"The Underworld? King of Hell?" Bai Lingmiao's mouth fell open slightly. She stared at the Strayed Ones, her disbelief etched across her face. She truly hadn't expected these people to come here just for something like that.
She tried to understand what they were saying, but their words were too shocking. What Underworld? And joining the ranks of immortals?
The Second Deity hesitated momentarily. "You guys didn't get tricked by the Sitting Oblivion Dao, did you?"
Her words struck a nerve with the leader of the Strayed Ones. His face twisted with rage. "Don't mention those frauds! They couldn't possibly deceive us! Now get lost, or don't blame us for being rude!"
Sensing the hostility from the Strayed Ones, Bai Lingmiao and the Second Deity quickly conferred in their minds.
In the current situation, persuasion seemed unlikely. They needed to stabilize things first. Force wasn't an option with so many Strayed Ones present. They would have to take a different approach to deal with them.
After a moment's thought, Bai Lingmiao spoke again. This time, she followed the leader's lead instead of contradicting him.
"Since you want to become Kings of Hell, you've been here for a long time and still haven't succeeded. There must have been some difficulties. If it stumped eleven Strayed Ones, it must mean it's no easy task."
Bai Lingmiao said this with confidence because she knew they couldn't become Kings of Hell. The dead belonged to the place underneath Qing Qiu, so this couldn't be the Underworld. Moreover, the Heavenly Dao of Death was governed by the Heavenly Mater. If there were a King of Hell, it would be her.
Regardless of whether they had been deceived by the Sitting Oblivion Dao or something else, they would not leave willingly unless their obsession was shattered.
Force was out of the question—it was no simple task to subdue eleven Strayed Ones.
"How about we strike a deal? We help you overcome your difficulties and help you become Kings of Hell. In return, once it's done, you come out with me. Consider it doing me a favor."
"We don't need you!"
The leader of the Strayed Ones flatly rejected her. He retreated along with the others, his eyes filled with profound hostility.
He clearly didn't trust the strange woman with two upper bodies and had no intention of negotiating.
As they prepared to leave, Bai Lingmiao clenched her fists and stepped forward. "How much longer do you plan to stay here? You might be able to waste your time here, but what about your families in the world outside? Can they afford to wait as long as you can? Have you ever thought about how they've been doing all these years?"
The Strayed Ones, who had just turned to leave, stopped abruptly and glared at Bai Lingmiao. Their expressions had completely changed, clearly affected by her words.
Bai Lingmiao wasn't speaking out of nowhere. She had been by Li Huowang's side for long enough to understand some things about Strayed Ones.
She gazed into the eyes of the Strayed Ones and noticed the exhaustion and numbness hidden beneath their determined expressions. It became evident that they were barely holding on, much like Tuoba Danqing. These Strayed Ones weren't as resolute as they seemed.
Bai Lingmiao and the Second Deity quickly devised a new strategy.
"Haven't you suffered enough here? After all these years, I know you must have regrets. You had no choice before, so you were forced down a dark path. However, you have a choice now.
"Look at how we're dressed. We voluntarily came in here just yesterday. If we could come in, we can certainly leave. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮
"Let me help you. I can take you out of here and remove your primordial breath. That way, you'll never have to suffer from bewilderment again. Once you're no longer Strayed Ones, you can live the life you want!
"And you don't need to worry. Even though Strayed Ones are immensely valuable, the eleven of you together are far beyond our abilities."
The Second Deity chimed in, "Exactly, give it a try. What do you have to lose? It's better than wasting away here."
Bai Lingmiao's encouragement gradually eased the tension, and everyone's attention shifted to her.
Yuan Er saw the shifting expressions of the Strayed Ones and realized things couldn't continue like this. If they continued listening to her, their unity would falter!
"Don't trust her! She's lying! She might even be with the Sitting Oblivion Dao! Once we become Kings of Hell, we'll control the world over there too!"
Bai Lingmiao replied, "Is that really true? Is that just your own belief, or do others think that as well? How can you be so certain that everyone wants to become a King of Hell? And how can you be sure that becoming the King of Hell will allow you to control the Underworld of the other world? Have you ever seen a soul from the other side?"
She continued, "Why are you forcing your own beliefs on others? Can't you listen to their thoughts? Or do you see them as mere tools for your own gain?"
The Second Deity added, "And you're so confused that you doubt whether this world even exists, so how can you be so sure of what you say?"
Bai Lingmiao's words were sharp and unrelenting, making Yuan Er's face darken.
He couldn't kill her. Making a move would only sow further division among his companions.
"Enough! I won't let her keep leading us down this path!" Yuan Er said, waving his hand. "Fine! You don't believe me, right? Well, come along and see for yourself! We've encountered difficulties, and if you help us solve them, we'll help you in return!"
After years of fruitlessly searching for a solution, Yuan Er doubted that this young woman could truly help. Whether she made him a King of Hell or died trying, it was a win for him either way.
"We have a deal." Bai Lingmiao stepped forward resolutely.
Yuan Er cast a quick glance at the other Strayed Ones before turning around and starting to ascend the mountain. "Come with me."
Bai Lingmiao nodded and followed. She wasn't concerned about the Strayed Ones turning against her—they wouldn't discard another option without a good reason.
Besides, without the Heavenly Dao of Death, they couldn't kill her even if they tried.
As they walked up the rocky path, Yuan Er casually explained their predicament.
"To become King of Hell, we need to obtain the Book of Life and Death, but it's hidden in the Underworld Palace.
"However, the Underworld Palace is extremely dangerous. We arrived with hundreds of people, but only eleven remain."
Bai Lingmiao's voice rose in surprise. "Hundreds of Strayed One?!"
"Not all were Strayed Ones. Some were patrons, some servants, some family."
"And where are they now?"
"Dead."
Bai Lingmiao shook her head slightly. "That's impossible. This place has no Heavenly Dao of Death. No one can die here."
Yuan Er sneered and said, "When the King of Hell calls for you at midnight, no dares live until dawn. The Book of Life and Death is in the hands of the Judge. Once the Judge writes your name, no Heavenly Dao can save you. You will be dragged into the eighteenth level of hell!"
Yuan Er smirked. "Now, do you still want to continue?"
Chapter 931 - Underworld
The Book of Life and Death? Could it actually call for someone's soul?
Bai Lingmiao doubted Yuen Er's words.
If that was the case, that meant the Underworld Palace was real.
Despite Yuen Er's apparent confidence, Bai Lingmiao remained skeptical. If Yuen Er was telling the truth, then where would the Heavenly Mater, who controls the Heavenly Dao of Death, be positioned?
Ultimately, the Second Deity voiced the questions that lingered in Bai Lingmiao's heart. "Is it really the Underworld Palace?"
"Of course! If not, I wouldn't have allowed you to help us. It's not only the palace but also the eighteen layers of hell! Do you know what we're stepping on right now? It's the Yellow Spring Road[1].
Tuoba Danqing was taken aback, his gaze shifting downward to the stone path beneath his feet. He glanced around, questioning whether his presence here was a mistake.
Afterward, there was silence as they pressed on. The group remained vigilant, keeping their senses sharp as they advanced.
