Chapter 411

The strange fish opened its gaping maw full of teeth and bit at some members of the Si Clan who were trying to escape by boat, swallowing them whole along with the boat. Given its size, its attacks were practically painless.

After swallowing a human, the strange fish grew human legs from its belly. Just as it was trying to devour more humans to gain the ability to go ashore, a bright blue sword light slashed through the air, piercing its body and then exploding, scattering blood and flesh and destroying a third of its body.

Si Jingyue and Si Huamu were shocked when they saw the swordsman's appearance. "Ancestor, you're still alive!"

The person who made the move was none other than Si Jingxi, who had been buried a month ago. She casually explained, "I originally planned to fake my death to lure those enemies to my door, and then I would reappear and wipe them all out. Who would have thought that I would end up with these monsters and demons? What on earth are they?"

Si Jingyue suddenly realized, "So that's how it is. The Ancestor didn't just say one word, which made us all so upset."

"I knew you wouldn't lie, so I only told your daughter."

It turns out that Si Jingxi felt her time was coming to an end and foresaw that there would be turmoil in the Si Clan after her death. So, after discussing with Si Jingyu, she decided to bring forward her "death date". In this way, even if the Si Clan fell into an insurmountable disaster, she could appear and turn the tide. Afterwards, when the real death date arrived, others would be skeptical about her death and worry that she might use the same trick again.

Unexpectedly, the young patriarch of the Si Clan was too capable and solved all the problems, leaving her, the ancestor, with no chance to appear. She had no choice but to peacefully turn her fake death into a real one.

Si Jingxi glanced at Si Jingzhi, who had gone mad, snorted, and unleashed a Sword Qi that pierced into the other's body, destroying the possessing Anomalies.

Si Jingyue hurriedly checked her mother's body and found that the Anomalies power was gradually dissipating and she was no longer in serious danger. However, due to her serious injuries and old age, even if she recovered, she probably wouldn't live for many more years.

Si Huamu, unconcerned about the old woman's life or death, asked, "Grandmother, what should we do next? Please advise."

Just as Si Jingxi was about to speak, he suddenly saw a strange change in the distant sky. Dark clouds gathered and formed a vortex, and in the center of the vortex appeared a huge evil eye, staring at the earth below and shooting out purple light.

Sensing the aura emanating from the evil eye, Si Jingxi's expression changed drastically. He immediately abandoned his original plan and said, "Quickly organize the clansmen, pack our valuables, and leave immediately, the faster the better!"

Si Huamu asked, puzzled, "Are you going to abandon the manor?"

"Not just the manor, but everything else. People are more important than possessions. We need to leave the capital as soon as possible, or better yet, leave the country altogether."

Si Jingxi turned to look at the evil eye in the distant sky and murmured, "Nation of Beauty... is probably doomed."

Just then, the injured monster fish burst out of the lake again, its huge, blood-red mouth snapping at Si Jingxi.

"You're courting death! Eight-Petal Lotus Slash!"

A cold light pierced his body, Sword Qi lotus blossomed, and the giant monster fish was sliced into pieces, falling from the sky with a whoosh.

Just as Si Jingxi's mind was slightly distracted, several thick octopus tentacles emerged from the lake and wrapped around her with lightning speed. The suckers on the octopus tentacles clung to her body, making it difficult for her to exert any force.

A shadow the size of a cruise ship appeared beneath the lake's surface, with a mouth full of sharp teeth in the center. The octopus's tentacles pulled downwards, making it difficult for Si Jingxi to maintain her buoyancy. Just as she was about to fall into the water, another magnificent Sword Qi descended from the sky.

"Si Jingxi, you really didn't die!"

The figure rushing towards them with menacing momentum was none other than Shi Muyan, their old nemesis of many years.

"I knew it. With your personality, you wouldn't just sit around doing nothing and die quietly. As soon as I heard the news, I knew you were plotting something."

Shi Muyan angrily swung her sword, working with Si Jingxi to slay the giant octopus monster in the lake. She then demanded, "You still owe me an explanation!"

Si Jingxi countered, "Is explanation important? Tang Lang is gone, and you and I are both old. Is it really meaningful to delve into the rights and wrongs of the past now?"

Shi Muyan was taken aback and looked at the person in front of her. The stunningly beautiful face in her memory was now covered with wrinkles and could no longer attract attention. Her once jet-black hair was now only a dull, frosty white. Her once bright and intelligent eyes were now cloudy and muddy, and the figure reflected in her eyes was also just as old.

