Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 154: Pacify the Top

Jiang Youyue had a broader perspective than Qu Duanyun and quickly saw through the ruse of the Kushan Sect.

This whole thing was a trap from the beginning.

Monk Juehui and Protector Hua were merely bait to lower their guard. Likely, before confirming that the “Immortal Assembly had killed several warriors”, the Kushan Sect had already employed other tactics, convincing various sects to ambush nearby. With the rumors of rebellion everywhere and bandits and refugees gathered nearby, the mixture of presences was chaotic. If the martial arts circles hid far enough, they wouldn’t be able to discern the truth.

After that, the Kushan Sect just needed to keep their attention. Outside reinforcements could quietly prepare for battle without revealing themselves prematurely.

To achieve their goal, the Child of Desire actually threw himself on the front line.

Jiang Youyue’s ears buzzed, his head felt as if pierced by a million tiny needles. His heart was torn in half: half relieved at the Child of Desire’s cunning and strength, and half anxious about the bizarre situation.

The Twin Roots was beautifully executed. With the support of the Chigou Sect, it wasn’t surprising that the Kushan Sect obtained it. What was strange were their actions.

Shi Jingzhi’s meridians were clearly pushed to their limit. Vital qi was constantly being drained by the flesh idol. With such external force, his body would deteriorate even faster. Yin Ci was connected to the Hanging Tree which made their fates intertwined; there was no way it would end well.

What did “won’t die” mean?

Unfortunately, he could no longer think clearly.

It was like rising from the silent depths to the surface, a myriad of vivid colors crashing into view, and a cacophony of noises flooding his ears. The wilderness, once quiet and empty, was now filled with martial artists who had come especially for this. There were shouts everywhere, the clashing of weapons like the wild grasses of spring; first sporadic and then forming a dense sea. Swords clashed, and cold blades spun through the air. People poured in from all directions, forming a torrent of battle intent.

The heavens and the earth thundered, as if about to collapse.

The True Immortal could only summon a limited number of enchanted puppets. They were no match for the revenge-seeking martial artists. Beautiful-like puppets were torn apart, twitching as they fell. The Taiheng Sect surrounded Qu Duanyun and Jiang Youyue, effectively separating the two from the True Immortal. Shi Zhongyu directed the elders, and behind Shi Jingzhi, the gathered vital qi was swelling, almost bursting.

The True Immortal, with the Hanging Tree as its core, had no concept of face or shame. With the poison fire burning incessantly and Shi Jingzhi replenishing his vital qi, it saw the disadvantage and tried to liquefy itself to escape—

A hand pierced through the fleshy mass.

Yin Ci, using all his strength, slammed into the shapeless fleshy mass. The True Immortal was a beat too slow, and the chants of the “Woodless Sutra” drew closer. The monks of the Jianchen Temple, already adept at dealing with bizarre magic, repeatedly interfered with its techniques, making escape impossible.

Yin Ci embraced the shapeless mass, his half-burnt face showing a smile.

Monk Juehui returned as well. The old monk looked up at the writhing fleshy mass in the sky with a complicated expression. Monk Zhixing, as usual, was right behind him, now utterly shocked.

“Master-master what is that?”

“Just a demon.”

The True Immortal finally realized it was in trouble. It no longer tried to flee or summon winds and rain. The flesh mass contracted, and numerous rigid tendrils shot out in all directions. Over ten members of the Chigou Sect couldn’t dodge and were instantly skewered. Six or seven chanting monks were pierced through their foreheads, creating gaps in their tight encirclement.

The chanting volume dropped, and the True Immortal attempted to use its techniques to harm again. Black clouds rolled, and a fierce wind began. Monk Juehui sighed and waved his arm—

Countless prayer beads were thrown into the wild wind, landing perfectly in Shi Jingzhi’s hand. Staring intently at the deformed True Immortal, he channeled the accumulated surge of vital qi.

Just like at the Ghost Tomb, the beads grew frenziedly. They wrapped around the thrashing True Immortal like spider silk, binding it into a ball. Yin Ci pierced several holes in it, just enough for the beads to thread through.

However, the torrent of vital qi hadn’t been exhausted and continued to rush through Shi Jingzhi’s meridians.

His eyes glowed a deep red while blood poured out from his seven orifices. The wound on his throat reopened, spewing pinkish foam. He staggered towards the violently struggling True Immortal, with magic-induced lightning occasionally exploding at his feet.

“Zizhu.”

He murmured with a smile, reaching out to Yin Ci as if to embrace him. The fog in the distance dissipated, revealing the silhouette of Kushan, unchanged from twenty-four years ago.

“I’ve come to take you away.”

Shi Jingzhi whispered, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. He tried to pierce the True Immortal with his Hanging Shadow Sword, but he didn’t even have the strength to hold the sword.

One hand supported him.

Yin Ci stumbled to the ground, barely leaning on Shi Jingzhi. He lifted his hand that still had exposed bone, covering Shi Jingzhi’s right hand that was holding the sword.

“Okay.” Yin Ci’s voice was calm and relaxed, just like the first time in the maple forest.

Just as he finished speaking, he suddenly exerted force on his hand. The Hanging Shadow Sword, pushed by Yin Ci, deeply pierced into the True Immortal’s body.

With a loud bang, the ground shook even more violently.

The members of the righteous Taiheng, all with their profound inner force, found an outlet for their vital qi. Black flames burned as if exploding. The formless flesh quivered and was once again covered by black flames.

