Chapter 214: Taotie·Luo Qingyu: South Region
Hundred Thousand Mountains.
In the vast void, hundreds of thousands of miles away from the Taisu Holy Land, three figures materialized from nothingness.
Leading the group was a Holy King. His fiery red hair flowed wildly, and a black horn protruded from the middle of his forehead. His flaming cloak rustled ominously with every movement.
This was Chi Zun, a formidable figure from the Wujian Purgatory.
Beside him stood a being with the body of a human but the head of a tiger. He was clad in simple bronze treasure armor, exuding a savage aura.
This was Huxiao Venerable, one of the three great venerables of Wangshan.
The third figure was a strikingly beautiful woman in a moon-white gown. Her red lips curved into a faint, mysterious smile, and her two white eyebrows added a touch of charm and otherworldly strangeness.
She was Caidie Venerable, one of the two venerables of Yinyue Dieshan.
The three of them exchanged knowing smiles before stepping forward. In an instant, they appeared above the Taisu Holy Land.
With the Holy Lord absent, the sacred grounds were vulnerable.
Dong——
Dongdong————
The great protective array of the Holy Land activated, and a rapid bell resounded through the skies.
The ringing was like striking a hornet's nest.
The entire Taisu Holy Land stirred with alarm. One by one, monks emerged hastily from their secluded caves.
"What's happening? The Taisu Bell is ringing!"
"This has never happened before!"
"Who dares to challenge our Taisu Holy Land?"
Chi Zun stepped forward, his gaze sweeping across the Holy Land below. The oppressive aura of a Holy King radiated outward, silencing the chaotic murmurs in an instant.
Even with the sect's protective formation in place, the sheer pressure of his presence was suffocating.
The flames in Chi Zun's eyes danced menacingly as a cruel smirk curled his lips.
"Listen well!" his voice boomed.
"Today marks the end of your Taisu Holy Land."
The cold, murderous declaration echoed across the sacred grounds.
A wave of fear swept through the monks.
"Three… Three Holy Kings have come to attack us…"
"Where is the Holy Lord?"
"The Holy Lord took the Taisu Tower to Zhongzhou. Without it, how could these barbarians dare attack?"
"Then what should we do now?"
Panic gripped the Holy Land. The absence of the Holy Lord and the Taisu Tower left the sect vulnerable.
Although the old Holy Lord was still present, the disciples despaired at the thought of resisting three invading Holy Kings.
"We have the great protective array," one disciple said, clinging to hope. "It can hold them off… If we can just delay until the Holy Lord returns, we'll survive this!"
Caidie Venerable sneered. "Why waste time talking? Chi Zun, get it over with. If we delay, unexpected complications may arise."
Chi Zun chuckled darkly. "The old turtle of Taisu has gone into hiding. Fine. Let's destroy her nest and see how long she can remain in her shell." He turned to Huxiao Venerable. "Huxiao, break the formation."
"With pleasure," Huxiao replied, his grin revealing sharp teeth.
He pulled out an ancient formation plate from his robe. As he channeled his Holy King power into it, ancient characters surged forth, glowing with brilliance.
Zhen, Li, Dui, Kan, Xun, Kun, Qian, Gen.
The eight characters expanded, forming a massive golden Qiankun Bagua formation in the sky.
The power of the heavens seemed to converge on the diagram. As it rotated, the energy of the cosmos pressed downward.
The protective light curtain of Taisu Holy Land trembled violently, emitting a strained cracking sound.
"This compass is a quasi-emperor weapon," Huxiao Venerable taunted. "Your ninth-grade formation is impressive, but without the Taisu Tower, how much power can it muster? How long can it hold?"
"Ha! No matter how long it lasts, today will still mark the end of the Taisu clan," he continued, laughing wildly.
"Blame your Holy Lord," Chi Zun growled, "for killing so many of our kin."
Huxiao's laughter echoed for hundreds of thousands of miles, a cruel symphony of impending doom.
Taisu Holy Land
On Yunxia Peak, within the peaceful confines of Chu Xiu's garden, a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding below, Luo Qingyu sat serenely.
Dressed in a flowing purple skirt, she tended to a small fire. A golden, roasted rabbit turned slowly over the flames as she brushed it with seasoning, the rich aroma filling the air.
Her delicate fingers worked deftly, occasionally brushing a glistening glaze over the meat. She sniffed the fragrant air and smiled, her crescent-shaped eyes sparkling with delight.
