Chapter 259: Blood River True Monarch

Previously within the castle of ancient ruins, Luo Binghe had narrowly escaped using a spirit artifact. Would they encounter him again this time?

The six entered the valley where blood mist obscured their vision, filled with corrosive blood energy that constantly ate away at everything.

They each activated defensive barriers. Staying beyond a hundred-foot radius from the blood river generally kept them safe.

Cheng Lingyu’s Destruction of Space Divine Thought Wave remained highly active in the valley, largely unaffected. The blood mist’s interference operated within specific frequency ranges—by avoiding those, his detection waves stayed clear.

“Eighteen total, all Blood Martial Realm experts. Two emit exceptionally powerful fluctuations.”

Xiao Lingfeng blinked. “Junior Brother Cheng detects them through this interference?”

The blood river warped time and space itself. Even Xiao Lingfeng at the fifth level of Blood Martial couldn’t pierce through the distortion, yet Cheng Lingyu succeeded.

“My merged Immortal Soul grants detection and analysis special abilities. Less interference.” Cheng Lingyu answered absently, gaze locked on a blood mist patch where Luo Binghe stood.

Hu Yuer’s crystal-clear eyes pierced the crimson haze. “Zhan Wumen brought two fifth-level Blood Martial experts? Unexpected.”

Han Zhen scowled. “Two? This complicates matters.”

Zuo Yi frowned. “How’d we miss two such powerhouses earlier?”

Xiao Lingfeng reasoned, “They likely hid inside space magical artifacts carried by disciples, emerging only within the valley.”

“Then Zhan Wumen planned thoroughly,” Han Zhen muttered.

Hu Yuer laughed lightly. “Not just Three Saints and Four Peerless prepared for these ruins. Other Forces took precautions too.”

“Numbers mean little.” Cheng Lingyu observed. “This blood river will claim many lives.”

As they crept closer, shadowy figures materialized near the scarlet river. A sudden scream pierced the air—a Zhan Wumen expert crumpled, flesh dissolving under blade-shaped blood energy.

“Fall back!”

Over a dozen figures scrambled away as monstrous roars shook the valley. From the blood river rose a nightmarish beast radiating divine might, making all six intruders gasp.

The blood-drenched creature loomed massive and grotesque, its body swirling with crimson vortices that induced vertigo and mental chaos. Each vortex pulsed with soul-devouring temptation.

Cheng Lingyu’s mind raced. What manner of being could inhabit the blood river?

Fleeing Zhan Wumen experts remained oblivious to the observers. The beast’s jade-white horn glowed stark against its blood-red bulk as clawed limbs ripped through three Blood Martial experts like parchment.

“A beast? That horn must be the artifact we detected!”

“Unthinkable—life existing here!”

A Zhan Wumen expert spat blood in furious frustration. The river-dweller roared again, claws shredding reality itself as three more experts burst into crimson mists.

Cheng Lingyu saw this, his handsome face darkening. Hu Yuer paled, instinctively clutching his arm.

Xiao Lingfeng, Han Zhen, and the other two held their breaths, relieved they’d stayed farther from the blood river.

Three Zhan Wumen members died instantly. The remaining fourteen panicked – some scrambled backward while others roared and attacked, seeking Revenge.

From the blood mist erupted a Spiritual Light that formed a giant sword striking at the beast’s Head. This spirit artifact attack, powered by a Blood Martial Realm expert, unleashed the full Power of a low-grade spirit artifact.

As the giant sword emerged, Cheng Lingyu felt overwhelming dread. “Full speed retreat!” he barked. He yanked Hu Yuer into rapid flight. Xiao Lingfeng, Han Zhen, Chen Song, and Zuo Yi followed closely, fleeing riverward.

The sword’s brilliance flashed down – only to be caught and crushed by a sudden giant hand. “Move!” shouted Zhan Wumen experts, too late.

A blood shadow materialized on the beast. Its blood-red giant hand swept across the valley, radiating blood energy and rune-covered blades that shredded the void with unstoppable divine might.

