BXBX NOVEL Chapter 46 - 46: Demonic Infant
After venturing into the concealed passageway, he meticulously rearranged several blades of grass, meticulously restoring them to their original state.
The hidden passage extended far beneath the ground, exhibiting a labyrinthine and intricately designed structure. As they delved deeper, its dimensions expanded, growing wider with each step they took.
The illusion of attaining the coveted treasure tantalized his mind, but fate had different plans, and an unforeseen incident unfolded before him.
Shortly after their descent, Cheng Xu’s extraordinary spiritual senses alerted him to the presence of other individuals lurking in the depths of the secret passage. Discerning their auras, he deduced that they were two cultivators at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.
Reacting swiftly, Cheng Xu suppressed his breath and concealed himself with utmost caution. Engaging in telepathic communication with Yuntai Zhenren, who resided within the flying sword, he inquired, “What is happening? Didn’t you assure me that no one knew about your treasure vault?”
Yuntai Zhenren’s response came with a tinge of embarrassment, “It appears to be my two trusted aides. Curse them, I had nearly forgotten about those ungrateful wretches.”
Wearing a perplexed expression, Cheng Xu furrowed his brows and posed another query, “How formidable are these two individuals?”
“Their strength was once highly regarded by this old master. Considering the profits they accumulated over the years in the market, their power is likely on par with inner sect disciples of prominent sects,” Yuntai Zhenren explained with a hint of pride.
Perplexed by the situation, Cheng Xu wondered aloud, “If they were aware of this place, why did they not immediately seize your family’s possessions?”
Yuntai Zhenren’s voice swelled with smugness, “Although those two wretched scoundrels were aware of the existence of this treasure vault, they remained oblivious to its method of access.”
Acknowledging Yuntai Zhenren’s explanation, Cheng Xu nodded thoughtfully and cautiously maneuvered through the passageway. He employed the Ten Thousand Arts Evil Eye to stealthily observe the situation.
The two figures before him stood tall and slender, their attire confirming their association with the stewards from the Grand Cloud Mountain market.
As Yuntai Zhenren had described, the duo found themselves thwarted by the door to the treasure vault, their futile attempts to forcefully breach the barrier betraying their limited strength.
“Frustrating! Why did that old man craft such a formidable restriction?” one of them grumbled resentfully.
“Indeed! He’s already deceased. Can’t he simply allow us to inherit the legacy in peace?” the other chimed in, voicing his discontent.
Their curses and complaints accompanied their relentless assault on the barrier, but their feeble strength proved insufficient to overcome it.
Enraged by their insolence, Yuntai Zhenren, confined within the flying sword, lashed out, “You two ungrateful curs! Release me and grant me the opportunity to discipline these ingrates!”
Cheng Xu sneered at Yuntai Zhenren’s proposition, “And what would you accomplish with your current strength?”
Yuntai Zhenren, somewhat embarrassed, muttered, “…They cannot perceive my ethereal spirit form. Their divine senses are lacking your extraordinary capabilities. Handling one of them should not pose a problem. 1 shall leave the other to you.”
“Never mind. 1 shall handle it myself,” Cheng Xu responded calmly. He was wary of potential trickery from the old man.
“All, but these two ingrates possess considerable talent, both being at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. Can you handle them alone, my young friend?” Yuntai Zhenren inquired, his doubt evident.
Cheng Xu responded with a smile but opted to remain silent.
“Please, young friend, grant me freedom. Eventually, 1 must personally unlock the doors to the treasure vault. It is merely a matter of time,” Yuntai Zhenren persisted, seeking Cheng Xu’s assistance.
Disinterested in indulging him further, Cheng Xu dismissed Yuntai Zhenren’s request. Instead, he silently absorbed the information he gleaned from the two cultivators and swiftly executed the Cloud Steps technique, launching an ethereal assault on them.
The two individuals, previously grumbling and unaware of their impending doom, were abruptly jolted into alertness. Their instinctual reflex to activate defensive skills was thwarted, freezing them in place. Their eyes met Cheng Xu’s gaze, resembling deep abysses.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
From the left and right, two flying swords named Fire and Wood were unleashed. Empowered by the techniques of the Cloud Sword, their swordsmanship effortlessly severed the heads of the unsuspecting cultivators.
The unfortunate duo perished without comprehending the manner of their demise.
“By the heavens! You dispatched two mid Foundation Establishment cultivators in an instant. Your strength, young friend, is simply astonishing!” Yuntai Zhenren silently marveled, left speechless by the spectacle. “In my estimation, you are not inferior to the prodigies of the four great sects.”
“Enough with the flattery!” Cheng Xu replied composedly. He proceeded to search the corpses of the fallen cultivators before shifting his gaze toward the door of the treasure vault. “Now, tell me, how do we bypass the restriction on this door?”
“I alone possess the means,” Yuntai Zhenren confessed, prompting Cheng Xu to aim his Ten Thousand Laws Evil Eye directly at the flying sword imprisoning the elder.
Yuntai Zhenren writhed in agony, tormented by the spiritual impact, yet he clung to his resolve and refused to release his grip.
