Chapter 310: Only… Can Defeat the Inner Demon

The wooden fish drums rang, the clapperboards began to beat, and bells jingled. Three paper figures transformed into the likenesses of a young maiden, an old woman, and a middle-aged woman. They sat cross-legged around Youqin Xuanya, each raising their magic artifact, and together they chanted the Human Sect's 'Grand Purity Heart Calming Incantation'.

Fueled by the immortal power of a Golden Immortal, the incantation condensed into small, azure characters, which continuously rotated around Youqin Xuanya. In the blink of an eye, most of the pain on Youqin Xuanya's beautiful face receded, and her body also stopped trembling slightly.

This was merely a palliative measure; it had yet to address the root cause. Li Changshou pointed towards the entrance of her cave-dwelling, secretly sealing the area with a barrier. Then he stepped forward. He took out a meditation cushion from his sleeve, sat five paces behind Youqin Xuanya, and, using a simple incantation, cautiously probed Youqin Xuanya's primordial spirit.

What he discovered upon probing was startling: her mental sea of consciousness was in utter chaos, and her inner demon had grown to a very serious extent. Li Changshou couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Back then, he had assessed Youqin Xuanya as having an unhindered Dao heart, believing she would never encounter any inner demons in her lifetime. Yet now, Youqin Xuanya had effectively proven him wrong.

Sure enough... one should never speak in absolutes, and never casually make bold predictions. This point should also be added to the next version of the 'Stability Sutra,' as it holds profound cautionary significance.

How should one deal with another's inner demons? Li Changshou had consecutively devised seven or eight plans. These were originally prepared for his master and junior sister, but he never expected they would be used on his junior sister Youqin Xuanya... Moreover, his current cultivation level was far higher than Youqin Xuanya's, so doing this was entirely effortless for him and carried no risk whatsoever.

However... 'It's better to proceed cautiously for now,' he thought, 'after all, it's an inner demon, and it still demands sufficient respect.'

There was a saying in the Primordial World: After Dao Ancestor Rahu's demise, his demonic thoughts did not vanish. Instead, they condensed into grand demonic obstacles, hindering the cultivation of qi refiners. Therefore, when Li Changshou faced Youqin Xuanya's inner demon, he dared not be careless in the slightest.

Li Changshou raised his hand and tapped his chest seven times in succession, using the 'Seven-Star Demon Expelling and Primordial Spirit Guarding Array' to protect his primordial spirit. Then, he drew upon his own merit and cloaked his primordial spirit in underwear, long robes, and long boots, adding a Santa hat, protective goggles, and a three-piece mask set, thus becoming fully armored. Feeling that this was still not enough, Li Changshou's primordial spirit grasped the Sea God's divine authority artifact. A wisp of Heavenly Dao power blessed his body, and his primordial spirit shone with ten thousand rays of golden light within him!

To battle!

Thus, a wisp of his primordial spirit, comprising about one hundred-thousandth of his total primordial spirit power, cautiously entered Youqin Xuanya's currently undefended sea of consciousness and headed towards her inner demon.

Dimly and indistinctly, clouds gathered and mist arose. Li Changshou saw a dim world. This was a manifestation of Youqin Xuanya's mind, similar to a dream; her Dao heart was trapped here by the inner demon.

Shouts of killing and battle cries drifted on the wind. The world was filled with rolling black smoke as waves of soldiers fought chaotically everywhere. Immortals battled in the sky, while mortal soldiers clashed on the ground. Piles of corpses lay like mountains, and blood flowed like rivers. Both sides seemed to have descended into madness, and did not withdraw despite heavy casualties...

Was this her inner demon? It didn't seem quite right. Li Changshou frowned as he observed the scene. Everything he saw was remarkably lifelike, yet there was no trace of demonic obstruction. A brief calculation revealed that these scenes were merely a memory of Youqin Xuanya's. Youqin Xuanya's Dao heart was trapped in this place. Was it this memory of mortal warfare that had triggered her inner demon?

