Free Web NovelChapter 300: Chapter 299: Gu Zhao in Seclusion, The Daoists Purge Evil
The new elder Daoists also descended the mountain soon after.
Gu Zhao had no plans to descend the mountain himself. The Evil Qi provided by the elder Daoists was more than enough for his Cultivation, so there was no need for him to personally venture out and slay Demons and Ghosts. Doing so would just be a waste of time.
Since nothing much was happening recently, Gu Zhao took the rare opportunity to enter a true seclusion. He would solidify the foundation of his Essence, Qi, and Spirit, sort through all he had learned, refine a few Magical Treasures, and compile the unique techniques of the elder Daoists to enhance his combat experience and prowess.
Gu Zhao himself walked a path that combined the ways of Zhengyi and Quanzhen. Both the *Shangqing Heavenly Heart Righteous Method* and the *Golden Locking Jade Technique* were from the Profound Orthodox Sect, and whether for Concentrating Thought and Spirit or Qi Refining and Returning Pill, they were first-rate Dharma Gates.
Furthermore, he listened to Taoist Yi Hong explain the *Qi Body Origin Flow*, received the *Zhengyi Scripture* from Taoist Ming Yu, and discussed the *Shangqing Great Cave Scripture* with Taoist Shen Hao. His realm and Magical Power all grew in harmony, like a rising tide lifting all boats.
Before, due to a lack of time and a surplus of tasks, Gu Zhao had only been absorbing knowledge without truly internalizing it. This seclusion was the perfect opportunity to thoroughly consolidate everything he had accumulated.
At the same time, with more elder Daoists joining and their research deepening, they gradually uncovered various Dharma Gates for Alchemy and Artifact Refining. Taoist Shen Hao’s contribution was the greatest; he not only created the Flowing Gold Fire Bell but also other Magical Artifacts such as the Golden Tiger True Talisman and the Spirit Flying Jade Talisman.
Therefore, Gu Zhao also prepared to refine two or three Protective Magical Artifacts for himself. His previous items, the White Wolf Fan and the Soul-Stabilizing Seal, could no longer keep up with the pace of his Cultivation.
Fortunately, Daluo Palace now held sway over the three prefectures, and its point system had ignited the boundless enthusiasm of its disciples. The palace warehouse was well-stocked with Spiritual Materials. There was even a piece of Thousand-Year Wood Heart imbued with the aura of a Thunderbolt—more than enough for him to refine a Magical Treasure.
...
And just as Gu Zhao began his seclusion, the elder Daoists set out, traveling alone or in small groups. Their journeys not only spanned the three prefectures of Changping, Bai Shi, and Qianshan, but had already extended far beyond.
Yunyang had previously contacted Gu Zhao to report that he and Hu Yufei had reached Shide Prefecture. They were investigating the Nether Fire Sect while slaying Demons and Ghosts in the area to accumulate Evil Qi.
Now, with the Daoists roaming the land, their footprints appeared everywhere. They were in Yunqi Prefecture in Yongzhou, south of Shide Prefecture; Lianshan and Pingjiang Prefectures in Jiangzhou, north of Qianshan Prefecture; and even across Wuya Ridge in Celestial Spring and Qinglan Prefectures of Yazhou.
"Blessed Infinite Celestial Venerable!"
The compassionate invocation resounded through the mountain shade as Taoist Tai Xian kicked open the gate to a seemingly quiet and elegant courtyard.
BOOM!
The burly Taoist Tai Xian strode into the courtyard and saw a couple huddled together, trembling, with their seven- or eight-year-old son.
"M-Mage?" the wife stammered, shrinking into her husband’s arms and looking at Taoist Tai Xian with terror in her eyes.
The husband held his wife, his teeth chattering, but he still summoned his courage and asked meekly, "M-Master Mage, we’re just a poor family with no money. Please, take whatever you wish, just spare our lives."
Their son cowered behind them, peeking out with only half of his little face visible. Though his eyes showed a hint of fear, they were mostly filled with loathing as he stared at Taoist Tai Xian.
Taoist Tai Xian watched the family’s performance, marveling at it. ’Quite the act,’ he thought. "Is this how you do it? Lure in travelers who need a place to stay, kill them, and leave no trace behind?"
