Great Red Immortal Sect

Chapter 361 Killing the Demon
Lin Yao.

The sky was bright, and temples stood in the mountains and fields, with monks coming and going, practicing and chanting scriptures. There were few believers, and the usual radiant light and aspirations that rose all day long in ordinary Buddhist temples were nowhere to be seen; it was all peaceful.

Above the clouds, the void rippled, and a line of golden light pierced through, revealing a shimmering, shattered sunlight reflecting off an ancient temple.

All these phenomena are hidden in the light of day, concealed by the supernatural power of containing Mount Sumeru within a mustard seed, making them difficult for outsiders to find.

Amidst the rising smoke and purple aura from the east, a man slowly emerged from the void. He had a long beard, deep-set eyes, and appeared to be middle-aged. He wore a dark purple robe adorned with the Nine Luminaries Star Pattern, and was none other than the True Man Guan Quan.

Looking at the Great Yangming Temple hidden in the void, Guan Quan's eyes flickered slightly. He activated his supernatural powers, and a misty purple smoke rose up, obscuring the scene so that no one could see it.

"Is Zen Master Hongjing here? Dao Guanquan of Louguan Temple requests an audience."

He possessed scriptures that seemed to transform, and his words shone with light, clearly indicating that he was using a secret Buddhist technique to connect with this hidden place.
After he finished speaking, a sigh came from the sliver of light in the sky. The light parted, revealing a temple gate. The gate was old, and the ancient characters "Dayangming Temple" on the plaque were faded.

Guan Quan waved his sleeve, stepped on the purple clouds, and disappeared into them. The sky behind him merged again, leaving no trace of anything unusual.

Inside the temple, the vermilion walls were half-collapsed and the place was desolate. Walking along the path, weeds grew in the cracks between the bricks and stones, and snakes and rats scurried about. Guan Quan remained calm and soon arrived in front of a large hall.

The hall was dimly lit, without a trace of incense. The golden statues were all decayed and crumbling. Only one monk knelt before the Buddha, his back visible, wearing a scarlet kasaya, and chanting sutras softly.

Guan Quan stopped, and a sudden gust of wind rose in the hall, causing his purple robe to flutter wildly.

“The Zen master has been chanting Buddhist scriptures in this temple for three hundred years, unwilling to leave the world. Even when Zhixing and others of Wuxiang Temple reached the end of their lives, they still did not receive a word of approval from the Zen master.”

"Dayangming Temple has long lost its place in the Buddhist land, and its lineage has been severed. Naturally, it cannot give him what he wants. His intellectual obsession with realms has caused him to lose his true nature and fall into the demonic path, which is also inevitable."

The monk, still with his back to Guan Quan, stopped chanting. His body was radiant, like gold and jade. The light in the hall intensified, illuminating the golden bodies of all the Buddhas.

"Has the Venerable Guan Quan come to my temple because of his lustful desires?"

“Indeed, Zen Master, would you be willing to join me in killing this fellow?” Guan Quan paced slowly, and no matter which direction you looked from, Hong Jing was always seen with his back to you, his face never visible.

Hong Jing paused, and the light in the hall faded, returning to darkness.

“I do have the will to exorcise demons, but I cannot leave this temple. Even if I have magic, I can only use it in this remote place. Huan Yu is cunning and will naturally not come here.”

“The Zen master has already attained enlightenment. Even if he leaves, he can rebuild a temple. Why waste his life here?”

The purple-robed immortal spoke sincerely, surrounded by radiant smoke and thousands of auspicious rays, illuminating the area once again, and even the broken golden statues were gradually being restored.

"No need."

Hong Jing spoke calmly, but the strange phenomena in the hall receded like the tide, and darkness returned. The golden statue was broken and half-hidden in the weeds and dust.

“Huan Yu has already usurped the position of the Moon Fairy, and the Vajra of the Joyful Dharma has also come here. The True Man should be careful.”

Upon hearing this, Guan Quan understood that the other party had decided not to make a move, so he did not try to persuade him further. He activated his supernatural powers, transformed into a line of purple light, and instantly left the main hall.

Stepping out of Dayangming Temple, the sky returned to normal. Guan Quan's expression was solemn. He had never had much hope for Dayangming Temple. He had only come to ascertain their attitude.

