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Chapter 460 Young Master Wei is also recovering.

Lang Xiaoba and Ji Shuangqiu were at the very front of the group.

Like two giant gods clearing the way.

Xu Yuan was in the very middle of the group.

Only Wei Jinyuan and Uncle Xi are qualified to stand alongside Lord Xu.

The rest followed behind.

The one who suffered the most was naturally Nam Jin Chuan. This trip to southern Jiaozhi was a heavy blow to his confidence.

He was now at the very back of the line, looking dejected.

If he cannot recover from this blow, he may very well become just another ordinary person, a "seedling" that the Wei family has painstakingly cultivated.

Xu Yuan gave directions, and the group headed towards the pond.

"Former Japanese officials discovered that the evil spirit's lair was very likely in this pond." Xu Yuan recounted how the water dragon had swallowed the child.

Uncle Xi nodded: "Your suspicions are quite reasonable."

Wei Jinyuan neither confirmed nor denied it.

There had been a prior promise that all actions would be carried out in accordance with Xu Yuan's instructions, without asking questions or saying anything more.

But Wei Jinyuan felt it wouldn't be that simple.

The evil spirit was hidden very deep, and it had clearly been operating quietly in Gangtou Village for decades. It probably wouldn't be discovered so easily.

For some reason, ever since he stopped confronting Xu Yuan, Wei Jinyuan felt that his thinking had become clearer and that he was able to consider different problems more comprehensively.

During the journey, Wei Jinyuan observed along the way and did not see a single child playing in the village.

The sky, which used to be filled with the laughter of children, now seemed empty and dull.

Only occasionally would a bull plowing the fields let out a long moo.

Farmers are busy and have basically no time to rest throughout the year.

It was just past noon. They ate the food they had brought on the ridge of the field and rested briefly before starting their afternoon work.

Indeed, as Xu Yuan said, no one remembered that they had children.

Before long, the group arrived at the pond.

Xu Yuan instructed his men to prepare: "I will find a way to force out that evil spirit."

"If that ancient temple reappears, it means the evil spirit is about to emerge. I and Uncle Xi will be the main force, and you all can use your own abilities. This time, we absolutely cannot let it escape again!"

"Respect!"

Then Xu Yuan took out the notebook and held it in his hand as if he had mastered some kind of "trick".

However, no one could tell what kind of supernatural power Master Xu had used, and the surroundings remained calm.

After waiting for almost half an hour, the ancient temple that Xu Yuan had mentioned still hadn't appeared.

Wei Jinyuan remained aloof and observed the situation.

Suddenly, he noticed that Xu Yuan looked extremely tired, as if he had exhausted himself, with a haggard expression on his face.

"Lord Xu?" Wei Jinyuan asked tentatively.

Xu Yuan released the notebook and shook his head slightly, saying, "We couldn't find that thing... Could it be that this strange thing abandoned this place and ran away?"

Xu Yuan did not elaborate on the situation in "Lingxiao".

Even if I explained it, Wei Jinyuan wouldn't understand.

After being involved with Lingxiao multiple times, Lord Xu now has a deeper understanding of Lingxiao.

In Xu Yuan's view, this pond was an "anchor point" that the evil spirit had set up in the mortal world using the ancient temple.

"Lingxiao" covers the Yang world, the Turbid world, and the Yin world on a conscious level, but it cannot directly connect with each world on a material level.

Hiding in the heavens, attempting to interfere in other realms, without such an "anchor point," the various methods employed are likely to land elsewhere.

For example, the last time the Great Sage Equaling Heaven set this "anchor point" was in Champa.

Therefore, the Lord of the Ugly and the Lord of the Society needed to make various arrangements in Champa.

The main battlefield for the battle between the two sides was Champa.

However, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven did not possess any treasures capable of opening the passage between the "Lingxiao" and the mortal realm. Xu Yuan could not guess how he used to set the anchor point.

Xu Yuan believed that by "dreams come true," his ability to interfere with "Lingxiao" had been greatly enhanced, and he could use this "anchor point" to find the evil spirit in reverse.

However, after searching for a long time, they still found nothing.

Wei Jinyuan then asked, "What should we do next?"

Xu Yuan rubbed his forehead wearily and said, "Let's go back first, and let me think of another way."

"it is good."

They came out eager to fight, but after wasting an hour, they retreated in defeat.

The team's morale was severely damaged, and on the way back, no one was in the mood to talk.

Wei Jinyuan approached Xu Yuan and suggested, "Lord Xu, I've always had this thought: we know too little about this village."