This time the fire was fierce, and its regeneration visibly slowed down. The flesh mass transformed into humanoid chunks, which were then burnt to fragments. Billowing black smoke rose to the sky, and the gathered dark clouds dispersed once more.

People from all directions approached. Seeing the elders of Taiheng sending their inner force with flushed faces, they followed suit. 

Jiang Youyue was horrified, his voice almost hoarse.

“Stop!” he shouted. “You’re destroying the foundation of Great Yun!!!”

No one paid him any attention.

“If you continue to burn, calamities will come, and injuries won’t heal! It’s just a few mortals that die. You—”

Still, no one paid him any attention.

His voice was drowned out by the joyful conversations of the martial artists, many of whom reveled in the satisfaction of defeating their enemies. Jiang Youyue shouted till he was hoarse, spitting out blood in anger. These mortals were so foolish; they didn’t even know what they were burning.

Mortals were indeed this foolish…

Finally, the True Immortal’s body no longer produced tiny roots. Flames crackled and burnt, and the chunks of flesh gradually turned into burnt ash. Whether it was an illusion or not, there seemed to be a sigh of relief from the ashes.

Yin Ci, too, was disintegrating.

His body, which was already in tatters, crumbled rapidly. Before everyone’s eyes, his legs turned to dust first, followed by his torso, arms, and shoulders. He fell next to Shi Jingzhi, leaving only a burning head and a charred spine. The red tendrils moved weakly, quickly withering.

Shi Jingzhi held that head in his arms, staring unblinkingly ahead—

Nearby, the curled bare branches broke from their roots. They appeared before everyone, twitching uncontrollably, and then withered with no sign of regrowth.

As the main branches disappeared, the outermost roots were the first to “disconnect”. In Shi Jingzhi’s embrace, Yin Ci’s head became motionless, like the bare branches, only some dying red tendrils remained on the surface.

“Amitabha, my condolences.”

Zhixing approached cautiously. He didn’t understand the situation, but seeing Yin Ci burned to just a head, he felt sorrow. They shared a bond like that of a master and disciple, and seeing Shi Jingzhi clutching that head, he must have been devastated.

“Patron Yin, he…”

Zhixing’s words were cut off by Shi Jingzhi’s sudden action.

Shi Jingzhi took a deep breath, using his last strength to bite through his relatively intact right palm. With everyone watching in confusion, he pressed his bleeding hand onto the top of that human head, amidst the red tendrils.

“Come.”

The blood flowed over the charred head, and Shi Jingzhi’s voice was soft and gentle. The Hanging Shadow Sword fell to the ground, breaking into pieces after absorbing too much vital qi.

“Considering size and vitality, I can’t match the Hanging Tree. But if they created a replica of me based on it… I can also learn a thing or two from the Hanging Tree.”

The withered tendrils paused for a moment upon contact with the blood. Then they greedily absorbed the vital qi, even crawling into Shi Jingzhi’s wound.

As the wound tore and blood vessels invaded, Shi Jingzhi broke out in a cold sweat. But he remained still, allowing the tendrils to infiltrate his body.

They rooted into his organs, greedily taking in vital qi. The pain felt as if his insides were being ground by stones. Tears and sweat covered Shi Jingzhi’s face.

Yet, he never let go of the head.

The scene that followed caused everyone to take a step back.

The tendrils, filled with vital qi, began to actively move again. They interwove into bones, muscles, hair, and skin. Starting from that head, Yin Ci’s body gradually took shape. In contrast, Shi Jingzhi looked visibly drained, and soft groans could be heard from his throat.

As Yin Ci regained his vitality, the red tendrils connecting the two became transparent and vanished.

“Make way! All of you, out of my way!” Su Si shouted as he charged through the crowd, placing his hands on Shi Jingzhi’s back. “You all get scared by such a small incident? If you’re not helping, then stay out of the way!”

The scene was eerily bizarre, something even the demonic sect hadn’t witnessed before. Everyone was already in shock, but when this man shouted at them, they snapped back to reality a bit—Patriarch Su’s reprimand was so justified, it sounded like it was just another mundane occurrence.

Is the Kushan Sect even more unorthodox than the usual unorthodox sects?

“Everyone…hiss…come this way.” Yan Qing, leaning on his Sword of Compassion, grimaced in cooperation. “That’s a secret technique from the Mishan Sect. Everyone, stay calm! Abbot Juehui, you—”

Monk Juehui got the hint and coughed twice. “The Immortal Assembly harbors and nurtures evil spirits, causing harm to the innocent. The evidence is clear. This evil spirit is powerful; there might be some remnants of its evil. Everyone should…”

The old monk’s words were gravely significant. Everyone immediately retreated another dozen steps, leaving the eminent monks to deal with the strange remains on the ground. Monk Juehui shook his head, took off his cassock, and draped it over the nearly naked master and disciple. He then placed his hand on Shi Jingzhi’s shoulder, infusing his meridians with his profound and gentle qi.

Yin Ci’s body had mostly recovered, without a trace of scars or burnt marks on his skin. He was in a deep slumber, like a bottomless pit devouring qi. Shi Jingzhi, already severely blood-deprived, was now completely drained, looking on the verge of passing out. He strained to keep his back straight, tears, sweat, and blood mingling and dripping onto Yin Ci’s hair.

