Shushan Earthly Immortal

Chapter 457 Close Combat, Each Displaying Their Unique Skills (5.4K words presented, please support with monthly votes~)

"Yes, yes, it must be better."

The old chieftain was stunned for a long time before he seemed to wake from a dream and responded repeatedly.

Cheng Xinzhan nodded and said,
"Okay, I understand. Thank you for the explanation, Chief."

The old village chief shook his head upon hearing this.

"We should be thanking you!"

Cheng Xinzhan smiled. Now that he had drunk his fill, it was time to leave. He got up to say goodbye, and the three of them personally escorted him to the outside of the protective array. They gave Cheng Xinzhan a token that allowed him to freely enter and exit the Chiyou Cave array, which was a peach charm engraved with the image of chickens and dogs crowing at the sun.

Cheng Xinzhan accepted Taodu, waved his hand, and left.

Leaving Chiyou Cave and crossing the Wujiang River, he traveled eastward without riding a lion or flying, but simply using his divine speed to walk and appreciate the landscape of the Miao region.

During the journey, two points of light emerged from his body, transforming into two qi bodies. One headed southeast, taking the silkworm maiden to the Three Xiang and Nine Yi Mountains, and informing her of the good news that all the Miao sects were willing to be born. The other headed northwest in the opposite direction.

In addition, he used the technique of transmitting sound through the void to Tianzhen Tongzi, asking him to convey a message to Ji Kaiming, requesting that he come to Chiyou to hear and guide him. Afterwards, he used the method of transmitting sound over a thousand miles to send a message to Bailong'er, asking him to return to Miao territory.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Northwest Guizhou.

The Wumeng Mountains, stretching for 800 li, are rugged and undulating, with towering, precipitous peaks.

The Wumeng Mountains are located at the junction of the Miao, Yunnan, and Sichuan regions, and have always been a no-man's-land. The saying "East Wutou, West Wutou" refers to the Wuling and Wumeng mountain areas located in the east and west of the Miao region.

Wuling is a gathering place for independent cultivators, a melting pot of good and evil, where the distinction between right and wrong is blurred. The people are fierce and prone to fighting to the death, hence the name "Eastern Wuling." Wumeng Mountain, on the other hand, is a place where demons run rampant. Demons from the Miao, Yunnan, and Sichuan regions flock here, and there are no good people among them. They act insidiously, ambushing and attacking, using curses and poisons, and are fond of using underhanded tactics. Therefore, it is also called "Western Wuling."

In recent decades, dramatic changes have occurred, bringing immense transformations to both the eastern and western wild mountain regions. The demonic sects of Wuling Mountain have been virtually wiped out. The most powerful and longest-established sects, the Corpse Demon and the Corpse Ghost, were completely destroyed, their entire sects purified; one became a branch of a Taoist sect, and the other the headquarters of a merchant guild. Meanwhile, the Zhenwu Temple has risen to become a major sect, leading the righteous path. Although many independent cultivators still reside there, demonic forces are virtually nonexistent.

The Wumeng Mountains are now unified, but unlike the Wuling Mountains, the unification of the Wumeng Mountains was not achieved by the righteous path, but by the demonic path. Ever since the Southern Green Robe Ancestor Chenglong, he has repeatedly launched military campaigns against the Miao and Yunnan regions, starting from both places, searching the mountains from both sides, subduing the troublemakers, and successfully bringing them under his control.

Subduing Wumeng Mountain was of great significance to the Green-Robed Ancestor. To the east, he could monitor the Miao region; to the north, he could defend against the Xuanmen; to the west, he could deter the Dianwen people; and he could also keep an eye on Ma Xiong Mountain, the source of the Xijiang River.

However, the rogue cultivators were restless and arrogant, and the rogue cultivators of the demonic sects were even more reckless. Even if Wumeng was subdued, it would be difficult to unite the demons on the mountain into a cohesive force and make them obey orders. In a place like this, a guardian with profound cultivation is needed to act as a stabilizing force.

But the four borders are not some roadside weeds. Even Green Robe, even the vast Southern School, is not something to be trifled with. The West River is so long, and its source, main channel, and estuary all need to be guarded. It borders the Southern Wilderness with four other places: Yunnan, Miao, Hunan, and Yu. Every place needs people.

But as the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. Just when Green Robe was at his wit's end, he remembered someone—someone qualified to guard Wumeng.