Li Changshou wasn't in a hurry. He was merely an observer, moving through various parts of the battlefield, searching for Youqin Xuanya's whereabouts. Before long, in a corner of the battlefield, Li Changshou discovered Youqin Xuanya's mental projection. She stood at the edge of a cliff. Her ice-blue long dress was stained crimson with blood. Behind her were two figures huddled together, and in front were blurred black figures. This scene was, naturally, imagined by Youqin Xuanya. And the scene... was utterly tragic.

Weren't the two people behind Youqin Xuanya none other than him, Li Changshou, and Ling'e? Of course, they were Youqin Xuanya's imagined 'Senior Brother Changshou' and 'Junior Sister Ling'e'. 'Junior Sister Ling'e' was fine; her clothes were clean and tidy from head to toe, though there was a faint trace of blood at the corner of her mouth. As for 'Senior Brother Changshou'... he actually had thousands of wounds, big and small! No, to be precise, the entire 'Senior Brother Changshou' was patched together from wounds, barely maintaining a human form. He was practically dead...

What on earth? Could she not wish him well? Li Changshou's brow furrowed in exasperation; he almost turned around and left.

At the edge of the cliff, the black figures continuously attacked. Covered in wounds, Youqin Xuanya brought her hands together in a sword-finger gesture, continuously urging over a dozen flying swords, barely repelling the black figures' onslaught. At this moment, 'Youqin Xuanya' had little immortal power left and was on the verge of self-collapse at any moment. The danger of an inner demon lay in the fact that Youqin Xuanya did not know any of this was fake. If her mental projection here were to collapse, or if she were killed by the inner demon, her mind would be forever trapped here. In minor cases, she would suffer Qi deviation; in severe cases, her soul would scatter!

Among these black figures, Li Changshou saw 'Big Warm Man' Yuan Qing, who had died by Youqin Xuanya's hand back then. He also saw the fierce Elder Wan Linyun, and the old man guarding the mountain gate... and so on. An inner demon, so-called, was merely a deep-seated obsession within one's heart. To save Youqin Xuanya, Li Changshou only needed to dispel these demonic obstacles, then pull her out, and he could lead her from this place. But doing so would make her waste this opportunity.

—Although inner demons were perilous, if one overcame them, their Dao heart would become even firmer, and their Dao realm would also advance.

Glancing again at 'Senior Brother Changshou' lying in 'Junior Sister Ling'e's' embrace, Li Changshou's mouth twitched slightly. 'Tsk, Youqin Xuanya's overflowing protective instincts,' he mused. How could he help her seize this opportunity?

Just then, an idea sparked in Li Changshou's mind, and he immediately understood how to guide her. This wisp of his mind quietly permeated the obsession connected to 'Senior Brother Changshou'. The disfigured 'Senior Brother Changshou's' lips trembled slightly, and extremely weak, intermittent whispers reached Youqin Xuanya's ears.

"'Go to Kun position four... cough, cough, retreat to Li position six... Junior Sister Youqin... a fierce beast under the cliff has been disturbed. Later, when I tell you to jump... you take me and Ling'e and jump back, back...'"

He truly immersed himself in the role in an instant, fully displaying his mastery of lines!

Youqin Xuanya pursed her lips and nodded secretly. Amidst the fierce battle with the inner demon, she suddenly unleashed a wave of fierce attacks, repelling all the inner demons in front of her. Suddenly, the cliff began to tremble continuously. Li Changshou turned his head to look below the cliff and couldn't help but feel dizzy. He saw a Qilin's head, hundreds of yards wide, rapidly surging up from below. Below the cliff was a pool of black, ink-like poisonous water!

This situation at the moment was entirely conceived in Youqin Xuanya's subconscious mind; the same was true for this Qilin! How could she be so self-destructive? Why make things so difficult for herself? Li Changshou felt that if he hadn't come today, Youqin Xuanya truly could have used her own imagination to trap and kill herself!

Fortunately, Li Changshou quickly found a retreat path and conveyed it to Youqin Xuanya. Youqin Xuanya turned and embraced 'Senior Brother Changshou' and 'Junior Sister Ling'e'. At the critical moment, she flew towards the sky... Below, the massive Ink Qilin directly swallowed the cliff. Numerous black figures and the Qilin simultaneously dissipated.

