Chapter 463: The Divine Powers of the Dharma Realm

"Everyone, stay still!"

The Pai Jiao members finally sensed something was wrong.

"Go check on the Dragon Head!"

It was clear that Huo Jiao, known as the Dragon King, held a revered status among them; even now that anomalies had appeared, several still rushed into the temple without hesitation.

The Dragon King Temple was now deeply eerie.

The architectural style and atmosphere of the Dragon King Temple on the Jialing River in Chongqing

This Dragon King Temple was originally built during the Tang Dynasty, backed against the Chongqing city wall and facing the roaring Jialing River, its blue bricks and black tiles guarded by stone lions on either side of the entrance, with a carved, latticed relief of the Dragon King bringing rain above the lintel.

Though weathered by wind and rain, it still exuded an ancient solemnity.

Yet now, fierce winds had risen, whipping the mist and rain into swirling chaos, as if an invisible colossal entity circled above.

The temple was not large, its doors wide open—logically, one should see the Dragon King statue inside, but now it was utterly dark.

Yin-sha energy spread as black mist, and wherever it passed, falling rain instantly froze into solid ice.

Seeing those few rush inside, Li Yan made no move to stop them.

These Pai Jiao disciples clearly wouldn't listen to him anyway.

"Ahh—!"

As soon as they entered, a piercing scream rang out.

Gulu lu!

Several more heads rolled out.

Their eyes, too, were filled with confusion and terror.

The necks were jaggedly severed, some still attached to fragments of spine—clearly torn off by brute force.

"Old Three!"

"Sir!"

"Are you trying to die? Don't go near!"

Now, no one dared approach the Dragon King Temple.

Li Yan paid no attention to the commotion around him.

He could smell the thick stench of fish and shrimp spreading outward from the temple, forming a vortex above it.

A chilling, muffled dragon's roar echoed in his ears.

As if an invisible evil dragon hovered above the temple, staring fixedly down at the crowd below.

Li Yan's face darkened.

That Du family brat was surely still inside.

But Huo Jiao, the Pai Jiao Dragon Head, had used some method to conceal his aura, rendering the Gou Die unable to detect him.

At this moment, others had also arrived.

The Emei Daoist Dan Hezi, skilled in ear spiritual powers, his ears twitching slightly, his expression equally grave: "The dragon vein's earth qi has changed—do not enter recklessly."

This revealed the difference in spiritual powers.

Both possessed ear spiritual powers, yet Li Yan heard the dragon's roar across the wilds, the manifestation of ghosts and spirits, while Dan Hezi heard only the shift in earth qi, pointing directly to the essence.

As for Wang Daoxuan, he saw the yin-sha energy rising, forming a dragon-shaped mass above the temple.

It couldn't be said whose spiritual power was superior.

All were blind men feeling an elephant—what mattered was the method of response.

Li Yan's methods were clearly abundant enough.

Since the Gou Die could not sense anything, he might as well summon the Yin Bureau troops and burn the whole place down—whatever was inside had to be dealt with today.

Thinking thus, he gripped the Gou Die tightly, stepped the Nine Stars, and chanted: "Qing Jia! Above, black heaven; below, black earth; black heaven without light, black earth without gate. Yin beings march, yang beings retreat… By order of the Northern Yin Fengdu, swiftly, as the law commands!"

Dan Hezi beside him heard this and his expression shifted slightly.

His eyes held confusion, laced with caution.

This was the incantation of a living yin officer—he knew it well, and it was from the rare Luo Feng Mountain lineage.

Today's living yin officers mostly cultivate the Six Paths Scripture; their summoning spells are tied to Buddhist texts.

Isn't he part of a yang opera troupe? How did he become a living yin officer?

What was his secret mission in Shu?

Though filled with questions, he had no time to ask now.

Huh~

As soon as the incantation was spoken, fierce winds erupted around them.

Whether Pai Jiao or imperial soldiers, all were horrified to find the area where Li Yan stood instantly swallowed by darkness.

Though Da Xuan had many sorcerers, they were scattered across the land, making them sparse; moreover, many techniques caused no perceptible change, appearing no different from frauds.

Sometimes a true master stood right before them, yet they couldn't tell.

But summoning Yin Bureau troops was no small spectacle.

Many present had never witnessed such a mystical sight.

Some were curious, but mostly terrified.

In the darkness lurked something that sent shivers down their spines.

That thing was called "death."

Those inside the Dragon King Temple felt it too.

"How is there a living yin officer?!"

A coarse, brutal voice rang out.

At the same time, a piercing scream: "Stop him!"

The voice sounded like a young man, yet mixed with a woman's wail—as if two voices spoke at once.

Li Yan heard this and smirked coldly.

In the battle at Fengdu, he had barely managed to eliminate three Wushan hermits, but gained little—only one Gang Ling remained.

The Pai Jiao Dragon Head inside was not on the Yin Bureau's mission list; capturing demonic qi would yield only Divine Gang.

In other words, he had just burned his Yin Troops card.

But if the mission succeeded, it was worth it.

Almost instantly, the Dragon King Temple was engulfed in darkness.

