Valley of Karsa, The Corrupted Serpent

Consumed by the glow of night, a cooling chill devoid of Dao and Qi pressed softly against my fresh. Letting go of the control of my body that seemed to reject everything, I chanted the Path of Abyssal Night, absorbing all I could.

It was the only weakness I had. Controlling the Path of Abyssal Night took a lot of mental energy; even with how powerful my mind had grown, maintaining control of my body was now already annoying, and adding my Cultivation Mantra made it even harder. It was a little of one or the other. This made it a little hard to recover Qi, but not impossible. All I needed was souls to supply me with endless Qi.

Opening my gaze towards the loving embrace of Tenebrae, a sigh escaped my lips. "Two days of recovery. It's hard to believe all the souls Lilith gave me while unconscious burned away, leaving only a bare core."

Rising from off the barren ground destroyed by my body's power, my almighty aura began to recede into my bones, ready to explode at a moment's notice.

"Will you truly allow the Abyssal One to harm you!' Aegis wrongly accused, "For years: we were tormented, years we were forced to remained in a prison of despair."

Scuffing at the very shady words of this bastard, I sneered disdainfully. "I do not need you to tell me how I need to train my wife. She will receive her just punishment however I deem fit."

"You are now a Prince of Noctem, carrying the Spear of Noctem, yet you will lower your head?"

Disregarding Aegis and the chill trying to penetrate my mind and body. A breath of pure Abssyal darkness flowed from my lips, quelling the rage that was burning within me.

I was indeed angry. Pissed even that Lilith did not bother asking me, but instead did this, but not enough to screw her over, at least not that badly.

Hooking The Spear of Noctem upon my back, a soothing hum calmed the agitation within my mind. Taking my leave from the little garden, Lilith had crafted for me. A small little camp came into my view. Sending a quick glance of the embers of the fire and the silence in the air. I figured everyone was asleep.

Glancing around for Lilith, I narrowed my gaze at her disappearance. I did not use our connections to find her but instead stepped past the sleeping campers following the scent of freshwater.

'So he is awake? That's a good thing.' Said the familiar voice of Aiza, surprising me.

Cloaking my body in darkness, I moved in silence, not even making an imprint upon the snow.

'Are my orders still to follow A-Arsene?' Yu Jing hesitantly inquired, a little unsure of herself.

'Don't tell me you have fallen for him," Aiza mocked so loud I could imagine the disdainful look within her eyes.

'Of course not!' Yu Jing hastily replied, "Its Arkanos. She loves him dearly."

"Pull yourself together, Jing. You cannot get so involved. Look what happened when you let your guard drop? You almost became under someone's thrall, and you were drugged. You need to be focused now more than ever, especially here in the Vally of Karsa."

Approaching silently, my gaze fell upon the solemn expression of Yu Jing and the cold expression of Aiza scolding her disciple. Hiding behind a tree for extra measure, Aiza continued.

"The Vally of Karsa was named after a powerful abomination of a serpent. Karsa the Corrupted Snake. She is a Mid Tier God, so do be careful if she chooses to awaken. We cannot afford to have anything else go wrong. How much longer till you return to the holy city?"

"Soon!" I suddenly shouted, startling Yu Jing where she stood. Chuckling at her hand, gripping her sword, I continued, "Good to see you again, Lady Aiza."

"I would imagine it would be,"

Mockingly smiling, I nodded, "Indeed."

She stared hard, tracing her gaze over my body, trying to find something, "When?"

"I just recovered, so daybreak when everyone will be up. Although, I am now quite interested in this Karsa. Who is she to you?" I curiously asked, feeling like Aiza would not bring up a monster's territory if it weren't necessary.

Chilling her face enough to freeze fire, Aiza cut the connection. However, her reaction held two meanings to me. One Aiza screwed over Karsa; the other is that she wished for me to find her and was using her disiple to bait me.

"How long were you listening?" Yu Jing coldly sought.

"So you like Arkanos, huh?" I uttered, taking a quick peek into her soul, which was slowly beginning to be swallowed with doubt. I didn't intend to use Arkanos like this, but who knew she would grow on Yu Jing. Guess her cuteness is the ultimate KO.

"I don't." She claimed without missing a beat. Knowing she was lying to someone who specializes in deceit—foolish little girl.

Shaking my head, I did not push her, for I already knew the truth, "Can you tell me of Karsa?"

"Never heard of her," Yu Jing suspiciously replied, glancing down at the remote little pond bright silver under the glow of the moon.

She was telling the truth. How disappointing.

Turning around, I waved, "Night." Taking my leave with the smooth blow of the wind, I continued with the intent to find Lilith.

It was not my intention to stock my wife but desperate times. She really needed to be watched and monitored. Screw trust. She is too crazy for that.

A little surprised and suspicious, I did not get lost from circling our camp; a wave of anxiety pressed against my heart.

"My God, do I have PTSD?"

Cursing my luck, I approached the dark, fleeting embers near the camp. Flicking my fingers, I relit the fire, pulling out a few pots.

Morning light was coming, and I had not eaten the lovely Sophia. This will be my apology to everyone. I am so kind as expected of the second coming. May my light shine over these peons. It is not every day they will see heaven through my eyes.

"Eggs and Steak. A little heavy for the morning, but this should be quite enriching for a growing girl like Arkanos and a potential baby... No, screw that! No food for Lili!