Shushan Earthly Immortal

Chapter 467 Sword Strikes Xuanzhen, Captures Zhenyuanjue (5K words presented, please vote for support at the beginning of the month~)

On Biji Mountain, the situation suddenly changed. To the north of Ling Mountain, a golden light blocked Tong Yuanqi's path, transforming into a fat, golden-robed man. As he appeared, the golden-robed man waved his sleeve and unleashed a golden-glowing magic weapon at Yan Renying.

Almost simultaneously, two rifts opened in the void to the east of Mount Ling, and two figures leaped out at the same time, one in a green robe and the other in a blue robe. The blue-robed Taoist raised his hand and unleashed a sword light, a crimson-gold sword rainbow rushing towards the golden magic weapon. The green-robed man, on the other hand, unleashed a crimson divine light, heading directly towards the newly appeared golden-robed man.

The two attacked at the same time, and their attacks were almost simultaneously effective.

The crimson-gold sword pierced through the golden magic weapon, revealing its true form: a golden cymbal covered in net-like patterns. At this moment, the crimson-gold sword itself also subsided its brilliance, revealing its true form: a crimson-gold flying sword in the style of the pre-Qin period.

As the magical artifact was pierced, the golden-robed man on the other side immediately suffered a backlash, his blood and qi surging upwards, which manifested on his face, turning it bright red. However, there might be another reason for his red face, because the blood-red light from the green-robed man also arrived, heading straight for the golden-robed man's head. The blood-red light shone on his face, and his angry expression suddenly turned into fear.

However, this golden-robed man was no fool. He could react quickly in the face of damage to his magic weapon and a life-or-death crisis. He raised his hand and pointed, sending out a golden rainbow as thick as a water vat. It flew out like a dragon to block the bloody light.

Its golden light was dazzling, and its outer ring was wrapped in a layer of seven-colored feathers. When it galloped, it emitted a thunderous sound that tore through the air, showing its extraordinary power.

"Ding!"

A crisp clang of metal clashing together.

The golden rainbow hurtled forward with great force, looking very imposing, but upon colliding with the blood-red light, it didn't even last a moment before breaking in two and flying back. At this moment, the sword light dimmed abruptly, revealing its true form: a three-foot golden sword with a lotus-carved hilt and a dragon-carved guard.

This is the natal flying sword of Zhong Yuanjue, one of the Seven Immortals of Emei, known as "Brahma Flying Light," called the "Heavenly Dragon Subduing Demon Sword," which was crafted by Qi Shuming, the head of Emei.

At that moment, the flying sword was broken in two by the blood-red light and flew backward due to the immense force. Because the flying sword had not gone far before being struck by the blood-red light, it flew back and immediately struck Zhong Yuanjue's chest, piercing into his flesh and blood, staining Zhong Yuanjue's golden robe with blood, and sending him flying a great distance.

However, Xue Guang refused to give up and continued to pursue them—which was understandable. A fifth-realm true dragon had made an angry move, and it would be utterly shameful to let a fourth-realm one escape.

"You fiend! How dare you be so arrogant!"

However, just as the blood-red light was about to kill Zhong Yuanjue, another change occurred. A furious shout came from the sky, and then the void cracked open again, and a figure in a gray robe flew out. This person wore a gray linen robe, looked to be around fifty or sixty years old, had a thin face, and three strands of goatee under his chin, giving him the air of a hermit master.

The man raised his hand and unleashed an invisible, azure sword aura. The sword aura appeared unremarkable, but its speed far surpassed that of Zhong Yuanjue's Heavenly Dragon Subduing Demon Sword. In a flash, it struck the blood-red light, deflecting it.

The blood-red light was deflected by the invisible sword energy, slowing down. The magical light trembled, revealing its true form: a two-foot-long, silver halberd shaped like the character "乄" and emitting a blood-red glow.

