Chapter 83: The Second Lady’s Identity

At that moment, the sword’s light was upon them. Wherever it swept, the locusts were instantly engulfed in violet flames. They shrieked in agony, but no matter how they struggled, they could not escape the fire’s embrace. Once the flames touched them, they were reduced to ashes.

In the blink of an eye, tens of thousands of golden-armored locusts—creatures that had filled Madam Er and Yan Yunfei with dread—were almost entirely annihilated. The few remaining locusts on the very bottom tried frantically to burrow into the earth, but it was too late. Molten lava surged up from below, sealing off all routes of escape. Within a few breaths, these fearless locusts were utterly obliterated.

Witnessing this, Chu Youcai’s heart was shaken to its core. Was this the Daoist magic of Yan Yunfei’s sect? It could be wielded with such devastating might! In that instant, a profound reverence for the Daoist arts took root within him.

Just then, a young voice echoed from the sky: “Master’s Flame Sword truly destroys all monsters it meets—there is nowhere for evil to hide!”

Another voice replied, “Never underestimate any demon who has cultivated their magic for fifty years or more! Remember this well.”

The younger voice answered, “Your disciple will never forget.”

The voices drifted down from the distant heavens, gradually descending. But for some reason, Chu Youcai found something chilling and deeply unsettling about the young man’s tone. Moreover, it felt strangely familiar.

At that moment, Yan Yunfei’s face broke into a delighted smile. He immediately bowed toward the sky. “Disciple Yan Yunfei greets his master.”

An old man dressed in feathered robes descended from the clouds. His gaze was icy, and he held a flaming immortal sword in his hand, exuding an aura of unassailable majesty. Beside him stood a young man, eyes sweeping the scene with an arrogant, untamed expression.

When this young man caught sight of Chu Youcai, his brows furrowed slightly, but he quickly masked his face with cold indifference and looked away.

Yet at that moment, a storm of emotions convulsed Chu Youcai’s heart. He recognized the young man instantly: it was none other than Chu Yuwei, the eldest son of the Prince of Chu!

From childhood, Chu Yuwei had been the greatest prodigy of the Prince of Chu’s household. He had long laid the foundation of his Daoist training and was sent to a mysterious sect to cultivate. Chu Youcai had never expected that Chu Yuwei would be in Yan Sect.

Now, Chu Youcai could distinctly sense the Daoist aura flowing from Chu Yuwei—a power as vast and scorching as the noonday sun, far surpassing his own strength of the dawning sun by countless times. If Chu Yuwei unleashed his full power, he could crush him without effort.

As for the old man standing beside Chu Yuwei, Chu Youcai felt that a single glance from him would be enough to freeze his body in place, leaving him utterly helpless.

Was this the true power of Daoism? To burn hundreds of miles in flame, to send flying swords slicing through the sky, unstoppable and all-conquering?

Chu Youcai understood that if he ever wished to wield such power, he must first master Daoist arts, then gather countless Daoist golden elixirs to ascend in rank, all while refining his virtue, learning from the world, and attaining sudden enlightenment—no easy task.

The old man descended to the ground, speaking in a cool, measured tone: “The monsters have been purged. You may rest easy.”

Yan Yunfei bowed his head respectfully to one side. “Thank you for your efforts, Master.”

“It is nothing,” the old man replied, his eyes revealing neither joy nor anger.

In the crowd, Madam Er, Lady Wen, and the others all let out sighs of relief. So this was Yan Yunfei’s master—no wonder his power was so overwhelming. Even farther off, on the insect ship, Lady Yun Cui and the Prefect’s Lord wore expressions of profound reverence and gratitude.

The Yan Sect was renowned as the most dedicated demon-slaying branch of Daoism, revered by countless people—so much so that even the king of Loulan bowed to them with utmost respect. It was not only because they upheld justice, but because Yan Sect wielded absolute power—so great that even the kingdom of Loulan could not withstand their might.

The old man then raised his immortal sword skyward. Countless beams of light burst forth, settling upon everyone present and merging into their bodies. Instantly, all felt their minds cleared and their fatigue swept away. A surge of vitality coursed through their veins, their spirits soaring to heights they had never known. Even Juxue, the handmaid with no cultivation, felt as if she could punch a wild ox into the air.

This was the Daoist art of Pure Heart—a celestial technique that restored both mind and body. Its effects were extraordinary, lasting a full hour for ordinary people.

Yet Chu Youcai alone felt a lingering exhaustion, despite the infusion of this celestial energy. His spirit was flagging, his body weary. Only then did he realize how completely he had exhausted his essence, strength, and spirit before.

After casting his spell, the old man’s gaze suddenly fixed upon Madam Er. In that instant, a murderous aura burst forth. Chu Yuwei, standing beside him, radiated lethal intent as well—ready, it seemed, to strike Madam Er down at a single word from his master.

Madam Er felt ice-cold all over, as though the old man’s gaze left her nowhere to hide. She sensed his cultivation far surpassed even the Locust God—perhaps he had more than sixty years of Daoist mastery! Yet she resolved not to surrender. If the old man meant to kill her, he would not do so without a cost.

Then, the old man’s eyes softened slightly and he said coolly, “Madam Er, though you are a member of the Blood Lotus Sect, you have abided by the true principles of Daoism—slaying evil across a thousand miles, battling the locust demon, yet never setting foot in any town and preserving your inner heart. In light of your sincerity, today I shall grant you a reprieve.”

The murderous pressure relaxed and Madam Er felt cold sweat soaking her back, as if she had just walked through the gates of hell. Relief and lingering dread warred within her.

The crowd was shocked—none had expected Madam Er to be of the Blood Lotus Sect. Chu Youcai, however, remained calm; he had already guessed as much, and now it was simply confirmed.

The old man’s gaze shifted to Yan Yunfei. “Yan Yunfei, do you admit your guilt?”

Yan Yunfei lifted his eyes at last to meet his master’s gaze. “Master, what crime have I committed?”

The old man’s tone turned cold. “To consort with a member of the Blood Lotus Sect is a grave offense. Do you not recall the Yan Sect’s code?”

Yan Yunfei trembled from head to toe, wanting to protest, but finally bowed his head in submission, his body rigid with tension.

“You are discontent?” the old man pressed, his voice growing colder. “You have long known Madam Er’s identity, yet you joined forces with her more than once. Were it not for your fight against the locust demon, I would have executed you already, lest you fall into the ways of demons.”

Yan Yunfei clenched his fists, veins bulging, but at last he relaxed his grip and said quietly, “Your disciple admits his guilt.”

“Since you know your crime, you are to return at once to Yan Sect’s Sword Prison Palace with your disciple Yang Ridan. You will remain in seclusion to reflect upon your actions. Without my command, you are not to walk among men again.”

Yan Yunfei replied, “Your disciple obeys.”

To see such a heroic and righteous man as Yan Yunfei, forced into submission by his master simply for fighting the locust demon alongside Madam Er—the severity of the sect’s code was staggering! A surge of anger welled up in Chu Youcai’s heart.