Chapter 8, The Fall of Liangshan: The Demonic Breakthrough

Volume One of "Eastern Cloud Dream Tale" is complete

***

As the small island emerged from the clouds, Liangshan Lake returned to its original height. People standing upright in various parts of the village gazed blankly towards the summit of Liangshan. There, atop a Harley motorcycle, a spirited old man with a white beard lifted his goggles, raised both hands high, and shouted loudly to the entire village from the mountaintop

Sister!

The warm palm gently brushed the boy's hair. Feng Jie did not turn her head, and her melodious voice slowly emerged, revealing an unmistakable sense of reluctance and melancholy.

Sun Wu lay horizontally on the magnetic floating board. Although his entire body was unable to move and he could not make a sound, his consciousness remained clear, allowing him to witness the apocalyptic scene of Liangshan Marsh collapsing before his eyes

However, just as the two great masters of Buddhism and Taoism were about to arrive at the entrance of the rock crevice, a sudden and extraordinary change occurred. The purple lightning blades that were fiercely attacking them vanished without a trace, and the entire protective formation seemed to lose its energy, with the dazzling light and shadows disappearing in an instant. Even the narrow entrance, barely wide enough for a single person to pass through, opened with a sound, transforming into a doorway three feet wide.

"I beg you, Xiao Shang, this child is our last hope with Feng Jie'er, we entrust him to you"

The gentle voice caused the boy's tears to well up once more, but his sister merely patted his head, saying nothing more, for the moment of parting had arrived. Xiaoshang, piloting the magnetic hoverboard, descended from the sky in full military attire and saluted Fengjie.

Behind the elderly man, the bright sun radiates golden light, illuminating the vast land of Liangshan Lake from a height of ten thousand feet, while the cheers and clamor of the people soon resound through the skies

Eh? Sister?

I said, "... that wicked monk, I had always thought that Xiao Shang would be moved and come back to take us both away."

This matter is my fault, and it is my responsibility to try!

Sun Wu wanted to inform his sister that he was preparing to leave Liangshan Marsh to seek the lost Buddhist relic, as it was a responsibility he needed to fulfill. However, before he could speak, Feng Jie spoke up first.

Originally hiding in the shadows to manipulate the naval facilities, Xiao Shang unexpectedly acquired a flying artifact. Its base resembled a skateboard, equipped with six jet propulsion wheels underneath, and a simple control stick on top. Although rudimentary, it was capable of flying and gliding through the air, significantly faster than running.

Before any words were spoken, the young driver of the hoverboard suddenly spoke, resembling a spirit from the legend of the lamp, uttering a series of strange phrases

This is a miracle, everyone... have we been saved

Riding on a Harley motorcycle is a formidable old man with a white beard. Dressed in a khaki jacket and long pants, he wears pilot goggles on his face, yet his piercing gaze penetrates the thick lenses, directly staring at the shimmering mountaintop. With a twist of the throttle in his right hand, the Harley motorcycle cuts through the sky, descending in a perfect parabola straight onto the mountaintop, immediately engulfed by a myriad of golden rays.

The loss of the power source has led to the imminent fall of Liangshan Marsh. To the two of them, this issue does not seem significant, yet few are aware of another secret hidden behind the Buddha's blood relic: when Liangshan Marsh falls from the sky to the ground, it will soon trigger a cataclysmic disaster that could lead to the destruction of the world

These ... ... are definitely not a dream

Ah, you... little Xiang!

With a scowl, Feng Jie finished her words and turned to leave, as if she did not want to look at her brother any longer. This unexpected change left Sun Wu momentarily stunned before he regained his senses and hurriedly rushed forward to embrace his sister's waist, but he was unable to hold her securely.

... ... dream. ... ... ... I have awakened ...

Plummeting from a great height, the intense difference in air pressure and wind pressure forced all the villagers to the ground, leaving no one able to rise. Some were even completely pressed into the ground, screaming as they fell downward along with the land.

"Then... that means..." Sun Wu nervously looked towards his two uncles, hoping to receive a better answer from them. However, the outcome was disappointing, as their silence was accompanied by an increasingly strong earthquake shaking Liangshan Lake, causing the ground around them to roll up and revealing a large crack.

"Xiao Wu, sister cannot turn to look at you, because if she looks at you one more time, she might want to keep you... I'm sorry, sister has always forgotten this point. I want to give you the best life, but... you have your own life."