Zhong Yuanjue reacted quickly, hastily flying to the other side, escaping through the bloody spray, barely escaping death, and hiding behind the newly appeared gray-robed man. By this time, the man's fair, greasy face was covered with beads of sweat the size of soybeans, clearly terrified.

Little did Brahma Flying Light know that he would almost lose his life simply by showing his face.

Tong Yuanqi, who was about to transform into a rainbow and leave, was stopped by Zhong Yuanjue and had to stop. However, before the two could exchange words, he saw that his senior brother was almost dead, which shocked him greatly, and he was unable to react for a while.

At that moment, he saw the gray-robed man suddenly appear, and, startled, exclaimed...
"Elder brother..."

"Xuan Zhenzi!"

Another loud shout rang out, but the one who spoke was not the green-robed man whose weapon had been deflected, but Cheng Xinzhan, whose face was filled with rage. He made a sword incantation with his hands, and "Peach Capital" shone brightly, directly shattering the golden gongs strung on the sword into dust, and then pierced through the void, striking towards the newly appeared gray-robed man.

Xuanzhenzi was startled, but as a renowned fifth-realm cultivator with many years of experience, although surprised by Cheng Xinzhan's actions, he did not lose his composure. He controlled the invisible, azure sword light to defend, while shouting,
"The esteemed Master Cheng of the host institution has actually aligned himself with the demonic sect?!"

The invisible sword energy that Xuanzhenzi used to defend against enemies was no ordinary sword; it was his natal flying sword, named "Listening to Water." It had been refined from a material state to a material state and then back to a material state eleven times. It was also made by his master, Changmei, and was of the level of a celestial artifact.

"Taodu" became entangled with that invisible blue sword light, with sword light flying everywhere and lightning flashing.

Cheng Xinzhan's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this; he simply snorted and said...

"Don't try to pin this on me. Right and wrong are clear in the hearts of the people, not in your Emei sword or your mouth, Xuanzhenzi. I attacked you to avenge my Uncle Gu!"

Seeing that "Taodu" was entangled with Xuanzhenzi's flying sword and could not escape, Cheng Xinzhan made another sword incantation, and a crimson and purple sword light flew out from his body, striking Xuanzhenzi again.

"Youdu" refers to the "Youdu" of the Qi body.

The Qi body is mysterious; it can manifest in essence, blood, skin, flesh, internal organs, and acupoints, and naturally, so can bones—"Youdu" was originally a bone in Cheng Xinzhan's body.

When "Youdu" attacked, Xuanzhenzi naturally used his treasures to defend himself. Facing the renowned Master Cheng, Xuanzhenzi wasn't afraid, but he dared not be careless. Although the Taoist in front of him was excessively young, and his years of cultivation might not even be a fraction of his own, this young Taoist's past glorious achievements had already clearly told the world that age was never a shackle that limited one's realm and strength.

However, Xuanzhenzi was focused on his work and had no time to pay attention to Zhong Yuanjue behind him. The green-robed man had long disliked this fat-headed fellow, and since he wanted to curry favor with Yan Renying today, he naturally couldn't let him go, so he rode his halberd to fight again.

So Zhong Yuanjue, barely alive, fled in terror.

Tong Yuanqi was still somewhat bewildered. He had come on the orders of Qi Shuming, the leader of the Emei Sect, to persuade Yan Renying to reconsider the greater good of the righteous path and the reputation of Emei, and to repent and return to the sect. However, after sensing the deep-seated hatred Yan Renying harbored for Emei, he felt powerless to say anything more and decided to leave. But when did Senior Brother Yuanjue arrive? And why was Senior Brother Xuanzhenzi here too?
Tong Yuanqi wasn't stupid. After a moment's thought, he understood: he was merely a stepping stone. The sect's plan was to first be courteous, then resort to force. He was the courteous part, Senior Brother Yuanjue was the force, and Senior Brother Xuanzhenzi was the backup plan to prevent any unforeseen events.

