Start slaying demons from the proficiency panel.

"what!"

Just as Ning Xiu was watching, the ghost face slowly opened its eyes and began to speak.

"Do not harm me. I can impart to you the Great Way of Immortality. Dynasties will fall and seas will dry up and rocks will crumble, and I can make you a witness to their demise."

Ning Xiu was surprised: "It can still speak even though it's been sealed by the Demon Subduing Division's talisman. This evil spirit must be quite powerful."

Upon hearing the other party refer to himself as "this lord," Ning Xiu immediately thought of some things.

In the outlying regions not controlled by the Great Shang Dynasty, the powerful demons and evil cultivators who live in seclusion in certain mountains and caves all like to refer to themselves as "this one" or "this deity."

Judging from the ghost face on Fang Tianhu's back, the path to immortality he speaks of is probably not simple at all.

【039】Outside the Square, Rat

"what!"

Fang Tianhu's miserable howls echoed in the cell as Ning Xiu peeled off the entire ghost mask from his back.

The ghostly back of this person vanished instantly, leaving behind a bloody mess.

Without Ghost Back, Fang Tianhu was like a weak point had been breached, and he collapsed to the ground, powerless.

His long hair turned as white as winter snow in an instant, and his face became weathered and wrinkled, and his body began to wither at a visible speed.

Ning Xiu held a whole piece of back skin in his hand, and at this moment, this piece of back skin was like Fang Tianhu's entire spirit and vitality.

By stripping away his essence, energy, and spirit, his true form will be revealed, and his magical power will be completely lost.

“Those old executioners couldn’t find the reason why you were invulnerable to swords and spears before, so they couldn’t do anything to you. But it’s different now.” Ning Xiu raised his knife and brought it down. Fang Tianhu, who looked dejected, was instantly decapitated and died a clean and swift death.

[Defeat the demon, General Proficiency +2000]

"Huh!" Ning Xiu looked slightly surprised upon hearing about the level of proficiency he had gained.

To my utter surprise, Fang Tianhu, this 6th-rank martial arts prodigy, could generate so much proficiency, 500 more than the manager Chu I had killed before.

With Fang Tianhu dead, the ghost mask that Ning Xiu was holding lost its host and its life force was clearly on its last legs.

The entire piece of skin began to wither, and it tried one last time to tempt Ning Xiu: "As long as you cover yourself with me now, I can still pass on the Great Dao of Immortality to you."

Ning Xiu showed no reaction: "You can leave this path for yourself."

After saying that, he pierced the ghost's back skin with a knife.

Seeing Ning Xiu like this, Gui Beipi had no choice but to give up and immediately began to chant:

"Black Cool Zen Mount Tai, Golden Light Cave in the mountain, I hereby bestow immortality, believers shall seek it out."

It wasn't roaring, but its sound was as invigorating and refreshing as a bell or a drum, deeply touching people's hearts.

Ning Xiu's mind went blank for a moment, and a range of peaks slowly appeared before him, with a high mountain in the middle shining under the blazing sun.

Under the clear sky, it was as conspicuous as if it were shining with golden light, and the faint echoes around it came from a cave in the mountains.

An indistinct figure emerged from the cave, and immediately golden sparrows took flight and white cranes soared into the blue sky.

Flowers bloom in the air, accompanied by ethereal music.

In this scene, it's hard for ordinary people not to think that this is a deity.

Not only Ning Xiu, but everyone in the entire Demon Suppression Prison, and even the entire Demon Subduing Division and the surrounding area, heard this ethereal chant from an unknown source, and also saw the same illusion.

The lower-ranking officials and the common people all looked dazed, their expressions showing a hint of piety and awe.

Most of the third-rank Demon-Subduing Officers possessed the ability to resist themselves and did not fall into the false illusion.

Chant!

Suddenly, a dragon's roar echoed from somewhere within the Demon Subduing Division.

"Where did this rat come from, daring to come into the Demon Subduing Bureau to deceive people and spread its doctrines?"

With a cold snort, everyone felt as if a gong had been struck in their ears, and a chill ran down their spines, jolting them awake from their hallucinations and leaving them with a lingering sense of fear.

