The Snake Demon's Spotlight

Xu Ying wasn't about to go down there. The young man frantically blinked at Yuan Qi, signaling him to leave quickly. "I'm not learning, are you leaving or not? It's getting dark, and this place is surrounded by the Underworld. Ghosts and spirits appear everywhere, be careful you don't end up unable to go home!"

But Yuan Qi was getting into it. "I heard the lecture just now, and I picked up on some things. I want to stay here and learn. If you're afraid of ghosts, you go back first. I'll stay with the Immortal Master for a few more days."

Xu Ying ground his teeth in anger. Suddenly, Yuan Weiyang beside him looked confused and muttered, "Darkness, the Underworld? Wait a minute, there's something wrong here!"

Xu Ying looked at him. "What's wrong?"

Yuan Weiyang frowned slightly. "Did you notice the stone statues on the immortal mountains? Uncle Xiao and I didn't rush here to listen to the lecture. We went to check out those immortal mountains and found many giant stone statues, carved into various deities."

Xu Ying said in a low voice, "Did you discover the Soul Summoning Incantation?"

Yuan Weiyang was startled and looked up at him. The old servant in green, Uncle Xiao, also looked surprised and fixed his gaze on Xu Ying, thinking, Could he really be a disciple secretly cultivated by some great aristocratic family? Otherwise, why would he even know about something as secret as the Soul Summoning Incantation?

The Soul Summoning Incantation was a peculiar type of talismanic script discovered by certain great families when excavating ancient Qi Refiner tombs and Cave Heavens. These writings were obscure and difficult to understand, yet they contained immense profundity.

Once a family obtained these scripts, they naturally treasured them and were unwilling to show them to others. Therefore, to the world, the Soul Summoning Incantation remained a secret. Even within great families, few people knew about it.

Judging by his attire, Xu Ying was just a country bumpkin. But the fact that he knew about the Soul Summoning Incantation indicated he was definitely a core disciple of a great aristocratic family!

Yuan Weiyang said, "It is the Soul Summoning Incantation. I couldn't figure out why the immortal realm would need the Soul Summoning Incantation before. When you mentioned the Underworld just now, I suddenly understood..."

A flash of inspiration struck Xu Ying, and he exclaimed, "I understand too! So that's how it is!"

The old servant in green, Uncle Xiao, looked bewildered, thinking, What have these two understood?

The Great Bell was also completely confused, not knowing what these two were talking about.

Xu Ying said rapidly, "After the sun sets, the ruined temple world happens to fall within the scope of the Underworld! This is the Underworld, filled with ghosts!"

Yuan Weiyang nodded. "The Soul Summoning Incantation in the heads of the statues is actually used to summon lonely ghosts from the Underworld to refine the Myriad Spirit Pill."

Xu Ying said, "The statues are servants of the White-robed Nuo Immortal. They are responsible for summoning ghosts from the Underworld to refine the Myriad Spirit Pill for him."

Yuan Weiyang said, "The White-robed Nuo Immortal placed his Hidden Scenery immortal realm in the Underworld, with its entrance in the Mortal Realm at the Shuikou Temple. When the Underworld invades the Mortal Realm, the two realms collide, shaking out this Hidden Scenery immortal realm. This is how the ruined temple world came to be."

Xu Ying chimed in, "Because the ruined temple world has always been hidden in the Underworld, filled with ghosts everywhere, the statues don't need a divine soul to inhabit them; they can remain empty. Therefore, when the great temple world is in the Underworld, all the statues will awaken and become powerful deities!"

As he spoke this deduction, he suddenly froze, a fine sheen of cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

Yuan Weiyang continued his deduction, picking up where Xu Ying left off. "In other words, when the sun sets outside, the River of Oblivion reappears, the Underworld invades, the great temple world returns to the Underworld, and all the statues will awaken!"

He paused. "They are about to go on a killing spree!"