Especially the village's history. Why not order the county officials to return to the city and find some people who moved out of the village in the household register, and ask them about the situation back then?

Xu Yuan thought for a moment, and since he had no other choice at the moment, he nodded and said, "Okay."

So they called Liu Hu over.

After receiving the order, Liu Hu led a horse over, and Lang Xiaoba hung the calligraphy scroll on the horse's leg. Liu Hu then flicked the whip, and the horse sped off towards the county town as if riding on clouds.

Liu Hu returned before dark.

Gangtou Village is not far from Pingli County.

Liu Hu brought back an old man.

"When the village became a haunted place, I was fourteen years old, but I do remember some of the things."

After leaving Gangtou Village, the old man went to work as an apprentice at a cloth shop in the county town.

Because of his tall stature, handsome appearance, and hardworking nature, he was later recruited as a son-in-law by the owner of the cloth shop.

After that, he lived a comfortable life.

That's how I've survived until now.

Most of the other people who escaped from the village have already died.

The old man continued, "The ancient temple that the adults saw should have been the earth god temple at the west end of the village, below the yellow steamed bun mound."

This little temple is also strange. It couldn't protect the villagers in the first place, so everyone thought it was a dead temple and there was hardly any incense burning there.

But shortly before the evil spirit appeared in the village's ancient well, the village children went inside to play and discovered that the statue in the temple had somehow changed from the Earth God to a dragon god.

Moreover, the originally dilapidated little temple has been transformed into a magnificent and resplendent structure.

Xu Yuan asked, "Old man, could you take us to see that Yellow Steamed Bun Hill?"

"Of course, no problem. I'll lead the way right away."

A new clue had emerged, and it was obtained thanks to his own suggestion. A smug look appeared on Wei Jinyuan's face.

With some time before dark, everyone set off quickly and soon saw a small mound on the west side of the village.

It's round and plump, and from a distance it looks like a yellow steamed bun lying on the ground.

The old man led everyone around the mound several times until they found a spot, and said, "This is it."

Xu Yuan opened the "Looking at Fate" and looked around, only to find it completely empty.

Since the ancient temple is no longer there, there are no evil spirits here anymore.

Wei Jinyuan once again watched coldly from the sidelines.

Seeing that Xu Yuan looked around and then lowered his head and remained silent for a long time without issuing another order, he suddenly felt: My chance has come.

He stepped forward tentatively and asked, "Lord Xu, may I give it a try?"

Xu Yuan glanced at him sideways, then raised his hand and said, "Whatever you say."

Wei Jinyuan could tell that Xu Yuan was somewhat unhappy, but the success of his previous suggestion boosted Wei Jinyuan's confidence considerably, so he strode up to the top of Huangmo Hill.

Standing on this high ground, Wei Jinyuan felt a strong sense of anticipation: He must make a discovery!
This is my chance to prove to Xu Yuan that I am no worse than him, and may even be better!
My family background far surpasses his.

I am more handsome than him.

The only thing he can do to surpass me is his so-called "ability".

Unfortunately, he was careless before and fell into the trap of evil spirits, but Xu Yuan rescued him.

He mocked and ridiculed her, and she took the opportunity to retaliate, even losing several treasures in the process!
The stronger the sense of frustration back then, the stronger the sense of anticipation now!

Xu Yuan was at his wit's end. If he could find the evil spirit on his own and eventually obtain the Dragon Mouth Fire, he would be able to hold his head high in front of Xu Yuan again.

If I ever see the young lady of the Imperial Censor's family again in the future, I can openly tell her about this experience.

It's not shameful to lose first and then win.

On the contrary, his ability to admit and correct his mistakes further enhanced his image in the young lady's mind.

His thoughts were churning violently, and Wei Jinyuan's desire to defeat Xu Yuan and prove himself became incredibly strong.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, then opened them—and looked around:
Observing the qi (vital energy).

Encircle the Yellow Steamed Bun Hill.

not found.

Wei Jinyuan, however, was not giving up and looked around again, but still found nothing.

the third time!
Suddenly, Wei Jinyuan noticed a surge of anger!
Wei Jinyuan was overjoyed and almost lost control of his emotions.

Really found it!
"So you were hiding here."

Wei Jinyuan took several deep breaths to suppress his excitement and walked down slowly.

"Lord Xu, we've found it."

As he said this, Wei Jinyuan stared intently at Xu Yuan's face, clearly seeing the look of astonishment on it, and felt an immense sense of satisfaction.

