Chapter 532: The Giant Serpent of Ji Xianren Yuanqiu Mountain

At some point, the fields ahead had vanished, and the cottage was now surrounded by forest.

【1】 At some point, the fields ahead vanished, and the cottage was surrounded by forest.

The waterfall cascading down the high mountain never ceased, feeding another stream that flowed through the forest just ahead of them, droplets leaping over rocks and sparkling like stars under the moonlight. No one knew how long it had been flowing here—the stones along its banks were thickly covered in moss and long since smoothed by the water's persistent touch.

【2】 The waterfall hanging from the high mountain poured endlessly, and thus a small stream cut through the forest, flowing just ahead of them, droplets leaping over stones, glittering like stars under the moonlight. No one knew how many years it had flowed here; the stones along its banks were covered in moss and long smoothed by water.

The entire stream was suffused with a mist of spiritual energy; those unfamiliar might mistake it for mere mist or cold vapor, yet it carried an air of profound mystery.

【3】 The entire stream was suffused with qi, so thick that the uninitiated might mistake it for mist or cold vapor, yet it carried an air of profound mystery.

Looking downstream, the river was still there.

【4】 Looking along the stream, the river was still there.

But the ferry landing by the riverbank was gone; the reeds and bamboo groves on either shore no longer looked familiar—it was the same river, yet somehow not, or perhaps it was a face from its distant past.

【5】 But the riverside ferry landing was gone; the reeds and bamboo groves on both banks no longer looked familiar. It was still the same river, yet not quite—perhaps it was a face from its own past.

As for the water in the river, no one knew where it came from or where it flowed to.

【6】 As for the water in the river, no one knew where it came from or where it flowed to.

"Where did this waterfall and stream come from?" the fox exclaimed. "Hey! This place has changed!"

【7】 "Where did the waterfall and stream come from?" the fox exclaimed. "Hey! This place has changed!"

"Ji ji!" the sparrow chirped.

【8】 "Ji ji!" the sparrow chirped.

"Third Shixiong brother…"

【9】 "Third Shixiong brother…"

The junior sister looked at Lin Jue.

【10】 The junior sister looked at Lin Jue.

She knew that Master Jiang had long ago warned them that Good Fuyao might one day be granted "entrance" by the former Heavenly Elder, and she understood why her senior brother hadn't brought Good Fuyao here—so though they had now reached this moment of destiny, she could not feel joy, only unease.

【11】 She knew Jiang Daochang had long warned them that Good Fuyao might one day receive the "opening" from the former Celestial Old Man, and she understood why her senior brother hadn't brought Good Fuyao here. So though they had now reached this moment of opportunity, she could not rejoice—only sorrow weighed on her heart.

"We'll take it one step at a time," Lin Jue said. "Master Jiang was right—after all, the former Heavenly Elder wouldn't be so petty."

【12】 "Take one step at a time," Lin Jue said. "Jiang Daochang was right—

With a creak, the middle hut opened, and the eldest brother stepped out wrapped in his Daoist robe.

【13】 —after all, the former Celestial Old Man wouldn't be so petty."

"Huh? Where's my land?"

【14】 With a creak, the middle thatched cottage opened, and the senior brother stepped out wrapped in his Daoist robe.

The old farmer looked around in astonishment.

【15】 "Huh? Where's my land?"

At that moment, the fox and the colorful raccoon-dog both turned their heads toward the darkness ahead.

【16】 The old farmer looked around in shock.

The forest at night should have been dark, but here, tiny specks of light fluttered everywhere—mostly pale as moonlight, appearing and vanishing in fleeting glimmers, making the scene utterly dreamlike.

【17】 At that moment, the fox and the colorful raccoon turned their heads toward the night ahead.

"Is something reflecting the moonlight?"

【18】 The forest beneath the night should have been dark, but here, tiny flickers of light fluttered everywhere—mostly moonlike in hue, fleeting and everywhere, making it seem utterly dreamlike.

"No," Lin Jue said. "The spiritual energy here is so dense it doesn't even form mist—it has become tangible, shimmering with luminescence beneath the moon's glow."

【19】 "Is something reflecting the moonlight?"

