Ask the Mirror

Chapter 177: Weapon Control

His divine intent swept across, extraordinarily sharp and precise in his current state. Yu Ci could discern the object’s form and color, could even perceive its unique texture. Yet precisely because the perception was so detailed, confirming its identity became more difficult.

It seemed… somewhat different?

The fragment of information peeled from the “iceberg” was merely a fragment—more accurately, it was nothing more than a fleeting image, extremely blurry, and matching it precisely to a physical object was no easy task.

Just as he hesitated, light penetrated the gaps in the densely cracked rock layers above, and ash baked by high heat sifted down. Within this, the Ghostly Beast’s restless aura was exceptionally “conspicuous.” Corresponding to its agitation, firelight flowed through the rock fissures, taking on an ashen hue. Occasional flames licked out, crackling and hissing with considerable force.

Yu Ci’s mind tensed, prepared to receive the Ghostly Beast’s thunderous assault—but one breath passed, two breaths, three breaths…

The firelight in the rock fissures blazed, yet the Ghostly Beast not only failed to descend, its position even retreated slightly, as if hesitant, or perhaps wary of something.

Within the rift, the blue and red blood continued to burn. Their radiance interwove with the firelight from the fissures above, dyeing this space with color—utterly eerie, and within that eeriness, there was change.

Yu Ci noticed that in the span of a few breaths, the bluish-white luminosity in this area seemed to have intensified somewhat, and the temperature had also risen.

Within the rock layers, the Ghostly Beast retreated further, but soon halted its withdrawal. Perhaps feeling that its previous behavior was shameful, a deep rumble penetrated the rock. The firelight in the fissures suddenly surged, its blazing tongues gathering and rolling in the void, forming a blurry outline. Then, layer upon layer of flame compressed down, condensing into substance before expanding outward—clearly, it was shifting forms again.

It was coming out!

Around the platform, the burning firelight of the two-colored blood droplets waxed and waned. The bluish-white flames seemed relatively “excited,” their tongues rising and dancing unsteadily. In comparison, the crimson radiance dimmed considerably. The cliff face took on a ghastly white pallor, tinged faintly with blue.

Within this light, the Ghostly Beast’s roars came like thunder, each one louder than the last. This time, its form transformation was much faster. After several breaths, the Ghostly Beast’s mountain-like bulk dominated the platform, its roars shaking the rift space—formidably imposing, yet it did not launch an immediate attack.

Yu Ci noticed that the ambient temperature had risen further, dramatically so. The air itself distorted from the heat. The Ghostly Beast’s ember-like eyes narrowed slightly. Fire-smoke coiled around its body, and there seemed to be a tremendous suction force, drawing the tails of the bluish-white flames near the platform toward it. In an instant, at the outermost layer of its fire-smoke, a distinct luminous edge formed, its light constantly flickering—such a familiar sensation!

Rakshasa Illusory Force… It seemed even purer than what emanated from the Ghostly Beast itself.

Yu Ci could finally form a judgment about these burning blue blood droplets. Integrating various pieces of information, the identity of the one who had spilled this blood was practically leaping out at him. And with the blue droplets having such an origin, how could the red ones be any less significant?

Fragment after fragment of information, and judgments built upon them, bubbled forth. Yu Ci felt as if he were untangling a knotted ball of thread, constantly finding one end, only to have it lead to another before he could follow it through. In the span of an instant, his thoughts had flown who knew how far.

It was the continuously rising temperature that finally pulled him back to reality. Yu Ci looked again at the Ghostly Beast. The great creature was clearly absorbing the Rakshasa Illusory Force. The expression on its massive face was remarkably human-like—Yu Ci had seen similar expressions in many places before. It was the look of mortals indulging in a pipe of tobacco or a goblet of fine wine, utterly intoxicated, lost in bliss, unable to extricate themselves.

