Chapter 232: Unsurprising Betrayal
Zhang Nu felt waves of force emanating from the trench, like sharp needles that were invisible to the naked eye.
[You are under attack by the Seal's Energy. HP -0!]
[You are under attack by the Seal's Energy. HP -0!]
[You are under attack by the Seal's Energy. HP -0!]
[......]
The blood-red glow emitted from the trench was, in essence, a specialized lightning akin to abyssal thunder. The immense energy almost filled the entire trench. This should be the power responsible for sealing the Calamity Trench. It was not only confining the space but continually releasing energy, radiating with a diameter of tens of kilometers, forming a massive energy field on the seabed. Even a Level 5 monarch would be harmed by it.
It was indeed formidable. No wonder sacrificing multiple top-tier monarchs was necessary for this seal's creation. The primary reason Zhang Nu was completely unaffected was that the energy's essence was thunder, and it did not reach the attack intensity of an S-rank skill, making it impossible to affect him. These kinds of monstrously power attacks were, after all, quite rare.
However, Han Kexin did not fare quite as well.
[You are under attack by the Seal's Energy. HP -12!]
[You are under attack by the Seal's Energy. HP -15!]
[......]
[You are under attack by the Seal's Energy. HP -39, inducing a paralysis effect!]
[You are under attack by the Seal's Energy. HP -39, inducing a paralysis effect!]
The closer they got to the trench, the higher the damage they suffered, with effects like paralysis appearing. Han Kexin, despite her status as a high-ranking demon with a top tier Level 5 monarch's strength and presumably high elemental resistance, could not stay in this place for long. No wonder, all along the way, there were numerous monsters, but as they approached the mysterious trench, there were fewer in the vicinity.
"They set us up!"
Ijin Shinju and the others, with presumably lower resistance, did not seem to be greatly affected in this environment. This indicated that they were already aware of the conditions near the trench. They had likely prepared in advance using potions, spells, or equipment to increase their lightning resistance, allowing them to withstand the environment. This crucial information was not shared with Han Kexin. It was clear they intended to take advantage of her, weakening the Demon King before reaching the trench. Han Kexin scoffed coldly, immediately activating an A-rank protective spell to temporarily suppress the intensifying damage.
However, while the decline in her HP stopped, the consumption of MP increased. Seeing this, Kondo Kyohei and Saiki Daioh were delighted. The strength of the Succubus Queen was unfathomable, but now, deep in the endless depths hundreds of kilometers under the sea, her power would be at least weakened by three to four times. Meanwhile, their strengths would be enhanced by several times. As a result, they were confident in defeating the queen. To counter the continuously intensifying sealing energy, the queen had to expend more energy continuously, further weakening her combat power. The big, fat fish was now on the chopping board, ready to be prepared and enjoyed.
When the trench became visible, it did not mean they could immediately reach the vicinity, it took them a full twenty minutes to smoothly arrive on the seabed plain. At this point, the depth from the surface was already at least four to five hundred kilometers. What did this mean? The concentration of water elemental energy was extremely high, and the water pressure was sufficient to flatten an iron man into an iron pancake.
Zhang Nu noticed many new creatures moving on the seabed plain. These creatures were not physical monsters but rather translucent elemental life forms.
[Mutated Water Elemental Lord] Level 5 lord unit...
Description: These are elemental life forms nurtured by the sea. Due to special conditions, they have acquired the ability to use thunder attacks.
At first glance, their numbers were not small. With translucent bodies over ten meters high, they resembled a neural network with abundant lightning distributed throughout. They gathered near the trench, seemingly able to feed on the sealing energy.
Ijin Shinju stopped nearby and said, "Each of us will hold a Sealing Magic Pearl to collectively unlock the seal. Your followers and mine will be responsible for dealing with the nearby monsters."
The group of around a dozen people split up. Han Kexin, Ijin Shinju, Kondo Kyohei, and Saiki Daioh took action. Each of the four held a Sealing Magic Pearl and infused it with their mana, creating a massive formation above the trench, immediately causing strong magical fluctuations.
The Water Elemental Lords were alarmed and swiftly attacked the area. Zhang Nu and Ijin Shinju's eight naga subordinates, also sprang into action. Zhang Nu unleashed dragon flames from both hands, condensing them into a pair of large swords, each several dozen meters long, continuously evaporating seawater into expansive clusters of air.
Given the circumstances, using fire-based attacks, even as potent as dragon flames, would be diminished. Nevertheless, Zhang Nu paid no heed. Swinging the large swords in his hands, he directly cut through the seawater in front of him, striking one of the Water Elemental Lords. The next moment, a muffled explosion occurred. The Water Elemental Lord was vaporized, and its internal energy and thunderous explosions covered an area with a diameter of hundreds of meters.
[You have slain a Mutated Water Elemental Lord. Gold +210,000!]
[You have slain a Mutated Water Elemental Lord. Gold +210,000!]
[You have slain a Mutated Water Elemental Lord. Gold +210,000!]
[......]
Zhang Nu, undeterred by the immense pressure at the ocean floor, persistently swung his sword, effortlessly dispatching the Water Elementals with a single stroke--- none managed to endure a second strike.
"This guy is quite formidable!"
"He truly wields the might of a Level 5 monarch!"
"No wonder the Succubus Queen displays such confidence!"
"However, his proficiency in fire-based attacks implies that their efficacy is likely halved in this environment, making him less of a concern!"
