Chapter 561: Thick Health Defies Spells

Chapter 561: Blood Thick, Unafraid of Spellcraft

The Dragon-Tiger Mountain's "Formation Division" blessed land is a towering azure peak forever shrouded in thin mist.

Here the sun is forever caught at dawn, the stone-paved mountain path dampened by fog, and each step elicits a soft patter.

Xie Bian halted his steps, lifted his gaze to the summit; within the mist's depth, pavilions and towers dotted like stars, resembling celestial palaces flickering in a sea of clouds.

Yet as his gaze fell nearer, his eyes met countless humble caves hewn into the mountainside.

Having spent a lifetime's fortune to enter this blessed realm, still the immortals sit lofty on clouds while devotees burrow dwellings.

Truly ironic.

Xie Bian shook his head with a wry smile, and continued climbing the stone steps.

"Please stay, lay devotee; ascending further requires an additional offering of celestial essence."

A Daoist stepped forward to block the way.

Xie Bian, evidently prepared, without hesitation drew from his sleeve a stack of coins stamped with the Triple Pure Ones and handed them over.

The Daoist lowered his brows, eyes narrowed, as if verifying whether the celestial essence had entered the Formation Division's accounts.

After a moment, the Daoist lifted his head, smiled, and stepped aside to clear the path.

"Ah, you are a lay devotee from Qingping Daoist Temple; your karmic thread has arrived—please ascend the mountain."

Xie Bian bowed with clasped hands, then pressed on.

As the slope rose, the caves along the way gave way to thatched huts; before each door swirled a vortex flickering with faint light, as if linking to another realm beyond.

Each is a subsidiary dreamscape constructed upon the Formation Division's blessed land; stepping inside grants entry into a vivid, living world.

Those who can cultivate here are either rich or noble.

"Please stay, lay devotee."

Another Daoist barred the path, not to cut off, but to beg for alms.

"Do you still wish to go up the mountain, and must you pay extra?"

The Daoist smiled and nodded: "The lay devotee is wise. The immortals dwell on the summit; the nearer you wish to draw, the greater the requisite fortune."

"If I wish to enter the temple and seek audience with the immortals, how much karmic bond is required?"

The Daoist uttered a price that left one stunned.

Xie Bian honestly paid the full amount of celestial essence; with a single step he found himself standing before the temple gates.

"This service is truly excellent."

The uneven jade‑gray walls and glazed gold‑tile roofs stretch onward, bathed in the pale gold‑red of dawn, while sutra chants reverberate through the heavens.

A massive bronze cauldron stands in the courtyard's center, surrounded by flowing purple Daoist sigils that inspire instant reverence.

Yet Xie Bian kept his gaze forward, walking straight past the cauldron.

No need to ponder—burning incense inevitably demands karmic payment; and the celestial essence in his hand has been drained dry.

Xie Bian lifted his foot into the central hall; fortunately, no Daoist leapt out to impede him this time.

Upon the incense‑wreathed altar stands without doubt the venerable Patriarch of Dragon and Tiger.

Flanking it is a guardian deity in armor, draped in a scarlet vestment, eyes cold and brows furrowed, awe‑inspiring even without anger.

Having entered the Formation Division's blessed land via his identity as a Qingping Temple devotee, Xie Bian spared not a glance for the Patriarch, striding straight to face the guardian deity.

"I, Xie Bian of the Jinyi Guard of the Wa region, acting on behalf of Captain Li Jun, greet the chief of the Dragon‑Tiger Mountain Formation Division, the Celestial Master of Primordial Flame."

His clear voice rang through the vast hall, lingering without end.

After a moment, the statue remained a statue, offering no response whatsoever.

It seemed his sincerity was insufficient to move the spirits to manifest.

Yet Xie Bian's countenance remained composed, for he felt clearly that the instant he uttered his first word, strange changes began within the hall.

Wisps of mountain mist drifted in from outside, curling around his person.

It was as if a shield, yet also a binding.

"Why do you seek me?"

An irritated voice sounded from behind.

Xie Bian turned; a middle‑aged Daoist clad in a red robe stood behind him, unseen until now.

His features mirrored those of the guardian deity, leaving no doubt as to his identity.

