14 Chapter 14: Travel in the Lower Realms

Dawn arrived, and the sound of calm chirping of birds surrounded their place with calming music. The sky was in a perfect shade of blue, and the water illuminated the rising sun. The streets of Xuelian were paved with a beautiful yellow tint and were decorated with another calming feeling.

The songs of the Seraphim continued throughout the night until the break of dawn. The cherubim continue to fly around the kingdom, making sure that everything is going smoothly.

One man, in one cabin, awoke by falling from his bed to the floor. His head hit the nightstand, making the glass and lamp fall on him. Arroth grunts, and stood up, rubbing his pained head with his right hand. Arroth was surprised to find himself back home, but figured that Zulta had something to do with… even maybe Dayan brought him back.

He stared at the bed and found his brother still fast asleep. His red eyes were misted from waking up, his hair was disheveled with strands of hair sticking up. His inner garments were all in discord, lapels opened for everyone to see. On his chest was a teardrop pendant that Dayan had given them.

Arroth narrowed his eyes and sat in a lotus position to cultivate. He closed his eyes, feeling the generous amount of yang energy surrounding him. He circulated his qi 5 times, letting them heal and make new of his old self.

On the bed, Zaganon felt his insides churn. He coughed blood, waking up, staring at where his brother was. He looked down on his claws and whimpered.

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Arroth changed his clothes and carried Zaganon out of their house, packing everything they needed for a long adventure. The lower realm is an unknown place for two men who live for many years in a single location. They were too poor to travel, but it never stopped them from going far and wide for food.

"You ready, brother?" Arroth held Zaganon in his arms while he carried their belongings in a dimension ring. It was a gift he got from Araya when he first arrived. "We'll be in the human realm for months, maybe even a year."

"Yup, but don't you worry, they have great food!" a familiar yet odd voice sounded from upfront.

Arroth looked up and found Zulta, Mu Yunda, Danaya, and Araya walking towards them with their human forms. Araya, as the prince, didn't have an angelic form, rather his true form was a light. Mu Yunda, like a cherub, was rather short in his human form - like a chubby 5-year-old, with pinkish cheeks. Danaya was a Seraph, she was a calm and collected person whose whole life revolved around worshipping their lord. She was tall with bright green eyes that stared directly into one's soul.

"The Kingdom will undergo cleansing, and we plan on using this time to search for Dayan," Araya stated flatly. He had one arm wrapped around his waist, while the other fixed his lapels. "I already have my father's confirmation. We can leave through the portal." Araya motioned for the others to get going.

Arroth followed along, letting his brother's head, rest on his chest. He felt that Zaganon had had a rough night as a baby dragon, and now they have to travel a long distance without rest. Arroth looked at the others and felt outcast. It's true that these people are angels and have known each other for a very long time, but he was just another passerby in their lives. Zulta seems to be open-minded, but the rest look at them with disapproving looks. Araya didn't seem to have many expressions of them, and Arroth thinks that he wasn't as prejudiced as the others. Arroth felt like a pariah.

"How are we gonna get into the lower realm?" Arroth asked, trying to make his presence known. They've already reached the third floating island, but Arroth was still confused.

Araya stopped walking and turned to Arroth. "My family uses the teleportation array to travel," he stated flatly. "Although it might take up a lot of time, I still think it's better."

"How long?" Arroth hugged Zaganon tighter.

"Half a month at most. But the earliest we can go is 10 days."

Arroth felt his eyes twitch. He doesn't like standing, and on top of that, it was through an array set up by angels. Arroth still has a lingering fear for Araya, and knowing that he'll be very close to him in that array made him want to vomit blood.

*****

When they reached the palace, Araya brought them to the very far west side. There lies a massive wooden door, decorating the very center of a green garden. Arroth felt warm when he looked at the scene. The door was decorated with green vines and flowers, and as expected it glowed goldenly.

"Let's go." Araya pushed open the doors and showed everyone what was inside.

10 different arrays were drawn on walls, with different books placed in front. Those arrays were drawn with different colored chalks, and some were even made with blood. Arrays can be drawn with anything, but sometimes chalk in hand is always good.

Araya picked up the book on the far right side and packed it inside his dimensional pouch. He took out chalk and drew the array from the wall to the floor. "Are sure you guys are ready?" Araya asked before he powers up the array.

Zulta grinned and looked back at the others.

"Step into the array so we can start."

When everyone stepped in, Araya chanted a spell, making the Araya light up. His eyes closed and the scene before them glitched. Araya chanted for a minute before standing up. "Now we wait."

Arroth looked at his brother and tightly wrapped his arms around him. "Wake up, brother, we're entering a new world."

***************

12 days later.

The sun was high, and the air was hot. Summertime has always been a troublesome time for humans, and even cultivators hated it. The dry lands started to break, and the sounds of horse galloping and wheels turning surrounded the area.

