Blade - Unbound

"Right away!"

Sha Lifei did not know how to exorcise demons, but he was quick-witted and understood exactly what he should be doing. He grabbed the box containing the ritual implements and hurried over.

The box had been a gift from Luo Mingzi. It contained numerous drawers and hidden compartments, allowing ritual tools and materials to be stored separately without getting mixed up. It even came with straps, allowing it to be carried like a backpack.

On its back, the Thundercloud Divine Drum hung silently.

In one smooth motion, Li Yan grabbed the divine drum. Just as he pulled away the oilcloth covering it, his brows suddenly furrowed, and he looked behind him with a trace of hesitation in his eyes.

Seeing his reaction, Dian Shu immediately whispered, "It's fine. Once one is inside the spiritual node, it forms its own isolated domain. The Taibai Mountain astral qi itself serves as its foundation. External spells cannot interfere..."

As he spoke, the centipedes appeared once more. Thankfully, Red Yaksha moved even faster. Pulling a leather pouch from her waist, she poured out a stream of powder and drew a circle around everyone.

The pungent smell of sulfur, lime, and various medicinal herbs filled the air.

"This is insect-repelling powder we prepared before coming here." Drawing her longsword, she stood before the group, and said in a deep voice, "We've already used up all the chicken blood. The insect powder can only hold them off temporarily. We need to find a way to retreat."

Everyone knew she was telling the truth.

These earth centipedes were incredibly vicious, and their bodies were practically impervious to blades and spears. Without something specifically capable of countering them, even breaking through their shells was difficult.

One or two were manageable, but if dozens rushed them at once, even the most skilled fighter would be overwhelmed. One bite was enough to leave a corpse lying on the ground.

But Li Yan shook his head and immediately rejected the plan. "We can't leave. We have to hold out until tomorrow."

As he spoke, he tied the Three Talent Demon-Suppressing Coin tassel onto the drum. Glancing at the young Daoist Dian Shu, an idea suddenly struck him.

He asked, "Do you have a Paper Horse?"

The first level of the Northern Emperor Scripture contained the Paper Horse Art. Since the Taixuan Orthodox Church had existed for thousands of years, and had once served as the state religion, they likely possessed similar techniques.

Dian Shu looked embarrassed. "My master gave me two protective talismans, but I thought there'd be no need for them on the mountain, so I didn't bring them."

"I have some." Unexpectedly, Red Yaksha spoke up. She pulled out a strip of yellow cloth from her pack, her expression filled with reluctance. "I paid a fortune for these. They're meant to save my life in critical situations."

"Good." Li Yan did not bother asking further questions. He took out cinnabar ink and a brush, quickly wrote a few lines on a talisman paper, folded it, and handed it to Red Yaksha. "When the time comes, I'll clear a path for you. Leave immediately and head to the Queen Mother Courtyard. Give this letter to Yu Linzi."

Red Yaksha was a decisive person and agreed without hesitation. "Understood."

Meanwhile, more and more centipedes gathered. The insect-repelling powder was effective. The massive centipedes lingered outside the circle, but refused to cross the powder line.

However, their numbers were astonishing. They burrowed in and out of the sand around, numbering at least thirty. Their bodies crawled back and forth. A foul stench filled the darkness, while countless legs scraped against dirt and stone, producing an endless rustling sound.

Everyone who saw the scene felt a chill run down their spine.

Suddenly, Li Yan struck the Thundercloud Divine Drum with his palm. The strike contained hidden force, empowered fully by the energy stored in his inner temple. The drumbeat exploded like thunder. The killing intent within the drum was activated and rapidly spread outward, echoing across the dark mountainside.

Just as Li Yan had expected, although these earth centipedes were ferocious and physically resilient, their souls were relatively weak. The best way to deal with them was to suppress their souls with the divine drum.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Several drumbeats rang out in succession, sounding like thunder born from empty air.

The centipedes were clearly frightened. Some retreated in panic, while others froze completely. Gaps appeared in their encirclement.

Li Yan shouted, "Now!"

Red Yaksha had already taken out the paper horse Li Yan had modified earlier.

