A Small Banquet in a High Tower, the Difficulty of Immortality (Part 2)

Stepping out from the painted scene of the Purple Dust Red Dust Lamp, Ghost Weariness saw that within the cramped space sealed off by the painting's demonic patterns, the Green Wolf Mountain Master was still unconscious, while Mr. Wugou rested his sword across his knees and meditated in silence. To enter meditation in such an environment, whatever else could be said, his composure was admirable. Turning back to Jian Ziyu, he saw her raise the treasure lamp herself and suspend it over her head. The illusory scene shrouded her, and both body and spirit vanished, making one wonder whether she had become a figure within the painting and merged into the surging mortal world. No one, Xiao Limai included, came to disturb them. Only the manifestation of the Demon Lord Wuming continued its clamor within the void transformed by the Nine Palaces Demon Domain. The eight-armed manifestation radiated layer upon layer of flame, clinging to the rosy light of the Five Sacred Peaks True Form Diagram. As one ebbed, the other surged; they had already entered a deadlock. Yet the Devil Master's manifestation was not wholly intent on forcing it down by brute strength. During this time, enormous bubbles of molten slurry would occasionally swell within the flames, unleashing fearsome bursts; or several flame demons, brimming with savage and grotesque intent, would condense into being, hundreds of zhang tall, moving mountains and seizing peaks. The flames changed color repeatedly as well, each change a drastic shift in nature that sent the void trembling—clearly divine abilities of astonishing power. Yet the Five Sacred Peaks True Form Diagram merely extended its single strand of rosy light. No matter what changes came, it could not be shaken. Later, perhaps realizing that such methods had little effect, the manifestation's controller gradually abandoned the effort.