Chapter 6: The Talisman of Evil-Banishing with the Character "Suppress"

The southern and northern envoys, still scattering their Bewildering Flower Powder, no longer needed to dodge the Peony Fairy's spirit swords, but were now enveloped by the golden light radiating from the talisman. As the talisman's power burst forth, the two men let out cries of pain. Yet, gritting their teeth against the searing glow, they continued to follow the Peony Fairy’s movements, shifting their bodies in tandem to keep sowing their powder.

However, the power of the Peony Fairy’s "Suppress" Evil-Breaking Talisman was immense; its effects were immediate and devastating. In less than half a minute beneath the golden radiance, the two envoys screamed in agony. Their wails were so wrenching they seemed to tear through the tranquil night, evoking the horrors of flayed flesh and torn sinews.

Then, both bodies were blasted apart, flesh and blood erupting into a mist, fragments of bone and muscle mingling with the crimson vapor as it spread through the air—a scene of utter carnage. Amid the drifting blood-mist, two indistinct shapes emerged: the envoys’ very souls, exposed and hovering, their spirits unscathed by the destruction.

For cultivators who had reached the Core Formation stage, even if their physical bodies were destroyed, their souls could linger in the world for seven days. After that, they would dissipate—unless, of course, one employed secret arts to preserve the soul for longer, as was known in the cultivation world.

The envoys’ cores exploded in the same instant, the shockwave obliterating the spring and waterfall at which they’d stood, while a swath of the garden’s flowers was flung far and wide. The destruction was extraordinary, but the souls of the envoys escaped harm—perhaps the talisman’s power, formidable as it was, had not reached its full potential.

Their spirits floated in the air, faces twisted with venomous hatred as they glared at the Peony Fairy. Then, turning in unison, they pleaded with the Immortal Lord of the Nine Netherworlds, “Master, save us!”

The Immortal Lord watched as the two envoys, though they had acted as planned, met their demise by self-detonation, while the Peony Fairy remained untouched by the Bewildering Flower Powder. In the end, it was the golden talisman that vanquished them in a single stroke.

The Peony Fairy's twelve spirit swords and another golden talisman remained locked in battle against the Immortal Lord, who cast a glance at Elder Jin. Though Elder Jin’s cultivation and magical power far exceeded that of the southern and northern envoys, the golden talisman now turned its dazzling beam upon him, leaving him flustered and overwhelmed.

The Immortal Lord of the Nine Netherworlds shook his head with a wry smile, thinking, “To think that a Nascent Soul cultivator could be so terrifying.” Only because Elder Jin had sensed the talisman’s might at the first moment did he hurriedly recall his lifebound treasure, the Bewitching Bell, and muster his full strength to face the Evil-Breaking Talisman—otherwise, his fate would have been no better.

Reflecting bitterly on the outcome—having tried to steal the chicken only to lose the rice—the Immortal Lord vowed that, given the chance to capture the Peony Fairy, he would show her no mercy. Yet, in truth, escape itself posed an immense challenge now.

“Those who recognize the times are true heroes,” he mused. If he did not flee at once, Elder Jin would likely perish here as well. Instantly, he thrust out his right hand and shouted, “Return!”

The envoys’ souls, as if arrows finding their mark, shot toward the leader of the Hundred Poisons Sect, vanishing into the sleeve of his right arm.

“This time, I am defeated by the Fairy’s hand and must admit my skills are lacking. The depth of your cultivation commands my utmost respect,” the Immortal Lord said weakly, his hoarse voice full of regret. “However, I must ask you to retract your remaining talismans and allow my departure. When I return to the cultivation world, I shall come to Myriad Flowers Valley to personally atone for my offense.”

The Peony Fairy’s laughter rang out like silver bells. “What’s this? Weren’t you proposing marriage to me just moments ago? Why the hurry to leave now?” she teased. “If you wish to go, destroy your cores. Do so, and I will let you leave.”

“Are you jesting, Fairy? For cultivators like us, once our cores are gone, we are less than ordinary mortals,” Elder Jin replied, his voice rushed as he struggled beneath the talisman’s glare. At this moment, regret gnawed at him—his eagerness for merit had blinded him to the Peony Fairy’s true power. Even if he could escape, the Master would never forgive him. Still, any fate was better than shattering his own core.

Without his core, life in the cultivation world would be impossible. With so many enemies, even hiding among mortals would not guarantee safety—they would hunt him down without mercy.

“Very well. If you refuse to destroy your cores, I shall shatter them for you, ridding the world of two more blights upon female cultivators,” said the Peony Fairy with a sharp cry, her entire being radiating spiritual power.

Her spiritual energy surged like streams flowing into a great river, pouring into the two "Suppress" Evil-Breaking Talismans that still pinned the Immortal Lord and Elder Jin. Instantly, the talismans blazed with an even more blinding light.

“If you insist on this, Fairy, do not blame me for being ruthless. Even if it means my death, I’ll take you with me, and together we shall be infamous on the Yellow Springs Road!” The Immortal Lord’s laughter was harsh and wild, as if prepared to drag the Peony Fairy down with him.

“Master, go! I’ll hold her off,” Elder Jin called, realizing that there could be no peaceful resolution tonight. Abandoning all hope of escape, he resolved to sacrifice himself for his master’s chance.

Elder Jin considered that even if he destroyed his own core, as long as his soul remained, the Master could spirit him away. Back at their sect, he could seize another body—though his cultivation would plummet, one day he might recover.

“Rest assured, neither of you villains shall escape,” the Peony Fairy declared.

With a graceful sweep of her slender fingers, her spiritual power surged toward the spirit swords before her. The twelve swords, which had previously been seized by the Immortal Lord, instantly split into two groups as power infused their blades—six streaking toward Elder Jin.

The "Suppress" Evil-Breaking Talisman still shone fiercely upon him. For reasons unknown, Elder Jin’s expression went momentarily blank. In that brief instant—less than a second—the six spirit swords pierced him through.

Though run through by the swords, Elder Jin was not yet dead, nor did he wish to resist. He had already steeled himself for self-destruction. With his last breath, he roared out a final, desperate cry, prepared to perish together.