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Chapter 466 The Truth About Kuafu Chasing the Sun, The Final Battle is Coming!

Zhulong ignored Fang Qingyu's surprise.

She walked slowly to Kuafu and Fang Qingyu, her eyes, which seemed to hold the flow of stars and the ebb and flow of light, carrying a hint of scrutiny.

First, he swept over Kuafu, who stood like a giant mountain, his muscles taut and full of vigilance.

His gaze then fell on Fang Qingyu.

She tilted her head slightly, seemingly finding the large and small pair in front of her somewhat interesting, before speaking softly, her tone carrying a subtle hint of amusement:

"Are you just going to stupidly rush over there like this?"

Hear this.

A hint of confusion appeared in Kuafu's wary eyes.

Its enormous head lowered slightly, and its eyes, like those of a lava lake, blinked in confusion.

He naturally knew Zhulong.

This ancient deity who governs the order of day and night.

His fame was renowned throughout the primordial world.

However, he did not understand why Zhulong had appeared in the depths of the Mirage Dragon Swamp, which was designated as a forbidden area, nor did he understand why she had stopped them.

Whether they are friend or foe remains to be seen.

That's why he just now showed a fully alert posture.

However, the meaning behind Zhulong's words is...

He could understand the literal meaning, but not the deeper meaning.

"Lord Zhulong, what do you mean by that?"

Kuafu's muffled, thunderous voice echoed in the darkness, carrying a cautious inquiry.

"Could it be that there is some extremely terrifying entity blocking our path ahead?!"

He subconsciously thought so.

There was some immense danger lurking ahead that even he couldn't perceive.

So much so that Zhulong made a special appearance to remind him.

Fang Qingyu, standing beside him, lost his last trace of doubt when he noticed the completely unfamiliar look in Zhulong's eyes.

In an instant, he could distinguish the Zhulong before him, whose temperament was more vibrant and even a little mischievous, from the aloof and noble Zhulong in the real world, who occasionally revealed complex emotions.

He suppressed the turmoil in his heart, met Zhulong's scrutinizing gaze, and asked in a calm and soft voice, "I wonder what Lord Zhulong means by that? Please enlighten me."

Upon hearing Fang Qingyu's question.

The young Zhulong focused his gaze entirely on him.

A hint of surprise flashed in those beautiful eyes, then, as if she had discovered something interesting, she opened them slightly with curiosity: "Huh? You know me?"

Fang Qingyu was taken aback, though he didn't understand how Zhulong had figured it out.

But his mind raced, and he felt that there was no point in hiding it at this moment.

So he nodded calmly:

"In reality, I am your believer."

Upon hearing this, Kuafu couldn't help but turn his head sharply.

With undisguised astonishment in his eyes, he looked at Fang Qingyu on his shoulder, as if re-examining this gentleman chosen by the prophecy of the High Ancestor.

Even the young Zhulong himself showed a clear look of disbelief on his beautiful face.

She looked Fang Qingyu up and down, as if trying to find something interesting about him.

Then, she couldn't help but burst out laughing, her laughter filled with a breathtaking brightness and vitality.

This was completely different from her later aloof demeanor.

"Are you sure?" she laughed, her tone full of curiosity. "Are you sure the future me will have followers? That's not like me at all."

Fang Qingyu listened to this somewhat self-deprecating remark and did not offer any further explanation.

With a slight thought, he silently mobilized the primal forces of light and darkness within his body.

Although faint, it was still perceptible to beings like Zhulong.

Yet it was as clearly visible as a firefly in the dark.

This aura originates from the same source as hers.

Yet it also bears the unique mark of Fang Qingyu himself.

This is proof of the intertwined power that may arise from the deep resonance between the divine and the devout believer.

Upon seeing this, Zhulong's smile faded somewhat.

Instead, a genuine sense of surprise prevailed.

Her figure flashed, and in the next instant, she appeared in front of Fang Qingyu without warning, so close that they could almost feel each other's breath.

She leaned down slightly, her eyes, capable of reflecting light and shadow, curiously scrutinizing Fang Qingyu's face almost touching his, making sounds of amazement.

"I never imagined I'd one day accept a believer?"

