Section 192

Ximen Chuixue and Chisongzi heard this and both showed looks of anxiety. However, the black-robed leader laughed out loud: "Very good! The power of Lord Evil God is about to awaken!"

Gao Jianli bent over in pain, black Qi began to emerge from his body, and his eyes turned blood-red. He struggled desperately to resist the evil Qi within him, but it seemed increasingly difficult to control.

"Brother Ximen, go quickly!" Gao Jianli said through gritted teeth. "I'm afraid I might hurt you!"

Ximen Chuixue looked at Gao Jianli's painful appearance, his heart filled with anxiety. At this moment, he suddenly remembered something: "Benefactor Pei, do you still remember the matter of our ancestor Mo Di? The Mechanism Arts of the Mohist school are specifically designed to restrain the Evil God!"

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in Gao Jianli's eyes. He endured the pain and pulled out his last mechanism device from his bosom—a small metal ball. This was his trump card, rumored to have been crafted by Mo Di himself, known as the "Demon Suppression Bead," capable of suppressing all evil spirits.

"But I have never successfully activated this thing..." Gao Jianli hesitated.

"Try it!" Ximen Chuixue said firmly. "Believe in yourself, and believe in our ancestor Mo Di!"

Gao Jianli gritted his teeth and injected the last of his True Qi into the metal ball, while chanting the secret incantations of the Mohist school. The metal ball began to emit a faint light, and as the chanting continued, the light grew stronger and stronger.

Seeing this, the black-robed leader's expression changed drastically: "Not good! Stop him quickly!"

However, it was too late. As Gao Jianli uttered the last word, the metal ball suddenly bloomed with dazzling golden light, turning into countless golden threads that spread in all directions. Wherever the golden threads passed, the evil arts of the black-robed men were immediately disintegrated, causing them to emit bursts of screams.

Even more miraculously, those golden threads also spread to the Dragon Vein Node, purifying the black patterns one by one, and the golden pillar of light regained its former luster.

"No! This is impossible!" the black-robed leader shouted in terror. His body began to disintegrate, turning into black Qi and dissipating into the air. The other black-robed men also turned into black Qi one after another, disappearing without a trace...

In the limestone cave, only Gao Jianli, Ximen Chuixue, and Chisongzi remained. The evil Qi in Gao Jianli's body was purified by the golden light, and his complexion gradually returned to a healthy flush, but he also knelt weakly on the ground due to excessive exhaustion.

"Benefactor Pei!" Ximen Chuixue quickly stepped forward to support him.

Chisongzi exclaimed in wonder: "Is this the Mohist Demon Suppression Bead? It truly lives up to its reputation! Not only did it purify the Dragon Vein Node, but it also dispelled the evil Qi within Benefactor Pei!"

Gao Jianli smiled faintly: "I didn't expect the ancestral treasure to actually be useful."

The three of them looked at the restored Dragon Vein Node and finally breathed a sigh of relief. However, just as they were preparing to leave, the Dragon Vein Node suddenly vibrated violently, and a beam of golden light shot out from it, heading straight for Gao Jianli!

"Careful!" Ximen Chuixue wanted to block in front, but the golden light was too fast, and in the blink of an eye, it drilled into Gao Jianli's body.

"This is..." Gao Jianli looked at his own body in surprise. The golden light flowed beneath his skin, forming a strange pattern, and finally faded from sight.

Chisongzi was dumbfounded: "The Dragon Vein Qi has actively acknowledged a master? This... this is unbelievable!"

Ximen Chuixue asked with concern: "Benefactor Pei, how do you feel?"

Gao Jianli carefully felt it: "It's very strange. I feel filled with power, and the evil Qi seems to have been completely dispelled."

Chisongzi suddenly realized: "I understand! The Dragon Vein sensed the Mohist Bloodline within Benefactor Pei and actively acknowledged him. Mo Di participated in the sealing of the Evil God back then and had a special connection with the Dragon Vein. As a descendant of the Mohist school, Benefactor Pei has inherited this connection."

Ximen Chuixue looked at Gao Jianli, thoughtful: "Then why did the Cangyou Envoy call Benefactor Pei the chosen vessel?"

