Tong Tianshu burst into a loud peal of laughter. “Heaven smiles upon me! Truly, heaven aids my cause!”
Li Muzhan exchanged a look with Li Yubing; both sensed immediate trouble.
With a flick of his wrist, Tong Tianshu sent Li Muzhan flying uncontrollably toward him. Gripping the back of his collar, Tong Tianshu hoisted him up as easily as one might carry a chick, his eyes wide with malice. “Boy, shatter every formation in this place for me!”
Li Muzhan shook his head. “The arrays here are too complex; I cannot break them.”
Tong Tianshu patted his cheek lightly. “Still trying to play games with me, little fellow! … Break this damnable setup, and I’ll spare your life. Fail, and even death will be a mercy—I’ll make you howl in agony for ten days and nights before you finally expire!”
Li Muzhan simply smiled. “If I can’t break it, I can’t break it. Killing me will do you no good!”
“Very well!” Tong Tianshu roared with laughter. His fingers, fair and smooth like a woman’s, tapped thrice upon Li Muzhan’s chest. With casual disdain, he said, “Let’s see just how tough your bones are!”
Three tendrils of icy, malevolent energy drilled into Li Muzhan, coiling through his meridians like frost serpents. They quickly split into three, one settling deep in his Dantian, another locking onto his sternum, and the final stream surging toward his Niwan Palace atop his head.
Li Muzhan’s brow twitched. With a mental surge, he immediately engaged these three invading forces. The cold energy in his Niwan Palace melted away almost instantly, posing no real threat. The cold in his Dantian was soon assimilated as his internal energy flowed around it, but the energy lodged in his chest refused to dissipate. He suddenly regretted having always neglected the area around Tanzhong.
His teeth began to chatter involuntarily, and a faint layer of cyan shadow washed over his face.
Li Yubing watched, her brow furrowed, yet she remained utterly silent, as if struck mute. Li Muzhan inwardly admired her composure. Facing such an ancient monster, a single misstep meant failure; only a killing blow would suffice.
“Not bad, little fellow,” Tong Tianshu observed, appraising Li Muzhan from head to toe. Seeing the faint cyan aura enveloping him, he chuckled. “Does it feel like your intestines are being twisted? Like a knife is grinding your heart? Or your skull is being hammered apart? Quite amusing, isn’t it?”
Li Muzhan’s teeth clicked together, the cyan hue on his face deepening. A smile touched his lips. “It’s quite refreshing, actually. Very cool.”
“Good, good. Then I shall let you cool off even more!” His pale fingers snapped three times, sending three more blasts of frigid energy into his body.
If Tong Tianshu were a Grandmaster, he could have perceived the flow of vital energy within Li Muzhan’s system. But within this Heavenly God Hall, even his power was suppressed, preventing him from discerning Li Muzhan’s true state.
The cold energy spreading from Li Muzhan’s heart was quickly dissolved by the energies in his head and Dantian. For someone who practiced the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art, this level of pain was no more than a mosquito bite.
While feigning agonizing endurance, he subtly gave Li Yubing a meaningful glance. Her eyes flickered once, and then settled back into placidity.
Tong Tianshu leaned back lazily, studying him. He shook his head. “Little fellow, I advise you to give up the act. Don’t struggle needlessly. No one has endured the torment of the Three Dragons Sucking Yin Hand for more than half an hour. You aren’t made of iron, so why the theatrics?”
Li Muzhan scoffed. “If you beg me, perhaps I’ll help you decipher it. But given your arrogance, I certainly won’t agree now. Let’s see if you can drag another formation expert in here!”
Tong Tianshu’s expression shifted subtly. He let out a cold, dry laugh. “Oh? Threatening me now? You haven’t grasped the situation. Your life hangs on my next thought!”
Li Muzhan smiled back. “And your life hangs on mine!”
“Amusing, amusing!” Tong Tianshu sneered repeatedly, his gaze drifting back to Li Yubing. He smiled broadly. “It has been ages since I’ve seen a woman, especially such a beauty!”
Li Yubing remained silent, smothering her rage and killing intent, watching Tong Tianshu calmly while simultaneously gauging Li Muzhan’s subtle movements, ready to strike at a moment’s notice.
Recalling the moment Li Muzhan killed Hu Yu, she understood that in terms of lethal execution, she was far inferior. She had fought Hu Yu multiple times, exhausting every method, yet failed to kill him. Li Muzhan, however, had succeeded in one swift strike. While surprise and Hu Yu’s overconfidence played a part, she knew that even with a sneak attack, she couldn't have felled him. That was the gulf between them. This Li Wuji, though young, possessed formidable cultivation, and his lethal technique surpassed even hers. His only deficiency was experience. Through sparring with her and that encounter where he slew Hu Yu, he had advanced rapidly, surpassing her now.
