Grinding EXP From a Demon Hunting Ship

Chapter 357: Chapter 352: Ziyuan Is Attacked, a Deity Reappears

Meanwhile.

Far South Continent.

A thick, grayish-white mist hung in the air. A forest of cloud-piercing trees sprang from the earth. Even standing at the periphery of the Fog Forest, one could feel its chilling, bizarre aura.

A breeze carrying the stench of decay drifted out from the woods, causing Ziyuan to frown and cover her nose and mouth in disgust.

"What a disgusting smell."

But worse than the rotten smell was Ziyuan’s mood.

BZZZT.

With a flick of her fingertip, she activated the Map Jade Talisman.

’Giant Stone City.’

A strange look entered Ziyuan’s eyes, and the corner of her mouth twitched.

Then,

she closed the Jade Talisman, then opened it again.

But... it was no use.

The Map Jade Talisman was an inanimate object.

It wouldn’t present different information just to suit its owner’s wishes.

On the map, the red dot representing Ziyuan was still overlapping with Giant Stone City.

After several such attempts, Ziyuan had no choice but to admit that this strange Fog Forest before her was the very same Giant Stone City she had used as her starting point.

’What am I supposed to do now?’

Ziyuan was caught in a dilemma, her face etched with hesitation.

According to Su Ye’s rules, upon returning from a mission, successful or not, she was supposed to report to him and submit a written report...

Ziyuan’s mission had, of course, been a success.

She had successfully rescued Phantom Zhenren and several dozen elite cultivators.

But...

when she returned, she couldn’t report to him.

Because.

’That guy... seems to be trapped in there too?’

’So... how am I supposed to make my report?’

Ziyuan tilted her head, muttering to herself.

After getting Phantom Zhenren settled, she had sensed the strange transformation of the Fog Forest and immediately returned.

Near the Fog Forest, she had released several Communication Talismans and flown back and forth multiple times in an exhaustive search.

If Su Ye were still in the outside world, this kind of wide-ranging search should have reached him one way or another...

But the fact was...

...there was no news at all!

’That guy... he’s probably... really trapped in there.’

Ziyuan stroked her chin, reaching a conclusion.

Suddenly,

her violet-like eyes flashed with a hint of excitement!

’Wait a minute...’

’Su Ye is missing!’

’Does this mean... I’m free!’

"Woohoo~!"

Ziyuan leaped up in excitement, nearly breaking into song to celebrate her newfound freedom!

"I’m going home!"

"Back to Spider Demon Island!"

"Oh, right... the territory in the Far South Continent, Nanyaoguang Corporation!"

"Those two endless treasure troves are mine too!"

For the past few years, she had watched Su Ye monopolize trade with the special products of the Far South Continent, amassing immense wealth to supply his own cultivation.

Ziyuan was incredibly envious!

"And... that guy, all his women, I’ll..."

Ziyuan was speaking menacingly.

Suddenly, as if she thought of something, her tone unconsciously weakened.

"I’ll... I’ll... I’ll just lock them all up for now..."

"Yeah, lock them up."

Ziyuan clapped her hands together and nodded as if to pump herself up!

"Alright, time to head back to Nanyaoguang!"

She took a deep breath, rode the wind, and flew north.

WHOOSH!

A streak of purple light flashed past, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

The Fog Forest fell silent once more.

...

However.

「Fifteen minutes later.」

The purple light returned, and Ziyuan’s figure emerged from it, landing on the ground.

Her expression was conflicted.

"Maybe I should wait a bit longer?" Ziyuan muttered to herself.

’I can’t be sure... that he’s dead in there... What if he breaks free soon and comes out of the Fog Forest?’

If Su Ye wasn’t dead, but she had staged a rebellion and usurped his enterprise...

’The consequences of that...’

At the thought, a chill ran down Ziyuan’s spine, and she shivered.

Although she was unwilling to admit it, Ziyuan felt a certain fear toward Su Ye—this young cultivator who wasn’t even a tenth her age.

Indeed... she was a little afraid.

"Just a little!"

"A little!"

Ziyuan emphasized, gritting her teeth.

Fuming at her own cowardice and lack of nerve, she stomped her foot forcefully!

’Maybe I should... wait?’

’Wait a month or two and see what happens?’

Ziyuan mused to herself, lost in thought.

’I’ll just wait and see for now...’

’Maybe... that guy will come bursting out of this forest in his super spirit-ship soon...’

Ziyuan murmured to herself, imagining the scene.

The victories Su Ye had won and the prestige he had accumulated made Ziyuan waver.

In the end, indecisive, she chose to wait outside the Fog Forest.

’This choice... can’t be wrong, can it?’

...

「Several days passed.」

"So boring..." Ziyuan muttered, reclining on a lounge chair.

Beside her was a wide parasol and a small stand with juice and snacks.

Ziyuan popped a piece of candy into her mouth and sipped on sweet, freshly squeezed juice, her gaze unfocused as she passed the time in resort-like comfort.

But this pleasant moment didn’t last long.

"Hm?"

"Who’s there? Come out!"

Tossing her juice aside, Ziyuan shot to her feet, her eyes sharp as she went on high alert.

"Very alert, but... useless."

The voice that spoke was elegant and gentle.

Furthermore, its grammar was very different from the modern language of the Divine Continent, much like the difference between Middle English and modern English.

Even though Ziyuan had also studied the Divine Continent’s language,

she still found it quite difficult to understand.

Normally, the only beings who used such ancient grammar were...

...the Southern Deities!

’A Divine Incarnation?’

At this thought, Ziyuan grew even more vigilant!

And then, her expression changed in an instant!

Before her, a hand suddenly materialized!

The hand was long and fair. Between the lines on its skin, brilliant golden runes flowed like molten lava!

What terrified Ziyuan even more was that her Sun-Devouring Power spun out of her control in the presence of this hand!

It was like... a mid-level official trembling under the emperor’s sacred might!

"What?!"

Ziyuan was horrified. This had never happened before!

And now,

the hand was already upon her!

In a panic, Ziyuan threw her arms up to block.

She tried to parry with her great demon physique.

However,

the next instant.

CRACK.

The sound of shattering bone rang out clearly!

An indescribable, agonizing pain shot through her arms, carried by a power as immense as a mountain-collapsing tsunami!

BANG!

Ziyuan’s entire body was sent flying backward.

Like a rubber ball, she bounced off the ground several times!

"WAAGH!"

"How is this possible...?!"

Blood streamed unceasingly from her seven orifices.

Not only her nose and mouth, but even her vision was filled with scarlet.

Ziyuan felt as if her internal organs had been pulverized!

’Which deity is this...’

Ziyuan was aghast. As a Fourth-Order being, she shouldn’t have been defeated so easily, even against a Divine Incarnation.

But in front of this deity, her Sun-Devouring Power had completely lost control, as if it had turned against her!

This left Ziyuan with no way to fight back!

’This is bad...’

’Escape... I probably can’t get away... This is the only way.’

Ziyuan gritted her teeth, her thoughts racing.

Then, she turned and plunged into the Fog Forest without a second glance.

’This is the only way to have a sliver of a chance. Otherwise, death is certain!’