"Xie Bian, I have met Daoist Master Xuanhuo."

The middle‑aged Daoist snorted coldly, his expression grim, repeating his question: "Why do you seek me?"

Xie Bian smiled: "Celestial Master, why feign ignorance? Naturally it is for your disciple, Yang Long."

"Dragon‑Tiger Mountain knows no Yang Long; only the traitor Zhao Yanlong. Moreover, he has long since severed ties with the Formation Division, and I, your humble servant, share no connection with him."

"Master, you truly wash your hands clean of him—but that is merely your own notion; would the Celestial Masters' Directorate see it the same way?"

Xie Bian replied calmly: "Or, put another way, given your knowledge of the Zhang clan, would they deem you innocent?"

"I have lived my life with integrity, open to heaven and earth; no judgment is needed. On the contrary, you, a low‑ranking nobody, dare to stir trouble within my Formation Division's blessed land—overestimating yourself. Believe it or not, I could slay you this instant!"

As Xuanhuo gave a low shout, the entire blessed land instantly shifted hue.

Dark clouds blotted out the sun, like a solitary surge rolling in from the horizon, swallowing the gold‑red dawn.

Within the hall, bright lanterns flared, casting eerie, ghostly shadows upon the floor that writhed toward Xie Bian.

*Click‑click‑click.*

The guardian deity upon the altar turned its head inch by inch, its gaze fixed upon the figure before it, the ritual implement in its hand lifting slowly, its feral aspect fully revealed.

Xuanhuo snarled: "To crush you is but to crush an ant."

"Compared to you, Master, I am indeed an ant; yet behind an ant swarms a pack of beasts that devour men and leave no bone."

Xie Bian's face bore contempt: "I stand right here—do you dare to kill me?"

"Li Jun will not last long; the Celestial Masters' Directorate will sooner or later exterminate him."

Xuanhuo's tone remained stern, yet the surrounding shadows merely encircled Xie Bian in the middle; the deity behind him chimed incessantly, but not a single strike landed upon him.

"If you are so certain, Master, then come—I shall bare my neck for the blade."

Xie Bian wore an air of nonchalance, making it clear he believed the other would not dare to act.

"You"

Xuanhuo's brows knit tight, then in an instant he flicked his sleeve: "I have no relation to Zhao Yanlong; he is he, I am I. I trust the Celestial Masters' Directorate will administer justice impartially, and I wish no entanglement with you—be gone."

The surrounding shadows dispersed, the bone‑chilling cold vanished completely, and Xie Bian regained his freedom of movement.

"Master, do you still recall Chen Qisheng?"

Xie Bian inquired.

"What do you mean?"

“Chen Qisheng was a Daoist child from the population base under Longhu's command, having joined the Fighting Department since childhood, essentially a direct lineage of Longhu Mountain, with almost no chance of betrayal. Yet merely because of a vacant position for an earthly immortal, the Zhang family drove him to desperation, even persecuting his master Xuan Dou.”

Xie Bian slowly said, “Even Chen Qisheng cannot escape calamity; Zhao Yanlong, taking possession as a remnant of Wudang, joined the Battle Department and cultivated under your banner for many years—do you think the Zhang clan will spare you? Do you think you are innocent? If you truly believe that, Reverend, you are far too naïve.”

“Don’t muddy the waters here; do you still think you know Xuan Dou’s affair better than I? He was wholly seeking his own death, not entirely because of his disciple Chen Qisheng.”

Xuan Huo’s words were icy, yet his tone involuntarily betrayed a harsh exterior masking inner weakness.

“As a high-ranking figure on Longhu Mountain, you naturally know more than I. So I ask, did Battle Department Master Zhao truly embezzle and take bribes, eating from within? If not because of Chen Qisheng, then why?”

Xuan Huo moved his lips, wanting to rebut, but held back, his expression somewhat dejected, yet he still shook his head and refused.

“No matter what you say, this poor Daoist will not cooperate with you; bury that thought.”

“As the saying goes, courtesy before force; earlier those were polite words, I was analyzing pros and cons with you. Since you don’t wish to listen, I will now speak less courteously.”

