Chapter 186
Chapter 186
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 186
Chapter Title: Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
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Yeo Dongbin's body soared into the sky. At the same time, with the momentum of Body-Sword Unity, it shot up, soon summoning a colossal sword in the heavens.
[Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship!]
Wooong
The colossal sword manifested by the Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship was literally large enough to cleave mountains. Hundreds of feet in size, it followed Yeo Dongbin's finger for a moment before flying straight toward Dalgi. Despite its enormous size, its speed transcended sound, making it utterly terrifying.
However, three of Dalgi's tails moved, wrapping softly around the blade of the colossal sword. Dalgi, absorbing the impact effortlessly, attacked Yeo Dongbin with its remaining six tails.
Kukwang!
Kwagwang!
Hundreds of feet of ground were swept away, creating red scars on the earth like an explosion of gunpowder. Each strike contained the full internal energy of a peerless expert, with power beyond that, signifying that Dalgi's might had reached a level no human could withstand.
'I can't... catch that with martial arts...!!'
Even as I entrusted my body to Yeo Dongbin, I felt despair. I could keenly understand why Jin So-cheong had his arm severed helplessly and why Lee Gwang lost his life. From the start, yokai and humans had different limits, and when a yokai maximized its yokai power, human martial arts couldn't even touch it.
But Yeo Dongbin, revered as the Fighting Immortal, summoned a ring of fire dragon illusions enveloping his body to block the attack.
[Hmm!]
At the same time, he used an incomprehensible counterstrike to force Dalgi back. Prismatic starlight flowed out, forming sword shapes. The sword shapes, carrying halos of light, flew and struck Dalgi between the eyes.
Boom.
Dalgi staggered slightly from Yeo Dongbin's attack. Then it cackled and laughed.
[Hahaha! As expected of the strongest of the Eight Immortals. Quite painful.]
Why was it laughing after getting hit?
I sneered inwardly at Dalgi, but Yeo Dongbin's expression had hardened. Yeo Dongbin spoke to me telepathically.
[That last attack was my full power...]
......
It had struck between the eyes with a full-power ultimate technique, yet the reaction was like a flick on the forehead? That meant the power gap between Yeo Dongbin and Dalgi was greater than imagined. I urgently spoke to Yeo Dongbin.
'You can summon heavenly fire dragons!'
Fire Dragon Summon!
Though I died right after using it last time, its power was unquestionable. It would surpass the destructive force of the attack Yeo Dongbin had just claimed was his full power. Yeo Dongbin replied unexpectedly.
[How do you know that...?]
'That's not important now! Can't you take it down with that?'
[...I can't be sure. Because Dalgi is protected by an absolute barrier spell.]
'Absolute barrier?'
Yeo Dongbin didn't answer, instead gripping his sword and shouting at Dalgi.
[Dalgi! Do you think the laws of causality will leave you be after such outrageous acts? Even gods cannot escape the laws of causality.]
Sararak...
Dalgi seemed to shrink its massive body. It was probably gathering its tails for a powerful single strike. Dalgi laughed as it replied.
[That was the problem... Even I would be in danger facing the backlash from the origin. But you fools gave me the perfect pretext.]
[Pretext?]
Dalgi narrowed its eyes and smiled.
[The human you're possessing used a demonic cultivator's blood cauldron to steal the spirit portrait. And even offered tribute on your own. You might not know, but that item was destined to become a sacrifice for 'That One.']
['That One'... from the Great Cataclysm...]
[Hehehe... No god forgives the theft of their sacrifice. It took time due to procedures, but as 'That One's apostle, I've been permitted to intervene in the mortal realm. All backlash is blocked by That One's authority.]
With that, Dalgi burst into maniacal laughter.
[Hahahahaha!! Things are about to get fun. The day I chew human flesh and enjoy leisurely entertainment like in the Yin-Zhou era is not far off.]
[It won't happen! I will stop you!]
[Try it, if you can?]
Kurrung!!
Yeo Dongbin drew up his energy even stronger. At the same time, he chanted something like a spell, reinforcing his body. Sharing the body with Yeo Dongbin, I knew it was a heavenly spell and secret art he had mastered.
'So that's why you held off on the fire dragon summon...'
While the fire dragon summon was Yeo Dongbin's ultimate technique, failure would be disastrous. Dalgi wasn't just protected by physical defense; it was shielded by yokai power barrier spells. Yeo Dongbin needed to strip those defenses first for a proper strike.
Can we win?
What was certain was that Yeo Dongbin had used only 10% of his total internal energy so far. Thanks to my repeated martial arts training increasing my usable energy, potential, and recovery, Yeo Dongbin could fight much longer. But Dalgi was far stronger, so to land a fatal blow, Yeo Dongbin would have to survive several brushes with death.
