The Eight Trigrams Mirror was a Daoist magical artifact, widely recognized in folk culture as a charm to ward off evil, secure homes, and invite fortune. Once enhanced, its power became even more potent. To demons and malevolent spirits, it was a lethal weapon. Content originally comes from novel⁂fire.net Li Yanchu tucked the Eight Trigrams Mirror into his robe as a last-resort safeguard. After that, he fully immersed himself in cultivation, working to stabilize his new realm. After all, it was because of the talisman armor he acquired in the tomb that his strength had surged, allowing him to leap from the Qi Refinement stage directly into the second realm. At this level, the Qi-Booster Pill that once benefited him had become almost ineffective. As for a better solution, Li Yanchu hadn’t found one for now. All he could do was continue to cultivate steadily and diligently. Fortunately, he was now in possession of several powerful Daoist treasures, which provided tremendous support to his cultivation and in some ways compensating for his lack of natural talent in the Dao. Li Yanchu finally enjoyed three days of rare peace. That night, while he was cultivating the Yellow Court Classics, spirit energy circulated endlessly within his organs and meridians. The Daoist path emphasized nourishing life and preserving the body, extending one’s years. The Yellow Court Classics, in particular, was balanced and harmonious, and its spirit energy nourished both the soul and the flesh. This was why, in many folk legends, Daoist masters were described as white-haired yet youthful, and their appearances were seemingly untouched by time. It was one of the unique strengths of Daoist cultivation. Suddenly, Li Yanchu snapped his eyes open and looked toward the door. “Since you’ve come, why not come in?” His voice carried a soul-shaking resonance, resounding like thunder. It was a Mantra of Truth incantation from the Yellow Court Classics he practiced. Then, the door creaked open without a breeze. Before Li Yanchu even made a move, The Eight Trigrams Mirror in his robe suddenly emitted a beam of white light! A phantom was instantly blasted out; it was an elegant and refined noblewoman of striking beauty. But the divine light from the Eight Trigrams Mirror instantly set her ablaze, and within moments, she was reduced to ash. “Eh?” a crisp female voice rang out from just outside the door. “What a powerful Daoist artifact,” Xu Lingsu’s voice drifted in. Hearing this, Li Yanchu raised an eyebrow. There was still no one at the door, but the voice was familiar. His heart stirred as he raised the Eight Trigrams Mirror and aimed it outside, thereafter a flash of radiant light burst forth. Then, a graceful and ethereal-looking young girl appeared at the door, her face full of surprise. It was none other than Xu Lingsu, Bai Hongtu’s not-yet-wedded fiancée and the young woman skilled in the Painting Dao. “Haven’t seen you in a few days. Where did you get such a powerful Eight Trigrams Mirror?” Xu Lingsu asked curiously. Li Yanchu lifted an eyebrow. “You haven’t been in Wei City recently?” “I’ve had things to deal with. I have no time to spare,” Xu Lingsu replied casually. She didn’t directly answer his question. Li Yanchu gave her a look and said in a low voice, “Hongtu isn’t in the Daoist temple right now.” “I know,” Xu Lingsu blinked. “I came to find you.” “Lady Qingyi?” Li Yanchu asked. “That’s right. Her demonic influence is worsening. I’ve come to ask you to purge the remnants of the Demonic Dao from her,” Xu Lingsu said softly. Hearing this, Li Yanchu stayed silent and remained calm. Xu Lingsu added, “Earlier I was just teasing you. You’re not upset, are you?” Li Yanchu said flatly, “You’re Hongtu’s betrothed. You shouldn’t be visiting me this late at night.” Xu Lingsu blinked innocently. “Or,” Li Yanchu continued in an even tone, “is it that you know this attempt to purge the demon from Lady Qingyi will be extremely dangerous, and you didn’t want Hongtu to know, so you deliberately came when he wasn’t around?” Xu Lingsu smiled. “Aren’t you being a little too cautious?” “Am I?” Li Yanchu replied. Xu Lingsu’s expression turned serious. “I bear you no ill will. I came to ask you for help because your natal horoscope is unique, and you can shoulder this kind of karmic cause and effect. Tonight, Lady Qingyi is suppressing most of the demonic presence within her. This is the best time to purge the evil. I ask you, for the sake of the people of Wei City, to remove this calamity once and for all.” At this point, just hearing the words ‘purge demons’ gave Li Yanchu a headache. “I actually don’t trust you,” Li Yanchu said calmly, “but for Hongtu’s sake, I’ll go with you tonight.” “If you have any ulterior motives, don’t blame my saber for not recognizing your face.” He gave a faint smile. Xu Lingsu was briefly stunned, then gave a graceful curtsey. “Thank you, Daoist Master Li!” She found herself slightly dazed that this young Daoist before her seemed... different. The aura around him was now subtly laced with faint surges of lightning and fire. In that moment, her confidence in the upcoming attempt to purge Lady Qingyi’s demonic presence increased. The two of them moved, one ahead and one behind, and darted across rooftops like a pair of swift winds sweeping through the night. With Xu Lingsu cloaking Li Yanchu’s presence, no ordinary person could see him at all. No matter how swiftly Xu Lingsu moved, Li Yanchu kept pace with ease, always just behind her. His cultivation’s improved again... she thought, heart slightly tensing. Soon enough, they arrived at the Lady Qingyi Temple. Even in the night, the strong incense and powerful spiritual presence of the temple made a strong impression on cultivators. Ordinary soul projection techniques couldn’t even enter this place, and even cultivators with slightly weaker cultivation would feel suppressed inside such a shrine. That was typical of places blessed with strong incense and established worship. Just then, Xu Lingsu stepped aside slightly and led Li Yanchu into the temple’s main hall. Still, the watchmen and guards stationed nearby didn’t notice a thing. Inside the hall, lamps blazed brightly, and the statue of Lady Qingyi sat at the center in solemn majesty. As soon as Li Yanchu stepped in, he again felt the sensation of a vague, watchful gaze upon him. But now, he was no longer the same man as before. His gaze sharpened, and he drew out the Eight Trigrams Mirror. He then raised it and shone it toward the air above. A brilliant white light burst forth, illuminating a specific corner of the shrine. A gray-haired old man wearing a government yamen uniform screamed in pain as he was blasted out of thin air. He crashed to the floor, clutching his head, rolling and wailing in agony. The inside of the main hall had become a separate realm from the outside. Even if an armed guard happened to walk past, they couldn’t see a thing, and could see only a bright, empty hall. This wasn’t some kind of ghostly illusion, but the effect of Xu Lingsu’s mastery of the Painting Dao. What they were seeing... was merely a painting created by Xu Lingsu! Li Yanchu’s voice rang out sternly, “Who are you?” The old man in yamen robes immediately dropped to his knees and pleaded for mercy. “Immortal, please spare me! I serve under Lady Qingyi. I was merely hiding nearby, observing the immortal. Please be merciful!” He serves under Lady Qingyi...? Li Yanchu could tell right away that this old man in government uniform was a spirit, not a living person. Yet the yin qi on him wasn’t heavy; instead, he was lightly imbued with the scent of incense and worship. “Xue San,” Xu Lingsu said with a playful smile, covering her mouth, “your Invincibility Art’s been broken today. How did you end up in such a sorry state?” Then she suddenly remembered how her own invisibility technique had just been seen through by Li Yanchu as well, and her cheeks flushed red. The old man named Xue San gave a wry smile. “Miss, you jest. I failed to recognize greatness when I saw it and dared to play tricks in front of an immortal. I only ask for forgiveness.” Li Yanchu gave a slight nod. “You’re too polite, elder. I acted a bit rashly just now as well.”