Chapter Twenty-Five: The Master's Background?
The behemoth's massive size meant that even a slight movement of its body could stir up the water, creating a surging undercurrent. Ye Chi instinctively gripped the sword hilt tightly with both hands to avoid being swept away by the current, but the situation was far from optimistic. Explosive talismans couldn't be used underwater, and his spiritual power was restricted. Even if he successfully ignited one, the resulting surge of water could still throw him away. If the behemoth intended to kill him at this moment... then he would definitely not be able to escape.
Ye Chi suddenly regretted that he should have carefully searched the pouch and familiarized himself with its contents as soon as he received it. Otherwise, he wouldn't be in such a passive state now, not even knowing what was inside. Even if he wanted to counterattack, he was unable to carry out his plan because he didn't know what kind of artifact he possessed.
But the giant beast seemed unwilling to let him go. After swimming around several times, its scarlet eyes locked onto him.
The next second, a strong current surged towards him, and Ye Chi flipped over to avoid it. Movement was restricted underwater, but fortunately, he could still use some tricky positions that he couldn't normally do to dodge the attacks. However, simply dodging was useless. This giant beast was in the shape of a fish, and was naturally more agile than him underwater. Ye Chi was already starting to run out of energy.
No, we have to find a way to break through; he can't die here.
Thinking this, Ye Chi subconsciously gathered spiritual power in his palm, slowly condensing a ball of light as hot as fire in his palm. Just then, the black sword, which had been unresponsive, emitted a series of humming sounds, and the crimson halo on it gradually faded away.
Ye Chi looked over, and even if no one told him, he could guess that the sword had recognized him and formed a connection with him.
Without further hesitation, he swam slowly over, reached out and grasped the hilt of the sword. His muscles, which he had been training for some time, tensed up, and he used considerable strength to pull the dark longsword out of the rocky slope.
After the sword broke free from the seal of the mud and rocks, a wave emanated outward from Ye Chi in the water.
The giant beast's blood-red eyes narrowed, and Ye Chi could actually see what could be called "fear" on the monster's face. It opened its blood-red maw, seemingly about to swallow Ye Chi whole, but the latter became calm and composed. As the giant beast got closer and closer to him, he raised his sword and swept it. The crimson light, carrying strong spiritual power, cleaved the giant beast in two.
Silence returned underwater. In the blink of an eye, Ye Chi reappeared inside the stone cave.
The once vast horde of corpses had all vanished without a trace.
He turned around, and a passage he had never seen before appeared before him. Ye Chi flicked the water droplets off his sword and slowly walked through it.
...
Every inch of the magnificent palace was captivating, even the aloof Shen Rong couldn't help but glance sideways frequently. Cen Dao walked in front, his steps inexplicably unsteady, his haste leaving the others behind. Ya Feiyu seemed to sense something, his steps pausing slightly. He was already at the back of the group, and this pause would go unnoticed by anyone.
After turning a corner, Cen Dao and the others completely disappeared from sight. Ya Feiyu, however, was not in a hurry at all. He looked around and acted on instinct, turning into another corridor, where there was a staircase leading down.
Without hesitation, he slowly stepped down.
The palace has two levels, one above ground and one below. When Ya Feiyu stepped down, the air became noticeably more humid. This avatar's reactions were slower than those of ordinary people, but it possessed a vigilance no less than that of the original body. When an unusual aura drifted through the deathly still air, it instinctively hid itself.
Suddenly, a wisp of thick smoke appeared in the previously empty hall.
The avatar had no memories of the original body, but he subconsciously felt that it was not a good thing, so he hid himself even deeper, hiding in the shadows and carefully controlling his breathing, afraid of disturbing the uninvited guest.
The thick smoke slowly coalesced into a human figure. A man dressed in black walked casually into the main hall and stopped in front of a fountain. The avatar squinted at it. The liquid churning in the fountain reflected a golden light. Was that... gold? He secretly guessed, using his limited common sense.
"Heh, I have already arrived. Are you still going to hide and not come out? Ancestor of the Demon Clan."
The silver masks mostly concealed the man's face, revealing only his well-defined jawline. His voice, clearly altered, was hoarse and unpleasant. The intense malice emanating from him made the avatar involuntarily shrink back. This man was terrifying… he absolutely couldn't afford to provoke him. He thought.
As soon as he finished speaking, the hall was suddenly filled with eerie demonic energy, recklessly polluting this pure land.
Just then, a phantom appeared above the golden fountain. It seemed quite weak, its thin shadow flickering from time to time. Its phoenix eyes reflected a chilling intent: "I wonder what the young master of the Demon Realm intends to do by coming here? I have nothing here that you demons can touch."
