Chapter 474: The Crimson Flame True

At this moment, the air held nothing but a few lingering traces of cold, damp moisture.

As Chen Hang chanted his spell and activated his divine art, his form shifted, and a set of clothing flew out from Yu Xiaoyu’s treasure pouch—those few traces of moisture vanished instantly.

In but an instant, a tall, muscular young man with rhinoceros horns sprouting from his head appeared within the tent.

His eyes burned brightly, radiating sharp brilliance; his skin and flesh were like forged iron, solid and powerful.

Though his face was undeniably heroic, a gray pall lingered stubbornly around his brows, and his expression was cruel and lewd—this ruined his bearing, making others reluctant to draw near.

Almost the moment Chen Hang transformed into Yu Xiaoyu’s likeness, a heavy, grinding sound rolled across the ground outside the tent; after several breaths, one corner of the golden tent was abruptly shoved open, and a gale rushed in.

First, a massive lion’s head thrust inside, then, as footsteps drew nearer, the atmosphere inside the tent turned icy and rigid.

It was a three-zhang-tall stone lion, its muscles knotted like ropes, claws splayed wide, and mane thick and wild.

Six green bronze bells hung beneath its neck, their surfaces faintly glowing, inscribed with tiny fly-head characters of talismanic script—clearly no ordinary object.

The stone lion circled Chen Hang several times, sniffing occasionally with its snout, its face showing clear signs of suspicion and confusion—it did not resemble a puppet, but a living, flesh-and-blood creature.

Chen Hang was not surprised; earlier, Lu Rong had told him that, besides the borrowed treasure mirrors, Yu Xiaoyu also possessed a bronze gong and this stone lion.

These two items were always treated by Yu Xiaoyu as his ultimate safeguards, never once left far from his person.

After parting from Lu Rong that day, Chen Hang had secretly infiltrated this demon tent and personally verified the situation to ensure no error.

During that process, he had already learned that this stone lion was not merely exceptionally perceptive, but could also detect calamitous and calamity-laden qi—quite formidable indeed.

Though Yu Xiaoyu was not favored by the Yueyang Duke’s mansion, his status was still undeniable; possessing one or two such treasures was hardly surprising.

Though Chen Hang had seized Yu Xiaoyu without incident, the sudden surge of magical energy during the strike must have disturbed the air subtly enough for the stone lion outside to sense something amiss, hence its intrusion.

“This place is indeed heavily guarded.”

Chen Hang smiled inwardly.

His eyelids lowered slightly; in his spiritual sense, as the stone lion burst in, gazes from outside the tent gradually turned toward them, and many demon cultivators rose to their feet, exchanging uneasy glances.

Among them, the two-headed, four-armed old demon he had seen several days prior now flickered with sharp eyes, subtly gripping his weapon, adopting a posture of wary caution.

Yet even facing such peril, Chen Hang’s expression remained unchanged; he simply imitated Yu Xiaoyu’s usual behavior to the letter.

Soon, curses and the sounds of fists and kicks echoed through the tent; afterward, the demon cultivators watched as the stone lion slunk out again, its face dusty, mouth clutching a half-spilled wine flask, staggering drunkenly, tail swaying—as if in good spirits.

“Manager Ren?”

A demon cultivator with gills on his neck—a fish spirit in human form—turned his head, awkwardly calling out to the two-headed, four-armed old demon.

“This brute relies on his stone body and thick hide, so he doesn’t fear beatings. You all want to try? One lash from that whip leaves a bloody welt—hard to endure!”

Manager Ren cursed the stone lion inwardly for causing trouble, yet secretly rejoiced that he had not done anything reckless—if Yu Xiaoyu had publicly flogged him, even his bronze sinews and iron bones would have cost him face.

“Go, go! Don’t loiter here!”

Manager Ren waved his hand listlessly; the crowd of demons instantly felt as if granted amnesty and scattered quickly.

Inside the tent, Chen Hang was unsurprised; he simply found a brocade chair and sat, taking Yu Xiaoyu’s storage pouch in hand, slowly flipping through its contents.

Though he had seized Yu Xiaoyu with ease, as if effortless,

that was only because Chen Hang had acted from stillness, seized the initiative, caught Yu Xiaoyu completely off-guard, and unleashed the full power of the Nether True Water—this water could swallow not just flesh and blood, but even a mountain standing in its path.

Yu Xiaoyu’s own realm was equivalent to a True Person’s Golden Core, and with his lineage and background, Chen Hang had indeed found several useful items within the pouch.

“He has quite a variety of spiritual herbs—intending to brew pills?”

After stowing the herbs, Chen Hang’s gaze lingered on a pill formula, then shifted to a bronze gong and a lion-head talisman.

The bronze gong was a potent weapon, capable of unleashing golden light and blazing fire, specifically designed to shatter vital qi.

The lion-head talisman, meanwhile, housed the stone lion’s soul-core; as long as the talisman remained intact, even if the lion were slain in the mortal world, it could be revived after a period of cultivation.

