Chapter 312: Heartache: Chen Jichuan Takes Action! [Vote for Monthly Tickets!]
"My elder brother is called 'Mogan Mountain.' In recent years, he has been cultivating in a meteorite belt two light-years away from Magic Sound Mountain. That area is rich in various mineral resources, allowing for rapid enhancement of strength. The terrain is complex, favorable for his abilities, and easy for him to escape."
Using Magic Sound Mountain as the center, numerous Divinity Transformation Stage cultivators continuously explore outwards, cultivating in the vast cosmos and searching for all kinds of treasures.
Even with the relentless efforts of many cultivators year after year, it is impossible to fully map every corner. Even within just two light-years of Magic Sound Mountain, it encompasses an immense region of nearly four hundred trillion miles in diameter across all directions.
Difficult even for Divine Transformation Realm experts to thoroughly sweep every corner with Divine Sense.
Do not be deceived by the illusion that two light-years is a small distance. In reality, once you venture out two light-years, without advanced calculation or tracking Magic Skills, no one can find another.
This isn't treasure hunting.
If it were a cave dwelling or a spirit land, one could explore based on individual techniques and various magical instruments. Energy fluctuations spanning millions, tens of millions, or even billions of miles in the starry sky could be pinpointed using various methods.
For instance, when a cave dwelling emerges—
Its energy turbulence could be sensed across a nearby expanse of hundreds of billions of miles.
The same applies to spirit lands.
Whether it's the growth of Spiritual Medicine or Spirit Ore deposits, there are always natural energy fluctuations that, when within range and using relevant methods, can be detected.
These are the capabilities of Divinity Transformation Stage cultivators.
Without these abilities, wandering aimlessly like headless flies through the vast cosmos, blindly relying on luck, how many opportunities could one stumble upon in a lifespan of 5,000 years?!
That's treasure hunting.
When it comes to treasures or treasure lands that are unshielded, they are relatively easy to discover.
However, searching for a person would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
Luckily, Xiao Lan was able to sense Moyun Demon Emperor, also known as 'Mogan Mountain,' through the connection formed by the 'Supreme Bone' and the 'Twin Immortal Vines.' Otherwise, there would've been no hope of reclaiming the Supreme Bone.
"Two light-years."
"That's manageable."
Chen Jichuan had already known this distance earlier.
If it were much farther, such as dozens of light-years away, the time wasted on the journey would have made him hesitate to accept this task.
But two light-years—
At the speed of 'Sun Chasing Walk,' it would take just over half a year to travel one way, making a round trip less than two years.
One transformed into a Demon Ape, the other into an Immortal Vine.
Maintaining triple the speed of light.
Eight months later—
They arrived at the meteorite belt Xiao Lan had mentioned.
...
In the starry sky—
Numerous small celestial bodies orbit the sun in bands, forming structures collectively known as 'meteorite belts.'
These celestial bodies range in size from dozens or hundreds of miles in diameter to as small as a few feet or even a few inches, with the smallest ones comparable in size to pebbles or dust particles.
During their orbital movement, these small celestial bodies often collide with each other.
Generally, any celestial body larger than three inches in diameter endures thousands or even tens of thousands of impacts from gravel or dust particles.
A Second-order True Person entering a meteorite belt would not last long before their Mana and strength would be exhausted by the endless collisions of gravel and dust, leading to their demise.
Only Divinity Transformation Stage cultivators can venture in, searching for rare minerals or even Exotic Treasures forming within the meteorites.
Chen Jichuan and Xiao Lan withdrew their 'Starry Sky Walking' and accelerated their physical bodies to enter the meteorite belt. In this environment, running amok recklessly or using 'Starry Sky Walking' would be suicidal.
Physical body flight was far more manageable.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Chen Jichuan moved with agility, avoiding the fast-moving meteorites. Sword Qi encircled his body, obliterating smaller fragments and particles with ease as he navigated the belt effortlessly.
Xiao Lan led the way ahead.
The two weaved through the meteorite belt, searching for traces of Moyun Demon Emperor.
In the meteorite belt, Divine Sense could not fully unfold and was compressed to within a range of ten thousand miles. However, Xiao Lan relied on her innate sensing abilities rather than Divine Sense, so this limitation did not hinder her search.
They moved directly closer.
After merely half a month, they spotted their target—
Name: Mogan Mountain (Moyun Demon Emperor)
Race: Immortal Vine · Moyun Vine
Age: 1,534
Level: 38
Cultivation: Divinity Transformation · Heavenly Human Realm Eighth Layer
Cultivation Technique: "Swallowing Star Mysterious Skill"
Magic Skills: Beast God Seven Kills, Undying Green Vine, ... (and more)
...
"Heavenly Human Realm Eighth Layer!"
"He's advanced another layer?"
Chen Jichuan gazed at Moyun Demon Emperor's massive form rooted to a giant meteorite in the distance, his eyebrows rising involuntarily.
