Chapter 115: Demons and Monsters [Please Subscribe!]

“Stop! Feng Zhen...”

As Li Yang was using his spiritual power to refine the Nine Elders’ Immortal Capital Jade Seal, a sudden light chuckle echoed through the void.

The jade seal immediately unleashed a massive backlash, pushing Li Yang back before transforming into a crimson talisman, fiercely imprisoning him within.

“Where’s Shi Jian? Hmm...”

Miaohua Daoist Priestess sized Li Yang up with a glance, pinched her fingers, furrowing her brows deeply. Her expression was grim.

“And you are?”

Li Yang narrowed his eyes as he looked at the plump Daoist priestess before him, his expression darkening.

Her cultivation was by no means inferior to Dong Wei Daoist; if anything, her spiritual power was somewhat stronger. More importantly, Li Yang sensed a dangerous aura emanating from her.

Since fusing the Six-Winged Golden Centipede, Li Yang’s unique sensitivity had never failed him. If it triggered an instinctive warning now, it meant this Daoist priestess was indeed very dangerous.

“You’re Li Yang... Shi Jian was killed by you?”

She glanced around, smelling the lingering bloodstains, and furrowed her elegant brows as her gaze swept over Li Yang. Her expression turned sour.

She was no stranger to Li Yang. The grudges between him and Shi Jian were well-known, even recounted by her disciple Lin Fengjiao.

No matter how hopeless Shi Jian was, he was still the foremost disciple of their Maoshan Sect. Yet Li Yang had slain him so casually. As the acting sect leader of Maoshan, she naturally felt her face was at stake.

Unlike other sects, Maoshan had many ancestors serving in the Underworld. Her hesitation stemmed from concern over the powerful figures behind Li Yang.

“You are the ninth uncle’s master, an elder from the previous Maoshan generation?”

After carefully studying her and drawing upon his knowledge of Maoshan’s current state, Li Yang quickly realized the truth.

“That’s right. I am the current acting leader of the Maoshan Sect, Lin Miaohua,” she nodded in confirmation. “Even if our Maoshan disciples are incompetent, it’s not for you outsiders to clean house for us. Shi Jian’s death demands an explanation to Maoshan.”

“What explanation do you want? Do only Maoshan disciples have the right to kill? If you’re weaker, you kill juniors; if you’re stronger, you jump out like an elder!”

Li Yang scoffed disdainfully at her reproach.

Though Miaohua’s cultivation was impressive, Li Yang considered himself no pushover. If a fight were inevitable, at worst, he could escape without difficulty and later return to Maoshan to settle scores.

“You... you called who an elder!”

Infuriated by Li Yang’s blunt retort, Miaohua’s face flushed deep red, chest heaving, her clenched teeth nearly shattering.

Though senior in rank, she was not older than Shi Jian. Only due to early cultivation and high talent was she exceptionally accepted as a disciple by the previous Maoshan leader.

“Did I say anything wrong? You surely know something about my grudge with Shi Jian. He was corrupt, repeatedly causing me trouble for no reason. If not for my measures, I would have perished by his hand long ago. This time, he sought his own death, and I could only grant it.”

Li Yang knew Maoshan prided itself on its righteous reputation. With a valid excuse, Miaohua would hesitate to act rashly, wary of her sect’s image.

It wasn’t that Li Yang feared Maoshan, but he was unwilling to forfeit the chance to seize the Dragon Seed. If Miaohua tangled with him now, this opportunity would slip away.

“Young one... you’re impressive! I hope you don’t meet your end at the hands of Maoshan...”

She cast a piercing gaze at Li Yang, took several deep breaths to quell her fury. Were it not for those behind Li Yang, she would not so easily let him go.

Even if Shi Jian was at fault, and Li Yang’s crime did not warrant death, she would still intervene to chastise this unruly junior.

Watching Miaohua disappear into the void, Li Yang exhaled deeply, his divine form yet unrecovered, leaving his options limited.

Miaohua was the acting leader of Maoshan’s current generation, with formidable means. The sect’s millennia-old legacy surely held secret techniques. If a fight broke out, Li Yang doubted he could quickly escape her pursuit.

...

Elsewhere, above the North Sea, the battle between Master Zhang and the Flood Dragon had reached a fever pitch.

One was a born Dragon Seed. Though still juvenile, his combat power far exceeded ordinary terrestrial immortals. Were it not for being restrained by Master Zhang’s divine artifacts and infused with incense power bearing Dragon-Sealing Runes, fleeing would have been effortless.

The other was the contemporary Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, the foremost figure in the cultivation world, who had painstakingly cultivated for over three centuries, surviving two calamities. Coupled with the divine treasures passed down from the Celestial Masters, his enlightenment was profound.

“Ka-ka-ka...”

“Old Zhang, let this Master lend you a hand.”

Amid their fierce duel, a cloud of ink-black mist rose suddenly from the sky, accompanied by a shrill, eerie laughter.

An old man, lean and bare-chested, emerged from the black cloud, emitting a hoarse, piercing chuckle.

His hair was a tangled mess like a bird’s nest; his short frame was clad in tattered cloth robes. Five long banners—white, cyan, black, red, and yellow—were planted on his back. His eyes glowed an eerie jade green, flickering unpredictably, mouth filled with sharp teeth, resembling a fiend.

