The Northern Song Dynasty returned south, seeking the truth of the Dao.

Wang Huanzhen, hand in hand with Ling Zhizi, ran deeper into the forest. Puzzled, he couldn't help but ask, "Daoist Ling Zhizi, even the Fire God couldn't subdue that demon?"

"I don't know what that demon's true form is, but the five elements have been in chaos for the past four days. My spiritual energy cannot be replenished, so the Fire God can only make one move at most," the woman in white replied.

"What exactly happened? Why is this happening? Could it be that my brother from before wasn't actually him?" Wang Zhen had just realized that if Xiao Liu was a fake, then Ao Shuang might not have been the real person either.

"Indeed, I suspect that this entire mountain may be shrouded in the monster's illusion. The reason he lured you into the cave was to guide you into the illusion," Ling Zhizi said solemnly.

"Where is my brother now?" Wang Zhenhuan asked anxiously. Ling Zhizi shook her head upon hearing his question: "I don't know either. After you entered the cave..."

The mountain gate vanished without a trace, and I never entered the cave. After you came out, I noticed something strange about your brother's expression. Upon closer inspection, it was indeed just an empty shell.

I was afraid he would attack you, so I struck first and killed him. I wanted to explain to you, but you ran away. That's how everything happened.

After hearing Ling Zhizi's explanation, Wang Zhenhuan didn't ask any further questions. At this moment, he gradually came to his senses from his previous dazed state. He quickly thought things through.

Since this demonic creature possesses the ability to transform, it is certainly not an ordinary being. Moreover, judging from its earlier words, it is not difficult to deduce that this creature does not have a physical body. In that case, it is more likely to be a being similar to a spirit or something of the underworld.

"What exactly is it? It can put people to sleep, it can transform, and it can even create illusions. Such supernatural powers should not be something that can be seen in ordinary times. Moreover, judging from its cultivation level..."

"At the very least, it's a pale purple-haired deity. Why would such a ferocious creature appear in this small town of Xiayi?" Wang Zhenzhen muttered to himself, puzzled.

"I don't know either. I heard that Tokyo was besieged a few days ago. I guess this thing was probably suppressed in Tokyo and escaped during the war." Ling Zhizi shook her head and said hesitantly.

Wang Zhenhuan listened to her words and suddenly realized. What Ling Zhizi said was very likely; this thing had no physical form, so escaping would be incredibly easy. Not to mention that its true form was at the Purple Qi cultivation level.

But then I thought, this demon is so dangerous, is the court just going to let it run rampant and harm the people? Isn't there any way to deal with it? This is a powerful demon with purple aura!

For some reason, a figure flashed through Wang Huanzhen's mind as he thought about this. This person was none other than the Taoist priest in purple robes that he and Ao Shuang had met in Xiayi Town that morning.

Now that I think about it, that Taoist priest must have been sent by the imperial court to track down this monster. If they could find a way back to Xiayi, they would have a chance to survive against this monster!

He tugged at Ling Zhizi and whispered, "I've figured out how we can break this deadlock! Earlier, my brother and I met a Taoist priest in purple robes in the town. I guess he was sent by the court to hunt down this scoundrel."

As long as we can find our way back to Xiayi, there might still be a sliver of hope.

"Have you considered that with dark clouds gathering and lightning flashing here, if that Taoist priest were aware of it, he would have already come to subdue the demon? The fact that he hasn't come yet indicates that Xia Yi..."

They can't see what's happening here. That's what I meant earlier—we're in this great demon's illusion. We can't get out unless we break free.

"The only way to break this illusion is to kill its creator, the true form of this great demon. Only then will the illusion crumble on its own. Do you think that's possible given our current situation?" Ling Zhizi glanced at him and asked in return.

After hearing her words, Wang Zhenhuan was immediately discouraged. Indeed, Ling Zhizi was right; one of them was almost out of spiritual energy, and the other had lost an arm.

Even under normal circumstances, it would be almost impossible for him to contend with a powerful demon of purple qi. Let alone now, although Wang Zhenhuan has already received the ordination, his cultivation level has not yet broken through.

The ordination only enabled him to use magic; it didn't help him improve his cultivation level. He looked at Ling Zhizi, somewhat dejected, and asked, "Then what do we do? Are we just supposed to wait to die?"

"I observe that this illusion, though created by this demon, is not omniscient or omnipotent within it. For now, our only course of action is to retreat and wait until we have recovered before making a decision," Ling Zhizi said.

"That's all we can do. How's your arm?" Wang Zhenhuan nodded, then asked with concern. He had been deceived by the demon and thought the woman wanted to harm him.

Now that he knew the truth, he felt a pang of guilt. Not only had the other person not harmed him, but they had also fallen into this illusion together in order to save him. Even the injuries on his body were thanks to him.

He felt both fear and shame. Fear that a complete stranger had protected him so fiercely. Shame on his own low cultivation level, unable even to offer any help.

"It's probably broken, and it won't be able to recover in a short time. This will affect your hand seals and spellcasting. I'm afraid I can't help you much. I underestimated you."

"I never expected that this small town of Xiayi would have a powerful demon with purple aura, and one of the Yin attributes at that." Ling Zhizi chuckled self-deprecatingly and whispered to Wang Zhenhuan.

"Please don't say that. I misunderstood you before. We've never met before, and I'm terrified to have dragged you into this. Don't worry, I'll definitely get you out of here," Wang Zhenhuan reassured her, patting his chest.

Unexpectedly, Ling Zhizi burst out laughing upon hearing Wang Zhenhuan's words. Her beautiful face startled Wang Zhenhuan, who quickly lowered his head and continued on his way.

"You're just a Seeking Truth cultivator, how can you protect me? Don't talk big and make yourself a laughingstock." Ling Zhizi teased softly, half-covering her face with her sleeve.

Wang Zhenhuan's face flushed red with anger, and he retorted defiantly, "I have already received the ordination, and all kinds of magic can be used at my disposal. How could I not protect you? Don't underestimate me!"

"Alright, alright, young man, let's hurry on our way. Let's find a cave to shelter from this heavy rain before making any further plans," Ling Zhizi said with a smile, waving her hand at Wang Huanzhen.

No sooner had Ling Zhizi finished speaking than a sarcastic voice rang out from behind her: "Oh, you still have time for romance when you're running for your life? Since you want to be together so badly."

Why don't you all stay here, and let me become your body, so we can stay together for the rest of our lives?