Chapter 284: Chapter 230 Fuling Demon King!
"Wuling Mountain."
Chen Jichuan gazed out at the dense clusters of mist in the distance. Faintly visible, five towering peaks stood high in the five cardinal directions. The mountainous terrain was steep and cloaked with perpetual clouds and mist throughout the seasons.
Apart from the five main peaks, there were numerous smaller peaks scattered about, most of them steep and rugged.
The peaks, concealed within the mist, appeared to house unknown dangers within—like venomous serpents lying in wait, their ominous presence stirring a sense of unease.
"Luo Pu ventured to this location and determined that the mountain is home to only a single Demon King of the Soul Refining Second Layer Heaven."
"It shouldn’t be too difficult to handle."
Golden light shimmered in Chen Jichuan’s eyes as he broke through the obscuring mist, gazing deep into Wuling Mountain. Deep within the mountain, atop the Central Peak, he saw a Demon King’s lair sprawling across the mountaintop. Inside, the Demon King was leading over ten Great Demons, wielding blades and spears as they trained in martial arts.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Little Demons scurried about the five peaks, seemingly chaotic but actually giving away a well-organized inner structure.
Name: Fuling
Age: 669
Level: 22
Cultivation: Soul Refining Second Layer
Cultivation Technique: "Cloud Mist Nine Transformations"
Magic Skills: "All Heavens Walking," "Illusion Realm"
...
"So it’s a Snake Demon."
Chen Jichuan glanced at the Demon King within the mountain, confidence swelling within him.
With that, he strode forward, employing the "Taiyin Stealth Technique" to conceal his presence and aura, silently infiltrating Wuling Mountain and heading toward the Central Peak.
It didn’t take long before he reached the Central Peak.
"Who’s there?!"
Just as he approached the cave entrance, a chilling voice emerged from within. The temperature around him dropped sharply, a piercing cold spreading through the air.
"Such a sharp Demon King!"
Chen Jichuan’s thoughts momentarily shifted, but he remained composed.
"Receive this!"
With a casual motion, he twisted his body and swept his sleeve. The net that surged out from the cave was swiftly swept into his sleeve—
[Magical Treasure: Peach Blossom Seven Evil Soul-destroying Net]
[Level: Second-order]
[Description: Crafted by Fuling Demon King using the toxic Peach Blossom Miasma from within Wuling Mountain, blending it with molted snake skin to weave a net capable of entrapping and ensnaring targets. Once ensnared, the victim will perish within fifteen minutes as the net corrodes their bones and destroys their soul.]
"Not bad."
Chen Jichuan glanced at it briefly, nodding in approval.
To encounter such a potent Second-order Magical Treasure right at the start of the journey left him quite satisfied.
Demon Kings were often savage and crude, yet endowed with nature’s favor. Most had strong adaptability and carried a myriad of treasures. Take the Fuling Demon King, for instance: his molted snake skin contained profound mysteries. Combined with the Peach Blossom Miasma harvested from Wuling Mountain and refined for hundreds of years, it resulted in a Second-order Magical Treasure.
Had he been given another thousand years, allowed to collect enough miasma and evil Qi, and refine several pieces of molted snake skin, there was a good chance he could produce a Third-order artifact.
"But it’s unfortunate that I arrived several centuries early."
Chen Jichuan shook his head.
"Oh?!"
As his thoughts raced, a sound of surprise echoed from within the cave. Immediately, wisps of mist slithered out like dragon serpents. They twisted and turned like smoke, making them almost impossible to detect.
"Scatter!"
Chen Jichuan waved his sleeve repeatedly, causing these mists to disperse in all directions. However, they didn’t dissipate entirely; instead, they enveloped the surroundings, shrouding Chen Jichuan as well.
Suddenly.
Clouds and mist swirled, illusions multiplied, unsettling Chen Jichuan’s Divine Soul.
"Illusion Realm?"
Chen Jichuan immediately grasped the situation.
Through the "Insight Skill," he had observed clearly that one of Fuling Demon King’s trump cards was precisely this "Illusion Realm." Now faced with it firsthand, the technique was truly extraordinary.
"Unlike commonplace illusion techniques, this ’Illusion Realm’ leans heavily toward Divine Soul attacks."
