I'm modifying myself into the ultimate demon.

Chapter 168 Xiaoye unleashes her power, the ceremony is a complete success!
hum!
A peculiar heat current spread throughout his entire body. This sensation was not the pain he had felt before, but rather the profound mystery of talismanic arts…

It was as if... his talisman skills had been greatly improved in a short period of time.

Previously, he didn't quite understand the two sword talismans, but now he understood them completely. Numerous related talismanic muscle memories appeared throughout his body, clearly the result of three to five years of diligent practice.

As the heat dissipated, the text on the panel changed:
[Edited successfully]

[Your talismanic arts are now compatible with this talismanic artifact, and you can easily control it.]

[Note: This talisman is no ordinary item; it is incredibly fast and exceptionally sharp. Exercise caution when wielding it.]

"Even martial arts techniques can be modified for compatibility! This modification function is quite good. At least it saved me three to five years of hard training."

Chen Mo carefully examined his hands and feet, feeling the muscle memory that had appeared there, and a smile appeared on his face. "I'll try it out."

Thinking of this, Chen Mo slowly stood up and took out the talisman from his pocket to examine it.

The item is about the size of a baby's palm, made of special white cloth, with various runes stacked and arranged, bearing the symbols of the Six Ding and Six Jia, and a sword image at the core.

Just looking at the pattern on this sword, one can vaguely feel a chilling glint, making one afraid to look directly at it.

Chen Mo raised his right hand and, following his muscle memory, activated the talisman technique. Suddenly, with a "hum," the cloth talisman began to move, transforming into a streak of light that shot out with lightning speed.

Bang!
The streak of light rushed so fast that it sliced ​​off the top of a willow tree more than ten meters away. The huge branch crashed to the ground with a "whoosh," kicking up a cloud of dust.

Chen Mo was slightly surprised, thinking to himself: So fast, so sharp, so domineering! Like a wild horse that has broken free of its reins. I actually couldn't control it properly... It's truly a deadly weapon!

"Try again."

Chen Mo continued to activate the talisman technique and made some adjustments.

call out!
Fu Bao transformed into a streak of sword light once again, and in the blink of an eye, he punched a large hole in the willow tree more than ten meters away.

Although Chen Mo slowed down the activation this time, the speed at which the talisman rushed out was still extremely abnormal. Chen Mo didn't even have time to react.

"Of all martial arts, speed is the only way to break through defenses and overcome any obstacle. This talisman is truly powerful. I wonder where Hua Yunfeng got it from. It's perfect for me."

However, even though I can activate this talisman, it will still take considerable effort to fully master it.

Chen Mo dared not be careless, and slowly and meticulously activated the talisman.

Fortunately, the modified version was very effective. In just a quarter of an hour, Chen Mo became completely familiar with the talisman. The sword light transformed into a stream of light, constantly circling and flying in the sky above the courtyard.

Chen Mo was overjoyed. "I've finally mastered this talisman. In the future, when fighting with others, this talisman can strike unexpectedly and kill without drawing blood. However, each activation consumes a lot of the bloodline power of a Transcendent Realm cultivator. Even with the thickness of my bloodline, I can't maintain my peak state for too long."

"return."

Chen Mo raised his right hand, and the talisman transformed into talisman paper, returning to his palm.

"It's somewhat similar to sword control... but even more difficult to defend against."

After activating the talisman, Chen Mo felt somewhat depleted of energy and blood, and his body was exhausted. So he stopped practicing the other knowledge in the two talisman techniques, had Tang Wan boil water, took a bath, and then went back to the bedroom to sleep.

Chen Mo didn't dare to overexert himself during the evening shamanic ritual, lest something go wrong. He needed to continue performing the ritual.

After all, the process of performing a shamanic ritual is essentially the process of selecting a priest. It cannot be taken lightly.

With little time left, Chen Mo must maintain his best condition every day to perform the shamanic ritual.

……

The city of Fu, Baiyu Residence.

It was already past midnight, and the moonlight was intense.

Li Qing'er took medicine for two days, but her injuries did not improve. Instead, she became increasingly haggard, and her mental state became more and more listless.

Li Huabai saw this and was anxious.

Even in the dead of night, he wouldn't sleep, but instead went to the kitchen to continue using the monstrous snake's corpse to modify the prescription and brew the medicine, muttering to himself:

“In the past two days, I have changed the prescription no less than five times, but Xiaoqing’s injuries just won’t get better. If anything happens to Xiaoqing, how can I face her parents in the afterlife?”