Everyone else closed their eyes; Li Yan did too, yet he could still hear the clanking of armor and chains.

Then two hollow, icy voices spoke:

"A divine artifact is hidden inside—we cannot enter…"

"Destroy the temple, capture the demonic qi…"

Li Yan's expression changed instantly.

These were the Yin Troops conversing—he alone could understand them.

A divine artifact is hidden…

Could it be the "Dragon-Snake Tablet"?

Huh~

Before he could ponder further, the surrounding winds grew even fiercer.

The thick yin-earth qi made everyone shiver uncontrollably; darkness filled their vision, frost crystallizing on their skin.

"Don't move! Don't open your eyes!"

Li Yan sensed danger and shouted a warning.

Those who had been terrified now calmed upon hearing his voice, clamping their eyes shut, not daring to stir.

Meanwhile, the Dragon King Temple erupted in thunderous crashes.

As if something was violently battering the temple.

Hu la la!

The sound of falling earth and stones continued.

Finally, the winds ceased, and the darkness slowly faded.

"Open your eyes—prepare to act!"

Li Yan snorted, drawing his Duan Chen Blade.

The Gang Ling had been consumed; the time to summon the Yin Bureau troops had passed—and still no one had been captured.

This had happened twice in a row.

Clearly, the Yin Troops' greatest weakness was this national sacrificial artifact.

Indeed, when the darkness lifted, the Dragon King Temple ahead lay in ruins, coated in white frost and ice.

Yet the main hall's Dragon King Shrine remained intact.

Even the Yin Troops' direct assault had failed to topple it.

"Cannons! Bring the cannons!"

Wan Baoquan's scalp prickled as he roared toward the rear.

Gong long long!

The soldiers, hearing the order, immediately pushed the cannons forward.

Yet the cannons were extremely heavy, requiring mules and horses to move—even though the Pai Jiao had ceased blocking them, it would still take time to drag them over.

At the same time, someone finally stepped out of the temple.

It was a tall, strangely shaped man.

It was none other than the Dragon Head of the Raft Guild, Huo Jiao.

His strangeness had good reason.

He had a full white beard and hair, and according to intelligence, he was already quite old—should have been decrepit.

Yet his frame was tall and muscular, his skin pitch-black, his lips rosy-red, resembling a middle-aged man. Li Yan drew a deep breath and immediately smelled a strong medicinal scent on him, mixed with blood.

This man must have used some kind of life-extending heretical method.

Even the Daoists of Mount Wudang weren't as robust as him!

"Dragon Head!"

Seeing him appear, the Raft Guild members all spoke up.

Their eyes held surprise—and suspicion.

Huo Jiao had long trained inside the Dragon King Temple, forbidding outsiders entry; even when the Canal Guild invaded, he merely performed rituals within.

When he entered before, he looked ancient.

How had he suddenly become young?

Had he truly practiced some heretical art, harming those children?

"What are you all standing around for?!"

Huo Jiao let out a cold snort. "Stop these people. The court won't let us live—today, we rebel!"

!.

But hearing his words, many still hesitated.

One of the Raft Guild disciples couldn't help speaking up: "Dragon Head, don't fool us—were you really the one who killed those children?"

"Insolent!"

Huo Jiao roared: "Do you think you get to dictate what I do? Don't forget who fed you!"

Yet everyone could now see something was wrong.

His former authority had lost all effect.

"Traitor!"

Huo Jiao stared at the cannons drawing nearer, at the garrison soldiers lining up to fire, his eyes filled with agitation. He turned and roared into the temple: "Are you done yet? We can't stay here!"

"Hold them off—especially that living Yin Officer!"

A strange voice echoed from within the temple—still a mix of male and female—but now the woman's voice dominated the man's.

Li Yan's face darkened upon hearing it.

The Yin Bureau's intelligence had mentioned: the demon lord "Female Fork" excelled at disguise, hiding inside children's bodies—even evading Yin Bureau detection.

She could walk openly into temples without being noticed.

But she had one weakness.

Whenever the child reached adulthood, she had to shed her skin, abandon the vessel, transform into a demonic spirit, and flee to find a new host.

Her demonic aura could only manifest power while inside the host; as a demonic spirit, she excelled at earth and water Dun.

Once she escaped, he couldn't catch her.

Without hesitation, Li Yan drew his blade and charged.

His only chance now was to rush into the temple, seize the "Dragon-Snake Talisman" protecting her, then use his Soul-Calling Warrant to summon the Yin Bureau to arrest her.

Without the Divine Command Seal, he could only summon through assigned tasks.

"Ha! Good!"

Seeing this, Huo Jiao showed no fear. Suddenly he pulled out a yellow talisman, pinched it between his fingers like a sword, held his left hand flat as an incense burner, raised the talisman in his right as sacred incense, stomped his right foot hard on the ground, and chanted:

"Banner, drum, incense burner—reach the four seas! One beat of the ritual drum calls clouds to surge! Two beats summon waves to rise! I strike the Ming bell, shaking the Dragon Palace! I burn incense, light candles, summon the Dragon King! I call the Dragon King to ride the clouds, dip his brush, scatter rain and dew! Divine soldiers, dragon might—hasten by the law!"

