Chapter 421: Immortal Qi! Causing Trouble on My Turf?!

The battle that Li Yanchu had just fought had stirred up far too much commotion, enough to attract nearly every cultivator in Wei City.

Young noblemen arrived flanked by hulking bodyguards; middle-aged feng-shui masters came with their compasses; even palace-robed beauties descended gracefully onto the scene. Among them were also many unfamiliar faces.

A burly young man stood on a small mound, sharp-eyed and steady. His pupils gleamed faintly gold, as if they could pierce through all illusions.

Master Benkong suddenly felt a ripple of awareness. He turned toward that small mound, his heart gave a slight jolt.

“He’s here too?” The fat monk was surprised. That youth should have still been cultivating in the Great Xiangguo Temple... how had he been released?

Jiekong, the abbot of Great Xiangguo Temple, was already known for his deep Dharma power. After obtaining fortune within the Blissful Land of Mount Jinting, he had become one of the most dazzling prodigies of the Kingdom of Qian Buddhist world.

And yet, even compared to Jiekong, this young man might surpass him in Buddhist cultivation.

Master Benkong smiled faintly, serene like a living Maitreya[1].

“So, this Blissful Land is emerging... looks like things are going to get

very

messy.”

The golden-eyed youth watched the devastated battlefield for a moment, then turned and left.

“The scent of a

Qiongqi

[2]? Interesting... To think someone here possesses the bones of a fierce ancient beast.”

His gaze deepened, gleaming like blades. Could someone from one of the ancient sects have come here?

He sneered softly. Whoever it was, this time, the fortune of the Blissful Land would belong only to him.

***

Meanwhile, inside the Taiping Inn, Li Yanchu was leisurely drinking tea. The charming innkeeper, brimming with allure, and the gentle Lady Yun, dressed in a plain blue gown, sat beside him.

The three chatted and laughed, the atmosphere light and easy.

“I have a feeling something big is coming,” the innkeeper said softly. “It’s better if Lady Yun stays with you for now.”

At those words, Lady Yun raised her head slightly, her clear eyes glancing at Li Yanchu.

Li Yanchu thought for a moment and said calmly, “No need. Let Lady Yun stay here and help you.”

Meow!

Cuihua crouched by Li Yanchu’s feet and let out a haughty cry, her tone full of pride and disdain.

She couldn’t be bothered to speak to those two women. Li Yanchu had already warned her not to act abnormally in front of others, lest she scare people half to death.

The innkeeper didn’t object, though she shot Cuihua a rather unfriendly look.

“What? You got a problem with me?”

Cuihua tilted her head up at a forty-five-degree angle, staring at the innkeeper. From that angle, she could barely see a bit of the woman’s face, most of her view was blocked by... well,

certain formidable terrain.

The little cat leapt onto the table, growling softly in protest.

I, the mighty Mountain God of Mount Xiaofeng, should I be afraid of a mere mortal woman?

As a powerful demon who had cultivated for centuries, Cuihua had her own pride.

The innkeeper planted her hands on her hips, her almond eyes blazing, then flicked her finger, giving Cuihua a sharp bonk on the head.

Cuihua was lightning-fast; even Li Yanchu himself had been slower when they’d fought in the temple. Yet, unbelievably, she couldn’t dodge that one lazy flick from the voluptuous woman before her.

Smack!

“Meow!!!”

Enraged, Cuihua turned into a blur and pounced.

But to her shock, the innkeeper simply flicked her finger again and sent her flying across the room.

“You’ve got some nerve, huh?! Daring to make a scene on

my turf!

”

Cuihua was dumbfounded.

What kind of monster is this woman? Why can’t I dodge her?

She was a dignified, powerful, well-connected, absolutely badass great demon, how could she let this stand?! She had to fight back!

𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Her movements were blindingly fast, every swipe of her paw leaving behind afterimages. Yet, moments later, the once-proud cat demon was being chased in circles around the inn by the innkeeper, who wielded a feather duster like a divine weapon.

A minute later, thoroughly beaten and humiliated, Cuihua finally surrendered.

