Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 88 Incomprehensible

Behind the hidden door was a small, secret room.

In the center of the secret chamber stood a black altar, upon which rested a blood-red longsword.

A dark red light flowed across the blade of the longsword, as if blood were flowing within it.

A blood-red gem was inlaid on the hilt of the sword, emitting an eerie light.

Evil weapon!

Zhou Ning felt a sudden chill run down his spine.

He could sense that the sword contained extremely powerful resentment and killing intent. If the Black Mountain Demon were to forge it, countless people would suffer.

He reached out and grasped the hilt of the sword.

A bone-chilling coldness seeped into his body from the sword hilt, almost freezing his arm.

At the same time, the resentment within the sword began to erode his consciousness, attempting to control his mind.

"Such a powerful evil aura!"

Zhou Ning gritted his teeth and channeled his true energy into his arm to dispel the chill.

At the same time, he silently recited the "Mind Concentration Mantra" to calm his mind.

The resentment within the sword gradually subsided as he resisted.

Zhou Ning took the blood sword from the altar and put it into his bag.

"Got it, let's go."

He turned around, ready to leave.

However, at that moment, a deep voice came from behind.

"You actually dared to come here? You've got some nerve."

Zhou Ning turned around abruptly and saw the Black Mountain Demon standing at the door of the secret chamber, his blood-red eyes fixed on him.

"I knew you would come back," the Black Mountain Demon said calmly.

"You think an invisibility talisman can fool me? From the moment I sensed your presence, I knew you were in my palace."

Zhou Ning gripped the Qingfeng sword tightly, watching him warily.

"What do you want?"

The Black Mountain Demon laughed.

"I don't want anything. I let you go last time because the elixir reminded me of a very old friend. I felt guilty towards him, so I let you go. But recently I suddenly understood and let it go."

"So I'm waiting for you again, but this time, you're not so lucky."

He stretched out his hand, and a cloud of black mist appeared in his palm.

Leave your sword behind, and I might grant you a complete corpse.

"Give it a try."

The Black Mountain Demon's face darkened: "I feel like I've been underestimated."

He raised his hand, and a black beam of light shot out from his palm, heading straight for Zhou Ning.

Zhou Ning was prepared and dodged the beam of light with a swift movement.

At the same time, he slashed out with his sword, and golden sword energy pierced through the air.

The Black Mountain Demon did not dodge, but simply raised his other hand and flicked it lightly.

A burst of black energy shot out, shattering the sword energy.

"Your strength has improved slightly since three months ago. But it's still not enough in front of me."

He formed a mudra with his hands and chanted incantations.

The ground began to shake, and countless black chains surged from underground, wrapping around Zhou Ning.

Zhou Ning used his lightness technique to weave and dodge among the chains.

But the chains were too fast and too numerous, and soon blocked his escape route.

"It's that trick again."

Zhou Ning gritted his teeth, pulled out three "evil-repelling talismans" from his waist, and threw them at the chains.

Three golden beams of light struck several chains, snapping them instantly.

But more chains surged up and surrounded him.

Zhou Ning suddenly recalled a saying: "All things in heaven and earth are mutually generating and mutually restraining."

This made Zhou Ning suddenly think of the Buddha's relic. Immediately, Zhou Ning took out the Buddha's relic from his bosom and poured his true essence into it.

"Let's give it our all!"

The Buddha relic emitted a dazzling golden light, a light that was warm and peaceful, carrying a power to purify everything.

Wherever the light touched, the black chains melted and dissipated into black smoke.

The Black Mountain Demon's expression changed: "Buddha's relics? Where did you get them?"

Zhou Ning did not answer, but raised the Buddha relic high.

The golden light grew stronger and stronger, illuminating the entire secret chamber as if it were daytime.

The Black Mountain Demon took a few steps back amidst the light, his eyes filled with apprehension.

"You think a Buddha relic can defeat me?" he sneered.

"Too naive."

He suddenly opened his mouth and spewed out a cloud of black mist.

The mist condensed in the air, transforming into a giant black hand that slammed down towards Zhou Ning.

Zhou Ning raised the Buddha relic, and golden light transformed into a shield of light, blocking the black palm.

"boom!"

The two forces collided, producing a deafening explosion.

The secret chamber shook violently, and the runes on the walls began to flicker.

Zhou Ning was forced back several steps, and a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

The light of the Buddha's relics also dimmed somewhat.

The Black Mountain Demon was also forced back a step, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Your resolve to pursue the Dao is much stronger than it was three months ago. It seems you haven't wasted these past three months."

He withdrew the black mist and stood with his hands behind his back.

"Zhou Ning, considering you are Yan Chixia's disciple, I'll give you one more chance. Leave your sword behind, and I can let you go."

Zhou Ning shook his head: "Impossible. I must take this sword with me no matter what."

The Black Mountain Demon was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"Good, that's principled. I admire people like you."

He turned and walked toward the door of the secret room.

"You can leave now."

Zhou Ning was taken aback, not knowing what was going on.

"You're letting me go?"

Without turning his head, the Black Mountain Demon said, "Fine, I don't want to kill you today. Consider it giving Yan Chixia some face."

His figure disappeared through the doorway.

Zhou Ning stood there, silent for a long time.

He didn't know why the Black Mountain Demon had let him go.

But since he had the opportunity to leave, he naturally wouldn't miss it.

He carefully put away the Buddha's relics and quickly left the secret chamber.

When we stepped out of the stone gate, it was already getting light.

The morning light shone on Black Mountain, bathing everything in a golden glow.

Zhou Ning glanced back at the demonic mountain, a complex feeling welling up inside him.

The Black Mountain Demon could have killed him, but he didn't.

Why is that?

He shook his head, banishing these distracting thoughts, and strode quickly southward.

After walking for about an hour, a small hill appeared ahead.

Standing on the hill was a man, none other than Han Wei.

"Young Master Zhou, you're back!" Han Wei was overjoyed to see him.

"I thought you..."

Zhou Ning smiled and said, "Don't worry, Lord Han, I'm tough."

He took the blood-red longsword from his bag and handed it to Han Wei.

"This is the evil artifact that the Black Mountain Demon was trying to forge. I've already taken it out, so the blood sacrifice can't be performed."

Han Wei took the longsword and sensed the powerful resentment contained within it; his expression changed drastically.

"Such powerful evil energy! If the Black Mountain Demon were to refine this, I wonder how many people it would kill."

He carefully put away his longsword and bowed deeply to Zhou Ning.

"Young Master Zhou, you have saved countless lives. On behalf of the Demon Suppression Division, I thank you."

Zhou Ning helped him up: "Lord Han, you're too kind. Slaying demons and monsters is simply our duty."

He paused, then continued, "Lord Han, the Black Mountain Demon is too powerful; we are no match for him. We must unite with more righteous cultivators to fight him."

Han Wei nodded: "You're right. I'll report back to the commander-in-chief and request support when I get back."

Zhou Ning said, "Then I'll go back to Lanruo Temple first and report the situation to my master. We'll contact each other again once we have the results."

Han Wei nodded, took out a jade talisman from his pocket, and handed it to Zhou Ning.

"This is the communication jade token of my Demon Suppression Division. I will notify you if there is any news."

Zhou Ning took the jade talisman and put it away.

The two said goodbye and went their separate ways.

Zhou Ning traveled south for half a month before finally returning to Qingyun Mountain.