Li Muzhan scoffed. “You, surnamed Tong, this is the extent of your ability? Threatening me with a woman?”
Tong Tianshu smiled winningly. “You don’t need to know the full extent of my capabilities, boy. Just tell me if you agree or not. Agree, and I’ll let you both go—what beauty can’t you find outside? Refuse, and I’ll enjoy this little beauty first… Even if we can’t get out, having such a lovely companion isn’t the worst fate. A truly immortal existence!”
Li Muzhan shook his head. “My acquaintance with Palace Mistress Li is not deep. What you do to her is none of my concern. I never exert myself for thankless efforts!”
“Hmm—?” Tong Tianshu turned to look at Li Yubing. She met his gaze silently, secretly nodding to herself; this was a stalling tactic. Demanding benefits was a way to lower the tyrant's guard.
“You are somewhat like me, boy,” Tong Tianshu laughed heartily, striding toward the central statue. After bowing, he moved to the far-left end of the row, fumbling behind one of the statues. When he stepped out, he held a yellowed silk booklet.
He shook his head. “These fellows haven’t improved at all. Found it right away! Here, boy, take it!”
Li Muzhan reached out and took it, his eyes falling upon the five archaic characters: Heavenly God Incarnation Art. He looked up at Tong Tianshu in surprise. “This is…?”
“This is the founding cultivation method of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, the Heavenly God Incarnation Art. It’s yours!” Tong Tianshu chuckled darkly. “Well, are you pleased with this compensation?”
Li Muzhan frowned, staring intently at Tong Tianshu. “I find it hard to believe you’d hand over such a profound secret to me. Aren’t you afraid I’ll master it and take you down?”
Tong Tianshu pouted. “If you have the skill, practice it. Who have I ever feared?”
Li Muzhan scrutinized him, his mind racing. He couldn't fathom why Tong Tianshu would give him this manual. Was it a fake? The moment his fingers touched the silk, every instinct told him it was genuine. Then why give it to him? Was he unafraid of the backlash? It seemed Tong Tianshu was certain of something. This clearly meant he intended to kill Li Muzhan and would never allow him to leave alive. He caught the cold smirk on Tong Tianshu’s lips and guessed perhaps he wasn't worried about the practice either—the Heavenly God Incarnation Art, much like the Great Bright King Sutra, was not easily mastered. Or perhaps the manual alone was insufficient; some secret oral instruction was required. Nevertheless, possessing this scripture made the trip worthwhile. The cyan aura on his face deepened, and his teeth continued to click rhythmically.
Li Muzhan shook his head. “You’re plotting something. This won’t do!”
Tong Tianshu’s face immediately darkened. “Boy, this is the original Heavenly God Incarnation Art. Only that fellow surnamed Lin has ever seen it. All other Heavenly Dao Alliance disciples only see copies. You truly don't appreciate true treasure!”
Li Muzhan shook his head again. “What use is this to me? Non-Heavenly Dao Alliance disciples cannot cultivate it!”
“Oh?” Tong Tianshu paused, then chuckled dryly. “Clever boy, you’ve seen through it. Very well, very well. Since you’ve recognized it, I’ll add a bottle of Heaven Reversal Pills! … Boy, if you don’t agree now, don’t blame me for being impolite!”
Saying this, he pulled a jade bottle from his robes and tossed it casually. With a sharp whoosh, the bottle landed in Li Muzhan’s hand. It was a plain, round jade container, unmarked by any pattern, yet the jade possessed a warm, flowing luster, instantly marking it as extraordinary. Li Muzhan uncorked it and tipped out two snow-white pills, each the size of a dragon’s eye, sealed with beeswax, emitting no scent at all.
He stoppered the bottle and tucked it into his robes, nodding contentedly. “Good. I agree!”
“That’s more like it. You’re being sensible,” Tong Tianshu conceded.
“I require Palace Mistress Li to stay by my side at all times,” Li Muzhan stated.
Tong Tianshu waved a dismissive hand. “Rest assured, boy. Once we are outside, I, Tong Tianshu, will owe you a debt of gratitude, and I will certainly repay it in the future!”
Li Muzhan smiled. “That’s excellent. First, release my pressure points!”
Tong Tianshu flicked his fingers three times. With three muffled bangs, Li Muzhan was thrown into the air. He shook himself mid-flight and landed lightly beside Li Yubing.
Li Yubing glanced at him sideways, appearing still annoyed. Li Muzhan offered a placating smile before turning his attention back. “Where is the Sacred Artifact kept?”
