Chapter 281 - 154: Piercing the Heavens and Splitting the Earth, Connecting the Veins and Seizing the Treasure (Part 2)

Chapter 281: Chapter 154: Piercing the Heavens and Splitting the Earth, Connecting the Veins and Seizing the Treasure (Part 2)

’I can’t stop the white carp’s momentum.’ The thought had barely formed before a chill ran through Shishi’s heart. Her brows furrowed tightly. After a moment of silence, she cried out, "Uncle-Master, please seal the earth vein!"

The Grey-bearded Taoist was silent for a moment before he suddenly spoke. "This whole affair is a scheme by the Demon Intent Sect. Shao Ying and Chi Ming have already been defeated. Why don’t you give up, Niece-Disciple?"

Shishi replied gravely, "Achieving this merit and receiving the Zhenren’s reward is exceptionally important to me. I must ask you to intervene, Uncle-Master."

"My only purpose on this trip is to ensure your safety. I have no reason to meddle in this affair." The Grey-bearded Taoist spoke faintly, then changed his tone. "If you want me to seal the earth vein, it will have to count as one of the three favors I promised your master."

The Grey-bearded Taoist’s words did not surprise Shishi. She immediately agreed, "Fine. If you can also help me block Xuzhuang, it can count as two favors."

The Grey-bearded Taoist did not answer right away. He waved his sleeve, and without any earth-shattering display, the flow of earth qi instantly halted. The white carp’s boundless strength immediately waned, and Shishi began to drag it toward the bronze mirror.

Only then did he say faintly, "I am one who has no affinity with the Great Dao, seeking only longevity. Whether you succeed or fail, protecting you is the extent of my duty."

The unspoken meaning was a clear refusal. Although Shishi was not surprised, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

This Grey-bearded Taoist had attained the Dao through an unorthodox path. He was solely focused on longevity, desiring nothing. Not even the Primordial Spirit True Men of the Innate Demon Sect could command him. If not for a deep friendship and a certain agreement with her late master, he never would have agreed to be her protector.

But it was obvious that for someone like him, who sought only longevity, antagonizing a Mystic Sect Daoist with limitless future potential—especially when he couldn’t simply kill him—was a perilous affair. Thus, while he was willing to honor his promise, he would never compromise on matters that concerned his own well-being.

Shishi understood this perfectly and said no more. She pushed her Magical Power to its limit, urging the mirror’s light on again and again, and was on the verge of capturing the white carp.

However, at that very moment, the Grey-bearded Taoist seemed to sense something. A hint of surprise appeared in his eyes. His sleeve twitched slightly, but he ultimately frowned and did not act.

In the next instant, the entire belly of the earth began to tremble. Beneath her white veil, Shishi’s expression changed. Amidst the chaotic earth qi, the white carp managed to escape. Although it couldn’t leave the area, it had broken free of the mirror’s light and instantly swam into the mud and rock.

Her hard work was ruined in an instant. Furious, she looked up. A series of RUMBLES echoed, growing closer and closer. In a matter of moments, the ceiling above cracked open. The stone walls on both sides crumbled and collapsed, sending countless rocks and earth tumbling down. Daylight instantly flooded the entire chamber.

The method Xuzhuang had chosen was precisely this: to use the Five Elements Escape Skill to part the earth’s surface, creating a massive chasm that connected the Celestial Vault to the belly of the earth!

Even with his Magical Power, accomplishing this was no easy feat. But the result was not disappointing. Seeing the two of them exposed under the open sky, a mocking look appeared in Xuzhuang’s eyes. He began, "Miss Shi, long time no see."

Shishi’s heart skipped a beat. She subtly moved behind the Grey-bearded Taoist, a somber expression on her face. "Young Master Xu," she said, "it has been a long time."

Xuzhuang was not surprised by her action. He shifted his gaze to the Grey-bearded Taoist and asked solemnly, "And how should I address you, sir?"

This Grey-bearded Taoist, within his Spiritual Sense, seemed to not exist at all. With his level of cultivation, even a perfected Nascent Soul cultivator probably couldn’t hide their aura from him so easily. This was why Xuzhuang hadn’t attacked the moment he saw them.

Not only that, but he had also secretly gripped the True Inheritance Golden Sword in his hand. Xuzhuang was confident in his ability to handle any situation against his peers, but he had to maintain a sense of reverence toward those of a higher cultivation.

To Xuzhuang’s surprise, the Grey-bearded Taoist’s brows furrowed slightly, and he actually took a step back. He replied faintly, "My name is of no importance. Fellow Daoist, you need not concern yourself with it."

At these words, Shishi sighed. Xuzhuang paused for a moment, then instantly understood. ’This person doesn’t want to interfere? Is he bound by some rule, or does he simply want no part in this?’