Xie Bian pressed step by step: “I offered immortal essence, linked this cave heaven, entered this Daoist temple, we met and talked. If the Heavenly Master’s Office learns of this, do you truly believe you can explain it clearly to them?”

Xuan Huo’s face changed instantly, killing intent radiating from his whole body.

“This is the Battle Department’s cave heaven; kill you, and all traces will naturally be erased! To threaten me this way is pure fantasy!”

“This is the Battle Department’s cave heaven; kill you, and all traces will naturally be erased! To threaten me this way is pure fantasy!”

“You merely have a little more authority; do you truly think you are omnipotent here?”

A mocking tone suddenly rang out.

Xuan Huo’s pupils shrank; his gaze swept past the smiling Xie Bian and fell upon the statue of the guardian deity.

The originally solemn and dignified statue revealed a human-like sneer, its ritual implement clattering to the ground with a “danglang” sound.

See the statue raise both hands, wiping past its temples.

“Xuan Huo, you are full of loopholes here; when you have a moment, you ought to patch them up.”

It was Zou Jiujiu!

Xuan Huo’s face darkened, gritting his teeth: “No wonder you act so fearlessly; it turns out you have a master behind you.”

“Reverend, you are still the master of this cave heaven; even with Zou’s protection, killing me would be easy.”

Xie Bian smiled: “But I am merely an insignificant low-ranking nominal; you have cultivated for centuries to attain your present status—exchanging lives with me would be a great loss.”

“What exactly do you want?” Xuan Huo snarled, his visage ferocious.

“What we desire is simple: Zhao Yanlong’s Daoist register, authority, and physical body left within Longhu Mountain. If you hand over any one of these, we will cease troubling you henceforth. Moreover, if the Heavenly Master’s Office seeks to persecute you, we can lend aid—how does that sound?”

“You intend to fish Zhao Yanlong’s cave heaven from the Nether Sea?”

Xuan Huo blinked, shaking his head: “Too late; the Heavenly Master’s Office Bureau of Divine Seals has already begun moving, and everything you want has been taken by them.”

“They can take the register and the flesh, but Zhao Yanlong’s former celestial seat among the immortals still remains in the Battle Department’s hands.”

Xie Bian, having anticipated this, smiled: “Reverend, you surely haven’t forgotten this, have you?”

“If I give you the seat, and the Heavenly Master’s Office suddenly comes knocking, how shall I explain? In the end I would still be unable to escape death.”

“Reverend, you are overly modest; with your ability and background, you certainly have a way to settle this trifle. Otherwise you would not still be seated securely as the Battle Department’s chief.”

Xuan Huo fell silent for a long while, then raised his hand and flung a jade pendant toward the deity’s statue; it landed in the god’s grasp, turning into a pool of flowing water that vanished without trace.

Seeing this, Xie Bian’s heart steadied; he clasped his hands and said, “Thank you, Reverend.”

“Still not getting lost?” Xuan Huo snapped, flicking his sleeve.

Watching this plague god finally stride out of the temple, Xuan Huo had not yet drawn a breath when he saw Xie Bian, reaching the doorway, suddenly turn back.

“By the way, there’s a small matter; could you please return the immortal essence I just contributed?”

Xie Bian laughed: “My money does not like to be given to immortals.”

Fenyi County.

Ge Jing raised a hand; the five‑colored lion on his shoulders opened its maw and spewed a strand of pale blue radiance, biting cold spreading through the air, sharp ice shards exploding continuously as they lunged at Li Jun’s swiftly approaching figure.

Ge Chao Fu Lu, Ice Seal·Prison of Cold!

Bang!

The ice layer, as hard as steel, shattered into powder; Li Jun’s fists inhaled and exhaled sharp force, easily tearing and blasting the ice apart.

The five‑colored lion’s eyes widened, its beastly throat releasing a deafening roar.

A towering divine manifestation dozens of zhang high appeared behind Ge Jing, its features indistinct save for its eyes, which glowed with green light like a rainbow.

Zhengyi Fu Lu, Spirit Seal·Dragon’s Might!

A sharp pain stabbed Li Jun’s temples; the “Devouring Tiger and Dragon” technique instantly activated, dragon and tiger converging. Rolling white breath passed through nose and mouth, washing away all discomfort; the “Granary Skill” ignited his blood, surging inner force to increase his speed a fraction.

