Chapter 266: Awakening

“Alright, I’ll go prepare the medicinal herbs to concoct the potion right away,” said Emperor Zi Lei with a smile. He felt truly gratified witnessing this scene. If descendants proved unworthy, any efforts made on their behalf would only bring sorrow and a sense of futility. However, when the younger generations excel, every sacrifice made by their elder divine ancestors feels worthwhile.

“And regarding what you mentioned earlier about the Great Demon God’s avatar?” Zi Lei Emperor turned his gaze toward Palace Master Chen.

Palace Master Chen immediately transmitted his voice, “Reporting to the venerable Ancestor Zi Lei, the situation is as follows…” Seizing the moment, he swiftly conveyed the details through telepathy. “I have already consulted Senior Yunhai on this matter. He too believes that since the Witch God and the Great Demon God have devised such a scheme, even the collective faith of the entire mortal realm would not be worth their efforts. Their true target must undoubtedly be Hongshi Mountain.”

“Yes, it must be Crimsonstone Mountain,” Emperor Zilei’s voice echoed through the divine transmission. “Though the Witch God and the Great Demon God are both World God-level existences, their strength grants them no advantage in seizing Crimsonstone Mountain. The Divine Realm teems with deities far mightier than them! Yet the Great Demon God has prepared an avatar vessel—clearly intending to descend in divine form… However, no avatar may set foot upon Crimsonstone Mountain. Thus, their target must be the Xia Clan. But why wage war against our noble house?”

“I suspect the Witch God and the Great Demon God are conspiring to annihilate the Xia Clan and dominate the entire Xia realm. Once they seize control of the Xia world, the Crimsonstone Mountain within it will inevitably fall into their hands. With both of them joining forces to fortify the territory, even if other Divine Realm experts dispatch Demi-Gods, they likely won’t stand a chance to set foot on Crimsonstone Mountain!”

“If others can’t enter, only they can dominate it. They can continuously dispatch Demi-Gods into it over countless eons, and eventually, Hongshi Mountain will inevitably fall into their hands.”

“However, conquering the Xia world will not be a simple task. I suspect they possess an even more terrifying contingency plan—one undoubtedly controlled by the Witch God. This is the very foundation of the Witch God and the Great Demon God’s confidence in seizing the Xia realm,” the Purple Thunder Emperor’s voice resonated through the mental transmission.

Palace Master Chen nodded and transmitted his thoughts, “Elder Yunhai shared the same view. He mentioned that the power of the Witch God pales in comparison to that of the Great Demon God, which suggests the Witch God must possess something significant to warrant such cooperation. For the Great Demon God to be willing to sacrifice a divine avatar, their bargaining chip must indeed be substantial! This time, I also encountered the Spider Queen and the Witch God’s blade… The Monster Race has been lurking in the shadows, and when they finally emerge, their strength will undoubtedly be formidable.”

“Why wasn’t I informed of this matter earlier?” Zi Lei Emperor asked.

“Before the attack, we couldn’t confirm it. We only just destroyed the Great Demon God’s avatar,” Palace Master Chen transmitted. “I had only mentioned this to Senior Yunhai previously, and once confirmed, I naturally would report it to all the ancestors.”

“Indeed, this matter is of utmost importance. I shall deliberate thoroughly with the others and devise a strategy,” Emperor Zilei frowned deeply. After all, the willingness of the Witch God and the Great Demon God to invest so heavily likely signified their formidable power. It would not be an easy feat for the Xia Clan to counter such a dire threat.

“We still have some time. With the Great Demon God’s divine avatar body destroyed, they must have lost a major combat force,” Palace Master Chen transmitted.

“Right… They should have to postpone their plans. Such a major undertaking will definitely be launched only after thorough preparation. However, we must prepare immediately, and the more thorough our preparations, the better.” Zi Lei Emperor and the other Xia Clan deities were absolutely unwilling to watch their clan’s destruction. He glanced at Dongbo Xueying lying there. “Fortunately for this little fellow, or we might only learn of their plans when they launch their attack, by which time it would be too late to prepare.”

This incident also earned Zi Lei Emperor considerable goodwill toward Dongbo Xueying, a descendant of the Xia Clan.

“Keep a close watch on Dongbo Xueying. If his immortal body can’t withstand it, use pills to restore his vitality, and try to hold on as long as possible,” Zi Lei Emperor transmitted. “I’ll have the Temple of Time and Space deliver the potion as soon as possible.”

“Understood,” Palace Master Chen replied.

The pills that restored vitality were expensive; sustaining for a few hours was worth nearly a million Yuan Stones. But saving Dongbo Xueying was worth any price, even the cost of a divine treasure.

…

Dazed and confused.

Consciousness was dark and murky.

Suddenly, a vague sensation of pain coursed through his body, though it seemed to be rapidly decreasing.