The road was long, but it still had an end. Soon, a pitch-dark cave appeared in front of them.
On both sides of the cave, a couplet caught the eye: Only you can decide when to harm others. This applies to all three worlds in the land of the living.
The Underworld Palace had never let anyone go. There was another couplet at the top: You are here.
The cold wind blowing out from the cave made everyone tremble.
Noticing Bai Lingmiao's shocked gaze, Yuen Er chuckled. "This is the door to the underworld. What's wrong? Do you dare to enter?"
Bai Lingmiao checked the couplets and shook her head lightly. "This isn't the door to the underworld. If it was, the couplet is wrong. There's no such thing as punishment in this world."
She led her followers into the cave. It was filled with stalactites and stalagmites resembling little demons.
Green smoke rose out of nowhere and enveloped everyone's legs. The dark road led everyone deep into the cave.
The cave was also very spacious, making Yuen Er's voice echo. "Continue downwards, then. We've cleared almost everything around the entrance. Our true enemies are in the Feng Capital. The Underworld Palace is inside the Feng Capital too."
They continued walking and saw several corpses and skeletons on the ground. Clearly, they were the people who had previously followed the Strayed Ones.
"It seems like they were telling the truth. Something really did grant them death."
Bai Lingmiao frowned and put her guard up as she continued to walk forward.
They were unsure of how long they had walked, but they were certain they had arrived at Feng Capital when a colossal wall dotted with glowing green lights appeared from the depths of the darkness.
In contrast to the strange black holes that Li Huowang had described, the Feng Capital that Bai Lingmiao encountered seemed real. At the very least, it was a city.
At that moment, accompanied by the pounding of everyone's hearts, the massive metallic door emitted a deep groan as it swung open.
Green smoke spewed forth as beings walked out of the city.
"Sh! Lie down! Don't let them see you!"
Upon hearing Yuen Er's words, the Second Deity twisted and forced Bai Lingmiao onto the ground like a prowling beast.
Through her beast-like eyes, Bai Lingmiao saw strange, emaciated people walking out in rows. Each person held a broken yellow lantern and wore tattered robes. They were incredibly tall, with their shoulders disappearing into the darkness above.
It was clear that the Strayed Ones feared those beings. They didn't even dare to breathe until the giants had left.
"What are those?" asked Bai Lingmiao.
A Strayed One with an unruly beard answered her question. "Those are the soldiers of the Underworld Palace! Haven't you heard of them before?"
"Are they strong? Why are you afraid of them?"
"We aren't afraid of them, but we cannot provoke them. The little demons on the city walls would sound the alarm if we did. By then, everyone in the city would know we're here. If that were to happen, how could we possibly steal the book?"
Yuen Er pointed at the gates. "I thought you were here to help? Come, this is our problem. Go and deal with it for us.
"Those soldiers are swarming the Feng Capital! If you can help us, we will help you!"
"Still, you guys are Strayed Ones. Even if they all poured out from the city, I doubt they'd be able to defeat you," Bai Lingmiao said. In her eyes, a group of eleven Strayed Ones were nigh unstoppable.
"So what if we can fight? There's no death here, and we can't kill them! They'd surround us and keep us here until we eventually lose all our strength. If it weren't for the three comrades who helped us escape last time, none of us would still be alive today."
Yuen Er recounted the events that had taken place, noting that while the soldiers had the power to kill them, they were unable to kill the soldiers. Given the unfair nature of the fight, it was no surprise that they found themselves trapped.
"No." Bai Lingmiao shook her head firmly. "As long as I'm here, there will be death. Just fight."
The Strayed Ones didn't trust Bai Lingmiao, so they refrained from acting. Bai Lingmiao commanded her thirty-six white donkeys to charge into the Feng Capital, using their techniques simultaneously.
Several demons emerged from the darkness, each about half the size of an average human. They were naked and had large pot bellies.
The demons struck their gongs with all their might, and the entire Feng Capital soon buzzed with life.
The city gates opened again, revealing a large minotaur wielding a heavy chain. It charged forward in the direction of the white donkeys.
"The disciples carry the thirty-three heavens. The masters surrounded them along with the eighteen Arhats and the twenty-four celestial beings! Turn our body into bronze and our bones into metal. Mold us into Mount Tai. We wear the twelve metal hats and the twelve armors. Wrap us in three layers of bronze and three layers of metal!"
The large chain crashed into the white donkeys, producing sparks and making the minotaur's hands go numb. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
It wasn't over. With their reinforced bodies, the white donkeys turned their palms into knives and cut into the minotaur's legs.
The minotaur cried in pain and crashed down. The white donkeys surrounded it and cut off its neck.
A wave of joy swept through the Strayed Ones as they realized the minotaur had truly died. The woman hadn't lied—she was able to kill the soldiers!
1. The road that the dead walk on as they travel to the underworld. ☜
Chapter 932 - Hellhounds
"Everyone, charge! Kill those soldiers and snatch the Book of Life and Death! This place is ours!" Yuen Er shouted, leading everyone to charge into the city.
Bai Lingmiao was surprised to see them use techniques from various sects rather than cultivating "Truth."
They were just like Li Huowang, learning techniques from other sects.
Soldiers poured out nonstop from the city, and Bai Lingmiao's doubts increased. "The Cow-head, Horse-face, and even the Black and White Impermanence... Is this really the underworld? Is my family here, then?"
Bai Lingmiao halted her wandering thoughts, noticing the others were engaged in a fierce battle. She retrieved a bunch of prayer beads made from human bones. Every time she rotated it, a soldier who had been severely wounded would die. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮
As Bai Lingmiao chanted, the Second Deity took control of her lower body.
Her snarling face split open as she rapped her black fingernails on her drum.
"Step firmly and stand tall! Wear your armor while you hold the whip! I call for the Red family before the Yellow! I call for the pythons and spiritual ferret to bring the King of Sadness!"
In no time, her beast-like features melded together, and multiple organs extended out of her body. With her limbs contorted inside out, the Second Deity charged forward, leaving a trail of blood in her wake.
Despite the relentless steam of soldiers pouring from the city gates, Yuen Er and the others had finally glimpsed a glimmer of hope in the fallen soldiers littering the ground. This breakthrough invigorated them and motivated them to fight even harder.
As more and more bodies piled up around them, something unexpected happened. The wind carried down a judge of the dead, split in half. One half had a snarling beast face, while the other had a rotting face
The Second Deity stopped chanting from the shock. "There's actually a judge of the dead here! This is the underworld!"
Bai Lingmiao momentarily halted, then quickly resumed her chanting while tightly gripping her prayer beads.
The judge stood atop a roof and observed everything below it. It stared with an unblinking eye at them, and its voice resembled an actor in the theater. "Ehm, such impudence~"
It raised its brush and wrote furiously in a purple book.
As it did, the corpses on the ground revived and surrounded Bai Lingmiao's group.
Bai Lingmiao's chanting came to an abrupt halt, her lips trembling. Her gaze was fixed on the book held by the judge.
"That thing is real! They are telling the truth! It's the Book of Life and Death! I can revive my entire village with it!"
The Second Deity howled and shouted, "Grab it!"
