Mingyin swam downward beside Pressten, the dark water rippling around them.
Behind him, one clone after another began to materialize—silent, identical, and utterly fearless.
An Immortal in the distance nearly had his eyes pop out.
"This guy… he's not mortal. Then where did all those clones come from?"
"Of course he isn't mortal," another muttered. "Why is he pretending? We were only trying to provoke him…"
Magman turned sharply, scanning the crowd before roaring,
"Go down. Now. Or I'll unleash my strongest attack!"
The Bronze Holder, who had barely regained her composure, snapped back,
"Bullshit!"
Yet the rest of the crowd only clenched their jaws and continued descending.
The Bronze Holder bit her nail so hard that blood seeped out. Her breathing grew ragged.
"Ahhh—! Why are you all going down? He is—"
Magman's palm suddenly rose in front of her face, silencing her mid-sentence.
"If you want to survive, Bronze Holder, listen carefully. The crowd wanted to abandon you and steal your artifact. We were the ones who stopped them. So don't you dare do anything foolish."
She turned her head away, her teeth grinding as sharp pain cut across her lips.
This damn bastard… he saw my injury. One day I'll send him flying across the sky a hundred thousand times and pierce his heart.
Without warning, the jade carp fish unleashed torrents of water like barrages of bullets.
Mingyin's clones flashed into existence before them. A massive surge engulfed one clone completely—yet it did not flinch. Instead, it lunged forward through the current.
Some of the jade carp scattered, breaking formation, while others hesitated. In that instant, lightning, flames, and swirling streams of water crashed into them from every direction.
Several jade carp fell… only to rise again moments later.
"Huh?"
An Immortal gasped, eyes widening in disbelief.
Mingyin maneuvered, drawing part of the swarm away, but another torrent burst toward his clone.
The clone could not be halted—yet it could not advance either.
The surrounding Immortals stared at Mingyin in stunned silence.
Then, a tiny gap opened within the jade carp formation.
A clone slipped inside like a shadow. The carp spun and fired another wave of water—only for their attacks to collide with one another, scattering them violently.
The Immortals seized the chance and launched their own assaults.
One jade carp shattered into pieces. Then another. Then several more.
"Mingyin shouted, "Magman—now!"
The crowd pulled back, watching as confusion spread through the jade carp ranks.
One carp slammed its head into another.
Soon, more followed, repeating the same mindless action.
Mingyin's eyes widened slightly.
I've seen this before… In one of my past lives. Jade carp—even those with soul-core formations—have low intelligence. They turn against their own kind… and they're slow to adapt.
Magman glared at Mingyin's clone with open hatred.
A powerful current suddenly formed, dragging dozens of jade carp toward him.
He clapped his hands once.
The cloud around his waist crystallized, spreading rapidly until his entire body was encased in shimmering crystal mist. He thrust his five fingers downward.
The crystal cloud glowed faintly as he spread his arms wide. The jade carp were forced together, colliding again and again, their bodies torn by the crushing currents. At the same time, the Immortals unleashed a storm of attacks, cutting down fish after fish.
Mingyin watched the chaos unfold, a cold bloodlust rising within him.
Magman needs to die. The Immortals too.
And I already know how to make it happen.
Mingyin's figure flickered.
In the next instant, he appeared beside the Immortals, his presence so subtle that the water barely stirred. He leaned close to one of them and spoke in a low voice,
"Be careful around Magman. He told me he plans to kill all of you… weaken you one by one."
The Immortal turned, confusion spreading across his face. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with long hair drifting in the water.
"What do you mean?"
Mingyin continued calmly, his tone steady and convincing. Every word was placed with precision, like pieces on a chessboard. Slowly, doubt crept into the man's eyes… then anger.
The Immortal lifted his head, bloodlust flickering within his gaze, and began whispering to the others.
At the same time, another Mingyin clone appeared behind Magman, leaning close to his ear.
"They're going to attack you now."
Magman's pupils shrank, turning a sharp crimson as the last jade carp around him died.
"What do you mean?" he growled.
Mingyin quickly added, pointing downward as if revealing a secret.
