Chapter 20

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Li Yixian watched in horror as the Daoist approached Qi Wuhuo. He wanted to shout, to tell Qi Wuhuo that he didn’t have to go through with this, but he found himself utterly powerless. His mouth wouldn’t move, his body had gone limp, and even the strength to lift a finger escaped him. As he struggled, the Daoist had already reached Qi Wuhuo. With a wave of his hand, a black wind surged forth, filled with the chilling wails of trapped souls.

The black wind transformed into chains, binding Qi Wuhuo’s hands and feet!

The Daoist’s fingers reached for Qi Wuhuo’s forehead.

But at that moment, Qi Wuhuo suddenly drove his knee upward, striking the qin, which flew up and crashed into the Daoist, catching him off guard. With astonishing swiftness, Qi Wuhuo broke free of the black wind’s grip. Using the motion of the rising qin to propel himself forward, he lunged at the old Daoist, and in one fluid motion, a cold gleam flashed—the dagger he carried with him was already plunged into the Daoist’s chest.

Simply and neatly, without any hesitation!

Like a rabbit rising and a falcon swooping down, no one had time to react.

The Daoist’s eyes widened in shock, the black wind around him dissipating.

Qi Wuhuo’s Primordial Spirit was extremely powerful, and his cultivation followed the path of the magnificent and righteous Great Dao. He vaguely realized that the black wind surrounding the Daoist was actually controlled by his Primordial Spirit, blending his Primordial Qi with another type of Primordial Qi of Heaven and Earth to form this state. At that moment, Qi Wuhuo understood why the elder, who shared the same surname as the Dao Ancestor, had said that cultivation requires the three talents to be complete.

And now he saw firsthand the consequence of attempting to wield divine power without reaching that state of balance.

To Qi Wuhuo’s eyes, the Daoist’s divine powers were nothing more than illusions, like castles in the air.

With the strength of his Primordial Spirit, Qi Wuhuo easily shattered the Daoist’s crude spells.

As the dagger sank deeper into the Daoist’s chest, Qi Wuhuo pressed down with his body weight, and with a swift twist of his wrist, the blade dug in further. The Daoist’s expression contorted in pain, and a sudden gust of fierce wind began to rise around him, his face growing grim.

The Daoist who had been stabbed through the heart by Qi Wuhuo suddenly dissipated into the wind.

Attached to the dagger was a yellow talisman.

Written in cinnabar on the talisman were the words: [Fengdu Underworld’s Decree for the Substitute Death and Return to Life Spell].

Whoosh!

The talisman pierced by the dagger ignited without wind, burning to ash in an instant, leaving not a trace behind. The next moment, the scattered wind gathered, and the Daoist, who had just been stabbed in the chest, reappeared fifteen meters away. His face was deathly pale, clutching his chest, gasping for air. He stared at Qi Wuhuo in disbelief, “You, you, how could you possibly break free from my spell…”

Qi Wuhuo didn’t reply. He spun around and swiftly retreated.

His blue robe billowed as he moved.

With a swift motion, he reached out with his right hand and grabbed a bow that a scholar had been using earlier to demonstrate the Six Arts of the Gentleman.

Stepping back, he drew the bow and nocked an arrow without hesitation.

Still, he gave no response.

I draw the bow like a full moon!

The bowstring trembled violently.

Buzz!!!

An arrow shot directly toward the Daoist’s brow!

While others might be deceived by the Daoist’s illusions, he was not!

“You!!!”

The Daoist’s expression shifted drastically.

After casting a Wind Riding Technique, his body swiftly darted far away. As he moved away, he noticed the youth continuing his relentless barrage, each shot precise and ruthless. He didn’t look like a mere village youth, his cold and calculated demeanor resembled that of a seasoned general who had commanded in the heat of war. His powerful Primordial Spirit saw through many of his spells, leaving no room for deception. Realizing the danger of the situation, the Daoist could no longer afford to be cautious. With a slap to his forehead, a stream of light shot from between his brows, transforming into a black iron sword box. The box radiated a green glow, and with a clang, it spat out streams of sword energy. The fierce sword qi tore through the air, shredding and obliterating the arrows one after another.