“Now, you and I are… even closer than a married couple.”

He trembled as he grasped the tip of Yin Ci’s hair, managing a difficult smile.

“We had a deal about a grand wedding procession, winter-end lanterns… You better…not back out…”

Shi Jingzhi’s voice grew fainter. Just as he was about to close his eyes, a warm fingertip pressed against his lips.

“I remember everything.”

Yin Ci opened his eyes, which shimmered a pale amber. His finger moved up Shi Jingzhi’s cheek, wiping away the latter’s tears. There was a fresh vitality in his eyes, all traces of his previous ruined state gone. Those eyes then turned towards the Imperial Preceptor, revealing a sharp intent.

“But Your Highness, I still have some remnants to deal with… Can you wait a little longer?”

Kinky Thoughts:

The title of this chapter is (抚顶) . This is a term that basically describes touching the top (of someone’s head). In Buddhist context, it’s a ritual gesture where a monk or master would place his hand on the disciple’s head, symbolizing the transmission of blessings, teachings, or even spiritual power.

This is often seen in ordination ceremonies or when a master acknowledges a disciple’s progress or dedication.

In this case, it’s literally that, except Shi Jingzhi is transferring his vital qi to Yin Ci to save him.

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 153: The Martial Arts Circles

Yin Ci couldn’t feel pain.

He had once leaped from the highest mountain of Great Yun, shattering his body into pieces upon the abyss below. He had also swallowed the most potent poison, which burned his internal organs as if they were being tortured slowly. He had tried burning himself countless times. Even the most excruciating pain felt pleasant at this moment.

A century-long floating hatred found its target, and the puzzle that tormented him day and night had its answer. Recognizing his opponent, Yin Ci seemed to glimpse the battlefield from three hundred years ago. Old friends were still around, but unrecognizable. His poisoned body transformed into armor, and his broken bones became sharp blades. The silent black flame burned, evoking sounds of war in his ears.

Yin Ci turned his face slightly, glancing at Shi Jingzhi from the corner of his eyes.

As the True Immortal was regenerating, Shi Jingzhi used his immense qi to ignite the yang fire. Pure yang fire passed through the Hanging Shadow Sword, and the black flames burned the True Immortal’s body again and again.

The Hanging Tree was also burning.

It was just a tree, still obeying the laws of nature. With the effect of the “curse” of the Twin Roots, as the True Immortal was entirely set ablaze, so was the Hanging Tree.

Amidst the destruction, for the first time, Yin Ci felt a connection to the Hanging Tree. From the roots to the trunk and then to the branches deep underground, it burned slowly under the vast earth. There was no smoke, no light—only boundless darkness.

Beside him, a smile was on Shi Jingzhi’s face, but his eyes revealed intense pain. Amidst endless agony, Shi Jingzhi reached out; his palm warm but gentle, like a tear dropping on a red-hot furnace.

Yin Ci tried to utter comforting words, but the flames silenced him.

All he could do was look at the other calmly and gently.

Bare branches ignited, revealing burn marks. Thousands of tangled roots moved like snowballs, their semi-transparent tendrils coiling. Set against the continuous black fire, the once mundane wilderness transformed into a legendary eerie “Flesh Forest”.

Yin Ci’s eyes were burned, and his vision was blurred, making the surreal scene even more distorted. Yet, for some reason, Yin Ci felt that this scene was more “human” than any he had seen before.

Ten lives of monsters, a step between life and death.

Yin Ci’s body was battered, crawling on the ground. He firmly pinned the True Immortal, wishing he could nail it to himself with his bones.

The True Immortal didn’t scream. After a moment of stiffness, it struggled fiercely. Its skin loosened and rotted due to the poison fire, oozing a mixture of liquid and blood. Yin Ci tried his best to hold it down, but his muscles, also affected by the fire, weakened and couldn’t exert full strength.

After a series of spasms, the True Immortal twisted in ways impossible for humans. Ignoring the blade piercing its chest, it broke free from Yin Ci’s grip, leaving burnt flesh behind. One of Yin Ci’s arms was burnt to the bone, regenerating slowly, and was broken in the ensuing struggle.

The True Immortal and Hanging Tree both struggled, continuously burning and regenerating. The creature’s face alternated between reddish muscle and charred remnants. Amidst this cycle of destruction and rebirth, the True Immortal wavered, far from its earlier composure.

Shi Jingzhi picked up Yin Ci’s regenerating arm, leaving a gentle kiss on his bones. Yin Ci’s condition was no better than the True Immortal’s. Once like an immortal, he now resembled a creature crawling out of a chaotic grave.

Jiang Youyue and Qu Duanyun looked pale. Without hesitation, they charged. The Imperial Preceptor poured out spells relentlessly while Qu Duanyun danced with his sword, confronting Shi Jingzhi. Their combined attacks were golden and radiant, offering a contrast in the bleak surroundings, echoing a sense of righteousness.

Shi Jingzhi dodged with a sneer, not retreating but instead sticking closer to the True Immortal.

The two opponents’ intentions were clear. They hoped the poison fire would weaken, allowing the True Immortal’s self-healing to prevail. If the fire on the True Immortal went out, the Hanging Tree could be saved.

Qu Duanyun’s sword moves were swift and gradually became unrestrained. He unleashed powerful moves, pressing for Shi Jingzhi’s weaknesses. Jiang Youyue, the cunning fox, would seize lethal moments to launch intricate spells. Under their combined onslaught, Shi Jingzhi became more cautious with every move.

