Chapter 137: Weeping to Heaven, Earth, and the Spirits

"Night Crier?"

Beside him, Xiong Xiong Baodong's expression didn't change; he snorted through his nose and cursed, "That name sounds cursed—what's his background?"

Liu Liu Wenchen glanced at Li Yan in the distance, his face darkening. "The Night Crier belongs to the Ming Jiao. He once rose to prominence but later enraged the Green Forest clans of Guanzhong, resulting in the annihilation of his entire sect."

"He climbed the mountain alone, performed secret rites, and wiped out all twelve mountain strongholds. On the roads of Chang'an, every sorcerer connected to the incident was exterminated—it sent shockwaves through the Daoist sects."

Xiong Xiong Baodong was also startled. "If he's that powerful, why didn't you introduce him to me? Why let the rival side gain the advantage?"

"Master, you don't understand."

Liu Liu Wenchen whispered, "After he took revenge, he fell into despair. He spends his days drunk, or wandering through brothels and taverns. He rarely involves himself in Daoist affairs anymore, surviving by attending funerals."

"He's been dormant for years. I can't fathom how the other side convinced him to leave seclusion…"

Xiong Xiong Baodong fell silent for a moment. "So, this match is already over?"

"Not necessarily."

Liu Liu Wenchen's voice trembled. "The Night Crier kills without mercy, but the Shangshan method is just as brutal."

"But I've heard the Night Crier has a grudge against the Shangshan lineage. If he goes too far and someone dies, how will we explain it to Master Master Yue?"

To be honest, he was already afraid.

Originally, he'd only coveted the Red Night Demon's legacy artifact, assuming the opponent's solitary nature made him an easy target—hence the duel agreement.

He never expected that with the Wu Xing and Fire Bear Clan entering the fray, the situation had spiraled completely out of control. If something major happened, he couldn't bear the consequences.

After hearing this, Xiong Xiong Baodong frowned slightly. "Watch closely. If things turn dangerous, move in and seize him immediately!"

…

"You… how do you know him?!"

On the other side, Lu Gongfeng was equally stunned.

He stared at Li Yan, his eyes filled with doubt and suspicion.

Li Yan remained calm. "I have no such influence. Master Shen merely happened upon the scene and intervened out of righteous indignation."

Pull the other one!

Lu Gongfeng cursed inwardly.

A man like this? You could die right in front of him and he'd keep drinking.

There must be another reason he was persuaded to leave seclusion.

Of course, since Li Yan refused to elaborate, Lu Gongfeng didn't press further. He shook his head. "Don't get cocky. If both sides clash and no one dies, it's manageable. But if either side perishes, it'll be a disaster."

"The karmic retribution will likely fall on you."

Li Yan narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean, Elder?"

Clearly, he knows nothing!

Li Yan's question confirmed Lu Gongfeng's suspicion: Shen Shen Sanyou must have been brought in through someone else's connections.

But seeing the potential and network Li Yan's side displayed, Lu Gongfeng's attitude noticeably softened. He spoke gravely: "These two lineages have ancient grudges."

"The Shangshan lineage traces back to ancient Qin secret incantations."

"The Records of the Grand Historian's 'Treatise on Sacrificial Rites' states: during the First Emperor's reign, the ritual officials had secret incantations—whenever omens of disaster or fortune arose, they would chant to transfer the ill omen onto others…"

"Later, the Han Emperor summoned all former Qin ritual officials, reinstating the Grand Ritualist and Grand Sacrificer, restoring their old rites. He ordered ritual officials to establish altars to Chiyou in Chang'an; the Liang shamans worshipped Heaven and Earth… the Jin shamans worshipped the Five Emperors, the Eastern Lord, the Cloud Lord, the Master of Fate… the Qin shamans worshipped the Earth Lord, the Witch Guardian… the Jing shamans worshipped the Hall Deity, the First Witch, the Master of Fate…"

"In short, the status of these secret incantation officials was equal to—or even surpassed—that of today's Tai Da Xuan Zhengjiao."

