Chapter Forty-Four: The Demonic Clan’s Cultivation Techniques

Chapter Forty-Four: Demon Clan Techniques
Chapter Six: Night Demons Display Power, Bullying the Righteous; Yunpeng Reveals His Divine Might, Vanquishing All Evil

Kong Lin took a deep breath, the blazing divine token in his hand radiating a vivid crimson light. The flame at its heart grew ever more brilliant, floating outward. Though Ye Hua stood a hundred paces away, he could still feel the intense heat emanating from it. Opposite him, Qi Zhiluan’s expression was grave, knowing Kong Lin’s next strike would be a full-force blow. He formed a hand seal, silently reciting a mantra, and pointed toward the giant bird. Instantly, the creature shuddered; its wings swelled fiercely. With a sharp cry, it transformed into a mass of light and shadow, swooping toward Kong Lin.

The divine token in Kong Lin’s hand was also brimming with spiritual power, morphing into a stream of radiance that collided with the giant bird from afar. A piercing screech erupted, shaking the heavens and earth. A whirlwind formed out of nowhere, raging across the stage. The spectators below instinctively shielded their faces, forced back several steps by the sheer force, astonished by the spectacle. Looking up, they saw that both the divine token and the bird had vanished, leaving only a deep crater at the center of the stage, beside which stood a solitary figure.

It was Qi Zhiluan—hair disheveled, face pale and sinister. Kong Lin had been thrown off the platform. The crowd gasped, “Qi Zhiluan is truly formidable! To think Senior Brother Kong was defeated by him!” No sooner had the thought formed than Kong Lin leapt onto the stage from the west side, a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth, his expression somber. He bowed deeply toward Qi Zhiluan, hands clasped, saying, “Senior Brother Qi, I am not your equal. I will seek your guidance another day and avenge the humiliation of today.”

Without waiting for Qi Zhiluan’s reply, he leapt off the stage and strode through the crowd. “Senior Brother Kong! Senior Brother Kong!” A dozen or so people pressed forward, shouting after him and hastily giving chase.

Several others stepped onto the stage to help Qi Zhiluan, slowly escorting him down and away. The burly, bearded man sighed, “Ah, I never imagined Qi Zhiluan could command a five-colored Luan bird. No wonder his name contains ‘Luan’. I wonder what his origins are?”

Ye Hua stood stunned for a moment. Hearing the bearded man’s remark, he smiled and said, “May I inquire your name, Senior Brother? I am Ye Hua, ninth disciple of Biyun Temple on the northern terrace.” The burly man laughed heartily, “So you’re from Biyun Temple, Ye Junior Brother! That makes us neighbors. I am Yang Yiqing, third disciple of Shuxiang Temple on the western terrace. I’m quite familiar with your fellow disciple Qingxia. We’re not strangers at all! How is Qingxia these days?”

Ye Hua’s expression was somewhat awkward as he returned the greeting, “Senior Brother Yang, Qingxia is usually well, but lately not so much.” Yang Yiqing was puzzled, “Why is that?” Ye Hua briefly recounted the dispute with Qixian Temple. Yang Yiqing pondered for a while and said, “I’ve long heard that Qixian Temple is rather unscrupulous. Seems it’s true. If I encounter any disciples from Qixian Temple in the future, I’ll surely stand up for Qingxia!”

The two chatted idly, and as they looked around, the crowd at the stage was dispersing in twos and threes. The other platforms were still hosting contests, but none as fierce as the one just witnessed, and neither of them felt much interest. They decided to leave Bodhisattva Peak together.

At that moment, the mountain wind grew stronger, rustling through the trees. Mist veiled the mountains, ancient trees stood level with the clouds. In the distance, the peaks rose in myriad forms, striving for height, bathed in rosy clouds and sunlight, each unique in majesty.

As the two walked, they admired the scenery, marveling at its beauty. Ye Hua suddenly asked, “Senior Brother Yang, do you think the five-colored illusion bird released by Qi Zhiluan was the Demon Clan’s Soul-Congealing Illusion technique? Is that a great supernatural power?” Yang Yiqing laughed, “Ye Junior Brother, the Soul-Congealing Illusion was not considered a secret technique a few centuries ago, but nowadays, scarcely anyone in Shenzhou practices it.”

Ye Hua asked in surprise, “Why is that?” Yang Yiqing replied, “It’s a long story. Six hundred years ago, during the reign of the Sacred Emperor Qian of former Shenhua Province, the so-called seventy-two demon kingdoms of the Western Regions were subordinate states and tribes. At that time, humans and demons mingled freely, especially along the western border. The two races exchanged techniques and learned from each other. Later, the demon clans rebelled, and the Sacred Emperor Qian twice pacified the demon territories in the west. The Hali, Minzhen, and Tianfang demon tribes fled thousands of miles away. Since then, the twenty thousand miles north and south of Tianshan have belonged to Shenzhou, ending all contact between humans and demons. Demon Clan techniques gradually fell out of practice.”

Ye Hua nodded, “I see. I wonder where Senior Brother Qi Zhiluan learned his Demon Clan technique.” Yang Yiqing frowned, “That’s something no one can easily know.”

The two continued their conversation and soon returned to Great Fushou Lingjiu Temple. Ye Hua was about to bid farewell to Yang Yiqing when he heard someone calling, “Senior Brother Yang! Senior Brother Yang!” They looked and saw seven or eight young disciples in the distance, waving and calling to Yang Yiqing. He smiled wryly, “I had hoped to visit the Orchid Zen Courtyard and meet the brothers and sisters from Biyun Temple, but it seems I won’t be able to. If I have time, I’ll surely visit. Please pass this on, Ye Junior Brother!” Ye Hua laughed, “You are too polite, Senior Brother Yang. It is I who should visit you.”

Yang Yiqing and Ye Hua bowed to each other and departed. Ye Hua watched him leave and then turned toward Orchid Zen Courtyard, his mind in turmoil. “Soul-Congealing Illusion? From the Demon Clan! My ‘Compendium of Daoist Arts’ contains records of similar techniques. I paid them little mind then, but now I see their astonishing power. I should study them well upon my return. Yet, with the Sixfold Mystical Heaven technique being so difficult to advance, I fear this one will not be easy either. When will I ever match Senior Brother Xiao Yitian?”

At this thought, Ye Hua sighed, the image of Ling Yun’er’s joyful smile toward Xiao Yitian flashing in his mind. For some reason, his heart twisted with bittersweet pain. He wondered if he harbored feelings for Ling Yun’er, his face growing hot and flushed. “With my cultivation and conduct, how could I be worthy of Senior Sister Ling Yun’er? I’d best not indulge in foolish hopes!” Shaking his head to banish the thought, he strode forward.