Translator: CinderTL
Buzz!!
A thousand miles away, in the magnificent Holy City.
Almost the instant the Black Blade Tribe's heavenly wrath phenomenon appeared, the Holy City shuddered violently. Runes on the city walls spontaneously activated, forming a massive blue barrier that enveloped the entire city.
Everyone instinctively stopped what they were doing. Guards from the palace poured out, their gazes fixed on the sky.
"A hallucination?" someone murmured in confusion. The sky was clear and cloudless, yet the city's defensive array had activated on its own.
Similar thoughts spread like wildfire. Finally, the blue barrier slowly dissipated.
Discussions erupted both inside and outside the city. On the throne, the young prince, his face etched with melancholy, turned to the golden-armored man standing before him.
"Adams, has the Star Disc malfunctioned?" he asked, his own confusion evident.
"No, Your Highness," Adams replied, his expression grave. "The Star Disc is functioning normally."
At these words, the young prince on the throne immediately understood. His face darkened, and a brief silence fell over the palace.
"It seems the Serpent God and His angels... truly are about to revive."
Buzz!!
That same day, in the ruins of the Black Blade Tribe.
After briefly resting, seven or eight giant Flying Eagles had recovered enough strength to take flight again. The elite warriors, having shaken off the Serpent God's lingering gaze, were finally regaining their senses.
The Silver-Gray Colossus slowly descended. Though Chen Feng appeared calm, he felt an indescribable unease and constraint.
A thick wave of malice surged again, a karmic force even the Power of the Holy Sword couldn't shield him from, coupled with an even stronger rejection from the Secret Realm.
The Serpent Spirit Power sustaining the Dark Dream Mark doubled in consumption and was rapidly draining away.
Moreover, a powerful rule suppression descended, seemingly restricting his strength.
It felt like a non-swimmer being plunged into water—oppressively suffocating.
"Is it because of what happened earlier?"
Recalling the earlier events, Chen Feng suspected interference from the Serpent God.
This sensation was deeply unsettling. He realized he might no longer be suited to remain in the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm.
He turned his head to survey the surroundings.
"Master."
Molly and Olon approached, their faces etched with even deeper reverence.
Chen Feng glanced at the group, noting the bloodstains on their armor and the weary expressions of the other warriors.
Since leaving the Holy City, they had barely rested, pushing themselves relentlessly to avoid alarming their enemies.
This recent battle, where they had annihilated nearly a thousand Serpentfolk, had naturally taken a heavy toll.
Nodding slightly, he turned his gaze toward the destroyed center of the Black Blade Tribe.
"Don't be afraid, everyone! We're from the Holy City!"
"We've completely wiped out the Serpentfolk. There's nothing to worry about."
Several elite warriors stepped forward to maintain order and reassure the crowd. Thousands of figures in long hemp robes stood nearby, their faces etched with fear, worry, confusion, and dread. Men and women of all ages were present, mostly young adults and children.
Most had been enslaved by the Black Blade Tribe, while others were slaves brought along by other tribes during their military gatherings.
The Serpentfolk, considering themselves superior beings, had relegated all menial tasks, including food preparation, livestock care, and other dirty work, to their "slaves," refusing to touch such tasks themselves. Nearly a thousand Serpentfolk required thousands of ordinary humans to sustain them, a microcosm of the Serpent Spirit Continent's reality.
These ordinary humans, completely devoid of any Serpent Spirit aura, had grown accustomed to their wretched lives, as if enduring suffering had become second nature. Most wore expressions of confusion, their faces etched with worry about the future.
"The Holy City will take care of them," Olon said, following Chen Feng's gaze. He explained that they would send people to escort the survivors to the Holy City.
Chen Feng nodded in agreement. He knew the Holy City's rescue efforts weren't entirely altruistic. There was a degree of self-interest involved as well.
The previous Serpentfolk Wars had been massive in scale, draining the Holy City of considerable resources and strength.
