Chapter 1028: Blood Covers the Sky
The sky was dyed blood-red, making it look like the entire region was covered in blood. It was utterly terrifying.
Li Luo was left taken aback for quite a few breaths of time before he awoke from his stupor. The sky above the thatched cottage was surrounded by b.l.o.o.d.y light, making it basically impossible to see what was going on outside. However, Li Luo could sense intense collisions of energy right outside.
It seemed that a heaven-shaking battle had already erupted out there.
"Dragon's Head's Li Luo, what's going on?"
At this point, a dignified voice rang out. It was Qin Yi, who had just finished exploring the second building. She had similarly noticed the changes outside, and her beautiful features looked ruffled as she quickly walked up to him.
Li Luo frowned and shook his head. "I don't know either. However, it looks like a battle is taking place outside."
Qin Yi's expression changed as she said, "I don't believe our teams are fighting amongst themselves."
Since the two of them had entered the thatched cottage to obtain treasures, it was unlikely that any battle would have occurred before the duo were out. Thus, it only made sense that this was not some sort of struggle between cultivators.
"Could it be that the condors on the ancient tree have launched an attack?" Qin Yi ventured a guess.
Li Luo's expression turned dark and he shook his head. The blood light emanated a cold energy that it seemed almost inauspicious. It was completely different from the energy which the Divine Golden Clawed Bronze Condors gave off. Additionally, the energy seemed to be different from what the elites outside possessed... In fact, it almost resembled the energy of Others.
At this point, Li Luo was reminded of the other Soul Eater True Devil whom he had encountered in the gilded hall.
There was even a hint of similarity between the two situations.
"Could it be that more than one Soul Eater True Devil entered the Spiritual Resonance Cave?" Li Luo's eyes shrank. If this was the case, he had to rush to Li Lingjing's aid immediately.
This thought caused him to feel a sense of anxiety.
"Dragon's Head Li Luo, have you figured something out?" The change in his mood was instantly detected by Qin Yi's sharp sense, so she quickly probed at the heart of the matter.
Li Luo glanced at her and fell silent. "Do you remember the encounter in the gilded hall?"
Qin Yi's expression changed when she heard those words and asked almost in surprise, "Could it be that more than a single Other has infiltrated the Spiritual Resonance Cave?"
Li Luo nodded and answered, "From the situation at hand, it seems possible. Plus, this Other might be even more fearsome than the previous one."
The White Ape, who was beside Li Luo, suddenly stated, "I can sense vigorous undulations of energy from the outside that are no weaker than that of someone at the Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier. Additionally, it seems to be strengthening over time."
"Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier? How is that possible?" Qin Yi's delicate body shook. Wasn't there rules within the Spiritual Resonance Cave that suppressed such power? Everyone who entered was suppressed to the Lesser Heavenly Resonance Tier, so how could something like that happen?
"Senior White Ape, this foreign presence is an enemy who has entered the Spiritual Resonance Cave. I would like to seek your a.s.sistance in taking action to eliminate it!" Li Luo hurriedly said as soon as this idea came to mind.
Qin Yi's eyes lit up. She had forgotten about the White Ape, who seemed to possess unquestionable strength. If he lent a hand, this mysterious opponent would be dealt with.
When the White Ape heard those words, he did not reply. Instead, a lonely expression could be seen in his eyes, then he sat down on the stone platform beneath them and sighed. "Don't you know what sort of condition I'm in?"
Li Luo and Qin Yi glanced at each other before turning towards him. "What are you trying to say, Senior?"
The White Ape then took out a bronze pipe that he had stashed away, which he then filled up with some medicinal herbs. With a flick of his fingers, the herbs started to burn, and thick, medicinal smoke wafted into the skies, partially obscuring the wizened features of the ape.
At this point, his aged voice rang out. "I should be dead already... right? I a.s.sume the Sacred Void Resonance Sect has also fallen? The only reason I still exist is because a trace of my obsession continues to linger in this world. Combined with the Spiritual Resonance Cave's effects, it should have allowed me to continue to survive in this special state. This is why some of the things you say are things I do not understand. This Spiritual Resonance Cave is probably not the Spiritual Resonance Cave of old either. I cannot sense the familiar atmosphere of vitality I have long grown accustomed to; all that's left is just deathly stillness and dust. It seems that this paradise has changed greatly."
Li Luo fell silent before he respectfully clasped his hands towards the White Ape. "I'd like to apologize to you, Senior."
The White Ape shook his head and smiled. "You have already resolved the knot of obsession that has kept me tied here. My mission is now complete. I truly wish to help you one last time, but it's a pity... The moment I step out of this thatched cottage is the moment I dissipate into nothingness."
These words caused the two to feel a hint of disappointment, but their expressions did not show it.
"Although I don't have any means to deal with the enemy outside, I can ensure that you are protected. So long as you do not leave the thatched cottage, the thing outside cannot harm you," the White Ape continued.
Li Luo smiled bitterly and shook his head. His Elder Brother, Second Sister, Lu Qing'er, and Li Lingjing were all outside. How could he hide in here and watch them struggle before death's door?
