CHAPTER 296: THIRD REALM!? BODY-TEMPERING PILL, MERIT GROVE

Chapter 296: Third Realm!? Body-Tempering Pill, Merit Grove

Boom!

Like an arrow loose from the string, he charged forward head-on against the Vajra Hand, closing in on Puhai.

“Bald bastard! Since you already knew my origin, why did you earlier claim I was a demon who had seized another’s body!?” Master Jingchen said coldly.

“Naturally, to test you a little, since you’re a remnant of the Thousand Illusions Sect. What else?”

“...” Jingchen hadn’t expected that to be the reason! He nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.

“Bald bastard, I’ll flay you alive!” he roared in fury.

The two clashed with lightning speed, and their murderous aura surged. The Buddha’s light radiating from the elder monk’s body was incomparably solid, exerting a suppressive force against Jingchen’s aura.

However, even with Duanmu Xuan and the two high monks of Jinguang Temple joining forces, for the moment, they still couldn’t subdue Jingchen.

He drew a talisman from his robes and suddenly slapped it onto his forehead. In an instant, the winds and clouds changed, and a fierce yin wind swept forth. Murderous light burned in his eyes, blood even trickling from the corners. Then, a cinnabar mark emerged between his brows, making him look utterly sinister and strange.

“You... all... must... die!” Jingchen’s voice echoed as if from the very edge of the heavens.

Everyone suddenly felt as though they were standing within a boundless sea of blood.

And there he was, clad in moon-white monk robes, standing atop the surging waves and looking down upon the world.

Sensing that aura, the three of them instantly felt their hearts sink. He was at the third realm!

The three exchanged glances, their faces filled with shock. This was far too overwhelming! It was completely on a different level from ordinary demonic cultivators or monsters.

“The Thousand Illusions Sect actually produced a third realm cultivator!?” Duanmu Xuan’s heart sank.

Golden Buddhist light flared from the two elder monks’ bodies as they braced themselves like facing a mortal enemy.

As Jingchen focused, the sea of blood around him surged violently, carrying the might of heaven and earth and threatening to tear the three of them apart.

The three, on full alert, retreated rapidly. But suddenly, everything vanished like smoke. The once high and mighty Jingchen simply turned and fled. In the blink of an eye, his figure had disappeared completely!

This sudden change left the two high monks of Jinguang Temple and Duanmu Xuan utterly stunned. Their expressions grew complicated. He... he ran!?

“Damn it, this is an illusion!” Puhai roared angrily. “I knew it, when has the Thousand Illusions Sect ever produced a third realm great cultivator!”

But by now, Jingchen had already vanished without a trace, and he was utterly gone.

Thank heavens it was only an illusion... Master Puxing’s lips twitched slightly before his expression turned solemn.

“Chase him!”

The Thousand Illusions Sect specialized in the Dao of transformation. Once they slipped away, it was like a stone sinking into the sea, and they would be almost impossible to track.

The three of them activated their movement techniques and shot out of the meditation room.

***

In the meditation room of Jinguang Temple...

“You’re saying the three of you let that Thousand Illusions Sect remnant escape?”

Li Yanchu was a little surprised. Just now, Duanmu Xuan had come over and explained the whole incident to him. It did catch him off guard.

They're that sloppy?

Across from him, Duanmu Xuan sighed.

“That’s right. None of us expected that fiend of the Thousand Illusions Sect to wield such bizarre techniques.”

Li Yanchu smacked his lips, gave her a glance, then said nothing more.

This whole matter was just him lending a hand, but who would’ve thought that even after the hardest part, identifying the culprit, was handled, they’d botch the actual capture.

“Daoist Master Li, I must ask you once more to lend your aid, help me track down the whereabouts of the Thousand Illusions Sect remnant,” Duanmu Xuan said.

Li Yanchu fell silent.

He shot her a doubtful look. The Court of Judicial Review is this useless? I can’t possibly camp out here at Jinguang Temple forever helping her hunt people down, can I?

Duanmu Xuan drew out a delicate porcelain vial from her sleeve and handed it over.

“Daoist Master Li, inside are eight Body-Tempering Pills. Please accept them as payment for your assistance this time.”

