Chapter 1374 - 1002: Immortal

The divine being with three heads and six arms formed hand seals, causing boundless light to transform into a luminous screen that enveloped the entire territory of Marquis Wen. The entire territory was rendered in a golden hue, as impregnable as a fortress. No matter how fiercely attacked from outside, it couldn’t create a ripple upon the barrier.

"Marquis Wen’s strength is just at the tenth tier, yet how can his defense be so formidable? Even twelfth-tier experts cannot shake that screen," Zhang Chen said, observing the divine light emitted by Marquis Wen. Finally, he understood why the Demon Race was powerless against Marquis Wen: indeed, his defense was so unrivaled that no one could break through.

"Such terrifying defense is unprecedented; even in my lifetime, it’s a first," Zhong Wubai commented, his eyes gazing at Marquis Wen, who stood like a living divine demon, filled with solemnity and shock in his pupils.

"Currently, with the Demon Race surrounding Marquis Wen’s territory, we have two options if we wish to travel to the Northern Land. The first is to take the risk of passing through his territory, although a beast tide from the Demon Race would be troublesome to handle if we get surrounded. The second is to take a detour, but that would add a year to our journey," remarked Zhang Gaqi, looking at Zhang Chen. "I wonder if our methods to dispel the beast horde will be effective against the demon army."

"Of course, it will work just the same," Zhang Chen replied. "The ship just needs to move forward."

Zhang Gaqi was secretly amazed by Zhang Chen’s methods and went outside to give orders. The ship continued on its course until it was once again halted, not by demon beasts, but by the golden screen set by Marquis Wen.

That barrier was as solid as a fortress, repelling everything, preventing entry. Soldiers patrolling on skiffs examined Zhang Chen’s group through the barrier and called out, "Who are you, and why are you here?"

"We are the Zhang Family’s fleet from Kyoto. Our Patriarch wishes to pass through here to the Northern Land. Please, request Marquis Wen to grant us passage," a steward from the Zhang Family stepped forward to negotiate.

The guard was taken aback, "Are you from that Zhang Family among the Eight Great Clans?"

Smugness adorned the steward’s face as he replied, "Indeed."

The guard hastily paid respects, "So, it’s the Zhang Family from Kyoto! Pardon my rudeness! May I have evidence so I can relay it to Marquis Wen?"

The Zhang Family steward produced a document and token, placing them before the barrier. A guard inside, unimpeded, stretched his hand through the barrier, took the documents, and departed.

Before long, the guard reached Marquis Wen, who stood tall, manifesting a Dharma Image with three heads and six arms, and reported the situation. But Marquis Wen reduced the massive image into a normal human form, though the screen remained, unaffected by the absence of Marquis Wen’s support:

"What Kyoto’s Eight Great Clans, what Zhang Family of Kyoto, are all paper tigers, long since wiped out by the monarchy, buried in the river of history, and irrelevant. Tell them, ’What Zhang Family nonsense, never heard of them. Tell them this area is sealed, and they should take the detour,’" Marquis Wen bellowed dismissively, his eyes filled with disdain.

Upon hearing Marquis Wen’s words, the guard returned and recited them verbatim to the ship. Zhang Gaqi was enraged upon hearing it: "What audacity from Marquis Wen to insult my Zhang Family so! The brute deserves death a thousand times over! That wretched fool, unworthy even to serve as a dog for my Zhang Family, now dares to insult us, truly deserving death!"

Zhang Gaqi cursed furiously, filled with anger, and turned to Zhang Chen, awaiting his command. But Zhang Chen remained calm, standing silently, "Marquis Wen dares not to regard my Zhang Family? When I saw him in the past, he was not this audacious."

Back then, Zhang Chen and Zhou Qiucheng passed through Marquis Wen’s territory; Zhou Qiucheng was cultivating the Dao, and Marquis Wen personally came out to pay respects, acting humble.

"Now we are on our way to the Northern Land; it’s best not to engage in conflict. I’ll handle this," Zhou Qiucheng suggested, "I met Marquis Wen once; he might afford me some respect."

Zhou Qiucheng moved to the bow of the ship, approaching the golden screen, and respectfully cupped his fists toward the guard, presenting a letter, "This is my letter, please deliver it to Marquis Wen."

The young general looked at Zhou Qiucheng, noting his extraordinary demeanor, accepted the letter without delay, and disappeared from sight. Before long, the young general returned, "My general said this way is closed, and requested Mr. Zhou to detour."

Zhou Qiucheng was taken aback, bewildered, "And? Did he say anything else?"

"Nothing more," the young general shook his head.

Fuming, Zhou Qiucheng’s face turned red, "How dare this lad belittle me!"

Infuriated by the slight, Zhou Qiucheng cursed, consumed by anger. Beside him, Zhong Wubai turned to Zhang Chen, "That brute shows no respect. I’m afraid only your personal intervention will change the situation."

Zhang Chen shook his head:

"In matters like this, I’m afraid I won’t be effective. I’m a person of no name, and Marquis Wen might not give me face. Furthermore, the Zhang Family has lost its position among the Eight Great Clans, and Marquis Wen equally disregards it. But you, sir, as an educator of the world with countless students, might receive more courtesy from Marquis Wen."

