A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality c1-2248

by Translator: Johnchen

  Ancestor Linghu was a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator and Nangong Wan’s Senior Martial Sister possessed formidable treasures and techniques. It was hard to believe that the two had decided to frantically flee instead of standing their ground. Could it be that the Moulan Divine Sage Zhong was chasing them down?

  With that thought, Han Li felt his heart tremble. His relationship with the Moulan spell warriors was anything but good. He had wrecked the plans of the Moulan Tribes several times and slain many high-grade Moulan spell warriors. If he were to come across Divine Sage Zhong, he feared that the Divine Sage would definitely go after him.

  With that thought, Han Li didn’t delay and decided to take advantage of the fact that the two had yet to detect him and Violet Spirit. In a blur, he arrived at Violet Spirit’s side and held his hands in an incantation gesture. A layer of azure light then appeared above their heads and caused them to disappear from sight.

  The two streaks of light passed the mountain Han Li where was concealed.

  Han Li was able to see the deathly pale expression that Ancestor Linghu wore. Then, he glanced at a place three hundred meters behind them and narrowed his eyes.

  “Where do you think you’re going? What? Don’t you want to be with your companion? Tch tch, your cultivation is quite high and your primal souls are exceptionally profound. They will make great offerings to this Lord. How could I possibly let you escape? This time, there will be no further surprises and you will obediently fall into my grasp.”

  The voice howled with laughter and spoke with a tone of audacity. These words shook the world nearby, guaranteeing that all cultivators within five kilometers could hear it.

  Afterwards, a line of black light strangely appeared where Han Li was staring.

  The black line intermittently flickered, closing the distance toward the two fleeing cultivators with each reappearance. A short moment later, it was only two hundred meters away from them.

  At that moment, a silhouette could be seen from within the black radiance. Although it appeared vague, Han Li hastily focused his attention on it. As a result of some sort of unknown technique, Han Li wasn’t able to see the figure’s cultivation with his spiritual sense. He was only able to see his vague figure. However, his figure appeared rather familiar to Han Li and after a moment of thought, Han Li recognized him, much to his shock.

  ‘Marquis Nanlong? How can he be here? And there seems to be something different about him.’ Han Li was shaken with bewilderment. Unknown to him, the person before him was the devil possessed Marquis Nanlong.

  Although Han Li didn’t know that a devil soul had possessed his body and he was no longer the original Marquis Nanlong, the overwhelming devilish Qi emitted from his body and his audacity to pursue Ancestor Linghu and the Grand Elder of the Masked Moon Sect was clearly bizarre and out of character.

  At that moment, Marquis Nanlong reappeared in his black light only a hundred meters away from the two. He eerily laughed and the black light surrounding him ruptured. A ball of pitch-black devilish Qi wrapped around him and he disappeared in a flicker of black.

  When Ancestor Linghu and the white-clothed woman saw that Marquis Nanlong had disappeared, they were greatly alarmed and came to a sudden stop. They each took action, with one person taking out a pitch-black mirror and the other brandishing a jade scepter, both of them covering themselves in a barrier of light.

  Then, a black light shined not far away from them. Pitch-black devilish Qi suddenly spurted forth and instantly enveloped an area of over thirty meters. Marquis Nanlong’s figure could be vaguely seen from within it.

  “You clearly know that you aren’t my match. Don’t do something so foolish as to resist me!” Marquis Nanlong sinisterly smiled from within the black Qi and he casually waved his hand before a loud bang sounded out. A black hand suddenly appeared out of nowhere and struck the white-clothed woman. Afterwards, she was repelled over twenty meters away within the barrier that formed from the mirror before managing to steady herself.

  Ancestor Linghu’s pale complexion grew even more unsightly after seeing this.

  With a harsh tone, Ancestor Linghu yelled, “What are you? Not only have you possessed Fellow Daoist Nanlong’s body, but you dared to devour the primal soul of our fellow cultivator. Do you truly believe that there is no match for you within Devilfall Valley? There are several tens of Nascent Soul cultivators that have entered Devilfall Valley. No matter how powerful you are, you will find it difficult to escape death.”