It was apparent that the Child of Desire was out of control, causing a severe blow to the Hanging Tree. Let alone the Immortal Assembly, even the True Immortal wouldn’t want him anymore. Unlike Yin Ci, his “immortality” was entirely determined by the True Immortal. If he was gravely injured again, he would surely die.

He danced on the edge of death. The natural fear of death in the Child of Desire boiled uncontrollably, causing his limbs to feel icy cold and his whole body to go numb. Shi Jingzhi was drenched in cold sweat. His pupils were dilating, and his hand holding the sword trembled incessantly.

Yet, he charged at the regenerating True Immortal time and time again, trying to make the poison fire burn longer.

The True Immortal was much harder to burn than they imagined. Although the Hanging Tree was set on fire, the True Immortal suppressed the black flames through rapid regeneration, only suffering burns but still showing signs of life.

If they couldn’t burn the True Immortal completely, at best they could only inflict minor burns on the Hanging Tree. Within decades or even years, the Hanging Tree would recover. Such a strategy could only succeed once; next time, the True Immortal would be prepared, and getting close would be harder than ascending to the heavens.

They had no way out.

Two fists were not match for four hands*. The wounds on Shi Jingzhi’s body increased while the True Immortal was getting further and further away from him. The battle had lasted for hours, and he was utterly exhausted, with the black flames on his sword weakening significantly.

*(双拳到底难敌四手) Idiom referring one person can’t defeat two.

With Jiang and Qu guarding him, the True Immortal got a moment to breathe. He absorbed a large amount of nearby Threads of Worries, and its sprawling roots retracted into the ground. The burning branches curl up into balls, keeping the poison fire on the outermost layer.

Although still aflame, its flesh slowly regenerated. Conversely, blood-red roots climbed up Yin Ci’s bones, struggling to gather and take shape in the black fire. The moist wasteland reverted to its original state, with rain-soaked mud looking like swamps and deformed corpses lying next to rotten roots. On the wasteland, there was no twisted “flesh forest”; only house-sized root balls, faintly visible in the poisonous fire.

As the Threads of Worries faded, Yan Qing and Shi Zhongyu finally appeared. Those like Su Si, standing further away, were okay, but Yan Qing was too close to the center of the battlefield. His clothes were drenched in blood. If not for relying on the Sword of Compassion, he’d look like he was about to collapse in the mud.

Outside reinforcements were in disarray, Yin Ci was immobile, and Shi Jingzhi was extremely weak. Everywhere was desolate and filled with the aura of death.

The momentum of the mortals was declining.

“You… have… talent…” The True Immortal finally manages to barely maintain a human form. Its lips hadn’t grown back, but its burned tongue had just regenerated. Because his damaged gums were still exposed, it made his speech somewhat unclear. “If you… wish to become immortal… What a pity…”

Shi Jingzhi took a deep breath, with only a thin layer of flame left on the Hanging Shadow Sword. His long hair was soaked in blood, his collar was messy, and his exposed skin was covered in bloodstains and ashes. His breathing was weak and fragmented, with life fading like a dying candle.

Behind him, Yin Ci leaned on a flagpole, trying to stand up. Yin Ci seemed to be at the end of the Hanging Tree; his burn wounds appeared even more horrifying than the True Immortal’s. His leg muscles were dry and cracked. As he tried to stand, his bones collapsed to the ground. The once-mighty general now looked like a butterfly stripped of its wings—fragile and ugly.

The master and disciple of the Kushan Sect, whether in appearance or situation, were in a pitiable state. The vastness of the world highlighted their insignificance and desperation.

“I will destroy all wushu mines and carefully cultivate the next generation of Child of Desire,” Qu Duanyun said coldly, realizing that Shi Jingzhi was no longer taking action. “Next time, even if we test their intentions, we won’t let the Child of Desire come in contact with ‘outsiders’.”

To assess the “quality” of a Child of Desire, love and hate, life and death were essential. Next time, they would make sure to handle those emotions as well.

Jiang Youyue sighed in relief, then said solemnly, “It’s my fault that they found a loophole this time.”

“It’s… okay…” The True Immortal’s head was still burning, but within the black fire, a pair of green eyes stood out. “The great Child of Desire… truly exceptional…”

It sighed deeply, raising its burning hand towards the sky. The broken clouds gathered again, and a heavy rainstorm ensued. The ground continued to tremble, with mud dragons moving forward.

The corpses of the Immortal Assembly members shakily rose, their broken limbs swinging limply. Like the time with Wu Huai at the Chigou Sect, “vine-like jade people” of various sizes emerged from the corpses’ mouths. They appear weaker, seemingly underdeveloped, their dry arms stretching towards Shi Jingzhi.

Shi Jingzhi, a mere mortal, couldn’t possibly escape. Though Yin Ci couldn’t die, with the heavy blow that the Hanging Tree just suffered, his threat level was greatly reduced. The situation was extremely perilous. Just as Shi Jingzhi seemed about to be overwhelmed by the True Immortal’s puppets, Jiang Youyue finally felt relieved. He fixed his disheveled hair, standing tall and straight.

Qu Duanyun heaved a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat off his face. “You turned a perfectly safe path into a deadly trap. How could you think of destroying the True Immortal with your power alone? Even if you were to ambush, you should’ve chosen a more appropriate place.”

