Painter Master, Qing Luan in the Sky

Steward Chu's strength was extraordinary; even while carrying a struggling person, her speed showed no sign of slowing.

Ning Xiu, however, was sprinting at full speed but still remained three to four zhang away from her. He watched as she was about to run into another cave entrance.

Seeing this, Ning Xiu directly hurled the Startling Thunder Hammer in his hand, aiming it at Steward Chu's back in an attempt to slow her down.

But unexpectedly, Steward Chu simply reached back, and a thick, several-foot-tall earth wall rose from the ground, forcefully blocking Ning Xiu's hammer. His objective was foiled.

"Five Elements Sorcery!" Ning Xiu exclaimed in surprise.

Five Elements Sorcery was a symbol of the Immortal Path, whereas ordinary demons who fell into depravity would only learn the methods of Malevolent Spirits.

This scarred woman before him seemed to have quite a past; she was definitely not a mere ordinary fallen individual.

He quickly rushed to the earth wall to retrieve the Startling Thunder Hammer. The wall, having been struck by the hammer, already showed cracks.

Ning Xiu then directly used his shoulder to ram it. The immense physical force instantly smashed through the earth wall from the front, creating a large hole.

This action completely stunned the few Demon people who had caught up behind him.

That was a wall several feet thick! Was this Demon Subduing Captain perhaps a demon transformed into a human?

Following Steward Chu, they went deeper into the mountain cave. He never expected this passage not to lead to the surface.

Ning Xiu hadn't pursued for long before he saw the end.

The ground here was covered in raised and lowered talismans, arranged in a circle, head to tail, resembling some kind of formation.

Above the formation, numerous iron chains tied with jade stones were suspended, emitting a faint glow.

Grabbing Han Wan'er, Steward Chu ran into the formation and, without hesitation, activated it.

The talismans on the ground instantly lit up with dazzling white light. The light shot up like square pillars, beginning to encircle the entire formation.

As Ning Xiu approached, the formation was already completely enveloped by the pillars of light. Inside, Steward Chu and Han Wan'er's figures began to blur and fade.

Although he didn't know what was happening, it didn't stop Ning Xiu from trying to intervene. He immediately swung his hammer down forcefully, attempting to break through the surrounding pillars of light.

Unexpectedly, these pillars of light were extremely hard; even the Startling Thunder Hammer couldn't inflict the slightest damage on them.

In the next instant, the entire formation suddenly dimmed, and a massive surge of energy exploded outwards, blasting Ning Xiu backward.

The jade stones above the formation all turned to powder at this moment, and the talismans on the ground were also severely damaged.

Looking back into the formation, Steward Chu and Han Wan'er were nowhere to be seen.

"A teleportation formation?" Ning Xiu stared in disbelief at the spot where Steward Chu had vanished.

Although there was indeed a Path of Formations within the Great Dao's three thousand paths, Ning Xiu had never heard of a teleportation formation.

This involved spatial matters. Had the demons already mastered it?

He didn't have time to ponder too much; he needed to report this matter to his superiors as soon as possible.

Ning Xiu turned back to look at the few demons who had caught up and immediately moved to meet them.

According to Liu Yong's instructions, he only needed to leave one alive for interrogation.

[Killed Demon, Universal Proficiency +800]

[Killed Demon, Universal Proficiency +700]

[Killed Demon, Universal Proficiency +900]

When Ning Xiu deactivated the Heavenly King Vajra Art and returned to the pool carrying a fainted demon, Qin Ben and the others had already subdued the remaining demons.

After Li Yueying used the skyward smoke signal to notify the outside world, the Spring Full Pavilion was once again surrounded by Demon Subduing Captains after several days. And this time, the situation was different from the last.

Ning Xiu and the others had already obtained evidence implicating Marquis Wu Yi with demons. Now, Marquis Wu Yi was truly beyond suspicion.

"That demon escaped?"

Seeing that Ning Xiu hadn't brought Han Wan'er back, Liu Yong's heart sank with a bad premonition.

"I apologize, everyone. I failed," Ning Xiu sighed, lowering his head, and then recounted the situation he had just encountered in detail.

Although encountering a demon using a teleportation formation to escape was something he had no ability to prevent, Han Wan'er being taken away meant the Demon Subduing Bureau had lost a crucial piece of evidence. This was indeed his responsibility.

"That wasn't a teleportation formation."

After hearing Ning Xiu's words, Li Yueying immediately refuted, "If what you said is true, that demon should have used the formation 'Shrink Ground into Inches.' It's a Rank Four formation that allows those within it to merge with the earth in an instant, earth-drifting several miles away."

"You mean that demon and Madam Han are still within Chaotian Capital?" Liu Yong asked.

"Precisely. Furthermore, the 'Shrink Ground into Inches' formation differs from the 'Shrink Ground into Inches' sorcery. This formation requires both the starting and ending points to be set up simultaneously to ensure that the person within the formation can emerge from the earth without suffocating in the layers of Kitsuchi. Therefore, the location where they reappear after earth-drifting is fixed, necessarily upon another formation."