"I... I don’t know what you’re talking about..." the husband stammered, swallowing hard and putting on a bewildered expression.
"You’re the bad guy!" the son shouted, leaning out to throw a punch before his mother pulled him back.
"We’re just an ordinary family, Master Mage! You must have been misled by vicious rumors!" The wife fell to her knees, pleading. "Please, Master Mage, see the truth for yourself!"
"Is that so?" Taoist Tai Xian stroked his beard and chuckled. "In that case, how about your family listens to a little drumming from me? If I am mistaken, I will offer you a sincere apology."
The husband had sensed the Daoist’s powerful aura and was already looking for a chance to launch a sneak attack. A glint flashed in his eyes, and he immediately nodded in agreement. "We wouldn’t dare ask for an apology, Mage. It’s getting late, my wife and I can prepare a simple meal for you..."
But before he could finish speaking, he saw Taoist Tai Xian pat a gourd at his waist. A large, red-lacquered, skin-covered drum suddenly appeared before the Daoist.
"Huh?"
’A Storage Magical Treasure?’
Surprise flashed in the eyes of all three family members. Greed suddenly flared in the son’s eyes, and his mouth twisted into a savage grin.
But in the next moment, Taoist Tai Xian raised a drumstick and struck the large drum before him.
DOOM!
A single beat of the drum. The sound wave was low and deep, yet it rippled through the air, carrying the true will of the Taoist Sect. Its intent, infused into the sound, was enough to suppress all manner of Demons and Ghosts.
"Argh!"
The son was the first to succumb. He clutched his head and let out a muffled groan.
"I have a piece here called the *Single Saber Assembly*," Taoist Tai Xian said, striking the drum again. "If you can endure it, you’ll prove you’re an ordinary family. But if you can’t..."
DOOM!
"Though I am of the Quanzhen school, I still know how to recite the *Sutra of Salvation*!"
Forget the entire *Single Saber Assembly*—Taoist Tai Xian had only beaten out the first measure when the son could no longer stand it. His face twisted into a savage mask as he transformed into a green-faced, tusked Evil Ghost.
"Damn Daoist! Die!"
Seeing their cover was blown, the husband and wife revealed their true forms as well. They were both Corpse Ghosts. The husband turned into a charred, withered corpse reeking of smoke and ash, while the wife’s face became deathly pale, her pupils turned pitch black, and her body floated into the air as she lunged at Taoist Tai Xian.
"Bring it on!"
Far from being afraid, Taoist Tai Xian looked invigorated. His drumsticks flew in a frenzy, and the rhythm of the *Single Saber Assembly* grew even more impassioned and thunderous.
He was an heir to the Sui Mountain Sect of the Quanzhen Dao. Beyond the common scriptures of the Taoist Sect, he had diligently studied the *Immortal Music Collection* and the *True Words of the Immortal Master*—secret teachings passed down by the founder of the Sui Mountain Sect—and had cultivated a deep reserve of Taoist True Qi.
With his Innate Qi activated by the Thunder Seed, the full extent of his skills, honed over countless years of practice, had returned to him. Now that his Cultivation was restored, he was considered an expert even among the Mages of the Otherworld, to say nothing of this treacherous family of Ghosts who hid in the mountain shade to ambush travelers.
"Through Purifying and Calming True Skill, all things are known. Body like the lotus root, heart the lotus throne."
Taoist Tai Xian’s feet seemed to take root as a thought formed in his mind. His hands beat the drum, and wave after wave of sound merged with his Taoist True Qi, now infused with the power of Purifying and Calming Demon Suppression. The sound waves struck the three Ghosts, making them howl in agony and keeping them at bay.
As the rhythm reached its crescendo, Taoist Tai Xian let out a hearty laugh. "Tell me, how will you ever get near me!"
At the same moment, he brought both drumsticks down with full force. A shockwave, far stronger than any before, swept out and instantly dispersed the Ghost Bodies of the three fiends. The ensuing sonic blasts then completely annihilated their souls.
As the Evil Qi flowed into him, Taoist Tai Xian struck a final, booming note on the drum. "Exhilarating!"
But in the next instant, a dense plume of Ghost Qi erupted from behind the courtyard. "You’re so damn loud!"
