But I'm a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 59

Born from the thunder calamity, the thunder serpent had finally found something to vent its pent-up resentment—how could it let these crimson mists off so easily?

To think that a mighty thunder serpent like itself was being treated like some lowly tamed beast—utterly humiliating!

It tore into the thick red fog with relentless fury, cutting through the endless darkness like a blade of lightning, carving out a path of light.

The faint scent of charred embers lingered in the air. A’Tong’s expression turned complicated—unsure whether to admire Yuan Ji’s boldness or lament how such a noble thunder serpent was being so carelessly exploited.

“Crackle.”

Having scattered the surrounding crimson mist beyond recovery, the thunder serpent raised its head with deliberate arrogance, flicking its forked tongue as it turned back.

Its golden, slit-pupiled eyes gleamed with unmistakable pride.

See how powerful I am? Tremble before me! If you apologize now, I might just be merciful.

Yuan Ji, of course, understood the meaning in its gaze. The corners of her lips curled upward, her smile widening.

She tilted her head, staring straight at the serpent without a word—until the creature grew uneasy under her gaze, its proud stance faltering as it lowered its head, unable to meet her eyes. Only then did a soft chuckle escape her lips.

“Well done.” Though her voice was light, her eyes held deeper thoughts. The sensation of being watched had grown stronger—had their observers multiplied?

She exchanged a glance with Qi Yan beside her, confirming her suspicions.

“There are more over there. Go.” She pointed toward the direction where the lurking presence hid, signaling the thunder serpent to advance.

Born from the thunder calamity, the serpent was a natural bane to these malevolent forces. There was no need to worry about it getting hurt.

As for the things hiding in the darkness—having witnessed the serpent’s power—they could only grit their teeth in frustration and retreat further.

Who would’ve thought a thunder serpent would appear in this cursed place?

What rotten luck.

“Hiss!” The serpent flicked its tongue excitedly. It had begun to realize that tearing through the disgusting red mist actually strengthened its own power.

It shot a sidelong glance at Yuan Ji, its pupils narrowing. If I clear out all this mist, maybe I can even repay the humiliation and reclaim my dignity.

The thought invigorated it. Coiling with anticipation, it surged toward the direction Yuan Ji had indicated.

Just you wait—Lord Serpent is coming!

Its eagerness made it seem like nothing more than an obedient lackey. If A’Tong hadn’t known Yuan Ji had just grabbed it at random, he might’ve mistaken it for a well-trained beast she had raised.

Shaking his head, A’Tong dismissed the absurd thought.

With Yuan Ji’s temperament, she’d never keep such a dim-witted pet.

With that, he sidled up to Yuan Ji. “Yuan Ji, could that be the exit?”

“I don’t know.” She strolled leisurely behind the thunder serpent, her demeanor so relaxed she might as well have been on a casual outing.

A’Tong frowned. “That’s not good. The thunder calamity outside has grown even more terrifying. The system shows the River God Temple’s defensive array won’t hold for long under this bombardment.”

A rough estimate painted a horrifying image—a thundercloud half the size of the sky pressing down on the temple, raining down serpents of lightning like a storm. Anyone who saw it would be stunned.

If the temple had more time, it wouldn’t fear a mere thunder calamity. But right now, it was still in its infancy.

At his words, Yuan Ji paused, a flicker of irritation in her tone before she quickly steadied it. “Understood. We’ll hurry.”

Qi Yan, ever perceptive, caught the subtle shift in her mood. His gaze darkened as he glanced upward, masking his own thoughts. “The resentment here is overwhelming. The thunderclouds outside must be massive.”

Yuan Ji’s brows knitted slightly. “The resentment is leaking out?”

“Where we entered.” Qi Yan nodded. “That entrance was alive. Now it’s hidden somewhere. We need to find it.”

As soon as he spoke, he summoned Zhijie. The azure blade hummed in greeting to Yuan Ji before unleashing a surge of sword energy. It radiated outward, dispersing the resentment in its path—more terrifyingly efficient than even the thunder serpent.

Caught off guard, the serpent was sent tumbling with a disgruntled hiss. Not daring to complain, it hurried forward.

Can’t fall behind—must save face! Besides, if the sword energy destroyed all the red mist, it wouldn’t be able to grow stronger.

With renewed fervor, the serpent charged ahead like a beast possessed. Its manic energy seemed to awaken the things lurking in the darkness.

“Delicious… these two smell divine!”

“Eat them!”

“Devour! Devour! All the wretched must be devoured!”

Stripped of their concealment by the sword energy, the shadowy figures revealed their true forms—amorphous, clinging to one another, crawling over each other in their eagerness to snarl at Yuan Ji and her companions.

The stench of corruption thickened the air, and the once-thinned crimson mist began to coalesce again.

“Resentment-nourished wraiths.” Qi Yan’s expression turned grave. He swept Zhijie in front of him, but the sword energy was quickly swallowed by the foul aura, only feeding the creatures further.

Pausing, he stopped attacking and instead shielded Yuan Ji. “Be careful not to let the corruption touch you. We need to move—follow the serpent.”

“Right.” Yuan Ji studied the wraiths, gathering divine energy at her fingertips, ready to strike if they lunged.

The two quickened their pace behind the thunder serpent, the horde of wraiths hot on their heels like a macabre chase.

“So it’s her…”

“How amusing. Come find me.”

Perched high above on the crimson mist, Wu Du swayed his scarred legs idly, the red fog beneath him flickering in and out of existence. Propping his chin on his hand, he watched the scene below with eager anticipation.

Perhaps his gaze was too intense—Yuan Ji and Qi Yan both looked up simultaneously.

“There.” Yuan Ji pointed directly at Wu Du’s location. “Little Lei, go.”

The thunder serpent nearly twisted its own spine in shock. It whipped its head around, glaring at Yuan Ji.

“Little Lei?!”

Its golden eyes bore into her, lightning flickering dangerously within.

Yuan Ji arched a brow, her gaze unyielding.

After a long moment, the serpent’s defiance crumbled.

Fine. From now on, I’m Little Lei.

Swallowing its grievances, the serpent turned and shot toward Wu Du’s perch. But in a flash of lightning, the spot was empty.

“Tch. He ran.” Yuan Ji clicked her tongue, her irritation mounting.

This place was unbearably noisy, grating on her nerves.

The oppressive atmosphere thickened until a faint, refreshing fragrance cut through the corruption.

Qi Yan held out a green spiritual fruit. “The resentment here is heavy. This will help.”

Yuan Ji exhaled, accepting it. “Thanks.”

Their casual demeanor only enraged the wraiths further. Every other human who had stumbled into this place had wept, begged, and screamed in terror—their despair was delicious.

Yet these two showed no fear?

Unforgivable!

Feeling thoroughly slighted, the wraiths—now emboldened by Wu Du’s silent command—unleashed their full fury, swarming toward the two trapped within their midst.

Cry!

Scream!

Let us feast on your terror!