Magical Combat

"This zombie has been suppressed by my talismans and can no longer cause harm. We can use this opportunity to lure out the Evil Cultivator hiding in the shadows."

"I don't know what kind of sorcery these Evil Cultivators use, but I must remain fully focused to avoid falling into this scoundrel's trap..."

Just then, a shrill voice cried out, "Spiritual Gate, you dare ruin my plans and try to ambush me? How can this vengeance go unfulfilled?"

A puff of black smoke, carrying two long Black Nails, flew in from outside the Chen Family's courtyard wall, heading straight for Spiritual Gate.

Spiritual Gate was already prepared. A bell flew from his sleeve, ringing twice with a clang-clang. The two Black Nails slowed down. The person hiding outside the courtyard wall hastily recalled the Black Nails, circulated some True Qi, and then sent them out again.

The two began a Magical Combat, one inside the courtyard and one outside.

Chen Ganliu was also a cultivator in his previous life, and his experience far surpassed Spiritual Gate's. He could see that the reason the zombie couldn't rise wasn't just because Spiritual Gate's talismans were suppressing it, but also because all its bones had been shattered, rendering it so limp.

He also saw that the zombie was being controlled by someone, and the hidden Evil Cultivator was bound to make a move. Fearing he would be caught in the crossfire, he quickly retreated a couple of steps, intending to return to his room.

Seeing the two now driving their Magic Tools and engaging in Magical Combat, his heart settled slightly. He mused, So, it's not some formidable figure.

Only upon reaching the Third Layer of Qi Condensation, "Condensing Qi into Apertures," could one remotely control a Magic Treasure. The Second Layer of Qi Condensation couldn't truly control a Magic Treasure; it was akin to a martial artist using hidden weapons, "throwing" the Magic Treasure. Although they could slightly manipulate it by leveraging the treasure's inherent spiritual properties, as soon as their True Qi dissipated, the Magic Treasure would fall to the ground. They had to quickly retrieve it after a single strike.

Both combatants were at the Second Layer of Qi Condensation. Spiritual Gate's cultivation was similar to Chen Ganliu's in his previous life, also only at the Second Layer. However, he was younger, more talented, practiced a more advanced cultivation technique, and had a brighter future. The Evil Cultivator's power was comparable to Spiritual Gate's.

This kind of Magical Combat was very inconvenient. Otherwise, Spiritual Gate's Shaking Silver Bell wouldn't have forced the opponent to recall the Black Dog Nail.

The Shaking Silver Bell was adept at disrupting True Qi. If the attacking Evil Cultivator desperately threw the Black Dog Nail, even if it managed to injure Spiritual Gate, once his True Qi scattered, these two Black Dog Nails could not be retrieved.

Chen Ganliu had cultivated diligently in his past life, but he died at the age of eighty-six without reaching the Third Layer of Qi Condensation, stopping at the Second Layer, "Boiling Liquid into Qi." He still sighed when he thought about it.

He watched the Magical Combat for a while, initially planning to retreat. But upon reflection, he broke out in a cold sweat. He mused, This Evil Cultivator is so ferocious. If Spiritual Gate loses this fight, the Chen Family will likely be annihilated. When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain intact? I must lend Spiritual Gate a hand; helping him is helping myself.

He secretly observed the direction from which the Black Dog Nails were coming. He searched the ground and found a broken brick. Using his will as a brush and the air as yellow paper, he secretly drew a Stabilizing Character Talisman. He walked a few steps towards the courtyard wall. When the Black Dog Nails were hurled again, he threw the brick with all his might, hitting the Black Dog Nails directly.

Spiritual Gate's eyes lit up. He let out a clear shout, and the Shaking Silver Bell rang out several times. A shrill voice cursed, "Who is playing tricks and disrupting my spell?" The Black Dog Nails wavered slightly, veered off course for several dozen feet, could no longer maintain their trajectory, and fell to the ground outside the wall.

Chen Ganliu's talisman actually didn't have much power. After all, it was drawn in haste. Even though he had comprehended the Heart Talisman Technique, it was merely the foundation of magic, not true magic, and couldn't compare to the Magic Tools refined by the Evil Cultivator over many years. Hitting the Black Dog Nails could at most cause the True Qi controlling this evil Magic Tool to scatter slightly, but it was enough for Spiritual Gate to use the Shaking Silver Bell to dislodge the treasure.