The four exchanged glances and spoke in unison: "Marquis Wu Yi's Mansion!"

Just then, a large number of footsteps echoed from the passage at the entrance.

Ning Xiu turned his head and saw a large contingent of Demon Subduing Captains emerging from it, including many Bronze Leopard Demon Subduing Captains with their tokens hanging from their waists.

It seemed Li Yueying's skyward smoke signal had indeed stirred up a massive storm within Chaotian Capital tonight.

All the Bronze Leopard Demon Subduing Captains, Iron Horse and Bronze Leopard alike, had been drawn into the eye of this storm.

Among the more than ten Bronze Leopard Demon Subduing Captains present, Ning Xiu even spotted Su Qianqian.

The other woman clearly noticed him as well, immediately casting a questioning glance his way, as if seeking clarification.

Ning Xiu shook his head, indicating that this was not something that could be explained with mere glances.

After the appearance of numerous Bronze Leopard Demon Subduing Captains, the Silver Tiger Demon Subduing Captain Qin Daorong emerged. He swept his gaze across the subdued and slain demon-folk before walking towards Ning Xiu and his three companions.

Golden Dragon Demon Subduing Captains were rarely seen within the Demon Subduing Bureau, rumored to be uninvolved in the management of personnel and affairs, both internal and external.

Currently, the Demon Subduing Bureau was jointly led by Qin Daorong and two other senior Silver Tiger Demon Subduing Captains, hence the trio was known as the 'Demon Subduing Trio of Tigers'.

Qin Daorong, a third-rank Painter Master, was arguably the strongest person Ning Xiu had encountered since joining the Demon Subduing Bureau.

"Lord Qin," Ning Xiu and the other three clasped their fists in greeting.

"You have been here for some time, have you discovered anything?"

"My Lord, the immediate priority is to apprehend Marquis Wu Yi at his residence. We must not allow the demon-folk to escape Chaotian Capital with him. I will explain the specifics on the way," Ning Xiu said hastily.

Upon hearing this, Qin Daorong sensed the urgency in Ning Xiu's words. He immediately retrieved a wooden box from his back. Upon opening it, a complete set of paper, ink, brushes, and various pigments was revealed.

He pulled out a sheet of Xuan paper, tossed it into the air, and then picked up his brush to paint.

His brush glowed, and with a few strokes, before the Xuan paper even touched the ground, a majestic Qing Luan appeared on it.

The moment the Xuan paper landed, a clear cry echoed in the cave, and the Qing Luan actually flew out of the paper!

With a wingspan of twenty feet, its feathers were magnificent, its tail long, and its wings bore eye-shaped patterns in red, yellow, and white – a truly divine bird.

To paint and bring forth reality, this was the divine ability of the Path of Painting.

"You come with me. The rest of you, proceed immediately to Marquis Wu Yi's residence." Qin Daorong put away his writing implements, leaped onto the Qing Luan's back, and Ning Xiu followed his command, climbing on as well.

As Qin Daorong gave the order, the Qing Luan took flight from its spot, crashing into the cave's rocky ceiling.

BOOM!

Instantly, a massive hole appeared on the ground.

Breaking through the earth, they soared straight into the heavens.

The Qing Luan changed direction and flew towards Marquis Wu Yi's residence.

The fierce wind whipped against their faces, and the houses and streets of Chaotian Capital below were fully visible.

This rare sight was even more thrilling than flying in an airplane in his previous life.

The Qing Luan's back was broad, offering plenty of space to stand. Ning Xiu braced himself, managing to keep his footing from being swayed by the wind.

After about ten breaths, the two of them and the bird had ascended above Marquis Wu Yi's residence.

Beneath the moon and amidst the clouds, they looked down upon one of Chaotian Capital's most famous royal residences.

"You said earlier that a demon-folk intended to take Marquis Wu Yi away from Chaotian Capital," Qin Daorong said, his hands behind his back.

Ning Xiu then quickly explained everything about Steward Chu, the Spirit Gathering Banner, and Han Wan'er.

"My Lord, the demon-folk resurrected Madam Han, who had long been deceased. Marquis Wu Yi has no remaining attachments in Chaotian Capital, so his escape is only a matter of time. We must apprehend him quickly, lest he uses the Shrink Ground into Inches formation to leave Chaotian Capital."

"No need to worry, he won't escape." Upon learning the situation, Qin Daorong sat down on the spot.

He reopened his wooden box, preparing to paint on-site.

Seeing that even his superior's superior was not in a hurry, Ning Xiu also calmed down, standing behind Qin Daorong, intending to see what he would paint.

The cultivation methods of the Path of Painting were uniquely different.

This path emphasized observing objects, comprehending their essence, imbuing them with spirit, and the final touch of life.

First, one observes the reference object, practicing extensively to accurately capture its proportions, perspective, and light and shadow.

