Put away your magical powers now!.

Chapter 247 [Captured in the East China Sea] (7400)

Chapter 241 [Captured in the East China Sea] (7400)

The commotion in the courtyard startled Chen Yan. He quickly tidied up his things, but instead of opening the door immediately, he stood inside, listening intently. At the same time, he released his divine sense... After this great replenishment, his Yuan Shen Jing, as a third-realm cultivator, had an increasingly detailed grasp of the surrounding commotion within the area covered by his divine sense.

The thought had barely crossed his mind when everything outside the courtyard seemed to be projected into Chen Yan's mind.

He could almost "see" a figure rolling and struggling to get up from the ground, right below the row of disciples' dormitories on the left side of the courtyard gate.

Chen Yan felt a chill run down his spine.

This person looks like they fell from upstairs.

But when he returned to the courtyard earlier, all the disciples had already left.

Unless this person had been hiding in the disciples' lodgings all along, only coming out now?

But why did he fall from the building?
Then, the figure that had fallen to the ground suddenly rolled away and disappeared somewhere...

Just then, the courtyard gate was suddenly banged on, and then someone outside pushed the gate open, and four or five figures rushed in and flooded into the courtyard.

Chen Yan immediately withdrew his hand, which was originally about to open the door.

Inside the courtyard, four or five outer disciples of the Heavenly Demon Yin Yang Sect, dressed in apricot-yellow robes, were...
The one leading them was actually an acquaintance of Chen Yan—Zhao Wuji, an outer disciple.

It was the outer disciple of the Heavenly Demon Yin Yang Harmony Sect who had brought Chen Yan here to settle down. He was also a member of the Jing'an Hall, and the follower of Jiang Mo, the first inner disciple of the Heavenly Demon Yin Yang Harmony Sect that Chen Yan had ever met.

Zhao Wuji was clearly of high status and was the leader among the outer disciples who had entered.

He held a long sword in his hand, his face solemn. After entering the courtyard, he shouted in a deep voice, "Search every room!"

Several outer disciples, each wielding a sharp blade, rushed into the small buildings on both sides.

Almost simultaneously, outside the main courtyard, in the neighboring courtyards where other prospective disciples of the outer academy lived, sounds of commotion and searching could be heard.

It was clear that a large number of disciples from the Heavenly Demon Yin Yang Harmony Sect had been mobilized to search for something over a wide area.

Chen Yan's heart skipped a beat. He was actually a little guilty—he had inadvertently stumbled into the pond of the Beauty Flower Fairy today and had even benefited from it.

He wasn't sure if the rules of the Heavenly Demon Yin Yang Harmony Sect, or the fact that the flower demon's territory, were some important secret.

What if I break a taboo?
Soon, someone knocked on his door.

Chen Yan knew he couldn't escape—hiding inside the room was useless, because the people searching outside could obviously open every room at will, and the magic arrays in the rooms could be easily dispelled by the disciples responsible for the search outside.

Therefore, when there was a sound coming from Chen Yan's door, Chen Yan did not hesitate and immediately made a sound.

"Who?"

He deliberately shouted loudly, then forcefully pulled open the door. He saw an outer disciple standing outside, holding a talisman in his hand, about to slap it on—probably something to dispel the room's magic array.

After exchanging a glance, the outer disciple seemed somewhat surprised and embarrassed: "You, you are..."

"I live here." Chen Yan feigned confusion and surprise. "Senior brother, what brings you here?"

Just as the outer disciple was about to speak, Zhao Wuji's voice came from behind him: "Zhao Shanhe? Why didn't you go to the lecture hall to listen to today's sermon?"

Chen Yan nodded, looked at Zhao Wuji, and said calmly, "Others may not know who my disciple is, but surely Senior Brother Wuji knows? I am not one of the candidates selected this time. I was just left here as a guest. How could I possibly go to listen to lectures every day?"

