Chapter 902: 打服

The Immortal Binding Rope was forged from Samadhi True Fire and inherently contained its fiery essence, making it extremely resistant to the true fire. So, even as the sea of flames swept forth, Ji Yuan did not retract the rope. Instead, he allowed it to continuously contract, resisting Zhu Yan's ever-increasing might. The process was swift; in merely an instant, the Samadhi True Fire had enveloped him.

“Roar—”

Zhu Yan’s roar made the sea of flames tremble. His body, which expanded by ten zhang, would often be constricted back by several zhang by the Immortal Binding Rope. Yet, the overall trend was constantly shifting. A gigantic ape, radiating boundless demonic energy and fierce flames, continuously swelled, tearing and biting at the golden rope around its body, all while being covered by the True Fire, which blazed like oil poured onto a conflagration.

“Roar—it’s Samadhi True Fire—”

“Thump… thump… thump…”

Zhu Yan’s unrestrained right hand repeatedly pounded his chest. Each strike caused the sea of flames to ripple and the surrounding space to undulate like water. A tearing sound echoed continuously.

Enveloped in Samadhi True Fire and suffering intense burning pain, Zhu Yan finally managed to free his left hand. With both arms now unbound, he attempted to grab the Immortal Binding Rope with both hands and tear it apart.

However, the Immortal Binding Rope was like a spiritual serpent bathing in fire. The moment the gigantic ape’s hands reached for it, it swiftly moved, coiling around the ape’s body. It would wrap around its legs, then its waist, and then extend towards its arms, attempting to bind the ape’s hands once more.

Realizing he couldn't break free from the Immortal Binding Rope and with the burning pain becoming increasingly unbearable, Zhu Yan's eyes turned bloodshot in his fury.

“Ji Yuan, I’ll kill you—Roar—”

“Boom…”

The gigantic ape landed, stomping the ground, and swatted its hands towards Ji Yuan, who was controlling the fire in the air, as if swatting a tiny insect.

“Rumble…”

Ji Yuan teleported to dodge. Zhu Yan’s palm wind swept past, forcing Ji Yuan to retreat with the gust. The powerful wind turned all remaining buildings on the ground and distant mountaintops into dust. The ground was scraped clean as if by a steel blade, becoming bare red earth, matching the blood-red sky.

At this moment, the surrounding sky seemed to tremble. After his attack failed, two crimson mountains had already appeared on Zhu Yan’s arms.

Ji Yuan's pupils contracted. He simultaneously controlled the fire and directed his sword, continuously pointing it at Zhu Yan. The mountainous ape blocked the sword energy's erosion with the two great mountains held before him, just as Ji Yuan unleashed his Roaming Dragon Sword Intent.

“Die—”

Amidst Zhu Yan’s furious roar, his body spun violently. His arms swung, and the two crimson mountains in his hands vanished abruptly.

Whoosh—whoosh—

“Boom—” “Boom—”

Crimson light, like two celestial pillars, rose from two points on the ground.

“Crack… crackle… bang…”

Ji Yuan’s heart pounded as he narrowly escaped certain death. Yet, at this moment, he was startled again. Looking back at the two crimson pillars of light, he saw that the restraints he had imposed with his great magic were collapsing. Zhu Yan hadn't been aiming for him at all?

“Ji Yuan, your restraints are about to break. If you don't retract the Samadhi True Fire, the entire capital of the Xia Yong Dynasty will be incinerated along with it—”

Zhu Yan's body was mountainous, like a flaming peak permeated with demonic energy within the sea of fire. In his chest, where the Roaming Dragon Sword Intent had struck, one could see his still fiercely beating heart through the gaping hole, and even the scenery behind it. Yet, Zhu Yan, despite the torrent of blood, managed to forcefully endure the pain and cease his attack.

Ji Yuan’s mind raced. The next moment, with a sweep of his sleeve, his Sleeve Dimension absorbed all the Samadhi True Fire. As it approached, Ji Yuan opened his mouth and drew it in.

