Zhu Xian (诛仙) by Ding Xiao

[owlHoot]

Thks always for reading guys, ycb5959, k1nk4, Furinkazan, sainuu, FuSpu, HPC7595, Nerodragon12, spynet and jiken I'm trying my best to speed up too hee



Yellow Bird

The tree shook even more violently, with the Black Water Mystical Viper’s enormous body on it, even this unfathomable sky-towering strange tree seemed to tremble too.

It seemed to be a ferocious beast from the ancient times, the Black Water Mystical Viper used its mammoth body to wrap around the trunk and left a ruin of leaves and branches in its wake and the strange vines flowers withered and crushed. It swaggered ahead, the human species in front of it were like ants, not even worth bothering.

Lu XueQi’s face looked slightly pale, she stepped forward, her eyes still staring at that approaching ancient gigantic beast, she quietly asked Zeng ShuShu, “What happened?”

Sweat appeared on Zeng ShuShu’s forehead, he said, “When we were below just now, we suddenly saw this terrible beast. With just our current level of cultivation, naturally we could only run. But at that time it did not seem to mind us and appeared to be looking for something, so it left very quickly. Unexpectedly it actually, actually crawl up here.”

Everyone looked at each other, even though they were all cultivators and different from the common people but the strength of a human was limited, especially in front of this extremely horrible gigantic beast, any efforts made would be laughable.

At the critical moment where the Black Water Mystical Viper was nearing, Jin PingEr suddenly exclaimed, “Oh no, this beast seem to be coming for the thing inside the Celestial Emperor Treasury.”

Everyone’s expressions changed.

Ghost Li frowned slightly, his face was expressionless. He suddenly recalled while in the miasma wall when he first entered into the inner marsh, he once encountered an inconceivable-sized beast but due to the miasma, he was unable to see it clearly. Just that since then, he had a familiar sense of feeling towards the special bloody smell in the atmosphere and as seen today, what he had encountered that day was actually this Black Water Mystical Viper.

Watching the Black Water Mystical Viper’s continuous approach, the mammoth black body causing the tree trunk to shake unceasingly and almost made one worry if this tree might collapse under its weight. And its massive head high up, the bright red forked tongue under its fangs, flicked unceasingly, it growled softly towards the direction of the Celestial Emperor Treasury, appearing to be very excited.

Right now, anyone could see that this enormous beast’s goal, was indeed the item located inside that Celestial Emperor Treasury behind them.

Ghost Li turned back and looked at that Celestial Emperor Treasury, that thick solid door had not move the slightest. The spot of sunlight which shone in the sea of flowers before it, had now shifted to the door, the four big ancient seal characters, ‘Celestial Emperor Treasury’, glinted in the sunlight.

Fa Xiang watched as that enormous snake body like a small mountain, came nearer and nearer, he sighed softly and turned swiftly around and spoke to the rest, “This Black Water Mystical Viper is an ancient demonic beast and is not what a human can fight against, we are definitely not its match so let’s not force ourselves, we better quickly leave.”

Actually everyone knew this fact, Zeng ShuShu, Lin JingYu and the rest nodded, Jin PingEr on the other side humphed and showed her unwillingness but looking at her expression, she was getting ready to leave.

Everyone started to wield their magical weapon and prepared to disperse, Ghost Li’s hand started to glow with dark green light and he was about to turn back and call Xiao Hui who was still hiding beside the stone door, when at this moment, suddenly above the Celestial Emperor Treasury stone door, a muffled rumbling sound was heard.

At that moment, it was exactly where that sunlight across the horizon, shone onto the uppermost horizontal stroke of the Celestial character in the four ancient seal words, ‘Celestial Emperor Treasury’.

[Hong!]

Almost at the same time, the Black Water Mystical Viper suddenly sped up, it swiftly climbed up while growling at the same time. For a moment, everyone panicked, Jin PingEr, Zeng ShuShu, Lin JingYu, Fa Xiang etc all flew up first.

In the air, the pungent smell of blood assaulted the nose, a violent gale started to blow from nowhere, cutting across their faces like knives.

Ghost Li suddenly turned and leapt back, flying towards the Celestial Emperor Treasury, Fa Xiang and the rest who were already in the air were all shocked. Turning back to look, the Black Water Mystical Viper appeared agitated and infuriated, its huge eyes widened and wisps of black gas seemed to shoot out from its mouth, its enormous body twisted and moved continuously and it looked like it would soon reach the Celestial Emperor Treasury entrance.

The Celestial Emperor Treasury stone door which appeared huge to the humans, right now was only more or less the size of that Black Water Mystical Viper’s head.

Ghost Li in the air, felt darkness suddenly behind him and that darkness was like toppling the mountain and overturning the sea, charging towards himself. Without turning his head, he knew that the Black Water Mystical Viper’s enormous body was just behind him.

He turned into a stream of green light, in front of this enormous beast, like lightning, flying towards that stone door.

Ahead of him, the monkey Xiao Hui suddenly shrieked!

A dark shadow smashed down, the huge gust of wind was so fierce, even before it touched his body, it could actually blew Ghost Li’s body to the side.

Ghost Li felt alarmed but right now he was already no longer that youth in the Forsaken Abyss, in an instant he moved with his thoughts, as if he had eyes behind his back, he steered the Soul-Absorbing stick from the crushing Black Water Mystical Viper’s body and escaped by a hair’s breath.

Right now, the sound of the Celestial Emperor stone door gradually became louder, together with the rumbling sound, an originally perfect piece of huge stone door, under the sunlight, a crack suddenly appeared in the middle and slowly moved away to the side.

A gold dazzling light, from that crack, burst forth. Even though it was daylight but it was so resplendent and hard to view it directly, even the sun which was slowly ascending in the horizon also seemed dim in comparison.

There seemed to be something howling within the Celestial Emperor Treasury, roaring within the golden light!

The entire Black Water Mystical Viper body suddenly turned taut, making an earth-shattering howl, it disregarded everything else and its massive snake head charged directly towards the Celestial Emperor Treasury stone door.

And between it and the stone door, that stream of green light seemed to be one step earlier than it, looked like it was going to enter that Celestial Emperor Treasury…

If, without that resplendent autumn-waters-like Tian Ya Celestial Sword.

A screen of blue light had already reached towards Ghost Li’s head, condensed to form an enormous light sword and cleaved down. The red light in Ghost Li’s eyes surged, the stone door was just in front of him but if he did not block this light sword, most likely he would be cleaved into half on the spot. He had no choice, the green light reversed and flew up towards the sky, the blue and green light, in the approaching threatening black shadow, clashed violently. Immediately, invisible energy waves propagated in all four directions, even Jin PingEr and the rest who were in the air were shocked at it.

Even though the force was such powerful but for that Black Water Mystical Viper and the strange golden light in the Celestial Emperor Treasury, they were not affected at all. The dazzling golden light increasing in its intensity, the Black Water Mystical Viper too charged over, this guy and girl, in the turbulent changing perilous scene, still holding on bitterly, both refusing to give way.

Until, both were covered totally in their magical weapons’ lights, their faces turned paler and paler but the most important was, in this flint-spark moment, the enormous black shadow, arrived before them.

The cultivated human’s magical weapons, activated by their internal energy, collided with the Black Water Mystical Viper, vanished like smoke into the thin air.

Lu XueQi and Ghost Li were thrown forward at the same time, Ghost Li felt the turmoil of blood and energy in his chest and a ringing sound in his head, his entire body’s energy channels seemed to turned upside down by that powerful collision with the Black Water Mystical Viper. A mouthful of blood was stuck in his chest, if not for Tian Yin Temple’s Great Brahman Wisdom in his body protecting his heart and circulating rapidly at the same time, blocking and dissipating the external force layer by layer. If not he would be spitting out blood immediately.

But even though it was so, he still felt severe pain in his entire body, he wondered how many bones were broken. He in the air, suddenly forced himself to turn his head and looked at Lu XueQi.

That cold and cool girl seemed to be worse, on her snow-white dress, blood stains on her chest, beside her lips on her pale face, blood trickled down, it appeared she had already coughed out blood.

Qing Yun Sect’s skills although were ingenious but on shielding the body and strengthening the heart aspect, Buddhism Great Brahman Wisdom ranked higher.

The Good Faction people hovering in the air were all staring in shock, the events happened in an instant and before they could react, Lu XueQi had already stopped Ghost Li and in the next moment, both were hit and thrown forward by the Black Water Mystical Viper, looking at their figures, most likely they were hurt badly.

Lu XueQi was after all a Qing Yun disciple, and needless to say, Ghost Li was still that Zhang Xiao Fan and had close connections with that group of people. With this change of event, the Good Faction reacted and immediately flew over, although they could not hold back the ancient evil beast Black Water Mystical Viper but they hoped to provide some assistance to the two of them.

