Chapter 78: The Costly Ruse

Ji Feichen and his companions rode upon auspicious clouds, urging the immortal wind as they departed. In the distance, Tianchengzi cautiously peered out, feeling a wave of relief as he watched the four move in another direction. “That crafty Ji Feichen always finds a way,” he thought. At present, Tianchengzi existed only as a soul, temporarily inhabiting the Demon Dragon Mace, and with Ji Feichen’s help, he had borrowed a talisman to transform his appearance, deceiving Zhuo Pingtian and the others by impersonating Ji Feichen.

After several battles, his aura became unstable, and his soul could barely endure.

“Hmph! Instead of complaining about him, you’d better think about how to rejoin him next. My Boundless Heaven technique can only sustain you for three hours,” Tu Shan’s cold voice came from the other side of the talisman.

To stage a play within the mansion, Ji Feichen needed someone to cooperate with him. At this moment, Tianchengzi, who also cultivated the “Profound Evil Demon Dragon Sutra,” was the perfect candidate. Ji Feichen handed him the Boundless Heaven Talisman and asked Tu Shan to assist with illusions. He then chose some low-ranking immortal cultivators as targets and had them serve as false witnesses, allowing Ji Feichen and Qinghong’s identities to coexist.

Yet Tianchengzi’s soul in its shadowy form could not last much longer. Seeing this, Tu Shan said, “Forget it, you’re unreliable. I’ll handle it myself.” He was currently cultivating in the sacred land of the demon tribe on Nine-Hundred Mountain. He instructed the Flying Tiger General beside him, “Go outside and bring me a piece of peach wood.”

The general brought the peach wood, and Tu Shan carved it into a figurine, affixed the Boundless Heaven Talisman, and recited the secret incantations of the Celestial Fox.

Peach wood wards off evil and is often used in magical implements and spells.

Soon, Tianchengzi felt white steam rising all over his body, and was enveloped by hazy light, truly transformed into Ji Feichen’s likeness.

Astonished, Tianchengzi gazed at his reflection in a nearby pool: Was this the formless path of the Celestial Fox?

No shape, no form, enchanting all beings, the ability to transform the world—the Celestial Fox’s true art was finally revealed.

Tu Shan weighed the two Demon Dragon Maces in his hand and told Tianchengzi, “I’m not familiar with his Demon Dragon Sutra. When it comes to fighting, it’s still up to you.”

“I understand.” Tianchengzi was awed by Tu Shan’s ability to transmit his art across space, and grew even more wary of Ji Feichen. He had originally planned to escape the immortal mansion and seek spiritual medicines to restore his body. Now it was clear that Ji Feichen’s confidence in not restricting him was thanks to Tu Shan’s presence.

Before Tu Shan, Tianchengzi was powerless.

The Celestial Fox youth looked toward the direction the group had departed, then turned and transformed into wisps of white smoke, drifting ahead of them.

With Tu Shan impersonating “Ji Feichen,” the four suffered many minor setbacks along the way.

Upon reaching a palace, before they could react, demonic energy erupted from the stone lions at the entrance, automatically activating the palace’s defensive formations and attacking them. The entire palace vanished in an instant. Elsewhere, by a pool, the weak water transformed into demonic arrows for a surprise attack. Or mysterious, formless demonic flames rained down from the sky, leaving the group battered and scrambling.

“That kid’s quite something!” Ji Feichen secretly marveled. “This doesn’t seem like Tianchengzi’s handiwork—looks like Tu Shan is acting personally. That fellow is shrewd; Senior Tiancheng can’t match him.”

As he pondered, a shadow burst forth from beneath his feet, clad in dragon armor and wielding the Demon Dragon Mace at Ji Feichen.

Seeing the assailant’s face, Ji Feichen was surprised, showing no intention to resist.

“Junior Brother, be careful.” Zhang Yuanchu quickly unfurled his treasure umbrella, its canopy dropping strings of jade and blue mist, shielding himself and Ji Feichen.