Li Huabai was also a lonely person; his parents were murdered when he was young. He and his younger sister, Li Qing'er, grew up relying on each other.

The world is inherently treacherous, let alone for two daughters without parents, whose lives are even more difficult.

Li Huabai and Li Qing'er slept on the streets, begged, and were abused. Later, when Li Huabai was desperate and wanted food for the two sisters, she even went to a brothel and became a concubine…

Later, through a stroke of luck, he gradually rose to his current position.

Even now, they are rich and powerful, enjoying endless glory.

But Li Huabai never forgot the hard and dark days she spent with Xiaoqing. Now, seeing Li Qing'er's injuries worsen, the older sister felt even more distressed, wishing she could suffer instead.

Just then, Bai Ye rushed into the kitchen, "Sister Bai, something terrible has happened!"

While preparing the prescription and gathering the medicinal herbs, Li Huabai asked, "What's wrong?"

Bai Ye's eyes were red and swollen: "Sister Qing just vomited blood again, and her consciousness is a little unclear. She started talking nonsense."

Clang!

The medicinal herbs in Li Huabai's hand slipped from his grasp and he ran out of the kitchen without looking back. When he arrived at the bedroom, he saw Li Qing'er lying on the bed, extremely weak, her face pale and on the verge of death. Bloodstains were visible on the bedding and the floor beside the bed.

It is clear that Li Qing'er's symptoms of vomiting blood were very severe.

Even so, Li Qing'er still struggled to call out, "Sister Bai, Sister Bai."

Li Huabai hugged Li Qing'er tightly, her eyes reddening, "Qing'er, it's all my fault. I couldn't concoct an effective medicine, and my sister has suffered."

Hu Hu Hu.

Li Qing'er gasped for breath, leaning half her body against Li Huabai's chest, and said weakly, "Sister Bai, please don't be like this. It's my bad luck that I can't stay by your side to serve you anymore."

Li Huabai stroked Li Qing'er's face and comforted her, "Don't think like that. I'll go get more medicine. You should rest for a while and save your strength."

After saying that, Li Huabai transferred the power of his bloodline to Li Qing'er, causing her to fall into a deep sleep.

"Bai Ye, you stay here and take care of Xiao Qing. I'll go get two more doses of medicine." Li Huabai helped Li Qing'er lie down, covered her with a quilt, and then hurriedly ran to the kitchen to prepare the medicine.

This time, Li Huabai prepared two kinds of medicine.

This was all the methods she could think of.

However, after Li Qing'er took the two doses of medicine, her injuries did not improve.

After Li Qing'er fell asleep, Li Huabai lifted the covers to check on her lower body and found that the snake-like part of her lower body had begun to rot and harden, almost to the point of amputation.

Bai Ye watched from the side, tears streaming down her face. "Sister Bai, judging from the situation, amputation is necessary. Sister Qing is so young; if half of her body is amputated, it would be worse than death for her. By the way, could it be that the strange snake corpse that Young Master Mo gave us is problematic?"

Li Huabai shook his head: "No. The corpse of this strange snake and Xiaoqing's lower body are the same kind of existence. I have always been proficient in pharmacology, so I can handle this. Perhaps it is because I do not know how to use the strange snake's ability, or perhaps Xiaoqing's condition is more serious and ordinary medicines are ineffective."

Bai Ye suddenly said, "What if we ask Young Master Mo to come and help in person?"

Li Huabai was taken aback. "If Young Master Mo is willing to come and help in person, Xiaoqing's injuries may be able to recover."

"Then I'll go and beg Young Master Mo right now." Bai Ye wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and ran out.

"Come back!" Li Huabai called out to Bai Ye.

Bai Ye turned around and said, "I'm willing to do anything for Sister Qing's recovery. I'd even kneel down before Young Master Mo."

Li Huabai wanted to reprimand him, but couldn't bring himself to do it: "I know you and Xiaoqing are close. I also know your feelings for Xiaoqing. But many things can't be accomplished simply by kneeling. Young Master Mo is a decisive and ruthless person. What good will it do you to run over and kneel down?"

"We can't just stand by and watch Sister Qing have half her body cut off."

Eh.

Li Huabai sighed, "If anyone should go, it should be me. You're not important enough; Young Master Mo won't take you seriously. You stay home and take good care of Xiaoqing."

Bai Ye dared not disobey and nodded in agreement.

Li Huabai went to her room, carefully dressed herself, and then took out some books to look through. "Young Master Mo is decisive and ruthless. He never cares about the lives of outsiders. Even if I were to ask him for help, it would be no easy task..."

……

When Chen Mo woke up again, it was already late at night, around 9 PM.

