Chapter 1719: Stealth or Raid - Nepherage

As far as we could tell, there were precisely two ways we could handle this upcoming attack on the burial ground.

Option 1: Guns blazing.

We charge in there and fight literally everyone and everything as we make our way down to the site where the previous expedition had stopped themselves short but this time, taking the axe with us.

This was the most obvious option given the group’s current composition. Literally, not a single stealth art among any of the mortals, including Matriarch Zhen Xun Tian which was surprising to me to say the least.

However, this didn’t really disqualify our second option: stealth.

I used my tremor sense earlier and found that there were actually a whole mess of tunnels that could lead to the axe’s resting spot, but they were irregularly patrolled.

In other words, we needed people who were either stealthy, fast, or incredibly small.

In other words, my fellow kaijin and I.

It wasn’t an effective tactic, to be sure...but it would also deny precious experience to all the mortals involved...unless...

At this moment in time, the mortal members of the group were discussing the merits and drawbacks of charging in as opposed to sneaking in and vice versa.

"If we sneak in, we won’t have to waste energy fighting a whole bunch of warriors around our cultivation."

"But if we get caught, we’re going to have to fight them anyway, so we might as well start the fight on our terms."

While they did that, I did a quick headcount of the kaijin present, including myself, and of the mortal warriors present.

There were four of us, and amongst the mortal warriors there were four of them that we could possess and give a substantial boost in power to.

Lady Terra didn’t count because, due to her Strangeblood heritage, was resistant to [Possession].

Matriarch Zhen Xun Tian was also off the table, because her cultivation was incredibly powerful as is. In other words, possessing her would be about as useful as adding a stick to a burning building.

Either way, there were an equal number of us, meaning we could very much do the guns blazing plan if so desired.

Of course, the ones with the greatest authority at the moment were either the aforementioned Zhen Xun Tian or, more appropriately for the moment, Hakon.

The former because she was the most powerful warrior in the group, and the latter because this was his family’s legacy we were trying to secure.

Well... there was technically a third option, but he had remained silent...annoyingly so.

Thankfully, the living came to a consensus. And, as if the spirit of our creator decided to speak through both of them, their plan was a combination of stealth and violence.

"Well, I have no desire to be sneaky, and my ability to do so is abysmal anyways, so I will take on the role of distraction," Zhen Xun Tian declared as he began to stretch in preparation.

"Three Aether Kings vs. little ole me sounds relatively boring in comparison to that Tremorscale ancestor, but it should still get the blood pumping. Maybe I’ll just use two arms."

"Okay, in that case, that just leaves the rest of us to try and sneak in," Hakon said as he looked over at the rest of us. "Should we divide into teams of two to help scatter their forces further?"

What Hakon had suggested was a sensible suggestion. However, his idea was only sensible when applied to just mortals.

"Nah, we don’t need to do that," Zhen Hai said as he began to stretch in place as well. "You should be somewhat familiar with this next part. Are you ready, Hurricroak?"

[And here I thought you’d ask for a different dance partner,] Hurricroak chuckled before nodding in agreement.

It took Hakon a couple of moments to realize what the plan was at this point, but he still had a major question.

"Wait, I thought we needed Zhen Liu and his Possesstol thing in order to do that."

"That" refers to [Possession] obviously.

[Well, it is necessary if our Lord needs us to possess someone from long range or in the middle of combat,] I answered Hakon. [However, if we have time to prepare like right now, then we can just handle it ourselves. The process is a bit more painful.]

"Painful?" Hakon asked.

"You get used to it," Zhen Hai answered. "Alright, get in here."

[Banzai!]

After taking a running start, Hurricroak transformed into a spectral ball of electric blue energy that slammed into Zhen Hai’s torso and merged with his body.

Zhen Hai, for his part, stood his ground and was able to stay upright as Hurricroak possessed him.

Briefly after the possession took hold, Zhen Hai’s [Regalia] formed and showed subtle mutations that served as evidence that Zhen Hai’s cultivation received a boost. As quickly as it appeared, though, it disappeared.

The only proof remaining that showed that Zhen Hai wasn’t alone in his body anymore was the fact that his eyes were slightly different colors from before, alongside one other detail.

"Oof! I keep forgetting how weirdly invasive that feels. Then again, it felt less weird than when I got shot in the face the first time around," Zhen Hai commented, his voice sounding a tinge like Hurricroak’s. "Alright, who’s pairing up with who next?"

"Guess I’ll give this a try for once," Zhen Long said as he mentally prepared himself.

Despite our Lord revealing the truth of his abilities to his family, not everyone had a chance to see or feel what that entailed exactly.

This was the first time that the First Elder of the Zhen Clan, Zhen Long, would have the chance to feel what it was like to be empowered by a kaijin.

[You’re going to be working with me.] Slug-at-arms volunteered. [Fair warning, this is also my first time doing this sort of thing, so I apologize in advance if my aura makes your mouth taste funny.]

"That is not reassuring in the slightest—OOF!"

Before Zhen Long could voice his complaints, Slug-at-arms transformed into a dark blue ball of energy and leaped into Zhen Long.

The first elder was stunned by the entry for a couple of moments before shaking and getting acclimated.

Surprisingly, the First Elder and Slug-at-arms proved surprisingly compatible.

"Okay... I completely understand why and how dad managed to breakthrough with Frosttusk’s help...wait...what the fuck title did I just refer father as? Also, why does my mouth taste like seawater?"

"The forced casual tone is something you eventually get used to," Zhen Hai assured his father. "The first time, Hurricroak jumped into my head; I tasted copper in my mouth for a few days."

This left Frosttusk and I to choose between Zhen Shi and Hakon. We already figured who would be working with who, but that didn’t stop Hakon from asking a question that I knew Frosttusk would shut down.

"Master Frosttusk," Hakon asked in a formal tone that I wasn’t expecting to hear. "If we are allowed to choose who we get possessed by, can you and I team up?"

Before Frosttusk could refuse, though, Xhen Shi was actually the one to interject.

"Apologies, Master Hakon, but Frosttusk and I have a bit of rapport when it comes to this whole enhancement business. It would be better for us to team up in case things go sideways."

"Oh...okay," Hakon capitulated in a disappointed tone.

Understanding the disappointment, I placed a hand on Hakon’s shoulder and did my best to reassure him.

[Our empowerment can actually be enhanced by the innate traits of those we possess,] I explained to Hakon, [Frosttusk’s core is based on Regret and Revenge. Both of which are things that had forged Zhen Shi into the warrior he is today.]

"Oh..."Hakon trailed off in understanding. "Then what is your core?"

[Heroism.]

...One jump into the brain later...

"Come out and play, motherfuckers!" Zhen Xun Tian roared as she used one of the flashier aether arts in her repertoire.

[Obsidian Ink Mountain!]

"Whoa! What the hell?!"

Much to the shock and horror of the Red Weaver tribe, the Rot Feather tribe, and the Star Viper tribe, Zhen Xun Tian had summoned a giant mountain made of inky aether and hurled it towards their collective camp like a missile.

None of the warriors milling about, even the Aether Lords, were strong enough to knock out the boulder even if it was only a minor Ethereal Aether Art.

Thankfully for them, there was a group of warriors who could more or less handle it.

"All together now!"

"Smash it!"

Three powerful Aether King level auras came together and smashed the ink boidler before it had a chance to cause any damage.

The display of power was so loud and energetic that it stole the attention of basically everyone else in the camp.

While they were stupefied by the display, a group of five snuck into an unguarded tunnel and began to traverse their way down into the deepest parts of the burial ground.