He was still somewhat displeased and snorted coldly, "Nowadays, cultivators rely on their backgrounds to recklessly use magic, little knowing that this will bring disaster and calamity upon themselves, and eventually suffer backlash!"
Bai Liying observed this, her expression slightly surprised.
But moments later, after receiving news from Bai Nu, her expression turned contemplative.
...
Suburbs of the city, in front of the Red Flower Lady Temple
A contingent of riders galloped from afar, dust swirling up, and the sound of hooves thundered!
This scene immediately made the believers in front of the Red Flower Lady Temple nervous. Led by several Red Lotus Dao followers, many commoners were also gathered, quickly forming several human walls.
The group approached from afar.
Zhang Jian led the way, followed by hundreds of county soldiers, each equipped with iron armor shields and holding long sabers. Leading them was Zhang Kui, one of the newly appointed marshals of the Fengyang County Defense Camp in the suburbs.
In the Fengyang County Suburban County Defense Camp, nearly eight thousand elite soldiers were stationed, all currently under the command of Qi Yuansi, the Chief Patrol Officer who oversaw five marshals, each commanding a thousand elite soldiers.
Zhang Jian, intent on sweeping through the Red Lotus Dao, personally met with Qi Yuansi, who waved a hand, permitting Zhang Kui to accompany him with a thousand elite soldiers.
In fact, dealing with matters within the Red Lotus Dao could be managed without deploying soldiers.
However, given the authority in hand, Zhang Jian naturally preferred avoiding unnecessary trouble.
"Make way!"
Upon seeing this scene, Zhang Kui immediately shouted loudly.
The leading red-clad believer did not dodge at all, instead blocking the road, speaking softly.
"Sir, one mustn't be loud in front of the temple, nor disrespect the deity. If the Lady gets angry, it will surely affect your family's blessings!"
Zhang Kui was enraged upon hearing this. "Nonsense corrupting the public!"
With a swing of his whip, he instantly struck the believer blocking the way.
Knocking him to the ground.
The force of his whip was strong, causing the believer to fall to the ground, groaning.
Seeing this, the other believers appeared displeased and began clamoring.
"These soldiers attacked people; they mean to disrespect the Lady. We must stop them!"
"Block them!"
Believers immediately began to stir below.
The commoners around, witnessing this, started to become agitated, looking at the soldiers with displeasure.
The Red Flower Lady Temple had always been very efficacious.
It had garnered many followers over the years.
Among them, many were loyal unto death!
Zhang Kui's gaze swept over the gathering crowd of commoners, his anger turning into laughter. As the County Captain in Fengxi County, no one had dared to behave so presumptuously in front of the army.
Now these believers, with audacity born of ignorance, dared impede the army's march.
With a piercing gaze, he slightly raised his hand, preparing to teach these believers a lesson.
Zhang Jian observed this and waved a hand, speaking.
"Fourth Uncle, no need to be angry; just disperse them!"
"We only aim to eliminate the leaders!"
Zhang Jian watched this unfold without concern.
These were just minor tricks.
Most commoners were simply deceived by these believers.
Hearing this, Zhang Kui's gaze tightened, but he chose to suppress the anger in his heart.
He held exceptional trust in this nephew of his.
With a slight wave of his hand, a portion of the iron armor elite soldiers advanced with long spears aligned.
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
The robust shouts echoed down the long street as part of the iron armor elite soldiers advanced, enveloping people with a chilling, intimidating aura of evil qi.
These elite soldiers, stained with blood, were not something ordinary common folk could confront head-on.
Let alone those cold, gleaming long spears.
With just one orderly advance, the hundreds of elite soldiers easily divided the believers into dozens of scattered groups.
Some frantic believers attempted counter-resistance, but a portion of the soldiers raised their shields uniformly and pressed forward, immediately knocking these frenzied believers down to control them.
At this moment, Zhang Jian glanced towards the Red Flower Lady Temple. In his keen divine thought, the divine power belonging to Lady Honghua was fluctuating intensely. It had become extremely weak but in an instant, suddenly surged with divine power as a divine realm swept forth.
This invisible divine realm circulated, but upon meeting the advance of hundreds of elite soldiers, it was immediately pierced through by a vast, formless Dragon and Tiger Qi.
