Beichen Sword Sect's Headmaster's Secret Records

Chapter 466 A Move or Two

Although Tie Dan didn't know exactly which mountain nearby was Xiuyu Mountain, he figured that following the geomantic principles, he could't go wrong by heading straight for the most abundant spiritual energy and the most suitable place for cultivation. After all, even mountain gods and great demons need places to cultivate, and in the Central Plains, where land is incredibly valuable, there are no empty spiritual energy points or cores; you can always find a grave somewhere, no matter how remote or obscure.

With a flick of his sword, Tie Dan found a secluded and tranquil place rich in spiritual energy. In the distance, he could see the Purple Cloud True Qi enveloping the mountaintop like a sunset. Flying into the clouds, he saw that the mountaintop was covered with a large area of ​​spiritual herbs. The herbs had angular stems and lanceolate, deeply pinnately lobed leaves, resembling yarrow but with bright red leaves.

In the center of this spiritual grassland stands a spiritual stone peak. Looking up, one can see five-colored light emanating from the mountain walls. Upon closer inspection, the mist dissipates and the clouds part, revealing a large five-colored divine stone on the mountaintop, radiating light in all directions, like halos or patterns, gently spreading outwards.

Beneath the colorful stones atop the mountain, a stone palace can be vaguely seen, its distinct celestial palace style clearly indicating it was an ancient demon-suppressing platform. The entrance was an altar, the main entrance a shrine, and the innermost part a demon-sealing lair. The sacrificial sheep bones remaining on the altar were as large as rhinoceros bones, and the ritual implements used for the sacrifices were all made of the finest jade.

Stepping over the altar and past the shrine, Tie Dan glanced at the sacrificial tablet on the shrine. The statue on the altar matched perfectly; it was a colorful human-headed pig carved from a single piece of five-colored divine stone. The landscape map carved on the wall depicted the terrain of nineteen mountains, spanning 1,184 li. It was clear that this human-headed pig was not some lewd demon, but a legitimate mountain god appointed by the Three Enclosures, of quite high rank.

It doesn't matter anymore. Even if the Three Dukes are enshrined in the cave today, they will still die.

Tie Dan, his face cold, strode straight into the Demon-Sealing Cave. But he felt something was wrong with his first step, so he stopped and pondered for a while before taking his second and third steps. After walking more than seven steps, even with Tie Dan's skill, he couldn't walk upright. He needed to tense all his muscles, fill his body with Dao Qi, bend his shoulders and legs, and adopt a horse stance, stepping on the Dipper to barely move.

Indeed, the demon-sealing array is still active and effective, and with each step taken, the density of spiritual energy can be felt to increase exponentially. The further one goes in, the heavier one feels in their spine and shoulders, as if a mountain is pressing down on their back.

Such an arrangement is indeed extremely rare. Generally speaking, the demons that need to be suppressed are born of nature, primordial and exotic species, and naturally compatible with spiritual energy. Even if they are sealed with true energy of the restraining attribute, the possibility of these demonic beasts undergoing stress-induced mutations cannot be ruled out.

Therefore, when sealing, the density of spiritual energy in the barrier is reduced as much as possible, and the energy is weakened over time to keep the demon god in an extremely weak state, just like the bear in the blessed land of Dui Kingdom, which is constantly bled and has its bile extracted to prevent the demon from breaking out of the formation.

However, the seal here seems to be the complete opposite. It appears that the true energy constantly emitted by this five-colored divine stone has activated some kind of supergravity array, forcibly suppressing this demonic body.

Based on Tie Dan's general experience in exorcising demons, relying solely on brute force to suppress them is not very efficient. On the contrary, over time, the demons might adapt to this environment and become even more ferocious when they break free.

Thinking of this, Tie Dan also focused his attention, condensing all his life's power into dense layers of green scales all over his body.

Indeed, this move was inspired by Tie Dan's recent dual cultivation with Qing Tang Sect, where he closely observed their method of crafting the waist-binding immortal robe. It's essentially a modified Qi technique. The difference lies in the principle: the sword ball protects the body by attacking with attack, actively defending, and using sword Qi to break the opponent's spells. This move, however, simply involves spreading thick true Qi all over the body, adding a meager layer of armor that barely provides any protection.

