Chapter 236: Apopu's Flustered Fury

"What have you been through?!!"

Apopu's appearance made everyone present instantly tense up, with Xiao immediately stepping forward to shield everyone, ready for battle.

Besides Luo De, no one has ever seen the Grass Dragon.

But the mighty aura emanating from the Primordial Dragon.

Even though it's only the tip of the iceberg, even someone as battle-hardened as Xiao cannot help but feel tense.

"Ruòtuó Lóngwáng"

Apopu's terror reminded Xiao of the Rock Dragon King who once fought side by side with Zhongli during the Archon War.

You have to know this is only a fragment of Luo De's memory.

There is a world of difference between this and Apopu's true form.

Just by standing there, she already made the strongest Xiao feel a chill run through his body.

"Prepare for a fight to the death!"

Luo De sighed, placed the exhausted Dadalia to one side, and at the same time prayed that Zhongli would quickly notice the abnormality and come to their rescue.

He truly couldn't understand.

What is the principle behind this ghostly space reading memories?

The memories extracted from Dadalia and Yelan are of people they recently fought.

But I haven't fought Apopu at all!

Moreover, even if you gave Luo De ten times the courage, he still wouldn't dare to attack Apopu.

A Primordial Dragon King that has lived for over ten thousand years.

Even after being defeated back then and having part of its power stripped away by the Heavenly Principles, and even after later being schemed against by the Crimson King, nearly causing its annihilation.

Apopu remains the pinnacle of existence in the Teyvat world today.

It is a powerhouse capable of tearing apart the Heavenly Principles' bonds with bare hands.

Luo De can only be grateful that the Apopu before him is merely a phantom reconstructed from his memory, possessing only a fraction of the true body's power; otherwise, Zhongli would only be able to come collect their corpses.

However, just as Luo De and the others were preparing to attack,

That Apopu phantom, which resembled a puppet, suddenly had its eyes become lively; its icy iron-like expression took on a hint of doubt, and the killing intent that had permeated the entire secret realm swiftly melted away like snow as she turned her hands over and over, examining them.

This sudden change did not stop the few of them from continuing their attacks; several full-force assaults ruthlessly smashed toward where Apopu was.

Yelan's arrow and Luo De's divine technique took the lead, while Xiao's Demon-Quelling Ritual Dance followed up.

"Human brat, is this how you welcome me?"

What caused Luo De's pupils to contract was:

When the three's attacks were about to land on Apopu, the phantom, which should have only repeated a few lines, suddenly spoke as if it had its own consciousness.

At the same time,

Apopu's phantom waved a hand to scatter Yelan's incoming water-element long arrow, then summoned a shield to block Luo De's crashing Blazing Sun Descent; it then precisely located Xiao amidst his swirling phantom, seized his Harmony Jade Kite that was thrusting at it, and without visible effort, easily took the bow from Xiao's hand and kicked him hard with a fierce straight kick, sending him flying back.

Upon first contact,

All three of their attacks were easily neutralized by Apopu, and even the strongest Xiao was kicked by her so hard that he vomited several mouthfuls of blood.

"Huh?"

"Manifestation of grudge?"

Staring at Xiao, who had wiped the blood from his mouth and was still preparing to fight her, Apopu's phantom played with his Harmony Jade Kite and said with interest: "You kid, you're interesting—despite bearing such a massive grudge, you can still fight me."

"."

Xiao did not reply to her words, fully erupting the elemental energy within his body.

One could see his eyes bloodshot, veins bulging on his forehead, and the elemental energy surrounding him surging with increasingly thick black mist.

This black mist, formed from karmic obstacles, visibly intertwined with Xiao's elemental energy, and even a single glance would cause an abnormal sense of mental discomfort.

Even though Luo De and Yelan had previously shielded themselves with elemental energy, they could still clearly feel an increasingly strong sense of irritability.

This was especially unbearable for Dadalia, who was already utterly exhausted.

The burden of activating the Demon King's Armor is no joke.

Continuous massive consumption.

This left him barely able to rely on the water-element energy from his Vision to protect himself from karmic interference.

"Demon-Subduing Great Sage! Let's pause for a moment!"