The two looked at each other, feeling a sense of mutual understanding.

The Great Bell and Uncle Xiao, however, were utterly stunned. These two youths, talking back and forth, had sketched out an incredibly terrifying picture. Imagine, five immortal mountains, hundreds of giant statues awakening and going on a killing spree – what a horrifying scene that would be!

Xu Ying suddenly looked up, seeing the setting sun, about to dip below the horizon.

Yuan Weiyang stood up and said to the green-robed Uncle Xiao, "Uncle Xiao, this place is about to fall into danger. Let's go."

Uncle Xiao nodded.

Yuan Weiyang looked at Xu Ying. "Aren't you leaving?"

"My friend is here, how can I leave?"

Xu Ying suddenly leaped from the roof of the immortal hall into the temple, laughing heartily, "I've come to learn the Immortal Master's knowledge too!"

Yuan Weiyang was stunned and muttered, "You're jumping in there is seeking your own death. How can a wise person knowingly rush to their death... We had such a pleasant conversation, I thought you were as wise as I am, but I didn't expect you weren't."

He shook his head and followed Uncle Xiao away. However, Xu Ying's actions lingered in his mind like an unsolvable riddle. He really wanted to pull Xu Ying out of the temple and ask for clarification.

But his reason told him that the best course of action now was to leave this place, as quickly as possible!

Xu Ying landed beside Yuan Qi and said with a smile, "The Immortal Master's immortal techniques are truly unfathomable. I wonder if the Immortal Master knows swordsmanship? This disciple wishes to learn swordplay."

The White-robed Nuo Immortal sat cross-legged before the immortal hall, immortal light swirling, rotating like a sword wheel. He did not speak.

Just then, a voice came from the temple entrance, sneering, "Defendant Xu Ying, even if you flee into the great temple, you cannot escape the law!"

Xu Ying turned to look and saw Zhou Zheng, the Judicial Inspector of Yongzhou, striding into the temple. His clothes were tattered, and he looked disheveled, but his complexion was good.

Zhou Zheng strode up to a plump man with a large belly, knelt on one knee, and announced loudly, "My Lord Prefect, your subordinate has fulfilled his mission and driven Xu Ying into the great temple!"

The fat man was as wide as three or four ordinary people, sitting there like a mountain of flesh. He was the Prefect of Yongzhou, Zhou Heng, who was diligently cultivating the Detailed Explanation of the True Vortex of the Dao. He was somewhat impatient with Zhou Zheng's arrival. "Zhou Zheng, what are you making such a fuss about? Don't disturb my path to immortality!"

Zhou Zheng was taken aback. "My Lord, I forced Xu Ying into the temple."

"Xu Ying is nothing!"

Prefect Zhou Heng said irritably, "Xu Ying can only break the cultivation techniques of the Demon Race. I am cultivating immortal techniques, which are far beyond his. If I achieve immortality, why would I need to cultivate the Demon Race's techniques?"

"This, this..."

Zhou Zheng was flustered. He suddenly thought of the many guards who had followed him, now dead or fled, with few survivors. Now, the Prefect was dismissing Xu Ying as nothing, making these men die in vain. Grief welled up within him.

"I'm sorry to these brothers!"

At this moment, several more City Gods entered the great temple. From afar, they kept their eyes fixed on Xu Ying. The Ningyuan Road City God saw Prefect Ling Youdao among the crowd and hurried forward, whispering, "Prefect, Xu Ying is here. Should we...?"

Prefect Ling Tongpan sighed, opened his eyes, and said, "Why must you disturb my immortal destiny? I entered the temple and received immortal techniques. Even that fat Prefect Zhou doesn't bother with him anymore. Why do you want to disturb my cultivation with Xu Ying again!"

The City Gods were also dumbfounded.

Suddenly, Xu Ying laughed, "Does the Immortal Master not know swordsmanship?"

