Chapter Ninety: Demon General Tao Xiao

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Fang Jian motioned for Ye Sansi to step back a few paces and said, “Sansi, there are many foundational cultivation methods on the Fangcun Immortal Isle. Your senior brother Fang Yuan has mastered them well; you can learn from him.”

“Yes, Master,” Ye Sansi replied.

Fang Jian then cleared his throat twice and said, “But for the more advanced spells, you will learn from me. Your talent is not lacking, and my requirement is that within a year, your celestial arts surpass Fang Yuan’s.”

“What? Surpass senior brother? How is that possible?”

“If I say it’s possible, then it is possible. You just need to study diligently and cultivate more. After a year, you will surely make great progress.” Fang Jian said this, then extended his hand, condensed his qi and essence, and formed a four-foot-long glowing sword in his palm.

Fang Jian smiled and said, “Disciple, behold—the secret art of Fangcun Immortal Isle: ‘Spirit Binding and Sword Condensation.’ It can transform into a tangible light sword, just like an ordinary sword—you can swing it, block attacks, and defend yourself. If your sword is broken, mastering this art will still give you room to maneuver in danger.”

Fang Jian continued, “Normally, I do not intend to teach you the ‘Spirit Binding and Sword Condensation’ technique because it requires extremely high cultivation to practice. Otherwise, you risk exhausting your strength too easily and being at a disadvantage in battle. But yesterday, I sensed that the spiritual energy within you has already condensed into a cluster. If you harness it, it will be endless—making this technique most suitable for you.”

“Senior brother Fang Yuan hasn’t learned this technique either?”

Ye Sansi looked at the sword ‘Heaven’s Wrath’ in his hand and laughed, “Master, this ‘Heaven’s Wrath’ is connected to my heart; no matter where I am, I can sense and summon it. Not to mention destroying it. But this technique is practical; if I master it, I can fly through the air wielding the light sword and fight alongside ‘Heaven’s Wrath.’ It would be much more convenient.”

“Very well, Sansi, I will teach you the method now.” With that, Fang Jian began to instruct Ye Sansi in the incantations and mental techniques of the ‘Spirit Binding and Sword Condensation.’ After one full explanation, Ye Sansi was left to digest the information on his own.

Fang Jian then explained the usage of the ‘Spirit Binding and Sword Condensation’ three times. Eventually, Ye Sansi understood that, like the ‘Disciplinary Qi Control’ technique, it involved condensing power, but this method channels one’s own strength through the flesh, muscles, and bones, projecting it outward to condense into a sword.

Ye Sansi’s first attempt failed. Fang Jian laughed and said, “You need not rush in cultivating this technique. It is the result of painstaking research by the ancestors of Fangcun. It cannot be comprehended overnight. As long as you practice step by step, you will surely master it.”

“I have not taught anyone else this technique. It is profound; without sufficient strength, it may backfire. On Fangcun Isle, only I and the eight elders can use it. You will be the tenth. You must cultivate well and not slack off.”

“Yes, Master.”

Halfway through their journey, a sudden gale arose. Ye Sansi thought that since he was within ‘Heaven’s Wrath,’ it would not affect him. But as the wind neared, ‘Heaven’s Wrath’ trembled violently. Ye Sansi struggled to maintain his balance but still lost footing and fell from the sword.

Yet the gale continued howling and did not let Ye Sansi fall straight down. Instead, it swept both him and ‘Heaven’s Wrath’ along. Ye Sansi vaguely saw the wind was black with streaks of red light, but after barely three breaths, he fainted.

Ye Sansi nodded. Fang Jian was very pleased, patted his shoulder, and smiled, “That’s enough for today. There’s no use in learning too much at once. You should return to the Eastern Training Grounds and train with Fang Yuan and the others.” After saying this, Ye Sansi bowed, and Fang Jian took to the air on the glowing sword and flew off.

With ‘Heaven’s Wrath’ hovering, Sansi leapt onto it and headed toward the Eastern Training Grounds.

The forest was dense; flying the sword was inconvenient. He planned to reach an area with sparse branches before taking to the air to survey the unfamiliar land and better understand the location of Fangcun Isle.

But after taking a single step, Ye Sansi found himself bound, unable to move. He tried all his strength but to no avail.

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When Ye Sansi regained consciousness, he found himself in a dense forest. The trees were tall and uneven, the leaves lush and thick—this was no appearance of the Immortal Isle. The soil smelled as if rain had just stopped, muddy in places, but Ye Sansi clearly remembered that it hadn’t rained on Fangcun Isle these past days...

Panicking, Ye Sansi quickly stretched out his arm and opened his palm. ‘Heaven’s Wrath’ entered his hand.

‘Heaven’s Wrath’ sensed the strange presence and immediately emitted a cold violet glow, stronger than ever. But from the creature’s expression, Ye Sansi knew it meant no harm. Calmly, he asked, “Who are you? Why have you summoned me here?”

‘You are not afraid of me?’ came an unspoken thought.

“Awake already?” A strange man stepped out from the shadows, smiling at Ye Sansi.

Rather than a man, he looked more like a monster—his right temple bore a protruding horn, his black-red hair wild, clad in black armor faintly glowing red. His hands ended in sharp claws, and his expression was fierce.