The moon is very round tonight, and the moonlight is bright. It shines through the window into the room and onto the floor, adding to the tranquility.

Chen Mo had no interest in appreciating the moonlight. He got up, dressed, and had Wan'er help him with his makeup. Then, he carried the mirror wrapped in burlap, grabbed the talisman, and hurried out the door.

With the time for the shamanic ritual approaching, Chen Mo dared not be careless.

As soon as they left the Hundred Herbs Garden, they saw a white-haired woman standing outside the gate.

"Miss Hua Bai, is there something you need that brings you here so late at night?"

Li Huabai cupped his hands in a respectful gesture: "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, young master, in providing me with the serpent's corpse last time. However, I am unable to concoct an effective medicine. Unable to activate the serpent's abilities, Xiaoqing's injuries are worsening, to the point where amputation is necessary. I implore you, young master Mo, to have mercy on my Xiaoqing and help her recover."

Chen Mo was stunned, not expecting that... even with Li Huabai's abilities, obtaining the strange snake's corpse was useless.

But upon closer reflection, I understand.

The Water Serpent's ability is to transform people into snakes. But the deeper level of adapting to any object is something only Chen Mo can unleash.

Although Li Huabai possessed profound Taoist skills, he was ultimately useless.

Chen Mo glanced at the moon in the sky. "I have important matters to attend to today and am busy. Please ask Miss Hua Bai to come again tomorrow."

After saying that, Chen Mo was about to leave.

suddenly--

Li Huabai bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle, saying, "I only have one younger sister, Xiaoqing. She and Xiaoqing have depended on each other since they were little. Now that Xiaoqing has suffered, I, as her older sister, have tried everything I can, but to no avail. I know that Young Master Mo's involvement is not simply about obtaining the corpse of the strange snake. I beg Young Master Mo for your help."

Chen Mo never expected that the dignified master of Black Mountain Tower would lower himself so much.

Normally, it wouldn't hurt for Chen Mo to take the time to make a deal with the other party.

But with the time for the shamanic ritual approaching, Chen Mo couldn't care less. "Miss Hua Bai is the master of the Black Mountain Tower, a person of noble status. Please don't do this. I really have urgent business to attend to and cannot spare the time."

Seeing that Chen Mo was about to leave, Li Huabai bowed even lower, "I know that you are going to perform a shamanic ritual. The Black Mountain Tower's information network covers all parts of the Southern Continent. They know a lot about dragon-walking and shamanic rituals. I am willing to help you and solve your problems."

Chen Mo stopped and carefully examined Li Huabai.

Chen Mo wasn't surprised that Li Huabai knew about his shamanistic ritual involving a dragon: he had sought Li Qing'er's help before and traded two willow leaves for her. Although he had mentioned having a friend who practiced shamanistic rituals, he figured Li Qing'er, with her intelligence, should have guessed it.

If we could utilize Black Mountain Tower's intelligence network, it would indeed be of great help.

But Chen Mo wouldn't change his mind because of these two empty promises.

Seeing that Chen Mo was interested, Li Huabai breathed a sigh of relief, slowly straightened up, and spoke again, "Hua Yunfeng is the Demon Suppression Division Chief of Nanzhou, a position of great prestige. But this is only his outward identity. In reality... the largest hidden force in Nanzhou is the Rakshasa Shrine. Hua Yunfeng's wife, Xiulan, is a follower of the Rakshasa Shrine. If Hua Yunfeng dies, Old Madam Xiulan will know immediately. Old Madam Xiulan can summon Hua Yunfeng's soul."

Finally, Chen Mo became interested: "Nanzhou City is eight thousand miles away from here, yet it can still summon souls?"

Chen Mo knew about the matter of summoning spirits.

Back in Wuqiao Town, Honghe County, Erhu's mother performed a ritual to summon Erhu's soul. This folk practice of summoning the soul isn't unusual; it's simply a custom after death, involving a seventh-day mourning period before burial and a night for the soul to return. Some lingering spirits might not have completely dissipated, and relatives use this ritual to find peace of mind.

However, summoning spirits is only effective in the vicinity.

Eight thousand miles...

Li Huabai said, "Ordinary methods of summoning souls naturally cannot cover such a long distance, but the Rakshasa Shrine has a Rakshasa Mother who governs all matters concerning ghosts and spirits in the entire Southern Continent. This Rakshasa Mother is extremely powerful, and her grace and power extend throughout the Southeast. Old Madam Xiulan can summon Hua Yunfeng's soul through the Rakshasa Mother's shrine. Once Hua Yunfeng's soul is summoned, Old Madam Xiulan can ask him what Hua Yunfeng experienced before his death."