Choosing such a barren land for setting the trap was clearly not well thought out.

Shi Jingzhi remained silent, seemingly devoid of fighting spirit. Raindrops rolled down his cheeks, and the black flame on his Hanging Shadow Sword dimmed once again, nearly extinguishing. Expressionless, he stepped back and gently held up Yin Ci’s battered body, holding him close.

“Zizhu, I…”

His voice was drowned out by the pouring rain.

The jade-like puppets were only ten steps away from them. In a matter of moments, Shi Jingzhi would be torn into shreds and then buried deep beneath the mud—

Fwish.

In the midst of the thunderstorm, this soft sound was nearly overshadowed. Qu Duanyun felt a numbing sensation on his shoulder, followed by an indescribable cold and weakness. His vision blurred, and he fell to his knees.

A poisoned arrow.

Despite the heavy rain, no presence approached; the archer must be quite distant. Only one person with such archery skills came to Qu Duanyun’s mind. And he also knew only one person capable of such a treacherous and venomous act.

Taiheng’s Yu Zikuan, and the Ling Sect’s Yan Zheng.

Was this a desperate struggle, a reckless act of bravery, or had the Child of Desire’s counterattack just begun?

Jiang Youyue was quick to react. He quickly cast a spell to mask his presence with mist. Mortal poison couldn’t harm the True Immortal. Jiang Youyue remained in place, continuing to control the puppets.

However, that single arrow was like a faint light in the fireworks.

Soon after, countless unfamiliar presences approached from all directions. The rumbling of the mud dragons ceased, replaced by the clear and righteous chanting of Buddhists scriptures. Pillars of bright light shone from afar, and numerous battle formations activated. The endless clouds were torn apart, revealing a clear blue sky.

A black horse charged into the group of puppets, exuding a powerful aura. As they observed their surroundings, Su Si was the first to arrive, piercing through the vine puppets with blade-like precision.

He took a slight detour on his way, scooping up the well-rested Yan Qing, who had been pretending to be severely injured. This time, Yan Qing didn’t hold back. Seated behind Su Si, he wielded his sword, displaying a more unrestrained and wild aura.

The third stance of the Jade Chime Sword technique: “Opening Gold and Stone”.

With a long whistle from Yan Qing, his Sword of Compassion trembled, emanating a faint golden glow. A gust of wind emerged, thundering like a surprise tempest or an uprising mountain. His young, solemn aura broke free, transforming into pure majesty.

The duo communicated without words, their coordination impeccable. The black horse leaped over the heads of the Kushan Sect’s master and disciple, releasing a powerful sword intent, instantly blowing away the puppets. A multitude of presences rapidly approached; there were thousands, all from the martial world.

Things were about to get worse.

Qu Duanyun pulled out the long arrow, trying to stand. But the poison from the Ling Sect was intricately venomous, and despite his unique abilities, he struggled. Jiang Youyue gritted his teeth, continuing his attack without rest. But even with his potent magic, Su Si blocked everything using treasures from the Chigou Sect. He had a large bundle of precious artifacts, using and discarding them as if they were cheap commodities.

“Apologies.”

The bastard said with a grin.

“Since I’ve become a Demonic Lord, it’s only right to splurge a bit.”

The move “Opening Gold and Stone” nearly exhausted all of Yan Qing’s vital qi. He didn’t fall, instead holding onto Su Si’s waist with one hand and wielding the Sword of Compassion with the other, continuing to fend off the approaching puppets.

The puppets that were blown away were immediately subdued by the first wave of “external reinforcements”—all were disciples of the Chigou Sect, stationed at various strongholds. Among them were many new members indoctrinated from the Ling Sect, all displaying a touch of madness in their actions. The members of the demonic sect couldn’t defeat the enchanted puppets one-on-one, so they ganged up and brutally dismembered them.

The next to arrive were the monks.

It wasn’t just the monks from the Jianchen Temple who arrived; the Jianchen Temple, as the head of all temples, had astonishingly persuasive power. The monks all wore impassive faces, continuously chanting their mantras. This time, it was a case of many ants biting an elephant to death. The True Immortal was already severely injured and hadn’t recovered. The ability to command wind and rain was confined to a tiny area, and he couldn’t unleash the Threads of Worries or his root tendrils.

The dark flames on him had not yet been extinguished, so he focused his attacks on Shi Jingzhi and Yin Ci. Unexpectedly, the third wave of reinforcements arrived shortly thereafter—the Taiheng Sect brought nearly a thousand people this time. Just among the elders, there were over a dozen, and they also brought many smaller sects that were affiliated with Taiheng. They rushed over from another direction, clearly intending to protect the master and disciple.

There were those who restrained with their spells, those who actively attacked, and those who supported and defended. It was clear that this had been planned in advance, but… it seemed impossible.

Qu Duanyun tried hard to stay lucid, but his thoughts became increasingly bewildered.

When did the two foxes from the Kushan Sect start their scheming? They had just told Monk Juehui and Protector Hua to leave, so how could the martial arts circle prepare so quickly?

Although the matter of the Hanging Tree was leaked by the Yueshui Pavilion, it was incredibly elusive. How could they possibly persuade so many people to risk their lives?

After the True Immortal indiscriminately attacked earlier, the officials and soldiers of the Immortal Assembly were either killed or injured. Facing an encirclement of nearly ten thousand people, they were reduced to just three individuals.

