Chapter 540 — Pitch-Black as Iron
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
"Sister Xiangyun, I truly wished to fight you fair and square, but there are too many masters here, and my stamina must be saved for stronger ones."
Shen Mu said apologetically, "You are indeed strong, and clever too — but you are still no match for me..."
Suddenly the earth beneath Shen Mu's feet heaved up with a roar, kicking him high into the air. The surging ground took the shape of an enormous footprint. In the very instant it kicked Shen Mu up, zheng-zheng-zheng, sharp stone spikes burst from the footprint and shot toward Shen Mu in the air!
Shen Mu was in midair; the sword pellet came whistling, and countless flying swords whirled with a chi-chi, cutting every stone spike to pieces. He was just about to search out the enemy's position when the ground exploded again, and a huge hand of rock reached out to seize him.
Shen Mu struck down with a fist; behind him his vital qi exploded, and with a thunderous boom a great volcano appeared, erupting, and the might of that punch surged. His fist met the great hand: rock burst apart, countless stones flying wild, rolling, then gathering again into a hand. That hand clenched hard, and demon fire surged within the stones, flowing from stone to stone.
"The lava giant of the Heavenly Demon Host?"
Shen Mu was flung high by the shock, his arm nearly broken. Looking down in haste, he saw the earth quaking as a member of the Heavenly Demon Host took lava form and broke through the soil. The moment the man landed he let out a mighty roar; Shen Mu, in midair, was struck by wave after wave of sound made solid, and fell back into the wall of fire.
"Clay chicken..."
The lava giant sneered, and turned to leave — then suddenly a look of doubt came over him. He looked back and saw Shen Mu floating within the wall of fire; only now Shen Mu had become an ox-headed monster, with a thick tail as well.
"Brother, could you finish that word before you go?"
Shen Mu stepped out of the wall of fire. Demon fire and Li Fire flowed out after him, becoming two fire dragons that he trod beneath his feet. His face was grim: "Not clay chicken — clay chicken and tile dog!"
"The Star Lord of Yinghuo, the Fire Luminary?"
The lava giant turned around, doubt on his face, and sneered. "The Star Lord of Yinghuo can command fire, but only divine fire. How do you command demon fire? Do humans possess such exquisite arts? No — what you cultivate is a demon-path art! You are of my demon race as well?"
He grew all the more bewildered. Shen Mu had now become an ox-headed, human-bodied monster in the form of the Star Lord of Yinghuo — clearly a divine body, yet brimming with demonic qi and commanding demon fire. And upon Shen Mu's body were flame patterns, one after another, as though fire burned upon him; and one of the two fire dragons beneath his feet was a demon dragon. Only the demon race could command such exquisite divine powers!
Beyond the heavens, the Woodcutter Sage and the Black Tiger God watched this scene. The Black Tiger God showed doubt and said softly, "My lord, did you feel it?"
The Woodcutter Sage nodded gently. "I felt it. The countenance is born of the mind. He has conceived a demon in his mind, and so his face takes a demon's form."
The Black Tiger God was puzzled. "But I clearly sensed something strange inside him — like a demon, not purely human... My lord, you lied again, didn't you?"
The Woodcutter Sage frowned slightly and snapped, "When have I ever lied?"
The Black Tiger God opened his mouth to speak, but caught sight of the gods of Taihuang Heaven behind them and hastily shut it. He thought to himself: "I must save a little face for this old trickster..."
The Woodcutter Sage's eyes flickered, resting all the while on Shen Mu; what thoughts were in his heart, none could say. He drew back his gaze and looked at Vajra across from him — and saw that Vajra too was watching Shen Mu, with an air of great interest.