The azure water surface was vast and boundless, and at some point, fine snow had begun to drift from the gray sky.

On the canal, a tall official ship was approaching from afar, with two rows of black-clad Profound Guards standing at the bow. On the ship's deck, the large flags of "Astronomical Bureau" and "National Guardian and Exorcism" fluttered wildly in the cold wind.

Elder Huayan's disciple, Bu Xu, stood at the bow, gazing at the snow-filled sky above the water, with the misty mountains on both banks, his eyes full of worry.

Beside him stood a tall, heroic-looking woman, wearing the black and silver-embroidered uniform of the Astronomical Bureau, gripping the hilt of the sword at her waist, her black cloak billowing.

She was Helian Wei, a capable member of the Lai State Astronomical Bureau, and an outstanding descendant of National Guardian True Man Helian Boxiong.

"Taoist Master Bu Xu, don't worry,"

Helian Wei nodded and said, "True Man Yuhua has profound Tao cultivation, and with Crane Immortal and Senior Qiu Canzi, they will surely avert danger."

"Thank you to the Helian family for your assistance as well."

Not skilled in words, Bu Xu managed a slight smile.

Though he wasn't adept at divination, he did a few readings before leaving, and all without exception were ominous. Moreover, as time passed, the bad feeling in his heart grew stronger.

"Something's up!"

A black-clad Profound Guard standing on the high deck suddenly shouted loudly, "Something's floating on the water ahead!"

Helian Wei's delicate brows furrowed. She swung her monocular and squinted her eyes to search.

Sure enough, there was an object floating with the waves on the water, with two horns on its head, ferocious fangs, and skin and hair all red.

"There's a demon, form up!"

At Helian Wei's command, the black-clad Profound Guards quickly raised their talisman crossbows and formed up, while she herself unsheathed her treasure sword with a "clang" and stood ready.

Upon closer inspection, it was a yaksha head, its cut clean, its eyes already white.

"There's another one over here!"

Everyone crowded to the left side of the ship, where a gigantic toad's corpse floated up, wearing ragged shorts, its belly turned upward.

Helian Wei frowned, "Quick, bring it up."

The black-clad Profound Guards quickly stopped the ship and worked together to drag the demon's corpse onto the deck with iron hooks.

"A demon of the Grain Avoidance Realm..."

Bu Xu frowned, squatted down, and probed the toad's head around the blood hole with his fingers, instantly feeling a slicing pain.

"It's Taoist Friend Zhang's Geng Metal Evil Light."

Bu Xu jumped up immediately, scanning the surroundings with furrowed brows, "No good, he's been attacked!"

Helian Wei was also surprised and immediately turned to order, "Set up the Fire God Crossbow, full speed ahead!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

The black-clad Profound Guards acted swiftly, a huge crossbow creaking and rattling as it rose atop the ship, the rune giant arrow shrouded in fire aura.

At the same time, the sails billowed, and the official ship picked up speed...

...

"Damn it, this old turtle is fast!"

Fatty Tiger ran on the water, wind under his feet, seeing the waves rising like wheels ahead and the turtle shell getting further away, he couldn't help but curse.

Wind whistled past Zhang Kui's ears, the Lu Li Sword slashing incessantly with its golden light, also making him quite frustrated.

Is this juicy prey really going to escape?

No, stay calm...

Zhang Kui's eyes glinted with a fierce light as he ran and observed.

In the Dao of spells, there is interrelation and counteraction, with Yin and Yang Two Qi, Five Elements Transformation; everything natural must have defects.

This Old Demon Turtle seems to be using some innate divine power, probably by integrating hundreds of fierce ghosts into its shell, forming a Resentment Array.

The root must be severed...

A flash of insight crossed Zhang Kui's mind, suddenly recalling the seldom-used Soul Capture technique.

This technique can capture Yin souls—it was initially learned to help Lian reincarnate, but it had proven effective against Snake Demon Chang San and in subduing the Vine Demon in Qingzhou.

Perhaps it could be worth a try...

Without delay, Zhang Kui sprang into action, forming a claw and activating the Soul Capture technique.

As suction emanated from his palm, some of the fierce ghosts on the turtle shell were slightly pulled out, not very noticeable, but indeed the black light on the shell wavered.

It's working!

Zhang Kui looked pleasantly surprised and laughed heartily.

Having just earned some points, he had spent thirty-six to raise the Flying Sword Skill to level three and learned the Water Walking Skill, leaving ten points, which he didn't hesitate to spend, raising the Soul Capture technique to level four.

In an instant, amid waves of wretched screams, a series of incomplete fierce ghost figures were extracted from the turtle shell.

The rapidly spinning advancing turtle shell suddenly jolted, a crack appearing in the black light, and the Lu Li Sword surged in with its blazing golden light.

With another deafening boom, although the Lu Li Sword was bounced out, the massive turtle shell, as tall as two stories, lost balance, abruptly springing up with huge splashes.

Boom!

The nearby cliff collapsed with a thunderous crash, the turtle shell sunk deeply into the rubble, black smoke scattered, fierce ghosts wailed, and the black light on its surface shattered instantly.

