Chapter 848: Monster

Everyone present turned pale.

Whose corpse is this?

Water Yama examined the clothing on the corpse and said coldly:

"It's the temple keeper. There are tooth marks all over it, torn and ragged, flesh mottled with blood—as if it had been… gnawed by something…"

Before he finished speaking, a sound came from the rafters.

"There's something above!"

Water Yama's pupils contracted.

But before Water Yama could sense anything, Mo Hua had already grabbed Ouyang Feng by one hand and Hua Qianqian by the other, retreating far to the side.

Above the rafters, lethal intent suddenly appeared.

A massive, deformed, crimson blood-shadow shot down at a speed invisible to the naked eye.

In an instant, a stench of blood slammed into their faces.

"So fast!"

Water Yama's heart tightened; he immediately drew his long whip and met the blood-shadow head-on.

But after just one clash, Water Yama was blasted backward.

The bloody figure, the moment its limbs touched the ground, roared and charged straight at Water Yama.

Before it could reach Water Yama, a deep-blue sword light slashed across its body.

It was Xie Liu's Gui Shui sword qi.

This sword qi delayed the blood-shadow for only a moment—and only a moment. It didn't even leave a single scratch on the monster.

Xie Liu, at the Jin Dan realm, looked extremely grim.

The sudden shock, combined with the monster's incredible speed, had left Water Yama on the defensive; now that he had a brief respite, he regained his composure.

He activated Water Shadow Step, splitting into multiple ghostly shadows to confuse the crimson monster before him.

Simultaneously, he concealed himself within the water shadows and launched a surprise strike with his Water Punishment Whip.

Xie Liu dared not hold back any longer, pushing the Gui Shui Sword Art to its absolute limit within the Foundation Establishment realm.

Waves of Gui Shui sword qi erupted, striking the strange, bloody monster.

Mo Hua stood by, doing nothing.

Seeing Mo Hua's inaction, Ouyang Feng and Hua Qianqian also merely remained on guard, not attacking.

The battle continued; Mo Hua watched silently.

The monster was wrapped in deep crimson blood qi, which swirled around it, obscuring its form—so it appeared only as a massive blood-shadow, its shape indiscernible.

But each time it attacked, it seemed to consume some of its blood qi.

After fighting Water Yama and Xie Liu for a while in front of the hall's corridor, the crimson hue on its body had faded considerably, and its silhouette had become faintly visible.

Mo Hua stared closely for a moment, his pupils subtly trembling.

This was a… creature of some unknown category.

Its body stood twice a man's height, its limbs thick but grotesquely deformed; it crawled on two hands and two feet, its form twisted yet astonishingly agile.

Its face was hideous, its mouth caked in blood, still stained with human flesh.

Thick, seemingly bluish-green scales covered its body.

These scales were extremely thick and extremely hard.

Whether it was Water Yama's Water Punishment Whip or Xie Liu's Gui Shui sword qi, no matter how hard they slashed, not a single scratch could be made on it.

Mo Hua felt a faint shock.

Judging by its blood qi, this monster was only a Rank-Two creature, yet Water Yama, at the peak of Foundation Establishment, and Xie Liu, at the Jin Dan realm—even if restricted to Foundation Establishment peak power—were certainly stronger than ordinary Foundation Establishment peak cultivators.

Yet these two, fighting at full strength, couldn't even pierce its scales…

"What exactly… is this thing?"

Mo Hua's expression was solemn.

He made a slight move, throwing two Fireball Spells to test his own strength.

But his Foundation Establishment mid-stage Fireball Spell, the moment it struck the monster, vanished without a sound—not even breaking its armor, let alone making the monster feel a trace of warmth.

The monster didn't even glance at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua roughly understood his own limits; he reluctantly withdrew and stood quietly aside, watching the spectacle.

The fierce battle before the hall continued.

Whip shadows, sword qi, and the blood-shadow intertwined.

According to Mo Hua's calculations, Water Yama and Xie Liu were no match for this monster; in direct combat, they couldn't pierce its scales.

But any time the monster's claws or fangs struck them, they left behind a bloody wound.

Within these wounds, black qi seeped out, clearly infused with many sinister, corrupting energies.

If they kept fighting like this, Water Yama and Xie Liu would eventually die.

Mo Hua began considering an escape route.

But before he could decide anything, the monster suddenly roared, transformed into a stinking gust of wind, leapt onto the rafters, and vanished into the shadows.

"It ran?"

Mo Hua froze.

Water Yama and Xie Liu, covered in wounds, wore solemn expressions; now that the monster had suddenly fled, both felt a sense of relief.

But Mo Hua frowned.

He glanced at Water Yama and Xie Liu, clearly exhausted, and couldn't understand.

If he were that monster, he'd have eaten these two first—after fighting this long, why suddenly leave?

