This humble Taoist priest, Qianhe, begins his quest for immortality by slaying demons and monsters.

Chapter 71 The Ghost Realm of Beiman Mountain, Ghost King Youmingzi

Mangshan has been known as a place of evil spirits since ancient times.

The entire Mangshan mountain range is divided into north and south.

The Ghost King of Mangshan was sealed in the south, while the Corpse Refining Demon Heaven Sect set up its headquarters in the north.

The two are mutually supportive; who would believe that the Ghost King of Mangshan and the Corpse Refining Demon Sect have no connection?
"We are now at the foot of Mount Mang. We do not yet know what evil tricks await us ahead. Fellow Daoists and juniors, once we enter Mount Mang, we must be on high alert!"
Neither the Corpse Refining Demon Heaven Sect nor the Ghost King of Mangshan are easy to deal with..."

Standing at the very front of the group, Elder Zhang Qingyun of Longhu Mountain spoke as if it were a heavy hammer blow.

Everyone became serious. This was a matter of risking their lives to kill evil spirits; who would be willing to die so easily?

“Amitabha Buddha, what Master Zhang said is absolutely right. All the Taoists are outstanding individuals. Only by living on can the secular world maintain peace and stability.”

Although there weren't many disciples from the Buddhist sect, they were fearless in battle when it mattered most!

As an elder of Mount Wutai, Master Zhizhen's words basically represent the attitude of Buddhism.

Upon hearing this, Master Huikong of Jinshan Temple repeated the same statement.

Zhong Bai watched as the relationship between Buddhism and Taoism became delicate and required balance.

This time, the Taoist sect did not invite the Buddhist sect to help. The reason why some disciples and elders from Jinshan Temple and Wutai Mountain came was because of the enmity caused by the rampant activities of the Corpse Refining Demon Heavenly Sect a thousand years ago.

"With these words from the two masters, we can now enter Mangshan with peace of mind..."

Zhong Bai's master, True Man Qian Yuan, spoke in a cryptic manner, but only Foundation Establishment experts like True Man Qian Yuan understood the sometimes sordid behavior of the Buddhist sect.

We can only say that we can't be careless, but we can't drive them away either. The best approach is to be upfront about the unpleasant aspects.

......................................................

How vast is Mount Mang?
Locating the exact location of the Corpse Refining Demon Heaven Sect is no easy task.

Even with a general understanding of the situation, it still presents numerous challenges.

So the team split into four groups, each group searching up Mangshan every ten miles.

Maoshan Road, Longhushan Road, Buddhist Road, Gezaoshan Road and other Taoist Roads.

They advance side by side, supporting and complementing each other.

However, it was getting dark, so after dividing the space, everyone prepared to spend the night.

Night falls.

Beside Zhong Bai, Master Qian Yuan sat cross-legged on a huge rock, concentrating his mind and calming his breath.

Zhong Bai looked towards Mangshan Mountain. After nightfall, the entire Mangshan Mountain was too quiet, so quiet that Zhong Bai felt a little uneasy.

As he was deep in thought, ghostly energy began to emanate from Mount Mang.

Qian Yuan Zhenren, whose eyes had been slightly lowered, suddenly stood up.

"Heh, is this a show of force?"

"The Ghost King of Mangshan truly looks down on us. It seems the Corpse Refining Demon Heaven Sect and you, Ghost King of Mangshan, have indeed secretly made arrangements."

Shaking his head, amidst the pervasive ghostly aura, wisps of illusory mist began to envelop everyone.

"This is the Ghost King's domain, but the Ghost King of Mangshan has not yet broken the seal. He can only create some illusions, which are of limited use to us."

As Master Qian Yuan finished speaking, Zhong Bai felt his surroundings begin to change little by little.

All his fellow disciples had vanished, along with his master and three senior uncles.

Just as Zhong Bai was frowning, a wolf demon appeared in front of him. It was the same wolf demon he had killed in Zhongjia Village when he came down the mountain.

Zhong Bai was somewhat bewildered. Wait, is this an illusion? That's it?
Without wasting any words, Zhong Bai unleashed a bolt of lightning at the wolf demon.

