Chapter 403: No Respite on the Path of Death

Chapter 403: The Dead End Cannot Be Left

Above the Jiejing City guard post, a circular fire sea an acre in extent boiled like a cauldron, fistsized flames constantly raining down; fortunately this spot is at the city's fringe, for otherwise the fire would have engulfed many common folk.

At the fire sea's edge, Luo Tian stepped on wind talismans, swiftly shifting his position; three miniature gilt talismans hovered at the three flower positions on his shoulders and head, no larger than a fingertip, yet they flared with scorching light like the columned weapons wielded when the great crane attacked the fortress of Dogshan.

Gate of the Dark, Golden Talisman: Moth!

Heat waves surged, and lightning crackled.

Armored in black, Li Jun strolled leisurely within the fire sea, like a cat pawing a mouse, forcing Luo Tian to flee in all directions; wherever his fist fell, lightning shattered and the flames waned.

'Brother Luo Tian!'

Shouts rose from the ground, urgent and overlapping, even the crackling gunfire could not be suppressed.

Whoosh!

A piercing whoosh from behind, a stinging prickling on Li Jun's back; he turned his head slightly, his peripheral vision catching a glimpse behind.

It was evident that the disciples of the Dark Mountain cared nothing for Luo Yun's safety, clashing with the Jin Yi while hurling a dense rain of carved talismans toward Li Jun.

'You lot of fellow disciples, truly loyal and righteous.'

Li Jun's tone was mocking; his speed surged, the swirling wind pressing the surrounding flames into a pause, tearing a wide path through the fire sea, and in an instant he collided with Luo Tian.

Bang!

Li Jun's fist smashed a thunder talisman, and amid flashing lightning his tiger-like finger struck the swallow-tail shield before Luo Tian, shattering the hard shield.

Shards of broken iron slashed across Luo Tian's head, like a blade cleaving his bound jade crown of serene lotus, his black hair whirled wildly, leaving him disheveled.

Luo Tian's eyes were uncertain; the wind talisman beneath his feet spun rapidly, whirling a turbulent vortex that lifted his body as he retreated hurriedly, seeking to increase the distance from Li Jun.

Alas, his quick reaction was no match for Li Jun's even swifter speed.

At this distance Li Jun could not let a Dao sequence slip from his grasp; his five fingers hooked, seizing Luo Tian's robe collar, twisting his torso backward and hurling him into the torrent of flying talismans!

'The generous intentions of your Dark Mountain are beyond what a mere hundred households can bear; Master, you should take it yourself!'

Amid mocking laughter, the inverted Luo Tian, his face iron-colored and grim, flicked his fingers, releasing two wind talismans from the star points on his robe's back, dampening the thrust while forcing a half‑air twist to reorient himself.

Facing a downpour of talismans, golden light ignited in Luo Tian's eyes; his hands formed a complex seal at his chest and pressed forward with fierce force.

The secret lies in the aperture.

Since the recent Ming era, as the Yellow Millet Dream and the Brain Machine Spirit Aperture progressed, the hand seals, incantations, and spells employed by Dao sequences are no longer feigned mysticism or superstitious tricks, but genuine keys that activate and command various magical artifacts.

Countless hand seals and spells intertwine, forming a vast library of Dao techniques as boundless as the sea.

Even the yin‑yang sequence famed as the Yellow Millet Rat cannot fully decipher all its combinations.

Various sects within the Dao sequence further rearrange the secret library, creating unique methods known only to their own disciples.

Words give rise to law; commands are obeyed.

As Luo Tian's seal took shape, the surging talismans struck an invisible wall, their flight slowed, the talismans trembled, and the twisting dragon‑snake Dao patterns gradually steadied.

'Seal!'

Sweating profusely, Luo Tian let out a low command, and dozens of carved talismans returned from activation to a silent suspension before him.

'This ox‑nosed one truly wields two fine brushes; he feels stronger than Chen Qisheng by far.'

The Prince of Horses sighed, yet Li Jun replied in a low voice, 'That may not be the case.'

'How so?'

Li Jun clasped his shoulders and said slowly, 'This Luo Tian hails from the Dark Mountain and is a Five‑Star Spirit Official; compared to Chen Qisheng's Six‑Mountain Water Scholar, he stands a step higher, and his moves are undoubtedly more powerful. Yet in a same‑sequence duel, I doubt he could best Chen Qisheng.'

The Prince of Horses asked perplexedly, 'Why? Because Chen Qisheng is an old‑fashioned cultivator?'

'It has nothing to do with the sequence path; Chen Qisheng is simply more ruthless than they are!'

Li Jun lowered his gaze upon the blood‑soaked figure on the ground, still standing tall.

'Although he bore a name bestowed by Heaven's mercy, granting longevity, he engaged in blood‑soaked, life‑stealing deeds; on that alone, how can anyone compare with him?'