Why?

Mo Hua recalled the various signs of that bloody monster and formed a rough hypothesis in his mind.

"Is it because… the blood aura on its body?"

Perhaps this monster moves by relying on the blood aura swirling around it.

Only with its entire body wrapped in blood aura can it roam freely and hunt cultivators.

Without the blood aura, it can only retreat.

Is this blood aura used to fuel its powerful flesh and muscle strength?

Or has it not yet fully transformed, and must depend on blood aura to move outside?

Mo Hua silently pondered.

On the other side, Xie Liu and Shui Yanluo had already taken out pills and begun healing.

Their injuries weren't too severe, but the only troubling issue was the blood aura clinging to the monster's claws and fangs.

This blood aura had unknown origins, but it was certainly tainted with human blood and other unknown impurities; now seeping into their wounds, if not removed soon, it would leave lasting hazards.

The two sat in meditation to heal.

Mo Hua began secretly gathering a Fireball Technique at his fingertips.

But the instant he moved, Xie Liu suddenly opened his eyes, glaring fiercely at Mo Hua: "Brat, what are you doing?"

Mo Hua extinguished the Fireball, feigning innocence. "I did nothing."

Xie Liu sneered. "I warn you—don't even think of pulling tricks."

"Oh."

Mo Hua looked utterly unconcerned.

Xie Liu bit his teeth in anger, but his immediate priority was calming his mind to heal—he couldn't afford to be disturbed by this brat.

Xie Liu suppressed his fury and continued healing.

Mo Hua tested the situation and realized that although Xie Liu and Shui Yanluo were healing, both were still watching him closely, so he slightly restrained himself and truly made no further moves.

But after a while, Shui Yanluo suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood; when he opened his eyes again, they were completely red.

Deep malevolent energy clung to his face, and violent desires surged in his eyes; then he turned and locked his gaze fixedly on Hua Qianqian.

Burning with lust, his entire body trembled.

"Bad!"

Mo Hua's expression changed instantly; he grabbed Hua Qianqian and pulled her back several steps.

The next instant, Shui Yanluo lunged forward.

Ouyang Feng raised his longsword to block—but failed.

Mo Hua hurled several Fireballs, briefly delaying him—but to little effect; Shui Yanluo pressed on regardless, like a lust-crazed demon, still charging toward Hua Qianqian.

Mo Hua said coldly: "Wretched beast, don't you want that box anymore?"

Shui Yanluo's eyes burned red—he ignored it completely.

Mo Hua's heart sank—he sensed trouble.

The Water Prison Sealed Casket was important only when Shui Yanluo still had his wits.

This Shui Yanluo, after enduring repeated battles, had lost his primordial energy, been tainted by the bloody monster's blood aura, worsened his injuries, and now his malevolent energy was gradually slipping out of control.

He'd also absorbed so much thick mist earlier—his desires were deeply rooted; now, his mental state was unbalanced, entirely dominated by lust.

"Forget it…"

Watching Shui Yanluo charge again, Mo Hua thought silently.

This useless waste… clearly no longer of any use…

A faint golden light flickered in his eyes as he began mobilizing his soul, trying to use the Startling Soul Sword to shatter Shui Yanluo's soul directly.

Just then, a figure stepped before him, blocking Shui Yanluo—and Mo Hua's line of sight—hindering his Startling Soul Sword.

It was Xie Liu.

He shielded Mo Hua, swung his sword backward, and knocked Shui Yanluo back; then he slashed again, cutting open Shui Yanluo's shoulder.

Shui Yanluo cried out in pain, his consciousness suddenly clearing; he snapped back to himself and roared:

"Xie Liu, what the hell are you doing?"

Xie Liu, a Jin Dan, was insulted this way—his face darkened slightly, then he sneered: "What are you doing?"

Shui Yanluo growled: "I can't hold back anymore—I need to vent."

Xie Liu said: "No."

Shui Yanluo flew into a rage, internally seething, eyes blazing:

"What's wrong with you? These three have no blood tie to you—they're even your enemies. I'm just using them to vent—why are you stopping me?"

Xie Liu pointed his longsword at Shui Yanluo and sneered: "I've wanted to ask this… what is this box the brat mentioned?"

Shui Yanluo froze, his confidence faltering; he muttered: "It's none of your business."

Xie Liu scoffed. "You really think I'm a fool?"

Shui Yanluo said: "Even if I gave it to you, you couldn't use it."

Xie Liu said: "If you won't give it to me, how do you know I can't use it?"

Shui Yanluo gritted his teeth, helplessly saying: "That thing… you truly can't learn."

Xie Liu's expression turned icy. "You can learn it, but I can't? Don't forget—you're only Foundation Establishment. I'm the Jin Dan. Tell me… what exactly is that box?"

