Going Down Again

In a secluded corner of the blood sea, Qin Huai and Wang Kun reconvened. A frosty silence enveloped the pair as they sat, cross-legged in mid-air, immersed in deep contemplation over the enigma that was the blood sea.

After a prolonged period of quiet introspection, Qin Huai broke the silence with a resigned sigh. “I’m at a loss. I have no clue at all.”

Wang Kun opened his eyes slowly, his voice laced with frustration. “We’ve scoured every inch of the blood sea, but not a single clue has surfaced. The black and white skulls in the ethereal mirage array were destroyed, so the blood sea should have ceased to exist.” He scratched his head in frustration.

Observing Wang Kun’s flushed countenance and the trace of blood on his nose, Qin Huai pointed out, “Elder Wang, you have a nosebleed.”

“Really?” Wang Kun responded in surprise. Touching his nose, he found his hand smeared with blood. It was as if a dam had broken, and blood began to flow unabated from his nostrils.

“F*ck, f*ck…” Startled, Wang Kun quickly sat down and started a cultivation technique to regain his balance.

Observing Wang Kun’s vitality spike once again, Qin Huai was left with a sense of perplexity. How could Wang Kun’s vitality be so robust that even in his advanced stage of visceral prefecture realm, he experienced nosebleeds?

After a moment, Wang Kun opened his eyes. Looking a bit sheepish, he admitted, “Brother Qin, ever since we destroyed the black skull, I feel my strength growing.”

action Qin Huai chuckled. “I’ve noticed it too. Have you stumbled upon another great fortune, Elder Wang?” He had not anticipated Wang Kun broaching this subject willingly.

Wang Kun shook his head. “Apart from you and me, only the demons of the Kun Peng clan inhabit this blood sea. No other entities exist unless you consider the black-red fish king an entity.”

Qin Huai nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. “There are countless mysteries in this world beyond our comprehension. Since it benefits you, Elder Wang, just appreciate the boon.”

His emotions regarding Wang Kun were complex. On one hand, he was a trustworthy ally, a comrade with whom he’d braved the jaws of death. Yet, Wang Kun’s inexplicable traits added an element of mystery and potential danger.

Qin Huai couldn’t discern whether Wang Kun’s innocent demeanor was genuine or an impeccably crafted facade hiding his true nature. He decided it was best not to dwell on it for now.

With a resigned shake of his head, Qin Huai began, “We’ve already destroyed the two array cores, but the blood sea remains impervious to any change.”

Wang Kun followed up with, “Then we’re left with two options. As the Kun Peng demons are engaged in their internal conflict, we could seize the opportunity to intervene and eliminate more of them. Or, I could descend the mountain and probe into the mysteries harbored by the various sects in Qingzhou City?”

Qin Huai agreed. “Indeed. While we may lack understanding of the blood sea’s secrets, that doesn’t mean the five major sects share our ignorance, particularly Wuji Mountain, a branch of the True Path Sect.”

“However, Wuji Mountain is one of the five major sects. Even though it remains intact, we don’t have a familiar rapport with its disciples.” Wang Kun appeared uncertain.

“Oh, I haven’t mentioned this to Elder Wang. Within the Qingzhou Alliance…” Qin Huai’s voice trailed off abruptly. He cast a bewildered look at Wang Kun. “How did Elder Wang know that Wuji Mountain wasn’t annihilated? Didn’t you say that you appeared in the blood sea the moment the South Mythical Sect was obliterated? And it seemed your sect was the first sect to be destroyed.”

A broad smile spread across Qin Huai’s face.

“I… Yes, how did I come by that knowledge?” Wang Kun looked perplexed. He abruptly clasped his head and dropped into a squat, grimacing in pain. “How did I know…? My head, it’s throbbing!”

Wang Kun writhed mid-air in evident agony. All the while, Qin Huai observed silently from below, his eyes calm.

Several hours later, Wang Kun finally landed, appearing as drained as one recovering from a severe ailment. He gazed tiredly at Qin Huai and asked slowly, “Brother Qin, if I claim I don’t know either, would you believe me?”

“Absolutely!” Qin Huai replied without missing a beat. He then offered, “I have a proposal. We can do our previous strategy. You stay in the blood sea, uncover the Kun Peng clan’s weakness, and try to thin their ranks. I’ll head to Wuji Mountain to investigate any array-related texts and search for a solution to break the blood sea.”

“Alright,” Wang Kun nodded without any hesitation.

“However, Elder Wang, you must be careful. The Kun Peng clan’s leader, Prefecture Overseer Tang Pi, is nearly at the king realm. His battle prowess surpasses that of an average visceral prefecture realm expert by far,” cautioned Qin Huai.

“Brother Qin, worry not!” Wang Kun reassured, thumping his chest.

With an understanding nod, the two parted ways. After journeying a significant distance, Qin Huai looked back at Wang Kun.

His superior vision, a gift from the pure-blooded Kun Peng, allowed him to discern Wang Kun’s expressions clearly despite the intervening layers of clouds and mist.

Elder Wang was still in his sight, waving with a broad grin. But Qin Huai’s focus wasn’t on his smile or wave. His eyes were fixated on Wang Kun’s face and the pair of wings on his back which had grown even larger.

Qin Huai gazed at the majestic gray wings. They bore a striking resemblance to his own pure-blooded Kun Peng wings.