novelraw Chapter 141 : We Are Monastics!
Chapter 141 : We Are Monastics!
Kumarajiva met the girl's eager gaze and suddenly felt uneasy. He spoke coldly with solemn eyes, "Patron, do not look improperly. We disciples of the Buddha Sect are monastics. Please do not set your sights on us."
"Hey hey hey, what are you saying? My Little Junior Sister is a proper person!" When it came to fans blatantly lying, Tantai Ming was an even better example.
Chu Sang also tugged at her lip somewhat speechlessly, waving to Kumarajiva and the others with a smile, "I just want to borrow your Buddha Sect's treasure for a moment, you know, the Nine Rings Monk's Staff!"
"......"
The Nine Rings Monk's Staff had always been the ritual staff used by each generation's Buddha's Child in their Buddha Sect. Kumarajiva's cultivation was still shallow and unable to fully master the staff. He hadn't expected an outsider to pursue using the staff.
The key was, the other party could actually use it better than him. Kumarajiva almost wanted to return to secular life again out of anger.
"Here you go."
He suppressed the frustration in his heart and threw the staff to her expressionlessly.
"Thanks a lot."
After receiving the staff, Chu Sang didn't waste words. Under everyone's gaze, the girl skillfully formed hand seals with one hand while gripping the staff tightly with the other, striking it on the ground.
A golden, profound formation expanded rapidly from her as the center, encompassing nearly all the surrounding area for several li.
Buddha's light shone everywhere.
The ghost cultivators who had just fled into the space-time tunnel to hide their forms, intending to deliver a fatal blow without anyone knowing, were directly and miserably forced out by this Buddhist power specifically countering ghostly evil forces. Their faces looked quite unpleasant. A layer of ghost energy quickly spread over their bodies, barely resisting the erosion of this Buddha's light.
There wasn't just one ghost cultivator, but six.
All were at the half-step Nascent Soul stage.
The tall, thin ghost cultivator leading them had the strongest power, faintly approaching true Nascent Soul stage.
"Hehe, you do have some ability, actually able to activate the Buddha Sect's treasure. But you must die here today!" One of the ghost cultivators sneered coldly at them, his five fingers transforming into ghost claws as he attacked without another word.
Wu Wo and Mo Qingchen, the two strongest sword cultivators, immediately stepped forward to block the attack.
Both sides became entangled in chaotic battle, barely fighting to a standstill.
Then, the other ghost cultivators also attacked one after another.
Chu Sang's playful expression also sank slightly. It seemed the ghost realm really intended to do something during the grand competition this time, such as secretly killing off this group of young disciples who hadn't had time to grow up yet in the secret realm.
They sent six half-step Nascent Soul ghost cultivators right off the bat, afraid they might still have a breath left.
Half-step Nascent Soul cultivators were among the top experts in the ghost realm. Even in the strongest Ghost Xuan Sect, they would be at the elder level. Unexpectedly, they had been sent to specifically kill these few Nascent Soul and Golden Core stage young disciples in the sect grand competition.
Chu Sang couldn't help but sigh inwardly at this waste of talent. However, this also showed the ghost realm's resolute determination regarding this sect grand competition. The ghost realm must have other hidden plans. They wouldn't make such a big fuss just to kill these few sect disciples.
Lin Jing's hand shook as he grasped talismans, retreating several steps with a face as pale as paper. "We're done for, really done for this time......"
One Nascent Soul stage was enough to give them trouble.
How could they fight six??
He really wanted to knock himself unconscious, hoping to wake up and find it was just a nightmare.
"It seems I have no choice but to take action this time." Chu Sang put her hands behind her back and sighed lightly. "I'll mercifully save your dog life. Remember to make offerings to me after we get out."
"???"
Before the others could react to the girl's nonsensical words, they saw her casually summon a demon beast. The originally late Nascent Soul stage spider demon beast, unseen for just a few short days, had actually directly advanced to the Nascent Soul stage. It transformed into its complete beast form. The pressure of a Nascent Soul stage demon beast pressed down, instantly engaging in fierce battle with one of the ghost cultivators, not falling behind at all.
This wasn't all. Seeing another ghost cultivator charging over, Chu Sang grabbed Lin Jing, who was too scared to move, with one hand. She raised her other hand, and a black banner floated in the air.
In an instant, the originally clear and cloudless weather turned as dark as night. Silent, cold winds rose from all directions, chillingly eerie, raising goosebumps on people's skin.
"This is......"
Sensing this familiar yet ominous aura, those ghost cultivators all froze.
From that black banner floating in mid-air, a huge ghost shadow flew out.
It was actually a Nascent Soul stage Ghost King!
The half-step Nascent Soul stage ghost cultivator closest to it was terrified, his face changing drastically. Before he could run, he was caught by the Ghost King with one hand and swallowed in one gulp, without even being chewed, losing his life.