At the same time Jin PingEr quietly flew to the other side but under the Black Water Mystical Viper shadow, her pair of bright eyes were instead concentrating on that dazzling golden light from the Celestial Emperor Treasury stone door, her bright eyes gleaming.

Far ahead, the sun which was just coming up, rose a little more.

Under the sunlight, from that uppermost stroke of the Celestial character, it shifted up a little.

Suddenly, the stone door which was opened halfway, about three chi wide, stopped moving and after a moment it actually started to close up and that golden light gradually dimmed.

Ghost Li, although his body was on the point of breaking but he and Lu XueQi were still conscious, just that the collision force from the Black Water Mystical Viper was too great and within the short time, he was unable to control his body and it looked like he was going to crash into the solid thick stone door. With the speed at which he was going, even with three schools of true ways protecting his body, he would also most probably still be smashed into pieces.

And the scary part was, that stone door, was in the process of closing up with a muffled groaning sound.

A distance away, it seemed like from the mid-air, cries of alarms came from Lin JingYu and the rest!

Ghost Li’s mind, in that instant, suddenly felt like in a trance, indistinctly there seemed to be a girl dressed in light green, under the blue sky, smiling at him. Just that, for some reason, her smile was blurred.

Time, in this instant, seemed to slow down suddenly.

His body was still turning in the air, he saw the savage-looking Black Water Mystical Viper which had arrived behind him, saw the solid stone door closing in front of him, and also, saw that beside him, the white-attired girl who also like him, flying without control in the air.

He suddenly felt an urge to ask Lu XueQi, what was it for, that she would risk her life and still insisted on stopping him?

[Zi zi, zi zi!] a sound that seemed to be next to his ear, Xiao Hui’s shrieks woke him, Xiao Hui had ran to that stone door crevice and was jumping up and down in urgency, shrieking loudly and right then, the opening of the stone door crevice was already less than two chi.

Watching helplessly, about to smash onto that stone door.

Watching helplessly, about to end this life.

Watching helplessly, the blue sky and white clouds, pressing down on him.

If, giving up…

He gritted his teeth, using his last bit of strength, turned his body around slightly and in that instant, the corner of his eyes saw what was ahead, that crevice was directly facing him.

Maybe, he could escape from the gates of hell?

He sighed in relief, as if like he was going to die, not a single bit of strength left in him.

The harsh sound of the wind, he suddenly felt that, someone was watching him.

He raised his eyes.

Lu XueQi, had already regained conscious and was beside him, looking at the direction of her fall, it was for sure that she would smash onto the solid stone door. But, for some reason, on this delicate and beautiful girl’s face, there was no sign of fear at all.

In this moment where it felt like the sky and earth were spinning around, in this critical moment of life and death, her body involuntarily heading towards death but on her face, not a single trace of grief, not a single trace of fear.

Like a night-blooming cereus, her figure embellished with dark red blood, among the alarmed cries far away, before Ghost Li, no, the then Zhang Xiao Fan, she suddenly smiled.

The pale smile had a gentleness not seen before, in this piercingly cold wind, her lips parted slightly and closed, gazing at the person beside her.

There were four words, traversing through the wind, past the blood and as if even through the times, pacing lightly between the ten years, then, lingered beside his ear and reverberated deep inside his heart.

“You, come back…”

x x x

She closed her eyes, her body seemed to sink suddenly, soon, she would leave him, it seems like the last bit of her strength also disappeared with that four words.

Black hair lifted up by the wind, slightly covered one side of her fair face, that girl drifted with the wind, at the corner of her mouth, there seemed to still have a faint smile.

But what was it, that reverberated deep inside the heart, such burning emotions? Like a raging flood bursting through all obstacles, everything else in the world could disappear but right now right here, that white figure.

How could it give up?

How could it abandon?

A low hoarse cry in his throat, he struggled in inexplicable tears, in the fierce biting wind he struggled, to stretch out his hand, stretched out his hand, stretched out his hand…

Tightly, held on!

Just like ten years ago, beside Forsaken Abyss, in the rain of stones, that white-attired girl ran to him without a care and grabbed his hand.

Tightly, held on…

Before his last bit of conscious slipped away, he used all of his strength to pull that girl towards himself.

Ahead, the crevice with only one chi of gap, the golden light behind the stone door had vanished totally, leaving only darkness.

A faint warm, in his palm.

He closed his eyes, the vast darkness, like ten years ago, drowned over them, swallowed them.

x x x

The stone door closed with a bang, at that last moment, Xiao Hui following its master, also slipped in.

And immediately after which, the enormous stone door once again, with a loud sound, became whole and that crack in the middle suddenly vanished.

[Bang!] The Black Water Mystical Viper’s massive snake head pounded onto the stone door, the force was so powerful that the trunk of a few zhangs thick shook violently, like it was going to split.

The Black Water Mystical Viper watched as if its delicacy was about to reach its mouth but flew off at the last minute, sunk into an uncontrollable rage, its massive snake head started a frenzied attack at the stone door, the force of it making even the people who were a great distance away in the air to change their expressions.

Jin PingEr bitterly took flight, staying far away from that Black Water Mystical Viper, cursing non-stop in her heart. Just now she took advantage of everyone’s distraction and secretly followed along on the other side of the Black Water Mystical Viper’s dark shadow to get near to the Celestial Emperor Treasury, initially she wanted to take the chance to slip in but unexpectedly the situation had an unforeseen change and that Celestial Emperor Treasury for unknown reasons, suddenly closed up again.

Jin PingEr was a step too late and she was extremely vex but there was nothing she could do, and the Black Water Mystical Viper in its rage had started to notice the people in the sky, Jin PingEr sensed something was not right when the Black Water Mystical Viper raised its head and quickly retreated for another several zhangs.

As expected, the Black Water Mystical Viper suddenly opened its snake mouth and ejected a black poisonous liquid towards them, the pungent smell of blood overwhelmed and made one nauseous, each of the Good Faction people scrambled to avoid and for a moment they looked pathetic, Jin PingEr was quicker and considered calm. But looking at that Black Water Mystical Viper howling in rage and again using all of its might to smash against that stone door, most probably she would not be able to get anything today, and if she continued to wait, that group of Good Faction instead might have hostile intentions to herself so the best way out would be to leave.

As such, Jin PingEr quietly left and flew towards the direction where she had came but flying for only a short distance, she had a shock. On the pathway where the Black Water Mystical Viper had travelled, destruction was left in its wake but somehow there was a patch of vines’ flowerbed which were actually untouched and within this patch of flowerbed, under the sunlight, there seemed to be indistinct dark red lights glinting, arranged disorderly but looking careful at it, it instead looked abstruse.

Jin PingEr frowned slightly, looked carefully for a while and a realization flashed in her eyes, she seemed to have look through it and with a quick look, glanced around and at the same time she sneered and quietly said, “So even they have come!”

She hesitated slightly for a moment in the air but eventually still flung back her head and flew off without even looking back.

And before the Celestial Emperor Treasury, the Black Water Mystical Viper was still raging and it continued to smash against the stone door, the Good Faction guys who were in the air initially intended to go down secretly and see if there was any way to assist the two of them but once they went near that Black Water Mystical Viper, they would be attacked and a few times they were nearly hurt by it.

After a few times of failed attempts, Fa Xiang signalled to the rest to gather around, he quietly said, “We cannot continue on like this, we don’t know what is in this Celestial Emperor Treasury that make this beast so infatuated with it. With it keeping vigil here, there is no way we can enter the treasury.”

Lin JingYu’s expression was grim, he kept staring at that Black Water Mystical Viper below, Zeng ShuShu also looked anxious but even with his quick-wits, right now he had no solutions.

Just when everyone was worrying over it and the only sound left in the world seemed to be that Black Water Mystical Viper’s howls, at this moment, suddenly, the sky darkened.

Zeng ShuShu and the rest were startled, it was still bright and clear a moment ago, how could it suddenly turned dark, all of them raised their heads to look.

And with this look, all of them were dumbfounded, in the nine heavens above, a sheet of tangerine yellow color appeared, almost more than several zhangs wide, enveloping their heads and almost obstructing the sunlight.

Following which, a clear whistle that sounded like a phoenix cry came from the horizon.

The frenzied Black Water Mystical Viper suddenly stopped its actions, it raised its massive head and its expression turned extremely infuriated, it opened its mouth and bared its fangs, roared towards that cloud.

That piece of cloud blotted out the sky and the sun and landed down, although it was not as colossal as the Black Water Mystical Viper but it was not much difference.

