Li Yanchu activated his Qi Sight, sweeping his gaze across the grand hall. Aside from the lingering traces of that shadow’s presence just now, there were no other unusual auras to be found. “Just how many evil beings are hiding in this immortal's temple ruin?” Li Yanchu couldn't help but wonder to himself. The two of them scoured the side halls thoroughly, yet found absolutely nothing. It was a complete dead end. Of course, for Li Yanchu, slaying evil beings and gaining merit was the most precious reward of all. After all, he wanted to enhance everything he had. The two of them continued searching several other side halls, but again, they found nothing. Only one hall showed signs of battle, with scattered ruins and broken walls everywhere. Clearly, those who entered earlier had encountered danger and fought here. Of course, it could also have been a conflict over treasure. “These people are ruthless, they didn’t leave behind a single thing,” Li Yanchu remarked. Ding Rou said softly, “I wonder where the Fusang Tree is. If there’s truly some celestial destiny here, it must be tied to that legendary divine tree.” “I’m really curious what that Fusang Tree looks like too,” Li Yanchu replied as they continued exploring the immense halls of the immortal's temple. “Does it really harbor the Golden Crow?” According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas, “In the Eastern Sea lies the Tang Valley, and above it grows the Fusang Tree, where the ten suns bathe. One sun rests on the upper branch, while the other nine rest on the lower branches.” Li Yanchu didn’t understand why the ferryman had specifically mentioned the Fusang Tree in the information he’d provided, but anything involving a divine object piqued his interest. As the two of them walked down a dim, narrow corridor, the sound of flowing water suddenly echoed from the end of the hall. They exchanged glances. “There’s actually running water in here?” Li Yanchu spoke. This ruin of an immortal's temple was completely lifeless, dead silent without the faintest sound, so for there to suddenly be the sound of running water caught him off guard. The two of them walked through a vast, dim corridor, and suddenly, their surroundings lit up. They had stepped into an immensely spacious great hall. It spanned a vast area, and just standing within it made them feel incredibly small. The architectural style here was colossal, far beyond ordinary proportions. From the outside, it looked no different from the typical ruins of a temple. But once inside, it was bright and open, and it felt as if they had stepped into a brand-new, boundless space. Inside this vast hall stood an enormous statue of a celestial immortal. Not only was it well preserved, even the colors had not faded, making it appear almost lifelike. It was a statue of Immortal Ma, the Land Immortal of Mount Jinting’s Blissful Land. However, aside from that, the silent and vast hall was completely empty, with not a single other thing in sight. “Huh? Where’s the water?” Ding Rou was puzzled. Li Yanchu had the same question. They had clearly heard the sound of flowing water, but everything before their eyes was just an enormous, empty divine hall, and this was utterly baffling. Then, the moment Li Yanchu and Ding Rou stepped fully into the hall, the blue stone floor beneath their feet began to ripple like water, as if they had stepped into a pool of ice-cold water. Just then, a chill shot up from their feet straight to the crown of their heads. This update ıs available on 𝗻𝗼𝘷𝗲𝗹•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝕟𝕖𝕥 “So cold!” Ding Rou frowned tightly. Li Yanchu’s burning hot qi and blood instantly surged to life within his body. He had only felt the barest trace of that bone-piercing chill at first. “There’s something wrong with this water. It corrodes the meridians and damages the foundation of one’s Dao cultivation!” Li Yanchu’s senses were sharp and immediate, and his reaction was just as quick. Without hesitation, he grabbed Ding Rou’s arm and pulled her back. But, the massive door about three to four people tall, that had been behind them just moments ago... had vanished. Silently and without a trace, it had become a solid stone wall. “A ghost trap!?” Ding Rou exclaimed in surprise. A ghost trap was a malevolent illusion set by evil spirits or resentful souls. It trapped people inside, disorienting them until they exhausted themselves and died. Li Yanchu remained calm, though a sharp glint had appeared in his eyes. To think they’d been ensnared without even realizing it. But he felt no panic, no fear, no confusion that might normally come with being caught in such an illusion. “The Supreme Tai Star, responding without ceasing. Expel evil and bind demons, preserve life and protect the body[1]!” Li Yanchu formed a seal with both hands and began chanting, invoking the Daoist “Pure Heart Mantra,” one of the Eight Great Divine Mantras of Daoism. “Open!” He gave a low, forceful shout. Borrowing the power of the jade pendant bestowed upon him by the Celestial Master of Mount