"This is...... the Hundred Ghosts Banner!??"
The leading ghost cultivator's face changed drastically. His cold gaze pierced through the crowd like a venomous snake, looking at Chu Sang in disbelief. He gritted his teeth and said, "This is our Ghost Xuan Sect's sacred object. How did it fall into your hands!?"
Chu Sang smiled at him, "Why don't you guess?"
His face twisted for a moment, veins bulging in anger. "Die!"
She put away the smile on her face and quickly formed red hand seals. The Ghost King immediately went forward to block the ghost cultivator's attack, becoming entangled in battle with that ghost cultivator.
"Ghost cultivators are certainly frightening, but I think Chu Sang is even more terrifying."
"Who wouldn't say so? What kind of good person has a Nascent Soul stage demon beast in one hand and a Nascent Soul stage Ghost King in the other?" someone sighed. "If I were the ghost cultivator on the other side, my mental state would collapse."
"Using the ghost cultivators' sacred object against ghost cultivators, only Chu Sang could do such a thing."
The sect elders watching the battle scenes jumping back and forth on the light screen also clicked their tongues. To be honest, these little ones had quite a few magical treasures. Whether it was Chu Sang or that Qin Xixue from Tianyan Sect, the magical treasures and spirit tools they took out only made them feel surprised, at most sighing that they were favored by heaven's will.
But this Hundred Ghosts Banner was no ordinary object. It simply couldn't be compared to ordinary spirit tools or magical tools.
The ghost energy in it, concentrated to the point of being terrifying, made even their hearts tremble.
The Hundred Ghosts Banner was a supreme treasure of the ghost cultivators. How could it have been obtained by a young disciple of their cultivation world? This was not a pleasant surprise but a shocking... horrifying one!
A Nascent Soul stage beast pet, and now the Hundred Ghosts Banner.
It made even these widely experienced sect elders sigh—
What kind of heaven-defying luck does this person have?!!
They had originally been worried these young disciples might accidentally perish, but now it seemed that with Chu Sang present, the course of events in the secret realm had also become unpredictable.
"Go investigate why there are ghost cultivators lurking in the secret realm." The Ten Thousand Swords Sect Master also gave orders in a cold voice.
⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱
Hong Niang and the Ghost King each engaged two ghost cultivators.
The other sect disciples used swords, threw magical treasures, flung talismans, working together to hold down one half-step Nascent Soul ghost cultivator.
Although the two sides were different in realm, having greater numbers didn't necessarily guarantee victory, but at least they wouldn't lose too badly in the short term.
Chu Sang alone blocked the last ghost cultivator.
"With just your little Golden Core stage, you think you can block me? That's simply a foolish dream!" That ghost cultivator sneered coldly with a gloomy expression.
He was right. For her, a mere Golden Core, to want to recklessly battle a half-step Nascent Soul could be called a fool's dream. So Chu Sang, very self-aware, retreated a few steps and directly called for backup... no, called for spirit weapons!
"Sang Sang, get behind me!"
The fiery red-haired bow spirit girl appeared like the sun. She waved her hand, shooting out several fire-red arrows. Chu Sang also casually threw out the black sword to help Karma Burns the Three Realms share the pressure.
The terrifyingly murderous sword wind merely grazed past, directly cutting off one of the ghost cultivator's arms.
"Damn it!" The ghost cultivator's face twisted. A mass of black energy quickly condensed at the deeply cut stump, forming a new arm that turned into a ghost palm, directly attacking Chu Sang from behind.
Chu Sang held the Mystic Spirit Sword, materializing sword intent. Several dragon shadows rushed forth.
The two attacks collided and dissolved in mid-air.
Then, the silver-white long sword in her hand transformed into a landscape folding fan. With a light wave, it shot out hundreds of silver-white spiritual energy attacks.
No matter how quickly the ghost cultivator dodged, he couldn't avoid being hit by several attacks. The spiritual energy attacks mixed with divine sense were enough to cause substantial damage to his physical body.
The ghost cultivator's face turned vicious. He clasped his palms together, his form quickly flickering into a black shadow that disappeared. In the next second, he approached close behind the girl—
Chu Sang's palm transformed into a gun, blasting back at him, hitting his shoulder squarely.
"Ah!"
The ghost cultivator retreated in pain, greatly shocked in his heart. He finally understood...... This Golden Core stage female cultivator before him was the most troublesome among this group!!
He quickly pulled away to distance himself.
The handgun in Chu Sang's hand transformed again into a long whip, lashing out at him like a swimming snake.
The ghost cultivator's face grew even uglier. He immediately condensed a mass of ghost energy in his palm, dispersing the whip.
In the next second, that whip transformed into yet another magical tool.
