Chapter 185: The Third Spirit (1)

His name was Quanyi, and his other name was Junbao. He was also called Lata because he didn’t care about his appearance and looked messy.

He was slender and tall, with his beard and hair sharp as a halberd.

……

His exploits were mystical and unfathomable. With a single swing of his sword, five heads would fall.

Spitting flames from his mouth as if he were an immortal, many commoners thought of him as a ghostly deity.

……

『History of Ming, □□□□□□□□□ Record』

There was no fog inside the Heaven-Slaying Demon Valley.

It was a mysterious phenomenon.

Looking up, one could see the clear sky through the crevices in the rocks.

At night, the densely packed stars above would pour down into this place.

The starlight would illuminate the Seven Stars Altar located here. That altar must be the one right in front of him.

As Go Yo-ja had said, the Seven Stars Altar looked extraordinary. A strong spiritual energy could be felt.

“Sorry… cough.”

As White Monkey Demonic Hand continued to kneel and apologize, Yi-gang could not afford to be distracted by the mystical aura of the Seven Stars Altar.

More important than the altar was the man sitting on it.

A tall man with a large build was sitting with his back turned.

The arms that supported his body were bulging with tendons, and his rough beard and disheveled hair seemed ghostly.

It must be a ghost, as his body appeared translucent…

“Keuk, keu…”

White Monkey Demonic Hand continued to apologize until he finally breathed his last.

It was not strange. Looking closely, the area behind his ears was blue—a sign of poisoning. It seems Tang Eun-seol’s poison had taken effect.

And with an arm severed and bleeding like that, it was only natural, regardless of any extreme conditions.

However, that kneeling figure.

What could be the reason that someone who once raged madly was now weeping and apologizing?

The one who reduced the notorious White Monkey Demonic Hand to this state seemed to be none other than the ghost before him.

‘No, is it really a ghost?’

Yi-gang could see spirits. Yet, the spirit before him gave off a different vibe from those he had encountered before. It was fundamentally different.

If White Monkey Demonic Hand ended up like this because of this spirit, then it was indeed so.

「Ahem, I feel hollow…」

Yi-gang was startled by the resonant voice of the spirit.

He roughly stroked his coarse beard and turned around.

Yi-gang flinched and froze.

The appearance of the man who turned around was terrifying.

His eyebrows, beard, and hair were all pitch black and rough.

His eyes were like those of a tiger, and his physique was extraordinarily impressive. It was as if he were looking at figures from ancient times like the Hegemon-King of Chu Xiang Yu or Zhang Fei Yide.

He was no ordinary person.

Yi-gang could not help but recall stories he had heard in the Kunlun Sect.

‘Is this the identity of the demon said to be in the Heaven-Slaying Demon Valley?’

The spirit of a strange person with a ghost-like face wearing shabby clothes. He lacked only horns, otherwise, he resembled a goblin.

He might be associated with the Demon Cult or even the Heavenly Demon.

‘Or perhaps… the Heavenly Demon himself?’

Looking at that fierce face, one might believe it was the spirit of the Heavenly Demon.

「The mess has gotten worse. A lot of blood has been shed.」

However, it was said that the Heavenly Demon himself sealed this place.

Yi-gang quietly listened to the spirit speaking.

「Now I have no strength left… who else is there?」

The spirit, sitting with one leg crossed, glared at Yi-gang.

「Please go. I no longer have the strength to reveal myself and impart teachings.」

Despite the rough voice like scraping metal, his manner of speaking was rather mild.

Yi-gang remained silent for the moment.

Suddenly, the man revealed his teeth ferociously.

It was only later that Yi-gang understood this to be a smile.

「Hehe, what’s the use, you won’t be able to hear my voice anyway…」

At that, Yi-gang realized.

The spirit in front of him thought Yi-gang couldn’t see him.

He seemed able to hide and reveal his appearance as he wished.

「It’s a pity. After so long, someone with clear eyes has come to this place frequented only by evil demonic martial artists.」

The eyes of the spirit saying this did not appear particularly clear. They were just intense.

「I wonder if the disciples back at Wudang have eyes like yours.」

At the mention of “Wudang’s disciples,” Yi-gang was startled.

Was this grotesquely-featured man really a martial artist of Wudang? It would be more believable if he were said to be a bandit.

It seemed that the spirit, having been alone for a long time, had developed the habit of talking to himself.

Yi-gang was even more surprised by what came next.

「I wonder if they know I, Yuan Yuanzi, am staying in this den of demonic practitioners.」

It was a shock like a bolt of lightning.

Upon hearing the Taoist name Yuan Yuanzi, Yi-gang immediately realized the identity of the other.

「But… it really seems like you are looking directly at me.」

The grim-faced man who brought his face close up to Yi-gang’s nose—a legendary Taoist who turned the Wudang Sect into the prominent orthodox sect.

The only person who could rival the Heavenly Demon. The best in the world before the era of the Heavenly Demon. An unrivaled genius who was always counted among the greatest of all time…

“Zhang… Sanfeng?”

「Gasp!」

Zhang Sanfeng was startled to realize that Yi-gang could see him.