Flames sparked in Yeo Dongbin's eyes as his sword flew through the air. It pierced space in a mind-sword control realm among mind-driven sword arts, soon forming the shape of the Eight Trigrams and striking Dalgi head-on.
Tang!
Dalgi retreated slightly again, reacting like it had been flicked. Yeo Dongbin seemed intent on steadily dismantling Dalgi, swiftly dodging tail attacks while continuing flashy sword techniques.
Dalgi, noticing the strategy, scoffed.
[A Fighting Immortal? As if I'd fear a wretch without treasures?]
Kyang.
After about a hundred exchanges, Yeo Dongbin, moving with incredible lightness skill, suddenly got caught by a tail attack. He unleashed sword aura to deflect it, but couldn't avoid the shock to his whole body.
[Cough.]
Perhaps due to human limits. Despite protective aura, Yeo Dongbin vomited blood. It was because my body couldn't keep up with Yeo Dongbin's skill. Seizing the opening, Dalgi attacked relentlessly like it was thrilled.
Pababang.
Pabang.
Fast... too fast! Yeo Dongbin blocked each one with superhuman sword speed, but Dalgi's attacks weren't of any living being. Moreover, immense yokai power dwelled in the tails, carrying lethal might, making it terrifying.
Finally, Yeo Dongbin could endure no longer and began drawing on the fire dragon's power.
Kuooh!
I felt my body's Eight Gates forcibly opening under Immortal Yeo Dongbin's will. I had experienced twice before that fully opening them meant death. So in past lives, I devised ways to cling to life.
'Close this!'
When Yeo Dongbin opened the fourth gate, I swiftly sealed three points in the flowing qi and blood. Not directly related to Eight Gates Opening, but crucial acupoints to slow qi leakage after full opening.
[Fire dragon of the heavens!]
Finally, with six gates open, Yeo Dongbin gathered power in his energy sea and summoned the fire dragon. The energy sea shattered as a massive flame dragon appeared in the sky.
The sacred crimson dragon of spirit body was a top heavenly divine beast rivaling the phoenix! As expected, even Dalgi hesitated, pressured by its aura, stepping back slightly.
Woo woo.
Soon the fire dragon twisted, gathering divine power throughout its body. It stretched out and charged straight at Dalgi's true form.
Dalgi shouted in rage.
[Not even a responding dragon? You think this trash can kill me?]
Kuwaat.
A massive wave burst from Dalgi's maw. Like a spirit word, it was actually a異族 incantation. Dalgi's spirit word clashed with the fire dragon mid-air, creating huge repulsion.
After contending, the two spells saw the fire dragon overpower Dalgi's spirit word and charge in.
Kwagwagwang!!!
It was like entire mountains ablaze. In an instant, blinding sun-like light filled the sky. The fire dragon's explosion had attacked on an immense scale. I thought direct sight would blind me, but with Yeo Dongbin possessing, I viewed the intense light painlessly.
[......]
It had hit, but Yeo Dongbin's expression darkened.
The body was just scorched, not seriously hurt.
Dalgi licked one tail, smirking sinisterly instead. It had greatly weakened the fire dragon with its spirit word.
A foe on another level!
Yeo Dongbin had opened my Eight Gates fully for the summon, but sealing acupoints bought time before death. Hovering, Yeo Dongbin murmured.
[My friend, forgive me... With my power, I cannot deal with this demon king...]
Why?!
What the hell is this Dalgi?
Wasn't it just the wicked fox demoness who ruined the Yin Dynasty in the Yin-Zhou era? How could such a being possess such immense power?
Doubts flooded my mind, directed at Yeo Dongbin. He answered bitterly.
[The legend called Fengshen Yanyi... was made for humans. The truth is the Great Cataclysm... that was Emperor Huangdi Gongsun Xuanyuan's will, my friend.]
What?
[Truly sorry...]
Before more questions, power rapidly drained from my body. I could no longer maintain flight arts, slowly descending. Dalgi could strike anytime but watched like a toy.
Soon Yeo Dongbin's possession fully released.
[Kugh...!!]
Extreme fatigue like ten thousand cuts assaulted me. Eyelids felt like ten million pounds; I wanted to collapse and sleep. But knowing that sleep was death, I forcibly conserved energy and endured.
With gates open, death was near anyway. But with remaining energy, survive even one more second. Gain as much as possible before dying. That's why I came with that resolve.
Resolute light in my eyes, Dalgi said interestedly.
[Amusing human... No despair or fear in your eyes... Mind intact... Hehe.]
"...Spare the humans here."
[Why should I?]
I smiled weakly.
"I've got a~mazing secret art..."
None existed. Bluffing anyway. No options left; thrash futilely to survive one more second.
But what to do...?
Begging nicely didn't suit me. If dying, on my terms. If possible, struggle till the end. Otherwise, impossible as a reincarnator.
Dalgi giggled.
Ahaha...
Ahahahahaha....
