Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

Clear and bright as snow, a fleeting glimpse of beauty.

Master Shouyue felt a flash of light before his eyes, like a fleeting shadow, and the chilling sword intent was already imminent.

Upon closer inspection, I was horrified.

The ancient longsword that had once swiftly slain a Golden Core demon had now been drawn from its sheath on its own, hovering steadily beside the neck of its junior disciple Song An like a bolt of cold lightning.

The sword's edge was only a millimeter away from his skin, yet the chilling sword energy had already made the hairs on the back of Song An's neck stand on end.

Master Shouyue was startled, her delicate hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of her sword. Her lips parted slightly, and she said urgently:

"Fellow Daoist Jiangxiao! What does this mean?!"

She forcefully suppressed her instinctive urge to act, for the memory of Master Jiangxiao saving her life was still fresh in her mind.

There must be a reason for suddenly drawing the sword at this moment.

Her gaze swept quickly across Song An, who was being pointed at by a sword, and then looked at Chen Jiao, who remained calm, her mind racing.

Song An, whose neck had been touched by the sword, was struck as if by lightning. His whole body trembled, all color drained from his face, and his eyes instantly filled with utter horror. He hurriedly said:

"Master Uncle! Master Uncle, save me! This Taoist... Master Jiangxiao is trying to kill me! Senior Brother Songyan, please save me!"

He dared not move, only looking at Shouyue Zhenren and Songyan with pleading and fearful eyes.

His eyes were filled with panic, seemingly no different from the usual carefree and impulsive young man.

Song Yan was also shocked, but he quickly realized that Chen Jiao's expression was calm and his eyes were clear, not like someone who was crazy or had malice.

Then, recalling the warning about possession by evil spirits, a startling guess suddenly surfaced in my mind.

At that moment, Song Yan took a deep breath and instead of stepping forward to stop him, he silently moved his feet and quietly moved to the side and behind Song An.

They subtly blocked any possible escape routes, while remaining fully alert, their eyes fixed on Song An.

Chen Jiao's gaze remained fixed on the sword tip at Song An's neck, his voice calm and even:

"Does Fellow Daoist Shouyue know what a ghost is?"

Ghosts are those whose obsessions have not been extinguished and whose souls have not dispersed. They condense and remain in the turbid yin energy, thus forming this yin-like form.

Its nature is close to yin and cold, it craves yang energy, and it especially dislikes pure yang methods. It is completely separated from the yin and yang of living people, like water and fire that cannot coexist.

These are called the souls that leave the yang realm; they are most adept at possessing, seizing upon the spirit and intelligence of others, and taking over their words and actions.

Upon hearing this, Master Shouyue's delicate body trembled slightly, and her bright eyes fixed on Song An, trying to find a flaw in that familiar face.

Song An's face was deathly pale, his eyes were filled with tears, and his fear and bewilderment seemed genuine.

Although his breathing was slightly disordered due to fright, it was still the familiar style of the Songyue Sword Sect, with no obvious Yin energy being revealed.

She frowned and hesitated before asking, "Fellow Daoist, are you saying that Song An is possessed by a ghost?"

But... when exactly? Could it be that there were more than just those two Golden Core ghosts just now?

"Uncle-Master! Don't listen to his nonsense!"

Upon hearing Master Shouyue's words, Song An became even more anxious, tears streaming down his face, and he hurriedly tried to explain:

"I really am Song An! I know nothing about possession or anything like that!"

This Taoist priest... this Taoist priest, I don't know what he's up to, or maybe he's in league with those ghosts to harm us! Uncle-Master, please see the truth!

Song Yan, standing to the side, spoke in a deep voice, looking at Song An with a complex expression:

"Uncle-Master, Senior Jiangxiao is a true cultivator of the Dao. He just saved us from danger. There is no reason for him to lie or deceive us."

This disciple dares to guess...

He paused, then lowered his voice and said:

"Perhaps when my uncle fought the two ghosts earlier, the yin energy surged, and in the chaos, another hidden yin spirit took advantage of the situation and invaded my junior brother's body..."

"Senior brother! Even you don't believe me?!"

We grew up together since childhood. Don't you know what kind of person I am, senior brother? Why are you helping outsiders to bully me?

Song An was struck dumb, staring at Song Yan in disbelief, tears streaming down his face, his expression filled with sorrow.

Chen Jiao watched his behavior quietly until the crying subsided slightly before speaking calmly:

"You really put on a convincing act. Your panic, your grievances, and your camaraderie were all spot on."

pity……"

Chen Jiao paused slightly as the Tai Chi Sword's blade drew another half-inch closer, its body faintly glowing with a layer of light.

"The fear of the yang by yin spirits is instinctive. Your fear of my sword is not because of its sharpness, but because of its pure yang intent."

