The Steward Demonic Emperor

Chapter 1235: Lost Souls

Proofreader: Papatonks

Whoosh~

As the eerie wind blew, gray mist fell from the skies above, turning into a dark and aged face staring down the two with bloodthirst.

“My seat of enlightenment?”

Chu Qingcheng was baffled, “Does that mean he’s…”

Zhuo Fan rushed a bow, “Greetings, Nether Sovereign!”

“It’s really the Nether Sovereign? Didn’t he die?” Chu Qingcheng was stumped, “Why then is everyone fighting over his seat of enlightenment then? They’re only getting themselves killed trying to steal from the owner!”

She didn’t know what to think of all those greedy fools.

It was said that the ten ancient Sovereigns fell and finding their seat of enlightenment would mean inheriting their legacy to become a Sovereign. 

[Since the guy was still alive and you’re trying to steal his stuff, you must be itching to die!]

The Nether Sovereign glanced over and sneered, “I am Nether Sovereign, ruling over life and death. Death won’t stop me. Since my Nether Sea can hold lost souls, why can’t it hold myself? Ha!”

Chu Qingcheng bobbed her head.

[Yeah, the Nether Sovereign is the Patriarch of all lost souls. With the Nether Sea holding them, it can have him as well.]

[Those out there must be unbearably naive to go after the Nether Sovereign’s stuff of all people. But we were not here to take anything, we just got involved by accident. What a cruel fate.] 

“Senior Nether Sovereign, we have come here by accident and only wish to return to our world and not take anything. I hope sir will pardon us.”

Zhuo Fan bowed, “As per your demands, I passed the three trials. Please let us go.”

Chu Qingcheng bobbed her head.

The Nether Sovereign sneered, “Trials? Right, I did set those up so one could see me by passing them, but that does not guarantee you’ll get to leave with your life. A chance isn’t the same as certainty. It’s all up to my mood.” 

“Uh, senior Nether Sovereign, are you perhaps happy now?”

“Anything but!”

“Why?” Zhuo Fan and Chu Qingcheng asked.

Nether Sovereign scorned, “You expect me to smile when some brats barge in, messing up my concentration?”

Rumble~

A boom came from up above and the Nether Sovereign turned grave.

“However, I won’t go hard on you and shall give you a choice. One of you shall stay and one can return. You choose.” 

“I’m staying!”

Both shouted at the same time.

The Nether Sovereign cackled, “Ha-ha-ha, that was quick. Was I being too easy, perhaps? Then here’s another.” 

“Senior, you’re a renowned Sovereign. How could you not keep your word?” Chu Qingcheng tensed and looked at Zhuo Fan, “Since you’re letting someone go, let him. I will become a lost soul.”

Zhuo Fan remained silent because he knew the problem was simple and complicated. Neither of them wanted the other to become a lost soul. 

The Nether Sovereign had brought up this question because he already had a solution in mind.

The Nether Sovereign smiled, “I told you that you have a chance to walk away alive. Since you couldn’t choose it, let me help you.”

The Nether Sovereign’s eyes shot two gray rays that created a huge hole in the air. Howling and booming came from beyond.

The two of them saw familiar people running, chased around by a tide of shadows. He Xiaofeng and Zhao Chen were being hounded by the Nether Sea’s souls. Bali Yuyu was there as well. 

[What’s she doing here?]

Zhuo Fan was worried. The Nether Sovereign turned to them, “Your enemy and your friend are there. Now, since only one can live, who will you choose?” 

Zhuo Fan fell silent.

Between him and Chu Qingcheng, he would pick Qingcheng without delay. His life was his own, and didn’t matter what happened as long as he passed on with clear conscience.

But Bali Yuyu’s sudden entrance made it harder. Dying because of him would make him feel guilty. Zhuo Fan never owed anyone anything, and this made the choice that much harder.  

“Go!”

The Nether Sovereign laughed, blowing over them and sending them among the sea of lost souls.

Bam!

He Xiaofeng met an old man’s palm with his own, sending him reeling and his blood boiling, despite being a soul.

“Curses, there are Saint souls here! The Nether Sea is too difficult… Oh, Qingcheng, you’re here!”

“You found them?”

Zhao Chen beat a soul and looked in joy, “Steward Zhuo, where did you go? We couldn’t find you no matter how much we looked. Are you alright?”

Zhuo Fan frowned.

They did not cross the three trials, or maybe…

[Were they for me? Doesn’t everyone have the chance to receive a Sovereign’s guidance?]

Whoosh~

A shadow appeared and struck for Zhuo Fan’s back, but then a kick sent it flying as Bali Yuyu flashed on Zhuo Fan’s side, rejoicing, “Zhuo Fan, you’re alright!” 

“Yuyu, did someone tell you about three trials?”

“What trials? The minute we entered, lost souls started chasing us down, not bothering to even speak. I just thought they can’t speak to begin with, why?”

“Oh, nothing.”

Zhuo Fan was grave, further proving that the tests were held for him in particular. Further, the only way to find the Nether Sea was through Sovereign Yun’s globe. Then there were the Sovereigns’ three tests.

[Was this all on purpose?]

[But why? I was a mere Demonic Emperor before. Is it because I found Nine Serenities Secret Records?]

Zhuo Fan was confused.

“Aah!”

Zhuo Fan startled awake, “Qingcheng!”

Chu Qingcheng was still stuck to the cross, unable to move, as the souls shrieked and approached.

“Qingcheng!”

He Xiaofeng shouted as well, yet was happy inside.

[Great, a damsel in distress in need of a hero. I don’t know how she got up there or how she appeared here, but I just have to save her and her heart will be mine, as well as it…]

He Xiaofeng shot for Chu Qingcheng, shining silver. A huge figure with eight swords on its back appeared, almost a thousand meters tall. 

A Saint’s unique ability, sacred body!

“Damned souls, leave Qingcheng alone!”

The huge image reached for two swords and slashed.

Boom!

Tornadoes flew from the speed and power and erased everything in their path. He Xiaofeng’s image towered above like a mighty king.

He sneered at everyone with pride and conceit.

[Well, Qingcheng, aren’t I cool?]

Bam!

He didn’t get to wallow in his narcissistic tendencies as the following boom was from an even bigger fist hurtling his image through the air. He hit the ground hard and shattered his sacred body. He Xiaofeng felt his entire body aching and turned pale. 

[Who did that? Curses, that really hurt!]

He Xiaofeng panted as he strained to look up, “P-peak Saint? There’s a peak Saint in the Nether Sea? He actually died?”

Before him was another colossal image, wearing a dark face of disdain, “Ignorant pipsqueak, in the great ancient war, even Sovereigns fell, let alone some lousy peak Saints. You dare prance before me, foolish 2nd layer Saint?”

He Xiaofeng’s heart sank.

[The Nether Sea is the Nether Sovereign’s domain, so of course there’d be monstrous souls…]