Chapter 796: If It Was a Prophecy Your Saintess Was Meant to Hear

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme and the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman entered a kitchen untouched by the dark energy. The room was empty, as it was not yet time to prepare a meal.

"Let's rest here for a moment."

"Okay."

Although the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme was politely caring for her, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman found this kindness burdensome. Her companion was young, but she was still a Demon Supreme of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

"If you're hungry, have some of this." The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme held out the two duck legs she had found in the kitchen.

"I'm fine," the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman declined.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme leaned against a table and tore into a duck leg, eating enthusiastically.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman sensed a relaxed confidence and strength in the woman's natural demeanor. "It's quiet," she remarked.

The unsettling silence was strange. They should have heard the distant sounds of fighting.

"The Young Cult Leader is probably heading in the opposite direction from us," the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme replied.

Although she could not fight alongside Geom Mugeuk, she considered her task very important. After all, the reason Geom Mugeuk could fight without worries was because he trusted her to protect the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman.

Moreover, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman had a deep connection to the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. Protecting her was crucial.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme set down the duck leg and wiped her hands carelessly on a nearby cloth. "Step back."

As the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman moved back, the door opened and someone entered.

The person who stepped inside was an old man. He was the Black Elder, one of the two elders who had been with the Darkness Palace Lord. He entered naturally, as if he knew they were there.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme wiped her greasy lips on her sleeve and stood protectively before the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman.

The Black Elder looked at the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme and grinned. His smile was full of a confidence that belittled his opponent. She was far too young. "I heard a new Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme had taken over, but I didn't realize you'd be a little girl."

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme responded calmly, "You've deployed the Greedy Annihilation Art just to catch a little girl and a woman. Does receiving the energy of those gamblers make your old body feel full of vigor?"

She did not back down in their battle of wills. Besides, she was naturally skilled at cursing and provoking opponents during a fight, and today was no exception.

She added, "And you should wash more as you get older. You reek of rotting corpses."

Her words completely unsettled the Black Elder.

"You damned bitch!"

A dark energy, sharp as a blade, erupted from the Black Elder's body.

SWOOOOOSH.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme released her qi to block the incoming energy. The two auras clashed intensely.

The Black Elder's appearance was not entirely a bad thing. It meant the Young Cult Leader was doing his job well. It also meant their enemies' situation was desperate enough that they needed to take the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman hostage.

That's right, things aren't going your way, are they?

Just then, someone else entered from behind the Black Elder.

"Let's postpone the fight for a moment," the Saintess Ga Ye requested politely. She, who had vanished as if fleeing, had reappeared.

The Black Elder withdrew his aura.

Ga Ye slowly approached the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman. Backed by the Black Elder, she showed no fear of the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme.

Finally, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman and Ga Ye stood facing each other.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman spoke first, "What lies have you come to tell this time?"

You told me to come alone, but this place was a trap.

Despite the situation, Ga Ye had shown herself again, and she did not apologize for her deception.

"The Young Cult Leader was right," Ga Ye said, not hiding her true feelings. "I wanted to kill you."

"……" The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman listened quietly to her confession.

"When the Darkness Palace Lord ordered me to summon you here, I was secretly hoping that you would die."

Listening to Ga Ye, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman thought that perhaps the Darkness Palace Lord was the one who had kept her alive.

"I know you recently received a prophecy. What was it?" Ga Ye asked.

"How did you know that?"

During the world's greatest beauty pageant, she had received a prophecy that the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon would pierce Geom Mugeuk's heart.

"I just knew. Now, tell me what the prophecy was," Ga Ye demanded. She wanted her curiosity satisfied.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman now clearly saw the root of Ga Ye's desire to kill her. However, instead of answering, she asked aback, "How long has it been since you last received a prophecy?"

Ga Ye's gaze turned icy. "Who do you think you are to dare speak of the Saintess's prophecies?"

"That's right, I'm not a member of the Saintess Palace."

Ga Ye fumed. This was it. This was why she was so angry. She had dedicated her entire being to the Saintess Palace, yet prophecies descended upon a coward who had fled.

"'This world will be ruled by the one born with the Celestial Killer Star,'" the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman continued. "Like the Young Cult Leader said, you made that prophecy up, didn't you?"

"Shut up!"

From the Saintess's violent reaction, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman immediately understood that she had hit the mark. The Saintess had already lost her way. Perhaps that was why the prophecies came to her, even though she had left.