Yuan Qi was displeased. "A Ying, how could the Immortal Master not know swordsmanship? That sword energy abyss outside the Shuikou Temple, stretching for more than ten li, was caused by the Immortal Master's swordsmanship. Isn't that right, Immortal Master?"

Those disturbed by Xu Ying also glared at him.

Before the immortal hall, the white-robed Nuo Immortal smiled without speaking.

Xu Ying chuckled, "Immortal Master, you don't actually understand swordplay. You are a Nuo Immortal. When you felt your lifespan was running out, you hid in your own Hidden Scenery, concealing it within the Underworld. You must have had a vast power in life. Those divine statues were enslaved by you, refining the Myriad Spirit Pill for you. Because your soul was damaged, you needed to consume the Myriad Spirit Pill to sustain it. But one day, a sword light split open your Hidden Scenery and killed you here. Not only were you killed by that person's sword, but they also skinned you."

Yuan Qi became enraged and shouted, "Xu Xiao Ruan, do you know what you're saying? Offending the Immortal Master is a dead end! Immortal Master, please don't bother with him. He had a serious illness in his head and doesn't even know who his parents are!"

Governor Zhou Heng's belly churned with anger and he yelled, "You brat named Xu, you offended the Immortal Master! Even if it goes against family law, I will eliminate you!"

Xu Ying's gaze remained fixed on the white-robed Nuo Immortal's face, and he said with a smile, "Now, you are just a human skin. You crave flesh and blood, but you likely cannot directly use the flesh and blood of others. You need to transform these people, making their flesh and blood suitable for your needs. You teach them cultivation methods, letting them cultivate your evil techniques themselves, transforming themselves to be suitable for you..."

He frowned, unsure how to describe this act of occupying another's body.

The Great Bell knew he had no prior knowledge of this, and reminded him, "Body Snatching. A physical body is like a house, and the soul is like a resident. To snatch another's body, one expels, destroys, or devours the original owner's soul, taking over the nest. This is called Body Snatching."

Xu Ying continued, "You use evil techniques to make these pitiful creatures transform themselves into bodies suitable for your Body Snatching. Am I right?"

As soon as these words were spoken, many people stopped cultivating the Detailed Explanation of the True Vortex of the Dao and looked towards the white-robed Nuo Immortal.

Prefect Ling frowned and said, "Xu Ying, do you know what you are saying? Offending an Immortal Venerable will result in eternal suffering through reincarnation!"

Xu Ying raised his hand and pointed. A sword energy, like a long rainbow piercing the sky, shot towards the white-robed Nuo Immortal, and he shouted, "Is this the move that killed you?"

The white-robed Nuo Immortal, who had been calm and composed, suddenly changed his expression upon seeing this sword light. His skin seemed to deflate like a punctured balloon, and he let out a terrified scream!

However, Xu Ying's sword could not harm him in the slightest. Before it even reached him, it was shattered by his residual aura.

This sword was merely a show, but the white-robed Nuo Immortal was already a frightened bird. Seeing the same sword light, he could no longer maintain his dignified demeanor.

Below the hall, everyone was stunned.

The white-robed Nuo Immortal was still screaming, his cries piercing and agonizing, as if he were being flayed and dismembered.

How could a dignified immortal lose his composure like this?

Xu Ying's eyes twitched slightly, and he looked up at the sky. The sky outside had darkened at some unknown time. The young man patted Yuan Qi, who was still in shock, and whispered, "Let's go. If we don't leave now, it'll be too late."

Yuan Qi snapped back to his senses and immediately followed him. The man and the snake walked out of the temple. Yuan Qi said with lingering fear, "A Ying, this Immortal Master was really good to me. He was very patient when he lectured, much more patient than you. Oh, and he also gave me two scrolls of scripture."

"Hahahaha!"

Strange laughter came from behind. The white-robed Nuo Immortal laughed uncontrollably, his body contorting bizarrely. His waist seemed broken; when he leaned forward, his entire body pressed against the ground, and when he leaned back, his waist bent, his head touching the ground.

