Chapter 977: Smelling the Stench, Eating the Stench

Ji Yuan himself wasn't entirely confident he could stop the Hou. Although he wasn't familiar with its exact appearance, the current Hou, judging by its form, looked more like a large dragon corpse worm just beginning to transform into a Hou.

However, the foul demonic energy, which smelled putrid like water, also contained powerful water elemental energy. The Hou, since ancient times, had a fondness for devouring dragons. The plague of dragon corpse worms was a deeply guarded secret among dragons. The amount of water elemental energy it could command was astonishing, and its decaying demonic energy was also filled with equally decaying vital energy.

While the Samadhi True Fire could burn almost anything, Ji Yuan knew that no divine ability in the world was so powerful that it had no counter. At the very least, the principles of the Five Elements still applied. If water elemental energy became strong enough, it might be difficult to overcome the Samadhi True Fire, but the Hou could certainly resist it to some extent and avoid being completely overwhelmed.

Without adequate preparation in such a rush, Ji Yuan alone would find it truly difficult to kill the Hou. Although the Immortal Binding Rope was miraculous, it was hard for it to completely trap cultivators who had reached the True Immortal level.

The most effective methods against the Hou in its current state, besides the Samadhi True Fire, included lightning spells. Unfortunately, the Edict Thunder Charm had not yet fully recovered its energy, and using it now would damage its foundation.

As for the perfected Sword Array, its power was simply too immense. Ji Yuan didn't want to expose such a devastating killing move for a decaying Hou; to put it plainly, the Hou wasn't worthy of it.

However, Ji Yuan wasn't worried because the Xiezhi was present, even if the Hou before them wasn't the entirety of its living true spirit.

Even if it was uncertain whether eradicating the Hou meant erasing its true spirit, as was done with the Zhuyan previously, it would at least make the creature extremely uncomfortable. This was because the Xiezhi's style was simple and brutal: beat it up and then swallow it.

Furthermore, Ji Yuan's sword fighting skills were already formidable and had advanced significantly after he comprehended the Sword Array. While it was difficult to guarantee the complete eradication of the Hou, destroying its physical form was not hard. At most, a portion of its true spirit might escape, and that would depend on the Xiezhi's ability.

"Roar—"

The Xiezhi's roar was much more powerful than the Hou's. A strong demonic aura surged skyward, and the Xiezhi's body continuously expanded with it.

"No, impossible! How can you be here? How do you possess such vital energy?"

The fierce beast Hou's mind reeled, and even its own vital energy began to dissipate. Ji Yuan, of course, would not let this opportunity slip by.

"Fellow Daoist Xiezhi, I shall give you another hand."

Ji Yuan raised his left hand, and the Verdant Vine Sword flew into it. Then, he gripped the hilt with his right hand and drew the sword.

"Clang—"

The sword light, like a long whip, swept from Ji Yuan's hand, diagonally cleaving the Hou in two. At the same time, he soared high into the sky, pointing his sword, and streams of sword energy, like mercury spilling over, rained down, covering the Hou's remains.

In the next instant, Ji Yuan formed a sword incantation with his left hand and swung his sword with his right.

*Swish, swish, swish, swish…*

The celestial sword's energy, imbued with powerful sword intent, multiplied like splitting light, instantly dividing the Hou's body into dozens of pieces.

Ji Yuan gently twisted the celestial sword in his hand.

"Om—"

The celestial sword hummed, and the Hou's remains were directly shattered by a shockwave of sword energy.

The Hou seemed to be trying to endure Ji Yuan's numerous sword strikes, willing to be injured to take the opportunity to split itself and escape with its true spirit. After all, to the Hou, the Xiezhi was far more terrifying than Ji Yuan. However, Ji Yuan's speed and the power of his swordsmanship definitely exceeded its expectations.

At this moment, the Immortal Binding Rope had transformed into a sky full of golden rope shadows, with phantom-like ropes twisting in the air, occasionally cracking like long whips, lashing some of the Hou's smaller fragments back.

"Xiezhi, what are you waiting for?"

Ji Yuan had already sheathed his sword but noticed the Xiezhi was still motionless in the air. Upon hearing Ji Yuan's words, the Xiezhi couldn't help but twitch its mouth.

