Chapter 1: The Pursuit of Demons

Luo Yudao: "The bodies of the esteemed Daoists are still exposed in the wilderness, and it is necessary for the young Daoist to take the trouble to properly collect and bury them. Once I, Luo, retrieve the heads of Wu Jie and the others, it will be fitting to honor the spirit of the Observer in the heavens!"

Luo Yu shook his head sadly and said: "Daoist Qingmei has been drained of his vital blood and has ascended to the heavens."

After that, a person and a demon chased each other, fleeing southward, and entered the Wuling Mountain Range

Luo Yuwen was taken aback upon hearing this, secretly thinking: "How is it that someone has come to the Golden Bull Palace? This matter could be somewhat tricky"

Although Luo Yu was eager to know the truth behind the murder case, he understood that the young Taoist was currently in a state of agitation and it was not appropriate to press him. Therefore, he intentionally revealed a smile and said: "Absolutely genuine. The Kunwu Sword Sect is not some valuable brand name; could it be that someone would impersonate it?"

The stone path winds up the cold mountain, and deep within the white clouds lies a dwelling. This is a place deep within the Wuling Mountain Range, where human presence is rare on ordinary days, creating an atmosphere of profound tranquility

Upon seeing that there were still survivors in the temple, Luo Yu felt a surge of joy in his heart. He spoke gently to comfort them, saying: "Little Daoist, do not be afraid. I am Luo Yu, a disciple of Master Xuan Qian from the Kunwu Sword Sect. Today, while passing by Sihan Peak, I intended to pay a visit to Daoist Qingmei. Unexpectedly, I encountered such a tragedy in the temple."

The young Taoist, blushing, stammered: "I am indeed afraid. However, with the master and all the senior uncles, aunts, and fellow disciples dead, what meaning is there in me living alone? It would be better to fight those demons, so that in the future, I can at least face the master and the others with dignity."

Luo Yu was taken aback, thinking to himself: "How could there be a dead person here?"

Upon reaching this thought, Luo Yu no longer had the heart to linger by the pond. He hurriedly stowed away his tin pot, circulated a strand of true energy in his dantian, and soared into the air, shooting straight towards the cliff's summit

Luo Yuluo landed on the bluestone steps in front of Yunju Temple. An elderly Taoist priest, with white hair and wide-open eyes, lay prostrate on the threshold, his legs charred to a crisp. Bloodstains, bright red and scattered everywhere, covered the ground, evoking a sense of dread.

Luo Yu said with a bitter smile: "At this moment and in this place, you and I are the only two living people left in the entire observation area; the rest are merely corpses scattered around."

The interior is in utter disarray, and the important places such as the Dan Room and the Scripture Pavilion have been completely looted, leaving only the option to set a great fire to destroy the evidence.

However, Na Luo Yu is inherently resolute and harbors a deep-seated hatred for evil, thus he is unwilling to simply let go and return to the immortal mountain to report back.

Ro Yu, filled with rage, pondered: "These Taoists are indifferent to worldly affairs, stepping outside the mundane. Who could be so malicious as to resort to such cruelty? If I were to encounter them, I would surely strike them down one by one, showing no mercy!"

He had searched for a long time without success, when suddenly he thought of a Taoist temple named "Yunju" located at the peak of Sixian Mountain in the Wuling Mountain Range. The temple master, Qingmei Daoist, is a disciple of a branch of the Kunwu Sword Sect. Over ten years ago, he had personally led his disciples to Kunwu Mountain to congratulate the 180th birthday of the Xuanqian Zhenren, and he had also met Luo Yu once.

The first monk to speak laughed and said: "You are too timid; what is there to be afraid of? The abbot is currently entertaining distinguished guests from the Golden Bull Palace, so he has no time to pay attention to us"

The young Taoist grasped Luo Yu's large hand tightly, weeping uncontrollably as he said: "Brother Luo, you must avenge the venerable master for us!"

Luo Yuyi, a person of great skill and boldness, lowered his form and moved stealthily through the densely packed pine forest, heading straight for the brightly lit area. At the end of the pine forest, in the open space, stood an ancient temple, grand in scale, much larger than the Yunju Temple.

