[Achievement Unlocked: Going Straight Down!]
[Acquired Achievement Points: 10]
Fu Zhu gazed at Phantylia, who was still ensnared by those souls, a hint of bewilderment on his face.
Regarding Soul Sand, MC hadn't offered much in the way of explanation. The only useful clues were its name and the eerie, spectral visual effect coupled with the slowing debuff one experienced when traversing it within the game.
Judging by Phantylia's current violent reaction, the souls seemed to possess an innate, natural restraining effect against Suiyang—soul-based entities like herself. Moreover, the effect was intensely potent; even a formidable Emanator-level powerhouse like Phantylia was significantly debilitated.
Once this realization dawned on him, Fu Zhu couldn't suppress a grin.
He had initially braced himself for a grueling battle upon entering the Nether, already steeled for the arduous undertaking of destroying the Nether Portal.
As it transpired, he didn't even need to lift a finger; Phantylia was already effectively neutralized by the terrain itself.
Fu Zhu offered Phantylia a mock salute, then turned towards the Nether Portal, whipped out his pickaxe, and commenced digging.
The moment Phantylia saw Fu Zhu actually beginning to dismantle the portal, she was thrown into an instant panic.
She couldn't care less if Fu Zhu had no intention of returning, but she desperately, unequivocally needed to go back!
As long as she could pass through that portal, even if Jing Yuan and his Divine Lord awaited her on the other side, she possessed numerous methods of escape. But in this utterly alien world, she couldn't even sense the Path of [Destruction]. It was as if this dimension was entirely beyond the reach of [Destruction]!
"Fu Zhu, stop!"
Amidst Phantylia's heart-wrenching "pleas," Fu Zhu, employing Vein Miner, meticulously chiseled out every single obsidian block that constituted the Nether Portal and unceremoniously stuffed them into his inventory, leaving her without a solitary sliver of hope.
After successfully demolishing the Nether Portal, Fu Zhu didn't hasten his departure. Instead, he resolved to explore the vicinity.
After all, since he was already here, he couldn't just swan dive into lava and respawn without taking anything of value, could he? That would be a colossal, lamentable waste!
It would be even more splendid if he could snag the [Hot Tourist Destinations] achievement along the way.
In MC, Hot Tourist Destinations was a purple-tier achievement. Converted, that would likely grant a handsome sum of at least 20 achievement points.
"Phantylia, I do hope you enjoy this quaint little garden I've prepared especially for your… extended stay."
Fu Zhu, grinning cheerfully, uttered these words, then began pillaring upwards with blocks and sprinted towards the outskirts of the Soul Sand Valley.
Seeing him about to depart, Phantylia's panic escalated to a fever pitch. The return portal had been ruthlessly dismantled by Fu Zhu; her sole, dwindling hope of returning lay squarely with him. She absolutely, under no circumstances, could allow him to get away!
…
After progressing for several minutes, Fu Zhu finally emerged from the confines of the Soul Sand Valley. Adjoining this valley was a Crimson Forest, within which he even spotted a scattering of Zombified Pigmen and Piglins.
The very instant he laid eyes on a Piglin, Fu Zhu immediately delved into his inventory to inspect its contents. Fortunately, he had foresightedly gathered some gold previously. This presented the perfect opportunity to unlock a Piglin-related achievement.
Fu Zhu retrieved the gold from his inventory and cautiously approached the Piglin. Before he could draw near, the Piglin abruptly spun around, deftly drew its crossbow, took aim at Fu Zhu, and let loose an arrow.
Fu Zhu, momentarily overcome with excitement at the long-awaited sight of a Piglin, failed to raise his shield in time and took an arrow squarely to the chest. Thankfully, the armor he wore wasn't merely for show; it was enchanted with Protection IV. A mere arrow from an ordinary Piglin posed no significant threat to him.
Unless a hulking Piglin Brute decided to make an appearance, he could essentially gallivant through the Nether unhindered!
"Shoo, shoo, don't you shoot me! Here's some gold for you, go play with it on the side!"
Fu Zhu casually tossed a piece of gold onto the Netherrack. The Piglin, which had been aggressively aiming its crossbow at him just moments before, immediately lowered its weapon upon spotting the precious metal and scurried eagerly towards it.
Fu Zhu, however, had learned his lesson. While patiently waiting to complete the [Oh Shiny] achievement, he prudently equipped his shield.
After all, in MC, these accursed Piglins were notorious for their ability to fixate intently on gold while simultaneously, and treacherously, turning their heads to loose an arrow at you. Even if he was clad head-to-toe in full Protection IV gear, getting shot would still sting!