Nine Zhan Wumen experts burst like bubbles mid-air. Two suffered critical wounds. Only three – including Luo Binghe bearing a spirit artifact, and two fifth level Blood Martial experts – escaped through quick reactions and superior speed.

“Who are you?” demanded the gravely injured pair.

“Blood River True Monarch,” the shadow hissed.

“Never heard of you!”

“Your ignorance proves nothing.” The shadow flicked its wrist. Both men exploded into a rain of blood instantly.

Watching from distant hills, Cheng Lingyu shivered. This blood shadow radiated bottomless terror. Hu Yuer hid behind him, trembling.

Xiao Lingfeng and the others – Blood Martial Realm experts themselves – understood better. This shadow represented at least a Spirit Master, far beyond their league.

The surviving Zhan Wumen trio fled without looking back. The beast sank into the river as Blood River True Monarch’s Slaughter-filled gaze nearly shattered the observers’ minds.

Only when beast and shadow vanished did Cheng Lingyu relax. “We’d be dead if he pursued,” Xiao Lingfeng breathed.

Hu Yuer shook her Head. “He can’t leave the blood river. Otherwise, none survive.”

Han Zhen exclaimed in surprise, “How do you know he can’t leave the blood river?”

“I guessed. Otherwise, why would he spare our lives?”

Chen Song remarked, “Guesses aren’t always reliable.”

Cheng Lingyu stated, “Her assumption’s likely correct. There’s a complex bond between Blood River True Monarch and that beast.”

Zuo Yi asked, “What should we do now? Avoid this river?”

Cheng Lingyu shook his head. “This blood river’s the strangest element here. We’ll follow its flow to see where it leads.”

The six travelers kept considerable distance from the crimson waterway as they journeyed onward.

At twilight, bloody haze ascended to stain the heavens scarlet, smothering the land beneath oppressive crimson skies.

Xiao Lingfeng frowned uneasily. “That teleportation array in Xuan Star Palace was clearly a trap. This lifeless realm reeks of danger without trace of living creatures.”

Han Zhen gave bitter chuckle. “We’re already caught in this web. Our only choice is cautious advancement.”

Cheng Lingyu maintained steady vigilance, calmly surveying their surroundings without visible concern.

Hu Yuer kept glancing skyward, though the blood-red firmament offered no clues.

Nightfall brought no respite as the group pressed forward.

Hu Yuer adopted pitiable expression, timidly clutching Cheng Lingyu’s sleeve until he sighed in exasperation.

After prolonged stare-down, Cheng Lingyu suddenly grasped her delicate hand, mysterious smile playing on his lips.

Blushing Hu Yuer met his gaze challengingly. Their peculiar contest resembled intimacy without vulnerability.

Beyond mountainous ridge stretched barren plain devoid of life except relentless blood river.

Distant crimson pulsations hinted at the waterway’s terminus.

“Where have hundreds of explorers vanished?” Han Zhen marveled. “After half-day’s trek covering hundreds of miles, we’ve only encountered Zhan Wumen disciples.”

No sign remained of experts from Jiu Yang Sacred Palace, Tianlei Sacred Church, Heavenly Palace, Heavenly Fire Sect, Shanhua Alliance, nor figures like Shui Yingyue, Ye Anlan or Yunxiu.

Cheng Lingyu gazed across endless plain. “Patience, elder brother Han Zhen. Company awaits ahead.”

“Who? Where?”

“Old acquaintances.”

In sudden burst of motion, Cheng Lingyu dragged Hu Yuer across plain with supernatural speed.

Though Xiao Lingfeng and Han Zhen possessed higher cultivation levels, they couldn’t match Cheng Lingyu’s velocity enhanced by Universe Shift.

After incense-time’s journey, Cheng Lingyu slowed near twelve figures encircled in blood mist.

He ghosted within thirty feet before detection.

“Intruders!”

The dozen leapt up combat-ready.

“Cheng Lingyu.”

His name reverberated through void – now infamous throughout the land.