Chapter 1344: Suppress (I)

"Fellow Daoists!"

Just as he finished speaking, a figure appeared in the great void. His hair was completely gray, and he wore black robes covered in countless brown circular patterns of varying sizes, like eyes, that faintly emitted dark light within the great void.

It was clearly the Daoist Master Luo who had been mentioned earlier.

He first paid his respects to Kuiqi, his expression respectful, and said with a smile, "Greetings, my lord!"

Kuiqi nodded coldly, then turned to Chen Yin, who was clearly much more familiar with him, and said with a smile, "We have not met for many years. Fellow Daoist, your cultivation has improved again!"

Chen Yin was clearly not like Kuiqi and returned the smile amicably. Only then did Daoist Master Luo turn toward Li Ximing. The eye-like patterns all over his clothing trembled as he said enthusiastically, "So this is the famous Daoist Master Zhaojing. I have long heard of Fellow Daoist’s deeds. Truly impressive!"

Li Ximing responded courteously. After all, one does not strike a smiling face. At the same time, he found the man’s clothing rather eerie and avoided looking at it directly. At the same time, Kuiqi’s cold voice sounded in his ears through a divine ability, “Zhaojing, this Luo fellow also came from Yue State. He is no good sort. He consorted with demonic creatures in the southern border and ruled the Shaman Kingdom. Every year, capable barbarian cultivators were refined into his clothing. Be cautious.

"There is no need to worry about him turning to the Buddhists. The demon kings detest him deeply, and he has also killed The Merciful One. Just minimize contact."

Only then did Li Ximing understand where that eerie feeling came from. Upon further examination, this Daoist Master surnamed Luo seemed to be a Mount Yue tribesman. He thought,

The same disposition as Fu Daimu from the lake back then, who refined the Mountain of Human Heads. And Chen Yin actually dared to invite him here. It seems he must be holding some leverage.

No wonder Kuiqi’s expression was icy. With such a dharma robe draped on his body, it would be strange if Kuiqi showed him any kindness. It was probably only because the materials came from the southern border barbarians that Kuiqi found him slightly less repulsive. Otherwise, he might have called for a kill on sight order.

This person... is truly testing others on the edge of their blades.

Daoist Master Luo was cowed somewhat by Kuiqi’s icy expression, yet he remained all smiles with a flawless enthusiasm. When Kuiqi finished his divination, a hazy multicolored light indeed emerged from the great void, as if a black cloth had been lifted, revealing a field of gold beneath.

Kuiqi recognized it with a single glance; he said softly, "This is the Huixu Demon Subduing Grand Formation. Zhelu is personally suppressing it from within. It should have been held back by the Purple Throne Serene Spirit Pavilion or the Rain-Viewing Precious Cauldron.

"This grand formation is presided over by a Maha and aided by a spirit artifact. It can remain concealed within the great void, yet it has a formation core manifested in the present world. Restraining those few and shaking it will suffice."

He had mentioned two treasures in one breath. Li Ximing recalled that Tinglan still possessed the Upper-Minister Vessel and Boundless Water-Fire. If those were brought out, even a Maha would likely retreat. No wonder the people before him were unconcerned.

The light in Kuiqi’s hand withdrew, and he turned back to instruct them, "All of you present here are protected by my spirit artifact. As long as you do not move, those below will be unable to divine the people within the great void. When the timing is right, make your move!"

The rainwater beneath their feet on Mount Xiaoshi dissipated, revealing traces of multicolored Buddhist soil, as Kuiqi spoke softly, "Wait here while I go first!"

He manifested atop Mount Xiaoshi, and finally saw the golden light sway gently. Before he could react, a horse-headed Maha leapt out from within, his face full of smiles, revealing large white buckteeth as he called out, "Fellow Daoist Kuiqi! Whom have you invited here?!"

The three of them restrained themselves and remained motionless within the great void. Li Ximing’s gaze sharpened as he thought,

So this is Daisi... My family’s blood feud.

Sure enough, as soon as Daisi appeared, Kuiqi’s expression turned fierce. He raised the Great Kui Convergence Bronze Sword in his hand without saying a word. A resonant echo rang out from the great void, and four golden-bodied Merciful Ones emerged, each holding a dharma artifact. Chen Yin rose with his sword and vanished from sight.