Was this the end? Li Changshou also wished it were that simple, but clearly, there was still a long story ahead. He patiently watched as the events unfolded, finding that this inner demon drama orchestrated by Youqin Xuanya was becoming increasingly vivid and bizarre.

After escaping from the cliff, Youqin Xuanya took 'Senior Brother Changshou' and 'Junior Sister Ling'e' to a large mortal city, which was the capital of the Youqin Kingdom. There were welcoming celebrations and singing and dancing citizens; scheming but blurred-faced princes and ministers; and the monarch, sitting on a high platform, surrounded by several enchanting beauties... This should be Youqin Xuanya's childhood memory.

Before long, the scene began to change: 'Senior Brother Changshou' and 'Junior Sister Ling'e' became husband and wife in the city, and a lively wedding banquet was held. Before and after the wedding banquet, Youqin Xuanya stood by, smiling and offering blessings. She then watched as 'Senior Brother Changshou' and 'Junior Sister Ling'e' entered the warm chamber adorned with auspicious characters... To be fair, when Li Changshou saw this scene, he was almost moved by Youqin Xuanya.

'In Youqin Xuanya's subconscious, she doesn't have any desire to forcibly possess me, which is...' Li Changshou thought. Before Li Changshou's inner murmuring ended, the plot suddenly took a turn. It was truly an unexpected twist! 'Senior Brother Changshou' suddenly pushed open the warm chamber's door, rushing directly to Youqin Xuanya, and steadfastly made an oath to be her Dao companion. 'Junior Sister Ling'e' appeared by the window with a relieved smile. She gently nodded to Youqin Xuanya, her eyes filled with blessings.

Thus, amidst the surrounding applause, Youqin Xuanya and 'Senior Brother Changshou' became Dao companions. They left the capital and lived happily together, every day fishing and roasting fish, rowing boats on rivers, lakes, and seas, and riding clouds through the skies.

Li Changshou: ...

By this point, Li Changshou finally understood: Youqin Xuanya's biggest inner demon was none other than himself, Li Changshou. How should he save her? If any other immortal had come to this place, they would likely have only been able to forcibly pull her out of this inner demon illusion. But, the one who came was Li Changshou...

First, let's see the happy life Youqin Xuanya had imagined with 'Senior Brother Changshou'. Every day consisted of repetitive, monotonous activities: they explored scenic places and cultivated together. Yet, there was almost no physical contact between them; they were mostly more than a foot apart. Pure and refined.

Li Changshou didn't waste much time. After all, there were various important matters outside waiting for him to handle. After a comprehensive observation, he immediately began to break the illusion. The method was also very simple. He once again sent a wisp of his mind into 'Senior Brother Changshou'. While accompanying Youqin Xuanya on their scenic travels, he suddenly reached out and embraced Youqin Xuanya, and with practiced ease, he made an inappropriate advance towards her...

"'Junior Sister, there's no one here, and you and I like each other. Why don't we proceed with the grand ceremony?'"

Youqin Xuanya froze for a moment. Then she instantly broke free, leaping several yards away, and frowned, staring at 'Senior Brother Changshou'. "'Senior Brother... what grand ceremony?'"

Li Changshou gave a devilish grin, raised his hand, and pulled open the collar of his robe. His whole demeanor exuded a wicked aura. "'Junior Sister, don't speak. Just let me handle this.'"

Youqin Xuanya's beautiful face flushed, and a hint of bewilderment appeared in her eyes. Li Changshou seized the opportunity to make the three paper figures speed up their chanting of the Heart Calming Incantation. Meanwhile, in the inner demon illusion, he exerted himself to deliver a cringeworthy performance!

"'No, you are not Senior Brother Changshou!'"

Youqin Xuanya suddenly regained her clarity. She broke free from Li Changshou's hands again and leaped into the air, her entire being enveloped in immortal light, emitting rays of golden light! She declared loudly: "'Senior Brother Changshou is gentle and courteous; he would never do such a disrespectful thing to me! Who exactly are you?'"