Ye Sansi nodded in acknowledgment. The creature then released his bonds, found a large stone, and sat down. He said, “I am a demon named Tao Xiao. I was once a general guarding the Demon Well. But one day, due to negligence, a traitor infiltrated, broke the seal, and flooded the realm with water—a catastrophe...”

“Wait, wait, Tao Xiao, hold on. What nonsense is this? I don’t understand a word. What flooding? What realm? What catastrophe? Speak clearly.”

Ye Sansi laughed heartily, “Haha, what is there to fear? Your strength far surpasses mine. If you wanted to kill me, it would be done in a snap. Why bother bringing me to this remote place? If not for a request, what else could it be?”

“You’re smart, so I’ll be direct.”

“I know of a divine artifact called the ‘Dormant Jade Bracelet.’ I’ve learned it is on Fangcun Isle. You must steal it for me and lend it to me for three days. After three days, I will return it without fail.”

Ye Sansi frowned, thinking: Although this demon is powerful, he still cannot detect the aura of the Dormant Jade Bracelet. If I return to the Isle, I will tell Master. There is a protective formation around the Isle; surely this demon dares not forcibly enter to seize me. This bracelet was a token of affection gifted by Ling Shuang. How can I lend it to a demon? Though he means no harm, his fierce demeanor suggests he is no good.

“The Demon Well collects the resentful souls and fragments of demons, transforming them into water. Over millions of years, this has accumulated into a gushing force. By imperial decree, I guarded the well for ten thousand years in peace. But recently, a traitor entered the forbidden zone and cracked the seal. The demonic power inside is strong and unruly. The seal shattered and cannot be restored. The demon water is about to gush out and flood the demon realm. I have come to seek your help.”

“Me? I am but a mortal; how can I help you?”

“So, the seal is broken but the demon water hasn’t flooded out? And you can’t reseal it? That doesn’t make sense.”

“I, Tao Xiao, speak only the truth. The power in the well is overwhelming. Even the former emperor spent all his power to seal it. Now, after ten thousand years of accumulation, it is uncontrollable. The ‘Dormant Jade Bracelet’ has a special effect. Only by using it to absorb the overflowing demonic power can the well be sealed once more. If we miss this chance, the demon water will burst forth and destroy the entire demon realm.”

Ye Sansi asked, “How can I trust you? If you take the ‘Dormant Jade Bracelet’ and don’t return it, what then?”

The demon quickly stood, waving his hands repeatedly, saying, “I, Tao Xiao, swear on my life to only borrow it. I will return it after three days.”

Tao Xiao asked, “Is this it?”

“This is the ‘Dormant Jade Bracelet’ you long for. Take it and use it to solve your crisis. You have three days. Be sure to return it!”

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Hearing Tao Xiao’s words, Ye Sansi was somewhat moved. Though he did not fully understand the demon realm’s affairs, if the water overflow was true, countless demons would have perished. If he did not help, he would feel deeply guilty. After all, these were lives. If truly harmed, the sin would be etched on his soul forever.

Ye Sansi coughed a few times and said, “I know you are powerful and could easily take my life. Whether or not you spare me because I am useful, I should be grateful. Whether your story is true or false, I will believe it...” He then took the Dormant Jade Bracelet from his bosom.

After a moment, Ye Sansi regained his composure and shouted into the air, “Hey, Tao Xiao, why don’t you send me back? Leaving me here alone—what is the meaning of this?”

No one responded. Ye Sansi had no choice but to calm himself and think: This place is unfamiliar. I have never been here and don’t know if I can find my way back. It’s best to leave the forest first, then take to the air on my sword, and navigate by the sun.

Tao Xiao immediately took the bracelet, thanking him repeatedly. Ye Sansi taught him how to use it. After one incense stick’s time, Tao Xiao mastered it and vanished in a gust of wind.

Ye Sansi smiled, “Though this demon’s gaze is fierce, he acts rather clumsily. Quite amusing.”

Relying on the sun to determine direction, Ye Sansi traveled south swiftly on ‘Heaven’s Wrath.’ After half an hour, he finally spotted a village.

Seeing signs of life, Ye Sansi was elated. He quickly descended and landed outside the village. To avoid frightening the villagers, he walked in on foot.

After a thousand steps, the trees finally grew sparse. Ye Sansi flicked ‘Heaven’s Wrath’ and soared into the air, surveying the vast greenery.

“Tao Xiao!!! What kind of place have you brought me to? There’s not a single home for a thousand miles around. How am I supposed to find my way? I shouldn’t have helped you.”

“What nonsense, missy. Call me comrade if you like. Ha ha ha.”

Ye Sansi approached and greeted, “Miss, may I ask...”

The village was small, but at its entrance hung a grand wooden signboard with faded characters. Entering, Ye Sansi saw a woman washing clothes outside a house.

“Er, miss, it’s almost night. Why are you still washing clothes?”

The woman smiled, “Lazy, I guess. No washing machines here, so we wash by hand every day. It’s exhausting. And these clothes are thick—not as comfortable as dresses. Silk is too expensive. Life’s hard.”

Hearing her words, Ye Sansi was puzzled and thought: Perhaps this woman is a little crazy. Why talk so strangely? She mentions chickens and washing clothes—what a curious mind.

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