Chapter Sixty-One: Like Light, Like Shadow, Accompanying Each Other
In the silent stillness, beams of fiery light struck down, tearing everything apart.
The grand mountain where the Fushang Sacred Tree stood, now reduced to an empty shell, suddenly collapsed under the fierce impact of spirit energy beams, as though crushed by an invisible giant hand. Rocks were abruptly flung out, splattering in all directions.
The torrents of spirit energy fluctuations seemed to solidify into substance, sweeping through the forest like a burning wind. The countless boulders that had stood for ages began to roll, all trees yanked from their roots, chaotically tumbling, their charred remnants appearing before they could catch fire.
Above the blazing forest, countless fire crows born from the decayed trunks of the Fushang Sacred Tree spread out from the center of the Peach Source.
However, just as they approached the edge of the core area of the Peach Source, Yuan Ye and the army led by Jumeng began to take action.
War had begun.
Without any verbal motivation or guidance, all spirit energy users and urban legends spontaneously threw themselves into the fray.
Groups of magpies wrapped in emerald light soared into the air, shrieking as they launched toward the oncoming fire crows.
Spell formulas and innate skills condensed into streams of light, trailing brilliant tails as they shot up like celebratory cannon fire during the Spring Festival, continuously detonating among the flock of fire crows.
Sparks began to rain down from above, and flames bloomed like flowers.
Wails, cries, and the rumbling of explosions overlapped into a grand and brutal war song.
Just as Yuan Ye told Jumeng, they would not allow a single fire crow to fly out of the Peach Source!
————
In the depths of the Peach Source.
Amidst the earth-shattering rumble, the Fushang Sacred Tree shattered, yet its remains still stood tall, its crown lush and green, with peach blossoms blooming in the flames before falling.
The drifting petals transformed into graceful magpies in an instant, swiftly diving toward the fire crows rising from below.
Dark feathers fell in swathes from midair, igniting into crackling sparks under the intense heat.
At the peak of the crown, Jumeng’s body was already in a terrible state.
Under the assault of the city barrier, a significant portion of her chest, abdomen, and left leg had vanished, and from the edges of her crumbling form, organized fragments continuously drifted away, yet not a single drop of bl**d was shed.
Like a shattered plaster statue, her blackened, hollow abdomen bore the core of an urban legend stained with the essence of decay, surrounded by malignant, tumor-like flesh glowing with a verdant light.
Highly condensed spirit energy, enveloped in the green glow, unfurled from the core of the urban legend, slowly merging into a celebratory crimson light mass, with delicate threads of light intertwining, gradually intensifying.
The old power was dying, while a new power stirred restlessly.
Beneath Jumeng, on the extensive yet fractured root system of the Fushang Sacred Tree, clung dark red flesh that inspected its surroundings. At the very base of the roots, an enormous creature resembling a building finally revealed itself.
It halted its metamorphosis amid the grand flames, slowly unfolding its still undeveloped wings, erupting with golden light, attempting to break free from Jumeng’s restraints.
Accompanied by violent tremors, grotesque tumors bursting forth from the thick trunk released hordes of deformed fire crows.
“Get over here! With me here, you think you can escape?!”
A delicate shout came from above, Jumeng, enduring immense pain, swung her arms with all her might.
In an instant, countless phantom trees formed from the earth’s breath and power, mixed with the ongoing assault of the city barrier, crashed down in a storm of destruction upon its body, leaving behind ghastly and grotesque wounds.
Amidst the violent roaring, the massive body fell into a crimson “lake” formed from melted stones, struggling to raise its head.
In that moment of eye contact, Jumeng abruptly froze.
In those clear golden eyes, she surprisingly saw a complex emotion.
Like a newborn’s first gaze upon this world, its pupils were filled with confusion and curiosity, along with a hint of questioning.
It questioned Jumeng, despite having just been born, why it was immediately facing annihilation.
Just as Jumeng snapped out of her momentary daze, countless sharp crystalline pillars emerged from its body, shooting upward into the sky like divine spears aimed at the heavens.
Aimed at Jumeng’s broken form…
————
When the glow of the Tangcheng barrier spilled over the depths of the Peach Source, it was like an immense amount of high explosives igniting simultaneously. Even from several kilometers away, one could clearly see the dazzling, scorching light, the hot wind slapping against their face, akin to being near a furnace.
The earth trembled, and vast amounts of spirit energy violently rubbed against each other in the air, producing a crackling sound, resembling the buzz of faulty electrical connections, or the sensation of something being powerfully scratched at the ear.
Just gazing upon the intense light in the depths of the Peach Source could induce a slight feeling of dizziness, akin to brain hypoxia, with bizarre illusions flickering in front of one’s eyes.
Finally, a belated wail suddenly erupted, piercing all eardrums like steel needles stirring one’s brain with immense pain.
The bombardment of the Tangcheng city barrier lasted for about three minutes.
In this brief three minutes, even a bowl of instant noodles wouldn’t have time to soak, yet it was sufficient to deal a devastating blow to the entire core area of the Peach Source.
Luxianbei stared blankly in the direction of the Peach Source, her eyes illuminated by the flames, filled with complexity.