On the other hand, she understood Ga Ye. She knew better than anyone how growing up as the Saintess in that closed-off place could wear a person down. She also knew how a Saintess who could not receive prophecies was treated.

Ga Ye spoke indifferently, "Whatever prophecy you received, nothing changes. You're going to die anyway."

Despite the threat, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman sensed fear. "What exactly are you afraid of? Is it the Celestial Killer Star?"

The emotion in Ga Ye's eyes was an unconcealable, primal fear.

"We should have been the ones to possess that power."

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman did not know the exact details, but she could guess who had received that power. She tried to persuade Ge Ye, "No, it's right for the Young Cult Leader to have that power. He is someone who will use it justly, no matter what kind of power it is. Besides, I think there's still a chance. If you truly believe in the will of the heavens, the final prophecy will descend upon you. Don't side with the Young Cult Leader or the Darkness Palace Lord. Side with the heavens, just as the Saintess Palace has always done."

Ga Ye's gaze wavered slightly.

SSSSSS…

The dark energy flowing around the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman receded on its own. This was the innate energy that flowed from the Black Elder's body.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme had not pushed it away. The energy retreated from the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman by itself.

Just then, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman gasped and made a surprising statement. "A prophecy is about to descend."

She felt a prophecy coming.

It was an unexpected situation, but the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme nodded calmly. "I'll protect you, so receive the prophecy."

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman immediately sat cross-legged and took a white cloth, the Saintess's Dream, from her robes.

Before covering her eyes, she saw Ga Ye's despairing face, but had no time to spare her a thought.

Honestly, she did not want to receive the prophecy. She would not have accepted it if it was unrelated to the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon or Geom Mugeuk.

However, she had to receive it now. If the heavens were sending a prophecy at this moment, it must have a meaning.

Ga Ye's face twisted into a vicious expression. She's receiving a prophecy right now? Right here, while I'm watching? At the very instant I'm erupting with anger for not receiving one?

The heavens were ignoring her. If this was how the heavens were, she would never believe in them again.

Or perhaps the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman was deceiving her.

Whatever the case, Ga Ye could only react one way. Killing intent flowed from her eyes. "Kill her!"

The Black Elder stepped forward. "I can't do that. My job is to bring that woman to the Darkness Palace Lord. The contents of that prophecy must be reported to him."

The Darkness Palace Lord's intention was not merely to use the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman as a hostage.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme blocked the way in front of the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman. "If it was a prophecy your Saintess was meant to hear, it would have descended upon her."

She added another task to her duty. She had grown more irritated as she listened.

"Hey, fake Saintess," she mocked.

Ga Ye, who had turned away, bit her lip hard. The word 'fake' shook her to the core.

"From now on, resent me instead of the heavens. Because I'm the one who's going to kill you," the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme added.

Those words were chilling. The one who had just promised death was the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme.

Still, Ga Ye did not look frightened at all. She asked the Black Elder, "Were you ordered to bring that little girl back alive too?"

"Of course not," the Black Elder laughed coldly. He intended to kill the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme as painfully as possible.

SWOOOSH!

He unleashed a powerful move from the very beginning. A powerful palm technique shot from his hand toward the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme.

SHWAA…

In an instant, one of the strange symbols painted on the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme's carriage materialized in the empty air before her.

KABOOM!

The moment the palm technique struck the symbol, it changed direction and flew toward the wall. The cabin wall shattered, but a writhing dark mist lay beyond it. The energy of the Greedy Annihilation Art surrounded the ship, so they did not have to worry about it sinking.

"What a strange little trick."

SWOOOOOSH!

This time, he unleashed an even more powerful strike.

SHWIIIIK!

Another symbol appeared, redirecting the palm technique toward Ga Ye.

KABOOM!

The Black Elder extended a hand and blocked the attack flying toward Ga Ye.

SSSSSS…

Black smoke rose from his palm as he neutralized his own technique.

"Not bad."

The dismissive look on the Black Elder's face vanished. The qi infused in that last strike was not easily blocked. Moreover, the move to not just deflect it but to precisely redirect it at Ga Ye was truly extraordinary.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme snorted. This was the Soul Origin Transference Art, one of her legacy's unique demonic arts.

The Black Elder did not know how hard she had worked. He did not know how she had trained, sacrificing sleep, just to not fall behind the other Demon Supremes. He did not know that at the center of those efforts was the most outstanding illusion arts master, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

The Black Elder chanted an incantation.

RUMMMBLE…

The floor began to shake and vibrate as if in an earthquake. Parts of the floor swelled up, and then skeletons burst out, as if hatching from an egg.