"The sky has finally darkened."

The white-robed Nuo Immortal stood up, radiating immortal light all over, and laughed, "The hunt has begun. My Divine Dynasty has awakened!"

Outside the world of the ruined temple, the River of Oblivion appeared out of nowhere, with ghostly fires flickering dimly on both its banks.

Although a sun still hung high in the sky within the ruined temple world, a chilling cold suddenly descended. The entire great temple world entered the Underworld at this moment.

In the immortal mountains, the divine statues grew brighter, and the humming chants grew louder.

In the sky, ghostly fires, like countless stars, surged forward and poured into the ruined temple world. Each ghostly fire represented a lonely wandering soul, attracted by the Soul Summoning Incantation in the minds of the divine statues in the five great immortal mountains, heading towards the statues and altars!

Xu Ying, with Yuan Qi, rushed out of the temple and saw five floating immortal mountains. Towering figures rose and fell, and waves of terrifying divine power reverberated!

Terrified people fled the great temple in panic, jostling and trampling each other as they escaped.

Earlier, this place had been their immortal realm; now, it was their hell!

"You will all die!"

The white-robed Nuo Immortal's voice came from behind them, "Tonight, you will all be sacrifices to the Divine Dynasty!"

Some people who had cultivated the so-called Detailed Explanation of the True Vortex of the Dao too deeply, the moment they stepped out of the temple door, their flesh and blood suddenly separated. Only their bones ran out of the great temple, while their flesh and blood remained inside.

Xu Ying looked back and saw many people leap, attempting to jump out of the great temple. The moment they crossed the threshold, their flesh and bones suddenly separated, leaving only a skeleton to rush out.

Seeing this, others hesitated, their raised feet faltering, afraid to leave the temple.

They had cultivated the Detailed Explanation of the True Vortex of the Dao, embedding their vital energy into their flesh and blood like nails. Their vital energy was also consistent with the white-robed Nuo Immortal's, essentially fusing them with the great temple. To jump out would require shedding their skin and flesh!

Yuan Qi suddenly had an epiphany and shouted, "You should reverse the circulation of the Detailed Explanation of the True Vortex of the Dao, and you should be able to resolve it!"

The white-robed Nuo Immortal was furious and shouted, "Worm, you're ruining my good deed! I will make you suffer a terrible death!"

Yuan Qi's mind seemed to suddenly unlock a crucial point, and he shouted, "I know! He also fused himself with the great temple to remain immortal. He cannot leave the great temple!"

The white-robed Nuo Immortal was enraged. His human skin flew off, drifting and fluttering, about to rush out of the temple door.

However, the great temple was his Hidden Scenery and place of sublimation. As soon as he reached the temple door, the white-robed Nuo Immortal was pulled back by a strange force.

In the past, he had lived in seclusion in his Hidden Scenery and place of sublimation, undisturbed. He never expected an unforeseen enemy to find him and kill him with a sword.

Because he had died unjustly and unwillingly, he guarded his human skin, fusing it with his Hidden Scenery and place of sublimation, making this great temple his flesh, sinews, bones, and internal organs.

He then designed the Detailed Explanation of the True Vortex of the Dao to trick people into entering the temple. As long as they entered and cultivated this technique, they would fuse with the great temple and become his flesh and blood.

This had been going smoothly, but he never expected a problem to arise because of a foolish snake demon.

Even more unexpectedly, although this snake demon was foolish, it was sometimes very clever, actually discovering a flaw in his technique!

"My family comes from a scholarly background. I've read a lot, and there are all sorts of stories in books. You think you can trick this old ox grandpa?" the large snake retorted mockingly.

The white-robed Nuo Immortal was even more enraged, "This impudent snake actually has the surname Niu! I actually lost to a demon that doesn't even know its own race!"