Chapter 315: Going Forward
In the middle of s.h.i.+wan Mountain, two lone peaks stood far apart facing each other. There was a distance of thirty-five kilometers between them.
On the lone northeast peak, thousands of cultivators were firmly encircled by boundless monsters. Whether it was a great demon, sword immortal, or eminent monk, long lost was their elegance and calmness from when they were still cultivating in heaven’s path. Now, they were engaging in the arduous battle with disheveled hair; they were hysterical, blood rained down, and agonizing howls and screams filled the wilderness.
While on the lone southwest peak, a group of Kong Nuer’s inferiors and the big-headed short man, were sitting on a giant rock on top of the peak.
Not far away, countless monsters were gathering, as they charged into the place of the outer fringe.
The five-element demon whispered to Shudou, Sir Rust and Hot Immortal Aunt about the final magic formation’s life vitality circulation. When the uncountable time/endless punishment dawned upon the outer fringe, he was counting on them to launch this final magic formation, to send it into the outer fringe.
Nineteen, Full Moon, First and Last Quarter Moon were sitting around the back of the big-headed short man, entrusted to protect him. However, with the enemies trapped thirty-five kilometers away, there was no possibility they could attack, leaving these guards to boredom.
The big-headed short man banged on the gong and drum, alternating between a soft and strong rhythm.
His divine instruments revealed the monsters’ volatile temperament. The rapid beat of gong and drum drove the monsters into such a wildness where they were afraid of nothing. The slow beating revealed their fear of death, slowing down their attack towards the cultivators.
Full Moon realized that the big-headed short man slowed the rhythm of his gong and drum. Confused, he yelled out, “If you ruthlessly bang the instruments for a while, then you shall be in peace once the enemies are completely annihilated!”
The big-headed short man turned around and he gave a forced laugh to Full Moon. “It is not as easy as it sounds, the pair exhausts the state of mind. If I were to knock ferociously and continuously, in the best case scenario I will be injured or crippled. In the worst case, I will explode to death.
Full Moon burst out laughing, “That is because your vitality isn’t pure, let me help you for a while!” The big-headed short man’s cultivation base was exceedingly low. Only his pair of treasured weapons was incisive.
The short man was startled. He shook his head strenuously but before he could speak, the five-element demon laughed from the side, “If anyone else were to knock on the gong once they will age by ten years. A beat of the drum, twelve years! This pair of treasured weapons is called ‘Heaven’s Extent and Earth’s Age’, and that is how it precisely holds this terrifying reputation!”
Full Moon was initially stretching out his hand to seize the drum and gong but upon listening to the demon’s words he hastily retracted his hand. He glared at the short man, “Is it true? Then you…”
The short man nodded strenuously, “It is for the others, but if I were to knock on these, one knock will age me by one day which is much better!”
Full Moon behaved himself this time. If the pair was given to him to knock, it would not even take a dozen times before he shrank into a dried corpse.
The short man explained patiently, “I am not knocking desperately, it’s not related to the preciouses wearing out my life. In truth, it is difficult to sustain life vitality. Anyhow, the longer I play the instruments, the more tired the enemies become, prolonging the time that is advantageous to everything and not disadvantageous for us.” He was, of course, a spirit monster with an exceedingly long lifespan. That was why he did not care about that tiny bit of age that ‘cost him one day’s age with each knock’.
Fortunately, the short man refused to risk his life to urge on the rhythm of the drum and gong. Chang Li was fighting with great effort but still managed to guard the place.
There was no one blaming Hanba anymore. Whether they were hiding at lone peak that was easy to defend but difficult to attack or shuttling back and forth at the foothill; they were afraid that the fatalities would exceed by at least two to three times.
There was no way to kill all the monsters. The cultivators were trapped on the lone peak already for the whole day. The surrounding monsters had not reduced or dispersed off, but on the contrary, there were even more monsters than before. They were attacking without a moment’s pause; the only difference was in their strength.
