Chapter 596: Chaotic Chase (II)
The dark depths of the ocean became utterly chaotic. This far beneath the surface of the Gulf of Giant Tortoises, there wasn't a single trace of sunlight. The suppressive might of so much water would have normally made this environment quiet and still. Yet it was now filled with flashes of light and endless shockwaves.
The two demon Spirit Kings, Qin Shui'er and Senior Brother Seventh Black, fled deeper and deeper. They dodged left and right to avoid attacks coming from behind them. The three human Spirit Kings could not see them with their eyes but they could still do so with their spiritual sense. The other human Spirit Lords had been left far behind and could not contribute anything to the battle.
Qin Shui'er shot through the water, facing no resistance as she let her body become with her environment. With every step, she left behind powerful whirlpools and invisible waves that sought to delay the humans. Her senior brother couldn't move as fast as her so she was pulling him along, causing their combined speed to suffer.
She spread her spiritual sense all around but found only endless waters and unfathomable depths. She blasted through a few schools of fish and other aquatic creatures but they were all weak and insignificant. She had no idea what dangers were ahead but she could only go forward. If she stopped for even a breath, the humans would catch up.
Behind, Immortal Scarlet Sea Hai Dan led the chase with the other two at her heels. Her Dao allowed her to swim through the water with barely any effort. She also controlled the water around her to deflect the attacks from the shuimu. The demon might have had more natural ability to control water but her own Dao of the water element was also formidable.
Huang Wuji and Gong Liyun utilized her wake to keep up and launched a barrage of attacks.
Immortal Solemn Duke Huang Wuji's immortal art summoned phantasmal golden weapons of all shapes and sizes that flew ahead as if wielded by invisible giants. Huge golden swords and massive golden axes split apart the dense ocean with blinding flashes of light. It was as if a golden deity was plunging into the depths.
Immortal Gentle Lotus Gong Liyun shot out rays of colorful spiritual energy from her fingertips. They weren't immediately fatal but would cause illusions to blossom ahead that sought to disorient the demons and cut off their path. Her Dao wasn't the most lethal in a straight-up fight so this was the most she could do.
Like this, the group of Spirit Kings descended further into the unknown. The Gulf of Giant Tortoises was a place of mystery for humans of both subcontinents that bordered it. In fact, all oceans were dangerous places as it was not a natural environment suitable for humans. Some human societies might have gained some dominion over the waves on the surface but the darkness beneath was still unconquered.
"Do we keep chasing?" Gong Liyun was the first to voice their collective doubt.
"What else is down here? Keep chasing!" Huang Wuji insisted.
"Old fart, don't get carried away," Gong Liyun snapped back even as she continued to launch attacks, "You managed to rescue Su Tan in time so what does it matter anymore. The losses of the other Spirit Lords will hurt but it's not something I am willing to risk my life for. Who knows what kind of thing lives down here? If we keep going, we might be able to catch up to them for a while."
Apart from the flashes of light, the entire world had descended into darkness. Although they could navigate by spiritual sense through the water, it was still disconcerting as humans were used to seeing things around them and using their eyes as the primary sensory organ.
"Sovereign of the Seas Hai, what do you think?" Huang Wuji asked, "Is there any danger here?"
Hai Dan glanced back and him and frowned, "According to our sect's records, there have been some Spirit King Realm sea beasts over the years but they like to keep to themselves. With us causing such a ruckus, even if one of them was nearby, they would have probably chosen to swim away."
Huang Wuji looked happy and was about to say something before Hai Dan cut him off, "However, there is one more thing... the fact that this place is called the Gulf of Giant Tortoises. It had been called this for as long as anyone can remember. It goes beyond the history of the Seven Seas Sacred Palace so I do not know why this name came to be."
"Are there no giant tortoises?" Gong Liyun asked.
"No... at least none have shown up in my lifetime." Hai Dan said as she blocked another series of attacks from the shuimu, "There are plenty of folk tales among the mortals about giant tortoises that would appear from time to time and seeing one would bring a year of auspiciousness. However, my sect has never been able to verify if they are real."
This was followed by a long stretch of silence. Huang Wuji and Gong Liyun both gradually stopped their attacks. Ahead of them, the two demons had stopped fleeing and had even gone completely still.
Then, all five of them felt something at the same time.
It was a presence, a huge and unfathomable presence that felt as vast as the world.
"Grrrrrrr..." A deep growl shook the waters all around them.
It was so powerful. It was so unbelievably powerful.
"What is that?" Gong Liyun whispered.
"Shh!" Huang Wuji held up a finger to his lips, his face white with fright.
The water ahead seemed to move as one as if a huge force was creating a whirlpool. The five Spirit Kings, fighting against the current, rapidly retreated. After struggling for a while, they had only fled a short distance after expending a great amount of effort.
Then they felt it, a tremendous spiritual aura that far surpassed theirs. Instant fear struck them. The source of the spiritual aura was not a single point but the whole ocean. It was like they were facing an entire mountain instead of a single creature. They were like tiny minnows before the one true ruler of the sea.
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