Chapter 3

Zhu Lie suddenly ordered, "Bring this general a chair first."

Zhuang Yan, who was retrieving the jade register, looked up at Zhu Lie and wondered to himself: What rank was this heavenly general? He was putting on more airs than even Marshal Deng.

Seeing Zhuang Yan hesitate, Zhu Lie glared at him. "Didn't you hear this general?"

Zhuang Yan answered truthfully, "There are no chairs in the temple."

Zhu Lie frowned. "Not even a stool?"

Zhuang Yan shook his head. "There truly are none."

Zhu Lie sneered. "This shabby place dares call itself a temple?"

Zhuang Yan replied calmly, "This is a Mountain God Temple, not a furniture shop. If the general does not mind, there is a bed for you to rest on."

Zhu Lie lifted his chin. "Fine. It will be easier to subdue demons and exterminate evils after resting and recovering my strength."

At this, Zhuang Yan took out an embroidered carpet and spread it on the ground. "The finest bed is here. Please rest, General."

The surrounding Heavenly Soldiers turned away, struggling to suppress their laughter. Zhu Lie flew into a rage, grabbed Zhuang Yan by the collar, and shouted, "You ignorant wretch! A mere lowly minor god dares mock this general?"

Zhuang Yan met his gaze calmly. "This official was granted the title of Mountain God of Lingtai by the Jade Emperor and holds the position of Eighth-Rank Immortal Official of the Lower Yuan."

Zhu Lie sneered. "Personally appointed by the Jade Emperor? Does an eighth-rank sesame official deserve to alarm the supreme ruler of the Heavenly Court?"

A Heavenly Soldier stepped forward and whispered, "General, Marshal Deng did mention that this god was recommended by Laojun..."

Laojun? Zhu Lie's pupils contracted slightly, and his grip loosened unconsciously. He straightened Zhuang Yan's collar and softened his tone. "Quickly investigate that demon's origins."

After consulting the jade register, Zhuang Yan reported, "This demon occupies Ghost Sound Ravine and calls himself King Gelo."

"That's all?" Zhu Lie frowned.

"That is all the jade register records." Zhuang Yan closed the book. Zhu Lie scoffed to himself. A mere wild mountain spirit—what was there to fear?

He suddenly patted Zhuang Yan on the shoulder and laughed. "Mountain God, accompany this general to Ghost Sound Ravine."

"It is not within my jurisdiction. Forgive me, but I cannot comply." Zhuang Yan took half a step back.

"A Sixth-Rank Immortal Official has requisitioned you, and you dare defy orders?" Zhu Lie's face darkened. Seeing Zhuang Yan turn to leave, he shouted sharply, "Men! Invite the Mountain God onto the clouds!"

The Heavenly Soldiers looked at each other. Under Zhu Lie's glare, they reluctantly surrounded Zhuang Yan. "Forgive us!" They manhandled him into the air.

"This is dereliction of duty!" Zhuang Yan struggled in vain, a faint golden light flashing in his eyes. The Heavenly Soldiers carrying him suddenly went weak in the legs and tumbled down, throwing the thundercloud into instant chaos.

"Useless fools! You can even fall while riding clouds?" Zhu Lie cursed.

"General, please see clearly..." The Heavenly Soldiers lay sprawled on the cloud, gasping for breath. "We suddenly felt weak all over just now..."

Zhu Lie stepped forward to inspect the Heavenly Soldiers, but found nothing amiss. A moment later, their weakness faded on its own, and they regained their vigor.

"Was that your doing?" Zhu Lie rose and questioned Zhuang Yan.

Zhuang Yan pointed to the ground below. "The thing causing trouble is down there."

Zhu Lie studied Zhuang Yan, who only possessed the cultivation of Qi Refining to Godhood yet remained unfathomable, and thought to himself: As expected of someone recommended by Laojun. His methods are strange indeed, and he has something of a Daoist master's bearing.

He looked in the direction Zhuang Yan indicated and saw a ravine between the mountains filled with Demonic Energy. It had to be Ghost Sound Ravine.

Zhu Lie immediately gave the order: one thousand Heavenly Soldiers would seal off the skies, another thousand would block the exits on the ground, while he personally led a thousand elite soldiers into the ravine to exterminate the demon.

Zhuang Yan cupped his hands. "The terrain of this ravine is simple. This minor god need not guide the way, so I shall take my leave. I wish the heavenly general success."

