Chapter 163: Escape and Aftermath
Just like before, the large heavy door stood partially open. Unlike that time, however, there were slight signs of traffic—whether anyone had made it far remained unclear.
After searching for signs of lurking enemies, the group cautiously pressed forward, passing through the door into a wide, mist-filled tunnel. The air reeked of death and decay, just as it had back then. It wasn't much different from the Whispering Expanse itself, but here, within this enclosed space suspended between realms, the atmosphere felt even more eerie.
"Hmm… after entering here, I can sense that we've stepped into a space similar to what the Celebi Forest Kingdom had," Shayleaf said, eyes wary. "Like when moving between the Whispering Expanse and the Upperlands."
"This place is a dimensional bridge of sorts," Christy added, her Aka Boshi no Tengan glowing faintly as she studied the space. "Safer than falling through a rift…"
"In any case, we should reach our destination eventually." Elton kept his tone calm, though his steps were cautious.
Time passed until they finally reached a spiraling staircase leading upward.
"It's about time. I can't wait to leave this drab place…" Shayleaf sighed.
"Really? Seems like ever since we entered the Fae region, it's been nothing but drab places," Christy muttered, wincing at her wounds.
"Hey… that was my home until now, Mistress," Tongsheng replied flatly.
Elton chuckled. "Alright, ladies. Let's head up. If things remain as they were when I left, we can finally focus on recovery." His gentle smile eased the tension just slightly.
One by one, they ascended the staircase. At last, they emerged into the land of the abandoned city, free of the suffocating mist and bloody stench. Elton carefully scanned the land, wary of any changes.
Christy pushed her Aka Boshi no Tengan to its limit, scouring for hidden threats in the weather, poisons, or terrain. Shayleaf and Tongsheng also sent out familiars to scout far and wide. Aside from a few curious spectacles, they detected no enemies nearby.
"Ahh… it almost feels surreal to finally have some peace," Christy sighed.
"I second that," Elton said with relief. "Alright, let's head to one of the sturdier buildings. This city may be in ruins, but it still holds plenty of use."
They followed him to a partially intact structure and settled inside, beginning their much-needed recuperation. Christy even withdrew the corpse of the Mortal Lord demon from her spatial bag, carefully examining its eyes as she recovered. With that time continued to move forward during this time of speech.
Meanwhile, back in the Whispering Expanse, the mood was grim.
The three great forces—the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, the Fanged Elf Tribe, and the Aka Boshi no Tengan Clan—had occupied a city by force. News of the occupation hadn't spread, for they subdued the two Mortal Lords who once protected it.
Aeloria sat quietly, her calmest expression belying the unease in her heart as she studied the glowing Life Orb.
"To think… we nearly lost Lady Shayleaf's signal again. What is going on?" she murmured.
"It's the same for Lady Christy!" growled a middle-aged warrior of the Aka Boshi no Tengan clan, his aura fierce. "Could they have been captured? Unacceptable!"
The Bright Brilliant Blade Sect disciples exchanged uneasy glances. They knew the elves were generally level-headed. The Aka Boshi clan, however, was another matter entirely.
Christian's voice cut the silence. "…Perhaps we were too lenient. We could have moved faster if we weren't trying to avoid trouble. If we had simply—"
"Madam Christian." Aerlan interrupted firmly. "Overthinking won't help. Wide-scale slaughter would have drawn even greater ire."
"I'd side with you on that," Murphaus said grimly, "but it's not too late to reconsider. If we find proof… slaughter may be our best answer." His expression was deathly cold, making many nearby shudder.
The tension was broken when a subordinate rushed in, trembling under the pressure of so many auras.
"Milords! News… troubling news."
"Speak," ordered a Bright Brilliant Blade Elder.
The warrior explained two major rumors spreading like wildfire. Armies mobilizing, countless experts hunting, and above all—confirmation of Daoist Blue Heavens Sword's terrifying strike that shook the region.
Jewleaf let out a booming laugh of relief.
