American variety show world begins with subduing Jason

"Baa, baa..."

Pairs of eerie green fluorescence appeared, along with black, white, brown, and patterned sheep. Large and small, old and strong, plump and thin, came trotting from the streets and alleys, converging like rivers flowing into the sea in front of the flat-roofed Greek-style building.

A pungent, fishy, ​​and foul stench wafted around, enough to make any normal person want to stay away, but the many long, narrow animal faces all looked on with longing, as if some substance was emitting a strong attraction.

The wide roof quietly crumbled into dust, revealing a withered, grayish-white silk sac—a giant ball of yarn split in two.

A figure lay prone on the ruins, limbs together, with withered white hair undulating like a wild beast, greedily tearing and devouring the broken and crumbling velvet.

Large clumps of fiber quickly disappeared into the mouth, while strands of oily, glossy, dark hair emerged from various parts of the skin, intertwining and merging together, gradually wrapping it into a bloated "cocoon".

The elderly man, almost unrecognizable as human, barely opened his arms and called out with fervent affection, "My friends, welcome to our countrymen."

Having wasted half his life in poverty and loneliness, he suddenly had the opportunity to change his fate. At that moment, he was overwhelmed with emotion, as if he had become a high and mighty king, and his heart was filled with great satisfaction.

The "cocoon" expanded outwards like melting wax, turning into a huge, translucent membrane. Bluish-gray, blood vessel-like things climbed on the surface, and a dark, viscous liquid flowed and churned within it. Rather than resembling a giant bird egg, it looked more like a beast's womb!

That's right, it's the fetal uterus!

The muscles and tendons deformed and twisted, and the frail body of the old man rapidly transformed into an unknown existence. Simple, ancient-looking linear characters were outlined on the skin, and the writhing foreign object swelled and contracted rhythmically. A muffled laugh then echoed throughout the venue.

"The foolish obstacle has died at the hands of the equally foolish troublemaker, and its body will become nourishment for our evolution. Come, let us share this sweet delicacy!"

The impatient monstrous sheep bellowed and roared as they rushed toward the scattered remnants of silk threads, swallowing them whole and following their manipulator into a sinister feast.

Amidst the horns clashing and hair flying everywhere, a voice suddenly rang out.

"It's one thing to accuse me of being a bit stupid, since I was indeed negligent, but to insult the guardian spirits who have devoted themselves to you is going too far!"

A deafening roar of thunder shook the ground as a golden bolt of lightning slashed down, exploding into brilliant sparks with the tough, obscure membrane, releasing the frustration of being fooled.

The blazing electric arc dissipated, and the undamaged uterus burst into wild laughter.

"Of course it's foolish. A great spirit that only tries to stop the invasion of alien forces based on instinct, it devours every filthy corpse I offer without discrimination, until it is corrupted and degenerates into a monster, simply because I am also a member of the town, ha ha..."

The soft membrane suddenly bulged out, and a pair of sharp claws tore through the restraints, releasing a jet of oily black liquid with a hot, foul odor.

Following closely behind was a huge, deformed sheep's head, hairless, with gray-green skin covered in mysterious patterns.

With its distinctive curved hooves, characteristic of ruminants, deeply embedded in the mud, supporting its nearly three-meter-long, powerful body, [Gunter] roared menacingly:

"I should thank you for removing the biggest obstacle for me. It's too late to realize this now... Just like these lovely compatriots, eating the remains of the old guardian deity symbolizes a mystical betrayal. They can only be the master's servants for all eternity!"

Chapter 374 Reed Stalks?

"Yes, I should have thought of that a long time ago."

A burst of apricot-yellow light burst forth, changing and refracting more than ten times in the blink of an eye, forming an illusory cage according to the Bagua and Liuhe principles. It collided with hundreds of hard manes that shot out, and then crimson talismans countered and returned, causing the tall demon body to shake repeatedly.

"If a guardian spirit truly degenerates into a mindless monster, it would definitely start killing and plundering flesh and blood nearby. Why would it have the mind to go to such lengths and sneakily target tourists from other places?"

"So is it possible... that someone deliberately fed it those bloody foods?"

His true form remained hidden, defusing the enemy's attacks with each move, his voice erratic yet calm as he narrated.

"If this is just a guess, then how do you explain the pungent smell of mutton?"

The protective earth spirit's core thread was made using ancient techniques, leaving no trace of mutton fat odor. Even if it had eaten a person, it should have emitted the smell of a corpse. You added something that pollutes its spirit to the blood food you fed it, didn't you...?