Shui Yanluo's expression turned cold—he said nothing.

Seeing Xie Liu couldn't get an answer, Mo Hua "generously" told him: "It's the Water Prison Sealed Casket."

Xie Liu blinked in surprise. "Water Prison Sealed Casket? What's that?"

Mo Hua said: "You know the Water Prison Gate…"

Water Yama snapped: "Brat, shut your mouth!"

Xie Liu sent a blade of light slashing at Water Yama, forcing him back several steps, then sneered and turned to Mo Hua. "Continue."

Mo Hua went on: "The Water Prison Gate was the former name of the Gui Water Gate. The Water Prison Sealed Casket was the sect's treasured artifact when the Water Prison Gate rose to become one of the top Shierliu Sects—it contains the supreme cultivation art, accessible only to the successive leaders of the Water Prison Gate."

Xie Liu's eyes instantly turned red; his breathing grew heavy, his expression disbelief.

Sect treasured artifact. Leader's supreme art!

He had once been a sect disciple, then an inner chamber instructor, just one step away from becoming an inner chamber elder.

Thus he understood clearly how difficult promotion within the sect was, and how rigid the barriers to inheritance were.

The sect treasured artifact, the leader's supreme art—even if he had become an elder, it was something he could never touch in his lifetime.

Not even worthy of a single glance.

Yet now, this thing was right before his eyes!

Xie Liu's voice trembled: "Where?"

Mo Hua glanced at Water Yama, then at Xie Liu, paused thoughtfully, and sighed:

"Originally, if Water Yama hadn't moved, I would have given it to him afterward. But he broke his word—so now I have no choice. Here's the deal: as long as you protect the safety of me and my senior brother and sister, once we leave this Long Wang Temple and reach the shore, I'll tell you where the sealed casket is."

Xie Liu's gaze turned dark, lost in thought.

Mo Hua added: "No matter what scheme you hatch, it's useless. Kill me, and I won't speak. Threaten me, and I still won't speak. This sealed casket is our only bargaining chip for survival—if we give it to you now, all three of us are dead. So before we're safely out, I won't tell you where it is…"

"You can choose only one: our three lives, or the Water Prison Gate's leader's treasured artifact."

Xie Liu didn't need to choose.

Mo Hua's three lives meant less to him than a single hair of the treasured artifact.

This was the sect leader's inheritance!

Yet…

Xie Liu hesitated: "How can I be sure you'll give me this artifact after we leave?"

Mo Hua looked unconcerned. "This sealed casket, I took it from Water Yama myself. I can't even read it, so keeping it is useless. Exchanging it for the lives of me and my senior brother and sister—what's unnatural about that?"

"If you're still uneasy, after we leave, take us to a third-grade state border. There, you're a Jin Dan, we're only Foundation Establishment—you'll have no trouble forcing us to reveal its location."

Xie Liu frowned, pondered several times, and found Mo Hua's words seemed reasonable—he gave a slight nod.

Beside him, Water Yama coldly said:

"This brat is cunning, devious, and treacherous, Elder Xie—don't listen to a word he says, or you'll fall for his tricks."

Xie Liu turned and glanced at Water Yama, sneering. "Aren't you the same? He may be cunning, but he's just a brat with less than twenty years of cultivation. As for treachery, how could he compare to you?"

Water Yama hurried: "You have no idea what this brat is truly capable of."

"Correct—I don't know his background. But I know your cruelty all too well," Xie Liu sneered.

Water Yama, seeing he still didn't understand, cursed: "Fool!"

Xie Liu's eyes flickered with a hint of killing intent. "I've shown you respect because you've done much for the Young Master, and because you might one day ascend to Jin Dan. But don't forget—you're not a Jin Dan yet. If you keep speaking so disrespectfully, don't blame me if I grow uncivil."

Mo Hua nodded vigorously beside him. "Exactly! Water Yama's used to ruling the Foundation Establishment realm, convinced that once he forms a Golden Core, he'll dominate everywhere—so he doesn't even respect you, Elder Xie."

"On the surface he may bow and scrape, but when trouble strikes, he panics and reveals his true thoughts—calling you a 'fool.' It's utterly outrageous…"

Mo Hua spoke fluently, delivering these words in one breath.

Xie Liu's expression turned ashamed and furious; his gaze sharpened on Water Yama.

Water Yama inwardly cursed and quickly said: "Elder Xie, don't listen to this brat's scheming."

Xie Liu sneered. "Do I need your reminder?"

"Exactly, exactly," Mo Hua said. "Elder Xie's actions don't need Water Yama's mouth. The fact he says this proves he still looks down on you—thinks you're a 'fool.'"

Water Yama, enraged: "Brat, isn't this exactly what you call scheming?"

