Chapter 315: Chapter 210: Demon Realm_1
The northern wind howled.
Upon Wuzhe Lake, a large boat sailed northward.
The waters of Wuzhe extended vastly, connecting the lands of three prefectures, and provided a direct passage to the provincial capital.
Now, as the great ship headed north, it made an unusual move to journey toward Ningzhou.
Although the Fish King had been captured and the Spirit Fish were slowly dispersing, they had not completely vanished.
Adhering to the principle that even a mosquito’s leg is flesh, the grand forces’ vessels did not depart but instead sternly ordered their fishermen to seize the last moments before the Spirit Fish disappeared, to fish with all their might.
The final revelry.
However, this large vessel did not participate and instead made the distinct choice to depart.
After all, it was a “royal” vessel, representing the household of the Great Xing Dynasty, obliged to maintain its status. Although they had missed out on the meat this time, they still had to share the soup with their subordinates, or how else could they command respect?
In any case, no matter how they fished, the lion’s share of the catch would ultimately have to be offered up as a tribute, so why waste time and demean oneself?
Compared to petty gains, they had more important matters to attend to.
“Spiritual Objects, Spiritual Objects…”
In the glittering and extravagant cabin, Yuwen Jie’s expression was as dark as water, his morose mood hard to clear.
Shen Hongyu remained silent, her beautiful eyes also unable to conceal her worries.
As one of The Twelve Fairy Seekers of the Great Xing, their mission was to wander the world, collecting all kinds of Spiritual Objects to bring back to the dynasty.
This was a pressing matter of utmost importance, especially at this critical juncture.
The ancestor’s Nascent Soul Condensing was imminent, the demonic influence growing stronger, urgently needing Spiritual Objects to neutralize the demonic traits, to suppress the inner demonic chaos lurking within, or else… unspeakable outcomes may occur!
“No matter what, we have to find a Spiritual Object!”
Yuwen Jie said in a firm voice, “If we get through this, with the potentiality of Great Xing Mountain, we can cut off the Demon Fetus, undergo Corpse Resolution, and produce a World-Settling Immortal from our Great Xing Mountain!”
“Corpse Resolution Immortal?”
Shen Hongyu muttered, a hint of longing in her eyes, then she gave a bitter smile, “As if it were that simple.”
“No matter the difficulties, we must try!”
Yuwen Jie’s expression was icy as he spoke decisively, “Only a World-Settling Immortal has the right to form alliances, the nine sects’ Corpse Resolutions leading to faction-wide Ascensions. That is the only chance in this world, we must attempt it no matter what!”
“Faction-wide Ascension?”
“One can only hope.”
Shen Hongyu shook her head and said no more.
Just at that moment…
“Bang!!!”
A loud noise shook the vessel.
“Hm!?”
“What’s going on?”
Yuwen Jie furrowed his brow and looked outside.
Shen Hongyu also frowned, “Maybe we hit a reef?”
“A reef?”
“Impossible!”
Yuwen Jie’s frown deepened, a nameless unease in his heart as he immediately walked outside.
Although they were Foundation Establishment Cultivators, limited by the Demonic Qi, their mode of travel was always simple, using ordinary means like carts and boats. Magic Artifacts and Escape Lights were not used unless absolutely necessary.
After all, both Magic Artifacts and Escape Lights consume Mana.
When Mana is exhausted, it needs to be replenished, which means absorbing the Heavenly Earth Prime Spirit, and that inevitably invites the dreaded Demonic Qi that poses a dread to all Cultivators.
In such a world where one did not want to become a Demon, one had to be thrifty and reduce Mana consumption as much as possible, which in turn decreased the absorption of the Heavenly Earth Prime Spirit and the contamination of Demonic Qi.
They were no exception, even as Immortal Envoys and prominent figures of Great Xing Mountain outside, they traveled in ordinary carts and boats and did not dare to fly long distances, spending a great deal of True Essence Mana.
“My lord!”
A trusted aide approached and reported, “There was a collision at the bottom of the ship, it seems we have hit something. Someone has been sent underwater to investigate.”
Yuwen Jie replied without a word, flying out of the ship.
But just as he disembarked…
“Whoosh!”
A cold wind brought a rust-like scent.
The tang of iron rust.
Yuwen Jie’s pupils constricted, his body turned rigid in midair.
Ahead, the waters were hazy, and a dark fog surged ominously.
The pitch-black mist rose like a tide, quickly filling the space and obscuring the view.
In an instant, the waters ahead were engulfed by the boundless dark fog.
No, not just ahead—looking around, the dark mist billowed from all directions.
The surging mist became almost tangible, turning the lake water as black as blood, rapidly diffusing.
Yuwen Jie’s body was rigid, suspended in midair, staring at the surging dark fog with a look of panic, fear, and swiftly rising despair.
“Demon!?”
“How could this be, how could this be possible!”
“Hongyu, we must leave, now!”
With a shout, which was his final righteous declaration, he then became a streak of cold light, not caring about the consumption of Mana as he shot straight into the sky.
“My lord!”
“What…”
Onboard the ship, the others saw this and were at a loss.
“Demon Realm?”
“Damn it!!!”
Shen Hongyu, who had rushed out upon hearing the noise, saw what was happening, her expression filled with shock. She then leaped up, transforming into a blazing streak of red Escape Light, like Yuwen Jie, she charged toward the high heavens.
A moment later…
“Damn it, damn it all!!!”
A streak of blue and one of red, two rays of light returned one after the other.
It turned out that both of them had come back.
The two Escape Lights landed back on the ship, revealing the figures of Yuwen Jie and Shen Hongyu, their faces a mixture of shock and rage, utterly frustrated.
“How could this have happened, how could this have happened!”
“The emergence of Spirit Fish wasn’t the first, and there were no signs of demons in previous occurrences, why this time… damn it!”
Yuwen Jie was beside himself with anger, unable to control himself, and with a single palm strike to the ship’s rail, he shattered the three-zhang balustrade into pieces.
Shen Hongyu also saw nothing but despair, but as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, she quickly steadied herself, “What use is there in saying these things now, with the Demon Realm formed, the sky sealed and the land cut off, the only chance lies in finding a stronghold to defend, perhaps we can then survive the Demon Catastrophe.”