Chapter 75: Ghost Lord Bimo

After collecting the sinking silver, Mu Yuan also gathered some of the star sands beneath it. Although the star sand was not as wondrous as sinking silver, he understood that different arts had their own unique applications and worked best in combination. Having witnessed Yuan Neng and Yuan Jue’s Infinite Void Great Hand Seal, Chu Yunfei’s Profound Yin Black Fiend Great Capture, and Ao Jing’s Sinking Silver Thunder Evil, Mu Yuan desired to cultivate his own external Divine Ability. These were uniquely useful compared to flying swords or sword pills. Coincidentally, both the Longevity Art contained the Primordial Qi Grasping Hand, and the Tidal Flow contained the Nine Bends Artful Hand, both being such external Divine Abilities. Since seeing the Infinite Void Hand Seal, Mu Yuan had wanted to cultivate such an art, but previously lacked the suitable materials. Now was perfect!

The cliffs lining Lingyuan Reef also held many crystals and metals. Mu Yuan used the Green Wood Thunderblade to dig some out, intending to mix them in with his two Divine Abilities later. He ruthlessly gathered a considerable amount. Looking up, he saw the Heavenly Dragon Seal’s light twinkling like a star, still resting on the reef. Seeing no rush to leave now, he reasoned that even if he did go out, facing Ao Jing and Ao Cheng, his odds of victory were only fifty-fifty. Taking such a risk didn’t seem worth it. It was far better to stay here and grab some easy benefits.

Assuming Qi Wei needed more time for Condensing Evil Energy, Mu Yuan wasn’t in a hurry to leave. He explored Lingyuan Reef instead. Marine life indeed differed vastly from land creatures; they moved in large schools everywhere. Occasionally, he sensed spirits that had cultivated some achievement lying hidden here, but most were merely at the level of Channel Passage or condensed apertures, unworthy of his attention.

Lingyuan Reef wasn’t actually very large, extending only about ten miles. On land, it would be more comparable to a deep lake. Mu Yuan seized everything unusual and rare he encountered like a plucking goose. Within moments, he had traversed the entire reef. Yet, its depths seemed unfathomable. On a sudden impulse, he submerged deeper, diving towards the seabed!

In the deep sea, there was no light at all. His sword pills emitted a chilling light, illuminating barely a few feet around him. This feeling reminded him of walking alone on a pitch-black night shrouded in thick fog, extremely stifling and unpleasant. Descending another hundred feet, he suddenly spotted a point of light flickering ahead. Just as he swam towards it, the light surged forward violently. Countless watery arrows shot towards him, but Mu Yuan casually unleashed a Green Wood Thunderblade sword energy, shattering them. Only then could he see clearly: at the center of that light was a strange fish, over a foot long, its skeleton-like body covered in sharp bony protrusions, looking more like a walking skeleton!

The fish’s ambush failed. It opened its large mouth, and a bright red, long tongue lashed out, stretching an impressive ten feet, emitting a nauseatingly fishy stench. It struck first against Mu Yuan’s Six Harmonies Sword Pills, wrapping around one and pulling back with lightning speed. The divine sense Mu Yuan attached to that sword pill felt immediately mired, as if coated in sticky glue, completely severed from his main consciousness. The monstrous fish swallowed it whole!

“What in the world is this?” Mu Yuan was startled. Seeing the watery arrows weren’t that powerful, he found the method unusually bizarre. After all, he was still simmering with anger from being struck into the abyss by Ao Jing. How could he possibly tolerate being tricked by this freakish fish? Controlling his finger techniques, he directed his other five sword pills. They transformed into five streaks of light, darting and weaving, piercing straight through the fish’s internal organs and wrenching out the swallowed sword pill!

The strange fish, impaled by Mu Yuan’s sword energies, wasn’t dead! It gave a flick of its bony tail and fled. Intrigued, Mu Yuan activated the Tidal Flow’s Heavenly One Water Evasion technique and swiftly followed. He saw the fish monster dive deeper into the sea, though its speed wasn’t great. Mu Yuan’s evasion technique easily kept pace until the fish finally slipped into a hole in the cliff face!