The purple lightning blades are endless and boundless, not only with intricate angles of fire but also with an unparalleled speed. The two have blocked several rounds, accumulating numerous wounds on their bodies, blood streaming down, yet they continue to advance five feet towards the cave entrance, getting closer to their target. Their swift adaptability and exceptional tactics invigorate Sun Wu, causing him to unconsciously clench his fists.

"You are mistaken; in fact, that letter of protest was addressed to me. It should have been you and me going out together!"

This is a placeholder text.

... ... Liang Shan Falling to the Ground, Heavenly Demon Breaking the Seal, Liang Shan Falling to the Ground, Heavenly Demon Breaking the Seal. ... ...

Hu Yan and Li Mubai stood outside the woods, gazing in the direction where the village chief, old father, had once brought Sun Wu and Xiao Shang to explore a secret cave. Outside the narrow rock wall entrance, there had originally been a patch of white reed grass as tall as a person, but now three crescent-shaped totems had emerged, within which countless purple lightning shadows could be faintly seen, darting like swords and knives, slicing through the atmosphere. The surrounding temperature was also affected, with the wind blowing icy and bone-chilling, and the nearby trees were even covered with a layer of white frost.

Uncle Hu, Uncle Li

Li Mubai's reaction was not as agitated as that of his friend, but the worry in his eyes was even more pronounced. He sighed and said: "We really were a step too late. When we entered, the cave was completely empty; there was no one to be seen... nothing was left... How infuriating, we were set up."

Moreover, the little girl, who was originally dressed in a suspender dress, surprisingly changed into a military uniform identical to that of Nalan Yuandie. The Feiyun ship was filled with soldiers of the Great Wu Dynasty, and it would be no difficulty to snatch a set of military attire. However, even if one searched the entire warship, it would be unlikely to find a mini military uniform in such a small size. Seeing the badges and ranks on the little girl's military uniform, all present and accounted for, along with a military cap and boots that were quite well-made, Sun Wu was left speechless, not knowing how she managed to do it.

A few minutes later, the strong earthquake and fierce winds suddenly ceased, and a gentle breeze softly brushed over the green grass on the ground, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere as if everything had returned to normal, leading one to almost believe that the crisis had passed.

When the strong smell of alcohol wafted behind him, Sun Wu knew that his sister had arrived. He had some words he wanted to say to her, but he was also afraid that she might be drunk, her mind not quite clear, making it difficult for them to have a proper conversation.

I have always been puzzled; you casually carry over a dozen magical artifacts, which must significantly deplete your vital energy. How do you manage to sustain such consumption?

The bizarre phrases, continuous and rhythmless, resemble the chants of monks reciting scriptures, resounding with earth-shattering force. Amidst the roaring sound of the howling wind, the strange chanting echoes throughout every corner of Liangshan Lake. Yet, everyone’s hearing is subjected to a drastic change in atmospheric pressure, leaving them uncertain about what they are truly hearing

Sun Wu prepared to head to the back mountain, while Feng Jie intended to stay on the ship to tidy up this battlefield, which had turned into a gruesome slaughterhouse. She aimed to help those bloodthirsty maniacs, who had suppressed their beastly instincts for many years and had completely lost control after being liberated, to calm down. However, Sun Wu's slow method of travel seemed utterly inefficient in the eyes of someone. Therefore, when he quickly ran out of the warship and jumped down from the three-meter-high gate, a shadow shot past like lightning, swiftly taking him away.

... ... a step too late, tsk!

Unable to find a flaw in the protective formation, in a moment of desperation, one could only take the risk and forcefully break through the formation with their own cultivation. The two masters from "Cihang Jingdian" and "Heluo Sword Sect" joined forces, merging man and weapon, their power akin to a thousand-thunderstorm, with ghostly wails and divine howls, instantly piercing deep into the formation.

Sun Wu, lacking practical experience, was witnessing the combat style of top-tier experts for the first time. A surge of passion suddenly welled up from his heart, and in his excitement, he seemed to gain some insight, momentarily forgetting the crisis before him

May the two rest in peace

This time the sound is much clearer, Sun Wu wants to hear it more distinctly, but another noise approaching from a distance is distracting his attention

However, this protective barrier, which claims to be able to keep the world's top masters at bay, is not merely a name without substance! The two great masters of Buddhism and Taoism, standing ten steps away from the crevice of the cave, faced an extremely powerful counterattack. Amidst the thunderous roar, the blade's aura and sword's brilliance erupted into a shower of light, revealing the figures of the two.

