LDP S3: The Jewel of the Underworld

Ch. 2 — Zhi Ming.

Under the attacks of the sword techniques were like endless storms, the ice domain that had locked Heilong away for a few minutes finally collapsed and showed the figure of the Northern Gate Guard God who was currently standing in front of the Northern Heavens Gate while crossing both hands.

“Who are you? We both have absolutely no grudges but why did you attack me the moment I got to this place.

Heilong looked unhappy. For, this was the first time he had set foot in this Northern Sky Gate but what he had obtained was not a friendly welcome, either, but it was quite a deadly attack from a God whom he was completely unfamiliar with.

“I am Zhi Ming, God of the North Sky Gate Guard. The entire Northern sky region is under my guard.”

Zhi Ming's attitude towards Heilong softened slightly after seeing the strength this young man before him possessed.

The Ice Domain used by Zhi Ming to confine Heilong was one of the strongest moves he had. And, in this thousand years only a few Gods can break away from this flagship style. Thus, it was only natural that Zhi Ming's assessment of Heilong instantly changed when he saw Heilong had the ability to destroy his ice domain.

“It turns out you're the God who guards this place. But that's not the answer I want. I just want to know why you suddenly attacked me.”

Heilong still looked very upset especially until now Li Ziqi still disappeared somewhere once she arrived at this place. He even thought that Zhi Ming had kidnapped Li Ziqi.

Zhi Ming walked past Heilong and turned his back. He then looked towards a very beautiful ice palace that was in the middle of the Northern Heavens. He seemed to be nostalgic when he saw the ice palace and unconsciously the look on his face showed signs of sadness.

“The previous Protective God was my Master. I don't want my Master's position to be replaced by a weak one and will only humiliate the title of a Guardian God. Therefore, I immediately intend to test the strength you have once I see you,” explained Zhi Ming.

Heilong finally knew the reason behind Zhi Ming's deadly attack. He could understand that a disciple would never be willing that the honorary title his Master had ever obtained would be destroyed before his eyes. Perhaps he himself would also do the same as well there were other sword spirits who wanted to replace the title possessed by this teacher.

“Then what now is your assessment of me? Do you want to duel with me to test my strength even more deeply or do you let me pass so that I can get to the Guardian God Palace soon,” Heilong exclaimed kindly. The anger previously seen on his face had already disappeared like the wind.

Zhi Ming did not immediately give an answer but he instead scanned the surrounding area looking for a suitable place to fight.

Since Heilong was able to destroy the ice domain moves he had. Then an ordinary attack alone would not be able to conquer Heilong. Thus, Zhi Ming deliberately sought a suitable place for him to be able to bring out all his strength.

It didn't take long for Zhi Ming to find a suitable place. Because, this entire Northern sky region did have a very cold air temperature and matched the power of the ice element that he had. Thus, this Northern Sky Region had ice plains that were more dominant than the other Heavens.

He immediately took Heilong to a floating ice plain at the eastern end of the Northern Sky.

However, Zhi Ming did not know that Heilong had thought of a crazy idea in his head. He intended to retaliate against Zhi Ming's attacks while in front of the gate many times until Zhi Ming begged for mercy.

In just a few breaths of time the two of them had reached a place where they would both fight.

The vast expanse of ice immediately greeted the two of them. Perhaps this place is more suitable to be called an Ice Planet than a floating ice plain. Because, the land area of ice is not if from the area of a Planet.

In this place there are only two of them. I don't know where Li Ziqi is hiding. Li Zhen was currently also in his meditation since the battle between Heilong and Dark Ertheroz ended. So, this time Heilong would actually fight on his own without the help of the people who had always been nearby.

Heilong instantly used the Heaven Reducing Dance technique and disappeared from Zhi Ming's sight the moment the duel between them began. He did not want to give Zhi Ming the opportunity to attack first.

“Basic cunning boy! Do you think I'll give you a crack to attack.” Zhi Ming grinned then released a bracelet that was on his left arm.

Boom ...

Such a fierce aura of ice energy instantly burst out from Zhi Ming's body as soon as he released the bracelet that was on his left arm. It turned out that the bracelet was a seal that he had intentionally used to conceal his true strength.

The ice field around him also became increasingly cold to trigger the arrival of a snowstorm that shook the entire Northern Sky region.

...“Ice Domain — Ice Paradise Without Borders.”...

An ice domain that was stronger than before instantly appeared and re-encaged Heilong as soon as Zhi Ming finished making some moves. This time, Zhi Ming was also deliberately inside his own ice domain in order to more freely conduct attacks from within.

