Chapter 245: Crossing the River and Breaking the Bridge, Acting with Decisive Resolve

"Brother, stop! Li Li Laogui is already dead—don't burn his belongings or the wood spirit!"

The Dragon Girl, locked in struggle with the Drought Demon and the Wood Spirit, had poured all her yin-cold spiritual power into freezing the spirit, then had her tailbone snapped in the struggle—this series of blows had severely damaged her primordial energy, and all of it reverberated onto Xue Xue Linglong, causing massive backlash that made her spit blood and collapse.

Yet even so, she still thought of the treasures on Li Xiahuai's person.

If the Dragon Girl's lower body had been true dragon bone instead of jiao bone, how could her celestial dragon power have been inferior to the Wood Spirit's in that struggle?

Fortunately, everything went smoothly—the jiao bone was broken, and now the dragon bone was within reach!

At this moment, the sky-obscuring flying skulls lost control and tumbled down, rolling everywhere.

The giant ape, which had guarded the Shanxiao and Xue Xue Linglong's bodies, was now riddled with wounds, its flesh torn and mangled from the skulls' bites.

Far away, the Drought Demon finally halted; the top of the Wood Spirit was charred black, a sight that made Xue Xue Linglong's heart ache.

Yet Xue Xue Linglong still had restraint—seeing the Drought Demon stop, and seeing the giant ape so grievously wounded protecting the two of them, she bowed gracefully to Cheng Cheng Xinzhan.

"Thank you, brother, for saving us."

But this bow surprised her—the mountain monkey neither helped her up nor stepped aside—he simply accepted the bow as his due! This gesture made the woman feel uneasy: you haven't even taken the mountain lord's seat yet, and you're already acting superior? If not for my desperate aid with the Dragon Girl, could you have killed Li Li Laogui?

As she thought this, Xue Xue Linglong naturally didn't complete the bow—she rose to her feet and lifted her head, only to find something strange: what kind of look was that mountain monkey giving her? How dare he look down on her with such contempt!

Huh?

Xue Xue Linglong's gaze passed beyond the Shanxiao's body and landed on Hu Hu Baozhuang far away—she saw shock on her younger sister's face.

Xue Xue Linglong's heart sank—was Li Xiahuai not yet dead?

She turned her head to look toward Li Xiahuai.

But at that moment.

The giant ape, standing directly behind Xue Xue Linglong, clasped both fists tightly, raised them high above his head, then slammed down with all his might.

"Boom!"

A thunderous crash.

The earth trembled; where the ape's fist struck, the ground cracked like a spiderweb, and at its center lay a pool of crimson blood—bones crushed to powder, mixed with blood like gravel.

A human-bodied, serpent-tailed primordial spirit flew out from the ruined flesh—it bore Xue Xue Linglong's face, and her expression was still dazed.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan looked up at the primordial spirit; two flames shot from his eyes and struck the spirit.

The spirit immediately began screaming in agony; Xue Xue Linglong finally snapped to her senses, and the spirit flew swiftly toward the nearby Dragon Girl, using her mental will to command the Dragon Girl to fly forward and receive her—she intended to possess the body.

"Watch out!"

Everything happened in the blink of an eye—Hu Hu Baozhuang only then cried out the warning.

But Hu Hu Baozhuang's cry came too late—Cheng Cheng Xinzhan and Wu Wu Qingbo were in perfect sync; as Cheng ignited the spirit, Wu Wu Qingbo had already seized the Dragon Girl's jiao tail and yanked it backward with all his strength, then opened his twelve eyes, unleashing twelve pillars of red light that struck the oncoming primordial spirit of Xue Xue Linglong.

"Ah—"

Xue Xue Linglong's primordial spirit was engulfed in red light, shrieking in agony.

Seeing this, Hu Hu Baozhuang raged, formed a hand seal, and pointed at the Drought Demon—three white silk ribbons flew from the void, coiling toward Wu Wu Qingbo.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan immediately commanded the ape corpse to intercept.

The ribbons moved like serpents—one wrapped around the giant ape, the other two continued flying toward Wu Wu Qingbo.