From afar the crowd saw it clearly, it was a strange gigantic bird with orange yellow coloured feathers, it spread its wings and took off, circled around and did not show any fear towards the Black Water Mystical Viper which had trespassed on the trunk and instead looked like it intended to attack.

And the Black Water Mystical Viper, while facing this strange bird, kept its insufferable arrogance attitude and coiled its body, its snake head hissed and readied for combat.

“This, should be the legendary Nine Heavens Divine Bird - Yellow Bird!” (Note 1)

Fa Xiang watched the two gigantic beasts in confrontation, muttered.

x x x

Note 1: This literary quotation phrase was taken from [Classics of Mountains and Seas. Classics of Vast Southern Wastelands. Mt Wu Yellow Bird]: Mt Wu, Yellow Bird in the West. Emperor’s Medicine, Eight buildings. Yellow Bird at Mt Wu, monitoring the mystical snake.

Other note: Emperor refers to Celestial Emperor, Medicine refers to immortal’s medicine, namely immortality medicine. Mystical snake means the Black Water Mystical Viper.

[jiken]

Im the first haha,, thanks owl,, i know you will update today

[Furinkazan]

Thanks for the Chapter owlHoot

[k1nk4]

Thanks for the chapter owl!

[ycb5959]

Thanks for another update!

Edit: what an exciting chapter! And such romantic and touching moment between our fav guy and gal...

[HPC7595]

Thanks owlHoot

[Sunterjo]

Thanks......

[sainuu]

Thanks. It was cool.

[Aryan Pras]

waiting everytime...
thanks for your hard work

[owlHoot]

Hey guys, thks alot, jiken, Furinkazan, k1nk4, ycb5959, HPC7595, Sunterjo, sainuu and Aryan Pras. Jiken, you were right hahaha. I didn't have time to check for errors, so hope u guys dun mind, enjoy


Xiao Hui

He in the darkness, slowly opened his eyes.

Everywhere was dark, then, not far ahead, a faint glow, like a weak candle flame in the night, quietly burned.

He watched quietly, that light, was a faint light purple color and then it changed to cyan and then slowly to dark green. Like this, it continued to change, glimmering with different color lights, very mesmerizing.

[Zi zi, zi zi…]

Suddenly just beside him, Xiao Hui softly called out, as if due to this darkness even it dared not be loud.

Ghost Li turned his head and indeed against that weak light, the monkey Xiao Hui was crouching beside him.

He smiled and subconsciously clenched his teeth, intending to sit up right in spite of the pain and assess the situation first. Unexpectedly with this action, he did not feel any pain and sat up with no trouble at all, which surprised him.

In the darkness, that constantly color-changing light gently shone on his body. Ghost Li checked his body, the injuries sustained from that heavy hit with the Black Water Mystical Viper, for some reason, suddenly healed completely.

He frowned slightly and felt greatly astonished but for the moment he could not think of any reason so he decided to stand up and check out the situation first.

He had just moved when suddenly he stopped, his body looked like it had gone stiff.

Not knowing since when, his hand was still holding on to another hand, a fair, slender and warm hand.

They had held on so tightly, so naturally that it made one forgot that their hands were still together.

Ghost Li paused then slowly turned to his side, that faint light gently floated in the darkness, revealing a distinct and cold beautiful face. Lu XueQi’s eyes were still closed and she still looked pale, beside her mouth, there seemed to be a faint blood stain, like a rare red flower petal landed onto that snow-like fair face.

Her lips, slightly compressed, as if a faint smile was still on it.

Everywhere, silence!

Whose gaze, quietly watched in the darkness, time like water, ten years of time, deeply engraved in life but it also seemed like nothing had ever happened, like it was still yesterday.

x x x

[Boom!]

Suddenly, a loud sound exploded in this dark space, immediately the earth quaked and accompanying it in the distance were a clear phoneix-like cry and a roar of rage, the entire dark space shook violently. Xiao Hui gave a strange cry, its body like a gourd rolling on the ground, bumped and thrown to the side, it tumbled onto the ground with a heavy sound. Ghost Li also for the moment, unable to control his body while sitting and lurched to the side.

And this quake also woke Lu XueQi, she seemed to wake up with a start, a soft cry from her mouth and following which her body too went aslant and she opened her eyes.

Reflecting in her eyes, were first the darkness and then that familiar face, sitting beside herself.

Just like ten years ago under the Forsaken Abyss, beside the Heartless Sea!

The quake slowly subsided and the surroundings regained its peacefulness, wondered what triggered this strong quake?

Lu XueQi slowly sat up, looking at Ghost Li, Ghost Li also did not avoid and looked at her. After a moment both of their eyes, looked down, that two hands, still naturally holding on to each other tightly.

Lu XueQi kept quiet and did not move. Ghost Li’s lips twitched and then he slowly loosened his hand and withdrew it.

Lu XueQi looked nonchalantly at that hand withdrawing into the darkness, which a moment ago, was still radiating a faint warm. In her eyes, an indistinct grief suddenly appeared and then disappeared, replaced with coldness.

She stood up, at the same time frowned, it looked like she also felt astonished at the unexpected recovery of her injuries and turned to look around, she quietly said, “What is this place?”

Ghost Li also slowly stood up and said, “I am not sure too but I remembered that we both flew into the Celestial Emperor Treasury.”

Lu XueQi hesitated for a moment and said, “Was it you who saved me?”

Ghost Li glanced at her and then indifferently said, “No, you were lucky and flew in before the stone door closed.”

Lu XueQi turned around and expressionlessly looked at him, a pair of eyes even in the darkness still shining brightly, as if glistening with light.

Ghost Li did not look at her eyes and turned away, he started to walk towards that weak light and at the same time he said, “You do not own me anything, if you want to kill me, just go ahead.”

Lu XueQi stood silently in the darkness behind him, stood still for a long time and then lightly dusted off the dirt on her body and rearranged her appearance.

[Zi zi, zi zi!]

Xiao Hui whose head was spinning from the fall just now, had recovered and leapt and jumped over, in two or three leaps it scrambled up to Ghost Li’s shoulder and crouched there, watching that mysterious colourful gleaming light.

As they went near it, the object that reflected in their eyes became clearer.

This was a wooden platform set-up in the darkness, about half of a human’s height, a circular wooden beam about the thickness of a baby’s arm extended into the ground, above, it supported a small platform about one chi big.

In the middle of the platform, a primitive and crude shaped cup was placed. It seemed to be carved from wood and looking carefully at it, this entire wooden platform and cup were actually connected perfectly together, as one with the trunk below.

But the most fascinating thing was what was inside this tiny little cup. The wooden cup was around three inches high, two inches wide, in it it contained a clear liquid and floating above that liquid in the cup, was a tiny small transparent stone, with five smooth faces, sparkling and crystal-clear. And it was from this stone where gentle light radiated above it, forming a semicircle light screen above this tiny small wooden platform, refracting different colours of light, radiating to all four directions.

Currently Lu XueQi had already walked over, stood beside Ghost Li and looked towards that wooden cup.

In the air, a strange fragrance wafted, it filled up every space and lifted one’s spirits when it was breathed in.

Ghost Li and Lu XueQi were not simple people but right now they were unable to deduce what this thing was. Actually on this wooden platform in this Celestial Emperor Treasury, what was contained in this cup was the legendary Celestial Emperor’s hidden immortal medicine, this wooden platform and wooden cup were connected to this extraordinary tree as one, using the tree’s ten thousand years of spiritual energy to preserve this immortal medicine.

And outside the Celestial Emperor Treasury, this that could make even the ancient demonic beast, Black Water Mystical Viper, drooled for three feet and did not even hesitate to battle with its natural arch enemy, Yellow Bird, the protector of the immortal medicine, was this unremarkable one cup of immortal medicine.

And the reason why Ghost Li and Lu XueQi’s injuries miraculously recovered, were also because of this immortal medicine and this treasury.

Just that these type of legends were only heard secretly, nowadays most of the people did not know about it and Ghost Li and Lu XueQi both did not know, they could only frown and feel perplexed while facing this kind of gifted earth treasure.

While pondering over it, suddenly, another loud sound sounded again, the entire Celestial Emperor Treasury shook violently and at the same time, the terrible roars and shouts of the Black Water Mystical Viper started again. It seemed like this ancient huge beast was extremely infuriated and refused to give up the immortal medicine.

The Celestial Emperor Treasury, even though was an ancient incredible site but right now, first it had existed since a very long time ago and second, the Black Water Mystical Viper had pounded on it for unknown number of times, with this ancient demonic beast’s strength, how would it be inconsequential? If not for the fact that it was the Celestial Emperor Treasury and instead just an ordinary hill, most likely it would have been flattened long ago by this Black Water Mystical Viper.