Although the sun is up, a lot of people were still out for work.

"Aiyah! The sun is a demon!" A woman in her forties stated. She never stopped fanning herself and the child in her bosoms. Her hair was tied in a weird angle, and her eyes started to sag. She sat outside of a pavilion, looking at the people in the streets.

A man in his early twenties came out of the pavilion, holding a sword. He wore a violet hanfu, and decorated in his head was a Daoist crown. "Miss Wen An has been good. The sun is such a devil at this time." The man smiled, walking towards a nearby shop.

The man passed by a group of 5 men, one was holding a newborn azure dragon. He raised his brows but didn't raise his question.

"Let's go eat!" Zulta placed his arms over Araya's shoulders, grinning at the man with his ugly canines. "My treat!"

Araya hit Zulta in the face with a monochrome expression. His knuckles turned slightly red, while he stared at the other's pained expression. "My neck hurts, don't do that."

"I told you not to sleep on your side." Zulta touched his nose and hissed.

"I think that place sells udon." Araya pointed at an old pavilion, where people frequent. He could hear the sounds of a guqin being plucked, and a beautiful melody being sung.

Arroth looked at the sign above the pavilion. The pavilion was called 'The song of Zuijia', and had a reputation in the kingdom as the best place for historical songs, and delicious wine. Arroth followed the group inside, clutching his brother's arm. "Brother, wake up!"

Zaganon opened his eyes and blinked. He had been sleeping the moment they arrived at Heavenly Country. His head felt light, and his body ached. He thought it must have been because of his transformation, but he can't ever be sure. Zaganon rubbed his head on Arroth's chest as if saying he's awake.

"I'll buy you some noodles, and some meat." Arroth rubbed his brother's head.

When they entered the pavilion, Arroth smelled the intertwining scent of meat and wine, as well as the broth and soup. There wasn't much beer in the pavilion, since cultivators frequent it. They tend to drink more wine, than beer to energize their body and let them work for another week or so. Arroth saw men wielding swords and weapons of all kinds. They had a merry smile as they talked.

Arroth heard one of them talk about a princess coming to their sect, and holding a toast.

"Princess? Is it princess Lilian?" A man with short black hair asked his comrade.

"Aye! Princess Lilian would be coming this afternoon in our Linxi county!" The other laughed and poured another cup of wine. "Nie clan had already sent their invites!"

"Aiyah!" Another man said. "The Nie clan truly are blessed!"

"Indeed! I heard young master Nie will be engaged to the princess!"

"Who wouldn't want to be married to young master Nie, so strong and courageous, no woman wouldn't want him!"

Arroth listened to their words and learned a little bit about the place they are in. This specific place in Heavenly Country is named Linxi. They have 7 major sects, and three of which are at the top cultivating family. The Nie clan was the largest and most prominent clan in the city, owning the largest sect -The Shaiguang sect. Like the Xuelian and Molian, their country is filled with cultivators. They have a system of keeping demons from attacking them, as they worship the gods. They have different gods as the angels, having more than a thousand gods in their hearts. It is confusing to Arroth at first, but he didn't just let it go… after all, they didn't plan on staying for a long time.

Arroth and the others asked for a private room, but because of the news that Lilian will be coming, they're all out. Araya agreed to a table on the second floor. "May I have your menu?"

"Certain, childe!" The store owner handed him and the others the menu that was carved in wood, polished and pressed.

Arroth stared at the scriptures on the menu, scratching his head and frowning. "I can't read."

Zulta pouted and pointed at the third character on the menu. "This says Chǔnjuān."

"No, It says Chūnjuǎn." Mu Yunda stated.

"Same thing!"

"No… it's not."

Zulta shrugged and ordered some ramen and spring rolls. He also asked for 3 jars of Plum blossom wine, and a jar of Vodka which the pavilion didn't have.

"Excuse me." A warm, soft and sweet voice of a woman sounded right beside Arroth's ears. He felt his ears burn by the sound of her voice, and he decided to turn around.

He saw two pools of water, so deep that it sucks up his breath. She had bluish-black hair and a smile as warm as sunlight. Arroth felt his heart skip a beat that made him fear for his life… this woman carried an aura similar to Araya.

"I couldn't help but notice your demon beast." She smiled at Zaganon and patted his head. "This is the first time I've seen a baby Azure dragon away from its mother."

Arroth nodded, keeping his grasp on Zaganon tight. His Adam's apple bobbed, staring at the woman. "Don't."

The woman blinked at Arroth and laughed. "No, no. I didn't mean it like that!" She bawled, holding her stomach as she laughed. The men behind her stared stoically at their young lady and glared at Arroth. The woman showed her hands to Arroth and said. "I'm Lilian. You can call me Lily."