Chapter 6: Evil Met An Old Acquaintance
Chapter 6: Evil Met An Old Acquaintance
Seeing the overwhelming swarm of mosquitoes buzzing chaotically like firecrackers, Mu Yuan was startled inside. The method for raising such insects and beasts was extraordinary! And that cloth sack holding them seemed to possess inner space; it really didn’t seem like a technique a mere mortal warrior would have!
Wanting to test these insects’ strength, Mu Yuan used only a fraction of his power. The Iron Sword in his hand whirred and trembled, a bright sword light flashing out and crashing into the swarm. Instantly, metallic clanging rang out! The mosquitoes hit by the sword weren’t pulverized; they were only slightly impeded before fiercely buzzing back up.
“Heavens! Even a fierce tiger or starving wolf hit by that strike would at least be tumbled, bones broken!” Mu Yuan marveled inwardly. “These mosquitoes are incredibly sturdy! Just a crack in their wings! Truly astonishing!”
The dense cloud of black mosquitoes carried a filthy, bloody stench, clearly from prolonged blood-feeding. Seeing Mu Yuan’s ineffective strike, the burly man who released them wore a savage expression, a cruel smile twisting his lips as he seemed thoroughly pleased!
“Small tricks. Do you truly think I have no alternative?” Mu Yuan snorted coldly. His Zhenqi surged, instantly coating the Iron Sword with a soft cyan brilliance, flowing like endless water. From the tip of the sword, a beam of swordlight flickered out, extending and retracting, stretching a full three feet. Brilliantly sharp and seeming like it might expand outwards in all directions!
“Swordlight! That’s swordlight!”
One middle-aged martial artist hired by Jia Bu happened to witness this and cried out in shock, his voice filled with disbelief.
Producing swordlight! That was a technique only achievable by those who had reached the Primordial Spirit realm in the secular world! Warriors like them, mere hired guards for merchants, likely had no hope of ever reaching such a state even in their lifetimes! Even in the entire Tiandu Kingdom, warriors capable of reaching the Primordial Spirit realm numbered only a dozen or so. They were exceedingly rare!
Hearing this warrior’s astonishment, Mu Yuan felt contempt inside. Immovable Sword Art of the Longevity Palace, Greenwood Divine Radiance, was only achievable after reaching the Second Layer of Qi Refining. He had trained for ten hard years just to reach this level. The Longevity Palace was a renowned sect, even within the cultivation world! Its profound Longevity True Qi art far surpassed ordinary martial arts, beyond compare!
Daoist Sect disciples placed the greatest importance upon natural aptitude and bone structure. Truly, “seeking eternal life requires solid bones, walking the Dao demands exceptional spirit”. They were unlike the Buddhist Sect, which opens its doors widely to aid all living beings. Though Mu Yuan’s lowly master wasn’t highly regarded within the Longevity Palace, his decision to take Mu Yuan as a disciple still meant Mu Yuan possessed some talent for cultivation.
Greenwood Divine Radiance swept across the sky. Instantly, it was like a bright lantern flaring to life within pitch darkness, scattering the gloom and illuminating the surroundings. The green-gold radiance flowed everywhere it passed. Red-black blood splattered down, and hundreds, even thousands, of the insects directly hit by the radiance turned to dust and ash.
Seeing this scene, the bandit leader’s eyes finally showed panic. Mu Yuan saw he had such skills and pressed forward with his sword, ready to take the man’s head and end his life. Suddenly, a fierce shriek came from the distant cliff! A black shadow plummeted swiftly like a hawk. In front of him, a cluster of cold light gathered, carrying a terrifying, cruel murderous aura. It surged downwards, aimed directly at the carriage carrying Jia Bu’s family!
