NOVEL NEXT Chapter 49
Chapter 48: The Six Styles of Crimson Lotus and the Curse of Immortality
As Miss Vilyric dragged the three legendary Thrones into the Iron Blood Gladiatorial Arena for a smackdown, and Princess was leading the troops to exterminate those bizarre Undead while destroying teleportation arrays and provisions, another battlefield was just as vibrant with combat.
In the mountainous forest on the outskirts of the basin, two agile figures danced around the complex landscape of trees, seemingly disregarding the collision and gravity as they fired quick and powerful arrows at each other. They would also spar with close-range short daggers in a flash and then separate once more.
The stout tree branches were no more than fragile sheets of paper; they could offer no real resistance, and upon contact with arrows and the raging energy from their confrontation, they would be pierced and ripped apart, the sounds of splintering and falling trees never ceasing.
Most arrows were evaded by the two’s movements, while those that couldn’t be dodged were swiftly taken down by another arrow in mid-air.
The real damage came from their dangerous melee skirmishes.
Hua’s advantage lay in the magical armor she wore called the “Veil of Roses,” which absorbed most of the battle’s residual force, keeping her unharmed until now.
On the other hand, Antonio Stevenson, while slightly less equipped, was able to ignore typical injuries due to the nature of the Undead, healing slowly on his own in just a few seconds.
Evenly matched, the two were indistinguishable in strength, speed, combat awareness, and archery skills. Although their fight looked fierce, it formed a strange balance.
But the tug-of-war between the archers wouldn’t last long.
In a sudden moment, Hua and Antonio simultaneously paused. The girl crouched atop a thick branch like a predatory hunter peering down, while Antonio retreated to a clearing in the woods, bow drawn.
“Ha… Ha…”
Hua’s breath was rapid, expelling the stagnant air trapped in her lungs.
After several minutes of intense movement, observation, and shooting, even as a legendary top-notch archer and ranger, she felt the heavy burden.
In contrast, Antonio, although aged and weary from the battle, retained a steady breath, showing no real signs of fatigue except for some minor cuts and muscles slowly recovering beneath the surface.
But Hua knew differently; Antonio’s physical capacity had diminished significantly over the years he spent teaching her, opting to conserve energy by letting her handle normal enemies.
The Undead’s bodies felt no fatigue, as long as their limbs weren’t completely severed or destroyed, they could keep running, arms still able to lift a bow and draw an arrow.
Even if they were reduced to tatters, as long as the brain remained intact and willpower persisted, they could return to specialized altars and be restored with necromancy.
That was why Antonio willingly relinquished his humanity to join the filthy, dark underground organization— the “Throne of Immortality.” He couldn’t accept the decline of his body and death; he yearned to refine his archery and truly master the legendary “Six Styles.”
The archery techniques left behind by the gods— Crimson Lotus Six Styles.
It is said that Antonio Stevenson created the Crimson Lotus Archery, a misconception he never acknowledged; the old man merely became the known first user.
The first: Fiery Blaze
The second: Sky Inferno
The third: Flames of Doom
The fourth: Flowing Light
The fifth: Cataclysm
The sixth: Crimson Lotus
These six styles lay buried underground for a millennium, and during one of Antonio’s adventures in his youth, he fell into a deep valley and retrieved a manuscript from a dilapidated temple that had been worshipped on the altar.
Aside from the strongest Crimson Lotus Six Styles, the manuscript detailed a magical archery technique Antonio had never heard of, comprising shooting, footwork, observation, and essence— which later became known as the famed Crimson Lotus Archery.
Unfortunately, mortal power has its limits. Despite dedicating his entire life to it, Antonio could barely grasp the foundation of Crimson Lotus Archery, never fully utilizing the ultimate six styles.
Originally, Antonio intended to pass this profound skill to the next generation, hoping that someone extraordinary would emerge in the future capable of truly grasping the last three styles, he chose Hua, who possessed outstanding talent in archery and a pure, resilient character.
But… who could resist the allure of “Immortality”? That unfinished six styles ultimately became the old man’s greatest Heart Demon.
