Chapter 411: Elder Lord Zhai, The Beast-Transformation Spell, the Path of Depravity

The name

Elder Lord Zhai

flashed through Li Yanchu’s mind, and his eyes narrowed slightly in surprise. Could it be that the mysterious Daoist temple hidden deep within this Duanlong Cave was

that

Elder Lord Zhai?

A faint glow rippled through his eyes; the jade pendant at his waist shimmered faintly in response. It was the Clearheart Jade Pendant activating.

With the pendant’s blessing, he unleashed his Qi Sight to its fullest. In his vision, the entire temple was now a landscape of swirling clouds of colored qi, each form revealing the nature of its source.

He could see the qi of the young Daoist girl from before, and the qi of that pale noble youth in the white fox cloak. Then, with a mere flicker of intent, his form vanished.

Wallbreak! Godspeed!

In the blink of an eye, without the door even stirring, Li Yanchu disappeared from the room entirely.

Leaving behind a bewildered ferryman, Second Master Liu, and Zuo Qian, whose hand had already half-drawn his saber, all frozen in confusion.

“Eh?”

“Where’s Daoist Master Li?”

“Was that... an immortal technique?”

They were utterly dumbfounded.

Inside another chamber of the Daoist temple, a beautiful Daoist priestess with a voluptuous figure was gently stroking a smooth-furred goat. Her expression was tender, almost loving, but in her other hand, she held a gleaming sharp knife, its edge so bright it could reflect a man’s face.

She was just about to slaughter the goat, when the young nobleman in the white fox-fur cloak stood nearby, watching devoutly with a solemn, reverent look.

The goat knelt on both knees, tears streaming uncontrollably down its face, its eyes full of pleading terror. A goat was showing a human expression of

begging for its life.

But sadly, no one in the room paid it any heed. It was, after all, just a goat...

Yet inside that goat’s body, the kidnapped young heiress, Chen Yun’er[1], was trembling in panic.

She was the third; two other girls had been lured here before her. Each was taken away by that female Daoist and never returned. She never imagined her own turn would come so soon.

Terror, cold despair, and helplessness overwhelmed her. Chen Yun’er felt herself sinking into a suffocating darkness, dragged downward bit by bit.

Then suddenly...

BANG!

A thunderous crash exploded in her ears.

A young Daoist appeared in the room out of thin air. With a single palm strike, he smashed the female Daoist’s head open like a melon!

But instead of blood and gore, what burst out were strips of bamboo frame and paper, it was a paper effigy!

“Demonic heresy!” the young Daoist snorted coldly.

Chen Yun’er stared at him, utterly shocked, her mind blank.

“You damned bastard! What are you doing!?” The noble youth in the fox cloak roared in fury.

He pulled a small ornate wooden box from his sleeve, flipped it open, and flicked his fingers. A miniature sword shot out as a streak of cold light, and by the time it reached Li Yanchu, it had already transformed into a full-sized three-chi-long azure sword, ancient and elegant in form.

The Xia sword!

Its killing intent locked tightly onto Li Yanchu, the very air around them shredded into thin ribbons by its sword aura.

Clang!

A layer of yang-force armor flared to life around Li Yanchu’s body, deflecting the deadly flying sword.

The young noble’s expression darkened; he flicked his fingers again, and three more miniature swords shot from the box, their sword aura cold as frost. Then two more followed! There were six swords in total, each one unique, all sharp enough to cut through iron like tofu.

The six swords streaked through the air together, plunging straight into Li Yanchu’s qi shield!

“Break the barrier!” the noble youth shouted, forming a sword seal with his hands.

Six sharp swords spun in unison, whirling at incredible speed. With unstoppable force, they tore through Li Yanchu’s qi shield layer by layer.

Just then, a murderous gleam flashed in his eyes. He had finally tracked down this place, a den where human lifespans were stolen and transferred to others by force.

He was moments away from draining the life essence from those women, twisted into beasts by the foul beast-transformation spell.

And at that crucial instant, a young Daoist intervened!

Qin Jian[2] was furious beyond measure.

A mere mortal should have felt honored to be used for his longevity ritual, and yet this filthy priest dared to meddle!

