The Eternal Way-Chapter 207 - 206 Killing the Demon Monk (Part Four)

Chan Zhi's body shrank, making it easier for him to protect himself during large-scale explosions. This was because a smaller surface area meant less force exerted upon him.

It was akin to how a hammer could smash a hard boulder but would struggle to crush a speck of dust due to its minuscule size and inability to withstand force.

However, the downside of shrinking his body was an increase in vulnerability to single-target attacks.

For instance, if a giant hundred meters tall were stabbed by a sword, it would feel like being pricked by a toothpick—barely noticeable. But if a child were struck by a sword, it would be fatal.

This was the situation at hand.

Li Qi hadn't orchestrated these events; even he could only plan significant matters. The tactical details, including the setup of formations, were arranged by Shen Shuibei herself.

She wasn't foolish. Her usual dazed appearance was merely a result of her focusing most of her energy on studying techniques. Compared to the vast and fascinating research work, mundane affairs outside seemed dull and taxing.

But when Shen Shuibei applied her mind to non-research matters, anyone would notice her swift transformation into someone astute and intelligent, never missing an opportunity.

Like now.

Chan Zhi suddenly found himself in a dilemma. Guangyang Sikong's combat abilities weren't strong; as a cultivator of Li Dao (Reason and Principle), he excelled more in craftsmanship—setting up formations, crafting magical artifacts, constructing buildings, and arranging landscapes.

This aligned with his role as Sikong, which was responsible for such tasks. Regardless, he was still a Rank Seven.

In the sky, seven Rank Seven magical artifacts formed a core, supported by tens of thousands of lower-ranked ones, creating a river of magical artifacts with considerable power.

Normally, Chan Zhi wouldn't sustain any injuries from such attacks. If he appeared in the form of the Peacock Bright King, with its invulnerability to all methods and enhancement from poisons, this river of magical artifacts would have been unable to shake him.

But the problem lay below—the formation was self-destructing, also reaching Rank Seven damage levels, and contained something Chan Zhi couldn't comprehend.

Chan Zhi felt that while transforming into the Peacock Bright King would make him immune to the river of magical artifacts, the self-destruction beneath would exact a heavy toll.

Weighing his options, he chose to resist the explosion below and let the river of magical artifacts do as they pleased. After all, what could a mere weakling do?

Ordinary injuries were inconsequential.

Having made his decision, he defended in place, waiting for the attack to descend and preparing his counterattack.

The attack arrived. Seven Rank Seven magical artifacts from the river transformed into seven stars, forming a ladle shape.

Reflecting into the waves, hanging vertically, dense clouds supporting mist, pointing high.

The Seven Stars, embodying the culmination of Yang numbers at seven, hence called the Seven Stars, signified the exhaustion of Yang energy. Thus, there was a saying: 'The Southern Dipper governs life, the Northern Dipper governs death. All beings are born through the Southern Dipper and pass through the Northern Dipper; all prayers are directed toward the Northern Dipper.'

The Northern Dipper, acting as the heavens' mouthpiece, was about to pronounce death!

Stars as large as the moon entered the Northern Dipper, thunderous sounds echoing like thunderclaps!

This was Guangyang Sikong's desperate final move, centered around the Northern Dipper.

The Northern Dipper's slaughter was known as Heavenly Slaughter!

The common curse 'you damned soul' originated from here.

An immense killing intent enveloped the scene.

This wasn't human killing intent—it was heavenly killing intent.

What is heavenly killing intent?

When the handle of the Northern Dipper points east, spring arrives; south, summer; west, autumn; north, winter. When pointing north, it signifies the season of slaughter.

Winter, when all things wither, embodies heavenly killing intent.

The entire world would fall into death!

Leaves would fall, plants would dry up, water sources would dry out, mountains would be snow-covered, and people would lose vitality. The Yang energy between heaven and earth would deplete, and all living things would cease to thrive.

This was Heavenly Slaughter!

Guangyang Sikong's technique utilized Heavenly Slaughter to execute a deadly move.

Autumn winds stirred, heaven and earth displaying their sternness.

Mountains darkened as if splashed with ink, cold winds blew mournfully.

Autumn winds sighed, willows wilted first.

Heaven's will favored severity, all things perished!

Chan Zhi's body experienced a peculiar effect. His skin wrinkled, muscles atrophied, and pupils turned yellow.

Human killing began with conflict, seen in weapons, ended in flesh and blood.

Earthly killing started with earthquakes, seen in lava, ended in ashes.

Heavenly killing commenced with autumn winds, seen in cold winters, ended in desolation.

Bearing Heavenly Slaughter, one would rapidly age and wither, similar to winter vegetation, ultimately losing vitality and dying.

There were no external wounds, nor could it be resisted.

However, there were exceptions. Plum blossoms and pine trees remained green and blooming in winter. Animals hibernated, humans stayed indoors to keep warm, awaiting spring.

Thus, Chan Zhi held his breath, entering a state of turtle breathing and hibernation.

What is hibernation? During harsh winters, creatures like turtles and snakes hibernate without eating, awaiting spring's arrival and renewed vitality.