Zhuo Pingtian glanced at the demon, then at the wandering immortal Qinghong, noting a resemblance between the two: “Could it be there’s some connection between them?”

At that moment, the demon struck and retreated, transforming into a black dragon and fleeing into the distance.

“Don’t go!” Ji Feichen, visibly agitated, summoned the Azure Tide Pearl and gave chase.

Both moved with incredible speed, disappearing from the area.

Zhang Yuanchu and the others exchanged confused looks. Gritting his teeth, Zhang Yuanchu said, “Let’s pursue him. Junior Brother looked uneasy just now—he might not be a match for that demon alone.”

The three chased after them, soon losing contact with Ji Feichen.

“Ah, if only we’d obtained Junior Brother’s contact method earlier, we wouldn’t have lost him completely.” The trio searched slowly, also looking for other Daoist comrades.

Meanwhile, Ji Feichen and Tu Shan landed one after the other in a certain mountain valley.

“All right, that’s enough.” With a sweep of his sleeve, Ji Feichen sent a stream of azure radiance into his robe—the valley held a mystical jade pool, the resting place of an Azure Tide Pearl.

As Tu Shan heard this, he withdrew the Celestial Fox’s power, and the two Demon Dragon Maces flew back to the Nine-Heavens Mystic Gold Dragon Tower.

In the demon sacred land, the wooden figurine before Tu Shan lost its luster, the Boundless Heaven Talisman slipping off. He instructed Ji Feichen, “You can step away from the Daoist sect for now. Best to stage your own play and reclaim your Azure Tide Pearls.”

“Understood.”

A single Azure Tide Pearl was enough for self-preservation, but to move freely within the immortal mansion, Ji Feichen had to recover all the scattered pearls.

Yet this collaboration with Tu Shan made Ji Feichen acutely aware of his isolation. Manipulating both Daoist and demonic factions single-handedly was no easy task.

“If not for Tu Shan’s help, it wouldn’t be possible.” Only now did Ji Feichen understand why the cultivation world valued “method, companion, wealth, and place.” Apart from the cultivation method, comrades were more important than rare treasures or blessed locations.

When one faces difficulties alone, forming alliances and seeking friends is the way. Even after reincarnation, trapped in the mystery of birth, one can rely on fellow cultivators and friends for guidance back to the immortal path.

“Even the selfish demonic sects need their organizations to gather rare resources and help them weather calamities.” Ji Feichen suddenly wondered if having a few more allies on his side would be better than wandering alone as a rogue cultivator.

The thought flickered and vanished, and he resumed his role as the demonic Ji Feichen, ambushing Daoist cultivators within the mansion.

He exercised restraint, only seizing treasures and spiritual medicines collected by Daoist disciples, never killing or venturing deep into the mansion. He knew the mansion had its master: as a demon, probing for treasure would only provoke attacks and yield little.

Instead, he drew hatred, spreading word of the demonic Ji Feichen, all while searching for the Azure Tide Pearls. As the pearls were tied to his life, he soon gathered them all, acquiring many spiritual medicines from Daoists along the way.

He said to Tianchengzi, “Senior Brother, I now have all the medicines needed to forge a body. Once we leave the mansion, I can help you restore your flesh—but how will you repay me?”

Tianchengzi hesitated, remaining silent within the Nine-Heavens Treasure Tower.

He stared at the Qiong Tree before him, lost in thought. “The blood oath of the Origin Sect has penetrated my Dao fruit. Once I return to the Underworld Sect, I’ll fall under the control of that old villain Hei Liu. But if I accept this boy’s terms, I’ll end up under his thumb as well.”

But between two evils, he’d choose the lesser. Compared to the dreadful Hei Liu, Tianchengzi favored Ji Feichen.

“If I can obtain this Qiong Tree and make it my condition—have him give it to me—I could eventually break free from his grasp.” The Nine-Xiang Qiong Tree was a cosmic treasure for breaking karmic vows, which was why so many demonic experts conspired to destroy Lingwei Sect.

