Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil in the Cultivation World Chapter 942 - 472: Join My Human Emperor Banner as Brothers_2

Yet the power within these human settlements proved far too feeble, rendering them completely helpless against Snow Peak Village.

For the sake of staying alive, they had no option but to endure the constant extortion and bullying from those thugs.

One might describe this band as nothing less than a poisonous blight upon the Ice Crystal Mountain Range.

Myriad villagers harbored bitter resentment toward them, yet remained utterly helpless to strike back.

"Elder, this is trouble! The tribulation cultivators from Snow Peak Village have arrived."

Right then, a few villagers posted as sentries beyond the cavern quickly spotted Hu Zeren and his crew drawing near.

Having clashed with the bandits of Snow Peak Village on multiple occasions before, they instantly identified these intruders as tribulation cultivators.

The villagers' expressions twisted in shock at that instant, stunned that even in this hidden spot, the nightmare of Snow Peak Village's tribulation cultivators would pursue them like relentless specters.

"Why have the tribulation cultivators from Snow Peak Village shown up here? What's happening?"

Elder Xu Chenyang's face paled noticeably.

He understood all too well the dread those tribulation cultivators from Snow Peak Village inspired, each one a vicious fiend ready to devour you whole without a trace left behind.

Once they set their sights on you, the amount of riches they'd squeeze out remained anyone's guess.

Losing treasures would be the smallest issue; the true terror lay in their habit of claiming lives alongside the loot.

They had clearly gained aid from Lord Jiang, enjoying a stretch of calm days as a result.

No one could have foreseen running into the tribulation cultivators from Snow Peak Village right now, marking the peak of bad luck.

With their presence now exposed, however, adaptation to the situation stood as their only path forward.

All they could wish for was that the intruders wouldn't demand too much this time.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!

In that moment, the Snow Peak Village cultivators reached the cavern's mouth.

The instant their gazes fell on Xu Chenyang and the rest, excitement gleamed in their eyes.

"Haha, it seems the heavens favor me; I never thought we'd stumble upon such a crowd here."

"At last, we can fulfill the duty the Village Chief handed down."

"Tsk tsk, who knew this plain-looking cavern hid almost a thousand souls—it's surprisingly bustling."

"Looks like the head here packs some real power, or else feeding so many wouldn't be feasible."

The Snow Peak Village cultivators chatted animatedly among themselves.

They sized up Xu Chenyang and his companions like prey already caught in their grasp.

The cavern's numbers had swelled this much because, over recent times, Xu Chenyang and the others had rallied hordes of fleeing villagers, effectively doubling their ranks.

Naturally, for Jiang Fan, keeping a thousand folks fed and sheltered amounted to mere triviality.

"Their intentions are clearly hostile."

Those greedy, shameless stares caused Xu Chenyang's features to harden in anger.

It was plain that these Snow Peak Village tribulation cultivators sought more than mere coin.

"My Lord, what purpose brings you to our doorstep?"

Xu Chenyang advanced a step.

"Get lost."

"A pathetic Nascent Soul worm like you has the gall to address me this way."

"Summon your leader."

A Divinity Transformation Cultivator bellowed, flinging out a massive palm.

With a thunderous crash, a fearsome wave of Magical Domain power slammed into Xu Chenyang, hurling him through the air to smash against the cavern wall and gouge a deep crater.

Xu Chenyang promptly coughed up blood, suffering severe wounds.

And that blow had been pulled, showing restraint on their part.

Had they unleashed their full might, a single strike might have ended the Nascent Soul cultivator Xu Chenyang right there.

The chasm between Nascent Soul and Divinity Transformation realms loomed simply too vast.

"Elder."

The nearby villagers erupted in outrage and alarm at the sight.

Yet none dared retaliate, overwhelmed by the enemy's overwhelming might.

Any attempt to fight back would likely doom every soul in the cavern to death.

In the Ice Prison, the feeble held no sway whatsoever.

Those ignorant of that harsh truth had long since turned to dust.

Whoosh!

Just then, Jiang Fan materialized before the group, gazing steadily at these unwelcome visitors.

"Who might you all be?"

Jiang Fan inquired.

"So you're the one leading this bunch?"

"A Fourth-Layer Divinity Transformation cultivator—no wonder you can protect them like this."

"We're from Snow Peak Village, sent by the Village Chief to bring you lowly insects into our fold."

"Count yourselves lucky; absent the Village Chief's command, you'd perish in the Ice Prison before long."

The voice belonged to Hu Zeren, who commanded this pack of tribulation cultivators.

Arrogance dripped from his tone, convinced that inviting these pests into Snow Peak Village bestowed the ultimate privilege.

Refusal would spell their doom, plain and simple.

Across this mountain range, defying Snow Peak Village's decrees proved impossible for anyone.

"This..."

Upon hearing that, Xu Chenyang and the others displayed no delight, their faces souring instead.

Snow Peak Village held no mysteries for them; they knew these brutes acted like ravenous wolves, devouring without mercy.

For such predators to abruptly forgo flesh and turn to grass struck them as profoundly suspicious.

Undoubtedly, some grand scheme lurked behind this overture.

But as the powerless, they possessed no leverage to reject the mighty's decrees.

Even aware of the trap, voicing dissent lay beyond their grasp.

"What's with these sour looks?"

"You act as if merging with mighty Snow Peak Village is some curse?"

"Such boldness—have you lost sight of the Ice Crystal Mountain Range's iron laws?"

"Who gave you the notion you could say no?"

Divinity Transformation Cultivator Hu Zeren growled threateningly.