Chapter 846 – The Monster
Everyone present turned pale.
Whose corpse was this?
Water Yama examined the clothing and said coldly:
"It's one of the temple keepers. There are bite marks on the body… mangled, flesh torn—looks like it was gnawed on by something…"
Before he finished speaking, a sound came from the rafters above.
"Something's up there!"
Water Yama's pupils shrank.
But even before he reacted, Mo Hua had already pulled Ouyang Feng and Hua Qianqian to safety.
Suddenly, a violent killing aura exploded from the rafters overhead.
A massive, deformed, blood-red shadow leapt down at a speed barely visible to the naked eye.
In an instant, a nauseating stench of blood and rot swept toward them.
"So fast!"
Water Yama's heart went cold. He immediately lashed out with his long whip to meet the blood shadow.
But after just a single clash, he was sent flying back.
The blood-drenched figure landed on all fours and let out a piercing roar before lunging at Water Yama again.
However, before it reached him, a deep blue sword light slashed across its body.
—Xie Liu's Gui Water Sword Qi.
It briefly slowed the blood-shadow, but only briefly. It couldn't even leave a scratch.
Golden Core cultivator Xie Liu's expression turned grim.
The attack had come too fast. Water Yama had been caught off guard. Now with a moment's breathing room, he recovered his composure.
He executed his Water Shadow Step, splitting into multiple ghostly illusions to confuse the blood-shadow monster.
At the same time, he hid among the shadows, lashing out with his Water Punishment Whip.
Xie Liu didn't dare hold back anymore. He pushed the Gui Water Sword Technique to its absolute limit—as far as his pseudo-Golden Core strength would allow.
One streak after another of watery-blue sword energy blasted toward the monster.
Meanwhile, Mo Hua stood quietly to the side, watching.
Ouyang Feng and Hua Qianqian, seeing that Mo Hua hadn't acted, also stayed alert but didn't intervene.
The battle continued. Mo Hua observed in silence.
That creature was wreathed in thick, crimson blood mist, which obscured its shape—so much so it looked like a giant mass of blood.
But Mo Hua noticed: each attack the monster made consumed some of its blood mist.
After fighting for a while at the main hall entrance, the monster's blood glow had visibly faded, and its shape began to emerge from the mist.
Mo Hua stared carefully, eyes trembling slightly.
This was… a demonic creature of unknown origin.
It was as tall as two people, with bulky, deformed limbs, crawling on all fours. Though twisted in form, it was shockingly agile.
Its face was grotesque, mouth drenched in blood—bits of human flesh still clinging to its teeth.
Its body was covered in thick greenish-blue scales, like armor.
These scales were incredibly dense and resilient.
Neither Water Yama's whip nor Xie Liu's sword qi could leave so much as a scratch.
Mo Hua was inwardly startled.
Judging by the aura, this thing was only a Second-Rank monster. But Water Yama was a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator, and Xie Liu—though currently suppressed to the same realm—was definitely above average.
Even with both of them fighting together, they couldn't even pierce the thing's scales?
"What the hell… is that thing?"
Mo Hua's expression grew solemn.
He casually threw out a couple Fireball Spells, trying to test its reaction.
But his mid-Foundation level fireballs hit the monster and vanished without a trace. Not only did they fail to burn it, the thing probably didn't even feel any heat.
The monster didn't even glance at him.
Mo Hua quietly admitted his own limits, snuffed out the flames, and resigned himself to watch from the sidelines.
The fight raged on.
Whip shadows, sword lights, and blood mist clashed.
Mo Hua calculated silently: Water Yama and Xie Liu were no match. They couldn't penetrate the monster's scales.
But the monster's claws? Every swipe left bloody wounds.
And within those wounds, Mo Hua could see inky-black miasma—clearly a mix of corruption and filth, sinister in nature.
If this kept up, the two would surely be killed.
Mo Hua began considering an escape plan.
But before he could decide on one, the monster suddenly let out a roar and—whoosh!—vanished into the rafters and melted into the shadows above.
"It ran?"
Mo Hua blinked.
Water Yama and Xie Liu, both battered and bloodied, looked visibly relieved.
But Mo Hua frowned.
He glanced at the exhausted Water Yama and Xie Liu, confused.
"If I were that monster, I would've finished the two of them off right there. Why leave mid-fight?"
Why?
Mo Hua recalled the battle and slowly reached a conclusion.
"Could it be… the blood mist around it?"