Washington Mansion, Old Madam Xiulan, Rakshasa Shrine, Rakshasa Mother...

For Chen Mo, this was all new information. It was extremely important.

Chen Mo frowned. "Continue."

Li Huabai said, "If Old Madam Xiulan finds out, she will definitely come south to handle it herself."

Chen Mo asked, "What exactly are Xiulan and Hua Yunfeng up to?"

Li Huabai said, "Young Master Mo is a dragon-walker, and his fate is tied to Jiang Hongyue's revival. As for Hua Yunfeng and Xiulan... including the Rakshasa Shrine behind them, they belong to the Empress Dowager Xiao's faction in the imperial court. When Jiang Hongyue was the late emperor's empress, Empress Dowager Xiao was the late emperor's favorite concubine. The two were already at odds. Naturally, Hua Yunfeng and Xiulan cannot bear to see Jiang Hongyue's revival. They want to kill you to cut off Jiang Hongyue's path to revival."

Chen Mo grew increasingly astonished as he listened, thinking to himself: The Black Mountain Tower's information channels are indeed astonishing and will be of great use to me. If I could make the Black Mountain Tower work for me, things would become much easier.

With this in mind, Chen Mo no longer hesitated and said, "I already know Miss Hua Bai's sincerity. But I'm busy right now. How about this, you go and bring Li Qing'er here. When I return from my shamanistic ritual, I will treat Li Qing'er, how about that?"

Li Huabai was overjoyed and cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, young master!"

……

With Xiaoye's help, the shamanic ritual went smoothly tonight.

They performed seventy more movements and recited seventy more incantations.

When I woke up again, it was already the next morning.

Thanks to his second brother's return, Chen Mo recovered quickly. Before long, he sat up and sat down at the table, drinking tea with Xiao Ye.

"By the way, does Xiaoye know Empress Dowager Xiao?"

Xiao Ye, however, remained unperturbed, sipping her tea nonchalantly. "I know. She's the birth mother of the current Jingtai Emperor, the late emperor's favorite concubine, and she and Jiang Hongyue have always been at odds."

As expected... Li Huabai was right.

"Has Xiaoye ever heard of the Rakshasa Shrine?"

Xiaoye paused for a moment: "Rakshasa Shrine... I've never heard of it."

Xiao Ye had been living in the capital for most of the year and didn't know much about things in Nanzhou. Besides, this Rakshasa Temple should be quite well hidden in Nanzhou. Chen Mo didn't ask any further questions.

The saying goes, "Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake." Now that we're in Nanzhou, relying on the power of the local snakes is more effective.

And Black Mountain Tower... is quite good.

Xiao Ye, unaware of Chen Mo's thoughts, took a sip of tea and then tidied up the movement patterns on the Xuan paper. "You have now completed 2,840 movements in your shamanic dance. At this pace, you will be almost finished in about ten days. If you feel unwell during this time, remember to tell me immediately."

"knew."

Back at the Green Wolf Gang, the two went to their respective residences.

As soon as he entered the gate of the Hundred Herbs Garden, Tang Wan greeted him. "Young Master, that white-haired woman brought two women over early this morning, saying that she had made an appointment with you. I couldn't refuse, so I let them stay in the two rooms in the front yard."

Chen Mo did not go directly to the front yard, but entered the central courtyard first, asking, "What did they do during that time?"

Xiaoye shook her head: "No, there wasn't. There was a woman wrapped in blankets, but I couldn't see her face. They were crying and looked very sad."

"I understand. You can go ahead and get back to work."

After dismissing Tang Wan, Chen Mo entered the main room in the courtyard and saw Juan'er arranging shadow puppets inside. He asked, "Juan'er, did that white-haired woman do anything during the day?"

Juan'er didn't even look up: "No. She's quite well-behaved, though. She cries all the time."

Chen Mo didn't ask any more questions. He took a shower, changed his clothes, and then left the central courtyard, arriving at a room in the front yard.

The room was small, and there was a stove burning inside, where medicinal herbs were being simmered. The pungent smell of medicine permeated the air. Bai Ye sat by the bedside, attending to Li Qing'er, who was lying on the bed, while Li Huabai squatted in the corner, fanning the flames with a palm-leaf fan, also simmering the medicine.

Upon seeing Chen Mo enter, Bai Ye and Li Huabai immediately stood up and bowed.

"Young Master Mo."

Chen Mo waved his hand, signaling Bai Ye to move aside, then sat on the edge of the bed and carefully examined Li Qing'er's body.