If Hong Jingzhen truly has the heart to eliminate demons, Linyao is extremely close to Xining. With his Bodhi Vehicle cultivation, once he makes a move, Huanyu will only be able to flee in terror.

The void trembled, cold air spread, and layers of solid ice formed. A young man walked slowly across the ice, dressed in white, his demeanor cold and aloof. A sword and a knife hung at his waist, both made of exquisite ice jade, crystal clear.

"Senior Guan Quan, is the Great Yangming Temple unwilling to take action?"

“Hong Jing is also in a difficult position. He is highly skilled and can support the entire Dayangming Temple. He is unable to move, so there is no need to have any prejudice against him.”

Guan Quan was refined and had excellent manners. He did not show any displeasure at Hong Jing's refusal and still spoke up for the temple.

"Difficulties? He lets that Tibetan monk Zhixing run wild and colludes with demons right under his nose, yet I see no difficulties for him?"

"Wei Shuang, be careful what you say." Guan Quan's expression turned slightly solemn, stopping the white-robed youth beside him from speaking. "Right now, killing Huan Yu is the most important thing. We must not let this demon escape."

As the matter was discussed, Wei Shuang's expression grew increasingly cold and stern. His supernatural powers shifted, and a chilling light emanated from his sword and saber, covering them.

"This time we will have to rely on the senior's help. Our Frost Plum Clan has experienced destruction and self-reconstruction, but we have not left any foundation."

Wei Shuang's eyes flickered. "The Louguan sect arose after the fall of the Zhou dynasty and flourished under the Feng dynasty. They are the true lineage of Zi Qi, so they must have the means to subdue this demon."

Guan Quan simply shook his head, stroked his beard, and sighed, surrounded by a hazy mist.

"Where is the former power? When the [Purple Proclamation] True Lord perished at the time of Fengwang, much of my Dao's heritage was also lost. The current imperial family values ​​Shangxiao highly but is unwilling to use my Dao to assist them."

Upon hearing the mention of the Shangxiao Sect, Wei Shuang's expression changed slightly, and she coldly said:
"Shangxiao? How many immortal sects can do this? They even bring the statue of Emperor Li into the mountain gate and enshrine it on the same level as the patriarch, to show their loyalty."

He seemed to have some reservations about this immortal sect, his voice grew louder, and the surrounding air grew even colder.

"Back in the day, who didn't know the methods that his family's Master Lin used in the imperial court? He flattered the emperor, altered the Daoist canon, suppressed the immortals, and now he's putting on an act of cultivating the Dao?"

Upon hearing this, Guan Quan simply shook his head, his tone indifferent. "That's all in the past. Now that [Bi Mo] has taken over, and [Yuan Miao] has also fallen, there's nothing to worry about in Shang Xiao. There's no need to discuss these things."

"The Immortal Zhuo Xie has severed the demonic manifestation of love and entanglement, which can be considered as a way of venting your anger for the Taiyin lineage. There is no need to bring up the past again."

When the topic turned to Zhuo Xie Zhenren, Wei Shuang's expression softened slightly, but a hint of doubt appeared in her eyes.

"Da Le Yu is about to make a move here, so why doesn't the Di family take action and only send the Thunder Department to the border? Huan Yu may have a lower status and more emotional entanglements, but he is still one of the six demonic manifestations of desire, and is the common enemy of all cultivators in our Great Li."

"Why haven't you sent anyone? They've already arrived; just wait."

Guan Quan's gaze fell on the distant void, where he could faintly see dark blue demonic energy and silver-white tribulation lightning.
-
Taixu.

As the silver lightning shifted, Xu Xuan picked up a scroll of imperial edict in his hand. Fire rose from it, and thunder surged around it. It was the imperial edict passed down from the Heavenly Thunder Shrine. Now, it changed, and more words appeared.

"[Subduing the demonic form, the thunderous law descends]"

These few words flashed by, and Xu Xuan frowned slightly, understanding that it was the meaning of the Great Li Thunder Department. The other party did not use their status to pressure him, but rather it seemed more like a transaction.

Slay your desires and you will receive the Primordial Thunder Void Law.

He clearly perceived the true meaning hidden in this decree; it was indeed the work of the Thunder God Wei Hua Zhenren. It seemed that the Purple Mansion of the Song Clan had already learned of his arrival.