Seeing Tianchengzi silent, Ji Feichen gave him time to consider and continued to roam as a demonic disciple. At this moment, he spotted celestial light in the distance.

“Is that Jingxuan?” He was just pondering this when suddenly a divine dragon soared in the sky, black and white mystical radiance slashing toward him.

The radiance was familiar—Ji Feichen froze: “Isn’t this my Yin-Yang Dragon Whisker?”

“You wretch, return my family’s lives!” A furious roar echoed overhead as Fu Yutang wielded the Dragon Whisker Sword and descended to attack.

Ji Feichen’s mind raced—he dared not use Daoist arts, instead casting a sheet of weak water and hurling several Gui Water Divine Thunders in return.

The Three Yin Weak Water dissolved all things, but before the Yin-Yang Dragon Whisker Sword, it was cleaved in one stroke, the demonic water splitting to either side as Fu Yutang reached him in an instant.

Seeing Fu Yutang, Ji Feichen instantly understood his identity.

“So, the aggrieved party of the pledge has arrived so soon.” He grasped the Demon Dragon Mace, gave it a gentle shake, and the long mace transformed into a black dragon, guarding him as several Gui Water Divine Thunders exploded near Fu Yutang.

“Be careful, brother!” Jingxuan and several sect members arrived, saw Fu Yutang recklessly attacking Ji Feichen, and immediately intervened to help.

Celestial light of the Grand Purity enveloped the heavens, blue lotuses blossoming among mountains and waters, shielding Fu Yutang and neutralizing the explosive power of the thunder.

“Five Grand Purity immortals?” Ji Feichen thought gloomily. With a gesture, the Three Yin Weak Water became a vast cloud-like Nether River, blocking their advance as he himself turned into a dark beam and fled.

“Don’t worry, brother—I’ll catch him and avenge your kin!” Jingxuan comforted Fu Yutang, then he and two companions gave chase.

Jingxuan himself may not match Ji Feichen in skill, but his two companions had mastered the divine aspect, and together the three soon injured Ji Feichen.

Of course, part of the injury was Ji Feichen’s deliberate feint, letting them leave wounds. Then he pretended to fight desperately, using blood curses to force his power and break out of their encirclement.

“The Grand Purity Sect truly lives up to its reputation as the most ruthless of the Supreme Factions. Without the Nine-Heavens Divine Tower and Azure Tide Pearl, my combat strength is reduced by at least thirty percent!”

Ji Feichen used only the Demon Dragon Mace and weak water, never Daoist arts like the Yin-Yang Dragon Whisker, wind-summoning, or mystical thunder. If not for his advanced cultivation, he would never have escaped their siege.

After fleeing, Ji Feichen quickly spoke into the Boundless Heaven Talisman: “Help me analyze the essence of Grand Purity celestial light—I want you to imitate it later.” Then, he acted ruthlessly, gouging out the flesh around the wound marked by Grand Purity energy.

His eyes flashed coldly, sweat beading on his brow, as he endured the pain, struck himself three times with the Gui Water Divine Thunder, injuring his organs, and splashed weak water on his face, corroding his features.

“You are merciless,” Tu Shan remarked, once again impersonating Ji Feichen through Tianchengzi’s transformation, stepping out from the Nine-Heavens Dragon God Tower. Seeing Ji Feichen’s self-mutilation, he shook his head lightly.

With these preparations, the first stage of his ruse was complete. Dizzy, Ji Feichen found a conspicuous spot to lie down: “This time, I’ve truly paid the price. If Jingxuan doesn’t come to rescue me, I might truly die!”

Tu Shan used the Celestial Fox’s path to simulate the Grand Purity energy wound on his transformed body. When Jingxuan and his companions arrived, Tu Shan’s expression changed, activated his power, and struck Ji Feichen’s heart, shattering it before departing in a burst of laughter.