Chapter 80: The Talisman of the Time Curse

Boom!

As Chu Youcai unleashed the Curse of the Dragon Turtle for the third time, the Fishscale Blade resonated with a joyful sound. Never before had it trembled so intensely; Chu Youcai was pushing its power to the absolute limit!

For reasons unknown, the blade felt an overwhelming hatred toward the locust demon before it, yearning to hack it into a pulp. It could not fathom the cause—a secret rooted in another cycle of reincarnation, where, ten breaths later, it would be seized by the locust demon and its aura cruelly erased.

At this moment, the Fishscale Blade, imbued with the curse, stabbed toward the locust demon's heart.

The locust demon recoiled at the blade’s bronze radiance, hissing, "A bronze cursed artifact?"

Somehow, the scene struck it as vaguely familiar, but there was no time to ponder. As it attempted to summon its own cursed artifact for defense, it realized its blood-red eye was already restrained; if it forced its power further, the eye would explode!

"Damned thing! I’ve only used my demon arts twice!" Furious and helpless, the locust demon ceased its attempt to wield the cursed artifact.

Instead, it unleashed the full measure of its demon arts. Having spent two uses of the curse, each costing ten years of demonic power, it still had thirty years’ worth remaining.

Countless streams of black light surged forth, crackling with a destructive force that seemed to tear the heavens asunder. Though it did not use a cursed artifact, these demon arts were formidable—enough to block Chu Youcai’s Fishscale Blade in a single clash!

Chu Youcai felt as though his blade had struck solid iron, rebounding with a jolt. In that instant, he sensed his own insignificance; even the life-consuming power of his cursed artifact could not break the enemy’s defenses.

Yet, each activation of the cursed artifact lasted ten breaths. He still had many chances.

He pressed on, his Fishscale Blade slashing wildly like lightning.

Countless blade shadows, laced with darkness, swept across the sky, forming intangible, ethereal flashes that rained ceaselessly upon the locust demon.

Despite its formidable demon arts, the locust demon felt Chu Youcai’s fierce killing intent. Within three or four breaths, Chu Youcai had struck dozens of times—at this rate, the demon feared it might not endure much longer.

"Damned wretch!"

The locust demon raged, billows of black smoke rolling out as it launched a counterattack.

Gathering all its remaining demon power, it abandoned defense and formed a long spear, thrusting it fiercely toward Chu Youcai.

“Fate is mine! The Dao is mine!” the locust demon cried with wicked glee, its gaze locked on Chu Youcai’s heart.

In that instant, the Fishscale Blade was knocked aside, and the demon’s spear, like a shaft piercing through sun and moon, drove straight for Chu Youcai’s chest.

No matter how he retreated or twisted his body, he could not evade the attack. The spear seemed to shadow his heart, omnipresent and unstoppable.

Chu Youcai felt ice-cold terror—he was facing annihilation. Despite wielding the Dragon Turtle curse, he was forced into dire straits by his foe.

Indeed, beneath the power of the Dao, all mortals are but ants!

At this critical moment, Chu Youcai clenched his teeth, just barely holding out, when suddenly an intoxicating aroma of wine washed over him.

He saw a wine cup suspended in the air; wine poured from the heavens, transforming into myriad fragments that conjured fantastical visions—strange rocks, trees, palaces, living creatures—all interposing themselves before the demon’s spear.

The spear struck again and again, only piercing through a dozen visions before being halted by the wine.

At this moment, the Willow God rose to his full height, his wine cup radiating countless beams of light.

But at the same time, a thread of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

Seeing this, the locust demon exclaimed, “Willow God, you’ve spent your soul to cast the curse for a fourth time, forcing your cursed artifact to self-destruct—you wish to perish together with me?”

Horrified, the demon desperately withdrew its power and retreated.

Yet it found itself unable to move; the Willow God’s wine cup had grown as large as a mountain, crashing against its body and shattering it into fragments.

Blood spurted from the locust demon, agony twisting its form.

At this pivotal moment, the demon transformed into countless locusts, scattering in every direction.

Among hundreds of thousands of locusts, it concealed itself, impossible to detect.

Then the Willow God’s voice sounded serenely: “I have seen this transformation before.”

The wine cup shattered completely, becoming a dome over heaven and earth, enveloping all the locusts into which the demon had split!

No matter how the locust demon tried to break free, it could not escape the dome, as if it would forever be suppressed inside, reduced to pulp!

Witnessing this, Wen Ji and Jiang Xue could not help but rejoice.

Yet at this moment, more blood spilled from the Willow God’s lips.

Second Madam and Yan Yunfei, having just broken free from their restraints, saw this and their faces turned grim. They knew the Willow God could not hold out much longer; within a few breaths, he would be reduced to ashes along with the cursed artifact.

The Willow God swept his gaze over the group, finally resting it on Chu Youcai’s face, deep in thought.

A flash of divine light flickered in his eyes as he spoke softly, “Young Chu, I have something to entrust to you.”

Chu Youcai showed utmost respect, replying, “If the Willow God commands, I would die a thousand deaths without hesitation.” He sensed the Willow God’s oil was spent and his lamp extinguished; had it not been for the Willow God, he would already be dead, and he was filled with gratitude.

The Willow God nodded gently, drawing a blood-stained talisman from his robe and tearing it apart.

As the talisman broke, a colossal golden tower descended from the heavens, enclosing both the Willow God and Chu Youcai.

Entering this space, Chu Youcai saw an enormous hourglass atop the golden tower, its sand flowing exceedingly slowly—after several breaths, not a single grain had fallen. He was astounded.

What was this?

Looking outside, he seemed to see his own body frozen in place, as were the expressions of everyone around him.

No, not frozen—there was the faintest trace of movement, ever so slow.

Could this be a time curse artifact, akin to the Dragon Turtle’s Mountain and River Pearl?

The Willow God said, “This talisman is a time curse, a single-use item. When activated, three breaths pass outside, but within here, we have three hours.”

Chu Youcai was shocked, recognizing its immense value. “Willow God, what instructions do you have for me?”

The Willow God gently shook his head. “My vitality is depleted; in three more breaths, I will perish along with the locust demon. There remains one thing unfulfilled in my heart, and I wish to ask your help.”

Chu Youcai was taken aback, saying urgently, “Willow God, is there no way to restore yourself?”

“I have detonated my soul to regain a little power, but today’s artifact has been activated for the fourth time—it is on the verge of collapse,” the Willow God replied. “But these things are unimportant. What matters is that, if I die, my arts will be lost forever…”

Chu Youcai was startled. “Willow God, do you mean—?”

The Willow God sighed. “All call me the Willow God, but few know I am also a demon. Though I have slain countless demons and am called a god, what I practice and wield are demon arts.”

Hearing this, Chu Youcai was utterly stunned.