Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 58 Illusionary Heart Array

Xuanzhenzi's expression changed completely.

"What...what nonsense are you spouting? I am an upright and honorable person, how could I do such a thing?"

Zhou Ning said, "I can see it very clearly now. Your peach wood sword is imbued with demonic energy, and the incantation you are reciting is not a traditional Taoist incantation, but some kind of evil magic."

"You've drained the life force of everyone who came to the Dharma assembly. Aren't you afraid of divine retribution for doing this?"

A flicker of panic crossed Xuanzhenzi's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Young Master Zhou, you misunderstand. That is not demonic energy, but the 'Pure Yang True Qi' that I cultivate."

"As for those people's poor complexion, it's because they were already ill. I was just helping them to regulate their bodies, and they are only temporarily weak."

Zhou Ning sneered:

"Pure Yang True Qi? Pure Yang True Qi is hot, while your demonic energy is cold. Do you think I can't tell the difference?"

Xuanzhenzi's face darkened:

"Young Master Zhou, I am only giving you face because I respect you as Yan Chixia's disciple. Don't push your luck."

Zhou Ning said, "I'll give you two choices. First, leave this place and never come back. Second, I'll take you to the authorities and let them deal with you."

Xuanzhenzi laughed loudly: "Arrest me? You think you can?"

He suddenly pulled a talisman from his sleeve and threw it at Zhou Ning.

The talisman burned in the air, transforming into a black flame that rushed towards Zhou Ning.

Zhou Ning was prepared and dodged the flames with a swift movement.

At the same time, he pulled out an "evil-repelling talisman" from his waist and threw it at Xuanzhenzi.

"disease!"

The talisman transformed into a golden ray of light, heading straight for Xuanzhenzi.

Xuanzhenzi hurriedly dodged, but the golden light was too fast and still grazed his shoulder.

"what!"

Xuanzhenzi let out a scream as a charred wound appeared on his shoulder from the golden light, from which wisps of black smoke rose.

He clutched his wound, glaring venomously at Zhou Ning: "You...you dare hurt me?"

Zhou Ning did not answer, and threw out another "Exorcism Talisman".

Xuanzhenzi dared not take the blow head-on, so he crushed a black token, which turned into a wisp of black mist and disappeared into the air.

escaped.

Zhou Ning did not pursue.

He walked to the altar, pushed over the statues of the Three Pure Ones on the incense table, revealing a black jar underneath.

The jar was filled with a black liquid that emitted a pungent stench.

On the surface of the liquid, a few strands of golden light floated, which were the essence absorbed from the believers.

Zhou Ning took out several "purification talismans" from his bag, pasted them on the jar, and recited purification incantations.

The talisman glowed with a golden light, and the black liquid in the jar began to boil, emitting wisps of black smoke.

Soon, the liquid became clear, and the golden light dissipated into the air.

"Unfortunately, the essence can no longer be returned." Zhou Ning sighed.

He used his magic to shatter the jar, and then left the altar.

Back on the street, Zhou Ning found the middle-aged man who had given him directions.

"Brother, do you know anything about that Taoist priest?"

The middle-aged man shook his head:

"I don't know. He came about two weeks ago, saying he was a Taoist priest from Qingxu Temple in Laoshan and wanted to pray for the people. At first, no one believed him, but after he performed a few magic tricks and cured a few people for free, everyone believed him."

Zhou Ning said, "He's a fraud. He's draining your life force. Don't go there again."

The middle-aged man's expression changed drastically: "What? Absorb my life essence? Then... what should we do?"

Zhou Ning said, "After you go back, rest more and eat more nutritious food. You will recover slowly. I have already chased that Taoist priest away, and he probably won't come back."

The middle-aged man thanked him profusely.

Zhou Ning stayed overnight in Qingyun City and continued north the next morning.

As he walked out of the city gate, he looked back once.

The morning light shone on the city walls, bathing everything in a golden glow.

But Zhou Ning knew that beneath this glamorous surface, there were many swindlers like Xuanzhenzi secretly harming the people.

He can't manage everything on his own.

But at least he can manage one at a time.

After leaving Qingyun City, Zhou Ning continued north.

After walking for about two days, he arrived at a mountain range called "Luoxia Mountain".