Seemingly sensing the gaze from above, the scarred Chen Qisheng lifted his head, his red‑black visage breaking into a gleeful smile.

'Those who treat their own lives as paramount often meet the swiftest demise.'

'This is a twisted doctrine of your martial sequence, not the true scripture of the Dao sequence.'

The Prince of Horses yawned, 'Enough talk; this Luo Tian looks ready to reveal a trump card—be careful, lest we capsize in this narrow ditch and become the laughingstock.'

Li Jun lifted his eyes, seeing Luo Tian forming seals, his body sweating like syrup, his pallid face flushed with an unusual crimson glow.

'Law of Yellow Mystery, Spiritual Treasure Talisman, swift as a decree!'

Luo Tian's face contorted, he rose, arms raised, thrusting forward like a spear, hurling a fierce strike at Li Jun!

Behind him, a dense tide of carved talismans surged forward like an angry wave.

'All the essential details have been mastered; should we meet another Dao sequence that plays with talismans, we shall know how to slay it.'

Li Jun's nostrils flared, a white vapor swirled between his mouth and nose, faintly echoing with the cries of dragons and tigers.

'Since he has no other tricks, let's stop playing; it's time to finish this.'

'I've been waiting for you to say that!'

Devour dragon and tiger.

Zhong Lou, arise!

Li Hua, with twin horn‑like braids, leapt onto Li Jun's shoulder, her small face solemn, raising thumb and index finger to mimic a gun gesture toward Luo Tian.

'Bang!'

With a childlike voice ringing, Li Jun darted through the remaining fire, igniting a towering, terrifying flame wave that surged forward, brazenly striking the talismans.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

With fierce wind, angry thunder, and raging fire, all the talismans exploded, vying to engulf the indomitable silhouette.

The entire Jiejing City could hear this earth‑shaking explosion.

It seemed a celestial being had descended, swearing to slay this bold demon!

Li Jun's forward charge showed no wavering; every intimidating shadow became the noisy backdrop behind him.

'Armed warrior, all shall perish!'

Perhaps recalling painful past events, Luo Tian's face hardened, his eyebrows sharp as knives slanting inward, his black hair whipping in the wind, his midnight‑black robe shedding its former radiant stars, now exuding ruthless severity.

After becoming a Star‑Lord Spirit Official, Luo Tian abandoned conventional talismans; now, without using miniature ones, he solemnly drew a palm‑sized carved talisman from his sleeve and raised it to the heavens.

As the dragon‑snake patterns on the talisman's surface ignited, it cracked with a snap, and a torrent of yellowish foam surged forth, engulfing Li Jun's fist.

Gate of the Dark, Earth Talisman: Void!

In an instant, Li Jun's silhouette was swallowed by the murky wave of foam, leaving only scattered crimson glimmers floating within.

'Seal!'

Luo Tian clenched his five fingers, causing the surging murky wave to solidify into an irregular earth block that imprisoned Li Jun's body.

Two azure wind talismans shot forth, lodging beneath the earth block and soaring straight into the heavens.

Having done all this, Luo Tian’s complexion showed not the slightest ease; rather, it grew ever paler, the golden light in his pupils dimming considerably.

This Xiangtu Talisman of his could only temporarily trap this Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Indeed, had he not held back this talisman until the very last moment, he likely wouldn't have managed to seal the man at all.

Luo Tian knew this clearly in his heart; therefore, his true killing move lay not in this Xiangtu Talisman.

But high above the nine heavens, beyond the chasm of the universe!

*Crack. Crack. Crack.*

The clods of earth borne on the Wind Talisman swayed incessantly, their surfaces splitting open with fissures one after another, the sound of fracturing unceasing.

Li Jun’s escape was but the blink of an eye!

"The Dao Ancestor dwells in the Universe; Heavenly Soldiers circle their orbits. Heavenly Thunder rumbles; Earthly Thunder murmurs. Demon stars and evil ghosts, ancient cave spirits—harassing as calamities, I command the Thunder to settle them!"

As Luo Tian’s resonant recitation rang out, the world instantly underwent a cataclysmic shift, like a drop of ink falling into a pool—the azure sky abruptly turning into black night.

Dark clouds surged ceaselessly above the firmament, jostling to form a colossal funnel, at whose tail hung a star of utmost brilliance!

With a sudden flash of starlight, a bolt of lightning flared and vanished.

It illuminated the upturned faces on the ground a ghastly white, and reflected in Luo Tian’s eyes a fierce, icy radiance!

*Boom. Rumble.*

Amidst the thunderclaps, a torrential downpour unexpectedly poured over Ji Lu City, cascading down.

"This ox-nose actually possesses such high-level authority? This is disastrous."

Chen Qisheng wiped the rain from his face, his expression utterly bleak.

Presently, the lightning retreated, and the sound of shattering rock and earth erupted violently from the darkness amidst the chaotic, drifting rain!

