Chapter 549: The Life-Long Talisman

Snow Aunt's expression changed instantly.

Holy Son??!

She stared at the handsome boy, unable to believe:

"You're… the Mo Sect's Holy Son?!"

Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi both looked solemn.

Only Mo Hua looked confused.

What is a Holy Son?

Bai Zixi knew he didn't understand, so he explained softly:

"The leader of the Mo Sect calls himself the Demon Lord; those with the potential to succeed him are called Holy Sons…"

"Holy Sons compete against each other, and the ultimate victor becomes the next Demon Lord."

"Most Holy Sons possess extraordinary bloodlines, exceptional talent, and cultivate the most orthodox Mo Sect techniques; though young, they hold extremely high status within the Mo Sect."

Mo Hua studied the "Holy Son" before him once more.

He was indeed young, probably only in his twenties, yet his cultivation was already very high—at least Foundation Establishment, possibly even Golden Core.

He wore crimson finery, had pale skin, a beautiful yet eerie face, cold and arrogant pupils, and an ancient blood mark between his brows.

Among this group, only this boy had a blood mark between his brows.

Could this be the Holy Son's mark?

As Mo Hua studied the Holy Son, the Holy Son was also studying him.

Liao Tiande leaned in and whispered something; the Holy Son smiled faintly and pointed at Mo Hua:

"Leave this brat behind!"

Bai Zisheng and the others were taken aback.

Mo Hua was even more confused—why had this sinister, otherworldly man singled him out, demanding he stay?

Snow Aunt pulled Mo Hua behind her and said sternly:

"We are the Bai family…"

"I know you're from the Bai family…"

The Holy Son sneered, "You're a Bai, and the brother and sister beside you are among the core direct heirs—so I'll give you face."

"You may leave, but that brat…"

The Holy Son sneered, "He must stay!"

Snow Aunt frowned. "Why do you want to keep Mo Hua? What do you intend?"

"Nothing…" The Holy Son's eerie eyes burned with ambition. "I intend to meet Mr. Zhuang, but I need some leverage—his little disciple is just perfect."

Mo Hua suddenly understood—they wanted to capture him to threaten his master!

Bai Zisheng also understood, and roared: "Demon, you dare not!"

The Holy Son's face twitched, his eyes flashing fury and cruelty.

In all his life, no one had ever dared to curse him to his face.

He glared at Bai Zisheng with venomous eyes.

Bai Zisheng's gaze was like a sword—unyielding and fearless.

The Holy Son felt a flicker of surprise and nodded: "No wonder you're a Bai disciple—you've got some spine…"

Yet as he spoke, his eyes could not hide their killing intent.

The fat head monk at the Golden Core stage noticed and flattered: "Holy Son, let me kill this brat for you."

The Holy Son made no reply, saying nothing.

Beside him, a withered Daoist Priest with half his face burned scarred sneered:

"Ghost Head Monk, use some brains when kissing ass—the Bai direct heirs have their Life-Long Talismans seeded in their fate. If you dare touch them, are you trying to die?"

The fat head monk flushed with anger, his fat cheeks trembling, yet his expression turned shocked.

"Life-Long Talisman?"

Mo Hua was startled.

What kind of talisman was that? He'd never heard of it…

The Daoist Priest with the burned face continued mocking Ghost Head Monk:

"The Life-Long Talisman is forged by a Void-Permeating elder using his primordial essence, then implanted into the fate of a direct heir. When the heir faces mortal danger, it activates automatically, annihilating all external enemies and ensuring the heir's survival."

"It's a one-time 'lifesaving talisman'…"

"It's another 'life' for these clan direct heirs!"

"Otherwise, how could those clan elders bear to let their gifted, brilliant disciples leave to undergo trials?"

The thin Daoist Priest glanced at Ghost Head Monk with mockery. "I've lived this long and never seen what a Life-Long Talisman looks like. Why don't you strike them and force the talisman to reveal itself? Let me witness it."

Ghost Head Monk's face flushed red and white.

Strike?

Strike your mother's hand?

A Void-Permeating elder's technique—"annihilates all external enemies"—if I strike, won't I die instantly?

Damn it!

Ghost Head Monk seethed inwardly.

He was a latecomer to cultivation, consumed others to become demonic, and lacked proper lineage—so he knew nothing of high-level Daoist knowledge.

Life-Long Talisman, Void-Permeating elders—he'd never even heard of such things before.

And now, the moment he tried to show off, he made a fool of himself.

Still, before the Holy Son...