Xu Xuan glanced at Nan Wang beside him. This martial arts master also looked over and his expression changed slightly upon seeing the words in the decree.

"Fellow Daoist Nanwang, I wonder where you got this information, and who sent you to find me?"

His voice was calm, yet it exerted a subtle pressure on Nan Wang. The other man rolled up his black robe and sighed.

"This information came from a senior member of the Song family, Master Weihua. He is the one who sent me to find you."

Upon hearing this, Xu Xuan's mind raced, and he finally understood why Nan Wang had sought him out—it was because this Zi Fu from the Thunder Department was secretly acting as a go-between.

Now that they have arrived at Wuxiang Temple, Lei Bu finally put forward the terms of the deal: he wants to take the Demon Chief of Pleasure in exchange for the scroll of "Primordial Thunder Void Law".

'No wonder the demonic forces of Liao are rampant here, yet the Song family and other immortal sects haven't made a move; it turns out they've fallen on me and all these Purple Mansion cultivators.'

The Wu family and the Louguan Dao both seem to have old grudges against Da Leyu. In addition, the Lei Department, which he represents, is going to kill Huanyu. The scale of the operation is already quite large.

"I wonder about Huan Yu's cultivation level, and whether he has any helpers?"

At this moment, the objective shifted. Retrieving the spiritual weapon was secondary; slaying the demonic entity and obtaining the cultivation technique were more important. Xu Xuan hadn't originally intended to confront Tong Huan, but now he had to be on guard.
"She follows the path of immortals and shamans working together. Originally, she was only at the early stage of the Purple Mansion realm, but she managed to seize Heng'e's position. Now, she possesses a Taiyin divine power. In terms of skill, she is close to the middle stage of the Purple Mansion realm."

"Since he has ended up at Wuxiang Temple, Zhixing must have colluded with him. There are also recent rumors that a Vajra from the Xikang Yuan Huanxi Fadao sect has entered the temple, and he is among them."

Upon hearing this, Xu Xuan sensed the vast emptiness and could see Guan Quan Zhenren in the distance, as well as Han Po, a cultivator at the early stage of the Purple Mansion realm, beside him. According to Nan Wang, this was Wei Shuang Zhenren of the Snow Plum Sect.

There was another cultivator hiding in the void. He sensed him and saw an old cultivator in black robes with the light of the forbidden wood emanating from him. He was a rogue cultivator, without a sect or school, with the Daoist name "Guya". He was also at the early stage of the Purple Mansion realm.

Seeing that Xu Xuan had noticed the old man in black robes, Nan Wang's gaze changed slightly, and he whispered something to Xu Xuan.

"This [Guya] True Man is a rogue cultivator; he probably has no intention of slaying demons."

"Since we're going to take action against Huan Yu anyway, why don't we go and see Senior Guan Quan? He probably anticipated this and is already waiting for us."

After hesitating for a moment, Nan Wang finally spoke. Xu Xuan remained calm and agreed. They then traveled together through the void and arrived at a place filled with purple mist and haze.

"Senior Guan Quan, Fellow Daoist Wei Shuang."

Nan Wang spoke first. Guan Quan seemed to have expected this and remained calm. He invited Nan Wang and Xu Xuan to walk together. After exchanging pleasantries, they got down to business.

"I and Xu Jianxian received orders from the Dali Heavenly Family to kill the Demon Minister. Seeing you two, I imagine you share the same intention. Why not work together to capture this fellow? That would be a meritorious deed."

Nan Wang was also considered a demonic cultivator, yet he spoke with an air of authority.

“Of course it’s possible.” Guan Quan’s face showed a smile. “The methods of the Great Delight are mysterious, and with the presence of the Wise Arhat and the Vajra of the Joyful Dharma Path, if the two of you are willing to take action, we can have a better chance of success.”

Wei Shuang stood behind Guan Quan, listening quietly without saying a word.

"I wonder what methods you intend to use to deal with Huan Yu, senior?"

When this matter was mentioned, Xu Xuan had a thought. Huan Yu had been able to walk for so many years, so he must have a lot of tricks up his sleeve. In addition, he had the background of a Golden Core cultivator, so he was probably not easy to deal with.

Guan Quan smiled slightly, then took out a roll of plain white canvas. The canvas was empty, with only ink flowing through it.

"If I let her into this painting, I have my own ways of dealing with her."

(End of this chapter)