With a decisive blow, Wu Baoyi's body and spirit were annihilated, leaving no trace of his existence in the world. The jade-white hand vanished without a trace.
Ji Xiang returned from the Heavenly Gate, the incense and fire energy within his seven orifices overflowing, his skin and flesh splitting. However, this was merely a normal occurrence.
In the next moment, the Tai Xu Bao Guang appeared on Ji Xiang's body!
"It's mine now."
The Tai Xu Bao Guang's original owner had been erased by the divine tablet of Yuan Shi Tian Zun. Ji Xiang burned his own incense and recited the Heavenly Venerable's praises. Within ten breaths, the blank divine tablet within him, aided by Yuan Shi Tian Zun's suppression, was swallowed by Ming Yan.
The Divine Driving technique could not fully control Yuan Shi Tian Zun's divine tablet, as it was merely an Earthly Fiend art. However, it was enough to cause it to stir, even if it only acted once. This was sufficient.
"Divine Driving has always been a good technique, allowing the form and spirit of unseen deities to manifest through a medium. That hand just now was merely the form and spirit of Yuan Shi Tian Zun's thought. I didn't expect it to erase a Yellow Court realm expert from the world."
"The Ming Yan, burned by the karmic fire on the Great Ming Emperor, is a good thing. Combined with Divine Driving, it is invincible."
Tong Tian Ming Yan had always been Ji Xiang's helper in "forcibly" summoning deities. It had only failed once before the Tai Xu Bao Guang, but that was not an issue, as the Tai Xu Bao Guang was of a higher caliber.
The ashes from the mortal emperor's body naturally could not block the radiance released by the Heavenly Venerable.
Of course, Ji Xiang's greatest use for the Tai Xu Bao Guang was not for clearing out individuals, but for storage, as the ownership of this radiance had now transferred to him.
Finally, he no longer had to carry sacks around.
Although Wu Baoyi was dead, and the physical body of Patriarch Xuan Miao had also vanished, the large bell remained. Nan Yangzi, hiding within, attempted to escape, but Ji Xiang drew the Jin Jizi from his waist and threw it into the air!
"Fellow Daoist, please stay!"
The Jin Jizi transformed into a golden light, and the Xuan Miao Great Bell also emitted thousands of golden lights. However, the Jin Jizi ranked highest among spiritual artifacts, and its power to shake and resonate was naturally something that spiritual artifacts could not resist!
Even if this resonating artifact could only be used to strike people's skulls!
*Clang!*
The great bell was struck by the Jin Jizi, and immediately, its treasure light exploded. Dense cracks appeared on the bell, and the Jin Jizi pierced through it!
With the great bell destroyed, Ji Xiang manipulated the Ming Yan and devoured all the un-dissipated Mi Luo Bao Guang as well!
"It can resist the invasion of heavenly and earthly calamities. With this treasure light in my hands, those below the peak of ascension will no longer have to worry about trivial tricks like the Five Decays of Heaven and Man!"
The great bell shattered into pieces, and Nan Yangzi was also smashed into a pulp. Two forms and spirits emerged, and Ji Xiang's body began to transform.
The form and spirit of the white-faced Zhen Wu appeared and directly targeted them!
Then, it shattered the void!
This refined form great ghost was instantly annihilated. Ji Xiang then let out a long cry, summoning the clay idol god: "Leave this land god statue, your primordial spirit is for your senior brother to use!"
The Fallen Immortal also immediately left the clay idol. Nan Yangzi's last remaining form and spirit attached itself to the statue. Soon, the clay body and face began to deform, gradually returning to Nan Yangzi's original appearance.
The eyes of the clay statue became lively, and Nan Yangzi spoke with endless grief:
"Heavenly Venerable's compassion! How did my Xuan Miao Temple fall to such a state!"
"To steal the Patriarch's corpse and exterminate my entire lineage, if this revenge is not taken, I will not be human!"
The Fallen Immortal couldn't help but say, "Senior Brother, you are no longer human now."
Nan Yangzi cursed, "If this revenge is not taken, I will not even be a ghost!"
After speaking, he thanked Ji Xiang: "Thank you, Chan Master, for your rescue. Although you are an external demonic path practitioner, Xuan Miao Temple is indeed indebted to you for this!"
"Chan Master? What Chan Master?"
Ji Xiang asked curiously, "This Fallen Immortal also called me Chan Master just now. Is this...?"