Below, Daisi’s smile froze, his horse ears snapping upright as if listening. A flash of silver light burst forth as a slender sword tore through the air, appearing behind his head with fierce sword radiance.

He snarled, "Chen Yin!"

Daisi’s Dharma Body rapidly expanded in midair. He no longer sat cross-legged but rode multicolored light as he flew upward, a purple-black ritual bowl flashing as he sought to block the sword.

But Chen Yin was no ordinary figure. His slender sword lightly tapped the bowl, and the roar of surging waters arose between heaven and earth. The Kongsijiang Demon Bowl hummed violently as white rain poured from the sky, causing Daisi’s Dharma Body to sizzle with sharp hissing sounds.

Daisi immediately withdrew, raising the Kongsijiang Demon Bowl to receive and gather the waters from above. He lifted his staff to counter Chen Yin’s sword techniques, thinking in doubt,

Isn’t Chen Yin on the southern border? Wasn’t he locked in a tense struggle with Daoist Master Zhusheng of Shahuang Kingdom over a spirit artifact? Changxiao Gate has shown no movement. How would the Chen Family dare cross the river?

Kuiqi did not fear Daisi, but Daisi was also confident in dealing with him.

Maha Zhelu had long said that Daoist Master Yushui, Chen Yin, was on good terms with Hengzhu Dao Gate and should not intervene. He was also embroiled in disputes in the southern border with Daoist Master Zhusheng of Shahuang Kingdom, and under pressure from Daoist Master Luo as well. He had every excuse to decline. How could he cross the river?

The Sword Gate clung to tradition. Though Ling Mei was an exception, acting was still fraught with difficulty. Only Li Ximing had displayed a firm stance, yet he had been driven to the Eastern Sea. Changxiao’s whereabouts were unknown. How could he show himself?

That was why he had remained outside the formation to face the enemy. Now that Chen Yin had appeared, Daisi immediately sensed disaster. While urgently calling for reinforcements, he shouted, "Stop him at once!"

The four Merciful Ones at the side felt their breath catch. Blocking Zhugong was one thing, but how could Kuiqi be compared to her? It was not merely a matter of two extra divine abilities. Even if all of Zhugong’s possessions were combined, they would not equal a single spirit artifact of Kuiqi’s.

Kuiqi was also a Daoist Master of the Great Xiukui Temple. His abilities were far beyond simple clashes of dharma bodies. Xiukui was known as one of the ancient Three Shaman Daos; total annihilation of both body and soul was entirely possible when they fought.

Yet with a Maha giving the order, how could the four refuse? They could only steel themselves and advance, each seemingly more timid than the last, as if they might self-destruct their dharma bodies and flee at any moment.

As expected, a cold light flashed across Kuiqi’s face. Judging that Daisi still had a hidden move, he did not rush to summon Li Ximing and the others. Instead, he raised the Great Kui Convergence Bronze Sword and swung it down.

At the same time, a massive black wind surged forth, shredding the multicolored light around the four Merciful Ones’ golden bodies. A black cord dropped from midair like a venomous serpent lurking in the night and suddenly sprang upward.

All four felt a chill at their necks. The leading elder Merciful One had already retreated into Buddhist soil, completely at a loss. Only the six-armed Merciful One with the greatest combat strength roared and charged forward, yet he was snared and hoisted into the air by the black cord.

The bronze-textured Great Kui Convergence Bronze Sword flickered in and out of view within the gray wind, as a low shout rang out, "Freeze!"

A point of cold light leaped up within the black wind. The remaining three Merciful Ones retreated faster than one another, as Kuiqi scattered and reformed, erupting forward in an instant.

A massive hand suddenly condensed within the black wind, gripping the neck of a golden-bodied Merciful One. Another hand drove the Great Kui Convergence Bronze Sword straight down into the opponent’s skull, then twisted with force like slaughtering a sacrificial offering.

No one knew what divine ability he employed, but the Merciful One let out a heart-rending howl. Kuiqi’s expression did not flicker as the whites of his eyes grew increasingly prominent. "A Merciful One who has cultivated for decades, bringing along three worthless novices, actually dares to block my path?! Do you truly think each of you is like Nuzi or Minghui beneath the lotus throne?!"