And just as that Piglin was mere moments from snatching up the gleaming gold, a sudden, explosive shout erupted from behind Fu Zhu.
"Get lost!"
Phantylia, racing at full tilt towards Fu Zhu's position, conjured a searing fire lotus in her palm and hurled it directly towards him.
"Phantylia?"
Fu Zhu turned his head to see Phantylia, a flicker of genuine surprise in his eyes. He hadn't anticipated this woman possessing such tenacity, to be capable of pursuing him even in her currently debilitated state.
But for her to audibly announce a sneak attack in such a fashion… did she still somehow fancy herself at the zenith of her power?
Fu Zhu raised the shield clutched in his hand, preparing to block the incoming fire lotus and subsequently administer a small, but firm, lesson to Phantylia—at the very least, to prevent her from further disrupting his sacred achievement hunting.
The next second, however, the fire lotus whizzed past Fu Zhu, slamming directly into the unsuspecting Piglin that was scrambling for the gold just behind him.
The fire lotus detonated with violent force upon impact with the Piglin, blasting a gaping crater in the Netherrack. Flames instantly and hungrily engulfed the surroundings.
Fu Zhu froze, utterly dumbfounded. He risked a glance back. Amidst the raging inferno, only a solitary crossbow lay forlornly on the ground. The Piglin had vanished without a trace, and even the precious piece of gold Fu Zhu had tossed was mercilessly incinerated by the blaze.
Phantylia heaved a palpable sigh of relief, having, in her mind, successfully protected Fu Zhu from the clutches of that unknown, pig-headed monstrosity.
Only a moment ago, she had been meticulously tracking Fu Zhu. She had barely managed to locate him when she witnessed an arrow, loosed by that grotesque pig-headed creature, strike Fu Zhu squarely in the chest—a sight that had instantly drained all color from her face.
Fu Zhu was the sole individual who knew the way back to their original world. If he perished here, wouldn't she be irrevocably condemned to an eternity trapped within this crimson, hellish landscape?!
Thus, she had intervened. No matter how deeply reluctant she felt, she could not, would not, allow Fu Zhu to die before he revealed the path home!
After her sigh of relief, Phantylia observed Fu Zhu still standing there, utterly stupefied, and couldn't resist a derisive chuckle.
"Ant, cat got your tongue? Where's that impressive bravado you displayed when you faced me down all alone?"
Fu Zhu's facial muscles twitched violently. His entire body quivered slightly. Gritting his teeth with audible force, he spun around and unleashed a torrent of unadulterated abuse directly at Phantylia.
"RNM! How dare you kill my Piglin! And my gold! Do you have any blasted idea what the spot price of gold is these days, you damn woman!"
Stunned into silence by Fu Zhu's completely unprovoked and vitriolic tirade, Phantylia was momentarily speechless.
What in the blazes did he mean, his Piglin? If it was truly his, why would it have shot an arrow at him? And that paltry, insignificant gold ingot...
For a mere, worthless gold ingot, he dared to insult her, a Lord of Annihilation, an Emanator of Destruction?!
Phantylia's entire being trembled with incandescent fury. She pointed a shaking, accusatory finger at Fu Zhu, her voice choked with indignation, "Insolence! Utter insolence! I just saved your worthless life, and this is how you repay my benevolence? I am a Lord of Annihilation!"
Fu Zhu contemptuously flashed Phantylia the universally recognized interstellar gesture of goodwill.
"Save me? You were actively trying to murder me not even a full hour ago! Besides, the very moment you puff out your chest and introduce yourself as a 'Lord of Annihilation,' your entire perceived standing plummets into the abyss!"
Phantylia felt a constricting tightness in her chest, as if she were suffocating with unvented rage. She raised her hand, itching to deliver a resounding slap across Fu Zhu's face and forcefully remind him of an Emanator's inviolable dignity!
Yet, the nagging, unwelcome thought that she still desperately needed Fu Zhu's assistance to escape this forsaken, accursed place managed to stay her hand. She could only redirect the full force of her simmering fury towards a nearby Zombified Piglin that had been idly, and foolishly, watching the unfolding spectacle.
"What are you looking at, you disgusting, filth-ridden creature!"
Phantylia flung a fire lotus with vicious intent at the Zombified Piglin. The lotus exploded, sending the unfortunate Zombified Piglin hurtling through the air before it crashed down from a considerable height, quite dead.
"Oho."