"Is it another magical artifact again?"

In a moment of desperation, Sun Wu did not avoid the falling rocks and rushed towards the crevice, fearing that his two uncles might encounter some danger inside the cave. Just as he was nearing the cave entrance, two figures dashed out from within, one after the other, and in the instant they brushed past Sun Wu, they pulled him to the left and right, propelling him a hundred feet away from the cave entrance. In the next moment, with a thunderous explosion, the entire cave collapsed.

The distance is too great, and no one can see what is happening at the top of the mountain, but a thunderous roar once again reverberates across Liangshan Lake. Following that explosive sound resembling a furious thunderclap, the wind and the strange chanting all vanish, the ground of Liangshan Lake no longer trembles, but instead returns to a state of calm, even slowly rising upwards, re-entering the clouds

All the bodies of the fallen soldiers were buried; those that could not be buried were simply thrown down from the sky. The blood was washed away easily, erasing the traces left by the flames of war. Liangshan Marsh quickly returned to its former idyllic paradise, where people gathered around the campfire singing songs and celebrating with a feast. The bloody battle that had occurred just a day earlier seemed as if it had never happened.

The fourteen years of happy life have finally come to an end today ... Perhaps it had already ended long ago, but I was unwilling to wake up, continuously dragging Xiao Wu to keep dreaming a beautiful dream ...

It should be a woman; although only her silhouette is visible, her posture is light and graceful, with a delicate and enchanting body curve. Xiao Wu has never seen such a stunning beauty in his life, but that beauty only revealed herself for a moment. In the next instant, she erupted with an even more intense blaze of light and shadow, as the fiery phoenix surged with greater and fiercer explosive power, ascending to the peak of Mount Liang, racing towards the convergence of countless golden chains.

The cave entrance stands wide open, and the seemingly resolved crisis instead deters people from recklessly entering. After all, no one can guarantee that there are not other mechanisms hidden at the entrance of the rock crevice. If the energy from the protective formation of the library seat were to be fully concentrated at the cave entrance for a single strike, the destructive power of such an attack is something no one can assure they could withstand

The repetitive mantra echoed in his ears, forcing him into a state of extreme discomfort, driving him to the brink of madness. Suddenly, a clear and high-pitched cry pierced the sky, under the dazzling golden light. Uncertain whether it was an illusion or reality, Sun Wu vaguely saw a figure ablaze with intense flames... a phoenix!

( It's over, that guy Xiaoshang... I even died in a bewildering manner... )

It is unclear what the phoenix was doing above, but Sun Wu seemed to see the phoenix lifting the scripture chains, attempting to soar into the sky, though he was not entirely certain. However, from the moment the phoenix ascended to the peak of Liangshan, the speed of descent from Liangshan indeed slowed, and the wind pressure was not as intense as before.

Oh, well, I accept this person. I believe this young man will always remember today

Sun Wu shouted in mid-air, but the two seemed too focused to respond to his call. Following that, a black blade aura and a snow-white sword light simultaneously erupted, with two figures sandwiched in between, shooting towards the entrance of the rock crevice.

In a daze, it seemed as if people saw visions in their eyes, countless golden Sanskrit characters rising from the direction of the back mountain, interlinking and locking together, swirling around the entire aerial island, with all ends converging at the highest peak, resembling chains used for binding, yet appearing as if they were under severe impact, swaying as if on the verge of breaking.

Truly a decisive character who acts without hesitation, as soon as the words were spoken, the magnetic floating board suddenly lost speed and plunged towards the ground, plummeting wildly along with Liangshan Lake

It seemed as if one could hear Sun Wu's silent inquiry from behind, as Xiao Shang flew forward on the magnetic hoverboard, explaining without looking back

... ... Liangshan descends, the Heavenly Demon breaks the seal. ... ...

The voice of the youth grew increasingly distant. Feng Jie, gazing at his disappearing figure, had to press her lips tightly together to suppress the overwhelming urge to cry out. Her chubby, short fingers lacked any aesthetic appeal, yet the tears that fell were as clear and translucent as pearls

... ... You may leave!

"Yes. The entire military uniform is ready in three minutes, doesn't it look very handsome?"

