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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 3: [Qiu Prefecture Lantern Festival]
Chapter 24 (168): [Silver Spear Illuminates the White Tiger]
(24th of Volume 3)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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Li Weiyi steered his small boat dozens of miles out to sea.
From the distance, a high-pitched tiger roar echoed across the water, followed by the clash of battle.
Waves of Spiritual Qi energy stirred up fierce winds and towering waves.
Suppressing his aura, Li Weiyi cautiously advanced.
Soon, he spotted three figures locked in a fierce battle on the sea.
Jiang Ning, clad in soft armor and wielding a sword, stood atop a jagged islet reef. Above her stretched the boundless starry sky, while a pair of massive white wings, formed from her battle intent, sprouted from her back.
Spiritual Qi feathers, like falling snow, enveloped the entire area.
She stood aloof and cold, her battle intent still fierce, but the peerless grace of her peak state was gone. Her eyes no longer shone brightly, her fingers bled, and her sword seemed on the verge of slipping from her grasp.
"Jiang Ning, why are you so weak? Even your battle intent has become fragmented. Has the Night Emperor Toad Venom truly penetrated your heart and meridians?"
Mie-Di, a Tiger-like Aberrant Humanoid, towered over her. His massive tiger head bore a black king character on his forehead, his body enveloped in a golden tiger shadow.
This golden tiger shadow was his battle intent, stretching over ten meters long, resembling a miniature mountain range in motion. It was exceptionally majestic, its enormous tiger eyes gleaming like two full moons in the night sky.
"Boom! Boom..."
Mie-Di followed in the footsteps of Dao-Di, walking on the sea surface with each step sending waves crashing skyward.
Meanwhile, around Dao-Di, nine colossal, sacred Buddha images of varying postures stood in the heavens and earth. These were the terrifying manifestations conjured by the Nine Contemplation Zen Beads, a Spiritual Artifact powered by the Hundred-Character Scripture.
These two top-tier experts from Guan Shan ascended the islet reef from opposite directions, launching a joint attack on Jiang Ning in the second round of their battle.
"Boom!"
The three figures moved with lightning speed, their forms blurring as they traded blows with wide, sweeping motions.
Wind and thunder roared in their ears as the islet reef shattered under their attacks.
"Do you think you can escape? Your escape routes are few, and we've blocked them all. You can't reach Giant Marsh (Juze) City, nor can you return to Fu Prefecture."
Dao-Di's voice was gentle, like a Buddha's chant, yet his attacks were fierce and relentless. His Pure Immortal Physique's jade-white skin transformed into a golden body. With a palm strike, a golden cloud resembling five fingers tore through the battle intent wings formed on Jiang Ning's back.
Though not real wings, and lacking the bloody gore of a true injury, Jiang Ning was still wounded, as if an arm had been severed.
Mie-Di seized the opportunity to strike out with a claw from afar, the Golden Tiger Dharma Aspect following suit. The tiger claw radiated a thousand beams of Buddha light, tearing apart her other wing.
Her body was flung back over a dozen yards to the sea surface, blood trickling from her lips.
Without a word, her eyes turned cold and sharp. She stopped suppressing the Night Emperor Toad Venom coursing through her veins, her sword as frosty as frost. She transformed into a fleeting shadow, a streak of light, and charged forward. Even if she died here, she would drag Coffin Mountain's Two Truths down with her.
Several miles away, Li Weiyi activated his Nightwalker's Garment to become invisible and observed the islet reef.
"That tiger Dharma Aspect must be over five yards long. Mie-Di must already be cultivating in the Seventh Sea Ancestral Field. What exactly is this Night Emperor Toad Venom?"
In the Immortal Realm Space of Burial Immortal Town, Li Weiyi had witnessed Jiang Ning's peak strength. Even while battling Long Ting, the Dragon Sect Inheritor, she still had enough power to suppress Mie-Di and Dao-Di, severely injuring Shi Shishi.
But today, a mere ambush by Mie-Di and Dao-Di had left her completely outmatched, her combat strength severely diminished.
Li Weiyi turned to Master Guan for answers.
Zen Hai Guanwu had once said that Master Guan knew the Night Clan intimately. The name "Night Emperor Toad Venom" clearly suggested a connection to the Night Emperor and the Night Clan.
