A Scroll of Infinite Glory

Chapter 213 The Mountain Man Arrives Through the Wind and Mist

Although the golden-armored general still looked somewhat illusory, he was awe-inspiring and possessed an aura that naturally restrained evil and wicked things.

Once He descended upon the village, the ring of dark clouds immediately trembled and dissipated, flying out of the village like black snowflakes, gathering into two condensed streams of black energy, which then retreated back into Gao Lian and Gao Feng's gourd.

The two Gao brothers were not surprised but delighted, and shouted in unison, "They're out!"

Gongsun Sheng's spellcasting immediately revealed his exact location.

The golden-armored general in the air had already pursued the black mist and was coming over. Because it was an illusory body, it flew at an incredible speed. With a single swing of its broadsword, it extended its range several times.

The sword strike, arriving with such force, seemed poised to cleave the two men on horseback in two at the waist in one fell swoop.

Gao Lian drew his sword to block the attack and shouted loudly.

"A nameless, faceless spirit, merely a fabricated figure created by Gongsun Sheng through magic to forcibly draw incense offerings, dares to attack me?!"

The golden-armored general was clearly unharmed, but upon being questioned, he seemed to panic, his face changing drastically. He and his sword disintegrated on their own, turning into wisps of incense smoke and spiritual light that drifted towards the small temple on the mountain.

Gongsun Sheng sighed inwardly: After all, it is just a small temple with incense offerings. Although it can ward off evil magic, this incense offering comes from the common people. When it encounters an official who is protected by the imperial dynasty's fortune, it is naturally inferior.

"Gongsun Yiqing, stop resisting. If you surrender and come with us to escort Lin Lingsu to Bianliang, the Emperor has always been lenient towards those who cultivate themselves, and perhaps he can spare your crimes."

Gao Feng slapped the end of the scabbard with his left hand, and the ancient sword on his back sprang out of the scabbard with a whoosh. The hilt and blade were completely black, without a trace of luster, and some small seal characters were etched on the spine of the sword.

The sword is engraved with exquisite characters, but these characters are incomplete, disordered, and some have inexplicably added strokes, giving people an eerie feeling just by looking at these strokes and patterns, as if they were specially made for ghosts and monsters in the underworld.

Gao Feng held the sword in his hand like a token, and immediately, many red-haired figures wearing black cloaks leaped out from the shadows of the mounds of earth and withered trees on both sides of the road behind him.

These so-called "flying warriors" varied in height, but all had bloodshot eyes, lips that seemed unable to close and were fixed in a forced, open position, two fangs protruding outwards, and ten black fingers, clearly indicating they were highly poisonous.

Their leaping postures were wondrous; with their feet together and knees slightly bent, they could jump three to five zhang high and leap seven or eight zhang far. Their wide black cloaks fluttered behind them, and their movements were incredibly swift and awe-inspiring.

Three hundred figures rose and fell in a chaotic yet orderly fashion, subtly forming a unified whole, like a giant, dark wave surging from the hazy distant mountains to the nearby plains.

Gongsun Sheng remained calm and composed, reminding Dai Zong, "Brother Dai Zong, wait for the right opportunity."

Dai Zong nodded and had already tied the leg armor to both himself and Lin Lingsu's legs.

The term "jia ma" actually refers to paper with colorful images of deities drawn on it. It is said to have originated in the Tang Dynasty. At that time, when people drew images of deities, they always included armor and horses, hence the alternative name.

Dai Zong's divine speed technique belongs to unorthodox methods and requires the use of talismans to cast spells. However, after years of hard practice, he has brought this unorthodox technique to its ultimate level.

Once he started chanting the incantation, as soon as he had the thought of taking a step, the ground would shrink, and he would be a hundred paces away, as fast as lightning. What's even more remarkable is that he could see cliffs, precipices, rivers, and treacherous valleys as if they were flat ground.

Unfortunately, Dai Zong faces two major challenges if he wants to use his divine speed technique here.

First, Lin Lingsu's magical power is too abundant, yet chaotic and restless, which can easily affect the operation of various unorthodox spells, greatly weakening the effect of the Divine Speed ​​Technique, and even potentially causing it to fail on the spot.

Secondly, Gao Lian and Gao Feng each have three hundred flying divine soldiers. Gao Feng's have already been released, but Gao Lian's are still hidden in the shadows. They must have used these flying divine soldiers to set up a barrier of evil energy around the village, making it impossible for the divine movement technique to pass through.

Only after Gongsun Sheng manages to break through that barrier will Dai Zong have a chance to barely give Lin Lingsu a try.

