When others use spells to invade, they may not necessarily notice it, so the night watch mainly involves the two of them and Wang Daoxuan.
Fortunately, the night passed peacefully without incident.
The following few days were also calm.
It seems that last time they didnât succeed, and instead, they attracted the Dumen and the Twelve Primordial Spirits. Xiao Jinghongâs enemies didnât make any further moves.
Influenced by Cao Yuanhuai, the disciples of Dumen are wary of them, often guarding Xiao Jinghong, fearing they might compete for favor.
Li Yan and the others were naturally glad to see this, and usually stayed indoors, each cultivating themselves, occasionally discussing with each other.
Just like that, a few more days passed.
As the year-end approached, the skies over Chengdu Prefecture finally cleared.
The sky was clear, the sun shining brightly. The roofs of the cityâs pavilions and towers were covered with snow, contrasting with colorful flags and lanterns, instantly evoking the festive spirit.
Inside the Bamboo Forest Small House.
In the cloud-foot copper incense burner, top-grade chen xiang was burning.
On the table lay a stack of talisman paper, along with vermillion pen ink.
These talisman papers are not ordinary, divided into seven colors: white, yellow, red, blue, purple, and black. Not only are they astonishingly thick and resilient, but they also have a faint incense fragrance.
Judging by their appearance, theyâve been around for quite some time.
These talisman papers were all purchased at Qingcheng Mountain, offered in the Heavenly Master Cave for a full fifty years, and are quite expensive.
Li Yan stood before the table, holding his breath and calming his mind.
First, he connected these talisman papers, then cut them into papermen.
Each time he cut, he would naturally perform Step Gang Stepping, chant mantras: "Xu Xu Ling Ling, Supreme Jade Purity, Aid the distressed, cut paper into soldiers..."
Originally, his papermen were all white.
This is the so-called "White Yellow Connects Yang, Red Paper Connects Yin."
Now, with his Dao improved, he can already use seven-colored papermen.
Unnoticeably, a whole morning passed.
On the table, he had cut over a hundred papermen.
Li Yan carefully examined them, smiled, then performed Step Gang Stepping again, chanting: "Nuogao! Taiwei Chuling, create soldiers, exorcise evil, Yang He Body, North Yin Emperor Order, deter weapons!"
As the spell ended, a fierce wind arose indoors.
Woosh!
The seven-colored papermen soared into the air, like countless butterflies, fluttering around him, forming an extraordinarily beautiful scene.
Li Yan smiled, flicked his sword finger.
Woosh!
The seven-colored papermen flew into his waist pouch like birds returning to their nest.
Seeing this, Li Yan felt deeply satisfied.
Many spells require lengthy cultivation, and collecting special magic artifacts, practicing in specific environments.
Enhancing papermen is the fastest way to boost strength.
The papermen now can bear more power, with the Outer Altar Eight Generalsâ blessing, enhancing the power of his spells.
Using the Soul-hooking Thunder Rope to perform "Divine Transformation" is indeed powerful, but consumes significant energy, even his Dao canât sustain it for long.
If he exhausts himself, heâd be in significant danger.
Though he possesses the Daluo Dharma Body, it shouldnât be wasted.
As for the stronger Bing Ding Ghost Talisman, summoning Wen Lingguan, itâs a last-resort technique, requiring cooperation with Wang Daoxuan. The spell preparation alone takes an hour, usable only for remote dueling.
Though troublesome, its power is remarkable.
Li Yan had a premonition it might be stronger than the Astral Order.
Additionally, other preparations can be made.
For instance, the Five Directions Luo Feng Flag, which he dismantled into the arm guard "Thousand Thoughts," requires finding other artifacts to attach to.
On Qingcheng Mountain, he hasnât found anything satisfactory for now.
Originally planning to wait for the cellar opening convention, but given the current situation, he can only seek alternatives...
"I seek Daoist Li."
"Please wait a moment, you canât enter now."
"What a joke, Prince invites you!"
As Li Yan was musing, a commotion suddenly arose outside.
Upon hearing it, Li Yanâs expression turned slightly cold.
The voice was Cao Yuanhuaiâs.
Making papermen involves many taboos.
With his current Dao, he no longer needs to wait specifically until midnight, but during the making, people shouldnât be watching, nor should they be tainted by a living personâs aura.
Otherwise, the papermen might transform into evil spirits, endangering others.
Others might not understand, itâs understandable.
The opponent is from the Mystical Sect yet behaves so rudely, truly disrespectful.
Thinking of this, Li Yan strode out the door.
Outside the Bamboo Forest Small House, Lv San and Wu Ba were confronting Cao Yuanhuai, both sides looking displeased.
Seeing Li Yan emerge, the crowd stopped arguing.
Cao Yuanhuai intended to say something, but seeing Li Yanâs flash move, like shrinking ground into inches, arrived directly before him.
So fast!
Cao Yuanhuai felt a shock in his heart and hurriedly stepped back.
