Chapter 252: Reversal
Zhao Wenxing was dressed in a black robe, alone and preparing to escape amid the miasma.
However, this time he had miscalculated.
Gu Sanqian stood just a hundred zhang before him, his aura surging to the heavens like a mountain range, blocking his path.
To escape, he would first need to get past Gu Sanqian.
Pu Lengfeng followed closely behind, standing beside Gu Sanqian, with the Pu Shan Great Seal hovering before him, glaring fiercely at Zhao Wenxing.
“Using your own disciple as bait, Gu Sanqian, you sure are heartless.”
Zhao Wenxing mocked coldly, waving his wide sleeve as true essence surged, readying himself for combat.
“Not as ruthless as you, thirteen Core Opening Realm Spirit Sealing Puppets—that’s thirteen Core Opening Realm Martial Artists.”
Gu Sanqian glanced at him coldly, knowing in his heart that thirteen had been successfully made into soul puppets, but the number killed without success was far more.
Zhao Wenxing surely wouldn’t attack his own Three Flames Divine Palace Core Opening Realm cultivators, so he must have been assassinating Core Opening Realm Martial Artists from other powers.
Even for a Dharma Aspect True Person, offending others like this was undeniably bold.
Zhao Wenxing paid it no mind, sending out a white skeleton from his hand that grew with the wind in an instant, becoming ten zhang tall, whistling toward him with vicious winds.
Gu Sanqian was unafraid, raising his hand to send a Five Poisons Pearl to meet it.
The two collided like a meteor striking the sky, spiritual energy surging like tides, roiling endlessly.
Zhao Wenxing’s expression changed slightly as a strand of Jade Gloom poisonous gas clung to the Spirit Fiend Skeleton.
He waved his sleeve to control his true essence, igniting a eerie blue flame that burned away the toxin with Three Flames Divine Palace’s Ignorance Spirit Fire.
Gu Sanqian sneered, the Five Poisons Pearl spewing poisonous mist that blotted out the sky, transforming into a vicious beast that charged forward wrapped in rolling poison mist.
“So eager to clear away this old man’s poisonous gas—I’m afraid you won’t escape today.”
Damn old bastard!
Murderous light gleamed in Zhao Wenxing’s eyes, as if he wanted to flay and dismember Gu Sanqian.
Three strands of true intent emerged like ghostly shadows behind him, the Anger Beast, Greedy Beast, and Ignorance Beast transforming into hundred-zhang forms like phantoms, charging straight at Gu Sanqian.
Gu Sanqian’s gaze lowered slightly before lifting: “Greed, Anger, Ignorance Three Beasts as true intent—your methods fall short of Lu Wuxiang.”
Golden patterns flowed around his body, his skin instantly turning dark green, like a statue.
“Roar”
Five strands of true intent flew out from behind him one after another, precisely his Five-Poison Beasts.
Among them, the Yin Soul Silver Toad True Intent opened its mouth wide, swallowing the remaining Six-Winged True Silkworm, Bone Jade Celestial Spider, Steel Poison Fiend Scorpion, and Earth Fire Yang Snake true intents into its belly.
The true intent grew with the wind, its body shaking to become like a small mountain, about a hundred zhang tall, precisely a Five-Poison Beast devouring heaven and earth.
The Greed, Anger, Ignorance Three Beasts True Intent assaulted, but the Five-Poison Beast opened its maw wide, rolling poisonous mist transforming into sweeping jade blades that directly sent them flying.
Zhao Wenxing’s face grew uglier, and at this moment, Pu Lengfeng’s Pu Shan Giant Elephant True Intent rose behind him, fusing with the Pu Shan Great Seal into one, like a mountain range smashing toward Zhao Wenxing.
This strike shook the mountains, Zhao Wenxing condensing a hand seal with his large hand, pitch-black as ink, slapping directly upward.
The powerful rebounding force shook his body, his expression changing slightly.
“Fellow Daoist Gu, let me assist you.”
Pu Lengfeng boldly attacked, flying over to join Gu Sanqian in clamping down on Zhao Wenxing.