Li Qing'er was very shy, "Please forgive my rudeness, young master."

Chen Mo ignored her, noticing that her lower body, a snake-like form, was beginning to rot and shed its skin, emitting a foul odor. It was indeed at the point where amputation was necessary.

Li Huabai leaned closer and asked, "Young Master Mo, is there any other way?"

Chen Mo said, "You all go out first. I want to talk to Miss Xiaoqing alone."

Li Huabai and Bai Ye hurriedly left the room, leaving only Li Qing'er and Chen Mo in the large room.

Chen Mo said, "Miss Xiaoqing, please tell me everything that happened on Snake Mountain that day. Don't miss a single detail."

With a pale and bloodless face, Li Qing'er recounted the events of that day in detail, concluding, "I thought my cultivation was sufficient to handle the situation, but I never expected that the strange snake's abilities to be so peculiar. Not only was I helpless, but even my sister was at a loss."

My sister has raised me since I was little, never abandoning me. To give me food, she endured beatings, begging, and even being abused. She suffered terribly. I diligently cultivated myself so as not to worry her. But I never imagined my abilities would be so insignificant. Even at my age, I'm still a burden to her. My death doesn't matter, but I worry that my sister will be lonely and destitute without me, without any family left.

Chen Mo was somewhat moved by what he heard. "You two are truly sisters. But Miss Xiaoqing, don't be sad. I can heal your injuries."

After saying that, Chen Mo raised his hand and knocked Li Qing'er unconscious.

He then tore off a piece of flesh from his own arm, which transformed into a small snake and burrowed into Li Qing'er's body.

Before long, Li Qing'er's decaying lower body began to regain life, gradually transforming into human feet.

Chen Mo has the constitution of a zombie, so he quickly repaired himself after losing a piece of flesh, which was not a big deal.

Not long after, Chen Mo transferred his bloodline power to Li Qing'er, and she was stimulated and woke up again. Seeing that her legs had recovered, she burst into tears of joy and kept calling out, "Thank you, Young Master Mo."

Chen Mo called out to the door, "Come in, everyone."

When Bai Ye and Li Huabai rushed in and saw that Li Qing'er had recovered, they were overjoyed and embraced each other, weeping.

Chen Mo said, "Although her snake body has returned to human form, her condition is very serious. She will temporarily lose sensation in her legs and will need to recuperate for a while before she can fully recover." After saying that, Chen Mo left.

Chen Mo originally intended to make demands of Li Huabai before rescuing the person. He figured that no matter what conditions he proposed, Li Huabai would agree.

But Chen Mo couldn't bear to do it in the end.

Even though I'm a ghoul now, I still have to have a conscience.

……

Chen Mo returned to the central courtyard and began working on the pages of two books on talisman techniques.

He would occasionally take out talisman paper, cinnabar talisman brushes, and other such items to practice the spells written on them.

The art of talismans is profound and complex, not simply about controlling talismanic artifacts. It also involves a great deal of other knowledge, which is very important to Chen Mo.

Juan'er was busy tinkering with her shadow puppets, Chen Mo was busy with his talisman-making techniques, and Tang Wan and Lu Chengzhuang were practicing their skills in the courtyard. The entire Hundred Herbs Garden was filled with an atmosphere that inspired people to strive for excellence.

As dusk approached, Li Huabai walked in.

Chen Mo didn't look up, continuing to draw talismans, and casually said, "Wan'er, make tea for Miss Hua Bai."

Before long, Tang Wan brought over a teacup.

Li Huabai did not reach out to take it, but instead walked up to Chen Mo and knelt down with a 'plop'.

"Thank you for your help, Young Master Mo. I will remember this great kindness forever."

Click.

Chen Mo put down his talisman brush and hurriedly stepped forward to help Li Huabai up. "Miss Huabai is of noble status, how can you do this? Get up and speak quickly. A little help is nothing."

Li Huabai did not stand up, but said very seriously, "To you, young master, this may only be a small helping hand. But to me, Xiaoqing is everything. Please accept my deepest kowtow."

Chen Mo didn't press the matter further.

After bowing, Li Huabai got up and sat in the armchair to drink tea with Chen Mo.

Chen Mo said, "Miss Hua Bai, please don't overthink it. I didn't hold back, nor did I use any healing methods to threaten you. If Miss Hua Bai is not comfortable staying here, you can take Miss Xiao Qing and leave to recuperate. It's the same thing."