"You know what happened next: due to the heresy of the Fangxian Dao, many secret incantation officials were implicated, and the orthodox Daoist sects gradually rose."

"Some of the Qin palace's secret incantation officials retreated into the mountains and forests, becoming reclusive lineages that renounced all involvement in worldly and Daoist conflicts, calling themselves the Ming Jiao."

"They dispatched transmission bearers to roam across Shenzhou, selecting only those with astonishing talent to impart secret arts. The Night Crier, Shen Shen Sanyou, was one such chosen."

"The Shangshan lineage, having obtained the Qin palace secret texts, also practices the secret incantation arts, blending them with later methods, and claims to be the true orthodox."

"Due to disputes over legitimacy, the two lineages have clashed repeatedly throughout history. Though the Tai Da Xuan Zhengjiao mediated and ended blood feuds, the resentment has festered for generations."

"A single dispute could reignite war among the Daoist sects."

"When countless lives are lost, can you bear such karmic retribution?!"

So there was more to this?

Li Yan was surprised, his brow furrowed.

He'd assumed Shen Shen Sanyou was merely a street oddity, never imagining this hidden connection. He doubted even Luo Luo Mingzi had foreseen that a lowlife like Liu Liu Wenchen could summon a disciple of the Shangshan lineage.

It seemed this duel had already slipped beyond control…

…………

Leaving aside the thoughts of the onlookers, the ruins now brimmed with murderous intent.

Shen Shen Sanyou possessed formidable martial skill. Though his style was obscure and unidentifiable, he was clearly at the peak of Hidden Strength.

He staggered forward, then surged with power, leaping effortlessly onto the broken wall. In the snowstorm, he carried his massive soul-summoning banner, gazing calmly across at his opponent with a mocking grin: "Oh? Isn't this one of Master Yue Fa Chong's little lackeys?"

"Your Shangshan lineage has sunk lower and lower. Serving the Chang'an Prince was still respectable—how could you allow this lowlife Fire Bear Clan to command you so freely?"

Seeing the Night Crier appear, the Shangshan disciple had already grown wary. After a brief hesitation, he flung his wide-brimmed hat aside.

He'd worn it to conceal his identity.

But the situation had escalated too far—hiding was pointless now.

Beneath the hat was a young man with refined features, upright posture, chin slightly raised, radiating an air of nobility.

Hearing Shen Shen Sanyou's words, he replied with cold sarcasm: "Likewise. You pretend to live in seclusion among commoners, yet here you are, leaving your retreat."

As he spoke, he slowly lowered his gaze, his eyes turning icy, then bowed deeply. "Shangshan, Luo Luo Faqing!"

"And I am no lackey!"

Before he finished speaking, he leapt backward, pulled six ritual flags from his satchel, stepped the Gang step, formed hand seals, and thrust the flags into the ground with sharp thuds.

And the flags were planted upside down!

"Upside-down ritual flags?"

Though Li Yan's vision was blocked by snow and wind, he sensed the energy. "What kind of method is this?"

Lu Gongfeng's face grew grim. "Upside-down ritual flags, with inverted inscriptions—that's the hallmark of the Shangshan lineage. It inverts yin and yang—extremely violent."

"I see. Thank you, Elder, for the insight."

Li Yan was also surprised—he hadn't known such a method existed.

Indeed, Daoist arts, like martial arts, demand broad exposure to be truly knowledgeable.

As Lu Gongfeng said, this Shangshan method inverted yin and yang. Once the flags were planted, the yin and malevolent energies of the earth surged upward.

Within ten meters, thick yin mist formed, dark and profound under the blackened sky.

Li Yan's spiritual senses were disrupted—he could no longer perceive what transpired inside.

"Connect the Earth Canopy, Command Ghosts and Spirits!"

Wang Wang Daoxuan's eyes widened in shock.

Lu Gongfeng, having witnessed Wang Wang Daoxuan's earlier duel, no longer underestimated him. He nodded. "Friend, your knowledge is exceptional. Over the years, the Shangshan lineage has absorbed strengths from others and developed many formidable methods."

