Chapter Thirty-Three: Encountering an Old Foe on the Snowy Mountain

Burial Nether Valley, an ancient forbidden ground, guarded by the gods—so the legends say. It is whispered that a white serpent was born here, that life is repelled, the land shrouded in perpetual snowstorms, with human presence a rare anomaly. Some have claimed to witness a celestial gate manifesting above the valley, a hundred stars encircling it, Heavenly Palaces parading across the sky. Those who draw near are met with quaking mountains and sudden avalanches, a terror that has led the local Tibetans to call it the dwelling of the gods.

A day later, Luo Longyu and Luo Mengxuan arrived in Tibet. Compared to the raging fires of war inland, Tibet remained relatively peaceful. The nation had established numerous shelters here, relocating civilians affected by the war to safety.

Pressured by Luo Longyu, even the mischievous Luo Mengxuan had to restrain herself, following him directly toward the Himalayas.

After several changes of transport, Luo Longyu, accompanied by Mu Yimian, climbed the Himalayas. Luo Mengxuan led the way, braving the wind and frost. All around was a world of white—just as the legends described. When they first arrived, the sun shone brightly, but before long, fierce winds howled and snow began to fall in thick, blinding sheets, an awe-inspiring sight.

But Luo Longyu and Luo Mengxuan were not ordinary people. They leapt forward with ease, even catching sight of two Z-20 helicopters swaying precariously in the wind, clearly struggling against the elements.

Upon reaching a flat area halfway up the mountain, Luo Longyu suddenly sensed faint signs of life. He immediately pulled Luo Mengxuan down behind a jagged boulder, and, using the rocks for cover, they quietly circled around to the other side. Peering ahead, they were startled to discover a well-concealed military base.

The base was built into the mountain itself, its entrance almost entirely hidden by ice and snow. Several soldiers patrolled the area, while a few snowmobiles were parked nearby. In the midst of the swirling snow, the soldiers' vision was limited, and none noticed Luo Longyu and Luo Mengxuan.

"What the—? Why is there military here?" Luo Mengxuan pushed up her snow goggles, surprised.

Luo Longyu, pressed against the rock, replied, "Now you see. So much for ancient forbidden grounds—in the eyes of humanity, everything is a subject for study and conquest. It looks like the state has had this base here for quite some time."

He lapsed into a thoughtful silence. The Void Warrior had sent him to Burial Nether Valley to search for his mother's whereabouts, but now he had discovered the presence of the People's Liberation Army. Could his mother's disappearance be linked to the government?

But Luo Longyu quickly shook his head. Hua Ziye had said that it was foreigners who stole his mother's remains. If the state wanted them, they could have claimed them openly—there was no need for secrecy, much less to involve foreigners. That left only one possibility: those foreigners would come here as well!

His mind raced. If the foreigners truly planned to come, as Hua Ziye had said, and if Qiu Feng, the Third Squad Leader of the Mysterium Pavilion, had participated in the theft, then Qiu Feng would likely appear here. If he did, he could smuggle the foreigners into the base without detection—perhaps they were already inside.

"Mengxuan, where exactly is Burial Nether Valley?" Luo Longyu asked, concern in his voice.

Luo Mengxuan pointed toward the military base. "Once we get past that base, we're there. I suspect the base connects directly to Burial Nether Valley."

"Do you have any way to get inside without alerting the soldiers?" Luo Longyu pressed.

Luo Mengxuan frowned, troubled. "That's not easy. I’ve been to the Mysterium Pavilion before, and I’ve seen how formidable these troops are. Their detection equipment is too advanced—even the slightest disturbance sets them on alert. If all else fails... we could disguise ourselves as soldiers."

"How?" Luo Longyu asked, astonished.

"Transformation art, of course." No sooner had she spoken than Mu Yimian's form twisted and reshaped, and in an instant she appeared as a fully armed Liberation Army soldier, clad in white camouflage and goggles. With her face covered, she was unrecognizable. She glanced down at her empty hands, concentrated, and conjured a Type 95-1 assault rifle—perfect.

Luo Longyu was overjoyed. With a gesture from Luo Mengxuan, he too transformed into a fully armed soldier.

Just as Luo Longyu was about to step out, Luo Mengxuan grabbed his arm. "Let me warn you—the transformation will only last half an hour, no more than an hour. Keep track of time."

"An hour is enough. Let’s go," Luo Longyu nodded, leading Luo Mengxuan toward the military base.

When they were still a hundred meters from the gate, a sentry spotted them and barked, "Password!"

Luo Longyu and Luo Mengxuan froze, exchanging a bewildered look. "Password? What password?"

"Password!" the sentry shouted again, his tone now wary.

"I have no idea what the password is! Who would have thought there’d be such a thing? Just make something up," Luo Mengxuan muttered, at a loss.

"Uh...uh... The king covers the tiger!" Luo Longyu shouted, bluffing wildly.

"Enemy infiltrators!" The sentry’s cry rang out, alarms blared, and patrolling soldiers converged from all directions. Gunfire erupted, machine guns from at least three bunkers raking the ground where Luo Longyu and Luo Mengxuan stood.

"Shit!" Luo Longyu cursed, dragging Luo Mengxuan behind a massive boulder. The two instantly reverted to their true forms.

Bullets struck the stone, sending splinters flying, the force making Luo Mengxuan cringe behind cover.

A dark green, round object dropped at Luo Longyu’s feet. He glanced down and, recognizing it instantly, threw himself over Luo Mengxuan.

Boom!

The explosion thundered, snow blasted in all directions, and Luo Longyu felt countless steel pellets striking his back, ringing out sharply.