Mu Yuan snorted coldly, sensing a torrent of Zhenqi like raging rivers inside the attacker. Instantly, he unleashed his full power! His Greenwood Divine Radiance surged fiercely. The Zhenqi swirling around his body burst forth with intense light, vaguely forming the shape of a towering, ancient tree! Its branches were lush, roots gnarled, the whole tree glowing with dazzling emerald-green brilliance. Countless branches swayed in an intangible wind, like a thousand arms waving – full of vigorous life yet containing immense power!
The cold light collided with the green radiance! Boom! Shockwaves roiled! Force exploded outwards! The carriage beneath, struck by the shockwave, instantly flew apart! The canopy shattered! Horses screamed! The woman, children, and elders hiding inside cried out in alarm. Mu Yuan’s figure flickered. He was already standing protectively before them!
The attacker also halted his momentum, flipping back mid-air. Pitch-black light swirled around his body. In his hand, he held a long blade shimmering with cold light, its blade incredibly thin. A flowing gleam drifted along its edge, reflecting the sunlight, giving it an extraordinarily sharp, clear chill!
Mu Yuan’s entire body shuddered. His sword-holding hand felt sore and numb. He couldn’t help a surge of surprise. Unthinkable that such a master would be found among common bandits! Yet, he felt no fear. The opponent stood firm, unmoving, likely feeling just as strained, otherwise he wouldn’t be bracing himself, holding his position.
“You ruined my Dark Mosquitoes?” The voice was like ice from ancient times, chilling to the bone.
Suddenly, Mu Yuan understood. Earlier, that burly man was surely just an ordinary person, incapable of raising such vicious things alone. It must have been this person before him who gave them to him as protection! Destroying the insects alerted this man, drawing him here.
Thinking this, Mu Yuan’s heart settled slightly. Though this man was powerful, he himself might not lose. He replied calmly, “Seeing you follow the Dao as well, how could you sink to robbery? Doesn’t it disgrace your standing?”
The newcomer scoffed skyward. “Hah! Eternal Life is unattainable. Why not seek riches and comfort in the mortal world? What else?”
Mu Yuan flicked his Iron Sword. “I was hired for this journey. I must see my duty through. Please leave. How about it?”
“Wishful thinking!” The man howled. “Win against me first!” The words fell as he fiercely lunged! Cold light flashed from his long blade! Simultaneously, a layer of black smoke enveloped his body, coalescing into a terrifying three-headed demonic visage – bloody, cold-eyed, utterly emotionless!
“So, Demonic Path,” Mu Yuan laughed sharply. “It seems I must uphold righteousness today and do a good deed!” His Iron Sword spewed swordlight! Instantly, they clashed!
Blade met sword! Back and forth they fought, sparks flying wildly!
After exchanging several blows, Mu Yuan felt even more confident. The opponent’s Magical Power and Zhenqi were roughly equal to his own. But in terms of skill and technique, his Greenwood Divine Radiance was far superior! His confidence soared! His sword art flowed effortlessly, its secrets deployed brilliantly! It felt exhilaratingly smooth!
The green-gold radiance gradually suppressed the black smoke and dark light. While the mortal warriors understood none of this cultivation magic, they could clearly see who held the advantage. Seeing Mu Yuan gaining the upper hand, Jia Bu’s martial artists cheered! The attacking bandits, however, paled in terror. This was the first time they’d seen their stronghold leader fall into a disadvantageous position!
Suppressed by Mu Yuan’s Divine Radiance, the bandit leader, Jiang Cheng, steadily weakened. He danced his blade frantically. He was, after all, just a minor disciple of the Demonic Path, having practiced his cultivation technique for thirty years yet still only at the Second Layer of Qi Refining! Knowing higher powers existed kept him within his territory, avoiding trouble with stronger beings.
Now nearing forty, Jiang Cheng practiced an inferior art; his sword technique far worse than Mu Yuan’s Greenwood Divine Radiance. Desperate, he sharply slapped his waist! Countless insects instantly flew out – a dark, buzzing mass descending like a downpour! Far more fearsome than before!