However, the sect probably didn't expect that Fellow Daoist Yunlai and the Green-Robed Ancestor, who should have been unable to leave while fighting each other in the Southern Frontier, would both descend upon this place. Moreover, these two rivals, who are among the strongest in the world, have temporarily stood together because of the foolish things that Renying and the senior brother did earlier.

Truly, the workings of fate are unpredictable.

At this moment, even Tong Yuanqi, known for his forthrightness, felt a pang of disillusionment. Perhaps, in the eyes of his sect, he was just someone to be used at will? Indeed, even a gentleman like Ren Ying could be forced to this point, so what made him so special?
Tong Yuanqi looked at Yan Renying, only to see that Yan Renying remained unmoved by everything before her, merely observing coldly. If there was anything unexpected, Tong Yuanqi only noticed a fleeting change in Renying's expression when Fellow Daoist Yunlai appeared.

At this moment, Tong Yuanqi thought back to the days many years ago when the three of them exorcised demons together at Xichuan Sword Pavilion. Looking back now, that time was truly joyful—exorcising demons, discussing the Dao, nothing more.

At the time, it was only common.

"what!"

A heart-wrenching scream jolted Tong Yuanqi out of his reverie.

He turned his head to look, only to see that the green-robed man had grabbed Senior Brother Yuanjue and was gnawing at his flesh, causing Senior Brother Yuanjue to scream in pain.

It is said that the physical body of this Brahma Flying Light Bell Yuanjue was indeed as miraculous as the legends described. It was permeated with a light lotus fragrance, and the blood that flowed out had a faint pinkish luster. Its white bones were as clear as jade, slightly transparent, and golden marrow flowed within them. No wonder everyone in Sichuan said that he was the reincarnation of a Buddha's son; it seemed that there was indeed some basis for it.

"Shut up, you devil!"

Tong Yuanqi shouted. Although he had always had reservations about Zhong Yuanjue's ways, and today's use of him to lure Ren Ying out was utterly disgusting, they were still fellow disciples, and he couldn't just stand by and watch him be devoured by demons.

He pulled out the fire dragon hairpin from his hair and threw it. The hairpin grew longer in the wind, transforming into a blazing flying sword that struck the green-robed man.

At this moment, Zhong Yuanjue was terrified, feeling as if his life hung by a thread. He could no longer wait for Tong Yuanqi's rescue. A resolute glint flashed in his eyes, and then his aura surged wildly, his spiritual energy became chaotic, and his very bones and blood shone with golden light. He was going to destroy his own body!

The next instant, a loud "boom" was heard, and a cloud of blood mist exploded, the void trembled, the earth shook, and the magic wave hit Dianchi Lake, stirring up thousands of piles of snow.

Before Tong Yuanqi's Fire Dragon Hairpin could even get close, he was struck by the explosive force of the Fourth Realm Body and sent flying back. He didn't touch anyone, but was injured by the shockwave.

The commotion also drew the attention of Cheng Xinzhan and Xuanzhenzi, who were engaged in combat. They saw a golden light fly out from the blood mist, which was Zhong Yuanjue's nascent soul.

"Yuan Jue!"

Xuanzhenzi roared and immediately flew to meet him.

How could Cheng Xinzhan possibly let him go to meet them? Xuanzhenzi had led the Emei Sect's campaign against the dragon and imprisoned Uncle Gu. Zhong Yuanjue had a grudge against him for blocking his way, so how could he let them escape so easily?
Then, the Yin-Yang Flying Swords attacked in unison.

"Hahaha--"

At this moment, a loud laugh came from within the blood mist. Immediately afterward, the mist contracted rapidly and quickly turned into a thin wisp of blood, which was swallowed by the green-robed man, leaving not a single drop.

At this moment, the green-robed figure was struck head-on by the self-destructive wave of the Four Realms' physical body, revealing its true form. It turned out that this green-robed figure was neither the dragon's original body, nor the incarnation of the Li Pearl, nor the second primordial spirit, but rather a strange and bizarre-looking creature.