Such were the sentiments shared by the Deep Sea Hermit trio. While their primary concern was the Succubus Queen herself, the strength of the subordinate accompanying this Great Demon King was apparent. Witnessing the prowess of this "Mr. Long," they were genuinely impressed by his Level 5 monarch power.
In this environment, where the combat capabilities of surface dwellers were diminished in the deep-sea setting, the fact that he could effortlessly vanquish Level 5 Water Elemental Lords with a single strike was an accomplishment that even the eight super nagas under Ijin Shinju could not match. It was worth noting that the nagas were fighting on their home turf, receiving combat enhancements from the deep-sea environment, and each of them was a top-tier Level 5 overlord unit. It was highly probable that this "Mr. Long" was a monarch unit under the command of the Succubus Queen, showcasing remarkable strength. However, he was presently constrained by the environment, rendering him a non-immediate threat.
As Zhang Nu and the eight nagas held their ground, the mutated Water Elemental Lords found it impossible to approach. The four individuals had sufficient time to systematically break the seal. After approximately a quarter of an hour, the seafloor started to tremble, and myriad red energies congregated beneath the large magical formation, eventually coalescing into an energy column that was absorbed into the formation.
"It's completed! The seal is on the verge of being lifted!"
"Just another ten minutes at most and I can venture into the Calamity Trench soon!"
Ijin Shinju exuded joy because the proceedings were unfolding even more smoothly than anticipated. Regardless of whether they discovered the empress's covenant within the tomb, the region itself held considerable development potential for a Demon King. However, before proceeding further, potential threats needed to be eliminated. It was time to take care of the Succubus Queen.
Ijin Shinju immediately issued a command to the eight Ancient Nagas, and they promptly transformed into eight residual images, enclosing Mr. Long. Simultaneously, Kondo Kyohei and Seiki Daioh, one in front and one at the rear, assumed a flanking posture against Han Kexin.
Han Kexin had expended a considerable amount of mana throughout the journey, particularly to activate the unsealing formation. Now, her MP was less than a third of its original capacity.
"What do you think you're doing?" Han Kexin maintained a poker face but could not help but mock, saying, "So soon to turn on me? I thought you guys would be a bit more patient!"
"Hahaha! No need for that!"
"The Empress's Tomb is well within our capability!"
"As for you... you have no remaining worth!"
Seiki Daioh laughed heartily, "You've exhausted your strength all the way here, haven't you? I advise you to surrender willingly. Considering your assistance, we might spare you some suffering and grant you a swift death."
Han Kexin had anticipated the islanders' lack of trustworthiness, but she had not expected them to turn on her so quickly. They had not even entered the Empress's Tomb, and they were already eager to dispose of her.
"Think you can end me? I doubt you've got what it takes!" Han Kexin, realizing that more words were pointless, summoned an overwhelming force that pushed seawater in all directions. "Domain of Domination!"
Countless threads, numbering in the tens of thousands, instantly filled the space, creating a scene reminiscent of the cave of silken web. Kondo Kyohei and Seiki Daioh could sense the overwhelming power of the domain. Once activated by the Succubus Queen, such a domain would be incredibly challenging to deal with. However, the two of them remained composed.
"Hmph, struggling is useless and meaningless. Blame your own arrogance for your impending doom." Ijin Shinju was well-prepared, raising her staff. "Deep Sea Domain!"
Domains clashed. Only one could prevail. The Succubus Queen's domain shattered instantly. Countless high-pressure seawaters surged in from all directions, breaking the domain and once again engulfing the Succubus Queen.
Two domains collided, neutralizing each other. Han Kexin's expression shifted slightly. Ijin Shinju's laughter echoed through the seawater, full of triumph.
"Didn't expect that, did you? Your domain is indeed stronger than mine, but it's weakened by the influence of the deep sea. Meanwhile, my domain only becomes stronger in this environment."
"I won't allow other Demon Kings to share in the Empress's Tomb! You actually thought about getting a piece of the pie? How ridiculous!"
Ijin Shinju exuded an air of assured victory, but she seemed intent on preserving her strength and did not plan to intervene personally. "Kondo-kun, Seiki-kun, I've suppressed her domain, and my subordinates have restrained hers. Now it's up to the two of you to perform."
"Hahaha! Thanks a lot!"
"Don't worry, she won't be able to escape!"
"I've never seen such beauty. Shouldn't we enjoy her a bit first? What a pity!"
"Cut the chatter! Kill her quickly!"
These two super Heroes from the island nation felt extremely excited and satisfied. They had suffered a defeat at the hands of this woman before, and now, with her strength depleted and another Demon King of similar strength suppressing her, it seemed impossible for her to withstand the two super Heroes. This underwater environment, hundreds of miles deep, would allow them to showcase their true power, which was on a completely different level from the surface.
Today, this woman from Huaxia would experience true despair!
Once they eliminated the Succubus Queen and obtained even greater power, Ijin Shinju would not be able to keep them in check any longer. The prospect of capturing the Empress's Tomb was currently a mutual endeavor, and when she lost her utility, they could collectively remove her. Two top-tier Level 5 Demon Kings might even facilitate rapid advancements, bringing them close to the level of monarch!
Surrounded by eight nagas, Zhang Nu stood at the center. It would take approximately ten minutes before the seal was completely lifted. Therefore, he remained composed, choosing not to hastily make a move. After all, these three cunning individuals might introduce some surprises during the waiting period, offering him some amusement and preventing the situation from becoming overly tedious.
"