Li Yanchu took it, pulled out the stopper, and examined them carefully. His eyes couldn’t help but brighten.

What fine stuff!

His martial cultivation had already reached its peak. His qi and blood were vigorous beyond compare, and he just so happened to need this type of body-refining pill.

“Miss Duanmu, you’re far too polite. Slaying demons and eradicating evil is the duty of people like us, there’s no need for such things. But, since it’s your kind intention, I would be remiss to refuse. Rest assured, I will do my utmost in this matter.”

At this, Duanmu Xuan[1]’s lips twitched slightly.

“Such righteousness, fellow Daoist!”

No wonder he could reach this level at such a young age! He truly did have something extraordinary about him.

The two of them exchanged a few simple words, then Duanmu Xuan rose and took her leave.

Once she had gone far enough, Li Yanchu released Lady Yun. With a thought, a streak of clear light flared from his bosom. A woman in a plain blue dress, looking dignified and gentle, flew out from the Dragon-Tiger Scepter. A wooden hairpin adorned her hair, and her beauty was striking.

Li Yanchu told Lady Yun about the matter, wanting to hear the opinion of this spirit of heaven and earth who had once been enlightened by Jinguang Temple’s patriarch.

Lady Yun blinked after listening, then stepped forward to cling to Li Yanchu’s arm, speaking softly, “Daoist Master, you’d better send me back into the Dragon-Tiger Scepter. It’s too dangerous outside.”

Hearing this, Li Yanchu fell speechless. Though the softness against his arm felt quite pleasant, he still had the urge to flick Lady Yun hard on the forehead.

“I asked for your opinion, not for you to go duel anyone. What are you afraid of!?” Li Yanchu frowned.

Lady Yun froze, then after a moment of silence, she said faintly, “But... but, I can track people.”

Li Yanchu raised a brow, not immediately catching on. “What did you say?”

Still rubbing her full body against Li Yanchu’s sturdy arm, Lady Yun said coyly, “I said I can locate that fake Jingchen.”

“Really?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t dare lie to you, but I am rather afraid. That’s why it’s still safest if you send me back into the Dragon-Tiger Scepter.”

You’re brutally honest, aren’t you... Li Yanchu said, “Help me get this done, and I’ll take you down the mountain afterward for a proper stroll. Buy whatever you like.”

Lady Yun’s eyes lit up. “Alright, thank you, Daoist Master.”

She bowed gracefully, her limpid eyes gazing straight at Li Yanchu. No wonder the world favored fox spirits and ghostly maidens, as such beings were indeed pitifully delicate, enough to stir any man’s heart.

Only, Li Yanchu’s expression turned slightly odd. It felt as if he were seeing himself reflected in Duanmu Xuan’s eyes.

***

The moon was dark, and the wind howled. The night was deep and silent. Yet Jinguang Temple was still shrouded in the flourishing incense and power of faith, with not the slightest hint of the eerie chill that often clung to the hours after dark.

This was the dignity of a true Buddhist monastery or Daoist temple. They were open and upright, unlike so many wild folk shrines that gave people an inexplicable sense of dread.

Patrolling martial monks moved in squads through the Merit Grove at the rear of the mountain. They were the temple’s guardian monks, skilled in Buddhist body-tempering arts, with formidable physiques.

When they encountered the patrolling Puxing, they all stopped to bow in respect. Jinguang Temple has six senior monks whose names begin with ‘Pu.’ Master Puxing was stern by nature, and much of the monastery’s affairs fell under his charge. One could say his position was high and his authority weighty.

This night, he entered the Merit Grove at the rear of the mountain, and, as usual, set out toward the tall pagoda where Master Wuse resided. Though Master Wuse was young, his cultivation in the Dharma was second only to Venerable Yushu in Jinguang Temple. Now, however, he had fallen into the grip of a heart demon.

The temple’s elders had gathered within the pagoda, laying down the Arhat Demon-Subduing Formation, to help Master Wuse suppress the demon within his heart.

Yet because their strength was all gathered there, the defenses outside were, in truth, left weak.

1. The RAW text here writes 端木蓉 Duanmu Rong, but I assume it’s the author’s typo. ☜