Chapter Fifty-Three: Facing Peril

“Alas... what a pity!”

After confirming that Shi Jian and his son had indeed left, Li Yang took out the Yin Vein Stone from his bosom. He gazed at the strands of dark green energy swirling within the pure white stone and could not help but sigh.

Ever since the world underwent its great transformation, not only had new ley lines ceased to form, but even the old ones were gradually drying up. For a place like Teng Teng Town to give birth to a new Earth-Fiend Yin Vein was nothing short of miraculous.

Yet, after decades of being forcibly cultivated by Shi Jian through corpse energy rituals, the vein had become corrupted, fit only for use by evil beings.

If this type of Yin Vein Stone were simply buried underground, it would soon give rise to a brand new Earth-Fiend Yin Vein. Li Yang’s original plan had been to use the stone to cultivate such a vein anew, providing a place for his strange beasts to train. Now, however, its worth had been greatly diminished; it could only serve as a one-time resource for the Furious Dawn Chicken’s ascension and transformation.

Although these few strange beasts did not fear such sinister energy and could even absorb it, the emergence of such a corrupted Earth-Fiend vein would render the surrounding dozens of miles uninhabitable for humans. Worse, it would attract demons and monsters, becoming a threat far greater than its benefit.

Ley lines born of heaven and earth are rare treasures; each spiritual vein can be said to represent an Earth Immortal.

The path of the Earth Immortal lies in establishing a blessed land or immortal grotto. Yet, such domains are not independent worlds; they cannot sustain themselves, and until transcending, must remain attached to the main world. Thus, every Earth Immortal who wishes to build such a domain must anchor it at a spiritual vein’s node, making it the energy core of their realm.

Only then can the Earth Immortal reside there undying, coexisting with the heavens and the sun and moon. Should the local ley line dry up, the immortal grotto collapses, and the Earth Immortal dependent upon it perishes as well—unless a new spiritual vein stone is found to replenish it. One can imagine how priceless such treasures are.

Dragon veins are even more wondrous. It is said that every dragon vein is the foundation of a dynasty, nurturing within it the Dragon of the Veins, also called the Divine Dragon. When such a Divine Dragon emerges, it is the peer of immortals, anchoring a dynasty’s fate, sweeping away all evil, suppressing every supernatural force, and serving as the dynasty’s ultimate reserve of power. As long as the dragon vein endures, the dynasty is almost indestructible. This is why, in times of chaos, demons run rampant—it is the exhaustion of the dragon veins, and the loss of their restraining power over the world.

The dragon, a creature from Eastern mythology, can stir the seas, summon clouds and mists, ascend to the heavens in spring, and dive into the depths in autumn. There are countless kinds of dragons: the Azure Dragon, head of the Four Symbols, can commune with heaven and earth and is also called the Canglong; the Yinglong, the Seasonal Dragon, can summon wind and rain and is also called the Yellow Dragon; the Candle Dragon, spirit of Zhongshan, can illuminate the underworld and is called the Candle-Bearing Dragon...

Yet, apart from the true dragon—peerless among the fruits of heaven and earth and rivaled only by the Phoenix—known as the Ancestral Dragon, the most mystical is the Divine Dragon, also called the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon. It is the symbol of imperial authority, representing absolute supremacy, uttering the law of heaven, forbidding all mortal magic. Human civilization’s tremendous development owes much to the protection of such Divine Dragons.

Thus, the worth of this Yin Vein Stone is evident; it is a treasure coveted by all ghostly immortals and spirits, yet it was ruined by Shi Jian.

...

Just as Li Yang was inwardly lamenting, a sudden commotion sounded behind him.

“No—rebirth by shedding! That old undead Shi Jian, even as he leaves, can’t resist giving me one last trick...”

Unbeknownst to Li Yang, the Unmelted Bone’s body had fused together. From its belly, a bloody, mangled head pushed its way out. Recalling Shi Jian’s final, seemingly unintentional glance before leaving, Li Yang cursed aloud.

