nycdaug Chapter 52 Escorting the Spiritual Plants Down the Mountain 1
Chapter 52 Escorting the Spiritual Plants Down the Mountain 1
Once Xu Xiaoxiao had mastered swordsmanship, the sect received a mission to escort rare spiritual plants down the mountain.
The sect leader arranged for one disciple from each peak to escort the journey, giving the disciples an opportunity to gain experience.
The mountain path is rugged and monsters often appear, so traveling by sword is the safest option.
Xu Xiaoxiao volunteered to participate, and her master Li Changchun thought for a moment and nodded in agreement: "Xiaoxiao, this trip is dangerous, so it's a good opportunity to test your sword-wielding skills in real combat. Listen to your senior brothers and sisters when you encounter problems."
On the day of departure, Xu Xiaoxiao stood on her flying sword early in the morning, full of high spirits.
Yuan Mengyao saw Xu Xiaoxiao from afar and quickly called out, "Junior Sister Xiaoxiao, we can do missions together again! I was too embarrassed to ask you to hang out with me the other day because you were cultivating so hard."
Xu Xiaoxiao was also very happy to see Yuan Mengyao, whom she hadn't seen for a long time, and flew away on her sword to get closer to her.
Leading the group here is Yang Qingfeng, the sect leader's second disciple, who is at the Golden Core stage and has the highest cultivation level among this group.
Yang Qingfeng was a rather refined-looking man, resembling a pale-faced scholar. He usually spoke with a serious demeanor and rarely smiled. "Fellow junior brothers and sisters, our mission is to escort this batch of spirit values to Bright Moon City. We hope you will join us..."
"Yes, we will follow Senior Brother Qingfeng's arrangements," the disciples from all peaks replied in unison.
Halfway through their journey, a monster resembling a giant bull, engulfed in flames, suddenly leaped out of the dense forest. Its horns were as sharp as knives. With a roar, waves of heat swept over them, blocking their path.
The team instantly went on alert, and the flying swords hovered.
This Flamehorn Beast was shaped like a small hill, more than two people tall. Its muscles were taut, and its bulging tendons seemed to contain boundless brute force. Its solid skin had a dark, murky red color, faintly exuding high temperature, which distorted the surrounding air.
A pair of thick, sharp bull horns spiraled upwards like red-hot branding irons, nearly ten feet long, with eerie blue flames swirling around them. Wherever they passed, the space seemed to be scorched with black marks, sizzling loudly.
Its limbs are as thick as pillars, and when it lands, the surrounding soil and rocks tumble down. Every time it treads the ground, it raises a cloud of dust, like a small volcanic eruption.
The Flamehorn Beast is a fire-attribute demon beast. Not only can it spew forth billowing flames from its mouth and nostrils, the temperature of which is extremely high, as if magma has descended upon the world. Wherever it goes, rocks melt instantly and vegetation turns to ashes. It is also surrounded by a layer of scorching heat waves, forming a natural shield. Ordinary flying swords that get close will be overturned and melted by the heat waves. What's more troublesome is that it has thick skin and flesh. Most spells will only leave a white mark on its body, without causing any vital damage. However, it moves as fast as the wind. When it charges, it is as powerful as thunder. In the blink of an eye, it can cross a hundred feet, making it impossible to defend against.
Xu Xiaoxiao's eyes widened, and she subconsciously gripped the sword hilt, her voice trembling slightly: "This...this is a Flamehorn Beast, I've heard it's extremely aggressive!"
Yuan Mengyao patted Xu Xiaoxiao on the shoulder and comforted her, "Don't be afraid, Senior Brother Qingfeng is here."
Yang Qingfeng's expression was cold and stern. He took a few steps forward with his flying sword, summoned his magic weapon, and an ice-blue light screen instantly formed in front of everyone. He said in a deep voice, "Don't panic, everyone. Listen to my command. Set up the defensive sword formation first. Junior brothers and sisters who are good at attacking, prepare to find its weakness and strike."
Everyone responded in unison and quickly formed a battle formation.
Xu Xiaoxiao and Yuan Mengyao stood side by side, their flying swords nimbly weaving through the air, striving to maintain a corner of the sword formation.
But the Flamehorn suddenly rammed into her, causing the sword formation to shake. Xu Xiaoxiao almost fell, but Yuan Mengyao quickly grabbed her and said, "Hold on!"
After several rounds of attacks, the Flamehorn became increasingly ferocious, and the flames scorched the surrounding trees black.
Xu Xiaoxiao was anxious and seized the opportunity to stab the monster's neck with her flying sword, but it blocked her with a hoof, sending her and her sword flying several feet away.