Legend has it that a thousand years ago, there was a demon ancestor in Wumeng Mountain who possessed great supernatural powers and profound spiritual attainments. He was of the same generation as several dragon kings of the Yellow Sea and the East Sea, and in terms of age, he was Green Robe's senior.

This is a born anomaly, whose true form is a winged owl-dragon. He is solitary, neither righteous nor evil, and is a first-rate figure among unorthodox cultivators.

When he was young, Green Robe had heard people say that this demonic dragon had lofty ambitions. Because he was born with a pair of wings, he called himself a descendant of Yinglong. He was unwilling to follow the path of Jiangzhenghailong, but wanted to follow the path of Tianjizhengtianlong. He wanted to advance from the fourth to the sixth level and ascend to the heavens in one step.

However, it was also his own great ambition and aspirations that prevented this demon ancestor from finding a suitable celestial phenomenon to attain enlightenment. His cultivation level stagnated at the fourth realm, and a thousand years ago he went into seclusion in the mountains to cultivate and no longer cared about worldly affairs.

Recalling this past event, the Green-Robed Ancestor personally went to Wumeng Mountain. Relying on his dragon blood connection, he found the man deep within the mountains, invited him out, and bestowed upon him the title of King of Wumeng, entrusting him with the rule of Wumeng Mountain. Other benefits were certainly not lacking, but the specifics remained unknown to outsiders.

Moreover, Xiaolong, as the Demon King, was living a comfortable and carefree life. Unlike Cannibal, he didn't have to expand his territory overseas or defend against wave after wave of counterattacks. This Demon Ancestor only needed to stay in the mountains, manage his demon clan, and monitor the movements of the three surrounding areas. Basically, it wasn't much different from his previous seclusion.

Last time, he lost his fan while going to Ailao Mountain to save the day. Afterwards, Green Robe gave him a reward, a spiritual object from Fire Island in the South China Sea, a bead with both water and fire properties, which is considered to have a transcendent status in the Southern School.

The Demon Ancestor was used to a leisurely life and disliked meddling in affairs. He also held a high position within the Southern Sect, so the demons of Wumeng Mountain had always lived comfortably. However, with news of last night's events reaching Wumeng Mountain, some in the mountains couldn't help but feel uneasy.

A sword flew in, piercing his chest and capturing him, then he escaped unscathed.

This is absolutely outrageous!
It's the Heavenly Silkworm Fairy! A Grand Cultivator of the Fourth Realm! Not some straw doll or wooden puppet! And the one who came to stop us wasn't some nobody either, but the patriarch of the Southern Sect, the Great Sage of Devouring Truth!
Is this a big deal? !
Silkworm Maiden was skilled in Gu poison, and although she wasn't known for her physical prowess, she was captured alive in her own dojo, a place aligned with her Dao domain and heavily fortified with magical restrictions. Even so, she was still captured. Now, in the entire Southern Sect, aside from the patriarch himself, who dares to say they could escape unscathed from such a sword?
Although only the flying sword appeared that night, who didn't know that renowned Pure Yang Flying Sword? It was Master Guangfa's sword! He was a man who hated demons, and since he began cultivating, he had either been in seclusion in Mount Sanqing or descended the mountain to fight demons in the world. A person's name is like a tree's shadow—who wouldn't fear it?
So ever since the news broke, some minor demons had begun to quietly leave Mount Wumeng. These lackeys had a simple thought: the only ones worthy of their personal attention were the sect's most notorious demon kings, undoubtedly their own demon ancestor. If that Taoist priest came knocking, a sword beam would fall from the sky; whether their demon ancestor would be alright was unknown, but if they were still on the mountain, they would likely suffer collateral damage.

As soon as one person descended the mountain, a second person secretly followed, and then a third, and so on, forming a wave. At first, there were only minor demons of the first realm, then those of the second realm followed to test the waters, and by the time the sun was high in the sky, even great demons of the third realm began to run after them.

The Demon Ancestor of Wumeng seemed oblivious, paying no heed whatsoever. As a result, even more people left, and by noon, Wumeng Mountain was practically empty.

However, this was only in the Wumeng Mountains, where the Demon Ancestor's management was too lenient. In the Redwood Ridge where the Elephant King resided, some minor demons of the first and second realms fled, but those at the third realm Golden Core stage dared not even move an inch. As for Mount Dinghu where the Prince Qing resided, an array had been set up early to lock the mountain, isolating it from the outside world; those outside could not enter, and those inside could not even think of leaving.

Just as the sun was high in the sky and about to set, a greeting suddenly rang out from the heavens above the Wumeng Mountains.

