Seeking Truth with a Sword
Chapter 37 - 36: The Cave

Chapter 37: Chapter 36: The Cave

Li Ang felt a light breeze wrapping around his feet, making his body feel much lighter; the thick leather armor he wore no longer seemed so heavy.

"I’m not very good with talismans. This Featherweight Talisman was made by a friend of mine. It can last for three quarter-hours. Let’s go."

Cheng Juxiu also applied a Featherweight Talisman to himself, took hold of his sword scabbard, and began to climb the cliffs on the west side.

Li Ang quickly followed, holding a torch in his left hand and tightly grasping the Nightmare Bell in his right, pressing his finger against the tiny metal hammer inside to avoid accidentally ringing it and freezing Cheng Juxiu beside him.

That would be really awkward.

"Corpse Evils are Class Five Demons. They are usually formed from corpses that died unjustly, filled with a strong resentful aura. These corpses are buried in Gathering Yin Lands and, after absorbing Yin Qi and baleful Qi for ten to decades, are animated. The more baleful Qi they accumulate and the deeper their resentment, the more powerful they become. Once they appear, they must be eradicated immediately. Otherwise, if it consumes too much Blood Meal, the hair on its body will fall out. It then evolves from a Corpse Evil into a Class Four Corpse Demon, capable of flying through the sky and burrowing underground. At that point, it no longer fears fire or light and becomes very difficult to deal with."

Cheng Juxiu spoke rapidly, "The good news is that Corpse Evil has only recently emerged and will be naturally suppressed by the Haotian Bell. As long as the bell tolls continuously, it will struggle to move freely."

"Evolve into a Corpse Demon?" Li Ang asked doubtfully. "Can demons also evolve?"

"Some can," Cheng Juxiu explained. "Just like Martial Artists practicing Body Refinement, who can temper their muscles and sinews through Medicine Baths. Some demons can also enhance themselves in their own ways. For instance, by feeding on Blood Meal, absorbing moonlight, or drinking from pools in stalactite caves that have accumulated for ten thousand years..."

"Is that story about Fox Demons seeking investiture true?" Li Ang asked curiously. "You know, when a person is walking down a road and suddenly, a fox jumps out of the bushes wearing a hat and a robe, raising its hands above its head and asking, ’Do I look like a person to you?’ If the person answers yes, then the demon fox can transform into a human."

"Where did you hear that from?" Cheng Juxiu’s eye twitched. "You must respect the laws of heaven and earth. A fox weighing seven or eight catties, how can it instantly turn into a living human weighing seventy or eighty catties?"

"It can’t?" Li Ang sighed with some disappointment. He had been hoping for a Fox Demon to seek investiture from him, so he could immediately say, "I think you look like an engineer who could produce the three acids and two alkalis for me, achieving the foundations of modern chemical engineering!"

"Uh... it’s not entirely impossible." Cheng Juxiu continued climbing towards the cliff, speaking as he went, "Certain Aliens and Bizzare Species are extremely unique and strange, possessing abilities far beyond ordinary human imagination. For example, a key that can unlock any lock, green beans that, when eaten, cause eyes to grow on the back of one’s head, or a dense fog that can silently turn an entire village of living people into stone statues. Not even the Academic Palace has knowledge of, or records for, all Aliens and Bizzare Species. It’s possible that some Bizzare Species can completely transform a Fox Demon into a human. Su Zi once said, ’In the great myriad worlds, nothing is too bizarre.’"

"Su Zi?" Li Ang asked curiously.

"A former Mountain Master of the Academic Palace, and the person I admire most."

Cheng Juxiu reached the west cliff and looked towards the east.

WHOOSH!

POP!

Under the night sky, brilliant fireworks blossomed on the other side of the mountain peak. The explosive sounds overlapped with the rhythmic tolling of the bell from the mountain base.

Cheng Juxiu glanced at it and breathed a sigh of relief. "Judge Niu has found the Corpse Evil over there and is driving it towards us. Risheng, get ready with the Nightmare Bell..."

