Wu Sheng and Hang Lin walked into the inn room covered by bamboo curtains, holding a painting in their hands. The interior of the room was very simple, with only a coffee table, two cushions, and a bookcase on the wall. The scholar's four treasures on the coffee table indicated that this was also a place frequented by scholars. Outside the window, the setting sun was like blood, casting a golden light through the bamboo curtains onto the painting, making the scene more dynamic.
Hang Lin sat down next to the coffee table and brewed a pot of jasmine tea. Wu Sheng unfolded the painting and placed it flat on the coffee table. The two of them gazed at the painting, and the face of The Immortal in the Painting was vivid, as if about to step out of the painting.
"This scene carries an unusual divine power, can you feel it?" Hang Lin handed a cup of tea to Wu Sheng and asked.
"Not just divine power. There's also a very strong corrosive resentment." Wu Sheng frowned and lightly touched the scene with his index finger.
With the touch of the fingertips, a force of vibration emanates from the screen, accompanied by a faint but complex ripple. Wu Sheng and Hang Lin immediately raise their alertness, opening their consciousness to further investigate the immortal power in the painting.
"It seems that this demonic power has been accumulating for more than a day, and it is still continuing to strengthen," Hang Lin puts the teacup back on the coffee table, their eyes becoming stern.
"You're right. If we don't find a solution quickly, this corrosive demonic power could lead to irreversible consequences." Wu Sheng immediately began to mobilize their celestial power to investigate the source and nature of this demonic force.
"You try to see if you can use celestial magic to isolate this demonic power, while I research its deeper essence." Wu Sheng said to Hang Lin.
Hang Lin nodded, bit her lip, clasped her hands together, and began reciting the Incantation. A faint fragrance gradually filled the air, enveloping the entire room like a wisp of light smoke. At the same time, Wu Sheng also chanted another Incantation, with a mysterious glint flashing in his eyes.
As the two of them continued to gather their celestial powers, the painting seemed to become increasingly restless, with a layer of black mist swirling on its surface as if resisting. However, finally, under the influence of Hang Lin's Incantation, the black mist gradually dissipated, replaced by a faint golden light.
"Sigh... Success." Hang Lin Long exhale, a bead of sweat rolls down from the forehead and lands on the coffee table with a "drip" sound.
"But this is only temporary. We need to find a long-term solution," Wu Sheng said, his expression still very serious.
"What have you discovered?" Hang Lin asked.
"It seems that this demonic power is sealed within the painting by some kind of special curse, and it has a deep connection with The Immortal in the Painting," Wu Sheng analyzed carefully.
"What is this layer of black mist for? Is it for protection or... control?"
"At the moment, it's not clear, but one thing is certain, this demonic power is a crucial part of keeping the painting in check, allowing it to be circulated and sold among the general public." Wu Sheng reminded.
"What should we do next?" Hang Lin gazing at Wu Sheng.
"First, we need to trace the origin of this curse. Only by breaking the curse can we truly solve the problem. Secondly, we must hasten our search for the whereabouts of The Immortal in the Painting."
Wu Sheng took out a thick ancient book titled "Illusory Immortal Path," which contains various illusions and transformation techniques. Hang Lin then went to the bookcase and took out a bamboo scroll, which recorded countermeasures against sorcery and immortal techniques.
"Look at this, it may be related to the 'transform' technique used in The Immortal in the Painting." Wu Sheng pointed to a passage in the book describing a technique called "Impermanence."
"'Impermanence'? The name itself sounds obscure and complex, it should be a profound illusion technique," Hang Lin looked at the bamboo slips and said.
"Not only that, this kind of illusion also requires extremely high cultivation and exquisite skills to perform. Only the powerful can possibly use it to make the people and things depicted in the painting come to life," Wu Sheng added with a serious look.
"So, The Immortal in the Painting is not only skilled in illusion, but also has extraordinary cultivation, which increases the difficulty of our mission," Hang Lin felt a heavy heart, feeling the pressure doubled.
