Shushan Earthly Immortal

Chapter 424 Setting out to subdue demons, closing the door to beat the dog

Following the map provided by the deputy leader of Wutong Mountain, Cheng Xinzhan circled the mountain, restoring and altering the protective array along the way, until he reached the summit of the main peak, Fengqi Mountain.

At the summit of Phoenix Mountain stood a Taoist temple called Qinghua Temple, the main hall of Wutong Mountain, housing statues of deities, the ancestral hall, and the residence of the sect leader. However, the once magnificent temple with its green tiles and blue walls had long since become ruins, overgrown with lush trees and grass, evoking a sense of the vicissitudes of life.

The Taoist temple faces south, and to the east of the gate is a lake of moderate size called Lihu Lake. The lake features waterside pavilions and covered walkways, which are relatively well-preserved. Looking down from above, these pavilions and walkways form the shape of a phoenix spreading its wings.

At this moment, Cheng Xinzhan arrived at the dilapidated Qinghua Temple and stood on the edge of Lihu Lake, looking into the lake. In a tall pavilion in the middle of the lake, six curtains hung down, and through the curtains, one could vaguely see a giant man sitting on a soft couch, with six enchanting women serving him.

Cheng Xinzhan's bright eyes gleamed, and she could see clearly that the giant man had a burly body but a small head only as thick as his neck, a pointed snout, sunken cheeks, and two long, crimson whiskers at the corners of his mouth. Reflected in his blue eyes, he was clearly a giant red-shelled, red-whiskered lobster. The six demonesses, completely naked, were six crimson-scaled water snakes, which were now coiled around the giant man's body like boneless snakes.

Seeing such a scene in front of the Lingshan Taoist Temple, how could one not be filled with rage?

This was Cheng Xinzhan's first time setting foot on Wutong Mountain. If it were Yangtai Mountain, where Xu Shiren grew up, it would be easy to understand why he was so eager to risk breaking through his cultivation level.

Cheng Xinzhan flicked his finger, sending out a beam of mysterious light and a beam of golden light. The mysterious light transformed into a ring, encircling the giant in the center of the pavilion. The golden light dispersed, transforming into six golden flames that landed on the other six snake spirits.

The shrimp let out a scream, and was immediately bound by the magic hoops and lifted up, while the six snake demons were burned to nothingness by the Yang Fire before they could even make a sound.

"Who are you?!"

The shrimp fell to the ground at Cheng Xinzhan's feet, staring in horror at the young man in the Taoist robe. He didn't know what kind of magical artifact was binding him; he only knew that even with his sixth level of inner core cleansing, he couldn't break free at all, and couldn't even circulate his magic power or use the external magical artifact.

Cheng Xinzhan looked down at him and simply said,

"The person who killed you."

Then, ignoring the shrimp general, he threw the remaining cyan command flag and a cyan jade array plate into the Li Lake. At the bottom of this clear, emerald-green lake was a spring, the spiritual eye of the Wutong Mountain range, and the core of the mountain-protecting array.

But that wasn't enough. He then unleashed three more magical swords: the water sword "Heaven Creates Water," the wooden sword "Eastern Spear of Azure Pivot," and the earth sword "Lu Duan Tai'a." Two of these swords were embryonic forms. The three swords plunged into the lake, hovering above the array plate, serving as part of the array's core.

Then, he sat cross-legged by the lake, using the void as paper and his magic power as ink, writing one talisman after another, which he threw into the lake and let sink to the bottom. These talismans entered the earth vein nodes in various corners of Wutong Mountain through the lake's spiritual eyes, driving the earth's energy to circulate, awakening the blue command flags that Cheng Xinzhan had buried in the soil in advance, as well as the original restrictions remaining on Wutong Mountain.

He intends to single-handedly set up a new protective array for Wutong Mountain.

This grand formation was designed by him in collaboration with the deputy leader of Wutong Mountain, Zuo Feizi, and Song Jishu, a formation genius from Yuyang known as the "Eight Gates Golden Lock." It was based on the Ailao Mountain formation, but with many improvements made to the original protective formation of Wutong Mountain.

This newly set up grand formation uses the spiritual spring as its hub, the mountain range as its passage, and the phoenix tree as its starting point, combining the power of the three elements of water, earth, and wood. It fully utilizes the characteristics of the phoenix tree mountain, "the palace of the phoenix tree, the mountains and waters interdependent", while also making up for the weakness of the vine and wood formation of the Ailao Mountain in its fear of fire.

