Chapter 241 — The Wheel of Reincarnation
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 4 of 7
Mr. Ghost was silent a moment, then said slowly, "As I see it, the spiritual energy of the blood formation around the Blood Pool has not dispersed, and the blood aura remains abundant. Even the Asura power within the Coiling Dragon Cauldron is gathered and not scattered—it is merely dormant for the time being. So the vital essence of the Four Spirit Blood Formation is still intact, and it is likely but half a step from completion. The problem is that this Universe Lock, appearing now as it has, has sealed off the Cauldron's own vital channels, cutting the flow of spiritual energy between the Four Spirit Blood Formation and the Coiling Dragon Cauldron. The blood aura cannot enter the Cauldron, and the Asura power cannot break free—and that is the predicament we now face."
The Nether King's expression shifted through a myriad of changes in an instant, one after another, but that savage fury, straining to burst forth, seemed almost to take physical form, surging toward Mr. Ghost wave after wave.
Mr. Ghost's black veil stirred though there was no wind, but he remained where he stood, silently watching the Nether King.
After quite a long while, the Nether King suddenly drew a long breath, and the look on his face slowly calmed—even his tone grew calm. "Then what do you think we should do now?" he said coldly.
Mr. Ghost breathed an inward sigh of relief and said, "The most critical matter now is naturally this Universe Lock restraint. Once we solve it, success will be within our grasp."
The Nether King said, "How do you plan to do it?"
Mr. Ghost hesitated a moment, then said, "If we had that legendary ancient divine artifact, that would of course be best, but it seems there is little hope of that. Still, I have observed that although this Universe Lock is formidable, it differs greatly from the legends handed down since ancient times. The Coiling Dragon Cauldron is a thing of extreme antiquity, perhaps no less than ten thousand years old. The Universe Lock, though an ancient divine art of unmatched power, has endured the wear of countless centuries; no matter how great its might, much of it must have been worn away. With careful study and close observation, it is not necessarily impossible to break."
The Nether King was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded, his expression gradually softening. After pondering a while, he seemed to recall something else, and his face darkened. With a long sigh, he said, "Is it all fate?"
Mr. Ghost was startled, unable to fathom his meaning. "What?"
The Nether King gave a bitter smile. The ferocity had left his face, replaced by a measure of helplessness and bitterness. He shook his head and said, "Nothing. For now, I must trouble you to exert yourself once more."
With that, without waiting for Mr. Ghost's reply, he turned and left the Blood Pool. Watching from behind, Mr. Ghost saw that the Nether King's tall figure somehow looked weary and slightly bowed, as though some immense weight were forever pressing down upon his shoulders and his heart.
And he, it seemed, was finding it harder and harder to bear...
Ming Li pushed open the stone door and returned to his own dwelling. The door slowly closed behind him with a low sound, but Ming Li seemed to feel nothing. His eyes were blank and unfocused; he did not even know how he had made his way back here.
In his mind there was only a vast blankness. Perhaps even he himself no longer wished to remember anything.