Several thoughts flashed through his mind. Xuzhuang’s eyes narrowed slightly. With a shrug of his shoulder, a heavy, ochre divine light rose from his back, spreading out as if to cover the entire field before descending toward the ground.

Seeing Xuzhuang make his move, Shishi’s heart tightened. She switched the bronze mirror to her left hand and extended her right, revealing a silvery-white Bracelet hidden beneath her plain sleeve. Just as she was about to respond, she saw the Earth Element Divine Light fall to the ground and then vanish without a sound. She couldn’t help but be taken aback.

The next moment, her eyes widened in shock. She shouted furiously, "Stop!"

Xuzhuang turned a deaf ear. With a mighty shout, the Earth Element Divine Light shot through a hundred miles in an instant. The earth rumbled violently, and the earth vein was instantly connected.

The moment the earth qi began to flow, the white carp leaped out from the mud and rock. With a flick of its tail, it shot away. Without a second thought, Shishi blurred into motion and gave chase. At the same time, she brandished the mirror, its light instantly shining out, trying to capture the white carp.

Xuzhuang’s probe was a success. Seeing that the Grey-bearded Taoist hadn’t moved a muscle, he knew his guess was correct. Noticing the Demoness’s actions, his eyes flashed. Without any visible movement, a stream of Sword Qi erupted, arriving before it was even fully launched, and slashed down toward Shishi’s head.

Shishi was forced to dodge the Sword Qi. Xuzhuang paid her no mind. He formed a Spell seal with his fingers and pointed. The Earth Element Divine Light gathered from within the earth, wrapped around the white carp, and shockingly seized it from deep underground.

Although he didn’t know what the white carp was, seeing Shishi’s reaction told him it was the object of her scheme. He immediately bound the carp and, without hesitation, directed the Earth Element Divine Light to scoop it up and pull it out of the ground.

"What?" Seeing this, Shishi’s expression changed. If her plan failed, it would just mean the white carp had escaped. No matter where it fled along the earth vein, there would always be a chance for the Demon Sect to find it again. But if it fell into Xuzhuang’s hands, the outcome would be much harder to predict.

At the same time, however, Xuzhuang also frowned. The white carp looked light and agile, but holding it within his Earth Element Divine Light felt as if he were shouldering a mountain ten thousand fathoms high. No wonder the people from the Demon Sect had gone to such great lengths yet failed to easily capture it.

But as the white carp struggled relentlessly, his Magical Power drained away like a flood. Xuzhuang couldn’t help but frown. Such a terrifying rate of Magical Power consumption was difficult even for him to bear. Engaging in a fight now was completely out of the question.

’What on earth is this thing?’ Xuzhuang forced himself to hold the creature fast. His mind raced, but for a moment, he was undecided on what to do.

Despite this, Xuzhuang’s expression remained impassive. Shishi considered attacking several times, but ultimately decided she was no match for him and restrained herself. With a solemn face, she said, "Young Master Xu, this item is tied to a heavy karmic destiny..."

As she spoke, she suddenly froze. She looked down at the treasured mirror in her hand in disbelief and thought, ’Could it be that in the unseen world, there truly is cause and effect?’

Xuzhuang’s eyebrow twitched. He seemed to have thought of something as well. His gaze fell on the treasured mirror in her hand for a moment, then shifted to the Grey-bearded Taoist. A plan suddenly formed in his mind. He sneered, "What karmic destiny?" He took a deep breath, forcefully circulated his Magical Power, and with a sharp pull, drew the Earth Element Divine Light back behind him.

Shishi forced herself to calm down and said, "Young Master, this is a secret treasure of the Demon Sect. It is of no use to you. Why don’t you name your price? I will surely agree to anything. That way, we’ll both be happy. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?"

"Oh?" Xuzhuang said, clasping his hands behind his back. "But I think ruining your little scheme is an even greater good deed."

Shishi sighed. "Young Master, the Mystic and Demon Sects both follow their own paths. Although my Demon Sect wishes to emerge and establish itself in the world, we have no conflict with your esteemed sect. Why must we be at loggerheads?"

Xuzhuang just gave a strange laugh and said suddenly, "Fine. Let’s say you have a point, Miss Shi. In that case, I’ll give you a condition."

"I have a newly refined Daoist art, and I don’t yet know its true power. If you are willing to test it out for me, I’ll return this creature to you."

Shishi’s slender brows furrowed. After a long moment of thought, she finally replied, "Alas, it seems you still hold a grudge against me, Young Master. If doing this will allow you to vent your anger, then I accept."

Xuzhuang gave a noncommittal reply. "Then are you ready, Miss Shi?"

Shishi bit her lip. "Please proceed, Young Master."

ps: To the readers who have waited a long time, my apologies. To those caught on a cliffhanger, my apologies. I’ve honestly rewritten this many times because I wasn’t satisfied. Sigh.