Chapter Seven: Battle with the Demon Once More (Part One)

Stealthily slipping through the night like specters, the wind whispered and surged around them, enveloping the two in an uncanny sensation, as if they had melted into the darkness. It seemed that as long as they kept running silently like this, they would reach the ultimate mysterious realm of night.

But their journey soon came to an end. Relying on his unique sensitivity to the spiritual energy emitted by ghosts, Motuo quickly led Shi Jun through the hospital’s rear garden, where they found Chishang sitting cross-legged in meditation.

Chishang appeared not to have fully recovered his vitality. Though somewhat surprised to see Shi Jun and Motuo return, he did not immediately rise. Instead, he smiled faintly and said, “You two came back fast! Where’s that other boy? Did he get scared out of his wits?”

Shi Jun stopped and slowly drew a token from the Netherworld from his chest, saying, “You escaped from this, didn’t you? We have something we need your help with. Are you willing to come with us?”

Chishang was taken aback. “Isn’t this the Nether Emperor’s token? How did it end up in your hands?” His eyes flickered, and he laughed, “Ha! I see now! No wonder my brothers and I managed to escape so easily! So you were the one who helped us! Maybe you don’t know how to use this thing, right? Why don’t we strike a deal—if you destroy the token, I’ll agree to any condition you ask!”

Shi Jun hesitated, considering whether he should accept Chishang’s offer, but Motuo saw through his uncertainty and brusquely interrupted, shouting, “You still want to bargain with us? Surrender quietly, and maybe we’ll spare your life!” With that, he drew his treasured sword, ready for action.

Chishang still held some fear toward Shi Jun, but he didn’t regard Motuo as a threat. Seeing Motuo poised to strike, Chishang remained unguarded. He opened his mouth and spat out a small, dark green object, which he toyed with in his hand, his gaze fixed on Shi Jun’s every move.

Motuo, enraged by Chishang’s audacity, threw caution to the wind and lunged straight in with his sword, aiming to catch Chishang off guard.

Chishang did not dodge the oncoming blade. The small object in his hand suddenly radiated a brilliant light, soaring into the air and releasing a beam of green light that struck Motuo’s sword.

From the moment Motuo attacked, Shi Jun had been on high alert. Seeing that Chishang did not use the chaotic spirit technique again, he felt relieved and watched intently for a chance to strike. Suddenly, a wave of heat swept over him, and by instinct, he dodged aside, but the scorching air singed his hair, releasing a pungent burnt odor.

Turning around, he saw Motuo slashing wildly with his crimson short sword, two violet-brown sword beams flickering unpredictably, relentless in their assault. Shi Jun cried out in alarm, “Motuo, what’s wrong with you?”

Motuo, however, did not respond, seeming intent on killing Shi Jun. His movements became increasingly fierce, the sword’s glow brighter. Shi Jun took a closer look—Motuo’s eyes were dull, his expression wooden. Shi Jun realized he had likely fallen victim to Chishang’s sneak attack. Desperate, he retreated frantically, sweat pouring as danger closed in.

At that critical moment, Chishang burst out laughing, jeering, “Dog bites dog! How amusing, truly amusing! Ha ha!”

Shi Jun was flustered, but didn’t dare use his newly invented technique against Motuo, fearing it might immobilize him as well and complicate matters. Yet Motuo pressed ever closer, the sword’s wind creating waves of heat, every move perilous. If not for Motuo’s impaired spirit and slowed movements, Shi Jun would have struggled even more. But time dragged on, and with an enemy lurking nearby, if Shi Jun didn’t resolve this quickly, disaster was inevitable should Chishang join forces with the crazed Motuo.

* * * * * * * *

Just as Shi Jun was beset from all sides and unable to escape, inspiration struck. He recalled the “Three Feet of Ice” water spell from the booklet gifted by the Ancestor of the Underworld. With only hazy memories of the incantation, Shi Jun desperately cast the spell at Motuo.

Unexpectedly, the spell had no effect—Motuo remained unchanged, instead taking advantage of Shi Jun’s distraction to slash at him several times, nearly scalping him. Shi Jun reacted quickly, but his eyebrows were singed, and a wisp of black smoke curled before his eyes, blurring his vision.

Was the spell useless? Or had he remembered it wrong? In his panic and frustration, Shi Jun spat at Motuo, cursing, “Wake up already, or we’re both doomed!”

Miraculously, the glob of spit transformed disaster into salvation. The droplets splashed onto Motuo’s clothes and abruptly expanded a thousandfold, becoming a huge, jelly-like mass that enveloped him, blocking his figure from view.

Motuo, his mind lost, remained oblivious to the change, still stabbing wildly, but his movements gradually slowed. The once soft and sticky liquid began to solidify in the air, and in a blink, transformed into a two-meter-tall ice pillar, freezing him in place, unable to move. Only the crimson short sword continued to radiate heat, melting the surrounding ice with a sizzling sound.

Shi Jun was momentarily stunned, then realized what had happened—“Three Feet of Ice” was not useless, but required a physical source of water to activate its power. Though his spit was meager, it served as the spell’s catalyst, resolving his urgent predicament.

Chishang was likewise taken aback, but his experience prevailed. After a brief lapse, he regained composure and leapt up to respond, only to see a pale yellow light flash before him. Instantly, his body felt constricted, as if bound by a magical shackle, his limbs tightened, and his spiritual energy was suppressed. Yet Chishang was no novice—he swiftly summoned his skills to break the restraint and simultaneously cast his strongest defensive water spell, the True Water Shield, to ward off attack.

But to Chishang’s surprise, the spell binding him contained not only water energy but also earth energy, which directly countered his defenses, breaching the shield and locking him firmly in place. Several yellow lights flashed again, sealing off his spiritual energy completely. With no chance to counter, his body seized up and he collapsed to the ground, utterly subdued.

It was all Shi Jun’s doing. He had noticed that although Motuo was trapped, his sword’s heat was rapidly melting the ice, and the spell wouldn’t last. So he quickly incanted his newly invented “Spirit Binding Technique,” derived and improved from the “Binding Technique,” and empowered it with his formidable mental strength. Not only could it immobilize the enemy’s body, but it could also imprison their soul, combining both water and earth attributes. Chishang, caught off guard, fell victim to it, losing even the chance to escape.

Still, Shi Jun dared not be careless. Worried about his own insufficient cultivation, he cautiously cast the Spirit Binding Technique on Chishang three more times. Only when he saw Chishang subdued and unable to move did Shi Jun relax and turn to check on Motuo.

With Chishang’s spiritual power sealed by Shi Jun’s spell, the enchantment on Motuo was also lifted. Regaining his senses, Motuo had no recollection of what transpired. Finding himself trapped in ice, he assumed it was Chishang’s doing. This self-styled invincible newcomer from the demon world had suffered two defeats at Chishang’s hands in a single night and was furious, but unable to move or speak. Fortunately, his sword continued to emit scorching flames, gradually melting the ice. Not long after, his head emerged from the block. Seeing Shi Jun anxiously watching him, Motuo shouted, “Shi Jun, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and help me smash these ice blocks!”

Hearing Motuo speak, Shi Jun finally relaxed. He had worried that once Motuo broke free, he might resume reckless attacks, and Shi Jun could hardly use the Spirit Binding Technique on him as well. If that happened, not only would he not know how to undo the spell, but transporting these two immobilized strongmen back would be a far greater problem.