These battle-hardened elites were invincible in breaking down temples and cutting through terrain.
The deity could suppress spirit monsters and cultivators in the mountains, but was precisely restrained by the Imperial Cauldron.
Of course, if the Evil God unleashed its full power, it might resist somewhat, but facing the court's stationed troops head-on, the odds were not in its favor. The best scenario would be abandoning the temple, turning into a wandering evil ghost.
Such an evil ghost, once appearing, would immediately become a target for local deities to strike against.
Zhang Jian watched this scene coldly, not allowing Zhang Kui to directly assault the Red Flower Lady Temple to kill this Wild God, instead opting to wait.
Inside the temple
Lady Honghua had already taken control of the Grand Host's flesh body. The beautiful woman's eyes opened, with boundless flames faintly surging around her, threads of divine power merging into the Grand Host's spiritual mechanism, pushing her physical spiritual power close to the edge of Foundation Establishment.
To some extent, the Grand Host's wish had also been fulfilled, integrating the 'divine' power into her flesh and successfully condensing the Exorcism Fate.
This was the foundation of Foundation Establishment.
However, with half an incense worth's duration provided by Zhang Jian, Lady Honghua's divine power returned, completely overturning this array, making the Grand Host's efforts futile, and allowing Lady Honghua to capitalize on all preparations.
Not only breaking through the seal but also seizing the opportunity to enter the Grand Host's body, truly turning it into a Tripod Furnace.
Gradually suppressing the Grand Host's consciousness, Lady Honghua also felt the constraints this body imposed on her, but this limitation was extremely precious to her.
Over the years, the Grand Host had continually stolen her divine power to refine her foundation, making this body exceptionally compatible with her. After taking possession, the degree of alignment surged, akin to gaining a flesh body.
This was an experience sought after by countless deities.
Not to mention the Grand Host's own significant background, which, if utilized well, could greatly aid her path in the Divine Dao.
At this moment, she sensed the changing situation outside, a slight red glow flickering within her eyes as she sensed the scene outside, immediately stepping out of the main hall.
"Ma'am!"
Seeing Lady Honghua exit the main hall, several women wielding longswords on either side quickly bowed in respect.
Lady Honghua nodded slightly, her expression at this moment mirroring that of the Grand Host precisely, be it in demeanor, aura, or tone of speech, leaving no room for her subordinates to suspect.
As Lady Honghua stepped out of the temple gates, she witnessed some Heterodox Sorcerers secretly cultivated by the Grand Host preparing to clash head-on with the county soldiers of the city defense camp. She quickly shouted out.
"Stop!"
"Grand Host!"
Hearing her voice, the believers around the temple were mentally invigorated, many involuntarily prostrating in reverence, almost treating her as a deity manifesting in the mortal world.
Zhang Kui witnessed this scene, his expression shifted, he couldn't help but glance at Zhang Jian, just about to order the capture of the beautiful woman when he saw Zhang Jian looking at her with a strange expression in his eyes.
"It seems you have succeeded?"
'Grand Host' had already recognized Zhang Jian at this point. Her immaculate, beautiful face displayed utmost dignity and holiness, "Just wanted to thank the Young Master for his aid!"
Pausing slightly, she glanced at the surrounding soldiers, continuing, "The small temple is humble and cold, would the Young Master be willing to come inside for a chat?"
Zhang Jian's gaze fixed on the fiery red mark vivid in the Grand Host's brow, and he nodded, "That would be acceptable!"
Beside him, Zhang Kui was about to persuade otherwise, but Zhang Jian waved him off, smiling, "Fourth Uncle, I see that this Red Flower Lady Temple is serene and harmonious, devoid of evil qi, it's safe. No need to accompany, just maintain order outside!"
Zhang Kui, seeing this, had no choice but to comply.
However, doubt lingered in his heart, suspecting if Zhang Jian had fallen for the Grand Host's charm.
The Grand Host indeed possessed extraordinary beauty, especially with her distinctive air of maturity and gentle allure, far surpassed what any young, undeveloped girl could rival.
But no rumors had emerged from Zhang Jian's quarters previously.
Perhaps it was precisely because he had never indulged before that he was now vulnerable to the allure of a mature woman?
The gossiping flames in Zhang Kui's heart burned fiercely.