Chapter 243: Guardian (1/2)

Behind the bronze door of the ancient tomb.

All of the black paper ships on the crimson ocean spontaneously disintegrated. In the last instant of their existence, tremendous relief dawned on the spirit’s faces as they faded out of existence, along with their vessels.

Gone was the serene, otherworldly girl. In her place was a small ball of fire, quietly burning away. Lu Yun silently stood there for a very long time.

“So it’s hope.” He considered the fire. “Living souls create and nurture civilization through the guidance of hope.”

Only with hope could one see a light in the future and possess the motivation to move forward. With a heavy sigh, he tucked the fire away.

The Enneawyrm Coffinbearers and the Nine-Phoenix Casket rested quietly in hell, archaic, striking, and desolate. They faced the boundless darkness of the depths of the netherworld, guarding the patch of tranquility here.

“Nine-headed phoenix… nine-headed phoenix…. Is this phoenix the one that created the phoenix tribe?” Huangqing’s memory had allowed Lu Yun a glimpse into the race’s secrets. In the memories of the tribe, they recalled that the very first phoenix born aeons ago was a nine-headed phoenix that’d later created the phoenix race that was known today.

Likewise, the nine dragons of the Enneawyrm Coffinbearers must be more than mere dragon lords. They were more likely to be draconic ancestors.

Lu Yun approached the giant coffin and lightly knocked on it.

“You’ve swallowed the monster,” he whispered, “but you still have its chains and shackles, don’t you?”

He knew now that the Enneawyrm Coffinbearers and the Nine-Phoenix Casket meant him no harm. The two beings could kill akasha ghosts and the monster sealed deep within hell. It would be easier than swatting a fly for them to kill Lu Yun and take the Tome of Life and Death.

He had an inkling as to what they wanted; they wanted him to become powerful enough to resurrect them!

Thud!

As soon as he finished, the coffin lid inched open, throwing out a black chain that ran eighteen meters long and was hooked to a pair of shackles, along with a tattered piece of clothing. Despite its ragged state and the passage of time, it still retained its original form. It was sturdier than any weapon or clothing Lu Yun had ever seen.

“What is...” Forgoing the chain and manacles, Lu Yun unfolded the shirt and laid it out. There was a strange character on it that he didn’t recognize. Even its intent had faded after years of deterioration, leaving behind only a single symbol.

He connected his consciousness to the Tome of Life and Death and attempted to deduce its meaning.

“Pawn!” After an indeterminate period of time, Lu Yun opened his eyes again and looked down at the character with shock.

Pawn! The lowliest of all soldiers!

“The monster emerging from the darkness exceeded dao immortal realm, yet it was merely a pawn!?” He goggled with disbelief. The thing that the Enneawyrm Coffinbearers had devoured might be even more powerful than Lord Sugato.

How could it be a pawn?

When the akasha ghost had descended and corrupted the darkness to break the seal, Lu Yun had seen a swarm of the figures. The survivors, after so many aeons of being confined to hell, were… pawns?! How powerful must their commander be?

“Being weak limits my imagination. I have to work harder and become stronger.” With a sigh, Lu Yun carefully put the tattered shirt away before shifting his attention to the chain and manacles.

The chain was pitch black and radiated a dim, black glow. Fastened to it was a pair of shackles that brought to mind the image of a torture device. Cool to the touch, the chains weighed heavily in his hand. As soon as Lu Yun picked them up, the Tome of Life and Death hummed and transmitted information into his mind.