Clang!

A metal shield that had risen from nowhere was smashed by Li Jun’s sheer force; his clear vision lost sight of Ge Jing, only the five‑colored lion capable of releasing seal arts still hovering in place.

Ge Chao Fu Lu, Gold Seal·Vanishing Shadow.

Li Jun frowned slightly; he had encountered this technique before.

Though he did not know how Ge Jing knew he lacked cultivated perception‑type martial arts, for now Li Jun truly could not locate Ge Jing’s whereabouts.

But it does not matter; if we cannot find the true body, we shall first strike at his Daoist implement.

This five‑colored lion is no small fry; it is the masterpiece of Ge Chao Mountain’s seal‑art technology, housing within it the fragmented divine thought of a senior Dao Three adept from Ge Chao Mountain, who directs it. Not only can it release techniques on its own, it can also swallow and recollect scattered divine thoughts, enhancing the wielder’s sustained combat ability.

Its sole weakness is that the construct’s strength is not particularly great.

At least not against Li Jun’s sharp force.

The five‑colored lion obviously knows this, continually flaring various seal‑lights in an attempt to block Li Jun’s advance.

Li Jun met the technique with a punch, darting forward to the lion’s front. At that very moment, the air ten zhang behind him rippled; Ge Jing’s figure leapt from a twisted beam of light, hands forming seals, a dense cluster of light appearing behind his head.

Ge Chao Fu Lu, Gold Seal·Mayfly!

Thick golden light shot forth like bullets, straight for Li Jun’s back.

The assault came fierce, yet Li Jun paid it no heed, intending to withstand the mayfly barrage with “Ten Thousand Miles of Mountain Pass,” his fists relentlessly hammering the nearby Daoist ancestral artifact.

At the critical instant, the five‑colored lion let out a low roar; its form flickered and split into three.

Real and illusory intertwined, true and false indistinguishable.

Li Jun had no time to think; he swung at the nearest one, his fist crashing down. Where the strike landed, one of the five‑colored lions dissolved like a mirage—indeed a false body!

Ge Chao Fu Lu, Composite Seal·One Qi Transforms into Three Purities.

Bang!

Floating golden waves scraped Li Jun’s lower waist side, like myriad swords striking at once, instantly tearing a hideous gash of blood.

Li Jun’s body was flung by the impact, tumbling and crashing to the ground.

Boom!

A blot of deep‑red fury exploded at his point of impact, shooting up a terrifying pillar of flame several zhang high.

Ge Chao Fu Lu, Fire Seal·Zhurong!

The offensive paused; the explosion’s after‑breeze stirred Ge Jing’s robes.

The Daoist raised a hand to rub his brow; the five‑colored lion lay prone on his shoulder, its maw exhaling wisps of black smoke, eyes mocking as they gazed upon the flickering silhouette half‑hidden in the firelight.

“Well, this is indeed the orthodox Dao Sequence Three Yellow Millet Immortal—far more troublesome than I imagined.”

The voice, still full of vigor, rode the wind into his ears; Ge Jing’s expression remained blank, clearly everything was as expected.

Hiss.

The smoke freshly exhaled from the lion’s maw was drawn into his nostrils; his eyes shone bright as a deity, and surging spiritual thoughts unfurled behind him like tangible folds.

“Surrender, or not?”

Ge Jing looked down from above, his brows furrowed with a grim severity.

“I say, is that all you’ve got?”

The blaze faded, leaving a scorching pit; Li Jun lifted his hand to brush away the carbonized rags on his shoulder, his bare torso covered in burns, the wound at his waist gaping with torn flesh.

“Of course not.”

Ge Jing’s divine aura bore a thin, icy, aloof smile: “What manner of death do you desire?”

“Naturally, the more gruesome the better—but we’ll see who kills whom once the fight’s over!”

Li Jun, planted on the ground, spat a mouthful of blood, his knees slightly bent; like an arrow drawn to full tension, he shot skyward once more, lunging at Ge Jing.