Memories of the past flashed through my mind: youthful spirit, companions in the martial world, swift justice and vengeance, punishing evil and promoting good, fighting powerful enemies together, entrusting each other with their lives...

Suddenly, Shi Muyan seemed to wake from a dream, tears welling in her eyes. She murmured, "Yes, we've both grown old... It's like I had a very long nightmare, in which you and I became enemies, fighting each other endlessly. It's strange, we were sworn brothers, bound by life and death, so why would I doubt you?"

Si Jingxi, tears streaming down her face, stepped forward and hugged the other person, sobbing, "Because it was a dream, only you slept for a little longer, but in the end, you still woke up."

Her hair, once black as black in the morning, turned to snow by evening; now, white hairs intertwined, falling like snowflakes. Past grievances vanished like dreams and bubbles in this moment.

"Mother, don't worry, I will fulfill your last wish."

Hongdou reached out and closed Illusion Ji's eyes, then slowly walked out of the secret chamber. She glanced at the Flesh and Blood Wormhole in the sky, where Anomalies creatures were still emerging one after another, turning into light and scattering to every corner of the city, where there was fighting and screams everywhere.

No city can withstand this kind of centrally expanding invasion, and even the most powerful army can only offer the same result.

Si Ming finally recovered from the aftershocks of the explosion and stood up, saying to Hongdou, "This city is likely to fall. You should leave with Si Jingyu and the others. The normal transportation system is probably paralyzed, but large Lineage always have multiple escape routes. They must have other ways to get away. I'll cover your retreat and buy you some time."

Hongdou shook her head and said, "I've come to say goodbye. I've always caused you trouble and even lost my temper with you. I know it wasn't your fault, but..."

Si Ming quickly interrupted, "Stop, stop, stop! What you're saying is making me uneasy. It feels like we're about to be separated by life and death. Remember, don't do anything foolish, and don't get stuck in a rut. Use your brain; you can always find a way. Life is never just about a few fixed options."

Hongdou looked at the Flesh and Blood Wormhole in the sky and said, "I have the means to close this hole, and I also have the responsibility to close it. This is my destiny."

"What kind of destiny is this! My fate is in my own hands, not in the heavens! Besides, what does this cave have to do with you?"

"The method to open the Flesh and Blood Wormhole was obtained from my mother and is recorded in the 'Scroll of Space'."

Upon hearing the name, Si Ming immediately thought of "The Scroll of Darkness": "It's not 'Super Martial Dao' again, is it? That thing is a scourge! It causes chaos wherever it appears. The method you mentioned doesn't involve sacrificing yourself, does it?"

Even a blind person could sense the immense power contained within the Flesh and Blood Wormhole, far exceeding the limits of Spirit Transformation cultivator. To say that Hongdou could close this spacetime tunnel without paying any price is undoubtedly impossible.

"I don't have many friends, and now I have no relatives left. Even if I'm gone, not many people will be sad for me."

Hongdou didn't deny it, but said, "I'm really happy when I'm with you. Whether it's Si Ming when we were kids or Si Ming now, you're my best friend. Sometimes I think it would be wonderful if we could live like this forever, but sometimes I worry that I might be too much of a burden to you. After all, I'm not like the class monitor or Qingqing who can help you. What if one day you get tired of me and abandon me again?"

"No, don't overthink it. Being pretty is an advantage. Even if I had to keep you as a pet, I would take care of you for the rest of my life."

"But everyone changes. Xiao Ming has changed, Ying Zhou has changed, the class monitor has changed, Qingqing has changed... I don't want to be left behind, I want to change myself too."

Hongdou looked regretful. "Actually, I've been secretly learning to cook. Sometimes I ask the class monitor for advice, and sometimes Chef Lu teaches me, but I'm really clumsy. I even cut my finger, and I've only learned a few of the simplest dishes, and they taste pretty average... Even so, I still wanted you to try them, but unfortunately, there's no chance anymore."

Si Ming felt increasingly uneasy listening to the conversation. He could guess what would happen next with a snap of his fingers. He immediately lunged forward, rubbing his palms together like knives, intending to knock the man unconscious and forcibly take him away. He couldn't let the man do anything foolish.

Unexpectedly, the palm strike that seemed certain to land missed inexplicably as it approached.