The two long yellow strips of cloth had a talisman of the Big Dipper on the left side and a talisman of the Six Ding and Six Jia on the right side. In the center, there was an image of a divine general riding a horse, command flags on his back and auspicious clouds beneath his feet. Red Yaksha swiftly tied the two talismans around her legs.

The moment Li Yan gave the signal, she stepped in the formation of the Big Dipper, formed the Wood and Wind Seal, and shouted, "One step becomes a hundred. The land contracts beneath me. Mountains flatten before me, waters dry beneath my feet. By the authority of the Three Mountains and Nine Lords, by the law and decree, seize!"

The spell took effect instantly as wind rose from the ground.

Whoosh!

Red Yaksha leaped several zhang in a single bound, clearing the centipede encirclement entirely. Without looking back, she charged into the darkness and quickly disappeared.

Li Yan nodded to himself. The Paper Horse technique truly was remarkable. What Red Yaksha used was clearly inferior to the Northern Emperor Paper Horse Technique, yet it was already astonishing.

The strength of the Northern Emperor version lay in its ability to stack hidden force-powered jumps with the spell. At full power, it could likely achieve leaps of nearly three zhang. More importantly, the talisman eliminated the need to recover stamina between bursts.

Within the time it took to drink a cup of tea, one could travel an enormous distance.

As soon as Red Yaksha left, several centipedes chased after her.

Li Yan's pupils contracted. Just as he suspected, these monsters were being controlled by someone. Their goal was to keep all of them trapped here. Fortunately, the centipedes were simply too slow.

Unable to catch Red Yaksha, they soon turned back.

Seeing the swarm growing increasingly agitated and on the verge of breaking through the powder circle, Li Yan slammed his hands into his drum once more.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The drum thundered continuously. The power of the Thundercloud Divine Drum was beyond question. Back in Wu Family Gully, Li Yan had used the Three Talents Demon-Suppressing Coins to trigger a mighty blast. With a single blow, countless yin entities had vanished into smoke.

However, although these centipedes were also suppressed, their souls resided within living bodies. The drum could not directly shatter their souls.

That was the limitation of the arts. Where there was yin, there was yang. Every strength came with its corresponding weakness. At that moment, the centipedes seemed to receive a command and raised their upper bodies.

Some spewed poisonous mist while others sprayed venom.

Li Yan shouted, "Uncle Sha!"

Prepared long ago, Sha Lifei stepped forward immediately. Raising the Nether Torch, he pulled the trigger mechanism as he pointed it directly at the centipede swarm.

The mechanism activated, and phosphorus fire mixed with lamp oil erupted outward. White, green, and red flames flickered as the burning oil spread.

Red Yaksha had once said that these creatures feared two things most, fire and chickens.

The Nether Torch had arrived at exactly the right moment. The centipedes directly in front of Sha Lifei were drenched in flames and immediately writhed madly. Burning oil splashed onto the others as well, causing the fire to spread rapidly.

The centipedes panicked. Wrapped in flames, they burrowed underground. Some even tore off several of their own legs in the desperate scramble.

These creatures excelled at tunneling. Once underground, the surrounding soil quickly extinguished the flames and stripped away the burning oil. Unfortunately, many centipedes were too slow. Before they could escape beneath the earth, they twisted violently in the fire and died. Soon, the air was filled with the stench of charred flesh.

After suffering such losses, the centipedes seemed thoroughly frightened. They disappeared underground and did not emerge again.

Dian Shu let out a sigh of relief, and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "That's a Nether Torch, isn't it? Thank goodness you had such a treasure."

Li Yan merely nodded while staying silent. His eyes stayed fixed on the surroundings, not daring to relax in the slightest.

The centipedes were fierce, but they were only puppets. What truly worried him was the old Daoist inside the jar. The centipedes had all been arranged by that man to replenish his blood essence.

It was Li Yan's first time witnessing such a method. There was no telling what other sinister arts the old Daoist might possess. Yet to Li Yan's surprise, everything remained peaceful afterward. No further danger appeared.

Crash!

Midnight had passed and behind them, stones were pushed away from the cave entrance. Wang Daoxuan emerged after successfully breaking through his cultivation barrier.