Zhang Chen wanted Zhong Wubai to step forward, Zhong Wubai hesitated slightly and said: "The other side even refused Mr. Zhou’s face, I’m afraid they won’t give me face either. But given the situation, it’s worth a try."

Zhong Wubai stepped forward and also handed over his card. The young general was stunned upon hearing Zhong Wubai’s name, greatly shocked, as Zhong Wubai was also one of the Academy’s renowned instructors, famous throughout the world.

The young general dared not be slow, immediately turned to deliver the message, and soon came back with a nervous expression: "Mr. Zhong, please find another route, our general has stated he cannot let you through."

Zhong Wubai looked displeased, retreated back from the deck, and turned to Zhang Chen: "Even my thin face is of no use."

At this moment, Zhang Chen’s face finally began to darken: "That damn Marquis Wen, how outrageous to give us no respect. Since that’s the case, don’t blame me. The rest of you wait on the ship while I go see him."

Then Zhang Chen’s figure flashed, disappearing from sight, and when he reappeared, he was on a desolate mountain, and he summoned Hu Li the Immortal. In no time, a streak of light flew from the Demon Race’s camp, landing in front of Zhang Chen. Zhang Chen looked at Hu Li the Immortal with astonishment and said: "You came really quickly."

"Currently, the Demon Race is attacking the Marquis Wen’s territory. I’m stationed here, must conquer the Marquis Wen’s territory before the great changes in Heaven and Earth end, resolving the local troubles. But why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be in Kyoto?" Hu Li the Immortal asked in surprise upon seeing Zhang Chen here.

"I intended to lead my family northward but was blocked by Marquis Wen." Zhang Chen said indifferently.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen’s words, with Hu Li the Immortal’s wisdom, he immediately grasped the situation, so he began to advise: "You’d better take a detour, Marquis Wen’s territory is as secure as can be, not something that can be breached in a short time."

Zhang Chen heard this with a puzzled look and asked: "What’s up with Marquis Wen? How is he so capable, to render the Demon Race powerless?"

"Marquis Wen obtained some fortune from an unknown source and cultivated a bizarre Divine Technique: Heart Concealing Technique. He can extract his own heart from his body and hide it somewhere, as long as the heart remains intact, he won’t die. Also, he acquired the Indestructible Golden Body from Jin Dou, the guard at Tiger Soul Pass, allowing his body to transform into metal or liquid, and even manifest externally as a three-headed six-armed Demon God, not even Twelfth Tier experts can take him down."

"A remarkable Heart Concealing Technique, really an incredible method." Even with Zhang Chen’s current cultivation, upon hearing the eerie name Heart Concealing Technique, he couldn’t help but be taken aback. Is such a heaven-defying Divine Technique truly within human capability to cultivate?

"If he weren’t such a nuisance, I would have subdued him long ago, what necessity would there be to be blocked here, hindering the Demon Race’s path south?" Hu Li the Immortal grumbled: "His cultivation is only Tenth Tier, not worth mentioning, but with those two Divine Techniques, I can’t defeat him, nor kill him, really annoying."

Zhang Chen hesitated slightly after hearing this, took out half of a treasure sword from his sleeve, which was exactly the half of the Immortal Slaying Sword: "I have a broken sword, its sharpness can have harmful effects on living beings, perhaps it might be effective against Marquis Wen, you may borrow it."

As he spoke, Zhang Chen infused the Innate Power into the treasure sword, maximizing the power of the half Immortal Slaying Sword.

He certainly couldn’t afford to detour and delay for three to five years, with the End of the Dharma uncertain what degree it might reach, everything filled with variables. Zhang Chen couldn’t wait for three to five years.

Hu Li the Immortal saw the half treasure sword in Zhang Chen’s hand, couldn’t help but twitch at the corners of his mouth. This wasn’t Zhang Chen’s treasure sword; it was evidently a treasure sword of the Demon Race!

He was very familiar with this treasure sword.

"With this treasure sword, perhaps it can counter Marquis Wen." Hu Li the Immortal knew the power of this treasure sword, his face serious as he stored the treasure sword: "Just wait for my good news."

Hu Li the Immortal departed, and Zhang Chen returned to the ship, noticing that the people on the ship were gathered together waiting. Upon seeing Zhang Chen return, they hastened forward to inquire: "How did it go?"

Zhang Chen said: "Just wait patiently."

With Zhang Chen’s words, everyone knew he had acted, thus they patiently waited for a turning point.

An hour later, suddenly the sound of war drums resounded, echoing over hundreds of miles. Then a terrifying pressure spread far and wide, followed by a terrifying sword light turning into a white line. That white line connected the heavens and the earth, emitting a chilling killing intent. Even dozens of miles away, everyone still felt as if the killing intent from the sword light was going to freeze their blood and obliterate their souls. That sword light contained boundless killing intent, harboring great terror within, rendering people unable to look directly at it.

"What a terrifying sword light, just one glance feels like my soul is going to be torn apart by that Sword Intent." Zhong Wubai said with lingering fear, his face pale, a trickle of fresh blood at the corner of his mouth. On the side, Zhang Gaqi and others, whose cultivation was slightly weaker, cried out miserably, blood streaming from their eyes.

"Everyone close your eyes, this sword light cannot be looked at directly." Zhang Chen quickly instructed everyone, never expecting Hu Li the Immortal, combined with the Innate Qi, could activate the impaired Immortal Slaying Sword to such a degree.