Zhao Wuji immediately put on a smile, came over and gently patted the disciple outside the door on the shoulder, telling him to move aside. He then turned to Chen Yan and said with a smile, "Junior Brother Zhao Shanhe, you're too kind! You've already been recommended by Senior Brother Nangong Sheng of the inner sect, and you're now a formal disciple of our sect. Hmm... no wonder, you're already an outer sect disciple, so naturally you wouldn't look down on the classes that the outer academy's prospective disciples attend."

After saying that, he smiled warmly at Chen Yan and asked, "How was it? Did you report for duty at the weapon-refining hall? How are your fellow disciples treating you?"

Seeing Zhao Wuji's friendly attitude, Chen Yan naturally saw no need to be cold to him. He walked out the door, cupped his hands to Zhao Wuji, and said with a smile, "Senior Brother, you're too kind. I just reported to the Weapon Refining Hall today, and the senior brothers have all treated me well. Besides, I've only been a disciple for a few days, and I don't even know everyone yet—I'll have to ask Senior Brother Wuji to take good care of me when I'm in the outer sect in the future."

Zhao Wuji readily agreed, his attitude very enthusiastic.

However, Chen Yan noticed that while Zhao Wuji was exchanging pleasantries with him, his gaze had already passed over him and carefully swept over the room behind him twice.

Only after seeing that there was no one else in the room did the wariness in Zhao Wuji's eyes disappear.

Chen Yan glanced at the outer disciples searching each room in the courtyard and deliberately feigned surprise: "Senior Brother Wuji, what are you doing?"

Zhao Wuji's face darkened, and he slowly said, "Something has happened in the sect! A while ago, the patrolling disciples of my Jing'an Hall discovered that someone had secretly sneaked into the outer sect. This thief is quite capable; the patrolling disciples couldn't catch him, and he escaped. Moreover, judging from the direction he fled, he should be heading towards the outer courtyard."

Upon receiving the warning, the Jing'an Hall ordered me to bring men to search the premises.

Chen Yan feigned surprise: "An outsider has infiltrated? How... how did they manage to bypass the mountain-protecting formation?"

Zhao Wuji shook his head, his face very serious: "I don't know. Our sect's protective formation has never had any flaws. I don't know what strange method this thief used to sneak in without triggering the formation's attack or warning."

He paused for a moment, then slowly said, "The elders of the outer sect have been alerted. I have led people to search the residences of the prospective disciples of the outer academy, and several other elders have already led their men to search the important places in the Scripture Pavilion."

The search of the courtyard yielded no results, and the people who had been searching in the surrounding courtyards also came out and met up with Zhao Wuji and the others outside the gate, reporting the results of their search to Zhao Wuji.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wuji's expression grew even more serious. He waved his hand and whispered, "Leave a few people to guard the entrances and exits of the outer courtyard. The rest of you, come with me to the servants' quarters to take another look!"

After saying that, he took a deep breath: "Everyone, be alert! An outsider has infiltrated, and the elders are furious. They have already asked the senior brothers from the inner sect to come down the mountain to help. The magic arrays in all the key locations of the outer sect have been activated. This thief will definitely not be able to escape!"

After giving his instructions, Zhao Wuji was about to leave with his men when he glanced at Chen Yan standing in the courtyard. A thought struck him, and he walked over to Chen Yan.

“Junior Brother Zhao Shanhe, with this kind of thing happening in the sect, things might get chaotic for a while. You should stay in the courtyard and not wander around.” He added, “Those prospective disciples who are attending classes in the lecture hall have also been kept there. The entire outer sect has been isolated and controlled. The order from above is to search one area at a time.”

That thief has a special ability to hide, so we have to divide the area into sections and prohibit people from moving between them. This way, we can limit his movement and force him to stay in one place as much as possible.

Chen Yan deliberately sighed, "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother. I will not leave the courtyard today."

As he spoke, he seemed to feel a little regretful: "I was planning to visit the Sutra Repository, but it seems I won't be able to go today."

Zhao Wuji smiled and said, "Well, just stay here and be patient. Besides... most of the people in the courtyard won't be able to come back today. They'll be stuck at the preaching place—the elders said they must catch this person!"