The young Taoist said: "That Dan Shen was obtained by the temple master over ten days ago while gathering herbs. Originally, it was intended to be refined into several dozen elixirs, but somehow the news leaked out, and it was caught by Wu Jie and others. They came demanding the treasure with great force, and the temple master naturally refused to comply, which led to a confrontation. It was at that time that I hid in the well. Just now, having stayed underwater for too long, I couldn't help but surface for a breath, only to be discovered by Brother Luo."

Upon learning of this matter, the Kunwu Sword Sect could not simply stand by and do nothing. Therefore, Master Xuanqian immediately ordered Luo Yu to go to Duanzhou Prefecture to investigate and capture the demons

Luo Yuh nodded and said: "Indeed. This young Taoist priest might as well be invited to speak; the experience of being cooped up in the well is quite unpleasant."

The little Taoist's fear and apprehension gradually dissipated, and he gratefully said: "Thank you, noble hero"

Luo Yuxin understood that this young Taoist must have witnessed the bloody scene just now, and had become a startled bird. With a low sigh, he extended his right hand and pressed it on the young man's shoulder. As he channeled his vital energy, a hissing sound emanated from the Taoist's clothing, and a mist of water vapor rose up. In an instant, the clothes were completely dry, and a warm current of air circulated around the young Taoist, dispelling the chill that had enveloped him.

A thin monk beside sighed and said: "Who made us mere pawns, always charging to the front in battle, yet when it comes to sharing the spoils, we are the last in line"

The young Taoist shook his head and said, "It seems I haven't heard anyone mention it. Brother Luo, did you come to the Wuling Mountain Range specifically to find her"

Luo Yu recalled something and asked, "Little Daoist, have you heard of the thousand-year-old fox spirit in the Wuling Mountain Range, which is adept at transforming into a charming woman to confuse men and absorb their yang essence to build its foundation?"

He took several sips of the clear spring water, still feeling unsatisfied, and unfastened a square tin pot from his waist, roughly the size of a palm.

A young Taoist priest, around fifteen or sixteen years old, with a pale complexion and an expression of utter terror, was clinging to the edge of the well, peering out.

The young Taoist stood there like a wooden chicken, his purple lips moved a few times, and finally he broke down in tears, choking out, "It is my inadequacy, it is my fear of death, Master..."

The young Taoist was taken aback and asked, "Brother Luo, how may I assist you?"

He leaped lightly to the top of the cliff, and immediately saw two Taoist priests lying dead by the water's edge. One of them had a chest in disarray, a sight too gruesome to behold, as he had been completely disemboweled.

Luo Yu elaborated on the route to Kunwu Mountain and had the young Taoist repeat it. Seeing that he had memorized it perfectly, he felt reassured. He took down the tin pot and placed it in the young Taoist's hands, instructing, "When the young Taoist arrives at the southern foot of Kunwu Mountain at the 'Bixia Shrine', present this item, and someone will introduce you to my master, Xuan Qian Zhenren. My master is compassionate and accommodating, and he will surely take good care of the young Taoist."

It is evident that this disciple of the Yunju Temple is likely involved in some incident at the temple, is it not

Luo Yuwei smiled and said to the *picture* book: "Little Daoist, are you not afraid of death now?"

Luo Yushen let out a deep sigh, thinking to himself: "No wonder Master Qingmei chose to live in seclusion here; even on Kunwu Mountain, such a beautiful place is rare to find"

Luo Yu, having lost the trail of the thousand-year-old demon fox, felt deeply unwilling. Driven by a relentless spirit to eradicate evil, he spent over ten days exploring hidden dangers and searching for any trace of the demon fox.

At this point, the young Taoist's doubts were completely dispelled, and he hurriedly asked, "Brother Luo, how is the venerable master doing?"

Luo Yu said: "Little Daoist, after you have buried all the remains, if you do not see me return, there is no need to wait any longer"

The Wuling Mountain Range stretches across the southwest, resembling a natural barrier that extends for thousands of miles, standing majestically. Due to its vast expanse, the scenery within the mountains varies greatly.

The young Taoist urgently said: "Brother Luo, what is the reason? Do you not intend to return any longer?"

The young Taoist said: "What Brother Luo said is true; I will proceed to collect and bury the remains right away"

At dusk on this day, along the mountain path of Sixian Peak deep within the Wuling Mountains, a man dressed in blue walked alone.

