Chapter 57: Luo Hao, the Cult Leader at the Peak of Martial Arts
However, what surprised her was that the sensation transmitted from the Gorgoneion was somewhat strange.
Flames, thunder, storms, the ocean, the underworld... this aura undoubtedly belonged to the existence that "Gods Heretic" loathed the most—a Campione!
The last time she had encountered a God-slayer was a very long time ago; the last one she met had passed hundreds, perhaps thousands of years ago. As a goddess of combat, a hint of indignation flickered in Athena's eyes toward her approaching archenemy.
"To have my 'Snake' held in the hands of such a fellow is nothing short of a disgrace!"
Athena gritted her teeth in a fit of pique, but she did not immediately head toward the place emitting that loathsome aura. Because she was not currently in her complete state, her power was only about one-third of her peak. Fighting a powerful God-slayer in this condition would be equivalent to seeking her own humiliation.
But this did not mean she would retreat. The "Snake" of the Trinity's wisdom shared an absolute bond with her; this bond would ultimately guide and protect her. Then, just as before, she would defeat this opponent and claim final victory.
"O Gorgoneion that I seek, ancient snake, guide my desire here, direct the path of the Heretic Queen, and grant me once more the wisdom of the darkness, the sky, and the earth!"
The goddess recited the Word of Power like a solemn vow, sensing the whereabouts of the Gorgoneion. The Word of Power and divine energy intertwined, searching for the invisible "threads" in the atmosphere that would eventually lead her to her destination.
A moment later, she opened her pitch-black pupils.
"It is still within this city... My 'Snake' will eventually return to my side!"
Soon, it wouldn't be long before she reclaimed the Gorgoneion and became the true Athena.
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Lushan, Jiangnan.
As one of the ten most famous mountains in China, it is a well-known tourist attraction. However, this soul-stirring scenery is not for everyone to enjoy.
As far back as several hundred years ago, this mountain range already had a master. If anyone dared to trespass on Lushan without her permission, only a most cruel fate awaited those reckless fools. As the "King of Martial Arts" who has lived for over two hundred years, Cult
Leader Luo Hao can inflict horrific tortures—long discarded by the modern world—upon trespassing idiots without the slightest psychological burden.
Luo Hao, the leader of the " Holy Cult of the Five Mountains," is one of the most tyrannical Demon Kings, second only to Marquis Voban of Eastern Europe.
She is an ancient existence from the same era as Marquis Voban, and they view each other as archenemies. She reigns at the peak of martial arts; even Salvatore Doni, whose swordsmanship is akin to the gods, is no match for her in terms of martial skill. Only Doni's most prideful sword techniques can barely contend with Luo Hao. This alone is enough to illustrate how powerful this "King of Martial Arts" truly is.
Today, on Lushan—a place regarded as forbidden ground by all major sects—a youth was climbing the rocks. His name was Lu Yinghua, the disciple of Cult Leader Luo Hao. His strength was greater even than that of the "Great Knights" of Europe, yet even he did not dare raise his voice when speaking before the Cult Leader, fearing he might accidentally anger this master who favored the use of violence.
Lu Yinghua, who had been forced into apprenticeship since childhood, possessed strength that made it so almost no one in the world beneath the Demon Kings could defeat him in a duel.
However, reaching this level had cost him dearly. Because he grew up under the brutal physical discipline of this strict master, Lu Yinghua suffered from a severe psychological condition: misogyny.
The more beautiful and powerful a woman was, the more he loathed her.
"I really don't know when this will end..." Lu Yinghua sighed in despair.
This master had already lived for over two hundred years and possessed nearly eternal life, but he, Lu Yinghua, was merely mortal. Just the thought that he might live his entire life in her shadow made him feel that his future was bleak.
Normally, Lu Yinghua would never come to Lushan to seek a beating for no reason. But this time, a major event had occurred. He knew that if he failed to report it and his master found out later, he would likely receive a severe thrashing for his negligence.
Following the winding and rugged path, Lu Yinghua finally reached the summit of Lushan after an hour of travel. A waterfall fell like the Milky Way descending from the highest heavens, scattering crystalline droplets amidst the splashing sound. Frogs croaked on the wet stones, and amidst the exotic flowers and plants of this fairyland stood a small wooden hermitage.
In this landscape of green mountains and elegant waters, Lu Yinghua moved as if treading on clouds, soaring with the birds. With a few leaps, he arrived in front of the hermitage. He paid no heed to the surrounding beauty, keeping his eyes fixed on the wooden hut from start to finish.
"Ying-er, what business do you have that justifies disturbing your master's cultivation?"
A woman's voice drifted from within the hermitage. Her voice was like the sound of a zither under the moon, an immortal melody lingering in the air. The sound alone was enough to inspire infinite reverie; any mortal hearing it would believe the voice belonged to a fairy from the highest heavens who did not walk the earth.
However, following this beautiful voice came a sudden hurricane. The doors of the hermitage burst open with a crash. This "fairy's" breath was like a violent storm, like the roar of dragons and tigers.
The youth outside was struck by the airflow and sent flying without a chance to react. After tumbling for over ten meters, he stood up disheveled and knelt before the hermitage. The boy named Lu Yinghua did not dare complain in the slightest, for his master was the Leader of the Five Mountains, Luo Hao—the undefeated one who stood at the peak of martial arts and had slain gods.
Every Campione acts with total impunity and arrogant self-centeredness, and Cult Leader Luo Hao is the pinnacle of them all; it would not be an exaggeration to call her mercurial. If your words lack reverence, she deems you disrespectful; if you are too respectful, she deems you a sycophant. Lu Yinghua secretly rejoiced that he was the Cult Leader's disciple; if anyone else were here, merely disturbing her cultivation would be enough to get them blasted to death on the spot.
"Reporting to Master, today I received a letter. It is signed with your name, but I have not yet read its contents."
Upon hearing Lu Yinghua's words, Luo Hao made a beckoning gesture, and the letter flew into her jade-like hand.
The woman standing at the now-empty doorway of the hermitage was a peerless beauty at first glance. She wore a silk hanfu with the front tied with ribbons, a style full of charm and elegance. She moved with graceful, lotus-like steps; her face was as beautiful as a fairy's, exquisite as jade, and radiant as a pearl. Her ink-black hair was pinned up high, her skin translucent, her phoenix eyes shimmering, and her lips like a dab of cherry.
After opening the envelope, the Cult Leader scanned the contents instantly. A small flame erupted from her hand, burning the letter directly to ashes.
"That country of Japan, is it? It seems it is necessary for me to make a trip there."
Saying this, Luo Hao looked at Lu Yinghua again. "Ying-er, you shall head to the country of Japan first. Your master will follow shortly."
"Yes, Master!"
After bowing respectfully, Lu Yinghua departed as swiftly as the wind. He did not dare linger for a second, fearing his master might find a fault in the next moment and seize him for another "beating of love."
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