Unfortunately, both items were true demonic artifacts—without demonic power, they could not be wielded.

Chen Hang could only temporarily store them away for future use.

While Chen Hang inventoried his spoils, Yu Xiaoyu within the Nether True Water was suffering terribly, desperately fleeing.

He had been caught off-guard and swallowed by the Nether True Water; all around him stretched boundless turbid water, with no sense of direction, then suddenly, a host of sentient souls surged forth, silent, striking straight for his vital points.

Even more horrifying and despairing was the labyrinthine nature of the Nether True Water’s inner realm.

Even if he flew straight in one direction, he would soon find himself inexplicably looping back to his starting point—all his efforts rendered useless.

Yu Xiaoyu struggled against the corrupting filth of the water, flailing like a headless fly, while fending off waves of soul-attacks—his mind was filled with curses.

Though the Nether True Water had long been absent from the world, and though Yu Xiaoyu had some lineage, in his panic he had not realized he faced such a primordial heavenly water—but seeing this, he knew he must counter it with yang and fiery methods.

Yet when he reached into his sleeve, he discovered his treasure pouch had vanished—let alone retrieving the fire pearl within.

After a short while, Yu Xiaoyu, exhausted, was pierced through the chest and abdomen by a ten-zhang-tall corpse-spirit wielding an iron spear, hoisted aloft like a skewered sugar-dumpling.

With this grievous wound, his protective demonic power faltered; the murky black water surged unimpeded into his mouth and nose—but this time, it did not damage his flesh.

After a few minutes, Yu Xiaoyu suddenly opened his eyes in a daze—his pupils were utterly black, devoid of any light.

Then his head lolled, and he sank back into unconsciousness, floating aimlessly with the water’s current, losing all awareness.

At this moment, Chen Hang sensed something—he raised his hand, made a seal, and the Nether True Water transmitted Yu Xiaoyu’s life memories directly into his mind.

“So that’s how it is…”

After absorbing these memories, Chen Hang’s eyes flashed, and he murmured inwardly.

Aside from its crucial immortality ability, the Nether True Water also possessed the three-substance water’s functions; at the minor accomplishment stage, it had further evolved into many potent abilities.

For instance, the reason it had just captured Yu Xiaoyu was that the minor accomplishment stage of the Nether True Water could now generate its own inner realm—like the Five-Color Divine Light of the Five-Color Peacock Clan—unless one possessed the correct countermeasure, one could never escape that inner realm, and would be slowly worn down to death.

This was the evolution of Yin-Eroding Crimson Water—progressing further!

The Luo Dark Water could only protect one’s spiritual soul intact.

The Nether True Water, however, was far stronger in matters of the spiritual soul, possessing the power to search minds and read souls.

According to Daoist texts, if one perfected the Nether True Water to its ultimate stage and possessed profound cultivation and boundless magical power,

one could fully transform the true water into a real, tangible Nether World, where the master became its sole sovereign, ruling above the yin-yang transformations and below all ghosts, spirits, and demons!

Chen Hang had just used the true water to search Yu Xiaoyu’s mind precisely to add another layer of disguise.

Though Yu Xiaoyu paid little attention to his retinue, he still occasionally met them; if his words or actions revealed any oddity, it would be disastrous.

“Yu Xiaoyu once sought to marry a lady from the Yong Wangfu —though politely refused, he never forgot it. His reason for hunting the Lin Fish’s heart and lungs to brew pills was not only to advance in the pleasure arts, but also to finally gain face before the Yong Wangfu ?”

Recalling this memory, Chen Hang pondered briefly, then let it go, closing his eyes and sitting still.

Only after four or five days did the demon cultivators who had chased the Lin Fish begin to return.

Each bore a sheepish, uneasy expression—they had failed to catch it.

The outcome was as expected: Chen Hang, disguised as Yu Xiaoyu, flew into a rage, cursed them all, then personally took up his golden whip and lashed each one with dozens of strokes—even the stone lion, watching nearby, received a few lashes by accident.

Amid the gloom, when Chen Hang announced they would change course for Fish Lake Mountain, the previously dejected demon cultivators suddenly perked up, nodding eagerly like chickens pecking grain, terrified he might change his mind.

In their view, the Lin Fish was now uncatchable—even with the treasure mirrors, it was useless.

Better to leave this place quickly than remain and risk another beating from Yu Xiaoyu.

Surely, with Yu Xiaoyu’s status, the Yong Wangfu would grant some leniency—collecting medicinal herbs in the mountain should not be difficult.

“Good, good! I’ve long heard Fish Lake Mountain boasts wondrous scenery—it was once a famed peak in the Hongjing Heaven, and though now only a tenth remains, it’s still vast, with many strange phenomena lingering within.”

“Let the master go have his fun there—if we stay here in Guangyang Lake, who knows when old Ren might get another whipping!”