“With my strength alone, I indeed cannot burn the True Immortal.”

Shi Jingzhi slowly revealed a twisted smile, yet it was incredibly sincere.

“So, we invited more people—mortals, after all, are fragile and mundane. I ask for your patience.”

“You will die.”

Qu Duanyun gritted his teeth, his vision growing dark.

“You… even as a Child of Desire, disregarded your own life… With the Hanging Tree gone, Yin Zizhu will also die. What do you truly desire…”

However, he was too shocked by the scene before him to finish his sentence.

Shi Zhongyu had also regained her breath, leading the disciples of Taiheng to protect the two. The True Immortal’s assault was so fierce that the superior Taiheng Sect could barely withstand his intricate spells. Meanwhile, over a dozen elders stood behind Shi Jingzhi, infusing him with their vital qi.

A Child of Desire was inherently weak due to an excess of vital qi. Was this man not afraid of death?!

“I won’t die, and Zizhu won’t die either.”

Shi Jingzhi supported Yin Ci, who was still burning with dark flames, his body broken and battered, but his eyes sharp enough to send chills down one’s spine.

This time, Qu Duanyun clearly heard the words previously drowned out by the rain.

“Zizhu, I’m ready.”

The author has something to say:

Sect Master Shi: I want it all, I want it all!

Demonic Lord Yin nods approvingly (?

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 152: Blood Guide

The True Immortal blinked his eyes, and his face became numb. He was taken aback for a moment but didn’t respond to Yin Ci. Instead, his hand continued to reach out towards Shi Jingzhi.

“Last time we were talking and laughing, but now you’re so indifferent. Brother Sun, this isn’t like you.”

Yin Ci increased the force in his grip. The True Immortal’s brows furrowed, and immediately, the hand of Yin Ci was bound and torn by thin roots, exposing white bones. However, Yin Ci’s face remained calm, seemingly feeling no pain.

Blood-red tendrils climbed up the exposed bone, transforming into flesh. Yin Ci’s hand was restored to its original state in front of the True Immortal. The True Immortal paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the red tendrils before settling on Yin Ci.

When the two Hanging Tree clashed, the results were even better than they had expected. Perhaps the effect was too good that the True Immortal didn’t even bother to argue verbally. The surrounding roots made explosive noises, all aiming at Yin Ci, obviously intending to tear him to pieces. The rain collected on the tangled threads splashed high, making it seem like a water battle on the wasteland.

“Jingzhi!”

With a shout from Yin Ci, the two switched weapons. Yin Ci wielded the “Medicine Cures Illness” flag, generating a whirlwind like a sword qi, while Shi Jingzhi covered the Hanging Shadow Sword in golden flames, radiating brilliant arcs of light.

Unlike their first encounter with the True Immortal, this time the golden flames contained a hint of black. The True Immortal instinctively stepped back, his root-like tentacles retracting, shielding him in the center. However, upon realizing the feebleness of the flames, his tense face slowly relaxed.

Compared to the enormous Hanging Tree, this flame wasn’t even significant.

“…Is it wushu ore?” His tone was calm. “Just by obtaining some ore slag, you think you can oppose the Hanging Tree?”

Jiang Youyue, who had been holding his breath, finally exhaled.

So, they knew the use of wushu ore. Unfortunately, Yin Zizhu was too arrogant.

The Hanging Tree, after all, was a living entity of the world. There were naturally many things that could counter it. Over three hundred years, the True Immortal had exterminated all animals that gnawed on its roots and destroyed the mines that poisoned the tree. Compared to those that could directly harm the tree, wushu ore was the least harmful—it was hard to refine and required intense golden fire to ignite its toxic fire capable of injuring the Hanging Tree.

So, they left it for last.

For nearly a hundred years, the Immortal Assembly used both soft and hard tactics to abandon all remaining mine sites in Great Yun and recalled all wushu ore products on the market. Even if one or two were lost outside, they posed no threat.

Jiang Youyue, riding the wriggling Threads of Worries, reverted to his regular magic.

Vapor turned to fog, and rain threads turned to ice. Sharp ice pellets rained down from the sky. Shi Jingzhi shivered, and the flames around him dimmed. Nearby, Yan Qing and Shi Zhongyu seemed to be at a disadvantage, clumsily cutting through the Threads of Worries, retreating towards Yin Ci.

Ordinary people couldn’t see the Three Thousand Threads of Worries, but they could see the droplets and ice on them. The threads churned, gradually forming a white layer. They lay on the wasteland, soft and round like cotton, covering all the wild grass and bloodstains. If one ignored the ghostly semi-transparent roots, the scene was somewhat peaceful.

At first glance, it looked like snow in deep winter.

Yin Ci controlled the sword qi with the flag, his moves were desperate. He was surrounded by menacing roots and didn’t dare to jump, only spinning laboriously in the “snow”. His sword qi sliced through the True Immortal’s robe and flesh. The next moment, the flesh regenerated, and the robe mended itself.

Following his movements, Shi Jingzhi clumsily danced with his sword. The two supported each other, reminiscent of a duo dance. Wherever Yin Ci’s sword went, Shi Jingzhi’s flames followed.

The tree’s roots instinctively feared the black flame, slowing down. A deep gash appeared on the True Immortal’s abdomen. Glowing green blood dripped out incessantly, absorbed by the Threads of Worries.

