Shawn Young instantly recognized that sinister, eerie laugh—it was the same voice he'd heard in the sewer fighting the Blackblood Quishu Rat. This had to be the mysterious figure! Steeling himself, Shawn looked over and saw a middle-aged Taoist priest in a yellow robe. He was short, with a sharp, mean face, narrow, glinting eyes, drooping eyebrows, and a sickly yellow complexion. The whole man seemed wrapped in a chilling, evil aura that made anyone uneasy just looking at him.
Shawn was startled: "That sickly yellow face, fierce as a tiger—a sign of a bloodthirsty killer!"
The 'Observing People' section of the Codex of Ascension recorded—anyone with such an ominous appearance is bound to be a villain of the highest order! Cruel, cold-blooded, and utterly twisted, willing to do anything to achieve their goals. Out of millions, you’d rarely find one. This Taoist must have practiced extremely evil arts, which is why his face radiated such intense malice!
Shawn watched as the Taoist held a strange little black jade bottle with its cap twisted off, covered in bizarre runes. The Chibaku’s soul spun around the mouth of the bottle before being sucked inside. The middle-aged Taoist began chanting, his voice rising and falling, speeding up and slowing down, each syllable vibrating with an eerie magic. Shawn could tell it was some kind of weird spell.
Soon, the Taoist finished his chant. A flash of red light burst around the bottle, and he quickly slapped a talisman-sealed stopper onto it with a loud 'pop!' Then he turned and gave Shawn a chillingly sinister grin.
“Who are you, really? Why did you show up here?” Shawn demanded coldly.
“Heh heh—Kid! You’ve got some luck, huh? Actually managed to cultivate Celestial Essence! And your power’s grown so fast in such a short time—you must have some major destiny! I really underestimated you at first, you know! Hmph—” The Taoist didn’t answer Shawn’s question, but spoke in a voice dripping with jealousy.
Shawn was shocked. Other than Grandmaster Tai Xuan of the Hongmen, this was only the second time anyone had ever seen through his cultivation technique. He immediately grew wary and barked, “Who the hell are you? How do you know I’m cultivating Celestial Essence?!”
“Heh heh—Kid, people like you and me are born with talent, destined for more than ordinary lives. One day, our achievements will be beyond what mere mortals can imagine. I’ve cultivated for decades and consider my Daoist skills pretty good. The energy in you—I can sense it easily!” the Taoist sneered.
So, you’re collecting evil spirits’ souls. What do you plan to do with them?” Shawn pressed.
Hmph, I collect these evil souls brimming with the power of heaven and earth for my own supreme cultivation! And I should thank you, kid—you’ve helped me out more than once, saved me a lot of trouble! Keh—keh—keh—” The middle-aged Taoist grinned with smug delight.
Shawn was stunned, his mind racing. Suddenly, it all made sense, and he said coldly, “So you’re the one who wrecked the Grand Soil Seal in the city’s sewers! The sudden appearance of the Nether Wyrm and those Ghouls must be your doing too! All to create the Chibaku, then harvest its soul for your own cultivation! Am I right?!”
Keh—keh—keh—Not bad, kid. You’re pretty sharp, figured it out so quickly. I’m almost starting to like you!” The Taoist admitted with a cold, sneering laugh.
Screw you! You’re so ugly, I don’t need you to like me!” Shawn couldn’t help but curse.
The Taoist’s face darkened at that. “Brat, you’ve ruined my plans more than once. I haven’t even settled the score with you yet! Don’t tell me you really think you’re so powerful now?!”
Ruined your plans? Screw you, old man! You got your way and snatched up a bunch of evil souls thanks to me, and now you’re whining and playing the victim!” Shawn cursed again, unable to hold back.
Hmph! If you hadn’t wrecked my Five Fiends Hidden Serpent Poison Array, and destroyed my soul-sucking Divine Gu Bug, I would’ve already broken through to the highest realm of Daoist power! Tell me, what punishment do you deserve?” The Taoist glared at Shawn with those cold, narrow eyes.
Oh! So it was Hu Wanshan teaming up with you to set up that evil formation, huh? Damn, I searched everywhere—turns out the real culprit is you! Well, that saves me a lot of trouble! What sect or school are you from, old man? How could you do such wicked, life-shortening things?!” Shawn demanded coldly.