Everyone, from the Strayed Ones to the white donkeys, ignored their enemies and rushed towards the judge.
The judge scoffed and raised its brush. It looked at one of the white donkeys before crossing something in the book. Without warning, the white donkey collapsed, lifeless.
The moment the judge looked at the Strayed One with the unruly beard, Bai Lingmiao appeared behind the Strayed One.
The judge crossed another name off his list, and Bai Lingmiao placed her hands on the Strayed One's head.
With a swift stroke, the judge crossed out the name, but the bearded man was still alive. The book had not taken his soul.
Bai Lingmiao held onto the Heavenly Dao of Death, so she would've been embarrassed if she hadn't been able to intervene.
"Do not be afraid. It cannot decide your fate with me here! Grab the book!"
Upon hearing her, everyone stopped defending themselves. They charged recklessly at the judge, allowing the soldiers to attack them relentlessly. Since they couldn't die, there was no reason to defend themselves.
Now that the book had become useless, the judge panicked. Despite crossing off name after name, no one died. It floated upwards to retreat.
"Immortal Families! Don't forget to bring the three treasures when you are here! Find the Immortal-Shackling Chains, the Horse Saddle, and the Soul Imprisoning Bottle! Toss them towards the enemies to stop them from fleeing and escaping!"
The sound of the drumbeat paused as the Second Deity raised her drum whip and swung it towards the judge floating in the air. Then, she made a pulling motion downwards.
The judge fell down, as if it were truly bound by something.
The judge tried to get up, but it was too late. The white donkeys had already hurled their Saintess into the air, sending her soaring toward it.
The Second Deity let out crazy laughter as she sunk her black fingernails into the judge's face. She pulled and tore out the judge's cheek.
As the Second Deity attacked, Bai Lingmiao held onto the Book of Life and Death and pulled it hard.
She wept with joy as she held the Book of Life and Death in her hands. Though it was slightly larger than she was, its weight didn't matter—she could finally bring her family back to life!
Her triumph lasted only a single moment. The soldiers began retreating like a tide as another judge floated down with another Book of Life and Death.
Moments later, a second judge appeared and floated down, then a third, and so on, until there were nine judges before her.
Bai Lingmiao clutched the Book of Life and Death against her chest, her voice trembling with shock. "What's happening?"
Yuen Er approached her while leading the other Strayed Ones. "There are ten palaces, so naturally, there are ten judges! Don't you know that?"
"Who told you that there are ten judges?"
"My grandmother! Everyone in my village says that. How could you not know that?"
A terrifying thought gripped her as she processed his words.
"Sorry, I underestimated you. I never thought you could actually kill the judge. I suppose you could do it nine more times?" Yuan Er said, firmly gripping his own weapon.
The Second Deity heard Bai Lingmiao's question in her heart and immediately warned Yuen Er. "We can deal with nine judges, but we cannot deal with the hellhounds of the Underworld Palace."
"Hellhounds?"
Chapter 933 - Strayed Ones
"Hellhounds?" Yuen Er asked, dumbfounded.
"Yes, Hellhounds! We obtained that information from the archives of the Surveillance Bureau. Regular people wouldn't know about this," the Second Deity said. "It has three heads and devours the souls of people. None of us will survive when it appears!"
The Second Deity suddenly turned and stared into the darkness with fear. "Look! It's appearing! The Hellhound is coming!"
As the Strayed Ones stared into the darkness with fear, a Hellhound emerged from the black fog. It was rotting and emanating the air of death, striking fear in everyone's heart.
When Bai Lingmiao saw the Hellhound appear out of nowhere, she understood everything. She looked at the Book of Life and Death in her hands with despair.
She released her grip. The book slipped from her fingers, tumbling to the ground with a soft, devastating thud.
"She's lying..." Bai Lingmiao said.
"What?"
Bai Lingmiao pointed at the Hellhound with her trembling fingers. "There's no such thing as a Hellhound in the Underworld. It's just something she made up. Have you not noticed that the things she's making up are becoming reality?"
Bai Lingmiao closed her eyes and clasped her head in pain. "There's no Underworld! There's no Book of Life and Death! You were all deceived! The dog, the book, this entire place—you created it all! You are all Strayed Ones! Whatever you think is real will become real! If you think that this is fake, then everything will disappear!"
Her words were like a beating hammer that struck their hearts. A wind blew past, and the bodies of the nine judges slowly turned translucent. No one died, even as the judges continued to cross out names on the books. Soon, they disappeared in front of them.
The judges weren't the only ones disappearing. The soldiers, the city, and even the Hellhound disappeared.
Bai Lingmiao looked at the disappearing Book of Life and Death and cried. Her tears stained her eye mask, and they dripped onto the ground.
The Second Deity felt irritated, but in the end, she sighed and turned around to give Bai Lingmiao a gentle hug.
The two of them shared the same body, bearing the burden together.
Bai Lingmiao sobbed. "I... I thought it was real... I thought I could revive them using the book... Now... it feels like they died again in my heart..."
"I understand. I know. Don't be sad. Be happy for a bit. See, we get to take back eleven Strayed Ones."
The Second Deity couldn't do much except lick the tears off Bai Lingmiao's cheek using her snake-like tongue.
Bai Lingmiao's heart felt like it was being torn apart. However, she quickly composed herself, remembering the dire situation outside.
She took a deep breath before speaking. "Let's go out. We can help you escape your suffering. You won't be stuck between two worlds anymore. No matter who deceived you before, I'm sure no one will trick you again once you become regular people."
The Strayed Ones found themselves uncertain about what to do next, as their years of perseverance turned out to be nothing more than dreams. They silently trailed behind Bai Lingmiao.
They walked back out and saw that the entrance to the underworld and the Yellow Spring Road had disappeared. They had confirmed everything.
A lone Strayed One couldn't accomplish it all, but the presence of all eleven was enough to achieve this.
What exposed this as a sham was that none of the eleven Strayed Ones knew what the underworld looked like. They had simply fabricated it based on hearsay.
They returned to the place where Bai Lingmiao had originally come from. However, Bai Lingmiao stopped in front of the underground chamber.
"Wait here. I will chant and conduct the ceremony right now. Once it's done, the exit will appear. We can use the exit and get out from the Muddled One's Karmic Obstacle."
Bai Lingmiao sat down and started the chant. "The rain of Mandalas, the red spider lilies, and the sandalwood fragrance that pleases the hearts... Everything is but karma. The earth is pure and serene... At that time, the four assemblies were all joyful, their bodies and minds at ease, experiencing what had never been before... A light between the eyebrows illuminates the east, and the eighteen thousand worlds appear golden..."
Her chanting caused the space before her to quiver, with two different forces colliding.
As she continued to chant, the vibration grew stronger and stronger. Only when she completed her chant did the sound of shattering glass fill the air. Right before her, a circular hole materialized, leading to the main branch of the White Lotus Sect in Shangjing.
As soon as everyone went into the hole, it disappeared.
The Second Deity was confused and intrigued. I didn't know that the Lotus Sutra of Wondrous Dharma had such power. I remember it was used to calm one's heart.