Ning Xiu's eyes returned to normal instantly in the cell, and he looked at the piece of ghost skin in his hand with surprise.

Just then, the cell door was pushed open from the outside, and an old Taoist priest in plain clothes carrying a wine jar walked in.

"what!"

Ning Xiu met the man's gaze and was immediately surprised.

The other party turned out to be the old Taoist priest in plain clothes whom Qin Daorong had drawn on the paper. His appearance and spirit were exactly the same as those in the painting, which showed just how amazing Qin Daorong's painting skills were.

I remember what Marquis Wuyi called him last night... "A commoner, with talismans that reach the heavens, a second-rank immortal, Bai Taicang."

That's a very important person!

"Greetings, Lord Bai," Ning Xiu said hastily, clasping his hands in greeting.

"You know me?" Bai Taicang asked, his expression full of doubt.

Although he held the position of Silver Tiger Demon Suppression Captain in the Demon Suppression Division, he rarely went out and did not get involved in any affairs.

He spends his days quietly in seclusion deep within the Demon-Suppressing Prison, either drinking or on his way out to buy more alcohol.

Besides guarding the Demon-Suppressing Prison, Bai Taicang would also intervene to stabilize the situation should any unexpected events or disturbances occur within the prison.

At other times, Bai Taicang never made a move in public, nor did he wear official robes.

Among the young Demon Slayers in the department, very few people knew his true identity, and he knew all of those few.

So when Ning Xiu said his name, Bai Taicang was quite surprised.

Who was it? Who exposed their identity?

"Your subordinate Ning Xiu, last night when Lord Qin fought with Marquis Wuyi, he drew your esteemed figure to assist him. Your strength was formidable. I was fortunate enough to learn your name from Marquis Wuyi, and it is truly an honor to meet you today, Lord Bai," Ning Xiu explained.

Bai Taicang: "..."

In all his long life, the thing he probably regretted most was being enthusiastically invited over for drinks by Qin Daorong one day.

Then he drank for two or three months straight, enjoying fine wine and delicacies at every meal, which allowed Bai Taicang to put aside his worries and immerse himself in the days with fine wine.

He didn't notice at the time that whenever he got drunk, Qin Daorong would always be watching him intently from the side.

He looked just like a jeweler who had seen a beautiful jade, which was quite strange.

Until one day, Qin Daorong, who was originally warm and hospitable, suddenly changed his attitude and stopped inviting him to drink. This left Bai Taicang very depressed, as he lost an opportunity to enjoy good wine for free.

Then one day, rumors inexplicably spread in the circle of the Silver Tiger Demon Subduing Officer of the Demon Subduing Division that Qin Daorong had seen the divine essence of Bai Taicang and could even paint and command it.

Bai Taicang suddenly realized that he had been used. Qin Daorong had used drinking as an excuse to secretly observe him and comprehend his essence.

The ultimate goal was to be able to draw himself as a tool in his battles.

Bai Taicang was filled with regret. Qin Daorong had actually schemed against him, against an old man like him. People who pursue the Dao of Painting were indeed corrupt at heart.

However, he was a man who valued his reputation and would never confront Qin Daorong over such a matter.

Furthermore, the other party had treated me to expensive wines for several months in a row, so I simply couldn't bring myself to turn against them.

"Is there something you need, sir?" Ning Xiu asked, puzzled.

Because he was inside the Demon Suppression Prison, he was unaware of the extent of the impact that the Ghost Face's chanting had on the outside world.

He thought he was the only one who had seen that illusion.

Bai Taicang said helplessly, "Some scoundrel demon cultivators from beyond the mortal realm have infiltrated the Demon Suppression Prison to spread their teachings. I noticed that the source of the disturbance was coming from this cell, so I came to check if you've discovered anything unusual during the executions."

Ning Xiu immediately recounted everything that had just happened and his discoveries to Bai Taicang.

Taking the ghost skin from Ning Xiu's hand, Bai Taicang examined it carefully: "This demon cultivator from beyond the mortal realm actually attached a wisp of his remnant soul to a human body. His disguise is extremely clever. No wonder the Demon-Subduing Officer who was guarding him before couldn't detect it. This demon cultivator went to such lengths to sneak into Chaotian Capital to spread his teachings, but it doesn't seem to bring him any benefit. Yet he still appears repeatedly. It's truly a case of demons who have never given up on harming our race."