As soon as he turned around, Sun Wu was handed a fully packed bundle. Feng Jie, who had just slipped away from the celebration banquet, was holding a bottle of wine in one hand, her chubby face still smeared with barbecue sauce, looking quite comical, yet her gaze remained calm.

Yes, Boss

The relic of Buddha's blood was stolen, and the thief vanished without a trace. The timely-returning village chief brought back the "Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Turtle Gallbladder" sourced from the South China Sea to temporarily serve as a power source, ensuring that Liangshan Lake would not fall for half a year. The side effect of this was that a column of fire would erupt from the top of Liangshan every two hours.

It was not a dragon, but a type of machinery. The rumbling sound evoked Sun Wu's memories, as the familiar energy of the magical artifact rapidly approached from above. Sun Wu looked up and clearly saw a massive heavy motorcycle, trailing a long plume of gray smoke as it sped by.

... Liang Shan falls to the ground, the heavenly demon breaks the seal...

She doesn't really think we will die here, does she? Even if the sinners of Liangshan Po were to be reborn with a ninety-nine percent chance, it wouldn't count against us. The truly tricky part... is another major issue

"Crybaby, you may not know that Liangshan Lake has gravity, right? Hmm, it's hard to explain what gravity is to you. In short, due to a calculation error, this hoverboard doesn't have enough power to escape the gravitational field. We are being pulled into Liangshan Lake, and we are about to go down now"

Amidst the exclamations, the young man, whose more than ten major acupoints had been sealed by a surprise attack from behind, fell softly to the ground, watching helplessly as the man known as "the Breaking Precept Tiger Monk"—Uncle Hu—picked him up and hurled him into the sky

The magical artifact "Magnetic Hoverboard" moves slightly slower than a galloping horse, but it is not restricted by terrain. It travels at an altitude of about 6 meters above the ground, passing through forests and over small hills, quickly making its way to the back mountain, where it encountered a scene that Sun Wu was most worried about.

However, Sun Wu remembers very clearly; he recalls the ambition and greed of the people from the outside world, remembers the ferocious beastly nature unleashed by the villagers during the battles, and also remembers the peril and despair at the time of the fall of Liangshan Marsh, along with the various incredible phenomena of light and shadow.

Ah, why is Xiao Shang going out with me

Sister, actually I ... ...

There is a letter of protest in the bundle. After you go out, if you have the opportunity, find a high-ranking official to submit it, expressing our Liangshanbo's protest against this act of invasion. This is an official duty entrusted to you by the entire village. Now you have a valid reason to leave, so go!

( ... ... what are you ... ... doing ... ... )

Sun Wu felt that being with Xiao Shang was truly unfortunate. Not to mention there were no happy moments, even his own sadness would be disrupted by her chaotic behavior, leaving him in a state of stunned amusement. At that moment, a strange sound suddenly entered his ears. At first, it was very faint, like the fluttering of mosquito wings, but it quickly grew louder, as if resonating with the falling Liangshan Marsh, causing the entire earth to tremble.

Oh, blah blah blah, my master! Your wish is my command

A disturbance has temporarily come to an end, and the villagers have begun a celebration feast; however, the highly discordant dreamlike feeling continues to trouble Sun Wu

How should I ... ... ah

As the voice fell, a deafening explosion erupted, not from within the mountain's belly, but from the peak, far from the cavern. A red light shot into the sky like a volcanic eruption, and a powerful tremor shook the entire Liangshan Marsh. In an instant, the mountains swayed, the ground quaked, and earth and stones collapsed. The terrifying natural impact nearly caused Sun Wu to lose his footing.

The intense shockwave from the explosion caused the three individuals to lose their balance, stumbling several steps before regaining their footing. Hu Yan's dagger had already been sheathed, and as he gazed at the soaring red light atop the mountain peak, his face filled with anger, he exclaimed: "Damn it, she actually got away!"

"Are all of you at Liangshan still pursuing your dreams today?"

The momentum of the blade and sword energy shattered like bamboo, as countless purple lightning blades surged forth in a frenzied assault. The combined strike of the two was broken, and blood immediately seeped from the corners of their mouths. Before they could catch their breath, hundreds of purple lightning blades were already closing in, marking the most perilous moment. In mid-air, Sun Wu's heart raced as if it would leap from his throat, yet he saw that the two seemed to be well-prepared. Back to back, they eliminated blind spots, began to circle their feet, and their blades whirled like a dance. With the ferocity of a roaring tiger and the grace of a soaring swallow, they shattered all the rapidly approaching purple lightning blades.

