Daoist Competition

The Jiu Kui Demon King's gaze suddenly burned with intensity as he stared at her and said, "Miss Shan, why don't you obediently submit to me? Let me take your Yuan Yin, and I promise to make you my concubine. Although this king already has a hundred consorts, I will shower you with double the affection."

He had always been arrogant and domineering, and now, laying his desires bare without the slightest disguise, was entirely in line with his character.

Being born as an ancient mutant, he was innately gifted with the knowledge of cultivation, possessing Dharma techniques far superior to those of others, which gave him an extraordinarily high opinion of himself.

Every time he achieved a significant breakthrough in his Daoist cultivation, a new head would sprout from his body. Each head could transform into an avatar. At present, he had grown four heads, allowing him to dissipate into four avatars at will. However, to mislead others, he claimed to have five avatars, including his true body.

Yet, to grow that fifth head, he needed to seize the Yuan Yin of at least three women possessing the Shaoyin pulse, and Miss Shan was one of his targets.

Miss Shan stood atop the boat, allowing the wild wind to lift her garments. Holding her zither, she stood calmly and said, "Demon King Qiao, although you are a Third Realm Hua Dan Cultivator, you have only come here today as an avatar, with a maximum cultivation of the Xuan Guang Realm. If no one else intervenes, you might not prevail over me."

The Jiu Kui Demon King sneered arrogantly and said, "Miss Shan, there's no need to agitate me with words. Though your talent is extraordinary, you are merely a Xuan Guang First Realm cultivator. If you belonged to one of the Ten Great Sects of Xuanmen with their Mysterious Skills inheritance, I might not dare boast of a sure victory. But what does your Peng Yuan Sect offer that I should care?"

Miss Shan's beautiful eyes flashed with a glint of cold light as she said, "I have long heard that Demon King Qiao is a hero among demons. But seeing is believing. Why don't we settle this? Today, I will wager my sect's Mysterious Skills against yours in a duel. If you win, I am at your mercy and will willingly become your concubine. But if you lose…"

The Jiu Kui Demon King burst into laughter, interrupting her, and said, "If you win, then you shall take this fine head of mine without hesitation."

Miss Shan's expression suddenly became serious. Her entire demeanor shifted to one brimming with heroism, starkly different from her earlier frail appearance. With a commanding tone, she said, "In that case, Demon King Qiao, please prepare yourself."

The Jiu Kui Demon King waved his hand dismissively and said, "Use whatever means you like. Today, I'll let you admit defeat with absolute conviction."

Miss Shan lowered her gaze, immediately sat cross-legged, placed the phoenix-shaped zither on her lap, and gently plucked the strings. A melody, like jade pearls rolling over a silver plate, rang out, enabling her Divine Thought to connect directly to the First Chamber of the Jingchen Heavenly Palace.

The blade aura stored within this First Realm Heavenly Palace could manifest countless tangible blades capable of cutting down adversaries. Guided by the zither's melody, countless white blades appeared out of thin air, slicing through the air toward the head of the Jiu Kui Demon King.

The Jiu Kui Demon King glanced at the scene and displayed a look of disdain. As a Power Cultivator, even though this avatar of his was merely at the Xuan Guang Realm, his body was still as strong as steel. He boldly faced the incoming blades without defense, standing firm as they struck him. The sound of metal clinking on steel filled the air, yet he remained unfazed, as if a gentle breeze had passed.

Miss Shan seemed prepared for this outcome, her expression unchanging. Her delicate fingers deftly moved over the strings of the Qifeng Zither, and the notes soared higher. In no time, her song connected to the Second Chamber of the Heavenly Palace, where the "Poison Cloud Evil" was stored, capable of permeating the body and corroding internal organs.

Triggered by her melody, clusters of five-colored mist appeared from nowhere, floating downward like vibrant clouds, dazzlingly beautiful.

