Chapter 79: Please Die, Immortal!
The commotion caused by Qiao Mu at the entrance of the Taoist temple at the foot of the mountain had become big, attracting many people to gather and watch.
After all, it is not unheard of but rather unheard of for a martial artist to forcefully enter Xuantian Temple and kill the Blue-eyed Flying Tiger of Immortal Gate.
However, the back mountain behind Xuantian Temple remained calm and peaceful.
The faint morning light and sunshine spread across these mountains and forests.
A young man in a green robe walked slowly on the road, stepping over the short grass and getting his pants wet with dew from the grass on the side of the road.
The waterfall at the edge of the cliff hung like a water curtain and made a loud roaring sound as it fell onto the small lake below.
There were also cranes grooming their feathers by the lake. As the young man in the green robe approached, schools of colorful carps jumped out of the water, as if they wanted to leap up the cliff against the flow of the waterfall.
The melodious sound of an ancient qin came from somewhere far away. The sound flowed like running water, entering the ears of the Taoist.
Under the big tree by the lake, two middle-aged Taoists were playing chess in front of a chessboard. Neither of them spoke, they just quietly looked at the chessboard.
Although these two Taoists playing chess were middle-aged, their faces were kind and gentle, giving off a hint of immortal charm. They seemed like immortals walking out of a painting, making people feel good at first sight.
This was a tranquil and peaceful scene, like a peaceful paradise, truly in line with how ordinary people imagine immortals.
However, it was in stark contrast to the noisy street at the entrance of Xuantian Temple at the foot of the mountain.
Up the mountain, down the mountain, like two worlds torn apart.
"Are the two senior brothers still playing chess here?" The young Taoist in the green robe smiled and walked over.
"Something interesting happened at the foot of the mountain Taoist Temple. Don't you want to go and take a look, senior brothers?"
"Oh? What happened?" The Taoist on the left looked up.
"Don't be distracted, keep playing chess." The Taoist on the right remained unchanged, his eyes still fixed on the chessboard.
The Taoist in the green robe said:
"An ordinary martial artist has come down the mountain and wants to forcefully break into Xuantian Temple."
"Oh." The Taoist on the left suddenly lost interest and returned his gaze to the chessboard.
None of them bothered to ask what kind of trouble this ordinary martial artist had caused, nor did they inquire about the martial artist's level of strength.
They are just ordinary people, not important.
"Senior brothers, don't you care about this martial artist breaking into the daoist temple? This is about the prosperity of our Immortal Gate," the young daoist in blue clothes said with a smile.
"Junior brother, you have not been cultivating for long and have less experience," the daoist on the left said calmly.
"Just an insignificant martial artist, can't achieve anything. Otherwise, they are underestimating our Xuantian Sect too much."
"Besides, at the entrance of the temple, there is a group of martial arts servants guarding, right?"
"....Martial arts servants?" The young daoist seemed to have heard this term for the first time.
"They are the servant daoists who cultivate martial arts," the daoist on the left chuckled lightly.
"Just a group of ordinary martial artists, thinking that by changing into daoist robes, they can enter our Immortal Gate and sit on equal footing with us?"
"Oh, junior brother, you are different. We are formal disciples of the sect, naturally different from ordinary people."
The young Taoist in blue clothes was a little hesitant.
"But they are still under the Immortal Gate, that martial artist who broke in is not too weak. If these servants die and break into the Xuantian Temple..."
"Why care about them?" said the Taoist on the left.
"Those who have not entered the path of immortality are like mayflies, born in the morning and dead in the evening."
Cultivators can stay in seclusion for a few months or several years.
Elderly cultivators from the Immortal Gate with higher cultivation might enter seclusion for ten or even twenty years.
Most ordinary people cannot live longer than a century. It is said that seventy years is already rare.
Martial artists generally live a little longer, but they are still within the realm of ordinary people. In the eyes of true cultivators, they are just slightly bigger insects.
"Just a group of martial arts slaves, it doesn't matter if they die. There are plenty of martial artists willing to become slave servants under me, the Immortal Gate. Oh... I mean, they should be called gatekeeping servant disciples."
"And, these martial arts slaves are not that simple." Speaking of this, the Taoist on the left side of the chessboard became interested.
