Star Martial Era: The Way of Star Light Cultivation

45: Chapter 41 Mad Rakshasa

45 -41 Mad Rakshasa

June 26th at noon, Tianyang Branch of the Taoist Institute.

Suddenly, a streak of crimson light shot up from within the compound, swiftly crossing the entire expanse of Tianyang Branch before reaching the deepest part, where the Mountain Master’s residence was located.

“Mountain Master, I have urgent business to seek an audience.”

Moments later, Mountain Master Zhou Qingzhu’s gate swung open without a breeze, “Zhong Da may enter.”

Zhong Da was a flag master of the Tianyang Branch’s Star Patrol Guard, and also the only flag master of the Star Patrol Guard still present in Jinshan County City.

“Mountain Master, we have an emergency.

An hour and a half ago, six squads dressed in the official armor of the Jinshan Taoist Institute’s Star Patrol Guard suddenly emerged, headed toward each of the four gates with thirteen men per squad, all on horseback.

The people I had arranged to follow them did so for half an hour and were basically able to determine their direction; the six squads appeared to be headed to the six counties under our jurisdiction in Jinshan County.

Additionally, among a few of the squads, we spotted familiar faces, all of whom are Tian Zhang’s trusted aides.

Other contacts have been able to ascertain that the rest are likely new disciples from the Jinshan Taoist Institute’s Star-pointing Season this spring.” Zhong Da provided a concise intelligence report in the shortest amount of time, which was his specialty and the reason he was kept in the county city during this critical moment — expertise in intelligence matters.

Zhou Qingzhu’s gaze sharpened suddenly, and he began pacing back and forth, his expression growing increasingly severe.

“What is Dong Zhao doing sending these new disciples out at this time?

Even with one of Tian Zhang’s trusted aides, what can they do?”

“It’s definitely not for the pursuit of the evil demon, as the Jinshan Taoist Institute has been very reluctant in this matter.

With the capabilities of these new disciples from the Jinshan Taoist Institute, they cannot be involved in the search for the evil demon.

And since Tian Zhang has given them the status of Star Patrol Guard, it’s very likely they are responding to the recent turmoil in the counties.” Being versed in intelligence, Zhong Da was able to analyze the situation to a high degree of certainty.

“Local turmoil!”

Mountain Master Zhou Qingzhu of the Tianyang Branch looked solemn, quickly considering multiple possibilities.

“How many forces can we mobilize from within the institute now?” Zhou Qingzhu asked.

“Most have been dispatched; only a few instructors, their assistants, and new disciples remain,” Zhong Da replied.

“First, assemble all the forces we can muster and have them stand by.

Continue the investigation and at the same time, reach out to the counties to see if we can urgently pull some elite forces from those searching the mountain wilderness for the evil demon,” Zhou Qingzhu commanded.

“Yes.”

As Zhong Da departed with the orders, a Star Pigeon flew out of Zhou Qingzhu’s backyard, speeding away like lightning.

The Star Pigeon, nurtured and tamed by disciples specializing in Beast Taming using Star Power, flew faster and higher, and were more spiritually attuned.

However, within minutes, this Star Pigeon fell into the hands of the Heavenly River Gang.

Not even thirty seconds later, Gang Leader Zhou Ji of the Heavenly River Gang was leaping swiftly towards the Tianyang Branch, so fast it seemed like a transformation into blue light.

Soon, Zhou Ji arrived in front of the residence of Mountain Master Zhou Qingzhu of the Tianyang Branch, and upon arrival, heard Zhou Qingzhu’s transmitted message, immediately entering.

“Any movement yet?” Zhou Qingzhu went straight to the point.

Zhou Ji looked tense, also showing unease, “Mountain Master, as per your arrangements, every day someone is tasked to act in the name of the evil demon, committing acts of evil to the utmost, and afterwards, we vigorously publicize it.

However, oddly, aside from the night of June 19th when dock enforcer Qian Qi and the third son of Zhao Mansion were killed, this person hasn’t struck again.

Could it be that he has already left Jinshan County City?”

“Impossible!