“Little Hua, don’t be stubborn. I have no intention of being your enemy, but since I’ve joined the Throne of Immortality, I must also fulfill my responsibilities and pay the price that comes with its gifts.”
“Step aside. My goal is solely the princess named Liliya.”
Antonio’s expression was tranquil, almost as if he were casually suggesting, “Let’s have some fried noodles tonight.” Killing a princess of the kingdom seemed irrelevant to him.
“…Gifts? Don’t make me laugh. Antonio Stevenson, haven’t you noticed? The so-called Undead and the so-called immortality are nothing but a complete ruse.”
Hua leapt to a tree several meters away from the old man and glared at him, her face frigid.
“You’ve twisted yourself. All those in the Throne of Immortality are cursed monstrosities! You may still remember who you are and recall me, but how much of your past, your joys, your sorrows, can you still remember?”
“You don’t need to answer that. For years, I’ve tirelessly investigated this so-called Throne of Immortality and the so-called necromancy. Heh… Do you really think forcing a reversal of life and death comes without consequence?”
“…Enough, don’t say such meaningless things.”
Antonio interrupted the girl suddenly, his expression remaining cold, though it seemed to stiffen.
Hua ignored him and continued unveiling the long-hidden secrets buried in her heart through investigation.
“The so-called necromancy is essentially a curse driven by intense obsession, mixed with the remnants of the deceased’s memories, animating the corpse.”
“I told you, the real Antonio Stevenson died five years ago. This isn’t just a figure of speech. Dead people cannot come back to life. The one standing here now is merely a false puppet created by your teacher’s obsession with the Crimson Lotus Six Styles, solidified under the influence of necromancy!”
“The evidence is clear: the memories of the Undead fade over time, leaving only the initial obsession, turning them into true walking corpses… Do you still want to deceive yourself? A counterfeit!?”
“…”
The being that was once Antonio Stevenson fell into long silence.
Perhaps he always knew but didn’t care, just as Hua said, the meaning of Antonio existing in this world as an Undead was simply to continue researching the Crimson Lotus Six Styles; everything else was irrelevant.
“Is that so… perhaps it really is…”
The old man slowly raised the longbow in his hand, his gaze unwavering.
“The Crimson Lotus Archery is all that I am. To witness that pinnacle of power, I would sacrifice anything, even you, my dearest disciple, Little Hua…”
“No, I’ll call you Fiery Blossom instead. Perhaps now I truly lack the qualifications to be called your teacher. If that’s the case, let’s settle everything with this last arrow.”
“This time, I won’t hold back.”
Antonio reached for the quiver on his back, where the last remaining arrow sat.
Fiery Blossom, likewise.
“Indeed, strength speaks louder than anything. In that regard, I’m just like you.”
The red-haired ranger drew an arrow from the bag at her side.
“The brilliance of the Crimson Lotus doesn’t need to bloom through the desecration of the dead. This time, I will not lose.”
Crimson Lotus Six Styles
“The third style…”
Intense dark flames surged up, and in the ancient Undead’s hands, a fire dragon of destruction was unleashed.
“Flames of Doom.”
Hua closed her eyes, feeling an unprecedented calm within.
She could also use the third style of Crimson Lotus, Flames of Doom, but it wasn’t enough.
An identical technique wouldn’t deal the crippling blow needed to defeat her enemy, who was an Undead. If that was the case, she would lose, just like in that battle five years ago.
Suddenly, the girl recalled the giant beam of light she saw at Wanku Fortress that connected heaven and earth. That was a kind of divine might far exceeding human strength, a realm she would never reach.
The latter three styles of Crimson Lotus required not only strength but more crucially, a higher realization.
The vision of the divine replayed vividly in her mind, bringing forth waves of enlightenment.
I see now.
There’s no need to become that overwhelming light; simply grasping a wisp of its brilliance would suffice.
The girl with crimson hair opened her eyes, facing the roaring dark fire dragon, drawing her bow and nocking an arrow as she softly recited,
“The fourth style, Flowing Light.”