The innkeeper scooped her up into her ample embrace, rubbing her smugly until the cat whimpered in defeat. Only then did the innkeeper smile in satisfaction.

Lady Yun, of course, wasn’t surprised. She’d long since realized that although Cuihua possessed powerful divine sight, she was far less perceptive in other matters.

Lady Yun had seen the innkeeper’s terrifying side before.

Honestly... isn’t it just easier to work quietly in the Taiping Inn?

Originally, she’d planned to cling to Li Yanchu for protection, but ever since arriving here, she’d discovered a whole new world. Without hesitation, she’d defected.

Li Yanchu simply smiled as he watched the scene, half amused, half resigned. He still didn’t understand why the innkeeper possessed such astonishing strength. But in this perilous world, the fact that his lover could protect herself truly set Li Yanchu’s mind at ease.

After all, in this realm, ghosts and demons could easily take human form, and the malice of ordinary people was often far worse.

Just then, a cheerful voice came from the doorway, “Daoist Master, you’re here!”

Li Yanchu turned to look; it was the young girl he had saved outside the city earlier.

Xiao Ran’s face lit up with unconcealed delight.

The innkeeper also turned to glance at her, her brows arching slightly and a faintly displeased look in her eyes.

This young girl had a bright, innocent charm; her skin was soft and pale, and her figure was astonishingly well-developed especially in certain areas, creating a striking contrast with her youthful face.

The sort of contrast

, the innkeeper thought sourly,

that most men find irresistible.

“Just look at her, her eyes all full of yearning. Looks like her peach blossoms[3] have begun to stir.”

She shot Li Yanchu a mock glare, half teasing, half exasperated.

Honestly, why does he have to be so handsome? He’s always attracting young girls!

“It’s you,” Li Yanchu said with a small smile.

“I didn’t expect to meet you again here, Daoist! What a coincidence!” Xiao Ran beamed, her joy sincere and unguarded.

The other guests in the inn turned to look, and many couldn’t help but brighten up.

What a beautiful young woman!

Li Yanchu greeted her politely, but didn’t invite her to sit.

Still, Xiao Ran gracefully crossed the room and took a seat right beside him, her long legs drawing more than a few sidelong glances.

“I didn’t get a chance to thank you properly before, Daoist Master,” she said softly.

“It’s nothing,” Li Yanchu replied with an easy smile. “Just a small matter.”

“It may be a small matter to you,” she said, her voice tender, “but to me, it was a matter of life and death.”

The innkeeper cut in with a smirk, “Oh, don’t worry, miss. This Daoist saves so many pretty girls every year, half of them offer themselves in gratitude. You’re not that special.”

“...” Xiao Ran froze, speechless.

Regaining her composure, she reached into her robe and drew out a bronze token offering it to Li Yanchu with both hands.

“Daoist Master, your skills are extraordinary. This token might be of some use to you.”

“Hmm?” Li Yanchu raised an eyebrow, not because the token radiated great spiritual power, but because its aura was almost identical to the one he’d once obtained from Miss Lin of the Lin family.

“What is this?” he asked.

“It contains a trace of immortal qi,” Xiao Ran explained lightly. “A Blissful Land will soon appear nearby. With your cultivation, Daoist Master, you’ll surely go. This token should help you gain great fortune when the time comes.”

1. Maitreya is the name of the future Buddha in Buddhist tradition, who is currently a bodhisattva living in the Tushita heaven. He is prophesied to descend to Earth when the teachings of the current Buddha have decayed, to preach the dharma and achieve enlightenment. The name comes from the Sanskrit word maitrī, meaning "friendliness". Here is a reference

image

. ☜

2. Qiongqi is a mythical Chinese creature known as one of the Four Ferocious Beasts, representing malevolence and chaos. It is often depicted as punishing the good and rewarding the wicked, with characteristics varying across different legends but often described as a winged tiger or a beast with ox-like features, a long tail, and a dog's howl. In various adaptations, such as in games and literature, Qiongqi may be portrayed as a powerful antagonist or a significant symbol of evil.

Here is a reference

image

. ☜

3. In this context, “peach blossoms” is a metaphor for romantic feelings or budding love. ☜