“In that large hall to the east. The exterior is protected by formations, so you can’t see it. You must break the array and charge in to retrieve that damned thing!” Tong Tianshu cursed venomously.
Li Muzhan frowned. “Charge in and take the Sacred Artifact?”
“Precisely!” Tong Tianshu confirmed.
Li Muzhan paused to consider, then shook his head. “Instead of all this trouble, wouldn’t it be simpler to just break the way out?”
“No!” Tong Tianshu shook his head vehemently. “That cursed thing must be removed!”
Li Muzhan looked at him, puzzled. “Is there some hidden motive?”
Tong Tianshu’s eyes blazed like fire, his words squeezed through gritted teeth. “I have been suppressed by that thing for so many years—I must destroy it with my own hands!”
Li Muzhan suddenly understood. He pondered for a moment. “In that case, it’s too troublesome… Fine, I will try!”
Tong Tianshu sneered. “Hmph. Stop dawdling, or I’ll let you sample the Three Dragons Sucking Yin Hand again!”
Li Muzhan shook his head. “You are a madman!”
Tong Tianshu retorted, “If you had been suppressed by this wretched object for over a century like I have, I wonder how sane you’d be!”
Li Muzhan nodded. “That’s true enough. Too bad I wasn’t afflicted with such terrible luck!”
“Boy, are you looking for a death wish?!” Tong Tianshu glared coldly.
Li Muzhan chuckled. “If you kill me, you can’t get out either. You are a Grandmaster, so you have some lifespan left, but who knows who might break in next? Can you afford to wait?”
Tong Tianshu’s sneer hardened. “I would rather stay trapped here forever than let you walk away alive!”
With that, he struck out toward Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan was violently flung backward, crashing heavily against the hall door.
Li Yubing stared at Li Muzhan, bewildered, wondering what new tactic he was employing by deliberately provoking Tong Tianshu. This was certainly no impulsive act, but she could not fathom his reasoning.
Li Muzhan hit the door with a loud thud but smiled instead. “Alright, I’ll go break the formation. No need for violence!”
“Stinking brat, you refused the toast only to drink the forfeit! A worthless bone!” Tong Tianshu scoffed triumphantly, waving his hand. “Hurry up!”
Li Muzhan smiled. “Palace Mistress, let’s go!”
Li Yubing gave a slight nod and gracefully drifted toward Li Muzhan as they exited the hall. Tong Tianshu followed closely behind them, vigilant against their escape. Even though formations barred the outside, Li Muzhan was an expert in them; who knew if he could vanish in a blink? Tong Tianshu couldn't afford to be careless and let him slip away, so he kept a close watch.
Li Muzhan and Li Yubing walked shoulder to shoulder. He whispered, “There’s definitely something fishy here. Why insist on obtaining the Sacred Artifact? Anyone normal would leave immediately. Revenge can wait for a better opportunity, right?”
“Yes, you have a point,” Li Yubing whispered back. “What sort of trickery could it be?”
“Nothing good, that’s for sure,” Li Muzhan replied, shaking his head.
Tong Tianshu’s voice cut through. “Stinking brat, why so much chatter? Break the formation quickly!”
Li Muzhan sighed inwardly and nodded. “Understood! … Do you have any jade pendants? I need to craft formation-breaking talismans!”
“Wait!” Tong Tianshu huffed, vanishing and reappearing in a flash, his movement phantom-like. In his hands, he held a jade pillow, which he tossed over. “Is this enough?”
Li Muzhan laughed. “It will suffice!” He touched the jade pillow lightly, then shook his head. “What a waste.”
“Let’s make do for now,” Li Yubing suggested. “The Heavenly Dao Alliance shouldn’t be short on such items!” She mused that the Alliance headquarters must hold considerable wealth; possessing it would save the Gu Mo Li Palace many resources and ensure the disciples lacked for nothing.
Li Muzhan caught her eye, seeing through her thoughts, and gave an encouraging nod. Li Yubing immediately felt her spirits lift. Though she didn't know how Li Muzhan planned to kill Tong Tianshu, his confident air suggested he had a method.
Li Muzhan walked about ten paces eastward, then suddenly stopped, scrutinizing the ground with a frown before nodding. “It should be here. I sense the aura of a formation.”
“Yes, close enough,” Tong Tianshu confirmed from behind them.
Li Muzhan began walking in circles, taking a few steps sideways, then forward and back, constantly circling the area. Holding his palms flat like blades, he gently scored the jade pillow, creating dozens of palm-sized jade pieces, which he tossed onto the ground.
Tong Tianshu watched his actions and snorted. “What are you doing, you stinking brat?”