“Hey, hey…This venerable old man is not uttering falsehoods. This intricately woven restriction is indeed my unique creation. It bears the imprint of my Soul Consciousness, which exclusively recognizes and responds to my own Soul Consciousness. If any others attempt to unravel its secrets, their only recourse is to forcefully penetrate its formidable defenses.”
Deep in contemplation, Cheng Xu deliberated for a considerable duration, mustering his resolve before advancing towards the enigmatic enigma. Upon closer examination, he discerned an undeniable vestige of the Soul Consciousness embedded within the labyrinthine structure of the restriction.
He endeavored to infiltrate the system through hacking, yet met with naught but silence. Evidently, the cultivation computer proved impotent in breaching the distinctiveness of this particular restriction.
Consequently, the sole recourse available was to surmount this formidable barrier through sheer force.
“Those two individuals have tirelessly assailed it for several days now. Surely, there must exist a glimmer of opportunity.” Cheng Xu ruminated briefly before summoning his exceptional +5 flying sword, infused with the elemental power of the earth, and unleashed a relentless barrage against the impregnable confines of the treasure vault’s restriction.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
There was no disputing the prodigious might of the Spirit Infused +5 flying sword, and yet, the restriction left behind by the venerable Master Yuntai proved even more pernicious and unyielding.
Cheng Xu’s primordial essence had been depleted on five separate occasions, and yet the restriction exhibited no discernible signs of succumbing to his assault.
Alas, there existed no other recourse. The Grand Cloud Daoist Master, being an expert in the later stages of the Jindan realm, had left behind a prohibition that was naturally beyond the reach of Cheng Xu, an early-stage Foundation Building cultivator, to easily overcome.
“Alas, my ineffectual friend, had you possessed the strength befitting the pinnacle of the foundation establishment stage, perhaps you might have stood a chance.” Yuntai Zhenren quipped with a sardonic smile. “Why not simply release me? Would that not resolve the predicament?”
“In any event, this old man cannot overpower you. Since you have managed to seal me once, you can undoubtedly seal me again. Where lies the cause for concern?” the ancient sage further remarked, adopting a benign countenance.
Cheng Xu resorted to consuming an elixir in order to replenish his vital essence, ultimately succumbing to the realization that his sole recourse was to liberate Yuntai Zhenren from the confines of the flying sword.
Emerging from the confines of the flying sword, the ethereal projection of the Grand Cloud Immortal regained its vibrancy. It promptly affixed itself to the headless body of a hapless cadaver and awkwardly made its way towards the entrance of the treasure house.
“Fret not, young friend. The matter shall soon be resolved,” assured Yuntai Zhenren, feigning an air of utmost compliance.
However, Cheng Xu remained unconvinced. Silently, he prepared the Tier 2 formation disk and Tier 3 talisman that he had received as rewards from a prior joint experiential learning, fully aware of the need to be prepared for any eventuality.
While it would be ideal for this elderly miscreant to behave himself, Cheng Xu held no reservations about employing force if the situation warranted.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Under the deft manipulation of the Yuntai Spiritual Master, the restrictive barriers of the treasure house emitted a symphony of unlocking sounds, gradually relinquishing their hold.
A moment later, the heavy doors of the treasury began to creak open, revealing its hidden treasures.
“I apologize, young friend, but your physique appears most suitable. This decrepit individual covets it!” exclaimed the spectral form of Yuntai Spiritual Master as it swiftly disengaged from the headless cadaver, soaring forth with an eerie smile into the treasure house.
Cheng Xu’s countenance darkened. Instead of rushing headlong, he opted to extend his divine sense into the chamber, carefully observing the developments within.
True to its nature, the treasure vault proved to be an unparalleled repository of riches. However, this fact paled in significance compared to the focal point of interest—a pool enshrouded in a dense veil of black qi at the heart of the chamber.
The pool brimmed with a viscous, ebony substance, while at its center rested a blackened mass resembling a malformed infant.
As the shadowy essence of Yuntai Zhenren insinuated itself into this grotesque formation, the malformed mass gradually elongated and transformed into a towering, malevolent black baby, enveloped in an aura of demonic qi.
“Hehehe,” Yuntai Zhenren boisterously chuckled at the newly materialized figure, “I, the possessed Yuntai Demonic Neonate, shall relish in your imminent demise, you petty thief!”
Having made his proclamation, the Yuntai Demonic Neonate promptly exited the treasure vault, shrouded in a malevolent aura.
Meanwhile, Cheng Xu swiftly employed the power of his Ten Thousand Arts Evil Eye to swiftly peruse the ancient being’s information.
[Demon Baby]
[Cultivation: Peak Foundation Establishment]
[Cultivation Technique: Demonic Neonate Body Forging Technique]
[Martial Arts Techniques: Demonic Infant Scream, Evil Qi Seal, Demon Blood Countercurrent…]
Initially anticipating a formidable adversary, Cheng Xu was taken aback by the realization that this so-called demon baby merely occupied the peak of the foundation establishment stage. The rapidity with which the information was assimilated suddenly made sense.
Observing Cheng Xu’s calm composure and resolute stance, the Yuntai Demonic Neonate couldn’t help but express his surprise.. “How intriguing! Do you honestly believe that with your meager strength at the early stage of the foundation establishment realm, you can vanquish this meticulously nurtured demon baby?”