Seeing this, Ge Jing gave a contemptuous smile, renewed his hand seal, his form vanished—leaving only the five‑hued lion facing Li Jun.

The scene differed not at all from before; Ge Jing had already discerned Li Jun’s present flaws and shortcomings.

Gezao Fu Lu, Fire Seal—Fuel Transfer!

Gezao Fu Lu, Thunder Seal—Divine Might!

Gezao Fu Lu, Earth Seal—Ever‑Fertile Soil!

The five‑colored lion lazily lifted its paw, scattering a sheet of seal‑script sorcery, shaking its head and wagging its tail, poised to repeat the trick and unleash the One‑Qi Three‑Purities transformation.

“You little trinket, do you really think I can’t handle you?”

“Roar?”

The five‑colored lion shuddered all over, an irresistible fear flooding its heart.

A violent palpitation seized his spiritual sense, freezing it momentarily; the two phantom lion heads about to burst from his body dissipated in the tremor.

“Roar”

Heaven’s Might!

Razor‑Sharp!

Hibernating Official Method—full release!

Bang!

The fist descended, and the five‑colored lion exploded into a cloud of fine shards.

“Ugh”

Ge Jing’s silhouette stumbled out of the air not far behind Li Jun’s flank, swaying, unable to stand firm.

The ruin of the Dao Ancestor’s artifact visited a fierce backlash upon him; his vision now swam with darkness.

He had not expected that the spiritual thought stored within the five‑colored lion would also be swayed by Li Jun; catching a glimpse of a ferocious figure rushing at him from the corner of his eye, Ge Jing clenched his teeth, forced his focus, and began forming seals with his fingers.

His spiritual sense poured forth like water, the various seals intertwining and condensing before him—murky earthen waves, azure lightning, consciousness surging all at once toward the approaching Li Jun!

But how could these things possibly stop Li Jun?

Ge Jing understood perfectly; he saw Li Jun muttering incantations, the divine light in his eyes rapidly fading.

Li Jun saw it clearly, knowing his opponent was preparing to shed his body and flee!

“Damn it, I’ve gone through all this trouble just to see the points slip into my grasp—do you really think I’ll let you fly away?!”

Li Jun’s chest flared with fire; he abandoned evasion, crossed his hands before his body, and bodily smashed through the sea of spellwork, his fist—caked with ice shards and flames—hammering toward Ge Jing’s abdomen.

Is escaping by shedding the body faster, or dying and having the Dao vanish faster?

The answer is obvious.

On the razor‑clear.

On the razor’s edge of life and death, Ge Jing’s dissipating divine light suddenly coalesced; he let out a low groan of resentment and unwillingness, his eyes veined with blood.

Clang!

Clashes of weapons echoed across the heavens; golden light traced an elaborate, ornate pattern that in an instant spread tens of zhang, hovering above Li Jun’s head, enveloping both him and Ge Jing!

Gezao Fu Lu, Golden Seal Formation—Cutting Shape!

Countless spear‑shaped light‑shadows fell like rain, shaking the earth incessantly; countless dust clouds rose, obscuring stars and moon.

The entire Fenyi County’s lights dimmed, trembling beneath the awe of Daoist celestial might.

【Gained 200 Mastery Points】

【Remaining Mastery Points 432】

“Quite valuable, no wonder it’s so hard to kill. Good thing I tempered my body‑forging gate; otherwise I’d be laid out here today.”

A soft, self‑mocking laugh drifted from the smoke and dust.

Li Jun was drenched in blood, his body riddled with countless puncture wounds he couldn’t even count, yet he could still laugh—proof his life was not in jeopardy.

Li Jun glanced down at the corpse nearly cleaved in two at his feet—the first genuine Sequence Three he’d slain; it was indeed stronger than Ba Du and Zhang Xi Shou, yet its weaknesses were equally apparent.

Encountering Li Jun—high attack, thick blood, and capable of interrupting spellcasting—was a natural bane to such foes.

“The folks from Gezao Mountain should be arriving soon—we’d better make haste and flee.”

Li Jun lifted his hand to wipe the blood from his face, gazing toward the northwest: “Zhang Chongyuan, the opportunity’s already been given to you—you can’t keep hiding like a turtle forever, can you?”