"rise!!!"

With a clear and sharp whistle, Gongsun Sheng, holding a whisk in his left hand and an ancient sword in his right, swung his sword forward. The wind around him suddenly became fierce, and many thatched roofs on both sides flew into the air with his sword movements.

Each blade of grass, like a sharp arrow, whistled through the air, striking the flying soldiers and sending up visible sparks that forcefully halted their forward momentum.

The three hundred flying soldiers were forced to stop in mid-air and lay across the front. Before the sound of the straw breaking through the air had stopped, Gongsun Sheng had already broken into the formation.

He flicked his left hand with a whisk, and the silver threads of the whisk stretched out and slithered along the ground like seven or eight pure white pythons, each with immense strength, wrapping around the ankles of the flying soldiers.

With a flick of his left hand, Gongsun Sheng lifted a large group of people off the ground, sending them crashing into the other flying divine soldiers.

If we only consider arm strength, Gongsun Sheng probably wouldn't even qualify as a third-rate martial arts expert. However, this whisk of his was bestowed upon him by his master when he joined the sect and has long been consecrated to the point of being spiritually powerful and magical, its length adjustable at will. Now, with a burst of magical power, sweeping it out, it probably has a force of over 200,000 jin.

Even though those flying divine soldiers were made of iron and steel, they couldn't help but let out strange cries and fly backwards, their arms and legs flailing wildly, clearing a space within a ten-zhang radius.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Gongsun Sheng bit his tongue and spat a mouthful of blood onto the Pine Pattern Ancient Sword. The tip of the sword sliced ​​across the ground and pointed at Gao Lian and Gao Feng.

The surrounding land swelled up like boiling water, forming mounds. The mounds burst open, and dozens of large and small, yellowish rocks rose into the air.

Most of these stones are nearly spherical and were temporarily formed by Gongsun Sheng using underground soil.

The smaller ones were about half a person's height, while the larger ones were as large as three or four people could hug. But when they were guided by Gongsun Sheng's magic sword and shot out, regardless of their size, their speed was astonishing.

The jumbled rocks startled the sky, their sound like a roar!

Whether it's the Chaotic Sea and Heavenly Net Smoke or the Flying Divine Weapons, these unorthodox methods are absolutely impossible to withstand this "Six Jia Mountain Opening Curse" in a hurry. Gao Lian and Gao Feng will definitely have to retreat and escape.

As soon as they retreat, these flying stones will blast their way out of the village, naturally breaking through the barrier of evil energy.

When these boulders came close, the two horses were so frightened that their hooves went weak, and Gao Feng also looked stern, leaning back with his left hand on the horse's back, ready to throw it off at any moment.

However, he did not choose to escape immediately because Gao Lian, who was by his side, had already made his move.

"Good timing."

Gao Lian shouted and his body suddenly rose three feet into the air, landing on the horse's back. A strong metallic smell emanated from his body. He flipped his wrist, which was holding a sword, and the skin on the back of his hand was smooth and poreless, as if steel had been hammered countless times to forge the muscle lines of his hand when he exerted force.

With a flick of his wrist, a burst of sword light erupted.

Dark, chilling sword energy burst forth, some long and some short.

The long one shot out ten feet to the left and right, shattering the boulders on both sides.

The shorter one fired a direct shot, piercing seven or eight feet away and shattering several huge rocks that were crashing down on it.

The stones tilted and flew, and the stone dust scattered everywhere. Not a single flying stone could escape Gao Lian's sword light. No matter how small or fast it was, or how big or fierce it was, none of them could overcome the defensive line he had set up with his sword.

Gao Lian's horse let out a mournful neigh, its four hooves buckled to the ground, and it collapsed limply like mud, already killed by the shock.

He stepped back slightly, standing by the horse's tail. His sword-wielding arm trembled slightly, but the slight tingling and trembling quickly subsided. With a large leap forward, he cleared the horse's corpse, instantly kicking up a cloud of dust on the ground, and arrived in front of Gongsun Sheng.

Gongsun Sheng crossed his whisk and ancient sword to block Gao Lianli's downward slash. He felt that these two magical treasures, which he had carried with him for many years, were almost shattered by Gao Lianli's sword.

The heavy, turbid aura emanating from that dark, evil sword was cruel and pungent; each strike was so heavy it made one's teeth ache and one's tongue taste bitter.

This is no longer some unorthodox or deceitful method, but the most skillful battlefield martial arts, a demonic art.