A rustling sound emerged from within the forest.

【20】 "No," Lin Jue said. "The qi here is too dense—it can't even condense into mist, yet it takes tangible form, shimmering with spiritual light beneath the moon's glow."

Suddenly, a gust of wind tore through, hurling forth a massive dark shadow.

【21】 A rustling sound came again from the forest.

The sparrow perched on the junior sister's shoulder flapped its wings instantly, soaring high—almost at once, the junior sister herself was flung backward through the air, weightless as a feather, narrowly avoiding the shadow below, then righting herself midair and swinging her dust whisk.

【22】 Suddenly, a gust of wind, and a massive shadow lunged out.

Swish!

【23】 The sparrow on the junior sister's shoulder flapped its wings first, shooting upward; almost instantly, she herself flipped backward into the air, weightless as a feather, skimming past the shadow below, then righted herself midair and swung her dust whisk.

The pure white tail of the whisk instantly elongated, curling into a ball that slammed into the attacker with a thud.

【24】 Swish!

Only then could they see it was a black snake whose head alone was as large as the cottage, its jaws snapping open like lightning toward her.

【25】 The white tail of the whisk instantly lengthened, curling into a ball that slammed into the attacker.

Its hooked fangs resembled great swords.

【26】 Only now could they see it: a black serpent whose head alone was as large as the cottage, its jaws gaping wide, striking like lightning toward her.

Missing its target, the black snake swiftly retracted.

【27】 Its hooked fangs were like great swords.

The junior sister floated gently back to the ground.

【28】 Missing its strike, the black serpent recoiled swiftly.

Her strike had been light—not enough to injure it, but enough to warn it she was not to be trifled with, a gesture of compassion befitting a Daoist.

【29】 The junior sister floated down lightly.

"It hasn't left!"

【30】 Her blow carried little force, not harming it—only warning it not to provoke her, and offering a chance. This was the Daoist's mercy.

The fox called out to them.

【31】 "It hasn't left!"

Of course they knew.

【32】 The fox told them.

Not only had the black snake not retreated, but more rustling sounds had emerged from the forest.

【33】 They all knew.

Suddenly, another gust of wind exploded.

【34】 Not only had the black serpent not left, but more rustling sounds emerged from the forest.

It was the same black snake again!

【35】 Suddenly, another gust exploded.

This time, the fox stepped forward to face it!

【36】 It was the same black serpent!

It leapt forward, covering dozens of feet before suddenly transforming into a colossal six-tailed white fox—still mid-air, its body hurtling forward, its tails sweeping almost past the faces of the others.

【37】 This time, the fox stepped forward to meet it!

The black snake moved like lightning; the fox was even swifter. It exhaled a blast of freezing breath straight into the snake's gaping maw, then slashed with its claws, stepping midair as if the sky itself were a ladder, forcibly pinning the snake's massive head into the stream.

【38】 It leaped forward, covering several zhang, then suddenly transformed into a massive six-tailed white fox. Even as it flew through the air, its tail still swept nearly past the faces of the others.

Water exploded everywhere, the stream momentarily dammed; behind them, the snake's body thrashed violently, crushing countless trees.

【39】 The black serpent moved like lightning; the fox was swifter. It spat a blast of freezing air into the serpent's gaping maw, clawed hard, stepped midair as if the sky itself were solid ground, and forcibly pinned the serpent's colossal head into the stream.

Though the fox was relatively frail, that was only in comparison—it dared not fight a black dragon, but this black snake, though half as long as a true dragon, was clearly not one.

【40】 Water sprayed everywhere; the stream was momentarily cut off. Behind them, the serpent's body thrashed, crushing countless trees.

Boom! The snake twisted its body, trying to coil around the fox, but the fox, as if seeing behind itself, leapt lightly aside, landing with another swift slap.

【41】 Though the fox was weak, that was relative—it dared not fight a black dragon. But this black serpent, though half as long as the black dragon, was clearly no true dragon.

"Slap it!"

【42】 Boom! The serpent's body twisted to coil around it, but the fox, as if seeing behind itself, leapt lightly aside. As it landed, it slapped again.

Xiao Hua, who had far more experience fighting snakes, shouted from above.