Witnessing this display, Fu Zhu couldn't suppress an amused smirk.
Phantylia attacked the Zombified Piglin, that was fine. But the fact that she didn't manage to one-shot it? Now that was particularly interesting!
Phantylia noticed Fu Zhu's playfully mocking expression and immediately misinterpreted it as silent scorn for her apparent inability to instantly vaporize a mere, insignificant monster. She promptly retorted, her voice tinged with undisguised displeasure.
"Hmph! If I hadn't been subjected to your repeated, cowardly ambushes, a creature of this pathetic caliber, I could obliterate with a casual, dismissive wave of my hand!"
"Oh? Is that so? Pray, do begin your grand performance."
Fu Zhu made an inviting, almost theatrical gesture with his hand. At first, Phantylia didn't entirely grasp his meaning, but in the very next instant, her eyes widened as she saw Zombified Piglins converging on their position from every conceivable direction.
Phantylia, however, remained utterly unfazed by this development, even letting out a soft, disdainful snort.
"Is this all you can muster?"
She then launched another searing red lotus, instantly eradicating the dozen or so Zombified Piglins that had been foolishly milling about her feet. Yet, despite this display of power, a relentless, seemingly unending tide of Zombified Piglins continued to swarm in from all sides.
"Hmm?"
This unexpected persistence caused Phantylia to frown, not out of any discernible fear of these grotesque creatures, but rather because they were suicidally brave and appeared to be infinite in their numbers.
Within the confines of the Nether, her formidable powers could not be replenished. Furthermore, she had already expended a significant, and frankly alarming, amount of her precious energy merely breaking free from the insidious grip of the Soul Sand. If she were to further deplete her dwindling reserves by battling these endlessly spawning monsters, she might genuinely lose her ability to casually dominate and control Fu Zhu later on.
She had to annihilate these bothersome creatures all at once, decisively!
Phantylia waited, allowing their numbers to swell. Once nearly a hundred Zombified Piglins had congregated foolishly at her feet, she unleashed another devastating fire lotus, wiping them from existence.
However, the very next second, to her utter disbelief, more Zombified Piglins materialized out of nowhere a short distance away.
"What?!"
Phantylia was aghast, truly stunned by this inexplicable development. She had been carefully, intently observing where these Zombified Piglins were originating from.
Her initial, logical plan had been to locate the monsters' primary nest or spawner and eradicate them all in one fell swoop, thereby saving herself further trouble and conserving her energy.
To her profound dismay and growing frustration, she saw these creatures seemingly materialize out of thin air! There wasn't the faintest, almost imperceptible trace of teleportation, no shimmering portals or dimensional rifts; it was as if they were spontaneously, and continuously, coming into existence from nothingness.
Fu Zhu stood casually by, arms crossed, a cold, knowing smirk playing on his lips.
"Allow me to graciously, and perhaps mercifully, inform you: these Zombified Piglins… even if you were to stand here and slaughter them for tens of thousands of Amber Ages, you would never, ever succeed in completely wiping them out. Mark my words, even if every single Aeon in the vast, indifferent cosmos were to perish and fade into oblivion, these humble creatures would still never face true extinction."
"Impossible! Utterly impossible!"
Phantylia instantly, vehemently refuted Fu Zhu's outrageous claim.
The sheer, unimaginable might of an Aeon? She, Phantylia, was exceptionally, perhaps uniquely, well-qualified to speak on that particular subject!
And now this insignificant whelp, Fu Zhu, was spouting such utter, contemptible drivel, brazenly claiming that even if all Aeons met their calamitous doom, these lowly, repulsive creatures would somehow persist? How could that possibly, remotely be true!
An Aeon could extinguish an entire star system with a mere, almost disdainful, flick of their finger, let alone this diminutive, insignificant "world" of the Nether!
Fu Zhu merely shrugged, a picture of nonchalant indifference. Phantylia was, after all, an enemy. Deigning to explain the situation to her even once was, in his estimation, an act of profound and perhaps unwarranted kindness on his part. Whether she chose to believe him or not was hardly his concern, nor did it affect the reality of her predicament.
"Believe it or not, as you wish. Regardless, I sincerely hope you and these charming Zombified Piglins have a delightful, extended holiday together. As for me, I'll be taking my leave. See ya around... or not~"
With those flippant parting words, Fu Zhu turned on his heel and bolted, giving Phantylia absolutely no opportunity to utter another word in response.
"Wait! Hold on a second, you insufferable…! Damn it, don't you dare run off!"