"I went into hiding near them. I heard everything. They want your artifact."
Magman glanced down.
The Immortals were already staring at him with cold, unreadable expressions.
A chill crawled up his spine.
He turned his head slightly and noticed Mingyin behind him.
Don't tell me…
He shook the thought away.
I can't focus on Mingyin right now. If the group turns on me while the Jade Palace attacks… I'll be hunted from all sides.
Magman suddenly roared, his voice echoing through the water,
"So you all want to kill me? Then come! Try to take my artifact, you rascals!"
The crowd erupted instantly. Curses and shouts flew in every direction.
"Mingyin was right—he planned to kill us first!"
Magman, fully covered in crystal cloud armor, gritted his teeth and unleashed a massive sphere of condensed energy, hurling it downward like a falling star.
Nearby, the Bronze Holder's eyes widened. She tried to swim away—
But Mingyin appeared behind her, the Immortals' hostile stares locking onto her as well.
"Don't try to run, Bronze Holder."
Her heart sank.
What can I even do against a Sage who fights with intelligence alone? It's pointless… I'd be crushed instantly.
Mingyin waved his hand lightly, speaking without looking directly at her.
"You want to survive? Then follow my rules. Otherwise… you'll learn what true fear is."
She lowered her head, anger burning behind her clenched teeth.
"Fine!"
Mingyin pointed toward the depths.
"Send your spear. Fracture the Jade Palace and draw the Queen's army toward Magman and the Immortals. You'll get the remaining artifacts. I only need one."
She hesitated.
"Wait—let me—"
Mingyin's gaze sharpened, silent but oppressive.
A shiver ran through her body.
After a moment of inner struggle, she nodded.
A faint smile crossed Mingyin's lips.
"I'll leave now. Don't do anything foolish. If I don't see the Queen's army rising… don't blame me for turning you into a lifeless corpse."
Bronze Holder snorted, her temper barely contained. She summoned her spear, stretching her arm downward before hurling it with full force.
A small eagle-shaped artifact at the spear's tip ignited with phantom energy, forming the outline of a spectral eagle. The weapon struck the Jade Palace—
Boom.
The structure trembled from the impact.
From afar, one of Mingyin's clones watched quietly, a rare sadness in his eyes.
I never wanted to rely on anyone… everyone has their own will. Oppressing the weak is easy. But I have a goal I cannot live without. Whether it's good or evil… without it, I'm nothing. Just a foolish insect in a cruel world.
Mingyin closed his eyes.
His figure dissolved into the water, vanishing without a trace.
Only his voice remained, echoing faintly,
"Bronze Holder… go. Escape. The Queen's army will chase Magma
Magman's hand trembled violently.
Deep wounds covered his arm, flesh torn open where his sleeve had been ripped apart. Blood drifted slowly into the surrounding water, spreading like thin red smoke. Every small movement sent pain through his nerves, yet he still forced himself to turn his head.
Behind him, the Bronze Holder floated in place.
Her eyes slowly closed — not from fear, but from calculation.
A silent decision.
The alabaster mask hovering near Magman's mouth began to shake. At first, the movement was barely noticeable. Then bubbles burst around it as the water warped, as if space itself were being folded inward.
Magman sensed it too late.
The mask vanished from before his face.
In the next instant, it reappeared in the Bronze Holder's hand.
The surrounding Immortals froze in disbelief.
No one spoke.
Even the currents seemed to pause.
The Bronze Holder lifted her chin and gave them a deadly stare — cold, proud, and filled with restrained anger. Without another word, she turned and swam away from the Jade Palace, her figure fading into the blue depths.
Magman stiffened.
He tried to raise his injured arm to attack, but a surge of clear water rushed straight into his nostrils, choking him and breaking his focus. Around him, the crowd also faltered as swirling currents struck their faces and disrupted their breathing. Their angry expressions shifted into confusion and shock.
Then—
The Jade Palace trembled.
A deep rumble echoed from below, vibrating through the water and into their bones.
At first it was faint, like distant thunder.
Then it grew heavier.
Closer.
Alive.
From the abyss beneath the palace, shadows began to rise.