Of course, as is customary, Song Jishu had to name the grand formation he designed. So this reborn formation was called the "Bicheng Yaoshu Tonghuang Tongming Grand Formation," which, in keeping with his usual style, was still quite a mouthful.

Cheng Xinzhan personally controlled the formation, using the two embryonic organs as the core of the formation, along with thousands of command flags and countless spirit talismans, which was enough to withstand the attacks of the great cultivators of the fourth realm.

As talismans were cast into the lake, the spiritual atmosphere on Wutong Mountain began to change. The Wutong trees covering the mountain sprouted new branches and buds, including those charred in the wildfire and the ancient trees that were gradually withering away; all were revitalized at this moment. Pure energy slowly arose, and the bloodthirsty demonic energy was gradually disintegrated.

Cultivators are extremely sensitive to changes in the spiritual atmosphere, and the demons on the mountain immediately noticed something amiss. Several Golden Core leaders arrived at the summit of Phoenix Perch Mountain, presumably to seek instructions from the Shrimp General. However, upon arriving, they only found a giant man bound hand and foot on the ground, and a Taoist priest sitting cross-legged on the ground.

The demons' expressions changed dramatically. After realizing what had happened, they showed no intention of rescuing the shrimp general or saying another word. They all fled south without looking back.

However, by this time, Cheng Xinzhan's formation was already in place, so where could they escape to? Countless paulownia leaves flew up from the paulownia trees, transforming into a sky full of fluttering blue butterflies, blocking the demons' path.

Several Golden Core leaders unleashed their magical treasures, attempting to force their way through the formation. At this moment, a portion of the Azure Butterflies gathered together, coalescing into a series of Azure-feathered phoenixes. These phoenixes radiated azure light, their spiritual energy boundless, displaying the might of the Third Realm. They surrounded and attacked, capturing the Golden Core leaders in just a few rounds.

As for the other lesser demons, a swarm of blue butterflies is enough to surround them.

As a result, the demons who had been flying through the air fell to the ground one by one, and countless paulownia leaves, like snowflakes, fell down, covering them. These paulownia leaves piled up, forming a mountain of leaves that, though seemingly light, were enough to immobilize them.

Cheng Xinzhan did not immediately exterminate these demons. He thought that those disciples of Wutong Mountain who had broken away from the mountain, those who had lost their teachers, friends, and fellow disciples, must have a lot to say to these demons after living away from home for decades.

And right now, I also have other important things to do.

He looked into the distance and saw a streak of red light fly out from the peak of Jiulong Island on the other side of Luoxi, rushing towards him at lightning speed.

Before the person arrived, a crimson rainbow struck first.

Cheng Xinzhan remained unmoved, forming a hand seal with one hand and pointing at the menacing crimson rainbow.

Immediately, the paulownia leaves in the mountains fluttered and swirled, condensing into a blue phoenix, which spread its wings and pounced on the crimson rainbow.

"boom!"

With a deafening roar, the Azure Phoenix was shattered, transforming back into paulownia leaves that drifted down into the mountains, returning to the branches of the paulownia trees covering the hillside. Meanwhile, the Crimson Rainbow, which had been hurtling towards them, flew back and transformed into a three-pronged fork, which was then grasped by the giant hand that followed closely behind.

"So it was Mr. Guanghong."

The giant man holding a fork stood in mid-air. He was over eight feet tall, with a broad back and a burly waist, a lion's face and eagle's eyes, and a head of red hair that fluttered in the wind.

Hu Hailong greeted Cheng Xinzhan with a smile, looking quite imposing. However, at this moment, he was inwardly cursing the demons on Wutong Mountain. This Master of Ten Thousand Laws was indeed remarkable; he didn't expect them to be able to defend the mountain, but why couldn't they even hold out until he arrived? They even allowed the mountain's protective array to be set up! How long had it been since they were discovered, until they were finally able to have the gates closed and the enemy hunted down?

Cheng Xinzhan did not answer, but stood up and stepped to the side, revealing the shrimp general who was tied up behind him.

"My lord, help me!"

When Xia Jiang saw Hu Hailong, he immediately cried out for help.

The large group of demons trapped under the paulownia leaves at the foot of the mountain all cried out for help.