The blazing fire of the phoenix, with its graceful silhouette, swept swiftly over Sun Wu and Xiao Shang like a wildfire. To behold it was astonishingly beautiful, as if it encapsulated the beauty of destruction at the very last moment of the apocalypse, radiating dazzling light and shadow. Faintly, it seemed as though someone existed within the fiery silhouette of the phoenix.

What is real and what is illusory, you should confirm with your own eyes...! Spread your wings and fly freely in your sky, but if you get tired, then come back. Do not be afraid of burdening anyone; this is your forever home

Hehe, this is the first secret of Liangshan Marsh

The answer is clearly negative, as the speed of descent, although slightly slower, continues to fall without pause, its momentum unceasing. That minuscule miracle is insufficient to prevent the arrival of the end, while the deafening sound of chanting seems to serve as a final warning, resonating once more throughout the entire island

"Xiao Shang, this crybaby is entrusted to you"

Tears transform into vapor the moment they hit the ground, only to be trampled by enormous footsteps, leaving behind a scorching hot imprint.

Sun Wu made a decision and immediately leaped down from the magnetic floating board, rushing towards the crevice of the cave. However, Hu and Li were a step ahead of him, rushing into the cave first. For a moment, the cave was silent, and only the cold voice of the little Shang could be heard in mid-air.

Back then ... ... no, even now, if this protective array had not been triggered, Sun Wu would not have noticed that such a powerful protective barrier was set up here. Under normal circumstances, as soon as an intruder steps into the reeds, the Thunder Blade and Electric Edge would instantly activate, tearing the person into a thousand pieces, reducing them to dust in an instant, and the array would not even reveal its form.

"Xiao Shang, I leave Xiao Wu to you. Regardless of the outcome of Liang Shan Po, you must protect him well, do you understand?"

Uncertain of how many times he had encountered scenes of life and death within this day, Xiao Shang's reaction was still as if he had heard a joke. He raised his hand, resting it at the edge of his military cap, and rendered a splendid military salute to the two individuals standing on the ground

The earth裂开, and fierce winds howled as the houses in the village collapsed one after another, only to be swallowed by the裂开的 ground. The villagers who were still able to move scrambled to escape, but there was nowhere to go. The only large airship, the Flying Cloud, had been damaged in battle and was unable to fly. Despite the villagers' exceptional martial skills, they found themselves utterly helpless in the face of this situation.

Is this the battle of a top-tier expert? Not shying away from injury, calculating in advance the gains that each wound can bring, even when faced with setbacks in battle, one can immediately turn a crisis into an opportunity and further seize victory. This is truly impressive

Away from the celebratory feast of the people, Sun Wu sat alone beneath the stone tablet at the village entrance, his mind seemingly hazy, as if he had just awakened from a long and beautiful dream, feeling an unprecedented clarity.

Without any superfluous words, after coldly throwing down this sentence, the jet turbine of the magnetic navigation float board erupted in flames, shooting off with a whoosh, leaving two people behind, staring at each other in astonishment.

However, this peaceful illusion lasted only a few minutes. Immediately afterward, the entire Liangshan Lake plummeted rapidly, descending at an astonishing speed. In the blink of an eye, it fell into the sea of clouds below, and within seconds, it broke through the cloud cover. Below lay a vast expanse of green forest, with mountains rising one after another, dense with trees, and for miles around, there was not a soul in sight. The scenery was truly magnificent, yet no one had the opportunity to appreciate it.

Without any possibility of resistance and with no other choice, Sun Wu stepped onto the magnetic floating board and soared into the sky amidst the roar of flames, watching the figures on the ground shrink away as he waved his hand desperately

Uncle Hu, Uncle Li

Sister, I will definitely come back

Was that just a phoenix? Could it be a dragon this time? Liangshan Marsh is truly a strange place

Is that... old man, has he returned

Sun Wu watched this scene, wanting to cry out loudly, but no sound came forth, and his eyes unknowingly filled with tears. Witnessing the destruction of his hometown, the emotions of sorrow and despair surged in his chest like a flood. The only thought that occupied his mind was to free Xiao Shang; he would rather share the fate of the villagers than escape alone like a dog.