Chapter 8 Ancestral God
While Hikigaya was happily playing on the Mountain, he was completely unaware that Mount Phoenix—the mysterious place he was determined to find—was being ravaged at its foot due to a confrontation between two forces.
On one side stood the so-called legendary Phoenix Mountain Clan—humanoid bird people with wings on their backs and limbs armed with raptor-like talons.
On the other side, there was only one person.
A young boy, barely in his teens, moved like a swallow, leaping high into the air without any need for a running start, gliding through the sky. With each wave of his hands, all bird people who approached were sent flying.
And it wasn't just a gentle swat—they were blasted away like cannonballs in all directions.
Clearly, his palm strength was extraordinarily powerful.
"You lowly scum! Prepare to die!" roared one of the bird people. A young avian man, who looked to be only in his twenties, pursued the boy in fury.
He wielded a long-handled weapon, with a circular ring at its end fashioned in the shape of a serpent.
This young member of the Phoenix Mountain Clan was evidently much stronger than his peers. Wherever he flew, waves of heat followed, and other clan members quickly gave way.
But the boy's agility was simply overwhelming. Time and again, he dodged the bird man, weaving through the crowd of bird people, knocking them down one by one—not quickly, but methodically.
"O King of Phoenix Mountain, my request is simple. Why won't you agree to it?" the boy even shouted back mid-leap.
"Die!" roared the young avian man—revealed to be the King of Phoenix Mountain—who saw an opening in the boy's defenses. He hurled his weapon, the ring flying toward the boy's back.
But the boy, even while facing away, struck with one palm and deflected the ring's trajectory, using its force to dodge the follow-up attack of scorching energy from the Phoenix King.
That wave of heat flew past the boy and pierced a section of the cliff, melting the stone into magma and leaving a glowing tunnel behind.
"What a pain… this power is really annoying."
Although he had neutralized the attack, the boy's expression darkened.
"If they catch me, Master will definitely punish me hard. I don't want that…"
That thought ran through his mind, and he suddenly felt regret.
He hadn't been this eager to help from the start—he had only come because someone from his relatives' household had been captured and brought to Phoenix Mountain. He was entrusted with the rescue. But now, it was clear he had been too careless.
Even though he'd found the location, rescuing anyone seemed impossible.
This place severely suppressed sorcery, and his power had been greatly diminished. Worse still, the King of Phoenix Mountain was innately able to control light and heat—his power was seemingly no weaker than the boy's.
It looked like the only option was to retreat and return later with reinforcements.
"Sorry, ladies. You'll have to endure a little longer." Using his cursed energy, the boy sent his voice echoing deep into the mountain. He was certain the captured women would hear him.
The mountain was extremely steep, and the inhabitants lived inside its cliff faces. They had carved out complex networks of tunnels and rooms, with plenty of entrances and exits along the cliffs—allowing the boy's voice to reach inside.
In this area of technique, he had full confidence. As a direct disciple of the Chinese God-Slayer, his martial arts surpassed five of the seven modern God Slayers of the present day.
But even with such strength, he would never willingly challenge those people.
They were all monsters like his master—no matter how skilled someone was in martial or magical arts, or how clever in traps or tactics, it didn't matter. Because no matter who their opponent was, no matter the environment, those people would always naturally find a path to victory.
Even with a hundred years of further training, he would only revere them from afar, like facing a god.
Dodging another attack from the Phoenix King, the boy suddenly exploded with a speed that left even the king wide-eyed. He shot like lightning toward the nearest peak—leaving only a blur in the bird people's eyes.
But just then, someone appeared in front of him.
This wasn't someone from Phoenix Mountain—one glance told you that. He had no wings or talons.
Yet he had appeared abruptly in the boy's path, blocking the way.
This man was dressed even more primitively than the Phoenix Mountain dwellers—one could say it was an utterly ancient appearance.
"Haven't seen someone like you in a long time," the man said.
His voice was thunderous, like a hundred beasts roaring in your ears. His gaze was searing hot. The boy couldn't even look him in the eye—after a single glance, pain pierced his eyes, tears streamed uncontrollably.
This is bad.
A great crisis!
Every cell in the boy's body screamed in alarm. His skin felt like it was being sliced by countless blades, though no actual damage had occurred. He couldn't even detect being attacked.
Not even the man himself seemed to be doing anything.
But he was too strong! Even the boy's master had never given him this sensation.
While his master's power was more terrifying than a T-Rex, it had never made him feel this way just by standing there.
It wasn't majesty or anything like that. It was the simple fact that he couldn't even remain standing in this man's presence.
"Who… are you…" As his consciousness began to fade, the boy forced out a question.
But deep down, he already knew the answer.
Worshiped by humans, ruler of the material and spiritual worlds, the highest being among all supernatural entities—a god!
And this god who had taken physical form and walked the earth was none other than his master's nemesis: the Heretic God, the sworn enemy of Luo Hao, founder and master of the Five Prisons Holy Sect.
At this point, the boy regretted everything. He had thought the Phoenix Mountain people's "offering to the ancestral god" was merely some ancient ritual. Had he known the truth, he'd never have dared come.
As for why this Heretic God was seen as the ancestral god of the Phoenix Mountain people—it no longer mattered. Because...
"I'm so dead. Master's going to kill me for sure…"
With that thought, the boy finally lost consciousness.
His body collapsed to the ground, completely drained of all strength.
The residents of Phoenix Mountain also descended from the sky, kneeling, trembling with reverence.
But the Heretic God, with his ancient tribal aura, paid them no heed. His gaze turned toward the northern peak.
"Hmmm… that scent… My nemesis is approaching…"
The Heretic God showed a look of pleasure, a trace of joy in his voice.
All the Phoenix Mountain people, including their king, seemed even more terrified upon hearing this.
"Don't be afraid. I won't blame you. Now go—bring me more women."
The Heretic God's body began to blur. In an instant, he was no longer human, but a magnificent multicolored bird, flapping his wings and rising slowly into the sky.
"In order to face my enemies, I need more joy."