Using fire to attack, or using soil to conceal, escaping by sword or killing by talisman, the cultivators had figured out many different ways. Yet they still did not manage to break out of the encirclement.
A moment ago, the monsters launched another round of ferocious attacks during the sudden rapid rhythm of drum and gong. They left behind thousands of corpses and finally fell back temporarily, while the group of cultivator leaders gathered together once again.
The old demon rabbit Bu Le spoke to everybody else softly, “There’s already almost thirty percent of our people who are injured or dead, but the majority of them are cultivators with lower cultivation base. The great sects like Five Blessings’ disciples, World Sect’s master cultivators, the highland’s cultivators, still possess the force to advocate for a battle.”
The little supreme leader Liu Zheng’s Taoist robe had already been tainted by the monsters’ blood into the color of purplish black. His entire body was enshrouded by a layer of the nauseating stench of blood, “If there is no way for us to break out of the encirclement, at most we can only sustain for another three to five days. Even though we are occupying the topographical advantage now, our ordinary disciples are incapable of withstanding such ceaseless fighting and killing.”
Everyone’s expression was unpleasant except Chang Li. Her eyes were still as bright as before. She pulled at Zhui Zi’s sleeve and whispered while smiling, “When I was killing the monsters earlier, I suddenly thought of something. This slaughter is as great as the heaven. The conclusion was caused by me because I went over to the Black and White Island and crushed you.”
Zhui Zi laughed, “Yet you still have the nerve to say so!”
Chang Li sighed softly, “My momentary stubbornness causes boundless disasters, that results in the death of top sword immortals, great demons, cultivators, monsters, people, I can’t even count everything…”
Zhui Zi glared at her, “I bet you regret your actions now, right?”
Yet, unexpectedly Chang Li raised one of her brows mischievously and jumped up, “For one instruction of his, I waited for two thousand years. For his sincerity, I offended everyone. For my own happiness, I caused troubles in the world for two thousand years, how can I regret that! Take a look at the entire world, including even the primitive monsters and great deities from when heaven was born, how many of them are capable of living the life that I have experienced before?”
Chang Li burst out laughing, “Real freedom is when no matter what I did, there was no need for me to apologize! Even if I were to die tragically in this lifetime, I will still figure out a way to have some fun in my next life!”
The people around her were laughing, the head lama standing nearby stretched out his hand and rubbed against his scalp ferociously, he was a little confused about how he spent his entire lifetime studying about Buddhism and helped his generation to save the lives of others, yet how did he end up mingling with this group of evildoers.
Meanwhile, Zhui Zi was suddenly stunned. She took out the mad toad that was frozen to ice from her pocket and removed the magic spell easily, “Are you awake?”
The mad toad’s two eyes were opened wide and round, its gaze was filled with puzzlement. It looked to the sky, to the ground, to the grand scene by its side, and finally at the monsters that had covered the entire mountain and wilderness. It widened its mouth and muttered, “What happened?”
Chang Li was the first one who could not refrain herself. She burst out laughing after the mad toad had awakened and it turned back into Red Pot.
Red Pot did not understand the situation, its eyes spun around, back and forth, and finally stopped at Hanba, “Why are you glaring at me?”
At the sound of an uproar, everyone laughed. While Zhui Zi was laughing, she explained briefly to Red Pot about how Wen Leyang was trapped in the place of the outer fringe. The crowd had gathered their army to save Wen Leyang yet, they ended up being trapped. She did not mention how it was suffering from a psychotic break.
Red Pot listened. Occasionally it squalled in rage, or stared in bewilderment, but burst out laughing. Its widened mouth was so huge it could almost swallow itself, and spoke in a baffling manner, “The descendant of earth element heaven’s cone nail, that is the Earth Emperor Brother Sang, does anyone still remember him?”