"Cease fire! Cease fire!" Seeing that their targets were no longer moving, a sergeant ordered a halt through his communicator, then led a group of soldiers to encircle the boulder cautiously. Twenty meters away, the sergeant signaled his men to halt and shouted, "You are surrounded! Drop your weapons, hands above your heads, and come out!"

"What now?" Luo Mengxuan turned to Luo Longyu, panic in her eyes.

"This is your last warning! Surrender or we will attack!" The sergeant’s voice was stern and commanding, making Luo Mengxuan shudder—these soldiers were not to be trifled with.

Luo Longyu’s expression shifted between resolve and uncertainty. At last, he pressed Luo Mengxuan’s shoulder. "Stay here. I’ll go. Their guns can’t harm me." Before she could protest, he stood up, hands on his head, and stepped out from behind cover.

Every soldier’s weapon was trained on him. The sergeant eyed him critically. "Where’s the other one?"

"Blown apart by your grenade," Luo Longyu replied evenly.

The sergeant was suspicious, signaling a soldier forward to check.

Just then, a demonic wind swept in, hand signs flashing as a blow struck Luo Longyu’s chest, hurling him backward in pain.

A group of young men landed before the soldiers—blue-haired, fierce-eyed. It was Yao Chihai and his companions.

"Fall back to the base—this is no ordinary man. Leave him to the Mysterium Pavilion," Yao Chihai said darkly, eyes fixed on Luo Longyu.

The sergeant hesitated, then nodded. "Understood. Withdraw!"

Luo Longyu rolled out of the snow, glaring at Yao Chihai. "So you’ve come. Did you bring the foreigners with you? Where is my mother’s body?"

Waiting for the soldiers to retreat, Yao Chihai’s lips curled into a cold smile. "Luo Longyu, it’s been a while. You do realize you’re the Mysterium Pavilion’s most wanted man? And yet you dare show yourself here?"

"Where is my mother’s body?" Luo Longyu’s eyes glowed silver, and he advanced, ready for battle.

Luo Mengxuan saw that Yao Chihai was deliberately provoking Luo Longyu and rushed out to grab his arm. "Luo Longyu, calm down! Don’t fall into his trap. If you attack, everyone will believe you’ve declared war on the Pavilion, and you’ll never clear your name!"

"Well, if it isn’t the famed Miss Luo Mengxuan of the royal clan! I’ve seen you once before and I’ve missed you ever since," Yao Chihai leered.

"Ugh! You filthy undead, despicable and low," Luo Mengxuan shot back without mercy.

Yao Chihai’s smile never faltered as he turned his gaze back to Luo Longyu. "Not bad, Luo Longyu. To win the heart of the most beautiful woman of the royal clan—I must say, I’m impressed. But this time, bringing her here to die with you is a poor choice."

"To die? At your hands?" Luo Longyu narrowed his eyes, silver light blazing brighter.

"Arrogant fool. The Way of Corpses is not mastered in a few short months. Your mother’s remains are inside, but... we can’t hand her over yet. We still need her," Yao Chihai said, almost offhandedly.

Luo Longyu struggled to contain his rage. "What do you want with my mother’s body?"

"That’s not your concern. She was the last descendant of the Xuanyuan clan—her corpse is of great use to us. We’ll use her as we see fit. You should be proud to serve your country," Yao Chihai sneered.

"Country? You’re not fit to utter that word!" Unable to contain his fury any longer, Luo Longyu roared and charged.

"Jiumang, attack from above! Yuyan, strike from below! Jiusheng, target his vital points with me!" As Luo Longyu, exuding corpse energy, charged, Yao Chihai’s heart chilled. He and his three companions moved as one to intercept.

Inside the base, watching the feed from outside, a soldier shouted, "The enemy is attacking! We are returning fire!"

As Luo Longyu was drawn into the trap, Luo Mengxuan quickly began weaving intricate hand signs, but Yao Chihai noticed. Without a second thought, he leaped to her side, fingers aimed at her brow.

"Falling Spirit Strike!" Black energy shimmered at Yao Chihai’s fingertips. Luo Mengxuan cried out, leaping back in disbelief. "You’re trying to kill me!"

"Heh, darling Miss Luo, you should have chosen your company more wisely. Standing with Luo Longyu has consequences." With that, Yao Chihai’s expression turned ruthless as he attacked again. Demonic winds howled, spiritual light flashed, and the snowstorm raged with killing intent.

Luo Mengxuan moved with ethereal grace, her every step trailing crimson light, flower petals whirling—she was like a celestial maiden, breathtaking to behold. But behind this beauty was a battle to the death, savage and unforgiving.

Elsewhere, Jiumang and Yuyan trapped Luo Longyu with their magic, pinning him above and below. Jiusheng’s hands transformed, secret runes blooming across Luo Longyu’s chest, while his other hand pressed two fingers to Luo Longyu’s throat—a deadly strike.

Luo Longyu felt as if his throat had been crushed, coughing violently as corpse energy spattered from his lips. Jiusheng did not let up—eighty-one rapid strikes, each one fierce, sending jets of force bursting from the back of Luo Longyu’s neck, terrifying to witness.

Silver light flooded Luo Longyu’s eyes as corpse energy poured from his mouth, his strength fading rapidly.

Boom!

On the other side, Yao Chihai and Luo Mengxuan collided fiercely, both sent flying a hundred meters. Luo Mengxuan shouted, "Luo Longyu! Break free—otherwise they’ll drain your corpse energy!"

"Those who block me, die!"

A brutal voice ripped from Luo Longyu’s throat. His skin shriveled, fangs extended, and his aura transformed. Black flames surged, driving the three demons back. Behind him, the Corpse Wheel appeared, and with a wave of his hand, ten miles of snow melted, torrents cascading down the mountainside like a bursting flood...

"You will all die!" Luo Longyu howled at the sky, transformed into something monstrously fierce.