1053 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 1053: Northern Rabbit - Web Novel Archive Krrrkk--!! Black flames scattered across the fields, igniting like a wildfire. A series of heavy explosions followed. Boom-! Thud--!!! The pressure ignited the sparks, and amidst the chaos stood a giant. The chief relentlessly swung his axe. Flames wrapped around the blade, forming a rough shape. The increase in size from the ignition expanded its reach. Despite his seemingly overwhelming power, the chief continued to exert his strength as if intent on destroying everything in his path. Yet, the man in front of him effortlessly withstood the chief's attacks as if they were nothing. Easily dodging the axe, the man opened his mouth to speak. "Chief." He called out the giant's name, but the chief was too preoccupied with his movement. "Answer me, Chief." "Shut up-!" "..." Ignoring the man's words, the chief stomped the ground with a strong foot. Thud-!! The area where his foot landed caved in, evidence of the intense pressure applied. Utilizing that force, the chief swung his axe. Roar---!!!! "Hm." The black flames transformed into the face of a charging buffalo, aiming for the man. Sighing at the sight, the man spread his wings. As they unfurled, feathers fell. Swish. Grasping a white feather, he transformed it into a spear. "Futile." Swinging the trident in his hand with all his might, a white flash of light split the air and collided with the black flames. Although it was described as a collision, the result was overwhelming. Crack-!! The white energy cleaved through the black flames. "...!" The chief widened his eyes at the disappearance of the black flames, and in that moment, the man charged at him. The man's slender fingers intruded upon the thick neck of the chief. Grabbing hold, he slammed the chief’s body to the ground. Thud---!!!! With a crash, the chief's body was pinned to the ground. "Ugh!!" "Chief. What on earth has happened to you?" The man asked, binding the chief so he couldn't move an inch. "What is with this pitiful appearance?" The man's voice, tinged with incredulity, questioned, but the chief only groaned in response, reluctant to speak. "Urgh..." Unwilling to answer, perhaps? The man tilted his head slightly and posed the question again. "Speak." Humm-!! A vibration spread through the air. He had used a command. A restraining force from his lips wrapped around the chief's body. If he refused to speak, he would be made to speak, or so the man thought. "Creak..." "What?" The chief, despite the command, endured it. Unbelievable. Since his vessel had ascended to match his master, the command should have worked on the chief too. "You withstood it?" Withstanding it? It’s ridiculous that he could endure such a command. This is something unyielding. "This guy...?" How on earth was the chief enduring this? With eyes wide open, the man scrutinized the chief's body. "Huh?" It didn't take long for him to realize. The energy from the command wasn't properly infiltrating the chief. "What." The dark energy emanating from the chief was hindering it. What is that black aura? Just looking at it was unpleasant. The aura obstructed the command. There was only one implication. It meant that this aura possessed enough power to deflect a command. It didn’t seem to be something the chief originally had. That is... "Ah, I see." The man realized. Now he remembered. "It's from that creature, isn't it?" The creature he fought within his domain. The aura that the young dragon possessed matched this one exactly. The fact that the chief held such energy meant... "You fool. Did you betray us?" It indicated that the chief had sided with the dragon. "Urgh...!" The chief reacted to those words but remained silent. "Of all places, you chose to side with that creature. It's as if you have no eyes to see at all." The man had no intention of listening to the chief's response. He wondered why the chief was here. "Did you perhaps receive orders from that dragon? Is that right?" He knew the dragon was somehow connected to the Huashan sect. It seemed likely that this was why the chief was guarding this place. "You foolish bastard." To be so consumed by battle and pledge allegiance to the Lord of Ten Thousand Realms. And now, to be entrapped by a dragon, even taking on such an insignificant form? "I'm disappointed." The man looked at the chief with a contorted expression. He had thought the chief was a being with spirit, offering help from time to time. He hadn't expected him to be such a trivial creature. Lifting his trident. "There's no need to watch any longer." Infusing energy into the tip of the white weapon, he aimed it at the chief's head. Whoosh-!! Just as the tip of the spear was about to pierce the chief's head. Bang-! "Hmm?" The spear's tip was obstructed, unable to reach its target. It felt like there was a solid wall