Zhugong had no experience fighting Northern Buddhists, but how could Kuiqi lack it? He had struck with full force right from the start, simultaneously employing two spirit artifacts and three divine abilities!

He did not loosen his grip on the Great Kui Convergence Bronze Sword. The Merciful One screamed as pain drilled down to his bones, yet was further bound by the black cord that had now wrapped itself around him.

The remaining three were terrified as they heard Kuiqi laugh. "The clever ones sacrificed themselves early and returned to Buddhist land to avoid facing my Great Kui Convergence Bronze Sword. Only you four fools stayed behind, waiting for death!"

These words had an immense impact. Not only did the remaining three Merciful Ones choke simultaneously, but even Daisi’s expression changed. The one suffering the wrath of the Great Kui Convergence Bronze Sword was finally driven out of his wits by pain and terror. Nothing mattered more than survival. Countless golden lights and cracks instantly appeared across his golden body.

Boom!

The treasure light surged skyward and spread through the smoke, displaying a dazzling array of colors. But Kuiqi had already retreated using body divine abilities. He coughed twice, burst into loud laughter, and cursed, "Fool!"

The Xiukui Dao was strange, with only a few methods that could kill outright in combat. This saved Kuiqi another hidden trump card. The remaining three, utterly confused and terrified out of their wits, hesitated as Kuiqi raised his sword and struck at the golden light.

Boom!

The golden light trembled violently, as if something immense had been disturbed. Brilliant radiance faintly descended from the heavens, with drifting clouds appearing. It was clear that those within the formation had been alerted.

Daisi’s face turned extremely ugly, and he could only shout loudly, "Pi Jia!"

A streak of multicolored light finally descended from midair. Faint illusions of men and women of various kinds sitting opposite one another appeared, accompanied by the roaring of jackals fighting. A golden Dao body fell from within, half its face filled with hatred and jealousy, the other half vacant and forlorn, inspiring fear at a glance.

The Dao of Great Desire, Pi Jia.

Kuiqi finally turned serious, staring coldly at the golden body before him.

During the Northern and Southern conflict, Daisi had only been in his second life. The Emptiness Dao had gained many benefits from that conflict. Now, after so many years, Daisi had reached his third reincarnation and was already troublesome. He could hold off a mid stage Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, but the one before Kuiqi had undergone five reincarnations and was far stronger.

The half face turned toward him and spoke in a humming voice, "Fellow Daoist Kuiqi, I do not wish to be deeply involved in this matter. We also have no intention of endangering the lives of the two Daoist Masters... This is merely to prevent divine abilities from being used to manipulate Jiangbei and cause needless casualties. If you withdraw now, it will be an act of accumulating virtue and merit."

Kuiqi now understood that Pi Jia clearly did not wish to be overly involved. Purple Smoke Gate had joined forces with the Azure Pond Sect back then to seize his Qi Wang's Profound Heaven Hearing. Now karma had come full circle. If Kuiqi crossed the Purple Mansion Realm threshold, with four divine abilities and his full set of spirit artifacts, Pi Jia would turn and leave without hesitation. But since Pi Jia’s strength was enough to suppress him, he had stepped in...

Kuiqi shook his head, raising the Great Kui Convergence Bronze Sword and sneering, "I have never tested the divine abilities of a Five Lives Maha. Today, I shall ask for some instruction!"

At this moment, Kuiqi had only one option, to hold Pi Jia back. At present, only he could contend with this five life Maha. He began to feel fortunate that he had not revealed himself too early.

If they had appeared together, the opponent would certainly have sent this Maha to deal with Chen Yin, while Daisi held him back. That would have spelled major trouble. Fortunately, he had seized the initiative and avoided the worst outcome...

"The Chen Family is on good terms with Hengzhu Dao Gate. In principle, Pi Jia would not want to incur excessive enmity and karma, so he will only deal with me. Still, one must always guard against the unexpected."

Thus his gaze grew heavy as he summoned his spirit artifact.

Seeing this, Daisi withdrew from Chen Yin’s sword light and gradually gained the upper hand, smiling as he said, "Surnamed Lin! You are nothing special!"