"Is the Demon Ancestor at home today?"

At this moment, many demonic cultivators from Wumeng Mountain were hiding at the foot of Wumeng Mountain, in a state where they could escape if something happened but had no way to return. When they heard such a voice, they immediately realized that the Taoist priest had really set his sights on the Demon Ancestor and had come to their door to attack!
Moreover, this time it wasn't a flying sword that arrived, it was a real person!

As a result, dust billowed up at the foot of Mount Wumeng, bursts of light burst forth, intertwining like a rainbow, and the demons fled for their lives, all heading far away from Wumeng.

"Mr. Guangfa, what advice do you have for me?"

A response came from the Wumeng Mountains. The voice was calm and composed, without a trace of panic.

Immediately, Cheng Xinzhan appeared in the sky above Wumeng Mountain. He too appeared serene and kind, exuding an air of tranquility and gentleness, showing no signs of having come to attack. He spoke:
"I have a copy of the 'Supreme Cave Abyss Divine Incantation Scripture,' the chapter on the Dragon King, which details the story of the ancient dragon attaining enlightenment. I wish to discuss the mysteries with the Demon Ancestor and the difference between diving into the abyss and flying into the sky. I wonder if the Demon Ancestor has the time?"

Upon hearing this, Wumeng Mountain fell silent and did not respond.

However, only a few breaths had passed, and before the Demon Ancestor could make up his mind, a howling sound suddenly rang out between heaven and earth, followed by a strong wind that rushed straight towards Cheng Xinzhan.

Cheng Xinzhan dodged to the side, and in the next instant, a green light flashed in the wind. In a flash, the green light dyed the entire gust of wind emerald green. Then, as the wind swirled and billowed, it suddenly transformed into a bright green silk robe, filling Cheng Xinzhan's eyes. The green-robed man who suddenly appeared had his left hand in a hook-like shape and grabbed directly at Cheng Xinzhan's face.

The Taoist priest stared at the man who suddenly leaped out of the void, his expression unchanged, as if he had expected it. In that instant, the colors in his eyes changed rapidly. The green in his right eye became even deeper, and the green in his left eye was quickly replaced by crimson. Then, two bright lights burst forth, shooting out of his pupils and transforming into a yin-yang mystical light of intertwined crimson and green, which struck the newcomer.

The Yin-Yang Palace's divine eye power, "Yin-Yang Extinction Divine Light".

Seeing this, lightning suddenly appeared in the claws that were coming at him so fiercely. He changed his claws into a grip, tightened his grip on the lightning, and then threw it out with a bang.

"boom!"

The Yin-Yang Mystic Light and the Thunderclap collided head-on, creating a deafening explosion that blasted a black dot into the void. The aftershocks of the magic energy rippled outwards, striking the green-robed man and the Taoist priest who were standing close by, forcing them both back.

However, the green-robed man only retreated two steps and was completely unharmed. He attacked again, but Cheng Xinzhan retreated more than ten steps and his body swayed slightly.

Upon seeing the green-robed man return, the Taoist priest laughed and said,

"Controlling thunder? I know a little about that too."

Immediately, he raised his right hand, spreading it out into a palm. Thunderous energy surged from his palm, transforming into lightning. Seeing the green-robed figure rushing towards him, he pushed his palm forward, releasing lightning, and a ball of lightning crackling with electricity flew out.

The Laogong acupoint on the right hand has a special power called "Palm Thunder".

Seeing the lightning ball flying towards him, the green-robed man did not dodge or avoid it, but went straight up to it. Just as the lightning ball was about to hit his face, the green-robed man's head suddenly changed, turning into a dragon head with a black jaw and green forehead. It opened its mouth and swallowed the lightning ball!
Immediately, the green-robed man's head returned to its original form, and at the same time, a muffled thunderclap resounded from his stomach. The Demon Ancestor had taken a direct hit from Cheng Xinzhan's lightning without any apparent harm; the source of this power was unknown. His speed remained undiminished, and he was already upon Cheng Xinzhan.

Upon seeing this, Cheng Xinzhan opened his mouth and spat out a stream of flames.

A pure white flame.

The true fire of samadhi.

The combined supernatural power of the Five Palaces and the Twelve-Story Tower is "Absorbing and Spraying the Five Elements".

The immortal fire stored in the heart palace passed through the narrow twelve-story building. With the essence and blessing of the throat, it became extremely fast, like a white fire dragon shooting out. After leaving the mouth, it suddenly exploded, like a fire curtain or net covering the green robe.

