Chapter 2892: Tribulation Spirit |
The group set off once more. Along the way, Su Yi and River Ancestor Shen Xiao laughed and chatted like friends across generations.
Innocence had taken refuge in the world in Su Yi’s sleeves. After that fierce, brutal battle, her little body had shattered into pieces.
She was badly injured, but she’d nonetheless profited from her misfortune, as she’d received the source energies of the three red-robed figures. When she finished refining them, she’d surely realize a breakthrough, and her strength would rise to new heights.
Wang Zhiwu and River Empress Lu Ping followed shortly behind Su Yi, while River Emperors Winged Dragon and Hong Ye followed at the tail end of the procession.
“I can say with certainty that those three heart devils were left here by River Ancestor Lu Shu,” River Ancestor Shen Xiao said when the topic of their recent battle came up. “But it’s strange. Something erased their awareness. Something isn’t right here.”
Su Yi inclined his head. “That’s indeed the case.”
Heart devils were intelligent. That was true of the heart devil in the rusted sheath, of the Malevolent Sword Venerate, and of Innocence.
Logically speaking, River Ancestor Lu Shu’s heart devil should have been intelligent, too, but during the earlier battle, not one of the three heart devils showed any sign of intelligence, nor did they display any hint of emotion.
That was naturally out of the ordinary.
Su Yi couldn’t help but find this a bit surprising. He hadn’t anticipated that River Ancestor Shen Xiao would be so perceptive.
“I’m actually not worried about all that,” Su Yi said after a moment’s thought. “What I’m worried about is where River Empress Peacock went, assuming she’s still alive, and why that mysterious Tribulation Spirit hasn’t shown itself yet.”
He paused, then added, “Fellow Daoist, do you recall that aged voice who asked us what year it was?”
River Ancestor Shen Xiao narrowed his eyes. “Of course I remember. He said that we’d meet again if we made it to the Heart-Devouring Ridge alive.”
Su Yi rubbed his forehead. “I wouldn’t have expected that so much would happen in the Cave of Obsession.”
River Ancestor Shen Xiao laughed. “This is nothing! Some of the mysterious forbidden zones of the River of Destiny are far scarier than this.”
He spoke with the calm composure of one who’d lived for countless years.
Suddenly, he changed the subject and transmitted, “Worthy younger brother, I know that you’re still on guard against me, and I can’t blame you for that. After all, we were enemies when we first met, and we started out on opposite sides.
“But now, I can speak to you straight from the heart. Of everyone present, you’re the one I attach the greatest importance to.
“I know that Lu Shi was hiding some kind of killer weapon, and that he never truly took me seriously. He tolerated my earlier abuses simply because he was plotting something.
“Wang Zhiwu is your friend, but my impression of him is neither good nor bad. I can tell that he feels deeply, and that he’s willing to risk his life for you. A friend like that is rare and precious indeed.
“As for River Empress Lu Ping and River Emperor Hong Ye? The former just follows Wang Zhiwu’s lead, while the latter does everything I say. I’m not overly concerned about either of them.”
Here, he gazed intently at Su Yi. “But you’re different. You, I must take seriously and be cautious of, too. If we can set aside that earlier unpleasantness and become true friends, it would benefit us both.”
Su Yi couldn’t help but be stunned. Is he planning to be open and honest with me?
“I know it’ll be hard for you to trust me all at once,” said River Ancestor Shen Xiao, gazing into the distance with his hands behind his back. “But I can tell you in no uncertain terms that if Lu Shi dares show his face, I’ll be first in line to kill him. Take it as a show of your old brother’s sincerity.”
Su Yi was just about to respond when River Ancestor Shen Xiao smiled and shook his head. “It’s enough that you understand. You don’t need to say anything. I most certainly don’t believe that mere words are enough to gain your trust.”
Su Yi smiled. “Very well.”
River Ancestor Shen Xiao suddenly added, “I forgot to mention it, but River Emperor Winged Dragon is crafty and shrewd. It might seem like he treated Lu Shi with the utmost respect, but he’s been using him this entire time. Now that Lu Shi is gone, he’s undoubtedly ill at ease.
“My worthy younger brother, would you believe me if I said that he’ll soon come to throw in his lot with me?” He broke into a playful smile.
And indeed, mere moments later, River Emperor Winged Dragon rushed over and said softly, “Your Excellency Shen Xiao, this junior has something he’d like to discuss with you in private.”
“Oh,” said River Ancestor Shen Xiao. He glanced at Su Yi, who smiled back.
His eyes seemed to say, “You’re perceptive indeed, Daoist Brother.”
River Ancestor Shen Xiao seemed satisfied with this response. Only then did he look directly at River Emperor Winged Dragon and say, “You’re worried that I’ll kill you, so you’ve come to pledge yourself to my cause, right?”
River Emperor Winged Dragon broke out in cold sweats. “I dare not lie to you, Senior. That’s indeed the case. Please show magnanimity and grant me this opportunity to turn over a new leaf and make amends for my past mistakes!”
Then, the crowd watched in astonishment as River Emperor Winged Dragon knelt before River Ancestor Shen Xiao.
Su Yi knew that River Emperor Winged Dragon was frantic. Without Lu Shi here, he was all alone, the most extraneous member of their group.