At this moment, Cheng Cheng Xinzhan summoned a crimson-skinned gourd—this was the Shanxiao's personal magic treasure.

In truth, as the master of one temple on Mount Tianqiao Mountain, the Shanxiao owned many magic treasures, but most were human-skin drums, skull bells, and bone whips—things made from human parts. Humans are the spiritual pinnacle of heaven and earth, primordial Dao bodies, so such demonic artifacts made from human remains were naturally potent—but Cheng Cheng Xinzhan simply couldn't get used to them. Among all the Shanxiao's treasures, he only cared for this one.

And this wasn't a last resort—this gourd was of exceptional quality, an unexpected boon to him, one he adored. He believed this gourd was worth far more than the Shanxiao's third-rank corpse.

The Shanxiao, closely attuned to the mountains, easily discovered rare spiritual plants and earth treasures; this crimson-skinned gourd was found by the Shanxiao when he was still at the second realm.

Back then, while roaming the southwestern mountains, the Shanxiao accidentally noticed that several mountain peaks were entirely covered in red-leafed vines—and upon closer inspection, he realized they were all one single plant. Knowing he'd struck gold, he turned every peak upside down until he found this crimson gourd, which required the earth's fire energy from several great mountains to grow.

Unfortunately, the moment the Shanxiao plucked the gourd, the entire vine withered instantly—the whole mountain turned yellow as if autumn had arrived overnight, terrifying the Shanxiao into fleeing.

This crimson gourd had absorbed the fiery earth energy of several great mountains to mature; its thick, sturdy skin made it the treasure the Shanxiao relied on to survive his three tribulation crossings. Among all his treasures, it wasn't the deadliest, but it was the one he valued most as a shield against calamity.

Moreover, it contained its own internal fire realm—though small, it could hold living beings; that alone made it priceless.

The Shanxiao was a purely wild cultivator—he didn't know whether he'd invented this method himself or stumbled upon some low-grade alchemical technique—but he'd carried such a treasure and chosen to kill a thousand fire crows, extracting their essence to forge into the gourd, using them as weapons. What a waste of such a priceless material.

Now, outside, it's inconvenient—but Cheng Cheng Xinzhan has already planned: once back at the sect, he'll release the crow souls and infuse the gourd with the Sun Bing Fire he absorbed, the Six Ding Divine Fire from the Five Elements seals of the Ginseng Fruit, and the Yin Earth Demon Fire derived from the "Purple Fire Rotten Peach Curse." Just these three fires entwined would generate three layers of spiritual seals: "Bing-Ding," "Yin-Yang," and "Heaven-Earth"—far superior to any crow soul flame.

Then this gourd could both unleash fire essences to attack and serve as a fiery prison—perfect for offense and containment.

But for now, when Cheng Cheng Xinzhan opened the gourd's mouth, a swarm of fire crows flew out.

Seeing the sky filled with fire crows, Hu Hu Baozhuang instantly understood: this man had been holding back all along when fighting the Wood Temple's master—he could've easily dealt with those flying skulls if he'd used this treasure!

The fire crows swarmed, pecking and grappling the white ribbons.

As the ribbons tangled with the crows, Hu Hu Baozhuang also summoned another treasure—a pale jade disc emitting a clear radiance, like the moon of Taiyin.

The disc's radiance dimmed the flames on the fire crows.

"Ah—"

At the same time, a piercing scream rang out.

Hu Hu Baozhuang heard it and was filled with rage—her eyebrows furrowed, teeth clenched in fury—during the moment Cheng Cheng Xinzhan had delayed her, the Drought Demon's crimson gaze had already burned Xue Xue Linglong's primordial spirit to ash.

Thus, the masters of the Fire Temple, Xing Shan Xingwei; the Wood Temple, Li Xiahuai; and the Water Temple, Xue Xue Linglong—all were annihilated, their bodies and spirits utterly destroyed.

Hu Hu Baozhuang glared at Cheng Cheng Xinzhan and demanded,

"Why did you do this?"