Hmph—You sure talk big, kid! Today, I’ll have some fun with you! My Daoist name is Wuxiang! I hail from the Celestial Master Sect of Dragon Tiger Mountain!” The Taoist finally revealed his name.
Damn it, the Celestial Master Sect of Dragon Tiger Mountain is the orthodox Daoist school—respected by all cultivators. How could they have a scumbag like you?! You’re not just slapping the sect’s name on yourself to look good, are you?” Shawn was exasperated, clearly not buying it.
Wuxiang sneered, “Kid, I’ll make you believe it soon enough! Come on! Let’s see whose power wins—your Celestial Essence or my Dragon Tiger Primordial Force from the Celestial Master Sect!”
With that, Wuxiang tucked the black jade bottle into his robe, stepped back, and shook out his Taoist robes. His body tensed, and a surge of domineering purple energy erupted, swirling around him in waves, radiating an overwhelming, intimidating aura!
“Whoa—this is the legendary orthodox Daoist technique—the Dragon Tiger Primordial Force! Damn, this old guy really is a master of the Celestial Master Sect!” As soon as Shawn saw the energy pouring off Wuxiang, he believed the guy was the real deal. Only a top expert from the Celestial Master Sect could unleash a force that rivaled the Celestial Essence!
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Wuxiang snorted, his hands flying as he quickly formed a complex mudra in front of his chest—thumbs and pinkies clasped, the other fingers extended in the signature “Jade Purity Seal” favored by Celestial Master experts. Shawn recognized it instantly.
Shawn knew this was the strongest enemy he’d ever faced. He didn’t hesitate—he took a deep breath, focused his mind, and pushed his Celestial Essence to the max. Hands up, left fist clenched, right hand forming the “Great Celestial Seal”—red light surged around him, crackling with electricity, forming a barrier of energy.
“Impressive—take this!” Wuxiang shouted, swinging his arms at Shawn—“Whoosh—” Instantly, purple flames exploded from all directions, surging toward Shawn with terrifying force, like a tidal wave. Even the air around them seemed to shake and suffocate!
The red energy shield around Shawn was battered by the flames, as if being torn apart. He could feel the scorching heat rushing at him, almost overwhelming.
“Damn! That’s the Purple Flame Dragon God Spell!” Shawn felt dizzy and breathless. He knew if he didn’t fight back now, he’d be burned to ashes in less than thirty seconds!
Without hesitation, he bit his tongue, spat blood into his palm, and pushed his Celestial Essence to the limit. He chanted at lightning speed: “Heaven and earth, five colors born, nine changes unfold, Thunder God smites demons, Fire God roars, Eightfold Divine Thunder, divine weapon blazes, appear now by decree—Break!” He flung his hands toward the sky.
“Whoosh—whoosh—” Two blazing red beams shot skyward. Instantly, the clouds twisted and churned, turning crimson. “Rumble—rumble—” Thunder crashed in the red clouds, lightning snaking down like fire serpents, whipping toward Wuxiang. This was Shawn’s strongest spell—the Eightfold Divine Thunder! Without biting his tongue to power it up, he couldn’t have cast it at his current level. This kind of spell could shake mountains and drain lakes!
Wuxiang’s face changed dramatically. He hadn’t expected Shawn’s power to be so much greater than he'd guessed! The searing lightning lashed out like whips. With no other choice, Wuxiang howled, “Primordial Spirit! Reveal your true form!!”
“Roar—” A phantom black tiger appeared above his head, wrapping around his body. Wuxiang was forced to unleash his Primordial Spirit, barely holding off the storm of red lightning.
Boom—boom—boom—
A storm of red and purple lightning and fire twisted and roared, shaking the ground and mountains. Even from kilometers away at Fengling Villa, you could see the twin beams of purple and red shooting into the sky!
Inside the valley, it was like a hurricane had swept through—rocks and sand flying everywhere, “Boom—boom—” Two massive explosions echoed overhead. The blinding twin beams flashed and vanished in an instant! As the echoes faded, silence returned to the valley.