Moreover, when Li Weiyi was cultivating the Qi Tempering Technique, Master Guan had also prepared to pass down the Night Emperor Manual to him.
"The Night Emperor Toad was a poisonous beast raised by the Night Emperor. It died tens of thousands of years ago. The descendants of the Night Emperor used the residual venom from its corpse to soak a batch of Spiritual Artifacts."
"These poisonous artifacts once shone brightly in ancient times, striking fear into the hearts of Martial-Mystic Cultivators across the land. But after so many years, even if any poisonous artifacts remain, their toxicity has greatly diminished. Otherwise, that girl would have long ago turned into a pool of black blood. How could she still be so lively and able to fight?"
"If you want to save her, Master Guan knows the solution."
"Do you want to save her?"
"Do you want to learn?"
Li Weiyi stared intently at the islet reef, his brow furrowed in deep thought. He hesitated for a long moment before gently shaking his head and swiftly piloting his small boat away.
Mie-Di and Dao-Di were far too powerful - he stood no chance against them in his current state.
And asking Zen Hai Guanwu to intervene through Li Ling's body was far too risky. This location was not far from the battlefield between the Zuoqiu Clan and the Young Venerable.
The fighting here might have already alerted them, and a large force could arrive at any moment.
"Whoosh!"
Seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors burst from the Insect Tube and flew toward the islet reef.
Li Weiyi stopped his small boat, utterly speechless. He unleashed his Spiritual Power to suppress the seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors.
"Come back here! With your strength, the Coffin Mountain's Two Truths could crush you with a flick of their wrist. Do you really think you're immortal?"
The Seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors resisted Li Weiyi's Spiritual Power, their voices clamoring for him to summon Zen Hai Guanwu to save Jiang Ning.
"I don't want to stand by and watch her die. I came to Bing Juze with the intention of rescuing her, but the enemy is too strong, beyond my capabilities. Zen Hai Guanwu? She's far too rational to risk this. I won't force her."
Li Weiyi shook his head and sighed. He used Insect Scriptures to forcibly recall the Seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors and suppress them within the Evil Camel Bell.
Just then, he noticed the Zouwu Beast inside the bell.
Li Weiyi glanced at the silver spear in his hand, and a flash of inspiration struck him.
He immediately plucked out the Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperor skilled in projecting the aura of a powerful warrior and adept at bluffing.
"You seven are truly putting me in a difficult position. But I can't ignore your feelings, after all, we're comrades who've faced life and death together. I'll save her, but from now on, you must work diligently. When I point east, you can't go west."
....
After Jiang Ning stopped suppressing the Night Emperor Toad Venom, her combat strength surged, forcing Dao-Di and Mie-Di into a desperate retreat, able only to parry her attacks.
"Jiang Ning, you're at the end of your rope. Why persist so stubbornly?"
"On the verge of death, you still dream of killing us? You underestimate this humble monk and Mie-Di's strength."
Dao-Di manipulated nine Buddhist Beads, as if commanding nine divine Buddhas, to block Jiang Ning's advance.
He could sense her combat strength gradually waning, her aura growing unstable.
At most, she could hold out for another dozen moves. After that, the venom would overwhelm her heart, leaving her completely paralyzed.
"The crimson tassels of Li Ke Man, the bright moon over Qiu Prefecture."
"The silver spear pierces the white tiger, swift as a shooting star."
A resonant, melodious voice echoed from the sea.
The Zouwu Beast, a colossal exotic creature, its four hooves shrouded in swirling Spiritual Qi mist, strode across the waves toward the islet reef battlefield. It raised its head and roared, baring its razor-sharp teeth, emitting a thunderous tiger's roar identical to Mie-Di's.
Li Weiyi rode on the Zouwu's back, wielding a silver spear. He had used the Disguise Technique to transform into Cang Li's likeness and swallowed a petal from the Core Lamp. A brilliant radiance shone within him, his skin indistinguishable from a Pure Immortal Physique.
His Disguise Technique was only moderately proficient; he couldn't directly transform into a Pure Immortal Physique without medicinal aid.
However, Huo Qiankun had always considered Cang Li his ultimate goal. He had forged his Silver Spear to be nearly identical to Cang Li's, earning him the nickname "Little Cang Li" - a title that now proved unexpectedly useful.
Furthermore, with Cang Li's mount, the Zouwu, beneath him, he could easily pass for the real Cang Li.