Hu Hailong narrowed his eyes. Although he utterly despised his clumsy subordinates, they were nonetheless his men who had followed him ashore from the Blood Coral Palace in the South China Sea; they were his people, not the Southern Faction's. He understood the principle that where people survive, land survives; where people are lost, land is lost, and he didn't want to do everything himself. Seeing that Cheng Xinzhan had spared all the demons on the mountain, he guessed that the Taoist wanted to negotiate peace and gain a respite. Coincidentally, he was also somewhat wary of Cheng Xinzhan, especially that Qiu Po, who hadn't shown his face since being defeated by the Taoist in their first battle, making him wary. Therefore, he took the initiative to speak...
"Master, although my subordinates are foolish, they are all old men who have followed me for many years. How about this, you release them, the people are mine, Wutong Mountain is yours, and everything will return to its rightful owner, is that alright?"

Cheng Xinzhan still didn't answer, but instead reached out and drew a long sword.

It looks like a sword from the Song Dynasty, with the unique charm of Song swords. At first glance, it is beautiful yet powerful, like a slender old dragon.

This sword is somewhat slender and long, with a jet-black hilt that resembles a deep pool. The guard and pommel are silver-white, shaped like swirling clouds, yet also somewhat like waves. The blade is a clear, bright silver-iron color, like the moon, like a mirror, like frost, like autumn water.

Hu Hailong's expression changed, and the shrimp general kneeling beside Cheng Xinzhan was so frightened that he burst into tears.

Without giving Hu Hailong and Xia Jiang any chance to speak, the Taoist drew his sword, swung it down, a flash of cold light, and a head fell to the ground. He then sheathed his sword.

All in one go.

He waited for Hu Hailong to arrive so he could carry out the execution in front of this demon. Hu Hailong, looking at the shrimp's head and body severed in two, could no longer laugh. His face instantly turned extremely grim, and he spat out a few words through gritted teeth.

"Master, young man, don't be so impetuous!"

"Second son of the Hu family, you should think about yourself first!"

Cheng Xinzhan did not answer, but a voice rang out from behind Hu Hailong.

Before the words were even spoken, Hu Hailong had already sensed it. Suddenly, he turned around with his fork and slashed out, unleashing a crimson arc of light that struck a shower of needles coming from behind.

"So, they came here for me today."

Hu Hailong said with a cold smile.

"Perhaps you should never have come to land in the first place."

Xu Shiren's figure slowly appeared from behind Hu Hailong.

Hu Hailong looked at him upon hearing this, and merely smiled disdainfully.
"Xu Shiren? You're just a defeated opponent, yet you dare to block my path? Have your injuries healed?"

Xu Shiren did not reply. Instead, he took out a small, persimmon-shaped, persimmon-red hand warmer. He held the warmer to his mouth, then blew on it with all his might. Pure blue flames shot out, accompanied by crimson smoke, and rushed towards Hu Hailong.

Seeing this, Hu Hailong ignored Cheng Xinzhan and the descendants on Wutong Mountain, and turned back to fight Xu Shiren.

Facing the oncoming flames, Hu Hailong actually opened his mouth and spat out his inner core. It was a deep blue-green pill, which flew through the void, leaving behind a surging tide and ripples in the air. Immediately afterward, snow-white waves surged in the air, crashing against the blue flames.

"呲-"

With a sharp clashing sound of water and fire, large swaths of white mist and smoke appeared on the southern slope of Wutong Mountain. Passing through the smoke, the demon's inner core continued its undiminished speed, heading straight for Xu Shiren. The latter pushed his hand, throwing out a hand warmer, intending to catch the inner core head-on. At this moment, upon closer inspection, a dent appeared on the hand warmer, its size perfectly matching that of Hu Hailong's inner core, seemingly an injury sustained in their previous battle.

“Xu Shiren, you don’t seem to have a good memory.”

Hu Hailong sneered, and his inner core, like a rainbow, shot straight into the furnace.

However, just as the inner elixir was placed on the hand warmer, the hand warmer suddenly turned in a different direction, the lid flew off, and caught the inner elixir with the opening of the warmer. Then, the lid returned to its original position.

Hu Hailong caught a glimpse of the furnace, which was filled with stacks of lightning talismans crackling with electricity. His pupils constricted. How could this be? How could a furnace stuffed full of lightning talismans still emit flames? Wasn't the Taoist priest afraid of the furnace exploding? And why would the Taoist priest stuff his portable furnace magic treasure with lightning talismans?

No, that's not right, he deliberately tried to blow up the oven!