Upon hearing Luo Yu introduce himself, the young Taoist breathed a sigh of relief, yet still expressed doubt as he asked, "You, you are a disciple of the Kunwu Sword Sect?"

Luo Yu waited for him to cry for a while before reaching out to comfort the young Taoist's back, speaking gently: "Young Taoist, do not be too sad. This is not your fault. If you had not hidden away, you would have already become a lifeless corpse by now. I wish to pursue the true culprit and avenge the deceased Taoists, but I find myself at a loss on how to begin."

Although he is not very old, his cultivation is quite high, making him one of the outstanding figures among his peers. Over the years since his debut, he has traveled extensively across the four seas and eight wildernesses, subduing demons and vanquishing evil, rarely encountering an opponent. His name, "Angry Lion," instills fear in the hearts of demons in the demonic path, provoking jealousy and resentment.

He soared towards the Yunju Temple, and along the way, there were several corpses of Taoist priests, lying haphazardly among the trees and rocks, their deaths extremely tragic, with no survivors in sight

He raised his head and looked towards the direction from which the sound came, only to see a corpse floating up from the bottom of the emerald-green pool, drifting towards him with the current

Luo Yu lamented, "Alas, if only I had hurried a bit earlier, perhaps I could have saved Yunju Temple from this catastrophe"

A monk complained, "What terrible luck! Tonight, the abbot is hosting a grand banquet for the guests, and we happen to be on duty for the night watch, not even able to get a sip of wine."

He knew little about the Wuling Mountain Range and had never heard of figures like Wu Jie before. However, judging from the incident at Jintu Yunjian, it was clear that the other party was not only numerous but also quite formidable in their cultivation. Going in alone, he might not gain any advantage. Yet, since he had stumbled upon this bloodshed, how could he stand by idly and hesitate? He had no choice but to venture into the dragon's den or tiger's lair, causing a great upheaval and leaving chaos in his wake.

Luo Yu laughed heartily and said, "There is no need for the young Daoist to worry; these mere jumping clowns are hardly worth mentioning"

At the eastern end of Bitan, there stands a stone tablet over half a person tall, on which the two characters "洗尘" are clearly engraved with silver hooks and iron strokes. The vermilion paint is dark and faded, evidently worn by the passage of time, yet it is unknown which reclusive master from afar left this inscription during their travels.

The sound of laughter reverberates in the silent temple, yet the imposing figure has already moved half a mile away.

To alleviate the concerns of the young Taoist priest, he refrained from revealing the worries at hand and simply said: "The young Taoist priest may not be aware, but the incident at Yunju Temple, where the entire gate was attacked, must be reported to my master as soon as possible. I still need to pursue the demon fox and cannot return to Kunwu Mountain for the time being, so I must trouble the young Taoist priest to deliver the message."

The young Taoist nodded repeatedly and said: "I recognize them. The leader is the demon monk Wujie, the abbot of Qinglian Temple on Qiusong Ridge. Following him are Lü Yan, the master of Zheyun Cave, and a green-haired demon, along with many other demons whose names I cannot recall. In total, there are no fewer than thirty or forty of them, surrounding Yunju Temple and demanding that the temple master hand over the ten-thousand-year ginseng."

Having said that, he took out several pieces of patterned silver and gave some instructions. Finally, he said: "Young Daoist, take care of yourself, and we shall meet again!"

He, having long resided in the Wuling Mountain Range, is quite familiar with the local conditions and may very well know the location of the cave where the fox spirit cultivates. Thus, Luo Yu followed the direction of the Sixian Peak as mentioned by the Qingmei Daoist and searched along the way

Luo Yuxin thought: "Once you arrive at Kunwu Mountain, my master will surely understand what has happened. He will certainly devise another strategy, and there is no need for me to say much. However, the journey to Kunwu Mountain is a long one, and I wonder if this young Daoist can arrive safely"

It turns out that this person in the green attire is the third disciple of the current leader of the Kunwu Sword Sect, Master Xuan Qian, named Luo Yu, with the courtesy name San Si

The young Taoist nodded repeatedly and said, "Brother Luo, rest assured, I will definitely deliver the message to Master Xuanqian at Kunwu Mountain. Is there anything else you would like me to convey?"

A monk with a dark face whispered, "Lower your voice, the abbot possesses divine powers and hears all. If he finds out we are here complaining about him, won't he skin us alive later?"