The three had already tangled for over ten rounds, Zhao Wenxing’s situation growing increasingly dire, showing signs of defeat in his defenses.
Suddenly, Zhao Wenxing went all-in like breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats, his Greed, Anger, Ignorance True Intents turning to streams of light that burrowed into the Spirit Fiend Skeleton; his natal spiritual artifact immediately surged with endless black mist, solidifying like a entity—a hundred-zhang ferocious ghost head.
“What a vicious thing—take my great seal!”
Pu Lengfeng snorted coldly, smashing his Pu Shan Great Seal down.
It seemed true fire had been ignited, but the next moment.
Pu Lengfeng’s eyes flashed with murderous light, revealing his hidden blade—a strange short blade, pitch-black as ink and curved like a snake, shooting instantly toward Gu Sanqian.
This strike was lightning-fast, hard even for a Dharma Aspect True Person to block.
Zhao Wenxing and Pu Lengfeng both revealed ferocious grins; no matter how strong Gu Sanqian was, he would stay in Pushan today.
Clang
A large hand directly gripped the Soul Snake Sword, golden patterns intertwining with the pitch-black palm; the sword edge sharp enough to sever mountains, yet unable to break free from this dry, powerful hand.
“Boom”
The Spirit Fiend Skeleton landed before him, like a meteor crashing down.
Gu Sanqian’s Beast Taming Bag stirred at his waist, the fourth-order Calamity Beast Yin Soul Silver Toad jumping out directly, a silver-bright beam from its mouth shining straight onto the Spirit Fiend Skeleton.
With one strike, the black mist was pierced, and even the Spirit Fiend Skeleton’s main body was shot with a small hole.
Gu Sanqian’s Five Poisons Golden Body fully activated, his face covered in totem-like golden patterns; he turned his head: “Pu Lengfeng, so you really are with him.”
“Hmph, old thing, you’re vigilant enough—but can you escape?”
Pu Lengfeng’s face was grim, knowing in his heart he absolutely could not let Gu Sanqian get away.
Otherwise, next time more Beast King Sect Heads would come, and Pushan Mountain Range would be lost for good.
He recalled the Pu Shan Great Seal, then smashed it fiercely onto Gu Sanqian.
Zhao Wenxing flew over, also erupting with full power to siege Gu Sanqian.
Facing two at once, even with a feral beast like Yin Soul Silver Toad assisting, was no easy task.
The Yin Soul Silver Toad shared a Beast Taming Seal contract with Gu Sanqian, so mobilizing its demonic essence would more or less affect Gu Sanqian’s side.
The three fought several rounds, trading blows that shattered mountains and split earth, leveling the mountaintop.
Gu Sanqian’s physical body was tyrannically strong, and mastering poison arts made his attacks both violent and fearsome.
Clearly a siege, yet he turned it into a evenly matched fight.
Seeing the tide turning, Pu Lengfeng spoke to shake his mind: “Gu Sanqian, while you tangle with us here, do you know if your grand-disciple can dodge Yanxia’s jade bone needles?”
Zhao Wenxing sneered: “No need for jade bone needles—my seven Spirit Sealing Puppets alone are enough to kill him.”
The two traded words, trying to distract Gu Sanqian.
But Gu Sanqian just sneered, his aura steady: “With your methods, you think you can take him down?”
Though Su Yan had just broken through to Core Opening Realm, his cultivation was stronger than his, Senior Brother Tai Lingyue, or even Poison Dragon Daoist back in the day.
A mere Liu Yanxia truly couldn’t injure Su Yan.
“Hmph, so confident.”
Pu Lengfeng came at Gu Sanqian with one hand great seal and one hand Soul Snake Sword.
Yin Soul Silver Toad immediately blocked in front, swinging its massive beast claw in a fierce assault.
‘Damn beast’
Pu Lengfeng cursed inwardly, forced to respond.
At that moment, a pitch-black tower body suddenly flew out, straight at Pu Lengfeng.
Not good!
Pu Lengfeng swung his hand, the great seal colliding with the Myriad Insect Prison Suppressing Tower, buzzing loudly and sending it flying a hundred zhang to hover in midair.
“You thieving brat, walking into hell uninvited.”