Faced with such celestial fire, the green-robed man did not dodge. Instead, a layer of dark, eerie light suddenly appeared on his body. The light was extremely thin, with faint ripples and watery shimmering. Yet, this thin layer of light actually protected the green-robed man as he passed through the celestial fire veil, instantly appearing in front of Cheng Xinzhan and reaching out to seize him.

Mysterious and Netherworldly Female Mother?

Cheng Xinzhan's gaze sharpened. He sensed the aura of the "Mysterious Netherworld Female Mother Fiend" from the shimmering light of the water. At the same time, he also noticed that there was more than one fiendish intent within that light. This was to be expected, as the "Mysterious Netherworld Female Mother Fiend" alone was not enough to block the immortal fire.

Is it the "Gloomy Night Demon"?
Gazing at the eerie, shimmering water, a malevolent name echoed in Cheng Xinzhan's mind. This malevolent spirit was the foremost among the Gui Water spirits, hidden at the bottom of the deep sea. If this spirit were combined with the "Mysterious Netherworld Female Mother Spirit" to forge a protective aura, it might be possible to temporarily withstand the immortal fire.

At this moment, seeing the green-robed figure emerge from the flames, Cheng Xinzhan was about to raise his hand to unleash lightning to defend himself, but the green-robed figure was incredibly fast. He grabbed Cheng Xinzhan's right hand, gripped his wrist with one hand and pinched his arm with the other, and then pulled hard, tearing Cheng Xinzhan's right arm off!
In that split second, disregarding the pain, Cheng Xinzhan made a hand seal with his left hand and rapidly chanted a thunder incantation.

"Great God of Laws, Taiyi Hanzhen."

A monstrous dragon is now devouring my body.

Using his crippled body as a guide, he transformed into lightning and sped away.

The majestic light activates the electricity and quickly kills the demonic atmosphere.

You dare to disobey and be disloyal, thus betraying the original alliance.

If I betray you, I will never be faithful.

Hurry like a law! "

He spoke with lightning speed and chanted incantations like thunder. After he finished chanting, he pointed his left hand at the amputated arm in the green-robed man's hand, and a flash of lightning immediately attached itself to the arm.

The green-robed man reacted with incredible speed. As a dragon, his sensitivity to lightning was exceptionally keen and acute. In an instant, he realized that the Taoist priest intended to use his severed arm as a sacrifice to summon lightning, specifically the dragon lightning controlled by Marshal Deng. This Taoist priest was highly skilled in lightning magic; drawing talismans, setting up altars, and channeling qi to unleash lightning were all effortless for him. Now, with his severed arm as a sacrifice, the power of the summoned dragon lightning was unimaginable.

Therefore, even though he was a green-robed dragon, he did not want to take the blow head-on, so he immediately let go and threw his arm, while flying backward.

However, at that moment, the severed arm that had just left his hand suddenly came back to life, grabbed the collar of the green robe, and then burst into lightning.

The body's supernatural powers are hidden within, allowing it to "leave the body unimpeded."

"boom!"

With a deafening roar, a bolt of lightning exploded on the green-robed man's chest, flames spread, and electric snakes streaked across the sky.

"Crack!"

Lightning and fireworks filled the air, and then a bolt of dark purple lightning shot out from within, piercing the void with a sharp whooshing sound. In an instant, the purple lightning flew dozens of feet away, striking Cheng Xinzhan at high speed, also aiming for his chest, intending to disembowel the Taoist priest.

In close combat, beheading and soul destruction are naturally the top priorities. However, generally speaking, any powerful cultivator with some wealth has a rare treasure protecting their Purple Palace, and their head is easy to dodge, making it difficult to achieve a direct hit. Therefore, when experts clash, they often target the center, where the Crimson Palace and Heart Palace are located, two vital points, and the Nascent Soul resides there. This makes it a large and numerous target, making it easy to achieve a successful attack, and once successful, it results in severe injury.

So at this moment, after catching each other off guard, the two attacked each other's chests.

When Cheng Xinzhan saw the purple lightning strike, his pupils shrank sharply. This was indeed beyond his expectations. The green-robed man was hit in the chest by such a powerful dragon lightning at such close range, yet he was still unharmed and used the lightning and fire as cover to attack with the lightning escape technique. It was truly unbelievable.

