Cun Tian Shan's Name Shakes the Small Path, Extraordinary Methods Seek to Break Malevolent Spirits

"Because those three corpses just appeared out of nowhere. This courtyard is extremely strange, as if it's covered by a 'mist barrier' that can confuse perception. I also inexplicably ended up in this side room earlier," Yun Ruzhou explained.

Upon hearing this, Yun Qingsu's expression completely darkened. She realized she had entered somewhat recklessly.

Based on Yun Ruzhou's description, there were likely more than one Malevolent Spirit lurking in this courtyard.

"Sigh..." Yun Ruzhou let out a long sigh, his tone filled with helplessness.

"The demons and monsters in this Cangzhou region are becoming increasingly rampant. I've sent messages to the sect countless times, but it hasn't garnered any attention."

A flicker of guilt and solemnity flashed across Yun Qingsu's face.

"This is indeed an oversight by the sect, failing to detect the severity of this situation in time. However, Junior Disciple Xiao Zhou, it's not just Cangzhou. The sect has been facing many troubles lately, with chaos erupting everywhere. It was only with great difficulty that I managed to break away and rush here..."

"Alright, alright, there's no use saying these things now."

Yun Ruzhou interrupted her, extending his hand and saying without politeness, "The urgent matter is to leave this cursed place first. Senior Disciple Qingsu, quickly take out all the good treasures you brought with you. Whether we can get out alive depends on how thick your savings are."

Creak~

The room door closed on its own behind them.

"This... How could this be..." Xu Qiaoqiao held the lamp in her hand, her beautiful eyes wide open, staring at the scene before her in disbelief.

Outside the door was a pile of firewood; it should have been the kitchen. Yet, stepping inside, what greeted her eyes was a neatly arranged main hall.

Chen Duan's gaze swept across the entire hall. The furnishings were ancient, covered in a thick layer of dust, exuding an aura of decay. His gaze eventually returned to Xu Qiaoqiao. "Stop spacing out. Where is it?"

"The Talisman Snake's senses... it should indeed be around here... Ah!"

Xu Qiaoqiao's words were cut short as she suddenly screamed, spinning around abruptly, one hand covering her buttocks. Even though the lamplight was dim, it couldn't hide the shame and embarrassment on her face.

Since they met, this overbearing guy had repeatedly crossed the line. First, he touched her foot, then her waist, and now he had escalated, directly touching her butt! Was he really little Uncle-Master's friend? Xu Qiaoqiao was both shocked and angry.

"What's wrong?" Chen Duan turned his head, his brow furrowed, a hint of confusion on his face. What was this woman's sudden outburst about? Seeing his complete denial, Xu Qiaoqiao became even more annoyed. However, she glanced at Chen Duan's fists, which were as big as sandbags, and could only suppress her anger for the time being.

"N-nothing."

"If it's nothing, then stop barking like a dog," Chen Duan said, ignoring her. He began pacing the room, observing every corner. Barking like a dog? This damned Demon Lord! He took advantage and then called me a dog! Xu Qiaoqiao gritted her teeth, clenching her small fists. Then, she also began to examine the surroundings. I'll endure it again!

A moment later.

Xu Qiaoqiao felt her earlobes burning intensely. That Demon Lord hadn't restrained himself at all; instead, he had become even more audacious. That wicked hand had actually begun... to knead? Unbearable! Just as she took a deep breath, preparing to "react" slightly and stop this scoundrel's actions.

"Don't move!"

Chen Duan's voice suddenly rang out.

"Ah?"

His voice was a bit fierce, instantly stunning Xu Qiaoqiao, freezing her in place and daring not to move an inch. 'What's going on?' 'What does this Demon Lord want to do to me?' She started to panic. They were in a secluded place, and he was so powerful. If he really wanted to do something to her, she would be powerless to resist.

"Alright."

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, Chen Duan's voice came again. It's over? So soon? Xu Qiaoqiao was stunned for a moment. She reached out and touched the fabric of her buttocks; it was still intact...

"What are you still standing around for?" Chen Duan said impatiently. "Quickly see what this damn thing is?" Only then did Xu Qiaoqiao hurriedly turn around. She saw that in Chen Duan's palm, he seemed to be holding something invisible in a cupped hand.

To the naked eye, it appeared empty, save for several dark lines that were creeping up his arm.

She immediately snapped back to reality and quickly took a red talisman from her bosom. She channeled her internal energy into it rapidly.

The red talisman ignited without fire, transforming into a crimson mass of energy that shot towards Chen Duan's loosely clenched palm.

"Ah!"

A distorted, strange cry erupted.

Upon touching Chen Duan's palm, the crimson energy mass exploded outwards, its light temporarily dispelling the gloom and revealing a silhouette.

It was a short, childlike figure, but its entire body was a dark purple, its eyes hollow, and black miasma continuously seeped from them.

It was struggling fiercely in Chen Duan's hand.

"What kind of Malevolent Spirit is this? A pervert?" Chen Duan weighed the little fellow in his hand.

The "little ghost" was desperately channeling its evil energy to corrupt Chen Duan.

