Ch. 1273 - Ocean-Faring Fishing Village

At first, the leaf seemed ordinary, fragile and insignificant in the vast emptiness. But as time passed, the aura of life upon it grew stronger and stronger.

A green glow pulsed gently, and the entire leaf began to throb like a living heart, thump, thump, thump.

Gradually, the leaf drifted into the Godfiend Abyss Heaven, descending slowly from the void above.

The Godfiend Abyss Heaven, a world ruled by Ancient Demons. Yet among the Nine Heavens, the demons of this realm held little prestige. Some claimed they were merely remnants left behind at the end of the ancient wars.

Though demons governed this world, they did not impose their will upon it. Instead, they turned a blind eye, allowing the native races to evolve freely.

Over countless years, humans had become the most numerous inhabitants of this realm.

Dragon God Imperium, Sun-Sword County, Ocean-Faring Fishing Village.

Morning light poured from the horizon, and after many days of rain, the long-lost sun finally returned, scattering soft golden warmth upon the earth.

The air was crisp and cool. The sky, now clear and blue, stretched endlessly overhead.

At the village shore, the tomboyish Wu Zhaodi carried a basket of laundry. A few older women from the village joined her to wash clothes by the sea.

The water was crystal-clear, stretching as far as the eye could see.

After finding good spots, the women began scrubbing clothes against washboards, chatting idly as they worked. Wu Zhaodi was in no rush.

She removed the leather tie from her wrist, gathering her long, dark hair into a simple ponytail before starting to wash.

“Zhaodi,” one of the women teased, “I heard the Prefect’s son from Sun-Sword has taken a fancy to you. Why didn’t you agree to him?”

“Yes,” another chimed in, “if I could marry into a noble family, I’d live in comfort for the rest of my life. If I were twenty years younger, I wouldn’t let that chance slip by!”

“Then let your daughter try,” Wu Zhaodi laughed. “I hear she’s about the right age.”

“I’d like to,” the woman huffed sourly, “but that young master wouldn’t even glance at us commoners.”

Wu Zhaodi only smiled faintly and said nothing more.

She wasn’t originally from Ocean-Faring Village. She had settled there six months ago, and her ties with the locals remained distant.

After finishing the laundry, she carried her basket, but instead of going home, she walked eastward, toward the far edge of the village.

Willow branches swayed in the sea breeze, and the scent of spring filled the air.

Her long hair fluttered behind her, her pale face framed against the black strands, a striking contrast.

Ahead lay the fishing area of the village.

The fish there were small and boneless, not fit for sale, only for those who fished to pass the time.

At the shore sat an old man, utterly still, like a statue carved from stone.

He held a fishing rod in one hand, unmoving, gazing out at the sea with serene composure, as if he had been there since time immemorial.

“Grandpa Wang!” Wu Zhaodi crept up behind him and suddenly shouted.

The old man only chuckled, flicking his wrist, and a golden, boneless fish flew from the water, hooked cleanly on the line.

“Tch! I didn’t even startle you!” Wu Zhaodi said in mock frustration.

“What is it? Here to steal fish again?” the old man asked kindly.

“How can you call it stealing? I’m just taking them, fair and square,” she protested with mock indignation.

“I heard that young master from Sun-Sword came looking for you again?” the old man asked, smiling.

“Don’t mention him. That guy’s like a stray dog, can’t kill him, can’t drive him off,” she sighed helplessly.

“Though Sun-Sword County is small, its ruling family has long ties with the Celestial Luan God Realm,” the old man said with a knowing smile. “It wouldn’t hurt to befriend them.”

At those words, Celestial Luan God Realm, the smile on Wu Zhaodi’s face disappeared.

“Any news from there?” she asked quietly.

“The God Realm has a new Realm Lord,” the old man replied. “That Desolate Sovereign’s methods are extraordinary. He has already brought most of the factions under control. It’s only a matter of time before things settle completely.”

Wu Zhaodi clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.

“Restrain yourself,” the old man said gently. “You have no connection to Celestial Luan anymore.”

“I know.” She exhaled slowly, though hatred still flickered in her eyes.

“Who’s there?” she said suddenly, her gaze snapping toward the far side of the coast.

Drifting along the calm waters came a single leaf, four or five meters long, and upon it lay a man, unconscious.

He wore a black robe darker than ink. His features were chiseled, his long hair flowing loosely in the sea breeze.

His eyes were closed; he looked as though he were merely asleep.

The old man lifted a hand, and with a soft wave, the man floated gently ashore, separating from the leaf.

“This channel leads directly to Dragon God City,” the old man murmured in surprise. “How could anyone have crossed the open sea alive? The center waters of the Ocean-Faring Sea are perilous beyond measure.”

“How is he?” Wu Zhaodi asked.

“He’s fine. Just unconscious,” the old man said after a brief examination. Then he added coldly, “Kill him. We don’t know where he’s from.”

“No. Keep him alive,” Wu Zhaodi said after a moment’s hesitation.

The old man gave her a curious look. “Do you realize what kind of position you’re in right now?”

“I didn’t say I’d shelter him,” she replied. “We can just leave him here in the village.”

“You’re just like your parents,” the old man sighed. “You’ll never be ruthless enough. That’s your greatest flaw.”

Wu Zhaodi smiled faintly. “I only kill those who deserve it. The innocent have nothing to do with me.”

“Very well. Do as you wish,” the old man said, rising to his feet and collecting his fishing rod. “If anything happens with the God Realm, I’ll let you know.”

As his figure disappeared down the path, Wu Zhaodi looked at the half-filled fish bucket beside her, then at the unconscious man lying nearby.

It was thanks to the God Tree’s Blessing that Xu Zimo had survived.

From the moment he inherited Jumang’s legacy, he had been planning this feigned death.

For now, his strength was limited, too many enemies were watching him, and head-on confrontation would only bring ruin.

So Xu Zimo had staged his own death, dragging the Abyssal Tyrant with him into oblivion, to vanish for a time.

But the God Tree’s Blessing, while it revived him, also left him powerless for a while.

Now, as his consciousness returned, he felt energy stirring once again within his body. His limbs began to respond.

He opened his eyes slowly, and the aroma of grilled fish filled his nose.

“You’re awake,” a voice said.

Under the star-filled night sky, Wu Zhaodi sat beside a small fire.

Flames danced brightly, and several golden, boneless fish hung over them, sizzling as they cooked.

Xu Zimo sat up quietly. He didn’t speak. Instead, his awareness turned inward, back toward the God World.

There, Paimon and the others immediately came forward to greet him.

Comments