“Sizzle… sizzle sizzle…”

The mountainous Zhu Yan was crimson all over, and wisps of hot smoke rose from his body. The blood within him was boiling, as if being incinerated. He looked down at his body. The golden Immortal Binding Rope, at that moment, flew towards Ji Yuan, returning to his wrist. Zhu Yan’s gaze followed the rope back to Ji Yuan, and he narrowed his eyes.

Ji Yuan simply watched Zhu Yan indifferently from the air. After their eyes met for a moment, both slowly retracted their magical power. The gigantic ape gradually shrunk, and Ji Yuan slowly descended to the ground.

When Ji Yuan landed, Zhu Yan had already transformed back into his earlier appearance as a warrior-like immortal. However, his body and face were covered in terrifying red burn marks, and his chest was hidden by his clothes.

Zhu Yan shook his body, and the visible red marks on his face and hands completely faded. Even the hair on his face quickly grew back. However, Ji Yuan knew that this was merely a superficial act on Zhu Yan’s part.

The burning pain of Samadhi True Fire was not easily endured, and Ji Yuan did not believe that being pierced by that sword was a minor injury for Zhu Yan.

“Crack…”

A sound like shattering glass echoed. The virtually annihilated capital of the Xia Yong Dynasty and the vast surrounding land seemed to drop or crumble into fragments. The surroundings quickly reverted to their original state: back in Li Ping's official residence, in that small courtyard, with only a corner of the courtyard wall damaged.

Zuo Wuji looked around somewhat dazed, then at Ji Yuan and Zhu Yan, his eyes filled with apprehension towards the latter.

Zhu Yan glanced at Zuo Wuji, then surveyed his surroundings, and said with a sardonic smile,

“Mr. Ji, what remarkable abilities! The array you hastily set up was incredibly versatile and impressive!”

Ji Yuan looked at Zhu Yan with a stern gaze.

“I have never in my life encountered a demon cultivator with such terrifying cultivation as yours. I also find it hard to believe that any demon cultivator could have reached your level during my years of reclusion. Who exactly are you?”

Ji Yuan appeared to know nothing about Zhu Yan, his words and gaze conveying not just coldness but also a sense of apprehension. Zhu Yan, having already fought Ji Yuan, was no longer as arrogant as before and certainly not dismissive. As long as Ji Yuan stood before him, he could not be distracted by Zuo Wuji.

But upon hearing Ji Yuan’s words, Zhu Yan still grinned.

“Hehehehe… Mr. Ji, even if your cultivation is astonishing, there are still many things in this world you don’t know. You’ve pursued enlightenment your entire life, but perhaps you haven't truly seen through the essence of heaven and earth, or even the direction you’re looking in might not be the right one!”

“You, a demon cultivator, dare to teach me about enlightenment?”

Ji Yuan’s tone was completely unreserved this time, while Zhu Yan was much more subdued than before, merely looking at Ji Yuan with a hint of amusement.

“Indeed, I am merely a demon cultivator. In terms of enlightenment, of course, I am no match for a true immortal like you, Ji Yuan. However, some things don’t require enlightenment; one naturally understands them after experiencing them…”

Even if he was unwilling to admit it, Zhu Yan was genuinely subdued this time, and even felt a slight fear towards Ji Yuan. The pain throughout his body hadn't diminished at all; it was as if the Samadhi True Fire was still burning him, and a sword was stirring in his chest. His voice lacked its previous confidence.

As Zhu Yan spoke, someone seemed to pass by outside, and then the somewhat frantic voice of the steward, accompanied by footsteps, came into the courtyard.

“What’s going on? Huh? What happened to this courtyard wall? Was it you… um, Immortal Master, you’re here too?”

The steward had rushed into the small courtyard, intending to scold Zuo Wuji, as it was likely this martial artist who had damaged the wall so quickly—after all, his clothes were torn. But upon seeing Zhu Yan standing there, he immediately quieted down.

Zhu Yan looked at the steward, then sneered and turned to Zuo Wuji and Ji Yuan.