Advancing step by step, relying on his two thousand years of internal energy to fight his way through, Tie Dan finally reached the end of the Sealed Demon Cave after walking for ten miles.

This place is deep in the mountains, directly beneath the oppressive five-colored divine stone. Looking up, one can see the enormous golden seal of the Demon-Sealing Talisman, engraved on the divine stones covering the mountainside. Continuously activated by the Tai Chi Five Qi that permeates the five-colored stone, it exerts immense pressure and seal on the demons, monsters, humans, and gods within the mountain.

As expected, at the core of the sealed cave, the demon god remained firmly sealed and had not yet escaped.

Yes, it was a pig. A little piglet, with a chubby, baby-faced creature that looked like a grotesque monster with a child's head attached to its body. Right now, the little pig was lying on a large clump of fresh, pink yarrow, fast asleep. It was clearly also overwhelmed by the weight of the divine stone, having shrunk to its smallest form, eating and sleeping to minimize its energy expenditure, struggling to hold on.

At this moment, Tie Dan also understood a bit. This sealing method wasn't bad at all; it simply consumed stones. After all, if it relied on depleting spiritual energy for sealing, any rare and precious material could restore the demon.

Conversely, with the Five Qi so dense, every step feels like being forced through a wall of wind, requiring one to push forward. It's like being underwater; the surrounding spiritual pressure difference is so immense that, let alone using the surrounding spiritual Qi for cultivation or spellcasting, you even have to hold your breath and close all your Qi acupoints to prevent the excessively high-pressure spiritual Qi from seeping into your body, damaging your meridians, and causing you to suffer a qi deviation. And if you've been accustomed to this environment for a long time and suddenly rush outside, you might suffer a massive hemorrhage and die from a body explosion.

This pig can't get out of this hole at all.

With a cold face, Tie Dan made a sword incantation, extending a black sword from his fingertips, and walked forward step by step. However, when he was about to step onto the yarrow stalks in the last seven steps, even with his skill, he could not get closer. Under the projection of the golden light sealing above his head, the Qi in front of him had formed a colorful wall of light, like an invisible cage firmly suppressing this human-headed pig.

Standing seven steps away from the Mountain God Pig, Tie Dan thought for a moment, calculated, and then suddenly spoke.
"And who is the sect leader or mountain master of this sect?"

It was quiet all around; no one answered, and it seemed even the pigs hadn't heard.

Tie Dan turned around, his back to the pig, gathered the light of the Beichen Sword at his fingertips, and coldly stared at the cave entrance he had come down from.

"In order to provoke me into fighting here, you used the Yuan Shen technique to deceive me and killed so many unrelated people to provoke me."

Okay, you win, I'm here! Aren't you going to show yourself?! You don't even dare to give your name, ugh, what a disgrace!

In the silence and darkness, suddenly from the narrow passage came the soft sound of knuckles tapping on the stone wall, echoing the man's whispered voice, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, making it impossible to discern its true location.

Maoshan

Hengshan

Wangwu

Donghua

Huo Tong

"Heavenly Cover"

"Magu"

"Penglai"

Emei

As soon as the words were spoken, a figure appeared at the cave entrance. This person was dressed in a black robe and had a tall and slender figure like bamboo. In this place of rest and seal, he appeared silently and without a trace, clearly possessing terrifying power and unparalleled lightness skills. He wore a ghost mask from a theatrical stage on his face and showed a ferocious smile to Tie Dan.

"you guess."

Tie Dan cursed coldly.

"Guess what's on your head! Kids, guess, guess!"

However, the masked man wasn't angry. He remained smiling, and with a flick of his long, pale fingers, pulled a bone whip from his sleeve—clearly made from human spine bone. He spoke slowly and deliberately...

"What, aren't you a child?"

Tie Dan fell silent for a moment.

Actually, he understood what was going on as soon as the other party mentioned these mountain gates.