However, before Zhong Bai could unleash the lightning from his hand, it was shattered by a powerful burst of true energy.

"Hey, Junior Nephew Qianhe, you can't just use the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Technique casually."

Upon hearing his Uncle Bailong's voice, everything around him shattered, and Zhong Bai finally understood what he had just done.

Cough cough, he almost struck his own White Dragon Uncle with lightning just now...

"Uncle-Master Bailong, please forgive me!"

"No need, no need. It's normal that you can't see the Ghost King's domain clearly for a while. The Ghost King of Mangshan can pull you into an illusion and create the things you hate the most so that you can attack them. In reality, you're attacking your own people."

As he spoke, Master Bailong looked at the other Maoshan disciples.

“Look at these disciples who have been down the mountain for more than ten years, they are very experienced and they are unmoved.”

You're still young; experience takes time to accumulate, that's perfectly normal.

"Yes, Uncle-Master, Chizuru has learned a lot!"

"Haha, it's alright. Actually, for you, junior nephew, the simplest way to deal with such a ghostly illusion is to stimulate the abundant blood and qi in your body!"

Once your vital energy is unleashed, the surrounding ghostly energy will be burned away, rendering the so-called illusion powerless against you.

Zhong Bai nodded. As soon as his internal energy and qi were released, sure enough, the vast ghostly energy around him began to dissipate as if it had encountered a bright flame.

Centered on Zhong Bai, the ghostly aura retreated ten meters away from him.

"Tsk tsk tsk, the perfected Shangqing Body Tempering Technique is indeed extraordinary."

"Nephew Qianhe, with your meager qi and blood, even a lowly ghost who hasn't reached the Ghost Soldier realm would probably vaporize upon contact within ten meters of you."

The Maoshan sect dealt with the Mangshan Ghost King's show of force with ease, as did other Taoist sects.

Buddhism is better at controlling ghostly mist. The two Foundation Establishment masters chanted Buddhist scriptures, and in an instant, Buddhist light shone all around, and the ghostly aura dissipated instantly. It must be said that some of Buddhism's methods are indeed very effective.

Of course, the Golden Light Divine Mantra of Master Zhang Qingyun of Longhu Mountain on the Taoist side is already extremely profound. Under the radiant golden light, illusions are equally useless.

......................................................

Deep within the Northern Mang Mountains, in the canyon palace where the Corpse Refining Demon Heavenly Sect's headquarters are located.

As the sect leader, Youmingzi stared at the ghostly figure that appeared before him with a somewhat solemn expression.

"Senior Ghost King, I wonder about the number and strength of the people who have come from your sect this time..."

Yes, the ghostly figure before him was the Ghost King's avatar sealed in Mangshan. "Heh, Youmingzi, I never thought you'd have to beg me for help one day. Fifty years ago, when you took the position of sect leader, I suggested that you release me, but you refused."

Now that your Corpse Refining Demon Heavenly Sect has been discovered by the Daoist sect, you're groveling and begging me, the king?

You're really something!

Hearing the complaints of the Ghost King of Mangshan, Youmingzi's expression did not change, but his gaze became somewhat deep and solemn.

"After all, Senior Ghost King is a being comparable to a Golden Core True Monarch. Back then, my true form was only at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. How could I dare to release Senior Ghost King..."

The Corpse Refining Demon Heaven Sect isn't stupid. It's true that they have the backing of the Mangshan Ghost King, but is the Mangshan Ghost King really trustworthy?
It's likely that the first thing the other side will do after breaking the seal is not to seek revenge against the Daoist sect.

Instead, why don't they devour all the disciples of the Corpse Refining Demon Heavenly Sect?

Right now, the Corpse Refining Demon Heaven Sect really isn't confident they can survive the great calamity, which is why Youmingzi sought out the Ghost King of Mangshan.

After all... we're all in the same boat right now. The Taoist sect is coming on strong, can the Ghost King of Mangshan really not be afraid?
Youmingzi's words made Mangshan Ghost King fall silent. Indeed, if he had been born, the first thing he would have done was to target the Corpse Refining Demon Heaven Sect.