"Twenty years ago, I traveled to Zhong Province and passed through a small town, where the lord of the town was a martial artist."
"According to their mortal standards, he seemed to be at the 6th rank?"
"Never mind, it's not important... That martial artist happened to see me using magic, guess what happened?"
"He thought he had found an opportunity and insisted on kneeling down to be my disciple, asking me to teach him immortal ways, and even offering his wife and children... Of course, I didn't have the time for that, so I just left."
"After another year, by chance, I returned to that town, guess what happened again?"
"That martial artist killed his own wife and children, claiming it was to kill his desires and achieve enlightenment. Because he believed that my previous refusal was a test for him and he felt he couldn't cultivate immortality as long as he had worldly attachments!"
The Taoist on the left side couldn't help but laugh as he continued speaking.
"These martial arts slaves, ordinary martial artists, they're all the same." The Taoist on the right, who had been silent, also chimed in.
"Why do we need to take action to eliminate that martial artist who invaded the Taoist temple? If we don't take action, those martial arts slaves will think that we are testing their dedication to the Dao."
The two Taoists playing chess glanced at each other and smiled.
"Moreover, isn't Ming Yue down the mountain?"
"Ming Yue? Oh, you mean the servant who takes care of the spiritual beast for the Saintess."
When Ming Yue was mentioned, these Taoists couldn't help but smile.
"Ming Yue has only been in our Xuantian Sect for about a dozen or twenty years. What kind of Dao has she cultivated?"
"Although she possesses innate spiritual abilities, her heart is restless, and her cultivation is not refined. Because of this, she is merely a Saintess's servant who tends to and cares for a spiritual beast..."
"I heard that she is quite favored by the Saintess. I assume the Saintess has bestowed upon her protective talismans or similar things for self-defense. Even if her cultivation is not refined, she should still be able to handle an ordinary martial artist."
At this time, the young Taoist in the green robe interjected:
"Speaking of which, the Saintess's young tiger-like spiritual beast rushed down the mountain and was already slain by that ordinary martial artist."
Speaking of this, the two playing Taoists showed a slight change in expression.
"Saintess... is she still in seclusion?"
"So that's how it is... the commotion at the foot of the mountain is probably caused by that troublemaker, Ming Yue."
"The trouble she caused? Haha."
"Why bother talking about her? Let's play chess, play chess."
The Taoists focused their attention and resumed playing chess, without any further chit-chat, ignoring the commotion at the entrance of the Taoist temple at the foot of the mountain.
The mountain regained its previous tranquility and serenity, like a fairyland.
........................
At the foot of the mountain, at the entrance of Xuantian Temple.
Under the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method, Qiao Mu's whole body was filled with excitement. He held a long spear and laughed wildly.
With such a posture and such bold words, even Emperor Yonghe, who knew him well, was impressed.
Even the ignorant visitors in the distance couldn't help but feel dazzled and amazed, thinking to themselves, "What a heroic figure!"
Although Qiao Mu bravely spoke his mind and displayed his skill in spear combat.
But he encountered obstacles he had never faced before.
Previously, in Yan City, Qiao Mu had repeatedly fought against the Qiao Family's father and son, making a name for himself by single-handedly taking on a crowd.
Later, he even assassinated the Lord of the City in the street, and the city guard became afraid and wouldn't confront him directly.
But this time was different.
Qiao Pifu's name is not very famous in Heyang City.
Before discussing politics and insulting the emperor, his name was only known among local officials and nearby people, but not widely known.
These monks at the entrance of Xuantian Temple are not only stronger than the former city guards, but some of them also have a zeal in their eyes that Qiao Mu cannot understand.
"How dare the thief trespass into our sacred place, Immortal Gate!"
"Uncultured martial artist, how dare you disturb the peacefulness of Immortal Gate, you shall be punished!"
"There's no need for the senior brother on the mountain to take action, I can defeat you myself!"
Although most of these menial monks cannot be called brave fighters, they still put in quite some effort, much better than the lazy guards of Yan City Lord in the past.
"Prepare to die! I, Chen Fei, will surely eradicate you, you thief!" A sturdy monk, as solid as a tower, shouted loudly, his voice booming and full of strength.