“Chimei Old Ghost!”

Master Zhang’s expression changed drastically as he beheld the gaunt elder.

The Dragon Seed was already weakened; capturing him was only a matter of time. Unexpectedly, this old ghost now appeared to ruin his plans.

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t fear such demons, even welcoming their interference. But any commotion now risked complicating the Dragon Seed affair.

Though the world’s spiritual energy was waning due to environmental changes, the Central Plains’ vast lands still birthed some Golden Core cultivators. No matter how strong he was, two fists could not match four hands. At their level, each was extraordinarily gifted and formidable.

“Ka-ka-ka... Good stuff should be shared, Old Zhang. How about you give me half of that Dragon Seed?”

The Chimei Patriarch sneered as he watched the Flood Dragon suppressed by Master Zhang’s Three-Five Dougong Celestial Seal. A colossal ink-black cloud swelled above his head, a skeletal claw like a chicken’s talon reaching forth.

“How dare you!”

Master Zhang recited an incantation, conjuring a massive floating dust ball that instantly ensnared the skeletal claw.

“Five Demons and Celestial Devils, Chimei, Wangliang: Abjure!”

“Heh heh heh... ka-ka-ka... hee hee hee...”

The Chimei Patriarch’s five banners fluttered wildly as five grotesque demons of differing hues crawled out, lunging at Master Zhang.

“Senior, I will aid you!”

“Supreme Lord Laozi, teach me to slay ghosts, grant me divine magic. Invoke the Jade Maiden, bind the ominous. Mountains split, bearing the seal. Crowned with a splendid canopy, treading the stellar path, left supports the Six Jia, right guards the Six Ding. Yellow spirits before, Yue Zhang behind. The divine master strikes indiscriminately, first slaying evil ghosts, then cutting the nocturnal specters. What deity resists? What ghost dares? Quickly, as the law commands!”

At that moment, Miaohua Daoist Priestess, returning in haste, faced the sky-blackening cloud. From her sleeve, a sword made from Five Emperor Copper Coins flew forth, disintegrating midair, attacking the five demons suppressing them.

“Ka-ka... Maoshan’s Ghost-Slaying Curse, but young lady, your cultivation is still too shallow. If it were Old Daoist Qingxu, that would be more fitting.”

The Chimei Patriarch spat forth a wave of dark green evil energy. The five copper coins’ luster instantly dulled, appearing unstable, as if ready to fall.

“Old ghost, I think you’re courting death!”

Master Zhang roared, raising his long white eyebrows. Pure energy surged around him as the Celestial Master’s diagram unfurled behind.

“Heavenly clarity, earthly spirit, incense burning to invite Master Zhang. Marshal Zhao Er commands a million troops; Thousand-Star Thunder, Thousand-Star Sharp; Ten-Thousand-Star Radiance, Ten-Thousand-Star Bright. Hand on the treasured sword slays demons; if any ominous star resists, the foot treads evil ghosts to oblivion; Thousand-star light rises, ten-thousand-star laws shock ghosts and gods. By the Jade Emperor’s new decree, descend to save the world; disciples wholeheartedly invite you, Master of Masters, come. Divine weapon, swift as the law commands!”

With a melodious chant, a phantom emerged from the void. Golden light bathed the sky, divine power dispersing the ink cloud.

“Ah... squeak... sizzle... hiss...”

“The Celestial Master’s Record!”

“Return quickly...”

Seeing the phantom, the Chimei Patriarch’s face paled. The five banners behind him fluttered as he recalled the five demons.

“Friend Youquan, how long do you intend to watch this show? This old Daoist has profound cultivation and foundation. Surely you don’t want to see me clash with him head-on?”

He shouted into the void, wary of the celestial apparition.

“Clang...”

“Hahaha, nonsense. I’m coming. The Yin soldiers are crossing!”

With a tremendous roar, a towering gate made of white bones materialized in the void. A hulking skeleton emerged, gripping a broad sword, clad in armor, seated on a throne of black clouds, soul flames swirling in its eyes.

“Whoosh whoosh... clang clang... da-da-da...”

As the bone gate opened, a fierce cold wind swept out, accompanied by the clamor of battle, darkening the void like a celestial eclipse.

“Ghost Immortals from another realm!”

Master Zhang’s expression shifted sharply as he witnessed the martial scene in the void.

“Master Zhang, I have long admired you. It is said that joy shared is joy multiplied. This Dragon Seed is a divine treasure of heaven and earth. Why not share it with us?”

The Patriarch Youquan rose from his throne, leaning on his broad sword. His eyes shone like searchlights, emitting eerie light.

“Hmph! Demons and heretics, how dare you bargain with this old Daoist!”

“Celestial Master, strike down evil!”

Master Zhang formed a hand seal. The celestial master’s phantom raised a brush, painting a scarlet character “Zhu” (meaning “exterminate”) in the air.

“Stubborn and unrepentant, friend Chimei, let us join forces to deal with this old Daoist and divide his Golden Core!”

“Underworld Ghost Slash!”

“Crack...”

Youquan swung his broad sword, releasing a waterfall-like ghost slash tearing through the void, colliding fiercely with the Celestial Master’s exorcising talisman.