Transformation Ritual

Thinking of this, Li Xuanxiao felt the situation was tricky.

As expected of the Demon Slayer Division, a task casually assigned to an Apex Realm martial artist.

It was actually this level, truly impressive!

It's only through one difficult mission after another that martial artists can become stronger, right?

Li Xuanxiao sighed, then quickly moved through the Pure Land Temple, searching for the Magistrate.

Now he realized how useful the "Silent Heart Sutra" was!

Thanks to the Silent Heart Sutra's control over his aura, he evaded multiple waves of Monk Soldiers searching for him and successfully infiltrated the depths of the Pure Land Temple.

The halls here suddenly became solemn, even simple objects seemed extraordinary.

Even the Buddha statue in the center was more exquisite!

Li Xuanxiao entered a large hall and searched around, but was drawn by a faint noise.

In the corner of a side hall, a "whimpering" sound could be heard.

He narrowed his eyes and approached stealthily, the Silent Heart Sutra operating at its peak.

As long as their realm wasn't higher than his, it was basically impossible for them to detect his presence.

Approaching, Li Xuanxiao tilted his head slightly, finding an angle to peek.

He saw a young monk, tied to a pillar with ropes, his mouth stuffed with cotton.

The whimpering sound was what he made while struggling.

What's up with this guy?

Li Xuanxiao had intended to leave, but after a moment's thought, he turned back.

Perhaps he could pry some information out of him?

It was better than him running around like a headless chicken.

So, he stopped hiding his tracks and walked directly to the monk.

Seeing Li Xuanxiao, the young monk's face immediately lit up with excitement.

The whimpering sound grew louder.

Li Xuanxiao made a shushing gesture: "Answer my questions, don't say anything extra, don't shout."

"Otherwise, I'll make sure you can never speak again!"

"Do you understand?"

The young monk stared at Li Xuanxiao with wide eyes and nodded.

Very good!

Li Xuanxiao removed the cotton from his mouth and asked softly, "Who are you, and why are you tied up here?"

After a few coughs, the young monk gradually caught his breath: "This humble monk is Jingshan, an ordinary monk of the Pure Land Temple."

"I'm tied here because I refused to participate in the Transformation Ritual."

Transformation Ritual?

Li Xuanxiao asked again: "What exactly happened at the Pure Land Temple, and what is this Transformation Ritual?"

A flicker of fear flashed in Jingshan's eyes, and he spoke tremblingly.

"This Pure Land Temple has strayed from the teachings of Lord Buddha."

"Everyone has abandoned their duties as monks and become obsessed with seeking immortality."

"The so-called Transformation Ritual is the way to achieve immortality."

Li Xuanxiao's expression changed upon hearing this, What the heck?

Immortality is possible?

If immortality is truly possible, then I'd like to try it too!

"So, can this Transformation Ritual really make people immortal?"

Jingshan shook his head repeatedly: "Of course not! Immortality always comes with a price!"

"Everyone who participates in the Transformation Ritual eventually turns into a monster, neither human nor ghost!"

"Immortality distorts the way of existence as a human!"

"Benefactor, this humble monk advises you to leave quickly."

"If you are captured, you don't know what they will do to you."

Li Xuanxiao certainly wasn't going to leave just like that: "Do you know where the Magistrate of Faxuan City is?"

Jingshan scratched his bald head: "That lord from the city?"

"He's probably... probably been forced to participate in the Transformation Ritual!"

Li Xuanxiao narrowed his eyes: "Tell me, where is the Transformation Ritual taking place?"

"At the Qingyan Treasure Hall, behind the Pure Land Temple's back mountain."

After hearing Jingshan's words, Li Xuanxiao immediately swung his blade down!

Jingshan's face turned ashen with shock, and he instinctively closed his eyes.

Then, he felt his body loosen. Opening his eyes, he saw that the ropes binding him had been cut.

"Th-thank you."

Jingshan thanked him with a hint of trepidation, as he had initially thought Li Xuanxiao intended to kill him.

"Can you escape from here by yourself?"

"Huh?"

"If you can escape on your own, then go ahead. I have other matters to attend to!"

"If you can't escape, you can wait here for me. I'll come back to take you out after I've finished everything!"

Jingshan was stunned for a moment. "Th-thank you, benefactor. I will stay here and pray for your safety!"

Li Xuanxiao smiled; this young monk was quite interesting. "I'm leaving!"

With a clear target, he no longer needed to waste any time.

Adjusting his direction, he headed straight for the Qingyan Treasure Hall on the back mountain!

As soon as he got close, Li Xuanxiao's internal alarm bells blared!

This aura...

It's Profound Realm!

Li Xuanxiao was taken aback. Damn it, the mission manual marked this as an Apex Realm task!

How could it involve someone at the Profound Realm level!

Is the Demon Slayer Division really this hardcore?

Just a random mission requires a cross-realm challenge?

Pei Province, Demon Slayer Division, Law Enforcement Hall.

Liu Gelin sat in the main hall, reviewing the roster of recently apprehended Martial Artists.

Suddenly, a subordinate reported.

"Sir, the Flying Eagle Hall sent a letter, stating it was a previous oversight."

"Please review it, sir."

The subordinate presented a letter with both hands.

"Why do those guys from the Flying Eagle Hall always cause these problems?"

Liu Gelin grumbled, casually tearing it open without much thought.

However, upon reading the first few words of the letter, he jolted upright!

"Pure Land Temple colluding with demons!"

"...Those monks have gone completely mad! They aren't even human anymore!"

"...Even after decapitation, they can still stand up..."

"We must... we must dispatch high-level Martial Artists!

"At least Profound Realm level three or higher!"

"As soon as possible! As soon as possible!"

After reading the letter, Liu Gelin's expression turned grave.

He remembered this mission; it had been assigned to that young fellow brought by Si Miaoyin.

He seemed to be called Li Xuanxiao, wasn't it?

According to Si Miaoyin, Li Xuanxiao was only at the mid-to-late stage of the Apex Realm.

Liu Gelin inwardly cursed his bad luck.

He had intended to do that girl a favor, but now, he might have just sent someone to their death.

He summoned his subordinate. "Immediately change the mission's rating and reassign it with the authority of the Law Enforcement Hall..."

After a moment's thought, he shook his head again.

"Forget it, I'll go myself."

Li Xuanxiao pondered for a moment but didn't retreat.

After all, he was also in the Profound Realm. Even if he couldn't win, he should still be able to escape.

Therefore, he concealed his aura and cautiously approached.

Soon, they entered the grand and solemn main hall.

Inside the hall, the Buddha statues and Dharma images were solemn, with sandalwood incense curling around the offering platform.

Beneath the Buddha statues, over a hundred monks were already seated neatly on the ground.

These monks wore expressions of peaceful intoxication, completely oblivious to Li Xuanxiao's arrival.

Li Xuanxiao frowned, feeling that their expressions inexplicably exuded a sickly and eerie aura.

It looked like a cult gathering!

At the very front of the many monks, a middle-aged man in official robes was also seated on the ground.

His eyes were vacant, his expression dull, like a walking corpse.

Li Xuanxiao narrowed his eyes; that must be the Magistrate.

Just then, a deep bell sound rang out!

Bong—

The moment the monks heard the bell, they opened their eyes almost simultaneously.

Their faces showed a fanatical and unhealthy piety.

The Transformation Ritual had begun!