Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, but Thunderbolt Taoist Sect

When the three left, it was already daytime outside. They had spent the first half of the night chasing after human heads and catching zombies, and the second half of the night interrogating the zombie and the ghost in the City God Temple. The latter took more of their energy.

These two leaders of the White Lotus Sect, along with the one who has already been arrested, are actually reaping what they sowed. Seeing that their rebellion was gaining momentum, they became obsessed and further studied evil arts. As a result, they were used by their own disciples and suffered the consequences of their own actions without even realizing what was happening.

The problem of the horrifying number of heads was solved, but it led to an even bigger issue. Then, because one of the guys ran away so easily, the trail came to an abrupt end.

How fast did they run? The next day, when they came out of the City God Temple and went to check outside the city again, they found that the scattered White Lotus followers had also disappeared.

"Running that fast, there's definitely something wrong."

Now, if you want to find people from the White Lotus Sect, you can only look for those so-called White Lotus Sect lay practitioners in the city. These are all original residents of the city. They say they are from the White Lotus Sect, but they are just ordinary people living ordinary lives under the guise of believers, and they definitely belong to different sects.

To continue the trail, the only option is to pursue the White Lotus Sect sorcerers who possess magical powers, but by this time, these people have already disappeared without a trace.

Master Li hadn't forgotten his initial mission. Just as dawn broke, he went to the Chu family to report to Chu Yintai, informing him that the matter of the severed heads in the suburbs had been resolved, and as for the monster, it had been eliminated.

Anyway, they've already fallen into the hands of the City God. Those two guys weren't good people in life. The zombies themselves are just weak purple zombies, no match for the ghost messengers. The vengeful ghosts might be a bit troublesome, but after the interrogation, the City God asked Jian Feidao to give them a sword strike, directly reducing their combat power by more than half.

The City God had taken notice of this demon-suppressing weapon when Jian Feidao took it out. The sword energy it emitted caused the surrounding ghost messengers to retreat involuntarily. If you just lightly poke a fierce ghost, it will take half a day for the opponent to recover.

The two were imprisoned. Chu Yintai only said that a head fell in front of him, but he didn't say what the head looked like. At first, Master Li thought that the head he saw was a zombie. However, after talking with him, it turned out that Chu Yintai encountered the head much earlier than the villagers, but the head itself said that it had never been to the edge of the city.

The grove of trees on the outskirts of the city was the closest he had ever been to the town, but that place was still some distance from where Chu Yintai had "seen the ghost."

After comparing various sources, it can be determined that the headless ghost that Chu Yintai saw was the one that was captured at the beginning. In this way, the "monster" that frightened Chu Yintai was dealt with first and had no chance to appear again later.

Although he had some prejudices, Master Li felt that since the other party had fallen into the hands of the White Lotus Sect, the worst-case scenario was already a rather tactful way of putting it.

"I will be leaving in a few days. If you encounter any evil spirits again, Young Master Chu, you can go to the City God Temple first."

Although Chu Yintai wasn't exactly an upright person, the Chu family was powerful and influential in the area, and they certainly made many offerings to the City God Temple. Because of this relationship, Chu Yintai would receive more protection than others when he went to the City God Temple to pray for blessings.

Chu Yintai was somewhat disappointed that he hadn't caught the demon in its true form. He had heard that this Taoist priest Li was very powerful, but he had only found someone to exorcise the demon yesterday afternoon, and this morning he said he had solved it. Wasn't that a bit too fast?

Chu Yintai wanted to ask for more details, as it concerned a rebellion many years ago, as well as the City God, the White Lotus Sect, and the Primordial Being. These things were not suitable for a mortal like Chu Yintai to know, so Master Li could only give vague answers.

The more this was the case, the stranger it seemed to Chu Yintai. He was used to being a young master, and no one ever dared to hide anything from him when he was asked questions. There were very few people like Master Li who were not afraid of the Chu family, and even fewer who would not give Chu Yintai a straight answer.

Furthermore, with Master Li returning empty-handed, Chu Yintai had no evidence to prove to his friends that he had encountered a monster, which made the young master even more upset, and he even began to suspect that the other party was lying to him.

The arrogant young master, who was not afraid of anything, suddenly became arrogant. Chu Yintai wanted to test whether this person had any real skills. It just so happened that he had a friend who was said to have married a foxy wife. Today was the third day of the wife's marriage. Chu Yintai forcibly stopped Li Daoshi and dragged him to his friend's house to congratulate him.

The reason is simple: since he said he was marrying a fox spirit, he, as a friend, should of course check on her. But what if he, a mere mortal, is in danger? Of course, he needs a demon-slaying master like Master Li to protect him.

