Infiltrating the righteous path? Just another place to be a sycophant.

Boatmen with bright lights on the river and courtesans plucking strings, playing melodious tunes, hoping to attract wealthy patrons or merchants who would spend lavishly, or perhaps offer a small reward.

Lu An rode his sword through the air, feeling the cool night breeze.

The huge full moon hung high in the sky, like a golden pancake.

"Elder Lu, Ping'an City is just down below," a disciple at the second level of the Void Refinement stage said respectfully.

"Oh, I see."

He can see it; no reminder is needed.

His current identity is that of a temporary elder, but Shen Xuzi describes him as a mysterious elder who has returned from outside.

"Elder Lu, what are we doing now..."

"Let's get started as soon as possible..." Lu An patted his chest, inside which was a bag containing ten spirit stones that he had just obtained from Shen Xuzi.

Really fragrant.

P.S.: I'm so tired today. I was on duty and worked overtime. I was rushing to write, and I'm still trying to update two chapters a day. I hope you can understand. I didn't want to update late.

Chapter Fifty: To Exterminate the Demon!

Peace City

This is a city that never sleeps; in fact, all wealthy areas are always bustling with activity.

Because the poor don't have the money to light lamps or burn firewood indiscriminately, only the rich can afford such extravagance.

Not everyone in the city is a cultivator. Cultivators are not so common in this world. However, in Tai'an City, where the Righteous Alliance is located, almost half of the residents are cultivators.

On the Ping'an River, cruise ships passed by, with beautiful women in gorgeous costumes dancing gracefully on board, while people next to them tossed money into their bags as tips.

Even if the money bag accidentally opens and coins spill out, it's still seen as a symbol of generosity.

Lu An mingled among the crowd, looking at this bustling world, and felt a pang of nostalgia.

It felt like I had arrived at a large tourist attraction, and scenes from my past life flashed through my mind.

Unfortunately, all of that is gone forever.

But it's not a pity, because there's an incredibly cool cultivation system here, and he actually managed to cultivate it.

Lu An clearly sensed something different about the place. Although there were many ordinary people there, they all possessed some level of Qi Refining ability and were not just ordinary people.

This world is rich in spiritual energy, so even if someone doesn't pay much attention to cultivation, they can still draw some energy into their body.

Besides, everyone will try to cultivate to some extent and reach the Qi Refining stage, which is not a problem.

It's true that Qi Refining stage cultivators are everywhere, while Foundation Establishment stage cultivators are worse than dogs. Brother Bai has found a companion.

Lu An stood on the bridge, looking at the beautiful women on the boat, and couldn't help but nod in satisfaction.

The fairy is not in the sky, but on a boat.

Lu An did not linger, but followed the disciple to the headquarters of Yuan Tian Sheng Zong in Ping An City, a huge building that resembled a restaurant.

However, the building's main gate was tightly closed, and two imposing stone lions stood in front of it.

The stone lions stared menacingly at everything outside. For some reason, Lu An felt as if these two stone lions were alive.

Once inside the building, the disciple led Lu An to a room upstairs, where a man with a troubled expression was sitting.

Elder Zhao Ritian, the head of the Yuantian Shengzong branch in Ping'an City.

Recently, it seems that the Yuan Tian Sheng Zong doesn't pay much attention to their Ping An City, and they hardly send anyone here. Now he is worried about what to do about the monster case in Ping An City.

Although some cases are known to the Yuan Tian Sheng Zong, they are completely confidential to ordinary people, especially to the residents of Ping An City.

It wasn't until the sound of footsteps reached him that Zhao Ritian snapped out of his thoughts.

Someone has arrived.

As soon as the knocking sounded, Zhao Ritian quickly waved and opened the door from a distance.

"Elder Zhao, Elder Lu has arrived." The disciple led Lu An into the room and introduced him.

It was a very antique-looking room, except that the bookshelves were filled with books.

"Elder Lu, welcome, welcome! My name is Zhao Ritian, and I'm in charge here!" Zhao Ritian was overjoyed to see that it really was someone who had come.

So, has the Yuan Tian Holy Sect finally thought of him?

Is he, the lone commander of Heian-kyo, finally free?

"Hello, hello, my name is Lu An. I've always worked outside of the Yuan Tian Sheng Zong, so my name isn't very well known." Lu An shook hands with Zhao Ritian and said very politely.

This was the way Shen Xuzi taught him: in short, one can clarify one's identity later; let's get things done first.

It's truly unbelievable that someone from our own community would teach an outsider to cheat and deceive them.

"Ah, Elder Lu must be doing something great outside. Although he's unknown and insignificant, he must have made many outstanding achievements and contributions!"

The more an elder is parachuted in, the more vigilant you should be. Who knows if they're just here to build up their resume and then go back for a promotion?

Those who are parachuted in must have powerful backers. Although they are all elders, Zhao Ritian knows that they are still divided into different ranks.

"You flatter me. I really haven't done anything special or made any contributions," Lu An replied awkwardly.

According to Shen Xuzi and Yu Wanqing, their sect chased after him and injured more than half of their members. I really don't know if this counts as an achievement.

I unintentionally dealt a blow to the Heavenly Demon Sect on behalf of the righteous path, severely damaging my former teammates. I don't know if that counts as an achievement or contribution.

Betraying friends for personal gain? Nonsense! This was a spy gift from my former teammates!

