Chapter Forty-Four: The Strange Realm

Wang Hui never expected that his master, who was usually too lazy to even take out the trash, would agree so decisively. A smile instantly appeared on his face. “That’s wonderful. Let’s go right now.”

Master Qingyang nodded. “Go fetch the things I’ve hidden under the bed. I’m going to meet this creature myself.”

Truth be told, he was itching for action. With the resurgence of the uncanny and the state’s strict control over Taoists, he had nowhere to use his skills. Naturally, he longed to kill a few uncanny creatures for the thrill.

Arriving at Second High, Wang Hui pointed at the enormous pine tree. “Master, look at this—the aura from this creature is unusual.”

Qingyang looked over. Indeed, it was unusual. Most uncanny creatures had chaotic, disordered auras. Those controlled by Spirit Tamers had regular, patterned auras. This creature’s aura, however, was complex, unlike either of the others.

But as a master, how could he admit he couldn’t make sense of it?

“So what if it’s peculiar? The aura is only at grade B. At the same level, would I fear it?”

Wang Hui was reassured by his master’s confidence. “Then, Master, let’s finish this quickly.”

Qingyang nodded slightly. “All right, follow me and help set up the array.”

The two of them, carrying the talismans and items taken from the temple, began setting up the array right in front of the tree, blatant and fearless.

An hour later, the array was finally ready. Qingyang was clearly pleased, though it was his first time using an array from the ancient texts. He was a bit nervous, uncertain if it would work.

“Raising Three Yuan, Sealing the Infinite, Secret Arts of Heaven and Earth, by decree, act swiftly!”

At his booming command, the talismans and bells floated into the air, radiating dazzling golden light, spinning above their heads.

“Ha! It worked!”

Seeing the effect, he naturally assumed the array was taking effect.

But after a few turns, all the items lost their glow and fell to the ground, having no impact whatsoever on the tree.

The air turned still; both men felt awkward.

“My dear disciple, you said earlier that if someone’s name is carved on the tree, that person will vanish?” Qingyang looked at the tree.

“Yes, it’s said several people have mysteriously disappeared already.”

“If that’s so, write both our names and see what happens.”

“Uh, isn’t that... risky?” Wang Hui hesitated, afraid.

“What’s there to worry about? Just do as I say!”

With his master’s insistence, Wang Hui dared not object. He wrote his own name and his master’s name on the tree, and they waited.

Yet nothing happened.

Wang Hui was disappointed. “Is this tree really an uncanny creature? It doesn’t attack us, and after all, it’s only a rumor...”

“How could it not be? The aura is strange, but clearly that of an uncanny creature. Enough. I’ll simply destroy it.”

Qingyang stroked his beard, raised his peach wood sword, and rushed forward, intent on chopping the tree down.

But just then, a massive force sucked them into a mysterious place. The air was thick with the aura of uncanny creatures; everywhere was colorless, nothing but endless darkness.

“M-master, where are we?” Wang Hui looked around, unease rising in his heart.

“This can’t be... this scene, this aura—I remember now. This is the Demon Domain from the ancient texts!”

“The Demon Domain?” Wang Hui was bewildered.

“According to the ancient records, in old times, Demon Domains would appear periodically in different places. Some were large, some small. They would suck living people inside, refining them into demons.

“The ancient demons are what we now call uncanny creatures. We’re doomed!” Qingyang surveyed their surroundings, disbelief clouding his face.

“What! Didn’t you say it was just grade B? Even you can’t handle it?”

“If the ancient texts are correct, a grade B Demon Domain has at least one grade B master. Within the domain, uncanny creatures’ powers are enhanced—a B grade could be boosted to A.

“And to escape, we’d have to find and destroy the domain’s foundation. Even if we could find it, my strength alone wouldn’t be enough to destroy it.”

Hearing this, Wang Hui was utterly despairing. An A-grade uncanny creature? There was no hope!

“Hm? Two interesting guests, I see.” An unbearably harsh voice echoed. A gigantic pumpkin, shrouded in black aura, appeared.

The pumpkin’s face had three holes forming eyes and a mouth, terrifying to behold.

Sensing its aura, Qingyang cried out in alarm, then put Wang Hui behind him, sword in hand. “This is a grade B uncanny creature! Run, quickly!”

“What about you, Master?”

“I’ll hold it off. Every second you live is a second gained. According to the ancient records, our Taoist order has connections in the netherworld. We’ll have a chat on the Yellow Spring Road.” Qingyang stared at the pumpkin, resolute.

Wang Hui knew his master was bluffing, but now it seemed their fate was truly sealed. He steeled himself.

Drawing his peach wood sword, he declared, “If we die, we die together. I’m afraid I’ll get lost in the netherworld—I’ll need you to guide me!”

Qingyang looked at Wang Hui, eyes shining with tears. “Good disciple... I—”

But before he could finish, the pumpkin interrupted impatiently. “Are you done yet? I’m not going to kill you, just make you one of us.”

As soon as it spoke, fifty or sixty humanoid uncanny creatures appeared behind it. Wang Hui recognized a few—they were missing students from their school.

These students had vanished only days ago, yet they were already grade E uncanny creatures. The speed of their transformation stunned him. “What’s going on?”

Qingyang, undaunted, brandished his sword. “No regrets joining the Taoist path in this life; in the next, I’ll be an exorcist again!”

With that, he swung his sword fiercely, fearlessly.

Wang Hui was shaken by his master’s courage—he never imagined his master could be so valiant.

But the next moment, the pumpkin sneered, opened a lid atop its head, and sucked Qingyang inside, closing the lid again. Qingyang didn’t even have time to cry out.

Wang Hui saw his master struggling desperately inside the giant pumpkin’s head, trying to escape but unable to, which made him stagger back in terror.

“These are compulsory measures. You two are Taoists, aren’t you? The old one is grade B—turned into an uncanny creature, he’ll at least be grade C. You’re grade C—once transformed, you’ll be at least grade D.

“Furthermore, in this uncanny space, terror is generated at every moment. You’ll quickly regain your original strength, so why hesitate? Come join your master.”

The pumpkin’s voice resounded again.

Wang Hui shook his head, retreating in fear.

“To use your human saying—you refuse the wine of courtesy, so you’ll drink the wine of punishment.” Seeing Wang Hui’s resistance, the pumpkin lost patience and charged, sucking him in.

The overwhelming force allowed Wang Hui only a moment’s struggle before he was pulled inside.