Right now sounds of [ge ge] exploded all around and everywhere reverberated the sturdy tree’s cries of pain, a twisting sound that made one jittery and at the same time it heaved greatly inside the Celestial Emperor Treasury. Xiao Hui shrieked and almost fell off from Ghost Li’s shoulder, both Ghost Li and Lu XueQi felt the violent movements and almost could not stand straight.

According to logic, with this kind of powerful hits, even if the wooden platform and cup were joined together, that immortal medicine inside the cup would have spilled over. But in this moment of violent waves, that stone floating above the water in the cup suddenly threw out a thin stream of golden light, projecting it straight up, shone onto that light screen and immediately the entire light screen turned into a golden color and immediately the light flourished.

Under this blanket of light, the wooden platform which was starting to wobble, within the heaving motions, suddenly became still. Until the quake slowly subsided, that golden light then slowly became weaker and regained its original appearance.

Ghost Li and Lu XueQi looked at each other, their eyes reflected admiration and astonishment, the work of Gods was really unimaginable.

Ghost Li surveyed the surroundings, using the remarkable stone’s light, he saw that other than this wooden platform in the treasury, there seemed to be nothing else. But looking at this strange stone, sparkling and crystal-clear, immortal energy swirling within it, it was definitely not an ordinary item and it seemed like the rare treasure that they were searching for so many days, was this.

Once his thoughts formed, a desire burned, he stretched out his hand towards that wooden platform’s light screen.

“Don’t touch it!” Suddenly, Lu XueQi’s voice, became cold and spoke out beside him.

Ghost Li’s hand stopped in mid-air and then slowly withdrew, he turned and faced Lu XueQi.

Both of them, face to face, at a distance less than three chi between them but the indistinct warmth between them a while ago, had all suddenly cooled down and turned into a silent coldness.

Ghost Li looked at Lu XueQi, slowly said, “I want this thing.”

Lu XueQi looked into that man’s eyes and quietly said, “I will not allow you to get it, unless you kill me first.”

Ghost Li did not speak anymore.

That weak light in the darkness, softly turning, fluctuating with colourful lights, as if it was trying to narrate something too?

[Boom!]

Another deafening sound, the same earth-shaking quake but this time, the impact was even stronger than the previous time, although the golden light sprang out from that strange rock and protected the wooden platform but the treasury’s walls looked like it could not hold up anymore.

A hoarse breaking sound followed, above their heads an enormous piece of tree fell down. Ghost Li and Lu XueQi jumped to avoid at the same time and following closely behind, booming sounds rang out in succession, the Black Water Mystical Viper outside seemed to have gone insane, smashing relentlessly on the Celestial Emperor Treasury, at the same time, that clear phoenix cry among the roars, became more and more enraged and agitated!

Outside, an earth-shaking battle seemed to be going on!

The entire Celestial Emperor Treasury under the enormous pressure from outside, finally started to contort, each side of the wall started to slowly cave inwards, splintered tree pieces fell down from above like rain.

Under these kind of situations, Ghost Li and Lu XueQi for the moment could only concentrate on avoiding the falling huge pieces of wood and could not attend to the wooden platform.

The Celestial Emperor Treasury looked like it was going to collapse but at this moment, as if the magical power of the ancient times Gods, a much more thicker and dazzling golden light than before suddenly soared out, abruptly turned into a beam and charged up into the sky. And this time, it broke through that light screen enveloping the wooden platform and shone straight up towards the Celestial Emperor Treasury dome.

Within the treasury, a mysterious and distant sound suddenly started, like the Sanskrit song from Mt. Lingshan Grand Buddha scenic area, again like the soft murmurings from the nine netherworld lonely souls.

Following that golden light beam supporting the dome, the entire Celestial Emperor Treasury seemed to receive some kind of boost, it stopped caving in and the falling wood pieces also slowly ceased dropping.

Then, before Lu XueQi and Ghost Li’s visions, on the entire Celestial Emperor Treasury dome, in that dazzling golden light, suddenly, that mysterious sound sounded, as for the reason why it chanted, golden writing the size of dou, under the illumination of the golden light, one by one it hovered in the air:

Heaven and Earth heartless, treats all living things as straw dogs!

Ghost Li’s body shook greatly.

After a while, that nine words slowly disappeared but the mysterious chanting instead grew louder and louder, stronger and stronger, in a flash, that dazzling golden light beam suddenly exploded, burst of blazing lights shot out everywhere in the Celestial Emperor Treasury, on the four walls, with the golden light illumination, one by one the golden words appeared, the strokes of the characters bold, as if flying across.

Enveloping Ghost Li and Lu XueQi, within the explosion sounds, swirling around!

Ghost Li and Lu XueQi were awed by this breathtaking strange scene but following which they were captivated by the mysterious words, they watched with rapt fascination, forgetting the surrounding situation.

And Ghost Li’s heart palpitated faster and faster, right now, a voice seemed to be shouting loudly in his heart:

“Tian Shu! Tian Shu! This is the third volume of Tian Shu!”

x x x

Outside the Celestial Emperor Treasury, Fa Xiang and the rest hid far away in the higher atmosphere, watching the two ancient beasts fought on the magnificent tree, their countenance pale.

The originally exuberant, lush foliage and covered by numerous vines’ flowers, the gigantic tree, right now looked as if it had suffered a massive disaster which came every ten thousands years, everywhere were broken branches and withered flowers, a miserable scene.

And in front of the trunk, outside the Celestial Emperor Treasury, the Black Water Mystical Viper was still tightly coiled near the Celestial Emperor Treasury stone door, its massive head roared towards the sky, the divine beast Yellow Bird flapped its wings and flew, every flap of its wings generated a gust of strong wind, even Fa Xiang and the rest who were watching the show from afar also felt the force of the wind.

The Yellow Bird with a body of orange yellow feathers, both of its wings spanned nearly a hundred zhang, sharp beak and keen eyes, its feet claws were also huge and sharp, right now continuously swooping down, using its sharp beak and enormous claws to attack the Black Water Mystical Viper. And the Black Water Mystical Viper kept on shooting out poisonous gas from its mouth, its snake head shook, its fangs sharp, retaliating with all its strength and from time to time smashed the Celestial Emperor Treasury below its body.

The battle between the divine bird and gigantic snake, plunged the surroundings into a state of chaos and darkness, the wind and clouds changed countenance, luckily it happened at a deserted place, if not with these two ancient times incredible beasts’ strengths, even a slightly more bustling place would also have been destroyed by them.

The fight so far, the tyrannical Black Water Mystical Viper was already riddled with wounds, on its demonic God-like and unexcelled body, lines and rows of huge wounds were clearly in view, dark red blood kept flowing out, dying the tree trunk below it a dark red colour. As an ancient times demonic beast, its body was actually as hard as rock and only the sharp claws and beak of the Yellow Bird could hurt it.

But although it inflicted heavy injuries on the Black Water Mystical Viper but the Yellow Bird was not doing too well too. The original phoenix-like bright beautiful feathers while fighting with the Black Water Mystical Viper, after bitten several times by the Black Water Mystical Viper, countless dropped off and also suffered several wounds on its body, deep until the bone, blood gushed out and stained its chest area red.

Right now, the two giant beasts had stopped fighting temporarily, the Black Water Mystical Viper entrenched itself on top of the Celestial Emperor Treasury, the Yellow Bird landed sideways at the nearby trunk, both parties watching each other, the Black Water Mystical Viper snarled, the Yellow Bird cried. Each seemed to be displaying their prowess to each other and neither showed any intention to back off.

But looking from the outside, the Black Water Mystical Viper seemed to be at a disadvantage over the terrain, after all the physical topography was bad, hanging high up in the tree, it could only entrenched tightly around the trunk while the Yellow Bird could instead fly and attacked from different directions, gaining a lot of advantage. In addition the Yellow Bird was the natural arch enemy of the Black Water Mystical Viper type of demonic beast and facing the Black Water Mystical Viper’s poisonous gas and fluid, it naturally had the defenses capability. Although there was still fear but even after been bitten, its vital parts were still unharmed and not fatal.

The Black Water Mystical Viper’s most powerful ability lost its effect in front of this Yellow Bird and on top of it, the terrain was disadvantageous, the situation looked unfavourable and it seemed to realize this fact and was even more infuriated. It eyes widened and suddenly its snake head turned back and taking advantage that the Yellow Bird was still a distance away, it fiercely hit onto that Celestial Emperor Treasury.

The Yellow Bird was enraged, with a clear phoenix cry, it again flapped its wings and flew up.

But this hit was the accumulated entire body strength of the Black Water Mystical Viper’s,it slammed down with a bang and not mentioning the others, just the trunk underneath it was already shaking violently, and on top of the Celestial Emperor Treasury, instantly crack lines appeared everywhere, even on that enormous stone door.

