Solar Blood Masters (174)

Chapter 174 - Kongming Mountain

Raphael exited the Amethyst Spider Clan’s inner sanctuary. He took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air, the absence of those unsettling amethyst webs, and that pungent aroma from the Corpse Nectar derivatives.

He spread his massive black wings and soared into the sky.

The spider guards watched him leave.

“What was his business with Pi Muram? Could it be… a challenge for leadership?”

“Nonsense. That bull is too weak. Pi Muram would crush him like an insect.”

“Perhaps he’s here to offer a tribute? Some rare treasure from Black Wind Territory?”

“Or maybe… he’s smitten with Pi Rong? I heard she spanked him. Who knew how true that is? Perhaps… a courtship ritual?”

They chuckled amongst themselves. All of their speculations were far from the truth.

…

High above the Purple Web Forest, Raphael celebrated with Lu Jade.

“We did it, Little Lu! We got the Amethyst Silk Scriptures! One of the items Sindoll needs to make me human!”

“Yes, Big Brother! This calls for a feast!” Lu Jade’s tail thrashed excitedly before asking, “Do you think Julian Ringtail will lend us the ‘Divine Blueprint Forge’ without a fuss? I’ve heard about that lemur. He’s… unpredictable.”

Raphael pondered Lu Jade's question.

‘Julian Ringtail… He did invite me to his mountain for a drink. I might as well take him up on that offer. Maybe I can bargain with him.’

“It’s decided! Onwards to Kongming Mountain!”

He kicked his wings into overdrive, but as he soared through the sky…

WHOOSH! THUD!

Suddenly, multiple bone projectiles, sharp and jagged, struck him from behind!

He was knocked out of the air! His massive form tumbled through the sky before crashing into a small mountain, obliterating it in a spectacular explosion of rock and earth that sent the surrounding creatures scattering.

“KYAAH! What was THAT?!”

Disoriented, Raphael pushed himself up from the debris. His Abyss Nylon flickered, agitated. He looked around.

A dark lanky figure was approaching.

“Carpus Maxine!” Lu Jade hissed upon recognizing the shrouded necromancer.

“Who is she?” Raphael frowned.

“She’s… She’s Carpus Maximos’s sister! An evil necromancer!” Lu Jade trembled, his scales paled. “She’s dangerous, Big Brother! Be careful!”

THUD!

Maxine landed before Raphael. Her skull mask stared at him with empty sockets, those bone hands at her rear twitching menacingly.

“I’m going to slaughter you, bull, and turn your bones into my puppets! They’ll dance for me! Sing for me! And OBEY my every whim! KYAHAHAHA!”

“What’s your deal? Why are you attacking me? I don’t even know you!” Raphael countered, baffled by her sudden hostility.

“Payback, bull. Payback… for my brother’s death.”

“Payback? But I never even met your brother. Besides… it was Lingshi who killed him, not me.”

“And now… YOU have his soul within YOU! His Gem of Knowledge sits in your very skull! Don’t think I’m a fool!” Maxine spat a glob of dark fire at Raphael.

Lu Jade reacted instantly.

“Phantom Willow Grass!”

A wall of emerald green tendrils materialized, intercepting the projectile. It sizzled and smoked, then dissolved into a foul-smelling black ooze.

“Even her breath is poisonous!” Lu Jade exclaimed. “Big Brother! She’s a 6th Layer Nightmare Calamity! The most brutal kind! We need to be careful.”

Raphael nodded. “Right. We’ll distract her with our combined attacks. Then, when she’s vulnerable, we’ll use ‘Electro Speed’ to escape.”

BOOM!

Suddenly, another figure materialized behind Carpus Maxine.

When the dust settled, Pam Long stood there, exuding a potent aura. His butterfly wings, those dazzling array of colors, were fully extended.

“That Devil Horned Rhino… He’s here too!” Lu Jade hissed.

Pam Long laughed menacingly. He strode beside Carpus Maxine while staring at Raphael and Lu Jade.

“So, bull… snake… we have some unfinished business, don’t we?”

He paused and observed the surrounding area.

SNIFF! SNIFF!

His nostrils flared.

“Those Black Demon Wasps were right. The tree wench isn’t with you. Hmmm, where is she hiding?”

“You dare insult Grandma?! I’ll kill you!” Raphael hollered hotly while stepping towards Pam Long with clenched fists.

“Big Brother! Calm down!” Lu Jade pleaded, holding him back. “He’s invincible! Remember?”

Pam Long grinned. “You better heed that snake’s advice, bull. I’m not to be trifled with.”

“Shut up, Pam Long! Why are you stealing my spotlight?!” Carpus Maxine snapped. “Those bastards… They’re mine! I’ll have my revenge!”

“Ok, ok… Chill, woman. Don’t get your panties twisted all over those bones of yours.” Pam Long raised his hands defensively.

“Tsk!” Maxine scoffed.