This person has actually mastered a method to pass through the mountain-protecting array silently. This is no small matter and must be investigated thoroughly!

After saying this, Zhao Wuji led his men away. Chen Yan slowly closed the courtyard gate, but instead of leaving to go back to his room, he sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, resting his cheek on his hand, seemingly staring blankly at the gate.

After waiting for a while, there was no more movement outside. It was clear that all the searchers had left. However, according to Zhao Wuji, the outer courtyard area, which was where the prospective disciples lived, should still be guarded.

This method of dividing areas, isolating searches, and compressing the space for thieves to operate is quite skillfully.

Chen Yan listened intently, even releasing his divine sense. After confirming that no one was outside, he took a deep breath and slowly stood up from the stone bench.

He put his hands behind his back, seemingly pacing back and forth in the yard for a few steps. After walking a few steps, he came to a flower bed on the right side of the yard, and seemed to sigh again, muttering to himself, "I never expected to encounter something like this. I wonder if tonight's meal will even be delivered on time..."

As he spoke, he seemed to stretch his arms and yawn.

Just then, Chen Yan suddenly turned around!

He quickly cast a "Law of Escape" spell on himself, and his figure was as fast as the wind. In just one step, he darted to the side of a blue stone next to the flower bed!

With a snap, Chen Yan reached out like lightning and slapped a "Mountain Immovable" talisman onto the bluestone!

The blue stone snorted, then suddenly shook itself and transformed into a human figure.

Chen Yan's brows were cold as he raised his hand, his right hand with five fingers spread open, and five "finger swords" shot out at the same time!
The figure rolled away on the ground, breaking free from the "Immovable as a Mountain" talisman almost instantly.

After he rolled two steps back, the ground behind him was struck by five finger swords, and the stone slabs on the ground were shattered.

But this guy had already rolled over, his sleeves waving, and a silver light flashed as the sharp blade of his sword went straight for Chen Yan's face!
Chen Yan retreated rapidly, but the sword tip continued to press towards his nose. In the time it took him to open his eyes, he had already retreated seven or eight steps. Under the effect of the "Escape Technique", Chen Yan retreated extremely fast, but he still could not shake off the sword tip!
The sword tip was only a fist's distance from his nose. Seeing that Chen Yan was almost backed into the corner with nowhere left to retreat, he finally freed his hand and quickly made hand seals. A golden light appeared on Chen Yan's body.

Under the defensive effect of the Golden Light Technique, the sword tip touched the golden light, producing a "pop" sound.

The golden light vibrated, and Chen Yan was surprised to see that the Golden Light Technique, which he had used many times and had a strong defensive power, had already shown slight damage under this sword strike. Cracks were visible to the naked eye and instantly covered the golden light with dense patterns!

Just as the sword's edge had shattered a point of the golden light, the sword tip had pierced into the golden light barrier, penetrating it a fraction deeper.

The man gripping the sword had eyes filled with a sinister killing intent...

Chen Yan felt a chill run down his spine!
This guy isn't very skilled, but the sword in his hand is clearly no ordinary weapon!

However, Chen Yan then turned to the side, reached out with his right hand, and instantly produced a feather duster that shimmered with red, yellow, and green light!

brush!
Chen Yan raised the feather duster and swung it down, brushing it against the sword's edge!
With a whoosh, the cold light on the sword's edge instantly dissipated and shattered, and even the precious light on the sword was instantly broken and disappeared.

The sword itself shattered along with it!
Almost silently, the sword shattered into countless tiny fragments, which scattered on the ground.

The person holding the sword suddenly trembled, his sinister eyes filled with disbelief.

Then, he slammed his chest against something, and with a loud "whoosh," he spat out blood.

Chen Yan had already walked over, and without thinking twice, he delivered another blow to the head.

The feather duster hit his head, and a burst of tri-colored light suddenly appeared.

The man's body trembled violently, and he spat out another mouthful of blood. His eyes rolled back, and he fainted...

