Chapter Fifty-Two: The Yin Vein Stone Acquired

"Splat, splat..."
A furious crowing echoed in the air as the corpse miasma swept over the Angered Sun Rooster, its once-lustrous plumage singed as if scorched by flames. The bird shrieked in alarm and rage.

Just then, a deep croak rumbled from below. At the mountain’s summit squatted a toad the size of a small hill. Its mouth extended a tongue as thick as an olive rope, lashing out to ensnare the shadowy figure and drag him from the sky.

"Wicked creature, how dare you act so brazenly!"
Enraged, the black shadow glared at the tongue binding him. With claws like a beast’s, he tore at it ferociously.

The Golden Toad’s tongue erupted in black spots, and with a pain-filled cry, it released the shadow.

"Friend, we’ll talk later. For now, let’s deal with this calamity first."
Seeing the Golden Toad injured, Li Yang’s expression darkened. He called a warning to the old Taoist, then urged the Six-winged Golden Centipede beneath his feet into the sky. The centipede’s six wings beat, transforming it into a golden streak that shot toward the black shadow above.

Clatter and clang filled the air as the centipede’s hundred legs sliced through the void, resembling a whirling blade that struck the shadow, sending sparks flying in every direction.

"Stand aside, friend! Let me restrain him—ha!"
The old Taoist bellowed, his hands weaving incantations. Massive wooden stakes rose from the mountaintop, slamming into the shadow and sending him lurching, struggling to stay aloft.

"Hmph! Mere stakes? Child’s play! You dare show off such tricks?"
With a disdainful snort, the shadow opened his mouth and spat a torrent of gray corpse miasma across the sky, smashing into the summit and causing the entire peak to collapse.

At that moment, the Six-winged Golden Centipede raised its body and spewed a cloud of black poison, engulfing the shadow.

"Heh... Is that all you have left?"
The shadow inhaled deeply, swallowing the poisonous cloud as easily as a whale drinks water. He let out a satisfied belch and mocked, "Is that all?"

"Friend, this demon’s cultivation is too deep. Brute force alone cannot overcome him—none of my methods have any effect. Do you have any way to restrain him?"
Li Yang’s face changed drastically. He could not help but regret his rashness.

"To be honest, friend, such a fiend is rarely recorded even in the Maoshan Sect. He is the pinnacle of zombies—a being neither claimed by heaven nor buried by earth. He is truly difficult to deal with!"
The old Taoist gazed up at the shadow, his face drawn and his voice hoarse. As the saying goes: Heaven cannot ferry the Unyielding Bone, nor can hell provide entrance to the Yellow Springs.

A furious crowing cut through their despair. The Angered Sun Rooster, claws glinting like silver hooks, seized the shadow and dragged him down from the sky, its beak stabbing ruthlessly at his head.

"Now, friend! My rooster’s cultivation is insufficient; it cannot hold him long."
Li Yang reacted instantly. The golden centipede shrank into a gleaming golden sword, straight as a divine blade.

"Strike!"
With a fierce cry, Li Yang spat a mouthful of golden-red blood. The centipede-sword blazed with radiant light, transforming into a golden-red sword of pure energy and cleaving down at the shadow’s head.

In a flash, the shadow’s supposedly invincible corpse split in two, sliced as cleanly as tofu.

A breath of relief escaped you at the sight—the crisis was past.

...

"Friend, we owe you our lives. Should you ever visit Maoshan, I promise you a hero’s welcome and my deepest gratitude."
The old Taoist approached, hands clasped in thanks.

"No need to wait for another day, friend. If you wish to thank me, do it now!"
Li Yang raised his hand to stop the Taoist.

"What do you mean by that?" The old Taoist’s eyes narrowed, displeasure written across his face.

"That Yin Vein Stone of yours will suffice. Exchanging it for your lives is a fair price, wouldn’t you say?"
Li Yang’s gaze was sharp, his expression equally unfriendly.

"You cunning scoundrel! So you’ve been watching all along, coveting my Yin Vein Stone? In that case, let’s see if you have the skill to take it!"
The old Taoist’s face darkened, his voice rising in anger.

"Hmph, you’re no better, Shi Jian. You have no right to scold me!"
Li Yang was unafraid, his golden centipede circling above, ready to strike at any moment.

"If that’s how it is, there’s nothing more to say. If you want the Yin Vein Stone, come and take it yourself!"
"Ten Thousand Thunders Charge!"
The old Taoist’s fists crackled with electric light as he lunged for Li Yang.

"Transform... Strike!"
Li Yang didn’t flinch. He pointed to the sky, and the centipede became a golden sword that cleaved through the thunder above.

Though the thunder was scattered, the electricity numbed Li Yang’s arms, and he silently lamented—this Maoshan senior truly lived up to his reputation, having held back the Unyielding Bone single-handedly for so long.

"Take another of my moves!"
The old Taoist shouted, blue lightning dancing between his hands.

"Wait... Look behind you."
"Master! Help me!"
Hearing the voice, the old Taoist turned. A massive toad had his beloved son suspended in midair, ensnared by its tongue.

"Despicable knave! Release my disciple!"
Fury contorted the old Taoist’s face.

"Hand over the Yin Vein Stone and your disciple will be safe," Li Yang replied, signaling the Golden Toad to tighten its grip.

"Ah... Master, help! I can hardly breathe!"

"What is your decision, friend?" Li Yang asked, his tone unhurried, confidence evident.

"Sigh... very well..."
The old Taoist let the lightning in his hands fade, muttering under his breath, "Yunniang, I promised you I would protect our son. In my life, I may have failed anyone or broken any promise, but the vow I made to you I will keep, even at the cost of my life."
At the mention of her name, a rare tenderness flickered in his icy eyes, softening his face for just a moment.

He quickly resumed his stern demeanor, drew from his robe a fist-sized, radiant Yin Vein Stone, and hurled it at Li Yang. "I hope you keep your word and release my disciple. Otherwise, offending Shi Jian is not a wise choice."

"No threats are needed. Since I have what I want, your disciple will be freed."
Li Yang received the stone with delight, examining it thoroughly before signaling the Golden Toad to release Shi Shaojian.

"Now that our business is concluded, my disciple and I will take our leave. Good luck to you, friend."
The old Taoist gathered up Shi Shaojian, cast Li Yang a long look, then glanced at the bisection of the Unyielding Bone. With a few swift steps, master and disciple vanished from sight.