Chapter 710: The Bride in the Ice Coffin
That calamity god roared in fury, struggling desperately to shake off Qin Mu, but Qin Mu seemed to be glued to his back, continuing to gnaw on his head.
Crack!
The Five Thunder Pot flew over, and the five cloud thunders struck Qin Mu with a series of crackling sounds. The Fire Bell Divine Soldiers within the cloud thunders erupted, and rolling thunderbolts slammed into Qin Mu, finally blasting him away.
The calamity god regrouped and charged at Qin Mu again. Suddenly, teleportation array patterns swirled around Qin Mu, and he vanished, reappearing the next moment behind the calamity god, clinging to his back and hugging his head as he gnawed.
Heavenly Duke and Red Emperor exchanged glances, both at a loss.
In the Nether Capital, the Nether Capital Heavenly Gate firmly suppressed the Nether Sea. The two Nether Emperors stood side by side between the gate pillars, simultaneously fending off the attacks of Tian Shu, Yan Wang, and Tianyin Empress.
With the Nether Capital Heavenly Gate deployed, he stood beneath it, virtually immortal. Any injuries inflicted by Tian Shu, Yan Wang, and Tianyin Empress were instantly healed as the reincarnation power of the Nether Capital Heavenly Gate flowed through him, keeping him at his peak!
Yan Wang, Tian Shu, and Tianyin Empress grew increasingly alarmed as they fought. The current Nether Emperor could truly be said to be undefeatable. Unless they could directly annihilate him, they had no way to deal with him.
The Nether Capital Heavenly Gate was a treasure refined by the Nether Emperor himself. Such divine abilities, such methods—this was indeed the caliber of a Throne powerhouse, worthy of being revered as the Nether Capital Black Emperor.
Meanwhile, in the Nether Capital Continent, within the Nether Prison, countless suppressed primordial spirits also sensed the terrifying fluctuations and vibrations from the outside world. Prisoners awoke one after another, filled with shock and uncertainty.
"The best way to infiltrate the enemy's stronghold is to have the enemy invite you in." The Woodcutter Sage's primordial spirit opened its eyes and murmured softly.
He had been summoned by the Book of Life and Death and sent to be suppressed in the Nether Prison. This cell was specifically designed for primordial spirits, its walls covered with runic seals to confine them, while chains pierced through his body, restricting all his divine abilities.
The Woodcutter examined these runes one by one. After a moment, his gaze fell on the chains binding him. Soon, he thoroughly comprehended the principles hidden within these seals.
Clatter.
The chains, like agile serpents, withdrew from his body one after another. The Woodcutter landed lightly and walked toward the cell door.
The door creaked open on its own.
In an incredibly short time, he had deciphered the method to break the Nether Prison, moving through it as if it were an empty space.
The Woodcutter Sage stepped outside and, right under the guards' noses, approached another cell. With a wave of his hand, the cell opened, and the chains binding the First Ancestor Human Sovereign fell away.
The First Ancestor Human Sovereign leaped out of the prison, killed the rushing Nether Prison guards, broke open other cells, and freed Fu Ri Luo, Chui Diao Weng, Chi Xi, and others.
"Everyone, break through the prison, release all the prisoners, and cause as much chaos in the Nether Capital as possible!"
The Woodcutter Sage's face was as calm as still water. "The more chaotic the Nether Capital, the safer Yan Kang will be. If it can be thrown into chaos for decades or centuries, Yan Kang will be safe for that long!"
Everyone nodded, cutting down guards as they advanced, opening every cell they passed and releasing the prisoners within.
This Nether Prison was the most heavily guarded jail in the Nether Capital, holding gods and demons who had shown disrespect to the Heavenly Court. Their physical bodies had been stripped away, and their primordial spirits were imprisoned here to suffer.
There were many guards in the Nether Prison, as it held dangerous individuals. However, they were up against ruthless fighters like Chui Diao Weng, Chi Xi, and Fu Ri Luo, who unleashed lethal moves without hesitation.
Chui Diao Weng cast his fishing hook, reeling in souls with unerring accuracy. Chi Xi fought with three heads and six arms, while Fu Ri Luo's demonic techniques were stunning. The three of them turned the Nether Prison upside down. When they encountered opponents they couldn't handle, the First Ancestor Human Sovereign stepped in.