Yi-gang was equally shocked.

“Is it really you? Really…”

「Ahem, uh-hum. Thou…」

Zhang Sanfeng quickly coughed to clear his throat and corrected his posture.

Still, his untidy and intense appearance remained, hardly resembling a Taoist.

「Do you know me? No, can you see me?」

“Yes, I can see you.”

「Since when… no, um…」

Despite his rough appearance, he spoke candidly to Yi-gang.

Then he took a closer look at Yi-gang.

「You have awakened spiritual eyes. Moreover… oh, I can’t see the mark of oblivion.」

“Excuse me?”

Zhang Sanfeng spoke of something astonishing.

Until now, no one, including the Immortal Divine Sword and the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon, had recognized Yi-gang’s reincarnation immediately.

The same was true for the statement about having the eyes of insight.

Only an immortal like Queen Mother of the West had noticed it.

「Is this also fate from the heavens? Has a young man who has come after a long time become a vessel containing the Tao?」

Yi-gang remembered the legends about Zhang Sanfeng.

He had ascended to immortality while still alive. In other words, he had become an immortal.

“…Are you truly an immortal, Sage?”

Was this why Zhang Sanfeng did not seem like an ordinary spirit? Like the Immortal Divine Sword and the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon, no medium containing a spirit was visible.

Zhang Sanfeng burst out in a hearty laugh.

「I have gained the qualifications of an earthly immortal… but, embarrassingly, I have lingering attachments and cannot leave.」

Zhang Sanfeng truly spoke as if he had become an immortal. If he had the qualifications of an earthly immortal, he could ascend to the heavens at any moment.

However, unexpectedly, he remained deep within the Kunlun Mountains, unnoticed by anyone.

Yi-gang became curious about the reason.

「Are you a disciple of a Taoist sect?」

“Yes, I am a disciple of the Azure Forest.”

「Oh, I thought so. The clarity of the young priest’s eyes suggests you have mastered the orthodox cultivation art. Are you a swordsman?」

He glanced at Yi-gang’s sword while speaking.

Zhang Sanfeng was considered the greatest swordsman of Wudang throughout history.

Although the Immortal Divine Sword was a beloved ancestor of Yi-gang, there would be some shortcomings in comparison.

“Yes, I am also a descendant of the Baek Noble Clan.”

「Were you fighting against those fiends that swarmed from outside?」

The casually made comment snapped Yi-gang back to reality.

He had completely forgotten the situation due to the sudden appearance of the legend, Zhang Sanfeng.

With White Monkey Demonic Hand dead, he needed to return quickly and join his group. The Seven Stars Altar could be dealt with later.

“I think I need to go!”

「Wait a moment.」

Zhang Sanfeng stopped Yi-gang as he was about to leave.

He searched through the belongings of the lifeless White Monkey Demonic Hand. Surprisingly, he seemed to be able to exert some physical force despite being a spirit.

「Take this with you.」

“This is…”

It was a unique object. It resembled a compass, equipped with a loop so it could be hung at the waist.

It emanated an unusual energy, suggesting it was no ordinary compass.

「This fiend carried it, and it seems to be a precious item, but it feels uncomfortable for me, so please take it.」

“Ah, I will return.”

「Is that so…?」

Nevertheless, it was not something he could not accept.

Yi-gang hesitantly took the compass from Zhang Sanfeng’s hand.

Or rather, he tried to take it.

It was the moment Yi-gang’s hand touched the tip of Zhang Sanfeng’s hand.

The yokai Qi of the Heavenly Thunder Bell automatically reacted.

Crack.

Sparks flew, and trouble ensued.

It was like when paper met ink.

Zhang Sanfeng’s spirit was swiftly sucked into Yi-gang’s body.

“Oops!”

It was an event not even the half-immortal Zhang Sanfeng could have anticipated.

Yi-gang exclaimed in disbelief.

「What are you doing now!」

“What am I doing? It… it happened on its own.”

「Please return my body.」

“I’m trying to do just that… but why it isn’t working, this thing.”

Possession was not supposed to be this easy.

Yet, it had happened so absurdly. Perhaps because Zhang Sanfeng wasn’t bound to any medium.

Moreover, he couldn’t immediately reverse the possession.

Yi-gang realized the problem.

「If the possession is released now, I might collapse.」

He hadn’t used any True Qi or moved violently yet, so he might be alright, but it would become difficult to return and find his group.

Then, a scream was heard from outside.

“Aaaaah!”

It was a scream from Peng Gu-in.

Even with the presence of the Supreme Peak master Go Yo-ja, Peng Gu-in had been seriously injured. The situation outside was clearly not good.

Mysteriously, Zhang Sanfeng seemed to sense the situation outside and spoke.

“There’s quite a strong fiend, and another one that’s slightly less formidable.”

Yi-gang quickly assessed the situation.

And he made a request.

「…Can the Sage do something about it?」

Since Zhang Sanfeng had already possessed him, it seemed right to get his assistance.

If Zhang Sanfeng’s martial prowess were even a fraction of what the records suggested, it would be immensely reassuring.