Same nine-tailed fox, but Mihos's laugh differed from Dalgi's. Mihos merciless to weak but not evil like Dalgi. Unlike pure Mihos, this massive demon fox was pure terror dyed in evil. No wonder Yeo Dongbin called it demon king.
Thus Dalgi's laugh shook emotions instantly, implanting bone-deep despair and fear. A mighty mental attack, stronger than Great Thunder Jade's demons.
But I ignored the mental assault and endured. Then said.
"I know the locations and acquisition methods of the Seven Luminaries..."
[......!!]
Dalgi seemed genuinely shocked. For a mythic demon like it, the Seven Luminaries held special meaning. Dalgi thrust its head forward.
Evil, vicious demon stench.
Heart pounding, Dalgi spoke.
[Speak.]
"Eight Gates open, I'm dying soon."
I said slyly.
"Know why I'm telling? You're just a destruction demon without power to save a gate-opened human. Better to die curious."
Dalgi raged.
[You bastard! If lies, I'll chew your comrades and all humans!]
"Ha... go... ahead..."
Breath ragged. Sealing qi blood had limits against gate backlash. Gasping, all qi drained. Half a quarter-hour, and I'd die. Instinct told me.
Collapsing forward, Dalgi said.
[One tail's power suffices...]
Dalgi's silver tail rested on my head. Soon absorbed like melting, restoring my vitality. Instantly, body recovered to original state.
But opening gates meant 'vessel shattered.'
Just temporary fix with one of Dalgi's nine tails' mighty spell power. Power would fade soon, killing me. I realized Dalgi could fully revive but made me time-limited.
'Wants to hear then kill...'
Deep breath, I said to Dalgi.
"Promise first. No more killing or eating lifeforms or humans here."
Dalgi silent, then replied.
[Ridiculous... Dare transact with me? A mere human?]
Reaction off.
Pushing negotiation, I felt Dalgi's power surge murderous. Greatly offended.
Shwoong.
Dalgi yanked tail power back, saying.
[Just die. Learn after you're dead.]
[......!!]
Extract info from corpse?!
But with Yeo Dongbin's defeat, options gone. Die regardless. Cornered, mind eased, accepting death.
Vitality nearly gone.
Faintly lifting head, I murmured.
"Mangnyang... Mihos... Jin So-cheong... sorry..."
If known I'd die first, prepared.
That method might've averted this.
Regret useless. 'When time comes' self-consolation backfired. Paying for forgetting future unpredictable.
Plop.
Wrist dropped; soon fully dead.
Thought it my 14th death.
[Finally dead? My turn.]
Kwagwang.
With calm voice, my body rose, fist smashing toward Dalgi's face.
[Kraaak!!]
Dalgi's scream!
Huge explosion; Dalgi's massive body, unyielding to Yeo Dongbin's full power, flew back, crashing into distant wild mountain. Simultaneously, surrounding mist barrier shook, vision brightening.
Crack crack.
Grip creaked.
Bored face reflected in blood puddle.
'Me' walked forward steadily, saying.
"Die!"
Whiriririk.
Dalgi's body rose like huge mountain again. Nine tails attacked at speed no human martial arts could match. None had blocked or dodged unscathed. Poisoned, should've been skewered.
Kwaak!
[What?!]
Dalgi cried in shock.
In that instant, 'my' body moved, seizing all nine tails. 'I' muttered with bloodshot glaring eyes. Unimaginable ferocity writhed inside, summoning constellation power.
"Die!"
Kugugugu.
Dalgi's mountain-like body lifted. Impossible for actual mountain weight. Hundreds-feet body hoisted by one human hand...!!
Like uprooting a mountain (Force Uprooting Mountain).
'I' swung Dalgi's body, smashing into nearby wild mountain.
Kwaaang!!!
[Kraaaaak!!]
Dalgi screamed. Terrain changed from impact. One mountain vanished, replaced by canyon. Dust cloud—no, blast wind flowed grandly, announcing world's change.
In that change, 'I' cracked neck, glaring murderously. Aura to kill all visible, like Heavenly Killing Star.
"...Die!!"
'My' body charged forward.
Faster than full Eight Gates. Stars' power, heaven-earth forces gathered, summoning vast authority beyond human qi. Pure destruction incarnate.
Yes, this was—
Force covering the world (Qi Covering the World)!
Dalgi screamed.
[Impossible... how!!]
Just before 'my' body body-slammed, pulverizing Dalgi.
Dalgi cried desperate death cry.
[Xiang Yu!!!]
World went pitch black.
Precisely, as Overlord of Western Chu Xiang Yu's strike hit, mountain range collapsed. Rocks soared skyward defying gravity, shadow covering sound waves; destruction like meteor impact split world.
Force Uprooting Mountain, Qi Covering the World.
The sole being through east-west ancient-modern to embody it had finally appeared to realize its blessing.