Chapter 107: Reunion of Old Friends, the Last Smile of Friends
Everything happened just as it did, shaped by the hand of fate. As time passed, one story after another emerged. Was this destiny? Was it something predetermined to happen?
Within three days, the Dark Magic Sect and the Human Righteous Path each brought six hundred elite disciples to a place a hundred li outside Fengdu Ghost City. The righteous and the demonic camps were set up on opposite sides, only fifty zhang apart—a very short distance. This was done at the request of Taoist Master Qingyun. Although the people on both sides were not very agreeable, they still agreed after being persuaded by the Wolf King.
For they had no way to retreat. If they did not cooperate, death awaited them. There would be no chance then to talk about unifying the three realms or fighting evil.
Taoist Master Qingyun, through the spreading poisonous miasma, carved a model of Fengdu Ghost City out of wood in the shortest possible time. He knew every second was crucial, as the Nine Nether Demons might awaken at any moment and destroy the three realms with their endless hordes of undead.
Next, he bit his finger and used the blood from his middle finger to write strange characters on the model of Fengdu Ghost City. When the last stroke was completed, a red light flashed, and then it disappeared. Taoist Master Qingyun nodded and said, “The first part is done…”
At that moment, the Wolf King, looking at the rapidly spreading poisonous miasma, said, “Master, I think you need to hurry. Although the Nine Nether Demons haven’t awakened yet, the demonic energy is pressing down on the undead below, making them increasingly frenzied. And the poisonous miasma is spreading faster and faster. If we don’t act quickly, we’ll be in trouble soon.”
Taoist Master Qingyun didn’t say anything. He suddenly turned around and swiftly sent out eighteen yellow demon-suppressing flags from his sleeves— thirty-six in total. Each flag was also made from his own lifeblood. It was clear that these thirty-six flags were extremely powerful. They were arranged in a circle and firmly planted around the model of Fengdu Ghost City, encircling it tightly.
Qingyun didn’t stop there. With his right hand, he sent out a yellow beam of light and said, “Open.” The yellow light rushed into the flags. As the light passed from one flag to another, all thirty-six flags lit up with a faint yellow glow. Only then did Taoist Master Qingyun wipe the sweat from his forehead and say, “It’s done.”
Everyone turned to look at Fengdu Ghost City. In an instant, the swirling black clouds, green poisonous miasma, and the undead flying everywhere were enclosed within a huge yellow light barrier. The yellow barrier flickered intermittently as the undead kept bumping into it…
Tianqing the Taoist said, “‘Tian Guang Liu He’ is currently being sustained by the remaining energy within the thirty-six Demon Suppression Flags. But soon, this formation will be broken by these undead. Therefore, we need someone with high cultivation to infuse internal energy into it to maintain ‘Tian Guang Liu He.’ That way, the formation can at least hold on for a while before the Nine Nether Demon God awakens.” The Wolf King nodded and said, “The Taoist is right. But there’s one more thing everyone might not know—the Nine Nether Demon God has been asleep all along. Moreover, Hou Yi calculated that it wouldn’t awaken so quickly. I think the current situation is caused by too many undead. As long as we prevent them from spreading and disturbing too much spiritual energy in the three realms, the Nine Nether Demon God won’t awaken.”
After Tianqing and the Wolf King spoke, none of the ten leaders of the righteous and demonic paths took action. Of course, the Wolf King also knew what they were thinking. At this moment, if the righteous side struck first, the demonic side might suffer heavy losses if they weren’t fully prepared. And if the demonic side took control of the Demon Suppression Flags, the righteous side could easily uphold the principle of eliminating evil. Both human hearts and demonic hearts harbored evil.
Just then, a woman stepped forward from behind the Wolf King and said, “What are you all, these high-and-mighty leaders of the righteous and demonic paths, thinking? If you don’t seal off the demonic energy soon, you might all turn into bones by tomorrow.” The woman had long, curly hair draped over her shoulders and pair of deep blue eyes that were quite lovely. She was none other than the mysterious woman in Liu Yi’s eyes—the one who knew everything about the three lifetimes, Blue Blade.