The mountains are steep and the forests are dense. The mountains are shrouded in mist and clouds, giving them a mysterious atmosphere.

According to locals, once you cross Luoxia Mountain, you'll reach the edge of the Black Mountain Demon's territory.

Zhou Ning carefully made his way north along the mountain path.

After walking for about an hour, a dilapidated Taoist temple appeared ahead.

The Taoist temple was built halfway up the mountain. It was made of blue bricks and gray tiles, but it had been in disrepair for many years, and the walls of the courtyard were covered with withered vines.

Above the door hangs a mottled plaque with the three characters "Qingxu Temple" written on it, the characters already blurred and illegible.

"Qingxu Temple again?" Zhou Ning frowned, recalling Xuanzhenzi and Xuanqingzi whom he had encountered before.

He was hesitating whether to go in and take a look when the door of the Taoist temple suddenly opened.

A young Taoist priest with a handsome face, dressed in a white Taoist robe, came out.

He looked to be in his early twenties, holding a whisk in his hand, with a smile on his face, giving people a feeling of warmth and comfort.

"Are you here to offer incense, sir?" the young Taoist priest asked.

Zhou Ning shook his head: "I'm just passing by and would like to ask for a drink of water."

The young Taoist priest stepped aside: "Please come in."

Zhou Ning followed the young Taoist priest into the Taoist temple.

The Taoist temple is not large; the main hall is located in the front courtyard, where the Three Pure Ones are enshrined.

There are several side rooms in the backyard, and a few pine and cypress trees are planted in the yard, creating a quiet and secluded environment.

The young Taoist priest led him to the backyard and poured him a cup of tea.

"Where do you come from, and where are you going, benefactor?" the young Taoist priest asked.

Zhou Ning said, "We came from the south and are heading north."

"The north?" A strange light flashed in the young Taoist's eyes:

"Are you aware that things are not peaceful in the north?"

Zhou Ning nodded: "I know. But there are some things that must be done."

The young Taoist priest was silent for a moment, then said:

"You have great courage, benefactor. I am a Taoist priest from Qingxu Temple, my Dharma name is 'Xuanming'. May I ask your honorable name?"

Zhou Ning replied, "My name is Zhou Ning."

Xuanming said, "Benefactor Zhou, judging from your appearance, you seem to be carrying a heavy responsibility, and this journey is more likely to be fraught with danger than good. I have a word of advice for you."

"Please speak."

"The affairs of the North cannot be resolved by one person alone. If you insist on going, you might as well rest here for a few days and conserve your energy. I have some knowledge of magic and may be able to help."

Zhou Ning thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you."

He stayed at the Taoist temple.

That night, Zhou Ning was meditating and regulating his breathing in his room when he suddenly felt dizzy.

He opened his eyes and found himself not in the room, but in a strange wilderness.

The surroundings were hazy and indistinguishable, with an eerie atmosphere permeating the air.

"This is...an illusion?" Zhou Ning's heart skipped a beat.

He tried to circulate his internal energy, but found that it seemed to be sealed by something and could not be mobilized at all.

"Benefactor Zhou."

Xuanming's voice came from ahead. Zhou Ning looked in the direction of the voice and saw Xuanming standing not far away with a smile on his face.

"Master Xuanming, what's going on?" Zhou Ning asked.

Xuanming said, "This is my 'Illusory Mind Formation.' Since you're here, why not try your luck? If you can break through the formation, I'll let you pass. If not..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Zhou Ning frowned: "Why is the Taoist priest trapping me?"

Xuanming said, "I was entrusted with this task, and I must do my duty. You have offended someone you shouldn't have, so I had no choice but to intervene."

Zhou Ning understood.

"Did Xuanzhenzi send you?"

Xuanming did not deny it:

"You injured my junior brother and ruined his plans. Someone has to settle this score."

Zhou Ning said, "Your junior brother is using the guise of a Dharma assembly to drain the vital energy of the people; this is evil magic. I exposed him to act on behalf of Heaven. If you, Daoist Master, are reasonable, you shouldn't be aiding and abetting evil."

Xuanming's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

"You are right, my junior brother is indeed at fault. But he is still my junior brother, and I cannot watch him be humiliated. Please, benefactor."