Chen Yan's face darkened. He snorted, put away the Golden Light Technique, and examined the feather duster in his hand carefully.

Hmm... the treasure given by the Great Demon Skylark is still the best. As expected of someone at the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul Realm, a half-step Venerable.

However, this item can only be used three times a day, and each use will consume your vital energy.

Chen Yan used it twice in a row. Each time he brushed it with a feather duster, he felt a huge amount of vital energy pouring out of his body.

After two times, his face turned pale, his chest heaved, his breathing became heavy, and he felt weak and powerless.

But looking at this guy lying unconscious on the ground...

"Donghai, you really have a lot of tricks up your sleeve."

Chen Yan gave a cold laugh.

The figure on the ground was none other than Donghai Kid!
·
Donghai was only unconscious for a short while before he opened his eyes and discovered a scene that left him speechless.

He lay sprawled out in the yard, arms, legs, chest, and abdomen spread out...

It was covered with dozens of talismans.

This "Immovable as a Mountain" talisman, when used alone, is naturally useless against cultivators of the third realm in the East Sea.

Even after posting dozens of stickers, Donghai still felt like his hands and feet were sealed off, and he couldn't move his body.

Moreover, although he possessed the cultivation level of the third realm, his actual strength was significantly reduced due to a certain special reason—a fact that Chen Yan had already discerned during their brief encounter on the cargo ship that night when they were ambushed.

This cultivator at the third realm is actually quite weak.

Donghai opened his eyes and looked at Chen Yan, a venomous expression on his face: "It's you again! It's you again!!"

Chen Yan squinted, quietly watching Donghai, while holding a knife in his hand.

"You tricked me when we were ambushed that day! I have no grudge against you, why did you want to harm me!"

Chen Yan remained silent, but smiled as he sheathed his knife, revealing a jade pendant in his hand.

Upon seeing this, Donghai's face turned pale: "You...you...what are you doing with my storage jade pendant!"

Chen Yan held the storage jade pendant and laughed, "Your true strength is actually very weak. You rely entirely on equipment to enhance it, right? The substitute puppet and the spirit sword you tried to kill me with just now are not ordinary items."

"Oh, right, you should still have a shapeshifting artifact, right? Let me guess, you don't also have the inner core of a fox clan's shapeshifting technique, do you?"

Donghai stayed there.

Then Chen Yan reached out and touched Dong Hai's clothes, pulling out a demon core the size of a demon from the lining of his clothes!
Chen Yan looked at the inner core with a strange expression.

It really is this thing.

Donghai hid in the courtyard, turning into a piece of blue stone, but Zhao Wuji and the others, despite searching the courtyard, couldn't see through his transformation...

The White Fox clan possesses an inner core with the innate supernatural ability of shapeshifting, far more powerful than ordinary shapeshifting techniques—undetectable even to those below the Celestial Realm. However, this characteristic is utterly useless against Chen Yan.

Because he also possessed a white fox's inner core.

It's unclear whether there's some special mechanism at play, but the East Sea's shapeshifting technique had no effect on Chen Yan; he could see it clearly.

Perhaps it's a case of like repels like.

Donghai, pale-faced and trembling, looked at Chen Yan: "Dao, fellow Daoist, everything is actually negotiable. You and I, we have no grudges against each other..."

Chen Yan remained silent, squinting as he looked at the East China Sea.

Donghai's reaction confirmed one thing for Chen Yan—Donghai didn't recognize him, especially not his voice!

While at the Fairy Flower Fairy's place, he was used as a human generator and a mouth substitute by the flower fairy, and had many conversations with the East Sea.

Although I changed my voice at the time, but...

Chen Yan dared not take the risk.

What if this guy recognizes his own voice?

Therefore, even though Zhao Wuji and the others were searching the courtyard, and Chen Yan had clearly seen through Donghai's disguise as a piece of blue stone, he did not expose him.

Because he needed to be 100% certain that Donghai wouldn't recognize him!

I have quite a few secrets about myself.

If the East Sea recognizes his voice, then his deal with the Fairy of the Clouds will be exposed.