Cheng himself seized the chance to attack, blade light whirling as he pounced straight at Mu Yuan, hoping to decide the battle instantly!
Mu Yuan vibrated his Greenwood Divine Radiance, also striking with full force! As the dark mosquitoes engulfed him, vivid illusions invaded his mind!
He saw a dark, damp dungeon. Roughly a hundred people – men, women, young, old – bodies covered in dark mosquitoes. Sharp probes pierced their veins, crimson blood flowing into the insects, gradually tinting them a vibrant red. The victims screamed horridly! Powerful resentment filled the entire chamber! This resentment was slowly absorbed by the mosquitoes, strengthening them!
“How vile!” Mu Yuan’s Dao Heart remained steady. The horrid illusions surged within him, not confusing him but fueling his killing intent! He resolved to slay this monster completely!
Greenwood Divine Radiance swept wildly across the sky, flooding back and forth! Large chunks of mosquitoes dropped! Yet, these ones didn’t die so easily, proving much tougher! Jiang Cheng had already closed in! His angry blade light whirled like surging floodwaters ready to drown everything!
Mu Yuan pushed the Greenwood Divine Radiance to its limit! Beams of light surged from his sword, spreading out in a semicircle before him like a giant folding fan! He swept it relentlessly! But the insects were incredibly vicious, both brutal and resilient – seemingly endless!
Fury burned within Mu Yuan. Though powerful for defense, the Longevity Palace’s Greenwood Divine Radiance lacked outright killing force. Its essence was perpetual vitality, balance; leaving room, not annihilating things. Excellent for defense, less so for utter destruction!
His raging Zhenqi suddenly met soothing coolness near his chest. Mu Yuan recalled his newly acquired Gourd. Heart stirring, he poured Longevity True Qi inside! Opening his palm, countless black threads instantly surged forth! They coiled like silk, crisscrossing endlessly! This added agile ferocity to the peaceful Greenwood Divine Radiance! Where a unified glow was, there appeared a dense net, covering the entire sky of dark insects!
Without his main support, Jiang Cheng was naturally no match for Mu Yuan’s increased power. His painstakingly cultivated mosquitoes were trapped! His greatest reliance gone! Instantly, he decided to flee! He chopped several fierce strokes! Pausing briefly, he launched himself skyward, dashing away!
“Don’t run!” Mu Yuan bellowed. He turned briefly. Dozens of emerald rays shot from his sword tip! They struck the limbs and pressure points of the attacking bandits! Then, riding the wind, he rose and soared directly after Jiang Cheng!
Cheng poured Zhenqi into his legs. Every step, every leap, carried him several yards! Mu Yuan kept close behind! One pursuing, one fleeing, they vanished miles away within moments!
Their direction led towards a vast mountain range. In the thick forest, Mu Yuan’s Longevity True Qi resonated deeply! Countless threads of emerald light flowed from surrounding trees, merging into his body! Branches swayed violently! Leaves swirled wildly, generating wind currents that propelled Mu Yuan even faster!
He closed the distance to Jiang Cheng!
Joy surged in Mu Yuan’s heart! He roared! Swordlight spat! A vicious spike of radiance shot out, striking squarely on Jiang Cheng’s back! Pitch-black light exploded! Jiang Cheng staggered, slowing significantly! Mu Yuan pursued further, unknowingly chasing deep into the mountains. Suddenly, Jiang Cheng’s speed dramatically dropped! Mu Yuan pushed his feet down, narrowing the gap again!
Abruptly, the air around him seemed to thicken! Giant invisible shackles seemed to clamp down, making him several times heavier!
Astonished, Mu Yuan instantly understood Jiang Cheng’s slowed speed! Looking upward into the far distance, he spotted two Daoists standing opposite each other near the mountain peak.
One looked utterly ragged: unkempt Daoist robes, messy hair bun. It was the unkempt Taoist who had given him the Gourd!