Li Huabai said, "I just checked Xiaoqing's injuries. Her legs are gradually regaining sensation, and everything is improving. I originally thought that you would make some demands of me before treating Xiaoqing. In that case, I would not be able to refuse whatever you said."

Chen Mo said, "Although I intend to have Black Mountain Tower plan for me, I don't want to force them. Besides, I see that Miss Xiaoqing looks haggard; she must have suffered enough. If I were to use Miss Xiaoqing's life to blackmail me, how would I be any different from a corpse demon?"

There was actually another reason I didn't mention... that Li Huabai was quite skilled, and the Black Mountain Tower's influence extended throughout the various prefectures of Nanzhou. Chen Mo really wasn't confident he could completely crush him in one fell swoop.

Li Huabai cupped her hands and said, "I misunderstood you before, sir. I thought that although you appeared violent and fierce on the surface, you were actually warm-hearted. I said before that I would help you plan the escape from the dragon and the god. I kept my word."

Chen Mo was taken aback. "Miss Hua Bai, I don't want to force you... Now that Xiao Qing has recovered, even if Hua Bai stays on her own initiative, I wouldn't dare to use her."

Li Huabai said, "I know what you are worried about, sir. Firstly, we have no relationship, and secondly, you do not have any dirt on me. I do not believe that I would sincerely help you with your plans."

Chen Mo narrowed his eyes slightly: "Miss Hua Bai is a straightforward person. Indeed."

Li Huabai said, "In fact, I am already at my wit's end. Xiulan has already arrived in Nanyang Prefecture and knows that I am staying with the Green Wolf Gang. She believes that I have betrayed the Hua family and joined forces with you, young master. Xiulan has destroyed my Black Mountain Tower's stronghold in Nanyang Prefecture. The entire Hua family has also begun to take action against my Black Mountain Tower's various strongholds."

After saying this, Li Huabai cupped her hands again, "I had suspected before that Hua Yunfeng was killed by you, young master. Now that Xiulan has directly targeted the Green Wolf Gang, I know that Hua Yunfeng must have died at your hands. Now, in the entire Nanyang Prefecture, no one can surpass you. Only by joining forces with you can I have any chance against Xiulan."

Chen Mo was secretly alarmed upon hearing this.

Unexpectedly, Hua Yunfeng's wife found Nanyang Prefecture so quickly.

Southern California, Washington D.C.!
The shamanistic ritual wasn't over yet, and now the old lady of the Hua family has come knocking on our door again, making things even more unsettling.

After considering the matter for a moment, Chen Mo asked, "What level of skill does Xiulan possess?"

Li Huabai said, "Sixth-order Transcendent Realm. But after worshipping the Rakshasa Mother, one can use the power of the Rakshasa Shrine. It is far superior to Huayun Peak."

“I understand. In that case, I will accept Miss Hua Bai’s request. I need Black Mountain Tower to help me investigate two matters.”

"Sir, please tell me."

"Firstly, this human-dragon sacrifice at Dayin Mountain includes thirty-six dragon-walkers and a chief priest. I need to know the whereabouts of these thirty-six dragon-walkers and whether they have arrived at Dayin Mountain."

Secondly, I need to know about Jiang Hongyue's past, the more detailed the better.

Li Huabai agreed: "I will handle this matter. Although my Black Mountain Tower's stronghold was destroyed, most of it has been hidden. I will send out the message, and I think we will have results soon."

"Thank you for your help." Chen Mo breathed a sigh of relief. Now that Black Mountain Tower had their help, things should be much clearer. At least they wouldn't be wandering around aimlessly like headless flies.

Li Huabai said, "But that Xiulan..."

Chen Mo asked, "Are you acquainted with Xiulan?"

Li Huabai said, "We're not exactly acquainted, but we've done business together before. Xiulan knows that I'm close to Hua Yunfeng. She also has something on me. This time, Xiulan destroyed my Black Mountain Tower stronghold to force me to come forward. She probably wants to hold me accountable and blame me for... going south with Hua Yunfeng, but I survived."

Chen Mo said, "I understand. You go outside and take care of Miss Xiaoqing. I'll think about it and then we'll discuss a plan."

"Yes."

Li Huabai is gone.

Chen Mo felt even more pressure.

Although Xiulan and Hua Yunfeng are both at the sixth level of the Transcendent Realm.

But Xiulan worshipped the Rakshasa Mother.

Furthermore, Xiulan summoned Hua Yunfeng's soul, so she must know about her battle with Hua Yunfeng. Knowing this, she still dared to come looking for trouble. This shows that she didn't take her past self seriously.

This matter requires careful handling.

"Lu Chengzhuang".

Chen Mo called out to the door.

Lu Chengzhuang hurriedly entered the room. "Young Master, what are your orders?"

Chen Mo said, "Go secretly to the prefectural city and investigate whether Black Mountain Tower's stronghold there has been destroyed. That place is..."

……

Xiulan arrived in Nanyang Prefecture alone.

Xiulan has always been independent and does things her own way. Moreover, she is extremely skilled in Taoism, and having worshipped Rakshasa Mother, she is extremely confident in her abilities.

After arriving in Nanyang Prefecture, an investigation revealed that Li Huabai had gone to the Green Wolf Gang, which enraged him.

"That damned woman has actually colluded with Chen Mo's Green Wolf Gang. She must not be allowed to live!"

So Xiulan directly destroyed the Black Mountain Tower's stronghold, but failed to force Li Huabai out.

Enraged, Xiulan headed straight for Feilai Mountain, where the Green Wolf Gang was located.

A dark figure silently climbed the mountain and entered the headquarters of the Green Wolf Gang without attracting anyone's attention.

Da da da.

The dark figure moved forward, searching for Chen Mo's whereabouts.

She asked Hua Yunfeng and learned what Chen Mo looked like.

"This scoundrel must not be allowed to live! Not only is he a corpse demon, but he also possesses the power of the Water Serpent. Yunfeng died because of his Water Serpent. As long as I keep an eye on him, I can kill him directly."

Xiulan was furious.

"My Hua family is one of the seven great demon-suppressing families in the entire Southern State, and Yun Feng is a renowned governor of the Southern State. Yet we have fallen victim to this scoundrel's wickedness. If this scoundrel is not killed, how can my Hua family maintain its reputation? Moreover, he is a dragon-walking shaman and a shaman. As long as I kill him, everything will be resolved. Hehe."

As Xiulan passed by a corridor, she saw a patrolling member of the Green Wolf Gang. She immediately circled around behind the member, revealed her true form, and bit the member to death. She devoured him completely, leaving only his blood-stained clothes scattered on the ground.

"hey-hey."

"Everyone in the Blue Wolf Gang must die!"

As Xiulan walked, she passed by the entrance of a mansion called Lengyueju.

"This mansion is quite grand; it must be inhabited by a high-ranking member of the Green Wolf Gang. Tonight's hunt will begin with you. Hehe!"

Xiulan transformed into a black shadow and quietly entered Lengyue Residence.

The mansion was quite large, with all sorts of grand furnishings. Yet it was deserted and quiet, without even a single maidservant.

Although she found it a little strange, Xiulan still didn't think anything of it.

She never took the people of Nanyang Prefecture seriously; they were nothing but ants.

Soon, Xiulan arrived at the courtyard and saw an oil lamp lit in the living room at the end of the courtyard.

brush!
Xiulan reached the main room in one step. She was now a shadow, blending into the darkness, silent and able to pass through walls at will.

Upon entering the main room, Xiulan saw a woman with a full head of white hair, dressed in purple, sitting quietly beside a long table, reading a book.

With her head down, her face was not clearly visible.

Hehe ~
Go to hell!

Xiulan rushed behind the woman and slowly materialized, about to bite the woman to death.

Sudden--

hiss!
When Xiulan got within two meters of the woman, she felt as if her heart had been struck by a hammer, her head spun, and she felt like she was about to die. She couldn't get any closer to the woman.

'How can this woman possess such powerful vital energy? Even I, a six-stick black shadow ghost, cannot get close to her?'

‘Come again! ’

Xiulan unleashed an even stronger ghostly power, approaching the woman and tearing at her.

hiss!
As a result, it felt like his heart had been hit hard; he was thrown back after getting within two meters.

Xiulan was utterly astonished: she had just used all her strength to deliver a fatal blow, yet she couldn't even get within two meters of her opponent?

Who is so terrifying?
Xiulan was a little scared, so she slowly disappeared, intending to leave the main room.

Just then——

Wow.

The woman leisurely turned a page of her book and said, "Since we're here, why leave?"

hum!
It was a very simple sentence, but to Xiulan, it sounded like a resounding bell, making her head buzz and throb with pain. Moreover, her shadow ghost could no longer remain dark and actually manifested itself.

No matter how hard Xiulan tried, she couldn't turn back into a shadow. She retreated while glancing at the woman who was looking down at a book.

Sudden--

brush!
The white-haired woman suddenly raised her head, and her deep eyes shone brightly.

puff!

Xiulan coughed up blood after just one glare. She collapsed to the ground, convulsing and trembling.

The next moment, to Xiulan's astonishment, the white-haired woman slowly stood up and walked over. "You're Xiulan from the Hua family? Shouldn't you be going to seek revenge on Chen Mo? What are you doing in my room?"

Xiulan foamed at the mouth, quickly stood up, and struggled to walk out: "I'm sorry, I disturbed you, young lady. I've come to the wrong place."

He had only taken a few steps when he suddenly heard the woman behind him say, "Wait."

Xiulan dared not be careless, and turned around and bowed: "Is there anything else you need, Miss?"

The white-haired woman said, "Chen Mo and I are friends."

Xiulan was taken aback, then cupped her hands and said, "I understand. I will leave the Green Wolf Gang now and never come back to seek revenge on Chen Mo again."

The white-haired woman said, "You've misunderstood. What I mean is... Chen Mo's trouble is my trouble. Why don't you just give up on life?"

Xiulan was terrified, her head bobbing up in shock: "I, I am the old lady of the Hua family, and behind me is Madam Rakshasa... Pfft!"

Before Xiulan could finish speaking, she was glared at by the white-haired woman and suddenly vomited blood and collapsed to the ground.

Then he kicked his legs and died.

……

Baicao Garden.

It's night.

Lu Chengzhuang, who was away on an investigation, has returned.

"Young master, the Black Mountain Tower's stronghold has indeed been destroyed, and there are quite a few corpses. It seems they were massacred."

Chen Mo waved his hand: "I understand. You may leave."

After dismissing Lu Chengzhuang, Chen Mo had Tang Wan call Li Huabai in.

Li Huabai seemed somewhat apprehensive, appearing quite afraid of Xiulan, and spoke with extreme caution, "Has the young master found a way to deal with Xiulan?"

Chen Mo said, "Since Xiulan wants to see you, then you should arrange to meet her. I'll go with you then. Let's get this over with quickly, so as not to interfere with my dragon-walking."

Seeing Chen Mo's confidence, Li Huabai breathed a sigh of relief: "Yes."

Just then, Lu Chengzhuang rushed in, shouting, "Young Master!"

Chen Mo frowned: "What's the matter that you're in such a panic?"

Lu Chengzhuang said, "Just now, that girl named Xiaoye sent over a corpse. She also told you not to be affected and to just focus on your own affairs."

Corpse?

Did Xiaoye bring a body?

Xiaoye is usually quiet and leisurely, so why would she send a corpse?

"Take me to see it quickly."

Chen Mo got up and left. Li Huabai followed. When the three of them arrived at the entrance of the Hundred Herbs Garden, they saw the body of an old woman.

Chen Mo didn't recognize his wife and was curious. Li Huabai, however, was shocked. "This... isn't this Old Madam Xiulan? She's been murdered!?"

Chen Mo was stunned: "What? This is the old lady Xiulan you were talking about?"

Li Huabai suddenly felt a chill. "Yes. I originally thought that even if I joined forces with the young master, we wouldn't have much of a chance of winning. I didn't expect that Old Madam Xiulan... would be dead?"

Chen Mo: "..."

I cursed inwardly.

Could this Xiaoye be some kind of super powerful figure?

Li Huabai swallowed hard: "Young Master, what's going on?"

Chen Mo coughed, "Ah, Xiao Ye is a very good friend of mine. I just talked to Xiao Ye."

Li Huabai's gaze towards Chen Mo changed, and he nodded repeatedly, "I see."

But in her heart, she thought: This Xiulan was clearly defeated in an instant. This Young Master Mo is truly terrifying!!!

……

"Xiao Ye, this is a fine wine that I've treasured for many years. I'll treat you to a drink tonight."

Chen Mo carried a jar of wine to Lengyue Residence to express his gratitude.

Xiao Ye calmly looked at her book: "There's no need for all this fancy stuff. It's just Xiu Lan, it's not a big deal. The important thing is to perform the dragon sacrifice."

Chen Mo: "Fine, I won't drink then. I'll drink alone when I get back."

Click.

Xiaoye gritted her teeth and said, "I'll just have a sip when I get back."

……

Ten days passed in a flash.

That night, near midnight.

A small boat with a black awning drifts on the surface of the Huai River.

Chen Mo and Xiao Ye stood at the bow of the boat, a gentle river breeze blowing.

Xiaoye's expression was no longer as calm as before. "Yesterday you completed 3,540 movements in your shamanic ritual. Today's ritual should be complete. I don't know what will happen once it's complete. Are you mentally prepared?"

call!
Chen Mo breathed a long sigh of relief.

After all, it should come.

(End of this chapter)