Pu Lengfeng looked closely and saw it was Su Yan, his heart both shocked and delighted.
Su Yan said coldly: “Let’s see who hell claims first.”
He tossed his large hand, sending a head flying toward Pu Lengfeng.
Pu Lengfeng looked closely, eyes splitting with rage: “Yanxia!”
Liu Yanxia was left with only a head, her alluring charm reduced to just three parts, the rest near terror and disbelief.
She had been the most alluring, serving Pu Lengfeng most to his liking.
Now reduced to this, how could Pu Lengfeng not be enraged.
“I’ll kill you!”
The Soul Snake Sword flew toward Su Yan, but Yin Soul Silver Toad flew in, followed by Gu Sanqian’s Six-Winged True Silkworm, Bone Jade Celestial Spider, Steel Poison Fiend Scorpion, and Earth Fire Yang Snake four contracted beasts.
Hundred Poisons Gu Seals covered their bodies, auras linking to form a barrier that blocked the Soul Snake Sword.
Su Yan fully activated Hardening Golden Body, even fully opening Insect Bone Armor Body.
Dragon-Eating Worm, Blood Bone Centipede King, Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust, Troop Devouring Ghost Moth, Rhinoceros Tiger—his five fierce insects and contracted beasts all emerged, true intent condensing behind him; his powerful aura even surpassed Core Opening Realm Second Heaven.
“A Yan, assist Yin Soul Silver Toad in holding this old thing—Grandmaster, I’ll take Zhao Wenxing first.”
Gu Sanqian had waited long for this exact chance.
Su Yan nodded: “Grandmaster, rest assured—I’ll hold him.”
He knew his limits; at Core Opening Realm First Heaven, even with his three traits and fierce insects assisting, he couldn’t withstand Dharma Aspect Realm, and even hard-fighting All Stars Heaven martial artists would hardly gain advantage.
But with Yin Soul Silver Toad here, the situation changed.
“Brat, mere Core Opening Realm cultivation, and you want to spar with this old man?”
Pu Lengfeng was furious; Su Yan’s attitude wasn’t facing death head-on but treating him like something insignificant.
He laughed in rage, his Pu Shan Giant Elephant True Intent treading mountains from behind, the great seal becoming mountain-sized, smashing toward Su Yan.
Su Yan stood atop Yin Soul Silver Toad’s head, saying respectfully: “Senior Yin Soul Silver Toad, please lend me your power—same for all you seniors.”
“Gurgle”
Yin Soul Silver Toad had prior dealings with Su Yan and now had the master’s order, so it released restrictions; Hundred Poisons Gu Seals emerged all over its body, densely packed like rows of scriptures.
Su Yan’s Hundred Poisons Gu Seals also appeared, about three hundred plus marks over his body.
The two intertwined, briefly fusing as one.
Using Yin Soul Silver Toad as medium, the demonic essence of Gu Sanqian’s contracted beasts symbolizing the five poisons all converted to true essence surging into Su Yan’s body.
Like rolling river waters, pouring into his narrow meridians.
Su Yan felt intense pain throughout his body, but the next moment Hardening Golden Body operated, Insect Bone Armor Body constantly repairing; this vast power was briefly under his control.
Streams of starlight flowed, as if descending from heaven, enveloping Su Yan’s ten true intents, instantly forming the Star Constellation Mysterious Beast Great Formation.
Ten as formation base, he at the center.
Su Yan’s aura surged sharply, lifting his gaze to the great seal, eyes devoid of sorrow or joy, purely calm.
“Suppress!”
The Myriad Insect Prison Suppressing Tower flew to his hand; under Dharma Aspect-level true essence infusion, this fourth-tier spirit tool finally fully bloomed its brilliance.
Red light shot from the tower base, striking directly onto the Pu Shan Great Seal.
This strike dimmed the Pu Shan Great Seal’s light, slowing its descending speed.
“How is that possible?!”
Pu Lengfeng was shocked, true essence surging from his body like great rivers to barely offset the suppressive force.
Su Yan frowned slightly—indeed, a Dharma Aspect True Person; directly defeating him was beyond his power.