As an organization established to target urban legends, it was only natural for the Siye Society to possess such “weapons,” yet seeing this scene for the first time left her somewhat shocked and vaguely worried that similar “weapons” might be used against her someday in the future.
Under such an assault, could Stinky Sister truly survive?
She shouldn’t have been lying to me, right?
As Luxianbei pondered this, Bai Kai approached and gently patted her shoulder.
“Xiao Bei, don’t be afraid. A special weapon like the Tangcheng barrier would take a long time for the Siye Society to establish. Unless Jumeng consented, it would have been impossible to complete.”
There’s no way I can misinterpret what Xiao Bei is thinking right now, right?
In this crucial moment, to provide psychological comfort, isn’t that the role of a guardian? Bai Kai thought.
That’s right, he did indeed guess part of Luxianbei’s thoughts, but…
Luxianbei glanced at Bai Kai and said seriously, “Water Brother, don’t you think this commotion is so huge that it will be hard to cover up? What will the Siye Society say later?”
“……”
You’ve been silent for so long just pondering this issue?
Bai Kai’s mouth twitched, and after some time, he finally managed to gather his thoughts and patiently explained to Luxianbei.
What else could he do since Xiao Bei wanted to know?
“You can rest assured about this. Even before the Tangcheng barrier began construction, the Siye Society had already made preparations.”
“Just search for the Peach Source scenic area online, and you’ll see articles from a geological survey team about the existence of a large dormant volcano inside the Peach Source, while the hot springs around Tangcheng have long added to the credibility of this.”
“A dormant volcano suddenly erupting, triggering disasters and a series of bizarre phenomena, is very reasonable, isn’t it?”
A volcanic eruption? The Siye Society really knows how to spin stories… Luxianbei nodded thoughtfully.
There do exist dormant volcanoes and numerous hot springs around Tangcheng, with the famous scenic spot, Kan Quan, even being nicknamed “hot springs.”
However, that dormant volcano should not be deep within the Peach Source.
Luxianbei thought and turned to Bai Kai, saying, “Water Brother, this part is now concluded. I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t accompany you.”
“Aren’t you going to find your old flame first?”
“Old flame…” Hearing Luxianbei mention Xing Yuan, Bai Kai was momentarily speechless, turning to look in the direction where Xing Yuan was, his body shivering slightly.
He vaguely felt that in that direction, an eye was casting a cold gaze upon him.
You, the king of Huacheng’s sky, when did you become so timid? Luxianbei looked at Bai Kai, shaking her head in disdain.
Family ties, Water Brother!
Forget it, the matters of adults are none of our childish concerns.
Right now… I need to go k*ll someone.
Luxianbei thought, her gaze deepening, with a bloodthirsty light flickering in her scarlet eyes.
————
On the other side.
Xing Yuan watched Bai Kai, her gaze sharp.
As she plotted to confront Bai Kai after the operation to round up the illegal spirit energy organization members, her mourning Gray Owl Badge suddenly trembled.
After lightly touching the badge, the voice of Gold Horn echoed in her ear.
“Inspector General, the situation is dire. After the Tangcheng barrier entered cooldown, too many spirit energy users and urban legends have surged into Tangcheng. We won’t be able to hold them back!”
Hearing this, Xing Yuan frowned as she gazed into the valley strewn with corpses, her voice low and firm, “We must hold on. We’ll provide support in thirty minutes.”
“But, my lord…”
“Roar—!”
Before Gold Horn could finish, a piercing roar erupted, cutting off his words suddenly.
“ hsss—!”
The roar hurt her eardrums, and Xing Yuan instinctively covered her ears, taking a sharp breath.
“…”
Though the situation sounded somewhat grim, surely Gold Horn and his team would be fine, right? Xing Yuan thought.
————
Inside the Peach Source scenic area, atop Magpie Bridge Mountain.
Miss Rabbit watched from a distance as Luxianbei led numerous members of illegal spirit energy organizations into an ambush by the Siye Society, sneering, “Heh, truly worthy of a witch-bred urban legend.”
Having finished scouting the internal situation of the Peach Source, Shuo E, who had just returned, heard her muttering and asked curiously, “What about witch-bred?”
Miss Rabbit shot a sideways glance at Shuo E, saying indifferently, “To showcase beauty to the world, yet…”
“What does that have to do with you?” Shuo E interjected.
Miss Rabbit, “…”
d*mn! I hadn’t finished speaking! Plus, am I not beautiful?
“You’d better not talk to me for the next week.” Miss Rabbit said coldly.
Otherwise, I might not be able to resist beating you! She added internally.
“A week?” Shuo E pondered for a moment, looking at Miss Rabbit and earnestly asking, “How about five days?”
“…”
Miss Rabbit softened for a fleeting moment before composing her face, saying, “No.”
After a pause, she could not suppress her curiosity and probed, “But why five days?”
Because a week is too long; can’t you hold out?
Hmph, even if you can’t hold out, I won’t be lenient; that’s punishment!