"Okay."

Li Ang nervously picked up the Nightmare Bell and subconsciously moved a step towards a thick pine tree, not realizing he was stepping into empty space. His foot landed on soft fallen leaves, and he tumbled into a hole dug out by tree roots next to the pine tree.

"Cough, cough."

Li Ang coughed as he stood up, picking up the torch that had fallen to the ground—the torches from the garrison were specially made to burn for a long time and wouldn’t be easily extinguished even if covered by sand or soil.

"Risheng, are you okay?" Cheng Juxiu smiled and summoned a breeze to sweep away the thick layer of leaves accumulated on the ground, crouching down to look at Li Ang in the pit.

"I’m fine." Li Ang, somewhat embarrassed, brushed the dust off himself and swung the torch in his hand, illuminating the surroundings.

This was a cave connected to the cliff’s exterior. It was about one and a half times the height of a person. There were no pictograms on its walls, and the ground was flat and wide, covered only with pebbles and sand. It appeared to be naturally formed.

Li Ang took a half step back and shouted upwards, "Senior Brother, be careful. The ceiling might collapse."

"Mm, stand back a bit further. I’ll widen the opening and get you out." Cheng Juxiu casually formed a hand seal and slapped downwards. The earth at the cave entrance slowly melted like wax. He gradually melted an opening, careful not to cause a wider collapse.

A Cloud Patrol Realm spell: Tunneling Technique.

Watching the thick rock layer slowly melt, Li Ang recalled the contents of Pu Liuxuan’s booklet and marveled silently. Cultivators of the Cloud Patrol Realm could carve through mountains and build bridges over water. Even without using their full Cultivation to slay demons and vanquish evil, they could amass wealth amounting to tens of thousands, or even a hundred thousand, strings of coins just by working as craftsmen. Of course, that was just a fleeting thought. Cultivators had far too many ways to earn money. Personally helping people build houses, dig wells, or repair palaces was merely the most basic method.

Li Ang held the torch, watching the cave entrance gradually being expanded.

Suddenly, a breeze stirred behind him from the darkness.

In an instant, Li Ang’s hairs stood on end, and goosebumps covered his skin. Instinctively, he turned around and swung the torch in his hand fiercely.

The flickering firelight illuminated the darkness. A figure appeared in the dim glow; it was humanoid, covered in long black fur, with drooping arms and sharp, dagger-like fingernails.

It looked similar to the other Corpse Evil but was smaller. This was a second Corpse Evil!

The Corpse Evil looked down at Li Ang. From behind its thick black fur, heavy, bloodthirsty panting could be heard.

DINGLING! _{fr.eew eb novel..com}

Li Ang unhesitatingly threw the torch at the Corpse Evil. Stomping his foot, he retreated while desperately shaking the Nightmare Bell in his hand.

Once, twice.

The bell’s small metal hammer struck its inner wall, producing a crisp, pleasant sound. However, the first five rings of the Nightmare Bell were useless; only the sixth ring would trigger its paralyzing effect.

The Corpse Evil smashed the torch with one claw swipe and charged. However, it seemed affected by the Haotian Bell’s tolling from the mountain base, slowing it by half a beat. Its sharp claws raked across Li Ang’s leather armor, narrowly missing him and gouging deep into the cave wall.

CRACK—

The solid rock was easily gouged open. Flying stone fragments struck Li Ang’s chest armor, making his face turn pale.

The Corpse Evil charged again, its claws lashing out with lightning speed straight for Li Ang’s head.

CLANG!

The sound of gold and iron clashing echoed in the cave. Cheng Juxiu’s Flying Sword transformed into a blurry green shadow, parrying the Corpse Evil’s claws. Seizing this final opportunity, Li Ang rang the Nightmare Bell for the sixth time.

DINGLING!

As the bell rang, the Corpse Evil’s movements abruptly froze. It stood rigid, its claws hovering just inches from Li Ang’s forehead.