Wang Wang Daoxuan, seeing Li Yan's confusion, explained: "The Connect the Earth Canopy alters the earth's energy flow to create a natural gathering point of primordial yin malevolence—like a veil over the earth, reinforcing the ritual altar. Though temporary, it enables powerful spells, such as Command Ghosts and Spirits—summoning demonic ghosts and yin spirits that ordinary altars cannot suppress…"

In truth, he held back more.

If he obtained this Connect the Earth Canopy method, the power of his Seven Arrow Secret Incantation would greatly increase.

Indeed, the battlefield shifted dramatically.

The yin mist churned. Li Yan sensed three terrifyingly cold energies rising—like temple statues, majestic and distinct.

One radiated lethal cold, one reeked of blood, one was dark and murky—all clearly malevolent.

Lu Gongfeng's face darkened. "I've heard the Shangshan lineage suppresses illicit cult deities but doesn't destroy them—instead, they recruit them into a 'Ghost and Spirit Camp.'"

"Though a lower-tier method, its power is undeniable."

Li Yan frowned. "They've gone off the path…"

Lu Gongfeng sighed. "But it works. Over the years, the Shangshan lineage's reputation has grown. Their disciples serve imperial nobles and high officials, leveraging their power to expand their strength."

"To be honest, even some Daoist lineages envy them…"

!.

On the battlefield, Shen Shen Sanyou felt the terrifying killing intent from the other side. He showed no fear—only laughed bitterly. "Is this the method you've devised? Ridiculous!"

Luo Luo Faqing within the mist seemed enraged:

"We'll see how you laugh then!"

With a flick of his flags, a violent wind erupted.

Unlike ordinary yin soldiers, these illicit cult spirits possessed supernatural abilities. In an instant, they surrounded Shen Shen Sanyou.

The three spirits each wielded unique powers.

The one radiating lethal cold gathered yin malevolence into an invisible spirit sword, striking straight for Shen Shen Sanyou's forehead—to obliterate his three souls and seven poisons…

The one reeking of blood stirred yin winds, howling like ghosts and wolves, seeking to defile Shen Shen Sanyou's soul-summoning banner…

The dark, murky energy condensed yin malevolence; visible frost rose from the ground, rapidly spreading across the broken wall, threatening to freeze Shen Shen Sanyou's body solid…

Lu Gongfeng watched, his eyelids twitching.

He knew—if he faced this method, he'd only have time to die.

Ordinary ritual altars and protective spells couldn't withstand these spirits.

Of course, ordinary people saw nothing—only felt the snowstorm suddenly intensify, blinding them with wind.

Ting-ting-ting!

At that moment, a bell rang.

It was Shen Shen Sanyou, his left hand forming a strange seal, his middle finger pressing against a soul-stabilizing bell, shaking it left and right.

The bell's chime was crisp, spreading outward like ripples, repelling the corruption of the three ghost gods.

At the same time, Shen Shen Sanyou rose to his feet, the soul-summoning banner swaying, a mournful funeral song echoing through the snowy night.

"First, open the light of sun and moon: since ancient times, prosperity must decline, life must end in death—impermanence has come; cast aside all worldly things~"

"Second, open the netherworld: the dead must not yearn for their homeland, children need not grieve—what tree in the mountains lasts a thousand years? What man in this world lives a thousand years~"

The soul-summoning banner swayed; yin energy howled, forming a vortex.

The funeral song was sorrowful, carrying a kind of magic that left all who heard it filled with desolation.

Shen Shen Sanyou waved the soul-summoning banner in the gale, like a great wave rocking an oar, or a guide leading souls to the Yellow Springs—his lament was bleak and mournful, yet finally carried a trace of ancient resonance.

Though none understood his words, they felt the weight of a long-dead antiquity…

Li Yan's face grew grim, his eyelids twitching.

He could smell it—along with Shen Shen Sanyou's spell, an invisible force rose, like a quagmire dragging the three ghost gods slowly into the earth.

