Chapter 63: Ancient Artifact
As someone afflicted with the curse, Wang Heng was all too aware of the terrifying nature of this dark malady. Even with the assistance of the Five Immortal Kings, the fundamental threat remained unchanged.
Nevertheless, he did not decline the other Immortal Kings' offer to help. At the very least, with their aid, the situation would improve significantly in the short term.
"Then I must trouble you, my fellow Daoists," Wang Heng remarked in gratitude.
After speaking, without hesitation, he sat down where he stood, patiently waiting as the Five Immortal Kings took their positions, forming a five-pointed star around him.
Simultaneously, the five exerted their strength to help Wang Heng suppress the rampant and boiling curse within him.
The curse was a significant reason for his severe injuries. After vanquishing an Immortal King, emerging bathed in the king’s blood, he was at his weakest. At that moment, the forces from a foreign realm struck with a sinister plan, exploiting the opening to plant a terrifying curse. It erupted within his body and blood, while several Immortal Kings followed up with attacks, leaving him gravely wounded.
Of course, he didn’t make it easy for them. Employing the Primordial Spirit Sword Technique, he fended off the enemies on all sides, injuring all who dared attack him.
It was Wang Heng's fierce and unmatched valor that instilled fear in the dozen or so Immortal Kings, leading them to ultimately retreat.
Losing a supreme force was already a significant blow. Had they lost another to the cursed Wang Heng, the cost would have been too great, proving unprofitable for the foreign realm. Moreover, nearly a dozen Immortal Kings were overseeing the frontier at that time, making invasion difficult.
Thus, the decision was made to withdraw the troops and wait for the curse to take its toll and incapacitate Wang Heng.
In this way, the grand war between the two realms came to a close, ending with the retreat of the foreign realm.
Although it seemed like the foreign realm suffered, losing an Immortal King on the spot, in reality, the true loss belonged to the Original Domain.
They lost a supreme combat force. Although not immediately fallen, Wang Heng’s survival hung in the balance. In the short term, he wouldn't be able to partake in battles among the Immortal Kings, and whether he could ultimately survive remained unknown.
At this moment, the Five Immortal Kings joined forces to suppress the curse within Wang Heng.
On the surface, it seemed effective; the curse, which had already eroded most of the Immortal King's body, was now pushed entirely into one leg, restoring the rest of his body to its normal, luminous state.
However, none of the Immortal Kings showed any relief on their faces. Without exception, they all wore expressions of gravity, as if shrouded in fog.
“Fellow Daoist Wang, who placed this curse? Why is it so tenacious?” asked the Immortal King of Heaven and Earth, his brows tightly furrowed.
As a towering figure, his power was undeniable, enough to overlook the heavens.
Yet, even he felt somewhat powerless in suppressing this dark curse.
Despite their combined efforts, they hadn't managed to eliminate much. They only compressed the curse's power within Wang Heng's body into one leg.
This approach only treats the symptoms, not the root cause; the compressed dark curse would erupt sooner or later, possibly with more intensity and terror.
The Immortal Kings realized this, thus, they ceased further attempts.
“Could it be those old beings from the foreign domains?” True Dragon speculated. “Ordinary Immortal Lords don't possess such power.”
Wang Heng shook his head, revealing a truth that sent chills to the onlookers.
“No, not this time. Among the most ancient beings of the foreign lands, none showed up during this assault. Kundi, Wushang, Pumo King… none were present, otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to roam the border so freely.
The force against me wasn't from an Immortal Lord, but an artifact, one that harbors the most primal dark power, emanating a foreboding aura from a distance. If I’m not mistaken, it’s the ancient artifact of foreign legends, linked to the origins of darkness.”
“What? Fellow Daoist, are you saying the curse was planted by the ancient origin artifact from the foreign domain?” The Immortal King of Heaven and Earth and the others could no longer remain seated, springing to their feet.
“At the very least, it played a crucial role in the process of sowing the curse,” Wang Geng nodded.
“No wonder the curse is so hard to eradicate. If it involves this ancient artifact, then it's no surprise,” said the True Phoenix with sudden realization.