Chen Jichuan scanned the mist-filled surroundings with sharp eyes, seeking traces of Fuling Demon King.
Simultaneously, he remained highly alert, silently channeling the "Three-in-One Indestructible Golden Light Body Protection Technique." Within the technique, he activated the "Soul Suppressing Bell," skillfully forming a bronze bell in his consciousness sea—
Dong~
Dong~
Dong Dong Dong~
The chimes of the "Soul Suppressing Bell" echoed, sending ripples through his consciousness sea. These ripples thwarted all of Fuling Demon King’s Divine Soul attacks hidden within the "Illusion Realm."
Layer upon layer, the threefold "Soul Suppressing Bell" provided impeccable defense against overwhelming assaults.
Yet at this moment.
Chen Jichuan’s complexion turned slightly pale.
"Such potent Divine Soul attacks—its power might rival Super-level Techniques." His heart trembled as vigilance surged within him.
Years of relentless cultivation had made him skilled and well-rounded, yet he still had noticeable shortcomings.
As now.
Faced with the Divine Soul assaults of a Second Layer Heaven Demon King, he struggled to withstand them. This was largely due to his low cultivation level in Xing Dao, barely reaching Night Travel’s tenth layer, still at the First-order.
Another factor was his cultivation of the "Three-in-One Indestructible Golden Light Body Protection Technique." While comprehensive, its understanding was arduous due to its High-level classification.
The technique harmonized the body-based "Golden Bell Shield Skill," mana-based "Protective Sword Shield," and soul-based "Bright Light Soul Protection Technique," combining three Protective Skills into one. Blending essence, Qi, and spirit within a unified defense was unparalleled.
The three components complemented each other, providing layered protection:
For the Divine Soul, it could form the "Soul Suppressing Bell."
For the physical body, it could form the "Golden Bell Shield."
For mana, it could form the "Undying Sword Shield."
The three components could be interchanged or combined. Moreover, stacking them amplified their power.
Even with such refinement.
Stacking a single "Soul Suppressing Bell" threefold was still outmatched by Fuling Demon King’s Divine Soul attack.
In terms of Divine Soul offense and defense, Chen Jichuan was outclassed in cultivation, technique tier, and skill mastery across the board.
He was thoroughly outmatched.
"I currently possess the ’Little Four Nine Wind and Thunder Escape Method,’ ’Daluo Heavenly Sleeve,’ ’Daluo Heavenly Fire,’ and ’Heaven Mending Seal’—a repertoire of Super-level Techniques."
"Moving forward, I need to enhance the ’Three-in-One Indestructible Golden Light Body Protection Technique’ to the Super-level and dedicate myself to comprehending it."
Chen Jichuan reflected deeply, realizing his vulnerability.
But that was a matter for another time. Now, his priority was eliminating Fuling Demon King.
"Attacking their strengths with my weaknesses is inadvisable."
Chen Jichuan’s brows furrowed slightly as he scanned the swirling mist. A moment later, his lips curled into a faint smile: "I’ve found you!"
A subtle laugh.
Behind Chen Jichuan, Wind Thunder Wings stretched wide. With a single flap, he tore through the mist, causing wind and thunder to rage—
Boom!
With one palm strike, over a thousand Sword Qi surged forth, constructing a Sword Map. The seven stars aligned, crashing into a shadow hidden within the mist.
Hiss hiss hiss~
The "Illusion Realm" was instantly shattered, revealing Fuling Demon King, whose panicked expression flickered.
Moments ago, he had been teaching his Great Demons and Little Demons martial arts within the cave when he sensed someone stealthily infiltrating Wuling Mountain and reaching the cave entrance. In anger and alarm, he unleashed his Magical Treasure, intending to capture the intruder. Yet his painstakingly refined treasure was effortlessly taken away.
Even his formidable "Illusion Realm," which was usually invincible, was swiftly countered and destroyed.
This only fueled Fuling Demon King’s rage and shock.
Utilizing the momentum brought by the clash, he distanced himself, his cold triangular eyes locking onto the intruder as he spoke icily: "Who are you, and why have you trespassed into my Wuling Mountain?"
Fuling Demon King scrutinized Chen Jichuan.