【43】 "Slap it!"

At that moment, another giant snake lunged from the left—this one a spotted giant serpent.

【44】 Xiao Hua, with far more serpent-fighting experience, shouted from above.

The junior sister stepped forward, formed a hand seal, and pointed!

【45】 At that moment, another giant serpent slammed in from the left—this one, a mottled giant.

Mountain Presses Down!

【46】 The junior sister stepped forward, formed a hand seal, and pointed!

Thud! The spotted serpent, caught off guard, slammed its head into the ground, gouging up a mound of dirt several feet high.

【47】 Mountain Presses the Crown!

On the right, a green giant serpent bit toward them.

【48】 Boom! The mottled serpent, caught off guard, smashed its head into the ground, gouging up several chi of dirt.

The eldest brother formed a hand seal with one hand and pushed forward with the other—immediately, a fire dragon as large as the green serpent erupted, plunging straight into the serpent's gaping mouth.

【49】 From the right, a blue giant serpent struck.

The fire exploded, and the green serpent recoiled.

【50】 The senior brother formed a seal with one hand and shoved with the other; instantly, a fire dragon, nearly the size of the blue serpent, shot forth and plunged straight into its gaping mouth.

A strange odor of burnt flesh and charred meat filled the air, carried away by the night wind.

【51】 The fire shattered; the blue serpent recoiled.

Yet these giant serpents were enormous and immensely strong; though they lacked spiritual awareness and could not wield magic, they were clearly nourished by the land's spiritual energy—neither the junior sister's Mountain Presses Down nor the eldest brother's spiritual fire could instantly kill them, nor even inflict serious damage.

【52】 A stench of burnt flesh and meat filled the air, mingling into a strange odor, carried off by the night wind.

The spotted serpent pinned beneath the mountain's weight soon lifted its head again, though not very high; confused and unafraid, it merely drew back its head, still glaring at the junior sister, ready to strike again.

【53】 But these giants were too large, too strong. Though unenlightened and without magic, they were clearly nourished by this land's qi. Neither the junior sister's Mountain Presses the Crown nor the senior brother's spiritual fire could kill them outright—or even inflict serious harm.

The green serpent, burned at the mouth, grew even fiercer—no sooner had it retracted than it lunged again at the eldest brother.

【54】 The mottled serpent, pinned by Mountain Presses the Crown, quickly lifted its head—but not high. It didn't understand what had happened, so it wasn't afraid. It merely retracted its head, still fixed on the junior sister, coiling to strike again.

The eldest brother leapt lightly aside, and the serpent crashed through the wooden hut behind him.

【55】 The blue serpent, burned at the mouth, grew fiercer. It had barely retracted when it lunged again at the senior brother.

Wooden beams flew dozens of feet into the air, scattering across the ground.

【56】 The senior brother leapt lightly aside; the blue serpent smashed into the wooden cottage behind him.

But before the debris could even fall, another spotted serpent's gaping maw slammed toward them—the junior sister dissolved into a breeze to evade, then, using the serpent's own momentum, reappeared naturally atop its heart.

【57】 Splinters flew several zhang high, scattering across the ground.

She switched the whisk to her left hand, raised her right hand high, preparing to strike down and shatter the scales at its heart.

【58】 Before the splinters had even fallen, another mottled serpent's gaping maw slammed forward.

The eldest brother swept his sleeve, summoning a colossal fire dragon that illuminated the night sky, then soared upward before diving back down, ready to contend with the green serpent for supremacy as dragon versus serpent.

【59】 The junior sister turned into a breeze to evade, and using the serpent's own momentum, when she reappeared, she landed naturally upon its heart.

Firelight and moonlight reflected together in the stream, casting dazzling splashes of water—the six-tailed white fox had once again pinned the black snake's head into the stream, exhaling freezing breath that nearly froze its entire skull solid.

【60】 She switched the whisk to her left hand, raised her right high, ready to slam down and shatter the scales there.

The battle between the two Daoists and the fox against the giant serpents raged fiercely; even the sparrow flapping its wings overhead grew frantic, and the hound barked incessantly at Lin Jue's feet.