"The Supreme Lord has decreed; I am commanded to execute."

The incantation, brimming with august heavenly might, came to an abrupt halt. A patch of shadow fell before Luo Tian, obscuring all the divine light in his eyes.

"Seems your ranking among the Earth Immortals of White Jade Capital isn't low. The spectacle you stirred up looks quite terrifying, pity your movements are just too slow!"

Li Jun clamped his tiger’s mouth around Luo Tian’s throat, hoisting him up with a single arm.

The grip tightened; a great gush of milky-white synthetic blood instantly sprayed from Luo Tian’s mouth and nose.

"Ge... Zao... Shan..." Luo Tian’s lips moved.

"Won't let me go?"

Li Jun took up the words, a cold smile on his lips: "No need for you to let go. If those gods above your head have any objections, tell them to come find me. I’ll be waiting!"

Luo Tian’s lips ceased their trembling, unexpectedly curling into a faint, contemptuous sneer; the light in his eyes rapidly faded.

"This grandson is trying to escape!"

Chen Qisheng’s roar came from the ground. Li Jun’s heart skipped a beat; the Wuchang Register ring on his right middle finger flickered with a gloomy light, probing a strand of black thread that viciously pierced into Luo Tian’s seven orifices.

"Wuchang Register? Can't stop me."

Luo Tian seemed to rally in a final flash of lucidity. His ten fingers dug desperately into Li Jun’s arm, fingernails shattering against skin hard as iron, his blood-red eyes fierce as a wolf.

"I won't die... but you are doomed to calamity! The day Su Ce dies... is the day you're buried with him."

The very instant Luo Tian’s eyes dimmed completely, a figure suddenly manifested behind him!

On the ground, Qiu Long, thrown by the momentum of his full-force toss, slammed heavily into the earth.

Chen Qisheng, soaring mid-air, seized Luo Tian’s collar with his left hand, and with his right slammed a talisman squarely onto his face.

"Still got the breath to spout ruthless words? The Embroidered Uniform Guard's methods failed, so let this Dao Master try the methods of Dragon Tiger Mountain!"

The melted cinnabar strokes formed rivulets of crimson, flowing along the hollows atop Luo Tian’s skull and the mechanical spirit aperture at the back of his head, boring into his brain.

Moments later, a 'Ban' character, written with the vigor of dragons and snakes, appeared on Luo Tian’s forehead. Simultaneously, the dim light in his eyes eerily reignited.

The scene resembled the strange myths of old—a wandering soul, departed from the body, returning to its flesh.

*Cluck. Cluck. Cluck.*

Throttled at the throat, Luo Tian seemed to have forgotten he no longer needed these organs to speak; at the juncture of life and death, he obeyed his genetic instinct, struggling incessantly.

"Good thing he didn't get away. Can kill him now. Old Li, remember—you have to extract the Dao Foundation. That’s the only way he dies thoroughly."

Having spoken, the weary-faced Chen Qisheng loosened his five fingers, shut his eyes tight, and let himself plummet toward the ground.

Below, the Gezao Mountain Dao Sequences had long since turned into black shadows, scattering in flight.

Qiu Long, covered in blood blisters from the scorching flames, jerked his chin at Zhongjia. The latter hurried to Chen Qisheng’s landing point, arms outstretched, catching the unconscious Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master.

"You aren't the first Solitary Martial Sequence. There's plenty of intel on you lot in the Gezao Mountain Grotto-Heaven, even living specimens. Spare my life, and I'll tell you everything I know!"

Only now did Luo Tian suddenly recall the vocal apparatus still embedded in his half-mechanical body, and hurriedly cried out: "Not just rituals! There are Martial Arts Injectors too—I can give them all to you."

Li Jun gave a slight nod. "Must admit, your terms are tempting. But alas..."

Luo Tian’s head, twisted by a broken neck, could only stare at the gloomy sky above. A frantic voice emanated from within his body: "If you fear Chen Qisheng's displeasure, I can negotiate with him! Flying swords, magic artifacts, elixirs—whatever he asks, I can satisfy all his conditions!"

"And... and the Ji Lu City Hundred-Household Institute, I can compensate for that too. I... I have money."

With the path of Corpse Dissolution blocked, Luo Tian’s desire for life burned with incomparable intensity.

"Money? Worthy of a Dao Sequence indeed. No more talismans falling like rain, but money piled like mountains."

Li Jun’s expression was disdainful, his gaze toward Luo Tian utterly indifferent: "But unfortunately... today, you stepped over the Embroidered Uniform Guard's threshold."

*Pu-chi!*

Daoist robe torn, body pierced through. A Dao Foundation, like a hibernating dragon, was crushed into bloody pulp.

"Regardless of which mountain peak of the Dao Sequence you hail from, no matter how many mountains of gold and silver you bring—today, you must die. No one can keep you alive!"