  Marquis Nanlong show no fear, only to respond with a sinister grin, “Several tens? Haha! Fantastic! I originally believed there were but a few humans in this valley. But there are actually so many Nascent Souls for me to devour, so I’d better finish up here and go and retrieve them. With so many Nascent Souls devoured, my soul power will mostly recover!”

  Then with a huge bang, black Qi instantly ruptured and scattered. A silhouette clad in black Qi blurred as it shot towards Ancestor Linghu, leaving afterimages in his wake.

  Chapter 842: Sneak Attack

  Ancestor Linghu’s expression changed when he saw the black silhouette rushing towards him and without further thought, he pointed to the jade scepter. Suddenly, the barrier around him thickened and he spat out a small block stamp that flew out as a ball of green light.

  ‘Marquis Nanlong’ sneered and punched the jade block without hesitation Bang. As black and green light weaved together, the black Qi suddenly shrunk and expanded, blowing away the green light.

  The jade block was sent flying back and fiercely pounded towards Ancestor Linghu. In his alarm, Ancestor Linghu hastily grasped his hands in an incantation gesture and repeatedly strengthened his protective barrier with successive spell seals to stop the incoming jade block. But in that short moment of distraction, a pitch-black fist appeared in front of the barrier and fiercely smashed down.

  The barrier trembled and Ancestor Linghu felt a huge force travel through it, immediately sending him flying. However, he hadn’t lived for a thousand years in vain. With his rich battle experience, he had already shaken his sleeve and released a fire-red flying dagger in the direction of the Marquis Nanlong’s new position.

  Marquis Nanlong sinisterly grinned as his expression filled with black Qi. While the flying dagger streaked towards his head, he didn’t bother to dodge. Rather, he took a breath and spat out a streak of black-red demonflame. The flying dagger attempted to cut through the black-red flames but was instantly entangled. With several flashes of red light, the dagger groaned before being cleanly devoured by the flames and falling to the ground as a lump of spiritless iron.

  When Ancestor Linghu saw this, he felt a wave of shock. The dagger may have appeared ordinary, but it was in fact a famous treasure in the Heavenly South Continent, the Evil Slaying Blade. It was a difficultly acquired treasure that was particularly effective against evil souls and spirits.

  Since it was clear to see that Marquis Nanlong had been possessed by a ferocious evil spirit, Ancestor Linghu had decided make use of this blade. While he hadn’t thought it would be enough to heavily injure Marquis Nanlong, it still came as a massive shock for it to have been destroyed with such casual disregard.

  As Ancestor Linghu turned pale from fright, the devil-possessed Marquis Nanlong pursued the old man without him to regain his bearings. Marquis Nanlong leaned forward and his body suddenly folded and extended like a snake. His torso extended forward and pursued Ancestor Linghu, only to pound at his barrier once more.

  Shaken by another strike, Ancestor Linghu was sent flying once more. Marquis Nanlong strangely flickered his entire body in front of Ancestor Linghu and began to rain down punches upon him. Powerless to resist, he was struck like a sandbag.

  The jade scepter in his hand was clearly a top-grade defensive ancient treasure. Although the dark-green barrier continued to tremble, it remained steadfast underneath the immense force of these strikes. Even Marquis Nanlong let out a gasp of surprise, but never once stopped pounding down.

&nb
sp; Fear completely overwhelmed Ancestor Linghu’s mind. At that moment, he found himself in the same situation as Lu Weiying. Every punch scattered most of the spiritual power he managed to condense in his body, preventing him from activating any further abilities and treasures.

  After a dozen or so punches, the jade scepter’s barrier finally began to warp underneath the blows, causing Ancestor Linghu’s heart to sink with fear.

  An evil grin appeared on Marquis Nanlong’s face when he saw this. His body blurred and had one hand continue to pound down on the barrier while he held his other hand like a blade as if concentrating power into it in preparation for the lethal blow.

  Ancestor Linghu’s complexion turned deathly pale. The barrier was finally cracking. He gritted his teeth and gripped onto an item he kept near his heart, preparing to stake it all for his life.