【61】 The senior brother swept his sleeve, summoning a colossal fire dragon that lit the night sky, rose upward, then turned back, ready to contend with the blue serpent for supremacy of dragon and serpent.

These giant serpents possessed some awareness—they bit at the fox, bit at the junior sister, bit at the eldest brother—but none attacked the Daoist.

【62】 Firelight and moonlight reflected together in the stream, illuminating spectacular sprays of water. The six-tailed white fox pressed the black serpent's head back into the stream, spitting freezing breath that nearly froze its entire skull solid.

"Woof woof woof…"

【63】 The two humans and the fox fought fiercely with the giants; even the sparrow flapping its wings overhead grew frantic, and the hound barked incessantly at Lin Jue's feet.

Amid the barking, a faint whisper of wind was heard.

【64】 These giants possessed spirit: they bit the fox, bit the junior sister, bit the senior brother—but never attacked the immortal.

The hound froze, fell silent, and looked up.

【65】 "Woof woof woof…"

They saw the Daoist raise his hand and open his mouth, exhaling gently.

【66】 Amid the barking, a faint wind sound came.

A wisp of yellow smoke drifted from his lips.

【67】 The hound paused, fell silent, and looked up.

The smoke touched the left spotted serpent—and from its midsection, a patch of earthy stone began spreading, rapidly engulfing its body; once turned this color, it instantly froze in place—within a single breath, the entire serpent became stone, locked in the posture of turning to bite the junior sister.

【68】 The Daoist raised his hand, opened his mouth, and exhaled gently.

Its fangs, like great swords, its mouth wide enough to swallow an elephant—lifelike, terrifying.

【69】 A wisp of yellow smoke drifted from his lips.

The Daoist exhaled again, gently.

【70】 The yellow smoke touched the left mottled serpent, and from its midsection, a patch of earth-yellow stone spread rapidly. Once the color took hold, it froze instantly—within a single breath, the entire serpent turned to stone, locked in the pose of turning to bite the junior sister.

The green serpent, locked in combat with the fire dragon in midair, was caught off guard by the yellow smoke and began petrifying rapidly, frozen into a colossal stone sculpture of a serpent gaping upward toward the sky.

【71】 Fangs like great swords, a mouth wide enough to swallow an elephant—lifelike, yet terrifying.

The third puff of yellow smoke—

【72】 The Daoist exhaled again, gently.

The black snake, being battered by the fox, thrashed wildly, its tail whipping backward and striking the airborne yellow smoke.

【73】 The blue serpent, locked in battle with the fire dragon above, was caught off guard by the yellow smoke. It too began petrifying rapidly, frozen into a colossal stone sculpture, jaws wide open toward the sky.

"Sssss…"

【74】 The third puff of yellow smoke—

The black snake began turning to stone from its tail, the petrification spreading swiftly up its body.

【75】 The black serpent, being beaten by the fox, thrashed—and its tail brushed the floating yellow smoke.

Its head arched upward, trying to escape the fox's freezing breath—but the stone had already spread to its neck; as it lifted its head, it could no longer lower it.

【76】 "Sss…"

"Huh?"

【77】 The black serpent began turning to stone from its tail, spreading rapidly along its body.

The six-tailed white fox paused, tilting its head this way and that, examining the black snake—it was truly a stone statue. It tapped it with its paw to confirm, then exhaled two more small bursts of freezing breath before turning to look at Lin Jue.

【78】 Its head reared up, trying to escape the fox's freezing breath—but the stone had already spread to its neck. Once raised, it could no longer lower.

"Let it be," the Daoist said. "These serpents may be large, but they lack true awareness—they act only on instinct. We've entered another's domain; we should avoid slaughtering outright."

【79】 "Huh?"

The hound stood frozen at Lin Jue's feet, staring at him in disbelief, then at the three giant serpents, then back again, unable to comprehend.

【80】 The six-tailed white fox froze, tilting its head this way and that, checking from every angle. Seeing the black serpent truly turned to stone, it patted it again with its paw, confirmed it was motionless, then even spat two more small bursts of freezing breath before turning to look at Lin Jue.

The junior sister, clutching her whisk, was equally astonished.

