat experience. Dodging or deflecting most of the hammer strikes with skill.
Tang Yuan used a break in the exchange to move back. Glancing at Bibi Dong and the one with a Crocodile Soul. They had moved further and further away, good.
Tang Yuan brought his hammer up to counter a strike from his enemy. He had been caught a bit off guard. Being forced to step backward from the strike.
He noticed a smile on the man's face. Actually, that worked in his favor didn't it? So he stepped backward acting as if he was a bit defensive. As he expected his enemy followed. It wouldn't be long just a bit more space.
Suddenly from the side came multiple plant limbs. Their yellow color revealed their source instantly. Tang Yuan found himself struggling to escape the vines. He needed to stay aware of the axe wielder as well.
Then he felt something suddenly wrap around him. He found himself being drawn backward. Looking down to see blue silver vines thankfully. As he stopped he found himself next to Ah Yin. "Now," he screamed to Bibi Dong.
Hearing the scream Bibi Dong grew more serious. She was just within striking distance of her enemy too. A large amount of power gathered around her in a deathly aura. She let it radiate from her body "Death Domain," she spoke ominously.
Jiao Ze had grown wary at the moment of the scream. But she had a domain of all things. Her martial soul was at that high level, like that man's. Dammit, he needed to get away from this girl now.
Everyone watched as the domain expanded from Bibi Dong. A dark purplish dome filled with the Death Spider Emperor's deathly poison. It enhanced her attributes and reduced her foes. All the while they were surrounded and corroded by poison.
Jiao Ze could feel this domain trying to seep into him. It was poisonous, exceedingly poisonous beyond anything. With every breath, the toxin entered his body. It even seeped into his skin like acid. Falling to his knees, he struggled to circulate soul power.
Bibi Dong stepped toward the weakened man. Using her domain had depleted her soul power by a third. She knew she needed to end this. He was going to die, but until then he was a threat. So she fired another web just in case.
Jiao Ze used his claws to cut the web. He rose shakily from his kneeling position on the ground, in so much pain. He needed to escape the domain. Easier said than done, she would be aiming to end him sooner.
Bibi Dong stalked across the domain slowly. Almost like a beast toying with her prey enjoying their fear. Then she rushed him ready to pierce his body with her legs.
Tang Yuan swung his hammer again and again. Hitting the vines that tried to attack him. Before bringing his hammer to match his opponent's axe.
He could sense distraction in his enemy now. Tang Yuan battered the axe aside with his power. His next strike landed in the distracted man's side.
"Second Brother!" yelled the other man, before he was forced to dodge. Several blue-silver vines targeted him from the ground. The man gained several new injuries from the attack.
He waved his hand as his third ring lit up "Desert Vine Thorn Spear." Aiming at the woman who was the source of the vines behind Tang Yuan. The vines summoned were thicker than others as they coiled together. Transforming into a large makeshift spear.
Tang Yuan watched as the vine spear was sent their way. He activated his own third ring in response. With the power of Heavy Impact, he met the opposing skill with some effort. The hammer hit the vines blunting the sharpened edges.
"Cleave," roared a voice. The other man had recovered and was charging Tang Yuan. His axe radiating with power he moved closer. More blue silver grass burst from the ground right in front of him. He stopped swinging his axe at the wall.
Ah Yin had been watching closely ready to step in. As the man hacked through her summoned vines. She summoned further ones through her third skill.
The man sensed the danger to his life. He tried to avoid the plants emerging from the ground around him. He cut several with his axe. He turned his gaze back to an approaching Tang Yuan. Unseeing the blue-silver grass moving at his feet.
Swinging his hammer he met his enemy's axe once more. In the exchange, Tang Yuan found that they had achieved a draw. He swung again this time with his third skill active.
The axe wielder had tried to reorient himself after the exchange. Only to find his foot entangled by blue silver grass. He used his axe as best he could to defend.
As the hammer met the unsteady axe it easily forced it away. Tang Yuan drove his blow into the man's shoulder with devastating force. Before swinging his hammer for another strike.
Several things happened then at once. Ah Yin summoned vines to attack the opposing plant master. The axe wielder despite a destroyed shoulder, swung his axe. Tang Yuan's blow landed on the man's chest with a crunch. As he was sent flying the axe swing nicked Tang Yuan's side.
The axeman did not rise from where he had landed. Seeing that the plant user tried to attack the injured Tang Yuan. Instead, he stopped as he found himself stabbed by several plants himself. "Dammit, to think we die here," he rasped as he fell over. Blood pooled around him.
Tang Yuan walked over to his fallen enemy. His weapon had disappeared, and his breathing was rough. "Do you have a name, or are you going to remain nameless?" He asked the dying man.
The axeman glared at him with hatred. "If not for you dam brats… heck, he-ck." he paused as he coughed out more blood. "I'll take you with.." he stopped as he fell limp.
Tang Yuan looked towards Bibi Dong, it would seem it had about ended as well. He crouched down to close the nameless man's eyes.
Jiao Ze felt as if he had been fighting for hours. But she had only activated the domain a few minutes ago maybe. He was nearing his end he knew. Then he sensed it his comrades were dead, he was the last one. Regaining himself in time to partially cut a web.
Bibi Dong sensing weakness increased her attack. Firing more webs at him as she charged. Realizing that more than one web had hit. She arrived before Jiao Ze two of her legs piercing into his body.
Jiao Ze felt it as more poison entered his body. Not that it made a difference. The domain's poison had seeped into his body. This amount of poison only added to it. He collapsed onto the ground as she removed her legs. "You dam.."
As the man tried to speak Bibi Dong pierced his head with another leg. She let out a sigh as she canceled her domain. It had drained most of her soul power. "The battle is done, the bandits are dead. Good riddance."
The battle was done, bandits dead, and the villagers saved. Yet this would leave scars long after. The three victors scavenged the bandits for the spoils. Then they sought the villagers who had fled to safety. The time of mourning and celebration would begin soon enough.
Guanling Worship paused as he gazed at the finished battle. He had only seen the last few minutes. Watching as these kids had beaten difficult odds once more, and now there were three. Glancing at the newest addition to the group with interest.
A plant soul master with three rings, not much older than them. Level 36 he judged after glancing at her. Her martial soul was Blue Silver Grass, or was it? A mutated variant, or was it natural evolution? Still, she was a good seedling they had stumbled upon.
He felt his worry lessen even further. Glad that they had been found alive, and mostly uninjured. He wouldn't have to face the wrath of a Limit Douluo now. He was still going to face a stern lecture from his seniors, wasn't he? Nothing he could do about that he supposed.
Still, he should make his presence known. Then he could send word that he had found the children. So he moved from his position on top of a nearby house. Appearing near the three of them, but not so suddenly. They were still on guard after the battle.
He immediately noticed their surprise at his appearance. Tang Yuan's especially before it turned into relief. "Hello, it's been a while my little juniors. Greetings, my new junior," he said to them trying not to seem so cheerful.