Martial Artist Slices Demons, Temple Suppresses Evil

On Ox Horn Mountain, the stars and moon shone brightly.

Lin Yan quietly looked at the broken banner at his feet, his expression complex.

The situation was so dire!

The circumstances were so critical!

The scene was truly bizarre and terrifying!

Everyone had fallen into despair, trapped in a desperate situation!

And this was only worth 46 strands of Malevolent Energy?

"It's not worth much."

Lin Yan sheathed his saber, sighing inwardly, "It's only equivalent to a Bear Demon."

But he also understood that this Evil Spirit wasn't overly powerful.

It was just that, for some unknown reason, it was fearless of the methods from the Temple of Lord Liu, which made it appear so strange and horrifying.

However, for Lin Yan, killing this Evil Spirit was much easier than killing the Bear Demon head-on last night.

Of course, he knew he was an exception. If it were any other Martial Artist in the Essence Refining Realm, they would rather face a Bear Demon than this kind of Evil Spirit.

Because Bear Demons had physical bodies, while Malevolent Spirits were formless.

Martial Artists often lacked the means to deal with Malevolent Spirits.

"If I didn't possess the Demon Quelling Divine Ability, I would have to expend my heart's blood, drawing it out with the tip of my tongue, to restrain the Malevolent Spirit."

Lin Yan thought to himself, "Even for someone in the Essence Refining Realm, it would damage their vital energy afterward."

If a Martial Artist in the Essence Refining Realm repeatedly used their own vital essence to deal with Malevolent Spirits, it would inevitably lead to a deficiency in Blood Essence and damage their foundation.

This would affect their progress in Martial Arts, and more seriously, it would cut off their future path, extinguishing any hope of a future in Martial Arts.

In the long run, it was also a method that shortened one's lifespan.

Using this method frequently would surely not lead to a long life.

"Therefore, even in the eyes of Martial Artists in the Essence Refining Realm, Malevolent Spirits are still extremely terrifying."

Lin Yan thought this as he looked ahead.

About a hundred paces ahead, the Night Patrol Envoys had all collapsed, unconscious.

Of the city defense soldiers, only Meng Lu remained conscious, but his expression was dazed.

The Temple envoys were all in a stupor, only Mr. Jing retained his senses, but he too was bewildered and lost, his eyes somewhat unfocused.

"..."

Lin Yan slowly walked over, his gaze falling on the unconscious individuals.

Seeing this, Meng Lu immediately reacted, quickly tugging at Mr. Jing's sleeve and pointing at the ground.

"Oh, oh, it's nothing, it's nothing, they were just... pulled a bit..."

Mr. Jing quickly explained, "If they had been pulled out of their bodies for another moment, it would have been very troublesome... but since their souls weren't pulled out, it's not a big problem."

He hesitated, then continued, "At most, they'll be drowsy and listless for the next few days, but they've all trained in martial arts, so their bodies are stronger than ordinary people. With some good food, they'll recover in three to five days."

"Mm."

Lin Yan nodded slightly, then said, "Thanks to you today, we were able to subdue the Evil Spirit."

"Ah?"

Mr. Jing quickly waved his hands, "Subduing the Evil Spirit was all Fifth Master's doing. How could I dare to claim credit?"

He quickly added, "I couldn't pose any threat to the Evil Spirit this time. Instead, I nearly led everyone to their deaths. It was all thanks to Fifth Master for saving our lives..."

As he said this, he vaguely felt that the new Banner Bearer of the Lin Jiang Department's words just now sounded like sarcasm.

He then lowered his head, his face filled with shame.

But before Lin Yan could speak again, Captain Meng Lu, who was standing nearby, had already seen through the situation.

"Regarding tonight's events, who does Fifth Master think should have resolved it?"

"Hmm?"

Lin Yan looked at him deeply, quite surprised.

At this moment, Meng Lu had a vague understanding in his heart.

