He was solemn, first drawing mysterious runes with vermilion on the ground, the lines of the runes flowing smoothly and twinkling with a faint glow.
Next, he steadfastly placed a statue of a Buddha in the central position of the altar, and in front of the Buddha, there was a censer filled with three fragrant incense sticks, emitting wisps of smoke that rose and filled the air.
Around the altar, Xuanjing also arranged amulets, bells and copper mirrors and other magical devices.
He lit one lamp after another, the dim yellow light flickering in the darkness, casting a solemn expression on his face.
Ju Ming stood by the side, watching with a tense expression.
Yu Yao, although also watching Xuanjing perform rituals, spread her consciousness around and paid attention to the movements around her at all times.
Xuanji closed his eyes and focused his concentration, reciting sacred words. Amidst the surge of his power, there seemed to be an unusual phenomenon in the heavens, as dark clouds were torn apart by golden light, and a dazzling ray of Buddha's radiance shot straight up to the sky.
"Evil spirits, come out quickly!"
He uttered a low growl, his voice as loud as a bell, shaking the air around him to its core.
Not long after, a gust of cold wind rose abruptly, accompanied by a piercing scream, and a seductive figure slowly appeared before the altar.
The female demon was dressed in a lightweight veil, with graceful curves and flowing eyelashes, exuding sensuality.
She curled her lips into a seductive smile, locking her gaze firmly on Xuanjing.
This monk is handsome beyond compare, and he is also a highly accomplished cultivator. If I were to consume him, my power would surely increase significantly.
That's such a good-looking appearance, I'm hesitant to eat him.
"Hey, what a handsome monk! How can this mundane world bear such a remarkable person?"
Xie Li's voice was soft and charming, laced with an irresistible allure.
She lightly stepped her lotus-shaped feet, slowly approaching Xuanjing, as if each step was landing on the hearts of others.
Xuanjing closed his eyes and concentrated, silently reciting scriptures in his heart, unaffected by the provocation and only using a wisp of Buddha's light to protect his body.
Yet he secretly opened his wisdom eyes, perceiving the emptiness of the world.
After a moment, the female demon revealed its true form.
A huge and fierce scorpion, its body covered with hard shells like iron, its eight legs lightly tapping the ground, its tail stinger high raised, surrounded by thick demonic aura and venomous mist.
It turned out to be a scorpion spirit that had been cultivating for over 1,800 years.
"Evil creature, cultivating is not easy, why do you have to ruin your future?"
Xuanjing's voice was steady and devoid of any emotion.
Seeing this, Xie Li showed no fear but instead laughed even more recklessly, "Monk, you don't understand what love is, so how can you talk about cultivation? I just want to share the joy of this mortal realm with you."
After speaking, she transformed into a wisp of blue smoke, hovering around Xuanji, her fragrance hitting him like a gust of wind, and her seductive gestures abound.
Yu Yao saw that Xuanjing was unaffected and even his eyes grew colder, secretly relieved that she had not used this move.
Indeed, the fortitude of an accomplished monk is truly extraordinary.
If she were to seduce and tease Xuanji like this scorpion spirit, she might not even be able to achieve his favor, let alone conquer him.
Even though I really want to see if Xuanjing can withstand the temptation of the scorpion spirit.
But on the surface, her expression turned angry, and she shouted at the scorpion spirit, "You shameless fiend! How dare you be disrespectful to a great monk! Watch this."
She held a long sword in her hand, the swordlight shining like a dragon, aiming directly at the scorpion spirit's vital point.
Xie Li lightly dodged Yu Yao's attack, retorting with a provocative remark: "Hmph, just a tiny spider spirit? If you're smart, scram! Or else I'll deal with you too."
This spider spirit is really sick. She's an evil spirit, yet she's protecting the monk. It's like she has a brain full of bubbles.
"Spit! You're only five hundred years more powerful than me. Don't be afraid to swallow your tongue if you talk too much."
Yu Yao cursed and made hand seals in the air, instantly weaving a massive spider web that descended upon Xie Li, covering the sky.
"Hmph! Whether my words are empty or not, you'll soon find out."
Xie Li lightly waved her long sleeves, summoning a powerful gust of demonic wind that effortlessly shredded the spider web into pieces.
Yu Yao's spider silk was agile and varied, complemented by her fierce swordsmanship.
The venomous hook of the scorpion spirit was ruthless and merciless. When they clashed, sparks filled the air.
Xuanjing joined his palms and chanted Buddhist mantras. A bright golden light enveloped him, and a surge of righteous energy shot up to the heavens.
