Chapter Thirty-One: The First Trial—The Twin Skulls of Heaven and Earth

The Myriad Demons Sect stood at the pinnacle of the four great demonic sects, with its founder, the Five-Hearted Elder, passing down the Five-Hearted Heavenly Demon Art—an unparalleled cultivation method. Zhang Xiao followed Kong Xuan westward, and before he realized it, the towering mountains beneath their feet melted into a vast plain. What astonished him even more was the endless sea of flowers that stretched across the plain, their fragrance intoxicating.

Amidst the flower fields, Zhang Xiao spotted numerous beautiful female cultivators frolicking among the blossoms. Each was remarkably lovely, dressed in revealing attire that seemed to ensnare the soul with every gesture. Watching for a while, Zhang Xiao felt his mouth go dry, and even the spiritual energy within him began to stir and flow in reverse. Startled, he quickly turned away, silently reciting the Prajna Zen Sutra. The Buddhist aura, cool and clear as a spring, swept away the heat surging within him.

As they continued, colorful clouds began to appear in the heavens. Golden towers, jade pavilions, and rainbow bridges were suspended among the clouds, and countless celestial maidens flitted past Zhang Xiao’s face, leaving behind lingering, coquettish sighs. Sensing danger, he steadied his mind. He knew well that Buddhist methods were the natural bane of demonic arts, especially those enchanting techniques designed to beguile the mind.

“Ah! I didn’t expect you to make it through the Flower Sea Cloud Palace. It seems the Buddhist arts are truly extraordinary,” Kong Xuan remarked with a smile. The Flower Sea Cloud Palace was merely the outermost formation of the Myriad Demons Sect. Although not fully activated at this moment, any weak-minded soul who approached would lose themselves in its illusions. If Zhang Xiao hadn’t cultivated the Prajna Zen Sutra to the fourth layer, he too might have been lost.

Kong Xuan steered his chariot swiftly through the skies, and before long, an ethereal palace appeared before Zhang Xiao’s eyes, towering like a mountain among countless pavilions and spires. This was the heart of the Myriad Demons Sect.

The sect had been well prepared for their arrival. Three thousand disciples stood in orderly ranks on either side, each proud and handsome. Kong Xuan’s chariot flew past, and all the disciples cast envious glances their way.

“Hahaha! Daoist Kong Xuan, you’ve arrived as promised. Welcome, welcome!” The Demon Lord of Myriad Demons, accompanied by his elders, greeted them outside the great hall. Though righteous and demonic sects were sworn enemies, Kong Xuan had come by invitation and was himself the head of Mount Mao. The Demon Lord could not afford to appear petty or break the rules of courtesy; such a lapse would only reflect his own small-mindedness. He would never do such a thing.

Kong Xuan stowed away his chariot and strode forward with Zhang Xiao, smiling as he said, “Thank you for welcoming us in person, Daoist. I have brought my wayward disciple as agreed. Are the three trials you prepared ready?”

With a sweep of his long sleeve, the Demon Lord stirred the winds and clouds throughout the sect’s complex. Soon, a martial platform appeared beneath the grand hall. A disciple in purple robes stepped forward and said, “Greetings, Supreme Master of Mount Mao. Though I am unworthy, I have the honor of being the first trial.”

Kong Xuan looked at the young man. Though his face was pale and sickly, his strength had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage—a clear display of talent.

Zhang Xiao also examined the youth and felt a thick demonic aura swirling around him, as though he were a black hole devouring the surrounding light. Though the sun shone brightly, its rays did not touch him; his mastery of demonic arts was indeed formidable.

“Daoist Kong Xuan, this is an unremarkable disciple of mine, Zhu Chao by name. Though not a direct inheritor, his cultivation is enough to match your disciple. He will serve as the first trial,” the Demon Lord said, his casual tone unable to mask the pride on his face. Clearly, he was quite satisfied with Zhu Chao.

Zhu Chao addressed Zhang Xiao, “Brother Zhang, your Seven-Star Hundred Ghost Array is truly extraordinary. I once entered the formation myself, but could sustain no more than an hour and could not break it. I have long admired you and hope you will show mercy in this contest.”

Zhu Chao’s words made Zhang Xiao raise his eyebrows in caution. The power of the Seven-Star Hundred Ghost Array was such that no one below the Core Formation stage could break it, yet this man had lasted an hour and, by his tone, had even escaped intact. All the more reason to be on guard. He cupped his fists and replied politely, “Brother Zhu flatters me.”

Zhu Chao gestured, “Please.” Zhang Xiao returned the gesture, “After you.” The two strode onto the martial platform. Though it appeared modest in size, it was more than enough for their duel.

Meanwhile, the Demon Lord had tables and wine brought out for himself and Kong Xuan, and the two sat outside the grand hall. “Daoist, who do you think will win this bout?” Kong Xuan suddenly inquired.