Chisongzi pondered for a moment: "Perhaps it is because the Mohist Bloodline both restrains the Evil God and has some kind of special connection to it. The Evil God wanted to control Benefactor Pei, utilizing his Bloodline advantage to break the Seal. But it didn't expect that Benefactor Pei's Bloodline Power would instead become a Sharp Weapon to counter it."

Gao Jianli clenched his fists, feeling the Dragon Vein Qi circulating within him: "Then, what should I do next?"

Chisongzi smiled: "The Dragon Vein acknowledging a master is the will of heaven. Benefactor Pei should make good use of this power to help the Great Xia resist the Evil God. However, before that, we still need to find the heavenly heart grass to thoroughly stabilize the Dragon Vein Qi within you."

After consulting, the three decided to head immediately to the back mountain of Yunyang Temple to find the heavenly heart grass. Before leaving the cave, Ximen Chuixue looked back at the restored Dragon Vein Node, but still had doubts in his heart: Would the Evil God really give up so easily? Would the Cangyou Envoy come again? And what kind of changes would the Dragon Vein Qi inside Gao Jianli bring?

Carrying these questions, the three set out on the road to the back mountain of Yunyang Temple, ready to face even more dangerous challenges.

The back mountain of Yunyang Temple was steep and treacherous, surrounded by clouds and mist, like a fairyland. However, this fairyland hid murderous intent—legend has it that a group of venomous snakes guarded the precious heavenly heart grass, and many treasure hunters had lost their lives here.

"Ahead is the Venomous Snake Valley." Chisongzi pointed to a valley shrouded in thick fog ahead and said, "The heavenly heart grass grows on a stone cliff in the valley, but there are many venomous snakes in the valley, so we must be careful."

Ximen Chuixue nodded and gripped his long sword tightly. The Dragon Vein Qi within Gao Jianli was stable, but it still needed the heavenly heart grass to be thoroughly solidified.

The three walked slowly into the valley. The thick fog was as dense as milk, and visibility was less than three steps. Strangely, the valley, which should have been damp, was exceptionally dry, with the ground covered in cracked patterns, like a wasteland that had long been without rain.

"Something is wrong." Chisongzi stopped and frowned, saying, "It's too quiet here; there isn't even the sound of an animal."

Ximen Chuixue looked around vigilantly: "Could there be an ambush?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a strange hissing sound came from all directions. In the thick fog, countless pairs of eyes glowing with green light stared at them, making one's hair stand on end.

"Careful!" As soon as Gao Jianli shouted, a bright green venomous snake darted out of the thick fog, aiming straight for his throat. Gao Jianli reacted extremely quickly, stepping back and drawing his short sword to cut the snake in half.

However, more venomous snakes surged in from all directions, seemingly endless. Ximen Chuixue's sword light was like a rainbow, cutting down dozens of snakes in a row, but it was still difficult to stop their offensive.

"No!" Chisongzi suddenly shouted, "These are not ordinary venomous snakes; they are controlled by evil Qi!"

Gao Jianli looked closely and indeed discovered that the eyes of these venomous snakes all glowed with an eerie red light, completely different from the green pupils of ordinary venomous snakes.

"Could it be that the Evil God's minions have already arrived here before us and controlled the creatures here?" Ximen Chuixue asked while swinging his sword to defend.

Chisongzi's expression was grave: "It is very likely. The Evil God's power is far stronger than we imagined. It knows that the heavenly heart grass can purify evil Qi, so it sent these controlled venomous snakes to stop us."

Gao Jianli lowered his head to think for a moment, then suddenly had an inspiration: "I have Dragon Vein Qi within me; perhaps I can dispel the evil Qi on these venomous snakes!"

As he spoke, he tried to guide the Dragon Vein Qi within him. As he focused his mind, a golden stream of Qi surged from his body, forming a barrier that surrounded the three of them.

As soon as those venomous snakes touched the golden barrier, they retreated quickly as if scalded, emitting painful hisses.

"It's effective!" Ximen Chuixue said pleasantly surprised.

Chisongzi exclaimed in admiration: "As expected of Dragon Vein Qi, it truly has the miraculous effect of restraining evil Qi. Benefactor Pei, how long can you maintain this?"

Beads of sweat had already appeared on Gao Jianli's forehead: "I'm not quite sure, but I feel my power is being consumed. We must hurry to find the heavenly heart grass."