Chen Jichuan scrutinized Fuling Demon King. The Demon King possessed a slender frame, green hair, and features resembling a snake. In each hand, he wielded a longsword, appearing skilled in martial techniques.
Merely observing his ability to withstand Chen Jichuan’s "Seven Elements Relieving Calamity Ruyi Tiangang Splitting Light Sword Technique" and leap out of the Seven-star Sword Diagram spoke volumes.
"Truly not to be underestimated."
Chen Jichuan acknowledged that he had underestimated this Demon King earlier. As a Second-order Second Layer Heaven Demon King, Fuling Demon King’s strength and abilities far exceeded expectations—they were not something he could easily suppress.
Luckily, Chen Jichuan was inherently cautious, avoiding any fatal misstep.
"To truly vanquish this Fuling Demon King, even a True Person from the Fourth or Fifth Layer Heaven would struggle."
Chen Jichuan pondered.
Though his skills were considerable and able to contend with cultivators in the Third or Fourth Layer Heaven, defeating this Demon King was still a daunting challenge.
Fortunately, he possessed a wide array of Secret Techniques and methods that defied convention—far superior to ordinary cultivators in the Fourth or Fifth Layer Heaven.
Either way, Wuling Mountain was his for the taking.
"Come!"
"Fight!"
Having resolved his decision, Chen Jichuan ignored Fuling Demon King’s inquiries, shouting as he pressed the Sword Map against the Demon King.
Upon reaching the Enlightenment Realm, Chen Jichuan commanded over a thousand strands of Sword Qi, and the Sword Map’s might soared to new heights.
Sword Qi surged.
Chen Jichuan had little to fear when faced with a mob. All around him, the commotion had drawn the Great Demons and Little Demons of Wuling Mountain toward the source of battle.
"My Lord!"
A reckless Great Demon charged forward. Before even approaching, they were shredded into nothingness by the Sword Qi, leaving the other Great Demons too terrified to act.
"Damned wretches!"
Fuling Demon King himself suffered under the relentless assault.
With his Magical Treasure seized and his Illusion Realm shattered, he was left with only the swords in his hands. Desperately defending against the onslaught, he was gradually forced into retreat.
The Demon King was equally cautious.
Realizing that his abilities were depleted and victory was unattainable, his eyes flared with sinister hatred as he made his move. Wielding his twin swords to parry the Sword Map, he transformed into mist, splitting into eighteen dragon-serpent-like forms that darted away with lightning speed.
"Where do you think you’re going?!"
Chen Jichuan shouted sharply, wielding the Sword Map, which expanded to cover the skies. As he stomped his foot, golden light flickered—this was the "Innate One Qi Demon-locking Bone-shrinking Great Method," which he had been secretly planting ever since stepping onto Wuling Mountain’s Central Peak.
Sword Qi sealed the heavens.
Golden light anchored the earth.
The eighteen mist forms moved with incredible speed, seemingly flying across dimensions, making them nearly indiscernible and even harder to entrap.
The Sword Qi and golden light trapped them for only a heartbeat.
The next moment.
Dragon-serpents pierced the void, diving into the earth in an attempt to vanish without a trace.
Yet even in that fleeting instant, Chen Jichuan had seen through their ruse—
"Stay here!"
As cloud mist churned, Chen Jichuan propelled himself with Wind Thunder Wings, heading straight for one of the figures. With a sweep of his sleeve, he unleashed the "Daluo Heavenly Sleeve," enshrouding the mist-like dragon-serpent.
Boom!
The prison was formed!
The misty dragon-serpent was immediately confined, reverting to its original form—a smug-looking Fuling Demon King. Leisurely, he gazed up at Chen Jichuan and sneered, "My ’All Heavens Walking’ skill is boundless! Each of the eighteen forms can be my true body or a mere decoy. Capturing one form means nothing."
As he spoke.
The remaining seventeen mist forms indeed continued to streak across the sky, breaking through the Seven-star Sword Diagram and golden light barriers, dispersing in all directions.
Fuling Demon King’s expression grew even more smug.
Chen Jichuan paid no attention to the seventeen fleeing mist forms, allowing them to escape and vanish. He only gazed at the Fuling Demon King ensnared by the "Daluo Heavenly Sleeve," his face alight with mocking disdain—
...