Since his emergence from seclusion, several sects have proactively sought him out for a challenge. Among them, Emei, Wangwu, Tianfu, and Donghua have directly challenged him, while Huotong, Magu, and Hengshan have a history of interaction and dealings. As for Maoshan, Maoshan is actually the main sect of Shangqing Dao, and it's likely that the Five-Colored Team was composed of experts sent by Maoshan. In other words, this masked man isn't here for guidance or to seek instruction from fellow disciples, nor is he just playing around.

The other party really intended to kill him here and frame the nine Xuanmen sects.

That's right, because those nine Xuanmen are not the nine major Xuanmen.

The current leaders of Yuntai, the nine major Xuanmen sects, are Qingcheng Mountain, Jiuyin Mountain, Xieluo Mountain, Kongtong Mountain, Danxia Mountain, Gushe Mountain, Luofu Mountain, Heming Mountain, and Song Mountain.

Therefore, all nine sects had the motive to assassinate Tie Dan and the cause and effect of fighting the Xuan Tian Sword Sect.

It all boils down to one thing: fighting for a seat.

To seize the position of leader of the Xuanmen sect at the summit of Yuntai.

Yes, Tie Dan made great contributions to the Xuanmen Sect by beheading Tian Gang and offering up the Cloud Platform. He gained the support of Ling Xuzi, and the five big bosses nodded in agreement, guaranteeing him a seat on the Cloud Platform.

But in reality, everyone in the Xuanmen knows that the current Nine Yin Sword Sect is not worthy of sitting in this position at all.

The principle of respecting the strong and elevating the capable has always been the true essence of the Xuanmen (mystical sect).

The principle of "the victor is king, the loser is villain" and "the strong prey on the weak" will always be the underlying logic of the Tai Chi world.

Among the other nine major sects, Qingcheng Mountain has one number one in the world, Danxia Mountain also has one number one in the world, and Xie, Luo, Kongtong, Gushe, Luofu, and Heming each have their own Five Elders, as if they possess a treasure. Naturally, their positions are secure.

As for the Bixia Xuannv Temple on Mount Song, although there are no experts in charge, they are, after all, direct descendants of Xuannv. They are spiritual totems similar to the fairy queens and saintesses of their rivals, so no one would bother them.

But what are you, Xuan Tian Ru Yi Zhen Jun? Are you that powerful? You killed a cripple from the Sword Pavilion, is that impressive? If you can't fight, what right do you have to sit so high?

Of course, Tie Dan is quite capable in combat. He has overcome numerous obstacles and defeated many enemies. Among the younger disciples, he is outstanding and has few rivals.

But that's not enough to be the head of a sect.

Being the mountain master of the nine great mystical sects is far from enough.

"Wow——!"

In that moment of distraction, the spinal whip lashed out, swift as fire and fast as an arrow! It unleashed a fierce sonic roar and a piercing ghostly wail! The whip was imbued with immense power, accompanied by ghostly wails and demonic sounds that pierced the ears. On one hand, the spiritual technique shattered the soul and terrified the heart! On the other hand, the bone whip struck fiercely, aiming straight for Tie Dan's brow!

In that instant, Tie Dan, who was dodging and counterattacking, also realized the treacherous intentions of the other party in deliberately choosing this deadly place for him!

There's no way to escape!

While it's true that one can use stealth techniques in places with spiritual energy, the essence is actually transforming one's body into energy and gliding and shifting along the stable flow of earth's energy veins! However, the Xiuyu and Demon-Sealing Lands are filled with high-pressure spiritual energy, incredibly mixed! It's like countless energy walls and vortices rising up from all directions! Even if one uses stealth techniques, not only will one be unable to dodge them, but one might also crash into the energy walls and fall out. Against an opponent of this level, it's practically suicide!

And yet, in this very close proximity, separated only by a sword's length, the density of spiritual energy around them was excessively high! If one were to forcefully manipulate the energy through hand seals, one would need to be extra careful to avoid allowing impure energy to enter the body, flood the meridians, and obstruct the flow of energy. If even the slightest mistake were to cause a misdirection of energy, one's power would be severely hampered! Or, if one were to be attacked by howling ghosts and wolves, losing focus and being struck by a single blow, one might face the perilous danger of being torn to pieces or killed instantly!
There's no escaping it! When two armies meet on a narrow path, the brave will prevail! Just what I wanted! Turbo acceleration!
Iron Egg's muscles bulged, and he unleashed a powerful strike! He dodged to the side! He narrowly avoided the initial assassination attempt, almost getting pierced through by the bone whip! He countered with a backhand strike, deflecting the Northern Star Divine Sword! His fingertips unleashed power, transforming the sword energy into a seven-foot-long sword, which he aimed at the masked man, aiming to dissect his heart and eviscerate him!

