Chapter 26: Appearing

Upon hearing Shen Chang’an’s question, Yu Qingxian suddenly recalled that she had been speaking of the Evil God all along, but in truth, she had never actually seen the Evil God.

Li Qingqing whispered from the side, “I think this girl has stayed here too long. The Grand Duke’s spores must have clouded her mind; she’s completely confused.”

Shen Chang’an pondered for a moment before asking, “Miss Yu, during this time, did you ever grasp the sword in your hand?”

Yu Qingxian blinked slightly, then replied, “You mean Zhanlong?”

“Zhanlong?” Shen Chang’an looked puzzled.

Yu Qingxian nodded and said, “This sword is called Zhanlong.”

Shen Chang’an suddenly understood. “You named the sword? That’s rather audacious.”

Yu Qingxian gave him a strange look, confused. “I didn’t name it; the sword told me.”

Shen Chang’an was stunned and looked at her in surprise. “The sword spoke to you?”

“Didn’t the Taoist Shen’s sword tell you its name?”

Shen Chang’an gave a dry laugh and waved his hand. “Maybe it’s just my poor hearing.”

Li Qingqing burst out laughing. “Taoist, this sword was a pearl cast before swine for you.”

“If you want it, it’s yours.”

“Ha, I’m not foolish. If I held this sword, it would be nothing but a dead stick.”

Shen Chang’an ignored her and continued, “When I fought Xue Lie before, his divine sword could even sever my thoughts. Your divine sword was with you then—why did the Grand Duke manage to control you?”

Yu Qingxian thought for a moment. “Zhanlong doesn’t belong to me; it’s indeed Xue Lie’s divine sword. But I really can draw and wield it…”

Shen Chang’an furrowed his brows. How could Yu Qingxian wield Xue Lie’s sword? And what was the purpose of the Falling Star that day?

He recalled the purple demon star he saw that night and felt the events of that day were strangely mysterious. But now, with no information, he had no clue.

“No wonder you awoke after drawing the sword. It seems the sword’s aura shattered whatever tried to control you.”

The aura of the divine sword could dispel anything harmful to its wielder. Even intangible thoughts could be severed, let alone spores that could be ignited by a single spark.

He only did not know how tiny the Grand Duke’s spores were since they were invisible to the naked eye.

“If Miss Yu has never seen the Grand Duke, then it really seems the Grand Duke has vanished,” Li Qingqing sighed.

“You seem disappointed?” Shen Chang’an asked.

Li Qingqing nodded. “The Grand Duke is a kind of medicinal herb. Even if it becomes a demon, its potency remains. If captured and refined with secret techniques, it could greatly enhance one’s magical power and cultivation.”

Shen Chang’an showed no interest. His magical power was abundant and had reached a bottleneck after just a few days of cultivation. The Grand Duke’s medicinal effects were of little use to him; he preferred things that could help him comprehend mysteries and break through realms.

“If the Grand Duke isn’t here, let’s first perform rites to send off the souls of those here,” Shen Chang’an said after a brief silence.

Yu Qingxian clenched the sword in her hand, as if wanting to say something but unable to speak.

“Tsk, I always knew your Taoist heart was dark. You can do this to so many people?” Li Qingqing said.

Shen Chang’an said calmly, “Their souls are gone. Keeping their bodies is just making them living corpses suffering in vain.”

“Taoist Shen is right. Leaving them here only prolongs their suffering,” Yu Qingxian quietly agreed.

Shen Chang’an said no more. Taking the previously lit torch, he headed towards the most flammable place.

Though the people here tried to attack, even with their demonic aura, they were still mere mortals and could not stop Shen Chang’an.

He tossed the burning torch into the grass pile, and in no time, the flames spread, engulfing the buildings and enveloping the entire manor.

The three then left, watching the inferno consuming the estate, each lost in their own thoughts.

Shen Chang’an silently recited scriptures. Though knowing the souls had departed, he still performed rites for them.

Yu Qingxian also bowed, as if bidding farewell to the deceased.

Only Li Qingqing stared intently at the rising flames, seemingly lost in thought.

Just as the fire was about to consume the entire manor, suddenly a childlike figure dashed out from the blaze, fleeing eastward.

“Exactly!” Li Qingqing shouted. “Such a big meal left untouched by the remaining girl from the Demon Purification Division? The Grand Duke can’t have left! Shen Chang’an, act!”

Shen Chang’an was momentarily taken aback, not expecting the Grand Duke to be underground in the manor.

Without hesitation, he used his mind-power to levitate a stone midair, then kicked it with the combined force of his physical strength and mental energy, sending it hurtling toward the Grand Duke.

Yet the Grand Duke didn’t even turn its head. When the stone was about five meters away, it began to corrode, and three meters further, it was reduced to dust.

Shen Chang’an stared in disbelief. The Grand Duke could completely consume and erode a stone of nearly basketball size in such a short time.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

At that moment, Yu Qingxian stepped forward, her radiant armor shining brightly. She drew Zhanlong, gathering fierce sword energy, preparing to unleash a deadly strike.

Boom—

The sword energy plowed through the earth, rushing straight toward the Grand Duke.

But just then, the childlike figure suddenly split into two figures of similar size, fleeing left and right.

The sword energy sliced through the space between them, failing to harm either.

Then the two merged back into the original form.

Shen Chang’an observed clearly that when the Grand Duke split, countless fine threads appeared between, like fungal mycelium.

“He’s trying to escape! Shen Chang’an, hurry and chase! Use fire—he fears fire most.”

Shen Chang’an gave a wry smile—he truly did not know how to wield fire.

The talismans recorded in the Qingping Palace only included basic ignition talismans, lacking powerful flame talismans.

The reason was that flame talismans were not versatile enough and ineffective against some demons.

To fight the Grand Duke, Qingping Palace’s talismans were of little use, for they were merely convenient emergency tools. The palace’s true might lay in other magical arts and divine abilities.

But Shen Chang’an was only a half disciple of Qingping Palace.

Chapter complete. Enjoy your reading!