Just like, after staunchly resisting the Black Water Mystical Viper numerous terrible brute attacks, right now, the mysterious force inside the Celestial Emperor Treasury had finally started to break down.

Far away, Fa Xiang and the rest looked at each other and sucked in a mouthful of cold air.

The Yellow Bird gave a sharp cry, it flew until the mid -air and abruptly charged down, its beak like an enormous arrow leaving the bow, shot towards the Black Water Mystical Viper.

In an instant the Heaven and Earth changed countenance, winds and clouds changed, there seemed to be an intense fierce storm, turning into an enormous vortex, looking like a tornado, the Yellow Bird in the violent revolving wind, charged down.

The Black Water Mystical Viper howled out loudly, ominous savage glint shot out from the enormous snake eyes and it actually disregarded the Yellow Bird’s imminent attack and once more used its massive head to hit the Celestial Emperor Treasury.

[Boom!]

At that instant, stones and sand flew, dust were whipped up and scattered, [ge ge ge ge] a tearing sound filled the sky and earth and finally after a thunderous sound, the dome wall of the Celestial Emperor Treasury collapsed with a loud sound.

Almost at the same time, the Yellow Bird charged down in rage, the tornado in that instant enveloped the Black Water Mystical Viper, the crowd heard the Black Water Mystical Viper made a piercing cry, the sound extremely mournful, as if it had suffered some grievous hurt.

The violent storm was not normal, Fa Xiang and the rest, like ants floating along with the wind, had no choice but to retreat even further.

Until the dust settled down, the cry still did not lessen at all, the crowd looked over, on the Black Water Mystical Viper’s snake head, fresh blood flowed everywhere, blood spurted like a fountain from the right eye, it was pecked blinded in one eye by the Yellow Bird’s beak!

And at that moment, the Celestial Emperor Treasury which was smashed opened, the golden light slowly glimmered and then gradually dimmed down.

The Black Water Mystical Viper and Yellow Bird for the moment stopped their fight and looked down at the same time.

In front of these two gigantic beasts, even the huge Celestial Emperor Treasury also seemed like a child’s toy.

In the billowing dust and sand, inside the Celestial Emperor Treasury, the two human figures staggeredly stood up, it was Ghost Li and Lu XueQi. And Xiao Hui who had been crouching on Ghost Li’s shoulder, dropped down and hid under that wooden platform, both hands clutching the wooden beam tightly, stabilized its body.

Thinking back when the Black Water Mystical Viper relentlessly attacked the Celestial Emperor Treasury, the situation inside would definitely be bad. Just by looking at Ghost Li and Lu XueQi, although their faces were pale but they still remained calm, Xiao Hui instead was frightened until ‘No monkey expression on the face’ [Translator’s note: it’s a play on the words, the correct literary expression is No human expression on the face, which means you look ghastly pale], its mouth continuously making [zi zi zi zi] sounds.

Ghost Li calmed himself down and then his body trembled, he saw two unimaginable gigantic beasts on each side, glaring like a tiger eyeing its prey and looking at their expressions, they were all looking murderous, without a doubt one would also know that this was not a good place to be.

But before they could react, the Black Water Mystical Viper with its solo eye had already saw the wooden platform in the Celestial Emperor Treasury and as well as the clear liquid inside that wooden cup on the wooden platform.

Immediately, the Black Water Mystical Viper’s eye revealed an uncontrollable greed, its massive snake head suddenly struck down but how would the Yellow Bird stand by, a clear whistle and its beak also pecked down.

The two gigantic beasts at the same time showed their might and even how high Ghost Li and Lu XueQi’s skills were, they could only instinctively wield their weapons and swiftly fly away. But Ghost Li had just flew up when suddenly he got a shock, a cry of [zi zi] sounded behind him, Xiao Hui who had been crouching on his shoulder was now underneath the wooden platform and did not followed him.

Although his character had changed greatly from the past but he still had deep feelings for Xiao Hui, immediately without even hesitating, he was about to turn back to pick up Xiao Hui. Unexpectedly he had just paused, the Yellow Bird’s sharp cry, together with the Black Water Mystical Viper, both wings flapped, a gust of strong wind blustered over and pushed Ghost Li and Lu XueQi out far.

Ghost Li panicked but the force of the Yellow Bird’s flap was extremely strong, his body involuntarily flew out far and with difficulty he managed to control his body but was already at least several zhangs away from the tree. Both of his eyebrows frowned tightly, clear light surged below his body and he immediately charged back.

At this moment the Yellow Bird and the Black Water Mystical Viper’s battle had already reached a climax, right now the Black Water Mystical Viper’s target was obvious, it was to get that small cup of immortal medicine but the Yellow Bird naturally would not let it touch it and thus did not fly up again, it landed on the trunk, the two gigantic beasts surrounded that small tiny wooden cup, biting and pecking, cries and howls unceasingly but under the shadows of each other mights, for the moment, they were unable to bend their heads to reach that immortal medicine.

Xiao Hui hid under the wooden platform and in the beginning felt afraid but gradually it realized that the two fellows were only fighting above its head and did not come down, so it quietly stuck out its head to watch. Just that with this look, it noticed that the golden light screen originally enveloping that wooden cup, following the collapse of the Celestial Emperor Treasury, also disappeared.

Xiao Hui slowly climbed onto the wooden platform and looked up, in the mid-air, the snake and bird heads stretched over and pecked back, fighting hard, from time to time huge pieces of scale and feathers fell down like rain.

The monkey scratched its head and blinked, it lowered its head and saw in the wooden cup beside, that water-like liquid reflected its own image, the stone inside the cup floated on the water surface and did not sink, sparkling and crystal-clear, nobody knew what it was.

It took a few glances at that cup and suddenly it crouched on top, stretched its head into the wooden cup and [gu lu gu lu] started to drink up.

[Gu lu, gu lu, gu lu gu lu…]

The Black Water Mystical Viper and Yellow Bird which were just still fighting bitterly, the two gigantic beasts which were just still earth-shakingly, winds and clouds changing countenance contesting with each other, suddenly their bodies seemed to be frozen.

[Gu lu, gu lu, gu lu gu lu…]

This small little sound, not even worth mentioning in the numerous terrible deafening sounds but for some reasons, suddenly, everything in the world stopped, leaving only the sound of a comical monkey drinking water.

That cup was very small and the liquid inside it were only about half a cup, very quickly Xiao Hui finished it and then raised its head and looked around. In the sky above, the Black Water Mystical Viper looked down and seemed like it had not reacted and it raised its head to look at its arch enemy the Yellow Bird opposite it; the Yellow Bird seemed to look back at Xiao Hui with the same expression and then looked at the Black Water Mystical Viper again.

...

[Ze ze].

Suddenly, another strange sound, the Black Water Mystical Viper and Yellow Bird looked down at the same time, Xiao Hui stretched out its tongue a few times and then shook its monkey head, evidently the water in the cup was not tasty and far from its master’s delicacy made in Qing Yun Hill Big Bamboo Valley’s kitchen, Xiao Hui was very dissatisfied. Its eyes turned and saw that although the water was drunk, a small tiny glittering stone was still left in it and quietly lying in the cup, so it might as well took it out and then lightly threw it in the air, opened its mouth, like how the humans eat shelled peanuts, with a sound of [ah-wu], swallowed it.

...

Far away, Fa Xiang and the rest dripped with sweat!

Suddenly, a howl and a sharp cry were heard, the Black Water Mystical Viper and Yellow Bird charged down in rage, the snake head and bird beak, pounding together towards this pitiful small and tiny monkey, Xiao Hui was extremely terrified and even the monkey hair on its head stood up in fright but right now it had nowhere to escape and could only instinctively prostrated on the wooden platform, using both of its hands to wrap around its head.

Watching helplessly as Xiao Hui would soon die under the combined attack from these two giant beasts, at this critical moment, a clear light flashed past, it was Ghost Li who had arrived as fast as he could, stretched his hand out and lifted Xiao Hui, then flew out with all of his might.

They had just left the wooden platform when they heard a loud crash behind, the remnants of the Celestial Emperor Treasury building, entirely annihilated...

The Black Water Mystical Viper howled loudly on the tree but even though it always had been unchallenged on the ground but against the enemies that flew, it was helpless, after howling about half a day, it eventually had no choice, and with the immortal medicine gone plus with its natural enemy around, it finally turned around angrily and slowly climbed down, very soon it disappeared into the mist.

But Ghost Li and Xiao Hui were still in danger, although the Black Water Mystical Viper had no way but there was still a divine beast, Yellow Bird, which ruled the eight thousands miles Ninth Heavens, right now it beat both of its wings and refused to give up, pursuing tightly.