He moved, joining the battle, with his palm strikes like thunder, each one carrying the power to purify, aiming to drive the scorpion spirit back.
"Monk, are you really going to be my enemy?" Xie Li's voice had taken on a more serious tone, no longer just teasing, as if she was fully committed.
Although she had a crush on this monk, if he wanted to take her, she would show no mercy.
"Evil creatures causing chaos, as a follower of the Buddha, it is our duty to eliminate demons and protect the way of righteousness!"
Xuanji's tone was firm, and every word was like a hammer, striking the heart of the scorpion spirit.
The battle became more intense, with three sides fighting in confusion, light and shadow intertwining, as if the only thing left in the world was this epic battle.
Xuanji and Yu Yao worked in perfect harmony, one attacking and the other defending, gradually forcing Xie Li into a desperate situation.
Xie Li knew that the monk had profound abilities, so she aimed for the weak spot of Yu Yao, taking advantage of the situation.
Although Yu Yao's cultivation was lower than the other party, with Xuanji's support, she could handle it.
However, at this critical moment, no one expected.
Xie Li suddenly attacked Xuanji, and with a fierce fling of its tail stinger, released a dark green poisonous mist that directly rushed towards Xuanji.
Xuanji couldn't dodge in time and was enveloped by the poisonous mist, his face turning as pale as paper and blood seeping from the corners of his mouth.
Xuanji endured the excruciating pain with all his remaining strength, reciting an incantation in an attempt to seal the poison within his body, but it was too late; the seductive poison had already entered his body.
Xuanji's face turned white, and he struggled to endure the tumultuous seductive poison within him. He wavered slightly but maintained the dignity and calmness of a high monk.
"Master!"
Jue Ming, the little monk, was extremely worried and held his hands together in prayer. However, with his limited cultivation, he could only pray and couldn't directly interfere.
Yu Yao was slightly stunned. Was it a regular poison, or the seductive poison?
A glimmer of joy flashed in her eyes, and she suddenly felt that her chance had come.
However, she first needed to deal with the scorpion spirit in front of her.
She glared angrily at Xie Li and shouted, "You demon, how dare you be so cruel? Watch this!"
With that, the spider silk and swordlight clashed again.
Xie Li let out a cold laugh, her figure transforming into a black shadow to dodge Yu Yao's attack.
Meanwhile, the venomous stinger on her tail glinted with a cold light. She timed her move perfectly and fired the venomous needle towards Yu Yao's heart like lightning.
Yu Yao seemed to predict this attack, her figure slightly side-stepping and slicing with a sword at the same time. The sword glow collided with the venomous needle, exploding into a brilliant light.
"Buddha's light illuminates all, untouched by any evil!"
Xuanji tried to endure the onset of the seductive poison within him, shouting loudly, and his entire Buddha light shone bright, dispelling all the surrounding demonic aura.
With the aid of this force, he leapt fiercely, joined his palms together, and turned into a golden colossal palm that struck towards Xie Li.
The golden colossal palm bore an unstoppable force, completely engulfing her.
"Ah..."
Xie Li gave out a despairing and piercing shriek. Her demon body instantly collapsed and dissolved into scattered black lights within the air.
With Xie Li's death, the battle came to an end as well.
Xuanji stumbled a few steps, eventually falling to his knees.
He felt an unprecedented sensation within his body, spreading from his Dan Tian to all parts of his body, it was the seductive poison of the scorpion spirit, fierce and overbearing.
He closed his eyes tightly, his lips clamped shut, and fine beads of sweat gathered on his forehead as he struggled to maintain the clarity and composure of a monk.
But the seductive poison seemed to have a will of its own, continuously eroding his willpower.
Seeing Xuanji in this state, she couldn't help but smirk in her heart.
But on the surface, her expression was one of concern and worry, as she moved closer to Xuanji. "Master, are you alright? Have you been poisoned by the scorpion spirit? Maybe I can help you expel the poison?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she spontaneously sat down in front of Xuanji, assuming a cross-legged position.
She placed her hands on Xuanji's back and tried to channel her energy to force out the poison.
But her gaze was directed at Jue Ming: "Jue Ming, go see if there are any medicinal herbs around the mountains that can counteract the poison."
Jue Ming didn't know that the poison in Xuanji was seductive poison. Upon hearing Yu Yao's order to go search for medicinal herbs to counteract the poison, he obediently left.
"Don't go, it's useless..."
Xuanji's voice was weak, the seductive poison within him was truly fierce, constantly overwhelming his mind. By the time he managed to say anything, Jue Ming was already far away.