Just as he was about to leave, Zhu Lie grabbed him. "Since you are here, stay here. It is the perfect chance to show you this general's methods."

Zhuang Yan secretly shook his head. He had clearly lost face earlier and now wanted to win it back. With such a temperament, how had he become a heavenly general? Could it be that the Jade Emperor...

Deep within Ghost Sound Ravine, inside Evil Sound Cave.

King Gelo, clad in black robes, sat upon his throne. He had a black face, yellow eyes, a feathered crown, and a pointed beak. He shrieked, "Bring up my beloved consort!"

A group of crow-shaped Lesser Demons chattered as they carried over an ice sculpture. Sealed within it was a stunning fairy.

King Gelo stroked the ice sculpture and said gently, "My dear, why torment yourself by imprisoning yourself in ice?"

The Fairy's eyes shifted, and her clear voice passed through the ice. "I am Fairy Nishang of Guanghan Palace. If the Star Lord holds you accountable..."

"Enough!" King Gelo cut her off. "How can Western Ox Continent allow the Heavenly Court to interfere? Even Emperor Zhenwu must follow the rules when he comes! Besides, if you follow me, it will be ten thousand times better than heaven."

The Fairy closed her eyes without speaking, secretly praying for the Heavenly Soldiers to arrive quickly.

"Light the fire!" King Gelo roared. The Lesser Demons hurriedly piled up firewood. With a palm strike, he sent the ice sculpture flying onto the pyre.

The lesser demons surrounded the ice, desperately feeding the fire and fanning the flames, determined to melt this block of solid ice for their king. Just as the cave became scorching hot, a lesser demon suddenly flew in frantically, flapping its wings as it shouted, "Bad news, king! The Heavenly Soldiers and Generals have reached the entrance!"

All the demons immediately fell into chaos, tossing aside the firewood and fleeing in every direction. Yet joy flashed through Fairy Nishang's eyes within the ice.

King Gelo was startled at first, but quickly steadied himself and shouted, "What are you panicking for? Grab your weapons and face the enemy with me!"

Only then did the demons gather their courage. Some seized weapons, others donned armor, and they surged out of Evil Sound Cave behind King Gelo. The skies and ground were filled with silver-armored Heavenly Soldiers, while a heavenly general stood at the front with a thousand elite troops arrayed behind him.

King Gelo stepped forward and shouted, "Who goes there? How dare you invade my Ghost Sound Ravine!"

Zhu Lie pointed with his golden saber. "I am a heavenly general before Lingxiao Hall! You fiends dared abduct a fairy of Guanghan Palace. Today, I have come to wipe you out! Release her at once if you know what is good for you, and you may yet keep your corpse intact!"

"What a boast!" King Gelo sneered. "Do you dare fight this king one-on-one?"

Zhu Lie laughed loudly, raised his saber, and leaped into the air. "A mere Earth Immortal dares act so arrogantly!" The two immediately clashed in midair. Saber light and sword shadows flashed as sparks flew. After thirty exchanges, a crisp crack rang out. King Gelo's sword snapped, and he plummeted from the cliff like a kite with its string cut.

"King!" All the demons cried out and rushed forward. Zhu Lie pressed his advantage. "Men, follow me and level the demon cave!"

King Gelo wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, suddenly formed a hand seal, and grinned viciously. "Let me show you the might of the Eight Ghost Sounds!" With that, he opened his mouth and began singing a bizarre tune.

As the song rose, the winds and clouds within Ghost Sound Ravine changed abruptly. King Gelo's voice echoed through the valley, and the rolling soundwaves carried piercing demonic tones.

Zhuang Yan, who had thought victory was assured, suddenly felt as if his head were splitting apart. His organs churned, his limbs went weak, and his blood and qi flowed in reverse.

Knowing something was wrong, he recognized the demonic sound assault and quickly summoned the "Add Status" interface, applying the "Soundwave Immunity" effect to himself.

The status took effect, and the pain vanished at once. Zhuang Yan looked up to see Heavenly Soldiers scattered across the ground, pounding the earth and retching miserably.

Zhu Lie was clutching his head and curled up on a rock, rolling about and howling in agony.

Yet he still gritted his teeth and forced himself upright, trembling as he waved his command flag and shouted, "Retreat... retreat outside the mountain!"

Upon receiving the order, the Heavenly Soldiers used all their strength to flee from the mountain, staggering all the way and vomiting without end.

As Zhu Lie stumbled away, he turned and shouted to Zhuang Yan, "Mountain God, run! This demon's sound is formidable. Retreat first, then we can discuss it!"

