The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 308 - United Efforts at the Apex of Life and Death to Ward Off the Flood

Before the Gate of Time and Life and Death, the Black Tortoise Barrier had already been activated – this was their last line of defense. Once the tide breached this point, the world beyond would be engulfed.

"Order exists in the mortal realm; if order collapses, divine punishment shall descend, and all shall return to chaos."

According to ancient texts, once the Gate of Life and Death was torn beyond repair, the floodwaters would submerge both realms, resetting everything to its primordial state.

This sudden turn of events caught the cultivators present off guard. Many were at a loss, not knowing what to do besides weep.

It was understandable. How many could remain calm in the face of an unexpected apocalypse?

For the Mei brothers, who had lived through the era of the Heaven-Stepping Lord, and for the no longer youthful Xue Meng, however, they had long prepared themselves.

Mei Hanxue said, "Those who specialize in offense and healing, return to the other side of the Gate of Life and Death. Those who focus on defense, come with me to the Black Tortoise Barrier."

Someone asked, "What will we do there?"

"Strengthen the defenses."

Looking at the towering and earth-spanning Black Tortoise Barrier, then at the apocalyptic flood surging in the distance, everyone couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines.

A female cultivator trembled as she asked, "Will... will this hold it back?"

Mei Hanxue turned his head and saw that the woman was beautiful. He squinted, smiling. This guy truly treated life and death as mere games, still finding the leisure to tease others even when they were on the brink. "Well, it's hard to say if we can stop it or not. But if we don't try, we're definitely dead. Are you scared, miss?"

"..."

Mei Hanxue walked over with a cold expression. "What time is it? Why are you still chatting?"

"It's precisely because of the situation that we should chat. Otherwise, we'll have to discuss it with the Ghost Lady in the Netherworld, right?"

This was the first time the Mei brothers appeared together in front of everyone. The elder brother was as cold as frost, while the younger brother radiated warmth and brilliance. The female cultivator was astonished and couldn't recover for a long time. "You... who are you two?"

Mei Hanxue winked at her with a smile. "What do you think? Am I not more attractive?"

The female cultivator's mouth gaped, unable to utter a coherent word. "You... you both..."

Just as she was about to take a closer look at them, the man as cold as an ice cave turned away, his robes fluttering as he walked to the edge of the Door of Time, Space, and Life and Death. Using a loudening spell, he said to the crowd:

"Offensive steps back, defensive steps forward. Please hurry."

Someone inquired, "Even if we use the Black Tortoise Barrier to temporarily stop the flood, that's only a temporary solution. We can't keep blocking it like this, can we?"

"Yes, what if the flood doesn't recede at all?"

Mei Hanxue shook her head. "Half of the people will hold back the flood, while the other half will close the Gate of Life and Death from behind."

"..." Though there were thousands upon thousands gathered, the crowd fell instantly silent.

Close the Gate of Life and Death?

The entire dome was nearly torn apart, and the rifts in space-time stretched as far as the eye could see. The two realms had already merged completely. How could they possibly close it?

As if sensing their doubts, Mei Hanxue said, "Wave Retreating Spell."

The young man Xue Meng, standing among the crowd, froze for a moment. The incantation sounded strangely familiar to him, but before he could ponder further, Elder Xuan Ji nearby commented, "Isn't this the... counter-spell that Yu Heng once created?"

Upon his mention, the people from Bihua Manor also caught on.

Once upon a time, when the sky tore apart over Butterfly Town, Li Wuxin led a group of disciples to the Summit of Life and Death to demand an explanation. After a series of misunderstandings and twists, Chu Wanning coldly revealed to everyone that he was the originator of the "Myriad Waves Return" spell.

Mei Hanxue said, "Myriad Waves Return can reverse spells that have already been cast."

Someone was astonished. "Even something as powerful as that?"

"One person's strength is not enough," Mei Hanxue replied. "That's why we need everyone to work together with all their might."

The crowd exchanged glances, unsure, and many hesitantly retreated behind the Gate of Time, Space, Life, and Death.

"I don't have enough spiritual energy. I won't be able to withstand the flood."

"I'm the same. I'm terrible at defensive barriers."

None of them were fools; they all understood the danger in attempting to stop the Black Tortoise Barrier, while closing the gate was a safer option. For a moment, although there were volunteers from the Summit of Life and Death, Treading Snow Palace, and other sects, many cultivators still shrunk back towards the rift.

Mei Hanxue's already grim expression darkened as he stared at those who had retreated like turtles into their shells. "Everyone wants to stay safe at the back. But who will take the front line?"