Feel proud!

"Where?" Xu Yuan asked in a deep voice.

Wei Jinyuan pointed to the yellow steamed bun mound and said, "Right beneath this mound, there is a ball of fire energy gathering inside."

Because of the mound's concealment, it was extremely difficult to spot. If it weren't for my considerable skill in 'observing aura,' I would have been completely fooled..."

Xu Yuan clearly didn't want to hear him continue boasting, and pointed to a mound of earth: "Dig!"

With Lang Xiaoba leading the way, everyone immediately rushed forward.

The mound was over ten feet high, and it wouldn't be easy to dig it open.

Lord Xu brought too few people this time.

Xu Yuan paced back and forth anxiously, his hands behind his back.

Wei Jinyuan shook his head secretly, feeling that Xu Yuan's state of mind was already in turmoil.

With only a dozen or so people around, how much time would it take to dig through such a large mound?
"He saw that I was making a name for myself and he couldn't keep up with me, so he got the wrong mentality."

Wei Jinyuan then stepped forward again and suggested, "Sir, there's no need to dig it open directly. Let the Yin soldiers sneak into the mound first, and maybe the evil spirit will come out on its own."

Xu Yuan suddenly stopped, looking extremely unwilling.

But digging like this is definitely not a solution.

Xu Yuan then waved his hand and released the Six-Eyed Nethermoth Demon Pill.

The three-headed demon, accompanied by a gust of cold wind, rushed out with a shrill cry, bypassing Lang Xiaoba and the others who were digging, and plunged headfirst into the mound.

Not long after, the ground shook.

The yellow steamed bun mound shook violently, and suddenly split open to the left and right like a burial mound, revealing an ancient temple rising into the air!
The ancient temple's vermilion gate opened a crack, thus creating a gateway between the "Lingxiao" realm and the mortal world.

A colorful snake head peeked out from under the door.

It has a pair of horns on its head, which have just grown halfway and are not yet fully formed.

It looked down and spoke in a childlike voice: "I'm not playing with you anymore."

The ancient temple trembled in the void, as if it were about to break through and escape. Xu Yuan shouted, "You can't escape!"

His body twisted like a giant dragon or python, and immense power burst forth from his flesh and meridians. His feet propelled him forward, leaving only two deep craters in his wake!

call out--

call out--

call out--

Xu Yuan covered ten zhang in a single step, faster than a galloping horse, and chased after the ancient temple.

Wei Jinyuan watched coldly from the sidelines.

Suddenly I looked up and gazed into the distance at the colorful snake head behind the vermilion gate of the ancient temple.

A hint of cunning seemed to emanate from those sinister, icy green snake eyes.

Suddenly, Wei Jinyuan's mind became clear and his wisdom arose from the bottom of his heart, like a gushing spring or a blooming lotus.

"wrong!"

Wei Jinyuan suddenly realized: that ancient temple was originally a temple dedicated to the Earth God.

This evil spirit has taken up residence in this temple, and it is highly likely that it has also stolen some of the "land god's" supernatural powers.

It flies away openly and makes a big show of itself, could it be that it wants to... sneak away underground in the dark?
The more Wei Jinyuan thought about it, the more sense it made.

He instinctively wanted to open his mouth and shout something to remind Xu Yuan.

But after opening her lips halfway, she quietly closed them again.

If I had shouted it out, Xu Yuan would have been on guard and ultimately succeeded in capturing the evil spirit—I would have only gained credit for giving him a warning.

But if I don't warn them, but secretly make arrangements, the moment that evil spirit plunges into the ground, it will fall right into my trap!

The real prize is that I, the young master, have captured this evil spirit!

Xu Yuan couldn't be caught, but this young master has.

Wei Jinyuan then glanced sideways.

It was seen that Xu Yuan's two henchmen, Lang Xiaoba and Ji Shuangqiu, had already followed closely behind him and were chasing after the ancient temple.

Mu Han lagged slightly behind. Unable to catch up with the three ahead on his own, he rode a seventh-rate Yin soldier, hovering close to the ground, and stood on the back of the Yin soldier.

Uncle Xi and the others kept a close watch on him.

The rest, including Liu Hu, are not a threat.

Wei Jinyuan then secretly made a hand seal and silently recited a sacred incantation, saying:

"Primordial Chaos, "
One breath divides into true essence.
The pregnant lotus is born,

Enlightenment through celestial dew
Reading Heavenly Books and Teaching Techniques

......"