“I’ve never been out of here before…”

「…Sorry?」

“It’s a bit difficult to leave…”

The sound of clashing spears and swords reached here, and he hesitated.

Yi-gang had no choice but to shout.

「Then at least return my body!」

“Ahem, well, alright, I understand.”

Once Yi-gang shouted, he quickly relented.

Such behavior was hardly befitting an immortal. Yi-gang felt somewhat let down by this legendary Taoist.

“I, for the sake of the young priest, will strike down the fiends.”

However, any misgivings dispersed the moment Zhang Sanfeng drew his sword.

There was no sound as the sword was drawn.

Suddenly, the meteorite sword seemed to have been drawn all along.

“But, the body of the young priest may not withstand it.”

Without any sword energy, he drew the meteorite sword downwards, slicing the Seven Stars Altar as if it were tofu.

The radiant spiritual energy embedded in the altar was revealed to the world.

Still, there was no noise.

“Let’s borrow the power of the Seven Stars.”

Zhang Sanfeng absorbed that bright mass of spiritual energy with his sword.

The meteorite sword was enveloped in starlight.

A true manifestation of Sword Aura. It was a cluster of energy of the stars.

The beauty was so surreal that Yi-gang was at a loss for words.

However, Zhang Sanfeng did not even glance at the beauty of the Sword Aura.

He had to go outside to help his companions, but why was he already emitting Sword Aura?

Could it be that he intended to climb over the rocks using one hand not holding the sword?

That question was soon answered.

Zhang Sanfeng simply stabbed the sword into thin air.

“Hmm.”

The sword that shot out energetically did not stop.

The hand holding the sword was dragged, the arm was dragged, and so was Yi-gang’s body.

In short, Zhang Sanfeng flew with the sword.

「Levitation…?」

Yi-gang knew it wasn’t a spell.

It was clearly pure martial prowess.

“It must be close to sword flight.”

The flying sword moved Yi-gang’s body.

Zhang Sanfeng easily ascended atop a rock. The sword still harbored a cluster of stars.

Looking down, Yi-gang sighed.

The surrounding fog had somewhat cleared, revealing the situation clearly.

Go Yo-ja and the group were surrounded by members of the Demon Cult.

Peng Gu-in was down in the middle of the group, having been stabbed in the abdomen. Go Yo-ja was struggling in combat, but the disadvantage was clear.

This was because the two strongest-looking members of the Demon Cult were still standing back, arms crossed.

Among them, an elderly master kept kicking stones at Go Yo-ja to disrupt him.

It was so exquisitely done that he definitely seemed to be a Supreme Peak master.

「Please help us, Sage!」

At Yi-gang’s request, Zhang Sanfeng easily nodded.

“I will subdue them.”

Yi-gang expected Zhang Sanfeng to at least jump down.

Like the Immortal Divine Sword, he thought Zhang Sanfeng would descend like a wolf among sheep, decimating the Demon Cult members.

However, he merely casually placed down his sword.

The meteorite sword flew at neither a fast nor slow speed towards the two fiends who were standing with their arms crossed.

The fiends noticed the approaching sword.

White Hand Demonic Emperor and Dark Heaven Execution Pursuit Squad Leader. One was a master at the mid-level of Supreme Demon, and the other was at the entry level of Supreme Demon, so it was natural.

“Ha!”

“What is this…!”

They were astonished but acted calmly.

Dark Heaven Execution Pursuit Squad Leader drew out Sword Aura to block from the front, and White Hand Demonic Emperor also drew Hand Aura into both hands.

Yi-gang inwardly sighed.

「This…!」

No matter how effective the sword flight technique was, if they were so prepared, it seemed meaningless.

The Sword Aura from the meteorite sword did not seem weaker than the Auras of the two Supreme Demons.

Dark Heaven Execution Pursuit Squad Leader swung his sword confidently.

And then—Zhang Sanfeng’s Sword Aura—it eroded Dark Heaven Execution Pursuit Squad Leader’s Sword Aura like water dissolved salt, and then broke it.

The sword snapped with a clang.

The sword continued forward, touching the bridge of Dark Heaven Execution Pursuit Squad Leader’s nose and smoothly burrowing in.

“Khek.”

The sword blade touched his nasal cavity, reaching the point between the ears, and finally cut through the skull before passing through.

Zhang Sanfeng’s sword was not impeded for even a moment.

And White Hand Demonic Emperor, who had been waiting to use Hand Aura from behind Dark Heaven Execution Pursuit Squad Leader, was shocked.

“Eek!”

He ducked his head as he clashed with his Hand Aura.

Screech—

Thus, only his right wrist, still holding the Hand Aura, was severed, and it was over.

In an instant, one of the Supreme Demons was killed, and another lost his right hand.

Catching the handle of the sword as it flew back through the air, Zhang Sanfeng chuckled.

“Perhaps I’ve become rusty from too long a rest.”

Then he leaped into the air.

Instead of falling, he lightly stepped on thin air and leaped again.

The Heavens’ Ladder.

It was definitely a movement technique known to be at the level of immortals.

Everything he displayed was a state of being only heard of in legends.

「This can’t be real…」

Yi-gang sighed once more.

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