This was often the case, like two armies facing each other, ready for a decisive battle. Knowing that if the vanguard fell, they themselves would likely not survive, yet still hoping to be assigned to the rear.

Amidst the deadlock, Jiang Xi suddenly spoke, "I'll do it."

Seeing their sect leader take action, the cultivators of Solitary Moon Night glanced around before a large group followed and arrived beside the Black Tortoise Barrier. The Medicine Sect was the weakest in terms of spiritual energy among the Ten Great Sects; their departure was like a slap in the face to those cowardly turtles.

"I... also have some knowledge of defense. I can contribute."

Zhen Congming from Crystal Lake Manor said this and stepped forward, standing silently with his sword in hand.

More people joined them, though still far from enough, but with the first wave of the tide approaching, they had no time to wait any longer.

"Hurry! Ziming, go to the rear and cast the Backward Waves Spell. The rest, follow me to the Black Tortoise Barrier and prepare for defense." Mei Hanxue leaped forward, arriving at the massive, translucent barrier, pressing his palm against it.

"Array open!"

He wasn't the only one. Soon, one pair of palms after another adhered to this last line of defense between the mortal world and chaos, blue, green, and red streams of spiritual energy converging upon the barrier.

Gradually, an effigy of a snake-bodied tortoise emerged, glowing in the night sky. Its tail coiled on the ground while its head reached towards the heavens, symbolizing the combined power igniting the Black Tortoise Protective Seal.

It was then that the monstrous waves stirred up by Primordial Phoenix surged forth from the front, their momentum surpassing that of a thousand galloping horses or the Yellow River pouring into the sea.

Everyone was on edge, their eyes fixed on the rapidly approaching mud-colored waterline.

"Get ready, it's coming!"

No sooner had the words left their lips than a towering wave, hundreds of feet high, crashed down upon them with the force of a cataclysmic deluge! Splashes of water erupted in every direction!

"Hold on tight!"

The floodwaters raged like a ravenous beast, and despite the protective barrier of the Black Tortoise Realm, some currents still managed to break through the weaker spots, piercing in like arrows. Many weaker cultivators couldn't withstand the sheer power of the surge, and within the first wave, dozens stumbled to their knees, coughing up blood.

Jiang Xi turned back and shouted fiercely, "Send more people!"

But seeing this dire situation, fewer and fewer were brave enough to step forward.

By then, Xue Meng had finished inscribing the Raging Waves Return spell. With a sweeping motion in the air, tens of thousands of lightning bolts flickered behind the rune, dispersing in all directions toward the Gate of Time and Space's Eternity.

Just as those in the front line were fighting against the flood, the cultivators at the rear also began pouring their energy into the Raging Waves Return spell, desperately trying to seal the gaping chasm that spanned two timelines. However, the fissure was so vast that it was impossible to tell if it was closing at all, leaving many hearts fraught with anxiety.

While progress was slow at the back, the situation up front was becoming increasingly desperate.

Another massive wave crashed down, leaving even more cultivators on the ground, unable to withstand it. The cracks in the Black Tortoise Barrier grew wider, and water gushed through them furiously, drenching Jiang Xi and the others in no time.

"This can't go on," Mei Hanxue said. "We won't make it until the Gate of Life and Death closes; the Black Tortoise Barrier will break first."

"..."

Just then, they heard the chaotic sound of galloping horses behind them. Turning their heads, they saw a group of unaffiliated cultivators and civilians approaching from afar. The cultivators flew on swords, while the commoners rode horses. At the forefront were two individuals. One was dressed in a black robe, with striking features – none other than Ye Wangxi.

The other was a middle-aged woman whose sword flight was unstable. She was draped in red ribbons and adorned with an array of dazzling golden hair accessories, identifying her as Sun Sanniang, the island master of Fluttering Flower Island.

A cloud of dust followed behind them, suggesting that they had brought along many others, possibly women, children, and the elderly seeking refuge.

Ye Wangxi gracefully leaped off her sword, frowning as she said, "I could see the commotion from afar and heard about it along the way."

Her gaze swept past the crowd, landing on the precarious Black Tortoise Barrier. Then, she glanced at the cultivators who possessed strong spiritual energy but refused to venture forward into danger.

In this world, there were frail-looking heroes and robust cowards. A person's physique didn't always align with their courage.

Frustrated, Ye Wangxi gritted her teeth. "You have the skills but not the heart of a commoner!" With that, she used her light footwork to glide over to Jiang Xi's side, placing her hand on top of his.

