Chapter 171 - Witchcraft
Outside the ancient forbidden place, birds chirped, the mountains tranquil, other than the earlier indistinct shouts and roars of battle from the mountain a distance away, there was no other noise. Gentle mountain breeze blew over from afar, the exuberant vegetation on the mountain swayed together, it looked not like a scene from the mortal world.
Under the four bold big words of the Illusory Moon Cave, the stone walls outside the primitive cave seemed to have wear off much, as if it had recorded the infinite number of times time had quietly passed through here. And right now, this stretch of wild countryside seemed to be silent, watching these two men facing each other.
How much time over the years, quietly passed just like that, when one turned back, the good friends from the old days, how many are left?
Lin JingYu had been keeping quiet but the expressions on his face constantly changed violently, only his eyes, never left Ghost Li. That man standing silently before him! Was it still that Zhang Xiao Fan?
Finally, he spoke, his deep low voice with a trace of hoarseness, said, “Why did you kill him? He was only an old man who was already in his late days.”
Ghost Li’s facial muscles seemed to twitch once, he raised his eyes and looked at Lin JingYu, that playmate from his childhood, the veins on his face seemed to move, it could be seen that he was struggling to control his emotions but such a fiery and forthright expression, it seemed to be his innate look!
Just like, when he was young, he was already familiar with it. And right now, he stood there openly, under the sunlight, questioning himself…
Deep inside the dense forest, there seemed to be a pair of dark eyes, coldly watching the two men’s figures.
Ghost Li watched him for a long time, slowly said one sentence, “He obstructed my way.”
Lin JingYu snorted and then he lifted his head to the sky, inhaled deeply, like he was speaking to himself deep inside his heart, the next moment, when he turned back, he had a cold expression.
He stared deeply at Ghost Li, looked at this once so familiar but right now so unfamiliar face, coldly said, “Since the terrible tragedy in Grasstemple village, when we are the only survivors, I have always treated you like my brother, do you know?”
Ghost Li’s lips moved, slowly nodded.
Lin JingYu stared at him, said, “In my heart, I have always thought, we are the closest, therefore even ten years ago when you betrayed Qing Yun, I have always hoped, hoped that one day you will realize your wrongs and mend your ways, return to Good Faction again.” For the first time a dismal expression appeared on his face but in this disappointment it indistinctly still revealed hatred, coldly smiled and said, “But, eventually I am still wrong, I should have realized it earlier, you are no longer that best brother Zhang Xiao Fan, you are now already Evil Sect fearful figure, the merciless Ghost Li.”
He laughed dismally, the expression on his face turned even more decisive, a sound of [qiang lang] dragons singing, jade-green light flared, ‘Dragon Slayer Sword’ left its sheath, the sword energy like dragon, like a raging torrent, raging to devour someone, reflecting Lin JingYu’s young yet angry face, looking somehow savage.
“Our past friendship, sever in half today!”
The resounding words were spoken resolutely. Following which a beam of jade-green sword light, tore apart this silence, from high up in the air slashed across the solid sturdy stone ground, a loud sound, ceasing only after a long time. After which, what was left was horizontally between the two of them, a deep sword scar on the stone slab.
Ghost Li’s face suddenly changed, even his body for some reason, trembled, he stared hard at that deep scar on the ground, for the first time his face revealed a trace of anguish.
That sword scar was so deep, carved into the solid stone, unable to be erased again. He looked at that scar, even Lin JingYu’s words, he seemed to take no notice.
The deep sword scar, not long ago, he seemed to have seen it before?
Almost at some time, someone he treasured in his heart, also cut off all relations, also such resolutely!
Deep scar, deep deep scar, cut through the stone slab on the ground, severed all relations in the world but the one it hurt, whose heart was it?
Almost like he couldn’t breathe, Ghost Li involuntarily panted heavily, even his body started to shake uncontrollably but the next moment, he again took control over himself. The agitated expression on his face flashed past and never appeared again. He slowly lowered his head, secretly, clenched his teeth tight.
Then, he lifted his head, looked at Lin JingYu for a long time, clenched both of his hands into fists, his nails sinking deep into his flesh.
But on his face, he smiled instead.
Lin JingYu became even more infuriated, said, “What are you laughing at?”
Ghost Li stared at him for a long time, softly said, “Realize wrongs and mend ways?” He suddenly laughed loudly, his laughter mournful, said, “Yes I am lost, indeed I couldn’t find the way but which way is the correct path, is it your path?”
Lin JingYu sternly said, “That’s right, Good Faction is the correct path, you betrayed and abandoned the Good Faction, that would be astray.”
“Pei!”
Lin JingYu’s body shook, was stunned.
Ghost Li’s dismal look, lifted his head to the sky, angrily spat and said, “Who said that Good Faction is the correct way? Is it you? Even if it’s what you said, Good Faction is the correct way, then what makes you think your Qing Yun is definitely considered the Good Faction?”
Lin JingYu frowned tightly, a murderous expression revealed on his face, coldly said, “Since you and I have already sever our relations, why bother with words!”