Master Li wanted to refuse. He originally planned to leave after finishing his business, but Chu Yintai started to argue and make trouble. He could hear the suspicion in Chu Yintai's words. People in their line of work are often mistaken for swindlers. Master Li was used to it and wanted to finish as soon as possible and leave.

Moreover, he didn't find it strange for a fox spirit to marry a human. In such cases, it was either to repay a debt of gratitude or to experience worldly life. As long as it wasn't about eating or harming people, it was fine. If it was just a simple marriage between a human and a demon, Master Li wouldn't get involved.

Helpless, Chu Yintai kept pulling him along while shouting that he was worried his friend was being bewitched by a fox spirit. He sounded very concerned, but Master Li could see clearly that this guy was just looking for a show and probably wasn't that close to that friend.

However, the other party was right about one thing: when monsters actively approach people, besides those with good intentions, many do so to lower their guard first. For example, they might disguise themselves as beautiful women in distress. This kind of tactic is considered basic.

Sometimes, scholars see delicate beauties begging for help, but in reality, the person on the other end might be a male demon in disguise.

But while they may have some contact, it's rare for them to marry directly into the family. If they do choose to marry, it's more likely to be out of gratitude.

In any case, Master Li was still dragged to his friend's house by Chu Yintai with no other choice. Chu Yintai was an ordinary person, and he couldn't fight with an ordinary scholar, as he might accidentally hurt him.

This young master Chu's personality is indeed unpleasant, but not to the point that Master Li should beat him.

The friend who married the fox-like woman was surnamed Feng. Feng was a well-known family in the city, and his grandfather had been a high-ranking official. Unfortunately, Feng lost his father when he was young, had few relatives, and was unsupervised. He liked to hang out with Chu Yintai and other rich young men. Although he was somewhat talented, he was frivolous and a heavy drinker. When he hung out with Chu Yintai and his friends, he could be described as a "fox-like friend".

Such a man suddenly getting married, and to a vixen at that, naturally surprised everyone. In the past few days, all the relatives and friends of the Feng family have been flocking to the Feng family, wanting to know what happened.

Chu Yintai was one of those curious people who personally visited with gifts to offer their congratulations and see this fox lady.

However, due to the rules of society nowadays, female family members cannot go out to meet people casually. Chu Yintai could not see the other party and could only ask his friends repeatedly.

Once he met the person in question, Master Li put the matter out of his mind. He didn't care much about being dragged along; he was hoping the other party would forget about him so he could leave easily.

Upon seeing the Feng family's residence, he was certain that the family posed no danger. Although there was a hint of demonic energy, it was merely a normal occurrence due to the presence of spirits and monsters, and they harbored no ill intentions.

Chu Yintai continued to pester Feng Sheng. Seeing that there was finally some peace and quiet around him, Master Li informed the Chu family servant beside him that he was leaving, and then disappeared from everyone's sight.

By the time Chu Yintai remembered and wanted to test whether Master Li had any real skills, the Taoist had already disappeared from the surroundings.

Li Daoshi was deeply concerned about what he saw and heard at the City God Temple, as he unexpectedly encountered Ren Pingsheng and Jian Feidao, and also met people from the White Lotus Sect. After leaving, he went straight to find Ren Pingsheng and the others.

Since they each had things to tell each other, the three of them separated immediately after leaving the City God Temple. Master Li went to the Chu family, while the other two went to the village to appease the people.

"The Three Treasures Sect... You know what, it sounds familiar."

The illegal intruders came as followers of the Sanbao Sect and had a group of people with them. Although they had already fled, the two men felt that since the intruders had a group, they must have made contact with others, so they continued to question the villagers.

The Three Treasures Sect is one of the branches of the White Lotus Sect. There are conflicts between the various factions, and they will actively recruit believers. When illegal travelers arrive with their people, their subordinates will definitely spread the word in the surrounding villages.

"There were such people a while ago. What kind of religion is this? It sounds like something monks in a temple would chant."

The White Lotus Sect originated from Buddhism, and its various precepts and sectarian names are all related to Buddhism. Buddhism has the concept of the Three Jewels, but the meaning behind the name of this Three Jewels Sect may not be so auspicious.

"Buddhism does indeed have the concept of the Three Jewels, but this Three Jewels sect is a heretical cult, and there are no good people in it. If you see it again, please remember to report it to the authorities immediately."

If you told the villagers that the Sanbao Sect was the same cult that rebelled in the area hundreds of years ago, probably no one would believe you.