Seeing this, Yu Ci recalled what the elders had said. Thinking back now to the situation in the depression above, the Ghostly Beast blocking the earth cavity entrance with blue stone was likely, on one hand, to resist the temptation of this pure “Rakshasa Illusory Force” here, and on the other, to absorb it in a relatively controlled manner.

But now, its restraint and control had completely shattered!

Before long, the Ghostly Beast roared again. The cry was extremely high-pitched. Simultaneously, its massive form could no longer stay in place, pacing back and forth. Its round, crimson eyes wide, it swept its gaze around, eventually fixing upon Yu Ci’s Yin Spirit phantom.

Pounce!

The attack came without warning. Yu Ci had barely formed the thought to dodge when the Ghostly Beast’s bulk was already upon him, hot wind howling past.

With a heavy thud, the Ghostly Beast crashed into the rising cliff face beyond the platform. Rock shattered. Yu Ci blinked, then remembered he was in his Yin Spirit state, without substance. Crashing into him would achieve nothing.

But a moment ago, the creature had nearly trampled right over his prone physical body. A slight misstep, and his body would have been flattened.

A chill ran through Yu Ci’s heart. His Yin Spirit swiftly shifted sideways, opening up an angle. As expected, the Ghostly Beast’s second charge followed immediately. This time, it finally stayed away from his body, rushing past once more, wreathed in fire-smoke and hot wind.

Again, the Ghostly Beast struck nothing. But Yu Ci could no longer treat this lightly. The surrounding Sandalwood Peace Incense was growing increasingly thin—more importantly, the temperature of the fire-smoke around the Ghostly Beast and its outer bluish-white luminous edge had risen further. This was the Rakshasa Illusory Force burning, and the flames it generated now gave even his Yin Spirit a sensation of burning.

The Ghostly Beast did not launch a third charge. Instead, it shook its head, trying to clear it. After a moment, its gaze fell upon the platform—upon Yu Ci’s physical body.

It had finally realized.

Yu Ci hesitated no longer. With a flash of thought, his Yin Spirit returned to its aperture.

The solid sensation of his physical body transmitted to his center. Yu Ci wasted no time, urging his divine intent forth!

During his Yin Spirit’s excursion, his greatest gain had been understanding the source of the strange force that restrained his body within this rift space, and grasping something of its patterns. Now, he pushed the single remaining strand of qi circulation sustaining his life force to its limit, charging through meridian barriers and apertures in succession. Seizing the opportunity presented by the imbalance of power between the burning blue and red blood, he shattered the restraints, irresistible in his breakthrough.

The moment he regained freedom, YuCi exploded into motion—rolling, springing up, sliding sideways in three fluid, continuous movements. As he slid clear, the Ghostly Beast’s massive form swept past, wreathed in blazing force, its heat scorching his hair near to singeing.

The Ghostly Beast was enormous, yet its speed and reactions far surpassed Yu Ci’s. Having finally found a tangible target, it would never let go. Having just charged past, it twisted mid-motion, forcibly reversing its momentum, ready to pounce again.

Ting!

The Ghostly Beast froze abruptly.

Yu Ci let out a long breath. In his hand, he held the hooked rope he had discovered in the Ghostly Beast’s lair that day.

The gray-green hooked rope gleamed with an eerie luster under the bluish-white light. Two small, delicate hooks spun in the air, occasionally clinking together—a pleasing, melodious sound.

But the Ghostly Beast displayed extreme wariness.

In the firelight, the great beast’s body crouched slightly, assuming a coiled, ready posture.

Its tail, mostly severed, never ceased twitching, a clear sign of agitation. It scraped the ground with its foreclaws; the rock surface beneath those sharp claws split like tofu, quickly becoming a churned mess, no longer suitable for launching an attack. Yet the Ghostly Beast neither advanced nor retreated, maintaining its stance, its gaze fixed unblinkingly on the hooked rope in Yu Ci’s hand.