"Why? Naturally because I didn't trust you. Naturally because you kept reneging and raising prices mid-battle. But most of all, she was too close to me just now, defenseless—too easy to kill. So I tried—and lo, I succeeded."

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan smiled, his face twisted with the Shanxiao's monstrous visage—truly the demeanor of a demonic sect.

But this was his honest truth: had the circumstances not been so perfect—Xue Xue Linglong weakened by backlash, the Dragon Girl's corpse far away and exposing her back to the giant ape—he might never have struck.

Hu Hu Baozhuang assumed this old demon was simply bloodthirsty and fickle, so she said no more. With a thought, the white ribbons twisted toward Cheng Cheng Xinzhan, and the jade disc turned its glow upon him.

This jade disc was some kind of treasure—when its radiance touched him, Cheng Cheng Xinzhan felt a bone-chilling cold. The Shanxiao was a fire beast, his blood boiling hot—but under this radiance, his blood felt like it would freeze.

Wu Wu Qingbo picked up his weapon from the ground and hurled it at Hu Hu Baozhuang.

Hu Hu Baozhuang was agile and nimble—she manipulated the three white ribbons to restrain the giant corpse's movements while dodging Wu Wu Qingbo's weapon strikes, all while murmuring incantations and forming hand seals toward the suspended jade disc.

"Taiyin has spirit, heed my command—respond!"

The jade disc emitted brilliant light, like a bright moon at noon; within the clear beam shining on Cheng Cheng Xinzhan, talismans formed—he quickly dodged, but the disc hung high, the radiance clinging to him like a shadow—he had nowhere to escape.

The clear light never left him; one after another talisman took shape, wrapping him in its grasp.

At this moment, Hu Hu Baozhuang chanted again,

"Taiyin as pivot, soul enters the Grand Void; the seven emotions burn the spirit, the six desires corrode the bones—seal!"

With the incantation, all the talismans surrounding Cheng Cheng Xinzhan struck his body.

Moreover, this place, Hu Hu Baozhuang's meticulously prepared ritual ground, now responded to her spell—something buried beneath the earth, acting as a foundation, glowed with power, linking its spiritual essence with the jade disc above, completely trapping Cheng Cheng Xinzhan.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan was fully prepared, ready to let his primordial spirit flee at any moment—this body? Let it go.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan felt his vision blur, heaven and earth shifting—when he looked again, the vast forest was gone; instead, endless jade towers and crystal palaces stretched before him.

Among the towers and palaces, countless celestial maidens and divine consorts surged toward him, their sweet voices filling his ears, their perfumes filling his nose.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan was deeply disappointed—he'd thought this fox might unleash some secret Daoist art from Longhu Mountain to impress him, but instead it was just a lustful illusion—pathetic.

His spiritual core remained clear, unmoved; his spirit burned like fire, his will solid as earth. He closed his eyes, then opened them again—and all illusions vanished.

At that moment, a white glass flying knife, hidden within the jade disc's radiance, shot toward Cheng Cheng Xinzhan, impossible to distinguish.

But Cheng Cheng Xinzhan was now clear-minded—he sidestepped.

The flying knife plunged into the earth and disappeared.

How could this be!

How could he break free from the Illusory Void in less than a breath?

Shock flashed in Hu Hu Baozhuang's eyes.

But she didn't yet know that inside the Shanxiao's body now was only Cheng Cheng Xinzhan's primary primordial spirit—governing desire and emotion.

"Seal!"

Hu Hu Baozhuang chanted again.

If not lust, then surely greed?

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan was pulled into another illusion—this time, he saw golden mountains of treasure, flying swords and divine weapons, spirit pearls and jade, miraculous elixirs, golden texts and jade scrolls—everything he could take, anything he wanted.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan silently shook his head—he'd been inside the Sanqing Mountain treasury before; this was nothing compared to it.

Ten thousand measures of wealth, if offered without regard to ritual and righteousness—what does it add to me?

He opened his eyes, regained clarity, raised the gourd, formed a hand seal, and absorbed the incoming white glass flying knife.