Earlier, while purging the dark curse from Wang Heng's body, a strand of his Nirvana Phoenix Blood was nearly counterattacked, indicating the power level of the curse.
“As of now, the curse is difficult to dispel, and even with our combined efforts, we are at a loss. What do you plan to do, Friend Wang?” the True Dragon asked.
“I know better than anyone else the state of the curse within my body. When the darkness accumulates enough strength to retaliate, it might be the time of my demise.
There is no need for you all to waste your efforts. Please return. For today's help, I am deeply grateful. If by chance I survive this ordeal, I will surely repay you lavishly,” Wang Geng sincerely expressed his gratitude.
The Five Immortal Kings, seeing this, said no more, having already witnessed the malevolence of the curse, as insidious as maggots gnawing at the bones. After several attempts, they understood it was beyond human capability.
“Take care, Friend Wang.”
“Huayun from the South Sea has already attempted to contact Friend Wu Zhong through secret methods. I have also sent a message to the Wheel of Reincarnation. Perhaps soon, Friend Reincarnation will emerge.
Regarding the curse, they might have a solution. In the meantime, please take care, Friend Wang.”
“I understand.”
Wang Geng nodded, watching the five Immortal Kings depart.
Once the Immortal King of Heaven and Earth and others had left completely, he turned to face the anxious Wang Mian.
“Forgive me, Immortal King, Wang Mian failed to protect Young Master.”
Wang Geng shook his head, his eyes so deep that one couldn't meet them directly.
“No, you've done well, fulfilling your mission.
In moments of crisis, true character is tested.
Some choose to remain steadfast, some choose to betray, while others choose to rebel.”
His voice gradually turned cold, the anger of an Immortal King brewing murderous intent was terrifying, casting the entire Immortal King's abode into a frigid winter.
“Spare me, Immortal King! In a moment of madness, I committed such a grave wrong...”
“Forgive us, respected senior Immortal King, we did not harm a single member of the Wang family.”
Inside the golden cage, a group of suppressed true immortals were horrified.
How could they, mere true immortals, withstand the wrath of an Immortal King?
In their hearts, they felt boundless regret, realizing that greed and misjudgment had been their undoing.
Who could have foreseen that with the death of the Immortal Vine, the collateral branches wiped out, and the quasi-Immortal King rebelling, the pillar of the Wang family remained unfallen?
Furthermore, just before leaving, Wang Heng had deliberately opened several key secret places — who could resist such temptation?
“Ants being troublesome.”
Wang Geng said nothing more, simply delivering these cold words.
Then, without hesitation, he flipped his hand and struck down, reducing all the immortals within and the golden cage itself to ashes.
Wang Mian felt a chill run down his spine as he watched from the sidelines.
In the cage of gold, the beings there overwhelmed him; some were beyond his understanding, and even a quasi-king was among them. Yet, in front of the Wang Family Immortal King, they seemed so insignificant and powerless. Despite his injuries, the Immortal King possessed the strength to annihilate them effortlessly.
Wang Mian was relieved he chose the right side, standing by Wang Heng. If he hadn't, he feared he'd be reduced to ashes.
“You’ve done well, but alas, the Wang family has reached its end. Its glory, like a fleeting cloud, is about to vanish.”
Wang Geng handed him a token. “Take this and seek refuge in the Immortal Realm. An old acquaintance of mine will guide you.”
Wang Mian felt a weight in his hand — a spatial artifact containing his reward, and the token infused with the aura of an Immortal King.
He was touched, realizing Wang Geng was providing him a path forward.
“Thank you, Immortal King!”
With a sigh, he said no more and quickly left after accepting the token.
With Wang Mian's departure, the chaotic secret land became desolate, left with only Wang Geng, Wang Heng, and remnants of the Immortal Vine.
Wang Geng stood there, a lonely figure, his gaze filled with melancholy. He looked towards the vast Immortal Mansion and waved his hand gently.
Instantly, all the beings within the mansion were sent away, including the mounts the Wang family had kept for many years.
Those who had contributed to the Wang family received their due reward, while others were sent away with what belonged to them.