Chapter 130: The Minor Seal

He had once seen these Cloud-Wing appendages at various auctions in the cultivation world. He surmised that Lin Zhifa’s predecessor must have encountered them somewhere in the Demon or Spirit realms, and it was likely there that he had acquired them.

"You know about the Cloud-Wings?" Lin Zhifa’s voice echoed back.

Zhang Pu did not answer. He was already contemplating how to deal with Lin Zhifa next—this demon’s strength was truly formidable.

Lin Zhifa did not press the question further. He reasoned that since Zhang Pu was a cultivator, it was not at all strange for him to recognize the Cloud-Wings. To someone like him, who practiced demonic arts, capturing a cultivator was a massive windfall. Lin Zhifa felt that through this cultivator, he would have the opportunity to unravel many mysteries.

After subduing Zhang Pu, he did not return to his Bottomless Pit from the path he had come; there were tunnels beneath this ten-thousand-foot abyss that connected to his lair. In fact, he often practiced his dark, demonic arts in the depths of this very chasm.

Not long after Lin Zhifa descended into the abyss with Zhang Pu, a shadow pursued him to the mountain peak. This shadow was, naturally, Old Ge. From afar, Old Ge had just managed to see Lin Zhifa carrying Zhang Pu as they fell into the abyss ahead. He was shocked at first, but by the time he scrambled to the cliff’s edge, he could faintly make out the Cloud-Wings on Lin Zhifa’s back.

For a spirit form without a physical body like Old Ge, such an abyss was not a difficult obstacle. His shadow drifted down into the chasm.

At the bottom, shrouded in mist, there was neither star nor moon. Lin Zhifa had calculated that even if Zhang Pu wanted to borrow the light of the stars and moon to combat him, it would be in vain.

Deep in the chasm, Zhang Pu felt a touch of frustration—was he truly to be trapped in the hands of this demon? Even when facing the Black Dragon at Poison Dragon Pool, he hadn't felt this desperate. He had thought this location, where the Gold and Wood grew, was less dangerous than the pool, yet he had been blindsided by a powerful demon.

Although the bottom of the abyss lacked starlight and moonlight, there were certain unique elements belonging to Lin Zhifa that allowed one to make out the surroundings; besides, Zhang Pu was no ordinary mortal. The bottom of the abyss was little different from an ordinary valley, filled with rocks, grass, and trees. After descending, Zhang Pu realized the chasm wasn't actually that deep; it was only the strange, thick mists that created the illusion of being trapped in an unfathomable void.

However, Zhang Pu cared little for his surroundings; his focus was entirely on Lin Zhifa. Once on the valley floor, he watched as the Cloud-Wings retracted into Lin Zhifa’s back, moving with the ease of natural limbs.

Zhang Pu’s gaze lingered on the wings as if he had taken a liking to them. Lin Zhifa’s eyes happened to meet his. The demon’s expression was mocking, as if to say: "You are already in my clutches, your life and death in my hands, yet you still covet my possessions? You are truly something else!"

Zhang Pu returned a cold, mocking smile with his eyes: "Perhaps you will be the one handing them over to me on a silver platter soon enough! The tides turn, and no one can be one hundred percent certain of what comes next."

"I have some questions for you later. Stay here; I shall return shortly."

Lin Zhifa vanished after speaking, not in the least bit worried about Zhang Pu escaping. He simply needed to return to his Bottomless Pit, which was indeed connected to this place.

After Lin Zhifa spoke, Zhang Pu felt something odd. As the figure disappeared in a certain direction, he shifted his body and suddenly realized the truth.

"I have been sealed!" Zhang Pu blurted out.

But immediately, he sensed that while Lin Zhifa possessed the ability to seal others, his mastery of the art was still shallow. *I shall use the Sun-Moon Sutra,* Zhang Pu decided internally. *This Lin Zhifa only knows the surface-level theory of my technique; he knows to block the stars and moon above, but does he not realize my technique can also harness the faint, flickering light here? Furthermore, your sealing technique is so superficial that I have many other ways to break it.*

Zhang Pu doubted Lin Zhifa could ever imagine that he had once been a pillar of strength in the cultivation world. As he pondered whether to use grandiloquent lies to make the demon’s legs grow weak or to secretly break the seal and launch a surprise attack, he suddenly heard a voice calling to him. It was a special method of communication he had established with Old Ge.

Old Ge had found him! It was easy for a shadow-form to descend into the deep valley, whereas someone like Liu Yingde would have found it impossible. Without Cloud-Wings like Lin Zhifa’s, even Zhang Pu would have struggled.

Old Ge drifted before him. He was no match for Lin Zhifa, but he could certainly assist Zhang Pu. With his vast experience, Old Ge immediately realized Zhang Pu had been struck by a sealing spell.

"Let me help you—" Old Ge offered.

But Zhang Pu stopped him. "I suddenly wish to test the seal-breaking capabilities of the Sun-Moon Sutra, combined with some of my own experience. I can do this!" Zhang Pu said with conviction.

He instructed Old Ge to hide nearby and avoid detection by Lin Zhifa. Old Ge complied. Zhang Pu began to circulate the Sun-Moon Sutra, silently reciting the incantation.

Lin Zhifa’s sealing power was indeed weak. As soon as the words were spoken, Zhang Pu felt the faint light in the surroundings drawn toward him, converting into energy that quickly shattered the constraints Lin Zhifa had placed upon him. With the Sun-Moon Sutra flowing freely, Zhang Pu tapped into the energy he had stored from his past cultivation and utilized minor techniques for breaking seals common in the cultivation world. He dismantled the demon’s seal in moments.

However, after breaking the seal, Zhang Pu did not stand up or move. He remained still, pretending to be under the demon’s control, knowing the creature would return at any moment. He did not speak to Old Ge again, knowing the elder was well-hidden.

Sure enough, a moment later, Lin Zhifa returned.

"Kid, I’m back," Lin Zhifa said.

Zhang Pu rolled his eyes. *Is that not a waste of breath?*

He knew "kid" was a common term used in some places for older teenagers. Since he was a high school student, it was no wonder Lin Zhifa addressed him that way. But Zhang Pu had his own thoughts: *This Lin Zhifa has no idea that I am over a thousand years old in the cultivation world. If he truly knew, calling me 'great-grandfather' wouldn't even be enough.*