The whole family went mad, but the junior sister turned the tables and her luck soared.

Chapter 508 Entering the Jungle

"Is this true?"

Qu Jianrou, who was exchanging ideas with Yun Yici, was suddenly shocked, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"Can you really remove demonic energy from a cultivator's body?"

Yun Yici immediately thought of Li Wuyue from back then.

Li Wuyue, a complete demonic cultivator, was completely purified by Shen Huaichuan.

However, it's not that simple.

Yun Yici reached out to stop Shen Huaichuan: "Look, you're here again."

"Elder Shen of our sect can lend a hand, but you spoke rudely to us before, so how can we let you work for nothing?"

Still doubting the truth of what Shen Huaichuan said, Qu Jianrou was like a crane with its neck being choked, hanging her head in embarrassment and remaining silent.

Shen Huaichuan, who had given his sect leader ample face in public, nodded slightly: "I will follow the sect leader's arrangements in everything."

Qu Jianrou lowered her head and pondered for a moment. When she raised her head again, her eyes were filled with determination: "Alright, Sect Leader Yun, as long as Elder Shen can remove the demonic energy from my master's body, I am willing to offer my eyes as a token of my gratitude and kowtow repeatedly to apologize to you."

Qu Jianrou's eyes have been transformed into a spiritual treasure, a rare and unique pair in the world.

In Wu Wang's words, it is rare to be born from the essence and blood of one's parents and to have been tempered by a thousand years of cultivation.

Furthermore, those who steal the attention of others may, if not careful, transform into evil entities and turn against themselves.

Now that Qu Jianrou is willing to offer up her eyes with both hands, without any risk of backlash, it's practically a steal.

Yun Yici waved her hand and said, "Elder Qu, I don't want your eyes, I want something else."

Yun Yici pulled Qu Jianrou away from the crowd before whispering a few words in her ear.

After listening, Qu Jianrou's expression turned strange, and she repeatedly asked her for confirmation: "You really only want this? You... can't practice it."

Yun Yici nodded: "I only want this."

Qu Jianrou reached into her sleeve and rummaged around for a while before pulling out a white jade slip and handing it to Yun Yici.

After obtaining Yun Yici, she used her spiritual sense to probe the contents of the jade slip.

She only smiled after confirming that it was what she wanted.

Yun Yici put the jade slip into her sleeve: "Don't worry, Elder Qu, after we come out, I will make a copy myself and return this jade slip as is."

Yun Yici's magnanimity made Qu Jianrou feel ashamed.

The dignified and elegant elder blushed deeply and said, "Sect Leader Yun, I'm sorry, it was all my fault before."

She had thought Yun Yici would ask for an exorbitant price, but to her surprise, he only asked for her eye cultivation technique.

Yun Yici's eyesight is excellent; why would she need this technique that only blind people can practice?

Even more so, the sect leader Yun spoke kindly and offered to make a copy for himself, willing to return the original.

Perhaps this was Master Yun's intention.

First, demand her valuable possessions as punishment to make her realize her mistake, then forgive her.

Qu Jianrou felt both ashamed and guilty. She was blind, but she had the opportunity to ascend to the path of immortality because her master valued her.

Without her master, she would have long since turned into a handful of dust in the mortal world.

If Yun Yici is willing to take her eyes to save her master today, it is her own fault.

Unexpectedly, Yun Yici forgave her so easily.

Despite her many years of cultivation, compared to the young sect leader before her, her mind was still so shallow, and she almost ruined her master's important affairs.

A hazy look in Qu Jianrou's beautiful eyes startled Yun Yici.

The emperor and his entourage were far away, and they only saw Yun Yici say something to Qu Jianrou. Qu Jianrou obediently handed over the items, and then wiped away her tears with her sleeve.

Lin Yu whispered, "Damn, what kind of precious magic treasure did Xiao Ci get from that female cultivator that made her cry?"

The emperor slammed his elbow into Lin Yu's heart: "Bah, what do you mean by making someone cry? She deserved it."

Apart from Yun Yici, the imperial edict dictionary does not contain the phrase "pity for the beautiful and delicate."

Shen Huaichuan said, "Xiao Ci knows what she's doing; she must have misunderstood."

Everyone agreed and had no intention of trying to persuade them otherwise.

Yun Yici was startled; she had only wanted to ask for a cultivation technique as a precaution.

After all, Shen Huaichuan had been blind since he was a human, so he didn't expect Qu Jianrou to react so strongly.

She said awkwardly, "Elder Qu, how about I go and make a copy of the jade slip right now, and then I'll return the original to you?"

To be honest, Yun Yici had already read the contents of the jade slip.

In addition to the original cultivation method, there are also many personal annotations and insights, all of which are the understandings that Qu Jianrou has gained from many years of cultivation.

Just from the contents, you can tell how much Qu Jianrou cherished this jade slip.