Under the protection of the golden barrier, the three quickly passed through the valley. As they went deeper, the number of venomous snakes did not decrease but increased, and the species were more diverse, some even as large as pillars, as thick as an adult's arm.

"The Dragon Snake Valley truly lives up to its reputation." Ximen Chuixue sighed, "These types of snakes are rarely seen in the Jianghu."

Finally, the three arrived at the bottom of a stone cliff deep in the valley. The cliff face was steep and smooth, almost impossible to climb. Halfway up the cliff, a cluster of herbs emitting a faint blue light grew in a crack in the rock face.

"That is the heavenly heart grass!" Chisongzi pointed to the blue light and said, "It usually only glows on the night of the full moon, but now it glows during the day, which shows that the influence of the evil Qi is already very serious."

Gao Jianli looked up at the steep cliff and asked: "How do we get up there?"

Ximen Chuixue pondered for a moment: "I can try."

As he spoke, he took a deep breath, circulated his True Qi, and his body moved like a swallow. With a few leaps, he climbed onto some rock protrusions on the cliff. But there was still a distance to the heavenly heart grass, and there was no place to land in between.

"It's too high; I can't reach it by jumping directly." Ximen Chuixue shouted.

Gao Jianli thought for a moment, then pulled out a roll of thin line and a small metal claw from his bosom: "Use this!"

Ximen Chuixue took the metal claw and the thin line, aimed at the rock near the heavenly heart grass, and threw it with force. The metal claw accurately hooked onto a rock protrusion. Ximen Chuixue pulled it gently a few times, and after confirming it was secure, he climbed up along the thin line.

However, just as he was about to reach the heavenly heart grass, a huge black snake suddenly darted out from a crack in the cliff, opening its bloody mouth to bite him!

"Careful!" Gao Jianli and Chisongzi exclaimed at the same time.

Ximen Chuixue held the thin line with one hand and drew his long sword with the other, narrowly parrying the black snake's attack. But his situation was very dangerous, hanging in mid-air, unable to exert his full strength.

"This black snake is unusual!" Chisongzi exclaimed, "The evil Qi within it is much stronger than that of the other venomous snakes; I fear it is a guard specially cultivated by the Cangyou Envoy!"

Seeing this, Gao Jianli immediately drove the Dragon Vein Qi within him, condensing it into a golden beam of light, and shot it towards the black snake. The golden light hit the black snake, and it let out a painful hiss, its body convulsing violently as it fell from the cliff.

Ximen Chuixue took the opportunity to continue climbing and finally arrived beside the heavenly heart grass. He carefully pulled out the cluster of herbs emitting blue light, roots and all, put them into the prepared jade box, and then descended quickly.

"Got it!" Just as Ximen Chuixue finished speaking, the black snake that had been knocked down suddenly exploded into action. Its body twisted and deformed in mid-air, turning into a human form—it was none other than a pale-faced Cangyou Envoy!

"Don't you dare take the heavenly heart grass!" The Cangyou Envoy roared, a black long knife appearing out of thin air in his hand, and slashed towards Ximen Chuixue.

Ximen Chuixue drew his long sword, clashing with the black knife, producing a deafening sound of metal striking metal. The two exchanged blows on the cliff, the battle raging intensely.

The Cangyou Envoy's martial arts were not weak, his Moves were ruthless, carrying an eerie evil Qi. Although Ximen Chuixue's swordsmanship was exquisite, in the narrow environment of the cliff, it was difficult to exert his full strength.

"Hahaha, even if you got the heavenly heart grass, don't think about leaving here alive!" The Cangyou Envoy laughed wildly, "The great master has already set his sights on you, especially that Mohist boy; his fate is already sealed!"

Ximen Chuixue sneered: "Boastful!"

The long sword in his hand suddenly changed. He unleashed a Move, "Heavenly Spear Swordsmanship · Moon-Slaying Style," and the sword light, like a new moon, cut through the sky, aiming straight for the Cangyou Envoy's throat.

The Cangyou Envoy was terrified and hurriedly dodged, but his shoulder was still grazed by the Sword Qi. His figure flickered, turning back into snake form, and he quickly drilled into a crack in the cliff, disappearing.

"Don't chase him; it's more important to treat Benefactor Pei's injury first!" Chisongzi shouted.

Ximen Chuixue nodded, quickly descended to the ground, and handed the jade box to Chisongzi.