Bai Lingmiao shook her head and looked at the eleven Strayed Ones behind her. It doesn't matter. This will work as long as they trust me, especially since we have eleven Strayed Ones.
Bai Lingmiao had learned a lot about Strayed Ones from spending so much time with Li Huowang. She made sure none of them suspected her words.
Since they could construct an entire underworld, forming an exit would be a piece of cake. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
"Miaomiao, you're back! How did you get out?" Chun Xiaoman's voice rose in shock as she guided a group of White Lotus Sect devotees to encircle Bai Lingmiao.
Bai Lingmiao didn't want to talk much and shook her head, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "Put the Muddled One back in the coffin. I'll take the Muddled One and the Strayed Ones to the Surveillance Bureau."
Bai Lingmiao was about to say something else when she turned around and saw Tuoba Danqing struggling painfully on the ground.
She rushed to help him up, horrified to see his muscular frame withering at an alarming pace. He was rapidly turning into a skeleton.
"He's dying from hunger," the Second Deity said
The consequences of prolonged starvation within the Muddled One's Karmic Obstacle were becoming horrifyingly clear.
Tuoba Danqing was fundamentally different from the eleven Strayed Ones—if they believed they weren't hungry, they wouldn't feel hungry.
Chapter 934 - Expected
"I cannot die... I... I cannot die... Feng Erniu!"
Tuoba Danqing grappled weakly on the ground, his emaciated arms clawing desperately at the earth. Death was not an option—not now, not when he was so close.
Feng Erniu had been the one to trap him within the Muddled One's Karmic Obstacle. For all this time, Tuoba Danqing's mind had been consumed by thoughts of revenge.
Now, he was finally out, but he was going to die soon.
Tuoba Danqing refused to succumb to his fate. However, he didn't have much time left. All he could do was say his last words. "Bai... Madam Bai! Tell my son that he must never join the Surveillance Bureau!"
Bai Lingmiao watched Tuoba Danqing with deep concern. "Don't worry. You won't die while I'm here."
She made a Lotus Seal with a single hand before lightly tapping Tuoba Danqing's forehead. A black lotus appeared briefly on his skin.
Tuoba Danqing felt his body stop decaying. While he hadn't revived, he also hadn't succumbed to death. It seemed as though he was suspended in a state between life and death.
"You are neither dead nor alive. I can only maintain you like this for twenty years or so. You should seek the masters from the Righteous Monastery before coming to find me again."
Tuoba Danqing looked at himself, shocked by Bai Lingmiao's powers.
He never thought Er Jiu's wife would be so powerful. The only people he knew with similar abilities were the Lamas from Qing Qiu.
He recalled she had once been barely qualified as a Shaman. What could have possibly transformed her so drastically in these past few years?
"What's wrong with him?" Yuen Er said, leading the other Strayed Ones.
Bai Lingmiao's heart raced as she heard footsteps approaching from behind. She quickly lifted Tuoba Danqing with her four arms. "It's nothing. He's just dealing with internal injuries, and we were tending to him. Let's move on."
They grouped all of the Strayed Ones into a single carriage. They departed from the White Lotus Sect and headed towards the Surveillance Bureau.
When they arrived, they were all shocked by the twisted room where Li Huowang was cultivating. As Li Huowang continued cultivating, his surroundings twisted and changed even further.
"You're here?" Xuan Pin floated out from the ground.
Tuoba Danqing fell onto the ground limply and kneeled when he saw the big red robes. "I greet the Chief!"
He was very nervous. He didn't have the qualifications to approach Xuan Pin in the past.
Xuan Pin remained silent after glancing at Tuoba Danqing. Instead, she pushed open the door to Li Huowang's cultivation room. "Come, follow me in."
The room wasn't any better. Various scenes and objects swam around Li Huowang. He also flickering in and out of existence.
"Wait for a moment. I'll go wake Father up. It's actually a bit difficult right now, even for me."
Xuan Pin phased past the floating motorbike and approached Li Huowang.
"Father...?" Tuoba Danqing froze in place. He felt that his world was crumbling.
He recalled that Er Jiu was supposed to be his underling. How did he make the Chief call him his father?
After working for the Surveillance Bureau for so long, Tuoba Danqing had seen many bizarre things. However, this was the first time he had encountered something like this.
If the Chief of the Surveillance Bureau addressed Er Jiu like that, what should he call him then?
While Tuoba Danqing was wrestling with his thoughts, the people from the Surveillance Bureau brought in eight more people with yellow talismans placed on their foreheads.
Bai Lingmiao knew those were the eight Strayed Ones the Surveillance Bureau had hunted down.
The palace, the Surveillance Bureau, and the regular people had been hunting for Strayed Ones. Even so, they had only managed to find eight. Unless more of them were born, there were no remaining Strayed Ones.
Li Huowang frowned when he opened his eyes and saw the group of Strayed Ones in front of him.
"There's so many of them this time!" With that amount of Strayed Ones, Li Huowang could strive for the next two chakra points.
"Yes. Mother helped us a lot."
Li Huowang looked at Bai Lingmiao. Both of them nodded at the same time.
Li Huowang then saw someone familiar. He was Tuoba Danqing, emaciated beyond recognition. If it weren't for the prayer beads on his arms, Li Huowang never would've recognized him.
Without waiting for Li Huowang to say anything, Tuoba Danqing stumbled over. "Brother Er Jiu! Where is Feng Erniu? Where is he?!"
"Who's Feng Erniu?" Li Huowang had never heard that name before.
"It's the Ji Xiang who has ordered us to go hunt the Muddled One! That damned bastard that used the abacus!"
"Oh! I remember him. He's dead. His wife is dead too," Li Huowang said plainly.
He ignored the frozen Tuoba Danqing and approached the Strayed Ones. "Time is short. Let's start now."
The other Strayed Ones became agitated upon seeing Li Huowang approach, but they relaxed when they realized that other Strayed Ones were still alive even after losing their primordial breath and inner sight.
The woman had not lied to them. They could live properly from now on.
"Feng Erniu is not dead," Xuan Pin whispered to Li Huowang as she stuffed the primordial breath and inner sight into Li Huowang.
Li Huowang gritted his teeth, controlling the external primordial breath and inner sight. "Feng Erniu is still alive? I thought his death had been documented."
"It was to fool you. You were fighting against us last time, remember?"
"Hmph! What a bunch of sly old foxes. Don't tell Tuoba Danqing, or they will fight to the death. Both of them are very vindictive."
Xuan Pin nodded as she controlled the Unspeakables. This time, they reached for the Strayed One with the unruly beard.
Once they touched him, Xuan Pin realized that something was off. Confused, she asked, "Why don't you have any primordial breath?"
The man chuckled and tore off his face, revealing the Lan Hua mahjong tile. "That's because I'm from the Sitting Oblivion Dao! Haha!"
Staring at the strange mahjong face, the Second Deity growled. "I knew it! There was no way all eleven Strayed Ones would randomly want to become the Kings of the Underworld!"
The Strayed Ones instantly surrounded the poor bastard. "You bastard!"
They ripped him apart, tearing him in bits and pieces. However, Lan Hua didn't stop his laughter, even in his last moments.
