Chapter 128: Unwelcome Guests (2/2)
“I’ll say the same about you,” Diexi sneered and gave as good as she got. “If you leave, there will be no monster spirit left in the waters where the North Sea borders the Dusk Province.”
“You…!” The voice was completely overtaken by fury. The dome of dark clouds looming over the sea suddenly shrank, revealing an enormous black snake coiled in the air. Surrounding it were swarms of monster spirit soldiers treading on waves.
……
“A blackwater snake!” Lu Yun murmured from his vantage point in one of the stronghold’s towers, staring at the thirty-thousand-meter-long snake. “One that has reached the peerless immortal realm!”
Blackwater snakes were among the preeminent immortals in the North Sea, capable of manipulating water and controlling the ocean. Their arrival was always accompanied by waves that touched the sky. They were no lesser than the dragon race that used to inhabit the area.
In Lu Yun’s memory, it was the blackwater snakes who’d led the attack against the dragons and replaced them.
“Blackwater snakes…. They’re ancestors of the rimesnakes!” muttered Qing Han. His eyes then lit up with eagerness. “Should we work together to destroy the North Sea monster spirits and help Aoxue reestablish the dragon palace, Lu Yun?”
“What?” Lu Yun stared dumbly at Qing Han, caught off guard by his friend’s ambitious idea.
The two of them had arrived at the stronghold a while ago and were watching the conflict unfold from the safety of a tower. The juba followed them in the shape of a tiny turtle; it was Lu Yun who’d put the words in Diexi’s mouth just now.
She’d only just left the tomb for the living and didn’t know the ways of the world yet, so she couldn’t possibly have come up with all that herself. Yuchi Hanxing, on the other hand, was too intimidated by the monster spirits to even think properly, or she wouldn’t have asked for Lu Yun’s help.
“Calm down, Qing Han!” Lu Yun shuddered. “Don’t think we’re invincible just because we’ve dealt with a few big guys in tombs. Outside of those ancient tombs, I’m nothing, at least for now.”
“No, I can do it!” Qing Han smiled. Before he could explain, though, the governor cut him short.
“Don’t!” Lu Yun said hurriedly. “There are things you mustn’t put into words, or others will know! I know you have a lot of tricks up your sleeve, but the North Sea monster spirits are no joke.
“They couldn’t have eliminated the dragons on their own ten thousand years ago. There must have been another faction supporting them! I know what you’re capable of, but don’t go there unless it’s a life or death situation!
“The empress in the tomb held sway over the world, but even she died and her clan almost went extinct!”
Qing Han nodded in resignation at Lu Yun’s solemn expression. The imperial envoy was at an age when youths were most boastful. Even though he was a cultivator, he was still a teenage boy—well, girl.
Lu Yun sighed in relief when he saw the excitement fade from his friend’s face. He looked out of the stronghold and muttered, “Diexi’s existence will attract a lot of attention. If she wants to stay by my side and walk openly in the world of immortals without being treated like a monster, she has to make a substantial contribution to the Nephrite court. This is a good opportunity.”
Qing Han nodded in agreement.
Diexi couldn’t stay hidden in the darkness forever, after coming back to life, or else she’d slowly lose her humanity and become a true killing machine. If she could live openly and be accepted by everyone, the zombie king would become a real person.
……
Another fearsome fight broke out over the sea as Diexi’s words enraged countless monster spirits. The tremendous army charged at the stronghold with waves that touched the sky.
Diexi burst into crimson flames, the color echoing in her irises and the blood-red red hair flying wildly behind her. When she lifted her hand, an infinity of crimson light converged at her fingertips.
Bam!
A sudden explosion rumbled out as an enormous gate pierced the land before the stronghold, its gentle power keeping the army of monsters at bay.
“Please hold, fellow daoists of the North Sea.” An aureate figure sparkled in the sky. “This woman is a fiend born of an ancient tomb. She brings untold violence and great suffering wherever she goes. I am here to execute the decree of His Majesty the Celestial Emperor and take her down.”
Hum.
A terrifying might radiated from the jade gate and suppressed Diexi, the color drained from her face as a thick line of blood trickled out of the corner of her mouth.