“How dare you ruin my plans! Once I’ve cut you down, I’ll raze your temple and slaughter every last person connected to you!” Qin Jian’s expression twisted with venom.

That was my path to survival!

“You?” Li Yanchu sneered coldly.

He stepped forward, and the ground itself trembled.

He struck out with a single punch, and a torrent of blood-qi erupted from his fist, radiant like a blazing sun. He was an unstoppable force, utterly annihilating all before it!

“No!” Qin Jian’s face drained of color, stunned by the explosive power contained in that blow.

A martial artist!? Then why are you dressed as a Daoist!?

Before he could finish his thought, all six of his flying swords were knocked from the air, their spiritual light extinguished, shattering into fragments across the floor.

Li Yanchu’s punch ripped him apart, and his flesh and blood scattered through the air! His fist was dominant, overwhelming, and unstoppable.

The entire battle had lasted but a few heartbeats, such was the speed of combat between cultivators. Meanwhile, the paper effigy of the female Daoist, whose head had been smashed earlier, managed to flee the room.

Then, light shimmered in Li Yanchu’s hand, and a bow appeared. If the Wind Divine Bow exuded an ancient, solemn weight, then Cloudpiercer radiated pure, killing intent. This pseudo-mythical weapon reeked of death.

Immediately, Li Yanchu drew the string, muscles tensing, pulling the bow into a perfect full moon.

Boom!

A blazing arrow shot forth, shattering the door, and the paper effigy exploded into fragments!

The thunderous blast instantly drew the attention of Zuo Qian and the others outside.

“This is turning into a fight!?” The ferryman was surprised. This Daoist Master Li truly had a murderous streak, he’d started fighting so quickly!

“The Supreme Tai Star, responding without ceasing. Expel evil and bind demons, preserve life and protect the body. May wisdom shine clear, the spirit be at peace; three souls eternal, seven spirits unbroken. Swiftly, in accordance with the command!” Li Yanchu’s voice rang out, grand and solemn. It was the Calming Heart Mantra, one of the Eight Great Divine Mantras.

He then pointed at the kneeling goat. The skin on its body dissipated, revealing a disheveled woman with hair loose about her shoulders. She looked haggard, yet it was still clear that she was a young and beautiful woman.

“Miss, I will take you away from here,” Li Yanchu said in a low voice.

He stepped forward, gathered Chen Yun’er in his arms, and used Godspeed. After only a few breaths, he and Chen Yun’er reappeared in the room where they’d been moments before.

“Daoist Master Li!” Zuo Qian hurried forward.

Chen Yun’er was still trembling, as if half-lost in a fog. Meanwhile, Second Master Liu and the ferryman stared at Li Yanchu and the suddenly materialized woman in astonishment, exchanging looks.

“Brother Zuo, this place uses the beast-transformation spell to traffic women, then employs demonic techniques to steal others’ lifespans to extend life. That female acolyte earlier wasn’t a living person, she was a paper effigy. Take care of this young woman. I will destroy this den of corruption,” Li Yanchu said simply, then vanished entirely.

𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Second Master Liu’s face shifted; the jaundiced, age-spotted skin twitched involuntarily. At last he sighed softly, “Enough. This method violates heaven’s harmony, perhaps my fate is such. I cannot bear to take lifespans gained by slaughtering others.”

Zuo Qian’s eyes brightened at these words. That this frail, near-elderly man could still hold such a clear, noble conscience surprised him.

1. The surname Chen 陈 is one of the most common Chinese surnames. It is the most common surname in Taiwan (2010) and Singapore (2000). Fun fact: My surname is Chen too!

The given name 芸儿 carries a delicate, almost poetic quality. 芸 can refer to fragrant plants or herbs, symbolizing grace, beauty, and refinement, while the diminutive 儿 adds a sense of affection or endearment, making the name sound tender and approachable. To me, 陈芸儿 evokes the image of a gentle, cultured young woman. ☜

2. The surname 秦 is historically significant, associated with the Qin dynasty and the unification of China, which lends the name a sense of weight, authority, and cultural depth. The given name 剑, meaning “sword,” is bold and symbolic, suggesting courage, strength, and a sharp intellect or moral clarity.

To me, 秦剑 conveys the impression of a resolute, daring, and capable individual ☜