Chapter 2899 - Dare You Strive for Mutual Destruction?
Laughter boomed outside the palace doors. A man in Daoist robes and a topknot had appeared outside the building.
This was none other than Lu Shi.
Earlier, during their battle against the vast army of heart devils, he used a talisman to flee for his life, but now, he’d returned.
Moreover, he looked utterly confident and composed.
Wang Zhiwu couldn’t help but find this astonishing. The pitiful bastard got screwed over so badly earlier. The words, ‘No one has been more wretched than me,’ were practically written all over his forehead.
But now, he's acting like a king returning to his kingdom. He seems fully assured of his victory. Something's going on here.
That was naturally out of the ordinary. Su Yi, however, didn’t find it strange. It would’ve been stranger if Lu Shi hadn’t appeared after they’d discovered the Key to Endless Tribulations.
But from the look of things, Lu Shi was more than just a little confident.
“Daoist Brother Lu!” River Emperor Winged Dragon was initially stunned, then mad with delight. He’d only just acquired the Key to Endless Tribulations, and now, here Lu Shi was. That made things all the better; he would no longer need to be so fearful or jumpy.
“Oh? I knew that bastard was in need of a beating, but I’m truly surprised he’d come back for one,” said River Ancestor Shen Xiao, his eyes flashing.
Lu Shi pointed at River Ancestor Shen Xiao, his eyes glinting like ice. “I’ve tolerated you more than long enough, you old bastard!”
His voice was full of undisguised hatred and murderous intent.
“Who the hell do you think you are? How dare you bark like a mad dog in front of me?” River Ancestor Shen Xiao snorted coldly, swung his palm, and attacked.
The divine majesty of a River Ancestor swept forth, strong enough to crush any Heavenly Monarch with ease.
But against all expectations, when River Ancestor Shen Xiao’s palm strike reached Lu Shi, it vanished harmlessly, unable to scratch him in the slightest.
River Ancestor Shen Xiao’s eyes narrowed.
Lu Shi said coldly, “Now it’s my turn!”
He took a step forward, a strange, terrifying avatar appearing behind him. A strange rumbling of the Grand Dao rang out, and the avatar hefted a spear and thrust it into the air with a resounding bang!
River Ancestor Shen Xiao felt as if a divine mountain had slammed into him, forcing him several steps back. With every step he took, the floor shook, and countless strange, inscrutable Dao Markings floated to the surface.
There was no doubt about it. It was these very strange markings that had blocked the impact of River Ancestor Shen Xiao’s steps. Without them, the entire building would likely have been reduced to rubble instantly.
By the time River Ancestor Shen Xiao managed to steady himself, his blood and qi were churning, and his face alternated white and green. He’d obviously suffered an immense impact.
Everyone was astonished. Only now did they clearly see the avatar behind Lu Shi. It was a man in bronze armor. He gripped a spear, and wherever he stood, heaven and earth collapsed. All facets of creation were destroyed.
The man’s features were coarse, and his eyes shone like twin suns. He was just an avatar, but his divine majesty was utterly terrifying.
Had Su Wanjun, the River Lord, and Gongye Futu been here, they’d have recognized the man at a glance. This armored spearman was none other than Li Shouhu[1], a leading expert of the Dao of the Spear. His spear had shattered the limits of the Five Realms of Eternity, piercing everything standing between him and the Far Shore of Destiny!
Li Shouhu was now an extraordinary existence even by the standards of the All-Profound Dominion.
During the God Domain’s Battle for Order, Li Shouhu had appeared alongside Hei Ya and Yun Wuxiang to stop Gongye Futu and the River Lord.
It was Su Wanjun who’d appeared at a critical juncture, forcing these powerful enemies back to save the River Lord and Gongye Futu from otherwise certain disaster.
Su Yi didn’t know any of this, but when he saw Lu Shouhu’s avatar and sensed its aura, he felt a powerful sense of impending crisis. Whoever this guy is, he’s terrifying!