However, after this loud roar, his gaze couldn't help but glance towards the direction behind the mountain before he charged forward bravely.
The other people were first surprised, then they all understood.
"I, Chen Shan, am willing to sacrifice myself for Immortal Gate, and kill this rude and savage martial artist!"
"Today, I, Wang Ming, will shed the last drop of blood for our sect, and kill this murderous criminal!"
"I, Liu Ziming, am also willing to go through fire and water for Immortal Gate..."
These voices made Qiao Mu's eye twitch slightly.
As someone who often plays the Death Assessment, he was slightly familiar with these lines.
"Are they performing for their boss? Am I reviewing it?"
Qiao Mu sneered, thrusting his long spear like lightning, piercing through two martial artists with one strike.
His acting was really deadly, and he had indeed saved people.
And whether these Taoists were just shouting slogans and showing their faces or really had the determination to fight... Qiao Mu didn't really care.
"Kill!"
He thrust his spear, and his body continuously released his inner strength, causing his skin and pores to ooze blood once again.
A muffled sound.
A strong Taoist, with a body like a tower, slapped Qiao Mu's spear from the side, and the powerful force made Qiao Mu's long spear tilt. He wore metal rings on his hands and had a cold gaze. It was Chen Fei, the Taoist who spoke first earlier.
Does he really weigh that much?
After the previous exchange, Qiao Mu roughly understood the level of this strong Taoist.
Currently, Qiao Mu was at the early stage of the 6th rank. He relied on the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method to unleash his inner strength exponentially. The inner strength unleashed by this strong Taoist was just slightly inferior to him. It can be estimated that he was at the later stage of the 6th rank as a martial artist.
"Even sixth-ranked martial artists have to beg for mercy from the Immortal Gate. Are they all just gatekeepers?"
Qiao Mu held the spear in his hand and took a small step.
"You shall not proceed any further," said the burly monk Chen Fei coldly, his voice booming like thunder.
"Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method！"
Surprisingly, he also unleashed the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method, his body filled with immense power. Rays of energy burst from his fist, surpassing Qiao Mu in terms of strength.
However, Qiao Mu simply smiled.
"You're using the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method against my Qiao's family?"
"Is this your first time using the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method? It's too simplistic and ineffective."
Chen Fei was taken aback upon hearing this. Wasn't the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method known as a self-destructive secret technique? Based on what he heard, it seemed that it could be used multiple times in one's lifetime.
He realized that this incident had escalated, something he had never witnessed since joining the Xuantian Temple. Despite the significant damage it would cause to his energy meridians, he was determined to put on a good performance. After all, why would he self-destruct if not for seeking death?
After seeing him use the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method, Qiao Mu instead advanced without retreating.
Qiao Mu angrily widened his eyes, and a burst of energy erupted from his body as he courageously moved forward.
This person's internal strength, after unleashing the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method, surpassed that of Qiao Mu, but Qiao Mu didn't step back, constantly thrusting his long spear and emitting silver light.
Forward! Forward! Forward!
This burly Taoist man hammered him several times on his body.
With the first two punches, he could still rely on his partially mastered Hard Skill Iron Cloth Shirt Skill to withstand the impact.
With the third punch, the Iron Cloth Shirt Skill failed, clearly unable to withstand the explosion of the same-level Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method.
The fourth punch twisted and broke Qiao Mu's left arm, rendering it powerless.
With the fifth punch, a clear fist mark appeared on Qiao Mu's waist and abdomen, with fractured bones collapsing inward, creating a deep indentation and almost puncturing a hole, a horrifying sight.
And the strong-looking Taoist stood still in one place, covering his throat with one hand, but unable to stop the fresh blood flowing from the wound in his throat.
He couldn't understand why this martial artist only attacked without defending, exchanging injuries for injuries, insisting on fighting him head-on. He had already used the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method, and the level of his internal strength was clearly higher than his opponent's. Clearly, he was stronger, but why, why... was it him who died?
Qiao Mu took a slight breath and stood still, saying calmly:
"The Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method is not used like this."
"Without the determination to forge ahead, how can a martial artist make good use of the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method?"
The towering Taoist fell to the ground with a loud crash.
But Qiao Mu didn't have time to catch his breath.
In that instant, a strange intuition emerged in his mind.