Looking around at the scene, he asked in astonishment, "What happened?"

"Congratulations, Daoist!" Seeing that Wang Daoxuan had successfully completed his breakthrough, Sha Lifei breathed a sigh of relief and quickly shouted, "The Daoist Master is out! Let's leave this place quickly. Staying here gives me the creeps."

"Let's go." Li Yan wasted no words as he immediately led everyone away.

***

"Stop." Just after descending from Baxian Terrace, Li Yan halted the group. "We wait here."

Sha Lifei felt a headache coming on. "What now?"

Even Dian Shu and Wang Daoxuan looked utterly confused.

Li Yan gazed back toward the peak and muttered, "Don't ask. Just wait."

He did not know what other abilities the old Daoist possessed. He had heard that masters with a hearing divine ability could hear everything happening throughout an entire mountain, so they had to be cautious.

As dawn approached, a fierce wind suddenly rose in the distance. Sand and stones flew through the air. Visible darkness spread toward them.

The mountain had already been dimly lit. Now, it seemed as though both sun and moon had vanished. The wind howled and with it came faint sounds of chains, armor, and banners fluttering.

Faced with the terrifying scene, everyone finally relaxed.

Dian Shu formed a Yang Seal, and his eyes gleamed brightly. "It's the Patriarch Altar Army. Benefactor Luo has already returned to the Queen Mother Courtyard!"

Sha Lifei asked curiously, "So you have yin yang eyes. What can you see?"

"The Patriarch Army, of course. Ours were recruited from ancient battlefields. They're all soldier spirits. They are missing arms and legs, they have green faces, and even fangs..."

"Aren't you scared?"

"Why would I be? I and my fellow disciples worshipped these spirit soldiers with incense since childhood. Do you see the red-haired spirit soldier? I even helped my master capture him. They look fierce, but they're actually very obedient. The Register Soldiers are much scarier. I don't even dare look at them. Once I receive my register, I'll be qualified to command the Patriarch Army myself..."

Dian Shu continued talking excitedly, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Listening to him, Li Yan felt a trace of envy. He vaguely began to understand why disciples of the Taixuan Orthodox Sect were trained from childhood. Perhaps, through their eyes and understanding, the world looked completely different.

Now that the Queen Mother Courtyard's spirit army had arrived, everyone finally felt at ease. However, despite an extensive search, the spirit soldiers found nothing.

As dawn's first light appeared on the horizon, the army vanished into the wind as swiftly as it had arrived.

Dian Shu looked surprised. "Why didn't they catch him?"

Li Yan seemed unsurprised. "No hurry. We'll know soon enough..."

When the sun finally rose, people from the Queen Mother Courtyard arrived. They were led by an elderly Daoist with a tall crown and white beard. His cultivation level was impossible to discern. Even Yu Linzi could only follow behind him, making it obvious that his status was extraordinary. Red Yaksha was among the group as well.

The old Daoist's eyes were solemn, and even carrying a trace of anger. "Fellow Daoist, are your claims true?"

Li Yan calmly cupped his fists. "Senior, you'll know once you see for yourself. But if things truly are as I described..."

"Don't worry." The old Daoist looked at him calmly and continued, "The Taixuan Orthodox Church has strict laws forbidding interference in the affairs of the underworld. If a living yin emissary must arrest someone, it doesn't matter who that person is. Proceed without hesitation."

Li Yan nodded. Only then did he truly relax.

The second time he had seen the old Daoist in the jar, he had noticed that the man's dark Daoist robes closely resembled those worn by the Queen Mother Courtyard.

He would have been a fool to fight them within an orthodox Daoist stronghold. His only concern had been whether the orthodox sect would protect one of their own. After all, the offender he had identified was likely a respected elder or fellow cultivator whom these people saw every day.

Fortunately, the Yin Laws mentioned something important. Any major orthodox sect or legitimate lineage with a proper heritage was forbidden from interfering with underworld law enforcement. It was a taboo. Violating it would bring serious consequences.

Upon reaching the mountain and seeing the tunnels and charred earth centipedes, someone immediately identified the technique. "This is the Evil Insect Rearing Art..."

