Chapter 529: Chapter 529: Warm Wine Slays the Strange (Part 2)

Changye City, Yangjing Temple.

The host Fang Hui stared blankly at the banquet in front of him, his expression changing unpredictably.

The old wine perched on the small red clay stove was already warm, but the guest he was waiting for was uncertain of when he would return.

Although it was his first meeting with Zhang Yuan and they had no rapport,

this Daoist temple host couldn’t help but feel worried for Zhang Yuan.

Fang Hui was very aware of how terrifying the strange phenomenon lurking outside the county city truly was!

In his view, it would require the dispatch of a Celestial Master from Upper Scenic Celestial to have any hope of exterminating it.

Because previously, Fang Hui had led people in an attempt to eliminate it, nearly costing him his life.

Since that incident, he dared not step out of the city one bit.

What made Fang Hui helpless was that the sect seemed indifferent to the situation here. The people they sent before not only failed to solve the problem but also made it grow even stronger.

If things continued this way, tens of thousands of citizens in Changye City would inevitably become prey for the strange phenomenon.

Fang Hui himself wouldn’t be able to survive!

And now, another Outer Guardian from the Martial Pavilion had come, arrogantly asking him to warm wine and then going off to slay the phenomenon.

Fang Hui found it absurd and couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

He was profoundly worried for the city’s populace and himself!

He picked up the scalding hot wine jug, poured two steaming cups of old wine with a bitter smile.

One for himself, one for the opposite side.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

At this moment, a voice entered Fang Hui’s ears.

Fang Hui was startled, his fingers spread wide, and the jug he was holding slipped from his grip.

In the next instant, a hand reached out, grasping the wine jug securely.

Zhang Yuan sat down across from the host of the Daoist temple, set down the wine jug, and then picked up the wine cup, drinking it all in one go.

He smiled and said, "Good wine."

Only then did Fang Hui come to his senses, staring in shock at Zhang Yuan in front of him, stuttering, "You..."

His throat felt as though something was lodged in it, and he simply couldn’t get the words out.

The shock was just too overwhelming.

Zhang Yuan lifted the jug again, poured himself another cup, and smiled, "Rest assured, Senior Brother, that white-robed scholar outside the city has been slain by me, posing no more threat."

Saying this, he reached into his pouch and brought out the Evil Infant.

As an Outer Disciple of Upper Scenic Celestial, Fang Hui’s power may have been ordinary, but his vision wasn’t poor.

Thus, he recognized at once that this Evil Infant was not only "fresh" but also of high quality.

He subconsciously gulped, the immense pressure within him dissipating completely, and he felt utterly relieved.

The Daoist temple host immediately stood up, respectfully saluting Zhang Yuan, "Junior Brother’s divine might, Fang pays homage!"

Slicing through the phenomenon with warm wine!

Such a terrifying phenomenon, and Zhang Yuan had gone out and returned having slain it in the time it took to drink a cup of tea.

What extraordinary skill!

Fang Hui had seen many powerful martial artists, but never anyone like Zhang Yuan, who cut down malevolent forces as easily as slicing vegetables.

It was known that dealing with the bizarre was more challenging for martial artists compared to cultivators.

That’s why Fang Hui’s admiration for Zhang Yuan was heartfelt, without a trace of insincerity.

"No need for formality, Senior Brother."

Zhang Yuan quickly reached out to support Fang Hui, smiling, "I was just following orders and doing my best."

Fang Hui shook his head and sat back down.

This Daoist temple host raised his cup with both hands, "Junior Brother, let me toast you a cup!"

Though the feast was far from lavish, Fang Hui’s hospitality more than made up for it. He ordered the Daoist child to bring out all the old wine stored in the temple, drinking with Zhang Yuan until dawn.

Though Fang Hui’s power wasn’t strong, during his days at Upper Scenic Celestial, he had traveled extensively and possessed extensive knowledge.

With the threat of the phenomenon gone, he opened his heart, chatting and laughing until he was thoroughly drunk.

During this time, Zhang Yuan inquired about the Changye County Magistrate’s affairs.

He received the answer that the Changye County Magistrate’s entire household was exterminated half a month ago.

At that time, a band of ruthless bandits, seeking refuge from the phenomenon, snuck into the city and stormed the County Government Office, committing atrocities. Though they were ultimately wiped out, the magistrate’s entire family perished, leaving no survivors.

Currently, the County Captain is acting as the County Magistrate.

Zhang Yuan was speechless after hearing this.

The white-robed scholar wandered outside the city, consuming living beings, driven by the desire for revenge and reuniting with a lover.

But the person it wanted to see was already dead, and it had a significant connection to them.

Only pity for the innocent townsfolk!

The next morning, Zhang Yuan quietly left Yangjing Temple, returning to Upper Scenic Celestial.

The white-robed scholar had been vanquished by him, along with the strange occurrences around the county cleared; this mission of his was deemed complete.

Upon returning to Upper Scenic Celestial, Zhang Yuan immediately went to the Martial Pavilion to report the completion of the task.

He also submitted the Evil Infant.

In total, he received 530 points of Daoist Merit!

He then spent 100 points to apply for a Cultivation Cave Mansion.

There were seventy-two cave mansions opened in Upper Scenic Celestial, primarily for the use of inner disciples, elders, and other high-level figures within the sect for rotational cultivation. These caves were connected to the mountain gate’s protective array, capable of concentrating spiritual energy, making them highly beneficial for breaking through realms.

A few of these cave mansions were open to martial artists like Zhang Yuan, though renting them required a significant amount of Daoist Merit.

The average person simply couldn’t afford it.

If Zhang Yuan hadn’t obtained these Daoist Merits, he wouldn’t be able to afford it either.

At the cost of ten Daoist Merits per day, a mere hundred was worth only ten days, which was quite expensive.

But Zhang Yuan was willing to pay such a high price for a reason.

Having rented the cave mansion, he immediately moved in and sealed the entrance.

He took out the Celestial Divine Iron from the Storage Space, then released the Red Blood Saber, using Divine Light to erode it.

This piece of Celestial Divine Iron was acquired from Zamuhu. Even after a period of wearing it down with his Divine Soldiers, he had only peeled away a thin outer shell, not yet reaching its core.

At the time, Zhang Yuan, out of caution, had not fully unleashed the powers of the Red Blood Saber.

Now, having returned to the sect, he specifically rented a cave mansion to deal with this Celestial Divine Iron.

He wanted to see what effect it would have on the Red Blood Saber.

The Cultivation Cave Mansion was equipped with an array, which when sealed could conceal the happenings inside, ensuring that any special occurrences would not be easily exposed.

Because time was precious, Zhang Yuan began by infusing the Red Blood Saber with Primordial Gang Qi.

He fully unleashed the power of this divine weapon!

With the support of Primordial Gang Qi, the Red Blood Saber emitted dazzling light, greatly accelerating the dissolution of the Divine Iron’s outer shell, achieving in half a day what had previously taken ten days.

As the thick outer shell of the Celestial Divine Iron was worn away, the core hidden within gradually revealed itself.

The Red Blood Saber vibrated automatically, emitting a buzzing cry, transmitting a strong desire to consume to Zhang Yuan!