Chapter 61: A Sinister Presence, Crimson Flames Engulf the River
“Cough, cough, cough… Damn it!”
Jiang Zhi crawled out of the black smoke, his face covered in soot and blood. He tried to stand up, but he clutched his chest, coughing up blood, almost fainting.
He had exhausted all the Yin techniques he knew, but that distance of a few dozen feet felt like an insurmountable chasm.
Not only had he failed to affect Lin Tianlu and his companions, he hadn’t even been able to scratch the boat’s surface.
And worst of all…
All the artifacts he had brought with him had been destroyed by some unknown force.
Jiang Zhi gritted his teeth, his heart consumed by an indescribable fear.
This Lin Tianlu was truly bizarre!
He was no match for him!
If not for his orders, he would have fled this place long ago.
“Jiang Zhi, you look quite pathetic. If your colleagues saw you now, they would laugh at you.”
A seductive voice rang out.
Jiang Zhi’s fear turned to shock. He endured the pain and scrambled to his feet, bowing deeply. “Master Yan Yi! Please forgive my incompetence. That Lin Tianlu and his companions are truly strange. No matter what Yin techniques I use, I can’t harm them…
But they’re still on the river, enjoying the moon. It seems they haven’t noticed our actions.”
The fear and anger that had consumed him moments ago were replaced by a deep respect, careful not to show any disrespect towards the newcomer.
As he spoke, Yan Yi’s figure, shrouded in a mist of white and azure smoke, floated towards them. He twirled his fan, his azure robe billowing, a gentle smile on his handsome face.
He looked like a seductive celestial being descending from the heavens.
But…
Looking behind him, one could see that everyone along the path had collapsed, unconscious. Even the bustling Ascension Immortal Restaurant was now silent, as if plunged into darkness. A chilling Yin energy extended for hundreds of feet, a terrifying sight.
“This is quite interesting~”
Yan Yi chuckled softly, fanning himself. “According to the reports, several evil spirits in Changling County have been effortlessly eliminated. There were even rumors of a ghost being killed from miles away, as if a powerful master resides here. It seems this Lin Tianlu is the one behind it all.”
Jiang Zhi gritted his teeth. “But he’s still a mortal. If we just destroy the boat…”
“Someone like him would have protective measures. Ordinary Yin techniques wouldn’t work.”
Yan Yi smiled faintly. “I only come to Changling County once every three years. It’s rare to encounter a human at the ‘Transformation Realm.’ I’m quite intrigued.
Why don’t I play with this Lin Tianlu and see what kind of excitement he can bring me?”
Jiang Zhi’s eyes lit up with hope. “Master Yan Yi, are you going to intervene personally?!”
With a ‘Soultaker’ present, what was there to fear?!
“Heh, if I don’t, who else will? You?”
Yan Yi glanced at him with a playful smile.
Jiang Zhi broke out in a cold sweat, remaining silent.
Yan Yi looked away and said casually, “If we don’t eliminate this Lin Tianlu, Changling County will become his playground. Losing such a valuable location with its excellent feng shui would be a significant loss for our ‘Luo Xing.’”
He slowly opened his fan, a faint crimson aura appearing on its embroidered surface.
“This Lin Tianlu is still young. Perhaps he possesses some innate talent and has comprehended some divine techniques on his own. But he’s already gaining power. We need to eliminate him before he becomes a threat.
Of course, if he proves to be interesting—”
The crimson light illuminated his jade-like face, making him look both demonic and ethereal. He licked his lips seductively.
“I might spare his life and keep him as a pet for a while.”
“Afterwards, go and eliminate everyone he’s close to. Spread rumors that he’s not a virtuous scholar, but a charlatan, working with accomplices to create illusions… Or maybe he’s a demon or a ghost himself.”
Jiang Zhi bowed deeply. “As you command, Master Yan Yi!”
As he bowed, he glanced at the crimson flame flickering on the fan, a hint of longing in his eyes.
Even a trace of this ‘Crimson Sun Essence’ would be incredibly beneficial to a ghost practitioner like him, worth years of arduous cultivation. Its power was far beyond that of ordinary Yin energy.
If he had possessed this essence earlier, perhaps… he could have challenged Lin Tianlu from across the river.
But he knew that this seemingly gentle and seductive man was not someone he could trifle with. His power was unimaginable, capable of ending his life in an instant.
“Those women on the boat are all close to Lin Tianlu. We can catch them all in one net. But they’re all so beautiful and charming. It would be a waste to kill them. I’ll just devour them and ‘replace’ them, keeping Lin Tianlu company.”
Yan Yi smiled faintly, pointing his fan towards the boat on the river.
“Go. Burn that—”
Poof!
An explosion erupted, a wave of heat washing over them.
Jiang Zhi instinctively recoiled in fear, shielding himself with his arms. When the heat subsided, he cautiously lowered his hands, his eyes wide with shock.
The crimson aura that had been swirling on Yan Yi’s fan had vanished.
Jiang Zhi’s face was filled with disbelief.
—The Crimson Sun Essence… had been extinguished?!
“Oh?” Yan Yi let out a soft exclamation, his expression surprised.
Then, his smile widened, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “Immune to fire, unfazed by the Crimson Sun Essence… He’s not just a beginner at the Transformation Realm… This is getting interesting! I’m even more eager to get my hands on him now!”
Jiang Zhi trembled, his fear overwhelming. “Master Yan Yi…”
“Step back. This isn’t a place for you. If you die, I won’t bother collecting your corpse.”
Yan Yi flicked his sleeve, and the crimson aura around him condensed, forming several crimson swords.
With a flick of his finger, dozens of sword shadows shot across the river, their power immense, piercing through the air.
Boom, boom, boom!
Waves of water erupted as the swords struck, almost engulfing the pleasure boat.
Yan Yi’s smile was playful and seductive, but his attacks were relentless, a barrage of crimson swords, each strike more powerful than the last. The river churned, explosions echoing across the water.
But…
As the mist cleared, the lantern-lit boat emerged from the flames, unscathed, slowly turning towards the shore.
“Such potent Yang energy, forming a flawless protective barrier. Such extraordinary power, truly captivating! Now I understand why those women are so smitten with him!”
Yan Yi chuckled softly, waving his fan. A massive wave of crimson fire erupted, engulfing the boat once more.
“…”
Jiang Zhi, who had retreated a safe distance, stared at the terrifying scene, his jaw dropping.
This was the first time he had witnessed Yan Yi unleashing such power. It was like witnessing a legendary immortal!
“I’ve only used thirty percent of my power. Let’s see what he’s made of.” Yan Yi closed his fan and thrust his palm towards the sea of fire. The flames surged, their intensity growing, reaching towards the sky.
“Now, he should—”
He suddenly stopped speaking, staring at the river in shock.
The pleasure boat emerged from the flames, unscathed, slowly approaching the dock.
Yan Yi was astonished.
This fire, fueled by the Crimson Sun Essence, could melt even metal and stone. Even a mortal grandmaster would be reduced to ashes.
But this boat…
Jiang Zhi was terrified. “Master Yan Yi, what is this—”
Before he could finish speaking, he froze, his body stiff as if struck by lightning.
Because Yan Yi had a gaping hole in his chest.
“…”
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