The rest of them were stunned for a moment; they did not understand what it was trying to say. Four years ago in the battle of Mount Hua, Brother Sang was attacked by Tian Yin’s true soul, and his primordial spirit was erased before he made an appearance. Following that, he was possessed by the wood element evil soul and died under the giant sword Molten Metal Fire Bell. When this incident took place, Red Pot was still imprisoned in the Desert Rebel Mountain so he should not have known about the matter.
Red Pot’s gaze was arrogant, “I swallowed Xiang Liu’s true soul before. Even though I did not manage to dissolve that b.u.g.g.e.r, I retained his memories to some extent. Especially incidents that had taken place recently, I knew everything like the back of my hand.”
Even for a group of master cultivators with exceedingly high intelligence, they could not figure out what Red Pot was trying to say. They almost could not refrain from frowning.
On the other hand, Red Pot continued and laughed, “When the true soul was killing Brother Sang, he received a set of formation charts pa.s.sed down to him by Kong Nuer! Tian Yin took a look at that formation chart back then, and even though he did not pay too much attention, he had completely remembered the chart. So those set charts are in my mind right now!” As it was saying that, Red Pot stretched out its short and thick front leg, and pointed to his brain clumsily.
Before his voice died away, the three top demon immortals gasped out softly in unison.
The rest of the people had yet to figure out the situation. Zhui Zi laughed as he recalled, “Those set of formation charts… when carried out, it will become the Great Guiding Formation!”
During the battle of Mount Hua, Kong Nuer pa.s.sed down the magic formation with the intention to guide them into the wastelands where the chaos’ root system was hidden. However, due to the descendants of the chaos cone nail’s disturbance, they guided them into the Desert Rebel Mountain and the Black and White Island.
Liu Zheng understood Red Pot’s intention and could not help but burst out laughing, “If you are capable of restoring the formation chart and launch the magic formation, then we can then ascend onto the wasteland and wouldn’t need to be trapped here to await our doom!”
Upon saying that, he paused for a moment. Trying to suppress the excitement in his heart with great effort, he spoke with seriousness, “The wasteland is vast and boundless. It is much barer than s.h.i.+wan Mountain, hence we would have room to circle around the monsters, and save Wen Leyang.
The gift Red Pot presented, in simpler words, was an opportunity of deep strategy as they could circle around the monsters.
Discovering that she needed not to be trapped on the lone peak, the Darling’s little face was filled with a joyous smile. She exhaled a long sigh of relief, she did not realise she was holding in and muttered softly, “Fortunately the creature that has awakened is Red Pot, if it were the evil soul-”
Before she could finish her sentence, Hanba picked her up and placed her on his lap. The Fifth Brother’s expression remained as savage as before, yet his gaze was filled with affection. He shook his head as he spoke, “Even if the creature that had awakened was the evil soul, as long as it remembers the magic formation, it will tell us.”
The demon immortals and sword immortals were attempting to leave the lone peak not because they wanted to escape for their lives, but for the opportunity to save Wen Leyang and destroy Kong Nuer’s scheme. Even though it was the evil soul that was squalling now, it would still certainly create an opportunity that allowed two groups of enemies to fight desperately.
Red Pot puffed up with pride but its ears were still very sensitive. It turned around and looked towards Hanba and his daughter, “What do you mean by the creature that has awakened is the evil soul? Is there another evil soul? The old father will swallow it!”
Zhui Zi hastily refocused the topic of conversation. She stretched out the long silk. After inquiring and discussing with Red Pot, she restored the Great Guiding Formation’s formation chart.
Even though they were mortal enemies, after studying and understanding the formation chart, the group of demon immortals could not refrain themselves from feeling heartfelt admiration for Kong Nuer’s profound orthodox magic formation. The Great Guiding Formation was complicated to the utmost extent, but it was also simplest to the utmost extent!
The complicated part was the principle that allowed the magic formation to take form, while the simple part was the method to arrange and launch the magic formation.
The demon immortals had only studied the principle roughly for a while. They then started arranging the Great Guiding Formation. In order to allow the magic formation to take form, they only needed two crucial parts – the first part was the life vitality force that belonged to any sect, from one of the nine heaven’s cone nails, the second part was a group of nine hundred and ninety-nine profound disciples.