So, Nan Yangzi recounted the story of the Kai Shan Daoist, including some of the information they had obtained. It was rumored that Ji Xiang was a pseudonym for the Tiger-Eyed Chan Master Li Bin.
Ji Xiang burst into laughter on the spot, finding it hilarious.
"To become a father to that demoness for no reason... wait, does that mean Huo Jun is still alive?"
Nan Yangzi shook his head: "I don't know. The information from Chongyang Palace only stated that Li Bin, the founder of the Yellow Heaven Cult, was alive, and mentioned the incident of Pu Zhao Bodhisattva burning down the Forbidden City. We don't know if she is alive or dead."
Ji Xiang: "Forget it, she's probably alive. The Yellow Heaven Cult has evil arts that can revive the living through wishes. I suspect this technique did not originate from them, but from the Inner Rivers and Mountains, as people in the Inner Rivers and Mountains seem to have a unique understanding of wish-based arts."
"The people of Gusu City have now had their forms and spirits refined by ghosts. I have now purged them all with the Five Thunders. I fear I cannot shake off the title of mass murderer. However, if you wish to thank me, one day, if you encounter Celestial Master Zhang inquiring about this matter, tell him the truth."
Nan Yangzi and the Fallen Immortal both agreed. The Fallen Immortal needed to find a place to reconstruct his physical body, as did Nan Yangzi. However, at this moment, Feng Menglong suddenly spoke: "Wait, we can't leave just yet!"
Ji Xiang asked curiously, "What are your thoughts, Great Scholar?"
Feng Menglong said, "Daoist Ji, you are still thinking too one-sidedly!"
"These ghosts have been causing trouble here, and there must be a backup plan!"
Ji Xiang was startled: "Why do you say that, Scholar Feng?"
Feng Menglong seemed to have absolute certainty: "According to stories in those folk novels, after you leave here and they find a place to cultivate, they will likely be invaded by these ghosts again. Then, the ghosts will have these two people spread rumors about you slaughtering Gusu, and then the righteous sects of the world will attack you."
"This is how villains operate in novels."
The three immortals were stunned on the spot.
It sounded somewhat plausible.
The classic scenario of ghosts possessing and slandering good people. In fact, such things often happen in normal human society and are not particularly special operations. However, it cannot be denied that although simple, it is effective.
"Therefore, what needs to be done now is that Daoist Ji cannot leave. You must sweep through all the surrounding mountain towns, or you two must leave here immediately and go to other powerful temples. From what we see now, these spirits fear the lightning techniques of the Orthodox Dao. Although you are from the Quanzhen Dao, seeking refuge with the Orthodox Dao might seem embarrassing, but in a life-or-death situation, I think life is more important than face, right?"
"After all, you two still have the important task of revitalizing Xuan Miao Temple."
Feng Menglong spoke eloquently, and the three immortals nodded incessantly. Nan Yangzi repeatedly said, "You are right, you speak well!"
"It is indeed like this. At this point, regardless of whether it is Quanzhen or Orthodox Dao, we are all Daoists. There is nothing to worry about seeking refuge. The Quanzhen Dao cultivates the spirit and life first, but these ghosts are here to steal powerful physical bodies. Resisting them with the Five Thunders Orthodox Method is the only choice."
Ji Xiang looked at the surrounding mountain towns and said, "Then it's perfect. Let me try out the Tai Xu Bao Guang I just obtained."
"No matter what demons or ghosts they are, with this light, they will all enter the Great Luo of the Void."
The Tai Xu Bao Guang flew out and began to patrol this vast land at an extremely fast speed!
As Feng Menglong had guessed, the Song Dynasty had indeed left something here, especially in some hidden areas in the mountains. Treasures like Jade Liquid and Qiong Jiang were placed here. In the depths of the caves, beneath the Qiong Jiang, a formation was hidden, clearly inscribed by someone.
It was clearly baiting them.
When the Tai Xu Bao Guang arrived here, after a flicker, all the Jade Liquid and Qiong Jiang disappeared. The formation then activated on its own, but without anything to possess, the black energies floated out, staring with blood-red eyes, watching the escaping treasure light.
Countless black energies were guided out from all corners of the mountains!
The Tai Xu Bao Guang circled in the sky for a moment, then suddenly turned back!