This is no ordinary secret!

But...

It concerns a secret—a +1 to the position of a saint—a tremendous benefit!!

For such enormous profits, even blood relatives might turn against each other!

Chen Yan was certain that once Donghai was captured, and if Donghai recognized his voice and revealed it during interrogation...

I'm doomed!

With such a big secret, I will definitely be thoroughly investigated by the sect, both inside and outside. All my personal belongings will be checked, and the origin of everything will be examined with a magnifying glass!
Fake identities and fake origins are still somewhat forgivable.

However, Zhao Shanhe's identity was registered in Xitai City after he used shapeshifting magic to change his appearance.

Once I am interrogated, there will definitely be experts from the sect who will intervene and break my transformation spell.

To return to Wang Chuyi's "true self".

Then... as the investigation continued, a fact that Chen Yan could not explain was discovered.

There is no such person as Wang Chuyi in the entire realm!
There were also the results of the search.

The items you carry with you.

There are many secrets hidden inside this jade pendant!
The sheer amount of real-world resources is suspicious—although there are some real-world items circulating within the realm, the quantity she possesses is far too large.

as well as……

My own storage jade pendant belongs to the Patrol Division!
Once they find this place, my identity will be exposed!
Next, there's a question that could potentially ruin Chen Yan.

How could someone from the real-world patrol bureau possibly sneak into the realm without passing through the boundary barrier?

·
Therefore, when Zhao Wuji and the others were searching, Chen Yan clearly saw Donghai in the courtyard, but he pretended not to notice and remained silent.

Because he needed to contact Donghai to determine if the other party could recognize his voice.

Now it seems Chen Yan is relieved.

·
“Indeed, we have no grudges against each other.” Chen Yan smiled with narrowed eyes, “In fact, it seems we have quite a connection. We were neighbors for a few days in Xitai City.”

Donghai let out a breath, his eyes fixed on Chen Yan: "How about we discuss this, fellow Daoist! If you spare me, I... I will naturally offer a generous reward!"

Chen Yan shook his head: "You can't escape within the sect. I'm also a sect disciple, how can I let you go?"

Donghai was stunned for a moment, then smiled wryly and said, "I'm also wondering, you're clearly from Xitai City just like me, so how did you become a disciple of the Heavenly Demon Yin Yang Joyful Union Sect?"

However… fellow Daoist, don’t rush to refuse me. I guarantee the benefits I offer will definitely tempt you!”

Chen Yan remained calm: "Hmm, what benefits can you offer me?"

"I……"

Donghai's eyes darted around. The biggest secret benefit he was currently hiding was naturally related to the beautiful Xiahua Fairy! A celestial treasure from before the creation of heaven and earth, it could grant him [Sainthood +1]!
But such a huge secret cannot be easily revealed to others.

Donghai then let out a sigh of relief: "All my assets are in that storage jade pendant. Since it's in your hands, I can... give it all to you."

As he spoke, a pained expression appeared on his face, and his lips twitched.

Chen Yan shook his head: "Your jade pendant is already in my hands. You can take whatever you want directly."

“But if you hand me over, you’ll have to hand over my storage jade pendant too—you won’t be able to keep anything!” Donghai continued to tempt Chen Yan: “But if you release me, I can leave all these things to you.”

Chen Yan smiled lightly and refused decisively: "I'm not interested."

Before Donghai could speak, Chen Yan continued, "I do want something, and I'm sure you can provide it."

"……what?"

“A substitute puppet.” Chen Yan squatted down, looking into Donghai’s eyes: “I clearly killed you by the stream that day, but you left behind a substitute puppet. That thing… do you still have it?”

Donghai said helplessly, "That's all... I've run out of substitute puppets."

Chen Yan curled his lip: "Since that's the case, then there's nothing more to say. You're useless to me, so I might as well hand you over."

"Wait! Hold on!"

Donghai quickly shouted, "I... I don't have a ready-made substitute puppet, but... I have the method to forge and refine a substitute puppet!"
To be honest, the avatars I use aren't bought; I made them myself.