Mu Yuan frowned slightly. The hole was barely a foot in diameter, incredibly narrow. He could squeeze through, but if attacked inside, defense would be difficult. Suddenly, an idea struck him. The Brilliant Salvation Curse within his body flew out, transforming into an exquisite purple flying dragon, and chased the fish’s aura down into the hole.

Once the Brilliant Salvation Curse could take form, Mu Yuan discovered it acted almost like a Second Primordial Spirit avatar, capable of acting on his senses. While distinctly different from a true Second Primordial Spirit upon closer inspection, it didn’t hinder its function. The power of the Dragon King’s Dynamic Force had significantly amplified, allowing the talisman to transform into a flying dragon. The form the dragon took was intrinsically linked to the quality of the zhenqi used to manifest it. Mu Yuan was also curious about what forms the other five talismans might take.

The purple dragon formed by the Brilliant Salvation Curse flew deep into the hole. It didn’t take long before Mu Yuan (through the dragon) saw the fish monster again. It had stopped moving. Standing right in front of the fish was a humanoid skeleton! Its bones were pure white, like jade, shimmering with a faint glow. Within its skull flickered a ghostly flame. The tall frame radiated Divine Light, seeming to contain boundless power!

But right above the skeleton hovered a massive, rectangular stone slab. It shone with flowing light, shimmering like water, densely etched with countless talismanic seals. Two large seal script characters danced energetically across its surface: “镇魔” (Demon Suppressing)!

Within the skeleton’s deep eye sockets, two faintly green flames suddenly ignited, focusing directly on the purple dragon. The skeleton seemed to form a peculiar, ghostly grin. “A distant guest visits. Why not come in for an audience?”

The voice wasn’t loud, but Mu Yuan heard it clearly. He was internally debating whether to venture deeper into the cave when an immense whirlwind suddenly surged from the hole! It ripped at him violently. Startled, Mu Yuan immediately unleashed several powerful sword beams. Slashing against the cliff face with a crashing sound, he used the powerful recoil to violently tear free from the grasp and evade far away!

“Ah… Trapped for a thousand years, and now I can’t even handle a minor cultivator. How lamentable! Young friend, I mean no harm. Why be so wary?”

Mu Yuan chuckled darkly. “Mighty senior, forgive my ignorance. How should I address you? And why are you bound here? I’ve suffered my share already, so caution helps preserve this life of mine!”

“Forget it. Since you won’t enter, it’s your choice. This old one is Ghost Lord Bimo. Have you heard the name?” The skeleton’s voice was surprisingly smooth and gentle, like warm jade tapping, clear and pleasant. Listening with closed eyes, one would never guess it came from bones; it sounded more like the earnest, captivating teaching of a great scholar!

“Bimo? Apologies, my knowledge is shallow. But I have heard in the distant Southern Wildlands, there lies a sect named the Bimo Sect. Might it be connected to you, venerable senior?”

“Hah! Of course there is a connection! The Bimo Sect is my very own creation! Sadly, during my cultivation, I fell into demonic ways. The celestial realm sent divine soldiers to the mortal world intending to annihilate me. Though powerful, those godly beings could not destroy my Nether Demon Immortal Body. They merely confined me here with the Demon Suppressing Stone, foolishly thinking the passage of time would erode me away. Remarkably, though suppressed by this stone for a millennium, exhausting all means, I found no escape. Day and night, the freezing and scorching polar energies here clash, tormenting me, yet unwittingly fueling my efforts. I managed to sever my inner demon! My cultivation has only deepened over time… only one issue remains—freedom. Assist me, and upon my release, you shall receive immense benefits!”

