Chapter 25: Such a Mighty Immortal Master

Once this was said, everyone loudly praised its logic. Indeed, why show courtesy toward such evil monsters?

Within the separate villa, mournful and despairing wails continued, sounding as sharp and piercing as the harsh mountain wind.

The white fox's translucent silhouette repeatedly crashed against the yellow barrier of light. Yet no matter how desperately she struggled, the barrier remained motionless—every effort was futile.

However, this scene genuinely terrified those outside, causing their hearts to pound. They feared the formation might collapse, allowing the demon to escape and rip them apart in an instant.

Fortunately, this renowned Demon-Sealing Formation from the Zhengqing Sect truly lived up to its formidable reputation. It proved thoroughly reliable.

Ji Ping reassured everyone, "Honored guests, have no fear! The immortal master currently inside subduing the demon is Fairy Qingli, the strongest cultivator of this generation from the Zhengqing Sect. She certainly won't fail!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than someone exclaimed in shock, "Is that Fairy Chu Qingli, who single-handedly slew a Foundation-Building realm great demon with just her sword in the capital last year?"

"Ah, Brother Li, your knowledge is commendable," Ji Ping laughed heartily, giving him a thumbs-up. "Indeed, it's precisely Fairy Chu Qingli—Zhengqing Sect's peerless prodigy of the younger generation. Pure as jade, fiercely righteous, loathing evil with passion. She's the dream woman for countless young men."

Noticing confusion among those unfamiliar with the cultivation world, Ji Ping further explained, "It's understandable if some of you haven't heard of her. Just understand that the one controlling this formation is an extraordinary figure—a true genius even among immortal cultivators!"

"With Fairy Qingli acting personally, this fox demon won't escape today. She'll either be executed on the spot or have to kneel begging for mercy!"

As Ji Ping finished, everyone gazed at him with newfound fervor. Ji Ping certainly was no simple man! He already held the authority of a city lord, and now he had connections with immortals. Clearly, his future held limitless potential.

Changing their earlier attitudes, they now shamelessly crowded around him, fawning and flattering him incessantly.

Only Elder Zhang stood apart, coldly scoffing as he clasped his hands behind his back, refusing to curry favor.

Hearing the pitiful wails from within the barrier, Elder Zhang stomped his feet anxiously, pacing repeatedly around the villa's entrance, deeply distressed and torn. Eventually, the elder sighed helplessly.

Young Miss Ji, it's not that this old man is unwilling to help—truly, I'm just powerless to do anything…

As he brooded, his eyes suddenly caught two figures approaching from the long corridor—one big, one small, hand-in-hand. It was precisely that strange master-disciple pair who had so happily dined in the hall earlier.

Naturally, Elder Zhang wasn't the only one noticing Chen An and Su Chichi. Those surrounding Ji Ping turned to stare at the newcomers, expressions ranging from confusion to displeasure.

"Why hasn't this freeloading fake Daoist been beaten up and thrown out yet?"

"Didn't Young Master Wang previously send his servant to handle him? How is this Daoist still casually strolling about?"

Looking around for Wang Shaoze's figure, they realized he was nowhere to be found.

"Where has Young Master Wang gone? How strange…"

"Could it be he got scared by the monster's frightening appearance and fled?"

Some burst into laughter, assuming Wang Shaoze had fled the city lord's manor out of fright.

"Hey, little Daoist!" A young nobleman in lavish robes impatiently stepped forward, disdainfully waving Chen An away like a bothersome fly. "This isn't a place you belong. Hurry and leave."

Chen An stopped, calmly sweeping his gaze over the crowd before raising his voice clearly, "Since everyone enjoys watching so much, why don't you all step inside for a closer look?"

His words seemed puzzling, yet Ji Ping and the others quickly grasped the implied mockery.

"Hmph! Filthy Daoist, do you even understand what's going on inside?" sneered the young nobleman. "A true immortal master is subduing a demon there. If you're not afraid of dying, go ahead and try entering! Perhaps you might even need to call Fairy Qingli your ancestor?"

Confronted with such blatant mockery, Chen An remained calm and indifferent. Without another word, he walked straight toward the villa's entrance, holding Su Chichi's hand tightly.

No one stopped him. They merely folded their arms, waiting to watch the amusing spectacle unfold.

As Chen An reached the gate, he lifted his foot to step inside. Immediately, he was gently yet firmly repelled by the pale yellow barrier of light. Watching this, the crowd erupted into raucous laughter.

"What a clueless brat! These immortal methods contain profound mysteries—how could a mere mortal like you possibly understand?"

Hearing their jeers, Su Chichi gripped her master's hand tighter, feeling increasingly upset. She desperately wanted to shout back, but seeing the large crowd, she still felt somewhat timid. 

Nonetheless, noticing her master quietly studying the light barrier with focused attention, clearly unbothered, her heart calmed slightly.

"Master…" she softly whispered, leaning closer.

Chen An glanced down, speaking gently, "What's wrong?"

"Is it impossible to enter?" she asked quietly.

Chen An shook his head calmly. "We can definitely get in. But first, let me analyze this formation."

At that moment, Elder Zhang, who had anxiously paced by the gate for so long, seized his opportunity to approach. Observing Chen An, he noted the Daoist's composed demeanor despite his youth. 

Whether in the hall or now, no amount of external ridicule disturbed him even slightly. Truly admirable!

Considering briefly, Elder Zhang cautiously asked, "Young Daoist, do you truly have a method of entering?"

Chen An kept examining the barrier, not turning around, but responded evenly, "Why? Do you wish to enter?"

Elder Zhang nodded resolutely without hesitation.

He replied earnestly, "Miss Ji Qingge greatly aided my family. Without her timely assistance, my wife and children would have perished horribly in that terrible fire, leaving me forever trapped in bitter regret."

Elder Zhang's voice grew solemn. "Thus, I cannot stand idly by, watching her suffer this torment."

Hearing the elder's heartfelt words, Chen An finally turned slightly, smiling softly as he remarked, "But they're right, you know. Ji Qingge is indeed a demon—and a powerful one at that."

Yet Elder Zhang's tone remained resolute. "I don't care if Miss Ji Qingge is a demon. I only know I watched her grow up. Her heart is kind and pure—she would never commit evil."

"For over ten years in Luoyang, we haven't once had rumors of monsters. Yet, in other cities I've visited, demon disturbances were common. Strangely enough, those immortal masters never arrived as promptly as they did now!"

By now, anger colored the elder's face.

"They ignored genuinely harmful demons, yet torment one who harmed no one. Such is the grandeur of these 'immortal masters'!"

Chen An chuckled softly and spoke lightly, revealing the truth of the matter.

"That's because this Fairy Qingli desperately needs one more crucial thing—a monster core from a demon at the peak of Foundation Building."