In just ten days, the demonic aura in Hengzhou was completely cleared.
During this time, Xu Qing used the excuse of Xu Junfang escaping to the Shu Region to divert the Golden Armor Divine General who came to investigate away from Hengzhou.
In the Huai River basin, Gu Yuanrang temporarily lost all magical power, appearing like a powerless woman,
and Xu Qing's decision to have him preside over the grand formation was akin to forcing a bow. Now, Gu Yuanrang had not only been drained, but also lost all retreats.
If the Great Luo Sect abandoned him after starting with him first, his heavily injured and powerless self would certainly become a target for demonic enemies.
At the first moment Xu Qing appeared, Gu Yuanrang cast a grieving and complex gaze at him.
In that gaze was even a sense of withering compassion that aroused pity.
"..."
This look of having been toyed with was not new to Xu Qing.
He first saw it in the red-tailed monkey when it first hosted the grand formation for him.
Later, Ascendant Fuluan and Xie Qiongke were even more affected.
It seemed as if Mr. Xu was an unfaithful scoundrel unwilling to take responsibility.
"That's enough, Master Gu!"
"What does the Sect Leader want to call this poor Taoist?"
Gu Yuanrang, who was previously sorrowful, suddenly showed a look of surprise and joy.
"..."
Why did this sound like a virtuous woman asking for status after losing her chastity to him?
Xu Qing had Qingweizi set up an altar for the ritual, performing a salary-granting and altar-establishing ceremony for Gu Yuanrang.
"Here is one hundred thousand incense offerings, which is your advance salary from the sect for this year. As long as Master Gu aligns with our sect, the Great Luo Sect will not mistreat you."
Having experienced terror and joy, Taoist Gu was overjoyed to tears. Xie Qiongke patted his shoulder, smiling, "Master Gu, there's no need to be so emotional. We all went through the same."
Gu Yuanrang thought to himself, is it really the same?
He had almost exhausted all his magical power; only by relying on the Great Luo Sect could his safety be ensured.
If Xie Qiongke and the others had communicated honestly upfront, he wouldn't have been so panicked.
Beside him, Ascendant Fuluan also comforted, "Master Gu, take it easy. Once we return to the Great Luo Sect, I will personally pick some spiritual fruit and fresh apricots to welcome you."
The group cheerfully conversed on their way back.
"Those old apricots were the first spiritually awakened fruit trees after nourishment in the Jin Sect. I've never encountered such a taste in two thousand years—the flavor is truly unforgettable. Master Gu, you must try it..."
Xu Qing frowned. When was there ever a good apricot tree in the Great Luo Sect? There was, however, one sour-as-can-be apricot tree that could rot your teeth.
If it weren't for the slight spiritual aura that tree had, he would've chopped it down long ago!
Xu Qing shook his head, paying no mind to the small banter among the altar masters.
Perhaps in the eyes of these Primordial Spirit True Men, sour apricots were akin to gourmet food and fine wine.
He couldn't understand—it might be because he was a zombie and couldn't appreciate those apricots' taste.
However, just because he couldn't eat them didn't mean others couldn't.
Xu Qing was already planning that, when he had free time, he'd pick some of those Great Luo Sect-specialty fresh apricots praised by even Primordial Spirit True Men, to give to the immortals in the Immortal Hall...
...
In the following days, Xu Qing established a branch of the Great Luo in Hengzhou and marked the path of the Great Luo Sect before heading to Jiangnan Dao.
Ge Hongwen's dojo at Henglu Mountain was located within Jiangnan territory.
When Xu Qing arrived at the Anjiang River basin, spanning over a thousand miles, several True Men led by Ge Hongwen had already calmed the raging Luosha River.
Everything was ready, and all awaited Xu Sect Leader to personally venture into the Yin River to exterminate and refine the demons affecting Jiangnan Dao.
Ge Hongwen, worriedly, said, "Sect Leader's divine techniques are unparalleled, and this poor Taoist greatly admires him, yet the Sect Leader has just battled Hengzhou's demons and must be exhausted. If he enters the Yin River now, I'm afraid..."
Xu Qing raised a hand to stop Ge Daoist's words.
Others might need to recover after a clash, but his trip to Hengzhou not only took no toll but also significantly increased his cultivation, making him brimming with energy.
If he didn't strike while the iron was hot, wouldn't that be wasting this overflow of magical power?
"Ge Daoist, no need to worry. As long as the Yin River demons aren't vanquished, the world will suffer one more day. Since I am the Great Luo Sect Leader, I must practice the Tao, not failing our sect's principles."
Xu Qing seemed determined with a resolve akin to 'wishing all beings to escape suffering without seeking peace and joy for himself.'
Ge Daoist didn't understand the situation, feeling nothing but sincere admiration within his heart!
"Even with his tired body, the Sect Leader still cares for all beings, not deciding based on blessings or misfortunes. How can this poor Taoist back down?"
Ge Hongwen clasped his hands and said, "Sect Leader, rest assured—be it one grand formation, ten, or a hundred, this poor Taoist will not refuse!"
Xu Qing held Ge Daoist's wrist, patting his hand, comforted, "With such words from fellow Daoist, I have no regrets on this journey, even if it ends in fatal misfortune."
"Sect Leader mustn't speak such words!"
Upon hearing this, Ge Hongwen and the others panicked instantly, and Monk Xinyuan even began to bless Xu Qing.
"Amitabha, the Sect Leader, a virtuous man, naturally will be safe."
Zhang Pingsheng then took out the Yin-Yang Bracelet, making circles in the air in front of Xu Qing.
While drawing circles, Zhang Pingsheng chanted spells to ward off disasters and protect life.
However, the more Zhang Pingsheng chanted, the dimmer the light of the Yin-Yang Bracelet became.
Zhang Pingsheng, terrified, said, "Sect Leader, this is a sign of great misfortune. If not, perhaps we should return and reconsider on another day..."
Xu Qing glanced at Zhang Pingsheng. He was a zombie as dead as could be; if the life-protecting spell worked, that would be the real wonder!