Then, he scattered dozens of chess pieces, silently setting up a chessboard formation on the earth.

His Taoist practice was passed down from the patriarch Chen Tuan.

There are eighteen unique skills within the sect.

This chessboard formation is a combination of "strategic deployment" and "chess skills".

Given his skill level, there was absolutely no way he could have combined the two techniques into one.

But today, perhaps because of my increased confidence, my mind is exceptionally clear, and I have a particularly thorough understanding of the techniques passed down by my master.

Therefore, it was executed successfully in one fell swoop, without any hesitation or delay.

Then, he secretly activated his "Ice Needle Technique" to prepare himself.

Xu Yuan, holding a bell-shaped dagger, charged like a dragon, chasing after the ancient temple. With a shout, he hurled the fourth-rate artifact into the sky.

The long, dagger-like bell, accompanied by a series of mesmerizing ringing sounds, transformed into a white rainbow and pierced through the ancient temple with a whoosh.

The ancient temple, however, was shattered, like a reflection in a mirror or the moon in the water.

It was just a blur!
Xu Yuan and his men were all fooled.

Hundreds of feet away, another phantom image fell to the ground like a meteor, quickly disappearing into the earth.

Xu Yuan stamped his foot in regret: "I've fallen for this evil spirit's trap!"

But it was already too late to catch up.

The moment the ancient temple touched the ground, the earth trembled, and it vanished instantly, like a grain of sand falling into a lake.

"Hahaha..." Suddenly, a loud laugh was heard: "Evil spirit, this young master has been waiting for you for a long time!"

Xu Yuan turned around in surprise and saw Wei Jinyuan standing proudly and confidently, with one hand in front of him in a flower-picking gesture and the other behind his back.

With a gentle stomp of the foot, nineteen long lines of starlight, one horizontal and one vertical, rose from the ground.

The entire ground is locked up by this chessboard!
The ancient temple was also pushed up by the surging earth.

And it was confined to a cell.

With a flick of his wrist, Wei Jinyuan sent an ice needle hurtling towards the ancient temple.

However, they were blocked outside the temple gate by a tremendous force.

Wei Jinyuan immediately shouted, "Uncle Xi, help me!"

Uncle Xi leaped into the air, a pair of translucent insect wings unfurling from his back, and glided down toward the ancient temple.

The two vermilion doors of the ancient temple opened again, and the multicolored snake head emerged once more, its face contorted in a ferocious grimace as it roared at Uncle Xi, "You're courting death!"

Uncle Xi rushed to his face, and the two-horned monstrous python suddenly sprang out. It was three zhang long and as thick as a water bucket, and it began to wrestle and fight with Uncle Xi.

This monstrous python has scales that are impervious to swords and spears, and it also possesses many innate and unpredictable skills.

Uncle Xi is a fourth-rate expert who has already transformed himself into a Gu worm.

The two sides fought fiercely, with sand and stones flying everywhere, and the battle was evenly matched.

Wei Jinyuan stopped at the ancient temple, but seeing that Uncle Xi was still struggling to win, he couldn't help but feel anxious. After thinking for a moment, he took out another item.

The moment this thing appears, it exudes a magnificent and awe-inspiring aura, repelling all evil spirits in the world.

This is a stone that fell from the sky, only the size of a chess piece, yet it is a rare auspicious object.

Wei Jinyuan was imprisoned in that ancient temple, and it was only through this auspicious object that he was able to maintain a sliver of his sanity.

He raised his hand and used the auspicious object as a chess piece, placing it on the chessboard.

All that could be seen was a giant hand descending from the sky, using its index and middle fingers to place a chess piece onto the chessboard on the ground!

With a "hum," the auspicious object settled thirty feet above the two-horned serpent.

The python suddenly felt an inescapable force enveloping it and constantly eroding it, continuously weakening it.

"Ow—"

It roared and arched its whole body with all its might, but it couldn't overturn the auspicious creature no matter what it did.

With the young master's help, Uncle Xi became more and more courageous in battle.

But they were always just a little short of defeating the evil spirit.

Wei Jinyuan thought for a moment, and various spells of his sect came to mind.

"I am in excellent condition right now, as if I have divine assistance! I might as well try out that military skill that I have not yet mastered."

Wei Jinyuan then made a hand seal, silently recited the sacred incantation, and then pointed a finger—

Uncle Xi suddenly felt that his own power had become even more formidable.