Qi Wuhuo’s movements halted.

He watched as the sword qi swirled into a storm, even tearing the ground apart. The Daoist stood at the eye of the storm, appearing like a deity enveloped by violent, swirling sword qi. The oppressive sword qi fluctuated, making the entire courtyard feel suffocating as if the air itself was being pressed down.

Qi Wuhuo observed the turbulent flow of the storm before him.

With his strong Primordial Spirit, he could see through the flow of the Primordial Qi, but his own Primordial Qi was not yet powerful or flexible enough to control at will, unable to disrupt the gathered flow of Primordial Qi. Now, even his arrows couldn’t get within three feet of the Daoist. The arrows froze in mid-air, vibrating violently, only to bend outward and shatter from the sheer force of the sword qi.

Qi Wuhuo released his grip on the bowstring.

“So this is… divine power.”

The Daoist’s hair bun had come loose, and his face had a greenish hue.

“I underestimated you!”

“So young, yet so vicious!”

“I hadn’t planned to use my magical treasures, but today, I’ll slay you, wretched cultivator, and take your soul. I can refine it into a few more years of my life!”

The faces of those around were filled with terror, including Li Puyu. Though Qi Wuhuo had earlier impressed everyone with his archery, firing arrow after arrow with remarkable skill, it paled in comparison to such an immortal method unfolding before them. There was no way he could be a match for this. The storm of sword qi only seemed to grow more violent.

Qi Wuhuo calmly set the bow down and reached for a sword from one of the stunned Li family students nearby.

At that moment, as the fierce wind stirred, Qi Wuhuo caught sight of something beneath the Daoist’s fluttering robes—a wooden token swaying in the gust. Upon it was a talismanic inscription, writhing like a dancing lightning serpent. Qi Wuhuo’s eyes narrowed slightly; he recognized that symbol——

From five years ago.

During that nightmarish catastrophe that swept the land.

In that disaster that wiped out millions of common folk during the great calamity of the demon kingdom.

The Daoist, finally catching his breath, cast a spell and commanded: “Wind, rise!”

The wind howled fiercely.

He slapped the sword box, intending to whip the storm of sword qi into a divine technique, a deadly force capable of severing heads as easily as wheat. One hand pointed to the sky, the other forming a sword seal, aiming directly at the youth whose calm demeanor only stoked the flames of his anger. He had planned to unleash the spell in one breath, but something about this boy felt deeply unsettling.

After all, he himself had yet to attain the title of True Person.

Better to be cautious.

Thus, he stepped into position, tracing the constellations with his feet, and began chanting the sacred incantation—

“The Primordial Origin brings peace and stability, proclaiming to all spirits. The True Officials of the Sacred Mountains and Rivers, and the mountain gods and spirit deities.”

“By the decree of the Supreme One, capture this vile entity!”

“Quickly, by the power of this command!”

This is the true incantation spell, announcing to the gods of the ten directions, mountain gods, and earth spirits, borrowing their power to slay demons and exterminate evil spirits.

And establish a connection with them, which forms the foundation for performing rituals in the earthly realm.

As the words left his mouth, a faintly glowing formation began to take shape beneath his feet.

A grand formation had subtly formed beneath his feet.

The storm surged violently!

It was as though dark clouds were pressing down upon the city, ready to crush it.

Even the Daoist himself was astonished.

Since when had he wielded such immense divine power?

Hah, perhaps this little brat has incited my fury! Anger is the fire of the heart—where the heart is, there too is strength. No wonder my divine power feels three times stronger than usual.

Without further thought, he raised his hand, pointing directly at Qi Wuhuo, feeling a rush of exhilaration. He shouted:

“Kill!!!”

The low howl of the wind grew even more ferocious, as if obeying the Daoist’s command. The wind stirred the clouds, which collided with such force that they seemed to summon the might of thunder. The entire Li family estate, and even the town below the mountain, became engulfed in an unimaginable storm, a calamity that felt as if it could swallow everything. Trees bent and swayed under the fierce winds, their leaves rustling wildly.

In an instant, the once frenzied and violent storm gathered and pressed downward.