That monster likely relied on that blood mist to move and fight.
Only when enveloped in it could it prowl, stalk, and hunt cultivators.
Without the blood mist—it had to retreat.
Was the mist fueling its immense physical power?
Or maybe… it hadn't finished evolving, and still needed to rely on blood mist to survive outside?
Mo Hua pondered quietly.
Meanwhile, Xie Liu and Water Yama had already taken out pills and started healing.
Their wounds weren't critical—the biggest problem was the blood-corruption left by the monster's claws.
This corruption was mixed with human blood and other unknown filth, seeping into their wounds. If not cleansed soon, it would leave behind long-term damage.
Both men sat down to meditate and heal.
Mo Hua began quietly channeling a Fireball Spell at his fingertips.
But just as he did, Xie Liu's eyes snapped open, a fierce glare locking onto him:
"You little brat—what are you doing?"
Mo Hua casually dispersed the spell, looking innocent.
"Nothing."
Xie Liu sneered coldly:
"I'm warning you—don't try anything funny."
"Sure."
Mo Hua shrugged with a harmless look.
Xie Liu gritted his teeth but held back. Healing was the priority—he couldn't afford to let this little rascal mess with his focus.
He closed his eyes again.
Mo Hua tested a bit more and realized both men were still half-focused on watching him, so he decided to behave… for now.
But after a while, Water Yama suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.
When he opened his eyes again—they were completely blood-red.
His face was twisted with killing intent, and his eyes were filled with mad desire.
Then he slowly turned— And locked onto Hua Qianqian.
His body trembled all over— Overwhelmed by lustful cravings.
"Not good!"
Mo Hua's expression changed as he immediately pulled Hua Qianqian back a few steps.
In the next instant, Water Yama lunged forward.
Ouyang Feng raised his sword to block, but was shoved aside instantly.
Mo Hua tossed a few Fireball Spells to delay him slightly, but they barely slowed him down—Water Yama didn't care at all, charging ahead like a lust-crazed demon, straight toward Hua Qianqian.
Mo Hua's tone turned cold:
"You beast! Don't you want that box anymore?"
Water Yama's eyes were blood-red, completely unresponsive.
Mo Hua's heart sank.
That Water Prison Forbidden Casket was only important when Water Yama still had reason.
But now—after fierce battles, injuries, and corruption from the blood monster's filth—his mind was unraveling. And earlier, he'd inhaled too much of that dense mist—desire had taken root. His mental state was collapsing, and he was now fully controlled by lust.
"Forget it…"
Watching Water Yama charge again, Mo Hua muttered silently:
"This piece of trash is beyond saving…"
A flash of gold flickered in his eyes as he began mobilizing his soul—he wanted to try using the Sword of Divine Dread to directly shatter Water Yama's soul.
But just at that moment, a figure stepped in front of him—blocking both Water Yama's assault and Mo Hua's line of sight.
—It was Xie Liu.
He stood protectively in front of Mo Hua, swung his sword in reverse, and knocked Water Yama back. Then, with a second strike, he sliced open Water Yama's shoulder.
Water Yama roared in pain, his mind clearing slightly, and shouted furiously:
"Xie Liu, what the hell are you doing?!"
Xie Liu, a dignified Golden Core cultivator, was clearly annoyed at the insult. He sneered:
"What were you doing?"
Water Yama snapped:
"I couldn't hold it back—I needed a release!"
Xie Liu replied coldly:
"No."
Water Yama was livid, gritting his teeth:
"What's your problem? These three have nothing to do with you—in fact, you have grudges with them. Why stop me from venting on them?"
Xie Liu raised his sword and pointed it at him, his smirk filled with contempt:
"I've been meaning to ask—what's that box the brat mentioned?"
Water Yama stiffened. His tone weakened slightly:
"That… has nothing to do with you."
Xie Liu sneered:
"You think I'm a fool?"
Water Yama said,
"Even if I gave it to you, you wouldn't be able to use it."
Xie Liu narrowed his eyes:
"And if you don't give it to me, how would you know I can't?"
Water Yama gritted his teeth, finally saying:
"That thing isn't something you can learn."
Xie Liu's face darkened.
"You can learn it but I can't? Don't forget—you're just Foundation Establishment. I'm Golden Core. Now tell me—what is that box?"
Water Yama's face turned cold. He fell silent.
Seeing that Xie Liu couldn't get an answer, Mo Hua suddenly "acted out of kindness" and spoke up:
"It's the Water Prison Forbidden Casket."
