Shushan Earthly Immortal

Chapter 408 The Pure Bright Daoist, A Sword and a Brush

What a risk!

Danxingzhou was scared half to death.

I absolutely cannot take this kind of job again; even if I don't die, I'll be scared sick.

His strange magical eyes were terrifying; how could a mere cultivator of the Lower Cleansing Realm possibly wield such magic? My own Fifth Cleansing Dragon Body was like paper before that magical light, vanishing at the slightest touch. That magical light was too fast, so fast it nearly killed me. If it had actually struck my Niwan Palace, I would have died on the spot!

The rumors were true; this white-robed Tai Sui was indeed the type to not act until he saw a clear opportunity, and he was truly daring in his pursuit. Even with Cloud Ladder Mountain right in front of him, he still wouldn't let go. But thinking about it, it wasn't surprising. This summer, when he killed Brother Luo of Pingshazhou, he chased him all the way to the West River and still wouldn't let go. Brother Luo was careless then, thinking that this man wouldn't dare to enter the river, which made him lose heart and allow him to catch up and kill him.

Thinking of this, Shan Xingzhou was about to increase his speed again, but suddenly felt a life-or-death crisis surrounding him. Without thinking, he subconsciously transformed into human form, his body suddenly becoming much smaller, and then flashed to his left.

"Shh!"

A streak of snow-white sword energy grazed past Shan Xingzhou's right shoulder.

This long-awaited attack would have been impossible for the dragon to dodge had it not transformed into human form.

Dan Xingzhou clutched the blood gushing from both sides of his neck and fled for his life, his speed increasing by three times.

The dragon's body is strong, but the human body is still more agile.

He had deliberately revealed his true form near the white-robed Tai Sui to lure the killing star into attacking him. Now that the big fish had taken the bait, his elaborate performance had not been in vain.

We're almost at Yunti Mountain!
Dan Xingzhou dared not be careless or relax. Sometimes, the difference between living to achieve great things and dying to be skinned alive is just a matter of a single thought.

Just then, the sea mist and clouds that perpetually shrouded Cloud Ladder Mountain suddenly parted, and a black rope net emitting a dark glow flew out. This black net grew longer and larger with the wind, appearing to be woven from seaweed, slippery and covered with dark green moss. At each knot, a skull hung below, totaling no less than a thousand. As the net moved, it caught the wind, causing these skulls to sway wildly. The wind surged within their skulls, emitting eerie howls, demonic sounds that pierced the ears and made one's mind go haywire.

Such a legal net descended from the sky, enveloping Shen Zhaoming.

"careful!"

"Zhaoming, come back!"

"Stop chasing!"

"..."

Those on the battlefield saw it and shouted warnings.

Shen Zhaoming naturally heard and saw it, but he did not stop. Instead, his speed increased by three points. Then, he slashed his sword upwards, and another snow-white sword light shot up like an inverted waterfall.

However, this magic net was no ordinary object. It emitted a dark light, and as soon as the snow-white sword light approached, it was directly dispersed by the dark light. Not only did it not damage the magic net, but the speed at which the magic net descended was not slowed down by even a fraction.

Fetal organ? !
Shen Zhaoming's expression also changed. He had never heard of the Twin Fiends of the South Sea and Huding Mountain possessing such a magical treasure!
However, because Shen Zhaoming did not retreat immediately, and only swung his sword once, the magic net had already grown to two or three miles in length and width, covering the area like a dark cloud. Under the dark cloud, Shen Zhaoming appeared as small as a white egret.

Shen Zhaoming flicked his left hand, sending the whisk flying into the sky. The white strands of the whisk grew longer and more numerous at a rapid pace, like a white dragon ascending to the heavens, or like a celestial river flowing against the current, winding towards the demonic net above his head.

As it approached the magic net, the whisk suddenly dispersed, transforming into a massive white tree with a canopy, resembling a blooming lotus flower, like a cloud or an umbrella, spanning two or three miles in circumference. It seemed to be trying to lift up the entire dark cloud magic net.

The moment the whisk touched the magic net, the snow-white whisk threads became entangled with the dark net, intertwining together.

"Crack-"

The moment the white brush and black net made contact, they exploded with a sound like firecrackers, releasing a burst of intense flames.