It was going smoothly at first, but when the black energy attempted to delve deeper, it hit something.

It seemed a powerful being was dormant within Chen Duan, easily blocking its corruption.

Seeing this, Xu Qiaoqiao finally understood that this little ghost had been causing trouble just now.

Hearing Chen Duan's teasing remark of "pervert," she immediately flushed crimson, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the ground.

Recalling her own messy fantasies from earlier, she felt utterly mortified.

Chen Duan had no time to pay attention to her rich inner monologue; his focus was entirely on the little ghost. A certain "great sage" within him was shamelessly urging him on, as if to say:

"Such a foul and wicked entity is extremely dangerous. I happen to be free now, so I'll reluctantly subdue it. I won't be responsible if this opportunity is missed."

Chen Duan slightly relaxed his suppression of the Vast Qi. With a squeeze of his palm.

Instantly, the Vast Qi surged to his palm, using the evil energy the little ghost had invaded with as a conduit, and began to devour it in reverse along the same path.

"Ahhhhh!"

The little ghost let out a pained howl.

Hearing the scream, Xu Qiaoqiao jolted awake from her embarrassment. Her expression changed drastically, and she urgently warned:

"Don't force it! You don't have a method to restrain it; you'll be counter-attacked by the Malevolent Spirit..."

The little ghost disintegrated, turning into a puff of black smoke that burrowed into Chen Duan's arm.

His entire right arm turned pitch-black, looking horrifying. However, a gentle power quickly enveloped it, and the blackness rapidly receded, returning to normal within a few breaths.

Xu Qiaoqiao, who was about to step forward and administer emergency treatment, was rendered speechless by this sight.

Chen Duan, sensing her concern, flicked his hand. "It's nothing, just a minor trick."

Xu Qiaoqiao swallowed hard. This was a "minor trick"?

Even she would have to expend considerable effort and suffer some hardship to resolve such an invasion of evil energy, unlike Chen Duan, who made it look as easy as eating and drinking.

This method was comparable to her junior uncle's Rare Blood.

Now, she finally believed Chen Duan's claim of being a "fellow practitioner."

"Senior, please forgive my poor eyesight. May I ask which sect you hail from?"

This time, her tone carried a genuine respect.

"A mere trifle, not worth mentioning. But if you insist on a sect... "

Seeing Xu Qiaoqiao's curious expression, Chen Duan pondered for a moment.

These Daoist cultivators seemed to place importance on lineage. If he were to interact with them in the future, having a plausible background would indeed be much more convenient...

He suddenly thought of Yin Feng, who also possessed "Rare Blood," and said calmly:

"If we're talking about lineage, my ancestors were Daoists from Cun Tian Shan."

"Cun Tian Shan!"

Xu Qiaoqiao exclaimed, her eyes filled with surprise and reverence.

She naturally knew of "Cun Tian Shan"; it was an ancient and prominent Daoist sect, on par with her own sect's ancestral court, Chi Di Peak.

"So you are a senior from Cun Tian Shan. I was presumptuous earlier; please forgive me."

She quickly bowed and clasped her fists, her attitude even more respectful. She also breathed a sigh of relief.

Since he was a legitimate Daoist successor, she could feel much more at ease interacting with him.

Recalling their first meeting, she realized she had been the one to block his path and question him aggressively. Most of the subsequent "misunderstandings" stemmed from her own assumptions.

Chen Duan thought this girl seemed a bit naive. He had prepared a few plausible lies, but she believed him so easily.

Well... of course, it might also be due to the effects of the Vast Qi.

But regardless, it was a good thing. The more Daoist practitioners who recognized his identity as a "Cun Tian Shan successor," the more solid this facade would become.

"Enough idle chatter. That little ghost just now seemed different from the one you described earlier. How do you explain that?"

Xu Qiaoqiao frowned upon hearing this.

"I also find this matter strange. Given the current situation, I suspect there's more than one Malevolent Spirit in this courtyard.

The most troublesome thing on the path of exorcism is encountering these sudden Malevolent Spirits. Without any intelligence, we can only probe them bit by bit to understand their characteristics and weaknesses."

Seeing that the young lady couldn't offer any more clues, a trace of annoyance rose in Chen Duan's heart.

This Malevolent Spirit was such an inconvenient thing, hiding its tracks, unlike Strange Creatures which were more direct and satisfying to deal with.

Xu Qiaoqiao didn't feel too bad. If she were alone, she would surely be in despair by now, but with "Senior Cun Tian Shan" Chen Duan by her side, she felt much more at ease.

"Let's probe slowly. We'll figure out its origins eventually. It won't take too much ti—"

"Too slow," Chen Duan interrupted her, shaking his head. "My intuition tells me we need to use some special methods now."

"Oh?" Xu Qiaoqiao's eyes lit up.

"Does Senior perhaps have some profound techniques yet to be revealed?"

Chen Duan's lips curled up. "There is indeed a method, but I'm not sure how effective it will be."

"Please, Senior, tell me. I, Qiaoqiao, will cooperate fully!"