《Who Let Him Cultivate Immortality》 Chapter 1: Today is Suitable for Travel, But Not for Cheating On the second day of the second lunar month, its suitable for traveling. The moderate rain was pouring down noisily, bringing forth the fragrance of the soil as it hit the ground, causing ripples on the surface of theke, and provoking quiet curses from the people itnded on. Who said it was a good day for traveling? It starts raining as soon as I step outside,ined Lu Yang, regretting not bringing a raincoat in advance. It was his first time traveling far from home, and he was inexperienced. The sudden rain soaked him, making his shoes muddy and every step felt like the ground was against himhe had to pull his feet out of the mud. The sound of trotting hooves approached from behind, catching Lu Yangs attention. Turning his head, he saw a horse carriage approaching him. There was no coachman, and the old horse seemed to know the way, not needing anyone to steer it. What a mystical horse. Lu Yang marveled. The horse had a few scales on its forehead, resembling snake scales, clearly some sort of rare demonic beast. Although he didnt understand its true value, he knew this old horse was precious. At least, it was beyond his means to afford it.This brother slowly walking in the rain, it is truly elegant. Why note and sit in the carriage? a cheerful male voice came from the carriage. Lu Yang epted the offer, pulling his feet out of the mud and hurriedly got in. Sorry to impose, my name is Lu Yang. Lu Yang carefully sat inside, afraid of dirtying the carriage with the mud and rainwater on him. Meng Jingzhou, the owner of the carriage introduced himself, just as easy-going and optimistic as his voice suggested, seemingly able to strike up a conversation with anyone. Brother Lu, are you also here to participate in the Dao Seeking Sects recruitment? Just trying my luck. Meng Jingzhouughed heartily, Brother Lu, what harm is there in being honest? If you were just trying your luck, you wouldnt have braved the rain to get to the Dao Seeking Sect. Lu Yang felt a bit embarrassed, Who doesnt want to enter the Dao Seeking Sect? The Dao Seeking Sect, one of the five great immortal sects in the Central Continent, was immensely powerful and housed innumerable cultivation experts. Today, the Dao Seeking Sect was looking for disciples and countless individuals were trying their luck at the recruitment. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were among them. Lu Yang had transmigrated to the Central Continent where his parents died early. He survived on the small inheritance they left and the help of his neighbors. In the small town where he had lived for over a decade, he heard from a storyteller about immortals knocking on the gates of heaven with their swords, about river demons turning over five hundred miles away causing floods, about disciples of immortal sects flying with swords to y demons and defending the path of righteousness. He had seen unkempt Daoists cheat and deceive, fly up into the air, publicly break out of prison, and then get captured again by the authorities who could also fly. At that time, he realized this was not the world he was familiar with and not any era that he knew. This was a world of cultivation where individuals wielded great power. He aspired to seek the path of immortality, to learn the arts of evesting life. The Dao Seeking Sect was his first choice. There was no particr reason for choosing the Dao Seeking Sect, simply because there were no other sects around his home, only the Dao Seeking Sect. Where the Dao Seeking Sect stood, other sects would not foolishly try to establish themselves nearby. In their conversation, Lu Yang learned that Meng Jingzhou came from a family of cultivators, possessing far more knowledge about cultivation than Lu Yang did. The Dao Seeking Sects requirements for recruiting disciples are that they must be mortals under the age of sixteen. Not just the Dao Seeking Sect, most sects have this requirement. The path of cultivation is long and full of obstacles. Qi training, foundation building, golden core, nascent soul, spirit transformation, void refinement, unity, tribtion crossingeach stage is a major hurdle, stopping countless people. One in ten, one in twenty, or even one in a hundred might seed. There are many factors determining sess in cultivation, such as luck, wisdom, spiritual roots By the way, Brother Lu, do you know what your spiritual root is? The Dao Seeking Sect doesnt have high requirements for spiritual roots, but they still wont ept very poor ones. Lu Yang frowned; he only knew about spiritual roots from the storyteller and didnt know his own. I dont know, what about you, Brother Meng? Meng Jingzhou looked perplexed and shook his head, I was tested for spiritual roots in my n. The elders looked worried and didnt tell me the result, just saying that my talent was extraordinary and entering one of the five great immortal sects wouldnt be a problem. Later, I secretly asked my parents. They were even more worried than the elders and also didnt tell me. Lu Yang spected, Maybe your spiritual root is so extraordinary that it might bring disaster to the Meng family. Only a huge sect like the Dao Seeking Sect could protect you. Exactly what I was thinking, Meng Jingzhou patted Lu Yangs shoulder, seeing him more and more as a kindred spirit, a natural seed for cultivation. Lu Yang, listening to the increasingly heavy rain outside, felt fortunate that Meng Jingzhou had let him into the carriage. Stop. Suddenly, Meng Jingzhou shouted. The old horse trotted a few steps and then gradually stopped. The carriage itself was a treasure, allowing Meng Jingzhou to see outside. He saw a woman walking in the rain, just like Lu Yang had been earlier. Thisdy seems to be heading in the direction of the Dao Seeking Sect for the test. The rain is pouring so heavily; why note up and rest in the carriage? The woman was surprised by Meng Jingzhous offer but eventually agreed. As the woman got on, both Meng Jingzhou and Lu Yang were stunned. Meng Jingzhou, though well-traveled, had never seen such a beautiful woman. Lu Yang, even more sothe most beautiful woman he had seen was the young widow who sold tofu next door. Of course, Lu Yang was a gentleman and had no improper thoughts about the widow. The woman, like an exquisite but not mboyant lotus flower, stood slender and elegant in her white dress, clear-eyed and bright-toothed, giving off a sense of otherworldliness. She wore a string of golden bells on her right wrist. Yun Zhi thanks you both. Her voice was like a clear spring, making one feelfortable when listening. Lu Yang noticed something odd and whispered, Brother Meng, why is she dry? Could she be a demon? In the stories, demons often transformed into beautiful women to seduce young men full of vigor like themselves. Lu Yang was drenched like a drowned chicken, battered and exhausted. Inparison, Yun Zhi was dry, not looking like she had walked in the rain at all. Meng Jingzhou didnt think much of it, Maybe she has a treasure that wards off rain. Thats not umon inrge families. Meng Jingzhou wasnt worried that Yun Zhi was a monster or demon. This was the Dao Seeking Sects territory, and no monster would dare cause trouble here and send themselves to death. Miss Yun Zhi, are you here to participate in the Dao Seeking Sects test? Indeed. Meng Jingzhou said helpfully, I have the content of the Dao Seeking Sects test here. I spent a lot of money to get it from an elder of the Dao Seeking Sect. Would you like to hear it? Lu Yang looked at Meng Jingzhou in surprise; why hadnt he mentioned this before? Yun Zhi was even more surprised than Lu Yang, This is cheating. What if the Dao Seeking Sect finds out Meng Jingzhou waved his hand confidently, This carriage is a treasure. Even those great cultivators, or old monsters in seclusion, cant use their divine senses to probe here. I see, please tell me the content of the test. Lu Yang perked up his ears to listen. Meng Jingzhou cleared his throat, The Dao Seeking Sects test is divided into three parts. The first part tests the spiritual root. This is a rigid test; theres no trickery or shortcuts. The second and third parts are where theres room to operate. The second part tests moral character. A carriage is out of control and is about to hit five people lying on the side of the road. If it hits them, they will undoubtedly die. Theres also another person lying not far away. We, as bystanders, can control the direction of the out-of-control carriage. Do we choose to ignore it and let it hit the five people, or do we change the direction and hit the other person? Without hesitation, Lu Yang said, Hit the other person. Meng Jingzhou was surprised. Ever since he learned the content of the second part, he hadnt figured out a solution. How did Lu Yang decide so quickly? Choosing to ignore it means watching five people get hit and killed. Its theoretically justifiable, but it doesnt sit well with ones conscience. Choosing to change the direction and hit the other person means that person is just unlucky and deserves to be hit and killed, and its also your own doing. Meng Jingzhou shared his doubts, and Lu Yang exined, You dont have that much time to think. By the time youe up with a result, those five people would have already been hit and killed. I guess the Dao Seeking Sects test isnt about choosing to save five people or one person, but seeing if you can make a quick decision. I heard the storyteller say that the difference of a hairs breadth can mean life or death in a fight between cultivators. The moral character tested in the second part isnt about whether youre indecisive or decisive, but about making the quickest decision. Thats the most important. Meng Jingzhou suddenly understood. The third part tests honesty. The Dao Seeking Sect has a mirror that can tell if youre telling the truth or a lie. If youre found to have told a lie, youre directly kicked out of the test. Lu Yang pondered, This part is simple. If you werent warned in advance, its easy to lie to cover up for yourself. But since we know in advance, just tell the truth. Meng Jingzhou nodded; he thought the same. The two discussed for a while,ing up with many possible emergencies and countermeasures, and after deliberation, they felt confident. Yun Zhi smiled slightly, seemingly finding their ns sound. Thank you for the information, Young Master Lu. Uh, has the rain stopped? Lu Yang noticed that the sound of raindrops hitting the ground had ceased outside and curiously peeked outside. The area they had just passed was still under heavy rain, while their location was sunny and fragrant with the scent of flowers, as if an unparalleled sword energy had split the world into two halves, yin and yang, never intersecting. Lu Yang looked up to see numerous rare beasts and immortal treasures rushing towards the towering mountain that pierced the sky. The towering mountain was coated in ayer of pale gold by the sunlight, with magnificent patterns spreading out from behind the mountain, covering the sky and blocking the rain. That was the gateway mountain of the Dao Seeking Sect, protected by a great formation, impervious to all. Out of respect for the Dao Seeking Sect, cultivation geniuses, led by their family elders,nded at the foot of the mountain, waiting for the Dao Seeking Sect to start the test. The old horse was already a rare demonic beast, butpared to the divine and extraordinary beasts resting at the foot of the mountain, it was stillcking. Mom, this is much more impressive than our Meng familys estate, Meng Jingzhou rubbed his hands, a bit nervous, but more excited about the thought of passing the test and bing a member of the Dao Seeking Sect. Lu Yang was silent. He could see the mountain from his home, but it didnt feel like much from a distance. Standing at the foot of the mountain, he realized the enormity of the structure. He was a bit nervous. He had solutions for the second and third parts, but he still didnt know his spiritual root. He might not even pass the first part of the test. Dozens of cultivators floated in the air, guarding in front of the mountain, all exuding powerful aura fluctuations. Lu Yang suspected that if they fully released their auras, few people present could stand. These cultivators were silent, imposing a psychological pressure without a word. Lu Yang heard a family elder introducing to a younger member, Judging by their Daoist robe styles, these are core disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect, all disciples of various elders. In the future, these people will be your senior brothers and sisters. Dont be nervous. Theyre not deliberately pressuring you. It seems they are waiting for the person hosting this test. Once the host arrives, the test will begin. Lu Yang turned his head, wanting to see Yun Zhis reaction. Was she excited or nervous? She couldnt still be indifferent, right? Miss Yun Zhi, you Just as Lu Yang was about to say something, he saw Yun Zhi step lightly, and before each stepnded, a white lotus would support her delicate body. The crowd was astonished, and family elders broke into a cold sweat, quickly silencing their juniors. A path of white lotuses spread out, crossing over everyone. Yun Zhi walked to the middle of the Dao Seeking Sects core disciples. The disciples bowed to her respectfully, and Yun Zhi gently raised her hand, then faced the crowd and smiled. Thank you for waiting. I am the senior sister of the Dao Seeking Sect and the host of this test. I announce that the test officially begins. After speaking, Yun Zhi nced at the stunned Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou with a smile that was not quite a smile. She indeed came to participate in the Dao Seeking Sects test, but not as a candidate; she was the examiner. (End of the chapter) Chapter 2: The Single Spirit Root Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had only one thought in their minds: they were doomed, having discussed cheating right in front of the examiner. Senior Sister Yun Zhi, acted oblivious to their cheating ns, ncing at them briefly before moving on to organize the test. Her authority among the Dao Seeking Sect disciples was evident,manding respect and obedience. These disciples, revered and idolized outside, were the proud sons of heaven. Yet, they all heeded hermands without hesitation, a testament to Senior Sister Yun Zhis esteemed status. Your Spirit Root is the first hurdle on the path to immortality. Without the right Spirit Root, no amount of resources can aid in cultivation. The first test will assess your Spirit Root. Step forward in turn. Those whock confidence in their Spirit Root may leave now. No one left. Those who came for the Dao Seeking Sects test knew their Spirit Root well. Few, like Lu Yang, were there merely because of proximity. The Dao Seeking Sect aimed to prevent those with insufficient Spirit Root, yet hoping to bluff their way through, from infiltrating their ranks. Typically, a Spirit Root Stone,rge and conspicuous, would be used for testing. Given the emptiness in front of the Dao Seeking Sect, they evidently had no intention of using it. A Dao Seeking Sect disciple named Dai Bufan sat at the forefront. His cultivation technique was unique; a single cirction of spiritual energy through ones body would reveal their Spirit Root, cultivation technique, and even the location of their life gate, making him extremely adept inbat, like a fish in water.Dai Bufan, like an experienced doctor taking ones pulse, could discern ones Spirit Root with just two fingers on the wrist. Triple Spirit Root of metal, water, and fire? Passable, move on. Double Spirit Root of water and fire, not bad. Double Spirit Root of water and wood, once had your foundation damaged. It must have been a severe injury when you were twelve. Ordinarily, it would have leftplications, but fate had other ns. You encountered a benevolent master who, with exquisite medical skills, healed you and restored your root foundation. The individual was slightly astonished, not expecting Dai Bufans uracy, When I was twelve, my mother passed away. My stepmother decided to take action, fearing my presence might threaten her sons status. She plotted against me. I fell into aa and woke up unharmed. My father told me a kind stranger had passed by and saved me but left without leaving their name. As the individual left, Dao Seeking Sect disciples came to congratte Dai Bufan for his advanced skills, You deduced the whole story just by taking the pulse, as if you witnessed it yourself! Brother Dais skills have truly progressed! Dai Bufan nonchntly responded, Oh, its nothing. That kind stranger was me. I was in a hurry and forgot to leave my name after saving him. Amidst the conversation, Dai Bufan gestured for the next person to step forward, Eighteen years old, too old, you may leave. A cute little monk, guided by an elder monk, approached Dai Bufan and respectfully greeted him. Dai Bufan cast a nce at the little monk and handed him back to the elder monk, Whats a novice monk from the Hanging Temple doing here? Your body bears the imprint left by the Hanging Temples abbot. Off you go, back to your Hanging Temple. (TL Note: The Hanging Temple is based off a real ce in China. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanging_Temple) Isnt the Hanging Temple one of the five great immortal sects? Lu Yang whispered to Meng Jingzhou. Meng Jingzhou nodded, speaking seriously, The Hanging Temple has the fewest disciples among the five great immortal sects. At times, it has only the abbot and one disciple. Even at its fullest, it never exceeds ten. This novice monk, not yet a cultivator, is already a disciple of the Hanging Temple, surely possessing profound Buddhist virtues. Watching the novice monk escorted away by his senior, Meng Jingzhou felt a sense of rivalry, I thought Id be peerless in the future cultivation world. It seems there are others worthy of being my rivals. Lu Yang couldnt fathom where Meng Jingzhous confidence came from, Arent you worried that Miss Yun Zhi might kick us out? Whats there to worry about? Havent you read the novels? The big sects are always blind, falsely using and banishing talented youths. The youths take it as a disgrace, strive hard, encounter fortuitous adventures, and soar to the skies, bing a presence the big sects look up to oh wait, look down upon. After a moment of silence, Lu Yang reminded, But Miss Yun Zhi doesnt need to falsely use us Good point. Meng Jingzhou, too, started to panic. Your internal energy circtes endlessly on its own, and your attire doesnt resemble that of a cultivation family. Could it be that you consumed the Azure Wood Immortal Fruit in your childhood? You may pass. Interesting physique, Dai Bufan remarked, his fingers on a brawny man with bronze skin, his eyes lighting up, Ancient barbarian lineage, havent seen that in a long time. The man, tall and sturdy with a shiny bald head reflecting the sunlight, looked like he could be twenty-five or twenty-six. But since Dai Bufan didnt question his age, he must be under sixteen. All Lu Yang could say was, he developed well. The crowd stirred slightly. The ancient barbarian lineage, known for its ability to uproot mountains and swallow the sun and moon, flourished to its zenith before vanishing into the annals of time. The Central Continent had not seen the ancient barbarian lineage for ages. Everyone thought this ancient bloodline had disappeared, but now, it surprisingly appeared in the Dao Seeking Sects test. Yawning, Dai Bufan had already inspected half of the candidates. Not even one Single Spirit Root? Had the other sects snatched them all away? Meng Jingzhou confidently stepped forward. Dai Bufan had little expectation, but when his index and middle fingers touched Meng Jingzhous wrist, his eyes bulged, and he sprang up, Its actually a single Hearing Dai Bufan, murmurs erupted below, a Single Spirit Root! A Single Spirit Root signified smoother progression through the stages of cultivation, destined to be a grand cultivator of the immortal path. In the court, one could hold high positions; in the wild, one could rule a territory, even establish a kingdom! Everyones gaze focused on Meng Jingzhou, their eyes eager. Befriending such an individual early on did not have any downsides and could only bring benefits! Elders hurriedly instructed their juniors, once inside the Dao Seeking Sect, to establish a good rtionship with Meng Jingzhou. Meng family, Single Spirit Root, Dao Seeking Sect disciple C these three identitiesbined foretold a future influential figure in the Dao Seeking Sect, a cultivation powerhouse destined for history. Single Spirit Root, Dai Bufan announced the full name of Meng Jingzhous Spirit Root, silencing the crowd. Meng Jingzhou was furious. What was this Single Spirit Root? Was it implying a lifetime of being single? I have limited experience, dont trap me in this! Meng Jingzhou, veins bulging, angrily pped the table, causing a loudmotion. Junior Brother Dai, dont jest with others, a voice as ethereal as an immortal came. Yun Zhi emerged from a mist, ring at Dai Bufan, who sheepishly shrank back. Meng Jingzhou calmed down a bit, reassured that Dai Bufan was just fooling around. However, Yun Zhi addressed Meng Jingzhou, But Junior Brother Dai wasnt deceiving you. You indeed possess the Single Spirit Root, thats the academic name. However, in the cultivation world, its moremonly known by its colloquial name, Pure Yang Spirit Root. Meng Jingzhou was speechless. He finally understood why the n elders and his parents never told him his Spirit Root. What Youll find out in the five great immortal sects C they were simply too embarrassed to tell him! No wonder after his Spirit Root test, his parents asked whether he wanted a younger brother or sister. Mutated Single Spirit Root, Pure Yang Spirit Root, the epitome of firmness and positivity, the bane of ghosts and demons. Maintain the Pure Yang state, and cultivation will advance by leaps and bounds. Break the Pure Yang state, and cultivation will plummet. (TL Note: Pure Yang refers to his virginity. He wont be able to have kids which is why his parents asked if he wanted a younger brother or sister) (End of the chapter) Chapter 3: An Honest Man at First Glance Why does the colloquial name sound more academic than the academic name? Lu Yang muttered under his breath from behind. Because the first cultivator with the Pure Yang Spirit Root called his own spirit root the Single Spirit Root, Yun Zhi, with her unfathomable cultivation, overheard Lu Yangs quietint as if he were speaking right into her ear. Yun Zhi paused, then added, In the cultivation world, its customary to respect the old predecessors who are single. It seemed that adding this would strengthen her argument. Meng Jingzhou, with his Single Spirit Root, naturally passed the first test. Following him was Lu Yangs turn. Hmm?! Another Single Spirit Root?! Dai Bufans pupils constricted slightly. He had just beenining about not encountering a Single Spirit Root despite being busy all day, and now he hade across two in a row. Me, a Single Spirit Root? Lu Yang pointed to himself, his heart pounding rapidly, feeling like he was hearing things, his lips curling up involuntarily. Correct, you have a mutated Single Spirit Root, the Sword Spirit Root, Dai Bufan nodded his head to confirm. He had never made a mistake in detecting spirit roots. The Sword Spirit Root, inherently a sword type, was sharp and unparalleled, most powerful in attack!Senior Sister Yun Zhi looked at Lu Yang with a slight surprise. She had agreed to ride in the carriage on a whim, never expecting both passengers to be top-tier cultivation geniuses. The crowds eyes grew even more eager, calcting suitable young women for Lu Yang, almost wishing to whisk him away to join their own powerful backers. Unlike Meng Jingzhou, who had the Meng familys backing, Lu Yang was clearly of mortal origin, with no support behind him. Excellent talent and no backing C he was the ideal candidate for marriage. And most importantly, he could marry and have children! Lu Yang felt the strange looks from the crowd and hurriedly moved to the second test. Dai Bufans testing area was followed by a bamboo forest, where the second test would take ce. What about you, whats your Spirit Root? Meng Jingzhou, having quickly recovered from the shadow of the Single Spirit Root, eagerly asked Lu Yang. Being a Single Spirit Root, a unique talent, was no matter; the road to immortality was littered with dry bones. Women were but skeletons in rosy makeup, and he didnt need any celestial beauties by his side! As for Lu Yang, although he passed the first test, Meng Jingzhou believed there would only be one talent like him in their generation. Lu Yang was probably just at the level of a Double Spirit Root. He, as a Single Spirit Root genius, should take care of ordinary talents. Sword Spirit Root. Your grandmas (TL Note: Its an insult, basically saying screw your grandmother) Hmm? Lu Yang was confused. After half a day, those queued up behind gradually entered the second test, with Dai Bufan eliminating those whose spirit roots didnt meet the standard. The crowd behind discussed a few more people with unique physiques, but before Lu Yang could inquire further, Senior Sister Yun Zhi appeared before everyone and lightly said, The second test begins now, then vanished, leaving everyone baffled. A thick fog began to rise, engulfing the bamboo forest like a giant, rendering everyone powerless and their consciousness sinking. This was the Illusionary Bamboo Forest, part of the protective formation of the sect, far beyond the resistance of these participants. Yun Zhi effortlessly drew a circle, dispelling the fog and clearing a space. The Dao Seeking Sect disciples stood behind her. Dai Bufan chuckled, Trapped in the Illusionary Bamboo Forest, theyll forget their identities, the test, everything, and show their truest reactions. Just how many will pass the second test? I hope more will pass. There are several good seeds in this batch. It would be a pity to lose them in the second test. Yun Zhi hadnt kicked Meng Jingzhou and Lu Yang out of the test because the questions Meng Jingzhou got werent from this year but from twenty years ago. I wonder which elder sold them. Dai Junior Brother, who do you think will pass the second test? Of course, that ancient barbarian. The ancient barbarian lineage is known for its simple-mindedness and unquestionable nature. I think the Single Spirit Root and Sword Spirit Root are not bad either. At first nce, they seem like honest people. Yun Zhi, recalling how Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had discussed cheating in the carriage, felt they were anything but honest. Where am I? The ancient barbarian, named Barbarian Bone, looked around in confusion, forgetting what had just happened. He held a worn-out axe, standing by a river that shimmered beautifully in the sunlight. Barbarian Bones hand slipped, and the axe fell into the river. Just as he was about to retrieve it, the river began bubbling, and a celestial figure appeared before him, holding three different axes. Young man, I am the River Spirit. Was the axe you dropped this old and worn one, this spirit weapon Mountain Splitting Axe, or this celestial weapon Sky Opening Axe? The Mountain Splitting Axe and the Sky Opening Axe, famous in the Central Continent, could propel even a talentless mortal to great heights. It was the old and worn axe, Barbarian Bone blurted out without hesitation. The River Spirit smiled, Such an honest young man. These three axes are now yours. Barbarian Bone passed the second test. See, I told you Barbarian Bone would pass the second test. Lets see how the Single Spirit Root and Sword Spirit Root choose. The second test was about honesty, with the standard being to receive all three axes. The River Spirit wasnt an illusion but a natural spirit born from the river surrounding the bamboo forest. He had countless forms, entering the illusion to test everyone. The River Spirit liked honest people. The only way to pass the second test was to answer his question honestly and receive the three axes. Huh? Why did the axe fall into the river? Lu Yang was puzzled, feeling as if some inexplicable force had made him drop the axe. The River Spirit appeared again, gently asking Lu Yang, Young man, I am the River Spirit. Was the axe you dropped this old and worn one, this spirit weapon Mountain Splitting Axe, or this celestial weapon Sky Opening Axe? Lu Yang squatted down, scanned the three different axes, looked up at the River Spirit as if he were looking at an idiot, his eyes filled with pity, Two of these axes are yours, and you dont know which ones? And youre asking me? The River Spirits smile stiffened, unsure of what to say, but went along with Lu Yangs words, I really dont know which two are mine. Lu Yang eyed the River Spirit warily, If I choose one, you better not suddenly remember which two are yours. Absolutely not, the River Spirit vowed. Let me see all three axes. The River Spirit handed all three axes to Lu Yang. Lu Yang promptly threw all the axes back into the river, Can you ask me that question again? The River Spirit reflexively asked, Was the axe you dropped the old and worn one, the Mountain Splitting Axe, or the Sky Opening Axe? Lu Yangs face broke into a smile, They were all mine. The River Spirit: The River Spirit gritted his teeth, Such an honest young man. All three axes are yours. (End of the chapter) Chapter 4: Just Bring It Here My axe! Meng Jingzhou shouted in the illusion, eager to dive in and retrieve his axe. The River Spirit, holding three axes, appeared above the water. Young child, you Ssh! Before the River Spirit could finish, Meng Jingzhou plunged headfirst into the river, bubblesrger than himself rising to the surface. Whats happening? The River Spirit was baffled, encountering such a situation for the first time. The bubbling gradually subsided until the river surface was eerily calm, only the ripples caused by the River Spirits aura remained. Is there no movement? He didnt drown, did he? mumbled the River Spirit, not overly concerned about Meng Jingzhou actually drowning, as this was an illusion where drowning was impossible. Before the River Spirit could figure out Meng Jingzhous intentions, another change urred!The ripples on the rivers surface became more frequent. The River Spirit frowned slightly, his power well-controlled, unlikely to be causing this disturbance. He realized, Its that kid who jumped into the river! Golden auras intermingled in the stream, the mist on the waters surface hinting at an immense and terrifying power brewing beneath. An unknown, immense terror caused palpitations! Three fountains erupted on the river, growing higher and higher, their pale golden mist enveloping the entire surface, obscuring the River Spirits view of what was happening. A breeze dispersed the golden mist. Three figures appeared, all resembling Meng Jingzhou, but their auras were worlds apartpared to before. The River Spirit trembled, a primal reaction from deep within his soul! Ordinary Meng Jingzhou, a powerful cultivator Meng Jingzhou, and a celestial Meng Jingzhou! This was the fundamental rule of the illusion: anything that falls into the river undergoes mundane, spiritual, and celestial transformations. Just bring it here, the three Meng Jingzhous said in unison, each iming their respective axe. With the celestial Meng Jingzhou present, the River Spirit had no power to resist, letting him take control. The celestial Meng Jingzhou imed the Sky Opening Axe, the powerful cultivator Meng Jingzhou took the Mountain Splitting Axe, and the ordinary Meng Jingzhou, seizing the moment, took the worn-out axe. With all three axes in hand, the illusion shattered, and Meng Jingzhou passed the test. Those who passed the second test fell into a temporary unconsciousness, a natural protective mechanism of the body. The Dao Seeking Sect members observed Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, who had passed the second test, in silence. What happened to the honest men they were supposed to be? Yun Zhi remained silent, feeling a premonition that admitting these two into the Dao Seeking Sect would mean endless troubles for the sect. She hoped her intuition was wrong. The real River Spirit appeared, holding two gold and silver axes, furiously charging towards Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. As a guardian spirit of the Dao Seeking Sect, he had never faced such humiliation. Nobody stop me! I must teach these two brats a lesson today. Ill break their arms and legs, then reattach them! Dao Seeking Sect disciples hurried to restrain the enraged River Spirit. River Spirit, please dont chop! River Spirit, calm your anger. If something happens to the candidates, our sects reputation will be tarnished! Eventually, Dai Bufan stepped in to calm the raging River Spirit. Rest assured, River Spirit. The third test is my personal design. It will certainly teach them a lesson. Convinced by Dai Bufans solemn promise, the River Spirit finally relented. The third test, being the final challenge, had two proposals: a milder one from Yun Zhi and a harsher one from Dai Bufan, both designed to test the Dao heart. After voting, the group decided on Yun Zhis n. Yun Zhis n was too gentle, offering no punishment even for failure. To appease the River Spirits anger, they had to opt for Dai Bufans n. Yun Zhi had no objections. Letting these two youngsters suffer a bit seemed fair. The second test weeded out many, as the temptation of the three axes led many to follow their desires, lying to the River Spirit about dropping the Sky Opening Axe and Mountain Splitting Axe. Those who failed and left the illusionined about the Dao Seeking Sects second test being too difficult. However, not everyoneined; those who passed the second test didnt grumble. The second test was quite simple, Barbarian Bone remarked, Just tell the truth. Those waiting for the third test nodded in agreement, echoing Barbarian Bones sentiment. What? It wasnt about jumping into the river and snatching the axes from the River Spirit? Meng Jingzhou eximed, puzzled why others methods differed from his. Lu Yang gave Meng Jingzhou a disdainful look, thinking him foolish , If the River Spirit were real and not an illusion, wouldnt you have provoked him? You shouldve done like me, asked for the River Spirits axes, thrown them into the river, and then all three would count as ours. Meng Jingzhou had an epiphany, Youre smarter. The others silently observed Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, summarizing their experiences, beginning to doubt if their method of passing was incorrect. Barbarian Bone nodded slightly, remembering his fathers words that the ancient barbarian lineage nearly perished due to their arrogance and ignorance. As a descendant, he must ovee this w and humbly learn from others. Barbarian Bone felt he had found his role models. As everyone discussed the correct way to pass, Yun Zhi and Dai Bufan, along with other Dao Seeking Sect disciples, appeared. Dai Bufans lips curled into a mischievous smile. With a flip of his palm, a small mountain appeared, growing rapidly in the wind. In just a few breaths, it reached a hundred feet tall. The crowd gasped in awe at this rarely seen feat among cultivators. The mountain, lush with trees, was indistinguishable from a real one,plete with a long staircase leading to the summit. This is the Heart-Seeking Mountain, a wonder crafted by an elder at my request. On this mountain, immortals and mortals are equal. Your task is to climb the Heart-Seeking Mountain. The higher you climb, the firmer your will is shown to be. Climb to the fiftieth step to pass. Someone questioned, But doesnt that give Barbarian Bone an advantage? At fifteen, Barbarian Bones physique was like that of a twenty-five or twenty-six-year-old, towering over others. Climbing the mountain would indeed be easier for him. Dai Bufan assured with a smile, Dont worry about that. Heart-Seeking Mountain will level everyones physical abilities. Whether a mortal or a cultivator, everyone will be ordinary here. Is there a time limit? another questioned. No. The crowd rejoiced, no time limit meant endless attempts. How could they not pass the third test? Was it just a formality? Can we use magic treasures? They had special treasures from their families, usable without spiritual energy, a significant advantage. Dai Bufan grinned somewhat maliciously, Yes. If their magic treasures still work, that is. (End of the chapter) Chapter 5: I Think the Third Test is About Wisdom Everyone approached the Heart-Seeking Mountain, feeling no different except for Barbarian Bone, who distinctly felt his strength diminishing, his physical standards aligning with the others. His boiling ancient barbarian blood calmed, no longer providing him with endless power. Everyone looked at each other and then at Barbarian Bone, the strongest among them. Ill go first, Barbarian Bone said, seeing everyones gaze on him, and stepped forward as the first to climb. One step, two steps, three steps ten steps. The first ten steps were easy for Barbarian Bone, but from the eleventh step, the pressure started to build, feeling like he was carrying a stone b on his back that grew heavier with each step. However, it was still bearable. He continued to climb. After reaching the twentieth step, Barbarian Bones pace became increasingly difficult, his steps slowing down.By the twenty-ninth step, sweat soaked through his clothes, forcing him to stop and rest, gasping for breath. Even sitting down feels heavy, Barbarian Bone muttered to himself, too tired to speak further. Now, instead of standing with the b, he was sitting with it, and his recovery was slow. Seeing Barbarian Bone struggle so much, everyone realized the difficulty of the mountain and became apprehensive. Someone solemnly said, I heard from an elder about ces like this. Heart-Seeking Mountain tests ones desire for the Dao. The purer the heart and the firmer the will, the purer the desire for the Dao. Barbarian Bone, from the ancient barbarian lineage known for their straightforwardness, is struggling so much. It will likely be even harder for us! Would a meditation mantra help calm the mind? another person suggested. The test just needed them to reach the fiftieth step. It didnt require them to be among the first few to pass, they were not inpetition. Everyone agreed, finding it a good idea. Most had been taught simr mantras by their elders for cultivation and self-discipline. Lu Yang opened his mouth, but he didnt know any meditation mantras. Do you want me to teach you a mantra? Meng Jingzhou offered. Lu Yang shook his head, No need yet. Ill think of another way. Meng Jingzhou respected his decision and didnt insist. Meng Jingzhou awoke from meditation, feeling an unprecedented calmness in his heart. The meditation mantra worked! He had meditated longer than others. When he awoke, others were already at the twenty to thirty steps, sweating profusely and struggling to move forward. Sweat dripped down faces, leaving them without the strength to even wipe it away. Someone tried a different approach, thinking the pressure only applied to the steps, and attempted to bypass the stairs through the adjacent terrain. However, they discovered the entire mountain was the same, the higher they went, the greater the pressure. Others attempted to use magic treasures, only to find them powerless, unable to even activate, rendering them useless. No wonder Dai Bufan wasnt concerned about them using magic treasures. Lu Yang, trailing behind everyone, was the most conspicuous. Barefoot and squatting on the tenth step, he appeared deep in thought, as if observing something. What are you doing? Everyone else has climbed much higher, Meng Jingzhou asked curiously. Lu Yang remained silent, holding a shoe in his hand. He threw the shoe onto the eleventh step, Pick it up and try. Meng Jingzhou, not understanding Lu Yangs intent,plied and noticed the shoe was heavier than usual, as if something was pulling it down. Meng Jingzhou seemed to understand something and threw the shoe to the twelfth step, finding it heavier than on the eleventh. Did you discover a pattern? Meng Jingzhou frowned, Objects dont feel pressure until they touch the ground. Its only when they make contact that they experience additional weight? Exactly, Lu Yang punched his palm, pleased to find someone who thought like him. Meng Jingzhou quickly grasped Lu Yangs idea, The steps are nted, and there are so many trees here. We can build a 7-shapeddder, one end buried in the ground and the other leading directly to the fiftieth step. Lu Yang confidently said, Right, this third test is about testing our wisdom. Thats the correct answer! Meng Jingzhou understood Lu Yangs n and soon posed another question, How do we cut the trees? They had no axes or saws to make adder. Do you have any sharp magic treasures? Lu Yang had anticipated this problem. He had considered coborating with others, but no one else grasped his idea. Meng Jingzhou produced a dagger, This was given by an elder for self-defense. It can be activated by thought and is as fast as a Golden Core cultivator, but it can t fly here on Heart-Seeking Mountain. No problem, as long as its sharp, Lu Yang said, knowing that even if Meng familys treasures couldnt be activated, their sharpness surpassed any mundane axe or saw. Perfect for cutting trees. Come see, Ive already designed the blueprint while you were meditating. Lu Yang led Meng Jingzhou to a patch of soft sand, where he had drawn the blueprint for the 7-shapeddder. After a brief discussion, they started their task. The Meng family dagger was indeed sharp, cutting through thick trees like paper. They quickly shaped the wood into unique boards. The trees growing within Heart-Seeking Mountain, where cultivators and mortals were equal, were ordinary. Soon, Meng Jingzhou noticed another issue. How do we join these two boards? We dont have nails, and even if we did, they wouldnt hold these thick boards together. Have you heard of mortise and tenon joints? No. Lu Yang sighed, took the dagger, and began shaping the joints while exining this earthly wisdom to Meng Jingzhou. This protruding part is the mortise, and this recessed part is the tenon. Together, they form a mortise and tenon joint. Its main feature is strength without needing nails. Meng Jingzhou listened intently, as the Meng family used spiritual energy for forging, unfamiliar with such structures. On the steps, people were exhausted, drenched in sweat, struggling to reach the fiftieth step, hoping to be the first to pass and possibly earn special attention and cultivation from the Dao Seeking Sect. They now understood why there was no time limit: staying too long would leave them too weak to even stand, let alone climb. Meanwhile, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, also drenched in sweat and panting, spent a great deal of effort felling numerous trees. After several trials and errors, they finallypleted thedder. Thedder, with its bizarre shape C thinner at the top and thicker at the bottom, with a curved end C resembled a giant 7 more than adder. The surrounding bare ground, as if gnawed by a giant demon pig, drew secretive nces from Dao Seeking Sect disciples who remembered Dai Bufans pride in his lush Heart-Seeking Mountain. Dai Bufans eye twitched involuntarily, his fist clenched. A schematic of Lu Yang climbing the mountain is attached. (End of the chapter) Chapter 6: Senior Brother Dai, You Must Stay Calm Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou knelt on the ground, using the dagger to dig holes to bury the base of thedder, then tamped down the soil to firm it up. Lu Yang kicked thedder to test its stability. It didnt budge, instead sending a numbing vibration up his right foot. Not bad, very sturdy. Ill try it first, then you can follow if I seed. Okay, Meng Jingzhou nodded. Lu Yang rubbed his hands together and briskly climbed thedder. When he reached the corner of thedder, parallel to the fiftieth step, he muttered damn under his breath. Forcing himself to look straight ahead and not down, he inched forward like a caterpir. Those on the steps watched Lu Yang approach the fiftieth step, stunned. What they saw was astonishing: a giantdder standing on the ground, with a ny-degree bend, leading straight to the fiftieth step. They had noticed Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou building thedder but hadnt paid much attention.After all, they were struggling to reach the fortieth step themselves and couldnt afford to be distracted by what seemed like a nonsensical endeavor. Barbarian Bone, the fastest climber among them, had reached the forty-ninth step but found the fiftieth step insurmountable. It felt like carrying a mountain, almost crushing him. Then, to his dismay, he watched Lu Yang pass by and reach the fiftieth step. Lu Yang sessfully passed the test, followed by Meng Jingzhou. The first and second to pass were determined. Meanwhile, outside Heart-Seeking Mountain, the Dao Seeking Sect disciples were in a frenzy. You cant stop me! Im going to teach these two a lesson today, I promise not to kill them! Dai Bufan was enraged, his muscles bulging like a bear robbed of its honey. His junior brothers and sisters rushed to calm him down: Senior Brother Dai, you cant do this! Senior Brother Dai, you need to stay calm. If something happens to the participants, our sects reputation will be tarnished! Using force against the weak doesnt look good, Senior Brother Dai! Senior Brother Dai, remember, the third test is about the aspiration for Dao. You mustnt get angry! Hearing thest remark, Dai Bufan calmed down. Right, the third test was about aspiring for the Dao. Getting angry so easily wasnt conducive to future cultivation. Wait, the test is for them, not for me! The Dao Seeking Sect disciples once again descended into chaos. Seeing this, the River Spirit felt somewhat appeased and retreated back into the river, no longer seeking trouble with the two. Perhaps inspired by Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous sessful coboration, other participants shouted and cheered as they finally conquered the fiftieth step. Barbarian Bone was the first, followed by others whom Lu Yang didnt know. They were all those who had been behind Lu Yang, and he was unaware of their special talents. Thest few to pass were familiar Double Spirit Root cultivators. The remaining participants, unable to advance any further, attempted to descend and use thedder created by Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, only to find even descending exerted tremendous pressure. Their bodies couldnt move up or down even one step. The third test is over. Those still on the mountain are disqualified, Yun Zhi announced coldly, instructing Dai Bufan to bring the people down. Heart-Seeking Mountains force, which reduced everyone to ordinary human capacity, couldnt be removed, not even by Dai Bufan. To retrieve the people, he had to climb the mountain, enduring its pressure with each step. Dai Bufan red at Lu Yang before beginning his ascent. He climbed effortlessly to the fiftieth step. Those who had just passed the third test, seeing Dai Bufans easepared to their own life-and-death struggle, felt a huge gap. Its not hard to understand. Youre only fourteen or fifteen years old. Even with family support and early exposure to cultivation, its like chasing the moons reflection in water. You cant trulyprehend what the Dao or immortality is. Cultivation is also about cultivating the heart. When your practice matures, climbing Heart-Seeking Mountain will no longer be difficult. Concluding her exnation, Yun Zhi added as an afterthought, Congrattions on bing disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect. Yun Zhi waved her hand, and the bells on her wrist chimed, summoning mist that formed clouds to lift everyone up. Lu Yang, standing on a cloud, watched the ground recede, swallowing nervously, his heart in his throat. Mother, cultivation is thrilling. Yun Zhi, standing on the cloud, addressed her junior brothers and sisters below, Thank you for your hard work today. Once youre done, you can continue with your duties. Her juniors replied in unison, Yes, and then started dismantling and transporting thedder Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had built. Adder on Heart-Seeking Mountain, what an oddity. Lu Yang, unable to open his eyes on the cloud, heard others excitedly admiring the view. Ovee by curiosity, he opened his eyes and was stunned by the sight. A majestic mountain stood in the center of surrounding peaks, reaching into the clouds, steep on all sides like a finely honed celestial sword. Eight mysterious mountains surrounded the central peak, with additionalyers of mountains enclosing these core nine peaks. Theyers of mountains resembled a blooming lotus, captivating and awe-inspiring. A hazy mist enshrouded the nine peaks, adding to their mystique. Yun Zhi exined, The core of the Dao Seeking Sect consists of nine peaks. The central peak, Heavens Gate Peak, is where our sect master resides. The other eight peaks belong to the eight elders, each with their own specialties. ordingly, the functions of these peaks vary. Besides these, other peaks are used for sect trials, extensions of the elders mountains, cultivation grounds for disciples, and dangerous areas where insufficient cultivation means certain death Its too much to exin in a few words. You can explore them gradually. Cultivation values fate. You are free to roam the Dao Seeking Sect, visit peaks, the scripture library, or seek guidance from elder brothers and elders for the next month. After one month, you must choose an elder as your master, provided the elder agrees to ept you as a disciple. Barbarian Bone asked without hesitation, Can we choose only elders, or can we choose the sect master too? You can, but the sect master rarely takes disciples. Your chances are slim. Despite Yun Zhis words, many were still eager to be disciples under the sect master. As one of the five great immortal sects of the Central Continent, the sect masters status and power were unquestionable, a rare match in the cultivation world. Bing a disciple under such a figure had countless visible and hidden benefits. Youll be guided to your respective caves shortly. Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhou, stay behind. (End of the chapter) Chapter 7: The Humble Elders After everyone left, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou anxiously stared at their toes, fearing Yun Zhi would reproach them for their intent to cheat. It was only after a long pause that Yun Zhi finally spoke. I didnt expect both of you to pass the tests and be disciples of our Dao Seeking Sect. Both of you ranked high in all three tests, especially the third, where one of you was first and the other second. Overall, you have the best results. However, this doesnt mean you were the best performers in this batch. Behind you are others like Barbarian Bone from the ancient barbarian lineage, Peach Blossom Leaf with the Feathery Immortal Body, and Li Haoran with the Fire Spirit Root, who are no less talented than you. Meng Jingzhou, brimming with confidence, nudged Lu Yang, The Feathery Immortal Body is rarer than the Pure Yang Spirit Root, yet the senior sister said behind us, showing her high regard for us. Lu Yang helplessly exined, I think she meant they were physically behind us in line for the first test. Although you performed well, dont be arrogant orcent. In your future cultivation, you must be diligent and humble. Taking Yun Zhis increasingly serious tone to heart, both quickly assured her they would be earnest and diligent in their future practice. Seeing their sincere tone, Yun Zhis expression softened slightly. Since you gave me a ride, Ill grant you an opportunity. you possess the Pure Yang Spirit Root, abundant in qi and blood, a natural nemesis to ghosts and spirits. The third elder among the eight elders is well-versed in this path; you may take him as your master. Meng Jingzhou joyfully thanked her: Thank you, Senior Sister.Lu Yang, you have the Sword Spirit Root, a natural seed of the Sword Path. The best in our sect at the Sword Path is the master, that is, the Sect Leader. You should take him as your master. But Sister, you just said the sect master doesnt usually teach disciples Lu Yang said softly. He noticed that what the senior sister said to Meng Jingzhou was you may take him as your master, but to him, it was you should take him as your master, implying different meanings. Dont worry, I can decide on behalf of the master, said Yun Zhi casually, as if the sect master had no choice but to agree. Im merely suggesting. Like other disciples, you have a month to adapt. After that, you can decide whom to take as your master. Yun Zhi then flew towards Heavens Gate Peak, where the sect master resided. Heavens Gate Peak, Council Hall. A clear water mirror hung in the air, disying the entire process of the three trials under the influence of magic, visible from any direction. The eight shadows of the elders either nodded or shook their heads, praised or scolded, expressing different opinions on the disciples who passed the trials. At the most intense moments, they almost came to blows. There had been precedents before. Among the eight shadows, several were of a temperamental nature, resorting to physical fights when words failed them. What was meant to be a process of evaluating juniors and selecting disciples ended up as a disy of powerful magic battles, much to the amusement of the entire Dao Seeking Sect. For this reason, the true bodies of the eight elders were not present, preventing any actual fights. Barbarian Bone is good, a pure descendant of the ancient barbarian tribe, unbeatable at his level with sheer strength and a simple mind, ideal for my inheritance Its a pity hes too simple-minded. The ancient barbarians perished for this reason. He needs focused training. What do you mean suitable for your inheritance? My lineage in weapon forging hascked a suitable sessor for a long time. Barbarian Bone is dedicated, which makes him ideal for my teachings! The two elders almost came to blows as they argued, but instead continued ring at each other with rolled-up sleeves. The other elders ignored these two and continued: The Feathery Immortal Body, immune to allws, pure and unparalleled, a rare sight indeed. Its been ages since west saw one, back when we first joined the Dao Seeking Sect. Its unfortunate that thest person with this body was too impatient in cultivation and perished before making a name for themselves in the Central Continent. Sixth Elder, youre the most familiar with such physiques. Perhaps this girl is fated to be your disciple. Fire Spirit Root Li Haoran is a promising candidate for alchemy and weapon forging, but hes too impetuous and restless. In the third challenge, he was eager to surpass Man Gu, exhausting his energy too soon. Eventually, he was overtaken by others, bing thest to pass. As for the young one from the Meng family and Lu Yang, with their Pure Yang and Sword Spirit Roots, they are exceptional talents. Their unique way of passing the tests is admirable. Such talents Elder Brother, why dont you take them under your wing? Youre right. You only have Dai Bufan as a disciple, and hes already independent. Taking two more geniuses would add another great story to your legacy. Get lost! Youre just shirking responsibility. With their methods, taking them in means no peace for the rest of my life. I just want a quiet retirement as an elder. Dont bring me trouble! Second Elder, will you take them? Do you believe Ill take you first? The eight elders were extremely humble, showing no eagerness to take in these two Single Spirit Root talents. Damn it, whoever takes them wont have a peaceful life. Look, Yun Zhi is suggesting one to be the sect masters disciple and the other to be the Third Elders. What do you think? The focus shifted to the Third Elder, who sighed in resignation. Yun Zhis suggestion was fitting, as he was best suited to train Pure Yang Spirit Roots. Among the eight shadows, Third Elder stood out the most. Although not tall, he was muscr and robust, his vitality as bright as a torch in the dark. He was clearly a physical cultivator. It was said that when he was young, his vitality was so overwhelming that he often went to the spirit fields, pushing aside the ox demons to plow thend himself. Hasnt it been nine years since the sect masterst secluded himself? It seems so. Everyone realized they still had a sect master, whose presence or absence seemed to make little difference. So, how will the Sword Spirit Root be a disciple? As they discussed, a graceful figure approached on a cloud. The mist dissipated, revealing Senior Sister Yun Zhi. Yun Zhi pays her respects to all the elders. The elders quickly stood up to greet her. Now that the Sect Leader was in seclusion, Yun Zhi acted in his stead, managing the entire sect, her status above the eight elders. Yun Zhi knows that each elder has their preferred disciple, but choosing a master is a significant matter. It cannot be forced, so please do not interfere excessively when they choose their masters. The elders agreed, chuckling. Of course, of course. But about the Sword Spirit Root bing the sect masters disciple, is that his wish or yours? Yun Zhis brow furrowed at the mention of the sect master, replying coldly, Does it make a difference? The elders fell silent. Indeed, there was no difference. What a joke, a decision made by you, would the sect master dare to disagree? (End of the chapter) Chapter 8: The Forbidden Book - "The Dragon-Phoenix Transformation" After Yun Zhi left, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, like the other disciples, went to see their own caves. Before that, Lu Yang followed Meng Jingzhou to bring the old horse into the Dao Seeking Sect. Outside the sect, Lu Yang saw many new fellow disciples joyfully informing their families of their eptance into the Dao Seeking Sect. Whether from small families orrge cultivation ns, having someone epted into the Dao Seeking Sect was a matter of great pride and often recorded in the family history. Why hasnt anyone from your familye? Lu Yang asked Meng Jingzhou, knowing from his brief mentions that the Meng family was a long-established cultivation family. Meng Jingzhou replied with some pride, I ran away from home! Lu Yang: What are you so proud about? After bringing the old horse back to his cave, Lu Yang returned to his own. He took out a jade token, given by an unfamiliar senior brother, which was the identity badge of the Dao Seeking Sect disciples. It could prove their identity outside and open their caves among other things. The token, made from spirit stone marrow and engraved with the words Lu Yang, had many functions that Lu Yang could make use of once he officially became a cultivator. cing the token against a stone wall at the entrance of his cave dwelling, the token emitted a faint blue light. It resonated with a slot in the wall, which flickered twice before the stone wall slid open, revealing a luxurious cave dwelling beyond Lu Yangs imagination.As soon as he entered, Lu Yang felt a warm energy nourishing his body. Is this the spiritual energy they talked about? he wondered, surprised that even he, as a mortal, could feel the rich concentration of spiritual energy in the cave. The cave was simply furnished with a table, a meditation cushion, a straw mat, and vast empty space. It was unclear whether this was a reminder for disciples to maintain simplicity or to allow them to decorate as they wished. A piece of paper on the table had instructions on both sides. The front suggested that disciples unfamiliar with cultivation could first learn basic knowledge at Yanchuan Peak or self-study in the Scripture Pavilion. The back was a simple map of the Dao Seeking Sect, showing the main peaks and leaving much space nk. The Dao Seeking Sect, covering a hundred thousand miles, was farrger than Lu Yang had imagined. Lu Yang, unsure what to do for theing month, now had a direction. Exhausted from the days events, Lu Yang yawned and decided to sleep. The rain, the three trials, the attention from Senior Sister Yun Zhi and Second Senior Brother Dai Bufan, and finally bing a disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect had drained him. Dao Seeking Sect doesnt even provide a pillow he muttered before quickly falling asleep, not caring if it wasfortable or not. The next morning, Lu Yang woke up early and headed to the Scripture Pavilion to understand more about the Central Continent. New here? asked a senior brother at the entrance. Yes. The rules of the Scripture Pavilion are simple: First, with your current ess, you can only read books on the first floor. Second, you can only borrow one book at a time. Third, take care of the books. If you damage one, you mustpensate at the original price. I understand, Lu Yang nodded, and the senior brother let him in. The Scripture Pavilion was filled with Dao Seeking Sect disciples engrossed in reading, oblivious to their surroundings. The vast hall was filled with the rustling of pages. The pavilion housed an extensive collection, from basic routines of civilian artists to secret manuals of cultivators and insights into Qi training and foundation building. Lu Yang, overwhelmed by the choices, randomly picked a book wedged in a gap on the shelf, covered in thick dust as if long untouched. Whats this book? He wiped off the dust and read the title: The Dragon-Phoenix Transformation. What a domineering name! Lu Yang eximed softly, feeling an imposing aura from the title alone. He had a brief vision of dragons and phoenixes. Could that have been an illusion? He excitedly opened the first page, wondering if this could be a big opportunity. identally, he cut his finger on the sharp pages, and drops of blood fell on the book. Suddenly, the ancient book emitted a golden light, as if something within was about to break free. Lu Yangs heart pounded uncontrobly as the unexpected event unfolded, beyond his control, unsure whether it was a blessing or a curse. He felt as if a powerful being was watching him, immobilizing him with its gaze. The presence grew clearer, signifying its proximity. Not speaking a word, Lu Yang started to sweat. You Finally, the presence spoke. Here! Lu Yang responded sharply. Youve dirtied the book. The presence frowned, and Lu Yang turned to see it was the senior brother from the entrance. Noticing the blood on the book, the brother looked displeased, having just warned Lu Yang not to damage the books, this little brat actually stained the book with blood. A formation in the Scripture Pavilion alerted the guardians whenever a book was dirtied. What is this book? Ive never seen it before, the senior brother wondered, flipping through the pages, then his face changed dramatically, This this is the legendary forbidden book! Lu Yangs heart leapt, thinking he had stumbled upon an ancient forbidden text containing untold secrets. Brother, whats the issue with this book? Lu Yang asked curiously. The senior brother hesitated, then revealed, This book details the mating process of dragons and phoenixes in explicit detail. Due toints from both dragon and phoenix ns, it wasbeled forbidden. I thought all copies were destroyed, but it seems one was hidden here. In other words, it was an erotic book. Lu Yang was speechless. So much for the grandeur of dragons and phoenixes! He suddenly remembered the rule C if you dirty a book, you pay for it. (End of the chapter) Chapter 9: Central Continent Do I need to pay? Lu Yang asked nervously, knowing the most valuable thing he owned was probably his intellect. Pay? The senior brother nced at the book in his hand and then at Lu Yang, his eye twitching sharply. Technically,pensation in spirit stones was required, but this books exposure could draw the wrath of the dragon and phoenix ns from the Monster Realm, possibly leading to a direct conflict in the Central Continent and the Dao Seeking Sect. While the sect wasnt afraid of the two ns and knew that dragons liver and phoenix marrow can nourish ones body, harboring such a book could tarnish its reputation as a righteous sect. Considering this, the senior brother discreetly hid the book in his sleeve, appearing nonchnt. Pay for what? You dirtied a book? I didnt see anything. He decided it was better to dispose of the book outside the pavilion, as destroying it inside would trigger the protective formations. Lu Yang quickly grasped the situation C the senior brother wanted to keep the book for himself. So, as far as they were concerned, nothing had happened. They exchanged a nce as if they both shared a mutual understanding. The forbidden book was a mere episode, and Lu Yang didnt forget his original purpose in the Scripture Pavilion. He finally found the book he was looking for C Treatise on the Land of the Central Continent. Excited, he began to read attentively.The world is home to humans, monsters, ghosts, and more. The Central Continent is a hub for humans, dominated by the Great Xia Dynasty, the only nation there, embodying the human races orthodoxy. Honestly speaking, although my house is near the Dao Seeking Sect, it is considered part of the Great Xia Dynasty. To the east of the continent lies a vast ocean dotted with inds, asionally visited by ancient beasts like Kun Peng. To the west is the Golden Buddha Country, and of infinite purends and numerous temples. To the south lies the Monster Realm, ruled by the dragon and phoenix ns, where cruel and bloodthirsty monsters constantly sh with the Great Xia Dynasty. To the north is the frigid Nortnd, where sparse life endures in the harsh environment, and only the strongest survive. The Central Continent, with its multitude of humans and cultivators, is where many choose to serve in the court or establish sects and schools, including the Dao Seeking Sect and the other four major Immortal Sects, the leaders of righteousness. The book also mentions that each of the five major Immortal Sects likely has a Tribtion Crossing stage powerhouse or possesses equivalent power Could it be that the Sect Leader is such a powerhouse, or is there a hidden elder in my Dao Seeking Sect? Considering he might be apprenticed to such a powerhouse, Lu Yang felt a surge of excitement. He got up to pour a cup of water, using the act to calm his excitement before sitting back down to continue reading. The demonic cultivators, who grow their power by sacrificing lives, are even more dangerous than the monsters. Hiding in dark corners, they dare not reveal themselves due to thebined suppression of the Great Xia Dynasty and the five major Immortal Sects. Apart from demonic cultivators, the book vaguely mentions evil demons, describing them as heartless beings born from the shadows of humanity, advising to steer clear of them. Civilians use gold, silver, and copper as currency, while cultivators use upper, middle, and lower-grade spirit stones. Lu Yang then delved intomon knowledge of the cultivation world, like the criteria for various cultivation stages, the types of magical arts, types of magical beasts, levels of cultivation techniques, and the history of the Central Continent His knowledge, gained from storytellers in teahouses, was insufficient for survival in the cultivation world. Lu Yang, immersed in profound knowledge, only realized he hadnt eaten all day when he felt hunger pangs in the evening. At the Scripture Pavilions entrance, a senior sister had reced the senior brother. Lu Yang respectfully asked, Excuse me, Senior Sister, Im new and unfamiliar with the Dao Seeking Sect. Is there a ce to eat here? The senior sister, startled by Lu Yangs approach and avoiding eye contact due to her shyness, whispered, Youre new? There is a dining hall, but as a senior, I advise against eating there. Lu Yang, puzzled, asked, Why? Is there something wrong with the dining hall? Its located on the Hundred Refinements Peak under the Fifth Elder. Lu Yang was taken aback, as the name didnt sound like a ce for cooking: May I ask what Hundred Refinements Peak is? Fifth Elder specializes in weapon forging, so Hundred Refinements Peak is naturally for that purpose. The dining halls chefs are top-tier weapon forgers. Their buns can break mountains, rice grains can be used as hidden weapons, and their deep-fried dough sticks can even smash steel. Lu Yang was speechless: Why are chefs also weapon forgers? The senior sister exined softly, Consider this, both professions value precise control of heat. Theyre more closely rted than you think. Lu Yang nodded earnestly: Indeed, closer than I thought. Noting Lu Yangs simple attire, the senior sister hesitated, then mentioned: Also, eating at the dining hall requires spirit stones, and you dont seem to have many. Lu Yangs clothes, unlike typical cultivators garments made from materials like heavenly silkworm silk, were simple and patched, clearly indicating his mortal origins. Lu Yang smiled awkwardly, having no spirit stones. Dont feel bad; there are many disciples from mortal backgrounds, she reassured softly. Theres another way to eat. You could visit Pellet Cauldron Peak. They might have discarded Fasting Pills, which you can ask for. Pellet Cauldron Peak has high standards for pills. Discarded ones are just not of high quality but are still safe to consume. But be careful around the Seventh Elder, Senior Brother Nameless, Senior Brother Wen Da, Senior Sister Qing Kong, Junior Brother Long Yan just be cautious in general. Lu Yang, puzzled but grateful, thanked her: Im Lu Yang. Thank you, Senior Sister. May I know your name? Im Zhou Lulu. (End of the chapter) Chapter 10: The Air At Pellet Cauldron Peak is Fragrant After bidding farewell to Zhou Lulu, Lu Yang arrived at Pellet Cauldron Peak, immediately greeted by a rich aroma of medicinal herbs at the mountains base. Truly fitting for Pellet Cauldron Peak, even the air is filled with fragrance. Its just like the legendary blessednds and celestial inds, Lu Yang thought, taking in deep breaths and feeling as if he could ascend to immortality. Junior brother! Dont breathe it in! came a shout from nearby. The person, seeing Lu Yang inhale more deeply, grew even more anxious. Junior Brother, use the Turtle Breathing Technique, oh wait, youre a mortal, then just cover your nose! This smell is from my failed attempt at concocting medicine, releasing toxic fumes These were thest words Lu Yang heard before passing out. What kind of ce is this, even the air is poisonous he muttered, feeling unsteady, as the world seemed to spin around him before he copsed. It was a hard lesson that the pleasantness of a smell doesnt affect whether it is poisonous or not. When Lu Yang woke up, he was startled by arge face looming over him, instantly snapping back to alertness. Junior Brother Lu, youre awake. Does it hurt anymore? the person, identified as Wu Ming by the name on Lu Yangs jade badge, asked with an apologetic smile.Lu Yang blinked, feeling sore all over as if hed been rolled into a ball and then ttened with a rolling pin. He found himself in a pill-concocting room, filled with a strong medicinal scent and much warmer than outside. The room was crowded with shelves of herbs and white porcin bottles, likely containing sessfully concocted pills, and cages ofb mice on the floor. Wu Ming exined, Im Wu Ming. Sorry, Junior Brother, I got lost in thought while concocting and identally turned the pills into poison. But dont worry, Ive never poisoned anyone to death. Wu Ming seemed oddly proud of this fact. Lu Yang, now even more worried, struggled to sit up. He touched the bandage on his head and asked, If I just inhaled toxic fumes, why is there a bandage on my head? Wu Ming sheepishly admitted, I got distracted carrying you and identally dropped you. But dont worry, as long as youre alive, you can be healed here on Pellet Cauldron Peak! My potions are too strong for you, so I specially concocted pills suitable for mortals while you were unconscious. Wu Ming offered two golden pills with three circr patterns, indicating their near-perfect quality. Lu Yang hesitated to take them. Hed just wanted a few Fasting Pills from Pellet Cauldron Peak and hadnt done anything yet, but now he was already bandaged and lying in bed. Seeing Lu Yangs disbelief, Wu Ming fetched ab mouse to demonstrate. The mouse, as if sensing its impending doom, squeaked wildly as Wu Ming picked it up, as if bidding farewell to its family. After consuming the pill, the mouse copsed on the ground, lifeless. Its family wailed miserably, foreseeing his fate. Lu Yang: Wu Ming: It was an ident, all idents. The mouse is small, so a little poison killed it. Itll be different for humans. I know where I went wrong. Just wait, Ill concoct another batch for you. Lu Yang quickly shifted Wu Mings attention: Senior Brother, you said you were lost in thought, causing the distraction. What were you thinking about? Wu Ming, indeed distracted, pondered and said, Pills, pills, the focus is on the word medicine. Pills are naturally meant to cure diseases and save lives, but Fasting Pills arent for the sick, so why are they also considered pills? If Fasting Pills are considered medicine, then pills are not just for healing but also serve as food. If Fasting Pills are not considered medicine, then what are they? Lu Yang thought one would have to bake their brain in a pill furnace for three days and nights toe up with such a question. Speaking of Fasting Pills, the only thing here safe for mortals is these pills. We have strawberry, apple, watermelon vors and more. Do you want some? Theyre not poisonous. Wu Ming offered a handful of colorful jelly beans. Thinking of the eager anticipation of the King of Hell, Lu Yang declined Wu Mings offer. Many people on Pellet Cauldron Peak were practicing concocting Fasting Pills, and any of them would be safer than Wu Ming. Junior Brother, remember toe to me for pill concoction, its free! Wu Ming said enthusiastically as Lu Yang left. Lu Yang hastened his limping steps as he departed. The next day, the Seventh Elder of Pellet Cauldron Peak heard about Lu Yangs ordeal and sent him proper healing pills and a gourd of Fasting Pills, leading to his full recovery. Over the following month, Lu Yang led a fulfilling life, moving between the Scripture Pavilion, Yanchuan Peak, and his cave dwelling. He eagerly absorbed the cultivation knowledge he had never encountered before, like a traveler in a desert discovering a spring, thirsty for every drop. A monthter, everyone, as they had hoped, became disciples under various elders. Meng Jingzhou became a disciple of the Third Elder, Barbarian Bone of the Fourth Elder, Li Haoran with the Fire Spirit Root under the Fifth Elder, and Peach Blossom Leaf with the Feathery Immortal Body under the Sixth Elder This puzzled Lu Yang. He had thought Barbarian Bone, like Meng Jingzhou, would be a disciple of the Third Elder, a famous physical cultivator in the cultivation world, feared for hisbat prowess. Given Barbarian Bones ancient barbarian lineage, he seemed best suited to be taught by the Third Elder. On the other hand, the Fourth Elder was a Confucian cultivator, known for his profound knowledge rather than physical strength. Lu Yang wondered why Barbarian Bone chose him as a master. The Fifth Elder specialized in weapon forging, making him a suitable choice for Li Haoran with his Fire Spirit Root. As for the Sixth Elder, whom Lu Yang had never met, he heard she was a breathtakingly beautiful woman with a physique simr to Peach Blossom Leafs. However, what stood out the most was not Barbarian Bones choice but Lu Yang himself, who became a disciple of the mysterious Sect Leader. Rumor had it that the Sect Leader hadnt taken a disciple in over a hundred years, living a carefree life. The disciples were abuzz with spection, wondering why the Sect Leader, still in seclusion, had epted Lu Yang as a disciple. Under the envious gaze of the others, Lu Yang was led by Senior Sister Yun Zhi to Heavens Gate Peak, the abode of the Sect Leader. (End of the chapter) Chapter 11: Apprenticeship Ceremony At the summit of Heavens Gate Peak, in the Innate Hall, Lu Yang stood with proper posture, respectfully waiting for his masters arrival. The Innate Hall was serene and spotlessly clean, with thin wisps of incense smoke rising, calming the mind. Lu Yang noticed three memorial tablets in the hall dedicated to Innate Taoist, Guiyuan Celestial, and Hanhai Daojun, three figures of great significance in the Dao Seeking Sect. Twelve thousand years ago, Innate Taoist, an ordinary cultivator, established the Dao Seeking Sect. At that time, he was one among thousands with simr cultivation levels in the Central Continent, so the sect started as a small school. Ten thousand years ago, during times of chaos, the sect produced an extraordinary genius. Although not the top in cultivation talent, he possessed intelligence, made good friends, upheld righteousness, and was blessed with fate. Rising amidst the chaos, he became an unparalleled cultivator known as Guiyuan Celestial. Under Guiyuan Celestial, the Dao Seeking Sect flourished, bing a top school. During its 20,000th anniversary, Guiyuan Celestial and four other top cultivators established the title of the Five Great Immortal Sects, which gained widespread recognition. However, no glorysts forever. Fifty thousand yearster, the sect weakened. The elders were either nearing their lifes end or met untimely deaths, leaving few capable of leading. Even the disciples wereckluster, leading to rumors of the sects fall from the Five Great Immortal Sects. Perhaps blessed with fortune, an elder of the sect rescued a child from ruins while exterminating demons. Astonishingly, the child was a rare cultivation prodigy. He quickly advanced to be the strongest Tribtion Crossing cultivator of his time. Known as Hanhai Daojun, the Rejuvenator of the Dao Seeking Sect, he extended the sects glory for another fifty thousand years. Senior Sister, where is our master? Lu Yang asked, having waited in the hall for quite a while without seeing anyone besides Senior Sister Yun Zhi.Master is currently in closed-door cultivation, at a critical stage and cannot be disturbed. I will act as his representative to ept you as a disciple and guide you in cultivation. Before you officially begin cultivation, let me briefly introduce our lineage. Our master has very few rules. As long as you dont go too far or act against morality, causing public outrage, he wont intervene. But Im a bit stricter than him, so Ill oversee things he wouldnt. Master has four disciples, including you and me. The other senior brother and sister, one in the Western Golden Buddhist Kingdom and the other in the Southern Monster Realm, rarely return to the sect, making them hard to meet. When your cultivation reaches a certain level, you might meet them on your travels. For now Yun Zhi paused, then took out three ink portraits, lining them up. They were of Lu Yangs unseen master, second senior brother, and third senior sister. The portraits depicted the three happily smiling. The master, with white hair, had clear eyes unlike typical elders, resembling a transcendent being who enjoyed the pleasures of life. The second senior brother had a gentle smile, handsome features, and a demeanor like polished jade. The third senior sister exuded charm, a beauty capable of bringing disaster to a nation. Master specially arranged these portraits, adding you to make five disciples in total. Since only you and I are present, it feels rather lonely. Hence, he prepared these portraits to represent them. Lu Yang looked at Senior Sister Yun Zhi, then at the lifelike portraits seemingly watching him, feeling a chill down his spine. It was as if his master and other disciples had died for the sect and only he and Senior Sister Yun Zhi were the only ones remaining. Three incense sticks appeared before Lu Yang, handed to him by Yun Zhi. These are Faith Incense sticks, capable of conveying your thoughts. Offer them to the masters portrait to express your gratitude and respect. After lighting the incense sticks, Lu Yang ced them in a small incense burner in front of the masters portrait. Ancestors bear witness, Master above, please ept your disciples bow. The scene now felt moreplete. After the ceremony, Lu Yang hesitantly asked, Senior Sister, I dont mean any disrespect, but is our master really still alive? Lu Yang was apprehensive that Yun Zhi might reveal a cold smile and say something like, The Master has perished, and the high-ranking members are keeping it secret. Now that you know this, you cannot be spared. However, Yun Zhi looked puzzled, not understanding why Lu Yang would ask such a question. Of course, hes alive. Ive seen your test results at Yanchuan Peak. You remember human acupuncture points and meridian locations very urately, and you can recite the basic heart method by heart. Thatsmendable. Now, lets start your formal cultivation. Hearing this, Lu Yangs face lit up with excitement, listening even more attentively. He was finally about to start his cultivation practice. As formal cultivation began, Senior Sister Yun Zhi said, This is my first time teaching a disciple, and you are a first-time disciple. Lets bear with each other. But dont worry too much. Ive made ample preparations for today. Yun Zhi lined up various small medicine jars, eachbeled with the name of a pill, some of which Lu Yang had heard of: The White Bone Pill, capable of reviving the dead and mending broken bones. The Seventh Level Pagoda Pill, invented by the Buddha Country as part of a series to umte merits for creating things, saving a life is considered more meritorious than building a seven-level pagoda. Anyone who consumes this pill contributes to the merits of the Buddha Country. The Nine Turns Reincarnation Pill, known in the cultivation world for the saying nine deaths and one life in reincarnation. With these pills, it would be hard for Lu Yang to die. First, we train the body for Qi practice. Although you havent experienced physical training, well start from scratch. Yun Zhi casually tore through space, taking out tworge water tanks from her storage space. The thud of the tanks hitting the ground gave Lu Yang a bad premonition. Sword cultivation emphasizes sword intent and arm strength. Therefore, we first focus on training arm strength. Ill demonstrate only once, so watch carefully. Yun Zhi stood effortlessly on the edge of one water tank, then grasped the edge of the other tank with one hand, lifting it slightly before letting go. She repeated the process with the other hand, her movements smooth and graceful, a sight to behold. If one disregards the strain on the arms, this method indeed seemed effective for strengthening arm muscles. Once you can do it like this, its good enough, Yun Zhi said nonchntly as she set down the water tank. Lu Yang, swallowing nervously, realized without even trying that the half-human-high water tank could easily fit him inside, get filled with sand and bury him with ease. To spin such arge tank around was a life-threatening challenge. He stepped forward, took a deep breath, and tried to lift the water tank with one hand in a smooth motion. It didnt budge. Then, exerting all his strength with both hands, the tank reluctantly wobbled a bit, acknowledging Lu Yangs earnest effort. (End of the chapter) Chapter 12: Lifting Heavy as Light, Light as Heavy This water tank must weigh at least two hundred pounds! Lu Yang thought. Even though he grew up ying in the mountains, climbing trees, swimming in rivers, and catching birds and fish, he couldnt lift such a heavy water tank. Yun Zhi drew a symbol on the water tank, reducing its weight to a level that Lu Yang could just manage to lift with one hand. She brought out a puppet to supervise him. Lets see how it goes after lifting it for a day, she said casually before disappearing into the clouds. Left alone with the puppet, Lu Yang sighed, tied his shirt around his waist, and began the arduous task of lifting the tank. The puppet strictly oversaw the training, pushing Lu Yang to continue lifting the tank whenever he rested, squeezing out every bit of his strength. Whenever his arms were too weak, the puppet would feed him strengthening pills; when they were too sore to move, more pills; and when Lu Yang was too tired to stay awake, yet more pills After a day, Lu Yangs legs trembled, his arms hung limply, and he could no longer feel them. He swayed left and right, his arms swinging like pendulums, before copsing to the ground. The puppet routinely fed him two more pills, but seeing no response, it ended the days training. It fetched a cart, ced Lu Yang on it, covered him with a straw mat, and pushed him back. Smelling the scent of food, Lu Yangs body reacted by salivating, and his consciousness gradually returned. Relieved to finally be able to eat, Lu Yang thought that if it werent for the meal, he would have believed he was being punished in a dungeon formitting heinous crimes, rather than training in an immortal sect. Being a disciple of the Sect Leader, Lu Yang didnt have to worry about food and didnt need to take Fasting Pills every day. He was served various unfamiliar and rare delicacies, silently improving his physique.Lu Yang still couldnt lift his arms, so the puppet had to feed him throughout the meal. After eating, Yun Zhi prepared arge pot of body tempering medicinal bath and instructed Lu Yang to bathe in it. Smelling the strong medicinal aroma in the air, Lu Yang almost fainted. Take this, Yun Zhi handed Lu Yang a hollow reed. Whats this for? You need to soak your entire body in the medicinal bath, including your head. Bite on this reed and use it to breathe while your head is submerged. Lu Yang appreciated Yun Zhis thoughtfulness, even though her methods felt like torture. They were for his benefit, after all. After Yun Zhi left, Lu Yang stripped naked, bit on the reed, and jumped into the wooden tub, only to let out a blood-curdling scream. Senior Sister, are you using boiling water for the bath?! Yun Zhi, back in her courtyard, felt the breeze blowing away the medicinal scent from her body. She pondered what else she might have overlooked in Lu Yangs training. Growing up in a celestial realm and surrounded mostly by cultivators, then dedicating herself to cultivation in the Dao Seeking Sect, she had little experience with mortals. To teach Lu Yang, she had specifically sought out books describing mortal life. While he learned about cultivation, she learned about mortals. However, it was clear that the books on mortals did not mention the appropriate temperature for a mortals bathwater. Hearing Lu Yangs hoarse screams, Yun Zhi pondered for a moment. Realizing it was toote to cool down the water now, she took out a bottle of burn ointment, ced it at the door, and knocked. Junior Brother, Ive left the burn ointment at the door for you. Remember to use it. Time passed, and after relentless training, nourishment from spirit beast meat, and special medicinal baths, Lu Yang transformed from an ordinary mortal with burns and peeling skin into an exceptional civilian artist, adept at juggling heavy water tanks. He tossed three two-hundred-pound water tanks effortlessly, creating arcs in the air. He could also step on the edges of the tanks, walking in Ba Gua steps as if on t ground. He even stood on a rolling tank as steady as Mount Tai, juggling three other tanks with ease. This skill alone could draw rounds of apuse in the streets. (TL Note: Ba Gua steps is a footwork technique /member/mastering-ba-gua-footwork-linear-mud-stepping-ba-gua-video-lesson-with-tom-bisio/) Not bad, your body tempering progress is even faster than I anticipated, Yun Zhi apuded lightly, boosting Lu Yangs confidence significantly. Although Yun Zhi rarely appeared, she always kept a close eye on Lu Yangs progress. Can I start cultivating now? Lu Yang asked eagerly, cing the tanks down and waiting quietly for the answer without even gasping for breath. During his body tempering period, Meng Jingzhou and others from his cohort had visited him, only to be chased away by the puppet. He heard that Meng Jingzhou, Barbarian Bone, and others had already begun cultivating, elevating themselves above the mundane world, while he was still toiling away at body tempering. This made him somewhat anxious, feeling left behind and struggling with a sense of inferiority. Yun Zhi didnt respond but took out a piece of tofu from her storage space. The tofu was extremely soft, trembling in her fair hands like a water-filled balloon. Hold it with your palm facing down. Lu Yang, thinking it was easy,plied and grasped the tofu. But the moment his fingers moved slightly, the tofu crumbled and fell to the ground. Yun Zhi handed him another piece of tofu, signaling him to continue. Lu Yang, refusing to believe it was impossible, thought the first time was an ident and that he would seed the second time. However, the tofu still crumbled and couldnt be held. After failing the third time, Lu Yang realized the issue. His strength was too great, barely controble. Everything around him was made for cultivators, but if he were to use ordinary objects, hed have to be extremely careful not to break chopsticks or crush bowls while eating. His strength had grown too quickly, and his mind hadnt caught up with his bodys speed, causing his fingers to spasm asionally. Holding a piece of tofu as soft as water was not as easy as it seemed. Yun Zhi stopped handing him tofu. With a downward gesture, she held the tofu and shook it gently. Despite the shaking, the tofu remained intact. Suddenly, she let go of the tofu, and as it fell, she caught it again with incredible speed! Lu Yang watched in awe, wondering how one could catch falling tofu without destroying it. Under Yun Zhis control, the soft tofu was as easy to handle as a piece of iron, freely manipted. Youve mastered lifting heavy as if its light, but lifting light as if its heavy is still far beyond your reach. Lu Yang remained silent, aware that he was far frompleting his body tempering. Cultivation couldnt be rushed. Meng Jingzhou and the others had been trained by their families from a young age, allowing them to start cultivating directly. Catching up with them wouldnt be easy. He had grown up without guidance, but now, with direct instruction from Yun Zhi and the aid of heavenly materials and treasures, his progress was already astonishing. What reason did he have to be dissatisfied? Lu Yang remembered Yun Zhis words, saying that cultivation was a lifelong journey. Temporary advantages or disadvantages didnt matter; what counted was whosted till the end. Taking a deep breath, Lu Yang adjusted his mindset, no longer obsessing over his cultivation progress. Then he saw Yun Zhi instructing the puppet to push over a cart full of tofu. (End of the chapter) Chapter 13: Drawing Breath into the Body Unlike training for strength, where Lu Yang could eat spirit beast meat to enhance his power and soak in medicinal baths to strengthen his physique, honing his control required reliance solely on himself. This process demandedplete focus, without the slightest carelessness. As Senior Sister had put it, he needed to find the right feeling, using the body to control the power, not the mind. Lu Yangs task was to naturally grasp the tofu without any intentional effort. By the end of the day, he was covered in the smell of tofu, and his eyes, due to prolonged concentration on the tofu, nearly turned into cross-eyes. Fortunately, the experienced puppet gave him a couple of ps, and his eyes returned to normal. At mealtime, Lu Yang faced a table full of tofu dishes in silence. Stir-fried tofu, deep-fried tofu, steamed tofu, tofu pudding, soy milk boiled tofu All were made from the tofu he had crushed during the day. Lu Yang learned that the tofu pudding and soy milk were generously provided by kind-hearted vendors. Lu Yang was grateful to his ancestors. He knew that as long as he couldnt control his strength properly, he wouldnt get any other dish to eat. In other words, either he or the tofu had to give in. While tofu is not ordinary and can regte a cultivators five elements bnce, enhance qi, and increase endurance in battle, no one could endure eating tofu every day. Left with no choice, Lu Yang focused on his meal, contemting how to better control his strength the next day. As Lu Yang slept, he felt a dazzling white light shining on his face, making his eyelids tightly shut and his expression contorted. Slowly adjusting to the bright light, he tried to open his eyes. He found himself in a pristine white space, surrounded by thick fog, with only a small area around him clear and visible. Lu Yang couldnt locate the source of the light. Where am I? Lu Yang panicked slightly. He was sleeping in the Dao Seeking Sect, a ce teeming with masters, with Senior Sister right next door. Who could have silently brought him to this mysterious space? Were their intentions good or evil? A majestic voice echoed from the mist, ancient and resonant, reverberating through the corridors of time, Young one, this is a temporary space Ive created, undetectable to others.Lu Yang shuddered, the prowess of this being was beyondprehension. He could only hope that their intentions were not malevolent. I have witnessed eons, seen countless mighty beings whose cultivation dominated the world, yet all ultimately sumbed to the ravages of time, their vigorous battles against the heavens reduced to a sigh in their final moments. Regardless of their brilliance, I have remained free and untroubled, eternally existing. The voice carried an ancient and hoarse tone, tinged with the weariness of endless eons. This great beings existence was beyond Lu Yangs imagination. Today, on a whim, I calcted and found that you and I are fated. So, I summoned your soul to this temporary space of inheritance. This space contains everything needed for cultivation from the Qi Refining Stage to the Tribtion Crossing Stage C techniques, pills, secret manuals, and cultivation insights. You will unlock a part of my inheritance at each stage. Lu Yang sighed in relief, sensing the beings friendliness, and respectfully inquired, May I know who you are, Senior? The seniorughed heartily three times and approached from the mist. The seniors face was clean and fair, skin milky white, head squarely shapedit was a tofu. As the Tofu Senior approached, speaking more and more rapidly, he said, I am the Tofu Celestial, and this is my lifes wisdom. The more tofu you eat, the faster your cultivation will rise, with a solid foundation. Surpassing levels, attracting admirers, reaching the pinnacle of the continent will be no problem Lu Yang broke into a cold sweat, abruptly waking up, sitting up in bed, and looking around in the pitch darkness, a dead silence surrounding him. He sighed in relief. It was just a dream, thankfully. Lu Yang, feeling the cold sweat on his back, was still shaken. Yun Zhi slowly opened her eyes, withdrawing a blue light from her fingertips that had been directed towards Lu Yangs room. This should motivate him to cultivate more diligently, she murmured to herself. Her master had taught her that appropriate pressure could be a driving force, spurring people to strive harder. Yun Zhi herself was a testament to this, so she believed her masters words and used a dream spell to give Lu Yang a little pressure. The lines provided by the Eighth Elder are a bit embarrassing, I wonder how he manages to say them normally. Yun Zhi was good at seeking advice. Everything in the dream, every step, and every line, was scripted by the Eighth Elder, who also guaranteed its effectiveness. Some time passed, and Yun Zhi saw Lu Yang effortlessly catching tofu, tossing it high, and catching it steadily. He even used tofu as a sandbag, tossing it back and forth with the puppet. The soft tofu seemed like an extension of his body, easily controlled. Lifting light as if its heavy, youve achieved it. This stage isplete. Lu Yang smiled, no longer the same person he was at the beginning. As he continued practicing with the tofu, his restless heart also gradually calmed down. Without needing any mantras or techniques, he could do this. Whats next? Lu Yang no longer pursued the same progress as his peers, trusting that his Senior Sister had a reason for her arrangements. Yun Zhi rarely smiled, but now she did, Well solidify your Qi Refining Stage cultivation. Lu Yang, surprised, pointed to himself, Qi Refining Stage? Me? He didnt know when he had be a Qi Refining Stage cultivator. The books said that drawing breath into the body required guidance from a senior, imparting techniques, closing the senses, and organizing the meridians to seed. For those with less talent, even medicinal pills were needed. He hadnt met any of these conditions. Senior Sister hadnt told him how to draw breath into the body, nor imparted any astonishing cultivation techniques. He hadnt closed his senses or used the elusive sixth sense. As for the meridians, he didnt remember organizing them. Dao Seeking Sect disciples didnt need pills to enter the Qi Refining Stage; they were all exceptional talents. If they needed pills for assistance, they might as well leave the sect. Lu Yang believed he wouldnt need pills either, but how had he entered the Qi Refining Stage? Three mornings ago, his Senior Sister hinted. Lu Yang suddenly remembered that morning. He woke up early, facing the morning light with closed eyes, pondering how to grasp the tofu. As he delved deeper into his thoughts, he gradually lost awareness of his surroundings, bing like a rising stream of clear qi, wandering between heaven and earth. Then his consciousness sank, returning to his body, feeling a warm breath flowing in his dantian. That was also when he first sessfully grasped the tofu. He remembered that his Senior Sister wasnt present during his tofu practice; she had been observing him from somewhere unknown. It seems that feeling was drawing breath into the body, Lu Yang muttered, immersed in the experience. That feeling was truly wonderful, like being wrapped in warmth on a cloud, toofortable to want to open his eyes. Unknowingly, he had fulfilled his little wish, drawn breath into his body, and be a Qi Refining Stage cultivator. (End of the chapter) Chapter 14: Senior Sister is Right Trantor: yikaii Editor: yikaii In the cultivation world, 99% of cultivators are at the Qi Refining Stage. Thus, this stage is meticulously divided into nine levels, unlike theter stages which are categorized into early, middle, andte phases. However, in the Dao Seeking Sect, the Qi Refining Stage is just an entry-level threshold, so theres no need to divide it further. The Sect only recognizes the Qi Refining Stage, without any sub-levels. Do others also enter the Qi Refining Stage in this way? Lu Yang was curious, wondering why his progress seemed the slowest. Yun Zhi shook her head, Your method is the original way of cultivation from ancient times. Ancient people sensed nature, achieved unity with heaven and man, and drew spiritual energy into their bodies, instantly bing cultivators. The earliest form of cultivation naturally didnt require guidance from a senior or any secret techniques. It was all about constant understanding and learning from the bodys responses. As for the meridians, during your medicinal baths, your meridians were fully opened, allowing the spiritual energy to flow unobstructed. In your state of unity with heaven and man, the energy flows in the pathways most suitable for you, surpassing any level of cultivation technique. In the cultivation world, techniques are often categorized into five levels: Yellow, Profound, Earth, Heaven, and Immortal. However, for Yun Zhi, there were only two types of techniques C those suitable for oneself and those not. Every technique, when first created, wasnt specifically designed for you. There are many techniques suitable for the Sword Spirit Root, and I have a box full of them, but none are suitable for you. Starting today, I assign you a long-term task: to create your own technique.Yun Zhis instruction for Lu Yang to create his own technique didnt mean he had to figure it out alone; she would guide him. Still, the difficulty of this task was evident. Creating techniques was something only the esteemed elders in the cultivation world could achieve. Lu Yang twitched his mouth, The predecessors who created techniques stood in high positions, having an overarching understanding of various realms. Ive just entered the Qi Refining Stage, and creating a technique seems a bit too Yun Zhi interrupted Lu Yangsints, Creating a technique isnt as difficult as you imagine. Do you know about the Dao Seeking Sects rule that after reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage, each disciple mustplete tasks issued by the mission hall to fulfill their duty to the righteous path? Lu Yang nodded, having heard about it. Other sects have simr mechanisms, requiring disciples toplete tasks. After all, the sect doesnt support idlers; contributions to the sect reflect ones value. But the five great immortal sects are different. They ask their disciples to issue tasks, not for the sects benefit, but for the righteous path. One ordinary task involves going down the mountain to y demons and ghosts. I dont like the mortal worlds aura, so I chose another way toplete the task. What is it? Theres a fixed task in the mission hall to duplicate a technique not recorded by the Dao Seeking Sect, which also counts aspleting a task. So, Senior Sister, you Lu Yang had a bold, almost absurd, idea. To cope withplete the task, I created many techniques and lied that I found them in ancient ruins. Unfortunately, I was exposedter. How were you exposed? Lu Yang asked. ording to my reports, I had explored every ruin. I didnt know which ruin to fabricate next. So you see, creating a technique isnt difficult. Yun Zhi, using her own experience, made a convincing argument. Lu Yang opened his mouth, wanting to say, Senior Sister, I thought you were honest, but you also lie, Senior Sister, your talents are beyond ordinary people, Creating techniques for you is different from fabricating techniques for me. Facing Yun Zhis cold gaze, all his thoughts condensed into one sentence. Senior Sister is right. Although youve be a cultivator, youre still far from being a qualified sword cultivator. Take this book. Yun Zhi handed over an ancient book, made from the skin of a mystical beast,rge, thick, and heavy. Records of the Monster Realm? Lu Yang opened the book, feeling an overwhelming aura, with images of various monsters vividly depicted on the pages, almost hearing their roars beside his ear. This book was definitely priceless! Lu Yang pondered. Sword cultivators need sword intent, but how could he cultivate it just after entering the Qi Refining Stage? Its known that in ancient times, sword cultivators would understand their first sword intent while battling fierce monsters, amidst life-and-death situations, and confronting the ferocious will of these creatures. Thus, the answer for Lu Yang was clear: he needed to visualize the images of monsters,prehend their ferocious will, extract their essence, and condense the myriad forms of monsters into a singr point to realize his own unique sword intent. This method, though difficult, was particrly suitable for someone with the Sword Spirit Root like him. Lu Yang nodded, understanding Senior Sisters intentions. He realized that Yun Zhi had great expectations for him. I understand now, he said, grasping her meaning. Yun Zhi gave him a nce, unsure what he had understood exactly, and then signaled a puppet to bring another cart of tofu. If you understand, thats good. To be a sword cultivator, you need precision. Take this Green Edge sword; your next task is to carve tofu into the shapes of monsters using the swords tip. You can find the images of the monsters in the book. Yun Zhi handed him a sword radiating a cold light, engraved with the words Green Edge on its hilt. Lu Yang: Tofu again? He couldnt help but wonder if his dream from the other night wasnt a nightmare but a premonition, indicating he might be the Tofu Celestial. He quickly dismissed this terrifying thought. Taking the Green Edge sword, he first noticed its lightness. It wasnt that the sword was too light, but rather, it was typically too heavy for cultivators below the third level of Qi Refining to handle. However, Lu Yang, after his water jar training, had grown so strong that he could easily wield it. In fact, he could effortlessly defeat cultivators in the early Qi Refining stages with a single punch. Perhaps due to stepping into the Qi Refining Stage and his innate talent for the sword path, along with mastering the art of control, Lu Yang found using the Green Edge sword very natural. In just over ten days, he was able to carve monsters out of tofu and even sculpted figures of himself and Yun Zhi, as well as the nine lotus-shaped peaks of the Dao Seeking Sect. After mastering this art, Lu Yang could now excel in the kitchen too, eager to move past eating tofu. Completing this stage, Yun Zhi appeared, encouraged him, and then presented him with a sesame seed. Sword cultivators also need to train their eyesight. I will throw this sesame seed into the tofu remains, and you need to find it in the shortest time possible. Lu Yang, overwhelmed, knelt down: Senior Sister, can we try a different method? Yun Zhi watched him pleading quietly, her eyes calm and undisturbed. Oh. (End of the chapter) Chapter 15: The Task Hall Since then, Lu Yangs life has be quite fulfilling. In the early mornings, he would sit at the peak, bask in the morning light, practice his swordsmanship in the forenoon, rest on a tree at noon, spar with puppets in the afternoon, get beaten up, and after dinner, readte into the night,pleting the assignments given by his Senior Sister. A year passed, and Lu Yangs cultivation steadily progressed. Look, isnt that the fourth disciple of the Sect Leader, Lu Yang, the one with the Sword Spirit Root? Inside the Task Hall, Lu Yang, dressed in a white robe, with a spirited gaze and a sword with a red tassel on his waist, caught everyones eye. Anyone would praise him as a young prodigy. Most disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect were acquainted with each other, especially in ces like the Task Hall where seeing an umon face always sparked additional interest. Lu Yang, being the top candidate in the entrance examination, having the Sword Spirit Root, attracting the kind disposition of He Ling and Dai Bufan, and being under the Sect Leaders tutge, had be a shining star among the new generation of disciples. His fame was considerable, even surpassing Peach Blossom Leaf, known for her celestial beauty. Is that Lu Yang, personally trained by the Senior Sister? Oh, indeed it is.I heard he has just recently be a Foundation Building cultivator after a year of joining the sect. Foundation Building, huh? No wonder hese to the Task Hall. Seems like hes ready to undertake tasks to hone his skills. Lu Yang was used to being stared at like a rare animal. The discussions among the brothers were correct. Seven days ago, he sessfully reached the Foundation Building stage. After spending another seven days consolidating his cultivation, he officially left seclusion, following Senior Sisters instruction to get out and explore. In the Task Hall, Lu Yang was amazed by the variety of tasks avable, ranging from ying powerful demons to helping find lost pets. For instance, the task he was looking at required a dual cultivation technique, a legitimate one. Dual cultivation techniquese in two types: legitimate and illegitimate. The legitimate ones involve mutual assistance between a man and a woman, bncing Yin and Yang. As for the illegitimate ones, no further exnation is needed. The task was posted by a fox demon who had registered with the Dao Seeking Sect. Although the sects duty includes subduing demons, they dont blindly kill every demon. Those who are innocent and harbor no ill intentions towards humans are not only spared but also registered and granted legal status. This fox demon, named Su Yan, was one such case. The fox demon named Su Yan was originally amon little fox living deep in the mountains. She was caught in a hunters trap while ying, but fortunately, a disciple from a prestigious family happened to be ying in the mountains and rescued her, thwarting the hunters day ofbor. Later, Su Yan consumed a transformation fruit she found in a hidden cave, awakening thetent bloodline within her body and transforming into a fox demon. Grateful and intent on repaying her debt, Su Yan assumed human form to express her gratitude to the noble familys disciple. The young master, now the head of his family, had seen many beautiful women but nonepared to Su Yan. Naturally, the two got married. But then the problem arose. Fox demons inherently have a seductive aura and uncontrobly absorb Yang energy. During intimate moments, the husband was always the one losing Yang energy. Fortunately, Yang energy can be restored. After their marriage, the couple had to limit their intimate activities, which was not ideal for either of them. Frequent activities led to the husbands increasingly frail condition, risking gossip. To address this, Su Yan hoped to practice a legitimate dual cultivation technique to control her seductive fox nature. This task had been posted for quite a long time without any takers. It wasnt that dual cultivation techniques were rare, but epting the task implied possessing a legitimate technique, which inevitably led others to specte about the existence of an illegitimate version. If fellow disciples asked for it, whether to admit having it and whether to share it became delicate questions. What would the sisters and brothers think? This task seems good, Ill take it, someone behind Lu Yang said. It was Meng Jingzhou, recognized by his voice. He was ideally suited for this task, given his familys status and pure Yang spirit root, making it unlikely he possessed an illegitimate technique. Even if he did, there was nothing he could do with it. Meng Jingzhou had be a Foundation Building cultivator earlier than Lu Yang and this was his third task. Youve reached the Foundation Building too? Meng Jingzhou said with a smile. Both having rare spirit roots, their talents were not far apart. Lu Yangs slightlyter achievement in reaching Foundation Building was somewhat unexpected. Remembering the year of hardship under his Senior Sisters tutge, Lu Yang sighed, Finally, I have reached Foundation Building. We should have a good meal once I finish this task. Ill treat you, Meng Jingzhou offered generously, with plenty of spirit stones to spare. After Meng Jingzhou left, Lu Yang continued browsing the tasks posted on the wall. Evidence of demonic worship suspected in the north. Rmended for Golden Core cultivators and above to investigate. Task reward is 400 contribution points, with additional rewards for extra information uncovered. Daoist Li Hong of Shanhaiguan has lost a pet and requires assistance in finding it. Lu Yang paused, thinking it was a good task as searching for cats and dogs posed no danger, but then he read on. Lost pet: a two-winged ferocious tiger with a Mid-Nascent Soul cultivation. Finder will receive 5,000 contribution points. Lu Yang shrank back. A Mid-Nascent Soul stage demonic beast, especially one with ancient bloodlines like the two-winged tiger, was way out of his league. He quickly moved on to the next task. Unusual spiritual energy fluctuations observed at Kunwu Mountain during the day-night transition. Suspected undiscovered cave heaven. Rmended for Late-Nascent Soul cultivators and above to investigate. Task reward is 8,000 contribution points, with additional rewards for valuable discoveries. Another irrelevant task for Lu Yang. In the outside world, Qi Training cultivators could roam freely as martial artists, and Foundation Building cultivators could dominate small regions, enjoying prosperity for a century. Golden Core cultivators were esteemed enough to establish schools and be called real people. However, in the Dao Seeking Sect, any random person could be at the Golden Core stage. Throwing a brick could hit arge number of them, and ordinary disciples would likely throw it back. The Dao Seeking Sects disciples were all chosen from the best, and before thetest batch of new recruits, including Lu Yang, there were no Qi Training or Foundation Building disciples in the sect. The lowest cultivation level was Golden Core. No matter how well one did outside, upon returning to the Dao Seeking Sect, one had to behave modestly. Therefore, tasks suitable for Foundation Building cultivators were rare. Lu Yang reviewed several tasks, but most required Golden Core or Nascent Soul cultivation. He also noticed a special task. Long-term task: Collect unrecorded techniques of the Dao Seeking Sect. Rewards depend on the content of the technique. Note: Senior Sister Yun Zhi, please do not ept this task. A Yun Zhi section has been established in the Scripture Pavilion for her to directly ce her written techniques. (End of the chapter) Chapter 16: Yun Zhi’s Talent Lu Yangs fellow disciples also noticed the task, chuckling softly, Every time I see this long-term task, I cant help but recall Senior Sisters illustrious aplishments. Another added, After the truth about Senior Sister fabricating techniques and passing them off as findings from relic caves was exposed, it caused quite a stir. Ive heard from my master about a relic cave in Lingnan, known as Si Shui Cave. The most precious treasure within is a technique left by the caves former master, the Chaos Dawn Technique. It was said that cultivating it to perfection could shatter chaos and discern all truths. However, when someone stumbled upon the real Chaos Dawn Technique in Si Shui Cave andpared it with what Senior Sister had created, it turned out her fabricated version was actually easier to cultivate and yielded far superior results. Subsequently, numerous techniques were discovered in various relic caves. For those sharing the same name, none were as potent as the ones Senior Sister had created. The revtion left the elders in silence for days. Lu Yang: Lu Yang hadnt seen the Yun Zhi section in the Scripture Pavilion himself. Presumably, because the techniques Senior Sister concocted were so extraordinary, they were stored at the highest level of the Scripture Pavilion, off-limits without special authorization C essentially, taboo. Senior Sister is a talent of the ages, possessing the wisdom to measure the heavens and fathom the earth. Its no wonder everyone says its a blessing for her to act on behalf of the Sect Leader while hes in seclusion. Ive even heard rumors that Senior Sister has imprisoned the Sect Leader to usurp his position and be the true Sect Leader herself. Its said she holdspromising information on the eight great elders, and the high-ranking officials dont dare to oppose her. Some im to have heard sobbing from the Sect Leader in a dungeon on Heavens Gate Peak at night!Ha-ha-ha, thats definitely baseless. Such a thing is absolutely impossible. While Lu Yang hadnt heard any alleged sobbing from the Sect Leader on Heavens Gate Peak, he didnt pay much attention to it and continued searching for tasks. Finally, he found one that suited him: ording to residents of Taiping Vige in Quhe County, a bird-like demonic beast that speaks humannguage has been spotted. The specific type is unknown, and no records of it harming people or using demonic arts exist. Requesting a Daoist from the Dao Seeking Sect to resolve this issue with the demonic bird. After pondering for a moment, Lu Yang epted the task. From the description, it seemed like a demonic beast that had mistakenly entered human territory or possibly one that had gained intelligence through a divine encounter. Such beasts wouldnt have cultivation levels beyond the Foundation Building stage, and their aggressiveness was usually low. There was even a chance it was a beast that had grown close to humans, making it perfect for a neer like him. Moreover, the reward offered by the task hall corroborated this. The task rewarded thirty contribution points. It was the minimum reward for a task. Task rewards were calcted by designated personnel in the Dao Seeking Sect and verified by another person to ensure uracy. The lower the reward, the simpler the task. Lu Yang approached the counter, Brother, Id like to take on this task of resolving the issue with the bird-like demonic beast. Id like to take on this task of resolving the issue with the bird-like demonic beast, another voice said, almost simultaneously with Lu Yang. The owner of the voice was a young girl in a light pink dress, with delicate features, fair skin, and an enchanting beauty. Given her sweet appearance and simr cultivation level to Lu Yang, the girls identity was clear. Peach Blossom Leaf Junior Sister, what a coincidence, Lu Yang said with a smile. He had only met Peach Blossom Leaf when he first joined the sect and had rarely seen outsiders in the past year while at Heavens Gate Peak. As the first-ranked disciple in the entrance exam, Lu Yang was the senior brother of this batch until a new ranking was established. In fact, Peach Blossom Leafs choice of task was no coincidence. Suitable tasks for Foundation Building cultivators were already scarce, and those from their batch could only undertake a few. Turns out its Senior Brother Lu, congrattions on reaching Foundation Building. There arent many tasks for our level, so why dont we join forces and share the reward equally? Peach Blossom Leaf suggested sweetly, her curiosity piqued by this reclusive Senior Brother Lu. Lu Yang happily agreed. In the process ofpleting tasks, its not always about the rewards for them; they seek more to gain experience from the process itself. How about traveling to Quhe County on a flying boat? Lu Yang suggested. Peach Blossom Leaf Junior Sister, did you know that our human race is quite contradictory? Often, people both fear and worship the same things. In ancient times, when demons roamed and disasters were frequent, the weak human race struggled for survival in the gaps of existence. Great demons, relying on their ancestral bloodlines, robust physiques, and innate magical powers, dominated the wildnds. Humans feared these great demons, seeing them as natural disasters, unassable. Yet, they also worshiped them, longing for their power. Thus, the ancient ancestors developed cultivation techniques, learning magical powers from demonic beasts. They overcame numerous challenges, eventually standing at the pinnacle of the continent, creating a new world for humanity, and ensuring their continued existence! Take, for example, the elements of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning. The ancient ancestors feared them, yet yearned for their natural might and authority, the incontestable will of nature! People longed for them, desiring to possess their mighty power and authority. The ancient ancestors questioned the heavens and the earth, faced thunder and lightning, and sought enlightenment in storms. They understood the principles of man follows earth, earth follows heaven, heaven follows the Dao, and the Dao follows nature, and realized various Daoist techniques! See? This contradictory mentality is essential for humanity to be the dominant race on the continent! And then theres the sky. Humans long for it, wishing to fly freely like birds, but also revere it, finding it mysterious and unfathomable. This sense of awe is ingrained in our blood, an innate mindset of every human, be it evident or hidden On the flying boat, Lu Yang spoke with passion, standing up and gesticting as he spoke. Peach Blossom Leaf, after contemting quietly, interrupted Lu Yangs lengthy discourse. So, is that why youre afraid of heights? Yes. Peach Blossom Leaf: Inside the cabin of the flying boat, cruising among the clouds, the boat was engraved with mass-produced bnce formations by array masters, ensuring passengers inside felt nothing even during storms. The skies were clear and bright, perfect for enjoying the sun and scenery on the deck. Peach Blossom Leaf suggested they go out on deck, but Lu Yang, steadfast in his Dao, adamantly refused. Peach Blossom Leaf, more curious than most, persistently inquired until Lu Yang had no choice but to exin his fear of heights from ancient history. He eloquently linked his fear to historical precedents and various references, suggesting that the fear of heights is a rational and ancient psychology. Broadly speaking, it even contributes to the progress of humanity. Fortunately, Peach Blossom Leaf didnt believe a word. (End of the chapter) Chapter 17: Have You Heard of the Terrestrial Sword Immortal Senior brother Lu, I remember youre a Sword Spirit Root? Peach Blossom Leaf nced at the ancient sword hanging on Lu Yangs waist and the calluses formed from long-term sword practice on his palms. The transformation in just a year was enough proof of Lu Yangs dedication to sword training. Lu Yang nodded modestly, Barely a sword cultivator. Cultivators are categorized based on their specialties, such as Dan (Pill), Fu (Talisman), Array, Body, and Sword cultivators. Among these, sword cultivators possess the strongest offensive power. No one in the same realm wishes to face a sword cultivator in battle. The most famous attribute of sword cultivators is one sword breaks allws C regardless of how profound your techniques are, they can break them with a single sword strike. The counterpart to sword cultivators are technique cultivators, who believe that regardless of your sword skills, they can counter with a myriad of techniques. Sword cultivators are renowned for their moves such as Sword Opens the Heavens and Flying Sword, all legendary sword techniques. Picture a figure in white as snow, standing on a flying sword, slicing through the wind, what a dashing figure it paints! What do cultivators seek? Strength and charisma. Sword cultivators perfectly embody these qualities, making many wish to be one. Unfortunately, without the talent for the sword path, one cannot be a sword cultivator. So, what will you do after mastering the flying sword, Brother Lu? Peach Blossom Leaf had never heard of a sword cultivator who was afraid of heights.Others cultivate to fly and wander freely, but it seems Brother Lu cultivates to stay grounded. With a serious expression, Lu Yang replied, Being a sword immortal doesnt necessarily equate to soaring the skies. Have you, Junior Sister Peach Blossom Leaf, ever heard of a Terrestrial Sword Immortal? Peach Blossom Leaf was momentarily stunned, and seeing Lu Yangs earnestness, the term Terrestrial Sword Immortal seemed familiar, so she nodded along. Who said immortals have to be high and mighty? After all, immortal includes the word mortal. Immortals roam between heaven and earth, can grasp stars and moons, or dive into the deepest abyss, unbound and free. The term Terrestrial Sword Immortal indicates that sword immortals are not just in the heavens but can also traverse thend. A sword strike can behead demons from a thousand miles away! My goal is to be an existence like the Terrestrial Sword Immortal! Peach Blossom Leaf was about to nod along with the atmosphere but then realized the w in the logic: Wait a minute, Ive heard of Terrestrial Immortals, but where does Terrestrial Sword Immortale from? After silently observing Peach Blossom Leaf for three seconds, as if harboring ancient secrets, Lu Yang slowly spoke. I made it up. His sincere attitude left Peach Blossom Leaf speechless. Without further discussion on the topic, Peach Blossom Leafs image of Lu Yang, formed during their three days together, shatteredpletely. At the first test, she witnessed Lu Yang being identified as a Sword Spirit Root. Back then, Lu Yang appeared to her like an upright and indomitable sword, silent but invincible. After the second test, she admired Lu Yangs unique approach to passing and spected his future achievements might be even higher. During the third test, exhausted near the peak of Mount Wenxin, she believed no one could reach the fiftieth step. Thats when she saw Lu Yang reaching the fiftieth step and passing. His sess gave her great confidence, encouraging her to continue climbing and sessfully pass the test. A yearter, she met a high-fearful but talkative Brother Lu. She learned what distance makes the heart grow fonder truly meant. Its about time to disembark. Lu Yang spread a detailed map. It meticulously outlined the Dao Seeking Sect, the Great Xia Dynasty imperial city, famous mountains and rivers, important cities, and blessednds. It was one-eighth of the Central Continent map. A tiny red dot was moving very slowly on the map. If you didnt pay close attention, youd think the dot was stationary. The red dot marked their current location on the map. This wasnt just any ordinary map; it was an essential magical artifact for travel. Despite its sophistication, the map wouldnt detail a ce as small as Taiping Vige; it was impressive enough that it even mentioned Qu River County. The flying boat wouldnt stop at small ces like Qu River County. If it stopped everywhere, it would greatly reduce its speed, making its efficiency barely better than a horse carriage. The boat only stopped at major transport nodes like the Dao Seeking Sect, Qingyun City, Tongtian Valley, Fulong Mountain, and the Imperial City. Lu Yang had heard from his senior sister that to disembark, one simply needed to jump off. This fact made his eyes twitch. Simr to airnes in his previous world, the boat was incredibly fast and prioritized efficiency. The biggest difference was that passengers in his previous world had to wait for the ne tond before disembarking, while in the world of cultivation, passengers could jump off whenever they wanted, highlighting their freedom. This was Lu Yangs first time jumping off the boat, and he was quite excited, though it manifested in trembling legs. After all, it was from a height of ten thousand meters. Do you know how to get off the boat, Brother Lu? Of course, Lu Yang replied confidently, his chest puffed out proudly. He would plummet straight down from ten thousand meters up, and even a cultivator in thete stage of Foundation Building would be reduced to mush upon impact. Lu Yang had asked his senior sister how to disembark. She didnt answer but told him not to consult books or ask others, encouraging him to think independently and develop good habits. And so, Lu Yang had sessfully figured out how to get off the boat and made the necessary preparations. Apart from Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf, seven or eight strangers were also preparing to disembark. They all stood at the edge of the deck in a line. The strangers pulled out standard-issue paper umbres, while Peach Blossom Leaf held a carefully cultivated red paper umbre. Lu Yang, on the other hand, took out a parachute. Hmm? Lu Yang felt somewhat out of ce. Why was everyone elses equipment different from his? Just as he wondered what they were nning to do with their umbres, a ck-clothed middle-aged man holding an umbre jumped off the boat. He plummeted like a cannonball, his speed increasing rapidly. Calmly, he infused spiritual energy into his umbre. The light energy, like a dexterous green snake, coiled around the umbre ribs. The umbre seemed toe to life, awakening from hibernation and stretching out. The middle-aged mans descent slowed, and hended gently and safely. He released the umbre, which turned into a streak of light and returned to the flying boat. The umbres werent personal belongings but were temporarily lent to passengers by the flying boat. The seven or eight strangers and Peach Blossom Leaf turned to look at Lu Yang, even Peach Blossom Leafs eyes filled with puzzlement. They held umbres in preparation to jump off the boat, so what was Lu Yang doing with a backpack? On the surface, Lu Yang was unppable, facing their puzzled looks with a radiant smile, as if he wasnt the odd one out. Internally, however, he was in turmoil, not knowing where to begin his rant. All his thoughts condensed into one sentenceSenior Sister, youve misled me! (End of the chapter) Chapter 18: The Demon Bird Lu Yangs knowledge about the world of cultivation was far fromprehensive. Before joining the Dao Seeking Sect, his knowledge came solely from storytellers. In his year at the sect, his understanding of cultivation grew at an astonishing pace, but his readings didnt cover something as mundane as how to disembark from a flying boat. Who would write about such things? In terms ofmon knowledge about life in the cultivation world, he was less knowledgeable than Peach Blossom Leaf, who had grown up in a cultivator family. His understanding of flying boats was limited. He knew they were part of the assets of the Land of Gold Commerce, and disembarking involved jumping off, but the exact method was unknown to him. The flying boats brought in enormous profits annually, but for the Land of Gold Commerce, this was just a minor part of their business. Thepany, thergest on the Central Continent, had a mysterious backing and countless treasures. With enough spirit stones, one could buy anything, even legendary items like relics from the Buddhas Land, sacred bones from the Demon Territory, or celestial fruits that were normally only heard of in tales. If anyone dared to owe the Land of Gold Commerce or steal from them, the fate of several vanished powerful cultivators served as a warning to the world. Legend spoke of a cultivator known as the King of Thieves, skilled in the way of space, who could effortlessly steal others storage spaces. Distance was meaningless to him, and he could cross thousands of mountains and rivers in a single step. He had even stolen from Tribtion Stage cultivators. There was an unwritten rule among thieves: never steal from the Land of Gold Commerce. The King of Thieves initially adhered to this tradition. However, as his fame grew and many high-profile cultivators failed to capture him, he began to feel invincible and above the old teachings. He arrogantly announced that he would steal a treasure from the Land of Gold Commerce that night. People spected about a silent heist or a fierce battle inside thepany. But, to everyones surprise, nothing happened that night, and the King of Thieves disappeared without a trace. Lu Yangs awkwardnesssted only briefly. When it was time to jump off the boat, the strangers were too busy to keep looking at him.Everyone opened their paper umbres and leaped down, one after another. Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf followed suit. In the sky, several strangers with their umbres looked as tiny as sesame seeds from afar. Lu Yang was different; when he pulled the string on his back, his parachute opened with a pop, standing out conspicuously in the high sky. Normally, Lu Yang would be very nervous at such a high altitude, but at that moment, he had no room for such thoughts. It was just too embarrassing. Fortunately, everyone had different destinations. Only Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf were headed to Taiping Vige. Upon arrival, they were warmly weed by the vige head, who seemed to have been expecting them. Two esteemed immortals, youve finally arrived. The way you descended from the flying boat was truly extraordinary. Lu Yang opened his mouth but ultimately didnt ask why the vige head knew when they would arrive. My name is Lu Yang, and this is Peach Blossom Leaf. Were both disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect. The description of the demon bird in the mission was not very detailed; we would appreciate more information from the vige head. The vige head initially nned a weing feast with drinks and local specialties, amon practice for entertaining officials. However, Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf were all business, much to the vige heads delight and admiration for the discipline of sect disciples. Peach Blossom Leaf observed the vige head, noting histe stage Qi Condensation cultivation level. His early training had been inadequate, leaving impurities in his spiritual energy and making Foundation Establishment unlikely. He was a typical cultivator, nothing extraordinary. The vige heads expression turned troubled when mentioning the demon bird. Taiping Vige was already isted with few outsiders, and the news of the demon bird had scared off even the traveling merchants. He reported the incident to the authorities in Quhe County, but they were short-handed and, seeing that the demon bird hadnt harmed anyone, decided to wait and see, promising to send someone when they could spare the manpower. That was twenty days ago. About twenty days back, tailor Feng made amotion, iming that a man-eating demon had visited their home and it was fearsome, the vige head recounted. The neighbors were rmed upon hearing this. A man-eating demon was no small matter. Taiping Vige had about thirty cultivators in total, and I, as the vige head and the highest in cultivation, was approached by Feng and the neighbors. Before exorcizing the demon, its important to understand the situation. So, I asked Feng, You mentioned a man-eating demon, but who did it eat? The danger posed by a demon that had tasted human fleshpared to one that hadnt was significantly different. Humans, being the most spiritually aware of all beings, leave a lingering taste that demons crave, leading them to hunt for more victims, bringing cmity to the region. Feng replied that he didnt know who the demon had eaten but insisted it must have because it spoke humannguage. Indeed, rumors in the mortal realm suggest that demons gain the ability to speak and transform into humans after consuming them, but these are exaggerations. For a demon to speak humannguage, it must refine the hyoid bone in its throat, achievable only at theter stages of Qi Condensation. Feng thought it was just a lost bird from the forest until it perched behind him and watched him sew without moving. Suddenly, it spoke, scaring Feng enough to make him flee his shop. Seeing that Feng couldnt provide any useful information, I decided to approach the demon bird discreetly, leaving the others to wait at a distance. Thats when I saw it. The demon birds feathers were vibrant and glossy, with distinct red around its eyes, clearly no ordinary bird. No ordinary bird would dare unt such striking features. The demon bird asked me, Who are you, and where is Zhang Guanjia? with an urgency in its tone. I was puzzled. Zhang Guanjia is a cultivator from our vige, at the third level of Qi Condensation, nothing outstanding. It was strange to think he had any connection with a demon. I tried to appear non-threatening and politely asked, May I know why the esteemed demon seeks Zhang Guanjia? Without answering, the demon bird pped its wings and left the tailors shop. Since then, the demon bird has been flying around Taiping Vige, feasting on crops and speaking humannguage. Although it hasnt harmed anyone, the mere sight of a demon is enough to instill fear in mortals. Consequently, everyone has been living in fear these days, worried that the demon bird might unleash its ferocity and devour us all. Have you fought the demon bird? Whats its strength like? inquired Lu Yang. The vige head shook his head. The demon bird is elusive, always in the sky, making it hard to track. Moreover, I cant gauge its cultivation level, which means its at least at the same level as mine, the seventh level of Qi Condensation. I worry that attacking it recklessly might provoke it unnecessarily, especially if it harbors no ill intentions towards humans. Lu Yang nodded, understanding the vige heads cautious approach. (End of the chapter) Chapter 19: The True Identity of the Demon Bird! Peach Blossom Leaf asked, Since the demon bird is looking for Zhang Guanjia, have you tried letting them meet each other? The vige head sighed heavily, We didnt need to arrange their meeting. A few days ago, the demon bird directly went to Zhang Guanjias house and shouted Demon! Demon! at him, then flew out of the window, heading to another household. We were at a loss about what to do when you two immortal masters arrived. Peach Blossom Leaf pondered for a moment and guessed, Is Zhang Guanjia a demon? Is the demon bird warning you to be cautious of him? There are indeed benevolent beings among the demon race, who either transform into human forms or reveal their true identities to warn humans of impending disasters. For example, Zhu Yan, the great demon king, is misunderstood in folktales as a harbinger of chaos, but in reality, Zhu Yan came from the demon realm to the Central Continent to warn humanity, purely out of goodwill. Of course, Zhu Yan is also partly responsible for this misconception it suffers from social anxiety and avoids speaking. Given its silent nature and fierce appearance, its hard for people to believe its a benevolent demon. Perhaps this demon bird is doing the same, alerting the people of Taiping Vige that Zhang Guanjia is a transformed great demon. The vige head seemed somewhat embarrassed to contradict the beautiful immortal from the Dao Seeking Sect, but he couldnt disregard the facts and falsely use Zhang Guanjia of being a demon. Zhang Guanjia grew up in Taiping Vige from a young age, and the elders can testify to this. He has two brothers, Zhang Guanyi and Zhang Guanbing, and they share a deep bond. Zhang Guanjia now runs a private school, teaching Confucianism and cultivation to children hes one of the few teachers in Taiping Vige. If hes imed to be a demon, that would bePeach Blossom Leaf disagreed with the vige heads view, Demons are long-lived, and many live for decades in one ce, gradually aging to blend in with humans. When theyve seen enough of the scenery, they fake their death and move to a new ce to start anew. The vige head opened his mouth but didnt know how to respond, as his knowledge was limitedpared to Peach Blossom Leafs. Lu Yang gently shook his head, pointing out a w in Peach Blossom Leafs conjecture, If Zhang Guanjia were a demon, he would have to be a transformed great demon. How could such a being tolerate a minor demon birds nonsense? If the bird had tried to speak, Zhang Guanjia would have likely killed it before it could utter a word. Peach Blossom Leaf didnt argue, as Lu Yangs point made sense. Lu Yang stood up, Nevertheless, we should meet this Zhang Guanjia. The vige head quickly led the way, This way, immortal masters. On the way, Lu Yang corrected the vige heads manner of address, We are all cultivators aiming for immortality. Regardless of our mere Foundation Building stage, even Integrating Soul masters and Tribtion Passers, those closest to immortality, arent entitled to be called immortal masters. You may address us as Taoists. The vige head offered an apologetic smile. He dared not treat Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf as ordinary Foundation Building cultivators. The chance of a Foundation Building cultivator advancing to the Golden Core stage is less than one in ten, applicable to ordinary cultivators. But Dao Seeking Sect disciples are almost certain to reach the Golden Core stage, with unfathomable future achievements beyond his imagination. This isnt about no one bing an immortal; its just vague legends about immortals. Hearing this, Lu Yang just smiled and didnt say much more. Before long, the three of them arrived at Zhang Guanjias residence. Old Zhang, someones here, open the door. The wooden door creaked open, revealing Zhang Guanjia with a wooden expression, standing behind it. Let me introduce you, these two are disciples from the Dao Seeking Sect, here to help us get rid of the demon bird. Hearing the words Dao Seeking Sect, Zhang Guanjias expression changed. He said helplessly, Im really not a demon. You cant just believe whatever the demon bird says. It also shouted Grandpa,e y. Why dont you send a few grandpas to y with the demon bird? The vige headughed awkwardly, Were just passing by and happened toe to your ce. Despite being a diligent official respected by everyone, Zhang Guanjia could only wee the three inside after the vige heads words. Zhang Guanjias house was a two-entry residence, feeling empty for a single upant. Zhang Guanjia, in his forties, was still unmarried. The conversation inevitably circled back to the demon bird. Zhang Guanjia grumbled, Ive never seen that demon bird before. Who knows why its calling out my name. Ive never left Taiping Vige in my life; the farthest Ive been is to Quhe County. Where would I meet a demon bird? Every day, my students ask me, Teacher, are you a demon? Some are even scared Ill eat them, so theyplete their homework on time! Even my neighbors came to me, saying they have a Foundation Building stage enemy in Quhe County, asking if I could secretly take him down for a negotiable price! Zhang Guanjia spoke through gritted teeth, wishing to have a decisive battle with the demon bird to clear his name. He was just an ordinary person, yet the demon birds mere words had turned him into a demon, which was utterly unreasonable! After a long conversation, the three didnt gather any useful information, just listening to Zhang Guanjiasints about the impact of the demon bird on his life. Thankfully, Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf quickly stated their intention to eliminate the demon bird, to bring justice to Zhang Guanjia, which finally stopped hisints. The demon bird is here again! People outside the house shouted and ran away, keeping their distance from the demon bird. Hearing themotion, Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf immediately put away their yful attitude, grabbed their magical treasures, and left the yard to confront the demon bird. Be careful, Taoists! the vige head advised, asking the vigers to be quiet and stay away from where the demon bird appeared. Lu Yang gripped his sword hilt, ready to draw his sword and split the demon bird in two if it showed any intention of attacking humans. Peach Blossom Leaf took out her red paper umbre, her natal magical treasure, the Thousand Illusions Umbre. As the umbre opened, it created an illusory, dreamlike scene where enemies would drown unknowingly. Lu Yang gestured carefully, signaling that he would scout ahead, to which Peach Blossom Leaf nodded. The demon birdnded on a civilians house. Lu Yang, stealthy as a cat, moved soundlessly, tiptoeing closer to his prey. He was on full alert, muscles tensed, ready to draw his sword for battle at any moment. Optimistically, the demon bird was at the seventh level of Qi cultivation, which would be the best scenario. The worst-case scenario would be a Foundation Buildingte-stage demon, making the battle challenging, and victory would require considerable effort. Finally, he saw the demon bird that had troubled Taiping Vige for twenty days. Its deep green feathers were incredibly vibrant and lustrous. The red patches from its eyes to its neck were striking, contrasting sharply with the green. It was an eye-catching bird. Lu Yang recognized the demon birds origin at a nce. It came from deep within dense jungles, feeding on figs and berries, and was adept at mimicking human speech. It was a parrot. (End of the chapter) Chapter 20: The Shang Family The reality proved that not every talking creature is a demon beast; it might just be a parrot. What kind of demon bird is this! Lu Yang was furious. With a forceful pull of his hand, the parrot was swiftly captured, not even getting a chance to react. The vige head could have done the same, but he was hesitant, thinking the bird was a Qi Cultivation or Foundation Building stage demon beast. Demon beast! Theres a demon beast! the parrot squawked non-stop. Peach Blossom Leaf, hearing themotion inside the room, rushed over to check, feeling just as frustrated as Lu Yang. It was good that the mission waspleted without a battle, but the problem was they had traveled all the way from the Dao Seeking Sect, enduring a three-day flying boat ride, just to catch a parrot? How would they write this in the mission report without bing aughing stock? People in Taiping Vige had limited knowledge and didnt recognize this bird from the deep rainforest, but Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf did. This basic knowledge was well-known in the Dao Seeking Sect. No wonder hes a Daoist; he easily captured the demon bird! The vige head and others praised Lu Yang for his profound cultivation after learning that the parrot had been caught.Both felt helpless and patiently exined to the vigers that this was a verymon bird, just not often seen in the northern part of the continent. This parrot or the demon bird you refer to, is best at mimicking human speech. Mimicking human speech, mimicking human speech, the parrot kept repeating next to them. Lu Yang held the parrots beak and continued exining to the people. It calling Zhang Guanjia a demon wasnt its own intention but a mimicry of what it heard from Feng the tailor. When it encountered Zhang Guanjia, it happened to repeat the phrase. Zhang Guanjia breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that the Dao Seeking Sect disciples had cleared his name so quickly. Simrly, when it said, Who are you, where is Zhang Guanjia? it didnt understand the meaning. It was just repeating something it heard elsewhere, meaninglessly. That damn bird, let me kill it. Zhang Guanjia was furious at the sight of the parrot. Lu Yang raised his hand to stop Zhang Guanjia: Considering the distance from the rainforest, this bird certainly didnt fly here on its own. It must have been brought by someone. Other than someone being extremely bored to bring this parrot, which is only peculiar and serves no other purpose, across half the continent, it could only be the doing of the Luodi Commercial Chamber . Is there a branch of the exchange here? The vige head shook his head: Such a business wouldnt open in our remote and poor vige. However, there is one in Quhe County, located in the busiest area, bustling with endless visitors. Its possible someone bought it from the exchange and then the parrot identally escaped. As for the parrot escaping directly from the Luodi Commercial Chamber , that was absolutely impossible. Lu Yang further inquired: The bird has been circling Taiping Vige for twenty days and hasnt gone anywhere else. Perhaps its owner is here. Vige head, do you have any thoughts on this? After pondering for a while, the vige head replied: Everyone in the vige knows about the demon bird. If theres someone who might not know, it would be the Shang family to the east. The Shang family rarely goes out and avoids talking to people. I heard its because the head of the Shang family is also a cultivator. After suffering setbacks in his youth, his cultivation plummeted, and since then, he has lost his passion for cultivation and lives in seclusion here. The Shang family is also quite wealthy, the richest in the area. It would make sense if they bought the parrot from the Luodi Commercial Chamber . Then lets go and ask the Shang family. Taiping Vige isnt big, so Lu Yang, Peach Blossom Leaf, and the parrot quickly arrived at the Shang familys doorstep. After a round of knocking, the door was quickly opened by a middle-aged man with a goatee, dressed in a Confucian robe and appearing quite refined. So its the vige head. May I know who these two are so I can inform the master? the man with the goatee said. Lu Yang, holding the parrots wing like hes carrying a chicken to be ughtered for the New Years visit, said, We happened to find this parrot and thought it might belong to the Shang family, so we came to inquire. The man with the goatee was initially surprised by Peach Blossom Leafs beauty, having never seen such a beautiful woman before. Then, he noticed the green parrot and smiled joyfully, Ah, I see. Thank you, young heroes. This must be our youngdys parrot. Shes been gloomy ever since it went missing, causing us servants quite some trouble. Our youngdy will be so happy to know that her parrot has been found. The vige head whispered to Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf, Hes the steward of the Shang family, surnamed Zhang. Every time Ie to the Shang family, hes the one who answers the door. Steward Zhang hurried to report, and soon got a response. The master invites you three inside. Passing through the screen door, walking through the outer courtyard, passing the second gate, the corridor, and then the main house, they finally met the head of the Shang family. The head of the Shang family was a portly man, with a sullen look on his face that kept people at bay. He didnt like talking much, but he seemed quite happy to see the vige head. Huang, my old friend, its been a long time since west met. The vige heads surname is Huang. They greeted each other with a bow. The head of the Shang family then examined the parrot for a moment and nodded, Yes, this is the parrot my daughter bought from the Luodi Commercial Chamber in the county. At that time, I thought it wasnt worth much. The exchange asked for an exorbitant price, but my daughter insisted on buying it, so I had toply with her wish. Steward Zhang, please take these two young heroes to meet Xiao Yuan. Yes, master. Steward Zhang gestured for them to follow and called a maid to serve tea and water to the Shang family head and Huang, the vige head. On the way, Peach Blossom Leaf casually asked, How long have you been with the Shang family, steward Zhang? Steward Zhang respectfully replied, The master saved me on his way into seclusion, and since then, I have been serving by his side. Its been about twenty years now. The youngdy wasnt even born at that time. So, you must have a very good rtionship with Miss Shang. Not to hide from the young heroes, I watched the youngdy grow up. I have no children of my own, and I treat her as my own daughter. Seeing her downcast every day, it pains my heart as a steward. Lu Yang suddenly asked, Were you present when the parrot went missing? Steward Zhang sighed, his tone filled with self-me: At that moment, I was distracted and didnt notice the parrot flying away. If I had been more attentive, I would not have let the youngdy be so upset. It was my dereliction of duty. Lu Yang simply nodded, not saying anything more. Steward Zhang knocked gently three times at the door and spoke calmly, Miss, the parrot you lost has been found. Two young wandering heroes have brought it here. A voice came from inside the room, Let them in. Yes. Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf opened the door. Miss Shang of the Shang family was leaning by the window, quietly reading a book. The evening sunlight shone on her hair, creating a static beauty that seemed to freeze time. Many young men in Taiping Vige were infatuated with Miss Shang. Lu Yang kindly suggested, Reading in the sunlight is bad for your eyes, especially in the evening. You should light amp. Your father isnt short of money. (End of the chapter) Chapter 21: Staying Overnight Miss Shang of the Shang family closed her book and greeted Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf with an icy tone, Thank you for bringing Xiao Lu back. My name is Shang Yuan. The parrot, seeing Shang Yuan, fluttered its wings frantically, trying to escape Lu Yangs grip. Lu Yang let go, allowing the parrot to fly around the room. Be more careful next time. Luckily, this parrot kept circling around Taiping Vige. Otherwise, if it flew elsewhere, it would have been truly lost, Lu Yang reminded Shang Yuan with a smile. Shang Yuan, observing the twos refined attire, could tell they were seasoned wanderers, embodying the chivalrous spirit. Their outfits were rmended by the Dao Seeking Sects mission hall, designed to give the impression of experienced, righteous wanderers. However, Shang Yuans demeanor was somewhat distant. It was unclear if it was due to her personality or something else. Xiao Lu is back, you can go now, she said. Peach Blossom Leaf frowned at Shang Yuans attitude. Ignoring Shang Yuans hints to leave, Lu Yang cheerfully suggested, Lets chat. The Shang family seems quite weing, maybe theyll even offer us a ce to stay overnight. Shang Yuan scoffed, The Shang family weing you doesnt mean I do. Please leave, and it would be best if you leave Taiping Vige as well. Why leave Taiping Vige? Its free of demons and ghosts. Havent you been longing to hear about the outside world? Lu Yang said.Shang Yuan hesitated, not expecting Lu Yangs response. Her tone softened slightly, Where are you two from? I havent left home in nearly a month. Can you tell me about the outside world? Wee from one of the five great immortal sects, the Dao Seeking Sect, both of us are at the Foundation Building stage. We came to Taiping Vige because of reports of a troublesome bird Lu Yang narrated calmly and engagingly, captivating Shang Yuan with tales of a life on the road. She was drawn to the vast and mysterious world outside, wishing to experience it herself. I want to cultivate, but my father disagrees. He says its too dangerous. If he hadnt been lucky in an ancient tomb, he would have died there. Ive asked him several times about his experiences, but he refuses to tell me, Shang Yuanined, frustrated by her fathers reluctance to share his thrilling adventures. Lu Yang pondered, realizing that the head of the Shang family had his own story. What is the cultivation level of the head of the Shang family? Lu Yang asked. Shang Yuan rolled her eyes, thinking of her fathers smug face, ording to his own boasting, he used to be at the ninth level of Qi Refinement. After a major disaster, he barely survived, but his cultivation plummeted to the fourth or fifth level of Qi Refinement. Peach Blossom Leafmented, Thats still not bad. Taiping Vige doesnt have many cultivators. The strongest, the vige head, is only at the seventh level of Qi Refinement. Being at the fourth or fifth level is quitefortable for living, especially considering the Shang family heads background. Shang Yuan sighed, But I dont want to be confined to just Qu River County. I want to travel the world and see its wonders and mysteries. You and I are of simr age, yet youre already at the Foundation Building stage, and I havent even started Qi Refinement. Peach Blossom Leaf was about to offer some advice when they were interrupted by Steward Zhang knocking at the door, Miss, its time for dinner. Also, the master specifically instructed that since its gettingte, you two should stay the night after the meal. Master and madam, along with Vige Head Huang, are waiting for you. Alright, lets go, Lu Yang replied. Peach Blossom Leaf initially wanted to refuse but was stopped by Lu Yang, See, I told you the Shang family is hospitable and would offer us a ce to stay. Why not ept their kindness? At the dinner table, the head of the Shang family sat at the head, deeply engaged in conversation with Vige Head Huang. Everyone else enjoyed the meal, which, although notparable to the cuisine at the Dao Seeking Sect, was still delicious. Steward Zhang and a maid respectfully stood by during the meal, serving diligently. After an enjoyable dinner, Vige Head Huang went home, while Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf stayed overnight in the east wing, separated only by a wall. Peach Blossom Leaf was reluctant to sleep there, being particr about beds. Except for the bed in her Dao Seeking Sects cave, she found it hard to sleep elsewhere. Peach Blossom Leaf knew this was a bad habit for a cultivator who often had to endure rough conditions. She tried to change but hadnt seeded yet. Senior brother Lu can sleep anywhere, she mused to herself, chuckling softly before yawning. Going to bed early today, looks like Ill get a good nights sleep Suddenly, she realized something was wrong: Wait! Someone poisoned us! She turned to grab her magical umbre, Thousand Illusions, but found her spiritual energy sluggish and hard to control. Shocked, she realized someone had silently poisoned them C a poison targeted at cultivators. Knowing they were cultivators and still daring to act, the culprit must also be a cultivator. There were only a few people in the Shang family, none except the family head seemed to be cultivators. Was it the Shang family head? Or a cultivator of higher rank that she couldnt detect? What about Senior brother Lu? A series of questions shed through Peach Blossom Leafs mind, leaving no time for detailed thought. Footsteps approached from outside. The door opened to reveal Steward Zhang with an excited, cruel smile. It was you! Peach Blossom Leaf eximed in shock, realizing it was Steward Zhang. She couldnt have detected him as a cultivator, indicating his cultivation was higher than hers. Steward Zhang held a skinning knife, its de reflecting the moonlight, bright and sharp. He licked his lips, eyeing Peach Blossom Leaf struggling futilely, like a ferocious beast caught in a trap. Such beautiful skin, Ive never seen anything like it, he said, drooling at the sight. I know youre from the Dao Seeking Sect. Killing you would bring trouble as your sect is powerful, but your skin its irresistible. I couldnt help but take a risk when you decided to stay and dine with us. Realizing their dinner was poisoned, Peach Blossom Leaf listened as Steward Zhang admitted to being at theter stage of Foundation Building. Despite his boasting, he remained cautious C cultivators from the Dao Seeking Sect, even at the Foundation Building stage, were not to be underestimated. Rx, itll just hurt for a moment, and then you wont be afraid anymore, Steward Zhang said, licking the knife and approaching her. Suddenly, Peach Blossom Leaf sprang up, her spiritual energy flowing freely. She grabbed her umbre and smashed it onto Steward Zhangs face, catching him off guard. How are you not poisoned?! he eximed in shock. (End of the chapter) Chapter 22: Who Said There Isn’t a Poison Targeted at Skin? After being hit in the face, Steward Zhang spun around, dissipating the force of the blow. He couldnt understand how the poison he took pride in, which killed many cultivators, failed to work on Peach Blossom Leaf. She didnt answer his question. Having realized the parrot actually belonged to Miss Shang, she had been on high alert since then. The entire vige knew about a talking demon bird, and had the Shang family sent someone to search, they could have easily found the parrot. The Shang familys behavior defied logic, suggesting something was amiss. Furthermore, Miss Shangs distant attitude seemed not so much to shoo them away but to warn them of danger in the Shang house and urge them to leave quickly. Azy voice from behind answered for Peach Blossom Leaf, Thepulsory course for Dao Seeking Sect disciples includes 1,800 Common Poisons and Their Antidotes. Do you want to have a look? Steward Zhangs proud poison was a joke in the eyes of the Dao Seeking Sect. No matter how good he was at concocting poisons, could he surpass the poisons crafted by the sects Pellet Cauldron Peak? Turning sharply, Steward Zhang saw Lu Yang leaning against the doorframe, sword in hand, smiling at him. Realization dawned on him C he was the prey, not Peach Blossom Leaf. He asked How did you both discover it was me? He had controlled everyone in the Shang house and no one could have revealed his secret. While listening to Lu Yang and Shang Yuans conversation, he learned they were from the Dao Seeking Sect. But even then, Shang Yuan hadnt revealed his identity. Lu Yang replied, Do you know what the parrot said in the vige? Who are you, where is Zhang Guanjia? Initially, they thought the parrot was seeking Zhang Guanjia, but realized it was merely repeating what it heard. Lu Yang spected, What if the parrot wasnt saying Where is Zhang Guanjia? but Where is Steward Zhang? (TL Note: Steward and the name Guanjia in chinese are pronounced very simr) Lu Yang painted a picture: Twenty days ago, Miss Shang identally discovered that Steward Zhang had been reced. She confronted him, asking, Who are you, where is Steward Zhang? The startled parrot flew off, repeating thisst phrase it heard. Whether due to mispronunciation or Vige Head Huangs assumption about Zhang Guanjia, the parrots words turned into Who are you, where is Zhang Guanjia?Enraged, Steward Zhangmented the parrots meddling in his n. If only he had killed it from the start! It was not his first day in the Jianghu, Steward Zhang faced the duo with augh: As ate-stage Foundation Building cultivator, do you think you can stop me from escaping? Peach Blossom Leaf worried that if he escaped, theyd have to report to the sect, with no guarantee of tracking him down. This would be embarrassing for her, as it was only her third mission, and alreadyplications had arisen. Lu Yang remainedposed: Did you ever consider that if you could poison us, we couldnt poison you? Disdainful, Steward Zhang rxed, Poison, what use is that against me? As he spoke, his skin loosened and sagged, peeling off like a shedding snake, revealing aplete human shape standing in the middle of the room, empty-eyed and staring at Peach Blossom Leaf. His skinless body fell to the ground with a thud. A painted skin ghost. (TL Note: The painted skin ghost is based off a story called the painted skin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Painted_Skin) Peach Blossom Leafs expression grew serious as she understood why Steward Zhangs poison was ineffective. Poisons usually target organs, muscles, and meridians. Steward Zhang, being a painted skin ghost with his true form being just a skin, wouldnt be affected by conventional poisons. And who would develop a poison specifically targeting skin? Lu Yang had an answer. Steward Zhang, about to boast about his invulnerability, was horrified to find blisters the size of green beans on his feet, peeling offyer byyer, swollen and itching painfully. A yellowish fluid oozed out at the slightest touch. What is this?! Steward Zhangs voice carried a hint of panic. He had never encountered such a situation before. When had he been poisoned? Athletes foot, Lu Yang replied. Steward Zhang was baffled, thinking he had misheard. You think I was chatting with you? No, I was waiting for the disease to take effect. I figured youde after Peach Blossom Leaf, so I prepared a poison that triggers athletes foot in this room in advance! Steward Zhangs face turned pale. Peach Blossom Leafs expression darkened. Lu Yang grinned menacingly, approaching Steward Zhang, who retreated frantically and ended up sitting on the ground. You how did you know I am a painted skin ghost? Steward Zhang couldnt fathom how they had specifically poisoned him, considering his unique nature. He had never heard of a painted skin ghost contracting athletes foot! Now, his feet were so itchy he almost went mad, even considering amputating them. The poison forced him to divert most of his energy and magic power to suppress it, making escape impossible. Suddenly, Steward Zhangs vision blurred, and Lu Yang disappeared. How is that possible! Steward Zhang was incredulous. Lu Yang, merely a new Foundation Building cultivator, couldnt possibly have eluded his sight. Its an illusion! Steward Zhang realized toote and tried to roll away. But it was toote. A cold sh appeared, and in an instant, Steward Zhang was split in half from forehead to groin, a perfect cut made by Lu Yangs sword. Well done, Lu Yang gave Peach Blossom Leaf a thumbs-up. She had used her Thousand Illusion Umbre to trap Steward Zhang in an illusion. Imperfect as it was, Steward Zhang, experienced in the Jianghu, could break free in a moment of distraction. Lu Yang needed just that moment to strike. The painted skin ghost, known for its eeriness, had no advantage in defense, especially against a sword cultivator like Lu Yang. Unprepared and not defending, he was easily defeated. In disbelief, the painted skin ghost stared at Lu Yang, mouth opening and closing, seemingly asking: How did you recognize my true form? Peach Blossom Leaf looked at Lu Yang, curious about the answer. Lu Yang didnt speak but swung his sword again, cutting the painted skin ghost into quarters. He poured spiritual wine over it and set it ame, reducing it to ashes amid its painful howls. Better to eliminate such a creature first and exinter, as one could never be sure of its tricks. (End of the chapter) Chapter 23: The Past of the Head of the Shang Family How did you figure out he was a painted skin ghost? Peach Blossom Leaf asked a question that Steward Zhang never learned the answer to before his death. Lu Yang, tidying up the remnants of the battle, swept the painted skin ghosts ashes into a small pile, and Peach Blossom Leaf instinctively caught them with a dustpan. Its simple, just think about what the parrot said. Who are you, where is Steward Zhang? After meeting Shang Yuan, she deliberately drove us away, warning us to stay away from the Shang family. This meant the current Steward Zhang was no longer the person Shang Yuan knew and was extremely dangerous. There are three possibilities for Steward Zhangs identity switch. First, his body could have been possessed. But why would a spirit possessing someone linger in the Shang family for so long? If it were me, Id leave Tai Ping Vige immediately after possession and find a good ce for cultivation. Plus, Steward Zhangs talent isnt remarkable; it would be better to possess the head of the Shang family instead. Second, someone could have disguised as Steward Zhang. But that doesnt make sense either. The Shang family doesnt have anything valuable, so why bother? Is it some weird fetish? Even if they had valuables, why not just steal them directly? With his Foundation Buildingte-stage cultivation, he could easily rob Tai Ping Vige. The third possibility is a painted skin ghost, who loves collecting human skin and disguising as humans, blending in with them.Painted skin ghosts were once humans and became ghosts after death. They belong to a type of ghost cultivators, most of whom suffer from psychological disorders. For instance, painted skin ghosts abhor being exposed. They try to convince themselves that they are human, speaking and acting like one, until they grow tired and change to a new skin, starting a new identity. This cycle repeats. Lu Yangs exnation was logical, leaving Peach Blossom Leaf in awe, far removed from the impression of the timid Lu Yang on the flying boat. Collect the ashes; this is our proof ofpleting the mission. Lu Yang took out a white porcin jar, about two palms high, and carefully stored the ashes of the painted skin ghost. The painted skin ghost was an extension of their mission, part of the task. Defeating it would surely grant a higher reward than simply finding the parrot. Sounds of running approached the room from outside, stopping at the door as if several people, awakened from sleep, came to check on the situation but dared not enter. Their identities werent hard to guess. Lu Yang cheerfully called out, Head of the Shang family, pleasee in. The painted skin ghost has been in; its safe here. The door swung open with a bang. The head of the Shang family appeared, followed by his wife, daughter, and a dozen servants, all showing relief from having survived a catastrophe. Thank you, esteemed cultivators, for eliminating the painted skin ghost and saving the lives of twelve members of the Shang family! The head of the Shang family knelt down in gratitude, followed by everyone else. The painted skin ghost, capricious and unpredictable, could have easily killed the entire Shang family once tired of the stewards identity! Where the Head of the Shang family speaks, eliminating demons and defending righteousness is what we, disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect, are supposed to do. Lu Yang, taken aback by the grand gesture, hurriedly helped them up. Please forgive us for not being able to detect the painted skin ghost sooner. It was elusive, and I had no idea where it came from. Ever since it disguised itself as Steward Zhang, it forbade us from leaving the Shang house and speaking of it to anyone. Discovery meant certain death! As he spoke, Shang Yuan also looked guilty. Her seemingly cold demeanor in her room was an act to urge Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf to leave and avoid danger. The head of the Shang family continued, Unfortunately, having retired to the countryside, all my cultivators wealth has been converted into gold and jewels, useless to you two. I cant repay your kindness. Is there anything you need? Im willing to sell everything to fulfill it. His offer wasnt just courtesy but a genuine desire to repay their life-saving grace. The valuables of the Shang family were nearly worthless in the eyes of the Dao Seeking Sect disciples. However, Lu Yang did have a request. I heard you decided to retire from the world of cultivation and turn away from tomb raiding after encountering a life-threatening terror. May I ask what exactly happened then? Peach Blossom Leaf looked at the head of the Shang family with interest, intrigued by the story of tomb raiding, life-threatening dangers, horrors, and retirement. It sounded like a tale of great adventure and possibly great opportunity. She loved exploring unknown and mysterious ces. Lu Yang wasnt as keen on exploring the unknown as Peach Blossom Leaf, but he enjoyed listening to bizarre and extraordinary stories. The head of the Shang family, Shang Zhongtian, twitched at the corner of his eyes, clearly reluctant to recall that terrifying episode. However, feeling obligated to answer his saviors, he dismissed everyone else, particrly insisting on his daughter Shang Yuan leaving, and began his tale. Todays story must not be told to others. Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf nodded in agreement. Once Shang Zhongtian was sure of their confidentiality, he began to recount the events from thirty years ago. Thirty years ago, I, Shang Zhongtian, was somewhat notorious in the Foundation Building tomb raiding circle. Notorious or not, I was disliked by many. He reminisced about his golden days with a sense of pride. Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf didnt quite understand why Shang Zhongtian was so proud of this reputation, not knowing that among tomb raiders, such notoriety indicated exceptional skill. My approach to tomb raiding was always cautious. I never touchedrge tombs or ancient ones. Everyone in this line of work knows the saying: Big tombs have ghosts, ancient tombs have immortals. Here, ghosts referred to powerful entities far beyond the likes of painted skin ghosts in the Foundation Building stage. As a cultivator in the Qi Refining stage, I avoided their tombs. They usually leave little of value behind for their descendants, so theres nothing worth taking. Tombs of cultivators in the Foundation Building and Golden Core stages are different. They tend to leave some wealth behind, enough to make a fortune for someone like me. Unfortunately, you always get your feet wet if you constantly walk by the river. That time, I thought I was raiding a Golden Core tomb, but it turned out to be a decoy for a Nascent Soul tomb! Our rule is not to dig tombs much beyond our cultivation level. But I was blinded by joy at that time. I thought, with my peak Qi Refining cultivation, I could match a Foundation Builder in speed. Since tomb raiding doesnt involvebat, I considered myself practically at the Foundation Building level and decided to raid the Nascent Soul tomb. So, I offered incense to my ancestors, seeking their blessings, and started digging the Nascent Soul tomb. [To be continued] (End of the chapter) TL Note: Why didnt the daughter just write down a warning for them? It would have been much safer since he was just outside listening and couldnt see. Maybe his spirit sense could look inside Im not sure. Chapter 24: The Great Terror Shang Zhongtian, spoke in a low voice, I tiptoed through the cold, dry tunnel, illuminated only by fist-sized night pearls that had been shining for countless years. The dim blue light barely revealed my silhouette, let alone my facial features. I always felt like someone was watching me, making my hair stand on end, but when I looked back, there was nothing, so I thought it was just an illusion. I followed the light through the rough passage to the central chamber of the main tomb. The grandeur of the main chamber was astonishing, momentarily making me forget I was in a dark, frightening crypt. Shang Zhongtian paused, seemingly recalling every detail of what he had seen in the tomb. After a moment, he continued, I had never seen such arge-scale tomb chamber. The ceiling was as high as the sky, and under the dome, terracotta warriors with sharp bronze spears loyally guarded their master. The burial goods, disyed in an Eight Trigrams formation, were in perfect harmony with the order of heaven and earth. The ancient corpse had been dead for hundreds of years, yet the terrifying vibrations emanating from the coffin still made my heart palpitate. It was as if the Nascent Soul old monster wasnt dead, just asleep, and could wake up at any moment. Hesitation isnt my style. I decisively took half of the burial goods. Just as I was about to leave, I heard footsteps nearby, echoing in the empty chamber, chilling to the bone. Then I encountered a horror I had never faced in my years of tomb raiding. Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf leaned forward eagerly, wanting to hear what happened next. Shang Zhongtians expression was one of intense pain, and his voice trembled as he spoke, I ran into the descendants of that Nascent Soul cultivatoring to pay respects to their ancestor!What? Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf were stunned. Those people, carrying offerings and treasures, were paying homage to their ancestor, praying for the longevity of their family and the emergence of prodigies. On their way to pay respects, they noticed me in the crypt and captured me. It was terrifying. Even now, just thinking about it makes me sweat coldly. I think their reaction was pretty normal, Lu Yang honestly remarked, surprised that they didnt kill Shang Zhongtian on the spot for his actions. Is that the great terror you mentioned? Peach Blossom Leaf asked. Yes, what could be more terrifying than encountering the descendants of the tombs owner while robbing it? And then? Then I was beaten up, my cultivation fell from the peak of the Qi Refining stage to the mid-Qi Refining stage. I was thrown into prison by the authorities, had topensate for all the items Id stolen before, and spent ten years in jail. After my release, I decided to wash my hands clean of this business and start a new life. Honestly. I couldnt face my fellow tomb raiders. Shang Zhongtians earnestness left Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf unsure of how to respond. After properly burying the remains of the painted skin ghost, Shang Zhongtian invited Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf to stay another night, but Peach Blossom Leaf declined. Had it not been for drawing out the painted skin ghost, she would never have chosen to stay overnight. Traveling at night was not difficult for two cultivators at the Foundation Building stage. Before leaving, Lu Yang sought out Shang Yuan and petted the parrots head. Had the parrot not been mistaken for a demon in the vige, they would not have had the chance to resolve the painted skin ghost issue at the Shang residence. This parrot is not bad; it might really be a demon. Nurture it well. Shang Yuan was startled and eagerly asked why. Demons in their early stages are vague and hard to distinguish from wild beasts. I cant differentiate them either, Lu Yang exined. But since Little Green didnt flee far from your house and knew there was danger but didnt approach, it might be a coincidence or a sign of awakening intelligence. Its hard to say. Lu Yang smiled and said no more. Shang Zhongtian felt he hadnt hosted them properly; after all, they had saved the lives of twelve people in the Shang family. The best he could offer was his story of retirement. Ive written a book on my tomb raiding experiences. If you dont mind, please ept it. It mighte in handy someday. Shang Zhongtian pulled out a blue-threaded book from his robe and offered it to them. Lu Yang politely epted the book, and then they waved goodbye and left. On their way back, Lu Yang asked, Do you want this book on tomb raiding? Peach Blossom Leaf shook her head. She wasnt into tomb raiding, so the book was of no use to her. Lu Yang also felt it wasnt very useful, but he kept it anyway. Why didnt you tell me in advance when you were poisoning my room? Peach Blossom Leaf still harbored some resentment about that. Thankfully, her status as a Feathered Immortal gave her high resistance to all poisons, otherwise she would have suffered the same fate as the painted skin ghost and contracted athletes foot. Lu Yang shrugged, clearly having ensured the poison would not harm Peach Blossom Leaf before using it. I did tell you. When? With a look during dinner. So you werent just trying to get me to pass you the dish because you couldnt reach it? Im not that superficial. Upon their sessful return to the Dao Seeking Sect, they coincidentally encountered Meng Jingzhou, who had justpleted his task and wasining to the senior brother who had assigned the task. Meng Jingzhou, your task was quite simple, howe the fox demonined about you, saying you had an attitude problem and werent cooperating with her? The senior brother was puzzled, providing a dual cultivation technique should have been straightforward, so where could the attitude problem arise? Senior brother, you should investigate that fox demon, theres definitely something off about her. All I had to do was provide a dual cultivation technique, but she actually demanded to test the product and insisted on practicing the technique with me to verify its authenticity, Meng Jingzhou said indignantly. If it werent for the fact that I cant break my Pure Yang state, I would have practiced with her! It was unclear whether he was angry about being a Pure Yang body and missing a romantic encounter or about the fox demons disregard for his pursuit of the Dao. Lu Yang, seeing the senior brother in charge of task assignments also helpless, stepped forward to intervene. Senior brother, we havepleted the task involving the demon beast. Lu Yang detailed how the people of Taiping Vige mistook a parrot for a demon capable of speech, and how he and Peach Blossom Leaf revealed the painted skin ghosts ws and dealt with it. At the end, Lu Yang handed over the ashes of the painted skin ghost to the senior brother. Completing your first task so brilliantly, youve done well, the senior brothermended Lu Yang. He had thought the task would be simple when assigning it but hadnt anticipated the underlyingplexity. Particrly impressed by Lu Yangs targeted poisoning and rapid resolution of the fight, the senior brother had newfound respect for him. If Lu Yang hadnt poisoned the ghost, subduing it would have been a tough battle, and it might even have escaped. Most importantly, this junior brother carried a toxin that could induce athletes foot, a fact that made the senior brother discreetly move a bit further away. You two exceeded the task requirements. Your original contribution points are quadrupled, making it 120 contribution points for you, and Peach Blossom Leaf, as you yed a supporting role in this task, you get 90 contribution points. Peach Blossom Leaf had no objections. Lu Yang yed a crucial role in this task, and she was merely bait. (End of the chapter) Chapter 25: A Bizarre Exchange List Contribution points in the Dao Seeking Sect functioned as an internal currency, essential for purchasing items within the sect, eating in the cafeteria, and conducting trades with fellow disciples. Besides these uses, contribution points were also needed for special rewards in the Task Hall. For instance, the extremely popr yet unaffordable One-Day Sect Master Experience in Dao Seeking Sect allowed the redeemer to act as the Sect Master for a day. This included attending meetings with the elders, handling sect affairs, being addressed as the Sect Master, and enjoying the privileges of the highest leadership position within one of the Five Great Immortal Sects The benefits were numerous, but the required contribution points were so high that no one had managed to redeem this reward yet. Some senior brothers had even thought about pooling their resources for the experience but ended up fighting over who would assume the role of Sect Master. They were all eventually carried off to the Pellet Cauldron Peak for healing, attracting a crowd of onlookers. Now, these senior brothers were on long-term missions outside the sect and hadnt returned for quite some time. Another example was the Medicine King Elixir, touted as a unique treasure brewed by the higher-ups of the Dao Seeking Sect. It strengthened the body, enhanced vitality, solidified the soul, and consolidated cultivation levels. Despite its high cost, it was extremely popr among the senior brothers and sisters. Duringbat, just a sip could replenish energy and elerate wound healing. Those who used it swore by its effectiveness. There was also the Airship ident Insurance avable for just one contribution point. Wait, why is there Airship ident Insurance? Lu Yang found this term somewhat unsettling.The senior brother tasked with assigning missions exined as if it were the most natural thing. Its quite normal. No mode of transportation is 100% safe. Even the airships operated by the Falling Money Business Association can encounter idents, like colliding with a powerful being, mechanical failures leading to crashndings, or pilots striking for higher pay These aremon incidents, but fortunately, there have been no casualties. The chairman of the Business Association, realizing the risk, suggested that passengers pay a small amount into a pool. If an ident happens, the association wouldpensate the passengers from this pool. If no ident urs, passengers only lose a trivial amount of money. But if something happens, they receivepensation for the inconvenience. The chairman dubbed this model risk guarantee, or insurance, and promoted it extensively in other businesses. But dont worry, our Dao Seeking Sect wont let our disciples down. Were generous when ites to insurance. Weve already purchased various types of insurance for you upon your entry into the sect, including airship ident insurance. The one for sale in the rewards section simply increases thepensation amount. The senior brothers expression conveyed, Were a righteous sect, unlike those life-and-death demonic sects. We provide all necessary insurances, showing reliability. Development in the cultivation world is indeed rapid, even insurance is avable now. Lu Yang couldnt help but cringe a bit, recalling from his memories that in his previous life, insurance originated from maritime transportation, not realizing that in the cultivation world, it stemmed from airship transportation. He felt that this kind of thing was too ominous and preferred to buy something else. In the cultivation world, a bit of superstition is necessary. The senior brother seemed to hear Lu Yangs thoughts and added, However, a powerful being who studied cause and effect argued that purchasing insurance might establish a causal rtionship with risks, thereby increasing the likelihood of those risks. The Business Association tly denied this possibility, and both sides argued for a long time without reaching a formal conclusion. This topic is of great research interest in the cultivation world. If its concluded that there is a causal rtionship, that powerful being will favor you. If theres no causal rtionship, the Business Association will favor you. Either way, its a win-win situation. Lu Yang thought to himself that if he proved there was a causal rtionship, the Business Association might want his head. One contribution point can be exchanged for a hundred low-grade spirit stones, and one hundred twenty low-grade spirit stones can be exchanged for one contribution point. Blood Drinking Flying Sword, two thousand contribution points. The longer it soaks in blood, the more powerful it bes. Why does this weapon sound so unrighteous? The senior brother exined, It doesnt have to be soaked in human blood; pig, cow, or duck blood works too. Recently, the owner of a Sichuan hot pot restaurant in our sectined that someone secretly soaked a Blood Drinking Flying Sword in their duck blood hot pot. After an investigation, the culprit was caught and punished by being forced to drink a pot of spicy hot pot broth. I bet he wont want to eat hot pot for the rest of his life, the senior brother said with a peculiar expression, recalling the scene. Lu Yang continued browsing: A bottle of Fasting Pills with any vor for one contribution point. Ancient Barbecue Recipe, one hundred contribution points. The Sword Levitation Array, for twenty-five contribution points, was a practical choice. This array could be engraved on a weapon to allow it to hover behind the back, eliminating the need for a scabbard and enabling quick ess. It also included a protective array to safeguard the sword against the elements. Lu Yang bought it without hesitation. This semi-invisible array, once applied to the ancient sword, vanished like a droplet evaporating in the air, leaving the sword floating silently behind Lu Yang. He moved around, and the sword followed seamlessly without any dy. Thats a great item. Strength of Ten Bulls Pill was priced at a hundred, a thousand, and ten thousand contribution points for various stages from the Foundation to the Nascent Soul. Crafted by the renowned alchemist Wu Ming, it granted the user immense strength, allowing them to sweep through armies. Despite being a product of Wu Ming, known for mixing poison with his pills, the description promised remarkable effects inbat. Lu Yang decided to buy one to test its effectiveness. Sorry to bother you, Peach Blossom Leaf, but could I borrow five contribution points? Ill repay you after the next mission. He asked, knowing that contribution points could be transferred among disciples. Peach Blossom Leaf, who needed a significant amount of points for her purchases, didnt mind lending five. Okay. Lu Yang promptly acquired a Strength of Ten Bulls Pill. The senior brother handed him a small porcin bottle containing a golden pill that reflected a bright light in the sun, clearly no ordinary medicine. Meng Jingzhou, Ive already promised to celebrate my sessful Foundation establishment. Ive reserved a table at the Hundred Fragrance Pavilion. Lets go for a meal; its all your favorite dishes,ughed Meng Jingzhou, also inviting Peach Blossom Leaf. Peach Blossom Leaf, would you like to join us? Meng Jingzhou, being Peach Blossom Leafs senior by ranking second in their entry group, extended a warm invitation. Peach Blossom Leaf felt that despite Lu Yangs fear of heights, his tendency to tell untruths, and his secretive poisoning of her room, they hadpleted a mission together and could be considered friends. Lets go. (End of the chapter) Chapter 26: The Origin of the Meng Family Within the Dao Seeking Sect, there were numerous businesses catering to various needs, ensuring that the cultivation life wasnt just about rigorous training but also included essential entertainment. For instance, the previously mentioned Sichuan and Chongqing hotpot and the Hundred Fragrances Pavilion, where Lu Yang, Peach Blossom Leaf, and Meng Jingzhou were heading. Lu Yang had heard that the Dao Seeking Sect wasnt always this way. In the past, cultivation was strictly about cultivation, without the distractions of misceneous activities that could affect ones dedication to the path of seeking the Dao. However, when the old Sect Master and the former elders retired and new leaders took charge, the Sect underwent significant changes, promoting a bnce between cultivation and rxation. If these things can affect the heart of seeking Dao, then whats the point of seeking Dao? This was the new leaders viewpoint. Lu Yang felt the current atmosphere in the Sect was not ideal and resolved to reform it once he reached a high position in the Sect. At Hundred Fragrances Pavilion, the atmosphere was lively with disciples gathering afterpleting missions or hard training sessions. The food here was notably better than that in the cafeteria. Waiter, we had reserved table number nine with three sets of utensils. Please serve the dishes as per my previous order, Meng Jingzhou instructed. Alright, right this way. As they moved to the second floor, the fragrant aroma of dishes from other tables stimted their appetites. Lu Yang noticed that he couldnt discern the cultivation level of the waiter, which piqued his curiosity. This was Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leafs first visit to Hundred Fragrances Pavilion, as they usually didnt need to dine here. Meng Jingzhou, on the other hand, was quite familiar with the ce. Youve never been here before, right? There are so many delicious dishes to try, and the menu offers an array of choices beyond your imagination, he said while handing them the menu.Lu Yang browsed through the menu, intrigued by its contents. The first page contained a noticeable note: Only finished dishes are sold here, not ingredients. The second page of the menu finally presented the main dishes, with prices listed in both contribution points and spirit stones. Steamed Thunder Tribtion Essence: A culinary delight made from the essence left by cultivators during their Thunder Tribtion. Its believed to significantly aid in understanding the Way of Thunder and Lightning. Braised Ice Abyss Giant Elephant: Sourced from the coldest northernnds, this dish is made from the Ice Abyss Giant Elephant, a dominant species in its habitat. An adult Ice Abyss Giant Elephant is known for its immense strength, capable of shattering ciers and standing firm against avnches. Tomato and Egg Stir-fry: Thismon dish offers a selection of eggs, including ordinary chicken eggs, eggs from the exotic Eight Treasures Chicken, and even the rare Golden Winged Peng eggs. Seeing the prices, Lu Yang couldnt help but whistle in amazement. Clearly, these delicacies werent intended for Foundation Phase cultivators like themselves, and they could also hardly afford such extravagant fare. However, there were also items he could afford, such as Stir-Fried Fasting Pill. Seeing Lu Yangs increasingly furrowed brow, Peach Blossom Leaf thought he was scared by the prices and couldnt help but ask with a smile, Whats wrong, have you encountered some problem? You see, the meaning of fasting is to rece food with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and taking a Fasting Pill allows one to fast, Lu Yang exined. Thats right, Peach Blossom Leaf nodded. So, tell me, if you eat a Stir-Fried Fasting Pill, does it count as eating or fasting? Peach Blossom Leaf and Meng Jingzhou were both taken aback at first, finding the question somewhat absurd. But upon further thought, they found it intriguingly profound. They called the waiter over and asked if he knew the answer to this question, but even he was stumped. He had been working there for so long and had never encountered a customer asking such a question. Was it because they were bored waiting for their meal? The dishes here arent cheap, do you have enough contribution points? Lu Yang shifted his concern from the Fasting Pill conundrum, worried about whether they could afford the meal. Meng Jingzhou had only done three tasks in total and couldnt have earned many contribution points. The idea that Meng Jingzhou, Peach Blossom Leaf, and himself might end up washing dishes to pay for the meal seemed quite in line with Meng Jingzhous style. Use contribution points? Of course not, Ill use spirit stones, dered Meng Jingzhou with the voice of a wealthy man. Peach Blossom Leaf nced at Lu Yang in surprise, not understanding why he was worried about a Meng family member being short of money. Havent you heard of the Meng family? Lu Yang was puzzled. Is Meng Jingzhous Meng family famous? With the vast expanse of the Central Continent and countless cultivators striving for a lifetime to explore it, there were many Meng families. How could Lu Yang know which Meng family Meng Jingzhou belonged to? He had known Meng Jingzhou for so long but had never heard him talk about his family. Initially, Lu Yang thought Meng Jingzhous family was in decline and relied on him, a single spiritual root cultivator, to revive their fortunes. The most famous one, Peach Blossom Leaf rified. Lu Yangs pupils contracted in shock, finally realizing which Meng family she was referring to. The one from the Imperial City, which fought alongside the ancestors of the Xia Dynasty to establish the Great Xia Dynasty? Lu Yang was genuinely astonished. The Meng family of the Imperial City had a significant history. A hundred thousand years ago, during a period of chaos, it was said that heroes emerge in troubled times. The ancestor of the Meng family rose from the eastern ancestralnds, conquering far and wide, driving away demons and sea beasts, and subduing rebellious forces. After a thousand years of warfare, the Meng familys ancestor controlled half of the Central Continent, bing one of the two dominant powers. The other was the ancestor of the Xia Dynasty, who simrly expelled barbarians and demons, ending the era of turmoil. People had expected either a split rule over the Central Continent or a grand battle for supremacy between the two and various military strategists began to conduct war deductions to figure out which side had the greater advantage and how the other side could defeat the strong with the weak. However, both ancestors decided against further bloodshed. They believed that the maind had been in chaos for a thousand years, with people devastated and bleeding. If the war continued, there would be many more years of chaos, how many people would die by then. They conquered the world to bring peace to the world, not for the throne of the dynasty. So the ancestors of the Meng family and the ancestors of Emperor Xia gave up their armies and started a decisive battle in the vast starry sky as cultivators. In that battle, the sky copsed, the sun and moon lost light, and the stars fell. The ancestor of the Xia Dynasty emerged victorious, and the Meng familys ancestor graciously conceded. At that time, the ancestors of Emperor Xia publicly announced that as long as the Xia Dynasty existed, the Meng family would never die. The Xia Dynasty was established, and they stayed true to the words. The Meng family settled in the Imperial City, never oppressed or diminished. (End of the chapter) Chapter 27: Breakthrough at Hundred Fragrances Pavilion The royal family and the Meng family had a close rtionship, often intermarrying. The Meng family continuously produced prodigies, and whenever people thought the familys heritage was exhausted and the descendants were too weak to support the Meng name, a genius would emerge, upholding the Meng familys immortal legend. Thus, rumors said that the Meng family had linked their familys fate with the destiny of the Great Xia Dynasty; as long as the dynasty existed, the Meng family would never perish. Its not that exaggerated, Meng Jingzhouughed heartily, modestly saying, I didnt expect you to guess that I am the once-in-a-generation genius of the Meng family. No, we didnt think you were a genius, Lu Yang spoke the truth. A non-serious Meng Jingzhou supporting the Meng familys great responsibilities seemed like it would mark the end of the Meng familys immortal legend. If there was a genius, it was more fitting for Lu Yang, who was destined to shoulder the great responsibilities of the Dao Seeking Sect in the future. The two praised themselves and belittled each other,pletely forgetting about Peach Blossom Leaf beside them, whose talent as a Feathery Immortal Body surpassed both single spiritual roots and sword spiritual roots. Fortunately, they didnt dwell on this topic for too long. A powerful and wild aura suddenly spread from downstairs, shaking the entire Hundred Fragrances Pavilion. If the building hadnt been sturdy, the aura alone could have copsed the structure! Lu Yang and the others felt as if their heads were struck by a heavy hammer, their minds went nk, and their internal organs felt like they were being squeezed together an extremely ufortable sensation. Others in the vicinity with higher cultivation levels than Lu Yangs group, including some in the Golden Core phase, fared slightly better but not by much. Is someone breaking through to the Nascent Soul phase?! a Nascent Soul phase sister eximed in surprise, sensing a hint of primitive wildness in the aura.The dishes in Hundred Fragrances Pavilion were not just delicious; they could increase cultivation levels or even help a cultivation technique circte for several more cycles. Ifbined correctly, the food could enhance their effects. Ive heard that one can break through an entire realm just by having a meal here, but I thought it was just a rumor. Today, I see its true! Who knows which lucky junior brother or sister is breaking through here. Normally, people breaking through would seek a quiet ce, closed off and protected. Hundred Fragrances Pavilion, with its noisy and chaotic environment, was not conducive to breakthroughs. Managing a breakthrough in such a setting demonstrated how greatly Hundred Fragrances Pavilions food could enhance cultivation! The waiter gently pressed down, and the pressure from the Nascent Soul phase immediately disappeared. Everyone caught their breath, then looked at the waiter in astonishment. To them, the waiter was only at the Golden Core phase, but his casual disy of power clearly surpassed that level. His true cultivation level was disguised. Someone whispered to theirpanion, I heard from an elder that when Hundred Fragrances Pavilion first opened a thousand years ago, he was already the waiter. A thousand years have passed, and he still looks the same. Itsmon for cultivators appearances to remain unchanged, but staying exactly the same for a thousand years was exceedingly rare. The waiter, as if he hadnt heard the whispers, apologized with a smile, Im sorry, it seems one of our guests got too excited during their breakthrough and forgot to restrain their aura. Please excuse us. A junior brother who had just entered the Golden Core phase, reminiscing the aura of the breakthrough, brightened up, This aura has a hint of wildness, like the ancient dragon race reborn. It must be a body cultivator brother who has broken through. Lets seize this opportunity toprehend this aura; it might greatly help in strengthening our physiques! Indeed, indeed. This serendipitous chance is our opportunity; we should grasp it. Hispanions agreed, and they all began to meditate. Floating slightly in the air, they closed their eyes in silence, feeling the cool and refreshing qiing from all directions, making them exceptionallyfortable. Even though they were not body cultivators, cultivators still greatly valued physical strength. With sufficient magic power, but a weak body, one could easily fall victim to sneak attacks and be killed in one hit. Or, if an opponent engaged in closebat, one could die upon approach, without even the chance to escape or counterattack. Therefore, the Dao Seeking Sect ced great emphasis on the physical fitness of its disciples. The ancient dragon race, known among beasts for summoning storms and possessing invincible physical bodies, was one of the top ns, ruling the domain of beasts. Comprehending even a trace of the ancient dragons qi could greatly benefit ones physique, and if one couldprehend and adapt a skill or two of the dragon races divine powers, it would be an incredibly fortunate opportunity! Five Golden Core cultivators, surrounded by steamy food, chose to meditate instead. This scene was indeed a rarity. Such sensitivity to opportunity greatly impressed Lu Yang. Shall we also seize this opportunity to meditate and see if we can perceive the wild aura of the ancient dragon race? Peach Blossom Leaf suggested. Lu Yang was surprised, Can you feel the ancient dragon qi that the senior brothers mentioned? Lets try; theres no loss in trying. Just as Lu Yang and hispanions were considering whether to meditate and try toprehend the wild aura of the ancient dragon race, hurried footsteps sounded from the staircase. A fierce, fanged wild boar appeared, its eyes filled with panic and rage, instilling a deep sense of crisis in everyone. Such a ferocious and terrifying beast, its realm surpassing most of those present! And its aura was unstable, as if it had just broken through! The waiter frowned, and as he was considering whether to take action himself, a bright de shed, and a piercing de aura, intense and scorching, shed down. The wild boar was beheaded in one stroke, its head rolling far away,ing to a stop at Lu Yangs feet. The boars eyes stared at Lu Yang, dying with grievances unredressed. What should have been a bloody scene was bloodless. The intense heat from the de instantly cooked the severed area, emitting an aroma of roasted meat. The owner of the de finally appeared. He was amon-looking chef, wearing a tall hat and a special apron, holding a pig-ughtering knife, his face covered with coarse features, smiling like a bandit ready tomit a robbery. Sorry, sorry, I didnt mean to startle everyone. I was about to ughter this dragon-blood wild boar. Perhaps it was my intense killing intent that caused the beast to feel a life-and-death crisis, activating the ancient dragon blood in it, and breaking through to the Nascent Soul phase. This was an oversight on our part; it wont happen again. Please understand! The chef, holding the pig-ughtering knife and grinning fiercely, sounded genuinely sincere. The patrons felt they had no choice but to ept his apology. The chef picked up the boars head from Lu Yangs feet, reattached it to the body, and the oppressive atmosphere finally dissipated. The five Golden Core cultivators felt a bit embarrassed, unsure whether to continue meditating or not. One of them mmed the table, Damn it, bring a pot of pig-killing vegetables, made from that boar! The meat of a Nascent Soul phase boar, especially one with ancient dragon lineage, was extremely pricey. The pot of pig-killing vegetables they were about to consume would be worth waking up from a dream and pping oneself twice for. Even if it meant pping themselves, they were determined to eat this Nascent Soul phase wild boar. They couldnt let their indignation and frustration turn into internal injuries. The waiter casually slung a towel over his shoulder, smiling as he shouted, Alright, add a pot of pig-killing vegetables for our five guests! TL Note: The image here is pig-killing vegetables. Theres not really a good trantion for it in english. A direct trantion would be Kill Pig Cuisine. (End of the chapter) Chapter 28: Heard There Was A Time Where You Ate Tofu Every Day? Lu Yang and hispanions quietly withdrew their gazes, trying to lower their presence. Given the fierce expressions of the five senior brothers, it seemed they were on the verge of a murderous impulse. By the way, do you want to guess what I ordered for you? Im sure its all food you like, Meng Jingzhou whispered, afraid of attracting the attention of the five senior brothers eating the pig-killing dish. Lu Yang was confused. How could Meng Jingzhou know what he liked to eat? How do you know what Senior Brother Lu likes? Peach Blossom Leaf asked in an even lower voice. Meng Jingzhou gestured a thumbs-up, revealing a radiant smile with eight teeth: I specifically asked the eldest senior sister. Lu Yang immediately had a bad premonition. Stuffed tofu is here! Fresh tofu brain!Cold tofu with scallions. Mapo tofu. The waiter announced each dish while serving them. One by one, the exquisite tofu dishes were ced before Lu Yang. Even Peach Blossom Leaf, who wasnt particrly interested in tofu, was tempted by the aroma. With each announcement, Lu Yangs face turned paler. Meng Jingzhou seemed quite pleased with himself: The eldest senior sister said that there was a time when you ate nothing but tofu, meal after meal, and even talked about Tofu Celestial in your sleep. So I thought you must really like tofu. Dont be too touched. My family taught me that when inviting someone to eat, its important to inquire about their preferences to show sincerity. Although I dont always agree with my familys views, I agree with this one. I specifically came to Hundred Fragrances Pavilion and ordered a table full of tofu dishes for you. Dont underestimate these dishes. Although they seem ordinary, the soybeans used are all top-grade spirit beans, the side ingredients are all aged spiritual herbs, and even the water used is the pure essence of ice from the far north Lu Yangs face turned as pale as tofu in an instant. What kind of preference did you find out! After the diners had their fill and left Hundred Fragrances Pavilion, patting their bulging bellies, the waiter swiftly cleaned the tables and dishes. Once he had a moment to himself, he remembered Lu Yangs question. Eating Fasting Pill, does it count as eating or fasting? Seemingly a simple question, it was actually deeply philosophical. The more the waiter thought about it, the more he found it intriguing. It seemed that among the new disciples this year, there were some with highprehension skills, destined for great achievements in the future! Hey, chef, I have a question for you. The waiter went to the kitchen and threw the question to the pig-ughtering chef. In the scorching kitchen, even a Qi Refining cultivator would suffer severe burns if not careful. To cook heavenly and rare ingredients,mon fire was not sufficient. At least a me cultivated by a Golden Core stage practitioner was required for such powerful cooking fires. The waiter ignored the terrifying heat of the kitchen, casually fanning with the towel on his shoulder to dissipate the heat, recing it with a refreshing coolness. Whats up? Want to learn how to ughter pigs? The waiter red: Why would I learn that? Ive thought of a philosophical question rted to cooking. Let me test you. No longer cleaning the stove, the chefughed, setting aside his brush and leaning back: Ask away. What do you think, eating Fasting Pill, does it count as eating or fasting? The chef scoffed, about to answer without thinking, but then found himself speechless. Yeah, what does it count as? The chef looked suspiciously at the waiter: Wait, everyone knows your intelligence. How could youe up with such a question? The waiter angrily retorted: Ill have you know, pig-ughterer, dont underestimate people! So, did you think of this question? No. After discussing, the waiter and the chef decided that pondering such a question was too advanced for their brains. So, they brought the question to the proprietor. Surrounded by the fragrance of exquisite tea, forming ancient, obscure characters, the proprietor handled the teapot and cups gracefully as if moving clouds and flowing water, pleasing to the eye. The proprietor was an elegantdy with fair skin and a star pattern faintly visible on her forehead. She looked helplessly at the waiter and the chef, feeling that they must be too idle to think about such trivial questions. Dont be misled by the name of the Fasting Pill. Its purpose is not to avoid eating, but rather to slowly dissolve food refined into a pill in the stomach, achieving the effect of not eating for a long time. The Fasting Pill is essentially food. Understood? The chef contemted: Understood. So the alchemists who refine Fasting Pills are actually my colleagues. The waiter scoffed: Dont tter yourself. At best, youre on the same level as the boys fanning the alchemy mes. The chef, enraged, grabbed his pig-ughtering knife and lunged at the waiter. The waiter, not one to be trifled with, flicked his towel, which turned into a white iron rod with a ng of metal. The two fought fiercely, resembling street thugs with all sorts of dirty tricks. The proprietor, exasperated, thought these two were only kept around because they were cheapbor. The proprietor gently blew across her tea, the rich aroma wrapping around the twobatants, confusing them. By the time they regained their senses, they were downstairs. They heard the proprietors slightly annoyed voice: Go downstairs to fight. Any damages will be deducted from your wages. Unaware of the events in Hundred Fragrances Pavilion after their departure, Lu Yang returned to Heavens Gate Peak looking as pale as if he had been dead for three days. The eldest senior sister, dressed in indigo, sat cross-legged, floating three feet above the ground, like an ethereal fairy untouched by worldly dust. Yun Zhi opened her eyes slowly, her gaze as dazzling as a starry sky. Lu Yang rubbed his eyes, seeing Yun Zhi calmly looking at him, the extraordinary vision nowhere to be seen. An illusion? Why is your face so pale? Lu Yang replied irritably: Youre pretending to be ignorant. Meng Jingzhou heard from you that I once ate tofu every meal, so to celebrate my foundation establishment, he invited me to a table full of tofu dishes. Lu Yang suspected the eldest senior sister was doing it on purpose. Meng Jingzhou asked me what you ate the most. In my memory, you ate several jars of tofu while practicing with tofu. I just told him what really happened. Whats wrong with that? And about the Tofu Celestial Before Lu Yang could finish, Yun Zhi replied in her unvarying tone: In your dreams, you shouted about receiving a legacy and called out Tofu Celestial. I was merely repeating it. Lu Yang silently looked at Yun Zhis detached and innocent eyes, admitting defeat. He always suspected the eldest senior sister was ying tricks on him, but he had no evidence. (End of the chapter) Chapter 29: The Concept of the Ancient Great Era Ive read your mission report. Using wisdom to eliminate a painted skin demon, you did a great job. Lu Yang felt joy in his heart; receiving praise from the eldest senior sister was not easy, and the trip to Taiping Vige was worthwhile. After brieflymenting, Yun Zhi thought of the implications behind the painted skin demon and her brows slightly furrowed. In the past hundred years, with the arrival of the great era, various hidden forces have be restless, ghosts and demons run rampant. Although the Great Xia Dynasty seems calm, countless disasters are hidden within. The dynasty, too proud to seek help from the five major immortal sects, keeps its troubles to itself. Yun Zhi sighed lightly, her words not really meant for Lu Yang. Lu Yang caught a term in his senior sisters speech: The arrival of the great era? He had never heard of this term, nor seen it in books. Yun Zhi spoke ethereally, as if not of this world: A hundred years ago, the Great Elder of Heavens Mysteries Sect emerged from his death meditation, spilling blood over Qing River, questioning the heavens with his life, and what he found out remains unknown. Heavens Mysteries Sect, known for predicting everything, emphasizes natural justice and karmic retribution. They were the ones who questioned the insurance proposed by the Luodi Commercial Chamber. The Great Elder then announced to the world, iming the arrival of the great era, heralding the resplendence of ancient times in cultivating immortality.Usually, its considered good if a single spiritual root disciple emerges from each generation of the five major sects. In your generation, there have been ancient barbarians, three single spiritual roots, and even rarer immortal bodies. Ive heard that other sects have also recruited many geniuses not inferior to single spiritual roots in the past hundred years. From this, we can glimpse a corner of the ancient great era. Yun Zhi rarely curved her lips in a barely perceptible smile, seemingly mocking: The ancient great era is said to be glorious, but in reality, it is extremely chaotic. The great era is also a troubled era, with various forces and interests intertwined. Demons and monsters scheme against each other, human hearts are unpredictable, and life and death are in the hands of fate. Countless innocents die before a great cultivator emerges, far less peaceful and stable than the present. Lu Yang felt his senior sisters smile was very cold. He had read descriptions of the ancient great era in books, where strength reigned supreme, and the victor was king, with no distinction between right and wrong. The human race was just one of the strong factions at that time, far from the dominant status it holds on the continent today. Demons emerged, dragons and tigers fought, heroes roamed the world, building their reputation with blood and bones, resolutely killing, and countless great beings became legends admired by millions, unattainable goals for cultivators. It was truly exciting, making one wish to travel back to that era and show off their talent. It was in such chaotic times that various heroes had the opportunity to emerge. But seeing his senior sisters expression, Lu Yang realized that the ancient great era was good for the talented, but a hellish nightmare for ordinary people. Life was uncertain, with no guarantee of survival till dawn. Amon skirmish among the upper echelons could reduce ones own people to ves and prisoners, subjected to envement and ughter, with no stability whatsoever. The descriptions of the ancient great era in books were grand because the authors themselves were high-level cultivators who yearned for those scenes. From the perspective of ordinary people, the picture would be entirely different. Lu Yang realized that since bing a cultivator, he seemed to have forgotten that he was once a mortal. That shouldnt be the case. Yun Zhi did not borate further on this topic, as it was too early for Lu Yang: Do you have anything else to ask? Well, senior sister, do you have any spells for traveling quickly? Of course, but what do you need such spells for? The disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect had an agreement with the Luodi Commercial Chamber. When traveling, all expenses rted to amodation and transportation were charged to the Dao Seeking Sects ount. Lu Yang didnt even need to spend spirit stones to ride the flying boat. Why learn a travel spell? Lu Yang scratched his head, rarely showing embarrassment: Its nothing, just want to learn, to save money for our Dao Seeking Sect. Yun Zhi didnt doubt him: You have this intention, and as your senior sister, I cannot disappoint you. Youve just established your foundation, and there arent many spells you can use. Lu Yang chuckled and rubbed his hands together: As long as there are some I can use. Your cultivation over the past year has been seen by me, worthy of the name Sword Spirit Root. I have a flying sword technique here that allows you to ride a flying sword and travel freely across the world. There are also teleportation spells, which refine your spiritual consciousness, allowing it to be strong enough to move your body and fly at will. The speed is not as fast as the flying sword technique, but its less strenuous and helps in battles. Transformation spells are another option. Once mastered, you can transform into a bird and soar freely in the sky. Little junior brother, which one will you choose? Yun Zhi casually mentioned several spells for Lu Yang to choose from. Well, are there any spells for traveling that dont involve flying? Yun Zhi looked at Lu Yang with interest: Oh? Why do you want a travel spell that doesnt require flying? Lu Yang stammered, unable to articte his thoughts. Yun Zhi didnt press further: There are indeed such spells, but they require a high level of Taoist understanding and sufficient magical power. You might be learning them a bit too early. Its okay, Ill give it a try. If it doesnt work, then so be it. This spell is called Shrinking the Earth into Inches. Its extremely difficult to master. Heres the mantra. Once youve memorized it, Ill start teaching you. Yun Zhi gracefully lifted her hand, effortlessly opened a space, and took out a golden piece of paper, neatly filled with elegant characters. Lu Yang carefully took the golden paper, knowing its worth. He feared damaging it. After Lu Yang left, Yun Zhi resumed her meditation. With a gust of cold wind, a hoarse and resentful voice echoed in her ear, chilling to the bone as ifing from the deepest abyss. My dear disciple, how much longer will you keep your master imprisoned here? The voice seemed to emerge from the depths of hell, causing shivers down the spine. The number of times I have taught you is few, but youve managed to cultivate to your current level. I am proud of you as your master. They say a day as your teacher, a lifetime as your father. You cannot neglect the kindness of your masters teachings and imprison me here. The Dao Seeking Sect has been without a master for ten years. Youve been exercising the masters rights on my behalf. Arent you afraid of gossip affecting your illustrious image as the eldest senior sister? You epted a disciple on my behalf, and even though he is a sword cultivation genius, I wont delve into it. But at least let your master out to meet my disciple. Its absurd to have him worship my portrait instead of the real person. Wont peopleugh if this gets out? The voice contained a certain magic, stirring emotions and making one unconsciously want to believe and release the voices owner. Yun Zhi, immersed in her cultivation, ignored itpletely. The aged voice, seeing Yun Zhi unmoved, turned its thousands of words into a long sigh, disappearing as if it never existed. Yun Zhi remained focused in her meditation, unaffected by the disturbance. (End of the chapter) Chapter 30: Shrinking Earth into Inches Three dayster. Lu Yang, dressed in a tight outfit and standing tall, wore an excited smile on his face for finally memorizing the contents of the golden paper. Recite it for me. Thousands of miles exist, right before my eyes, released and then retracted Lu Yang recited fluently without a pause, clearly showing that he had deeply memorized the content. Yun Zhi nodded, noting that the mantra was esoteric, with profound meanings in every word. The act of reciting it consumed a lot of mental energy, and Lu Yangs ability to recite it to this extent proved his dedication. This mantra is an introduction. When youre not familiar with the spell, recite it in your mind to help you seed. Once you can use Shrinking Earth into Inches proficiently, you wont need this mantra anymore. Shrinking Earth into Inches is a space spell. Its a bit early for you to practice it, but since youre a disciple of our master, and he learned this spell at your level, perhaps you can too. The most important thing in practicing a space spell is safety. If the space is misced, it can result in being cut in half. Thats why theres an unwritten rule in the cultivation world: when practicing a space spell, there must be an expert in space nearby to guide you. Yun Zhi became serious, and Lu Yang, seeing this, also became solemn and listened carefully.The principle of the spell is to shrink thend to the size of an inch, allowing the practitioner to easily step over it and traverse vast distances. The more proficient you are, therger the area you can shrink and the longer the distance you can cross. When fully mastered, even the vast Central Continent cant hinder your steps. Be prepared that practicing this spell requires insight. Youve never been exposed to space spells, so be prepared whether you seed or not. Cultivators should not be swayed by extreme joy or sorrow. Yun Zhi imparted her cultivation experience to Lu Yang. Lu Yang nodded, feeling that his senior sister was the most qualified to say this. He had never seen her with any strong emotional fluctuations. He wascking in this aspect. Initially, Lu Yang thought Yun Zhi was emotionless due to her constant expression, butter realized she did have emotional fluctuations, albeit very subtle. Now, he could sometimes discern her mood from her subtle expressions. Like now uh, he couldnt figure it out. Ill demonstrate it for you first. Unaware of Lu Yangs thoughts, Yun Zhi threw a red g to a mountain peak opposite them. Before Lu Yang could see clearly, she stepped forward, disappearing and reappearing, holding the red g in her hand. Just like that. Practice a few more times after you seed, and you can be as proficient as me. Lu Yang stood dumbfounded, blinking his eyes repeatedly. What just happened? In his eyes, it seemed like Yun Zhi just threw the red g and then casually picked it up again. Whether the g evennded on the opposite mountain peak was unclear. There were no signs of using a spell. Yun Zhi rarely frowned, recalling that her master taught her the same way, and she learned it in one go. Worried that Lu Yang didnt understand, she demonstrated again. Throwing the g, stepping forward, and returning C all in one smooth motion, leaving Lu Yang utterly confused. Indeed, even his senior sister had unreliable moments. Learning seemed to be a matter of personal effort after all. Meeting Yun Zhis gaze, Lu Yang could now read her mood. She had high expectations for him. But senior sister, you should know that with your teaching level, no one could learn from you. Lu Yang sighed secretly. He could no longer rely on his senior sister and started to cast the spell based on his understanding of Shrinking Earth into Inches. Thousands of miles exist, right before my eyes, released and then retracted Lu Yang closed his eyes, formed hand seals, and recited the mantra while casting the spell. Shrinking Earth into Inches! Lu Yang shouted, and his figure vanished instantly. The surroundings changed into pitch darkness, as if he had fallen into a different space. Lu Yang was delighted, thinking he had seeded on his first try. He was indeed a genius! Lu Yang had heard from his senior sister that the principle of Shrinking Earth into Inches was to twist and fold space, allowing the caster to walk in an alternate dimension. This dimension was a straight line that enabled one to reach the destination in the shortest time. Just as Lu Yang was about to burst intoughter, he found himself being engulfed by dark substances pouring into his mouth. His body was also trapped, unable to move his limbs, and it seemed there was no air in this alternate dimension, making it extremely difficult to breathe. After a brief but calm reflection, he realized one thing: He had shrunk into the earth. Now, Lu Yang had good news and bad news. The good news was he had learned half of Shrinking Earth into Inches shrinking. The bad news was that he only learned half. On the surface, Yun Zhi didnt know what to say. She watched Lu Yang perform the spell, then shrink into the earth, effectively learning the art of Earth Escaping. Why would a space spell deviate into an elemental spell? Yun Zhi, as the top disciple and senior sister of the Dao Seeking Sect, was unparalleled in cultivation and innate talent among all disciples of the sect. Her ability to write techniques and learn spells with a single nce was legendary, making any genius pale inparison. Even she couldntprehend Lu Yangs method of casting. These were twopletely unrted spells. With a muffled pop sound, Lu Yang used Shrinking Earth into Inches again, sticking his head out of the ground like a mole, prompting an urge to hit or step on him. Lu Yang coughed, trying to alleviate the awkwardness. Despite his thick skin, he couldnt handle this level of embarrassment. Yun Zhi, expressionless, pulled Lu Yang out of the earth and shook off a pile of mud. Like pulling out a radish. That was an ident; Ill try again. Lu Yang felt he was close to mastering it. Thousands of miles exist, right before my eyes, released and then retracted He recited the mantra again, faster than before. Shrinking Earth into Inches! Lu Yang shouted, and the change happened again. Yun Zhi, a tall figure, was slightly shorter than Lu Yang. Usually, Lu Yang could see the top of her head, but now it was different. She gradually became taller, and Lu Yangs perspective shifted from looking down to looking up, and finally, he had to crane his neck to see her. He couldnt even see her face from his angle. Yun Zhi seemed like a giant, touching the sky with her head and stepping on the earth with her feet. No, Ive be smaller! Lu Yang yelled, noticing the half-person-tall stones on the ground, realizing the issue. Lu Yang, now three inches tall, hopped around on the ground, his voice much softer than before. He had learned a new spell shrinking to inches. Lu Yangs talent in spells was also terrifying. Like Yun Zhi, who learned only the shrinking part of Shrinking Earth into Inches, Lu Yang managed to learn both shrinking and inches! Yun Zhi squatted down to observe Lu Yang, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, still puzzled about what went wrong in the process. (End of the chapter) Chapter 31: Application of Learning Yun Zhi pinched Lu Yangs cor with two fingers, shook him in front of her eyes, still unable to figure out the principle, and then put him back. Lu Yang was equally perplexed. He followed the mantra and method taught by his senior sister, so why did the spell turn out to be two different spells? This makes no sense. I will demonstrate it to you again. Yun Zhi was a very responsible teacher. Though her teaching was quite average, she had patience. Yun Zhi took out an hourss, ced it upside down on the ground, then held Lu Yangs shoulder, and the two of them jumped through space together. Lu Yang only felt a sh before his eyes, and they arrived in a strange space, with colorful flowing light on both sides. Lu Yang instinctively wanted to touch the flowing light but was stopped by Yun Zhi. That is a strange scene formed by the distortion of space. Dont even think about it. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator would be torn apart and shattered if they touch it. Frightened, Lu Yang quickly withdrew his hand.The two exited the space and saw a giant white snake coiling around mountains, swallowing the sun and moon, refining the essence of heaven and earth. Its eyes were vivid, and the two happened tond in the snakes mouth, then entered its belly. Just as the stomach acid was about to drip, Yun Zhi stepped again, returning to the strange space. Following Yun Zhis steps, Lu Yang saw all kinds of bizarre scenes: an ocean made of magma, a great cultivator suffering a thunder tribtion, a silent swordsman carrying a thick and wide de These ces were unseen and unheard of by Lu Yang, truly unimaginable. Eventually, the two returned to the starting point, Lu Yang panting and still in shock. The ces I took you just now are within the Dao Seeking Sect, and you can visit them yourself in the future. The Dao Seeking Sect was too vast, and the ces beyond the nine core mountains were still unknown to Lu Yang. Try casting the spell again? Yun Zhi felt that there might be something different this time. Facing Yun Zhis eager gaze, Lu Yang braced himself and cast the spell again. After a day of practice with the two, Lu Yang finally learned to sense the underground environment and how not to get stepped on after shrinking. Shrinking Earth into Inches was not sessful even once, but shrinking and inches were sessful every time, bing more proficient each time. By the end, he didnt even need the mantra. A single thought was enough to cast the spell, as if he had been immersed in this way for months or years. Lu Yangs initial intention to learn Shrinking Earth into Inches was to use the spell for traveling. Now that he had learned the spell shrinking for traveling, it was in line with his original intention. Its just that the method was indescribable, and the speed was somewhat slow. Watching Lu Yang freely change size and burrow in and out of the earth, Yun Zhi casually asked, Little junior brother, I heard its tough for you to get tasks in the mission hall? Yeah, most of the tasks can only bepleted by cultivators at the Golden Core stage or above. There are very few suitable for me. Lu Yang was considering squatting in the mission hall for a few days to see if he could find a suitable task. Its quite coincidental. A few days ago, I was in a meeting with the elders, and someone mentioned that there was a problem in the medicinal garden. A task was posted in the mission hall, but no one took it. I think you are a suitable candidate. Why dont you go check it out in the medicinal garden? Lu Yang knew that since his master entered seclusion, it was his senior sister who had been presiding over the meetings in his ce. What kind of task? Lu Yang was curious. His specialty in the Dao Seeking Sect was not prominent. What kind of task would be suitable for him, especially the medicinal garden about which he knew nothing? He hadnt even fully learned how to identify medicinal herbs. Youll know when you get there. Yun Zhi did not answer. In Lu Yangs view, the Dao Seeking Sect itself was a miniature cultivation world. Without leaving the mountain gate, one could find someone to help with alchemy, artifact refinement, and formation setting Most of the time, it could be self-sufficient. Alchemy requires medicinal herbs, and the Dao Seeking Sect has a significant demand for them. They cant always rely on external purchases. To address the medicinal herb issue, the Dao Seeking Sect has developed arge medicinal garden within the sect for cultivating herbs. The mission hall also posts tasks for assisting in cultivating these herbs. Cultivating herbs requires specialized knowledge, and Lu Yang is clueless about it. He still hasnt even distinguished what medicinal herbs or spiritual beasts he eats daily, let alone cultivating them. From a distance, Lu Yang could smell the fragrance of the medicinal garden. Unlike the Pellet Cauldron Peak, which might sometimes smell like poison, this was the pure scent of medicinal herbs. Its said that if ordinary people smell it for a long time, it can prolong life and ward off diseases. At the entrance of the medicinal gardeny an old man, a fan covering his face, leisurely lying in a rocking chair, napping. Old man, is this the medicinal garden? Lu Yang asked. The old manzily opened one eye to nce at Lu Yang: Who are you? Lu Yang. I didnt ask your name, I asked your identity. The fourth disciple of the sect leader, junior brother of Senior Sister Yun Zhi. The old man didnt react much initially, considering the sect leader had been missing for ten years. But upon hearing thetter part, he suddenly realized its significance. The disciple of the sect leader meant he was Yun Zhis junior brother! The old man quickly got up, his body more agile than Lu Yangs. In the cultivation world, one cant judge others abilities and age by their appearance. Whether someone is a grandparent or a grandchild standing together is hard to determine. In the cultivation world, respecting the elderly and loving the young is not advocated, as the old and young might be stronger than you. So you were referred by Yun Zhi. You should have said so earlier. The old man became friendly with Lu Yang, as if they were close brothers. We are all from the Dao Seeking Sect. Just call me Old Ba. I am in charge of this little piece of the medicinal garden. Lu Yang suspected Old Ba was taking advantage of him, but he had no proof. What did Yun Zhi send you here to do? Harvest herbs? How many years old do you need, a thousand or two thousand? Considering Old Bas demeanor, Lu Yang couldnt help but think of the meals his senior sister made for him. Could they all have been harvested from the medicinal garden, being a thousand or two thousand years old? A thousand-year-old medicinal herb is not cabbage and is quite precious for the Dao Seeking Sect. No, no, Senior Sister is quite frugal and wouldnt waste medicinal herbs on herself. Lu Yang politely asked, Senior Sister said that a task was posted in the medicinal garden a few days ago, and no one took it. May I know what the task is? Old Ba suddenly realized, Oh, that task. Do you know how to cultivate medicinal herbs? Not at all, Lu Yang answered honestly. Let me exin simply. Cultivating medicinal herbs involves many steps, one of which is loosening the soil to allow the herbs to better absorb spiritual energy from the ground and the air. Usually, this task is done by a couple of Silver Ring Heavenly King Worms. Recently, they have some family issues and no one is doing the job, so I posted a task to loosen the soil in the medicinal garden. This requires one of the Five Elements Dao, the Earth Escape Technique. There are quite a few youngsters who know this technique, but they all find it too troublesome to ept the task. Its fortunate that Yun Zhi sent you here. So, what I need to do is Imitate an earthworm, burrow into the soil, and loosen the soil of the medicinal garden. Lu Yang: Lu Yang suspected his senior sister was ying a trick on him, but he still had no proof. (End of the chapter) Chapter 32: The Ginseng Child To be fair, burrowing in the medicinal garden is indeed a good method. While practicing the Shrink Earth technique, Lu Yang could also learn about herbal knowledge in practice, making up for his deficiency in this area. Its a win-win situation. Senior Sister is thinking for his benefit. Senior Sister is thinking for his benefit. Senior Sister is thinking for his benefit. Lu Yang hypnotized himself into believing that his senior sister had his best interests at heart. After truly epting his task to rece earthworms in burrowing, he remembered something: earthworms dont usually have genders. Why do earthworms have a husband and wife? Old Ba exined, Ordinary earthworms indeed dont have genders, a characteristic of lower life forms, oh, I dont mean any offense by that. Intelligent, transformative earthworms do have genders, especially the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worms, the king of all earthworms, possessing a bloodline suppression over all other earthworms. I understand. Please continue. Old Ba went on, There was no issue with the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worm couple managing the soil loosening. But then, I made a carelessment, asking the wife if, like earthworms that can survive being cut in half, she could do the same to take turns working with her new self.She was tempted by my words and immediately cut herself in half, turning into two individuals. It was like seeing identical twins, no, more like a clone. I watched one person turn into two and couldnt tell which was the original. Fortunately, they themselves could distinguish. When the husband returned and saw two wives, he waspletely dumbfounded. The two women then asked him whom he preferred. Being a straightforward man, he confessed his liking for both. Then, a family feud erupted. The three of them got caught up in a series of love and hate dramas and have since lost interest in working. Old Ba seemed very remorseful in his tone. Lu Yang: What a bunch of lunatics. How exactly should I do this? After his rant, Lu Yang quickly adjusted his mindset, gradually adapting to the thinking of cultivators. Its all trivial matters. Old Ba stroked his white beard with a smile: Just go inside, someone will guide you. But I must warn you, entering the medicinal garden is for loosening the soil. If you dare to pick any herbs, the Silu Peak will hold you ountable! Silu Peak, managed by the eldest senior, is known for its justice and impartiality. Thanking Old Ba, Lu Yang walked into the medicinal garden. As soon as he entered, Lu Yang was hit by a herbal fragrance tens of times stronger than outside. The aroma couldnt possibly vary so much in just a few steps distance. Lu Yang immediately realized that while Old Ba appeared to be the only one guarding the garden, aplete array was actually protecting it, preventing outsiders from entering. The array concealed the gardens aura, but with the overpowering fragrance of the herbs, it couldntpletely contain it, leaking just a hint. Even this faint fragrance could prolong life and avert disasters for mortals, hinting at the miraculous effects of the gardens aroma! Aside from the fragrance, the most striking thing was the spiritual energy C it was incredibly dense. Lu Yang suspected that the dew on the herbs was not water but droplets formed from condensed spiritual energy, each equivalent to a low-grade spirit stone! Everywhere Lu Yang looked, the garden was lush with various unfamiliar and unheard-of herbs sprawling before him. The herbs were neatly nted in rows, divided into different areas based on their species, dazzling Lu Yangs eyes. He dared not move carelessly, fearing he might step on some rare variety. Crouching down, Lu Yang examined several herbs and finally recognized one. The nt had three leaves, each with distinct veins, resembling condensed ice and emitting a faint chill. Ice Essence Grass, he recalled. This herb helps in cultivating ice-based techniques and increases the absorption speed of spiritual energy. Each Ice Essence Flower in the garden was nted at a considerable distance from each other, to prevent their chilling aura frombining and freezing themselves. Lu Yang had once fought against a puppet and was thoroughly defeated. Afterward, the puppet had used an Ice Essence Flower to treat his wounds, so he remembered it well. As for the other nts, he really couldnt recognize them. Hey, who are you? A not-so-polite voice called out. Lu Yang instinctively turned around but saw no one. Whos speaking? Hey, look down here, the voice instructed. Lu Yang looked down to see a three-inch-tall ginseng child hopping around his feet. It seemed displeased that Lu Yang took so long to notice it, requiring its loud reminder. Youre so dumb, why didnt you look down earlier? I had to remind you! The ginseng child was chubby with sturdy legs, running around Lu Yang energetically. Its roots served as arms, pping as it ran. Its bodys patterns formed facial features, expressing emotions just like a human. Young man, who are you? the ginseng child asked in an elderly tone. Being an intelligent ginseng, it was certainly old, so Lu Yang didnt dare to be disrespectful and bowed, My name is Lu Yang, and Im here to loosen the soil in the medicinal garden. Just here to loosen the soil, the ginseng child sighed in relief, worried that another hateful human hade to pick them. It had nurtured all the herbs in the garden. You must have been allowed in by Little Ba. Besides him and that female demon, its been a while since Ive seen outsiders. To the aged ginseng child, even Old Ba was just a junior. What use is high cultivation when the true measure among them is longevity? It looked down on everyone in the Dao Seeking Sect. Lu Yang knew the rules of the medicinal garden: the herbs were precious, and if one wanted to take any, they had to ask the gardens caretaker. Without this task, Lu Yang wouldnt have been allowed in. He wondered who the female demon the ginseng child referred to was. Another caretaker of the garden? The ginseng child, with its roots akimbo,ined, Why are all you humans so tall? Lu Yang also found it inconvenient to talk down, so he used his Shrink technique to reduce his size to three inches, matching the ginseng childs height. Ah, youre quite capable, much better than Little Ba, the ginseng child eximed, pleased to see a human of its own size. It always disliked having to look up at humans. The ginseng child was one solid piece, with no neck. From now on in this garden, just follow me, it dered boldly, patting Lu Yangs shoulder in approval. I still have some things to do, but Ill take you to meet the other Medicine Kings after Im finished. Medicine Kings were the most precious and intelligent of herbs. Even the most powerful sects might not possess one. Any sect which was a Medicine King would treat it like an ancestor. From the ginseng childs words, it seemed there were quite a few like it in the garden. Lu Yang marveled inwardly at the profound depth of the Dao Seeking Sect. (End of the chapter) Chapter 33: The Medicinal Garden Lu Yang closely followed the ginseng child, observing the lush herbs around him with a sense of novelty. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled patterns of light on him. Being shrunk, the herbs seemed like towering trees, much taller than him. Soon, they encountered a rapid stream, naturally imbued with spirituality, used for irrigating the herbs. The herbs purified part of this water, benefiting both the stream and the nts. This is the river guarded by the River Spirit, the ginseng child exined. The stream that encircles the Dao Seeking Sect varies in pace, originating from an eternal spring. This spring, older than the Sect itself, was blessed by nature, having a speck of spiritual light. For inanimate objects, the greatest chance is to gain sentience, and this speck of spiritual light is crucial. If it assimtes into the object, it bes a favored being of heaven and earth. If not, it might take eons to regain such an opportunity, with the risk of destruction in battles among cultivators. Luckily, the Sects ancestors discovered this and locked the spiritual light within the spring, allowing it to develop true sentience. Grateful, the springs spirit volunteered to guard the Sect. The stream thus became both a protective barrier and a source of vitality, known as the River Spirit. To ordinary eyes, the stream before Lu Yang and the ginseng child was just a couple of feet wide and not very fast, hardly more than a trickle. But after shrinking, it appeared thrillingly vast. There was a makeshift bridge over the stream, probably built by the Medicine Kings for convenience. As Lu Yang crossed, he felt as if the streams flow quickened, as if excited to see him, though he wasnt sure.He also noticed a magnificent wall made ofrge stones,rger than himself, which turned out to be the wall of the medicinal garden. The ginseng child unearthed several transparent stones from the base of the wall, looking like hollowed-out ss. With its root-like arms, it strung these transparent stones together. These are Lu Yang recognized them. Spirit stones? The ginseng child confirmed, exining they were depleted spirit stones, used by the Sect to provide essence-rich spiritual energy for growing herbs. No wonder the spiritual energy felt so rich in the garden; it was fueled by spirit stones, likely top-grade, considering their use in the garden. The ginseng child, with its roots, strung the spirit stones and led the way, with Lu Yang closely following behind. As they walked, the ginseng child struck up a conversation with Lu Yang. Were standing on a grand array called the Eternal Verdancy Array that covers the entire garden. It aids the healthy growth of our herbs, and these transparent stones are part of the array, the ginseng child exined. Lu Yang had heard of the Eternal Verdancy Array, a top-tier formation used in cultivating spiritual herbs, costing a fortune and consuming a vast amount of spirit stones annually. By the way, I heard from Old Ba that our Dao Seeking Sect is quite poor. To support us, its said theyre nearly broke. Like organizing that cuju (ancient football)petition, people fighting over a ball, heads bleeding. Is that true? the ginseng child inquired. Lu Yang didnt dare to join in on the topic. Old Ba seemed nice and kind-hearted, but he sure knew how to swindle the Medicine Kings. This is called the Illusion-Breaking Celestial Wood. It can break through illusions and reveal the truth, truly a nemesis to all falsities. If youre under an illusion, just hold this wood tightly, and it will dispel the false visions, the ginseng child continued. Lu Yangs gaze followed the ginseng childs direction, spotting a cactus. Thats a Sr st Flower, essential for cultivating the Sr Body. Apart from cultivation, adding it to any fire-attribute elixir can infuse a bit of sr essence, very beneficial for cultivators with a fire-type spiritual root. The highest quality of Sr st Flowers is nine turns. A nine-turn Sr st Flower is even useful for those in the Tribtion Crossing phase. This area has six, seven, and eight-turn Sr st Flowers. Over there is the Enlightenment Forest. The leaves steeped in water can aid in enlightenment, and the wood is used to craft top-grade magical artifacts. Its said to fetch sky-high prices in the outside world. Every autumn, Old Ba plucks arge number of Enlightenment Leaves for you all to consume. Lu Yang had seen many descriptions of the Enlightenment Tree in books, praised as a celestial species, a divine tree. Humanitys rapid rise in the ancient times was significantly due to the Enlightenment Tree. However, this was his first time seeing a real one. The towering Enlightenment Trees looked like mythical trees reaching the heavens. From the perspective of three-inch tall Lu Yang, it was dizzying to look up at them, as if the Dao was thundering in his ears. I heard from Old Ba that its best for low-level cultivators not to consume Enlightenment Leaves. At a low level, cultivators Dao hearts and foundations arecking. Consuming the leaves prematurely is like forcing growth, detrimental to future cultivation and enlightenment. Just like how we shouldnt over-fertilize young herbs. The older the tree, the better the enlightenment ability of its leaves. The oldest tree in the Enlightenment Forest is even older than me and is a Medicine King. Youll see it soon. This is called the Lovesick Grass, one of the main ingredients for the Lovesick Moonlit Elixir. When the moon hangs high, if two people in distantnds simultaneously consume the Lovesick Moonlit Elixir, they canmunicate heart to heart, transcending time and space. A legend from ancient times tells of a pair of lovers, a man from a noble n and a woman of lowly birth. They met when the man went hunting and fell in love at first sight, vowing to be together forever. But being the son of a n leader, he had no right to choose his partner, let alone marry a ve. The n forced him to marry a girl from another noble n, strengthening ties between the ns through their marriage. Refusing toply, the man sneaked out on his wedding day and eloped with the woman. When the n elders learned of this, they were enraged and sent masters to kill the woman. She died in the mans arms, and in grief, he took his own life. Their blood merged into a wild herb, dyeing its roots red and creating the Lovesick Grass. Captivated by the story, Lu Yang asked, Thats so touching, did it really happen? Fake. Its a story made up by someone to sell the Lovesick Grass for a high price. I was right there when they made it up. (End of the chapter) Chapter 34: The Little Medicine Kings I once roamed the Central Continent, making a significant name for myself, reminisced the ginseng child. If it werent for someone revealing my effects as an aphrodisiac, forcing me to seek refuge in the Dao Seeking Sect, I would still be traveling. The person who traveled with me is also a notable figure among your human race, known as Householder Ancient Moon. (TL Note: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Householder_(Buddhism))When he brought me to the Dao Seeking Sect, he mentioned writing about me in his book so that people would remember me. Householder Ancient Moon was a famous traveler in the Central Continent. He loved exploring and had adventures in the Central Continent, the Demonic Realm, the Buddhist Lands, and more, leaving his mark and tales in each ce. ording to legend, he was a historian in the Xia Dynasty, detailing the Emperors romantic escapades and his numerous illegitimate children. In the Demonic Realm, he was abducted by a Dragon Princess and forced into marriage, which he fled from, leading to a pursuit that ended in the Buddhist Lands. In the Buddhist Lands, he masqueraded as a monk, deceiving people. Whenever he was caught in a logical facy or faced an unsolvable question, he would reply with Buddha says its unspeakable. This phraseter became widely known in the Buddhist Lands. The Householder Ancient Moonpiled his observations and experiences into books that were quite popr in the cultivation world. Although there is no clear record of Householder Ancient Moons cultivation level, Lu Yang presumed it must be high C otherwise, he would have long been defeated. The ginseng child was an excellent teacher, sharing many stories from its experiences, including several herbs in the garden discovered during its travels with Householder Ancient Moon. Lu Yang listened intently, fascinated by the tales.As they reached a hut made of nts and flowers, Lu Yang felt an almost tangible life force emanating from it, causing his heart to race. Not right! Lu Yang clutched his chest as his body uncontrobly trembled. His heart beat faster and faster, as if numerous insects were buzzing in his ears. Listening closely, Lu Yang realized those werent insect sounds but voices inside his body, moring to escape. The ginseng child, noticing Lu Yangs distress, loudly cautioned, Hey, hey, hey, we have an outsider here. Everyone, tone down your life force, quickly! Lu Yang calmed his boiling blood through his cultivation practice, and the voices gradually faded. He knelt on the ground, gasping for breath, realizing that what he experienced wasnt an illusion. Something was indeed inside him. But what was it? The ginseng child, putting down a piece of ethereal stone, apologized to Lu Yang. Sorry about that. I didnt realize you hadnt reached the Nascent Soul stage yet. Unlike humans, the age of Medicine Kings, not their cultivation level, is what matters. The ginseng child couldnt discern Lu Yangs cultivation level but found him agreeable. What just happened? Lu Yang asked, still shaken as if he had just returned from a trip through hell. The woman and Old Ba from your race have too high cultivation levels, making me overlook the impact of our life force on you, the ginseng child exined. Our life force is so robust that it can cause each of your organs to develop their own will and be separate entities. Once you reach the Nascent Soul stage, with your acupoints fully developed and a leak-proof golden body, youll no longer be affected by our life force. Hearing the ginseng childsmotion, numerous three-inch-tall herbs hopped over to Lu Yang. King Ginseng, is this a human? Why is he so small? What do you mean so small? Hes the same height as us. Are you saying youre small too? Its definitely some technique. Humans techniques are mysterious. Whats so special about changing size?. Ive even seen people changing from male to female, and human to demon. Its nothing unusual. Ive seen it all, the ginseng child said. This human doesnt seem to have a high cultivation level, not even reaching the Pregnant Phase? Its not Pregnant Phase, Qilin King, your memory is failing you. Its called the Nascent Soul Phase. He looks like he cant even stand properly. Lets carry him into the house. The Little Medicine Kings discussed among themselves in hushed tones, creating a buzzing difort in Lu Yangs ears. They lifted Lu Yang above their heads and carried him into the hut made of flowers and nts. The King of Understanding Trees stood outside, scratching its trunk, causing leaves to rustle loudly. It was too big to enter the hut. Once inside, Lu Yang realized it wasnt just a hut made of flowers and nts but one constructed from ancient woods. Under the influence of the Little Medicine Kings life force, the ancient woods blossomed with new leaves and flowers, concealing their original appearance. Lu Yang felt much better. He slowly got up and began to recognize the Medicine Kings around him. As it turned out, he didnt recognize a single one. Whats your name, human? asked a small nt with three tender leaves, shimmering silver with speckles of starlight, resembling a miniature universe. I am Lu Yang, may I know who you are? Lu Yang politely inquired, understanding that these Little Medicine Kings were not just his seniors but ancestors to everyone in the Dao Seeking Sect. Thats the Three-Leaf Star Medicine; we call it Star King, interjected another Medicine King swiftly. It was a colorful flower with petals corresponding to the five elements and a center divided into ck and white. The center resembled Tai Chi, creating an ink painting-like beauty that captivated anyone who saw it. I am the Flower of Times End, just call me End King. Everyone says Im the most beautiful flower. I think its just envy of my charm, a way to kill me with praise. As a humble Medicine King, I consider myself the second most beautiful in the world The Flower of Times End rambled on and on. Lu Yang stared at the Flower of Times End for a couple of seconds, his pupils dting with disbelief. He might not know the appearance of the Flower of Times End, but he had heard of its grand reputation. The Flower of Times End, is it really the flower that blooms only when the world ends, causing time to freeze with its beauty?! It was no wonder Lu Yang reacted so dramatically. ording to ancient texts, the blooming of the Flower of Times End was tantamount to the end of the world, essentially reshuffling everything. Yet, ording to historical records, such a cataclysmic event had never urred! The Flower of Times End scratched its nectar nds and remarked, Well, some say that. But I remember blooming peacefully, with everyone happily around me. I didnt see any disaster. Its probably just a rumor about my blooming. Just as Lu Yang was about to inquire further, another Little Medicine King spoke up. Lu Yang, why have youe to the Medicine Garden? Did Old Ba send you to pick herbs? a small emerald Qilin asked, carved as if from fine jade, exquisite and otherworldly. Another shock for Lu Yang. A Qilin?! A qilin, one of the most mystical beasts, so rare that the entire world might not have one or two. Only ancient texts hinted at their existence, and the Dao Seeking Sect had one? The depths of the Dao Seeking Sects heritage were far beyond Lu Yangs imagination. The ginseng child exined, Its the Qilin Immortal Medicine. Its current form is its magical manifestation. With your current cultivation, you cant see its true form. Once you reach the Divine Spirit Stage and cultivate the Heavenly Eye, youll be able to see its true body. (End of the chapter) Chapter 35: The Female Demon Hearing the term Kirin Immortal Medicine, Lu Yang was instantly on alert. Kirins were thought to be extinct, and likewise, the Kirin Immortal Medicine was almost unheard of, with very few nts known throughout history. In fact, some say theres only one Kirin Immortal Medicine in the entire world. Kirin Immortal Medicine in reincarnation. An ancient sage once spected that there were no real kirins in the world, believing them to be creatures of fantasy. Records of kirin sightings were attributed to the Kirin Immortal Medicine. Without opening the Heavenly Eye, its easy for people to mistake the Kirin Immortal Medicine for a real kirin, just like Lu Yang did now. Old Ba sent me here to loosen the soil, Lu Yang exined. Oh, so youre here for soil loosening. Do you know the Five Elements magic? The Little Medicine Kings seemed pleased upon hearing this. Finally, someone was here to work. Lu Yangs face showed his dilemma: I cant say Im proficient, but I stumbled upon it. Im not sure if it counts as Five Elements magic, but I can burrow into the ground. Lu Yang felt his spell was more of a spatial magic, only exhibiting characteristics simr to the Five Elements magic.It doesnt matter if its Five Elements magic or not, as long as you can burrow, said the Flower of Times End nonchntly. Since the earthworm couple took their leave, they had been hearingints from the herbs about the soil being too hard, not airy enough, and wanting to pull out their roots to breathe and bask in the sun. This task had been troublesome for the Little Medicine Kings. Now, that problem could be resolved. People rarely know about the existence of Medicine Kings. Before this, Lu Yang didnt recognize a single one. The Little Medicine Kings possess incredible medicinal properties. If they appeared in the outside world, they would drive the great cultivators mad with desire. Actually, Lu Yang did recognize one. He identified the sunflower in the hands of the Flower of Times End. Its petals opened and closed, shedding its ck shell to reveal a white, jade-like interior, which became nourishment for the Medicine King it was eating sunflower seeds. And there were sunflower seed shells scattered all over the ground. Lu Yang wondered if this counted as cannibalism. Oh, this is called a sunflower, remarked the Flower of Times End, noticing Lu Yangs gaze. Lu Yang thought to himself, I know what it is. The Medicine Kings were all small in stature. Rather than saying they were cracking sunflower seeds, it was more like they were hugging the seeds and nibbling on them. It was evident that the Flower of Times End was enjoying its snack. End King, youre littering again. How many times have I told you, we are nts, dont imitate humans by eating sunflower seeds. Even the shells are edible! scolded the Kirin Immortal Medicine, reprimanding the Flower of Times End for its human-like behavior. The Flower of Times End was nonchnt: I nted the sunflower on my own, I can eat it however I want. Whats it to you? Pah. This angered the Kirin Immortal Medicine, which pounced towards the Flower of Times End. The two Little Medicine Kings started scuffling, tumbling over each other without any real harm. The ginseng child and the Three-Leaf Star Medicine were used to this sight and urged Lu Yang to demonstrate his burrowing technique. Dont mind them, theyll stop when they get tired. Outside the wooden hut, Lu Yang saw a gigantic tree. Its roots were as thick as legs, full of life, and its dense foliage rustled vigorously. The Understanding Tree? Lu Yang was astonished. Even if he returned to his normal size, this Understanding Tree would still be massive enough to shade the sky, requiring dozens of people to embrace its trunk, not to mention he was only three inches tall now. The Enlightened Tree exudes an aura of Dao, its leaves rustling as if whispering the sounds of Dao, as if all the great Dao of the world converged upon it, shaping its essence. The Enlightened Tree is mysterious and majestic, invible. This is the Enlightened Tree I mentioned to you before, we all call it the Tree King. Its talent in the Dao is nothing short of extraordinary, said the Ginseng Child. The leaves of the Enlightened Tree can aid in enlightenment. If the Enlightened Tree itself bes sentient, one can only imagine how profound its talent in cultivation must be. Despite appearing frail, each of the Medicine Kings possesses their own unique divine abilities, not to be underestimated. Without their life-saving skills, relying solely on the mercy of humans, they wouldnt have survived until now. The Tree King joked, Ginseng King, youre ttering me again. If Im at the top, then what kind of talent does that female demon have? Who is this female demon? Judging by the tone of the Medicine Kings, she didnt seem like a good character. In the medicine garden, besides Old Ba, only the female demon cane here. Shes incredibly powerful, we cant beat her. Whatever she wants to pluck, she plucks, no medicine can stop her! My old ginseng whiskers were plucked by her. It hurt so much I had to lie in bed and rest for several days, the Ginseng Child angrily denounced the female demons outrageous behavior. The stars on my leaf surfaces were also plucked by her. Look, dont these few stars seem dimmer than the others? I dont even know how long it will take for them to grow back! In the description of the little Medicine Kings, the female demons wrongdoings are too numerous to be recorded, and every medicine longs for her retribution. Whats even more infuriating is that she said she would take these things back for a bath. Can you imagine, she actually bathes with parts of our bodies, thats too perverse! By the way, I heard from Old Ba that the female demon holds a high position in your Dao Seeking Sect, called Yunzhi. Lu Yang: He realized he wasnt surprised by this answer at all. Is it a problem with the Senior Sister or himself? Lu Yang forced augh, a bit awkwardly, not sure what to say, That, um, the Senior Sister you mentioned, I think I know her. Shes actually my Senior Sister. The Tree Kingughed heartily, unconcerned, Thats nothing. Who doesnt know that disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect all call her Senior Sister. Do you think by saying youre her junior brother, we would take our anger out on you? You are underestimating us Medicine Kings. We have lived for countless years, why would we care about a mere human? Lu Yang, seeing the Tree Kings understanding attitude, breathed a sigh of relief, Thats great, so it seems even if I and she are disciples of the same master, its not a big deal. Theughter of the Tree King stopped abruptly, even the gentle breeze paused at this moment, and the leaves stopped rustling. The Ginseng Child waved its whiskers, its calm expression carrying a hint of a vicious smile. The stars on the leaf surface of the Three-leaf Star Grass began to swirl, like a volcano on the verge of eruption, ready for revenge. Suddenly, a murderous aura enveloped the atmosphere. Lu Yang calmly exined, Dont act rashly yet. Do you think that just because Im the junior brother of that female demon, I truly stand on her side? The Ginseng Child looked at Lu Yang skeptically, slowing down the waving of its whiskers, Is that not the case? The Tree King and the Three-leaf Star Grass also held back their attack momentarily. A grave mistake! Lu Yang asserted firmly, clenching his fists tightly, revealing an expression of painful reminiscence. That female demons actions are absolutely deplorable. Not only have you suffered her bullying, but I too have been deeply harmed! On the surface, it seems I am glorious, with a bright future ahead, but who can I tell about the torment I have suffered! (End of the chapter) Chapter 36: None of Them Are Trouble-Free My Senior Sister may seem calm, but she is actually capricious, just not showing it on her face. As the saying goes, serving a lord is like living with a tiger. Being with her is akin to apanying a ferocious tiger! She indeed is a rare beauty, or rather, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. But, s, appearances can be deceiving. Can you imagine, she makes me consumerge amounts of wild beast remnants and herbal corpses for meals, and in the dead of night, she even has mepletely soaked in water filled with herbal corpses, iming it will strengthen my physique! There was also a time when I wanted to learn spatial divine arts for convenience in traveling. Instead, she taught me how to shrink myself and held me in her palm, ying with me between her ps! Lu Yang vehemently criticized Yunzhis atrocities, quickly gaining the sympathy of the little Medicine Kings, whomiserate with him. The Ginseng Child couldnt help but say, Since its like that, lets work together from the inside and outside. Youll be our inside agent, and well be your external support. Lets overthrow the female demon now! Lu Yang was startled and hastily dissuaded, Absolutely not, we need to n this carefully. The Senior Sister, being the top disciple of Dao Seeking Sect, possesses unfathomable cultivation. Just a few of us are hardly a match for her. He analyzed calmly, For safety, its better to wait until I reach the Tribtion Phase. That way, well have a better chance. Then we can act together, attack the Senior Sister, and seed in one fell swoop! By then, those with grievances can seek revenge, and those wronged can seek justice. Wouldnt that be better? The little Medicine Kings thought highly of him, We thought you were slightly less intelligent than us, but you have such a meticulous n. It seems our intelligence is on par!Having amon enemy, Lu Yang and the little Medicine Kings quickly bonded, shouting and boasting about defeating the female demon. With Lu Yang joining them, their group was like a tiger that had grown wings, confident of easy victory. At the entrance of the medicine garden, Old Ba sighed deeply as he watched Lu Yangs inspiring n through a water mirror. Yunzhi had specifically instructed him to keep an eye on Lu Yangs movements in the garden, to prevent any idents, and to inform her immediately if anything unusual happened. Now, was this situation considered unusual? If he really told Yunzhi, even if it wasnt unusual, there might be some idents. Why cant the young people of today be trouble-free? Having said so much, I havent shown you the art Im capable of. Lu Yang warmed up and disyed the art of Shrinking Earth. He posed as if diving and jumped straight into the ground. The Tree King and Yunzhi reacted almost identically, amazed at what they saw. Despite living for so long, the Tree King had never seen such an art. From the surface, it looked like a space-time art like Shrinking Earth into Inches, but in practice, it resembled the Five Elements arts. So young and yet able to perform an art never seen before, truly a genius in arts. Now, Lu Yang used Shrinking Earth adeptly, mastering various swimming styles like breaststroke, butterfly stroke, and freestyle. Lu Yang continued to perform his art of Shrinking Earth, with movements so fluid and adept that it almost gave the illusion that the earth was water. He swam through the ground effortlessly, using various swimming styles, asionally diving in and out of the earth with ease. The Qilin Undying Herb and the Times End Flower, having finished their quarrel, along with the Ginseng Child and the Three-Leaf Star Grass, recounted Lu Yangs tragic experiences under the clutches of the female demon. They were all moved and excited by his story. We finally have a nt insider among the humans! eximed the little Medicine Kings. The four little Medicine Kings sat on the trunk of the Tree King, pping their hands, impressed by Lu Yangs prowess. Lu Yang, in an attempt to show off, leaped high into the air with his legs outstretched and arms wide open in a cross position. He spun around 3600 degrees in mid-air, but uponnding, he lost his bnce and fell face-first to the ground he got dizzy from the spinning. His attempt to impress failed. The little Medicine Kings quickly scrambled to lift Lu Yang back up. Such injuries were minor for a Foundation Establishment cultivator and would heal quickly. The little Medicine Kings saw that Lu Yang could indeed loosen the soil, so they took out a map of the medicine garden and instructed him to burrow in a specific order. This areas nts have very deep roots, extending down to three meters, so be careful not to touch them and cause any misunderstandings. I suggest you burrow between three to five meters deep, which is the safe zone. For other areas, the roots are between half a meter to two meters deep. Just dig below two meters. Lu Yang asked curiously, What happens if I touch the roots? The Ginseng Child said seriously, We will think you have a foot fetish. ??? The Flower of Times End interjected, Your human race has many perverts who like to chew on our nt feet while drinking alcohol, iming its tasty and good for drinking. They even cultivate us on arge scale for this purpose. What nt are you talking about? Peanuts. Lu Yang couldnt quite keep up with the little Medicine Kings train of thought. Fortunately, he didnt dwell too much on this issue and began to follow the route provided by the Ginseng Child. The Ginseng Child, bored of watching the earthworm couple burrow, found it amusing to watch a human do it. They all followed closely behind Lu Yang. Although the little Medicine Kings also had the ability to burrow, their method involved merging with the soil, quite different from Lu Yangs way of discing the earth. The soil where Lu Yang passed became soft, which was just right for the little Medicine Kings. The Tree King watched the little Medicine Kings ying joyously and sighed. Being a tree, it couldnt burrow. It looked up at the sun, feeling its harshness, and sighed again, Why am I so tall? I cant even find a shady spot. The Tree King felt the world was full of malice towards it. The little Medicine Kings yed behind Lu Yang all day. On the way back, they were still frolicking andughing, Lets heat some water for a bath! The Tree King had prepared a barrel full of water, drawn from the stream used to irrigate the nts. A bright light emerged from the abdomen of the Kirin Undying Herb and moved up to its mouth, where it spat out Kirins true fire. The Kirin Undying Herb, resembling a real kirin, exined why ancient people were convinced they had seen a kirin upon encountering it. The temperature of Kirins true fire was extremely high, boiling the water in the blink of an eye. The little Medicine Kings jumped in one after another, floating and drifting with their eyes closed. Lu Yang found this scene eerily familiar, reminiscent of a scene in a kitchen. He remembered now C this was called medicinal cuisine. However, he had never seen ingredients voluntarily jump into the pot before. Soon, a fragrance spread through the air, invigorating Lu Yang and even seeming to enhance his cultivation. Indeed, as Medicine Kings, their medicinal potency is truly terrifying. Lu Yang watched the little Medicine Kings frolicking in the water, smiling helplessly. He recalled his Senior Sister saying that immortality was a poison, an unbearable pain that only those with non-human characteristics could endure. The little Medicine Kings, having experienced endless years and witnessed countless historical events, remained alive while those recorded in history had long since passed away. Perhaps only a childlike nature allowed the little Medicine Kings to live so long without breaking down. They were just too easily deceived. (End of the chapter) Chapter 37: Medicine King Spirit Liquid7_ Medicine King Spirit Liquid Under the dazzling night sky, the majestic form of the Tree King blocked the moonlight. The little Medicine Kings were frolicking in the water, and even Lu Yang joined in, creating a harmonious and seemingly timeless scene. After the little Medicine Kings finished their enjoyable bath, theyy sprawled on the ground and on the roof of the wooden house, sound asleep. The Tree King wasnt idle. While the little Medicine Kings slept, it collected the water and the wooden barrel, puzzling Lu Yang. What are you doing? Lu Yang asked. The Tree King casually exined, Oh, this is for Old Ba. He said the bathwater is quite valuable. The disciples of Dao Seeking Sect like to use it. The Tree King moved its branches, resembling a shrug, expressing its helplessness towards human behaviors. Being a nt, it found human actions quite perplexing. For example, it knew humans liked to use its hair or leaves to brew tea or its skin to cook, which they imed added vor, something called cinnamon. Oh, right, Old Ba also gave a fancy name to the bathwater C Medicine King Spirit Liquid. Humans are more cultured, indeed. Their naming skills are way above ours. Medicine King Spirit Liquid? Lu Yang repeated the name under his breath, feeling it sounded familiar. He quickly remembered where he had heard it C it was the highly popr Medicine King Spirit Liquid on the contribution points exchange list of Dao Seeking Sect. So, this was the special method of its production! Lu Yang began to question the authenticity of various strange items listed on the exchange list. The descriptions seemed fine, but that didnt mean there were no issues! In the following days, Lu Yang tirelessly burrowed through the earth while the little Medicine Kings incessantly chattered about herbal knowledge, making his days quite full. I remember theres a patch of Eight Treasure Lotus ahead, very pretty and delicate. Do you want to burrow over to see it? The Ginseng Child suggested from behind Lu Yang. Shouldnt the lotus be growing in a pond? Yes, the Ginseng Child nodded matter-of-factly. So, if I burrow there, wont I end up plunging into the pond? The Ginseng Child had an epiphany, Oh, right. You make a good point. Lu Yang, following the Ginseng Childs directions, emerged from the ground and saw the stunning Eight Treasure Lotus nearby. Morning dew condensed and dripped from the petals into the pond, creating ripples. The Eight Treasure Lotus was known for its effects in clearing heat, eliminating dampness, detoxifying, and nourishing the heart, often used in pill concoction. I just dont know why its called Eight Treasure. Lu Yang mused, recalling what he had read in books. This was a mystery among alchemists, with numerous theories proposed in various texts. Some said it was named for its eight effects, others spected it derived from the eight trigrams of Taoism, and some even suggested the eight treasures referred to the human bodys eight meridians, iming regr consumption could open these meridians. In short, there were many theories. Lu Yang leaned towards the first theory, finding it the most usible. Youre talking about this? I know, said the Ginseng Child. You know? The Ginseng Child put their hands on their hips and proudly said, Yes, the Eight Treasure Lotus was discovered by the Householder Ancient Moon. At that time, both of us identally entered an undiscovered secret realm. Fortunately, our cultivation was profound, so the secret realm was not dangerous for us. We yed freely in the secret realm, resting and eating on the spot when we got tired, just to set the mood. While we were eating, Householder Ancient Moon discovered a patch of pink lotus flowers that we hadnt seen before. I asked him what name he wanted to give to these lotus flowers, and he nced at the Eight Treasure Porridge in his hand and casually said, Why not call them Eight Treasure Lotus Flowers. Later, he took away several lotus nts, and they multiplied outside, bing what they are today. Lu Yang: This wasnt the first time he had heard stories about Householder Ancient Moon, and each time, they had unexpected endings. The other little Medicine Kings had also traveled through numerous mountains and rivers and experienced many things, but none of them had experienced anything as exciting as the Ginseng Child. Through their interactions with the little Medicine Kings, the little Medicine Kings gradually epted Lu Yang. Even when he returned to his original size, they didnt reject him and found the tall figure quite amusing. A month passed quickly. During this time, Uncle Ba took away the empty spirit stones and the little Medicine Kings bathwater, bringing back arge number of high-quality spirit stones, which he buried in their original locations. Uncle Ba also asionally picked many medicinal herbs and provided them to the Alchemy Peak. Originally, Householder Ancient Moon wasnt called Householder Ancient Moon. His surname is Hu, and he called himself Master Hu. His handwriting wasnt very good, and one time when he wrote his name, he wrote Hu too openly, and people mispronounced it as Householder Ancient Moon. He was a carefree person and went along with it, never changing it. The Ginseng Child, as always, recited the ck history of Householder Ancient Moon to Lu Yang. (TL Note: This is hard to trante. Basically his name went from to be which is the previous character but split.) Just then, Uncle Ba sent a message to Lu Yang. Lu Yang,e out for a moment. When he arrived at the entrance of the medicine garden, he saw an affectionate couple. The husband was confident and radiant, while the wife was delicate and charming. However, the type of clothing they wore was something Lu Yang couldnt praise. The couple was dressed in extremely bulky clothing, simr to lifebuoys. They were so oversized that even if they fell into the sea, they could float. This was the clothing habit of their tribe. These two are Let me introduce you. These are your seniors, the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worms. Uncle Ba said. Lu Yang suddenly understood. It seemed that the marital conflict between the couple had been resolved, and they were reconciled. He wouldnt have to dig up soil anymore. It was quite fast to resolve emotional disputes within a month. He had thought it would turn into a 40-50 episode drama, with the female lead losing her memory, the male lead awakening her memories, and the story ending happily. Hes Lu Yang. You husband and wife must have heard of him. Hes the fourth disciple of the Sect Master, cultivated personally by Yun Zhi, I greet the two seniors, Lu Yang greeted them, scaring the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worms, who quickly raised him up and refused to ept the courtesy. You are Yunzhis junior brother, Im Li Yin. You can just call me little Li. This is my wife, little Li. (the Li here is different in chinese) The junior disciple of the female demoness, who would dare to consider him a junior? Lu Yang didnt know what image his senior sister had in the eyes of others. How did you two resolve your problems? Whats so difficult about that? A voice came from underground. A couple emerged from the ground, looking exactly like the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worms. Since my wife can split herself in two and be sisters, naturally, I can also split in two and create a brother, Little Li proudly said. The second couple was also very affectionate. Uncle Ba nodded approvingly; this idea hade from him. He was still very responsible, resolving problems that he had caused. (End of the chapter) Chapter 38: A Touching Farewell Lu Yang struggled to find the words to describe his feelings about the method that challenged moral ethics and thought patterns. Its good that the matter is resolved. That was all he could finally muster. Old Ba also felt that resolving the issue was good, especially since it was his idea. Old Ba patted Lu Yangs shoulder: The little Medicine Kings are quite mischievous. Youve had a hard time recently. Take out your jade pendant. Lu Yangplied, and Old Ba touched the pendant: The 300 contribution points from the mission reward are now in your pendant. Effort brings rewards. The 300 contribution points were a considerable sum for Lu Yang. Then he realized that although 300 points seemed a lot, it probably wasnt even enough to buy the Medicine Kings foot-washing water. The exchange list was clear: Medicine King Spiritual Liquid came in ordinary and luxury versions.To Lu Yangs understanding, the ordinary version was the foot-washing water of the Medicine Kings, and the luxury version was their bath water. Say goodbye to the little Medicine Kings. Opportunities to enter the Medicinal Garden are rare, and you may not have the chance toe back Old Ba stopped mid-sentence, remembering that as long as Yun Zhi allowed Lu Yang toe, he had to obediently let him pass, without the courage to intercept. Cough, anyway, go say your farewells. Lu Yang nodded, sensing that Old Ba had more to say. Learning of Lu Yangs departure, the little Medicine Kings felt somewhat reluctant. Weve been friends for a while. Take this old ginseng whisker with you. Oh, this is too valuable; I cant part with it. My old ginseng skin too painful, forget it. I dont have anything valuable, so Ill just say goodbye verbally. The Ginseng Child said farewell to Lu Yang. It hadnt given anything when saying goodbye either. Were all cultivators; a month isnt long. Do we need to say goodbye? The tone of the Tri-Leaf Star Grass revealed its reluctance. My vines and leaves are too vigorous. If you take them, your body might undergo strange changes. Its safer not to give them to you. During their time together, Lu Yang learned that the true form of the Qilin Undying Medicine was a green vine. The Qilin Undying Medicine was truthful. During the month they spent together, the little Medicine Kings suppressed their life force, afraid of identally transferring it to Lu Yang. If they were to give a part of their bodies to Lu Yang, they would need to add dozens of seals. Lu Yang wouldnt dare to use them. Youre leaving without giving us any gifts? The End of Time Flower cheekily asked Lu Yang for gifts. Moved by the atmosphere, Lu Yangs eyes brimmed with tears: In a while, Ill definitely ask the senior sister to visit you all. The little Medicine Kings quickly sent Lu Yang away. The farewell scene was quite rushed. Compared to the Medicine King Spiritual Liquid, the 300 contribution points were a fortune for Lu Yang, who was only at the Foundation Establishment stage. Eager, he went to the mission hall to buy some good items. He couldnt always rely on the senior sister to provide him with things; he needed to earn money through his own efforts. Eh, I was just about to go to Heavens Gate Peak to find you. Didnt expect to meet here. Meng Jingzhou was surprised to see Lu Yang leaving the Medicinal Garden, but then remembered Yun Zhi was his direct senior sister, so it wasnt strange. Beside Meng Jingzhou was a man in a schrs robe, both refined and powerful. The man in the schrs robe bowed: Brother Lu, its been a while. This is actually our first formal meeting. Barbarian Bone, it was surprising when you joined the Fourth Elder. Lu Yang returned the gesture with a smile: You here for something? Cant I find you if theres nothing? Meng Jingzhou feigned anger. Come, lets have tea and talk. Meng Jingzhou led Barbarian Bone and Lu Yang to a teahouse. The Meng familys rule was to discuss matters over a meal. If the talk was enjoyable, the Meng family would treat; if not, everyone would split the bill. What will you have? My teahouse has all kinds of tea, the Tea Doctor asked efficiently. Lu Yang couldnt see through the Tea Doctors cultivation level. He whispered to Barbarian Bone: Can you tell the cultivation level of the Tea Doctor? Barbarian Bone whispered back: As far as I know, us new disciples that are just recruited are the weakest in the sect, even the chickens on the mountain have higher cultivation than us. Meng Jingzhou ordered a famous tea. Then, a pot of breastmilk tea. (TL Note: I dont fully understand if this is the joke or not, I might have tranted it wrongly.) The Tea Doctor initially suspected Meng Jingzhou was causing trouble. Oh, I misspoke. I meant a basin of milk tea, a specialty from near the far north, Meng Jingzhou quickly gestured, showing no ill intent. The Tea Doctor then realized Meng Jingzhou wanted freshly made salty milk tea. Soon, the Tea Doctor brought a hot iron charcoal basin with roasted rice, butter, dried beef, and milk skin. He then brought a pot of milk tea. Lu Yang and Barbarian Bone looked at each other, unsure of what to do, leaving it to Meng Jingzhou. Meng Jingzhou first slowly fried the ingredients in the basin until the roasted rice turned yellow, creating a crunching sound. He then poured the milk tea into the hot iron pot, causing a sizzling sound and the aroma of the tea to spread. Lu Yang took a sip, smacked his lips, and found it salty but oddly tasty. Barbarian Bone took a sip, then gulped down the bowl. Do you have any missions now? Meng Jingzhou asked. Lu Yang shook his head. He had justpleted Old Bas Medicinal Garden mission and hadnt chosen a new one yet. There arent many missions suitable for us. The missions in the mission hall arent enough for us to do. I wondered if they werent enough for us, how could the previous generation of disciples do them? So, I asked the senior brothers and sisters and learned the inside story. What did you find out? Not only missions from the mission hall count aspleted. Finding andpleting your own missions also earns contribution points. Report your achievements to the sect, and after verification to ensure the results are genuine, youll receive the corresponding rewards. Do you know where the missions in the mission halle from? How? There are three situations. The first is based on the Righteous Path Mutual Aid Agreement between the Five Great Immortal Gates and the Great Xia Dynasty. When the dynasty needs cultivators butcks manpower, they request our help. But this is rare. Although were all part of the human races righteous path, the ten-thousand-year-old dynasty asking for help from a sect is somewhat embarrassing. The second type is when someone asks the Five Great Immortal Gates for justice, assuming the Great Xia Dynasty doesnt intervene, like your parrot-catching mission. The third type is when our sect discovers clues while traveling outside. These be missions in the mission hall, with corresponding rewards prepared by the sect. This third type is our hope. (End of the chapter) Chapter 39: Junior Brother, Do You Know That Our Sect is a Righteous Sect? Of course, not everything can be treated as a mission. The three types of tasks I mentioned earlier all have one prerequisite: defending the righteous path. Coincidentally, Brother Barbaric Bone has discovered a suitable mission for us. Its too challenging for him to handle alone, so he has called upon both of us. Barbaric Bone nodded in agreement, not saying much, truly embodying the modesty of a refined gentleman. When shall we depart? Lu Yang asked. How about early tomorrow morning? Meng Jingzhou proposed. This was exactly what Lu Yang wanted. He nned to visit the mission hall before departure to exchange some items, feeling eager to use his umted contribution points. Iced Gourd: the water inside cools down quickly, offering a refreshing drink, perfect for those who enjoy cold water. Three contribution points. Multifunctional Swiss Knife: includes an earpick, nail cutter, marker pen,pass, and other tools. Essential for outdoor activities. Ten contribution points.Vajra Dragon Blood Knife: once a demonic cultivators treasure, activated by dragon blood to enhance its bloodthirsty nature, and suppressed by Buddhist Vajra techniques to contain its ferocity. It slices through flesh and bone effortlessly. Now, its demonic aura has been thoroughly eradicated, and its ferocity ispletely suppressed, though its sharpness is slightly reduced. Three hundred contribution points. Fragment of the Moksha Heart Technique: a remnant of a self-immted ascetics heart technique, believed to be his original creation. Theplete version is untraceable. This fragment helps in quickly achieving a deep meditative state by controlling the restless mind. Fifteen hundred contribution points. Lu Yang browsed through several items but found none to his liking, so he asked the senior brother on duty for rmendations. Senior Brother, I will be venturing out for training tomorrow and am looking to purchase some self-defense items. Do you have any suggestions? The senior brother, a tall and burly man with a face covered in horizontal scars, looked intimidating enough to scare children. He seemed like someone who would be targeted by righteous heroes. The senior brother nced at Lu Yang, feeling unfamiliar with him, then realized Lu Yang was a newly recruited junior brother. Realizing that he was finally being addressed as Senior Brother, his expression softened a bit. After so many years, he was no longer the lowest-ranked disciple. How many contribution points and spirit stones do you n to use? Three hundred contribution points, no spirit stones. I am Li Dan; you can address me as Brother Li. Youre at the early stage of Foundation Building, so the items you can use arent very high level, and they wont cost too many contribution points. Despite his fierce appearance, Li Dan was actually a very warm-hearted man. Brother Li skillfully scrolled through the exchange list, introducing various protective items: The Hundred Battles Heart Protector Mirror, worn over the chest, can withstand a full-force attack from a peak Foundation Building cultivator. Only two hundred contribution points. Just as Lu Yang was considering whether to buy a life-saving item, he heard a timid voice: Junior Brother Lu, actually, you dont need to buy the Heart Protector Mirror here. The sesame cakes in the cafeteria can also withstand a full-force attack from a peak Foundation Building cultivator, and theyre even cheaper. The voice grew fainter, almost inaudible, like the buzzing of a mosquito. Had Lu Yang not been at the Foundation Building stage with heightened senses, he wouldnt have heard it. Sister Zhou Lulu? Lu Yang was surprised to encounter Zhou Lulu here. During his first month in the sect, he spent time in the scripture library, asking her for help whenever he had questions. After being confined to Heavens Gate Peak for cultivation by Yunzhi, he hadnt seen her for a year. Senior Sister. Li Dan, only one level above Lu Yang, also addressed Zhou Lulu as Senior Sister. Yes, its me. Zhou Lulus nervousness was visibly evident as she spoke. She had justpleted a mission and came to exchange her rewards, happening to run into Lu Yang. You guys continue, I was just making a small suggestion, nothing else. Zhou Lulu tried to make herself less noticeable, nning to wait until Lu Yang had finished his exchanges. Both men ignored Zhou Lulu. This is the Mountain Crushing Hammer. With a single strike, it causes a vibration effect, disrupting the rhythm of formation and talisman cultivators. Its somewhat effective against such opponents, but those proficient in formations and talismans have firm wills and can adjust their rhythm even under disturbance, so the hammers effectiveness is somewhat reduced. Two hundred and seventy contribution points. Lu Yang nodded. This seemed like a useful item, especially since he might encounter formation and talisman opponents. Aside from cultivators who had immersed themselves in these arts for decades, the Mountain Crushing Hammer was effective. Senior Sister Zhou Lulu muttered softly, The cafeterias fried dough sticks also have a simr effect. Both men pretended not to hear. Brother Li, do we have any items suitable for ambush? Brother Li replied seriously, Junior Brother, do you know that our sect is a righteous one? So? You should ask that question quietly. Lu Yang nodded in understanding. Brother Li pressed down on the list and scrolled rapidly, timing his selection perfectly, and continued introducing: This is the Jade Shattering Needle, thin as a cows hair and extremely sharp when imbued with spiritual energy. It can prate protective barriers but is difficult to master and expensive. This is the Qimen Spike. When facing a powerful enemy, take a handful and throw it towards their seven orifices for a surprise attack. Easy to use and reasonably priced. Lu Yang nodded. This item was indeed inexpensive and seemed quite valuable for its price. The cafeterias rice is more useful than this. Senior Sister Zhou Lulu reminded. Brother Li could no longer tolerate Zhou Lulus whispers. He turned around abruptly, startling her. Zhou Lulu bowed her head, not daring to look at Li Dans scarred face. She had no intention of causing trouble, but the cafeterias items were genuinely useful. She wanted to rmend them directly to Lu Yang but was too shy. Seeing Zhou Lulus reaction, Li Dan realized she meant no harm and softened his tone: Senior Sister Zhou, I know youre from Hundred Refinements Peak, but you shouldnt harm a new junior brother just to drum up business for Hundred Refinements Peak! And think about it, Junior Brother Lu. Aside from the cafeteria food being cost-effective, sturdy, multifunctional, usable as both a weapon and food, what other benefits are there? Lu Yang: Arent these benefits enough? Li Dan thought about it and realized that aside from not being designed forbat, the cafeteria food indeed had no drawbacks. Why dont you, Senior Sister Zhou, take Junior Brother Lu to the cafeteria for a tour? Zhou Lulus eyes lit up, and she quickly dragged Lu Yang towards the cafeteria. Lu Yang realized that Senior Sister Zhou had incredible strength, unable to break free from her grasp. He wondered what her cultivation level was. Senior Sister Zhou, youre from Hundred Refinements Peak? Hundred Refinements Peak, under the fifth elder, served both as a weapon forging and cafeteria department, often blending the two functions. Yes, Im a disciple of Hundred Refinements Peak. But I often see you reading in the scripture library, and not about weapon forging? Lu Yang couldnt help but be curious. Shouldnt disciples of Hundred Refinements Peak be learning weapon forging? (End of the chapter) Chapter 40: The Cafeteria Zhou Lulu said with a troubled expression, I love reading and wanted to specialize in Confucian cultivation under the Fourth Elder, but my father insisted I choose Hundred Refinements Peak. He said the Fourth Elder has be foolish from all his reading and is not worth following. Your father is Fifth Elder Zhou Xin. Lu Yang immediately understood; Hundred Refinements Peak belonged to her family, so of course her father would want her to choose it. The main peak of Hundred Refinements Peak was a crimson mountain, towering into the clouds, looking like an erupting volcano that lit up the sky. Whether it was due to long-term weapon forging or the nature of Hundred Refinements Peak itself, the temperature here was slightly higher than in other ces. Now in early spring, Hundred Refinements Peak seemed to be in the midst of summer. Lu Yang felt a prickling sensation on his skin, as if something was trying to burrow into his body. He instinctively circted his cultivation technique, forming a thin protective membrane around himself. Zhou Lulu exined softly, Junior Brother, what youre sensing is the Qi of Metal and Earth. Due to the abundance of forged treasures at Hundred Refinements Peak, the air is filled with this Qi. Its harmless to cultivators, and youll get used to it.But your reaction is quite quick. Few people are as responsive as you. Lu Yang smiled, My cultivation technique is very effective. Lu Yang heard the nging sounds of metal, imagining a scene where a senior brother hammers a piece of fine iron, sending sparks flying in all directions, forging it into steel. Following the sound, he found himself outside the cafeteria. Hmm Lu Yang felt it was somewhat eptable. He got used to it. The entrance of the cafeteria was bustling with peopleing and going,ughing and chatting while carrying various foods, as if they were wielding broadswords and sabers, ready to embark on heroic deeds. They resembled students grabbing a meal after ss, as well as warriors stepping out of an armory. Is Li Haoran here? Lu Yang remembered that Li Haoran, a fire spirit root cultivator, was a disciple of the Fifth Elder and should be around the same cultivation level as himself. He wondered how far Li Haoran had progressed in his cultivation. Zhou Lulu shook her head, Junior Brother Li hasnt left seclusion yet and doesnt have the qualification to sell food in the cafeteria. Father says Li Haoran has great potential and needs to spend more time soaking in magma for better development. I heard that at first, Junior Brother Li screamed in the magma, but then he went silent. He must have gotten used to it. Is there a possibility that he didnt get used to it, but rather got cooked? Huh? Lu Yang thought his hot water baths were bad enough, but it seemed the senior sister had been too kind to him. He was a bit disappointed not to meet Li Haoran; they could have shared their bathing experiences. Zhou Lulu entered the noisy cafeteria, her enthusiasm dissipating without a trace. She beat a hasty retreat, speaking rapidly like a machine gun: Junior Brother Lu, the cafeterias goods are of great quality and value. You should buy them yourself. With that, Zhou Lulu vanished before Lu Yang could even see how she left. Lu Yang sighed, realizing he had to rely on himself. Freshly cooked braised fish bones, perfect for sawing trees and chopping people, tried and tested by many! Freshly baked meat buns, so tough you cant even kick or punch through them! Come and see, noodles tougher than steel bars, perfect for tying up people. Buy now and get a free binding tutorial! The cafeteria resembled a mundane market, with vendors shouting to sell their food. The only difference was that it was much noisier than a regr market since the vendors were cultivators with powerful voices. Lu Yang saw a senior brother holding a braised fish bone, its bones as sharp as des, leaving deep wounds like a vicious shark bite. The senior brother enthusiastically promoted, Junior Brother, how about a fish bone? These are from fish demons of the Bi Bo Pond, with the strength of peak Foundation Building in life. Their bones are extremely tough. I spent a long time refining these few bones. They can be used as weapons in battle and as food when hungry. After speaking, he bit into a fish bone, showcasing his specially refined teeth. Lu Yang looked at the useful fish bone and then at the price. Well, he couldnt afford it. Seeing Lu Yangs apologetic smile, the senior brother didnt press further and continued to sell to others. Lu Yang watched another senior brother take a fried dough stick out of the oil, draining the excess oil. Junior Brother, would you like one? There are ones for Foundation Building stage and also for Golden Core stage. The Foundation Building version is only one hundred and fifty contribution points. In terms of price, it was indeed cheaper than the Mountain Crushing Hammer from the exchange list, which was two hundred and seventy contribution points. The dough stick was almost half the price. My dough sticks are not just tough. They contain triple hidden forces. When you strike, the three forces erupt together, creating an astonishing power and catching the enemy off guard. If youre hungry and want to eat, thats fine too. They have a long shelf life. After saying this, the senior brother took a bite. The triple forces exploded in his mouth, causing it to puff up slightly, but nothing else happened. Senior Brother, Im new here and dont understand some things. Why can these dough sticks be used as both weapons and food? Can we really bite them? The senior brother recognized Lu Yangs cultivation stage. Since he was a new Foundation Building disciple, it was normal for him to have questions. This is a way to train and test ones physical cultivation. Physical cultivation involves internal cultivation of organs and bones and external cultivation of skin and orifices. Only then can one be considered a true physical cultivator. Besides, teeth are also an essential part. I heard that some physical cultivators only focus on cultivating their muscles, bones, and skin to the extreme. With a single strike, they can make mountains tremble, truly outstanding. But when facing these invulnerable cultivators, others get frustrated ande up with a solution. Whats the solution? They use magic spells like the Minor Body Transformation to shrink themselves and attack these physical cultivators from the inside. Since these cultivators havent trained their internal organs, they are easily defeated. Such people cant be considered true physical cultivators, perhaps more like unconventional physical cultivators. The senior brother clicked his teeth, producing a metallic nging sound. They, as weapon forgers, were half physical cultivators. Their bodies were not as strong as true physical cultivators, but they had trained both internally and externally. Ordinary cultivators use magical treasures as weapons, but for physical cultivators, their bodies are their strongest weapons. Since their bodies are the strongest weapons, eating something like a dough stick isnt difficult. Lu Yang understood. The cafeterias food was extremely functional, serving two purposes. One was as a weapon for non-physical cultivators like himself, and the other as food for physical cultivators. Meng Jingzhou, who is a disciple of the Third Elder, is a genuine physical cultivator. He should be able to bite through it. Thinking this, Lu Yang bought a dough stick and swung it around a few times. It was quite heavy, giving a substantial feeling. (End of the chapter) Chapter 41: Departure Lu Yang once again arrived at the stall selling meat buns. The seller was a senior sister, skilled in the art of dough fermentation, awakening, kneading, and shaping, her proficiency honed over countless hours. She would pull the dough into small lumps, using her hands, wrists, arms, and torso employing her whole bodys strength to knead the dough into the shape of buns. Her movements seemed to convey a certain principle; it was not merely kneading dough but also a way to exercise body coordination. The senior sister ced the bun nks on the forging table, wielding arge hammer to fiercely beat them, producing loud ngs as sparks flew in all directions, burning small holes in the ground. As the bun nks were quenched, cold water instantly boiled, bubbling up, and soon a meat bun was ready. Lu Yang was amazed, finding Bai Lian Peak truly innovative for seamlessly integrating culinary arts with weapon forging. Give me a meat bun. The cafeterias offerings were indeed affordable. Lu Yang encountered many eye-catching items here, and he would have bought them all if not for the limited contribution points. The next morning, Lu Yang met up with two others at the gate of Dao Seeking Sect as arranged. Weve been waiting for you. Meng Jingzhou waved at Lu Yang, standing behind a carriage that was the same one that had taken them to Dao Seeking Sect, with the same old horse. The only difference was that the third person had changed from the eldest sister Yunzhi to Barbarian Bone. Barbarian Bone, who studied diligently, was learning even while waiting. His broad Confucian robe covered his muscles, making him indeed look like a tall schr. Arent we taking the flying boat? Lu Yang had prepared to take the flying boat, knowing his teleportation technique was convenient but not as fast as flying. He temporarily gave up learning the teleportation technique to focus on mastering shorter distances and finer control. Meng Jingzhou patted the carriage, proudly saying, This carriage is a treasure, containing a spatial array. Though it feels slow to us inside, to outsiders, its as fast as a flying boat. Thinking about it, Meng Jingzhous journey from the imperial city to Dao Seeking Sect couldnt have been made step by step by the old horse; it would take a year to reach Dao Seeking Sect that way. The carriage used the array on the way to Dao Seeking Sect to speed up, only slowing down near the sect as a sign of respect. What Lu Yang had seen before was the carriage already slowed down. The three boarded the carriage, which was as spacious as ever. Only today did Lu Yang realize the true value of this carriage. By the way, where are we going? Whats the mission? Eh, I havent told you? Were going to a ce called Qinghuai County. The specifics should be exined by Brother Barbarian Bone, as he found the mission. Barbarian Bone ced a bookmark in his book, closed it, and spoke deliberately. I heard of this task while on a mission. A merchant leader, knowledgeable about many things unknown tomoners, shared a story circted among merchants, which seems credible. Between Qinghuai County and Yanjiang County lies a vast range of mountains. Merchants wishing to cross must be led by local hunters. A terrifying presence appeared in the forests, forcing hunters to abandon their livelihoods Night fell, with overgrown branches blocking the moonlight, thunder roaring, and heavy rain pouring down, making the ground slippery and difficult to navigate. Seven or eight people tied together with ropes to prevent slipping and getting lost. With the sound of the rain, it would be hard to hear if someone fell. Wearing raincoats and carrying baskets, they cautiously stepped, fearing to fall into pits. The cold rain made them look disheveled. Looking up, the dense rain obscured their vision, so they followed the lead of the veteran hunter. Be careful, the mountain roads are slippery in the rain! Dont stop even if youre tired. Push on; its harder to start again if we stop now! I I cant Help me! Ive fallen! Someone slipped, falling towards the cliff without anything to hold onto. Realizing someone was missing from the end of the rope, they stopped and frantically pulled the person up. Ah Yue, hold on tight, lets pull together! I have no strength left. Ah Yue hung off the cliff, saved by the rope around his waist. He was too exhausted and hungry to exert any effort, struggling to climb up. The experienced hunter calmly directed the rescue, personally helping to pull the person up. Some of you hold onto the tree, dont let us all fall! The rest, wrap the rope around your wrists, and on my count of three, pull! Three, two, one, pull! Three, two, one, pull! After much effort, they managed to pull Ah Yue up, leaving everyone too exhausted to stand. The hunter didnt rx. He checked Ah Yue for injuries, asking, How did you fall? Did you feel someone push you? Ah Yue shook his head in confusion, not understanding why the hunter would ask such a question. What do you mean by that? Qi Wu asked, sensing something was off in the hunters question. The hunter pointed to a dpidated temple ahead, Lets hurry. Well talk at the mountain god temple. The heavy rain wasnt the right setting for discussions. Qi Wu nodded, encouraging everyone to reach the temple for shelter. Arriving at the temple, they carelessly removed their raincoats, sat down, and quickly checked their belongings for water damage, which would mean a wasted journey. Good thing we wrapped them in waterproof cloth. Qi Brother is foresighted. The temple, while not in great condition, provided ample shelter. Three old, dusty statues of mountain gods stood in the center, surrounded by mud and dung. The ques bearing the gods names were missing, offerings long consumed by wild animals, doors and windows broken, letting in the cold wind. The merchants didnt mind; any shelter from the rain was wee. Qi Wu offered some goods as tributes to the three mountain gods, thankful for the shelter provided by the temple. The three statues, though crudely sculpted, were distinguishable: the central god wielded a gentlemans sword with a righteous face, nked by one in schrly robes with a book and another emanating pure yang energy, indicating their respective literary and martial roles. May the mountain gods ensure our journey is safe. Qi Wu felt the statues possessed a certain liveliness, almost as if they were alive. (End of the chapter) Chapter 42: The Gap Between Legend and Reality After offering tributes to the mountain gods, Qi Wu hurriedly gathered everyone together. Drenched, the cold wind made them shiver. Well get sick if this continues. The old hunter went to a corner, brought out a handful of firewood, and with a toothy grin said, We hunters sometimes take shelter here from the rain, so weve left some firewood in advance for times like this. Qi Wu was overjoyed: Then were much obliged. The hunter waved it off: Its nothing. Living in the mountains is all about helping each other. Once the rain stops tomorrow, well just gather some more firewood to rece it. Everyone quickly piled the firewood on the ground where a fire had been made before. Qi Wu lit a twig with a fire talisman and gently blew on it until the dry wood caught fire. Watching the mes rise and feeling its warmth, someone sighed deeply. Finally, I feel alive again.Qi Brother, would you like a yellow or white rice cake? One of each? As someone distributed the dry food, they all toasted their rations by the fire. After bringing out the fragrance, Ah Yue produced a jar of pickles, spreading it on the cakes. Biting into it, the salty and savory taste filled their mouths. Ah Yue, your pickle-making skills are excellent. You should consider opening a pickle shop instead of following us merchants. Ah Yue just smiled, saying nothing. Recalling the previous incident, Qi Wu asked, Old Sun, why did you ask Ah Yue if someone pushed him down? Qi Wu and the others were first-time mountain trekkers aiming to cross to sell goods in Qinghuai County. After a long search, they finally found a local old hunter to guide them. The hunters expression turned serious: Have you ever heard of a vengeful ghost? Qi Wu and the others looked serious. Having traveled far and wide, they were aware of ghostly matters, and one of them even eximed, You mean the vengeful ghost that assists tigers? The hunter nodded, speaking softly: This mountain is called Song Mountain. About ten years ago, a hunter went hunting and vanished, leaving only a shoe behind. People then began saying a tiger demon had eaten him. At first, people were reluctant to believe it, thinking how could a tiger demon appear where they had lived for generations? But as time went on, someone said their hunting dog barked furiously at something, and when he looked in that direction, he was petrified. It was a majestic tiger, four meters in length. The tiger leaped at the hunting dog, and he ran for his life, luckily escaping the tigers pursuit! People also noticed others disappearing from time to time, so they reported it to Qinghuai County. The officials then sent me to Yanjiang County, arguing that since Song Mountain was closer to Yanjiang and we only sold our game there, it should fall under their jurisdiction. In Yanjiang County, the officials imed Song Mountain belonged to Qinghuai County. After several back-and-forths, each side sent two monks to search for the tiger demon on Song Mountain. After ten days without finding a single tiger hair, the monks thought we were making fools of them, wasting their time. We tried exining that the tiger demon might be hiding from them, but they left in a huff without listening. We went back to the officials, but they ignored us. Left with no choice, most people left Song Mountain to find other ways to live, leaving only a few of us old folks who knew nothing but hunting. Weter discovered that during hunts, wed encounter those missing travelers. They would appear and disappear unpredictably, sometimes pushing us. Sometimes when I led people into the mountains, these travelers would pretend to stumble upon us and ask to join, suggesting we were going the same way. How could I agree? I hurriedly led people away. The elders used to say that the world contains vengeful ghosts, turned into such by the tiger demon after killing them, to help it find more prey, luring people to be new vengeful ghosts. But dealing with vengeful ghosts is straightforward; just refuse their requests, and they wont harm you. Qi Wu suddenly realized why it was so hard to find hunters in such a vast forest; they were forced away by the tiger demon. Seeing Ah Yue hesitating, Qi Wu encouraged him to ask anything. Ah Yue, feeling a bit embarrassed at first, decided to ask: Do these vengeful ghost include female ghosts? Are they beautiful? Do they seduce men or drain their yang energy? Could I possibly start a forbidden romance, eluding the tiger demons pursuit and wandering the world with her? With each question Ah Yue asked, question marks popped up over everyones heads, including the old hunters. Feeling embarrassed by the reaction, Ah Yue scratched his head: Ive read such stories in novels, like A Chinese Ghost Story, where the love between a human and a ghost remains unfulfilled. After a moment of silence, Qi Wu patted Ah Yues shoulder: Maybe read a little less. Then Qi Wu asked, Old Sun, why not report this to the Five Great Immortal Sects? They uphold justice and surely wouldnt ignore this. The Five Great Immortal Sects? The hunter looked puzzled, unfamiliar with the term. It refers to Dao Seeking Sect, Xuankong Temple, and three other major righteous sects, the most powerful on the continent. I might have heard the name, the hunter said uncertainly, unsure if it was from a teahouse at the mountains base, a passing traveler, or something he heard when younger or older. He couldnt remember. In reality, themon folk knew little about cultivators, only finding the topic intriguing. And stories passed down orally often distort easily, bing quite different from the truth by the time they reach themon people, making them unreliable. For instance, Qi Wu heard that Dao Seeking Sects name, meaning inquiring about the Dao, implies the vast and obscure path to immortality, where cultivation is also about cultivating the heart, constantly questioning ones path, whether its righteous or demonic, and not losing ones true self. Once Qi Wu met a disciple from Dao Seeking Sect, named Dai Bufan, and asked him why it was called Dao Seeking Sect. Dais response is still clear in his memory. You ask about that? It involves our founding ancestor, Xiantian Daoist. To find a feng shui treasurend, he paid a hefty sum for someone from Heavens Mysteries Sect to calcte and locate it, finding and blessed by all directions feng shui. He was told to establish the sect at a specific time and ce for it to prosper. However, our ancestor had a poor sense of direction. Despite markers, he got lost and had to ask a local farmer for directions, which led him to the sects location without dy. To thank the farmer, he named the sect Dao Seeking Sect. (TL Note: or Dao The word for this concept, dao, indicates a way in the sense of a road or a path in cultivation. However, in this context, he was seeking the way to go to the sects location.) (End of the chapter) Chapter 43: Your Mountain God Grandfather So, is the Dao Seeking Sect very powerful? the old hunter asked. Its not Dao Seeking *Er* Sect, its Dao Seeking Sect, Qi Wu corrected the old hunters pronunciation. Once we reach Qinghuai County tomorrow, well write a letter and send it to the Five Great Immortal Sects, asking for their assistance, Qi Wu mentioned, having inquired about the process when he met Dai Bufan. At that time, he was reflecting on how the local officials, with little cultivation, held themselves in such high regard, while the disciples from the Immortal Sects, not involved in the mortal world, were much more approachable. However, Qi Wu was unaware of Dai Bufans status and cultivation level within the Dao Seeking Sect, treating him as a typical disciple of the Immortal Sects. Had he known Dai Bufans identity and cultivation level, his feelings would have been more than just reflective. The old hunter was overjoyed and quickly thanked Qi Wu and the others, even saying that if they could resolve the tiger demon issue, he wouldnt charge them for the journey. Qi Wu hurriedly insisted that was not necessary. It wasnt that they didnt want to save money, but they were unsure if the old hunter was just being polite or sincere. Excuse me, I encountered heavy rain on my journey and wonder if I could stay here for the night?A graceful figure broke through the rain curtain. She was dressed in a green lotus skirt, her brows slightly furrowed with sorrow,pelling an involuntary desire to grant her request. Everyone turned to look at Ah Yue, thinking, Now that youve mentioned a female ghost, one really shows up. Is your mouth blessed? No! Qi Wu immediately refused the request of the green-dressed girl. Given their location, far from any vige or shop, and the sudden appearance of such a beautiful woman in the deep mountains and old forests, recalling what the old hunter had said, he couldnt help but be suspicious. Most crucially, the girl in green was dry! With the rain pouring down as if the heavens were unleashing water, how could she be dry? The green-dressed girl looked slightly angry, feeling that these seemingly educated men were being quite rude. How unreasonable of you. Not to mention this mountain god temple has no owner, you are merely seeking shelter from the rain. With the heavy rain outside, do you expect me to keep using my technique to block the rain?! Technique? Youre a cultivator? Qi Wu became cautious. Most cultivators treated mortals kindly, but it was unpredictable what they might do if provoked. He hesitated. However, the old hunter remained firm, drawing on his years of experience living in the mountains, he felt there was something off about the green-dressed girl, though his tone was much more polite: Esteemed cultivator, whether youre a cultivator or a woman, staying with us eight men in a temple would not look good. Heres what well do: theres a path to the north leading to a hut we hunters built on the mountainside. For someone of your stature, its just a few steps away. The old hunter wasnt lying; there indeed was a hut there, but it was too small to amodate them all, which is why he led Qi Wu and the others to the mountain god temple for shelter. After thinking it over, the green-dressed girl realized the old hunter made sense. Though she was a woman who didnt stick to conventions while roaming the martial world, if there was a better option, why stay in a temple leaking from all sides? After the green-dressed girl left, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, fearing she might transform into a fierce tiger and devour them. Alright, lets sleep. We need to get up early tomorrow to continue our journey. I really dont want toe to this ghostly ce a second time, Qi Wu said, yawning, his eyelids fighting to stay open. Qi Wu originally wanted to sleep facing inward, towards the mountain god statues, feeling something was off about them and not wanting to get too close. Instead, he arranged for everyone to sleep with their heads towards the door. After arranging two people to keep watch at night, everyone fell asleep. After everyone was asleep, the mountain god statues eyes moved, their gaze lowering to look at the sleeping figures. Unnoticed by anyone. Ah Yue yawned, his eyes blurry, as if he was about to fall asleep at any moment, he and another person were on the first watch. So sleepy, I really want to sleep. Hold on a bit longer, you heard it too, its not safe in these mountains Right, I cant sleep, Im still waiting for a female ghost to sneak up on me. Youre average-looking, didnt you read in the books that female ghosts prefer handsome men? They should sneak up on me instead. Female ghosts like schrs, youve only read a few days worth of books. They prefer someone like me, who has extensively read the ssics. The two quietly argued over the hypothetical female ghost, growing more animated as they spoke. Suddenly, a deep roar broke through the sound of the rain and thunder, sending shivers down their spines. Just as they doubted whether it was an illusion, another deep roar sounded, closer this time! Its that tiger demon! The two exchanged looks, seeing the fear in each others eyes. Everyone up, theres a demon! Ah Yue quickly shouted. Everyone woke from their sleep, gripping their weapons tightly, staring out the temple door, sweating profusely and trembling. The roaring ceased, reced by heavy breathing, easily conjuring images of the massive creature responsible. A shadow loomed in the rain, growingrger, filling everyone with dread. A massive tigers head emerged from the rain, approaching the mountain god temple. Qi Wu could even see the fur on the tigers head, each strand clear! The tiger demon entered the temple fully, revealing itself to be a four-meter-long tiger, causing everyone to sweat even more. The tiger demon stood up on its hind legs! What do we do now, Old Sun? Qi Wu whispered, knowing the wooden sticks they held were no match for the tiger demon. Unexpectedly, the old hunter walked straight up to the tiger demon, bowed, and said, Please enjoy your meal, Tiger Lord. Hmm, well done, the tiger demon spoke humannguage, its cultivation level unknown. Qi Wu was furious, wishing he could tear the old hunter apart. The green-dressed girl wasnt the ghost; the old hunter who had been with them all along was! The tiger demon smiled mockingly, I didnt want to eat you originally, as too many deaths might attract outside attention. But you forced my hand by nning to inform the Five Great Immortal Sects about me. I cannot let you live! With that, the tiger demon pinned down the old hunter with a paw: And you, always running your mouth, telling stories, forcing me to clean up after you, and now you want me to kill you again? The old hunter pleaded for mercy, promising not to do it again. The tiger demon snorted: You drove away that female cultivator, which counts as a merit. Your actions cancel out your faults, so I wont punish you this time! The tiger demon didnt y with its prey. It examined Qi Wu closely, making a throaty sound as if holding back phlegm: Youre the smartest one here. If you agree to join me, I can turn you into a ghost, neither dead nor alive. By now, Qi Wu was fearless, pointing at the old hunter with a coldugh: To wander around harming others like him? Id rather die! Not willing to toast, then drink the forfeit! The tiger demon had never been insulted like this before, bing enraged, its roar causing the temple roof to tremble as if it would copse. The tiger demon stopped persuading and lunged at everyone with its jaws wide open. Qi Wu closed his eyes, waiting for death. At that moment, a gentlemans sword appeared between the tiger demon and Qi Wu, its sword light shining bright as the morning sun, dazzling and shing the tiger demons cheek. Who!? the tiger demon roared in anger. Your mountain god grandfather! (End of the chapter) Chapter 44: A Gentleman Hides His Tools Within Qi Wu and the others watched in disbelief as the y statue of the mountain god came to life, wielding a sword to expel the demon! The mountain god has shown his spirit! Ah Yue said dumbfoundedly. Qi Wu reacted the fastest: No, theres someone hiding inside the statue! Indeed, as the sword-wielding mountain god fought with the tiger demon, clumps of y fell away, revealing the true face of the person hidden within. It was Lu Yang. Damn it, Ive waited five days for you! It wasnt in vain that I pretended to be a statue for five days. Take my sword! Lu Yang said fiercely, kicking out. For someone as quick-witted as him, who enjoyed roaming around, it was extremely difficult to stay motionless inside a statue for five days to avoid detection by the tiger demon. Before the others could react, the literary and martial mountain god statues also came to life: Lu Yang, we will lend you a hand! Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone broke free from their y encasements, disying their magical powers to eliminate the tiger demon. Five days earlier, the mountain god temple weed three uninvited guests. They took pills that allowed them to fast, hollowed out the mountain god statues, and climbed inside. The statues were several sizesrger than an average person, easily fitting one inside. Are you sure this will work? Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone skeptically asked Lu Yang. Based on the information provided by Brother Barbarian Bone, our only option is to lie in wait for the tiger demon toe Lets go inside first. Barbarian Bone pondered, was this what the books meant by a gentleman hides his tools within himself? Exactly, exactly. This must be the meaning. Indeed, one must travel ten thousand miles after reading ten thousand books. Barbarian Bone was overjoyed. He had never understood the meaning of this phrase until now, after undertaking a mission with Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, achieving such enlightenment. The master was right; to learn well, one must first find a good role model! The three chose their respective statues, entered them, and maintained the same posture as the statues, only their eyes visible. Hey, can you hear me? Lu Yangmunicated using telepathy. Telepathy was a spell the trio had just learned on the road. At close range, it required no spiritual energy, relying on thoughts alone formunication. It was easy to learn and use with a bit of mental training. I can hear you, Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone replied. Is the carriage alright? Meng Jingzhou worried about their carriage and old horse. To avoid attracting the tiger demons attention, they had left the carriage with an inn in Yanjiang County. We know too little about the tiger demon. What we can be sure of is that its realm is between the early stages of Foundation Establishment and Golden Core. Its cunning and cautious, fearing injury to cultivators might bring trouble, so it only preys on mortals, not cultivators. If cultivators search the mountain, it hides away, impossible to find. In other words, it avoids conflict with cultivators at all costs, preferring to hide. The tiger demons long undetected presence on Song Mountain was due to its non-confrontational approach. We need to hide in advance and eliminate it once it appears! Tiger demons are sensitive to spiritual energy. We must not use any during our wait. Thats why they chose telepathy, which doesnt require spiritual energy. Five dayster. Goodness, after waiting so many days, someone finally shows up. Looks like a merchant? Wait, why is there an old hunter? Wasnt it said that due to the tiger demon, all hunters had left Song Mountain? They had thoroughly investigated Song Mountain, where locals said hunters had long since left, no longering down to sell hides. Ghost! The threemunicated through telepathy, instantly concluding that this was not a guide but a ghost luring people here! Initially skeptical about the tiger demon, the presence of the ghost confirmed its existence on the mountain. Did you hear the old hunter? He said he lived with other hunters, and the merchant leader found him there. Its probably not a lie. Its likely those hunters are also ghosts, posing as normal people to deceive travelers, making their story more credible and avoiding suspicion of being ghosts! Should we deal with the ghost now? Meng Jingzhou was eager to act. Lu Yang asked Meng Jingzhou to hold back, analyzing, Dont startle the snake. Did you hear Qi Wu saying hed seek help from the Five Great Immortal Sects? Given the tiger demons cautious nature, it will surelye to deal with them. Lets wait quietly. Once the tiger demon appears, Ill act, and you cover me, meanwhile getting these merchants away from here. Alright. Did you hear the footsteps outside the temple? Its probably not the tiger demon. Hearing Qi Wu and the old hunter nning to send away the green-dressed girl, Barbarian Bone couldnt help but murmur, How foolish. With the female cultivator here, the tiger demon wouldnt dare to kill. It fears its existence being known. Killing her would lead her sect to retaliate; not killing her would lead her sect here anyway, a dead end either way. The only solution is to send the female cultivator away. See, I was right, the ghost sent her away. Lu Yang was more calm: On the contrary, with the female cultivator here, the tiger demon wouldnt appear. How long would we have to wait? Meng Jingzhou suddenly eximed, Did you notice the jade pendant on the green-dressed girls waist? Whats with the pendant? Lu Yang and Barbarian Bone knew many pendants symbolized identity but werent clear on the specifics. Thats a token from Laurel Immortal Pce. Laurel Immortal Pce, one of the Five Great Immortal Sects. A continuous snow mountain stretches east-west between the Central Continent and the far north, perennially covered in snow, rarely seeing sunny days. Known as the highest peak in the Central Continent, its closest to the moon. Within the snow mountains lies a magnificent immortal pce, the Laurel Immortal Pce. She must be at the Foundation Establishment stage. When we fight the tiger demon, lets make as much noise as possible to alert her, and see if shes willing to help. The opponent was definitely not at the Golden Core stage; a cultivator of that level from the immortal sect would have immediately seen through the old hunter as a ghost, unlike now, being deceived. After a while, the three watched as Qi Wu and the others fell into a deep sleep, envying their peaceful rest. Barbarian Bone recited sage quotations to fight off sleepiness: The sage says, I examine myself thrice a day. Are you sleepy? Im not sleepy. Are you sleepy? Im not sleepy Stop reciting; youre making me sleepy even though I wasnt, Meng Jingzhou asked Barbarian Bone to recite silently, unable to resist yawning. But I am reciting silently, Barbarian Bone replied using telepathy. (Hes technically right xD) Listen carefully! Lu Yang ignored their banter, forcing himself to stay alert to any sounds outside. Theres something stepping on the grass the tiger demon is here! Hearing Lu Yangs alert, Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone stopped bickering, immediately bracing for battle. Finally, this beast shows up! Lu Yang no longer concealed his presence, his body shaking the mountain god statue to pieces, holding the Green Edge Sword with glowing sword light, illuminating the entire temple. (End of the chapter) Chapter 45: Don’t Underestimate the Dough Stick as a Weapon Lu Yang, holding a sword in one hand, grabbed Qi Wu by the neck with the other and threw him backward: Theres a door behind, run for it! In the blink of an eye, Qi Wu was thrown three or four meters away. Just as he was about to hit the ground, an invisible force lifted his body, allowing him tond steadily. Thank you, immortal, for saving me! He immediately ran outside with Ah Yue and the others without any hesitation. They couldnt ascertain the cultivation levels of Lu Yang and the tiger demon. They only knew that in a cultivators battle, regardless of the oue, it would affect the surroundings. With their mortal bodies, getting involved could mean spending the rest of their lives either bedridden or buried. The tiger demons fur stood on end, and the king character on its forehead glowed slightly, aiming to tear Lu Yang apart with even more ferocity. Ill help you! The other two mountain god statues made noise. One held a book, looking schrly, while the other radiated light, resembling a high monk with an indestructible golden body! Barbarian Bone felt his book was too light. He put it away and pulled out two copies of the Great Xia Dictionary from his bosom.Feels right. Barbarian Bone had been taught from a young age that the barbarian race was a warrior race, not limited to the form of their weapons. Anything could be your weapon; use whatever is handy. Now, the handiest thing was a book. Knowledge is power! Holding two dictionaries like bricks, he smacked them against the tiger demons forehead, leaving the demon stunned, having never seen such a weapon. Meng Jingzhou didnt need any weapon. His body was his strongest weapon. He transformed into a golden figure, charging at the tiger demon. The ghost behind the tiger demon screamed, beginning to smoke. Pure Yang spiritual root was especially effective against ghosts! The ghost, terrified, no longer obeyed the tiger demonsmands, fleeing the temple and disappearing into the rain. The tiger demon had never been as angry as it was today. It didnt want to conflict with cultivators, but that didnt mean it was afraid of them. It could easily tear these na?ve youngsters to pieces and escape elsewhere, wondering who could find it. What a pity to leave such a feng shui treasure like Song Mountain. Thinking thus, the tiger demon didnt hold back. Its tail swept towards Lu Yang with a howling sound, and if Lu Yang continued his attack, he would undoubtedly be seriously injured! Lu Yang made a split-second decision, withdrawing his sword and retreating as the tigers tail smashed into the ground, shaking the entire temple. The three had grave expressions: It has already condensed a Golden Core phantom! To form a Golden Core, one first needs to condense a phantom of the Golden Core. The core transforms from phantom to reality, officially entering the Golden Core stage. The tiger demon in front of them was clearly in the process of forming its Golden Core, its strength extraordinary! I am a half-step Golden Core stage powerhouse, and you, mere Foundation Establishment youngsters, dare to harm me! Half-step Golden Core? Lu Yang looked at Meng Jingzhou, having never heard this term from the eldest sister. Theyman Meng Jingzhou exined: It means not yet having formed a Golden Core but always thinking highly of oneself, notparable to Foundation Establishment, but trying to bump up to Golden Core stage. Golden Core cultivators dont even take them seriously, quite pitiful. The kind-hearted Barbarian Bone added: Its normal for Brother Lu not to know. Our sect elders disdain this term. Forming a Golden Core doesnt need transitioning from phantom to reality; vulgar people do that. They directly form the core. The honest Lu Yang pitied the tiger demon: Indeed pitiful. The tiger demon grew even angrier, its eyes bloodshot. Its proud cultivation was belittled to nothing by these three youngsters. And the worst part was that they genuinely believed it! The tiger demon released its pressure, trying to suppress the three. Unexpectedly, none of them were affected. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou even scoffed: Weve endured the pressure of a Nascent Soul stage great demon with ancient dragon blood. How could we be affected by you? Barbarian Bone, with his ancient barbarian blood, feared no pressure. The barbarians were domineering in ancient times because they feared nothing. Highlighting their barbarism. The tiger demon gave up imitating the human stance of standing on two legs, lowering its front limbs to the ground, its chin close to the ground, and its tiger eyes fixedly waiting for the three. Boom The tiger demons hind legs pushed off forcefully, like a cannonball, smashing hard towards the three. With the Green Edge Sword in front, Lu Yang barely blocked the tiger demons ws. Lu Yang spun and retreated, dissipating the tiger demons force. Unlike the previous Painted Skin ghost, whose advantagey in strangeness and wasnt adept at attack, making it easy to defeat once its identity was revealed, the tiger demon was different. Demons are known for their physical bodies. Its not to say the tiger demons cultivation was almost a whole level above the three; it was remarkable that Lu Yang could block the attack without injury. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone, one on each side, attacked from both sides. The tiger demons blood runes flickered, transforming into a gust of wind, flying above them and striking down hard. Clouds follow the dragon, winds follow the tiger; tiger demons naturally control wind spells, an innate spell from their bloodline! Meng Jingzhou, unable to leverage in the air, met the tiger demons palm. Barbarian Bone protected his chest with the dictionary, half of it shredded by the tiger demons w. Lu Yang seized the opportunity to thrust his sword forward relentlessly, the de striking like lightning, instantly reaching the tiger demon. He stabbed several times, but the tiger demons thick fur made it impossible for Lu Yangs sword to prate. Just as the tiger demon was about tough at Lu Yangs overestimation, several bursts of sword energy exploded within it where Lu Yang had struck, causing it to bleed profusely. Hidden sword energy! Lu Yang didnt need to pierce through; his aim was to inject sword energy into the opponent! This is where demons fall shortpared to physical cultivators; their external bodies are formidable, but their internal organs and blood are extremely fragile! The tiger demon retreated, unwilling to sh directly with Lu Yangs sword any longer. Unexpectedly, Lu Yang was relentless. The tiger demon dodged his right-handed sword strike, but Lu Yangs left hand brought out a dough stick, striking the tiger demons head with it! The tiger demon could have dodged, but seeing the dough stick, it let its guard down, chuckling at Lu Yangs childishness, using anything at hand in desperation. Then it was stunned. What kind of dough stick was this? Meng Jingzhou transformed into a mountain, seizing the few seconds the tiger demon was dazed to ram into its waist. The tiger demon appeared cunning and experienced, but it was full of ws. It adhered to a non-fighting principle, preferring to run than fight, having barely engaged inbat throughout its cultivation. The tiger demon staggered from the impact. Barbarian Bone struck, aiming for the eyes. The tiger demon hurriedly turned its head, getting hit on the cheek instead, losing a patch of fur. The tiger demon instinctively swung its tail, hitting Barbarian Bone, who deftly dodged, barely injured. Lu Yang thrust several times with his sword, supplementing with a few hits from the dough stick, forcing the tiger demon to retreat continuously. After the exchange, the three gained the upper hand. The tiger demon realized, despite their young age and lower cultivation, they disyed profound foundations, surely backed by a powerful force, and began to think of retreating. The three were not about to let the tiger demon escape. Releasing it today meant untold harm tomorrow. It couldnt be allowed to flee! Dont push me too far! The tiger demon roared, furious beyond measure. The three sensed the tiger demons desperation and braced themselves. The tiger demons eyes bulged, roaring towards the temple entrance, using itsst resort: Wife, theyre trying to kill me! (End of the chapter) Chapter 46: The Ten Bulls Strength Pill! Before the trio could react, they heard the sound of trees copsing in the rain, as if something was rushing towards them through the rain. Boom Therge object in the rain didnt slow down and directly crashed into a wall of the mountain god temple, putting the temple at risk of copse! A colorful fierce tiger, slightly smaller than the tiger demon, stood in front of the three. Despite its smaller size, it gave off an even more ferocious vibe! There were a male and a female tiger in this mountain! This was something nobody expected. There was too little information about the beasts of Song Mountain. Before this, it was uncertain whether there were any demon ns hiding here, let alone two of them. Wife, lets go together, the male tiger demon said. The female tiger demon, only slightly weaker than him with ate Foundation Establishment cultivation, made them confident in facing the three humans. Useless. The female tiger demon muttered, embarrassing the male tiger demon.The dual assault from the tigers significantly increased the pressure on the trio. Attack the one with the sword; hes the hardest to deal with, the male tiger demon roared. Meng Jingzhou was immediately dissatisfied, making his presence felt at the forefront: What do you mean? Am I inferior to him? I thought you, a demon, had some discernment, but it turns out youre not only henpecked but also cant judge the strength of your enemies. Youre disgracing the demon race. With this level, you dare to im the mountain as your king. Look at my golden body, hard and unbeatable in defense at our level. Can you break through my defense The male tiger demon paused for a moment: Attack this golden guy; hes the most annoying. The two tigers struck together, sending Meng Jingzhou flying into a wall, forming a big character. The tigers frowned, feeling that the hand feel of hitting him was off. Meng Jingzhous chest revealed a sesame pancake, fractured into four parts, with a quarter missingeaten by Meng Jingzhou himself. Honestly, it tasted good. Just as Meng Jingzhou was about to counterattack, a figure in green rushed into the temple, holding the old hunter by the neck, rapidly reciting the Rebirth Mantra, eliminating the harmful old hunter. It was the green-dressed girl who had wanted toe in for shelter from the rain. The green-dressed girl, seeing the standoff and Meng Jingzhou embedded in the wall, was slightly surprised. She had rushed here upon hearing the fight, wanting to see the situation, and encountered the old hunter in his true form. She didnt think twice before running towards this side with the old hunter, not expecting such a lively scene. Aiding a tiger. Seeing the tiger demon and the ghost, she quickly pieced together what had happened. Dao Seeking Sect, Lu Yang. Lu Yang quickly identified himself. Laurel Immortal Pce, Lan Ting. The green-dressed girl and Lu Yang exchanged nces, reported their names, and quickly adjusted their mindset to join the battle. Being from two of the Five Great Immortal Sects, they were supposed to help each other. Lan Tings movements were graceful, with a white ribbon swirling around her arms, floating behind her. She moved lightly, like a fairy dancing in the moon, enchantingly beautiful. Form over substance! The female tiger demon scorned Lan Tings moves, charging to tear the deceitful human apart. Lan Ting didnt respond verbally. With a light tap of her foot and fingers together, she pointed at the female tiger demon, the white ribbon stiffening into a sword, piercing directly at the tigers forehead. The female tiger demon suffered a big loss right away but wasnt scared, scoffing, Just an early Foundation Establishment. Despite her words, the female tiger demon didnt dare to be careless. Battling with a cultivator from a great sect, a slight mistake could lead to death. Lan Ting might not defeat the female tiger demon, but she could temporarily entangle it. Meanwhile, the scene shifted back to the Dao Seeking Sect trio battling the male tiger demon. Lu Yangs swordsmanship was extremely tricky, leaving the tiger demon unable to guard effectively. Barbarian Bone took Meng Jingzhou off the wall, pushing the tiger demon back continuously. Meng Jingzhou had no thoughts on being used as a weapon. Seeing this, the tiger demons forehead king character shone brighter, and the hidden blood of the mythical Qiongqi within was stimted, elongating its fangs and ws, bing more ferocious. What luck, to have Qiongqi bloodline. Lu Yang was somewhat speechless; how many trump cards did this demon have? Was it their bad luck, or were all demons this capable? Lu Yang couldnt help but think of the great eras arrival mentioned by the eldest sister. With the arrival of the great era, all sorts of demons and ghosts would emerge to share the Central Continent. Though the tiger demons abilities were far from participating in the great eras struggles, its appearance was a minor manifestation of the great eras arrival. After stimting the Qiongqi bloodline, the tiger demonpletely lost its rationality, relying on instinct in battle, its eyes bloodshot and frenzied, but itsbat skills significantly improved. Barbarian Bones barbarian blood seemed stimted, awakening as well, swinging Meng Jingzhou with increasing force. We cant drag this out any longer. Lu Yang thought, uncertain what else the tiger demon could pull off. Better to end everything quickly. With that thought, Lu Yang flipped his palm, revealing a golden pill. It was the pill he exchanged afterpleting the Hua Pi ghost mission, the Ten Bulls Strength Pill. Consuming this pill grants the strength of ten bulls! Although the people of Pellet Cauldron Peak were unreliable in both poison and pill making, they never skimped on the effects of their pills. This pill was undoubtedly a top contender among explosive pills! With his swordsmanship and the addition of ten bulls strength, let alone a trace of Qiongqi bloodline in the tiger demon, even a pure-blooded Qiongqi he would dare to fight! Seizing the moment Barbarian Bone and Meng Jingzhou teamed up to hold the male tiger demon, Lu Yang no longer hesitated and swallowed the pill. So hot, so burning! Swallowing the pill felt like ingesting a ball of fire, his stomach burning intensely. Lu Yang closed his eyes, feeling his dantian heating up, with endless strength emerging from within, forming lines that appeared on his bodys surface. Barbarian Bone noticed Lu Yangs change; his body outlined with red lines, reminiscent of the barbarian warriors he had seen in books, daring to fight against heaven and earth. So strong! Even Barbarian Bone, a straightforward man, could feel the power emanating from Lu Yang. This power was undoubtedly invincible among Foundation Establishment cultivators. The male tiger demon attempted to stop Lu Yangs transformation but was jointly held back by Barbarian Bone and Meng Jingzhou. Lu Yang opened his eyes, a hint of confusion in his gaze. The power indeed surged out, but it seemed all to flow outwards, leaving little within him. Red lines spread from Lu Yangs body to the ground, forming a strange circr pattern. A thick smoke rose from the ground, obscuring the view. The smoke came quickly and dissipated just as fast. After the smoke cleared, ten water buffaloes appeared before everyone. These ten water buffaloes were all at the Foundation Establishment stage! Lu Yang: ? The male tiger demon: ? Everyone present was stunned by this sudden change, unclear about what had happened. Damn your Ten Bulls Strength Pill! This wasnt a pill to enhance ones own strength at all, but a pill with an embedded summoning formation! These ten water buffaloes, as if knowing what Lu Yang summoned them for, scuffed the ground with their hooves, their eyes red, and charged at the tiger demon as one! (End of the chapter) Chapter 47: The Break Word Technique Pellet Cauldron Peak. Our most important task as alchemists is to learn to break through the limitations of our thinking. Pills do not necessarily have to enhance the strength of those who take them, like this Ten Bulls Strength Pill Ive created, Wu Ming lectured at the Pellet Cauldron Academy, exining the principles of alchemy in a simple and understandable way. The disciples below hurriedly took notes, as these precious alchemy principles were hard toe by outside. Outside alchemists emphasize inheritance, adhering to the notion that teaching a disciple too well might starve the master, making it difficult to learn alchemy principles in the outside world. Pellet Cauldron Peak is different; they wish to teach everything they know to the new brothers and sisters. Outside alchemists stick to tradition, believing in the unchangeability of ancestral methods, hence understanding Pellet Cauldron Peaks alchemy principles is challenging. Wu Ming felt proud seeing his brothers and sisters listening intently. This years Dao Seeking Sect did not only recruit Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhou, Barbarian Bone, Tao Yao Ye, and Li Haoran because of their exceptional talents. They overshadowed other new disciples, making it easy to overlook them. Besides these five, there were many disciples with dual or triple spiritual roots or unique skills, forming the backbone of the future Dao Seeking Sect.Those attending the ss were new disciples who chose to study under Pellet Cauldron Peak. They have been learning the nuances of alchemy for over a year at Pellet Cauldron Peak. Many cultivators have the habit of taking pills during battle to burst forth with strength several times their own, surprising their opponent and securing victory. While victory is good, this practice can cause the multiplied strength to surge through the meridians. Meridians have their limits, and rashly impacting them can cause significant damage, even harming the foundation, which is detrimental to cultivation. Our duty as alchemists is to heal and save people, to prevent such situations as much as possible. For this, I studied hard, visited a friend skilled in summoning arrays next door, and finally created this Ten Bulls Strength Pill. The pill contains a micro summoning array. Once consumed, it uses the body as a medium to summon ten water buffaloes to aid in battle. Brother Wu, where are these ten water buffaloes summoned from? a keen and cute younger sister asked during the ss. Wu Ming smiled and replied, Theyre called from the spiritual fields. The food in the cafeteria and restaurants mostlyes from Dao Seeking Sects own spiritual fields. Growing such high-quality grains and other foods requires strict standards for soil, fertilizers, and farming methods. Working hard in the spiritual fields are the Blue-Eyed Water Buffaloes, with immense strength and powerful cultivations ranging from Qi Refinement to Nascent Soul stages, even including an old Ox King in the Soul Transformation stage, truly formidable. The Third Elder, in his younger days, once pushed aside the oxen to farm thend himself for an entire night. The oxen mentioned here belong to the Blue-Eyed Water Buffalo n. The Blue-Eyed Water Buffalo n enjoys head-butting each other with their horns. Wu Ming contacted them to see if they could be summoned for battle, and they happily agreed. As alchemists, you must think like me, put yourselves in the shoes of those who consume the pills, consider why they take pills, the side effects, and if there are better solutions. Wu Ming wrote a paper on his creation of the Ten Bulls Strength Pill and submitted it to the authoritative alchemy publication Dan Huo. The editor was shocked by Wu Mings out-of-the-box idea and forwarded it to the authoritative publication in the summoning field. It has now been sessfully published. Wu Ming knew his ideas were ahead of their time and needed to give cultivators some time to adapt. Therefore, he set the price of the Foundation-level Ten Bulls Strength Pill very low, at only a hundred contribution points. To put it in perspective, even a youtiao in the cafeteria costs one hundred and fifty contribution points. Wu Ming also clearly marked its effect as granting the strength of ten bulls on the exchange list, considering it very thoroughly. Lu Yang was lost in thought. To say the pill was fake, it indeed granted the strength of ten bulls, matching the description and effect without any exaggeration. But to say the pill was genuine, something felt off. What went wrong? Hard to figure out. The ten Foundation Establishment stage water buffaloes, robust and strong, charged at the tiger demon with great momentum. Against these wild buffaloes, the tiger demon, even at half-step Golden Core stage, wouldnt dare to be hit by such a group. No matter how strong the tiger demon was, it couldnt surpass the strength of the buffalo demons. As unreliable as Pellet Cauldron Peak may seem, they never got the effects of their pills wrong. The summoned ten wild buffaloes were indeed capable of defeating the tiger demon. Barbarian Bone and Meng Jingzhou, seeing this, unconsciously rxed. The battle was decided; the tiger demon had no chance of turning the tide. The tiger demons eyes bulged, and its fur bristled, realizing it couldnt defeat the ten water buffaloes. If so, then it would take someone down with it! Just then, with a loud crash, the mountain god temple copsed. The temple was already on the verge of falling, and a mere bump from the ten water buffaloes brought it down. For a moment, dust mixed with the heavy rain, obscuring visibility. The tiger demon seized the opportunity, leaped high with all four limbs, evading the buffalos attack, and pounced towards Lu Yang with lightning speed. Only this human must die! The water buffaloes, bulky and not good at jumping, failed to react to this sudden change. Barbarian Bone and Meng Jingzhou shouted in rm, but it was toote to save Lu Yang. Everyone was panicked, except for Lu Yang, who remained calm. He had anticipated the tiger demons desperate final attack, intending to perish together with him. Trapped beasts fight most fiercely! Lu Yang didnt dodge or evade but used the spell Shrink, shrinking himself and his sword together. The tiger demon missed its target, and Lu Yang, now beneath it, resumed his size, with azure spiritual energy flowing along his sword de, all converging at the tip. Break! Lu Yang executed the Break Word Technique, his Qingfeng Sword irresistibly piercing the tiger demons thick fur. With a sound, the sword pierced the tiger demons abdomen, the bloody tip emerging from its back. This was a sword move he learned at Tianmen Peak. Among all sword moves, it had the strongest offensive capability, capable of depleting most of his spiritual energy and was not to be used lightly. In the battle just now, Lu Yang had pinpointed the tiger demons weakness; its abdomen was the least defended. Lu Yang released sword qi, fine as cow hair and azure in color, exploding within the tiger demon, like countless needles piercing through it. The tiger demons body crackled like fireworks, the noise traveling up its spine to the crown of its head. The tiger demon bled from all seven orifices, copsing to the ground. Leaning against the wall, Lu Yang, exhausted and panting heavily, signaled Barbarian Bone and Meng Jingzhou to assist Lan Ting in eliminating the demon. The female tiger demon, seeing her husband dead, became even more ferocious, determined to fight to the death. Lan Ting was almost unable to suppress this cornered beast. Before Barbarian Bone and Meng Jingzhou could join the new fight, the water buffalo demons turned their attention towards the female tiger demon. The female tiger demon, failing to dodge in time, was trampled into a bloody mess by the water buffaloes. The battle ended. Lan Ting opened her mouth, thinking about the various strange and unbelievable rumors about Dao Seeking Sect her sisters had mentioned. Initially skeptical, she now believed about seventy percent of them. (End of the chapter) Chapter 48: The Lair After the battle ended and there was no more need for them, the ten water buffaloes vanished into thin air, returning to the spiritual fields. How are you feeling? Can you get up? Barbarian Bone stepped forward with concern, thoroughly impressed by Lu Yangs decisive azure sword strike that turned the tide of the battle. Although he and Meng Jingzhou assisted and injured the tiger demon, Barbarian Bone suspected that even without their help, Lu Yangs sword alone could have in the tiger demon. Lu Yang consumed a packet of Qi Recovery Powder, quickly regaining his calm breathing and steadily increasing his energy at a rate far beyond what a few Qi Recovery Powders could achieve. If I had known, I would have bought Qi Recovery Pills instead; this powder is too dry, Lu Yang muttered, operating the Condensation Technique to produce a small orb of water at his fingertips. A stream of water two fingers wide flowed into Lu Yangs mouth. Was that the Size Maniption spell you used just now? Meng Jingzhou, recognizing Lu Yang suddenly shrinking and then erging, felt the technique was familiar, resembling a spell used by an uncle in his family called Size Maniption. However, as far as he knew, that spell was extremely difficult to master, requiring a cultivation level no less than Golden Core to seed. Something like that, I used the Shrink spell. Shrink? Meng Jingzhou was puzzled, having heard of all spells known to the Meng family but finding Shrink utterly unfamiliar.Could it be a unique spell created by Elder Sister Yun Zhi? Thinking this made sense. Lady Lan Ting pays her respects to the three fellow Daoists, Lan Ting approached gracefully. We three are disciples of Dao Seeking Sect; this is Meng Jingzhou, and this is Barbarian Bone, Lu Yang introduced, as the situation was urgent before, and he had only introduced himself. So, you are Daoist Meng and Daoist Barbarian. It was evident that Lan Ting was well-cultured, treating everyone with courtesy. She didnt drive Qi Wu and the others away when she sought shelter in the mountain god temple from the rain. Thank you, Daoist Lan Ting, for your assistance. If not for you, dealing with both tiger demons would have been quite troublesome; perhaps we might have failed our mission, Lu Yang expressed his gratitude. This was somewhat of a polite exaggeration; they actually still had some tricks up their sleeves. So, this was your mission, Lan Ting didnt say much more, as she was also on a secret mission when she descended the mountain. Being unfamiliar with the area, she hadnt descended the mountain during the day, and encountering a rainy night, she sought shelter, only to stumble upon this incident. I have some knowledge of rune arts. The tiger pelts look quite good; may I have them? Lan Ting asked. Of course, Lu Yang smiled, If Daoist Lan Ting needs anything else, feel free to take it. Tiger pelts were valuable, butpared to the help Lan Ting provided, they were less significant. Lan Ting shook her head, asking for nothing more. Barbarian Bone, having grown up in the wilderness with his parents, was well-versed in skinning, his fingers as sharp as a butchers knife. With a few swift moves, he skinned both tiger pelts intact. After receiving the tiger pelts, Lan Ting politely bid farewell to Lu Yang and the others before disappearing into the depths of the forest. Her sisters had warned her not to approach members of Dao Seeking Sect too closely until her mental fortitude was strong enough, lest she be assimted by them. Jingzhou, do you want the tiger bones and whip? Meng Jingzhou was confused: What do I need tiger bones and whip for? For virility, Lu Yang teased with a smirk. Get lost! As someone with a pure Yang spiritual root, he didnt need any enhancement. How could he bear it if he became even more vigorous? Lets properly store these two tiger demons; they are crucial evidence forpleting our mission. Lu Yang took out his identity jade token, swiped his thumb over it, and the two tiger demon corpses were collected into the token. The jade token could also be used as a storage ring. Lets go. The female tiger demon made quite amotioning here, knocking down many trees. We can follow the trail it left to find theirir. The two tiger demons had upied Song Mountain for many years, certainly having air. The heavy rain had no effect on the three, as any basic rain-avoidance spell could keep them dry. Following the trail of fallen trees and cracked boulders, it didnt take long for them to find the tiger demonsir. It was a cave about three meters high, pitch ck, with the interior invisible. Does anyone have a torch? Barbarian Bone asked, noting the darkness within the cave could conceal traps. He had read in books that such eerie caves were perfect for setting traps, like identally stepping on a brick that triggers arrows from the walls to turn someone into a hive, or suddenly releasing a cloud of poison gas, or even triggering a rolling boulder to crush intruders. Who would set up so many traps at home? Could they be worried their house is too convenient to live in? Lu Yangmented, finding Barbarian Bones thoughts to wander to odd ces. That said, a torch would indeed add to the atmosphere of exploration. Who carries a torch when going out? Meng Jingzhou scoffed, reminding them they were cultivators who could use fire spells instead of torches. Think outside the box, Lu Yang said, pulling out a deep-fried dough stick, lighting it with a spark, and soon the entire youtiao was aze, appearing to burn for a long time. Lu Yang held the burning youtiao without fear of being burnt, quite pleased with himself. Indeed, the cafeterias offerings were versatile, serving not only as food and a weapon but also as a torch. Barbarian Bone had an epiphany, realizing he could indeed learn much from Lu Yang. With the lit youtiao leading the way, Lu Yang moved ahead, followed closely by Barbarian Bone and Meng Jingzhou. There were no traps as Barbarian Bone had imagined, only a beastsir. Merchants treasures, schrs collections of ssics and history, warriors secret martial arts manuals These items didnt need to be turned over to the sect and counted as their spoils of war. Jewelry and antiques Meng Jingzhou, with the broadest experience among them, took charge of identifying these items. A hundred-year-old teacup, not worth much. For cultivators, a century passes in the blink of an eye, a brief moment, making any household item easily over a hundred years old. In the cultivation world, antiques were the least valuable, only coveted by mortals. A rusty iron knife, what did the tiger demon keep this for, teeth sharpening? Meng Jingzhou shook his head. Lu Yang thought to himself not to underestimate a rusty iron knifea cut could lead to tetanus. Shape-Imitating Fist? I remember its a martial art from themon folk, mimicking animals? Meng Jingzhou flipped through a few pages, uninterested, and tossed it to Lu Yang. Lu Yang was somewhat interested, nning to practice it when he had time. The Sages Words Meng Jingzhou scoffed, What use do two beasts have for The Sages Words? Are they not still beasts? The Sages Words is a basic text for Confucian cultivators, containing the profound teachings of sages. Barbarian Bone knew it by heart and deeply understood its contents. Barbarian Bone took The Sages Words, not because it was particrly valuable, but because its significance was extraordinary, deserving proper respect. This was an act of reverence for the sages. Hm? Theres a letter here, addressed to the tiger demon? (End of the chapter) Chapter 49: The Demon Cult Who would write a letter to a tiger demon, especially since it has always been hiding from cultivators, not letting them know its whereabouts? The three were puzzled. Given the tiger demons cautious nature, it seemed unlikely that anyone outside the mountain should know of its existence. Read it, what does the letter say? Meng Jingzhou cleared his throat and read with emotion, Brother Tiger, it has been many days since west met, how have you beentely? Brother Tiger is cautious in his actions, unwilling to show himself, keeping his existence unknown to righteous cultivators, only targeting mortals. Such a step-by-step cultivation method has earned my admiration. However, such cultivation is ultimately slow. Now that the great era is upon us, with heroes rising and various forces eyeing the Central Continent, didnt you also seize this opportunity to leave your homnd, break away from the Qiongqi lineage, and sneak into Song Mountain from the demon realm? Be cautious you two, stop crowding me, cant I just read it to you? Lu Yang and Barbarian Bone squeezed Meng Jingzhou in the middle, trying to read the letters content directly. Youre reading too slowly. Ill read faster, now move aside. Meng Jingzhou pushed the two away and continued, Being cautious is not a big mistake, but in this reawakening great era, being bold is the only way to seize opportunities. Take a chance, purify your bloodline, and be a pure-blooded Qiongqi to stand firm in this era.I boldly suggest that Brother Tiger and his spouse join our Yanjiang Rudder, hunting cultivators as prey and plotting grand schemes together! The letter contains my token; Brother Tiger can directly bring my token to find me at Yanjiang Rudder, and I can directly rmend Brother Tiger as an enforcer. Sincerely, Qin Yuanhao. The letter was short but revealed a lot of information. Lu Yang analyzed, The letter mentions the tiger demon not letting righteous cultivators know about it, which goes against usual phrasing. Typically, righteous cultivators wouldnt be directly mentioned unless the letters author stands opposed to them. Is this Qin Yuanhao a demonic cultivator? This could also exin why some cultivators knew about the tiger demon but didnt report it. In the Central Continent, the righteous path holds absolute dominance, with demons, devils, and ghosts naturally aligning as allies. For example, the tiger demon didnt attack directly but used ghosts to lure people. With the tiger demon possessing Qiongqi bloodline and being a confirmed Golden Core stage cultivator, it made sense for a demonic cultivator to recruit it. So, Yanjiang Rudder is a demonic cult stronghold? Meng Jingzhou nodded, Demonic cults like to use geographical names for their strongholds, but its unclear which demonic cult Yanjiang Rudder belongs to. Just as righteous cultivators have the Five Great Immortal Sects, demonic cultivators have their own sects, called the Four Great Demonic Cults. Demonic cults are more like religions than sects, distinguished by whether they worship a powerful entity. The Four Great Demonic Cults have different beliefs, with some saying they represent four immortals, while others argue the cults beliefs are just four avatars of a single immortal, leading to various theories. Demonic cults reveal very little to the outside, their movements elusive, and even joint efforts by the Great Xia Dynasty and the Five Great Immortal Sects have failed to locate their main base. Whenever righteous cultivators eradicate arge number of demonic cult strongholds, the cult members sprout up again like bamboo after rain, impossible topletely eliminate. Demonic cults are mysterious, employing bizarre and ruthless methods, chilling to the bone. But in reality, its only because the righteous path is too strong, forcing the demonic cults to operate in the shadows, resorting to underhanded tactics. If only the demonic cultsirs could be found, there would be no need for the Five Great Immortal Sects to act; the Great Xia Dynasty could dispatch troops and within five days turn the cults upside down, eradicating their nests within a month. This is the confidence of the righteous path. Demonic paths ultimately cant stand in the light of day. Lu Yang shook the envelope, producing a bone token with a unique qi signature left by the demonic cult member, Qin Yuanhao, a method that outsiders couldnt replicate. Barbarian Bone suggested, Could we use this token to join the demonic cult? Discovering a demonic cult hideout would be a great achievement, far more valuable than eliminating two tiger demons. Lu Yang shook his head, No, if we use his token to join Yanjiang Rudder, Qin Yuanhao would definitely know. Besides, we dont even know where Yanjiang Rudder is. How could we join? What should we do then? Barbarian Bone asked. Since its called Yanjiang Rudder, it must be in Yanjiang County. We could go there and inquire about Qin Yuanhao, follow him to find Yanjiang Rudder. Given that he referred to himself as junior in front of the tiger demon, his cultivation level wont be higher than the tiger demons. We can eliminate him and use the token directly, iming we were old friends of Qin Yuanhaoing to join him, only to find hes dead. Thats a good idea. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bones eyes lit up. Lets search some more, see if we can find anything else valuable. Lu Yang excitedly urged Meng Jingzhou to continue searching. Meng Jingzhou stumbled upon a bright red, palm-sized grass with an eerie aura. Jade Blood Grass, but why are the veins red? Meng Jingzhou was puzzled. Jade Blood Grass is primarily used for detoxification, its veins are supposed to be bluish-green, resembling rivers flowing on the ground. Why was this one red? Lu Yang crouched down to inspect it, then said, You forgot, Jade Blood Grasss main use for humans is as a primary ingredient in detoxification pills, but not so for demons. Jade Blood Grass can refine bloodlines. Its possible that the tiger demon used its blood to water and ripen the Jade Blood Grass, making it adapt to the Qiongqi bloodline. Looking at this, in a few more months, the Jade Blood Grass would have fully matured. Consuming it would have refined the Qiongqi bloodline, aiding the tiger demon in condensing its core. The blood in Jade Blood Grass is thus named. Lu Yang learned this knowledge of Jade Blood Grass from the Little Medicine Kings. Now this Jade Blood Grass can no longer be used to make detoxification pills, only for demons to consume for purifying their bloodlines, Lu Yang exined. In that case, you should keep it. It could fetch a good price at the sects monthly market on the fifteenth. Meng Jingzhou passed the herb to Lu Yang and Barbarian Bone. Many people in the sect keep demon beasts, and herbs that can enhance bloodlines have a significant market in Dao Seeking Sect. After some back and forth, Barbarian Bone did not insist on being polite over Lu Yang and took the Jade Blood Grass. Meng Jingzhou reminded Barbarian Bone, Dont eat the Jade Blood Grass. The ancient Barbarian Tribe is a branch of the human race, and Jade Blood Grass wont benefit your bloodline. Barbarian Bone expressed his disappointment with an oh. Legend has it that the ancient Barbarian Tribe originated from a romantic proposal in the ancient times when the human race lived in scattered tribes, and the strongest among them were called warriors. One day, two tribes met. A male warrior from one tribe took a liking to a female warrior from the other and proposed, Girl, give me a smile. If this young master is pleased, Ill marry you. The female warrior smirked and swung a stone back at him. They fought, and in the end, the female warrior prevailed, dragging the male warrior into her hut for a sleepless night. Ten monthster, the first Barbarian warrior was born. (End of the chapter) Chapter 50: What Did the Sage Say Again? Meng Jingzhou found another piece of tiger skin, ancient as if it had a history of over a hundred years, but well-preserved, with dense, clear script that Lu Yang and Barbarian Bone, stretching their necks for a nce, could not recognize. This is demonic script, the internalnguage of the demon races, Meng Jingzhou exined, recognizing it. The fox race, naturally libertine, reflects this in their writing, oftenposing unhealthy books. If someone engages in certain indescribable acts with these books, the authors can collect a sliver of yang energy. Therefore, most of the unhealthy books circting in the Central Continent are authored by the fox race. Despite official efforts to promote their harmfulness and periodic campaigns to destroy these books, they continue to circte in the ck market, unabated. As a young boy, Meng Jingzhou was quite obsessed with these books, not understanding the indescribable acts but finding the books interesting. He learned demonic script specifically to read the originals. (TL Note: ( ? ?? ?) LOL my man is so cultured) You were so keen on studying? Lu Yang and Barbarian Bone were surprised. Cultivation can enhance memory, making learning anguage rtively quick. But Meng Jingzhou had learned demonic script before beginning his cultivation journey, which was impressive. Meng Jingzhou was reluctant to exin further, only mentioning a casual interest in demonic culture. Barbarian Bone admired Meng Jingzhous humility and dedication to study without boasting, considering it a model of modest behavior and noble character worth emting.Whats written on the tiger skin? Let me see objects of ghosts and spirits, moving in shadows, avoiding the sun this is a method formanding ghost servants. Meng Jingzhou quickly skimmed the text, calcting its implications in his mind, and soon deduced the manuals function. The old hunter must have been refined this way. Refining ghostly beings has requirements, needing a cultivation two major levels higher, except for mortals, who can be refined after reaching the seventh level of Qi cultivation. The art ofmanding ghost servants seemed rather limited, effective only on beings two realms lower than oneself. Even if a ghost servant was refined, could it really be sent into battle? For instance, in the battle against the tiger demon, if a ghost servant had appeared, it likely would have been less useful than cannon fodder, posing no threat. Do you need me to trante the whole thing? It seems theres no restriction on race; humans can also practice it, though the tiger demon would have the best effect when practicing it. Barbarian Bone was about to question its usefulness when Lu Yang analyzed, If were joining the demonic cult, demonic methods are indispensable. This art ofmanding ghost servants could serve well as a facade. There are ready-made ghost servants at the hunters ce. Trante the method from the tiger skin, and lets all learn it together. Initially, Lu Yang nned to eliminate the remaining ghost servants, but given the new situation, using the ghost servants before dispersing their souls wasnt toote. ording to the tiger demon, the ghost servants willingly became servants after death, causing harm to travelers. They all deserve death. Alright, Meng Jingzhou agreed,ying out paper and grinding ink. His writing was swift and fluid, quickly transcribing the art ofmanding ghost servants. I wont practice it. Being of pure yang spirit root, ghosts flee from me like snow melts under the sun. I cant cultivate such purely yin attribute techniques. Lu Yang and Barbarian Bone did not object and began to practice together. Soon, a chilling breeze filled the cave, apanied by the faint howls of ghostly souls, bringing an endless chill to the bone. Lu Yang felt lighter, as if floating, resembling a ghostly spirit. His mind was exceptionally clear, senses sharp, able to detect any minute detail around him. He felt Meng Jingzhou was like a zing inferno, intensely hot! Whats going on here? Lu Yang wondered, looking down to find his body perfectly seated in meditation. No, its not that I can fly; its that my soul has left my body! Meng Jingzhou noticed something was wrong with Lu Yang and eximed in shock, Only those in the Nascent Soul stage can let their souls leave their bodies and wander thousands of miles. How did you manage to do it now? Hurry back to your body. Youre only at the Foundation Building stage and havent cultivated your soul yet. Its very easy for your soul to get damaged, and once its damaged, its difficult to repair! Lu Yang also realized the problem and started reciting the mantra tomand ghost servants, trying to return his soul to normal. How did you do that? Meng Jingzhou had never heard of anyone in the Foundation Building stage being able to let their soul leave their body. There simply wasnt such a technique. Lu Yang was equally puzzled, I just practiced ording to the method ofmanding ghost servants you wrote down. I felt Ipletely understood it, saw no issue, and thought to try it out to see what its like, and then this happened. Meng Jingzhou looked at Lu Yang strangely, Could it be that you treated your own soul as a ghost servant andmanded yourself? Such a method of cultivation was unheard of, but given the current situation, it was the only exnation. Lu Yang thought it over and couldnte up with any other possibility. Lu Yang asked Meng Jingzhou to stay further away and tried several more times, always resulting in his soul leaving his body. Whats with my talent in spells? The two were at a loss and decided to wait for Barbarian Bone to wake up to see if he experienced the same as Lu Yang. When Barbarian Bone woke up, he was puzzled by Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous expectant looks. Did you learn how tomand ghost servants? Ive got some understanding, should be able tomand the souls of up to eight mortals. Can youmand yourself to let your soul leave your body? Lu Yang looked at Barbarian Bone hopefully, wishing he would say yes to prove that it wasnt just him who had strayed in his practice. Barbarian Bone was even more puzzled, How is that possible? This is the technique tomand ghost servants, can ones own soul also bemanded as a ghost servant? Meng Jingzhou exined Lu Yangs experience to Barbarian Bone, who was immensely impressed. Lu Yangs quick thinking and high talent in learning spells were unmatched, and Meng Jingzhou was also praised for his broad knowledge and talent. This journey had been a learning experience, exactly as the Sage had said. What did the sage say again? Oh, right, the Sage said: Walking among 3 people, all of them are my teacher (TL Note: This isnt the actual saying. The original is by Confucious who said Walking among three people, I find my teacher among them. /quotes/1106152-walking-among-three-people-i-find-my-teacher-among-them) Its time to go find the ghost servants. Seeing nothing else of value to scavenge in the cave, Meng Jingzhou called hispanions to leave. You go ahead, I have some things to take care of and will catch up soon, Lu Yang told Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone to leave first. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone didnt think much of it and left the tiger den. Once sure they were gone, Lu Yangs smile faded, and his expression became solemn. He walked deeper into the cave and saw a pile of bones like a small hill, sighing softly. Just as I thought. Seeing the various items, Lu Yang had guessed that the tiger demon, cautious by nature, wouldnt leave bones outside after consuming humans, as it would easily expose itself. The prudent action was to keep the remnants within the cave. Reality confirmed his thoughts. These poor people,ing from different ces and deceived and devoured while passing Mount Song, ended up in this small cave. Lu Yang didnt speak further, easily slicing arge piece of rock from the cave wall with his Green Edge Sword. He smoothed the rock, silently recited the Rebirth Mantra for these unfortunate souls, stood silently for a moment, then turned and left. Sorry to keep you waiting, lets go. Lu Yang called hispanions to leave this unpleasant ce. (End of the chapter) Chapter 51: Forgot Something When Qi Wu first found the old hunter, there were a few households nearby, seemingly normal, all transformed into ghost servants by the tiger demon. After the tiger demon was subdued, the ghost servants were at a loss, in chaos, with some suggesting to descend the mountain and others proposing to continue hiding. They couldnte to a decision while arguing. At this time, the trio appeared and captured them all. Meng Jingzhou slightly revealed a bit of pure Yang energy, causing the ghost servants to writhe in pain on the ground. Theres no need to keep so many; two are enough to pose as demon cultivators, Lu Yang said coldly, feeling no sympathy for these ghost servants who aided the tiger demon. After all, they wouldnt have be ghost servants if they hadnt agreed to the tiger demons demands. They deserved to be killed. Lu Yang tried but couldnt summon the ghost servants; he could only let his soul leave his body. Barbarian Bone, its up to you. Barbarian Bone, without much ado, kept two of the transformed traveler ghost servants, eliminating the rest cleanly. Using the hunter ghost servant might be easily noticed by the demon sect, hinting that they had killed the tiger demon. Using traveler ghost servants posed much less risk. Keep. Barbarian Bone absorbed a male and a female traveler ghost servant into his body, part of the technique tomand ghost servants, summoning them when necessary for battle. On their way to Yanjiang County, they encountered Qi Wu and others still wandering aimlessly in the forest. The ongoing rain and their unfamiliarity with the area naturally made it impossible for them to find their way down the mountain. Benefactors! Qi Wu and the others were extremely excited to see Lu Yang and hispanions, as if they had seen a lifeline.The grace of the benefactors, we will never forget in our lifetimes! The mountain god has shown mercy! Grateful for the life-saving grace, forever remembered! Their fervent thanks to the trio were heartfelt and sincere. Seeing the people they had saved and hearing their genuine words of thanks, the gloom in Lu Yangs heart gradually dissipated, no longer dwelling on the bones in the cave. As cultivators, we should follow the righteous path, no need for thanks, Meng Jingzhou solemnly stated his stance, deeming saving people as a natural duty, not for gratitude. Barbarian Bone, observing Meng Jingzhous righteous demeanor, felt he truly was a role model. However, Lu Yang, without needing to watch, knew Meng Jingzhou was just putting on a show, secretly delighting in their gratitude. After escorting the merchants to Yanjiang County and the break of dawn following a night of torrential rain, a faint rainbow hung in the sky. Did we forget something? Meng Jingzhou felt like they were missing something. Didnt forget anything, right? Lu Yang counted the number of people, three in total, and concluded they hadnt lost anything. It just feels like were missing something. Never mind, lets not dwell on it. In Qinghuai County, a carriage was parked in the backyard of an inn, with an old horse leisurely eating the feed Meng Jingzhou had left. When will that Meng family kide to find me? The feed wontst many days. Wasnt the mission supposed to bepleted in five or six days? The old horse, being a rare demonic beast, naturally couldnt just eat ordinary fodder. It was fed with high-quality, spirit-infused feed that Meng Jingzhou had purchased at a high price and prepared with care. The old horse snorted and smacked its lips, finding its situation rather boring, asionally ncing at a small white mare next door. After entering the city, the trio casually chose a teahouse, ordered a pot of tea and some snacks, and began to n their next steps. How do we find this Qin Yuanhao in such arge Yanjiang County? Should we ask the local authorities for help? Barbarian Bone frowned. Yanjiang County wasnt a major center for cultivators and was rtively insignificantpared to other counties. It wasnt even marked on less detailed maps, but still, it was home to two million people. Finding one person there was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Lu Yang waved the idea away: Its not appropriate. We dont know how long the demon sect has been hiding here, and the entangled forces behind it could include local authorities. Barbarian Bone didnt understand Lu Yangs reasoning: Arent demon sect members condemned by everyone? Why would the authorities help them? Meng Jingzhou, more familiar with these matters, exined: Exactly because they are universally condemned, the Great Xia Dynasty has added number of demons eradicated as an official performance metric. The more demons an official eradicates, especially those of higher cultivation, the better their performance is considered. The demon sect could easily strike a deal with the local magistrate, regrly providing demons in exchange for secrecy about their location. Meng Jingzhous narrative wasnt just a story but a reality his elders had spoken of. Despite efforts to eradicate the demon sect, some always slipped through the cracks. There were suggestions to remove this performance metric, but they were vetoed by the Prime Minister. The metric remains, encouraging most officials to diligently fight the demon sect, though some collude for personal gain. Removing it might discourage even those earnestly pursuing demons. Barbarian Bone felt his understanding of the world upended by these revtions. He didnt think of this before. Lu Yang added: Its unlikely that the magistrate is in league with the demon sect, but we must prepare for the worst. If the local magistrate is indeed in league with the demonic cult, then revealing our intentions to him would naturally lead to Qin Yuanhao being handed over, in order not to expose themselves. However, this would alert the entire Yanjiang sect of our actions, causing them to go into hiding and thus making us miss the chance to infiltrate the demonic cult. That would be counterproductive and not advisable. The best course of action now is for us to keep our identities hidden and start looking for Qin Yuanhao ourselves. If we cant find him, we can consider asking for help from the local authoritiester on. Barbarian Bone agreed with their logic. So, how do we draw out Qin Yuanhao? Barbarian Bone pondered many ideas, all wed and risky. Posting flyers or making announcements was too conspicuous. Gathering intelligence in the ck market? If Qin Yuanhao learned someone was probing for information on him, he might hide even deeper, perhaps leading the demonic cult to encircle and suppress them. Too passive, and impractical. Barbarian Bone was curious about the insights of hispanions, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Already on their way down the mountain, Lu Yang had devised a n, chuckling, You know, unlike us from reputable sects, those who wander the jianghu ce great importance on face. Especially those from the demonic cults, who see face as a matter of status. To them, losing face is worse than death. So, we need to spread rumors far and wide that Qin Yuanhao is a benevolent man, always doing good deeds instead of his duties. Once the rumor that he is a good person permeates Yanjiang Prefecture, and the demonic cult members believe Qin Yuanhao has lost face, he will bepelled toe out. That will be our opportunity! Meng Jingzhou summarized simply, So, we just make things up and stir up trouble. Fortunately, he was a natural at this, most adept in such tactics. Barbarian Bone, enlightened by the strategy, realized it was an excellent way to force Qin Yuanhao into the open. But thement about the difference in valuing face between their upright sects and those in the Jianghu lingered in his mind. (End of the chapter) Chapter 52: Who’s Being Called a Good Person? Inside a small tavern, a customer was speaking animatedly, attracting the attention of many. Have you heard? Our county has produced a righteous hero named Qin Yuanhao, whose actions are admired even by the people from the five major immortal sects! Lu Yangs eyes sparkled with excitement, his lips curved into a smile as if he hade across some interesting gossip to share with everyone. Really? Howe Ive never heard of such a person in our Yanjiang County? I kind of remember this name, but he doesnt seem to be a good person. Everyone quiet down, let the young man speak. What happened with Qin Yuanhao? Lu Yang paused for a moment before continuing: This hero, Qin Yuanhao, is not only highly skilled with a cultivation level at the Foundation Building stage, but he is also known for his righteousness and widework of friends. Those who know him are willing to call him big brother. Hearing that Qin Yuanhao had reached the Foundation Building stage, the customers eyes lit up, finding the news to be quite a novelty. Usually, the martial arts legends they talked about, how top-notch martial artists had such thrilling experiences, sounded impressive and exciting, but upon reflection, they realized that the actual strength of these top martial artists wasnt very high. Itsmonly epted that top martial artists in the martial world correspond to the eighth or ninth level of Qi cultivation, which is considered the limit for martial artists.Now that there was a rumor about a Foundation Building stage expert, they were all ears, ready to boast about it in the future. One day, Qin Yuanhao and a close friend attended an auction. The friend took a liking to an item and borrowed several thousand low-grade spirit stones from Qin Yuanhao. Qinughed heartily, saying that talking about money cheapens our friendship. Heres eight thousand low-grade spirit stones for you, no need to pay me back. His friend was deeply touched. Eight thousand low-grade spirit stones?! A bystander, Meng Jingzhou, eximed, Spirit stones are the hard currency of the cultivation world. Eight thousand low-grade spirit stones are enough to buy arge mansion in the county center and a stunningly beautiful maid to serve you for life! With Meng Jingzhous exnation, the customers finally understood the significance of eight thousand low-grade spirit stones. This Qin Yuanhao was incredibly generous, giving away eight thousand spirit stones just like that! After his friend won the auction item, he was targeted by a demonic cultivator who also participated in the auction. Caught off guard, the demonic cultivator sessfully ambushed the friend and Qin Yuanhao. Unwilling to give up the item, the friend resisted fiercely and was killed by the demonic cultivator who then stole the treasure. Qin Yuanhao wanted to pursue, but s, the demonic cultivator had already escaped. At this point, Lu Yang pointed to his throat, and the customers, understanding his hint, eagerly offered him drinks. Lu Yang asked for a cup of grain alcohol, took a sip to clear his throat, and continued. On his deathbed, the friend entrusted his wife and daughter to Qin Yuanhao. Qin, with tears in his eyes, promised to take good care of the mother and daughter. The mother and daughter were both rare beauties. The wife had the art of keeping her youth, graceful and elegant, and the daughter was lively and cute, charming and delightful. Faced with such stunning beauty, Qin Yuanhao remained unmoved. Without any support, the mother and daughter felt that Qin Yuanhao was a man they could entrust their lives to and attempted to seduce him with their beauty. Qin Yuanhao candidly said he practiced celibacy as part of his cultivation and could not break his vow. Qin Yuanhao kept his promise, taking care of the mother and daughter without losing propriety, eventually finding a good man to take them in. There is such a righteous hero in the world, wealthy but not greedy, seeing beauty but not being tempted! Meng Jingzhousment resonated with the people around him. Qin Yuanhao is truly a great man. What a pity I dont know Qin Yuanhao, otherwise I would definitely borrow some spirit stones! Who says heroes cant resist the allure of beauty? Didnt Qin Yuanhao just do that? In the corner, Barbarian Bone watched the amusing Lu Yang and the supportive Meng Jingzhou, thinking they were quite impressive, able to make up a story on the spot without needing a script. When would he ever possess such talent? The customers loved to boast, especially about things others didnt know. They had drunk quite a bit while listening to Lu Yangs story, not remembering some details clearly, which they discovered when boasting while drunk. Since they couldnt admit to forgetting thetter half of the story, they couldnt let it drop and so continued to embellish it with their own imaginations. Everyone forgot different parts and made up different content, leading to various rumors about Qin Yuanhao. Have you heard about that great phnthropist named Qin Yuanhao? Is he the one who secretly discovered a spirit stone mine, bing the wealthiest cultivator in the area overnight, the Qin Yuanhao who lends money without expecting it back? That must be him, but what I heard is that Qin Yuanhao is not interested in women but prefers men? Yes, yes, yes, I heard Qin Yuanhao practices celibacy and loves little boys the most! Really? Is that how you practice celibacy? Isnt it said that you must consume chicken to practice celibacy? All of you are wrong. I heard that Qin Yuanhao identally obtained the legendary Merit Ledger, recognized it as its master with his blood, and became the true owner of the Merit Ledger. The more good deeds he does, the more merit he umtes, which can be exchanged for rewards, including spiritual treasures, immortal weapons, and even cultivation levels! I also heard he is the destined Lord of the Nine Nethers, in charge of life, death, and merit. Dont be fooled by his current low strength; he is just umting power in secret, waiting for an opportunity to ascend to the heavens and be an immortal ancestor! He joined the demonic sect to endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens, intending to infiltrate the higher ranks and take down the demonic sect, viewing it as his own source of merit! Considering the demonic sect as something within his grasp, what a bold spirit! Regr meeting of the Yanjiang Rudder of the demonic sect. The demons respectfully lined up in two rows, with the rudder master sitting on a chair carved from a single piece of crimson agate, with dragon and tiger heads carved into the armrests, symbolizing his authority as the rudder master. This chair was a filial gesture from Qin Yuanhao. Qin Yuanhao was in a foul mood, his forehead darkened, and his mouth asionally twitched, revealing beast-like teeth. His colleagues didnt mind his state, as everyones cultivation level and status were more or less the same; his anger couldnt possibly affect them. Thats just how it is in the demonic sect, the life or death of others has nothing to do with me, the misfortune isnt mine. No wonder Qin Yuanhao was in a bad mood; before the meeting, he had already been asked: Can I borrow some spirit stones? Its okay if I dont return them, considering you own a spirit stone mine. Do you know any sisters or mother-daughter pairs? Introduce me to one. Im sorry, I shouldnt have taken you to the brothel to listen to music before. It must have been painful for you, right? Big brother Qin, Im going to follow you from now on. The Merit Ledger and all that isnt important; what matters is I value you as a person. Generous to a fault, not interested in women, Qin Yuanhao, youre really bringing shame to our demonic sect. You couldnt possibly be an undercover agent sent by the righteous path, could you? Qin Yuanhao clenched his fists in secret, determined to chop up those who ndered and gossiped about him and feed them to the dogs! How did he, a notorious viin, end up beingbeled a good person? Who are they calling a good person? (TL Note: The called here is more akin to scold/insult) (End of the chapter) Chapter 53: The Demonic Sect Recruits The rudder master, who had been loungingzily, finally spoke. His voice was hoarse, as if he hadnt spoken for decades, and every word he uttered carried weight. Why arent the lights on? A demonic sect officer replied respectfully, Rudder master, you forgot, at thest meeting you mentioned how you attended a higher-level meeting and described the atmosphere there. You also said that our Yanjiang Ruddercks the true atmosphere of the demonic sect. I thought about it and realized you were right. Our Yanjiang Rudder is the lowest performing among all branches, perhaps for this very reason. I figured, doesnt every story about our demonic sect say we like to plot schemes in dark ces? So, I specifically ordered not to light themps. And you know what, not lighting themps does indeed create the atmosphere for doing evil deeds. Clearly, this officer had a clear understanding of his actions, knowing full well that the demonic sect was not a ce for doing good deeds. The rudder master was silent for a long while, pondering whether the officer was indirectly suggesting he should leave the sect? Hinting that Yanjiang Rudder hadnt received a raise in dues for a long time? Or suggesting that it was time to buy insurance for the sect members? It surely wasnt about leaving the sect.The person had always been diligently doing evil deeds, not distinguishing between friend and foe, causing trouble outside and even within the sect, truly deserving the title of a bad seed. It wasnt about raising the dues either. The dues of the demonic sect are linked to the local finances, being three times that of local officials, which was already high. Yanjiang County was a remote and small county, so the dues of Yanjiang Rudder couldnt possibly match those of the headquarters. And it certainly wasnt about buying insurance. Most members of the demonic sect dont have heirs, so who would the insurance payout go to? Furthermore, the Land of Gold Commerce would not allow the demonic sect to purchase insurance. Selling personal ident insurance to demonic sect members would likely leave themerce with nothing, not even their underwear. Lets light themps first. Yes. The officer blew a breath, and a small me touched the wick of amp, igniting it and instantly brightening the entire hall. The rudder master spoke again, Youve all more or less heard the rumors about little Qin. Stop spreading them, lest outsidersugh at us. Little Qins character is evident to all. Hemits all manner of evils and atrocities. If caught by the authorities, even beheading would be too light a punishment for him, which is enough to prove that little Qins conduct aligns with our demonic sects teachings. As for the rumors that little Qin belongs to the righteous path, thats even more nonsensical. Those who join the demonic sect have all passed the test of the sect leader. The sect leader described him as demonically possessed to the bone. The sect leaders judgment is never wrong. Qin Yuanhao bowed respectfully: Rudder master, your wisdom is profound. Qin Yuanhao felt somewhat relieved. He resolved to deal with those spreading rumors about him once he returned! The rudder master did not mention Qin Yuanhao further, having said those few words out of consideration for the chair he had received as a gift. The reason for gathering everyone today is that the headquarters has assigned us a task. The rudder master paused before continuing, The headquarters requires us to recruit new disciples for the demonic sect. Qin Yuanhao and the others were surprised; it had been thirty years since the demonic sect had recruited on such arge scale. In recent decades, joining the demonic sect had been through personal introductions. For instance, Qin Yuanhao had wanted to recruit the tiger demon, but unfortunately, the tiger demon steadfastly guarded Song Mountain and was unwilling to join the demonic sect. Everyone should be aware of the grand eras discourse. In the past century, prodigies have emerged, and famous masters could be defeated by unknown individuals. Numerous previously undiscovered relics and heavenly realms have reappeared, marking an era of both opportunities and challenges. The five great immortal sects, super-grade sects, and first-grade sects are all brimming with talents. The once rare dual spirit root individuals are nowmonce. If these prodigies truly mature, there will be no need topete in this grand era. The only time topete is now! Seize the opportunity, and you could transform and soar to the heavens, achieving immortality with ease! But opportunities are not so easily grasped. The damned Great Xia Dynasty and the five great immortal sects have intensified their crackdown on us, resulting in the fall of many of ourrades. To im a ce in this grand era, we must expand our demonic sects congregation. The four great demonic sects have reached a unanimous agreement on this matter. What you need to do is spread the news of the demonic sect recruiting through your channels, aiming to gather demonic cultivators from Yanjiang County and the surrounding counties, or those interested in joining our sect. Someone expressed concern: Wont suchrge-scale recruitment provide an opportunity for the righteous path to infiltrate our demonic sect? This wasnt just one persons worry; many present shared this concern. The demonic sect has always been cautious in its existence. If a few righteous path spies were to infiltrate, the demonic sects situation would be precarious. The rudder master shook his head, This recruitment is organized by the sect leader using supreme divine powers. The trials he has set up are impossible for anyone from the righteous path to pass. Doubts vanished, reced by boundless zeal. For the members of the demonic sect, the sect leader is an omnipotent being, the sky of the demonic sect, surely capable of leading them to eternal glory! After the meeting, Qin Yuanhao immediately used his connections to find out who was trying to frame him. Eventually, the source was traced back to a small tavern. That customer was eight feet tall, with a wide frame and a face full of pockmarks, a strong man who looked like he could eat three children in one meal, the tavern owner described vividly, clearly remembering Lu Yang. Based on the description, Qin Yuanhao quickly produced a sketch that barely resembled the real Lu Yang. Originally, Lu Yang and hispanions had disguised themselves before spreading rumors in the tavern. Qin Yuanhao, with a cold expression, thought to himself, how dare such a conspicuous person spread rumors, thinking he could be easily bullied? It waste at night, and the Great Xia Dynasty had no curfew. Qin Yuanhao and his followers were eating barbecue on the street side, enjoying pork skewers, beef skewers, roastedmb legs, chicken feet, chicken legs, roasted pork skin, grilled tendons, roasted beef tendons, grilled shrimp, tender grilled kidneys, grilled leeks, potatoes, eggnts, and soft tofu The skewers were tender and well-seasoned, smeared with a dark, oily secret sauce, and sizzled with fragrance upon touching the charcoal. Pork was skewered on long bamboo sticks and roasted over arge fire, with the fat sticky but not greasy and the lean meat rich in vor. Themb leg was baked in a naan oven,bining roasting and stewing for even heating, tender and juicy. Chicken feet were marinated then grilled, offering a rich texture of tendons, skin, and crisp bones, delightfully chewy. Chicken drumsticks were grilled to precision, ensuring no excessive loss of moisture or fat, bncing the taste and texture of skin, meat, tendons, and bone. Potatoes were steamed and smoked, served with a secret soy sauce, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a fine and sandy texture. The group feasted until they were glossy with grease. After eating their fill, Qin Yuanhaomanded his followers with a swagger, You guys, go, search the entire city for these people. Donte back if you cant find them! Yes, boss! the followers responded, dispersing in all directions. Qin Yuanhao, satisfied with the barbecue, temporarily set aside thoughts of those spreading rumors. Meanwhile, he was unaware of Lu Yang lurking underground. Few people pay attention to whats beneath their feet, and Qin Yuanhao was no exception. (End of the chapter) Chapter 54: Naming the Store After identifying their target location, Lu Yang and the other two regrouped and analyzed, Judging by Qin Yuanhaos walking posture and breathing rate, his cultivation should be in thete Foundation Building stage. He lives in an ordinary residence, not arge one, and it doesnt seem like he has servants. It appears he lives alone. We should stay nearby to observe him for a while. First, to understand his habits, so we wont bepletely clueless if asked about him after infiltrating the demonic sect. Second, to follow him and see if we can find the location of the Yanjiang Rudder. The Barbarian didnt understand, Qin Yuanhao has so many followers, why dont we follow these people to find the location of the Yanjiang Rudder? Meng Jingzhou dismissed this idea, having more knowledge about the demonic sect, Those people have no cultivation. They are Qin Yuanhaos followers, true, but not members of the demonic sect. Joining the demonic sect is not as easy as you think, and whether these people even know Qin Yuanhao is part of the demonic sect is questionable. However, where should we hide to observe him? There are no inns nearby, only a few tea houses and taverns. We can spend the day in a tea house, but what about at night? The demonic sect prefers to operate at night. Lu Yang was also troubled, but then his eyes lit up when he caught sight of a tea house with a For Rent sign, This tea house is in an ideal location. The second floor can be used to observe Qin Yuanhao. We could rent this tea house and use it as a front to monitor his movements! Meng Jingzhou nodded, then asked, What kind of store should we open?Although its a disguise, it needs to be convincing. Im not good at brewing tea, so we definitely cant continue with a tea house. I have an elder at home who is skilled in linguistic spells, and Ive learned a bit of storytelling, singing, and performing from him. Meng Jingzhou, always professional, suggested, I propose we open aedy club where I can perform stand-upedy. Lu Yang admired Meng Jingzhous talents, Butedy shows are popr during the day, and there wont be many people at night. The best option is to find a nighttime business, something entertaining, lively, where people can drink and have fun. This way, we can observe Qin Yuanhao from the second floor without him noticing us. Meng Jingzhou blushed, hesitating but mostly excited, A nighttime business, do you mean you want to open a Lu Yang nodded, Exactly, Im talking about a barbecue restaurant. Meng Jingzhou: Right, thats what I was thinking too. Lu Yang had a good idea. Barbecue is simple to start with, and even if inexperienced, one should be able to master it after burning it a dozen times or so. I can take care of the barbecue. Barbarian Bone grinned confidently, pulling out a piece of paper from his bosom that read Ancestral Barbecue Secret Recipe. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were very familiar with this recipe; it was the same one that required one hundred contribution points to redeem from the exchange list! Barbarian Boneughed heartily, Back home, I often grilled wild beasts myself, like ck bears, wild boars, and rabbits. I noticed that many people in the Dao Seeking Sect buy a lot of food, but there are few barbecue restaurants, so I posted the ancestral barbecue secret recipe. At that moment, Lu Yang wondered who would be so bored as to put a barbecue recipe on the exchange list. So, it was you who posted it! Did anyone buy it? Meng Jingzhou was curious. Barbarian Bone honestly replied, A senior brother told me that after buying the barbecue recipe, he went on a mission with a senior sister. He used the barbecue to capture the senior sisters heart. Meng Jingzhou: I shouldnt have asked. Barbarian Bone revealed a slight smile and said, Moreover, theres another advantage to opening a barbecue shop. What is it? Barbarian Bone summoned two specters: I dont have to do it myself; I can let these two specters barbecue in the kitchen, and I dont even have to pay them a sry, which is very convenient. This way, they wouldnt even need to hire a server, saving money while maintaining secrecya truly thorough consideration. Having learned from Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou for so long, Barbarian Bone had picked up a thing or two. Lu Yang firmly refused to admit that Barbarian Bone had learned anything from him. Barbarian Bone studied the secret recipe overnight. His hometown was in the wilderness, and many ingredients in the original barbecue recipe were unique to the wilderness. Barbarian Bone needed to figure out which ingredients could be substituted. Do you guys eat grilled insects or grilled cow eyes? Barbarian Bone suddenly asked. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou shook their heads in unison, persuading Barbarian Bone to stick to items within the general publics eptance range. Barbarian Bone uttered an Oh and pondered briefly. First of all, he considered himself a normal person; therefore, since he could ept these items, anything he could ept should be eptable to normal people as well. Case closed. Barbarian Bone decided to keep grilled insects, grilled cow eyes, and a series of regionally unique barbecue materials on the menu, hoping the people of Yanjiang County would like them. The next morning, Meng Jingzhou disyed extraordinary financial ability by purchasing the entire teahouse. Wait, I thought we agreed to rent? Meng Jingzhou acted so quickly that Lu Yang hadnt even reacted before the teahouse was registered under their names. Lu Yang looked at Meng Jingzhou in astonishment, wondering if he nned to run the business for a lifetime given that they were only on a mission for a few months. Meng Jingzhou confidently stated, I always use my own things. If I can buy it, I definitely wont rent! We can always sell it after the mission ispleted. Seeing Meng Jingzhou pay so readily, the original owner of the teahouse dly packed up and left. After the owner left, a serious question arosewhat should they name the barbecue shop? I propose calling it Little Mengs BBQ Shop, Meng Jingzhou suggested. Lu Yang nced at Meng Jingzhou disdainfully, That name is toomon. I propose calling it Three Bowls Cant Make It Over the Pass BBQ Shop. Eating skewers, drinking, and then going up the mountain to fight tigers, its perfect. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone shook their heads in unison, not finding it suitable at all. Barbarian Bone, rarely voicing a different opinion, said, The name Three Bowls Cant Make It Over the Pass is too long. How about using our tribes style, like Ha Ha Ha BBQ Shop, or He He He BBQ Shop? Lu Yang had heard about the naming conventions of the wilderness tribes. This method of naming was considered quite advanced even in the forward-thinking Martial Sect: He He He Weapon Shop, Ho Ho Ho Tavern, Ao Ao Ao Brothel How about calling it Crossing Tribtion BBQ Shop? Or Immortal Ascension BBQ Shop. I think Light Boat BBQ Shop is nice. Who names a barbecue shop so elegantly? After some discussion, they had to reluctantly admit a fact: none of them were good at naming. Forget it, lets each write a name on a piece of paper, shake it, and whoevers namees out, thats it, Lu Yang proposed a solution, which was agreed upon by the others. Considering Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were quite cunning, it was safest to let Barbarian Bone shake the papers. Barbarian Bone cupped his hands around the three small papers, shaking them up and down. Opening his thumb, two of the papers flew out. He opened one and found it written, Try again. With a puzzled look, Barbarian Bone opened the other paper, which read, Thank you for your patronage. Barbarian Bone: ??? For a moment, Barbarian Bones mind couldnt make the connection; he was supposed to be naming the shop, not participating in a lottery right? (End of the chapter) Chapter 55: Business Thrives He nced at Lu Yang and then at Meng Jingzhou, slowly asking, Did youe up with these names? Lu Yang nodded, I came up with Come Again BBQ Shop. Meng Jingzhou also nodded, I came up with Thank You for Your Patronage BBQ Shop. Barbarian Bone felt his own Sheep Sheep Sheep BBQ Shop name was too ordinary. The first paper Barbarian Bone opened was Lu Yangs, so by the rule, the barbecue shop was named Come Again. Do any of you have a way to conceal your aura? Lu Yang asked. While on the street, Lu Yang noticed many peoples breathing methods and their affinity for spiritual energy, which surely meant they were cultivators. However, when he scanned them with his divine consciousness, he couldnt determine their cultivation levels. It would be reasonable if one or two people had higher cultivation levels than him, but it was impossible for everyone to be higher. Yanjiang County was different from Taiping Vige; there were many cultivators, but not to the exaggerated extent where everyone was at the Foundation Building stage.Lu Yang quickly realized that in the world of cultivators, ones status was determined by their cultivation level. To avoid being bullied while roaming the jianghu, one either needed to have an exceptional cultivation level or the ability to conceal it, making it difficult for others to act rashly. Their unguarded outings were practically announcing to everyone that they were greenhorns. To blend into the demonic sect, they needed to appear as experienced jianghu veterans. I do have one. Its something we used back home for hunting, Barbarian Bone said, pulling out a scroll made of sheepskin. The prey in the wilderness is very cunning, running away at the slightest disturbance. To hunt sessfully, you need to conceal your aura and ambush in advance. Barbarian Bones tribe in the wilderness was a major n, and he belonged to the highest bloodline status within it. Not just Qi Cultivation and Foundation Building members of the tribe went hunting, but also those at the Gold Core stage who could fast without food. For the tribe, prey was not just for filling their stomachs but also for the effects of rare and precious natural treasures. However, when using this secret method, you cannot move; any movement will break the concealment. The greater the limitation, the more powerful the effect. In terms of concealment effectiveness alone, the method recorded on the sheepskin scroll ranked in the top three. I have amon concealment spell. Only someone with a major cultivation level higher than you can see through your cultivation level, Meng Jingzhou said, taking out a bamboo scroll from his jade pendant, which still had a faint bamboo fragrance despite its age. The quality of the bamboo also showed how extraordinary the spell recorded on the bamboo scroll was. Meng Jingzhous jade pendant also contained many spells and divine powers brought from his home, too many for him to learn. Lu Yang looked at Meng Jingzhou strangely, Arent you a runaway? Where did all these good thingse from? My sister secretly gave them to me. Alright then. The three began to learn the concealment spells. As talented individuals, such minor spells were easy for them to grasp. It took them just over half a day to learn the basics, with the rest being practice. Lu Yang bowed in thanks, When I learn new spells, Ill definitely teach them to you! Despite Barbarian Bone and Meng Jingzhou casually sharing their spells, Lu Yang knew these two concealment spells were incredibly rare, and their trust in him was evident. Meng Jingzhouughed heartily, telling Lu Yang not to worry about it, and Barbarian Bone expressed simr sentiments. Eh, I remember this ce being a teahouse. Now its turned into a barbecue shop? Under the night sky, two wandering heroes stumbled upon the former teahouse, now reced by a barbecue shop with an interesting name. Come Again BBQ Shop, what a delicious aroma. The wandering heroes sniffed the air; the fragrance of the barbecue was irresistible, making their mouths water. How about we eat here? Lets go. Agreeing instantly, they entered the barbecue shop. Upon entering, they were struck by the lively atmosphere. Customers were toasting and feasting, devouring skewers and gulping down drinks, theirughter loud enough to lift the roof. A sturdy man, undoubtedly the server, hustled in and out with skewers. Was his size meant to deter dine-and-dashers? Is a newly opened shop this popr? The two were intrigued. A shop that could attract such a crowd must have its reasons, and they were eager to try. Luckily, there was onest empty table left. As they settled down, another server named Lu Yang, with a notebook in hand and wearing the standard service industry smile, approached, Hello, what would you like to order? Two pots of liquor, a te of boiled peanuts, thirtymb skewers, thirty beef skewers, two grilled potatoes all mildly spicy, we cant handle too much heat. As Lu Yang noted their order, he messaged Barbarian Bone telepathically, Can you adjust your recipe a bit? The barbecue is too delicious, attracting too many people. How are we supposed to keep an eye on Qin Yuanhao? Lu Yang hadnt expected Barbarian Bones secret recipe to be so effective. A few customers came on the first evening, several tables the next day, and by the third day, every table was full. Now, on the fourth day, after the two wandering heroes took thest table, there were already people waiting outside. Lu Yang feared that by the fifth day, people might need to book in advance or share tables, and by the thirtieth day, they could open a chain in the neighboring county. A yearter, they could have two hundred chain stores in the northern part of the Central Continent, and three yearster, they could be popr across the entire Central Continent. Five yearster, they might even go public on the stock exchange if such a concept existed here. Was there something wrong with Barbarian Bones recipe, like a banned substance in the sauce? That was a joke. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had tried Barbarian Bones cooking, which had no banned substances and was indeed delicious. However, they hadnt expected it to attract so many customers. Later, Lu Yang realized that having been ustomed to first-ss delicacies at Tianmen Peak, his tastes had be quite refined. If something that satisfied him, who was used to such fine dining, then Barbarian Bones barbecue recipe truly had something special. In any case, they absolutely couldnt let the shop continue to be this popr. It seems pretty busy downstairs, do you need me to help? Meng Jingzhouszy voice rang out in their ears. Now, only Meng Jingzhou was upstairs keeping an eye on Qin Yuanhao. Stay upstairs and keep watch over Qin Yuanhao, donte down and cause trouble! Lu Yang warned, knowing Meng Jingzhouing downstairs would be more than just serving as a server. Based on his understanding of Meng Jingzhou, he could perform a stand-upedy routine while serving dishes. Meng Jingzhou yawned loudly, making anyone listening feel sleepy, But its really boring upstairs. Its been four days, and Qin Yuanhao has no intention of leaving his house, just meditating all day long without any entertainment. I say we might as well pretend to be street performers. Ill perform a monologue at Qin Yuanhaos house, you can perform a jar-lifting act, and while distracting him, Barbarian Bone can install a listening talisman or something. Lu Yang and Barbarian Bone ignored Meng Jingzhou. The best way to deal with someone who talks incessantly is to ignore them. Seeing that no one was paying him any attention, Meng Jingzhou switched topics, Barbarian Bone, are you really not considering making the skewers taste worse? Barbarian Bone had his principles, Our family has been a barbecue family for eighteen generations; I cant tarnish the reputation of the barbecue barbarians in my generation! (End of the chapter) Chapter 56: A Lackey Must Strictly Follow the Boss’s Orders This was a fact, as barbecue was the primary cooking method of the barbarians. Barbarian Bones pupils ignited with a zing fire, full of fighting spirit. Lu Yang: Why ignite your fighting spirit here? Were here to infiltrate the demonic sect, not to open a branch for your family! Lu Yang sighed. If Barbarian Bone was unwilling to lower the quality, then they would have to raise the prices. What kind of liquor would you gentlemen like? The two wandering heroes, being hearty and bold, dered loudly, The stronger, the better. Im known in the jianghu as the man who never gets drunk after a thousand cups! The other boasted, Im known in the jianghu as the man who never falls after ten thousand cups! Lu Yang thought to himself, stop bragging; can you handle two pots of ethanol (pure alcohol)?Eventually, Lu Yang served them two pots of Lao Bai Gan (TL Note: This is a real alcohol brand that has been brewed for over 2000 years /item/%E8%80%81%E7%99%BD%E5%B9%B2/3064104), hoping their tolerance matched their boasts. Lu Yang, greeting customers at the door, shouted, Please take a number and line up, no cutting. Weve preparedplimentary tea and snacks for you to enjoy while you wait. A table will be avable shortly! And, bringing new customers doesnt get you a discount, so please stop bringing in new people! Lu Yang wasnt sure if it would work, but he decided to announce it anyway to prevent the real possibility of opening a chain. The waiting customers were restless, bombarding him with questions. Can we book in advance? Do you deliver? Can we reserve the entire ce? Among those lining up were not only wandering heroes but also cultivators, all with deep pockets. You can book in advance, and we can deliver if youre not too far away, though there will be an additional service fee. Reserving the entire ce is also possible. Lu Yang hoped someone would reserve the entire ce for a quieter atmosphere. Attention, Qin Yuanhao has left his house. Lu Yang and Barbarian Bone received Meng Jingzhous message simultaneously, and Lu Yang felt a sense of relief. Ill follow him. Youe down and take my ce. And keep an eye on him, Barbarian Bone, dont let anything unexpected happen, Lu Yang, proficient in the arts of Ground Shrinking and Inch Turning, had the advantage in bothbat and tracking. Lu Yang couldnt just shrink into the ground in broad daylight, so he headed to the backyard, where only two specters were. The two specters were busy barbecuing, sweating profusely with movements so fast they nearly left afterimages, wishing they had eight hands to work with. They must have never experienced such a fulfilling and busy life before. By the way, the two specters were dressed in the clothes of traveling merchants they wore in life, to prevent any drunk customers from discovering something amiss if they wandered into the backyard. The trio spent half a day figuring out how to change the ghosts clothes. From Daoist rituals and Buddhist chanting to consulting texts and verifying legends, the ordeal nearly drained the specters of their spirits. Fortunately, Lu Yang discovered the simplest methodburning clothes for the specters to wear. (TL Note: In chinese culture, burning offerings is thought to send them to their rtives in the after life https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joss_paper) Busy with their work, the specters didnt notice Lu Yangs arrival. He easily shrank into the ground and carefully followed Qin Yuanhao. Meng Jingzhou quickly changed clothes to rece Lu Yang, casually flippingmb skewers while saying, Lamb skewers ready, enjoy your meal, sir. As for thesemb skewers, theye with quite a story. Let me tell you slowly. There was a day, on the northern grasnds, when a radiant light shone, and a baby was born Qin Yuanhao moved through the shadows, his figure blending seamlessly with the night, even bypassing pedestrians without their notice. Could it be a technique rted to shadows or perhaps a technique associated with darkness? Lu Yang observed in secret, trying to gather as much information as possible. He had read extensively to create his own techniques and had a good understanding of various techniques. Lu Yang continued to follow Qin Yuanhao. Qin Yuanhao walked through the muddy path to a winding alley, emitting a sour stench that even Lu Yang, hiding underground, could smell. Hearing Qin Yuanhaos footsteps quicken, Lu Yang knew his mood wasnt too good. Qin Yuanhao frowned, disliking the ce. With a grim face, he kicked open a door, startling a sleepingckey awake. Still in the mood for sleep! Theckey hurriedly got up, trembling, unsure why his boss was angry. They had been working diligently, never daring to ck off. Was it wrong to sleep at night after working all day? Unlike their boss, who stayed upte and rosete, their schedules were much more regr than his. Qin Yuanhao kicked theckey against the wall, angrily demanding, Why hasnt anyone reported to me these past few days? Where are the people I asked you to find? Feeling as if his chest had been struck by a giant hammer, theckey said grievously, Boss, you were the one who said, Donte to see me if you cant find the person. We couldnt find the person you mentioned and dared not see you. How can following your orders be wrong? Theckey felt wronged. Whatever the boss said, theckeys would do. Yet, the boss was still not satisfied, making him hard to serve. Qin Yuanhao: He actually found theckeys argument reasonable but still felt the urge to hit someone. What to do? Couldnt you have written a letter if you didnte to see me? But you also said important matters must be reported in person. Didnt I also say special situations require special treatment! Qin Yuanhao roared. You did say special situations require special treatment, but you also said what constitutes a special situation needs to be discussed internally, and then you would make the final decision. Did you discuss it? We discussed it two days ago and unanimously agreed this was a special situation that required your decision. Then why didnt I see you for my decision! You said important matters must be reported in person, and since we couldnt find the person spreading rumors, we couldnt see you. Qin Yuanhao: Am I going to be talked to death here today? Qin Yuanhao took several deep breaths, reminding himself not to kill anyone. Although theseckeys were rigid andcked flexibility, they were loyal to him and strictly followed his orders without any deviation. Killing ackey would dishearten those below him. And he didnt have many trustworthy subordinates to begin with; killing more would leave him with none. So hows the search for this person going? If you cant find the person, there should at least be some clues, right? Qin Yuanhao stared at theckey, who dared to say there were no clues, might not live to see another day! Do they really think I dare not kill? Theckey muttered quietly about not finding anyone, but seeing his bosss murderous look, he quickly added, You know the person youre looking for stands out, easily attracting attention on the streets. Its been four days, and despite our efforts, we havent found him. Not to mention, we only found one who fits the description of being eight feet tall and wide, but he doesnt have pockmarks on his face nor does he eat children, and hes quite pleasant-looking. Who is it? Qin Yuanhao thought, never mind if the appearance matches or not, just kill someone of the same size to scare the others, so they wouldnt underestimate him! Its the mascot of the tofu seller on Qianmen Street. Ill kill you! (End of the chapter) Chapter 57: Harvest The business philosophy of the Land of Gold Commerce was quite advanced. To increase its brand recognition, they created the concept of a brand mascot, designed by the renowned painter Xuandaozi. After three revisions, the initial draft for the mascot was finalized. The initial draft featured a little chubby pig holding coins, looking very pleasing. After Land of Gold Commerce introduced its brand mascot, it indeed increased its poprity significantly, with many businesses following suit and creating their own mascots. One such business was a tofu shop on the main street of Yanjiang County. Qin Yuanhao didnt actually kill hisckey. After calming down, he realized that if hisckey, who usually performed his duties reliably and never made mistakes, said they couldnt find the person, then they truly couldnt have. It couldnt possibly be the tofu shops mascot stirring up trouble. With such a conspicuous appearance and still not found, it seems like someone within the demonic sect wants to frame me! Qin Yuanhao sneered, easily guessing that this was done deliberately, although he wasnt sure who was behind it. Such schemes were not umon in the demonic sect, and Qin Yuanhao himself had done his share of sabotaging his peers. So much time had passed without any clues, and Qin Yuanhao could only swallow this bitter pill, nning to figure out who to settle scores withter.Since he cant be found, then theres no need to keep looking. Qin Yuanhao pulled out a stack of papers and a few silver coins from his robe and threw them to hisckey. This was also one of the reasons he didnt kill anyone. Someone had to do the tasks arranged by the rudder master, and where would he find people if he killed them now? First thing tomorrow morning, gather the brothers and spread these papers in the ck markets of the nearby eight counties. This money is for your monthly wages and travel expenses. Did you hear me clearly? I, I heard you clearly, theckey jumped at Qin Yuanhaos final shout. Louder. I HEARD YOU CLEARLY! Theckey straightened his back and shouted again, his neck turning red. The neighbordy yelled through the wall, clearly hearing the shout, Do you know what time it is, shouting like that! The neighbordys voice was even louder than theckeys. A flicker of murderous intent crossed Qin Yuanhaos eyes. Big brother, shes a Foundation Building cultivator who came here to live in seclusion, theckey quickly exined. Many cultivators liked to mingle in the mortal world; perhaps even the street food vendor could be a cultivator. Qin Yuanhao snorted coldly and left without saying more. Theckey yawned, relieved that the boss had finally left, and fell asleep. He had to get up early for work tomorrow. Theckey often received some inexplicable tasks from Qin Yuanhao. For confidentiality, Qin Yuanhao told them nothing, just to do as instructed. This time was no different. After theckey fell asleep, Lu Yang emerged from the ground, took the three papers, and followed Qin Yuanhao. Qin Yuanhao hade out just to instruct hisckey and then returned. When Qin Yuanhao passed by the Come Again barbecue shop, he paused. Ive been in seclusion for just four days, and a new barbecue shop opened? And its this popr? Qin Yuanhao entertained the idea of having a meal there. The crowd wasnt an issue; he could always cut in line. After all, having a Foundation Building cultivatore to this small ce for a meal and not being greeted with kneeling was already good enough, let alone waiting in line. In the end, Qin Yuanhao dismissed the thought. Barbecue was best enjoyed with a group; eating alone just wasnt as fun. Maybe another time. Qin Yuanhao headed home. Lu Yang returned to help at the barbecue shop and saw Meng Jingzhou performing a stand-upedy act, much to the delight of the customers who mored for more. Lu Yang took a deep breath, wondering if the two really intended to expand the business. Sensing Lu Yangs prating gaze, Meng Jingzhou quickly stopped talking and diligently resumed his duties as a server, ignoring the customers calls for an encore. After a while, the customers gradually left, and the barbecue shop finally quieted down. The two specters cleaned up the grills and dishes, tallied the days ingredient consumption, and estimated the amount needed for the next day. The three men sat on the second floor, discussing the days earnings. How much did we make today? Meng Jingzhou asked, rubbing his hands together excitedly, finding the experience of starting a business from scratch very fulfilling. Who told you that was the harvest! Lu Yang mmed the table and red, Have you forgotten what were here for? To start a chain? Barbarian Bone was still thinking about expanding the family business. Lu Yang decided to ignore the two fools and took out the three pieces of paper, recounting the evenings surveince of Qin Yuanhao. nk paper? Meng Jingzhou inspected one of the papers back and front but couldnt make sense of it. Lu Yang wasnt sure how to use the paper either. Qin Yuanhao instructed his men to distribute these papers in the ck market. There must be information on them; we just dont know how to read it. Could it be a method ofmunication unique to the demonic path? Meng Jingzhou nodded, agreeing with Lu Yangs spection. Its very likely. Those sneaky guys always like to use some kind of code. This paper is meant for all demonic cultivators, who should all be able to understand it. If we, at the Foundation Building stage, cant see the writing on it, its even less likely for Qi Cultivation stage demonic cultivators to see it. So, the issue isnt with the code, but with the paper itself. Lu Yang thought for a moment, then toasted the paper over charcoal. Whats this for? Barbarian Bone asked, puzzled. Lu Yang carefully toasted the paper, casually exining, I read in a book that if you write on paper with sugar water, the paper appears nk after drying. The sugar needs to be heated to remove the water, revealing brown text. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone found this piece of knowledge interesting. After about five minutes, the paper remained nk, and Lu Yang had to abandon this method. Lu Yang then summoned a small ball of water in his palm, bursting it suddenly, and the resulting spray of water droplets fell on the paper. What are you doing now? Lu Yang exined, Special liquids like shower gel andundry detergent absorb water well. If you write with these liquids and let it dry, it appears nk. Only by sprinkling water on the paper, utilizing the different absorption rates, can the text be revealed. The Central Continent, despite seeming ancient, was not exactly so. Due to the presence of magic, whether intentionally or coincidentally, many products not belonging to the ancient era appeared. Unfortunately, the paper still showed nothing. Undeterred, Lu Yang pondered a new method. Since this is a way ofmunication among the demonic path, maybe it requires a methodmonly used in the demonic path to reveal it? Lu Yang bit his thumb, and a few drops of blood fell on the paper. The blood seemed toe alive, moving across the paper. Indeed, this is a paper refining method of the demonic path. We cant judge it by ordinary standards, Lu Yang sighed in relief, finally seeding. The invisible grooves on the paper seemed to fill with blood, forming text. On the first day of the fourth month, the Evesting Sects Yanjiang Rudder will recruit followers. The specific location will be announced the day before the recruitment. (End of the chapter) Chapter 58: That Isn’t How You Perform the Shape-Imitating Fist The Evesting Sect, one of the four major demonic sects. The Evesting Sect, I remember they worship the Evesting Being who is said to live forever, undying and unaging. By being a loyal follower of the Evesting Sect, one can avoid the three disasters and five cmities of cultivation, extending ones lifespan, Meng Jingzhou recalled information about the Evesting Sect. These were basic facts, easily found with a little effort, though the truthfulness of the details couldnt be guaranteed. The Evesting Sect recruiting is indeed a good opportunity. With the mixed crowd, the threshold will be much lower, and the identity check wont be as strict, Lu Yang was pleased, seeing this as great news. He was worried that without any authentic demonic cultivation techniques, they wouldnt pass scrutiny with just their method ofmanding ghost servants. Qin Yuanhaos news came just in time, a stroke of luck. Are we still going to kill Qin Yuanhao? Barbarian Bone asked, wondering if it was still necessary. Hes a menace either way. If possible, kill him, but dont use his bone token, Lu Yang stated. Regardless of whether they could infiltrate the demonic sect, Qin Yuanhao was a target. Reaching the mid orte stage of Foundation Building in the demonic sect meant having several lives on ones hands. Dont think that Qin Yuanhao was merciful for not killing hisckey; theckey was still useful.As long as theckey could move and was useful to Qin Yuanhao, he lived. Once useless, death was certain. Why not use the bone token? While eating skewers served by the two specters, Lu Yang exined, Rtions among members of the demonic sect arent as good as we imagined. By framing Qin Yuanhao, hell conclude someone within the sect is against him. Using Qin Yuanhaos bone token to enter the sect wouldbel us as his allies, possibly causing troubles everywhere. Its not worth it. Barbarian Bone had an epiphany. But the sect is cautious enough to prevent their location from leaking, announcing it only the day before. Are they afraid of being discovered and eradicated by the righteous path? Lu Yang chuckled. Continue tracking Qin Yuanhao, see if we can find the location of Yanjiang Rudder in advance. Its good to be prepared. Its gettingte. If you need to cultivate, you should cultivate, if you need to rest, you should rest. Lets call it a day. The next morning, Lu Yang yawned, got dressed, and had breakfast with everyonea beef offal soup made by Barbarian Bone. By then, Barbarian Bone had already returned from the market with a cart full of pork, beef, andmb. The beef marrow bones were simmered to make a broth seasoned with salt and other spices. After simmering for a while, a steaming bowl of beef offal soup was ready. Add more tripe, Lu Yang called out. Right away. After a satisfying breakfast, everyone went about their tasks. It was Barbarian Bones turn to monitor, so after breakfast, he headed to the second floor, prepared to sit there all day. Meng Jingzhou, unable to stay idle, probably went off to cause mischief somewhere. The two specters were busy dividing the meat, chopping vegetables, threading skewers, and by evening, they were ready to greet customers, moving to the backyard to light the charcoal and grill all night long. They worked from dawn till dusk, leading a fulfilling life. Lu Yang had his own tasks. He took out Shape-Imitating Fist, hoping to at least reach the beginner level. He had never practiced martial arts before and was uncertain. Theres a first time for everything. Lu Yang set up a basic sound istion array in the backyard, blocking external noise and preventing his own sound from escaping. He sat cross-legged, earnestly flipping through the book: Shape-Imitating Fist, a martial art that imitates the characteristics and forms of various animals as well as depicting the images of humanbat and daily life, includes Tiger Fist, Monkey Fist, Eagle w Fist, Snake Fist, etc. This book only contains Tiger Fist. Tiger Fist emphasizes imitating the form of a tiger, acquiring the tigers techniques, infusing them with rationale, and integrating them into the spirit of the fist. Tiger Fist routines are short, concise, andpact, with smaller steps and movements, primarily using the three-seven step. To master Tiger Fist, the most dangerous step is observing tigers, preferably having experience fighting a tiger. This way, one can profoundly understand the tigersbat style and better imitate it. The hardest step of Tiger Fist was actually easy for Lu Yang, who had fought and defeated a tiger demon. Lu Yang slowly closed his eyes. Growls, pounces, tears The tiger demons various attacks surfaced in Lu Yangs mind, vivid as if happening right before him. Though the tiger demon was in by him, Lu Yang had to admit it was a formidable foe with aspects worth learning from. Of course, calling for his wifes help was unnecessary and, for the time being, unlearnable. The image of the tiger demon and Lu Yangs own figure gradually ovepped, merging into one, with the human figure acquiring the tigers techniques. Lu Yang repeatedly simted the movements of Tiger Fist in his mind, with initially awkward actions bing increasingly agile, as if possessed by a fierce tiger, roaring in his thoughts. This was something only Foundation Building cultivators could achieve, requiring a high demand on spiritual consciousness, impossible for mortal warriors. Lu Yang opened his eyes, fierce and tiger-like. He leaped up, firmly standing on the ground, posed ready, exhaling forcefully, powering his breath, stomping to bolster his presence, fierce and forceful. The two specters in the house, hearing Lu Yangs punches, were startled, fearing the tiger demon had revived. Peeking at Lu Yang through the door, they rxed upon seeing it wasnt the tiger demon and continued their work. Afterpleting a set, Lu Yang felt energized, full of inexhaustible strength. He seized the feeling to perform several more sets, each smoother than thest, each move strong and powerful. Regardless of its applicability inbat, even a Tiger Fist master couldnt find fault with Lu Yangs performance. Not quite right, theres room for improvement. Lu Yangs movements sped up, his mind calm like a stillke, each gesture revealing deeper insights into the fist technique. Punching, kicking As his understanding deepened, the shadow of the tiger demon faintly appeared behind him. Roar Reaching a peak in his insight, Lu Yangs understanding culminated in a vigorous tiger roar. Why am I lying on the ground? Lu Yang came back to his senses, puzzled why he couldnt stand, his legs weak after several attempts. Whats happening? Lu Yang couldnt understand the issue with practicing the fist technique, considering his supposed talent for it. Lu Yang had a bad feeling and crawled to a water tank to see his reflection. He had turned into a tiger. A grand achievement in Tiger Fist, indeed. Lu Yang, guess what I saw in town, a tofu shop with a fascinating mascot. Meng Jingzhou returned from his wanderings, curious to see Lu Yangs progress in the backyard. Then, he saw a tiger demon looking into a mirror by the water tank. Damn, a monster! (End of the chapter) Chapter 59: Lu Family’s Shape-Imitating Fist Damn, a monster! Meng Jingzhou yelled, winding up to strike. Its understandable why he reacted this way. The backyard was supposed to be where Lu Yang practiced his fists, but now, with Lu Yang missing and a tiger appearing instead, it was easy to assume the tiger demon had revived and devoured Lu Yang. The tiger demon spoke humannguage, emitting a voice identical to Lu Yangs: Your grandpas a monster, its me! It even sounds like Lu Yang! Meng Jingzhou was astonished. The tiger, which was actually Lu Yang, pinned Meng Jingzhou to the ground before he could react, coldly huffing. There were no signs of a struggle in the yard, making it clear to Meng Jingzhou that it was indeed Lu Yang, despite his feigned ignorance. Meng Jingzhou clicked his tongue, not really hurt by Lu Yangs mock attack given his robust constitution. He got up, dusting off, and eyed Lu Yang skeptically: Whats going on here? Werent you supposed to beprehending the Shape-Imitating Fist? Why did you switch to transformation magic? Just wait, let me figure out how to change back. The tiger, Lu Yang, tried to scratch his head with his front paw, only to realize he couldnt reach and decided against it to preserve his dignity. The tiger, Lu Yang, grimaced, not anticipating suchplications from practicing the fist technique.Now, he considered, only his swordsmanship seemed normal. Should it be said that it befits a sword spirit root? Meng Jingzhou hurriedly went upstairs to fetch Barbarian Bone. Whats up? I was keeping an eye on Qin Yuanhao. Got something fun for you to see. Barbarian Bone, confused, was dragged down by Meng Jingzhou to the backyard, only to encounter the familiar tiger demon. A monster, return my brother Lus life! Barbarian Bone shouted, ready to fight, not having processed the situation fully. This was serious. Seeing Barbarian Bones reaction, Meng Jingzhou quickly intervened, Stop, stop, its Lu Yang. The two specters, busy skewering in the hall, were drawn by themotion to sneak a peek, getting the fright of their lives. The tiger demon truly revived this time! The tiger, Lu Yang, rolled his eyes, too annoyed to deal with them, focusing instead on how to revert from his tiger state. He closed his eyes, repeating the mantra to return to his original form three times. When Lu Yang opened his eyes, he had returned to human form. After a series of events, the three finally had the chance to sit down and ponder what had just happened, while the two specters sighed in relief and continued their skewering work, anticipating a busier night than before. Heres what happened, I was practicing the Shape-Imitating Fist Lu Yang began to exin. Barbarian Bone, shocked by the revtion, blurted out, Is this Shape-Imitating Fist or Transforming Fist? Indeed, the sage was right; one must travel extensively and read widely. Such urrences arent covered in books; its better to experience the world alongside Brother Lu and Brother Meng. A broader perspective gained. Meng Jingzhous reaction wasnt much better than Barbarian Bones, giving Lu Yang odd looks. You were supposed to be practicing a martial art, and youre telling me you were just throwing punches? Who else could achieve such an oue from martial practice? Initially, Meng Jingzhou thought that Lu Yangs practice of ghost-driving techniques, culminating in his soul exiting his body, was bizarre enough, but this new development was even more peculiar. Lu Yang defended his unique interpretation of the Shape-Imitating Fist: Think about it, isnt the essence of Shape-Imitating Fist all about imitating animals? Like Tiger Fist, Monkey Fist, Crane Fist, and so on, mimicking tigers, monkeys, cranes, right? Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone nodded in agreement. Lu Yang continued, Right, so the closer the imitation, the better the effect and the greater the power, correct? Again, Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone nodded. Ive recently encountered a tiger demon, so Im most familiar with the Tiger Fist. Its the quickest for me to learn and the one I can imitate most closely, right? Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone kept nodding. So, with that thought, I practiced the fist, and as I did, I turned into a tiger. Makes sense, right? Meng Jingzhou was about to nod but then forcefully stopped himself: Makes sense, my foot! Thats a huge leap! Barbarian Bone, however, continued nodding innocently. Lu Yang spread his hands, the most bewildered of all. He had earnestly followed the fist manual, only adding a bit of his personal insight: Why dont you two try it? Maybe you could learn transformation through this method? Excited by the prospect, Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone were thrilled at the thought of learning transformation through practicing the fist. Although transformation was typically used by sneaky cultivators, having an extra skill wouldnt hurt, especially if it came in handy one day. With Lu Yang, a master of the technique, guiding them, they quickly learned the Tiger Fist, executing it with impressive ferocity. However, they couldnt manage the crucial aspect of transformation. While they practiced, Lu Yang wasnt idle. Observing their movements sparked another idea in him. If the Shape-Imitating Fist was about imitation, why limit it to animals? Why not humans? This thought, wild as a runaway horse, couldnt be contained. The premise of Shape-Imitating Fist was familiarity with the subject of imitation. Seeing Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone intensely practicing, Lu Yang had an epiphany. Having grasped the essence of the Shape-Imitating Fist, it was time for innovation. To progress, we must innovate! Lu Yang immediately set to work, recalling Barbarian Bones movements and mirroring them. Barbarian Bone, recognizing his own actions in Lu Yang, was initially puzzled. Is that me? he quickly realized, confused about Lu Yangs intentions. Lu Yang, immersed in profound insight, began to transform, astonishingly taking on Barbarian Bones appearance. Ha! I knew my hypothesis was correct, Lu Yangughed, though it was a bit unsettlinging from Barbarian Bones face. Barbarian Bone was stunned. How had he suddenly be someone else? This was far removed from his understanding of the Shape-Imitating Fist. Was it possible to mimic humans as well? Barbarian Bone, you canugh like that too Wait, the real or fake Barbarian Bone? Meng Jingzhou, distracted from his practice by the unusualughter, turned to find two Barbarian Bones. Its wrong. The new Barbarian Bone is Lu Yang transformed! Meng Jingzhou gave Lu Yang a thorough look-over. Indeed, he resembled Barbarian Bone closely, but the expressions and demeanor were a stark contrast. Where Barbarian Bone exuded an aura of simplicity and honesty, the Barbarian Bone that Lu Yang transformed into seemed to be scheming, a trickster at heart. He had already given up on learning the Shape-Imitating Fist. Initially, he entertained the thought of mastering the fist to transform, but upon witnessing Lu Yangs transformation, he realized such feats were beyond his reach. This had strayed far from the essence of the Shape-Imitating Fist. After mastering the technique, Lu Yang smoothly transitioned from imitating Barbarian Bone to Meng Jingzhou. So, this really is a transformation technique, isnt it? This is Lu Familys Shape-Imitating Fist. Lu Yang, with his hands sped behind his back and looking up at a forty-five-degree angle, truly embodied the demeanor of a martial arts master. (And dont ask why Lu Yang still had clothes on after transforming from a tiger demon back to human form; this is an upright novel.) (TL Note: This was put by the author LOL) (End of the chapter) Chapter 60: The Constable and the Thief My Lu Familys Shape-Imitating Fist is profound and vast, not something that a mere single spiritual root like you could fullyprehend. As the saying goes, the heavens have nineyers above, and the earth has nineyers below, the Lu Familys Shape-Imitating Fist also has nine levels. Now, I have barely reached the first level, but once I cultivate to a deeper level, I can obtain the power, spells, and even the cultivation level of whatever I transform into. In future years, if I practice to the ninth level, I could be a powerful being capable of transcending tribtion, and even suppressing the senior sister would be within my capabilities! Lu Yang spoke with pride, convincing Barbarian Bone to take his words for truth. Barbarian Bone quietly asked Meng Jingzhou, Is what Brother Lu said true? Meng Jingzhou rolled his eyes, True my ass, its clearly made up. If youre willing to listen, I coulde up with eight different versions for you. Barbarian Bone voiced his acknowledgment, impressed by the ease with which Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou spun lies. Several days have passed since Lu Yang endowed the Shape-Imitating Fist with a new meaning, and the number of customers kept increasing daily, some even tipping with spirit stones. Why are there still so many people even after we raised our prices? Lu Yang gritted his teeth in frustration, especially since yesterday, thergest restaurant in Yanjiang County had expressed interest in purchasing their recipe. Only he was frustrated, while Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone were quite pleased.Today, it was Barbarian Bones turn to supervise Qin Yuanhao, leaving Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou to serve as waiters downstairs. Meng Jingzhou, suppressing the urge to perform stand-upedy, telepathically said, I heard that a group of cultivators dined here a few days ago and couldnt stop praising our food, saying it was even better than what theyve had from spiritual chefs they know. And so, word spread from one to ten, and from ten to a hundred, and now many cultivators know about our restaurant. Despite the prevalence of spiritual chefs in the Dao Seeking Sect, they are actually a very niche type of cultivator, with only a handful in Yanjiang County, mostly at the Qi Cultivation stage, and only one at the Foundation Building stage. Spiritual chefs prioritize the harmonious intery of the five elements, creating food that is both delicious and capable of enhancing cultivation, achieving a unity of both effects. Barbarian Bones skewers might not enhance cultivation, but they win in taste. The cultivators in Yanjiang County figured if they couldnt eat spiritual chefs food to boost their cultivation, why not enjoy skewers that taste even better than those made by spiritual chefs? Despite being ten times more expensive than regr skewers, they are considered great value for money in the eyes of cultivators. We have a bit of fame among the upper echelons in Yanjiang County, and many well-off ordinary people also follow the trend to dine here, seemingly as a form of bragging. Our business experience might soon spread across the continent, are you happy about that? Im happy my ass. Lu Yang rolled his eyes, weing the new customers. Boss, the first floor is full, cant we go to the second floor? A customer, noticing the light on the second floor, thought it was a good spot. The second floor is currently under renovation and not open to the public, please understand. Although he had no intention of expanding the barbecue restaurant, Lu Yang still diligently yed the role of a waiter, without any ck in his work. The customers, having no choice, obediently went to the back of the line. Ha, its finally our turn, boss, Ive brought my brothers again! A few constables dressed in ck uniforms arrived at the barbecue restaurant, their waist badges and long swords signifying their authority, imposing a sense of deterrence. The people lined up behind them were unwilling to get too close, feeling a natural fear towards them. Constable Wei, youvee. Lu Yang smiled, seemingly very familiar with these individuals. These people were the constables of Yanjiang County, led by a man surnamed Wei with a beard, who spoke with great authority. He was nicknamed Iron-faced Constable, and his cultivation level was not low, at the Foundation Building stage. Not only petty thugs but even members of the demonic sects preferred not to cross paths with them, fearing they would attract trouble. The constables behind him were also no ordinary individuals, with the least among them at the sixth level of Qi Cultivation. In the world of immortals and martial arts, one couldnt serve as a constable without some level of cultivation. This was Wei Constables fourth visit, and through these visits, Lu Yang had be familiar with him. Initially, some people, relying on their higher cultivation or status, attempted to skip the queue. However, once they learned that Constable Wei often came here forte-night snacks, they dared not unt their status. Just finished my shift and changed shifts, so I brought my brothers here for some skewers. And you know, your skewers really have something special, unforgettable after just one taste, Constable Wei said, smacking his lips at the thought of the skewers from this shop. Being a constable is not easy, eh? Working night shifts every two days, Lu Yang remarked as he led them to a private room. Once in the private room, Constable Wei and his men took off their coats. Sigh, its been troublesometely. For some reason, many cultivators have flooded into Yanjiang County, and they dont seem to be up to any good, putting a lot of pressure on public security. The county governor has issued strict orders to ensure theres no trouble. Had no choice but to increase patrols with my brothers. After patrolling, wee here to reward them. Seeing Lu Yang was busy, Constable Wei didnt say much more and started ordering. The same set asst time? Lu Yang asked, as Constable Wei had ordered the same skewers during his previous three visits. This time, lets try something new. Ive wanted to try itst time but was stopped by my brothers. Give us ten skewers of grilled eyes, ten of grilled silkworm pupae, and ten centipedes, Constable Wei quickly made his order before his brothers could react. His brothers groaned in dismay, those items didnt sound edible at all. Look at you, pampered and spoiled. One of these days, Ill take you out on a mission in the wilderness for half a month without allowing any fasting pills, and see what youll eat! Once the food and drinks were served, Constable Wei and his men enjoyed themselves immensely. Getting into the spirit, the brothers started to vent their frustrations, cursing andining. Damn it, those thieves recently are too slick, not leaving any trace of their crimes. It must be the work of cultivators, otherwise, even veterans couldnt be this clean. Im guessing its those outsiders, those cultivators. When we catch those bastards, Ill whip them a hundred and eighty times before throwing them into the water prison! The thieves were running rampant, yet they couldnt catch anyone, making Constable Wei lose face, The governor even ordered me to solve this case within a month. If hes so capable, why doesnt he do it himself? Today, those thieves stole from the Li and Lu households, and Li is even the governors rtive. Tomorrow, the governor will definitely pressure me again. In the neighboring private room. A leader-like patronid out todays loot on the dining table, Todays haul was worth it, same old rule, I take forty percent, and the rest is split among the brothers. The brothers were all smiles, today was indeed a great harvest, Beforeing here, I heard how formidable Constable Wei was, even called Iron-faced Constable, but it seems hes nothing special, not even catching a whiff of us! Thats too harsh, at least give the man some credit for being able to smell something. Those Li and Lu families really are wealthy, especially this Mr. Ma, not high in cultivation but with plenty of valuable items. Come on, lets eat and drink to our hearts content today, my treat. No one is allowed to sober up, were going to drink till we drop! The thieves drank merrily, and one of them, after a trip to the restroom, identally entered Constable Weis room. Uhbig brother, why have you all changed appearances, and gotten uglier? Where did this drunkarde from, scram! one of the constables said impatiently, frustrated about where to find the thieves and now having to deal with a drunkard causing trouble. The man, furious, attempted to fight but was no match for a group of constables and was quickly thrown out. The constables noticed the man had some cultivation but didnt think much of it, continuing their drinking andints. Feeling aggrieved, the man went back toin to his boss. The thieves, drunk and riled up, were outraged when they heard their brother was bullied. The boss, in a show of solidarity, mmed the table and arrogantly dered, Well, well, daring to bully us? Tell the neighbors, if they have the guts,e here to face me, anyone who doesnt is a coward! (End of the chapter) Chapter 61: Such Proactive Performance Is Rare Who dares to bully my brother! roared the thief leader, his presencemanding as he had his subordinate call the others over. If he, as the leader, didnt stand up for his brother, how could he maintain his authority in the future? With the support of their leader, the thiefs confidence surged. He kicked open the door of the neighboring room, shouting, My boss says you cant just bully me and get away with it. He wants to have a talk with you. Whoever doesnt show up is a coward! The constables were startled; in their decades of service, they had never encountered anyone who dared to provoke them directly. Constable Wei shook his head and smiled. With his extensive experience, he had seen all sorts of situations, but this was just a group of fools looking for trouble. Such cases that fell into theirp were rare even in a lifetime of being a constable. Whos afraid! Lets go! The thieves were eager to make a statement. Being new to the area and aspiring to join the demonic sect, they knew they couldnt make a name for themselves just by stealing. It was time for a dazzling debut! Then the thieves saw a group of constables, armed with official swords and waist badges indicating their authority, storm into the room. The constables were shocked to see tablesden with gold, silver, jewels, rare medicinal herbs, and spirit stones and crystals. Arent these the very items that were reported stolen just a while ago?The constables: Constable Wei: The thieves: If I say I found these by the roadside, would you believe me? Constable Wei had never encountered such a scene before; this was his first time seeing criminals literally walk into their own trap. The thiefs younger brother, still unaware of what had happened, continued to shout for their leader to take action. Boss, show them what were made of! While ranting, he also made bold ims: See my bosss thinning hair? He plucks a hair for every person he kills! Hes known in the underworld as the harbinger of gloom! See the one wearing an eyepatch? Thats my second brother. He lost his eye fighting ate-stage Foundation Building powerhouse. That powerhouse didnt fare much better, ending up blinded by my brother! Hes known as the desperate second brother! And my third brothers leg? He was surrounded by over a hundred royal guards while stealing from the pce and escaped at the cost of his leg! Hes known as the swift flier! The thief leader, along with his second and third inmand, kicked the talkative subordinate over. Quiet, you talk too much. So, who was it that said anyone who doesnt show up is a coward? Constable Wei asked with a menacing smile, ming them for his consecutive night shifts. Im the coward, Im the coward, stammered the thief leader, trembling with fear. The thieves dared not fight back, seeing the constables blocking the door. They crashed through the walls and ran towards the hall, their specialty being speed rather thanbat, especially since none of them were even at the Foundation Building stage, with the leader only at the ninth level of Qi Cultivation. You run through the front door, the rest follow me through the back!manded the thief leader, directing his men to split up and escape. Lu Yang, noticing themotion, quickly grasped the situation and found it amusing. Thieves and constables separated by just a wall, and the thieves even challenging the constables? Wait, if they try to escape through the backyard, what if the constables discover the specters? Lu Yang quickly realized the implications; if the specters were destroyed, who would do the grilling, and how would they continue to run the barbecue shop and monitor Qin Yuanhao? The thief leader, seeing Lu Yang seemingly frozen in shock at the back door, reached out to throw Lu Yang aside. Lu Yang, holding a pot of dumpling soup, spilled it as the thief leader approached menacingly. The thief leader, not anticipating this turn of events, raised a shield of spiritual energy to block the dumpling soup. Dyed by this moment, Constable Wei pulled out a chain, slithering like a snake, and ensnared the thief leader. Go, bring the rest of them back. This meal was truly worth it. Constable Weis mood lifted, feeling refreshed and as if the world had broadened before him. The troublesome gang of thieves was finally apprehended, a stroke of good fortune. Constable Wei patted Lu Yang on the shoulder,ughing heartily, If it werent for your intervention, that kid might have actually gotten away! Acting bravely for a just cause, wait for it, Ill bring you a banner of honor tomorrow! Lu Yang hurriedly waved it off, saying it wasnt necessary, but Constable Wei, insistent in his joy, insisted on presenting one. The scuffle between the constables and the thieves was so intense it damaged a wall, leaving the entire hall in disarray, filled with dust. The patrons had to leave early, but witnessing the constables catching criminals firsthand was worth it. This barbecue shop really is a great ce, huh? The constables can catch people just by sitting here. It was worth the visit; you cant buy this kind of entertainment with money. This ce must be a nexus of good fortune, for the business to boom in such a short time. Even if its delicious, the level of poprity is somewhat exaggerated; there must be a certain degree of luck involved. Seeing the constables catch someone today proves it. Looks like I need toe here more often, to rub off some of that luck. Sounds like a n, letse together next time. Listening to the gradually fading discussion of the people, Lu Yang felt a sense of pessimism about the future of the barbecue shopit was destined to grow bigger and stronger. Ill bring the money for the wall repairs along with the banner tomorrow! Constable Wei waved at Lu Yang, leaving this message before escorting the unlucky thieves away. Lu Yang stood at the doorway, sighing, then noticed Qin Yuanhao leaving his residence once again. Brother Lu, Qin Yuanhao has left his house again, Barbarian Bone transmitted from the second floor. He was diligent in his duties, unconcerned with themotion downstairs, always keeping an eye on Qin Yuanhaos movements. I saw it. You and Jingzhou fix the damaged wall, Ill follow Qin Yuanhao. Understood. Lu Yang used the ground-shrinking technique to follow Qin Yuanhao once more. Meng Jingzhoumented from behind, Lu Yangs talent for spells is really something, huh? Ive been trying to learn from him for half a day and havent picked up a thing. And I always feel like the incantations he teaches me are rted to spatial spells, is it just my imagination? Meng Jingzhou didnt dwell too much on the issue. Lu Yangs spellcasting talent could only be described as outrageous. Hoping to learn spells from him was nothing but a daydream. Even he, with his single spiritual root, couldnt manage it, let alone others. Lu Yang followed Qin Yuanhao for quite a distance, not hearing Meng Jingzhous words. He noticed that this time, Qin Yuanhao walked with an air of confidence, even humming a cheerful tune, as if he was about to undertake something significant. Qin Yuanhao arrived at arge mansion and, instead of knocking, cast a spell at the door. Soon after, a tall, thin man came out and immediately asked, Is it the day? Todays the day. Ive been preparing for today for a whole half month. Who hasnt? This time, we must make a big score. Ive been so frustrated these past days with no action! Once we pull this off, you have to help me spread the word; lets see who dares to look down on me again! Qin Yuanhao said, revealing a cruel smile. Absolutely. The tall, thin man was known in the Yanjiang Rudder for being a big talker. The conversation was cryptic, with theirughter carrying a cold edge. Lu Yang was alert, unsure of what the two were nning. They walked into a bustling district, where one building, decorated in bright, eye-catching colors, stood out. Qin Yuanhao and the tall, thin man entered, receiving a warm wee. Lu Yang looked up at the signboard, Brothel. (TL Note: So much for being an upright novel smh) (End of the chapter) Chapter 62: The Location of the Stronghold Ten minutester, Qin Yuanhao and the tall, thin man left the brothel, devoid of the excitement they had shown upon entering. Lu Yang scratched his temple, surprised at how quickly they had left. At the entrance, the madam handed Qin Yuanhao and the tall, thin man each a slip of paper, which they looked at before immediately destroying. Brother Qin, the helmsman has summoned me for a matter; I need to visit a branch. Ill leave first. Alright, the helmsman has also assigned me a task. Lets part here, and dont forget to spread the word about my visit to the brothel. No problem. The two parted ways in front of the brothel, and Lu Yang, intrigued, decided to follow the tall, thin man. The tall, thin man and Qin Yuanhao, being ofparable cultivation levels, did not notice Lu Yang below them. As they moved on, the passersby and houses became sparse, and they eventually reached a deserted mountain range, with no one in sight. The tall, thin man, seemingly familiar with the area, walked leisurely up the mountain path. The winding path led him to a stop in front of a stone wall after about fifteen minutes.This area, located at the border between Yanjiang County and another jurisdiction, theoretically belongs to Yanjiang County. However, due to historical reasons, both sides have ims over it. Since both sides had ims, neither really governed the area. After all, there was nothing of value here, no need for a dispute. He tapped on the wall in a pattern, three long and one short taps, while muttering, Immortal of eternity, death and rebirth, clear the clouds to see the sun, forever existing in this world. The wall then became as fluid as water. The tall, thin man stepped into the wall and disappeared. This is a cave heaven? Lu Yangs eyes widened in surprise. Cave heavens are spaces created by cultivators proficient in spatial magic, the higher the cultivation, the moreplete the space created. Generally, cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage can create their own spaces. Some cultivators use cave heavens as living spaces for solitude, while others use them as burial sites. Considering the vast number of Nascent Soul stage cultivators throughout history, not to mention those at even higher realms like Soul Transformation, Unity, and Tribtion Transcendence, many cave heavens are left behind after a cultivators death. Most did not disclose the location and method to open their cave heavens, leaving people to rely on luck to find these relics. No one knows how many cave heavens remain undiscovered today. The senior sister said that with the arrival of a great era, more and more cave heavens are being discovered, providing many with the opportunity to rise swiftly. The cave heaven before him likely belonged to a predecessor and was discovered and utilized by the demonic cult. Lu Yang decided not to rashly follow; instead, he quietly waited in the soil for the tall, thin man to emerge. Feeling uneasy about this approach, given this was the Yanjiang Rudder of the demonic cult, filled with unknown numbers of experts, simply hiding in the soil wasnt secure enough. With this thought, Lu Yang moved to a spot where he could just see the entrance to the stronghold, minimized his size with a technique, and used the concealment method provided by Barbarian Bone to hide. About an hourter, a masked man emerged from the stone wall, followed by the tall, thin man. It seemed the masked man held a higher status than the tall, thin man. Hm? The masked man sensed something amiss, expanding his divine consciousness to scan the surroundings, not sparing even the ground. Come out. Ive found you. Dont think youre well-hidden. Show yourself now, and you might be spared from death, the masked man said indifferently. Noting out yet? Dont think that as the helmsman, Im soft-hearted. Ill count to three, and if you dont show yourself, dont me me for not giving you a chance! Three! Two! One! Die! The helmsman concentrated a force in his palm, striking in a direction, producing a thunderous noise. Whats wrong, Helmsman? asked the tall, thin man respectfully. The helmsman shook his head: I felt like someone was watching me. I bluffed but got no reaction; perhaps it was just my imagination. Lu Yang broke out in a cold sweat. He had just considered emerging from the ground to confront the helmsman directly, thinking it might secure him a slim chance of survival. Fortunately, his willpower was strong, and he suppressed this impulse, believing in the Barbarian tribes concealment technique to keep him hidden. Lu Yang felt the helmsmans divine consciousness sweep over him, but the helmsman likely mistook him for a stone and didnt pay further attention. If the helmsman had truly discovered him, he wouldnt have counted down but would have attacked directly. Thank goodness for the Barbarian tribes sophisticated concealment technique. As long as I dont move, I wont be discovered, Lu Yang thought to himself. This helmsman must be at the Golden Core stage. How are the preparations for the selection in ten days? Everything is ready, just waiting for fellow practitioners toe here in ten days to participate in the selection and join us. Thats excellent. I hope this time we can recruit more demonic talents. That way, the headquarters will pay more attention to Yanjiang Rudder. The two talked as they walked, soon disappearing from Lu Yangs sight. Lu Yang remained motionless, fearing revealing his position. Golden Core stage is indeed formidable. Lu Yang waited another half-hour, worried the helmsman, suspicious by nature, might suddenly return. After half an hour, the helmsman did not reappear. Hes gone. Lu Yang left underground. This trip was quite fruitful, not only learning the location of Yanjiang Rudder but also confirming the selection site was here. So tell me, Ghost of Sorrow, whats with your hair? I heard you pluck one out for every person you kill? Constable Wei asked, loungingfortably as the thieves sat opposite him, trembling with fear. No, thats not it. Being a leader is tough, the team is hard to manage, my subordinates cause trouble everywhere, and the stress made my hair fall out. And you, Desperate Second Brother, I heard you fought ate-stage Foundation Building cultivator, blinding his eyes while he blinded one of yours? My eye is fine. Wearing an eyepatch just looks more imposing. When youre out in the jianghu, you need something to talk about. And you, Grass on the Wind, I heard you went to steal from the pce. Youre looking at a life sentence at best, execution at worst. The third brother protested, Its a misunderstanding, sir. I was just in debt and got my leg broken by creditors to cancel the debt. Constable Wei yawned, expecting to hear about significant crimes, but was this all? Constable brother, I confess, I confess, Ive stolen from sixteen homes Constable Wei waved him off, Well get to that. First, tell me, what brought all of you to Yanjiang County all at once? This The thief leader hesitated, weighing the pros and cons of speaking. Constable Wei pointed to the torture room behind him: See those torture instruments? If you dont talk, well use them to help you. The instruments, stained with dark blood, looked particrly sinister, prompting the thieves topete in confessing their stories. Ill say The thieves barely started when they abruptly stopped. If someone were to check behind them, theyd find tiny needles embedded in their necks, needles coated with potent poison! Theres an assassin! Constable Wei, as the most experienced constable, immediately reacted, rushing outside to search for the assassins shadow. But there was no one outside. Inside the interrogation room, the shadows seemed to flow with life, chuckling softly before vanishing. (End of the chapter) Chapter 63: Be Careful, The Opponent Is Tricky Constable Wei, youre here so early, but its too early for skewers, Lu Yang joked at the entrance. It was still morning when Constable Wei, apanied by two constables and a banner of honor, arrived at the barbecue shop. Here, I promised you a banner yesterday, so I brought it over. Constable Wei unted the banner on the street, purposefully disying it. The banner read, Acting Righteously, Promoting Virtue, attracting quite a crowd. The two constables hung the banner on the wall directly opposite the entrance of the main hall, making it very conspicuous. Originally, there were two specters skewering in the main hall, but Lu Yang had them move to the backyard earlier to avoid being seen. Lu Yang brought over three cups of tea, casually asking, Did you manage to get anything out of those foolish thieves yesterday? Where are those outsiders from, daring to challenge the renowned Iron-faced Constable? Ah, dont mention it, got nothing out of them, Constable Wei said, gulping down the tea made with boiling water. His Foundation Building stage throat wasnt bothered by the scalding heat.Why is that? The thievescked resolve and confessed under intimidation. Just when they were about to reveal why a group of cultivators came to Yanjiang County, they were killed by an unknown assassin. Nine poisoned cow hair needles were found in their necks, causing instant death. The room was sealed, and its unclear how the assassin got in. At that moment, I instinctively went outside to look for the assassin but found nothing. Later, I realized the assassin must possess some shadow-rted spell, hiding in the shadows in advance. As soon as we began questioning, he killed them, and while I ran outside, he escaped through the shadows. If I had blocked the door then, the assassin wouldnt have escaped. I regret being too angry at the time to consider this! Constable Wei said, frustratedly drinking the tea meant for the other two constables as well. The two constables looked puzzled at Constable Wei; they hadnt even had a sip. Lu Yang saw off the angry Constable Wei and the two unlucky constables who didnt get to drink anything. Meng Jingzhou transmitted, ording to yesterdays n, are we killing Qin Yuanhao? After returningst night, Lu Yang shared what he saw. Knowing the location of Yanjiang Rudder, Qin Yuanhao no longer needed to live. The three made a n overnight to ambush Qin Yuanhao. Specifically, it was a discussion between Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, with Barbarian Bone listening in. No rush, Ive got a new idea, lets prepare a bit more. A man in a ck robe lightly knocked on Qin Yuanhaos door, waiting a long while without anyone answering. The ck-robed man just waited. Finally, the front door opened, but no one was there, as if the door opened automatically. The door opened wide, like the gaping maw of a demon, ready to swallow the ignorant. The ck-robed man walked calmly into the mansion. As soon as he entered, the door mmed shut and bolted, locking the ck-robed man inside. The ck-robed man took out a bone token, announcing loudly, Is Senior Qin Yuanhao present? I am here on behalf of my master to pay a visit. So its one of Brother Tigers specters. The voice came from behind the specter. Qin Yuanhao appeared suddenly, with the specter not noticing from which direction Qin Yuanhao hade, as if he appeared out of thin air. What do you want? My master has thought it over and agrees with what you said. Its good to lean on a big tree for shade. He wants to join Yanjiang Rudder but has some concerns and would like to invite you to Song Mountain for a discussion. Qin Yuanhao looked at the specter with interest: Oh, I thought Brother Hu had no intention of joining Yanjiang Rudder since he hadnt replied. The specter smiled awkwardly: My master takes a long time to make decisions. Qin Yuanhaos expression changed, and he grabbed the specter by the neck: Dare to y tricks in front of me? Tell me, who sent you? With Brother Hus personality, how could he possibly take the initiative to join Yanjiang Rudder! The specter was terrified and kept denying anyone sent him. Qin Yuanhao increased the strength in his hand, causing the specter to nearly faint before finally telling the truth. A few days ago, several reckless cultivators entered Song Mountain and identally discovered my masters whereabouts. My master killed them and found, while going through their belongings, that they belonged to a notable sect with Golden Core stage elders. My master was worried about Golden Core cultivatorsing after him and got scared. Remembering your invitation, Senior Qin, he convinced thedy master and decided to join Yanjiang Rudder, sending me to invite you to discuss the details. Getting the answer he wanted, Qin Yuanhao casually threw the specter aside: Thats more like it. No longer suspecting the specter, Qin Yuanhao followed him to Song Mountain. Senior Qin, my master is waiting for you just ahead, the specter said respectfully. My master prefers not to have eavesdroppers. Please, go ahead. Qin Yuanhao ignored the specter and walked on alone. The forest was dense and quiet, seemingly untouched for a long time. The distant chirping of birds added a serene feel to the woods. A four-meter-long tiger demon was seated ahead, with two cups of tea on a stone table, ready to entertain guests. Qin Yuanhao unconsciously let down his guard, quickening his pace. Suddenly, his cultivation technique automatically activated, forming a thin membrane around him, blocking an unseen attack and leaving only a shallow cut on his neck. Ambush! With his vast experience, Qin Yuanhao quickly retreated, noticing a nearly invisible thin line at neck height stretched across the air. This noodle is quite useful, almost took his head off. A voice gleefully spoke from a tree to Qin Yuanhaos right, belonging to Meng Jingzhou. What Qin Yuanhao saw wasnt a thin line but a dragon beard noodle that Lu Yang had bought from the cafeteria. As described by the brother who sold the noodles, this type of noodle kills invisibly, ideal for ambushes. If not for Qin Yuanhaos unique cultivation technique, which automatically defended him, his head would have been severed. You dare to ambush me! Qin Yuanhao red at the tiger demon, realizing this was not a meeting to discuss joining Yanjiang Rudder, but a trap from the start! But the tiger demon had already vanished. Qin Yuanhao felt the ground beneath him soften, and a sword aimed at his groin struck. Luckily, Qin Yuanhao reacted swiftly, colliding his knee with the sword, diverting it and protecting himself. Realizing the situation was dire, he turned to flee. Unprepared and against a well-prepared opponent, how could he fight? It must be fellow demons! Qin Yuanhao was certain, that the sword strike was too malicious for the righteous path. Barbarian Bone had been waiting behind for a long time, swinging a tree to smash Qin Yuanhao, sending him flying far away. Hmm, why didnt that feel right? Barbarian Bone was puzzled, feeling as if he had hit paper, even though he had clearly struck the opponent. Qin Yuanhao flew a great distance but remained unharmed and imposing. Be careful, his cultivation technique is very strange! Barbarian Bone loudly warned. If you wish to defeat me, train for another 100 years! (TL Note: hehe Technode reference. The correct trantion is more like You little ones think you can deal with me? Youre a hundred years too early!) Qin Yuanhaoughed, confident no one could catch him if they didnt understand the true function of his technique. Lu Yang calmly leaped into the air, using his identity jade token towards Qin Yuanhao andmanded: Capture! Qin Yuanhao was stunned, not understanding what happened. The jade token looked like an unusual storage ring, but storage rings couldnt capture him. Qin Yuanhao noticed the strange looks from Lu Yang and the others. He slowly looked down to find himself naked, his clothes gone without a trace. Qin Yuanhaos clothes were stored in the jade token, leaving him shivering in his underwear in mid-air. Damn, the weird ones are you guys! (End of the chapter) Chapter 64: The Shadow Out of decency, Lu Yang didnt take all of Qin Yuanhaos clothes, leaving him a pair of underwear to cover his modesty. The storage ring, a widely popr magical treasure among cultivators. The Land of Gold Commerce had conducted several polls on the Most Popr Magical Treasures, with the storage ring consistently ranking first. Essential for travel, concealing treasures, and personal savings, its a must-have for every household. Moreover, the storage ring is affordable even for Qi Cultivation stage cultivators, though the space is much smaller. Every year, many Qi Cultivators purchase storage rings, making it a significant revenue source for Falling Money Commerce, which also releases improved versions annuallymainly aesthetic upgrades without changes to the internal space. For most, the storage ring is the first magical treasure they use, holding sentimental value. Both righteous and demonic paths use storage rings, including Qin Yuanhao.This was Qin Yuanhaos impression of storage rings. He had lived for decades and had never heard of someone using a storage ring to store an enemys clothes! Is that even reasonable? Actually, it is. Storage rings cannot contain items with their own spirit, such as living beings, ghosts, spiritual treasures, etc., and obviously, Qin Yuanhaos clothes dont fall into these categories. Fortunately, as a person of the demonic path, Qin Yuanhaos sense of shame had long been discarded. Even in underwear, he could still fight! Then he saw Meng Jingzhou take out a recording sphere. Damn, which sect are you from, and what deep grudge do you have against me! Qin Yuanhao was convinced Lu Yang and hispanions belonged to another sect. Even if Lu Yang and his team imed to be from the righteous path, Qin Yuanhao wouldnt believe them. He couldnt understand why, although he had made enemies, he always maintained a measure in his actions and never made mortal enemies. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone also gave Lu Yang strange looks, seemingly surprised by his unique method of attack. Theres no need to talk about morals when dealing with the demonic path, lets go together! Lu Yang called out to hispanions. Together, they attacked, and even a Half-step Golden Core tiger demon would perish, let alone Qin Yuanhao at thete Foundation Building stage. They had even considered facing Qin Yuanhao one-on-one. As geniuses, they were confident in their ability to fight above their level. However, for safety, it was better for the three of them to join forces. Casting aside his shame, Qin Yuanhao fought fiercely against the three. The sword light flowed like water, sshing ink with boundless heroism. Qin Yuanhao kept retreating, unable to face the enemy head-on! Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bones punches fell like mountains, striking Qin Yuanhaos chest, causing him to cough up blood continuously! Qin Yuanhao flipped his palm, revealing three poisoned cow hair needles, aiming for their chests. Unexpectedly, the three acted as if unaffected, their swords and fists not weakening but growing stronger in battle. Lu Yang had anticipated the use of poison and had taken an antidote pill in advance. Strictly speaking, the antidote pill should not be called as such but rather a poison removal pill. The principle of the antidote pill is to encapste the poison before it takes effect and expel it with sweat. Since the poison never activates, whats there to detoxify? Qin Yuanhao realized the situation was bad; the opponents were too well-prepared. His treacherous methods couldnt match theirs, and even when they did, they were not as cunning as his opponents. Meng Jingzhous muscles bulged, veins popped, and Qin Yuanhao saw the punch grow from small torge, too fast to react. The bizarre urrence happened once again. Meng Jingzhous punch was powerful and heavy, which would severely injure or even kill ate-stage Foundation Building cultivator, yet Qin Yuanhao remained unaffected. Qin Yuanhao let out a strangeugh, convinced that these people couldnt handle him! After the exchange, Lu Yang finally discovered the truth about Qin Yuanhaos cultivation technique. He swung his sword, emitting a bright glow, with sword energy soaring like a rainbow, unstoppable. The target of this sh wasnt just anywhere, but directly at Qin Yuanhaos shadow! Damn! Qin Yuanhao cried out in pain, unable to hold back. Indeed, it was you who killed the gang of thievesst night. Your weakness is your shadow! Lu Yang remembered Qin Yuanhao leaving the brothel, receiving orders from the helmsman to act, presumably to kill the gang of thieves. With his biggest reliance exposed, Qin Yuanhao no longer wished to fight. His body disappeared, and his shadow moved rapidly across the ground. Even if he couldnt defeat his opponents, he was fully confident in his ability to escape. Your swords may be sharp, but can you kill a shadow? You three youngsters, Ill remember you. Just wait for my endless revenge, hahaha Qin Yuanhao felt he had the upper hand andughed uncontrobly. Suddenly, a beam of white light shone on the shadow, immediately causing Qin Yuanhao to scream in agony, as if a piece of flesh was being torn off him. The Gathering Light Formation, a simple formation that absorbs and emits light sources, is easy to learn but considered quite trivial. However, used here, its effect was surprisingly good. Forced into action, Qin Yuanhao emerged from his shadow to block the white light, and the gap in his shadow vanished. His injuries healed. It seems you came prepared. So what? Do you really think a mere Gathering Light Formation can hurt me? Qin Yuanhao mocked: Dont you know the stronger the light, the stronger the shadow? Lu Yang, unruffled,unched more Gathering Light Formations, simrly mocking: Ever heard of a shadowlessmp? Qin Yuanhao hesitated, unfamiliar with the term shadowlessmp, but Lu Yangs words gave him a bad feeling. Lu Yang didnt bother exining the concept duringbat. Dozens of white lights struck Qin Yuanhao, his shadow fizzing, unable to stop the process whether his body was exposed to block the light or hidden within the shadow. The shadow faded until it was nearly invisible to the naked eye. The principle of the shadowlessmp isnt to erase the shadow but to make it so faint its almost non-existent. Qin Yuanhao roared, emerging from the nearly invisible shadow, unable to hide within it any longer. A sword light descended from the sky, like a rainbow shooting through, sudden and unavoidable, piercing Qin Yuanhaos body. This was the moment Lu Yang had been waiting for. That was close, nearly let him escape. Meng Jingzhou breathed a sigh of relief seeing Qin Yuanhao dead. If he had escaped, all their preparations would have been in vain. Meng Jingzhou thought they had prepared enough to ensure Qin Yuanhao couldnt escape, but his technique rted to shadows made it exceedingly difficult to trap him. Meng Jingzhou yfully nudged Lu Yangs shoulder: Good thing you suggested making the Gathering Light Formation before we left. It was all luck. I just suspected his technique was rted to shadows, without concrete evidence. But lets not celebrate too soon. We can celebrate after weve destroyed the body and evidence. Following Lu Yangs suggestion, they burned Qin Yuanhaos body beyond recognition, dumping it into the tiger demons cave, and then copsed the cave entrance. This way, unless someone deliberately searched the mountain, no one would find it. (End of the chapter) Chapter 65: The Examiner Lu Yang, holding Qin Yuanhaos storage ring, tried several times to open it but eventually shook his head in disappointment. Its a pity. This storage ring can only be opened by Qin Yuanhao himself. Theres no use for us having it; forcing it open would only cause the internal space to copse, making it impossible to find again. Lets check his house; maybe well find something. Lu Yang beckoned the others to leave. The ghost that lured Qin Yuanhao followed behind. Barbarian Bone thought the ghost did a good job and decided to reward it with two skewers ofmb theoretically, if the skewers are burnt, the ghost could taste them. Whether the ghost gets well-cooked skewers or burnt ones will have to be proven through practice. Qin Yuanhaos house was sparsely decorated, feeling empty and lifeless for a single upant. The trio entered the training room, which, besides a jade statue of indeterminate gender in robes, contained only two rows of bookshelves filled with cultivation techniques and secrets. This must be the Evesting Being worshiped by the Evesting Sect, Meng Jingzhou mused, circling the statue. The material of this statue was much stronger than that of ordinary statues, but its likeness was far inferior. Doesnt everyone expect their statues to be lifelike?Water Avoidance Technique,Introduction to Formation,Sword Moves Deciphered These are quitemon techniques found even on the first floor of our scripture pavilion. Lu Yangs hand brushed over the spines, enjoying the sensation over the uneven surfaces. Common Methods to Please Your Boss,Understanding People,Machiavellian Maneuvers, what kind of nonsense is this? Lu Yang picked up Common Methods to Please Your Boss, its corners worn from frequent use, indicating Qin Yuanhaos thorough reading. Method 1: Be a family member of your boss. Depending on your age and capabilities, you can target the boss or their children. Qin Yuanhaos note: The helm leader never removes their mask, unknown identity and gender, cannot approach, cannot marry. Method 2: Present a treasure. Ostentatious gifts make the giver appear boastful, which is unlikable. Its rmended to give subtle yet expensive gifts to your boss. Qins note: Loaned to buy a jade chair for the helm leader, hoping it works. Method 3: Cultivate interests. Pay attention to your bosss hobbies and develop simr interests. Qins note: The helm leader likes fishing. I went fishing with them by the river. I caught more fish than the helm leader, hoping they wont be jealous of my talent. Method 4 Method 5 Qin Yuanhao was very diligent in trying to please the helm leader, albeit with little sess. It seems its tough inside the demonic sect as well, Lu Yang remarked with a chuckle. Thanks to Qin Yuanhaos notes, Lu Yang gained a basic understanding of the helm leader and the various stewards. From bottom to top, the hierarchy within the Yanjiang Rudder is ordinary cult members, stewards, and the helm leader. Ordinary cult members are numerous, ranging from Qi Cultivation to Foundation Building stages, and its difficult for them to ess the secrets of the Evesting Sect. Only by passing an assessment can one at the Foundation Building stage be a steward. There are twelve stewards in total in the Yanjiang Rudder. Now that Qin Yuanhao is dead, there are only eleven left. The helm leaders identity is unknown, with Golden Core stage cultivation, but the exact level is unclear. They like fishing. Besides, the trio found some scattered spirit stones and a few spells that didnt seem suited for the righteous path, such as hypnotism and bedroom arts, hardly worth mentioning. Lets go. Its time to prepare for the demonic sects test in nine days. At the boundary of Yanjiang County, numerous taciturn cultivators moved through the deep forest, the patchy sunlight casting eerie shadows on their expressionless faces. Every cultivator kept a considerable distance from one another, vigntly watching their surroundings, ready to strike at the first sign of vulnerability in others, aiming to eliminatepetition. They were all rogue cultivators from the demonic path who had learned of the trial location through various channels and rushed to the Yanjiang Rudder in advance. Under the crackdown by the righteous path, their living space was continuously shrinking. To gain more resources, they had to join arge organization, with Yanjiang Rudder being their primary target. Previously, joining the demonic sect required a stewards rmendation and, consequently, bribing a steward. This time was different; everyone had a chance, making it a once-in-thirty-years opportunity to join the demonic sect. An hour before the trials start, a fair number of rogue cultivators had arrived. Look, isnt that Chi Xu Long, who ughtered an entire household overnight, not sparing even a mouse, and then left under everyones watchful eyes? A brawny man, holding an unidentified beasts leg bone like a savage, had bronze skin, bulging muscles, and arms covered in scars. He grinned, revealing teeth like a wolfs. Chi Xu Long had a high reputation among rogue cultivators for his brazen and domineering deeds. Having survived numerous battles and even leveling up during fights, he was known for his invincibility and resilience. Chi Xu Long, I didnt expect you to be here. A schrly-looking man with a fan teased Chi Xu Long. Chi Xu Long snorted, Heh, Shen Jin Yi, a mere schr who doesnt teach in schools butes here instead. Theres no one here who needs your teaching! What, hes Shen Jin Yi, who specifically teaches how to kill in his school?! Someone heard Chi Xu Long addressing the schrly man as Shen Jin Yi and gasped, stepping back. Indeed, Shen Jin Yi was a teacher, but he didnt teach Confucian ssics. Instead, he taught efficient and secretive methods of assassination. He had trained countless assassins, bing a feared figure among rogue cultivators. Despite Shen Jin Yis smiling and seemingly frail appearance, angering him meant not knowing how one might die. Assassins? Just a bunch of cowards afraid to show their faces. A swordsman carrying a broad de sneered, not taking assassin Shen Jin Yi seriously. Shen Jin Yi was about to retort but swallowed his words upon recognizing the swordsman, muttering through clenched teeth, Yi Zhang Hong! What are you calling your grandpa for? (TL Note: Hes basically saying that hes the assassins grandfather which is an insult) Yi Zhang Hong, unfazed by Shen Jin Yis murderous gaze, spat contemptuously. Rogue cultivators widened their eyes; present were notable figures from the underworld: Yi Zhang Hong, known for drawing blood within a meters reach and reputed to be unbeatable in closebat, even half-step Golden Core experts hesitated to confront him. Besides these three, numerous notorious viins with bounties on their heads had arrived. No one dared to mess with them for fear of being killed in retaliation. These viins gathered, leaving others, who felt insufficient in cultivation, to stand far away, too scared even to speak up loudly. Suddenly, the appearance of three individuals caught everyones attention: a swordsman in the center, a schr to his left, and a man with a radiant smile on his right, looking almost insane. The trios silent, forward gaze disregarded the rogue cultivators, exuding an incredibly powerful aura. Who are they? Do you know them? I dont know, but they seem significant. The trio moved straight through the crowd to the forefront, muttering something about the Immortal of Immortality before seemingly retrieving furniture from the other side of the stone wall, though they were actually taking it out of a jade pendant. Chi Xu Long and others pondered, They can open the stone wall, so they must be from the demonic sect. After settling down, the swordsman coughed twice to draw everyones attention. I am Lu Yang, and these are Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone. We are the examiners for this selection. The Evesting Sect disciple selection starts now. Line up and report your personal information. (End of the chapter) Chapter 66: Those Who Aren’t Quick-Witted Shouldn’t Join the Demonic Sect When the examiners gave the order, it didnt matter if you were Chi Xu Long or anyone else; you had to stand in line obediently. Angering the examiners could jeopardize your chance of joining the demonic sect. Despite their notorious reputations outside, could any of them im to be stronger than the demonic sect itself? The sect boasted mysterious and powerful leaders, as well as formidable members, whereas they were alone, with the highest among them only reaching thete stage of Foundation Establishment. The three examiners were unfamiliar faces to everyone present, which made sense since the demonic sect was even more secretive than rogue cultivators and rarely made public appearances. Despite the trial starting an hour earlier than announced, no one questioned it. This was likely one of the sects tests: showing up early demonstrated dedication to the sect, and those who arrived just in time didnt deserve to join. Lu Yang, leisurely sitting with his legs crossed, took out a pen and paper, directing his questions to the first person in line: Tell us, why do you choose to join the demonic sect, what can you bring to us, what are your ns for yourself, and what are your sry expectations? The first person was taken aback by the barrage of questions, not expecting this to be the test for joining the sect. They were expecting questions about their cultivation level, techniques, or misdeeds they hadmitted. Seeing the first person unable to respond, Lu Yang, impatiently gesturing with his hand,mented, Whats with the hesitation? If you falter at our questions, what will happen if youre caught by the authorities? Will you spill all the sects secrets? Youre eliminated, go back.The second person, a former gang leader who had experienced prison multiple times and fought to reim his gang and wife from his subordinates after he was betrayed, introduced himself with significant life experience. My name is Niu Mang, leader of the Green Dragon Gang. I chose to join our demonic sect seeking better prospects. I find the philosophies of the demonic path and our sect to have much inmon. I believe joining the sect will lead to harmonious cooperation. Ill dedicate myself to wrongdoing and work with the sect to achieve greater glory! My n is to do whatever the sect needs, withoutints. After all, my strength grows with the sects power! As the sect has provided me with a foundation, I wouldnt dare ask for a sry. It should be me who pays tribute to the sect! Niu Mangs passionate response, including waving his fists, showed his determination to ovee challenges and embrace a bright future. It was a speech he was used to giving within his gang. Youre eliminated, go back. Why? Niu Mang protested, believing his answer was perfect. Lu Yang sternly rebuked him, highlighting Niu Mangs misunderstanding of the demonic path: What is the demonic path? Its about selfishness and self-interest. How can someone so dedicated to serving the sect without expecting anything in return be a true practitioner of the demonic path? As a member of the demonic sect, you should be plotting to seize power and instigate internal strife. As you said, you would do whatever the sect needs you to do. The sect needs you to leave, so get out! Niu Mang left with his head hung low in dejection. Those behind him, having heard the exchange, felt as if their eyes had been opened. So this was the philosophy of the demonic sect. Indeed, these were the examiners, their understanding of the demonic path was profoundly deep. Next, called out Meng Jingzhou. Im Chi Xu Long, with a Foundation Establishment cultivation, Chi Xu Long emphasized his cultivation level, hoping to gain the examiners attention. Tell us, what evil deeds have youmitted? When Chi Xu Long got his turn, he had plenty to say: Since I was a child, I was taken away and raised by wolves on the mountain. At the age of ten, I killed the wolf that took me with a bone knife and descended the mountain to live. In the mountains, whatever I wanted, I would simply take by force. This habit followed me to the city; whatever Icked, I would rob. Consequently, the constables chased after me. I kept robbing as they chased. My speed is unmatched; no one can catch up to me. During robberies, I even took hostages and killed a few who stood in my way. Chi Xu Long spoke with pride, believing that someone with his extensive record of misdeeds certainly qualified for the demonic sect. Meng Jingzhou shook his head: With the righteous path holding sway nowadays, we of the demonic path must act discreetly. Your style is too ostentatious and will lead to your downfall. Look at yourself, how many people recognize you, and then look at us three. Who knows us? Thats the difference! Its not about skulking in the shadows but about strategically lying in wait. Its the wisdom of hiding in in sight! Barbarian Bone curiously looked at Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, wondering why they seemed so familiar with the ways of the demonic path. Taking the advice to heart, Chi Xu Long believed he had oversimplified the demonic path and voluntarily left. I am Shen Jin Yi, the white-faced schr introduced himself with a smile, thinking he had figured out the examiners approach after the previous exchanges. Barbarian Bone, noticing the others schrly attire and recognizing a fellow Confucian cultivator, eagerly posed a question that had long puzzled him, one not even the four elders could answer: Since niang and ma both mean mother, can I then refer to gu niang (youngdy) as gu ma (aunt)? (TL Note: I dont even know how to trante this one. The Chinese words are different from english.) Shen Jin Yi was taken aback, unsure how to respond despite his forty years of life experience. He had thought the seemingly simple examiner on his left would be easy to deal with, but was unexpectedly struck by a profound question. Shen Jin Yi didnt outright say he didnt know but instead stated, I am an assassin, not a schr. An assassin? Have you studied criminalw? Lu Yang asked with interest. I have studied it somewhat, Shen Jin Yi modestly imed, though in reality, he was well-versed in criminalw, essential knowledge for an assassin to evade legal consequences. So, let me ask you, the criminalw defines the crime of intentional homicide as intentionally depriving someone of life constitutes this crime. Does suicide constitute intentional homicide? Shen Jin Yi faced another unexpected question. Seeing Shen Jin Yi unable to answer, Lu Yang waved him off in disappointment: You cant even answer questions about your area of expertise, go back. Shen Jin Yi faced the biggest setback of his life within just five minutes. Are these the questions that a normal person would ask? Could it be that only those with unconventional thinking can join the demonic sect? This selection test for joining the sect was of great importance, so the sect leader wanted to preside over it personally to be at ease. The sect leader specifically arrived half an hour early to prepare. On the way to the examination site, the sect leader saw many fierce and evil-looking people leaving one after another, murmuring things like The interview is really tough, Its hard to join the demonic sect, So this is the true essence of the demonic path, Ille back in thirty years, as if they had undergone an enlightenment and achieved a great realization. The sect leader fell into deep thought. He hadnt arrived yet, so who was overseeing the test? Then, he saw Lu Yang and his twopanions, who were stirring up the scene and making significant decisions. (End of the chapter) Authors Note: Thoughts on Going Live (TL Note: This was written by the author. I dont count this as a real chapter so I will be releasing another chapterter) Before writing this book, I thought of myself as a fairly serious person, with thoughts and ideas not much different from others,cking any distinctive features. However, as I began writing this book, more and more bizarre ideas started popping into my mind, like techniques for sensing energy and other oddities, which couldnt be suppressed. Perhaps this is what makes me unique? With the thought of not wasting my uniqueness, this book came into being, starting with discussions about cheating in front of examiners, climbing Heart Seeking Mountain, Shrinking the Earth into Inches, and the Strength of Ten Bulls Pill It brings joy to readers, and Im happy writing ita win-win situation. Some say Lu Yangs maneuvers arent bold enough. To this, Id like to say that Lu Yang is still weak; he has the mind for bold maneuvers but not the courage. Too bold a move would indeed get him hung up and beaten by the eldest senior sister. This book is about to go live; please, fellow Daoists, support it with your initial subscriptions. It really means a lot to me. (End of the chapter) Chapter 67: All for the Sake of the Demonic Sect As the helm leader with the highest cultivation in the entire helm and someone who had undergone systematic training at headquarters, learning the true essence of the demonic path, what scene had he not witnessed? Yet, this was a scene he had never encountered before. He could understand if the stewards were considerate of his hardships and made preparations in advance; he might even feel relieved. But whats the deal with you three? Where did you spring out from? The helm leader figured out the issue, his gaze chilling enough to kill. These three were impersonating examiners, weeding outpetitors in advance. What a clever tactic! the helm leader said through gritted teeth. The three continued to impersonate examiners, with Lu Yang propping his legs up on the table: You think you can pass the assessment without bribing us? Next? The next person respectfully presented spirit stones as a tribute to the three examiners. Meng Jingzhou found it insufficient and asked, Do you have any experience in joining the demonic sect? No.Oh, sorry, we dont take people without experience. Go back. It felt to him as though the examiners might as well have written Were not recruiting on their faces. The helm leader appeared behind the three like a ghost, his breath frosty with the unmistakable aura of a Golden Core stage cultivator, pping them against the wall: You three have some nerve, impersonating examiners here! If he had arrived anyter, everyone would have run off! Lu Yang peeled himself off the wall and quickly said, Your Honor, its a misunderstanding, we truly have the demonic sects best interests at heart! The helm leader was so angered heughed, asking, Oh really? Then tell me, how exactly are you considering the demonic sects best interests? Consider this, Your Honor. As cultivators of the demonic path, we should be suspicious and questioning, not easily trusting others. Yet, look at these people. The moment we sat here, they believed we were the examiners without a single doubt. Being so easily fooled, wouldnt they be easily deceived by others? If the righteous path had some clever individuals, they could deceive them one by one. Moreover, only righteous path cultivators would believe whatever theyre told. I even suspect there are righteous path spies among these people. Your Honor, you must thoroughly investigate their identities to prevent righteous path cultivators from infiltrating! As he said this, Lu Yang looked suspiciously at the people taking the test, as if convinced there were spies among them. Lu Yangs earnestness seemed entirely for the sake of the helm leader. The helm leaders expression softened slightly. Meng Jingzhou was even more sincere than Lu Yang, his words clearly heartfelt: Moreover, as selfish and self-interested cultivators of the demonic path, we naturally had to find ways to reduce ourpetition with so many people attending the test! If theyre fooled and outmaneuvered, who can they me? Only theirck of experience in deceiving others! The helm leaders frown rxed, sensing the honesty in their words. Indeed, cultivators of the demonic path arewless and extreme. When he joined the demonic sect, he also used every trick in the book to gain the favor of the higher-ups, securing his position today. These three had even outdone his past self, exceeding the teacher. Barbarian Bones statement was the most straightforward: We genuinely want to join the demonic sect and promise not to do a single good deed! The helm leader nodded slightly, thinking perhaps these three could also gain the favor of the higher-ups, elevating the reputation of the Yanjiang Rudder. The crowd red at Lu Yang and hispanions. They were known troublemakers, scoundrels, and liars in the world of cultivation, but none as shameless as these three, who deceived so tantly! Had the helm leader not been there, they would have wanted to rush up and tear these three to pieces! The helm leader didnt care about the thoughts of those below him; a bunch of mediocrities couldntpare to the value of these three. What are your cultivation levels? Lu Yang respectfully answered, All of us are in the early stages of Foundation Establishment. The three of us brothers came from afar to Yanjiang County a month ago. Hearing by chance that the demonic sect was recruiting, we decided to give it a try. Seeing too manypetitors, we came up with this strategy. Well done. The more the helm leader looked at them, the more satisfied he became. They were promising talents, all contributing to his own achievements. With a casual wave of his hand earlier, any ordinary cultivator in the early stages of Foundation Establishment would have been injured, yet these three were unharmed, indicating their exceptional strength even among their peers. If these three performed well in the tests, promoting them to stewards was not out of the question. Those eliminated by Lu Yang gradually returned, called back by the helm leader. These eliminated individuals harbored even more resentment towards Lu Yang. Lu Yang thought that killing them now would probably turn them directly into vengeful spirits. The helm leader opened the stone wall again, telling everyone, Come on in. Behind the stone wall was a vast and dim space, with giant stones suspended and connected by chains, a rather magnificent sight. Lu Yang guessed correctly; the Yanjiang Rudder was located in a cave heaven. The helm leaders attitude towards the three was clearly different from the others: Your thinking was good, trying to eliminatepetitors, and what you did was noteworthy. But you were wrong from the start. Eliminating these people, or even if only you three participated in the test, doesnt guarantee youll pass. What do you mean? The three of them were puzzled. The helm leader, smiling under his mask, stepped on a floating stone and led everyone to thergest one. This was a tform, withplicated and exquisite patterns etched on the ground and four ancient stone pirs standing in the four cardinal directions. Eleven stewards in ck robes each took their positions at the edge of the tform. Spread out and sit down, rx your minds. After everyone did as instructed, the helm leader moved to the center of the tform, where a green stone suspended in mid-air was engraved with dense mysterious symbols. The helm leader channeled spiritual energy into the stone, activating the array beneath his feet, which began to rotate, expand, and multiply, quickly covering the entire tform. The tform, like an ancient beast awakening, used the mysterious power from the ancient times to transport everyone to an unknown space. In the white space, figures stood shadowy and confused, not understanding what had happened. Seeing the white space, Lu Yang always wondered if a Tofu Celestial Master might suddenly emerge from the crowd. Lu Yang realized Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone were not beside him, surrounded instead by strangers. Brother, where are you from? Lu Yang asked quite familiarly, but the man wasnt very receptive to his warmth. Feeling it rude not to respond, the man said, From Huangyue City. Lu Yang asked several people and found they came from different demonic sect strongholds, all transported here through a giant formation. Lu Yang roughly understood the helm leaders intention. This selection wasnt conducted by each stronghold independently but was organized by the headquarters, with all demonic path rogue cultivators participating simultaneously. This feels like astral projection, but different, Lu Yang muttered to himself, feeling that what was transported was not their physical bodies but something like their consciousness. How interesting. I wonder if the eldest senior sister could Lu Yang stopped his thoughts. If they were in a state of consciousness, perhaps the Dao Seeking had ways to detect what he was thinking. Better to be cautious. Suddenly, the entire space dimmed, and a figure emitting a white glow appeared in the air. The figure spoke indifferently, I am the vice leader of the Evesting Sect. I have set up three challenges for you all. Those who pass all three may join our sect. (End of the chapter) Chapter 68: The Correct Way to Pass the Test The crowd was stirred, not expecting the Evesting Sect to ce such high importance on this recruitment, with even the vice sect leader making an appearance. The vice sect leaders of the four major demonic sects are significant figures throughout the Central Continent, and seeing one in person is usually a luxury. Lu Yang, however, felt indifferent. It was no different from meeting an elder of the Dao Seeking Sect; it wasnt his first time. Your current state is one of mere thought, with your physical bodies remaining in ce. After the official test begins, all your cultivation levels and memories will be erased, cing everyone at the same starting point. The sect leader ced great emphasis on this test. In the grand scheme of conflicts, whats most important is talent! If they possess singr spiritual roots, natural immortal physiques, or demonic seeds from birth, then they would have the capital to contend with the righteous path! For this reason, he had the vice sect leader meticulously design three tests to ensure the selection of true talents. To prevent cheating, the sects secret methods were used to erase participants cultivation levels and memories, allowing for a true reflection of their abilities. The first test officially begins. The standard for passing is defeating the Liang Kingdoms army.After the vice sect leader said this, everyone felt dizzy and disoriented, unable to distinguish directions. When they came to their senses, they remembered nothing. Where is this? Barbarian Bone regained consciousness, still feeling dizzy. He was disheveled, holding a broken sword, with his armor covered in blood. Barbarian Bone stumbled a few steps and almost fell, but his personal guard quickly supported him: General, please get on the horse. Now is not the time for integrity. The Liang Kingdoms army is about to catch up! During the escape on horseback, memories rted to the test gradually flooded into Barbarian Bones mind. There are two countries here, Liang and Jin, eternal enemies, each wishing to defeat the other. Jin is not as strong as Liang, and I am now a general of Jin,manding the entire Jin army. I was careless and fell into the enemys trap. I need to regroup ande back stronger to defeat Liang! Barbarian Bone forgot this was a test and only remembered that he was Jins undefeated general, determined to defeat Liang and protect his country. In addition to background memories,bat experience also filled his mind, making him truly Jins undefeated general. Unfortunately, despite Barbarian Bones rich experience, the generals of Liang were equally experienced, and he suffered defeat after defeat. Barbarian Bone was highly esteemed in the army, with his soldiers cing great trust in him. They believed setbacks were temporary, and General Barbarian Bone would surely lead them to victory. Barbarian Bone suffered another defeat. Honest by nature and experienced inbat, he couldnt apply his knowledge effectively, always falling into the traps set by Liangs generals. Puffing and panting, Barbarian Bone disgracefully fled to a cave. This defeat was utterly humiliating, the greatest shame of his life. Outside, the bleak wind and bitter rain mirrored his increasingly deste mood. Thinking of his soldiers trust and the impact of repeated failures, he looked at his notched sword, wishing he could end his own life! To die would be to escape all failure, all responsibilities towards Jin; it would all no longer concern him. Suddenly, a spider caught his attention. The spider looked strange, unlike any Barbarian Bone had seen before. The spider was weaving its web, with the wind and rain from outside repeatedly destroying it. Each time the web was destroyed, the spider would start over, undiscouraged. Watching the spider fail and try again and again, Barbarian Bone saw a reflection of himself. You will seed! Barbarian Bone fixed his gaze on the spider, hope gradually rising in his eyes. If the spider could persist, then as a human, could his willpower be any less? Finally, after countless failures, the spider seeded in building its web. Barbarian Bone sprang to his feet, his fighting spirit ignited. If the spider could seed, so could he! A fierce fire zed within Barbarian Bones heart. He was determined to regroup and counterattack Liang! Hm? Barbarian Bone nced at the spider, intending to thank it for the encouragement, but unexpectedly, a praying mantis suddenly appeared and killed the spider. Initially, Barbarian Bone wanted to angrily crush the mantis, but then he realized the spiders situation was much like his own. After seeding, it becamecent, forgetting the dangers lurking in the shadows. He pondered, Indeed, perseverance is crucial, but strategy is equally important. Attacking the enemy when theyre off guard can have an unexpected effect! Eventually, Barbarian Bone used small victories to lull Liang intocency, thenunched a surprise attack with his hidden troops, breaking through the main force of Liangs army and achieving aplete victory. Barbarian Bone passed the test. At the Evesting Sects headquarters, the calm surface of the water reflected everyones performance in the first test, with the vice sect leader observing and evaluating. How is it? Any promising candidates? The space twisted as the sect leader appeared. Your first test is not easy. Facing continuous failures, one must learn perseverance from the spider and the element of surprise from the mantis. The vice sect leader shook his head, Its necessary. The righteous path is suppressing us, and the demonic sect has faced consecutive failures. Some within the sect are considering retreat. Our experience with Jin is so simr. Through this test, I want to select followers with firm willpower, nurture them into talents, and oppose the righteous path! Opposing the righteous path requires more than willpower; it also requires skill. Learning tactics from both the spider and the mantis, how else can victory be achieved? The sect leader nodded, Well said, thats exactly why I had you organize this selection. The outstanding followers selected this time must be given priority in training; they are our reserve force against the righteous path! The vice sect leader pointed to a scene, I have high hopes for this one named Barbarian Bone. His method of passing perfectly aligns with my intentions. This person will surely achieve greatness! The sect leader took a nce at Barbarian Bone and found him quite agreeable, Then lets see how the others performed. Standing together, the sect leader and the vice sect leader continued to watch. Suddenly, the sect leader asked, Do you think theres another way to pass? The vice sect leader firmly denied, Absolutely not! This first test is a segment of history I extracted, from a corner of the world in chaos ten thousand years ago. Back then, cultivators were far fewer than now, and Liang and Jin had even fewer. I based this test on those events to ensure its authenticity as much as possible. The Evesting Sect invested significant resources to extract this historical segment, much to the vice sect leaders distress. The general of Jin historically achieved enlightenment in a cave and defeated Liangs army! That was already a miracle. I refuse to believe theres another way! The sect leader nodded; he thought the same. His question was just to avoid an awkward silence and make conversation. Then, they saw Meng Jingzhou and Lu Yangs methods of passing the test. (End of the chapter) Chapter 69: The Incorrect Way to Pass the Test The Jin army had faced too many defeats, causing even someone like Meng Jingzhou to lose hope, feeling that victory was impossible. Can I really win? Meng Jingzhou asked himself in the cave, finding the answer bitterly hard to articte. Hmm, a spider? Meng Jingzhou noticed a spider weaving its web. The spiders repeated failures and attempts greatly shocked him. The spider keeps trying despite its failures. Am I not even as good as a spider? Meng Jingzhou was greatly inspired, readying himself to battle the Liang army once more. The Liang army is stronger than ours, but the gap is not insurmountable. And how could we give up after just a few failures? If I give up, what will be of Jin behind me? Believe that as long as the strategy is right, victory is possible! Meng Jingzhou clenched his fist, a n already forming in his mind. After several failures, he had be familiar with the tactics of Liangs generals. Their repeated victories would have surely made them overconfident. He nned to feign defeat and flee in disarray, luring the Liang army into a gorge before surrounding and attacking them. This time, we will catch them by surprise and not let down the people of Jin!Thank you for the lesson. Meng Jingzhou bowed his fist in thanks to the spider. Without its inspiration, he would have been disheartened, truly losing all hope of victory. There were many mosquitoes in the cave. To show his gratitude, Meng Jingzhou caught a bug and ced it near the spider. The spider, failing to understand Meng Jingzhous intention, mistook him for an enemy and bit him. Its a venomous spider Meng Jingzhou felt dizzy and passed out. He wasnt sure how much time had passed, maybe a few minutes or perhaps slightly longer, but when Meng Jingzhou woke up, he felt invigorated. Whats happened to me? Meng Jingzhou felt his body had undergone a transformation; his vision, hearing, and perception had all improved, and his agility was unprecedented, as if reborn. His right hand moved instinctively, his middle and ring fingers bending, and white silk shot out from his wrist. !!! What is this? The white silk stuck to the wall, and Meng Jingzhou, pulling on it, found it exceptionally tough. Its like spider silk? Meng Jingzhou ced his hands on the wall and was astonished to find he could cling to it effortlessly, making wall-walking a breeze. I remember being bitten by the spider Right, wheres the spider? When Meng Jingzhou looked for the spider, he found it had been killed by a praying mantis. Meng Jingzhou crushed the mantis, avenging the spider. He inherited the spiders will, reorganized his troops, and fought the Liang army once more. On the eve of the decisive battle, dressed in night gear and utilizing his newfound powers, he carried out a solo beheading mission, directly killing the Liang general. The Liang general was taken aback; as generals, shouldnt they face each other on the battlefield for a final showdown? This was a direct leap to the end, a general killing another general? The Liang general had cultivator guards, but they were no match for Meng Jingzhous agility. Meng Jingzhou seeded in killing the Liang general. The Liang general was a rare military genius. With his death, Liangs forces were headless,cking someone to lead effectively. Meng Jingzhou led the Jin army to crush the Liang forces. Meng Jingzhou passed the test. At the headquarters of the Evesting Sect, the sect leader and vice sect leader watched Meng Jingzhous method of passing the test, remaining silent for a long time. A second method of passing the test indeed emerged. The sect leader rubbed his temples, Whats with this spider, giving people its abilities with just a bite? Could it be that if I bite a spider, it will transform? The vice sect leader was also stunned. After pondering for a while, he seemed to have thought of something, pulled out a book from his storage ring, and pointed to a section of the text, Found it, look. Ancient texts mention a unique type of spider in the Central Continent. Its strength was ordinary, never biting humans. However, anyone bitten by it would undergo mutations. This type of spider went extinct tens of thousands of years ago. The vice sect leader analyzed logically, The events of Jin and Liang urred a hundred thousand years ago, and weve perfectly recreated that scenario. So theoretically, its possible for this unique spider to appear in the cave. The sect leader nodded, It seems this Meng Jingzhou not only has perseverance and a clever mind but also good luck. Luck is an elusive concept, perhaps only the legendary Qi Gazing Technique could truly assess how fortunate someone is. However, one could somewhat gauge it from other aspects. For instance, Meng Jingzhou was the only one among many to be bitten by the spider and mutate, indicating his extraordinary fortune. Those with great fortune often have a smooth cultivation path and achieve high aplishments in the future. Lets see how the others did. I dont believe theres a third way to pass. Lu Yang, observing the spider continuously failing and retrying its web, fell into contemtion. If a spider can catch prey by weaving a web, why does waiting for a rabbit toe by fail? Isnt it the same principle of staying put and waiting for prey? Whats the difference? Is it because insectsck brains and blunder into the web, while rabbits are smarter and avoid trees? If its said that insectsck brains, suggesting that spiders alsock brains, then is the spiders persistent attempt to weave its web despite failures a disy of willpower or just foolish persistence? Even rabbits know to avoid trees, so why do some people not turn back even when they hit a wall? Lu Yangs thoughts wandered far. After experiencing failure, he didnt get discouraged but took shelter in a cave to avoid the rain, all the while thinking of ways to defeat the enemy. Now, seeing the spider weave its web, he thought of many seemingly profound but ultimately pointless questions. Suddenly, a mantis appeared, attacking the unsuspecting spider. The spider fought back fiercely with its webs advantage, but the mantis, agile and fierce, killed the spider after a few rounds. Lu Yang witnessed the entire process, thoughtful. He stood up, mimicking the mantiss movements. He learned to use his arms flexibly like the mantis and adopted its nimble, leaping movements in his footwork. Imagine myself as a mantis Lu Yang muttered to himself, feeling as though he had learned something simr before and had a natural talent for it. Lu Yang, like a humanoid mantis,bined hardness with softness, fierce and fast, overpowering any opponent with his martial arts. The historical general of Jin was at the mid-stage of Qi cultivation, and Lu Yang, inheriting the generals cultivation, was also at the mid-stage. Eventually, he transformed his body into a giant mantis, striking with rapid forelimbs, shattering the cave with a punch. Lu Yang eximed, So this is the Mantis Fist talked about in martial arts, so powerful, but ordinary people cant learn it. Lu Yang simplified the Mantis Fist, making it easy to learn, and widely spread it among the military. Thebat power of Jins army exceeded that of Liangs. Without needing any strategy, they steamrolled through. Lu Yang passed the test. Who passes a test like this! the vice sect leader eximed angrily. (End of the chapter) Chapter 70: The Second Test Who performs Mantis Fist like this?! The vice sect leader widened his eyes. He had heard of Mantis Fist, a martial art mimicking the movements of a mantis. It was supposed to mimic a mantis, not transform into one! He had repeatedly simted the test to meet the expected standards and even had several of the sects most intellectually agile higher-ups try it, confirming there was no second solution apart from the one he provided. Now, suddenly, two solutions outside of the standard emerged, and he couldnt ept it! The sect leader, however, saw it more openly: Think about it from another angle. He just nced at a mantis and then understood Mantis Fist. The historical general of Jin also had no martial arts talent, which shows that this Lu Yang has an extremely high martial arts talent. In the end, he even reached the profound realm of integrating martial arts into techniques, a talent that is hard toe by! The vice sect leader paused, turned to look at the serious-faced sect leader, and asked, Are you serious? The sect leader thought, of course, Im making this up. In fact, I also didnt understand how he transformed from a human into a mantis, but as a sect leader, I cant appear ignorant in front of my subordinates. The sect leader nodded: Of course, Im serious. After the sect leader put it that way, the vice sect leader felt slightly better. Since it was a rare talent who identally found a way to break through, it was within reason.He could barely ept it. Those who could pass have passed. Lets end the first test here, said the vice sect leader. The surface of the water showed tens of thousands of scenes, recording everyones performance. Only a small number of people learned perseverance from the spider, and an even smaller number learned strategy from the mantis. Most people gave up in the cave, bing deserters, killed by Liang soldiers in the chaos, dying nameless and unknown, with the Liang soldiers unaware of the once majestic air of the people they killed. The second test begins. The test for the second round is to sincerely convince the examiner to keep you. This sentence appeared in everyones mind, forgetting the cause and effect, only remembering they needed to find a way to pass the second test. Yan Wangsun felt dizzy, having no recollection of prior events, only a vague memory of someone overly familiar asking him where he was from, to which he replied he came from Huangyue City. I am Yan Wangsun, currently applying for a position at the Land of Gold Commerce, needing to pass an interview, which requires not sharing the interview questions with others, Yan Wangsun summarized the information he knew. Even if it wasnt required, Yan Wangsun wouldnt share the interview questions with others, as it would be helping others at no benefit to himself. Yan Wangsun found himself sitting in the first seat, next to a man dressed in a Confucian robe. My name is Barbarian Bone, whats yours? Yan Wangsun didnt respond because the examiner was calling his name. Upon entering the room, Yan Wangsun noticed a bundle of papers on the floor, casually throwing it into the trash bin before preparing for the interview. The chubby examiner, struggling with his tight clothes and always smiling, said, Yan Wangsun, right? Could you go to the market and see if anyone is selling potatoes? Yan Wangsun obediently left, toured the market, and found only one vendor selling potatoes. He returned and simply said, Yes. The chubby examiner then asked, How many potatoes are there? Yan Wangsun had no choice but to run out again. Upon returning, he reported, There are eighty pounds of potatoes. What about the price? Yan Wangsun cursed in his heart, Why didnt this fatty say earlier? He ran out for the third time, found out the price, and reported, Three coins per pound. Hows the quality of the potatoes? Does it match the price? Suppressing his anger, as if he were walking a dog, Yan Wangsun went out for the fourth time to check the quality of the potatoes. The quality of the potatoes is average, about three to four coins per pound, so the price is not high. The chubby examiner smiled and said, Youve been eliminated. Why! Yan Wangsun argued, infuriated. He had been sent out by the chubby examiner four times, running there and back each time, working hard all this while, only to be told he failed? This is a mockery! The chubby examiner spread his hands, If you need to run out four times for a small matter like asking about potatoes, how can I trust you with work? Then you should have asked everything all at once! The chubby examiner shook his head, Its your fault for not being thorough. How can you me me for not asking everything? Young man, you need to learn to anticipate your superiors expectations at work. Ptui, you think youre the emperor, expecting people to guess your intentions. The chubby examiner wasnt annoyed, Even though you failed, you can stay. Yan Wangsun looked suspiciously at the chubby examiner, worried he was being yed again, Really? Do you remember the ball of paper you picked up when you first entered? I deliberately threw it on the floor, just to see who would pick it up. Yan Wangsun was pleased, thinking perhaps this was a test of his responsibility and observation skills. We just happen to need someone for cleaning, so youll stay and take care of the cleanliness. Yan Wangsun: Yan Wangsun wanted to curse, but he never did. After all, being allowed to stay meant he passed the test, which was a good thing. Next, called the chubby examiner. Barbarian Bone entered the room, and Yan Wangsun, seeing Barbarian Bones simple appearance, somewhat disdained him, thinking this person would surely be yed by the examiner just like himself. Go see if theres anyone selling potatoes at the market, asked the chubby examiner, posing the same question. Barbarian Bone simply acknowledged and left, returning after more than ten minutes. Theres an old man at the market pushing a cart selling potatoes, eighty pounds of them, three coins per pound, the quality matches the price, and the old man said if you buy more potatoes, the price could be ten percent cheaper Barbarian Bones answer was extremely detailed, even addressing issues the chubby examiner hadnt considered, leaving Yan Wangsun, who stood by, stunned. Despite Barbarian Bones robust appearance, he was actually a person with a delicate heart and considerate thoughts. He excelled in learning humbly, especially from Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. From the current situation, theres still a long way to go before graduation. Congrattions, youve been kept. See, what did I tell you, this Barbarian Bone is a promising seed, right? The vice sect leader was pleased to see Barbarian Bone pass the test again, proving his question design was correct. Others managed to answer the examiners four questions in two runs, barely qualifying. But only Barbarian Bone perfectly matched his expectations. The sect leader nodded, It seems the second challenge tests whether the task is done thoroughly, whether one can consider things from their superiors perspective. In the path of cultivation, one must be careful and leave no trace, to avoid giving the righteous path any leverage. Moreover, only by considering the superiors perspective can one demonstrate potential for promotion, which is why the vice sect leader designed the second challenge based on various considerations. This time, there shouldnt be another method, the vice sect leader said with a smug smile. The sect leader remained silent, focusing on the two individuals who had performed excellently in the first challenge. His intuition told him that perhaps there was another way. (End of the chapter) Chapter 71: Sincerity The test for the second challenge is to genuinely convince the examiner to keep me? Meng Jingzhou read the passing condition in his mind again. What a strange test. It sounds not too difficult. But where am I now? Meng Jingzhou sat on a row of benches, with four people in front of him and five behind, making up a group of ten, with him right in the middle. Oh, I see, Im applying for a position at amerce association. The setting given to him by the Evesting Sect popped into his mind. Meng Jingzhou looked at the white wall in front of him, his right hand moved unconsciously, bending his middle and ring fingers. Nothing came out. Huh? Why am I making such a weird gesture? Meng Jingzhou was puzzled, not remembering ever having such a habit. Never mind, lets focus on the application. Meng Jingzhou noticed that after the first person entered the room where the examiner was, they hurried out, then rushed back in, going back and forth three or four times.Meng Jingzhou enthusiastically shouted, Hey, brother, what are you running for? Is the examiner testing your running speed? Then I suggest you change your shoes, the quality of the shoes can really help with your running speed. Also, your starting position, squat on the ground, support yourself with both hands, arch your body, thats the fastest way to run. Believe me, I have a lot of experience The person looked at Meng Jingzhou as if he were an idiot, ignoring him, and ran out to check the quality of the potatoes. It was clearly stated in the rules that candidates are not allowed to disclose the questions to each other. The first, second, third, fourth person, each one ran quite diligently, naturally, none of them passed. Whether they passed or not, after the interview, they disappeared immediately, so those behind couldnt judge whether running back and forth more times meant passing or failing. Next up, Meng Jingzhou! the chubby examiner called from inside. Here Ie. Meng Jingzhou walked in, full of energy. The chubby examiner, as usual, asked with a smile, Meng Jingzhou, can you go to the market and see if anyones selling potatoes? Meng Jingzhou didnt move. The chubby examiner thought he hadnt made himself clear, so he repeated the question slowly and clearly. This time Meng Jingzhou spoke, Why? What do you mean, why? The chubby examiner couldnt follow Meng Jingzhous line of thought. I mean, why do I need to go to the market to see if anyones selling potatoes? Do you know what were doing right now? Were having an interview, the chubby examiner said as if it were obvious. Exactly, you said it yourself, this is an interview, not running errands for you. Besides, didnt you ask the same question to the previous four people? You asked one question four times and still not satisfied, and you want to ask a fifth time? The chubby examiner patiently said, This is a test question. Meng Jingzhou went to the market obediently and reported back, There are potatoes for sale. How many potatoes? Meng Jingzhou didnt know the answer, stood up to leave, and the chubby examiner smirked, thinking juste back one more time, and Ill dere you failed. Unexpectedly, when Meng Jingzhou opened the door, there stood an old man right outside. Meng Jingzhou asked the old man at the door, How many potatoes do you have in your cart? The old man said, Eighty pounds. Meng Jingzhou turned around and said, He said there are eighty pounds of potatoes. Do you also want to ask how much they cost per pound? The chubby examiner opened his mouth but didnt manage to ask how much per pound because the old man at the door could answer immediately. Whats the point in asking then! Why did you bring the potato seller here?! the chubby examiner angrily said. How was he supposed to continue the test now? Meng Jingzhou shrugged, I asked him if several people hade over asking about the potatoes. The old manined that several people had looked at his potatoes, ran back, came over again to ask how many pounds there were, ran back again, and also asked how much they cost per pound, asking without buying. I asked if he wanted to meet the person who kept asking without buying, he said yes, so I brought him over. The chubby examiner: What to do next, nobody had ever told him he might encounter this situation. Thinking of Meng Jingzhous disrespect towards him, the chubby examiner hardened his heart and shouted, You cant anticipate whats expected, youre eliminated Before the chubby examiner could finish, Meng Jingzhou kicked him, Nonsense expectations, giving you this fatty face! After saying that, Meng Jingzhou ran out. The chubby examiner pped the table to pieces, You stop right there! The examiner genuinely wanted to keep Meng Jingzhou from leaving, so Meng Jingzhou passed the test. The vice sect leader rubbed his temples in pain, What kind of bizarre method of passing is this? He had set the rule that examiners must genuinely want to keep the interviewee to prevent some from taking shortcuts, such as bribing the examiner. He thought he had been meticulous enough, but he hadnt anticipated such an unexpected method of passing. The examiner wanted to genuinely keep Meng Jingzhou so much that he genuinely wanted to tear Meng Jingzhou apart. Was there something wrong with this kids brain, or was it actually me who was brainless? Evesting Being, give me an answer, the vice sect leader muttered, praying to the Evesting Being, hoping for a response. If only the Evesting Being could hear you, the sect leader interrupted the vice sect leaders prayer. The vice sect leader didnt think the sect leader was spheming; he knew the sect leader was the most devout believer in the Evesting Sect. He sighed, How many times have we tried and failed? Weve never been able to revive the Evesting Being. If we could, what would the Great Xia Dynasty matter, or the righteous path? None would be a match for the Evesting Being! Only with a sacrifice of blood can the Evesting Being be revived. The two did not discuss this topic further. The vice sect leader asked, What do you think of this Meng Jingzhou? The sect leader marveled, Unconventional, truly a talent. The sect leader thought, thankfully, he hadnt agreed with the vice sect leader that there would definitely not be another way to pass; otherwise, where would he, as the sect leader, put his face? This kid is also considered a talent? Of course, I think our Evesting Sect needs this kind of talent with a way of thinking different from ordinary people. You see, the Dao Seeking Sect of the righteous path, why can it survive in the world? Ive summarized a few reasons, and the most important reason is that they possess wisdom beyond what ordinary people canprehend. The vice sect leaders mouth twitched, thinking the sect leader really had a way of making madness sound so elegant and fresh. The sect leader continued, Maybe this Meng Jingzhou could be a core force for our Evesting Sect, even a pir! Speaking of Meng Jingzhou, that noticeable kid from the first challenge, seems to be called Lu Yang. How did he perform? Making the examiner genuinely want to keep me? Lu Yang pondered, Whats so difficult about that? Just give the examiner a kick, and maybe spit on him for good measure, guaranteed to anger the examiner. Not just to keep me, but he might even wish to keep my life. But that method is too barbaric. Only a brute like Meng Jingzhou would use such a method. Im a civilized person, I cant do the same. (End of the chapter) Chapter 72: The Three Outstanding Figures of the Demonic Sect Among the ten interviewees, Lu Yang was sixth in line. He also noticed that the people in front of him entered the examiners room and then sprinted out at the speed of a 100-meter dash, only to run back in and out several times. What kind of bizarre test is this? Lu Yang, unable to sit still, knew the rules stated that discussing the interview content with other candidates was forbidden, but it didnt say anything about going outside to take a look. Lu Yang asked a demonic cultivator sitting next to him, who was resting with his eyes closed, Do you want to go outside and have a look? The demonic cultivator nced at Lu Yang disdainfully, smirked coldly, and said nothing. Why would a demonic cultivator act collectively? It must be a trap; no way he was going. Seeing the other person didnt respond, Lu Yang felt pity for him. He looks quite handsome, just a pity hes deaf. Wonder what he will do during the interview if he cant hear what the examiner says? Seeing no one paid him any attention, Lu Yang went outside.Outside was a bustling market, with vendors selling fruits, eggs, pork Allmon foods could be found here, with vendors either setting up stalls or pushing carts around to peddle their goods. An apple, please. Lu Yang bought an apple, wiped it, and ate it while observing the actions of the interviewees. Just then, the third person ran out to see if anyone was selling potatoes, noticed a vendor, and immediately went back to report to the examiner. Less than three minutester, the third person ran out again, asking the potato vendor how much per pound and the total amount avable. Three minutester, it was still the third person, running out to check the quality of the potatoes. Then came the fourth person, whose process was almost identical to the thirds, except he ran four times, not as quick-witted as the third. Lu Yang munched on his apple, deep in thought. Next, Fang Hao, called the chubby examiner. Fang Hao was the person Lu Yang had asked if he wanted to go outside together. Here! Surprisingly, Fang Hao wasnt mute. Go to the market and see if theres anyone selling potatoes, the chubby examiner repeated his usual question. Fang Hao hurried out and took a long time to return, which puzzled the chubby examiner. Just as the chubby examiner was getting impatient, Fang Hao came back, Theres no one selling potatoes at the market. How many pounds of potatoes wait, what did you say? No one selling potatoes? Fang Hao didnt understand why the chubby examiner reacted so strongly and nodded, Yes, I ran around the market twice and confirmed theres no one selling potatoes. Thats impossible! The chubby examiner thought Fang Hao was lying, so he hurried out, with Fang Hao following behind. As soon as the chubby examiner stepped outside, he saw Lu Yang pushing a cart of potatoes with a sign that read Potatoes Not for Sale. The old man who was supposed to be selling potatoes was happily counting his money next to him. Seeing the chubby examiner, Lu Yang pushed the cart and ran, infuriating the examiner. What would happen to the rest of the interviews if the potatoes ran away? Stop right there!! Lu Yang passed the test. Outrageous! The vice sect leader roared, a domineering and terrifying aura emanating from him, shaking the entire hall, causing ripples on the surface of the pool, blurring the scene. His meticulously designed test was filled with loopholes by these two troublemakers, an utter disgrace! The sect leader calmly stepped in to contain the vice sect leaders aura. They had built the hall in a ce not easily discovered, and it would be a joke if they were discovered by the righteous path because of this. The sect leader advised, Dont get angry so easily. Right now, they have forgotten everything and only remember they need to find a way to pass. We are a demonic sect, focusing on killing to resurrect the immortal. How could we kill over such a matter? Moreover, these two individuals have taken an unconventional path, which is a rare talent. The development of our Evesting Sect has alwayscked a major breakthrough, and I think these two are our hope. The vice sect leader felt that there was no hope for the Evesting Sect. The sect leader excitedly said, Speaking of which, this Barbarian Bone, along with Meng Jingzhou and Lu Yang, they alle from Yanjiang County, right? Who would have thought that such a small ce as Yanjiang County could produce three talents? It wouldnt be an exaggeration to call them the three outstanding figures of the demonic sect. With these three, our sect is like a tiger that has grown wings! The vice sect leader muttered under his breath, A tiger that has grown wings, isnt that Qiongqi? Even Qiongqi cant defeat the righteous path. The sect leader red at him, Youve shown off you have culture. Now shut up. The vice sect leader obediently kept quiet. (TL Note: Qiongqi is a mythological beast part of the Four Perils from the ssic of Mountains and Seas.) Yanjiang Lodge. Eleven stewards exerted all their strength to maintain the formation, while nearly a hundred demonic cultivators stood still, their eyes vacant, mindless, as their consciousness reced their physical bodies in the test. Maintaining the formation was too boring, so the stewards chatted while eating Qi-restoring pills, Qin Yuanhao has been missing for so long, hes probably dead. Definitely dead, just not sure how he died. Ive always said, that kid, always scheming this and that, thinking everything was under his control, was bound to anger some enemy who would take advantage of a dark and windy night to finish him off. Qin Yuanhaos body hasnt been found yet. Was he killed by an enemy? What else? Could it be that a benefactor turned foe and killed him? In our line of work, we dont have benefactors. I heard that the night before Qin Yuanhao died, he was out enjoying himself at a brothel with Wang Big Mouth? The stewardsughed softly, theirughter echoing. Just as Qin Yuanhao had hoped, Wang Big Mouth spread everywhere how Qin Yuanhao and he were invincible at the brothel, going in and out seven times. Then Qin Yuanhao died. Thus, a rumor spread throughout Yanjiang Lodge that Qin Yuanhao died from exhaustion. If Qin Yuanhao knew this under the nine springs, he could rest in peace. I wonder how many will pass the test this time. Although many participate in the initiation ceremony, only one in ten passing the test and sessfully joining the sect is considered good. They had be stewards through simr tests and knew the difficulty. This time, with the vice sect leader personally overseeing it, the difficulty was definitely among the highest of all tests! Only the lodge master knows the oue. The eleven looked towards the lodge master in meditation. The lodge master also used the formation to enter the mysterious space constructed by the Evesting Sect, where all lodge masters could see the performance of their respective lodges. The performance of Lu Yang and the others was outstanding, making the lodge masters face bloom like a chrysanthemum with joy. But he wore a mask, so no one could see how happy he was. He excitedly muttered to himself, If these three pass smoothly and receive high praise from above, Yanjiang Lodges annual performance will definitely be in the forefront. With some maneuvering and a cultivation boost, maybe next year I could be transferred to a wealthier ce as a lodge master, or even directly promoted to a hall master! After the three tests, the vice sect leader or sect leader would give a rating to the new members who performed exceptionally, like Qin Yuanhaos rating was demonic nature to the bone. The lodge master believed the rating for Lu Yang and the others would definitely be higher than Qin Yuanhaos. Just one look at these three, and you know theyre up to no good! (End of the chapter) Chapter 73: The Righteous Path Spy Huh? Are we back again? Lu Yang opened his eyes and found himself once again in the mysterious white space. There were many familiar faces around, Meng Jingzhou, Barbarian Bone, Chi Xulong, Shen Jinyi, and others. Out of the ten who sessfully passed the previous two challenges in Yanjiang Lodge, Lu Yang only recognized halfsince he hadnt had the chance to deceive personal information from the other half while impersonating the examiner. The memories of passing the previous two challenges gradually returned to his mind: the Mantis Fist from the first challenge, pushing the potato cart in the second It seems that the Evesting Sects tests are not so difficult. Lu Yang felt his methods were just standard operations, achievable by anyone with a brain. I think so too, agreed Meng Jingzhou. For the first challenge, getting bitten by a spider, and for the second, just punching that fatty. Lu Yang looked at Meng Jingzhou with slight surprise: Huh? Howe our methods of passing are different? Meng Jingzhou confidently waved his hand: That still needs to be asked? Obviously, mine is the standard answer, and you just stumbled through. Lu Yang scoffed at Meng Jingzhous confidence: Ridiculous, my first challenges Mantis Fist showcased my martial arts prowess. What does your first challenge show, good luck? Does bing a member of the Evesting Sect depend on that? Clearly, mine is the standard answer!I advise you to face reality. Barbarian Bone, watching the two arguing fiercely from the sidelines, silently recalled his own method of passing. Learning perseverance from the spider in the first challenge, and nning from the mantis, then empathetic thinking and thoroughness in the second challenge. It seems my method of passing was rather ordinary. It appears that Lu and Mengs methods are the correct ones. Just not sure whos exactly right. Barbarian Bone murmured to himself, feeling he had learned something new. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou argued for a long time without reaching a conclusion. It was Barbarian Bone, the observer, who had the clearest mind, ending their debate. Is it possible that both of your methods are correct? The demonic path values reckless abandon; theres no correct answer, or perhaps any method that leads to passing is correct. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou looked at Barbarian Bone in surprise, finding his reasoning very sound. I didnt expect the Evesting Sects test to be so open-ended. Lu Yang admired, and Meng Jingzhou nodded. Speaking of which, weve only passed two challenges, why are we back here? What about the third challenge? The three then remembered their main task. The vice sect leaders figure reappeared in the sky, holding a palm-sized sphere with a slit in the middle. He stepped forward in the air, and the mysterious white space immediately changed. Centered on him, buildings rose like a tide, with walls, pces, courtyards, towering mountains, rivers running through the city, hurried pedestrians, vendors calling out, and cultivators moving mountains and seas It was a magnificent city of cultivation! The vice sect leader then dispersed everyone by lodge, with the ten from the Yanjiang Rudder sitting in a small building with a view of the outside. The vice sect leaders emotionless voice rang in everyones ears: Congrattions on passing the first two challenges. Now, you will proceed to the third challenge. This is a simted city. Soon, I will release your true nature, which will convince you this is the real world, allowing you to do the bad things you truly wish to do. The more destructive you are, the higher our evaluation of you, with a time limit of one day and one night. After speaking, the vice sect leader raised the sphere, which opened a slit to reveal a ck pupil. This was not a sphere at all, but a giant eye! The giant eye opened, casting a bizarre purple light over the entire city. The vice sect leaders consciousness returned to the headquarters, still holding the giant eye. It truly is an Evesting Eye crafted by the Evesting Being himself, capable of unleashing ones true nature and enticing the darkest side of the human heart. Only an immortal treasure could achieve such a feat. The vice sect leader reluctantly handed the Evesting Eye back to the sect leader, cherishing the rare opportunity to use an immortals treasure. Theoretically, he didnt have the authority to use the Evesting Eye. For the purpose of initiating the third challenge, the sect leader temporarily entrusted it to him. The sect leader said, This third challenge is crucial, as it determines whether there are righteous cultivators infiltrating our ranks as spies. The Evesting Eye can release ones true nature. Righteous cultivators, being inherently good, wont cause much destruction. Under the glow of the Evesting Eye, those righteous cultivators wont even be able to act against their nature tomit murder or arson! Even when witnessing injustice, righteous cultivators will intervene to stop it, allowing us to filter out those righteous infiltrators among us! Bing a member of the Evesting Sect primarily requires not being a spy from the righteous path. The vice sect leader chuckled, Moreover, the Evesting Eye can automatically judge the level of destruction based on ones cultivation, making our job easy. With the Evesting Eye, you and I just need to wait for the results. PisshC A pedestrians heart was pierced by a sword, causing bystanders to scream and flee, while a demonic cultivator stood behind,ughing heartily, shing and killing others, leaving a trail of decapitated bodies and corpses everywhere. What a thrill, what a thrill! The demonic cultivator had never felt such exhration in killing, feeling joyful and releasing his true nature, Today, I will establish my foundation in the Evesting Sect with your corpses! He seized the opportunity to kill to his hearts content. Stop! Arge spear suddenly appeared, deflecting the demonic cultivators sword. The demonic cultivator, recognizing the neer, paused slightly, Who do I have here if not Fang Hao? Always acting so cool, I thought you were a real evildoer of the demonic path, turns out youre from the righteous path. Fang Hao struggled to calm himself, reminding himself this was a critical moment not to reveal his true identity from the righteous path, but under the purple light of the Evesting Eye, any disguise was futile. He couldnt stand the wanton ughter by the demonic cultivator and sought to stop it by any means possible! This inner urge was unstoppable by any means! Fang Hao shed with the demonic cultivator, swords and spears colliding, with no clear victor in sight. There really was a spy from the righteous path! the vice sect leader eximed angrily. Without the third challenge, this Fang Hao would have infiltrated the Evesting Sect! The sect leaders gaze was cold, You know what to do without me saying. The vice sect leader nodded, Ill have the Yanjiang Lodges master kill him right away! Kill him, my foot. Quickly inform the Yanjiang Lodges master that our location ispromised, and they need to flee immediately! Ah? The vice sect leader was taken aback. The sect leader exined impatiently, What ah? If Fang Hao could infiltrate our test, it means the righteous path already knows Yanjiang Lodges location. Dont you think we should tell them to pack up and run? What about Fang Hao? We cant kill him. The righteous path surely has a soulmp for Fang Hao. Killing him would alert them that their spys cover is blown, and theyd storm Yanjiang Lodge immediately, leaving no time to escape. (End of the chapter) Chapter 74: The Ultimate Move of the Shape-Imitating Fist Everyone else from Yanjiang Lodge had already left in a hurry to cause trouble, leaving only the three of them behind. Without restraint, the three of them alone could turn the entire cultivation city upside down. Unfortunately, their nature didnt allow it; they were here in the demonic sect as undercover agents, among many genuine demonic cultivators. No wonder Ive never heard of anyone sessfully infiltrating the Immortal Sect as an undercover agent; theres actually such a test, Meng Jingzhou also found it exceptionally challenging. Whats the worst thing you guys want to do? Lu Yang asked. It took a while for Meng Jingzhou to uncertainly respond, Does going to a brothel count? He had been forbidden by his family from ces like brothels since he was young. The uncles and brothers who had been to brothels said it was a terrifying ce, not suitable for kids. Seeing the miserable state of his uncles and brothers kneeling and scrubbing the washboard after returning from brothels, Meng Jingzhou believed brothels indeed were terrifying ces. Now, as a single oh no, with a Pure Yang Spirit Root, he was even less able to go.For Meng Jingzhou, rebelling by going to a brothel was the worst thing he could think of. Barbarian Bone couldnt even begin to think of anything. Forget it, we still have a days time, lets go rx at the brothel, Lu Yang suggested, already having a n in mind. A joke, could these rules really restrain him? It was still early; there was no need to act now. After all, opportunities like this were rare; it might as well fulfill Meng Jingzhous wish first. Meng Jingzhous eyes lit up, right, this isnt their real bodies, a visit wouldnt hurt. Lets go, lets go, Meng Jingzhou urged the two to join him. He would feel uneasy going to such ces alone. Unable to persuade Meng Jingzhou otherwise, they had no choice but to apany him. The brothel was in a conspicuous location, and the three easily found it. Dressed mboyantly, the sisters at the entrance were using handkerchiefs to attract customers, their slight gestures pulling in the souls of passersby. At the brothels entrance, Barbarian Bone got cold feet and began retreating, I am a schr; this is not a ce for schrs. The sage said that the beauty of a woman is a skeleton, and the citys downfall turns to white bones. I cannot make a mistake. Despite much persuasion, they couldnt change his mind and had to give up. Lu Yang, being a true friend, said, Since youre unwilling to go to the brothel, Ill go in your ce. Barbarian Bone sighed in relief, thinking Lu Yang was reliable. Then, he watched in disbelief as Lu Yang performed a series of Shape-Imitating Fist moves, transforming into his own likeness. Barbarian Bone: !!! Lu Yang patted the stunned Barbarian Bone, signaling him to rx, Im going. Barbarian Bone quickly grabbed his duplicate, You cant go! Even if you do, you cant transform into me! Im doing this out of kindness for you, how unfortunate if you cant go. Lu Yangs sincerity was palpable. Barbarian Bone firmly disagreed. Dont be shy, Lu Yang persuaded. In reality, Lu Yang was also nervous; he had never been to such ces before. What if something went wrong? He couldnt let Meng Jingzhou ridicule him for a lifetime. Naturally, Lu Yang thought of transforming into Barbarian Bones appearance; if there was any embarrassment, it wouldnt be his own. He certainly couldnt reveal this thought. As the three were arguing, they heard a loud bang from the brothel, followed by womens screams and mens raucousughter. The three turned sharply to see over a dozen cultivators wreaking havoc in the brothel, with abducted respectable women in their arms. These cultivators didnt bother to conceal their cultivation levels, all at the Foundation Establishment stage, and even two or three of them had an aura not inferior to the previously encountered tiger demon! These individuals were all cultivators who hade to participate in the trial. Scoundrels! A righteous fury rose from the depths of their hearts,pelling them to intervene and stop these people. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone were about to act but were restrained by Lu Yang. Lets not be hasty. There are only three of us; we cant possibly defeat them. What do we do then? Meng Jingzhou asked urgently. Lu Yang waved his hand, I have a way to temporarily boost my strength. Just give me a moment. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone were curious. They didnt have any strength-enhancing pills like the Ten Bulls Strength Pill on them. Could it be that Lu Yang had learned some secret technique to temporarily increase his cultivation level? Lu Yang took a deep breath, and his movements softened. His gaze shifted from lively to cold, expressionless, and aloof. Meng Jingzhou squinted, then suddenly widened his eyes in realization. That motion was strikingly simr to their Senior Sister Yun Zhi! Lu Yang was practicing the Lu Familys Shape-Imitating Fist, transforming into the image of Senior Sister Yun Zhi. He had joked before that the Lu Familys Shape-Imitating Fist had nine levels, and upon reaching the ninth level, one could instantaneously transform into a Transcending Tribtion stage powerhouse. He made such a im because he noticed when he transformed into Barbarian Bone, his physical strength was somewhat stronger than his actual self. The Lu Familys Shape-Imitating Fist could acquire a portion of the transformed persons power! There were definitely limits to this power; it couldnt increase indefinitely, but it was still incredibly powerful. Lu Yang wanted to transform into Senior Sister Yun Zhi to see how much strength he could gain and whether it would be enough to defeat these people. Sorry, Senior Sister. A breathtakingly beautiful woman appeared, her presence radiant, and her demeanor carrying an eternal frost that seemed to have not melted for thousands of years. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone, upon seeing this beautiful woman, instinctively held their breath, their legs trembling. Lu Yang had sessfully transformed into Senior Sister Yun Zhi! Lu Yang felt a powerful force descending from the heavens, surging into his body! At the Heavens Gate Peak of the Dao Seeking Sect, Yun Zhi sat cross-legged, her eyes open, gazing into the sky as if she could see the endless stars beyond. Her presence was minimized to the extreme, making her seem like a mere mortal to any observer. But mortals do not float at the peak of mountains, nor do their eyes reflect the brilliant gxy. Hm? Who borrowed my power? Yun Zhi withdrew her gaze, sensing a trace of her power being siphoned away, flying off into the distant void. Its time to see who has such gall! Yun Zhi had never encountered such a daring thief before. She shattered her mortal facade, releasing her aura like a sharp spear, piercing the clouds, showcasing the demeanor of the Dao Seeking Sects Senior Sister. Yun Zhis soul detached, transforming into a sharp beam of light, chasing after the sliver of power that had separated from her body. Cough! Lu Yang couldnt bear even a fraction of Senior Sisters strength and reverted to his original form. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone also breathed a sigh of relief; Lu Yang, in the guise of Senior Sister, was too oppressive. Crack A crisp sound emanated from above. Whether it was the demonic cultivators engaged in murder and arson or the three heroes poised for a righteous act, everyone halted their actions, staring dumbfounded at the sky. The seemingly boundless space unexpectedly developed a crack, as if struck by an unknown force. Crack, crack, crack The crack widened, turning into a gaping hole as if the heavens had opened up. A dazzling figure appeared at the breach, her brow furrowed. This aura is it from the demonic path? (End of the chapter) Chapter 75: Fleeing for Life! In the headquarters of the Evesting Sect, inside an ancient bronze cauldron, mists of white vapor swirled, hosting the consciousness of the demonic cultivators. The Evesting Eye opened, casting a light screen that disyed rankings. The Sect Master and Vice Sect Master were observing the exceptional performances of those ranked at the top. Look at this person from Kunlun City. He recites the Rebirth Mantra before killing. Quite a sense of ritual. I heard he was a monk in a temple before, advocating that killing leads to enlightenment. He secretly killed many. When the abbot found out and decided to execute him, he smashed the Buddha statue and fled. He joined our Evesting Sect to see if the Evesting Being truly supports his philosophy. That youngster from Quhe County is quite creative too. He incited kin against kin, making children kill their fathers and grandsons kill their grandfathers, then turning the dead into puppets. Oh, this one is interesting. He smashed the load-bearing walls, causing buildings to copse and kill many. They enthusiastically reviewed the top-ranked cultivators. Those who could make it to the top were all ruthless and likely to rise to high positions in the future. What about those three who performed well in the first two trials?After scrolling through the light screen for a while, they found Lu Yang and his group discussing whether to visit the brothel. The Vice Sect Master was displeased with their low ranking: So far behind. Could they be righteous spies incapable of wrongdoing? The Sect Master shook his head wisely: We shouldnt think like that. I believe this Lu Yang is quite resourceful. He must have a n to make a big impact. Not all misdeeds need to be rushed; long-term nning is sometimes the better strategy. Seeing no action from Lu Yang, they scrolled back to the top to see what the number one had done. The first ce is a poison user, he poisoned a well, killing an entire street. He also poisoned cattle to make them rampage through the streets, killing many. Excellent use of poison. What a strange method, buying up a block of shops and then firing all the staff. And this one, simr, bought the shops and then forced the staff to work overtime without pay? This counts as wrongdoing? The Vice Sect Master felt out of touch with the times. Suddenly, a powerful soul descended from the sky, breaking through the sects defenses and heading straight for the ancient bronze cauldron brimming with primordial energy! The cauldron, unable to withstand such brute force, developed a fine crack on its surface! Not my cauldron! the Sect Master eximed. The cauldron, known as the Mountain and Rivers Cauldron, capable of containing all things, was his lifes work, a magic treasure just a step away from being a celestial treasure! A soul descent, a righteous powerhouse has discovered us! The Sect Master was in disbelief. What had happened that they were discovered by a righteous powerhouse in the blink of an eye? This presence is it Yun Zhi from the Dao Seeking Sect?! The Sect Master recognized the familiar aura, recalling some dreadful memories, his spine chilling. The Vice Sect Master, with a fierce look, prepared to fight: Yun Zhi? Just a disciple from the Dao Seeking Sect. With all of us together, cant we take her down? Yun Zhi seldom acted, and her reputation in the Central Continent was not as prominent as that of an Dao Seeking Sect master, eight elders, or even Dai Bufan. But herck of fame did not mean shecked power. Those who had witnessed her in action were profoundly shaken, overturning their understanding of cultivation. The Sect Master had seen Yun Zhis power firsthand: plucking stars, reversing yin and yang, effortlessly suppressing formidable enemies, making him feel his three thousand years of cultivation were wasted. The Sect Master kicked the Vice Sect Master aside, indicating it was time to struggle for their lives: Youve never seen her in action and dont understand her terror. Listen to me, run now, or even the Evesting Being wont save you! His leadership was not just due to his devotion to the Evesting Being or his high cultivation but also his caution, knowing when to struggle for life, flee for life, or resign. Facing Yun Zhi head-on was not struggling for life; it was resignation. The Sect Master cast ancient and profound seals towards the Mountain and Rivers Cauldron, attempting to block Yun Zhis advance. The Vice Sect Master, having never seen the Sect Master so agitated, realized the gravity of the situation. He sent an urgent message to all high-ranking officials, ordering an immediate escape to an alternate headquarters. The Evesting Sect had detailed ns and escape routes for an ambush by the righteous path, rehearsed multiple times, making the leadership well-versed in them. In a blink, the Sects high ranks vanished. The Sect Master, disying extraordinary powers, fortified the cauldrons seals while ensuring the return of other consciousnesses to their bodies. As the cauldrons cracks multiplied, unable to keep pace with the sealing, the Sect Master breathed a sigh of relief as everyone escaped. He severed the cauldrons connection and spat out a mouthful of lifeblood, a bacsh from his life-bound magic treasure. His energy plummeted, hisplexion ashen. Ignoring his condition, the Sect Master fled. Boom The Mountain and Rivers Cauldron shattered, shaking the entire headquarters. Yun Zhi emerged, her expression stoic, embodying an ancient warrior goddess, sacred and invible. She examined the Sect Masters blood, calcted with a flick, and a cold light shed in her eyes. That direction. Conjuring a zing white light, like a thunderbolt purging evil, sheunched it at the Sect Master. Surprised to be discovered by Yun Zhi, he couldnt dodge in time, and a wound opened on his shoulder. Golden Cicada Shedding! The Sect Master had many escape techniques. By the time Yun Zhi caught up, only a remnant of his body was left. Back at the alternate headquarters, the Sect Master, staggering, stuffed himself with life-sustaining pills. Severing the connection with the cauldron and using the Golden Cicada Shedding technique took a toll he wouldnt recover from for hundreds of years. But the most significant loss was the Mountain and Rivers Cauldron, crafted from the collective effort of the Sect, costing as much as ten years of the Great Xia Dynastys revenue. Such a treasure falling into the Dao Seeking Sects hands was a grievous loss. How do you feel? the Vice Sect Master inquired, still shaken by Yun Zhis action. Had it been him, he would have perished. Only the Sect Masters skill saved him. I wont die. The Sect Master was also shaken, Luckily, we had a backup n and a prepared hideout. Yun Zhi couldnt find us, or the four major demonic sects would have be three. With the Mountain and Rivers Cauldron shattered, lets end the third trial. Lets see whos in first ce now. The Evesting Eye projected a light screen with a name at the top. The first ce, Lu Yang. Hmm? (End of the chapter) Chapter 76: Evaluation Who exactly borrowed my power? Yun Zhi wondered. The Evesting Sect had fled lock, stock, and barrel, not even leaving a person behind, only the Mountain and Rivers Cauldron, which was valuable enough to buy a top-tier sect. Even now, she couldnt find who had borrowed her power. Magic includes a spell called Divine Descent, which allows borrowing power with the owners permission. However, this spell is nearly lost and very difficult to learn; Yun Zhi hadnt seen it used in a long time. And who could borrow power without her consent? Yun Zhi felt the person who borrowed the power had no ill intent, which is why she instinctively didnt resist the power leakage. Yun Zhi had a guess who it might be. But where did he learn Divine Descent? Yun Zhi didnt remember teaching Lu Yang such a spell. First ce, Lu Yang.Hm? The first ce changed? The Vice Sect Leader was puzzled; they had been too busy fleeing to notice what Lu Yang had done. The Mountain and Rivers Cauldron shattered, so they couldnt review the yback. But the Evesting Eye cannot be wrong; these three caused the most destruction! The Sect Leader affirmed, he also hadnt guessed what Lu Yang had done. The previous first ce, in a short time, had killed hundreds and put thousands in danger, and Lu Yang managed to surpass him to be first, truly unimaginable. But theres no need to guess; the Evesting Eye, being a treasure of the immortals, even more superior than the Mountain and Rivers Cauldron, is absolutely infallible. Indeed, Lu Yang summoning Yun Zhi, destroying the Mountain and Rivers Cauldron, and the headquarters of the Evesting Sect, brought about one of the top three acts of destruction in its history. In terms of damage brought to the Sect Leader alone, he deserves first ce. The Sect Leader, forgetting his pain, proudly said, See, I told you, this Lu Yang has great wisdom. Just when youre not paying attention, he can make a big move, now hes in first ce. Dont underestimate Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone, whom you favor. Given enough time, they would surely rank second and third. The Vice Sect Leader was thoroughly convinced, the Sect Leader is indeed the Sect Leader, not only cautious in action but also sharp in insight. No wonder hes the Sect Leader, and the other is only a Vice Sect Leader. Whats your evaluation of Lu Yang? After pondering for a moment, the Sect Leader slowly said, In the first challenge, Lu Yang took an unconventional approach, revealing his martial arts talent, entering the path through martial arts, which is rare in the world. In the second challenge, he observed closely, summarized the rules, bought all the potatoes, making it impossible for subsequent interviewees to take the test, showing his tremendous potential for destruction. This characteristic was even more pronounced in the third challenge, calling him a natural-born demon wouldnt be an exaggeration. The Vice Sect Leader was amazed; he had known the Sect Leader for so long yet had never heard him give such high praise to anyone. And Meng Jingzhou? Meng Jingzhou, in the first challenge, gained strength from a spider bite, which is a manifestation of luck. In this great era, he is like a chosen one. In the second challenge, he meticulously studied the test question, thought from multiple perspectives, seemingly arrogant and domineering, but actually nning every step carefully, eventually breaking through the examiners psychological defense to pass the test. Unfortunately, the third challenge ended before he could demonstrate his strengths, slightly inferior to Lu Yang. A demon or a god descends, is also an extremely rare evaluation. Not many young people receive such high praise from the Sect Leader. Meng Jingzhous future is boundless. And Barbarian Bone? In the first challenge, he showed insight, persistence, and strategy. In the second, his problem-solving was quite thorough. Its just that hecked decisiveness in the third challenge. Among the past tests, he belongs to the group with extremely outstanding performance. Unfortunately, with such precedents, I can only give him the evaluation of Demon in Heart. Demon in Heart, ording to past experiences, as long as one does not fall, they can all be high-ranking officials of the Evesting Sect. Should we bring them to the headquarters for meticulous cultivation? the Vice Sect Leader asked. The Sect Leader shook his head, sharing his wisdom, Dont rush. Start from the grassroots level, at least two years of grassroots experience is essential. Trust me, grassroots experience is very helpful for future growth. Thats how I came up. Moreover, I have a n. Lu Yang is imaginative and possesses great destructive power. Lets see if he can infiltrate righteous sects, such as the Dao Seeking Sect, as he grows. The Vice Sect Leader chuckled, thinking the Sect Leader was overestimating them. It might be feasible to infiltrate other sects, but the Dao Seeking Sect was a tall order. The ideas of the Dao Seeking Sect disciples are hard to keep up with; infiltrating it would soon reveal them as out of ce. Infiltrating the Dao Seeking Sect is easier said than done. Im off to heal, said the Sect Leader before retreating to a secret chamber for recuperation. The Vice Sect Leader, from beginning to end, had no intention of usurping power, and today was an example. Of course, killing the Sect Leader would allow him to climb up a step, but what then? What if the righteous path attacks again? Could he make the right decisions? One wrong judgment could lead to death under the righteous paths maneuvers, and by then, regretting usurpation would be toote. Yanjiang Lodge. Ten people passed the test, and three received the evaluations of Natural-Born Demon, Demon or God Descends, and Demon in Heart?! The helmsman, hearing the message from the Sect Leader, was so pleased his eyebrows lifted. This was even better than his best estimation! A promotion opportunity was right before his eyes! Those demonic cultivators who failed the first and second challenges, during their unconscious state, the eleven stewards acted separately, disposing of them in various locations. When they woke up, they would forget the location of Yanjiang Lodge, thinking their recent experiences were just a dream. The most foolproof method would be to kill them, ensuring the location of Yanjiang Lodge would never be exposed. However, the Evesting Sect, considering the bigger picture, did not do so. These demonic cultivators caused trouble wherever they went, attracting the attention of the righteous path. Amidst various chaotic information, the righteous path could not discern which actions were of the demonic cultivators and which were of the demonic sects, achieving the effect of muddying the waters. Lu Yang and the others gradually woke up, their minds a bit muddled from the overwhelming experiences. Thest scene they remembered before passing out was the eldest senior sister descending from the sky?! Lu Yang broke out in a cold sweat, hoping the eldest senior sister hadnt seen him transform into her likeness. If she had, hed be skinned alive. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone also remembered what happened. Lu Yangs Shape-Imitating Fist had summoned the real eldest senior sister. Lu Yang warned them with his eyes not to leak the news, and they promptly nodded in understanding. The helmsman suppressed his joy, attempting to sound as neutral as possible, From today on, you ten are members of our Evesting Sect. Normally, an initiation ceremony should be held, but todays three rounds of tests have drained everyones energy, myself included. It would be disrespectful to pay homage to the Evesting Being in this state. Lets formally hold the initiation ceremony here tomorrow. Lu Yang could tell from the helmsmans tone and the expressions of the eleven stewards that their faith in the Evesting Being wasnt a facade but a genuine belief in the existence of the Evesting Being. No wonder its called a sect, Lu Yang thought. (TL Note: To everyone who also didnt know this, A sect is a religious group that exists inside of arger religion I debated changing it to cult but Im honestly toozy and it mostly fits lol) The helmsman continued, However, it wouldnt be right not to celebrate the addition of new members today. Lets go out for a meal. I heard theres a new barbecue restaurant in the county called Come Again, with good reviews. Lets meet there in a bit; my treat. Lu Yang: Meng Jingzhou: Barbarian Bone: No rest, then? (End of the chapter) Chapter 77: Where’s the Owner, Come Out! So tired, dont feel like doing anything. The three yawned in unison, their eyelids fighting a losing battle. What was the helmsman thinking, suggesting wee here to eat? They were on their way back to the barbecue restaurant, after a day of wits and bravery, finally infiltrating the enemys ranks. Now, all they wanted was to have a good meal and sleep soundly. The Evesting Sect concentrated everyones thoughts on the Mountain and Rivers Cauldron, a process that caused immense fatigue. Lucky I had the specter skewer everything before we came, we can start serving as soon as we get back, Barbarian Bone mentioned, somewhat relieved. Arriving at the barbecue restaurant, Lu Yang spotted a familiar figure. Constable Wei? What are you doing here, something up? Constable Wei had been knocking on the barbecue restaurants door for a while, thinking there was nobody inside. Indeed, there was nobody inside, just two specters busily skewering, who were nearly scared to death by Constable Weis knocking and dared not open the door.Just as Constable Wei was about to give up, Lu Yang arrived. Constable Weis face lit up: Manager Lu, youre finally back. Lu Yang nodded, spouting a lie effortlessly: I saw the weather was nice this morning, and we three thought it was a great day for an outing, so we went for a stroll and just got back. Are you opening for business today? Lu Yang thought for a moment. The helmsman and his party wereing over, a total of about twenty people, which should count as opening: Yes. Constable Wei spoke in as gentle a tone as possible: Manager Lu, your barbecue restaurant has a bit of a reputation around here, and I oftene here with a few brothers. I know you just like running a barbecue ce, have no intention of expanding, and dislike others promoting you. Lu Yang nodded. Constable Wei expressed regret: My brothers cant keep their mouths shut. After eating, they went back praising how good your ce is. Now, others have be curious too. They said after shift tonight, we should alle here for a meal. The brothers on night shift at the magistrate office also said to bring some back for them. Lu Yang, seeing Constable Weis expression, thought it wasnt just his brothers who had talked, but Constable Wei himself must have spread the word too? So? There are quite a few of us bailiffs in Yanjiang County, enough to fill all the tables. The head bailiff will being too, and I was wondering if we could book the ce for the night, just serving us. Lu Yang suddenly realized, then showed a difficult expression: But I also have a few friendsing over tonight, Im afraid Constable Wei hurriedly said: No problem, no problem, the more the merrier. We can all eat together. Constable Wei had assured his colleagues they would definitely get to eat, and failing to do so would be embarrassing. Lu Yang agreed: Alright then, give us half an hour to prepare, and well open for business. Constable Wei, satisfied with the affirmative answer, happily left. As the appointed time by the helmsman neared, people from all directions gathered at the barbecue restaurant door, including the helmsman, eleven stewards, and seven new members. Chi Xulong and Shen Jinyi even brought several jars of wine. I was worried the wine here wouldnt be strong enough, so I brought a few jars of thirty-year-old spiritual wine, Daughters Red, Chi Xulong and Shen Jinyi said. This type of spiritual wine was very potent, enough to affect even those at the Foundation Establishment stage. The other five new members also brought wine as gifts, but being at the Qi Refinement stage, they couldnt bring anything exceptional. The helmsman, even changing his mask for the meal, chose one that revealed the lower half of his face. Lu Yang and hispanions stepped out of the barbecue restaurant, inviting everyone inside: Pleasee in, everything is ready. The ce was originally booked for the entire evening, but after some negotiation, the party agreed to leave us one table. The helmsman nodded, initially worried Lu Yang and his friends would be troublesome and not heed advice, considering giving them a lesson. Now, it seemed they were quite cooperative, having reserved seats in advance. Lets not stand around,e on in, the helmsman beckoned everyone. The barbecue restaurant was empty, and the helmsman naturally took the central table, thergest and best-positioned one, fitting his status. Lu Yang cautiously reminded, helmsman, this table has been reserved. Before the helmsman could respond, Chi Xulong interjected, Let them sit somewhere else. Who dares topete with us for seats? Seeing the helmsman didnt object, Lu Yang said no more. Everyone sat down, and Barbarian Bone took out the menu: What do we eat? Shen Jinyi passed the menu to the helmsman: Please order, helmsman. The helmsman gestured dismissively: Order whatever you like. Its on you, naturally you should order. No need, choose whatever. After going around the table, the menu ended up back with Barbarian Bone, who, feeling this group was overly fussy about ordering skewers, went to the backyard without demur to have the specters start grilling. Soon, Barbarian Bone brought out tters of fragrant skewers, and the smell alone told everyone the taste would be exceptional. Come on, skewers are served, pour the wine! the helmsmanughed, signaling everyone to drink. Meng Jingzhouughed, Maybe we skip the wine? Im used to drinking tea, not so fond of alcohol. The helmsman, all smiles, responded, Meng, when roaming the Jianghu, you must learn to drink. There will be plenty of asions for it in the future, start with three cups to get used to it. Meng Jingzhou still refused. Not wanting to lose face, the helmsman frowned slightly, and Chi Xulong seized the moment to scold, Whats the matter with you? The helmsman asks you to drink, and you refuse? Are you disrespecting the helmsman? Meng Jingzhou retorted, Its just drinking; how does it rte to respect? If the helmsman insists I drink, isnt that disrespecting me? Chi Xulong was about to retort that Meng Jingzhou had no right to talk about respect in front of the helmsman, but was stopped by the helmsman himself. The helmsman, seeing Meng Jingzhous potential, didnt want to argue with him. The Sect Leaders evaluation of Lu Yang and his friends was known only to the helmsman, not even to Lu Yang and hispanions themselves. Lets not make a big deal out of a wee meal. Let me introduce myself; my surname is Chu, you can call me Helmsman Chu. After the helmsmans introduction, it was the turn of the tall, thin man who had been to the brothel with Qin Yuanhao, My name is Wang He, people familiar with me like to call me Wang Big Mouth. Bai Zifang. Peng Shuo. The eleven stewards introduced themselves in turn, saying it was an introduction, but it was just stating their names. Their cultivation levels, hobbies, and special skills were not mentioned, keeping other information hidden. Trust is rare among demonic sects, with everyone preferring to keep their true selves hidden. As if no disagreement had urred, everyone enjoyed their meal harmoniously. These skewers really taste amazing, Chi Xulong, after eating a few, was pleasantly surprised. These were the best skewers he had ever tasted. He quietly asked the helmsman, Should we force the owner to hand over the recipe? These skewers could sell for spirit stones and make a fortune! The helmsman was tempted too. Murder, extortion, and ckmail were nothing new to him, and this wouldnt be the first time. Lu Yang asked from the side, And if the owner refuses to give up the recipe? Chi Xulongs eyes shed coldly, sneering, Then its up to him whether he values his life or the recipe more! mming the table, he looked for trouble, shouting, Owner,e out! The skewers are served, and you dont show your face. Do you understand the rules? Following that, Constable Weis voice rang from outside, Ha-ha, wheres the owner? Ive brought my brothers over. A crowd of bailiffs swarmed in, including the Golden Core stage head bailiff, surrounding the helmsmans table. (End of the chapter) Chapter 78: Righteous and Demonic, One Big Family The bailiffs spread out and took their seats, and Constable Wei wasnt exaggerating; indeed, many people came, nearly filling all the tables. The helmsmans table sat in the middle, surrounded by bailiffs. The atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious, embodying the saying righteous and demonic, one big family. Chi Xulong quickly lowered his head in fear. Despite his notorious reputation, it was all a facade he had built for himself. Whenmitting misdeeds, he either disguised himself or wore a mask, always avoiding officials as much as possible. Now that there was no escape, he could only keep his head down and pretend to be an ostrich. Constable Wei, Im here, Lu Yang said with a smile, standing up to greet Constable Wei. Chi Xulongs eyes widened in disbelief as he realized Lu Yang was actually the owner! Youve already started eating, Constable Wei said, a bit embarrassed. No problem, what would you like to eat? Constable Wei gestured, With so many people, lets not bother ordering specifically. Just bring whatever you have.Alright, Lu Yang agreed, anticipating Constable Wei would say this. The bailiffs, smelling the delicious aroma from the helmsmans table, involuntarily swallowed their saliva. It was mealtime, and they were already hungry. The smell of food only made their hunger worse. Fortunately, Lu Yang was well-prepared. Before Constable Wei and his men arrived, he had the specters start grilling a portion of the food early so it could be served as soon as they arrived. Soon, Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone brought out tes of skewers, allowing Constable Wei and his men to tide over their hunger. Constable Wei didnt say much, but he was genuinely thankful to Lu Yang for not having to wait while smelling the food, avoidingints from his colleagues. Let me introduce our head bailiff, Fang Qingyun! Fang Qingyun shook hands with Lu Yang politely. As a Golden Core stage cultivator, he could tell Lu Yang was a cultivator. Not only could he tell Lu Yang was a cultivator, but he also realized everyone at the helmsmans table were cultivators. He didnt say anything. Many cultivators ran businesses, and as long as they didnt break thew, what did it have to do with him? Running a barbecue restaurant wasnt illegal. Even if the table was taken, as the head bailiff, he couldnt bully others with his status, as it would look bad if word got out. After sitting down, Chi Xulong whispered angrily to the helmsman,ining, You scoundrel, why didnt you tell us the bailiffs wereing?! Lu Yang felt wronged: I just wanted you to build a good rtionship with the bailiffs. You should seize this opportunity. Lu Yang pointed to a banner on the wall: See? This is a banner Constable Wei gave me. He fabricated on the spot: Before joining the organization, I specifically found a good location and established connections with the government. This way, no matter what I do, the government wont suspect me. I can even eavesdrop on intelligence when theye here to drink. Helmsman Chu nodded, Lu Yangs reasoning was sound and matched the Sect Leaders evaluation. The Sect Leader had said these three might seem reckless in their actions, but there was deeper meaning behind them. One shouldnt judge them merely by their appearance. Just the act of proactively establishing rtions with the government alone demonstrated more courage and thoughtfulness than most in the sect! Come, lets drink. After a few skewers to line their stomachs, Constable Wei and his men started drinking. As more skewers were consumed, the bailiffs got more into the spirit, drinking round after round, toasting each other, creating a lively atmosphere. In stark contrast to the lively surroundings was the helmsmans table in the middle, where they drank cautiously, fearing someone might drink too much and let slip something they shouldnt. Towards the end, they stopped drinking alcohol and switched to tea instead. Seeing that the helmsmans table seemed tock atmosphere, Constable Wei felt guilty, thinking it might be because of his arrival. Holding his wine cup, he approached them. Come on, dont mind us. Once were off duty, were just ordinary folks here to enjoy some good food and drinks! Heres to us! Constable Wei said to Chi Xulong. Chi Xulong carefully picked up his tea cup, but Constable Wei, displeased, sternly said, Whats with drinking tea? Are you not giving face, pour the wine! Chi Xulong had no choice but to reluctantly pour his thirty-year-old spiritual wine and down it in one go. Seeing Constable Wei making rounds for drinks, and other bailiffs obviously drunk, they began to drink with the helmsmans table, enjoying themselves to the fullest. Nobody asked Lu Yang and his friends to drink; the owner getting drunk would certainly be bad. The potency of the thirty-year-old spiritual wine was not something those at the Foundation Establishment stage could handle, leaving Chi Xulong and others utterly intoxicated. Once the helmsman saw they had drunk enough, he found an excuse to leave. With the boss gone and under the influence of alcohol, people started to let loose. Chi Xulong and Shen Jinyi, arm in arm, resolved to unite and carve out a ce for themselves in the Evesting Sect. Your biggest w, Chi Xulong, is your impatience and mboyance. You should be more restrained! Shen Jinyi advised, considering Chi Xulongs best interests. Chi Xulong, who valued his freedom, did not appreciate being criticized: Enough with that. So, Im mboyant, and you? A shrinking turtle, afraid to act on your own, teaching students to do your bidding? Skulking around like a woman! Shen Jinyi, enraged, retorted: Chi Xulong, dont be ungrateful. Im thinking of you, dont bite back! Chi Xulong, even more angered, retorted: Who are you calling a dog? With that, he punched Shen Jinyi in the face. Shen Jinyi couldnt just take the hit; if he did, Chi Xulong, given his temperament, would surely push further. Shen Jinyi sshed his wine cup at Chi Xulong, who, despite being drunk, dodged quickly, causing the wine to ssh onto Bai Zifang, who was watching the excitement. Bai Zifang, not one to take things lying down, retaliated in kind, sshing Shen Jinyi with wine, and didnt stop there; he also smashed a te on Shen Jinyis face. The three scuffled into one mess, and others tried to intervene only to get hurt themselves, fueling their anger. They had intended to prevent the others from embarrassing themselves, but instead, they didnt appreciate it and even dared to hit them. How dare they! Under the influence of the potent spiritual wine, everyones judgment was clouded, and they didnt care they were in the presence of bailiffs, starting a brawl. tter Someone overturned a table, and items fell onto the table next to them. The bailiffs had never seen such audacity, cultivators brawling in a group. This was in front of the bailiffs; if they werent there, who knows how bad it could have gotten. Cultivators brawling in groups could identally kill bystanders, a grave matter that demanded punishment. Seeing this, Head bailiff Fang Qingyun exerted his spiritual pressure, immediately subduing the sect members. Take them away, let them sober up in jail! The sect members instantly sobered up, realizing what had happened, and broke out in cold sweat. With too many peopleing all at once, the two specters were overwhelmed, and Barbarian Bone, seeing the situation, took charge. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou rushed between the backyard and the main hall, serving skewers at a visibly fast rate. Lu Yang lifted the curtain, apologizing, Sorry, everyone, weve grilled all the skewers Whats happening here? Lu Yang saw the normally arrogant sect members sitting meekly, with the bailiffs smirking at them. Constable Wei whispered, Sorry, Manager Lu, your friends started a brawl. The head bailiff hates it when cultivators do this, its too loud, and passersby have noticed. We have to punish them, or we cant justify it. Lu Yang: Fairly speaking, Lu Yang did arrange for the sect members and bailiffs to sit together, partly in jest, but he truly hadnt expected this group to be bold enough to start a fight in front of the bailiffs. Meng Jingzhou grimaced, I told you, we shouldnt drink alcohol. It never ends well. On the day of the weing party, Chi Xulong and others were detained for ten days for brawling in a group. After hearing about the incident, Helmsman Chu was stunned for a long while. (End of the chapter) Chapter 79: The Everlasting Being Fortunately, people like Chi Xulong were seasoned veterans who wouldnt spill the secrets of the demonic sect just because they were locked up; otherwise, Helmsman Chu would have to consider silencing them permanently. Helmsman Chu sent a message, inviting Lu Yang and his friends to Yanjiang Lodge for the official initiation ceremony. As for the reckless bunch, they would cool their heels in jail for ten days first. Helmsman Chu sat leisurely on a jade chair, looking up at the three standing before him, praising, Your barbecue restaurant idea was good. Keep it up; its a channel for us to establish connections with the officials. Helmsman Chu dismissed the attendants, who were entry-level sect members not yet tested and not qualified to know the sects secrets. Lets go, Ill take you to pay homage to The Evesting Being. Helmsman Chu led the three to another floating stone, where the construction, of unknown era, had copsed under the erosion of time. The sourceless light made it look gloomy and oppressive, walking among these ruins gave a profound sense of traversing through history. Even someone as learned as Meng Jingzhou couldnt discern the era of the construction. This was definitely not a construction from the Great Xia Dynastys ten thousand years!Meng Jingzhou was secretly shocked, these buildings must be at least a hundred thousand years old! Could it be from the Great Yu Dynasty? ording to historical records, thest emperor of the Great Yu Dynasty was decadent, leading to the dynastys disintegration and chaos throughout thend. Meng Jingzhous ancestors and the ancestors of the Xia Emperor rose in rebellion, vying for the central ins. The Dao Seeking Sect was established twelve hundred thousand years ago, during the Great Yu Dynastys prime, unshakable in its position. At the end of the structures, there stood a statue about four meters tall, resembling the one seen in Qin Yuanhaos home, with a vague face, dressed in a robe, indistinguishable in gender, indeed The Evesting Being. Helmsman Chu held up three lit incense sticks, bowed deeply to The Evesting Being, then turned to the three and said, Meditate for half an hour, clear your mind of distractions. This incense was not ordinary; smelling its fragrance, their restless hearts gradually calmed down. Clearing ones mind was basic training for the three, and Helmsman Chu nodded slightly upon seeing how quickly they settled down. Even with the help of the precious incense, this speed was remarkable. Most demonic cultivators are impulsive and neglect their mental cultivation, making these three truly exceptional. Its likely they encountered some fortune elsewhere. Normally, knowing that the three had a fortune, Helmsman Chu would try to seize it, but these three were different, being individuals of special interest to the Sect Leader, he dared not act. Half an hourter, the three awoke and followed Helmsman Chus instructions to pay homage to The Evesting Being in aplex ceremony. After the borate process, the three were officially inducted as followers of the Evesting Sect. Helmsman Chu, hands behind his back, said, Before joining our sect, you may have only known us as the Evesting Sect, worshipping The Evesting Being, with the belief that bing a follower can extend ones lifespan. As for who The Evesting Being is, you likely knew very little. The three nodded; they knew next to nothing about The Evesting Being, the only deity they had heard of. Helmsman Chu spoke with reverence, The Evesting Beings existence is a taboo, living as long as the heavens and earth, witnessing the rise and fall of the world. Even if his physical body is destroyed and his soul decays, as long as a speck of his spirit remains in the mortal world, and someone remembers him, he can resurrect on the spot, achieving eternal life! Lu Yang and his friends were shocked, unsure how much of what Helmsman Chu said was true or false. Just the mere memory of The Evesting Being ensures his immortality, a notion unheard of even in myths and legends! Such a miraculous being is aptly named a Celestial. Helmsman Chu continued, In the ancient era, he ascended to celesthood through war, delighting in ughter. To please The Evesting Being, the world must be thrown into chaos and war, pleasing him with the deaths of tens of millions. This is the first step; the subsequent steps are not for your level to know. Tens of millions of deaths?! Meng Jingzhou was horrified, imagining a scene too gruesome to describe with corpses strewn everywhere. Not a lot at all, Helmsman Chu shook his head, noting that most people react simrly upon hearing this number. But think about it, with the vast expanse of the Central Continent, tens of millions might seem a lot, but it averages out to just one death in a few thousand people. Do you know how many people die each year from the burdens of life, driven to suicide by unbearable pressure, from illness, or from malpractice? How many unidentified bodies are discovered annually by the Great Xia Dynasty? Helmsman Chu scoffed, Do you know? Of course, you dont, because the Great Xia Dynasty would never dare to disclose the true numbers! If The Evesting Being is not resurrected, who will protect the vast Central Continent? Once the ancient monsters awaken, the dead will number far more than this. Is the ancient era really that terrifying? Lu Yang felt a chill in his heart. Helmsman Chu remained silent, gesturing for the three to follow him. He led them past The Evesting Beings statue, through ruins that had decayed and crumbled over time, discovered by the sects founder by chance a thousand years ago. Here, he learned of The Evesting Beings existence. The Evesting Being has been forgotten by the world, once a guardian of the world. It was our founder who brought him back into the world! Our founder replicated the relics and preserved them at various locations; this site is one of them, with a history of ten thousand years. Meng Jingzhou thought to himself that these were replicas of ancient relics; no wonder he couldnt recognize them. Only legends have been passed down from the ancient era, with very few physical items surviving. Helmsman Chu stopped in front of a stone wall, This is it, a sacrificial scene from the ancient era. The first thing they saw on the stone wall was The Evesting Being with open arms, holding numerous spheres of different sizes, some surrounded by ring-like objects, unidentified. Each sphere had a figure kneeling on it, offering tributes to The Evesting Being. What are these spheres, and why are people standing on them? Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone were puzzled. Lu Yangs pupils contracted upon seeing the mural; the spheres looked just likes from his previous life, surrounded by rings of asteroid dust. Helmsman Chu slowly exined, These are calleds. In the ancient era, there was no Central Continent; all beings lived ons. At the end of the ancient era, an unfathomable entity refined all thes, creating todays Central Continent! This revtion left the three in shock! (End of the chapter) Chapter 80: Stars and the Continent Helmsman Chus words shocked the trio, especially Lu Yang, who thought of even more implications. When he first joined the Dao Seeking Sect, he was given a rough map of the sects territory, marked as covering an area of a hundred thousand li in each directions. What does a hundred thousand li mean? Itsrger than ten Earthsid out! Considering the abilities of the Mahayana and Unity stage powerhouses described in the scriptures, only such a vast ce could amodate their full disy of powers. (TL Note: 1 li is 500m or 0.5km. The surface area of the earth is 510.1 million km2 so its actually 50 000 x 50 000 which is 2.5 billion km2 or 5 times of the earths surface area which is still a lot.) The sect had many forbidden areas, mostly used by cultivating powerhouses for dueling, where those of insufficient cultivation would perish if they merely brushed against these areas. Eldest senior sistersment upon their initiation, The sect cannot be fully exined in a few words, and you will gradually explore it, wasnt due to herziness. The Dao Seeking Sect is indeed so vast that it requires gradual exploration. This made Lu Yang consider the possibility that the Dao Seeking Sect might be the result of severalsid out t! The territory of the Dao Seeking Sect is just a corner of the Central Continent, making it hard to imagine the true size of the Central Continent! Helmsman Chu continued, In the ancient era, there were thousands, if not millions, of life-bearing stars, the exact number now unverifiable. Ancient cultivators, upon reaching the Mahayana stage, did not need artifacts to travel from one star to another. The universe was filled with damaged stars, the result of cultivator battles! The prosperity of the ancient era was truly remarkable, birthing countless myths and legends, and many powerful cultivators.Back then, the measure of a powerful cultivators strength was how manys they could destroy in one strike. The measure of power was how many life-bearings were under theirmand. At the height of ancient prosperity, a being acted. He refined the myriad of stars into one whole continent. Whether they were life-bearing or not, none could escape his grasp. The Central Continent is teeming with life because it was once a life-bearing star, making it the most suitable ce for cultivation! The oceans to the east of the Central Continent were once stars covered in water. The Golden Buddha Country to the west of the Central Continent was once an uninhabitable deste star. The same applies to the Southern Demon Territory and the Northern Extremes. Helmsman Chus words were like refreshing their understanding, they had never considered that thend beneath their feet was refined from stars! This was beyond their imagination! Who exactly refined the stars into the continent? Lu Yang asked. Helmsman Chu shook his head, not because Lu Yangs level was insufficient, but because he truly did not know: Its beyond verification, but what can be certain is that being was definitely a Celestial! Such transcendental power is not something achievable by someone at the Tribtion Crossing stage! Why did that being refine stars into a continent, and what method was used, remains a mystery. Helmsman Chu continued, What can be certain is that the method used to refine the stars was extremely brutal, without a shred ofpassion. Manipting stars, how many people living on those stars could survive? Even ordinary cultivators would have a hard time surviving. Those who survived did so not because of their high cultivation, but because of good luck! The emergence of prodigies and powerhouses who attempted to intervene was obliterated into mists of blood by that being, vanishing into the cycle of reincarnation. Fortunately, The Evesting Being intervened at that time, saving the majority of the human race, preventing the extinction of humanity. The grand era that reached its zenith shattered and copsed, leaving a long era without a single genius in sight. Where that being resides now is unknown, but he is definitely not dead. With theing of the grand era, if that being were to start a massacre, who could stop him? Only The Evesting Being! For both public and private reasons, we must resurrect The Evesting Being! Resurrecting The Evesting Being might result in the death of a small portion of people, but if we dont resurrect The Evesting Being, perhaps the entire human race might be destroyed in an instant! Itsmentable that those of the righteous path, who believe they hold the moral high ground, fail to see that our Evesting Sect is also sacrificing for the sake of humanity! Helmsman Chu spoke decisively, his eyes revealing determination. From a moral standpoint, their killings were meant to save people; from a personal standpoint, they had a legitimate reason for killing, making it justifiable. The Evesting Sect recruits mainly from the demonic path because this rationale resonates most with the psychology of demonic cultivators. Lu Yang was startled, merely listening to Helmsman Chus speech might indeed lead one to devoutly worship The Evesting Being, praying for salvation. However, Lu Yang doubted the veracity of Helmsman Chus words, or at least believed they represented only part of the truth. He did not believe the Dao Seeking Sect was ignorant of ancient events, nor did he believe the eldest senior sister was unprepared. Meng Jingzhou asked, If thats the case, why not cooperate with the righteous path? Wouldnt it be easier to seed together? Helmsman Chu scoffed, Who can guarantee that the being who refined the stars isnt hiding within the righteous path? After thorough investigation, our founder believed that the being responsible for refining the stars resides within the righteous path, if not among the five major immortal sects, then within the Great Xia Dynasty. Why does the righteous path advocate order, if not to encourage more people to cultivate, making the Central Continent more prosperous? But what after prosperity? Dont forget the tragic end of the ancient era. Perhaps that being enjoys reaping lives, waiting to act once life flourishes again! Helmsman Chus words represent the mainstream view of the Evesting Sect. Helmsman Chu added, The stars above us, seemingly hanging in the sky, but if you reach a certain level of cultivation and fly to the universe, youll find those are just remnants from the ancient era. Theoretically, there might be some stars that truly exist, but certainly not many. Helmsman Chu hoped Lu Yang and his friends would genuinely believe in The Evesting Being, seeing their shocked expressions, it seemed there was no issue. Alright, I know this information is a lot to take in, go back and digest it. Also, you three performed well in the three trials, and the lodge is in need of people right now, most are resting in jail. Your cultivation has reached the Foundation Establishment stage, meeting the criteria to be stewards, Ive considered and decided to promote you to stewards. Helmsman Chu gave them three ques, signifying their status as stewards of the Evesting Sect. In fact, Helmsman Chu had intended to make Lu Yang and his friends stewards from the beginning; the series of events just disclosed were only essible to stewards. Helmsman Chu suggested, By the way, you can visit your fellow disciples in jail when youre free. Ive heard the food there is terrible, bringing them something to eat can help build rtionships. Self-interest is paramount in the demonic path, but debts of gratitude and vengeance are also clear. Below him, its all about scheming and intrigue, making his position as helmsman challenging. However, Helmsman Chu wasnt worried about his subordinates scheming against Lu Yang and his friends, but rather that his subordinates might be outwitted by them. Lu Yang, all smiles, said, Were all brothers in the same sect, well definitely unite and work together for the resurrection of The Evesting Being, please rest assured, helmsman. For some reason, Helmsman Chu felt even less reassured after hearing this. (End of the chapter) Chapter 81: Pebble Hidden Weapons By the way, helmsman, you left without payingst time we had a meal. Do you owe us, or will you settle now? Barbarian Bone asked before leaving. Lu Yang quickly stopped Barbarian Bone: Hold your tongue. As people of the demonic path, dining and dashing is our divine right. Is the helmsman the kind of good guy who pays for his meals? Meng Jingzhou also chimed in: Exactly, the helmsman said he was treating us, not that he was paying. How can you not understand the difference? Helmsman Chu: He had to admit, when it came to putting someone in a tight spot, he was no match for these three. Suppressing the urge to kill, he threw a gold ingot at Barbarian Bone: No need for change. Just scram, all three of you! Barbarian Bone was bewildered. He was genuinely asking for the money, but the way Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou spoke seemed off. It sounded like they were speaking up for him but also for the helmsman. When the three left, it was already deep into the night. Lu Yang, gazing at the brilliant starry sky, sighed. Who would have thought the stars above us are all an illusion? Unbelievable, truly unbelievable.Meng Jingzhou scratched his head: Its not that surprising. My grandfather always said he would give me anything I wanted, even the stars in the sky. When I was about seven or eight, I pointed to a star and said I wanted it. My grandfather then traveled to the universe and returned with a speck of light the size of a fingernail, iming it was a star. Coincidentally, one star was missing from the night sky. I argued with my grandfather, saying a star should be huge, bigger than our yard, not this small. He just smiled mysteriously, saying thats the size of a star. And then? Lu Yang asked, intrigued. Then? The Ministry of Justice showed up, apparently a high-ranking official, using my grandfather of stealing natural resources and demanded he return the star. My grandfather returned the speck of light, and the empty spot in the night sky had a star once again. I felt something was off at the time but couldnt figure it out. It faded over time, but now, with todays discussion, I realize what I held in my hand was indeed a star. Truly worthy of the Meng family, even your childhood experiences are different from ours, Lu Yang shook his head, wondering what he was doing in his own childhood. He remembered, in his childhood, he reminisced about experiences from before his reincarnation and memorized ancient poems, like A hundred feet high tower, one can pick stars by hand. Dare not speak loudly, for fear of startling the celestial beings. As a child, he could only pluck stars in poems, but Meng Jingzhou could actually do it. Thats the difference. Recently, Lu Yang even considered writing a novel to make money, like The Wandering Earth, but in this worlds context, it wouldnt beary engines moving Earth, but rather cultivators pushing it. (TL Note: Reference to a novel by Cixin Liu. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wandering_Earth The trio didnt dwell on the matters of stars and continents anymore. Such matters were too distant for them; with their current cultivation level, moving stars was out of the question, let alone movingrge rocks. Lets rest early. Tomorrow well visit our fellow disciples in jail. The three yawned. At the Foundation Establishment stage, meditation could rece sleep with the same effect, but they still preferred sleeping. Meditation? Maybe at the Golden Core stage. Early the next morning, Lu Yang approached Constable Wei to exin their intention, and Constable Wei quickly approved the permit, allowing Lu Yang to visit the jail. Upon entering the prison, Lu Yang immediately felt his spiritual power being suppressed, rendering him unable to mobilize it and making his body sluggish. Is this the Spirit Suppression Formation Head Constable Wei mentioned? Lu Yang was surprised, not expecting the formation to be as potent as described. Head Constable Wei had informed Lu Yang about the prisons Spirit Suppression Formation when giving him the entry permit. Its a formation specifically designed for cultivators, within which a cultivators powers are restrained, preventing the use of any spells. This measure is to stop cultivators from breaking into or out of the prison. The level of the Spirit Suppression Formation in the prison is quite high, restricting even Golden Core cultivators without exception. Lu Yang arrived just as the jailers were changing shifts. The day shift jailer was yawning profusely, tears streaming down his face, appearing as if he hadnt woken up properly. The night shift jailer was about to rest and in a good mood, joking, Old Zhou, arent you usually the most alert? Why so sleepy today? Didnt do something indecentst night, did you? Old Zhou, yawning widely, replied, I dont know whats going ontely, I just cant seem to wake up properly. Getting up in the morning is tough, not just for me, my wife feels the same. Even washing my face when I got here didnt help. The night shift jailerughed, Must have been something you didst night. See, Im not tired at all. Old Zhou grumbled, Thats because youre a cultivator, not like me. The night shift jailer shrugged, Im only at the first level of Qi cultivation. Whether I can reach the second level in this lifetime is uncertain, hardly counts as a cultivator. The prisons protocol is for day shift jailers to be ordinary humans, while night shift jailers are cultivators at the first level of Qi cultivation. This ensures they remain alert and dont ck off during the night. Cultivators dislike being suppressed by the Spirit Suppression Formation just as much as anyone else, but a prison guarded solely by first-level Qi cultivators is clearly insufficient. Thus, additional covert guards, also cultivators, are stationed outside the prison. After the shift change, Lu Yang, holding his permit, approached Old Zhou. After inspecting Lu Yang and finding nothing but a lunch box on him, Old Zhou let him through. As a notorious figure among local demonic cultivators, Chi Xulong believed joining the demonic sect would allow him to achieve great things and carve out a territory to rule as a local overlord. Even being imprisoned hasnt changed his ambitions. If hes in prison, hell aim to be the top prisoner first! His first challenge is the inability to intimidate others. Locked in a cell impervious even to Foundation Establishment cultivators, without any weapons, and subjected to the taunts and jeers from the next cell, Chi Xulong was itching for retribution. Thats when his cellmate, Shen Jinyi, came up with an idea. He ced a pebble in his mouth and spat it out with a puff, the pebble flying out like a bullet with astonishing force, hitting with significant impact. Shen Jinyi, an assassin by trade, excelled at using various objects as hidden weapons. Were brothers in adversity; now more than ever, we need to unite and make our way together! Shen Jinyi said with a sense of camaraderie, teaching Chi Xulong his technique. Master this trick, and youll be invincible in prison. Lets dominate this ce together! Chi Xulong was invigorated, practicing diligently from dawn till dusk to master spitting pebbles as hidden weapons. Unfortunately, his natural talent wascking. Despite his brute strength, he never managed to learn the technique. You need to do it like this, keep air in your mouth and puff spit it out quickly! Shen Jinyi demonstrated, trying to teach Chi Xulong. I get it, just a puff, Chi Xulong said, somewhat impatiently. No, no, youre puckering your lips too little, like this. Like this? Lu Yang, standing outside the cell, watched Chi Xulong and Shen Jinyi puckering their lips at each other, pondering whether to intervene, as their actions could easily be misinterpreted. He decided to record it with a recording sphere first. (End of the chapter) Chapter 82: Truthful Report Long time no see, Ivee to deliver food, Lu Yang greeted warmly, a skill honed from working at the barbecue shop. After over a month of practice, Lu Yangs fake smile had reached a level of deception so convincing that even Meng Jingzhouplimented it as genuine. Chi Xulong, who had been pouting, turned around sharply at the sound of Lu Yangs voice, his gaze filled with hostility. If it werent for you inviting the officers over for a meal, we wouldnt be in this mess. Why are you here? Chi Xulong asked aggressively. From their first encounter, where Lu Yang tricked him by pretending to be an examiner, to setting him up during the meal, Lu Yang had always been up to no good. Now, his offer of food surely had an ulterior motive. Compared to his own ruthless history as a killer, Chi Xulong found Lu Yang even more despicable. Lu Yang had no intention of teasing Chi Xulong in prison; they needed to support each other in the future, and there was no point in souring their rtionship furthera sentiment shared by the helmsman. However, Lu Yang misheard Chi Xulongs question about bing an overseer: What, how did you know I got promoted to overseer? But dont get too excited; you could be one too if you behave well. Surprised by Chi Xulongs well-informed state, Lu Yang unted his waist badge, the title of overseer prominently disyed. Chi Xulong was furious, Heaven must be blind! Lu Yang tried to console him, Dont be angry. The helmsman also had a message for you. Upon hearing it was from Helmsman Chu, Chi Xulong calmed down somewhat, hoping the sect leader still valued him. What did he say? He said it would be best for you to bond with me.Chi Xulong erupted in anger, incredulous that the sect leader favored Lu Yang: Id rather die than get along with you! Seeing Chi Xulongs outright defiance of the helmsmans wishes, Lu Yang sighed and left some food behind before leaving. The prisoners drooled over the scent of the food, unable to enjoy such delicacies in their confinement. Lu Yang was much kinder to the others, encouraging them to reform while in prison and contribute to the Central Continent upon their release, showing genuine concern. To outsiders, it seemed they were destined for a long stint in jail. After leaving the prison, Lu Yang reported to Helmsman Chu: I visited Chi Xulong with food, trying to clear up any misunderstandings. Were all in this together and need to get along for future endeavors. I emphasized this was your wish, mentioning that good behavior could earn him an overseer position like mine. But Chi Xulongshed out, cursing, saying something about the person who allowed me to be an overseer being blind. He said hed rather die than associate with me. I cant recall his exact words, but that was the gist. Chu Duemains expression turned cold: He said what about being blind? Lu Yang, bowing deeply with a cautious lift of his head, responded with evident fear, The person he mentioned holds too high a status; its a grave disrespect, and I dare not repeat it. Chu Zedao seemed to understand without further exnation, Alright, I got it. You can go now. Lu Yang sighed internally, thinking to himself how recklessly Chi Xulong spoke his mind, Please dont say I was the one who mentioned this; maybe I misremembered, he cautiously added, trying to mitigate the potential fallout. Helmsman Chu waved him off, understanding the delicacy of the situation. After Lu Yang left, Helmsman Chu pondered, irked by Chi Xulongs remarks about blindness. The day went on as usual: Meng Jingzhou went shopping, Barbarian Bone exercised in the backyard, spectres prepared skewers, and Lu Yang didundry. Lu Yangs ordinary clothes remained stained despite his efforts. Damn it, why cant I master the Clean Clothing Spell? he grumbled, vigorously scrubbing his clothes. He envied his friends ability to avoidundry, nning to buy self-cleaning clothes once affluent. A while ago, Lu Yang sought Meng Jingzhous help to learn a spell that cleans his clothes. Meng Jingzhou didnt know one himself, but he had a book titled Minor Magic Spells for Everyday Life, sneakily given to him by his sister before he left. The book contained a spell known as the Clean Clothes Spell. True to its name, this spell could make clothes clean, and it was easy to learn. The three of them gathered to study together. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone learned it first. As a refreshing aura descended from the sky, their initially dirty clothes instantly turned snow-white, as if brand new. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone were both delighted. Working at the barbecue shop, their clothes would easily get dirty, which was very inconvenient. Given Meng Jingzhous status, he naturally possessed clothes that had been refined into magical artifacts. These clothes, which remained clean without needing to be washed, were of such high quality that anyone could tell at a nce that he came from a background of profound resources, which would not be advantageous for hiding within the demonic cult. Lu Yang, known for his exceptional talent in magic, also managed to learn the spell, but the oue was unexpectedly different. After he cast the Clean Clothes Spell, the space twisted momentarily, and brand new clothes appeared out of nowhere. Lu Yang was silent for a long time, wanting to curse but unsure where to start. Chronologically, this was the first space-rted spell that Lu Yang had mastered, marking a significant milestone. In terms of innovation, it was a creative take on the Clean Clothes Spell, essentially inventing a new space magic spell. Logically, it made no sense. Lu Yang, seeing a tag on the cor that said for person xxxxx, realized that this clothing was likely made by a tailor and had not yet been collected by its owner, summoned by his space magic spell. Why did my Clean Clothes Spell directly summon a new piece of clothing? What would happen if I cast a Clean Body Spell? Lu Yang raged, feeling as though the heavens were deliberately limiting his magical talent because of his overflowing brilliance. Of course, he couldnt wear these clothes since they belonged to someone else, but Lu Yang didnt know who the owner was, making it impossible to return them. Meng Jingzhou even kindly offered to use a genuine Clean Clothes Spell to wash Lu Yangs clothes, but after several attempts, they ended in failure. The Clean Clothes Spell could only clean the clothes worn by the caster, making it impossible for Lu Yang to take off his clothes for Meng Jingzhou to wash, only for Meng Jingzhou to then take them off again to return them to Lu Yang. Having no other options, Lu Yang resigned himself to washing his clothes. After washing, Lu Yang attempted to hang the clothes outside the window, but the clothesline identally slipped from his hands, almost hitting a passerby below. Watch out! Unexpectedly, the passerby exhibited remarkable agility, deftly dodging the falling clothesline. Rushing downstairs, Lu Yang recognized the passerby as a new acquaintance, Lan Ting from the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce, who had helped him fight a tiger in Song Mountain over a month ago. He wondered why she was still here. Lan Ting looked down at the clothesline on the ground, her brows furrowed in thought, as if pondering a question. Curious, Lu Yang asked, What are you thinking about? Without hesitation, Lan Ting replied, I was wondering why the clothesline fell to the ground instead of upwards. Could there be an invisible force pulling everything in the world? Lu Yang was speechless. (End of the chapter) Chapter 83: Lan Ting’s Secret Mission Trantor: yikaii Editor: yikaii As they stood to the side, Lu Yang quipped, This invisible force is everywhere, why not call it gravity? Lan Ting recognized the voice and looked up to see Lu Yang: Oh, its you. Lets talk inside. Lu Yang worried Lan Ting might reveal his true identity. With her stunning appearance, Lan Ting standing at the door was very eye-catching, making it easy for eavesdroppers to overhear their conversation. Once inside, Lan Ting noticed the ghosts busily skewering meat and realized they were the remnants left by the tiger demon. The two spectres, seeing Lu Yang and Lan Ting walk in together, silently picked up their meat trays and skewers and continued their work at a table in the corner. Their skilled movements led Lan Ting to wonder if this had been their job in life. Barbarian Bone, hearing the noise from the backyard, stopped his training and came to the hall.Meng Jingzhou, after a day of wandering, entered the door eximing, Have you heard? Yanjiang County has its own festival called the Spring Harvest Festival, just half a month away. It involves spring outings, mountain excursions, water y, and a poetry event at night with recitations and music, quite lively. People from nearby counties alle here. Locals in Yanjiang County even get a three-day holiday. I also heard that the brothels hike their prices during those days, making a fortune. Should we take this opportunity to have a big promotion to celebrate two months of opening our shop? Meng Jingzhou proved that his day out wasnt just for fun; he was also gathering information, although it wasnt particrly helpful for the three of them. Barbarian Bones eyes lit up, ready to speak, but then he saw Lu Yangs impassive gaze and silently shut his mouth. Meng Jingzhou, noticing Lan Ting, was also surprised: I remember you, youre Lan Ting from the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce? For over a month, they had stayed here, ah, not correct, to infiltrate the demonic cult, they hadnt left. What was Lan Ting doing here all this time? Indeed, its me, Lan Ting replied softly. Lan Ting also found Lu Yang and his friends interesting. She had been in Yanjiang County for over a month and had heard of this barbecue shop. However, being someone who preferred quiet, she hadnt visited noisy ces and only realized today that this shop was run by acquaintances, even disciples of a celestial sect. It seemed these three were sincerely working on a big project in Yanjiang County. Could it be that the tasks assigned by the Dao Seeking Sect included not just exorcizing demons but also starting a business to make money? Considering the sects reputation, it wasnt impossible. Lan Ting had heard from her sisters that the reward system in the Dao Seeking Sect even included a Day as the Sect Master experience, something the other four celestial sects didnt offer. Staying in Yanjiang County for so long, are you on a mission? If you need help, just ask. We have well-connected bailiffs here, and we know people in the jail, Lu Yang offered warmly. As members of the five major celestial sects, they should support each other. Now, Lu Yang and his friends had enough clout in Yanjiang County to cover the sky with one hand, ostensibly as helpful residents who had assisted the bailiffs in catching criminals. The bailiffs often dined here, and secretly, they were valued members of the Yanjiang subsect of the demonic cult, their true identities being core disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect. In terms of background, who couldpete with them? Lan Ting was silent. She was on a secret mission and was not supposed to interact with outsiders; otherwise, she wouldnt have just symbolically taken two tiger skins and left after helping Lu Yang with the tiger. A month had passed with no progress, and she was anxious. The three men before her presented an opportunity that might help her. Lan Ting paused for a moment, took two deep breaths, steadied her breathing, and said solemnly to the three people: This humble girl is on a secret mission. You must not spread the words I speak today, as they concern my safety! Do not be surprised after you hear them! (TL Note: The I here is a humble and traditional way of referring to oneself, which trantes to this humble girl or this little girl in English, reflecting a modest self-address. This term is often used in historical or period contexts to denote humility and sometimes lower social status. Its used a few times in the next few chapters but tranting it to this humble girl every time will make the trantion weird) Seeing Lan Tings seriousness, they straightened up. I am to infiltrate the Evesting Sect as an undercover agent! The three blinked in unison, thinking they had misheard. Lan Ting continued, This is reliable information obtained through special channels by our Moon Laurel Immortal Pce. Recently, the four major demonic sects n to recruit followers en masse. The Sr Cult has alreadypleted its recruitment, and the other three are in the process. There is a branch of the Evesting Sect in Yanjiang County, called the Yanjiang Rudder. Its leader is mysterious and unidentified; no one even knows his surname. The Yanjiang Rudder ranks rtively low among all branches of the Evesting Sect, with members generally having lower cultivation levels, making it suitable for someone at the Foundation Establishment stage like me to infiltrate. If nned properly, its possible to mix into the higher ranks of the Yanjiang Subsect. My sisters are too well-known for their high cultivation levels and prominent reputations in the outside world, making it difficult for them to infiltrate. After discussion, the task fell to me. When Lan Ting mentioned her sisters fame, she was referring to their beauty which had made appearances in some forbidden books, satisfying some mens fantasies. Sighing, Lan Ting admitted, However, Ive been in Yanjiang County for over a month without finding the location of the Yanjiang Rudder or knowing if the recruitment has ended. I hope its not toote! Lan Ting looked at the three with hopeful eyes, especially at Lu Yang, whom she found very reliable, hoping they could offer assistance. Silently, the trio pulled out the badges given by the subsect leader, with the words Deputy Leader prominently disyed. Sorry, were already with the Evesting Sect. Lan Ting was shocked. Oh, dont be nervous. What we mean is weve sessfully infiltrated the Evesting Sect, Lu Yang added. Relieved, Lan Ting thought they had defected, but then realized something was amiss. How did you enter the Evesting Sect? Lu Yang found it difficult to exin. They had simply participated in the trials and sessfully passed. Proudly, Meng Jingzhou stated, We performed exceptionally during the recruitment, and the Evesting Sect saw us as very fitting to join, so they chose us. Barbarian Bone didnt understand what Meng Jingzhou was proud of. Lu Yang exined inymans terms how they found Qin Yuanhaos letter in the tiger demonsir, located Qin Yuanhao, and learned about the recruitment and the location of the Yanjiang Subsect. Regretting not acting alongside Lu Yang from the start, Lan Tingmented the wasted month, having not even found the entrance to the Yanjiang Subsect while others had risen to its higher ranks. Perhaps, like Qin Yuanhao, you can recruit ordinary followers. Can you bring me in? Lan Ting asked. Lu Yang shook his head, Ordinary followers dont have ess to the Evesting Sects secrets. Frankly, I doubt you could pass their tests, and the risk of blowing your cover is quite high. Disappointed, Lan Ting lowered her gaze. Lu Yang then suggested, However, we could forge an identity for you, saying youre a distant rtiveing to seek refuge. You can pretend to work at our barbecue shop while supporting us on the side, fulfilling part of your mission. Really? Lan Ting hadnt expected such a favorable turn. Barbarian Bone was surprised the barbecue shop was finally hiring new staff. Lu Yang nodded, Of course, your Foundation Establishment stage strength is a significant asset to us. Just, youre too conspicuous; you might need to disguise yourself. Can you transform? If not, I can teach you. (End of the chapter) Chapter 84: The Tofu Shop on Qianmen Street Upon witnessing Lu Yangs Shape-Imitating Fist, which transformed him into the spitting image of Barbarian Bone, Lan Ting silently took out a yellow talisman paper. Its better to draw a transformation talisman myself. This is indeed a sect famous for its ingenuity and spells, disguising through martial arts as a form of transformation. Such an act requires a profound understanding of spells to achieve. It seems Lu Yang has reached the realm of understanding beyond the superficialyers of spells, directly grasping their essence. Among their peers, Lan Ting believed no one surpassed Lu Yang in spell mastery. Lu Yang then remembered that Lan Ting had also intended to use tiger skins for talisman crafting, indicating her proficiency in the field of talisman drawing. Pointing to her eyes, Lan Ting said, My eyes are somewhat unique, sensitive to patterns, able to discern the core of talismans and the critical points of formations naturally. I excel in drawing talismans and setting up formations. However, my focus is mainly on talisman crafting; my knowledge of formations is only superficial. Lan Tings modesty belied her exceptional talent, a gift that would undoubtedly take her far in the realms of talismans and formations, envied by many masters in those fields. Soon after, Lan Tingpleted a transformation talisman, applied it to herself, and her stunning beauty was reced by an ordinary appearance, a truly miraculous change.Thus, the barbecue shop weed a new staff member. Two days after Lan Ting joined the barbecue shop, the business was as busy as ever. With a new staff member on board, the workload for the trio lightened. Lu Yang noticed Barbarian Bone seemed unhappy, so while serving customers, he asked telepathically, Whats wrong? You seem a bit down. Barbarian Bone nodded, Not sure if youve noticed, but our customer numbers have dropped these past few days. Ive calcted our earnings, and its indeed the case. Lu Yang was surprised, having not noticed this trend: Because of Lan Ting? Typically, adding a female staff member would boost business. No, it started before Lan Ting arrived. I cant figure out why. Something must be wrong, Barbarian Bone pondered. Lu Yang wasnt concerned, preferring less business for the barbecue shop: Well, think it over, Im off to deliver food. A month prior, on Meng Jingzhous suggestion, the shop started offering delivery services. A box was ced at the shops entrance during the day for customers to drop in their orders, including what they wanted, delivery time, and address. The trio took turns delivering in the evening. Tonight was Lu Yangs turn. Having not ventured out at night recently, Lu Yang noticed fewer pedestrians on the streetspared to before. Perhaps this was why the shops customer flow had decreased, he mused. Lets see where Im delivering to this time The tofu shop on Qianmen Street? Wen Xiangyu had long heard about the popr barbecue shop nearby and was eager to taste it, wondering if it lived up to its reputation. However, since her husbands death and inheriting his tofu shop, she rarely went out at night. Not boasting about herself, but Wen Xiangyu, known for her fair skin and beauty, has been coveted by many. Going out alone at night would be very dangerous for her. Later, when she heard about the barbecue shop offering delivery service, she wrote down her order on a piece of paper and dropped it into the shops box outside. These past few days, she felt unusually tired, even more so today. Before the skewers were delivered, she couldnt resist the drowsiness and went to bed early. The barbecue shops staff should be able to wake her up. Lu Zhi has recently been a headache for the local constables, a thief who sneaks into homes at night, stealing valuables while the inhabitants are asleep, and leaves without a trace. When the constables questioned the neighbors, they too imed to have slept too deeply to notice any disturbances. He set his sights on the tofu shop on Qianmen Street this time. The shops owner, a famously beautiful widow whose tofu is renowned far and wide, has made quite a fortune over the years, making her the envy of neighboring shops. Lu Zhi, agile as a monkey, silently climbed to the rooftop and twisted his body to open a second-floor window. She should be asleep by now. Confident in his skills, Lu Zhi had recently acquired a yellow paper talisman that induces deep sleep. ced outside the house, it affects everyone within a fifty-meter radius, causing them to sleep soundly. This tactic has never failed him. Tiptoeing and holding his breath, Lu Zhi saw the beautiful woman lying in bed and smiled smugly, believing his n was sessful. Then, he turned to search the cab for valuables, as his experience told him women often keep their treasures there. Nothing? Frowning, Lu Zhi turned his gaze back towards the tofu shop owners bed. If it wasnt here, then it must be under the bed. He carefully crouched down, reaching under the bed, his heart skipping a beat. There was a face under the bed! Ghost! Zheng Shouhe has been troubling the constables as a serial rapist, often hiding under the beds of single women, waiting for the night to vite them. Sometimes, he encounters women having affairs, in which case he could only hide under the bed and wait it out. His target this time was the tofu shop on Qianmen Street, whose owner is a famously beautiful widow who has captivated many souls. Like before, Zheng Shouhe hid under the bed early, waiting for the night to have his way with the tofu shop owner. So sleepy. Zheng Shouhe had never felt as drowsy as he did today; usually, the longer he waited, the more alert he became. Today, however, he couldnt shake the sleepiness and eventually fell asleep. A scream woke him up, something about a ghost. Zheng Shouhe suddenly opened his eyes to find Lu Zhi lying under the bed, staring at him in terror. He quickly covered Lu Zhis mouth, crawled out from under the bed, and pulled out a dagger, pressing it against Lu Zhis neck. Zheng Shouhe also saw Wen Xiangyu on the bed, trembling with fear. Evidently, Wen Xiangyu was also awakened by Lu Zhis scream. What a cursed day! Cursing, Zheng Shouhe found some rope, tied up Lu Zhi, nning to enjoy Wen Xiangyu before killing them both. Then, there was a knock from downstairs. Anyone home? Im here to deliver the order. Zheng Shouhe clicked his tongue,menting his bad luck. He tied up Lu Zhi and forced Wen Xiangyu toe downstairs with him. Threatening Wen Xiangyu with the dagger, he whispered, Make the person outside go away! Everyone in Qianmen Street knew the tofu shops beautiful widow lived alone. If he let the person outside leave hearing a mans voice, it would surely raise suspicions. Just leave the food at the door, Ille out and get it, Wen Xiangyu called out in a soft voice. That wont do, you havent paid yet, the person outside responded. Zheng Shouhes face turned grim, thinking if youre seeking death, dont me others! (End of the chapter) Chapter 85: The Life-Draining Talisman Open the door! Zheng Shouhe pressed the dagger against Wen Xiangyus back. Wen Xiangyu had no choice but to open the door. Upon opening the door, a handsome face appearedit was Lu Yang. Wen Xiangyu desperately signaled to Lu Yang to run away quickly, but Lu Yang, as if he hadnt seen her signals, showed a professional fake smile, Heres your skewer. Zheng Shouhe also put on a professional fake smile, easily deceiving the seemingly naive Lu Yang, Young man,e in and sit, Ill get you the money. Believing him, Lu Yang entered,menting on the pitch-dark room, Not even a light on, sleeping so early. Seeing Lu Yang naively walk in, Wen Xiangyu was panicked. She braced herself, ready to push Lu Yang out. Zheng Shouhe, noticing Wen Xiangyus unusual behavior, was toote. He coldlyughed, threw Wen Xiangyu behind him, and stabbed towards Lu Yang in the dark. ustomed to the darkness, Zheng Shouhe expected Lu Yang,ing from the brightly lit street, would need time to adjust to the dark. This was his chance!Seemingly destined to be a bloody night, Lu Yang kicked Zheng Shouhe four to five meters away. So much for talking science with a cultivator. Unexpectedly for Zheng Shouhe, Lu Yangs kick was too heavy and solid, like a boulder smashing into his chest, causing him to see stars, break several ribs, and cough up arge amount of blood! Realizing he was in serious trouble and needing a hostage to survive, Zheng Shouhe forcibly suppressed the pain in his chest, attempting to grab Wen Xiangyus wrist. If you dare to move again, Ill kill her! Zheng Shouhe threatened menacingly. The person in Zheng Shouhes arms coldlyughed, Who are you nning to kill? Zheng Shouhe looked down in horror to find he hadnt grabbed Wen Xiangyu, but Lu Yang! Lu Yang, with one palm on Zheng Shouhes chin and snatching the dagger with the other hand, easily disarmed and dismembered Zheng Shouhe. What luck, encountering so much trouble just delivering a skewer. Lu Yang sighed, lit a candle, and the room was faintly illuminated. Wen Xiangyu couldnt believe how quickly the situation had turned; the skewer delivery boy was like a god descending to earth, swiftly subduing the fierce criminal. Are you alright? Lu Yang helped Wen Xiangyu, who was sitting dazed on the ground. No, no problem. Thats good, then. Pay for the skewers, please. Lu Yang politely said. Ah? Oh right. Wen Xiangyu then remembered Lu Yang came to deliver the skewers and incidentally saved her. After paying Lu Yang, Wen Xiangyu was ovee with fear and tried to say something to ease her nerves, You, youre a cultivator? Yes. Cultivators run stores too? For living. Lying on the ground, groaning in pain, Zheng Shouhe regretted everything, wondering what bad luck it was to encounter a cultivator. Are cultivators now reduced to delivering skewers to make a living? Lu Yang watched Wen Xiangyu with a look of one who had narrowly escaped disaster and chuckled, shaking his head, Let me apany you to report this. Thank you, Wen Xiangyu remembered the thief upstairs, Oh right, theres another person upstairs, probably his aplice. Wen Xiangyu, upon waking, saw Zheng Shouhe and Lu Zhi together, assuming they were coborating but had fallen out over her beauty. Lu Yang went upstairs and, finding Lu Zhi securely tied up, assumed he was Zheng Shouhes aplice: So, its a group crime. Lu Zhi protested, Dont lump me in with him; Im a thief, hes a kidnapper, our crimes and punishments arent the same! Lu Yangughed, You seem quite knowledgeable about thew. We check thews before we act to see how many years we might get, Lu Zhi exined, evidently experienced. Then lets go to the magistrate office and see how many years youll get. Hearing they were heading to the magistrate office, Lu Zhi quickly begged for mercy, Wait, wait, wait, brother, lets talk this out. Were all hustling in the same world, why the harshness? Look, Ill give you something valuable if you let me go. How about it? Lu Yang, assessing Lu Zhi as merely a mortal, asked, What valuable thing? A yellow paper that can put people to sleep. With this paper, whoever you want to sleep will sleep, and you can do whatever you want to them! Connecting this to the recent oddities, Lu Yang furrowed his brows, sensing aplicated issue, and demanded coldly, Where is it? Lu Zhi wasnt foolish enough to just reveal, Promise to let me go first! Lu Yang solemnly swore, I, Chu Xulong, swear by the heavens, if I dont let you go, may I be struck by five thunderbolts! Overjoyed, Lu Zhi revealed, The yellow paper is in a corner outside the first floor. Clearly, Lu Zhi wasnt the brightest. Lu Yang jumped down from the second floor and found the yellow paper after circling the building. The paper was inscribed with symbols Lu Yang couldnt understand, appearing to be some kind of talisman. After securing the talisman, he returned upstairs, Where did you get this? Under the big stone bridge. I was escaping by boat once and happened to look up to see a piece of yellow paper there. Nodding, Lu Yang went downstairs to collect Zheng Shouhes legs and took both men to the magistrate office, with Wen Xiangyu following closely. Hey, hey, hey, youre not keeping your word! Lu Zhi shouted. Lu Yang sneered coldly, The one to be struck by lightning is Chu Xulong, what does that have to do with me, Lu Yang? Coincidentally, Constable Wei was on duty that night. Seeing Lu Yang bringing in two criminals to the magistrate office elicited a Its you again feeling from him. After hearing the criminals stories, Constable Wei became serious. Zheng Shouhe, havingmitted homicide, was a severe criminal, marking a significant achievement for Lu Yang. This is the yellow paper Lu Zhi mentioned. Lu Yang handed the paper to Constable Wei, who also realized its significance. He had heard of people feeling unusually sleepy during the day but hadnt thought much of it. Now, it seemed someone was deliberately causing trouble. The region might be hiding countless such papers! However, Constable Wei didnt understand the symbols on the paper. He decided to wait for the chief officer to start his shift in the morning and consult him. Thanks a lot. Ill send you anothermendation banner tomorrow, Constable Wei said to Lu Yang and Wen Xiangyu afterpleting their statements and bid them farewell. Before leaving, Lu Yang made a trip to the jail to speak with Chu Xulong, Ive got a brother named Zheng Shouheing in for a while, please take care of him. Chu Xulong sneered, ready to show Zheng Shouhe the extent of his stone-spitting skills. After escorting Wen Xiangyu back to her tofu shop, Lu Yang firmly declined her offer of tofu. After such an ordeal, the barbecue shop had already closed for the night. Upon his return, Lu Yang found the two ghostly workers washing dishes. Lu Yang showed the symbols from the yellow paper to Lan Ting, Can you look at this talisman? Does it cause people to fall asleep? After carefully examining it, Lan Ting expressed surprise, Where did you find this? Its a Life-Draining Talisman. It absorbs peoples lifespan, and those affected disy lethargy and an overwhelming desire to sleep. This talisman only affects mortals and has no effect on cultivators. (End of the chapter) Chapter 86: The Undercover Agent Hidden Within the Government Now many people are showing symptoms of excessive sleepiness. Could it be that the Life-Draining Talisman has already started to absorb the lifespan of ordinary people? Lan Ting shook her head: Not exactly. Lifespan is the foundation of life and is not so easily shaken. ording to your description, people have only started showing signs of sleepiness in the past few days. This is just the beginning. It will take at least half a month before the actual absorption of lifespan starts. The process of formally absorbing lifespan is extremely long and difficult to detect. However, there is a method to forcibly activate the Life-Draining Talisman. What method? Lu Yang pressed. Lan Ting seriously exined: By using the Life-Draining Talisman as nodes to form a Life-Draining Array and using human blood as a catalyst, theres no need to wait for half a month. The array can be activated immediately, using the lifespan of mortals to enhance ones own cultivation! In fact, the knowledge of the Life-Draining Talisman and Life-Draining Array is quite obscure, only mentioned in a few books. Since the Life-Draining Talisman is outrightly considered dark and forbidden, the books mentioning it are banned. Even those well-versed in arrays might only have heard of the name of the Life-Draining Talisman and not recognize its pattern. Its only because Lan Tinges from the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce that she has ess to these forbidden texts. She modestly ims not to have a deep understanding of arrays, but the knowledge she has shown is far beyond mere modest understanding.Lan Ting added: However, the person who wrote the Life-Draining Talisman likely doesnt know how to set up the Life-Draining Array. Before the array is activated, there wouldnt even be signs of sleepiness, making it even more secretive. However, its also possible that the Life-Draining Array is currently being set up and not yetplete. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone, listening on the side, also realized the gravity of the situation. If everyone in Yanjiang County is showing signs of sleepiness, it means the Life-Draining Talismans are hidden all over Yanjiang County! The person acting in the shadows has grand schemes! After the Life-Draining Array is activated, to what realm can the practitioner be elevated? Lan Ting shook her head: Its hard to say, it depends on how much lifespan the array can absorb. We cant see it right now. Lets go to the Great Stone Bridge and have a look. There might be more there! Lu Yang called the trio. To the west of Yanjiang County flows arge river known as Hidden Dragon River. The section of the river flowing through Yanjiang County is calm, often frequented by visitors, making it a distinctive attraction of Yanjiang County. The name Yanjiang itself derives from this river. The Great Stone Bridge mentioned by Lu Zhi, the thwarted burr, is located here. At thiste hour, not a soul was on the Hidden Dragon River. The four made their way to the Great Stone Bridge, searching thoroughly but finding no new Life-Draining Talismans. Indeed, our adversary isnt foolish enough to ce two Life-Draining Talismans in the same location. The next morning, Constable Wei sought out the Chief Officer Fang Qingyun. Whats the matter, Xiao Wei? Master, have you noticed that recently, the people of Yanjiang County tend to sleep early and struggle to wake up in the morning? Fang Qingyun nodded: Yes, I thought it might be because the cost of living in Yanjiang County has increased, but ies havent, leading to significant life stress for the popce, who work hard during the day to make ends meet. Constable Wei rubbed his temples in frustration, choosing his words carefully: Master, I know you aspire to be promoted and have been reading socio-economic bookstely toy a good foundation for your future promotion. But have you ever considered that youre simply not cut out for development? Just spit it out! Well,st night, a concerned citizen captured a burr attempting to break into a house. ording to the burr, he identally acquired a piece of yellow paper that can induce sleep, affecting people within a fifty-meter radius to feel drowsy. Constable Wei took out the talisman from a box sealed with a talisman that nullifies its effects. He discovered that the sleep-inducing talisman had no effect on him but worked excellently on ordinary people, putting everyone on the night shift to sleep. He had no choice but to lock the talisman in the box. Do you recognize this thing? Fang Qingyun examined it for a moment and shook his head, indicating he did not recognize it: Prefect Li has seen much and knows a lot, perhaps he might recognize it. When they found Prefect Li, he was engrossed in handling official duties. Both men admired Prefect Li greatly. As a Golden Core cultivator who had been in Yanjiang County for twenty years, Yanjiang County remained unchanged under his rule. However, whenever superiors inspected Yanjiang County or Prefect Li reported to his superiors, Yanjiang County always showed its best side, as if it had undergone earth-shattering changes over the twenty years. Prefect Li, I have a report to make! Fang Qingyun said. Prefect Li set down his brush and gestured for them to sit and talk. Constable Wei reportedst nights incident truthfully and presented the talisman for Prefect Li to examine. Prefect Li squinted, let out a light exmation as if remembering something, and fell into thought. After a few minutes, he said, If my memory serves me correctly, is this a Life-Draining Talisman? Thirty years ago, when I was in charge ofbating demonic practices in Poyang Prefecture and exchanging experiences with colleagues from other prefectures, one of them introduced me to this type of talisman, saying it was a Life-Draining Talisman that could absorb human lifespan and convert it into cultivation. It is undeniably a demonic method. Prefect Li solemnly said, With the Spring Harvest Festival approaching, there will be arge influx of people from other prefectures and counties visiting, including both ordinary people and cultivators. The Spring Harvest Festival is our most prominent event in Yanjiang County; we cannot afford any mishaps. You must catch the demonic culprits behind these talismans before the festival begins! These demonic culprits are utterlywless, showing no regard for the court! Chief Officer Fang, you must take this matter very seriously. If the Life-Draining Talisman bes widespread, it will have endless repercussions! Then Prefect Li changed his tone: Of course, if you catch the mastermind behind this, it will be a great achievement. I will report it to the higher-ups. If possible, you should try to have a breakthrough in your cultivation. That way, your promotion is guaranteed. Yes! If theres nothing else, you may leave. I have another meeting soon. The next day, Lu Yang and the others wanted to continue searching for the location of the Life-Draining Talismans based on clues. Before they could leave, the Helmsman Chu sent someone to call Lu Yang over. Lu Yang didnt understand why Helmsman Chu only called for him. He was on alert, sensing something unusual. Helmsman Chu, sitting on a jade chair, supporting his head with his palm and wearing a mask, spoke in a hoarse voice: I heard you caught a thiefst night and found a yellow talisman that induces sleep? Lu Yang respectfully replied, Yes, I suspect the yellow talisman is a method used by our demonic path. I intend to find the person who wrote the talisman, kill and plunder them, and learn the skill to draw such talismans! Helmsman Chu waved his hand: While its necessary to maintain good rtions in front of the officials, this time is different. This incident will be thoroughly investigated by the government, and with Golden Core cultivators getting involved, the truth will soon emerge. You should not interfere any further to avoid exposing your identity and getting yourself involved. Its just a talisman that induces sleep, not worth the risk. Lu Yang was shocked. Helmsman Chu knew aboutst nights incident by this morning and even knew that a Golden Core cultivator would get involved, something even he was unaware of. Helmsman Chu has nted an undercover agent within the government! (End of the chapter) Chapter 87: Learning the Invisibility Talisman When they first arrived in Yanjiang County, Barbarian Bone had suggested informing the local authorities about the affairs of the Yanjiang Rudder and coborating to search for Qin Yuanhao, a proposal that was rejected by Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou on the grounds that the authorities could not be trusted. Now, it appears their concerns were not unfounded. The Yanjiang Helmsman had nted an undercover agent within the government, and not of a low rank! Helmsman Chu said slowly, Lu Yang, among the high ranks of the Yanjiang Rudder, you are the one I have the highest hopes for. After the Spring Harvest Festival, the higher-ups will send someone to inspect the Yanjiang Rudder. This inspection is different from the past because this time, with you, Meng Jingzhou, and Barbarian Bone, three demonic seedlings among us, the higher-ups evaluation of me will significantly improve. I have a great chance of being promoted, which would leave the position of helmsman vacant. ording to tradition, the new helmsman will be chosen from among the high ranks of our own group. Although you are rtively junior, considering the Sect Leaders evaluation of you, its not impossible for the higher-ups to appoint you as the new helmsman. Yourpetitors are currently still locked up in jail and wont be released until three dayster. Such foolish acts wont be highly regarded by the higher-ups. The Spring Harvest Festival is a major festival for the nearby counties and has a significant impact. If you stir up some trouble during this festival, the higher-ups will think highly of you. Helmsman Chu hinted at Lu Yang with an almost imperceptible suggestion. After rying Helmsman Chus words to Meng Jingzhou and others, Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone were d they had chosen to cause trouble for Qin Yuanhao instead of seeking help from the authorities. Otherwise, there wouldnt be such a thriving barbecue shop. Lu Yang felt that their focus might be somewhat misced. The question is who exactly is the undercover agent Helmsman Chu has ced. All four were troubled, as they did not know who in the government would have the authority to know about the yellow talisman. Dont worry, once you be the helmsman, youll know who the undercover agent is. Helmsman Chu values you so highly, hell definitely tell you before he leaves! Meng Jingzhouughed heartily, surprised that Lu Yang was being promoted so quickly. If Lu Yang got promoted, he and Barbarian Bone could wreak havoc in Yanjiang County as they pleased. Having someone to cover for them was indeed beneficial. While the four were discussing animatedly, Constable Wei knocked on the door. Shopkeeper Lu, Ive brought you another banner ofmendation. Lu Yang weed Constable Wei warmly into the shop. Oh, everyones here, quite lively. Constable Wei remarked offhandedly. We were just discussing yesterdays case. Hearing Lu Yang say this, Constable Wei solemnly warned, Shopkeeper Lu, you must keepst nights case confidential and not discuss it with anyone else. I know you all are not ordinary people, but cultivators here to experience life, sometimes acting heroically. But this time is different. This case involves a ruthless demonic cultivator; the slightest carelessness could be life-threatening. You must not seek out the owner of the talisman. Lu Yang couldnt help butugh. The demonic path advised him not to get involved in this matter, and now the righteous path was doing the same. Dontugh; this is a very serious matter! Constable Wei thought Lu Yang wasnt taking the matter seriously. Lu Yang promised solemnly that he would not get involved in this matter, which reassured Constable Wei enough to leave. Have some tea before you go. Constable Wei waved his hand, No, the leadership is urging me on. I still need to lead a team to search for other talismans. After sending Constable Wei off, Lu Yang and the others were worried that the government forces might not be sufficient to catch the person lurking in the shadows. If anything went wrong, who knows how many peoples lifespans would be secretly stolen. Lu Yang pondered deeply, We have already learned the method of concealing our aura, but simply using the method of concealing our aura might not be safe. He looked up at Lan Ting, who was learning how to skewer with the ghostly workers, and had an idea. Fellow Daoist Lan Ting, I have a favor to ask of you. Lan Tingughed and said, We are all disciples of the Immortal Sects, working together to y demons and eliminate evil. Im currently under yourmand, so theres no need to be so formal. Just call me Lan Ting. Lu Yang readily agreed: Lan Ting, could you teach us the invisibility talisman? Lan Ting understood Lu Yangs intention: You mean to use the invisibility talisman to hide and secretly assist Constable Wei? Lu Yang nodded. Of course, theres no problem. The invisibility talisman isnt too difficult a talisman to master. As long as the talent isnt too poor, it can be learned in half a day. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone, hearing that they could learn something new and that it wasnt Lu Yang teaching them, were very excited. Have you three learned talismans before? The three shook their heads in unison. Lan Ting wasnt surprised: Then Ill teach you from the beginning. Lan Ting was also excited; this was the first time she was teaching others. Back in the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce, it was always her senior sisters teaching her, and now it was finally her turn to be the teacher. The essence of talismans is to materialize spells in the form of drawings on paper. The three of youe from the Dao Seeking Sect, so your talents in spells are not bad, making it easy for you to learn. The talismans core is the soul of a talisman order. Whether a talisman can fully exert its effectsrgely depends on whether there is a talismans core embedded within it The mostmonly used pattern in talismans is the cloud talisman, which is created by imitating the changing shapes of clouds in the sky, drawn from nature Specifically for the invisibility talisman, it uses the tail of the Big Dipper as the talismans core, with the ethereal standard cloud talisman as the pattern. Lan Ting dipped her fingertips in some clear water and, with a few swift strokes, drew an invisibility talisman on the table. With a suction from her palm, the invisibility talisman detached from the table and adhered to her hand. Lan Ting pped it onto herself and disappeared from the eager gaze of the three. A few momentster, Lan Ting reappeared, smiling lightly: This is the most basic invisibility talisman, which only hides the body from sight. You should be able to detect my presence through details like breathing and heartbeat. The three nodded, acknowledging that even so, it was quite impressive. Give it a try. After half a day of learning, the three gained a preliminary understanding of talismans and began attempting to write the invisibility talisman with the Four Treasures of the Study, not yet able to draw with water as the medium. (TL Note: Four Treasures of the Study is an expression used to denote the brush, ink, paper and ink stone used in Chinese calligraphy and spread into other East Asian calligraphic traditions.) Meng Jingzhou, who practiced calligraphy regrly, had a steady right hand and wrist when holding a brush. He channeled spiritual power at the tip of the brush and quickly drew an invisibility talisman, resembling Lan Tings by about eighty percent. After a few more attempts, his talisman was almost indistinguishable from Lan Tings. Meng Jingzhou, with a grin, applied it to himself and indeed became invisible. Barbarian Bone had less talent in this area, with less precise control over spiritual power, seeding only after dozens of attempts. However, as he continued trying, his sess rate increased. Lan Ting secretly admired them; indeed, they were disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect, naturally talented in talismans. How about Lu Yang? Lan Ting looked towards Lu Yang. Lu Yang also quickly finished drawing an invisibility talisman, seeding on his first attempt, showing terrifying talent. Lu Yang applied the invisibility talisman to himself, and his entire person disappeared. However, only the person disappeared; the clothes remained. Like a ghost haunting the ce. What the hell! A miraculous event urred; the clothes started talking. Lu Yang figured since he was invisible now, he might as well take off his clothes. Then he despairingly discovered that the invisibility talisman paper was still visible. What kind of invisibility was this? He was about to tear off the invisibility talisman paper. Fortunately, reason prevailed, and he did not do so. (End of the chapter) Chapter 88: Lan Ting’s Growth Lan Ting began to deeply doubt her teaching abilities. She had heard that Lu Yang entered the Dao Seeking Sect as the top student, and his talent in spells was absolutely first-ss. For instance, his Shape-Imitating Fist had proven this point; it was a transformation of the decayed into the magical, showcasing incredible spell talent. Why did it turn out like this when she taught? Did she teach incorrectly? That shouldnt be the case; her senior sister taught her this way, and she taught Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone the same way without any issues. Could it be that she underestimated Lu Yangs spell talent, and that a genius beyond ordinary geniuses required a special method of instruction? While doubting herself, she also felt guilty. Lu Yang, oblivious to the inner turmoil of a talisman genius caused by not being able to teach him, was engrossed in studying his talisman: Do you think theres a talisman that can make other talismans invisible? That way, my invisibility talisman would disappear. Meng Jingzhou thought for a while before saying, Its hard to imagine why someone would develop the kind of talisman youre describing.Lu Yang, disheartened, dressed himself and continued practicing the invisibility talisman, with the same result as before: his body became invisible as it should, but his clothes did not. On the other hand, Barbarian Bones drawings became more standardized with each attempt, giving Lan Ting a sense of aplishment. Meng Jingzhou mocked Lu Yang gleefully: Haha, give up, youll never be able to draw a genuine invisibility talisman. Angered, Lu Yang pinched an invisibility talisman and stuck it on Meng Jingzhous forehead: Fiend, take this talisman from me! Meng Jingzhous body disappeared, but his clothes remained. He, not to be outdone, also pulled out an invisibility talisman and threw it at Lu Yang: Taoist, dont think youre the only one who can draw talismans! An invisibility talisman was also stuck on Lu Yangs forehead, and both his body and clothespletely disappeared. The two attacked each other with invisibility talismans, back and forth, without any aggression. Barbarian Bone, caught between the two, focused on drawing talismans, unaffected by their antics. Im done. Barbarian Bone picked up a stack of sessful invisibility talismans, his sess rate nearly perfect after continuous practice. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone sessfully mastered the skill. Lu Yang took an invisibility talisman drawn by Lan Ting and sessfully mastered the skill. By the way, Lan Ting, do you know how the Life-Draining Array is set up? Lu Yang asked, pondering whether the person in the shadows was really using Life-Draining Talismans to set up a Life-Draining Array but hadntpleted it yet. If that was the case, then finding a dozen or so Life-Draining Talismans and based on their positions, it would be easy to deduce the locations of other talismans. Lan Ting nodded, using her spiritual power to outline an extremely intricate array in the air, with thousands of nodes: The Life-Draining Array isrge in scale and has many nodes. If the person in the shadows only has a few people, considering they need to ce talismans in hidden locations, they wouldnt be able to set it up quickly. Got it, then youll watch the shop for us. Well go out for a bit and see if we can help with anything, Lu Yang said. Ah? Me, watch the shop? Lan Ting felt uneasy. In the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce, she always followed her senior sisters instructions and didnt have much initiative. Now being asked to manage such arge shop, she was somewhat apprehensive. Its fine, nothing will happen. Just make decisions on your own if anythinges up, Lu Yang reassured, seeing no issue before leaving. After Lu Yang and the others left, Lan Ting, tasked with temporarily managing such arge shop, felt restless. Lets set up a Spirit Gathering Array. Lan Ting muttered to herself, finding something to do. The Spirit Gathering Array is a basic formation for cultivators practice. She realized that the barbecue shop did not have a Spirit Gathering Array and wondered how Lu Yang and the others practiced their cultivation. Everyone lives on the second floor, so Ill set it up there. The Spirit Gathering Array is the most basic formation, and Lan Ting set it up effortlessly. She took out spiritual stones from her identity jade card and arranged them meticulously ording to what she was taught in ss. Lets also set up a Concentration Array to quickly enter a state of cultivation. And a Soundproof Array for some quiet. Lan Ting worked meticulously, considering that the effectiveness of the Spirit Gathering Array might attract the attention of other cultivators, she also set up an array to iste the fluctuation of spiritual energy. Now its foolproof. Lan Ting was satisfied with her attention to detail. Hello, is anyone there? A voice from downstairs startled Lan Ting, sounding like it belonged to a woman. Lan Ting went downstairs and saw a fair-skinned woman standing at the door, contemting whether to step inside. Hello, may I ask who you are I run a tofu shop on Qianmen Street, my name is Wen Xiangyu. Is Shopkeeper Lu here? Wen Xiangyus voice was gentle, causing a tingling sensation. Hes out. Do you need anything? Lan Ting remembered Lu Yang mentioning her while discussing how to find the Life-Draining Talismans. Ah, its like this. With the Spring Harvest Festival approaching, I was thinking of holding a joint event with your barbecue shop. Lan Ting invited Wen Xiangyu in and served her tea: What kind of event? Not to boast, but my tofu shop has many customers on regr days, and even more so during the Spring Harvest Festival. I was thinking, we could set up an event where customers who buy tofu from my shop can get a 10% discount at your barbecue shop, and vice versa. Also, there could be a lucky spin wheel, masks, and so on. Masks? Wen Xiangyu took out a few masks, square and fair, resembling a piece of tofu. These are masks made based on the mascot of my tofu shop, and they sell very well. Lan Ting thought about it and felt Wen Xiangyus proposal was good, beneficial to the barbecue shops business. Remembering Lu Yang said she had full authority to make decisions while he was away, she agreed to it. Wen Xiangyu was delighted that Lan Ting agreed with her idea, and the two women chatted about the various details of the event, from what the spin wheel prizes would be, to what is gravity. Theres an invisible force that attracts all things in the world. Lu Yang also agrees with my view and has named this force gravity However, Lu Yang believes this invisible force is naturally urring, whereas I think someone has set up a huge array that attracts us. Oh right, you dont know about arrays. Let me tell you, arrays are very interesting. This book True Interpretation of Arrays describes arrays in a way thats easy to understand and essible When Wen Xiangyu arrived, she was grateful to Lu Yang, but when she left, her mind was filled with the principles of arrays. After seeing off Wen Xiangyu, Lan Ting noticed the ghosts skewering meat in the corner and an idea popped into her head. Lu Yangs ideas are wildly imaginative; to teach him well, should she learn his way of thinking? For instance, could she design an automatic barbecue array based on the Levitation Array, Fire Gathering Array, and other arrays? Hey, that seems like a great idea. (End of the chapter) Chapter 89: Demonic Cultivators Advised Not to Dine at the Barbecue Shop At this moment, Lu Yang was unaware that Lan Ting had secured a big deal. He was using the invisibility talisman and concealment techniques, following behind the officials to search for Life-Draining Talismans. The trio split up in different directions to find as many Life-Draining Talismans as possible. It was evident that the government ced immense importance on the Life-Draining Talismans, mobilizing arge force to scour Yanjiang County thoroughly. First, the government identified areas where people were most likely to feel fatigue and drowsiness, dividing the search into sections. Chief Constable Fang Qingyun even created two clones, with his true body and the clones expanding their divine consciousness to lead arge team in the search for talismans. Fang Qingyuns cultivation was too high, so Lu Yang and hispanions didnt dare follow him closely. Before long, an official found a Life-Draining Talisman. Lu Yang, hiding in the shadows, silently noted the location. By evening, when Lu Yang and hispanions regrouped, they took out a map of Yanjiang County and marked the locations of the Life-Draining Talismans. One under the Great Stone Bridge, one at the rogue shop on Qianmen Street, one at the pawnshop These are the six Life-Draining Talismans weve found so far.With just this information, we cant be sure if theyre arranged ording to the Life-Draining Array. Lets look again tomorrow. When the trio returned to the barbecue shop, they saw Lan Ting wearing a tofu mask, focusing on improving the automatic skewering array. The skewers floated above the table, being seared at high temperatures. Two ghostly figures knelt on the ground, tearfully thanking Lan Ting for her great kindness and mercy, rescuing them from endless skewering. Lu Yang was full of questions. What had happened in the less than an afternoon they were out? Where did you get this mask? Lan Ting, slightly showing off, said, Oh, it was given by the tofu shop owner you rescuedst night. She also proposed holding an event with our barbecue shop during the Spring Harvest Festival. This is the event n we discussed. I found out yesterday while working that only two ghosts were barbecuing, which was too slow, and some customers were getting impatient. So, I designed this automatic barbecue array, greatly improving efficiency. The automatic barbecue array is an innovation, never before seen. When I return to the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce, I can even exchange this for contribution points. The array is also simple; it could potentially be widely promoted in the future. The Moon Laurel Immortal Pce, like the Dao Seeking Sect, has simr long-term missions. Lu Yang: It seems the rapid development of the barbecue shop was unstoppable. Meng Jingzhou, grinning, took a tofu mask: This tofu mask looks quite nice. Here, one for each person. Lu Yang, look how well this tofu mask suits you; its as if it was made for you. Lu Yang looked at the square tofu mask, rolled his eyes, and decided not to argue with the foolish, epting the mask. Lan Ting also mentioned, Ive also set up Spirit Gathering Arrays, Soundproof Arrays, and other arrays conducive to cultivation on the second floor. This was the only good news Lu Yang had heard since entering the shop: That must have cost a lot, using so many spiritual stones. Calcte how much you used, and we three will cover it. Lan Ting waved her hand: It didnt use many spiritual stones, just pocket change. Meng Jingzhou suddenly looked up, warily eyeing Lan Ting. It was the first time he had encountered a rival in the field of unting wealth. Lan Tings arrival made life much easier for the trio, allowing them to focus on searching for talismans during the day. In ten days, Lu Yang and hispanions had identified the locations of over two hundred talismans, exactly matching the nodes of the Life-Draining Array. After finding the pattern, they searched other node locations and indeed found more Life-Draining Talismans. What should we do, should we tell Constable Wei? Meng Jingzhou asked. Lu Yang was in a dilemma. Informing Constable Wei about the locations of the Life-Draining Talismans would surely let his superiors know that someone was helping them from the shadows. If Helmsman Chu heard the news, he might suspect them. But if they didnt tell, leaving the Life-Draining Talismans ced around Yanjiang County was still a hidden danger. Waiter, bring two hundred skewers ofmb and two hundred skewers of beef! A hearty voice called out, so loud that even the ghostly figures in the backyard heard it clearly. Normally, such a request would have scared them out of their wits. But now, with the automatic skewering array, their workload was significantly reduced. Not to mention two hundred skewers ofmb and beef, even two hundred skewers of pork wouldnt scare them! Add another two hundred skewers of pork! the hearty voice continued, apparently from someone wealthy. Lu Yang squinted, feeling the voices owner seemed familiar: Its Yizhang Hong, who participated in the sects selection, along with two others following him, all at the Foundation Establishment stage. These three did not pass the selection. Will we be recognized? Barbarian Bone asked, as they had once tricked Yizhang Hong while impersonating examiners. Lu Yang shook his head: No, the helmsman said that for the secrecy of the sub-sect, those who didnt pass the selection had their memories erased by the headquarters. They wont remember the details of the selection. Seeing no one attending to him, Yizhang Hong shouted in a coarse voice: Hello? Are you deaf? Coming,ing, what would you like to order, sir? Lu Yang hurried out to greet them. Yizhang Hongs attitude was domineering: Two hundred skewers each of pork, beef, andmb, and you decide on the rest. I heard your ce is good, and if its not, watch me smash your shop! Clearly, he didnt recognize Lu Yang, or he would have smashed the shop directly. Lu Yang greeted him with a smile, nodding and bowing: Rest assured, sir, our skewers will surely be so delicious youll want to eat them for a lifetime. Yizhang Hong snorted coldly, ignoring Lu Yang. Yizhang Hongspanions also squinted their eyes, disdainful to speak with Lu Yang. Lu Yang transmitted a message to Meng Jingzhou: Inform Constable Wei, say there are three Foundation Establishment stage demonic cultivators here, and ask him to bring people to arrest them. These rogue demonic cultivators were ruthless killers, and byw, they deserved death several times over. Lu Yang wouldnt be soft-hearted. Lets show them some demonic path methodsreport them! Meng Jingzhou was stunned for a moment before transmitting back: But we dont have evidence. How can we prove theyre Foundation Establishment stage demonic cultivators? Will Constable Wei believe us? Lu Yang sneered: Whats there not to believe? Just say we noticed they have talismans that could induce sleep on them. Meng Jingzhou understood Lu Yangs n; they had a few Life-Draining Talismans on hand, perfect for framing. Alright, Ill be right back. Meng Jingzhou hurried out. When Constable Wei heard that three Foundation Establishment stage demonic cultivators appeared, possibly possessing Life-Draining Talismans, he didnt take it lightly and quickly reported to Fang Qingyun. Without hesitation, Fang Qingyun led arge force to encircle the three. Whether they had the Life-Draining Talismans or not, just the presence of three Foundation Establishment stage demonic cultivators justified the response. Fang Qingyun arrived at the barbecue shop, exerting the pressure of a Golden Core stage cultivator, immobilizing Yizhang Hong and the others, thenmanded authoritatively: Arrest them, search them! Before Yizhang Hong and hispanions could understand what was happening, they were captured by several Foundation Establishment stage constables and pinned to the ground. Whats going on? Is eating skewers in Yanjiang County a crime now? Then, Constable Wei found arge number of Life-Draining Talismans on Yizhang Hong, far more than what Lu Yang had framed him with. So it really was you who ced the Life-Draining Array! Fang Qingyun red at Yizhang Hong, ming him for hisck of rest these past few days. Lu Yang: Meng Jingzhou: Wait, could you not be so cooperative? Yizhang Hong and hispanions were even more puzzled. They thought their operation was wless, leaving no clues. Why did the constablese to arrest them? Where did the problem lie? (End of the chapter) Chapter 90: Interrogation Record Name? Yizhang Hong. Be honest, whats your real name? Zhang Xiaohong. Inside the interrogation room, under the flickering dim oilmp that cast a gloomy and dark atmosphere, Fang Qingyun stood with arms crossed, smirking at the newly captured suspect, while Constable Wei stared into Yizhang Hongs eyes, throwing one question after another. A junior constable was rapidly jotting down the interrogation content on a table beside them. Gender? Male. Cultivation level? Peak Late Foundation Establishment stage.Constable Wei snorted coldly: Record that,te Foundation Establishment stage, skip the rest. Zhang Xiaohong, now Ill tell you, if you think our handling of this case affects a fair trial, you can request a recusal, meaning someone else will take over. Do you wish to apply for a recusal? I request Constable Wei hummed, dragging the sound out with a rising intonation. Zhang Xiaohong quickly said: No, no, I do not request a recusal. Tell us, what brought you here? Not paying for skewers? Fang Qingyun, losing patience, said: Stop the interrogation, execute him on the spot. Just say he resisted fiercely when arrested, preferring death over submission, and died from poisoning himself. This was definitely something Fang Qingyun would do. Yizhang Hong, chained up, hurriedly said: Ill talk. About ten days ago, I woke up at the bottom of a cliff. It seems I identally slid down while passing by the mountain on the west side of Yanjiang County. When I woke up, I found a cave that seemed to be a cultivators dwelling. The cave looked long abandoned. I cautiously entered and found nothing of value except for a book. That book was taken from me during the search. It contained some obscure talismans and corresponding arrays, such as the Life-Draining Talisman and Life-Draining Array. ording to the book, the Life-Draining Talisman could convert lifespan into my cultivation. I was at a bottleneck and thought of breaking through to the Golden Core stage in one fell swoop, to live freely. Moreover, this method of breakthrough could also increase lifespan, which was too tempting. Fang Qingyun angrily said: Ive consulted with the county magistrate. With the scale youve set up, let alone breaking through from the Foundation Establishment to the Golden Core stage, even breaking through from the Golden Core to the Nascent Soul stage would be more than sufficient! Yizhang Hong thought to himself that he also knew it was a waste, but he didnt know any other method. Of course, he couldnt say that, so Yizhang Hong pretended not to hear Fang Qingyuns scolding and continued: Im a talisman cultivator myself and quickly learned the Life-Draining Talisman. Setting up the Life-Draining Array wasnt difficult; just arranging the Life-Draining Talismans into the shape of the array was enough. The effect of the Life-Draining Talisman is undetectable by cultivators, and its effect on mortals is merely causing drowsiness, easily overlooked. Moreover, once the array is set up, even the drowsiness effect disappears. Its just that the Life-Draining Array requires too many talismans to be posted, impossible for one person toplete in a short time. I happened to meet twopanions, the other two youve captured. Strangely, those two were not from Yanjiang County and appeared here, unable to remember why they came to Yanjiang County. We hit it off and decided to break through the Foundation Establishment stage together. We were meticulous in our actions, leaving no traces. While you were actively searching for Life-Draining Talismans, we didnt make any moves, feeling this ce bing increasingly unsafe. We wanted to leave Yanjiang County but heard about a famous barbecue shop here and wanted to try it before leaving. Before the skewers were even ready, you guys showed up. Yizhang Hong was puzzled, unable to figure out where the mistake was made. Constable Wei naturally wouldnt say it was the enthusiastic shop owner who reported them. After the interrogation, Constable Wei had him sign: Write your name at the bottom of each page, and on thest page write, I have read the above record, and it matches what I said. Press your fingerprint where all the signatures are. The next day, Constable Wei sent over a banner ofmendation as usual. He was considering whether to simply set up an office in the barbecue shop and live there, wondering if catching people this way would be more efficient than patrolling all day. With this going on, bing the Chief Constable seemed just a matter of time. Shopkeeper Lu, your barbecue shop has good Feng Shui, a ce of outstanding people and spirituality. Lu Yang offered a forced smile: Whether the ce is spiritually vibrant is secondary; the main thing is it attracts outstanding people. The magistrate office has been too busytely. Once its less busy, Ill apply to the higher-ups to see if we can issue your shop a que for being an outstanding establishment. That would be great, heres some freshly boiled water, have it while its hot. Lu Yang enthusiastically poured a cup of boiling water: Are you still busy even after catching them? Ah, well, the people have been caught, and we found the ce they mentioned, an abandoned cave that was probably used by a wanted demonic cultivator as a hideout. Once we tear down the Life-Draining Talismans ording to their directions, this case will be considered closed. The problem is the Spring Harvest Festival ising, and it looks like well have 20% more visitors thanst year. I doubt the Chief Constable will approve any leave, telling me to patrol more during the festival. You cane here to rest if youre tired from patrolling; our shop will be open as usual during the Spring Harvest Festival. After sending off Constable Wei, Meng Jingzhou heaved a sigh of relief: Finally, its over. The past few days have been so tense, searching for Life-Draining Talismans every day. Maybe Yizhang Hong saw how hard we were working and decided to walk into the trap himself. Barbarian Bone hesitated, feeling that Yizhang Hong probably didnt think that way. Lu Yang noticed Lan Ting gesturing non-stop and asked curiously: What are you doing? Lan Ting, without looking up, said: Im trying to research an automatic skewering array, where the bamboo skewers automatically thread the meat pieces. Lu Yang picked up a bamboo skewer, pinched it between two fingers, and weighed it, deep in thought. Suddenly, he threw several pieces of meat into the air and with a flick of his fingers, threw the bamboo skewer. Unfortunately, the skewer grazed past the meat pieces without threading them. Barbarian Bone didnt understand what Lu Yang was doing, thinking Brother Lu was ying some new game. Meng Jingzhous eyes lit up, catching on. Are you trying to use bamboo skewers to thread meat, practicing the technique of using hidden weapons? Lu Yang smiled without saying a word, which was as good as a confirmation. Soon, Meng Jingzhou also joined the practice, studying how to exert force precisely to skewer the meat pieces moving in the air. Barbarian Bone hesitated: This isnt something righteous cultivators do, right? Lu Yang seriously said: Youre mistaken. Havent you heard Upright stands the bamboo amid green mountains steep, Its toothlike root in broken rock is nted deep. Its strong and firm though struck and beaten without rest. Careless of the wind from north or south; east or west.? Bamboo is resilient and modest, a symbol of a gentleman. How could using bamboo as a weapon be considered a hidden weapon? (TL Note: The poem is Bamboo in the Rock by Zheng Xie. I got the trantion from /poem-bamboo-in-the-rock/) This is a weapon only gentlemen would use. Enlightened, Barbarian Bone felt an epiphany: So thats how it is, then Ill join too. Lan Ting focused on her array research, with several bamboo skewers floating in mid-air. Suddenly, with a whoosh, a skewer shot straight into the wall, quivering at the end. If the target had been a person, they would have been dead. The power seems a bit too strong, Lan Ting scratched her head, puzzled. She had tried to minimize the force as much as possible. Forget the automatic skewering array, might as well turn the power up to the maximum. The two specters watching the chaotic scene shivered in fear. (End of the chapter) Chapter 91: After the Sun Sets, Comes the Moon Before Lan Ting set up the Spirit Gathering Array, the three practiced their cultivation separately, constantly consolidating and enhancing their Foundation Establishment stage cultivation. After the Spirit Gathering Array was established on the second floor, the four of them practiced together. In their spare time, they exchanged cultivation insights, reaping substantial benefits. For example, Lu Yang learned that Barbarian Bone wouldnt practice horse stance while reciting the Sages Words believing it to be disrespectful to the sages. However, Barbarian Bone would recite the Sages Words while practicing horse stance. For example, Barbarian Bone found out that Meng Jingzhou frequented brothels during the day to train his mental strength, listening to songs without engaging in other activities, which was admirable. For instance, Meng Jingzhou learned that Lu Yang, when food got stuck in his teeth, would use ox hair infused with Sword Qi to pick it out, which was a whole new way of cultivation. For example, Lan Ting learned that the central continent was once refined from stars. Its actually like that. Lan Ting was stunned, this revtion greatly impacting her and resolving some of her confusion. What confusion? Lan Ting thought for a moment, feeling it wasnt something she couldnt discuss: You all know that the name of our Moon Laurel Immortal Pce has a dual meaning. One is that the sect is filled withurel trees, and the other is that the sect believes the moon has a certain special significance. The Moon Laurel Immortal Pce was built on the summit of a snowy mountain to be closer to the moon, indicating the moons importance in the sect.When I joined the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce, I asked my master why the moon held special significance. What about the sun? What about other stars? Can we draw power from the stars, like the Big Dipper? My master said the moon and the sun were originally one entity. As for the other stars, she just smiled meaningfully and didnt say much. However, my master always smiles like that when faced with things she doesnt understand, so I didnt dwell on it. Listening to you all, I think she probably knows the truth about the stars. Lu Yang frowned: The moon and the sun are one entity? Lan Ting nodded: Originally, I also didnt understand what this meant. Later, after a ss, when two senior sisters were talking, they said, After the sun extinguishes, it bes the moon. After the sun extinguishes, it bes the moon? Lu Yang was surprised, as this was a statement he had never heard before. Could it be that the myriad stars are illusions, and the sun and moon are the only real entities, and they are two sides of the same existence? The sun burns during the day, and at night it extinguishes to be the moon? The energy of the sun is terrifying; its said that the sun is the source of all life, and to this day, people practice cultivation using the sun, either through meditation or contemtion. If the sun is the moon, then where does all that extinguished energy go? That must be a colossal amount of energy! Does the sun at night retract this power, hiding it within, transforming into the moon? Speaking of which, why didnt the ancient nameless entity refine the sun along with the myriad stars? Lu Yang murmured. Without the sun, the world would be dim, and countless beings would wither and die. ording to Helmsman Chu, the ancient nameless entity regarded human life as worthless, so probably wouldnt have spared the sun out ofpassion. Meng Jingzhou suddenly asked: Do you know about the Sr Cult? The Sr Cult, one of the four major demonic sects? Lu Yang knew very little about it. Yes, the Sr Cult worships the sun, believing it holds some miraculous power. They im that when the sun is revived, all things will perish. They advocate self-destruction before the suns revival, to go to a heavenly paradise. Meng Jingzhou continued: I mean no offense to the sect, but if the sun and moon are one entity, then the views of the Sr Cult and the sect align in some ways, both acknowledging the sun and moons special existential significance and terrifying power. Lan Ting shook her head, not feeling that Meng Jingzhou was being offensive. There are such views within the sect, and even more radical ones. Meng Jingzhou shared a spection: Its possible that the ancient nameless entity is hidden within the sun. The sun has been hanging in the sky since ancient times, unchallenged, a blind spot in our thinking. Lu Yang offered another spection: Or perhaps the sun contains some immense power that even the ancient nameless entity was reluctant to touch. Regardless of which possibility, the sun and moon are far from the peaceful entities they appear to be. Lets forget it; its rare to encounter the Spring Harvest Festival, lets go out and have fun. Meng Jingzhou gave up on pondering and called everyone to rx. Instead of sitting here with all these thoughts, it might be better to go home and ask the elders. Those people definitely know more than himself. Like they knew he was a Single Spiritual Root but never told him, saying if he came to the Dao Seeking Sect, he would find out what type of spiritual root he was. As the Spring Harvest Festival approached, the festive atmosphere thickened, with various shopsunching activities to wee a surge of customers. The barbecue shop also entered its preparatory phase, offering tofu masks when buying skewers, much to the delight of children. The streets were adorned with colorful gs, a tradition in Yanjiang County organized by the government, meant to mimic the colors of spring and wee the season. Its said that Prefect Li specifically instructed that the gs be ced quickly, not to disrupt the normal lives of the people, mobilizing many for this task. In reality, the speed of g cement wouldnt affect peoples lives; it was just Prefect Li putting on a show for the public. With these gs up, it really feels like a festival. Meng Jingzhouughed, noting even the entrance to the barbecue shop was decorated with a red g. Take a look, take a look, rare books you dont see every day! An old man with yellow teeth was selling books by the street, piquing the interest of the group. What books are you selling? Martial arts secrets, out-of-print techniques, everything you could want. The old man with yellow teeth said with a smile. Meng Jingzhou casually flipped through and suddenly his eyes lit up, finding a martial arts secret manual: Lu Yang, look at this. This book is perfect for you. If youre willing to practice it, I guarantee you could reach the highest level. Lu Yang saw the cover, Toad Martial Arts. Get lost! Soon, Lu Yang also found a martial arts secret manual, suggesting Meng Jingzhou practice it: This martial arts manual is tailor-made for you. If youre willing to practice it, bing a martial immortal in the future is not impossible! Meng Jingzhou saw the cover, Sunflower Manual. The two exchanged nces andughed, kindly purchasing the manuals for each other. Barbarian Bone saw the first page of the Sunflower Manual read To practice this technique, one must first be castrated, and fell into thought: Does this mean women cant practice this martial art? Lan Ting didnt hear Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous banter; she was engrossed in a serialized novel. The novel was about a courtesan who sought to redeem herself and pursue true love, entrusting her life to a schr. But the schr was weak and selfish, truly in love with the courtesan but too embarrassed to marry a courtesan as his wife. Influenced by friends, he ultimately betrayed the courtesan, leading to her tragic suicide by drowning. Lan Ting was moved to tears, feeling deep sympathy for the courtesan. Lu Yang saw Lan Ting immersed in the story, stretching his neck to see, and found the story truly vivid and touching. He leaned over to see the books title. Dream of the Red Chamber Lu Yang: He felt the books title gave off a particrly odd vibe. (TL Note: Dream of the Red Chamber is a Chinese novelposed in the mid-18th century. One of the Four Great ssical Novels of Chinese literature, it is known for its psychological scope and its observation of the worldview, aesthetics, lifestyles, and social rtions of 18th-century China.) (End of the chapter) Chapter 92: The Market of Cultivators All four of them bought books to their liking. Barbarian Bone, out of interest in history, purchased a copy of The Unofficial History of the Great Xia. It contained many stories that even Meng Jingzhou, someone privy to insider information, found to be wild. Regardless, all four were satisfied with their purchases. As they walked, they noticed fewer and fewer mortals around them and more cultivators, as if a mysterious force was separating mortals from cultivators. Lan Ting and the othersmunicated telepathically: A repelling array has been deployed nearby, making mortals unconsciously steer clear of this area, while cultivators are unaffected. Meng Jingzhou suddenly realized and recalled information he had gathered during his casual strolls: Its the monthly market, which seems to have opened earlier this time due to the Spring Harvest Festival. The Spring Harvest Festival attracts not only mortals but also cultivators. This ce is a legitimate market, not the kind where murders and lootings aremon, and they could even see constables patrolling the area. That said, there were still many people in the market concealing their identities with masks or wearing ck robes.This wasmon; some cultivators live among mortals in disguise. If they were toe here in their true forms, wouldnt that expose their identities? For instance, Lu Yangs group of four. Each had their own method of concealing their identity: Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone chose to wear ck robes, feeling it added to the atmosphere, with Meng Jingzhou even chuckling menacingly a few times. Lan Ting removed her transformation talisman, revealing her naturally beautiful face, as she had been using her real identity while searching for demonic sect clues in Yanjiang County. Lu Yang discussed with Meng Jingzhou: How about I perform the Shape-Imitating Fist and transform into your appearance? The response he got was Meng Jingzhou pping the tofu mask onto Lu Yangs face. Lu Yang wore the tofu mask. Inside the market, there was a strong atmosphere of cultivation. A huge protective barrier enveloped the entire market, emitting a soft glow, creating a stark contrast with the outside world. Cultivators not seen for a long time sat by the roadside taverns, sipping a drink and discussing recent observations; cultivators argued with vendors over the prices of goods, each trying to earn a few more spirit stones; the government set up a fighting ring for cultivators who wished to duel, allowing them to fight to their hearts content on the ring. Look here, look here, the secret Great Strength Pill recipe passed down through generations, take one and gain unlimited strength! Lu Yang found it interesting and followed the voice to discover it was a medical hall. It seemed this medical hall was run by cultivators, with either an apprentice or an alchemist calling out the sales pitch. How much for one pill? The alchemists apprentice said: Ten spirit stones each, buy three get one free, buy five get two free. The price wasnt high, indicating the pills were not intended for cultivators at Lu Yangs Foundation Establishment stage but rather for those at the Qi Cultivation stage. Lu Yang decided to buy two as a souvenir, his first time seeing someone outside the Dao Seeking Sect making pills: Whats the effect? It temporarily increases strength, but after the strength fades, youll fall into a state of weakness for half a day. Lu Yang bought a pill and was about to leave when he saw Constable Sune in, whom he recognized as Constable Weis assistant. Ive received a report here that your Great Strength Pill involves false advertising. The alchemists apprentice was stunned, false advertising? Constable Sun exined seriously: ording to thew, you cannot use words like ultimate or unlimited in product advertising. After investigation, we found that your Great Strength Pill is suitable for cultivators below the thirdyer of Qi Cultivation and does not have the effect of unlimited strength. We hope you will correct this after this warning. The apprentice alchemist nodded earnestly, and after Lu Yang left, a voice came from the medical hall: Look here, look here, the Great Strength Pill crafted with a secret alchemy recipe passed down through generations, take one pill, and gain limited strength! Lu Yang suddenly felt that the Ten Bulls Strength Pill crafted by his senior brother Wu Ming was truly faultless, even avoiding the mostmon issue of false advertising in medicinal pills. Meng Jingzhou, who had seen many things and had a rtively serious alchemist in his family, showed little interest inmon items. Whats this? Meng Jingzhou picked up a small object from a stall, two wooden sticks glued together perpendicrly: Is this for making Chinese Breakfast Crepes? They sell this in the market? The stall owner was a middle-aged man with a full beard, serious-faced, sitting leisurely with his eyes closed, barely opening them reluctantly when Meng Jingzhou spoke, exuding the demeanor of a great artifact master. This is called the Flying Stick. ce it above your head, activate it with spiritual power, and it will spin and take you to the skies. It can be activated by those with a cultivation level of Qi Cultivation Stage Seven. Meng Jingzhou was astonished, realizing that the small market truly hid dragons and crouching tigers, harboring such an artifact master. Without special means, only Golden Core stage cultivators can fly; for example, Lu Yang could only fly with his sword at the Foundation Establishment stage, or by transforming into a crane with his Shape-Imitating Fist. Whether in general or special circumstances, the lowest requirement for cultivation to fly is the Foundation Establishment stage. Meng Jingzhou had never heard of flying at the Qi Cultivation Stage Seven. Qi Cultivation Stage Sevens spiritual power is thin, making it difficult to operate flying treasures. Seeing your disbelief, let me demonstrate. The bearded middle-aged man, confident, took out a wooden puppet. He tied the Flying Stick to the puppet, a wisp of spiritual energy emerged from his fingertip, striking the Flying Stick. The Flying Stick, as if just awakened, slowly began to rotate, speeding up until only its afterimage was visible. The Flying Stick, along with the wooden puppet, ascended into the sky, seemingly without issue. If theres a problem to mention, its that the Flying Sticks rotation also caused the wooden puppet to spin, with the puppets head as the center, its body rotating at high speed, maintaining the same frequency as the Flying Stick! If a person were below the Flying Stick, their brain would be thoroughly scrambled. See, didnt I tell you our puppets quality is good? It doesnt fall apart even when spinning so fast. Not to boast, but this puppet can even contend with a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, and the price is fair, a t rate of eight hundred! Go to hell! Meng Jingzhou finally understood that the other party was essentially using the name of the Flying Stick to sell puppets! Its clear that the market is full of deceit, and sincere people like Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou are rare. Lu Yang and his group nned to visit the Land of Gold Commerce area next, which is more regted and doesnt have the issues they just encountered. Would the four guests like to have their fortunes told? A voice rang out beside them. Lu Yang turned to see it was a fortune-teller, with an Eight Trigrams g hanging behind him, reading Calcting heaven and earth is not as good as calcting people, looking quite deste with no customers. Seeing Lu Yang and his friends pay attention, the fortune-teller added: If its not urate, its free. Want to give it a try? Lu Yang noticed the items on his table: an Eight Trigrams te, dice, the Four Treasures of Study, nine copper coins, a crystal ball Everything one could need for fortune-telling wasid out. Is this reliable? And why is there a crystal ball? (TL Note: Chinese Breakfast Crepes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jianbing_guozi) (End of the chapter) Chapter 93: Fortune Telling The fortune-teller was a cultivator about the same age as Lu Yang. Noticing Lu Yangs gaze, he exined with a hint ofint: Theres no helping it, people nowadays dont really believe in fortune-telling anymore, chanting things like I control my fate, not the heavens, making a living isnt easy. Some people prefer to have their fortunes told with Eight Trigrams, so I prepared a Eight Trigrams te. Some want to gamble on their luck, so I have dice. Some believe in fortune-telling through writing, so I prepared the Four Treasures of the Study. Some think tossing copper coins is the most effective, so I have ninerge coins prepared. And this crystal ball, its a trend that has risen in recent years from the Eastern Seas. People like to use crystal balls for fortune-telling, for which I even went to the Eastern Seas to learn. Besides, this crystal ball can not only tell fortunes on the surface but also y small videos in secret, making money from two functions. How about it, want to choose one and give it a try? Its free if its not urate. The fortune-teller enthusiastically promoted his services. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou looked at the fortune-teller with suspicion, feeling wary. Lu Yang always felt that the fortune-teller was not simple, as if he could see through something.Barbarian Bone, encountering fortune-telling for the first time, found it very interesting: Can you tell my fortune? The fortune-tellers lips curled into a slight smile: Sure, which method would you like to use, and what would you like to inquire about? Barbarian Bone thought for a moment, considering himself a Confucian cultivator, and said: Lets go with character fortune-telling. Ill write a character, and you tell me if I can be a great Confucian. Please. The fortune-teller skillfully arranged the Four Treasures of the Study, inviting Barbarian Bone to write. Barbarian Bone penned the character swiftly. The fortune-teller tapped it and hissed long: This character of yours Whats wrong? Barbarian Bone asked anxiously. Your writing is so ugly. What character is this? Confucian. The fortune-tellerposed himself and analyzed, A Confucian is gentle, a term for schrs. Its formed from person and need sounds. Youre physically strong, seemingly indestructible, but you have a soft heart, indecisive, easily swayed by others, bing like whatever you learn. Looking at the need character, with rain above and below. As the saying goes, clouds above the sky, rain when needed, implying you will be needed in the future. This person character stands by itself, meaning not only can you be a great Confucian, but you could also be a new form of great Confucian. (TL Note: The character for Confucian is . If you split it right and left, it forms , person, and , need. The need can be further split from the top and bottom to form , rain, and , which is and.) Barbarian Bone, hearing he could be a great Confucian, was overjoyed. His level in Confucian studies was the lowest among the four elders disciples. Although the elders didnt mind, advocating teaching without discrimination, saying he just hadnt had his enlightenment yet. Once enlightened, he could instantly enter the path of Confucianism, with limitless prospects. But Barbarian Bone alwayscked confidence. Now, with the fortune-tellers analysis, saying he could be a great Confucian, he regained his confidence. He still had great potential! By the way, theres one more thing. What? Practice your writing more when you get back. Oh. Do you need a copybook? I happen to have one here. Take one, its a necessary expense on your path to bing a great Confucian. Barbarian Bone thought the fortune-teller made sense and bought a copybook. Seeing Barbarian Bones fortune-telling session was interesting, Lan Ting also wanted to try and sat down, asking: I want to know if my future achievements will be higher in formations or in talismans. Lets use the crystal ball. She had recently started learning about formations and found her interest in formations seemed to exceed talismans. Lan Ting was considering whether to change her focus. The fortune-teller lifted the crystal ball towards Lan Ting, rubbing his hands back and forth, muttering: Spirit of the heavens, spirit of the earth, crystal ball reveal your powers! Spirit of the heavens, spirit of the earth, crystal ball reveal your powers! Seeing the result shown in the crystal ball, the fortune-teller was dumbfounded: Uh, in the future, you incorporated formations into talismans, merging formations and talismans into one? The fortune-teller looked at Lan Ting with a strange gaze, pondering over such an unconventional approach. This beautiful female cultivator, why does her thinking diverge so much from ordinary people? Lan Ting tilted her head in thought, feeling that what the fortune-teller said wasnt impossible, and promptly paid him. It was Meng Jingzhous turn next. He raised an eyebrow, You wouldnt happen to be a disciple of the Heavens Mysteries Sect, would you? The Heavens Mysteries Sect, known as the foremost fortune-telling sect in the Central Continent, had predicted the reappearance of the ancient great era. The sect highly values cause and effect, and ordinary means of concealing ones identity are ineffective in front of them. A nce from a disciple of the Heavens Mysteries Sect can reveal ones background and origins. Perhaps this fortune-teller saw that they came from the Dao Seeking Sect and the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce. Ha ha, dear brother, you must be mistaken. Im just a wanderer, a mere mortal. How could I possibly be a disciple of the Heavens Mysteries Sect? Meng Jingzhou fell silent for a moment, then took out a blood oath scroll from his identity jade token, Three hundred years ago, the Supreme Elder of the Heavens Mysteries Sect borrowed a huge amount of top-grade spirit stones from our Meng family and then hid in his cave, iming to be in closed-door cultivation. When our Meng family went to your sect to collect the debt, your sect leader made a blood oath, promising to repay it, and said that any direct descendant of the Meng family encountering a disciple of the Heavens Mysteries Sect could demand repayment ording to the blood oath. Do you want to test the power of the blood oath? Hearing that the Meng family was the creditor of the world, it seemed to be true. The fortune-teller Luo Bo knelt down immediately, clinging to Meng Jingzhous leg, crying and begging, Big brother Meng, please have mercy so we can meet again in the future! Our Heavens Mysteries Sect is so poor that we cant even afford to keep disciples; were sent down the mountain to fend for ourselves. If I, Luo Bo, had money, I wouldnt have fallen to scamming people here! I even have to pay a stall fee here, and I cant afford it! Look at this robe Im wearing; its been patched up and worn for several years, I dont have the money to buy a new one! Meng Jingzhou rolled his eyes; the robe was clearly refined and valuable. I didnt expect you to repay the debt, just get up. Meng Jingzhou forcefully pulled his leg free, Give us two fortunes for free, and I wont trouble you anymore. Remember, no deceiving! Ha ha ha, thats easy. Come on, tell me about my fate, what will my future achievements be? Lu Yang spread his hands, letting the disciple of the Heavens Mysteries Sect, Luo Bo, read his palm. Luo Boughed confidently, still self-assured in his expertise: Thats amon question, let me take a look. Unexpectedly, Luo Bos eyes widened, he suddenly stood up in disbelief, backed away several steps until he reached the wall. Your, your, your fate its murky, in the future, you will have karmic ties with several immortals! Luo Bo found that despite being entwined in the karma of immortals, Lu Yang could move freely as if unaffected. But thats not the most terrifying part. The most horrifying thing was Luo Bo also discovered that Lu Yang would be a major disaster in the cultivation world, spreading the Dao Seeking Sects practices throughout the entire cultivation world! The Dao Seeking Sects practices were outrageous enough; if the entire cultivation world were to be assimted by the Dao Seeking Sect, how could anyone live! Absolutely must not entangle with such a person! Luo Bo inwardlymented; he saw the four as wealthy sheep, perfect for scamming some money, not expecting to encounter an untouchable existence like Lu Yang! No, from the fortune, it wasnt just Lu Yang spreading the bad practices throughout the cultivation world, but another person as well. The other person is Luo Bo looked towards the big debtor, Meng Jingzhou. Run! Without another word, Luo Bo used an escape technique, not even bothering to pack up his table, and fled: I, I, I havent seen you today! One more nce and he feared his life would end here. Before the four could react, Luo Bo had vanished. Lu Yang med Meng Jingzhou, It must be your debt collecting that scared him away. (End of the chapter) Chapter 94: Could This Book Be the Legendary One That Hides... Facing Lu Yangs skilled usations, Meng Jingzhou disdainfully retorted, What do you mean I scared him away? Didnt you hear what he said, about you having karmic entanglements with immortals in the future? Its probably you who did something that outraged both humans and gods, angering the immortals to unite and suppress you! Lu Yang waved his hand dismissively, Impossible. I am always aware of my actions and would never do something so outrageous. It must be an excuse Luo Bo made up. The two of them kept passing the me, firmly refusing to admit it was their fault. Barbarian Bone opened his mouth, wanting to suggest that perhaps it was both of their faults, but ultimately, he didnt say it. After spending a few days together, Lan Ting had gradually be familiar with Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous way of speaking. She treated their argument like it was just wind blowing past her ears. Look, thats the Land of Gold Commerce ahead. Let me take you around! At the entrance of the Land of Gold Commerce, a statue of a chubby pig holding a coin in its hand stood, representing the ssic mascot of themerce. Lu Yang had long heard of the great reputation of the Land of Gold Commerce and wanted to take a look.The interior of themerce was decorated in a low-key manner, exuding taste throughout. This was starkly different from the decoration style of somemerces that suddenly became rich and tried hard to unt their wealth. The Land of Gold Commerce did not need to unt; its reputation alone spoke volumes. In the Central Continent, the name of the number onemerce was known to all. Inside themerce, the array of goods dazzled Barbarian Bone. There were pills meticulously refined by masters, spiritual treasures forged by craftsmen with all their might, rare materials unearthed from dangerous ces, and talismans and formations evolving from simplicity toplexity Seeing the prices marked, Barbarian Bone felt like a pauper who couldnt afford anything. Barbarian Bone noticed that Meng Jingzhou and Lan Ting were browsing themerce casually, strolling leisurely without worrying about the prices, which he could understand. But he was surprised to find that Lu Yang, who was supposedly of simr financial status, also seemed indifferent to the prices. Barbarian Bone quietly asked, Brother Lu, the items here are so expensive. I cant afford any. Of course, Barbarian Bone couldnt mean he couldnt afford anything at all; he meant that he couldnt afford those seemingly powerful items suitable for the Foundation Establishment stage. Lu Yang looked at Barbarian Bone in surprise, Buy? Why would you want to buy things here? Look at these pills and treasures. They may look luxurious and expensive, but they are essentially just for show. How can theypare to the items produced by our sect in terms of practicality? Barbarian Bone nodded, recognizing the truth in Lu Yangs words. The fried dough sticks from their sect were cheap, sturdy, and chewy. More than a month had passed, and the half of the fried dough stick that Lu Yang gave to Meng Jingzhou was still not finished. Besides, if you dont have money, cant you just make some? With our status, we can easily make money by selling something. Watch this, Ill show you how. With that, Lu Yang approached a waiter standing by, Excuse me, do you buy techniques here? The waiter politely responded, Hello, yes, we do. However, we only purchase spells that are notmon in ourmerce. We already havemon techniques here. Are you looking to sell a technique? Lu Yang nodded, I have a transformation technique that allows attacking while transforming. Its a secret art of my family. The waiter was surprised. He had been working there for ten years and had never heard of such a transformation technique. Please, follow me. Theres an auction happening today, and Master Yang Xuanlun is here. Lets have him appraise the value of your transformation technique. The four were led to a room where an elderly man with sses was reading a book. His aged appearance suggested he was well-experienced and knowledgeable, presumably Yang Xuanlun. The waiter whispered a few words to Yang Xuanlun. Oh? Theres such a technique? I understand. You may leave now. Yes. The waiter respectfully exited the room. The four of you have a transformation technique that allows attacking while transforming? Exactly. Lu Yang presented his Lu Familys Shape-Imitating Fist. Yang Xuanlun fell silent for a moment, If my eyes havent deceived me, and I havent misread the words, does the book say Shape-Imitating Fist? Lu Yang stepped forward, crossed out the words Shape-Imitating Fist on the cover, and wrote Transformation Technique. Now its a transformation technique. Yang Xuanlun encountered for the first time someone who was so casual with naming. After being in this line of work for so long, indeed, you meet all kinds of people. Yang Xuanlun slowly flipped through the pages, analyzing word by word, and angrily eximed, Isnt this just Shape-Imitating Fist! How could that be? Lu Yang was genuinely surprised, This is definitely a transformation technique. Look, Ill demonstrate it for you! Lu Yang performed a set of Shape-Imitating Fist on the spot, transforming from Barbarian Bone to Meng Jingzhou, then into a tiger demon. The performance was powerful and seemed very formidable. Yang Xuanlun watched with wide eyes for a long time but couldnt understand how Lu Yang managed to transform. It was indeed Shape-Imitating Fist, the processpletely consistent with what was written in the book, and there was no use of any spells in secret. How much should it be priced? Yang Xuanlun stroked his beard, pretending to fully understand, Your transformation technique is indeed interesting. It would be a waste to simply sell it as a regr item outside. How about we take this transformation technique to auction? Theres an auction happening soon. Okay. At the auction site, Lu Yang encountered an old acquaintance. It was Chi Xulun, who had mastered the skill of spitting stones. Chi Xulun didnt disguise himself, true to his introduction of being mboyant and disliking disguises. With his cultivation, he indeed didnt need to disguise himself in the entire Yanjiang County. Sitting next to Chi Xulun was a man in a ck robe, whom Lu Yang guessed was the assassin Shen Jinyi. Lu Yang took the initiative to sit next to Chi Xulun. Upon seeing the childish tofu mask on Lu Yang, Chi Xulun snorted disdainfully. For some reason, he felt very angry when he saw the person in the tofu mask. The well-dressed auctioneer took the stage, appearing professionally trained. Without using his cultivation, his voice was loud and clear, audible throughout the venue. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you foring. Without further ado, lets begin. Todays first auction item is three Foundation Establishment Pills. As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue buzzed with excitement, not expecting the auction to start with such a heavyweight item. Most attendees were in the middle orter stages of Qi cultivation, knowing their financial limits, early-stage cultivators wouldnt attend the auction. Even Foundation Establishment stage cultivators were tempted, who doesnt have a Qi stage junior in their family? Lu Yang didnt. He thought about it and realized that among the people he knew, he was the one with the lowest cultivation level. When the ancient ancestors first established the path of cultivation, they naturally didnt rely on external objects and built their foundation on their own, but that method was extremely risky, and countless people died in the process of foundation establishment. Later, someone developed Foundation Establishment Pills that could improve the efficiency of foundation building. These pills not only increase the sess rate but also ensure that there are noplications after failure, nor does ones cultivation regress. Even Lan Ting, a disciple of the Immortal Pce, took a Foundation Establishment Pill during her foundation establishment. She asked via telepathy, Did you use Foundation Establishment Pills when you were establishing your foundation? Lu Yang shook his head, Our philosophy on taking pills is quite advanced. During foundation establishment, we directly consume the raw materials of the Foundation Establishment Pill, using our bodies as the pill furnace to refine the materials, allowing the medicinal effects topletely dissolve into the meridians. Through research, we found that this method has the highest efficiency in absorbing the medicinal effects. The seventh elder of the Pill Cauldron Peak repeatedly established his foundation a hundred times when he was young to conclude this, so the data is absolutely reliable. At that time, the seventh elder also earned the title Strongest Foundation Establishment Stage. Later, because his foundation was too solid, the process of forming his Golden Core was exceptionally painful, like having gallstones. Lan Ting: While they were talking, the three Foundation Establishment Pills had already been auctioned off. Next up for auction is a transformation technique. The auctioneer brought out the book Lu Yang had just consigned. Lu Yang let out a soft exmation, speaking just loud enough for Chi Xulun to hear clearly, Could this book be the legendary one that hides Chi Xulun, previously uninterested in the book, suddenly became alert. (End of the chapter) Chapter 95: How Could the Undying Sect Possibly Have a Righteous Undercover Agent! A sighing sound came from the audience. Although the transformation technique was difficult to practice, it was quitemon and had no value for auction. Only a few people, like Lu Yang and Chi Xulun, did not sigh. The auctioneer continued, This book is not an ordinary transformation technique. During the transformation process, it can also be used to attack. If used inbat, I believe it could have an unexpected effect. People then showed some interest, but not much, as who uses a transformation technique inbat? The auctioneer reminded, It should be noted that this spell is extremely difficult to practice. Master Yang Xuanlun has said that although this book seems ordinary, it is far from simple as it appears on the surface! Lu Yang continued in a voice just loud enough for Chi Xulun to hear, Indeed, this book is too simr to the one described in the legends. Meng Jingzhou, sitting beside him, quickly and quietly said, Shut up, can you even say such things out loud? When will you get rid of this habit of talking to yourself! Startled, Lu Yang immediately closed his mouth and fixed his gaze on the transformation technique on the stage. Chi Xulun, observing Lu Yangs reaction from the corner of his eye, confirmed his suspicions to some extent.Starting price, one hundred spirit stones! This price was far lower than the normal rate for a transformation technique, it seemed even the Land of Gold Commerce was unsure about the pricing for the Shape-Imitating Fist. One hundred and ten! Someone quickly made a bid, considering the small amount of spirit stones worth it for something unique. One hundred and twenty! Chi Xulun casually called out, as if just throwing out a bid. One hundred and forty! One hundred and eighty! Two hundred! The price for the Shape-Imitating Fist skyrocketed. Eight hundred! Lu Yang called out. Meng Jingzhou quickly held Lu Yangs hand, Why are you bidding so high, do you want everyone to notice? I, I just didnt want it to be bought by someone else. Eight hundred spirit stones wasnt a lot, but that was for Foundation Establishment cultivators. Qi Cultivation cultivators couldnt just pull out eight hundred spirit stones easily. One thousand! A voice rose from beside Lu Yang. Surprised, Lu Yang looked at Chi Xulun, not understanding why the other wouldpete with him for this transformation technique. It was just a seemingly unique spell! Could the other party also have noticed something? But how could he have noticed? Lu Yang cursed internally, had his muttering been overheard? He whispered to Chi Xulun, Fellow Daoist, this spell seems to be a long-lost spell of our family. Could you let me have it? I will surely repay you generously after the auction ends! Chi Xulun sneered, a long-lost spell, who would believe that? There must be ancient secrets hidden within this spell! Shen Jinyi, sitting next to him, wanted to persuade him but seeing Chi Xuluns determined attitude, he said nothing further. Seeing that nice words were ineffective, Lu Yang bid, One thousand two hundred lower-grade spirit stones! Two thousand. Chi Xulun didnt even lift an eyelid, guessing Lu Yang definitely wasnt at the Foundation Establishment stage given his timid bidding. Lu Yang put up all his assets, Two thousand three hundred lower-grade spirit stones! Three thousand. Chi Xulun still wore an indifferent expression. Lu Yang borrowed money from Meng Jingzhou, Lend me a thousand spirit stones, Ill definitely return them next year! Okay. Meng Jingzhou agreed without hesitation. Three thousand three hundred lower-grade spirit stones! Four thousand! Lu Yang continued to borrow money, but he could never outbid the wealthy Chi Xulun. In the end, Chi Xulun won the transformation technique with a shocking price of eight thousand spirit stones. Lu Yang tearfully made a profit of eight thousand spirit stones, achieving a win-win situation, much to everyones delight. After the auction ended, as Lu Yang and his group were preparing to leave, just as they stepped out of the market area and arrived at the deserted foot of the mountain, they were blocked by Chi Xulun and Shen Jinyi. What do you want to do! Chi Xulun smiled cruelly, What do we want to do? Kid, dont y dumb. No one has ever tricked me! He took out the Lu Familys Transformation Technique and released his Foundation Establishment stage aura, Tell me, what ancient secret is hidden in this book! If you tell me, I can spare your lives. If you dare to lie, then dont me me for being ruthless! Chi Xulun had no intention of letting the four go, knowing that the fewer people who knew the ancient secret, the better. Moreover, Lan Ting was extremely beautiful, and he intended to y with her before killing her! In Chi Xuluns eyes, these four, unable to produce a few thousand spirit stones, were surely at the Qi Cultivation stage. Qi Cultivators had no chance of resistance against him! Lu Yang sighed, thinking of the hint given by Helmsman Chu to cause trouble during the Spring Festival. Had Helmsman Chu anticipated todays situation, suggesting he kill Chi Xulun and Shen Jinyi? Helmsman Chus Ingenious Calctions! Lu Yang removed his mask, revealing his true face: Chi Xulun, theres no need for us to be so stiff with each other. Saying this, he secretly took out a recording sphere. Lu Yang! You deserve to die! Chi Xulun became furious, instantly realizing that Lu Yang was mocking him. The auction was a y staged for him! There must be some misunderstanding between us, surely someone is stirring trouble behind our backs. How about this, lets go to Helmsman Chu and rify things. Even if you dont believe me, you should at least believe Helmsman Chu, right? Mentioning Helmsman Chu only made Chi Xulun angrier: You dare bring up Helmsman Chu, where do you get the nerve! Helmsman Chu must have been deceived by you to let you be an officer. What other viin, you are the viin! How am I the viin? Dont talk nonsense! Lu Yang argued vehemently. Chi Xulun sneered: Dont think I dont know about all the good things youve done! In front of Helmsman Chu, you act like a gentleman, but all youve done since joining the sect is to harm us. I see you as nothing but a righteous spy sent here! Of course, Chi Xuluns words were spoken in anger. If he truly believed Lu Yang was a righteous spy, he would have secretly monitored Lu Yang and gathered evidence long ago. Lu Yang sighed deeply, put away the shadow-capturing orb, and drew his three-foot green de, reluctantly saying, It seems there is only battle left between us. Chi Xulun and Shen Jinyi, with a hint of disdainful smiles, drew their weapons to face off. Meng Jingzhou, Barbarian Bone, and Lan Ting did the same. The battlemenced. Lu Yang brought the news of Chi Xulun and Shen Jinyis deaths to Helmsman Chu. No matter how strong Chi Xulun and Shen Jinyi were, they couldnt possibly survive against four Immortal Sect disciples. It was a one-sided crushing defeat, and the manner of their deaths was so gruesome that Lan Ting lost her appetite. Lu Yang took out the shadow-capturing orb and exined to Helmsman Chu, You know what Chi Xulun is like, he kills at the slightest disagreement. I recorded in advance just in case he came to you iming injustice, saying I bullied him. Now, it seems he wont being to you. The shadow-capturing orb had some issues and recorded intermittently, but fortunately, it can roughly reflect the situation at that time. Please have a look. Helmsman Chu, sitting on a jade chair, picked up the shadow-capturing orb and saw the scene. Chi Xulun, theres no need for us to be so stiff with each other. Lu Yang tried to ease the tension with Chi Xulun. Lu Yang! You deserve to die! Clearly, Chi Xulun was not receptive. There must be some misunderstanding between us, surely someone is stirring trouble behind our backs. How about this, lets go to Helmsman Chu and rify things. Even if you dont believe me, you should at least believe Helmsman Chu, right? Helmsman Chu where do you get the nerve! Helmsman Chu letting you be an officer you are the viin! How am I the viin? Dont talk nonsense! Lu Yang argued his case. Dont think I dont know he the good things hes done! Helmsman Chu acting like a gentleman all youve done since joining the sect is to harm us I see just a righteous spy sent here! The recording ended there, leaving Helmsman Chu grinding his teeth in anger. Lu Yang, filled with righteous indignation, said, Helmsman, youve been kind to me. We in the Demonic Path have our own pride and gratitude. Seeing Chi Xulun falsely using you and Shen Jinyi not stopping him, I was enraged. In a fit of anger, I, along with Meng Jingzhou and the others, killed them! Its not suitable to record during a fight, so I put away the shadow-capturing orb. Naturally, Lu Yang wouldnt let Helmsman Chu know about their fighting style. Helmsman Chu praised loudly, and one could even sense his anger towards Chi Xulun: Well done! Those two beasts deserved their deaths! Helmsman Chu knew of Chi Xuluns dissatisfaction with him. He had called Chi Xulun over for guidance, considering his talents, and Chi Xulun had expressed loyalty in front of him, iming he would do better than Lu Yang. Now, it seemed Chi Xulun still harbored resentment, even fabricating absurd ims like being a righteous undercover agent. How could the Undying Sect possibly have a righteous undercover agent! Lu Yang, youve removed two major threats for our sect. Well done! When the inspector arrives, Ill be sure to speak highly of you! (End of the chapter) Chapter 96: The Long Holiday Also, Ive received a message from the inspector. He said he has long heard of the Spring Harvest Festival and has advanced his schedule to arrive in Yanjiang County during the festival. You should be prepared and not show any weakness in front of the inspector. Previously, the inspector had said he woulde to Yanjiang County after the Spring Harvest Festival. Yes. When Lu Yang left the branch, he encountered Wang He, Bai Zifang, and other stewardsing towards him. Wang He and the others nodded slightly in greeting. This newly promoted steward, Lu Yang, was a favorite of Helmsman Chu in front of him; they couldnt afford to offend him. Wang He and the others had been working in the branch for decades and knew some things. They spected that Helmsman Chu directly appointed Lu Yang and the other two because of their high evaluation during the induction test, especially Lu Yang, who might have the highest evaluation among them. Wang He whispered, The helmsman has always been a person who doesnt get up early for no benefit. He probably knows that Lu Yang will rise and wants to build a good rtionship with him before Lu Yang bes influential, to facilitate his future promotion. They knew that what the helmsman wanted most was to be promoted to a more economically developed area as a helmsman, so he particrly valued the uing inspector. Maybe he called us here this time rted to the inspector.But speaking of which, doesnt the helmsman stillck a condition for promotion? Has he reached the Nascent Soul stage? Promotion within the sect is not only about the faith in the Immortal of Undying but also about cultivation level. Who knows? Maybe he has already reached it and just hasnt told us. He never exins his actions to us, and we dont know the purpose behind them. Helmsman Chus style is also the style of the entire demonic sect, filled with distrust. Although Helmsman Chu seems to trust Lu Yang, in reality, he doesnt. Helmsman Chu has never revealed any information about his rtionship with Lu Yang. Lu Yang knows very little about Helmsman Chu. The Spring Harvest Festival arrived as scheduled, and the barbecue shops customer flow reached its peak. Several foreign merchants have noticed the business opportunity of the barbecue shop and proposed to Lu Yang to open branches. Lu Yang would provide the recipes, and they would provide the capital. Without exception, all were sternly rejected by Lu Yang. Some cultivators wanted to dine and dash but, seeing the three silk banners hanging on the wall, swallowed this impractical idea and paid honestly. With the help of the automatic barbecue array, the two hungry ghosts had more time to thread skewers. Thus, even with more customers than usual, the barbecue shop was able to operate smoothly. Lets go to the barbecue shop again Yes, this one. My aunt told me this barbecue shop is especially delicious. If youe to Yanjiang County, you must try it! Look, now the shop is running a promotion. If you consume here, you can get a voucher to receive a 10% discount at the tofu shop on Front Street. Consumers who spend more than one silver tael can participate in the lucky spin once. The number of attempts can umte, unlimited, and prizes are limited, firste first serve. Lets go and try. The two reached a consensus and lined up at the end of the queue, not knowing how long they would have to wait to eat. At the entrance of the barbecue shop, Meng Jingzhou was busy with the lucky spin, bustling with activity. The big spin wheel had options like y Again, Third Prize, Second Prize, First Prize, Grand Prize. Congrattions to this customer for winning the second prize, 40% off this consumption! Lets congratte him! Meng Jingzhou pped enthusiastically, seeming even happier than the winner. First prize, a first prize has appeared, this customers entire consumption is free! A grand prize, someone actually got the grand prize! The customer couldnt believe he had won the grand prize and asked cheerfully, Whats the grand prize? Meng Jingzhou, holding the customers hand with enthusiasm, said, Congrattions, youve won the opportunity to experience being a waiter at our shop! Normally, people pay to experience the joy ofboring as a waiter here, but youre lucky, you get to experience it without spending a dime! Considering the smoky and harsh environment in the backyard, our professional staff will bring the skewers to the entrance of the backyard, so you wont have to go there! Meng Jingzhou had an expression of thoughtful consideration, as if saying theres no need to praise us. Customer: Can I exchange it for the first prize? No. The customer declined the reward of the grand prize. Up to this point, Meng Jingzhou hadnt managed to persuade anyone to enjoy the treatment of the grand prize, but he enjoyed the process of tricking people. Inside the barbecue shop, Lu Yang, carrying a tray, moved back and forth. He was light on his feet, agile, and his lower body was extremely stable, keeping the tray level and the skewers from shaking. He didnt bump into any customers, a testament to his skill. After more than a month of life as a waiter, his stepping skills had greatly improved. Ma Gongcao, Chi Zhubu, hows the food? Lu Yang greeted two customers with a smile. These two were local officials who often came here for skewers and drinks. Its as delicious as always. Shop Owner Lu, your skills are wasted here. You should open a shop in a bigger county. Youd definitely earn more! Go on, stop talking nonsense. Havent you heard that the Shop Owner Lu doesnt even want to open a branch? Its clear he opened this shop out of interest, not intending to make money. Lu Yang could only offer a polite smile: Enjoy the Spring Harvest Festival. Both were clearly drunk, with flushed cheeks and staggering, Ma Gongcao grumbled: Speaking of the Spring Harvest Festival makes me angry. It was supposed to be a seven-day holiday, a long holiday. I dont know whose bright idea it was to shorten the Spring Harvest Festival holiday to three days! What can you do in three days? They even call it a mini long holiday. Listen to this term, does it make any sense? Adding a mini before long holiday, does it still count as a long holiday! I wish the person who came up with this term a mini long life! Chi Zhubu quickly covered Ma Gongcaos mouth: You cant say things like that recklessly. You arrivedte, its normal not to know, but this was the idea of City Governor Li! Ma Gongcao snorted: So it was him. Not much talent, but plenty of ideas! Chi Zhubu, who was more informed, whispered: Keep it down. Now is not the time to speak ill of City Governor Li. I heard that City Governor Li has found a way and recently captured three vicious demonic cultivators in the county. Its a great achievement, and hes about to be promoted. The chief bailiff Fang Qingyun will take his ce! Ma Gongcao scoffed, showing disdain for City Governor Li, but knowing City Governor Li wouldnt care about someone like him: A few days ago, a colleagueined to me, saying City Governor Li issued random orders, making the magistrate office work overtime in the early morning to nt small gs everywhere, with not a single mistake allowed. He even supervised the work himself, pretending to be diligent. He, being in the Golden Core stage, might not need to sleep, but others do. Many magistrate office workers fell asleep while working! Lu Yang poured wine for the two: Ill go attend to other things. Go ahead, shop owner Lu, dont mind us. On the first night of the Spring Harvest Festival, the four men and two ghosts were exhausted to the point of copsing. Before going to sleep, Barbarian Bone remembered: It seems ghosts dont need to sleep. Should we arrange work for them at night too? (End of the chapter) Chapter 97: What Was That Saying About Marking a Boat for...? Trantor: yikaii Editor: yikaii Originally, Lan Ting was ustomed to recing sleep with meditation at night, but since joining the barbecue shop, she developed the good habit of sleeping at night. When the four woke up, they feltpletely refreshed and invigorated, thanks in part to the formation Lan Ting had set up. Lets go out and have fun, I havent had enough! Meng Jingzhou, the most energetic, practically dragged Lu Yang out of bed like herding a pig. Lu Yang kicked Meng Jingzhou before getting up unwillingly. Barbarian Bone went to the market early to buy groceries, as he was the earliest riser. Barbarian Bone made a pot of dumpling soup, added four eggs, a few drops of sesame oil, filling the entire hall with a fragrant aroma. Lu Yang, who liked vinegar, added a small spoonful to his bowl of dumpling soup. After eating their fill, the four set out, feeling refreshed and energetic. They left home rtively early, yet the streets were already filled with tourists. Lu Yang heard that inns had been booked solid, and many chose to stay in guesthouses.Peoples faces were filled with joyful smiles, and children wore tofu masks just like Lu Yangs, holding big pinwheels and jumping around. Parents held their childrens hands tightly, fearing they might get lost. Its as lively here as at a temple fair. Have you heard? Someone brought a huge creature from the south of the continent. Its by the river, lets go check it out! someone excitedly told theirpanion. Hearing this, Meng Jingzhou couldnt suppress his curiosity and led the three to the river to see the huge creature. The four arrived at the familiar big stone bridge, only this time they stood on top of it, and small gs filled both sides of the bridge. Seeing the huge creature, Meng Jingzhou was somewhat disappointed: I thought it was something else, turns out its just an elephant. By the Yinchuan River, this area was already a popr spot for visitors every year. Now, with someone bringing an elephant from the south of the continent to show off, even more curious onlookers gathered. Lu Yang, needless to say, had seen elephants before. Meng Jingzhou and Lan Ting,ing from noble families, had seen more exotic and strange things since childhood than Lu Yang had ever heard of. Barbarian Bone, living in the wilderness, had even hunted elephants before. Ordinary people didnt have the experiences of Lu Yang and his friends, and were very interested in such arge animal as the elephant. Visitors marveled: Is this a demon beast? Its so big, and it has such a long nose and tusks? The elephants owner, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, exined: It indeed is a demon beast. Its difficult to assess the realm of demon beasts, but its roughly equivalent to the sixth level of Qi cultivation. However, its size has nothing to do with being a demon beast. Creatures like this are called elephants and grow this big when they reach adulthood. Visitors continued to ask, How heavy is such arge creature? The owner of the elephantughed, who would know? Theres no scalerge enough to weigh it. Another visitor suggested, Were right next to the river. We could put the elephant on arge boat, make a mark where the boat touches the water, then load the boat with stones or something. When the marked spot touches the water again, we weigh the stones to find out how heavy the elephant is. (TL Note: This is based off a story called Cao Ceng Weighs the Elephant, its more of a childrens story, I remember seeing it in my textbook as a kid lol. /watch?v=RHB2hDKj5rE) The owner, curious about the weight of his spiritual pet, happily agreed. Under the ownersmand, the elephant was driven onto the boat. The elephant was too heavy, and the boat in the shallow area couldnt carry it, so the owner rowed to the middle of the river. Taking out a knife, he made a mark at the waterline. Just as the owner was about to swim back, the elephant, by chance, nced up and saw Barbarian Bone, which scared it tremendously. Demon beasts are most sensitive to aura, and the ancient barbarian tribes often hunted elephants in the wilderness. This ferocious killing aura flows in their blood, and though the elephant does not understand the meaning behind it, it feels an inherent chill in its presence around Barbarian Bone, a suppression stemming from their bloodline. The elephant panicked and with a ssh, fell into the water, sinking to the bottom. People on the shore eximed, urging the elephants owner to quickly save it. However, the owner calmly made a mark where the elephant fell into the water, saying, This is where the elephant fell in. The people on the shore were puzzled, and the owner did not exin further until they were close to the shore. Then, pointing at the mark, he exined, My elephant fell in here, and its still here! Everyoneughed, thinking he was joking, but then the river surface churned, creating a whirlpool, and the elephant truly emerged, pping itsrge ears, flying up from below the mark. A special product from the southern part of the continent, the Flying Elephant. Barbarian Bone witnessed this scene, his brow furrowed, then suddenly realized, hitting his palm with his fist, I remember now, we learned this idiom in ss, this is called Mark the Boat for a Dropped Elephant! (TL Note: The original idiom is , which is Mark the Boat for a Dropped Sword its a story where the exact same situation happens but with a normal sword instead of a flying elephant. While on a moving boat, the owner drops his sword and marks the spot where he dropped it, thinking to retrieve it after which doesnt work since the boat has since moved on. This is a link to an exnation /ke-zhou-qiu-jian-idiom-about-silly-solutions/) He now had a profound understanding of this idiom. Lu Yang: What exactly did you learn in ss? Meng Jingzhouughed, I still remember when we found the first Life-Draining Talisman under the bridge. When we first learned about the existence of the Life-Draining Talisman, it really shocked us. Luckily, the person was already reported by us. Just as Lu Yang was about to joke along with Meng Jingzhous words, he suddenly saw the small gs in front of him, his smile fading as if he remembered something. He pulled out a small g, frowning, and examined it closely in the sunlight. When Lu Yang saw what the small g looked like in the sunlight, he felt a chill in his heart. Whats wrong? Meng Jingzhou noticed Lu Yangs expression. He had been waiting for Lu Yangs banter, only to find Lu Yang acting unusually. Lu Yang, with a grave expression, pointed at the faint pattern on the g, Look at this pattern, what does it look like? A Life-Draining Talisman?! Lan Ting was the first to react, as she was most familiar with the pattern. Meng Jingzhous eyes widened. The pattern on the g was very faint, invisible unless seen against the sunlight. Even if it could be seen, the tourists would just consider it a Spring Harvest Festival specialty. How many people would recognize the pattern of the Life-Draining Talisman? Dont panic, maybe the Life-Draining Array hasnt beenpleted yet! Meng Jingzhou tried to convince himself not to panic. Lu Yang analyzed calmly, Impossible, dont forget, its not just one or two gs, the entire Yanjiang County is filled with these gs! The gs with the Life-Draining Talisman pattern hidden among ordinary gs, who could have thought of that?! Lu Yang continued, In other words, the Life-Draining Array is alreadypleted, tantly disyed in front of everyone, but no one noticed! Why hasnt the Life-Draining Array been activated then? Meng Jingzhou recalled the conditions for activating the Life-Draining Array. Besides arranging the Life-Draining Talismans into a formation, it also required blood as a sacrifice. The person daring to set up the Life-Draining Array could easily kill a few people; what is he waiting for? Lu Yang said coldly, Hes waiting for more people. The number of people during the Spring Harvest Festival isnt enough yet, and more and more people are continuously heading towards Yanjiang County! The Life-Draining Array, plundering the lifespan of mortals to enhance the cultivators own cultivation. The more mortals plundered, the greater the boost to cultivation! Meng Jingzhou also remembered, ording to tradition, on the second night of the Spring Harvest Festival, people gather in the streets to sing, converge by the river for feasts, and hold singingpetitions! Today is the second day of the Spring Harvest Festival! (End of the chapter) Chapter 98: The Backup Plan Seeing more and more people gathering on the big stone bridge, Lu Yang suggested they first leave the area and find a secluded ce. The four arrived at a quiet forest. Lu Yang took out a map of Yanjiang County, marking the previously deduced nodes of the Life-draining Array: The nodes for the Life-draining Array should be the same as before. Before that, I want to confirm something, Lan Ting, when you mentioned blood as a sacrifice, does it mean killing people at the nodes, or using cultivators essence blood as a sacrifice to activate the formation? Lan Ting didnt understand what Lu Yang meant: Both methods are feasible, but usually, the former is used. Killing people only requires the death of mortals, using too much essence blood from cultivators will affect their cultivation and is detrimental to future cultivation. Lu Yang thoughtfully said, Then, the person who set up the formation would likely use the second method. The three were puzzled; the person who set up the formation must be a demonic cultivator, for whom killing people would naturally be more convenient than using essence blood. Who do you think has the capability to hide the Life-draining Array in small gs and finish setting it up overnight, using the cover of night so that even if people felt tired, no one would suspect anything? Meng Jingzhou instantly realized, Someone from the government, and with high authority! Lu Yang nodded, Correct, to be precise, the county governor! What!This revtion shocked Barbarian Bone and Lan Ting, while Meng Jingzhou, having anticipated this, reacted less strongly. He had said upon entering Yanjiang County that it was not umon for the government and demonic paths to collude. Last night, I heard from someone in the government that when setting up the small gs, City Governor Li personally supervised the process, insisting that the cement of the gs must be precise. Does such a task require the county governors involvement? Even using the excuse of being dedicated and serving the people seems far-fetched! This can only mean City Governor Li used the small gs to set up the Life-draining Array that covers the entire county! Barbarian Bone had a sudden realization, feeling the world was truly dark: So, the undercover agent nted by the branch in Yanjiang County is City Governor Li. Given City Governor Lis cultivation level and status, should we say its more of a partnership? Lu Yang shook his head, Not an undercover agent, nor a partner. I suspect Helmsman Chu and City Governor Li are the same person! Direct evidence I have none, but there are two suspicious points. First is the timing of Helmsman Chus summons. Its always at night. I and other stewards have inquired about this, and they say its not the same in other branches. Second, both Helmsman Chu and City Governor Li are aiming for promotion, almost at the same time. Barbarian Bone gasped, the world was darker than he thought. If Helmsman Chu and City Governor Li were the same person, wouldnt that mean ying both sides? Of course, they might be two different people; these are just spections. But regardless of the scenario, the method to activate the Life-draining Array would definitely not be killing mortals! Barbarian Bone still didnt quite understand, so Meng Jingzhou exined, City Governor Li aims for promotion. If a vicious killing urred during the Spring Harvest Festival, would he still expect to be promoted? Even if he had connections, those above couldnt tantly allow his promotion. Moreover, with the status of the county governor, obtaining essence blood from cultivators wouldnt be difficult; just pick a few cultivators from the prison. Lan Ting still had some doubts, Are City Governor Li and Yizhang Hong setting up Life-draining Arrays a coincidence or rted? I think theres a big connection. After understanding the rtionship between Helmsman Chu and City Governor Li, Lu Yang had new perspectives on many things. Not to mention the political impact on City Governor Li of capturing three Foundation Establishment stage demonic cultivators, if there was no branch presence, a small county would have only so many Foundation Establishment stage demonic cultivators, effectively eliminating the leadership of demonic cultivators in a county. After the Life-draining Array is activated, it might not be apparent at first, but over time, people are bound to notice something off. If Yizhang Hong hadnt acted first, the government would vigorously pursue the culprit, exposing both the Yanjiang branch and City Governor Li to risk. City Governor Li cleverly arranged for Yizhang Hong. With Yizhang Hong setting up the Life-draining Array first, even if City Governor Li activates the Life-draining Array and reduces the lifespan of mortals, the government would only focus on Yizhang Hong. Barbarian Bone was surprised, But Yizhang Hong didnt seed. Lu Yang sneered, Not seeding was just Yizhang Hongs side of the story. Its entirely possible that he did activate the formation but messed up, only reducing lifespan without enhancing his cultivation. After all, it was an unfamiliar formation; anything could happen. Barbarian Bone still couldnt understand, But Yizhang Hongs twopanions could also confirm it wasnt sessful. Lu Yang said, Companions? Whatpanions do demonic cultivators have, they just use each other. It makes sense for Yizhang Hong not to tell those two the truth. With such a ready-made suspect, who else would be suspected if not Yizhang Hong? Moreover, with Yizhang Hongs numerous crimes, hes certainly facing the death penalty. Perhaps by the time the government realizes the Life-draining Array was activated, Yizhang Hong would have already been executed. With Yizhang Hong as the target, who would suspect City Governor Li? Meng Jingzhou and Lan Ting nodded repeatedly, agreeing with Lu Yangs perspective. Lu Yang then asked, Also, are there seven nodes requiring blood sacrifice? Lan Ting looked at Lu Yang in surprise, nodding without understanding how he knew. Didnt he say he didnt understand formations? Yesterday, when I left, I encountered seven stewards summoned by Helmsman Chu on short notice, probably for a task. I guess it was to arrange for them to take essence blood to the formation nodes and wait for the right moment. This way, tell us more about the Life-draining Array. Lan Ting did not refuse and circled seven spots on the map of Yanjiang County, These seven ces are key to activating the array, near scenic spots in Yanjiang County, with the arrays core at the mid-slope of Song Mountain! To breakthrough using the Life-draining Array, of course, a secluded location is chosen. Lets remove some Life-draining Talismans first to prevent the formation from activating. However, doing so might attract Helmsman Chus attention. Rather than waiting for him toe to us, its better toy an ambush and catch him off guard, said Lu Yang. Lu Yang was worried about a fight with Helmsman Chu, which is why he didnt leave any record of theirbat style in the memory orb. All three felt the challenge, as it would be a do-or-die battle. Helmsman Chu, being at thete stage of Golden Core, was extremely difficult to deal with. Can we report this to the authorities, tell Fang Qingyun about it? asked Barbarian Bone. Lu Yang shook his head, If Fang Qingyun learns about the formation on the small gs, he will definitely suspect City Governor Li. If City Governor Li gets caught, our identities as members of the demonic cult will be exposed. Lan Ting hesitated, Just the four of us against ate-stage Golden Core cultivator, it might be difficult to take him down. Lu Yang was confident, Dont worry, well be fully prepared. If all else fails, I still have a backup n. What is it? Eldest Senior Sister Shape-Imitating Fist! Upon hearing this, Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bones faces went pale. Lan Ting, noticing their reaction, was puzzled, Whats Eldest Senior Sister Shape-Imitating Fist? Its the ultimate technique of the Lu Familys Shape-Imitating Fist! Lu Yang said confidently. Lan Ting nodded, somewhat understanding. (End of the chapter) Chapter 99: The Most Powerful Weapon of the Commerce Fang Qingyun yawned out of sheer boredom, with less than half an hour to go until the grand festivities of the Spring Harvest Festival. Fortunately, they had made early preparations, and various emergency ns were in ce, so far, the festival had gone without a hitch. During the day, Fang Qingyun heard about the elephant falling into the water and then flying out. He sent someone to warn that flying was not allowed in the county without permission, as it was too dangerous. Additionally, bringing a demon beast into the city without registration was forbidden, so the elephants owner obediently went to register the animal. Fang Qingyun dealt with such minor matters throughout the day. Hopefully, there wont be any trouble tonight, no one starting a bonfire causing a forest fire, no stampede because of watching ys, no fights over jealousy in the streets Fang Qingyun rambled on, listing idents that had urred in past years. Qingyun, Im leaving now. City Governor Li bid farewell to Fang Qingyun before leaving. Take care. Fang Qingyun showed more respect than usual to City Governor Li, having heard that he could take over City Governor Lis position thanks to Lis good word. He couldnt forget this favor. Normally, City Governor Li wouldnt need toe during the Spring Harvest Festival, but being seen working hard could enhance his reputation.City Governor Li always cared about his reputation, discovering that speaking well made promotion easier than actual work. Promotion also required reaching a certain cultivation level, an unspoken rule of the bureaucracy. Soon, once I advance to the Nascent Soul stage today, both my identities, as county governor and helmsman, will change. Thinking of this, City Governor Li quickened his pace. He entered a small alley, changed his face, and then put on a mask. This way, even if someone took off the mask, they would assume that was his true face and wouldnt suspect the identity of City Governor Li. Walking between the righteous and demonic paths, caution was necessary. With his talent, he was not supposed to advance past thete Golden Core stage, but mingling in both righteous and demonic paths allowed him ess to resources beyond what ordinary people could imagine, enabling him to reach his current status. Recently, he hit a bottleneck, realizing the normal methods wouldnt allow him to reach the Nascent Soul stage. To advance both his status and cultivation level, he thought of the Life-draining Array. Its strange, the inspector should have arrived in Yanjiang County before noon today, but theres no sign of him yet? City Governor Li, no, with the mask on, he was Helmsman Chu, was somewhat dissatisfied with the inspectors tardiness. He had specifically told the inspector toe before noon today, promising a surprise. The surprise was to activate the Life-draining Array with the inspector, simultaneously boosting their cultivation levels. Could there have been an ident? I specifically waited for the most crowded moment to activate the formation. Well, if he doesnte, then Ill just elevate my cultivation level alone. Song Mountain was secluded, with trees growing wildly, and the mountain paths were worn by travelers. Peopleing to the Spring Harvest Festival wouldnt find Song Mountain appealing. Helmsman Chu concealed his aura as he walked towards Song Mountain, encountering fewer and fewer tourists. By the time he reached the base of Song Mountain, there was no one around. Finally, he stopped at a t area, surrounded by trees on which hung talismans slightly different from the ordinary Life-draining Talismans, serving as the arrays focal points. He sat cross-legged, adjusted his state, and quietly awaited the moment the array would activate. He had instructed six stewards to perform the blood sacrifice task, calcting the timing to be just right! Life-draining Array, activate! Helmsman Chu raised his hands towards the sky, initiating the formation. Centered on him, the silent power of the formation spread outward, reaching a certain point and then abruptly stopping. Someone removed the gs! Helmsman Chu momentarily lost focus, quickly realizing what had happened. This wasnt a random act of removing one or two gs; the person definitely had knowledge of the Life-draining Array, or they wouldnt have removed them so precisely. Who is it! Someone from the government? No, thats impossible; nothing in the government escapes my notice. An unknown traveler, or perhaps Lu Yang, who has seen the Life-draining Array before! Lu Yangs actions were unusual, making him capable of doing such a thing! Helmsman Chus gaze turned cold; this was equivalent to cutting off his own path, even more painful than killing him! Oh, am I such a person in your eyes, Helmsman Chu? Lu Yangszy voice sounded nearby. Lu Yang! Seeing Lu Yang, Helmsman Chus anger surged, Dont think just because the sect leader favors you, I cant kill you. Itsmon for demonic cultivators to die by ident. Give me a reason for doing this! After thinking, Lu Yang seriously said, Didnt you say to cause trouble during the Spring Harvest Festival? I thought the biggest trouble would be to take down the county governor. It just so happens, after following the county governor for several days, we discovered you are the governor. I thought about seeing things through, might as well take you down, following our demonic sects tradition of rebellion. Lu Yang said with a smile. Youre seeking death! Helmsman Chu was furious. How could I? I still wish for eternal life. A mere Foundation Establishment stage dares to talk big here, die! Helmsman Chu, enraged,unched a palm strike with terrifying power, turning the trees it touched to dust! Lu Yang used a technique to quickly move away, avoiding the strike. Helmsman Chu stomped on the ground, turning it upside down, and Lu Yang was thrown out. Lu Yang was startled; this is the power of ate-stage Golden Core cultivator, kicking him out with a single foot. Quite troublesome. Helmsman Chu, like thunder, quickly approached Lu Yang, preparing to strike with his fists. Lu Yang positioned his sword in front of him, ready to slice off Helmsman Chus fist if he dared to strike. Helmsman Chu immediately withdrew his fist,unching a kick instead. Anticipating this, Lu Yang also kicked out, using the force to propel himself away. Helmsman Chu attacked again but found he couldnt muster any spiritual power, as if it was locked away. A Spirit-Sealing Formation, just like the prison! You do understand formations! Helmsman Chu red at Lu Yang. Although he couldnt use spiritual power, his physical defense was strong enough that Lu Yang couldnt harm him. The Spirit-Sealing Formation was temporarily set up by Lan Ting, with Lu Yangs goal to lure Helmsman Chu here. Lu Yang smiled and waved goodbye to Helmsman Chu. Helmsman Chu looked around, noticing nothing unusual. He suddenly looked up to see a flying boat hovering above. The flying boat Meng Jingzhou had just purchased from themerce. Now it was night, and in the darkness of Song Mountain, Helmsman Chu hadnt noticed he was under a shadow. Spiritual power couldnt be used above the Spirit-Sealing Formation, causing the flying boat to lose power and crash down rapidly, with Meng Jingzhou jumping down with a parachute. The boat was toorge, and with Helmsman Chu unable to use spiritual power, he couldnt dodge in time. Lu Yang calcted the distance and moved to a safe spot. The flying boat, like a meteor, crashed down, hitting Helmsman Chu! Boom! The impact stirred up endless dust, creating a thunderous noise that shook the entire Song Mountain. The boat seemed to be loaded with explosives, detonating upon impact, sending mes soaring into the sky, deafeningly loud! Lu Yang gave Meng Jingzhou a thumbs up, Money talks, buying a flying boat on the spot! Meng Jingzhou also gave a thumbs up, If the merchant had more than one flying boat, I would have bought several! No treasure from themerce could match the power of a flying boat crashing down directly. Fang Qingyun, who was appreciating the peaceful moments, was startled by the crashing flying boat, nearly having a heart attack. Are you kidding me?! (End of the chapter) Chapter 100: Is This the Surprise? At the site of the flying boat crash, dust filled the air, and Helmsman Chus mask shattered, revealing his true identity as City Governor Li, no longer bothering to maintain his transformation technique. His left arm was bleeding and dangling uselessly, clearly disabled. Meng Jingzhounded, dissatisfied with the oue, If only we had another flying boat. Helmsman Chu took a deep breath, about to make some cursory remarks, when he suddenly started coughing violently, blood creeping into the corners of his eyes, This smoke is poisonous! He quickly held his breath, furious inside. True to form for natural-born demonic cultivators and a heaven-sent demonic child working together: first, they trapped him with a Spirit-Sealing Formation, then attacked him with a flying boat, loaded with explosives used for mining. After the explosion, even the smoke contained poison. You two are really something, one trick after another! Initially, Helmsman Chu doubted whether Lu Yang was an undercover agent sent by the righteous path, destroying the Life-draining Array only because it harmed others for personal gain, maybe the sect leader was mistaken. Now, seeing this borate setup, he wouldnt believe Lu Yang was an undercover agent even if he imed to be! The crash of the flying boat destroyed the Spirit-Sealing Formation, allowing Helmsman Chu to regain his spiritual power. However, he had to divert some of it to suppress the poison that had infiltrated his body. Under normal circumstances, he could expel the poison in a few moments, but now, Lu Yang and hispanion gave him no such time.Meng Jingzhou, his body turning bronze as if a tiger descending the mountain, roared through the forest. Shake the Heavens Six Forms! This was the secret technique of the third elder, of which Meng Jingzhou had only learned the basics. With his blood and energy surging, his fists unleashed one after another with explosive force, creating a thunderous impact aimed directly at Helmsman Chus face. Despite his injuries, Helmsman Chu, ate-stage Golden Core cultivator, blocked Meng Jingzhous punches with just one hand. Lu Yang, like an assassin with his Qingfeng sword, silently appeared behind Helmsman Chu. With lightning-fast reflexes, Helmsman Chu kicked backwards, sending Lu Yang flying again. Barbarian Bone caught Lu Yang and spun around, hurling him back into the fray. Lu Yang, transformed into a sharp sword, pierced the air with his Qingfeng sword aimed at Helmsman Chus neck! Helmsman Chu deflected Meng Jingzhou with a palm, spun around, and used his elbow and knee to trap the sharp Qingfeng sword! Activating a trace of ancient barbarian bloodline, Barbarian Bones physique expanded, his muscles and tendons bulging with power, charging like a wild elephant with overwhelming force! Helmsman Chu smirked, thinking, how could they overpower ate-stage Golden Core cultivator like him? Just as Barbarian Bone collided with Helmsman Chu, he flipped his palm, throwing several sharp bamboo sticks aimed at Helmsman Chus eyes. Helmsman Chu closed his eyes and turned his head to dodge the bamboo sticks. Another set of bamboo sticks appeared behind him. Hearing them, Helmsman Chu activated his Golden Core, forming a golden film over his body to block the stealthy bamboo sticks. He turned to see the bamboo sticks werent thrown by anyone but wereunched automatically by a formation. It was Lan Tings newly developed automatic skewering formation at its maximum output. Lu Yang had Lan Ting assist from the shadows, applying both psychological and physical pressure on Helmsman Chu. You all will die! Helmsman Chu took out a bright red g from his storage ring, soaked in blood and exuding malevolence. The temperature around dropped as the g appeared, and Lu Yang and hispanions faintly heard ghostly wails. Cant you use some proper weapons? Always with these creepy things! Lu Yang spat out a mouthful of blood, his swordy fluid as a diving dragon, using a technique to move underground swiftly, suddenly emerging from beneath Helmsman Chu! Helmsman Chu stepped back, the g shing with the sword, emitting a metallic ng. Lu Yang danced with his sword, fast and slow, extraordinarily agile. Shake the Heavens Six Forms reemerged, with Meng Jingzhouing to support, his punches thunderous, nearly destabilizing Helmsman Chu with several hits on the gpole. Large trees fell from the sky, and Barbarian Bone roared, smashing a massive log at Helmsman Chu! Fire Dragon Talisman! A light reprimand came from the forest, and Lan Ting, using blood as ink, quickly drew a talisman. A red fire dragon, with bared fangs and ws, scorched the air, diluting the eerie atmosphere brought by the bright red g. Theres a fourth person! Helmsman Chu red, gritting his teeth. Lu Yang, that traitor, really came well-prepared. Stabilize the Waves! Helmsman Chu gripped the gpole tightly and mmed it into the ground, shouting loudly. The sound wave and air wave rolled out, knocking down the three attackers and dispersing the fire dragon! Helmsman Chu went mad, his eyes bloodshot. If it werent for the initial blow from the flying boat, and the need to divert spiritual power to suppress the severe poison, he wouldnt have been so passive! He leaped up, aiming the gpole at Barbarian Bone, who was lying on the ground. Barbarian Bone tried to dodge, but it was toote; he only managed to move half his body before the gpole pierced through his shoulder de. Barbarian Bones teeth bled, but he didnt cry out in pain! The ancient barbarians feared neither pain nor death! Helmsman Chu, relentless, attempted to stomp on Barbarian Bones head to crush it. Meng Jingzhou took the opportunity to throw a magical weapon and shouted angrily. The weapon exploded, knocking Helmsman Chu off bnce and into the air. Barbarian Bone, pinned to the ground by the pole, was unharmed. Meng Jingzhou had many treasures at hand, but their grades were too high for either driving or self-destructing them to be feasible. Helmsman Chu kicked a boulder, rebounding towards Meng Jingzhou while pulling out the g, aiming to sweep him off his feet. The Qingfeng sword appeared precisely in front of Helmsman Chu, deflecting the g, as Lu Yang once again engaged Helmsman Chu inbat. Lu Yang demonstrated his mastery of spells, bing smaller every time Helmsman Chu was about to hit him, infuriating Helmsman Chu. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone regrouped for another attack, while Lan Ting simultaneously drew talismans with both hands, summoning water and fire dragons that intertwined and lunged at Helmsman Chu. Helmsman Chu could no longer tolerate this humiliation. PLan Ting the gpole into the ground, the g fluttered like waves in the sea, emitting sounds of ghostly howls and wolf cries from the g, disorienting everyones mind. Ghostly Chaos! The ghostly sounds had an indescribable magic, freezing the four in ce, feeling as if ghosts entangled their bodies, rendering them immobile. Meng Jingzhou tensed, trying to shout to everyone that it was an illusion, but he couldnt move or speak. Helmsman Chuughed loudly, using his trump card reluctantly, as it seemed to cheapen his abilities. Pushed to the edge by the four, he didnt care to hide his ace anymore, determined to kill them all to regain his dignity! Break. The Qingfeng sword fell from the sky, swift as lightning. Before Helmsman Chu could react, it pierced through his head. Helmsman Chu looked at Lu Yang in disbelief. He saw Lu Yangs eyes clear, his mouth curved in a mocking smile,pletely unaffected by the illusion! How can you still move how is this possible Helmsman Chu fell backward, blood flowing from his seven orifices. Lu Yang aimed another sword at the dantian, pulverizing Helmsman Chus Golden Core, ensuring his death. Lu Yang had no interest in exining to a dead man that this was a technique he created under the guidance of Eldest Senior Sister, Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique, which could uphold ones true heart and discern the essence of things. Still in the early stages of cultivation, he couldnt discern the essence of things yet, but being unaffected by illusions and dreams cast by higher-level cultivators was within his capabilities. The inspector, dyed by misceneous tasks, wasing from the neighboring county. Just over the mountain ridge of Song Mountain, standing on the outskirts of the battlefield, he saw Lu Yang stab Helmsman Chu to death. He recalled Helmsman Chus words, I have a surprise for you, The newly recruited Lu Yang is a rare talent, bound to shine during the Spring Harvest Festival. Is this the surprise Helmsman Chu mentioned? In his hundred years of life, the inspector had never encountered such a surprise. (End of the chapter) Chapter 101: Talking Nonsense Comes Naturally Tang Yuansheng, male, 102 years old, at the Nascent Soul stage of cultivation, currently holds the position of Inspector for the Undying Sect. Upon receiving a message from Helmsman Chu toe earlier, he decided to advance his schedule. He first arrived at Qinghuai County, which is only separated by one mountain from Yanjiang County. Crossing this mountain, well reach the location Little Chu mentioned. (TL Note: I dont think Ive exined it before but in chinese, little + their surname is a way you can address someone and its a term of endearment. Its usually used by seniors to their juniors.) Hm? Suddenly, Tang Yuansheng sensed a peculiar fluctuation of aura, What is this aura? Following the sensation, he arrived at a stable in a posthouse. Inside the stable, an old horse with dragon scales on its forehead and a brown mare were nestled together, appearing to have a deep affection for each other. A stable boy brought a bundle of selected forage and ced it in the manger, but the old horse nced at it disdainfully, showing no interest in eating. Seeing the old horses reaction, the stable boy muttered under his breath, The white horse left, and so quickly it got along with a new one? As if understanding human speech, the old horse red at the stable boy, who didnt dare to provoke this exotic beast and quickly ran away. The premium forage that the old horses owner had stored here was long gone. After the premium feed was finished, and there was no sign from the horses owner, the posthouse owner spected whether something had happened to them or if they had died, especially since the owner had gone to Song Mountain.After the premium feed was finished, the posthouse owner had the stable boy feed it other forages. If the owner didnt show up, they nned to use the old horse to cover the feed costs. However, the old horse turned its nose up at the posthouses feed, not eating a single bite, and this continued for a month. The posthouse owner felt a chill down his spine. This old horse was definitely not a simple exotic beast with scales on its forehead but a high-level demon beast that had reached the state of avoiding grains! Exotic beasts are a species between demon beasts and wild beasts. They have demon beast bloodlines, but the bloodline is too diluted,cking the ability to mobilize the bloodline power, showing some ancestral traits like growing scales, fur, horns, etc. Their bodies are stronger than wild beasts, but only to a limited extent. Tang Yuansheng was overjoyed to see the old horse, as it was a rare dragon horse, although he was unsure about the purity of its bloodline. If I hadnt identally visited the vast eastern seas, I wouldnt have recognized it. Tang Yuansheng was quite excited, as this was an unexpected fortune. Dragon horses are extremely rare, and to find one in the stable of a remote county was surely due to its owner not recognizing its value, and the dragon horse not yet awakened, hence it was covered in dust here. As a Nascent Soul stage powerhouse, I have alwayscked a suitable mount. This must be an opportunity gifted to me by the Undying Being for my devotion! After praying to the Undying Being for a moment, Tang Yuansheng leaped into the stable. The old horse looked back at Tang Yuansheng but ignored him, continuing to be affectionate with the brown mare. Poor dragon horse, unaware of its noble identity, falling in love with a mortal horse. Come with me, and I will show you how powerful you really are! Tang Yuansheng reached out his golden hand, intending to take the old horse away. The old horse kicked back with its hooves, breaking Tang Yuanshengs arm. Tang Yuansheng felt a tightness in his chest and spat out a mouthful of blood, his aura instantly weakened. He looked at the old horse in horror, his excitement reced by endless fear, and turned to run. There must be a powerful being ying in the mortal world living here, keeping the dragon horse as amon horse in the stable! His actions just now could not have been hidden from the powerful being ying in the mortal world. He hurriedly ran, hoping the other would spare his life for his ignorance! The old horse neighed proudly, boasting of its strength to the mare. After Tang Yuansheng had fled for a while and saw no powerful being capturing him back, he knew the other had not cared about his actions. Wow! He spat out another mouthful of blood and found a secluded ce to sit in meditation, consuming medicinal pills to recover from his injuries. Those two kicks had severely damaged his vitality. When he opened his eyes again, he heard a rumbling noise from the other side of the mountain, as if a huge object had fallen. Is it already night? Tang Yuansheng was surprised to see the sky had darkened, not expecting his recovery to take an entire day. Having recovered somewhat, he was no longer in danger, so he crossed Song Mountain to the site where the flying boat had crashed, only to see Helmsman Chu pierced by a sword from Lu Yang, lifeless. Is this the surprise Little Chu mentioned? Whether it was a pleasant surprise or not is debatable, but Tang Yuansheng was definitely shocked. Beforeing, the higher-ups of the Undying Sect had instructed him to keep an eye on Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhou, and Barbarian Bone, even providing portraits. Now, he had no choice but to pay attention. Who are you! Lu Yang held his sword defensively as he eyed Tang Yuansheng. Tang Yuansheng looked at Lu Yang with a smile that was not quite a smile: Lu Yang, dare you point your sword at me? I am Tang Yuansheng, the Inspector of the Undying Sect. Upon learning Tang Yuanshengs identity, Lu Yang signaled to Lan Ting to leave quickly, as Lan Tings presence was difficult to exin to Tang Yuansheng. So, you are Inspector Tang. Lu Yang became a bit more polite, but still looked at Tang Yuansheng with suspicion, clearly not fully trusting his identity. Tang Yuansheng did not bother to exin further to Lu Yang and asked, Why did you kill Li Shouyi? Li Shouyi, the governor of Yanjiang County, was Helmsman Chus real name, which Tang Yuansheng was ustomed to calling him Little Chu. Lu Yang replied gravely, Because he almost exposed his identity as a follower of the Undying Sect! Oh? Tang Yuansheng looked at Lu Yang with interest, waiting to hear what kind of exnation he would give. Suddenly, noises of disturbance came from the foot of the mountain. Fang Qingyun had arrived with arge group to investigate the crash of the flying boat, including physicians for rescue. Lets leave first! Currently in a weakened state, Tang Yuansheng did not want to encounter the officials and, with a sweep of his sleeve, took Lu Yang and the others away. Tang Yuansheng led the three of them to the Yanjiang Lodge, the safest ce in Yanjiang County. Now tell me, how did Li Shouyi expose his identity? He was always meticulous in his actions. Lu Yang revealed everything about the Life-draining Array and said, Helmsman Chu oh no, City Governor Lis n was impable. First, he made Yizhang Hong the scapegoat, then he secretly arranged the Life-draining Array. As long as the small gs were destroyed afterward, there would be no trace left. Tang Yuansheng nodded. Li Shouyi was always careful, using the very obscure Life-draining Array for this n, which was wless. But an ident still happened. We three opened a barbecue shop here, the best ce for gathering local intelligence. We noticed a disciple from the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce passing by. She seemed to be proficient in formations and saw through the Life-draining Talisman on the small gs! Disciples of the five great immortal gates are untouchable. We were worried that City Governor Lis incident would implicate the entire Undying Sect. We advised him to hide, but he said it was a critical time for him to advance to the Nascent Soul Stage using the Life-draining Array and absolutely could not hide. We had no choice but to kill him before The Great Xia could catch City Governor Li, to eliminate future troubles permanently! You also noticed the officials just now, right? The leader is the chief bailiff, Fang Qingyun. He brought so many people to prevent the Life-draining Array from activating and to arrest City Governor Li! Tang Yuansheng nodded, believing Lu Yang and hispanions did the right thing. The presence of a disciple from the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce in Yanjiang County was something that could be investigated, and Li Shouyi indeed valued advancing to the Nascent Soul Stage. Generally, the lodge masters are at the Nascent Soul Stage. Yanjiang County is a small county, so the lodge master was only at the Golden Core Stage. Li Shouyi wanted to be promoted to a more developed areas lodge master, so he must advance to the Nascent Soul Stage now. The same logic applied to his official status; without sufficient cultivation level, promotions would be fraught with difficulties. Barbarian Bone was shocked by Lu Yangs story; their n did not include encountering Tang Yuansheng after killing Helmsman Chu, nor had they considered the reason for the murder. How did Brother Lue up with such a story on the spot? Meng Jingzhou quietly gave Lu Yang a thumbs up. The reason Lu Yang came up with was not far off from what he had improvised on the spot. (End of the chapter) Chapter 102: Your Mission is to Infiltrate the Dao Seeking Sect Now that Li Shouyi is dead, theres no further consideration for his promotion. The government might suspect the presence of a demonic cult here based on his identity, making everyone here stay in line for a while. Tang Yunsheng quickly made a decision; he had risen through the ranks step by step, decisively. As for the three of you, take out your tokens. The three handed over tokens engraved with the words Deacon. Tang Yunsheng approached the statue of the Undying Being, bowed three times, and then with a wave of his hand that emitted golden light, he muttered some rapid and indistinct words. He wiped the tokens, and the word Deacon changed to Lodge Master. As an Inspector, Tang Yunsheng had been authorized by the higher-ups to arrange promotions and demotions for positions up to and including lodge masters. Making Lu Yang and the others lodge masters was not Tang Yunshengs idea but the will of the higher-ups. As for which high-ranking official, Tang Yunsheng was not sure; he had heard it was a decision at the level of the vice-sect leader or even higher. He was just executing orders. Which county are we supposed to be lodge masters in? Meng Jingzhou seemed eager to show what he was capable of.Tang Yunsheng shook his head: What are you thinking? Youre only at the initial stage of Foundation Building. How could youmand respect as lodge masters? Even a ce like Yanjiang Lodge wouldnt do. A lodge master will be parachuted into Yanjiang County. Thats not something you need to worry about. So, what about our lodge master status Making you lodge masters was not my idea but the higher-ups. They elevated you to lodge master level, giving you the rank but not the position. This way, youll have many of the rights that only lodge masters possess, with fewer restrictions. The higher-ups have given you a confidential mission, which must not be disclosed to anyone but us four! Lu Yang and the others stood at attention, ready for orders. Tang Yunsheng spoke softly, The higher-ups have given you one year to find a way to infiltrate the Dao Seeking Sect. I will be your contact person! Lu Yang and the others were momentarily taken aback by this task. Tang Yunsheng waved his hand: I know this task is extremely difficult. Among the five major immortal gates, the Suspended Temple has too few people, making it inconvenient to ce someone inside. The Dao Seeking Sects thinking is too erratic, making it hard to get in, and even if you do, you might be discovered due to not fitting in. The three of you have a high degree ofpatibility with the Dao Seeking Sect, and you might be able to smoothly enter the Dao Seeking Sect. Its not that youre required to be disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect. ording to intelligence analysis, the Dao Seeking Sects entertainment industry is booming, and theyre hiring every year. You could use this opportunity to infiltrate the Dao Seeking Sect! Of course, this is just one method Ive mentioned. The sect will not intervene, and you are free to find other methods. The deadline is one year. If you cannotplete the task within a year, the higher-ups will assign you a new task! Seeing Lu Yang and the others looking confident, Tang Yunsheng shook his head and chuckled. They didnt know how difficult it was to infiltrate the Dao Seeking Sect, as countless people had died trying. He handed out three talismans to them: The Dao Seeking Sect is fraught with danger. These are escape talismans. If you fail your mission, use these talismans to flee immediately! These three were rare talents of the Undying Sect, especially Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. The sect leader naturally wanted to ensure their safety. The Dao Seeking Sect is fraught with danger? Meng Jingzhou thought to himself that returning to the Dao Seeking Sect was likeing home; where was the danger? If there was any danger, it was only from the Eldest Senior Sister. Theres one more thing, did Little Chu ever tell you how to resurrect the Undying Being? Lu Yang shook his head: Helmsman Chu only told us the first step, to kill people to please the Undying Being. As for the second step, he said our position was too low, and ording to the rules, he couldnt tell us. Tang Yunsheng said, Now that you are at the level of lodge masters, you are qualified to know how to resurrect the Undying Being. This is also the duty of every lodge master-level follower. Come, let me demonstrate it to you. Tang Yunsheng knelt in front of the Undying Being, raising his hands high and calling out loudly: O Undying Being, the true Miao Mu, your most devout believers sincerely call upon you, please descend your divine traces and protect humanity! After speaking, he knocked his head on the ground three times, then stood up,pleting the ritual. The three were full of question marks. Thats it? Barbarian Bone was even more puzzled inside, wondering why the name of the Undying Being sounded like it belonged to the barbarians. Tang Yunsheng said, You must call upon the Undying Being exactly as I just did, but you cannot say Miao Mu. Why is that? Because Miao Mu is not the true name of the Undying Being. The three were even more puzzled. If its not the true name, then why bother saying it? Tang Yunsheng exined, To resurrect the Undying Being, you must recite his title and his immortal name. The first step of killing to please the Undying Being means that if the Undying Being is pleased, he will guide us from the shadows to say his immortal name. We have learned from the relics that his title is Undying Being, but the relics did not record his immortal name. Before the Undying Being descends his divine traces to hint at us, our Undying Sect can only keep trying. Out of respect for the Undying Being, there should be a months interval between each call for his immortal name! Tang Yunsheng took out a well-worn The Great Xia Dictionary: Most names have already been tried. Recently, I suspect the Undying Being was from the barbarian tribes, so I am trying barbarian names. The ancient barbarian tribes were once a significant force protecting humanity, which fits the identity of the Undying Being. Tang Yunsheng handed out three thick notebooks to them, titled Immortal Names Already Called (120th Edition). The sheer number of immortal names listed made Lu Yang suspect the Undying Sect had already tried every conceivable name. Wepile the immortal names weve recited every few decades to avoid repetition. This is thetestption. Take a look and try calling out once, but dont repeat any names from the notebook. Lu Yang called out: O Undying Being, Archimedes above, your most devout believers sincerely call upon you, please descend your divine traces and protect humanity! Meng Jingzhou called out: O Undying Being, Li Gou Dan above Barbarian Bone called out: O Undying Being, Yel S De above Clearly, there were few names left for the Undying Being. After their calls, the Undying Being did not descend his divine traces or resurrect himself. Thats it, Ive ryed to you the mission the higher-ups gave me. Pack your things and find your own way into the Dao Seeking Sect. Yes. Back at the barbecue shop, Lan Ting was already sitting in the hall waiting for them. Lu Yang and Lan Ting matched their stories briefly, sharing the subsequent events and the mission Tang Yunsheng had given them. Lan Ting looked at them with a peculiar gaze. The Undying Sect was probably doomed sooner orter. Since youre leaving, its time for this youngdy to return to the immortal pce and report on the mission. These past ten days have been delightful, thank you three for your help. Although I did not join the demonic cult, helping you kill the lodge master is also a significant achievement, earning me quite a few contribution points, Lan Ting said sweetly, reluctant to part. The word fate is indeed marvelous. Initially, she helped Lu Yang kill the tiger out of the duty to assist a fellow from the immortal gates, also carrying the mission to infiltrate the demonic cult. Who would have thought that in the end, she, who had a mission, did not join the demonic cult, whereas Lu Yang and the others, who initially knew nothing of the demonic cult, joined it. Now with Tang Yunsheng still in the county, if they had too much contact with each other, Tang Yunsheng might discover them, potentially causing trouble. The journey is long, may we meet again if fate allows! Goodbye! Take care! After seeing off Lan Ting, the three began to pack their things. Meng Jingzhou suddenly remembered: What about our horse? (End of the chapter) Chapter 103: It Seems We Called the Right Immortal Name... The old horse was fortunate. Before it made a lifelongmitment to the brown mare, Meng Jingzhou paid and took away both the old horse and the carriage. No, no, no, it shouldnt cost so much to stay in the stable. The stable boy objected. What about the feed? Dont you want payment for that? Meng Jingzhou was puzzled, as the old horse had long since finished the premium feed it was brought, and he thought the horse had be desperate enough to start eating regr feed. The stable boy shook his head: Your horse didnt eat anything. Huh? Meng Jingzhou was confused. He stroked the old horses mane and asked, Have you been fasting? The old horse snorted but didnt respond. How could a horse talk? Meng Jingzhou threatened fiercely: If you dont answer, youll never get feed again! After a long standoff between man and horse, the old horse still didnt respond, and Meng Jingzhou gave up, guessing some things.He thought about how smoothly he had left home initially; even his sister knew he was going to run away, so the rest of the family must have known too. Yet, no one stopped him, not worrying about him getting into trouble at all. Excluding the possibility that he wasnt their biological child, the only exnation was that they knew he was safe. Now, the answer was obvious; the horse pulling the carriage was the biggest security. He just didnt know how strong the old horse was, but it must be quite powerful to be able to protect him. Meng Jingzhouined: If youre so strong, why didnt you stop Eldest Senior Sister from getting on the carriage? He still remembered how he naively treated Eldest Senior Sister as a fellow examinee, letting her on the carriage, iming he had obtained the original questions for the sect entrance exam. It was embarrassing to the extreme. If only the old horse had stopped Eldest Senior Sister, then none of this would have happened. The old horse nced at Meng Jingzhou as if looking at a fool. Before leaving, Lu Yang made a point to notify Head Catcher Wei. Wei was not surprised by their departure. What cultivator truly runs a barbecue shop for life? It was just a novelty, and once that wore off, they would close up shop. What a pity, well never taste such delicious barbecue again,mented Head Catcher Wei. I was hoping to catch some people at your shop to help me get promoted to chief catcher. Wei figured catching three more demonic cultivators would get him to the chief catcher position. Its good that youre leaving. Yanjiang County might not be peaceful recently. What do you mean? Wei spoke softly, You cant tell anyone else this. I understand. Lu Yang trusted Weis character: You know about City Governor Li, right? Now there are rumors saying that to get promoted, City Governor Li colluded with demonic cultivators. Whether they were rogue demonic practitioners or from a demonic sect is still uncertain, but their cultivation level must be high, or they wouldnt have been able to cooperate with City Governor Li. Lis body was found on Song Mountain. Head Catcher Fang spectes that there was a conflict of interest between the demonic cultivator and City Governor Li. With Li dead and the demonic cultivator still atrge, it indicates the demonic cultivators cultivation is higher than Lis, who was only a step away from the Nascent Soul Stage. Just think how high the demonic cultivators cultivation must be! Lu Yang shrank his neck: Such a ruthless demonic cultivator! So, its good for you to leave. Yanjiang County seems peaceful, but who knows where demonic cultivators might be hiding, right beside you and me! Lu Yang agreed: Indeed. Barbarian Bone reluctantly bid farewell to the barbecue shop. The glory of barbecuing from his tribe would not be carried on by his generation. Two ghosts were jubnt, celebrating that they no longer had to barbecue day and night. Before departing, Tang Yunsheng saw the three off, reminding them that infiltrating the Dao Seeking Sect would be fraught with difficulties and to proceed with caution. Lu Yang reassured him, Dont worry, elder, we three will definitely not let the organization down. We will surely infiltrate the Dao Seeking Sect, steal secrets, and shine for our Undying Sect. On the carriage, the old horse pulled the vehicle neither too quickly nor too slowly. It seemed to move at a leisurely pace, but actually covered a great distance with each step, involving profound knowledge of space. The three men chatted about the Undying Being inside the carriage. Look, our names are also in the notebook, Undying Being Lu Yang, Undying Being Meng Jingzhou, Undying Being Barbarian Bone, Lu Yangughed, finding it interesting to see their names in the demonic cults notebook. It was evident that the cult was very dedicated to reviving the Undying Being, as he could find everyone he knew in the notebook. What do you think the Undying Beings real name is? Mendeleev? Socrates? Meng Jingzhou chuckled: Maybe its a shameful name, like Dog Egg or Leftover Dog, too embarrassed to say it out loud, so its hidden, only referred to by titles. It could also be a name from our barbarian tribes. The three showed no reverence for the Undying Being, ignoring Tang Yunshengs advice to guess the immortal name once a month and casually guessing names. Lets keep it down. What if we actually guess the Undying Beings name? Lu Yang cautioned, as it was still uncertain whether the Undying Being was friend or foe. The im that the Undying Being protected humanity was just the Undying Sects side of the story, not entirely reliable. How about this, from now on we refer to Undying Being as Undying Maiden, so even if we identally say the right name, the Undying Being wont be resurrected. Lu Yang suggested. Lu Yang makes sense. I agree, Meng Jingzhou raised his hand in agreement. Barbarian Bone thought Lus consideration was thorough. After a while on the road, the three felt hungry and stopped the carriage under a small grove of trees to eat something. The grove shielded them from the annoying sunlight, creating a tranquil atmosphere with faint bird chirps in the distance, making them rx involuntarily. Meng Jingzhou spread out a tablecloth, Lu Yang took out pots and pans along with fire-starting talismans, and Barbarian Bone summoned the ghosts. Just half a day into unemployment, the two ghosts were summoned back by Barbarian Bone to resume their old job, skillfully starting to barbecue. Meng Jingzhou took out a cookbook and a bunch of bottles and jars, pushing them all towards the ghosts: Dont make barbecue this time, change the taste, follow this cookbook. Lu Yang and Barbarian Bone looked on, wondering why he always carried a cookbook with him. The two ghosts had to start from scratch, deciding to begin with the simplest dish: fried eggs. Not hardworking in life, they became diligent after death. The three had no intention of taking Fasting Pills. Why eat those when they could enjoy delicious food? Tang Yunsheng guessed the Undying Maiden might be from your barbarian tribes. Are there simr legends in ancient barbarian lore? Lu Yang asked. Barbarian Bone shook his head: Ive heard from elders that ancient barbarians fought against heavens and could battle immortals, but Ive never heard of an immortal being born from our tribe. Its strange about that relic, too. It recorded the greatness of the Undying Maiden but didnt bother to write down the Undying Maidens name? Meng Jingzhou analyzed logically: Think about it, in ancient times everyone had imposing titles and names. Before a battle, they would announce their names. Imagine the Undying Maidening forward and saying I am Undying Being Li Dog Egg, oh no, it should be Undying Maiden Li Dog Egg. That would have lost half the battles momentum right there! The Undying Maiden definitely wanted to erase such a dark history! Lu Yang alsoughed: Maybe the name was too cute andcked deterrence, like Undying Maiden Yellow Bean or something. The four words of Undying Maiden Yellow Bean seemed to touch the mechanisms of fate, altering the heavens and earth. An iprehensible force hovered above the three men, forming a silhouette. The previously rxed old horse instantly became alert, positioning itself in front of Meng Jingzhou and staring intently at the power in the sky. The three swallowed hard. It seemed they had stirred up something big. (End of the chapter) Chapter 104: Still Relying on Eldest Senior Sister Whats happening! The three men looked at each other in rm, none knowing what to do next. Can we really rely on the Undying Sect? Werent we supposed to call for the Undying Being? Why is there a reaction when I call for the Undying Maiden! Lu Yang loudly criticized the unreliability of the Undying Sect, questioning their own faithwhether its the Undying Being or the Undying Maiden, they couldnt even get their story straight. What kind of religion is this! Stop talking nonsense, lets run! Meng Jingzhou shouted, realizing now was not the time forints. The figure congealing in the sky was like a mirage, extremely unstable. Sensing the cause and effect rtionship with Lu Yang and realizing he had called out her true name, she transformed into a beam of light, entering Lu Yangs body. Just at the Foundation Building stage, such a weak existence. The figure arrived in Lu Yangs spiritual space, which he had yet to develop, containing only a small area. As the figure entered the spiritual space, Lu Yang also arrived there. The spiritual space was dark all around, as if invisible walls stood there, with only a small area in the middle illuminated. Lu Yang and the figure stood in this light. Lu Yang watched the figure warily: Who are you! The figure chuckled, amused by Lu Yangs reaction, her voice melodious, but to Lu Yang, it sounded like a verdict from hell: Ah, youve already called out my name, yet you still dont know who I am?Lu Yang, who had been hoping for the best, felt his heart sink at the worst-case scenario. The figure was indeed the Undying Sects deity. She was an immortal, a true, resurrected immortal! Just the act of uttering her name could bring her back to life, a terrifying existence! What do you want to do? The figure didnt deign to answer Lu Yangs question, instead asking: What year is it now, and who controls the universe? Its the era of The Great Xia dynasty, and the highest ruler of humanity is Emperor Xia. Ten thousand years ago was the era of the Great Yu dynasty. The Great Yu dynastysted for ten thousand years, and I dont know about the dynasties before that. Emperor Xia? The Great Xia? The Great Yu? These are dynasties Ive never heard of. The figure shook her head, then asked, How long have I been dead? This question was beyond Lu Yangs knowledge: As far as I know, you were an immortal from the ancient times, protecting humanity when the Nameless One refined the stars into thend. Lu Yang hinted that she had performed such great deeds as protecting humanity and was a righteous immortal, hoping she wouldnt act dishonorably towards someone as insignificant as him. Nameless One? Refining stars intond? Protecting humanity? What is all this nonsense? The figure was confused, not understanding what Lu Yang was talking about. Lu Yang almost cursed out loud, suspecting the Undying Sects reliability. Was there a shred of truth in what the Undying Sect said, given herplete ignorance of these matters? The figure realized her era had long passed, so much so that humanity hadpletely forgotten her deeds, her immortal name. If there had been even one person in the world who spoke her title and immortal name, she would have been resurrected long ago, not oblivious to even the existence of the Great Yu and The Great Xia dynasties. Well, since the world has forgotten her name, she decided to use this young mans body to let her name, Undying Maiden Yellow Bean, resound through heaven and earth once more. The Undying Maiden looked at Lu Yang with a mix of appreciation and amusement. Lu Yang had a bad feeling as he heard the Undying Maiden scoff: I see you are at a low level of cultivation, just having established your Foundation, but you have an excellent spiritual root and a good foundation. I will possess you and show you the splendor of this world! Possession! Things were progressing in the direction Lu Yang least wanted. Unwilling to be possessed so easily, Lu Yang prepared to confront the Undying Maiden,unching a series of moves that seemed to mimic a womans style. Dont think youre something special just because youre an immortal! The Undying Maiden scoffed. What could such feeble punches do? She had already surveyed the surroundings: two ghosts, two Foundation Building cultivators, and a dragon horsenone could stop her from possessing him! If Meng Jingzhou or Barbarian Bone had been there, they would have recognized that Lu Yang was executing the ultimate move of the Shape-Imitating Fist, the Eldest Senior Sister Shape-Imitating Fist. At the Dao Seeking Sect, Yun Zhi was in the council hall, discussing various matters with the eight elders. I think we should allocate more spirit stones to our Pellet Cauldron Peak. We are on the verge of a major breakthrough in the way of the pill. Just a few more spirit stones, and we will reach a historic moment. No amount of spirit stones would be too much for this! Allocating spirit stones to your Pellet Cauldron Peak would be less useful than giving them to our Herb Garden. Its the perfect time to rece the foundational array, which would make the herbs grow even stronger! The elders expressed their own views on where the spirit stones should go, unwilling to yield to each other. Yun Zhi was about to speak when the eight elders saw her about to talk and fell silent. Suddenly, Yun Zhis body shuddered. That sensation from before was back again. Was Lu Yang borrowing her power again? A sliver of power appeared at Yun Zhis fingertips. Should she give it to him? Last time, Lu Yang easily borrowed power from Yun Zhi because she was unguarded. This time, Yun Zhi was prepared and didnt let a trace of power leak out. After a moments thought, Yun Zhi retracted her power, deciding to personally check on what Lu Yang was doing. Please continue discussing, elders. Ill be right back. Yun Zhis soul left her body, traversing the heavens and earth, leaving the elders looking at each other in confusion. Her soul flew into the air, making a profound leap, and then sped off at an incredible speed, finding Lu Yangs location and entering his body. Just as she entered Lu Yangs body, she heard the Undying Maiden scoffing, Just give up and let me possess you. Yun Zhi immediately recognized that the Undying Maiden was an immortal soul, albeit a weak one, but aplete immortal soul nheless. How dare you attack my junior brother? Yun Zhi extended her slender hand, striking towards the Undying Maiden. Who! The Undying Maiden was surprised, as she had no awareness of Yun Zhis arrival. Though this was rted to her recent resurrection and the weakness of her soul, it was still quite remarkable. The Undying Maiden was somewhat relieved. During the years she had been dead, humanity had produced such an outstanding figure. Dao Seeking Sect, Yun Zhi. The Undying Maiden tried to block Yun Zhis hand, but the attack seemed weak yet contained the universe, indescribable, as if it exhausted all the principles of magic, impossible to resist. Wait, there might be a misunderstanding. I was just joking with the junior! The Undying Maidens face changed drastically, trying everything she could to block the attack, but Yun Zhis strength far exceeded her expectations. Yun Zhi didnt listen to what the Undying Maiden had to say, hitting her with a palm and suppressing her. The Undying Maiden was furious, struggling fiercely: Youre going too far, girl. Dont think I, the Undying Maiden, am afraid of you! An immortal cannot be humiliated! Seeing the Undying Maiden still trying to resist, Yun Zhi frowned, threw Lu Yang out of the spiritual world, and said, Its inconvenient for me to exert my full strength with Lu Yang here. Huff Lu Yang finally left the spiritual world, returning to reality, taking a deep breath, feeling lucky to have survived the ordeal. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone, seeing Lu Yange back to his senses, hurriedly asked how he was. Just moments ago, Lu Yang had been staring nkly ahead, causing Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone to panic, not knowing what to do. Then, a soul that looked like Eldest Senior Sister descended from the sky and entered Lu Yangs body. I dont know. Lu Yang shook his head. It wasnt that he didnt have confidence in Eldest Senior Sister, but the opponent was an immortal, an ancient one at that. Eldest Senior Sister had said there were no immortals in the world, indicating she definitely wasnt one. He didnt know who would win or lose if the two of them fought. If Eldest Senior Sister is here, there shouldnt be a problem. Meng Jingzhou said this without much confidence. He knew Eldest Senior Sister was strong, but how strong, he didnt know. Come in. Soon, Lu Yang heard Eldest Senior Sisters voice inside him, as cold as ever. Lu Yang re-entered the spiritual space to find the high and mighty Undying Maiden Yellow Bean being beaten miserably, trying to convince Eldest Senior Sister that she was a good person. I just resurrected and wanted to joke with the junior. Im a woman; how could I possess a male cultivator? I, Yellow Bean, also have my pride and wouldnt do such a disgraceful thing. Besides, I am an immortal soul. A Foundation Building stage body couldnt bear my power anyway. Eldest Senior Sister quietly watched Undying Maiden Yellow Bean, and after an unknown amount of time, finally responded. Oh. epting the Undying Maidens exnation. (End of the chapter) Chapter 105: The Unfortunate Undying Maiden Trantor: yikaii Editor: yikaii Do you really go by the name Yellow Bean? Lu Yang asked, half in doubt. With a stern face, Undying Maiden responded, Youngster, mortals are not entitled to address me by my celestial name. You shall refer to me as Undying Maiden! So, Undying Maiden, your real name is Yellow Bean? Undying Maidens face fell, Thats the name my parents gave me; I can hardly change it. Yun Zhi interrupted their unproductive conversation, Lets get to the point. What have you been up to? Youve been entangled with an immortal just two months after leaving. Undying Maiden corrected Yun Zhis wording, Watch yournguage. I have not been entangled with him. Speaking like that makes it seem like some foolish romance! All Undying Maiden got in response was Yun Zhis cold gaze. Thinking it over, Undying Maiden, who had just resurrected with a weakened celestial spirit and knew nothing of the outside world, saw no need to provoke an enemy. However, being a respected immortal whomanded power and respect in ancient times, she felt it necessary to maintain a certain dignity and warn the others not to take her lightly.Suit yourself. Lu Yang, catching a glimpse of the honest Undying Maiden and meeting Eldest Senior Sisters cold eyes, candidly shared his exploits over the past month. We didnt do much. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone came to me, saying there was a tiger demon in the mountains of Yanjiang County causing trouble. Killing this demon would earn us contribution points. The three of us thought it was a no-lose mission and went for it. The tiger demon was easily killed. While tallying the loot, we discovered the demon had ties to a demonic cult. We followed the clues to the cult, hoping to eliminate a few members and rid the people of some evil. Then we heard the demonic cult was recruiting, so we decided to infiltrate, just to try our luck. Surprisingly, all three of us got in. Once inside, the local leader of the demonic cult valued us and made us officers. Though we joined the demonic path, our hearts remained with the righteous way. During our time with the cult, we discovered the local leader secretly set up a Life-draining Array to achieve breakthrough by sacrificing others. After a brave fight and some cunning strategies, we sessfully killed him. Just as the higher-ups of the demonic cult came to inspect, they found us capable and cunning, promoting us to helmsmen and even sending us to infiltrate the Dao Seeking Sect as spies. Undying Maiden chuckled on the side, What a foolish demonic cult, sending you back here as spies. Whats the name of this cult? I must mock them when I encounter them. Undying Sect, and they worship you, Lu Yang said. Undying Maidens smile froze on her face. Lu Yang continued, The people from Undying Sect told us that during ancient times, when a nameless being was refining stars into continents, the Undying Being saved humanity. By invoking the Undying Being with the celestial name, one could resurrect a celestial being to save humanity again. On our way back, bored, we guessed what the Undying Beings real name could be. Worried about the consequences of actually resurrecting a celestial being, we changed Undying Being to Undying Maiden. And as you can see, Eldest Senior Sister, I managed to bring her back to life. Yun Zhi hummed in response, Your threes experiences are indeed rich, sessfully infiltrating the Undying Sect and even rising to the rank of helmsman. Theres much to bemended for in the selection process of the demonic cult, being able to discern between good and evil. It was no small feat for you to enter the Undying Sect. Ive also heard about the Undying Sects attempts to resurrect the Undying Being, but I didnt know the specifics. Its unexpected that you seeded by ident. Yun Zhi shifted her gaze to Undying Maiden, who was deep in thought, Do you have anything to say? Undying Maiden shook her head, Ive never heard of the Undying Sect, nor do I know about any ancient nameless beings refining stars, nor do I remember saving humanity. The era I lived in was called the Age of Destiny, meaning that heaven showed mercy, and the true destiny was with me. I was born a human and attained celestial status during this prosperous age. Because of the unique abilities of my dao fruit, people called me Undying Maiden. Yun Zhi exined inly, The Age of Destiny is what we often refer to as the ancient times. Undying Maiden continued, Aside from me, there were four others who became celestials at the time. Later, I was ambushed by someone from behind and waspletely killed; I died thoroughly. Just as the Undying Sect said, as long as someone calls out our titles and celestial names, I can be resurrected. I just dont know why it got changed to Undying Being and it took until now for me to be resurrected. I still dont know how long Ive been dead. Undying Maiden felt aggrieved. She had just resurrected and wanted to show off in front of the younger generation, to intimidate them into obedience. Instead, they directly summoned their Eldest Senior Sister, and that wasnt the end of it. This Eldest Senior Sister was incredibly strong, outright suppressing her. Who could shein to? Why did she encounter such a powerful person immediately upon resurrection? After listening, Yun Zhi analyzed, It might not be a case of misinformation. Perhaps someone intentionally wanted to resurrect you without entangling themselves in karma with you. They used the Undying Sect to call out your title and celestial name, deliberately changing it to Undying Being. Once the Undying Sect tried all the names and found none fit, they might guess the title was incorrect. This way, the Undying Sect would resurrect you and create karma with you, leaving the person behind the scenes uninvolved. The more advanced practitioners are, the more they value karma, believing that everything is controlled by karma in the unseen world. At this point, Yun Zhi frowned slightly. Now, it wasnt the Undying Sect that created karma with Undying Maiden, but Lu Yang, who identally took on this massive karmic debt. As for how long youve been dead, Yun Zhi paused before asking, You dont know who refined the stars? Her tone was light, but Lu Yang detected a seriousness in it, indicating Eldest Senior Sister deemed the question of great importance. Undying Maiden shook her head, puzzled, I dont know. Whats the situation now? When I was alive, everyone lived on the stars. Has someone refined the stars into continents? Yun Zhi nodded, Before the Great Xia Dynasty was the Great Yu Dynasty, before the Great Yu was the Great Qian Dynasty, and before the Great Qian, was your Age of Destiny, the ancient times we speak of. Both Great Qian and Great Yusted for a hundred thousand years each, then were reced. The Great Xia alsosted for a hundred thousand years. Some say its a curse from ancient times, that each dynasty can onlyst for a hundred thousand years. After a hundred thousand years, the dynasty will inevitably copse, and new powers will rise from the ruins to establish a new dynasty. At the end of the ancient times, a celestial being refined the stars into continents, forever changing the world. This led to the formation of the current Central Continent. In other words, youve been dead for at least three hundred thousand years. Undying Maiden was astonished, That long? If I had known, I would have deposited my spirit stones in a bank. How much interest could I have earned? Lu Yang: Perhaps the focus of this immortal is a bit off? (End of the chapter) Chapter 106: Triumphant Return How did you use my power? Yun Zhi looked at Lu Yang, somewhat puzzled. Based on Lu Yangs experiences, he shouldnt have had ess to such advanced and difficult techniques as divine descent. Uh I just happened toe across a set of the Shape-Imitating Fist. While practicing the fist, I thought, since the Shape-Imitating Fist is about imitating an object to gain its advantages, why should I only imitate animals? Humans could also be imitated. Among the people I know, you, Eldest Senior Sister, are the strongest, so I imitated you and gained your power. Yun Zhi: She had been proficient in magic since childhood, considered a prodigy in the field, able to learn any magic at a nce and even correct its ws to make it more perfect. She had also deduced many long-lost magics, such as the technique of divine descent. But she had never encountered a situation like Lu Yangs before. Even if I gave you a trace of my power, its not something you can bear at your current level. Dont use this kind of fist technique lightly. Lu Yang understood Eldest Senior Sisters meaning: solve your own problems and dont call me over for no reason.And you, leave Lu Yangs body. The Immortal Maiden, unusually determined this time, shook her head in refusal: I cant leave him. Hmm? Yun Zhis voice rose two pitches, and the Immortal Maiden quickly added an exnation upon seeing the situation turning south. Ive just resurrected, my immortal soul is fragile, and I need a body to inhabit. Lu Yang called out my name, causing me to resurrect, which led to a special causality between him and me. This causality forces me to reside within his body until this special causality disappears and my immortal soul strengthens, only then can I leave his spiritual world. Lu Yang pondered: So its like being pregnant for ten months? The Immortal Maiden angrily retorted: Can you use a more appropriate analogy! Lu Yang spread his hands, his imagination was limited, and he couldnt think of a better example. I could also directly shatter your immortal soul and then revive you myself, Eldest Senior Sisters gaze settled on the Immortal Maiden, putting immense pressure on her. That wont work. Where did you learn my name? From Lu Yang. Essentially, it was Lu Yang who resurrected me. Your method wont work. Yun Zhi fell silent for a moment, then with a single hand gesture, cast a golden mark that imprinted onto Lu Yangs spiritual space, then faded and disappeared. What is this This is a soul mark Ive left. If you do anything harmful to him, this mark will activate, shattering your immortal soul. Then you can hope for some fool to correctly call your name again in three hundred thousand years. The warning was clear. The Immortal Maiden shivered. Actually, you dont have to be so wary of me. After my immortal soul recovers, I can directly reshape my immortal body without needing to possess anyone. Moreover, I need to sleep to recover my strength, and I dont know when Ill wake up. Saying so, the Immortal Maiden yawned. Immortals get tired? Lu Yang was surprised. The Immortal Maiden kept yawning: Its because of the fight just now, which consumed most of my strength As she spoke, the Immortal Maidens eyelids began to fight each other, and she fell asleep: Goodnight, dont wake me up before the end of the world. After confirming that the Immortal Maiden was really asleep, Yun Zhi left the spiritual space, appearing in her soul form in the real world. Eldest Senior Sister, youve worked hard! Meng Jingzhou greeted her with unprecedented politeness. Hello, Eldest Senior Sister. Barbarian Bone remained as honest as ever. Although he hadnt done anything wrong, he couldnt help but feel afraid whenever he saw Eldest Senior Sister. Do not speak of the Immortal Maidens resurrection to anyone. Yes! The two men shouted in unison. The old horse neighed in agreement too. Also, dont dawdle on the way. Hurry back to the Dao Seeking Sect! With these words, Yun Zhis soul turned into a streak of light, returning to the Dao Seeking Sect to continue the meeting. The trio packed up their yful hearts, got on the carriage, and hurried off. Huh? Why so fast? Meng Jingzhou could see the scenery outside the carriage window changing rapidly, about ten times faster than before! The old horse, no longer dawdling as before, moved swiftly on all fours, utilizing spatial magic to traverse through space at incredible speed. What would normally take several days took only half a day to reach the Dao Seeking Sect. The old horse knew that Yun Zhisst sentence, Hurry back to the Dao Seeking Sect, wasnt meant for the three of them but for itself. Ha ha, Dao Seeking Sect, Im back! Meng Jingzhou opened his arms andughed heartily, feeling somewhat triumphant as if returning home in glory. The three of them had endured humiliation and hardbor in the demonic cult, pretending to be viins all for the sake of earning contribution points and to boast about their achievements! Thus, the first thing they did upon returning to the sect was to head to the mission hall to exchange their contribution points. They walked into the mission hall with their heads held high, looking disdainfully at everything around them, strutting in like three crabs fresh from the sea. Inside the mission hall, tasks collected from various ces covered the walls, with Senior Brothers and Sisters searching for suitable missions. Lu Yang noticed that the task of finding a Nascent Soul Stage tiger with wings was still posted on the wall, which meant that Daoist Li Hong from the Shanhaiguan had yet to find his beloved pet. The task of exploring a suspected cave heaven in Kunwu Mountain had been removed, indicating that the exploration wasplete. New tasks were also posted, such as the appearance of a Nascent Soul Stage demonic cultivator needing elimination, the discovery of ancient ruins requiring a team to explore, and two powerful beings seeking divorce mediation, among others. The brother on duty at the front desk, noticing their amusing way of walking, joked, Did the three of you save the world? Lu Yang humbly replied, Almost. Wepleted a secret mission and need to report to the Grand Elder. The brothers expression turned serious upon hearing about a secret mission, a matter of great importance that he couldnt handle. Nobody dared joke about such things: The Grand Elder is currently in the council hall holding a meeting. Brother Dai is overseeing the mission hall in his stead. Why dont you report to him? The meeting in the council hall had been going on for most of the day and was still not over. The mission hall, located at the Reward and Punishment Peak, is overseen by the Grand Elder. In his absence, Dai Bufan is responsible for all matters rted to Reward and Punishment Peak. Please inform Brother Dai for us. Upon hearing the message from his junior brother, Dai Bufan was puzzled; he didnt remember assigning any secret mission to Lu Yang and his group. Could it have been arranged by the Master? No, that couldnt be right; the Master would have informed him of any such arrangements. Suppressing his doubts, he said, Let them in. Yes. The trio was ushered into the core area of the mission hall, where Dai Bufan was lying back in a chair, flipping through case filesthese wereptions of intelligence from various ces, some of which could be turned into tasks. Dai Bufan put down the files, picked up his teacup filled with freshly plucked Enlightenment Tea, and said, Tell me, what did you do? Barbarian Bone, trying to articte his limited vocabry, sinctly said, We joined the demonic cult. Pfft Meng Jingzhou shot Barbarian Bone a re and exined to Dai Bufan, Dont listen to Barbarian Bones nonsense. We merely infiltrated the demonic cult. (End of the chapter) Chapter 107: The Weapon Used by Confucian Cultivators In the end, it was Lu Yang who stepped forward and rified the situation in a few words. If not for Lu Yangs quick exnation, Dai Bufan was about to cleanse the sect of these two troublemakers, having long wanted to throw these two out of the Dao Seeking Sect! Look at the honest Barbarian Bone, what has he be after mixing with you two! Coming up and straight away saying hes from the demonic cult. So you joined the Undying Sect? And even became lodge masters? Dai Bufan saw the three in a new light, considering lodge masters are part of the demonic cults middle management, privy to many secrets, even clear about the process of reviving the Undying Being. The four major demonic cults have excellent information security, and Dai Bufan has always wanted to know how the Undying Being was resurrected. Lu Yang thought to himself that it was more than just knowing the process; the Undying Maiden was currently sleeping in his spiritual world. Speaking of which, since the Undying Maiden is residing within me, why am I still just a lodge master? I should be made the sect leader. Well done! Youve done a great job! Dai Bufan pped his thigh,menting how elusive the demonic cults are, always vignt against the righteous path, frustrated by his inability to get firsthand information and his failed attempts to nt informants. He didnt expect Lu Yang and hispanions to bring him a pleasant surprise.So Tang Yunsheng wants you to infiltrate our sect as Undying Sect spies, right? Then just go along with his n. In half a month, the Dao Seeking Sect will recruit a batch of new service staff to expand our internal entertainment industry. Ill include your three names in the selection. Dai Bufan quickly made a decision. As for the Yanjiang Lodge do you have a list of Yanjiang Lodge members? Yes. Lu Yang, having prepared the list in advance, handed it to Dai Bufan. Dai Bufan looked at Lu Yang meaningfully. Although the kid was slippery, he was smart enough to know what needed to be done and had prepared in advance. When you contact Tang Yunsheng again, make sure to disguise yourselves well and try to obtain as much information about the Undying Sect as possible. As Undying Sect spies, your very role is a mission. You dont have toplete three tasks a year like everyone else. As for your contribution points, the highest reward for a Foundation Building stage task is a thousand points. You eliminated two tiger demons and four members of the demonic cult, including one in thete Golden Core stage, and sessfully thwarted the Life-draining Array, contributing greatly. Two Foundation Building stage tiger demons and three Foundation Building stage demonic cult members count as seven hundred and fifty contribution points. Killing Helmsman Chu and stopping the Life-draining Array counts as a thousand contribution points. Infiltrating the demonic cult and bing lodge masters counts as a thousand contribution points. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone, you each get two thousand seven hundred and fifty contribution points. Lu Yang, for your outstanding performance in this process, on top of the two thousand seven hundred and fifty contribution points, Ill grant you an additional two hundred and fifty contribution points, making it three thousand contribution points in total. The three were overjoyed, dazed by the massive amount of contribution points. With so many points, they could buy many things on the exchange list, enough to splurge for a while. If you obtain other information from the Undying Sect, you will also be rewarded with contribution points. After discussing some confidentiality precautions, Dai Bufan let them leave. After leaving, Lu Yang encountered an acquaintance in the mission hall, Brother Li Dan, who had once rmended a weapon to Lu Yang. The fierce-looking Brother Li Dan was standing next to a petite Senior Sister. Brother Li Dan. Lu Yang and Barbarian Bone said in unison. Lu Yang and Barbarian Bone looked at each other in surprise, not expecting both of them to know Brother Li Dan. Barbarian Bone introduced, This is Brother Li Dan, who bought the barbecue recipe from me for a hundred contribution points. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou suddenly realized; they remembered Barbarian Bone mentioning a senior brother who bought his barbecue recipe and even captured a Senior Sisters heart with the barbecue. Hello. Brother Li Dan greeted them with a smile, his smile growing more ferocious. Dai Bufan telepathically called over Li Dan, who was chatting: Brother Li Dan, Sister Ding Xiang, could youe over for a moment? I have a task suitable for you. Weve been called by Brother Dai, well leave first. Li Dan and Ding Xiang hurried away. Dai Bufan handed over a list to them: This is a list of demonic cult members I obtained through special channels. It only has names, no specific addresses. You two head to Yanjiang County, find everyone on the list, and try to eliminate them all, leaving no one behind. Yes! The two were excited, having been worried about which task to undertake next, but Brother Dai had just assigned them one. Get ready and go. Yes! Wait, theres one more thing, they were called back by Dai Bufan before leaving, Dont start a barbecue shop while youre undercover in Yanjiang County. Ah? Oh. What do you want to buy? Lu Yang asked Barbarian Bone. I want to buy a weapon suitable for Confucian cultivators. I cant always use Brother Meng as a weapon. Meng Jingzhou felt somewhat offended. How about this fan? The fan is inscribed with poetry, and a gentle wave can produce a de of wind. There are also soul-severing needles hidden within the fans folds, which can be secretlyunched along with the wind des, Lu Yang found an interesting weapon. It feels too elegant. Is there something with more power? How about this ck sand iron hammer? Forged from ck sand iron, it weighs two thousand pounds and includes a weight-increasing formation. Its weight increases the moment its swung down, and the increase disappears when lifted, allowing for a powerful strike that can shatter hills. No Foundation Building cultivator would dare to face it head-on. Seven hundred and eighty contribution points. Barbarian Bone was tempted, feeling that this suited his fighting style, but he declined. Its still not what Im looking for. I need a weapon for Confucian cultivators. Undeterred, Lu Yang scrolled to the bottom of the exchange list and found something interesting. Sleeping talisman, containing the full recitation of Sages Words, effectively promoting sleep. One contribution point. Stick this talisman on the hammer, and during battle, it automatically ys Sages Words. Doesnt that make the hammer a weapon for Confucian cultivators? Barbarian Bones eyes lit up, thinking Lu Yangs idea was ingenious. How had he not thought of such a great solution? Bought! Barbarian Bone spent seven hundred eighty-one contribution points to purchase his beloved weapon. Wielding therge iron hammer, with sage quotes ying from its handle, it was clear he was a Confucian cultivator. Meng Jingzhou didnt need to buy any weapons; he purchased several carts of high-quality fodder to reward the old horse. Lu Yang bought some items that could be useful in battle: Flesh Regeneration Pill, which could instantly regrow flesh and restore vitality if a chunk of flesh was lost during a fight. Golden Light Spell, forming a protective golden light around the body during battle, blocking several attacks and protecting the entire body, more effective than the cafeterias tbread. Lu Yang thought the Golden Light Spell was a great item and bought ten of them in one go. Clothes that maintain cleanliness, which stay clean without the need to cast a Cleaning Spell, are essential for eating Sichuan hot pot. And since these clothes are refined, theres no worry about them being taken away by an enemys storage ring. Lu Yang was taking precautions, concerned that an enemy might be as imaginative as himself. (End of the chapter) Chapter 108: Remove This Symbol, and Your Master Can Come Out When Lu Yang returned to Heavens Gate Peak, he still didnt see the Eldest Senior Sister, only the puppet was guarding the home. Has the meeting been this long? Is it about the distribution of spirit stones? In Lu Yangs memory, only such situations would result in long meetings. The elders always had various odd ideas, limited by theck of spirit stones, unable to implement them. When there was an opportunity to obtain spirit stones, they would argue their points vigorously. As Lu Yang was thinking, he saw eight streams of light flying out of the council hall. The eight elders left the hall, and the Eldest Senior Sister casually walked out of the hall, looking like the meeting was over. Back? Just got back. Yun Zhi scanned Lu Yang with her divine consciousness, confirming that Huang Doudou was still sleeping in the spiritual world: There are many doubts about the Undying Maiden, doubts that probably even she herself doesnt know the answers to. Im going out to visit friends to see if I can gain anything. You should practice well at Heavens Gate Peak and strive to enter the mid-stage of foundation building as soon as possible. Yes. Yun Zhi didnt say anything more, flew to the sky, blurred her figure, and disappeared in an unknown direction.After Yun Zhi left, Lu Yang looked at the puppet that had apanied him in his practice, eager to try, and sparred with the puppet, quickly getting beaten up thoroughly. Unable to defeat even a puppet, Lu Yang felt an increased sense of frustration and earnestly sat down to meditate and practice. The Eldest Senior Sister was running around for his sake; he couldnt afford to bezy. My disciple, has my disciplee back? A voice like a ghost reached Lu Yangs ears, and Lu Yang instinctively covered his ears, only to find that he could still hear the voice. This voice had an unbelievable magic. Who! Lu Yang looked around warily. He didnt remember having any master; it was always the Eldest Senior Sister who taught him. Wait, it seems I do have a master. Lu Yang has returned. I am your master, the Daoist Non-Speaker. The current sect master of the Dao Seeking Sect, the Daoist Non-Speaker, who had disappeared for ten years. With the sect master missing for ten years, the Dao Seeking Sect functioned smoothly, even recruiting a new generation of disciples. It was as if having a sect master and not having one were the same. Master?! Lu Yang was very surprised. He had been epted as a disciple by the Daoist Non-Speaker for a year but had never seen his master. The Eldest Senior Sister always said the master was in seclusion and had no time to see him. Could it be that the master had finally ended his seclusion? Its me. Although you have not seen me, I have always been watching over you. You were able to attract qi into your body and sessfully build your foundation. I am very pleased, the voice was full of vicissitudes, sounding like a kind old grandfather. Master, where are you? Are you in seclusion and cannote out to see your disciple? Lu Yang felt something was wrong. If the master could see him and talk to him, why had there been no interaction in the past year? The voice sighed long, with an indescribable bitterness: Ah, its a long story. I have always been at Heavens Gate Peak, just temporarily unable to leave my spot. Some things cant be exined in a few words. Just follow the route I tell you, and you will be able to see me. Although Lu Yang had doubts, he didnt feel any danger. This was Heavens Gate Peak, and the other party was his master. Moreover, the most important point was that the Eldest Senior Sister had never warned him about such matters. If there were any danger, the Eldest Senior Sister would have mentioned it long ago. First, find the pine forest halfway up the mountain. In the pine forest, there is a three-hundred-meter ancient pine, thergest pine tree in the entire forest. Lu Yang easily found the ancient pine mentioned by the Daoist Non-Speaker. He remembered the puppet picking pine nuts from here to make him pine nut corn, which was very delicious. Tap the ancient pine lightly three times, pause for three seconds, then tap three times again. Lu Yang did as instructed, only to see a spatial distortion ur on the east side of the ancient pine, as if a piece of camouge cloth was being removed, revealing the truth. On the east side of the ancient pine, arge area of pine trees disappeared, reced by a pitch-ck cave dwelling. At the entrance, there was a golden talisman, hard to miss. The voice of the Daoist Non-Speaker wasing from this cave dwelling. Lu Yang tentatively called out, Master? Ah, my good disciple. We finally meet. An elderly man with an immortal demeanor walked out from the cave dwelling, his dust whisk draped over his arm, elegant as an exiled immortal. He was somewhat excited to see Lu Yang. Is this his youngest disciple? The Daoist Non-Speaker stopped at the entrance, not taking another step forward. Master, what happened to you? Are you trapped here? When the Eldest Senior Sisteres back, Ill ask her to rescue you! Lu Yang said anxiously. No, no, no. The Daoist Non-Speaker quickly stopped Lu Yang. If Yun Zhi hadnt left Heavens Gate Peak, he wouldnt dare to call Lu Yang over. Dont tell your Eldest Senior Sister about seeing me. Why is that? The Daoist Non-Speaker looked up at the ceiling of the cave, his gazeplex: In a persons life, its all about fame and fortune. As the sect master of one of the five great immortal gates, with immense power, naturally, many people want to sit in my position. I understand, as I also went through a bloody struggle to stand out among my brothers and sisters to sit in this position. I thought bing the sect master would settle everything, but I never expected to be betrayed by those closest to me. Saying this, the Daoist Non-Speaker showed a pained expression, as if he couldnt bear to recall the past but had no choice. Your Eldest Senior Sister has extraordinary talents. When I stepped down, the position of sect master would definitely be hers, but she couldnt wait for that day. She broke the agreement between us, imprisoned me here, and became the acting sect master, managing all affairs of the sect. How has the sect developed over these ten years? Has your Eldest Senior Sister followed my ns? Lu Yang was surprised. He had heard from several Senior Brothers and Sisters that the sect had flourished over the past ten years, full of vitality, with the Eldest Senior Sister deserving most of the credit. Were all these within the masters ns? Lu Yang ryed the truth, receiving a somewhat pleased response from the Daoist Non-Speaker: Little Yun is doing well, even without me, she can manage the sect well. Its just a pity Whats a pity? Its a pity that it wasnt me managing personally. If it were me, there would be better management methods. Can youe out? The Daoist Non-Speaker gave a bitter smile, tried to step out of the cave dwelling, but as soon as he stepped forward, the entrance burst into thousands of purple thunders. The Daoist Non-Speaker was bathed in them, scaring him into quickly retreating and using his dust whisk to extinguish the mes on his body. See, I cante out. How can I rescue you? Theres a golden talisman written by Little Yun at the entrance of the cave dwelling. Just peel it off, and I cane out. Lu Yang looked at the Daoist Non-Speaker skeptically: Is it that simple? Its that simple. Little Yun once said, if someone peels off the talisman, it means my fate is not to be imprisoned here. Following the mandate of heaven, naturally, I should be released. Lu Yang moved closer to see, only to find that the golden talisman didnt have the usual strange patterns, but seven big characters left by the Eldest Senior Sister: I dare you to peel it off. (End of the chapter) Chapter 109: The Past of Daoist Non-Speaker Lu Yang silently took two steps back, indicating he had no intention of removing the talisman. This way, if Eldest Senior Sister suddenly appeared, he could disassociate himself from the situation. The wise do not stand beside a shaky wall, probably describes this scenario perfectly. The talisman left by Eldest Senior Sister showed no signs of spiritual power fluctuations, meaning there was no danger in removing it, but Lu Yang dared not to. He would be risking his life to remove this talisman. Master, its not that your disciple is unfilial, but I only have one life, and theres an immortal in my spiritual space. If Eldest Senior Sister kills me, it would be two lives lost with one corpse, not worth it. Seeing Lu Yang hesitate, raising his hand then putting it down, Daoist Non-Speaker could easily guess his concerns. Lu Yang was not the first to react this way, and Daoist Non-Speaker was not surprised, chuckling, Its normal that you dont understand me. You can go and ask other elders about me. With a moreprehensive understanding, youll know Im not lying. However, dont tell them about Little Yun imprisoning me. Little Yun has managed the Dao Seeking Sect for ten years, some elders might not stand on my side. Lu Yang thought his master made sense. He knew his master was Daoist Non-Speaker, but never really looked into what kind of person he was. This might be an opportunity, thinking thus, he left the pine forest.After Lu Yang left, Daoist Non-Speaker scratched his head. He had asked several people to remove the talisman, but no one wanted to. Whats written on the talisman that scares them so much? He craned his neck and looked for a long time but couldnt see the talismans appearance. Lu Yang returned to the mission hall, only to be told that the Grand Elder had gone out on business and was not in the sect. Lu Yang, having no choice, went to the Second Elder at Yan Chuan Peak. Yan Chuan Peak was responsible for teaching some basic knowledge of cultivation. Lu Yang had crammed there for a month when he first joined the Dao Seeking Sect, but he had never seen the Second Elder before. Excuse me, brother, is the Second Elder here? Lu Yang asked a disciple who was on duty at Yan Chuan Peak. The brother looked at Lu Yang with a strange look: Youre looking for the Second Elder? Then you should go to the medicinal garden. The one lying at the entrance of the garden is him. Lu Yang was stunned, not expecting that the one who made him dig soil, Grandpa Ba, was the Second Elder. He thanked the brother and went to the medicinal garden. Sure enough, Grandpa Ba was there. Hmm? Want toe dig some more soil? Grandpa Ba asked with a chuckle. No, I just wanted to ask about my master. Old Nine, of course, I know. Grandpa Ba became spirited once he started talking about this. Old Nine? Yes, from the Grand Elder you know, to the Eighth Elder, and then to your master Daoist Non-Speaker, we were all taught by the same master. Your master is the youngest, thest to join our master, thus ranked ninth. Old Nine is a chatterbox, his mouth always going on non-stop. Have you seen Introduction to Cross-talk on the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion? That was donated by Old Nine. Lu Yang nodded. He remembered very clearly when he saw Introduction to Cross-talk in the Scripture Pavilion; he was stunned for a long time, thinking he had gone to the wrong ce. Later, our master really didnt want to listen to Old Nine anymore, so he gave him the name Daoist Non-Speaker, hoping he would speak less. Lu Yang: Did it work? Its no use. Old nine said A wise man does not speak of supernatural forces and chaos, as long as he does not speak of them, all will be fine, and then his little mouth just kept babbling non-stop. That mouth of his really needed to be sewn shut. However, among us nine, Old Nine had the strongest cultivation talent. Of course, he couldnt bepared to Yun Zhi. I reckon Yun Zhis talent is rare through the ages. After our master retired, we nine had to decide who would be the sect leader. The eight of us unanimously agreed that Old Nine should take the position. Given his eloquence, we were sure hed do well. Old Nine refused at first, but we followed the rules of the jianghustrength dictates. Old Nine agreed to that. Then, the eight of us teamed up and gave Old Nine a beating, forcing him to take up the position of sect leader. Lu Yang recalled his masters mention of going through a bloody battle. It wasnt wrong to say so. Our judgment was indeed excellent. Old Nine had a talent for management and organized the sect well, clearing the previous atmosphere of decline. Of course, this might have something to do with his personality. Later on, somehow, ten years ago, Yun Zhi suddenly came to us, stating she would manage the sect from then on. We thought the younger generation would take over sooner orter, so it might as well be sooner. As for where Old Nine went, we didnt pay much attention. After all, were nearly two thousand years old, more flexible-minded than the young ones. Who knows where he might be hopping around now, could he even get lost? For cultivators like Grandpa Ba, their perception of time differs from ordinary people; ten years to them isnt considered long. After saying goodbye to Grandpa Ba, Lu Yang went to the Physical Cultivation Peak to find the Third Elder. Meng Jingzhou was at the Physical Cultivation Peak, and with his help, Lu Yang quickly found the Third Elder. The Third Elder was ying chess in the fields with an ancestor of the Blue-Eyed Water Buffalo n. The Third Elder, being short in stature, would not be associated with top-tier physical cultivation by Lu Yang if seen in the outside world. Lu Yang knew the Third Elder harbored an immensely terrifying power within, capable of moving mountains and filling seas with just a flick of his finger. His creation, the Heaven Shaking Six Forms, was coveted by all physical cultivators, wishing they could learn even a bit of it. Countless people dreamt of being under the Third Elders tutge but couldnt. Lu Yang also tried to find the ten water buffaloes he had once summoned in the fields, only to realize that all water buffaloes looked the same and couldnt be distinguished. Youre asking about Old Nine? Haha, then youvee to the right person. Old Nine was picked up by me, fed from a toddler! The Third Elder seemed to imply encountering him was Lu Yangs good fortune. Meng Jingzhou reminded softly, Master, its raised, not fed. The Third Elder waved his hand impatiently, Same thing, dont nitpick like the Fourth all the time. Old Nine was famously clever. He was the first among us nine to master the spell Minor Major As You Wish. Minor Major As You Wish is about changing ones size, right? Old Nine thought, what if it could be modified to change the size of parts of the body instead, not too much, just an inch or two longer or bigger for convenience. It would require less magical power to maintain, and it would be very popr among men and womenmen could erge certain parts, women could erge others. Following this idea, Old Nine actually managed to develop it. The Third Elder pped his thigh, marveling at Daoist Non-Speakers ingenious concept. He then wrote a new spell, Minor Major As You Wish (Localized Version). When the spell was released, it was wildly sought after. We made a fortune in spirit stones then, dining at the most expensive ces without caring for the cost, not even bothering to pick up spirit stones that fell on the ground. Unfortunately, the good times didntst. The Great Xia Dynasty quickly intervened to halt the sale of the spell, prohibiting its distribution. Why? They said it was obscene. Lu Yang: They probably werent wrong. (End of the chapter) Chapter 110: Ancient Language Translation It was apparent that the Third Elder held Daoist Non-Speaker in high regard, likely envious of what hecked himself. After saying goodbye to the Third Elder, Lu Yang proceeded to the Gentlemen Peak. Gentlemen Peak, the domain of the Fourth Elder, was elegant and cool, perpetually like summer. Everywhere you could see pavilions and streams, with bamboo green and tall, clearly a favored spot for schrs and poets to linger andpose poetry. Lu Yang wouldnt have been surprised if the bamboo suddenly started reciting sage quotes. Having seen various peculiar things in the Dao Seeking Sect, Lu Yangs mental resilience had be extremely strong. Lu Yang also encountered ck and white iron-eating beasts rolling around the mountain, disciples drinking and making merry, sshing ink to create paintings, then diving into those paintings to frolic with the figures within, utterly carefree. An iron-eating beast even nudged Lu Yang, nearly toppling him. It was ying with Lu Yang, who, busy with matters at hand, had to reason with the beast before it let him go, gifting him a half-chewed bamboo stalk on departure. Excuse me, brother, where can I find the Fourth Elder? Lu Yang, holding the half-eaten bamboo, respectfully inquired in front of a painting. The brother in question was highly aplished in the art of painting, almost reaching the point of creating lifelike illusions, truly terrifying. Hearing Lu Yang call out, the painter brother half emerged from the painting: Who are you? I am Lu Yang.Hearing Lu Yangs name, the painter brother had a moment of realization: Oh, I know you, the new Lu Yang, Yun Zhis disciple. Its Eldest Senior Sister who took me as a disciple on behalf of the master. I am Daoist Non-Speakers disciple, Lu Yang corrected him earnestly. My name is Ji Hongwen, and I joined the Dao Seeking Sect in the same year as Eldest Senior Sister. Im the Fourth Elders eldest disciple. This brother wasnt pretentious, not looking down on Lu Yang for his lower cultivation level. Nice to meet you, Brother Ji, Lu Yang said, surprised to meet someone from the same cohort as Eldest Senior Sister. He only knew Dai Bufan was from the same cohort as Eldest Senior Sister, one of the most senior disciples, with a cultivation level nearly matching the elders. Dai Bufan was highly trusted in handling affairs,manding great respect among the disciples. It was unexpected to meet another one now. By that reasoning, Brother Jis cultivation level wouldnt be low either. Bigwigs, unseen in an entire city or province outside, weremonce in the Dao Seeking Sect. You want to see the master? Come, he should be teaching students right now. Ji Hongwen floated out from the painting, with a flick of his hand, another person appeared in the painting. Only then did Lu Yang notice that Ji Hongwen wasnt alone in the painting; there was also an exquisitely beautiful woman. The woman seemed to have walked straight out of a water town in the Jiangnan area, her cheeks flushed with a tender red, gentle and elegant, her smile blossoming like flowers, her eyes conveying deep emotions. Her beauty was peerless, and her attire boldly revealing, enough to make a pure-hearted young man like Lu Yang blush. Ha ha, like what you see? I can draw one for you too, she can even keep youpany at night, Ji Hongwen joked, causing Lu Yang to shake his head vigorously. He needed to conserve his kidney energy. The breathtakingly beautiful woman clung to Ji Hongwens arm, looking at him with deep affection. Unbeknownst to Lu Yang, more people wished to learn this particr skill from Ji Hongwen than those who aspired to learn the Shaking Heaven Six Forms from the Third Elder. Led by Ji Hongwen, Lu Yang reached a private school nestled deep within the bamboo forest, where the Fourth Elder, serving as a teacher, Barbarian Bone, who was said to be uncarvable, and earnest students identified as A, B, C, and D were present. The Fourth Elder was exining ancient text interpretations: looking southwest across the pool, the shapes twist and turn like a coiling snake, visible in shes. The banks are jagged like interlocking canine teeth, its source unknown Now, Barbarian Bone, trante this for us, The banks are jagged like interlocking canine teeth, its source unknown means what? Barbarian Bone, head lowered in thought, confidently said, There are two dogs fighting by the bank, and its unclear why. The Fourth Elder silently closed the ancient book, rolled up his sleeves, and took out a ruler. Just as he was about to strike Barbarian Bones hand, he remembered the sages earnest teachingsto educate without discrimination, tailoring the method to the student. He had seen Barbarian Bones hard work; the kid was good at heart. This trantion must have been an ident. Ill ask him an easier question. If he answers correctly, I wont need to hit him, giving him a way out. Princes and generals, do they have a kind of their own? What does this sentence mean? ording to historical records, when the Great Yu Dynasty disintegrated ten thousand years ago, the royalty and nobility of the Great Yu Dynasty stood up, rallying under a banner to reunify the world, restoring the rule of the Great Yu Dynasty. People deeply believed in the concept of bloodline, thinking that the blood of the Great Yu Dynasty was inherently noble. The ims of the royalty and nobility won over many hearts. However, an ancestor of Emperor Xia, having suffered under the nobility, knew how rotten they were at the core. They were lofty, indulgent in pleasure, oblivious to the peoples suffering and the difficulties of cultivation. Each of them, nourished by rare treasures from a young age, their cultivation levels soared. Such people, even if they could establish a new Great Yu Dynasty, would soon corrupt it again. As a man of insight, Emperor Xias ancestor raised his arm in a call to action, saying, Princes and generals, do they have a kind of their own? bing an eternal famous saying, passed down through ages. Even Barbarian Bone, of barbarian descent, had heard this phrase and greatly admired the courage of Emperor Xias ancestor. This means, princes and generals, do you have the guts? The room burst intoughter. Without hesitation, the Fourth Elder took up the ruler and struck the hand, causing Barbarian Bone to grimace in pain. Barbarian Bone couldnt understand where he went wrong, challenging the nobility to their face with such great courage. Wasnt that the meaning of the phrase? Lu Yang, standing at the doorway, silently attended the ss, mourning for Barbarian Bone for three seconds. Ji Hongwen, witnessing this scene, shook his head and chuckled: I wonder what went through Barbarian Bones mind. Being of ancient barbarian descent and ignoring the Third Elders supreme techniques to follow our master, hes been disciplined quite a bit this year. But Ive noticed hes be sharper since returning from his mission. Do you know why? Lu Yang shook his head, clueless. Right, does the way the Fourth Elder strikes the hand seem to follow some pattern, or is it just my imagination? Facing Ji Hongwens skeptical look, Lu Yang quickly changed the subject. Ji Hongwen looked at Lu Yang with a hint of surprise: Youre not wrong. Its actually a method to stimte the bloodline, but its too painful, and few can endure it. The master is using this method to activate Brother Barbarian Bones ancient barbarian bloodline. Remember, dont tell Brother Barbarian Bone about this. Lu Yang nodded. After the ss, you can find him. With that, Ji Hongwen left, holding the hand of the exquisite beauty. ss time always feels exceptionally long. As the Fourth Elder lectured for a quarter of an hour, Lu Yang felt as if several hours had passed. Finally, the Fourth Elder ended the ss, encountering the inquisitive Lu Yang. Youre asking about Old Nine, who is devious, mischievous, and full of schemes? Lu Yang: Thank you, I think I already know what kind of person my master is. (End of the chapter) Chapter 111: And You Want to Be Released Like This? The Fourth Elder was the epitome of a Confucian cultivator, dressed in an immacte white robe, holding a paper fan, walking steadily and dealing with people gently,prehensive in his approach to life, treating all disciples equally: You should keep your distance from Old Nine. Fortunately, he has disappeared recently and hasnt brought you any trouble. You should cherish the opportunity to learn from Yun Zhi. Theres no future in learning from Old Nine. The sage said a gentlemans character consists of five virtues: benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faithfulness. Old Nine doesnt embody any of these, engaging in all kinds of deceitful practices. I cant count how many times Ive had to pull him out of the celestial prison. Do you know what your masters ultimate sword technique is? Lu Yang replied, Ive heard from Eldest Senior Sister about it. Its the transformation of one sword into ten thousand swords. When fully executed, a single sword can transform into millions, overwhelming like dark clouds over a city, covering the sky, contemptuous in all directions. After ying the enemy, the ten thousand swords return to one, without a drop of blood. When Lu Yang first heard Eldest Senior Sister describe it, he aspired to such freedom and elegance, believing it to be the epitome of sword cultivation. The Fourth Elder nodded, Right, one sword transforms into ten thousand. Old Nine, being a sword spirit root, is indeed a rare sword cultivation genius. Not many sword cultivators in the world can reach his level. Lu Yang found it strange; he always felt the Fourth Elders tone carried a mix of grinding teeth, disdain, and frustrated expectations? That was probably the feeling.The Fourth Elder continued, There was once when Old Nine executed his sword technique, transforming one sword into ten thousand, and sold those transformed swords to the Land of Gold Commerce. After receiving the payment, he then performed the ten thousand swords return to one. If I hadnt stepped in to smooth things over and calmed down themerce leaders anger, your master would still be in prison! Lu Yang: His master was indeed in prison now, so it seemed like karma. Also, have you heard of the Minor Major As You Wish (Localized Version) spell? I just heard about it from the Third Elder. This spells existence shouldnt be spread. Nowadays, young disciples are unaware of this spell. If we go back a hundred years, new disciples would fight to be Old Nines disciples just to learn it. Fortunately, Niece Yun Zhi understood the bigger picture and destroyed the copies of this spell. The original was kept in the upper levels of the scripture pavilion, and with deliberate concealment, now no disciples mor to learn such spells. The Fourth Elder looked pained, The morals of the world are deteriorating. Lu Yang didnt have the heart to tell the Fourth Elder that he actually also wanted to learn this spell. Sorry, Im reflecting. The Fourth Elders tone softened a bit, Nevertheless, Old Nine does have his merits. At least after he became the sect leader, our Dao Seeking Sect has be much stronger than before. Of course, its not all his doing, the eight of us also yed a significant role. Lu Yang wasnt sure if the Fourth Elder wasplimenting his master or himself. Why are you suddenly curious about what kind of person your Old Nine is? Lu Yang chuckled, Oh, nothing much, just that Ive never seen him since I became his disciple and was a bit curious. Curiosity is good, but dont waste it on Old Nine. After asking three people, Lu Yang had a pretty good idea of what kind of person his master really was. And he still wants to be released? The Heavens Mysteries Sect is located on the eastern side of the continent, covering a vast area. From above, the Heavens Mysteries Sect looks like an inverted eight trigrams, a spectacr sight. The Heavens Mysteries Sect is serene and sparsely popted, resembling a hidden sect in deep mountains and forests, quiet yet formidable. However, the main reason for the Heavens Mysteries Sects quietness was that they had dispatched their disciples to repay debts, leaving very few people behind in the vast sect. Cutting expenses and refining the heart in the mundane world was killing two birds with one stone. A shout broke the serene atmosphere of the Heavens Mysteries Sect. Master, Master, Im back! Luobu ran into the sect and directly sought his master. Upon hearing his disciples shout, the Sect Master of the Heavens Mysteries Sect emerged from his cave dwelling: My good disciple, why have you returned so soon? Have you thought of a way to clear our debts? Luobu, panting heavily, replied: Not yet. While I was traveling and fortune-telling for people, I encountered a troublesome person. I wanted toe back and alert the sect to be more cautious. Sit down and tell me slowly. After catching his breath, Luobu said: I traveled to Yanjiang County. Being penniless at the time, I thought of simply telling a few fortunes, swindling some unlucky folks for money. Coincidentally, I met three Dao Seeking Sect disciples and a disciple from the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce, all easy targets. I didnt n to seriously tell fortunes, just to get by, but what I didnt expect was that one of them was extraordinarily unusual. That person, named Lu Yang, though not highly cultivated and just beginning in cultivation, has an extremely terrifying future. The Sect Master of the Heavens Mysteries Sect was intrigued: Are you suggesting we invest in him early, and when he bes sessful, he helps us repay our debts? Luobu quickly quashed his masters dangerous thought: No, no, no. I saw that Lu Yangs future is destined to be entangled with several immortals. Entangled with several immortals?! eximed the Sect Master of Heavens Mysteries Sect. Normally, being entangled with one immortal could easily lead to annihtion, yet this Lu Yang would have significant karma with several immortals and still not die? What they in the Heavens Mysteries Sect feared most was getting involved with individuals bearing heavy karma. It was not conducive to transcendence; the heavier the karma, the more difficult the cultivation. Struggling to free oneself would only tighten the karmic bonds. More than that, I also discovered that Lu Yang will spread the Dao Seeking Sects bad practices throughout the cultivation world. The Sect Master of the Heavens Mysteries Sect gasped in shock, Why didnt you say something this important earlier? Compared to this, what does karma with immortals count for? Having karma with immortals means his future achievements are significant, but spreading the Dao Seeking Sects bad practices shows ack of judgment! In short, we must avoid contact with the Dao Seeking Sect as much as possible, especially that Lu Yang. The farther away, the better! Suddenly, the Sect Master of the Heavens Mysteries Sects expression changed. Whats wrong, Master? A very domineering presence is flying towards our Heavens Mysteries Sect. I suspect theye with ill intent. Activate the defensive formation immediately! Decisively, the Sect Master of the Heavens Mysteries Sect activated the sects protective formation. The formation nodes lit up like stars in the night sky, forming an Eight Trigrams pattern. The gigantic Eight Trigrams formation covered Heavens Mysteries Sect, imprable, with eightplex directions making it difficult to find an exit. Once trapped within, it would take a lifetimes effort to unravel the mystery of the formation. Many powerful cultivators at the Unity Stage have returned without sess, and some with ill intentions were even trapped to death! The power of the Heavens Mysteries Sects protective formation was evident! Seeing the Heavens Mysteries Sect activate its protective formation, the approaching figure didnt slow down, disying an unrivaled arrogance. Facing theplex formation, the visitor stretched out a hand and shattered the formation with a p. Only then did the Sect Master of the Heavens Mysteries Sect see the appearance of the visitor, graceful and divine, untouchable. Dao Seeking Sects Yun Zhi hase to visit the Supreme Elder of Heavens Mysteries Sect. I request an audience. The Sect Master of the Heavens Mysteries Sect turned pale. Speak of the Dao Seeking Sect and the Dao Seeking Sect shows up! (TL Note: This is a y on the saying ˵ܲ٣ܲٵ. ܲ (Cao Cao) was a famous military general and the saying trantes into Speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao shows up. It originates from the romance of the three kingdoms where an emperor was attacked and someone suggested to call Cao Cao to help rescue the emperor but Cao Cao arrived just as they wanted to call him. Its the chinese version of Speak of the devil.) (End of the chapter) Chapter 112: The Reason Daoist Non-Speaker Was Imprisoned Apart from the status of the Five Great Immortal Sects, Dao Seeking Sect is also a notorious entity in the cultivation world, akin to parents warning their children not to associate with the bad kids. Elders often admonish their disciples not to get involved with Dao Seeking Sect. However, there are always disciples who defy such warnings and mingle with Dao Seeking Sect, to the dismay of many. Take Lan Ting, for example. Fortunately, the higher-ups in the cultivation world recognize that Dao Seeking Sect is not beyond redemption. Since the disappearance of the previous sect master of Dao Seeking Sect, and with Yun Zhi seeding him, there has been a noticeable improvement in the sects atmospheremainly, Dao Seeking Sect now only harms its own members, not others. If Dao Seeking Sect were considered a mental institution, then Yun Zhi would be the director, one of the few sane individuals. A visit from Yun Zhi is always preferable to others. A cheerful voice emanated from beneath Heavens Mysteries Sect, and in the blink of an eye, an ancient figure appeared in front of Yun Zhi. Daoist Dao Ye. Yun Zhi bowed. Daoist Dao Ye, the Supreme Elder of Heavens Mysteries Sect, is an old fossil in the cultivation world, with few living as long as he has. He keeps a low profile and has never revealed his true cultivation level.What brings Daoist friend here? Daoist Dao Ye addressed Yun Zhi respectfully, using the term Daoist friend. I have questions regarding immortals. Please. Daoist Dao Ye invited Yun Zhi into a secret room within the sect and served her tea. What exactly does Daoist friend wish to inquire about immortals? How much do you know about the Undying Being? Daoist Dao Ye showed a troubled expression, smiling wryly, Undying Being? Daoist friend has indeed asked a good question. The Undying Being is the most mysterious of the ancient five immortals. Had it not been for the Undying Sect adamantly iming to have found relics with records of the Undying Being, I wouldnt have known of its existence. And even with the relics, its not guaranteed to be true. I hold a skeptical view towards the existence of the Undying Being. How so? Relics found more than ten thousand years ago are considered ancient to us now, but does ancient automatically equate to truth? I heard the relics are from the Great Gan era, but what of it? That era is part of the new epoch, tens of thousands of years removed from the ancient times. Its entirely possible for someone in the Great Gan era to create a nonsensical relic, wait a couple of hundred thousand years for someone to stumble upon it, exim in awe at its ancientness, and believe whatever is recorded on it to be true. If there really was an Undying Being, then why is there no other evidence to corroborate its existence aside from this relic? Many caves and heavens from the Great Gan era have been excavated, yet where are the records of the Undying Being? Yun Zhi nodded, finding Daoist Dao Yes argument somewhat reasonable: You know I recently located the headquarters of the Undying Sect, but unfortunately, they fled too quickly, and I didnt catch anyone. However, I did learn some things from the materials they left behind. In reality, Yun Zhi didnt obtain any intelligence from the headquarters, choosing not to divulge Lu Yangs situation for safety reasons. Im interested to hear more. ording to the Undying Sect, the characteristic of the Undying Beings Dao fruit can be described as indestructible. As long as someone recites the Undying Beings name and immortal title, the Undying Being can be revived. Daoist Dao Yes pupils contracted, shocked by such a characteristic. It meant that dying was virtually impossible. Each immortals Dao fruit possesses unique characteristics; indeed, this does not seem false. After a moment of contemtion, Daoist Dao Ye added, However, this is still only the word of the Undying Sect. I stand by my view; this is akin to creating immortals. The method is simr to that of The Great Xia Dynasty, where a non-existent immortal was fabricated by some hidden forces using the belief in the Undying Sect. Over time, as faith umtes, the Undying Being gradually manifests. When the power of belief reaches a certain threshold, the Undying Being would materialize out of nothing. Yun Zhi did not refute but listened quietly to Daoist Dao Yes theory. Given that the Undying Being had already been revived, it certainly wasnt a case of creating an immortal. However, the theory of creating an immortal did have its merits, and it was possible that the other three demonic sects were attempting such a feat. After thanking Daoist Dao Ye, Yun Zhi left gracefully. The Sect Master of Heavens Mysteries Sect, recalling how Yun Zhi easily tore through the formation, approached Daoist Dao Ye with lingering fear: Ancestor, how powerful is Yun Zhi? Has she be an immortal? Dont ask; I know nothing. After visiting many individuals, with Daoist Dao Ye being thest, Yun Zhi returned directly to her sect. Meanwhile, Lu Yang returned to Heavens Gate Peak to consult his master again. So, what did the other senior brothers say? Did they mention how Dao Seeking Sect has grown stronger under my leadership? Daoist Non-Speaker was brimming with pride, confident in his indelible contribution to the development of Dao Seeking Sect. Lu Yang looked at his master with aplicated expression: Indeed, your contributions are significant, but everyone hopes that Eldest Senior Sister will manage the sect. Daoist Non-Speakers spirits deted, seeming to lose all hope: Is that so? Well, let her have the position of sect master then. Its only natural for a new generation to rece the old. Its not right for a disciple to imprison their master in a power struggle, as it would tarnish the reputation of Dao Seeking Sect. Release me, and I will leave far away, never to speak of the position of sect master again, never to return to Dao Seeking Sect. How about it? Daoist Non-Speaker proposed. Lu Yang hesitated, finding Daoist Non-Speakers words reasonable. His master didnt seem like the type to engage in a power struggle. Just as he contemted whether to release his master, a cold voice came from above. Master, do you really want to go out like this? Daoist Non-Speakers expression changed drastically upon hearing this voice. Lu Yang looked up, surprised and delighted to see Eldest Senior Sister returning: Eldest Senior Sister! Yun Zhi hummed softly,nding gently without stirring a speck of dust. Master, to think of deceiving your junior brother just to get out? Yun Zhis words, devoid of any worldly concern, sounded to Daoist Non-Speaker like a volcano about to erupt, extremely terrifying. Deception? Lu Yang pondered, wondering if everything his master told him was a lie. What was the truth? Lu Yangs mind raced, quickly arriving at a significant possibility! Had his master sumbed to demonic possession, and did Eldest Senior Sister, in a righteous act, suppress him here? Considering the shame of airing dirtyundry, she might have kept the incident of his possession from the other elders. Was his master trying to trick him into removing the talisman while Eldest Senior Sister was away, to wreak havoc in the world? That was a close call, thankfully Eldest Senior Sister arrived. Eldest Senior Sister continued: Look at the sect masters of other immortal sects, all diligently cultivating. And you? Idling away your days. Have youpleted the daily cultivation tasks I assigned? Have you made any breakthroughs in your cultivation level? Having achieved nothing, you still wish to go out and y? Daoist Non-Speaker was at a loss for words, unable to speak. Lu Yang: What was I even thinking? How could such melodramatic events possibly happen in Dao Seeking Sect! (End of the chapter) Chapter 113: Lu Yang’s Three Questions Well, its not exactly like that. Cultivation is about bncing work and rest. As they say, from extreme stillnesses movement. If you stay in one ce for too long, you need to go out and walk around. Think about it, Little Yun. The purpose of cultivation is to achieve eternal life and freedom. If we spend all our time in closed-door cultivation, sitting in meditation, then cultivation bes nothing more than a prison sentence, which is putting the cart before the horse, Daoist Non-Speaker said earnestly. As someone who frequents the celestial prison, he indeed has a unique perspective on imprisonment that others do not. Moreover, there are two types of cultivation: worldly cultivation and reclusive cultivation, right? I am a typical example of a worldly cultivator. Only by immersing myself in the mundane world and experiencing life can Iprehend the Dao of immortality and achieve breakthroughs! Lu Yang had heard of this concept before. Cultivators who became officials in The Great Xia Dynasty were considered worldly cultivators, while those from the Five Great Immortal Sects leaned towards reclusive cultivation. However, few were as purely reclusive as Eldest Senior Sister. No matter how eloquently Daoist Non-Speaker spoke, Yun Zhi remained unmoved, not even lifting an eyelid. Master, when you taught me, you said that pressure creates motivation, and diligence is key in cultivation. A days n lies in the morning, and a years n lies in spring. You advocated for cultivation from morning till night, extremely diligent. Indeed, Yun Zhi practiced as Daoist Non-Speaker had taught, from dawn to dusk, with extraordinary dedication. Yun Zhi was already a rare genius, and with her diligent cultivation, her progress was rapid. When the Immortal Sect Conference was held, Yun Zhi stood out from the rest, taking the top spot.Traditionally, the five sect masters would critique the champion for their shorings, and some, worried about the champion bing arrogant, would challenge the champion to a fight. Then, Yun Zhi defeated all five sect masters, leaving them utterly vanquished. By the next Immortal Sect Conference, while the disciples fought hard on the stage, Yun Zhi sat among the sect masters, right in the center, giving her critiques. Daoist Non-Speaker thought to himself that he wanted her to diligently cultivate, improve her cultivation level, take over as sect master so he could sneak out for some fun. Of course, these were words Daoist Non-Speaker could never utter aloud. Yun Zhi had no aversion to cultivation; on the contrary, she enjoyed the process. During cultivation, she felt an unprecedented peace, as if she was one with the world, clearly feeling her own strength grow. After cultivating, she felt refreshed and clear-headed. Why wouldnt she enjoy it? Fine, if you want toe out, thene out Yun Zhi said indifferently, her tone softening. Daoist Non-Speaker was overjoyed, thinking all his talking wasnt in vain and Little Yun finally agreed to let him out. By your own ability. Yun Zhi finished her sentence and turned to leave. Daoist Non-Speaker opened his mouth but was at a loss for words. If he could leave by his own ability, he would have done so already! Lu Yang, you Daoist Non-Speaker wanted to call Lu Yang back to plead on his behalf. Lu Yang gave a look that said, Youre on your own, and hurried after Eldest Senior Sister. Choosing between the all-powerful Eldest Senior Sister, who suppressed Dao Seeking Sect, and the imprisoned master was an easy choice. My young disciple, dont go. Just help me remove the talisman, and Ill teach you One Sword Bes Ten Thousand Swords. Thousands of swords floating in the air, their bright tips pointing downwards, giving you an advantage in morale before the battle even starts! Can it defeat Eldest Senior Sister? Lu Yang ran back, asking. As a sword cultivator, who wouldnt want to learn a spectacr and awe-inspiring sword technique? The power isnt important; whats important is that it looks cool! Daoist Non-Speaker shook his head, and seeing this, Lu Yang turned to leave again. Daoist Non-Speaker hurriedly said, I can also teach you the True Understanding of Sword Dao, allowing you to have a deeper understanding of the sword dao. When you reach the pinnacle of sword dao, you can break all spells with a single sword, unbeatable among your peers! Can it defeat Eldest Senior Sister? Daoist Non-Speaker shook his head, and Lu Yang, seeing this, was about to leave again. Daoist Non-Speaker quickly spoke up: I can also teach you the Four Absolute Sword Formations. Once deployed, the formations power soars to the heavens, severing the lifeforce of all, withering and flourishing all beings, sweeping away all enemies! Can it defeat Eldest Senior Sister? Daoist Non-Speaker, frustrated, eximed: Rebellious disciple, if I could defeat her, would I still be imprisoned here? Lu Yang found his masters argument reasonable, so he chose to stand with Eldest Senior Sister. Eldest Senior Sister, Ive also discovered another issue during my mission. What is it? Ive found that our Five Great Immortal Sects reputation is too low. Many people are unaware of us. When faced with demonic or evil urrences, they can only rely on the officials. If the officials dont intervene, theyre left with no choice but to wait helplessly. The Great Xia Dynasty is short-staffed and, due to pride, finds it inconvenient to seek help from the Five Great Immortal Sects. Themon people end up suffering in this process. This issue was discovered by Lu Yang in Song Mountain. Although the old hunter acting as a ghost was putting on a show, his ignorance of Dao Seeking Sect wasnt an act. While in Yanjiang County, Lu Yang also casually inquired and found thatmoners had very limited knowledge about the upper echelons, including the Five Great Immortal Sects. Yun Zhi was somewhat surprised, as she had never paid attention to this issue, nor had anyone from the Five Great Immortal Sects noticed it. She attended the annual Immortal Sect Summit and had never heard this issue raised. Thats indeed a problem. Compile the affairs of Dao Seeking Sect into books and disseminate them among the people? Lu Yang, eager to contribute, offered his method: Writing books is indeed an excellent way to spread information, but as far as I know, literacy rates among themon folk are low, and not many can afford books. Perhaps turning the stories of Dao Seeking Sect into storytelling scripts could also be a good method. Storytelling? Yun Zhi was unfamiliar with this area, whereas Daoist Non-Speaker was an expert, having donated the Complete Collection of Crosstalk to the scripture library. Yes, storytelling. Before I joined Dao Seeking Sect, my knowledge of cultivation came from a storyteller. The quality of storytelling varies greatly nowadays, with significant inconsistencies and partial understandings of cultivation, easily leading to misconceptions about it. If we turn the stories of Dao Seeking Sect into storytelling scripts, theyre sure to be popr! Lu Yang said, his enthusiasm evident as he clenched his fists. Do the affairs of Dao Seeking Sect have anything extraordinary enough to attract people? Eldest Senior Sister still had her doubts. Lu Yang thought, if the affairs of Dao Seeking Sect are considered ordinary, what level of absurdity does the cultivation world reach? Eldest Senior Sister, focused on cultivation, is likely unaware of themon knowledge issues and the public opinion of Dao Seeking Sect outside. Lu Yang believed that with Eldest Senior Sisters cultivation level, no one from the other immortal sects would dare speak ill of Dao Seeking Sect to her face. There will definitely be no issue! Lu Yang asserted confidently. Then, who in Dao Seeking Sect is suitable for writing storytelling scripts and handling external publicity? Yun Zhi pondered, her eyebrows slightly furrowed. I can rmend someone who will undoubtedly be up to the task! Who? Master. (End of the chapter) Chapter 114: Eldest Senior Sister, Have I Learned It? When Daoist Non-Speaker learned that there was a chance for him to be released, he was so eager that he almost begged Lu Yang to be his master, frightening Lu Yang into quickly saying that it was not necessary. Lu Yang shared his thoughts with Daoist Non-Speaker, who also felt that Lu Yangs points were very reasonable. Indeed, we have overlooked the role of propaganda. Themon people know too little about cultivation, the five major immortal gates, and other sects. Daoist Non-Speaker stroked his beard in thought: Compiling a storytelling book rted to the Dao Seeking Sect is indeed a technical task, let me ponder on this for a moment. Our Dao Seeking Sect has a history of 120,000 years, which can be divided into three stages: the creation of the sect by the Primordial Daoist, the elevation of our sect into one of the five major immortal gates by the Return-to-the-Origin Celestial, and the resurgence initiated by the Ancestral Master Hanhai. Each stage has many stories worth telling, just the beginning of the Primordial Daoist asking the universe for directions can reveal a lot. Lu Yang thought to himself that his master was indeed worthy of admiration for being able to turn the Primordial Daoists getting lost into such a noble quest, this skill alone was worth learning for a while. Of course, we cant leave out the current affairs, which are the key points. For example, regarding myself, it cannot be said that I was picked up by the third one; it should be changed to being born naturally from the earth, a person born for a destined time, holding a short sword at birth, with the character Kill inscribed on the hilt cough, Im just joking, I wouldnt really say that. Daoist Non-Speaker faced the icy gaze of Eldest Senior Sister and instantly backed down: I will definitely describe it truthfully, without a hint of falsehood! Daoist Non-Speaker spoke in a negotiating tone: My dear disciple, can you release your master first? Regarding the matter of the Dao Seeking Sect ying demons and supporting the righteous path, your eight martial uncles are the ones involved. For the purpose ofpiling the storytelling book, I must ask them about the detailed process, so as to have room to borate.Yun Zhi thought this made sense, so she prepared to let her master go. Then, Yun Zhi left directly, making Daoist Non-Speaker anxious, he called out from behind: My dear disciple, you havent released your master yet! Without turning her head back, Yun Zhi said: You sit in meditation in the cave for three days, and the barrier will disappear by itself. Lu Yang thought to himself, so it turns out his master was confined for ten years because he never continuously meditated for three days, no wonder Eldest Senior Sister was reluctant to release him. Lu Yang hurriedly followed Eldest Senior Sister and earnestly said: Eldest Senior Sister, I want to learn a spell that can be cast with just my mouth. Why is that? When Im fighting, I find that my feet can dodge and attack, and my hands can wield a sword and throw hidden weapons, all have their uses, except for my mouth. Think about it, Im in a stalemate with an enemy, weapons shing, neither of us getting the upper hand. If I suddenly cast a spell with my mouth, catching them off guard, I guarantee I can win! Yun Zhi couldnt understand what Lu Yang meant by in a stalemate with an enemy, as her battles were always overwhelming. However, since Lu Yang wanted to learn, she had no reason to stop him. I know of a method, after mastering it, you can exhale the breath of metallic essence, which can cut through anything. It requires a metal spirit root constitution, your sword spirit root is barely rted, but it needs a few moments to umte power, and you cant perform any other actions during umtion. Lu Yang shook his head: Its too limited, suitable for sneak attacks, but rarely usable in directbat. How about Samadhi True Fire then? It umtes power in the stomach, and once unleashed, the upper, middle, and lower Samadhi True Fires are unstoppable unless extinguished by a rootless water. However, the difficulty of learning is high, and it might take several months to master. You have never studied the Five Elements spells before, so its uncertain how talented you are in this area. Yun Zhi suddenly fell silent, remembering that the first Five Elements spell Lu Yang learned was the Earth Shrinking technique. Lu Yang was thrilled at the prospect of learning the famous Samadhi True Fire. If there was a chance to learn it, he definitely wanted to try, and even if he failed, at least he would have no regrets. I want to learn the Samadhi True Fire. Seeing Lu Yang making his choice, Yun Zhi didnt stop him and took him to the ce where he first started his cultivation. There, Lu Yang had a memorable experience of sessfully drawing Qi into his body for the first time while trying to scoop tofu with a jar. Yun Zhi exined calmly, The so-called Samadhi True Fire refers to three types of fire: divine, essence, and mundane. Its somewhat simr but different from the ssifications of the River Spirit Axe. The heart is the monarch fire, also called the divine fire, named Upper Samadhi; the kidneys are the minister fire, also called the essence fire, named Middle Samadhi; and the dder, or the sea of Qi below the navel, is the peoples fire, named Lower Samadhi. When casting the Samadhi True Fire, you must focus on the three areas of the heart, kidneys, and dder. Ive told you before to keep the kidney water always full, and this is why. The human body contains the Five Elements, and most Five Elements spells rely on the five organs, so the kidney water is crucial. Ill demonstrate for you, just watch. Yun Zhi targeted arge tree, opened her mouth, and expelled a stream of Samadhi True Fire, turning a tree as thick as a hug into ashes in an instant, so fast that Lu Yang couldnt even react in time! This was the result with Yun Zhi intentionally reducing its power. If she used her full strength, its questionable whether Heavens Gate Peak would remain standing. Have you learned it? Lu Yang hesitated. Eldest Senior Sisters teaching methods were always mysterious, depending on ones ownprehension: Ill give it a try. He had created the Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique, capable of discerning the essence of things, also motivated by the desire to learn the spell taught by Eldest Senior Sister. It was time to showcase the power of his unique technique! Lu Yang gathered his spiritual power, focusing on his heart, kidneys, and dder, and with a fierce exhtion, spit saliva three meters away! Samadhi True Fire! Lu Yang, refusing to give up, shouted again, and spit saliva three meters away! Pah! Pah! Lu Yang kept casting spells, eventually leaving him dry-mouthed and parched. The Samadhi True Fire was indeed difficult to master. Seeing Lu Yangs struggles, Yun Zhi handed him a gourd. After drinking from it, Lu Yang found it exceptionally sweet, like ambrosia. What kind of water is this? Its so sweet! Sugar water. Lu Yang: Can sugar water be anything but sweet? Lu Yang persisted, practicing from noon until evening, and finally began to grasp the technique. This time, Ill definitely seed. Samadhi True Fire, go! Lu Yang, mustering all his strength and circting his spiritual power through the microcosmic orbit, forcefully exhaled. A fierce ze shot from his mouth, scorching arge tree and making it crackle loudly! I did it! Lu Yang smiled, confident in his talent for learning spells, mastering in an afternoon what might take others months. Yun Zhi, observing the fire closely, felt something was amiss. Approaching the me, she picked up a small bit, rubbed it between her fingers, and tasted it. Sweet? Why would fire have a taste? Cast it again. Confused, Lu Yang expelled the true fire again, and Yun Zhi tasted it: Salty? One more time. After another taste, Yun Zhi said, Spicy? After several tests, Yun Zhi discovered that although Lu Yangs mes were powerful, they had a unique taste, alternating between sweet, salty, and spicy. An excited Lu Yang asked, Eldest Senior Sister, have I learned it? Yun Zhi looked at Lu Yang strangely, Youve learned it, but what youve learned is the Three-vors True Fire. Three-vors True Fire? (TL Note: Samadhi True Fire in Chinese is . The is one stroke away from ζ which means vor. So when trying to learn the , he learnt the ζ by mistake. Its again another word y which cant be tranted into English well. By the way, the Samadhi True Fire is from Journey To The West and is learnt by Red Boy which enables him to shoot fire inextinguishable by water and smoke from his eyes, nostrils and mouth. Samdhi is the Sanskrit word for concentration. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Boy) (End of the chapter) Chapter 115: No Longer Resigned to Just Barbecue Three-vors True Fire? Lu Yang was confused, thinking to himself whether Eldest Senior Sister couldnt differentiate between and ζ (TL Note: See the exnation in the previous chapter). The two words only looked simr but were pronounced entirely differently. Then, Lu Yang thought that Eldest Senior Sisters level of education was probably higher than his own. Lu Yang forced a calm smile and joked: Hahaha, Eldest Senior Sister, you really have a sense of humor. You taught me the Samadhi True Fire, how could I possibly learn the Three-vors True Fire? Its impossible, absolutely impossible. Yun Zhi did not exin but signaled to a puppet to fetch a piece of demon beast meat from the kitchen. Yun Zhi somehow made the demon beast meat spin in mid-air: Roast it with the true fire. Lu Yang exhaled true fire, and the demon beast meat sizzled, quickly releasing a delicious aroma that made Lu Yang swallow saliva. Although Lu Yangs true fire was not as powerful as the one Yun Zhi demonstrated, it was still much stronger than ordinary mes, and it didnt take long for the demon beast meat to be roasted. Try it yourself, Yun Zhi said.Using his finger as a knife, Lu Yang sliced off a small piece and put it in his mouth, and it was delicious enough to bite their tongue. The piece of demon beast meat had no seasonings added, yet it gave Lu Yang a sensation of being seasoned with salt, enhanced with sugar, and spiced up with chili peppers. It was indeed the Three-vors True Fire. There must be a problem somewhere. Lu Yang analyzed seriously. He had followed the method taught by Eldest Senior Sister step by step, with such a great expert personally demonstrating, it was impossible to make a mistake! Let me try again, Im sure I can seed! Yun Zhi nodded, Its good that you have this determination. Tonights dinner will be up to you then, it will also help consolidate what youve learned today. After saying this, Yun Zhi turned around and went back to her cave to meditate, leaving her meal to Lu Yang. No, wait, I didnt mean that Lu Yang felt that Eldest Senior Sister had misunderstood his determination, but by the time he tried to rify, Eldest Senior Sister was already far away, leaving only the puppet forpany. Lu Yang sighed and called the puppet to the kitchen with him. It was Lu Yangs first time in the Heavens Gate Peak kitchen. He had never cooked before, as it had always been the puppets preparing meals. With the daily exhaustion from training, there was no energy left for cooking. Eldest Senior Sisters specialized kitchen wasrger than a gym from his previous life, with a dazzling array of ingredients neatly disyed and several meters high demon beast corpses visible everywhere. These demon beasts, imposing even in death, must have been formidable beings before their unfortunate encounters with Eldest Senior Sister, who killed them with a single strike, so fast they didnt even realize they were dead. Lu Yang had some basic cooking skills, but those were limited to ordinary ingredients. He didnt recognize any of the ingredientsid out before him. What should I make? What does Eldest Senior Sister like to eat? It seems she eats a little of everything at meals, without showing a particr preference for anything? The master likes barbecue the most. A sudden voice startled Lu Yang. Turning around, Lu Yang saw it was the puppet speaking. The puppet, made of wood and resembling a female figure, had an uncarved face. The puppet had been with Lu Yang since his first day of cultivation, but he had never known it could speak. Why are you looking at me? the puppet spoke again, confirming to Lu Yang this wasnt his imagination. You can speak? Why havent I heard you speak before? Why would I want to talk to an idiot? You Lu Yang was at a loss for words. If he could, he would have dismantled the so-called puppet right there and then. You say Eldest Senior Sister likes barbecue? Howe Ive never seen her eat it? Lu Yang looked at the puppet suspiciously. He knew about a spell called Puppetry and that masters of Puppetry were known as Puppeteers. There was even a sectposed entirely of Puppeteers within the first-ss factions. But what he didnt know was the extent of Puppetrys capabilities, including such high intelligence. Does this speak to the exceptional nature of Eldest Senior Sisters puppet? The master does not have the habit of revealing personal preferences to outsiders, the puppet replied to Lu Yang with a tone that seemed to disdain further conversation. See the Kui ox on your right? Chop off its thigh. The master likes that part. Ill trust you this time. Lu Yang felt the puppet had no reason to deceive him. He took out his Qingfeng sword and aimed a strike at the Kui oxs thigh. The oxs body surface glowed, bouncing Lu Yang away and sending him crashing into a pile of flour, covering him in white. Cough, cough, what level was this ox when it was alive? Lu Yang was certain that the oxs cultivation level must have been outrageously high, to the point that it remained unharmed even after death. The puppet didnt answer but punched and shattered the protective golden light around the Kui ox: Try again. Chop! Lu Yang used the Chop Word Technique, causing a superficial cut on the skin. The Chop Word Technique, though not as powerful as the Break Word Technique, had the advantage of a wide coverage area and could be used multiple times. Chop! Chop! Lu Yang executed the Chop Word Technique three times in a row, draining his spiritual power. Just in time, the puppet fed him a Great Restoration Pill. Chop! Chop! Chop! Great Restoration Pill. Thus, after a cycle of Chop-Chop-Chop, Great Restoration Pill C repeated multiple times, he finally managed to cut enough meat for a meal. Just as the ingredients were ready, Lu Yang was so exhausted hey sprawled on the floor, panting heavily, while the puppet continued to feed him Great Restoration Pills. Lu Yang found this scene strangely familiar. It goes without saying, the Great Restoration Pills really did work wonders, revitalizing Lu Yang, who then continued cooking. Use sword energy to mince the tendons, instructed the puppet by his side. As Lu Yang inserted the tip of the Qingfeng sword into the Kui ox meat and released sword energy, he felt like it disappeared without a trace, stirring up no effect. Keep going, youre doing great, the puppet encouraged Lu Yang, albeit in a monotone voice that hardly inspired him. Lu Yang yelled, Could you put some emotion into it? The puppet obligingly changed its tone: Lu Yang, even though your cultivation level is low, and everything you learn seems to go awry, not to mention I cant even lose to you, but youre trying your hardest. Keep it up! Lu Yangs veins bulged with frustration as he increased the output of his sword energy, which finally began to cut through the tendons of the Kui ox meat bit by bit. After the entire process, Lu Yang was too tired to even bother getting angry at the puppet. When it came to roasting the meat, Lu Yang kept gulping down Great Restoration Pills while using the Three-vors True Fire. The aroma of the meat soon wafted out of the kitchen. Whats that delicious smell? Grandpa Ba entered the kitchen, drawn by the aroma, and saw Lu Yang barbecuing. Grandpa Ba, what brings you here? Lu Yang was surprised. With a cheerful smile, Grandpa Ba brought out a can of tea leaves: I just got some Enlightenment Tea and was nning to bring some to Yun Zhi. Then I smelled this aroma and came to see whats cooking. So, youre roasting a Kui ox. With your level of cultivation, it must have taken quite an effort, right? Lu Yang sheepishly chuckled in response. By the way, you were asking about Ninth Junior Brother. Do you know where he is now? Feeling that his master would soon emerge from seclusion, Lu Yang saw no harm in telling Grandpa Ba about his masters secluded cultivation in the pine forest. Grandpa Bas eyes lit up at the news, thinking to himself that troublemakers indeed attract each other. So, the dreaded Ninth Junior Brother had been confined by Yun Zhi. He put down the Enlightenment Tea and left in a hurry: Ive got something to do. Ill be off now. He couldnt wait to share this news with his fellow disciples and have a collective viewing of Ninth Junior Brothers predicament! (TL Note: Kui was, ording to the book ssic of the Mountains and Seas, a beast living on Mt. Liubo in the Eastern Sea. Its skin was used by the Yellow Emperor to make a drum to invoke rain and wind. Kui is therefore seen as identical to the thunder gods, with a human face and the body of a dragon. The Kui is also described as an animal with only one foot, simr to that of a dragon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kui_(Chinese_mythology)) (End of the chapter) Chapter 116: Sharing Difficulties Together Lu Yang was fully focused on barbecuing the Kui ox, apetition of wisdom, perseverance, and luck that didnt allow for the slightest negligence. He didnt notice Grandpa Bas schadenfreude at that moment. The barbecue was finally ready, its fragrance lingering in the kitchen for three days. The Three-vors True Fire, truly a unique creation of Lu Yang, proved to have its merits. There are a total of 108 types of true fire in the world, and with his talent, Lu Yang had added another to the list, making this me extraordinary! If Lu Yang wished, he could open a continent-wide chain of barbecue restaurants or even establish a Barbecue Sect! This was an opportunity many Barbarian Bones could not even dream of! But Lu Yang was indifferent to fame and fortune and had no ns in that direction. Lu Yang ced the roasted Kui ox on a te, apanied by roasted potatoes, carrots, and cauliflower as garnishes, ready to be served. The puppet looked at Lu Yang surprisingly, not expecting him to think soprehensively. Just as Lu Yang was about to leave the kitchen, he noticed arge piece of meat missing from the Kui ox, revealing stark white bones. Lu Yang remembered the Flesh Regeneration Pill he had just exchanged.What if I give the Kui ox a Flesh Regeneration Pill? Would it regrow the meat? Lu Yang thought, seeing a great business opportunity. Without hesitation, Lu Yang forced the pill into the Kui oxs mouth. A miraculous scene unfolded: a faint golden glow emerged from the wound on the Kui oxs corpse. The roasted meat slowly levitated, reverted to its raw state, and drifted to the wound, seamlessly reattaching itself. Lu Yang: Is this even scientific? My hard-earned roasted meat just reverted?! Even the puppet couldnt hold back itsughter, sneaking out a chuckle. Lu Yang had no choice but to start over. Fortunately, with the experience from the first attempt, the second round was much faster. Lu Yang also found his proficiency in the Chop Word Technique, sword energy, and Three-vors True Fire had improved. Could this be what Eldest Senior Sister intended, for him to grow through cooking? Indeed, there is a cultivation path known as Spirit Cooking, where cultivators refine their skills through cooking. Lu Yangs experience bore a striking resemnce to this practice. Eldest Senior Sisters intentions are profound! Lu Yang was deeply moved. Eldest Senior Sister was meditating with her hands in the five-hearted posture in front of the dining table, surrounded by various phenomena like falling stars, revival of all things, and transformation of thunder tribtions as if all the wonders of the world were concentrated here. She noticed Lu Yangs arrival and slowly opened her eyes. The various phenomena instantly retracted into her body as if nothing had happened. Roasted Kui ox? Yun Zhi nced at the carefully prepared dinner by Lu Yang without saying much, indicating for him to join her. Lu Yang sat upright at the dining table, nervously waiting for Eldest Senior Sister to eat first. Yun Zhi sliced a piece, opened her mouth slightly, and tasted it: Not bad. Lu Yangs heart, which had been in his throat, finally settled down. Yun Zhi opened her storage space and handed a bottle of pills to Lu Yang, who saw Digestion Aid Pill inscribed on the bottle. This is a ssic pill from Pellet Cauldron Peak, designed to promote your digestion and absorption of food. The spiritual energy contained in the roasted Kui ox far exceeds your capacity. You should eat slowly, using the pill as an aid to gradually absorb the energy. Reality has proven that Pellet Cauldron Peak was established at the very founding of the Dao Seeking Sect, and has stood steadfast until now, the pills it refines are still sometimes pretty effective. Lu Yang ate a small piece, chewing lightly a few times. The Kui ox meat, like gtin, slid into his stomach. The abundant spiritual energy surged within him, rushing towards his crown, and the fatigue from roasting the Kui ox vanished, leaving him feeling thoroughly refreshed. Lu Yangs eyes lit up, and he immediately took the pill and sat down to meditate, feeling waves of spiritual energy tides within his body. The demon beasts qualified to be in by Yun Zhi naturally possessed extremely high cultivation levels. Yun Zhi elegantly ate the barbecue, chewing slowly, savoring the taste. Now, there were hardly any things left that could enhance her cultivation. The seven elders gathered in the pine forest of Heavens Gate Peak. Except for the Grand Elder and Yun Zhi, all the high-ranking officials of the Dao Seeking Sect were present, including the elusive Sect Master. How could something happen to Ninth Junior Brother just like that? Life is unpredictable; who can foresee the future? The seven elders discussed noisily, while Daoist Non-Speaker, who was meditating, was so angered he wanted to draw his sword for a duel. Dont get angry, dont get angry. I need to meditate quietly for three days and cannot break my meditative state, Daoist Non-Speaker repeatedly warned himself not to get angry. The seven elders took pleasure in the misfortune, as Ninth Junior Brother had always yed tricks on them. Now that they had a chance to mock him, they naturally wouldnt miss it. Such an opportunity might note again in a lifetime! To me, Ninth Junior Brother is just too petty. Having a highly talented disciple is a good thing. How could he get so angry that he had a stroke? Nonsense, how could this be a stroke? This is clearly a vegetative state! Daoist Non-Speaker could no longer hold back and roared, Dont push me too far! Who exactly leaked his situation?! Little Yun? No, I cant defeat her. Then it must be Lu Yang! Ninth Junior Brother, you have a day like this too! Grandpa Baughed gleefully. In his youth, Grandpa Ba was fond of flowers and nts. At that time, Daoist Non-Speaker mentioned a method of cultivating with nts by burying oneself in the soil, leaving only the head exposed to sense the spiritual energy of the earth, which could increase cultivation levels. Grandpa Ba still didnt want to recall his foolish past! A lifelong shame! You dare! Take my sword! Daoist Non-Speaker executed the Four Absolute Sword Formation, attacking everyone. The seven elders immediately assumed defensive postures, but thunder appeared at the entrance of the cave, blocking the sword formations attack. The seven elders breathed a sigh of relief; Yun Zhis defenses were reliable. Haha, Ninth Junior Brother, your swordsmanship has deteriorated. Even a small cave entrance cant be prated. If it were me, I would havee out long ago! Grandpa Baughed unrestrainedly. Daoist Non-Speaker sneered, If youre capable, then blow open the cave entrance. Heh, its just a cave entrance. How hard could it be to blow it open! Grandpa Baunched a massive palm strike at the cave entrance, which was also shattered by the thunder. Unexpected, lets try again! Grandpa Ba, not deterred, attempted again, but his attack was still neutralized by the thunder. Sweat dripped from his forehead, Ive calcted the position of the formations eye, but my attacking methods are limited. I need everyones help! The six other elders dly agreed. All seven elders exerted their force simultaneously, attacking the spot identified by Grandpa Ba. For a moment, lightning shed and thunder roared, and the entire pine forest was enveloped in chaos and radiance, terrifying to behold. The seal of the cave, as if provoked, unleashed a suction force that seemed capable of absorbing everything in the world. Seeing the situation turn dire, the seven elders tried to escape using various methods but were no match for the suction force and got pulled into the cave. The seven elders: Daoist Non-Speaker was deeply moved. Was this the true brotherhood of fellow disciples? To share both good fortune and misfortune together. Yun Zhi, who was eating, paused momentarily. She sensed that the seal she left for her master was disturbed. The people of Dao Seeking Sect had various ingenious ideas, and Yun Zhi worried that someone might forcefully break the seal. Thus, she set up the seal so that if anyone attempted to force it open, they would be sucked into the cave and sealed together with it. Surely there wouldnt be someone like that, right? she murmured to herself, not entirely sure. (End of the chapter) Chapter 117: I Am the Heart Demon Yun Zhi always felt that the thing she worried about would ur. After all, this is the Dao Seeking Sect, where anything can happen. Lu Yang entered a mysterious state where he felt every acupoint in his body brimming with spiritual energy, his internal cirction merging with the external spiritual energy, exchanging spiritual energy with each inhtion and exhtion. His heart was more peaceful than ever, benefiting from refining the benefits brought by the Kui ox, feeling his body steadily bing stronger. Its best to see how things go. Yun Zhi nced at Lu Yang, who was cultivating, and didnt disturb him. She went alone to the pine forest, leaving the puppet to protect Lu Yang. It was deep into the night at Heavens Gate Peak, with only Yun Zhi and Lu Yang there, making it exceptionally quiet. Yun Zhi walked among the mountains like a fairy treading on clouds. Then Yun Zhi saw her noisy master and the elders trapped inside the cave. Their voices could be heard from a distance. Yun Zhi sighed, knowing that what was meant to happen, would always happen.She entered the cave, contemting whether to release them. Inside the cave, the high-ranking officials of the Dao Seeking Sect gathered. I knew my Senior Brothers and Senior Sister are kind-hearted people, unwilling to see me here alone, speciallying in to apany me, Daoist Non-Speaker was grateful, but the upward curl of his lips couldnt be hidden. Especially Second Senior Brother, who appears to be breaking the formation on the surface but actually came because he saw my loneliness, bringing everyone to apany me! Grandpa Ba immediately felt the malicious stares of his junior brothers and sisters, feeling immense pressure. He tried to stay calm and said, Everyone, dont panic. This is just a seal set by Junior Niece Yun Zhi, not her in person. As long as we all work together, we can surely ovee this difficulty and break the seal! Think of the Dao Seeking Sects Nine, think of how you hold high positions now. What difficulty can stump us? In their youth, they roamed the world, ying demons and eliminating evil, leaving a formidable name across the Central Continent. The Dao Seeking Sects Nine was what people called them at that time. In the cramped cave, the Dao Seeking Sects Nine united once again. Second Senior Brother, how exactly can we leave this ce? Grandpa Ba red at Daoist Non-Speaker menacingly. He came to watch the fun but ended up being part of it. Daoist Non-Speaker chuckled, how could he easily let everyone leave after they hade to apany him? He said seriously, Im not ashamed to say that Little Yuns cultivation has long surpassed mine. The purpose of her setting this seal is to motivate me to cultivate diligently and break through my limits. So, to break the seal, we must surpass our limits and exceed ourselves! Everyone realized the seriousness of the situation. Surpassing oneself sounds easy but is incredibly difficult to achieve. Daoist Non-Speaker had already thought about the development of events: everyone would try to break the seal one by one, and after being repelled, they would likely be disheartened. At that moment, he would im he had an epiphany and needed to meditate for three days. After three days, he would pretend his aura had surged and perform a spectacr sword technique to strike the cave entrance, just as the seal was naturally released. His Senior Brothers and Senior Sister would then marvel at his insight. A perfect n! Since thats the case, as your Second Senior Brother, I must take the lead and attempt first! With the Grand Elder absent, Grandpa Ba was the eldest, and he wanted to set an example. The others watched Grandpa Ba with anticipation, but he felt he probably couldnt break the seal and it would be embarrassing, so he turned and said, Step back, I have a unique technique that I prefer not to perform in front of others. Everyone obediently retreated to the deeper part of the cave, where they couldnt see the entrance. Seeing everyone back away, Grandpa Ba took a deep breath and flicked a few seeds from his sleeve. Apanied by his murmured incantations, the seeds instantly turned into robust vines that struck the cave entrance, glowing faintly as thunder erupted, shaking the heavens and the earth. These were the rare Purple Thunder Vines, said to be born from bathing in heavenly tribtion, carrying the mark of heaven and earth from birth, possessing a fraction of the tribtions power. After a bombardment, the cave entrance remained unchanged, the seal untouched. Hmm? Through the smoke, Grandpa Ba saw a figure, furrowing his brows. As the smoke cleared, Yun Zhis figure was revealed. With his vast experience, Grandpa Ba immediately understood what was happening. This must be his own heart demon. Hadnt Ninth Junior Brother said it? To break the seal, one must surpass oneself, and to do that, one surely must defeat their heart demon. I thought I had let go, believing it was good for the younger generation to be stronger than the old. It seems I havent truly let go! Grandpa Ba was filled with fighting spirit. With this thought, Grandpa Ba didnt hesitate any longer and attacked Yun Zhi with all his might. Yun Zhi had intended to check on the elders to see what they were doing and consider whether to let them out, only to be met with Grandpa Bas barrage upon reaching the entrance. Yun Zhi had no choice but to counterattack, extending her delicate hand, her bracelet jingling. With a palm strike, she sent Grandpa Ba flying. Grandpa Ba was caught by Third Elder and the others after flying a great distance. Second Senior Brother, what happened to you? Grandpa Ba coughed twice, his eyes showing a hint of fear. He shakily pointed towards the cave entrance and said, Be careful, Ninth Junior Brother didnt lie to us. Junior Niece Yun Zhi has set a heart demon seal. To break the seal, we must resolve the heart demon! Daoist Non-Speaker murmured to himself, confused about this heart demon. Third Elder, never one to use his brain much and naturally believing whatever Grandpa Ba said, also tried and encountered Yun Zhi. When Yun Zhi defeated five Sect Masters at the Immortal Sect Conference, she became a heart demon for the older generation, making them question what they had cultivated for thousands of years. Third Elder was no exception. Like Grandpa Ba, upon seeing Yun Zhi, Third Elder prepared for battle and, simrly, was sent flying with a palm strike. Such a formidable heart demon! Fourth Elder, Fifth Elder up to Eighth Elder, one by one, the elders tried and were all defeated by Yun Zhi. Daoist Non-Speaker, puzzled, approached the cave entrance and, seeing Yun Zhi, finally understood. This wasnt some heart demon; it was clearly Little Yun herself guarding the door! Little Yun? Daoist Non-Speaker tentatively called out. Yun Zhi emotionlessly responded, I am the heart demon. After speaking, she didnt give her master a chance to react, striking him and turning to leave the cave. Treating herself as a heart demon and attacking on sight, and he still wants toe out? Just meditate quietly for three days. Lu Yang slowly opened his eyes, feeling a warm current in his body, now only a step away from a breakthrough. By then, Yun Zhi had already returned to her seat. Lu Yang, seeing Yun Zhi sitting across from him, couldnt tell if it was his imagination, but he felt that Eldest Senior Sister seemed somewhat pleased. Eldest Senior Sister, is there something that made you happy? No, Yun Zhi responded as coldly as ever. (End of the chapter) Chapter 118: Awakening of the Undying Maiden Did Dai Bufan give you some contribution points for your undercover mission? Yun Zhi asked after dinner. Yes, quite a lot. Lu Yang was thrilled, as he had the most contribution points among his peers. In three days, the sect will hold a market. Most people will participate. If youre interested, you can take a look around. You might find something you like. Lu Yang nodded. He had heard that the sects internal item exchange was organized in the form of a market. Previously, Yun Zhi wanted Lu Yang to focus on his cultivation and didnt allow him to participate in such markets. Now that Lu Yang had achieved foundation building and made some progress in his cultivation, he didnt need to be overly managed. Dao Seeking Sect holds a market every three months, where items can be exchanged, and contribution points can be used to buy various things for entertainment. Disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect, while executing tasks in various ces, oftene across local specialties and novel items. Some choose to use them themselves, while others bring them to the market to exchange for items they need. Also, the master is in deep meditation. Dont go to see him these days, Yun Zhi advised. Lu Yang was puzzled, as he hadnt nned to visit the master anyway, knowing that the master would definitelye out after three days.Oh. Regardless, following Eldest Senior Sisters advice was certainly not wrong. Three dayster, the market was held as scheduled. The Dao Seeking Sect set up a tform for disciples to freelypete in spells. The tform, made from special materials, was indestructible and wrapped in formations to ensure that the fightings residual effects didnt affect the spectators. At this moment, two Golden Core stage brothers were fighting on the tform, their Golden Cores full and wless, naturally formed, and clearly top-notch Golden Cores that were highly sought after outside. Shattered Moon sh! One of the Golden Core stage brothers shouted, his broadsword shing down like a half-moon with brute force, causing Lu Yang to wince. If Helmsman Chu had the strength of this brother back then, they would likely have been in big trouble. The other Golden Core stage brother, not to be outdone, emitted golden light all over his body, forming a thin golden film outside his body: Buddhas Golden Body! The other brother had somehow learned the Buddhas Golden Body, and it had already reached a minor aplishment, staunchly withstanding the sh. The techniques and spells used by the two were masterful and seamlessly executed. Lu Yang watched intently, rarely having the opportunity to see top Golden Core stage powerhouses battle. In fact, Lu Yang had seen higher-level battles, between great cultivators and immortals. Unfortunately, Eldest Senior Sisters palm strikes were too fierce, and the newly awakened Undying Maiden had no chance to fight back, amounting to a one-sided battle, from which Lu Yang learned nothing. The Undying Maiden is unreliable. Lu Yang sighed. If he could learn even a trick or two from Eldest Senior Sister, wouldnt he be unbeatable among his peers? Wait, Eldest Senior Sister did teach me the art of Shrinking the Earth into Inches and the Samadhi True Fire. Boy, Id advise you to watch your words! What do you mean by Im unreliable? A womans voice rang out in Lu Yangs heart. Senior, youre awake? Lu Yang was surprised. The Undying Maiden had been asleep for several days and was finally awake? Calling me senior does sound pleasant. The Undying Maidenzily said, and Lu Yang felt like she was stretching. Let me tell you, Im far from my prime right now and need time to recover. That Yun Zhi can only beat me now. Once I regain my strength, she wont be able to win against me even with one hand tied behind her back. The Undying Maiden spoke fiercely. She was a figure who dominated the ancient times; how could she not defeat a junior? Lu Yang thought it over and felt the Undying Maidens words made sense: Ill convey this to Eldest Senior Sister exactly. No, no, no, lets talk it over. Theres no need for that. The Undying Maidens tone softened instantly. Lu Yang: Senior, can I really rely on you? Logically, having the soul of an ancient immortal within oneself should mean bing invincible against gods and Buddhas, with fortunes rolling in, leveling up as easily as drinking water, unbeatable among peers, and capable of defeating those of higher levels without any difficulty. However, the Undying Maidens performance always seemed unreliable, not as dependable as sticking closely to Eldest Senior Sister. Heh. Who do you think I am? I am the Undying Maiden, Yellow Bean! Didnt you previously im to be this seat? Lu Yang remembered the once domineering Undying Maiden. The Undying Maiden paused for a moment before replying: This seat is the Undying Maiden, Yellow Bean no, calling myself this seat feels too awkward. The Undying Maiden exined, Its mainly because I heard others say that referring to oneself as this seat seems very powerful. I just woke up then, wasnt quite clear-headed, and wanted to try it out. Now, I feel its too unfamiliar, so Ill just refer to myself as I. Lu Yang was curious, Heard from whom? From those Crossing Tribtion Stage, immortals. After cultivating to the highest realm, everyone prefers not to fight if possible. But how can you know who is stronger without fighting? So, someone started it, speaking arrogantly, which was very intimidating. Then everyone thought this way of speaking was good, saying things like this seat is born in ordance with heaven, those who defy this immortal shall be in, how dare mere mortals defy immortals, this seat contains immense power within, do not force this seat to break the seal, and so on. Im trying to remember who started it oh right, it was Ying Tian Immortal! I thought their way of speaking was interesting at the time, so I wrote down what they said andpiled a booklet called Immortals Quotations. I dont know where that book has ended up now. Lu Yang: He felt he had discovered the reason why the Undying Maiden was stabbed in the back by others. Ill show you some real immortal power, so you dont think Ive just bluffed my way up. The Undying Maiden believed it was necessary to demonstrate some real power to make Lu Yang respect her more. Here, give me control of your body, and let you experience what its like to fight above your level. This was Dao Seeking Sects territory, so Lu Yang wasnt worried about the Undying Maiden taking the opportunity to seize his body. He voluntarily relinquished control of his body. At this moment, the tform was empty. The Undying Maiden, controlling Lu Yangs body, stepped onto the tform and bowed, Fellow vigers and heroes, I have had some insights in my cultivation today. Would any Golden Core early-stage Senior Brother or Sister like to exchange some pointers? The Undying Maiden exined to Lu Yang, The ancient prodigies were just like now, challenging everyone, fighting their way to fame andying the foundation for their invincibility. Today, Ill demonstrate it for you. Learn well! Ille! A bald brother jumped onto the stage, his body radiating meritorious golden light. The Undying Maiden gasped, a top-quality Golden Core, blessed with merits, body inhabited by an Arhat, and the Vast Golden Body nearingpletion. How could she fight with her head? Lets, uh, switch. The bald brother wasnt upset and jumped off the stage cheerfully, and another Confucian brother jumped on. The Confucian brother wore a gray robe, holding a bamboo book, with a calm and collected smile. The Undying Maiden froze again, a natural-born Confucian cultivator, blessed by the powerful, mouth speaking the heavenlyws, holding a treasure. How could she fight this? Lets switch again! The Undying Maiden said through gritted teeth. Ille. The Confucian brother stepped down, and a straightforward chubby brother took the stage. The Undying Maiden could tell at a nce that the chubby brothers Golden Core was of the highest quality, blessed by fortune, protected by bloodline, and his cultivation technique was top-notch without any ws. The Undying Maiden then realized she couldnt defeat any of the Golden Core stage cultivators present. (End of the chapter) Chapter 119: Let Me Show You the Insight of an Immortal! The Undying Maiden had great ns. Lu Yang, personally cultivated by the Eldest Senior Sister, was already a prodigy of a caliber rarely seen even in ancient times. Surpassing levels inbat shouldnt be a difficult task for him, and this was a perfect opportunity for her to make a name for herself on the tform. However, she realized that although Lu Yang could indeed fight above his level in ancient times, it didnt mean he could do the same in the Dao Seeking Sect. What the Undying Maiden didnt know was that, as one of the Five Great Immortal Sects, the Dao Seeking Sect was unparalleled in its ingenious techniques and unfathomable ideas, more than in any other aspect. The Dao Seeking Sect has stood unshaken for 120,000 years, relying not just on luck but more so on strength. By the time of the Dao Seeking Sects Nine, each of the Nine had their own methods, elevating the Sects strength even further. For example, the Seventh Elder, in charge of the Pellet Cauldron Peak,id a solid foundation for the subsequent disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect to build their foundation with his hundred attempts at foundation building during his youth. Lu Yang benefited from this as well. The Seventh Elder proposed an idea during his peak foundation building stage, questioning why a person could only have one Golden Core. Why not two or three? He began to theorize what dual and triple Golden Cores would look like. Dual Golden Cores were manageable, with two cores attracting and rotating around each other in a systematic manner. However, when it came to triple Golden Cores, the Seventh Elder started to struggle. The trajectory of the triple Golden Cores rotation was like a chaotic fog, without any discernible pattern. With relentless determination, the Seventh Elder listed eighteen Heavenly Origin configurations and used his masters divine consciousness to calcte the oue, solving the problem.However, theputational requirements for the rotation of triple Golden Cores were too immense, beyond what a Golden Core stage cultivator could withstand. Thus, the idea of triple Golden Cores eventually faded away. (TL Note: I dont know if the author is referencing this, but there is a problem about solving the subsequent motion for three point masses ording to Newtonsws of motion and Newtonsw of universal gravitation, dubbed the Three-Body Problem and there is a famous science fiction novel written about it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Three-Body_Problem_(novel) Its actually really good. Ive read the entire series. Theres also a drama on youtube but I prefer the nove) Although unsessful, the new algorithms created during the process greatly helped the Seventh Elder. After generations of research by the Dao Seeking Sect, their understanding of the Core Formation process is incredibly profound. With a good foundation and following the process, forming a top-quality Golden Core is not difficult. Any disciple from the Dao Seeking Sect, when ced in the outside world, would be considered a prodigy. Its not to say they are unbeatable among their peers, but defeating ny-nine percent of them wouldnt be a problem. In the spiritual space, Lu Yang silently watched the Undying Maiden. I understand all that, but why is it the Undying Maiden who is useless, yet Im the one embarrassed? The Undying Maidens debut was less than sessful. Give me back control of my body! Lu Yang regretted letting the Undying Maiden control his body. The Undying Maiden lectured Lu Yang, the junior, Young one, cultivation isnt just about fighting. Can strength represent everything? Of course not. Cultivation means insight, testing ones eye for quality. There are many good items in this Dao Seeking Sect market. Let me show you what the insight of an ancient immortal looks like! Lu Yang chose to trust her once more. Take a look, everyone! A rare Liuli Qinghua vase obtained from ancient ruins, a rare treasure indeed. The Coiling Dragon Jade Pillow, which allows you to cultivate in your dreams, a specialty of the South, absolutely a fantastic item! Lesser Restoration Pills, ten contribution points each, buy three get one free! The more you buy, the more you get, and if you buy a hundred, you get the pill recipe for free! Renting myself out, renting myself out. Golden Core stage cultivator, can apany you on tasks, hardworking, a hundred and twenty contribution points a day! The Dao Seeking Sects market had everything from treasures of mystic realms to renting oneself out, covering a wide range of offerings. The Undying Maiden, controlling Lu Yangs body, squatted down. As she did, she instinctively gathered her clothes behind her, then realized Lu Yang wasnt wearing a skirt. Lu Yang secretly mocked the situation, wondering why, as a man, he would wear a skirt? How much for this Liuli Qinghua vase? The Undying Maiden took an interest in a vase, which contained a withered flower of indiscernible species, its time of death unknown. Eight hundred and eighty-eight contribution points. That expensive?! Dont act so surprised, junior brother. This Liuli Qinghua vase was found in the mystic realm of a Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator. Look at its exquisite craftsmanship and sturdy material. Its worth the price. The senior brother took the vase and threw it onto the ground to demonstrate its durability; indeed, the vase remained unscathed. Besides being sturdy, does it have any other advantages, or is being durable the only merit of a treasure? The senior brother felt awkward, as he had possessed the vase for a long time without discovering its true use. Its only selling point had been its durability. One hundred contribution points, Ill buy it to use as a decoration. Youre cutting the price too drastically, junior brother. Seven hundred, I cant go any lower. The Undying Maiden turned to leave. Dont rush off. Four hundred, thats the lowest I can go! Two hundred. The senior brother gritted his teeth. The vase had been up for sale for a long time with no buyers. Today, there was finally someone interested, and he couldnt miss this opportunity. Deal! The Undying Maiden boasted to Lu Yang, See? This is my insight! Lu Yang was curious, Does this vase hide any secrets? The Undying Maiden shook her head mysteriously, The vase really only has its durability as a feature, but the secret isnt in the vase; its in this withered flower! This flower contains a cultivation technique, which Ill decipher for you! The Undying Maiden moved to a corner of the market, muttering what seemed to be an ancient scripture. As the sonorous chanting filled the air, the withered flower miraculously revived, blooming partially until fully blossoming. Characters began to float out of the flower as it openedpletely. The Undying Maiden looked unsurprised, confidently tranting, and quickly produced the results. This is a cultivation technique that can take you to the Void Refinement Stage, called Liuli Bone Transformation. The technique is divided into three stages: Untransformed Bone, Diamond Bone, and the fully cultivated Liuli Bone. This is only a fragment, containing the Untransformed Bone stage, which covers from the Qi Refinement to the Golden Core stage. If theres a chance to enter an ancient ruin, perhaps thetter half of the technique can be found! The Undying Maiden was triumphant. A fragment of a Void Refinement Stage technique, which in ancient times could lead to the downfall of small to medium tribes, was highly sought after. Lu Yang was silent for a moment, then recited a passage. The Undying Maiden was astonished; this was the ending of the Liuli Bone Transformation fragment. I havent tranted it for you yet. How do you know this? Can you understand the characters meaning? Lu Yang sighed and exined, The Dao Seeking Sect has already obtained theplete technique from an ancient ruin. I studied this technique as a reference and have read through it. Eldest Senior Sister even corrected several ws in the technique, extended it, and deduced that beyond Liuli Bone is the Indestructible Bone. Now, the Liuli Bone Transformation can be cultivated to the peak of the Unity Stage. If youre interested, I can take you to see it. Its on the first floor of the scripture library. Its free, and you can look as much as you like. The Undying Maiden: Why would the Dao Seeking Sect ce such a precious technique on the first floor of the scripture library? Lu Yang had his own question; he wanted to know if he could get a refund for the two hundred contribution points. (End of the chapter) Chapter 120: Ancient Oddities To be fair, the Undying Maidens insight was indeed remarkable. This time was just an exception. Had it been other treasures, it could well have been considered a fortunate encounter. However, the Undying Maiden didnt see it that way. To her, this was a humiliation. As an immortal, she had capsized in front of a junior not once, but twice. Does Undying Maiden Yellow Bean have no dignity?! Immortal, if you have nothing else, you might as well go back to sleep, Lu Yang suggested. Kid, dont think thats all the ability I have! The Undying Maiden refused to admit defeat, eager to prove her worth. In ancient times, I was a top-notch powerhouse, with countless treasures collected throughout my life. For example, I buried a vast amount of treasures under the North Star, including immortal treasures. I still remember the exact location. If you can find them, establishing a sect and living in luxury would be effortless for you! But wasnt the North Star refined by an anonymous ancient being along with the myriad of stars? How am I supposed to find the North Star? The Undying Maiden fell silent for a moment, then continued, I can also guide your cultivation, making your progress twice as fast as your peers, with a solid foundation and wless advancement! Thanks, but Eldest Senior Sister can guide me.That little girl has more extensive knowledge and experience than me? My guidance is surely moreprehensive. How could she cover every aspect? There are holes everywhere. Take your foundation building, for example, its actually quite perfect. The Undying Maiden admitted, with her critical eye, Lu Yangs foundation building was indeed perfect; she couldnt find a single fault. And, as a woman, Im more thoughtful. I can help you win over the girl you like! Lu Yang could tell the Undying Maiden was out of tricks and directly dismissed her immortal status. No need, Eldest Senior Sister told me that its best to keep ones yang energy abundant for cultivation. Shallow! The Undying Maiden scoffed at Eldest Senior Sisters views, Havent you heard of men in ancient times who consorted with women nightly, with hundreds in their harems? They cultivated the Dual Cultivation technique, advancing their cultivation rapidly! Do you want such techniques? I have a few here that would suit you. Lu Yang calmly asked, First, tell me what happened to that man with the harem in the end. He was attacked and dismembered by the women of his harem but thats not the point. The important thing is how quickly his cultivation grew! And how quickly he lost his life. Ive also encountered many spells and can teach you how to counter them, like the great divine power Word Bes Reality, where anything saides true, representing the ultimate in causality magic! When I was at the Tribtion Crossing Stage, I faced an enemy with the Word Bes Reality ability, a formidable adversary indeed. It was terrifying, like a child of heaven and earth, making anything he said happen, saying he was omnipotent wasnt an exaggeration. Strong as he was, he ultimately couldnt defeat me! Lu Yang was astonished. Word Bes Reality sounded incredibly difficult to deal with, yet the Undying Maiden was able to ovee such an opponent, truly fearsome. Thinking about it, although the Undying Maiden seemed unreliable, ancient times were chaotic, with prodigies vying for supremacy and powerhouses dueling to the death. In the end, only five became immortals, and the Undying Maidens ultimate victory showed her exceptional talent. How did you defeat him? At that time, I ambushed him. He probably used Word Bes Reality to protect himself too well, never having been hit before. He shouted It hurts so much, Im dying, and then he died. Lu Yang: What kind of trash is this? Unfortunately, with that mans death, the lineage of Word Bes Reality was lost. Seeing Lu Yang shocked, the Undying Maiden felt more confident, Apart from countering spells, I can also teach you magic. Have you heard of the great divine power Shrinking Earth into Inches? Its a rare spatial spell that, in ancient times, Golden Core stage cultivators could barely learn. But under my guidance, you can learn it now. Shrinking Earth into Inches? Lu Yang was secretly delighted; the Eldest Senior Sister had skipped over too much in her teachings, but with an immortal teaching him now, there shouldnt be any problem. Seeing Lu Yang interested in this divine power, the Undying Maiden patiently taught him, exining every step of the spell in detail. Lu Yang took out a notebook, nodding and taking notes like a diligent student. After a while, the Undying Maiden looked dispirited, watching Lu Yang burrow in and out of the ground, shrinking and extending distances, and started to doubt her own teaching abilities. What scene has the Undying Maiden not seen? This was certainly a new one. The good news was that Lu Yangs mastery of both shrinking and extending distances was improving; he could now shrink distances to just an inch, and his casting speed had significantly increased. I can teach more than just this one spatial spell! The Undying Maiden was eager to disy the repertoire of spells that an immortal should possess. What is it? Alongside Shrinking Earth into Inches, theres the Miles in a Step! With Miles in a Step, no distance is too far, and stepping out means reaching your destination! Miles in a Step is a more challenging spell to master than Shrinking Earth into Inches. Initially, the Undying Maiden was worried Lu Yang wouldnt learn it and lose confidence, so she hadnt nned to teach it. Now, she was just worried Lu Yang might learn it incorrectly. Miles in a Step requires a high understanding of space. Without studying other spatial spells as a foundation, its hard to learn this spell. Are you confident? Lu Yang thought about it; he had learned the Cleaning Spell, which summoned clean clothes, a typical spatial spell. So, Lu Yang nodded, and the Undying Maiden began teaching. To learn Miles in a Step, the process is basically the same as Shrinking Earth into Inches. First, you must memorize the incantation. Listen carefully The Undying Maiden recited aplex and difficult ancient chant, hard to memorize. But at this point, Lu Yang had already developed a spiritual space, and with a powerful divine consciousness, he memorized the ancient words in no time. The Undying Maiden could tell that Lu Yang was very talented in learning spells. Next, you need to have a map in your mind. Imagine yourself at one location on the map, thinking about it while reciting the ancient incantation. When your spirit, energy, and soul are perfectly unified, you can transport yourself to the destination with a single thought. The Undying Maiden cautioned, However, you must be aware that the distance of teleportation is rted to your cultivation level. For your first attempt, its not wise to choose a too distant location. Following the Undying Maidens guidance, Lu Yang cautiously tried, simultaneously chanting the ancient incantation and imagining Heavens Gate Peak, then shouted, Miles in a Step! Nothing happened. The Undying Maiden continued, Step forward, the essence of Miles in a Step is that the destination is only a step away, so you need to take that step! Only by stepping forward could he know if it was sessful. Lu Yang took a step, and the scenery under his feet changed. Both he and the Undying Maiden were momentarily pleased with the sess. Thats not right, look at your feet! the Undying Maiden shouted. Lu Yang looked down, breaking into a cold sweat; beneath him was an abyss, bottomless! He turned to look behind him and found that he was standing at the edge of a cliff. So, was the purpose of Miles in a Step to put oneself at the edge of the world? Lu Yang had no interest in critiquing; he was in mid-air, literally hanging in suspense. He kicked his legs twice in the air, then fell into the abyss. (End of the chapter) Chapter 121: The Tomb Miles in a Step, a widely circted but unlearnable spatial magic that nearly touches the essence of spatial magic itself, is unattainable without significant enlightenment and opportunity. Once mastered, one can wander freely, traveling anywhere in the vast world at will. So the ce you thought of just now was at the edge of a cliff, quite a unique location, Undying Maiden marveled, finding the youth she possessed to be truly remarkable for learning such a difficult spell in an instant. Unique my foot, I was thinking of Heavens Gate Peak, what kind of ce is this! Lu Yang eximed, as anyone would be unsettled suddenly appearing in the air above a cliff. Most importantly, he was falling! If he were tond solidly on the ground, bing a mushy pile of flesh would be the best oue. Hearing this, Undying Maidens expression changed drastically, fearing that if Lu Yang were to suffer an ident, that little girl might scatter her soul to the winds! Hurry, hurry, let me take control of your body, Ill save you! In such a critical moment, Lu Yang could not ce his hopes on the unreliable Undying Maiden. As he fell faster and faster, he had to find a way tond safely.Lu Yang took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. With nothing but darkness beneath his feet and unable to see anything, he didnt have to worry about a fear of heights. Miles in a Step! Lu Yang hoped his newly learned spell would transport him back, which would be the best oue. The falling Lu Yang vanished in an instant, reappearing in the air above the cliff. Lu Yang: It seems he couldnt go back for now, but no matter, he had a second n. Shrinking into Inches! Lu Yang only managed to shrink his body, while his clothes remained their original size. He tried to grab the corners of his clothes, forming a makeshift parachute, which finally slowed his descent. Phew Lu Yang breathed a sigh of relief. With steep cliffs on both sides, Lu Yang drifted uneasily in the middle, feeling apprehensive about what awaited him. Look, theres a protrusion on that cliff, like a tform. You cannd there! Undying Maiden called out. Where, I dont see it? Lu Yang frowned. On the left, just on the left, your spiritual sense doesnt extend as far as mine, I saw it before you! Following Undying Maidens directions, Lu Yang indeednded on a tform. Feeling solid ground under his feet, Lu Yang finally rxed, having been terrified just moments before. Was what you just used really Miles in a Step? Undying Maiden looked at Lu Yang skeptically. She had used it many times without ever encountering a simr situation. Supposedly yeah. Lu Yang wasnt entirely sure, now somewhat aware of his talent for magic, knowing not all me could be ced on his Eldest Senior Sister. He also had a part to y. At least its a proper spatial magic, one that transports oneself. Lu Yangforted himself. Moreover, Lu Yangs practice of Miles in a Step had an advantage. Monks practicing spatial magic fear encountering enemies with the same skill, as they could predict your teleportation destination and relentlessly pursue you, making them extremely troublesome. Lu Yang didnt have to worry about this, since even he didnt know where he would end up transporting himself. Speaking of which, where are we? Lu Yang looked up at the sky, with steep cliffs around, he could only see a sliver of blue sky, unable to determine their location. He also didnt know how far they were from the Dao Seeking Sect, or even if they were still in the Central Continent. No matter where we are, theres no fear. Undying Maiden encouraged Lu Yang, With me, a fairy, to protect and guide you, nothing can go wrong! Lu Yang felt it was better to rely on himself than on this immortal, at least he knew his own capabilities, which this immortal did not. Lets take a look inside; this seems to be a cave dwelling, Undying Maiden suggested. Alright. As soon as Lu Yang entered the cave dwelling, he heard a bang from behind him as two stone doors closed. Lu Yang gritted his teeth and exerted all his strength, but he couldnt budge the doors, which were made of some unknown material. Undying Maidens expression became serious: Dont waste your effort. This door was refined by a powerful being and cannot be moved by someone at the Foundation Building stage. As the stone doors closed, the originally dark cave dwelling became so ck that nothing could be seen. Just as Lu Yang was about to use the Three-vor True Fire to light up the surroundings, a faint glow suddenly lit up on both sides. Night pearls? The long corridor of the cave dwelling was lined with luminous stones. Lu Yang felt he had heard about this method of arranging night pearls before. Where had he heard it? We can only go deeper now. In the empty corridor, only Lu Yangs footsteps echoed, making it feel gloomy and eerie. At the end of the corridor, stood two rows of majestic terracotta warriors, holding various magical instruments as if guarding something. The warriors surrounded a stone tablet inscribed with Eternal Rest for the Deceased. Lu Yang finally recognized where the familiar feeling came from; this was a tomb! Eternal Rest for the Deceased is amon inscription found in human tombs. Lu Yang was creeped out, having never expected to walk into a tomb. This is a tomb?! Undying Maiden tried to sound calm, but Lu Yang still detected a tremble and unease in her voice. It appears so. Lu Yang nodded solemnly, feeling as though he had gotten involved in something significant. Gulp. Undying Maiden swallowed nervously. Seeing this, Lu Yang had a somewhat amusing thought: Fairy, youre not afraid of ghosts, are you? Who, who would be afraid of such things? I am a noble fairy, Undying Maidens voice trembled. But you are shaking. Its cold. Do you still remember your title? Undying Maiden. With a title like that, in the world of tomb raiding, you would be considered a zombie ancestor or some other significant figure. What is there for you to fear? Remembering the fairy who had vowed to protect and guide him, Lu Yang felt that not believing in the fairys empty promises was the right decision. We dont need to be afraid; I happen to have a book about tombs here. Lu Yang took out a book titled Tomb Raiding Insights from his identity jade card, a thank-you gift from the Shang family patriarch, Shang Zhongtian, after ying a painted skin ghost. I didnt expect it woulde in handy here. Oh, you have such a treasure. Undying Maidens eyes lit up. The fear of tombs and ghosts naturally stems from the unknown. With this book, their fear would be greatly reduced. Lets see what it says, does it mention what type of tomb this is? the fairy urged. Lu Yang hadnt looked at the book since he received it, but it wasnt toote to start now. He opened the first page and read aloud: ording to Article 532 of The Great Xia Penal Code, any mortal or Qi Cultivation stage cultivator who excavates tombs of historical, artistic, or cultivation value shall be sentenced to imprisonment of no less than three years but no more than ten years, in addition to a fine; for those with lesser offenses, imprisonment of no more than three years and a fine. For Foundation Building stage cultivatorsmitting this crime, the sentencing shall be doubledpared to Qi Cultivation stage cultivators. Lu Yang felt this book wasnt very reliable. (End of the chapter) Chapter 122: Appraisal Magic Tools What is this? Evesting Fairy looked puzzled, unfamiliar with the concept of penalws. In ancient times, society was organized around n bloodlines in the form of tribes, and punishments within the n relied on familyws or nws. Alternatively, gatherings in the form of sects disciplined their disciples with sect rules. The concept of a nation did not exist then, so naturally, there was no discussion of legal codes. However, Evesting Fairy was not a rigid thinker; from the content of the regtions, she could roughly guess the purpose of penalws. I understand the principle, but why does the first page of a tomb raiding guide discuss penalws? Lu Yang coughed twice, indicating he had everything under control. Do not be rmed, fairy. Books in our era are all like this, implying know the penalty beforemitting the crime, so you are mentally prepared. Evesting Fairy looked at Lu Yang skeptically but responded with an Oh. The second page contained the table of contents, which was more serious, outlining topics such as types of zombies, coffin specifications, tomb chamber specifications,mon traps, and more.Shang Zhongtian, a notorious tomb raider, indeed wrote valuable content, exactly what Lu Yang needed. Let me check these terracotta warriors here, found it. Terracotta warriors, made of y and wood, are full-body sculptures of soldiers typically arranged in rows as burial objects. If you encounter terracotta warriors at the entrance of a tomb, you should run away quickly, as the warriors mighte to life! Lu Yang stiffly looked up at the towering terracotta warriors, their eyes glowing green as they reached out theirrge hands towards Lu Yang. I knew it wouldnt be good! Fortunately, Lu Yang was agile, thanks to his experience working in the barbecue restaurant, narrowly avoiding the attack of the terracotta warriors. As more warriors came to life, Lu Yang attempted to retreat but found the way blocked. He had no choice but to flee forward, deeper into the cave. Looking back, Lu Yang saw the terracotta warriors green-glowing eyes fixed on him, but they did not attack, indicating their range of movement was limited. Deeper into the cave, the narrow corridor opened up into a vast space, dimly lit, with only vague outlines visible. Drip-dongdrip-dongdrip-dong The sound of water droplets falling echoed intermittently, especially piercing in the vast space. Evesting Fairy, tense and curled up, prayed that Lu Yang could ovee the obstacles and find an exit. In the vast tomb, only the sound of dripping water and Lu Yangs heartbeat filled the air, causing ones hair to stand on end. Lu Yang was also frightened and decisively closed his pores so his hair wouldnt stand on end. He looked down at the book, hastily cramming knowledge about tombs: Zombies, amon monster encountered in tomb raiding, can be categorized into purple zombies, white zombies, green zombies, hairy zombies, flying zombies, roaming corpses, lying corpses, and drought fiends, with purple zombies corresponding to the Qi Cultivation stage, white zombies to the Foundation Building stage, green zombies to the Golden Core stage and so on. Zombies are inherently yin creatures, fearing only the most yang and firm true fire. As Lu Yang read with interest, a handnded on his shoulder, which he casually brushed off: Fairy, arent you scared? How can you be in the mood for jokes? Evesting Fairy whispered as if she had startled someone: Im in your spiritual world, how could I tap your shoulder? Only then did Lu Yang realize, and he swiftly turned around to see a group of zombies with purple skin following him, the one who had tapped his shoulder being a white-haired zombie! Purple and white zombies! Recalling the words from the tomb raiding guide, Lu Yang finally unleashed the Three-vor True Fire, scorching the zombies. As expected, the zombies were terrified of true fire and dared not advance further in front of a wall of mes. This is true fire, you can actually use true fire?! Evesting Fairy eximed in surprise, having never heard of a Foundation Building stage cultivator mastering true fire. And the mes look like Samadhi True Fire! Lu Yang once again shattered Evesting Fairys understanding. Samadhi True Fire is well-known among the 108 types of true fire. Its terrifying enough for a Golden Core stage cultivator to master it, let alone someone at the Foundation Building stage. Lu Yang remained silent but offered a mysterious smile, which made him appear more impressive. Impressing an ancient fairy with ones talent was quite satisfying. Otherwise, admitting, This is the authentic Three-vors True Fire, would give everything away. After all, its all true fire, close enough. Lu Yang exhaled another breath of Three-vors True Fire, the fireball hovering over his shoulder, illuminating the surroundings and deterring any hidden zombies. Finding the exit of a tomb chamber is a technical task, requiring the holding of an Eight Trigrams disc, the making of motionless seals with the hands, and chanting Seeking dragons, dividing gold, watching theyered mountains; eachyer is a barrier to find the exit. Lu Yang pondered; he neither had an Eight Trigrams disc nor knew the motionless seals. He took out a small stick from his identity jade card and stood it on the ground: Eldest Senior Sister bless, Eldest Senior Sister bless. The stick fell towards the northeast. Lu Yang was cautious by nature, ustomed to checking his work when solving math problems in his previous life. Now, in the perilous tomb, he was even more careful. He stood the stick up again, silently praying for his Eldest Senior Sisters blessing, and once more, it fell towards the northeast. Confirmed, the exit was in the northeast direction. A verified answer couldnt be wrong. Is this a tomb chamber? Following the direction indicated by the stick, Lu Yang found a chamber, unsure if it was the main chamber or a side chamber. Lets see what the book says The main difference between the main and side chambers depends on the local feng shui, requiring divination with an Eight Trigrams disc and a tortoise shell, as detailed below Lu Yang was dizzy with confusion; the methods described were impractical. This is the main chamber, Evesting Fairy asserted confidently. How do you know? Lu Yang was surprised, finding Evesting Fairy useful for once. There were the words Main Chamber written at the entrance. Lu Yang looked outside the door, and indeed, Main Chamber was considerately written. Was this meant for zombies to read? Look, there are many burial objects in the tomb chamber, all treasures! Evesting Fairy called out. Lu Yang looked down, and indeed, treasures were everywhere, suggesting the tombs owner was wealthy in life. It was unclear why the tomb was located here. Hm? The book is glowing? Lu Yang was surprised to see the tomb raiding guide in his hands glowing, Is this book refined? The light from the book scanned over one of the jade burial objects, assessing the value of the jade. Lu Yang was startled, his heart pounding. Could it be that the Shang family patriarch had given him an extraordinary appraisal magic tool? The light enveloped a burial object, and six characters appeared on the light screen: Imprisonment for five years. The light changed, enveloping another object, a sharp bronze short sword, and the words on the screen changed again: Imprisonment for seven years. Lu Yang: What exactly did the Shang family patriarch give me! Evesting Fairy marveled, is this what popr books are like nowadays, quite enlightening. (End of the chapter) Chapter 123: The Tomb Owner Just as the screen was about to disy Life Imprisonment, Lu Yang snapped the tomb raiding guide shut, and the screen disying sentences vanished. This time, Lu Yang could no longer use its a characteristic of the era as an excuse. The functionality of this book was truly outrageous, and its outrageousness was tinged with a hint of reasonableness, making it all the more bizarre. Fortunately, Evesting Fairys interests shifted quickly, and she was soon drawn to the burial objects. The ancient era was too far removed from the present, and the standards and styles of burial objects had changed. For example, in ancient times, people believed they would go to the Nine Netherworlds after death. To maintain their dignity in the Nine Netherworlds just as in life, they would use human beings as burial objects. Whenter generations opened ancient tombs, they often found burial objects piled with bones. Nowadays, people have be civilized and have reced humans with terracotta warriors. This reminded Evesting Fairy of something: I remember that Ying Tian Immortal was originally a burial object for some old fellow. Luckily, through feigning death, Ying Tian Immortal managed to escape scrutiny and was brought into the tomb alive. After entering the tomb, he lifted the feigning death technique and freely harvested a great number of herbs and magical treasures in the tomb. The old fellow firmly believed in reincarnation and had stored various heavenly and earthly treasures in the tomb to improve physical constitution, all of which ended up benefiting Ying Tian Immortal. Seizing the opportunity, he underwent aplete transformation, improving his constitution and escaping from the tomb. Then, after a series of fortunate encounters, his foundation grew, and his reputation rose. He emerged as a prominent figure among the younger generation and became one of the main characters of the era, barely qualifying as my rival. Initially, Lu Yang thought Ying Tian Immortal must be a very powerful being. Hearing that he barely qualified as Evesting Fairys rival, Lu Yang decisively ced him on the same level as Evesting Fairy. Are there ranks among immortals? Like human immortals, celestial immortals, and so on? Lu Yang asked.Evesting Fairy realized Lu Yang had misunderstood and exined: Ying Tian Immortals title Ying Tian refers to his belief in being born in ordance with heavens will, seeing himself as the protagonist of heaven and earth, with destiny on his side, hence the self-designation Ying Tian Immortal. (TL Note: Ying Tian means ording to heavens) There are no ranks among immortals; everyones path to immortality is unique, making it difficult to determine who is superior. How can there be a ranking? Evesting Fairys words made one thing clear to Lu YangEvesting Fairy could still be somewhat useful. Its a shame there were no history exams in the Central Continent; otherwise, Lu Yang could have scored full marks. Or perhaps Lu Yangs performance would not be so ster, with the examiner iming all of Lu Yangs answers were wrong, based on his hundred years of research on what the ancient era should have been like. Everyone aroundughed at Lu Yangs ignorance, daring to question the examiners answers, truly overstepping his bounds. At that moment, Lu Yang would reveal his identity as Evesting Fairys host, publicly contradicting them, silencing the crowd, and no one would dare to question Lu Yangs view on the ancient era again. (TL Note: Common chinese novel trope) It felt quite satisfying. Lu Yang had even imagined a scenario for showing off, but there was no opportunity to use it. Evesting Fairy stopped talking about ancient times and observed various burial objects with interest. Lu Yang did not let his guard down and continued to study tomb raiding knowledge: As a tomb raider, one must always remain vignt. Even if you find the main chamber and the burial objects within, you cannot be careless. Some tomb owners extremely detest being disturbed and will set deadly traps in the main chamber. You must be cautious Kid, go ahead and take a closer look at this. Is this something from your era? It looks quite interesting. Evesting Fairy urged Lu Yang, curious about something she saw. Just as Lu Yang took a step forward, he felt as if he stepped on something that could sink, seemingly a stone tile that could be pressed down. Instantly, Lu Yangs forehead was covered in cold sweat, realizing he had triggered a trap. Would it release poison needles from the ground or shoot arrows from the walls? Without giving Lu Yang much time to think, he instinctively leaped backward, trying to dodge any hidden weapons. The mechanism was activated, and the night pearls above suddenly burst into brightness like a miniature sun, illuminating the entire main chamber and dispelling the previously gloomy and terrifying atmosphere. Lu Yang waited for a moment for any new changes but nothing happened, which made his eyelid twitch: So, was that just turning on the light? What does turning on the light mean? Evesting Fairy had never heard of this term. Never mind. Lu Yang increasingly felt that this tomb exuded an aura of absurdity. Its location on the cliff could be exined as a theft deterrent, but having Main Chamber written at the entrance and being able to turn on lights in the main chamber was excessive, right? Is this a normal setting for a tomb? At least, the tomb raiding guide did not mention such things. However, the guide did offer a warning: The more it defiesmon sense, the more dangerous it is. Dont worry, with me here, there wont be any idents! After the lights were turned on, Evesting Fairys courage significantly increased, speaking with more confidence. With the night pearls illuminating the tomb as if it were daylight, even if ghosts appeared, Evesting Fairy would dare to p them twice, letting them know who the real ghost is! Could a noble immortal be afraid of ghosts? Look at the book on your left hand; it seems interesting. Take a look. Lu Yang picked up the book to his left and quietly read the title: Tomb Raiding Journal? Move your thumb; theres another word above. Evesting Fairy said. Lu Yang moved his thumb, revealing the books full name: Anti-Tomb Raiding Journal. Lu Yang: He carefully put away the Tomb Raiding Insights, fearing the two books together might cause some kind of bizarre reaction. Flipping through the book, just as its title suggested, it described how to arrange a tomb in a way that wouldnt attract tomb raiders, even addressingmon tomb raiding methods with countermeasures, quite professional. As the saying goes, for every clever move, theres a counter movea natural principle. Lu Yang thought that if he mastered both Tomb Raiding Insights and Anti-Tomb Raiding Journal, then in the vast world of tombs, where couldnt he raid? He shifted his gaze from the book, intrigued by a tombstone to his right. The tombstone should reveal the identity of the tombs owner. It was time to see who had created such a bizarre tomb. Lu Yang nced at the content of the stele, chilled to the bone, hairs standing on end, and startled, he jumped back a big step. The stele read: Qin Jiunian rests here in eternal sleep. Who is Qin Jiunian, and why are you reacting so strongly? Evesting Fairy asked, puzzled. Lu Yangs voice trembled: Qin Jiunian is the current Grand Elder of our Dao Seeking Sect! What situation was this? Was it a case of the same name and surname, or had the Grand Elder fallen? If the Grand Elder had fallen, then who was the one active in Dao Seeking Sect now? An impostor? For what purpose? The Grand Elder is often elusive, having Brother Dai Bufan preside over the Mission Hall in his stead. Could it be that he was worried about being exposed and deliberately reduced his interactions with others? A series of questions flooded his mind, with the answers remaining unknown for now. At that moment, the coffin vibrated, as if something was breaking free from its confines,ing out of the coffin! (End of the chapter) Chapter 124: The Great Elder Lu Yang was greatly shocked, his heart pounding rapidly. The coffin in the main chamber was a stone coffin, carved with intricate and ancient patterns of the sun, moon, stars, and flowers. It was unknown which era it was from, but its high specifications absolutely meant it contained the remains of an extremely important figure! And the Great Elder of the Dao Seeking Sect definitely met the criteria of being an extremely important figure. Could it be that the Great Elder of the Dao Seeking Sect is really buried in here?! Lu Yang felt like he was facing a formidable enemy. Had he triggered some mechanism that led to the persons reanimation? Or did the Evesting Fairys ariya-ph cause the corpse to revive? Or was there some other unknown reason? The coffin lid slowly floated up, and an old man with a long beard sat up from inside. Lu Yangs pupils constricted when he saw him C it really was the Great Elder of the Dao Seeking Sect! The Great Elder had once gone to Heavens Gate Peak to ask the Eldest Senior Sister something, and Lu Yang had seen his appearance before. Lu Yang considered whether he should execute the Eldest Senior Sister Shape-Imitating Fist to summon the Eldest Senior Sister, or use the Miles in a Step technique to teleport himself back up to the cliff again. The Great Elders voice was weathered, his eyes filled with confusion. He looked at Lu Yang and said, Lu Yang? Why are you here? Lu Yang was startled. ording to his guess, the Dao Seeking Sect had a fake Great Elder, and the real one was in this coffin. He had only seen the fake Great Elder before, so how did this real one recognize him? Great Elder, you know me? Lu Yang asked carefully.In the spiritual space, Evesting Fairy pouted. Lu Yang had never been so respectful towards her before. She was an immortal, yet this brat Lu Yang had no sense of reverence! Lu Yangs question made the Great Elder even more confused. Of course I know you. Arent you Lu Yang, the sword cultivator disciple of the Ninth Master? I even saw you through the water mirror when you took the Dao Seeking Sects entry test back then. I actually want to ask you, why did youe and disturb my sleep here? Sleep? Lu Yangs brain hadnt processed this yet. Who sleeps in a coffin? The Great Elder let out a huge yawn, tears forming at the corners of his eyes. It seemed he had just woken up. I got too tired from building my tomb earlier, so I took a short nap. Im old, really old. In the past, I never would have felt this tired. You cant fight getting old. Speaking of which, Im already three thousand years old. Building a tomb? Lu Yangs eyes went wide. He had heard that cultivators could sense when their end was near, so they would leave a will and make arrangements for after their death, including building tombs. Lu Yang felt saddened thinking about the Great Elders contributions to the Dao Seeking Sect. Could it be that you are about to about to No matter what, he couldnt get the rest of the words out. The Great Elder nodded. Yes, its time for me to think about what to do after I retire. Dai Bufan said I can live another five thousand years after retiring, so I should find some hobbies and interests. I thought about it and felt building a tomb is a pretty good choice, since Ill be able to use it eventually anyway. Lu Yang: He had just been moved by the solemn atmosphere, causing his brain to short-circuit temporarily. Only now did he recall that those at the Unity Stage could live at least eight thousand years, and with the Great Elders profound cultivation, he could definitely live even longer. Give me back those feelings of sadness from before! Youre building your tomb this early? Lu Yang thought to himself, what an entric hobby. Whats wrong with that? I heard that in some ces, mortals borrow arge sum of money from banks to buy houses, then spend their whole lives toiling to pay off the debt. If mortals can toil their whole lives for a house, then its only natural that I toil in thetter half of my life for a tomb. Lu Yang was rendered speechless by the Great Elders reasoning. I didnt just build this one tomb chamber either. There are others Ive already constructed elsewhere. This is just the initial form C I havent even prepared any zombies yet and just temporarily threw in some white zombies to set the atmosphere. Oh right, I specifically chose a cliff area of our Dao Seeking Sect to build my tomb. How did you find your way here? Lu Yang remained silent, not really wanting to recount the process. So this was still part of the Dao Seeking Sects territory. It seemed he hadnt been teleported too far away. Evesting Fairyzily said, You definitely couldnt have gone far. Teleportation distance is closely tied to ones cultivation realm. Youre just at the Foundation Establishment stage C how far could you possibly travel? Did you really think you could ascend to the heavens? The Great Elder was unable to perceive Evesting Fairys existence. So the reason youre often not at the Mission Hall is because I left things to Little Dai and started enjoying an early retirement. That made sense. Seeing Lu Yangs unwillingness to exin how he ended up at the tomb, the Great Elder asked, Do you need me to send you back? Lu Yang nodded eagerly, as this was exactly what he wanted. The Great Elder came out of the coffin and tapped Lu Yang, enveloping him in a huge bubble. The Great Elder then flew out of the tomb chamber empty-handed, with the bubbled Lu Yang following behind. The Great Elder moved as swiftly as a thunderbolt, instantly leaving the cliff behind. Only then did Lu Yang realize why he had been encased in the bubble C his body couldnt withstand the Great Elders speed. After leaving the cliff, a boundless prairie appeared before their eyes, lush with verdant grass. Sheep grazed on the tender grass, apanied by various ferocious demonic beasts whose terrifying auras made Lu Yangs heart race. This must be the treacherous territory where insufficient cultivation means certain death that the Eldest Senior Sister had mentioned during the entry test. With his current cultivation, there was absolutely no way he could have safely fallen from that cliff Why did that thought sound so awkward? As the Great Elder flew with Lu Yang, the speed was too fast to make out any scenery below, so there was no issue of vertigo. During the flight, Lu Yang felt some trepidation. At the Great Elders speed, they had flown for so long without reaching Heavens Gate Peak C just how far had he been teleported? Just as Lu Yangs thoughts wandered, the Great Elder came to a stop. Lu Yang realized they had arrived at Heavens Gate Peak. The Great Elder set Lu Yang down and then left. While sleeping in the coffin, the Great Elder had encountered a difficult point in his cultivation and wanted to consult his martial uncles about it. He went to the Herb Garden, but the Second Elder wasnt there. He went to the Body Refining Peak, but the Third Elder wasnt there either. He went to the Nobleman Peak, and the Fourth Elder was also missing. Where is everyone? The Great Elder was quite puzzled. He didnt remember the Second, Third, and Fourth Elders being the type to wander around. Normally they were always in their respective ces, so why couldnt he find a single one today? Ji Hongwen, the senior disciple of the Fourth Elder, saw the Great Elder looking for his master and said, It seems the masters found the whereabouts of the Sect Master and went with the Second Elder to Heavens Gate Peak. The Old Nines whereabouts? Heavens Gate Peak? The Great Elder couldnt fathom having to return to Heavens Gate Peak once more. He arrived at Heavens Gate Peak and asked Lu Yang if he knew the location of Daoist Non-Speaker. Lu Yang pointed him in the right direction, and he sessfully made his way to the pine forest, finding his six martial uncles, one martial aunt, and Daoist Non-Speaker eating hot pot together. Seeing the Great Elder standing outside the cave dwelling, Daoist Non-Speaker warmly waved him over. Its been so long since us martial brothers have gathered together. Were just about to have a hot pot feast, and now the great martial brother has arrived. Great martial brother,e on in quickly. We were just missing you. The Great Elder looked at the enthusiastic Daoist Non-Speaker with suspicion. (End of the chapter) Chapter 125: Gathering of the Dao Seeking Sect’s Nine In the impression of the Great Elder, Daoist Non-Speaker being so enthusiastic surely indicated a scheme or conspiracy. He became vignt. The Great Elder believed there was a reason for Daoist Non-Speaker to harm him. Daoist Non-Speaker was brought up the mountain by the third eldest when he was still a baby, bing the youngest disciple. From the master to the senior brothers and sisters, no one had ever taken care of a baby, so they gradually figured it out on their own. The Great Elder was skilled in dream magic. When Daoist Non-Speaker was a child and could not sleep restlessly, he used dream magic to make Daoist Non-Speaker sleep soundly. When Daoist Non-Speaker grew up to the stage of cultivation and always dozed off during practice, the Great Elder used dream magic to startle Daoist Non-Speaker awake. Perhaps he frightened him too much, as Daoist Non-Speaker has been psychologically shadowed to this day. Seeing the Great Elder being wary of him, the seven elders also greeted the Great Elder together: Big senior brother,e in quickly, the hot pot is only missing you. It cant just be us who are unlucky, today we must gather the Dao Seeking Sects Nine! Eight people smiled at the entrance of the cave mansion but dared not step beyond the entrance. To others, this scene was particrly eerie. In the Great Elders memory, the seven junior brothers and sisters had never been so enthusiastic.The two thousand years of experience made him much wiser, and he quickly judgedthis was an illusion! He bit his tongue sharply. The Great Elder tried to break the illusion with the blood from his tongue tip, but nothing changed. Was it not an illusion? He remembered Lu Yang saying that the ninth was sealed in the cave mansion by Yun Zhi, but the question was how were the second to the eighth sealed? How were you all sealed? The eighth elder said seriously: Big senior brother, its like this, we heard that the ninth was sealed by Yun Zhi and came to investigate immediately. The ninth said that this seal cannot hold smart people. The seven of us think we are smart and certainly wont be held by the seal, so we tried to enter in turn, and as you see, we ended up like this. The Great Elder raised an eyebrow: Is it that magical? Let me try. The Great Elder walked into the cave mansion, and everyone cheered. What the eighth elder said was not entirely wrong; what smart person would willingly get sealed? Thus, the Dao Seeking Sects Nine were all captured, a cause for celebration. The nine people sat around the hot pot, and the entire cave mansion was filled with mist, like a fairnd with the aroma of hot pot. The ingredients for the hot pot were provided by the third elder. As a body cultivator, one needs to consume treasures of heaven and earth and spiritual flesh of monsters regrly to replenish the bodys consumption. When the Great Elder heard the full story from everyone, his face darkened. So, you eight got trapped here and instead of seeking help, you thought of dragging someone else down? Grandpa Ba stepped forward: We did think of getting out, but the ninth said that to leave, one must ovee their inner demons. However, the inner demons are too strong, and none of us could ovee them. So we worked together and thought of some other methods. For example, the third proposed using a spoon to dig a tunnel. For example, the fourth proposed shouting for help loudly, calling over niece Yun Zhi. For example, the fifth proposed refining the spoon into a magical tool to dig the tunnel. For example, the sixth, she The Great Elder raised his hand to interrupt the Dao Seeking Sects Nine escape ns: Howe I heard from Lu Yang that just sitting in meditation for three days would lift the seal, and he said he told the ninth three days ago, the seal should have been lifted by now. The Great Elder was no fool; he confidently entered not because he was deceived but because he knew the real way out. Eight cold gazes stared gloomily at Daoist Non-Speaker. Daoist Non-Speaker calmly said, I have made significant contributions to the sect. Before you take any action, may I write a will first? While meditating, Lu Yang felt Heavens Gate Peak shake slightly. He was surprised, not knowing what had happened. Who would dare to make a move on Heavens Gate Peak? Fortunately, Heavens Gate Peak only shook once and then returned to its usual calm. Lu Yang did not think much of it. He entered the istion formation left by the Eldest Senior Sister, adjusted his breath, and focused on breaking through to the early stage of foundation building. The Eldest Senior Sister was not guarding him, as breaking through to the middle stage of foundation building was a natural progression for Lu Yang, with no idents expected. There was no need for protection. Momentster, his spirit, energy, and essence all reached their peak. His mind was clear, and he operated the Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique technique, swallowing the surrounding spiritual qi. A massive amount of spiritual qi continuously washed over his body. Normally, when breaking through the early, middle, andte stages of foundation building, one would use the opportunity to cleanse the marrow and rebirth, repairing the scars left from cultivation andbat. But for Lu Yang, this step waspletely unnecessary! He had thoroughlypleted the cleansing and marrow-recing during the Qi training stage, with no impurities left to expel! After foundation building, Lu Yangs technique could always keep his body pure, absorbing only the essence and expelling the dross, regardless of what he consumed. The Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique technique rified not just the mind but also the body! After the foundation building stage, a liquid spiritual power vortex forms in the cultivators dantian. Lu Yang felt a warmth in his dantian. Looking inward, he could clearly feel the liquid vortex in his dantian growing stronger, swallowing the external spiritual qi and exhaling more refined and suitable spiritual power for himself. He operated the Great Heavenly Cirction, with refined spiritual power continuously circting inside his body, strengthening every part, not missing any detail. The vortex spun faster and faster, with spiritual power flowing throughout his body at an incredible speed, eventually feeling a barrier forcibly broken through by the spiritual power. Lu Yang opened his eyes, his gaze bright and clear. The middle stage of foundation building, achieved. Outside the formation, the puppet saw Lu