But Ao Tian glanced at Qiong Ba and still didn’t send his subordinates to control the Demon Suppression Flags. Qiong Ba wasn’t stupid either. Since the other side wasn’t taking action, how could he, as the leader of the righteous side, be the first to strike?
Suddenly, Tianqing said, “Look.”
Everyone’s gaze turned toward the yellow barrier. Countless undead were charging wildly, and the green poisonous mist was growing denser, seemingly ready to spread at any moment. The ‘Tian Guang Liu He’ formation was already showing signs of weakness. If things continued like this, those undead would surely break through the formation in no time.
The Wolf King said urgently, “There’s no time left. Since these ten high-ranking leaders are afraid of being betrayed, let us, these ruffians of the martial world, contribute our last effort to protect our homeland that’s about to disappear.”
The Wolf King was the first to sit beside the first yellow Demon Suppression Flag. He stretched out his right hand and infused true energy into it. Following his action, Qi and Lin behind him moved slightly. Amidst the rising dust, they sat on either side of the Wolf King, each holding a Demon Suppression Flag, all three striving to maintain the formation within the flags.
Just then, a familiar voice said, “Old fellow, why didn’t you ask for help? Are you looking down on us?”
The Wolf King turned to look. It was… One of the Ten Greats. Besides this silly boy, who else would address him that way? Next to him were A Jiu, the Great Sword King, and Shui Er. The four of them were smiling at him.
The Wolf King laughed and said, “Silly boy, it’s been years since we last met, yet your foolishness remains unchanged. I’m thousands of years older than you, and you still address me like this.”
By this time, the four of them had also taken their seats and were using their vital energy to control the Demon Suppressing Flags—one each. The Great Sword King guarded his own flag while saying, “It’s been so long since we last saw each other. I really miss you. When can I meet your sister, Brother Wolf?”
Wolf King smiled and replied, “Why rush? In a few hundred years.”
The Great Sword King burst into laughter and said, “You’re falling behind here. Look at me and Shui Er—we both already have children at home. You need to hurry up.”
Shui Er glanced at the Great Sword King and teased, “You old rascal! There are better things to compare to than getting married.”
A Jiu also laughed and said, “The Great Sword Brother’s mouth is the best. But I still prefer his hairstyle. Look how tall and impressive it is. Maybe one day, Sister Shui Er can do something nice for my brother Shi Yi too.”
Wolf King laughed heartily—truly happy. For thousands of years, he had endured the cruelest loneliness in the world. At the peak, under the full moon, his figure had always been solitary. As a guardian beast, he was destined for solitude. But now, as the world was on the verge of destruction, he felt the warmth of friends and true happiness.
As the group happily chatted while struggling to maintain the Demon Suppressing Flags, six more people stepped forward. “It seems so lively here. We should join in too,” said the mysterious blue-eyed woman. Next to her was Tian Jiao, along with four guards behind him.
A Jiu and Shui Er, with their sharpest eyes, saw Tian Jiao call out Jili Er’s name simultaneously, and their surprise was beyond expression.
Blue Blade, Tian Jiao, and the four guards each took a Demon Suppressing Flag and sat down.
Tian Jiao hurriedly explained, “I’m not the Jili Er you’re talking about. I just look a bit like her. My name is Tian Jiao.”
Shi Jie Yi and the Great Sword King also stared in disbelief, unable to believe such a similar person existed in the world. After a while, the Great Sword King shook his head and said, “Yes, she’s not Jili Er. Though she looks similar, they’re actually two different people. Their eyes, movements, expressions—other than appearance, they don’t resemble each other at all.”
Blue Blade smiled and said, “Of course not. Because she isn’t Jili Er in the first place. Great Sword King, Shi Jie Yi, A Jiu, Shui Er, Wolf King—I know all your stories. I’m truly glad that Liu Yi has friends like you. Maybe we’re all going to die soon, but being with such passionate friends still makes me happy…”
It seems that mystery is always the most tempting thing. Perhaps human curiosity is the strongest of all…