"Xu Shiren!"

"boom!"

Before Hu Hailong could finish speaking, a deafening roar erupted, and the hand warmer exploded, shattering into countless fragments amidst a dazzling display of lightning and fire. A surging shockwave billowed outwards, transforming into a hurricane that stretched all the way to the South China Sea, whipping up hundreds of feet of waves.

Hu Hailong and Xu Shiren were both forced back. Hu Hailong retreated a hundred feet, his face pale, and returned to the foot of Wutong Mountain. Xu Shiren spat out a mouthful of blood, his face ashen, and was swept away by the storm like a paulownia leaf.

Hu Hailong's eyes blazed with fury. He knew this furnace was Xu Shiren's prized possession, nurtured with countless hours of effort, and the only vital organ Xu possessed. In their last battle, he had used his inner core to strike this furnace at close range, thus achieving his goal and severely injuring Xu. But he never expected that in their second encounter, Xu would abandon even his magical treasure just to harm him!
Ah!
What a pity! His inner core wasn't some precious treasure found in the bellies of ordinary Taoist priests; it was forged in countless storms and battles, a hard bone honed through countless trials! It was the most solid of all his magical treasures! Even a furnace of thunder talismans and a self-destructing magical artifact couldn't destroy his inner core. Xu Shiren's elaborate scheme had backfired spectacularly!

ridiculous!

Driven by Hu Hailong's rage, a pale green pill flew out from the center of the spiritual explosion, which was composed of broken iron, lightning, and fire. Its precious light was slightly dimmed, but it was not damaged. Under the blinding light and chaotic spiritual energy, it sped through the void and crossed the void in the blink of an eye, striking Xu Shiren in the chest.

"puff!"

With a muffled thud, it pierced through in one fell swoop.

A large, bloody hole appeared in Xu Shiren's chest.

"Ok?"

Hu Hailong, who defeated his opponent in one move, did not show any joy. Instead, he looked surprised and doubtful. This seemed a little too easy. Even if Xu Shiren had only entered the fourth realm, he shouldn't be this weak.

"Whoosh!"

However, at that very moment, Hu Hailong, who had been forced back to Wutong Mountain by the spirit explosion hurricane, suddenly felt a thorn in his back, and his hair stood on end. Without thinking, he instinctively reacted, twisting his fork behind him and stabbing.

"Ding!"

A crisp sound of metal clashing rang out, and the void rippled once more.

Hu Hailong retreated ten steps in mid-air, finally stopping, holding the fork in both hands to block the golden rainbow sword light that arrived in an instant.

Only then did the whistling sound of the golden rainbow sword light reach Hu Hailong's ears.

At that moment, without giving Hu Hailong any chance to catch his breath, a cyan rope shot out from the golden rainbow sword light, following the golden rainbow and the red fork, wrapped around Hu Hailong's arm, then bound his whole body, and then suddenly contracted.

Jin Hong is naturally "Tao Du", while Qing Sheng is Shi Yu Jun, whom Cheng Xinzhan has newly enlightened. This time when he went to Wutong Mountain, he specially brought Shi Yu Jun with him. This special being with two forms, a pseudo-wood spirit dragon and a vine rope magic weapon, can indeed make people feel much more at ease when used for protection and trapping enemies.

The dragon rope tightened suddenly. The close binding force of a pseudo-dragon of the fourth realm should be difficult for cultivators below the fourth realm to bear.

Hu Hailong reacted swiftly, a crimson coral jade armor materializing on his body, glowing red and resisting the ropes. At the same time, he tried to draw the short sword tucked behind his waist. However, the dragon ropes tightly bound his arms, rendering him immobile. Furthermore, the jade pieces on the crimson armor were now exploding one by one under the tightening force of the dragon ropes.

Just then, Hu Hailong watched as a puff of white smoke rose from the body of "Xu Shiren" in front of him. When the smoke disappeared, only a bundled straw man remained. The straw man had a small hole through its chest, and its interior was riddled with holes.

"A substitute death charm?"

Hu Hailong's expression changed drastically as he watched the straw figure fall.

The next moment, another Xu Shiren leaped out of the void, summoning a silver net to capture Hu Hailong's inner core.

The net is extremely fast and agile, radiating a silvery luster that flows like water, dazzling and eye-catching.

This appears to be nothing more than a mercury net for capturing the evil spirits and dew.

　Requesting monthly votes and recommendations! Comments and messages are welcome!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)