Solar Blood Masters (165)

Chapter 165 - Undying Valley

Several days later, within the Undying Valley, a group of Black Demon Wasps buzzed along a stone path. These creatures, humanoid in form, possessed sleek, black carapaces, iridescent wings, and sharp stingers that dripped venom. They pushed a cart laden with rocks while conversing. It was a mix of gossip and speculation about the recent Great Divine Tribulation.

“Gastaroid’s ascension… Did you SEE it? He’s a monster! A true Emperor Calamity! I bet he’ll challenge Lu Ignis soon!”

“And Lingshi… that old turtle! Dead! Just like THAT! Poof! A single gaze from that tree woman, and he was… gone. Dust! What a way to go.”

“That tree… Thienika. What do you think happened to her? After Sindoll took her away… I haven’t seen her since. Maybe… maybe Sindoll really DID kill her.”

Their gossip was interrupted by a thunderous thud.

BOOM!

They were blasted off their feet, their cart overturned, rocks scattered.

“What the…?! Was that an earthquake?”

“Are we being ambushed?!”

They scrambled to their feet with their stingers buzzing nervously, and peered through the dust cloud.

A massive, golden figure materialized.

It was a Golden Bull Thork. And coiled around one of its horns… was a small, green serpent.

“It’s… the bull! And that snake… from Black Wind! They’re the ones who killed Hellphet!”

“We have to warn Pam Long!”

Before they could react, the bull vanished in a burst of yellow lightning.

“Electro Speed!”

The sonic boom sent the wasps tumbling once more. They buzzed away in a panicked frenzy.

Whoosh!

Raphael zipped through the eerie, dark landscape by a few beast housing complexes.. His hooves barely touched the ground.

“Lu Jade! Are you CERTAIN this is the right way?! We’ve been flying around in circles for hours!”

“S-sorry, Big Brother! My directions were a little… off… It’s THIS way! I promise!”

Raphael adjusted his course, heading towards a cluster of spider-silk dens nestled within a rocky outcrop.

“Big Brother… Pi Muram is a 1st Layer Emperor Calamity… Are you SURE you want to mess with him?” Lu Jade’ spoke concerningly.

“I have to, Little Lu. Sindoll said he has what I need.”

…

FLASHBACK!

Within Sindoll’s void realm, only Raphael, Lu Jade, and Sindoll were present.

“To craft the Super Human Constitution you requested will not be easy. You’ll need a vessel able of changing even the very foundation of your Solar Consciousness. This constitution must also have the potential to house multiple potent Solar Consciousnesses and Solar Blood Spirits, yet retain your beastly lineage. This is a complex procedure. Therefore, I require three items: the ‘Amethyst Silk Scriptures’, the ‘Divine Blueprint Forge’, and the ‘Four-Faced Blood Sapping Cauldron’.”

Raphael grinned. “I already have one of those!” He produced the cauldron from his Black Pool, it was steaming.

Sindoll was taken aback. “How did you acquire Kwan Yuu’s…? Never mind.”

“The Amethyst Silk Scriptures belong to Pi Muram of the Amethyst Spider Clan. Their divine threads can rearrange the very Spirit Strings that comprise a Solar Consciousness.”

Sindoll continued. “He is no ordinary Emperor Calamity, Raphael. Pi Muram is one of the most intelligent beings in all of Yama Yaguai. Approach him with caution.”

Lu Jade gasped. “Pi Muram? But he’s a recluse! I heard he spends all his time studying ancient lore. He hardly ever leaves his den.”

“And the Divine Blueprint Forge, it is currently in the possession of Emperor Julian Ringtail. He uses it to brew his… liquors,” Sindoll added.

“So that’s why he’s always drinking!” Lu Jade exclaimed.

“With the Forge, I can create a perfect blueprint for your Super Human Constitution. But be warned, Raphael, Julian Ringtail, though he appears jovial, has a volatile temper.”

Raphael gulped and promised, “I’ll be careful, Void Emperor.”

“Good. Now go. And may your journey be… fruitful.” Sindoll smiled.

…

The flashback ended.

Raphael’s hooves pounded the ground.

“I’ll get those items, Little Lu. No matter the cost.”

…

Pam Long stood before a newly erected monument with his massive arms folded across his chest. Skulls and bones littered the surrounding area like a gruesome demonstration to the Undying Valley’s morbid fascination with death. Beside the monument, a figure knelt shrouded in a dark robe. A grotesque halo of bone hands hovered behind her, twitching occasionally.

“Carpus Maxine, how long are you going to weep over your brother’s death? This is unbecoming of an Undying Valley resident,” Pam Long scoffed.

“Shut up, Pam Long! You were supposed to protect each other! And now… my brother is dead… because of YOU!” Maxine glared at him accusingly.

