Rise of The Demon General Chapter 783. Another Prophecy

As Amon passed the Hyanid city, he observed its inhabitants. He found it astonishing that so many Hyanids existed, yet the common folk of the lower realm remained oblivious to their presence. He pondered the reason behind the Hyanids' sudden decision to target humans after such a long period of dormancy.

The dwellings of the Hyanids were meticulously carved into the surrounding natural rock formations within the cavern. Ublaith guided Amon towards the most substantial structure, situated at the cavern's terminus. This edifice appeared to have organically emerged from the cavern wall, its exterior adorned with spires, bestowing upon it a castle-like grandeur.

Numerous Hyanids patrolled the city thoroughfares, with a significantly larger contingent encircling this imposing castle. While these Hyanids exhibited behaviors akin to humans, they were conspicuously unclothed. Their carapaces served the dual purpose of natural attire and formidable armor. Each Hyanid possessed a unique carapace, often distinguished by subtle variations, ensuring no two were identical. Amon surmised that these intricate carapaces were the Hyanids' method of individual identification.

Amon followed Ublaith into the Hyanid castle, its interior proving both more expansive and profound than he had initially anticipated. The castle's architecture encompassed an entirely separate cavern.

Amon was led through a labyrinthine series of passages, eventually arriving at a chamber resembling a bustling workshop. Organic materials were strewn across numerous desks within the room. This environment immediately reminded Amon of a similar workshop he had encountered previously, leading him to deduce that the artisan here was a Flesh Alterer.

Ublaith initiated a communication with a slightly hunched Hyanid, employing a series of distinct clicking sounds. Amon recognized these same vocalizations from the Hyanids encountered outside the castle, inferring that this constituted their primary mode of language. The hunched Hyanid, prior to Ublaith's greeting, was issuing directives to other Hyanids in the workshop, utilizing the same clicking dialect.

The hunched Hyanid responded to Ublaith's greeting with a brief series of clicks. Amon observed fine fissures tracing the surface of the older Hyanid's carapace, surmising this to be a physical indicator of advanced age among their kind.

Following a few more exchanges of clicking sounds between the two Hyanids, the elder specimen turned its attention toward Amon. Although the intricate details of the elder Hyanid's compound eyes remained obscure to him, Amon was certain he was being subjected to scrutiny.

At length, the elder Hyanid addressed Amon in a language he could comprehend. "Well met, human," it intoned. "My designation is Xlasstazh, and I am counted among the elders of this brood. According to Ublaith's account, you are the purported owner of the sentient puppet that endeavored to establish contact with us?"

"Indeed, I am," Amon replied, affirming his identity. "And I understand you expressed a desire to convene with me?"

Xlasstazh fell silent, his gaze sweeping across the room as if lost in contemplation. After a discernible pause, he instructed Ublaith, "Proceed to inform the other elders comprising the council. I wish to converse with this human in solitude."

Given that the elder was utilizing the human tongue rather than their native dialect, Ublaith's response mirrored this linguistic choice. "Arrasixx shall undertake that duty. My place is by your side," he stated.

Xlasstazh's cultivation base was only at the Intermediate Malicious Stage. He had witnessed Amon's swift dispatch of a Peak Fiendish Stage opponent, a feat achieved through a surprise attack, yet one that could potentially be replicated.

"Harbor no concerns for my well-being," Xlasstazh assured Amon, his gaze fixed upon him. "I do not believe our guest possesses the folly to attempt any aggression against me. How, after all, could he possibly expect to extricate himself from this location unscathed?"

Amon offered a noncommittal shrug. "It is conceivable that I might attempt to overpower you and utilize you as a bargaining chip to facilitate my egress from this domain."

"You DARE?!" Arrasixx’s voice boomed as she unleashed her power, her Supreme Stage aura pressing down upon Amon with immense force.

Amon assessed her aura to be comparable to that of Zhang Daofeng after he had attained the Demigod realm. In that prior encounter, he had been pinned to the ground, utterly incapable of resistance. Now, however, he found he could remain upright. He estimated that by invoking his Elder God Veil, he should be able to move unhindered by such an overwhelming aura.

Xlasstazh emitted a laugh, an unsettling sound that resonated similarly to Arrasixx’s earlier outburst. Amon concluded that this must be the customary manner in which Hyanids expressed amusement.

"I perceive you to be either remarkably honest or exceedingly fearless. I suspect the latter is more probable. Regardless, such notions of resistance are futile. While my kin hold the lives of our elders in high regard, our loyalty does not extend to allowing an individual who has witnessed our sanctuary to depart freely. It is far more likely that I would be offered as a sacrifice for the collective benefit of the brood, a fate to which I would raise no objection. Indeed, I would find it a source of immense pride should such an eventuality arise."