A ball of flames surged towards him from the side, engulfing his entire being in the blink of an eye.
Behind the crowd, Female Cultivator Ming Yue looked coldly. She ignited a fire symbol, thinking that Qiao Pifu should...
Next moment.
Hoo!
Qiao Mu stepped into Shadow Step and his figure quickly became a faint shadow, charging out from the fire.
The upper body of his sturdy armor was already burned by the flames, and his muscular upper body was also burnt and in a sorry state. But finally, he managed to burst out from the flames.
Hoo... Qiao Mu gasped heavily, his lungs burning painfully.
The Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method erupted, repeatedly causing injuries. He had cuts from knives, spears, and burns from fire. His injuries were severe.
Based on Qiao Mu's experience of countless life-or-death battles, his body was almost at its limit.
"Let's see how tough you are." Ming Yue showed no hesitation.
She, being Saintess Wu Qingxin's servant, had many magical charms in her possession. However, she was reluctant to use some of the higher-quality ones, as they were meant for battling fellow practitioners and she didn't want to waste them on mere martial artists.
There were strong winds that swept through, forming sharp gusts like blades, creating long marks on the ground. There were also flames and bright lights that appeared, instantly engulfing and burning several figures of practitioners.
However, except for the first magical charm, Qiao Mu managed to avoid the rest almost entirely.
He had already learned the Shadow Step technique and moved with great agility.
In the distance, Guard Chu, standing beside Emperor Yonghe, had a brief flicker in his gaze.
"Qiao Pifu's intuition is still sharp... It seems he is indeed a Spirit Refining martial artist."
"It's just... the injuries to his spiritual soul are more severe than I expected. His 'spirit' is clearly much weaker than that of a Spirit Refining martial artist, very feeble."
"... Let's observe for now, he hasn't revealed his trump card yet." Emperor Yonghe showed no obvious reaction on his face as he continued to weigh the pros and cons.
............
Qiao Mu carries a spear and rushes forward, getting closer and closer to the Female Cultivator Ming Yue.
Since the talisman from Ming Yue accidentally injured a few fellow cultivators during the chaotic battle, the circle of people around Qiao Mu gradually dispersed a little bit, which relieved some of his pressure.
Seeing the distance getting closer, Ming Yue's face also became gloomy.
"Why haven't the senior brothers on the mountain made a move... are they just mocking me?"
"They think they're superior because their cultivation level is slightly higher than mine. It's just a case of the pot calling the kettle black. They have no sense of camaraderie as fellow disciples..."
While the Saintess is in seclusion, she knew she couldn't rely on those senior brothers from the Immortal Gate.
Therefore, she could only rely on herself.
She used to feel a bit reluctant to waste high-quality talismans, but now she couldn't care so much about that anymore.
Etching Bone Li Fire Talisman! Go!
She made a hand gesture, and the yellow symbol burned, causing the air to twist suddenly.
Qiao Mu, who was in the middle of charging with a spear, suddenly narrowed his pupils and glanced at his own arm.
The hairs on his arms stood up at this moment. Since he learned the "Martial Saint Spiritual Technique," his unreliable intuition came alive once again.
Danger!
Die! Die! Die!
In that instant, he didn't have time to see where the attack was coming from. He instinctively burst forth with internal strength and swiftly rushed to the side.
Next moment.
A stream of red flames brushed past Qiao Mu's body fiercely.
The stream of flames didn't hit Qiao Mu, but it swept up five or six nearby cultivators who couldn't dodge in time.
"Ah, ah, ah..."
In the heartbreaking cry, those few Taoists were instantly engulfed and turned into fiery figures.
This cry only lasted for a single breath and then abruptly stopped, because they were already dead. Even their bodies burned quickly, and their bones were incinerated into ashes at a visible speed by the bright red flames.
As a breeze passed by, those Taoists had turned into a pile of dust.
"Did I manage to escape...hmm?"
Qiao Mu only felt a burning pain in his right hand.
It turned out that when the fire stream grazed past earlier, it scorched the spear he held in his hand. The bright red flames burned the entire spear, deforming and twisting it. The flames also spread onto his fingers along the spear's shaft.
In an instant, he discarded the spear, forcefully shaking his hand, but he couldn't extinguish the blazing flames that were burning on him.