Chapter 935 - Truth
No one had thought the Sitting Oblivion Dao would infiltrate an entire group of Strayed Ones.
After Bai Lingmiao informed him about the origins of the Strayed Ones, Li Huowang organized his thoughts. "The Sitting Oblivion Dao hid ten Strayed Ones in the Muddled One's Karmic Obstacle. They were probably trying to accomplish something, but we reaped the fruits of their labor instead."
Xuan Pin nodded but corrected him. "Father, this is Shai Zi's way of helping us."
"What? Him? Help us?"
"Ten Strayed Ones hiding in the Muddled One's Karmic Obstacle. I doubt that the regular folks of the White Lotus Sect could discover such a hidden resource. No one would've learned about it if Shai Zi hadn't disclosed it."
Li Huowang wasn't in a hurry to absorb all the primordial breath. He meditated on the strange events. "Is he the one who revealed the information to us? I have a bad feeling about this."
"Father, you don't need to be suspicious of him all the time. Things are different now—he wouldn't be able to win against us even if he tried. He's not that stupid."
Li Huowang nodded. "Frankly, I would feel more at ease if he had some hidden agenda. I was worried that Shai Zi was genuinely trying to assist us."
He continued, "It's quite troubling. Just how dire must our circumstances be for even our enemies to extend a helping hand?"
Li Huowang pondered momentarily before tossing his spine sword into the darkness of Xuan Pin's robes.
"While I'm cultivating, help me check on the Qi Kingdom. Send some men if you need to. Don't let the Tianchen Kingdom attack it. Let me know the moment they attack the Qi Kingdom."
"Alright," Li Sui said as she extended several tentacles from her robes, tightly grabbing onto the spine sword.
Li Huowang looked at the remaining Strayed Ones and took a deep breath. "Come, let's continue. We need to reach the seventh stage before Zuoqiu Yong comes here." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦
As Li Huowang absorbed the primordial breath and inner sight of the Strayed Ones, he started to deform uncontrollably. Veins bulged on his forehead, and his brain expanded to the point of imminent rupture.
Li Huowang waved his arm, urging them to leave despite his pain. "Leave! Run as far away as you can!"
Bai Lingmiao and the others quickly exited the pulsing room. Once outside, Yuen Er and the others turned to Bai Lingmiao with grateful expressions. "Thank you, Miss Bai! We were deceived a lot of times in the past, but now we've finally found someone trustworthy."
Bai Lingmiao shook her head. "Don't worry about it. The White Lotus Sect focuses on accruing good karma, so we merely did the right thing. Do you have any other plans?"
Yuen Er and the others exchanged glances, uncertain of what to do next.
"Why don't you head to Cowheart Village? My people are there. It's a good place to stay while you figure out what to do."
"Thank you, Miss Bai! You are a real living Bodhisattva!"
At that moment, a powerful suction force emerged from the cultivating room, drawing everyone uncontrollably towards it.
Just as abruptly, the force vanished, replaced by a thunderous explosion that threw them into the air.
What was once an underground room had been transformed. Li Huowang's cultivation had violently displaced the earth, ripping away the ceiling and exposing a vast expanse of the sky.
Bai Lingmiao turned in the air and landed safely on the ground. "Save them! Take them and distance yourself from Senior Li!"
Fortunately, each person present had their own cultivation techniques. They all survived, even though they had been sent flying into the air.
Still, the aftermath was not without consequences. The blast impacted the room to the left—a repository of histories and ancient records. The books and scrolls lay scattered on the ground.
Bai Lingmiao stood at the crater's edge and looked down to see what had happened. They were shocked to find something weird down in the crater.
Something was slowly growing upwards from the crater like a distorted tree. It kept replicating and pasting itself repeatedly.
A distorted tree was slowly growing upwards from the crater, replicating itself repeatedly.
The tree had flesh, blood, grass, flowers, wood, and various other things that Bai Lingmiao could not identify.
The tree stopped growing an hour later, though its roots kept growing underground.
Bai Lingmiao stared at the large "tree" in front of her. It was both chaotic and majestic. She reached out and plucked an apple from a flat piece of a black mirror.
She stared at the apple for a long time before the Second Deity chomped into it.
"This is something Senior Li conjured. Don't eat it."
The Second Deity swallowed with delight. "Don't you understand? This isn't a conjuration or an illusion. This is the real deal. From now on, everything that Li Huowang conjures will be real. It will never fade away, even if he stops channeling his power. This is the true power of his cultivation."
Bai Lingmiao frowned as she looked at the chaotic crater. Maybe the others had forgotten, but she had not forgotten the side effects of "Truth" cultivation.
"Li Huowang, let's talk."
"I'm listening."
Li Huowang hugged his chest and stared at Qing Wanglai and Zhao Shuangdian.
"I understand that you aren't trying to break up with us at this moment, especially since you reached out to discuss this. Regardless of our current situation, we are all literally and figuratively tied down in the same boat."
Li Huowang turned to look at the seagulls flying past their boat.
He wasn't worried—they should be the ones worrying. Once the timeline reset, he would be the only one to retain his memories.
By then, Li Huowang would be in control of the situation.
Of course, since they were in an alliance to fight against a common enemy, Li Huowang would still tell them about his ability to reset the timeline.
However, he planned to mix false information with real information. No one would be able to tell the difference.
"We understand what you're thinking, but you must also know where we're coming from.
"We worked hard to fulfill some of your demands, such as bringing you the medicine to suppress your hallucinations.
"We also understand that you're worried about your girlfriend. We promise that this is the first and last time. We will not bring your girlfriend next time.
"We can even share some of our secret codes with you. This way, you'll quickly prove your ability to reset the timeline the next time it happens, and we won't bring your girlfriend along then."
Li Huowang looked at them silently as they talked. At the same time, Yang Na opened the door and entered the room.
She sensed the tension in the room and realized that the negotiations were going poorly. She bowed apologetically to the two before tugging at Li Huowang's sleeve, urging him to step outside with her.
However, Li Huowang remained still. Yang Na had to drag him out by force.
Li Huowang was confused. "Why are you helping them? Can't you see that they are using us? I'm finally sorting out the relationships between us Simings. If you don't want to be used by them, you need to use them instead!"
The wind on the sea blew through Yang Na's hair, causing it to flutter wildly. "I'm not helping them—I just want to help you. It's better to have another Siming, after all.
"Huowang, I know you're worried about me and don't want me to risk my life, but you need to think ahead. What if all of you died because I wasn't here? Would I really be able to defend the entire Baiyu Capital by myself?"
Chapter 936 - Desert
Li Huowang was momentarily stunned by Yang Na's words. He wanted to argue but soon realized she was right. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
If Ji Zai, Ba-Hui, the Three Pure Ones, the Five Dhyani Buddhas, Doulao, and the others were unable to win, then the enemy must be extraordinarily powerful. The Heavenly Mater could not defeat them either, and his current attempts to keep her out of the conflict were ultimately meaningless.
Something isn't right. Li Huowang shook his head vigorously, attempting to clear his thoughts from her perspective. His head began to throb slightly.