Yun Yici had been wary of Qu Jianrou doing anything behind the scenes, which was why she got her hands on the jade slip so quickly. She never expected that this person would cry?

However, despite her tears, Yun Yici would never give up the secret techniques of Jianzhenmu; at most, he would return them to her sooner.

Qu Jianrou, who was gently wiping away her tears, said in a panic, "No, no rush. You can return the jade slip to me later. Let Elder Shen go and see my master first."

"Sect Leader Yun, you don't need to worry. This is an old problem of mine. I just used the Eye of Mirroring Truth and overused my eyes. When I'm emotional, tears involuntarily well up in my eyes. It's not because I'm dissatisfied with you."

"Actually, I greatly admire Master Yun's character and temperament."

Yun Yici breathed a sigh of relief; it turned out that this cultivation method had such a side effect.

However, the flaws do not outweigh the merits, and the problem is minor.

After receiving the payment, Yun Yici waited quietly for Qu Jianrou to tidy up her clothes before returning to the group with her.

"It's time for you to get to work. Let's go, Elder Shen."

Yun Yici patted Shen Huaichuan on the shoulder.

This is called "the wool comes from the sheep's back".

Shen Huaichuan wasn't annoyed by her flippant treatment; he simply laughed it off.

"Elder Qu, you should be able to lead us in to see your master, right?"

If it weren't for the fact that people couldn't be seen, then there would be no way to exorcise the demonic energy.

Qu Jianrou nodded: "I can take you in."

"However, only Sect Leader Yun and Elder Shen can go in."

The emperor reacted the most strongly upon hearing this, asking with displeasure, "Why can only the two of them go in?"

Qu Jianrou looked at him strangely: "Your auras are too mixed, and may wake Master."

"Elder Shen is the person in charge, while Sect Leader Yun is a trustworthy person."

Although she had accepted Elder Shen's identity, she was still somewhat apprehensive about entering the formation alone with Shen Huaichuan.

Letting Yun Yici in is an extra layer of insurance.

Shen Huaichuan won't listen to her, but he will listen to Yun Yici.

Qu Jianrou thought back to how Shen Huaichuan had always been so obedient to Yun Yici, and became even more determined to bring Yun Yici in and keep an eye on her.

Yun Yici said, "I'm sorry to trouble you fellow Daoists and senior brothers to wait outside. If anything happens in the formation, we'll be able to provide support."

The emperor's angry edict was immediately appeased.

Qu Jianrou took out another small and exquisite bell from her sleeve.

This bell is entirely silver-white, with special spiritual patterns engraved on its surface, making it completely different from the bells hanging on the tree.

Qu Jianrou lightly pinched her fingertips together to form a hand seal, and then a stream of pure spiritual energy flowed into the bell in her left hand.

"Ding--"

The bell in Qu Jianrou's hand immediately emitted a clear, ringing sound.

At the same time, all the bells hanging on the tree trembled in unison and then stopped at the same instant.

The continuous ringing of bells abruptly stopped, and the dense forest in front of them was eerily silent.

Xie Qianjue said, "There were so many bells ringing just now, it didn't sound right."

"Now that it's stopped, it feels even more wrong."

Absolute noise and absolute stillness are both extremes, as if there were no middle ground.

Qu Jianrou handed the bell in her hand to the Emperor's decree: "I have forcibly stopped the Demon-Discerning Bell."

"If the bell in your hand rings, it means this trip has failed and I am warning you."

She hesitated for a moment, then said, "I hope you can help me inform my two junior brothers."

After giving instructions to those outside, Qu Jianrou took out a delicately carved lamp from her sleeve.

She personally lit the fire and led the way for the two of them.

Upon seeing her carrying a lantern, the emperor also lit a glass phoenix lantern and placed it in Yun Yici's hand.

"With this lamp in hand, no evil can harm you."

Yun Yici didn't have time to think much and smiled as she thanked the emperor, saying, "Thank you."

The opponent is a human cultivator who has fallen into demonic possession and is on the verge of ascension; they definitely need to be wary of him.

Qu Jianrou looked at the small but powerful and intense phoenix fire in Yun Yici's hand, and then at the small, suppressed spirit fire in her own hand, and was speechless.

How could she have been so blinded by greed to suspect Yun Yici?

Unaware of Qu Jianrou's thoughts, Yun Yici kindly said, "Then I'll go first, and Elder Qu will show me the way."

Qu Jianrou nodded, put away her spirit lamp, and followed behind Yun Yici.

The three figures gradually disappeared into the dense forest, and the Emperor's decree and the others behind them grew further and further away.

Qu Jianrou explained, "My master had a premonition of what was going to happen before the great calamity, and these trees were all planted by her own hands."

"I only noticed the clues after he grew up. Because the sect's secrets could not be revealed, we always claimed that my master was in seclusion, trying to break through the Heavenly Tribulation of Ascension."