However, the source of the explosion was not, as many Haoran Alliance disciples had thought, the destruction of the Demon Net by the Dao whisk. On the contrary, black demonic flames ignited on the Demon Net, and the flames burned the whisk. Without exception, the whisk threads wrapped around the Demon Net burst and broke off, then were burned to powder by the demonic flames.

The dark clouds continued to press down, gradually eroding the white trees at an extremely rapid pace.

Seeing this, Shan Xingzhou, who had been fleeing all the way, finally felt relieved. With the evil demon lord taking action, how could that brat Shen Zhaoming possibly escape?

The demonic dragon stopped and turned around. Seeing Shen Zhaoming utterly powerless under the pressure of the demonic net, and recalling the repeated losses it had suffered at the hands of this man this winter, it felt a surge of satisfaction and burst into laughter.

"Cuckoo-"

A burst of laughter, like that of a turtledove.

Dan Xingzhou clutched his neck. He had been in a great mood but had forgotten that he had two holes in his neck that caused air to leak out when he laughed.

"Whoosh!"

However, just as the thief was getting carried away with his triumph, a white light suddenly flew out from under the dark clouds, like a silver ribbon, tearing through the void with lightning speed, and heading towards the single boat like a shooting star chasing the moon.

The demonic dragon was instantly terrified. Wasn't it said that the Killing Star's Eye of Dharma could only be used once every seven days?! How come it was used again in the blink of an eye after just one use?
The demonic dragon had no time to think and hurriedly fled again. However, he should not have stopped for a moment in front of Cloud Ladder Mountain. Now that he was trying to speed up again, how could he possibly be fast?

The white light emitted a sharp whistling sound that tore through the void, arriving in an instant. This sound, falling into the ears of the demonic dragon, was like a death warrant, throwing him into complete disarray.

The shrieking sound grew louder and louder, indicating that the white light was getting closer and closer. Shan Xingzhou knew that he couldn't shake off the white light, and at the same time, he knew that he must not turn his back to the enemy, as this was a major taboo. So he turned around and summoned a magic weapon, which transformed into a dark golden cloud and blocked the demonic dragon's path.

It is indeed the "Seven Fiends Profound Yin Heavenly Net"!
A few years ago, in the East China Sea, the Three Corpses Sect used this treasure to break through the Sunset Array of Red Glow Island in the Big Belly Sea. This Northern Demon Treasure, which was specially used to kill all kinds of divine light spells, became famous in the South. Anyone with spare money would buy one, and the Xuan Yin Sect made a fortune as a result.

Danxingzhou was a member of the South China Sea Jiaozuo clan. He was wealthy and had bought several of these items. He had previously tested them and found that while these treasures could not completely block the divine light of the white-robed Tai Sui, stacking several of them could at least reduce their power and slow it down.

However, these items weren't cheap, and they were currently in short supply. Dan Xingzhou only had three left, so he took them all out to shield himself. In addition, he also summoned a tortoise shell, placing it behind the Seven Fiends Profound Yin Heavenly Net, demonstrating his careful preparation.

"boom!"

The white light arrived just as the demonic dragon unleashed its treasure.

However, to Shan Xingzhou's surprise, the white light completely ignored the three stacked Seven Fiends Profound Yin Heavenly Nets, without the slightest hesitation, and pierced through them, striking directly at the crimson tortoise shell.

With a loud bang, the white light struck the tortoise shell, and only then did the speed truly slow down.

In that instant, at such close range, the demonic dragon, completely stunned, finally saw the true form of the white light.

This is no divine light from the Heavenly Eye; it's emitting a blinding white light, and it's clearly a precious sword!
Dan Xingzhou recognized that this was not some hidden flying sword or magic weapon; it was the very one that the white-robed Tai Sui had been using!
The sword pressed against the tortoise shell, its snow-white blade dazzling and mesmerizing to Shan Xingzhou.

The tortoise shell cracked open, and the sword pierced the demonic dragon's chest. At that moment, the flying sword once again unleashed boundless sword energy, surging and rolling within the demonic dragon's body.

"boom!"