The noble head monk glared fiercely at the Daoist Priest.

The Daoist Priest merely sneered.

They were all Jin Dan demonic cultivators; if not gathered together, each would be a "Grand Ancestor" of their own region, commanding wind and rain—naturally, none would submit to another.

The Holy Son's gaze was cold, his thoughts turning.

The Daoist Priest spoke truly...

On one hand, he feared the Bai family, so he dared not act against these siblings.

The Bai family was a colossal force.

These two young cultivators were the most direct-line descendants of the Bai family; acting against them would directly enrage the Bai family.

Though he was the demonic sect's Holy Son, without immense benefit, he need not make such a great enemy.

On the other hand, he truly feared the Life-Sustaining Talisman.

The Life-Sustaining Talisman was equivalent to a "get-out-of-death-free" card.

With this talisman, he could do nothing to these siblings.

Therefore, the only one he could harm, the only one he could hold hostage, was that one without clan, without background, without patronage, with inferior elemental affinity, weak cultivation, no Life-Sustaining Talisman to protect him—and who, by sheer coincidence, was Mr. Zhuang's direct disciple—Mo Hua!

The Holy Son looked at Bai Zisheng and the other, "I won't trouble you..." Then his gaze shifted to Mo Hua, "But this brat is mine!"

Bai Zisheng snorted, "You dare not!"

Snow Aunt also spoke gravely, "One of our Bai family's elders is nearby. I urge the Holy Son to consider his actions."

The Holy Son smiled with a sinister softness, "Don't think I don't know—the Dark-Paths Heavenly-Secrets Lock obscures heavenly patterns and locks karmic threads; this place is temporarily severed from the outside world."

"Your Bai family doesn't know, and those fools in the Dao Court know even less."

Snow Aunt's heart tightened, her face as cold as water.

Indeed, everything had been calculated.

The Holy Son had no wish to waste more words; with a casual wave of his hand, several Jin Dan demonic cultivators behind him flashed forward, moving like ghosts, closing in on Mo Hua to seize him.

Leading them was a seductive female cultivator with fangs bared, her movement graceful yet eerie; within mere breaths, she had drawn near to Mo Hua and his group.

From her body emanated a thick, pungent scent of cosmetics.

Snow Aunt's heart clenched; she gritted her teeth and activated her gaze.

In her eyes, seven-colored light swirled.

The demonic female cultivator met her gaze, paused for a moment, then suddenly channeled dark power, grinning wickedly, her eyes turning red with bloodshot veins.

The light in Snow Aunt's eyes faded; she stepped back several paces and spat out a mouthful of blood.

The demonic female cultivator chuckled, "A Foundation Establishment late-stage illusion technique, dared to be used against a Jin Dan? Don't you fear backlash?"

Snow Aunt's face turned deathly pale, yet her expression was one of despair.

Foundation Establishment and Jin Dan were separated by a great realm; even if her illusion technique were masterful, she was no match at all.

The remaining Jin Dan demonic cultivators charged toward Mo Hua, but were blocked by Bai Zisheng, who held a long spear.

Yet Bai Zisheng was merely at Qi Condensation; his spear roared with momentum, but two fingers of the demonic cultivator pinched it still.

Then, with a light flick, the spear was flung away.

Bai Zisheng refused to give up; bare-handed, he rushed forward to prevent them from seizing Mo Hua.

The Jin Dan demonic cultivators sneered, yet dared not strike Bai Zisheng directly, fearing the Life-Sustaining Talisman—so they merely toyed with him.

The seductive female cultivator seized the chance to draw near, extending her pale hand, five long, crimson nails reaching for Mo Hua.

The seductive female cultivator was Jin Dan; Mo Hua's cultivation was only Qi Condensation.

Even the most exquisite Flowing Water Step could not evade her.

At that moment, Bai Zi Xi flashed forward, standing before Mo Hua.

The female cultivator's expression hardened; she spat, "Tch!" and forcibly halted her attack, her crimson nails stopping mere inches from Bai Zi Xi's face.

"Senior sister..."

Mo Hua froze, his emotions tangled, murmuring.

Bai Zi Xi simply said, "I am your senior sister! I promised Master I would protect you!"

The seductive female cultivator sneered in disdain.

The Holy Son looked surprised.

The scene before him was far beyond his expectations.

In his original plan, as Holy Son, accompanied by over a dozen Jin Dan demonic cultivators, the Bai siblings, even if not retreating in fear, would at least fear him enough to hand over their junior brother...

