Several beams of black light, like arrows, struck into Qi Yuxian’s back. Piercing howls sounded, as if a wild beast had suffered terrifying harm.
A bloody red light, unable to withstand, emerged from Qi Yuxian’s body, sprouting countless blood-colored tendrils, unwilling to let go. It desperately clawed at Qi Yuxian, making her beautiful face show an expression of extreme pain.
"Yuxian?"
Qi Yuanwu, witnessing this scene, flared up with rage and drew the long saber in his hand. Around him, a red aura of blood and energy mixed with ferocious Dragon and Tiger Qi exploded violently.
"Demon! Submit to this general!"
The crimson saber energy cut into the blood-red tendrils, instantly slicing them apart.
A layer of intense Dragon and Tiger Qi swept out, causing the countless blood lights to sizzle and melt away like snow under the blazing sun.
Zhang Jian watched this scene, a strange look in his eyes.
Yet his hands moved swiftly, casting Soul Purifying Talismans into Qi Yuxian’s body, helping to dispel the sinister bloody aura.
Meanwhile, a layer of intense, blazing red light appeared around him.
Extreme Yang Spiritual Power surged, rapidly raising the temperature within the boudoir in an instant, an invisible heatwave sweeping out.
Moreover, muffled thunder boomed in the semi-enclosed space, traces of red Celestial Thunder light appearing in the air.
Simultaneously, twelve illusory red talismans materialized in his hands, transforming into streams of light to lock below the blood shadow.
That flayed blood shadow sensed the terrifying power of the Supreme Yang Thunder, transforming into a red light and flying quickly towards the outside of the room.
But at that moment, strands of purple clouds swirled above the Qi Mansion, coming straight on.
A phantom of a crimson Official Seal faintly appeared within, instantly striking the flayed blood shadow head-on.
It was struck back with a mighty blow.
Zhang Jian had already anticipated this scene. Twelve crimson thunders surged into the blood shadow, dozens of thunder lights like tendrils sticking to the blood shadow as it fiercely resisted but was unable to shake them off.
This caused the blood shadow to let out a series of tragic cries.
Qi Yuanwu and Qi Yuansi, watching this scene, could not help but change their expressions.
Moments later, with a loud booming sound, like thunder from a clear sky,
Amidst the booming thunder, the blood shadow suddenly dissolved, obliterated by the Celestial Thunder.
After obliterating the blood shadow, the countless crimson Celestial Thunder lights behind Zhang Jian slowly dissipated.
Zhang Jian looked at the scene with some delight in his eyes.
This was the true power of magic.
This was also the first time he could perform a spell without needing a medium, hand gestures, or incantations.
Everything went smoothly.
Having done it once, with a bit more practice, he could increase his casting speed and even use it in a more diversified way.
Of course, this also meant he could further deepen his understanding of this Daoist Technique, entering a whole new realm.
"These heterodox sorceries are so frightening, able to manipulate the might of Heaven?"
Qi Yuanwu and Qi Yuansi both furrowed their brows tightly, their eyes filled with astonishment as they looked at Zhang Jian.
The constantly flickering thunder light deeply imprinted itself in their hearts.
Qi Yuanwu aside, Qi Yuansi was somewhat emotional. In his impression, Zhang Jian had always been a gentleman as gentle as jade. He never thought he had such a sharp side.
The scene of holding the thunder was enough to overturn his deep-seated impression.
Regardless, Zhang Jian was still his nephew.
A nephew with such capabilities was a great boon for the current Qi Family.
With the blood shadow destroyed, Zhang Jian quietly wrapped an arm around Qi Yuxian’s slender waist to prevent her from collapsing directly.
Qi Yuanwu hurriedly stepped forward to embrace her, his expression full of concern.
"Brother Jian, will Yuxian be alright?"
Zhang Jian performed a brief check. Though not well-versed in medicine, his strong Divine Thought sensed no remaining sinister spiritual traces in Qi Yuxian’s body, so he reassured Qi Yuanwu a few words casually.
"Sister Yuxian was only stimulated by Yin Qi within her body and might require some time to recuperate, but there’s no major issue!"
