On Ox Horn Mountain, the stars and moon shone brightly.
Lin Yan quietly looked at the broken Divine Banner at his feet, his expression complicated.
The situation had become so dire!
The circumstances were so critical!
The scene could only be described as bizarre and terrifying!
Everyone had fallen into despair, trapped in a hopeless predicament!
And all that for 46 strands of Killing Intent?
"Not worth a thing."
Lin Yan sheathed his saber and sighed inwardly. "It was only equivalent to one Bear Demon."
Yet he also understood that this evil spirit was not actually all that powerful.
It was only because, for some unknown reason, it could disregard the methods of the Temple of Lord Liu that it seemed so bizarre and terrifying.
But for Lin Yan, killing this evil spirit had been far easier than killing the Bear Demon head-on the previous night.
Of course, he knew he was an exception. If it had been any other Martial Artist in the Essence Refining Realm, they would rather face a Bear Demon than an evil spirit like this.
That was because a Bear Demon had a physical body, while an evil spirit had no form.
Martial Artists often lacked the means to deal with evil 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 evil spirit."
Lin Yan thought to himself, "Afterward, even an Essence Refining Realm cultivator would suffer damage to their vitality."
If an Essence Refining Realm Martial Artist repeatedly used their own vital blood to deal with evil spirits, it would inevitably lead to deficient qi and blood and damage their foundation.
This would affect their cultivation of Martial Arts. More seriously, it would mean cutting off their own future and severing all hope of advancing along the Martial Arts path.
In the long run, this method would even shorten one's Lifespan.
Anyone who used it regularly could never hope to live a long life.
"Therefore, even in the eyes of Essence Refining Realm Martial Artists, evil spirits are still incredibly terrifying."
Thinking this, Lin Yan turned his gaze forward.
A hundred paces ahead, all the Night Patrol Envoys had collapsed and fallen unconscious.
Of the city-defense soldiers, only Meng Lu remained conscious, though his expression was dazed.
All the temple envoys were groggy and muddle-headed. Only Mr. Jing had retained his awareness, but even he looked stunned and bewildered, his gaze somewhat unfocused.
"..."
Lin Yan slowly walked over, his eyes falling upon those unconscious people.
Seeing this, Meng Lu immediately reacted. He hurriedly tugged at Mr. Jing's sleeve, then pointed at the ground.
"Oh, it's fine, it's fine. They were only tugged at a little..."
Mr. Jing hastily explained, "If it had gone on for a little longer and their souls had been pulled out of their bodies, it would have been troublesome... But since they weren't pulled out, the problem isn't serious."
He hesitated before continuing, "At most, they'll be drowsy and listless for the next few days. But they've all practiced martial arts, so their physiques are stronger than ordinary people's. If they eat more, they should recover within three to five days."
"Mm."
Lin Yan nodded slightly, then said, "We owe you one today. Without you, we couldn't have subdued the evil spirit."
"Huh?"
Mr. Jing hurriedly waved his hands. "Subduing the evil spirit was entirely Fifth Master's achievement. How could I claim the credit?"
He quickly added, "I couldn't pose the slightest threat to the evil spirit this time. Instead, I strengthened it and nearly got everyone killed. It was all thanks to Fifth Master saving our lives..."
As he spoke, he vaguely felt that the newly appointed Banner Bearer of the Lin Jiang Department sounded as though he was being sarcastic.
He lowered his head, his face filled with shame.
But before Lin Yan could speak again, Captain Meng beside them had already seen through the situation.
"Fifth Master, who do you think should handle the matter tonight?"
"Hmm?"
Lin Yan gave him a deep look, rather surprised.
At this moment, Meng Lu had also vaguely understood.
The earliest rumors from outside claimed that the newly appointed Banner Bearer of the Lin Jiang Department was only at the Martial Arts path's second stage, and perhaps had not even reached its peak.
After the battle last night, everyone who knew the inside story had concluded that this Fifth Master had secretly attained the Inner Strengthening Realm.
But tonight, Meng Lu had finally understood.
This was a true great figure!
An existence in the Essence Refining Realm!
Yet such a powerful expert was willing to lie low in Lin Jiang Ward as a Banner Bearer.
He had deliberately concealed his cultivation, which meant he must have some enormous scheme.
That was why Meng Lu had asked this question.
"As far as we know, every demon and evil creature in this world fears the divine might of Willow Venerable!"
"Yet tonight, an evil spirit this astonishing appeared. Not only did it not fear that divine might, it even borrowed Willow Venerable's divine might to grow!"
"This matter concerns the safety of the entire city. Mr. Jing would certainly not dare conceal it in his report."
Meng Lu's thoughts turned, and he continued in a low voice, "The wondrous techniques Mr. Jing learned in the temple since childhood were completely useless today... Having him be the one to 'break the deadlock' tonight truly isn't suitable."
He noticed that Fifth Master's gaze toward him had grown increasingly strange, and hurriedly waved his hands again. "My cultivation is low. I haven't even reached the Inner Strengthening Realm, so I'm even less suitable."
"Then who do you think is more suitable?" Lin Yan asked.
"Last night, someone appeared in Gao Liu City and killed a Bear Demon. That person possessed Essence Refining Realm cultivation. Why not... have that person come save us?"
"That will do."
Lin Yan felt slightly helpless. After all that circling around, he still had to save himself.
But that really was an excellent "candidate."
Once the matter had been settled, the atmosphere fell silent again.
The others had yet to wake up.
The three people present all remained silent.
After a long while, Lin Yan finally spoke. "Gao Liu City was founded two hundred and forty years ago. It has always been... Martial Artists slay demons, and temples suppress evil."
"By reason, such an evil spirit should be impossible in this world."
Mr. Jing slowly raised his head, his expression dazed.
Everything he had learned since childhood had become completely useless overnight. All his understanding of "divine arts" and "evil spirits" seemed to have been utterly destroyed.
At this moment, his eyes held only endless bewilderment.
"It wasn't powerful enough to contend with Willow Venerable. Before I activated the Divine Banner, it was merely the most ordinary and feeble Wandering Spirit."
"It wasn't even strong enough to threaten a slightly sturdier martial artist."
"But why did it not fear Willow Venerable? How could it even devour Willow Venerable's divinity?"
"If all the evil spirits in the darkness were like this, wouldn't the temples be no different from empty decorations?"
"Wouldn't Willow Venerable's deterrence be no different from nothing?"
"Then Gao Liu City should have been destroyed long ago."
Mr. Jing murmured in a low voice, trembling as he stared at his hands. He raised his head, his eyes somewhat hollow.
Silence descended over the scene for a moment.
An extremely heavy atmosphere seemed to weigh upon the hearts of the three.
After a while, Lin Yan slowly spoke. "As you said, if the evil spirits in the darkness all feared nothing from Willow Venerable, then Gao Liu City would have long since become a hell crawling with evil spirits!"
"Mr. Jing has studied the temple arts since childhood, and Captain Meng has guarded the city for many years."
"Tonight is the first time either of you has seen such a bizarre evil spirit."
"This may prove that such 'bizarre evil spirits' are extremely rare."
After a pause, Lin Yan said solemnly, "But whether it is rare or not, the appearance of such an evil spirit poses a tremendous threat to Gao Liu City's safety and survival!"
"Once the method by which such a 'bizarre evil spirit' is born falls into the hands of people with malicious intentions, then in the future... the troubles will be endless!"
As Lin Yan's voice rang out, both Captain Meng and Mr. Jing felt a chill rise in their hearts.
"I will report this truthfully to the temple!"
Mr. Jing's tone was solemn. After another pause, he continued, "I will personally report it to the First Temple Priest!"
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