Flesh Tai Sui

Huanglong Temple...

After Mao Ba revealed his identity.

Except for Wu Dao and the two others who were already aware of his background, the rest of the martial artists were taken aback.

A cultivation sect like Huanglong Temple.

Though these low-level wandering martial artists had heard of such places, it was always like looking at flowers through a mist—they were elusive and legendary figures.

It was only natural they hadn't recognized him immediately.

Now that they understood.

They couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.

The methods of the Immortal Sect were mysterious and unfathomable.

Rumors claimed they could take a life from a thousand miles away, a feat so miraculous that even the most daring ruffians felt an indelible trace of fear in their hearts.

They had dared to attack Mao Ba earlier.

It was only because they were gambling on luck, assuming Mao Ba was just another wanderer; they thought that if they killed and robbed him, it wouldn't lead to any trouble.

Who could have imagined...

Reflecting on this.

The martial artists were drenched in cold sweat, quickly cupping their hands in a return salute: "Daoist, you are too kind. It was our own short-sightedness and greed that blinded us. We hope you will not take our actions to heart."

To be threatened with death for no reason.

It would be a lie to say they held no resentment.

Yet, Mao Ba was unexpectedly magnanimous. He simply sighed, waved his hand, and said: "The world below has its own rules. I broke those rules, so it is only right that I endure this trial.

However..."

Changing his tone, Mao Ba warned them with a stern expression: "I have heard rumors on my way here regarding the creature you are hunting.

If my estimation is correct, it should be a Flesh Tai Sui that has become a demon, possessing at least five hundred years of cultivation.

Since ancient times, all demons and monsters have been born in ignorance without the roots of wisdom. Only after five hundred years of bitter cultivation can they earn the right to take human form and awaken their perception of the world.

To cross this threshold, beyond self-cultivation and absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, they must use humans as medicine to mend their own flaws.

The reason it consumes human bones and dispatches Chang Ghost to harm people is that the Tai Sui has flesh and blood but lacks bones. Once it mends this defect, taking human form will be just around the corner.

But even without taking human form, it is not something a cultivator below the Breaking Cocoon realm can contend with. So, if you would heed my advice, you should stop here."

"Five hundred years of cultivation?"

"Hiss, wouldn't that be equivalent to a cultivator who has surpassed Foundation Building and reached the Breaking Cocoon stage?"

"You cannot calculate it that way. Demons and monsters are strange and evil; their methods cannot be measured by human standards."

As Mao Ba finished speaking.

Most of the martial artists present showed clear signs of wanting to retreat.

However, a few had shrewd glints in their eyes and did not choose to leave.

This made Wu Dao somewhat curious.

If it were truly as Mao Ba described, an Inner Strengthening Realm expert would be like a chicken or a dog before such a Flesh Tai Sui.

Were they really choosing treasure over their lives?

"This little Daoist isn't being entirely honest."

Zhao Wei noticed the confusion in Wu Dao's eyes, assuming he was unaware of these secrets, so he leaned in and whispered:

"The first part is entirely accurate. Demons are different from humans; their strength is divided by the duration of their cultivation.

One hundred to four hundred years is equivalent to Foundation Building.

Five hundred to eight hundred years is equivalent to Breaking Cocoon.

Although they are stronger than humans at the same stage due to their centuries of grueling practice, they have one fatal flaw: at every critical stage of metamorphosis, their strength is severely weakened.

If one acts correctly at that moment, even those in the Divine Strength Realm have a high chance of killing it; for those in the Inner Strengthening Realm, however, the risk remains very high!

This Daoist is deliberately withholding information. I wonder if it's out of pity, or if he just wants to scare off some people to reduce the competition."

Five hundred years to take human form?

Wu Dao listened, clicking his tongue in wonder; he was reminded of some legends from his previous life.

It was said that humans were the most intelligent of all living things, born with five hundred years of cultivation and all the roots of wisdom intact, naturally better at understanding all things and the principles of the universe than other races.

As for demons.

They were born ignorant, lacking the roots of wisdom, and only after five hundred years of bitter toil could they awaken their intellect and become no different from humans.

Thus, the demons in legends harmed and ate people, consuming the "cultivation" within them to supplement their own "humanity."

In his past life, talk like this was mostly just fodder for rumors and hearsay.

He hadn't expected it.

In this world, it had actually become reality.

It could be considered an eye-opener for Wu Dao.

Yet, there was no fear in his heart. In his view, whether they were demons or immortals, they were ultimately nothing more than stronger predators.

As long as one could beat them.

Then they could be eaten as "meat." He just didn't know how much benefit devouring a demon nearing five hundred years of age would bring him.

At this thought.

Wu Dao's mouth watered, and he licked his lips unconsciously, his heart growing increasingly hungry and thirsty.

Finally.

The young Taoist's warnings had an effect; some martial artists who didn't know the truth were unwilling to take the risk of meeting their end here, so they chose to retreat.

The scene quieted down significantly.