Before the sentence was even finished, a silver-white sword aura, like a cascading waterfall, suddenly leaped out from behind the enemy and slashed down fiercely at his thick neck!

The long-planned attack was incredibly swift, leaving the opponent no time to react.

The sword did not disappoint Zhu Mingyao's half-day of feigned deception. It successfully shattered the hastily deployed magic rune shield, cleaved through the hard skin, and embedded itself deeply into the flesh and bone, almost beheading him in one strike!

Amidst a furious howl of pain, dark green blood gushed out like a fountain, splattering everywhere.

Having successfully dealt a heavy blow to the enemy, Zhu Mingyao pressed his advantage, unleashing another burst of sword light to chop off the ugly sheep's head.

However, at that moment, a strange and obscure power suddenly wrapped around the sword pellet, making it impossible to control. He glanced at it and saw that countless fine gray-green vines were sprouting from the wound, spreading and growing rapidly like nerves and meridians, enveloping the entire flying sword.

The massive hoof, as big as a bowl, slammed down, and patches of yellow and green light arranged and combined, like layers of double-petaled roses blooming.

Wherever the halo swept across, countless tiny grass shoots swayed and sprouted, whether in the cracks of marble tiles or among broken cement rubble.

The tender shoots stretched out rapidly, growing into deformed plants with twisted or incomplete branches and leaves. With just a slight touch, everything that came into contact with them developed a woody texture, and the material underwent a dramatic transformation.

A strange yet vibrant life force surged forth, forcing a figure out of the void.

Zhu Mingyao pushed forward with both palms, and the two spirits of Lung Metal and Spleen Earth combined their strength. The five elements circulated, and the earth generated metal. The ground within a hundred meters around him instantly shone with a thick yellow light, as if it had turned into a whole copper coin. The sinister golden aura immediately suppressed the surging wave of plants. The two spiritual energies rubbed against each other and emitted a bright glow.

"This is the power of nature! Who is hiding behind you?!" he shouted angrily.

Zhu Mingyao's mind raced. Seeing the other party's goat-shaped appearance, he initially thought it was a sorcerer corrupted by demons from a lower plane, but now it seemed the situation was much more complicated than he had initially thought.

When I first saw him at dusk, he was just an ordinary human, or at least he should have been human at that time, otherwise it would have been difficult to fool my eyes.

And just half a day later, he actually transformed into such a powerful monster, even able to briefly hold his own against his own kind, and the speed at which his power increased was faster than even taking elixirs. This is just not scientific at all!

"The remains of the guardian spirit! You went to great lengths to infiltrate the town, not to corrupt the residents, but for that, right?" Zhu Mingyao suddenly recalled the scene from just now.

For a righteous superhuman like him, remains tainted by evil spirits are of little use, but the guy in front of him clearly has a way to harness their power.

He spoke faster and faster, becoming increasingly certain, "The tourists are not the only victims. You have killed many more people before, such as livestock company salesmen, to use as sacrificial offerings. Your target from the very beginning has been the newly born guardian of this town!"

In response to his speculation, [Gaunt] finally revealed his protruding beastly jaws, his smile carrying a cruel and sinister undertone.

"Haha... You got it right, young man. But as I said before, you've realized it too late. Now, no one can save you!" Its tone suddenly changed, and a series of long and short, awkward sounds came out rapidly.

"Rise up, my brethren!" Ten sharp claws were raised to the sky, and tiny specks of yellow-green light entered the many residents who had turned into goats. He laughed maniacally, looking forward to the goat-headed monsters standing up one by one. He couldn't wait to see the look of frustration on the faces of his powerful enemies.

One breath passed, then two breaths passed, and the surroundings remained silent, except for the sounds of the wind and insects.

His smile gradually froze, and he lowered his head in disbelief, staring at the flock of sheep still licking the woolen fabric.

"What's going on? This can't be..."

His doubts were answered in the next moment:

"You greedy old fool, do you think I'm going to spend this whole day playing games with you?!"

As Zhu Mingyao sneered, it was as if a switch had been pressed. One after another, the goats sneezed, their bellies bulging with clear, azure water. Puffs of white mist mixed with scraps of paper sprayed out, and their inhuman beastly bodies wriggled and transformed, gradually returning to the unconscious townspeople.

Looking closer, there were no scattered fragments of yarn on the ground, but rather yellow paper talismans with the Kan trigram at the top.

【Jade Flower Purifying Water Talisman】is specially designed to dispel poisonous insects, curses, and evil spells. One dose is all it takes to cure any ailment! However, it cannot be interrupted while it is working, otherwise Zhu Mingyao would not have bothered to play along for so long.