They were from a great clan.

This "Mo" brat was unknown, likely of low origin—perhaps even a stray cultivator picked up by Mr. Zhuang from some remote corner.

The Bai siblings would never risk so much to protect this brat.

But now, he realized he was wrong...

Even facing off against him, the Holy Son, and over a dozen Jin Dan demonic cultivators, they would still defend this "junior brother"?

Why?

What made this brat so important?

The Holy Son grew curious, smiling lightly, "Don't kill them—so long as they don't suffer fatal wounds, the Life-Sustaining Talisman won't trigger."

"Subdue them, bring that brat to me!"

"I want to see what makes this brat so special."

Several more Jin Dan demonic cultivators beside the Holy Son moved forward, closing in on Mo Hua.

The seductive female cultivator also grinned fiercely and lunged toward Bai Zi Xi.

Bai Zi Xi's gaze sharpened, and he drew a golden longsword; as he swung it, the blade's light was pure and clear, mingled with snow-white flames.

The seductive female cultivator's eyelid twitched, her heart startled—"This sword technique…"

After a few more glances, she calmed down—"Good, it's just Qi Condensation…"

Her gaze hardened, blood qi coalescing at her claws, dissolving all of Bai Zi Xi's golden light and white flame swordplay, then she lunged past Bai Zi Xi toward Mo Hua behind him.

At that moment, Bai Zi Xi bit his lip, reversed the sword tip, and pointed it straight at his own heart meridian.

It looked like a suicide attempt.

The seductive female cultivator froze, her motion halting.

The Holy Son far away also paused, then chuckled—"You little girl, have you lost your mind?"

But gradually he realized—his laugh died.

Not just the Holy Son, the other Jin Dan demonic cultivators suddenly understood too, their faces filled with shock.

The Holy Son's smile faded, his expression solemn:

"You wouldn't…"

Wouldn't…

…trigger your Lifespan-Extending Talisman yourself?

Bai Zi Xi stood before Mo Hua, his gaze icy—"Whoever touches him, dies!"

The Holy Son stared, stunned for a long while, then slowly shook his head and laughed bitterly—"I don't believe it…"

"The Lifespan-Extending Talisman is so precious—I can't believe you'd willingly trigger it…"

"As a disciple of a great clan, losing your Lifespan-Extending Talisman means what—I think you know better than I do…"

"Trigger the Lifespan-Extending Talisman yourself?"

"I don't believe it…"

The Holy Son's gaze turned cold—he ordered—"Grab that brat!"

Several Jin Dan demonic cultivators hesitated slightly, but still reached for Mo Hua.

In Bai Zi Xi's brilliant gaze, a flicker of resolve and determination appeared.

Seeing that gaze, the Holy Son instantly understood—and a wave of disbelief and terror surged through him:

"No way…"

Bai Zi Xi gripped the sword with his slender hand and thrust it fiercely toward his heart meridian.

This sword strike, brimming with lethal intent, sent a torrent of sword qi across—yet halted a hair's breadth from his chest.

Suddenly, a layer of golden light surfaced on Bai Zi Xi's body.

Between his brows, a bright, sacred "talismans" formed.

This talisman, granted by the Void-Dwelling Ancestor, could save the life of a clan's direct heir—the Heaven-Piercing Talisman—

The Lifespan-Extending Talisman!

All demonic cultivators present looked horrified.

Their faces turned ashen, struggling to flee—but at the same time, behind Bai Zi Xi, a colossal Golden Body manifestation appeared.

It was an old man whose face could not be made out.

Yet his body pulsed with spiritual energy like an ocean, golden light blotting out sun and sky!

Cultivation of the Spirit, Returning to Emptiness—Void-Dwelling Manifestation!

Between heaven and earth, a solemn, trembling voice rang out like the Dharma's sacred chant:

"Who dares, you vile wretches, to harm my descendant?"

The manifestation protected Bai Zi Xi, obeying his intent.

Bai Zi Xi's eyes shifted, his slender finger pointing forward, voice crisp and clear:

"Kill!"

The dozen or so Jin Dan demonic cultivators, each a tyrant in their own domain, trembled violently, terrified as ants.

The Daoist Priest with half his face burned black wished he could tear his own mouth apart.

"I spoke it into being!"

"Just now I said it—and now, by heaven, I've actually seen the Lifespan-Extending Talisman!"

"Why is my mouth so damn stupid?!"

Life-and-death crisis—fate hanging by a thread.

