Chapter 768: Coming to an End (3k)
“What’s going on?!”
Hearing the sound of the beam of light, the Ferryman subconsciously turned his head to look, and met the beam of light. His gaze fell upon the shattered golden pillar, and the scarlet pupils beneath his mask trembled slightly.
As if realizing something, the Ferryman brandished his dagger fiercely at the air behind him, unleashing a torrent of grey-white External Qi.
Almost at the instant the grey-white External Qi erupted, the blood-scented scythe emerged from above and then swept down, easily scattering the External Qi before pressing down with its strike.
“Hoo!”
Hearing the oppressive wind generated by the scythe’s swing, the Middle-aged Ferryman’s face twitched slightly. He looked up, gazing at the expressionless small face, and couldn’t help but curse inwardly at the treachery.
“Clang clang clang!!!”
As the two clashed, the heavy scythe swung with ease, its imbued gravity striking the dagger, creating brilliant sparks. Then followed a collision too fast for the eye to follow, waves of Qi rippling outwards.
Wielding the Giant Scythe, Su Jiu’s eyes reflected the blood moon, her focus fixed on the String Moon Swordsmanship before her.
Feeling the scythe strike again before the previous one had fully landed, the Middle-aged Ferryman, despite his best efforts to hold on, not only failed but also sustained several thin cuts.
His weapon knocked away, the Middle-aged Ferryman’s face showed a hint of distress. He retreated rapidly, continuously creating distance between himself and Su Jiu. However, as he retrieved his weapon.
He suddenly felt a chill surge from his back. Before he could react, his body stiffened, as if his blood was out of control, constantly clogging the flow of External Qi, even slowing his steps.
A chill ran down his spine, and he immediately fled further away. With the formation shattered and insufficient energy to maintain it, those who were meant to die would die.
Watching the opponent’s retreating back, Su Jiu’s face revealed a smile. Her gaze turned to the God whose body was half-caught in the “channeling” process…
“Where is he?”
When the Middle-aged Ferryman reached the border of the Alchemy Array, he turned to look, only to find that Su Jiu was not attacking him. Just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief, he thought, “Not good…”
A fleeting glimpse from the corner of his eye revealed that the figure who had just attacked him was now wielding the Giant Scythe towards the unprotected phantom of a God.
“If that God’s phantom is broken again, I’ll definitely be held accountable…”
His mouth opened, but it was too late. His gaze could only watch as the Giant Scythe, enveloped in scarlet light, carved a half-moon in the air. The phantom of the God was completely devoured by the scythe in the next second.
“Accountable, then be accountable. It’s just an ordinary Other, and their strength is nothing special. Lord Red Robe will help sort it out.”
His gaze swept over the Alchemy Golems that were gradually losing energy. His expression shifted, but he didn’t immediately look up. Gritting his teeth, he looked at the loophole in the sky, stomped on the air, and leaped upwards!
His plan was complete, and there was no need to continue a stalemate with such a powerful opponent here.
Su Jiu dismissed the Ferryman fleeing into the sky with a glance. Instead, she looked up at the Alchemy Energy Shield above, noticing its numerous cracks. She then raised her scythe again and swung her arms mightily.
“Round Moon Slash.”
A blood-gold plate flew into the air, striking the Alchemy Array with a dull thud. Then, a “crackling…” sound suddenly echoed, and in the next moment, the entire energy shield shattered with a “bang!”, falling like glass shards.
In the central area, the students watched the falling fragments transform into streaks of light. Many of them collapsed, sprawling on the ground like starfish, gasping for breath.
Perhaps this was an experience they would never forget for the rest of their lives.
Students who hadn’t arrived from other areas stood in place, staring from afar at the shattering golden beam and the disappearing “lid.” Many felt a sense of sudden enlightenment.
Outside the screens, crowds of spectators wept with joy, the scene descending into chaos and noise. The Dragon Hunters quickly moved to maintain order.
“That member of the Ancient God Sect should be breaking through the barrier soon…”
Meanwhile, Li Zhen slowly stood up and turned, exiting the hall before floating towards the sky. He didn’t expect to collide with another figure.
He paused for a moment, realizing the other person likely had the same intention as him. He responded softly, “Grandpa Li.”
“You just watch, don’t interfere.”
The person who arrived, with a Canglang wolf on his left and a Cangluan bird on his right shoulder, held a verdant green bow. He drew an arrow, which emanated a faint emerald glow, with potent wind elements continuously gathering.
Then, an aged voice resounded throughout the night sky—
“I, the leader of the Huainan Night Watchers, do hereby swear in the presence of all people to eliminate those who have betrayed their faith and harmed the common people, and to thoroughly purge our ranks.”
“I will hunt down their leader, Red Robe White Crow, until death!”