Chen Yan was silent for a moment, then pointed his finger and took out a pen and a notebook.

“Tell me the method of refining it, and I will record it.”

Donghai was quite straightforward. Knowing there was no room for bargaining at this point, he simply explained the method for crafting the substitute puppet and all the necessary materials in detail.

This person is indeed quite capable. His method of crafting substitute puppets actually reduces the cost by at least 50% compared to the substitute puppets sold in shops on the market!

This is because he replaced some of the more valuable and rare materials with things of lower value.

This substitute puppet is significantly weaker than the original.

The main issue is that if the original body were to die in place of another, it could be teleported a great distance, but in this weakened version, the teleportation distance after the substitution is much shorter.

The authentic substitute puppet is wonderful because after it dies, it can use a spell similar to teleportation to a great distance, allowing the original body to escape danger instantly!
This is very important; it allows for a safe distance so that the real entity can escape.

But this pirated version from East China Sea...

The only way to teleport is less than two hundred meters after the substitute dies.

Two hundred meters!
Even at a distance of two hundred meters, they couldn't escape the range of the opponent's divine sense!

To a cultivator, a distance of two hundred meters is not much different from two or three steps.

Imagine someone wants to kill you, you're powerless to resist, and you're about to die when suddenly a substitute puppet teleports in…

The opponent's blade severed a puppet, but when he turned his head...

You are just two meters away.

This situation is quite awkward.

However, Donghai's piracy also provides a highly cost-effective solution to this problem.

The materials needed for the Swift Travel Technique are too expensive!

His bootleg substitute puppet can activate a spell the instant it teleports to take someone's place...

Concealment technique.

He temporarily concealed his true form's aura and vital energy.

In other words, although the teleportation distance is less than 200 meters, almost under the enemy's nose, it can still disappear without a trace.

This concealment technique isn't actually that sophisticated; someone with high cultivation could easily see through it if they were to look closely.

However, people have a tendency to think inertia!
The enemy tried to kill you, but discovered you were using a substitute puppet...

So naturally, when the other party sees the substitute puppet, they will assume that you must have used the puppet's built-in teleportation technique to travel dozens or even hundreds of miles away...

It focuses on a blind spot caused by habitual thinking.

·
After putting away the recorded production method, Chen Yan closed the notebook.

Donghai looked at Chen Yan with expectant eyes: "Fellow Daoist has obtained what you wanted, but, could you please let me go..."

Chen Yan smiled slightly at Donghai, then took two deep breaths, his voice booming with energy, and raised his voice at the top of his lungs.

"Help!!!! I've caught the thief!!!"

East China Sea:??!!

Dude, is this how you play??

·
To protect you?
Chen Yan sneered inwardly.

I'd have to be crazy to protect you!

The sect's formations have all been activated; the chances of him escaping from the East Sea are extremely slim!

Once he's caught, the person who protected him will definitely be in trouble!

You have to be crazy to cause this kind of trouble.

As long as it's confirmed that Donghai didn't recognize his voice, and even if he were captured, he wouldn't connect everything with the Fairy of the Clouds Flower, that would be enough!

As for...

Chen Yan had also considered that after Dong Hai was arrested, he would definitely confess to extorting him.

This... Chen Yan is no longer afraid!

The Heavenly Demon Yin-Yang Harmony Sect?!
The main theme is being willful and doing whatever you want! You must confront both the principles of heaven and your inner demons and evil thoughts head-on!
As a member of a sect, I have been dutiful and loyal to the sect. I took action to capture the thief, which is in accordance with the principles of Heaven!

As a human being, I have selfish desires. If I capture a prisoner, I want to gain some benefits for myself. This is called confronting my inner demons!

We can do both without any problems!
He upheld the principles of Heaven, but also succumbed to his inner demons.

It didn't delay any important business!

Integrate and balance the two.

The mimosa tree has bloomed!

Isn't this the very tenet of the Heavenly Demon Yin Yang Harmony Sect?
·
(End of this chapter)