"You are already dead," said Female Cultivator Ming Yue calmly.
"Li Fire, the fiery pain that burns your bones will not go out until your bones are completely burned, and this excruciating pain is enough to drive a person mad."
The previous brief panic also disappeared, and she was now certain of victory.
"Dead?"
"If I don't kill the wicked criminal who takes lives, how could I die?"
The fire can't be extinguished? Then let it burn!
With a surge of internal strength, Qiao Mu's right arm seemed to immediately start bleeding from the pores of his skin.
Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method! Unleash it completely!
This explosive internal strength seemed to temporarily suppress the expansion of the flames to some extent.
Qiao Mu abandoned the long spear that had become twisted from the burns and drew the long sword hanging at his waist with his right hand.
His left arm was broken and deformed from the powerful blow of the sturdy roadman earlier, leaving only his right arm burning with strength.
In the instant he drew out his long sword, the surging red flames spread onto the blade. However, Qiao Mu immediately unleashed his internal strength, temporarily suppressing them.
Does it hurt?
With his innate immortality ability and years of training, Qiao Mu had developed an inhuman tolerance for pain by the time he was 15. He could withstand a blade empty-handed and be unaffected.
He looked up and saw Ming Yue, a female cultivator standing several meters away.
Due to the astonishing power of the fire symbol just now, the cultivators in front of her were all eager to avoid it and had scattered far away.
Therefore, there were hardly any people now who could stop Qiao Mu.
"You beast, the killer, is dead!" Qiao Mu proclaimed loudly.
"Anyone who kills others, takes lives like cutting grass, even if they are disciples of the Immortal Gate, will pay with their lives in the same way!"
"Great Yan laws don't matter, I do! Great Yan Emperor can't protect the people's lives, I will!"
Almost using up all his strength, Qiao Mu bursted with a final surge of energy. The blue bricks beneath his feet cracked, and he shot forward like an arrow.
His right arm and long sword were both burning in red flames, as he swiftly charged forward. A trail of fiery red light followed his figure in the air, like a shooting star.
"Qiao family's Qiao Pifu asks you Immortal to face your death!"
Qiao Mu transformed into an almost invisible blur, with his burning sword carving an arc of light.
A silver line flashed by.
Female Cultivator Ming Yue, standing still, suddenly froze with an expression on her face.
A bloodline appeared on her neck.
In the next instant, a head soared into the sky.
The head has just flown out, and the red flames suddenly lit up.
Her head, which was split in half, was quickly ignited by the strange bright red flames, and in just a few breaths, it was completely engulfed, even the bones were burned to ashes.
Only leaving behind traces of dust, fading away with the wind.
Xuantian Sect Female Cultivator Ming Yue, at this moment, perished and vanished without a trace.
Huff...
Qiao Mu, who was flying forward, rolled on the ground twice, barely managed to stand up, and threw away the sword that had already started to deform in his hand.
But the flames on his right arm were spreading little by little, and the remaining internal strength couldn't suppress it anymore.
However, Qiao Mu didn't care anymore.
Because he was about to die soon.
He turned around and stood beside the ashes of Female Cultivator Ming Yue. He looked at the silent Taoist beside him, the terrified fat official, and the crowd of pilgrims who were discussing in the distance.
He stood up straight, straightened his chest, and loudly recited:
"The motto of the Qiao family, when the world is in danger, every man has a responsibility."
"I am just an ordinary man, neither an official nor a wealthy person. Even though I die today, I only hope that righteousness still exists in the world!"
He took a long breath, swayed, and almost fell to the ground. He felt an uncontrollable exhaustion and weakness in every bone and muscle.
Although he enjoyed showing off his wisdom in front of others, he didn't have the energy to appreciate the shocked expressions of others at the moment.
What a pity.
He turned his body and looked ahead.
The Taoists around him immediately took four or five steps back.
At this moment, Qiao Mu was like a human torch. Whoever goes up (to him) will instantly turn into ashes, just like the nearby Female Cultivator Ming Yue!
With no crowd blocking his way, Qiao Mu's gaze fell upon the sign of Xuantian Temple.
A furious commoner, blood splattering five steps, daring to raise his blade against the immortal!