“You can have the snake, Maxine. I’ll take the bull.”

“No! They’re BOTH mine! Back off, Pam Long.”

“Big Brother… Now’s our chance! Let’s get out of here while they’re arguing!”

“Not yet, Little Lu.” Raphael shook his head. “They’re both strong Nightmare Calamities. Even with ‘Electro Speed’, we can’t outrun them. Not like this. There has to be a way to…”

His eyes narrowed.

“Oh… That might work!”

“What is it, Big Brother?”

Raphael whispered his plan to Lu Jade.

Meanwhile, Carpus Maxine and Pam Long’s argument came to an end.

“Fine!” Maxine hissed. “We’ll kill them… TOGETHER! But their Solar Consciousnesses are MINE!”

“Deal.” Pam Long grinned.

They turned to face Raphael with murderous intent blazing in their eyes.

Suddenly…

Phantom Willow Grass sprouted from beneath their feet and bound them tightly together!

Raphael grinned.

He focused his Solar Essence into his Lingshi Eye.

“Mental Discipline!”

WHOOSH!

A beam of green energy shot forth, splitting in two, and struck Pam Long and Carpus Maxine directly in their foreheads.

“KYAAAH!”

They screamed.

They clutched their heads, writhing in agony.

"Now’s our chance, Little Lu!”

“Electro Speed!”

With a burst of golden lightning, Raphael and Lu Jade vanished.

“Damn… you… BULL! This isn’t… OVER! I will… HUNT you… DOWN! You will… PAY… for this…!”

“That… SNAKE! He… tricked… us! Vengeance… will be… MINE!”

Their screams of rage and pain echoed through the forest as Raphael and Lu Jade sped towards Kongming Mountain.

…

Kongming Mountain.

A majestic expanse of towering peaks and lush valleys stretched as far as the eye could see. Ancient trees with thick barks and branches reaching towards the heavens, stood as sentinels.

Cascading waterfalls plunged into emerald pools below, creating a symphony of nature's music that echoed through the valleys. Colorful flowers bloomed in abundance which added to the mountain’s breathtaking beauty.

The mountain’s inhabitants were as diverse as its landscape. Birds with plumage of a thousand colors soared through the sky. Beasts of all shapes and sizes roamed the forests and plains. It was a realm of untamed beauty.

Among Kongming Mountain's many peaks, one stood out, a monstrous, volcanic mountain range that belched lava and ash. Rivers of molten rock flowed down its slopes and carved fiery paths through the lush vegetation and illuminated the night sky with red glows.

It was a realm of fire, a haven for those beasts whose Solar Essences craved the inferno's embrace.

Raphael and Lu Jade walked along a path made of black rock. It snaked through a grove of ‘Sunstone Trees’. A small stream of lava flowed beside the path, giving off steam.

“Ugh, it’s so hot here, Big Brother,” Lu Jade complained. “Why did we have to come THIS way? Couldn’t we have taken a more… temperate route?”

Raphael laughed and said, “You can’t stand a little heat, Little Lu? Your father is  the epitome of inferno… and yet… his son… can’t handle a bit of warmth? How ironic.”

“I am the 3,078th son of Lu Ignis, Big Brother. Which might mean… his… semen potency… must have diminished by the time it came around for me to be born. Perhaps that explains why my scales are so weak to flames?”

Raphael burst out laughing. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!”

Lu Jade hissed indignantly. “It’s a valid theory!”

They continued along the path until they reached a clearing where several ‘Titanic Lava Trees’ stood. The heat grew more intense with every step

These trees were unlike any Raphael had ever seen before. Their bark was comprised of hardened lava; its surface cracked and glowed red. Their leaves, shaped like flames, seemed to dance with inner fire and radiated enough heat to boil water in an instant.

Lu Jade explained, “These Titanic Lava Trees are sentient, Big Brother. The largest among them are over thirteen million years old. Their strength… peak Nightmare Calamity.”

“Thirteen million years?” Raphael whistled, impressed. “I can’t fathom that kind of lifespan.”

“And their roots, Big Brother. They’ve spread far and wide beneath Kongming Mountain, creating millions of offspring.”

“That’s… incredible.” Raphael marveled as he gazed up at the towering trees.

“Have you been to Kongming Mountain before, Little Lu?” he asked.

“Yes, Big Brother. Throughout my short years of existing, I’ve been to all the major territories. Ever since I was a hatchling, I've accompanied Father on his excursions. He enjoyed showcasing his power to the lesser Calamities,” Lu Jade explained.

‘Short years? Hundreds of thousands of years… considered short… to Yama Yaguai’s creatures? How ludicrous,’ Raphael thought.

‘I don’t know any human who has lived that long.’

“Only recently, after the Great Divine Tribulation, did I have the chance to visit Skydom Territory and meet Sindoll in person,” Lu Jade continued.

“I had no idea she was a caterpillar.”