Sweat appeared on Ghost Li’s forehead, the Yellow Bird’s speed was incredibly fast but it just had an exhausting battle with the Black Water Mystical Viper, suffered a number of injuries and lost a lot of energy, secondly, Ghost Li was small and agile, he kept on making abrupt turns in the air and therefore the Yellow Bird did not manage to catch it. But even though it was so, the Yellow Bird’s exhausted body gradually still caught up, seemed like a little more distance and Ghost Li would be caught. Xiao Hui on Ghost Li’s shoulder shrieked loudly, looking anxiously, it had called out just twice when suddenly it made a [ung] sound, not knowing if it had drank its fill earlier or not, at this time, it burped.

Ghost Li felt funny and angry at the same time but right now he could not care more and only concentrated on avoiding that pursuing swift and fierce wind from behind. While flying, the corner of his eyes noticed a patch of flowerbeds in front which was different from the other untidy surroundings, the fresh flowers were still exuberant and in it, red indistinct light floated.

His body shook, instantly he saw what was hidden in there, he did not expect that they had arrived here too but why did they not inform him?

A suspicion grew in his heart but right now it was after all a life and death moment and he could not afford to ponder, immediately he flew towards that direction and the Yellow Bird pursued closely.

Far away, Lu XueQi and the rest exclaimed out, it seemed like the Yellow Bird’s sharp claws would soon grab Ghost Li’s back and looking at the infuriated Yellow Bird’s expression, it would not rest until it had cut the person who stole the Celestial immortal medicine to pieces!

In a flash, Ghost Li using all of its strength, turned into a green lightning, streaked past that patch of flowerbed and the Yellow Bird did not notice anything, followed closely and flew above that flowerbed.

Strange events suddenly happened.

Underneath the flowers, red lights suddenly rose, becoming one, in the mid-air, an ancient red cauldron appeared, it was the Ghost King Sect rare treasure - Hidden Dragon Cauldron.

And standing on top of the Hidden Dragon Cauldron was one person, with a calm expression, chanting the words, it was Ghost King.

The mysterious incantation reverberated once again, at the same time Qing Long, YouJi also appeared beside the flowerbed and both of their hands waved continuously, in an instant, under the urging of the Hidden Dragon Cauldron mysterious divine power, the Entrap Dragon WatchTower formation started again. Red lights swept up, becoming one dark red light sheet, converged into that Hidden Dragon Cauldron in the sky and trapping the Yellow Bird in it.

How would the Yellow Bird allowed itself to be captured, immediately it charged left and dashed right but not knowing if it was because it had spent most of its energy fighting with the Black Water Mystical Viper or that this Entrap Dragon WatchTower formation was too powerful, it could not find any escape route and instead recoiled from the mysterious force, its injuries seemed to become more serious.

In the end, it seemed to know it was helpless, the Yellow Bird wailed and stood within the red light screen, and did not move again.

Ghost King gave a long laugh and landed down, Ghost Li also, carrying Xiao Hui, unhurriedly landed beside him, at that moment, Qing Long and YouJi also came over.

Ghost Li frowned and looked at Ghost King, Ghost King instead smiled and waved his hand, he said, “Our matters, we will talk when we are back.” following which, he gazed far ahead at Fa Xiang, Lu XueQi and the others, suddenly smiled and said to Ghost Li, “Why don’t you suggest, how shall we deal with these people?”

Ghost Li’s body trembled but saw that Ghost King was still smiling amiably but in his eyes, a flash of gleam, an indistinct trace of coldness within.

The surroundings, suddenly turned quiet again.

[Furinkazan]

Thanks for a great chapter owlHoot!

[k1nk4]

Thanks owlHoot!

XD

[sainuu]

Thanks. It was an action filled, awesome chapter.

[Aryan Pras]

ah...
another chapter..
thanks very much owlhoot...
umm...
actually,what is the special of that medicine
is that a medicine like the medicine that wu kong take at the pagoda??

[ycb5959]

Thanks - long one!

[spynet]

Thanks and Thanks

[owlHoot]

Thks guys, Furinkazan, k1nk4, sainuu, Aryan Pras, ycb5959 and spynet, it was a difficult chapter to translate.
Aryan Pras, it was an immortality potion. If you are referring to Wu Kong as in Sun WuKong then its like how all the demons and evil spirits were trying to eat WuKong's teacher, Xuanzang, for they believed his flesh would make them immortal.


Fish Monster

Death Marsh, Gigantic Tree Summit

Lu XueQi, Fa Xiang, Lin JingYu and Zeng ShuShu the four of them steadily landed on the gigantic tree that was in shambles, cracks were everywhere, numerous broken twigs and branches. Even though it had been quite some time but the two ancient gigantic beasts’ fight still made them visibly shocked.

But right now evidently, their attention was more focused on the people in front of them.

Fa Xiang frowned slightly, pondered in silence. Those people, he had seen them during the East Ocean LiuBo Hill and Qing Yun Hill battles, obviously they were Ghost King Sect Sect leader Ghost King and his two competent aides, Qing Long and YouJi, including the changed Ghost Li, it could be said their strengths exceed his side.

A pity after ascending the tree, at the bifurcation, they and Qing Yun Sect Xiao YiCai, FenXiang Valley Li Xun, YanHong and the rest separated to search, if not although they might not be able to win against these four but at least they would have the manpower to fight.

But even though their thoughts were such, Ghost King Sect did not seem to have the intention to attack immediately.

Ghost King glanced towards the four of them then indifferently asked Ghost Li, “Why don’t you suggest, how shall we deal with these people?”

Ghost Li did not answer immediately and instead looked at Ghost King. Ghost King’s expression was still amiable and seemed calm but in his eyes, a sharp gleam flashed. After a moment, he indifferently said, “Since Sect leader you have come here, naturally all matters should be decided by you.”

Qing Long who was standing by the side frowned slightly, YouJi’s black veil too seemed to sway slightly and she looked towards Ghost Li.

Ghost King’s expression did not change, a smile was still on the corner of his lips, he unhurriedly said, “That day when you set off to the death marsh, I said that all decisions here would be make by you. Qing Long, YouJi and I here, only came to capture this Yellow Bird. For these four Good Faction people, still you will have the final say! Do what you want.”

“Pei!”

Suddenly, an extremely contempt cold sneer was heard from the front.

Everyone looked ahead, it was Lin JingYu whose face was like frost, he coldly said, “Evil spirits evil ways, if you have guts, come forward to determine life and death, why behave like some married women squabbling over there, ridiculous!”

Once the words were spoken, Qing Long’s face was the first to turn dark but Ghost King instead looked at Lin JingYu from afar and was not angry, he smiled, turned and faced Ghost Li, “This person should be Lin JingYu! He is your childhood good friend?”

Ghost Li got a shock in his heart. Until today, Lin JingYu’s reputation was not that well-known but not sure how Ghost King could actually recognize him with one glance. He looked at Ghost King’s smile but felt a chill in his heart.

Ghost King looked at him, impassively said, “You shall suggest! How shall it be done?”

Ghost Li met his eyes and calmly faced him, he said, “Most of the things here are done and since these people are not the key-decision makers, we don’t have to bother with them. Sect leader at the present you should first settle the Yellow Bird, that is more important.”

Ghost King looked at him and did not say anything, the place turned quiet.

A flash of worry appeared in Qing Long’s eyes, YouJi beside him, because of her veil, her expression could not be seen but most likely she would not be at ease. YouJi’s eyes, through the black veil, looked at Ghost Li and Ghost King and then glanced out far, suddenly was shocked. Among the four Good Faction people, Lu XueQi quietly stood last at the back, her face cold but that pair of eyes, from far, were on Ghost Li.

Under that icy-frost appearance, there seemed to be hidden indistinct concern.

YouJi suddenly stretched her hand and quietly pushed Qing Long.

Qing Long was worrying and suddenly felt it, he turned back to look at YouJi, YouJi’s black veil swayed slightly and indicated towards the direction of Ghost King’s figure. He and YouJi had moved up to Ghost King Sect Four Great Holy Envoys rank at the same time and how would he not know what she was thinking, just that he had some concern right now.

After considering for a while, Qing Long eventually still walked over softly to Ghost King and quietly said behind him, “Sect leader, Ghost Li’s words are not totally irrelevant, now that the Yellow Bird had already been subdued, let’s settle it first, else with Wan Du, HeHuan these two sects in the death marsh, trouble may rise if we tardy.”

Ghost King turned his head and glanced at Qing Long, slowly nodded and said, “What you said is true.” following which a glint indistinctly flashed in his eyes, he said to Ghost Li, “Since it is so, I will leave here to you.”
Ghost Li nodded and said, “Please don’t worry.”