Chisongzi took out the heavenly heart grass, placed it into a pre-prepared jade mortar, took out a pestle, and began to grind it. "This heavenly heart grass needs to be used immediately after harvesting for the best effect."

The Dragon Vein Qi within Gao Jianli had been almost exhausted, the golden barrier was becoming weaker and weaker, and those venomous snakes were beginning to stir again.

"Hurry!" Ximen Chuixue looked around vigilantly.

Chisongzi moved quickly, soon grinding the heavenly heart grass into powder, pouring it into a small porcelain bottle, adding clear water, shaking it a few times, and then handing it to Gao Jianli: "Drink it quickly!"

Gao Jianli took the porcelain bottle and drank it in one gulp. As the medicinal liquid went down his throat, a cool sensation immediately spread throughout his body. He felt the Dragon Vein Qi within him become purer and more powerful, and all the previous discomfort disappeared.

"How do you feel?" Ximen Chuixue asked.

Gao Jianli looked at his hands in surprise: "It's too miraculous! I feel the power within me has completely stabilized, and it's stronger than before!"

The Dragon Vein Qi within him surged again, forming an even more powerful golden barrier, driving away all the venomous snakes in the entire valley. Under the illumination of the golden light, the red light in the eyes of those venomous snakes controlled by evil Qi gradually faded, returning to their normal emerald green color, and then they scattered away.

"Success!" Chisongzi said happily, "The heavenly heart grass not only healed Benefactor Pei's injury but also stabilized the power of the Dragon Vein Qi. Now we can return to Xianyang with peace of mind."

However, just as the three were preparing to leave the valley, a strange wind suddenly blew, and the thick fog in the valley seemed to be controlled by some force, condensing into a vague human figure.

"Do you think this is the end?" A cold voice came from the fog, "Foolish humans, you have only temporarily stopped my plan. I will return, and when that time comes, not only this Mohist boy, but the entire Great Xia will become my prey!"

Facing this sudden threat, Gao Jianli was not afraid but became more determined. He drove the Dragon Vein Qi within him, forming a golden beam of light, and shot it towards the foggy human figure.

"Get back to your dark world!" Gao Jianli shouted.

The golden light pierced through the fog, and the human figure let out a painful howl, then dissipated without a trace. The valley returned to calm, and the sunlight pierced through the clouds, shining on the three of them, dispelling the last trace of gloom.

"This was just a wisp of the Evil God's consciousness, not its main body." Chisongzi explained, "It is still trying to interfere with us, but it no longer poses a substantial threat."

Ximen Chuixue looked at Gao Jianli: "With Dragon Vein Qi within you, it seems you are destined to walk a unique path."

The Dragon Vein Qi within Gao Jianli was completely stable, and the three immediately set off to return to Yunyang Temple. This experience made his friendship with Ximen Chuixue deeper, and the two talked frequently along the way, sharing their respective insights.

"The power of the Dragon Vein Qi is very wonderful, and I feel that my attainment in Mechanism Arts has also improved a lot." Gao Jianli took out a small mechanism, flicked it lightly, and the mechanism transformed into various forms in his hands as if it were a living thing.

Ximen Chuixue nodded slightly: "With this Divine Power to assist, after we go to the Mohist Mechanism City and obtain the dragon spring fire stone, the Demon-Suppressing Glazed Lamp will be able to restore its power, and the Evil God will naturally have nowhere to hide."

After returning to Yunyang Temple, Chisongzi hosted a banquet for the two and taught them a few Talismanic Incantations for emergencies. The next morning, Ximen Chuixue and Gao Jianli said goodbye to Chisongzi and embarked on the journey to the Mohist Mechanism City.

"How far is the Mechanism City from here?" Ximen Chuixue asked, his gaze sweeping over the rolling mountains in the distance.

"A five-day journey. If there are no obstacles, we can arrive on the evening of the sixth day." Gao Jianli looked up at the sky, "However, this journey is not peaceful; there are quite a few bandits lurking along the way."

The two rode fast horses, traveling a hundred miles a day. On the way, they encountered several groups of mountain bandits, all of whom were frightened away by Ximen Chuixue's Sword Qi. In the blink of an eye, five days passed, and on the evening of the sixth day, a majestic city appeared in a valley in the distance.