The roaring of the wind surpassed the limits of a natural storm.

Like a spear, like a hammer, like striking, like smashing!

The Daoist was caught completely off guard.

The terrifying storm engulfed him, binding him tightly before slamming him down with tremendous force!

The wind intensified.

The bells beneath the eaves rang incessantly.

The immense wind pressure directly caused the Daoist’s face to go blank, as his vital energy and blood recoiled within his organs. He opened his mouth and immediately spat out a mouthful of essence blood.

“This, this is impossible…”

The once hopeless Li family members stood frozen, utterly bewildered by the sudden turn of events.

The Daoist was hit hard, his internal organs in turmoil from the immense force, and he was unable to move. As he lay there, he noticed that one of the names inscribed on his jade talisman had lit up, burning brightly with an intense glow. His expression slowly stiffened.

This talisman was a treasured item, a relic that recorded the names of many mountain gods and earth spirits once encountered by his sect’s ancestral master.

Only those within the sect, holding this item, can perform the Earth Spirit Deity Incantation and transmit their voice in all directions to summon the help of the Earth Spirit Deities. Otherwise, without the karma or the lingering grace of the ancestors, the Mountain Gods and Earth Spirits roam freely and are not even under the control of the Heavenly Emperor—who would come out to help? Even if there is such ancestral karma, it’s just a passing connection, with little favor left. Asking them to help just once would diminish that favor further.

But now, the talisman glowed with such fierce golden light…

The Daoist couldn’t help but struggle.

Boom!!!

The raging winds gathered, and the wind that suppressed the Daoist faintly transformed into an enormous tiger claw, still emanating the aura of a storm. The wind extended backward, tearing through the streaks of light as it spread. The members of the Li family turned pale as they saw, within the storm that blotted out the sky, the faint silhouette of a towering black tiger, ten zhang tall, its eyes like the sun and moon, emitting a cold light amidst the oppressive darkness.

Li Puyu’s face turned deathly pale.

Everyone’s legs grew weak, some collapsing next to tables, others slumping to the ground in sheer terror.

Yet, the only one still standing was the blue-robed youth, whose robe fluttered in the fierce wind as he stared directly at the true form of the terrifying tiger.

The tiger lowered its gaze.

The youth lifted his head.

For a brief moment, the world fell into absolute silence. No one dared to make a sound.

The Daoist coughed up blood, his weak mumblings echoing like thunder in the silent air.

“Lord of the Sixteen Mountain Gods of the Lianhe Mountain Range…”

“Lord of Lianhe Mountains, please forgive me, forgive me…”

Li Puyu and Li Yuelin stood frozen, their bodies stiff with fear, completely unable to comprehend what was unfolding before their eyes. But Li Yixian, who had traveled the world and seen much, understood the weight of those two sentences. His face turned deathly pale.

All around, people collapsed to the ground, a mixture of awe and terror overtaking them, as they bowed in reverence toward the mountain god.

Footsteps echoed.

Before the massive tiger’s form, the storm parted, and a figure emerged. An eight-foot-tall man stepped forward, holding a jar of wine in one hand and a long spear in the other, which rested casually at his side.

He wore a bright yellow robe, his long hair black and white, falling over his shoulders. His expression was calm, but his gaze was sharp and commanding. As he advanced, the great tiger spirit remained by his side, pacing forward with an air of both reality and illusion, exuding an ancient and distant aura. The pressure was so immense that most people could barely breathe. In the oppressive silence, Li Puyu noticed that Qi Wuhuo had not bowed in respect like the others. Alarmed, he reached out to tug at Qi Wuhuo’s robe.

But amid the suffocating silence.

The god-like figure suddenly smiled and lifted the wine jug in his hand.

With a playful tone, he addressed the blue-robed youth:

“Last night we spoke clearly. You promised to come drink with me today.”

“But you didn’t show up.”

“So I had no choice but to come find you myself.”

His words were lighthearted.

In that instant, the minds of everyone around seemed to freeze in disbelief.
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦

Orluros’s Vault of Secrets: If you liked the chapter feel free to donate 🙂 and if you find any errors in the translation please mention them in the comments here or in discord