The initial rumors from outside suggested that the new Banner Bearer of the Lin Jiang Department was only at the second stage of Martial Arts, or not even at its peak.

After last night's battle, those who knew the inside story were convinced that this Fifth Master had secretly cultivated to the Inner Strength realm.

By tonight, Meng Lu understood.

This was a truly important figure!

Someone in the Essence Refining Realm!

Such a powerful individual was willing to lie low in the Lin Jiang Ward, serving as a Banner Bearer.

Anyone deliberately hiding their cultivation must have a grand scheme.

That's why Meng Lu asked the question.

"In our understanding, all demonic evils in the world fear the divine might of Willow Venerate!"

"Tonight, such a shocking and evil spirit appeared, not only unafraid but even growing stronger by borrowing Willow Venerate's divine might!"

"Such a major event, concerning the safety of the entire city, Mr. Jing would surely not dare to conceal."

As thoughts raced through Meng Lu's mind, he added in a low voice, "The profound techniques Mr. Jing learned from the Temple since childhood were completely useless today... To have him be the one to 'break the deadlock' tonight is indeed not very suitable."

He noticed the Fifth Master's gaze towards him becoming increasingly strange and quickly waved his hands again, "My cultivation is low, I haven't reached Inner Strength yet, so I'm even less suitable."

"Then who do you think is more suitable?" Lin Yan asked.

"Last night, a person appeared in Gao Liu City who slew a Bear Demon and possesses the cultivation of the Essence Refining Realm. Why not... have this person save us?"

"Agreed."

Lin Yan felt a slight sense of helplessness. Going in circles, he still had to save himself.

But this was indeed an excellent "candidate."

After the matter was settled, the atmosphere in the room once again fell into silence.

The others had not yet woken up.

The three present remained silent.

After a long while, Lin Yan finally spoke, "Gao Liu City, founded two cycles ago, has always been where... Martial Artists slay demons, and Temples suppress evil."

"Logically speaking, such evil spirits shouldn't exist in this world."

Mr. Jing slowly raised his head, his expression dazed.

The knowledge he had learned since childhood was rendered useless overnight. All his understanding of 'divine techniques' and 'evil spirits' seemed to have been completely shattered.

At this moment, his eyes held only endless confusion.

"It wasn't powerful enough to contend with Willow Venerate. Even before I used the divine banner, it was just an ordinary, weak Wandering Spirit."

"It wasn't even strong enough to threaten a slightly stronger Martial Artist."

"But why was it unafraid of Willow Venerate, and even able to devour Willow Venerate's divinity?"

"If the darkness is filled with such evil spirits, then aren't the Temples useless?"

"Then isn't Willow Venerate's deterrence equivalent to nothing?"

"Then Gao Liu City should have perished long ago."

Mr. Jing muttered softly, looking at his trembling hands, then raised his head, his eyes somewhat vacant.

Silence fell in the room for a moment.

An extremely heavy atmosphere seemed to weigh down on the hearts of the three.

After a while, Lin Yan slowly spoke, "As you said, if the evil spirits in the darkness were unafraid of Willow Venerate, then the entire Gao Liu City would have long ago become a purgatory overrun with evil spirits!"

"Mr. Jing has studied techniques since childhood, and Commander Meng has defended the city for many years."

"Tonight is the first time you have both seen such a bizarre evil spirit."

"This perhaps proves that such 'bizarre evil spirits' are extremely rare."

He paused, then Lin Yan said solemnly, "But regardless of whether it is rare or not, the appearance of such an evil spirit is a huge threat to the safety and survival of Gao Liu City!"

"Once the method of birth for such 'bizarre evil spirits' is mastered by some ill-intentioned individuals, then in the future... the disaster will be endless!"

As Lin Yan spoke, both Commander Meng Lu and Mr. Jing couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines.

"I will report this truthfully to the Temple!"

Mr. Jing's tone was grave. He paused again, then continued, "I will personally report it to the First Temple Priest!"