You should accept it with gratitude! You can't let their kindness go to waste!

There were also photos of Master; they were sent to us with such enthusiasm back then!

"Haha, Elder Lu is too modest. I won't stand on ceremony and will get straight to the point." Zhao Ritian chuckled and continued, "Recently, monsters have appeared in Ping'an City, and they're probably quite intelligent!"

"Oh, how did Elder Zhao find out about this?"

"The Demon-Stabilizing Compass reacts; it can detect demonic energy far more sensitively than our divine sense."

Zhao Ritian pointed to a spherical object to the side, which resembled a dragon with eight mouths wide open and various pointers.

When Lu An saw this thing, his eyes widened instantly.

Good heavens, isn't this a replica of Zhang Heng's seismograph? Is this thing for detecting demonic energy?

Okay, okay, next time let's get a radar, something even more advanced.

"Where do most monsters come from?" Lu An was still very curious, after all, he had never actually seen those monsters.

To be honest, he had never seen a humanoid monster. The monsters captured by the Heavenly Demon Sect were either too ugly or too fierce, making him seem unappealing to raise.

"Mostly in the northeast direction."

Where in Ping'an City is that?

"It's the red-light district of Ping'an City, the place where brothels and entertainment venues are located."

Lu An fell silent immediately.

These guys... seem to know how to pick a good spot!

It's a red-light district! Could these monsters be a bunch of succubi who live off yang energy every day?

Wow, this is getting interesting. It might even make you die from pleasure, though you might get sucked dry.

"If any bead falls into the bowl, it means that there is demonic energy in that direction."

Do you know how far away a monster can appear?

"I don't know, it can't display the distance, but I guess it won't be very far."

Well, they're only half-finished products themselves, and they give them to us to use? Do they really think we're idiots?

If the beads fall down, are they supposed to discover the monster themselves?

I've been paid for nothing, what a hassle.

Lu An remained silent as he watched the object that could detect and immobilize demons.

It really is Teacher Zhang's seismograph, it looks just like it, except there aren't those ambitious young people down there who want to eat the Heavenly Dragon Pearl anymore.

Cultivating immortality can no longer be just empty promises; if you don't give me something, I won't do it.

"But Elder Lu, don't worry, things are still quite calm lately. You should be able to rest for another two days..."

Bang!

A dragon head spat out a bronze-yellow bead, which startled everyone into silence.

The goods were shipped before I could even finish speaking?

Lu An glanced at Zhao Ritian silently, while Zhao Ritian glanced at Lu An silently in return.

Come on, brother, let's get to work. You're good at this job.

Come on, brother, I sent you here to help me with the work.

The two exchanged a smile, and the meaning was quite clear.

Lu An looked at the location of the Dragon Spitting Pearl and found that it was in the northeast.

You fiend, wait until this Celestial Master steps in and takes you down in one fell swoop!

"Elder Lu?"

"Elder Zhao?"

The two glanced at each other and smiled at each other.

"Shall we exorcise the demon together?"

"Remove, remove, remove!"

Where do all these extraordinary beings appear?

“Drunken Flower Pavilion, Dark Red Courtyard, Eighteen Flower Alleys, almost all of these places may harbor demons!” Zhao Ritian said solemnly. “Some demons live by absorbing the yang energy of the human world, but if it’s not excessive, we generally don’t bother with them.”

"So what happened this time?" Lu An's heart grew heavy as he listened to their conversation.

It certainly sounds like a place teeming with monsters and demons, so dangerous that a righteous man going in would likely be drained dry.

“Initially, there were victims lying in the hall of the Dark Red Courtyard, their bodies withered and their deaths very bizarre…” Zhao Ritian said slowly.

Chapter Fifty-One: Quickly see if there's anything the young master likes.

What kind of terrifying place is this, called Dark Crimson Courtyard?

That doesn't sound very proper. It seems that only this Celestial Master... no, this Immortal Master can personally take action!

"Elder Lu, that place is not clean. It is said that there are some terrible spirits and demons in there. Who knows, those women might be monsters!" Zhao Ritian said in a sinister tone.

Lu An listened to Zhao Ritian's words, looked at the dark circles under Zhao Ritian's eyes, and nodded silently.

Judging from your dark circles, those places are indeed very dangerous.

I can understand. These monsters are also pitiful. They can only transform into humans, applying rouge and powder every day, dressing up in fancy clothes, and attracting customers to make a living.

Who knows, even the mothers inside might be demon leaders, leading a bunch of little devils to make a living.

What are spirits and demons?

"It means that they are monsters that have gained sentience. They disguise themselves as humans and absorb people's yang energy and cultivation."

"So, is it enjoyable?" Lu An asked quietly.

"Huh? Elder Lu, what do you mean?" Zhao Ritian was a little confused.

So Lu An whispered something in Zhao Ritian's ear, and Zhao Ritian suddenly realized what was going on.

"However, living a life of debauchery is not advisable. Elder Lu must not be bewitched by demons!"

"How could we, righteous people, be tempted by such a thing?" Lu An said righteously, "Quickly give me the address of that Dark Red Courtyard, I want to go and see for myself what kind of demons and monsters it is!"

So Lu An got the address of Dark Red Courtyard.

Lu An arrived at the red-light district of Ping'an City. Before he even entered, a scent of various spices wafted from the street entrance.

The street was brightly lit and shimmering with neon lights.