About half a month ago, in Duanzhou Prefecture, less than five hundred miles from Kunwu Mountain, there was a sudden rumor of a fox spirit appearing, specifically luring adult men to absorb their yang essence for the purpose of refining inner elixirs

Now one can only hope that the skills of the Qingmei Daoist are exceptional, which may allow for a fortunate escape from disaster

Luo Yuwei felt disappointed and thought: "For now, I must set aside the matter of pursuing the demon fox and first head to Qinglian Temple to avenge Daoist Qingmei and the others!"

The original lair of the thousand-year-old fox demon was hidden here, and it was naturally very familiar with every blade of grass and tree in the mountains, thus it effortlessly shook off Luo Yu.

As he walked, the air grew increasingly cool, and the roars of the beasts on either side gradually faded until they were no longer heard

Curiosity piqued, the right palm pressed against the water's surface, releasing a surge of profound true energy imbued with swirling power. The water rippled outward, and the corpse slowly floated over.

The young Taoist looked up and down at Luo Yu, observing that he appeared dignified and had a gentle demeanor, quite unlike the ferocious and ruthless manner he had displayed when he first came to confront them. He then nodded and said, "Yes, yes, I will come out right away."

Luo Yu patted the little Taoist's shoulder and said, "Leave the matter of revenge to me, Luo. Little Daoist, there is something I need to entrust to you and the library, please assist me."

The young Taoist pondered for a moment and said, "I once heard a senior brother in the temple mention that Qiulong Ridge is approximately over 300 miles from here. If you head west and see a mountain range full of green pines, resembling a lotus flower, that would be it. As for the location of Zheyun Cave, I am not sure. Brother Luo, do you intend to search for them?"

After the figure in blue had walked along the mountain path for some time, upon seeing such a magnificent waterfall, he felt refreshed and at ease, secretly thinking: "The light of the mountains delights the birds, the shadows of the pool empty the human heart; the words of the ancients do not deceive me. To linger here for a moment and rest is enough to wash away any troubles."

Luo Yu was taken aback upon seeing the corpse; it turned out that the deceased was a young acolyte of about fifteen or sixteen years old. His chest had been brutally mangled by a soft yet powerful strike, and he had long since lost all signs of life

Turn and take your leave

This person, in his thirties, has a robust physique and an imposing presence. His eyes are bright and spirited, and he moves with the grace of a tiger and the majesty of a dragon. On his broad back rests a three-foot-long sword in a black sheath, the hilt adorned with a magnificent bronze lion, radiating a unique cold light that draws attention.

On the inner side of the well, a pair of wet hands first appeared, followed by someone poking half of their head out and calling out: "Hero, spare my life, hero, spare my life, I am just a humble firewood gatherer, I know nothing!"

The two mountain gates lean askew, and the plaque above the doors lies shattered on the ground, barely still discernible are the characters "Yunju Guan".

In front of the ancient temple's mountain gate hang two large lanterns, illuminating the black plaque with the golden characters "Qinglian Temple". At the entrance, eight robust monks stand guard on either side, holding their staffs, engaging in casual conversation.

The Wuling Mountain Range stretches endlessly, covering an extensive area. There are no fewer than three to five hundred peaks and ridges that are merely named. To seek the trace of a thousand-year-old demon fox among them is akin to searching for a needle in a haystack

Luo Yu said, "I understand now; they were motivated by greed for treasure, which is why they came to kill."

At this point, feeling ashamed, timid, and fearful of death, my face flushed, and I lowered my head, embarrassed to speak further

He walked to the edge of the pond, crouched down, and cupped his hands to splash a handful of clear spring water onto his face. A refreshing and cool sensation instantly permeated his entire body, with every hair and skin expressing utmost delight

He looked up at the pitch-black night sky, where a cold moon hung in the clouds, its desolate moonlight spilling onto the world like water.

On the gable above the door, five claw marks, each over an inch deep, are strikingly visible.

The young Taoist called out from behind: "Brother Luo, please take care of yourself as well. I have a basic understanding of wind manipulation techniques and estimate that I can reach Kunwu Mountain in about seven or eight days to seek reinforcements. Those demons are quite formidable; if you find yourself unable to withstand them, please do not force it."

The young Taoist, shrouded in the vast night, once again scrutinized the figure of Luo Yu, and inquired, "Brother Luo, are you truly a disciple of the Kunwu Sword Sect?"