The lightning struck like a chisel, and a sharp pain shot through his chest, causing Cheng Xinzhan to cough up a mouthful of blood. Enduring the excruciating pain, he formed a hand seal with his left hand, clenching it into a fist. Five-colored magical light emanated from his fist, and he struck down with the back of his fist, striking the purple lightning on his chest.

Thunderbolts struck.

The five fingers of the left hand combine their supernatural powers, "forming a mountain with the five fingers".

It is formed by the interconnected and combined Qi of the Shaoshang acupoint on the thumb ("Qi Chong Tai Zhen"), the Shangyang acupoint on the index finger ("Qi Chong Tai Sui"), the Zhongchong acupoint on the middle finger ("Qi Chong Tai Ying"), the Guanchong acupoint on the ring finger ("Qi Chong Tai Bai"), and the Shaochong acupoint on the little finger ("Qi Chong Tai Chen"). It has a similar effect to the Yin-Yang Mysterious Light Divine Power formed by the intertwining of Qi in the left and right eyes.

Individually, the Shaoshang acupoint is rooted in the spleen, the Shangyang acupoint in the liver, the Zhongchong acupoint in the heart, the Guanchong acupoint in the lungs, and the Shaochong acupoint in the kidneys. The acupoints of the five fingers are connected to the five internal organs. If a single finger is extended using a sword-like technique, it can emit "Five Elements Divine Light." If the five fingers are joined to form the Five Elements Subduing Magic Seal, it becomes the combined supernatural power "Five Elements Extinction Divine Light." If the five fingers are joined to form the Five Sacred Mountains True Form Seal, it becomes the combined supernatural power "Five Fingers Forming Mountains," capable of creating the Five Sacred Mountains.

The right hand grasps the Five Thunders, and the left hand manipulates the Five Elements.

The supernatural abilities he displayed were all acquired through years of cultivating two realms and exploring the secrets of destiny.

It is said that Zi Lei was knocked down by the Five Sacred Mountains Dharma Light, and then with a flash of light, he transformed back into the form of the Green-Robed Ancestor.

The two stood still in mid-air, maintaining a distance between them.

The Green-Robed Ancestor stood tall and imposing, seemingly unharmed. Cheng Xinzhan stood gracefully, his severed arm stained with blood, yet he remained calm and composed.

With just one glance, they both opened their mouths at the same time.

"Heavenly Thunder Pool?"

"His heart holds Mount Sumeru?"

At this moment, both of them had wounds on their chests. The green robes were tattered at the chest, and a dark green dragon scale was faintly visible on their fair chests, slowly absorbing the silver dragon lightning.

Cheng Xinzhan's Taoist robe also had a large hole in the chest area, and a dragon scale on his jade-like chest shimmered and shimmered, dissipating the enormous force of the Green-Robed Ancestor's attack.

Cheng Xinzhan looked at the chest of the green robe and immediately recognized it as the chest and belly scale of the dragon race. He had heard the Dragon Lord of the Yellow Sea specifically introduce the life-storing supernatural power of the chest and belly scale of the dragon race, so he knew that only by refining this scale into the "Heavenly Heart Thunder Pool" supernatural power could the dragon race be so tolerant of lightning. No wonder he was still unharmed after swallowing a palm lightning bolt and taking a dragon lightning bolt from him.

At this moment, the green-robed man was also staring at Cheng Xinzhan's chest. He immediately recognized it as a dragon's chest and belly scale, and the emerald-green scales clearly belonged to the Green Dragon species. Among the dragon's chest and belly scale supernatural abilities, only the "Hidden Sumeru in the Chest" ability could conceal material power and withstand the power of one's own true dragon without dying.

In that instant, Green Robe suddenly recalled a scene from over fifty years ago, the day a new evil spirit was born on Rotten Peach Mountain. He was still confronting Red Hair and fighting for the evil spirit. At that time, a naked young man flew out of the evil spirit's cave on a cloud. The young man had a dragon scale growing on his chest, which left a deep impression on him.

At that time, the boy had only just opened his heart, taking only the first step on the long path of cultivation, a mere ant. In just over fifty years, the boy still looked like a boy, but he had become a world-renowned leader of the Daoist sect, able to fight him in close combat for several rounds while remaining calm.

Green Robe counted them carefully in his mind and realized that although this name had been ringing in his ears all day long and the two had clashed several times before, this was the first time they had faced each other so closely since they parted ways at Rotten Peach Mountain more than fifty years ago.

"It's been a long time, Hirohiro."

he said.

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(End of this chapter)