History Has Fallen Ill

Chapter 74: The Foundation of the Humanoid Machine Zombie, Jiang Yan vs. Ge Xianyao

As the words fell,

Dozens of yellow talismans flew out from beneath Zhang Guanxin’s robe, forming a talisman array that enveloped Zhao Yinman.

“Corpse-Suppressing Talisman!”

From his master, he had learned that the opponent was a zombie. But since she could cultivate the Celestial Master Path, it meant she was unafraid of Pure Yang energy. Evil-suppressing talismans would be ineffective; he could only aim to suppress her corpse.

First suppress her corpse aura, then break her sharp edge!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

However, in the instant they approached, they were met with an equal number of Thunder Explosion Talismans, which attached themselves and instantly detonated, turning into drifting ashes.

“Cinnabar moves like a swimming dragon, Cloud Talismans brimming with life—this talisman technique already surpasses many of my senior brothers.”

Even as an opponent, Zhang Guanxin did not hesitate to praise.

It was precisely because of this that he could not accept how corrupted and degenerate Daoist cultivators had become. He refused to let evil paths and demonic beings don Daoist robes, distorting the true principles of the Ancestors and bringing chaos to the masses.

Zhang Guanxin let out a light laugh, pulled out the Imperial Bell and shook it gently, speaking softly:

“This is a reward I received with a Grade A– rating from the first Turbid Stream Grade A Diseased Domain. It is called the Five Peaks Bell. Its effect is very simple—it allows me to summon the cavalry of the Five Peaks Daoist Grounds.”

The cavalry were divided by three tiers of ritual altars.

The lowest tier comprised the Five Madness and Five Camps Cavalry.

The middle tier comprised the Five Peaks and City God Cavalry.

The highest tier typically referred to those formed from the Elemental Qi of the Thunder Division.

The phrase ‘Qi of the Heavens Brimming Vast’ referred to this upper-tier altar cavalry.

As for the immortal subjects of Immortal Gods and the Buddha followers, they belonged to another category.

Clang!

Zhang Guanxin shook the Imperial Bell. The earth’s energy surged, manifesting into a ritual altar with flags of earthy yellow standing tall.

The Qi of Wu Earth converged, and in front of him, five colossal cavalrymen emerged, riding stone tigers and clad in soil-yellow armor, exuding fierce and imposing auras.

Each one possessed strength at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

“These are the Hundred-Battle Elites of the Five Peaks. The summoned realm depends on my own cultivation. Once I ascend to the Law Seed Stage, I will be able to summon centurions of that realm. As for Old Talisman-level generals... I’ll need the Five Peaks Marshal Talisman to mobilize them.”

“Even so, with the reinforcement of the earth veins beneath our feet, their strength will be bolstered to high-level Foundation Establishment. You still have time to concede.”

Zhang Guanxin did not conceal his abilities—he intended to defeat Zhao Yinman in a fair and upright battle.

Then, using absolute talent to sweep the tide, he would purge the decadent aura from the Daoist community.

Zhao Yinman’s expression remained calm. She gave no reply.

Her courtesy was not reserved for the unreasonable.

Zhang Guanxin hadn’t expected her to concede. He gave the order:

“Crush her!”

As his voice fell, the five cavalrymen reached out, stone fragments gathering into massive stone spears, and charged toward Zhao Yinman.

Though only five, they kicked up a storm of dust, as if a thousand troops surged forward!

“Granted by the Celestial Master, talismans rise at will!”

In response, she formed hand seals with her fingers, her long red hair fluttering. Thunder Explosion Talismans flew out from her sleeves one after another.

“Mere second-grade Thunder Explosion Talismans—these can’t shake my Five Peaks Cavalry!”

Zhang Guanxin sneered. However, he soon lost his smile.

Because the number of talismans continued to grow, rapidly covering all directions, blanketing the entire arena’s floor and sky.

At a glance—hundreds, even thousands!

And the number was still rising, blocking the cavalry’s advance.

“What the hell!? Does she draw talismans at no cost? No failure rate?”

Zhang Guanxin was stunned. Thunder Explosion Talismans might appear ordinary, but when accumulated to a certain number, they truly could trigger a qualitative change.

Hiss hiss hiss!

As he watched the Thunder Explosion Talismans begin to burn, his scalp tingled, and he quickly retreated!

However, Zhao Yinman pressed her index and middle fingers together into a sword seal, placed them before her, and softly said:

"Explode!"

Boom boom boom!

All the Thunder Explosion Talismans detonated at once. Countless thunder serpents slithered out, instantly reducing the five Five Peaks Cavalry to powder. The lightning continued to spread, engulfing the entire arena.

The thunderlight converged, forming a pillar of light that shot into the sky!

"If no one stops it, the entire Wuzhou is going to think we got struck by lightning!"

Yet before it could reach the boundary array, Zhou Li casually waved it away and reinforced the arena to prevent the shockwave from affecting the other contestants.