"Hahaha! So my daughter and son-in-law are raising hell! Good!"
Jonivan roared with pride. "You mean both our son-in-law! Not to mention our me very own daughter!"
Relief washed through the gathering—until Christian's cold voice cut through.
"…They disappeared soon after. And now countless armies hunt for my precious granddaughter and grandson. I will not tolerate such insolence. The Aka Boshi no Tengan clan will hunt them all down!"
Her murderous intent filled the air, dragging her clanmates into the same frenzy.
"That's right! To target our clan is unforgivable!"
"Massacre them all!"
Even Jonovan and others were swept into the fury. The Fanged Elf Tribe and Bright Brilliant Blade Sect looked on uneasily.
Murphaus sneered. "Hmph. The Aka Boshi clan's unity is admirable. I'm not opposed—but we must not go too far."
Aeloria exchanged a look with Aerlan, then spoke.
"If we head toward the site of the great battle, we may pick up their trail. Grandfather, shall we follow their plan?"
Aerlan finally nodded. His expression hardened.
"Very well. Let us crush all who dared to touch our beloved pillars."
Thus, preparations began—and in the future certain disasters would eventually spread like wildfire across the Whispering Expanse.
…
The Bramblefiend Mortal Lord's steps shook the ruined landscape as his fury churned. Blood still lingered on his body from his wounds—seared into him like a brand he could not erase.
He remembered it all.
The battlefield had been madness, a storm where no side truly held control. Multiple forces, demonic beasts, and countless opportunists clashed in a frenzy, their powers tearing apart the land. Yet, amidst the chaos, one figure burned brighter than all—Daoist Blue Heavens Sword.
At first, Gonald thought it laughable. A Golden Lord, no matter how gifted, could never stand amidst armies and Mortal Lords alike. But the longer the battle went on, the more unease twisted through him. Experts—ones who should have sought their own gain—moved to defend his side. As though his presence bent the will of the battlefield itself.
Then came the attack.
He had watched the young Golden Lord step forward amidst the chaos, his body bloodied, his aura unstable yet unyielding. Then, without warning, he raised his hands.
A searing brilliance erupted between his palms, condensing into a colossal beam of blue-white fire and lightning. The heavens split as the attack screamed across the battlefield, roaring like thunder made flesh.
It struck him full on.
At that very moment, the wounded Winged Serpent demonic beast descended in its own reckless charge, only to be dragged into the blast as well. The two of them were swallowed in that torrent of destruction.
Gonald remembered the indescribable pain—the way the energy burned through his thorned bark-flesh, how his antlers split, how blood poured from him in steaming rivulets. He had felt the weight of death itself pressing down, something he had not known since for a long time now.
If not for the Winged Serpent's body absorbing part of the devastation, he would have been reduced to ash then and there.
The wails of the dying still rang in his ears. Armies obliterated and Beasts howling in shredded pieces. Even numerous Gold tier experts crumbling beneath that strike. Gonald had been forced to drag his ruined body from the smoking crater, his hatred smoldering hotter than his wounds.
And then—just like that—the battlefield froze. Daoist Blue Heavens Sword and his three women, all bloodied and exhausted, were wrapped in a strange energy and spirited away before anyone could respond. Silence followed, broken only by roars of fury as every side realized their prey had slipped their grasp.
Gonald's teeth clenched as he recalled the humiliation. Him, a proud Bramblefiend Mortal Lord, reduced to prey before a Golden Lord.
"Blue Heavens Sword…!" His roar shook the present, eyes bloodshot as his killing intent spread like wildfire. "You dared humiliate me! You dared scar me! I will grind you and your women to dust!"
"This was certainly very interesting. Hmm… I'm beginning to get a restless feeling with the passing of time but perhaps it's because of how big a stir has been caused these days? Ah, but I can't leave my good friend to his devices. Well then let's see if we can find that terrifying Golden Lord Blue Heavens Sword."
His 6 wings began revving up as he began flying in the direction Gonald had angrily headed to.