The Jin Dan demonic cultivators scattered like birds and beasts, fleeing for their lives—but they could not escape the manifestation's grasp.

As Bai Zi Xi cried out, clear and cold—"Kill!"—the manifestation, stern and unyielding, extended one finger.

One Jin Dan demonic cultivator exploded without warning—dead!

The other demonic cultivators were utterly terrified, souls nearly fleeing their bodies!

The manifestation struck again with a finger—another demonic cultivator instantly exploded; then another finger—another died, dissolving into pools of blood mist.

In moments, five Jin Dan demonic cultivators died in succession—then dark clouds gathered on the horizon, and a terrifying force surged forth.

Bai Zi Xi's eyes showed regret.

Mo Hua's heart trembled.

This… was Heavenly Dao's Tribulation Thunder?

The dark clouds converged, and a crimson tribulation thunder descended from the heavens, arriving in an instant, erasing the Golden Body manifestation completely, leaving not a trace.

The Void-Dwelling manifestation had exceeded the Heavenly Dao's limits of the third-grade province realm.

Naturally, it could not escape annihilation by tribulation thunder.

All of this—though it seemed slow—happened in the blink of an eye.

The Dharma Form manifested, and in just a few instants, it crushed five Jin Dan demonic cultivators!

And before long, it was erased by the heavenly lightning.

Mo Hua saw only the Dharma Form appear, the demonic cultivators explode into death, the heavenly lightning descend—and then vanish.

But this time, the heavenly lightning did not strike him.

So in the blink of an eye, he had no time to examine closely, saw no array patterns at all—only shock at that familiar, terrifying force of Daoic annihilation.

It truly seemed capable of erasing everything…

Even the Dharma Form was no exception.

At that moment, the mountainside fell utterly silent.

No one had expected that Bai Zi Xi could—and actually dared—trigger her Lifespan Talisman!

That was the Lifespan Talisman?!

The Holy Son was far away and untouched, but within him, shock and fury surged.

How could this little girl dare?!

Five Jin Dan demonic cultivators—slain in an instant! How could he explain this when he returned?!

The Holy Son's expression turned furious as he glared at Bai Zi Xi—but then he froze.

With the Lifespan Talisman triggered, Bai Zi Xi's disguise vanished, revealing her true face.

Her skin like congealed fat, her eyes like starlight.

Though young, her face was breathtakingly beautiful, flawless and peerless—ice for her flesh, jade for her bones; in every glance, snow and moonlight seemed to flow, her grace unmatched.

All present held their breath, hearts constricting.

Even feelings of shame at their own inferiority arose.

The demonic Holy Son also stood stunned, speechless.

He himself was handsome and had seen many beautiful women.

But in his entire life, he had never seen anyone so astonishingly, so heart-stoppingly beautiful.

And it was not merely beauty.

That icy temperament, the audacity to disregard life and death, the resolute determination to spare nothing—combined with her peerless beauty and her gaze, cold and crisp as ice…

The Holy Son felt his heart tremble, his body involuntarily shaking.

But then, his expression turned icy and cold.

He saw Mo Hua, shielded behind Bai Zi Xi, the lingering Jin Guang of the Lifespan Talisman draped over both of them—their features close, their spirits in perfect harmony, like golden boy and jade girl.

For some reason, a piercing jealousy stirred in his heart.

"That brat must be captured—and then, he will die!"

Jealousy snapped the Holy Son back to himself.

Of the dozen or so Jin Dan demonic cultivators, five were dead; eight remained.

Though the losses were heavy, they were still enough!

They now had no power to resist; if they captured that brat, they would not only gain leverage over Mr. Zhuang—but even…

That little girl…

The Holy Son's heart throbbed uncontrollably.

But moments later, he suddenly sensed something wrong—someone else's aura had appeared beside him.

The Holy Son turned his head and saw, beside him, a white-robed youth with swordlike brows and starlit eyes.

It was Bai Zixi.

Without warning, Bai Zixi had slipped beside him while his mind was shaken.

He gripped a dagger and plunged it unhesitatingly into his own heart meridian, snarling:

"Worthless Holy Son—die, little lord!"

The Holy Son's entire scheme halted abruptly; immense terror once again flooded his eyes.

The dagger halted before Bai Zixi's chest, Jin Guang blazing fiercely.

Another Lifespan Talisman appeared.

Another vast surge of golden spiritual power erupted from Dali Mountain, piercing heaven and earth.

Another Golden Body Dharma Form manifested in the heavens and earth.

(End of Chapter)