Chapter 219 - Arc 13: Wild Beast Plains | Chapter 219: Rongjin's Feast
Translator: Lynn
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In response to the command, Xu Ziqing raised his hands, and instantly two vines emerged from his palms. With a rustling sound, they transformed into eight branches, swiftly encircling him and Yun Lie from both sides.
As if there were an unspoken agreement, Rongjin divided itself into two sides, fanning the four vines on each side to move around, circling left and right, and surrounding all the three-horned beasts, preventing them from walking in the middle.
Thus, Yun Lie was now directly facing only those five-headed and four-horned beasts.
Observing this, Xu Ziqing’s heart stirred. After Rongjin appeared, he had an idea, and without dwelling on it, he followed through with his thoughts. Presumably, this was the effect of the “Ten Thousand Woods Great Heart Planting Technique.” Rongjin was his natal tree, and as its strength increased, the connection with his mind became stronger. Realizing this, Xu Ziqing felt immensely pleased.
If things continued like this, Rongjin would be able to heed his commands, eliminating the worry of it becoming too powerful and backlashing against him. The only concern would be that Rongjin consumed too much blood, generating hostility that might affect his own mood, leading him down a path of malevolence. However, aside from this, the rest of Rongjin’s instincts could also be controlled by him.
Rongjin’s movements were exceedingly swift, with the vines entwining several wild beasts with a flick. Each beast was pierced by the leaf buds, which sucked vigorously. As the flesh and blood of the wild beasts diminished, many vines turned redder, even visibly thickening to the naked eye. In the end, they were no longer slender vines but had become as round as pigeon eggs cut open.
Today’s leaf buds had grown from the size of mung beans to that of soybeans. The buds were distinct, and the one at the forefront of the vine was already close to the size of a fingertip. When it sucked, it resembled a sucker, which was extremely frightening.
Soon, the eight vines had absorbed over a dozen wild beasts, with every leaf bud sucking voraciously. As one was depleted, the next took its place, leaving behind the inner alchemy of wild beasts scattered on the ground, forming numerous piles of bones and skins.
This terrifying scene was not much different from what Yun Lie had once created with his sword qi.
Seeing that Rongjin had absorbed so many beasts, Xu Ziqing wasn’t worried about anything. However, he couldn’t help his senior at this moment because, after Rongjin absorbed all the blood, it also generated boundless wood energy. Just as Xu Ziqing thought, within this wooden energy, there was still a trace of ferocity.
After all, it was due to the cultivation level of these beasts being comparable to Xu Ziqing’s. After being consumed alive, the remaining bloody aura couldn’t be easily eradicated, necessitating self-dissolution.
This was also a necessary step after subduing the bloodthirsty demon vine, and the correct approach was to address it immediately. Otherwise, this type of malevolent spirit would accumulate in the body, exerting a greater influence in the future.
Therefore, Xu Ziqing glanced ahead, seeing his senior brother and the five-horned and four-horned beasts confronting the enemy head-on without losing ground. Satisfied, he raised his hand to retrieve the bamboo hairpin from his hair.
Over the past six months, Xu Ziqing has refined this bamboo tube several times, strengthening its connection with his mind. Now, holding it in his hand required minimal real energy, and it emitted a faint blue light, filling the air with pure wood gas.
After contemplating for a while and recalling his experiences from his previous life when he was bedridden, Xu Ziqing decided to try something new. During that time, too weak to venture outside, he had learned to play some musical instruments. The flute, in particular, was the least burdensome and the one he practiced most frequently. Previously, his intermittent playing was unsustainable due to his weakened breath. However, now, in good health with continuous genuine energy, he could give it a try. Having made up his mind, Xu Ziqing pressed it to his lips.
This bamboo flute was extremely short, only slightly longer than a palm, and had only seven holes, making it extremely simple.
He closed his eyes slightly and released his first breath.
In the next moment, a plaintive melody emanated from the flute.
He had buried the experiences of his past life deeply in his heart, and the music scores from that time were unsuitable for this life. Lacking proficiency in rhythm, he decided to move freely, following his heart and relying on some intuitions that seemed absent, playing them out.
In an instant, the flute produced a clear, distant, and empty sound, carrying an extremely tranquil aura. It was clean and pure, untouched by dust.
As the flute played, it felt as though the Dao’s heart was being cleansed, with each note becoming a distinct artistic conception, dispelling all traces of the malevolent spirit.
A sense of tranquility gradually enveloped Xu Ziqing’s heart as the song played on—peaceful, pure, and calming.
Gradually, the ferocious intentions spurred by the bloody aura dissipated. Although Rongjin continued to consume, the bloody aura couldn’t approach him. The true essence within Xu Ziqing’s body also became active and agile, seeming to have improved slightly and condensed further, all under the influence of the soothing melody.
Recognizing that this wasn’t solely the effect of the serene melody but a result of half a year’s practice, Xu Ziqing was stimulated by the peaceful tune, rendering his true essence more harmonious. Capitalizing on this opportunity, he embraced the experience.
