SEALING

A valley stood between two tall mountains. Corpses littered the ground and the blood from their bodies had formed a little stream which was already flowing down at a slow but steady pace. A tall figure in robes a lighter shade of blue stood in the middle of the bodies fighting against several black clothed men. Each time his sword came into contact with the men, they would evaporate into a mist of black smoke, that was how they died.

His blue robes were now stained with blood, not a clean place remained and his sword which was crystalline had droplets of blood at the edges. He turned around slowly to reveal a pale face. The brows were tightly furrowed and his chin was especially sharp. Long hair that reached his waist was already disheveled and his chest rose up and down in quick succession. Thin layers of sweat dropped from his side bangs.

This was Sheng Huo, the revered god of all three realms. He stared unblinkingly at the bodies that were laying lifeless on the ground, they were humans that had been killed by the men in black clothing. This were the women, men and children he had sworn to protect when he attained godhood but now their blood was a remembrance of a promise not kept.

This was the work of the demon clan, up until recently they held attacks towards the Human realm, inflicting incurable diseases, great droughts and even direct killings. They were doing this so that their population would increase rapidly. It was an ancient practice written by an unknown scholar. If the blood of a demon was to affect any human, they would turn into demons within a span of forty five minutes.

This method was risky because it involved a great deal of bloodshed but it looked like the demon king, Yao Wang had gotten his hands on this ancient practice.

Sheng Huo looked at the bodies once more. The only way to ensure they would not turn was to purify their souls. Since they had been killed gruesomely, when they woke up later, they would thirst for blood and that would result into another great massacre on the humans.

He lifted up his arms, pinching two fingers together to draw an incantation seal. A burst of spiritual energy moved between his fingertips. He was just about to slap the incarnation he had drawn down when a chilly voice travelled to his ears. He stopped abruptly, turned around again to stare at the owner of the voice.

On the opposite side stood a man. He was wearing robes of deep maple and held a gleaming black sword. The hilt was in the shape of a spitting snake and the middle had a run through red line. His face was extremely attractive an the corners of his mouth rose slightly making him look like he was grinning.

His eyes were bloodshot and his boots were a gleaming black as well. He walked casually between the corpses as if he was admiring a great masterpiece. He looked at Sheng Huo, the little toothy grin never leaving his mouth.

"Sheng Huo, the great god, don't you think you are a little too late" he taunted while his hands sloppily formed a salute towards the god. His words were said simply but it seemed he wanted to point out the other's failure, taunt him till he regretted ever saying the words, 'My greatest desire is to protect mankind'

These words were famous amongst the cultivation world. They were said by Sheng Huo himself. Whenever the human had troubles, they would use his name to pray and he would show up, no matter how difficult the situation was he would solve it to his best ability. The humans would not see him but the actions led to more praise.

Sheng Huo pondered for a moment and decided to go on with the soul purification of the corpses. Before his hands touched down, a gust of wind blew on the side knocking him off his feet, it was Yao Wang.

Purifying the souls meant that the demons would not benefit from the situation. When Yao Wang noticed his intention, he decided to fight and so the measure of strength began.

Sheng Huo was known for his excellent swordsmanship. They way his white fingers gripped the hit was especially enchanting. His fingers were smooth and long. The knuckles gripping the sword were extremely beautiful. Although it created something out of a picture, the speed at which it moved the sword was very fast.

Yao Wang's attacks were swift and ruthless while Sheng Huo's were steady and calm such that it looked like he was not fighting at all. Yao Wang could not take it anymore and shouted, "Sheng Huo, you are looking down on me are you"

He was talking so much but the speed of his attacks only doubled. Sheng Huo on the other hand had to fight but still find a way to purify the corpse's souls. Thin layer of sweat had already formed on his brow. His opponent was strangely full of strength as his attacks came rushing down like rain drops.

This was the first time the both of them had met head to head. Minutes passed, only the sound of swords clanging against each other and occasional grunts was heard.

Sensing that the forty five minutes were almost up, Sheng Huo filled his sword with spiritual energy using one hand while with the other, he slapped down the incantations.

The energy in the sword was enough to keep Yao Wang busy for a moment. When his hand touched down, cracks started to form on the ground, white light moved between the cracks, covering each of the corpses with hazy light. Once this was done, the light faded bit by bit until it was gone, The sealing was done.

Once he had finished he looked towards the sword, it was hanging mid air and the opponent it was to fight against was nowhere to be seen, Yao Wang had escaped.