Wang Zhiwu and River Empress Lu Ping were stunned, too. This obviously wasn’t Lu Shi’s own strength, nor could that possibly be his avatar!
Even River Emperor Winged Dragon couldn’t help but gasp. His heart filled with even greater excitement. After all, the stronger Lu Shi was, the less of a threat River Ancestor Shen Xiao was!
“Do you think being a River Ancestor means you can do whatever you want?” Lu Shi jeered. “I know that you still have life-saving trump cards, but I can say with certainty that no matter how hard you struggle, you’re sure to lose!”
The atmosphere was silent and oppressive. The only sound was the echo of Lu Shi’s voice.
River Ancestor Shen Xiao’s expression was ashen. He glared intently at the avatar behind Lu Shi. “No wonder you’re so confident. So, you have the avatar of an expert of the Far Shore of Destiny.”
Lu Shi said calmly, “Since you understand, you’d best be good and stay put. Do so, and I won’t harm you. Any funny business, and today shall be the day you die!”
River Ancestor Shen Xiao glared with obvious fury, but Lu Shi disregarded him and looked at Su Yi. “Su Yi, earlier, you brazenly proclaimed your desire to bring me into the Cave of Obsession to end things once and for all.”
He pointed at himself, then bellowed, “Well, I’m standing right in front of you, so come on and kill me!”
His gaze was imposing, disdainful, and provocative.
Before Su Yi could respond, Wang Zhiwu lost his temper and cursed Lu Shi out. “You’re just relying on your hidden cards, not your own strength. In that case, I’m more than happy to play with you!”
He raised the Book of Legends, but just as he was about to tear out its final page, Su Yi stopped him. “There’s no need for that.”
Wang Zhiwu looked stunned, but before he could ask questions, Su Yi raised the Book of Destiny. “The Harbinger of Tribulations is trapped inside this book. What do you think would happen if I let him back out?”
Silence greeted this question. The red-robed man’s terrifying strength had left a deep impression on them all. If they let him out, the consequences would be far too dire!
Lu Shi obviously realized this, too. He instantly looked stricken. “Do that, and you’ll only hurt us all.”
He was obviously furious. He hadn’t anticipated that Su Yi would pull such a stunt.
But Su Yi laughed. “I managed to suppress you once, so I can naturally do it twice. How do you plan to get out of this one?”
Lu Shi’s expression darkened. He was too frustrated and angry to even speak.
There was no doubt about it. He knew that even with Li Shouhu’s avatar, there was no guarantee that he’d be able to defeat the red-robed Harbinger of Tribulations.
“How bold you are, my worthy little brother! In the face of this disaster, aiming for mutual destruction is a good outcome too!” River Ancestor Shen Xiao called out.
He hadn’t anticipated that Su Yi would threaten Lu Shi with mutual destruction, but when he thought about it, this plan seemed wondrous indeed. Moreover, it was all but certain to work. That is, unless Lu Shi really didn’t have any reservations or concern for his own life.
But Lu Shi’s reaction proved otherwise. He... couldn’t afford to play this game!
“I wouldn’t call it 'mutual destruction.' Fellow Daoist Wang still has cards left, as do you, Daoist Brother,” said Su Yi. “Under the circumstances, I really can’t stomach watching Lu Shi carry on like this.”
The group exchanged glances. All of them visibly relaxed.
Lu Shi sank into silence, then suddenly laughed. “It’s true that I dare not risk mutual destruction, but I’ll be interested to see just how you plan to end things once and for all!”
He pulled River Emperor Winged Dragon toward him, then continued, “We’ve already acquired the Key to Endless Tribulations. Come on, if you’ve got the balls, release the Harbinger of Tribulations! See if he can stop me from leaving!”
The group’s hearts sank. Lu Shi was obviously quite decisive and ready to flee at any moment. He had no interest in fighting them head-on.
Under the circumstances, releasing the Harbinger of Tribulations would only hurt Su Yi; it would do him no good at all.
Su Yi laughed dryly. “Are you sure you can leave the Cave of Obsession?”