Though he had Dharma Aspect Realm true essence, his comprehension and records lagged far behind; Su Yan had no chance of beating Pu Lengfeng.
Realizing this, Su Yan’s eyes sharpened, then he controlled the Myriad Insect Prison Suppressing Tower to bombard Pu Lengfeng relentlessly.
If he couldn’t match cultivation accumulation, he’d compare whose natal spiritual artifact was tougher.
The Myriad Insect Prison Suppressing Tower bombarded nonstop; though Pu Lengfeng hated Su Yan to the bone, he dared not underestimate the attacks.
Both fourth-tier spirit tools, but the Myriad Insect Prison Suppressing Tower fused with a strand of Dao Soldier Origin and Half-Saint-level Flood Dragon Bone.
Now in hard clash, cracks faintly appeared on the Pu Shan Great Seal.
Pu Lengfeng grew more urgent, seeking Su Yan’s flaws to strike him down.
Su Yan avoided his traps, relying on the Myriad Insect Prison Suppressing Tower and Star Constellation Mysterious Beast Great Formation to boost his power, then dragging things out with Pu Lengfeng.
Normally, Pu Lengfeng could just flee.
But now, having conspired to kill Gu Sanqian, with the man not dead, he couldn’t run—the monk could flee but not the temple; fleeing now meant waiting for Gu Sanqian to bring men for extermination later.
Thus Pu Lengfeng’s strikes were all vicious killing moves.
The two fought ever more fiercely, and Su Yan actually kept adapting and improving amid the combat.
His powerful physical body gave him the constitution to sustain control of Dharma Aspect Realm power, and long-term nurturing by insect yuan had elevated his bone structure and comprehension steadily.
Combat accumulated battle experience for him.
Zhao Wenxing grew anxious seeing this.
His cultivation already lagged far behind Gu Sanqian’s; in one-on-one, he was suppressed from the start.
Now Gu Sanqian was ruthless, fully activating hardening, every fist enough to shatter a mountaintop.
Yet Gu Sanqian’s physical body was tyrannically strong, his body cultivation will unbreakable; the Greed, Anger, Ignorance Three Beasts’ mind-bewitching ability couldn’t play out.
Zhao Wenxing was purely taking beatings now, several cracks already on the Spirit Fiend Skeleton.
He struck to force Gu Sanqian back, then roared: “Lu Wuyan, why haven’t you acted?”
The roar shocked everyone.
A short, fat figure leisurely appeared, tossing a formation disc onto the collapsed mountaintop below the crowd.
The formation disc emitted five-colored light, instantly enveloping the entire battlefield like a barrier.
Lu Wuyan’s figure emerged, holding a thick spiritual artifact brush—his famed natal spiritual artifact, the Demonic Flame Brush.
A flame was drawn by him, sealing off the entire battlefield.
“Senior Brother Zhao, it’s not that I didn’t act—if I hadn’t set up this trapping formation, even we two together couldn’t hold this old guy Gu Sanqian.”
Gu Sanqian’s expression sank slightly, cold light flashing in his eyes: “Lu Wuyan, you dare leave Junlao Mountain.”
“Junlao Mountain alone isn’t Three Flames Divine Palace territory; if we can take your head Gu Sanqian, losing Junlao Mountain is no loss.”
He was confident of victory, his squinting eyes full of smug achievement.
Pu Lengfeng’s face darkened, realizing now he was the fishing bait.
Likely from the start, Lu Wuyan and the other hadn’t counted on him to help kill Gu Sanqian.
His role was merely to draw out Gu Sanqian’s backup—the strange boy before them.
Damn it!
He cursed inwardly but also breathed relief—being used was better than being slain by Gu Sanqian and company.
Yet at this moment, Gu Sanqian laughed loudly: “Junior Sister Bi, strike.”
As the words fell, moonlight pierced Lu Wuyan’s trapping formation, the Moon-Eating Worm’s rotund figure entering everyone’s view.
Beneath Silver Radiance, it was like frost.
Shattered Moon Peak Head Bi Qingman and White Python Peak Head Zhu Zhilan arrived one after another, sealing off everyone’s escape routes.