Hu Hu Baozhuang widened her eyes—could a demonic fiend truly have no greed?

Killing desire!

He rose to kill—surely he had a lust for killing!

Hu Hu Baozhuang formed another seal and chanted.

"Seal!"

After the incantation, Hu Hu Baozhuang gasped for breath—such spells, locking the body and targeting the spirit, were hard to cast; her spirit was weary, and her spiritual power drained by constant use of the jade disc.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan was pulled into another illusion—this one, a mountain of corpses and seas of blood, screams echoing everywhere—but Cheng Cheng Xinzhan needed only one glance to feel revulsion, let alone be ensnared—he loathed killing above all.

He withdrew from the illusion, absorbed the incoming flying knife into the gourd, then looked at Hu Hu Baozhuang and said only three words:

"Trivial arts."

Hu Hu Baozhuang was both shocked and furious—but after repeatedly casting spells, she was now mentally and spiritually exhausted. She had already decided to flee, and she now sensed that this Shanxiao was no ordinary demon.

But now that she was spent and weakened, could she simply leave?

The Drought Demon pressed its assault relentlessly—taking advantage of Hu Hu Baozhuang's momentary distraction, it raised its iron mace and struck her in the back.

Hu Hu Baozhuang screamed, smashed to the ground, rolled instantly, then transformed into a wisp of white smoke—she was fleeing, her voice echoing from the mist:

"The abbot of Shanmiao on Mount Tianqiao Mountain! I've noted you down!"

The Hanba would not let him escape; he brought down his iron rod in a Pishan strike, yet it passed cleanly through the white smoke and crashed heavily to the ground.

What an exquisite evasion technique!

Wu Wu Qingbo opened his Dharma Eye once more, unleashing crimson light toward the white smoke.

At that moment, the suspended jade disc descended again, guarding the side of the white smoke, blocking the crimson light, and fleeing together with it.

But now that matters had come to this, and he had learned of this woman's connection to Longhu Mountain, how could Cheng Cheng Xinzhan let her escape? He formed a seal and pointed at the white smoke, chanting:

"Still!"

A mysterious magical intent enveloped the white smoke, instantly pinning it motionless in midair.

"How do you know Daoist incantations?!"

Hu Hu Baozhuang's cry emerged from within the white smoke.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan ignored her, holding his gourd toward the white smoke with his left hand, forming a seal with his right, and chanting again:

"Bind!"

Threads of fiery energy spiraled out from the gourd, climbing through the air like vines, swiftly entwining the white smoke and dragging it inward.

The incantation 【Bind】 was originally a Wood-element spell from the Five Phases incantations, embodying the concept of Yi Wood entangling. But at Cheng Cheng Xinzhan's realm, with his understanding of the Five Phases and incantations, he no longer clung to such simplistic correspondences.

Where intent lies, the spell lies; the Five Phases generate one another. As long as the magical intent of 【entanglement and restraint】 remains unchanged, he could wield fiery energy to execute a Wood spell—there was no prohibition.

Once bound by the fiery threads, the white smoke thrashed violently, breaking the 【Still】 incantation, while emitting a piercing shriek:

"Release me at once! You don't know who I answer to! Harm me, and the entire Mount Tianqiao Mountain will be destroyed!"

"Burn!"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan chanted another incantation; celestial yang fire descended from the void, and the white smoke began to burn.

"Ah—yang fire! You're not Shanshan Xingwei!"

The white smoke screamed, losing all resistance, and was sucked into the gourd by the fiery threads.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan immediately sealed the gourd's mouth.

The white smoke slammed violently against the gourd's interior, causing it to tremble incessantly in Cheng Cheng Xinzhan's grip.

"Subdue!"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan chanted another incantation toward the gourd.

The gourd instantly fell still.

The 【Subdue】 incantation Cheng Cheng Xinzhan had spoken, after observing the "Yang Bingshi Dugong Seal," had been utterly transformed, now imbued with the magical essence of "Divine Might Like a Mountain" and "Eternal Submersion."

Now, using this spell upon this fox—truly, it was karma returned in kind.

(End of Chapter)