“Mr. Ji, there are still many things we can discuss. As for you, Zuo Wuji, your martial arts are indeed impressive. But after witnessing the fight between Mr. Ji and me, how much of that self-assured confidence that your martial path could reach the heavens do you still possess?”

Seeing Ji Yuan offer no opinion, and Zuo Wuji frowning in deep thought, Zhu Yan continued.

“As I just said, there is still great potential in your martial arts cultivation, Zuo Wuji. I truly cherish talent. You, too, could reach the immense power I just displayed; it’s not impossible, as long as you are willing, hehehehe… Mr. Ji, Great Hero Zuo, Zhu Yan will take his leave for now. We shall find another opportunity to chat!”

With that, Zhu Yan cupped his hands towards Ji Yuan and the tattered-clothed Zuo Wuji, then turned and left the small courtyard. Ji Yuan and Zuo Wuji remained rooted to the spot, making no move to return the gesture.

“Immortal Master, take care!”

The steward quickly bowed in farewell behind Zhu Yan. When Zhu Yan reached the courtyard gate, the steward turned back and inexplicably looked at Ji Yuan and Zuo Wuji, his mind constantly turning. Ultimately, he, of course, no longer blamed them for the courtyard wall and instead cupped his hands to both of them.

“Both of you, please rest well. I will instruct the servants to repair this courtyard wall… Uh, I’ll take my leave now. Please let me know if you need anything!”

Once the steward left, the entire small courtyard fell silent. Only then did Zuo Wuji clutch his chest; the waves of pain were indeed quite unpleasant.

“Mr. Ji, what is that being’s origin?”

Ji Yuan extended a sword-finger and tapped Zuo Wuji’s chest and abdomen twice, infusing a trace of spiritual energy and magical power to alleviate his pain. He was somewhat relieved, realizing that Zuo Wuji hadn’t sustained any serious injuries.

“Alas… I don’t know either. For such a terrifying demon cultivator to appear in the world, the changes in fate are truly unpredictable… Great Hero Zuo, you should rest first. He won’t do anything to you for now.”

“Understood. I will take my leave then!”

Zuo Wuji bowed and hurried back to his room. He needed to circulate his energy to recover. Although the recent combat had been terrifying and far beyond his own cultivation level, he had not been without gains.

Ji Yuan watched Zuo Wuji return to his room, glanced at the damaged corner of the courtyard wall, and then re-entered his own dwelling.

As soon as he was inside, Ji Yuan once again took out the *Sword Intent Scroll* from his sleeve. The small characters on it reacted, and only then did they begin to cry out in pain.

“Oh, dear master, I’m in so much pain…” “Master, it hurts terribly…”

“Wuwuwu…” “My hand is broken, wuwuwu…”

“It hurts, it hurts so much! And, you don’t even have hands…”

“Wuwuwu, I don’t have hands? Wuwuwu…”

Ji Yuan looked at the small characters on the *Sword Intent Scroll*, each with dimmed spiritual light, and felt a pang of sympathy. He spoke softly to comfort them.

“There, there, it’s all right now, it’s all right. Soon, Master will give you some Golden Scented Ink to eat.”

“Good, good!” “Golden Scented Ink!” “Eat until we’re full!”

The small characters were very simple-minded and easily comforted, even amidst intense pain. Ji Yuan let out a sigh, and at the same time, he sent a telepathic message into his sleeve.

“Didn’t you say we’d attack together? Why didn’t you act just now?”

The Xiezhi’s voice, a bit exasperated, replied.

“You blame me? By the time I reacted, the Samadhi True Fire had already turned into an endless sea of flames. You wanted me to go in? Zhu Yan could withstand it for so long, and I’m just a painting; you wanted me to go in? However, it seems now that if you are fully prepared, with Zhu Yan’s current capabilities, he might not be your match. And constrained by the rules of heaven and earth, he likely won’t be able to improve much further. We…”

“There’s no hurry with this matter. I’ve learned more about Zhu Yan, and he has learned more about me too. Moreover, he’s so concerned about Zuo Wuji; while he certainly has ulterior motives, it’s probably not just empty talk. Perhaps we can listen to what he has to say…”