Baili An’s icy gaze returned to Old Taoist Huang, as if the cold steel of a blade was encased within icy blood, chilling to behold.

"Immortal Huang performed a sacrifice for the River God; I wonder if he has seen the River God?"

At this point, how could Old Taoist Huang continue to bluff and resist? He frantically shook his head and said, "It’s all just my pretentious act to deceive people out of their money; there’s no such thing! There’s no River God, it’s just me fooling everyone. There’s nothing divine in that river, only some harmful wandering spirits; I’ve indeed seen them myself. So everyone, please, don’t wash clothes or fetch water in this part of the river anymore!"

This Taoist was cunning, knowing he couldn’t continue his deception, he feigned good intentions by warning everyone of the river’s dangers, hoping to gain some favor while admitting his wrongdoing.

Unfortunately, Baili An wasn’t buying any of it.

"So, there is no divine protection in the river at all. Clearly, it was you who led everyone into the river, luring evil ghosts, and yet claimed my wife was not a good person, conspiring with ghosts. You even suggested using fiery flames to test whether one’s skin hides human or ghostly flesh."

Old Taoist Huang quickly said, "No, no, no! I was confused! I should not have said that?"

"Is that so?" Baili An coldly smirked, "But I feel you’re not confused at all; your thoughts are crystal clear. This suggestion of yours is quite good, if you want it tested, then it must be tested thoroughly."

"I don’t dare, I don’t dare! How could I disrespect your wife!"

Baili An lowered his gaze and said, "Of course you don’t dare, because the one conspiring with ghosts is not my wife. Since it’s Immortal Huang who led everyone into the river, people could easily think differently, for the sake of Immortal Huang’s reputation, I think it wouldn’t hurt to test your golden integrity with a fiery trial."

These words twisted and turned, eventually pointing the flames toward him.

Old Taoist Huang was terrified, his face contorted, as if his insides were being twisted in pain, he repeatedly kowtowed and confessed, "No, no, no!!! I’m just a mortal who makes a living by trickery and deceit; this fiery trial is not something a common person can endure."

"No." Baili An calmly smiled, "I say you can endure it, even if you can’t, you have to endure it for me. Don’t worry, Immortal Huang’s Taoist Technique is profound; mere fiery flames are certainly not to be feared, not to mention that I’m not someone who lacks measure. If nothing conclusive comes of it, the Taoist will naturally be cleared of all suspicion, which would indeed be a good thing."

Baili An slightly turned his body, and his gaze fell steadily upon the pile of dry wood and branches gathered by everyone.

With a thought, the wind whipped up fiercely, volleying the debris over and enclosing Old Taoist Huang tightly.

Old Taoist Huang was already so scared that he relieved himself, crying with pain, trembling and pointing at Baili An and said, "Sorcery... sorcery?"

Baili An calmly replied, "Not so, this is a legitimate Taoist Technique of my Immortal Sect, Immortal Huang can be reassured. Though my cultivation practice hasn’t been for forty or fifty years, I’ve achieved some success and will certainly not carelessly injure you."

Without further regard for the tearful Old Taoist Huang, Baili An kicked the still-burning torch into the pile of wood.

The small torch, in an instant, as if thrown into boiling oil, burst into flames that shot up to the sky, turning the sky red in a blink.

This was by no means a normal burning rate; the forest by the river in the morning is most damp, difficult to ignite without the aid of oil or spirits.

Let alone causing such a towering blaze.

Poor Old Taoist Huang, his shriveled body was engulfed by flames in an instant; when the human body ignites, there must be a process, yet in the blink of an eye, he became a figure of fire.

No screams were heard whatsoever; Old Taoist Huang could only stagger and struggle to escape from the fiery pit.

Attempting to extinguish the flames on his body by rolling on the wet ground.

Everyone was terrified by this tragic scene, gazing at Baili An standing before the flames, the blazing fire outlining the pale and angular profile of his face.

The surrounding dry grass and branches crackled under the spreading flames, extending wildly with the wind, but when they reached Baili An’s feet, the flames seemed to have consciousness, avoiding him.

The terrifying flames brushed past his clothes but did not singe a thread.

Baili An looked down, his expression calm as he watched Old Taoist Huang slowly extinguish the flames from his body, his body charred and cracked, laying on the ground calling out in agony.

Until the last bit of flame was extinguished, Old Taoist Huang felt a sense of rebirth from a catastrophe.

He thought to himself, having survived such a hardship, his life was as good as being given back to him.

From now on, he must cherish his life and live anew, refraining from carelessly causing trouble again.

He moaned with pain, feeling like his whole body was about to split open; the old Taoist thought, so this is the pain of being consumed by flames.

Indeed, unless the blade falls upon oneself, there’s no way to know how painful it really is.

He groaned repeatedly, and just as he lifted his head, he met the eyes deeply gazing at him, bright against the light.

His heart skipped a beat, seeing the young man before him slowly curve his lips into a smile.

Baili An curled his fingers and snapped.

"Boom roar roar!!!"

Behind Old Taoist Huang, the flames suddenly surged high, and two fiery serpents roared as they emerged, biting down on Old Taoist Huang’s shoulders like fire beasts.

Under the old Taoist’s terrified and despairing gaze, he was quickly enveloped by flames once more.

This time, there was no chance of escape; within the blazing inferno, he was turned into a pile of charcoal.