Chapter 682: The Shadow Cursed Effigy Once Again

The next day, at the foot of Chiyang Peak, ten thousand disciples came to listen to Xiao Nanfeng lecture on cultivation. His voice was like a tolling bell, clear and resonant.

Far in the back stood a group of black-robed cultivators led by an armored man exuding a martial air. Xia Lan stood beside him.

"Second Brother, that's Xiao Nanfeng! He tricked our three mothers and is even intending to lure Yu'er away. She's currently trying to claim the treasure of the purple moon illusory realm, and he's shamelessly using it as an excuse to stay here! He's even trying to secure the goodwill of these Yuqing disciples and bind them to him. Second Brother, I'm worried for you," Xia Lan maligned.

The armored man was none other than Xia Lan's second brother, Xia Hong.

Xia Hong frowned at the orating Xiao Nanfeng. "I'll have a look for myself."

"Second Brother, you won't notice anything amiss. He's a skilled actor, and he's already got Yu'er in his clutches. He's even going to steal the disciples you were grooming! Don't let him fool you too," Xia Lan whispered.

Xia Hong didn't respond. He continued listening to Xiao Nanfeng orate.

Though he didn't make his own intentions clear, the gaze of those dark-robed cultivators behind him glimmered with red light, as if their killing intent had been roused.

The lecture finished quickly.

"Senior Brothers, Junior Brothers, let's end things here and continue our discussion tomorrow," Xiao Nanfeng said, smiling.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Xiao!" countless Yuqing disciples shouted.

The disciples had gained significant insight from Xiao Nanfeng's lectures and had much to reflect on. None dared to disturb Xiao Nanfeng's rest. Xiao Nanfeng himself left in a hurry, with much on his mind.

Only then did the Yuqing disciples disperse.

Xia Hong nodded in admiration. "Xiao Nanfeng's mastery of cultivation is impeccable. It's little wonder the Yuqing disciples praise him so."

Xia Lan's face soured as if he had bitten into a lemon. He wasn't deliberately trying to malign Xiao Nanfeng, but he was used to being doted on by his family. Xiao Nanfeng's presence, however, had upended everything. Infuriated, he tried to find an ally in his second brother to support his cause, but...

"Just because he's intelligent doesn't mean that he has good morals. Don't let him trick you, Second Brother!" he repeated.

"It's too early to draw any meaningful conclusions. Let's go greet our mothers first. The rest can wait."

Xia Lan nodded.

Xia Hong turned to the black-robed cultivators behind him. "Everyone, stay in the residences prepared for you while awaiting my return."

"Understood!" the black-robed cultivators chorused.

They marched off toward those residences as Xia Lan and Xia Hong flew up Chiyang Peak.

Meanwhile, Xiao Nanfeng rushed straight to Ye Dafu after his lecture.

"Is there still no news of him?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

Ye Dafu shook his head. "None at all. It's almost as if the Demon Child has gone missing. He didn't show up for the morning fight, nor the afternoon one. It feels sinister."

"Have you asked the disciples from Taiyi Peak?"

"We did. They saw the Demon Child return last night, but there's been no sign of him since."

Xiao Nanfeng's face was dour. "Sage Green Lotus must be responsible. He knows we know what's going on. He must have imprisoned the Demon Child."

"Is Sage Green Lotus that strong? The Demon Child's a Golden Immortal," Ye Dafu exclaimed.

"The Demon Child's only an early-stage Golden Immortal. He's certainly not as strong as Sage Green Lotus just yet, and he's still a naive child. He's no match for a wily old fox like his master. Sage Green Lotus must have struck while he was off guard."

"This morning, Sage Green Lotus left via the mountain pass in a rush," Ye Dafu reported.

"He really is wary," Xiao Nanfeng murmured.

"What now?"

"Find out where he's gone. I expect you won't be able to find anything, but try anyway. Next morning, have the disciples of Taiyi Peak bring you to the mountain proper to search the premises.

"Can we?" Ye Dafu exclaimed.

"Relax. Just say that you're there to search for the Demon Child. I expect the Taiyi Peak disciples I've been interacting with will show you that courtesy, at least."

"Understood!"

Xiao Nanfeng gave them a few more orders before Ye Dafu and the other golden cultivators scattered.

At the same time, back in Yongding, Xiao Nanfeng's avatar told Blue Lantern, "Blue Lantern, we're running out of time. Try to speed up your analysis of the green lotus totem as fast as possible."

"Got it." Blue Lantern nodded.

Then, Xiao Nanfeng left in search of You Jiu.

"Have all the spectral guards in the south search for the whereabouts of Sage Green Lotus and the Demon Child. Report back the moment you find any information," Xiao Nanfeng instructed.

"Understood!" You Jiu replied.

That night, a full moon rose in the sky. At the foot of Chiyang Peak, by Xiao Nanfeng's guest house, there were plenty of patrols whose purpose was to maintain a restful environment for Xiao Nanfeng.