The man known as the young master of the Demon Realm chuckled a few times: "Even now, are you still so insistent on severing ties with the Demon Race? Ancestor, you should know that those hateful humans launched a campaign to annihilate both the Demon and Monster Races hundreds of years ago. Now, Demons and Monsters are practically one entity. Think of your compatriots who were harmed, don't you want revenge?"
The voice carried a persuasive tone, but the illusory figure remained unmoved, coldly stating, "Is this your reason for preparing to wage war against humanity?"
"Isn't such a reason enough to provoke the demons to take revenge?"
The illusory figure lowered its eyes, and a mocking expression suddenly appeared on its icy face. It looked down at the man, and with its thin lips slightly parted, it said, word by word, "Naive."
The pressure on the man in black robes suddenly increased, and the surrounding fog surged violently. The avatar was so oppressed that it could hardly breathe. Only then did it belatedly realize that it should escape, but its limbs were as if nailed to the ground, and it could not move for a long time.
"Hmm?" The man in black robes turned to the side and cast an indifferent glance toward the location of the avatar. He beckoned, and the black mist that had been circling him suddenly moved, burrowed into the shadows, bound the avatar tightly, and brought it in front of the two people facing each other.
The phantom's pupils contracted slightly: "This is..."
As if he had suddenly seized some leverage, the man stared intently at the astonished phantom, a slight smile playing on his lips. He raised his foot and stepped on the phantom's fragile back, grinding it maliciously. The tip of his shoe lifted a strand of hair, and he said, "Is this person important to you? Ancestor, why do you show this expression as soon as you see him?"
Catching a glimpse of the phantom's pale expression, the man found it even more amusing. He half-squatted down, grabbed the avatar's long hair, and forcefully lifted him off the ground. Ignoring the avatar's pained expression, he sneered, "What a coincidence, he's my enemy."
As soon as he finished speaking, he pressed down on the back of the avatar's head and slammed it hard to the ground.
A streak of crimson appeared from her hair, slowly flowing down the curve of her cheek. The avatar narrowed her eyes slightly, her pupils unfocused.
The phantom stared intently at him. If he weren't currently without a physical form, he would have almost drawn his sword and killed this ungrateful man on the spot. But he couldn't do it and could only watch helplessly.
The man raised an eyebrow with interest, seemingly surprised that Ya Feiyu could bring such a big surprise. He deliberately lowered his voice and teased, "Could he be your... um... reincarnated lover?"
"Shut up!"
"Huh? Such a strong reaction? Did I guess right?"
The man stopped his brutal actions and stroked the incarnation's head with a touch that could be described as tenderness. He lowered his eyes, and his expression revealed a hint of pity, as if he were bestowing a small amount of gentleness upon a stray cat covered in wounds on the roadside.
"I never imagined you were so useful..."
"In that case, I'm almost reluctant to kill you."
Just then, a pale blue light flashed past, nearly striking the man. He paused for a moment, then looked over expressionlessly. He saw the phantom holding a talisman in its hand, its expression one of extreme anger, its icy silver eyes seemingly burning with fury.
As if he had discovered something interesting, the man paused for a moment, then laughed out loud: "I almost forgot, you still have talismans you can use."
He lifted his eyelids, his eyes, tinged with murderous intent and stained crimson, were filled with a twisted madness: "Truly worthy of the Heavenly Feather Clan..."
In an instant, the man in black robes released Ya Feiyu, disregarding whether he might harm this extremely useful hostage, and casually tossed him aside. The avatar reacted quickly this time. He recovered from the excruciating pain, used his weak hands to push himself up, and stumbled and ran a short distance, seemingly heading towards the stairs. But then he suddenly stopped, standing motionless.
The man in black robes saw this scene in the blink of an eye, smiled mockingly, dodged the attack of the phantom, and then teleported behind Ya Feiyu. He put his arm around Ya Feiyu's waist, and the surging demonic energy around them surged up and surrounded them. The next second, the demonic energy dissipated.
The two people who were originally standing there also disappeared.
The phantom was stunned for a moment. He could hardly suppress the raging anger in his heart, but he was trapped here now. Even if he wanted to chase after him and get Ya Feiyu back, it was impossible.
He could only hope that the demon had another purpose in capturing him, even if it was to torture him. The illusory figure was clearly an avatar, inferior to the real person in both cultivation and intelligence, but…
He had no way of knowing whether Ya Feiyu used his own blood when creating this avatar.
If not, that's fine, but if it is...
The secret that Ya Feiyu has kept hidden for many years, which even he himself may not know, may be exposed to this demon.
At that time, whether it's Ya Feiyu, him, or the entire cultivation world...
They'll all be doomed.
Thinking of this, the phantom paused, its face turning somewhat pale.
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