"And it seems you're quite special, little one."

Kuafu, watching the sudden closeness of the distance, scratched his head, his massive head seemingly unable to process what was happening, his rugged face showing a somewhat blank expression.

After hearing Fang Qingyu personally admit that he had resonated with the power of the Candle Dragon, he was deeply moved.

His wariness of Zhulong vanished instantly.

Since this is the god you worship in the real world, he is naturally a trustworthy ally here as well.

Fang Qingyu was being scrutinized so closely and without any attempt to hide it by this younger version of Zhulong, and he could even smell a faint, cool fragrance emanating from him.

A helpless, bitter smile crept onto his lips.

He realized that the young Zhulong was much more lively and unrestrained than the aloof goddess in the real world. She seemed completely carefree and curious about everything, a stark contrast to her later image of someone who had seen through the vicissitudes of time and was emotionally reserved.

But now time is tight and the task is arduous.

There really wasn't much time to waste here exchanging pleasantries or satisfying her curiosity.

So Zhulong looked him over with great interest.

Fang Qingyu took the initiative to speak, steer the conversation back on track:
"When you said we planned to go like this, what exactly were we referring to ahead?"

Zhulong listened and finally withdrew his scrutinizing gaze.

A hint of seriousness returned to her stunningly beautiful face.

But her tone still carried that characteristic calmness mixed with a touch of languor:
“The Buddhists have already set up eighty-one tribulations ahead of you. If the two of you are so foolish as to rush over them, you will likely die.”

Upon hearing the word "Buddhism," Kuafu's enormous eyes instantly widened in anger.

A surge of boundless rage, accompanied by scorching blood, erupted, dispelling some of the surrounding darkness. He let out a deep roar:

"Buddhist bastards dare to come here?! What are they trying to do?!"

Hearing Kuafu's almost instinctive roar, Zhulong couldn't hold back.

She rolled her eyes at him and said irritably:

"Why can't they come? Even those Taoists, and those old fogies hiding in the corners, have come because they smelled it. Do you think those Buddhist guys who keep saying they have a connection with this thing will be absent? Dream on!"

Hearing Zhulong's merciless retort.

Kuafu instinctively wanted to stick his neck out and retort with something, such as smashing their bald heads if they dared to come.

But when he thought of the immense power of Buddhism in this world...

Thinking of the terrifying strength of those sect leaders, especially the one that even the High Ancestor mentioned needed to be treated with caution.
The words that were on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back down.

He could only let out a few muffled breaths in frustration.

His huge fist clenched so tightly it cracked.

Although he was impulsive and straightforward, he was not entirely ignorant.

Buddhism's influence in this world is now at its zenith.

It is in no way inferior to the deeply rooted Taoism.

Even at this particular juncture, thanks to its unique doctrines and methods, its influence and strength are subtly more powerful than Taoism.

On the other side, Fang Qingyu was stunned when he heard the number eighty-one tribulations, and his expression became extremely strange.

Goodness, this script.
I couldn't have done it unintentionally.

He's become the prototype for the Monkey King, hasn't he?

Journey to the West
No, it's the path to acquiring the inheritance, a journey fraught with eighty-one tribulations?
This is so relatable.

Zhulong, standing nearby, seemed to keenly notice the mixture of absurdity and understanding on Fang Qingyu's face. A hint of amusement flashed in her eyes, and then, as if understanding something, she smiled, waved her hand, and explained:

"Don't overthink it, little one. These eighty-one tribulations are just a metaphor I use. Nowadays, people often use this phrase to describe how one needs to go through many hardships to succeed, making it easier to understand."

Upon hearing this explanation, Fang Qingyu's expression became even more interesting.

I couldn't help but smile bitterly again.

Wow. It turns out that the culture in this world is quite trendy.

Has even this kind of allusion become so widespread and widely used?
It seems that myths and legends and folk culture have influenced each other.

It happened much earlier and more deeply than we imagined.

Zhulong looked at Fang Qingyu's bewildered expression and seemed to find it quite amusing.

She walked over to Fang Qingyu and naturally reached out to pat him on the shoulder.

The way she performed this action carried a sense of casualness that was completely different from that of later generations.

