Rise of The Demon General Chapter 805. Returning to the Mainland

"He passed the test that we mutually agreed upon," Krassazh responded to his son.

Following his discussion with Amon, Ublaith convened with Krassazh. A test was devised by the two for Amon, which would involve the Hyanids’ two paramount secret weapons, Ibizisx and Zetridh. The objective was to expose these two, who were identified as the linchpins empowering the Hyanids’ dominion over the mainland. It was reasoned that if Amon genuinely sided with humanity, he would undoubtedly endeavor to eliminate the two young Hyanids. Without their presence, the Hyanids’ formidable threat would be significantly blunted.

This strategic setup prompted Arrasixx to escort Amon to this location. A deliberate breach was even created in the ceiling, intended to further tempt Amon into action. The presence of a potential escape route after the supposed assassination of the two young Hyanids was designed to increase Amon’s willingness to undertake such a task. Naturally, Krassazh remained concealed nearby, poised to intervene should Amon make a genuine move to assassinate them. Only once he was assured that Amon harbored no malicious intent toward the two young Hyanids did Krassazh reveal himself, approaching Amon from behind.

"I find myself disliking him," Ublaith expressed. "I cannot quite pinpoint the reason, but I sense that he is not entirely as he appears. It feels as though associating with him will bring us more detriment than advantage."

"That sentiment stems purely from your personal bias," Krassazh countered.

"Let us sincerely hope that is indeed the case...," Ublaith conceded.

"Regardless, we must maintain a high level of caution. Instruct everyone to prepare for departure immediately after the human vacates our city. We shall relocate to our secondary sanctuary. The reason we maintained several reserve nests was precisely for such contingencies, in the event our current location is discovered by the enemy. This maneuver will also serve to verify the human's sincerity. Should he be an adversary, humanity will surely launch an attack on this nest. Conversely, if no such aggression occurs, it will confirm his genuine desire for cooperation."

"Understood. Father's wisdom is profound. I shall convey your directives immediately."

*

Amon accompanied Xlasstazh back to the alchemical workshop. Yeresdyx was present, awaiting their arrival.

"Are you prepared to depart?" Amon inquired.

"Indeed, I am," Yeresdyx affirmed.

Amon produced the containment box and activated its portal. "Kindly step inside," he instructed her.

"A device possessing a spatial dimension...," Xlasstazh remarked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

"You are also permitted to enter, allowing you to verify her safety. However, I must request that you instruct the others against doing the same," Amon advised Xlasstazh.

Xlasstazh then relayed this instruction in the Hyanid tongue. Subsequently, he followed Amon and Yeresdyx into the portal.

Amon guided them to an unoccupied cubicle chamber. He deliberately bypassed the rooms where Zee Whang and Dao Su were engaged in their work. An encounter between the Hyanids and them would only serve to complicate matters further. He intended to introduce Yeresdyx to them at a later juncture. Summoning several worker automata, he tasked them with assisting Yeresdyx in the setup of her equipment. He left these automata at her disposal should any further assistance be required.

Xlasstazh had been meticulously assessing the pocket dimension since their entry. He recognized its inherent stability, confirming that there was no immediate concern regarding its potential collapse. Relieved, knowing that his companion would be secure, he departed.

Upon exiting, Amon deactivated the portal and returned the containment box to the enigmatic depths of his spatial ring.

"Are you prepared to depart?" Xlasstazh echoed the question Amon had posed to Yeresdyx earlier.

"Please guide me to the exit," Amon responded.

Xlasstazh led Amon through a series of extensive tunnels. They deliberately skirted the massive cavern that served as the communal dwelling for the general Hyanid population. Amon inferred at that moment that this nest possessed numerous egress points, a sensible precaution for facilitating escape during an attack.

He passed through an area densely populated with Cryanids. These colossal insectoids functioned as the nest’s primary defense mechanism. Ensured by their sheer numbers, the Hyanids clearly had no shortage of sentinels.

"The threshold of this tunnel leads to the external world," Xlasstazh announced.

The termination of the tunnel Xlasstazh indicated was obscured by a thick curtain of vines and leaves. Glimpses of light penetrated through the verdant foliage.

"This is where I shall bid you farewell. Upon exiting this passage, proceed directly forward. I have selected an exit point situated closest to the mainland’s direction."

"I understand. I extend my gratitude for all that you have done. I shall depart now," Amon conveyed to Xlasstazh.

A momentary pause preceded Xlasstazh's utterance, "To be entirely truthful, I would be deceiving myself if I claimed absolute faith in the Creator’s prophecy. I implore you, prove my skepticism unfounded. Fulfill the prophecy."

"I shall exert my utmost effort to meet your expectations," Amon replied, consciously omitting the truth.

Xlasstazh offered a nod. "Proceed now. Exercise extreme caution within the mists. Do not allow yourself any lapse in vigilance. May the Creator watch over you."