Some villagers have had contact with the believers, and it is said that there are not only the Three Jewels Sect, but also some that call their sect Guangmu. In summary, there are three or four different names. These should be several White Lotus Sect factions that merged because of the title "Asura King".

Some believers tried to recruit villagers, but this time it wasn't to make money. Instead, they asked the locals about rumors, including topics like cult rebellions and headless zombies. They weren't trying to recruit followers, but rather to gather information.

"Whether it's a zombie or a vengeful ghost, it has nothing to do with immortality."

When Master Li came looking for someone, he happened to catch the two questioning the villagers. He stood by and listened, and combined the information he had received the night before, he felt that nothing was right. Whether it was the immortality that the three leaders wanted in the past, or the evil arts that the Sanbao Sect was suspected of researching now, although there were clear goals, it just didn't make sense.

Whether it was the former leader who was bewitched and went from rebelling to becoming emperor to pursuing immortality, or the later disciples who betrayed their master and turned him into a vengeful zombie in pursuit of immortality, or now that someone has come back to arrest him for this, what kind of evil magic has driven people so crazy?

"This claim is too fantastical. Even my grandmaster wouldn't dare say that there is truly an elixir of immortality in the world."

The definition of immortality has always been very vague. Some say that becoming an immortal is enough, while others say that even gods die. Such an ethereal thing cannot be obtained by performing a ritual or devising some evil magic.

"Longevity is not necessarily a good thing. It just means that a long life does not guarantee a peaceful death, nor does it mean that one will live long enough to prove one's longevity."

As a naturally born human being, and one who lives in a life of hardship, Ren Pingsheng has a lot to say about this.

"The people from the Three Treasures Sect must have headed south overnight. If we chase them now, we probably won't be able to catch up."

Ordinary followers could be caught, but nothing could be gotten out of them. The mastermind could turn into black smoke and escape. If this ability were unrestricted, given how decisively he ran away last night, he could very well have run all the way back to the headquarters in his black smoke form.

“We have friends in the south, so we can send a message there first and tell them to be more careful.”

"Daozhen and Shuangxiu are still in the south."

"Michijin?"

This word caught Master Li's attention.

"The Daozhen lineage is a Daoist sect in our area. If you really care about the White Lotus Sect, why don't you travel with us first?"

Traveling with them will provide the fastest way to obtain information about the movements of the Southern White Lotus Sect. The flying messages of the innate people are as swift as their transformation into light.

"As long as you two don't mind my intrusion, that's fine."

……

What are Shuangxiu doing at this moment? After Ren Yunzong left with Ling Ziling, they managed to get a small boat and traveled downstream. The boat is now docking at the shore, while Yuan Wuxiang is seasick.

"……hateful……"

Yuan Wuxiang gripped the edge of the boat tightly with both hands to keep himself from falling over. Although there were only two people on the boat, him and Juan Shoutian, and it was the only small boat on the water, Yin Biao still wanted to maintain some dignity.

In reality, Yuan Wuxiang's current actions were anything but graceful; he was practically lying on top of it, and due to seasickness, the high-end silver had faded to a grayish-white.

"Why don't you try some more?"

Juan Shoutian stood next to Yuan Wuxiang, helping Yuan Wuxiang catch his breath with one hand, and with the other hand, he took out a carrot from somewhere and handed it to him.

"...Eating it has absolutely no effect."

When the decision was made to travel by water, Yuan Wuxiang did remember his seasickness. After all, among so many innate talents, only a handful were known to be seasick. But Little Master could make excuses... no, I mean, explain it.

That seasickness was caused by a variety of factors. First, the special environment at the time could also affect the physical condition of outsiders. They were at sea, where the sea was more turbulent than the river. All sorts of reasons contributed to that seasickness.

Yuan Wuxiang felt that this time would be different. They bought a small fishing boat and used their internal energy to propel it on the water. It was very stable and faster than other boats. He felt that he wouldn't get seasick this time.

But that's reality. Yuan Wuxiang initially tried to persevere, but ultimately succumbed to seasickness. Even though the worlds they inhabited were completely different—the difference between ordinary rivers and the sea in the demon market was so vast—why would he get seasick?

"This time it's clearly not the sea, so why is it still like this?"

"Seasickness has nothing to do with these things. You're seasick because the water is too humid..."

"You've already explained this principle once, Juan Shoutian, so there's no need to repeat it... Stop shaking."

"I didn't shake."

"But you're clearly walking... Hey, where are you going?"

"...I didn't move."

It seems that Yuan Wuxiang's seasickness won't be getting better anytime soon.