Ghost King looked at him again then suddenly smiled, he turned and left. Qing Long behind him smiled at Ghost Li and then followed after.

YouJi slowly followed along, when she passed by Ghost Li, Ghost Li looked at her and lightly nodded.

YouJi’s black veil shifted slightly but she did not say anything and just walked on.

After Ghost King group left, Ghost Li unhurriedly turned and faced Fa Xiang and the rest.

Fa Xiang coughed once and stepped up, “Zhang junior brother…”

Ghost Li coldly said, “I am called Ghost Li.”

Fa Xiang paused, Lin JingYu behind him frowned and in a heavy voice said, “Xiao Fan, why must you be like this? I know your nature is kind, it was only because you were framed by treacherous people, that’s why you joined the Evil Faction…”

Fa Xiang heard that and felt it grating on the ear but he only forced a smile and did not say anything.

Lin JingYu continued, “...if you are only willing to turn back, I believe with Reverend DaoXuan’s magnanimity, he will definitely allow you to return to Qing Yun.”

Ghost Li dispassionately said, “Why must I return?”

Lin JingYu was shocked, a pair of eyes stared deeply at this once childhood good friend, he saw him standing there, with an indescribable cold demeanor and saying, “Heaven and Earth heartless, treats all living things as straw dogs! I am doing well on this path, I don’t need any of you to save me.”

Lu XueQi stood last at the back, her body seemed to tremble slightly. Zeng ShuShu stood beside her and saw her expression, he frowned slightly but did not comment.

Lin JingYu looked angry, he stepped forward and was about to say something but was stopped by Fa Xiang.

Fa Xiang looked at Lin JingYu, shook his head slightly at him, quietly said, “He has sunk too deep in the Evil, you cannot be too impatient if not it will have adverse effect!”

Lin JingYu was initially angry at Fa Xiang for stopping him but after listening to him, he knew his words were true. He turned to look at Ghost Li again, his heart softened and recalled the times when they were young and innocent and had fun together, he eventually gritted his teeth and stepped back.

Fa Xiang hesitated and said, “Ghost Li patron, whether you admit or deny, we have a history together. Now that the treasury has been demolished and it seemed like there isn’t any rare treasure so we shall part here!”

Ghost Li snorted and glanced at Fa Xiang, then at the rest, Lin JingYu, Zeng ShuShu and lastly Lu XueQi.

That distinct and cold girl stood at the last, her face like frost, her eyes like water, deep and unfathomable, what was she thinking deep inside her heart?

Ghost Li looked away and did not speak anymore, turned and left.

He had not gone far when he faintly heard someone catching up on him, Ghost Li frowned and turned to look and was stunned to see that it was Zeng ShuShu. Looking at Fa Xiang and the rest’s expressions, they too seemed to be surprised.

Zeng ShuShu ran before him, with his back facing Fa Xiang and the rest, looked at Ghost Li for a moment and then suddenly laughed, smiled and said, “You won’t kill me right?”

Ghost Li looked at him, looked at his smile, he seemed not to have change at all since the time they had met at Qing Yun Hill TongTian Peak, still that jovial. After a moment his eyes eventually slowly eased up but his voice was still flat like water and said, “What is it?”

Zeng ShuShu clicked his tongue [ze ze] twice, shrugged and said, “Anyway I still treat you as my friend, as for how you think, I have no control over it.” Speaking until here, he paused and suddenly his eyes blinked in successions and he quietly said, “Big brother, let me hug this three-eyed divine monkey alright?”

Ghost Li was taken aback, in his mind, a scene where Zeng ShuShu used to pester him to let him have Xiao Hui appeared. He felt an inexplicable warmth in his heart. Actually he had grown up in Qing Yun Hill and had deep attachments for every grass and tree in Qing Yun Hill Big Bamboo Valley, whatsmore for Zeng ShuShu, one of the few friends he had.

Zeng ShuShu saw that Ghost Li did not respond but also did not show his disdain or objection, in his heart he felt happy. He had an intelligent mind and to this friend, Ghost Li, who had joined the Evil Faction, he still valued him a lot in his heart. Just that he knew Zhang Xiao Fan’s characteristics of being stubborn and persevering and would rather die in order to honor a promise made that time, one could have imagine, for that matter, how much hurt he had received.

Therefore all these years, in order to pull this good friend from the Evil Faction, Zeng ShuShu secretly thought of many ideas alone but in the end he could only come out with one -- to go slow and not be impatient.

Right now Zeng ShuShu’s gaze landed on Xiao Hui who was lying on Ghost Li’s shoulder, immediately both of his eyes shone, he beamed and said, “Xiao Hui, it’s me! Do you still recognized me?”

Xiao Hui lay lazily on Ghost Li’s shoulder, strangely, the monkey face was flushed red and looked like someone who had drunk too much alcohol. After Zeng ShuShu called it a few times, it forced opened its monkey eyes and glanced at Zeng ShuShu, its mouth impatiently [Zi zi] called out twice and then it closed its eyes again.

But Zeng ShuShu was not angry at all, he seemed extremely fond of it, [drooling for three chi] the four words obviously were written on his forehead.

Ghost Li saw Zeng ShuShu’s expression which seemed not to have change the slightest over these ten years, suddenly sighed and said, “Forget it! It is also tired today, in the future if we have the affinity to meet up again, you can say what you want to at that time.”

Zeng ShuShu looked lingeringly at Xiao Hui, nodded and then looked at Ghost Li.

Ghost Li indifferently said, “In the future if Good and Evil clashes, you and I as enemies, you can just go ahead to attack. As for…” He raised his eyes and looked at Zeng ShuShu, after a long while, slowly said, “Your path and my path are different and must be enemies but in my heart, I still treat you as a friend.”

Zeng ShuShu was delighted, joy written across his face and he nodded vigorously, he stretched out his hand and was about to give a hard pat on Ghost Li’s shoulder but suddenly felt it was inappropriate and so he withdrew his hand. Following which his eyes shifted and he seemed to thought of something, revealed a grin and he took out something from his bosom, it was a worn-out blue cover book, there was no title on the cover, what could this book be?

Ghost Li frowned, for some reason, he found this book familiar-looking but for the moment, could not recall where he had seen it.

Zeng ShuShu quietly pushed the book into Ghost Li’s hand, smiled and whispered, “Since we are all brothers, meeting you for the first time after ten years, I am giving you a small gift.”

Ghost Li looked at Zeng ShuShu’s expression, seventy percent of his smile was delight but thirty percent showed an inexplicable risqué intention, he frowned and looked at the book in his hand, casually flipped open…

“Ah!”

Even with Ghost Li’s current remarkable equanimity, his body still shook and quickly shut the book. The book’s content, in it there were many words and pictures and the pictures were all naked men and women, it was that pornography book which during their youth, Zeng ShuShu on TongTian Peak, had tried to exchange for Xiao Hui ten years ago.

“You…” Ghost Li was speechless and unable to continue.

Zeng ShuShu glared at him and said, “If you do not wish for us to be ruin, better don’t speak too loudly.”

Ghost Li glared back at him, in his heart he felt confused, by right he should feel that this person was creating trouble but for some reason, this silly and nonsensical action instead made him felt closer to Zeng ShuShu, the past times, seemed to return.

Zeng ShuShu smiled, turned around and left. This time his impronto action instead carried a profound meaning, if he wanted to pull this friend back from the Evil Faction, first he must make Ghost Li admit him as his friend. Now that he risked ridicule from the rest to do this nonsensical thing and as expected, it really made Ghost Li speechless, most probably next time when they meet again, their relationship would definitely be much better than today.

As he pondered on it, a smiled formed on his face.

Fa Xiang waited until he returned, saw his smile on his face and said, “Zeng ShuShu, what is it that you are so happy about?”

Zeng ShuShu was in an extremely good mood, he made a cheeky face at Fa Xiang and said, “Buddha quote: Unspeakable, unspeakable!”

Fa Xiang smiled and glanced at Ghost Li, that person was standing there, holding a blue thick book in his hand, his expression seemed to be complicated, not knowing what his thoughts were. He shook his head and spoke to the rest, “The matters here have already concluded, let’s go! If there is any other matter, we will talk about it later.”

Zeng ShuShu was the first to nod, then Lin JingYu and Lu XueQi also nodded in agreement.

Four of them turned into four brilliant lights, soared into the air, made a circle in the mid-air and then flew on.

Ghost Li stood on the gigantic tree and suddenly felt empty, as if he had lost something. His gaze went back to the book on his hand and then he raised his hand up, about to throw the book away when suddenly he gave a wry laugh and eventually kept the book, putting it into his bosom.

After which, he breathed deeply and made a long sigh, pulled himself up and said, “Xiao Hui, let’s get out!”