"You first learned unorthodox magic, gained fame through it, and yet you still have the perseverance to learn demonic arts?"

Gongsun Sheng was also somewhat taken aback, and managed to parry left and right while retreating step by step.

Unorthodox magic is easy to learn but difficult to master. It is easy to take shortcuts. Once unorthodox magicians obtain official positions, it becomes even easier for them to practice these magics. After tasting too many benefits, most of them will only stick to this one path.

The demonic path, on the other hand, involves tempering one's body and bones, swallowing gold and chewing iron, making it an exceptionally arduous practice.

Gao Lian's cultivation in the demonic path has clearly achieved some success. When he wields his sword, he also mixes in unorthodox illusions. Often, when he delivers a sword strike, seven or eight arms will suddenly appear.

Or perhaps the sword and its hand transform into a bat-winged python, twisting and turning, making it impossible to see where the snake's fangs will strike.

Gongsun Sheng had already suffered three or four sword wounds in an instant. What was even more troublesome was that the flying divine soldiers around him were now under Gao Feng's control and had surrounded him again.

Gao Feng himself also charged forward with his sword, slightly further away than Gao Lian. With each swing of his sword, a gloomy, dark sandstorm swept across the ground.

Gongsun Sheng had no choice but to temporarily use his whisk to parry Gao Lian, and then thrust his ancient sword into the ground to stop the flying sand and force back the poisonous smoke contained within it.

Seeing Gongsun Sheng in dire straits, Dai Zong was extremely anxious. The evil energy barrier was still in place, and his superhuman speed technique wouldn't allow him to go very far. He gritted his teeth and decided to rush forward to help Gongsun Sheng in battle.

Unfortunately, while his speed-running technique was very effective for escaping, it wasn't particularly agile for short-distance maneuvers in combat. After defeating seven or eight flying soldiers, he was entangled by even more flying soldiers and struggled to cope, unable to even get within three zhang of Gongsun Sheng.

Lin Lingsu looked in that direction for a while, then looked down at the armored horse tied to her legs, her eyes showing disgust, but her gaze was still carefully observing the divine image pattern on the armored horse.

The statue was dressed in soft armor and covered with a red robe. The ground beneath its feet was a dark cloud, from which one could barely make out the shape of a horse's head. It certainly didn't look like a true god.

"So it's the Shrinking Earth Technique of the Three Mountains and Nine Marquises. How did you recite that incantation again? 'One step, a hundred steps; movement as if shrinking the earth,' and there's more after that..."

Lin Lingsu thought for a moment, but couldn't remember. She pressed her right palm down lightly, "Never mind, Three Mountains and Nine Marquises, obey my command, go."

Incantations and spells involve complicated steps, often requiring attention to syllables and characters, finger mudras, and visualization of related deities and spirits.

With a casual gesture and a command from Lin Lingsu, he should have been ignored even by a grasshopper on the roadside. However, the stiff and chaotic magical power within his body had been straightened out into a smooth stream, like a fine spring flowing down from an ancient, unmelting iceberg.

The Swift Vanity, encountering such a small amount of pure energy, seemed unable to withstand it. It was forcibly activated, and two flame-like clouds of light rose from its legs, causing Lin Lingsu's figure to crash straight forward.

With a loud bang, the dozens of flying divine soldiers he had bumped and grazed fell into the air one after another.

Gongsun Sheng quickly spun around to avoid the strong gust of wind rushing from behind.

Gao Lian was about to strike Gongsun Sheng with his sword and couldn't stop. He didn't care who was standing in front of him and simply thrust his sword straight into Lin Lingsu's chest.

when!!

The evil sword, filled with heavy, turbid energy and sturdy and indestructible, immediately bent into a dangerous arc, its tip pressed against Lin Lingsu's chest, unable to penetrate even an inch.

The sword suddenly sprang back, sending Gao Lian staggering backward.

The armor on Lin Lingsu's feet had turned to ashes. Her gaze was cold as she stared at Gao Lian and Gao Feng. Taking advantage of the lingering aura of purity, she raised her hands, her palms concave inwards, and clapped them together.

The wind around them stopped abruptly, the air vibrated and hummed, and then an indescribable thunderclap exploded in their ears.

Thunder in the early morning!

This sound, like the cracking of a whip in the hand of a god, startled the morning mist from the mountains. Gongsun Sheng, Dai Zong, and the villagers felt a shiver run through their bodies, followed by a feeling of complete comfort.

However, the flying soldiers who also heard the thunder had a completely different experience.