Hearing the other person’s words, Li Zhen seemed to understand something. A sharp light flashed in his eyes, and he amplified his voice with External Qi:
“I, Li Zhen, Grand Commander of the Fuzhou Dragon Hunters Alliance, also declare that the local Dragon Hunters will launch a thorough expulsion and arrest of Red Robe White Crow to ensure the safety of the residents…”
Their actions naturally attracted a large number of onlookers, many of whom had just come out of the hall. In this era of widespread martial arts practice, cheers erupted.
Soon, a figure, as if anticipated, burst out of the hall with a “bang!” A smug look graced his face. A group of idiots, easily swayed by a little ruse.
He had naturally heard many of the voices just now.
“With my speed, you won’t be able to catch me. Give up.”
He glanced at Li Zhen and Grandpa Li, sneered, and then rushed towards another part of the sky, a black wing unfolding behind him.
However, he hadn’t flown more than a few meters before he was met with the sound of a taut string and a plain green arrow. The arrow plunged into his rear shoulder with swift momentum.
“Pfft!”
The force merely caused his shoulder to shake slightly but didn’t affect his flight. Under the gaze of countless people below, he smoothly departed the scene like a magician in the night sky.
Li Zhen withdrew his gaze and looked deeply at Grandpa Li, chuckling, “Tomorrow, the news will not only scold the Night Watchers organization for the first time but also say that you couldn’t even keep one person.”
“We are secret agents; we don’t need praise.”
Grandpa Li shook his head, waved casually, and the surrounding phenomena dissipated. A small hawk stood on his shoulder. He waved his hand, and then vanished from the spot.
…
Inside the hall, Su Jiu slowly landed. Before she had walked a few steps, she felt her body become weak and stumbled backward, leaning against a rather petite figure. A gentle warmth then spread from her back.
“Sister Susu’s mission is complete. Just relax and lie down now. Old Man Li will handle things.” A playful voice sounded.
Bairnis slowly sat down on the grass, placing Su Jiu on her lap. She gently pressed her fingers onto Su Jiu’s shoulder, her movements light yet conveying a healing aura.
Su Jiu closed her eyes gently, feeling the massage. She felt drowsy and wanted to take a short nap. Just as she was about to fall asleep, she suddenly thought of something and said softly.
“Little Sisi, can you do me a favor?”
“What is it?”
Bairnis looked at Miss on her lap, watching her silver hair gradually recede back to black. A hint of confusion appeared in her pale blue eyes.
Su Jiu let out a soft breath, opened her eyes, and looked at the girl’s fair chin. She took another whiff of the “butterfly fragrance” and said softly, “Dozens of students likely died here, and five unfortunate souls were turned into Corpse Puppets. I want you to use your music to comfort them…”
“Mhm, they are my students too. If Miss didn’t say it, I would pray for them anyway.”
Nodding, Bairnis, who had spent time with Su Jiu in Aers, knew how to use the music. She reached out and blew out a cluster of butterflies, then cleared her throat.
“Thank you.”
After saying thank you, Su Jiu closed her eyes again.
“Hmm hmm…”
Softly singing the wordless tune, Bairnis’s voice was like a trickling stream, flowing into the ears of those lying down. They looked over, their eyes filled with a touch of surprise…
But they were even more surprised when butterflies floated past them, bringing an inexplicable warmth. This was a healing song sung by a Priest.
“♫~♪…”
Butterflies passed through the forest, over rivers, and across ravines, kissing the dew-kissed grass, as if carrying the song to this place, offering a lingering prayer for the deceased.
At this moment, those with closed eyes felt warmth, while those with open eyes admired the gentle soul beneath the petite figure.
…
“Cough cough!!”
In a corner, a black figure stumbled down. Under the streetlights, one could see an arrow stuck in his shoulder.
“A bunch of fools, thinking they could pinpoint me…”
Leaning against the wall, he gritted his teeth and raised his hand to pull out the arrow. He sneered and walked deeper into the alley. He didn’t notice a black feather falling behind him. It was light but signified someone’s arrival.
After an unknown duration of walking, the Middle-aged Ferryman, confirming he was alone, took out a BB-sized Alchemy communicator. He scanned his eyes, then began to dial with his finger:
[Me: Old rules, three days later, midnight, take me to Zhusha.]
The other party replied quickly, “Beep beep…”
[12: Is the moon on the 12th as full as the 15th?]
The Middle-aged Ferryman was somewhat impatient. He continued to press the buttons on the device:
[The 16th is even fuller. Stop testing. You’ll see in the news tomorrow that I’ve completely fled.]
“It’s because of that arrow…”
He felt something was wrong with his body. Leaning against the wall, he coughed. He could clearly feel his body being eroded by some wind element, and the wound on his waist from the scythe was almost bleeding again.
“Tonight, I’ll find a residential area and sacrifice a dozen people. That should help me recover a bit…”
Just as he was about to reach for a healing potion at his waist, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his neck. The Middle-aged Ferryman instinctively lowered his head to look, only to see a black longsword. Blood flowed down the blade, inch by inch, to the tip.
“You…”
He hastily covered his neck with both hands, his eyes widening in a blur as he saw a hand reaching for the BB-sized Alchemy communicator…