These people were the perfect replenishment.
Chen Feng couldn't say whether this was good or bad.
After all, without the Holy City's intervention and rescue, they would likely have been hunted by other Serpent-Folk Tribes or sold as commodities.
"Let's return immediately," Chen Feng said. He could feel the world's rules pressing down harder, trying to expel him from this Secret Realm.
Olon was taken aback, unaware of Chen Feng's situation. He opened his mouth, his voice tinged with regret, and expressed his desire to lead the team to exterminate more tribes.
After all, the Black Blade Tribe they had just destroyed was only one of their tribal territories. Even though many core members had been killed, it didn't mean the Black Blade Tribe was completely extinct; other branches still existed.
Moreover, the Huorong and Silver Wood Tribes were weakened due to the deaths of their respective Saints. This was undoubtedly the perfect moment to lead a hunting party against them.
"I shouldn't stay here any longer," Chen Feng said, shaking his head. Olon's expression shifted, and Molly and the other two Fifth-Tier Commanders nearby immediately realized the gravity of the situation, their faces paling slightly.
They had probably guessed what was happening and understood the severity of the matter.
"Understood. Let's return to the city at once!" Olon nodded immediately, not daring to ask any further questions.
In any case, this expedition had eliminated three Saints and killed nearly a thousand Serpentfolk in one fell swoop, dealing a major blow to the Serpentfolk Allied Forces. It could be considered a complete success.
As soon as Xing's orders were relayed, elite warriors sheathed their swords and bows, preparing to return. The thousands of ordinary humans also began their grand migration.
Far to the north, within the Serpent God Temple, stood a massive Ring Statue in the hollowed-out hall, its form unchanged for thousands of years. Seven colossal serpentine statues, each with a unique shape, clustered around it like invincible War Generals under its command.
"You are all-powerful, one of the origins of chaos."
"You are the creator of Astral Reincarnation, the first spark of all civilizations."
"You are the master of the world, the Supreme God who controls all rules."
...
Solemn, reverent voices echoed through the temple as black-robed figures knelt before the statues, beginning their usual prayers.
Upon closer inspection, it became clear they were kneeling on a massive altar constructed from gray stone blocks. Each statue had a large Blood Pool in front of it, especially the central Ring Statue, which symbolized the sole deity.
Bubbles gurgled to the surface, and the Blood Pool's water seemed to boil with life.
"Elder, the sacrifices have arrived."
A black-robed figure hurried forward, approaching the Serpentfolk elder kneeling at the front.
"Mmm."
The elder's voice, ancient and raspy, seemed to grant permission. Footsteps soon echoed.
Serpentfolk warriors in dark golden armor marched forward, leading nearly a hundred bound and restrained ordinary humans. Men and women alike, most wore expressions of terror and despair. Unable to utter a sound, they were herded onto the altar like cattle awaiting slaughter.
Then—
Plop!
Blood Pool water splashed as the ordinary humans were tossed into the crimson depths.
As if bound by some unseen rule, they couldn't even scream. They sank silently, as if being dissolved and consumed.
In a daze, an eerie light appeared.
The stone eyes of all the statues began to glow with crimson or pitch-black light. The kneeling Serpentfolk grew even more devout and fanatical, believing this was a divine response from their god and angels.
Some Serpentfolk were even enveloped by the eerie light emanating from the statues, as if receiving a blessing. Their auras surged noticeably.
This spectacle continued for a long time until, finally—
Buzz!
A black beam shot from the Ring Statue, instantly piercing the elder's forehead.
The atmosphere stilled. Black-robed envoys and saints from the temple cast envious and reverent glances.
"The Serpent God has issued a new decree."
The ancient voice of the elder Serpentfolk echoed through the chamber. His Serpent Eyes flickered open as he rose and surveyed the assembled crowd.
"The Huorong, Black Blade, and Silver Wood Tribes have suffered heavy losses. The Five Great Tribes of the northern territories must cross Heaven's Fall Mountain within one month and continue their assault on the Holy City."