The movement of Heilong was immediately stopped. Because, both of his legs seemed to freeze due to the influence of this ice domain.

“You won't be able to hide from my sight while inside the influence of my ice domain. I will show you what kind of power a Guardian God should have. If you can't survive this attack of mine, then you're completely unworthy of the title of Protective God.”

...“Ice Emperor Boxing.”...

Instead of feeling scared, Heilong smirked when he saw Zhi Ming's attack approaching. He began to flow his ice element Qi into the heirloom sword he had in both hands and then pointed it towards the sky. “Do you think you're the only one who benefits in this ice domain? I'll show you how deep my understanding is in the law of the ice element.”

...“Ice Mirror.”...

A gigantic ice wall instantly appeared in front of Heilong like a shield protecting his Master.

Boom ...

The fierce power of Zhi Ming's ice fist finally struck Heilong's ice defense shield violently and caused an explosive sound capable of shaking the entire region of this floating ice land.

Zhi Ming already felt above the wind as he saw a thick ice fog begin to surround Heilong. Because, this ice fog is an overflow of energy that comes from his Ice Emperor fist if he is able to hit his target by a landslide.

“Did you now already realize how much difference the strength of a veteran inhabitant of the God Realm like me is with a human who has just been promoted to the God Realm like you!” zhi Ming exclaimed as he looked at the shadow of Heilong's figure still standing gallantly within the ice fog.

Zhi Ming seemed to still hold a hint of anger towards Heilong over the treatment in front of the gate. Although his attitude towards Heilong had softened a little but he was still determined to teach Heilong a little lesson.

However, Zhi Ming's confidence did not last long. His high self-confidence instantly vanished and was replaced by such a deep shock upon seeing the thick ice fog surrounding Heilong disappear rapidly. In fact, the fluctuations in strength from the Ice Emperor Fist also instantly vanished as if it was swallowed by a bottomless hole.

Zhi Ming frowned. He began to think hard about what had happened inside that thick fog of ice. “What really happened?! There is no way a human newly promoted to a God has the ability to resist the blow of my full strength.”

“So just like that the full power of a veteran of the God Realm?” heilong's gaze became disgusted upon seeing Zhi Ming he did not expect that a veteran of the God Realm would hold a protracted grudge just because of a trivial matter.

“I'll show you what that full power means" Heilong continued.

Heilong then smashed his hands together the ice mirrors in front of him and instantly an ice power so fierce shot out from inside the mirror and headed straight towards Zhi Ming.

Boom ...

A powerful explosion resounded but a powerful explosion this time was accompanied by the appearance of a deep enough basin around where Zhi Ming stood.

Zhi Ming was forced to use his defensive artifacts to counter Heilong's attack this time around.

“Great also you! It is only fitting that the Supreme God gives you special treatment,” exclaimed Zhi Ming.

All the inhabitants of the God Realm had heard that the Supreme God had recently raised a new God to replace the position of the Protective God who had long since died in the great war against the demons of thousands of years ago then.

However, the Gods felt that the substitute of the Guardian God had received a very special treatment. Because, this long-empty Protective God position filler comes from the Human World, not the God Realm. Whereas, the Gods from the God Realm had long been competing for this position then why would the Supreme Gods suddenly give this all-important position to a human?

Most of the Gods living in the God Realm were actually dissatisfied with the decision taken by the Supreme Gods. However, none of them dared to refute because the decision of the Supreme God was absolute and had to be obeyed by all the inhabitants of the God Realm.

“Thanks. I'll take your words as a welcome. But, I still catch that you have other intentions behind that.”

“I have heard that your arrival to this God Realm is to replace the position of the Protective God that has been empty for a long time. Do you know what the duty of a Guardian God is?” Zhi Ming asked back and forth trying to figure out how to convey his dissatisfaction.

“Of course to protect the God Realm and the Human Realm from the attacks of the Devils of the Underworld,” Heilong replied firmly without a second thought as the memories Li Xuan had left behind had explained to him about everything that existed in the God Realm including the duties of each of the Gods.

“Then do you think that the power you have will be able to protect the God Realm and the Human Realm simultaneously from the attacks of the demons?” Zhi Ming finally found the right moment to express his dissatisfaction.

“Then I'll start serious. You will know if I deserve the position of Protective God after I defeat you.” Heilong seemed to have been lazy to make small talk with Zhi Ming. He also intended to subdue Zhi Ming because the man in front of him seemed to only be able to understand the language of strength.

It is not an open secret if when speech can not explain something then the power will bring an important role in making decisions. And, Heilong seems determined to make the second choice, a power struggle.