“Oh.” Shuo E replied seriously. “I discovered some special circumstances while scouting deep within the Peach Source just now. I need to report to the Elders’ Council, and it’ll take five days for a round trip.”
“Completely acceptable!” Miss Rabbit gritted her teeth, then turned to Shuo E, only to realize that Beres, who had accompanied him to scout, had not returned. She paused, puzzled, “Where’s that guy?”
Shuo E, “…”
“That guy went with you, didn’t he? Why hasn’t he returned?” Miss Rabbit asked again.
Shuo E, “…”
“Are you asking me directly?”
“He said he discovered some experimental subject on the way back and rushed over with a face full of excitement.” Shuo E said expressionlessly.
“And you just said you wouldn’t talk to me for the next five days, yet you’ve been chatting with me, and that’s quite troubling.”
Miss Rabbit, “…”
She fell silent, taking several deep breaths before barely managing to suppress her urge to k*ll.
————
Disaster begets fortune, fortune begets disaster.
Solang Pema initially thought he had keenly detected the deeper meaning behind “Gu Qiqi’s” words, evaded the ambush by the Siye Society, and made his escape, secretly rejoicing in his cleverness.
However, as he withdrew toward the outside of the Peach Source, he realized it was not due to his wit or good fortune, but someone had intentionally orchestrated it.
When Solang Pema retreated several kilometers away from Golden Toad Rock, he discovered he was being followed.
The one tracking him was a girl clad in silver armor, wielding a long kn*fe. Though her features were obscured by a faceplate, he could see a fierce murderous intent brewing in her eyes through the gaps.
The girl wanted to k*ll him.
Having faced countless life-and-d*ath battles, Solang Pema sensed from the girl a resentment so profound that she was determined to k*ll him, even at the cost of destruction for herself.
Such enemies are always the most terrifying; they seek neither wealth nor fame, only your d*ath.
But there are many who want me dead; what’s so special about you? Solang Pema thought, yelling at the girl.
“Come on! Make your move, little girl! Let me see how much you’re worth!”
The girl stared at Solang Pema, seemingly completely uninterested in his words, silently maintaining a distance of about twenty meters, dragging her long kn*fe along the ground, producing a chilling sound.
Solang Pema attempted to charge at her, but she would utilize her superior speed to widen the gap.
Frustrated, Solang Pema glared at the girl, growling, “Come on, k*ll me! Avenge your father, mother, siblings, or lover!”
Solang Pema had no idea why the girl harbored such intense hatred for him, but to him, it could only relate to having harmed someone important to her.
In his lifetime, he had dispatched numerous souls, and the faces of the majority had long faded from his memory; how could he possibly remember?
However…
In response to Solang Pema’s provocation, the girl remained silent, merely following closely.
She resembled a silent silver-white specter, drifting beside Solang Pema, accompanied by a faint shadow of d*ath.
He could not comprehend the depth of her hatred or when she would wield the long kn*fe; it felt as though he might never escape her pursuit.
Solang Pema’s spirit was continuously pressed by the girl’s strange behavior, inducing a sense of unease.
————
During the time she was following Solang Pema, Jiang Li yearned every moment to rush up and k*ll him.
Lu Ming represented the only glimmer of light that had pierced through the darkness that enveloped her for years.
Now that light had extinguished, and this man was one of the main culprits.
However…
Although her heart burned with a fierce desire to k*ll, her rationality constantly reminded her not to act.
Aside from being slightly faster than this man, she fell short in spirit energy fluctuations and combat experience; acting impulsively would not only fail to k*ll him but might also lead to her own demise.
Moreover, compared to her, this man deserved to d*e at Lu Ming’s hands.
So she merely followed Solang Pema, playing the role similar to “Damocles’ sword,” awaiting Lu Ming’s arrival.
However, before she could wait for Lu Ming, the Black Sun Totem on her back seemed to sense something, subtly stirring.
In the next moment, the sibilant voice of a man echoed like an illusion in her mind, resembling the whisper of a demon.
“Hehe, Jiang Li, my most perfect experimental subject, I have finally found you.”
It’s that man!
As if suddenly plunged into the most terrifying nightmare, Jiang Li’s pupils constricted, trembling uncontrollably.
Beres had undergone countless experiments; after reviving from a suspended state, although his voice had changed significantly, Jiang Li immediately recognized it as his voice ringing in her mind.
Just as she could never forget Lu Ming, she would also never be able to forget Beres.
Like light, like shadow, accompanying each other.
Originally, the news of Lu Ming’s d*ath had already dealt a heavy blow to Jiang Li. Now, discovering that Beres, who should have been dead, had suddenly returned, was a fatal strike.
In an instant, her will faltered, her right leg—a temporary manifestation of spirit patterns—was flooded with phantom pain, and the energy from the Eclipse Society totem on her back released the venomous energy, piercing through her skin like countless tiny steel needles, jabbed into her spine.
In a daze, it felt as if she had returned to that pitch-black, bl**d-soaked secret laboratory filled with the stench of mold and decay.
At that moment, Solang Pema noticed Jiang Li’s abnormality, paused, scrutinized her for a moment before his expression darkened, slowly drawing out the curved blade at his waist…