A sense of unease settled upon Amon as he absorbed Xlasstazh's words. These very thoughts had crossed his mind upon laying eyes on the Hyanid City. Should he return to the Mercy Faction and divulge the coordinates of this hidden settlement, the faction could undoubtedly muster its forces for a decisive strike. Previously, their incursion into the misty border had faltered precisely due to their ignorance of the enemy's location. His current intelligence regarding this city would prove invaluable.

Xlasstazh appeared to discern Amon's burgeoning intentions. "You may also dismiss any thoughts of dispatching a message talisman back to your people, thereby alerting them to our nest's existence," he stated. "Message talismans are rendered inoperative within this misty border. All communications are effectively jammed by the chaotic energies permeating this region."

Amon supposed that it was the same volatile energy that impaired their cultivation senses.

Xlasstazh addressed the two younger Hyanids once more, saying, "You two may depart. Truly, do not concern yourselves. Should our guest attempt any treachery against me, you will have the justification you desire – the excuse to eliminate him." He then turned to Amon, inquiring, "You do not wish for that outcome, do you?"

Amon responded, "No, I do not."

Ublaith appeared to be in a quandary. Ultimately, he conceded to Xlasstazh. "Very well."

He then caution Amon, "Be warned, human. I am aware that your kind frequently makes foolish errors, even at the expense of your own safety, but do not commit such a blunder here."

Having spoken his mind, he departed. Arrasixx, though reluctant, followed Ublaith out. Her gaze remained fixed on Amon until she too had left the room.

"I offer my apologies for their demeanor," Xlasstazh stated to Amon after the two had gone. "Our people do not hold humans in high regard."

"That is peculiar, considering your origins stem from humans," Amon remarked.

"Oh...? What leads you to that conclusion?"

"Everything I have observed suggests that to be the case. If you evolved from the Cryanids, your kind's behavior would be markedly different. No, based on what I have seen, your actions resemble those of humans far more than the Cryanids. Moreover, you converse in our tongue. A completely distinct race would not achieve this."

"It is conceivable that we study your language to ascertain methods of defeating your kind."

"A desire to study will not alter your genetic makeup. You can speak our language because you possess human vocal cords. Without them, no amount of study would enable you to articulate our speech."

"Hm..." Xlasstazh acknowledged Amon's reasoning with a nod.

Amon continued, "However, it is possible you transplanted vocal cords through a flesh-altering process. Observing this workshop, it is evident you are proficient in such techniques. Yet, flesh-altering invariably leaves deformities on its subjects. I detect none on you or on the two who just departed, so I doubt that is the explanation."

"Hehe. Your analysis is indeed sharp. It is hardly surprising that he selected you."

"He...?" Amon inquired. He had never encountered a Hyanid or even a Cryanid prior to his arrival in Defunct Edge City. He found it puzzling that an associate of Xlasstazh possessed knowledge of him. He asked, "Do you have agents who exchange information with humans?"

Xlasstazh shook his head. "No. We consistently regard humans as adversaries or sustenance. You are the first human with whom we have interacted."

"Then, who is this 'he' you mentioned, who is aware of me?"

Xlasstazh chuckled before replying, "The Creator."

This marked the second individual Amon had encountered who spoke of the Creator. The first had been Xuan Ming, the seemingly immortal tribal matriarch who had resided in Kazhan. That woman had vanished after delivering a prophecy to Amon.

"You... You have also received prophecies from the Creator?" Amon asked. He found the notion of an omnipotent entity dictating his destiny to be unpalatable. Yet, he had now met two individuals with connections to such a being. While this fact unsettled him, he could no longer dismiss such an entity as the product of a deluded mind.

"Well, I suppose 'prophecies' is an acceptable term," Xlasstazh responded. "However, few of my peers place faith in my pronouncements. Despite that, they still heed them because some of my so-called prophecies have indeed proven accurate."

"Some? Not all?" Amon pressed.

Xlasstazh made a gesture of shrugging. "Many of these so-called prophecies were presented in riddles. I have never been one to appreciate vague directives. I do not comprehend why the creator chose me. Nevertheless, the instances where I misinterpreted the messages have led to skepticism regarding my abilities, but those were my errors in judgment, not a failing of the messages themselves."

"So, what does this prophecy concerning me entail? Is it also a riddle?"

Xlasstazh shook his head. "The message pertaining to you is remarkably straightforward. It states that one day, a human will emerge who seeks to negotiate with our kind by dispatching a sentient puppet. It further declares that if our people are to harbor any hope of reclaiming our ancestral lands, we must accept your assistance."