Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 294 : A Powerful Ally (2)

Chapter 294: Chapter 294 : A Powerful Ally (2)

The Demonic Realm stretched out like a vast expanse of barren wasteland, a twisted and corrupted mirror image of the mortal realm.

The air was thick with the stench of sulfur and decay, and the ground was littered with the bones of the unlucky souls who had ventured too far into this accursed land.

All manner of grotesque and twisted creatures thrived in this lawless place, where there was no norm and no rules.

Demons of all shapes and sizes prowled the wastes, hunting for prey. Malevolent spirits lurked in the shadows, waiting to strike at the unwary.

And even the very land itself was alive with danger, with poisonous rivers and treacherous chasms waiting to claim their victims.

For the brazen visitors who dared to enter the Demonic Realm, surprise awaited at every corner.

One might encounter a pack of ravenous demons tearing apart a freshly killed corpse, or a group of demonic cultivators performing a dark ritual in a moonlit clearing.

One might stumble upon a lost city inhabited by undead creatures, or a cursed forest where the trees whispered secrets of ancient horrors.

In his twenty-four years of life, Xie Jianzhi had never ventured out of the dragon clan’s territory, let alone out of the Heavenly Realm.

An alpha he might be, and yet with neither cultivation nor strength nor weapon to defend himself.

Thankfully, he was not alone.

Lady Wen was considerate enough to arrange for a group of elite guards and an eunuch from Wuyang Palace to accompany him. These guards and the eunuch were sworn to loyalty, she assured him. They would never speak a word of what transpired in the Demonic Realm, who Xie Jianzhi met with, or any other secrets they might learn.

The group moved stealthily along a secret path that had been depicted in a drawing. Xie Jianzhi lost track of time as he walked and walked. Sweat streamed down his face, and he wiped it away for the tenth time. Finally, he turned to the eunuch and asked, "Are we there yet? Why does it take so long?"

The eunuch bowed low. "Forgive me, Your Highness," he said. "But this secret path is long and winding. It is designed to be difficult to find and even more difficult to follow."

"Yes, but..."

Xie Jianzhi tilted his head back, gazing up at the towering cliff that loomed before him. Its peak was barely visible in the swirling red fog that filled the air, like a jagged crown piercing the crimson sky.

"I have seen the same cliff three times already," he said, his voice laced with frustration.

The eunuch bowed again, his face calm and unruffled. "Please be patient, Your Highness," he said. "Only three more rounds, and we will be there."

Xie Jianzhi glared at the eunuch, his bewilderment turning to anger.

"What are you saying? Have we been walking in circles for a while now???"

The eunuch maintained his composure, his voice soft and soothing. "Your Highness, please do not get angry. I assure you, we are on the right path. The secret passage to the First Demon King’s secret lair is hidden from the eyes of all but the most worthy. It is a test of your patience and determination."

Xie Jianzhi gritted his teeth.

It was difficult to uphold his determination and exercise patience when he had to walk in circles and breathe in the foul air of the Demonic Realm.

His indignation increased with every step, but he had no other choice than to shut his mouth and continue walking.

Xie Jianzhi saw the cliff exactly three more times before the red fog magically cleared, revealing a gaping hole in the ground. It was a cave entrance, a dark and forbidding maw that seemed to swallow up all light.

"Your Highness, we are here," the eunuch said, his voice echoing in the silence.

Xie Jianzhi stood frozen on the spot, his heart pounding in his chest. He could see nothing but darkness beyond the cave entrance, and he felt a wave of trepidation wash over him.

The eunuch glanced at Xie Jianzhi, as if wondering why the alpha was frozen on the spot instead of letting himself be engulfed by the darkness of the cave.

Xie Jianzhi cleared his throat. He glared at the eunuch.

"What are you waiting for? Go inside."

The eunuch flashed him a polite smile.

"Of course, Your Highness."

In contrast to the eunuch’s light, uninhibited steps, Xie Jianzhi’s steps were as heavy as clay. If someone had attached a boulder at each of his ankles, it would not feel much different.

Xie Jianzhi swallowed hard when the eunuch disappeared into the darkness. Merely the sound of his footsteps remained, inviting Xie Jianzhi to follow him into the cave.

Xie Jianzhi took a deep breath before he crossed the cave entrance. As soon as he stepped inside, he was no longer able to see anything.

Black, utter darkness that reeked of death and despair.

Thankfully, no one could see the horrified look on his face right now.

But then, suddenly, his eyes caught a speck of light ahead of them.

"There is something over there!" He announced in excitement.

"Quick! Hurry! Move your legs!"

Xie Jianzhi had enough self-control not to run ahead of the eunuch, but he couldn’t help but quicken his pace. He was just so happy to escape the darkness and the oppressive silence of the cave, that he forgot who it was he was meeting.

"ARGHHHHHH!!!"

His excitement was replaced by horror when he saw what it was that lay in front of them.

Illuminated by the Demonic Realm’s reddish sun was a half-rotten, half-skeletal body that was chained to the stone wall. Water droplets fell on the skeletal half of its head incessantly.

Over time, it formed a small hole that drilled into its brain.

Fat and slimy worms slithered in and out of the corpse’s apertures, making disgusting sounds as they moved about.

Xie Jianzhi was barely able to keep the contents of his stomach inside when he heard a cold voice rising from the darkness.

"Welcome, honorable guests."

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Author’s note :

Who is that corpse? Any guesses, loyal readers? (⁠灬⁠º⁠‿⁠º⁠灬⁠)⁠♡