Chapter 166: Jiaolong’s Conquest
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Jiaolong emerged from the volcanic passages into the West Sea realm with his corrupted forces behind him. The mist that filled the water should have disoriented him and should have hidden Ao Run’s palace behind layers of illusion and confusion. Instead, the corruption radiating from his form cut through the ethereal waters like a blade through silk.
"Lord Jiaolong," one of his corrupted lieutenants spoke, its voice sounded like a robot. "The mist is seeping from everywhere."
Indeed, the West Sea’s response was immediate and overwhelming. The mist around them thickened dramatically, and suddenly dozens of identical palaces appeared throughout the water. The silver coral gardens multiplied into endless mazes, and the floating pearl lanterns began moving.
"Clever," Jiaolong observed, his enhanced senses cutting through the illusions like they were made of paper. "But not clever enough."
He raised his clawed hand, and corruption flowed from his body in controlled streams. Where the dark energy touched the illusory palaces, they flickered and dissolved, revealing themselves to be nothing more than sophisticated mirages. But the real palace, carved from white jade and mother-of-pearl, remained solid and unchanged.
"There," he pointed. "Begin the assault."
His corrupted dragons spread out in formation, but the West Sea wasn’t finished with its defenses. The water itself began to shift and change, creating currents that pulled in different directions simultaneously. What appeared to be a clear path to the palace became a whirlpool that sent the leading attackers spinning away from their target.
But Jiaolong had adapted to the realm’s tricks. His corruption allowed him to sense the true nature of the water around him, distinguishing between real currents and illusory ones. He cut directly through the maze, but as he moved toward the palace, the mist covered his path leaving his troops behind him.