Xiao Lan had previously informed him that, twenty years ago, Moyun Demon Emperor was at the Seventh Layer of the Heavenly Human Realm.
But now, it seemed he had already reached the Eighth Layer.
This meant Moyun Demon Emperor had grown even stronger over the past two decades.
"What a monster!"
Chen Jichuan was startled.
Back then—
To be precise, three hundred and twenty-four years ago—
Chen Jichuan had just advanced to Divinity Transformation and, on Sumei Island, had met Moyun Demon Emperor along with the other Six Great Demon Emperors. He had glimpsed Moyun Demon Emperor's foundation.
"At the time, he was only at the Second Layer of the Heavenly Human Realm and not even among the top tier of the Six Great Demon Emperors."
"In just three short centuries, he's grown to the Eighth Layer."
"No wonder Xiao Lan is panicking."
If this situation were reversed, he would also be anxious.
Regardless of whether Xiao Lan was once the same Moyun Vine, the fact remained that she now occupied this body. Due to the 'Supreme Bone,' her conflict with Moyun Demon Emperor was irreconcilable.
It was a fight to the death, sooner or later.
Unwilling to sit idle, Xiao Lan had chosen to launch a preemptive strike.
"Moyun Vine possesses the dual attributes of 'Wood' and 'Metal,' making it most vulnerable to Fire Skills."
"Shortly, I'll tie him down. Master, I'll need you to stand guard and prevent his escape."
On the journey here, Xiao Lan had already worked out a plan with Chen Jichuan, and now they were simply following it.
"Leave it to me, Fairy."
Chen Jichuan nodded, fixing his gaze on Moyun Demon Emperor in the distance, ready to act at a moment's notice.
Even if it weren't for twenty thousand Primordial Stones, or the two Exotic Fires, or the ancient ruins at stake, Chen Jichuan would have still given his utmost effort solely for Xiao Lan's future.
Xiao Lan was uncertain, but at this moment, she had no choice but to trust Chen Jichuan.
...
"One at the Fifth Layer of the Heavenly Human Realm."
"One at the Eighth Layer."
Chen Jichuan watched as Xiao Lan, without a word, rushed straight into battle, focusing intently.
The 'Immortal Vine' race was reputed to be extremely terrifying. As a direct subspecies, 'Moyun Vine' was only slightly inferior, yet far more formidable than many exotic beasts in the starry sky.
Its most powerful technique was said to be the 'Beast God Seven Kills.'
"According to legend, the ancestor of the 'Immortal Vine' once grew on an Immortal Beast Qilin's body as an ordinary green vine. Over time, through mystical evolution and the infiltration of Qilin Blood, it transformed into an 'Immortal Vine.'"
"The 'Beast God Seven Kills,' also known as the 'Qilin Seven Kills,' was a combat technique of the Immortal Beast Qilin, imprinted into the very bloodline of the Immortal Vine clan through countless battles, turning into an inherited ability."
From his vantage point, Chen Jichuan saw Xiao Lan mid-flight instantly transform into the form of her Moyun Vine body. A hundred and fifty vines danced wildly like serpentine dragons, each holding several talismans.
A quick scan by Chen Jichuan revealed—
"Four hundred and twenty!"
Four hundred and twenty Third-order Talismans. Even if these were the most basic among Third-order Talismans, they would still amount to a value of ten to twenty million Spirit Crystals. Each possessed might on par with the 'Five Elements Bead.'
To spend them all at once—forget Heavenly Human Realm cultivators—even Primordial Unity Realm experts would not dare to take it head-on.
"Truly extravagant!"
"Now this is what it means to fight with money!"
Chen Jichuan felt his blood boil at the sight.
Talismans were unleashed like a torrential downpour, riches raining down! Moyun Demon Emperor, despite having the upper hand in cultivation, was forced into disarray by Xiao Lan's relentless assault.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
One vine danced erratically, grabbing nearby meteorites to block incoming attacks, while Magical Treasures shrouded his body, additional talismans layered his defenses, and he launched counterattacks.
From a distant perspective—
The two verdant vines, lush and flourishing, battled fiercely amidst the chaotic meteorite belt. They moved along the trajectories of the meteorites, constantly shifting positions. As the theater of battle shifted across the starry sky, their exact location was ever-changing.
One retreating, the other pursuing.
Indistinguishably matched.
Amid the exchanges, meteorites shattered and scattered, with even those spanning hundreds of miles in diameter being obliterated.
Moyun Demon Emperor fought and retreated simultaneously.
However, Xiao Lan's wealth overshadowed everything.
Offensive talismans!
Defensive talismans!
A seemingly endless torrent, piling attack upon attack.
She even flung out a yellow light that Chen Jichuan recognized—it was a 'Yellow Jacket Stinger,' famed for its insidious lethality, far surpassing the 'Black Mold Nail' and the 'Sky Wolf Nail.'
Moyun Demon Emperor excelled at cultivation level.
Originally, Chen Jichuan had been anticipating an epic showdown between two Moyun Vines, eager to witness the grandeur of the 'Beast God Seven Kills.'