“Hold it right there, Maxine. Your brother died because he was weak. Despite his high cultivation, he was no match for Lingshi’s World Canvas. But now, Lingshi is also dead, killed by that tree woman. So, there’s no one left for you to take revenge on.”

“The hell there isn’t! What about that tree wench?! Where is she hiding?! I’m going to kill her!” Maxine slammed a fist into her brother’s tombstone, creating a small crater.

“Are you insane?! That tree’s strength surpassed the Emperor Calamity layer! She’s practically on par with Sindoll! She could erase you with a blink. Forget about revenge and start training. We have to be ready for the next Great Divine Tribulation.”

Maxine sighed, and her anger began to fade. “You… You’re right, Pam Long. I…”

A group of Black Demon Wasps buzzed over.

“Pam Long! We have urgent news!”

“What is it?”

“We just saw the Golden Bull Thork! The one from the Great Divine Tribulation!”

“What?!” Pam Long and Carpus Maxine exchanged shocked glances.

Maxine grabbed one of the wasps. “Where?! Where did you see him?!”

The wasp, terrified, quickly relayed the information. Maxine vanished in a flash.

“Maxine! Wait! Don’t be impulsive!” Pam Long turned to the remaining wasps, his eyes narrowed. “Did you see a tree woman with him? A Draconic Star Lumber?”

“No, Pam Long. We only saw a small green snake around his horns. They were headed towards the Purple Web Forest.”

“The Purple Web Forest? That’s Pi Muram’s territory. Hmmm…” Pam Long pondered briefly. “I have to stop Maxine before she causes trouble.” Then with a grunt, he vanished in a burst of speed.

The wasps shivered, then quickly buzzed away.

…

Raphael and Lu Jade traversed the Purple Web Forest. Bizarre, venomous creatures lurked amongst the tangled vegetation.

They passed a bubbling pond of purple liquid. Even from a distance, its aura reeked of death.

“Don’t breathe, Big Brother! That pond is filled with ‘Corpse Nectar’. One whiff and you’ll be dead in twenty-one seconds.” Lu Jade’s warning had Raphael quickly averting his gaze and holding his breath.

They continued onward, entering a dark gorge. Massive spiders possessing hairy legs thicker than Raphael's horns, crawled along the cliff faces.

“This place gives me the creeps,” Lu Jade shivered.

A massive, black stone gate blocked their path. Elite Spider Troops, donned in chitinous armor, stood guard.

Raphael noticed a purple web stretched above the gate, faint runes glowed upon its surface. "That looks like a defensive array, Little Lu. Be careful.”

“Hold it right there, bull!” one of the guards yelled. “State your business!”

“We wish to have an audience with Pi Muram,” Raphael replied.

The guards laughed mockingly. “You? A bull? You’re not worthy to meet our leader! Turn back now, before we make you into spider food!”

Another guard, more composed, stepped forward. “Do you have an appointment?”

“No,” Raphael admitted.

“Then you are denied entry. Leave now.”

“But this is urgent! We need to speak with Pi Muram immediately!”

“Turn back, bull. Your smelly ass is not welcome here.”

Raphael growled, his anger rising. But Lu Jade quickly intervened.

“Big Brother, calm yourself. We’re not in Black Wind anymore. Qi Hawk can’t protect us here.”

“Then what are we supposed to do?! We can’t just leave!”

“Leave it to me, Big Brother.” Lu Jade slithered down Raphael’s leg and approached the guards. They looked down at him with amusement and disdain.

“Ahem,” Lu Jade began. “We don’t have an appointment, true. But this matter is of utmost importance. Step aside, and let us pass.”

The guards laughed.

“You think you can order us around, little snake? You’re nothing but a worm! Get out of our sight before we squash you!”

“Limiter… OFF!” Lu Jade’s emerald form expanded, towering above the spider guards.

“I am Lu Jade, 7th Layer Calamity and this is Big Brother Raphael. We are victors of the Great Divine Tribulation, members of the Breath Takers. We can easily annihilate you all and barge our way in… Is that what you want? Bloodshed? Gore?”

“Wait…”

“Breath Takers? You…?”

Recognition dawned on the spiders’ faces. The Breath Takers… They remembered the bull, the bird with the terrifying lightning attacks, and most of all… the tree woman whose power rivaled Sindoll’s. They’d witnessed her obliterate Lingshi with a single thought.

They glanced nervously at each other, then at the surrounding forest, searching for any sign of the Draconic Star Lumber. Even though she wasn’t visible, her roots could be anywhere. They shuddered.

“O-of course, honored guests! Please… enter. Pi Muram will be pleased to meet with you.”

They opened the gates.