The rakshasas, those creatures born from spilled blood, residual energies and accumulated hatred of the Origins, represented a formidable threat to any cultivator. They manipulated a particular energy called Khao, comparable to an insidious poison that gradually eroded the mind and even the physique of the most seasoned practitioners.
Their social organization was divided into three distinct strata: at the lowest level were the horned rakshasas, those instinctive monsters sporting from one to ten horns, their faces hidden behind masks, who devoured cultivators to increase their power.
Next came the valets, recognizable by their single hornless mask, then finally the superiors, those beings devoid of both horns and mask, called Kings or Queens, and whose power defied all imagination.
***
[Ding! Rank D target: Xia Fei!
- 100 luck points]
" Well not bad..." BaiShe exited the pavilion of elder Xia Fei, he had not gone all the way, anyway, he was not in a hurry. As such a talented and handsome young man. BaiShe was the wet dream of many girls and was extremely popular, even a cultivator over five hundred years old would not be an exception.
" She was quite expert, well. I suppose her cultivation level makes her much more attractive."
...
The next day, after emerging from the mists of sleep, Xuan BaiShe began his preparation.
Putting on one of the most luxurious garments.
" Still as perfect... "
In front of the mirror, he adjusted his monocle on his right eye, checked that his silver hair was perfectly smoothed, then left the pavilion with a step to head to the Night Cloudy Mountain.
The Night Cloudy Mountain constituted the only place where the Rakshasas were present, and where the designation of the heir of the sect leader was to take place.
However, to access it, an imperative condition was imposed: one had to bring with oneself as many rakshasas as possible. This trial aimed to test not only the raw strength of the candidates, but also their ability to survive in a hostile environment.
Obviously, there would be a vote by the Elders to finally designate Pangu's successor....
While Xuan BaiShe progressed at a tranquil pace toward the Night Cloudy Mountain, he kept his hands crossed behind his back, adopting that haughty posture that was customary to him on his sword.
Below, the mortals who stared at him clearly saw that this young scholar was similar to an immortal.
" Well, now, let's find this son of luck."
He had arrived at the edge of the forest leading to the mountain when, suddenly, a shadow sprang from the trees.
A horned rakshasa leaped at him with speed, its claws stretched toward Xuan's throat. Without losing his composure, the latter dodged with a slight movement of the torso, then executed the sword gesture, he folded his ring finger and little finger against his palm, while his index and middle fingers stretched toward the sky.
Immediately, a bluish glow ran through his two fingers, hardening them until they were capable of cutting stone.
< Sword Qi >
" Filthy disgusting beast... how does such trash dare to disturb the tranquility of this nonchalant young master ? " he murmured to himself.
With a gesture, he delivered the thrust, and the rakshasa collapsed, its body cut in two. But he had barely caught his breath when a new attack came, this time from behind.
He pivoted on his heels and, with a second movement, he cut off the head of the attacker. Although his smile remained fixed on his lips.
Even if these creatures assailing him from all sides began to test his patience, thanks to his sage lineage... He always remained perfectly calm. This maximized his ability to make rational decisions in the shortest time.
Xuan BaiShe stood motionless in the center of the path. His long hair cascaded over his shoulders, and his face, of a jade pallor, remained impassive. His cold eyes fixed on the body of the rakshasa lying at his feet.
" I really hate this situation. Killing Rakshasas at the bottom of the food chain. I should be reading a book while—"
As he was about to bypass the corpse, the ground began to tremble under his feet. He instantly perceived what was to follow.
A dozen rakshasas emerged from the forest. Around their deformed silhouettes, a purple-black smoke swirled, thick and nauseating. Obviously it was the Khao. Their skin, putrefied in places, revealed raw flesh.
' Super… now a dozen Rakshasas that stink of carrion.' thought BaiShe while sighing.
" If their blood stains my luxurious robe, I swear on the Dao to hunt them down to the hells. "
A rakshasa larger than the others but still with a single horn leaped.
It let out a guttural rattle that echoed in the silence of the mountain, then its mouth opened excessively, revealing rows of irregular teeth. A jet of Khao shot directly toward Xuan's face, projecting a smell of decomposition.
" Go die, you blood-soaked sack of shit. " Contrary to the received ideas of others, BaiShe was not at all someone humble and cultured, on the contrary he was arrogant, narcissistic and vulgar.
The reincarnation of the Immortal Sage raised his right hand. His fingers aligned perfectly, the palm turned outward. With a movement, he split the air vertically. A sharp whistle tore through the silence.
The Khao split in two with a sizzling sound, disintegrating into the air. The rakshasa opened its mouth, as if to scream, but no sound came out. Its head tilted, detached from its neck, and its body collapsed heavily.
Their bulging eyes fixed on their dead fellow, then turned toward Xuan. Far from being frightened, they let out growls and charged en masse
BaiShe took a step back, adjusting his posture. He stood straight, one hand behind his back then raised the other. Immediately, the Sword Qi, sprang from his hand and multiplied. A dozen luminous projectiles appeared, gravitating around him in a perfect circular movement, forming a shimmering protective dome.
The rakshasas continued their charge.
Xuan lowered his hand with a gesture. The dozens of silver swords shot forward. The projectiles pierced chests, heads, limbs. Screams rose, mingled with the sound of torn flesh. The bodies collapsed one after the other.
A rakshasa, faster than the others, managed to bypass the massacre and leaped from behind. But he did not even turn his head. His left hand, also forming the Sword Gesture, stretched negligently behind him. A new blue Qi blade whistled through the air. It cut the beast's body into two equal parts, which fell on each side of him.
" Only death awaits those who stand before me."