Lu Shi laughed coldly. “I’m not talking about that. I’m asking whether or not you’re bold enough to fight me!”
Their staredown was an invisible competition in its own right, but they weren’t competing in terms of strength. Rather, they wanted to see who was the least afraid of the other’s threats.
All eyes were on Su Yi, but he didn’t waste any more time talking. He just took a step forward and charged at Lu Shi, then swung his right hand, the one holding the Book of Destiny, like a sword.
Lu Shi retreated explosively, taking River Emperor Winged Dragon with him. He instantly left the palace, then stood in the air over Heart-Devouring Ridge.
Su Yi’s slash hit nothing but air.
Against all expectations, Su Yi’s slash was light and airy. It caused no commotion whatsoever. He didn’t release the Harbinger of Tribulations, either.
Lu Shi frowned. “Are you messing with me?”
Su Yi said calmly, “If you aren’t scared, why flee?”
When the others saw this, their expressions grew strange. Su Yi was bluffing in a bid to intimidate you. Lu Shi, if you’re really so fearless, why run?
“Try this, then!” Lu Shi’s eyes blazed with murderous intent. He suddenly raised his hand and tapped.
Behind him, Li Shouhu’s avatar emanated a ferocious majesty, terrifying beyond measure, as he thrust his spear at Su Yi from afar.
The air split. Cold light seemed to bore through the ages, piercing the sky.
It was a simple thrust, but even River Ancestor Shen Xiao’s heart clenched just looking at it. His hair stood on end, and he sensed an impending, lethal threat.
Su Yi made no attempt to dodge. He just raised the Book of Destiny into the air, and a red-robed figure emerged.
This was none other than the former River Ancestor Lu Shu, now a Harbinger of Tribulations.
Before Lu Shi knew what was happening, a streak of terrifying light shot toward him. It was so terrifying that even he couldn’t help but gasp, and he fought back on instinct.
Boom!!
Firelight ran rampant. A massive impact boomed throughout heaven and earth, and Lu Shu was forced several steps backward.
When Lu Shi saw this, he couldn’t help but gasp. Su Yi really did release the Harbinger of Tribulations!
Wang Zhiwu, River Ancestor Shen Xiao, and the others stiffened, their expressions shifting dramatically.
Only Su Yi remained perfectly calm. He hadn’t released River Ancestor Lu Shu on impulse; rather, he was planning something.
Indeed, just as he thought, as soon as River Ancestor Lu Shu steadied himself on his feet, he roared in fury, “Why do you have the Key to Endless Tribulations!? Don’t tell me the little peacock...”
He stared intently at Lu Shi and River Emperor Winged Dragon, his expression uncharacteristically hideous and terrifying.
Lu Shi’s heart thudded in his chest. He grabbed River Emperor Winged Dragon and turned to flee.
“Die!” A heaven-shaking bellow rang out. Tribulation clouds churned overhead, blanketing the sky and blotting out the sun.
River Ancestor Lu Shu shifted instantaneously through the air, his whole body erupting with gray tribulation light as he swung his palm at Lu Shi.
His calamitous aura was as terrifying as the descent of a true heavenly tribulation. Lu Shi’s hair stood on end, and he visibly lost his composure. He’d secretly watched Su Yi and the others’ battle with Lu Shu, and he was keenly aware of how terrifying Lu Shu was.
At least, he'd thought he was. Now that he was facing Lu Shu for real, he realized that Lu Shu was far more terrifying than he’d assumed.
But there was no time to give the matter any further thought. Lu Shi whipped around and launched a counterattack.
Li Shouhu’s avatar erupted with terrifying divine majesty, swinging his spear and attacking madly. A windstorm of destructive power swept outward, shaking the entire area.
It was just one attack, but it sent Lu Shi flying. He staggered on his feet, coughing up blood.
Behind him, even Li Shouhu’s avatar swayed violently on impact.
1. Li Shouhu appeared in chapters 2695 and 2696. Su Yi hasn't met him yet, and we don't know much about him beyond what's mentioned in this chapter. ☜