Before the demonic dragon could react, its body was shredded into a rain of blood by the sword energy. This demonic dragon only cultivated its physical body, not its primordial spirit; this single sword strike killed it instantly, leaving only a perfectly round dragon pearl and a hard rhinoceros horn to fall to the ground. At that moment, the sword spun in mid-air, turned around, and its light caught the dragon pearl and the horn before returning to its source.

"This! When did Zhaoming turn his magic sword into a flying sword?!"

Inside the Hengmen Waterway Formation, Song Jishu exclaimed in surprise.

Of course, not only did he not expect it, but Shen Zhaoming had never revealed this to anyone, so no one present expected it either. The already dead Shan Xingzhou did not expect it, nor did the great demon who had only cast the net of justice but had not yet shown his face.

At the same time, after Shen Zhaoming released the sword, his own situation suddenly became more difficult. Without the sword's assistance, the magic net contracted faster and tighter, and completely surrounded him, forming a spherical black net cage.

Inside the net cage, the whisk in Shen Zhaoming's hand continued to grow rapidly, its white silk filling the cage and forming a hollow, cocoon-like silk ball to resist the black net.

"call!"

As if the cage possessed sentience, it seemed enraged to see that locking up even a third-realm cultivator was so troublesome. The thousands of skulls inside the cage simultaneously opened their mouths and spewed out fire, producing jet-black flames as thick as ink, which was extremely eerie.

When the black fire landed on the whisk threads, it immediately burst into flames. The whisk threads were rapidly consumed, and the rate at which they grew back could not keep up with the rate at which they were consumed. As a result, the entire whisk pupa shrank rapidly, and the flames were about to reach Shen Zhaoming.

However, there was no trace of panic on the young Taoist's face. He simply made a hand seal and chanted...
"By imperial decree, Master Xu shall ascend the altar."

The shimmering water purifies the world, cleansing away all evil spirits;

Liu Ding destroys the evil, Liu Jia destroys the evil!
"Hurry, hurry, as commanded by the Pure and Bright Heavenly Venerable! May it last!"

After the incantation was recited, Shen Zhaoming's magical power surged forth and landed on the whisk. The whisk shone brightly, and countless new whisk threads grew out, each of which was glistening with watery light.

In the blink of an eye, the silkworm cocoon formed from white silk transformed into a water sphere. From the water sphere, the phantoms of the Six Ding and Six Jia flew out continuously. These divine generals, wielding divine weapons, slashed at the demonic net and the skulls on it. In an instant, they extinguished the black fire and expanded the demonic net considerably!
"The White-Robed Tai Sui!"

"The White-Robed Tai Sui!"

"..."

Just then, the flying sword had already killed the demonic dragon and was returning. Seeing Shen Zhaoming's bravery in killing enemy generals, the righteous cultivators were greatly encouraged. They began to counterattack the demonic dragon from the Hengmen Waterway, and everyone shouted the name of "White-Robed Tai Sui" with all their might.

Since beginning his cultivation, Shen Zhaoming has only possessed a sword and a whisk, and these two magical treasures are indeed extraordinary. The former is used by Shen Zhaoming to roam the world with his magical swordsmanship. Whenever he makes a move, his sword energy is as vast as a waterfall, causing thousands of troops to retreat. He is therefore known as the representative figure of magical swordsmanship in his time. However, no one knows when this precious sword was forged into a flying sword, and its power is unparalleled.

This whisk, too, when unleashed, resembles a dragon or a whip; it can be gathered into a single bundle or split into countless smaller ones, capable of fighting alone or sweeping away hordes of demons. At this moment, even when concealed for protection, it can still block the locks and grasps of a fourth-level embryonic artifact, truly astonishing.

With a combination of offense and defense, he slew a Five-Washed Flood Dragon amidst the enemy ranks and in front of demons from all four realms, fully displaying the demeanor of the Pure Bright Daoist.

After this battle, as long as he survives, once the name "White-Robed Tai Sui" spreads throughout the Yuyang battlefield, even if he hasn't broken through to the Middle Three Tribulations, the title of "Tai Sui Star" among the "Five Luminaries" that the Haoran Alliance plans to bestow this year will have to be given to him.

"What a trick!"

A sharp shout came from Cloud Ladder Mountain, and a figure flew out afterward.