This technique resembles how the Nether Bureau apprehends souls…

After a long while, the wind ceased, and the song fell silent.

Puff!

On Luo Luo Faqing's side, the altar and ritual flags had shattered; he spat a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground, his face ashen, yet he gritted his teeth and said: "The Night Crier, who weeps for heaven, earth, and ghost gods—truly extraordinary."

"But don't get cocky—I only summoned three ghost gods. My elder brother's technique far surpasses mine; it's my lack of cultivation, not your technique's superiority!"

"Fool, don't you understand yet?"

Shen Shen Sanyou raised an eyebrow and shook his head.

"You've taken a wrong path!"

"Mount Shang seeks to join the orthodox sects, yet doesn't know the true strength of orthodoxy lies in averting calamity. In ancient times, when ghost gods ran rampant, humanity sought safety—thus the Da Xuan Gate arose: divination, avoidance, and calamity-warding."

"Wu, Zhu, and Dao all earned imperial patronage for this reason. Today, rites, laws, and decrees grow ever stricter."

"The age of Qin palace secret incantations is long gone. You seek to join the orthodox sects, yet only pursue techniques to harm others—technique without Dao, and disaster will come!"

"Do you know why the Tai Da Xuan Orthodox Sect is so powerful?"

"Tai Da Xuan Code: Do not worship evil spirits; do not use ghost gods to deceive people; do not use ghost god power to bewitch hearts. Violators die!"

"You're still far behind. Hahaha…"

Saying this, he slung the soul-summoning banner over his shoulder and strode out of the ruins, waving lazily: "Li Li Shaoxia, don't forget my drink!"

Li Yan straightened and bowed: "After this matter, Pingkang Lane, Huae Pavilion—no rest till we're drunk!"

"Splendid! Hahaha…"

Shen Shen Sanyou paid no heed to the others, slung the banner over his shoulder, and vanished into the snowstorm with a smile.

Behind him, in the ruins, Luo Luo Faqing, filled with grief, rage, and fury, spat three more mouthfuls of blood and could bear no more—he collapsed, unconscious.

The Xiong Xiong Gang members rushed forward and carried him into a tent.

"Truly a marvel of the Da Xuan Gate…"

Tie Tie Shigu, head of the Foot Travelers' Guild, couldn't help but praise him, then asked curiously: "Young master, where's your second ally?"

Li Yan was speechless. "He hasn't arrived yet."

He turned to Lu Gongfeng. "That elder is called 'Ying.' Have you heard of him?"

Li Yan had assumed that since Shen Shen Sanyou was so famous, 'Ying' must be equally renowned—but Lu Gongfeng frowned and shook his head. "Never heard of him."

"Still, the finest warriors remain nameless. He must be an extraordinary Da Xuan Gate master…"

As they spoke, a figure suddenly ran through the snowstorm, drenched in blood, stumbling and collapsing before Xiong Xiong Baodong, his eyes vacant:

"Ghost… ghosts… everyone's dead… everyone's dead…"

Li Yan frowned. Earlier, Shen Shen Sanyou had said 'Ying' was under attack and was slaughtering freely.

Judging by this, he showed no intention of sparing anyone.

What a terrible bloodlust!

But why hadn't he arrived yet?

Xiong Xiong Baodong's face darkened. He turned to look behind him. "Who's up for the third round?"

Though this was Liu Liu Wenchen's affair, Xiong Xiong Baodong had brought along a group of demonic cultivators to undermine the Five Elements. He couldn't just surrender—appearance mattered.

Yet perhaps having witnessed Shen Shen Sanyou's power, and now hearing another even bloodier killer was coming, the demonic sorcerers all turned their heads away, pretending not to hear.

"Cowards! All of you are useless!"

Xiong Xiong Baodong, by nature cruel and domineering, grew furious. His eyes darted, then he bellowed: "Third round—hurry up! Who's going?"

Tie Tie Shigu sneered: "Why the rush? You've got no one brave enough to step up—what's the point of fighting?"

"Xiong, why wait for him to arrive? Just surrender now!"

(End of Chapter)