With that, he staggered toward the mountain's exit. Zhuang Yan was about to leave when a graceful figure flashed out from the cave mansion behind King Gelo. It was Fairy Nishang.

Hearing the thunder of war drums outside, she assumed the Heavenly Soldiers had won. She put away the Cold Soul Divine Pearl and hurried out.

But the instant she emerged from the cave, the demonic sound entered her ears. Fairy Nishang screamed and collapsed to the ground, dizzy and nauseated as she retched nonstop.

She barely raised her head and vaguely saw Zhu Lie and the Heavenly Soldiers fleeing in defeat. Only then did she realize something was wrong, but she no longer had the strength to activate the divine pearl.

King Gelo burst into laughter at the sight. "What an unexpected delight!"

He shouted at the retreating Heavenly Soldiers, "If you dare return, I will make your souls scatter and spirits perish! Hahaha!"

Then he turned and approached Fairy Nishang, grinning wickedly. "My dear, delivering yourself to my door—could it be that you have been longing for this king?"

"Come, let this king pamper you properly!" He spread his arms and pounced.

"Stop!" Though Zhuang Yan had no desire to interfere, he could not simply stand by and watch.

"Who?" King Gelo abruptly turned around and roared, "Who dares disturb this king's pleasure?"

Zhuang Yan stood unharmed where he was. King Gelo frowned. "Who are you?"

Zhuang Yan said evenly, "Mountain God of Lingtai, Zhuang Yan."

"A Mountain God?" King Gelo froze briefly before bursting into laughter. "So it is the Mountain Lord! Excellent. Men! Invite the Mountain Lord into the cave. When this king marries my beloved consort, have him bear witness!"

"Yes, king!" All the demons answered and lunged at Zhuang Yan.

With a flick of his right hand, Zhuang Yan took the Azure Sea Pearl from infinite space and hurled it at King Gelo without hesitation.

The Azure Sea Pearl tore through the air. King Gelo sensed danger and hurriedly stirred up a demonic wind to block it.

The Azure Sea Pearl suddenly erupted with dazzling azure immortal light, releasing the vast force of an overturning sea as it charged straight at King Gelo.

The violent tide swept through them, instantly crushing thousands of demons and monsters into dust. Evil Sound Cave collapsed amid deafening thunder, while King Gelo hastily circulated his power to resist. Yet the instant he met that immense force, he was blasted dozens of miles away, spraying blood as his flesh split open across his body.

Zhuang Yan flew to the ruins, pulled Fairy Nishang from beneath the rubble, and brought her to safety. Before he could catch his breath, King Gelo, covered in blood, was already standing in the air again, activating the Eight Ghost Sounds once more. Zhuang Yan's gaze sharpened, and a silent law abruptly descended—King Gelo's howl stopped dead, leaving only his pointed beak opening and closing uselessly.

When he turned around, Zhuang Yan found Fairy Nishang tightly clutching his right arm, staring blankly at him with wide eyes. After calling to her several times without response, he looked around and, seeing no one nearby, raised his hand and gave her two crisp slaps. Fairy Nishang awoke from the pain, covered her cheeks, and backed away in shame and anger. Yet Zhuang Yan solemnly asked, "Is the Fairy all right?"

Shouts of battle suddenly rose from below the mountain. Zhu Lie led the Heavenly Soldiers in a counterattack. Realizing he had lost his voice, King Gelo transformed into his myna form and tried to flee, only to be trapped by the Heavenly Net and Earthly Net. Within ten exchanges, Zhu Lie beheaded him. After sheathing his saber, Zhu Lie caught sight of the Azure Sea Pearl in Zhuang Yan's hand and smacked his lips. "Ao Qu's treasure?" Once Zhuang Yan put away the pearl, Zhu Lie snorted disdainfully. "A worthless piece of junk."

He turned to Fairy Nishang, who was arranging her appearance, and said eagerly, "The Fairy has suffered a fright." Nishang lightly brushed her cloud sleeves, and all dust and grime fell away, leaving her as cool and pristine as before. "Thank you for your concern, General."

Zhu Lie stood frozen, staring at Fairy Nishang with vacant eyes.

Fairy Nishang felt slightly puzzled, then understood. At this moment, Zhu Lie looked exactly like a foolish lecher overcome by lust, making her feel uncomfortable all over.

"General?" She called softly, frowning.

Zhu Lie only continued to grin foolishly, utterly absent-minded.