Aside from her, whether it was the wandering cultivators who had accompanied them or even the common folk, all of them, regardless of their meager strength, were eager to rush forward. Seeing this, even the thickest-skinned among them couldn't help but feel a flush of embarrassment.

"I... I'll go too."

"Never mind, death is inevitable anyway. I'll go as well!"

"And me, me too!"

More and more people gathered in front of the Black Tortoise Barrier, and the originally dim turtle and snake formation regained its luster.

The third wave... the fourth wave...

Man defied heaven, man fought against fate.

Suddenly, a girl's clear voice rang out, "Look over there! Is that the edge of the Gate of Life and Death?!"

Her cry was like thunder, jolting everyone to attention. They all turned to look in the direction she pointed – indeed, on the distant horizon, a faint line of black could be seen continuously shrinking, albeit at an extremely slow pace, but it was undoubtedly drawing closer together.

In that instant, someone was so overcome with emotion that tears streamed down their face, "Hurry! Faster! It's working! We can really close it!"

Glimmers of vibrant life flickered in almost every pair of eyes, igniting a fierce desire to survive. They clasped their palms together, channeling an unceasing flow of energy into the heart of the Ten Thousand Waves Return to the Sea Spell, gradually reversing the closing of the Gate of Time and Space's Life and Death Portal.

However, the power of heaven and earth was boundless. Despite the combined efforts of ten thousand people pouring their spiritual energy into the protective barrier, it was still no match for divine might.

Human beings were like mere ants, truly insignificant...

As another wave crashed down, a sharp crack echoed, and a lightning-shaped fissure appeared in the center of the Black Tortoise Barrier. The crack stretched from the ceiling to the ground, allowing droplets of water to seep through.

Every face turned pale as they all knew what would happen if that crack widened any further...

"BOOM!!"

Before they could fully comprehend the situation, the earth split and the heavens crumbled!

A breach opened, and an overwhelming torrent of rivers surged forward. The angry roar of the water drowned out the screams of terror, instantly sweeping many people off their feet.

"Ahh!!"

"Help!"

The surging water resembled a torrential downpour. Standing before the Door of Life and Death, Xue Meng turned his head to glimpse the scene before the Black Tortoise Barrier and urged everyone through gritted teeth, "Hurry up!"

Just as he spoke, he saw someone charging toward him, brandishing a sword that shimmered with silver light. It was none other than his younger self.

He seized the shoulder of the young Xue Meng, his long brows knitted in anger. "Go back! You don't know how to set up defensive formations."

The young Xue Meng clenched his teeth. "I have to return this sword to that person."

"Who?"

The young Xue Meng pointed, his finger landing on Jiang Xi, who was pale from lack of Divine Martial assistance yet still putting all his strength into the fight.

"...Jiang Yechen? How do you have his sword?"

The young Xue Meng was taken aback. "You don't know?"

Xue Meng shook his head. "I don't know much about him. He passed away very early in our time."

As he spoke, his gaze grew distant. After so many years of wandering, the era when everyone was still alive and the chaos had just begun had become hazy in his memory.

But Xue Meng pondered for a moment and still looked at Jiang Xi's back, saying, "Back then, Heaven-Stepping Lord demanded he hand over the secret scroll of Solitary Moon Night, which contained techniques from the Medicine Sect. It was powerful, but also quite sinister. For instance, using the Butterfly Bone Beauty Technique to refine medicine, or the Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Immortality Art."

"..." Noticing that the young Xue Meng's expression turned grim when he heard about the Dual Cultivation Art, he couldn't help asking, "What's wrong?"

The youth replied, "Nothing. ...Then what happened?"

"He didn't agree. He said that the Medicine Sect's secret scroll was an evil path and had burned it the day he took over as sect leader," Xue Meng closed his eyes. "Jiang Yechen was a hero. I'm glad to see him alive in another world."

Seeing that his younger self remained silent, Xue Meng lowered his gaze and asked, "You still haven't answered me. How did you get his sword?"

The lips of the young Xue Meng quivered, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say. After a long while, just as he opened his mouth with an "I...," another deafening explosion shook them, making their bones ache and hairs stand on end.

They abruptly turned around, only to see that the lightning fissure had stretched to its limit. Ye Wangxi and Mei Hanxue both fell to their knees, while Jiang Xi was still struggling but suddenly coughed up blood.

The young Xue Meng exclaimed, "Jiang...

What about Jiang?

Should I still call him Jiang Xi?

Or should it be Sect Leader Jiang?

The question was cut short as he rushed over, handing the Snow Phoenix to Jiang Xi.