Several flying divine soldiers that were slightly closer to Lin Lingsu froze in place, cracking as their complete skeletons were ejected from their backs.

Flesh and blood, skin and flesh, all turned to ashes.

The flying soldiers further away also had some dust-like substances floating on their bodies, and they fell down in rows.

Gao Feng coughed up a mouthful of blood, and the three hundred flying divine soldiers he had painstakingly sacrificed for many years were completely destroyed in an instant, and the gourd at his waist was also covered with cracks.

He looked at Lin Lingsu in terror, stumbled backward, screamed, and turned to run away.

Gao Lian was so frightened that he took several steps back, the hilt of his sword rolling in his hand, his palms covered in sweat.

"hehe."

Gao Lian's Adam's apple bobbed, and he forced a smile, "Mr. Yuanmiao, I am only here on the Emperor's orders to invite you to Bianliang as a guest. These two men stole you away for no reason, which is why my brothers and I came to chase after them. Since you don't want to go either, I will return to Bianliang now and explain the situation to the Emperor. I promise I will never bother you again."

Lin Lingsu maintained her clapping gesture, snorted coldly, and said, "Get lost."

Gao Lian's eyes flashed, and he nodded repeatedly, but he did not retreat. Suddenly, he thrust out his sword and pierced Lin Lingsu's throat.

Gongsun Sheng and Dai Zong gasped in shock.

Lin Lingsu raised her eyelids slightly and glared at Gao Lian.

"All you do is stare, just as I expected! Just as I expected!"

Cold sweat beaded on Gao Lian's forehead. Having successfully landed a blow, he laughed loudly, "Who hasn't heard of your arrogant and domineering reputation, you old thief? You're actually so easy to talk to! You were just bluffing all along; you've run out of steam!"

As he spoke, he flicked his wrist and, with a whoosh, thrust out twenty-three swords in succession, each sword tip landing in the same spot.

When he sheathed his sword, he saw tiny drops of blood fall from the tip. The blood droplets landed and turned into a teardrop-shaped piece of silver, shining brightly.

"The blood energy turned silver upon hitting the ground; this old thief's cultivation is indeed as formidable as the rumors suggest."

Gao Lian was also a little scared. Lin Lingsu had been stabbed so many times with all his might, and the wound on her throat looked only the size of a pinprick. The resistance was even stronger after the skin was broken.

Fortunately, this old thief can't be moved right now, so it's best to deal with the other two first.

Dai Zong and Gongsun Sheng had already charged forward. Gao Lian swung his sword with all his might, and Dai Zong could not withstand it. Gongsun Sheng flicked his horsetail whisk, which wrapped around Dai Zong's body. The thick silver threads blocked the sword, but many of them were also broken off.

Dai Zong flew off, his entire body still clutching his whisk.

The broken silver threads fluttered wildly in the air. Gongsun Sheng only had one sword left in his hand. He was relentlessly pursued and attacked by Gao Lian, who slashed six times in quick succession like striking iron. This forced Gongsun Sheng to give up any chance to use his magic. The Pine Pattern Ancient Sword had already slipped from his hand and crashed to the ground.

Gao Lian struck again, aiming straight for Gongsun Sheng's face.

Gongsun Sheng sighed inwardly, "My life is over!"

Ding! ! !

Gao Lian's sword suddenly veered off course, and he lost control of his momentum, staggering three or four steps to the side. He looked at his sword with surprise and uncertainty, and saw that a shallow dent had been punched into the spine of the blade.

Amidst those swaying silver threads, a touch of green swayed gently.

Gongsun Sheng looked closely and saw that it was a blade of grass.

It was this very leaf that just now shattered Gao Lian's sword.

The green leaves came from ten zhang... thirty zhang... fifty zhang... a hundred zhang away!

Gongsun Sheng's gaze followed the direction.

A hundred feet away, there is a small path worn out by the villagers over the years, which leads directly to the only mountain god temple in the vicinity.

A person walked along the road, holding blades of grass in his hand and surrounded by a cool mist. At first glance, he seemed to be wearing a strangely shaped garment.

But in a moment of confusion, upon closer inspection, the person was clearly wearing an elegant long robe with subtle gold patterns.

Gongsun Sheng recognized the man's robe and suddenly realized that, apart from the color, it was exactly the same as his own pine and crane Taoist robe.

The morning mist was unusually cold, and Gongsun Sheng and Gao Lian, a Taoist priest and a sorcerer respectively, both had an absurd idea.

Legend has it that mountain spirits and monsters can transform into anything they desire. Is this a human or a ghost?

(End of this chapter)