This was the Underworld Nine Springs Summoning Art, the most powerful technique of the Black Elder's Pitch Black Demonic Art.

The chilling skeletons were not illusions. A ghastly blue light, the kind emitted by the dead, flowed from their eyes.

It was fortunate that the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman had her eyes covered. Even the bravest person would find it impossible to maintain composure at such a sight.

Of course, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme was not afraid at all. "Now I see why you reeked of rotting corpses."

She quietly chanted a mantra.

SHHHHH…

Unintelligible characters began to write themselves on the floor, forming a circle around the cross-legged Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman and herself. Light emanated from the inscriptions.

The moment the skeletons tried to cross the characters, an invisible barrier blocked their path.

CRASH!

The martial art she had unleashed was the Ghost Writings Barrier Art.

THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!

The skeletons swarmed forward, striking the invisible barrier with their weapons, but the barrier created by the ghostly characters did not break.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme was buying as much time as possible. She thought a chaotic battle might prevent the prophecy from being received.

"Not bad."

The watching Black Elder launched a palm technique at the floor. He did not waste an attack on the barrier.

KABOOOOM!

The floor shattered under his immense power, and they all fell downward.

THUD!

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman landed softly on the floor below.

Fortunately, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme had used her qi to ensure a safe landing, and likewise, the Black Elder protected Ga Ye.

He had thought destroying the floor would break the characters and the ghostly barrier. However, even after falling, both the characters and the barrier remained intact.

CRASH! KABOOM!

Again, the Black Elder broke the floor with a palm technique. Once again, they all fell downward.

He was not trying to destroy the barrier. He knew that the deeper they fell, the denser the dark energy became.

After falling a few more times, they reached a place filled with dense dark energy. They had gone up to avoid it, only to fall vertically back into it.

THWACK! THWACK!

The skeletons' power became incomparably stronger, and they struck the barrier with renewed force.

Nevertheless, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme's barrier still did not break.

The Black Elder chanted another mantra, and the skeletons hammering the barrier quickly retreated as if in fear.

RUMMMMMMMBLE!

When he finished the mantra, a vibration far greater than any before shook the room.

A skeleton far larger and more massive than the others rose from the floor. Unlike the previous ones, it wore armor made of bone, its eye sockets were deeper, and the blue light flowing from its nose was so intense it looked like an embedded jewel. Each of its finger bones was as sharp as a blade, and an oppressive aura of death flowed between its bones.

This was the king of the skeletons, the Nine Springs Corpse King.

The Nine Springs Corpse King held a massive sword, looking like a grim reaper risen from hell.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme's gaze deepened.

It has a soul.

The Nine Springs Corpse King was different from the other skeletons. She could feel a soul within it. It was a malevolent soul, filled only with anger, resentment, and killing intent.

Convinced of his victory, the Black Elder laughed hysterically, "Let's see you block this!"

The Nine Springs Corpse King's massive sword flew toward the barrier.

SWOOOOSH! CRASH!

The barrier shook violently from the first attack. A crack appeared with the second, more powerful strike. The power was immense.

RUMBLE!

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme glanced back at the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman, who still sat with her eyes covered by the Saintess's Dream. She had to protect her until the prophecy was fully received.

"What are you doing? Hurry up and patch the hole," the Black Elder taunted.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme began to chant a mantra, as if she intended to do just that.

KABOOM! KABOOOM! CRASH!

Under the relentless attacks, the barrier cracked instantly.

CRAAAAAACK!

One final blow would shatter the barrier completely. The smaller skeletons surrounded them, ready to swarm in the moment the shield broke.

"Look like the Cult will have to pick a new Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme again. That position must be cursed."

The Nine Springs Corpse King delivered the final blow.

SWOOOOSH! GRAB!

The Black Elder looked up, startled. At the last minute, he had blocked the sword that the Nine Springs Corpse King had swung down. Dark energy shimmered from his palm, and his arm trembled from the impact.

"What the hell?"

The Nine Springs Corpse King, which had been about to deliver the final blow, had suddenly turned and struck him instead.

Astonished, he shifted his gaze to the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme, who stood behind the Nine Springs Corpse King.

No way…

The same blue energy flowing from the Nine Springs Corpse King's eyes also flowed from her own.

She had not been chanting a mantra to strengthen the barrier. Amazingly, she had been subduing the soul of the summoned Nine Springs Corpse King.

She grinned. Even if you created that monster, the moment a soul inhabits it…!

"This skeleton is mine now."