Qin Yi then asked. "Senior, can you allow the ones outside to enter and seek shelter from this disaster?"
The White Ape shook the pipe slightly and sighed helplessly. "I am only the remains of a caretaker. How could I change the rules? If they don't have an ident.i.ty plaque, they simply cannot enter." When Li Luo heard those words, he did not try to continue reasoning with the White Ape. Instead, he clasped his hands yet again. "Senior, you have good intentions, and I deeply appreciate you. However, my close friends and family are outside. I cannot leave them behind."
Qin Yi fell silent before she answered as well, "My bloodline members are also outside, and if I were to abandon them, I would not be able to rest easily."
The White Ape nodded. "You are kindhearted individuals. All I can do is wish you the best."
The two then bade farewell and then turned towards the door of the cottage.
When Li Luo was about to push open the weathered door that had been corroded by the pa.s.sage of time, his ear quivered. He could hear a subtle voice being transmitted to him directly.
It was the White Ape's final words. Li Luo's hand paused momentarily as he took those words to heart. No longer hesitating, he summoned up his strength and pushed the door open.
Outside, b.l.o.o.d.y mist flooded the air, blocking one's field of vision. Low whispers seemed to come from the depths of the mist, which caused one to feel fear deep in their hearts.
However, Li Luo didn't seem fazed. He waved his hand, and the Onyx-Elephant Blade appeared in his grasp. At the same time, the Heavenly Dragon's Sunchaser Bow was swung on his back. Then he activated the resonant power within his body, and three Heavenly Pearls materialized behind him.
Qin Yi was no different, equally calm as she stretched out her hand. A light-blue jade bottle that pulsed with strong waves of energy appeared, causing Li Luo to turn his attention towards it.
"You truly have many tricks up your sleeve, Fairy Qin," Li Luo said with a smile.
The jade bottle was a Triple violet-eye treasured artifact, so it definitely possessed uncanny might.
"Even then, I can't compare with you, Dragon's Head Li Luo. I believe what you've shown isn't everything you have either... right?" Qin Yi grinned back at him.
Li Luo neither agreed nor denied. Tightly gripping his ancient, mottled blade, his gaze was focused upon the unnerving sight before him, the thick blood mist. He strode forward cautiously.
Qin Yi hurriedly followed, knowing that the Other was even stronger than the one in the gilded hall. In the face of absolute strength, even with all the means at her disposal, things would be risky, so it was best to move with Li Luo to improve their odds of success.
When the duo entered the blood mist, they could hear endless whispers echoing into their ears. The low voices were directly transmitted into the depths of their hearts, stirring up their deepest, darkest feelings. Anyone who did not possess sufficient strength of mind might very well be drowned within the eldritch whisperings, their spirits swallowed up by the Other.
However, the two of them were not feeble or weak-minded. Guarding their hearts and minds closely, they hastened their steps.
The most important thing was to find the rest of the groups and combine everyone's efforts to deal with the Other.
A short distance later, they heard footsteps before them. The two immediately snapped to attention and their resonant power surged, preparing to take action.
The blood mist rippled as the footsteps neared. A figure walked right into their sights.
When Li Luo saw the familiar face, he shouted out in joy, "Cousin Lingjing?!"
It was indeed Li Lingjing. Energy rippled off her body in waves, indicating that she had just been through a ma.s.sive fight. She was wielding the Aquamarine Bamboo Python Staff, which was dripping with blood, making it look a little dirty.
"Li Luo? You came out of the thatched cottage?" Li Lingjing's face was full of surprise as she looked at Li Luo.
"Cousin Lingjing, what happened here?" Li Luo anxiously asked.
"An Other appeared not long after you entered the cottage. It was much stronger than the one we faced previously, and even though we all worked together to resist it, many were injured grievously, some even killed. It then summoned this b.l.o.o.d.y mist that blanketed the skies and the earth, dividing us and taking us on individually," Li Lingjing gloomily replied.
"However, it's great that you're here. Follow me, I'll take you to the gathering point." After which, she turned to lead the way.
Li Luo smiled and nodded before asking another question. "Cousin Lingjing, your staff is a little dirty. Why don't you let me help you clean it?"
This was met with her rejection and a wave of her hand. "Why are you bothering with this now?"
Li Luo stopped in his tracks as the smile on his face receded as he stared at Li Lingjing from behind, his gaze turning solemn.
"What's wrong?" Qin Yi asked after detecting the change in him.
Li Lingjing slowed to a halt as well.
Li Luo grasped the Golden-Jade Onyx-Elephant Blade even more tightly as he coldly said, "Cousin Lingjing is mysophobic. Everytime she kills someone, she cleans her weapon as soon as she is able to. The Aquamarine Bamboo Python Staff was a gift from me to her, so whenever it's coated with blood, she cleans it meticulously. She would not have allowed it to languish with such an appearance."
Li Luo's gaze had turned frigid as he continued to stare at the familiar figure from behind.
"This is why you cannot possibly be Cousin Lingjing. You are... the Other!"