“A caterpillar from another planet,” Raphael added. “I wonder… will we ever get the opportunity to visit other planets?”

“It might be a possibility, Big Brother. In the coming ages, when the restriction on planet Gaia is lifted,” Lu Jade replied.

“Restriction? Are you talking about that dark dome from fifty million years ago? Wasn’t it already lifted? I mean… we have sunlight now.”

Lu Jade shook his head. “Tsk, tsk, tsk… Big Brother, I thought you’d be more well-learned than this. The restriction… it’s in its lifting process, but it hasn’t been fully completed yet. Although sunlight can enter the planet, there are still those massive Spell Diagrams spiraling around Gaia. If anyone tries to leave this planet, they’ll be zapped by the barrier. Most likely… die.

The lifting of the restriction began half a million years ago. It was a glorious occasion! Most beings here have only known darkness and never witnessed the true sun. Ahhh… I still remember the warmth of that day. At first, I thought I was going to be burnt alive! But when those rays hit my scales… My entire being vibrated with Solar Essence!”

He shivered, almost breaking Raphael’s horn.

They continued walking until they noticed a commotion ahead.

A large group of beasts were gathered in a clearing, creating a spectacle of light and sound.

Curious, Raphael followed the crowd.

They arrived at a place called ‘Gas Plain’. The air here was thick with sulfur and ash. The ground beneath was cracked and barren, with patches of bubbling magma. Rivers of molten rock snaked across the landscape. And at its center, a massive crater belched fire and ash similar to a miniature volcano.

Raphael and Lu Jade joined the crowd. They gazed upon three figures in the center of the clearing.

Two were Blazoids. These creatures were a horrifying mix of humanoid and dragon. Their bodies were comprised of molten rock. Their eyes blazed with infernal fire. They resembled fiery demons.

And between them stood a lemur. Sly Ringtail.

He wore his blue-black armor and his Banana Scythe was slung over his shoulder.

He taunted the Blazoids. “Come on, you overgrown fire ants! Attack me at ONCE! Otherwise this fight is going to be BORING!”

“You cocky little shit! Who cares if you’re Julian’s little brat. We’ll crush you!” One of the Blazoids lunged forward with its lava fists ablaze.

“Yeah! Prepare to be incinerated!” The other Blazoid followed.

They attacked Sly Ringtail simultaneously. They slammed into him from both sides with their blazing fists!

He was trapped!

Or so they thought.

Sly Ringtail simply smirked.

“Foolish Blazoids. You think you can trap ME? You’re both slower than molasses! And your Solar Essences is so weak! They’re barely a FLICKER compared to mine! Now…”

He used his powerful tail to launch himself into the air.

“Wukong – Banana Scythe - Crescent Slash!”

WHOOSH!

His scythe flashed.

A crescent of pure yellow energy sliced through both Blazoids diagonally, severing them in half.

They shattered.

Molten rock splattered the ground.

“Boboboboho! Too easy!” Sly Ringtail laughed as he landed softly amidst the debris.

“Sly Ringtail! Sly Ringtail! Sly Ringtail!”

His crew, Ma Osu, Ge Vanisher, and King Wa, cheered from the sidelines.

“That lemur… he's strong!”

“His scythe… it’s a Heavenly Grade weapon!”

“He’s Julian Ringtail’s son, you know.”

“Who’s that bull? And the snake? I’ve never seen them before.”

“Who cares? They look weak.”

The crowd buzzed with excitement and speculation.

“Grr… that bastard…”

The Blazoids, though defeated, weren’t dead. They began gathering the surrounding stones, using them to mend their shattered forms.

“Who is that lemur, Little Lu? He looks familiar.” Raphael asked, nudging his companion.

“That’s Sly Ringtail, Big Brother. Emperor Julian’s son. We fought him during the Lightning Veil stage,” Lu Jade hissed.

“Oh… So, he’s Julian’s brat? Maybe he can take me to his father. That would be quicker.”

Lu Jade shook his head. “I don’t think so, Big Brother. It’s best we avoid that lemur. Remember what Sindoll said? Let us seek out Julian ourselves. Surely, there are other paths.”

“Why? You think he’s still upset that we outsmarted him back there?”

“Most likely, Big Brother. Let’s just go.”

Raphael shrugged. “Fine. But if we can’t find Julian, we’re coming back for this brat.”

He turned to leave.

“It’s you!”

Sly Ringtail had spotted them. “The Golden Bull Thork! And the Jade Serpent! Winners of the Great Divine Tribulation!”

The crowd gasped and turned to stare at Raphael.

“It’s them!”

“The Breath Takers!”

“That bull… I heard he has the Gem of Knowledge now. Lingshi's treasure!”

“And that snake… he’s Lu Ignis’s son!”

“What are they doing here?”

Their whispers were hushed as Sly Ringtail landed before them. He pointed his Banana Scythe at Raphael.

“I want to see just how strong you truly are, bull! For myself! Prepare to taste my blade!”