Bo Rui couldn't help but comment, "New talents rise in every generation. Good thing our wave of 'old-timers' didn’t have so many monsters back then, or we’d all have been beaten into hiding."

He had originally considered sealing his cultivation level to compete, thinking it would be a dimensional crush—but now, it looked more like he’d get beat up instead!

As for Master Fale, he stood ready to rush in and provide assistance at any moment.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

Strong winds swept over the lake, dispersing the dust and smoke.

By now, the arena was pitted with craters.

Zhang Guanxin’s clothes were in tatters, the Five Peaks Ritual Altar shattered, and even the Imperial Bell bore cracks—each one a stab to his heart. He formed the Lingguan Hand Seal with his right hand and roared:

"Since things have come to this, I won’t hold ba—"

Before he could finish his sentence, another barrage of Thunder Talismans came crashing down.

Zhao Yinman, zombie-like, raised her pale hands before her. Thunder Explosion Talismans continued to fly out from her sleeves.

Jiang Yan had taught her: if you can strike, don’t talk. Never give the opponent a moment to breathe.

Take advantage of the strong to bully the weak!

Jiang Yan shook his head at the sight. The kid didn’t realize that Humanoid Machine Zombies showed no emotional fluctuations, which meant almost zero error when drawing talismans. Their failure rate was nearly nonexistent.

Most importantly, she was a zombie—she didn’t need sleep, and could draw talismans day and night without rest.

A veritable ultimate talisman production line!

Moreover, Jiang Yan had devised a cost-reduction method for her—cutting one sheet of Supernatural-grade Yellow Talisman Paper into four. With her exquisite talisman-crafting skill, the power dropped by one-tenth, but...

The cost was reduced to a quarter.

What was originally one thousand talismans instantly became four thousand.

In the face of overwhelming quantity, such minor flaws were negligible.

"St-stop... I concede..."

A weak voice rang out, and the incoming talismans reversed course and flew back into Zhao Yinman’s sleeves.

Though Jiang Yan had taught her how to profit through expense reimbursement tricks, she didn’t like to waste either.

She still needed to save money to sleep with the Coffin Spirit.

"Winner: Zhao Yinman!"

As the victor was announced, the dust slowly cleared.

Zhang Guanxin lay on the ground, looking like a ragged beggar after an explosion, hair frizzed into a mess.

Master Fale’s palm transformed into a Glazed Treasure Vase—[Eastern Glazed Treasure Vase Law Seed], a bluish glow enveloping Zhang Guanxin as his injuries rapidly healed.

Yet Zhang Guanxin continued to lie on the ground, staring blankly at the sky.

He still had the Lingguan Hand Seal, the Ghost-Whipping Rod, and various ritual flags—none of which he had a chance to use.

But...

"A loss is a loss. Making excuses only proves one’s own incompetence."

Zhang Guanxin smiled with relief. Suddenly, he understood why his master had sent him to the Bureau of Historical Revision.

Only when one sees a wider sky can one realize their own insignificance.

Zhao Yinman felt no joy or sorrow, unburdened by her heart, seeing everything as Great Luo Heaven.

It was the water-like mindset of highest virtue, the dream of countless seekers of the Dao.

Perhaps, this was why the Ancestor favored her.

"To revere the Dao is to revere the Great Dao, not one's own path."

Zhang Guanxin murmured softly, his hesitant gaze firming with resolve as he spoke earnestly, "But I am a staunch human supremacist. I equally discriminate against all non-human races. Master, if this heart of mine dies, how can the Dao ever be born again!"

He suddenly sprang up, full of fighting spirit: "Zhao Yinman, give me ten years of bitter cultivation—I will definitely defeat you and prove that humanity is stronger than the alien races!"

However… there was no one in sight.

Zhao Yinman was already seated atop the Coffin Spirit, gently swinging her legs.

This place was still the most comfortable.

As for all the things Zhang Guanxin was jabbering about, she hadn’t listened to a single word.

This guy’s presence was less significant than one disdainful glance from the Coffin Spirit.

Such a spectacle naturally drew the attention of the entire venue.

Everyone secretly thought:

As expected of the Pan’an Sub-Bureau—none of them are easy to deal with.

The spell duels continued.

Jiang Yan still defeated opponents instantly with the Heart Monkey Arm.

Later on, even a mere glance from him caused opponents to surrender, giving no opportunity for the Heart Monkey Arm to even act.

Ge Xianyao and Di Shengyi swept through with invincibility.

Xiang Siyu bulldozed her way forward, her long halberd dancing like the overlord of old, exuding killing intent.

Shi Ju also awakened from unconsciousness. He looked at Jiang Yan with a complicated expression—one more loss and he would be eliminated. He didn’t dare slack off and began his streak of consecutive victories.

As their points steadily accumulated, the number of participants dwindled.

Soon, the drone matched the next round, drawing everyone’s attention.

This time it was…

Jiang Yan vs. Ge Xianyao!