"Xiaoxiao!" Yuan Mengyao exclaimed, wanting to go to the rescue, but was blocked by the monster's fire breath.
Yang Qingfeng flew over and caught Xu Xiaoxiao, frowning as he scolded, "Reckless! Real combat is not a routine exercise; you must not rush in alone."
Xu Xiaoxiao blushed and nodded repeatedly.
In their next encounter, the group's teamwork improved, and Yang Qingfeng seized the opportunity to strike the Flame Horned Beast in a vital spot with a palm strike. The beast cried out in pain and collapsed to the ground.
While resting, Xu Xiaoxiao said dejectedly, "It's all my fault for dragging everyone down; I almost ruined everything."
Yuan Mengyao handed over the water pouch and joked, "Oh, are you getting discouraged already? It's good that you managed to stay calm after encountering such a ferocious monster for the first time. There will be plenty of opportunities to improve in the future."
Yang Qingfeng also came over, his expression softening slightly: "Your courage is commendable, but you lack experience. With more training, you will surely be able to handle things calmly."
Xu Xiaoxiao's fighting spirit was rekindled, and she clenched her fists: "Don't worry, Senior Brother Qingfeng and Senior Sister Yuan, I will definitely not let you down again!"
After a short rest, the group set off again, speeding towards Bright Moon City. The road ahead was unknown, but no one showed any fear.
After setting off again, it grew dark and fog filled the mountains and forests, making it difficult to see. The group had to slow down their sword-riding speed.
Suddenly, a sinister wind howled past, carrying eerie shrieks, as if countless evil spirits were wailing.
Xu Xiaoxiao felt a chill run down her spine. She flew closer to Yuan Mengyao with her flying sword and muttered softly, "Senior Sister Yuan, why does this wind sound so eerie?"
Yuan Mengyao gripped the magic weapon tightly, glancing around warily: "Don't panic, the mountains and forests are always dangerous at night, stay alert."
As soon as he finished speaking, a group of dark figures emerged from the thick fog. They were humanoid yet ethereal and illusory, emanating a ghostly green light. They were troublesome phantoms and ghosts.
They bared their teeth and claws, instantly surrounding the crowd.
The disciples, who had never been out in the world for training, turned pale upon seeing this, and almost dropped their swords.
Yang Qingfeng's expression turned solemn as he shouted, "This is a vengeful ghost, unafraid of swords and blades, skilled at bewitching minds! Everyone, form the Mind Demon Formation to protect your spirits!"
The group quickly changed their sword formation, their spiritual energy surging, and the sword formation shone brightly.
Xu Xiaoxiao made hand seals, and the flying sword flashed with light, but due to nervousness, she made several mistakes in the seals.
Seeing this, Yuan Mengyao secretly transmitted her voice and said, "Xiaoxiao, calm down and follow me to chant the incantation to guide the spiritual power."
Xu Xiaoxiao followed his advice and gradually got back on track.
But the resentful ghosts continued their attack, their claws tearing through the gaps in the sword formation.
Xu Xiaoxiao was caught off guard and had her ankle entangled by a ghost. A chill ran down her spine, and she cried out in alarm, "Senior Sister Yuan!"
Yuan Mengyao immediately spun her flying sword, a beam of light severing the ghost claw, and scolded, "Concentrate!"
Seeing the vengeful spirits and ghosts swarming forward, Yang Qingfeng made a decisive move and took the lead in offering up a Buddhist magic treasure—the Purple Gold Bowl.
The alms bowl, suspended in mid-air, suddenly emitted a burst of golden light, accompanied by a series of chanting sounds, like the tolling of a great bell. Wherever the sound waves reached, the vengeful spirits swayed, and their attacks faltered.
Yang Qingfeng muttered incantations as his hands rapidly formed hand seals, and golden runes floated from his fingertips, merging into the light of the alms bowl to enhance its dispelling power.
"Fellow disciples, pour your spiritual power into this alms bowl to help it cleanse itself of evil spirits!" Yang Qingfeng shouted.
Upon hearing this, everyone urged their flying swords to approach, each unleashing their spiritual power. In an instant, colorful light converged and surged toward the purple-gold alms bowl.
Xu Xiaoxiao gritted her teeth and exerted her strength, the veins on her forehead bulging slightly. While channeling her spiritual energy to the fullest, she didn't forget to shout, "Everyone, disperse!"
The alms bowl, empowered by spiritual energy, shone like the blazing sun and began to spin rapidly, emitting beams of purifying golden light. The eerie green light around any vengeful spirits and ghosts it touched instantly dimmed, and they were pulled into the alms bowl with mournful howls.