Then he said:

"But you don't need to worry. Since you're my little brother outside and someone I protect, I'll naturally protect you here as well."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over Fang Qingyu again, a mixture of scrutiny and certainty in her eyes. "I trust the judgment of my true self. Although I don't know what my future self experienced, since she accepted you as a believer and even allowed you to absorb such pure primordial energy, it means you little guy definitely have some extraordinary abilities and are worth investing in." "So, just follow me later. I know a relatively safe... well, at least one that avoids most of the boring traps and minions."

Hearing this promise, so different from the real-world Zhulong's style yet equally reassuring, and looking at the vibrant, lively young Zhulong before him, imbued with a touch of chivalry and generosity, Fang Qingyu couldn't help but smile and nod, saying:
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Lord Zhulong."

Zhulong listened, a look of satisfaction on his face, and gave a soft "hmm".

He then turned to Kuafu beside him and said in a commanding tone:

“Big guy, stop standing there. Keep running with him, stay close to me. Remember, no matter what you see or hear, unless I tell you to stop, just keep your head down and run with me, understand?”

Upon hearing this, Kuafu's face immediately lit up with joy.

With this Lord Zhulong leading the way, safety will undoubtedly be greatly increased.

He nodded vigorously and assured them in a deep voice, "Yes, Lord Zhulong! I will definitely follow you closely!"

Seeing this, Zhulong said no more.

He simply waved casually.

As she gently waved her jade-like hand, the dense, impenetrable darkness around her receded rapidly like a tide, obediently parting the path as if it possessed a life of its own.

In the blink of an eye, the true scene beneath this cliff was revealed.

It was not the jagged rocks or deep cliffs one might imagine.

Instead, it was a strange woodland with vibrant colors, teeming with countless giant, glowing fungi and twisted vines, and the air was filled with a complex odor that was a mixture of sweetness and decay.

"gone."

Zhulong spoke softly, and then her figure in black robes and dark hair suddenly lit up.

It radiates an incomparably pure, gentle light that seems to illuminate all the fog in the world.

With a swift movement, she transformed into a streak of light.

Like a bright moon rising in the dark night.

They flew towards a certain direction in this strange forest.

Seeing this, Kuafu dared not delay and immediately stretched out his giant hand, as large as a mountain, towards Fang Qingyu.

Fang Qingyu understood and gracefully took flight.

It landed steadily on Kuafu's broad, plain-like shoulders.

"Sir, please hold on tight!"

Kuafu let out a low roar, and his huge foot slammed into the ground, unleashing terrifying power that crushed a large patch of glowing fungi beneath him.

Its massive body launched like an arrow released from a bow.

They chased after the streak of light in the sky that resembled a guiding lighthouse.

Fang Qingyu stood on Kuafu's shoulder, feeling the wind whistling past his ears, looking at the light in front of him that seemed to be an eternal guide, and the primordial giant beneath him who was running wildly for his mission.

I couldn't help but sigh softly to myself.

A complex and indescribable emotion welled up within me.

He wondered if the legend of Kuafu chasing the sun and dying from exhaustion originated from him.

They still held onto a sliver of hope.

After all, during the previous three months of desperate escape, Kuafu had been running in the direction of the swamp.

However, it doesn't always strictly follow the sun's trajectory.

And now.
Looking ahead at the beam of light transformed from the Candle Dragon, radiating light and heat like the bright moon and the sun, guiding the way, and at the figure of Kuafu beneath him, giving his all.

Fang Qingyu finally understood.

The stories that have been passed down to later generations may have originated from oral traditions passed down by some ancestors who witnessed fragments of the scene.

The image of this giant who chased the sun, and his relationship with the light, evolved into the tragic myth of "Kuafu chasing the sun".

In the eyes of ordinary people, the simplified story is...

The giant Kuafu, in his pursuit of the sun in the sky, eventually died of exhaustion.

The truth of history is often hidden in these seemingly absurd fragments of myths that have been distorted by the passage of time.

……

On the other side, the Great Wall at sea.

Three months have passed since Lord Zhulong took the initiative to rush into the Heavenly Rift.

The bloodstains on the sea surface had long been washed away by the ocean currents.

