Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 64 Miracle Pills to Avert Danger

The Black Mountain Demon stretched out his hand, and a cloud of black mist appeared in his palm.

Through the mist, countless distorted faces could be vaguely seen, struggling in agony.

"These are all souls I have devoured. Their resentment, obsession, and unwillingness to accept defeat are eroding my soul day and night. I need to suppress them with righteous energy, otherwise, sooner or later, I will be devoured by them and die."

He cleared the fog and looked at Zhou Ning: "Therefore, I need your righteousness."

Zhou Ning sneered: "You need it, so I'll give it to you?"

The Black Mountain Demon shook his head: "If you won't give it to me, I'll take it myself."

He raised his hand, and a black beam of light shot out from his palm, heading straight for Zhou Ning.

Zhou Ning was prepared and dodged the beam of light with a swift movement.

At the same time, he slashed out with his sword, and the cyan sword energy pierced through the air.

The Black Mountain Demon did not dodge, but simply raised his other hand and flicked it lightly.

A burst of black energy shot out, shattering the sword energy.

"Your strength is weaker than I expected," he said calmly.

"It seems I overestimated you."

He formed a mudra with his hands and chanted incantations.

The ground began to shake, and countless black chains surged from underground, wrapping around Zhou Ning.

Zhou Ning used his lightness technique to weave and dodge among the chains.

But the chains were too fast and too numerous, and soon blocked his escape route.

Xuanzhenzi made his move.

He waved his whisk, and a beam of silvery-white light shot out, shattering several chains.

"Young Master Zhou, let me help you."

The two stood back to back, locked in fierce combat with the Black Mountain Demon.

But the Black Mountain Demon's strength far exceeded their expectations.

His magic was bizarre, his attacks were fierce, and each strike carried a strong aura of death.

Although Zhou Ning and Xuanzhenzi joined forces, they were still at a significant disadvantage.

"No, we can't hold out much longer like this."

Zhou Ning gritted his teeth, took out the token given to him by Judge Lu from his bosom, and threw it at the Black Mountain Demon.

The token lit up with a black light in the air, transforming into a giant ghostly hand that reached out to grab the Black Mountain Demon.

The Black Mountain Demon sneered, "Lu Pan's token? You think this thing can deal with me?"

He raised his hand, and a black beam of light shot out, shattering the ghost hand.

The token fell to the ground and broke in two.

Zhou Ning's heart sank.

He didn't even use Lu Pan's token, so what other trump cards does he have left?

The Black Mountain Demon walked up to him and looked down at him.

"I'm going to take your righteousness."

He reached out and placed his hand on Zhou Ning's chest.

Zhou Ning felt a tremendous suction force coming from the Black Mountain Demon's palm, and the internal energy within his body began to surge outward uncontrollably.

"No!"

He gritted his teeth and desperately circulated his "Innate Qi" in an attempt to resist.

But the Black Mountain Demon's power was too great; he simply couldn't withstand it.

As his protective energy was gradually drained away, Zhou Ning's face grew paler and paler.

Xuanzhenzi tried to save him, but was casually blasted away by a wisp of black energy from the Black Mountain Demon, crashing into the wall and spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Young Master Zhou..."

Xuanzhenzi struggled to stand up, but found that he was seriously injured and could not move at all.

Zhou Ning's consciousness began to blur.

Just when he thought he was about to be drained dry, the Azure Spirit Pill in his arms suddenly emitted a golden light.

The light was warm and peaceful, carrying a power to purify everything, and it repelled the Black Mountain Demon's hand.

"What?" The Black Mountain Demon's expression changed, and he took a few steps back.

Zhou Ning collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.

He looked down at the Qingling Pill in his arms.

That was a secret elixir from the fox clan that Xin Shisi Niang had given him, and he had never been willing to use it.

Unexpectedly, it saved his life at a critical moment.

"What is that?" The Black Mountain Demon stared at the Azure Spirit Pill, a glint of greed in his eyes.

Zhou Ning did not answer, but struggled to stand up and held the Qingling Pill in his hand.

"You can't take away my righteousness," he said through gritted teeth.

The Black Mountain Demon sneered, "You think a single pill can save you?"

He raised his hand, and another black beam of light shot out.

Zhou Ning raised the Azure Spirit Pill and poured his internal energy into it.

The Azure Spirit Pill emitted a dazzling golden light, transforming into a light shield that blocked the black pillar of light.

"boom!"

The two forces collided, producing a deafening explosion.

The stone chamber shook violently, and the runes on the walls began to flicker.

The Black Mountain Demon's expression changed.

"This is... a spirit pill from the Qingqiu Fox Clan?"

He took a step back, his eyes filled with apprehension.

"Do you know him?" Zhou Ning asked.

The Black Mountain Demon did not answer, but stared at the Azure Spirit Pill in silence for a long time.

Finally, he spoke.

"The Qingqiu Fox Clan was once my ally. Later, they betrayed me."

He paused, then continued:

"This elixir is a treasure of the Qingqiu Fox Clan's royal family. I never expected it to fall into your hands."

He looked at Zhou Ning, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

"Fine, I'll give you one chance. You can go now."

Zhou Ning was taken aback: "You're letting me go?"

The Black Mountain Demon nodded: "Today, I will not kill you. But your righteousness will eventually be mine."

He turned around and walked back to the stone bed.

"You'd better get out of here before I change my mind."

Zhou Ning, supporting Xuan Zhenzi, staggered away from the stone chamber.

When we left the castle, it was already broad daylight.

Sunlight shone on the wasteland, dispelling some of the gloom.

Zhou Ning and Xuanzhenzi found a safe place and sat down to rest.

"Young Master Zhou, are you alright?" Xuanzhenzi asked.

Zhou Ning shook his head: "It's nothing. It's just that my internal energy was used up too much."

He looked at the Azure Spirit Pill in his hand, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.

This elixir saved his life.

But the Black Mountain Demon's words only confused him more.

The Qingqiu fox clan was once an ally of the Black Mountain?

Did they later betray Montenegro?

What exactly is going on?

"Master Xuanzhen, how much do you know about the Qingqiu Fox Clan?" he asked.

Xuanzhenzi thought for a moment and said:

"The Qingqiu Fox Clan is an ancient demon clan. They were once very powerful, but later gradually declined."

"It is said that they had a grudge against the Black Mountain Demon, but no one knows the specifics."

He looked at the Azure Spirit Pill in Zhou Ning's hand, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes:

"This pill, is it a spirit pill from the Qingqiu Fox Clan?"

Zhou Ning nodded: "It was given to me by a fox clan friend."

Xuanzhenzi said:

"Then you must keep it safe. The elixir of the Qingqiu Fox Clan has a restraining effect on the Black Mountain Demon. That's why he let you go."

Zhou Ning carefully put away the Qingling Pill.

"What do we do next?" Xuanzhenzi asked.

Zhou Ning thought for a moment and said:

"Let's go back first. The Black Mountain Demon is too powerful; we are no match for him now. I will come back when my cultivation reaches a certain level."

Xuanzhenzi nodded: "That's the only way."

The two got up and walked south.

As Zhou Ning walked out of the Black Mountain Wasteland, he looked back.

Black Mountain still stands in the distance, its summit shrouded in swirling black clouds, as if brewing something.

"Black Mountain Demon, I will definitely come back."

He turned and strode away.