Within the large group of cultivators, there was a genuine water element heaven’s cone nail. As for profound disciples, they would be able to pool an army together, even if three times the designated amount was necessary.
The operation from beginning to end was completed in the day. Zhui Zi led nine hundred and ninety-nine profound cultivators in chanting the incantation silently and launched the magic formation. There was no circulation of divine radiance or surging of life vitality, and after a moment, the entire sky and land suddenly shook once, after everything regained calm once again!
Zhui Zi exhaled and nodded to her companions, “The magic formation is faultless. It will not take long before the wasteland is guided into this place.”
Liu Zheng, San Wei, Bu Le, Rangjung and the rest had already issued the order to make full preparations. When the wasteland arrives, the large troop of cultivators would immediately leave the lone peak. They had also made well-planned arrangements for everything after they had ascended into the wasteland. Someone would be in charge of luring the enemies, someone else would be in hiding, and another supporting movement to cut off the enemies. They would ensure that the group of top master cultivators were able to kill their way into the lone peak thirty-five kilometers away!
On the lone peak, there were not only leaders like the descendants of the heaven’s cone nails, the big-headed short man and the five elements demons. Lots of immortal master teacher’s inferiors were sitting together in groups of twos and threes. They could sense the vibration of the sky and land a moment ago too. The majority of the people jumped up and they stared at their surroundings vigilantly, afraid that the enemies would come attacking.
The big-headed short man was confused about what happened too, but he still laughed, “No one is capable of charging past those monsters with their aggressive temperament triggered. Do not worry, rest and recuperate in peace.”
The crowd had exhaled a breath of relief in unison while the five-element demon spoke with a lowered voice, “Will Shudou, Sir Rust, Hot Immortal Aunt please fall into the great formation? The endless punishment in the place of the outer fringe is about to arrive in a moment. Launch the great formation upon receiving my oracle! The rest of the people exercise vigilance and caution!”
The crowd responded to the order, Nineteen, on the other hand, walked in quick strides to the front of the five-element demon and asked softly, “After you have entered the place of the outer fringe, what are we supposed to do?”
The five-element demon had only remembered then that the group’s ‘funeral affairs’ had yet to be briefed. He sn.i.g.g.e.red as he patted on his head, and gave out the m.u.f.fled sound of banging, “Once the magic formation is launched, the three of them including Sir Rust are considered to have completed the important matter that is entrusted by the immortal master teacher to them. Then they will be able to make time to help all of you.”
While saying that, the five-element demon stretched his neck and looked to the lone peak afar, he muttered to himself, “There is actually not a lot to help with. All of you have nothing much to do. By the time the monsters are done killing the enemies, you are all dismissed. If the immortal master teacher wants to a.s.sign another errand, then he shall pa.s.s down an oracle by himself.”
Full Moon too walked over, “After you have entered the place of the outer fringe and when the monsters are done killing all the enemies, there will be nothing else for us to do? We would really like to meet the immortal master teacher once…”
The five-element demon laughed aloud. He changed his usual naïve and ignorant expression and at Full Moon and Nineteen as if there was a profound meaning, “As long as the immortal master teacher’s affairs are handled attentively, the teacher will help you to grant your wish. As for the rest of the matters, there is no need to think too much.”
Upon saying that, he led the three persons including Shudou and entered the magic formation. He closed his eyes and held his breath as he repeated his order earlier once again dully, “The endless punishment in the place of the outer fringe, it’s about to arrive soon. When my oracle is heard, launch the magic formation!”
Inside the place of the outer fringe, the sky had already disappeared. Wen Leyang raised his head and looked over, it was a dimmed grey that did not carry a sense of radiance. As if it was so far and limitless but also close as within his reach.
Wen Leyang and Chi Maojiu walked side by side. They had almost already walked until the end, where not far away was the exit of the place of the outer fringe. However, it was also the spot with the highest count of monsters that were raging the most aggressively.