Xiao Hui this time, did not even open its eyes, mumbled out twice, [Zi zi, zi zi], not knowing if it’s considered a reply.

Ghost Li smiled, waved his right hand, wielded his Soul-Absorbing stick and turned into a black-green light, like a lightning, flew off, leaving this gigantic tree.

Ghost Li sped along high up in the death marsh atmosphere, like a mystical being that rode the clouds and mounted the mist, traversing through the miasma. He came out from the inner marsh, after stopping slightly to confirm the direction, he then flew off towards where Ghost King Sect’s base was located in the outer marsh.

Naturally his flying speed was extremely fast but the death marsh was so extensive that after flying for an hour, the surroundings were still the vast grass and seas, endless greens. Although an unknown number of death traps existed below but looking down from mid-air, the scenery was like a painting and boosted one’s spirit up.

Just that when he was nearing Ghost King Sect’s base, he suddenly frowned, there seemed to be a familiar smell of blood in the air, drifting over with the wind.

Ghost Li’s countenance changed, a light whistle, immediately the light below his feet surged and he dashed down from the sky.

The sharp black-green light descended from the sky, creating a fierce gust, flying across the dark-green underbrush pond. The invisible winds pushed the pond water apart to two sides, creating waves of ripples on the water surfaces.

Very soon, Ghost Li sighted the Ghost King Sect base, most of the troops were still there so it seemed at least the majority was still alright, he could then be at least half relieved.

By this time, the Ghost King Sect disciples also discovered Ghost Li’s descension and started to get up.

Ghost Li landed, stood on the ground but his first reaction was to frown even deeper. The blood stench was extremely thick and it seemed like the bloody smell in the mid-air dispersed from here.

The Ghost King disciples standing by the side bowed and stood at attention. Although for the past few years Ghost Li did not kill indiscriminately but he practised the Evil way, his personality changed dramatically and his body frequently involuntarily emitted a cold-blooded aura. Other than the Sect leader Ghost King, in Ghost King Sect, the rest of the disciples’ most revered person was instead this rising star.

Someone walked out from the crowd, it was a young man, his eyebrows straight, eyes bright and piercing, rather handsome, it was YanHui.

He walked up, bowed to Ghost Li and said, “Vice leader, you are back.”

Ghost Li nodded and said, “What is it with here?”

YanHui wanted to speak but stopped, he used his eyes to signal Ghost Li, Ghost Li understood and walked forward. YanHui looked around and loudly said, “Vice leader is back, everyone back to your post, there is no need to be alarmed.”

The crowd agreed in unison and scattered.

YanHui with quick steps caught up with Ghost Li, in a low voice said, “Please follow me.”

After speaking, he strided right to a rather remote area. After they had walked for a while, they arrived at a spot where the underbrush was exuberant, the wild grass was almost half the height of a human and even though there were nobody around, the stench of blood effused even stronger.

Ghost Li looked at YanHui, YanHui appeared to be slightly pale, he said in a low voice, “Take a look yourself!”, he walked to before that patch of thick growth of grass and spread open it.

Ghost Li unhurriedly walked forward and looked into the grass, immediately his expression changed greatly. This grass patch did not look any different from the surroundings but in the middle, it was dyed a large area of red human blood, the smell of blood assualted the nose, made one nauseous upon breathing it. Under the thick grass, thirteen bodies were piled up, the sight of their death were too horrible to look at, almost each of the bodies were mutilated into quite a number of pieces.

Even though these few years Ghost Li in the Evil Sect had long been used to gory details but this degree of cruel method, it was the first time.

He closed his eyes, calmed himself down, following which his face regained the calmness, he slowly walked forward and looked carefully at the bodies.

YanHui followed behind him and whispered, “These disciples were assigned here yesterday to keep a lookout and were the furthest from our main force, it was the furthest watchout of our scouts, these people were also rather skilled. Unexpectedly within a night, our men were all slaughtered without a sound.”

Ghost Li’s face was sombre, his eyes gradually turned cold, he slowly said, “Who is the killer? Do you already have any inkling?”

YanHui did not answer immediately, instead he said, “Vice leader, come over here and look.”

Ghost Li glanced at him, YanHui stepped over those mutilated bodies and walked further into the grasses. In the deeper part of the grasses, there was still one more body but this person’s body instead was quite whole, except for a missing left hand.

The corner of Ghost Li’s eye twitched, he knew this person, his name was Xu ChongHai, he was his subordinate, who was rather highly skilled, unexpectedly he died here too.

YanHui walked over to Xu ChongHai’s side and said, “Look here.”

Ghost Li walked nearer and looked down, beside Xu ChongHai’s head, his remaining right hand had drawn out two words in the mud:

Fish -- Monster.

The ‘Fish” word was still clearly written but the second word was already slightly untidy, it seemed like Xu ChongHai had reached the end of his strength.

“Fish Monster?” Ghost Li frowned.

YanHui nodded and said, “I also do not know what it meant, could it be that there are fish monster evildoers around here? But after we had discovered them today, I did an immediate search around here but there were no traces at all of the so-called fish monster.”

Ghost Li unhurriedly turned and walked out of that patch of grasses, YanHui also followed out. The pungent smell in the air was still very strong but compared to the air inside that patch of grass, it was much fresher.

Ghost Li took a deep breath and suddenly asked, “Where is Kill-the-living Monk! Why is he not here?”

YanHui hesitated for a while and said, “When he saw this scene in the morning, he flew into a rage and then from Xu ChongHai’s writings, somehow he could tell that those mysterious fish monsters were heading towards the south and then went off alone to pursue, I tried to persuade him but he refused to listen. And…”

Speaking halfway, he suddenly stopped.

Ghost Li glanced at him and said, “What is it?”

Bitterness flashed across YanHui’s face, he said, “At first, because vice leader you had issued strict orders that we cannot have confrontations with HeHuan Sect and Wan Du Clan before you return, but because of the murder incident this morning, I was afraid it was Wan Du Clan or HeHuan Sect’s evil scheme and so secretly brought men to where they were residing and intended to spy. If it was really done by them then naturally we have to seek revenge.”

Ghost Li indifferently said, “The things happened so suddenly, you are not wrong. So what was your findings?”

YanHui hesitated for a while and said, “This, was really out of my expectations. Wan Du Clan’s forces, for some unknown reason, had already all withdrew from the death marsh yesterday and for HeHuan Sect…” He looked at Ghost Li and whispered, “Seemed like they encountered the same incident as us, twenty over men were killed.”

Ghost Li’s countenance changed slightly, said, “There is such thing?”

YanHui said, “That’s right, I personally did a thorough investigation before coming back.”

Ghost Li remained silent and stood there, he seemed to be in deep thoughts.

YanHui did not dare to interrupt but after a long time, Ghost Li still did not speak, he could not help it and softly said , “Vice leader, what shall we do now?”

Ghost Li did not directly reply YanHui’s question and instead seemed to recall something suddenly, he turned his head around and asked, “Before my arrival, did Ghost King sect leader come here?”

YanHui’s expression changed, he nodded and said, “Yes.”

A faint gleam flashed in Ghost Li’s eyes and he said, “What did he say?”

YanHui replied, “Sect leader came together with the two Holy Envoys, Qing Long and Scarlet Bird. His elderly saw the situation here and looked very grim but eventually he only said one sentence, ‘All of the matters here will be handled by vice leader’ and then left with the two Holy Envoys.”

Ghost Li was expressionless and remained silent for another period. YanHui naturally did not know that the relationship between Ghost King and Ghost Li had became quite delicate and only watched attentively at him from the side.

After a while, Ghost Li nodded and said, “You have handled this matter well. Since we are done with the matters in the death marsh, starting from now, you will immediately lead our men out and return to Majestic Fox Mountain.”

YanHui nodded and said, “How about you vice leader?”

Ghost Li turned and gazed at the vast clouds in the horizon, over there it looked pure white and flawless, who would have expected that underneath it, the number of bloody incidents that would happen?

He indifferently said, “Although Kill-the-living Monk was impulsive but he has an unique ability in the art of pursuing. The origins of these fish monsters are unclear, besides they killed my men, naturally I have to continue investigating.”

YanHui nodded slightly behind him and said, “Yes.”

Ghost Li nodded and said, “You can go!”

After speaking, his gaze slowly turned towards south and saw only the vast water grasses, the wind blew over the death marsh, nobody knew what secrets it hid.

Unexpectedly, suddenly in his mind a scene emerged, several days ago, Jin PingEr, Qin WuYan and him while rendezvousing in secret, that mysterious fish-head-strange-human which ambushed Xiao Huan...

[k1nk4]

Thanks for the chapter owlHoot!

[Furinkazan]

Thanks for the chapter!

[HPC7595]

Thanks owlHoot