The damaged warships were repaired or replaced.

Most of the soldiers' wounds had healed and scabbed over.

On the surface, the battlefield has returned to its former order and tranquility.

In the major cities behind the border, the victory propaganda about that battle and the heroic deeds of Lord Zhulong in sealing the powerful enemy, after being carefully edited and embellished by the Federation's propaganda department, greatly boosted the morale of the people.

Even now, excited discussions and expressions of reverence for Lord Zhulong can still be heard on the streets and alleys.

However, beneath this seemingly thriving and spirited atmosphere...

Those at the very heart of the war effort could clearly feel an increasingly tense and almost suffocating sense of oppression quietly spreading.

On this day, in the Dragon's Backbone area of ​​the Great Wall at Sea.

The circular conference hall, which could hold thousands of people and was only used for major events, was packed to capacity.

A solemn atmosphere permeated every corner.

Major generals from various war zones, senior officials from the Federal Headquarters, and representatives from various important forces gathered together, each with an unyielding solemnity on their face.

I sat in a relatively forward seat in the venue.

Xiao Jiu, Wei Banmeng, and other leaders from the Unjust City and the A7 war zone were prominently featured.

All eyes were focused on the podium.

Even Chu Kuanglan, who is usually the most carefree, was now tightly pursing his lips.

A lingering worry hung between his brows.

As one of the defense zones that has been most frequently attacked and engaged in the most intense fighting, the A7 war zone is most acutely aware of the recent unusual movements of the Ghosts.

The person standing on the platform at this moment was not the highly respected Mr. Hong Qitian.

Instead, it was his son, General Hong Qitian, who also held a high position in the Federation.

At this moment, a complex sea map and a dense stream of data are displayed on the screen behind Hong Qitian.

His gaze swept over the silent crowd below the stage.

There were no unnecessary pleasantries or opening remarks; they went straight to the point.

The sound echoed in every corner of the venue.

"Gentlemen, based on the relentless investigation and analysis conducted by our intelligence department and various frontline units over the past three months, we have some information to share with you."

He paused, seemingly giving everyone time to prepare mentally.

Then he said, word by word:

"According to incomplete statistics, the number of the Ghost Army that has been assembled on the Bone Continent and its surrounding seas and is ready to be deployed for combat at any time has reached about 130 million units."

"And this number is still growing at a considerable rate every day."

"One hundred and thirty million?!"

Although everyone present had experienced countless trials and tribulations and possessed a strong will.

But upon hearing this astronomical figure, a collective gasp inevitably rippled through the hall.

Many people's faces instantly lost their color.

The pupils suddenly contracted.

Even Xiao Jiu, Wei Banmeng, and the others unconsciously clenched their hands on their knees, their knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

One hundred and thirty million!

What a terrifying concept this is.

It should be noted that after more than two years of brutal warfare, the human race estimated that the total strength of the Ghosts should be at a relatively stable level, or even slightly reduced.

However, reality dealt them a heavy blow.

Despite their recent daily clashes with the army of Fate Demons, where they have been slaying large numbers of them every day, the enemy's total numbers have not decreased but have instead snowballed to such a despairing degree!
What does it mean behind this?
This signifies the reproductive ability of the Ghost Clan.

It far exceeded their previous boldest estimate.

After dropping this bombshell news that was enough to crush anyone, Hong Qitian...

The audience was given a few dozen seconds to process the news.

He looked at each face, his expression blank.

The commotion and whispers in the hall gradually subsided.

He spoke again, his voice still steady, but carrying a resolute quality, as if it were a final judgment:
"There's one more thing, and I hope everyone is mentally prepared."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room felt a sudden jolt of fear and held their breath.

Countless eyes were focused on Hong Qitian's face.

Hong Qitian's gaze slowly swept across the entire room.

It was as if they wanted to imprint every expression on everyone's face in their minds.

"Based on all current intelligence, what the Ghosts are doing is an unprecedented troop buildup and mobilization, far exceeding any previous period. Their strategic intent is no longer simply to harass, deplete, or seize a certain war zone."

"Supreme Command's judgment"

"Our final battle against the Ghost of Fate is about to begin."

"It won't be long."

(End of this chapter)