Chapter Twenty-Four: The Emergence of the Dark Land

Within the Nether Serpent Annihilation Array.

Southfall, pierced by ninety Godslayer Black Arrows, gazed calmly at the Seventh Elder and the other Nether Serpent Kings, his eyes devoid of murderous intent.

The more serene Southfall appeared, the more unsettled the heart of the Seventh Elder became—his serpentine mind in turmoil, unable to find peace.

All living beings, when angered, generally display one of two extremes: intense fury, or absolute calm.

Most creatures believe those consumed by rage are more terrifying than those who remain tranquil.

For in their fury, the wrathful will embark on a path of carnage and destruction, while the serene seem harmless and lacking in threat.

Yet in the eyes of seasoned beings like the Seventh Elder, those who achieve utter calm are far more dangerous than the openly furious.

The enraged unleash their destructive urges in plain sight, ending in exhaustion and closure.

But the supremely calm conceal their murderous hearts and thirst for annihilation, only to erupt in sudden, catastrophic violence when their enemies' vigilance wanes.

To the Seventh Elder, Southfall’s tranquility was but the prelude to a future eruption.

He had originally intended to let the Godslayer Arrows slowly extinguish Southfall’s vitality—at the very least, grievously wound him, and then finish him off.

Yes! The Seventh Elder had resolved to defy the Grand Elder’s wishes; he no longer intended to take Southfall alive.

Southfall was simply too dangerous! The ancient Primordial God-Demons were far too powerful!

The Seventh Elder had no confidence whatsoever in his ability to control such a being as Southfall.

For an existence beyond his control, he chose the course most beings would: elimination.

Only in this way could he find peace of mind, sure he would not be slain in turn by Southfall.

Yet now, the sense of peril emanating from Southfall grew ever more intense.

The Seventh Elder realized he could wait no longer—he must take the initiative, test Southfall’s current condition.

Otherwise, he feared he would miss his opportunity, allowing Southfall to recover his strength.

Though he believed it impossible for Southfall to heal after being struck by the Godslayer Arrows.

After all, these Demon Clan treasures—the Divine-Breaking Bows and Godslayer Arrows—were the Nether Serpent Clan’s most prized possessions.

A single arrow was enough to annihilate an ordinary Divine King.

But Southfall was an unpredictable Primordial God-Demon.

Erring on the side of caution, the Seventh Elder chose to launch his assault.

“Ninth Elder, activate the Nether Serpent Annihilation Array and attack Southfall,” he whispered telepathically to the Ninth Elder.

To avoid unnecessary casualties—especially a desperate counterattack from Southfall—the Seventh Elder decided to probe him with the formation.

Southfall could not possibly destroy the array.

“Yes!” the Ninth Elder replied respectfully.

Though the Nether Serpent Annihilation Array had thus far only shrouded a million miles in darkness, in truth, it was the clan’s most potent offensive formation.

It combined sealing, sensory deprivation, defensive barriers, and serpent attacks—a true Divine Lord-level killing array.

Moreover, its power increased with the number and strength of those maintaining it.

By this alone, it was worthy of its reputation as a Divine Lord’s killing array.

In the endless night, the Ninth Elder and the other Divine Kings brandished their Nether Serpent War-Flags, launching their assault on Southfall.

A hissing chorus filled the darkness—

Countless blood-eyed Nether Serpents suddenly appeared within the formation, flicking their tongues and emitting terrifying serpent cries as they glided through the void toward Southfall.

“What is that sound?” Southfall narrowed his golden eyes, watching the countless black shadows surging toward him from all directions.

Only when the serpents closed within a hundred thousand miles did his golden gaze discern them clearly—blood-eyed Nether Serpents, innumerable and sinister.

“Damn it, my six senses are being dulled,” Southfall cursed inwardly, watching the serpents draw near.

One of the array’s deadliest features was the deprivation of the six senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and thought.

Ordinarily, Southfall would have been immune to such an art.

But now, grievously wounded by the Godslayer Arrows, his divine might diminished, he found himself succumbing, his senses dulled.

“It seems I have no choice but to transform early,” he thought with resignation, bound by space and beset by endless blood-eyed serpents.

The hissing intensified.

The serpents, eyes crimson and bodies swaying, closed in within ten miles of Southfall and suddenly lunged to strike.

With a thunderous roar, Southfall threw his head back, unleashing a torrent of azure light that soared to the heavens. His divine body expanded from ten to thirty feet, and the ninety black arrows impaling him were instantly annihilated by the blue radiance.

With a shattering crash, the spatial prison containing him broke apart as if it were glass, collapsing into a black void.

From Southfall as the center, an icy blue light erupted, rushing outward in all directions.

Every blood-eyed Nether Serpent lunging for Southfall was swept by the frigid light and instantly frozen into lifeless statues.

The Seventh Elder and the other Serpent Kings watched the sudden burst of blue power and the countless frozen serpents, feeling as if they stood at the bottom of a ten-thousand-foot abyss, their hearts chilled to the core.

“So Southfall truly concealed a killing move!” The Seventh Elder let out a long, silent breath, relief mingling with gratitude. “Fortunately, I only had the Ninth Elder attack with the formation. Had I gone myself, I would surely be dead by now.”

As Southfall’s power soared, growing ever more overwhelming, far beyond anything their side could withstand, the Seventh Elder steeled himself and produced a black incense stick, three feet high.

There was no other way—he must use his final trump card.

The black incense lit itself, releasing wisps of dark smoke.

Amid a grand demonic chant, a ten-foot-tall black idol slowly condensed within the smoke, exuding an aura of absolute supremacy.

“Summoning Incense!” Southfall’s blue eyes fixed on the incense, his expression grave. “I wonder which of the Nether Serpent Clan is descending?”

The giant idol slowly opened its eyes, revealing a pair of pure, dark, and evil black pupils.

Black eyes met blue.

Their gazes locked—neither yielding.

“Who are you, and why do you seek to harm me?” Southfall finally voiced the question that had long troubled him.

The idol spoke with solemn authority: “When you slaughtered the great army of my Nether Serpent Clan, did you ever imagine this day would come?”

At these words, Southfall recalled his massacre of the Nether Serpent Clan’s army upon his awakening.

He snorted coldly, pride and disdain in his voice. “A god acts in the open, not the shadows! If you have reason, speak it plainly. Why hide behind trivial excuses?”

The idol’s gaze turned icy, its smile cruel. “You have only yourself to blame for your arrogance—for revealing you are a Primordial God-Demon.”

“I see.” Southfall nodded, understanding at last. His gaze sharpened. “You wish to consume me, and so attain the Divine Lord’s path.”

“Precisely,” the idol replied with a smile.

“I do not slay the nameless. Who are you?” Southfall asked coldly.

Unperturbed by Southfall’s disdain, the idol intoned solemnly, “I am Heidi, Grand Elder of the Nether Serpent Clan.”