The edges of the wound were charred, healing slowly.

“It’s better for you both to give up. What can you achieve with this pointless struggle?” Jiang Youyue coldly said. “Shi Jingzhi, are you still so deluded? What ‘family’? He just wants to use you as bait for a desperate fight!”

If they could persuade Shi Jingzhi to retreat, the golden flame would diminish, and the True Immortal’s roots would instantly shred Yin Ci. By the time he recovered, they would have long escaped with the Child of Desire.

However, that Child of Desire showed no hesitation and continued to wield the dark toxic flame with a deep smile. More and more translucent roots gathered, forming a dense black mist around the master and disciple.

It looked like a black lotus blooming on the snow.

The situation was dire, and momentum lost. With the True Immortal ahead and demons surrounding them, Yin Ci’s clothes were torn and stained with blood, which was washed chaotically by the icy rain. Shi Jingzhi, on the other hand, looked slightly better, but his neatly tied long hair was drenched and disheveled, making him look extremely miserable. The situation seemed utterly hopeless, yet the two of them acted more relaxed, as if all of this was just a pleasant dream.

They wore faint smiles on the corners of their lips.

Given the circumstances, such complacency appeared utterly mad. Jiang Youyue had seen many who were at their wit’s end, but the reactions of these two were truly unusual, sending chills down his spine.

Why could Yin Ci still manage to smile?

Why did the Child of Desire trust him so much?

…If the bond between the two was truly unbreakable, their whole act was probably designed to lure out the True Immortal. But with just a tiny spark, what could they possibly achieve? To slay the True Immortal? The True Immortal was connected to the hanging tree!

They—

Distracted, Jiang Youyue momentarily lowered his guard. The master and disciple duo, looking as if they were a single entity, charged with all their strength towards the True Immortal. The latter, despising the black fire, tried to evade, but was suddenly grabbed by Yin Ci.

Yin Ci and Shi Jingzhi separated. They acted as if sharing one body and turned sharply. Half of Yin Ci’s body was instantly pierced by roots. Clenching his fist covered in blood and flesh, he directly punched into the wound in the True Immortal’s abdomen.

This punch didn’t contain the black fire, and the True Immortal didn’t even flinch. On the contrary, once separated from Shi Jingzhi’s protective circle, Yin Ci was caught by a root, nearly flayed to the bone. Suspended in mid-air by the root, blood continuously dripped from his toes, forming a thin stream. The absorbing Threads of Worries couldn’t keep up, gradually becoming stained a dull red.

Yin Ci, covered in blood, reached out and tore at the root before lunging at the True Immortal. A gust of sword wind emerged, and a bloody rain fell towards the True Immortal. The latter frowned, raising his hand to deliver a final blow to the battered figure before him.

Jiang Youyue was overjoyed, almost instantly redirecting his spell entirely at Yin Ci. Shi Jingzhi ignited the black and gold flame, rapidly charging towards Yin Ci—

The Hanging Shadow Sword, ablaze with roaring flames, pierced through Yin Ci’s chest.

The sword penetrated from the back of Yin Ci, protruding from the front, its tip stopping at the True Immortal’s chest. At first, the golden flame burned away fragments of Yin Ci’s clothing, exuding scorching heat. But soon, the flame turned black, gently touching the cloth, occasionally wet droplets passing through the fire, falling to the ground.

It was eerily quiet, like death itself.

Yin Ci immediately spat out a mouthful of blood, covering most of the True Immortal’s face. The red tendrils were scorched by the black flame, instantly withering. Yin Ci’s recovery slowed significantly. From one side, he looked like a bloody skeleton.

But he was smiling, laughing amidst the blood and black fire. His hands was like a curse, clutching the True Immortal while his fingers sank deep into his flesh.

The sword that came out of Yin Ci’s chest caught the True Immortal off guard. The blade sunk several inches into his chest, causing a terrifying burn. He tried to break free but was pinned by Yin Ci’s sacrificial grip. The two were so close that their black fires fed off each other, together forming a pitch-black fireball. The True Immortal didn’t scream but stood stiff; its surrounding roots also freezing, resembling a startled beast.

The scene was so absurd that Jiang Youyue held his breath, almost forgetting how to cast his spells.

Did the Child of Desire finally betray, or…

Shi Jingzhi seemed to have noticed Jiang Youyue’s gaze, turning his head and silently mouthing to him.

“Boom.” Shi Jingzhi’s lips touched.

He put in extra force, and the blazing black fireball exploded instantly, like a pitch-black sun rising from the ground.

In the overwhelming darkness, Shi Jingzhi’s smile was radiant yet cold. For a moment, two shadowy figures, a man and a woman, appeared behind him, both laughing wickedly. Jiang Youyue tried to get a closer look, but the shadows dissipated like mist, as if they had never existed.

From that one sword, a poisonous fire spread everywhere, soon engulfing the sky.

The golden fire was intensely scorching, but once it burned through the wushu ore, the black fire that emerged wasn’t blazing hot. Flames spread everywhere, swaying continuously, and the entire wasteland was embraced by the black flames. The world seemed to have been shattered into fragments, with only sporadic light remaining. Although it was still daytime, this place seemed to have descended into night, with a bone-deep darkness everywhere.

For a moment, the only sound was the crackling of the sinister fire.