"It's not like that. You don't have to worry about any of this. You can just... leave! Go home and get better! You're not the Heavenly Mater! Nana, you're just ill!"
Yang Na looked confused. "Get better? Are you saying I'm mentally ill? If I am, what about you? Are you saying you're also mentally ill? Are Ji Zai, the Simings, and everything else just figments of your imagination?"
While speaking, Yang Na reached out and gently held Li Huowang's hand, her eyes filled with concern. "Huowang, you have to decide whether the Simings are real or not. You can't claim that I'm mentally ill while believing the Simings are real for you."
"But..." Li Huowang frowned, standing still with pursed lips.
Yang Na burst into laughter. She embraced him, wrapping her arms around his waist and planting a kiss on his lips.
Then, she turned around, cupped her hands around her mouth, and shouted out into the deep blue sea, releasing everything she had bottled up inside.
She raised her scarred wrists with joy, letting the sea breeze gently rustle through her hair. At that moment, she let out a burst of passion and energy that suited her age.
"I've decided not to commit suicide anymore! Since I'm in charge of death, I will deliver death to our enemies!
"Whether it's a Siming or a Greater Siming standing in our way, we'll kill them without mercy, whatever they might be!"
Li Huowang looked at her as she smiled. He wanted to say something but couldn't find the right words.
Compared to her past self, Yang Na seemed much happier, as if she had let go of many of her burdens.
After thinking for a long while, Li Huowang sighed deeply. He opened his arms and hugged her tightly from behind.
"Alright! Let's deal with them together! Let them come! Let them taste the consequences of messing with us, the Simings of the Baiyu Capital!"
After saying that, he pulled out a military knife from behind and handed it to Yang Na, then guided her hand to grip it firmly.
The best defense was a good offense. Since there was no way to avoid it, the only option left was to do everything possible to eliminate those who wished them harm!
Li Huowang heard a knock on the metal door. He turned around, still holding Bai Lingmiao, and saw Zhao Shuangdian. "The coordinates are almost set. It's time to discuss our strategy."
Li Huowang's expression gradually became serious. He led Bai Lingmiao into the cabin.
A tablet displayed a map of the ocean. Zhao Shuangdian rapidly moved her fingers to zoom in on the map.
"There was a miscalculation before. I originally thought it was on the island, but it turns out it's underwater."
"Underwater? Do you mean we'll have to dive this time?"
"Exactly. The environment is extremely harsh this time. Although we've prepared diving suits, everyone must be very careful."
"Under the deep sea, huh..." Li Huowang furrowed his brows, his gaze fixed on the deep-sea map displayed on the tablet.
What kind of projection is this illusion? Could the place where this Siming lives truly be so bizarre? Maybe the Simings of the Baiyu Capital have to prepare for this.
"There will be headsets in the diving suits. This time, Ling'er and I won't be going down. We'll be guiding you from above using your cameras. Once underwater, follow my instructions. If communications are cut off, follow Qing Wanglai's orders."
"And Li Huowang, your bulletproof vest won't work underwater, so don't be too reckless."
"If my vest won't work, will your firearms work underwater?"
"Don't worry about that. Ours won't work, but neither will theirs," Qing Wanglai said.
"Are you sure the projections we're dealing with now are still human?" Li Huowang's words sent a chill through everyone present.
Li Huowang didn't believe there would be some kind of illegal drug factory underwater this time.
He began to observe the people in the room. The girl whose lips twitched was naturally there, just like Chen Hongyu, who had returned to life.
Since she was here, the two men had naturally arrived as well.
One was a cold-faced skinny man, and the other was a burly man with the word "courage" tattooed on his shoulder. They seemed like mere spectators, rarely offering any opinions.
Li Huowang couldn't figure out what Simings the three of them were. However, since they were Zhao Shuangdian's people, they were surely Simings from Baiyu Capital.
Still, there was no point in speculating without seeing it for himself.
Everyone put on their diving suits and began to descend the metal ladder.
Li Huowang removed the oxygen mask from his mouth and looked up at Yang Na. "Once we're down there, stay close to me."
"I'm not that weak. After all, I'm the Siming of Death! I can't die."
Li Huowang didn't have a chance to explain the story of the previous Siming of Death, Qian Fu. Yang Na jumped into the icy water before he could.
The water was extremely cold. Li Huowang shivered when he jumped in, and Zhao Shuangdian's voice immediately came through his earpiece.
"Hello? Can you hear me? If you can, please cross your hands in front of the camera."
Li Huowang crossed his hands and then lowered them. He carefully observed everything underwater.
He trembled at the sight of the seabed. It was a desert. There was an entire desert underwater.
Golden dunes rose and fell, appearing dreamlike under the shimmering reflection of the water.
What is going on here? Is this the strange place where god Yu'er lives?
As Li Huowang observed the scene below, Qing Wanglai pulled out two sticks from behind and broke them apart. A thick green mist began to dye the surrounding water green.
What is he doing with his Heavenly Dao? Li Huowang watched the scene cautiously, realizing that the Three Pure Ones had come well-prepared.
At that moment, Zhao Shuangdian's voice explained through his earpiece. "This is shark repellent, meant to prevent attacks from sea creatures. Stay close to Ling'er, and don't fall behind."
While they were all wearing diving suits, Ling'er's occasional twitches were still very noticeable.
Even underwater, she continued to type away at her small computer. However, the keyboard was now embedded in the sleeve of her diving suit.
Chapter 937 - Danger
Li Huowang moved his flippers in the cold seawater. With his military knife clenched in one hand and Yang Na's hand held firmly in the other, he followed closely behind Ling'er.
Glancing downward, he found himself hovering just above the desert-like seabed. Oddly enough, it felt as if he were floating instead of swimming.
Could their Simings really be in a place like this? Last time, the Siming's projection was a factory. What could it be this time?
Li Huowang looked around for anything that could be the projection of the Siming.
The area was barren, allowing them to see far into the distance. There was nothing apart from the occasional fish and the large expanses of sand at the seabed. It didn't seem like there was anything substantial enough to serve as a Siming's projection.
If it was the projection of a Siming, it should at least be able to move and pose a threat.
It would be like the drug factory from last time, where the drug lords were likely the limbs of the Siming.
At that moment, Li Huowang felt someone tug his arm. It was Yang Na.
She couldn't speak with her oxygen mask on, so she pointed upwards toward the surface.
Li Huowang carefully examined the water and noticed ripples forming on the surface of the inverted water. It's raining.
Zhao Shuangdian's anxious voice rang in their ears, saying, "Attention! Everyone, return to the ship immediately! A typhoon is heading this way. I repeat, return to the ship!"
They abandoned their search and turned rapidly toward the surface. Ocean weather was notoriously unpredictable, and this typhoon was closing in faster than anticipated.
Li Huowang removed his mask upon reaching the surface. The sight that greeted him was shocking—dark clouds loomed in the distance like a collapsing sky, accompanied by the deep rumble of thunder.
His face paled. What's going on? Could this be the Siming's projection? Why is this Siming so powerful?!
He was a Siming himself, but his projection was a human. The terrifying force before him was beyond human, so what could it be?
"Hurry!" he shouted desperately. "Get on the ship! We've been discovered. It's a trap!"