As a blue flame erupted from Bai Taicang's palm, it instantly burned the entire piece of ghost skin into ashes, turning it into a pile of sparks.

The Black Liang Zen Tai Mountain refers to Zen Tai Mountain in Black Liang Prefecture, where this demon cultivator's cave is located.

It is worth mentioning that Hei Liang Prefecture was not under the jurisdiction of the Great Shang Dynasty, but was one of the twenty prefectures that were still outside and had not yet been recovered.

Baishazhou is adjacent to Heiliangzhou and is located in the border area.

According to Bai Taicang, this demon cultivator used his remnant soul to become a ghost and attach himself to Fang Tianhu, intending to use Fang Tianhu's identity to secretly cause trouble within the Great Shang Dynasty. However, he was unexpectedly discovered by the Demon Subduing Division and captured halfway through.

However, the remnant soul of this demon cultivator still tried to seduce and preach in the capital before his death, which disgusted the Demon Subduing Division.

I wonder how many people will have their minds planted with the seeds of that talk of the Longevity Path today. Later, the Demon Subduing Division will have to send someone to appease and warn them, so that no one will be tempted to go to that Zen Taishan to seek longevity from the demon cultivators.

This kind of manpower-consuming and energy-draining activity, thanks to the demon cultivators, is truly a malignant tumor.

However, there are countless such malignant tumors hiding in the mountains, rivers and lakes of the twenty states. These rats are thinking all day long about invading the states under the jurisdiction of the Great Shang, bewitching the people and splitting the Great Shang.

This has led many ordinary people and cultivators who could not resist the temptation to fall into depravity halfway and become accomplices to these demonic cultivators. Their hearts are truly despicable and they are utterly disgusting.

However, with the current garrison of the Shang Dynasty on the border, it can only prevent the invasion of the demon kingdom's army, and cannot completely stop the infiltration of demon cultivators from outside the mortal realm.

Therefore, incidents like Fang Tianhu's are numerous and fundamentally difficult to avoid or eradicate at their source.

Even though the Demon Subduing Division found it disgusting, they were helpless, as their reach was not that far-reaching as they thought. They couldn't extend their influence to twenty states to deal with those demon cultivators who called themselves cave masters, palace masters, true beings, their own masters, or great kings.

There are always scoundrels hiding in the shadows, making their moves quietly.

There will always be fools who are greedy and tempted, and fall into depravity halfway through.

What the Demon-Subduing Guards can do is consolidate their internal strength and resist external threats. Perhaps one day the Shang army will be able to reclaim the twenty states.

When the time comes, the Demon Subduing Division will surely take action and execute all the demon cultivators in those mountains and caves.

“Lord Bai, my execution is complete. If this matter is no longer my concern, then I shall take my leave.” Ning Xiu asked tentatively as he watched Bai Taicang burn the ghost mask.

Now that Fang Tianhu, that tough nut to crack, has been executed, he should go to the head jailer to collect his share of executions for the day. As agreed, he can have his fill of executions in the Demon Suppression Prison today.

"Take this and wear it. You may take it off after three days. This is an order, and you must not disobey or be negligent," Bai Taicang said, handing Ning Xiu an orange-yellow talisman.

As the person closest to the remnant soul of the demon cultivator, it's highly likely that a seed was planted in his heart.

"Many Demon-Subduing Officers were neglected because the seeds of evil were planted in their hearts. The power of those demon cultivators influenced their character, mind, and thoughts day and night. In the end, the Demon-Subduing Officers who were loyal to the Great Shang Dynasty fell into the demonic path. This is a calming talisman that can effectively remove the bewitchment of demon cultivators."

"Thank you very much, sir." Ning Xiu accepted the gift solemnly and expressed his sincere gratitude.

He was only at the seventh rank of martial arts. If the seed had truly been planted, he wouldn't have been able to detect it on his own. Bai Taicang's gift was incredibly timely.

Ning Xiu put the talisman into his pocket and then left the cell.