Compared to Dian Shu, these senior Daoists were obviously far more knowledgeable. The white-bearded Daoist's expression darkened as he approached the entrance to the spiritual node.

The node was broad and easily surveyed. Even Wang Daoxuan's ritual altar remained inside, not yet dismantled.

The old Daoist merely glanced at it before proceeding to Heaven Two.

Several yarrow stalks appeared in his hand. He formed seals and chanted incantations as he summoned a gust of wind. The stalks floated through the cave, drawn by astral qi and killing qi.

Soon, they landed over a specific location. It was the section blocked by collapsed rubble.

After removing the stones, a narrow tunnel appeared behind them. Clearly, it had been excavated by human hands.

One by one, everyone crawled through to find a vast hidden chamber. Another glacial cavern opened before them as cold mist drifted across the ground.

That was the very cave Li Yan had glimpsed through the well.

Wang Daoxuan stared in shock, his voice trembling. "Is this... a Secret Realm burial site?"

Seeing Li Yan's puzzled expression, he explained quietly, "Ordinary dragon-vein burial sites merely increase fortune and blessings. But I've heard a legend that burial within a secret realm offers a chance at immortality..."

The white-bearded Daoist suddenly exploded in anger. "Immortality, my ass. The old Daoist ways has harmed countless people!"

Turning to Li Yan, he asked directly, "Where was the body buried?"

Seeing the old man's temper, Li Yan wisely avoided provoking him. He simply pointed at an open area at the bottom of the cavern. "Right there."

"Dig!"

At the command, the Queen Mother Courtyard's Daoists rushed forward. Pickaxes and shovels rang out in a frenzy. After digging three feet underground, they uncovered the large black jar. The yellow talisman attached to it had already decayed. Red cords surrounded it, covered in dense strings of copper coins.

Li Yan's pupils contracted. The black jar seemed to isolate everything. He could not smell the slightest trace of anything coming from it.

Chatter! Chatter!

Strange cries erupted as the surviving earth centipedes burst from the ground and charged toward the old Daoist.

The old Daoist shouted angrily, "Begone!"

He raised the ritual seal in his hand. Li Yan had his divine ability activated and with it, he smelled an icy aura of slaughter rushing into his nose.

His mind went numb, and his vision went dark. It was as though cold starlight had descended from above. Quickly sealing off his divine ability, he recovered and looked again.

The starlight was gone. The centipedes, however, had collapsed to the ground. Their bodies twitched as green pus poured from their mouths. Moments later, they were all dead.

What kind of spiritual artifact is that?

Li Yan was flabbergasted. Beside the black jar lay a bronze plaque covered in writing.

Yu Linzi picked it up and read it out loud, "In ancient times, who transmitted the Dao? Before heaven and earth took shape, how could their origins be examined? In darkness and obscurity, who could fathom their limits? Amid formless chaos, how could their nature be known...

"Master, it's the Heavenly Questions."

The old Daoist sighed. He seemed to have already guessed who was inside. "Life is finite, yet knowledge is infinite. One need only continue seeking. Why become so hopelessly obsessed?"

As he spoke, he raised the ritual seal and smashed the black jar open.

The instant it shattered, black winds erupted and corpse qi flooded the cavern. Two withered claws tipped with long nails slowly emerged from the opening.

However, the old Daoist immediately smashed them back down with the seal. "This is the last time I'll beat you on Master's behalf!"

After he spoke, he turned and left.

"Underworld, carry out your duty."

What an angsty old Daoist...

Li Yan secretly clicked his tongue. His face, however, remained expressionless.

Holding the Summoning Writ, he slapped it onto the forehead of the old Daoist inside the jar. Forming a hand seal with his left hand, he recited, "Heaven has its order. Earth has its laws. By the authority of the underworld, the soul is seized. Let the living withdraw!"

Yin winds immediately howled through the cavern. Amid the rattling of chains, black mist materialized from nowhere to wrap around the old Daoist's body.

His death qi, corpse qi, and the cold Three Souls and Seven Spirits were all dragged away and vanished instantly.

"Sigh..."

Perhaps it was only his imagination, but Li Yan thought he heard a final, unwilling sigh echo through the air.