Ghost Li coldly looked at him, said, “You want to kill me?”
Lin JingYu sternly said, “That old man is killed by you, these ten years he had devotedly taught me, treated me like his son, I am indebted to him, like a father to me. He is killed by you and you are still unrepentable, I want to rid the people of an evil, seek revenge for him.”
Ghost Li sneered, said, “There are many kinds of jackals and wolves in the world, actually it didn’t mean anything but just that I have not fulfilled my wish and so definitely will not die.”
Lin JingYu laughed a long laugh, full of disdain, the Dragon Slayer Sword lit up, he coldly said, “Enough with nonsense, our old scores over these ten over years, settle it today!”
Ghost Li humphed, dim dark-green light lit up from his right hand, that firestick glowed with dark light, quietly flew up.
Birds chirped lightly, the mountain felt even more tranquil, the lush green mountain, clear breeze lightly blew, under the boundless sky, before the thousand years old ancient cave, the two childhood friends, coldly facing each other, about to do a life-and-death battle.
And at this time, suddenly, behind them, a deep rumble was heard from that Illusory Moon Cave, the surroundings started to shake, both of them changed countenance.
Before they could react, from that ancient cave, a purple gas flashed past, instantly that purple gas leapt up, shrouded the cave opening, the clouds surged, among it thunder rumbled, the purple gas like a column, charged straight up to the clouds.
Leaving the two of them before this Heaven and Earth spectacle, right now looking extremely insignificant, their clothes flapped in the wind, again staring at each other coldly.
The wind was whistling.
Passing TongTian Peak, imposing and solemn but not only it was an absolute silence over at Good Faction side, even that black pressing stretch of demon beasts ahead, seemed to sense something, also quietened down, looked up.
Standing above the white skeleton monster’s skull, the brightly coloured silk clothings of the Beast Deity gently fluttered in the wind, a youthful appearance but his eyes showed a timeless gaze, also looking at that gradually emerging huge sword formation in the sky.
The majestic purple air, first soared up from back of the Qing Yun Hill TongTian Peak, its speed like lightning, its momentum unparalleled, charging up to the sky, like an enormous purple pillar supporting Heaven and Earth, suddenly appeared in this vast world. The purple air rose, turbulently and finally landed on that rock-yet-not-like-rock Zhu Xian Ancient Sword.
That moment, Zhu Xian Ancient Sword lighted up, even from a far distance, the innumerable humans, could sense high up in the sky, on that ancient sword, there seemed to be something, moving slightly, like slowly awakening from a deep slumber.
On the ancient sword, brilliant light released, reflecting Reverend DaoXuan’s face.
His dark-green robes rose without wind, making flapping sounds, his right hand holding the sword, his face solemn, his left hand fingers held a sword gesture tightly, between Heaven and Earth his low voice was heard, like Sanskrit chanting, like a strange incantation, reverberating far and wide. Suddenly, his left hand sword gesture moved, piercing the horizon, almost at the same time, the other six lofty mountain summits of Qing Yun mountain ranges, six rays of light rose up, like a long rainbow running through the horizon, broke through and arrived, streaking a long trajectory across the firmament and finally also landed on that Zhu Xian Ancient Sword.
Instantly, the Zhu Xian Ancient Sword was enveloped in an extremely dazzling radiance, like the rising run descended upon the mortal world, unable to look at it, the resplendent light burst forth from the ancient sword, immediately that mass of dark air which was hovering in the horizon was chased completely away.
In the resplendent light, seven colour lights merged into one, rose up from that mass of brilliant white light, in the sky, transformed into an enormous seven-coloured sword, flowing with colour and light. Following which, that colourful main sword with the ceaseless pouring of the seven mountain summits spiritual energies, started to become larger and during the process, different single-coloured energy small spiritual swords separated from it, increasing in number, started to spread thickly over the sky.
On the ground, a burst of cheers was heard from the onlookers, numerous young disciples, regardless or not whether they were from Qing Yun sect, all revealed awe and revered expressions, looking up at that almost mythology majestic sword formation in the horizon. And many of those who had experienced that Qing Yun turmoil ten years ago, right now had mixed feelings, some rejoiced, some silent.
Among the crowd, the surrounding young disciples smiled and laughed, Lu XueQi silently looked up at that resplendent, imposing Zhu Xian Sword Formation, the rays of light, reflecting down from the sky, enveloped everyone including her in it, reflecting her face bright. Just that, on her beautiful cold face, there was no expression, only in her pair of bright eyes, reflected that seven colours light, dimly, flashed with a different kind of feeling but eventually nobody could see what was deep in her heart.
Ten years of time, without realizing, quietly passed by like that, who would still remember, that heart-wrenching cry at Qing Yun Hill? Who would still remember, that young man who sank into despair?
Lu XueQi’s body trembled, suddenly seemed to recall something unbearable, even the expression on her face also dimmed down, subconsciously she held TianYa Celestial Sword tighter in her hand.
The sky full of sword figures, became more and more dense, numerous brilliant lights, covered the entire sky.