The black fire consumed relentlessly, and the Three Thousand Threads of Worries melted like snow. Transparent roots curled madly, making a sizzling sound. The dark clouds in the sky churned wildly, and the heavy rain ceased. The rumbling mudslides lost their momentum, halting at the foot of the mountain.

In Jiang Youyue’s eyes, the bare branches each seemed to be pressed against the ground, rolling in what appeared to be immense pain. For reasons unknown, the Hanging Tree seemed to be undergoing tremendous suffering. The True Immortal, influenced by it, began to contort, unable to maintain his handsome human form. He staggered and fell, but Yin Ci didn’t let go. He lunged forward with his sword.

Around Yin Ci, it was as if black flames covered him, making him appear like a mere living skeleton within those eerie fires. Yet even in such a state, he tightened his embrace, imprisoning the True Immortal closely within his arms.

The black fire burned even more fiercely, causing the ground to constantly shake. Shi Jingzhi, disheveled, found the black flames on his Hanging Shadow Sword growing stronger.

He walked towards the burning Yin Ci step by step. Kneeling beside him, he reached through the black flames, almost gently caressing Yin Ci’s bones. Then, Shi Jingzhi pulled out his sword and, changing to a more lethal angle, struck fiercely. This time, the Hanging Shadow Sword pinned both Yin Ci and the True Immortal together.

Just as Qu Duanyun was about to capitalize on the situation, he was taken aback by the scene. Without minding Yan Qing close by, his eyes were bloodshot.

“Master!”

Jiang Youyue was hardly better than Qu Duanyun. Flames, wrapped around the massive roots, rose from the ground. The Imperial Preceptor’s magic was like pouring a cup of water onto a blazing fire—completely ineffective.

The True Immortal needed to recover quickly. Clenching his teeth, Jiang Youyue took out a withered immortal hand and quickly cast a spell. Surely, Shi Jingzhi had used some cunning trick. By investigating, he would recognize the residue of the technique. As long as he could…

Jiang Youyue’s expression froze.

He identified the technique, and it wasn’t unique to Shi Jingzhi. It had existed for a long time and was simple enough that even the lower ranks of the Immortal Assembly could learn it. During the previous chaos of looking for the Shirou, he had used it countless times.

It was the curse of the Twin Roots.

“I’ve been informed. ‘When the Twin Roots is divided into two, one part is placed externally on flesh and blood, and the other is consumed by the blood’s master, forming a connection. With this connection, the two are linked, sharing life and death.’…”

Shi Jingzhi mouthed the words silently.

“At the time, it was said that if the connection was burned by fire, the blood’s master would also burn to death. Now it seems to be true.”

‘Impossible,’ Jiang Youyue thought in a daze.

The Hanging Tree grew underground, its bare branches untouchable. It was impossible for it to consume the Twin Roots like a human. Unless someone merged with the tree, becoming one with it, and willingly swallowed the Twin Roots.

No, that’s not right. Jiang Youyue suddenly felt cold sweat pouring out, his hands shaking uncontrollably.

Such a person did exist, and there was only one in the world. The Great Yun Hanging Tree had grown for nearly a thousand years, and only one incident occurred—

It was Yin Ci, the “Root of Calamity”, who merged with the tree’s roots.

Fear surged, and everything clicked. For a behemoth like the Hanging Tree, regular flesh couldn’t act as a blood guide. Even one branch wouldn’t suffice; the flesh needed to be significant.

Like the True Immortal, as the fruit of the hanging tree, who controlled countless roots.

Realizing this, Jiang Youyue’s vision darkened. This nearly impossible situation was unfolding before him. With that punch earlier, Yin Ci likely inserted the Twin Roots into the True Immortal’s body. The Root of Calamity didn’t give the True Immortal any time to react, as the black fire followed immediately.

The curse was complete, and the True Immortal had become the blood guide.

If he was completely burned, the damage would also be transferred to the Hanging Tree. The Hanging Shadow Sword couldn’t burn down thousands of miles of landscape, but burning the True Immortal wasn’t impossible. Jiang Youyue felt numb, with a heavy bitterness in his mouth. For decades, he had never tasted such panic.

For over a century, the Immortal Assembly cultivated the perfect “Imperial Celestial”. Generations considered setbacks and even the possibility of failure. As long as the Hanging Tree existed, they believed they’d find a way to coexist. It was just a tree—silent, dangerous, but manageable.

They never considered the possibility of “losing the Hanging Tree”.

…Whose nation was it really that fell to this national calamity?

Shi Jingzhi exerted his full strength, and the enraging fire reflected a dark hue in his amber eyes. He smiled, but his eyes held no mirth, only an overwhelming murderous intent.

“What’s wrong?”

Shi Jingzhi’s smile was gentle as spring, even as his hand, which caressed Yin Ci, trembled. Surrounded by black flames, he seemed both alluring and sinister, with the flames swaying like the tails of a monster.

“It’s just the curse of the Twin Roots. Lord Jiang, it’s a move you clearly taught us.”

The author has something to say:

Imperial Preceptor’s Lineage: Cultivates trees to bear fruit; writes papers.

Imperial Preceptor’s Lineage: Hmm, this Queen Lan Fruit won’t do, almost had an accident; this Budu Fruit won’t do either, it’s gone bad on the branch; this one! This Jingzhi Fruit will do.

Imperial Preceptor’s Lineage: So happy. The paper can finally be written.

The next day.

Imperial Preceptor’s Lineage: ? Where’s the tree?

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