After dislodging the Black Dog Nails, Spiritual Gate lunged forward a few steps, leaped onto the courtyard wall, and shouted, "Let's see how much ferocity you have left!"

The Black Robed Daoist's heart pounded. He didn't even bother to pick up the Black Dog Nails. He took out a small banner from his embrace and waved it in the wind. Black smoke billowed, obscuring his body.

Spiritual Gate didn't know what Magic Treasure this small banner was or what its effects were, so he didn't dare to attack.

After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the black smoke dispersed, and the Black Robed Daoist had vanished without a trace.

Spiritual Gate leaped down from the courtyard wall, picked up the two Black Dog Nails, and returned to Chen Family Village.

Without a master to control it, the zombie was now still. He glanced at the Black Dog Nails in his hand, then thrust them into the zombie's forehead and chest, shouting, "Add some Tung Oil to intensify the flames."

Although Master Chen felt heartbroken, he still ordered someone to fetch two buckets of Tung Oil and pour them onto the bonfire. The flames immediately grew even larger.

Chen Ganliu put on his most obedient demeanor and stood quietly to the side. With the experience from his previous life, he knew that if he stepped forward to offer treasures now, it would be met with dislike. It would be better to appear mature and sensible, which might instead win him favor with the immortal.

He was still unwilling to give up and wanted to try his luck.

The Spiritual Gate Daoist's cultivation was not deep, but he was, after all, a disciple of the He Shan Sect and had a proper lineage.

Spiritual Gate glanced at him, and indeed, his expression softened slightly. He mused, This child is quite clever, bold yet careful. If he hadn't thrown that brick and hit the Black Dog Nails, my Shaking Silver Bell might not have been able to dislodge this treasure.

This boy wants to become my disciple. He does have some aspiration for the Dao. Unfortunately, his aptitude is too poor, and he has little destiny with cultivation. I'll give him a Fist Manual later to strengthen his bones, prolong his life, and ward off illness. That will serve as repayment for his effort in throwing the brick.

Spiritual Gate was only at the Second Layer of Qi Condensation. He neither discerned the talisman hidden within Chen Ganliu's brick nor perceived that Chen Ganliu possessed cultivation. Therefore, he still had no intention of accepting him as a disciple.

Chen Ganliu waited expectantly for a while, but Spiritual Gate Daoist didn't mention anything about his brick-throwing. He sighed inwardly, musing, Why is it so difficult to find a master? He turned and left the front courtyard, returning to his residence dejectedly.

He wasn't worried about the Evil Cultivator returning. The opponent was only at the Second Layer of Qi Condensation and had lost his potent Magic Tool. Given some more time and the ability to draw more talismans, he wouldn't fear such an Evil Cultivator.

In just over an hour, the zombie had been burned to ashes.

The surrounding villagers were delighted and encouraged. Everyone said that a great hidden danger had been removed and that the village would be peaceful from now on.

Master Chen breathed a sigh of relief and mused, This Spiritual Gate Daoist truly has magical powers; he's not a swindler trying to cheat people out of money.

When the flames subsided, the Spiritual Gate Daoist performed a fire-repelling spell and retrieved the two Black Dog Nails. He said to the head of the Chen Family, "This humble Daoist has vanquished the evil entity and must return to the mountain."

Master Chen was startled. He was worried that the Black Robed Evil Cultivator might return and didn't dare to let Spiritual Gate leave. He grabbed the Daoist's robe and said, "That Black Robed Daoist could refine one zombie; he can surely refine a second. If he returns, the village will have no peace."

"Daoist Master, your magic is powerful. Why not rid my Chen Family Village of this root of disaster?"

Spiritual Gate pondered for a moment. He was merely passing through and had other important matters to attend to; he couldn't stay here long.

Moreover, the Black Robed Daoist had lost his Magic Treasure, and refining a zombie was an extremely arduous task, often taking several years to refine one. Cultivators generally believed in Feng Shui. Having lost face here, the chances of him returning were slim. However, for the moment, he didn't know how to explain this to these mortals.

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