Thousands of enormous carp fish surged upward, their bodies covered in deep-sea scales and glowing crystal formations. Their fins sliced through the water like blades, and their eyes reflected fractured light. Together they looked less like creatures and more like a moving wall of living armor.
Fear spread instantly among the Immortals.
Some tried to prepare attacks.
Others immediately turned to flee.
Magman was the fastest. Survival instinct overcame pride as he shot toward the surface, leaving chaotic currents in his wake.
But suddenly—
All the giant carp stopped.
Every single one of them.
They hovered motionless, their massive bodies suspended in the water. Slowly, in perfect unison, they turned their eyes downward.
The water darkened.
Something deeper stirred.
From the abyss, a far larger figure began to rise — slow, heavy, unstoppable.
It was the Queen.
Her head bore a crown of jagged bone, layered like ancient fossils fused together. Her scales were thicker and darker than the others, glowing crystal veins running across her enormous body. Compared to her, the rest of the carp looked like mere fragments.
The lesser carp descended toward her.
One by one, they pressed their heads and bodies against her scales… and began to sink into her flesh.
The sight was horrifying.
Beautiful.
Unnatural.
Her body trembled violently as if containing a storm. Her eyes bulged outward, blood spilling into the sea before being replaced by hollow bone-like sockets covered in fresh scales. Her muscles expanded, her form growing heavier, denser, more monstrous with every absorbed carp.
Then she lifted her head.
The currents spiraled around her crown.
And she lunged forward.
Magman froze mid-swim.
The treasure core no longer mattered.
The artifacts no longer mattered.
Only survival existed in his mind.
Too late.
BOOM.
BOOM.
BOOM.
Shockwaves exploded through the sea, sending bodies, debris, and currents flying in all directions.
While chaos consumed the waters outside, the Bronze Holder slipped into the Jade Palace.
She kicked open the front gate and entered a vast hall lined with pale, polished walls that reflected faint blue light. The silence inside felt heavy compared to the violent battle outside.
At the center floated a small chained sphere glowing with a dim red light. Thin silver chains wrapped around it like restraints holding back something ancient.
She reached forward and held it carefully.
"So… this is the key to the Awakened Mountain."
Her voice echoed softly across the chamber.
Only then did she truly notice the countless artifacts around her.
Shelves and floating platforms displayed treasures everywhere —
A sealed potion swirling with golden liquid.
A small scorpion-shaped armor piece forged from dark metal.
A large woven carpet threaded with gold.
Bracelets, rings, crystals, scrolls, weapons, relics of forgotten eras.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Quickly, she gathered several items for herself… and a few for Mingyin. Not from kindness, but from practicality. Power required preparation.
With the chained sphere secured, she swam upward at full speed, hoping Magman and the others were still occupied with the monstrous carp.
…
Above the waters, Mingyin sat atop a massive tiger, his posture still but his mind racing.
The beast beneath him shifted restlessly, sensing the tension in the air. The forest around them was quiet, yet Mingyin's thoughts were anything but calm.
It seems Magman is the only one who survived…
Then Magman must die.
His grip tightened around the crystal in his hand.
He slid off the tiger's back and landed softly on the ground. Raising the crystal, he gave a single command.
"Go."
Soul energy wrapped around the tiger like burning mist. Ethereal chains manifested across its body, tightening around its limbs and torso. The tiger roared, its eyes turning wild as madness and power merged together.
At that exact moment, the surface of the pool exploded.
Magman burst out of the water, gasping, his eyes bloodshot and partially torn, his left arm mangled with exposed flesh. He barely had time to breathe—
The tiger slammed into him mid-air.
The impact shook the surrounding trees.
At the same instant, the colossal carp Queen surged upward as well, her enormous jaws filled with the lifeless bodies of Immortals caught between her teeth.
"MINGYIN!" Magman screamed.
But Mingyin — his appearance slightly altered, colder, distant — only looked down once before turning and sprinting into the forest.
Behind him, the clash between the tiger, the Queen, and Magman erupted violently, shaking the land itself as trees bent and the earth trembled from the sheer force of their battle.