Suddenly, startled roars rang out incessantly throughout the valley.
One withered, gaunt evil ghost after another began appearing along the cliff walls, crawling relentlessly upward.
They had clearly been drawn by the black evil aura Senior Brother had spat out...
Black Emperor gestured for Senior Brother Zhuang Sheng to cross the bridge quickly, but said nothing.
Senior Brother Zhuang Sheng understood as well and nodded at Black Emperor.
"Understood, Great Immortal Dog. I'll kowtow to Master three more times before I leave!"
With that, Senior Brother Zhuang Sheng knelt before Master.
This time, Master merely watched Senior Brother Zhuang Sheng with reddened eyes. He did not stop him or help him up.
We all knew that this parting would be our final farewell.
Perhaps we might meet again after death, but even that was uncertain.
Master kept nodding as Senior Brother finished his three kowtows.
Master could no longer hold back. Tears spilled from his eyes and dripped onto the gray stone slabs below.
They made a soft drip-drip sound.
But the instant that dripping sound rang out, a black mushroom began growing where the tears had fallen, visibly sprouting at an incredible speed.
It was as black as ink, rapidly growing to about the size of a fist.
Its darkness gleamed.
Master and I were both startled by the sight. It felt incredibly eerie.
Black Emperor's expression changed drastically. He lunged forward and shoved Master aside, then yanked Zhuang Sheng away.
Although I had no idea why, I sensed danger from Black Emperor's movements.
I immediately retreated as well...
The next second, the fist-sized black mushroom exploded without a sound, turning into a mass of black flames that burned where it stood.
Black yin fire?
I stared in shock.
Were tears forbidden in this place?
But Black Emperor had