"Will you come out yourself, or should I invite you out?"

The sorrow and fear on Song An's face suddenly froze, then receded like a tide.

He slowly wiped away the few tear stains on his face with his sleeve, the movement carrying a strangely alluring softness.

When I looked up again.

A strange, languid smile graced her face, a stark contrast to Song An's usual carefree demeanor; even her voice had softened into a gentle female tone.

"Oh, what a fierce Taoist priest with a bull's nose."

"Song An" tilted his head, looking at Chen Jiao with a defiant gaze.

"You talk so big, but if you're really that capable, why don't you just drag your great-aunt out directly?"

"Hmph, who are you trying to scare with that broken sword? Like a pig with a scallion stuck in its nose—pretending to be an elephant!"

"Song An" was resolute in his heart.

Even if this Taoist priest was highly skilled, he would never dare to forcibly separate the soul from this living body.

If the host is not careful, his soul will be damaged and his path to enlightenment will be severed.

He curled his lip in disdain.

When Shouyue Zhenren and Songyan witnessed Song'an's coy and delicate demeanor, they both felt their scalps tingle and their hearts grow cold.

Seeing this, Chen Jiao raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly, and simply smiled faintly:

Seeing this, Chen Jiao raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly, and simply smiled faintly:

"You really think I can't handle you?"

Before he finished speaking, a talisman silently slid out of his sleeve with his left hand.

Its color is dark blue, and the runes meander like dragons and snakes, with the faint shadows of majestic mountains flowing through them.

It is the [Dongyue Qingfu Soul-Capturing Talisman], specifically designed to capture wandering spirits and calm the mind.

Chen Jiao made a hand seal with his left hand, drew a talisman in the air with his right, and chanted an incantation. His voice was clear, resonant, and deep, echoing between the cold wind and yellow sand.

"The spirit of Mount Tai shines brightly, and the auspicious talisman descends from the Azure Palace. It illuminates the Nine Netherworlds, and binds all ghosts."

I obey your decree, to seize the soul and bind the spirit. The three souls are locked in place, and the seven spirits are subdued.

Wherever the true talisman goes, none dare to be uneasy. Hurry!

The talisman moved without wind, like a green feather, and lightly imprinted itself on "Song An's" brow.

Almost simultaneously, Chen Jiao flipped up his right palm, a faint red glow emanating from it, and pressed it lightly against the other's chest.

A surge of pure Yang Qi penetrated the body, flowing directly into the internal organs and the Qi Sea.

In an instant, internal and external forces clashed.

"don't want!"

The smug look on Song An's face froze instantly, his eyes widened, and he only had time to let out a short, sharp cry before being completely stripped away by the mysterious power that forced him from both inside and outside.

Chen Jiao slightly closed his five fingers, which were pressed against the center of the forehead, as if to lift it gently.

A streak of crimson light was forcibly pulled from the top of the boy's head.

After hovering briefly in the air, it solidified into a small, bright red fox with four fluffy, long tails.

The red fox's soul was solid, its eyes still gleaming with spiritual light, and its appearance was somewhat endearing and delicate. However, at this moment, it was baring its fangs and claws, appearing quite angry.

The red fox writhed within the confinement of the spiritual light, its voice shrill and defiant.

"You stinking Taoist priest, let me go!"

"I'll never forgive you! I'll suck your life force dry and gnaw your bones clean!"

Song An swayed, her charming expression vanished, leaving only a blank look on her face, before Song Yan rushed forward and firmly supported her.

Master Shouyue held his breath as he stared at the four-tailed red fox ghost that had been easily captured, speechless with shock.

Fellow Daoist Jiangxiao, not only is your swordsmanship divine, but you are also incredibly proficient in the Dao of Souls and the art of talismans!

Chen Jiao ignored the red fox's shouts, his gaze sweeping over the protective barrier for a moment, a knowing glint in his eyes, and asked:

"The Fox Clan of Qingqiu?"

Upon hearing this, the red fox's arrogant demeanor faltered, and a hint of panic flashed in its eyes. It was clear that it had not expected the Taoist priest to see through its origins so easily.

Remembering the strict rules of her clan, she instinctively shrank back, then forced herself to straighten her neck, and said in a fierce but weak voice:

"Now that you know who I am, release me at once! Qingqiu is not to be trifled with!"

Chen Jiao nodded slightly, as if confirming something, and said no more.

He extended two fingers, pinched the tip of the red fox's fluffy tail, and casually twisted his wrist.

The red fox cried out in surprise, having already been swung around twice in the air, leaving it dizzy and disoriented.

Before she could curse again, Chen Jiao pressed the struggling red fox onto the [Eastern Peak Green Mansion Soul-Capturing Talisman].