"May he also safeguard you until our paths cross once more," Amon reciprocated the sentiment before making his exit.

Emerging from the tunnel, he found himself enveloped by a dense shroud of mist. He glanced back towards the tunnel’s entrance, which was artfully concealed by abundant vegetation. Coupled with the pervasive mists, identifying the tunnel would prove exceptionally challenging. Unless one were to stumble upon it by sheer accident, the existence of this passage into the Hyanid nest would remain entirely unknown.

Amon's gaze followed the direction indicated by the tunnel, propelling him forward at a swift pace. He harbored no concern about attracting the attention of the surrounding spirit beasts. Krassazh had assured him that the more formidable spirit beasts in this region had already been driven out. If the beasts encountered here were on par with those that had assaulted his team eight years prior, he felt confident in his ability to handle them.

As anticipated, several serpentine spirit beasts with oversized heads launched an ambush from within the mist. Although his cultivation senses failed to detect their presence, his danger sense immediately alerted him. His reflexes and speed, honed to the Peak Supreme Stage, enabled him to effortlessly evade their attacks and retaliate with lightning-fast precision. The Broken Justice in his grasp sliced through the two beasts with ease, reducing them to fragments.

Next, a tree-like spirit beast, adorned with numerous tentacle-like mouths, attacked him. Amon was uncertain if it was the same creature he had failed to vanquish eight years ago. This time, however, failure was not an option. His White Slash technique severed all of the beast’s tentacles and branches. He followed with a decisive cleave, splitting the tree beast cleanly in two.

Several more beasts assailed him thereafter, all meeting the same unfortunate end. After enduring approximately half an hour of continuous interruptions, the attacks ceased. The remainder of his journey proceeded without incident. Either the local spirit beasts had learned to avoid him, recognizing him as a threat not to be trifled with, or he had systematically eliminated the spirit beasts in the immediate vicinity. Regardless, he emerged from the misty border several hours later.

Casting a final glance at the wall of mist he had just traversed, Amon continued his journey toward Defunct Edge City. En route, he observed a vast column of Cryanids advancing in his direction. Krassazh had upheld his end of the bargain, withdrawing his forces from the area.

‘Excellent,’ Amon mused inwardly.

He deliberately altered his course to maintain a considerable distance from the Cryanid swarm. He reasoned that if any humans were present in the vicinity, his unhindered passage through the swarm without provoking an attack would undoubtedly arouse suspicion.

Upon reaching Defunct Edge City, Amon discovered that the city had been utterly devastated, reduced to mere ruins. It had clearly fallen victim to the Cryanids' relentless advance into the mainland. He detected no signs of life within the city, concluding that any survivors must have been captured by the Cryanids and taken back to the Hyanid nest for transformation.

Given the circumstances, he wasted no further time. Amon summoned his Sun Ray Hawk and mounted it, setting his sights on Saintly Sin City.

During his flight, he encountered a substantial contingent of humans moving towards the border. Amon surmised this must be the significant counterattack Xlasstazh had mentioned. He briefly considered whether the powerful individual Xlasstazh had alluded to might be Yao Ai. However, he quickly dismissed the notion, reasoning that if it were her, she would likely be openly leading the charge with her Vermillion Vulture, rather than remaining concealed during a military march.

Amon couldn't help but smirk at the spectacle of the marching force. He knew they would be met with disappointment upon discovering that the enemy they had traveled so far to confront was no longer present. He intended to ignore them, but they clearly had different intentions. He noticed a squad of about twenty soldiers, mounted on flying steeds, detach themselves from the main army and head directly towards him.

‘Why?’ Amon wondered. Had they failed to notice his red vest? Did they not recognize him as one of their own? Perhaps their objective was to gather any available members of the Mercy Faction encountered along their route to reinforce their own ranks.

Amon had no intention of allowing them to do so. He urged the Sun Ray Hawk to increase its speed. To his growing irritation, the squad pursuing him also possessed swift flying steeds, with roughly half of them proving even faster than his own mount. They were closing the distance rapidly.

While the Sun Ray Hawk possessed the ability to temporarily boost its speed using its lightning abilities, this enhancement was primarily suited for combat rather than extended travel. Amon understood that outrunning his pursuers was an unlikely prospect, yet he continued to press onward. His goal was, at the very least, to put some distance between himself and the main army.

Only when the army had dwindled to a distant speck on the horizon did he finally halt, allowing the initial wave of his pursuers to catch up.

“What do you want?” Amon inquired curtly as they arrived.

The leading pursuer, a soldier at the Peak Fiendish Stage, declared, “Slayer Amon, you have been officially declared a fugitive! Comply with us peacefully for detention. You will be brought forth to face Her Ladyship. Should you resist, you will face an immediate death sentence!”