Chapter 131: A Heart-to-Heart with Madam Rouge
Ten days later, Xiao Nanfeng frowned at the patch of fog before him, encompassing an area about five kilometers in diameter, if that.
"Go on in. Within is the divine domain. Master Blue Lantern made it very clear that I had to watch you enter," the serpent urged from his side.
"This is the extent of the divine domain, five kilometers in diameter?" Xiao Nanfeng was shocked.
"What do you know? You'll understand why when you're inside," the serpent replied disdainfully, as though talking to a country bumpkin.
"Do you know where my senior sister and the elder are?"
The serpent's eyes brightened as it puffed up its chest. "I know the divine domain best out of anyone, but who's to say I'm willing to divulge my secrets? I won't do it for free, unless—"
"In that case, you don't know either? Forget it, then," Xiao Nanfeng replied, shaking his head and sighing.
The serpent stiffened. "When did I say I didn't know? I'd hardly tell you anything unless you gave me something for my information."
Xiao Nanfeng rolled his eyes at the serpent. Its roundabout manner made it evident that it had no idea of their current location; it was only trying to scam Xiao Nanfeng!
"Did Elder Blue Lantern say anything more?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.
"None. He instructed me to watch you enter—that's it. How long are you going to keep standing here? Don't make me wait. I want to enter as well!" the serpent called out impatiently.
"You, too?"
"Of course! There's an incredible opportunity lying in wait in the divine domain once every century. I was too young the last time, but I gained the right to participate this time around. However, Master Blue Lantern's been keeping me outside all this time. He's finally permitted me to enter, and enter I will! I'm far more familiar with the interior of the divine domain than you are, and I'll surely be able to find that opportunity," the serpent boasted.
"In that case, let's head in," Xiao Nanfeng suggested.
He stepped through the heavy fog, followed swiftly behind by the serpent. They walked for roughly two kilometers to arrive at a dark space. A blue moon hung in the air, shining down and draping everything in a coat of blue, causing the divine domain to look incredibly mysterious.
As he glanced at the endless expanse of the horizon, an astonished expression appeared on Xiao Nanfeng's face. From the outside, it looked as though the fog was over a domain about five kilometers wide. He had already walked two kilometers in, so he should be nearing its center. Why was there still such a wide expanse before him?
"Is the divine domain not situated in physical reality?" Xiao Nanfeng asked the serpent.
"Of course. What would be divine about it otherwise?" the serpent replied disdainfully.
Xiao Nanfeng furrowed his brows.
"Hmm? Why does the divine domain feel funny? There's a different sensation compared to before..." the serpent murmured.
"In what way?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.
"I won't say," the serpent huffed, then flew toward the distant mountains.
Xiao Nanfeng: ...
He watched as the serpent left him, not in particular urgency to head deep into the divine domain. Rather, he inspected his surroundings.
Golden flames blazed on his palm. The strength of his physical body hadn't been suppressed or weakened. He snuffed out the flames and continued his testing. Blue spiritual power emanated from his palm, transforming into silver flames with force of will.
"Hmm? The force of spiritual power seems to be magnified in this divine domain," Xiao Nanfeng remarked.
He punched at a nearby pile of mud, causing it to explode instantly and form a giant crater.
"How could this be? This is a strength I was only ever able to display within illusory realms. What's so special about the divine domain that allows me to replicate it in reality?" Xiao Nanfeng cried out.
This was far stronger than even his pure yang qi, which was something that shouldn't ever happen in reality.
"And I can even exercise my spiritual power with physical techniques? Could this be a liminal realm between the real and the illusory?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned.
While he was deep in thought, he suddenly saw a fleeing figure from afar.
"Madam Rouge? Stop right there!" Xiao Nanfeng shouted, giving chase to the bleached skeleton.
Xiao Nanfeng was certain that this had to be a liminal realm. Although Madam Rouge was sly and sinister, she was only ever able to interact with others in illusory realms. She had appeared in reality before, but only as a projection with no physical body.
This time, however, Madam Rouge knocked down a few trees as she teleported away.
Xiao Nanfeng was extremely strong when energized with spiritual power, and he instantly jumped before her.
As though she were panicking, Madam Rouge fled and flashed away once more. However, her teleportation was limited by range, and she seemed unable to use her ability in quick succession. Xiao Nanfeng was easily able to catch up.
He sent her flying with a palm strike. Black smoke spouted from Madam Rouge's skull, not having expected that Xiao Nanfeng would bring her to a place like this. She was caught unawares, her body exposed.
She launched a flurry of attacks at Xiao Nanfeng in shock and anger.
Xiao Nanfeng defended against those blows handily.
Although Madam Rouge had consumed the red rope's cursed spiritual avatar, her strength was still far inferior to Xiao Nanfeng's. Furthermore, Xiao Nanfeng had reached quintessence with Hegemon's Fist, and he easily trounced her.