Wu Sheng nodded and then explained, "According to this book, 'Impermanence' not only has the ability to transform oneself, but can also influence the surrounding environment and atmosphere. This illusion can even allow the user to evade the scrutiny of the heavenly eye. We must handle this with caution." A serious expression appeared on Wu Sheng's face.
"We need to find a way to break this illusion and prevent this demonic power from further strengthening," he continued, closing the book and his gaze turning even more intense.
"Here is a spell called 'Azure Mist Illusion Breaker,' which has a good effect in countering illusions and shapeshifting magic." Hang Lin Flipping through the bamboo slips, a faint smile appeared at the corner of the mouth.
"Have you heard of the principle behind this kind of magic?"
"Simply put, it can decipher the mystical energy structure behind the illusion, causing it to disintegrate on its own," Hang Lin explained as he handed the bamboo slip to Wu Sheng.
Wu Sheng I studied it for a moment, then nodded slightly, "In that case, let's try this illusion-breaking technique."
"Okay."
Hang Lin stood up, walked to the painting, waved his hand, and a beam of green light shot out, heading straight for the canvas. The image shook, and the lively immortal figure suddenly revealed a look of fear, then the picture gradually became blurry.
"Success!" Hang Lin exclaimed excitedly.
"No, wait. Something feels off." Wu Sheng suddenly felt a strong feedback force bursting out from the painting.
"Quick, retreat!"
Bang! A loud noise reverberated in the spacious room, sounding like a wail. The once magnificent golden frame exploded into countless pieces scattered on the ground.
In that instant, a deep purple light shot out from the fragments like a venomous snake, piercing through the room and disappearing into the night sky outside the window.
"It seems that this demonic power has reached a dangerous level," Wu Sheng said with a serious expression, his eyes tightly fixed on the disappearing light outside the window.
The tense muscles in Hang Lin's face relaxed slightly. "Agreed, we can't linger here any longer. But before that, we need to report all of this to the Jade Emperor."
With a wave of Mana, a golden light flashed, activating the Thousand-Mile Messaging Spell Array.
A verdant green light appeared in front of the two people, gradually forming the illusion of the Jade Emperor, majestic and inviolable.
The two of them reported the matter of the painting to the Jade Emperor one by one.
"This matter is more serious than we imagined. You must quickly find The Immortal in the Painting and bring him back," the Jade Emperor's solemn voice slowly came through the spell.
"Understood, Jade Emperor," Wu Sheng and Hang Lin responded together, with a serious expression and no hesitation.
"Also, this mission requires extreme caution and vigilance. The Immortal in the Painting holds hostility towards immortals, so we must not take it lightly," warned Jade Emperor.
"Understood, Jade Emperor," the two nodded in unison, their expressions resolute.
Wu Sheng and Hang Lin stopped using the Thousand-Mile Messaging Spell Array, and looked at each other.
Hang Lin's brow furrowed slightly, and their expression became more serious. "The warning from the Jade Emperor means that our next mission will be even more difficult. Not only do we need to find The Immortal in the Painting, but we also need to ensure that we bring him back."
Wu Sheng nodded, his eyes shining. "I have the same feeling. But since Jade Emperor has assigned this task to us, we can only do our best to complete it."
Hang Lin smiled faintly, his lips forming a curve. "That being said, our first task is to find out where The Immortal in the Painting is hiding. Do you have any leads?"
Wu Sheng leaned forward and took out a shimmering purple agate, an ancient clairvoyance treasure. "We can use this treasure to detect the energy fluctuations of The Immortal in the Painting. However, it will take some time to concentrate and will deplete one-third of our immortal power."
Hang Lin nodded in agreement, "I will protect you while you focus on detection."
Wu Sheng sat cross-legged, beginning the chant, while lightly touching the amethyst stone. The purple light within the stone gradually merged with his fingertips, emitting a mysterious glow.
After a few minutes, Wu Sheng opened his eyes, looking slightly surprised. "I found him. He's near Jiuhua Mountain in the east, and the energy fluctuations are extremely strong, almost reaching the level of a demon king."
Hang Lin Immediately stand up, "We have no time to waste."
In an instant, the two disappeared from the spot, leaving only a ripple in the air.
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