Yuan Mengyao held a peach wood spirit whip, the whip body engraved with runes and shining with a soft blue light.
She spotted a few fleeing vengeful spirits, chased after them with lightning speed on her flying sword, slashed out an arc of blue light with her whip, and shouted, "With the righteous energy of peach wood, I will purify your resentment!"
The peach wood whip sliced through the tofu with ease, cutting open the vengeful spirit. The black mist inside was burned away by the blue light, and the vengeful spirit vanished, leaving only wisps of harmless blue smoke.
Xu Xiaoxiao knew that the task of purifying the vengeful spirits was arduous. Seeing everyone using their methods, she was anxious and forced herself to calm down.
She quickly recalled her flying sword, which vibrated and shone brightly, clearly indicating that it was now fully charged with spiritual power.
Xu Xiaoxiao rode her flying sword straight towards the densely packed area of vengeful spirits. Her hands moved rapidly, changing hand seals as she chanted, "The sword rises with a gentle breeze, breaking through the gloom; a single spark of spiritual insight dispels evil!"
As the incantation was finished, the flying sword split into several sword shadows, dancing wildly like silver snakes, accurately piercing the vengeful spirits. Where the sword shadows passed, the vengeful spirits swayed, emitting wisps of black smoke, and their attacks were effectively contained.
Her spiritual energy was being depleted too quickly, and Xu Xiaoxiao's face turned bright red, her forehead covered in sweat, yet she didn't retreat an inch.
She took out several self-made purification talismans from her storage bag. These talismans were painstakingly drawn by her after many days of seclusion, and they contained spiritual power and purification incantations.
With a flick of her wrist, the talisman ignited in the wind, transforming into a golden net that firmly enveloped several fleeing vengeful spirits. As the net tightened, the spirits howled in agony, their resentment rapidly dissipating.
However, the vengeful spirits continued to retaliate. A huge vengeful spirit leader bared its fangs and claws and pounced. Xu Xiaoxiao was unable to dodge in time and was hit by the yin energy, causing her to stagger.
In that critical moment, her eyes sharpened, she clasped her hands together in front of her chest, poured out all her remaining spiritual power, and mobilized the sword spirit power within her body. A soft sword light emanated from her body, and she shouted: "With a clear sword heart, all evil shall retreat!"
The light transformed into a shield, temporarily blocking the attack of the vengeful spirit leader. At the same time, the spiritual power flowed into the flying sword, which "whooshed" through the core of the vengeful spirit leader, severely injuring it and creating an opportunity for the teammates to deliver a crucial blow, working together to completely purify the vengeful spirit.
The other disciples were not idle either. Some used spirit fire talismans, and the raging spirit flames trapped the vengeful spirit, burning and purifying its resentment; others turned their prayer beads and chanted the Heart-Cleansing Mantra, and the sound waves turned into invisible shackles, restricting the vengeful spirit's movements and helping their teammates to annihilate it in one fell swoop.
After a fierce battle, the number of vengeful spirits and ghosts was greatly reduced.
Xu Xiaoxiao's spiritual power was exhausted, and she swayed. Yuan Mengyao quickly caught her and said, "Hold on, we're almost done!"
Yang Qingfeng unleashed his full spiritual power, letting out a loud shout. The purple-gold alms bowl shone brightly, and the final wave of purification power exploded, sweeping across the surroundings like a surging tide. The remaining vengeful spirits and ghosts vanished in the light, and the eerie atmosphere in the mountains and forests was swept away.
After a fierce battle, sweat beaded on Yang Qingfeng's forehead, a resolute glint flashed in his eyes, he clasped his hands together, and golden light shone from his body: "Buddha's Light Shines Everywhere!"
The powerful Buddha light dispelled a large number of vengeful spirits.
Taking advantage of this brief respite, the group unleashed their combined power to annihilate the remaining ghosts.
When they landed and rested, Xu Xiaoxiao looked exhausted and her eyes were red: "Senior Sister Yuan, Senior Brother Qingfeng, I almost messed things up again. This time I almost fell into a trap and almost lost my mind."
Yuan Mengyao handed her a handkerchief to wipe her sweat and said gently, "Don't blame yourself. Vengeful spirits are the most difficult to deal with. Didn't we get away unscathed this time? That's how you gain experience."
Yang Qingfeng patted her shoulder lightly: "That's right, your foundation is not bad. After experiencing a few more times, your reaction will be much faster. In the future, when you encounter enemies, keeping your mind steady is the most important thing."
Xu Xiaoxiao sniffed and nodded emphatically: "Yes! I will definitely try my best and will never let everyone worry next time!"
After purifying the vengeful spirits, everyone was exhausted and found a spacious cave to rest.