  But at that moment, a thick beam of rainbow light suddenly appeared and enveloped Marquis Nanlong inside of it. Marquis Nanlong originally didn’t care for it, but when it touched his body, he suddenly felt his body grow heavy and his movements greatly slowed.

  “Yi!” Marquis Nanlong yelped in surprise and glanced in the direction of the beam of light.

  The white-clothed woman was holding an ancient mirror high in the air, the source of the beam of light. A harsh expression appeared on Marquis Nanlong’s face when he saw this.

  With the white-clothed woman’s interference, Ancestor Linghu as brought out of the pit of despair and immediately grabbed onto this chance at life. He gathered his magic power and escaped in a streak of light. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared at the white-clothed woman’s side.

  Ancestor Linghu couldn’t afford to offer his thanks for the time being. Instead, he clapped his hands together before raising them both and releasing over ten flaming talismans from his hand, all of them shooting to Marquis Nanlong who was trapped in the rainbow light.

  The talismans arrived above Marquis Nanlong and ruptured in succession under Ancestor Linghu’s command. Rumbles continuously sounded out as scarlet flames enveloped him. Marquis Nanlong spouted out a breath of black Qi to protect himself from the scarlet flames pouring around him.

  Ancestor Linghu obviously didn’t believe that this was enough to kill him. He promptly formed an incantation gesture and took out a majestic white trident. It shrunk before shooting out in an attack.

  The white-clothed woman also took action during this time. With one hand holding the mirror and keeping Marquis Nanlong restrained, she summoned two flying swords with the other. They shot towards him as a black and a white streak.

  As the battle raged on, no words were said. But then, rainbow light flashed below nearby.

  Han Li frowned and asked the Monarch of Soul Divergence, “Is that thing possessing Marquis Nanlong one of those Elder Devils you mentioned?”

  With a trace of schadenfreude, he replied, “Apart from an Elder Devil, what else could be so vicious? But for him to be able to send two Nascent Soul cultivators fleeing, it seems this Elder Devil is rather highly ranked in the Elder Devil Realm. If you were to fight him alone, your chances of victory are very low, even if he isn’t using his original body.”

  Han Li bitterly chuckled and muttered, “It is quite interesting that you didn’t tell me to immediately flee. And it's not as if I have any interest in fighting that thing alone. But nevertheless, the world is truly a chaotic place for Marquis Nanlong to fall in such a way.”

  The Monarch of Soul Divergence snorted and said, “With regards to cultivation alone, even four of you wouldn’t stand a chance against an Elder Devil with a possessed body. But with your various treasures and techniques, your chances are quite good. You even have Divine Devilbane Lightning. Although it can’t be said that you’d be a match for the Elder Devil, you should have no problem escaping it.”

  Han Li smiled and thought to say something further when he suddenly heard Violet Spirit’s voice, “Brother Han! What will we do? Do you plan to attack?” Violet Spirit had been scared speechless ever since she had caught sight of Marquis Nanlong’s corrupted form, and his fierce display was only cause for more trepidation.

  Han Li smiled at her and was about to say something when he suddenly raised his arm with an alarmed expression. A mist of azure Qi shot out and pulled Violet Spirit into his embrace. He then shot to the sky in an azure streak.

  The azure light faded to reveal Han Li holding Violet Spirit in a loose embrace. He was glancing down below with a solemn expression. Violet Spirit hurriedly brushed herself from his grasp with a slight blush and also looked down below in bewilderment.

  They now saw a pitch-black silhouette standing there and icily staring at them. Marquis Nanlong had made a sudden appearance there.

  He planned to mount a sneak attack at them, but Han Li had fortunately glanced around with his Brightsight Spirit Eyes by chance. As for Violet Spirit, she felt her blood run cold and hastily glanced in a different direction.

  At that moment, a ball of black Qi within the rainbow beam of light vanished underneath the raging flames. The silhouette flickered within to clearly reveal another Marquis Nanlong.

  When Ancestor Linghu saw Han Li suddenly appear in the distance, he was initially delighted. But when he caught sight of yet another Marquis Nanlong, he felt his heart drop. He hastily called out to the white-clothed woman in bewilderment for them to postpone their attacks.