Hearing this, Qi Yuanwu’s expression gradually eased.
But in front of him, he didn’t know how to explain to Qi Yi, and the Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion.
Indeed, Madam Zhou was killed by an evil sprite, but whether someone controlled the sprite from behind, they had no idea.
"For a thousand days a thief can steal; no man can guard for a thousand days!"
Qi Yuanwu knew that Madam Zhou was actually dragged into the big picture of the county, turning the Protective Talisman into a Life-taking Talisman.
Qi Yuanwu sighed secretly, yet there was an unnoticeable faint flicker of joy in his heart.
This one trace of emotion he masked well, others only saw his handsome face filled with grief.
...
In the front hall, numerous officials from the Commandery City had been waiting for updates, but the occasional thunder from the back courtyard kept many officials and guests on edge.
The Daoist in front of Yu Tongguang frowned tightly, looking toward the deep parts of the Qi Mansion.
He recalled the news received not long ago, and an understanding vaguely dawned in his heart.
"Thunder Technique, was it this person who saved Daoist Tianxu?"
"It seems there is indeed another expert in the Qi Mansion?"
Qing Yu Daoist’s eyes flashed with a shadowed expression. As the Daoist assisting Governor Yu Tongguang, naturally, he couldn’t allow any issues with Yu Tongguang’s foundation.
This would also affect his cultivation practice.
They previously dealt with Tianxu Daoist, with the Commandery Governor’s Mansion covertly intervening, aiming to further press Qi Mansion, diminishing its stake. Now with Daoist Tianxu missing, yet another seemingly stronger cultivator appeared, unsettling Qing Yu Daoist.
Yu Tongguang as well as several other major officials of the Commandery bore subtle, diverse expressions.
The continuous booming thunder clearly signified something they were all too aware of.
Gu Chengyan and Yu You exchanged a glance, their expressions varied.
Gu Chengyan had some inklings, while Yu You was changing his expression.
...
Then Qi Yi walked out from the backyard, his face somber, and immediately announced to lift the blockade.
He allowed the numerous guests who came to celebrate the birthday to leave one by one.
Though curious, the many officials didn’t dare linger at Qi Mansion, lest Qi Yi should change his mind and they’d risk their lives here.
The numerous Commandery officials hurried away.
Governor Yu Tongguang also stepped to leave, only briefly expressing condolences to Qi Yi before turning to leave the Qi Family.
Yu Tongguang was equally puzzled, harboring many questions in his heart.
Yet looking at the Qi Mansion gradually hanging up white hemp, he felt it was an excellent opportunity, a chance to act.
The upheaval during the birthday celebration had far-reaching impact.
Officials with keen insight within Fengyang County knew that a tempest would soon be upon them.
And at this moment, the previously missing Tianxu Daoist secretly entered the Qi Mansion again.
After the birthday celebration, Zhang Yi didn’t immediately leave with Madam Zhang Qi but stayed at the Qi Family, frequently meeting with Qi Yi before deciding to leave later.
...
"Having Tianxu step in is enough to completely change my grandfather’s attitude, and the Zhang Family can gain the solid support of the three major families. As for whether we can successfully ascend to Commandery-Honored status, that will depend on the old man’s capability..."
In the loft, Zhang Jian gazed into the distance, his eyes slightly narrowed.
The Zhang Family certainly wouldn’t be satisfied with just an opportunity to ascend to a Commandery-Honored Clan.
This was merely a pretext to lull the three major families, even Governor Yu Tongguang.
As chaos loomed, heroes vied for supremacy.
Are nobles made by birth?
With a facade, the Zhang Family would accelerate the expansion of wealth and military resources.
"The old man is quite shrewd and should handle everything! For now, my task is to swiftly enhance my own Dao Practice!"
Zhang Jian’s eyes gazed into the distance. During this period, as the Zhang Family chose to expand and ascend to Commandery-Honored status, it would inevitably face more challenges and impact from the general Commandery situation.
This would rely on him to deter external enemies.
For other heterodox sorcerers, this might be troublesome, but for him, it was just part of the process of entering the world, intriguing even.
Because he wasn’t a heterodox sorcerer, but a legitimate cultivator.