The man in the green robe still possessed strikingly handsome features, but his entire body had turned crimson red. He sprouted wings from his back—not feathers, but a pair of fleshy, bat-like wings. Horns grew from his forehead—not dragon horns, but a pair of sharp, metallic horns. Furthermore, his eyes had changed from emerald and dark to fiery red, and four sharp canine teeth protruded from his lips, giving him a fierce and menacing appearance.

The demon was injured, his entire upper body was blasted open, but at this moment, because he had completely absorbed Zhong Yuanjue's physical essence, his injuries were rapidly improving, and he was fully recovered in the blink of an eye. Moreover, his aura had even improved.

Asura Dharmakaya?

Cheng Xinzhan frowned. Was this also a remnant of the Asura Treasury?

No wonder. Cheng Xinzhan could sense that his true self hadn't moved from Rotten Peach Mountain, and was currently wrestling with his own body for the water transport of the Peach Blossom River. His second primordial spirit, placed in Yuyang, was also unmoved, guarding the cliff gate and resisting the attacks of the Yuyang righteous path. There was also an avatar at the Red Water River; the old chieftain of Chiyou Cave and Xi Xinghuai of Immortal Cave had been keeping a close eye on it, but hadn't found an opportunity to strike. It must be his avatar of the Li Pearl guarding there. Three bodies in three locations, yet he still managed to find time to come to Dianwen; his backup plans were unpredictable. He truly shouldn't be underestimated.

Meanwhile, Green Robe swallowed Zhong Yuanjue's flesh, his aura surged, he licked his lips, and then with a flash of light, he transformed back into his original human form and went to chase after Zhong Yuanjue.

Meanwhile, Xuanzhenzi was on his way to meet Zhong Yuanjue's nascent soul when he saw that the green-robed man was still determined to kill him. He flipped his hand and threw out six divine thunderbolts, which struck Zhong Yuanjue from behind.

"boom--"

The thunderclap exploded, shaking the earth three times. The thunderous sound resembled a dragon's roar, and ripples appeared in the void. Lightning transformed into six dragon shapes, riding on the ripples in the void and flying towards the green-robed man at an extremely fast speed.

"Angry Dragon Driving Water Divine Thunder?"

The green-robed man's expression changed slightly. He had dared to face Zhong Yuanjue's close-range self-destruction head-on, but now he was very cautious in the face of these six thunder dragons, and he summoned a bronze door-shaped magic weapon to defend himself.

The lightning and water waves struck the gate-shaped magic weapon together, creating a deafening roar and unleashing countless bolts of lightning. The green-robed man, holding the gate-shaped magic weapon, was forced back more than a hundred feet, his face turning pale and red, clearly injured.

An angry dragon driving water and divine thunder?

Cheng Xinzhan heard the green-robed man's mutterings and was astonished by the power of the thunder. Although he had never heard of or seen this thunder before, at this moment, feeling the power of the Dharma in the lingering wind, he could smell the meaning of "Dragon's Roar Water Thunder Gang" and "Angry Water Dragon King's Evil".

So these two streams of fierce energy, when fused into lightning, possess such power?

Moreover, "Dragon's Roar Water Thunder Gang" is a unique Gang of Thunderstorm Sea in the East Sea, and "Angry Water Dragon King Sha" is a unique Sha of the deep sea. How did Xuanzhenzi obtain them? It is said that this person has been cultivating in seclusion in the East Sea, so it seems that he does indeed have some skills.

However, Cheng Xinzhan wouldn't let him rescue Zhong Yuanjue so easily. The two flying swords continued their attack on Xuanzhenzi, while he chanted incantations, formed hand seals, and pointed them at the fleeing soul of Zhong Yuanjue, chanting...

"trap!"

Zhong Yuanjue was not Green Robe, and his physical strength and mastery of the void were far inferior. Therefore, when Cheng Xinzhan cast a spell on him, he was immediately trapped in the void and unable to move.