“Heaven clear and earth bright, grant me the power of the gods: Transform—Sword!”

Sensing imminent danger, Li Yang shouted. Instantly, the Six-Winged Golden Centipede in the sky shone with dazzling light, transforming into a gleaming golden flying sword that shot toward the Unmelted Bone.

A tearing, spattering sound echoed.

“What a powerful toxin!”

As the golden sword pierced the Unmelted Bone’s skull, a jet of dark green corpse energy erupted, and in moments, the golden centipede’s shell was coated in a thin layer of black miasma.

Fortunately, the Six-Winged Golden Centipede was itself a creature of venom; had it been an ordinary magical weapon, it would have been instantly corroded by that terrifying corpse energy.

Just then, the Furious Dawn Chicken let out a thunderous crow. From its crimson and gold comb burst a radiant light of righteous power, instantly engulfing the Unmelted Bone.

With a hiss and a stench, acrid smoke rose as the Unmelted Bone’s body sizzled and bubbled as if doused in acid. Its shell began to melt, and with a sudden twitch, it slipped underground and vanished.

“No! I must give chase...”

Seeing this, Li Yang’s expression changed dramatically. The golden centipede flicked its tail in the air and immediately burrowed into the earth to pursue the Unmelted Bone.

Given the terror of the Unmelted Bone, it was sheer luck to have wounded it this time. If it recovered, it would surely seek vengeance, and with Li Yang’s current skills, he would be in grave danger.

“Go!” With a shout, Li Yang leapt onto the Golden Toad’s back, attuned himself to the centipede’s direction, and followed in pursuit.

In this chase, Li Yang quickly left the bounds of Teng Teng Town and entered the wilderness.

“This is the place—!”

Sensing that the Unmelted Bone had been entangled by the golden centipede underground, Li Yang focused his mind. The Golden Toad flicked out its tongue, plunging it deep into the earth. With a wrench, the soil bulged upward, and a bloody, ragged figure was flung out.

“Heh heh... You whelp, do you really think I fear you? I was only buying time. Since you’re so eager to die, I’ll be happy to oblige.”

From the belly of the Unmelted Bone suspended in midair came a rattling, hoarse voice.

“Vile creature! At the brink of death and still so arrogant—today I’ll grind your bones to dust!”

Though his heart quivered, Li Yang’s face betrayed no fear. He rebuked with righteous indignation.

The golden centipede, sensing Li Yang’s determination, suddenly swelled to a massive ten-zhang length and lunged at the Unmelted Bone. Sparks flew as they clashed, the clangor of metal ringing in the air.

The Six-Winged Golden Centipede, born with six wings and extraordinary talents, moved as fast as lightning, leaving blazing golden afterimages in the air. The Unmelted Bone was no less swift; both were impervious to harm, locked in a fierce struggle, neither able to gain the upper hand.

The Furious Dawn Chicken soared, eager to intervene, but its speed could not match the two combatants; it could only watch helplessly from the sidelines.

Suddenly, a shrill cry came from the golden centipede. It faltered, its speed dropping, and cracks appeared in its golden shell, raw flesh faintly visible beneath.

Though the golden centipede was an extraordinary creature with considerable cultivation, its powers were restrained in this fight. Unlike the legendary Unmelted Bone, who could be endlessly reborn from flesh and blood, it was no match and began to falter.

The Furious Dawn Chicken, seeing the Unmelted Bone slow down, leapt at once, crimson light flaring on its comb.

“Hmph! Cock, you may restrain me somewhat, but your cultivation is still shallow! Take this—!”

The Unmelted Bone sneered, spitting a cloud of gray corpse energy that struck the Furious Dawn Chicken squarely.

With a pitiful squawk, the chicken crashed to the ground, no longer held back by Shi Jian’s restraints.

Witnessing this, Li Yang felt a chill sweep through his heart.