Chu Sang couldn't help but be shocked by the Mystic Spirit Sword's high degree of freedom. "Mystic Spirit, how many forms can you actually transform into?"
The young sword spirit floated over with a grin, "That depends on you, Sang Sang. Just for formless transformations, I have as many forms as you can imagine!"
See? See how useful he is? So hurry up and kick out that annoying Karma Burns the Three Realms, and make him the main wife!!
The ghost cultivator could no longer control the irritation in his heart. His face turned as vicious as a fierce ghost. "Don't think I really can't kill a mere Golden Core like you?!"
He originally hadn't taken this little Golden Core seriously, but now he had no choice but to get serious. Almost terrifyingly powerful ghost energy condensed in his palm. This was the true pressure of the Nascent Soul stage, able to easily crush a Golden Core cultivator to dust!
However, before he could truly launch his attack, his body suddenly couldn't move.
The ghost energy in his hand instantly dissipated.
On his rigid body, many white fungal threads actually appeared. These fungal threads densely emerged from his pores, instantly covering his entire body from the inside out......
It wasn't just him. The other ghost cultivators were all in the same situation without exception.
They all gave up attacking and instead roared angrily, "What is this thing??"
"What did you do to me??"
Not only did it prevent them from controlling their bodies, but heart-wrenching pain spread from inside out. Those snow-white fungal threads multiplied at an extremely fast rate, consuming their flesh and blood. After just a few breaths, the previously shouting ghost cultivators fell silent, becoming piles of dried corpses consumed by fungal colonies.
Letting a group of Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators kill half-step Nascent Soul cultivators could be called a fool's dream, so Chu Sang hadn't planned for the two sides to fight to the death from the beginning. She had secretly released the spores of the ghost mushroom early on, silently contaminating the ghost cultivators.
If not cleaned in time, these spores would quickly infiltrate their bodies, into their flesh, blood, and internal organs.
Ghost mushrooms were not very powerful demon beasts in terms of killing power, as could be seen from how these sect disciples had passed through the mushroom forest. But the name "ghost" was not undeserved. Once the spores successfully implanted in the body, whether you were Golden Core, Nascent Soul, or Nascent Soul stage, you couldn't escape the fate of having your flesh and blood consumed.
Chu Sang called for everyone to attack together. Firstly, it was to make these ghost cultivators lose their vigilance in battle, so she could secretly plant the spores successfully. Secondly, during the battle process, greatly agitating the ghost energy in their bodies would accelerate the growth of the fungal threads.
As long as they could successfully hold off the ghost cultivators for a quarter of an hour, the outcome of this battle was already determined.
Chu Sang burned the dried corpses covered in white fungal threads to ashes with a fire, leaving only a few storage bags and tokens.
The spoils of war were collected without fail, including these tokens, which unsurprisingly were from the Ghost Xuan Sect again.
This wasn't the first time.
How did these ghost cultivators evade the Eight Great Sects and successfully infiltrate the secret realm to ambush?
This was a question.
In the original story, the Ghost Xuan Sect had always been eyeing this piece of fat meat that was the cultivation world covetously. Especially that sect master of the Ghost Xuan Sect, who was even more ambitious, not hesitating to use forbidden techniques to create a ghost infant and plant it in the cultivation world as a spy. Later, they even joined hands with the demon realm, intending to swallow up the cultivation world.
However, for millions of years, the ghost realm had always been in decline. Chu Sang hadn't expected them to dare to directly come and disrupt the sect grand competition.
This deviated quite a bit from the original plot.
In the original story, these ghost races only dared to poke their heads out to make some small moves during the later stages of the plot when the cultivation world and demon realm were at war.
"There's a traitor in the sects," Chu Sang said mercilessly.
And this traitor wasn't Ling Yu.
He was currently just a disciple of a small sect and small school, not yet qualified to directly interfere in the sect grand competition.
The competition venue was organized by the Eight Great Immortal Sects, and relevant information wouldn't be disclosed before the competition. So it could only be that a traitor had appeared within the Eight Great Immortal Sects.
"What nonsense are you talking about? How could there possibly be a traitor within our Eight Great Immortal Sects!"
Lin Jing said indignantly.
Chu Sang glanced at him. "So, have you thought about what offerings to give me?"
He pouted again and said nothing.
Mo Qingchen sheathed his sword. "This matter is indeed unusual. After we get out, we'll inform the sect elders. I believe they will handle this matter properly."
Chu Sang thought that this dragon-proud male protagonist was indeed a model student, wanting to report everything to the sect, acting so correctly and obediently. However, she didn't think reporting this matter to the sect would lead to a perfect resolution. Since the other party dared to secretly make moves, they must have planned for the aftermath.
Throughout all this, Qin Xixue, the female protagonist, had been quiet to an excessive degree. If Chu Sang hadn't glanced at her once more, she would have almost forgotten the female protagonist was also present.