At this moment, Zhong Yuanjue, who thought he had escaped, showed panic again. At the same time, he was filled with resentment. The last time they met, this Taoist had not yet reached the fourth realm, and his realm was below his own. Only a few years had passed, and when they met again, he had already reached the fifth realm, and he was powerless to fight back! It was all Zhou Qingyun's fault! Zhong Yuanjue cursed inwardly. If it hadn't been for the Qing Suo Sword's obstruction that time, but instead had cooperated with him to forcibly keep this person away regardless of his reputation, he wouldn't be suffering this bitter fate today!
However, no matter what Zhong Yuanjue thought, he couldn't stop Cheng Xinzhan's actions. After using the "Trap" spell to hold Zhong Yuanjue back, he changed his hand seals and unleashed the Crimson Palace Divine Power, "Yin Yang Five Elements Hoop".

The magic circlet emitted light of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, dazzling and mesmerizing, leaving a trail of afterimages in the void as it went straight for Zhong Yuanjue's nascent soul.

"You dare!"

Xuanzhenzi shouted and fired another thunderbolt, which exploded on the way to the headband.

Thunder roared and dragons howled, echoing through the void; the power of "Angry Dragon Chasing Water Divine Thunder" was indeed extraordinary. However, Cheng Xinzhan's "Yin Yang Five Elements Hoop" supernatural power was formed from condensed magical power, seemingly ethereal yet not truly ethereal, seemingly real yet not truly real, binding both the physical body and locking the soul and magical energy. Especially after Cheng Xinzhan comprehended the relationship between "emptiness" and "all phenomena," the ethereal and real nature of the supernatural power became even more elusive and unpredictable. At this moment, when it was struck by the divine thunder, the hoop showed its "ethereal" side; only the dazzling rainbow light trembled slightly with the vibration of the void, but it itself remained unaffected. After traversing the void, it manifested its "real" side, firmly binding Zhong Yuanjue's nascent soul.

"Photography!"

Cheng Xinzhan chanted the incantation again, and the magic hoop pulled Zhong Yuanjue's nascent soul over, causing Xuanzhenzi, who rushed to pick it up, and the green-robed man who came to chase after it again to miss their target.

He pulled Zhong Yuanjue close, and before Zhong could recover, Cheng Xinzhan stretched out his right hand and drew in the air while chanting an incantation, saying:
"Once the Celestial Master's Seal arrives, it will remain unmoved through countless eons."

The soul is imprisoned and the spirit is bound; true qi is locked in place.

"Hurry, by the decree of the Celestial Master, order this to be suppressed!"

After reciting the incantation, he finished writing the words in the air, which were the six ancient seal characters "Yangping Zhidu Gong Yin".

Cheng Xinzhan possessed a photographic memory, and he repeatedly recalled and pondered his only experience of closely observing the Celestial Master's Seal in his youth. The divine power and magical essence of the Celestial Master's Seal were constantly renewed and yielded new insights with each contemplation. Previously, he had frequently visualized the Celestial Master's Seal to amplify the power of his "Suppress" mantra, which indeed proved remarkably effective. Now, with the vision and magical power of a Fifth Realm cultivator, his performance of this technique was even more extraordinary.

The seal was pressed onto Zhong Yuanjue's nascent soul forehead, and Zhong Yuanjue was immediately imprisoned. Even his divine soul and true spirit became stiff, and he completely lost control of his relic golden pill and nascent soul spirit.

"Don't do it! What do you want?!"

When Xuanzhenzi saw Zhong Yuanjue being captured, his expression changed drastically, but he dared not make any rash moves. So he quickly stopped Cheng Xinzhan and asked for his terms.

Cheng Xinzhan waved his hand, putting Zhong Yuanjue into his sleeve. Facing Xuanzhenzi's questioning, he replied,

What can you offer?

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(End of this chapter)