Madam Rouge was sent flying time and again.
She was exasperated, but there was nothing she could do. She almost wanted to self-destruct and kill Xiao Nanfeng in the aftermath.
Madam Rouge was slammed against a huge boulder.
Xiao Nanfeng shot forward, pinning her wrists down with his hands and pressing them against the boulder above her head. Simultaneously, he held down her madly kicking legs with a kneecap.
More black smoke emerged from Madam Rouge's skull, as though she were still struggling to get free from him.
"Don't move. Let's have a chat," Xiao Nanfeng suggested.
Madam Rouge's pitch-black, skeletal eyes glimmered with red light. She seemed infuriated by Xiao Nanfeng's actions. Her aura constricted, as though she were about to self-destruct.
"Self-destruction can't be comfortable, can it? And do you think you have enough power to harm me as is? Just calm down and let me talk with you. I'll release you once I'm done," Xiao Nanfeng promised.
Madam Rouge's swelling stopped. Even so, she continued looking at Xiao Nanfeng with her eyes flashing red, angry and resentful.
When Xiao Nanfeng saw it calm down, he relaxed. "Madam Rouge, we've been fighting for quite a while, and we've never had a chance for a conversation like this. I'd like to take the opportunity to discuss our grudges against each other and see if there's the potential for reconciliation."
Black smoke puffed out of Madam Rouge's head. Clearly, she had no intention of compromise.
"That's right. We've clashed against each other several times, but you always suffered as a result of those clashes. However, I'd like you to think back to when you were able to benefit from interacting with me," Xiao Nanfeng urged.
Madam Rouge glared at Xiao Nanfeng.
"Whenever you tried to kill me, you were killed or forced to flee, weakening yourself in the process. On the other hand, whenever you didn't try to kill me, you were able to gain tremendous benefits. Don't you agree? The grievously wounded officials of the Red Emperor, the champions of the Plaza Stairway, the red rope's cursed spiritual avatar—you had a feast on all those occasions, didn't you?"
Madam Rouge continued glaring at Xiao Nanfeng. If not for the fact that he had pinned her down, she would have slapped him on the face. She had fought for all those victories with her life on the line!
"Let's have bygones be bygones, Madam Rouge. Look: I'm growing stronger over time, whereas your strength waxes and wanes."
Even more black smoke puffed out from Madam Rouge's head. The reason its strength waned was all because of Xiao Nanfeng!
"Why don't we stop fighting now? I'll help catch you some cursed effigies in the future, and you'll promise not to target me. What do you think?"
Madam Rouge still glared fiercely at Xiao Nanfeng, clearly not intending to agree so easily.
"Look, I'm being rather sincere, aren't I? I could have taken this opportunity to disperse all your gathered power again, but I chose to sue for peace. Why don't we each take one step back? It'll help us all. If you need any assistance, I'd be happy to help. Isn't it lonely for you the way you are?"
Even more black smoke poured out from Madam Rouge's head, as though cursing him for his pity.
"To express my sincerity, I'll be letting you go right now."
Xiao Nanfeng jumped back, freeing Madam Rouge.
She continued to glare at Xiao Nanfeng, her grudge clearly unresolved.
"Madam Rouge, we don't bear such great enmity against each other. We can be friends," Xiao Nanfeng advised.
Madam Rouge's eyes pulsed with red light. This was the first time she had met a fool who wanted to befriend her, but what else was she to do? This was a fool she couldn't beat!
Madam Rouge teleported some distance away, but this time, Xiao Nanfeng didn't give chase.
"Madam Rouge, please consider my offer!" Xiao Nanfeng shouted.
From afar, Madam Rouge vanished amidst the mountainous forest.
Xiao Nanfeng exhaled in relief. He didn't want to settle things with Madam Rouge, either, but he didn't have a choice. Cursed effigies couldn't be killed, and there would be no end to the fighting if it were to continue.
He didn't fear Madam Rouge, but he had to keep the future in mind. He did want to get married and have children, after all—what if Madam Rouge began to harass his wife and children? Better to sue for peace with her now. Xiao Nanfeng didn't intend to truly be friends with her; he just wanted her to stay away.
The black lotus was something Madam Rouge feared, but its utility wasn't guaranteed. However, it was precisely because of the black lotus that he had the confidence to negotiate with Madam Rouge.
"Well, it was a good start," Xiao Nanfeng reflected.
He spun around, taking in the sights. During his fight with Madam rouge, he didn't know how far into the divine domain he had gone.
"It's so quiet as to be frightening. I made such a big commotion just now, so why hasn't anyone or anything shown up?" Xiao Nanfeng wondered.
Just then, a pitch-black hand broke out from underground and caught Xiao Nanfeng's heel.
Xiao Nanfeng: ...
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