"…Get lost!" Upon seeing him, Jiang Xi's ashen face darkened even further. He frowned, pushing both Xue Meng and his Divine Weapon back. "Return to the fissure. Don't come causing trouble!"

Spitting out another mouthful of blood, he gasped.

"Jiang Yechen!"

At the sound of his courtesy name, Jiang Xi coughed violently, turning back with a fierce and complicated gaze. "Damn it... who gave you the right to call me that?"

Silence ensued.

"My given name, my courtesy name—none of them are for you to use." With crimson lips and pulsating veins, Jiang Xi strained every ounce of strength to maintain the barrier amidst the downpour that threatened to break through.

Yet he still managed to scold him as if it was their first encounter.

"How impudent!"

A deafening roar echoed, followed by a terrifying cascade of shattering sounds. Before Xue Meng could even speak or react, Snow Phoenix swiftly dragged him backward. In the next instant, the lightning-shaped rift shattered, this time not with small cracks but in massive chunks.

Rivers reversed their flow in an instant!

The people standing behind the Door of Time, Life, and Death felt a chill run down their spines all the way to their toes.

It was over.

Doom... Doomsday... All returned to chaos...

Some stopped casting the Tidal Wave Curse and knelt down like primitive servants before the divine punishment, weeping and begging for mercy from the heavens.

Others howled in protest to the heavens, tears streaming uncontrollably.

It was over.

And yet, at this very moment! Amidst the turbulent surge, a beam of emerald light suddenly slashed down!

"What's happening?"

"What is that?!"

Any slightest disturbance could send those in dire straits trembling with fear, let alone such a cataclysmic commotion. They lifted their gazes and saw a man clad in black-gold armor soaring through the sky on a sword. As he drew closer, they could discern the scars covering his entire body, as if he had been cruelly lacerated by countless blades. Nonetheless, one could still glimpse the vestiges of his former handsomeness.

"It's... Mo... Mo Ran?"

"It's the devil!"

"Ma Ye, what devil? That's clearly Grandmaster Mo!!" Ma Yun from Peach Bud Manor immediately grew excited. Even a fool could tell that Mo Ran was there to rescue them, not to add fuel to the fire.

Arriving alongside him was none other than the long-lost Northern Dipper Immortal Venerated Chu Wanning.

"Grandmaster Chu!!!"

The founder of the Ten Thousand Waves Return, the master of the world's foremost barrier.

Like their sect leader, the cultivators of Peach Bud Manor were most afraid of death. Upon seeing this, they were ecstatic, unable to contain their joy as they danced around, exclaiming, "There's hope! There's hope!"

Mo Ran flew through the air, his robe fluttering in the wind, his body clad in a sturdy leather armor. He flew straight to the Black Tortoise Barrier and jumped down, landing steadily amidst the waves.

"Damn it, Ten Thousand Coffin Formation!"

With a fierce cry, countless willow vines shot up from the ground, wrapping around Ye Wangxi, Sun Sanniang, and even Jiang Xi with his grim expression, who had all been knocked into the water. They carried the severely injured to safety. Then, Mo Ran turned around and barked an order,

"Get the uninjured guardians up here! Where are the healers?!" He glared at Jiang Xi, growing more furious by the second. "Why are even Master Healers doing this?! Are you all waiting to die?!"

The surviving guardian cultivators behind him were reprimanded until their faces were covered in shame.

Heaven-Stepping Lord struck fiercely, a blinding light bursting from his palm and spreading across the barrier before him. Through gritted teeth, he growled, "Whoever's still hiding, when I'm done with this drizzle, I'll crush each and every one of your skulls!"

Silence fell among the crowd.

"GET OUT HERE!!"

It was unclear what kind of terrifying authority this man possessed or if it was because they had experienced the brink of death once, but many of the cowardly souls, including the remnants of the Jiangdong Sect who had once been the most despicable, mustered the courage to cross the threshold of life and death. Few hesitated as groups of cultivators gathered behind Heaven-Stepping Lord, placing their hands on the Black Tortoise Barrier.

The unstable barrier instantly regained its luster, becoming impregnable for the moment, thanks to the combined efforts of everyone and the injection of power from the world's mightiest warrior. It exuded an immensely imposing aura.

"Whoosh—"

As a towering tidal wave, resembling a whirlwind tsunami, raced towards them, some, inherently timid, couldn't help but gulp down their saliva in fear, their legs trembling.

Heaven-Stepping Lord said ominously,

"Not one of you is leaving. Try retreating and see what happens."

Silence.

"Should anyone attempt to desert the battlefield, I'll ensure you never witness the sun rise again after tonight."