Yet from the very beginning, Xiao Lan abandoned conventional tactics, refusing to give Moyun Demon Emperor any chance to showcase his abilities. Her endless barrage of talismans and Magical Treasures stunned both Moyun Demon Emperor and Chen Jichuan.
"Ten million!"
"Twenty million!"
"Thirty million!"
Chen Jichuan's eyelid twitched uncontrollably.
Before his eyes, Xiao Lan had already expended an estimated sixty million Spirit Crystals worth of multilevel talismans, leaving Moyun Demon Emperor battered and bruised. A hundred and eighty of his vines were repeatedly destroyed, and one Magical Treasure after another was obliterated.
Defeat appeared imminent.
With his vines quivering, it was clear Moyun Demon Emperor intended to flee.
Xiao Lan, observing this, tensed immediately. She flung thirteen 'Golden Light Talismans' to seal the surrounding space while shouting to Chen Jichuan, "Master, intercept him!"
Thirteen Golden Light Talismans.
They were none other than the 'Minor Zhou Tian Immortal Sealing Talismans,' said to be capable of sealing even immortals. Each talisman was worth an astonishing ten thousand Primordial Stones.
Thirteen of them.
That was a staggering value of 130 million Spirit Crystals.
"Throwing away sixty million casually."
"Followed by 130 million with just a wave."
"And she's offering me only twenty thousand?!"
Chen Jichuan's heart ached. If Xiao Lan had handed over the Primordial Stones she spent on talismans instead, he'd have been willing to capture Moyun Demon Emperor alive even at the cost of his life.
What a waste of those talismans.
What a waste of all those Primordial Stones.
Chen Jichuan was caught between complex emotions, but his actions were prompt and decisive.
"Do not worry, Fairy. I, Xu, am here!"
With a sweep of his Wind Thunder Wings, the Fire Phoenix Ring on his hand erupted in 'Daluo Heavenly Fire,' engulfing the starry sky, igniting the void, and firmly encircling Moyun Demon Emperor.
"You?!"
"Not good!"
Moyun Demon Emperor recognized Chen Jichuan and initially paid him no mind, assuming that, after all, he had only advanced to Divinity Transformation three hundred years ago—how strong could he possibly be?
But as the all-encompassing flames surrounded him, dread surged in Moyun Demon Emperor's heart, leaving him speechless.
He could feel death closing in, and without further hesitation—
"Mozhi Water!"
"Mark my words!"
"I will return for you!"
Moyun Demon Emperor's resentful cry resonated as 180 newly sprung vines intertwined, forming an avatar of a Qilin Immortal Beast. It roared at the heavens, stomped its feet, and spat out a Demon Core.
He intended to break through the 'Minor Zhou Tian Immortal Sealing Talismans' and escape the clutches of the 'Daluo Heavenly Fire.'
"Master, stop him quickly!"
"This is the 'Beast God Run,' the seventh form of the 'Beast God Seven Kills,' a secret escape technique. By unleashing all its essence, it tears through the void using a Grand Movement technique to flee."
"At his cultivation level, the full force of this technique could teleport him across several galaxies."
"Once successful, it will be nearly impossible to track him down later."
Xiao Lan spoke rapidly, the urgency breaking through her usual cold composure.
"Beast God Seven Kills."
"Beast God Run."
Seeing this, Chen Jichuan activated his Wind Thunder Wings and flashed directly in front of Moyun Demon Emperor. With a swift motion of his sleeve, he captured the Demon Core—a concentration of billions of mineral essences and immense vitality—before it could detonate.
In a flash, it disappeared without a trace.
"How can this be?!"
Moyun Demon Emperor was aghast, desperately trying to sense the Demon Core. Though he still retained a faint connection to it, the minimal link was utterly insufficient to trigger its detonation, let alone escape via it using 'Beast God Run!'
Chen Jichuan, seizing the upper hand, pressed on relentlessly.
With a flick of his sleeve, he secured the Demon Core on his back. Raising his other arm, another sweeping motion of his sleeve struck Moyun Demon Emperor.
Bam!
Bam!
Bam!
Moyun Demon Emperor stumbled backward, unable to stabilize, his body spiraling as he was captured and suppressed entirely within Chen Jichuan's sleeve.
"Fourth Realm."
"Super-level Techniques."
"How could an injured Eighth-Layer Heavenly Human Realm opponent dream of withstanding this?!"
Chen Jichuan clasped his hands behind him, stepping lightly onto a nearby meteorite under Xiao Lan's feet.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Asteroids whizzed past his ears; the meteor underfoot streaked forward at high velocity.
Chen Jichuan pointed to the heavens.
Golden light bloomed, forming into a sealing sigil.
"Reveal yourself!"
With a flick of his sleeve, the human-form Moyun Demon Emperor tumbled out like a rolling gourd, falling directly into the seal of the 'Innate One Qi Demon-locking Bone-shrinking Great Method.'
No longer capable of resisting.
...