The Demon Lord pondered and then laughed, “Your disciple is formidable, but mine is no less gifted. However, your student possesses an armored corpse—Mount Mao’s corpse-refining arts are not to be underestimated. With the two combined, my own disciple may find it difficult. Still, since I set him as the first trial, it will not be so easy for your disciple to win.” He finished, arrogance plain on his face, convinced of Zhang Xiao’s defeat.

Kong Xuan smiled and produced a silver pearl, setting it on the table. The Demon Lord’s expression changed to delight, “The Heavenly Sound Jewel.”

“Haha, Daoist, you have a sharp eye. Indeed, it is the Heavenly Sound Jewel. How about a wager? If Zhang Xiao loses, you get the jewel. If your disciple loses, you owe me ten taels of demon crystal silver,” Kong Xuan said, narrowing his eyes.

The Demon Lord cried out, “Ten taels of demon crystal silver? Are you mad, or did I mishear? Demon crystal silver is refined with great effort by my sect; its annual yield is less than a pound, yet you ask for ten taels. No, even a treasure like the Heavenly Sound Jewel cannot be exchanged for so much—one tael at most.”

“One tael is not enough. Five taels.”

“One.”

“Three.”

“Two.”

“Deal, two taels,” Kong Xuan agreed quickly, fearing the Demon Lord might renege.

The Demon Lord smiled wryly, knowing he had been drawn in by Kong Xuan. Still, thinking of Zhu Chao’s abilities, he felt reassured and placed a thumb-sized piece of demon crystal silver on the table.

On the martial platform, Zhu Chao and Zhang Xiao stood motionless—not because they dared not move, but because neither wished to reveal their hand too soon. Their cultivation was evenly matched, and in such duels, a single misstep could decide victory or defeat. The one who struck first would not necessarily have the advantage; rather, he would be the first to reveal a weakness.

They locked eyes, spiritual pressure radiating from each, probing and pressing upon the other in a test of will. As the pressure mounted, Zhu Chao began to struggle. Though Zhang Xiao was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, he had cultivated the Prajna Zen Sutra to the fourth level, his strength rivaling that of the Core Formation realm. Even as he concealed his true power, the spiritual pressure he exuded, imbued with the vast, unwavering spirit of Buddhism, was more than Zhu Chao could withstand.

Beads of sweat formed on Zhu Chao’s forehead, the pressure around him mounting like mountains closing in, impossible to resist. Dismayed, Zhu Chao realized Zhang Xiao’s strength far exceeded his expectations; the mere force of his presence compelled Zhu Chao to act first. Little did he know that Zhang Xiao was still suppressing his true cultivation; had he unleashed his full Buddhist might, Zhu Chao would have been utterly crushed.

With a shout, “Myriad Demon Order—Heavenly Demon Descends!” Zhu Chao formed a seal, and a skull the size of an elephant burst from the ground, maw agape, ready to devour Zhang Xiao.

Zhang Xiao narrowed his eyes and, invoking the Divine Step, vanished in an instant, reappearing behind Zhu Chao and striking at his neck with a knife-hand. Yet the blow landed as if on cotton, Zhu Chao dissolving into black smoke and dispersing. Zhang Xiao’s expression changed as he darted away once more, just as another skull erupted from where he had stood.

Now two elephant-sized skulls remained, but no sign of Zhu Chao. Zhang Xiao’s face grew grave. With two shrill sounds, the skulls leapt at him from above. “No. 1!” Zhang Xiao called, summoning his corpse. Now advanced to a Bronze Armored Corpse, No. 1 was no longer the withered creature of old, but tall and imposing, muscles rippling beneath bronze skin, clad in silver armor, resembling a general more than a corpse.

“Hold that skull!” he ordered. The Bronze Armored Corpse transformed its hand into a massive blade and charged the skull. With a single slash, it sent the giant skull flying.

“Bronze Armored Corpse!” Both the Demon Lord and Kong Xuan exclaimed in shock. Though the difference between a Bronze and Iron Armored Corpse was but a single word, in truth the gulf between them was vast. Not only was the Bronze Armored Corpse immensely strong and almost invulnerable—even third-grade magical treasures could hardly harm it—but it could also command the earth’s energy, naturally wielding earth-type techniques.

Indeed, after sending one skull flying, the corpse slapped the ground, summoning spears of stone that hurled the other skull away as well.

“Heaven and Earth Twin Skulls—Unite!” A cold cry rang out, and the two skulls shuddered, slamming together. A cloud of black smoke enveloped them, hiding what transpired within.

Zhang Xiao, wary, immediately ordered the Iron Armored Corpse to raise a circle of stone walls around the black smoke. “Hmph! Brother Zhang, not only are you powerful, but this Bronze Armored Corpse is formidable as well. Yet these meager stone walls cannot contain me,” Zhu Chao’s voice came from within.

The stone wall flashed red and blue, then exploded with a bang, leaving a gaping hole. From it emerged a bizarre head with two mouths and four eyes.