"Such a filthy thing... Oh well..."

Ji Yuan had already "cut the dish." Although the Xiezhi found this "dish" somewhat disgusting, it thought that perhaps, like fermented amaranth or stinky tofu, it might smell bad but taste delicious. So, with this self-deceiving mindset, the Xiezhi opened its mouth.

As it opened its mouth, strong winds reversed, and flowing clouds overturned. Even the light of the stars and moon instantly dimmed, as if about to be swallowed by the Xiezhi. All the scattered fragments were sucked into its large maw and ultimately swallowed in one gulp.

"Gulp..."

In its current state, the Hou was no match for the Xiezhi, which had already devoured the Zhuyan. Moreover, having been scorched by Ji Yuan's Samadhi True Fire and pulverized by his celestial sword, it was utterly unable to resist the Xiezhi's prepared gulp.

After this engulfment, the Xiezhi's demonic body quickly shrank, eventually transforming into a robust man resembling a chivalrous hero. He then stepped on clouds and flew towards Ji Yuan.

"Ptui, ptui, ptui, ptui, ptui... Disgusting to look at, disgusting to smell, and even more disgusting to eat... Ptui, ptui, ptui..."

As the Xiezhi flew closer to Ji Yuan on its cloud, it continuously spat, occasionally sticking out its tongue, reacting exactly like someone who bites into a rotten sunflower seed.

"You've become quite picky."

Ji Yuan playfully quipped, then introduced him to Zhu Tingtao, who had been looking somewhat astonished since earlier.

"Fellow Daoist Zhu, this is Fellow Daoist Xiezhi, an ancient divine beast. The monstrous creature from earlier was an ancient fierce beast."

Zhu Tingtao furrowed his brow slightly, his mind racing with thoughts, but he still cupped his hands and bowed to the Xiezhi.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Xiezhi!"

The Xiezhi, in turn, showed respect to Ji Yuan's friend, cupping its hands in return.

"Fellow Daoist Zhu, I have long admired your name. 'Divine beast' and 'fierce beast' are merely Mr. Ji's way of speaking; in truth, both the Hou and I are ancient demons, differing only in our temperaments and principles of conduct."

"Fellow Daoist Xiezhi, you are too modest. From ancient times, good and evil have always walked their separate paths, just as they do now."

Ji Yuan briefly spoke, then solemnly asked Zhu Tingtao:

"Fellow Daoist Zhu, do you trust me, Ji Yuan?"

"Naturally. If someone like Mr. Ji is clearly considered an evil demon, then are there any true immortals left in the world?"

"Thank you for your trust, Fellow Daoist Zhu. Since that is the case, I ask you to trust Fellow Daoist Xiezhi as you trust me..."

As he spoke, Ji Yuan looked up at the sky over the distant coastal waters and murmured,

"It's been so long, and no reinforcements have arrived from Immortal Mist Isle. Presumably, a traitor on Immortal Mist Isle has withheld Fellow Daoist Zhu's communication talisman. However, we've caused such a significant commotion that even if they don't release the talisman, the high-ranking cultivators on Immortal Mist Isle should have sensed it. This time, I came to deliver books, and I originally intended to have a good talk with the fellow Daoists of Immortal Mist Isle and discuss the Dao."

Zhu Tingtao was slightly surprised.

"Mr. Ji also believes there's a traitor on my Immortal Mist Isle?"

"Oh? So someone else also thinks that? It wouldn't be you, would it, Fellow Daoist Zhu?"

The Xiezhi asked from the side, and Zhu Tingtao gently shook his head.

"It's the Sect Master."

About the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, several streaks of colorful light appeared in the sky. Within the next half an hour, more and more rays of light gradually approached the location of Zhu Tingtao, Ji Yuan, and the others.

These people were cultivators from Immortal Mist Isle. Seeing the scarred land, they knew a great battle had previously erupted. The presence of Ji Yuan and the Xiezhi by Zhu Tingtao's side also surprised everyone.

About half a day later, even Dugu Yu, the Sect Master of Immortal Mist Isle, arrived in person.