Although this individual is extremely skilled at concealing his presence, Hall Master Hu from the Sub-Hall has locked his approximate position with a Star Artifact.

As soon as he leaves Jinshan County’s range, Hall Master Hu would immediately notice.”

Pondering for a few moments, Zhou Qingzhu continued, “Keep arranging for your men to act, and when propagating, directly point out that it is the doing of Shadow Demon Qi Shanye.”

“Shadow Demon Qi Shanye?

I understand,” Zhou Ji said.

“Also, gather a group of fairly capable hands as quickly as possible to be ready at any moment.”

Zhou Qingzhu’s order made Zhou Ji look slightly troubled, “Mountain Master, aside from me, all the capable hands from within the Gang have been dispatched…”

“Is your gang the only one in Jinshan County City?

There are also the experts from the Cangming Branch left behind, and those fierce loose cultivators from the martial world; find someone immediately, offer whatever is necessary, as long as they are willing to act!” Zhou Qingzhu stated.

“Offer whatever is necessary?” Zhou Ji pondered for a moment before nodding, “I will handle it right away.”

Fifteen minutes after Zhou Ji left, Zhong Da visited once more, and after Zhong Da departed, Mountain Master Zhou Qingzhu of the Tianyang Branch began issuing one order after another.

Soon, Vice Mountain Master Liu Yelan of the Tianyang Branch left with two instructors, exiting from the western gate of Jinshan County City, heading in the direction of Heshui County.

Yet, just as they left the city gate, Superintendent Cao Chun from the Jinshan Taoist Institute leapt down from the city walls, blocking their way.

“Vice Mountain Master Liu, please return,” said Cao Chun succinctly.

“What do you mean?” Liu Yelan, a middle-aged beauty with her hair pinned up, was immediately enraged when stopped, her longsword trembling with radiating Starlight in her palm—a Star Weapon directly pointing at Cao Chun as she snapped, “Cao Chun, since when can you dictate where I go?”

Cao Chun merely stayed silent, standing with his hands behind his back, a discipline ruler shining with Starlight in his grip, the implication could not be clearer.

No nonsense, if you don’t agree, come and fight.

Liu Yelan glanced over at the position of Tianyang Branch, and thought about the strict orders given by Mountain Master Zhou Qingzhu when she left.

Clenching her teeth, she was about to attack.

After all, with the Mountain Master to clean up after, there wouldn’t be any problems as long as Cao Chun wasn’t killed.

Clang!

A sound of an iron crutch striking the ground, Ning Yuchan descended from the city wall, her crutch shimmering with Starlight, her aura already locking onto another instructor from Tianyang Branch.

At the same time, flag master Luo Kexing, who was recovering from his wounds, also emerged from the woods next to the city, standing with his spear ready.

“It seems that you are all determined not to let me leave the city,” he said, “then we can only have a fight.”

“Kill!”

Vice Mountain Master Liu Yelan of Tianyang Branch raised her longsword, launching a sword light tens of meters long, aimed at Cao Chun.

At the same time, two instructors from Tianyang Branch clashed with Ning Yuchan and her company.

In less than two minutes, the group was fighting in earnest.

Ning Yuchan’s single palm, like a wandering dragon, weaved through the battle, sending out starlight vortex blades spinning towards her opponents.

The faster Ning Yuchan spun, the more fierce these vortex blades became.

In a single breath’s time, a terrifying Starlight Whirlwind Blade Wheel formed.

Spinning continuously and growing stronger, the instructor from Tianyang Branch who was facing Ning Yuchan was terrified.

He managed to resist for two breaths’ time before his long knife was sliced away, and half a breath later, his thick Starlight Shield was broken through.

As Body Protective Starlight was about to be shattered, leaving him to a dismembered fate, Liu Yelan, fighting with Cao Chun, suddenly flew high into the sky, her sword touching repeatedly.

Each touch sent a burst of starlight onto Ning Yuchan’s vortex wheel, causing a chain of explosive bursts.

Part of Ning Yuchan’s vortex wheel was shattered, but Ning Yuchan became even more frenzied.