This was a grotesque, ghostly figure, only four feet tall, emaciated, and entirely black, with long black hair growing on his face and hands. He wore a short, black robe that reached his knees, making him look like a monkey that had just crawled out of an inkwell.

But the imposing aura emanating from this seemingly comical and ugly person terrified the Taoist disciples present.

This is a realm unlike any other ever seen before!

The four borders of the world are all known, and the sound of a fetal heartbeat cannot be hidden from people. So where did this one come from? And when did it arrive in Yuyang?
The difference between an extraordinary embryonic artifact and a true fourth-realm expert appearing on the battlefield is enormous!

After this fourth-realm demon appeared, he only said one sentence, and it was unclear whether he was referring to Shen Zhaoming's rainbow-like flying sword or his shimmering whisk.

After saying this, the demon summoned another magical weapon.

This was a ghostly banner, strangely shaped, with a short horizontal pole and a long vertical pole, crossed and nailed together to form a cross. At the very top of the vertical pole was a disheveled human head, its features obscured. Hanging from the horizontal pole were three human skins, tanned to a waxy yellow color, perfectly intact from head to toe, only shriveled and hollowed out, fluttering in the wind like three tattered sacks.

The demon pointed at the banner, and one of the human skins "woke up," its belly swelling up like an inflated balloon. Then, the skin opened its mouth and spat out a bolt of purplish-black lightning, which struck down and flew towards Shen Zhaoming.

The lightning bolt was extremely fast, and Shen Zhaoming was trapped by the demonic net and could not escape. He could only watch helplessly as the lightning struck down.

Even at this point, with his life hanging by a thread, the Taoist priest showed no sign of panic. His gaze was resolute, and it was unclear whether he was waiting to die, preparing to sacrifice himself for his cause, or whether he was brewing some trump card.

Just then, a streak of azure light flew out from Yinping Mountain on the east side of Lingdingyang. This azure light was extremely fast, flying across Lingdingyang and cutting through the sky.

Everyone could tell at a glance that it was Master Zou from Mount Luofu who had made his move.

At the same time, as a chain reaction, Kowloon Island also made a move, sending out a red light that flew north towards the Lingdingyang, heading straight for the blue light.

However, just as the red light approached the green light, the green light suddenly dispersed, transforming into nine beams that dodged the red light and continued towards Cloud Ladder Mountain. The red light, feinted, pursued closely behind. At this moment, everyone could clearly see that the nine beams of green light were actually nine slender blades of grass, while the red light was a three-pronged flying fork.

The grass blades moved extremely fast, but they were too far away to catch up with the Yin Lightning released by the demon. If Jingming Daozi wanted to survive, he would have to endure the Yin Lightning alone.

Shen Zhaoming was clearly aware of this as well. He muttered incantations, released the whisk with his left hand, and sat cross-legged in the water sphere formed by the whisk's strands. His hands formed a mudra in front of his chest, and a snow-white mirror wheel was faintly visible behind his head. There was also something unusual between his eyebrows.

"Zhao Ming, stop."

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out in the void. The voice was very close, almost right above Shen Zhaoming's head.

Everyone looked around, but couldn't find the source of the sound.

Shen Zhaoming immediately recognized the voice. Facing the imminent threat of Yin lightning, he stopped chanting and released his hand seals without hesitation. It seemed he had complete trust in the voice's owner.

In the next instant, in front of Shen Zhaoming, on the path that the Yin Lightning was bound to fall, the void suddenly tore open like paper, creating a huge crack without any warning or sound.

A magnificent snow lion leaped out from the void rift.

A Taoist priest was carried on the back of the snow lion. The priest was dressed in a blue robe and looked to be only eighteen or nineteen years old. He was extremely young.

Behind him, Shen Zhaoming and the people in the Hengmen Waterway Formation couldn't see his face, only the image of Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun embroidered all over the back of the Taoist robe. The Tianzun had a solemn and dignified appearance, his eyes closed in deep thought, his face both compassionate and majestic.

As the dark thunder struck, the Taoist priest riding the lion waved his four-colored feather whisk. Though the whisk was small, with just a gentle wave, it dispersed the dark thunder, causing it to vanish without a trace.

Upon seeing this, the demons from the four realms before Cloud Ladder Mountain suddenly changed color and opened their mouths to ask,

"who are you?"

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(End of this chapter)