Just as humans have three sections of the face and five eyes, objects also possess aesthetic proportions.

Only when painted correctly will the object in the painting possess essence and spirit, with the final stroke of life bringing it into reality, allowing one to enter the ninth rank of the Path of Painting.

Those in the lower three ranks of the Path of Painting painted slowly; it was normal for a painting to take fifteen minutes. If they painted faster, the result would lack essence and spirit. Therefore, they would always carry dozens of un-touched paintings, only adding the final touch when needed for combat.

Those in the middle three ranks of the Path of Painting had increased painting speed, completing a painting in half an incense stick's time. They could even paint themselves to enhance their comprehension of divine abilities.

Those in the upper three ranks of the Path of Painting, like Qin Daorong, possessed solid and profound painting skills. They could paint at will, with every stroke imbued with divine essence. Bringing a painting to life was a matter of a single thought.

Qin Daorong spread out a sheet of Xuan paper and began to paint. Countless black moths flapped their wings and emerged from the painting, swarming downwards.

In a short while, the entire Marquis Wu Yi's residence was filled with black moths, fluttering around as if searching for something.

As the beams of light around them dissipated, Steward Chu found herself in a clean stone room.

Seeing this place, Steward Chu, who was holding Han Wan'er, breathed a sigh of relief. This was the terminal point of the formation.

However, she had no time to delay. She believed the Demon Subduing Captains would soon find Marquis Wu Yi's residence, and she had to quickly take Wu Huannian and escape Chaotian Capital through another Shrink Ground into Inches formation.

Stepping out of the stone room, she saw Wu Huannian sitting in the hall outside. When he turned his head and saw Han Wan'er, he was stunned.

Confusion, shock, joy... various emotions erupted in Wu Huannian's heart, and two lines of tears quietly streamed down his face without warning.

I recall when I was eleven or twelve, my family's wet nurse brought a timid young girl from our hometown. Upon arriving at the manor, she knew nothing and would only fearfully stick by my side, hiding behind me.

At sixteen, the age of nascent womanhood, we secretly ran out of the manor during the Lantern Festival. We went to the Heavenly River to release lotus lanterns and ate glutinous rice cakes.

Halfway there, the girl said she wanted to dance for me by the Heavenly River. But she was clumsy and fell into the river. It took a great deal of effort for me to pull her out.

That night, we returned to the manor soaking wet and were scolded quite a bit by our parents.

At twenty, the age of manhood, the girl had long been of marriageable age.

I personally took her to the Peach Blossom Star Lord temple, known for matchmaking. We earnestly offered three sticks of incense and confided my wish to the Star Lord.

That day, I gave the girl a hairpin, and she gifted me a jade pendant in return. Though simple, our fate was sealed before the Peach Blossom Star Lord.

An eight-bearer sedan chair carried her grandly into the manor, and we lived in marital bliss for years, as if it were only yesterday.

We were still the young master and the little girl who followed behind him from all those years ago.

"I really can't, I can't accept that you're already dead. I can't live in a world without you."

Wu Huannian slowly stood up, crying with a wronged expression like a child. His trembling hands reached out towards Han Wan'er, his longing evident in his eyes.

Steward Chu, however, couldn't let Wu Huannian indulge in his emotions at this moment.

Firstly, people from the Demon Subduing Bureau could arrive at any moment. Secondly, Han Wan'er's current condition didn't match Wu Huannian's expectations. If they started talking, the deception would be exposed.

She quickly said, "Your Highness, Madam Han has only completed the first step of resurrection, and her condition is still unstable. She needs to return to the Black Heaven Gate's encampment for further recuperation. I was discovered by several Demon Subduing Captains while reviving Madam Han just now. I imagine they will soon lead their men to the manor, and we must leave immediately."

"Alright, alright, let's go now then." Wu Huannian looked at Han Wan'er with immense joy, feeling no attachment whatsoever to Chaotian Capital.

Suddenly, several black moths flew in from outside the door, crashing about the room like headless flies, which was quite displeasing to behold.

"Where did these moths come from?" Wu Huannian waved his hand, swatting the black moths against the wall from a distance.

The bodies of the black moths silently dissipated, leaving only an ink stain on the wall.

"Huh?!" Steward Chu's expression instantly changed. Such a technique could only belong to someone skilled in the Path of Painting. The Demon Subduing Bureau's people had arrived.

"Your Highness, there's no more time. Let's go." Steward Chu hoisted Han Wan'er onto her shoulder and immediately ran towards the door.

At this moment, they could only race against time. They had to enter the formation and complete its activation before the Demon Subduing Captains caught them. Otherwise, no one would leave Chaotian Capital alive tonight.

The instant those black moths were swatted by Wu Huannian, Qin Daorong on Qing Luan gained some insight.

Each black moth was drawn by his own hand, serving as his scouts and capable of transmitting information.

The target had been found. It was time to cast the net and reel in the fish.