Hearing this, Mu Yuan was surprised yet not utterly shocked. After all, he had witnessed the millenium-old dragon spirits in the Dragon Graveyard who persisted, only suppressed and gradually diminished. Seeing this entity before him—flesh long gone, vital essence fully absorbed into bones – Mu Yuan hadn’t seen its like before. He suspected it must stem from incredibly potent Demonic Sect techniques. Its continued existence didn’t seem implausible.

“Senior, you jest. With your cultivation level, even you cannot break free from the Demon Suppressing Stone. I myself possess but meagre Magical Power. How could I possibly be of assistance?”

Mu Yuan responded politely while thinking: Who knows if this old fossil won’t repay kindness with enmity as soon as he’s out? I’ve long heard the Bimo Sect acts bizarrely, typically disregarding gratitude or righteousness. This skeleton patriarch is their progenitor; likely ten times craftier. Favors might very well be repaid as grudges on the spot!

Bimo emitted a low droning laugh. “That part is actually simple. The Demon Suppressing Stone only affects Immortal Demon Bodies! Over these years, painstakingly, I devised the Blood Reversal Divine Metamorphosis Art! It can transform my Nether Demon Immortal Body into a Daoist Primordial Spirit! However… temporary hindrance exists: I lack the proper Qi Refinement cultivation technique. Rebirth directly is possible, but holds limited potential. Future battles would prove disadvantageous. Observing your uniquely potent magical arts, young friend… how about sharing your cultivation technique? Generous reward awaits!”

“Blood Reversal Divine Metamorphosis Art!” Mu Yuan was genuinely shocked and felt a flicker of respect for this ancient skeleton. The gap between a Daoist Primordial Spirit and a Demonic Sect Undying Body was vast as Heaven and Earth! Yet this being created such a world-shaking art, capable of freely transforming between spirit and body? Truly worthy of admiration!

“Senior’s talent soars beyond the skies! Unfortunately, I possess only the art leading to Elixir Formation. Teachings for the subsequent stages remain unrevealed by my sect. I deeply regret my inability to help!”

Mu Yuan cupped his hands respectfully. Before the echoes of his words faded, an immense sucking force tore through the cave opening itself! Unlike the earlier whirlwind, this force was formless yet tangible, vastly more potent! Caught off guard, Mu Yuan was violently yanked straight into the cave!

“So be it! Surrender your entire cultivation, your vital essence! Better I consume it than let it go to waste!” Bimo shed his previously warm and kind demeanor, becoming sinister and ferocious. His jade-like bone hand blazed with white light, momentarily bursting through the Demon Suppressing Stone’s glow as it ripped towards Mu Yuan!

“You damned old thing! Typical Demonic Path overlord behavior, utterly shameless!” Mu Yuan had no time for verbal abuse. Instantly summoning the Longevity Sword, he channeled it into a streak of purple light, slicing into the cave with lethal speed! It fiercely slammed into the radiance emanating from the skeleton’s bone palm! Instantly colliding against a resilient barrier, yielding like a sponge wall and exploding into a shower of dazzling light!

The Longevity Sword lived up to its legacy as a divine weapon used by an ancient dragon soul against celestial deities. Unmatched in sharpness, its power intensified against stronger foes! Upon contacting Bimo’s energy shield, countless esoteric talismanic seals instantly swirled upon its blade like living things! The collision pushed it back instantly!

Mu Yuan’s entire body convulsed violently! He crashed into the rock wall behind him with even greater speed than he entered, stones raining down with the impact! He cried out in pain. His Brilliant Salvation Curse dragon dove in but was immediately repelled by the Demon Suppressing Stone’s radiant light. Bimo, straining to deliver that single blow, wasn’t unscathed either. Powerful energy currents from the stone cascaded down. Extreme heat and cold manifested simultaneously, flames and ice crystals pressed inwards from all around! The ancient skeleton shuddered violently. He rapidly formed finger signs, desperately expending effort to resist the overwhelming pressure emanating from the Demon Suppressing Stone!