Chapter 206: The Mysterious Stone Gate
On the back of the ray, Lu Heng witnessed a scenery that was completely different from the vibrant one on the north side of the underwater Great Wall.
It should be noted that in the deep sea, unless unexpected circumstances arise, one can find various strange creatures even at a depth of ten thousand meters.
Life is incredibly tenacious.
However, on the south side of the underwater Great Wall, even though the sea is not actually very deep and there is not much difference from the north side, the area where vitality was extinct, is many times more gloomy than the north side.
Being in this inexplicably cold seawater, Lu Heng felt a little oppressed.
Is this desolate sea area related to the legendary South Sea Deep Trench?
After all, once they arrive at the Mermaid Kingdom, they won't be far from the rumored South Sea Deep Trench if we head further south.
Lu Heng couldn't help but turn around to glance at the three hundred Mermaid Battle Soldiers behind him.
In the sea, these soldiers all rode on the backs of the South Sea Sea Monsters. In the outside world, these sea monsters were ferocious, but under the control of the Mermaids, they were extremely tame.
Three hundred Mermaid Battle Soldiers, each riding on a South Sea Sea Monster - such a large formation, but it seemed that it wasn't meant to defend against Lu Heng.
Because along the way, what Lu Heng observed was that this group of Mermaid Battle Soldiers seemed to be more vigilant about the surrounding waters than they were about him, Lu Heng.
The coastal patrol soldiers shuttle back and forth like scouts, constantly reporting the maritime situation from all directions to the military leaders. That solemn and guarded situation is indeed not to guard against Lu Heng.
But this seems to be within the borders of the Mermaid Kingdom… It is said that there are also several cities of the Mermaid Kingdom to the south, but they are not as prosperous as those in the north.
Why do these Mermaids look like they are in an enemy territory, rather than cruising in their own borders?
Lu Heng was puzzled, but he didn't dare to ask.
Perhaps this is a top secret of the Mermaid Kingdom?
However, Yu Huaifeng explained when he saw the curiosity of the Wolf God.
"Currently, on the southern side of the capital, there has been a significant change compared to before."
"For the time being, the sea on the southern side of the capital is not suitable for living. The inhabitants of several cities on the south have already been relocated to the north."
Yu Huaifeng said, "Other than the Extreme Hell Prison guarded by soldiers, there are no living creatures in the waters south of the entire country, except for us."
Yu Huaifeng's explanation left Lu Heng slightly astonished.
"What happened?"
Yu Huaifeng let out a sigh, looked towards the south, and said, "When Moluo Sword Master committed murder in the capital, the evil Moluo energy seemed to have triggered the long-dormant South Sea Deep Trench, causing the Death Qi to surge out and sweep across the sea on the southern side of the capital."
"In fact, if it weren't for the seawall of the Mermaid Kingdom that has been guarding for generations, this outbreak of evil energy would have swept through at least half of the South Sea and caused more than seventy percent casualties to the aquatic tribes of the South Sea…"
Lu Heng was greatly astonished by Yu Huaifeng's narration.
"So powerful…"
Yu Huaifeng then gave a bitter smile and said, "The outbreak of evil energy in the South Sea Deep Trench is so terrifying. Fortunately, if there is no external stimulus, the Extreme Hell Black Water will not erupt with evil energy for thousands of years…"
Yu Huaifeng's words made Lu Heng laugh, but he didn't say anything.
The little girl with silver hair and animal ears pouted and hummed softly.
The reactions of the little girl and the white wolf made Yu Huaifeng smile awkwardly and say, "Everything that I said is true. It is not an exaggeration… It is precisely because of the Moluo Sword's uniqueness that the Moluo Sword Master must be eliminated."
"The unknown origins of this ancient demonic sword seem to have some unknown connection with the South Sea Deep Trench. Over the long years, the Moluo Evil Sword has only appeared in the South Sea and never on land or in any other sea area. It is as if it is waiting for an opportunity by guarding the South Sea."
"The Moluo Evil Spirit within the sword is not a mere sword spirit, but a special entity with intelligence. Although its hidden evil intentions have not yet been realized, it is evident that it is planning to use the South Sea Deep Trench to harm the creatures of the South Sea."
Xiao Ai let out a light hum as Yu Huaifeng spoke, and ruthlessly rebutted him.
"If the Moluo Sword is so dangerous, why keep Miss Huo imprisoned so close to the Abyss? Isn't that even more risky?"
Yu Huaifeng spoke seriously and said, "Miss Xiao Ai, you are not aware that the Extreme Hell Prison, although located near the Abyss, is a demon prison constructed by my Mermaid ancestors. Any evil entity trapped here cannot escape."
"The Moluo Sword Master was confined within the Extreme Hell Prison, so as to completely cut off his connection with the South Sea Deep Trench, which could prevent the Moluo Sword from once again unleashing wickedness and misfortune upon the South Sea."
Yu Huaifeng explained in detail, and Lu Heng nodded to show his understanding.
"I see…"
Looking at the sudden appearance of a huge underwater portal in the sea ahead of them, Lu Heng said, "Could it be that large stone portal ahead is the Extreme Hell Prison?"
In the frigid and bone-chilling seawater of the sea before them, there was actually a huge stone portal suspended hundreds of feet high.
From a distance, it was even more magnificent and grand than the underwater Great Wall of the Mermaid Kingdom.
A colossal stone gate stood silently in the midst of the water. It neither reached the sky nor touched the ground, hanging motionless in the turbulent sea.
On the stone gate, various mysterious textual designs were intricately engraved.
The time-worn stone carvings had aged beyond reckoning. The moment one catches a glimpse of the stone gate, an immense and desolate atmosphere overpowers the senses.
Lu Heng's pupils contract slightly.
Within the center of that massive stone gate, a colossal design draws his eyes, for it seems all too familiar.
This design splits into two halves, each on one of the two doors' centers. When the doors come together, they piece together a tremendous Eight Trigrams figure.
Despite the mysterious hieroglyphs and patterns adorning the stone gate, this massive Eight Trigrams diagram is the largest, most prominent, and centrally located one.
The yin-yang fish in the center alone has a diameter of dozens of meters. Compared to this gigantic Eight Trigrams diagram, the numerous engravings on the stone gate are mere embellishments in the corners and not the main focus at all.
Lu Heng looked towards Yu Huaifeng beside him and asked, "Are the engravings on this stone gate left by your country's ancestors?"
Lu Heng pointed to the enormous Eight Trigrams diagram.
Hearing this, Yu Huaifeng was somewhat surprised and didn't understand why the Wolf God would ask this question. Nevertheless, he replied, "According to records, our ancestors built this stone gate together. However, we don't know the meaning behind the patterns on it."
At this point, Yu Huaifeng thought of a possibility.
"Does the Wolf God recognize this door?" Yu Huaifeng was stunned.
Has the Wolf God, who has lived for countless years, really known the ancestors of the Mermaid Kingdom?
Yu Huaifeng was extremely astonished, while Lu Heng stood on the back of the huge ray, looking up at the gradually approaching stone door and the enlarging Eight Trigrams diagram in his sight.
This was the first time he had seen the Eight Trigrams diagram in this world.
For some reason, facing this huge Eight Trigrams diagram at this moment, he had a slightly familiar feeling in his heart.
It seems that he has returned to the end of that mysterious and inscrutable stone forest, standing under the huge statue of Nüwa, looking at the small and ordinary tombstone.
The tomb of my Brother Fu Xi…
Could it be that the portal of the Extreme Hell Prison is also related to the deity Fu Xi?