Luo Yudao: "To kill is to pay with one's life; this is a fundamental principle of heaven and earth. The lives of over twenty people from Yunju Temple should naturally be accounted for by them!"

In the vast autumn night, the towering mountains resemble enormous wild beasts lying on the ground, standing silently. Clouds drift, the long wind travels thousands of miles, and the earth beneath is pitch black

He had just filled half a pot with spring water when he suddenly heard a loud "bang" in his ears, as if a heavy object had fallen from the top of the cliff

The young Taoist wiped away the tears from his face, stood up, and said: "Brother Luo, would you like me to accompany you?"

The young Taoist said: "Thank you, Brother Luo, for your concern, I am grateful. However, I have never traveled far, so I still need Brother Luo to teach me how to get to Kunwu Mountain."

Luo Yuzhen's vital energy circulated throughout his body, his exterior relaxed yet his interior tense, secretly on guard. His tiger-like eyes shot like lightning towards an ancient well at the corner of the courtyard, and he spoke in a deep voice: "Come out, otherwise do not blame Luo for being impolite!"

Luo Yudao: "Rest assured, little Daoist. Yunju Temple and the Kunwu Sword Sect are closely connected, and it is unjust to suffer harm without reason. I, Luo, must take it upon myself to seek justice for everyone. However, has the little Daoist seen which faction the perpetrator belongs to?"

At this point, there is no other way. Luo Yu shook his head and said, "There is nothing else. Young Daoist, please be careful on your journey; otherwise, it will be my fault again"

Speaking, dragging his soaked body, he trembled as he crawled out of the well. His legs rested on the well rim, but as soon as he touched the ground, he stumbled and fell with a thud, collapsing onto the ground, leaving only his back against the well edge, gasping for breath.

Luo Yuxing traveled over 300 miles and indeed caught sight of a steep mountain peak in the distance, resembling a lotus flower, standing tall amidst the clouds and mountains. He slowed his pace and, under the cover of night, quietly approached, searching for the location of Qinglian Temple. In his line of sight, he suddenly noticed flickering lights in the area at the foot of the mountain, resembling the presence of a household.

Luo Yu retracted his right palm and squatted down, saying: "I have already mentioned that I am a disciple of the Kunwu Sword Sect. In terms of seniority, I should address Daoist Qingmei as 'Shishu'. There is no need for the young Daoist to be so distant; just call me by my given name."

Among them, many individuals dedicated to nurturing their vitality have built dwellings to reside in, cultivating their immortality and understanding the Dao. Furthermore, there is no shortage of various kinds of extraordinary beings and demonic figures who conceal themselves to practice and retreat in seclusion

Suddenly, he sensed a movement, and in his intuition, he vaguely felt that there was something unusual in the backyard, so he swiftly leaped away.

The young Taoist exclaimed, "Ah," and trembled as he asked, "What about the others in the temple? Is there anyone else alive?"

What Luo Yu was thinking was something entirely different. He slowly asked, "Little Daoist, are you aware of the locations of Qinglian Temple and Zheyun Cave?"

Upon arriving in Duanzhou, Luo Yu disguised himself and conducted both overt and covert investigations. He finally located the millennium fox demon that had transformed into human form. After a fierce battle lasting over a hundred exchanges, Luo Yu summoned the treasured artifact of his sect, the "Soul Refining Tower," and supplemented it with the Five Thunder Protective Talisman. Although he ultimately wounded the fox demon, she still managed to escape by a stroke of luck

After turning a sharp corner, the view ahead suddenly opened up. A cliff stood majestically about twelve or thirteen zhang away, with several white cascades pouring down from its summit. The sound was thunderous, resembling the roar of thunder, as it plunged directly into the hundred-zhang deep azure pool below the cliff

Luo Yuxin smiled inwardly and thought: "The journey to Qinglian Temple is merely over 300 li. By the time you finish burying so many corpses, I, Luo, may not even be able to return, most likely having met my demise. Your presence here is of little significance."

Luo Yu ultimately discovered the corpse of the Qingmei Daoist in the side hall, the old Daoist had been pierced by several swords, his essence and blood completely drained, leaving only a withered, yellowed shell. His right hand still firmly grasped a broken sword hilt, his eyes wide open in death.