Remaining were Wu Dao, Zhao Wei, and three peak Internal Strengthening pugilists from the White Whale Martial Arts Hall.

Looking at the numbers and quality alone.

Their group was currently the strongest force within Panshui Town.

The rest.

Included the peak Divine Strength sword cultivator with formidable killing power, Yun Tianliu.

The somewhat mysterious Taoist from Huanglong Temple, Mao Ba.

And.

Four rogue cultivators who had chosen not to retreat and instead banded together, all of whom were experts at the peak of Internal Strengthening.

But regardless of which side they were on.

Tonight, everyone had made up their minds not to stop until they achieved their goal.

However.

Everyone knew that the key to finding the Flesh Tai Sui within Canyun Mountain still lay with Mao Ba, or rather, the Chang Ghost inside that Red Skin Gourd.

Thus.

Everyone's gaze converged on Mao Ba, waiting for him to provide an explanation.

But no one spoke first.

After all, with things having reached this point, they were essentially looking to carve a piece of meat from Mao Ba's hands. To speak up was to risk causing offense.

This left Mao Ba somewhat hesitant; he could neither stay nor leave, his expression awkward. He seemed very ill-equipped to handle these worldly entanglements.

Fortunately.

The silence did not last long.

Yun Tianliu broke the awkward atmosphere. With a gentle, warm smile that easily invited affinity, he cupped his hands and said: "Slaying demons and eliminating evil to uphold righteousness is the bounden duty of our generation of cultivators.

Although the Daoist priest possesses great Supernatural Power, you are ultimately fighting alone..."

At the end.

He stated his background: "I am Yun Tianliu, a student of Yang Wufeng. I have learned a few meager skills, and if the Daoist priest does not mind, I can offer the assistance of my sword."

It's said that no one in the martial arts world is simple.

These words.

Gave both face and substance.

Mao Ba was also given a way to step down.

"I wouldn't call it 'great Supernatural Power,' and you need not be so humble, brother."

The young Taoist Mao Ba blushed and waved his hands, then returned the salute: "The great hero Yang Wufeng is a man of virtue and talent in Guangqing Prefecture who cares for the common people; I have heard of his worthy reputation many times while on the mountain.

To see his disciple today, it is truly as the rumors say. With your assistance, brother, this trip will surely be a success."

People treat each other with mutual flattery.

Everyone likes to hear pleasantries. Whether it was the Huanglong Temple or the Fangcun Sword Hall, both were reputable and prestigious schools in the Guangqing Prefecture area.

This exchange.

Immediately gave Mao Ba and Yun Tianliu a sense of solidarity. The two stood together, faintly creating a balance of power against Wu Dao and the others.

"White Whale Martial Arts Hall, Zhao Wei."

Seeing this, Zhao Wei also cupped his hands with a chuckle, but his words lacked the sense of affinity that Yun Tianliu had projected.

That was to be expected.

After all, the White Whale Martial Arts Hall originated from the once-notorious Giant Whale Sect.

Even after washing their hands of the past, in the eyes of the righteous sects, they still carried a hint of the villainous, leading to inherent prejudices and cold shoulders.

Rather than shamelessly lowering his own status to curry favor, it was better to maintain a calm demeanor—neither overly intimate nor distant.

"Wu Dao."

Wu Dao's introduction was even simpler; he merely grinned and stated his name.

This was in contrast to Zhao Wei.

After his recent slaughter, he had truly earned the disgust of Mao Ba and Yun Tianliu, so there was no need to force a warm welcome where none existed.

"Oh, I've heard much about you."

As expected, Mao Ba was not as cordial toward Wu Dao and his companions as he had been with Yun Tianliu, offering only a perfunctory reply before falling silent.

As for the four Rogue Cultivators.

They did not speak up to introduce themselves; after all, their status was humble, and they were lucky enough not to have been driven away, so there was no need to court embarrassment.

"Since that is the case, let us not delay. Every day that wicked creature remains alive, more blood will be shed. I only hope that when the time comes, everyone will stand united against our common enemy."

Seeing that his previous warnings had been in vain, Mao Ba stopped wasting words and pointedly reminded them not to turn their blades against one another.

Afterward.

He exhaled softly, once again unhooking the Red Skin Gourd from his waist, bit his middle finger, and pressed a drop of fragrant blood onto the gourd.

The Red Skin Gourd bloomed with a hazy, blood-colored glow once more.

A shrill scream of "Ah!" echoed from inside the gourd, and a wisp of green smoke drifted out from the gap in the stopper.

That wisp of green smoke swirled but did not dissipate.

As Mao Ba closed his eyes and chanted a mantra.

It transformed in the void into a palm-sized miniature Green Crane, so lifelike that it fluttered its wings and circled, drawing gasps of amazement from everyone present.

After circling a few times.

The Green Crane seemed to confirm its direction, its beak pointing toward the vast, rugged Canyun Mountain illuminated by the stars and moon in the distance.

Seeking monthly tickets.