He raised his hands like a mantis wielding twin blades, and with a clang, slashed at the monstrous python, instantly shattering its scales and leaving a deep wound!

"Ow!"

The serpent let out a miserable cry, dared not fight any longer, and turned to flee.

But with auspicious objects suppressing it from above and a chess formation blocking it from below, where could it possibly escape to?
Uncle Xi pursued closely and with a series of blows, he forced it to retreat in defeat.

Finally, Uncle Xi punched him hard on the head, and he immediately felt dizzy and fell to the ground.

The auspicious object, resembling a chess piece, fell down and pressed down on its head, rendering it unable to move.

With another wave of his hand, Wei Jinyuan sent out several ice needles that hissed as they pierced the monster's body, pinning it to the ground!
"Hahaha!" Wei Jinyuan laughed heartily, then removed the chessboard formation and bowed to Xu Yuan, saying, "Lord Xu, the evil spirit has been defeated!"

During the battle, the chessboard formation sealed off the land and prevented Xu Yuan and the others from advancing.

Wei Jinyuan did not want Xu Yuan to share in the credit.

Xu Yuan walked to the strange python with a stern face.

Wei Jinyuan also came over, but he disliked Xu Yuan's sour face.

You have to accept defeat!

When I lost to you before, didn't I obediently admit defeat and give you whatever benefits you wanted?
Now that you've lost, who are you trying to impress with that expression?
This discontent is like a seed nurtured by the "agricultural method," which grows and spreads rapidly.

This reminded him of Xu Yuan's many "evil deeds" in the past!
They already have the "Green Stele Fire," yet they still want to extort a royal belt from this young master.

I kindly offered to mediate the conflict between you and Bian Lü, but you acted all high and mighty and rejected me without hesitation!

While removing the infection from me, they deliberately whipped me twice with their fire whips!

Wei Jinyuan's hatred surged from the depths of his subconscious like a tidal wave, overwhelming his reason.

That scoundrel is truly despicable!

Kill!

No one in Beidu would dare to offend me like this.

And once he's dead, no one will be competing with me for the lady!
Wei Jinyuan, with his fingers tucked behind his back, picked up an "ice needle" and deliberately lagged behind Xu Yuan, arriving behind him.

"laugh--"

The ice needle suddenly shot out, heading straight for the back of Xu Yuan's head.

At the same time, the long line of starlight that had just been extinguished suddenly reappeared, locking the earth and Xu Yuan in place!

Uncle Xi, who was guarding the monstrous python, suddenly had a cloud of confusion in his eyes. His hands, like long knives, swiftly stabbed towards Xu Yuan's temples.

The temple door behind them swung open with a loud crash, and a two-horned monstrous python rushed out, raising its upper body sharply. Its eyes were dark and menacing, and the power from the heavens pierced straight into Xu Yuan's mind!
"My lord!" Lang Xiaoba and the others were furious, but the turn of events was too sudden, and all three parties attacked at once.

They could only watch helplessly as the ice needle in Wei Jinyuan's hand pierced into the back of Lord Xu's head.

With a soft thud, Uncle Xi plunged his hands into Lord Xu's temples from both sides, causing blood to splatter!

The two-horned serpent's eyes revealed the joy and triumph of a victor!
Wei Jinyuan was triumphant.

Suddenly, he heard a soft chuckle behind him and said, "Young Master Wei, is the feeling of your dream coming true wonderful?"

The story ends, and the closing music begins.

Everything around became a rigid backdrop, receding into the background.

But everyone in the story is giving a genuine, authentic performance.

Only the central figure, "Xu Yuan," transformed into a puppet and flew away along with the set design.

Wei Jinyuan looked bewildered as the "dream come true" device reverted to a horse-drawn carriage.

He turned his head, and Xu Yuan, who had been an "observer" all along, stepped out.

He looked at the carriage again: Was this a powerful work of art?

Did it pull us all into an illusion?

But when did it start?
Wei Jinyuan suddenly remembered: it all started when Xu Yuan used the key to open the carriage!

I checked the almanac this morning; arson is forbidden today.

However, after opening the carriage, Xu Yuan used "Fire in the Abdomen" to drive the two front wheels!
How could I not have noticed such an obvious flaw?
Not only did I not notice it, but Uncle Xi and the others also overlooked it.

The immersion in this illusion is so strong.

It immerses you in the story, making you subconsciously overlook many things.

Wei Jinyuan trembled and quickly said, "Lord Xu, this is a misunderstanding!"
I... I didn't actually want to kill you..."

(End of this chapter)