CHAPTER 362: CHAPTER 357: TALISMAN ARTS

The cultivator leading the court held a golden spear. He glanced at the flying swords filling the sky, and with a thought, an array map appeared behind him, growing larger and emitting golden radiance, transforming into spears.

"Kill!"

He uttered, and mana flowed through the array map. The golden spear roared and shot forth, causing the air to thunderously echo, sealing the space around Li Fan.

Li Fan’s eyes were cold. The Heavenly Essence Sword Formation appeared around him, unleashing a torrent of flying swords that clashed with the incoming golden spears mid-air, creating a spectacular scene.

With a thought, a sharp sword rang out in front of him.

"Go." As Li Fan waved his hand, the flying sword instantly tore through the air, piercing through the destructive attack and heading straight for the opponent.

The court cultivator’s spear suddenly thrust out, mana surging from his body, blood churning within as he simultaneously cultivated martial arts. The spear was as domineering as a dragon, the strength infused in his arms creating a violent wave in the sky.

"Bang..." A loud thundering sound echoed as the spear collided with the flying sword. A cold glint appeared in the court cultivator’s eyes, but it seemed it was only so.

Yet just as the thought crossed his mind, a sword of equal caliber suddenly appeared in the sky, a beam of light slicing through the void, with another sword aiming at him.

His expression changed slightly, shouting as the spear shook, a whirlwind tearing through space, forming a protective web in front of him.

The sword descended, numbing his arms, but before he could react, other flying swords followed to attack.

A fierce roar erupted as his blood roared fiercely, the Golden Body flashing, power increasing again. Though the spear moved like an impenetrable storm, the descending flying swords repeatedly pierced his defense, a muted groan signaling his retreat.

Li Fan continued to wave his hand, the sword falling again and again, forcing the court cultivator back, his aura waning madly.

"Go." Li Fan uttered, the Sword of Destruction simultaneously striking the opponent, while the Daoist moved forward, waving his arm as countless talismans flew out, rapidly enlarging into huge pieces of yellow paper suspended between heaven and earth, forming giant characters, like stone monuments, blocking Li Fan’s attacking swords.

The sword madly struck the stone monuments, emitting earth-shaking roars as they shattered, but the flying swords also crumbled. The previously attacked court cultivator was found to have weakened breaths, blood at the corners of his mouth, evidently heavily injured from the prior assault.

"You are a Sword Cultivator but collude with demons, deserving death."

The young Daoist stood atop a stone monument, his Daoist robe fluttering, golden light shining in his eyes as he stared at Li Fan.

Again, he waved his hand, sending countless talisman papers flying around Li Fan, golden light trembling on the papers, instantly manifesting countless mountain-sealing stone monuments, even above Li Fan’s head, sealing all his escape routes.

"Go." The Daoist commanded with a thought, his hair fluttering, the radiant golden light making him appear extraordinary.

Those stone monuments closed in, intending to crush Li Fan on the spot. In the distance, cultivators from the Cui and Xie Families arrived, observing without intervening; the Daoist was not simple. They watched to see if Li Fan could break through the predicament.

Around Li Fan, Great Swords appeared, attacking the surrounding stone monuments like stars hitting them, instantly shattering the monuments to pieces.

Li Fan’s body surged forward, transforming into a streak of sword light, his afterimage stretching. The power of the talisman forces seemed unable to stall him.

The Daoist’s expression shifted dramatically, feeling a heavy pressure weighing on him, imbued with a sharpning intent. His hand waved again, sending out many talisman papers that transformed into rows of sharp swords, shooting towards Li Fan with explosive speed.

The swords targeted Li Fan, but the rapidly advancing figure had a strong light emerging from his brow, causing the flying swords to hum and tremble, as if hesitating.

"Be careful." The previously injured cultivator shouted as Li Fan broke through the opponent’s flying sword attack, appearing not far in front of the Daoist, the sword slashing out even before he reached.

This sword stroke manifested a river of swords in the sky, with all Sword Intent pouring into it, leaving no escape.

The Daoist’s expression drastically changed, a massive talisman flying out to block in front of him.

"Boom..." Intense light erupted as the sword cleaved down. The talisman transformed into a defensive stone monument, yet was still sliced open, though it bought the Daoist a moment. He stepped on rune light, his body seemingly teleporting, retreating to the distance.

However, Li Fan merely glanced, seeing beams of sword light falling from the sky, sealing his retreat. The Daoist turned back, his expression shifting—did this Sword Cultivator intend to kill him?

His realm was at the peak of the Condensed Core stage. Using various means, few were his match in this cultivation level, yet facing Li Fan now, he was utterly incapable of resisting.

He looked into Li Fan’s eyes, shouting explosively, "Retreat."

This shout carried Divine Soul attack, but as Li Fan looked up, a terrifying killing intent made the Daoist’s hair stand on end, his body seemingly paralyzed, a sharp sword entering his soul. Li Fan moved like a sword into his mind.