At this moment, Yu Ci thought of the other rope discovered in the Ghostly Beast’s lair—the “Spirit-Binding Rope” used by Old Xu of the Myriad Spirits Sect. That had been no ordinary object, yet the Ghostly Beast, employing claws and fangs together, had torn it to shreds, as if harboring a deep, abiding hatred.

The Ghostly Beast loathed ropes and cords to an extreme degree. Yet when Yu Ci had found this hooked rope in its lair, it had gleamed like new, without the slightest damage. Clearly, this hooked rope possessed some quality that deeply intimidated the Ghostly Beast.

The hooked rope hung from Yu Ci’s hand. At the slightest movement, it swung continuously. When it swung back, the Ghostly Beast would edge forward a little; when it swung forward, it would retreat a little, its body swaying as if neurotic.

Seeing the Ghostly Beast’s reaction, Yu Ci’s grip on the hooked rope tightened slightly. He infused it with Primordial Unity Qi. The rope’s body lifted and fell as if possessed of its own spirit, once again emitting that crisp “ting”. In that instant, the Ghostly Beast’s massive form visibly shuddered. The fire-smoke around it roiled, thickening considerably, half-veiling its bestial face.

Yu Ci was increasingly certain: if he wanted to escape intact, this hooked rope was his greatest reliance. But then again…

How did one “use” it?

Yu Ci recalled using the hooked rope against Nan Songzi. Gritting his teeth, he swung it. The two hooks clashed heavily together, and a sharp, twisted sound abruptly rang out. This time, Yu Ci wasn’t holding a Heart-Binding Horn in his mouth, relying solely on the True Intent of the Heavenly Dragon for support. His head spun violently, but he endured it.

The Ghostly Beast yelped and leaped backward, several zhang away, looking as if it might turn and flee at any moment… but only “as if.”

Yu Ci gritted his teeth and drove the hooks together once more.

The dizziness passed, but this time, the Ghostly Beast did not move.

Its lantern-sized eyes were clearly rolling, its face half-hidden behind fire-smoke wearing a somewhat puzzled expression. This highly human-like expression allowed Yu Ci to perceive, with particular clarity, the trajectory of the creature’s psychological shift.

First came “danger.” Then came “suspicion.”

A chill suddenly ran through Yu Ci’s heart: observing the Ghostly Beast’s reaction, this hooked rope likely had its own unique method of activation—only that method could unleash the power within it that restrained the creature. Of course, that activation method was definitely not something as crude as banging the two hooks together.

The Ghostly Beast seemed to understand this as well. Its crimson eyes blazed once more with fire. It still hesitated, but that hesitation was rapidly dissipating, replaced by fury and mania.

BOOM!

The Ghostly Beast’s roar transformed directly into thunderous sound, sweeping through the rift space. The very mountain seemed to shake. The Ghostly Beast’s massive form coiled, gathered power, and launched—becoming a barely perceptible phantom, carrying the crushing force of an avalanche, hurtling toward Yu Ci.

Such an impact exceeded Yu Ci’s sensory limits. His eyes were nearly useless. But at this moment, an image flashed through his mind—still blurry, yet in this most critical instant, he grasped the form of the object within it.

A thread of spiritual light arose. Phosphor fire burst into flame!

Directly ahead, the Ghostly Beast’s charge came to an abrupt halt. The gale from its impact pressed against his mouth and nose, leaving him unable to breathe. At this distance, the gaping maw with its reeking breath and razor teeth was merely a few chi away. If that massive body simply fell forward, it would crush him beneath it.

At this range, Yu Ci could see the patterns of the stumps where the three horns on the Ghostly Beast’s forehead had broken off. Bluish-white phosphor fire spread along the hooked rope, burning onto Yu Ci’s hand—yet he felt no pain. Then, the gray-green color faded away, and ten thousand strands of gold filament lashed out, lightly brushing against the stumps of the broken horns.

The Ghostly Beast stopped breathing for an instant. Then it shrieked in terror. Its colossal form simply turned, wreathed in hot wind, and charged out of the rift, vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye.