My words have become law; I truly have no desire to display my divine power before others.

Ye Qingfeng did indeed turn his gaze back and land on him the moment he made the movement.

But there was not a trace of emotion in that gaze, as the old Taoist had expected.

There was only a clear, all-knowing understanding, and a faint, serene smile playing at the corners of his lips.

The smile wasn't mocking; it was more like... a calm acceptance when you see an acquaintance demonstrate a known skill.

He didn't even utter a single question; he just watched quietly.

It was as if the miraculous "fire-igniting and spirit-possessing" technique was nothing more than an ordinary bonfire outing.

The old Taoist priest's slight sense of pride and prepared remarks vanished instantly, replaced by a profound sense of astonishment and bewilderment.

What's wrong with this kid?

Previously, he had earnestly inquired about "miracles" and "divine miracles," expressing his longing for cultivation.

Now that the living magic was right in front of him, he remained completely oblivious and calm.

Did he not see it clearly? Impossible, I deliberately chose the angle, he definitely saw it!

Is this a case of feigned indifference to lure the prey into a trap?

Is he trying to use this unusual calmness to pique his interest and extract more information?

Ha, if young man really has such ideas, he's made a mistake. I've been around for many years and I've seen all kinds of tricks!

......

Meanwhile, at the Lin family's place...

"It works! It's afraid of fire!"

The Lin family members were invigorated, and several guards followed suit, preparing to make more rockets.

Some even raised burning torches, eager to rush in and engage in close combat.

"Wait a minute!"

A clear and calm voice rang out, not loud, but clearly suppressing the restlessness of the crowd.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw the young Taoist priest in blue robes who had been sitting quietly by the campfire opposite them and had been almost forgotten.

He had stood up at some point, and was shaking his head slightly, looking calmly in this direction.

The guard leader, who was holding a torch and preparing to rush forward, frowned, thinking that the young Taoist priest was afraid, and said in a deep voice.

"Young Taoist priest, this is not the time to be cowardly! This monster fears fire; this is our chance to eliminate it!"

Ye Qingfeng was not displeased by the other party's tone.

"Esteemed benefactors, please do not misunderstand. The evil creature was injured not entirely because of your fire."

Ye Qingfeng's tone remained calm, yet it carried a power that compelled people to believe him.

The guard leader laughed in exasperation.

"If it wasn't because of the fire, then what was it? Everyone saw what just happened. Is this zombie afraid of you?"

"No, no, this is not my doing, so I dare not claim credit. But if you don't believe me, feel free to shoot another arrow and see!"

Just then, perhaps to confirm Ye Qingfeng's words, or perhaps encouraged by the Lin family's "success" just now,

Another guard, refusing to believe it, quickly fired a rocket as well.

This time, however, for some reason, the old Taoist priest was not there to help.

The rocket hit the zombie squarely in the shoulder.

However, the expected explosive burst of fire did not occur.

The arrow struck the stiff body and broke off, the burning shaft falling to the ground and the flames quickly extinguishing.

It only left a small, insignificant scorch mark on the zombie's shoulder, not even enough to make it pause.

The zombie even looked down at its shoulder, let out an even more ferocious roar, and with heavy, stiff steps, approached again!

"How...how could this be?!" The guard who fired the rocket was stunned.

The hope on the faces of the Lin family members froze instantly, turning into a deeper fear.

They then realized that their "effective" attack just now was probably suspicious.

All eyes involuntarily focused on Ye Qingfeng.

Lin Suwei suppressed her fear and panic, took a deep breath, and took two steps forward.

She bowed respectfully to Ye Qingfeng, her beautiful face filled with sincerity and apology.

"Immortal Master, I am Lin Suwei. I was blind before and failed to recognize the true immortal's carriage. I am sorry for my negligence and rudeness. I hope you will forgive me."

"Now that this evil creature is wreaking havoc, it is beyond human power to defeat. I know this request is presumptuous, but I humbly beg the Immortal Master to show mercy, use your mystical arts to vanquish this fiend, and save us from this peril! The entire Lin family will be eternally grateful for the Immortal Master's kindness!"

The old Taoist priest, who was lying on his side, watched as the young Taoist priest Ye Qingfeng accepted the gift without any hesitation.

His brows furrowed slightly involuntarily.

However, at this moment, Ye Qingfeng waved his hand gently and replied with a smile.

"As I have said, this matter was not my doing, but rather the work of someone else."

"Is there someone else?" Lin Suwei looked at the guards who were fighting back and couldn't help but feel anxious.

Ye Qingfeng stopped keeping him in suspense, took a step back, and gently pointed with his right hand.

"You should be appealing to this person..."

Looking at the old Taoist priest that Ye Qingfeng was pointing at, Lin Suwei became even more confused.

Ye Qingfeng at least had the appearance of a sage, but this old Taoist priest, if it weren't for his Taoist robe, would be no exaggeration to call him a beggar.

At this moment, Ye Qingfeng turned to the "bewildered" old Taoist priest and spoke sincerely.

"Master, your cultivation is profound, and you are compassionate. Now that you have taken action, why not end this calamity completely to prevent these benefactors from being frightened further?"

That was a beautifully said statement. It not only revealed the truth but also praised the old Taoist priest, preventing him from continuing to "pretend to be asleep" or giving evasive answers.

They even "entrusted" the life and safety of the Lin family to him. Both morally and logically, the old Taoist priest could no longer remain a bystander.

Upon hearing this, the Lin family members looked at the old Taoist priest with surprise and uncertainty.

Although the young Taoist priest spoke with certainty, the old Taoist priest didn't seem to have that kind of ability at all.

The old Taoist priest was taken aback by Ye Qingfeng's words, and then felt both amused and exasperated.

Hey kid, you've been waiting for me here!

With just a few words, they put on airs for me and also exposed my little tricks.

He gave Ye Qingfeng a deep look, but the other party still maintained that calm and smiling expression.

His eyes were clear, revealing no trace of scheming, as if he were simply stating facts and offering the most reasonable advice.

"Sigh..." The old Taoist priest sighed, this time truly feeling helpless.

He patted his butt and stood up, too lazy to pretend anymore. He shook his head at Ye Qingfeng and grinned.

"Young friend, your mouth... Never mind, you've already woken them up. We can't just watch these youngsters suffer."

He turned to face the hideous zombie that had closed in to within two zhang, its stench filling the air and its howling echoing. The laziness and casualness on his face vanished instantly.

Although his robe was old and his posture was not particularly upright, a deep and solemn aura naturally emanated from him.

He raised his right hand, his five fingers making a loose clenching motion towards the campfire, this time no longer concealing it, and uttered a clear shout:

"True fire of the detached palace, heed my command! Slay evil and burn away filth—swiftly!"

With a shout, the campfire roared to life, and a blazing torrent of fire, thicker and more solid than before, resembling a giant crimson python, was suddenly drawn up from the sky.

It circled in the air, carrying a scorching heat wave and a chilling aura that could purify evil spirits, and with a speed far faster than an arrow, it rushed straight at the zombie!

The firelight illuminated the old Taoist's solemn face and also revealed the stunned expressions of the Lin family members.

The zombie seemed to sense a deadly threat, letting out a frenzied roar and wildly waving its arms, trying to block or disperse the stream of fire.

However, how could it easily withstand the fire that the old Taoist priest had activated and imbued with the true meaning of exorcising evil?

"BOOM!!!"

The crimson fire python collided head-on with it, instantly exploding into a blazing sea of ​​fire that completely engulfed it!

The flames were no ordinary fire; they were a pure, crimson gold color, and when they burned, they made a crackling sound, the sound of the evil, poisonous corpse energy being forcibly refined.

The zombies struggled and howled wildly in the sea of ​​fire, their voices shrill and piercing. Thick, blackish-red smoke billowed from their bodies, emitting a foul stench, but it was quickly purified by the intense heat of the flames.

The entire process lasted only a dozen or so breaths. The flames gradually subsided and went out.

All that remained was a large patch of charred remains and some barely discernible ashes.

The once invulnerable and ferocious zombie had been reduced to ashes, leaving not even a decent trace.

The embers of the campfire flickered in the night wind, illuminating the faces of the group, still shaken but distinctly different.

Everyone in the Lin family, from the guards to the maids, and even Lin Suwei, who was used to seeing illness but was facing such a bizarre and evil creature for the first time.

The way he looked at the old Taoist priest now was completely different from what he had done moments before.

The fear lingered, but more than that, there was a profound sense of awe and disbelief, deeply shaken by the crimson flames and the wondrous methods of burning away evil and impurities.

The unassuming, disheveled old Taoist priest suddenly seemed taller and more mysterious in the flickering firelight.

Lin Suwei was the first to recover from the shock. She took a deep breath and suppressed the pounding in her heart.

She straightened her slightly disheveled clothes and hair, and took a few steps forward solemnly.

She bowed deeply to the old Taoist priest, her beautiful face full of sincerity and apology.

"Elder Immortal, I am Lin Suwei, a junior, passing through this place with my servants. I was blind and failed to recognize your dignified presence. I am sorry for my rudeness and disrespect. I hope you will forgive me."

"If it weren't for the immortal's miraculous powers tonight, slaying these evil creatures, our lives would have been in grave danger. We will never forget your immense kindness!"

Her voice was clear and her manners impeccable. Although she came from a distinguished family and was used to life and death, the scene that had defied common sense still left her deeply moved.

The butler and the guards quickly followed suit, their faces filled with lingering fear and gratitude, no longer daring to show the slightest disrespect because of their appearance.

The old Taoist waved his hand, his tone returning to its previous languidness, only less slick and more composed.

"Enough, enough. What immortal? I'm just a busybody."

"I couldn't just stand by and watch you feed that thing; I saw injustice. Get up, all of you. This is a mountain village; we don't stand on ceremony."

His gaze swept over the crowd, lingering for a moment on Lin Suwei, in particular.

"Judging from your accents and mannerisms, you're not locals? What brings you and your women to this area near Wild Boar Forest so late at night? Things haven't been peaceful here lately."

When the old Taoist priest asked, Lin Suwei dared not hide anything and answered respectfully.

"Reporting to the Immortal Master, my family has been practicing medicine for generations and runs 'Xinglintang' in Jingyang. A month ago, my family received messages from several branch clinics, mentioning that several towns and villages around Wild Boar Forest have suddenly developed strange illnesses in the past two months."

The patients initially exhibited lethargy and low-grade fever, followed by a dark reddish complexion. Their temperament gradually became manic and their strength became uncontrollable. In the later stages, their limbs became stiff, and medication proved ineffective. Several patients have died suddenly.

The symptoms resembled both an acute illness and poisoning, and were also mixed with...an indescribable, eerie quality. Local doctors were at a loss, suspecting it was an epidemic.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her eyes revealed the worry and inquiry of a doctor.

"My father was worried about the spread of the epidemic, which was a matter of life and death. He specially ordered his juniors to bring the family's medical records and some medicines to deal with the epidemic to investigate the matter."

If possible, do everything possible to treat them and stop the spread. Tonight we intended to reach the nearest town, Red Leaf Town, but it's already late, so we set up camp here and encountered these…evil creatures.”

She speaks clearly and logically. Although she is young, she naturally exudes a calm and focused temperament when talking about medicine and patients, which is convincing.

"The Lin family of Xinglin Hall?" The old Taoist priest nodded slightly, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes.

"So you're the daughter of the Lin family in Jingyang. No wonder you have such a kind heart and courage. I've also heard of the Lin family; their medical skills and compassion are truly renowned in Jingyang."

"I am deeply grateful for your kind thought, Immortal Master. My Lin family does have some reputation in Jingyang, but it is only due to our ancestral blessings and the kindness of our neighbors. If you would not mind the simplicity of my humble abode and would deign to grace us with your presence, it would be an honor for my entire Lin family. We would certainly sweep the path, prepare tea, and humbly listen to your teachings!"

The old Taoist priest smiled.

"I've been to Jingyang. The scenery is beautiful; it's truly a wonderful place."

He paused, his expression turning slightly serious, and looked at Lin Suwei: "However, Miss Lin, you seem to have come to the wrong place and diagnosed the wrong 'illness' this time."

Lin Suwei was taken aback: "What do you mean by that, Immortal Master? Could it be... that this place is not affected by the plague?"

"It's certainly not an ordinary epidemic." The old Taoist shook his head, his gaze fixed on the dark and deep Wild Boar Forest, his voice lowering slightly.

"The symptoms you described—listlessness, dark red skin, mania, great strength, stiffness…—are quite similar to the evil aura emanating from that zombie and the characteristics it displayed when attacking."

I, an old Taoist priest, have come here on a journey and have noticed that this place is a gathering place of filth and evil spirits. I fear that some demons may be making evil poisons and using corpse puppets to cause trouble, so I have come to investigate.

What you have encountered is merely one of the 'products' of external corruption or control by evil forces. The true source and danger likely lie deep within that forest. The situation here cannot be cured by medicine or healing potions; it is a calamity caused by evil spirits.

Upon hearing this, the Lin family members turned even paler.

They thought they were facing a terrible disease, but they never expected to be drawn into something even more bizarre and unpredictable!

This was completely beyond their understanding and capabilities.

"Then... what should we do?" The butler's voice trembled.

"Leave as soon as possible," the old Taoist priest said decisively.

"Go back the way you came, and get as far away from this wild boar forest as possible. You're good at healing the sick and saving lives, but you can't help with these things. You might even become a burden or... new material."

He didn't spell it out, but the meaning was clear.