"'Hahahaha!'"

'Senior Brother Changshou' let out a few hearty laughs. His figure immediately began to swell, transforming into a hideous mass of black qi, revealing the true form of the inner demon.

Having reached this point, Li Changshou promptly disengaged from 'Senior Brother Changshou' and continued to observe from the side, still feeling a little uneasy. Youqin Xuanya's face showed determination, and she decisively attacked the inner demon. A fierce battle ensued between them, and naturally, good triumphed over evil in the end... When Youqin Xuanya severed the inner demon's head, the entire illusion instantly dissolved.

Moments later, inside the cave-dwelling. Youqin Xuanya slowly opened her eyes. Her exquisite face was flushed with a deep blush, and the cave-dwelling was once again empty save for herself. As if awakening from a dream, she was still flushed from the dream's contents, her heart pounding. She raised a hand to clutch her collar.

"'Senior Brother Changshou wouldn't possibly...'"

She suddenly slapped herself hard and reprimanded herself in a low voice: "'Youqin Xuanya, how could you be so disgraceful! To think you still harbored such thoughts of Junior Sister Ling'e relinquishing him to you!'"

Li Changshou, hidden within the mountain wall, was amused by her words. Shaking his head, Li Changshou performed Earth Escape and quietly left Breaking Heaven Peak, acting as if he had never been there today. This junior sister... truly lived up to her 'toxic' name.

To summarize now, what defeated her inner demon was not some tenacious will, nor some unyielding resolve, but rather... the maiden's pure shyness.

However... "'That's it?'"

Li Changshou muttered a few complaints inwardly. He quietly returned to his alchemy room, hid his main body according to 'Old Rule Number Six,' and began to wait quietly. Li Changshou was waiting for Duke Dong to go to the Sea God Temple in the Heavenly Courts, waiting for that batch of Heavenly Soldiers to be stationed. He had actually only spent two hours with Youqin Xuanya; in the inner demon illusion, the flow of time was like that of a dream.

His immortal sense could perceive that Youqin Xuanya sat in her cave-dwelling, muttering to herself for a while, and then began secluded cultivation once more. 'She should be fine this time, right?' After some thought, Li Changshou, still feeling a little uneasy, wrapped a wisp of his immortal sense around her wrist. He could only help her this much.

His immortal sense swept across the sect. Various parts of the Immortal Ascension Gate were quite lively, and tribulation transcendence frequently occurred. For this batch of disciples, the sect had already decided who should leave and who should stay. In a few more months, the Immortal Ascension Gate would dispatch a batch of 'elite talents' to the Three Thousand Worlds and various parts of the Five Divisions of the Primordial World. These Immortal Ascension Gate disciples, having completed their studies and gone out to continue their cultivation, would spread the news of the Immortal Ascension Gate's founding ceremony throughout the regions they could reach, thereby attracting more immortal sprouts to come and apprentice at the Immortal Ascension Gate. This was actually the common recruitment model for most immortal sects. There was no other way; resources within immortal sects were limited, and they could not accept an unlimited number of disciples. Assuming there were a thousand disciples in a given batch, only a small handful of the most outstanding ones could choose to stay on the mountain or go out for experience, according to their own wishes. All other disciples could only leave the mountain to spread the Dao legacy...

Li Changshou waited for another four days before Duke Dong finally rode his cloud towards the Sea God Temple. He had already mustered one hundred thousand Heavenly River naval soldiers, waiting for Li Changshou to take command. Although one hundred thousand was not an overwhelming number, these were military forces directly under Li Changshou's command, which held extraordinary significance.

When Li Changshou followed Duke Dong to the Heavenly River, he saw a handsome young man standing at the edge of the Heavenly River, leaning on a nine-toothed rake. He couldn't help but smile. Duke Dong chuckled, "'Sea God, look, that is Bian Zhuang, the Deputy Commander of the Heavenly River naval forces, personally appointed by His Majesty. I've heard rumors in the Heavenly Courts that this Bian Zhuang also has a Human Sect background. He's most suitable to be at your command.'"

Li Changshou: ...

See, that's what a rumor is.