At this tense moment, Luo De stepped forward, standing between the confronting Xiao and Apopu.

Then, looking at the phantom wearing a teasing expression,

Luo De gave a bitter laugh and said: "Since you've come in person, please don't toy with us."

Just now, when that phantom spoke, he realized something was off.

Based on the performance of the phantoms produced by the previous seal space,

These phantoms can speak.

But they only speak the words from the memories of the person whose memories were read.

In other words,

If the figure before Luo De is merely Apopu's phantom, then every word she says should be something Luo De has heard before.

But the fact is,

Luo De has no recollection of anything she said.

Moreover, the things she said afterward.

Then there is no doubt.

I don't know how this seal space works, but it actually drew in Apopu's true consciousness.

How should I say this?

This turned out to be a good thing.

If there were an unconscious being that still wielded part of Apep's power left here, then Luo De and the others being drawn into a death battle would be inevitable.

If it were a conscious Apep instead.

Then the situation would be different.

At the very least.

No one here has ever offended Apep.

Strictly speaking.

Luo De and she still have a bit of a connection.

"Hmph—"

"Are you toying with us?"

"You know I'm here, yet you dare to attack me—you're truly the first."

It seems Apep is quite dissatisfied with the fact that she was just attacked.

That said.

Just as Luo De had expected.

Apep did not attack them, but continued to observe the surroundings.

"She"

Although still wary of Apep, under Luo De's signal Xiao forcibly suppressed the surging karmic burden, letting his emotions calm down.

"Let me introduce."

Turning to look at the equally astonished Ye Lan and Dadalya, Luo De sighed softly: "This is our Sumeru's grass dragon Apep, not an enemy; as for the rest, don't ask me—I don't even know how she ended up here."

No sooner had he spoken.

"In the dark I sensed a dragon like me appearing; after a little probing, I found this place."

She said.

"I thought a new dragon king had been born, but it turns out it's just this broken body."

So that's how it is.

"Looks like it was just a coincidence."

"You're worried about this? You should worry about that kid beside you instead."

"You're about to die, you know that?"

"I know."

Xiao's expression was very calm.

"Follow me, and I can save your life."

While returning the Jade Pendant, Apep also raised a hand and patted Xiao.

Only a streak of verdant hue mixed into Xiao's green elemental energy, and at great speed suppressed the karmic burden on his body.

"What a weak body—it can't even withstand this bit of power."

Apep was referring to the illusory body created from the sealed space she is currently borrowing, not Xiao's body.

But the difference isn't big.

Because after she finished speaking about herself, the topic turned to Xiao.

"Not a bad kid, just that your body is a bit damaged; later I'll give you proper nourishment, at least making you stronger than now."

The moment Xiao made contact, Apep saw through his bodily condition.

Given her nature.

Naturally, she also gave Xiao no chance to retort, maintaining her usual lofty demeanor, as if she had completely got Xiao under control.

"Sorry."

"I have a contract with the Emperor, so I cannot obey."

Xiao, who always regards the Emperor as paramount, would certainly not accept Apep's indirect recruitment, and firmly refused her.

"Emperor?"

"Oh, is that the Geo Archon Emperor?"

"I've heard of it."

"My daughter is still the Great Merciful Tree King, a deity just like your Geo Archon Emperor."

Daughter of the grass dragon.

For some reason, every time Luo De hears that title, he can't help but feel a stomachache.

Ye Lan and Dadalya beside them also wore shocked expressions upon hearing that.

What Apep said can already be considered a secret among deities.

Moreover, it's a hugely disruptive piece of big news.

The Great Merciful Tree King is an incarnation of the World Tree; this is no secret among the higher-ups of all nations.

Apep said the Great Merciful Tree King is her daughter.

Doesn't that mean this grass dragon is the World Tree itself?

"Things aren't as you think."

"Things aren't as you think; once we get out, when we have time I'll explain."

On the other side, Xiao once again refused Apep's recruitment.

This also caused Apep, who already harbored deep prejudice against deities, to narrow her eyes; the dangerous aura that had just dissipated spread once more through the secret realm.

Seeing this.