Li Muzhan turned and gave him a look, rolling his eyes heavenward. “Do you understand formations, or do I? This isn't something that can be explained in a few sentences. Stop bothering me!”
“You brat are asking for a beating again!” Tong Tianshu raised his hand to strike.
Li Muzhan huffed. “If I get distracted, who knows how long it will take to break the array!”
Tong Tianshu lowered his hand, grumbling, “Fine. Hurry up, and don’t chatter anymore!”
Li Muzhan sank into deep contemplation. He first scattered over thirty jade pieces in a circular pattern, then began picking them up one by one. From his robes, he retrieved a long, slender, small purple box. Opening it, he took out an archaic-looking brush and began inscribing characters onto the jade pieces.
He summoned one piece into his hand, pondered for a moment, and then wrote a few words. Li Yubing peered over and frowned; she didn't recognize a single character etched onto the jade, which looked like gibberish. Tong Tianshu was equally oblivious to what Li Muzhan was writing, so he simply stood at a distance, watching to ensure neither of them fled.
Initially, Li Muzhan picked up a piece, pondered briefly, and wrote quickly. But as he continued, he grew slower, his moments of contemplation lengthening, and his writing becoming labored, as if the brush weighed a thousand pounds.
Neither Li Yubing nor Tong Tianshu understood formations, so they could only guess at the reason for his difficulty. However, seeing the white energy steaming from Li Muzhan’s head and beads of sweat on his brow, they knew he was expending immense mental energy and internal force.
From dawn until dusk, as the sun dipped low, casting the entire valley in a rosy hue, Li Muzhan finally straightened up, his face as pale as paper.
Li Yubing, who had refrained from disturbing him, immediately reached out when he finished the last jade piece, placing her palm against his back to channel her internal energy to aid him.
Li Muzhan took a deep breath and forced a bitter smile. “This formation is truly formidable. I’m not confident I can break it.”
“You can’t break it, you stinking brat!?” Tong Tianshu exclaimed instantly.
Li Muzhan sighed. “I must attempt it first. If that fails, we’ll try another method!”
“If you fail, boy, I will kill you!” Tong Tianshu roared.
Li Muzhan frowned. “Formations are different from other things; they require meticulous deduction. Forget it, you wouldn’t understand even if I explained. I must test it step by step; it won't yield on the first try!”
“Fine. Your life is in your own hands, then!” Tong Tianshu huffed. “So, what now?”
Li Muzhan replied, “Let’s test it. You should stand farther back.”
“Why should I move back?” Tong Tianshu frowned irritably. “I want to watch personally!”
Li Muzhan said smoothly, “If it fails to break, there might be a backlash. I don't want you crying later and blaming me!”
“Are you trying some trickery?” Tong Tianshu fixed him with a stare.
Li Muzhan drawled, “With you watching me so closely, what tricks could I possibly pull?”
“No, I must stay right beside you!” Tong Tianshu refused, standing near him. “If you try anything, any attempt to flee—I doubt you could be faster than my hand!”
Li Muzhan gave a gesture of resignation. “As you wish. Palace Mistress, please step back a few paces. I am about to begin.”
Li Yubing nodded gently. “Be careful!”
Li Muzhan smiled. “Let’s try our luck. Step back.” Li Yubing quickly retreated, and as she moved back a few more steps, Li Muzhan finally nodded in satisfaction. He turned his head. “You, surnamed Tong, I’m starting now. Don’t interrupt me!”
“Less nonsense, hurry up!” Tong Tianshu watched him intently, eyes gleaming.
Li Muzhan held one jade piece between his hands, his eyelids fluttering shut. After a moment, the jade piece began to glow faintly, the brightness increasing until it looked like a clear spring flowing within, then flashing brilliantly, and finally shining forth like a radiant lantern.
“Hah!” Li Muzhan shouted, suddenly vanishing.
Tong Tianshu froze, then erupted in fury. “Stinking brat!”
Li Muzhan reappeared beside Li Yubing, smiling calmly at the figure of Tong Tianshu still standing in the center of the area. Li Yubing was momentarily stunned, then laughed. “What is this…?”
Li Muzhan let out a long breath and shook his head. “After all that hard work, I finally managed to subdue him!”
“This formation of yours was to trap him?” Li Yubing instantly understood, a smile gradually spreading across her lips. “He’s trapped now?”
Li Muzhan chuckled. “He shouldn’t be able to get out!”
“You truly are…” Li Yubing giggled. “It really is a case of different trades, different knowledge!”
Li Muzhan replied, “If he knew a bit about formations, he wouldn't have been fooled so easily.” (To be continued)