Otherwise, if a sect's patriarch, who has only reached the halfway point of ascension, were to fall into demonic possession at any moment, such a rumor would surely cause widespread panic.

Yun Yici followed Qu Jianrou's instructions and acted accordingly, while the firelight of the imperial edict dutifully dispelled the gloom for the two of them.

Shen Huaichuan suddenly spoke up: "I sensed a trace of demonic energy."

"It seems that this demon-trapping formation has trapped the leaking demonic energy in the forest."

"No wonder it's even more gloomy than a forest of yin trees, even though it was planted with yang wood."

Qu Jianrou sighed: "When Master first entered the forest, I often came in to check on her condition. At that time, it wasn't this serious."

"Later it got worse and worse, so my master wouldn't let me come in anymore. He was afraid that I would be affected by the demonic energy, and he was also afraid that my random comings and goings would bring trouble to my fellow disciples."

"This is the first time I've been here in over a hundred years."

The three walked and talked at a brisk pace.

Guided by Qu Jianrou, the scenery in the dense forest gradually became clear.

Yun Yici suddenly felt a sense of clarity.

In the heart of the dense forest stood a simple yet elegant wooden building.

The entire structure was built from light brown sacred wood, with upturned eaves and carved beams and painted rafters.

The wooden structure was surrounded by a faint spiritual aura, and shimmered with a lustrous sheen in the sunlight.

This is a specially arranged spirit-gathering array, which has become integrated with the entire wooden structure due to its age.

It seems that the people inside have not given up fighting against the demonic energy and are still hoping to overcome the great calamity.

Qu Jianrou stopped and turned to look at the crowd, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.

She said softly, "This is the center of the Demon-Trapping Array."

Her voice was soft, yet carried an indescribable solemnity.

The wooden doors were tightly shut, covered with intricate runes, from which a faint spiritual energy flowed.

The three of them held their breath, sensing the immense power contained within.

A gentle breeze carried a faint scent of sandalwood, yet it inexplicably sent a chill through me.

Yun Yici couldn't help but say, "Tsk, such heavy demonic energy."

Qu Jianrou stepped forward slowly, her delicate hand gently stroking the runes on the door, her fingertips trembling slightly.

She took a deep breath, seemingly trying to calm the turmoil in her heart.

She did not deceive Yun Yici; she was indeed able to enter and had spoken with her master.

However, they are all separated by this door.

No, to be precise, it's this rune.

Her master forbade her to remove the talisman.

However, Yun Yici and the others said they were confident in removing the demonic energy from their master.

Qu Jianrou's eyes showed determination: "You all step back, I'll handle this."

"If things get bad inside, escape on your swords. My junior brother will immediately activate the sect's protective formation..."

Yun Yici, watching from the side, felt a toothache and stepped forward, flicking two fingers to remove the talisman from the door.

"Come on, your sect's protective formation, though powerful, is as slow as an old man."

Before Yun Yici could finish speaking, a sudden gust of cold wind howled in, carrying a biting chill.

With a loud bang, the wooden door was smashed open by a violent gust of wind.

In an instant, thick, ink-like demonic energy surged forth like a tidal wave, leaving withered vegetation wherever it passed.

"careful!"

Qu Jianrou exclaimed in surprise, summoning her spirit sword and preparing to attack.

Yun Yici remained motionless. She raised the phoenix fire in her hand.

The flames were a magnificent crimson gold, and upon contact with the demonic aura, they immediately emitted a chilling pressure.

The moment the demonic energy touched the phoenix fire, it hissed and vanished in the blink of an eye, like ice and snow meeting the sun.

The intense light illuminated Yun Yici's gentle face.

Phoenix fire danced around her, dispelling all the demonic energy around her.

The suffocating sense of oppression from before vanished without a trace.

Yun Yici looked at Shen Huaichuan: "How is she? Is she still alive?"

Shen Huaichuan said, "That demonic energy just now seems to have materialized, and it looks more troublesome than we thought."

"Let's go in and have a look."

Qu Jianrou maintained her grip on the sword, looking at the phoenix fire in Yun Yici's hand with astonishment.

"When I first saw that person's true form, I thought I was seeing things."

"This is actually phoenix fire? It's amazing."

"Sect Leader Yun is indeed exceptionally talented, managing to subdue a phoenix to serve you!"

Looking at Qu Jianrou, who was showering her with compliments, Yun Yici couldn't help but complain, "I didn't control Elder Shen, nor did I subdue the phoenix."

“Our relationship is one of equality, and they are free. Elder Qu, please don’t say such things again.”

Qu Jianrou said embarrassedly, "I misunderstood."

She actually thought that the phoenix and other mythical beasts were Yun Yici's mounts.

Phoenix, Nine-Headed Serpent, Candle Dragon, and a divine tortoise she had never seen before.

After Yun Yici explained, she said, "Let's go in."