The words struck the black-robed Serpentfolk like a thunderbolt. Before they could fully process this information, the elder Serpentfolk spoke again.
"Furthermore, the Angelic Lava Lord has awakened and established a return anchor point. The Winged Serpent King will also descend with a portion of his power."
"We must prepare sufficient sacrifices within six months to complete the Ritual and welcome their return!"
Whoosh!
After days of relentless travel southward, the massive Flying Eagle chose a circuitous route. Chen Feng, clad in black armor, stood atop its back, accompanied only by Molly and another Silver Armor warrior.
After careful consideration, he decided to separate from Olon and the others.
First, the southward migration of thousands of Serpentfolk was too slow. The Secret Realm's rejection and suppression intensified every moment, causing the Dark Dream Mark's maintenance cost to skyrocket. He couldn't afford to waste more time or Serpent Spirit Power.
Second, he wasn't sure if the Serpent God could continue marking him. Separating would allow Olon and the others to evade pursuit from the Serpent God Temple, just in case.
"We're almost at the Holy City, Master," Molly said as they rode. "Someone will be there to meet Olon and the others."
Chen Feng nodded slightly.
Relocating thousands of people was no small matter. They needed vast quantities of food and water along the way, which required sending word to the Holy City for assistance and support. This was one reason they had returned ahead.
However...
The Dark Dream Mark was placing an enormous burden on him. Chen Feng could clearly feel the sensation of returning.
His Serpent Spirit Power was draining rapidly, diminishing with every passing moment. He doubted he could hold out until they reached the Holy City.
The thought flashed through his mind, and he gazed northward.
All along the journey, a pervasive sense of malice seemed to emanate from everywhere. But since his Pinnacle Intent had been refined, he had become acutely aware that most of it originated from the northern continent.
This included both the Serpent God and the vengeful Winged Serpent King under his command.
"The Serpent God Temple..." Chen Feng mused, recalling the Holy City records he had once read. They indicated the temple's location in the northern territories. This was why the Holy City had been established at the distant southern edge of the continent.
"The Serpent-Folk Tribe in the south has suffered a devastating blow, making it difficult for the Serpentfolk Army to regroup for now," he continued. "But the Serpent God Temple won't give up so easily..."
He offered a gentle reminder, hoping Molly and the others wouldn't let their guard down.
This was both a gesture of goodwill as fellow humans and because the Holy City still owed him payment for a previous transaction.
"Rest assured, Master," Molly replied, nodding firmly. The Small Stone Statue on her shoulder was dozing.
Upon closer inspection, a pouch hung at her waist, containing a secret order obtained from the Black Blade Tribe.
The Holy City had a specialized elite team dedicated to deciphering the Serpentfolk language.
Even without Chen Feng's decryption, they had understood the order's contents, learning of the Temple Saint carrying two portions of Angelic Power and the reinforcements from the Five Great Tribes.
"Mm," Chen Feng nodded, then continued to gaze north.
In a trance, he seemed to peer through layers of space, catching sight of a colossal mountain range in the distance.
It blotted out the sky, its peaks piercing the clouds, nearly ten thousand meters high.
This was Heaven's Fall Mountain, a natural barrier separating the northern and southern territories. Legend had it that it originated from the Star Realm, a colossal wonder that had fallen from the heavens.
It was precisely this treacherous terrain that had delayed the arrival of the Five Great Tribes.
As this thought crossed his mind, he glanced at the meager Serpent Spirit Power remaining on his panel.
He shook his head.
In the end, I am not truly of this world.
Buzz!
A gentle breeze swept through the air.
The Small Stone Statue on Molly's shoulder suddenly opened its eyes, awakening with a start and fluttering its tiny stone wings.
A flicker of unease crossed her mind, and Molly turned to look.
Lord Feng Chen, clad in Black Armor, had vanished without a trace.
(End of the Chapter)
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