It was clear that after the successful ambush last time, the Simings from the other elephant would not fall for the same trick.
It had been lying in wait for them, whatever it was.
Ignoring the downpour, they pressed on, swimming toward the distant ship as the waves crashed around them.
The storm was intensifying. Fortunately, they still had their diving equipment. When swimming on the surface became impossible due to the wind, they could dive underwater to get closer to the ship.
However, it was dangerous even underwater. The undercurrents posed a threat, threatening to drag them away multiple times.
The sight of the ship's barnacle-covered hull spurred Li Huowang to swim hard, breaking the surface and reaching for the metal ladder.
Creak! Just as his hand was about to grasp the ladder, the ship began to lift, accompanied by an eerie creaking sound. It was as though a large invisible hand had grabbed it.
As the ship bobbed in the water, Li Huowang glimpsed what was concealed behind it—a towering waterspout reaching between the sky and sea.
"Waterspout!"
There was little Li Huowang could do. He pushed his companions' heads back underwater. "Don't surface! Head to the seabed and bury yourselves in the sand!"
There was no escaping now. Their only chance was to dive to the seabed and minimize the impact from above.
Li Huowang felt a shadow above him. When he looked up, he was hit by a wave of suffocating fear.
The ship, which had been spinning in the air, was now directly above him and plunging down with the rain.
A sharp ringing sound filled Li Huowang's ears. He reacted instinctively, diving as deep as possible into the water.
Before he could swim far, a powerful shockwave from above flung him away.
Luckily, the area was free of hard objects. Li Huowang crashed into the sand dunes below, and a deafening roar replaced the ringing in his ears.
Li Huowang struggled to regain his strength, eventually managing to crawl out of the sandy pit. As he did, he came face-to-face with the severed head of Ba Shengqing.
Ba Shengqing seemed alive, and his tattooed eyes blinked slightly at Li Huowang. "The Sacrificial God... is dead?"
Li Huowang suddenly thought of something and immediately started to look for Yang Na.
The ship had completely disintegrated, and its parts sank to the sandy seabed like a dying whale.
Li Huowang searched frantically and suddenly noticed movement in the upper left corner. To his dismay, it was Ba Nanxu, crushed in half. She had likely been hit by debris from the shipwreck.
Without her mask, she continued to struggle to swim away as though searching for something in the shipwreck.
Although she was still moving, Li Huowang knew such injuries were fatal. Ba Nanxu wouldn't live long. The two Simings that controlled pain were dead.
Next, Li Huowang spotted Qing Wanglai, who was still alive and uninjured. Qing Wanglai was dragging Zhao Lei to an area free of debris.
He noticed Chen Hongyu's large frame rolling continuously in the water, so he quickly swam over.
He steadied Chen Hongyu's body but noticed a steel plate impaled through her face. Decay had also perished.
Yang Na! Yang Na! Li Huowang was consumed with worry. No matter how desperately he searched, he couldn't locate her.
It was Yang Na, but not as he remembered her. Her body had been severed at the waist, and her lower half was gone, replaced by a crimson tail formed by spilling intestines and blood that mingled in the water. She looked like a grotesque parody of a mermaid.
Yang Na had clearly died. Her skin was pale from blood loss, making her look like a withered rose. It was a beautiful embodiment of death.
The ocean currents shifted Yang Na's corpse, circling around Li Huowang while moving its tail.
Chapter 938 - Projection
"Hurry up! We're going to miss the bus!" Dressed in a blue school uniform, Yang Na shouted impatiently at Li Huowang, who had just opened the door. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
Yang Na smiled brightly at Sun Xiaoqin, who was in the back wearing an apron.
"Good morning, Auntie."
"Nana, here to pick up Huowang for school again? You'll be starting middle school next year, right? Will you still be going to the same school as our Huowang?"
"Yes, Auntie."
"If you're late, why aren't you running?" Li Huowang shoved her aside and bolted down the stairs. "Hurry up, Yang Erlang!"
"How dare you shove me!" Yang Na grabbed the railing and raced down the steps after him.
She crashed heavily onto Li Huowang's backpack, causing him to stagger forward. She wrapped her arm tightly around his neck.
They wrestled and laughed, racing to the bus stop just in time to catch their ride.
Both of them sighed in relief as they finally sat down. Without exchanging a single word, they silently retrieved something from their bags—one took out a handheld game console, while the other pulled out a romance novel.
They immersed themselves in their worlds, side by side, as the bus rumbled along.
Good times were short-lived. They reluctantly put their things away at the seventh stop and prepared to get off the bus.
"Wait, you're crying? You actually teared up from reading a book? Hahaha!" Li Huowang said, noticing Yang Na's reddened eyes.
Yang Na hooked her right arm around his neck and gave him a swift knee to the stomach.
"You don't understand. The novel is touching and well-written. It's about two people who have a crush on each other but ultimately miss their chance. It's easily one of the top five stories in my heart."
Clutching his stomach, Li Huowang stood up. "What? If they liked each other, why didn't they just say so? That's just stupid!"
"I'm never going to be like that when I grow up!" he quickly added.
At that moment, their eyes met. Yang Na blinked and pointed a finger at his nose. "Oh? Did you just say a bad word? I'm telling the teacher!"
She turned and ran, with Li Huowang chasing after her. While watching her run, he couldn't help but notice her smile, the dimples on her cheeks, and the radiance of her grin.
It dawned on Li Huowang that Yang Na, who had played with him since childhood, was actually very beautiful.
As the years passed, Li Huowang noticed how Yang Na became increasingly beautiful. Little did he know that the most beautiful moment would come after her death.
Yang Na's lifeless body was completely severed in two. Her long hair spread out in the icy seawater, its beauty so stunning that it shattered his heart.
Yang Na was dead. The girl he had grown up with was dead, just like that.
"Na... na..." Li Huowang's mouth opened in despair as seawater flooded into his throat, making him cough violently.
Clutching the oxygen tube between his teeth, he rushed forward, his tears streaming down his face. He grabbed Yang Na's half-body, hugging her tightly to his chest.
His mind buzzed as he felt the coldness of her skin against his own. His heart throbbed with pain, but it felt as if the rest of his body had ceased to exist.
No! I refuse to accept this reality! I won't accept it! I am Ji Zai, and I control Bewilderment, Truth, and Lies! I am a Siming! I am a deity! If I want someone to live, they must live!
Li Huowang desperately grabbed onto the mermaid's tail and tried to shove it back into Yang Na's body.
She would come back to life if he could stuff it back! He could fix her!
However, the tail was very slippery. It slipped away with the current every time he grabbed it.
He reached out and wrapped a strand of intestines around his arm, but a huge force knocked him several meters away.
A porcelain toilet came crashing down right where he had been standing, narrowly missing his head.
Wu Qi had saved him. Then, she gave him a hard slap to snap him out of it.
Qing Wanglai floated over and glanced at Yang Na's corpse. He grabbed her by the neck and tossed her aside.
Li Huowang yanked on the intestines and pulled her corpse back toward him, holding it tightly in his arms.