Xie Liu blinked.
"Water Prison Forbidden Casket? What's that?"
Mo Hua replied:
"You know about the Yin Water Sect, right…"
Before he could finish, Water Yama shouted angrily:
"Brat! Shut your mouth!"
But Xie Liu sent another slash flying his way, forcing him back a few steps. He then turned toward Mo Hua with a sneer:
"Go on."
Mo Hua continued:
"The Yin Water Sect was once known as the Water Prison Sect. The Forbidden Casket was their sect-protecting treasure, a legacy artifact reserved for sect leaders only. It holds an unrivaled technique that only the successive heads of the sect could cultivate."
Xie Liu's eyes instantly turned red. His breathing grew heavy—he looked stunned.
A sect-protecting treasure… a sect leader's exclusive technique!
He had once been a sect disciple, then an inner sect instructor—he'd been one step away from becoming an inner elder.
So he knew very well how hard it was to climb the ranks in a sect… and how strict inheritance boundaries were.
A treasure like that—even if he became an elder—he'd never be allowed to touch.
Not even look at it.
But now—it was right in front of him.
Xie Liu's voice trembled:
"Where is it?"
Mo Hua glanced between Water Yama and Xie Liu, sighed, then said:
"If Water Yama hadn't tried to attack us, I would've given it to him afterward. But he went back on his word. So here's the deal: if you protect me, my senior brother, and my senior sister until we reach the shore, I'll tell you where the casket is."
Xie Liu's gaze turned dark. No one knew what he was thinking.
Mo Hua added:
"No use scheming. Kill me—I won't talk. Threaten me—I still won't. That casket is our only bargaining chip. If we hand it over now, we're dead. So until we get out safely, I can't tell you."
"You get one choice: either protect the three of us—or take the casket."
For Xie Liu, there was no choice.
The lives of these three were worth less than a single scale of that treasure.
That was the sect's legacy inheritance!
But…
He hesitated.
"How do I know you'll actually give it to me after we're out?"
Mo Hua replied indifferently:
"I stole it from Water Yama. I can't use it. Keeping it is pointless. Trading it for our lives makes sense, no? If you don't trust me, take us to one of the Tier-3 provinces. You're Golden Core, we're only Foundation Establishment—no way we could resist. We'd have to tell you."
Xie Liu frowned, running the logic through his mind. It all made sense. He finally gave a faint nod.
But Water Yama sneered:
"This brat is cunning, sly, and deceitful. Elder Xie, don't believe him, or you'll fall into his trap."
Xie Liu glanced at Water Yama and snorted:
"And you're not? He's just a snot-nosed kid under twenty. If we're talking about cunning, who could compare to you?"
Water Yama snapped:
"You have no idea who this kid is!"
"You're right—I don't," Xie Liu said coolly, "But your viciousness? I know that very well."
Water Yama couldn't take it anymore and cursed:
"Idiot!"
A flicker of killing intent appeared in Xie Liu's eyes.
"I've given you face because you've done good work for the young master and you've potential to break through. But don't forget—you're not Golden Core yet. One more insult, and I won't hold back."
Mo Hua eagerly nodded at the side:
"Exactly! Water Yama has been a big shot in Foundation Establishment for so long, he thinks the moment he forms a core he'll sweep through the world. That's why he doesn't respect Elder Xie at all."
"Maybe he acts respectful on the surface—but the moment things got tense, his true colors showed. He actually called you an 'idiot'! That's way out of line…"
Mo Hua's words flowed fast and smooth, like oil on fire.
Mo Hua spoke smoothly and sharply—his words flowed without pause.
Xie Liu looked embarrassed and annoyed, his gaze sharp as a blade fixed on Water Yama.
Water Yama cursed inwardly and quickly said,
"Elder Xie, don't let this brat sow discord between us!"
Xie Liu sneered,
"You think I need you to remind me?"
"Exactly, exactly," Mo Hua chimed in.
"Elder Xie acts with authority and wisdom—he doesn't need Water Yama running his mouth. And the fact that he's trying to talk you down now? Clearly, he still thinks you're an 'idiot.'"
Water Yama growled,
"You brat! If this isn't sowing discord, then what is?!"
Mo Hua replied righteously,
"How is it sowing discord? Am I not just telling the truth? You know what's in your own heart."
"You can't say it, so I'll say it. If I'm just stating facts, then it's not 'sowing discord,' it's 'telling it like it is.'"