"Who's there? Why are you making such a loud noise while walking about? What if you disturb Senior Brother Xiao from resting?"

"If you're moving things, do so more quietly! Don't you know how to soundproof your actions?"

"Don't cultivate here! What if you cause a commotion?"

The patrolling disciples nitpicked about even the smallest disturbances, but those disciples that were held responsible didn't mind. In fact, they even felt ashamed about their actions. As a result, there was only ever the chirping of insects in the vicinity of Xiao Nanfeng's house.

None of the patrolling disciples noticed the black, shadowy figures gliding across the ground.

They darted by in the blink of an eye as they congregated about Xiao Nanfeng's abode.

There were a few formations set up around Xiao Nanfeng's yard, but the shadows were somehow able to pass straight through.

The door leading into the living room was shut, but the shadows were able to slide straight through the cracks at the very bottom.

They made their way inside, where they found Xiao Nanfeng sitting cross-legged in meditation.

Just then, Xiao Nanfeng's eyes shot open as he sensed a threat descending around him.

The alert shadows hurriedly shrank into the dimmest, darkest corners of the room, where they could meld with the environment.

Xiao Nanfeng stood up and called out, "Who's there? Show yourself!"

A shadow appeared to his back and quickly wrapped around his waist. A gust of energy shot straight into his body, causing him to freeze.

"Shadow cursed effigies?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.

Only then did the shadow to his back unflatten itself from two to three dimensions, manifesting in the form of a humanoid figure, its lower half wrapped around Xiao Nanfeng's body even as its upper half vibrated in excitement.

"Haha, Xiao Nanfeng isn't as strong as the rumors claim at all! I've already pinned him in place. Brothers, show yourself!" the shadowy figure called out.

The other shadow cursed effigies emerged from the darkness, unflattening themselves and revealing mouths with sawtooth-like teeth. They roared in laughter.

"Let's finish him off quickly," one shadow said.

"Very well!" the shadow tangled around Xiao Nanfeng's body replied.

It put both hands on either side of Xiao Nanfeng's head, as though about to twist and pluck it off before eating it whole.

"Ha! Don't you think it's rather impolite of you to be attacking me like this?" Xiao Nanfeng demanded.

"Something's wrong. Finish him off, quickly!" a nearby shadow called out.

The shadow bound to Xiao Nanfeng's body sped up, but Xiao Nanfeng was even faster. He caught the shadow by the neck and held it up.

"Impossible. How can he touch our bodies? My cursed spiritual power is useless against him!" the caught shadow cried out.

"Save him, hurry!" another shadow shouted.

The shadow cursed effigies all showed their teeth as they shot toward Xiao Nanfeng in rapid blurs.

Xiao Nanfeng smiled and waved a hand. A flash of red candlelight formed around him, illuminating the shadows, causing them to sizzle, and sending them flying. The red light seemed anathema to the shadows.

"Impossible!"

"Candleflame powers? Candlelight that specifically counters us? Just who are you?!"

"The Spirit Emperor—are you the Spirit Emperor? No!"

The shadows cried out in fear.

Somehow, the candlelight gushed out in the form of a wave, pinning them to the walls as it dissolved their bodies.

The shadow cursed effigies shrieked in fear. Rendered immobile, they were unable to do anything but watch as their bodies melted away. They glanced at each other in despair.

Just then, Xiao Nanfeng waved a hand. The candlelight vanished.

The pinned shadows fell to the ground, all frozen in fear.

"Flee!" one shadow exclaimed.

"Do that and I'll unleash the candlelight again," Xiao Nanfeng said coldly.

The shadows froze as if they had been pinned by the candlelight again. None of them dared move.

"Please spare us on account of the Divine Emperor, Spirit Emperor! We mustn't have been in our right minds," one shadow murmured.

"Who called me the Spirit Emperor?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"What?" The shadow cursed effigies were taken off guard.

They knew that only the Spirit Emperor possessed the candleflame that countered them. The person in front of them didn't look like the Spirit Emperor—but who else could be?

"Is the Divine Emperor doing well?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"You—aren't the Spirit Emperor?" the shadows asked, glancing at Xiao Nanfeng. They were very worried.

They all knew that the Spirit Emperor was besotted with the Divine Emperor. If Xiao Nanfeng wasn't the Spirit Emperor, why would he care so much about the Divine Emperor?

Xiao Nanfeng sighed in exasperation. "Hasn't the Divine Emperor mentioned me to you?"

The shadows fell silent. They were clearly unaware of the link between Xiao Nanfeng and her.

"It's little wonder, I suppose. If the Divine Emperor had mentioned me, you wouldn't have dared to attack." Xiao Nanfeng shook his head.

It was a pity, but he couldn't help but be happy to see the Divine Emperor's subordinates here.