Nine-colored radiance filled the heavens and earth. These black energies, with their blood-red eyes, were all collected by the Tai Xu Bao Guang!
The radiance returned to Ji Xiang. In Ji Xiang's palm, the Hell Seal had opened. The ghost face laughed heartlessly as countless black energies fell into hell, followed by familiar curses.
*Bang!*
The Hell Seal closed!
Feng Menglong stared blankly for a while, then dug his ear:
"Daoist, was someone cursing inside that ghost face just now..."
Ji Xiang said expressionlessly, "No, you heard wrong. The hellish demons here are all very happy. Why would the demons in Abyssal Hell curse people? Look, they even gave me so much gold. They are clearly thanking me."
Afterward, Ji Xiang gave this golden sand to the two Quanzhen Dao immortals. This golden sand could help them sculpt golden bodies.
Ji Xiang: "It's also about forging good karma."
The Fallen Immortal felt that the beating he received from Ji Xiang was worth it. If he hadn't possessed the land god's statue, he would have also had his form and spirit taken by the ghosts.
Therefore, that land god was still cursing.
"Although the spirits' backup plan has been eliminated, we have decided to leave this place. Since the other party chose my Xuan Miao Temple as the target for possession, if we two remain here, we will likely face disaster."
"Daoist is not the Tiger-Eyed Chan Master. I will report this matter to Chongyang Palace. Previously, I thought Daoist was a treacherous and evil person, but now it seems you are just more fierce and aggressive in your methods. I had gathered many fellow disciples to stop Daoist, but now I can let them return."
"There are many strange occurrences in the world today, and even the Yellow Court realm can hardly protect itself. It is truly lamentable."
Nan Yangzi thanked Ji Xiang for his great kindness and stated that in the future, if there was anything, the Quanzhen Dao in the south, and all his disciples, would obey. It was only a pity that the mountain gate and the treasure bell passed down by generations of ancestors were destroyed, which was heartbreaking.
"However, regarding the matter of Kai Shan Daoist, I am powerless..."
Ji Xiang: "Kai Shan Daoist was indeed killed by me, but he colluded with demons and ghosts, and was the same as that Zhenjiang King... Never mind, I don't have any evidence. I know Chongyang Palace will not believe me and will believe Kai Shan Daoist. After all, he was a Dharma master of their sect. If I killed him, I killed him. I will not change my name or hide my surname, but don't call me Tiger-Eyed Chan Master anymore."
"To have an enemy as a daughter for no reason is fun to scold, but if it ruins the reputation of my Wudang Mountain, it's not worth it! There's no need to ruin my own reputation for such a small gain."
Ji Xiang looked into the distance at the little fox hanging from the tree, its entire body covered with the Golden Light Charm. He beckoned, and a gust of wind blew, causing the little fox to fall.
"As for this tree... the reason I came here was because of the Purple Pole Street Monster's lure. And after this guy returned here, it died. Five large iron nails pinned it to death, and it looks like it has been dead for some time."
"The form and spirit of the Purple Pole Street Monster were manipulated and used by the spirits, which is normal. But could there be something beneath this large soapberry tree? It was able to withstand my lightning techniques. There must be a formation beneath this tree!"
Ji Xiang reached out, and the earth immediately shook. This large tree was uprooted by Ji Xiang with one hand. Its roots went deep, as if directly connected to the underworld.
The Meteor Cannon aimed at the lower realm, and with a loud roar!
A flame illuminated the darkness, plunging straight into the bottomless abyss. There seemed to be round objects within the surrounding earthen walls, and then the flame's light gradually disappeared. No one heard even the slightest sound of collision.
"Tai Xu Bao Guang, go!"
The Tai Xu Bao Guang began to descend into the lower realm. Compared to the flames of the firearms, this thing was much more powerful.
The treasure light entered the dark abyss, illuminating the surrounding earth again, clearer than the flames. What was horrifying was that below the roots of this large tree, at a depth of over three zhang, the immortals could clearly see piles of human heads.
"Impossible! Gusu City has never had such evil things beneath it!"
The two immortals from Xuan Miao Temple first cried out. They had cultivated in Gusu for many years, and if there were so many human heads underground, they would have discovered them long ago.
"So, there is still blood on these human heads, clearly not accumulated over the years, but appearing here suddenly."