Mo Hua replied firmly: "How is this scheming? Aren't my words true? You know what's in your own heart."

"You can't say it—I will. Since what I say is true, it's not 'scheming'—it's 'factual reporting.'"

"I report facts, yet you forbid me—this proves you have ulterior motives, trying to deceive Elder Xie."

Water Yama couldn't argue with Mo Hua and exploded:

"I'll kill you!"

Before he could move, Xie Liu struck again with a sword slash, repelling Water Yama's whip.

Mo Hua stepped behind Xie Liu and immediately said:

"Elder Xie, Water Yama wants to kill me—he can't get the sealed casket himself, and doesn't want you to have it either. His intentions are vile."

Water Yama gritted his teeth.

Xie Liu's gaze toward Water Yama grew even more hostile.

Water Yama, inwardly helpless, softened his expression: "Elder Xie, we're from the same clan—we have some kinship…"

"And what if we are?" Mo Hua cut in. "Why didn't you tell Elder Xie about the sealed casket? Such a vital artifact—you wanted to keep it for yourself? Clearly, you never held Elder Xie in regard. Now that things have turned against you, you suddenly invoke kinship? Aren't you ashamed?"

Xie Liu's gaze toward Water Yama turned icy.

He knew perfectly well Mo Hua was sowing discord.

But while Mo Hua was indeed stirring trouble, every word he spoke was true.

This Water Yama wanted to hoard the treasured artifact—his heart was worthy of death!

Even earlier, before his own eyes, he hadn't mentioned the Water Prison Sealed Casket once—showing he didn't regard this Jin Dan at all.

If not for this brat revealing it, he would have missed this immense opportunity!

Xie Liu pointed his sword at Water Yama and warned: "From now on, keep your distance from these three."

At least until he obtained the Water Prison Sealed Casket, these three must not come to harm.

Water Yama lamented bitterly: "Elder Xie, if you trust this brat so easily, you will be poisoned by him!"

Honest words are hard to hear; Xie Liu would not listen, only firmly said:

"Don't say more—I know what I'm doing. Do I need you to teach me how to act?"

"Exactly, exactly." Mo Hua nodded repeatedly.

Water Yama seethed inwardly, but now Xie Liu was protecting Mo Hua and the other two for the sake of the sealed casket—he was isolated and powerless, so he could only temporarily relent.

Afterward, the group sat in meditation to heal their wounds for a while.

But this time, Xie Liu and the other had grown distant; they sat farther apart, mutually wary.

Mo Hua, by contrast, drew closer to Xie Liu, looking at Water Yama with triumphant pride, making Water Yama's heart tremble with rage.

But he dared not lash out.

On the surface, the group barely maintained a fragile peace.

After resting, Xie Liu turned to Water Yama, his tone somewhat softened: "About the sealed casket, we'll discuss it later. The urgent matter is to find out what happened in this temple—and what that monster truly is..."

Though he was a Jin Dan, he had passed through Yanzhi Boat Town before, but he rarely came to this Long Wang Temple.

Water Yama was different—every past "sacrifice" had been delivered to the temple by him.

This temple was far more familiar to Water Yama than to him; thus, if they were to hide here and evade the Dao Ting Si's pursuit, they still had to rely on Water Yama.

Water Yama understood the urgency and priorities, and being deeply calculating, he suppressed his earlier resentment and nodded:

"Elder Xie speaks wisely..."

He glanced around, frowning. "Something tremendous must have occurred in this Long Wang Temple, causing such strangeness. This is no ordinary place—if we don't uncover the truth, we're likely doomed."

Xie Liu frowned. "What of the Mr. Wu? Could he also...?"

Water Yama shook his head. "Mr. Wu is favored by the Divine Lord, possessing great spiritual power—he is unlikely to..."

Xie Liu looked at the grand hall before them. "Is this Mr. Wu's room?"

Water Yama nodded.

Xie Liu said: "Then let's go inside. There might be clues."

Water Yama hesitated, showing caution. "Mr. Wu has an eccentric temperament, unpredictable moods. His room has always been off-limits to others. If we enter rashly, he may blame us afterward."

"The situation is exceptional—we can't afford to care anymore," said Xie Liu.

Water Yama thought for a moment, then nodded. "Very well."

Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst.

To be blamed by Mr. Wu is better than dying at the hands of an unknown monster.

Xie Liu and the other had fought the monster before; they knew well its terrifying nature—blood mist swirling, scales hard as armor, claws sharp, limbs deformed.

Now, with no clear understanding of the situation, escape was impossible.

The group stood before the grand hall's entrance.

Water Yama hesitated, then extended his hand. With a dull creak, he slowly pushed open Mr. Wu's door.

A thick stench of blood surged toward them...

(ps. Extra update today—another chapter coming later~)

yifan

xsguan

23zw