Luo De, caught in the middle, could only continue to persuade Apep: "You shouldn't keep trying to win over Xiao; his relationship with the Geo Archon is far closer than you imagine, not something you can sway with just a few words."

"You also shouldn't try to intimidate him."

"He isn't even afraid of death—how could he be afraid of you?"

Everything Luo De said made sense.

Especially the last line: "He isn't even afraid of death—how could he be afraid of you?"

After hesitating for a while, Apep muttered: "What a stubborn brat."

Having said that.

She no longer dwelled on Xiao's matter.

Of course.

She also wouldn't go on to suppress Xiao's karmic burden.

But the matter wasn't over yet.

After dealing with Xiao, she then approached Dada Liya, similarly full of interest, saying: "You human are even more interesting than that brat; how about it, interested in joining me?"

Luo De didn't know how to complain anymore.

He really couldn't figure out what Apep was up to!

Since her consciousness descended, she has been constantly recruiting people.

"'This guy must think that since Sumeru has no one, he wants to get some lackeys to take back, right?'"

Luo De randomly guessed such a reason.

This also genuinely startled him.

Who is Apep?

The Primordial Dragon King.

He belongs to the faction with the deepest malice toward humans and gods.

Would someone like him worry about Sumeru, a human nation governed by a god?

But thinking of Apep moving bricks and building houses in the city...

Luo De again felt his guess wasn't baseless.

"Could it be that this dragon has truly changed his nature?"

Seeing Apep rejected again, looking rather displeased, Luo De scratched his head and stepped forward: "Lord Dendro Dragon, do you have time to take us out of this space?"

"'Lord?'"

"'Hey.'"

Hearing Luo De's respectful address, Apep laughed: "When did you become so polite, human kid?"

"."

Luo De, embarrassed, said: "Back then I wasn't in a hurry, was I?"

"'Hehe—'"

Apep didn't bother about the title anymore and instead asked: "Why should I take you out?"

That question caught Luo De off guard, leaving him stunned.

Right.

Why would Apep take me out?

There must be a reason, right?

"'Um'"

After thinking it over, Luo De came up with what he thought was a reasonable excuse: "I am a follower of the Dendro Archon; Sumeru still needs me."

"'That's true.'"

"'Alright, I can take you out.'"

To Luo De's surprise, Apep agreed readily; none of the debating techniques he had prepared to deal with Apep's trouble were needed.

And even more unexpected for Luo De was that.

When he again helped Dada Liya up, greeted Xiao and Yelan to follow, Apep then said:

"'I said I can take you out, not that I can take them out.'"

Unlike his previous teasing or playful tone.

This time.

Apep's tone was especially icy.

The ferocity and might of the Dendro Dragon were fully revealed before them.

"'That'"

Luo De, made somewhat dazed by the fickle Apep, twitched the corners of his mouth a few times before speaking: "I have made a contract with the Geo Archon."

"'What does your contract have to do with me?'"

Apep crossed his arms, speaking coldly: "Will you go or not? If not, then stay here with them."

Having said that.

She actually just left Luo De behind, walking toward the secret realm's teleport gate on her own.

"'Don't worry about us, you go.'"

"'As for how to leave the path ahead, you already told us before; we don't need you here to guide us to leave.'"

Xiao nudged Luo De: "If the situation becomes urgent, I will send them out first; having you around would just waste extra effort. It's better to leave with that senior; in a crisis, it could even save me some strength."

The more Xiao said that.

Luo De's stubborn temper flared up even more.

His voice suddenly rose several pitches as he said: "If we're leaving, we leave together; there's no sense in abandoning companions to save oneself. Besides, even without that dragon, I have a way to get you out—who says we must rely on that guy?"

The moment the chatterbox opened.

Luo De just couldn't stop.

He kept saying many things unrelated to the topic.

Basically, Apei Pu thinks too highly of herself, but actually having her or not makes no difference; relying on their own strength they could also get out.

Just as Luo De was lamenting in his heart, having run out of things to say, he could only grasp at random topics.

After being away for a while, Apei Pu returned, her expression as cold as the millennium-old ice on Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain.

Following that came an icy voice: "All of you get over here—I want to see how you manage whether I'm there or not."

(End of chapter)