Since breaking free from the cage of his own mind, the First Ancestor Human Sovereign's cultivation and strength had been growing rapidly, showing signs of breaking through the Execution Platform realm and entering the Jade Capital realm.
The group pressed deeper. The Nether Prison had many layers, extending deep into the Nether Capital's underground. The lower they went, the heavier the seals and the stronger the guards.
By the time they reached the lowest level, they were exhausted from fighting. Fortunately, the release of many prisoners had drawn away most of the guards, easing their burden.
"This is the place!"
The Woodcutter Sage looked around. The area was dim and eerie, with many lizard-like demonic creatures scurrying along the walls, moving swiftly and growing to massive sizes.
"The person should be suppressed here."
Everyone looked around. There weren't many cells here, but each door was forged from divine metal, covered in various imperial decrees. Every decree contained terrifying seals, and it was unclear who had left them.
Fu Ri Luo said solemnly, "Who exactly are we here to rescue? Can you tell us now, brother?"
The Woodcutter Sage walked forward, examining the decrees and seals on the cells, deducing the types of seals to infer who was imprisoned within. Calmly, he said, "This person is the number one Heavenly King of the Kai Huang era. The Heavenly Court of the Kai Huang era had thirty-six heavenly palaces, among which four were the most honored, held by four Heavenly Kings. Among them, the Eastern Azure King was the oldest, the Western Shakra Heavenly King the youngest, the Northern Nether Capital Heavenly King was unmatched in bravery when drunk, and the Southern Heavenly King had the highest cultivation."
The First Ancestor Human Sovereign's heart leaped. He said solemnly, "Shakra Heavenly King's 'Shakra' is a Buddhist title; he was originally a god skilled in forging and craftsmanship. The 'Di' in this Southern Heavenly King's name is neither a Buddhist title nor a surname."
The Woodcutter Sage carefully analyzed the decrees. "Your Highness is correct. The 'Di' in the Southern Heavenly King's name is an honorific. Her strength even surpassed the Azure King's. In the Kai Huang era, she was qualified to contend with Kai Huang for the throne. Though she lost to Kai Huang, she was still revered as Di."
The First Ancestor Human Sovereign was silent for a moment. "Di Yi Yue, one of the Four Heavenly Kings, was rumored to have died in battle before the calamity erupted."
"I originally thought she had died too. But she didn't."
The Woodcutter Sage stopped before a cell, examining the decrees. He said solemnly, "My eldest disciple once entrusted my third disciple to give me some geographical maps. One of them was a map of the Nether Prison, marking the deepest part."
His expression darkened. The founding patriarch of the Heavenly Sage Church had done many things in his quest for the Sage's path—things the Woodcutter Sage himself wouldn't dare to think or do.
Yet that eldest disciple had vanished without a trace, his fate unknown.
"He must have come to the Nether Capital and wanted to send me a message. On the map Qin Mu gave me, there was a tiny rune at the marked spot, left by my eldest disciple. That rune was a signature technique of Di Yi Yue's."
He fell silent, deeply worried about the founding patriarch's situation.
Chui Diao Weng praised, "Your eldest disciple is truly remarkable, infiltrating this place unnoticed and finding Di Yi Yue's whereabouts. Your other two disciples are also extraordinary. I've met the Yan Kang National Teacher—his talent is unparalleled, surpassing even you in your prime. It's just that your youngest disciple is a bit mischievous. But speaking of which, are you really okay with keeping him in the dark and using him as bait for this operation?"
The Woodcutter Sage's eyelid twitched. He carefully analyzed the decrees on the cell door. "There's a big monster hidden in his brow. He won't die. Taking some losses will do him good. He's too young, still a bit naive."
"Naive?" Fu Ri Luo and Chi Xi both snorted. They had suffered greatly at Qin Mu's hands.
The First Ancestor imagined Qin Mu's naive appearance, and his expression also soured.
The Woodcutter saw through the decrees on the door. His Yuan Qi flowed, transforming into countless runes. The runes lit up, shining on the decrees one by one.