He recited the incantation at breakneck speed.

Simultaneously, fierce winds erupted from the Dragon King Temple; waves churned violently on the Jialing River; incense smoke surged outward, mingling with the stench of rotting fish and spoiled shrimp howling up from the river.

Two forces converged upon Huo Jiao, swirling around him in visible whirlwinds of wind and mist.

Spirit Possession?!

Li Yan gritted his teeth and exploded forward.

Boom!

His cultivation had reached Hua Jing—he unleashed his full power, and the earth beneath his feet shattered violently as he shot forward like a missile.

He raised Duchen Blade and stabbed straight for Huo Jiao's heart.

His movements were lightning-fast—but just as he neared, Huo Jiao suddenly opened his eyes.

His pupils had become vertical, like dragon or snake eyes; the whites were streaked with blood, glowing faintly red.

His gaze was cold, sinister—no longer human.

Snap!

Huo Jiao suddenly raised both hands and used an empty-hand disarm technique, pinching Duchen Blade between his fingers—just three inches from his heart.

"Die!"

Li Yan focused his spirit in one thought—the blade instantly crackled with lightning.

He realized this old bastard was deeply skilled, and with Spirit Possession, only he could handle him.

Yang Thunder and Yin Thunder activated nearly simultaneously.

Zizz!

Arcs of electricity leapt—Huo Jiao's hair stood on end.

But to Li Yan's surprise, though struck by both Yang and Yin Thunder, Huo Jiao merely blinked blacked out, staggered back—but never released the blade.

"Get off!"

This caught Huo Jiao off guard—he glared with fury, gripped the blade, and violently twisted his arms.

A tremendous force surged through the blade.

Li Yan could counter with his own strength—but if both pushed fully, Duchen Blade might break.

So Li Yan used the force to flip midair, drawing his flintlock pistol with his left hand and pulling the trigger.

Boom!

Huo Jiao collapsed straight down, blood spraying.

Yet Li Yan had no time to rejoice—he shoved the pistol into his waistband and sent two Duanhun Flying Daggers whistling forth.

Huo Jiao, possessed by the Dragon King, reacted with terrifying speed—he twisted his head at the last moment, avoiding vital points.

The pistol blast was powerful, but only shattered his collarbone and muscle.

"Roar!"

A beast-like bellow erupted.

Huo Jiao rolled like a lazy donkey, dodging the flying daggers, then flicked his wrist.

Shhh-shhh-shhh!

Hearing the whistle, Li Yan twisted aside—barely avoiding three poisoned flying darts.

But in that moment, Huo Jiao escaped danger.

His dragon-snake pupils narrowed. He spoke coldly: "Yin Bureau magic? Soul-Calling Chain?"

Li Yan said nothing—only advanced with blade in hand.

This Huo Jiao clearly hid many secrets.

He was the first person to name the Soul-Calling Chain's origin.

The Soul-Calling Chain, in truth, was a kind of divine art.

Seeing Li Yan charge, Huo Jiao remained calm, sneering: "I know divine arts too!"

Saying this, he swiftly formed a hand seal, opened his mouth, and puffed out his cheeks.

Hoo~

A jet of black smoke blasted toward Li Yan.

Li Yan hadn't expected this—he twisted backward in desperation, performing the Iron Plank Bridge.

But something astonishing happened.

The black smoke slithered like a serpent through the air, curved sharply, then exploded, engulfing him entirely.

Hoo~

White phosphorescent flames surged upward.

Luckily, Li Yan wore an outer robe—he shook his body, releasing hidden force, shattering the burning Nuo mask into flying shards.

Simultaneously, the burns from the phosphorus healed rapidly.

"Good! I've learned something new!"

Li Yan sneered, eyes brimming with killing intent.

He saw clearly: Huo Jiao's technique was also a divine art—less subtle than his own, but capable of swallowing phosphorus fire into his belly and spitting it out as flame, much like a flying sword.

Is this what they call "Dharma Realm Divine Art"?

Even Danhezi's face was filled with shock.

To be honest, even as Dragon Head of the Raft Guild, Huo Jiao wasn't even among the top martial artists of Shu's Xuanmen underworld.

Who would have thought he hid so deeply?

Huh~

Inside the Dragon King Temple, the cold wind howled once more.

Li Yan also heard a hissing sound, as if something were being torn apart.

The demon is nearly successful.

Li Yan narrowed his eyes, darted forward, and abandoned Huo Jiao, charging straight into the temple.

"Stay!"

Huo Jiao let out a low roar and followed close behind.

But after taking just two steps, he suddenly rolled sideways.

Boom! Boom!

Gunfire erupted behind him—Sha LiFei and Lu San fired simultaneously, and the others also moved to block him.

The garrison's firelock unit fired at the same time.

In an instant, gunshots rang out from all sides, stones shattered and flew, and even Huo Jiao could only dodge desperately.

Seizing the opportunity, Li Yan plunged into the dark Dragon King Temple…

(End of Chapter)