With one swing of her iron crutch, Star Power surged, and in an instant, numerous dense vortex blades surged out from the crutch.

With the crutch as the center, she spiraled up towards Liu Yelan.

Even though Liu Yelan’s cultivation level was higher than Ning Yuchan’s, she was still thrown into a helpless state by Ning Yuchan.

For a moment, the blades on Ning Yuchan’s crutch surged again, directly sending Liu Yelan’s longsword flying.

When the Vortex Blade Wheel hit, Liu Yelan cried out in alarm and immediately smashed a terracotta-colored Star Emblem.

In an instant, it condensed into an immensely thick hammer and smashed towards Ning Yuchan.

Ning Yuchan was sent retreating with a burst of blood from her mouth, but as soon as she stood up, she turned into a whirlwind and charged again.

What was more deadly was that this time, Ning Yuchan condensed a Vortex Blade Wheel, leapt onto the wheel, her long hair fluttering and skirt flying.

The Starlight in her palm surged, transforming into an oversized Starlight Iron Hammer, staring fixedly at Liu Yelan with a murderous gaze.

A single hammer blow from the Vortex Blade Wheel, and Liu Yelan was sent flying back, spitting blood.

Dean Cao Chun became stern on the sidelines, no longer taking action.

Ning Yuchan’s combat strength had soared again.

Seeing Ning Yuchan so determined, Liu Yelan became frantic and shouted, “Yuchan, we share some teacher-apprentice relationship after all, don’t take it too far!”

Ning Yuchan seemed not to hear and just glanced at her lame leg.

Her murderous intent grew stronger, and suddenly, a bright and complexly engraved Star with Star Patterns burst forth from her body.

At this point, Cao Chun was truly stunned.

She was conjuring Star Power.

Yuchan was really playing for keeps!

Liu Yelan also became frantic and shouted, “Cao Chun, I came here today under orders, but if I really die here, think about the consequences!”

“Yuchan, don’t be impulsive!”

Helpless, Cao Chun could only call out.

They could stop people from Tianyang Branch from leaving the city today, but if they killed one or two, Tianyang Sub-Hall and even Star Hall would have a reason to take action.

By then, the pressure from the Court and National Taoist Institute would be too much for even the Mountain Master to bear!

Although Ning Yuchan seemed crazy, the instant Cao Chun spoke, the Vortex Blade Wheel blasted forth, and with three consecutive hammer strikes, Liu Yelan was hammered into spitting blood and tumbling back, before Ning Yuchan finally stopped.

But she still hovered above the Starlight Blade Wheel, the Starlight Iron Hammer in her hand pointing at Liu Yelan and the other two.

Liu Yelan, spitting blood, wiped the fresh blood from the corner of her mouth and let out a long sigh of relief.

“The name ‘Mad Rakshasa’ truly lives up to its reputation!”

“What a pity, those few in Star Hall are all blind and heartless!”

After speaking, Liu Yelan turned and left without hesitation or delay.

With these injuries, she could explain herself to Mountain Master Zhou Qingzhu of Tianyang Branch.

Luo Kexing, who had just barely managed to fight off another instructor from Tianyang Branch, looked at Ning Yuchan with her hammer and Vortex Blade Wheel, feeling a chill in his heart.

He had often seen Ning Yuchan, who was always calm and serene, her long dress flowing like water, and he thought the name ‘Jade Rakshasa’ was due to her crippled leg.

Today, having seen the ‘Mad Rakshasa’ in action, he knew why she was called ‘Jade Rakshasa!’

At the same time, similar scenes were unfolding at the east, south, and north gates of Jinshan County city, as more powerhouses from Tianyang Branch, even those above the Star Refining Realm, attempted to leave but were persuaded or blocked by the people of Jinshan Taoist Institute.

On the River Viewing Platform above Jinshan County city, Dean Dong Zhao held a disc-shaped Star Artifact in his hands.

The artifact sent out a faint Starlight, cascading over all directions of Jinshan County city, helping to monitor the Star Power energies around the city and assist in locking down the county city.

The name of the Star Artifact — Locking Star Ring!