But his sword was too slow!

Because Tie Dan was closer to the Sealed Demon Land, he was under even greater suppression from the great formation! Meanwhile, his opponent was standing at the cave entrance, a few steps behind, a hair's breadth away! But being slower meant being slower! Being slower meant defeat!

In that instant, the masked man flicked his wrist, and the bone whip coiled and lashed out like a dragon and snake! The invincible and unstoppable Northern Star Sword Qi could not even pierce the bone whip! Instead, it was like clear spring water falling to the ground, seeping straight into the bones and being completely absorbed by the bone whip! It shattered the sword light into countless pieces!

"Wow——!"

It wasn't over yet! Like a snake biting its bone, it relentlessly pursued and strangled Tie Dan! A whip wrapped around Tie Dan's right wrist! In the midst of the strangulation, with terrifying internal energy and immense force, it tore the blue scales on his arm into pieces! It shattered his Qi and broke his body! It crushed flesh and broke bones! With a single thrust, it crushed and pulled away Tie Dan's right arm!

"boom--!!"

It wasn't over yet! The whip strike landed! The terrifying power was about to crash down! The masked man's five fingers formed claws, sword-like winds swirling at their tips! Tearing through the wind and shattering the sun! A claw aimed at Tie Dan's face! It was about to kill him with its claws! Tear him in two alive!

"die!!"

But things won't turn out as you wish!
Even if a single sword strike goes awry, even if one hand is crippled! Ignore it all! Don't dodge, don't flinch! Fight to the death!

Tie Dan lunged forward, throwing a straight punch! A powerful, relentless strike, unleashing his full strength! The punch aimed directly at his abdomen!
Come on! We're all about attacking, no defense! We'll trade our lives for yours! Come on!
But the masked man wouldn't fight!

"Bang!!"

A deafening sonic boom erupted, and the Qi surged violently within the sealed land! It startled even the pigs in their dream! They stared in bewilderment at the two lunatics who had stormed into their den to fight!
That's right, Tiedan was determined to fight to the death, and the other person could see that Tiedan was going to fight them to the death! But it wasn't necessary, so they just gave up!
So, in the instant their fists clashed, he suddenly flashed his palm, spread his arms, retracted his whip and palm, and flew backward like a bat! In an instant, he dodged most of the punch from the front! He only took half a punch, and then, with the help of the gale, he flew back to the cave entrance, still blocking his escape route!
In that instant, in the blink of an eye, in the time it takes to strike one or two moves, Tie Dan had already lost an arm, and his face was struck by a claw, with five sharp blades of Qi slicing across his face! Almost scraping his face off!

If it weren't for the fact that at the last moment, the opponent, confident of having the upper hand, refused to engage in a desperate exchange, and thus only managed to throw half a move before withdrawing, then perhaps with just a fraction of the force, Tie Dan's head would have been twisted off and smashed into a pulp like a burst watermelon.

The masked man chuckled, casually flicking away the dust from his robe, completely unconcerned about the exposed abdominal muscles beneath his torn robe. He was utterly unharmed.

"You do have some skill. It's a pity your swordsmanship isn't fully developed yet, so it can't break my techniques. Your fist power isn't up to par either, so it can't harm my body."

Don't blame me. If you had stayed quietly in the mountains, you wouldn't have suffered this fate.

Amidst the blinding spray of blood, Tie Dan stared intently at the ghost-faced man's ashen, skeletal form, his gaze gradually sharpening.

"Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden's Three Revolutions and Nine Transformations Form Refining Technique"

The man with the grimacing face froze on his face instantly.

"What, how could you..."

Without saying a word, Tie Dan opened his mouth and drew out a black sword.

(End of this chapter)