A triple palace, bathed in auspicious light, leaped out, its gates suddenly swung open, and a large number of illusory black-armored warriors, attached to paper puppets, scattered and dragged innocent people away from the battlefield to a safe area.

The planned helpers vanished in an instant, turning the situation from one of overwhelming the weak to one of being outnumbered in the blink of an eye. Their predicament was suddenly plunged into the abyss. Gaunt, filled with shock and rage, could no longer stop them, because a dark golden figure exuding murderous aura was about to deliver a punch!

The first punch shattered the shield!

The second punch broke his arm!

The third punch severed tendons and bones, tearing skin and flesh!

Thick, strong tendons tore apart instantly, exposing two white sternums, and a heart thumping frantically with a faint brownish-green light.

The Yaksha demon twisted a pair of spiral ram horns with immense force, comparable to a mountain pressing down, suppressing it so that it could not move an inch. From the wound on the back of its neck, the cold iron sword pellets suddenly crisscrossed, splitting into more than a dozen strands of silver light, like steel rods pinning the monster's limbs.

Zhu Mingyao casually flicked his wrist, slapping the enemy's forehead. Countless tiny runes flickered and rolled, ready to capture him and interrogate him properly.

However, to his surprise, when he struck down with his palm, the feedback felt empty and without any force.

"puff--!"

The burly, ferocious body collapsed at will, turning into a thick cloud of dark green dust. Amidst the swirling dust, a tiny glimmer of light rose like lightning, seemingly about to disappear into the sky.

Where are you going?

When the three palaces were joined together, the surrounding area transformed into an impregnable fortress, allowing only a fleeting glimmer of light to be captured.

A night breeze blew by, and the thing emitted a faint chirping sound.

Zhu Mingyao opened his eyes wide and carefully examined the details.

Slightly longer than a finger, slightly thicker than chopsticks, and showing traces of plant fiber...

This is... a section of reed stalk?

Chapter 375 An unexpected reunion

In the neat and orderly fields at dawn, rows of intercropped corn and potatoes face the sun, stretching their shapes with effort.

As the temperature changes, the glistening dewdrops on the leaves evaporate into wisps of water vapor, forming a very thin "white veil" that ripples.

Suddenly a dent appeared, and the "white gauze" tumbled and parted, as if something transparent was floating and flying by.

As Zhu Mingyao flew away, piloting the Three Yuan Palace, he spread out his palms.

The sturdy yet flexible plant stem lies quietly in the palm of your hand, as light as a fleeting dream, almost weightless. Only upon a light touch, with its subtle bending and rebound, can one truly feel its presence.

The stem is hollow and slender, with a rounded cross-section and slightly rough edges, exuding a natural and rustic charm. Under the soft sunlight of early spring, it presents a special golden and delicate color. This color is neither glaring nor dull, but rather a light, peaceful, and warm one, reminiscent of ancient bronzes that have been cleansed of rust.

Although it looked like just a slightly better-looking reed stalk, Zhu Mingyao did not look down on it at all.

Beneath its ordinary appearance, a profound and timeless aura flows endlessly, like a continuous mountain forest and wilderness. No matter how he tries to penetrate the true qi to investigate, he is always stubbornly and firmly blocked from the outside.

"That's impressive..." Zhu Mingyao sighed inwardly.

This sentiment does not only refer to the supernatural phenomena exhibited by the object, but also has another layer of meaning.

Within the system of the sea of ​​consciousness, characters composed of shimmering golden light flickered.

—Slay the XXXX familiar to gain points…

The type is a familiar, and the specific name is blank.

Based on past experience, an enemy who can conceal some information from the system is definitely not lower than the rank of Scepter/Yin God.

The goat monster that was killed was clearly not that powerful, which means that it had a powerful backer who was at least a Yin deity or ghost immortal.

However, it seems that he is not in very good condition...

Zhu Mingyao picked up a reed stalk and ran his fingers along a line of marks on the side. It wasn't a complete item, but rather a piece that had been broken off from some kind of tool.

Only by using fragments of a split magical artifact as a vessel can a powerful retinue be created; it must be in some kind of predicament.

Zhu Mingyao had basically guessed the purpose of what he did. Sensing the familiar spiritual elements within the reed stalks—abundance, growth, protection—he was certain.

This cowardly creature is hunting down guardian spirits and other beings with the beginnings of divinity.

A seemingly weakened, evil-oriented powerhouse—a perfect target...