Those with different principles couldn’t work together. In River Ancestor Shen Xiao’s shoes, he’d have seized the opportunity to get rid of this outsider, too.
River Emperor Winged Dragon was, of course, fully cognizant of that. Thus, he chose to submit of his own accord. He was after an opportunity.
“You’re worried over nothing. You have connections with the Ape Ancestor, and he and I are old acquaintances. How could I possibly harm you?” River Ancestor Shen Xiao said calmly. “Get up. Don’t let others think I’m brutal and heartless.”
But River Emperor Winged Dragon remained kneeling. He said bitterly, “Please, show mercy, Senior. I promise to follow your commands on the road ahead, even if I must climb a mountain of blades or wade through a sea of flame!”
River Ancestor Shen Xiao pondered briefly, then glanced at Su Yi. “And what do you think, my worthy younger brother? Should we give him this opportunity?”
Everyone was startled. They wouldn’t have anticipated that River Ancestor Shen Xiao would value Su Yi this highly. He was actually asking him for his opinion!
Su Yi found this a bit exasperating. The old-timer’s obviously doing this on purpose. He wants me to see his sincerity and how much he values me. There’s no doubt about it. It’s a brilliant move!
Su Yi shook his head slightly. “I dare not overstep, not in a matter of such grave importance. Please do what you think is best, Daoist Brother.”
“You’re too modest, my worthy younger brother. In my heart, a word from you carries more weight than even a personal request from the Ape Ancestor!”
Su Yi laughed bitterly. “You flatter me, Daoist Brother.”
River Ancestor Shen Xiao burst into laughter. “I won’t make this difficult on you, then. How about this? Today, you and I set aside our differences, and we’re now like old friends. I’m in a good mood, so I’ll give Winged Dragon a chance to make amends!”
River Emperor Winged Dragon kowtowed excitedly. “Thank you, Senior! Thank you!”
River Ancestor Shen Xiao said, “You’re one of the thirteen strongest River Emperors in the surrounding one million miles of water. How can you debase yourself like this? Quick, get up!”
“Understood!” Only then did River Ancestor Winged Dragon get up.
Everyone’s expressions shifted strangely. They couldn't help but sigh that River Emperor Winged Dragon had knelt at the cost of his dignity just to stay alive, and they were surprised by River Ancestor Shen Xiao’s open respect and admiration for Su Yi.
Even Su Yi had no choice but to acknowledge that those comparable to Heavenly Sovereigns were indeed extraordinarily capable. In Su Yi’s shoes, just about anyone would have pledged themselves to River Ancestor Shen Xiao’s cause by now.
But this wasn’t enough for Su Yi to lower his guard.
Suddenly, a familiar voice tinged with the vicissitudes of countless years rang out once more. “River Ancestors can lord over others with impunity. I just wonder if you’ll be able to remain this lofty and superior even in death.”
Everyone’s expression shifted. All of them gazed in the direction of that voice.
The distant landscape shifted, and a sudden, earth-shaking transformation unfolded. The skies were suddenly as red as blood, and fresh blood pooled on the ground and spread. The stench of blood permeated the air.
A black ridge rose out of the ground. Nothing grew on it, not even a hint of grass, but streams of fresh blood flowed from the gaps between the rocks.
There was an ancient building reminiscent of a Daoist temple built atop the ridge, and a figure stood silently on the roof.
He, too, was identical to River Ancestor Shen Xiao. He had youthful features, and he was dressed in blood-red robes.
However, his presence was utterly strange, and his whole body was swathed in murky gray tribulation lightning, arcing around him like dancing, contorted serpents.
Su Yi could tell at a glance that the gray lightning was the power of a Tribulation of Destiny.
The others noticed this, too, and all of them simultaneously reached the same conclusion: that guy was most likely a Tribulation Spirit, a being born of a Tribulation of Destiny!
It was just that he’d taken on River Ancestor Lu Shu’s appearance.
There was no doubt about it. The black ridge beneath his feet was Heart-Devouring Ridge.
“Were you the one feigning mysteriousness earlier?” River Ancestor Shen Xiao said coolly.
“Feigning mysteriousness?” The man in blood-red robes laughed coldly. “I’ve seen everything you’ve done since the moment you entered this place. What need do I have to feign mysteriousness?”
River Ancestor Shen Xiao furrowed his brow. “Who exactly are you?”
The man in blood-red robes sneered. “If you don’t already recognize me, you aren’t worthy of knowing.”
With that, he waved his sleeve.
Boom!
Heaven and earth shifted. The ground caved in beneath his feet, and the surrounding space shattered.
A cage rose around them, enclosing them on all sides. It all happened in an instant, too fast for them to react, and it stretched between heaven and earth. It was formed of gray chains as thick as pillars, all of them emanating a dense aura of calamity.
The group looked stricken. Even River Ancestor Shen Xiao had a solemn look on his face.
“See? If I wanted to, I could transform this entire world into a cage, reducing you to helpless prisoners I can do with as I see fit,” said the man in blood-red robes, a strange grin on his face. “This is a tribulation, a tribulation you are destined to face!”
He turned to look in the hall. “See that, little peacock? This was predetermined by destiny. No amount of persuasion could have stopped this, and opposing it will only bring you harm!”