And now... the opponent has reached the half-step Golden Core realm, and can forcibly control the flying zombies that the Corpse Refining Demon Heaven Sect has left behind over hundreds of years!

Although the Ghost King of Mangshan was not afraid to fight the flying zombies, there were still risks involved.

"Forget it, I won't hold a grudge about what happened before. To tell you the truth, the number of people from the Daoist sect who came this time is not very large, only one or two hundred."

There are about sixteen or seventeen Foundation Establishment cultivators, including a few bald Buddhist monks.

As for what's hidden in the shadows... I haven't discovered it yet, but you understand the Daoist sect's resources; a Golden Core True Monarch is clearly indispensable!"

Youmingzi remained silent.

After a long silence, Youmingzi sighed and said, "If a Golden Core True Monarch really appears, Senior Ghost King can stop one of them."

"I can barely stop one of them; if there are any more, then it truly means the heavens are destroying my Corpse Refining Demon Sect!"

"Heh, let's leave it to fate!"

After saying that, the clone of the Ghost King of Mangshan disappeared and left.

After the Ghost King of Mangshan left, Youmingzi revealed a cold smile.

"The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind."

The Corpse Refining Demon Heaven Sect is nothing more than that; once it's destroyed, it's gone. If we can lure the Mangshan Ghost King into this situation, and then attract a Daoist True Monarch, then...

Perhaps I still have a chance!

A tremor ran through his body, and Youmingzi's cold smile vanished for no other reason than this.

The Corpse Refining Demon Heaven Sect has a total of nine deacons, one of whom was killed on Ghost Wolf Mountain.

The Corpse Refining Demon Heavenly Sect now has a total of eight Foundation Establishment deacons remaining.

"We pay our respects to the Sect Master!"

With the eight people speaking in unison, they went directly into the palace without waiting for Youmingzi's reply.

Seeing this, Youmingzi revealed a warm smile.

"What brings you eight deacons here?"

Upon hearing this, Elder Dushan, the Grand Steward, felt a burning fire ignite within him.

"Sect Master, I have something to say!"

"Oh? The Grand Steward is a senior member of the sect. If you have something to say, just say it."

"Sect Master, then I will speak frankly."

"Sect Master, the Daoist sect has arrived at the foot of Mount Mang. Should we fight to the death or flee Mount Mang?"

Upon hearing this, Youmingzi frowned and said in a deep voice, "Great Steward, I have already made a decision on this matter. Where else can we escape to but fight to the death?"
Having already been hiding for hundreds of years, can they continue to hide forever?

"Sect Master, you understand what I mean. Our disciples are all elites of the sect."

As long as a few people are sent away from Mangshan...

Even if we fail this time, the sect's lineage will continue.

"Dushan!"

After a cold snort, Youmingzi's aura suddenly erupted.

"Run, run, run! Do you really think our Corpse Refining Demon Heavenly Sect is like rats in the ground?"

Don't forget, I can also control flying zombies to assist me. What's there to fear from mere Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Daoist sect?

Faced with such a sect leader, the eight deacons could only watch helplessly as Zhong Bai and his group continued to approach.

With a sigh, the eight people then departed.

After the eight people left, Youmingzi regained his cold and sinister expression.

"Send those elite disciples away?"

No, no, no, only if you are all here can the Daoist sect send its strongest warriors regardless of the consequences.

You must not leave Mangshan…

At the foot of Mangshan Mountain.

After one night, four routes were launched simultaneously!

Upon entering Mangshan, Zhong Bai felt that the temperature around him had dropped considerably.

“Junior Nephew Qianhe, during this trip to Mangshan, your master has observed you very carefully, and you are the youngest among us.”

Tsk tsk tsk, a twenty-year-old at the seventh level of Qi Refining.

The only ones who can compare to you are the true disciples of the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain.

Beside him, Changsheng Zhenren felt a little bored. They had just entered Mangshan and there was no danger yet, so he decided to chat with Zhong Bai, after all, Zhong Bai's potential was evident.

In addition, the Qinghe Patriarch had sent him many messages, urging him to win over Zhong Bai.

Four chapters, 13,000 words. Please vote with monthly tickets and subscribe! *sobs*
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(End of this chapter)