Chapter 2103 — Chapter 2103 Was that...

"What do you mean, pink is a boy's color?" Mary asked. "The system has literally read your memories. All my original knowledge of Earth came from your memories. Even you think that pink is a girl's color."

After talking for so long, without anything else to do, Lex and Mary had started talking about the randomest of things. Such was life when doom scrolling was not an option.

Lex was about to argue back, ready to state that as he grew his understanding about the nuances of gender and societal norms had evolved, thus leading him to the conclusion that pink was actually a boy's color - as if colors belonged to any given gender to begin with when it happened.

The top half of the tavern blew up. There was no forewarning. Lex's instincts did not warn him, nor had the system detected anything. One moment everything was fine, and the next nothing was left.

The explosion contained no fire. There was no element to speak of - only an all disintegrating shockwave that spread faster than the speed of light. All rooms, all chambers, all halls and pathways above the ground floor of the tavern just ceased to exist, so naturally all the Dao Lords who were in the middle of their own meetings were suddenly out in the open.

Eclipse and Nulli, who were both sitting in the garden and chatting, saw the explosion and looked over as well while a protective barrier appeared on its own around them. To an outsider, it may have seemed like the barrier was there to protect the two of them, but in truth the barrier had been erected by the Dao Senate to remind Eclipse that they were there, and that she should not unseal herself if she needed to vent any anger she may feel about the development.

Of everyone on the scene, only Lex, Mary and the mortal workers of the Inn were unable to comprehend fast enough what had happened. That was because the shockwave hit them faster than their senses could, well, sense. Mary, despite being a former Dao Lord, had no actual strength. Her ability and cognition were tied to Lex's cultivation level, just as the services of the Inn were tied to his cultivation level. Thus, she too was entirely unprepared when the shockwave hit.

Naturally, the Dao Lords present were all able to protect themselves and even enhance their perception of time to such a level that they could take in everything that had happened at a leisurely pace, as if they were watching a hot drama unfold. Thus, the moment the energy of the shockwave began to spread, they had all already detected it. Even before their rooms were eviscerated, and they were brought out into the open, they began to pay attention.

Two Dao Lords had clashed. Whether it was because their conversation had broken down, or because some betrayal or deceit had been uncovered, the observers did not know.

All they saw was that at the center of the explosion, two Dao Lords were locked in a struggle. In truth, it couldn't even be called a proper fight. They had only actually locked gazes filled with unrestrained anger, and that alone had resulted in a clash. The energy released was not as a result of a conscious attack - it was merely their power spilling out.

After all, it was common knowledge that not all Dao Lords could control their powers. They had too much of it. Thus, many of the Dao Lords watched the scene as if they were watching a fight in a school yard. They were amused and intrigued, and they wanted to watch the drama unfold.

Some, however, had better sense. One such example was Hiran Kokan. Another was Wu Kong.

The moment that they had processed what was happening, dread gripped them. The Innkeeper always put special focus on the rules of the Inn, and that as long as they were followed everything was okay. However, if they were not followed then there would be trouble.

Now, not only had a fight broken out, but the tavern had been destroyed. Worse still, the staff at the Inn would be endangered! Most of the other Dao Lords didn't particularly care, after all they were only mortals, they understood that the Innkeeper wouldn't see it that way.

Besides these two, there were a few other guests who were concerned about the staff as well, but they were in the minority.

Unfortunately, by the time they had that thought, it was already too late. How could mere mortals survive the aura passively leaked by Dao Lords in a silent confrontation? Heck, even Celestial Immortals would not survive that. Even if the aura was not targeting anyone specifically, the aura and energy of Dao was not something that just anyone could tolerate.

So, they watched in horror, and spread out their senses to see if there was anything that could be salvaged... to see if there was anyone who could be saved.

"YOU ARE COURTING DEATH!' roared one of the Dao Lords in the fight. "I'll court your damn mother if I want," responded the other. Things were getting good, at least as far as the observing Dao Lords were concerned. Unfortunately, the aura of over thirty Dao Lords that suddenly erupted outside the tavern and joined together to take the form of a massive spider, towering over the tavern, its shadow oppressing all those who fell under it. The murderous intent leaking from it was literally palpable, and turned the bright sky of the Primordial Garden black, alarming everyone.

They all suddenly remembered where they were, and even the two Dao Lords who were locked in a fight forgot their anger as it was replaced by fear.

Of everyone there, only Nulli did not look up at the spider. After all, from where she was sitting, she had a good view of everything that had happened, as well as a good view of the Innkeeper and his assistant.

"Was that... a butter knife?" she muttered, confused.