His eyes filled with fury, and he raised his knife toward Qing Wanglai. "It's all your fault! You caused all of this!"
A voice rang in his ear, causing Li Huowang to freeze. "Is this really the time for infighting? Don't forget you can still rewind!"
His congested mind cleared, and reason returned. He trembled as he gently stroked Yang Na's snow-white cheek.
It's okay! It's okay! I'll bring you back! I'll bring you back! As long as I kill this Siming, I can bring you back!
He looked up at the sea above him. The surface was in chaos. Waves crashed at an alarming speed, churning the waters into a violent frenzy.
From underwater, it looked like a view from the sky—a boiling tsunami consuming the water's surface.
Li Huowang kicked his flippers and swam toward the surface. When his head emerged, a massive wave hit him and disoriented him.
He broke through the surface once again and finally caught sight of the Siming's projection. Beneath the pitch-black sky, his view was filled with towering waves and a swirling waterspout.
It felt as though he was about to confront the entire world, not just a Siming. This was nothing like the last Siming's projection.
At that moment, Qing Wanglai appeared beside him and pulled off his oxygen mask. "There's nothing we can do in this situation! Whatever that projection is, it's far more powerful than us!"
He continued, "The most sensible choice now is to retreat! Leave this sea!"
Li Huowang lowered his head and kissed Yang Na's forehead. His eyes were filled with obsession and determination. "It's okay! No matter what this projection is, I will kill this Siming! I will kill him!"
Li Huowang raised his knife, pointing it at the dark clouds above. "Did you hear me? I'm going to kill you! I will give up everything, even my own life, to kill you!"
Crack! Lightning split the sky, and a bolt of silver struck the knife in his hand.
Chapter 939 - Eye
Li Huowang was suddenly overcome by a constant ringing in his ears, causing him to lose all sensation. Convulsing uncontrollably, he sank into the water.
"Huo.. Huo.." Several faint voices seemed to come from the distance.
His hearing suddenly snapped back, and the voices became incredibly loud. "Li Huowang!"
Two large hands burst from the water and laboriously pulled him up.
"Li Huowang! Are you crazy? Holding up metal in a thunderstorm? Do you have a death wish?!" Wu Qi shouted furiously at him.
Li Huowang glanced downwards, his eyes landing on the knife in his hand. It had turned completely black. Burn marks traced their way along his veins, starting from his hand and spreading everywhere.
He replayed the events in his foggy mind and realized he had been struck by lightning.
He wiped the seawater from his face and lifted his gaze to the vast, swirling black clouds overhead.
Li Huowang took a deep breath, then tilted his head back and unleashed a hysterical scream toward the sky. "You want to kill me? No way!"
He hoisted Yang Na's corpse with some difficulty, clutching her tightly. "Death is on my side! If you're so powerful, strike me down!"
"You can't fight it! Now is not the time to go crazy. We need to go!" Qing Wanglai grabbed Li Huowang's shoulder and tried to pull him underwater, but Li Huowang violently pushed him away.
His face twisted in rage as he shouted, "No! I can't leave! If I go, it's all over! Yang Na will never come back!
"We still have a chance! If we retreat, they will seize the Heavenly Daos of Decay, Pain, and Death. It will be the end for us if we let them!"
Zhao Shuangdian's voice echoed in Li Huowang's ears. "Li Huowang, I understand how you feel, but you need to look around.
"This time, the enemy is a spiraling rainband. It's nothing like the factory we faced the last time. You can destroy a factory, but how can you destroy a typhoon?
"It isn't even alive. It has no life. How could you kill something like that?"
Li Huowang's rage subsided. He looked down at Yang Na and said, "Nana, did you hear that? This Siming isn't alive. It doesn't even have Death."
He flashed a sudden, gentle smile. "But that's alright. We have you. You are the Siming of Death. You can give it Death!"
"Exactly!" The realization hit Li Huowang like a thunderbolt. Disregarding the raging waves, he grabbed Yang Na and plunged underwater, rushing toward the distant waterspout.
Even as he got close, the fierce winds prevented Li Huowang from breaking through the surface.
Li Huowang took off his oxygen mask while still underwater. He held Yang Na close, kissed her passionately, and then pushed her towards the surface with both hands.
Yang Na reached the water's surface, and the strong gusts of wind quickly swept her upward, flinging her toward the sky like the cruise ship.
As he watched Yang Na sway in the wind like a ragdoll, a wave of reluctance washed over him. It's okay, don't be afraid. I won't let you face this alone. I'll be with you!
Li Huowang kicked hard with his flippers and burst through the water's surface. The violent wind and rain instantly swept them up toward the towering waterspout.
The fierce wind chilled Li Huowang, soaked to the bone, yet he could barely feel it. The lightning had already numbed him.
"It's alright, Yang Na, don't be afraid!" Li Huowang squinted through the fierce storm, gripping his military knife tightly with both hands as they approached the waterspout.
"I figured it out!" Zhao Shuangdian's voice suddenly rang in Li Huowang's ear. "It's topology! I was approaching it from the wrong direction earlier!"
As the waterspout loomed closer, Li Huowang roared, "What the hell is topology?!"
"Li Huowang! Listen carefully!" Zhao Shuangdian's voice turned uncharacteristically urgent. "I'll guide you! Don't do anything rash! Let go of Yang Na and grab her again after one second!"
Li Huowang hesitated briefly, then released his grip.
Though he didn't fully understand her reasoning, he trusted her. Zhao Shuangdian was on his side and wouldn't betray him now.
Yang Na drifted from his grasp and floated leftward like a kite in the wind.
"Now!"
Li Huowang's hand shot out and grabbed the "kite string" tightly.
With the lift from the kite, Li Huowang was instantly pulled higher, narrowly skirting past the left side of the waterspout.
"Let go of Yang Na and strike it!"
He tightly gripped his knife with both hands, letting out a fierce roar before slashing at the swirling waterspout.
A powerful force instantly engulfed him, causing the world around him to spin rapidly.
When Li Huowang's vision stabilized, he found himself upside down, plummeting down with a terrifying sense of weightlessness.
Thump! Li Huowang crashed into the water. Intense pain shot through him, as if he'd been smashed to pieces.
He summoned his last reserves of strength and dragged himself onto a nearby shipwreck, despite his multiple fractures.
He panted heavily and looked around. The sea was eerily calm and quiet compared to before.
Although the thunderclouds still loomed low and the sky was dark, there was no wind at all. The sea was so calm that it resembled a mirror.
"Where... where is this? Why is it so strange?" Li Huowang muttered as he reached into the water and pulled Yang Na up.
Yang Na had done it. Death was now in place. Soon, he could kill the Siming.
"This... the eye... of the typhoon..." Zhao Shuangdian's voice cut off with a crackling sound in his earpiece.
"The eye of the storm? I see! So this is the Siming's weak point!" Li Huowang stood up, aching all over. He looked at the calm sea around him and gripped his military knife tightly. Then, he plunged it into the water with all his might.
However, nothing changed. He had merely made a small splash.
Li Huowang froze and stood still in confusion. He climbed back onto the shipwreck and looked around blankly.
In the distance, black clouds loomed like towering mountains, pressing ever closer.