He naturally knew what this was.
Li Yan only used his ankle to exert force, his body remained still, and combined with his extreme speed, it created this visual illusion.
This technique, he too could perform.
But this method could only deal with someone whose power was inferior to his own; if their eye power and Dao were equal, they could easily see through it.
The appearance of an illusion indicated that Li Yanâs power was at least a notch above his own.
Cao Yuanhuai exerted force under his feet and retreated two steps.
He primarily practiced Wenjin Fist, also known as Taiji Long Fist.
This boxing method is an inner martial arts practice, emphasizing each move following from the previous, blending hardness and softness, leveraging the momentum, combining urgency and softness, with flexible yet swift movements.
The footwork is derived from the Eight Trigrams, which is considered sophisticated.
But after retreating two steps, he found Li Yan still three feet in front of him, neither hurried nor slow, with cold, unyielding eyes staring at him.
It was as if a beast was just inches away.
Under pressure, Cao Yuanhuai couldnât help but draw his sword with a clang.
Swish!
But just as he drew his sword, Li Yan suddenly retreated, stopping, while he stepped back seven or eight meters, almost entering the bamboo forest.
Li Yan gave a faint glance, "We are all fellow Daoists, why draw the sword?"
Cao Yuanhuai instantly felt his face burning, knowing he had lost face, yet also understood Li Yanâs capabilities. He bit his teeth, sheathed his sword, and said coldly, "Someone is looking for you, the Prince has summoned you!"
With that, he turned and left.
He understood Li Yanâs meaning.
This was a warning.
The Twelve Primordial Spirits are not just a mere name.
If things get ugly, they would be the ones embarrassed.
Watching the otherâs departing figure, Li Yan furrowed his brow slightly.
Someoneâs looking for me, and Xiao Jinghong personally receives them.
Who could it be?
"Iâll go take a look."
After informing Sha Lifei and the others, Li Yan also passed through the side courtyard at the back, heading to the front hall.
Before approaching, he already noticed the fragrance.
Entering the front hall, he saw Fifth Prince Xiao Jinghong sitting opposite a Daoist, drinking tea, none other than Mingshanzi from Qingcheng Mountain.
"Young Hero Li has arrived."
Mingshanzi smiled and promptly stood up to greet him.
This scene surprised Xiao Jinghong and Cao Yuanhuai.
To Li Yan, Mingshanzi was just a Mountain Guardian of Qingcheng Mountain, but they knew Mingshanziâs remarkable status in the Cheng Family.
Why was he so courteous to Li Yan...
What they didnât know was that Li Yanâs groupâs activities on Qingcheng Mountain had long been watched by many.
The Master personally made time to receive him, the usually indifferent Fire Monk assisted in artifact refining, and more importantly, that the transcendent Ju Chenzi imparted teachings.
That was a veteran elder of Qingcheng with an extraordinary status.
Although Li Yan gained significant fame with the Twelve Primordial Spirits, it wasnât considered substantial by various powers.
After all, the pugilistic world is tumultuous, and several emerge every year.
But to be noticed by both Wudang and Qingcheng Masters simultaneously,
the significance behind it is not so simple.
They didnât know Li Yanâs Heavenly Official identity, but they dared not underestimate him.
"Greetings, Senior."
With the otherâs courtesy, Li Yan naturally showed respect.
After both sat down, Mingshanzi immediately shook his head and said, "The Fifth Prince sent someone to deliver the message, only then did the impoverished Daoist realize such a big event took place in Chengdu Prefecture, and he handed over Qingcheng Mountain affairs to others to come overnight."
"The incident with the Dark Hall caused Young Hero Li to suffer grievances."
"Senior, youâre too kind. It was my duty."
Li Yan casually replied.
Mingshanzi did not dwell on the matter, instead, he picked up a small wooden box from the adjacent table, and said, "This is what Young Hero Li wanted."
Though not explicitly stated, Li Yan knew inside was the source of Wang Daoxuanâs legacy, the "Five-Headed Divine Technique."
Li Yan wasnât in a hurry and squinted slightly, asking, "The agreement was to give the item after the matter, does the senior have anything else?"
"Indeed, I canât hide it from Young Hero Li."
Mingshanziâs expression became cold and solemn, "Originally, my Cheng Family did not want to get involved, but with the Dark Hall destroyed and my Daoist kin killed, since the Cheng Family joined the Prince Mansion, no one dared to gossip."
It probably didnât end there...
The Confucianism faction had already intervened, so the Cheng Family naturally couldnât sit idly by.
Li Yan thought to himself, maintaining a calm demeanor, asking, "I wonder what the senior wants us to do?"
"Simple."
Mingshanzi said deeply, "Given my Daoist uncleâs Dao, easily jeopardizing him is no small matter; Iâm afraid a remarkable figure has come to Chengdu Prefecture."
"I would like to ask Young Hero Li to investigate this thoroughly!"