Longhu, the scene around them visibly distorted, as though rippling like water. And then, they saw the true appearance of the hall: a dilapidated and desolate space. The statue on the altar was not of the Land Immortal from Mount Jinting, but a colossal evil demon. Its entire body was petrified, dull and gray, its form twisted and grotesque. Ding Rou was first shocked by how effortlessly Li Yanchu had wielded one of the Eight Great Divine Mantras and by the spell’s immense power. But more than that, in an immortal's temple within a Blissful Land of the Dao... they were worshipping a man-eating evil spirit. It was simply staggering and utterly incomprehensible. A flash of violet-gold light swept across Li Yanchu’s eyes. As a proper Daoist disciple, he naturally knew the Eight Great Divine Mantras. But even with the same mantra, its effect varied depending on the person who cast it. The Pure Heart Mantra was the foremost among the Eight Great Divine Mantras, possessing the power to protect the soul and steady the spirit. As the saying went, “When the heart is calm, the spirit is at peace.” Illusions like the ghost trap trick were designed to confuse a person’s vision and soul, exactly the kind of sorcery this spell was meant to counter. When combined with Daoist true words and powered by the jade pendant, the spell’s power was tremendous. At that moment, the floor was covered in standing water, and the previously heard sound of flowing water had vanished completely. The roughly ankle-deep water here was icy cold, spreading across the entire grand hall. In this vast, desolate, and cavernous temple hall, with a man-eating evil spirit enshrined upon a raised altar, and cold deathly water pooling across the floor, the atmosphere became oppressively heavy. “Let’s go. We need to leave this place,” Li Yanchu said in a low, firm voice. Without hesitation, he chose to retreat. The thing he feared most within Mount Jinting’s Blissful Land were those stone statues, because they weren’t lifeless sculptures at all, but man-eating demons that could come back to life. Li Yanchu had a strong feeling that if he and Ding Rou stayed even a moment longer... That man-eating demon on the altar was absolutely going to awaken! When exploring ancient ruins , you couldn’t be too cautious, or you might miss your chance at an immortal fortune. But you also couldn’t be too reckless. Otherwise, you’d be inviting catastrophe, a terrible death and the annihilation of your Dao. It would be a total failure then. Following his principle of “Avoid trouble when possible; if trouble comes, face it unafraid,” Li Yanchu decisively backed out of the great hall. Suddenly, a sharp sound cut through the air like a saber. An incredibly powerful surge of hostile intent locked directly onto Li Yanchu, like needles stabbing into his back. In that moment, he genuinely felt the threat of death. Li Yanchu's thoughts stirred, and in an instant, he released the talismanic armor. His blood and qi surged, and a set of ancient, imposing armor materialized on his body. At the same time, the protective qi shield of the Primordial Chaos Technique flared up in front of him. But that divine arrow shot forth and pierced straight through the protective shield. The Jiaoslayer flew from its sheath! At the critical moment, Li Yanchu actually struck the divine arrow midair, splitting it with his saber! A massive ripple of qi spread out from where he stood, like a shockwave across the water. Ding Rou took the brunt of the blast. She coughed up a mouthful of blood, soaking the front of her clothes, and her aura weakened sharply. Li Yanchu’s gaze turned ice-cold as he looked into the distance. There, a young man appeared, his presence ethereal, almost like a banished immortal descending from the heavens. He was wielding a massive, ancient bow, and his murderous intent was fully revealed. 1. This is from the Pure Heart Mantra (净心神咒), which is one of the most fundamental mantras in Daoist practice. As the first of the “Eight Great Divine Mantras” (八大神咒), it serves as a key method for calming the mind, dispelling distractions, and purifying the heart. Reciting this mantra helps practitioners return to a state of inner clarity, laying the foundation for further cultivation, rituals, and ceremonies. “太上台星，应变无停” (The Supreme Tai Star, responding without ceasing.) “太上” (The Supreme One) refers to Daoism’s highest deity, the Dao itself, often represented by the Daoist Trinity (三清), particularly the Supreme Pure One (道德天尊). “台星” (Tai Star) refers to the three central stars of the Big Dipper, which are associated with celestial observation and transformation. This phrase signifies that the Dao is ever-present and ever-responsive, constantly overseeing the changes in the world. “驱邪缚魅，保命护身” (Expel evil and bind demons, preserve life and protect the body.) This highlights the mantra’s power to dispel malevolent forces and safeguard the practitioner’s physical and spiritual well-being. It implies that those who sincerely cultivate the Dao will naturally receive divine protection. ☜