The Jiu Kui Demon King let out a sinister laugh and said, "Such minor tricks, how can they harm me?"

He pinched his nostrils shut, puffed out his cheeks, and exhaled a deep yellow turbid Qi, which extended three feet outward before transforming with the wind into a hundred-zhang-long plume of smoke. The smoke wrapped around the clouds, gathering them into one mass, and then morphed into a whirlwind that soared into the sky, carrying them off to an unknown destination.

Miss Shan's expression remained unchanged as her fingers danced swiftly on the zither strings. The playing grew more intense and passionate, activating the Heavenly Gate of the Third Realm Heavenly Palace, where the "Mountain Mass Aura" was stored. It descended as countless massive boulders falling like rain.

The Jiu Kui Demon King let out a cold smirk, bellowed, and refrained from drawing any weapon. Instead, he punched with both fists, shattering each grinding-stone-sized boulder into dust with thunderous sounds.

Elated by the brawl, he laughed loudly and said, "Miss Shan, if your master Shen Tufu were here, this king might have some reservations. But you, a mere Xuan Guang First Realm cultivator, have reached your limit by activating the Third Realm Heavenly Palace. How can you hope to harm me? My beauty, why not admit defeat and accompany this king for endless pleasure?"

Miss Shan ignored his provocations, her phoenix-like eyes filled with determination. Seizing the moment as the demon king was entangled in the endless Mountain Mass Aura, she discreetly activated a Dharma Treasure.

This item, known as the "Moon Swallowing Spirit Array," was one of the three formation diagrams safeguarding the Yuanpeng Sect. It could channel the mana of the fifty disciples she brought along, amplifying her cultivation level. This was her true trump card.

Originally just a Xuan Guang First Realm cultivator, she now surged past the Third Realm in a heartbeat under the array's influence. Her Qi, essence, and spirit grew to perfection, and without even needing the zither's melody, she connected directly to the Fourth Realm Heavenly Palace. The "Fixation Aura" stored within transformed into a dazzling blue light and descended.

Immersed in his delight, the Jiu Kui Demon King was caught off guard. Struck by the blue light, he was frozen in place, unable to move.

While the aura's effect would only last a few breaths, it was enough for Miss Shan. She drew out a gray-green ancient vine, intending to unleash it skyward. But at that critical moment, her body suddenly went numb, and all her strength drained away. A large hand grabbed her into an embrace, accompanied by raucous laughter at her ear: "Third Brother, what a sorry state you're in."

The Fixation Aura lost its controller and dissipated shortly after, freeing the Jiu Kui Demon King. Infuriated, he shouted to the newcomer, "Second Brother, save your sarcasm! Without me acting as bait, how would you have gotten the chance to strike? This woman is guarded by the Taihao Sect's Binding Phoenix Vine!"

Had she lifted her head, Miss Shan would have seen that these two looked identical, as if cast from the same mold.

The Jiu Kui Demon King sneered and said, "We need to separate soon. If Old Demon Zheng finds us, he'll surely capture us both."

The other replied, "Of course I know that. Once we drain this woman, we'll both reach the Nascent Soul Realm. When Lao Liu emerges, Old Demon Zheng will no longer be a threat."

The Jiu Kui Demon King chuckled and said, "Second Brother, you go ahead. I'll clean things up here and catch up shortly."

He raised his hand and threw a copper furnace, golden-red in hue, into the air. The furnace lid flipped open, and a pale green flame surged, threatening to spill forth.

Even though Miss Shan was powerless, the sight of this object filled her with despair. This was the "Green Yin Ghost Fire." Once unleashed, not a single one of the disciples aboard the boat stood a chance of survival.

But just then, a speck of blue light flew forth, attaching itself to the copper furnace. It froze the artifact midair, forcing the flames back inside. A faint voice echoed, "Robbing and killing, I won't interfere. But if you intend to destroy this boat, have you asked for my permission?"

...

... (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support motivates me!)