"Spare my life..."

Just as the voice of the Old Demon Turtle came from within its shell, a streak of golden light shot inside through a crack.

The golden light flickered, flesh and blood splattered, and with a painful scream, the aura of the Old Demon Turtle quickly diminished.

Zhang Kui remained vigilant, continuously flipping his sword fingers until the interface in his mind suddenly showed twenty points. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief, as his vision darkened momentarily.

The Flying Sword Skill consumes quite a bit of mana. He hadn't noticed it before, but now he realized that more than half of his mana had been depleted.

Since advancing to the Grain Avoidance Realm, this was the first time such a thing had occurred.

Beside him, Fatty Tiger also stopped, immediately sinking into the water, leaving only its head above water, panting with its tongue out.

However, this foolish creature was eyeing the giant bleeding turtle shell, eyes gleaming, and looked at Zhang Kui pleadingly, "Taoist..."

"Go ahead."

Zhang Kui rolled his eyes, "Aren't you afraid of eating yourself to death?"

Fatty Tiger grinned foolishly and immediately leaped out of the water, running over without minding the filth, and burrowed into the bloody turtle shell.

Refining the bloodline must involve a Demon Pill, which would be a great supplement for Fatty Tiger taking the same path.

This simpleton had accumulated a lot, and should have advanced long ago. After consuming a large amount of Stone Ganoderma, its bloodline continuously developed. If it advanced to the Grain Avoidance Realm, it might undergo a heaven-shattering transformation.

The Lu Li Sword had already returned, slowly rotating around Zhang Kui, its blade's Geng Metal Evil Light visibly dimmed.

Zhang Kui felt a pang of heartache, and with a wave of his sword finger, the Lu Li Sword immediately transformed into golden light and merged into his body to be nurtured.

Back at the Qin Mountain Ancient Path, the entire cave's Geng Metal Evil Qi had been devoured. It had seemed too much at first, but as it continued to condense, it began to become a burden again.

It seems he needs to find some strong evil qi again when he has the chance.

As he entered the Grain Avoidance Realm, his ability to absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi accelerated, and his mana quickly replenished.

Zhang Kui stood on the river's surface, surveying his surroundings, seeing the snow falling from the boundless sky. The canal ahead split into a tributary, rushing downwards, heading towards the endless wasteland on the left.

"Ha, we've arrived at Bozhou!"

At that moment, Fatty Tiger, covered in blood, crawled out from the giant turtle shell on the shattered cliff. It first jumped into the river to wash itself, and then ran over with something in its mouth.

"Taoist, look at this..."

Zhang Kui took it and saw it was the size of a sea bowl, made entirely of Fallen Crystal. It was extremely heavy in hand and filled with dense Yin Qi. On it was inscribed: Jingjiang Water Mansion Captain.

Captain?

A level as high as the National Guardian True Man, yet just a captain in the Water Mansion!

And this token, back then, a piece of Fallen Crystal the size of a fist, even after much Spirit Charm was extracted, had been a treasure for Zhu Sheng.

The foundation of the demonic forbidden land is indeed deep...

Zhang Kui felt a slight heaviness in his heart, and his elation from slaying the Celestial Tribulation Realm Old Demon faded significantly.

"Taoist, you..."

Fatty Tiger noticed something was wrong and asked cautiously.

"It's nothing."

Zhang Kui placed the Fallen Crystal Token into his personal space, staring at the boundless wasteland of Bozhou, his expression unchanged.

"Ultimately, a conclusion must be reached..."

Just then, his expression changed slightly as he turned slightly.

In the distance, a small black dot appeared on the river's surface, quickly approaching.

"The Astronomical Bureau... They acted quickly this time."

Zhang Kui's Cave Abyss Skill gave him extraordinary vision. He could already see the "National Guardian and Exorcism" banner.

"Taoist Friend Zhang..."

As the official boat approached, Bu Xu in dark blue Taoist robes leaped onto the bow, asking loudly, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Just ran into a group of demons."

Zhang Kui smiled slightly, "Why don't I see Senior Helian?"

"The family ancestor is in seclusion to pass the Wind Tribulation and will arrive in three days." Helian Wei spoke while looking at the giant turtle shell with a mix of surprise and uncertainty.

"Passing the Wind Tribulation?"

Zhang Kui frowned slightly, "Will they be okay?"

"Thanks for your concern, Taoist Friend Zhang."

Helian Wei clasped her hands in thanks, "The family ancestor is well-prepared, no need to worry. Over there..."

"Oh, that's the leader of those demons. I killed it."

Zhang Kui replied absentmindedly.

Helian Wei's mind buzzed, her face turning wooden as she couldn't help but recall her ancestor Helian Boxiong's assessment of Zhang Kui:

"Evil spirit upon the world, unfathomable!"

However, Zhang Kui's next words shocked her even more.

"This matter is a bit troublesome. The Jingjiang Water Mansion is involved. I wonder if the Court dares to make a sound..."

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