Chapter 775 — Charging Straight into the Celestial Gate of the Nine Heavens
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 5
Achou screamed and flung himself forward with all his might, but other demon-gods barred his way and flayed him to ribbons. Thud. The sound of something heavy striking the ground.
"Kneel," said the demon-god on the peak, lifting up his eldest son, his voice flat.
Achou's body shook; his legs gave way, and at last he knelt and bowed his head.
A demon-god came forward with a gleaming great axe, measured his neck, and was about to strike when a voice said, shaking its head: "He cannot be killed like this.
" The demon-god hastily stayed his hand.
The sky filled with rosy radiance: the ancient gods hidden in the darkness had descended. It was a face that appeared in the heavens, its features indistinct, its countenance concealed, unwilling to reveal its true identity.
It said coldly: "Kill him thus, and his three souls will still fly into Youdu and return to Tubo's body.
We must scatter his soul and spirit utterly. Only if soul and spirit are scattered can Tubo be replaced. " Then another face surfaced in the sky, also concealed, and a voice equally cold came: "I have borrowed the Celestial Court's God-Slaying Dark Blade, which can sever souls. It is the Celestial Court's foremost weapon of ill omen; there is nothing it will not cut! " A beam of light fell from the heavens and stuck in the earth; the blade itself could not be seen, only a flowing strand of light.
"Cut him down. " Several more faces emerged in the sky, features indistinct, but their eyes looked fiercely elated. A demon-god seized the Celestial Court's God-Slaying Dark Blade and swung it down at Achou, who knelt on the ground.
Hum.
The blade-light gave out a violent shudder, shattering the demon-god who held it into a mist of blood, while on Achou's neck there was no wound at all. Tubo's three souls were too powerful; even in a reincarnated body, he could not be slain by a demon-god.
Another demon-god came forward, seized the God-Slaying Dark Blade and struck; he too was shattered, while Achou remained unharmed.
A third demon-god came forward and was likewise shattered by the God-Slaying Dark Blade.
For a time the demon-gods across hills and plains were stricken with dread, and none dared take up the God-Slaying Dark Blade again. "Useless creatures!
" An angry shout came from the air, and an ancient god could not refrain from descending.
He lifted the God-Slaying Dark Blade and sneered: "If Tubo is not slain, how shall the great enterprise be accomplished? How shall one sit upon the throne of the Emperor?
" "Fellow Daoist, offer up your head! " His blade-light fell; a line of blood appeared on Achou's neck, while his own arms were left numb and aching by the God-Slaying Dark Blade's shudder.
The ancient god was shocked and furious, and he laughed aloud: "Tubo, your will to live is too strong; even with the Dark Blade in hand I cannot cut you down.
It seems you must be made to give up your will to live of your own accord. Throw his child down!
" "No.
. .
! " Achou's body shook violently; he watched his eldest son fall from the air and frantically crawled forward, while the ancient god stepped upon his ox tail and raised the blade to strike again! A gash an inch deep was cut in his neck, and blood came surging out.
The ancient god grew elated and cried in a loud voice: "Are you still waiting for that little wretch the Youdu Heavenly Worthy?
To be rid of Tubo, one must first be rid of the Youdu Heavenly Worthy. And now that little wretch cannot even look after himself, hard pressed to save his own skin.
You have no hope left at all — why cling on so bitterly?
Throw down another! " Achou tried desperately to crawl forward, but he could not move at all. His elder daughter was lifted up and flung down from the cliff. Achou roared in fury; behind him the ancient god swung the blade down, and with a flash of blade-light his neck was half severed.
"Throw down another! " the ancient god shouted in his elation, raising the God-Slaying Dark Blade.