A drop of crystal-clear saliva glistened at the corner of her mouth as she savored the tantalizing scent.
Unbothered by the commotion, she seemed blissfully absorbed in her culinary pursuit, as though the world beyond her garden did not exist.
"It smells so good."
"This kind of small animal, raised in a land rich with spiritual energy, has meat as tender and flavorful as fine silk," Luo Qingyu remarked, her voice carrying a hint of indulgence.
Hearing the commotion from above the mountain gate, Luo Qingyu set down the brush she had been using to baste the rabbit.
Clapping her hands clean, she stood up gracefully.
"Sister Luo…"
Nearby, a young girl named Qin Yiyi blinked her wide eyes. Her pale face betrayed her fear.
Luo Qingyu smiled gently and patted the girl's head.
"Don't be scared, little one. Watch the fire for me, and make sure the rabbit doesn't burn." Her tone was light and playful.
"And remember," she added, wagging a finger, "you're not allowed to sneak a bite while I'm gone. I'll be back after dealing with a few flies."
Qin Yiyi nodded, though worry clouded her expression. "Be careful, Sister…"
Luo Qingyu stretched, her elegant and proud figure drawing admiration even in such a dire moment.
"It's been a while since I've fought," she mused with a smirk, "I might be a little rusty."
With that, she stepped forward—and in the blink of an eye, she stood before the three intruders.
The expressions of Venerables Caidie, Huxiao, and Chi Zun shifted dramatically. Their eyes narrowed with caution as they stared at the purple-dressed woman who had appeared so suddenly.
Her silent approach, unnoticed by their powerful senses, revealed a level of cultivation that sent shivers down their spines.
Venerable Caidie inclined her head slightly, her voice polite but wary. "I am Caidie of Yinyue Dieshan. Greetings, Taoist friend. May I ask who you are?"
Below, in the Taisu Holy Land, the disciples had also noticed Luo Qingyu's sudden appearance.
"Who is that?"
"I think I've seen her. She's been staying in the Holy Son's cave recently. She even borrowed spices from me."
"Is she an acquaintance of His Highness, the Holy Son?"
"Of course! How else would she be allowed to stay in his cave?"
"She looks incredibly strong… Could she be our hope against the three Holy Kings?"
Above the defensive formation, Luo Qingyu regarded the three with a calm, appraising gaze. Her attention lingered on Venerable Caidie before her lips curled into a charming smile.
"My name isn't important," she said smoothly. "All you need to know is this: you're about to die."
The calm confidence in her voice sent a chill through the three Holy Kings.
Venerable Caidie's expression darkened. "You—"
Before she could finish, fear overtook her features.
A massive shadow loomed behind Luo Qingyu, blotting out the sky. The beast that emerged was terrifying: red and black, shaped like a monstrous sheep with a human face. Eyes glared from beneath its armpits, its mouth was filled with sharp tiger-like teeth, and human-like claws gleamed ominously. The sound that emanated from its gaping maw was eerily like the cry of a baby.
"That… that's Taotie…" Caidie stammered, her voice trembling.
Her memories raced back to ancient texts. She finally understood who this woman was.
"You… You're Taotie… the Quasi-Emperor Luo Qingyu!"
Unfortunately for them, her realization came too late.
With a deafening roar, Taotie lunged forward, devouring the three Holy Kings in one swift motion.
As though unsatisfied, the monstrous beast licked its lips, its massive form shrinking until it dissolved into Luo Qingyu's shadow.
"Burp~"
Luo Qingyu delicately covered her mouth with a slender hand, a faint frown on her face.
"Mediocre," she muttered to herself. "They didn't taste as good as I expected."
With a casual wave of her hand, she turned back.
"Let's go. The rabbit's waiting. Rabbit meat is still the best."
Her figure vanished as quickly as she had appeared, leaving the Taisu Holy Land in a stunned silence.
On Taisu Peak, the master of Daoyun Peak stammered, his face pale with shock.
"O-Old Saint Lord… where in the heavens did His Highness the Holy Son find this… this godlike figure?"
"I must be hallucinating! She swallowed three Holy Kings in an instant… How is this possible?"
The old Saint Lord's eyes gleamed with divine light as he muttered under his breath.
"The Gluttonous Queen, Luo Qingyu… She truly lives up to the ancient records."