For a moment, his mind became as serene as water, and the sensation of wood growth grew purer. However, the surrounding weeds also revived their vitality. Before the next spring rain, they would gradually begin to sprout.
Rongjin swiftly absorbed the three-horned monsters, its thickness resembling an arm, its entire body translucent, scarlet, and lustrous—an alluring sight.
Nourished by the flesh and blood of the beasts, it had regained some of the demeanor of ancient demon vines. No longer feeble like grass, it had truly transformed into a formidable monster. Numerous vines burst forth, capable of even entwining a Golden Core Daoist—Xu Ziqing’s method for leapfrog and self-protection!
At this point, Rongjin shook off the beast’s bones on the ground, and the vines obediently wove through them, collecting hundreds of beast cores. What was strange was that when the demon vines absorbed the flesh and blood of monks, golden cores often accompanied them. While the Nascent Soul could be devoured, the cores of these beasts could not.
Not only the core of wild beasts but also those of monsters and spirit beasts could not be swallowed. Presumably, the energy level of these beasts was too low during core formation. Many stages were required to form cores, and the energy was so pure that it could be easily absorbed.
Rongjin rolled up all the cores and delivered them to Xu Ziqing’s side. At this moment, Xu Ziqing had dispelled all the evil spirits and opened his eyes.
Observing Rongjin’s obedience, he smiled, raised his hand, and retrieved the cores.
Ahead, Yun Lie employed his sword to engage the five wild beasts. Presently, his sword intent erupted immediately.
Something invisible flew out from between his eyebrows, emanating an intensely sharp aura. This sharpness contained a strong killing intent, as if it sought to obliterate all creatures in its path, turning the world into a lifeless zone.
This powerful crushing pressure was the result of Yun Lie’s sword intent influencing the soul with its force and intimidating all things with its pressure.
Once the sword intent flew out, a sudden transformation occurred.
Originally an exceedingly potent force, it instantly split into five, forming five branches of sword intent.
Subsequently, one sword intent divided into five. Although they seemed separated, their strengths remained consistent. Rather than weakened, they were more delicately and meticulously divided.
The five-horned and four-horned wild beasts were formidable, spewing venom that could transform hundreds of miles into a desolate wasteland. However, this poison, powerful as it was, couldn’t breach Yun Lie’s sword intent. It was consistently strangled before drawing near, leaving nothing behind.
Their trampling and impact force was mighty, sprinting like a streak of light. The horns, when stirred, could pierce through magical artifacts, even causing damage to low-grade spiritual artifacts. Despite their vast power, under Yun Lie’s sword intent, they were constrained like trapped beasts.
The merciless killing sword was indeed an overbearing sword intent. Wherever the killing intent reached, nothing and no one remained invincible. This level of will to kill was exceptionally potent, freezing the seven emotions with an unwavering determination.
Yun Lie had mastered this form of swordsmanship. As long as the underlying principle in his heart remained unchanged, every stroke of his sword was as forceful as a mountain, advancing without deviation.
This style of swordsmanship lacked the embellishments found in other techniques but was undeniably potent.
Yun Lie possessed only one sword intent and one form of swordsmanship, yet it made him peerless among the younger generation of monks. Few could match him, earning him the moniker of “Number One Person.” His renown and success were solely attributable to this.
The sword intent transformed into five paths, each striking a different wild beast. It resembled five sharp swords hurtling through the air or five small peaks, possessing enough power to shatter mountains and fill seas.
Although these wild beasts were as formidable as Jindan, they fell short compared to Yun Lie—a sword cultivator who could consecutively slay eight Jindan peaks. They were swiftly penetrated, their fur drenched in blood.
Many of the beasts’ limbs were lacerated, their meridians severed, rendering movement difficult. Rongjin, detecting the scent of blood, was already eager to move.
At this moment, Yun Lie remained motionless, uttering only, “Go.”
Understanding immediately, Xu Ziqing and Rongjin leaped into action. With Yun Lie’s slash, Rongjin effortlessly pierced the leaf buds. Now, those wild beasts couldn’t employ their strength to defend themselves, allowing Rongjin to pierce through their bodies and drain their flesh and blood without resistance. Soon, the five-horned and four-horned beasts were greedily devoured by Rongjin, as if it had sucked the essence of five golden core real people. The vines, equipped with teeth and claws, branched out even more.
Following this, the two brothers diligently worked on the plain. Sometimes Yun Lie plunged into a herd of wild beasts, engaging in a hearty battle, while Xu Ziqing observed from the sidelines.
Today, they cooperated like siblings, dividing opponents evenly…
But regardless of the scenario, Rongjin always delivered the final blow before sucking the life out of those beasts.
After more than ten days of this routine, Rongjin’s gluttonous desire intensified. Due to repeated nourishment from blood, it now boasts thirty-two vines.
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