blocking it, or perhaps like a rope had wrapped around the weapon, binding it. It was difficult to describe the sensation precisely. "Who are you?" Sensing this, the man looked up into the sky. His blue eyes gazed upwards to find someone floating there, looking down at him. "I stepped out to see what all the commotion was about. And here I find such a ridiculous scene." With the face of a turtle and a shell on its back, carrying a cumbersome staff and an atypical white beard. Dressed in attire of white silk embroidered with crimson patterns. "My, my." The man curled his lips upon seeing him. "Never expected to see such a notable figure here." The man laughed, recognizing the figure. "I see. No wonder. I wondered who could create such an impressive barrier. It was you." "Thank you for the compliment, though I can’t say it pleases me." The turtle. The elder of the Huashan sect slowly descended towards the man. "...I see." Verifying the man's appearance, the turtle let out a soft sigh. "A repulsive sight indeed... It seems you've crossed a line, haven't you?" "Repulsive, you say? I disagree." The man chuckled. enN1WnIzcFhHMVJuR0JvdkNPc013NW0xODY4bXpGSDNXclJKVmRFeHpuKytteFRPM21OekFxRW1OanNlVll0RQ "This is a form more noble and magnificent than any. Moreover, I think it resembles something you once held." "Even if others might not realize it, that being should not deny this form," the turtle stated calmly. "Nonsense." The turtle shook his head, dismissing further discussion. "If one ascends of their own accord or is chosen by destiny, it's one thing. But how can something inherited like a puppet be deemed radiant? You know this as well." A faint shimmer manifested at the end of the turtle's staff as it pointed towards the man, altering the space around them. "That is a falsehood. Do not comfort yourself with an imitation of grandeur." "..." The man's silence was brief before he suddenly gritted his teeth. Crrrrk. Three pairs of wings unfurled with grandeur. Whooosh--!!! As the massive wings spread wide, a tempest whipped through the shimmering space. "A false grandeur? Who are you to deem that for me?" A sneer twisted the man’s face. "This is an opportunity bestowed by the heavens, a stepping stone I seized myself." Gripping the trident that appeared out of nowhere, he shouted at the turtle. "You're trying to compare me to what you've lost. Don't delude yourself." "..." "I am not like you. Chief. The lost ruler of a vanished world." The turtle narrowed his eyes. "Vanish into the abyss like the specter you are meant to be." With those words, Hummmm--!!! The turtle's staff began to vibrate softly. * * * Whooosh-!!! Moving through the golden space at a breakneck speed. It's unclear how long it's been since entering this mystic gate. It felt like several hours had passed, yet I was still flying through the same scene. While flying, I glanced back and asked. "How much further?" With urgency, I asked, and Yarang held up two fingers in response. Not quite sure what it meant, but I guessed it meant we were almost there, or at least I hoped so. Letting out a breath, I pushed my speed further. ‘Did I take too big a risk based on mere words?’ Acting on hearsay, I had plunged into the mystical realm. Even in times of urgency, this was a reckless wager. I didn’t even know how long this would take—was this truly the right decision? I questioned myself repeatedly, but it was already too late. ‘I can’t go back now.’ Having advanced this far, there was no turning back. ‘Or is it? Should I demand to be sent back and make a run for it?’ Logically, that might be the correct choice, but the hesitation gnawed at me as I weighed my options. A baseless desperation drove me to trust Yarang. With that singular trust, I flew on furiously. ‘Cheonma is—’ She followed me with an expressionless face. In this space, her speed seemed to decrease, or perhaps Yarang and Cheonma were simply stronger than I anticipated, able to keep up easily. The urgency of the situation left no room for such reflections. ‘What is happening?’ What had befallen the Huashan sect? Why did the turtle utter such words? ‘Please.’ May it be nothing. Even if something had happened, may we find a way to overcome it. As such thoughts raced through my mind, I flew onward when suddenly— Ziiiing-!! A light appeared ahead. Is that— ‘The exit?’ It seemed like the end was near. I drew upon all my remaining strength to race towards the light before me. Thud-! The sensation as I pierced through the aura was akin to when I first entered the mystical gate. The scenery shifted, and the world came into view. "This place…" I widened my eyes at the transformed landscape. I knew where I was. ‘Huashan Sect.’ It was the entrance to the Huashan sect, the path I used to take to and from Yawol. "This can't be…!" Realization struck me mute. The place looked completely different from what I remembered.