【81】 "Let it be," the Daoist said. "These serpents are large, but lack wisdom—they act only on instinct. We've come to another's domain; we should avoid slaughtering outright."

Is this the power of an immortal?

【82】 The hound stood at Lin Jue's feet, stunned, gazing back and forth between him and the three giant serpents, unable to believe what it saw.

Just one breath—and such a colossal serpent turned to stone!

【83】 The junior sister, clutching her whisk, was equally astonished.

Such a minor stone-sealing technique, when wielded by her senior brother, had become this formidable a skill!

【84】 Is this the power of an immortal?

No wonder legends say so many great immortals hold exalted status with only one ability or one artifact.

【85】 Just one breath—and such a giant serpent turned to stone!

"Third Shixiong brother, your skill is incredible!"

【86】 Such a minor Stone-Sealing Art, in Third Third Shixiong's hands, had become this formidable!

"It's really your skill, younger brother…"

【87】 No wonder so many great immortals in the world hold exalted status with only one skill, one artifact.

"Don't flatter me," Lin Jue said as he walked forward. "Once you and your senior sister attain true enlightenment, you'll possess such abilities too. In fact, you've studied the Five Elements Spiritual Arts more deeply than I have—you'll wield them far better than I ever could."

【88】 "Third Third Shixiong, what skill!"

The Daoist looked up at the stream, then followed it toward the distant mountains and waterfall, walking slowly forward.

【89】 "It's still the younger brother…"

"So many giant serpents—this must truly be Ji Xianren Yuanqiu Mountain!"

【90】 "Don't flatter me. Once you and I attain true Dao, you'll have this power too," Lin Jue said as he walked forward. "The junior sister studies the Five Elements Spirit Art even more deeply than I do—when the time comes, she'll wield it far better than I ever could."

"Mm."

【91】 The Daoist looked up at the stream, then followed it toward the high mountain and waterfall, walking slowly forward.

"These serpents seem nocturnal. According to the tales, those who came here by day rarely encountered them," the eldest brother said. "Thankfully, the story mentioned that the man who camped here at night reached the stream and quickly retreated—otherwise, he'd have been in grave danger."

【92】 "So many giants—this must be Ji Xianren Yuanqiu Mountain!"

"Possibly," Lin Jue nodded. "Or perhaps they don't attack everyone."

【93】 "Mm."

"Or perhaps…"

【94】 "These giants seem nocturnal. In the tales, those who came here by day rarely met them," the senior brother said. "Thankfully, in the story, the man who camped here at night reached the stream and quickly turned back—if he hadn't, he'd have been in danger."

The three Daoists, the fox, the hound, and the sparrow followed the stream forward.

【95】 "Possibly," Lin Jue nodded. "Or perhaps they don't attack everyone."

More giant serpents came at the sound, and Lin Jue merely exhaled once more—adding another colossal stone statue to the mountain.

【96】 "Or perhaps…"

This stone-sealing technique need not harm anyone; if perfected to great depth, it could imprison a person within stone for five hundred years, still alive—demonstrating its profound mystery.

【97】 The three humans, the fox, the hound, and the sparrow followed the stream forward.

The same applied to these serpents: after some time, when the magic faded and the mystery dissipated, they would naturally return to their original forms.

【98】 Another giant serpent came at the sound; Lin Jue exhaled once more, adding another colossal stone sculpture to the mountain.

This stone-sealing technique doesn't necessarily harm a person; if cultivated to an advanced level, it can encase someone in stone for five hundred years, yet they remain alive afterward, demonstrating its profound mystery.

【99】 This Stone-Sealing Art need not harm. If refined to great depth, it could entomb a person in stone for five hundred years—and still leave them alive. Such is its mystery.

The same applies to these giant snakes—after a period of time, when their magical power fades and the mystic effect dissipates, they naturally revert to their original forms.

【100】 The same will be true for these giants. When the magic fades and the mystery dissipates, they will naturally return to their original forms.

Too bad it's a giant snake, not a beast or bird; otherwise Lin Jue would have preferred to use the Summon Beasts and Call Birds technique—just a single phrase, requiring almost no effort or Qi, and he could have accomplished many spells suited for combat, even things a fierce battle might not achieve.

…