"Moreover, although the Purple Pole Street Monster is a peculiar robbing evil god, its appearance symbolizes the decline of righteous law. So, when Xuan Miao Temple had problems, do you remember when this tree appeared here?"
The two immortals from Xuan Miao exchanged glances and shook their heads: "We usually cultivate in seclusion in the earthly realm. Who would pay attention to a common tree that suddenly appeared in the mortal world?"
Ji Xiang drove the treasure light further down. The abyss was bottomless. After the piles of bloody human heads, there was a pit of rotting internal organs, with corpse fluid flowing like a waterfall, emitting a dark, decaying aura.
The Tai Xu Bao Guang continued to descend.
Ji Xiang had no intention of collecting these things into the Tai Xu Bao Guang. It was too disgusting, even the demons in Abyssal Hell would shake their heads.
Finally, at the very bottom, a churning red light appeared. This red light finally emerged from the deepest part of the abyss. Even those above the abyss, like Feng Menglong, who had mortal eyes, could see it.
It was a formation, entirely formed by human blood.
Inner Scenery Divine Tablet provided a description of the strange event:
[Xuan Yin Red Furnace Blood Sacrifice Great Formation (Interrupted): Walking corpses and wandering souls covet fame and fortune, dividing destiny. Disregarding the body, skin and bones become the burial place. Advising people to cut off the climbing rope and jump out of the red furnace.]
[The Red Furnace is a world of fierce evil, used as a furnace for burning corpses. Blood is a Yin object, seeking gods by kind, sacrificing to the state with blood.]
[When the Azure Dragon Crimson Blood Formation is activated, this formation will respond, making ghosts and humans share the same lifespan. Yin energy will be greatly converted into Yang energy, and the Yin energy of the mortal world will be greatly poured into this formation. However, after both formations are used once, the Yin and Yang flow in this place will be completely disrupted, rendering it obsolete and becoming a place of Yin and Yang chaos.]
[Destroy the Azure Dragon Crimson Blood Formation, and this formation will stop on its own.]
[Using one of the treasures of Mount Mao, the "White Jade Turtle Terrace," can shatter this formation.]
[Using the Xuan Zhen True Scripture of Mount Mao as a guide, and then sprinkling the blood of a white rooster into the formation, the chaotic Yin and Yang can be restored to balance, and this formation can be dissolved.]
[Chanting the passage from the Xuan Zhen True Scripture of Mount Mao: "Xuan Yin Seven Clouds, Nine Heavens Soul Essence, Jade Mountain Shimmering, Rainbow Reflecting the Upper Purity, Golden Dangling Jade Pendant, Born with Heaven, Two Luminaries Entwined, Descending to My Form"... can reverse this formation and refine all Yin energy and ghosts within the Red Furnace!]
Ji Xiang's gaze was filled with enlightenment.
The Azure Dragon Crimson Blood Formation is a formation from Mount Mao, used to reverse the inversion of Yin and Yang in the Five Elements, capable of refining all things. This great formation is related to the Azure Dragon Crimson Blood Formation, but it seems Nan Yangzi had no memory of being controlled.
The Song Dynasty used the Azure Dragon Crimson Blood Formation. What is the connection between Wu Baoyi's origin and this formation?
The Du Lu Na Ghost said it was summoned, and its spirit soldiers were also summoned. Therefore, it should be the same person who set up this formation. Was it the Song Dynasty's agent in the mortal world?
The corpse of Patriarch Xuan Miao used by Wu Baoyi was also dug up by this agent, wasn't it?
It seems he has already left this place, otherwise, the Tai Xu Bao Guang would have captured him.
"I am not skilled in formations. Even if I know how to break it, I don't have the corresponding means. Not only is this formation related to Mount Mao, but also because among the many renowned sects, only Mount Mao is most knowledgeable about formations. It seems before heading south, I must visit Mount Mao to seek guidance."
"However, although I don't know how to break the formation, I can at least burn those rotting corpses below..."
Ji Xiang softly recited the passage from the Xuan Zhen True Scripture of Mount Mao.
Instantly, the Xuan Yin Red Furnace Great Formation reacted. Everyone saw the rotting internal organs and human heads peel off from the soil and fall. All the fierce evil energies and filthy blood also detached from the soil and poured into the blood-red formation.
Yin energy and ghosts were all refined. Under the impetus of Mount Mao's techniques, a ball of white light soon appeared, which was retrieved by the Tai Xu Bao Guang.