With each flash, one seal within the decrees was undone. He moved swiftly, changing his Yuan Qi runes countless times, unlocking layer upon layer of seals.
After a long while, the Woodcutter Sage raised his hand and gently peeled off the decrees.
Everyone admired his skill, but they weren't too surprised. As the foremost of the Four Heavenly Masters, the Woodcutter was renowned for his vast knowledge. There was hardly a seal in the world he couldn't break!
The cell door creaked open, the sound harsh. A cold wind rushed out, stirring their clothes. Soon, frost clung to their brows, hair, and beards.
"Sentiment has always left but regret behind; the sweetest dreams are the easiest to wake from. How could picking flowers not bring release? Poor drifting willow catkins, so forlorn."
A plaintive sigh echoed from within the cell, chilling to the bone. Fu Ri Luo exclaimed in surprise, "This famous Di Yi Yue Heavenly King is a woman?"
The Woodcutter Sage nodded and stepped into the cell first.
Inside was an ice chamber, bitterly cold. Nine ice dragons coiled around the room, hanging head-down, their heads encircling an ice coffin. Inside the coffin lay a woman of peerless beauty, dressed in black but adorned with a phoenix crown and bridal veil, lying quietly in the transparent sarcophagus.
Her skin was as white as snow, made even paler by the black wedding gown.
She lay in the ice coffin, as if floating amidst clouds, serene and mysterious.
The nine ice dragons faced the coffin, exhaling freezing mist, as if trying to freeze the female corpse inside.
But the bride in the coffin was already awake. She opened her eyes, gently raised a hand, and extended her jade-like index finger, on which was an ornate black ring with sharp spikes.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
One by one, the ice dragons shattered, leaving only the last one, which curled up in terror.
The Woodcutter Sage stepped forward, took the hand of the corpse in the coffin. The ice coffin bride slowly floated up and landed on the ground, her eyes filled with weariness.
"Please, Southern Heavenly King, return to your post!" the Woodcutter said solemnly.
Di Yi Yue said despondently, "What use is returning to my post? I am already dead."
Only then did everyone notice a hole the size of a finger in her forehead, the wound through which they could see the wall behind her.
Though she wore black, it was a wedding gown in style and form. She still had a phoenix crown on her head and a bridal veil draped over her shoulders. The veil, made of purple silk and red gauze, had been lifted, revealing her beautiful face.
She must have been sitting quietly by the wedding bed on her wedding night, her heart both anxious and sweet, when the veil was lifted. In that instant, a fatal blow struck her down.
Only her beloved, her groom, could have gotten close to this number one Heavenly King of the Kai Huang Heavenly Court.
It was her groom who had stabbed her to death when he lifted the veil.
"Back then, Kai Huang planned to invite the Heavenly King to confront the calamity. But news of your death came right after your wedding. The calamity erupted, and countless people perished."
The Woodcutter Sage said, "In those days, the Heavenly King traveled far and wide, studying under the Four Emperors, all to prepare for the heavenly disaster. Now the calamity has come again. The Heavenly King missed it once; you cannot miss it a second time. As for your death, my youngest disciple has already resolved it. You can be resurrected."
Di Yi Yue murmured, "I can be resurrected?"
She turned her head, looking at the ice dragon cowering in the corner.
The ice dragon trembled, its voice quivering. "Your Majesty, spare me! We were only following orders, forced to freeze your body and primordial spirit..."
"Your Majesty?"
Di Yi Yue's expression turned cold. "You call me 'Your Majesty'? When did Di Yi Yue ever rely on a man? Even the Heavenly Master dare not call me 'Your Majesty'; he must address me as 'Heavenly King.' How dare you call me 'Your Majesty'? Call me Di Yi Yue!"
The ice dragon hesitated, then said cautiously, "Di Yi Yue..."
Crack!
It suddenly exploded into flying ice shards, its primordial spirit shattered beyond repair.
"Addressing me by name, showing disrespect—death is too good for you!"
Di Yi Yue turned around and smiled. "Let's go. I want to see my groom. It's been twenty thousand years, and that faithless man hasn't come to see me. I'd love to put a bloody hole like this in his brow..."
——Happy birthday to Black Hand Chain, and may he find a girlfriend soon! (Hey, he asked me to add that.)