Manager Ren muttered inwardly but moved swiftly, prostrating himself and volunteering to deliver the letter to the Yong Wangfu on Yu Xiaoyu’s behalf.

Chen Hang naturally agreed; once Manager Ren and the demon cultivators departed joyfully,

at nightfall, Chen Hang, seated with eyes closed, suddenly stirred his eyelids—then a voice rang out nearby:

“Chen True Person, truly impressive skill—this illusionary transformation is so flawless, even Yu Xiaoyu himself, if he came here to inspect, would see nothing amiss!”

…

…

Brocade fluttered, layers of lanterns hung suspended.

The tent’s seals had been fully activated, isolating inside from outside—but at Chen Hang’s gaze, a streak of crimson blood-smoke suddenly leapt forth, trembled slightly, and revealed Lu Rong’s form.

“Too kind,” Chen Hang smiled. “I’ve long heard of Lu True Person’s Crimson Lotus Shadow-Walking Art’s ability to pierce formations and breach voids—today’s sight confirms the rumors.”

Lu Rong studied Chen Hang deeply, then said plainly:

“Chen True Person, I know you’ve sent these demons to deliver a letter to the Yong Wangfu —but I’ve come today for another favor.”

His gaze grew slightly colder as he continued:

“You likely know, Chen True Person, that I have old grievances with Xiao Lingji, the true heir of the Zhuìhuān Palace—I’ve long wanted to make that wench suffer, but her companions have always prevented me from striking.

While luring away these demons in Guangyang Lake, I accidentally found a piece of Lin Fish flesh at the lake bottom—its aura matches that of one of Xiao Lingji’s companions.”

“Companion?” Seeing Lu Rong produce a fist-sized dark chunk of flesh with unmistakably alien qi, Chen Hang’s interest stirred slightly.

“Wuliangguang Heaven, Daisui Temple’s Dharma Heir, Tan Su the monk.”

Lu Rong spoke coldly.

Light ignites light, illuminating endless realms, transforming all ten directions into lustrous Liuli , each of a hundred thousand wondrous hues fully present—this is Wuliangguang.

In Wuliangguang Heaven, Daisui Temple has always been a major name among pure Zen groves—like the Zhuìhuān Palace, both are ancient, profound sects with unfathomable depth.

A Dharma Heir, by definition, is a Chan master who has received the master’s heart-seal and can continue the Dharma lineage—his status equals that of a True Heir in the Immortal Dao.

Daisui Temple’s Tan Su, Zhuìhuān Palace’s Xiao Lingji—

Two great sects’ true heirs, together—yet from Lu Rong’s tone, he showed no great fear.

He seemed certain he could defeat Xiao Lingji, but was restrained only by Tan Su’s presence.

“I’ve witnessed your abilities, Chen True Person—if we join forces, defeating those two outsiders from beyond should be no great feat. And I know well that hiring aid demands generous payment.”

Lu Rong raised his hand; immediately, several clusters of treasure-glow coalesced in the air, dazzling and radiant, nearly intoxicating the spirit.

“I know we’ve only known each other a few days—this request is impolite, but in Hongjing Heaven, I believe only you can aid me.” Lu Rong bowed slightly, his expression earnest.

“Such great rewards—Lu True Person truly intends to make Xiao Lingji suffer?”

Chen Hang’s gaze swept slowly over the scriptures, magic treasures, and grand elixirs.

He paused for a moment, then withdrew his gaze, offering only a faint smile before changing the subject:

“I hear your sect possesses a certain spiritual object known as Chi Fan Zhen?”

Lu Rong’s expression darkened slightly; after a long silence, he spoke slowly:

“The Dan Yuan Assembly is imminent—if I were to exchange Chi Fan Zhen, would I not be arming my enemy?”

“The Western Sramanas once said: deluded attachments to love and hate, grasping and rejecting, all arise from the mind. Regarding your sect’s Chi Fan Zhen, True Person Lu, take your time to consider it—there is no need to answer me hastily.”

Chen Hang waved his hand and said:

“For now, I would ask True Person Lu to briefly recount your grievances with Xiao Lingji and Tan Su the Monk. If you wish me to intervene, I must know the full story.”

Lu Rong nodded slightly, offering no objection.

Meanwhile, on Mo Wu Luzhou.

A brilliant Buddhist light suddenly flew in from afar, radiant and solemn, its radiance spilling in all directions, as if another full moon had appeared in the sky.

Only when it neared a valley did the light slowly fade, revealing the figure of Tan Su the Monk.

Tan Su opened his eyes and gazed downward through the clouds; though distant, faint sounds of lust and lewd tunes drifted to his ears, and a sweet, fragrant aroma clung to the mountaintop, undispersed by the wind, stirring heat in the lower abdomen and conjuring wild thoughts.

Tan Su was long accustomed to such sights; he clasped his hands and murmured a Buddhist chant, then descended from the clouds.