  At that moment, the Marquis Nanlong inside the beam of light expressionlessly glanced at the two before disappearing into black Qi, revealing itself to only be a temporary incarnation. Ancestor Linghu and the white-clothed woman exchanged a glance, both of their eyes holding a deep fear.

  It wasn’t difficult to create an incarnation, but it was truly frightening for an incarnation to escape the notice of two Nascent Soul cultivators. They had believed that the incarnation had been the genuine Marquis Nanlong this entire time. It appeared that he left behind a hollow shell at an unknown time. If he hadn’t intended to mount a sneak attack on Han Li, one of the two cultivators would’ve fallen prey.

  “Fellow Daoist Han, I didn’t think you’d be here. This is fantastic! This devilish monster is extremely formidable. If we unite together against this devil, we will be able to save ourselves!” Ancestor Linghu loudly shouted.

  When Han Li heard this, he bitterly smiled. He originally believed his concealment to be sufficient to escape the notice of even late Nascent Soul cultivators. As a result, he watched the battle with an easy heart, thinking of escaping a moment later. He didn’t think that the Elder Devil would actually discover him and plan to ambush him. It seemed a battle would be unavoidable!”

  Chapter 843: Battle with the Devil Soul

  Han Li nodded to Ancestor Linghu and turned to Violet Spirit and said, “Your cultivation is too low for you to be of any help. Rather, you should escape with your life while you can. Don’t worry, since we’re all fighting this beast, he shouldn’t have the chance to attack you.” As a result of their friendship, Han Li immediately told Violet Spirit to leave as he couldn’t afford to look after her in the coming battle.

  Violet Spirit hesitated for a moment before obediently nodding. “Very well. Then I shall be taking my leave. Brother Han take care of yourself!” Violet Spirit spoke softly and took a glance at “Marquis Nanlong” down below and a deep look at Ancestor Linghu’s before flying off.

  At that moment, Marquis Nanlong simply glanced at her in the distance before refocusing his gaze on Han Li. It was unknown whether he simply felt Violet Spirit to be too unworthy of an opponent or that he felt that three Nascent Soul cultivators were troublesome to deal with.

  Seeing that Marquis Nanlong was glaring at him, Han Li’s expression sank and he raised his hand, summoning several dense arcs of golden lightning around his arm. Thunder repeatedly clapped as lightning lit up around his arm in a brilliant display.

  Given the fearsome of this Elder Devil, Han Li had no intention of probing his abilities and decided to immediately attack with the Divine D
evilbane Lightning, legendary for its ability to suppress all things wicked and evil. In truth, Han Li was somewhat disappointed that he never had the chance to test its effectiveness against a devil’s wicked technique. Although this Elder Devil may be formidable, Han Li was confident in the lightning’s ability to suppress him.

  When Marquis Nanlong saw the golden lightning bouncing off Han Li’s arm, his eyes narrowed.

  As he stared at Han Li, he eventually spoke with an icy tone, “I recognize you from the remnant memories of this body’s previous owner. Although I don’t know the specific details, this body’s previous owner had a particularly fearsome impression of you. I now see that impression was correct. Not only did you evade my ambush, but you are able to control the Divine Devilbane Lightning that had caused us to suffer so much in the past. It seems like I’ll have to expend quite a bit of effort to deal with you.”

  When Han Li heard this, a trace of a cold smile appeared on his lips and the arcs of golden light on his arm surged with greater power. At that same time, he flung his sleeve and a small blue shield appeared in front of him. It revolved around him before transforming into a barrier of blue light.

  Seeing that Han Li took the initiative to act first and defend himself against Marquis Nanlong, Ancestor Linghu and the white-clothed woman glanced at each other with joy. Han Li’s current reputation was quite great and he was an existence on par with late Nascent Soul cultivators. As a result, they each sent a voice transmission to each other and slowly moved forward in preparation to provide Han Li assistance.

  When Marquis Nanlong saw that Han Li remained steadfast and unaffected by his provocation, he frowned and a fearsome expression appeared on his face. He silently stamped down and his entire body trembled, only to leave behind an afterimage.