After all, even Zuoqiu Ting, one of the top young masters of his generation who had practiced the Disguise Technique for years, could only manage a crude imitation. Who would suspect that someone had mastered the art to the point of changing their very bones and spirit?
"Human heads as wine cups, drinking the blood of barbarian bandits dry."
"Ten steps to kill one, leaving no trace for a thousand miles."
Soon, the Zouwu carried Li Weiyi to within a mile of the islet reef. Beneath his robes, the Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperor released an aura comparable to a Dao Seed Realm expert.
In the night wind, his long hair billowed, his posture as steady as a mountain, exuding an overwhelming presence.
The three figures battling on the islet reef had already stopped fighting and separated.
Li Weiyi adopted Cang Li's arrogant demeanor, his back straight, his gaze icy and disdainful.
"If she couldn't kill you, do you think I might?"
Both Mie-Di and Dao-Di retreated slowly across the sea, their eyes filled with wariness as they tried to put distance between themselves and Cang Li.
Seeing they didn't dare to retort, not even with a harsh word, Li Weiyi knew Cang Li truly had the power to kill them.
Li Weiyi's face remained stern, his gaze fixed on the two men as if they were mere ants.
"Two thieves will always be thieves. What's this 'Mie-Di' and 'Dao-Di'? Utterly defiling the Buddhist Dharma."
Mie-Di could no longer contain his rage.
"Cang Li! You're too arrogant. She's the Young Venerable's target..."
"Luan Sheng Lin You, right?" Li Weiyi shouted coldly, "Tell him to wash his neck. When Cang Li kills him, it'll be as easy as slaughtering pigs and dogs."
Mie-Di sneered.
Seeing Zouwu had already landed on the islet reef and was closing in on Jiang Ning, he wanted to intervene, but Dao-Di held him back.
Zouwu approached Jiang Ning.
Li Weiyi looked down on the two men, his gaze lingering on Mie-Di: "You seem unconvinced. Come, if I can't take your life within ten moves, Cang Li will sever his own arms. Get on!"
The last sentence was directed at Jiang Ning.
Mie-Di's tiger eyes blazed with fury, his teeth grinding together. If the disparity in strength weren't so vast, he would have charged forward without hesitation.
Watching Jiang Ning mount Zouwu's back, Dao-Di spoke in a gentle tone, his hands clasped together: "Cang Li, you represent the Jiu Li Tribe. By siding with the court officials, aren't you afraid of being condemned by the righteous army of the world?"
"How I conduct myself is none of your concern. Are you two going to fight or not? If so, then attack. I'd like to see if I can kill both of you within ten moves," Li Weiyi retorted.
Mie-Di took a deep breath and turned to Dao-Di: "I refuse to believe that the two of us working together can't withstand ten moves from him. He's protecting Jiang Ning, which will inevitably leave him vulnerable. His combat strength will be severely diminished."
"Don't fall for his trap. It's a provocation. We're currently a mile away. Even if he's incredibly strong, he can't kill us from here. But if we charge forward..." Dao-Di shook his head calmly, his rationality unwavering. The Jiu Li Tribe's first genius in a thousand years held considerable weight.
Mie-Di said, "I understand! We just need to stall him until Lord Qi and Lord Ming arrive. Then we'll see if he can maintain his arrogance."
"You two spineless cowards! From now on, when you see Cang Li, bow your heads and learn to be human."
Li Weiyi snorted coldly, urging the Zouwu to race across the water toward Giant Marsh City.
Once his back was turned to Coffin Mountain's Two Truths, the smile vanished from Li Weiyi's face. His heart pounded like thunder as he took deep, silent breaths. That had been a dance on the edge of a blade.
Fortunately, the Dao-Di was cautious; otherwise, if the Mie-Di had charged forward, his deception would have been instantly exposed.
Behind him, Jiang Ning whispered, "You're not Cang Li!"
Up close, she could sense that the aura, comparable to a Dao Seed Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivator, wasn't emanating from Li Weiyi.
From beneath Li Weiyi's robes, the Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperor poked out its tiny head and blinked at her.
Jiang Ning's eyes widened in realization. Her tense nerves finally relaxed, and a bitter smile touched her pale, solemn face.
Her gaze then drifted to Li Weiyi's broad back, and she murmured, "Thank you... but it was too risky. I'm already a dying woman..."
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END OF CHAPTER
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