Spring brings thunder, waking those in hibernation. Hence, there's a solar term named 'Awakening of Insects,' calling forth hidden lives.

This cycle is part of nature's order.

This was the essence of dueling, testing comprehensive capabilities.

All things had strengths and weaknesses; mastering only one path, unless one's cultivation surpassed understanding such principles, would inevitably face constraints.

Of course, if one was powerful enough, none of this mattered—a sword could break myriad laws.

But most people couldn't achieve this. Therefore, they aimed to prevent being constrained while trying to constrain others.

If dueling was merely about comparing mana, cultivation depth, or spell power, there'd be no need for fighting. Showing off skills would suffice to determine victory or defeat—why risk lives?

Li Qi's encounter with Jin Bu Huan and the current situation exemplified this.

Hiding one's origins, preventing enemies from uncovering them, or finding ways to counteract them was crucial.

Unfortunately, Chan Zhi's origins were well understood by Li Qi.

Confident of no threat from Li Qi, or even if there was, he believed there was nothing Li Qi could do.

To solidify his path to Rank Six, he had to reveal his origins to Li Qi, much like revealing medical conditions to a doctor.

Chan Zhi felt he had acted wisely—resisting Guangyang Sikong's attack, using hibernation to resist Heavenly Slaughter, and contracting his body to withstand the formation's self-destruction.

He believed himself secure, expecting only minor injuries from this wave of attacks.

He easily endured the Seven Stars Heavenly Slaughter. The self-destruction below erupted, covering dozens of miles, turning the ground into fragments, huge mushroom clouds rising, dispersing the sky's river of magical artifacts, shaving off layers of land within a hundred miles.

The Guangyang region became white... no, red. Initially, intense heat and shockwaves turned the area white, resembling sunlight, then red as melted glass formed.

Beauty and cruelty coexisted. Everything within the blast radius turned to ash or became part of the flowing glass.

Fortunately, the area was uninhabited.

Chan Zhi's demon god body was injured by the unexpected double attack but remained formidable.

After the explosion, he effortlessly grabbed Guangyang Sikong by the throat, lifting him.

Returning, Guangyang Sikong barely wounded Chan Zhi before being captured alive.

Chan Zhi's strength was terrifying!

With a smile, Chan Zhi said, "I'm not skilled in artifact refining, but with you, I can compensate for this weakness."

Despite his smile, his demon god body appeared horrifying, with cold eyes, sticky saliva, and needle-like teeth.

Guangyang Sikong grimaced, forcing a smile, "Master Chan Zhi... aren't you curious?"

Chan Zhi tilted his head, "Curious about what?"

Guangyang Sikong laughed bitterly, "Aren't you curious why someone so cowardly and fearful of death as me would return to fight you?"

Chan Zhi frowned, puzzled. Why return after escaping? He hadn't planned to engage, yet Guangyang Sikong returned to fight.

Was it necessary?

Before he finished speaking, his body split open as if gnawed, quickly disintegrating.

Chan Zhi was stunned—who or what was attacking him?

Discarding Guangyang Sikong, he tried repelling the attacker with his demon god body and countless ghost gods, creating a massive repulsive force.

But it was ineffective. Guangyang Sikong was flung away, landing in a pool of melted glass, while Chan Zhi continued to disintegrate.

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The mysterious entity remained unaffected.

Terrified, Chan Zhi clasped his hands, summoning the Three-Inch Demon Realm inwardly, plunging himself into hell.

Holding four bowls filled with foul pus, he shouted, "Pus Blood Hell spans five hundred yojanas, filled with natural pus blood! It scorches lips and tongues, burning from throat to belly, unbearable pain!"

The scene was gruesome. Not only did he harm others but also himself.

Suddenly, a golden-furred rat, previously nearby, fled swiftly.

"Cough... phew!" The rat spat out pus, nearly vomiting, "You monk! Any shame left?!"

"Rat King?" Chan Zhi paused, realizing Li Qi's plan.

"You came, meaning Li Qi informed you secretly. You want to sacrifice me?" Chan Zhi asked.

Rat King floated, laughing, "Naturally, we agreed to come here for different reasons. You wanted Witch Dao balance, while I sought sacrificial incense for Rat Mound to become a divine rat."

"But now? Where's my promised incense?" Rat King demanded coldly.

This was Li Qi's opportunity! Sensing witchcraft, he knew there was an irreconcilable conflict between Chan Zhi and Rat Mound.

This was the third lethal move.

"But who conducts the sacrifice? Besides Li Qi, no one in Guangyang can perform it. Anyone above Rank Eight would've been detected already. Killing me won't get you your sacrifice," Chan Zhi said grimly.

"No one?" Rat King tilted his head.

Suddenly, mountains rose, and countless mountain and water deities cried out. The landscape array defending against the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest activated.

Chan Zhi was shocked. Impossible! No one in Guangyang could control the landscape array except Li Qi, trapped in his pagoda.

Who was conducting the sacrifice?

Meanwhile, miles away, the sacrificer observed the scene through some means unknown. No one in Guangyang recognized him, but Li Qi did—Grand Diviner's disciple, another Wu Deity Mountain Young Master, Bo Yue.