"Boom..." A sensation of impending death hit him, seeing a Sword of Slaughter piercing towards him.

"Master, save me."

The Daoist held a talisman paper that ignited into a golden flame and hurled it forward. The talisman paper enlarged in the air, and the golden flame revealed a shadow that resembled a Golden Body. At that moment, the figure seemed to step out from the talisman paper, accompanied by a loud shout: "How dare you!"

A violent wave of energy surged forth, and a massive golden palm crushed down, colliding with the flying swords and advancing towards the approaching Li Fan.

Li Fan had already reached the front of the opponent when suddenly an oppressive sensation struck him, like the weight of Mount Tai falling upon him. The golden figure raised its hand like a deity to strike him down.

Li Fan’s thoughts stirred, and countless sharp swords appeared in front of him, stabbing simultaneously.

"Boom!"

The Sword Aura dissipated, the sharp swords shattered, and Li Fan’s body was flung far back, retreating a great distance before coming to a stop. His gaze fixed forward, under the golden flames, the talisman paper burned slowly.

"Who are you to dare defy a disciple of my Tao?" Under the burning golden flames, the figure began to blur, yet it spoke human words.

This technique seemed similar to the way Li Mountain Sword Cultivator left Sword Intent on him; this Daoist’s master also excelled in such methods, leaving a Life-saving Talisman for the Daoist.

Li Fan did not recognize this Daoist, but not far behind him, the people of the Cui Family showed a peculiar expression.

It’s him.

Has this Daoist been invited by the Qinghe County’s officials to exorcise demons?

Of course, he only appeared in the form of a talisman now, and it was just his disciple who had come. But it’s unknown if his true form is present in Qinghe County.

Li Fan waved his left hand, and swords shot out explosively, straight towards the burning golden talisman paper.

"How dare you." The Daoist yelled angrily. Though there was mana lingering on the talisman paper, it could no longer withstand the flying sword attack. With the fall of the flying swords, the Daoist seemed riddled with holes, burning away in the golden flames.

"Stop."

Just as Li Fan was about to continue his assault, a thunderous shout echoed from the distant sky. He turned around to see a procession of figures advancing assertively from afar.

The foremost person radiated a terrifying aura, suppressing Li Fan from a distance. He was a Sixth Realm Dao Body Cultivator.

This person was clad in armor, exuding majesty, and when his thick brows were raised, a wrathful presence accompanied them.

"Commander." The court’s cultivators bowed in greeting upon seeing him, as the commander marched forward towards Li Fan, his aura growing increasingly oppressive.

"Sir, this person brought demons to Qinghe County, his identity unclear, and refused to cooperate, killing several of our people." Someone spoke.

"Courting death." The commander glared at Li Fan, shouting coldly, stepping forward, but a voice came from behind Li Fan: "Commander Shen."

The commander glanced behind Li Fan, having already noticed the people from the Cui and Xie families.

"Mr. Cui, what is it?" He asked loudly.

"This Young Hero Lu came to Qinghe County and killed many demons. The local people witnessed it firsthand, how could he possibly collude with demons? As for the demon beside him, it is no different from humans and must have already integrated into the human world." The elder of the Cui Family spoke calmly.

"So, according to Mr. Cui, they killed court officials and considered it normal?" Commander Shen questioned.

"That Daoist was aggressive and attacked others, is it not unreasonable to expect others to surrender?" The elder of the Cui Family retorted: "Commander Shen, when the demons wreaked havoc, the court did not appear. Now, they turn against those who slay demons; what is the intention? Could it be that someone is colluding with demons, intending to do their bidding?"

"Mr. Cui mustn’t speak recklessly." Commander Shen’s voice carried a cold aura.

"Many people witnessed today’s events firsthand, how do you want the people of Qinghe County to think?" The elder of the Cui Family spoke: "Even I believe the Commandery Prince aims to root out demons, just that his subordinates lost judgment in their actions."

Commander Shen stared at the other party, then chuckled and asked, "Is this your opinion or Elder Cui’s opinion?"

"I personally saw this young man slay demons. If Commander Shen has any doubts, he can report to the Commandery Prince." A domineering voice came from afar, causing Commander Shen’s expression to freeze, as he glanced towards the distant direction.

A smile appeared in his eyes. He slightly bowed and said, "Since Elder Cui speaks for him, I naturally believe, I shall not trouble him any further. The Commandery Prince has prepared a banquet at the manor, inviting the Cui and Xie families along with all sects and clans of Qinghe County to discuss plans to eradicate demons."

"I understand." A distant voice responded.

Commander Shen slightly bowed, then coldly glanced at Li Fan before waving his hand, "Let’s go."

With that, the group turned to leave, but their eyes aimed at Li Fan still betrayed a chilling murderous intent, clearly showing this was far from over.