In the Beast Deity’s eyes, reflected the entire sky infinite swords, looking at it for a long time, he nodded, his face solemn, sighed and said, “It is really the work of the Gods, didn’t expect that there is such an unparalleled figure in Central Plains, able to gather the spiritual energies of the mountains and create such an exceptional sword formation. It is really amazing!”
He clapped and praised, said three times in succession, “Amazing!”
“Amazing!”
“Amazing!”
Although he sang praises but his face did not show the slightest fear, or should say, nobody knew, someone like him, a human-but-not-like-human, like those ghost demons, would he feel fear and dread?
In the stormy situation, the enormous monster made a low growl, slowly rose up and hovered in the air, facing that Water Kirin and Reverend DaoXuan standing on its back.
The violent wind blew past, the sky silent!
The humans and beasts racket below, suddenly seemed to be very far away, leaving only the two of them facing each other, the vast Heaven and Earth yet seemed narrow and cramped, seemed unable to accommodate two people.
Both of them looked at each other.
Reverend DaoXuan coldly said, “Under Zhu Xian Sword, demons and ghosts have never been able to survive, if you are smart, surrender now, incarcerate yourself for a lifetime at Qing Yun and I will spare your life.”
Beast Deity was stunned and then laughed out, did not mind, only shook his head slightly, his face showed a few signs of ridicule. Reverend DaoXuan saw it, did not speak anymore, breathed deeply, his right hand held the sword tightly, his left hand suddenly waved, the sky full of dense swords, suddenly an orange spiritual sword left the crowd, pierced through the sky with a sharp whistle, shot towards Beast Deity.
Beast Deity was solemn but his eyes stared intently on the sword that was flying towards him, this orange sword flew like lightning, in a blink was already less than one zhang before him. Beast Deity suddenly raised his left hand, five fingers spread towards the direction of the sword.
In the mid-air, black gas appeared out of thin air, one zhang before the Beast Deity, instantly solidified and formed a black shield wall, top square bottom sharp, blocked before the orange-coloured small sword.
A moment later, the orange sword collided onto the black shield!
Heaven and Earth, in that instant, still that silent.
[Rumble!]
Following, like the rising run leaping out of the water surface, a thunderous rumble immediately erupted, and in the black air orange light, few lightnings flashed and then slowly receded.
These two objects were both formless gas objects but as if like the world’s most sturdy treasures both shook hard, the entire firmament and earth, shrouded in the deafening rumble.
The invisible sound waves, strong winds following, Qing Yun Hill summit, everyone’s ears were ringing, their countenances changed. Although the people already knew the two of them were highly skilled figures but from that exchange earlier, it looked like an ordinary testing of skills yet actually had such a powerful impact, it was really unexpected, at the same time the final outcome of this battle, would be even unpredictable.
There were even some who already thought, after this calamity, under such intensive and fierce fight, what would be the outcome of Qing Yun Hill.
In the air, Reverend DaoXuan and the Beast Deity faced each other, both expressionless, couldn’t tell if there was any sign of surprise or shock emotions. Under the dazzling colourful spiritual swords sky, the Beast Deity was shrouded in a mass of black air, looking especially glaring.
After a long time, Reverend DaoXuan slightly snorted, his left hand sword gesture signalled, his robes danced, against that resplendent ancient sword Zhu Xian in his hand which flashed for a moment, in the firmament, suddenly violent wind came from all directions, the sky of sword images, half of the swords in the horizon suddenly swayed. For a moment, brilliant lights and vibrant colours in the horizon, extremely awe-inspiring, almost unable to view directly.
The Beast Deity’s countenance changed, focused to meet it. As expected the next moment, starting from the back of Reverend DaoXuan, several colourful swords had already turned, trembling and shaking in the sky, targeting the Beast Deity. The cold energy, instantly surged and raged, the next moment, half of the swords in the sky, at one glance unable to tell the exact numbers, all seemed to be manipulated by an invisible force, slowly turning over.
Between Heaven and Earth, an austere atmosphere. But before the people could react, the ancient sword in Reverend DaoXuan’s hand had already exploded with light, at the same time, like an angry tide erupting, the raging waves hit the shore, the hundred over single-coloured spiritual swords in the formation formed a long and wide seven zhang huge sword rain, pounded down with a rumble.
The sky rang with piercing sharp whistles, [suo suo] sounds reverberated between Heaven and Earth. The Beast Deity watched the sword rain approaching, with a loud shout, the enormous monster below his feet at the same time howled long to the sky, its cry extremely mournful. However both of his hands opened wide and closed, his body moved, making weird movements, even from afar, for some reason, everyone on TongTian Peak at the same time heard an extremely odd desolate song.
That song was completely different from Central Plains, desolate and forceful, like a wild huge beast howling to the night sky in the storm, there was even a endless whistling feeling.
Following the deep ancient music, accompanying it was sonorous and rhythmic strange drum beats, the black air around the Beast Deity suddenly soared up, black like ink, in the violent wind rapidly circulated, like a black dragon brandishing its claws, imposingly watching the world.