"If I tell the truth and you want to silence me, that means you're the one with ill intentions—you're trying to deceive Elder Xie!"
Water Yama couldn't win the argument—he burst out furiously:
"I'll kill you!"
Before he could make a move, Xie Liu slashed his sword once more, knocking aside Water Yama's whip.
Mo Hua immediately hid behind Xie Liu and said loudly:
"Elder Xie, Water Yama's trying to kill me! He can't get the Forbidden Casket, so now he doesn't want you to have it either. Such a vile motive!"
Water Yama was gnashing his teeth in rage.
Xie Liu's gaze toward him grew colder.
Seeing no other way, Water Yama eased his tone and said:
"Elder Xie, we come from the same clan—we share some connection after all…"
"So what?" Mo Hua interrupted,
"If that's the case, why didn't you tell Elder Xie about the Forbidden Casket? Such a valuable treasure, and you wanted to keep it all to yourself? Clearly, you never had any respect for Elder Xie. And now that things aren't going your way, you're suddenly trying to act all chummy? Shame on you!"
Xie Liu's expression turned frosty.
Of course he knew Mo Hua was fanning the flames—but everything he said was true.
This Water Yama had indeed tried to keep the treasure for himself—a despicable move. Even more insulting was the fact that he hadn't mentioned a word of the Forbidden Casket in front of Xie Liu, a Golden Core cultivator, as if he didn't exist.
Had this brat not revealed it…
He would've missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Xie Liu pointed his sword at Water Yama and warned coldly:
"From now on, stay far away from these three."
At least until he got the Forbidden Casket, these three must remain unharmed.
Water Yama was heartbroken and desperate:
"Elder Xie, if you trust this brat, he'll surely poison you!"
But good advice always sounds harsh. Xie Liu didn't listen. He simply said firmly:
"Enough. I know what I'm doing. I don't need you teaching me how to act."
"Exactly, exactly!" Mo Hua nodded enthusiastically.
Water Yama was seething, but now that Xie Liu had chosen to protect Mo Hua and the others for the sake of the casket, he couldn't do anything on his own. He could only temporarily back down.
The group resumed meditating and healing for a while.
But now, with tension between Xie Liu and Water Yama, the two sat further apart, silently guarding against each other.
Mo Hua, on the other hand, moved closer to Xie Liu, wearing a smug look and glaring at Water Yama, making his blood pressure skyrocket.
But Water Yama dared not act.
On the surface, the group maintained a fragile peace.
After the short rest, Xie Liu looked toward Water Yama and said, in a calmer tone,
"We'll deal with the Forbidden Casket later. Right now, we need to figure out what the hell is going on in this temple—and just what that monster is…"
Though he was a Golden Core and had kept order in Rouge Boat Town before, he rarely came to this Dragon King Temple.
Water Yama was different—he was the one who had always delivered the "offerings" to the temple.
He knew this temple far better. If they were to hide here and avoid the Dao Court's pursuit, they still had to rely on Water Yama.
Water Yama also understood priorities. With a deep and calculating mind, he suppressed his resentment and nodded:
"Elder Xie is right…"
He looked around and frowned.
"Something drastic must've happened in this Dragon King Temple for it to be this strange. This place isn't normal—if we don't figure it out, we're in serious danger."
Xie Liu frowned.
"What about that Mister Wu? Could he have also…"
Water Yama shook his head:
"Mister Wu is blessed by the Divine Lord and has great power. I don't think he'd be taken down so easily…"
Xie Liu glanced toward the main hall.
"Is this Mister Wu's room?"
Water Yama nodded.
Xie Liu said,
"Then let's go in and take a look. Maybe we'll find some clues."
Water Yama hesitated, visibly wary.
"Mister Wu is strange and temperamental. No one is ever allowed in his room. If we barge in, he might punish us later."
"The situation is urgent. We can't worry about that now," Xie Liu replied.
Water Yama thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Very well."
Better anger Mister Wu than die at the hands of an unknown monster.
Xie Liu and the others had already fought that creature once—they knew its terrifying power. It was cloaked in blood mist, covered in hard scales and sharp claws, its limbs twisted and unnatural.
And without knowing what they were facing, there was no chance of escape.
The group approached the doors of the main hall.
Water Yama hesitated a little longer, then finally reached out his hand and slowly pushed open Mister Wu's door, the hinges creaking ominously.
A strong stench of blood rushed out to greet them…
(End of this Chapter)