“I…”

“What has happened to me…”

His consciousness gradually returned. He remembered being ambushed and poisoned by Orland Elder and others. Though he had taken refuge in the Void Realm, protected by the Azure Armored Guard and Flowing Gold Armor, he still suffered a terrifying poison. The pain had been real. Later, when the Xia Clan broke through the formation, Orland Elder and the others fled. After leaving the Void Realm, he lost consciousness.

“So bitter.” As Dongbo Xueying regained awareness of his body, he felt the bitterness in his mouth.

Yet it was precisely this bitter potion within him that was suppressing the mysterious poison, significantly reducing the pain to a level Dongbo Xueying could now endure.

“What’s wrong with my body? What’s happened to it?”

“Why… why is everything like this…”

As Dongbo Xueying gradually became aware of every part of his body, he immediately sensed a major problem.

The poison still permeated the very particles that formed his body at the most fundamental level. This poison had taken deep root. Though suppressed by the potion, not a trace of it had been removed! Even his dantian sea of energy was infiltrated, rendering him unable to cultivate any extraordinary fighting energy. The extraordinary fighting energy within his dantian sea was likely to diminish with every bit used.

“Where am I?” Dongbo Xueying slowly opened his eyes and saw the canopy of his bed.

“A voice called out, “Xueying.”

Dongbo Xueying turned his head.

Beside his bed stood two figures: Palace Master Chen and Mountain Master He.

Despite the pain, Dongbo Xueying quickly sat up.

“Palace Master Chen, Mountain Master He, thank you, thank you for saving my life,” Dongbo Xueying said.

Both Palace Master Chen and Mountain Master He felt a pang in their hearts.

Thank them?

“Don’t say such things. Take this first. It’s ‘Bitter a Hundred Times,’ sent down by our ancestor, Emperor Zi Lei,” Palace Master Chen handed Dongbo Xueying a black gourd. “This gourd contains a small space, filled with ample potion, enough for you to drink for two hundred years.”

“Two hundred years?” Dongbo Xueying took the black gourd.

“You probably don’t fully understand your condition yet, so I must explain it to you,” Palace Master Chen frowned slightly, hesitating briefly.

“Please speak,” Dongbo Xueying listened attentively.

“The voodoo that has afflicted you is known as the Ghost Six Grievances Curse!” declared Palace Master Chen. “This elixir can only temporarily suppress the dark magic. As the potion within your body is depleted, the torment of the curse shall return. In other words… the agony you endure now, immediately after consuming the antidote, will be the mildest suffering you shall ever know from this moment forth.”

Dongbo Xueying nodded. He had already felt it—the potion suppressing the toxin inside him. As the potion gradually diminished, the pain indeed began to slowly increase.

“The more potion you consume, the more the Ghost Six Grievances Voodoo will evolve. Once you drain this entire gourd, that shall mark your final hour. Hence, you must drink as sparingly as possible!” warned Palace Master Chen. “In theory, you could survive two centuries, yet according to Divine Realm archives, some who took the antidote from unbearable agony barely lasted a hundred years.”

Dongbo Xueying fell silent.

Theoretically two hundred years of life? In reality, perhaps even less?

“Both your body and dantian sea of energy have been poisoned. You will be unable to cultivate either your body or your fighting energy,” Palace Master Chen said. His voice carried sorrow, for without cultivation, Dongbo Xueying would never ascend to Demi-God status, remaining at the Saint level for his entire life.

“The agony of Voodoo shall torment you ceaselessly, day and night, clouding your focus from fully grasping the mysteries of the natural realm,” Grandmaster Chen of the Palace sighed, shaking his head. “These are but the inevitable burdens, and alas, beyond our power to alter.”

Unable to cultivate?

Unable to comprehend the natural world?

Was he not rendered useless?

“I’m sorry, Xueying. We couldn’t help,” Palace Master Chen said.

“Palace Master Chen, there’s no need to say such things,” Dongbo Xueying replied. “I understand completely.” The potion in his hand was even sent down by Emperor Zi Lei from the Divine Realm. They had already done their utmost. At least Emperor Zi Lei was aware of this matter.

“A mortal’s life is merely a hundred years. I’ve already lived for several decades. Living another one or two hundred years, what more could I ask for?” Dongbo Xueying said. “Alright, I’d like to go out for a walk.”

As he spoke, golden armor shimmered across his body, transforming back into his normal black attire. He then walked toward the door.

He pulled the door open.

Outside was a courtyard. At that moment, warm sunlight bathed his body and the courtyard. Standing there was a woman in a deep blue robe. The sunlight filtered through her hair, causing her strands to glow.

So beautiful! Dongbo Xueying smiled.

“Jing Qiu,” Dongbo Xueying called out.

Upon hearing his voice, Jing Qiu turned around and saw the black-robed young man with a smile on his face.