The strong Poison of Life and Death had rooted into the ground and reproduced endlessly. Groups upon groups of monsters charged forward and turned into greyish white-colored corpses in the blink of an eye.
The witch’s song overlapped, fiery falcons flew into the air and long vines’ fatal formation was splas.h.i.+ng blood. The bone swamp that circulated after the ground cracked was swallowing the monsters in huge gulps.
Yet, only ten percent of the three thousand people who were right behind them when they left the campsite were present. Currently, the only person who still had the strength to launch an attack was the dwarf Taoist priest.
As compared to strong poison and witchcraft spells, the dwarf Taoist priest’s red-colored flying sword appeared insignificant. It had no bearing on the overall situation of slaughtering the monsters. This flying sword that had since lost its s.h.i.+ne after leaving the campsite had never halted for even a second!
Every time the flying sword was soaring, there would be an explosion of foul-smelling blood that splashed up to the sky.
Finally, that enormous crack from afar sank into everyone’s vision, countless monsters leaped into the place of the outer fringe out of thin air. They ran everywhere, and within their bright red, bloodl.u.s.t eyes was the reflection of the survivors’ shadows.
Chi Maojiu turned his head to the side, he seemed to have smiled at Wen Leyang, as if he was about to say something, his lips moved a few times yet he did not manage to make a sound.
Wen Leyang raised his leg and kicked a gigantic monster into a pile of ground meat and blood that splashed everywhere. All the monsters behind it were splattered with blood. They screamed out in agony as they dived headfirst into the ground that was mottled with cracks, causing a splash of dust, crushed rocks and heavy lifelessness.
Wen Leyang looked back at Chi Maojiu with his mouth cracked into a smile.
Eleven years ago he was the child who liked to interrupt conversations, to ask about everything, to lie on behalf of the second mother. He would puff up his chest as he declared that ‘I am the big dragon’s root’ with a proud expression.
Five to six years later, he was that foolish young lad who had apparently already received one hundred percent of the grand master’s witchcraft power. Yet in order to listen to Tuo Xie’s message, he was willing to sacrifice ninety percent of the power and even tore off one of his arms.
It was unknown when he became the top master cultivator who depended on his rare Art of Witchcraft. He dominated the world by being cruel and merciless and was able to seize countless domineering forces by himself, yet he still talked about his debt of grat.i.tude back in those days over and over again.
The person who was fighting side by side with him at this moment was his brother. He was capable of eloquent speeches on some days perhaps because it was the end, he knew how to smile foolishly!
The brothers looked at one another and laughed, after a moment, it was unknown from whose mouth, two words were shouted encouragingly, “Go forward!”
Go forward!
Go forward side by side.
Their footsteps were supposed to be light but instead, they marched on heavily. Every step they took they crushed the surface of the ground and rolled up clouds of dust.
Their movements that were supposed to be swift and agile, were intentionally steadied and slowed down. Even though their movements lost its sharp sound, it was replaced with the echoes of wind and thunder.
Their heroic mannerism was oppressed in their chests. They did nothing but allowed this gush of tremendous force to collide ferociously against their heart, liver, lungs, limbs and bones! The enormous explosion was capable of urging and seizing the soul!
You did not speak, I should not cry and scream.
You did not turn around, I should not stop walking.
You did not die, I should not rest. If you were to die, then I would bury the entire world with you!
Go forward.
The moment Chi Maojiu and Wen Leyang moved, the remaining hundreds of people behind them too followed along and started running.
The roaring of the monsters and the indistinct sound of thunder in the sky had since become unheard. There was only the sound of their own heavy breathing and their heartbeats as loud as a gong and drum. They could not see the enemies in their eyes. There were only remnants of red from exhaustion, and the blurred shadows of two human figures not too far away. In their minds, they had already forgotten what they were doing. They staggered on as they followed Wen Leyang and Chi Maojiu, but that was only their instincts.