Yang sessfully advance to the middle stage of foundation building and stabilize his realm without any hidden dangers, then stood up and left. Theres one more thing I havent done. Lu Yang remembered the words from the Foundation Building Manual. The Foundation Building Manual is the foundation building experience left by the seventh elder,ter supplemented by various senior brothers and sisters. It clearly lists all kinds of issues that might be encountered during the foundation building stage without any omissions. Lu Yang gathered spiritual qi in his right hand, gently patted the lower right side of his abdomen, and suddenly spat out a chunk of flesh. The flesh, bloody and seemingly a part of Lu Yangs body. Lu Yang sent out his sword qi, turning the chunk of flesh into dust. Whats that? The Evesting Fairy, watching Lu Yangs advancement in the spiritual world, afraid to speak and distract him from his advancement process, had been silent until now. Finally, she could speak as Lu Yang sessfully advanced to the middle stage of foundation building. She was dying to talk. Lu Yang exined seriously, I wonder if the fairy has ever heard the saying that one should not exercise vigorously after eating. Vigorous exercise can cause severe abdominal pain, and in serious cases, one might roll on the ground in pain, forehead covered with beads of sweat the size of soybeans, greatly affecting cultivation. The senior brothers and sisters of our Dao Seeking Sect discovered through research that by cutting off a small piece of useless flesh during the advancement to the middle stage of foundation building, such incidents can be avoided, and one can move around as they wish after eating. So what you just did was Removing the appendix. The Evesting Fairy: She was somewhat unable to follow the thoughts of cultivators nowadays. (End of the chapter) Chapter 126: The Qingfeng Sword’s Add-on Since her revival, the Evesting Fairy has faced consecutive setbacks. First, she failed to scare Lu Yang and instead got beaten up by Yun Zhi, then she tried to prove her usefulness by attempting to control Lu Yang to fight above his level and was taught a lesson. Now she realized that adhering to her past experiences was futile. The thought processes of current cultivators are much more active than in ancient times, and they also coborate closely, umting cultivation experiences across different realms. This was unimaginable in ancient times when there was still open rivalry and calctions among fellow disciples over resources. How could sects or tribes possibly share their cultivation experiences unconditionally? Oh, there was one exception: the ancient barbarians, who did enjoy discussing their cultivation experiences within their tribes. Lu Yang stretched, got up, and performed a set of broadcast exercises to stretch his muscles and joints, which crackled pleasantly, making him feel inexplicablyfortable. Where are you nning to go? To Hundred Refinements Peak, to customize a weapon. Upon arriving at Hundred Refinements Peak, Lu Yang saw the cafeteria was as bustling as ever. The Evesting Fairy said in surprise, Wow, the Dao Seeking Sect has good food. So many disciples are here to buy food.Lu Yang nodded: The quality of the food is indeed good. However, the purpose of this trip was not the cafeteria but the Hundred Refinement Hall on the other side of the mountain. The cafeteria soldmon weapons, which, although good, might not suit everyone. Thus, the Hundred Refinement Hall came into being, with a master weapon refiner stationed there, specializing in selling custom-made weapons. Are you Brother Lu Yang? At the entrance of the Hundred Refinement Hall, a surprised voice stopped Lu Yang. Lu Yang recognized the person and realized, You are Li Haoran from my cohort! In Lu Yangs cohort, there were three people with single spiritual roots: Lu Yangs sword spirit root, Meng Jingzhous single spirit root, and Li Haoran with the fire spirit root. A little over a month ago, I heard Senior Sister Zhou Lulu saying you were taking a bath inva. Have you finally been able toe out? Speaking of theva bath, Li Haorans face looked quite unpleasant, as if recalling some bad experiences. Finally met the masters requirements, learned to swim inva, eat fire lizards raw, and sessfully built my foundation. I just got out. I was about to look for the master to ask about the next steps when Senior Sister Zhou Lulu said she hadnt seen my master for three days, not knowing where he went. Lu Yang wondered if the Fifth Elder and his master were so close that they were meditating together. After building your foundation, you need to go to the Mission Hall to receive a sect mission. Li Haoran nodded; he had heard his senior brothers mention this. Do you know the way? Shall I apany you? Since he called him Brother Lu Yang, Lu Yang felt it was his duty as a senior brother to help. Then I must thank Brother first. On the way to the Mission Hall, Lu Yang learned about Li Haorans background. His parents were cultivators, not very high in cultivation, only at the foundation-building stage. They were overjoyed to learn that Li Haoran had the fire spirit root and spoiled him immensely. This also led to Li Haorans arrogance and impetuous character. For example, during the climb of the Questioning Heart Mountain, Li Haorans determination was not strong, and many with lesser talents reached the fiftieth step before him; he was thest to seed. Lu Yang guessed that the Fifth Elder, Zhou Xin, saw Li Haorans ws and specifically made him soak inva for a year to temper his determination. Now, it seemed, the effect was significant. In the Mission Hall, the two couldnt find a task suitable for Li Haoran. By the way, do you know how to refine tools? Of course, the master said I have reached the top foundation-building level of tool refining. The fire spirit root is most suitable for tool refining, and Li Haoran had learned tool refining knowledge inva for a year. How about this: I post a tool refining task, you take it on, and if youplete it, my purpose foring here, tool refining, will also be achieved. Lu Yang had already thought it through; the tool refiners in the Hundred Refinement Hall start from the Golden Core stage, which is expensive, and the weapon he needed to refine didnt require such a high-level tool refiner. Brother Lu Yang, you dont have to amodate me. I can juste back to the Mission Hall in a few days. Lu Yang shook his head: Im not amodating you; I just happen to need tool refining, and you are the most suitable candidate. The most suitable? Li Haoran felt ttered. Lu Yang nodded: Yes, youre the cheapest. Li Haoran: The two returned to Li Haorans refining room. Lu Yang took out the Qingfeng Sword, and Li Haoran was startled by the high quality of the sword, which was beyond what he, a foundation-building cultivator, could modify. No, no, no, Brother Lu, you should find someone else. My skills are limited; I cant refine such a sword. Lu Yang knew he had misunderstood and smiled: You misunderstood; its not about refining this sword. I want to add some decorative small parts to the exterior of this sword. Li Haoran breathed a sigh of relief; this was simple: Do you have a blueprint? Yes. Lu Yang was prepared and took out a blueprint four meters in length and width, which didnt look like it was for small parts at all. Li Haoran saw the contents of the blueprint and had an even weirder expression. Although it wasnt difficult to refine, it didnt seem to be rted to ornaments at all. At least, he had never seen an ornament that looked like this. Ive been nning to learn flying sword technique recently. As a sword cultivator, how can I not use a sword? But flying around in the sky without any traffic rules is too dangerous. For safety reasons, I designed this blueprint. I n to sit in a steel shell while operating the flying sword technique, with the flying sword installed underneath the steel shell as the power source. The steel shell will have a seat for sitting, and install two rows of seats, so when I master the flying sword technique, I can take others to fly. This thing is called a steering wheel; it can adjust the direction. And windows. Ordinary people have trouble making ss from sand, but it shouldnt be a big problem for us cultivators to refine ss, right? Technically, there should be brakes, but since Im the power source for the flying sword, theres no need to install brakes. Foot braking will do Right, this big iron shell must be easy to install and disassemble; otherwise, it wouldnt be convenient during battle. Lu Yang detailed the function and refining requirements of the small ornament, leaving both the Evesting Fairy and Li Haoran feeling enlightened. Its not that Im afraid of heights; its just that flying alone is too lonely. I want to bring more people along. Lu Yang emphasized that he was not afraid of heights, Can you refine it? Li Haoran thought it over. Although the item on the blueprint was peculiar, it wasnt difficult to refine. It was just that he had never refined such a thing before and might need a few tries to get used to it: Yes. Thats great. These are ck Thunder Iron, which can be used as refining materials. And this mask, please refine it as well, make it harder so it wont be easily damaged. Lu Yang took out a tofu mask, needing a fake identity for going out. As for the price, how about twenty contribution points? Lu Yang offered the price himself. Twenty contribution points, two thousand spirit stones, the price was definitely not low. Li Haoran epted the task. (End of the chapter) Chapter 127: Sword Flight Lu Yang spent three days at Hundred Refinements Peak, during which he constantly discussed with Li Haoran how to better refine flying sword add-ons. It needs to be as light as possible; otherwise, it wont fly or will fly too slowly. Do you think we should install an ejector seat? So, it automatically shoots upwards in case of danger, escaping to the heavens? ce the flying sword above the head? No, no, that wont do. I am practicing legitimate sword flying techniques. Have you ever seen a swordsman who mounts their flying sword above their head? Persistence pays off. After three days of effort, the add-on was finally refined. Should we name it? Li Haoran suggested that Lu Yang give it a name. How about calling it Flying Chariot? Its shape is like a carriage, and it can fly in the sky, Lu Yang proposed a rather simple name. Brother Lu, would you like to try? With the add-on refined, Li Haoran felt a sense of satisfaction and wanted to see how Lu Yang would fly. Lu Yang nodded, somewhat excited. He sat in the chariot, grabbed the steering wheel, and didnt move for a while.Whats wrong? asked Li Haoran. Lu Yang scratched his head: I just remembered, I havent learned how to fly with the sword yet. Li Haoran: I was excitedly refining all this time, and you cant even fly? Dont worry, Ill learn it now. Lu Yang was calm and asked Evesting Fairy to teach him the sword flying technique. The sword flying technique is a must-learn spell for sword cultivators, widely known, and Evesting Fairy naturally knew this basic skill. To be honest, Evesting Fairy was not very keen on teaching Lu Yang the sword flying technique. If he learned it incorrectly, her lifetime reputation could be ruined. The so-called sword flying technique involves using the sword as a medium, carrying the consciousness. The stronger the consciousness, the higher thepatibility with the sword, and the faster the sword will fly Evesting Fairy was far better at teaching than the Eldest Senior Sister, exining in a simple and understandable way. It didnt take long for Lu Yang to learn the sword flying technique. The Qingfeng Sword floated in the air, moving freely. Lu Yang felt that even if an elephant were to step on the Qingfeng Sword, it could still fly smoothly. Lu Yangs talent in swordsmanship was indisputable. Lu Yang had an insight; perhaps this was the function of the Sword Spirit Root, ensuring that one could learn swordsmanship and techniques correctly. There was a groove underneath the Flying Chariot, and the Qingfeng Sword fit perfectly in it, not falling out, exceptionally stable. Lu Yang got into the chariot again, held the steering wheel, activated the sword flying technique, and the Flying Chariot really started to fly, propelled by the Qingfeng Sword! The Flying Chariot initially hovered slowly, not because the Qingfeng Sword was slow, but because Lu Yang was not yet fully ustomed to this new way of flying. As the Flying Chariot hovered at a high altitude, Lu Yang gradually mastered the flying technique. The flying speed increased, performing 8 shaped maneuvers and eventually even sharp turns, which was incredible! With the physique of a mid-stage Foundation Establishment, issues likeck of oxygen and pressure did not affect Lu Yang at all. Ha ha, Even I, Lu Yang, have a day of sword flight! Lu Yangughed heartily, knowing that every problem has a solution. Who says I dare not fly to the sky? Evesting Fairy found this feeling quite fresh. On Hundred Refinement Peak, countless people looked up at Lu Yangs sword flight, dumbfounded. The Flying Chariot, an advanced mode of transportation, was considered a cross-era vehicle even in the forward-thinking, self-proimed trend-leading Hundred Refinement Peak. Look, what is that?! The junior brothers and sisters from the same cohort as Lu Yang were surprised to see the metal shell flying in the sky. I asked Brother Li Haoran a question yesterday and saw this; its a magic weapon refined for Brother Lu! Brother Lu? You mean the same Lu Yang who possesses a Sword Spirit Root, ranked first among us, and sessfully became a disciple of the sect leader? A junior brother widened his eyes, holding Lu Yang in high regard. Without direct contact with Lu Yang, one would be shocked by his lifetime achievements, considering him a safe, stable, and reliable senior brother. Of course, there are also those who have had long-term direct contact with Lu Yang and still havent changed their initial impression of him, like Barbarian Bone. Yes, thats him! Brother Li said that this is Brother Lus sword flying technique! Its amazing, this ispletely different from the sword flying techniques Ive seen, it gives a sense of inexplicable safety! No need for insurance! Among the insurance types proposed by the Land of Gold Commerce, there is one for flight, which can be divided into flight loss insurance, third-party liability insurance, etc. Brother Lu, who is the same age as us, has already been able to create his own sword flying technique, thats the difference! Its a pity Im not a sword cultivator, otherwise I would learn this sword flying technique no matter what! Lu Yang had a great time flying in the sky beforending, looking somewhat reluctant to end the experience. After getting off, Lu Yang noticed Li Haoran respectfully standing aside, and Elder Zhou Xin had arrived at some point. Elder Zhou. Lu Yang greeted respectfully. Hehe, Lu Yang, right? I heard the whole process from Haoran. Your creativity ismendable, it might even be a mainstream mode of transportation in the future. Elder Zhou tters me. Those familiar with me know I dont make a habit of ttering. This Flying Chariot could bring you a lot of benefits. Benefits? Lu Yang was puzzled. Elder Zhou turned to Li Haoran and said, Since youve alsoe out of seclusion, you should get familiar with the main business of Hundred Refinement Peak. Our peak regrly produces items that have never been seen before. To protect the rights to these inventions and gain benefits, we regrly apply for patents at the government office. The same goes for Pellet Cauldron Peak. This is a major source of ie for both Hundred Refinement Peak and Pellet Cauldron Peak. In a few days, your senior brothers will go down the mountain to register. Organize Lu Yangs invention ideas and go with your senior brothers. Elder Zhou then said to Lu Yang, You have good talent and a bright mind, naturally fitting for our Dao Seeking Sect. Learn well from Yun Zhi, the future of Dao Seeking Sect is yours. Try to stay away from that old rascal, Elder Nine. Lu Yang shrank his neck. Normally, as a disciple, he should defend his master against Elder Zhous insults, but he thought adopting Evesting Fairys if you cant beat them, join them optimistic spirit wasnt a bad idea either. Evesting Fairy frowned, feeling Lu Yang was contemting something very rude, but she had no proof. How is master doing now? Elder Zhou coldly chuckled, remaining silent. At Heavens Gate Peak, in the pine forest. The seal of the cave dwelling was finally broken. Everyone from the Great Elder to the Eighth Elder had already left, leaving only Daoist Non-Speaker, who was unwilling to leave. Daoist Non-Speaker was tied up like a worm, wriggling on the ground with yellow paper stuck to his forehead and his mouth gagged with a sock, making muffled noises. The rope was a top-tier treasure, preventing Daoist Non-Speaker from breaking free with brute force. The yellow paper sealed his magical powers, making it impossible for him to cast spells. How long it would take for Daoist Non-Speaker to wriggle out depended on his fate. This was the punishment for Daoist Non-Speaker disturbing the eight who were meditating in an attempt to break the seal by banging drums and gongs. (End of the chapter) Chapter 128: The Secret Meeting of the Five Great Immortal Sects TL Note: Im changing Undying Being/Maiden to Evesting Celestial/Fairy and Undying Sect -> Evesting Sect On a mountain peak of the Dao Seeking Sect, the decision-makers of the Five Great Immortal Sects gathered together. This peak was shrouded in mystery, unknown to anyone outside the high echelons of the Dao Seeking Sect. The four decision-makers sat quietly, waiting for the organizer of the meeting to speak. Sensing that everyone had arrived, Yun Zhi awakened from her meditation, opening her eyes that seemed to contain thousands of worlds, countless times and spaces, profoundly mysterious. The other four were momentarily lost in her gaze. They were shocked, having not seen Yun Zhi for several years. Even back then, she gave them a sense of immeasurable depth, a feeling that had only intensified over the years. The Dao Seeking Sect was indeed fortunate to have recruited such a genius, and moreover, she was the disciple of that old rascal, Daoist Non-Speaker. However, Yun Zhis profound cultivation was good news for them. With the grand era approaching, abundant spiritual energy, the revtion of the great Dao, the chaos wrought by demonic cults, and the awakening of powers that had slept for hundreds of thousands of years, legendary immortals were gradually emerging. It was imaginable that these powers and immortals would not abide by the current rules. They would seek to redefine the order and divide territories ording to their will, which would be a cmity for both mortals and cultivators.There were already powerful cultivators awakening, attempting to cause turmoil in the Central Continent, but before they could gain momentum, they were jointly killed by the Five Great Immortal Sects. Not all immortals were like the Evesting Fairy, carefree and content. To say nothing else, the ancient nameless beings who refined stars into continents were a tough challenge. In such times, the stronger the Five Great Immortal Sects, the more likely they could withstand the uing disasters. Yun Zhi spoke lightly, Today, I have summoned you here to share some intelligence about the demonic cult. The four felt a chill in their hearts, no wonder Yun Zhi had not used conventional methods like transmitting messages but instead asked them toe in person to the Dao Seeking Sects secret peak. This secret peak, blessed by generations of the Dao Seeking Sects sages and further modified by Yun Zhi, could conceal fates and cover karmic traces, fearless of any leaks. Although the demonic cult was not strong, they worshiped immortals and received many immortal treasures and techniques from them. These treasures and techniques were unpredictable and needed to be handled with care. As you know, over a month ago, I breached the headquarters of the Evesting Sect and obtained some intelligence. Among them, two pieces are noteworthy. One is the method to revive the Evesting Celestial, and the other is about undercover agents. The four straightened up, the revival of immortals was indeed significant news. They had heard that Yun Zhi had taken down the stronghold of the Evesting Sect but didnt know how she had found it. The ariya-ph of the Evesting Celestial is very special. Even if he is utterly destroyed and his soul scattered, as long as someone utters his title and immortal name, whether intentionally or unintentionally, he can be revived! (TL Note: Yun Zhi used he instead of she. I assume its because shes talking about the Evesting Celestial and not the Evesting Fairy) The hearts of the four thundered. The ariya-phs of immortals were indeed not simple. The ones they had known about were rted to enhancingbat power, but this was the first time they encountered one purely about survival. The intelligence also mentioned that the Evesting Sect has ced undercover agents within Moon Laurel Immortal Pce, the Prison-Suppressing Sect, and the Five Elements Sect. In reality, this information was not obtained from the headquarters of the Evesting Sect but from Tang Yunsheng, an inspector, who provided it to Lu Yang. When Tang Yunsheng arranged for Lu Yang and others to infiltrate as undercover agents, he mentioned that among the Five Great Immortal Sects, apart from the Hanging Temple, which had few members, and the Dao Seeking Sect, which was full of lunatics making it hard to nt undercover agents, the other three sects had undercover agents within them. The Five Great Immortal Sects are as follows: the Dao Seeking Sect, known for its Daoist techniques and creativity, where the other four gates caution their juniors to steer clear; the Hanging Temple, known for itspassion and potent strength despite having the least number of members, sometimes only a master and disciple; and the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce, which believes the moon harbors unspeakable secrets and practices cultivation with the help of the moon, surrounded byurel trees. The Prison-Suppressing Sect, which suppresses all demons and evil spirits. The Five Elements Sect, believing in the unity of the five elements and mastering the ultimate truth of the five elements. The other four great immortal gates think Dao Seeking Sect is ipatible with them. Dao Seeking Sect believes the other four great immortal gates are ipatible with it. Despite these differences, the rtionship between the Five Great Immortal Sects is still very good. So, its about the undercover agents. The master of the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce was not surprised; she is Lan Tings master, and Lan Ting had told her some things. Amitabha. The abbot of the Hanging Temple did not say much. Their Hanging Temple did not have demonic cult undercover agents, partly because of their small numbers and partly because their beliefs differed. People from the demonic cults chant sutras and observe precepts all day long, which would likely lead to a copse of their Dao heart, making it too easy to reveal their ws. Its unexpected that my Prison-Suppressing Sect, which aims to suppress all heretical paths, ended up having an Evesting Sect infiltrator. I will conduct a thorough investigation once I return! The master of the Prison-Suppressing Sect was furious but restrained himself due to the asion. Since there are undercover agents, its likely not just the Evesting Sect; other demonic cult undercover agents might also be hidden. We need to conduct a thorough investigation. The master of the Five Elements Sect said coldly, showing how daring the demonic cults were, essentially disregarding their Five Elements Sect. How shall we investigate the undercover agents? asked the master of the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce. Isnt the Evesting Sect a follower of the Evesting Celestial? How about we have our disciples shout Evesting Celestial is a bastard together? suggested the master of the Five Elements Sect. The four nodded, thinking this was a good idea. The master of the Prison-Suppressing Sect added, Another method is to use a list of suspects we all surely have. We could have someone on the suspect list say The master has recited the immortal name of the Evesting Celestial, and the Evesting Celestial has been revived. The master has ordered all followers to gather at the headquarters. The righteous path does not know the method to revive the Evesting Celestial, so if an Evesting Sect undercover agent hears this, they will most likely think the speaker is a fellow cultist. Yun Zhi shook her head: This could alert them. The suspect list contains not only Evesting Sect undercover agents but also agents from other three sects. If they hear you saying this, theyll know youre investigating for undercover agents. The master of the Prison-Suppressing Sect felt Yun Zhis point was valid and did not propose further. Right, the Dao Seeking Sect doesnt have undercover agents, right? I wonder if Yun Zhi could share some insights? The master of the Five Elements Sect said, earning agreement from the other three. Yun Zhi rarely frowned, puzzled by the question. She also didnt know why the Dao Seeking Sect not onlycked demonic cult undercover agents but could also infiltrate the demonic cults as undercover agents. Perhaps its because the disciples of Dao Seeking Sect are simple-minded, while demonic cult followers haveplex thoughts, unable to disguise themselves as Dao Seeking Sect disciples. The five then thought of many malicious methods to investigate undercover agents, with the abbot of the Hanging Temple proposing the most ruthless. If these methods were made public, the worlds perception of them would turn one hundred and eighty degrees. After the secret meeting concluded, the five left the mountain peak, with three leaving the Dao Seeking Sect and only the master of the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce staying behind. What matter brings Master Luo here? Yun Zhi asked, with the Moon Laurel Immortal Pces master named Luo Hongxia. Luo Hongxia called over Lan Ting, who was reluctant toe: Does your Dao Seeking Sect have a disciple named Lu Yang? I have some business with him. My Lan Ting, such a good child, was led astray by him. I want him topensate! Yun Zhi calmly suggested, Why not have the two be Daopanions? Luo Hongxias expression stiffened. (End of the chapter) Chapter 129: Daoist Non-Speaker Escapes the Bind Luo Hongxia left in a hurry. Initially, Luo Hongxia intended to take advantage of the meeting to demand an exnation from the Dao Seeking Sect, or at the very least, secure a promise that they would not approach Lan Ting. Now, it seemed that not only was there no promise, but if she had left anyter, her little disciple might have been implicated as well. Within a cloud of mist, Lan Tingined, Master, I told you Im fine. You insisted on dragging me to the Dao Seeking Sect. What would Lu Yang think if he finds out! You came back and focused on developing an automatic skewer grilling array, trying to transform into someone else using the Shape-Imitating Fist, and you say youre fine? Ive told you long ago to stay away from the people of the Dao Seeking Sect. Theres a lesson to be learned from experience! Back when I descended the mountain for my cultivation journey, I encountered a disciple from the Dao Seeking Sect. The two of us joined forces to exorcise a ghost and stayed in an inn for a few days after reaching our destination. That ghost was audacious enough to hide under the Dao Seeking Sect disciples bed for three days. In the end, the person discovered the problem, dragged the ghost out from under the bed, and demanded the ghost pay its share of the rent for those three days. Is this the thought process of a normal person?Who was this person? Lan Ting asked. The sect master of the Dao Seeking Sect, Daoist Non-Speaker. Luo Hongxia scoffed and continued, Another time, the two of us encountered a dismemberment case. Over a dozen children were brutally murdered, their bodies mutted, with limbs scattered all over. Only a girl with a dull expression survived. We stayed by the girls side to ensure her safety. After a while, enforcers came and said that after assembling the corpses, they found each body was missing a part. The missing parts could altogether form another girl. At that moment, I felt a chill rush to my head. The girl then revealed a creepy smile andughter, which was extremely unsettling. Daoist Non-Speaker tapped her on the head and said, Whats so funny? Dont you see were discussing serious matters? The girl waspletely dazed. Lan Ting: Out of concern for his master, Lu Yang once again arrived at the pine forest of Heavens Gate Peak, only to see Daoist Non-Speaker tied up in a very distinctive manner. Is performance art now a trend in our Dao Seeking Sect? Lu Yang wondered. Daoist Non-Speaker struggled fiercely, makingrge movements and mumbling something through his gag, as if asking for help. Lu Yang removed the yellow paper from his forehead, allowing Daoist Non-Speaker to regain his magical powers, untie the ropes, spit out the sock, and sessfully escape the bind. Daoist Non-Speaker, with tears in his eyes: Good brother, from now on, were equals. You call me master, and Ill call you master! Lu Yang thought it might be better to tie his master back up. Daoist Non-Speaker stepped out of the cave, arms wide open towards the sunlight, embracing nature: Ten years, I have finallye out! Then he thought the atmosphere wasnt quite right, so he manipted the clouds to make it rain over a small area above him. The heavy rain quickly soaked him through, and he opened his arms again, embracing freedom: Ah, ten years, I have finallye out! Perfect. Having achieved the desired effect, Daoist Non-Speaker dispersed the rain clouds and turned to Lu Yang, Im nning to go down the mountain to narrate stories. Do you want toe with me? Daoist Non-Speaker had not forgotten his mission. Lu Yang was tempted but shook his head: No, my identity is too sensitive. It would be bad if someone from the Evesting Sect recognized me. Daoist Non-Speakerughed heartily: Whats so difficult about that? Daoist Non-Speaker waved his hand across Lu Yangs face, causing Lu Yangs features to subtly change, making himpletely unrecognizable. Its just about not being recognized by enemies, right? I understand; Im very experienced in this area. Rest assured, no one in the Unity Stage can see through my disguise! Lu Yang wasnt particrly interested in where Daoist Non-Speakers experience came from, but this way, he could indeed go out without worries. Can I bring a friend along? Of course. Lu Yang called over Meng Jingzhou, who was exercising with punches and kicks. Going out for fun? Is it safe? With a big shot leading, its guaranteed to be safe. Lets go. After a brief exchange, Meng Jingzhou was ready to go out with Lu Yang, without even asking where they were going or what theyd be doing. Could it ever be boring with Lu Yang? Who is this person? Meng Jingzhou quietly asked, not recognizing Daoist Non-Speaker. My master, Daoist Non-Speaker. Lu Yang proudly introduced. Daoist Non-Speaker recognized Meng Jingzhou, gently stroking his white beard: Ah, the young Mengd. Ive heard your grandfather talk about you. I even drank at your full-month celebration. You know my grandfather? Meng Jingzhou was somewhat surprised; he had never heard his grandfather mention this. Daoist Non-Speakerughed at the question: Ive known your grandfather for over a thousand years. After Meng Jingzhous appearance was altered in the same manner, he asked, How are we setting off? I have a carriage. Lu Yang waved his hand dismissively: No need. Ive recently learned a new sword flying technique that allows for sword flight. But a sword can only carry one person, right? What about the two of us? Meng Jingzhou raised an eyebrow. Lu Yang proudly pulled out an oddly shaped flying chariot from his identity jade card: You can think of this as a sword sheath, just a bitrger. I can activate the sword flying technique, and the flying chariot can take to the skies, carrying up to five people! Meng Jingzhou walked around the flying chariot, tapping on its shell and listening to the resonant echo, his eyes lighting up: Nice piece of work. Did you invent this? Naturally. Daoist Non-Speaker nodded repeatedly, admiring his disciples exceptional talent in swordsmanship, certain that Lu Yang would one day be no less distinguished than him! With excitement, Lu Yang set up the flying chariot. Meng Jingzhou took the passenger seat, and Daoist Non-Speaker sat in the back. They all buckled up, feeling a novel sensation. Take off! The Qingfeng Sword emitted a sword cry, and the flying chariot soared into the clouds. Master, which direction? Daoist Non-Speaker pointed forward: To the south. The south is bustling with many thoroughfares, perfect for me to narrate stories! The flying chariot headed south. When encountering flying boats, the passengers were astonished by the existence of the flying chariot. Daoist Non-Speaker tapped the back seat, an invisible shuttle-shaped barrier expanded, reducing air resistance. He also used the sword flying technique to aid the chariots flight. Feeling his masters support, Lu Yangs confidence soared, and the flying chariots speed increased another notch. With the master onboard, safety was assured! When Yun Zhi checked on her masters condition, the cave was empty, leaving only a golden rope, yellow talisman paper, and someones sock. Returning to her cave, there was a note left by Lu Yang at the entrance: Im traveling with my master for a while, dont worry about me. Yun Zhi grew even more worried. Her master couldnt distinguish north from south. Above a small town in the west, the flying chariot malfunctioned and plummeted straight down. (End of the chapter) Chapter 130: 【Rules】 Whats happening? The rapid descent of the flying chariot greatly rmed Meng Jingzhou. Lu Yang broke out in a cold sweat, desperately operating the sword flying technique, but the chariot continued to fall. He had lost control of the Qingfeng Sword and couldnt sense its presence. Daoist Non-Speaker said in a deep voice, This ce disables the use of spiritual power; all spells are ineffective! What?! Having seen much of the world, Daoist Non-Speaker roughly guessed what was happening. If it was indeed what he thought, the three of them were extremely unlucky. However, now was not the time to discuss this. The priority was to save Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. He stood up, opened the roof, grabbed Lu Yang with one hand and Meng Jingzhou with the other, tucking them at his waist, and leaped down. Although spiritual power could not be used in this ce, there were no restrictions on the physical body. As a Unity Stage powerhouse, Daoist Non-Speaker could jump from a great height without any harm. Lu Yang tried to open his eyes several times to assess the situation, but the strong wind during the fall made it impossible for him and Meng Jingzhou to see.Just beforending, Daoist Non-Speaker released his hold, gently dragging the two to slow their descent before hended first, creating arge crater on the ground. Immediately after, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhounded, caught by Daoist Non-Speaker, with less than a second difference between them. If Daoist Non-Speaker hadnded directly with the two in his arms, he wouldnt have been hurt, but Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou could not withstand the impact and would have either died or been seriously injured! Huff, huff, huff! Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were still in shock. This trip was truly unique; they had just left and already experienced a crash. Where is this? Lu Yang frowned, finding themselves in a mundane small town, unable to understand why spiritual power couldnt be used here. Why isnt anyoneing out? Lu Yang discovered another issue. It was just past the hour of Hai, and the noise from the flying chariots crash was loud, yet not a single person came out to investigate. Could it be that there were no living people in the town, making it a dead town? No, thats not right. The thatched cottages and the inn had candles lit, and shadows could be seen moving through the paper windows. There definitely were people. Whats going on? Lu Yang felt an eerie strangeness about this ce. He looked at Meng Jingzhou, who shook his head, indicating he didnt know what was happening either. Daoist Non-Speaker walked over to the wreckage of the flying chariot, pulling out the Qingfeng Sword from underneath. The sword was a high-quality gift from Yun Zhi to Lu Yang, and such damage couldnt harm it. Take it, for self-defense. Daoist Non-Speaker handed the Qingfeng Sword to Lu Yang, his expression solemn and no longer jovial. Daoist Non-Speaker discovered that this ce had an extremely severe suppression of spiritual power, preventing even him from mobilizing his spiritual power. Suddenly, a piece of paper appeared in the hands of all three, densely written on both sides. Rules of Commoner Town Rule 1: Within the town, spiritual energy does not exist, and spiritual power cannot be used Rule 2: From the hours of Hai (9pm-11pm) to Chen (7am-9am), thatched cottages and inn rooms with doors closed are absolutely safe. Everywhere else is dangerous Rule 3: You must leave the thatched cottages and inns by the Si hour (9am-11am), and cannot return until before the Xu hour (7pm-9pm) Rule 4: You must fall asleep before the Zi hour (11pm-1am) Rule 5: Do not enter rooms marked with the character for heaven Rule 6: If you hear knocking on doors or windows inside the thatched cottages or the inn, regardless of what is said, do not open the doors or windows Rule 7: Only flower dogs and white dogs exist in the town, no ck dogs. If you see a ck dog, run away immediately Rule 8: The private school has been abandoned for many years. There are no teachers, only barking dogs can be heard from the school, no voices of people reading. Rule 9: Those wearing gray clothes are private school teachers. Ignore whatever they say. Rule 10: Do not make eye contact with the private school teachers. If you do, you will turn into a ck dog Rule 11: All food in the town is provided for free; you may take it yourself, but do not eat the meat buns Rule 12: Be wary of enforcers; individuals in ck clothes are enforcers. If encountered, run away immediately, and do not turn your head, regardless of what they call out Rule 13: If you feel someone is following you, believe it is an illusion and avoid showing unease or irritability Rule 14: A dead body is called a corpse; it is normal for corpses to move Rule 15: If you have questions inside the inn, ask the innkeeper; if outside, ask the apothecary, but do not speak to them Rule 16: Do not speak or eat anything after entering a ck door Rule 17: Do not easily believe the words of strangers, but people in white clothes always tell the truth Rule 18: There is a monster that eats people in the ancestral hall Rule 19: The ancestral hall is safe Rule 20: Townsfolk cannot reveal anything about the town to outsiders Rule 21: If you leave the town or kill the town chief, there is no need to abide by the rules of Commoner Town After reading the rules, the paper in Lu Yangs hands disappeared into thin air. What is this? Lu Yang had a sense of absurdity, feeling that the rules hinted at something ominous. Its a trick made by a Unity Stage cultivator! Daoist Non-Speaker said solemnly, having seen the twenty-one rules, he finally confirmed his guess. There were Unity Stage powerhouses, and from the way they were suppressing him, there was more than one Unity Stage! Disciple, Little Meng, have you two ever heard of the Great Era ising? The two nodded, but they still didnt quite understand. The concept of the Great Eraing was too vague, and they didnt know what it specifically referred to. The Great Eraing has many manifestations, one of which is the awakening of strong beings from other eras from their slumber! Now the spiritual machine is clear, the Daos charm is active, it is easier to practice and understand the Dao, and some even say its possible to be an immortal! In the Great Qian era, the Great Yu era, many great beings emerged, but they were trapped by their ownprehension and couldnt break through further. For this reason, they came up with the method of slumber, using the essence of spirit stones as a carrier, sealing themselves, and entering a state of pseudo-death, waiting for the Daos charm to be active, at which point they would awaken from their slumber. After their consciousness awoke, their bodies had not yet fully awakened, and they needed to wait for a period of time. For this reason, they would use all means to protect themselves and not expose their whereabouts. Demarcating areas, setting rules, imprisoning those whoe, is one of the means. Do you know the difference between the Void Refinement Stage and the Unity Stage? The two shook their heads, this was still very far away for them. The difference between the Void Refinement Stage and the Unity Stage lies in whether they have mastered the Rules. Rules? Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou repeated unconsciously. The Unity Stage can modify the rules of reality within a certain range based on their own will, but the modified rules cannot be too contrary tomon sense, for example, they cannot set I am invincible, immortal in this area, etc.. The river spirit test and the questioning heart mountain test you encountered when you joined the sect are all manifestations of rules. The Unity Stage has less control over rules and needs to set multiple rules to restrict the activities of people within the rules. The Tribtion Crossing Stage, immortals have different degrees of control over rules, with immortals being the most exaggerated. Bing an immortal condenses the ariya-ph, the ariya-ph is the symbol of rules, its power covers the whole world. Lu Yang remembered the Evesting Fairys ariya-ph C as long as someone recites her honorary title and immortal name, she can be revived. From the result, the individual Evesting Fairy is immortal. But from a global perspective, it means that the Evesting Fairy can transcend time, space, soul, body limitations, and directly revive, defyingmon sense of the world, which is terrifying! Lu Yang shared his guess with the Evesting Fairy, and the Evesting Fairy nodded, affirming Lu Yangs thought: Not very old, but your mind works quite quickly. Lu Yang didnt have the mind to pay attention to the Evesting Fairys teasing, listening to Daoist Non-Speaker continue: From the rules perspective, only this small town is under the opponents control, the Unity Stages grasp of the rules is not so small, the opponent is afraid of being discovered by the immortals of The Great Xia dynasty! The rules that even restrict me, indicate that the opponent has more than one Unity Stage. Daoist Non-Speaker revealed a fierce light, his gaze sharp as a sword: The Five Great Immortal Sects and The Great Xia dynasty have already stopped many Unity Stages from awakening, it seems today I need to eliminate a few more! He flicked his dust brush, the tassels as fine as cow hair, releasing millions of sword qi. The sword path is the foundation for Daoist Non-Speaker, he hasprehended it all his life, without the need to use spiritual power, he is still able to use sword qi! The sword qi struck the small towns barrier, the barrier couldnt withstand the sword qi, sting a gap. At the gap, four figures waited for Daoist Non-Speaker, indeed there was more than one Unity Stage! They set their own rules, and they also had to abide by them, they couldnt use spiritual power within the town, they had to deal with Daoist Non-Speaker outside the town. Kill him! Daoist Non-Speakerughed loudly, took big steps out of the town, released the peak pressure of Unity Stage, and faced off against four Unity Stages! With just you bunch of trash also wanting to kill me? Before leaving, he left a message for Lu Yang and the other: This battle mayst several days, you two live well in the town! The gap healed, Daoist Non-Speaker disappeared outside the town. (End of the chapter) Chapter 131: The Dangerous First Night Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou knew that despite Daoist Non-Speakers heroic demeanor, this battle was not going to be easily concluded. In fact, the best course of action would have been for Daoist Non-Speaker to take them and flee the area. His decision not to do so implied he wasnt confident he could protect them from the ancient Unity Stages that had awakened. Lu Yang performed a set of the Eldest Senior Sister Shape-Imitating Fist, attempting to summon Eldest Senior Sister. He found he couldnt use his spiritual power, not even able to transform. The Lu Familys Shape-Imitating Fist truly was a spiritual technique. Meng Jingzhou tested his current level: Although we cant use techniques, our physical strength hasnt changed much. That was somewhat good news. What time is it now? Lu Yang recalled Rule 2, which mentioned Rule 2: From the hours of Hai (9pm-11pm) to Chen (7am-9am), thatched cottages and inn rooms with doors closed are absolutely safe. Everywhere else is dangerous. From Hai to Chen is from 9 pm to 9 am.When we crashed, it was the hour of Hai. Theres no one on the streets now; people must have gone home. We must find a ce to stay, either a thatched cottage or an inn! There were a few thatched cottages nearby with lights on. Meng Jingzhou knocked on a door, politely saying, Fellow vigers, we are cultivators who have strayed into this ce. Please open the door and let us stay for the night. We will be deeply grateful and offer gold and spirit stones, whatever you choose! Meng Jingzhou tried several houses, but not one opened their doors. Lu Yang stopped him: Dont waste your effort. Have you forgotten Rule 6, which states that you absolutely must not open the door to knocking sounds? Commoner Town surely has more than just us; there are ordinary people too, who also need to follow the rules. Rule 19: Townsfolk cannot reveal anything about the town to outsiders indicates Commoner Town has its natives. Meng Jingzhou was about to say something when Lu Yang hushed him, signaling to be quiet. Not far away, they heard the sound of footsteps, heavy and withrge intervals between breaths, indicating arge size. The rhythm of the footsteps suggested four legs, or even more; Lu Yang didnt know what kind of monster this was. Lu Yang could even see the monsters shadow around the corner. Run! Lu Yang whispered, and they hurriedly fled. Facing an unknown opponent without clear knowledge of their realm and capabilities was unwise. They ran in the direction opposite the monster. The monster didnt notice them, and they quickly lost it. They stopped to listen for any nearby movement, ensuring there were no monsters around, before cautiously walking on the streets and finding an inn. The inn was brightly lit, with a person in white clotheszily leaning on the counter and two travelers discussing which room to stay in. Finally found an inn; Im exhausted. Give us two Tian (heaven) numbered rooms. A traveler mmed a silver ingot on the counter. Hispanion quickly stopped him: Did you forget what was written on that paper? We cant stay in Tian numbered rooms! Do you really believe that paper? Better safe than sorry. Thepanion took the silver ingot, uneasy about the strange town and determined to leave first thing in the morning. He politely asked the person in white for two Di (earth) numbered rooms. The person in white took the silver without offering change, handing over three keys: One group can only rent one room. Di number 3 room has only three keys; all are yours now. The traveler frowned; the inn was really overcharging for a Di numbered room. Lu Yang warned them, Make sure to follow the rules on the white paper. The travelerspanion, remembering the rule about not easily believing strangers, was unsure of Lu Yangs intentions and quickly went upstairs. Meng Jingzhou was about to ask for a Di character room when Lu Yang grabbed a piece of paper and pen from the counter and pulled Meng Jingzhou behind him. Meng Jingzhou realized, recalling rule number fifteen, which stated, If you have questions inside the inn, ask the innkeeper; if outside, ask the apothecary, but do not speak to them. Lu Yang wrote on the paper: Are you the owner of this inn? The owner wrote back: Yes. Lu Yang took out a silver ingot and wrote: Rent us a Dizhi room that hasnt had any deaths. The owner handed over three keys marked Dizhi No. 4 room. The two exchanged nces and went upstairs, noting that there were ten rooms on the second floor. Eight of them had ck doors, and only Dizhi No. 3 and Dizhi No. 4 rooms had brown doors. Dizhi No. 3 room was for the merchants, and Dizhi No. 4 room was theirs. Entering their room, they only rxed once seated on the bed, noticing their hearts were beating fast. Hasnt your family ever told you about this kind of thing? Lu Yang asked. Not at all. I had no idea Unity Stages ability was to modify reality and set rules. The few Unity Stage elders in my family spend their days raising birds, gardening, fishing, and cursing in the streets; they dont seem like theyre capable of this! Lu Yang agreed, having never noticed such power among the Dao Seeking Sect elders. He believed Eldest Senior Sister might possess such ability. At least the prestige matched the power. Footsteps sounded, light and seemingly human. Knocking on the opposite room, the voice was gentle, with a very humble posture: Guests, have you gone to bed? The boss identally gave all three keys to you. I cant open the door. Ive prepared some dinner for you, its free. Could you please open the door so I can bring it in? The guests in No. 3 room, wise to the strangeness, adhered to the rules and didnt respond. The knocking grew louder and more intense, echoing throughout the corridor. Guests, open the door! Open the door! Do you hear me asking you to open the door! Believe it or not, Ill break down this door! Dropping the disguise, the figure knocked violently, but fortunately, the door was of high quality and remained intact. Failing to deceive the merchants, the figure reverted to its gentle voice: Then Ill leave the food at your door. The merchants still didnt respond. The figure repeated its tactic, knocking on Lu Yangs door, starting gently then increasingly bing aggressive, revealing its true nature. Still, no one was deceived. Footsteps sounded as the figure left. But those footsteps are too short, not like someone going downstairs or upstairs. Its still on the second floor! Lu Yang felt a chill. He imagined a scene: the figure with hands on the walls, hiding on the ceiling, waiting for the merchants to rx and sneakily open the door to get the food, then dropping down on them Not knowing whether the merchants shared his thoughts or were just cautious, they showed no intention of opening the door. Lets sleep, Meng Jingzhou yawned, recalling the rule that one must sleep before the hour of Zi, or 11 PM. He took a nket from the closet,id it on the floor, voluntarily taking the lower spot. Then he blew out the candle, plunging the room into darkness, with the thin moonlight shining through the paper windows into the room. Meng Jingzhou looked out the window, his heart stopping. A ck figure appeared outside the window, swaying left and right, as if clinging to the window sill, trying to peek inside. The problem was, this was the second floor. How tall was this person?! Check if the window istched! Lu Yang suddenly shouted, remembering the rule about not opening windows! After entering, they were only concerned with locking the door and forgot about the windows. Whether the windows weretched or not was unclear! They moved quickly and found the window utched. They managed totch it just before the figure could knock, seeing the humanoid ck shadow through the window, their hearts pounding. The two survived their first night without incident. (End of the chapter) Chapter 132: Crisis Lurks Everywhere The two woke up to a dimly lit dawn, still some time away from the hour of Si. I was scared to death yesterday! Meng Jingzhou, recalling the experiences of the previous night, was still frightened. Lu Yang was moreposed: First, get familiar with the rules. Knowing the rules means theres nothing to fear. Meng Jingzhou nodded. They reviewed the twenty-one rules to ensure there were no discrepancies in their memory before feeling reassured. What time is it now? At that moment, the sound of a gong came from outside, and the night watchman called out as he struck it: The hour of Si hase. They hurried downstairs. On the first floor, two merchants were angrily confronting the innkeeper: We left our horses in the backyard stable yesterday. Why is there only a saddle left today?Lu Yang remembered the massive creature they encountered the previous night. It was likely that it had eaten the horses. Since there had been no sound of the horses neighing, it meant the horses had no chance to resist. It was indeed a terrifying creature. Ignoring the merchants, the two rushed out of the inn. Evesting Fairy reminded them: Those two merchants have a heavy aura of death about them, entangled with vengeful spirits. They are not simple travelers. Lu Yang nodded, indicating he understood. The streets were filled with the aroma of food as restaurants opened, steaming dishes tempting ones appetite. However, eerily, the restaurants were empty of people. One of the steamers had a sign that read Meat Buns. The townspeople, dressed in coarse brown hemp, seemed ustomed to this scene. They took their breakfast and sat down to eat, avoiding the meat buns. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou also did as the locals, enjoying three pancakes and a bowl of soy milk. Lu Yang noticed people ate quickly, some even eating while walking, seemingly in a rush. Amotion arose from one side of the street, and a group of people hurriedly fled. Those who were eating also abandoned their meals and ran. Lets run too! Lu Yang grabbed a pancake and fled. They ran to the opposite end of the street and looked back to see what had happened. A group of people dressed in ck, about a dozen, with knives at their waists, approached. Hey you, stop! One of the ck-d people shouted at someone trying to escape. The person instinctively turned their head, and their head spun a full three hundred and sixty degrees, hanging limp. The man in ckughed heartily, sat down at the entrance of the restaurant, lifted the lid of the steamer, and started eating a meat bun, grease dripping from his mouth. The dead person lifted their head, twisted it back into ce, and left the scene as if forgetting what had just happened. Theyre the governments enforcers. The rules say we cant eat meat buns, but the enforcers can, indicating they have to follow different rules than us, Lu Yang analyzed quietly. There are many breakfast options, but all the enforcers chose meat buns, indicating they can only eat meat buns. And the rules also mentioned not turning heads, it seems turning your head could twist it off! The two exchanged nces and decided to leave, staying as far away from the enforcers as possible. At the very start, human nature is good. Nature is simr, but habits make us different Passing by the private school, they heard the clear sound of reading, the mature voices of a group of adults reciting the Three Character ssic. (TL Note: The work is one of the Chinese ssic texts. It was probably written in the 13th century and is mainly attributed to Wang Yinglin. It is not one of the traditional six Confucian ssics, but rather the embodiment of Confucianism suitable for teaching young children. Until thetter part of the 1800s, it served as a childs first formal education at home. The text is written in triplets of characters for easy memorization. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Character_ssic) However, Lu Yang remembered the rule that stated Rule 8: The private school has been abandoned for many years. There are no teachers, only barking dogs can be heard from the school, no voices of people reading. This was definitely not right. The two quickly left, only to be blocked by a person wearing gray clothes: You two look unfamiliar. Could it be that youvee from somewhere else? Rule 9: Those wearing gray clothes are private school teachers. Ignore whatever they say. Rule 10: Do not make eye contact with the private school teachers. If you do, you will turn into a ck dog The two quickly reacted, bowing their heads and walking forward, avoiding eye contact with the private school teacher and not listening to anything he said. The private school teacher, persistent, said beside them: I see you two are well-dressed, likely possessing some cultivation. Could it be you also believe in the rules written on that piece of paper? Not all rules on the paper are true; some are meant to mislead. In fact, the person who set these rules here meant no harm. He only wished to protect himself, hence resorting to such measures. He knew of your arrival and specifically asked me to help you. I have a way to leave this town, but the price is that you will lose your memories of this town. Just recite the Three Character ssic in the private school for three days, and you can leave the town! I am not deceiving you. You can hear the voices in the private school; someone has already left the town with my help yesterday. The private school teacher suddenly ran in front of them, bending down to make eye contact with Lu Yang. Lu Yang closed his eyes and walked forward. Before closing his eyes, he saw the teachers face was missing skin on the lower half, exposing red muscles, which was very unsettling. Seeing that the two were ignoring him and kept their heads down, the private school teacher had no choice but to give up, shouting from behind them: This is your only chance to leave the town. Youll regret not epting my help. Evesting Fairy spoke in the spiritual space, Lu Yang, dont believe his words; only part of what he said is true. A part? Lu Yang was somewhat surprised; he had assumed everything the teacher said was false. He indeed has a way to let people leave the town, but not as humans. Instead, as ck dogs. I saw him releasing several ck dogsst night. Before he met you, someone made eye contact with him. After doing so, the person suffered from severe headaches, bloodshot eyes, and ck fur started growing on their arms before they walked into the private school. Lu Yang felt a chill down his spine; the private school teachers abilities were tricky and not easy to deal with. Lets go to the tailors shop. Lu Yang had some ideas that needed verification. The two visited every tailors shop in Commoner Town, finding none that sold ck, white, or grey clothes, nor did they have the corresponding fabrics. While wandering around the town, they noticed a question: Where is the ancestral hall? The rules stated that the ancestral hall was safe, yet also mentioned it housed monsters. Such contradictory statements meant this ce was surely no simple matter. However, they didnt find the ancestral halls location after circling the town. As evening approached, nearing the hour of Hai, they had to return to the inn. Dear guests, youve returned safely. Our inn is very secure; you dont need to be so nervous. I will ensure your safety. At the inns entrance, the smiling waiter greeted them. The waiter had no whites in his eyes, only pure ck pupils, as if he could see what ordinary people couldnt. Their skin crawled at the sound of this voice; it was unmistakably the voice from the hallway knockingst night! It was himst night! Waiter, its not yet time. Go back to your room! The innkeeper shooed away the waiter. The waiter stared down the innkeeper for a long while before reluctantly leaving. Lu Yang noticed the waiter headed towards the third floor, where the rooms marked with heaven were located. (End of the chapter) Chapter 133: Corpse Movement is a Normal Phenomenon (TL Note: Extra free chapter because I forgot to upload it when scheduling and Im toozy to reschedule everything so congrats) When the two returned to their room, they encountered the two merchants from yesterday. The previously overbearing merchants were uncharacteristically friendly today, even inviting them to sit for a while. Lu Yang, not wanting to have too much contact, declined directly. After being refused, the merchants didnt seem annoyed and closed their room door. The sound of gongs rang out again, with the night watchman announcing, The hour of Hai has arrived. The regr footsteps returned, and the inns waiter with pitch-ck eyes wandered the hallway. The waiter gently knocked on the opposite rooms door: Dear guest, are you there? Please open the door. Just when they thought it would be likest night, with the merchants resolutely not opening the door and the waiters knocking growing louder to a deafening level, Creak The opposite door was opened.One of the merchants, shocked by hispanions action, eximed: What, what are you doing! Why would you open the door! Hurry up, close the door! Dont drag me down with you if you want to die! Why cant the door be closed! Although there were supposedly two merchants, from beginning to end, only one was speaking. The other didnt make a sound, which was very eerie. Dont, donte any closer, ah A blood-curdling scream came from the opposite room, followed by silence. What happened? The merchants arent foolish, why would they willingly open the door? Meng Jingzhou felt a chill in his heart. Lu Yang pondered for a moment, considering a possibility: Do you remember the person killed by the enforcers this morning, how he came back to life looking no different from a living person? The rules mentioned, It is normal for corpses to move, but they never said anything about corpsesing back to life! Was the person who came back to life this morning really still himself? Meng Jingzhous eyes widened: Are you saying one of the merchants died, but thepanion didnt realize it? Lu Yang nodded: Exactly. Meng Jingzhou felt a shiver down his spine, thinking they had seen many people in the streets today, assuming not many had fallen victim. It now seemed that the streets during the day might be filled with the living dead! Loud knocking resumed, this time at Lu Yangs and Meng Jingzhous door. Help, save me! The waiter is trying to kill me! Open the door, quickly! Please, have mercy, save me. I can give you gold, spirit stones, even the location of secret realms! Dont kill me Then came the sound of an axe cutting into flesh, hitting bone, apanied by the merchants screams. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou exchanged nces, both deciding not to open the door. The room across had just been silent, and now someone was crying for help againsomething was off, bizarre, and strange. Moreover, Lu Yang learned from Evesting Fairy that the two merchants were not good people; there was no need to save them. The merchants voice vanished, reced again by the waiters gentle knocking: Dear guests, are you there? Please, open the door. Dear guests, are you there? Please, open the door! Im telling you two to open the door! Open the damn door for me! Like the previous night, the knocking grew louder, audible throughout the inn. Whether it was the quality of the door or restrictions set by the rules, the waiter did not seed in breaking it down. Lu Yang heard the waiter ascending the stairs, likely heading directly back to the rooms marked with heaven. No monsters appeared outside the window that night, ensuring their safety. The next day, upon leaving the inn at the hour of Si, Lu Yang noticed the door opposite theirs had turned from brown to ck. The two merchants emerged from the room, cheerfully greeting Lu Yang. Rule 16: Do not speak or eat anything after entering a ck door Lu Yangs gaze sharpened; the two merchants were no longer bound by the regr rules. Meng Jingzhou couldnt help but ask, Who was crying for helpst night? The two merchants appeared confused, their expressions seemingly genuine, Crying for help? Who cried for help? Unable to gauge the merchants situation and unwilling to delve deeper, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou quickly left. During the day, the two followed the enforcers from a distance, discovering that the enforcers only ate once a day, and it had to be meat buns. Meng Jingzhou once stole a meat bun and found that besides meat, there appeared to be nails and hair inside. After eating, the enforcers would walk through the streets, herding the crowd like ducks. The unfortunate ones who inadvertently turned their heads would instantly die and thene back to life. Did you notice? The enforcers roamed around the town but never went near the private school! Lu Yang spread out a map they had drawn while exploring the town yesterday, marking the crash site, the inn, the private school, the tailors shop, the apothecary, and the official residence. The drawing was rough, but the good news was they could understand their own work. It seems their rules are not uniform, not irond! Meng Jingzhouughed, noting this as good news, depending on how they could use this information. Walking on the street, they noticed through paper windows that there were figures moving inside the thatched cottages. The rules demanded Rule 3: You must leave the thatched cottages and inns by the Si hour (9am-11am), and cannot return until before the Xu hour (7pm-9pm), so what could be inside the cottages? It seems there are many rules of this town we are not aware of. Different identities require adherence to different rules, making Lu Yang think the ancient Unity Stages had too much free time. Fairy, can you see whats happening outside? Hows my master doing in the fight? Evesting Fairy marveled, Your master has a profound understanding of swordsmanship. Facing four opponents alone, hes not at a disadvantage. Lu Yang nodded, reassured. Returning to the inn, Lu Yang wrote a line on a piece of paper and handed it to the innkeeper: Are you from outside? Meng Jingzhou, understanding Lu Yangs intent, knew the rules stated locals couldnt reveal anything about the town to outsiders, but the innkeeper could, indicating he wasnt a local. The innkeeper was surprised by Lu Yangs question and wrote back a Yes. Lu Yang wrote: Ordinary person or cultivator? The innkeeper wrote: Qi Cultivation Level 9. Lu Yang wrote: How did you be the innkeeper? The innkeeper wrote: I cant say. Lu Yang wrote: Do you have to follow different rules from us? What are they? The innkeeper wrote: I follow the Commoner Town Inn Rules, I cant tell you the specifics. Lu Yang then wrote: Do you want to leave? The innkeepers hand trembled: Yes. Lu Yang took out his identity jade card: We are disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect, who stumbled into this ce and also wish to leave. Knowing they were Dao Seeking Sect disciples, the innkeeper became more agitated and wrote with trembling hands: What do you need? Lu Yang wrote: Take off your white clothes. The innkeeper was taken aback by Lu Yangs request, not expecting this. His rules stated Within the rules, fulfill the guests requests as much as possible, except those against ethics, and did not mention not taking off clothes. The innkeeper took off his white clothes and handed them to Lu Yang. Lu Yang kept the clothes and returned to their room with Meng Jingzhou. After two days of knocking, its our turn today! Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhouughed coldly. (End of the chapter) Chapter 134: Reversal of Roles As the hour of Hai arrived, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were the only guests left in the inn. The waiter, holding an axe with fresh blood still dripping from it, descended from the third floor. Whose blood it was remained unknown. A smile crept across his lips. Despite being forced into the town and to abide by its rules, these restrictions provided an opportunity, a chance to unleash his true nature. He had forgotten how long he had been in Commoner Town, and he lost count of how many he had killed. These two had been lucky. Commoner Town was full of pitfalls, yet they had managed to avoid falling into any traps and survived until now. Previous guests werent so fortunate; unfamiliar with the ce and dismissive of the rules, they quickly met their demise. There are ten rooms in the ground-floor section, and nine turning ck is proof of their fate, not to mention those foolish enough to stay in the rooms marked with heaven on the third floor. The luck of the new arrivals was about to run out. He decided to knock on their door all night, until the morning. Even if he couldnt kill them, he wanted to torment them. Strange, why is the light off in Ground Room Four tonight?The waiter quickly understood the reason and sneered, Thinking this will make me spare you is naive. He adjusted his tone and gently knocked on the wooden door, Dear guests, lets open the door, perhaps theres been some misunderstanding. He paused and then continued in an even more steady and reliable voice, Dear guests, lets open the door, perhaps theres been some misunderstanding. As always, there was no response. Suddenly, a hand emerged from nowhere, grabbing his ankle. Whos there! He looked down sharply, only to discover that, unbeknownst to him, a dog p had appeared at the bottom of the wall of Ground Room Four, extending a pale hand that firmly gripped his ankle. The hands strength was surprisingly strong, pulling him down with a force he couldnt resist. ng The waiter fell to the ground, and his axe slid away. He desperately crawled, trying to break free, but the grip was beyond his imagination, unbreakable! He was ustomed to dragging others; never had he been dragged himself! He sensed impending doom, a ludicrous notion! After all, he was the hunter, and the guests were the prey! No, this could indeed happen! the waiter recalled the second rule. Rule 2: From the hours of Hai (9pm-11pm) to Chen (7am-9am), thatched cottages and inn rooms with doors closed are absolutely safe. Everywhere else is dangerous Ground Room Four was still closed, making it an absolutely safe ce for the guests. If he were dragged inside, his fate would be dire! The waiter wed at the floor with his fingertips, like prey half-swallowed by a python, trying to escape his fate. He screamed desperately, Help! Help me! Save me! His cries were heartfelt. Unfortunately, no one came to his rescue. There wasnt a rule in the Commoner Town Inn Rules about saving the waiter. When most of his body was dragged inside, he pressed his hands against the walls on both sides and, with a sudden burst of strength, broke free from the grip. The waiter didnt bother to pick up his axe and limped back to the rooms marked with heaven. He got away? Meng Jingzhou felt somewhat helpless. The waiters strength was surprisingly formidable; even crushing his ankle didnt stop him. They had decided that today they would resolve the annoying waiter, tired of being disturbed by his pointless knocking every night. Hadnt he heard? When had the two of them, dignitaries of the demonic sect, ever tolerated such treatment?! After two days of observation, they had grasped the rules of the inn and quickly devised a n. Lu Yang, using the Qingfeng Sword and following the waiters physique, dug a hole beneath the wall. Utilizing the rule rooms with closed doors are safe, they ensured that pulling the waiter in wouldnt lead to any harm to them, maintaining control over the situation. Theres fun in lively prey! Lu Yangs lips curled into a cruel smile, his terrifying voice echoing in the room. Two dark figures emerged from Room Four, one wielding a sword, the other empty-handed, thetter picking up the dropped axe. The tip of the sword scraped against the ground, making an irregr sizzling sound, while the dripping blood from the axe tapped rhythmically. The shadowy figures, armed with blood-stained weapons, roamed the inn. The second floor nothing. Then it must be on the third. There were four rooms on the third floor, all marked as heaven rooms. The sword-bearing shadow knocked on a door, voice gentle, We heard theres free dinner here, were hungry and would like to eat. Please, open the door. Seeing no response from Room One, Lu Yang grew impatient, knocking harder, Open up! We want to eat! What kind of service is this! Theres been a misunderstanding between us, open up, lets have a proper chat! Open up! Hurry, or Ill break down the door! The knocking was so loud it could be heard throughout the inn. Lu Yang kicked open the door to Room One to find it empty. He tried to enter but was repelled by an unseen force. Rule 5: Do not enter rooms marked with the character for heaven The waiter, hiding in one of the rooms, trembled at the noise next door. Dont be scared, the rules say Do not enter rooms marked with the character for heaven, they cante in, they cante in. The waiter muttered to himself,cking confidence. Rooms Two and Three were also kicked open by Lu Yang, but the waiter was nowhere to be found. That leaves Room Four! Without a second thought, Lu Yang kicked the door open and indeed found the waiter curled up in the darkness. Come out! Ill spare your life! Meng Jingzhou threatened with a menacing tone. The waiter, seeing Meng Jingzhou bluffing, rxed andughed loudly, Ha! As expected, you too must follow the rules! Only he could decide who enters and who doesnt in the rooms marked with heaven. Moreover, he had an absolute advantage in these rooms; no one could harm him! Just as the waiter was contemting whether to drag them in, Lu Yang nonchntly produced a wooden que. The waiters face turned to sheer terror upon seeing it. The que read: Room Four. Anticipating such a scenario, Lu Yang had switched the door te of Room Three with Room Fours, turning Room Threes ck door brown, effectively making it Room Four. This method worked. Lu Yang swapped the door te of Room Four with Room Four, removing the barrier, allowing direct entry. One with a sword, the other with an axe, both wearing terrifying smiles. Under the waiters horrified gaze, they entered the room, thoughtfully closing the door behind them. Now this ce was Room Four, apletely safe area for them. Lu Yang kicked the waiter down, cutting his tendons to prevent escape. Meng Jingzhou gave him a couple of hard ps as a fee for scaring people. Then, they changed him into white clothes. Speak, what do you know! Rule 17: Do not easily believe the words of strangers, but people in white clothes always tell the truth (End of the chapter) Chapter 135: The Pharmacy How many dangerous people are in the inn? Lu Yang first sought to ascertain the source of threat in the inn, whether it was just the waiter. The waiter in white clothes trembled as he extended two fingers, Tw-two. Who? You two. Meng Jingzhou advanced with a kick: Keep it straight! The waiter, helpless, confessed that in his white clothes he could not lie; indeed, the two of them were the most dangerous in the inn. Lu Yang rephrased his question: To ordinary people, how many dangerous individuals are in the inn? Just me, the waiter truthfully answered. Who is stronger, you or the innkeeper?I am stronger, but we must follow different rules. He can naturally suppress me. Is your strength the same in the rooms marked with heaven as it is elsewhere? No, based on the rules, my strength in the rooms marked with heaven is greater. Are there others like you who have different strengths in different ces? Yes, for example, the entities in the thatched cottages during the day. They are strong within the cottages and can freely move between them, but once they leave, their strength bes no different from that of ordinary people, and they lose their ability to move through spaces. However, I dont know exactly what those entities are. Anything else, like the enforcers in ck or the private school teacher in grey, do they have enhanced strength? No, but they were cultivators to begin with, so they are much stronger than ordinary people. Whats the rtionship between the enforcers and the private school teacher? I guess its not good, there might bepetition. Like me and the enforcers, we need to kill a certain number of people to leave the town. Im not sure about the specifics on the private school teachers side, but the requirements are probably the same. Do you know where the town chief is? I heard hes in the official residence, but Ive never seen hime out. How can the town chief be killed? I dont know. What are the town chiefs powers and abilities? I dont know. Where is the ancestral hall? The ancestral hall cannot be found during the day; it only appears at the hour of Hai. The waiter answered all questions, appearing quite honest. The information provided by the waiter aligned with what Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had spected, with little discrepancy. Having no further questions, Lu Yang acted, removing the waiters white clothes before piercing his body with a sword, ending his life. As helmsmen of a demonic sect, they believed in leaving no survivors. Lucky you took it off earlier, or the white clothes would have been stained, Meng Jingzhou stretched, Finally, we can have a peaceful sleep. Lu Yang felt simrly, content with the nights achievements and d for the absence of annoying knocking. They searched the waiter and found the inn rules, but having already deciphered them, this was of little use. Our rules disappeared after one reading, and if not for our good memory, we wouldve forgotten them by now. They can keep a copy of the rules to ensure they remember correctly; it seems the waiter and his kind are treated quite differently from us. On the third day at the hour of Si, the night watchmans call woke them up, and they yawned, feeling refreshed from a good sleep. The innkeeper, hearing themotion and the waiters cries for helpst night, decided to check on him in the morning. Seeing the waiters gruesome death, he remained silent for a long while. Are these two really from the righteous path? Leaving the inn, Lu Yang left a note for the innkeeper: The white clothes worked well, well borrow them for another two days. Lu Yang did not notice the innkeepers gaze filled with a trace of terror. And that note, its tone, why did it sound so much like those domineering demon cultivators who refuse to pay their debts? That things pretty good, Ill borrow it for a bit, and Ill give it back once Im done with it kind of vibe. Must be my imagination? Clearly, the innkeeper knew very little about the Dao Seeking Sect. For low-level cultivators like him, most of what they know about such a colossal entity as the Dao Seeking Sectes from rumors. And rumors, most of the time, are unreliable. After leaving the inn, they found a pharmacy with a young apprentice in gray clothes greeting them warmly. What do you need, sirs? Did you hear a dog barking, or did you encounter a ck dog? If you heard barking, I have the right medicine for you. The apprentice brought over a pot of bubbling red medicine, This is made from cinnabar grass ground into powder and boiled for ten hours. After drinking this medicine, you will feel temporarily drowsy. Sleep it off, and the effect of the dog barking will be gone. If you encountered a ck dog, then you must follow me quickly; otherwise, youll soon be assimted by the ck dog. Theres a well in the back of the pharmacy. You need to draw water from it yourself. As long as you drink the water you draw, you wont be assimted by the ck dog. Meng Jingzhou wanted to say they were looking for the owner but was stopped by Lu Yang. Meng Jingzhou understood Lu Yangs intent; there was no need to exin to the pharmacy apprentice, who is a stranger, and likely speaking falsehoods. They satfortably, letting the apprentice show his anxiety and concern for them without saying a word. About half an hourter, the apprentice went into the backyard, and the pharmacy owner in white clothes appeared. Did you encounter any trouble, or do you have any questions? The pharmacy owner, an old man with a kind face, seemed trustworthy enough to share ones troubles with. They remembered the rules, which stated they should not speak with the pharmacy owner. Lu Yang handed the owner a note: We heard a dog barking, what should we do? Youll need two qian of Tongming grass, moisten with saliva, crush it, and use the pulp to plug your ears. Plug them for a quarter of an hour to negate the effect. Lu Yang wrote again: Well take four qian of Tongming grass. Also, what if we encounter a ck dog? Encountering a ck dog is troublesome. Those who see a ck dog will involuntarily start barking. Once they bark, theyll be assimted by the ck dog. Theres a solution, though. Sew your mouth shut with needle and thread, leaving no gaps, for half an hour. During this time, do not make any sound, and you wont be assimted by the ck dog. Lu Yang listened carefully, then wrote: How do we leave the town? Leaving the town, thats even more troublesome. I even think its impossible. Theres a temple in the town with a half-naked Buddha statue blindfolded. Take the statue out of the temple, smash it, and a passage to the outside world will appear. However, theres a bone-disintegrating wind in the passage. The wind enters through the seven orifices and exits the same way. Between entering and exiting, the flesh dissolves, leaving only a skeleton. Death is certain, and no one can resist. This is the only way to leave the town. Their hearts sank at such rules, clearly designed to prevent anyone from leaving. Thinking about it, the ancient Unity Stage cultivators hidden here would definitely not allow their presence to be exposed. (End of the chapter) Chapter 136: No Way to Clear the Level? The owner of the pharmacy continued slowly, This ce was arranged by several Unity Stage cultivators, who established the rules. The formation has both life and death gates, and as heaven leaves a sliver of hope, the rules set here must have a way out. But the Unity Stage cultivators didnt really want anyone to leave, so they set up this seemingly nonsensical rule. It serves their interests, while also adhering to the principle of leaving a sliver of hope. Lu Yang, suppressing the urge to curse, continued writing: Then how do we kill the town chief? The pharmacy owner said, Its impossible to kill him; the town chief is immortal. How do you n to kill him? Meng Jingzhou clenched his fists, cursing the group of Unity Stage cultivators who set up the rules in his heart. It would have been better not to set up the twenty-first rule at all; whats the difference between having it and not having it?! Lu Yangs expression was also not good, but he remained calm, knowing that swearing wouldnt solve the problem, and continued writing: Where is the town chief? The pharmacy owner chuckled, Do you really think about killing the town chief? Unfortunately, I do not know his whereabouts, but you can ask the enforcers, as they are closest to the town chief. As for whether theyll tell you, thats not my concern.Before leaving, the pharmacy owner called out, Seeing that you truly wish to leave this ce, let me remind you that the town chief knows everything that happens in the town. Its his ability, so be careful. Meng Jingzhou wanted to politely thank him, but remembering he couldnt speak to the pharmacy owner, he could only nod to acknowledge. Lu Yang was indifferent from beginning to end. Do you think what the pharmacy owner said is all true? Meng Jingzhou quietly asked. Lu Yang didnt answer, and only after they had walked a distance from the pharmacy, he sneered, Given the rules, what he said is naturally true, but it doesnt necessarily mean hes on our side. Do you know the biggest difference between him and the innkeeper? What? The pharmacy owner tried every means to make us speak. Meng Jingzhou was shocked, realizing that when theymunicated with the innkeeper, both parties used text, but whenmunicating with the pharmacy owner, it was always them writing and the pharmacy owner speaking. One party speaks, and the other party, without being careful, might respond with their voice. Cunning old fox. Meng Jingzhou muttered under his breath, then felt something was wrong, If he wanted to harm us, why would he still remind us that the town chief knows everything happening in the town? Lu Yang didnt even think before saying, Seeing that we are trying every possible means to leave, and he cant stop us, he then tells us important information, letting us know that the town chief is unbeatable. This could lead to two oues, either giving up on leaving or creating chaos within our ranks, leading to our own defeat. Meng Jingzhou clicked his tongue, feeling troubled, The biggest problem now is that the town chief knows what we are up to. Even if we figure out a way to leave, the town chief can stop us! How do we manage to sneak away under the town chiefs watchful eye? Lu Yang pondered for a moment, then suddenly had a sh of inspiration. He took out paper and pen, writing: We use text formunication, maybe it could reduce the town chiefs attention on us. Meng Jingzhou nodded. Lu Yang continued writing: Do you remember the jade pendants our sect gave us? Each pendant is a symbol of identity. Once a pendant is shattered, the sect will send someone to check on us. The pendants are too hard for us to crush, but we can throw them at the exit, where the wind will shatter them. Meng Jingzhous eyes lit up, realizing it was indeed a good n. Meng Jingzhou also wrote: Then how do we deal with the town chief? Lu Yang wrote: To understand the town chiefs behavior, we need to start with the enforcers. The two scribbled on paper, formting a detailed n, then burned the written paperpletely, acting as if nothing had happened. As Lu Yang walked, he approached the private school nearby. As always, there were sounds of reading, but ording to Evesting Fairy, these were actually barking sounds, which, under the influence of the rules, turned into reading sounds. If someone couldnt suppress their curiosity and wanted to enter the private school, the reading sounds would turn into barking, and something bad would happen. The private school teacher approached Lu Yang, continuing to persuade him to enter the private school. Lu Yang looked down, pretending not to hear. The private school teacher was eloquent, saying endlessly, My friend, we meet again. Youvee alone, which means youve had a falling out with yourpanion. This shows you still believe what I said. Dont believe what the rules say, nine truths and one lie, you cant tell them apart Just as the private school teacher wanted to surprise attack Lu Yang, suddenly, as Lu Yang, who was bending over and bowing his head, looked up, everything went dark, and he didnt know what happened. The private school teachers attention was all on Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhou sneaked up behind him and bagged him with a sack. Both were eager to avenge theirst scare by the private school teacher, not afraid of his gaze now, they had to get revenge! The demonic sect often harbored vindictive individuals, and this trait was evident in both Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Hit him! The two punched and kicked the private school teacher mercilessly. The private school teacher had never encountered such a situation before, howling continuously, Stop hitting me, stop hitting me! [Rule 9: The one wearing a gray robe is the private school teacher. If you encounter the private school teacher, no matter what he says, you need to pretend you didnt hear.] Both were the kind-hearted type who would stop when the other party begged for mercy, but due to the rules, they had to pretend not to hear whatever the private school teacher said. They had no choice but to continue hitting him. Finally, the two sighed in relief, feeling satisfied after beating him up. Before leaving, Meng Jingzhou spat, Pah, scum, dont let me see you again. The two returned to the inn, arm in arm. The private school teacher broke free from the sack and watched their retreating figures with a fierce gaze. Dont let me see you again! On the fourth day, at the time of si, the two went down to the restaurant on the ground floor, the only ce in town with meat buns. Rule 11: All food in the town is provided for free; you may take it yourself, but do not eat the meat buns Considering that meat buns were free, even if they couldnt eat them, they decided to take them all, using the same sack they had used for the private school teacher the day before. When the enforcers in ck clothes came to the restaurant as usual, they found not a single meat bun left. Who did this! the enforcers raged. ording to theCommoner Town Enforcers Rule, they could only eat meat buns every day, so what were they supposed to eat now?! Boss, look at those two, are they carrying our meat buns? An enforcer with a keen sense of smell caught the scent. Seeing the enforcers looking at them, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou knew they had been found out and hurriedly ran away. What was initially suspicion now became certainty: Its definitely them, chase! The townspeople of Commoner Town found that the usually quiet town was unusually noisy today. You two bastards, stop right there! As Lu Yang ran, he responded, Cant do that, rule number twelve saysBe wary of officials; individuals in ck clothes are officials. If encountered, run away immediately, and do not turn your head, regardless of what they call out, Im just following the rules, dont make it hard for us. The yamen leader was furious, The damn rules didnt say to take away the meat buns! Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous legs moved incredibly fast, and the enforcers couldnt catch up with them. (End of the chapter) Chapter 137: The Outwitted Officers Research from Pellet Cauldron Peak shows that long-term consumption of meat buns can cause nutritional imbnces and poor physical development. To improve the diet of the officers, the kind-hearted Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou decided to do something about it. In the morning, the diligent Master Lu and Master Meng decided to take away all the meat buns, forcing them to eat vegetarian food for bnced nutrition, and urged the officers to exercise more, run regrly, and keep their muscles and bones active. The officers dly epted the advice of the two experts and expressed their determination to follow the experts closely, hoping to catch up with them soon to thank them in person. The two experts were not just talkers; they proved the feasibility of their health theory by running themselves. The officers were deeply moved and began to exercise by running, whichsted the whole morning. Feeling that the advice of the experts was spot-on, they freely promoted the reputation of the two experts, and soon, the entire town heard the officers shouting. Stand still if you dare! You two scoundrels, I promise not to kill you! What are you taking the meat buns for if youre not eating them!The officers were furious, chasing after Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou relentlessly. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou dared not let the officers catch up, so they ran off, leaving the officers to eat their dust. As they ran, Lu Yang said, The rules really didnt lie, look how dangerous these officers are, chasing after us for no reason, we cant let them catch us. Meng Jingzhou agreed, Exactly, luckily we are at the Foundation Building stage, if it were someone else, they would have been caught long ago. The officers tried to take a detour to block them, but the two were already familiar with the towns map and couldnt be stopped. The two led the officers on a chase from morning until nightfall, and by the end, the officers were clearly unable to run anymore, each of them gasping for breath and staggering. By the time of the Hai hour, the two returned to the inn with the meat buns, as the officers red at them fiercely, unwillingly returning to the government office. ording to the Commoner Town Enforcers Rulethey must stay at the government office from the Hai hour to the Chen hour. The two felt a bit regretful; they had made a lot of preparations in the inn, thinking it would be a surprise for the officers if they could enter the inn. Unfortunately, it was not to be. On the fifth day at the time of Si, the usuallyzy officers arrived at the diner on time. In the past, they would be a quarter of an hourte, appearing suddenly when the ce was crowded to scare people, and if lucky, they could even break necks. This time, in order to eat meat buns, they changed their habit. After running all day yesterday without getting any meat buns, they were starving. They came early this time, before those two miscreants could tamper with anything, to eat their fill. Halfway through their meal, they saw Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou slowlying out of the inn. Dare to show up in front of us! The officers, remembering what happened yesterday, were furious and determined to catch the two. Lu Yang, unhurried, said, I advise you not to chase me, or terrible things will happen. Who are you trying to scare! The head officer obviously didnt believe Lu Yang, thinking it was a bluff. There are only twenty-one rules in Commoner Town; the situation Lu Yang mentioned could not happen. Charge! Seeing them ignore the warning, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou sighed, turned around, and ran. The officers hadnt run far when someone began to roll on the ground, clutching their stomach, sweating from the forehead in pain: My abdomen hurts so much! Like a chain reaction, one after another began to scream in pain, even the head officer couldnt bear it, curled up on the ground to lessen the pain, unable to stand up. The meat buns are poisoned The head officer red at Lu Yang, convinced that they had been poisoned by them. Lu Yang sauntered over: I told you not to chase us, but you wouldnt listen, and now youre suffering, arent you? Where did you get the poison! The head officer couldnt understand, as it was impossible for the pharmacy owner to provide Lu Yang with poison. Where did Lu Yang get the poison? Lu Yang squatted down, patted the head officer on the head, and said affectionately, Remember, you shouldnt exercise vigorously after eating, or you might get appendicitis. Read more books, and dont think everything is poison. We are from a reputable sect, how could we poison you? As one of the five major immortal sects, Dao Seeking Sect conducts itself with integrity and would never stoop to poisoning, an act considered beneath them. At least, no living enemy has ever encountered Dao Seeking Sect using poison. The officers were in agony with abdominal pain, rolling on the ground. Those who werent affected stood fearfully, not daring to act. In this way, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou confidently disappeared from the officers sight. What the two didnt notice was the gaze of the Commoner Town citizens on the roadside, filled with horror. Thank goodness these two are abiding by the regr rules. If they were wearing ck and became officers, would we still have a way to live? Indeed, they im to be from a reputable sect, but who knows? They might be undercover agents from a demonic cult infiltrated into the righteous path! The citizens of Commoner Town were relieved that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were on their side, otherwise, they feared they wouldnt survive three days. On the sixth day at the time of Si, the officers got smarter. They grabbed the meat buns without eating them and blocked the entrance to the inn. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had anticipated this and escaped by jumping out of the second-floor window. Chase them, dont let them get away! Two days of umted resentment reached a terrifying level. Remembering the pain from the day before, the officers wished they could tear them to pieces. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou became even more adept at running, unbeknownst to the officers, who ended up chasing them right into the territory of the private school. The private school teacher, grinding his teeth at the sight of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, called over the people who were reading in the school. Those reading in the school couldnt really be called human anymore; their bodies were covered with ck fur, and their mouths were elongated, with some so severe they were almost on all fours, barely a step away from bing ck dogs. Catch them! ordered the private school teacher. The officers, seeing this, were also enraged. How dare they try to steal their targets! The private school teacher tried to make eye contact with Lu Yang, but Lu Yang was prepared and pulled out a bronze mirror, holding it in front of his face. Better take a look at your own ugly face! In the mirror, the private school teacher saw his own skinless face and blood-red eyes, let out a wail, and underwent a transformation, quickly returning to the academy to sew his mouth shut. Without the private school teachersmand, the ck dog-people followed their previous orders and shed with the officers. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou took advantage of the chaos to grab an officer, attempting to strip off his clothes, but found they couldnt do so no matter what. They had to settle for searching the officer and found the Commoner Town Enforcers Rule. Just like the inns waitstaff, to avoid forgetting the rules, the officers always carried them. Having obtained what they wanted, the two made their escape. As for the officers, the two decided to respect their wishesif they wanted to fight, let them fight. (End of the chapter) Chapter 138: Calculations All Around Outside Commoner Town, five Unity Stage powerhouses engaged in battle, which had alreadysted for five days. Four ancient Unity Stage masters controlled their domains to prevent the aftermath of the battle from leaking out, while Daoist Non-Speaker unleashed fierce attacks within his domain. Damn, why did we have to encounter the most difficult type of cultivator to deal with C a sword cultivator! one of the Unity Stage frowned. Historically, sword cultivators have had the most powerful attacks. It was their first time dealing with a contemporary Unity Stage sword cultivator, and their luck couldnt have been worse. All four were in thete or peak stages of Unity, forming a formidable team that had never met its match within the Unity Stage. Yet, they found themselves at a disadvantage against Daoist Non-Speaker, risking defeat if they were not careful. This was partly because they were maintaining the rules of Commoner Town and had not fully awakened from their long slumber. Even so, it underscored the terror of Daoist Non-Speaker. Even in our era, Unity Stage sword cultivators were not of this level! Another Unity Stage spat out a mouthful of blood, his aura fluctuating as he had been carelessly struck by a sword and needed to concentrate to heal his injury. Fortunately, there are four of us, and only one of him. Prolongedbat is in our favor. After another ten days, I refuse to believe he can still be so vigorous! Is Commoner Town alright? If someone uses the rules to find a legitimate way to leave Commoner Town, we will be subject to bacsh. Daoist Non-Speaker, who was breaking through Commoner Towns rules with his sword energy, obviously did not fall within the legitimate category.Whats there to worry about? The fifth among us is the town chief. Even though hes in a possessed body, those two youngsters wouldnt be able to deal with him. Right. With the thought of the fifth being in Commoner Town, the four felt at ease and continued to fight Daoist Non-Speaker. Daoist Non-Speaker, hearing this, grew worried about Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. I told them to stay put in Commoner Town; they should be obedient, right? Thinking of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou in Commoner Town, Daoist Non-Speaker considered them good, obedient kids and continued fighting the four. Little Yun would surely be worried about leaving Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou behind. Given time, she woulde looking for him. One sword transforms into ten thousand! Daoist Non-Speaker shouted, intending to unleash his full power for a quick resolution, startling the four. The technique of transforming one sword into ten thousand was well-known in ancient times, and they were naturally aware of this move. Daoist Non-Speaker raised his arm high, and the golden sword energy shone like the sun. With a flick of the sword, ten thousand swords appeared, all seeming real and indistinguishable from the original. As the ten thousand swords descended like a mountain tsunami, their power was unimaginable. Be careful, hes making a desperate move! one of them warned. Daoist Non-Speaker changed his sword technique again: Unity of Man and Sword! Hepletely vanished, merging with the sword. With tens of thousands of swords present, the four had no way of determining which sword Daoist Non-Speaker had merged with, rendering them unable to find him. Frustrated to the point of wanting to spit blood, they had never heard of such a tactic for dying time! You call yourself a sword cultivator! Rules for the Commoner Town Constables Rule 1: Those wearing ck clothes are people of the official yamen, and once worn, the clothes cannot be taken off. (TL Note: Yamen is somewhat of abination of a police station and a court ofw, as they arrest and judge. I tranted it as Government Office previously but i think sticking to yamen is better.) Rule 2: You can call out to anyone at will, and the necks of those you call out to will be twisted. Rule 3: There are only fifty constables and one town chief in the official yamen. If you see anyone else, please ignore them. Rule 4: From the hour of hai (9-11pm) to the hour of chen (7-9am), you must stay in the official yamen. Rule 5: Your food is only meat buns. If you do not eat for three days, you will die. Rule 6: The town chief only has one head and two arms. Rule 7: If you feel dizzy, have blurred vision, or ck hair grows on your arms, and it does not return to normal within one hour, you may ignore Rule 4 and immediately go to the ancestral shrine. Rule 8: You will not see the town chief from the hour of hai to the hour of chen. If you do see him, firmly believe it is an illusion. Rule 9: If one hundred peoples necks are twisted because of you, you can choose to leave or not leave Commoner Town. After leaving Commoner Town, you will lose all memories of being there. Rule 10: Without viting the above rules, you must obey the orders of the town chief. Rule 11: In the center of the small town there is a 300-year-old catalpa tree. From the hour of hai to the hour of chen, the catalpa tree will be the ancestral shrine. Finally, we know the location of the ancestral shrine. Meng Jingzhou smiled, saying that originally they had nned to cause some trouble to find out the location of the ancestral shrine. Now, it had be much simpler; this was an unexpected joy. Lu Yang was focused on another matter. After all, they had gone through a lot of effort to obtain the Commoner Town Enforcers Rule specifically to learn the whereabouts of the town chief. Its a bit tricky, Lu Yang noted. The rules state that From the hour of hai (9-11pm) to the hour of chen (7-9am), you must stay in the official yamen. and You will not see the town chief from the hour of hai to the hour of chen. If you do see him, firmly believe it is an illusion.. This suggests that the town chief is not in the government office during the Hai to Chen hours. Not knowing the town chiefs location means they could potentially encounter the town chief while heading to the ancestral shrine. We cant face the town chief lightly; his abilities shouldnt be limited to just one, and the extent of his power is unclear. We need to try to bypass him. Suddenly, Lu Yang seemed to have realized something: Did you notice? From the Hai hour to the Chen hour, the town chief is not in the government office, and during this time, the thatched cottages and the inn are safe. That leaves only the streets as dangerous! Whats on the streets, only monsters! Its very possible that the town chief is the monster! Meng Jingzhou frowned: But look, the rules also say Rule 6: The town chief only has one head and two arms.. Does a monster look like that? Lu Yang nodded: Do you remember the shadow we saw outside the window on our first night? It was as tall as two floors, with an upper body resembling a humans, which doesnt conflict with the description in the rules. The rules dont describe what the lower body looks like! Meng Jingzhou made a decision: We wont return to the inn during the Hai hour; well stand next to the catalpa tree. As soon as it turns into the ancestral shrine, well rush in, smash the Buddha statue, throw the jade pendants in, and then split up to quickly return to the inn. Splitting up meant that even if one of them encountered the monster, the other would be safe, ensuring that at least one of them would remain safe. The monster might not dare to eat us. Our lives are connected to the soulmps. If we die, themps will go out, and people from our sect wille. These Unity Stages will surely die! Lu Yang seemed to be speaking to Meng Jingzhou, but in reality, he was addressing the all-knowing town chief. The two arrived at the catalpa tree in the center of the town, as time ticked away. The Hai hour has arrived Apanied by the night watchmans shouts and the gongs sound, the space around the catalpa tree began to distort, gradually transforming into an old wooden ancestral shrine. Outside the shrine was written Commoner Town Ancestral Shrine Rule. Both were extremely nervous, instinctively reaching for the jade pendants at their waists, their expressions changing dramatically. Our jade pendants are gone! they eximed simultaneously. At that moment, a dull voice emanated from within the shrine: Hehe, two naive children, if you could find the paper with the Commoner Town Enforcers Rule amidst the chaos, couldnt Imand the officers to steal your jade pendants during the confusion? Commoner Town Enforcers Rule 10: Without viting the above rules, you must obey the orders of the town chief. (End of the chapter) Chapter 139: Who is the real hunter? Damn, things are indeed not that simple! Lu Yang frowned. The town chief, or rather the monster in the ancestral hall, made their situation very dangerous. What should we do? Meng Jingzhousplexion was also poor, his brain rapidly working to find a solution. Lu Yang caught a glimpse of the rules posted at the entrance of the ancestral hall with the corner of his eye. Commoner Town Ancestral Shrine Rule Rule One: If you are wearing ck or white clothing and feel dizzy, have blurred vision, or grow ck hair on your arms, please enter the ancestral hall, worship the Buddha statue, and drink the water in front of the statue Rule Two: Inside the ancestral hall, the Buddha statue cannot be damaged Rule Three: There is a man-eating monster in the ancestral hall Rule Four: The ancestral hall is safeEnter the ancestral hall! Lu Yang made a quick decision and entered the ancestral hall. The third and fourth rules of the ancestral hall seemed contradictory, one of them must be false, but thats not actually the case. Based on Lu Yangs understanding of the rules over the past few days, the rules are all true, thus there must be a self-consistent exnation for these two rulesthe ancestral hall does have a monster, but the monster cannot eat people inside the hall. Therefore, entering the ancestral hall is the safest option! The two rushed into the ancestral hall and finally saw the town chiefs form, a type of monster they had never seen before. The town chief was half human, half beast, with a body as tall as a two-story building. The upper body was not much different from a humans, except for an extra eye on the forehead and a mouth that split to the ears, resembling a python. The lower half of the town chiefs body was like a tall horse, but a horse doesnt have eight feet, and especially not human feet. Lu Yang also noticed a thick tail behind the town chief, gently touching the ground and raising dust. However, the light in the ancestral hall was too dim to see clearly which demon race the tail belonged to. There were no ancestral tablets ced in the hall, and a half-naked, eye-covering Buddha statue was ced in the center, mboyant and eerie. In front of the statue were three bowls of clear water, presumably the water mentioned in the first rule of the ancestral hall that could cure the transformation into a ck dog. The town chief looked down, somewhat surprised at the two who had barged in: You two are indeed not simple, making such quick judgments. It seems correct for me to personally deal with you. Its hard work for the town chief toe out personally. Why dont you go back? Meng Jingzhou was as mouthy as ever. The town chief no longer spoke. He had noticed Lu Yang and his group when they crashed their vehicle, but since Daoist Non-Speaker had the highest cultivation level and had left the town, and these two were younger with lower cultivation levels, the town chief had not bothered with them. Later, the town chief realized they had used the rules to deal with the innkeeper and began to take the two seriously, realizing they seemed very adept at using the rules, posing a threat. The town chief wanted to deal with them, but they wouldnt be easily fooled, so he decided to use their n against them. He could know everything that happened in Commoner Town, and the twos escape n written on paper couldnt escape his three eyes. Geniuses often have the problem of arrogance, believing no one can outwit them. The town chief used this mentality, allowing them toe up with a way to leave, indulging them in mocking the yamen, until thest moment, stealing the jade pendant, and thwarting their n in the ancestral hall. The two were very cautious and would not leave the inn at night. The town chief deliberately showed a w to lure them out. Now, it was time to close the! Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous faces were very ugly. They were intelligent people and understood in an instant that all this was the town chiefs conspiracy. They had been careless! The town chief no longer spoke, and his tail moved as fast as lightning. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou hadnt reacted before being struck and stered against the wall. Fortunately, based on the rule that The ancestral hall is safe, they were not injured. Otherwise, just that one strike would have been enough to kill them on the spot! Their hearts sank. The gap in strength and speed between them was too great, and no method could bridge it. Not to mention the town chief was immortal; even if he could die, they could not harm him. The town chief knew he couldnt kill them inside the ancestral hall, so he simply pushed the two out! Outside the ancestral hall, he was invincible! The town chief charged at them with his huge body. Seeing the situation turning bad, without needing to discuss a strategy, they pped hands against each other, propelling each other away to dodge the town chiefs coordinated attack. You do have some skills, the town chief sneered, but he didnt take it seriously. Such small tricks could only be used once against him. Get behind him! Lu Yang shouted. The town chiefs body was toorge, making it difficult to turn around in the cramped ancestral hall. When the town chief turned around, he saw Meng Jingzhou lifting the Buddha statue and smashing it towards him. Inside the ancestral hall, the Buddha statue cannot be damaged An indestructible Buddha statue is the best weapon! Is this it? Facing the Buddha statue carved from a giant rock, the town chief was unmoved. He threw a punch at them, breaking the sound barrier, and creating a whirlwind in the narrow ancestral hall. What a tremendous force! As the fifth person of the Unity Stage, he chose to be the town chief not for fun. During his slumber, his body encountered problems, equivalent to physical death. After awakening, he only had his soul left. Topete for opportunities in the grand era, he took over the town chiefs body and used ancient cultivation methods to transform the town chiefs body into this form. Despite its ugly and bizarre appearance, as a cultivator, strength is everything. This form is his strongest state, which would surely make him stand out in the grand era! The punch was unstoppable. Lu Yang was directly blown away. He executed a standard tiger fist, imitating a tiger, and adjusted his body in time tond lightly, dissipating most of the force. Meng Jingzhou clung to the Buddha statue, ending up flying out of the ancestral hall with it. Dont let the Buddha statue hit the ground! If the statue breaks, youll die! Lu Yang shouted. Meng Jingzhou also realized the danger. What he was holding was not the hope to the outside world, but a talisman that could explode at any moment! Meng Jingzhou shouted, his muscles bulged, skin turned red, veins popped out, and he stomped his feet, using his arms to stabilize his body and the Buddha statue, preventing the statue from hitting the ground and being destroyed. Hurry back to the ancestral hall! Lu Yang shouted. Now that they were outside the ancestral hall, getting hit by the town chief meant death! Want toe in? The town chief sneered. The door of the ancestral hall was as tall as a two-story building, with the town chief perfectly blocking the entrance. With him there, these two little guys had no chance of entering the ancestral hall! Lets fight! Lu Yang charged towards the town chief, his steps agile, possibly slipping under the town chiefs body. How could the town chief not see Lu Yangs intention? He stepped forward with his front legs, aiming to crush this annoying fellow. But Lu Yang suddenly changed direction, causing the town chief to miss. I finally lured you out, Lu Yang revealed a sly smile. Seeing Lu Yangs smile, the town chief felt something was wrong. He suddenly looked up and saw Meng Jingzhou once again lifting the Buddha statue, throwing it at him! The Buddha statue shattered, and the chaotic passage to the outside world opened beneath the town chiefs feet. The passage, with bone-eroding fierce winds, blew towards the town chief, like thousands of knives cutting through the skin, ying flesh from bones, causing deep pain. The town chief screamed in agony. The town chief desperately tried to escape but was trapped by the chaotic passage, unable to leave. From the beginning of designing the passage, the ancient Unity Stagers had set it so that once someone stepped into the passage, death was certain, and no one could escape! Anyone trying to escape the town by breaking the Buddha statue only had death awaiting them! Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou on the side sneered: Entering the passage means certain death, and you are immortal. I really want to see whos rule is stronger, yours or the passages! From the beginning, they never intended to use the jade pendant to seek help from the Dao Seeking Sect. The jade pendant was just a decoy thrown to the town chief. (End of the chapter) Chapter 140: Talking about Possession in Front of Me, Yellow Bean? Rule 21 of Commoner TownIf you leave the town or kill the town chief, there is no need to abide by the rules of Commoner Town When the pharmacy owner exined the meaning of the twenty-first rule to Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, both of them thought of the same thing. Since its impossible to leave the town or kill the town chief, which of the two would be superior if they shed? Not knowing the answer, they decided to give it a try. Whether its the town chief leaving the town or killing the town chief, it would be advantageous for both of them. If the town chief leaves the town, Commoner Town would be their territory, and they could look for another way to leave, such as starting with the private teacher. Moreover, they didnt believe that the town chief leaving Commoner Town wouldnt shake the town in the slightest. If they could kill the town chief, that would be even better; they would directly clear the game. But getting the town chief to step into the pathway of leaving was not an easy task.They neither knew the location of the ancestral hall nor who the town chief was. No matter, stirring up trouble in Commoner Town would force the town chief to take action. Those who set the rules would not tolerate anyone breaking them, as it would be a direct p in the face, dering their rules full of loopholes. So, the two decided to exploit the rules to cause major disruptions in Commoner Town. Lu Yang first threw a smokescreen by fabricating the function of the jade pendant and deliberatelymunicated through paper, giving the impression that it was a secret method that shouldnt be revealed. Knowing that nothing in the town could escape the town chiefs eyes, how could Lu Yang possibly reveal or write down the method to clear the game? The town chief mocked Lu Yang and hispanion for their arrogance, not realizing he was also arrogant. He was sessfully deceived by Lu Yang, focusing all his attention on the jade pendant. Then, the two mocked the yamen three times, telling the town chief that his people were no match for them. If his subordinates were no match, the town chief would inevitably take matters into his own hands to deal with these two nuisances. The town chief thought that stealing the jade pendant would solve everything, waiting in the ancestral hall for them to fall into the trap, not realizing they had no intention of using the jade pendant. They wanted the town chief to appear in the ancestral hall. As for how Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou nned it, such a simple scheme didnt need discussion. What kind of helmsman of the demonic sect would he be if not cunning and full of tricks? Time returns to the present, at the entrance of the ancestral hall, the town chief is trapped in the bone-eroding gale. The Immortality Rule and Death Rule are battling, with his body constantly being damaged and restored, in so much pain he wished he could die on the spot. What the hell is this? Lu Yang observed the town chief, having never seen such a creature. This is beastification! Evesting Fairy spoke in Lu Yangs mind. Beastification? Lu Yang reviewed the knowledge of cultivation stored in his mind, finding no matching term. It seems to be a cultivation method from the ancient times, now lost. Evesting Fairy continued: During the ancient era, this cultivation method was popr for a while, using a human body to devour a demonic body. This way, one could have the advantages of both humans and demons, quite powerful. However, this method has a significant w: its impossible to be immortal. To be immortal, one needs a pure body. A body thats both human and demon cant condense the ariya-ph. Later, it gradually fell out of practice. Could the opponent be someone from the ancient era? Lu Yang wondered. Unlikely. People from the ancient era were aware of the ws of this cultivation method. Its more probable that someone from ater era discovered this method, knowing only its advantages and not its ws. Its normal to think that the older and more lost something is, the better it is. However, ancient things are not necessarily powerful, and if something is lost, theres always a reason for it. It could be that no one could practice it, or no one wanted to. One must objectively view the problem. Evesting Fairy shrugged, such urrences weremon in ancient times. Like how a youth identally enters an ancient relic, obtains an ancient cultivation method, and thinks he will be invincible in the future, not realizing that its precisely because the cultivation method is too ancient and thus imperfect, leading to aplete blockage of advancement at the Nascent Soul Stage. The cultivation methods have changed through countless generations and imed many lives before forming aplete path from qi cultivation to bing an immortal. Evesting Fairy, with her vast knowledge, casually mentioned many now-forgotten pieces of knowledge. The town chief stared at them intently. Being able to cultivate to the Unity Stage, he was naturally not foolish. After falling into the trap, he immediately understood the duos n. But it was toote. Eventually, the Immortality Rule was defeated by the Death Rule, and the town chiefs body vanished into nothingness. This oue was just as the two had predicted. Daoist Non-Speaker had mentioned from the beginning that rules couldnt be too defying, such as there being no Absolutely Invincible or Absolutely Immortal rules. The town chiefs Immortality Rule was not absolute. Die? I am the True Immortal of Defying Heaven, indestructible for all eternity, my true spirit unbreakable. How could I perish here? A ck soul leapt from the town chiefs body, appearing somewhat different from him. The town chief was just a vessel for the True Immortal of Defying Heaven, not his true form. Technically, with the town chiefs physical body dead, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou should have cleared the level. However, the True Immortal of Defying Heaven couldnt stand this humiliation. A mighty Unity Stage being, who had lived for thousands of years and outwitted countless foes, was tricked by two mere Foundation Stage cultivators. He couldnt bear it! Even if it meant breaking the rules and damaging his soul, he was determined to kill these two pests today. Hmm, youre a Sword Spirit Root? Without the limitations of a physical body, the True Immortal of Defying Heaven was more perceptive. He noticed that one of them had a Single Spirit Root and the other a Sword Spirit Root, both of top-notch quality, far superior to the town chief. The Sword Spirit Root excels in attack. If he could possess a body with a Sword Spirit Root, coupled with his Defying Heaven Secret Method, he could surpass his original self, break through his limits, and possibly reach the Tribtion Crossing Stage! His Defying Heaven Secret Method could challenge immortals at the peak of the Tribtion Crossing Stage, an invincible existence. Even if a great era arrives, who could contend with him? It seems this is an opportunity given by the heavens!ughed the True Immortal of Defying Heaven, surprised by such a significant gain, like finding a vige after a long night. He saw Lu Yangs body as something already in his grasp. What waves could a Foundation Stage cultivator make in front of a Unity Stage? He turned into a wisp of gray fog, entering Lu Yangs mental space, preparing to possess him. Lu Yang looked at the True Immortal of Defying Heaven in disbelief, his face filled with horror: You, as a Unity Stage being, dare to not follow your own rules and attempt to possess me?! The True Immortal of Defying Heaven scoffed disdainfully at Lu Yang, seeing him as just a child, unaware of the worlds true nature: Before you die, let me tell you a truth so you can die in peace. Whoever has the strongest power is right; this is an unchanging truth throughout the ages. When youre not qualified to provoke a Unity Stage being, you should tuck your tail and behave! Lu Yang sighed: Wouldnt it be nice if everyone followed the rules andpeted fairly? Since youre unwilling to y by the rules, dont me me for flipping the table. He moved aside to reveal the person behind him, making a weing gesture: Fairy, its up to you now. Then, the True Immortal of Defying Heaven saw Evesting Fairy, who was sitting with her legs crossed. Evesting Fairy looked down on the True Immortal of Defying Heaven, her lips curling into a faint smile, mocking and disdainful: Young man, you dare to talk about possession in front of this immortal? Youve got guts. Huh? The True Immortal of Defying Heaven was filled with questions. Why were there two people in the mental world? And why did the other person im to be an immortal? For some reason, he had a feeling that a great disaster was about to befall him. (End of the chapter) Chapter 141: The Might of an Immortal Inside the mental space, Evesting Fairy, with her legs elegantly crossed, nced at the True Immortal of Defying Heaven without much care. Her eyes slightly closed, her expression rxed, she stretched out her slender fingers, admiring them, not taking the True Immortal of Defying Heaven seriously at all. Who are you?! the True Immortal of Defying Heaven demanded loudly, though deep down, he felt uneasy. The mental space was supposed to contain only Lu Yang; it was against all reason for there to be two people. Moreover, when he tried to probe the cultivation level of thisx woman, he found he couldnt see through it at all. This meant that at the very least, she was on the same level as him. Why would she choose to stay in the mental space of someone at the Foundation Stage? Evesting Fairy yawned with utter boredom, showing no intention of acknowledging the True Immortal of Defying Heaven. Enraged, the True Immortal of Defying Heaven, a fellow Unity Stage cultivator, could not ept being treated with such disdain. Since she wasnt even interested in talking, he decided to prove his point with action! The True Immortal of Defying Heaven condensed his spirit and energy into a domineering de. Standing firmly, he seemed like two dragons coiling around pirs, rooting deeply and transmitting power upwards. His soul body crackled like the opening of a valve of power, unleashing all his strength! He concentrated all his power into the domineering de, its de light blinding, impossible to look at directly!A colossal Bull Demon shadow filled the entire mental space, with red eyes and bulging muscles, an immense force, clearly a renowned demonic beast from ancient times! As the domineering de shed down, it felt as if the power of the seas and mountains were being brought down upon Evesting Fairy, a force so immense it seemed capable of obliterating everything in existence. This was the True Immortal of Defying Heavens signature move, capable of destroying any obstacle in his path! Bull Demon King de! The Bull Demon shadow moved as well, charging at Evesting Fairy. The True Immortal of Defying Heaven intended to crush her with relentless force, showing her the disparity between them and what it means to respect the strong! Facing the True Immortal of Defying Heavens full-force attack, Evesting Fairy didnt even bother to lift her eyelids, merely uttering two words lightly. Noisy. Spoken carelessly, without a trace of mundanity, yet they weighed heavily like mountains, pressing down on the True Immortal of Defying Heaven. The True Immortal of Defying Heaven felt an inexplicable divine force descending from the heavens, a force so brute and unreasonable, pressing down on him, leaving him with no possibility of resistance. Under the pressure of the word Noisy, the Bull Demon shadow dissipated, the domineering de forged from spirit and energy vanished, and all phenomena evaporated like mist. With a thud, the True Immortal of Defying Heaven fell to his knees, unable to even lift his fingers. He was terrified inside. The opponents powerpletely surpassed hisprehension; this was definitely not a force a Unity Stage could wield! Was it Tribtion Crossing, or perhaps an even higher level the True Immortal of Defying Heaven dared not continue the thought. He distinctly remembered, this person referred to herself as this immortal. The gap between Unity Stage and Tribtion Crossing Stage was an insurmountable chasm, impossible to bridge by any means, making the two realms as different as earth and sky, leaving the True Immortal of Defying Heaven powerless to resist. And the gap to even higher realms was beyond his imagination. Esteemed predecessor, there might have been some misunderstanding between us The True Immortal of Defying Heaven put on a ttering smile, trying his best to exin himself to Evesting Fairy. Being able to reach the Unity Stage in ancient times naturally meant one could be flexible. Finally, Evesting Fairy lifted her eyelids slightly, her gaze falling on the True Immortal of Defying Heaven kneeling in submission on the ground, her beautiful brows slightly furrowed. Who allowed you to look directly at this immortal? Another divine force pressed down on the True Immortal of Defying Heavens head, making him lose all will to resist. The True Immortal of Defying Heaven felt bitter inside. He originally thought Lu Yang was a reward from the heavens for himself, only to discover upon attempting possession that he was the reward given to Lu Yang by the heavens. Why was there such a powerful existence in the mental space of someone at the Foundation Stage? Now, this immortal allows you to exin the situation, Evesting Fairy said indifferently. The True Immortal of Defying Heaven dared not conceal anything, aware that some great beings have the ability to discern truth from lies. He didnt dare to gamble on whether the formidable figure before him possessed such a capability. My Daoist title is True Immortal of Defying Heaven. Outside Commoner Town, there are four Unity Stage beings like me. All five of us are contemporaries from the Great Yu Dynasty. We were all stuck at the Unity Stage due to limited talents, unable to make any progress toward the Tribtion Crossing Stage, which seemed unattainable for us. At that time, we heard a rumor, though its origin was unclear. The rumor imed that the spiritual essence of the world was dormant, making cultivation extremely difficult. However, in over a hundred thousand years, the spiritual essence would gradually awaken, heralding an era simr to the ancient prosperous times, where various opportunities for bing an immortal would emerge. Some said the rumor came from the royal pce, others said it was calcted by the national teacher, and still others imed it was an insight obtained by the Imperial Observatory from observing the sun. In short, there were various theories. The five of us decided that since we couldnt reach the Tribtion Crossing Stage anyway, instead of living leisurely in the Great Yu Dynasty, it would be better to seal ourselves with spirit stone marrow and wait quietly for the world to be vibrant again. Even if the rumor turned out to be false, we wouldnt lose much. Five Unity Stage beings would be a force to be reckoned with in any era or ce. The five of us awakened beneath Commoner Town and were pleasantly surprised to find that our stagnant cultivation levels showed signs of loosening. Indeed, the current era is more conducive to cultivation than our time. We still needed some time to fully awaken and didnt want to be discovered by the cultivators of this era, so we collectively established the rules of Commoner Town to recover our strength while gathering information. I was the most unfortunate. There was a problem with the spirit stone marrow that sealed me; my physical body died over time, but the spirit stone marrow only sealed my soul. After awakening, I possessed the person with the best talent nearby. My body was frail and prone to idents, so to protect myself, the five of us agreed that it would be most appropriate for me to be the town chief of Commoner Town. In this way, I became an undying existence, consuming mortals and wild beasts to elerate my cultivation and quickly master the Defying Heaven Secret Method. (TL Note: Undying and Evesting have subtle differences) The True Immortal of Defying Heaven confessed everything from below, not daring to lift his head and unaware of Evesting Fairys small gestures. Evesting Fairy winked at Lu Yang and excitedly wiggled her toes, meaning to say, See, I can be reliable too. You should respect me more from now on. Since her revival, Evesting Fairy had been constantly humbled, first suppressed by Eldest Senior Sister and then failing to showcase her strengths to Lu Yang. Now that she finally had a chance to prove herself, how could she not seize it? Lu Yang sighed silently. Immortal, how can I see you as reliable with this behavior? Evesting Fairy felt that Lu Yangs gaze didnt seem very respectful toward her. Pouting, she decided to ignore Lu Yang. After all, she believed she had already proven herself to be very reliable. (End of the chapter) Chapter 142: Successfully Leaving Commoner Town The Defying Heaven Secret Method? Evesting Fairy narrowed her eyes; she had never heard of a secret method with such an arrogant name before. Immortals are the pinnacle of the cultivation path, and its impossible to challenge them beyond ones level. If immortals could be defeated in reverse, what would be the point of bing one? Yes, yes, the True Immortal of Defying Heaven said submissively, offering the Defying Heaven Secret Method. His Daoist title also originated from this. When I was young, I stumbled upon a secret realm created by an ancient power. It was filled with countless heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and it was with these that I was able to cultivate to the Unity Stage. The True Immortal of Defying Heaven continued, The most precious thing in the secret realm was this Defying Heaven Secret Method. ording to the description in the book, immortals are the kings of all beings, possessing unmatched power. To defeat an immortal, one must take a different approach. The book mentions that if one couldbine the best traits of all beings the transformation abilities of the Kunpeng, the water control abilities of the dragon n, the fire control abilities of the phoenix n, the wisdom of humans having all these advantages, one could defy an immortal with mortal strength! Evesting Fairy flipped through the secret method and tossed it to Lu Yang, I thought it was something significant. All this fuss for beast transformation cultivation. Evesting Fairy had just introduced the beast transformation cultivation method, which had mixed bloodlines, making it impossible to be an immortal and was abandoned by the people of the ancient era. As for the supposed power to defy immortals mentioned in the secret method, Evesting Fairy scoffed even more. If it was as incredible as boasted, would it have been discarded?Does that mean everything said here is false? Lu Yang flipped through the contents, which were tooplex for him to understand at a nce. Evesting Fairy scratched her chin, I guess the person who created the beast transformation cultivation method couldnt ept its rejection. But back in ancient times, everyone knew what this cultivation method entailed and how unreliable it was; no one would be fooled. So, they just changed the cover, added a few prefaces, renamed it, and threw it into a cave heaven. Over time, as fewer people knew about the beast transformation method, they let some fool discover it, believe its contents, and thus, the beast transformation cultivation method was passed down. Evesting Fairy disdainfully said, Bluffing, who cant do that? I could even im I can beat Yun Zhi. Lu Yang suspected Evesting Fairy of being deliberately ck. She continued educating Lu Yang, Dont think everything written in some ancient tome is true. Back in our day, forgery was rampant; there were more fakes than real things. We even made up a whole celestial hierarchy system, iming that upon bing immortal, one ascends to the immortal realm, which has human immortals, earth immortals, celestial immortals, and so on, including the Five Directional Celestial Emperors. It was all very detailed. If youe across it, dont believe any of it; it was all just made up for fun. Lu Yang: Verifying what happened in ancient times is difficult enough without you guys fabricating things. Lu Yang felt pity for those old cultivators who loved researching the ancient era. They spent a lot of effort studying what happened back then, impressed by how magnificent the ancient era seemed, with levels above immortals, endless paths of cultivation, and thinking how much the present fell shortpared to the ancient times. To then find out it was all just made up for fun. Could the hearts of those old cultivators take it? Fortunately, so far, Lu Yang hadnt heard about the celestial hierarchy system; it probably disappeared in the river of time, luckily not poisoning future generations. The True Immortal of Defying Heaven shivered on the ground, listening to Evesting Fairys casual talk, feeling as if he had stumbled upon incredible secrets. With ancient events at her fingertips and her self-referential this immortal, there was no longer any need to doubt his luck. And this Foundation Stage kid, though of low realm, couldmunicate with an ancient immortal as equals. Could he also be an ancient immortal? Reincarnation or possession? The True Immortal of Defying Heaven wished he could p himself twice. What was he thinking with a name like Defying Heaven, blindly barging into the mental space. Was he tired of living? The True Immortal of Defying Heaven cautiously retreated. He felt the pressure lessening, indicating that Evesting Fairy was not focusing on him. He wanted to take the opportunity while the two were chatting to slip out of the mental space and escape. Then he discovered the mental space was as sealed as a coffin, impossible to escape. Evesting Fairy sneered. Lu Yangs mental space was essentially her home. How could one simplye and go from an immortals home as they please? Want to leave? Then leave your life behind. Evesting Fairy detested the True Immortal of Defying Heavens method of cultivation. At the dawn of the rules, countlessmoners died under them. And looking at the town chiefs physical body, it was the result of killing hundreds, if not thousands, of people. As an immortal of the human race, Evesting Fairy couldnt im to be grandiose or to have protected countless humans, but she could say she had never harmed anyone. It was time to kill. Evesting Fairy extended a finger. The True Immortal of Defying Heaven desperately moved his body, trying to dodge her finger, but no matter how he moved, he couldnt escape. It was an unavoidable finger! The finger touched his brow, and the True Immortal of Defying Heavens soul shattered. This person is difficult to deal with! Outside Commoner Town, the four Unity Stage cultivators found Daoist Non-Speaker challenging. They had finally identified the sword that merged with Daoist Non-Speaker from thousands, hoping for a fair fight. Yet, Daoist Non-Speaker once again executed his technique, merging with the sword and turning one into thousands. Was such a move repeatable?! If you dont show yourself, well go to Commoner Town and kill those two youngsters! one of the Unity Stage cultivators shouted in anger. This was not a threat; they were capable of such actions. Suddenly, thousands of swords formed arge sphere, tips pointing inward, enclosing the four. The swords struck at once, catching the four by surprise and causing them harm. Daoist Non-Speaker revealed his true form, holding his life-bound sword, staring intently at the four, I dare anyone to harm them! Confronted with Daoist Non-Speakers gaze, the four felt a chilling presence. Fighting a supreme sword cultivator to the death meant at least two of them would fall. One of them sneered, Bluffing. The town chief of Commoner Town is ourpanion. Do you really think those juniors can be safe just by following the rules? Once ourpanion uses those juniors as hostages, Id like to see what youll do. Will you risk the juniors lives to kill us, or will you drop your sword and let us kill you obediently? Daoist Non-Speaker clenched his teeth, gripping his sword handle tightly. If things turned out as they said, he was prepared to risk his lifespan and cultivation to kill the four before anything happened! As they stood off, a teleportation array appeared outside Commoner Town. The four Unity Stage cultivators were about to provoke Daoist Non-Speaker, iming his juniors had been captured, when their expressions drastically changed, and they spat out blood. How is it possible? Someone used the rules to leave Commoner Town?! Leaving Commoner Town through the rules meant they would suffer bacsh. The teleportation array vanished, and Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou sessfully left Commoner Town. Lu Yang, holding the town chiefs head, smiled and waved at the figures above, his provocative intent unmistakable. Pui The four Unity Stage cultivators spat blood again. (End of the chapter) Chapter 143: Lu Yang, Who Is Still in the Phase of Fantasy Including Daoist Non-Speaker, none of the five had anticipated that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou could sessfully leave the town. Not to mention the presence of a Unity Stage being stationed in Commoner Town, just the towns explicit and implicit rules are not something ordinary people could understand. Surviving in Commoner Town is already a difficult feat, let alone leaving. How did these two manage it? Daoist Non-Speaker didnt ponder further. Seizing the moment when the four Unity Stage beings were weakened from vomiting blood and their attention shifted to Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, he suddenly exerted his power. Surrounded by azure sword qi, light and flowing like a pool of clear water, his sword qi moved as agilely as a snake, tracing a beautiful curve in the air. Two heads flew horizontally. Evesting Fairy remarked, Your master is truly capable, enough topete with the top sword cultivators of our era. This sword strike has severed both the physical bodies and the souls,pletely killing two Unity Stage beings. Lu Yang was amazed. To take on four opponents alone and kill two unexpectedly, the master is indeed worthy of respect. Both Evesting Fairy and Daoist Non-Speakers initial appearances were rather poor, one being suppressed and the other locked in a cave for ten years, leading Lu Yang to subconsciously overlook their status.One is an ancient immortal, one of the five who became immortals during the chaotic ancient times, among the strongest five. The other is the sect leader of one of the five great immortal sects, who would be received with the highest courtesy by the emperor himself, the youngest and thetest to cultivate among the Dao Seeking Sects Nine, yet with the highestbat strength. Ordinary cultivators gaining even a slight connection with either would rise to great heights, enjoying a worry-free life. Yet, Lu Yang didnt feel this way at all. Is it really because Eldest Senior Sister is around? Lu Yang felt he had pinpointed the reason. Their initial debuts went poorly because of Eldest Senior Sister. Now that Eldest Senior Sister was not around, they finally had a chance to show their true capabilities. Daoist Non-Speaker, brimming with energy, seemed poised tounch another strike. The remaining two, sensing danger and not bothering to carry theirrades corpses, turned to flee. Daoist Non-Speaker did not pursue further. While he could indeedunch another strike, the two had their guards up and might withstand it. If they did, and then counterattacked, he himself wasnt afraid of another fight, but Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou couldnt withstand the aftermath of Unity Stage beings shing. Are you two alright? Daoist Non-Speaker hurried down to check on them and found that they were uninjured, seemingly having a good time in Commoner Town the past few days. Were fine. Both waved their hands, feeling the aura around them, and couldnt help but sigh. Sessfully leaving Commoner Town and being able to manipte spiritual power again felt great. In Commoner Town, where they couldnt use spells, their talents were somewhat restrained. Thats good, thats good. Daoist Non-Speaker breathed a sigh of relief, Its just that those two got away. Speaking of which, wasnt there a Unity Stage in Commoner Town? How did you deal with him? Daoist Non-Speaker looked at Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou curiously, thinking perhaps Little Yun gave Lu Yang a life-saving method, or the Meng family provided Meng Jingzhou with one. Trusting Daoist Non-Speaker, Lu Yang exined, Actually, I have an ancient immortal sealed within me. Usually, it guides my cultivation, and in critical moments, it can lend me power, making killing a Unity Stage not out of the question. Daoist Non-Speaker looked at Lu Yang with a sympathetic gaze, patting his head, then considering his age, he understood. Right, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old kid is still in the phase of fantasy. When he was sixteen, he too fantasized about having an ancient fierce beast sealed within him, which would loosen its seal if others angered him, leaking out the beasts energy and inadvertently harming innocents. In severe cases, it could lead to catastrophic destruction, so to keep the fierce beast sealed, he had to maintain a cold demeanor at all times. Who hasnt gone through that phase? An ancient immortal? In his two thousand years of life, Daoist Non-Speaker had never encountered an ancient immortal. And now, Lu Yang, this kid, was not only lucky enough to meet an ancient immortal, but this immortal was also residing within him? It must be a life-saving measure left for Lu Yang by Little Yun. Is the ancient immortal you mentioned an old man or a beauty? Daoist Non-Speaker asked. Thinking of Evesting Fairys appearance, who indeed was as stunning as Eldest Senior Sister when she was calm, Lu Yang said, A beauty. Daoist Non-Speaker thought to himself that it made sense. At this age, the immortals one fantasizes about are either old men or beauties, definitely not young men, middle-aged men, or old women. (TL Note: Its amon trope in cultivation novels for a strong and knowledgeable old grandpa carried around with the main character who guides him throughout his cultivation) He looked at Commoner Town, still enveloped by its rules, paused for a moment, and then said, Lets go to the nearby government office first and hand over the follow-up matters to them. There were too many civilians in Commoner Town. Although he was supremely skilled in cultivation, when it came to situations that couldnt be resolved by cultivation alone, it was best to leave them to the professionals. The matter of Commoner Town involved five ancient Unity Stage beings, which was beyond the jurisdiction of a county governor. Thus, Daoist Non-Speaker needed to find the regional inspector responsible for this state. The Great Xia Dynasty had divided the central continent into seventeen regions, also known as the seventeen states. Below the states were counties, and below the counties were towns. Knowing he was unfamiliar with the area, Daoist Non-Speaker went to the nearby county to inquire about their location and learned that they were in Qingzhou, part of the central continents western region. Wait, why are we in the western part of the continent? Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou looked at Daoist Non-Speaker suspiciously. Didnt they say they were flying south when they left the Dao Seeking Sect? Daoist Non-Speakerughed it off without exining too much, just telling the two to follow him. After asking around and locating their position, the trio finally found the inspector of Qingzhou. Upon hearing that the sect master of Dao Seeking Sect hade to visit, the inspector of Qingzhou immediately dropped all his duties to personally wee Daoist Non-Speaker. As the inspector of Qingzhou, controlling countless resources of the state and revered and ttered by many, he was still far inferior to Daoist Non-Speaker in terms of status and cultivation. Daoist Non-Speaker got straight to the point, exining the situation in Commoner Town. When it came to specific details, he let Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou fill in. Upon hearing what had happened in Commoner Town, the inspector of Qingzhou broke into a cold sweat. Thankfully, the sect master of Dao Seeking Sect had discovered and handled the situation promptly. Had those five ancient Unity Stage beings fully awakened and hidden somewhere in the dynasty, they could have destroyed several counties at any moment, killing countless people. The inspector of Qingzhou immediately decided to mobilize local Spirit Transformation Stage and Unity Stage enforcers, write to the stationed troops in Qingzhou and the imperial court, informing them that two ancient Unity Stage beings had awakened and escaped, and to remain vignt. As for reporting to the imperial court tomend Dao Seeking Sect, he couldnt spare the time just yet. He decided to address the civilians situation in Commoner Town first. Lu Yang noticed that the inspector of Qingzhou didnt mobilize any Void Refinement Stage cultivators. Daoist Non-Speaker exined, The Void Refinement Stage is a very special phase. Cultivators in this stage have very unstable strengths, fluctuating between high and low. At their peak, they can reach the pinnacle of the Unity Stage, but at their lowest, theyre only as strong as the Qi Cultivation Stage. Thus, Void Refinement Stage cultivators choose to stay in one ce, seldom taking action. And no one would easily provoke a Void Refinement Stage cultivator, after all, you never know what realm the opponent might reach in the next moment. (End of the chapter) Chapter 144: So You Were Restrained When I Was Around? The inspector of Qingzhou, leading the enforcers of Qingzhou in a grand procession to Commoner Town, threw down his inspectors seal, causing the rules enveloping the town to disintegrate into intangible fragments and gradually copse. This was not his own power, but the authority granted to him by the Great Xia Dynasty, allowing him to mobilize a small part of the power of humanity. The group of cultivators, not their first time handling such matters, easily dealt with the towns explicit and hidden rules. Whether it was not being able to make eye contact with the private tutor, the danger in the thatched cottages during the day, all became a joke. They captured the private tutor, dragged out the shadows hiding in the thatched cottages, checked how many were living corpses and how many were alive, researched if those transformed into ck dogs could be reverted everything was progressing in an orderly manner. Evesting Fairy had never seen such a scene before. In the ancient era, there was no concept of a nation, and the system built around ns did not have such clear division ofbor and organized structure. ording to Daoist Non-Speaker, this was just the power of one dynasty. If the dynasty were to unite with the five great immortal sects for a joint operation, they could easily overpower ancient cultivators. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou found the innkeeper who had been rescued. Seeing them, the innkeeper cried tears of joy, never expecting the two to actually solve the problem, and in such a short amount of time at that. He should not have doubted Lu Yang and the others were demon cultivators. The Qingzhou enforcers also discovered that the pharmacy owner was an undercover agent for the town chief, with evidence of countless harms done. Under the restrictions of the rules, what the pharmacy owner seemed to say truthfully, was actually all deceptive, misleading many.The pharmacy apprentice, the private tutor, the yamen officers, and the meat bun shop owner these people were all detained, waiting for the truth to be rified before deciding their fate. On-site, the inspector of Qingzhou wrote a memorial to report the matter to the court, but Daoist Non-Speaker stopped him, asking the inspector to omit the names of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, though the rewards due were still granted. Daoist Non-Speaker then took the two promising juniors to the most bustling restaurant in Qingzhou for a meal. Ha ha, its finally over! Although our trip encountered a little, minor hup, it was ultimately a small matter. After weve had our fill, Ill take you to experience the prosperity of the southern part of the continent. This time, with your Eldest Senior Sister not around, the three of us will let loose and have fun, dont worry, Ill cover for anything that happens! Daoist Non-Speakerughed heartily, with the aftermath being handled by the government, he had nothing more to do. Finally able to get out, he naturally wanted to let loose. Oh? So you were restrained when I was around? A cold voice made Daoist Non-Speakersughtere to an abrupt halt. Only then did Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou realize that the once bustling restaurant had quieted down, with only their table having anyughter. Now, all three of them stopped talking, and the entire restaurant was so quiet that even the sound of a needle dropping could be heard. The guests had long noticed when a stunningly beautiful woman entered the restaurant, drawing all eyes to her the moment she appeared. They were amazed by her beauty and aura, subconsciously shutting their mouths, not daring to breathe too loudly, fearing the woman would notice them. The woman chose a table and sat down quietly, watching the carefree master and disciples. No one could see that the woman was also holding two chains in her hands, binding two soul bodies. Finally, the woman spoke, and only then did the master and disciples notice her. Oh, its Little Yun,e, sit down and join us, Daoist Non-Speaker forced a smile. Eldest Senior Sister, hello, Lu Yang and the others greeted her respectfully. Daoist Non-Speaker looked surprised at the two chains in Yun Zhis hands, recognizing the bound individuals as the escaped Unity Stage beings. Little Yun, when did you find us? Since the first time you performed the sword technique that turns one sword into ten thousand and merged with the sword. Daoist Non-Speaker broke out in a cold sweat; that was a day ago, no wonder Little Yun was able to capture those two. He calmly thought about it, realizing he hadnt bad-mouthed Little Yun at all during the day. That was a relief. The two captured Unity Stage cultivators looked at Yun Zhi in horror. Just a gentle palm strike from afar had sent their souls flying. What kind of realm did this power belong to? Why did they keep running into such monsters?! What happened to the promised reemergence of ancient times andnds filled with opportunities? Where were the opportunities in thisnd filled with danger?! I was just worried that you, Master, might get lost and lead the two astray. I didnt expect you to have so much fun without me, Yun Zhi said evenly, her tone sending shivers down the trios spine. Meng Jingzhou was the quickest to react, pointing at Lu Yang: Its all Lu Yangs fault. I didnt want toe at all; it was Lu Yang who dragged me here. Lu Yang promptly pointed at Daoist Non-Speaker: Its all Masters fault. He said he needed to fulfill his responsibilities as a master by taking me out to see the world! Daoist Non-Speaker pointed at Meng Jingzhou: It was this kids grandfather who asked me to look after his grandson, thats why I took them out for some fun! Daoist Non-Speakers rich experience in causing trouble told him that ming someone not present was the wisest choice. Yun Zhis icy gaze swept over the three: Master, you continue to spread the glorious deeds of our Dao Seeking Sect outside. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, you twoe back with me. Yun Zhi was worried that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou would pick up their masters bad habits. Before taking the two away, Yun Zhi told Daoist Non-Speaker, On your way, tell the inspector of Qingzhou that Ive captured the people, no need to be so tense anymore. Yun Zhi intended to bring the two Unity Stage captives back, hoping to extract some useful information from them. On the way back, Lu Yang tried to im credit with Eldest Senior Sister, asking if he could receive contribution points for killing a Unity Stage. Yun Zhi wondered, Wasnt it Yellow Bean who killed the Unity Stage? Hearing this, Evesting Fairy, no longer caring that Yun Zhi was calling her by her name directly, excitedly asked, Can I get contribution points then? As you are not a member of our Dao Seeking Sect, naturally, you cannot. Without a second thought, Evesting Fairy dered, Then Ill join the Dao Seeking Sect. Lu Yang looked at Evesting Fairy in surprise. Joining just like that, what about the dignity of being an immortal? Yun Zhi nodded, An immortal joining Dao Seeking Sect is certainly permissible. I can specially appoint you as the first guest elder of Dao Seeking Sect. However, only I will know of your status. ordingly, you will receive the contribution points for this asion as well as the provisions of an elder. If you agree to these terms, then you can join. Ill join. Evesting Fairy quite liked the atmosphere of Dao Seeking Sect; it matched her personality, a rarepatibility. Yun Zhi also brought up another matter, speaking to Lu Yang, A few days ago, the master of Moon Laurel Immortal Pce approached me, saying they wanted topensate you to Lan Ting. I think youre at the age for discussing marriage. Dao Seeking Sect and Moon Laurel Immortal Pce are well-matched, so I agreed to you two bing daopanions. But somehow, the master of Moon Laurel Immortal Pce changed their mind. Do you have any idea why? Could it be that they found you not impressive enough? Lu Yang was utterly confused. (End of the chapter) Chapter 145: The Strongest of the Five Great Immortal Sects Meng Jingzhou patted Lu Yangs shoulder and said, Youve finally also be excellent enough for someone toe asking for your hand in marriage. Lu Yang looked at Meng Jingzhou, Also? Meng Jingzhou proudly said, Since I was young, royal rtives, powerful ministers, and people from reputable sects havee to my house to propose marriage, treating their daughters as if they were not their own, to be my fiance. Its just that my parents and the n elders have always been extremely firm in their refusal; otherwise, I would be Lu Yang cut in, Otherwise, youd be suffering from kidney deficiency? Meng Jingzhou angrily said, I would be a charming young master! The two wrestled, using the Tiger Fist technique, causing howls to echo from the clouds. Yun Zhi concentrated on flying, ignoring them. Lu Yang transformed into a tiger demon, pinning Meng Jingzhou down with one w, making Meng Jingzhou beg for mercy. Ultimately, Meng Jingzhous Tiger Fist was no match for Lu Yangs true tiger form. After the fight, Lu Yang still couldnt understand, had the excellent qualities he disyed in Yanjiang County really reached the level where people woulde to propose marriage?And proposing marriage, the womans side changing their mind, having a powerful soul inside, why did these elements feel so familiar? (TL Note: Common trope seen in chinese cultivation novels such as Battle Through the Heavens or Against the Gods) In the Great Xia Dynasty, the imperial city, the pce. Above the hall, a dignified man dressed in ck with golden patterns sat in a high position, serious and without smiles. The ministers below shouted long live, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and gravity. Let my dear ministers rise. Thank you, Your Majesty. The Emperor Xia scanned the ministers and took out a newly received memorial: I have just received a memorial from the governor of Qingzhou, saying that a ce called Commoner Town in Qingzhou has seen the revival of five ancient Unity Stage beings, forming domains. The master of the Dao Seeking Sect happened to pass by and took his two disciples to kill three of the Unity Stage beings. As these words were spoken, the ministers sighed in relief. The revival of five Unity Stage beings was no small matter; fortunately, Daoist Non-Speaker encountered them. If it were another Unity Stage being, they would have directly fallen at Commoner Town. Although Daoist Non-Speakers reputation was not very good, having tricked many when they were young, his strength was undoubtedly top-notch among Unity Stage beings. But there are still two Unity Stage beings who have escaped, and both are at the peak of Unity Stage, Emperor Xia reminded the ministers, pinpointing the crux of the matter. Emperor Xia did not expect them to abide by the rules. The ancient cultivation methods were very crude, treating human lives as worthless. This group of revived beings came for the great opportunities of the era, stopping at nothing. The Great Xia Dynasty had already learned from such experiences. The ministers whispered among themselves. If the two Unity Stage beings showed themselves, there was nothing to fear, as there were plenty of people in the court capable of dealing with them. The concern was if those two hid away, plotting something in the dark. It would be even more troublesome if they colluded with the demonic sects. These ancient Unity Stage beings! Emperor Xia was quite troubled. The spiritual essence of heaven and earth was bing more active, with more and more ancient cultivators awakening. This group of Unity Stage beings was a huge problem. If left unchecked, they could cause immense disasters, resulting in countless casualties among the popce. The good news was that, so far, no Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators had awakened. Based on the intelligence collected so far, those who awakened earlier were at the initial stages of Unity. Theter the awakening, the higher their cultivation level. The ones who awoke in Commoner Town were four at the peak of Unity Stage and one at thete stage of Unity Stage. It could be anticipated that soon, Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators would awaken. By then, the troubles from the eastern ocean, the Western Golden Buddhist Kingdom, the southern demon realm, the far north, and the four major demonic sects would erupt simultaneously. The reign of the Great Xia Dynasty would inevitably be on the brink of copse, and the rumors that each dynasty onlysts for a hundred thousand years might be a reality. Its all for the sake of bing immortals! Emperor Xias eyes turned cold, knowing many secrets. All the chaos was orchestrated by someone in the shadows, wanting more immortals, or ariya-ph, to emerge. Emperor Xia suspected it was the doing of an ancient nameless figure, one of the ancient five immortals. Is bing an immortal that important! Emperor Xia was furious inside but did not show it. If the person behind the scenes really thought the Great Xia Dynasty was just a pawn to be manipted, they were gravely mistaken. Emperor Xia stopped thinking about the ancient nameless figure and turned his attention back to the two escaped Unity Stage beings. At this moment, the chief eunuch received a memorial and hurriedly presented it to Emperor Xia. After reading it, Emperor Xias face lit up with joy: Good, very good! The ministers were puzzled, not knowing what was written in the memorial that made the emperor so happy. We dont need to worry about those two Unity Stage beings anymore! Yun Zhi of the Dao Seeking Sect has already captured them! Yun Zhi? Some less informed ministers were puzzled, not knowing who Yun Zhi was. Among the eight elders of the Dao Seeking Sect, there seemed to be none named Yun Zhi. The more informed old ministers knew of Yun Zhis identity and terrifying capabilities, understanding that capturing two Unity Stage beings was not a difficult task for her. The Demon Realm has sent an envoy Emperor Xia and the ministers began discussing other matters. After the court session, Emperor Xia returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to review new memorials. Your Majesty, Duke Jingyan of Qin has something to report, the chief eunuch whispered. Emperor Xia did not look up: Let him in. After Duke Jingyan of Qin entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he saw Emperor Xia busy reviewing memorials and remained silent, standing respectfully until the emperor finished with the most important ones before he spoke up. What does Duke Jingyan of Qin wish to discuss? Emperor Xias expression was solemn as he looked at the duke, who dared not meet his eyes directly. Your Majesty, I believe we cannot be too cautious with the Dao Seeking Sect. Yun Zhi of the Dao Seeking Sect, once a disciple, defeated the masters of the Five Great Immortal Sects, creating an unprecedented record. Since then, she has been rarely seen in action, but every time she makes a move, it shocks everyone. In these hundreds of years, her cultivation must have reached a terrifying level. Im concerned that her presence could shake the foundation of the dynasty. After all, the Dao Seeking Sect was established during the Da Yu era, having experienced the division of the realm and the founding of the Great Xia. Its possible they harbor ambitions to rece us. This is not just my personal opinion. On my way to court, I even heard a servant singing With the Dao thriving, the world is at peace. Emperor Xia frowned. Seeing this, Duke Jingyan of Qin knew the emperor had begun to doubt the Dao Seeking Sect and did not say more, taking his leave. Emperor Xia called the chief eunuch: Check who Duke Jingyan of Qin has met recently, especially his dealings with the Demon Realm. Yes. Emperor Xia sneered inwardly, seeing that not everyone in the court stood with the Great Xia. Creating a rift between me and the Dao Seeking Sect, what a clever idea. After his ession to the throne, Emperor Xia visited each of the Five Great Immortal Sects. During his visit to the Dao Seeking Sect, he met Yun Zhi and was astonished by her, feeling she was unfathomable. Despite his efforts to investigate, he could not discern Yun Zhis background and directly went to the imperial forbidden area to ask his ancestors if they knew of a female cultivator named Yun Zhi in the Dao Seeking Sect. The ancestor was silent for a long time before replying with only one sentence: The strongest of the Five Great Immortal Sects. Not satisfied, Emperor Xia persisted, How does shepare to you, ancestor? Dont ask anymore. Emperor Xia was kicked out by the ancestor, feeling a mix of annoyance and embarrassment. (End of the chapter) Chapter 146: The Heart of a Child Since then, Emperor Xia knew that bing enemies with the Dao Seeking Sect was indeed fulfilling the curse of a hundred thousand years. Those lurking in the shadows thought of Yun Zhi as highly talented and very strong, yet they had no clear concept of how strong Yun Zhi actually was. If they knew the extent of Yun Zhis strength, they would realize how foolish their scheme to drive a wedge was. Eldest Senior Sister, where are we going? Lu Yang saw that after flying to the Dao Seeking Sect, Eldest Senior Sister did not stop at Heavens Gate Peak but continued forward. Lu Yang had never stepped foot here before; beneath them were vast mountains and swamps, thousands of miles of rednds, and vast deserts. Prison Peak. Neither Lu Yang nor Meng Jingzhou had heard of this ce. Eldest Senior Sister flew over these areas andnded on a gloomy mountain peak wrapped in huge chains. The other ends of the chains were wrapped around four mountains in different directions. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou felt their hairs stand on end, sensing that this ce was not friendly.Lu Yang had learned a bit about Feng Shui and formations. Feng Shui emphasizes flow, with at least one direction connecting to the outside world in the east, south, west, and north, representing vitality. However, Prison Peak was surrounded by mountains on all sides, blocking all vitality, and the clouds clinging to Prison Peak seemed like a lid, sealing the area tightly. Prison Peak was used for detaining and interrogating prisoners. The threended, and Yun Zhi opened the formations entrance, dragging two Unity Stage souls, entering from the foot of the mountain and going down about five thousand meters before stopping. The prisoners were all detained below Prison Peak. Arriving at Prison Peak, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou felt as if they were back in Commoner Town, unable to mobilize any spiritual energy. This was not a spirit-sealing formation but a kind of rule. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou found nearly a hundred cages here, most of them empty, with only about a dozen holding captives. To be precise, they were not holding people but soul bodies. Under the suppression of the rules, these soul bodies were listless and dispirited. Some soul bodies drooled at the sight of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, wanting to pounce on them and devour them, but they all behaved upon seeing Eldest Senior Sister. Lu Yang thought it strange that so few people were detained here; even the dungeons in Yanjiang County held more. These are ancient Unity Stage beings that are imprisoned here. Be cautious, Yun Zhi warned. Both shivered, no longer thinking there were too few prisoners. Goodness, a dozen Unity Stage beings imprisoned here? Eldest Senior Sister, arent you afraid theyll escape? Lu Yang asked quietly. Escape? You really underestimate me, young man. A childish voice came, and Lu Yang turned around to see a white-haired child, not very tall, reaching only to his waist when standing on tiptoes. Grandmaster. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were surprised; the white-haired child was actually Daoist Non-Speakers master. Grandmaster, they both eximed. Hehe, do you think Im too young? Not at all. The white-haired child spoke with an old souls demeanor: You are still too young,cking in experience. You dont understand my state; this is a form of cultivation. Lu Yang quickly thought of a legend: The ancients said, When virtue is constant, it returns to the infant. The masses are bustling, as if feasting on a sacrificial bull, as if climbing terraces in spring, but I alone am calm, not yet showing signs, like an infant who has not yet smiled. Many great cultivators spend their entire lives seeking the heart of a child, yet they can never reach this state. Deliberately pursuing it is already not a childs thought. How can one achieve the true heart of a child? Are you saying, Grandmaster, that you have returned to the infant, reaching the state of returning to the original and uniting with the heavens, possessing the heart of a child? Meng Jingzhou was also astonished; the heart of a child has always existed in legends. None of the elders in the Meng family had reached this state. Who would have thought the Dao Seeking Sect had one? The white-haired child smiled without saying a word, nodding gently in a manner that suggested he found them teachable. Yun Zhi was a bit puzzled, Thats not the story I heard. Master said that when you were young, Grandmaster, you were frivolous and lingered in brothels, dying your cultivation. Then something stimted you, and you suddenly realized you needed to diligently pursue your cultivation. To keep your purpose clear, you permanently fixed your body at the age of six, so you wouldnt have to worry about leaking yang energy. Lu Yang: Meng Jingzhou: Strictly speaking, this was indeed a form of cultivation. The two recalled that cultivators at a certain level could control their appearance, so why did some choose to remain as children or elderly? Could it be for the same reason as Grandmaster? No, no, no, this wasnt something to dwell on too much. They quickly cleared their minds. Anyway, with me here, none of the Unity Stage beings locked up here should think about escaping! the white-haired child forcibly changed the subject. Yun girl, youve brought back two more? Yes, I want to interrogate them. Why not just search their souls directly? the white-haired child suggested. Yun Zhi shook her head, Soul searching would damage their minds. Unity Stage souls are excellent materials for refining treasures. Losing their minds would greatly reduce the effectiveness of the treasures. The two Unity Stage souls shivered. Wasnt the Dao Seeking Sect supposed to be a righteous sect? This was different from what they had imagined! Yun Zhi looked puzzled at the two Unity Stage beings, not understanding why they were afraid. Youve caused so many people to die in fear, isnt it normal for you to receive the same treatment? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, Yun Zhi thought these two would have understood this principle by now. Yun Zhi and the white-haired child each grabbed a Unity Stage soul and threw them into cages, with Lu Yang following Yun Zhi and Meng Jingzhou following the white-haired child. Yun Zhi began with a series of harsh tortures, using various tools designed for the soul, causing the prisoner to scream in pain. Lu Yang twitched at the sight, not expecting Eldest Senior Sister to be so ruthless. Wait, wasnt Eldest Senior Sister like this when he first started practicing? Could it be that Eldest Senior Sister applied her experience in torture to teaching cultivation? Evesting Fairy shuddered each time Eldest Senior Sister used a torture device, thinking joining the Dao Seeking Sect was a wise choice. The Dao Seeking Sect wouldnt be this harsh on their own, right? Strange, why isnt he confessing to anything? Yun Zhi was puzzled. Grandmaster had told her that following this procedure, prisoners would confess everything. Lu Yang whispered from the side, Eldest Senior Sister, you havent asked him anything yet. Yun Zhi uttered an Oh, picked up the first torture device, ready to start over, scaring the other party into hurriedly saying, No, no, no, Ill confess, Ill confess everything. What era are you from? The forty thousandth year of the Great Yu era. Ever heard of Evesting Celestial or Evesting Fairy? Never heard of them. Hm? Still lying? The man was nearly scared to tears by Yun Zhis indifferent expression: Really, Ive never heard of them. In our era, we only heard that the Western Golden Buddhist Kingdom and the southern demon realm had immortals, and there were rumors of immortals in the eastern ocean and the far north, but I dont know a single immortals name. If youre looking for Evesting Celestial, you might want to check the far north. Maybe the immortal got frozen, bing evesting that way. Evesting Fairy was so angry she wanted to roll up her sleeves and start a fight right there. (End of the chapter) Chapter 147: The Five Ancient Immortals Evesting Fairy bristled with anger. Evesting was a title she took pride in and would not allow to be sullied by a mere Unity Stage. Ill freeze you into the marrow of ten thousand years of ice, then deep-fry you with oil! Evesting Fairy threatened fiercely. Did they really think immortals were so easily bullied? That so-called True Immortal who challenged her was killed with a single poke from her, and she refused to believe that this Unity Stage could withstand her finger! Calm down, calm down. Inside the spiritual space, Lu Yang held Evesting Fairy back, persuading her to roll down her sleeves. The Unity Stage, named Sanli Zhenren, confessed things not much different from what True Immortal had said. The only valuable piece of information was the location of a heavenly domain. (TL Note: Zhenren is a Chinese term that first appeared in the Zhuangzi meaning Taoist spiritual master in those writings. Religious Taoism mythologized zhenren, having them upy various ces in the celestial hierarchy sometimes synonymous with xian (immortals), while Chinese Buddhism used it to trante Arahant Enlightened One.) The domain is there, hiding all my lifes wealth. If you dont believe me, you can go see for yourself to know Im not lying. But Ive set a rule on that domain: only those below the Foundation Building stage can enter. However, those at the Foundation Building stage can never take control of that domain. Swear you wont refine me, and Ill give that domain to you! Sanli Zhenren threatened.Yun Zhi did not agree, showing not even a hint of yielding. Although the Dao Seeking Sect refined souls and had an unorthodox air, having recruited Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, it was still considered a reputable sect with lines it would not cross, including lying. Yun Zhi then left the prison with Lu Yang, just as they ran into Grandmaster and Meng Jingzhou, who had also finished their interrogation. Yun Zhi and Grandmasterpared their interrogations, which were basically consistent. The only difference was that the Unity Stage interrogated by Grandmaster knew of an immortal named Ying Tian Immortal. (TL Note: See chapter 123) Ying Tian Immortal is in the East Sea, but he didnt know the exact location. Yun Zhi nodded, which was not new information. Having captured so many ancient Unity Stages and researched ancient texts, it was already known that one of the ancient five immortals, Ying Tian Immortal, was in the East Sea. Ying Tian Immortal? This wasnt the first time Lu Yang heard this name; Evesting Fairy had mentioned it a few times. ording to Evesting Fairy, Ying Tian Immortal was an immortal with strengthparable to hers. Considering Evesting Fairys strength and character, Lu Yang didnt have an urate perception of Ying Tian Immortal yet. Ying Tian Immortal is in the East Sea? Lets go, take me to find him. With me appearing on your behalf, with my reputation, I guarantee youll enjoy all the best things! Inside the spiritual space, Evesting Fairy excitedly proposed, promising Lu Yang the world. Lu Yang reminded her, Dont forget how you died. Up to now, we still dont know who killed you. Besides you, there are four immortals, and it must have been one of them. Arent you afraid it was Ying Tian Immortal? Evesting Fairy, doused with a bucket of cold water by Lu Yang, calmed down and muttered, It it shouldnt be. Ying Tian Immortal is a decent person, not likely to have ill intentions Then, who among the four immortals do you think is most likely to have killed you? Evesting Fairy was silent, believing none of them would kill her. Everyone seemed friendly and polite to her on the surface. But she had to admit, her death was certainly rted to one of the four immortals. Then, who do you think could refine the stars into continents? Lu Yang asked, feeling this could be a clue to narrow down the range of the ancient nameless figure. Evesting Fairy didnt understand Lu Yangs point, All five of us could. Lu Yang: wow?! Did I underestimate you before, considering your true capabilities? Lu Yang finally realized, being an immortal wasnt just a realm; it represented the ultimate pursuit of cultivators, signifying reaching the pinnacle of cultivation, wielding infinite power, and easily refining stars C something Evesting Fairy had yet to showcase her ability to do, as she was still recovering. Then, Yun Zhi told Lu Yang, The ancient immortals are Ying Tian Immortal, Qilin Immortal, Immemorial Immortal, and Nonuple Immortal. For ordinary people, immortals were highly exalted and inscrutable, their very existence uncertain. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, for instance, only learned about the existence of the Evesting Celestial through the Undying Sect. However, from Yun Zhis vantage point, she knew far more than ordinary people about the four immortals, whose titles were no secret to her. The exact locations of the four immortals are unclear, but it is certain that the Ying Tian Immortal is in the eastern sea, the Qilin Immortal in the southern demonic realm, while the whereabouts of the Immemorial Immortal and the Nonuple Immortal are unknown. Lu Yang was startled by one of the immortals titles. Qilin? He recalled the little medical kings in the medicine garden, one of which was the undying qilin medicine. Legend had it that the qilin did not truly exist C what ancient people saw were actually the undying qilin medicines. If this immortal was called the Qilin Immortal, did it mean his true form was a qilin? Seeing Lu Yangs interest, the Evesting Fairy exined, The Qilin Immortals true name is Shi He. His true form is indeed a qilin. ording to him, he is the sole existence of his kind in the world, an inconceivable being born from thebination of all worldly destinies. At least in my era, there was only one qilin. Im not too familiar with the current era, but there should not be a second qilin. In fact, before the Evesting Fairy appeared, Yun Zhi had always thought there were only four immortals in antiquity C or rather, everyone thought so. The Unity Stage imprisoned in the Peak of Imprisonment was the most ancient, dating back over 200,000 years to the Great Antiquity Era. ording to him, there were only four immortals in antiquity. Not just the prisoners of the Peak, but ancient texts also recorded only four immortals in antiquity: the Ying Tian Immortal, Qilin Immortal, Immemorial Immortal, and Nonuple Immortal. Before the emergence of the Undying Sect, there was no record whatsoever of an Evesting Fairy in history! After the Undying Sect appeared, some cultivators believed this was an immortal made up from thin air, non-existent in antiquity. In ancient times, I was hugely renowned. Even the Tribtion Crossing Stage trembled before me. How could my immortal name be missing? The Evesting Fairy was outraged upon learning this. Whoever killed her was familiar with her ariya-ph characteristic and deliberately erased her existence from history. Thats not right. Based on the ancient immortal naming conventions, you should be called the Evesting Immortal, said Lu Yang. It was that damned Ying Tian Immortal who suggested using three-word names, saying they had more gravitas. Everyone started using three-word immortal names, and he even rmended I go by Evesting Immortal. But I didnt want to be called the Evesting Immortal C it sounds so ugly and doesnt distinguish between male and female, making me sound like a man. Isnt Evesting Fairy so much nicer to the ear? Lu Yang thought Yellow Bean sounded even better, but he didnt dare say it aloud lest the Evesting Fairy flew into a rage. After ensuring the two prisoners were secured, the Eldest Senior Sister bid farewell to her master and left the Peak of Imprisonment with Lu Yang. Eldest Senior Sister, are we going to the remnant celestial realm that Sanli Zhenren mentioned? Lu Yang noticed the Eldest Senior Sister had no intention of returning to Heavens Gate Peak and had flown out of the Dao Seeking Sect instead. The cloud Yun Zhi rode was vast, obscuring the view below, so Lu Yang did not feel vertigo. Yun Zhi nodded. The lifes possessions of a Unity Stage expert were worth examining. (End of the chapter) Chapter 148: Sanli’s Heavenly Realm What heavenly realm? Meng Jingzhou wasnt present during the harsh interrogation. Lu Yang exined: The person we were interrogating is called Sanli Zhenren. He left behind a heavenly realm where only cultivators at the Foundation Building stage or below can enter, hiding his lifetime of treasures. The lifetime wealth of a Unity Stage? Meng Jingzhou gasped. Lu Yang didnt grasp how astonishing the wealth of a Unity Stage could be, but Meng Jingzhou did. Just looking at the elders in his family, he knew it was a fortune that couldnt be squandered in a lifetime, something he had always envied. If they could obtain it, or even just a fraction, that would be a fortune. Even for a behemoth like the Dao Seeking Sect, the wealth of a Unity Stage couldnt be ignored! And only those at the Foundation Building stage can enter, heh heh, isnt this giving us two an opportunity? Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou chuckled. Such a realm, restricted by cultivation level, was perfect for them to showcase their abilities. Eldest Senior Sister bringing them here must be considering their talents, wanting the two of them to enter the heavenly realm. The cloud flew at incredible speed. To those looking up from the ground, a cloud shed by in the blink of an eye, so fast it seemed like an illusion. Soon, the trio arrived at the location mentioned by Sanli Zhenren.The regional divisions of the Great Yu era were different from todays. ording to the current terms, Sanli Zhenrens heavenly realm was located in Huayun County, East Ji State, at the Da Lang Mountain, under the sixteenth tree counting down from the top. Yun Zhi caressed the tree trunk, feeling the spatial fluctuations, confirming the existence of a heavenly realm here. The location of the heavenly realm was concealed and difficult to detect. Even someone as powerful as Yun Zhi needed to be very close to know whether a heavenly realm existed. Sanli Zhenrens heavenly realm had yet to be discovered by others. Yun Zhi gently flicked the tree trunk with the backs of her index and middle fingers. Apanied by a distortion, a pitch-ck hole appeared in front of them. The entrance was a ck vortex, continuously spinning with runes shing inside, indicating it was bound by rules, a privately owned heavenly realm that could not be easily entered. The entry rule for this heavenly realm was that only those under twenty years old at the Foundation Building stage could enter. Just as Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou thought Eldest Senior Sister was going to let them in, they saw Eldest Senior Sister grab the edges of the ck vortex and forcefully tear open a huge gap, shattering all rules in that moment, rendering all restrictions ineffective against Eldest Senior Sister. Lu Yang: Meng Jingzhou: Wasnt this supposed to be their moment to shine? Why did it differ from their expectations? Were they redundant here? Then why did Eldest Senior Sister bring them along? Lu Yang voiced his question, and Yun Zhi tilted her head to think for a moment: When we left the Prison Peak, didnt you both juste up? I didnt call for you, did I? Alright, they really were redundant. Inside the spiritual space, Evesting Fairyughed till she doubled over. The trio entered the heavenly realm, and upon looking around, they found themselves in a vast in. Elephants leisurely ate leaves, lions chased after antelopes, biting their necks in one go. On another side of the in was a lush rainforest, with enormous creatures moving through the trees. Lu Yang felt his cultivation level being suppressed, limiting him to the capabilities of the Late Qi Cultivation stage. Then, clouds formed conspicuous text in front of them. This ce is dangerous, leave quickly This ce is dangerous, leave quickly This ce is dangerous, leave quickly If you insist on entering, please remember the rules of Sanlis Heavenly Realm, they may save your life Rule 1: Everyones cultivation will be suppressed to the 9thyer of Qi Cultivation phase Rule 2: Unable to contact the outside world Rule 3: Sanlis Heavenly Realm only has grasnds, no rainforest. If you see a rainforest, please do not enter Rule 4: Lions are kind. If a lion chases you, do not run away; it only wants to y with you Rule 5: Antelopes are bipedal beasts with spiraling horns on their heads. It is normal for antelopes tough, please do not be afraid Rule 6: There are no elephants on the grasnd. If you see an elephant, be sure to seek protection from a lion; the lion will protect you Rule 7: If you identally enter the rainforest, do not panic. Staying calm is essential for survival in the rainforest Rule 8: The goris in the rainforest are humans in disguise, so it is normal for them to speak, but they will not initiate conversation Rule 9: The water in the rainforest is not drinkable Rule 10: If you encounter a Foundation Building stage beast, imitate the call of a gori; the beast will leave you alone Rule 11: All the above rules are true Then Lu Yang saw several lines written in blood at his feet, the writing hasty as if left in a hurry. Hurry and run, this ce is dangerous! Something strange has happened here! Note! The rules Im writing down are the real rules of Sanlis Heavenly Realm! Sanlis Heavenly Realm has both grasnds and rainforests, but the rainforest is safer than the grasnd! Lions have the cultivation of the Golden Core stage and will eat humans on sight! Antelopes do not walk upright. If you hear theughter of antelopes, leave quickly! Elephants will protect you! Stay calm in the rainforest! Do not initiate conversation with the goris, or you will be one! If you feel something odd with your body, drink the water from the rainforest immediately, it could save your life! Do not mimic the call of the goris; it will attract Golden Core stage beasts! The rules of Sanlis Heavenly Realm are all false Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were chilled to the bone upon seeing the bloodstains. The writing of the blood was iplete, thest character trailed off into a long bloodstain, as if someone desperately crawled out of the heavenly realm, only to be bitten and dragged back by some unknown terror, leaving behind a striking trail of blood. The duos scalp tingled. What was inside this heavenly realm? These rules are very problematic, full of contradictions. Which is correct, the previous set of rules or thetter? Based on our experience in Commoner Town, the first set of rules seems more formal and correct? Not necessarily. It doesnt say that the more formal rules are correct. Thetter, seemingly written in haste, could also be a form of rule, right? The two found it hard to decide. Now at only the 9thyer of Qi Cultivation, with the realm filled with Foundation Building and Golden Core stage beasts, they could not overpower them and had to rely on wits. But with two sets of rules and no way to discern truth from falsehood, a wrong choice could mean certain death, no redemption! Dont panic, there must be a way to solve this. One says lions are kind, the other says lions will eat people; one says elephants will kill, the other says elephants can protect us. We can try to bring lions and elephants together to see who can protect us. This way, we can determine which set of rules is the real one Is it possible that both sets of rules are half-true and half-false, designed to trap people? This is troublesome. Just as they were racking their brains for a way to survive, Yun Zhi raised her arm, revealing her fair wrist, and lightly struck out with her palm. This was clearly not a strike from the Qi Cultivation phase. The wind carried terrifying power, howling wildly, scaring lions, antelopes, elephants, and goris into running away. Whether predator or protector, faced with this strike, there was no difference; only flight was an option. This strike cleaved through both the grasnd and the rainforest, creating a direct path to the destination. How could the rules of this ce possibly restrain Yun Zhi? (End of the chapter) Chapter 149: Ancient Tribulation Crossing Stage No, theres a problem with the rules here, Yun Zhi frowned, sensing something was amiss the moment she acted. Her strike should have shattered the rules of this ce, but instead, the rules seemed to disperse in form but not in essence, which shouldnt be the case even with her holding back. There are two types of rules here. Yun Zhi realized the issue. The first set of rules, written in the clouds, were the original ones. Later, a mutation urred, giving rise to the second set of rules, those written in blood. The contradiction between the two sets of rules caused the entire heavenly realm to be in chaos! Someone intentionally made the heavenly realm chaotic, allowing entry but no exit! And since the second set of rules, being an external imposition, could contest with the original set, it suggested that the person who left the second set was more powerful than the master of the heavenly realm! And Sanli Zhenren was at the peak of the Unity Stage. Hehe, who dares disturb my slumber? The sound of ice crystals cracking resounded, followed by a tyrannical aura bursting forth from the end point, like a king above the nine heavens, cold and merciless, looking down upon the world.Light pierced through the sky, and the presence was heart-stopping. The aura grew stronger, sweeping across everything in its path. Tribtion Crossing initial stage, Evesting Fairy quickly assessed the opponents realm. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous expressions changed drastically. An early-stage Tribtion Crossing, this was the strongest enemy they had faced. Why was a Tribtion Crossing Stage powerhouse sleeping in a Unity Stages heavenly realm?! Evesting Fairy, with her broad knowledge, quickly thought of a reason. Its quite understandable. A heavenly realm is a good hiding ce, where one can awaken and gradually recover strength. The downside is the inability to promptly detect changes in the outside world. For example, Sanli Zhenren felt the spiritual essence changing and awoke ordingly. But for this Tribtion Crossing Stage, its possible he wouldnt wake up even after the great worldly conflicts have ended. So he devised a clever method. If Sanli Zhenren could wake up, then upon awakening, Sanli would naturally return to his heavenly realm. Discovering the change in rules, Sanli would surely take action, which would awaken him. This Tribtion Crossing Stage set up new rules in the heavenly realm to ensure that those who mistakenly enter would perish, not disturbing his slumber. Lu Yang broke out in a cold sweat, not anticipating theplexity behind the scenes. Hey, what are you afraid of? With me here, a mere early-stage Tribtion Crossing is nothing, I could kick him to death. Yellow Bean boasted, knowing Yun Zhi was there and it wouldnt be her turn to act. I am the Blood Demon Sovereign. Who are you, state your name. The Blood Demon Sovereign coldly eyed Eldest Senior Sister, recognizing that anyone who could easily break the rules was at least at the initial stage of Tribtion Crossing. But what of it? He was confident that even against a mid-stage Tribtion Crossing, he wouldnt be at a disadvantage. Blood Demon Sovereign?! Meng Jingzhou whispered in shock. You know him? Lu Yang asked. I do. The number of Tribtion Crossing Stages is limited, and each one is significant enough to be extensively documented in history books. Thus, Meng Jingzhou had heard of the Blood Demon Sovereign. As a child, when he couldnt sleep, his mother would frighten him with tales of the Blood Demon Sovereign. The Blood Demon Sovereign is a demonic cultivator, infamous for his countless killings. Legend has it that he wrote down the names of cities on slips of paper, crumpled them into balls, and whichever he picked, he would use the people of that city for his cultivation. His path to cultivation was paved with bones! He also supported a certain Emperor Yu, bing the national teacher, wielding great power during the Great Yu dynasty. Later, he disappeared. Some said he hadmitted too many atrocities and died under thunder tribtion. Now, it seems he was hiding here! Dao Seeking Sect, Yun Zhi. Seeing Yun Zhi unmoved, the Blood Demon was puzzled. Had his name not reached this era? Well, then, lets have a grand ughter and let the world remember my name. Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators are different from those at the Unity Stage; they can quickly return to their peak state upon awakening. A colossal blood-colored giant stood towering, roaring ferociously. The giant transformed the rules into an axe, wielding it effortlessly. The space trembled, as if the entire heavenly realm couldnt withstand his might! Yun Zhi stood with one hand in front of her chest, emitting boundless golden light, resembling a Buddhaing out of a mural, sacred and supreme, invible. She pushed forward with a palm, and thousands of rays of golden light pierced through the darkness, striking towards the blood-colored giant. The giant tried to block with the dual axes formed from the rules, but they gradually melted away under the onught of golden light, along with the giants hard shell. The Blood Demon Sovereign was shocked: No, you are not at the initial stage of Tribtion Crossing! He tore through space, turning to flee. Engaging with someone at the mid-stage of Tribtion Crossing wouldnt determine the oue quickly. There was no point in provoking such an opponent over pride, it was not worth it. Tearing through space would randomly transport him to any location in the world, ensuring the other party could not find him. Just as the Blood Demon Sovereign was about tough and issue a fierce deration, he saw endless brilliant golden light in front of him. Within the light, a graceful figure approached. The figure seemed to walk slowly, but in reality, moved so fast that she appeared in front of the Blood Demon Sovereign in the blink of an eye. No, you are not at the mid-stage of Tribtion Crossing. Not even ate-stage could have such methods. You are at the peak of Tribtion Crossing, or even more You know too much. Yun Zhi coldly responded, sping and twisting her hands together to squeeze out the soul of the Blood Demon Sovereign. The physical body of a Tribtion Crossing Stage is the best material for refinement and should not be easily destroyed. Yun Zhi took out a jade clean bottle and ced the Blood Demon Sovereigns soul inside, nning to return to the sect and interrogate him slowly. The entire process was easy and leisurely, as if nothing had happened in the heavenly realm. Lions and antelopes danced together, proving they were friendly beasts, while elephantsy on the ground, feigning death with their legs in the air. It seems that ancient Tribtion Crossing Stages might be hiding in heavenly realms. Yun Zhi pondered. This was an aspect she hadnt considered before. After leaving the heavenly realm, she would need to inform the other four immortal sects and the Great Xia Dynasty. Lets go. Yun Zhi left a light remark and started walking towards the destination with graceful steps. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou exchanged nces and followed, jogging along. For them, the journey was without any dangerat least, thats how it seemed to Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. But from the perspective of the beasts, it was a different scenea terrifying grand demon with a chilling aura led her two attendants, roaming freely in the heavenly realm, extremely dangerous. Upon reaching the destination, they found several giant golden treasure chests and piles of spirit stones. The number of top-grade spirit stones was even more than the high-grade ones, a truly drool-worthy sight. This ce held not only Sanli Zhenrens treasures but also some of the Blood Demon Sovereigns belongings. Yun Zhi opened the golden treasure chests, revealing various heavenly materials and earth treasures, cultivation techniques, and secret manuals. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were dazzled. Even with Meng Jingzhous knowledge, it was hard to identify these treasures immediately. Yun Zhi could easily name and describe their uses: Dragon Transformation Grass, if consumed and refined by a flood dragon, can increase the chances of transforming into a dragon by thirty percent. Transforming into a dragon is every flood dragons dream; it goes without saying how valuable this item is. Bodhi Fruit, consuming it enhances ones wisdom roots, but the cost is losing ones hair forever. Red Sun Vajra Sand, essential material for refining high-level fire attribute magical weapons. ss Pure Water, applying it all over the body can preserve the physical body for a hundred thousand years. Unity Stage demonic beasts inner core Unity Stage dragon sinew Happy Union Aphrodisiac There were many treasures rted to unions. (End of the chapter) Chapter 150: That Bastard Ying Tian Immortal Regrettably, some of the heavenly materials and earthly treasures had lost their medicinal properties due to improper storage, bing mundane objects. Others had diminished in value due to changes over the ages. For instance, the Happy Union Aphrodisiac had expired, and the price of the Dragon Transformation Grass had plummeted after the Dragon n discovered a stable cultivation method two thousand years ago. They have archaeological value andmemorative significance. They could be sold to the Dragon n museum, Yun Zhi whispered. Wild Dragon Transformation Grass in perfect condition is extremely rare. She had visited the Dragon n museum, which did not have any wild Dragon Transformation Grass. All this junk, back when I was alive, I wouldnt even bother picking these things up if they fell on the ground! Yellow Bean scoffed disdainfully, telling Lu Yang, Wait until you find my treasure trove, and Ill show you what real treasures are! Lu Yang rolled his eyes, ignoring Evesting Fairys remark, and continued scouring for treasures with Eldest Senior Sister. Evesting Fairy, stomping her foot in frustration, reminisced about the ancient times when many cultivators would spend their fortunes just for a glimpse of her or to hear her speak. Her words were like those of an immortal, benefiting one for a lifetime! This kid really didnt know what was good for him. Ignoring him! Suddenly, Lu Yang stumbled upon a thick book with exquisite packaging. The books material was soft to the touch, clearly no ordinary item.Perhaps due to its uniqueness, the Blood Demon Sovereign had specifically noted the books origin. Lu Yang read out loud, This immortal technique was acquired from a stall in a ck market. ording to the stall owner, its origins, material, and content were unknown. However, one thing for certain was its ancient provenance and that it was sealed by a powerful formation, dating back to the ancient era. Iughed at the seller for not recognizing its value, oblivious to the treasure in his possession. I strained to use my heavenly eye to see beneath the seal, and at the ce for the authors name, there was the word immortal. This is not merely an item from the ancient era, but something belonging to the ancient immortals. A book written by an immortal could potentially be an legendary immortal technique! s, the ancient seal was so powerful that I spent my entire life unable to unlock it. An immortal technique! Lu Yang eximed, his heart racing at the thought of finding a legendary immortal technique in such a ce, a great opportunity indeed! And such a thick book might either contain aplex immortal technique or several techniques. Either possibility was invaluable! He tried to open the book, finding it sealed just as the Blood Demon Sovereign had described. Hmm? This looks familiar, Evesting Fairymented, her attention diverted from Lu Yang for a solid twenty seconds. Have you seen it before? Can you unlock the seal? Lu Yang asked. Of course, this little seal is nothing but a flick of a finger to me. Following Evesting Fairys instructions, Lu Yang carefully infused his spiritual power into it and indeed unlocked the seal. Suppressing his excitement, Lu Yang opened the ancient book, which listed the authors name at the bottom right Ying Tian Immortal. Truly a book by an immortal, Lu Yang was delighted. Ying Tian Immortal should be a reliable immortal. If all the ancient immortals were like Evesting Fairy, how did the ancient times not copse? Looking up, he saw the title of the book The Complete Guide to Cooking. Huh? Flipping through a few pages, Lu Yang found the content perfectly matched the title, detailing how to cook various demonic beasts. Screw your immortal technique! Ying Tian Immortal, youre absolutely unreliable! You even sealed such a thing, afraid that humans would cook demonic beasts to extinction? Evesting Fairy sensed something was amiss and frowned, Wait, thats not right. Ive tasted all sorts of demonic beasts and treasures,piling my cooking experience into a book, which was my pride. How did it be Ying Tian Immortals? Evesting Fairy gritted her teeth, That bastard Ying Tian Immortal stole my work after I died? So, you were the author. That makes a lot of sense, Lu Yang suddenly understood. What did you say? Evesting Fairy looked displeased. Ah, no, I meant to say that Ying Tian Immortal was just fooling around by putting his name on this kind of book. Evesting Fairy felt Lu Yang was looking down on her too much: You kid cant appreciate the value, scoffing at my work. If you could master the recipes in this book, at the very least, youd be a Tribtion Crossing Stage spiritual chef. If this were known outside, there would be a mad scramble for it, to the point of fighting dogs for it! When I cooked for the other four back in the day, they felt unworthy to eat my cooking and tried every possible excuse not toe! Are you sure it wasnt because your cooking was too awful? Nonsense, my cooking could emit golden light, how could it possibly taste bad! The argument between the human and the fairy went back and forth, eventually circling back to Ying Tian Immortal. After much discussion, no conclusion was reached. Lu Yang mentioned this to Eldest Senior Sister, but Yun Zhi merely frowned and said nothing. On Meng Jingzhous side, some techniques were found and weighed by the pound. Some had been lost over time, others had been improved upon. All in all, the loot was significant. While sifting through the treasures, Yun Zhi expressed surprise: Is this a cultivation experience from a wless Immortal Physique? Yun Zhi was astonished to find cultivation experiences for a wless Immortal Physique here, especially from someone at the early stages of Unity. Cultivation experiences for immortal physiques are rare, and those suitable for Dao Seeking Sect are even rarer. In the spiritual space, Lu Yang asked, Fairy, were there immortal physiques back in your time? Could they be immortals? As far as Lu Yang knew, there are twenty known types of immortal physiques in the world, rarer than single spiritual roots. Each immortal physique cultivator, upon reaching the Unity Stage, automatically forms rules, with terrifying and unpredictable power, making them difficult to defend against. Lu Yang heard that there were two immortal physiques within his sect, Peach Blossom Leaf and her master, the Sixth Elder. Peach Blossom Leaf has a Feathered Immortal Physique, and the Sixth Elder has a wless Immortal Physique. At this moment, Yellow Bean was still seething with anger over that shameless Ying Tian Immortal stealing her copyright. Her anger quickly subsided, though. Yellow Bean is quite magnanimous. Upon hearing Lu Yangs question, she shifted her focus. Immortal physiques? Yes, we had immortal physiques in our time, and their history is much longer than you might think. The concept of immortal physiques dates back to the most ancient times when the human race did not yet know how to cultivate and had to figure it out themselves. Foundation Building, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformationall these stages were developed step by step by those with immortal physiques relying on their special traits. As for those among the immortal physiques who became immortals, I only know of one person, Nonuple Immortal. He was a formidable opponent, equal in strength to me! Evesting Fairy mentioned Nonuple Immortal with a serious expression, acknowledging his power. Nonuple Immortal was the first among us to be an immortal. ording to him, his immortal physique yed a significant role in his ascension! Lu Yang sneakily asked, Is Eldest Senior Sister an immortal physique, and what exactly is her cultivation level? Evesting Fairy chuckled, You guess. Lu Yangs face darkened. How am I supposed to guess. Lu Yang, when you return to the sect, hand this cultivation experience over to the Sixth Elder. This experience suits her the most. Understood. The trio returned to Dao Seeking Sect with rich rewards. Yun Zhi went to the Prison Peak to interrogate the Blood Demon Sovereign, Meng Jingzhou returned to the Body Refining Peak for cultivation, and Lu Yang went to the Sixth Elder at the Dust-Free Peak to deliver the cultivation experience. (End of the chapter) Chapter 151: The Sixth Elder Dust-Free Peak, the mountain where the elegant Sixth Elder resides. Dust-Free Peak is somewhat simr to Moon Laurel Immortal Pce, only epting female disciples, fluttering like swallows, with beauties like clouds, and the most beautiful among them is the Sixth Elder. Rumors say that the Sixth Elder and the master of Moon Laurel Immortal Pce are close friends. Lu Yang had heard his senior brothers talk about the Sixth Elder many times, all advising not to loseposure upon seeing the Sixth Elder, for she is a woman of breathtaking beauty. Lu Yang? What brings you here? At the foot of Dust-Free Peak, Lu Yang encountered Peach Blossom Leaf. Peach Blossom Leaf is tall and radiant, standing out in a crowd. Lu Yang presented the ancient book: Eldest Senior Sister told me to give this book to the Sixth Elder. My master is out on an errand and wont be back for over half an hour. Would you like toe in and sit? Peach Blossom Leaf invited. Lu Yang showed a hesitant eagerness: Isnt it improper? Im a man, after allIts fine, its fine. Anyway, were the two with the lowest cultivation levels in Dust-Free Peak; nothing will happen. Lu Yang silently observed Peach Blossom Leaf, whose eyes were clear, seemingly unaware of the psychological impact her words had on him. Lu Yang sighed and followed Peach Blossom Leaf, who turned her head with a sly smile. Oh right, I still owe you five contribution points. Im giving them back now. Lu Yang had borrowed five contribution points from Peach Blossom Leaf to buy the Strength of Ten Bulls pill, which was quite helpful to him. You remembered that, I had forgotten. Peach Blossom Leaf chuckled. Wait, do I also have a lot of contribution points? Evesting Fairy remembered she is an honorary guest elder of Dao Seeking Sect and had even killed a Unity Stage cultivator, for which Yun Zhi rewarded her many contribution points. Lu Yang! Lu Yang! I want to exchange them, I want to exchange them. Evesting Fairy made a fuss, and Lu Yang couldnt help but say, Once we leave Dust-Free Peak, Ill take you to the contribution exchange board, and you can buy whatever you want. Thats more like it. Evesting Fairy nodded in satisfaction, feeling Lu Yang was a promising talent. Be careful over there, definitely do not go there. Peach Blossom Leaf pointed to a pool, warning Lu Yang. The pool was shrouded in mist, obscuring what was inside, apanied by delightfulughter. Senior Sisters like to bathe there. A few years ago, a senior brother, confident in his stealth techniques, sneaked into Dust-Free Peak, hoping to peep at the Senior Sisters. Then we heard the senior brothers screams. Where is this senior brother now? Given his proficiency in stealth, he has vanished from the mortal world. Geez, Dust-Free Peak is dangerous. Lu Yang was d he was a man of integrity. Peach Blossom Leaf led Lu Yang to her usual practice area: Fancy a spar? Sure. Lu Yang happily agreed, drawing out his Qingfeng Sword, recalling that Evesting Fairy remembered Lu Yang is a sword spirit root, theoretically meant to wield a sword. She hadnt seen Lu Yang use a sword since her revival. Junior Brother Lu, be careful, Ive learned something new these past two months. Peach Blossom Leaf opened a red paper umbre. With a twist of her wrist and a slight loosening of her grip, the umbre spun, scattering peach blossoms like rain and snow, blocking Lu Yangs vision. Sword light filled the air, sweeping through with a whistling sound, intending to clear the falling petals. Behind Lu Yang, the peach petals gradually formed a silhouette. Peach Blossom Leaf closed the umbre, swinging it downwards. Lu Yang seemed to have anticipated Peach Blossom Leafs move, holding the sword behind him with one hand, blocking the strike. The material of the red paper umbre was unknown, as it could sh directly with the Qingfeng Sword without any damage. Sword light shed unexpectedly, and Peach Blossom Leaf was surprised by the swiftness of Lu Yangs sword moves. Dotting Technique! Lu Yangs gaze sharpened, showing no mercy as he aimed for Peach Blossom Leafs chest. Peach Blossom Leaf chuckled softly, stepping backward. Her umbre tip collided with the sword tip, trying to disrupt Lu Yangs swordy. However, Lu Yangs hand was steady, showing no tremor, relentlessly pursuing Peach Blossom Leaf. Amidst the rain of peach blossoms, Qingfeng Sword shed with the red paper umbre, their figures agilely moving past each other, disappearing from sight. Both had their moments of advantage, yet neither found the right opportunity to deliver a fatal blow. Suddenly, Lu Yangs eyes lit up, finding a gap in Peach Blossom Leafs defense. Qingfeng Sword, smooth as a swimming fish, wove through the rain of peach blossoms, resting on Peach Blossom Leafs neck. I concede. Peach Blossom Leaf surrendered with a gesture of resignation. Lu Yang changed his move, stabbing towards an empty spot. The real Peach Blossom Leaf, astonished at the gleaming sword tip aimed at her forehead, truly conceded this time. The rain of peach blossoms vanished, and the previously surrendering Peach Blossom Leaf disappeared, all being an illusion. How did you realize the real me was there? Peach Blossom Leaf didnt mind losing; she was good at learning from post-battle experiences. I practice the Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique, which can see through illusions. Its your nemesis. Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique? Never heard of it. I wrote it myself. Lu Yang boasted, as writing ones own cultivation technique was no small feat. Peach Blossom Leaf was about to say more when a fiery crimson mist flew over their heads. Master is back. Peach Blossom Leaf led Lu Yang to the Sixth Elders residence, and indeed, as his senior brothers had said, the Sixth Elder was extremely beautiful. Unlike Eldest Senior Sisters cold beauty, the Sixth Elders smile was gentle, like a caring older sister, giving off a very warm feeling. HuHuHu Suddenly, Lu Yang felt like he was suffocating, as if the oxygen around him had vanished. He struggled to breathe, trying to squeeze some oxygen from the air, to no avail. Peach Blossom Leaf, you didnt tell her about me? Peach Blossom Leaf pped her forehead: I forgot. Quickly pulling Lu Yang to a distance from the Sixth Elder, he breathed as if a fish returned to water. HuHuWhats going on? Peach Blossom Leaf apologized with a smile: Sorry, I forgot to mention, my master is a wless Immortal Physique, untouched by dust, automatically expelling air around her. She cant control it, so those close to her might feel suffocated. Just hold your breath, and itll be fine. Lu Yang: No wonder people say the Sixth Elder is a beauty that takes ones breath away. Are you all in the Dao Seeking Sect this straightforward, not even using adjectives, just telling the blunt truth? Lu Yang held his breath and approached the Sixth Elder again. For a Foundation Building cultivator, not breathing for a short period is manageable with preparation. By the Golden Core stage, internal cirction can sustain life without the need for breathing. Lu Yang pays respects to the Sixth Elder. Lu Yang bowed respectfully, My master mentioned you, saying he has always regarded you as an elder sister. On the journey here, Daoist Non-Speaker told Lu Yang about his rtionship with the Sixth Elder, describing it in a touching manner that moved both Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. The Sixth Elder scoffed: Is that so? Ive always regarded him as a dear grandson. Lu Yang was at a loss for words, considering whether he should only mention Eldest Senior Sister when introducing himself in the future. Perhaps its best to avoid mentioning his masters name, which seems to bring embarrassment and animosity. (End of the chapter) Chapter 152: "The Art of Tree Planting" This is an ancient book that Eldest Senior Sister asked me to give to you, Lu Yang, moving past the topic of his master, took out the cultivation insights for the wless Immortal Physique. The Sixth Elder was surprised to see the ancient book: Little Yun is thoughtful to have found such a treasure. Cultivation insights for immortal physiques are rare, especially those that match ones own. The Sixth Elder was delighted, like someone who had purchased a desired book, eager to start reading at home. Chi Qianqians Cultivation Diary First year of cultivation: My master told me that I am a one-in-a-thousand wless Immortal Physique, with a cultivation speed far surpassing my peers. This is great news, and I must practice diligently Second year of cultivation: My cultivation speed is indeed very fast. While others are only at the ninthyer of Qi Cultivation, I have already built my foundation. The characteristics of the wless Immortal Physique are gradually showing. I must not disappoint my masters expectations and will continue to practice hard Third year of cultivation: Advancing in realms faster than drinking water, now at the Golden Core stage. Moreover, its a pure Golden Core, untouched by a speck of dust. My master says cultivation has no end, and I must continue to strive Seventh year of cultivation: Nascent Soul StageThe Sixth Elder kept flipping through the pages. The book recorded the life of a Great Yu cultivator, Chi Qianqian, which could be described as epic. Immersed in it, the Sixth Elder eventually reached thest page with a tremble in her heart. The previous page was at the peak of the Void Refinement Stage, surely the next page must detail the Unity Stage. Why is there only one page about the Unity Stage? Did something unfortunate happen to the person? The Sixth Elder suppressed her unease and turned to thest page. Six hundredth year of cultivation: Finally reached the Unity Stage. Anyway, I cant reach the Tribtion Crossing Stage, so might as well ck off! The diary ended. The Sixth Elder: She rubbed her temples, pondering what she had just read. It wasnt entirely useless. The record of cultivation from the Foundation Building stage to the Void Refinement Stage was detailed and could serve as a reference for her. Please thank Little Yun for her kindness. Now that Little Yun is in charge of Dao Seeking Sect, even if I wanted to express my gratitude, theres nothing here that would catch her eye. Ive heard from Little Yun that you have a unique talent in magic, capable of founding your own school. How about this, I give you a spellbook, would that be okay? The Sixth Elder smiled gently,municating with Lu Yang through spiritual sense. A vacuum field formed around the Sixth Elder, allowing only spiritualmunication. Lu Yang agreed. However, my attack methods rely on the power of the immortal physique, which might not suit you, the Sixth Elder pondered on what spellbook to give Lu Yang. Right, Ill give you The Art of Tree nting. The Art of Tree nting? Lu Yang looked puzzled, wondering if mastering this seemingly ordinary-sounding technique meant nting trees on barren mountains to promote a green development new pattern in the cultivation world. Or was it that nting many trees would earn him praise from Eldest Senior Sister and the title of Environmental Little Guardian? The Sixth Elder understood Lu Yangs thoughts: Dont underestimate this technique by its name. Its a spell many nt cultivators yearn for. If practiced sessfully, it can promote the growth of spiritual nts. Big sects would hold you in high esteem. Look at your second senior brother. Why do you think he stays in the herb garden? Because hes the best practitioner of The Art of Tree nting in our sect. Lu Yang realized the value of this technique. Mastered well, it could ensure a lifetime of prosperity, with every big sect having its own cultivation garden, eager for your service. The Sixth Elder added, In your spare time, you can also practice this technique. It helps soothe the mind and nurture ones character. Peach Blossom Leaf, that child has done well in learning The Art of Tree nting. If you have any questions, you can ask her. Lu Yang epted the technique, thanked the Sixth Elder, and left her residence with Peach Blossom Leaf. After leaving, the two resumed breathing. Its still early. Why not learn here with me? I can teach you, Peach Blossom Leaf suggested. Lu Yang thought it was a good idea. The Art of Tree nting, a high-difficulty wood-element magic that uses ones spiritual power to promote the growth of spiritual nts, it is difficult to start, harder to make minor progress, and even more challenging to master. To begin with The Art of Tree nting, one must first achieve a state of mind akin to a still well, entering a state simr to unity with heaven and earth, to perceive and understand the nts, conforming to the naturalws of their growth to promote their rapid development. For the initial practice, ordinary seeds are most suitable. Our spiritual power can easily make the seeds grow into trees. Its said that cultivation geniuses can even achieve growth, flowering, and fruiting in their first attempt,pleting the entire process seamlessly. Willow trees are empathetic and most suitable for practicing The Art of Tree nting. Here is a willow seed, Junior Brother Lu, take it and close your eyes to see if you can resonate with the willow seed. Peach Blossom Leaf handed Lu Yang a piece of willow fluff. Following the method recorded in The Art of Tree ntingbined with Peach Blossom Leafs cultivation insights, Lu Yang sought to understand with his heart. A breeze caressed thewn, and the sunlight was not too strong, providing a veryfortable feeling. Gradually emptying himself, Lu Yang felt as if he was floating between heaven and earth, vaguely grasping the life pattern of the willow fluff. Peach Blossom Leaf, sensing Lu Yangs unusual state, was surprised. It took her three days to reach this step when she first started, and her master praised her sensing ability as one of the best in history. Yet, Junior Brother Lu achieved it in just half an hour! Ive always heard that Junior Brother Lus talent in magic is unparalleled, even more so than his swordsmanship. But Peach Blossom Leaf didnt expect Lu Yangs talent in magic to be this profound. No wonder hes personally taught by Eldest Senior Sister. With such talent, others might not be able to teach him. Evesting Fairy, hearing Peach Blossom Leafs murmurs, agreed wholeheartedly. Indeed, who else but her could teach him? At this moment, Lu Yang gained a new insight into The Art of Tree nting. He ced the willow fluff on the ground and pointed at it, using his own spiritual power as the driving force for its growth. Grow! Lu Yang shouted. After a while, nothing happened. Peach Blossom Leaf weakly reminded from the side, Um, Junior Brother Lu, people usually nt the seeds in the soil. Good point. Lu Yang picked up the willow seed and, using the Shrink Earth technique, zipped it into the soil. Peach Blossom Leafs eyes widened, surprised that Junior Brother Lu also knew the Earth Escape technique, one of the Five Elements Escape Techniques? The Earth Escape technique is the most convenient among the Five Elements Escape Techniques, whether for attacking, escaping, or hiding, its an excellent choice. Peach Blossom Leaf wanted to learn the Earth Escape technique, but it was too difficult, and she never managed to master it. But why do I feel that Junior Brother Lus Earth Escape technique is somewhat different from what I learned? As Peach Blossom Leaf murmured to herself, she saw a willow tree rising from the ground. It was sessful on the first try?! Peach Blossom Leaf eximed. It took her four willow seeds to seed when she was practicing. Huh? Peach Blossom Leaf rubbed her eyes, thinking she saw it wrong. The willow tree rose from the ground, with two Junior Brother Lus hanging from its branches. Lu Yang, hanging on the willow tree with a disheartened expression, swayed back and forth. Where did the practice go wrong this time? Why did nting one willow seed result in a tree growing two of me? (End of the chapter) Chapter 153: The Human Vegetable (TL Note: The title uses the word for a person in a vegetative state where a person is awake but is showing no signs of awareness.) Legend has it that at the beginning of the Great Yu Dynasty, there was a genius who had a natural affinity for techniques, capable of quickly learning any technique, with a talent close to that of an immortal. This genius grew at a pace beyond everyones imagination,pleting in the shortest time the realms that other cultivators spend their entire lives pursuing, bing a Tribtion Crossing Stage master, known as the True Lord of Ten Thousand Laws. Ancient records state that when the True Lord of Ten Thousand Laws was young, he learned the technique of tree nting. In just half an hour, he mastered the technique that took others days or even months to learn. The True Lord of Ten Thousand Laws nted a willow seed, which took root upon touching the ground, grew into a robust tree, flowered, and bore fruit, bing a beautiful tale passed down through ages to this day. Peach Blossom Leafpared the True Lord of Ten Thousand Laws with Lu Yang and felt that Lu Yang was still a cut above. In half an hour, Lu Yang grasped the essence, used the earth escape technique to nt trees, and the willow tree grew rapidly, flowered, and produced two Lu Yangs. Senior Brother Lu is still more impressive. There were two people on the willow tree, one was Lu Yang, and the other was also Lu Yang.One Lu Yang was the original, while the other Lu Yang wore clothes made of willow leaves, at the cost of not a single leaf remaining on the willow tree; they all went to clothe Lu Yangs clone. Where did I practice wrong? Lu Yang persevered in searching for the problem. The result was the same as before, with no reason found. Lu Yang, youve be a human vegetable! Evesting Fairy eximed with schadenfreude. Shut up, Lu Yangs face darkened, Letse down for now. Lu Yang moved his body a bit, which didnt affect much. He cut off the willow branch behind his neck andnded on the ground with a grunt. He looked towards his other self, trying to control him with his mind, and indeed, the others fingers moved slightly. Under Lu Yangs control, the human vegetable also cut off the willow branch behind his neck and sessfullynded on the ground. The two Lu Yangs detached from the willow tree, which quickly withered, shrinking back into a willow seed, only the willow seed hadpletely lost its vitality and could not grow again. Lu Yang controlled his clones movements, initially unskilled but gradually bing adept, managing to multitask, moving himself while controlling the clone. Hehe, you have me to thank for this! Evesting Fairy imed credit. You can control another clone because you have opened up a mental space, and your mental power is much stronger than that of the Foundation Building stage. Think about it, how did you open up the mental space initially? Lu Yang thought for a moment and said seriously, It was because you, Fairy, wanted to possess me, forcibly entered my body, and opened up the mental space. Evesting Fairys pretty face darkened, emphasizing, I was pretending, I told you that was all an act! Lu Yang felt that with Evesting Fairys intelligence, it indeed was an act initially. Lu Yang continued to explore the clone, which could only move within a twenty-meter range. Once beyond twenty meters, he could no longer sense the clones presence. Twenty meters was precisely the range of Lu Yangs mental power. Within these twenty meters, only within ten meters was the control precise; beyond ten meters, the control weakened with distance. Lu Yangs clone was not sturdy, just like the willow wood. Is it because the willow wood is amon material, so its not sturdy? Lu Yang wanted to try a real spiritual nt, but he had not collected any tree seeds before and had no suitable materials at hand. Senior Brother Lu, try this peach tree seed, its not amon item? Peach Blossom Leaf, seeing Lu Yangs difficulty, kindly handed him a seed. Peach Blossom Leaf eagerly observed Lu Yang, very fond of exploring new things and unsolved mysteries, and the most intriguing mystery for her right now was Lu Yang. This is too much, how many contribution points? Ill buy it. Bing a spy for the demonic sect gave him a lot of contribution points, and Lu Yang hadnt spent them all up to now. No need, this is a peach tree seed from the Dust-Free Peak, its free. Lu Yang remembered Peach Blossom Leafs kindness and attempted to nt the peach tree. The peach tree seed was buried in the soil, and he activated the tree nting technique, but nothing happened. Do I have to use the Shrinking Earth technique? Lu Yang wondered, as he had used it when nting the willow seed. Shrinking Earth. Lu Yang shrank into the earth, operated the tree nting technique, and it indeed worked. A robust peach tree broke through the soil in front of Peach Blossom Leaf, bearing two Lu Yangs on it, one the real Lu Yang and one a vegetable Lu Yang, with pink blush smeared on his cheeks. Lu Yang twitched at the corner of his eye: Howe this peach tree evenes with coloring? Never mind, as long as it works. Lu Yang controlled his vegetable self to move and rejoiced in his heart. He could clearly feel that the body strength of the vegetable Lu Yang had changed, approximately seventy to eighty percent of his own strength. This was already quite impressive. Think about it, during battle, using the tree nting technique to produce two of oneself, with the newly emerged self having seventy to eighty percent of ones strength, and cooperating seamlessly with oneself, instantly boosting battle power and catching the enemy off guard. Peach Blossom Leaf also noticed this and admired Senior Brother Lu. The True Lord of Ten Thousand Laws was a genius, but he just followed the footsteps of his predecessors, earnestly practicing the tree nting technique without innovation. Look at Senior Brother Lu, who has forcibly trained it into an attack-type Technique, and with very strong attack power at that! At this moment, Sixth Elder silently watched Lu Yang from the sky and turned to leave. Originally, she thought if Lu Yang had any questions that Peach Blossom Leaf couldnt answer, she coulde down to answer them, fulfilling her duty as a senior. Now, seeing the situation, she thought it best to leave the answering to Little Yun and not overstep her role. Little Yun said Lu Yangs talent in the Dao is enough to establish a sect Sixth Elder expressed skepticism towards this. His talent is indeed high, but to say establishing a sect, could his disciples learn it? Lu Yang was engrossed in cultivation, bing more proficient in using the human vegetable, while Peach Blossom Leaf observed by the side, gaining a deeper understanding of the tree nting technique. Of course, it was about the normal tree nting technique. As evening approached, Lu Yang felt embarrassed to stay at Dust-Free Peak any longer. He said goodbye to Peach Blossom Leaf and went to the mission hall to exchange for some items. He couldnt always use Peach Blossom Leafs seeds and needed to buy some for backup. Evesting Fairy wholeheartedly agreed with this, finally able to shop to her hearts content. After Lu Yang left, Peach Blossom Leafs expression changed. She felt an inexplicable oppression, a suffocating pressure. Danger! She helplessly turned her head and transmitted a message to her master: Master, could you give me a heads-up before youe? Its not easy for me to hold my breath every time. Sixth Elder stood behind Peach Blossom Leaf with an innocent expression. I forgot youre not yet at the Golden Core stage. Sixth Elder subconsciously thought all her disciples were at the Golden Core stage. Peach Blossom Leaf: Is this karma? Teasing Senior Brother Lu about his low cultivation in the morning, and now its my turn in the evening. Sixth Elder didnt forget the purpose of her visit: Do you have feelings for Lu Yang? Peach Blossom Leafs cheeks rapidly turned red. Although she was usually forthright, when it came to this question, whether she liked him or not, she was unwilling to discuss it with her master: Master, what are you talking about? My interactions with Senior Brother Lu are normal. Sixth Elder continued to transmit: Some days ago, Hongxia kept asking me what kind of person Lu Yang is. I suspect she heard that Lu Yang is an outstanding kid and wants to introduce her excellent disciple Lan Ting to Lu Yang. If you have feelings for him, you should be careful. Sixth Elder looked certain of her conjecture. Luo Hongxia, the pce master of Moon Laurel Immortal Pce. Peach Blossom Leaf rolled her eyes but said nothing. To outsiders, the long, silent stare between master and disciple was a very strange scene. Of course, from another perspective, it could also be interpreted as the master and disciple having a tacit understanding, everything understood without words. (End of the chapter) Chapter 154: Yellow Bean Shopping When Lu Yang arrived at the mission hall, it was already deep into the night, and the vast hall had only a few people in it. ording to Lu Yangs understanding, his senior brothers and sisters had regr routines. They worked hard during the day toplete tasks, y demons, and defend the righteous path. At night, they either yed joyfully or meditated and rested. Of course, the joyful y mentioned here is not the worldly understanding of indulgence in food and drink, but rather enjoying drinks and music while engaging in duels, not neglecting rest and cultivation. Thus, the mission hall was not very crowded at this time. Lu Yang scrolled through the exchange column, selecting those spirit tree seeds that were of good quality but not expensive. Phillyrea tree, pomegranate tree, apple tree Lu Yang browsed through the seeds, not very satisfied with any of them. The quality and price were eptable, but theycked character. Why even look at the price? You can spend my contribution points however you like! Evesting Fairy was as generous as ever. She had just checked her contribution points,pared the price list, and felt confident and spirited, thinking that this Dao Seeking Sect was nothing much. Lu Yang did not have the habit of living off others, and taking advantage of fools did not sit well with him either.Evesting Fairy puffed her cheeks and stared at Lu Yang, able to vaguely sense some of his thoughts in the spiritual space. For a moment just now, Lu Yang was disrespectful to the immortal! Lu Yang continued selecting seeds: Coconut tree, durian tree Bodhi tree, the Bodhi tree seeds are good! The Bodhi tree has a special significance in Buddhism, with many legends involving it. Lu Yang felt the Bodhi tree was very suitable for his genius identity. Its you, Bodhi tree seeds. Lu Yang bought ten Bodhi tree seeds. When it was Evesting Fairys turn, she saw a dazzling array of exchange items, her eyes gleaming, unsure of what to buy. Buy some heavenly materials and earthly treasures that can restore strength? If Evesting Fairy could return to her ancient state, Lu Yang would have a great support. Backed by the Eldest Senior Sister and Evesting Fairy, wouldnt the cultivation world be at hismand? Evesting Fairy disdainfully said, What are you talking about? I am an immortal, do you understand, the pinnacle of cultivators. How many heavenly materials and earthly treasures in the world are worthy of my use? Her implication was that there was nothing on the exchange list that could restore her strength. Then how about two pellets of Beautifying Elixir? Let alone the fact that my beauty is evesting, without ws or blemishes, and I do not age, I am only sixteen years old, why would I need a Beautifying Elixir? Lu Yang thought the fairy was exaggerating. Even if she said she was six with rapid physical development, he would believe it. Lu Yang stopped giving suggestions to the fairy: You pick whatever you like. This blind box looks good, only two hundred contribution points each, with a chance to win rare techniques, spells, millennia-old heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and other precious items! Lu Yangs eyelid twitched. Who came up with this idea? He wanted to persuade her otherwise, but seeing Evesting Fairys excitement, he knew it was probably futile. Lu Yang, use your body for a moment, Ill buy fifty blind boxes! Evesting Fairy, being only a soul, could not make purchases directly and needed to temporarily possess Lu Yang. Lu Yang sighed and let the fairy use his body. Ten thousand contribution points were spent without even blinking an eye, while the contribution points Lu Yang and his twopanions had earned from infiltrating the demonic cult barely totaled eight thousand five hundred. Evesting Fairy, holding fifty blind boxes, wobbled to a corner of the hall and sat down to slowly open the boxes. In fact, she could have known everything with a sweep of her immortal sense, but Evesting Fairy thought that would lose the sense of novelty, preferring to open them one by one instead. Little bear doll, little dog doll, lollipop, big iron pot What is all this stuff, where are the promised precious items? Evesting Fairy felt she had been duped. Lu Yang thought to himself, I knew this would be the oue. It was uncertain whether Evesting Fairy was lucky, or the person who put together the blind boxes had a conscience, but Evesting Fairy actually managed to find some good items. Resurrection Pill, when on the brink of death and the soul has left the body, taking this pill can call back the soul and save a life. A life-saving medicine, but it was of no use to either Lu Yang or Evesting Fairy. Even if Lu Yang was on the brink of death and his soul attempted to leave his body, Evesting Fairy could grab his ankle and pull him back. And needless to say, Evesting Fairy herself faced no possibility of being on her deathbed. Barely a gain, lets pack it up. Evesting Fairy instinctively wanted to put it into Lu Yangs identity jade, but the identity jade could recognize souls, which Evesting Fairy couldnt use. Evesting Fairy could force it open, but there was no need. When she returned the body to Lu Yang, she would let him pack it away. Corpse Destroying Powder, sprinkle the powder on a corpse, and the body will dissolve into dense water. Wash it away with water, and this person will no longer exist in this world. Note: Can only destroy the bodies of those at the Golden Core stage and below. Lu Yangs eyelid twitched slightly, repeatedly reminding himself that the Dao Seeking Sect is a righteous sect, and the Corpse Destroying Powder is for defeating enemies and eliminating hidden dangers, to be used only as ast resort. Mountain and River Contemtion Chart, contemting this chart can expand the spiritual space and enhance mental power. Author, Ji Hongwen. Ji Hongwen is a disciple of the fourth elder, a Confucian cultivator skilled in the art of painting, and belonged to the same generation as the Eldest Senior Sister and Dai Bufan. Lu Yangs eyes lit up, this was a good item. His current mental power had reached the limit of the Foundation Establishment stage, and further improvement would damage the spiritual space. Once he reached thete Foundation Establishment stage, he could further enhance his mental power. Evesting Fairy sneered, using Lu Yangs body to pat her chest: Why bother with such contemtion, its inefficient and not useful. When you reach thete Foundation Establishment stage, just contemte me. I am a genuine fairy chart, the effect will definitely be better than some unknown contemtion chart! Seal Lips Pill, after taking this pill, one will not confess under severe torture or seduction! Automatic Writing Formation, if you are punished by your elders to copy scriptures or techniques, this formation can mimic handwriting and help you with the punishment! Lu Yang sighed, It seems the senior brothers and sisters invented this formation to save trouble. No, wait! Evesting Fairy noticed something odd, This automatic writing formation has a backdoor, once used, it will be discovered by the elders! Lu Yang: Well, then, was this thing invented by the Dao Seeking Sect elders to fish for offenders? He knew it, these elders might seem carefree on the surface, but when ites to scheming, each is more capable than thest! After opening all the blind boxes, overall, the ten thousand contribution points were somewhat wasted. However, Evesting Fairy didnt care; she was very fond of the little bear doll and little dog doll from the beginning and thought about simting them in the spiritual spaceter. In the spiritual space, Evesting Fairy could simte anything. What interesting thing should I buy Evesting Fairy, who wasvish with contribution points, wanted to spend them all at once. This is it, three of these! Evesting Fairy made a decision, these three exchange coupons would almost exactly spend all the contribution points. Lu Yang had a bad feeling, what kind of exchange coupon was so expensive? He carefully examined the three exchange coupons, which read: One-Day Sect Master Experience in Dao Seeking Sect (End of the chapter) Chapter 155: Isn’t That Convenient? The One-Day Sect Master Experience in Dao Seeking Sect exchange coupon, the most expensive exchange reward on the list, has not yet been affordable for any disciple to date. Five senior brothers tried to pool resources to exchange for it, and even got into a fight over who would be the sect leader, resulting in injuries and a stay in Pellet Cauldron Peak. After recovering, they felt too embarrassed by the incident and went on long-term missions outside, not having returned to this day. Of course, a disciple like Dai Bufan could definitely afford it, but due to his special identity, managing the mission hall on behalf of the Grand Elder, he could not make the exchange. Immortal, wouldnt you consider choosing another reward? Lu Yang kindly advised. Evesting Fairy raised her eyebrows: What, he Daoist Non-Speaker can be the sect leader, but I cannot? Let me tell you, in ancient times, I was revered by countless tribes as a deity. Whats so difficult about managing a mere Dao Seeking Sect? No, what I mean is that its Eldest Senior Sister who currently manages the Dao Seeking Sect. If you want to be the sect leader for three days, you need Eldest Senior Sisters approval. Can we back out now? I mean, what does it matter, could I possibly be afraid of a little girl? Evesting Fairy instinctively chickened out for a moment, but the dignity of an immortal gave her confidence and bravado. Evesting Fairy, controlling Lu Yangs body, turned around and headed back to Heavens Gate Peak.After arriving at Heavens Gate Peak, Lu Yang kindly reminded, Eldest Senior Sister is in another direction; this is the way back to my cave dwelling. Evesting Fairy frowned: And you call yourself her junior brother, not considering her at all. That youngdy works hard every day, and now its sote, how can we disturb her? Well talk tomorrow! Lu Yang thought to himself that Eldest Senior Sister transcends the Three Realms and is not constrained by the five elements; what concept of day and night could she have? Little ahem, Eldest Senior Sister, I wish to be the sect leader for three days, please approve. Evesting Fairy submitted the application she had written overnight. Yun Zhi was dealing with sect affairs, emanating a keep out aura. She nced at Lu Yang, immediately realizing that Evesting Fairy was temporarily using Lu Yangs body. She spoke in an even tone, As a predecessor, one of the ancient five immortals, your status is the highest in the cultivation world. Its not appropriate to call me Eldest Senior Sister; just call me Yun Zhi. Evesting Fairy carefully observed, making sure Yun Zhi wasnt speaking out of irritation, before saying, Yun Zhi, I wish to be the sect leader for three days. I spent all my contribution points to exchange for this coupon. Our Dao Seeking Sect is based on integrity, so we cant just go back on our Its allowed, Yun Zhi interrupted Evesting Fairy. Really allowed? Originally, Evesting Fairy was ready to corner Yun Zhi with rules, but it turned out there was no need. Really. The rules are as such, and I naturally must adhere to them. Otherwise, how can Imand respect? Which days do you want to be sect leader? Lets start from tomorrow. Okay. Yun Zhis tone remained as t as ever, but Lu Yang noticed, Eldest Senior Sisters mouth curved into a slight smile! Theres a catch! Yun Zhi handed the affairs she was dealing with to Evesting Fairy: Then the matter of hosting the Five Elements Sect will be troubling the predecessor. The Five Elements Sect, one of the Five Great Immortal Sects. Five, Five Elements Sect? Evesting Fairy looked down at the paper Yun Zhi gave her, which was an invitation from the Five Elements Sect stating they would visit the Dao Seeking Sect in three days for personnel exchange, followed by a list of visiting members. Another paper was the hosting n Yun Zhi was writing, with just a title written on it. Lu Yang had heard that there was a tradition of mutual visits among the Five Great Immortal Sects. Though termed visits, they were essentiallypetitions among disciples to see who could outperform the others. The rewards were secondary; the main concern was the loss of face for the losers. Yun Zhi rescued Lu Yang from Daoist Non-Speakers clutches partly for this reason, allowing Lu Yang, as a promising new talent, topete with outstanding disciples from the Five Elements Sect and gain some exposure. Yellow Bean was somewhat taken aback. She had thought it would be nice to y the role of the sect leader for three days, as the Dao Seeking Sect usually had no major events. She had not anticipated the visit of a brotherly sect. Yellow Bean considered backing out. She had never organized such arge event; in ancient times, the most she did was gather the other four immortals for some merrymaking. But immortals have their dignity, and their word must be kept! Being a sect leader, how hard could it be? If something goes wrong, its Lu Yang who will be embarrassed! Hey, hey, hey, Immortal, youre saying your inner thoughts out loud! Lu Yang eximed angrily. Then, Lu Yang thought of another issue: Eldest Senior Sister, the Immortals existence must remain a secret. How do we exin my bing the sect leader? Where did I get so many contribution points? Why wouldnt you have them? You found our missing master of ten years, a great merit. Yun Zhi spoke in her usual tone, leaving Lu Yang unsure if Eldest Senior Sister was being sincere or sarcastic. In any case, Evesting Fairy truly became the acting sect leader, starting from tomorrow, for a period of three days, coinciding with the visit from the Five Elements Sect on the third day. Evesting Fairy returned the body to Lu Yang, who felt a warmth around his waist. Whats happening? It was the Helmsman token. The token blinked three times, indicating that the contact person, Tang Yunsheng, was looking for him. The meeting ce had already been set when they infiltrated the Dao Seeking Sect. Ah, can I meet my followers now? Evesting Fairy said happily. Lu Yang informed Eldest Senior Sister, who responded simply, Go meet him. Ill be watching in secret. Lu Yang felt reassured. At the entrance of the Dao Seeking Sect, he met Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone. It seems Tang Yunsheng called all three of them. Should we go straight there? Meng Jingzhou asked, wanting to know what Lu Yang intended. Lu Yang sped his hands and lifted them above his head, shaking them, Eldest Senior Sister is nearby. Then theres no problem. The Dao Seeking Sect was surrounded by many towns and viges, and Tang Yunsheng chose a small town for the meeting ce. Tang Yunsheng, dressed in a ck robe, seemed mysterious but was very conspicuous in the town, as if afraid others wouldnt notice he was trying to hide his identity. Several passersby considered reporting him to the Dao Seeking Sect, too suspicious. Tang Yunsheng looked satisfied seeing the three of them: Your names are on the Dao Seeking Sects recruitment list, saying you three opened a barbecue shop in the Dao Seeking Sect. Youve finally infiltrated the Dao Seeking Sect, well done! No need to ask, this was a fake list arranged by Dai Bufan. Atst, my Undying Sect has its spies within the Dao Seeking Sect! Tang Yunsheng was very moved, as if achieving a lifelong goal. The Sect Leader never expected things to go so smoothly! Tang Yunsheng changed the topic, sighing, Unfortunately, the situation isnt good for the other three immortal gates. Whats wrong with the other three immortal gates? Lu Yang asked as the Undying Sects Sect Leader. For some reason, those three gates have be sharp, capturing all our Undying Sect spies cleanly, even using the name of Evesting Celestial, quite malicious and difficult to guard against! The other three demonic sects didnt fare any better, losing many spies as well. What should we do? Lu Yang was somewhat anxious, feeling responsible as the sect leader for so many of his people being captured. No matter, we must look forward. A temporary failure means nothing. Tang Yunsheng was invigorated, Thest message from our spy in the Five Elements Sect said they would visit the Dao Seeking Sect in three days. This is an opportunity for us! The Sect Leader senses that Evesting Celestial is awakening. Our Undying Sects rise is just around the corner. We can use this exchange meeting to cause trouble, letting the Five Great Immortal Sects know, the Undying Sect is not to be trifled with! With you three as insiders, this n is sure to seed! Lu Yang and the others nodded. In the spiritual space, Evesting Fairy nodded. In the shadows, Eldest Senior Sister also nodded. (End of the chapter) Chapter 156: The Cautious Barbarian Bone When both the righteous and demonic paths agree on a matter, any previous obstacles be the driving force for the present. The actual controllers and event organizers of the Dao Seeking Sect have already agreed to Tang Yunshengs proposal. It was a foolproof n. How should we proceed? Contact the other three demonic sects, bring out our trump card immortal treasures, stage a rebellion, overthrow the Dao Seeking Sects base, capture the eight elders, take control of the entire Dao Seeking Sect, and then push across the four major immortal gates and The Great Xia Dynasty, unify the Central Continent, then turn on the other three demonic sects, unite the four major demonic sects into one, establish the Immortal Sect, take advantage in the great era struggle, be immortals and ancestors, living freely and at ease? Lu Yang enthusiastically suggested. As the Sect Leader of the Undying Sect, Lu Yang needed to have a broad vision, carefully n, and strategize for the future of the Undying Sect. Hey, youre just our sects helmsman, right? Evesting Fairy protested in the spiritual space. Thats not how you should put it. Immortal, think about it, if you were to choose between me and the Undying Sect Sect Leader, who would you choose as the sect leader? Id choose you. Evesting Fairy didnt hesitate, of course, she would choose someone she knew. See, that settles it. As the source of faith, youve recognized me as the sect leader, which means Im the legitimate sect leader, and the current one is an imposter.Evesting Fairy nodded, feeling Lu Yang made a lot of sense: Makes sense, then I hereby appoint you as the Sect Leader of the Undying Sect! Tang Yunsheng was startled by Lu Yangs n, this kid really dared to dream big: No, no, no, its not that exaggerated. Our Undying Sect hasnt nned that far yet, and this operation involves only our Undying Sect. Lu Yang appeared very disappointed; the Undying Sectcked ambition. So, what are we nning to do in the Dao Seeking Sect? Meng Jingzhou asked. After pondering for a moment, Tang Yunsheng replied: We still dont know the exact process of how the Dao Seeking Sect will host the Five Elements Sect, but I can roughly guess what the steps will be. For example, the first step is definitely a weing ceremony, which often includes speeches by the leaders of both sides, performances, dining, drinking, etc Evesting Fairy hurriedly took notes; she was worried about how to n the hosting, and now someone had delivered the n to her. Good follower, I appoint you as the vice sect leader. Vice Sect Leader Tang Yunsheng continued: Then there will bepetitions, where both sides send their elite disciples topete, setting thepetition rules, scope, and prizes. The closing ceremony is our opportunity. After experiencing the weing ceremony and the elite disciplepetition, people will feel very tired, unconsciously lowering their vignce and defense. Thats when those of us hiding in the shadows make our move, tricking the Dao Seeking Sect, letting the righteous path know the might of our Undying Sect, glorifying the power of Evesting Celestial! Lu Yang was shocked: As far as I know, the eight elders of the Dao Seeking Sect are either in thete Unity stage or at the peak of Unity, with few rivals at their level, not to mention the powers of the Five Elements Sect. Facing such opponents, can we still seed in a surprise attack, is the Sect Leader going to take action?! Tang Yunsheng shook his head: The Sect Leader, overseeing the whole situation, will not make a move. This ns organizers and executors are two vice sect leaders and five high-ranking officials, who will use the immortal treasure, the Yellow Millet Pillow, to pull everyone into a dream. At that time, we control the dream, able to mold them at will! (TL Note it might be a reference to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%BC_Dongbin#Yellow_Millet_Dream) The Undying Sect has one Sect Leader and three Vice Sect Leaders. In fact, Tang Yunsheng heard that the Sect Leader was seriously injured and recuperating, unable to attend to other matters, and unaware of the n to attack the Dao Seeking Sect. However, there was no need to discuss such morale-dampening matters with these three. With this in mind, Tang Yunsheng smirked coldly. In the dream realm, whether the Dao Seeking Sect and the Five Elements Sect live or die would entirely depend on their mood! Even if they couldnt injure the elders or highly skilled disciples, ughtering a batch of potential elite disciples would be more than enough! The Yellow Millet Pillow? Isnt that the pillow I use for sleeping? Evesting Fairy was surprised; these people really were her followers, still possessing her relics. Lu Yang was more astonished than Evesting Fairy: Immortals need to sleep? Evesting Fairy displeasedly retorted: Why cant immortals sleep? Anyway, Ive reached the peak of my cultivation. Meditating doesnt umte any more power, so why cant I enjoy myself? Lu Yang actually found Evesting Fairys argument quite reasonable. Meng Jingzhou then asked, How will the vice sect leader and other high-ranking members enter the Dao Seeking Sect? Tang Yunsheng had already thought of a way: You just give a heads up to the manager, saying that the barbecue business will be too busy during the exchange between the two sects, and you need to find some outsiders to help temporarily. Ive looked into it; this kind of thing happens often during such events, and they generally agree. The vice sect leader and the others will carry a talisman that can temporarily hide their cultivation levels, enough to deceive the Dao Seeking Sect! The three nodded; the Undying Sect had really thought of everything. At that moment, Barbarian Bone raised a very meticulous question: But can the vice sect leader and the others actually grill skewers? Tang Yunsheng was taken aback, having not considered this problem, but he couldnt show uncertainty in front of these three, so he nodded confidently, saying: Youve thought this through well. However, the vice sect leader and the others are capable of great feats; grilling skewers, frying dishes, washing dishes, and cleaning up are all within their capabilities. Your concern is unnecessary. The four then agreed on some details regarding the various possibilities during the exchange meeting. Evesting Fairy listened intently, roughly understanding how to organize the event. After seeing Lu Yang and the others off, Tang Yunsheng turned and left, running for a couple of hours to reach a secret base. Little Tang, youre back. How did the briefing go? a young man asked with a smile. He seemed young but was old enough to be Tang Yunshengs ancestor. Replying to Vice Sect Leader Liu, Ive finished briefing them. It seems those three are doing well in the Dao Seeking Sect, obtaining many useful pieces of information. However, Barbarian Bone noticed a detail that was overlooked. What? Vice Sect Leader Liu frowned; they had worked through the n all night, and it should have been foolproof. Tang Yunsheng cautiously spoke up, observing the others reaction: You and others apparently dont know how to grill skewers. Vice Sect Leader Liu exploded with anger, emitting a terrifying aura: Nonsense, what kind of status do we have, to actually grill skewers ourselves?! Tang Yunsheng advised: But think about it, our base in the Dao Seeking Sect is a barbecue restaurant, and were going in under the guise of helpers. If we cant grill skewers, it might give us away! Vice Sect Leader Liu calmed down, seeing some sense in Tang Yunshengs words, and gruffly said: Go buy some meat, bamboo skewers, charcoal, and other barbecue supplies, and find a master skewer griller for us to learn from. Understood. After Tang Yunsheng left, Vice Sect Leader Lius lips curled into a cruel sneer: Ive heard that the barbecue restaurant those three opened in Yanjiang County is very popr. Heh, I didnt want to learn, but if I really put my mind to it, how hard can barbecuing be? (End of the chapter) Chapter 157: How Did the Five Elements Sect Lose The Last Time? Returning to the Dao Seeking Sect from Tang Yunshengs ce, Eldest Senior Sister remained silent the entire way, probably feeling it unnecessary to worry about such matters, leaving everything to Evesting Fairy and Lu Yang to handle. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone didnt ask further, believing that with Eldest Senior Sister backing them, nothing would go wrong. After returning to the Dao Seeking Sect, Evesting Fairy focused on nning the reception process. The sect leaders speech at the wee ceremony so troublesome. Lu Yang, can you write it? If you help me write it, Ill teach you an immortal technique. Evesting Fairy, feeling headache from the nning, sought help from her reliable assistant, Lu Yang. Lu Yang chuckled: If its a cookbook, Ill pass. What are you saying, whats wrong with this immortals cooking skills? Lu Yang didnt respond, just rolled his eyes to show his stance. Having no choice, Evesting Fairy had to buckle down and write it herself, spending half a day to squeeze out two sentences: Wee to the Five Elements Sect. Feel free to enjoy yourselves. Lu Yang: Never mind, Ill help you write it.Really? Evesting Fairys eyes lit up upon hearing Lu Yang agree to help, handing over the task of writing the speech to him and focusing on what to serve for the reception meal instead. Lu Yang had no choice but to help, or else hed be the one embarrassedter. This is the first time Im hosting arge event; it should be grand. To show how seriously I take this event, Ill cook the meals myself! Evesting Fairy was spirited, wanting to show the world that her cooking skills as Yellow Bean could rival those of a Tribtion Crossing Stage spiritual chef! Lu Yang just hoped she wouldnt rival a Tribtion Crossing Stage poison master. Evesting Fairy also devised a n to deal with the Undying Sect: As my followers, if they dont help me, its fine, but daring to cause trouble, not a single one will get away! After a full days work, the two finally drafted the event n and presented it to Eldest Senior Sister for review. After reading it, Eldest Senior Sister didnt have much to say, onlymenting that it was fine: From today on, the predecessor is the acting sect leader of the Dao Seeking Sect. I have informed the eight elders, and they have agreed to cooperate with Lu Yangs work. The elders were unaware of Evesting Fairys existence. Lu Yang gathered the eight elders to discuss the wee ceremony process. Is it me or her whos the sect leader? Lu Yang felt he was doing quite a bit of work. Whats there to be dissatisfied about? Without me, could you have exchanged for a One-Day Sect Master Experience in Dao Seeking Sect coupon? This is a chance, no, an immortal opportunity I generously bestowed upon you! Evesting Fairy thought Lu Yang was ungrateful. In ancient times, everyone wanted to be the leader. Ying Tian Immortal and the others each controlled at least tens of thousands of life stars, not counting the mining stars, gravity stars, dead stars, and other utilitarian stars! They fought over more stars, and I mediated several times! How many life stars did you control? One. Why so few? Im just not good at managing people. If it werent for Ying Tian Immortal and the others saying an immortal should have a territory, saying itd be shameful otherwise, and forcibly giving me one, Id reluctantly epted one. After giving it to me, I found a cultivator with strong management skills to manage that star. I asionally visit the mortal realm to see how its managed. What did you do after bing an immortal? Shopping, visiting friends, cooking, sleeping. Are you a human or a salted fish spirit? Evesting Fairy was displeased: Have you seen a salted fish spirit as beautiful as me? Now I have. I also often secretly follow them, observing their movements and range of activities. Lu Yang thought, finally something that sounded like ancient times; was she nning to ambush them, reducing the number of immortals? Whats this for? To avoid running into them. For instance, if I attend an auction and some shortsighted person unts their identity, saying theyre the son of some tribes chieftain, sayingpeting with them is disrespecting their tribe, then I stand up, revealing my immortal status, scaring them to the point of trembling. Otherwise, its about stepping in to mediate when two tribes sh. Neither side recognizes me, and they disdainfully ask who I think I am. Thats when I release my immortal aura, which works remarkably well, with both sides inviting me to their tribes as a guest. Or it could be someone provoking me, and I send them flying with a p. They bring their backer, who brings an army to surround me. Then, their ancestor recognizes me, eximing, You, youre Evesting Fairy, and falls to their knees, begging for my forgiveness. Based on my experience, the effect is best when I am the only immortal present. (TL Note: These are all topes in cultivation novels) Lu Yangs eyelid twitched, realizing Evesting Fairys immortal life was indeed full of color and not that of a salted fish spirit. While they spoke, the eight elders gradually entered the room, and Lu Yang specifically noticed the eighth elder, seeing him for the first time. We greet the acting sect master, the eight elders said, bowing. Come, let me chair the meeting! Evesting Fairy pushed Lu Yang aside, taking over the body. She wanted to be the sect leader for this very moment of indulgence. My dear officials, rise. Lu Yang covered his face, regretting ever calling out Evesting Fairys true name. Initially, he thought Evesting Fairy was a golden finger, but now he realized her only uses were to tell ancient dark histories and embarrass him. The elders were somewhat unustomed to Lu Yangs demeanor, but then remembered he was Daoist Non-Speakers disciple, and it all made sense. Acting Sect Master, let me pour you some water. A familiar and indifferent voice came from behind Lu Yang, causing Evesting Fairy to break out in a cold sweat. Eldest Senior Sister, holding a teapot, poured water for Evesting Fairy with perfect grace, making one marvel at how wless Yun Zhi was in everything she did. As Yun Zhi bent to pour water, she gave Evesting Fairy a cold look. Evesting Fairy quickly nodded, indicating she would definitely behave and not cause any trouble. Theirmunication required no mind-reading, relying solely on eye contact. Evesting Fairy got serious, cleared her throat, and said, You all must be aware that the day after tomorrow, the Five Elements Sect will visit our Dao Seeking Sect. Ive gathered you here for this matter. Any thoughts? The eldest elder was the mostposed: The visitors bear ill intentions. Why do you say that? The Five Elements Sect has visited us once before. ording to tradition, it should be our turn to visit them next. Their breaking of tradition to visit us again can only mean one thing: they want to avenge their previous loss and defeat us on our ground! Evesting Fairy hadnt considered this aspect: ording to the elders views, what should we do? The second elder gestured a slicing motion across his neck: Ambush them on the road, beat them up while masked, and make them retreat. Dont worry, Im experienced. My operations are clean, leaving no loose ends for anyone to trace back to me. The other elders nodded in agreement, endorsing the second elders suggestion. Ive had enough of the Five Elements Sect. After losingst time, they even said our Dao Seeking Sect doesnt belong to the natures five elements. What kind of reasoning is that! Lets show them, let them know the strength of our Dao Seeking Sect! Ever since Little Qiu became the sect leader, hes changed. He mustve forgotten what happened when he was young and challenged our Dao Seeking Sects Nine! Evesting Fairy was curious: How did the Five Elements Sect losest time? The eighth elder exined: Oh, it was simple. They came over, proposing apetition between disciples, stating elders couldnt interfere, and wanted our best disciple to fight their best. And then? Then Little Yun stepped in. Evesting Fairy suddenly turned to look at the expressionless Eldest Senior Sister, almost forgetting that she was considered a disciple too. The eldest elder sighed: Perhaps Little Yun is too powerful, making Old Qiu forget she isnt from our generation but is the disciple of the ninth. (End of the chapter) Chapter 158: Everlasting Fairy’s Golden Finger Evesting Fairy felt that the Five Elements Sects loss was unjust; she knew exactly what level Yun Zhi was on. Once she fully recovers her strength, Yun Zhi would be qualified to be her opponent, possibly even achieving a fifty-fifty chance of winning or losing. Sending someone like her to fight the Five Elements Sect would be like bullying grandchildren; no wonder the Five Elements Sect wasnt convinced. Lu Yang thought to himself, Immortal, please stop boasting. Ying Tian Immortal is qualified to be your opponent, and so is the Nonuple Immortal. With all your abilities, how did you die in the first ce? Evesting Fairy was enjoying the feeling of being a sect leader and didnt notice the expression in Lu Yangs spiritual space. She tried to ease everyones mood: They say the Five Great Immortal Sects are as close as ones hands and feet. I think we shouldnt treat the Five Elements Sect like this. (TL Note: The idiom ͬ means that the rtionship is like hands and feet, and they cannot be separated for a day. It suggests a deep friendship, like brothers) The second elder sneered: Yes, we are the hand, and the Five Elements Sect is the foot. Hands and feet dont intersect, so where does the camaraderiee from? Evesting Fairy quietly asked the sixth elder, Feng Ya: Does the second elder have any conflict with the Five Elements Sect? The sixth elder, a spectral figure present, had no need to breathe or use thoughts tomunicate.After thinking for a moment, the sixth elder felt this was something that shouldnt be discussed but saw no reason to hide it from the acting sect master: When the second elder was young, he fell in love with a woman named Shangguan Yu and even confessed to her, but she directly rejected his feelings. The second elder also discovered Shangguan Yu speaking intimately with Qiu Jinan, looking like they were nning a lifetime together. Qiu Jinan is the current sect leader of the Five Elements Sect. Since then, the second elder has found the Five Elements Sect displeasing to the eye. Evesting Fairy frowned, recognizing the difficulty in handling such matters. She cleared her throat and said: After all, we are the hosts, and the Five Elements Sect are our guests. We should still maintain the necessary protocols and procedures when dealing with the Five Elements Sect. Ive drafted a simple event n and will need the elders cooperation. The wee ceremony will be held at the Martial Arts Square, where theres ample space and its close to our mountain peak. The core area of the Dao Seeking Sect consists of nine mountain peaks: one for the sect leader and eight for the elders. Arranged like a lotus, with the center being the most bustling and lively, featuring taverns, bookstores, clothing stores, and otherrge shops for disciples to rx and entertain themselves, as well as trial grounds and puppet fields for physical training. Among these, the Martial Arts Square upies thergest area. The Martial Arts Square is often used for disciple sparring; the entire tform is refined and durable, hard to destroy, enveloped in multipleyers of formations to prevent damage from intense collisions, and capable of self-repair if damaged. The formations also ensure that the sparring does not affect bystanders, making it a perfect venue. The fourth elder, youre the most meticulous and have some understanding of formations. Could you check the Martial Arts Squares formation for any ws or weaknesses, to see if it can withstand continuous high-intensity impacts? Okay. After the speeches from both sides conclude, it will be around noon, a good time to bond over a meal. Ivee across an immortals manual that records methods of preparing food, a rarity in this world. Ill take this opportunity to showcase it in front of the Five Elements Sect. Evesting Fairy volunteered for the cooking task. Thenes thepetition part. I initially n to divide it into four categories based on cultivation levels: Foundation Establishment Stage, Golden Core Stage, Nascent Soul Stage, and Spirit Transformation Stage. Evesting Fairys division was quite reasonable, preventing a situation where Yun Zhi overwhelmingly defeats everyone. Eldest elder, with the increase in patronage to ces like the tavern during the Five Elements Sects visit, there might be instances of price gouging. Please arrange for someone to patrol these areas to prevent such incidents. Also, some disciples like gambling and might take this opportunity to set up underground gambling dens. The eldest elder also needs to pay attention to this matter; close them if necessary and administer punishments as needed. Third elder, with therge influx of people during the exchange, conflicts are inevitable. Youll need to assign disciples to maintain order at the venue. Fifth elder, youre tasked with crafting four tablets that can live stream the events happening at the Martial Arts Square, allowing everyone to watch. The elders nodded, finding Evesting Fairys arrangements reasonable and thorough. Evesting Fairys tasks were well organized, thanks to her all-night effortmainly in convincing Lu Yang to lend a hand. Lu Yang had no choice but to act as the acting sect masters external brain, offering advice and strategies. Lu Yang truly was Yellow Beans golden finger, providing help at critical moments. (TL Note: Since I didnt exin it previously, golden fingers are basically cheat-like abilities the protagonists of novels have which give them an advantage, typically in cultivation or whatever the power system of the novel is. Normally the immortal in their spiritual space is the golden finger for the protagonist in regr novels but here, our protagonist is the golden finger for the immortal living in his spiritual space) Evesting Fairy continued assigning tasks: Seventh elder, you should prepare some more pills, mainly those for saving lives, healing wounds, and detoxification. The seventh elder hesitated before nodding: Of course, thats possible. However, the disciples usually exercise restraint during sparring and wont go for the kill, so these kinds of pills might not be necessary. Evesting Fairy thought about it and then asked Lu Yang in the spiritual space: Why did you have him prepare these pills? Fear of food poisoning. Evesting Fairy uttered an oh, then left the spiritual space and began to say to the seventh elder: Fear of food poi wait a minute Evesting Fairy realized what was happening, red at Lu Yang in the spiritual space, and Lu Yang innocently shrugged. After the exchange between the disciples ends, ording to the n, the Undying Sect willunch a sneak attack on us. The elders were startled. What did she mean ording to the n, the Undying Sect willunch a sneak attack? Wasnt the n hers? Evesting Fairy seriously said: We have nted a mole within the Undying Sect, someone of high rank, who has learned part of the Undying Sects n. Lu Yang thought, indeed, the mole has infiltrated deep into their ranks. Reliable information indicates that this time the Undying Sect will deploy two vice sect leaders and five high-ranking officials. The vice sect leaders of the Undying Sect are at the Unity Stage, but without immortal treasures, they wouldnt be able to make much of an impact at the Dao Seeking Sect. The Dao Seeking Sects Unity Stage isnt limited to the sect leader and the eight elders. Dao Seeking Sects Nine refers to the most outstanding nine people of that generation within the Dao Seeking Sect, not that there were only nine people in that generation. The others are either out on missions, guarding treasures within the Dao Seeking Sect, unwilling to work and in a semi-retired state, and rarely make public appearances. When the timees, Ill arrange for people to monitor the Undying Sects movements. If someone shouts attack, well all act together and capture the Undying Sects members. Dont be too harsh; try to take them alive if possible, Evesting Fairy concluded. After the meeting, the elders set off to carry out their assigned tasks. Lu Yang, with the event n in hand, left the Dao Seeking Sect to find Tang Yunsheng again. Tang Inspector, Ive brought the Dao Seeking Sects event n. These are all public information, easily obtained. Tang Yunsheng was overjoyed, but after reviewing the event n, he was puzzled. Why does this match the event n I imagined? It shows how urate your calctions were! Tang Yunsheng didnt think much of it, considering it a coincidence. Lu Yang continued: I think we should have a signal when we act, like the vice sect leader shouting attack, and then everyone moves together, catching the Dao Seeking Sect off guard! Tang Yunsheng nodded, agreeing with Lu Yangs suggestion. (End of the chapter) Chapter 159: Finally Found Who Sold the Fake Questions Back Then After returning to the Dao Seeking Sect, Evesting Fairy once again took over Lu Yangs body to deal with sect affairs. The Dao Seeking Sect has various matters to deal with daily, but the visit from the Five Elements Sect was given priority due to its significance. Now that tasks have been assigned, its time to handle regr issues. Evesting Fairy, sitting in the sect leaders seat, felt delighted: Lets see what matters require my decision. The Great Xia Dynasty strongly condemns the Dao Seeking Sects habit of haphazardly establishing graves. The Dao Seeking Sects eldest elder has repeatedly built graves outside of the sects territory, disrupting the archaeological work of The Great Xia Dynasty. Attached were detailed ounts of the incident, mentioning an old farmer who identally discovered a grave. The imperial court sent people to investigate and believed the graves style was ancient, resembling those from the Da Yu Dynasty era, constructed by someone at the Unity Stage. As the archaeological work continued, the contents of the tomb overturned peoples understanding of the Da Yu Dynastys graves, marking a significant discovery. After a long period of excavation, The Great Xia finally unearthed the tomb, only to find the eldest elder sleeping inside the coffin. All the effort was for the eldest elders unauthorized construction of a grave, even styled after the Da Yu Dynasty era, nearly infuriating The Great Xia Dynasty. The earthworm couple in the medicinal garden split into two each, believing they are four independent beings, no longer bound by their original rtionship. All four wish to marry simultaneously, with the males as the big and small husbands and the females as the big and small wives, nning a grand wedding in the medicinal garden?Sss Evesting Fairy leaned back, wondering if the earthworm n had always been this adventurous. Such antics were never heard of in the earthworm n during the ancient times. Evesting Fairy momentarily set aside the earthworm matter to review other documents: The Blue-Eyed Water Buffalo n proposes, given the dangerous times, even a visit home could encounter viins. They wish to concoct The Power of the Third Elder pill, to summon the third elder in critical moments to resolve dangers. Moving on to another matter. A group of sect disciples suggests restricting the third elders behavior. The mountains have owners; do not move them around just to exercise. Lu Yang had heard about this. The third elder liked to move mountains as part of his physical training. If it were just moving mountains, that would be one thing. The problem is, the third elder cant remember where the mountains originally were, often leaving disciples to find their homes gone upon returning from missions. Ah, Pellet Cauldron Peak ims to have found a method for long-distancemunication. Evesting Fairy sounded like she had discovered a treasure. Evesting Fairy didnt expect Pellet Cauldron Peak to be so creative. In ancient times, only powerful cultivators had the means tomunicate regardless of distance. Had Pellet Cauldron Peak found a way to make this widely avable? Pellet Cauldron Peak detailed their proposed solution. First, concoct two Lovesick Moonlit Elixirs. Lu Yang remembered when the Ginseng Child introduced the Lovesick Grass, briefly mentioning this item. Lovesick Moonlit Elixirs allow two people in love tomunicate irrespective of time and space. Then, concoct two Heartbreak Pills, which can force two people to fall in love. As long as they consume the Heartbreak Pill and Lovesick Moonlit Elixir, the two canmunicate over long distances. Aftermunication ends, Pellet Cauldron Peak has preliminarily developed a Forgetful Water potion, which, after consumption, can negate the effects of the Heartbreak Pill. Evesting Fairy: Lu Yang: Genius. Lu Yang felt there was a reason the alchemy world didnt recognize Pellet Cauldron Peak; with such reckless research methods, it would be strange if they acknowledged you! Evesting Fairy responded uniformly to these issues: Seen. And the response? Lu Yang quipped. I just dont know how to solve these, Evesting Fairy admitted with a troubled face. She was naturally not adept at resolving issues, let alone those of the Dao Seeking Sect. She had her way of dealing with it: Think about it, these matters arent urgent. Once these three days are over, it will be Yun Zhi, that young girl, who has to face these problems. Then, I wont have to worry about them. Lu Yang felt Evesting Fairy made some sense: Immortal, have you forgotten something? What? Eldest Senior Sister has been standing behind us all this time. Evesting Fairy broke into a cold sweat upon remembering Yun Zhi had been there all along, simply not speaking. She felt as if a pair of cold eyes were fixed on her, not daring to turn around. Sect Master, Meng Jingzhou has something to report outside! the owner of the cold eyes suddenly spoke, her tone revealing no emotion. Startled, Evesting Fairy shivered but then remembered her status as the sect master and somewhat reassured, said, Let him in. Meng Jingzhou came storming in, dragging someone alongit was the eighth elder. Lu Yang, regaining control of the body, asked with his legs crossed, Ah, its Little Meng. Lu Yang said warmly, Little Meng, dont be afraid. Whatever problem or trouble youve encountered, you can tell me. As an elder, its my duty to help the younger generation. Meng Jingzhous eye twitched, thinking, Lu Yang, youve really grown some skills. Ill see when I can exchange for a sect master experience coupon myself. Meng Jingzhou had heard that Lu Yang could exchange for a sect master experience coupon because he found the missing Daoist Non-Speaker for ten years. In that case, he could just seal Daoist Non-Speaker away, preventing him from causing trouble in the outside world. Reducing a major disaster in the cultivation world should earn him a massive amount of contribution points. However, the situation was pressing, not the time to squabble with Little Lu. I want to sue the eighth elder, Meng Jingzhou dered righteously. The eighth elder exined, feeling Meng Jingzhou misunderstood him: My nephew, its all a misunderstanding. I didnt know it was you back then. Whats the matter with the eighth elder? Lu Yang wasnt very familiar with the eighth elder yet. Do you remember our first meeting when I mentioned I bought the Dao Seeking Sects exam real questions? Lu Yang nodded; he remembered clearly. Initially, on the carriage, Meng Jingzhou didnt mention he got the real questions. Later, when Eldest Senior Sister also got on, Meng Jingzhou, betraying his principles for beauty, doomed himself by saying he had the real questions. The two even discussed how to pass the exam in front of Eldest Senior Sister. Fortunately, Eldest Senior Sister didnt mind this matter. Later, they learned that Meng Jingzhou indeed got the real questions, but they were from twenty years ago. Meng Jingzhou pointed at the eighth elder: It was him. He assured me with all confidence that these were the real questions, deceiving me of many spirit stones! In an instant, the gaze of Eldest Senior Sister, Lu Yang, and Meng Jingzhou converged on the eighth elder. Yun Zhi, aware of the eighth elders character, had long suspected him but never had evidence. The eighth elder calmly said, Thats not how you should put it. Didnt I sell you the real questions? Do you know how many people wanted to buy these questions from me twenty years ago? I didnt sell to any of them! (End of the chapter) Chapter 160: Everlasting Fairy’s Words Become Law Is the real question from twenty years ago not a real question? Young man, dont limit your thinking so narrowly. Have you not heard that the older something is, the higher its value? When I was tomb raiding with Old Nine, we always targeted the oldest things. We even found a treasure from the early Great Qian era, which was owned by a Tribtion Crossing Stage demon. Yun Zhi had heard a bit about this. Her master and the Eighth Elder had raided a tomb together and found an early Great Qian era treasure that could contain the waters of three rivers and fivekes, invaluable. The two of them started fighting over it then and there. Later, upon appraisal, it was discovered to be a chamber pot used by some Tribtion Crossing Stage demon. (TL Note: A chamber pot is a portable toilet, meant for nocturnal use in the bedroom. It wasmon in many cultures before the advent of indoor plumbing and flushing) The Eighth Elder continued, Go ask around outside. The Dao Seeking Sects exam questions are priceless. Im doing you a favor by selling you the real question, so dont be picky. Do you know how much risk I took to sell this set of questions? Im doing this for the profit of the Dao Seeking Sect! The Eighth Elder spoke righteously, making Lu Yang nod repeatedly in agreement: The Eighth Elder makes sense. In that case, the Eighth Elders sry should also be dyed by twenty years. That wont do, the Eighth Elder hurriedly objected. Dont worry, Eighth Elder, its not that you wont get your sry, just that it will be dyed by twenty years. Isnt a sry dyed by twenty years still a sry?Or does the Eighth Elder think the sect is in difficulty and voluntarily requests no sry? If the Eighth Elder has such noble thoughts, I will definitelymend you publicly and encourage everyone to learn from the spirit of the Eighth Elder. At this point, Yun Zhi spoke up: Eighth Elder, considering you are a friend of my master, just return the spirit stones you swindled from Meng Jingzhou, and we will let this matter rest. The Eighth Elder had no choice but to return the spirit stones begrudgingly. With the spirit stones returned, Meng Jingzhou was overjoyed. Then Yun Zhi said, Meng Jingzhou, you were also at fault for buying the real questions. As long as you hand over the money used to buy the questions to the sect, we will let this matter rest. Meng Jingzhou was dumbfounded, thinking Eldest Senior Sister was on his side. Having no choice, Meng Jingzhou had to hand over the spirit stones to the sect. Wait, what about Lu Yang? This guy discussed with me on the carriage how to deal with the examination, harboring ill intentions! Meng Jingzhou tried to drag Lu Yang down with him. Lu Yang sneered, Then go tell the Sect Leader about me! Considering the Sect Leader is not here, you can go to the acting Sect Leader. I believe the acting Sect Leader is a fair and strict person and will not favor anyone. Damn it Meng Jingzhou red at Lu Yang, thinking, wait until I be the Sect Leader, youll see! After the Eighth Elder and Meng Jingzhou left, Evesting Fairy took over Lu Yangs body again. Evesting Fairy looked at the matters that needed handling and felt that being a Sect Leader was difficult. How do the people from Ying Tian Immortal manage to control thoses when their problem-solving skills are about the same as mine? Yun Zhi sighed softly and reminded, Just as you can assign tasks to the eight elders, the Sect Leader also has the right to order disciples to do things. You can delegate the review tasks to experienced disciples. Right. Evesting Fairy realized, letting the golden boy Lu Yang handle these matters. Lu Yang took a deep breath, Doesnt it all imply that Eldest Senior Sister is suggesting she handle these matters? After going around in circles, it still ended up being the reliable Eldest Senior Sister who took care of these messy affairs. Sometimes, Lu Yang felt fortunate that the Dao Seeking Sect had Eldest Senior Sister; otherwise, the sect would have been doomed sooner orter. I wonder how the outside world views the Dao Seeking Sect. Evesting Fairy, with hands behind back, looked at the martial arts training ground being maintained, nodding frequently, like a leader inspecting the countryside. Near the training ground, there were many small tforms for disciples to spar. The Dao Seeking Sect still ces a great emphasis on practicalbat training to prevent its disciples from being bullied outside. Lu Yang felt that the higher-ups of the Dao Seeking Sect were overthinking things. At this time, on the tform, two Golden Core stage Senior Brothers and Sisters were battling, their Golden Cores full and shining brightly, clearly of the highest quality and at the peak of the Golden Core stage. Lu Yang recognized these two. The Golden Core stage Senior Brother was named Luo Hai, with a Golden Core known as the White Day Vast Sea Core, skilled in water attribute spells and having in several Nascent Soul Stage demonic cultivators. In the talent-filled Dao Seeking Sect, he was a prominent figure. The Golden Core stage Senior Sister was named Yi Jing, from the imperial citys Yi family. Although not as distinguished as Meng Jingzhous family, they were still a well-known n in the Central Continent. Senior Sister Yi Jing had an impressive experience,paring her familys ancestral techniques with various techniques from the scripture pavilion and initially modifying them to better suit herself. These two were no ordinary individuals, and their bout attracted many spectators hoping to gain insights to aid their cultivation. Evesting Fairy swaggered over, drawing some attention. To outsiders, Lu Yang was the first disciple to exchange for a Sect Leader experience coupon, which was very inspiring. Most people were focused on the battle and did not notice Evesting Fairys arrival. Watch me demonstrate what it means to fight across levels! Evesting Fairy said to Lu Yang, who had a bad feeling about this. Wait, what are you going to do Before Lu Yang could finish, Evesting Fairy controlled Lu Yangs body and jumped onto the tform. Seeing Evesting Fairy, the twobatants were curious about what this newly appointed acting Sect Leaders junior brother intended to do. I want to challenge both of you. Luo Hai and Yi Jing were stunned, then surprised, causing an uproar among the spectators. Lu Yang, only at the mid-stage of Foundation Building, was challenging two at the peak of the Golden Core stage? However, Luo Hai and Yi Jing did not refuse Lu Yangs challenge. The two stood opposite Evesting Fairy. Junior brother, you go first. Evesting Fairy revealed a smile. In the name of the acting Sect Leader, I order you two to jump off the tform. Lu Yang: Luo Hai: Yi Jing: The crowd of Senior Brothers and Sisters below: Is this how the powers of an acting Sect Leader are used? The words of the acting Sect Leader had to be obeyed, so the two did not hesitate and jumped off, losing the match. Evesting Fairys actions quickly piqued the interest of many Senior Brothers and Sisters. Brother Ma, go check out the tform. I heard Lu Yang refined the power of his words bew, defeating several Golden Core stage brothers and sisters, and even imed he wants to challenge those at the Nascent Soul Stage. Really? Brother Ma showed a keen interest. Ma Tianyang, at the peak of the Nascent Soul Stage, a disciple of the Refining Artifact Peak, excelled in using fire and forging weapons. He once fought a Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator while simultaneously refining artifacts, defeating the Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator with a continuous stream of spirit treasures. Lets check it out. The disciple who encouraged Ma Tianyang revealed a triumphant smile. As Ma Tianyang approached the tform, he heard Evesting Fairy boasting loudly, Hahaha, I am invincible among the Golden Core stage, bring on someone from the Nascent Soul Stage! Hearing this, Ma Tianyang immediately jumped onto the tform, then witnessed Evesting Fairys his words bew. That day, Evesting Fairy fought across levels, defeating cultivators from the Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Spirit Transformation stages with his mid-stage Foundation Building cultivation, bing famous. That day, Lu Yang wished he could bury himself in the ground. (End of the chapter) Chapter 161: Visit from the Five Elements Sect The flying boat of the Land of Gold Commerce sailed through the clouds, passing through ayer of clouds. The guests were sunbathing on the deck, enjoying this moment of tranquility. Suddenly, a huge shadow enveloped the guests. They looked up in surprise to find an exceptionallyrge flying boat appearing overhead. The flying boat of the Land of Gold Commerce was already considered veryrge, but in front of this vessel, it seemed as tiny as an infant. The exterior of this flying boat was adorned with colorful gems that shone brightly, clearly not ordinary items. Whose flying boat is this? people whispered among themselves, having never seen such a gigantic flying boat before. Some observant individuals noted, Look at the insignia on the side of the flying boat. This is a flying boat of the Five Elements Sect! Five Elements Sect? People had only heard of the Five Elements Sect by name and rarely saw the Five Elements Sect traveling, especially in such a grand manner.Could it be that some unparalleled demon has appeared, requiring the elders of the Five Elements Sect to head out together to eliminate it? In the world of cultivation, the reputation of the Five Elements Sect was more than a notch above that of the Dao Seeking Sect. Looking at the direction, are they going to the Dao Seeking Sect? Are they going to eliminate a great demon, or are they visiting the Dao Seeking Sect? Our purpose for this journey is to eliminate those demons and ghosts of the Dao Seeking Sect, to show them the might of our Five Elements Sect! On the flying boat of the Five Elements Sect, the Sect Master Qiu Jinan inspired the crowd: Last time it was my mistake in decision-making. I forgot Yun Zhi was a disciple of Daoist Non-Speaker, eligible topete, so our Five Elements Sect lost a minor battle! But this time its different. Ive confirmed that the kid Daoist Non-Speaker has disappeared, and Yun Zhi has officially be the acting Sect Leader, making her my equal and no longer participating in activities meant for disciples! This is our chance! Without the threat of Yun Zhi, the Dao Seeking Sect is nothing! We have endured hardship for this days victory, for the honor of the Five Elements Sect! Qiu Jinan was determined to redeem themselves, to strut in front of the Dao Seeking Sect, he even specially brought the most luxurious flying boat of the sect, just to show off in front of the Dao Seeking Sect. On the flying boat, each talented disciple, handpicked by the Five Elements Sect, listened to Qiu Jinans speech, their eyes ignited with the fire ofbat. They were all talents selected by the Five Elements Sect, each with their strengths, and unique insights into the five elements spells, rarely meeting their match among peers. They had been taught by their elders from a young age that when going on missions, they should try to avoid dealing with people from the Dao Seeking Sect, as they were very difficult to handle and could not be understood withmon sense. Every youth has a rebellious heart, and finally having the chance to confront the Dao Seeking Sect, they were determined to make a splendid show to let the Dao Seeking Sect know what talent means. Among them were disciples who had participated in the previous exchange but only Yun Zhi had made a move then, not truly showcasing the overall strength of the Dao Seeking Sect. They knew very little about the Dao Seeking Sect and felt this was an opportunity to showcase themselves. A bright-eyed young girl, looking at Qiu Jinan with a burning gaze, clenched her fist and shouted, For the honor of the Five Elements Sect! Her words, like a stone dropped on a calmke, rippled through, eliciting a response from the disciples of the Five Elements Sect. For the honor of the Five Elements Sect! For the honor of the Five Elements Sect! Seeing the girl, Qiu Jinans expression changed dramatically: Why are you here? Youre not on the visitation list! The girl feigned anger: Why cant Ie? Its such a rare opportunity toe to the Dao Seeking Sect, and you didnt include me in such fun! Describing a visit to the Dao Seeking Sect as fun is inappropriate; it should be considered dangerous! Qiu Jinan corrected the girls logic. Some younger disciples, unfamiliar with the girl, sent a telepathic message to their Senior Brother: Senior Brother, who is she? All I know is that her name is Shangguan Yu. Her background is unclear. She has been by the Sect Masters side even before I joined the Five Elements Sect. There are rumors that she was favored by the previous Sect Master, supposedly the illegitimate daughter of the previous Sect Master and the Sect Masters half-sister from a different mother. The Sect Master indulges her actions quite a bit. Nearly arriving at the Dao Seeking Sect, Qiu Jinan couldnt possibly send Shangguan Yu back, and it was highly likely she wouldnt listen to him anyway. Rather than lose face in public, it was better for him to step back. While they were speaking, the flying boat arrived at the entrance of the Dao Seeking Sect and docked nearby. In front of the Dao Seeking Sects gate, the acting Sect Leader Evesting Fairy and the eight elders had already hung up a banner weing the Five Elements Sect. Qiu Jinan led his people off the boat, a faint, knowing smile on his lips as he observed the Dao Seeking Sects reactions. Certainly, the people of the Dao Seeking Sect had never seen such a luxurious flying boat. The Grand Elder stepped forward to greet Qiu Jinan, extending his hand, but just as Qiu Jinan was about to shake it, the Grand Elder said, Docking fee. The Grand Elder wasnt there for a handshake but to charge a fee. Typically, when leaders of the Five Great Immortal Sects visit each other, they would construct objects like mist and clouds with their own mana, which would dissipate upon reaching their destination, very convenient. Rarely do they arrive in flying boats like Qiu Jinan did. Such arge flying boat docked in front of the Dao Seeking Sects gate would undoubtedly incur a charge; this wasnt a free parking or docking area. I am here representing the Five Elements Sect, Qiu Jinan said with a heavy voice. The Grand Elder pondered for a moment, finding Qiu Jinans argument reasonable: Then well give you a 20% discount. Taking a deep breath, Qiu Jinan decided to be magnanimous, not wanting to squabble with the Dao Seeking Sects entrics. The docking fee for Qiu Jinans ostentatious flying boat was tens of times that of ordinary boats, making Qiu Jinans heart bleed. But the thought of soon unting his prowess at the Dao Seeking Sect made him overlook this minor detail. Then, Qiu Jinan saw the Dao Seeking Sect people and the banner hung overhead. The wee for the Five Elements Sect couldnt have been more grand; the banner was personally written by an immortal, a second of its kind couldnt be found in the world. Yellow Bean, although seeming unserious, had excellent calligraphy skills. The characters on the banner, flying and dancing, were very imposing. The banners message was simple, Wee Five Elements Sect, but it was not in contemporary script. Qiu Jinan squinted, recognizing it as ancient script. Was the Dao Seeking Sect unting their cultural heritage? Ridiculous, did they not know he had once been obsessed with the ancient era and studied its culture extensively? Qiu Jinan smiled and uttered a series of obscure and difficult words in thenguage of the ancient era, understood by only a few. While traces of ancient era script could still be followed, its pronunciation was much harder to grasp, or perhaps impossible to understand, since while scripts could be passed down, their pronunciations could not. This was a remnant sound he identally discovered at a relic site, which, judging by the arrangement of surrounding objects and surviving texts, seemed to be a worship site for ancient immortals who enjoyed the process of being worshiped. The sound, grand and ancient, likely praised the priests and others after enjoying their worship, which Qiu Jinan found very fitting for the current situation. This also exined why the sound could be passed down, because it was the voice of an immortal. Lu Yang quietly asked Evesting Fairy, What is Sect Master Qiu saying? Evesting Fairy looked puzzled, His ent is so thick, I cant understand clearly. It sounds like hes saying, Great immortals, please ept the most humble offerings from your servant. Does he recognize my identity? Evesting Fairy was somewhat pleased, finally, someone recognized his identity as an immortal, and the attitude was very humble, much better than Yun Zhi and Lu Yang. He decided to appoint him as the Vice Sect Leader of the Undying Sect. Qiu Jinan, noticing the confused expressions of everyone, nodded in satisfaction, thinking, You dont understand what Im saying, do you? (End of the chapter) Chapter 162: The Writings of Ying Tian Immortal Looking back, Evesting Fairy, as one of the ancient five immortals, had a name that echoed throughout the universe, known to all. Ancient ancestors and demon races would often build altars, offering treasures and valuable artifacts to worship Evesting Fairy, seeking her mercy. Some tribes regarded her as their totem and the deity protecting their tribe, holdingrge-scale worship activities annually. Evesting Fairy enjoyed a period of unparalleled glory. Unfortunately, since her revival, times have changed drastically. She has fallen into obscurity, with only a cult that had a few screws loose believing in her, and they dont even know her name, mistaking even her gender. Living in Lu Yangs body, asionally frightened by that girl Yun Zhi, and mocked by Lu Yang, life has been hard. Not to mention being an immortal, even a Tribtion Crossing Stage shouldnt be treated this way. Finally, someone has opened their eyes to recognize her identity, even offering such a massive flying boat as a tribute. Looking at the gems embedded in the ships hull and its colossal size, this is the respect a true immortal deserves! In the spiritual space, Lu Yang nced at Evesting Fairy, thinking that she seemed quite happy ying the role of sect master these past few days, defeating Spirit Transformation Stage as a Foundation Building cultivator, a feat unprecedented in history. Any talent would feel ashamed in front of such an achievement, iming it as a historical record wouldnt be an exaggeration.Bringing such a big gift too, Evesting Fairyughed, reaching out to Qiu Jinan for the treasure that controlled the flying boat, speaking in the ancientnguage. What are you doing? Qiu Jinan looked at Lu Yang, who was grinning foolishly, a bit confused, not understanding what Evesting Fairy was saying. He only knew that one sentence in ancientnguage. Qiu Jinan observed Lu Yang, who, despite not having high cultivation, seemed to be a central figure, standing in the sect masters position. Most importantly was somewhat feminine? Didnt you just say, Great immortal, please ept the most humble offering from your servant? Isnt the offering the flying boat? Evesting Fairy was also confused, You, as the vice sect leader, dont you want to keep your position? This time, Evesting Fairy spoke in Mandarin, which Qiu Jinan understood. His eyes twitched as he finally grasped the meaning of that ancient sentence. Encountering a cultivator proficient in ancient civilization surprised him. Do you really understand ancient civilization? Qiu Jinan looked at Evesting Fairy skeptically. After thinking, Evesting Fairy admitted a big truth: More than you do. Qiu Jinanughed in annoyance: Young man, dont think reading a few books makes you understand ancient civilization. Let me test you! Do you know about the Heavenly Court from ancient times, which ssified immortals into several levels? Do you know what those levels are? Recently, while exploring a relic, Qiu Jinan identally found an ancient manuscript written by an immortal, detailing the glory of ancient times, especially mentioning the Heavenly Court. Are you referring to Human Immortal, Earth Immortal, Heavenly Immortal, Golden Immortal, Great Luo Golden Immortal, and Primordial Immortal? Or Human Immortal, Earth Immortal, Immortal King, Immortal Sovereign, Immortal Emperor? The first set waspiled by Ying Tian Immortal, and the second set by the Qilin Immortal. Ipiled it as first-level immortal, second-level immortal, third-level immortal, fourth-level immortal, fifth-level immortal. Evesting Fairy scratched her head; back then, theypiled several cultivation level systems, not sure which one Qiu Jinan found. Qiu Jinan angrily retorted, Dont spout nonsense, this is the work of an immortal, how could it be made up?! Evesting Fairy, puzzled, then had a realization: Who said immortals must tell the truth? Oh, I see, you must have found Ying Tian Immortalsption, his is the mostprehensive and very impressive. Let me tell you, Ying Tian Immortals words cannot be trusted, all lies. Before he became an immortal, he often lied to me, I beat him up just like beating a grandchild. Qiu Jinan was startled, feeling that the Evesting Fairy was talking nonsense, but the ancient book indeed mentioned Ying Tian Immortal: Have you seen that book? Evesting Fairy nodded: Of course. Besides Ying Tian Immortal, is there also a mention of a certain Hawking Immortal? Lu Yang thought to himself, why does that sound like someone with a physical disability? Was it an illusion? (TL Note: Reference to Stephen Hawking) If you dont believe me, bring out the book, and Ill show you how to distinguish the real from the fake. Doubtfully, Qiu Jinan took out the ancient manuscript, which had a grandiose title, called Prisoning Heaven. Pointing at the cover, he said, Look, its clearly written here, Ying Tian Immortal Authored, it was clearly written by Ying Tian Immortal. Evesting Fairy shook her head: Did you not notice the small nk space between Tian and Immortal? What does that mean? You read it wrong. You read it as Ying Tian Immortal, Authored, but the actual reading is Ying Tian, Immortal Authored. So, it was written by someone named Ying Tian, not Ying Tian Immortal. The Grand Elder and others chuckled secretly upon seeing Qiu Jinan taken aback. Hahaha, Jinan, Ive told you before, dont always show off your limited knowledge, the Grand Elder and othersughed discreetly, while Shangguan Yu, standing behind Qiu Jinan,ughed out loud,pletely disregarding his feelings. With an apologetic tone, Shangguan Yu said to the people of the Dao Seeking Sect: Sorry, as you all know, Jinan is just thick-skinned and never admits his mistakes. He doesnt understand the original meaning of ancientnguage, causing this misunderstanding. My apologies. Please ept these gifts. The disciples of the Five Elements Sect started unloading various treasures, ores, elixirs, and techniques from the boat, each of which could be the highlight or even the finale at an auction, immensely valuable. The most precious were the Five Elements ores, a specialty of the Five Elements Sect, divided into five types based on the attributes of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, distinguishable by color, each representing the ultimate form of its attribute, sought after by master smiths. The Fifth Elder, Zhou Xin, looked at the Five Elements ores like a wolf spotting its prey at night, his eyes glowing green. Visits between the Five Great Immortal Sects always involve bringing some gifts. For instance, the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce often brings branches of the moonurel tree and essence of the moon as gifts. The Hanging Temple offers Buddhist scriptures and consecrated Buddhist treasures as gifts. The Prison-Suppressing Sect brings tamed ghosts and goblins as gifts. The Dao Seeking Sect, on the other hand, is rather unique, or rather casual, especially when Daoist Non-Speaker was still around. For example, they sent top-grade body refining techniques to the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce, which, once mastered, resulted in a body as strong as reinforced steel, skin hard as iron, infuriating the people of the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce who wanted to fight someone right then and there. What sort of image does it create for female cultivators to practice such techniques? Or when they sent the long-lost silent meditation technique to the Hanging Temple, Daoist Non-Speaker even imed to have practiced it himself with great results. The abbotughed twice, thinking if this miscreant could seed in practice, why would he be called Non-Speaker? Daoist Non-Speaker insisted it was genuine, so the abbot practiced it skeptically. Then, he found that whenever he spoke, there was a garlic taste, causing those around him to beg him to shut up. Daoist Non-Speaker exined, Isnt silent meditation about making others want you to shut up? This infuriated the abbot so much that he transformed into an immovable king, suppressing Daoist Non-Speaker, this troublemaker. (End of the chapter) Chapter 163: Dao Seeking Sect, You’ve Gone Too Far! After Yun Zhi became the acting sect master, following tradition, she visited the other four major immortal sects, bringing a special giftshe informed everyone that Daoist Non-Speaker had entered seclusion, and now she was in charge of the Dao Seeking Sect. The other four major sects couldnt have been happier upon hearing this news, finally no longer needing to deal with a madman. Moreover, with Yun Zhi as the acting sect master, it meant she would not participate in disciple activities. The Five Great Immortal Sects asionally organize events for disciples to explore ancient ruins and realms. Since Yun Zhis emergence, there seemed to be no need for such events anymore, making the other four sects feel quite awkwardrather than organizing events, it would be better to just hand over the rewards to Yun Zhi and save time. Seeing the enchanting Shangguan Yu, the Second Elders eyes lit up. Although Shangguan Yu had rejected the Second Elder, he still couldnt forget the pure and beautiful Shangguan Yu. Noticing the Second Elder staring at Shangguan Yu, Qiu Jinan stepped forward, blocking his view with a dark expression: When does thepetition start? The Grand Elder said, ording to the n, well have the opening ceremony and a meal first, then thepetition. Quite standard, thought Qiu Jinan, worthy of Yun Zhis arrangement, much better than that bastard Daoist Non-Speaker.During thest visit to the Dao Seeking Sect, Daoist Non-Speaker had immediately put his arm around him, saying, Brother, lets go. Ill take you to the brothel for some fun, my treat. Qiu Jinan had pushed Daoist Non-Speaker aside right there. Was that something to say in front of everyone? Shangguan Yu was watching! Huh? Wheres that kid who understands ancient civilization? Qiu Jinan wanted to discuss some ancient secrets with Lu Yang, such as how thest person who mastered the art of word bes reality died, or whether Ying Tian Immortal was born on a day where the weather was especially nice, hence his name (TL Note: Ying Tian means ording to heavens will) The Grand Elder exined, Hes gone to cook. Oh. Qiu Jinan didnt think much of it. On the stage, disciples from the Dao Seeking Sect and the Five Elements Sect stood together, listening to the leaders speak. Soon, they began to nod off. The Grand Elder read from the script written by Lu Yang, To implement the policy of the Five Great Immortal Sects moving forward together, to promote friendly exchanges between the Dao Seeking Sect and the Five Elements Sect, to deepen the understanding of the friendship among the Five Great Immortal Sects, toy a solid foundation, and to achieve mutual benefit, here, I have five points to discuss. First, implementing the policy of the Five Great Immortal Sects moving forward together is a need of history and reality. With the arrival of the ancient era and the revival of ancient cultivators, facing the severe situation of the Central Continent and various unpredictable risks and challenges, the Five Great Immortal Sects should and must stand united Qiu Jinan was shocked. Although he expected the speech to be different fromst time, he didnt anticipate such a vast difference. Last time, Daoist Non-Speaker only said two sentences: wee the Five Elements Sect, and everyone is free to do as they please. When it was Qiu Jinans turn to speak, he cleared his throat and spoke loudly, In this bright and revitalizing season, the Five Elements Sect is honored to visit the Dao Seeking Sect, to witness the most advanced thoughts and theories in the cultivation world, which is quite enlightening After two rounds of leaders speeches, scattered apuse came from below. To use the words of the Eighth Elder, it was like not being able to fully empty ones dder. On stage, the leaders from both sides shook hands. Master Qiu, we look forward to learning from you during this exchange. The Grand Elder is joking. Please go easy on us, Dao Seeking Sect. The Grand Elder and Qiu Jinan smiled amicably, their real thoughts hidden from observers as theymunicated telepathically. Qiu Jinan, get back to your Five Elements Sect. Dao Seeking Sect doesnt wee you. Look at your hypocritical face; have you forgotten how our Dao Seeking Sects Nine beat you up? Nine against one, you Dao Seeking Sect have no shame at all. Do you think Im keen on visiting your Dao Seeking Sect, a gathering ce for demons and ghosts? Just wait for me to exorcize and spread the news of victory throughout the cultivation world! In reality, both were smiling sincerely. Master Qiu, shall we go have a meal? Ha-ha, Ive heard that the food of Dao Seeking Sect is unparalleled. Today I must indeed broaden my horizons. As the group made their way to the dining hall, along the way, Qiu Jinan saw a disciple using a dough stick to hammer nails, striking sparks everywhere. He saw a disciple toss a pancake into the air, which instantly expanded, covering the sky. He saw a disciple making egg soup, where the silver pot instantly turned ck and gradually melted away, with the egg soup during this process condensing into a drop of green liquid. In a certain sense, it indeed was an eye-opening experience. Dao Seeking Sect isnt going to make me eat this, right? Qiu Jinan felt uneasy, thinking he didnt deserve such a fate. Finally, the group arrived at an extremely luxurious restaurant, where a delightful aroma wafted from afar. What appeared before Qiu Jinan were dishes full of color, aroma, and taste. It seems Ive misjudged Dao Seeking Sect, Qiu Jinan sighed in relief. Evesting Fairy, wearing a white apron and a tall hat, looked the part. She introduced the dishes one by one: Stuffed tofu, made with prime ice field elephant spine meat and morning dew collected from medicinal herbs in the garden. Ibined them using ancient secret techniques, producing astonishing effects. Evesting Fairy looked forward to the guests reactions: Would you like to try? Qiu Jinan lifted the lid on the dish, and a beam of golden light shot up, blinding him while celestial music yed in his ears. Turning his head, he saw a group of people performing. What is this? Music, for the atmosphere, exined Evesting Fairy. Without overthinking, Qiu Jinan picked up his chopsticks and grabbed a piece of tofu, only to see the part where the chopsticks touched the tofu start to smoke and rapidly melt. With a tter, the tofu fell back down. Qiu Jinan blinked, almost believing he was hallucinating. Evesting Fairy reminded, You better eat quickly, or soon the te and table will be burnt through by the stuffed tofu. Qiu Jinan, resisting the urge to flip the table, decided to try another dish. He lifted the lid off a small tea bowl, revealing a creamy fish soup with two green leaves floating on top, making the soup even more delicious. Evesting Fairy exined: Our Tai Lake has a fish called the Azure Water Fish, an ancient species. This fish must be cooked immediately after leaving the water, or it will spoil within three hours. I caught it from Tai Lake at dawn and carefully cooked it to preserve the freshness of the fish meat to the greatest extent. Please try it. Then Qiu Jinan saw a green little fish swimming around in the soup, even leaping out and back in, creating ripples, with a drop of fish soup sshing onto Qiu Jinans face. Is this fish a bit too lively? Qiu Jinan once again resisted the urge to flip the table. Evesting Fairy said, The fish you see is not alive but a fish spirit I crafted based on the Azure Water Fishs skeleton using ancient techniques. Just poke it with a spoon, and it will dissolve automatically. Qiu Jinan cautiously poked with a spoon, and the green fish indeed dissolved, blending into the soup and enhancing its deliciousness. Perhaps I was wrong about him, Qiu Jinan thought. He gently took a sip, then spat it out: So salty, how much salt did you add?! Evesting Fairy thought carefully: Twenty seconds. Qiu Jinan mmed the table and stood up furiously, roaring: Dao Seeking Sect, youve gone too far! (End of the chapter) Chapter 164: Let Your Best Disciple from the Dao Seeking Sect Come Out! Your Dao Seeking Sect have gone too far! Qiu Jinan roared furiously, overturning the table. The foodnded on the floor, sizzling as it corroded the floorboards, causing onlookers to twitch at the corners of their eyes. In the outside world, his image had always been that of a graceful gentleman who could engage in lively conversations with ordinary people and cultivators alike, without any barriers. In fact, that was indeed the kind of person he was. Qiu Jinan felt that the Dao Seeking Sect was his natural enemy, capable of easily stirring his emotions. In a sense, the Dao Seeking Sect treated Qiu Jinan with great respect,parable to the ancient Four Immortals. After all, only the ancient Four Immortals were worthy of experiencing Yellow Beans culinary skills. In the spiritual space, Lu Yang felt a chill down his spine at this scene, realizing there was a reason the ancient Four Immortals did not eat your cooking. Evesting Fairy, while cooking, blocked Lu Yangs view with the excuse, This is an ancient secret, you cannot learn it. At that moment, Lu Yang had a bad premonition, which now seemed to havee true. And this was just two dishes; Evesting Fairy had prepared a total of eight dishes, and Lu Yang dared not imagine what kind of monsters and demons would appear next.But that wasnt the main point. The main point was that everything Evesting Fairy did was using his own face. To outsiders, it appeared as if these actions were his own doing! The day before yesterday and yesterday, using the rights of a proxy sect master, she arbitrarily challenged others beyond her level, already drawing a wave of hatred. Now, another wave of hatred wasing. What sin have Imitted, to recite Evesting Fairys true name and resurrect her. Lu Yang now felt that the karma of resurrecting an immortal was as heavy as a mountain; he was almost unable to bear it. There was a reason why the person behind the scenes was unwilling to personally resurrect Evesting Fairy! Seeing Qiu Jinans fury, the Great Elders and others secretly breathed a sigh of relief,municating with each other through voice transmission. Fortunately, our Dao Seeking Sect observed etiquette and let the Five Elements Sect eat first; otherwise, we would have been the unlucky ones. Little Lu is thoughtful. He has no hostility towards the Five Elements Sect, but upon hearing that the Five Elements Sect had conflicts with us, he immediately took action, giving Qiu Jinan a lesson. What a good kid! The Five Elements Sect disciples was also reflecting: I used to disdain the adherence to etiquette, thinking it was old-fashioned. But now, it seems that the ancients were not without reason. Elders should eat first. Elders eating first to test for poison before letting us eat, thats the wisdom of the ancients! The Sect Master risking himself to test for poison is a spirit worth learning from. I had heard before that the Dao Seeking Sects pills and poisons were unparalleled. Today, Ive truly seen it. Others poison their food, but this is cooking with poison. While Qiu Jinan was eating, the Second Elder showed concern for Shangguan Yu: Fairy Yu, its been a long time. You are still so beautiful. Shangguan Yu looked calmly at the Second Elder: Little Ba, its impossible between us, and its not suitable. You should give up. The Second Elder became anxious: Is there any w in me? I can change! Shangguan Yu shook her head and said nothing more, simply moving a bit farther away from the Second Elder. We are all beyond the need for food; this meal is unnecessary. Its all just formalities. Its better to let the disciplespete directly! Qiu Jinan, no longer beating around the bush, revealed the purpose of his visit. The Great Elder said, It should be so. We n to divide thepetition into four stages: Foundation Building, Golden Core, Nascent Soul Stage, and Spirit Transformation Stage, topete ordingly. Qiu Jinan sneered, thinking that the Dao Seeking Sect indeed nned to divide thepetition by cultivation level, avoiding Yun Zhis participation. With a grand gesture, he said, I have only one requirement: let your best disciple from the Dao Seeking Sectpete against our best disciple. One battle to determine the winner, how about it! The Great Elder hesitated, fearing a repeat of the ssic scene where Yun Zhi brutally defeated the Five Elements Sect: That might not be a good idea. Weve already nned it all out. If you lose badly, it wont look good for you. Dont really anger Qiu Jinan to a bad end, at least not in the Dao Seeking Sect. Seeing the Great Elder like this, Qiu Jinan was even more certain of his thoughts: Face? Strength speaks among cultivators. Losing is losing, winning is winning. What need is there for face! Qiu Jinan beckoned, letting his top disciple step forward. This is my top disciple, Lin Shaoyou, also the most outstanding disciple of the Five Elements Sect, with a single wood spiritual root, early Unity stage cultivation. Generally, cultivators with a single wood spiritual root are suitable for healing and treatment, not skilled inbat, but he is different! Shaoyou has also carried the Five Elements Sects philosophy of the mutual generation and oveing of the five elements to the extreme, capable of wood generating fire, fire generating earth, earth generating metal, and has mastered fire and metal spells Six Ding Divine Fire and Berserker Golden Body. He has even turned these two types of spells into taboo spells with great lethal power! (TL Note: The Six Ding Divine Fire is the fire in the Eight Trigrams Furnace which was owned by Laozi in Journey to the West.) Shaoyou has maintained the enduring aura of a wood spiritual root while mastering the ultimate attack spells. Hisbat power is far beyond the early Unity stage. Just a few days ago, he defeated a Grand Elder from a first-grade sect, who hadte Unity stage cultivation! Lin Shaoyou, dressed like a well-fed schr, wore a pleasant smile, exuding an elegant temperament that gave off an effortless vibe. Indeed, he had the qualifications to be so effortless. Among his peers, he hardly found any match. His sights were set on the previous generation, or even the one before that. Is my opponent Dai Bufan or Ji Hongwen? In his view, among the Dao Seeking Sects peers, only these two were qualified to be his opponents. He had encountered Yun Zhi before, many techniques not yet deployed. This time, he was determined to fully demonstrate them, to win honor for his master! Its me. A voice, calm with a hint of indifference, came through, sending shivers down the spine. Yun Zhi, who had been silent from the start, stepped forward, causing the hearts of Sect Master Qiu and his top disciple to skip a beat. Qiu Jinan managed a forced sneer: Dont try to scare me. Ive already inquired thoroughly. Yun Zhi is acting as the sect master and cannot participate in the fight. The best disciple should either be Dai Bufan or Ji Hongwen! Yun Zhi took out a document stating in ck and white that Lu Yang was acting as the sect master for three days. Pointing at Lu Yang, she said, This person is the current acting sect master. I am now just an ordinary disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect. Evesting Fairy chimed in: Exactly, I am now the acting sect master! What kind of joke is this, how can a Foundation Building stage possibly act as the sect master! Qiu Jinan eximed in anger. The Great Elder shook his head: You are mistaken. This Sect Master Lu is a genius among geniuses. Though only at the Foundation Building stage, he can challenge those beyond his level and has defeated cultivators at the Golden Core, Nascent Soul Stage, and Spirit Transformation Stage! At these words, all eyes from the Five Elements Sect instantly focused on Evesting Fairy. A Foundation Building stage defeating a Spirit Transformation Stage, even with external aid, was akin to a fairy tale, an impossible feat not even conceived in myths! Though the Dao Seeking Sects reputation wasnt great, they never lied, especially about such matters. Qiu Jinans expression turned solemn, realizing the Dao Seeking Sect had produced such a shocking genius. Compared to Lu Yang, any genius from history seemed dimmed! The Dao Seeking Sect was indeed formidable, having anticipated his move and prepared in advance by having Yun Zhi participate. Qiu Jinan found himself in a difficult position. Having spoken boldly, if he didnt fight, wouldnt it be a great loss of face? Just as Qiu Jinan was troubled, Lin Shaoyou took a step forward, moving Qiu Jinan deeply. Worthy of being the top disciple, daring to step forward at this moment, facing the pressure from Yun Zhi. Lin Shaoyou took a deep breath, adjusting his breathing and mindset. He looked straight at Yun Zhi and dered loudly: In that case, then I shall no longer be a disciple of the Five Elements Sect! (End of the chapter) Chapter 165: Everlasting Fairy’s Trial Lin Shaoyou spoke earnestly: I think the Dao Seeking Sect is a good ce. The brothers and sisters of the Dao Seeking Sect get along harmoniously, without barriers, which I greatly admire. I am willing to join the Dao Seeking Sect! Qiu Jinan was nearly infuriated to death by Lin Shaoyou. He trembled as he pointed at Lin Shaoyou, and it took him a while to utter a word. You traitor! Lin Shaoyou turned to Qiu Jinan and said, Master, didnt you just say it yourself? What need is there for face among cultivators. Get back here to me! Qiu Jinan raged. Oh. (TL Note: This is hard to trante. Its sort of like acknowledging the sentence another party says. I dont like tranting it as Ok because the Oh has a nuance that I cant really exin well. Its kind of like nodding your head) Lin Shaoyou obediently stood back behind Qiu Jinan, and as they passed by each other, theymunicated with their eyes. Master, did I act well? You overdid it a bit. You need more practice.Qiu Jinan coughed, gradually calming down: Since Shaoyou is unwilling to participate in the match, as elders, we cant force him, right? By proposing not topete against Yun Zhi, Qiu Jinan found a legitimate reason to continue as per the Dao Seeking Sects n without losing face. As the top disciple, Lin Shaoyou often had the experience of taking bullets for his master. This time, Qiu Jinan nned to challenge the Dao Seeking Sect from the bottom up, bringing along direct disciples from the Foundation Building stage to the Spirit Transformation Stage, all of whom were confident in their invincibility within their respective realms. Old Ba, keep away from her! Qiu Jinan noticed the Second Elder, who was still persistently harassing, grabbed Shangguan Yus hand, pulling her over and protecting her. Jinan, Little Ba means no harm to me. Qiu Jinan red: Thats even more problematic! Without further ado, Qiu Jinan, along with the people from the Five Elements Sect, arrived at the martial arts field, briefly arranged the order of appearance, and then returned to the stands. At this time, the disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect were gathered around the martial arts field, each with a smile on their face, all there to watch the excitement. Lu Yang had not expected the Dao Seeking Sect to have so many disciples. The inns and other businesses within the Dao Seeking Sect spotted a business opportunity, selling viewing spots or carryingrge boxes to sell fruits, iming to make a fortune every day. On the stands, Evesting Fairy and Qiu Jinan sat side by side, with Yun Zhi, the Great Elder, Shangguan Yu, Lin Shaoyou, and others sitting on either side. Inside the spiritual space, Lu Yang and Evesting Fairy were discussing a matter of life and death. Fairy, have you ever thought about being killed by the Eldest Senior Sister and then resurrected tens of thousands of yearster? Eh? Why are you so cruel to me?! Evesting Fairy was very surprised, not feeling she had done anything wrong. Wait, are you upset because I didnt teach you ancient culinary skills? Im telling you, this kind of method cannot be casually passed on. Our rtionship is not that of teacher and disciple. Teaching and enlightening is a very serious matter, not to be taken lightly! Lu Yang thought to himself, where did the fairy get the confidence in her cooking skills? Was it because the ancient Four Immortals were not poisoned to death by you? He wore a look of deep distress: Fairy, think about it. Since you became the acting sect master, how much hatred have you drawn for me? Even if I were made of iron, I couldnt bear it! Lu Yang was sure that those Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Spirit Transformation Stage brothers and sisters who were challenged by Evesting Fairy woulde after him with weapons to teach him a lesson after today. Only then did Evesting Fairy realize the trouble her yfulness had caused Lu Yang, but she was unwilling to admit her mistake: How can it be called drawing hatred? This is a test from an immortal for you. Once you pass my test, you can inherit my legacy. If it were the legacy of Ying Tian Immortal, Lu Yang might be tempted, but he wondered if inheriting from Evesting Fairy might actually lower his intelligence. This is the legacy of an immortal. You dont know how many people wish to obtain it. What does your inheritance include? Lu Yang looked at Evesting Fairy skeptically. Thats a lot. I dont need to mention spatial spells like Shrinking Earth into Inches and Miles in a Step, since youve already learned them. Besides, I can teach you spells rted to time! Lu Yangs interest was piqued. Time-rted spells were among the most treasured, and there were very few of them in the Dao Seeking Sects scripture library. Evesting Fairy really did have something special. This spell is called ying Dead. When you cast it, you can make yourself appear dead inside and out. You can even adjust the time freely, controlling the degree of the corpses decay to ensure no one can tell! When you cant beat an enemy, just y dead! Evesting Fairy seemed very experienced, leaving Lu Yang wondering how many times she had yed dead. Lu Yang suspected he was being assimted by Evesting Fairy, as he actually found her quite reliable. Theres also the Water Avoidance Charm, allowing you to freely enterkes and oceans! Lu Yangs interest was rekindled. Many powerful beings had fallen in battles, and their bodies and relics had ended up inkes and oceans. Lakes and oceans were natural treasures. If one could go down, perhaps a great harvest awaited. However, remember to use the Water Avoidance Charm quickly, as it has a time limit. What time limit? My Water Avoidance Charm is veryprehensive. It not only repels the water around you but also the water in your body. If you use the Water Avoidance Charm for too long, you might die of dehydration. Lu Yang: You can keep your inheritance to gather dust. Eh, why are you like this?! Evesting Fairy stomped her foot in frustration. Outside, Qiu Jinan turned his head, interrupting their conversation, and asked Evesting Fairy: Sect Master Lu seems to know a lot about ancient matters. I have some questions. May I seek guidance from Sect Master Lu? Qiu Jinan did not look down on Lu Yang because of his age. Since the other was acting as the sect master, he treated Lu Yang with the respect due to someone of the same status. Evesting Fairy found Qiu Jinans attitude agreeable: Sure, but after I answer your question, you have to tell me where you got the book of Ying Tian Immortal. Lu Yang understood Evesting Fairys intention. Having the book of Ying Tian Immortal meant that there was an ancient relic site. She wanted to search there for clues about herself and the ancient times. Agreed. Qiu Jinan consented. I heard that in ancient times, there was a divine being who could be beheaded without dying, using his own breasts as eyes and his navel as a mouth. There was such a person. I want to know, did he wear clothes? Qiu Jinan was very interested in such ancient legends. Evesting Fairy thought for a moment and said, Usually, he didnt wear any, bare-chested. But this also brought him some troubles. For example, some big tribes are particr about attire, and those not properly dressed cannot enter. He, being bare-chested like a savage, couldnt enter. But if he wore clothes, he would look like a masked robber, also not allowed in, facing a dilemma. Later, he became smarter, fitted himself with a fake head, and wore clothes. Then, people couldnt recognize him. However, one day he put his head on backwards, frightening the people around who thought his neck had been twisted and turned into a zombie, wandering in the streets. (End of the chapter) Chapter 166: The Commentary of the Match I heard that Ying Tian Immortal was born in response to heaven, hence the name Ying Tian. Is there any truth to this? Evesting Fairy waved her hand dismissively: Ah, thats just boasting. Ying Tian Immortal came from a lowly tribe. The ancient era ced great importance on ones background. Even though Ying Tian Immortal showed talent at a young age, there were whispers behind his back saying his origin and fate were insufficient, that his glory was only temporary, and he was destined to fall. Ying Tian Immortal then made up a story about being born in response to heaven, which sounded quite usible. When Qilin Immortal heard about him iming to be born in response to heaven, he couldnt stand it. The qilin is a cherished creature of heaven and earth, also considered a child of heaven, which conflicted with Ying Tian Immortal. The two even fought over this, with Qilin Immortal using Ying Tian Immortal of being born via cesarean section, iming his birth was anything but smooth, and that heaven didnt even want him to be born. Ying Tian Immortal retorted that Qilin Immortal was raised without manners by his mother. Of course, in a sense, Ying Tian Immortal was telling the truth. Lu Yang looked perplexed. Immortals are supposed to be noble figures, so howe they sound like hooligans when you talk about them? The two fought to a stalemate, and it was I who stepped in to mediate, saying why fight during the festivities? Come over for a meal at my ce. I have some clout, and upon hearing this, they immediately stopped fighting. The two became friends through fighting. After the fight, they figured, since theyre born from the same mother, why not be sworn brothers.Qiu Jinan automatically ignored the part where Evesting Fairy boasted about herself, thinking it was nonsense, and pressed on: And then they became sworn brothers? No, then they started fighting again over who would be the elder brother. Qiu Jinan: He had heard long ago that Ying Tian Immortal and Qilin Immortal did not get along in the ancient times, often fighting fiercely. The reasons given varied widely, but the prevailing view was that there was a fundamental conflict over the Dao and the way of immortality, rooted in elusive yet profound theories that irreconcbly opposed each other. The ancient texts also recorded that the two fought in the cosmos without restraint, erasing an entire area, where stars and spiritual energy disappeared. And they fought over something like this? This isnt quite the ancient glory I had imagined. On the stands, while the two sect masters were discussing ancient knowledge, the disciples from both sides began theirpetition on the martial arts field. First to take the stage was the Dao Seeking Sects contestantMeng Jingzhou, against the Five Elements Sects contestantDu Xueyi. This Du Xueyi contestant is no simple character. ording to insiders from the Five Elements Sect, Du Xueyi possesses a golden spiritual root. His body has been tempered a thousand times and polished in every way, as hard as steel, and he has also mastered the Thunderous Fist technique. His iron fists are indestructible, swinging like the wind and pouring like rain. Meng Jingzhou is even more remarkable. ording to Sect Master Lu Yang, who wished to remain anonymous, Meng Jingzhou possesses a once-in-a-century single spiritual root, remains untainted despite frequenting brothels, and is admired for his indomitable spirit. Interestingly, Meng Jingzhou is also a physical cultivator, and furthermore, he is a disciple of a well-known physical cultivator in the cultivation world, the Third Elder. It remains to be seen what kind of spectacr performance these two athletes will bring us today. Lets wait and see. The two contestants are now standing on thepetition tform, facing each otherone with a haughty gaze, the other with a sleazy look. Du Xueyi seems a bit ufortable with his opponents sleazy gaze, losing the first round. In their first encounter, Meng Jingzhou gained the upper hand with his shameless momentum! The match is about to begin, and Meng Jingzhou approaches the referee. What is he doing? He pulls out a top-grade spiritual stone. Hes actually trying to bribe the referee in broad daylight! The referee refuses Meng Jingzhous bribe and gives him a yellow card warning! Meng Jingzhou seems to misunderstand the referees action, thinking the referee wants to exchange the yellow card for Meng Jingzhous spiritual stone. The referee took action! The referee made a move against Meng Jingzhou! It seems the referee knew that he shouldnt attack a contestant. He gave himself a red card and disqualified himself. This match truly is full of twists and turns. Before it even started, we had to rece the referee! Meng Jingzhou, not disheartened by his failure, persevered and even attempted to bribe Du Xueyi. Du Xueyi, clearly unustomed to such a spectacle, appeared at a loss. Fortunately, Sect Master Qiu Jinans gaze brought him back to his senses, and he firmly rejected Meng Jingzhous unreasonable request. The new referee, seemingly more experienced, issued another yellow card warning to Meng Jingzhou. Finally, Meng Jingzhou started the match in earnest. As soon as the match began, Du Xueyiunched a series of attacks, his fists raining down like thunder, forcing Meng Jingzhou to retreat and scurry for cover. Meng Jingzhou, you had iting Sorry, thementator got a bit personal there. Please forgive me. Meng Jingzhou seemed at a disadvantage, but he appeared to have sustained little damage. Instead, it was Du Xueyi who, after a series of Thunderous Fist techniques, was left gasping for air. Seizing the opportunity while Du Xueyi caught his breath, Meng Jingzhouunched a fierce counterattack with the Third Elders signature moveShake the Heavens Six Forms, taking the initiative! Du Xueyi was caught off guard by Meng Jingzhous vigorous resistance, losing the initiative and being forced into a defensive position! Meng Jingzhou, like a tiger descending the mountain, roared through the forests, his punches and palms fierce and powerful, sttering Du Xueyi with blood! Despite being injured, Du Xueyi took a heavy punch from Meng Jingzhou, took the opportunity to retreat, and recover. Meng Jingzhou pursued relentlessly, closing in for a powerful strike. Du Xueyi seemed to gradually adapt to Meng Jingzhous fighting style, their fists and feet colliding with a piercing sound! Both fighters were fierce, at a standstill, neither able to ovee the other. Meng Jingzhou was the first to break the deadlock. He stepped forward and collided his head with Du Xueyis! An unexpected choice, could it be Meng Jingzhou practiced Iron Head Technique wait, thats not quite right! The object that collided with Du Xueyis head was not Meng Jingzhous head but his hair curtain! As a body cultivator, Meng Jingzhou had trained his hair to be as hard as his body! And hair doesnt feel pain! Brilliant strategy! Truly astonishing! Du Xueyi was dazed by the headbutt, stumbling backward, exactly what Meng Jingzhou wanted! Seizing the opportunity, Meng Jingzhou grabbed Du Xueyis clothes and threw him out! Meng Jingzhou won the match! Evesting Fairy announced through the sound amplification array: I dere, in the first round of the Foundation Building group, Meng Jingzhou wins. Then, in the spiritual space, Evesting Fairy asked Lu Yang: What were you rambling about just now? What did you say? (End of the chapter) Chapter 167: Confucian Cultivator vs. Confucian Cultivator Du Xueyi stillcksbat experience, losing is a lesson for him. Qiu Jinan shook his head, seemingly not too concerned about the unfavorable start. Lu Yang thought to himself, Sect Master Qiu, you dont have to put on a brave front; youve already crushed a teacup and still say its just a loss. Having Meng Jingzhou in the first round was Lu Yangs idea; he wanted Meng Jingzhou to serve a blow to the morale of the Five Elements Sect. Evesting Fairy hesitated before saying, Sect Master Qiu, I think Meng Jingzhou refining his body to the point of using his hair curtain to ram the opponents head cant simply be described as ckingbat experience. At least in the ancient times, Evesting Fairy had never seen such an outrageous method of body refinement. Could this be the new era of body cultivators? Qiu Jinan was momentarily speechless at Evesting Fairys blunt remark, unable to respond. Could we possibly get someone else to sit next to me? Qiu Jinan put on an indifferent expression: I had Du Xueyi go first merely as a warm-up. The next one to take the stage wont be as easy to deal with as him.On the martial arts field, a refined Confucian cultivator took the stage, wearing a schrly hat, holding a paper fan, and dressed in a light blue Confucian robe, appearing rxed andposed. This is the most outstanding Confucian cultivator in our sects Foundation Building stage, Fang Hao. Qiu Jinan made a polite remark, but everyone in the Five Elements Sect knew that Fang Haos level was actually simr to Du Xueyis. Coincidentally, we also have a Confucian cultivator. On the other side of the martial arts field, Barbarian Bone, carrying a huge hammer, arrivedte. Originally, Barbarian Bone wanted to bring Meng Jingzhou over, but the referee said Meng Jingzhou wasnt a weapon. Reluctantly, Barbarian Bone opted for the newly exchanged ck iron hammer instead. The hammers handle was affixed with talismans capable of reciting the entire text of The Sages Words. The Sage says: To learn and at times to apply what one has learned, isnt it a joy Barbarian Bone stepped toward Fang Hao, his face fierce. The sound of The Sages Words spread throughout the martial arts field, resembling a viin who had just massacred a family of twenty-eight, sparing not even the mice, reciting prayers for the dead afterward. It simply didnt match up. As soon as the match began, Barbarian Bone swung the ck iron hammer towards Fang Hao, who sidestepped gracefully, avoiding the attack. Barbarian Bone exerted force on his wrist, abruptly changing the hammers trajectory to sweep at Fang Hao. Fang Hao didnt expect Barbarian Bone to be so brute. Unable to dodge the hammers attack, he blocked it with his paper fan, which shattered. He was swept away. The paper fan was a magical treasure capable of blocking a fatal attack once, so Fang Hao was not injured. He put away his smile, realizing he was facing a tough opponent. A micro tornado formed around Fang Hao, and when it dissipated, an invisible yet palpable force surrounded him. Expansive Righteous Qi? Evesting Fairy eximed, seeing Expansive Righteous Qi for the first time since her resurrection. Fang Hao was a genuine Confucian cultivator, and the invisible force was indeed Expansive Righteous Qi. Were there Confucian cultivators and Expansive Righteous Qi in the ancient times? Lu Yang asked. Of course. The author of The Sages Words appeared much earlier than you think. Did Confucius be an immortal? I dont know. You dont know? The state of being a Sage isnt about a cultivation level, but about a benevolent mindset, living a life in pursuit of benevolence, which is the realm of a Sage. The meaning of benevolence is vast, and I couldnt possibly exin it all in three days and three nights. Of course, with my level, I couldnt talk for that long anyway. Clearly, Evesting Fairy had a realistic assessment of her own knowledge. With Expansive Righteous Qi as ink, Fang Hao used a wolf-hair brush to write in the airGentleman, go no farther, you are forbidden from moving ahead. Barbarian Bone, charging forward, saw these words and involuntarily stopped in his tracks, his bodypletely out of control. This is the rare Unity of Knowledge and Action technique among Confucian cultivators, a spell that forces the opponent to act ording to the written words, achieving unity of knowledge and action. Of course, this spell isnt without its limits. With talents like Fang Hao, it can only be used on people of the same realm. Those of a higher realm are directly immune. Using it against Barbarian Bone was just right. Fang Hao then wroteDo not impose on others what you yourself do not desire. Using this phrase means if Barbarian Bone wants to attack Fang Hao, he must first hit himself. Unexpectedly, when themand to stop disappeared, Barbarian Bone swung his hammer, startling Fang Hao. How did you break free from my control! Control? Barbarian Bone didnt quite understand Fang Haos meaning, Doesnt this sentence mean I wont give you what I dont want for myself? It doesnt restrict my freedom, right? Fang Hao was so frustrated he almost spit blood. The prerequisite for Unity of Knowledge and Action is understanding the meaning of the sentence, but the opponent is purely a barbarian! Fang Hao was identally grazed by Barbarian Bones hammer, bleeding profusely. He quickly retreated, dodging Barbarian Bones hammer and wrote againIf you want to attack me, you must first attack yourself. Although the modernnguage is far less effective than the ssical text, he had no choice but to use it at this moment. Barbarian Bone continued to swing his hammer at Fang Hao, still not controlled. Fang Hao couldnt believe it. Does this barbarian not even recognize words! When Barbarian Bone leapt and swung his hammer at Fang Haos head, Fang Hao noticed that Barbarian Bone was closing his eyes! Barbarian Bone, having learned from Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou for a month, had be quite clever. After two exchanges, he realized that as long as he didnt look at the words Fang Hao wrote, he wouldnt be affected. So, he closed his eyes! When Barbarian Bones hammer fell, the referee intervened, blocking the strike. Had this strikended on Fang Hao, he would never be able to hold a pen again. The second round, Barbarian Bone wins. Qiu Jinans face turned somewhat unsightly, but having been bullied by the Dao Seeking Sects Nine since childhood, looking unsightly wasnt new to him; he was used to it. Evesting Fairy remarked, Worthy of the ancient barbarians, a natural-born race of fighters, even able to fight with their eyes closed. Do you know much about the ancient barbarians? Lu Yang asked. Evesting Fairy confidently replied, Of course, it wouldnt be an exaggeration to say I was a teacher to the ancient barbarians. You know those barbarians, not the brightest bulbs. Luckily, they heard of my intelligence, which stood out even among immortals, so they invited me to teach in their tribe. Teaching barbarians was hard; theyd forget what they learned the same day. But my perseverance was astounding, and I had enough patience. Eventually, I taught the barbarians the meaning of giving up. Later, I changed my strategy, directly infusing my wisdom into their minds and bloodlines, so even without my teachings, their intelligence would be second only to mine! Lu Yang gasped, Fairy, youve been poisoning them for millennia. Suddenly, Lu Yang realized something. With Evesting Fairys significant contributions to the ancient barbarians, it was strange that Barbarian Bone, being from the ancient barbarian race, had never heard of Evesting Fairy. Is there a gap in the ancient barbarians inheritance, or did someone deliberately erase Evesting Fairys existence? Forgetting an immortal on such a global scale, what magnitude of effort would that take? (End of the chapter) Chapter 168: Lu Yang Enters the Fray Next up, Dao Seeking Sects Li Haoran vs. Five Elements Sects Long Xiang. Is Li Haoran a fire spiritual root? Qiu Jinan suddenly asked. Yes, why? Its getting interesting, our sects Long Xiang is a water spiritual root. This time its fire vs. water. On the martial arts field, Li Haoran and Long Xiang exchanged bows. Please enlighten me. The pleasure is all mine. Both became silent, ceasing further conversation. As the match began, Long Xiang took the initiative, striking like a dragon leaping over the sea, giving off an overwhelming wave-like momentum. He wielded two ice des, releasingyers of cold air, causing the temperature of the entire martial arts field to drop.Dragon Strike! Long Xiang shouted, met by Li Haorans fist. Lu Yang frowned; Li Haoran wasnt a physical cultivator, so why was he fighting barehanded, not using any weapon? Even Barbarian Bone knew to fight with a weapon. Long Xiang, unaware of Li Haorans bottom line, didnt see a problem and shed at Li Haoran. Li Haorans body ignited withyers of fire rings. With amand, Go, the fire rings encircled Long Xiang. Water rises, mighty waves! Long Xiang executed the move, conjuring a phantom of sea waves behind him. The audience could faintly hear the sound of waves. The phantom waves diluted the fire rings. Seeing this, Li Haoran stepped forward, his red fist marksyer uponyer,nding on Long Xiang. Magma surged beneath Li Haorans feet, the result of soaking in magma for a year. The magma and phantom waves collided. Although they were just phantom waves, they generated steam upon contact with the magma, filling the arena with thick fog, making it hard to discern shapes, with only the sounds of Li Haoran and Long Xiang colliding audible. Li Haorans boxing was extraordinary,pletely different from his usual demeanor. Long Xiang, not adept at closebat, struggled to respond, getting hit several times. Fortunately, Li Haorans attackscked power, causing no severe damage upon impact. Long Xiang raised his hand, gathering the dense fog into a water column, smashing it down on Li Haoran. Unable to dodge, Li Haoran was struck by the water column, soaking him through. Li Haoran once again engaged Long Xiang, this time Long Xiang gaining the upper hand. For some reason, Li Haorans movements became sluggish. Li Haoran frowned, realizing the problem. Long Xiangughed heartily, Brother Li, youre smart to realize my trap so quickly, but its toote. Youre soaked by the water column, I can control the waters weight, and now youre fighting under a burden, naturally, you cant move as freely as before. Youve lost! Unexpectedly, Li Haoran revealed a slight smile, Is that so? I dont think so. Long Xiang tried to attack but found he couldnt move. What did you do! Long Xiangs eyes widened,pletely clueless about what happened. Li Haorans body red with mes, evaporating the steam. He leisurely approached Long Xiang, saying, Your clothes have been refined by me. Long Xiang then realized, the punches Li Haorannded on him werent meant to attack but to refine his clothes, turning them into a metaphorical iron bucket, with Long Xiang the trapped prey inside, with no escape. Dao Seeking Sects methods ofbat are so strange! Could a human evene up with such a method ofbat?! Li Haoran further exined, I heard from Senior Brother Lu Yang that during a fight, you could use a storage ring to take away an opponents clothes. That made me think, if we can take away the opponents clothes, why not refine them? Now it seems, my idea was correct. Qiu Jinan looked at Lu Yang in surprise, wondering how such an unscrupulous method of fighting was conceived. Oh right, this is the Dao Seeking Sect, that exins it. With three victories in three battles, the victory for the Foundation Building group was as good as confirmed. However, since this match was intended as an exchange, the results were predetermined, and the remaining two matches would still proceed. The fourth match features Peach Blossom Leaf, whose rarity and power exceed that of a single spiritual root, making it even stronger than Li Haoran in one-on-onebat. But to everyones surprise, Peach Blossom Leaf actually lost. The one who defeated Peach Blossom Leaf was a young man in white robes, with a mid-Foundational cultivation level, one year older than Peach Blossom Leaf. Peach Blossom Leaf is still in the early stages of Foundation Building, slightly inferior in spiritual qi andbat experiencepared to the young man in white robes. Next. The young man in white robes said coldly, choosing not to leave the stage but to continue fighting consecutively. Seeing the young man in white robes so strong, the fifth disciple chosen by Qiu Jinan, knowing his usual strength, didnt say anything and voluntarily gave up his chance topete. Peach Blossom Leaf was somewhat unwilling. She had always been the best since childhood and had never lost before. The opponents techniques were wless, and she lost without even being able to utilize the advantage of her Feathered Immortal Physique. Someone patted Peach Blossom Leaf on the shoulder. Seeing that person, tears welled up in Peach Blossom Leafs eyes: Senior brother, I lost. The person wiped away Peach Blossom Leafs tears,forting, Your cultivation isnt enough, your experience iscking, and youre a year younger than your opponent. Also, Eldest Senior Sister told me, the Feathered Immortal Physique doesnt have a significant advantage in the early stages. Since you call me senior brother, then I must win him over. Seeing a victory atst, Qiu Jinan introduced with a smile: This is my disciple, Bai Ming, also my proudest student. He has mastered three of the Five Elements techniques, and even his fire attribute qi is close to producing real fire. In the sectpetition, he swept through the Foundation Building stage and took the first ce. The cultivation of the Five Elements techniques is extremely difficult, with potential conflicts between the techniques themselves. A slight carelessness could ruin ones cultivation. Bai Ming, being proficient in three types of elemental qi in the Foundation Building stage, is extremely rare. Bai Mings appearance gave Qiu Jinan confidence: Not to brag, but it doesnt matter who they send. Despite losing three matches, Bai Mings overwhelming victory made Qiu Jinan very pleased. Who will your sect send for the next match? Me. Evesting Fairy spoke for Lu Yang. On the martial arts field, a figure walked slowly, with steady steps, neither fast nor slow, it was Lu Yang. Only this Lu Yang was bald-headed and had a kind face, vastly different from the usual impression Lu Yang gave. Bai Mings expression of indifference broke, showing disbelief, as if he had seen a ghost. Of course, he recognized Lu Yang, the acting sect master of Dao Seeking Sect, who was sitting in the stands. So, who was this person appearing before him?! A clone! Qiu Jinan, with his sharp eyes, immediately recognized the origin of the Lu Yang standing on the martial arts field. But that seemed even more impossible. Lu Yang was just at the Foundation Building stage, how could he possibly have a clone? In his understanding, there was no technique or qi that could achieve this! More urately, its the clone of the Bodhi Tree. Evesting Fairy added. Lu Yang used the Tree nting Scripture to nt himself, and two people grew from the Bodhi Tree, one the real self, the other a bald-headed clone. A clone from the Seventy-Two Transformations?! Qiu Jinan was astounded. Other than Yun Zhi, how could any other Foundation Building stage cultivator possibly learn such a spell? No, its a wood attribute clone! Qiu Jinans mind was in turmoil. Such a spell had never existed before; this was the creation of a new spell! Who was it?! Was it Yun Zhi, or was it Qiu Jinans gaze shifted to Lu Yang, his eyes twitching slightly. He had heard from people in the Dao Seeking Sect that Lu Yang had challenged higher levels, thinking it was achieved by some means. If this spell was indeed created by him, then the matter of challenging beyond ones level might not be exaggerated! (End of the chapter) Chapter 169: Five Elements Technique Clash Dao Seeking Sect, Lu Yang. Five Elements Sect, Bai Ming. Bai Ming, as if facing a formidable enemy, noticed the change in his masters expression on the stands, yet no stop to the match was called. This indicated that the Lu Yang before him was defyingmon sense but not breaking any rules or cheating. Which was terrifying indeed. Whoosh The sound of a long spear slicing through the air marked the beginning of the battle. Bai Ming wielded a silver spear, gleaming under the sunlight. He was the first to attack Lu Yang, who calmly responded, sidestepping to the right. The Qingfeng Sword slid across the spears shaft, sending sparks flying.The Qingfeng Swords momentum undiminished, it continued along the spears shaft towards Bai Mings hands. Bai Ming flicked his wrist, the spear vibrated, deflecting the Qingfeng Swords attack. The sword light poured like rain, turning into a river, rolling down incessantly. The spear was vigorous, moving with great force, not fearing Lu Yangs sword technique, choosing to sh head-on. In the exchange of sword and spear, victory was decided in an instant, dazzling onlookers. Disciples from the Five Elements Sect were shocked, having never seen anyone at the same level engage Bai Ming in weaponbat ande out even. Even? Meng Jingzhou scoffed upon hearing this. From the start, Lu Yang had only used the most basic sword techniques in response, which were linked too smoothly for the Foundation Building disciples of the Five Elements Sect to notice. Meng Jingzhou knew the prowess of Lu Yangs swordsmanship best. Up to now, Lu Yang hadnt even used his sword techniques. Lu Yang rarely draws his sword, but that doesnt mean his swordsmanship isnt strong. As a sword spirit root, how could his swordsmanship not be formidable? Peach Blossom Leaf watched Lu Yang on the field intently, thinking of another issue. She was present when Lu Yang learned the Tree nting Scripture, and she vividly remembered the distance between Lu Yang and his nt clone was only twenty meters. Yet, the distance between Lu Yang on the stands and Lu Yang on the martial arts field was far more than twenty meters. What Peach Blossom Leaf didnt know was that after defeating the tiger demon, Lu Yang obtained a spell formanding ghost servants, which, after learning, became an astral projection technique. After acquiring the Bodhi Tree clone, Lu Yang astral projected into the nt clone, so he no longer had to worry about the distance between his body and the clone. In other words, Lu Yangs soul was now on the martial arts field, with the Lu Yang on the standspletely controlled by Evesting Fairy. On the martial arts field, Lu Yang seized an opportunity, flipping in the air, his right leg lifted high, concentrating all his strength on his right foot, stepping down on the spearhead of the silver spear. Bai Ming tried to withdraw his spear, but Lu Yangs body was like a mountain, firmly pressing down on it. Qingfeng Sword drew an arc in the air, piercing the sound barrier, aimed directly at Bai Ming! The audience gasped, but soon, disciples from the Five Elements Sect regained theirposure, Dont panic, dont forget Brother Bai Mings strength lies in the Five Elements Techniques. His spear technique is just a distraction! Bai Ming released the spear, quickly retreating, forming a seal with one hand. Arge earth snake rolled out from the ground. The martial arts field wasnt paved with stone bricks but made of special yellow earth, fixed with formations. Its the Earth Dragon from the Five Elements Technique! Long Xiang from the Five Elements Sect eximed. The dragon form has a special significance in the cultivation world. At this stage, Bai Ming couldnt transform earth into a dragon but could only manifest arge earth snake. Even so, casually summoning an earth snake wasnt something ordinary Foundation Building cultivators could achieve! Lu Yang seemed unconcerned, quietly uttering two words, passing through the earth dragon. Shrink Earth. Bai Mings pupils contracted. What spell was that? Was it one of the Five Elements Techniques? He didnt expect Lu Yang to also use Five Elements Techniques, and moreover, one of the extremely difficult to learn earth escape techniques! Even he had only scratched the surface of the earth escape technique, not having truly mastered it! Could it be that the opponents talent in spells surpasses his own?! How could that be possible, when he, like the founder of the Five Elements Sect, was born with a Five Elements immortal body, naturally proficient in the logic behind the Five Elements Techniques! Qiu Jinan, witnessing this scene, couldnt help but be moved: No, thats not the earth escape technique! He knew the Five Elements Techniques better than anyone, and the spell Lu Yang used didnt match any he knew. Another entirely new technique?! How was this created? Qiu Jinan turned to ask Evesting Fairy. Evesting Fairy, expressionless, replied: Learned it while studying Shrinking Earth into Inches. Hm? Qiu Jinans mind didnt make the connection. Were these two techniques rted? At this moment, the situation on the field changed again. Bai Ming switched from defense to offense, forming a seal with his hands. The killing aura of Metal and Earth condensed in the arena. Dozens of small knives flew out from his embrace, moving at hismand. Its the Metal Commanding Technique! Fang Hao from the Five Elements Sect named the technique. The Metal Commanding Technique allows one to manipte all metal materials. If cultivated to a high level, it could even control the opponents magical weapons, which is terrifying. Currently, Bai Ming could only control his own magical treasures, simr to Object Manipting Technique but more focused onbat. The dozens of small knives, like deadly weapons, surged from all directions, all aiming for Lu Yangs vital points! Faced with unavoidable attacks, Lu Yang pulled out a Golden Light Spell, cing it on his body. His body emitted intense bright light, forming a protective golden glow. This was something he bought with three thousand contribution points rewarded by Dai Bufan after returning from Yanjiang County to the Dao Seeking Sect. The knives, upon hitting Lu Yangs body surface, were directly deflected. Bai Ming sneered: Heh, just a talisman, limited in uses and duration, merely a minor trick. How many times can you block? After hearing this, Lu Yang removed the Golden Light Spell. Bai Ming continued to sneer: Given up resisting Lu Yang reapplied the Golden Light Spell, his body bursting with golden light, then removed and reapplied it repeatedly, causing the light to flicker intensely. The contrast was so stark that it almost blinded Bai Ming. Bai Ming had never thought the Golden Light Spell could be used in this manner. He had never encountered such a situation before, his eyelids instinctively wanting to close. Realizing that closing his eyes now would lead to Lu Yangs attack, he struggled against his bodys instinct, squinting his eyes. Just as he was fighting against his instinct, Lu Yang used the earth-traveling technique, suddenly emerging from beneath Bai Mings feet, delivering a powerful punch right to Bai Mings chin, knocking out a tooth! Golden Crow me! Bai Ming used his strongest attack, aiming to determine the victor in one strike. The fiery golden mes raged, with faint cries of the Golden Crow emanating from the fire. The heat was intense, instantly raising the temperature of the martial arts field by over twenty degrees, making the audience feel the oing mes! The one who reacted most strongly to the Golden Crow me in the audience was Long Xiang, a water spiritual root cultivator. Since ancient times, water and fire have been ipatible. The appearance of the Golden Crow me gave him a feeling of oppression, even slowing the cirction of spiritual energy in his body. So this is the Golden Crow me that established Brother Bai as the number one in the Foundation Building stage, truly powerful! I heard from the sect master that Brother Bais Golden Crow me is transforming into the higher Sun True Fire. Once Brother Bai forms his Golden Core, the Golden Crow me will smoothly evolve into Sun True Fire. Having true fire right at the beginning of the Golden Core stage is terrifying! Long Xiang turned his head, surprised to see Li Haoran, a fire spiritual root cultivator, showing no concern for Lu Yang, fully aware of the terror of the Golden Crow me. Arent you worried about Lu Yang? Li Haoran smiled, indirectly answering: Senior Brother Lu once asked me to forge a flying chariot. We worked together for three days and finallypleted it. During the forging process, Senior Brother Lu was responsible for providing the mes. Do you know what kind of fire that was? What fire? Samadhi True Fire. On the martial arts field, Bai Ming, confident of his victory, suddenly felt a wave of unease as the Golden Crow me blocked his view, preventing him from seeing Lu Yangs movements. Suddenly, his expression changed. He felt from Lu Yangs direction, a fiercer and more domineering me approaching. This feeling its true fire! (End of the chapter) Chapter 170: The Water Avoidance Charm The Great Void Pill Scripture is the most famous and universally acknowledged authoritative text in the cultivation world. Right from the beginning, the Great Void Pill Scripture rifies the most superior method of pill refining: Use the Great Void as the cauldron, Tai Chi as the furnace, purity as the pill base, non-action as the Dantian, life and death as lead and mercury, and the five organs as the fire. The Samadhi True Fire originates from this, thus, alchemists regard the Samadhi True Fire as a treasured me for pill refining. Samadhi True Fire can refine celestial materials and treasures. In a sense, cultivators are also considered celestial materials and treasures. The consequences of Samadhi True Fire encountering a cultivator are imaginable. And Lu Yangs Three vours True Fire, derived from Samadhi True Fire, although slightly less powerful, is equally formidable. On the martial arts field, Lu Yangs Three vours True Fire came fiercely, transforming into a fire dragon, tearing and devouring the Golden Crow me, forcefully ripping it apart. Bai Ming couldnt believe what he was seeing. Was it possible for someone to learn True Fire at the Foundation Building stage, especially the renowned Samadhi True Fire? This was hard for him to ept, having been praised and admired since childhood. In the stands, originally, Qiu Jinan saw his prized disciple Bai Ming disying the Golden Crow me, shining brightly, excitedly pping his thigh. Then, he saw Lu Yang deploying True Fire, quickly losing his smile.Is this Samadhi True Fire? No, its very close to Samadhi True Fire! Qiu Jinan searched through his minds True Fires, finding none that matched. A terrifying thought dawned on him: could this be a me outside the known 108 kinds of True Fire? Was it previously unrecorded and undiscovered, or had it just been created? Sect Master Lu, what kind of True Fire is this? Evesting Fairy casually said: Nothing much, just a me used for roasting skewers. Sect Master Qiu, no need to make a fuss. Evesting Fairys attitude further solidified Qiu Jinans thoughts, and he inwardly gasped. How could this Sect Master Lu be so powerful, not only mastering wood, earth, and fire techniques like Bai Ming but also creating techniques on top of that! Creating techniques was one thing, but creating True Fire? Bai Ming, burnt by the Three vours True Fire and struck by Lu Yangs sessful punch to the chest, carrying a mix of sweet, salty, and spicy vors, flew out, his breath weak, barely hanging on. In mid-flight, realizing the overall situation had turned against him, he pondered whether to graciously admit defeat or hopelessly wait for the match result to be announced. Scenes shed through Bai Mings mind Being brought up the mountain by his master as a child, growing up under the care of senior brothers and sisters, diligently reading books, practicing hard, with his master bing strict during cultivation, scolding him to correct his attitude and posture, and after cultivation, applying medicine, encouraging him to persist. His sweaty back during cultivation, his unwavering focus, his understanding of techniques, enduring through heat and loneliness, building a strong foundation, rapidly growing from the Qi Refining stage to the mid-Foundation Building stage, never experiencing defeat. Bai Ming closed his eyes, contemting his battle with Lu Yang, feeling as if something was budding within him. Hended steadily, hands together, standing on one foot, his breath bing more robust. Opening his eyes, Bai Ming radiated power beyond his own. Breakthrough to thete Foundation Building stage? Qiu Jinan was overjoyed to see his disciple breaking through. Bai Ming had been stuck in the mid-Foundation Building stage for months, indeed due for a breakthrough, but he hadnt expected it to be now. Disciples from the Five Elements Sect whispered among themselves, marveling at the turn of events. Lu Yang didnt know how to react, just when victory seemed within reach, a breakthrough? Isnt that supposed to happen to me? Well, then lets continue. Lu Yang lifted the Qingfeng Sword, he hadnt yet shown his true skills. The chopping and breaking techniques hadnt been used. The Shape-Imitating Fist would be set aside, that technique was too far-fetched, and Lu Yang still had some conscience. Lu Yang, Lu Yang, switch with me! Evesting Fairy called out to Lu Yang, intrigued by the excitement of the battle and wanting to join in on the action. Evesting Fairy, in her immortal soul state, isnt bound by the twenty-meter limitation and can split off a strand of consciousness into Lu Yangs clone at any time, as long as Lu Yang agrees. Lu Yang was somewhat skeptical. Could he rely on Evesting Fairy? Evesting Fairy, hands on her hips, gestured towards Lu Yang, Im the sect master; you should listen to me! Reluctantly, Lu Yangplied. Well, if the sect masters status is being invoked, then let it be. If it looks like they are losing, he can always take back control. Evesting Fairy gleefully took control of the bald Lu Yang clone, raising her right hand and pointing a finger in a somewhat seductive manner. Bai Ming found Lu Yangs gaze strange. If the Lu Yang from before resembled a monk, the one now seemed like a nun? Could this be a case of split personality? Bai Ming had heard of a saying in the cultivation world, Without bing a demon, one cannot survive. There have been many instances in history of cultivators ending up with split personalities due to intense practice, and those who made history undoubtedly possessed extraordinary strength. Could it be that Lu Yangs strength stems from having a split personality? The more Bai Ming thought about it, the more it made sense. Evesting Fairy slowly lifted her finger, magical power twining around her fingertip, softly chanting, The Water Avoidance Charm. An invisible barrier unfolded, with Evesting Fairy at its center, repelling all moisture within its range. Originally, after the sh of two mes, there wasnt much moisture left on the field. Now, the vicinity around Evesting Fairy waspletely devoid of any water content! But that wasnt the most terrifying part. Bai Mings body also contained water, which was rapidly being drawn away from him! Lu Yangs body also contained water, but as the caster, the rate at which water left his body was much slower than Bai Mings! Bai Ming, watching his body desate, was at a loss. He had no way to counter this technique, which was beyond hisprehension. When the Water Avoidance Charm was cast, there were no visible signs, making it seem as if nothing had happened to outsiders. Only those who experienced it firsthand knew the horror of this technique! We concede! Qiu Jinan personally intervened, stopping the loss of moisture from Bai Ming and administered a pill to help him recover. He looked deeply at Lu Yang, truly a figure capable of bing the acting sect master, mastering four of the five elemental techniques, including the water attribute technique, which is a forbidden grand divine ability recorded in ancient texts! Lu Yang was astounded. Was this the effect of the Water Avoidance Charm described by Evesting Fairy? So terrifying? Evesting Fairy chuckled, Its just alright. Too bad your current realm is too low, and your senior brothers and sisters are all full Golden Core cultivators, with their water essence locked within, unaffected by this technique. Once you reach the Golden Core stage, Ill use your body to cast it, and none of them will be a match for me! Can you teach me? Lu Yang eagerly asked, wanting to learn this technique. Evesting Fairy tilted her head, You looked down on my inheritance, so no, I wont teach you! Please, Fairy Sister. No! When I say no, it means no! When Qiu Jinan returned to the stands, he found that Sect Master Lu had disappeared, reced by Yun Zhi sitting next to him. Although he had mentioned wanting someone else to sit next to him, he didnt mean Yun Zhi. Qiu Jinan felt the temperature around him drop a few degrees. Miss Yun Zhi, where did Sect Master Lu go? Qiu Jinan tried to start a conversation, hoping to break the chilly atmosphere. There are some guests skilled in barbecuing outside the sect gate; he went to invite them in. Ah? (End of the chapter) Chapter 171: Blessed by Everlasting Celestial on This Journey Outside the gate of the Dao Seeking Sect, eight inly dressed men gathered together, discussing matters. The Five Elements Sect, those rich dogs, are literally swimming in spirit stones, building such a massive flying ship, plus a whole bunch of useless designs! If we had that many spirit stones, many ns could have been realized! One of the high-ranking members of the Undying Sect eyed the flying ship parked outside the Dao Seeking Sect, drooling with the thought of stealing it. Vice Sect Leader Liu reprimanded the other for hisck of sophistication: Calm down! Look at you, acting like youve never seen the world. If our mission goes smoothly, causing the Dao Seeking Sect to fall into slumber and allowing us to loot at will, why worry about not being able to afford such an airship? Another high-ranking member of the Undying Sect expressed concerns about their ns: But can our n really seed? Weve never infiltrated the Dao Seeking Sect before! To them, the Dao Seeking Sect was akin to a dragonsir. Please rest assured, gentlemen. Our undercover agent in the Dao Seeking Sect has provided us with the activity schedule and a map of the war zone, ensuring our safety! Tang Yunsheng spoke up, his position and cultivation level were the lowest among them as an inspector. Even the helmsmen had to pay him respects, but here, he was at the bottom of the hierarchy. Right, Little Tang is correct. Another vice sect leader spoke, his name was Gao Zheni, a cultivator in the early stages of Unity. Moreover, we are all believers of the Evesting Celestial, the symbol of wisdom, power, and luck. With the Evesting Celestials blessing, our mission will surely be a sess! May the Evesting Celestial bless us!May the Evesting Celestial bless us! The eight men whispered, afraid of being overheard. Youve been waiting for a while. Lu Yang came to greet his subordinates. His public identity was the acting sect master of the Dao Seeking Sect, but in secret, he was the sect leader of the Undying Sect, ying both sides. Let me introduce, this is the sessful infiltrator into the Dao Seeking Sect, our loyal follower, Lu Yang. Tang Yunsheng introduced him and then quietly asked, What about the other two? Where was the leadership reception for just one person? Lu Yang exined, Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone are busy grilling skewers and cant get away. Tang Yunsheng then introduced the seven high-ranking members of the Undying Sect, including Vice Sect Leaders Liu and Gao, as well as five elder guests. Tang Yunsheng was responsible for coordination. Without him entering the Dao Seeking Sect, his Nascent Soul Stage cultivation wouldnt make a ssh there, and his presence wasnt necessary. Lu Yang warned his seven subordinates, The Dao Seeking Sect is extremely dangerous for us from the Undying Sect, like entering a dragons den. Please follow my instructions carefully. If anything goes wrong, we will have nowhere to bury our bodies! The seven frowned, feeling an instinctive dislike for taking orders from someone in the Foundation Building Stage, but considering that visitors to a mental hospital must follow the guide to avoid attacks from patients, they let it go. Lead the way. The gatekeeper disciples saw the acting sect master leading people into the sect and did not stop them, letting them through directly. Vice Sect Leader Liu was surprised at how easily they entered the Dao Seeking Sect. Lu Yang exined with a smile, The disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect oftene to our ce for skewers. After a while, we got to know each other, and they generally dont make things difficult for me. Vice Sect Leader Liu patted Lu Yangs shoulder, I didnt expect you to blend in so well with the people of the Dao Seeking Sect. This is something many cultivators cant achieve even if they go mad. Well done. Its a pity youre of such a low realm now, or I would promote you no matter what! Lu Yang thought to himself that he could still be promoted further; any more and he would be a patriarch. Hmm? Wait, whats a patriarch? Isnt it the founder of a sect? Since Ive resurrected the Evesting Fairy and given the Undying Sect a faith, Im essentially doing what a patriarch does! Lu Yang felt that it was only logical and rightful for him to be a patriarch, and he wouldnt need topete for the position with the fake sect leader of the Undying Sect. The hierarchical order of the Undying Sect has now be clear, with the Evesting Fairy at the highest level, followed by the patriarch Lu Yang, and then the sect leader, vice sect leaders, and other minor figures. Considering that the Evesting Fairy is already a guest elder of the Dao Seeking Sect and a temporary three-day acting sect master, its reasonable to regard the Undying Sect as a branch of the Dao Seeking Sect. Upon arriving inside the Dao Seeking Sect, Vice Sect Leader Liu and the others were curious, but they dared not release their spiritual senses and only observed with their eyes. They were on edge the entire way, fearing detection by the Dao Seeking Sect. Fortunately, the riskiest part has already happened, and worrying now was toote. On the martial arts field, the first match of the Golden Core group began, featuring Brother Luo Hai from the Dao Seeking Sect, who had been challenged beyond his level by the Evesting Fairy. Brother Luo Hai was proficient in water attribute techniques, as was his opponent. Their battle saw waves crashing against each other, with the roar of tides, and the scale of their fight was unlike any typical Golden Core phase battle. Here we are, this is our base! Lu Yang arrived at a barbecue restaurant named Come Again. This was a shop arranged by Dai Bufan well in advance, managed by others until now. During the exchange event, it was temporarily handed over to Lu Yang and two others. Barbarian Bone was skillfully grilling skewers, and the spacious shop had only a few people inside. Other shops were just starting to open at this time. Thepetition between the Dao Seeking Sect and the Five Elements Sect included four major groups. Only the Foundation Establishment group had proceeded so far. The battles of the other three groups, due to their longer durations, strategies, and tactics, were more interesting and attractive to the audience, which was the highlight of the exchange meeting. Therefore, the shops chose this time to start business. Greetings to the vice sect master Barbarian Bone put down his work, intending to salute, but was stopped by Vice Sect Master Liu. Given the dangerous circumstances, lets keep things simple. Yes, please take a seat, Barbarian Bone invited them. Wheres Meng Jingzhou? Lu Yang looked around but couldnt find him. Oh, Brother Meng said hes going to check out other shops to see how their business is doing and if we need toe up with a strategy against them. Lu Yang frowned, about to scold Meng Jingzhou for not focusing on important matters. The sess or failure of the Undying Sect depended on this, how could he be distracted by trivial matters? Vice Sect Master Liu stopped Lu Yang, Eh, no need to be angry. As the saying goes, y the part fully. Mengs actions also fit those of a barbecue shop employee, which is understandable. Vice Sect Master Liu continued, However, its difficult to proceed with one person missing. Little Barbarian, go find Meng Jingzhou and bring him back. You three are most familiar with the Dao Seeking Sect, lets discuss our next actions together. Yes! Barbarian Bone hurried out of the barbecue shop. Before leaving, Barbarian Bone mentioned, By the way, Brother Lu, someone pre-ordered our skewers, and Im almost done grilling them. Remember to deliver them. Alright. Lu Yang took over Barbarian Bones task and continued grilling skewers, his movements skilled, showing he was a veteran of thirty years. Vice Sect Master Liu nodded in approval; Lu Yangs movements were standard, not much different from what he had learned. After grilling, Lu Yang said, Please wait a moment, esteemed guests. I need to deliver a meal. Hold on, where to? Ill send someone to deliver it for you, Vice Sect Master Liu stopped Lu Yang. If Lu Yang left, there would only be the seven of them left in the barbecue shop. Lu Yang pointed to a distant stand, Its ordered by the bigwigs in the stands. Vice Sect Master Liu was at a loss for words; the stands were upied by the high-ranking members of the Dao Seeking Sect and the Five Elements Sect, all at the Unity Stage. If they went to deliver the meal, their identities could easily be exposed. Go ahead, go ande back quickly! Vice Sect Master Liu gestured. Lu Yang, carrying the meal box, quickly walked out. Not long after Lu Yang left, a pure and beautiful girl noticed the ce. Oh, Come Again BBQ shop, what an interesting name. Since you guys are starting a business, give me twenty mutton skewers. If its good, Ill order more! It was Shangguan Yu. (End of the chapter) Chapter 172: The Dedicated High-Ranks of the Undying Sect Mutton skewers? Vice Sect Master Liu frowned. They were here to show the Dao Seeking Sect a lesson, not to actually work. Hey, dont you do business when customerse? Shangguan Yu found it odd. Do the Dao Seeking Sects shops also have such a unique characteristic of not doing business when they open? The Second Elder followed behind Shangguan Yu, eyeing Vice Sect Master Liu and his group suspiciously: You guys look unfamiliar. I havent seen you in the Dao Seeking Sect. Could it be that youre Vice Sect Master Liu immediately recognized the Second Elder Bayan, a high-ranking and influential figure of the Dao Seeking Sect at the peak of the Unity Stage. Being suspected by such a person could likely blow their cover. He quickly put on a smile, signaling the other six to get up and serve the customer: The shopkeeper is away on business, and we were temporarily pulled in to help. You ordered twenty mutton skewers, right? Please wait a moment; it will be ready soon. As members of a demonic sect, having a cruel and cold smile is a required skill, but being able to switch smiles at will is also essential. Vice Sect Master Liu rolled up his sleeves, tied on a white apron with ck borders hanging on the wall, and took out twenty-five mutton skewers from a basin: You are our first customer today, so Im giving you five extra skewers. A few flies attracted by the smell of the meat were shooed away by Vice Sect Master Liu. The Second Elder was still somewhat skeptical: This shop doesnt seem very cleanVice Sect Master Liu quickly responded: Old Gao, bring out the formation! Vice Sect Master Gao took out a set of formations from his storage ring andid it on the ground, causing the flies to instantly flee the barbecue shop. Those who opened shops in the Dao Seeking Sect were no ordinary people, so using storage rings and formations wouldnt arouse suspicion. Vice Sect Master Liu smiled and exined: Absolutely clean, this is an insect repelling formation we brought from outside. Vice Sect Master Liu was always meticulous in his work. He flipped and shook the skewers with one hand while sprinkling barbecue seasoning with the other. The fragrance of the mutton, ignited by the charcoal fire, was mouth-watering. Vice Sect Master Lius proficiency was not inferior to that of Lu Yang. They had specifically sought out the best local barbecue master and learned painstakingly for three days just for this moment! Do you eat spicy? Shangguan Yu thought for a moment. She wasnt very good with spicy food, but felt something was missing without it: Mildly spicy, please. Alright. Vice Sect Master Liu continued to grill the skewers while shouting out. Come and see, fresh grasndmb, ughtered and prepared on the spot, with meat and tendons, fragrant and chewy, an unforgettable taste! This was what the mortal barbecue master used to shout, and he told them that the louder they shouted, the more customers they would attract. Perhaps because he had heard the mortal barbecue master shout so many times, Vice Sect Master Liu, inspired by the moment, also gave it a try. Indeed, it worked, and gradually, Dao Seeking Sect disciples started to gather around. Here, your skewers are ready. Vice Sect Master Liu handed the mutton skewers to Shangguan Yu. How much? Vice Sect Master Liu had no idea about the pricing; he nced at the price list hanging on the wall and was shocked. Were the prices in the Dao Seeking Sect always this high? What Vice Sect Master Liu didnt know was that the prices in the Dao Seeking Sect were not usually high, but they had been temporarily raised because of the event. Shangguan Yu slightly opened her mouth to take a bite. The meat was fragrant and juicy, to the point where she couldnt tell if it was her saliva or the juice from the meat. Delicious, delicious, give me fifty more skewers! And two grilled pigs trotters. The biggest advantage for cultivators eating food is that no matter how much they eat, they wont feel full. As long as they want to eat, they can enjoy the feast to their hearts content. Of course, this characteristic wouldnt have a chance to be disyed at the feast prepared by the Evesting Fairy. Seeing how Shangguan Yu was enjoying her food, saliva dripped from the mouths of the people around, and they mored for skewers, following her lead. Vice Sect Master Gao weed the customers: Theres space inside, space inside, no need to crowd outside, you cane in to order! The five visiting elders busied themselves serving the customers. On the martial training ground, the first match of the Golden Core group finished, and there was still some time before the second match started. Many disciples, including those from both the Dao Seeking Sect and the Five Elements Sect, chose to eat while watching the battles. They noticed that one barbecue shop was unusually bustling with business. Lets check it out. As more and more disciples came to eat skewers, Vice Sect Master Liu felt a confidence welling up inside him. Ive always said, what does it matter how bustling Lu Yangs barbecue shop in Yanjiang County is? That was before I made my move. If I did, what business would Lu Yang have? Old Gao, there are too many orders, I cant keep up. Set up another stall! Alright! Unexpectedly, Vice Sect Master Gaos barbecue skills were not the slightest bit inferior to Vice Sect Master Liu!! Up in the stands, Lu Yang delivered skewers to the Eldest Senior Sister, and was met with Qiu Jinans surprised gaze. Why would Sect Master Lu stoop to selling skewers? What has happened in such a short time, and what urred during it? Qiu Jinan couldnt figure it out. How are the preparations going? There are only seven customers left in the shop, ording to the n, disciples wille to order, and there should be no idents. Got it, go back. When Lu Yang returned, he nced at the martial training ground. The second match had already begun, with Senior Sister Yi Jing, who was also challenged by the Evesting Fairy across levels, representing the Dao Seeking Sect. Lu Yang noticed the senior brothers and sisters watching below, holding many skewers, and was somewhat surprised. Even Bai Ming, who had just lost, was holding a bunch and eating deliciously. Whats going on? When Lu Yang got back, Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone had already returned to the barbecue shop, bustling around, assisting the two vice sect masters. Those secretly arranged to buy skewers couldnt even line up properly. Seeing Lu Yang, they spread their hands in helplessness. The Second Elder, eating skewers by the roadside, greasy-mouthed, greeted Lu Yang: Where did you find these people? Their skewering skills are top-notch. Shangguan Yu also expressed her desire to visit the Dao Seeking Sect more often. Lu Yang: Make way, make way, Lu Yang shouted, wanting to see what was happening inside. The crowded person frowned: Whats the push for? Dont you know to line up? Im a staff member! Seeing Lu Yang, the crowded person twitched his mouth and made way. He suddenly remembered his masters warning, that there would be demonic cult infiltrators at the exchange site, and Lu Yang nned to capture them all in one go. Could the people in this barbecue shop be from the demonic cult? He stared at the two vice sect masters grilling skewers for a long time but felt he might have been mistaken. The Dao Seeking Sects elders had already greeted everyone, saying if Lu Yang appeared where he shouldnt be, not to panic, just pretend not to know him. Seeing Lu Yang return, Vice Sect Master Liu was overjoyed: Little Lu is back, just in time, you go and maintain order, let everyone line up properly. Lu Yang: Do you even remember what youre here for? Lu Yang originally intended to find a few customers to upy them, but he hadnt expected to make the barbecue shop thrive. Lu Yang noticed the genuinely happy smile on Barbarian Bones face and Meng Jingzhous expression of reliving the days in Yanjiang County, not knowing where to begin with hisints. The Evesting Fairy nodded in satisfaction: Worthy of my followers, the self-reliance capability is quite good, though the skill level of these skewers needs improvement. Lu Yang, let me take over the body. Ill show you what divine-level skewering is, everyone will learn from it. The Evesting Fairy, getting excited, didnt care about the principle of not transmitting thew lightly anymore, moring to show off her skills. Hearing this, Lu Yang quickly stopped the Evesting Fairy. Please dont add to the chaos! (End of the chapter) Chapter 173: This Seems More Profitable Than Working at the Undying Sect As night fell, the sect members began to crave a wonderful and rxing meal. A short distance from the martial training ground, there was an inconspicuous little shop. Without any organization, people, attracted by the aroma, unanimously chose this ce, the Come Again BBQ Shop. Just like the name of the barbecue shop, customers who have eaten once wanted toe again to satisfy their ever-hungry stomachs. Many customers who came here for barbecue were drawn by the Barbarian tribe specialtymb dish. The Barbarian barbecue form, passed down for hundreds of thousands of years from ancient times to the present, remains ever popr. The barbecue form must be prepared on the same day. The Barbarian ancestors had a deep understanding of mixing spices for roasting beef andmb. The subtle difference in the taste of skewers among the more than ten barbecue shops in the Dao Seeking Sect lies in these spices. Master Liu, also serving as the Vice Sect Master of the Undying Sect, had a different opinion. He believed that the best ingredients only need the simplest cooking methods. For skewers, the most important things are the heat and the heart. Master Liu treated each skewering session as a battle, giving it his all without ck, remaining calm and meticulous in controlling the heat even when orders piled up like a mountain, immersed in his own world. Eating is like going to war, a timeless truth. A well-operated barbecue shop naturally also requires the cooperation of logistics staff. The logistics staff at the Come Again barbecue shop, serving as temporary employees, had never dealt with such things before. However, they seemed naturally fit for the job, serving customers with a tacit understanding; one kept the ounts, another cleaned up, and another washed the dishes, coordinating perfectly like brothers.However, no shop is perfect, and no matter how well they cooperated, there were still those who were absent-minded and distracted. Whats the matter with you, Little Lu? Cant you focus on your work? Master Gao, also serving as the Vice Sect Master of the Undying Sect, scolded Little Lu for hisck of concentration. Lu Yang: Was I too hasty in bing the sect master of the Undying Sect? This Undying Sect doesnt seem to have much of a future; maybe I should just honestly be a disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect. You want to leave the sect? The Evesting Fairy stared at Lu Yang with a displeased expression, daring to talk about leaving the sect in front of the faith itself. Fairy, do you have something else to do? If not, please go back to sleep. Of course, theres something. Go tell Little Gao that the way hes grilling the skewers is wrong. Theyre too tender. Use a higher me, it needs to have a charred vor to be strong enough. Hurry up and say it, this is amand from a deity. The Evesting Fairy urged. In ancient times, whatever she said was taken very seriously, considered as divine guidance. People would analyze her words from various angles. Now, she doesnt receive the same treatment; Lu Yang acts as if he didnt hear her at all. Barbarian Bone secretly found Lu Yang, looking worried: Brother Lu, this cant go on. Lu Yang was pleased, thinking someone finally realized there was a problem. We didnt prepare so many skewers; at this rate, well soon be sold out! Lu Yang began to reflect, wondering if the problem was with Barbarian Bones thinking or his own. What, were running out of skewers? One of the high-level members of the Undying Sect changed his expression upon hearing this; this was no small matter. This high-level member, named Jiang Yitian, was responsible for collecting payments. Then go out and buy more quickly! Barbarian Bone shook his head: The skewers are marinated in advance. The quality of meat bought now cannot be guaranteed, not to mention theres not enough time for marination. As a member of the ancient Barbarian tribe, Barbarian Bone couldnt tarnish the brand of the Barbarian barbecue. Very principled! praised the Evesting Fairy. In ancient times, she also tasted the Barbarian barbecue, which was indeed exceptional, though it didnt focus on nutritional bnce. The Evesting Fairy always paid attention to nutritional bnce in cooking and had given the Barbarian tribe constructive improvement suggestions, but the tribe didnt listen and stood firm in their ways. By the time thepetition on the martial training ground reached the end of the Nascent Soul group, the skewers were sold outpletely. Everyone began to summarize todays earnings. Damn it, werent we here to cause trouble for the Dao Seeking Sect? What are you all doing, ying house here? Vice Sect Master Liu took the initiative to scold, realizing he had been too engrossed in barbecuing and neglected their mission, but he couldnt possibly admit his mistake in public. True to the nature of a demonic cult vice sect master, skilled at doing wrong, he was quick to me others before being used. Vice Sect Master Gao also reprimanded everyone: Where are your principles? Are you doing your tasks so carelessly, worthy of the Evesting Celestial? What everyone stifled in their hearts was that it was the two of them who were the most engrossed just now. Jiang Yitian, who was in charge of collecting payments, thought for a moment and seriously said: Is it still possible for us to switch to running a barbecue shop now? Another high-ranking member raised his eyebrows: What do you mean, open a barbecue shop? Are you nning to abandon your faith in the Evesting Celestial? But really, running a barbecue shop in the Dao Seeking Sect makes a lot of money. The high-ranking member disdainfully said: How much can you earn? As much as a months offerings for all of usbined. The high-ranking member lowered his head in thought: Keeping the Evesting Celestial statue on one side and running a barbecue shop on the other doesnt seem to conflict with the teachings. Vice Sect Master Liu scolded the high-ranking member for being unsteady in his principles: This is absurd, we, as loyal believers of the Evesting Celestial, how could you have such a Its as much as a months offerings for all of usbined. Having such an idea is a fortune for the Undying Sect! Vice Sect Master Liu changed his tune, starting to n for the future: We can open chain stores, covering the entire continent, not only solving the employment problem for the sect members but also making money. By then, well be major taxpayers in the Great Xia Dynasty! Vice Sect Master Gao angrily said: Have you considered whether the prices elsewhere will be as outrageous as in the Dao Seeking Sect, whether the holiday consumption level can be the same as usual? Youre only looking at the immediate profits, not considering the long-term! Most importantly, once we open chain stores, who can guarantee that all sect members barbecuing skills will be the same as ours! Prepare to depart, to the martial training ground! Lu Yang sighed secretly, the original n was to use the customers to keep them upied, giving them a chance, but unfortunately, the skewers sold too quickly, notsting until the end of the event. To maximize the effect of the Yellow Millet Pillow, specific positions are needed. Little Lu, you three lead us to scout the martial training ground. Once the momentes, immediately activate the immortal treasure. By then, youll be the great contributors! Lu Yang, with a solemn expression, looked as if ready to make a noble sacrifice: We dont seek credit, dedicating ourselves to the Undying Sect is our duty! Good, I indeed wasnt wrong about you! Vice Sect Master Liu greatly appreciated Lu Yang, truly a person under the sect masters special attention, indeed withmendable qualities. Under the leadership of the Undying Sects patriarch, the subordinates arrived at the martial training ground and dispersed to their positions. Vice Sect Master Liu, watching the battles on the martial training ground, nodded slightly. Worthy of disciples from the Five Great Immortal Sects, although their cultivation was not high, their methods ofbat weremendable, with no faults to pick. He said to the great patriarch, Little Lu, watch these battles closely; they will be very beneficial to you. (End of the chapter) Chapter 174: Take Action! At this moment, the fifth battle of the Nascent Soul group was nearing its end, featuring Ma Tianyang, who was also challenged by the Evesting Fairy across levels. Vice Sect Master Liumented, This Ma Tianyang is at thete stage of Nascent Soul, whereas on the Five Elements Sects side, theres a peak Nascent Soul Stage practitioner. Both are disciples of immortal sects, receiving roughly the same resources. At this point, external methods no longer work; what matters is cultivation. A slight difference in cultivation can determine victory or defeat. Ma Tianyang is not far from losing. Just as Vice Sect Master Liu predicted, Ma Tianyang gradually fell into a disadvantage. His opponent grew stronger as the battle progressed, aiming to defeat Ma Tianyang in one fell swoop. Ma Tianyang was a talisman cultivator. The various talismans he drew were considered premium goods in the outside world. If a small family acquired one, it could be treasured as a family heirloom, delivering a fatal blow at a critical moment to save the family. Unfortunately, Ma Tianyangs opponent controlled thunder, with thunderous sounds and lightning-fast speed. Each lightning strike precisely disrupted Ma Tianyangs talisman drawing rhythm, preventing him from leveraging the advantage of a talisman cultivator. Just when the opponent thought the victory was assured and pressed on the attack, Ma Tianyang pressed his palms down hard. Countless runes shed, forming a majestic mountain, suppressing the opponent. The opponent, trapped under the mountain, couldnt mobilize any spiritual power and was defeated in confusion, A Thousand Catty Mountain Talisman! Such a talisman cant be stored on paper; it has to be drawn on the spot. But even for you, drawing it on the spot should take five minutes. Where did you find the time! Ma Tianyang sneered, Ive been drawing all along; you just didnt see it. How is that possible! Where were you drawing it!Ma Tianyang pointed to his body, My blood vessels. While fighting you, I was adjusting the positions of my blood vessels. I (redacted curse words) (TL Note: The author just put a bunch of symbols) The martial training grounds array wasprehensive and considerate, including an automatic profanity filtering array. To outsiders, it all sounded like beeping noises. The opponent thought he had observed the Dao Seeking Sect for so long that he almost grasped their strategies, not realizing he was still far off. Vice Sect Master Lius eyes twitched, not expecting Ma Tianyang to have such a trick up his sleeve. He was careless for not noticing it. Blood contains spiritual power, so adjusting blood vessels to form talisman patterns is indeed feasible, even more ingenious than drawing talismans externally, with no loss of spiritual power. But the question remains, is drawing talismans with blood vessels something a normal person would think of! Vice Sect Master Liu said indifferently, teaching Lu Yang, Dont learn this kind ofbat method. Blood vessel knots can easily lead to thrombosis. Lu Yang thought Vice Sect Master Liu was being overly cautious. He had heard that Brother Ma Tianyang could untie even the tightest knots in his blood vessels. After the Nascent Soul group, it was time for thest group, the Spirit Transformation group. This was the highest-value group in the exchange event. Watching a battle between Spirit Transformation Stage practitioners could bring tremendous benefits! Representing the Dao Seeking Sect in battle was a senior brother from the Pellet Cauldron Peak named Lu Wang, whom Lu Yang had not seen before. Whispers among the crowd, Its actually Senior Brother Lu; its been a long time since Ive seen him. I heard that during his Core Formation, he failed three times because he was dissatisfied with his one-pattern golden core. Why is that? He insists that the golden core is also a type of pill, and a golden core without patterns or fragrance is a failure. So, he kept trying to form a golden core with fragrance. (TL Note: The word core () is the same word for pill) Did he seed? He did. Senior Brother Lu really formed a golden core with fragrance. Whats so special about this kind of golden core? It smells really good. Lu Yang asked his subordinate, Little Liu, who do you think will win? Huh? Vice Sect Master Liu thought he heard wrong. What did this kid just call him? Lu Yang calmly exined, In the outside world, youre hired as a temporary employee, and Im your boss. We must y our parts convincingly. If Im too respectful to you, itll look fake. Our n is about to be implemented, and we cant afford to give ourselves away now! Vice Sect Master Liu nodded, epting Lu Yangs reasoning. Lu Wang is well-known within the Spirit Transformation Stage, with few willing to face him as an opponent. He practices both pill and poison cultivation, with his poison being stronger than his pills. Unfortunately, Lu Wang is out of luck, meeting an opponent who counters him. Ive heard about his opponent, who grew up in the Five Poisons Pit and has developed a body immune to all poisons. Faced with him, Lu Wang cant utilize his strengths. On the martial training ground, Lu Wang faced off against a disciple from the Five Elements Sect. Lu Wang first tested his opponent with bone-eroding poison smoke, which, just as Vice Sect Master Liu mentioned, did not affect the opponent at all. The poison smoke was useless against him. This is going to be tough, Lu Wang felt somewhat challenged. The opponent sneered, Give up, Lu Wang. You could win against anyone else, but against me, youre bound to lose! The battle of the Spirit Transformation Stage wasnt limited to the ground. The two fighters moved between flying in the sky and burrowing into the earth, with victories on both sides. The opponent had greater strength than Lu Wang, putting Lu Wang at a disadvantage. Lu Wang pulled out a pill that increased strength, which was allowed in thepetition. Just as Lu Wang was about to consume it, the opponent snatched it away and swallowed it. The opponent sneered, Thinking of using a pill? Youd need the opportunity to do so first! After swallowing the pill, the opponent felt his strength rapidly declining. Whats going on! The opponent was shocked, as this was not supposed to happen. Lu Wang punched the opponent, sending him flying: The Ten Elephants Strength Pill, granting the user the strength of ten elephants. Except its meant for those at the Foundation Establishment level. In other words, you can now only exert the strength of ten Foundation Establishment level elephants. You (more redacted curse words) Be content, I didnt give you the mating season version of the Ten Elephants Strength Pill. You should be grateful for that. Lu Wang threw the opponent out of the ring. After the four battles of the Spirit Transformation group, Vice Sect Master Liu didnt predict any oues correctly. It wasnt that Vice Sect Master Liucked insight; it was that the Dao Seeking Sects Spirit Transformation Stage cultivators were too unpredictable. Vice Sect Master Liu took a deep breath to calm himself, as they were about to take action and couldnt let these distractions affect their mood. He noticed everyone was in the right positions, forming the Yellow Millet Formation to maximize the effect of the Yellow Millet Pillow. ording to the Evesting Fairy, this was a sleeping formation she often used, very effective. Vice Sect Master Liu heard the Dao Seeking Sect announcing the closing remarks: The friendly exchange meeting between the Dao Seeking Sect and the Five Elements Sect now concludes. We are delighted to have spent this wonderful time with everyone Everyones attention was focused on the stage, the perfect moment to take action! Vice Sect Master Liu raised his hand and shouted, Take action! Dao Seeking Sect disciples lurking nearby, hearing themand, appeared in unison and charged towards the high-ranking members of the Undying Sect. They remembered Lu Yang saying that someone would shout take action, and to start moving as soon as they heard it. They had spected who would give the order, with some guessing it was Lu Yang, others Meng Jingzhou, and some even guessed Barbarian Bone. Now, the mystery was finally solved. The Dao Seeking Sect disciples nodded respectfully to Vice Sect Master Liu, who was still somewhat confused, recognizing him as a hero. So, Vice Sect Master Liu was also one of our undercover agents, sessfully reaching the position of vice sect master. (End of the chapter) Chapter 175: The Tofu Celestial! The high-ranking members of the Undying Sect werepletely baffled, having just recited the grand ancient words together, when suddenly, a group of people with sacks sprang from the crowd and covered them. Completely bewildered, they were bagged and tied up. They could ept being caught, but why was the Dao Seeking Sect so adept at this technique? Arent you supposed to be the righteous sects? The high-ranking members of the Undying Sect were chanting in an ancientnguage that was meant to work in conjunction with the Yellow Millet Pillow, a celestial treasure. The content of the words was profound, beyond ordinary understanding, and to this day, no one has been able to decipher it. The Undying Sect spected that this was an ancient celestial technique to activate celestial treasures, while others said it was ancient speech to awaken celestial treasures. Either way, it was certain that, when paired with the ancient words, the Yellow Millet Pillow was an unrivaled weapon among peers. The sect master of the Undying Sect deduced that the Evesting Celestial was proficient in dream-rted celestialws. The phrase a grand dreamsts for thousands of autumns; what year is it tonight? was a poetic description of the Evesting Celestial by ancient poets. After research, the sect master also discovered that the Qilin Immortal once expressed a wish to keep the Evesting Celestial in eternal slumber. This shows that although its hard to determine the strongest among the ancient five celestials, the Qilin Immortal must have been afraid of the Evesting Celestial and did not wish for her awakening! the sect master of the Undying Sect dered. Vice Sect Master Liu shook his head, breaking off his train of thought. He realized that the Dao Seeking Sect was well-prepared, and they were trapped, having fallen into a pit.Who is the betrayer?! Vice Sect Master Liu suddenly realized that Lu Yang had disappeared from his side without a trace. He looked up and saw Lu Yang speaking on the stage. Lu Yang seemed to notice Vice Sect Master Lius gaze, exchanged a look with him, and revealed a breezy smile, continuing his speech: After this exchange, everyone must Its you! Vice Sect Master Lius eyes were filled with rage, not expecting Lu Yang to be the traitor. Could it be that Dao Seeking Sect turned Lu Yang against them? No, his presence on the stage indicated that he was originally one of the Dao Seeking Sect, perhaps even a high-ranking member?! Ha, Lu Yang, the great traitor, does he think he has already won! Vice Sect Master Liu revealed a desperate and crazed expression, summoning the celestial treasure Yellow Millet Pillow from his storage ring. Let them see what a celestial treasure is, even if its just you alone, you can still activate this treasure! Vice Sect Master Liu spat a mouthful of essence blood onto the Yellow Millet Pillow, which emitted a strange green light. The green light, like ripples, spread to the surroundings. Wherever the green ripples reached, friend or foe, all fell into a deep sleep. Whether Dao Seeking Sect disciples, Five Elements Sect disciples, or even the captured low-ranking members of the corrupt sect, were swept by the green ripples, they swayed and thudded to the ground, snoring soon after. The martial training ground, the heart of the Dao Seeking Sect, supposed to be a ce of hustle and silence, now resounded with snores, eerie and bizarre. Even the sect members below the stands couldnt resist the power of the Yellow Millet Pillow and were pulled into dreams. Vice Sect Master Liu, with a powerful aura, didnt care at all,ughing uncontrobly. Ha ha ha, what of the Dao Seeking Sect, what of the Five Elements Sect, let them dare to underestimate your corrupt sect! Vice Sect Master Liu was filled with murderous intent, intending to use this opportunity to kill the Dao Seeking Sect disciples in one fell swoop. Hurry, if the Dao Seeking Sects Tribtion Crossing Stage detects themotion here, they will surelye. Even if you possess a celestial treasure and offer essence blood as a sacrifice, its difficult to match the might of a minor Tribtion Crossing Stage powerhouse. Vice Sect Master Liu muttered to himself. Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators are usually hidden in the deepest parts of their sects, either guarding secrets, seeking the path of immortality, or isted from the mortal world, rarely taking action. As far as I know, among the seven minor immortal sects, only the abbot of the Hanging Temple is at the Tribtion Crossing Stage; the rest of the sect leaders are at the Unity Stage. The abbot of the Hanging Temple belongs to the next generation; among our peers, there are still those who have reached the Tribtion Crossing Stage. If a Tribtion Crossing Stage emerges, holding a celestial treasure doesnt make me the weakest! How dare you think of murder in front of me? A mocking voice tinged with indifference interrupted Vice Sect Master Lius daydreams. The voice was unfamiliar. Vice Sect Master Liu abruptly looked up, surprised to find that people hadnt fallen asleep! How is that possible! Slowly, Vice Sect Master Lius surprise turned to horror. Lu Yang not falling asleep meant I was facing a minor power of the Tribtion Crossing Stage! Everything made sense now, exining why Lu Yang, who appeared to be at the Foundation Establishment stage in front of me, could sit in a high position within the Dao Seeking Sect. It must be that Lu Yangs cultivation far surpassed mine! Who exactly are you! Vice Sect Master Liu demanded loudly. To be a Tribtion Crossing Stage, one must be a well-known powerhouse, yet I couldnt match Lu Yang with any known figure. Lu Yang stood below the stage, hands behind his back, his white robe fluttering, like an exiled immortal. With a leap, I ascended. I am the Tofu Celestial! It was deep into the night, and above the moonlight, a figure was exceptionally visible, as if it were the darling of heaven and earth, capturing thousands of gazes. Lu Yang, bathed in moonlight, released an aura far surpassing the Unity Stage, making Vice Sect Master Liu unable to resist bowing in worship. Destiny, the sword falls. The sword light pierced through dark clouds, and the green immortal sword, like divine punishment, carried the wrath of gods and the indifference of immortals, descending from the sky to punish all evil. Faced with this unparalleled sword strike, Vice Sect Master Liu couldnt even muster the strength to resist. It was as if his body was frozen, unable to move. All he could do was not to raise his head, staring wide-eyed as the green immortal sword descended. The immortal sword pierced through Vice Sect Master Lius skull. A sword is a harbinger of good fortune; I did not wish to kill. The Tofu Celestials expression was indifferent as he turned to leave, leaving behind an eternal silhouette. In reality, people gathered around, watching Vice Sect Master Liu lying on the ground asleep, his body asionally twitching, curious about the dream Lu Yang had woven for Vice Sect Master Liu. In fact, Lu Yang had been by Vice Sect Master Lius side the entire time, and the speech below the stage was made by a junior elder. From the moment Vice Sect Master Liu realized people were beside him, he had retreated into a dream. The Yellow Millet Pillow, a treasure of the decayed immortal, Yun Zhi knew how to use the Yellow Millet Pillow beforehand, directly activating it through the storage ring, plunging Vice Sect Master Liu into sleep, then letting people weave the dream. As for the other lower-ranking members, including the vice sect master himself, they were indeed caught in sacks. Its clearly my pillow. Why wont you let me use it! The Evesting Fairy wanted toe out and y but was stopped by Lu Yang. Ill take the risk for you. More than three hundred thousand years have passed; it might have gone bad by now. Lu Yang naturally secured the first turn of dream weaving rights. Speaking of which, does he still need someone to sing when using the Yellow Millet Pillow? Lu Yang remembered the grand atmosphere of the lower-ranking members singing the ancient words, as if offering something to a minuscule existence. What were those people singing? The Evesting Fairy recalled for a moment and said, It was the luby I yed using a plushie while sleeping, the lyrics are sleep, sleep, my dear little baby The high ranks of the immortal sect sang with too much vigor,pletely mismatching the essence of the luby. It took her a moment to realize what these people were singing. Lu Yang: (End of the Chapter) Chapter 176: Shangguan Yu Ah, so these are the high-ranking members of the Undying Sect youve caught. Suddenly, a voice appeared behind Lu Yang, startling him. He turned around to see the young girl, Shangguan Yu. Why would he abandon a perfectly good barbecue shop to mix with a demonic cult? Shangguan Yu shook her head, reminiscing about the taste of the skewers, feeling pity for these people. Anyway, you guys from the Dao Seeking Sect did well, catching a big fish. Its been many years since youve caught such a high-profile figure. I hope you can extract useful information from him. Shangguan Yu smiled and patted Lu Yang on the shoulder: I see youre naturally a person of the Dao Seeking Sect. Keep working hard; I have high hopes for you. Maybe youll surpass Daoist Non-Speaker one day! Yun Zhi added from the side: Of course he will surpass master. Shangguan Yu scratched her head; she actually meant that Lu Yangs creativity could surpass Daoist Non-Speaker. Did Little Yun misunderstand something? Forget it, too troublesome to exin. Just as Lu Yang was about to say something, he saw Shangguan Yu vanish into thin air, not knowing what method she used. On the stand, the Grand Elder was calming the situation: Everyone, dont panic. It was just a few Unity Stage members of the demonic cult using a celestial treasure tounch a sneak attack on us, nothing serious. The Grand Elder had a this is amon urrence at our Dao Seeking Sect and you Five Elements Sect havent seen this before, huh and these people cant even stir a ripple here expression. Qiu Jinan was certain, this guy was showing off. A Unity Stage demonic cultistunching a sneak attack with a celestial treasure, if it happened in the Five Elements Sect, they would be on high alert. Unlike the Dao Seeking Sect, which still had the mood to y. Your hearts are really big, huh. Undying Sects? Qiu Jinan remembered, Yun Zhi knows some secrets about the Undying Sect. She must have had some clues. Unity Stage, huh, this definitely signifies a vice sect master level figure in the Undying Sect; the Dao Seeking Sect has caught a big fish this time. Qiu Jinan was envious; if they could dig deeper into this big fish, they would surely uncover a lot of valuable things. Why does the Dao Seeking Sect always encounter such good luck! Indeed, the Grand Elder replied elegantly. Qiu Jinan resisted the urge to beat up the Grand Elder and negotiated: The Five Great Immortal Sects share amon enemy. If you find out any information, do let us know. The Grand Elder was nonchnt: Thats easy to say, just as long as you admit that your Five Elements Sect is inferior to the Dao Seeking Sect and be our little brother, we, as your big brother, will definitely share any information with you. Qin Jiu Nian, dont push it too far! Apart from Daoist Non-Speaker, I can take on any of your Dao Seeking Sects Nine! Qiu Jinan mmed the table, his body creaking as he moved. The Grand Elder sneered, snapping his fingers, and everyone from the Second Elder to the Eighth Elder appeared behind him, spreading out like a peacock. Qiu Jinan felt an oppressive aura the Sixth Elder was here. The Grand Elder revealed a smug smile, about to say something when he found he couldnt utter a word. He helplessly transmitted a message to the Sixth Elder: Sixth Sister, when will you be able to control your celestial body? The Sixth Elder rolled her eyes: Be grateful, in history, out of all the owners of the wless Immortal Physique I have controlled it the best. Thest recorded owner of the wless Immortal Physique, Chi Qianqian, after reaching the Unity Stage, automatically repelled the surrounding spiritual energy, forcing her to give up on cultivation. Clearly, immortal physiques have their drawbacks. With the Sixth Elders interference, the Grand Elder lost the mood to mock Qiu Jinan. The Sixth Elder, knowing to give them space, left. The closing ceremony hadnt ended yet, and her presence meant that the Grand Elder and Qiu Jinan couldnt even recite the closing words. In thepetition between the Five Elements Sect and the Dao Seeking Sect, the Five Elements Sect suffered a heavy loss, hardly winning at all. The disciples of the Five Elements Sect werent sheltered flowers; they had plenty of experience in exorcizing demons and performing various tasks in the marketce, rich inbat experience and worldly wisdom. But they truly hadnt seen the likes of the Dao Seeking Sects unconventional strategies, rendering their experience useless. The few battles the Dao Seeking Sect lost were due to their disciples indirectly going berserk. For instance, in one Golden Core stage battle, a Dao Seeking Sect disciple started off fiercely, entirely different from his usual demeanor. Just as the Five Elements Sect disciple was about to be overwhelmed, the Dao Seeking Sect disciple suddenly copsed from exhaustion. With his dying breath, he told the referee, This was a do-or-die battle I took a poison pill before the match it activates after five minutes I nned to take the antidote after getting off the stage If I couldnt defeat my opponent within five minutes I would surely die I Im not going to make it I wished to win just one more battle Seeing the referee about to lose him, he hurriedly took out two identical poison pills, extending his life by ten minutes, then went to find the antidote to save him. After reluctantly reciting the closing words, they bid farewell, showing the deep bond between the Five Great Immortal Sects, far from the rumors of the Dao Seeking Sect isting the other four immortal sects. Ha ha, Sect Master Qiu, do visit our Dao Seeking Sect more often in the future. Definitely, definitely, Ill surelye to expand my horizons at the Dao Seeking Sect again. Both of them cursed in their hearts: Finally, I dont have to see this old geezer again. The Second Elder sincerely told Shangguan Yu: If youre bullied in the Five Elements Sect,e to me. Ive watched Qiu Jinan grow up. He seems upright, but hes actually quite sneaky. Dont let him deceive you! Shangguan Yuughed it off, saying Qiu Jinan wouldnt dare to deceive her. The Second Elder was heartbroken, saying it was exactly because you were too naive that you got deceived by Qiu Jinan. Qiu Jinan stepped between them, his face dark enough to drip water: Old Second, Ba, Ive told you, stay away from her! (TL Note: He used ϶ which is directly tranted as Ba Old Second, Ba being his surname and ϶ meaning old second. Theres no good way to trante it in english.) The Second Elder was indifferent: Dont scare me. Everyone knows Shangguan Yu is said to be your half-sister from the same father. Ive checked; your father only has you as a son, you dont have any sisters. Everyone grew up together, who doesnt know who. You dont have a fiance, and Shangguan Yu has nothing to do with you. What right do you have to stop me! Qiu Jinan exploded in anger: Shes my mom! The Second Elder stiffened, Even if shes your mom what? What did you say? The Second Elder instinctively retorted to Qiu Jinan, realizing midway something was amiss. How did discussing a girlfriend lead to talking about a mom? The Grand Elder and others quietly stepped back, probably due to being beaten too many times as children; they had an innate fear and desire to stay away from the older generation. The reaction from the Five Elements Sect disciples was even stronger; one of the Five Great Mysteries of the Five Elements Sect was finally solved. No wonder its said in the cultivation world not to judge age by appearance; its really true! I remember someone came to propose marriage, and the sect master kicked him out with a dark face. We thought it was because he was overprotective of his sister, but the reason was here. Qiu Jinan then turned to Shangguan Yu, who was enjoying the show, his tone revealing a despairing helplessness: Mom, you too, cant you stop hiding your identity just to look younger? Do you know how many misunderstandings it has caused? Shangguan Yu felt her son was being unfilial: How am I trying to look younger? Am I not only eighteen? Besides, whats wrong with pretending to be your sister? Your dad agreed! My dads grass on his grave is taller than me! Did hee to you in a dream? (End of the chapter) Chapter 177: The Yellow Millet Pillow My dads grass on his grave is taller than me! Youre not that short, Shangguan Yu muttered. After learning Shangguan Yus identity, Grandpa Bas eyes lit up, pping Qiu Jinan on the shoulder: You can call me Old Ba from now on. Get lost! Qiu Jinan shook off Grandpa Bas hand. The Dao Seeking Sect was indeed not a ce to stay for long; he was about to spend a lifetimes worth of anger here. Little Qiu, I think the Dao Seeking Sect is quite fun. Its rare for us toe here, so how about we stay a few more days? Shangguan Yu suggested. Qiu Jinan took Shangguan Yu and left without looking back, boarding the ship. Shangguan Yu kept talking: Ive always taught you to be calm in the face of issues, to act coolly and remain steady. Look at you, youre so big now, a sect master, and yet you often lose your temper. This isnt good Qiu Jinan wore a dark face, offering no response. Shangguan Yu wiped her tears: The child has grown up and doesnt listen anymore.Qiu Jinan helplessly responded: Mom, can you not act like a child? Whats wrong with being childlike? Your dad liked me just like this. I Qiu Jinan was at a loss, wondering what his father saw in his mother. On the flying ship, Qiu Jinan assigned tasks: This visit to the Dao Seeking Sect, everyone is to write a 2,000-word reflection. It should include insights, reflections, and ns for the future. Hand them to me tomorrow! Instantly, there were groans all around. In front of the Dao Seeking Sect mountain gate, Grandpa Ba waved goodbye to the departing ship, feeling dejected: Do you think I have a chance with Shangguan Yu? The Grand Elder looked Grandpa Ba up and down with disdain: Youre not even as handsome as me, and youre thinking of pursuing her? The Third Elder solemnly said: Second Brother, if you want to increase your generation, I wont stop you, but I doubt Master will agree. Master is suppressing the Prison Peak and probably wouldnt miss you. The elders, true to the tradition of kicking someone when theyre down, all advised Grandpa Ba not to dwell on it. Go, go, go! Grandpa Ba shouted angrily. What kind of brothers are these, unable to say a single nice word? Lets go check on the high-ranking members of the Undying Sect we captured, said the Grand Elder. That was the pressing matter at hand. On the martial training ground, Dao Seeking Sect disciples crowded around the high-ranking members of the Undying Sect, pointing and discussing them like rare animals. This operation didnt all the infiltrators from the Undying Sect; two helmsmen and the patriarch remained atrge, posing as Dao Seeking Sect disciples. Lu Yang, holding the Yellow Millet Pillow, examined it curiously. This was his first time seeing a celestial treasure. The Yellow Millet Pillow was a pillow-shaped porcin pillow, colored green-blue, with a blooming blue lotus painted on it with colored ze. Is this the celestial treasure Yellow Millet Pillow that Little Lu mentioned? the Grand Elder and others came over, also curious about the celestial treasure. Here, let me study it, the Grand Elder took the Yellow Millet Pillow, very interested in items that could forcibly put people to sleep, as he specialized in dream-rted powers. The Grand Elder tried infusing a trace of spiritual power to activate the celestial treasure, but the spiritual power disappeared without a trace, and the Yellow Millet Pillow showed no response. Interesting. The Grand Elder was even more curious about how to activate the Yellow Millet Pillow. Yun Zhi wanted to tell the Grand Elder how to use it, but seeing his high spirits, she ultimately didnt speak. Let the Grand Elder figure it out himself. After trying various methods, the Grand Elder couldnt activate the Yellow Millet Pillow, bing somewhat frustrated. How exactly does this thing work? Seeing the Grand Elders struggle, the captured Vice Grand Master of the prisonersughed and said: Foolish, this is a celestial item of our sect, how could you mere mortals have the qualifications to use it? While the Grand Elder was studying it, the Vice Grand Master mocked him, and the five high-ranking members of the Undying Sect also let out sarcasticughter from time to time. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, the Grand Elder grabbed the porcin pillow and struck the Vice Grand Master on the head with it, causing him to peacefully fall asleep. So, this is how the celestial treasure is used. The Grand Elder, deep in thought, finally understood how to use the Yellow Millet Pillow. Unable to hold back any longer, Yun Zhi advised, Grand Elder, use spiritual power as a thread, and form a blue lotus on the back of the pillow, just like the one on the front, to activate the pillow. I see. The Grand Elder used spiritual power as a thread to form a blue lotus on the back of the pillow and sharply tapped another high-ranking member of the Undying Sect on the head, who then peacefully fell asleep. Its quite useful. The Grand Elder returned the pillow to Lu Yang, who also tried it ording to the Eldest Senior Sisters instructions, but without any reaction. Evesting Fairy mocked, You think you can activate my treasure with your Foundation Establishment level cultivation? Lu Yang, having no choice, handed the pillow over to the Eldest Senior Sister for disposal. Yun Zhi formed a seal with one hand, slowly infusing it into the Yellow Millet Pillow. Once the seal disappeared, she handed the porcin pillow to the Grand Elder. Grand Elder, as the most proficient cultivator in dream-rted powers in our sect, this item will be most effective in your hands. Ive left a mark on the pillow, so even if its taken by outsiders, I can retrieve it. The Grand Elder was both surprised and delighted, earnestly thanking Yun Zhi. This was an extremely precious celestial treasure, and possessing it would elevate hisbat capabilities to another level. Already a powerhouse among those at the Unity Stage, with this celestial treasure, he could be an invincible existence within the Unity realm. Even Daoist Non-Speaker would have to be cautious around him! Yun Zhi then passed on an ancient chant for the Grand Elder to memorize, saying that reciting it while using the Yellow Millet Pillow could enhance its power. Curious, the Grand Elder inquired if Yun Zhi knew the meaning of this ancient chant. Yun Zhis expression turned strange, suggesting it was best the Grand Elder didnt know the meaning of the chant. Why is your pillow called the Yellow Millet Pillow? Lu Yang asked Evesting Fairy. Is it because youy on the pillow making millet porridge, and during the process, you dreamt through your life, only to wake up and find the porridge wasnt cooked yet? Lu Yang recalled a certain legend. (TL Note: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%BC_Dongbin#Yellow_Millet_Dream) Evesting Fairy nodded, Pretty much. That was when the pillow was first created. I invited Ying Tian Immortal and others for a meal, with millet porridge as the main dish. I was preupied and let the porridge boil over, bubbling and almost spilling out of the pot. Thats when I remembered Nonuple Immortal once said, if youre conducting an experiment and the liquid boils over, throwing a few broken porcin pieces in can prevent it from boiling. I didnt have any broken porcin, only the porcin pillow, so I threw the pillow into the millet porridge. When I fished it out, the pillow was covered in millet porridge, hence the name Yellow Millet Pillow. Lu Yang: Does that have anything to do with what I guessed? Did it still boil over after you threw it in? Lu Yang was curious about the follow-up. No, it didnt. Just as Lu Yang was about tomend the method, he heard Evesting Fairy continue, I used too much force and broke the pot. Evesting Fairy, still a bit shocked, Luckily, Ying Tian Immortal and the others stood me up. Otherwise, having no main dish for the meal would have been terribly embarrassing. Indeed, the ability of immortals to foresee and avoid disadvantages is no myth. (End of the chapter) Chapter 178: This Immortal’s name is Yellow Bean Head to Qiu Feng to see if we can find out the location of the Undying Sect headquarters. With a flick of Yun Zhis finger, several people from the Undying Sect were uncontrobly suspended in the air, following behind Yun Zhi. Yun Zhi thought for a moment and called Lu Yang over as well: Come over, we might need you. It had not been many days since thest visit to Qiu Feng, and Lu Yang was visiting Qiu Feng again. Qiu Feng remained as it always was, gloomy and oppressive. In the cell, Lu Yang saw the ancient Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator from the Three Li Cave Heavens C the Blood Demon Sovereign. Now only the soul of the Blood Demon Sovereign remained, no longer the defiance he had shown at their first meeting. Hearing the footsteps of the Eldest Senior Sister, he curled up in the corner of the cell, shivering. The Eldest Senior Sister walked straight past, not even ncing at him. The white-haired child pretended to be elderly, weing the arrival of Yun Zhi and Lu Yang: Little Yun is here again, who have you brought this time? Now, Lu Yang knew that the previous generation sect master, the white-haired child, was named Tang Shengyi.Two Undying Sect deputy leaders and five high-ranking members of the Undying Sect. Wow, youve caught some big fish. Have you taken down the whole Undying Sect? Tang Shengyi was somewhat shocked; his disciple was indeed capable. They walked right into the trap. At this moment, Vice Sect Leader Liu and Vice Sect Leader Gao woke up, and upon hearing Yun Zhis words, they cursed. The despicable Dao Seeking Sect, it was clearly you who tricked us intoing. What a grand scheme, using Tribtion Crossing Stage Tofu Celestial as an undercover agent, infiltrating the Undying Sect, and earning our trust! Clearly, Vice Sect Leader Liu had not fully woken up yet. Vice Sect Leader Gao whispered a reminder: Wake up, what Tofu Celestial? Vice Sect Leader Liu was confused: Isnt it Lu Yang? Yun Zhi silently looked at Lu Yang, also curious about what dream Lu Yang had concocted for Vice Sect Leader Liu. Lu Yang coughed and, feeling embarrassed to share the dream, diverted attention: Lets quickly ask them. What do we need, chili water, tiger bench, or water-soaked whip? Both deputy leaders, having mingled in the demonic cult for hundreds or even thousands of years, were ruthless individuals. Ordinary methods of interrogation wouldnt even make them blink. Heh, young man, do you really think such methods will make us divulge the secrets of our sect? Impossible! The righteous path is foolish and ignorant, yet they try to stop us from reviving the Evesting Celestial. If the great ancient era is to return, without the Evesting Celestial, who will protect us?! Suppressing demons and eliminating evils, you speak so nobly, yet you do not realize that it is precisely your actions that doom the future of the human race! The two deputy leaders mocked the ignorance of the righteous path in turns. No need for such trouble, Yun Zhi stopped Lu Yang. After asking the white-haired child to leave, she said to Lu Yang: Fairy,e out and meet your followers. A fairy, ethereal as if from a dream, appeared behind Lu Yang. Barefoot, with bright eyes and white teeth, her skirt fluttered in the air, her aura elegant, and her demeanor transcendent. Are you two my followers? Evesting Fairy looked coldly at the two deputy leaders, her gaze as still as an ancient well, regarding them as if they were mere insects. Unity Stage figures were of paramount importance in the Central Continent, revered as ancestors in sects, as dignitaries in dynasties, and as mysterious legends in the martial world, but they were nothing in the eyes of immortals. Who are you! The two deputy leaders asked, attempting to use their voices to cover their panic. For some reason, upon seeing this fairy, they felt an urge to worship her. The Evesting Fairyughed indifferently and said: I am the Evesting Fairy. Evesting Fairy? Hearing the self-proimed title of Evesting Fairy, they became apprehensive. This title, how simr it was to Evesting Celestial! Was it a coincidence? Evesting Fairy continued: You have been deceived. There has never been an Evesting Celestial. There is only me, the Evesting Fairy. Some fear the revival of this immortal, wishing to cover up my existence with the ridiculous title of Evesting Celestial. How ignorant, itsughable. People are notcking in foolishness, believing in the rumors spread by those behind the scenes. Fortunately, the Dao Seeking Sect carries the mandate of heaven, with a person of great fortune taking on the cause and effect of reviving this immortal, calling out my true name, reviving me. A chill rose in the hearts of the two deputy leaders, this speech revealed too much information. What does it mean there has never been an Evesting Celestial, what does it mean to fear the Evesting Fairy, and then theres the so-called Dao Seeking Sect carrying the mandate of heaven and a person of great fortune Its terrifying upon careful thought. So, what we actually believed in was not the Evesting Celestial, but you? Vice Sect Leader Liu raised his head, looking at the holy Evesting Fairy with trepidation in his heart. Correct. You have been deceived. I am not a being who delights in bloodshed and killing; such usations are baseless and absurd. Evesting Fairy instructed: To recognize and correct your mistakes is of the greatest virtue. Now, if you disclose the location of the Undying Sect headquarters to this cultivator named Yun Zhi, all mistakes can still be rectified. Vice Sect Leader Gao suddenly asked: Fairy, can you tell us your real celestial name? Evesting Fairy nodded, her tone calm, and revealed her true name: My name is Yellow Bean. The expressions of the two deputy leaders immediately became excited: I knew you were a fraud sent by the Dao Seeking Sect! How could a noble fairy have such a name, obviously made up on the spot! Caught you, didnt I? Still Yellow Bean, does your family make tofu? (TL Note: Yellow Bean in chinese is Huang Doudou which is a very cutesy name which contrasts with her being an immortal hence why they dont believe she is the real deal.) Evesting Fairy emitted a terrifying aura. If there were Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators here, they could discern this was an aura surpassing the Tribtion Crossing Stage, recognizing Evesting Fairys identity. Unfortunately, the two deputy leaders were at the Unity Stage, blind to the true greatness before them, knowing only that this aura surpassed the Unity Stage, unaware that it was an aura unique to immortals. Yun Zhi softly persuaded Evesting Fairy not to be angry: Senior Fairy, theres no need for anger. Having you make a move was just in hopes of luck. Since they dont recognize you, Ill have to employ some measures myself to make them reveal the location of the Undying Sect. Evesting Fairys expression then improved, returning to Lu Yangs body. Yun Zhi then said to Lu Yang: My methods will be a bit more cruel thanst time, youre still young, better not watch. Hearing Eldest Senior Sisters advice, Lu Yang shivered and obediently left Qiu Feng. On the way back, Lu Yang kindlyforted the sulking Evesting Fairy, praising that her name was actually very nice, very cute. Really? Evesting Fairy was somewhat pleased, it was rare for someone topliment her name. Really, really! Lu Yang nodded repeatedly. Lu Yang looked up at the moon in the sky, thinking of something: Speaking of which, I wonder what time it is now, has it turned to tomorrow yet? Just as Lu Yang was puzzled,ughter came from not far away. Junior Brother Lu asked a good question, how coincidental, its just past midnight, now its already the next day! In other words, the Evesting Fairy is no longer the acting sect master. Senior Brother Ma Tianyang sneered: Junior Brother Lu, have you enjoyed your three days as acting sect master? Ive heard Junior Brother Lu, you have a heavenly stature, capable of challenging beyond your level, Id like to learn from you. Like picking up a small chicken, Senior Brother Ma Tianyang lifted Lu Yang onto the arena. Hearing Lu Yang was here, more and more Senior Sisters and brothers rushed over, making Lu Yangs legs tremble. Fairy, youre responsible! Inside the mental space, Lu Yang red at Evesting Fairy. He had just beenforting Evesting Fairy,forting my foot, it should be herforting me! Evesting Fairy guiltily turned her head away. This, this is also part of the trial. (End of the chapter) Chapter 179: Ancient Divine Art — Turning Beans into Soldiers Immortals, as the pinnacle of the cultivation system, are often associated with the words invincible, peak and unmatched. The inheritance of immortals is considered a treasure by the Central Continent, with countless people seeking the inheritance of immortals, searching for traces of immortals, and obtaining information about them. Obtaining the inheritance of an immortal is fraught with difficulties. One must be strong when faced with strength, fight more bravely as the battle progresses, and being unmatched in ones tier is the most basic requirement. In addition to this, one must also pass the tests of immortals and meet their various unreasonable demands. Lu Yang had a deep understanding of this. On the Martial Arts Square, Lu Yang was fought in turn by his senior brothers and sisters. In his spiritual space, Lu Yang was chasing the Evesting Fairy, holding her ountable. Yellow Bean, stop right there! They are looking for you, why am I the one getting beaten! Ive already told you, this is the test of an immortal. I guarantee, as long as you can survive tonight safely, I will pass on to you a supreme divine art! Learning a supreme divine art from you is not as good as learning from Eldest Senior Sister. Stop right there, today Ill let you know what a mortals test is!This is disrespectful to an immortal! The Evesting Fairy ran away as fast as she could, she couldnt let Lu Yang catch up at any cost. In reality, various masters paid great attention to Lu Yang, a prodigy capable of challenging those above his level, employing a strategy of sessive battles, grinding him down over and over. Lu Yang calmly exined, Senior brothers and sisters, I feel there might be some misunderstandings between us. In fact, I have another powerful soul within me. The actions during the acting sect master period were all done by her upying my body. The senior brothers and sisters sneered, not believing Lu Yangs nonsense. Pretending to have split personalities now? Toote! Although the senior brothers and sisters came for revenge, they didnt all rush up at once. They were cultured people, rushing up all at once was the behavior of barbarians; they were civilized people, who lined up. Below the stage, people conscientiously formed a long queue. Those in front, be quick with your moves. There are so many people waiting behind! As the strongest among the Five Great Immortal Sects, the Dao Seeking Sects strength was beyond doubt. The disciples it recruited were all geniuses and talents. These individuals, having cultivated to the Golden Core stage and beyond, had unique insights intobat styles, spiritual power cirction, and the sequence of technique releases. Battling with these individuals was beneficial for rapidly enhancingbat experience, so that in the future, no matter what style of enemy one faces, one could handle it with ease. This point could be confirmed by disciples of the Five Elements Sect, who greatly improved themselves through exchanges with Dao Seeking Sect disciples. Outside, countless people wished to exchange experiences with Dao Seeking Sect disciples, envious of Lu Yangs experience. Lu Yang did not want to be the object of envy at all. The intensity of the battles caused Meng Jingzhou, watching from below, to p and cheer. However, Lu Yang had to admit that fighting with his senior brothers and sisters helped him greatly, both in terms ofbat experience and his own realm. After being overwhelmingly defeated by his senior brothers and sisters using their unique skills, they would force-feed him precious medicinal pills like the Golden Essence Pill and the Breezy Rejuvenation Pill, as if they were free. These medicinal pills allowed him to rapidly recover from his injuries, consolidate his foundation, and face the next battle in a fuller state. Through repeated battles and consuming medicinal pills, Lu Yangs realm steadily improved, which was worth celebrating. He felt that he was only a thought away from breaking through to the middle stage of Foundation Building. Moreover during the confrontations with his senior brothers and sisters, he was able to to look for ws and solutions, for his Three vours True Fire, Shrinking Earth into Inches technique, and The Art of Tree Painting, making his use of techniques more proficient. Perhaps this is the so-called great opportunity between life and death, Lu Yangs potential was further brutally squeezed out. For example, Lu Yang could exhale Three vours True Fire, burning only the insides of his opponents without harming the surface, further enhancing his control over fire. He could freely adjust the spiciness, with levels including mildly spicy, medium spicy, extra spicy, and explosive spicy. He could also freely adjust the saltiness, with options for light, normal salty, more salty, and extra salty, though it was still far from the saltiness level of the Evesting Fairy. For example, Lu Yang found in battle that he couldbine the techniques of Shrinking Earth into Inches, and The Art of Tree nting. By first shrinking the ground, then turning into inches, and finally using The Art of Tree nting, he could grow three small Lu Yangs on the tree. However, Lu Yangs current spiritual power was weak, and he couldnt control three of himself at the same time. Eh, a ginseng fruit? The one battling Lu Yang was Senior Sister Yi Jing, who was surprised to see the bald little Lu Yang swaying on the bodhi tree, finding it quite cute. Could this be the origin of the legendary ginseng fruit? A senior brother murmured. Ginseng fruit had always been a legend, never truly seen before. One senior brother felt theparison was too far-fetched: If a technique could be mastered to the extent of Junior Brother Lu, it would be unique throughout the ages. Even if ginseng fruit is rare, its not as rare as Junior Brother Lu. Another senior brother said, I also dont think ginseng fruites about like this. I read in a wild history book that talked about the origin of ginseng fruit. It said that in ancient times, ginseng was rare, and there was a swindler who imed to have ginseng. When people asked where the ginseng was found, he said it grew on trees, thus giving rise to the name ginseng fruit. Your wild history is really wild. Does the book say who the swindler was? It says his name was Ying Tian Immortal. Inside the spiritual space, the Evesting Fairy ran too fast, outpacing Lu Yang by a wholep, but eventually, Lu Yang caught her wrist. Finally caught you! Lu Yang smiled warmly, his smile like that of a cultured rogue. In reality, Lu Yang shouted Hold on, stopping a Spirit Transformation Stage senior brother who was about to make his move. The Spirit Transformation Stage senior brother didnt strike, wanting to see what Lu Yang intended to do. Among the opponents challenging the Evesting Fairy, including this Spirit Transformation Stage Senior Brother Wu, he was here for revenge, having queued for a long time, and it was finally his turn. Lu Yang took a deep breath and said slowly, Senior Brother Wu, I advise you not to push people too hard. If really pressed, I can do anything at any time! Senior Brother Wu wasnt scared by Lu Yangs threat, asking with a smile, And how would you bully you? Do you perhaps have a fourth acting sect master experience coupon? Senior Brother Wu didnt believe Lu Yang had another one. If he did, he would have used it long ago, not waiting until now. I dont have an acting sect master experience coupon, but I have an ancient divine art that can kill all enemies. As fellow Dao Seeking Sect disciples, I do not wish to start a massacre within our sect! Senior Brother Wu didnt believe Lu Yang possessed such a divine art and didnt waste any more words,ing straight for him. Seeing that persuasion was ineffective, Lu Yang had no choice but to use the technique he had just learned. Behold my ancient divine artTurning Beans into Soldiers! Inside the spiritual space, Lu Yang forcibly handed over control of his body to Yellow Bean. Turning Beans into Soldiers meant letting the Evesting Fairy take his ce in battle! This technique was incredible; possessed by an immortal, utterly invincible. Such a move, even in ancient times, was considered a tremendous and forbidden technique! The Evesting Fairy, facing Senior Brother Wus attack, felt despair. With a Spirit Transformation Stage making a move, how could she possibly fight? Lu Yang, you have no reverence for immortals! Lu Yang sneered, reverence? Thats something Ill consider after I survive tonight! (End of the chapter) Chapter 180: Junior Brother Lu, Do You Have Any Unfulfilled Wishes? As an immortal, the Evesting Fairy managed to survive the cruel and barbaric ancient times to achieve immortality and rank among the five immortals. Apart from her great luck, her many secret abilities also yed a crucial part. The Evesting Fairys eyes showed a cold glint. The opponents cultivation was too high, ordinary methods would definitely not work. Therefore, she had no choice but to use her forbidden technique that maniptes time the ying Dead Technique! With a thud, the Evesting Fairys vitality vanished, and she fell to the ground, motionless, without a heartbeat or pulse, and her soul could not be felt. This gave Senior Brother Wu quite a scare. He hadnt made his move yet, so how did the person die? Should we bury him? someone suggested from below. He deserves a proper burial. Senior Brother Wu nodded in agreement. During the days when Lu Yang served as the sect master, everyone witnessed his contributions. The Evesting Fairy got a shock and quickly got up. Senior Brother Wu, as if facing a great enemy, was very nervous and pulled out a yellow talisman, sticking it on Lu Yangs forehead. Unexpectedly, Junior Brother Lu has turned into a zombie. Do you have any unfulfilled wishes? Senior Brother Wu silently chanted the rebirth mantra: Dust to dust, earth to earth, everything is in the past. Junior Brother Lu, speak your wish, and your brother will fulfill it for you.The Evesting Fairy spoke faintly: My wish is to defeat Yun Zhi. Senior Brother Wus expression changed slightly and also ced a yellow talisman on Lu Yangs mouth: Junior Brother Lu, do you have any other unfulfilled wishes? The Evesting Fairy couldnt speak. Senior Brother Wu breathed a sigh of relief: It seems there are none. The crowd wailed in sorrow, lifting Lu Yangs still warm body and burying it in the small forest of Heavens Gate Peak, leaving only the head exposed. Then they left Heavens Gate Peak and hurried to the mission hall, wanting toplete missions, umte contribution points, exchange them for an acting sect master experience coupon, and enjoy the thrill of being an acting sect master. In the three days the Evesting Fairy served as the acting sect master, she was quite active, sparking peoples addiction to being an acting sect master. Being the sect master seems fun. I have some ideas that can only be realized by being the sect master. Everyone put their full effort into heading to the mission hall to take on missions, startling Dai Bufan. He had never seen everyone so enthusiastic before, like they were rushing to buy discounted goods. In the end, the mission wall waspletely empty; all missions were taken, making Dai Bufan twitch. After understanding the reason, Dai Bufan was relieved. If it was for this reason, he wasnt worried that the junior brothers and sisters were just momentarily excited. Exchanging for an acting sect master experience coupon bypleting one or two missions wouldnt work. Unless someone, like the Evesting Fairy, managed to kill a Unity Stage demon cultivator. Thats good, the number of missions has been increasingtely, which can satisfy their needs. Starting yesterday, the number ofmoners from The Great Xia Dynasty seeking help from the Dao Seeking Sect increased. Dai Bufan noticed the change and paid attention. He found that those seeking help from the Dao Seeking Sect all came from the same ce. After inquiring further, he found out that these people listened to wandering storytellers narrating The Legends of Dao Seeking Sect, learning about such a ce that punishes evil and promotes good. Dai Bufan pondered, understanding the root cause: It seems that Eldest Senior Sisters effort to have the sect master narrate stories everywhere and promote the Dao Seeking Sect is starting to show results. However, Dai Bufan also heard some strange things, such asmoners seeking help from the Dao Seeking Sect wanting to meet Daoist Non-Speaker, the one from The Legends of Dao Seeking Sect who turned the tide, changed the declining state of the Dao Seeking Sect, and made the Dao Seeking Sect leap to the forefront of the Five Great Immortal Sects. Aside from the name, Dai Bufan couldnt find any connection between the sect master and the legendary Daoist Non-Speaker. Among the Five Great Immortal Sects, its hard to distinguish their strengths since its uncertain who might be hiding some old monsters. Discussing their power based on overtbat strength is meaningless. The Dao Seeking Sect had experienced decline, but that was several generations ago and had nothing to do with thest or the current generation. By the time Daoist Non-Speaker took over the Dao Seeking Sect, it had already shaken off its period of decline. However, the emergence of Yun Zhi changed the indistinguishable strength bnce among the Five Great Immortal Sects. None of the old monsters hidden by any sect could match Yun Zhi inbat. Even the old ancestors hidden in the forbidden grounds of The Great Xia imperial pce knew that they were no match for Yun Zhi in a one-on-one fight, let alone the old monsters from the Five Great Immortal Sects. These old monsters were prominent figures in their active years, controlling the direction of the era and stirring up storms. Now retired, their reputations are not as prominent. These people couldnt beat a young girl; admitting this might feel embarrassing, so they didnt detail Yun Zhis strength, only hinting to the current leaders to be cautious. Although people of this era do not know Yun Zhis exact strength, they remember the old monsters teachings not to provoke Yun Zhi. Among them, the Emperor of Xia did the best job. Speaking of which, how many contribution points should be given for Junior Brother Lus trick of luring the high ranks of the demonic cult into a trap all at once? Although the most critical step waspleted by Eldest Senior Sister, the contributions of Lu Yang and the others are also significant. Dai Bufan was somewhat troubled. Forget it, I wont think about it anymore. Let Eldest Senior Sister decide. Dai Bufan put the matter out of his mind. In the small forest of Heavens Gate Peak, Lu Yangs head emerged, turning around, as control of his body returned to him. Shrinking Earth. With a whoosh, Lu Yang emerged from the ground. The senior brothers and sisters hadnt been ruthless. Knowing Lu Yang could use earth escape techniques, they intentionally gave him a chance. Otherwise, if they used a move like Turning Earth into Steel, Lu Yang would have been in real trouble. Congrattions, you have sessfully passed this immortals test. The Evesting Fairy pped her hands. She analyzed seriously, Youve gained a lot this time, not only in terms ofbat experience but also in visible growth in various techniques. Even your cultivation is close to thete stage of Foundation Building. I guarantee youre the strongest in your age group! Lu Yang remained silent, staring at her like a ghost. Cough cough, dont look at this immortal that way. The Evesting Fairy coughed twice. This immortal said, as long as you passed this test, I would give you part of my inheritance. You should be thrilled. In ancient times, if you werent this immortals disciple, how could you learn this immortals techniques? Lu Yang looked at the Evesting Fairy skeptically, You had disciples in the ancient times? No. Its lucky you didnt. Otherwise how many peoples time would you have wasted? The Evesting Fairy didnt know what Lu Yang was thinking and continued, The technique Im teaching you this time is significant. Its a technique that the Immemorial Immortal begged this immortal to learn after attaining immortality, involving time and the future. Although this immortal is not as talented in time-rted techniques as the Immemorial Immortal, only learning the basics, its more than enough to teach you! What technique? Foreseeing the future! Lu Yang gasped, surprised he had the opportunity to learn this famous technique. It couldnt just be called a technique; calling it an immortal art wouldnt be an exaggeration. Has the fairy finally yed the role of a golden finger? This beating wasnt in vain after all. (End of the chapter) Chapter 181: People Who Don’t Belong Together, Will Not Live Together Regarding the Immemorial Immortal, Lu Yang only knew of his revered title, with everything else about him shrouded in mystery. However, Lu Yang could still infer some information. Just as the Evesting Fairy uses Evesting as a prefix, indicating immortality as her trait, it could be deduced that the Immemorial Immortals trait is rted to the distant past or time. The technique taught to the Evesting Fairy by the Immemorial Immortal, and then passed on to himself, is akin to receiving favors from two immortals, enough to prove the power of this technique! Moreover, time-rted techniques are among the rarest of all techniques, even rarer than those rted to space, causality, and other concepts. Why did the Immemorial Immortal teach you this technique? Lu Yang wondered if perhaps the fairy had poisoned the Immemorial Immortal into a delirious state and tricked it out of him? The more Lu Yang thought about it, the more usible it seemed. The Evesting Fairy feigned anger: What are you saying? With my personal charm, isnt it normal for the Immemorial Immortal to beg me to learn the technique? So, he was poisoned into stupidity. What really happened?One time, Iined to the Immemorial Immortal that I had gone to the trouble of preparing a lot of nutritious food and invited you all over, but you didnte, wasting the food. I asked if he could teach me a technique that would let me know in advance whether you woulde or not, so I could prepare ordingly. The Immemorial Immortal seemed reluctant, I guessed he thought that if I learned this technique, hed be out of a job, which is understandable. Seeing him in a dilemma, I didnt press him to teach me. And then? You know Im a gentle, considerate, generous, and appropriate fairy, said the Evesting Fairy, using adjectives that hardly seemed relevant to her. At the time, I considerately said, Youre managing so manys, its understandable if youre too busy toe over for meals. So, I reluctantly offered door-to-door service, preparing meals and delivering them to your tables. That way, the food I made wouldnt go to waste, and youd save time. The Immemorial Immortal probably felt my time was too valuable to be spent on these trivial matters, and immediately offered to teach me foreseeing the future, so I could predict who woulde and who wouldnt. I said the technique sounded difficult, and Id rather not learn it, preferring to continue delivering food. The Immemorial Immortal enthusiastically said the technique was very simple and easy to learn. Seeing the Immemorial Immortals enthusiasm, I reluctantly learned it. Did you learn it? The Evesting Fairy nodded with a proud expression: Who do you think I am? I am the Evesting Fairy! Theres no reason for me not to learn it! I can predict events three days in advance, without any errors! Lu Yang was sincerely impressed; being able to know events three days in advance was truly worthy of one of the ancient five immortals. Let me demonstrate for you! As she spoke, the Evesting Fairys soul floated out of her body, and a wind from nowhere blew her pale green skirt, as if she had stepped out of a painting. The Evesting Fairy raised her right hand, chanting ancient and difficult-to-understand words. Apanied by the chant, countless golden runes appeared, floating around and hiding in the void. As the chant reached its climax, the golden runes returned, converging into the Evesting Fairys eyes. Her eyes shone bright gold, radiant and lively. I see What did the fairy see? I see that from tonight to tomorrow during the day, there will be moderate rain turning clear, with temperatures from fifteen to neen degrees, and a southeast wind Lu Yang: ??? The Evesting Fairy continued, I can also see that the day after tomorrow will be clear, turning to partly cloudy, with temperatures from seventeen to twenty-four degrees As the Evesting Fairy went on to give a weather forecast for the day after tomorrow, Lu Yang quickly interrupted. Wait, fairy, is this what you learned about foreseeing the future? Did the Immemorial Immortal dare to let you graduate with such skills without fearing tarnishing his reputation? The Evesting Fairy solemnly said to Lu Yang, Your perspective is too narrow. Do you think foreseeing the future only involves predicting what you or I will do? I once shared your doubts, and the Immemorial Immortal solemnly told me, how is predicting the weather not a part of foreseeing the future? Rather, predicting the weather is even more challenging than predicting human actions. What does weather represent? It represents the changes in heaven and earth. Heaven and earthe before humans. Predicting the changes of heaven and earth is definitely much more difficult than predicting human behavior. My ability to predict the weather precisely demonstrates that I have mastered this technique to a great extent! Even if others wished to achieve what I have, they couldnt! The Evesting Fairy repeated to Lu Yang what the Immemorial Immortal had said to her, feeling pleased with herself for lecturing a studentah, no, for feeling like a teacher. Lu Yang suspected that the Evesting Fairy was deceived by the Immemorial Immortal, but he couldnt defeat the Immemorial Immortal, so he dared not question it. Can you predict anything else? Only the weather. Lu Yang was certain that the Evesting Fairy was deceived by the Immemorial Immortal, but he couldnt defeat the Immemorial Immortal. The ancient era was so cruel. Even immortalscked basic humanity, deceiving even fools, which is despicable! Is your weather forecast reliable? The Dao Seeking Sect experiences spring all year round, with rare rainfall. Lu Yang looked at the Evesting Fairy skeptically, doubting the sess rate of the technique. My weather forecasts have never been wrong! So, youre teaching me to forecast the weather? Lu Yangs eyes twitched, retracting his initial thoughts. This golden finger indeed wasnt very useful. What Ive learned is the highest realm of foreseeing the future, predicting the weather. Your talent for techniques is good, but it still falls shortpared to mine. Besides, youre only at the Foundation Building stage. How could you learn to the extent I have? Lu Yang didnt quite understand where the Evesting Fairys pride wasing from. So, youre actually teaching me the normal way of foreseeing the future, but you yourself ended up with weather forecasting? Right. Lu Yang felt this was probably what People who dont belong together, will not live together meant. As his Nascent Soul, it was normal for the Evesting Fairy to share some simrities with him. Will you learn? Yes! Since youre going to learn, you must start from the very basics of the ancientnguage. The gap between the ancientnguage and the currentnguage is vast. You wont learn it immediately. To see quick results, you just need to learn the ancient words used when casting the foresight technique. The Evesting Fairy paused and then repeated the ancient words she had just said. What does that mean? Lu Yang was curious. The Evesting Fairy tranted, What I just said was, Spirit of heaven and earth, Immemorial Immortal you wretched turtle grandson, show your spirit! Lu Yang instinctively stepped back two paces, fearing that Immemorial Immortal would descend and pinch him to death with one finger. Lu Yang felt that learning techniques from the Evesting Fairy didnt even ensure basic survival. Eldest Senior Sister was more reliable. Repeat after me. Hmm, just to be safe, I have to ask, is it necessary to say wretched turtle grandson? Thats not necessary. Its just a modal particle; it can be included or omitted. (TL Note: In linguistics, modal particles are always uninflected words, and are a type of grammatical particle. They are used to indicate how the speaker thinks that the content of the sentence rtes to the participantsmon knowledge or to add emotion to the meaning of the sentence.) (End of the chapter) Chapter 182: Foreseeing the Future Lu Yang felt that the reason Evesting Fairy could not learn to foresee the future had a lot to do with Immemorial Immortal not teaching her seriously. Lu Yang followed Evesting Fairy to study thenguage of the ancients, with difficult vocabry popping out one after another. After reciting it a few times, Lu Yang was able to speak the phrase fluently. Speaking of which, to resurrect you, fairy, is whether we are using thenguage of the ancients to chant your name or using the currentnguage relevant, since both are able to resurrect you? Lu Yang remembered the time he resurrected Evesting Fairy using the modernnguage. Hehe, as I said, my ariya-ph is evesting. Evesting endures eternity; why would it be confined bynguages? But Ying Tian Immortal and the others dont know about this, Evesting Fairyughed somewhat slyly, willing to share this little secret with Lu Yang. You mustnt tell anyone else about this; Im only telling you because you resurrected me and allowed me to reside in your body for so long! Evesting Fairy cautioned. Of course! Lu Yang promised, thumping his chest. Lu Yang began to study foresight earnestly. He sat cross-legged, deeply contemting this grand and divine power renowned even in ancient legends. Lu Yang seldom let Evesting Fairy instruct him, fearing she might lead him astray, but when he really couldnt figure something out, he still had to ask.Evesting Fairy watched as Lu Yang gradually touched the Essence of foresight, secretly rmed, indicating that Lu Yang was not far from mastering it. She verbally downyed Lu Yangs technique talents as inferior to her own, merely because she was embarrassed to admit that Lu Yangs talents surpassed hers. She could not learn the technique of time during her foundation-building phase. A mid-foundation stage practitioner, having mastered the spatial technique Miles in a Step, was about to learn the temporal technique of foresight. Describing Lu Yang as monstrously talented would not be an exaggeration. Evesting Fairy soon put this aside, since her strength was not in techniques; why then should shepare her weaknesses with Lu Yangs strengths? Lu Yang chanted the solemn ancient words, his middle finger and index finger together, and shouted, Foresight! Did it work? Evesting Fairy was surprised; he learned so quickly. Golden runes appeared around Lu Yang, dissipating into the void, and after about three minutes, the golden runes left the void and returned to Lu Yangs body. Lu Yangs eyes shone like gold; he had sessfully seen the future! I saw myself from two minutes ago?! Lu Yang saw himself from two minutes earlier, dumbfoundedly holding up his arm, waiting for feedback from the golden runes, looking somewhat foolish. The corner of his eye twitched; theoretically, he had learned to foresee the future, sessfully predicting what would happen one minute after casting the technique. But in reality, he knew the result would take three minutes to arrive. Whats the use of that?! Lu Yangined. Lu Yang felt that it was probably because he hadnt yet mastered it proficiently. Practice more. Lu Yang reflected on his actions, identified potential issues, patched the gaps, and cast the technique again. He waited three minutes after casting the technique and saw what would happen one and a half minutester (after casting). Theres some progress. Lu Yangforted himself, perking up. Keep it up! Evesting Fairy encouraged from the side. Once more! After the Five Elements Sect left, senior brothers and sisters took turns fighting with Lu Yang, continuously battling him until the early morning, then burying him in the small forest at Heavens Gate Peak. Lu Yang passed the fairys test and began to practice diligently from dawn. As time progressed, from morning to evening, the sun turned to the moon, and moonlight poured onto Dao Seeking Sect like a tide, casting a mysterious veil. Heaven rewards the diligent. After repeated practice, research, studying, and solving problems, the foreseeable future extended closer and closer to the crucial three-minute mark. Suddenly, Lu Yang felt a boom in his mind, as if breaking through a barrier, and he crossed the three-minute threshold to predict the future. Lu Yangs eyes gleamed golden, standing out like two candlelights in the night. What did you see? Evesting Fairy excitedly asked. Lu Yangs expression was strange: I only saw a snippet. Eldest Senior Sister was leaving the prison peak, I ran up to her and said I must learn from master, to be as carefree as him, spending days in frivolity, neither cultivating nor doing serious work. Eldest Senior Sister smiled faintly, hugged me, patted my back, and said she would take care of me in the future. Really? Evesting Fairy was shocked. What kind of strange future was that? It feels real! Lu Yang was also puzzled. I feel somethings not quite right, Evesting Fairy said, eyes darting about, tempting, Immemorial Immortal once said, the future cannot be changed, and since youve seen it, it must happen. The only way to verify the truth is to test it! Convinced by Evesting Fairys logic, Lu Yang set off for the prison peak. At that moment, Yun Zhi had juste out from the prison peak, her fists still stained with blood. Though her expression was still impassive, those familiar with her knew she was in a good mood. Yun Zhi had sessfully extracted a wealth of information about the Undying Sect from two vice-sect leaders, including the location of the Undying Sect headquarters. Seeing Lu Yang running over excitedly, Yun Zhi asked, Little junior brother, whats the matter? Lu Yang shed a radiant smile, saying, I must learn from master, to adopt his irresponsible ways, spending my days in leisure without cultivating or doing any serious work. BoomCrack For some reason, the originally clear sky became overcast with thunder and lightning, andrge drops of rain began to fall. Eh, its raining, I told you it would rain tonight! Evesting Fairy boasted, her weather prediction was still very urate. Lu Yang noticed, after he spoke those words, Eldest Senior Sisters expressionless face turned into a faint smile. Though it was a smile,bined with the thunder and lightning in the sky, and Lu Yangs intuition, this smile exerted tremendous pressure on him. A life or death crisis! Lu Yang swallowed hard, hurried back to his spiritual space, and stealthily asked, Fairy, can high cultivation levels allow emotional changes to affect the weather? Yes. Lu Yang finally understood why the usually rainless Dao Seeking Sect was experiencing rain today. He had angered Eldest Senior Sister! Your weather prediction is really urate, fairy! Lu Yang said through gritted teeth. In reality, Yun Zhi gently patted Lu Yangs shoulder, speaking in a soft tone, Little junior brother, have you been so tense in your cultivation that youve started talking nonsense? Lu Yang shivered, instinctively shaking his head, then realizing the reaction was wrong, quickly nodded like a pecking chicken, unable to utter a word. He finally understood what the technique he had cultivated was. Foreseeing the futureknowing beforehand things that would note to pass. (End of the chapter) Chapter 183: The Strongest Specter Lu Yang honestly exined the reasons and consequences of the incident and had Evesting Fairye out as a witness to convince Yun Zhi that Lu Yang was merely conducting an experiment. The thunder dissipated, and the moderate rain abruptly ceased; moonlight pierced through the dark clouds, and Dao Seeking Sect was clear once again. The disciples of Dao Seeking Sect were unclear about what had happened; the rain had notsted long before it stopped. At Dao Seeking Sect, rain usually meant that the elders were casting spells, mixing spiritual power with the rainwater as it fell, irrigating Dao Seeking Sect and increasing the concentration of spiritual energy in the sect. I told you so, tonight to tomorrow daytime, from cloudy to clear, look how urate I am, Evesting Fairy boasted about her ability to predict the weather. Lu Yang did not want to talk. Lu Yang noticed several familiar figures following behind Eldest Senior Sister, unmistakably the vice-head Liu and other seven high-ranking officials of the Undying Sect. The seven of them looked utterly lost, their eyes filled with a subtle terror when they looked at Eldest Senior Sister. Eh, they are all in soul form, Evesting Fairy remarked, somewhat surprised.Eldest Senior Sister, what are you doing? Lu Yang was very puzzled. Yun Zhi exined lightly, I see that they have a knack for skewers, quite popr among junior brothers and sisters. Instead of confining them at the prison peak, why not let them return to the barbecue restaurant to utilize their special skills? I have refined them into specters. Naturally, the money earned by vice-head Liu and others had to be handed over to Eldest Senior Sister without any discrepancy. The prison peak was suppressing a decent amount of ancient Unity Stage souls, temporarily notcking raw materials for crafting Spiritual Treasures. Lu Yang was dumbfounded, this setup felt eerily familiar. And specters of the Unity Stage, wasnt this already the limit of what specters could achieve? Refining them into specters also meant there was no fear of the seven rebelling or causing trouble within the Dao Seeking Sect. If they harbored intentions of harming others, they would die on the spot. Eldest Senior Sister led vice-head Liu and the others back to the Come Again barbecue restaurant, letting them peacefully run the ce. Vice-head Liu and the others quickly nodded, dering they would definitely promote the spirit of barbecuing, never skimping on work or maliciously overcharging, guaranteeing to serve every customer with the most professional and considerate attitude. Only then did Eldest Senior Sister leave satisfied, asking Lu Yang to follow her back to Heavens Gate Peak. The Come Again barbecue restaurant opened sessfully, and many merchants came forward to congratte on the new opening. Initially, vice-head Liu and the others were quite disdainful. Even though they were now in soul form and had be specters, they were still Unity Stage powerhouses, figures whomanded respect in the outside world, and they were reluctant to interact with these merchants, feeling it lowered their status. However, they quickly dismissed that notion. They scanned the area with their spiritual sense and broke into a cold sweat. Even a casual scan revealed several cultivators whose levels they could not discern. For instance, the beautiful owner of Hundred Fragrances House, and the teahouse owner, etc. This indicated that the other partys cultivation was also at the Unity Stage! It was one thing for cultivators of great power to hide among the popce, but to do the same within the Dao Seeking Sect? Vice-head Liu also discovered many Void Refinement Stage cultivators. The cultivation fluctuations of those at the Void Refinement Stage were extremely high; at their peak, they could even disy Unity Stagebat power. Without them taking action, it was impossible to determine whether their current strength was high or low, making them very intimidating. The depth of Dao Seeking Sect is frightening indeed they secretlymunicated amongst themselves. If that was the case, how many Unity Stage cultivators did Dao Seeking Sect possess? Just afraid that its not only Dao Seeking Sect like this, the Five Great Immortal Sects are closely matched; the other four major immortal gates are probably only stronger, not weaker than Dao Seeking Sect. Even whenmunicating through spiritual sense, Vice-head Gao lowered his voice, as if afraid of being overheard. This is just a corner of Dao Seeking Sect. They finally realized how vast the gap was between the four great demonic sects and the Five Great Immortal Sects; it was not even close. No wonder they would hide or flee upon encountering someone from the Five Great Immortal Sects. If they did not hide or flee, they would end up like they are now, either turned into specters or refined into top-level Spiritual Treasures. Vice-head Liu and others felt a strange sense of dj vu. Why does this method seem so familiar to us? Returning to Heavens Gate Peak, Yun Zhi left her body in the cave dwelling, and her spirit ventured out. Eldest Senior Sister you Before Lu Yang could finish, he saw Eldest Senior Sisters spirit fly directly into his own spiritual space, startling both Evesting Fairy and Lu Yang. You, you, you scared me! Originally, Evesting Fairy waszily sitting in a soft chair, legs crossed, looking drowsy and thoroughly enjoying herself. Eldest Senior Sisters sudden appearance startled her into standing up with a jump. Eldest Senior Sister ignored Evesting Fairys reaction and spoke to Lu Yang, I now know the location of the Undying Sect headquarters, but if I rashly go there, it might end up likest time, with them fleeing before I arrive. This time I will hide in your spiritual space. You do as I say, and you can enter the Undying Sect headquarters to ensure we capture everyone without missing anyone. Lu Yang felt he might as well y cards in the spiritual space. He understood Eldest Senior Sisters concern; this was indeed a good n. How should I do it? First, find Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone. Undying Sect headquarters, in the leaders secret chamber. Two rows of bookshelves stood on either side, filled with various precious pills, secret methods, and techniques. Most pill bottles were empty; the pills had been consumed by the Undying Sect leader for healing. At the end of the bookshelves stood a life-sized statue of Evesting Celestial, indistinguishable as male or female. In the darkness, the Undying Sect leader slowly opened his eyes,ing out of seclusion. He moved his limbs, feeling the still murky spiritual power circting within, and couldnt help but smile bitterly. During the test of entry, the sudden appearance of Dao Seeking Sects Yun Zhi dealt him a blow that he had yet to recover from. Looks like I might really need a hundred years of quiet cultivation? The Undying Sect leader was worried about the future. If it took a hundred years to fully recover his strength, who would lead the Undying Sect in the meantime? Among the three vice leaders of the Undying Sect, vice leaders Liu and Gao coveted his position, only vice leader Jin, who had organized the entry test, had so far shown no desire for his role. The leaders gaze moved to the statue of Evesting Celestial, his eyes filled with hope, as he faintly felt Evesting Celestial stirring. He lit three incense sticks, cing them in the censer, knelt down on his knees, hands pressed together, and bowed three times to the celestial statue. Great Evesting Celestial, please save your devout followers, save this world! Who is calling upon this celestial? A kind yet aged voice echoed in the secret chamber. The leader looked up, his eyes filled with fanaticism and joy, his body trembling slightly, fingers quivering uncontrobly from the excitement. The statue before him emitted a strange red light from its eyes, and the rising incense smoke enveloped the statue, forming a cloud. The smoke morphed, gradually changing into a kindly-looking old man. (End of the chapter) Chapter 184: Everlasting Celestial The leader had not expected Evesting Celestial to actually appear. He had indeed sensed that Evesting Celestial was awakening, but he had not expected the immortal to manifest so soon; it was an unexpected joy. The leader excitedly introduced himself, Congrattions on awakening from the river of history. My name is Xie Bingzhi, and I am the leader of the Undying Sect. The current era is 300,000 years from the era you know. Oh, you may not be aware of the Undying Sect; we are one of the four great demonic sects, aimed at awakening you Evesting Celestial quietly listened to the leaders endless introduction, and after he finished, chuckled twice, slowly saying, Child, do not be agitated. I am already aware of what you have just said. The leader calmed down, realising he had overstepped and lostposure, The celestial knows all. Evesting Celestial shook his head, Not so exaggerated. Who dares to im they know everything? Even Ying Tian, Qilin, and others cannot im omniscience, not to mention that this celestial has been departed from the world for 300,000 years. The sea changes into mulberry fields, stars shift, the world evolves. Who could have predicted todays events back then? In Evesting Celestials hand, a drop of golden liquid appeared out of thin air. With a flick of his finger, itnded in the leaders hand. The leader could feel the terrifying life force contained within. You were wounded by a formidable enemy and would not heal without a century. This drop of liquid can help speed up your recovery.This, is this the legendary evesting ariya-ph? The leaders hands trembled, feeling the celestials mighty power for the first time. Evesting Celestial smiled kindly, The evesting ariya-ph does not easily appear in the world; this is merely a drop of dew from the evesting ariya-ph. The leader immediately consumed it. As soon as the golden liquid entered his mouth, it transformed into a strange energy, filling his limbs and all parts of his body. The leader could clearly feel the speed of his recovery elerating. He had heard that the ariya-ph is the foundation of every celestial, never lightly shown to others. Evesting Celestial, truly a savior of the human race, was selfless, allowing him the fortune to glimpse a trace of the power of an ariya-ph. This celestial knows why you have awakened me; the struggle of the geniuses, bing a celestial is an eternal topic Evesting Celestial stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes slightly closed, somewhat cloudy as if recalling ancient memories, eventually he sighed deeply, shook his head, and did notment further on the past. He murmured, Does the human race need this celestial to save them again? The leader quickly said, Celestial, the great ancient era ising again, and cultivators are awakening everywhere. If war breaks out, only you can save the human race! Perhaps saving the human race is indeed this celestials mission; why not save them once more? Just as the leader was about to speak, Evesting Celestial raised his hand to interrupt him, However, I am now only a soul; my ariya-ph is not yet perfect, and I can only temporarily reside within this statue. I cannot protect you as I did at the end of the ancient times. If I am to recover to my peak state, I still need a body to inhabit. Can I offer mine? the leader volunteered eagerly. Evesting Celestial shook his head, Your body has already been formed, and you have taken many wrong paths in your cultivation, difficult to reverse, making the chances of condensing ariya-ph very slim. I heard that Yun Zhi of the Dao Seeking Sect is called the strongest among the Five Great Immortal Sects; can her body be used? the leader suggested again. Evesting Celestial shook his head, Ah, the strongest of the Five Great Immortal Sects? ording to what this immortal knows, the Five Great Immortal Sects are merely five sects with some foundations in the Central Continent. Not to mention the regions to the east, west, south, and north, the overall strength of the Five Great Immortal Sects might not even match that of The Great Xia Dynasty that rules the Central Continent. In such a case, how strong can the strongest of the Five Great Immortal Sects be, to allow this celestial to ascend again? The leader quickly bowed his head in acknowledgment. There is still some time before the great age of strife truly erupts, enough for this celestial to return to the peak. I need a body that has just begun cultivating. With that body as a vessel, this celestial can return to the celestial realm. If lucky, perhaps even surpass Ying Tian, Qilin, and others, bing the foremost among the ancients. By then, even if this celestial intervenes to protect humanity, the risk of falling will be greatly reduced. The wisdom of the celestial is unmatched. Go and gather all the followers in the Foundation Building and Qi Training stages; this celestial will personally choose who is worthy to be possessed by me. Yes. Celestial , I have a question. Child, ask. Who was it that transformed the myriad of stars into continents? Legend has it that the Evesting Celestial witnessed this event that ended the ancient era. Evesting Celestial closed his eyes, shook his head, and said, Your cultivation realm is too low; this is not something you should know. The leader was somewhat disappointed, but he admitted thatpared to the immortal, he was far too inferior. Before leaving, the leader hesitated and asked, Your name seems not ordinary? What the leader really wanted to say was, I really couldnt think of any name, so I randomly made up Shameless. Why would a celestial have such a strange name? Evesting Celestials face darkened, and he remained silent. The leader realised his question was inappropriate and excused himself to leave. After leaving the secret chamber, the leader quickly gathered the three vice-leaders and the elders, but only Vice-leader Jin was present. He learned upon inquiry that Vice-leaders Liu and Gao had taken celestial treasures to the Dao Seeking Sect and lost their lives. They wanted power and position so badly they gave up their lives?! The leader clenched his teeth in anger, guessing the foolish thoughts of those two, likely aiming to make a name for themselves in the Dao Seeking Sect to vie for the leaders position. But why go to the Dao Seeking Sect? You might enter alive, but will you leave alive? How long has it been since the Five Elements Sects visit to the Dao Seeking Sect? Just half a day, and no word back yet. The leader took a deep breath, No need to wait for news; they must have been caught by the Dao Seeking Sect. Maybe the Dao Seeking Sect already knows our headquarters location! Theres only one course of action now. Surrender? The leader exploded in anger, Surrender my ass! Have you ever seen a demonic cult surrender to the righteous path? Are we making history then? The leader resisted the urge to strangle the elder and said, Quickly move the base, go to backup site number five! Oh. To prevent the high ranks from being captured and revealing the location of the headquarters and backup sites, each vice-leader was only aware of one backup sites location. For example, Vice-leader Liu knew the location of backup site number three, and Vice-leader Gao knew the location of backup site number four. In just two months, they had to move from the second to the third backup site, all because of the Dao Seeking Sect. The Undying Sect acted swiftly, quickly packing up and heading to backup site number five. The leader peeked into the secret chamber, Celestial, should I carry you, or will you go on your own? Evesting Celestial: What is this feeling of impermanence? (End of the chapter) Chapter 185: Eldest Senior Sister’s Plan Eldest Senior Sister, this is your n? Naturally. Liu and Gao only know about the third and fourth backup sites. The Undying Sect will definitely move to the fifth backup site, the location of which is currently unknown. So, you three need to deceive Tang Yunsheng into trusting you, based on the reasons Ive given you. Get him to take you to the original site. The Undying Sect left in a hurry, so there will certainly be Undying Sect spies around the original site to inform those who havent received the message how to get to the backup site. When you three show up near there with Tang Yunsheng, it will definitely attract the attention of the Undying Sects followers. In the eyes of the Undying Sect, the three of you could have been captured by the Dao Seeking Sect and turned into double agents, untrustworthy. But Tang Yunsheng is different. The people of Undying Sect know that Tang Yunsheng has always been lurking outside the Dao Seeking Sect and has not been captured by them; he is trustworthy. If he brings the three of you to the original site, the Undying Sect will ept you and tell you the real location of their base. The ultimate goal of the n is for you to gain the trust of the Undying Sect. Evesting Fairy nodded frequently on the side, thinking this was a good idea. Tang Yunsheng hid near the prearranged meeting point close to the Dao Seeking Sect, anxiously awaiting the vice-leaders news. He watched as the Dao Seeking Sect sent away the Five Elements Sect, yet still did not see the vice-leaders, it was then he muttered to himself, realising that something was wrong. Its all over, Vice-leaders Liu and Gao must have been captured by that damned Dao Seeking Sect! Tang Yunsheng waited an entire day before he finally encountered Lu Yang and the others, fleeing in disarray. Why are there only the three of you, where are Vice-leaders Liu and Gao! Tang Yunsheng shook Lu Yangs shoulder. Lu Yangs eyes were vacant. Upon hearing Tang Yunshengs questioning, his eyes moistened, and his lips trembled as he burst into tears. Vice-leader Liu, Vice-leader Liu they they failed! At that moment, Vice-leader Liu took out a celestial treasure to perform a divine skill, but there was a hidden expert inside the Dao Seeking Sect who could resist the power of the treasure and fought fiercely with them! Meng Jingzhou, recalling the terrible scene, also started crying: Vice-leader Liu and the others would rather die than surrender, and they were beaten to death by that damned Dao Seeking Sect! Barbarian Bone just cried, unable to speak for a long timehe had forgotten his lines. The three cried uncontrobly, clearly showing genuine emotion. What! Tang Yunshengs face was filled with disbelief, and then he copsed to the ground. Both vice-leaders and five high-ranking members werepromised at the Dao Seeking Sect, how would he exin this upon returning? Wait, howe nothing happened to you three? Tang Yunsheng realized a problemthe vice-leaders and the high-ranking members had entered the Dao Seeking Sect through their barbecue restaurant, so the Dao Seeking Sect would definitely suspect them. Lu Yang steadied his emotions, Vice-leader Liu imprinted us with a mark in our minds, disguising us as puppets controlled by the vice-leaders powerful spiritual force. Thats why the Dao Seeking Sect let us go. Then you three should have continued to infiltrate the Dao Seeking Sect. These were three rare undercover agents. Lu Yang shook his head, With this kind of experience, even if its not our fault, others wont ept us. Our business has plummeted, and were subjected to constant behind-the-back criticisms; theres no ce for us in the Dao Seeking Sect anymore. Tang Yunsheng patted Lu Yangs shoulder, Youve had a tough time. Lu Yangs genuine emotion shone through, his eyes revealing a hint of hatred as he continued, To sacrifice for the Undying Sect is nothing. But I definitely cannot let the traitor go! Traitor? Meng Jingzhou nodded vigorously, his eyes also filled with hatred and ferocity: Vice-leaders Liu and Gaos n was perfect, and with us as insiders, if not for a traitor, how could the vice-leaders have possibly failed? Before his demise, Vice-leader Liu secretly transmitted a message to us, revealing the identity of the traitor, instructing us to safely return to the Undying Sect and expose the traitor! Tang Yunshengs expression grew grave: Who is the traitor? This was no small matter. The surprise attack on the Dao Seeking Sect was a secret operation, known only to a few people within the sect, all high-ranking and influential. Suspecting anyone could lead to major issues! Lu Yang revealed the identity of the traitor: The third vice-leader, Vice-leader Jin! Its him! Tang Yunsheng raised his voice by several notches, then thought about it and it seemed reasonable. With three vice-leaders, and two of them now gone, the position of sect leader would inevitably fall to thest one remaining. Everything made sense. Lets go, we need to report this to the sect leader immediately! Tang Yunsheng realized the seriousness of the issue and urged them to leave without dy. These three were no longer undercover; they were now witnesses. Tang Yunsheng took them on a flying boat heading south, disembarking at arge city before leading them about three hundred li into the wilderness. Inspector, is the headquarters here? Lu Yang looked for a ce that resembled ancient ruins. Was the original site here? Tang Yunsheng revealed a cruel smirk: Three fools who know nothing of death, still dreaming of going to the headquarters? Maybe we wont even make it to the headquarters before Vice-leader Jins assassins get us! Who can guarantee that this isnt also the sect leaders intention? Or perhaps the sect leader, for the sake of the Undying Sects stability, grudgingly epted Jins n and decided to eliminate us. If we go to the headquarters, its uncertain whether we live or die, it would be walking right into a trap! These high-level games, anyone who gets involved dies, I dont want to meddle in these matters. The safest way now is to kill you three little brats, and Ill flee to somece where no one can find me! Tang Yunsheng was very rational, why should he care about exposing a mole? As a demonic cultivator, preserving his own life was his first priority! Simply find some remote wilderness, kill these three and cremate their bodies, and then the Undying Sect will have nothing to do with him! He was a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, and killing these three Foundation Building youngsters was as easy as flipping his hand! Lu Yang: Meng Jingzhou: Barbarian Bone: This was quite a deviation from Eldest Senior Sisters n; the second step was already problematic. Indeed, they had gained Tang Yunshengs trust, but that did not mean Tang Yunsheng was willing to take them to the Undying Sect. Eldest Senior Sister, what should we do? In the spiritual space, Lu Yang asked Eldest Senior Sister if she had any other brilliant ideas? Yun Zhi was still as expressionlessly calm as ever. Facing Lu Yangs question, her eyes seemed a bit evasive, then she looked directly at Lu Yang and spoke lightly. It is still fine, everything is still ording to n. Eldest Senior Sisters change in expression was subtle, but having lived with Eldest Senior Sister for a long time, Lu Yang was sensitive to such changes. This was clearly a sign of being unsettled. Lu Yang suddenly recalled some past events, such as the time when Eldest Senior Sister used boiling water for his baths when he was undergoing physical training, or how she always insisted he practice with tofu, or when she misunderstood the Moon Laurel Immortal Pces requests as proposals to him. Eldest Senior Sister was naive about the world. She appeared to have everything under control and acted stably and perfectly, but in reality, it was because her expression was always unchanging, giving people this illusion. (End of the chapter) Chapter 186: Everything is According to Plan Evesting Fairy was furious. Tang Yunsheng, as her follower,cked even the most basic loyalty! She recalled the ancient times when she was a dominant ruler, with an entire of people loyal to her, considering it an honor to be her followers and taking her words as absolute. Lu Yang thought to himself, thats enough. This is still the result of worshiping the idealized immortal they imagined. If the Undying Sect knew what the real Evesting Fairy was like, let alone loyalty, he believed they would dissolve the sect the next day. Even Lu Yang, the sect founder, wanted to resign every day. If even the founder felt this way, it was even more unnecessary to mention the ordinary followers. Wait, why not change the approach, have Evesting Fairy resign, and have the Undying Sect collectively switch to another belief? The more Lu Yang thought about it, the better he liked the idea. Lu Yang was lost in his thoughts, but he wasnt panicking. With Eldest Senior Sister around, they wouldnt get hurt. The current problem was not knowing how to deal with Tang Yunsheng.To kill him wouldplicate subsequent ns; to not kill him would doom the three of them. It was a dilemma. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone werent afraid either. Beforeing, Lu Yang had told them that this trip was all within Eldest Senior Sisters n and nothing would go wrong. Is there anything more reliable than the words Eldest Senior Sister? Tang Yunsheng raised his hand and pulled out a blood-red broadsword entwined with malevolent spirits and vengeful ghosts from his storage space. Seeing that Lu Yang and the others did not react, he assumed they had lost the will to resist. After all, this was the normal reaction when facing an absolute level difference. Like Lu Yang, who seemed resigned to his fate, Tang Yunsheng had seen many such cultivators before. Kill! Tang Yunsheng emitted a terrifying aura, clearly a major demon who had killed countless people. He gave a ferocious smile, leapt high into the air with endless killing intent, aiming to chop the three into pieces, leaving no trace of their bodies! At that moment, space twisted near arge boulder, and the sect leader of the Undying Sect stretchedzily, walking out from the fifth backup site. He let others tidy up inside while he came out to rest. Then he saw Tang Yunsheng with a bloodied sword, leaping high, about to kill Lu Yang and the others, who stood motionless as if petrified. Sect Leader: Tang Yunsheng: The sect leader was full of question marks, wondering what was going on. Tang Yunsheng, what are you doing! Realizing it was not the time for questions, the sect leader shouted and made a bold move, capturing Tang Yunsheng with a sound of bones crunching. Wait, Sect Leader, I can exin Tang Yunsheng panicked. What kind of luck was this? He just picked a random ce, and the sect leader appeared? The sect leader didnt listen to Tang Yunshengs nonsense. Without regard for the consequences, he brutally scanned Tang Yunshengs mind, damaging his sanity in the process and learning of his memories. To be a demonic sect leader, one naturally wasnt a kind person. Killing and looting, scanning minds C these were things he had done often. The sect leader finally understood the whole story. Lu Yang and the others had sessfully infiltrated the Dao Seeking Sect, but because of the actions of Vice-leaders Liu and Gao, the n to infiltrate waspletely ruined. That was not all. After Liu and Gaos failure, they revealed that Vice-leader Jin was a traitor. Lu Yang and the others, loyal to the core, intended to report this to the headquarters but were nearly killed due to Tang Yunshengs selfishness. Damn fool! The sect leader crushed Tang Yunsheng to death. If he hadnt appeared by chance, these three devoted seeds of the demonic path, Lu Yang and the others, would have died here! Actually, after the mind search, Tang Yunsheng had be a fool, practically no different from a dead man. You three have suffered. The sect leader consoled them, meeting Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhou, and Barbarian Bone for the first time. Talented and promising pirs of the demonic cult, future key ministers. Lu Yang: Lu Yang heard Tang Yunshengsst cry of Sect Leader, so this middle-aged man in front of him is the Undying Sects Sect Leader? He just came out from the fifth backup site? And the three of them have gained the Sect Leaders trust? A string of questions popped into Lu Yangs mind. Is there a step missing? How did they achieve their goal so quickly? Inside the spiritual space, Eldest Senior Sister remained unchanged, still detached from worldly concerns, and said, Everything is ording to n. Evesting Fairy looked up to Eldest Senior Sister in admiration, thinking how clever and calcting this young girl was, something she herself could never achieve. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone also thought this was part of Eldest Senior Sisters n, feeling deep admiration towards Eldest Senior Sister, feeling that nothing could escape her calctions. With Eldest Senior Sister around, they felt secure. Only Lu Yang looked puzzled, suspecting it all to be coincidental. But considering Eldest Senior Sisters abilities, he felt that even coincidences were part of the n. Yes, Eldest Senior Sisters n is perfect. Originally, the Sect Leader thought Lu Yang and the others were talents with great potential, suitable to be possessed by Evesting Celestial. But he was worried that if they died in the Dao Seeking Sect, or if they were not killed, they could potentially be turned by the Dao Seeking Sect, making them untrustworthy and unfit to be called to the headquarters for testing. Now, having witnessed this scene and with Tang Yunshengs memories as confirmation, all doubts dissipated. As for the matter of Vice-leader Jin, do not speak of it to anyone. I hope only the four of us know about this, the Sect Leader believed the im that Vice-leader Jin was a traitor could have been a desperatest usation by Liu and Gao. Evesting Fairy nodded. Eldest Senior Sister nodded. Evesting Fairy half-nodded, then frowned, This person is strange. Why do I sense a familiar aura from him? The aura was too faint and required careful attention, Its like the evesting ariya-ph, but not quite, odd. Hearing Evesting Fairys mutterings, Yun Zhi raised an eyebrow, feeling that the truth about the Undying Sect might be different from what she had imagined. The Sect Leader personally led Lu Yang and the others into the fifth backup site. Lu Yang and the others finally arrived at the headquarters of the Undying Sect, but the scene was not what they had imagined. Instead of a vision of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, or a terrifying atmosphere with old demons lurking in the shadows as expected of the Undying Sects headquarters, the reality was quite different. Followers were busily moving about, carrying bricks, sawing wood, constructing buildings and altars, engaged in extensive building activities. The Sect Leader casually mentioned, For safety and to avoid being tracked by the Dao Seeking Sect, we just moved here. Although everything has been moved, it still needs to be organized and built. You three have arrived just in time. The sect is preparing for an internal selection; soon, arge group of followers of the Foundation Building and Qi Training stages will arrive, and you willpete on the same stage. The best among you will gain the favor of Evesting Celestial. Enough talk for now. You three will stay here for the time being. When the selection begins, someone will notify you. I have other matters to attend to. With that, the Sect Leader hurried off. The Undying Sect no longer had any backup sites avable; he needed to select three new ones as a precaution. His sess as Sect Leader was due not only to his cultivation level but also to his caution. (End of the chapter) Chapter 187: The Thoughtful Cult Leader Inside the spiritual space, two peerless beauties sat side by side, each with their own grace, pleasing to the eye. Yun Zhi held a scroll quietly, sitting with the air of someone uninvolved with worldly affairs. Evesting Fairy sat sprawled out, yawning out of boredom, appearing as if cut off from the world. Little girl, at our level, do we really need to read books page by page? With a sweep of our divine sense, wouldnt we know everything? Evesting Fairy yawned as she spoke,pletely disregarding her image. Lu Yang shook his head as he watched, thinking what a pity it was for such a beautiful fairy to be so restless. Yun Zhi smiled and shook her head, Senior, you dont understand. The greatest joy of books is to flip through them page by page. You never know what surprises the next page might bring. If you use divine sense to scan, isnt that great joy lost? Evesting Fairy thought about it and felt it made sense, So what book are you reading? How to be a Good Senior Sister. Thats a unique name.Yes, I wrote it myself. Lu Yang casually asked, with no intention of stirring trouble, Eldest Senior Sister, dont you mind the fairy calling you little girl? Evesting Fairy red at Lu Yang. Was this something a cult leader should ask? Yun Zhi nodded slightly, her movement almost imperceptible, Senior is not wrong. Even if we dont consider that seniors era is three hundred thousand years from now, even by her actual age, its not wrong for her to call me little girl. Perhaps out of a misguided sense of bravery, Evesting Fairy spoke up firmly, Hey hey hey, I cant just ignore that. Im only sixteen years old! Lu Yang picked up on her words, Are you referring to your IQ or the developmental stage of your brain? Evesting Fairy became furious and started shouting, challenging Lu Yang to a duel, while Lu Yang, not to be outdone, hid behind Eldest Senior Sister. Come out if you dare! Come here if you dare! Neither of them backed down. Amidst the noise, Eldest Senior Sister continued reading quietly. In the middle of their argument, Lu Yang suddenly remembered, Eldest Senior Sister, dont you need to astral travel to check theyout of this headquarters? Lu Yang and the others were too low in cultivation to wander around, but Eldest Senior Sister was different; her spirit could leave her body undetected. In reality, Lu Yang and hispanions were earnestly cultivating, not going anywhere. Evesting Fairy rolled her eyes, Her? Shes already astral traveled. What you see now is just a split soul she left behind. If it were not just a split soul, Evesting Fairy wouldnt dare speak to Yun Zhi in such a manner. Lu Yang: truly undetectable. Even to himself. The Undying Sect was filled with powerful experts, including some of the most remarkable beings, but none noticed a spirit moving within the headquarters, quietly observing everything. Yun Zhis cultivation was profound, allowing her free ess to the Undying Sect headquarters. She discovered that the Undying Sect headquarters was meticulously arranged, with twenty-five exits. In case of an emergency, the disciples could escape through these exits, making it difficult to capture them all. However, Yun Zhi had already located all twenty-five exits and locked them with her spirit. Once she acted, she ensured no one could escape, catching them like turtles in a jar. She noted that the cave heaven where the headquarters was located was somewhat deste, likely a relic from the Great Yu era, and had been identally discovered by the Undying Sect. Yun Zhi continued flying deeper into the headquarters, noticing a secret chamber in the deepest part. The chamber was fortified with various formations, ensuring that no one could enter silently. Except for Yun Zhi. Inside the chamber, Yun Zhi saw the cult leader worshiping a statue of the Evesting Celestial. From the statue, a thick smoke slowly drifted out, forming the image of an old man. Hmm? Yun Zhi frowned. Neither the cult leader nor the Evesting Celestial noticed Yun Zhi, who had hidden her presence to the extreme. Celestial, I am puzzled about something and seek your guidance. Child, ask. The ancient texts say you thirst for blood and killing. To please you, we have in countless. The souls of the deceased are one of the sources of my power. The cult leader looked troubled, For the Celestials recovery to his peak, our killings are not an issue, but recently, the market has been tough, the righteous are investigating more strictly, and our followers are having a hard time. Just a few days ago, I organized a quiz on criminalw and a lecture on the rules of illegal evidence exclusion to improve our followers cultural level and control over thew, to reduce evidence left behind during crimes. If caught, studying criminalw could also help defend oneself. The Evesting Celestial scratched his chin, Are you suggesting that I should also organize a legal ss? No, Ive realized the followers learning abilities are concerning, and they dislike studying criminalw. To enhance their enthusiasm for learning, I propose changing your statues pose to one holding a criminalw book, and publicly im that you, Celestial, also frequently study criminalw. The Evesting Celestial: Do you have anything else? Yes, I want to ask if your poweres from killing humans, or could it be from killing others? To be honest, my family used to run a ughterhouse. Although we no longer do, Im familiar with the process. What do you think about transforming the Undying Sect into the Immortal ughterhouse? Going legitimate could ensure our followers safety. Our sect also has three talented barbecue chefs. We could start a barbecue chain linked to the ughterhouse, creating an industrial chain, benefiting us in multiple ways! Seeing the Evesting Celestial about to speak, the cult leader continued, Are you worried about tax issues? Dont worry about that; Im wanted because I evaded too much tax. Out of desperation, I turned to the demonic path, but Im a professional when ites to tax matters! The cult leader spoke with evident confidence, his eyes gleaming. Evesting Celestial: Is there anything else, or may I go back? Just one small thing. The cult leader respectfully pulled out a few sheets of paper. What are these? An evacuation drill n. Weve changed headquarters and are still unfamiliar with the escape routes. Were about to conduct arge-scale drill, assuming an attack by the righteous. Well run immediately. Celestial, would you like to join? Evesting Celestial was silent for a long time, considering whether to descend himself and let the cult leader ascend to be the belief. No, I can appear at will on my statue, the righteous cant catch me. Also, organize the trials soon, I need to possess a body and begin my cultivation to return to my peak sooner. Got it. Hmm? Shes back. In the spiritual space, Evesting Fairy suddenly said, but Lu Yang sensed nothing. In Evesting Fairys view, a golden light flew from the outside world towards this ce, merging with Yun Zhi here. The fairy is truly a celestial, possessing real power. Eldest Senior Sister put down her book, her expression slightly different from before, eyebrows slightly furrowed, seemingly having discovered something. She looked towards Evesting Fairy, hesitantly saying, Senior, you have a fake. What? (End of the chapter) Chapter 188: The Drill Eldest Senior Sister recounted what she had witnessed in the secret chamber, which greatly infuriated Evesting Fairy. Which bastard dares to impersonate me? Dont they know that I was undefeated across the heavens in the ancient times, and everyone would avoid me on sight? Evesting Fairy had the right to be proud. Any cultivator who mastered the art of words intows would be considered invincible among their peers, yet they still died by Evesting Fairys hand. I feel a familiar aura on the cult leader. Could it be from that person who is impersonating me? The more Evesting Fairy thought about it, the angrier she became, moring to confront the Evesting Celestial and reveal his true identity! Yun Zhi stopped Evesting Fairy: Senior, please dont rush. That self-proimed Evesting Celestial can appear freely within his statue, and since his statues are scattered across the entire continent, if we let him escape now, it will be difficult to catch himter. So you mean When the cult leader spoke with the Evesting Celestial, he mentioned a selection that was to take ce. Officially, its a talent recruitment, but in reality, its for the Evesting Celestial to choose a body to possess. If we make Lu Yang the target for possession, the Evesting Celestial will walk into our trap, and then he wont be able to escape. Evesting Fairy, as if awakened from a dream: Little girl, you have quite the mind!Hmm? Yun Zhi raised an eyebrow. Seeing the fairy, who was not the sharpest, potentially annoying Eldest Senior Sister, Lu Yang quickly fled the scene. Eldest Senior Sister, when disembodied, did not care about how she was addressed, but now with her spirit whole, it was a different story. Fairy, youre on your own. But what exactly is the situation with the Evesting Celestial? Lu Yang never expected there to actually be an Evesting Celestial. Was the ancient fifth celestial really the Evesting Celestial, or was it Evesting Fairy? Emotionally, Lu Yang leaned towards thetter; in terms of prestige, towards the former. Or was there a sixth celestial in ancient times? Lu Yang opened his eyes, exiting his meditative state, and assessed his current realm. I should now be at the peak of the mid-Foundation Building stage, just half a step away from thete Foundation Building stage. What are you even talking about? Meng Jingzhou, who had alsoe out of his meditation,ined beside him. Barbarian Bone thoughtfullymented, Is dividing realms into such detailed stages also a reason for Brother Lus strength? Meng Jingzhou quickly stopped Barbarian Bone: Dont think too much, Lu Yang is just being neurotic, you shouldnt follow in his footsteps. You three, get ready for the drill! A cult member at the door reminded them. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone were confused. Drill? What drill? The loudspeaker arrays ced all around started announcing: Attention all, the righteous path is about to attack, attention all, the righteous path is about to attack! There were also cult followers outside screaming to add to the atmosphere: The righteous path is here, were doomed! Run for it! Wed rather die than surrender! Lets fight the righteous path! Hahaha, the dogs of the righteous path, dont think you can catch me! May the Evesting Celestial protect us! Then came the hurried sounds of running. Lu Yang: you guys are really into your roles. Lu Yang quickly exined the situation about the drill to Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone, and they finally understood what was happening. The three of them hurried out of the room, shouting as they ran, Its bad, the Great Xia Dynasty in alliance with the Five Great Immortal Sects have attacked! Someone ahead red at them: Stop thering nonsense, if the Great Xia Dynasty and the Five Great Immortal Sects really came, wed have to switch to a surrender drill! Clearly, the Undying Sect had a detailed categorization for different types of drills. On their escape route, Lu Yang saw cult members deftly packing things away into storage rings, their actions heartbreakingly practiced. Some were wailing, dering they would share the fate of the headquarters. Others took advantage of the chaos to steal things, making a tidy profit. Hey, what the hell are you doing! a cult member caught a thief in the act. The thief responded without looking back, Its just a drill, it has to be as real as possible, all of this could actually happen! Catch the thief! The Undying Sect was inplete disarray, the drill eerily realistic. Lu Yang and the others left with the cult members toward an exit. After leaving through the exit, not knowing how far they had traveled, they arrived at apletely unfamiliar ce. The person in charge of covering their rear at this safe passage was Deputy Cult Leader Jin, who destroyed the exit and erased their traces, making it impossible for the righteous path to find them. His movements were smooth, clearly well-practiced. The cult members apuded, delighted with the sessful conclusion of their act. Only Barbarian Bone had a question: How are we supposed to get back? Silence fell instantly. Right, previous drills hadnt involved actually breaking the passage, so why break it this time? With the passage broken and the traces erased, how could they return the way they came? There was no way back! Deputy Cult Leader Jin was somewhat embarrassed; he had gotten too carried away with the drill, making it seem as real as if the righteous path were truly on their heels. However, as the deputy leader, he quickly found a remedy. Everyone, dont panic, I have a flying boat in my storage ring that can hold all of us. Well fly back. Inside the sect, there were many experts, and aside from a few like Lu Yang, everyone could fly. But arge group of cultivators flying through the sky would easily attract the attention of the Great Xia Dynasty. If a few constables from the Great Xia came to investigate, stopping them and asking for identification, then well, theyd find they were dealing with major wanted criminals, with sentences no lighter than life imprisonment. That would indeed be a farce. It was better to take the flying boat, disguising themselves as low-level cultivators on a rental boat trip, amon enough sight not likely to draw scrutiny. Deputy Cult Leader Jin took an old-looking flying boat out of his storage ring, deliberately choosing one that wouldnt attract official attention. The others, all seasoned schemers, understood Deputy Cult Leader Jins thinking and sat on the flying boat, suppressing their cultivation levels and disying only Qi Cultivation stage outwardly, making the three Foundation Building stage cultivators the highest in cultivation visible. Deputy Cult Leader Jin reassured everyone on the flying boat: Actually, its not a big problem. ording to the speed of the flying boat, by the time we return, the talents from the branches, both Foundation Building and Qi Cultivating, will have almost arrived. The timing will be just right. The flying boat moved unhurriedly through the sky, blissfully unaware of the danger that was approaching. Near the flying boat hovered three figures in gray robes. How about that flying boat? Its not one from the Land of Gold Commerce or the other major tradingpanies; it looks pretty old, probably rented. Lots of people, but weak cultivation. Just three at the Foundation Building stage. Worth robbing, maybe someones hiding something good. Hit this one? Lets do it! The three in gray robes transformed into streaks of light, rapidly approaching the flying boat and forming a formation that trapped it. Dont move, this is a robbery! One, his face fierce with two scars like shes, clearly a desperado. You might have heard of the fearsome Hu Brothers; just hand over your valuables, and we promise not to kill! Another extended his tongue, licking a sharp knife, looking somewhat deranged. If you dontply, dont me us for being ruthless! The third issued a series of eerie cries, like the wailing of ghosts, extremely unnerving. Dont think we wont kill. Weve killed more people than youve even seen! They released a terrifying aura, intimidating everyone present. These three were at the early stage of Nascent Soul! Normally, just releasing their aura would make the other party give up resistance, hand over their valuables, and beg for their lives. Whether they spared anyone depended on their mood. Then the Hu Brothers saw that the passengers on the flying boat werent scared but instead were all showing eerie smiles. One by one, the passengers released their auras: Nascent Soul Stage, Spirit Transformation Stage, Void Refinement Stage The Hu Brothers, feeling auras far beyond their understanding, swallowed hard. It seemed they had made a mistake. Deputy Cult Leader Jin stood up, leisurely asking, I hear youve killed more people than weve seen? (End of the chapter) Chapter 189: A Prominent Figure What are you going to do? The Hu brothers trembled uncontrobly, shaking like chaff. Deputy Cult Leader Jin disyed a ssic cold smile: Do you know who we are? No, we dont know. Not knowing us, you deserve to die! The Hu brothers quickly responded, No, no, no, we know who you are. Since you know our identity, we cant let you live! The three brothers nearly cried; should they know their identity or not? Deputy Cult Leader Jin stopped toying with the Hu brothers and easily killed them. The brothers were just a minor episode on the journey back.As the flying boat traveled on, several powerful auras enveloped it, ranging from half-step Spirit Transformation Stage to early Spirit Transformation Stage. The Hu brothers should have contacted us at this point, but they havent. You were the only ones who passed through this area during that time. Did you kill my men? The eldest of the Hu brothers sought revenge for the trio. Lu Yang pondered, Is this the so-called beat the small, face the big? He had heard of such tales before; a young hero fights the bully, then the bullys father shows up, followed by the grandfather, and then the great-grandfather, endlessly. (TL Note: Common trope in normal cultivation novels) This Sisyphean spirit deeply moved Lu Yang. Needless to say, the eldest of the Hu brothers was also easily killed by Deputy Cult Leader Jin. The flying boat continued on, and soon an even stronger aura enveloped it. So, you killed Deputy Cult Leader Jin: are you guys done yet? As a cultivator at the Unity Stage, he could not tolerate repeated provocations. Deciding to put an end to it once and for all, he directly attacked the stronghold of the bandits and wiped them out. When the flying boat returned to headquarters, Deputy Cult Leader Jin held a silk banner, his expression one ofplete disinterest. The banner was officially issued, so no one suspected that Deputy Cult Leader Jin was part of a demonic cultafter all, which demonic cult would remove nuisances for the people? Upon hearing of this, the cult members whispered among themselves, filled with admiration for Deputy Cult Leader Jin. Truly worthy of being the deputy leader, earning a banner from the righteous path, ying both sides, truly omnipotent! Indeed, I heard that before joining the demonic path, Deputy Cult Leader Jin was a prominent figure in the righteous path! Lu Yang was quite surprised to hear this and quickly asked, He has such a background? What did the deputy leader do in the righteous path? He was a night watchman. Deputy Cult Leader Jin could also control time when he was in the righteous path, right? Lu Yang finally said after a while. The cult member discussing with Lu Yang looked at him in surprise: Thats an interesting point I hadnt thought of! The cult member ran to Deputy Cult Leader Jin and shared Lu Yangs idea, which pleased him greatly. He found Lu Yang andmended his broad thinking. Great idea! From now on, Ill say I was a prominent figure in the righteous path who could control the time of an entire city! In the demonic path, the most important thing is to tell the truth while making oneself sound as formidable as possible. Although Lu Yang had caused some trouble during his initiation test, those were things of the past, and now Deputy Cult Leader Jin found Lu Yang more and more to his liking. Due to the dy caused by the flying boat journey, talents from various regions, both Qi Cultivation and Foundation Building, had almost all arrived. Lu Yang and hispanions were among thest few. Lu Yang skipped over the Qi Cultivation talents, as they posed no threat, and focused his attention on the Foundation Building talents. He learned about some of the most famous Foundation Building talents from the people around. See that monk in the monks robe with a golden bowl? Hes called the Meat-Eating Monk. I heard he had a chance to join one of the Five Great Immortal Sects, the Hanging Temple, but he resolutely gave it up, making a vast vow to find the path to enlightenment on his own! And that one with the sword, could it be the rumored Sword Demon Guzha? Its said that his demonic sword is extremely bizarre; the moment it was forged, the sword floated in the air and killed the cksmith. After that, each owner of the demonic sword was devoured by it, including those at the Spirit Transformation Stage. Only Guzha has been able to wield it up to now! The most formidable is Yan Fei, who is said to be a prodigy personally trained by the cult leader. He excels at drawing talismans and has even used them to trap several Golden Core cultivators, ying with them cruelly before killing them. His methods are extremely brutal! Needless to say, these three were all at theter stages of Foundation Building. Lu Yangmunicated telepathically to the other two: Lets not approach them yet, pretend we dont know each other. We dont know the content of the test yet, so well see if we need to form a team based on the situation. Only the cult leader and a few other high-ranking members knew of the deep demonic roots of Lu Yang and his twopanions. None of the Foundation Building talents had heard of them. The cult leader appeared in the air, hands behind his back, his expression cold, as he announced the rules of thepetition. Everyone noticed a mark on their hand with a number one written in the middle, not knowing when it had appeared. In this test, you may kill at will. For each person you kill, you will acquire the number on their mark. The one with the highest number on their mark will be the final victor, and the victor will receive the blessing of the Evesting Celestial. The crowd disyed fervent expressions, except for Lu Yang and his two aplices who were pretend devotees. The others were true believers in the Evesting Celestial, and receiving his blessing was the highest reward in the Undying Sect. Foundation Building stage as one group, Qi Cultivation stage as another; each group will have one winner. The test period is two days. Lu Yang thought to himself that it was just like a demonic cult to have killing as a test, not caring if it meant killing off all participants, risking a gap in generations. The cult leader waved his sleeve, and without any chance for resistance, everyone disappeared from the spot and appeared in a dense forest. This ce is a forest from the era of Great Yu, containing various heavenly materials and earthly treasures. You may engage inbat or seek opportunities for breakthroughs. Remember, the Evesting Celestial is watching you, the cult leader hinted, a meaning only Lu Yang understood. Thepetition starts now. After announcing the start of thepetition, the cult leader respectfully asked the Evesting Celestial why he chose such a method to select a candidate for possession. Wouldnt it be easier to choose directly based on talent? The Evesting Celestial smiled benevolently: Child, what do you think makes one the strongest? Is it a singr spirit root? An Immortal Physique? These are unimportant. Even with a worthless body, as long as I wish, I can possess it and cultivate it to the Tribtion Crossing Stage, even to a celestial. Whats most important ispatibility with me. In a test of life and death, ones potential is best revealed. I need them to show themselves to the fullest, so I can observe and choose who is the mostpatible with me. The cult leader then asked, What are the traits of someone with highpatibility? Someone who pleases my eye. Do you find me pleasing to look at? I find you the least pleasing. But I am your most devout follower! the cult leader protested. (End of the chapter) Chapter 190: A Great Opportunity! Fierce battles were seen everywhere in the dense forest, chilling to watch as they urred one after another. The demonic path is ruthless and full of cunning schemes, with everyone unleashing their full potential and true nature here. The Meat-Eating Monk, Sword Demon Guzha, and Yan Fei need no further mention as they were the popr contenders. Aside from them, many others, usually unremarkable, shocked everyone with their performance in this test. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone stood out significantly, with several opponents falling to their fists or being smashed by their hammers. Their reputation grew, and more and more participants knew of these ruthless fighters and preferred to avoid them. Both were covered in blood, their aura murderous, their eyes bloodshota clear sign of ruthless killers gone mad. Barbarian Bones ancient barbarian lineage was further stimted. In ancient times of constant war, the barbarian tribes, as one of the strongest races, were no strangers to subduing enemies. Inherent in their bones were the spirits of bloodshed, resistance and the curse of the Yellow Bean. These two were previously unheard of; where did they spring from? With their strength, they are on par with the Meat-Eating Monk. Look, even he prefers to operate in different areas to avoid confronting them! Perhaps theyve gained some legacy or maybe theyre seeds secretly cultivated by the elders!Its just unclear who among them is the stronger. Both on and off the field, everyone discussed Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone. Meng Jingzhous iron fists were invincible, exploding a mid-Foundation Building cultivator with a single puncha yer with some reputation. Currently at the mid-Foundation Building stage himself, as a Dao Seeking Sect disciple and a direct descendant of the Meng family, he was unbeatable among his peers once he left the Dao Seeking Sect. Barbarian Bone, surrounded by the sound of Saints Words, hammered down one opponent after another without even blinking, his bizarre dissonance making him appear almost insane. Finally, the two met, their eyes rebellious, neither willing to submit to the other. Barbarian Bone raised his hammer and demanded, State your name! Meng Jingzhou! And you are? Barbarian Bone. Both men were men of few words, not given to idle chatter, and started fighting immediately. Both were top contenders among the Foundation Builders, the sh of their battle breaking trees and shaking the heavens as trees were snapped in half by the shockwaves of their fight. Otherpetitors watched from a distance, hoping these two would inflict mutual destruction, allowing them to reap the benefits. Both had high numbers on their marks, and whoever could kill them would gain their numbers. This was a fortune that tempted everyone! The Meat-Eating Monk and Sword Demon Guzha watched from the shadows, inwardly rmed. These two are as threatening as Yan Fei! Very powerful, but still inferior to me. I have not yet revealed all my cards, and I have already seen through these two. Unexpectedly, besides Yan Fei and the Meat-Eating Monk, such formidable opponents are here, truly hidden dragons and crouching tigers! Perfect, my demonic sword is thirsty. The blood of these worthless ones does not satisfy it, but the blood of these peerless talents is exactly what it craves! Hahaha, its been a long time since Ive met opponents worthy of battling me! Meng Jingzhouughed out loud. Barbarian Bone was equally thrilled, the blood of the ancient barbarians boiling within him. Another ancient tree fell during their battle, and when it broke, a bodhi tree appeared before them. On the bodhi tree, three little babies swung in the wind. The bodhi tree, known for its mind-calming and concentration-enhancing effects, lent the scene an air of sanctity. Meng Jingzhou was astonished: Is that really a Bodhi Ginseng Fruit Tree!? Ginseng fruit? Barbarian Bone was equally surprised. With a sacred object before them, both chose to cease fighting simultaneously. Is this the legendary ginseng fruit tree? Barbarian Bone asked, somewhat skeptical. Meng Jingzhou nodded, No mistake, see those three chubby little babies hanging on the tree? Arent they just like the legendary ginseng fruits? Barbarian Bone then asked, But how can ginseng fruits grow on a bodhi tree? Meng Jingzhou gave him a look as if he were unworldly: Thats because you dont know. Why do you think ginseng fruits are so rare, that not a single ginseng fruit tree can be found in the world? Its because there are no ginseng fruit trees! Ginseng fruits are produced in harmony with the rhythm of heaven and earth and only appear on other trees. When a tree absorbs the essence of heaven and earth, ginseng fruits naturally emerge. Among many trees, the bodhi tree is the most mystical and has many legends associated with it, making it the most suitable host for the growth of ginseng fruits! Barbarian Bone had an epiphany, not realizing thisyer of meaning before. With the ginseng fruits in front of them, it was a great opportunity, and there was no need to continue fighting. Even if they each took one, there would still be one left over. Originally, the others did not recognize the ginseng fruit, but hearing Meng Jingzhous logical analysis, they believed these were indeed ginseng fruits. Recalling what the cult leader had said about great opportunities within this dense forest. Could it be these three ginseng fruits? Charge! Those hiding in the shadows rushed forward, determined to pluck a ginseng fruit! Sword Demon Guzha threw a cow hair needle, and Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone sensed the hidden weapon, leaping back to dodge the attack. This created a distance between them and the ginseng fruit, providing an opportunity for the others. Even withpetitors like Meng Jingzhou and the Meat-Eating Monk present, they had to take their chances. Obtaining a ginseng fruit could smooth their path of cultivation thereafter. It was worth risking their lives! Sword Demon Guzha was the first to grab one; he didnt linger, plucking it and fleeing. So this is a ginseng fruit, it feels like meat, no wonder its called ginseng fruit! Regretting their slow reaction, the others chased after him relentlessly, but Sword Demon Guzha was quicker on his feet, and soon, he shook them off in the dense forest. Whats yours is only yours when its absorbed, believing in this, Sword Demon Guzha bit down on it. But he couldnt bite through it. Could it be that although the ginseng fruit feels like meat, it bes incredibly hard when you try to eat it? As he pondered how to consume the ginseng fruit, his expression suddenly changed. Not good, its poisoned! He looked incredulous; the surface of the ginseng fruit was highly toxic! Who would do such a thing? This was a ginseng fruit, and such a method of poisoning was nothing short of sacrilegious! Then, the ginseng fruit spoke: Didnt anyone ever tell you not to pick wild fruits from the roadside? As Sword Demon Guzha regretted his actions on the verge of death, the ginseng fruit moved. Three inches tall Lu Yang stretched, having yed the role of a ginseng fruit for so long, he was finally able to move. This was a new skill he had developed while being tormented by his Dao Seeking Sect seniorsfirst to shrink in size, then to minimize his presence, using the Tree nting Technique. Thus, three little Lu Yangs appeared on the bodhi tree, and with Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone acting as shills promoting him, he transformed into a ginseng fruit. He even coated himself with ayer of potent poison. Those capable of grabbing the ginseng fruit would certainly be highly cultivated, ensuring the poison hit its mark every time. And they call this the demonic path? So easy to deceive. Lu Yang shook his head in disdain, killing Guzha. The standards of this generation of the demonic path arecking, as the three of them from the righteous path could easily trick the demonic path into circles. (End of the chapter) Chapter 191: The Demonic Sword The mark in Lu Yangs palm showed the number one, while Guzhas disyed eighty-seven. After Lu Yang killed Guzha, his mark changed to eighty-eight. Is this the notoriously evil demonic sword? Its hosts have all been killed by the sword, with Guzha being the temporary exception? It was evident that Guzhacked any sense of morality, carelessly throwing things around; it was Lu Yang who picked them up. The demonic sword was dark red, with a handle that appeared to be made from the horn of some massive demon beast, and where the handle met the de, there was a dark red gem embedded, resembling an eye. Aside from its strange design, Lu Yang found nothing particrly special about it. Hmm, this sword is interesting. It uses the horn of a flood dragon for the handle and refined steel for the de, and that dark red gem is actually the eye of a demonic beast called Fei. (TL Note: The Fei or Fei-beast can be found on Great Mountain, the eighth andst of Chinas Eastern Mountains. It is shaped like an ox, with a white head and a single eye. Its tail is that of a snake. When a fei moves over grass, the nts below it wither and die. When it crosses a stream, the water evaporates at its touch. Its appearance is an omen of worldwide gue and /2017/06/16/fei/)Fei, a powerful demonic beast living in the wilderness, had a body like a bull, a white head, a single eye, and a snake-like tail. Evesting Fairy finally yed the role of a helpful guide, introducing the mystical aspects of the sword to Lu Yang. The materials of this sword are excellent. If forged properly, it could have be sentient. However, the cksmiths skills werecking, creating only a shell without bestowing sentience upon the sword. Even as just a shell, its a rare Spiritual Treasure. The sword inherently craves sentience, hence its bloodthirstiness. The more it kills, the more likely it is to be sentient. How can one be its master? Blood recognition should suffice, advised Evesting Fairy. However, I dont rmend you undertake blood recognition. This sword is insatiable; the more blood you feed it, the more it will want to devour its master. Yet, if you dont feed it blood, it will still turn on its master. There were simr traits in Spiritual Treasures from ancient times, and Evesting Fairy had seen numerous self-assured geniuses who believed they were exceptional enough to subdue such treasures. Most of them failed, with only a few seeding. I see. Lu Yang finally understood why the previous owners of the demonic sword were killed by itit never intended to let its masters live. Its quite an interesting sword. Guzha wasnt devoured by the sword simply because he hadnt held it long enough for it to turn on him. Lu Yang then asked, What would be the quality of the demonic sword if it gained sentience? Evesting Fairy disdainfully responded, It wouldnt even suffice as a stepping stone for me. Lu Yang just said Oh, realizing that the quality of the demonic sword wasnt very good. Eldest Senior Sister had been silent the whole time, quietly reading her book. She believed that with the abilities of Lu Yang and hispanions, winning first ce in thispetition was not a difficult task. In the meantime, the number on Lu Yangs palm mark jumped from eighty-eight to one hundred thirty-one. The Meat-Eating Monk was heavily targeted and did not manage to grab a ginseng fruit. The two somewhat famous Foundation Building practitioners who did grab the fruits were all poisoned to death. The other two ginseng fruits were also coated with deadly poison, but now too far away, Lu Yang couldnt sense the status of his ginseng fruit clone. Lu Yang deactivated his clone state and returned to his original height. He stored the demonic sword in his storage ring and looked for his next target. The storage ring was a temporary measure; after all, on the Undying Sects turf, it wouldnt be prudent to use his Dao Seeking Sect identity jade as a storage ringthat would be too arrogant. Hmm? Whose blood is this? Lu Yang noticed a few fresh drops of blood not far away, seemingly from someone who had fled while injured. Lets follow it. With the person injured, theirbat effectiveness would surely be reduceda straightforward gain. As Lu Yang had guessed, following the trail of the injured person, the bloodstains became more evident, turning from a few drops to a pool. It was clear the person was severely wounded. Eventually, Lu Yang came upon the injured personit was the Meat-Eating Monk! At that moment, the Meat-Eating Monk was grasping someone by the neck, and with a snap, he twisted and broke the persons neck. Another one lured into the trap, the Meat-Eating Monk said with a cruel smile. During the ginseng fruit scuffle, he had pretended to be overwhelmed and injured, fleeing to entice severalpetitors to chase him, whom he then turned on and killed one by one. Given my fearsome reputation, I had no other choice but to act this way, otherwise I would find no one to fight, the Meat-Eating Monk exined with a smile. As one of the three most outstanding contenders, others would flee at the sight of him, leaving him no opportunity to engage inbat. It was better to show a weakness and lure the fish to the bait. The Meat-Eating Monk eximed in surprise, You look familiar, but never mind, whoever you are, youre just unlucky to meet me! He thought Lu Yang looked familiar because he resembled the ginseng fruit, almost like a father and son, though the Monk hadnt made the connection. The Meat-Eating Monk clenched his fist, tensed his muscles, and the bleeding wound healed immediately. He pulled out his golden bowl, aiming to capture Lu Yang. Silently, Lu Yang took out the demonic sword from his storage ring, squatted down, and touched the blood left by the Meat-Eating Monk. The demonic sword instantly recognized the Meat-Eating Monk as its master. The sword floated in the air and hissed as it thrust towards the Meat-Eating Monk. Perhaps the sword had never encountered such a generous master before and wanted to embrace him warmlywith its de. The Meat-Eating Monk was shocked and horrified. Where had this demonic sworde from, and why was it attacking him? His long-apanying golden bowl was pierced straight through, and the Meat-Eating Monk struggled to fight. Lu Yang clicked his tongue, Doesnt seem like someone the Hanging Temple would be keen on. Hanging Temple, being one of the Five Great Immortal Sects with the fewest disciples, only epted those with exceptional talents. The Meat-Eating Monks abilities were barely enough for him to serve as a menial worker at Hanging Temple. Hanging Temple ims that everyone has a chance to enter, and I certainly had my chance. I just chose to give it up! the Meat-Eating Monk fought back as he spoke. You really know how to tter yourself. The Meat-Eating Monk was no match for the demonic sword and was stabbed through the heart in an instant. The demonic sword was once again without a master. Poor thing, just got a master, and hes gone already. Lu Yang picked up the demonic sword and continued on his way. Blood Drowns the Yellow Springs! Someone targeted Lu Yang,unching a sneak attack! A wave of blood surged towards Lu Yang, carrying the stench of blood, clearly identifiable. Lu Yang calmly pulled out the demonic sword again. As someone with a spirit suited for swordsmanship, understanding and creating sword techniques came naturally to him. He executed his newly created technique. The Mastering Sword Technique! The demonic sword sliced through the wave of blood, like a shark sensing blood, shing a sinister red light as it once again killed the person who attacked Lu Yang. Surging Blood Palm! Mastering Sword Technique! Blood Skeleton! Mastering Sword Technique! True to the demonic path, the techniques learned were either rted to ghosts and skeletons or to blood and spirits, very suitable for selecting masters for the demonic sword. Using the Mastering Sword Technique, Lu Yang defeated all challengers without a rival. Unfortunately, the masters of the demonic sword were exceptionally short-lived, none surviving beyond three seconds before being devoured. Lu Yang shook his head in regret; he just wanted to find asting master for the demonic sword, but why was it so difficult? Such a fine Spiritual Treasure, and you all are unworthy of it. More and more people became aware of Lu Yangs presence, and rumors spread that Lu Yang had be the master of the demonic sword, killing even more ruthlessly than Guzha. Some also recognized that Lu Yang resembled the ginseng fruit, and connecting the dots with those who were poisoned, they realized the ginseng fruit was a scam. In the dense forest, after the demonic sword habitually killed another master, Lu Yang encountered Meng Jingzhou. Meng Jingzhou looked at Lu Yang, grinding his teeth. Quite the trick, disguising yourself as a ginseng fruit and deceiving everyone! (End of the chapter) Chapter 192: The 6 Harmonies 8 Desolate Immortal Technique Lu Yangs fearsome reputation was so great that not only did it overshadow the rookies who intentionally hid their strength to shine in thispetition, but he even surpassed the fame of the sect leaders sessor, Yan Fei. He disguised himself as a Ginseng Fruit, deceiving everyone. Later, wielding a demonic de, he struck terror into the hearts of many, leaving no one sure just how many were marked by the numbers in his palmcertainly, it was a terrifying count. Meng Jingzhou, truly skilled, was not intimidated by Lu Yangs fierce reputation. Heh, Ive heard your demonic de ensures death upon drawing blood, so its best if I remain unscathed. Lu Yang raised his eyebrows: Big talk, state your name! Meng Jingzhou! So its you. Ive long heard about your invincibility at the Foundation Building stage, mastering your physical cultivation to the extreme, earning the admiration of countless martial artists! Meng Jingzhou snorted coldly: Youre not too shabby yourself, Blood Sea de Demon Lu Yang, notorious enough to silence children, many say youre even stronger than Yan Fei. I wonder if thats true or not? Lets find out!Then lets fight! The two most eye-catching seededpetitors shed. Not only were the participants watching secretly, but even the upper echelons of the Undying Sect were keen to find out who was superior. Was it the cunning and deceitful Lu Yang, or the upright and honorable Meng Jingzhou? The sect leader and the deputy sect leader twitched at the corners of their eyes; had they not already known you were in league, I would have thought you didnt know each other. Such convincing performances. Deputy Sect Leader Jin finally conceded that the sect leader had a discerning eye, remarking that it was no wonder one was said to be a born demon and the other a reincarnation of a demonic path sage. To say these two were undercover agents of the righteous path, he wouldnt believe it. Oh, and theres also Barbarian Bone. Yan Fei, hiding in the bushes and watching the fight, was on high alert. Both were formidable enough to be considered his rivals, posing a greater threat than the dead Drunken Monk and ancient Guzawi. Lu Yang wielded his sword with unstoppable force, while Meng Jingzhous body refinement reached perfection down to his teeth. As they fought, even those in the Golden Core stage could engage them. The spectators were terrified, thinking these two were monsters. Ultimately, Lu Yang proved the stronger, defeating Meng Jingzhou. Knowing he was outmatched, Meng Jingzhou fled before sustaining injuries, causing the crowd to sigh; had Meng Jingzhou been injured, they could have pursued and finished him off together. Having killed Guzawi and the Drunken Monk, and defeated Meng Jingzhou, Lu Yangs reputation peaked, unmatched by anyone. Once again, Lu Yang disyed his de skills, killing countless opponents. Even Barbarian Bone, who knew not what fear was, chose to flee upon encountering Lu Yang rather than face him directly. Just when everyone thought Lu Yang would emerge as the strongest in thepetition, Meng Jingzhou made aeback. Meng Jingzhou looked vigorous, untroubled by his earlier defeat. Lu Yang, lets fight again! Lu Yang scoffed: A beaten foe, daring to speak of battle in my presence, die! With a swing of his demonic de, he struck with tremendous force, intending to cleave Meng Jingzhou in two. The crowd gasped; this was a full-powered assault from the start! This was exactly how Meng Jingzhou had lost before! Just when everyone thought the fight was decided with one blow, Meng Jingzhou unexpectedly countered the attack. Realizing Meng Jingzhou was different this time, Lu Yang put aside his arrogance and fought with all his might. Meng Jingzhousbat strength had soaredpared to before, matching Lu Yang blow for blow. Huff, huff, youve had a fortuitous encounter! Lu Yang suddenly realized, the only exnation for Meng Jingzhous increased strength. This battle greatly boosted Meng Jingzhous confidence: To think that barely starting out, one could increase in strength so rapidly, worthy of being a Six Harmonies Meng Jingzhou caught himself and immediately shut up. Barbarian Bone, hearing Meng Jingzhous half-spoken words, fell into deep thought, muttering to himself: Six Harmonies? Could it be the legendary Six Harmonies Eight Deste Immortal Technique?! Everyone hastily questioned Barbarian Bone about what this technique was, but he fled without answering. The Six Harmonies Eight Deste Immortal Technique, could it be a legacy of the Evesting Celestial? the crowd murmured. The inclusion of the word immortal in the techniques name inevitably sparked further spection. The battle between Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou ended in a draw, as both knew that continuing would not result in a victor. They tacitly parted ways. After disappearing for an entire day, Meng Jingzhou returned stronger than ever. He went directly to Lu Yang, who was cloaked. To everyones shock, Meng Jingzhous power had soared again, and he defeated Lu Yang! So fearsome was the Six Harmonies Eight Deste Immortal Technique! Die! Meng Jingzhou shouted, his palm piercing through Lu Yangs chest. Lu Yang coughed up blood continuously, his life force rapidly draining. Though resilient in life, Lu Yangs death was now certain and unavoidable. Ha, well done, Meng Jingzhou, youve truly seized the greatest opportunity! Lu Yangs expression turned fierce, perhaps reluctant to die in such a manner. He pulled an old book from his chest, causing Meng Jingzhous pupils to shrink suddenly. How could the immortal technique be with you! You stole it during the fight! The crowd was in an uproar, Lu Yang had stolen the immortal technique during the fightwhat sorcery was this, a legendary sleight of hand? Instantly, everyones heart burned with desire; the immortal technique in the dying Lu Yangs hands meant that anyone could potentially obtain it. As he bled, Lu Yangughed, Its a pity that I had the chance to steal the immortal technique but no opportunity to cultivate it. If so, then Ill make the immortal technique public, lets see what advantage you have left, Meng Jingzhou! Lu Yang threw the immortal technique into the air, using his blood as ink, forming the full text of the immortal technique in the sky! A grand opportunity! Meng Jingzhou was furious, he rushed to scatter the blood characters, trying to prevent the spread of the immortal technique. But it was toote; as Foundation Building cultivators, everyone present had photographic memories, able to recall everything after just one nce. Lu Yangughed heartily as his life faded. Meng Jingzhou was furious but powerless. The crowd dispersed, each seeking a safe ce to cultivate the immortal technique. Why am I not getting stronger after cultivating? some wondered. Wasnt Meng Jingzhou immediately powerful? Did I cultivate it wrongly? In a dense forest, Lu Yang and two others gathered, closing their eyes to sense the positions of others. This was not any immortal technique at all but a locating technique. As long as someone cultivated it, Lu Yang and the others could detect their positions. Whats the biggest problem in a forest battle? Not knowing the enemys location. Now that all the contestants were hidden, it was the perfect opportunity to defeat them one by one! The three of them moved out together, killing one after another, the numbers on their markings rapidly increasing. Yan Fei, not in a rush to cultivate, felt something was amiss. He found Lu Yangs body, lifted the hood, and to his surprise, it was the bald Lu Yang. A Bodhi tree clone! It was all fake! He quickly deduced, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou are in cahoots! Theres no such thing as the Six Harmonies Eight Deste Immortal Technique, and they are all in it together! In the distance, the sect leader who witnessed everything had a peculiar expression. Even this leader of the demonic path thought these three were too cunning. Inside a spiritual space, Evesting Fairy saw Eldest Senior Sister in contemtion, curious, What are you thinking about? Yun Zhi sighed, I wonder, can these three really not be killed by someone? Yun Zhi wasnt worried about Lu Yang and the others winning the championship; she was concerned that they might be killed before achieving it. Actually, I wanted to start the immortal technique with To practice this technique, one must first be castrated, but then I thought better of it. (End of the chapter) Chapter 193: Fusion! Lu Yang spent several months in the first level of the scripture vault to develop his own techniques, discarding the Complete Collection of Crosstalk found there, among many other eye-opening techniques and methods. For instance, a technique he found allowed the practitioners location to be controlled by someone else after cultivation. ording to the records, this was written by a couple who were cultivators with the aim of monitoring each others movements. Then, the husband found out that his wife frequently visited the brothel, and the wife discovered that her husband frequented the brothel as well. Apart from this technique, Lu Yang also came across a technique for sleeping with open eyes, which proved very useful during sses. There was a technique that could make one extremely ugly, the purpose of which Lu Yang couldnt figure out. There was also a hibernation technique mimicking animals, where one could eat a meal and sleep for a quarter of a year; Lu Yang still couldnt see the practical use of it. Later, he realized that this was how the Senior Sisters and Senior Brothers cheated contribution points. Submitting to the mission hall techniques that the sect did not have backups for could earn contribution points. Eldest Senior Sister once monopolized this task to the extent that the mission hall had to create a special column just for her, so she didnt have to submit techniques over and over again. She simply had to ce the written techniques in the scripture vault, and she could use the contribution points as she pleased. The other Senior Sisters and Senior Brothers,cking the capabilities of Eldest Senior Sister but still desiring contribution points, resulted in the scripture vault being filled with many techniques that seemed impressive but were actually useless. Lu Yang suspected that if he were to write such techniques, he might be hung up and beaten by Eldest Senior Sister. Oh, probably there wouldnt even need to be an intervention by Eldest Senior Sister herself; the puppet might just do it. The Six Harmonies Eight Deste Immortal Technique? Evesting Fairy, upon hearing this name concocted by Lu Yang, seemed to recall something.That name sounds a lot like the techniques of Nonuple Immortal! Nonuple Immortal? Lu Yang repeated, knowing that Evesting Fairy rarely mentioned Nonuple Immortal. He learned from Evesting Fairy that Nonuple Immortal had an Immortal Physique, the first among the ancient immortals to achieve immortality. Whats the name of his technique? Lu Yang asked curiously. Eldest Senior Sister also showed rare interest, putting down her book to listen to Evesting Fairys response. Nonuple Immortals techniques are also self-written; he named his technique Chaos One Qi, Two Instruments, Four Images, Six Harmonies, Eight Destions, Nine Lands, Ten Heavens, Solely Revered Immortal Technique. I usually just call his techniques Numerical Immortal Techniques. Sometimes people call them Four Six Immortal Technique, Eighty Immortal Technique, or whatever rolls off the tongue. Anyway, Nonuple Immortal himself cant even fully pronounce his own techniques name. Lu Yang: Does Nonuple Immortal have some obsession with numbers? Eldest Senior Sister was somewhat speechless, initially hoping to guess the opponents strengths and weaknesses from the name of the technique. It seemed she was overly optimistic. As Lu Yang listened to ancient oddities in the spiritual space, he, along with Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone, continued their spree of killing. Just then, they heard Yan Fei shouting. Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhou, Barbarian Bone are together! Yan Fei did this deliberately; the pressure from the trio was too much, even for his strength. He couldnt defeat these three strong and cunning bastards alone. He needed to gather everyones strength to take these three down. Only then would he have a chance to win the championship! Exposed so early? Meng Jingzhou thought they would have been revealedter, as he hadnt had enough fun yet. The trio spread their palms to check their tally numbers; even Barbarian Bone, who had the least, had three hundred fifty, while Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, needless to say, were utterly demonic, killing like hemp. What do we do, fight or run? Barbarian Bone asked. Run, of course. With our achievements, the top three positions should be ours. We just need to wait it out quietly until the end, Meng Jingzhou said, showing none of the honor typically associated with the Meng family lineage, uttering the word run with no burden on his conscience. They were all used to being mischievous as children, trained by their father like chasing ducks. Theyre here! someone left their cave and saw the three gathered together. Indeed, they were a team! They had been pretending since the start of thepetition. If not for Yan Feis suspicions, no one would have discovered them. It was a disgrace. As demonic cultivators, they were used to deceiving others, but when had it be their turn to be deceived so thoroughly? Not killing these three to vent their anger would hinder their cultivation progress! Lets run~ Meng Jingzhou cheerfully called out, leading the escape, with Lu Yang and Barbarian Bone following. Catch them! Theyre here! Kill them! Demon cultivators rarely coordinate inbat, let alone mobilize arge group of Foundation Building cultivators like this. It was unprecedented. They united, determined to capture these three! The higher-ups of the Undying Sect were amazed by this scene, acknowledging even theycked such influence. The sect leader nodded secretly, thinking these three were naturally suited to infiltrate the Dao Seeking Sect as spies. He felt regretful that his two ipetent deputy sect leaders allowed such crucial pieces to leave the Dao Seeking Sect. If we really get caught, youll be the bait, Lu Yang told Meng Jingzhou. Why me? You came up with this n, you go! I came up with the n, but you added the details. Youre more important, you go! The idea is more important than the details, you go. The two courteously insisted the other act as bait, with Barbarian Bone unable to get a word in. He was just an actor. Ive caught up to them! someone skilled in tracking nearly grabbed Lu Yangs clothes. Just then, an invisible attack struck this person, sending him flying with a deep indent in his chest. Before closing his eyes, he saw nothing at his previous spot except a drifting talisman. What is this? The talisman drifted as if sentient, knocking away anyone approaching the trio. Finally, someone saw what the talisman was. Its an invisibility talisman! These three have an aplice! This invisibility talisman, drawn by Lu Yang, was so effective that even the most sensitive among them couldnt detect its bearer. The person who shouted then realized something was amiss. Whose invisibility talisman only hides the person but leaves the talisman visible? Lu Yang yelled at the talisman: Yan Fei, hurry up and kill them! Yan Fei is with them too?! The crowd was shocked. Was Yan Feis discovery of their plot just a ruse, part of the trap? Yan Fei, watching from a distance with frustration, was eighty zhang away, not the one with the invisibility talisman. I knew it, the one with the invisibility talisman is your clone! Yan Fei recalled that Lu Yang had a wooden clone. Someone quick-witted removed the talisman, revealing the person behind it. Bald Lu Yang, a Bodhi tree clone! Lu Yangs invisibility talisman could only hide the body, not the clothes, while the wooden clone used leaves for cover, which was part of the clone. In other words, the wooden clone was naked. Perfect for Lu Yangs invisibility talisman! The Bodhi tree clone, dressed in leaves like a wild man, Lu Yang controlled the clone to explode, releasing poison. Yan Fei anticipated this and summoned a north wind to disperse the poison. Kill! Lu Yang and the others were surrounded, countless hidden weapons and arms thrown at them, aiming to turn them into porcupines, while others attacked directly, attempting to kill them. The attack was relentless and unstoppable! Lu Yang sighed, At this point, we can only fuse The three exchanged nces, resolving to fuse in battle! Fusion? Yan Fei, unsure of what Fusion entailed, had a bad feeling. Dont be careless, theyre going to fuse! Yan Fei shouted, alerting everyone. Even the Undying Sects higher-ups were confused; they had never heard of cultivators being able to fuse? Barbarian Bone shouted, muscles bulging, grabbing Meng Jingzhous and Lu Yangs ankles. Meng Jingzhou activated his technique, his body glowing with a faint golden light, bing incredibly hard. Lu Yang sped his hands above his head, sword energy enveloping his body. The three person fusion! Yan Fei: ? (TL Note: Possibly a reference to Dragon Ball Z Fusions or mechasbining. If anyone recognises this reference, please let me know in thements. /originals/97/5f/9d/975f9d5761d3a768465dc2325ecf0a24.gif) (End of the chapter) Chapter 194: Child, What is Your Wish? Not only was Yan Fei puzzled, but the higher-ups of the Undying Sect also felt enlightened. Was this the popr fighting style among the younger generation? Were they falling behind the times? Barbarian Bone, holding Meng Jingzhou and Lu Yang, spun around in ce, sweeping away all hidden weapons and attacks. How bizarre, lets all attack together! Yan Fei shouted, leading the charge, and the others swarmed in. Even if it meant piling on numbers, they were determined to bury them! Fusion ultimate moveGiant Windmill! All three shouted in unison, with Barbarian Bone spinning them around rapidly. Now, Barbarian Bone wielded the most solid bludgeon and the sharpest de, advancing to attack and retreating to defend! Most importantly, both the bludgeon and de could strike on their own, showing great intelligence. Meng Jingzhou employed the Earth-shattering Six Styles, swinging his fists and leaving his enemies with swollen faces and shattered bones. Lu Yang used his hands as swords, generating sword energy and employing single-word sword spells, like a sword that could prop up the heavens, mercilessly reaping the lives of his enemies. This cooperation was simple but highly efficient; Barbarian Bone spun, Meng Jingzhou swung his fists, and Lu Yang wielded his hands. Each did their part without interfering with the others.Yan Feis armor split open from a cut inflicted by Lu Yangs sword energy. If it werent for his armor, he would have been bleeding by now! This Fusion move seemed reckless but was actually extremely powerful. Barbarian Bone transformed into an ancient demonic god, wielding the dual energies of yin and yang, slicing through the crowd. Opponents were either hammered to death by Meng Jingzhous head or sliced by Lu Yangs sword energy. After suffering a major loss, Yan Fei no longer dared to engage in closebat. Seeing this, others also nned to flee; revenge was sweet, but one needed to be alive to enjoy it. However, this move had two problems: one, all the kills were credited to Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou; two, it was very dizzying. Ugh The three retched. Despite their training, the duration was too short, and the intense spinning exceeded their limits. Lu Yang, while retching, reassured the others: I heard, heard that our dizzinesses from human organs. Once, once we reach the Golden Core stage, we can control our organs, and then we can use this move over and over! Really? Meng Jingzhou doubted Lu Yangs reliability. In theory, yes, lets try it when we reach the Golden Core stage. Seeing their poor condition, the others charged again. The trio changed tactics. When attacked, Barbarian Bone grabbed Meng Jingzhous ankles, and Lu Yang grabbed his neck, using Meng Jingzhou as a shield to block the attacks. Seeing this tactic work, Lu Yang and Barbarian Bone pressed their advantage, charging forward with Meng Jingzhou as their shield. Hey, hey, hey, you two are too much, we didnt agree to use me as a shield! Meng Jingzhou yelled. Even with his robust physique, catching the attacks was painful. The two put down Meng Jingzhou. As several people attacked from the same direction, Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone each grabbed one of Lu Yangs legs, while Lu Yang drew his demonic de and faced several opponents at once. His strikes were as fast and fierce as a snakes tongue, holding his own against them. Suddenly, Lu Yangs gaze sharpened, and with a push of his feet, he broke away, charging towards Yan Fei. Its you, always causing us trouble! Dont be overconfident! Yan Fei wasnt afraid of Lu Yang. You three attacking together might overwhelm me, but now that youre alone, you still think you can kill me? Yan Fei pulled out a jade flute, his lifebound Spiritual Treasure, capable of sonic attacks. Wuu Yan Fei blew the jade flute, aiming to cut down Lu Yang. Lu Yangs body sank into the ground, dodging the attack. The trees behind him were cleanly sliced at mid-trunk, a testament to the potential damage of the strike. Earth Escape Technique! Yan Fei was shocked, not expecting Lu Yang to master such a difficult elemental technique. Where will he appear?! Yan Fei quickly turned around, guessing that Lu Yang would attack from behind. But unexpectedly, the ground beneath him cracked open, and a Bodhi tree emerged, bearing two Lu Yangs. Lu Yang and his clone left the Bodhi tree simultaneously. The clone unleashed Tiger Fist, transforming into a fierce tiger and pouncing towards Yan Fei, while Lu Yang, wielding his demonic de, cleaved at Yan Fei. At this distance, he could control his clone effortlessly. Tiger Demon Lu Yang was ferociously unstoppable, and Lu Yangs de strikes were formidable. In closebat, Yan Fei had no time to blow his jade flute! Erge! The jade flute grew to eyebrow height, waving in Yan Feis hands to block the attacks from Lu Yang and his clone. The jade rod spun quickly, producing a whooshing sound. Lu Yang swiftly dodged to the side, avoiding the invisible sonic attack. This too was a method of blowing the jade flute! Quite the idea! Lu Yang sneered coldly, but he was already prepared, and this trick posed no threat. Such a move would be considered childs y at the Dao Seeking Sect, barely worth mentioning, only unexposed individuals like Yan Fei would consider using it as an attack method. And against absolute power, did Yan Fei really think he could cause a stir? Outside the Dao Seeking Sect, Lu Yang was confident in his invincibility at the Foundation Building stage, let alone having two of himself? Lu Yang executed sword techniques with his demonic de. The Tiger Demon roared, speaking human words. sh Technique! Tiger Descending the Mountain! The two attacked from different directions, tearing Yan Fei apart. The demonic de instantly recognized its master and devoured him, making Yan Fei its shortest-lived master. Deputy Sect Leader Jin witnessed this and asked the sect leader, Didnt you say Yan Fei was your sessor? Arent you going to stop this? The sect leader chuckled coldly, Sessor? That was just a role Yan Fei gave himself, using various hints to make people think he was my sessor to reap various benefits. Arent you going to punish him? Why should I? If he truly had the ability, Id acknowledge him as my sessor, wouldnt I? If not, like today, if he dies, he dies. Yan Fei wasnt excellent enough to be of significant concern to the sect leader. Have you chosen who is fortunate enough to be your vessel? the sect leader respectfully inquired of the Evesting Celestial. The Evesting Celestial had already chosen: Lu Yang. This person is ruthless and cunning, with talent and spiritual roots above par, barely qualified to be my vessel! Despite saying so, the Evesting Celestial actually considered Lu Yang the perfect vessel. The sect leader felt somewhat reluctant; Lu Yang was the most suitable demon cultivator he had seen since bing sect leader, but now he had been chosen by the Evesting Celestial. However, being chosen by the Evesting Celestial was an honor, and exchanging one Lu Yang for the Evesting Celestials return to the peak was a worthwhile deal. Let hime to the secret chamber. Yes. The sect leader stood in the air, exerting his presence: Thepetition is over, Lu Yang has the highest mark on his palm, and he is the first ce winner, fortunate to receive the blessing of the Evesting Celestial! Although Lu Yangs excellence was evident, thepetitors still felt regret at narrowly missing the blessing of the Evesting Celestial. Lu Yang,e with me. The sect leader beckoned, lifting Lu Yang into the air, and brought him to the front of the secret chamber. The sect leader advised Lu Yang, The blessing of the immortal is of great importance. Enter the secret chamber, and you will understand what I mean. Yes. Lu Yangs face beamed with a genuine smile, making the sect leader nod silently. Indeed, a devout follower of the Evesting Celestial. Lu Yang entered the secret chamber and found the Undying Sect to be quite poor; the chamber was pitch ck, without even a light. Suddenly, beneath the Evesting Celestials statue, an incense burner lit three sticks of incense. The smoke from the incense rose, forming the image of a kind old man. My child,e here. The kind old man beckoned to Lu Yang. Upon seeing the kind old man, Lu Yang was thrilled, Are you? The kind old man nodded with a smile: Yes, just as you guessed. Are you really the spirit of the statue? Evesting Celestial: My child, I am the Evesting Celestial. Tell me your wishes, and I shall help you fulfill them. (End of the chapter) Chapter 195: The Prototype of the Immortal Ariya-Phala Are you really an immortal, the Evesting Celestial? Lu Yangs body trembled, his hands fidgeted, and he couldnt stop smiling with excitement. My child, dont be so excited, I am right here, the Evesting Celestial said with a gentle face. You are the first-ce winner of thispetition. Although the first-ce performer in the Qi Cultivation group had notable merits, they do not surpass you. You truly deserve to be the first-ce winner. As a reward, I will fulfill one of your wishes. A wish? Are there any conditions? Just state it; I am omnipotent. I wish for the world to always be at peace. How about another one? The Evesting Celestial tentatively asked, admitting his previous statement might have been a bit exaggerated. In order to possess Lu Yang, he had to erase his soul, which was rooted deeply within his body. Even if removed, the roots remained,plicating aplete possession and hindering future cultivation. The best approach was to fulfill his wish, thus detaching the roots of his soul, allowing for a perfect possession. He thought Lu Yang, being only at the Foundation Building stage and an unaffiliated cultivator, would have modest wishes, perhaps asking for a celestial treasure at most, which could be given and then reimed after the possession. I wish for everyone to be able to be immortals. That was harder than the previous one. I wish for productivity to greatly develop so that people can obtain resources withoutbor and freely choose their preferred activities. Change it. Are you here to run a demonic sect, or are you nning to overthrow the Great Xia Dynasty and start a new dynasty? Lu Yang looked somewhat disappointed at the Evesting Celestial, wondering if this immortal was truly capable. He boasted bigger than Yellow Bean, yet couldnt fulfill a single wish. The Evesting Celestial was irked by Lu Yangs gaze, but he knew this matter couldnt be rushed. My child, all your wishes are rted to the world. Dont you have any personal wishes? the Evesting Celestial patiently guided, hoping Lu Yang would express a desire to be immortal, giving him a reason to possess Lu Yang. Using your body to be immortal counts as fulfilling a wish! Yes, I wish to cultivate to the level of creating and reshaping universes. Can your wishes be a bit smaller? If I were capable of that, would I still be here sweet-talking you? Seeing that the Evesting Celestialcked capability, Lu Yang stepped back. I have an Eldest Senior Sister, her cultivation is unmatched, and I wish to defeat her. Ha ha ha, that is effortlessly done, I could suppress her with a flick of my wrist, the Evesting Celestialughed heartily, finally hearing a simple wish. Just a Foundation Building stage Senior Sister, how high could her cultivation be? For the grand Evesting Celestial, suppressing such a minor figure was childs y. After possessing you, I will suppress that youngdy for you! Possession?! Lu Yangs pupils shrank, never expecting that the promised blessing from an immortal would turn into possession. He turned and ran, trying to escape from this den of evil. Give up, if you can escape from me, where would I put my face! Lu Yang felt the overwhelming pressure from the Evesting Celestial, akin to a mountain, and despair filled his heart. Would the oue change if he had not won? Would the oue change if he had not made a wish? Would the oue change if he had not joined the Undying Sect? Panic, regret, fear Numerous emotions surged through him, but it was toote. The Evesting Celestial, seeing the expression on Lu Yangs face, could not help but sneer, transforming back into dense smoke and flying into Lu Yangs mental space. Then he was immediately pped. Snap A crisp p sounded, and the Evesting Celestial was sent flying. Are you the bastard pretending to be me? A petnt woman began beating up the Evesting Celestial. To an uninformed outsider, it would look like a reckless young woman attacking a centenarian. Let me tell you, even Ying Tian and the others from ancient times wouldnt dare to do this, who do you think you are! Impersonating me, have you paid your respects, offered your tribute, did I nod in approval? Who is this! Evesting Celestial was baffled, unable to grasp what had just happened before he was pped. Why are there other people in the spiritual space? Is this kid so popr that everyone is lining up to possess him? I dont even recognize you, and yet you have the face to show yourself around? Evesting Fairy had long found him distasteful. He was masquerading under the name Immortal and deceiving others, while she, the real deal, was either despised by Lu Yang or bullied by Yun Zhi, living a miserable existence. Finally, the Evesting Celestial has entered the frame, and she could give him a proper thrashing! The Evesting Celestial looked unfamiliar to her; he was not one of the people she knew. Fairy Fist Technique! Evesting Fairy made up a name and began pummeling Evesting Celestial with punches that came down like rain, crisp and rapid. The technique seemed random but was exquisitely mastered; each strike was unpredictable. The Evesting Celestial felt every blow hit his vital and weak spots. Although he was in a soul state, he felt like he was about to cough up blood and kneel, his soul threatening to disperse into nothingness. What kind of demon or specter is this? Too much bullying! Evesting Celestial roared in anger. He wielded the immortal ariya-ph, and since his resurrection, he had been revered by the Undying Sect, getting everything his way, everything going smoothly. When had he ever suffered such humiliation? Immortal Through the Ages! Evesting Celestial shouted angrily, a golden light emanating from his palm, ethereal and brilliant, too dazzling to look at directly. This golden light was neither material nor soul but something beyond both. It possessed a strange power that made it seem indestructible and untouchable by anyw. Any attack that fell on Evesting Celestial would dissolve into nothingness. Prototype of the immortal ariya-ph? Evesting Fairy was surprised, finally understanding where the familiar faint aura on the sect leader came from. This imposter, he did have something of note. You are insightful, this is indeed the ariya-ph. Before it, I am immortal, ageless, undying, and indestructible, the only one through the ages, all destinies dissolve into nothingness, all attacks turn into void, your assaults cannot harm me! Having disyed the ariya-ph, Evesting Celestial felt confident. Yellow Bean showed a disdainful smile: Is that all? Proud of a mere imitation of me? Fairy Fist Technique! Yellow Bean swung her fists again, shattering the barrier that Evesting Celestial was proud of, her fists unrelenting, hitting directly on the face. This prototype of ariya-ph is somewhat interesting. Evesting Fairy casually snatched the prototype of ariya-ph, holding the golden material in her hands, curiously observing it. Inside the golden material, countless runes andws emerged and vanished, hinting at the eternal changes, the true meaning of immortality. Lu Yang curiously looked over, but Evesting Fairy pushed him aside: Go away, your realm is not high enough, you cant look at this. What have you done?! the Evesting Celestial panicked, originally the prototype of the ariya-ph was closely connected to him, even more intimately than his soul, supposedly impossible to separate by any force. But now, he couldnt feel the connection to the prototype of ariya-ph at all! He hadpletely lost control over it! Who is she! How did she do it! Boasting about ariya-ph in front of me is like bringing a knife to a gunfight, Evesting Fairy said smugly. Then another ethereal voice echoed, resonating in the Evesting Celestials ears, I heard you want to suppress me? Only then did the Evesting Celestial realize, besides Lu Yang and the mysterious woman who had taken his ariya-ph, there was a third person in the spiritual space! How many people are in your spiritual space?! Do we need to take queue numbers for possession these days? (End of the chapter) Chapter 196: Why Are There So Many People in Your Spiritual Space? If there are two people in a spiritual space, the original owner and a powerful spirit, it could be exined that the powerful spirit has not yet decided to possess the body. But having three people in your spiritual space is just too much, does it really need to be this crowded? Now including himself, there are four people in the spiritual space. The Evesting Celestial, inexperienced, had never heard of anyones spiritual space housing four souls. Yun Zhi closed her book and watched the Evesting Celestial silently. With a respect for the elderly, she let Evesting Fairy strike first. Now, it was her turn. Even without the ariya-ph, I am still invincible! The Evesting Celestial regained his confidence, brushing off his previous disheartened state, and engaged again. Demonic Conquest of the World! Boundless ck demonic energy surged from within the Evesting Celestial, with numerous demonic heads writhing within it, emitting piercing screams that filled the entire spiritual space, rushing towards Yun Zhi. Yun Zhi didnt even look, she simply raised her jade arm, and the golden bell tied around her wrist chimed. Her voice was cool, like a fairy from a quiet lunar pce. Cloud Descending Palm.A palm strike was unleashed, and white clouds appeared behind Yun Zhi, swelling like the sea, engulfing the ck demonic energypletely. The clouds then transformed into towering waves, sweeping over the Evesting Celestial. Evesting Celestial felt like a mere pebble in the face of an overwhelming river, insignificant and powerless to resist. Netherworld Undying me! Eighteen Golden Bell Shield! Red and ck mes ignited from the Evesting Celestials chest, spreading rapidly, forming a thin film over his skin. Eighteen golden bells thunderously descended, enveloping the Evesting Celestial,yer uponyer, attempting to block the onught. The waves surged relentlessly, mercilessly battering the Evesting Celestial, shattering the eighteenyers of the golden bell shield. The red and ck mes formed a thin film that evaporated when it met the sea, and the Evesting Celestial bore the brunt of this impact, crashing into the edge of the spiritual space. Yun Zhi rose from her seat, stepping lightly, with lotuses blooming with each step she took toward Evesting Celestial. Stop, stop, I said stop!! The Evesting Celestial shouted harshly, his confidence shattered by the previous attack. Shatter Gold and Split Stone Palm! A mist-formed giant hand descended from the sky, capable of smashing mountains, cracking the earth, and shattering treasures. It was a well-known and formidable attack in the cultivation world. Yun Zhi simply waved her hand, and the misty giant hand dispersed like smoke. Indestructible Bodhi Body! Evesting Celestial deployed his divine body. If this were the outside world, his divine body would be tens of thousands of feet tall, towering and reaching for the stars, unaffected by any attack, while his own attacks could destroy heaven and earth. Constrained by the spiritual space, it was difficult to fully perceive the grandeur of the Indestructible Bodhi Body, but its power was undiminished. Die! Evesting Celestial, furious, attempted to crush Yun Zhi. Yun Zhi, without looking up, simply waved her hand twice, and the terrifying divine body was instantly dispersed like ash. Red Lotus Fall! Reverse Five Elements Killing Array! Buddha ying Fist Technique! Imperial Path Talisman! Evesting Celestial, no longer holding back, used everything at his disposal: palm techniques, fist techniques, arrays, talismans each attack was deep in skill, as if he had studied them for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Any ordinary cultivator would have been terrified by such an onught, but before Yun Zhi, these attacks were insufficient. Lu Yangs spiritual space seemed to be her domain; with a simple wave of her hand, like swatting flies, all attacks vanished. Far from being an immortal. Yun Zhimented on Evesting Celestials array of attacks, noting not just theck of power but also ack of vision. The same attacks, if performed by Evesting Fairy, would have been more effective. Are all these currently known techniques, have any ancient techniques been used? Yun Zhi noticed that although Evesting Celestial performed a variety of techniques, without exception, they were all modern, traceable ones, none of which were the lost ancient techniques. This was strange. After the great cataclysm of the ancient times, many traditions were lost, and most of todaysbat techniques were developed byter generations. If Evesting Celestial were an ancient immortal, he should be able to perform ancient supreme techniques like Evesting Fairy, such as the Water Avoidance Technique that strips away all water, or the rather embarrassing ying Dead Technique. Yun Zhi had not yet crushed Evesting Celestial with a single palm because she wanted to see what kind of attacks he could perform. Who are you, really! The level of Evesting Celestials panic exceeded even when his ariya-ph was taken, this power was absurdly strong. What kind of people are in this kids spiritual space? The previous person mysteriously took away his ariya-ph, and thetters cultivation and magical power are boundless! Didnt you say you would suppress me for Lu Yang? You are Lu Yangs Eldest Senior Sister?! Evesting Celestials voice rose an octave, his eyes widening as he momentarily forgot his current predicament, cursing Lu Yang shamelessly in his mind. What kind of absurd wishes had this kid made? One more outrageous than the next. He had thought defeating Lu Yangs Eldest Senior Sister would be a piece of cake, agreeing to possess Lu Yang upon entering. Now, it seemed the tables had turned. It should be Lu Yangs Eldest Senior Sister who could easily suppress him! What a huge pitfall. Evesting Celestial realized that Lu Yang was not truly his follower; he had pretended to be bait, and all this while was just to lure him in. Laughable that he thought he could possess a body perfectly suited for himself. Was the opponent a righteous undercover in the Undying Sect? But Lu Yangs performance in thepetition did not seem fake. Evesting Celestial suddenly understood everything Lu Yang was sent by another three demon sects! It all made sense now. Stop, stop, I give up, Ill tell you anything you want, just spare my life! Evesting Celestial knelt down and begged, his mindset changing incredibly fast. Speak, who are you really! Why are you impersonating me! Evesting Fairy stopped examining the prototype of ariya-ph, excitedly running over, with Lu Yang following behind and Yun Zhi quietly listening. All three wanted to know the answer. I am Evesting Celestial drew out his words, capturing the attention of the three, then suddenly released all his power and turned to run, trying to break through the spiritual space barrier to escape this hellish ce! Thud Unsurprisingly, he hit the barrier solidly, unable to break through. Yun Zhi had anticipated this and had preemptively strengthened the integrity of Lu Yangs spiritual space. Evesting Celestials tactic, which Daoist Non-Speaker had used many times before Yun Zhi, was ineffective. Still not being honest, Fairy Fist Technique! Yellow Bean clenched her fists and pummeled Evesting Celestials face like raindrops. Not the face, not the face, Ill really tell everything this time! Evesting Celestial saw the light, realizing that admitting defeat early was better than anything, as the opponent was experienced and no tricks would work here. Speak, what is your name! Yellow Bean boasted triumphantly. Im shameless. Hmm? Thats quite self-aware. (End of the chapter) Chapter 197: Leniency for Those Who Confess No, I mean my name is Shame Less, as in I want to feel shame less often. Evesting Celestial, now thoroughly humbled, answered every question, disying good manners. (TL note: The original is a Chinese pun. Ill put the original joke here. No, I mean my name is Bu Yao Lian, bu as in fabric, yao lian as in wanting face, Bu, , is his surname but its also a homophone for which means dont. Whenbined with his name, Ҫ, which means want face, it sounds like dont want face when its actually bu wants face) Evesting Fairy frowned, Why such a strange name? Lu Yang thought to himself, what right do you have to judge others names as strange? The Evesting Celestial sighed, I didnt choose this name for myself, exining this is a long story. Take your time, Evesting Fairy pulled up a little stool, sat down on it, resting her chin in her hands, ready to hear the Evesting Celestial exin. Yun Zhi and Lu Yang also listened quietly on the side. The Evesting Celestial spoke truthfully, I dont know where my consciousness came from, nor do I know how I came into being. A long time ago, I first became aware, but it was very faint, only vaguely aware of my own existence, like looking at flowers through fognot very clear.I felt an unknown force continuously gathering around me, making me gradually stronger, but my consciousness was still hazy and unclear, unable to discern the outside world. I also felt many memories being filled into my consciousness, but at that time Icked the ability to think, merely epting these memories without being able to organize or process them. My consciousness gradually became stronger, and I could faintly hear voices next to my consciousness shouting Evesting Celestial. My memories contained the term Evesting Celestial, but I still couldnt process these memories, not understanding what Evesting Celestial was. I dont know how much time passed, maybe hundreds of years, maybe thousands, but eventually, my consciousness suddenly became clear, like a drowning person being pulled from water, regaining awareness of the outside world. The first sentence I heard after my consciousness cleared wasGreat Evesting Celestial Shame Less, please save your devoted followers, save this world. Shame Less became my name. I originally had no name; it was the sect leader who called me Shame Less, and thats how I got my name. With a name, I could finally process those vast memories, understanding the meanings they represented. In the memories, I saw someone identally discover a secret realm, enter it, and learn about an ancient immortal called Evesting Celestial who protected humanity, possessing the immortal ariya-ph capable of resurrection. After leaving the secret realm, that person founded the Undying Sect, attempting to revive Evesting Celestial. The Undying Sect grew strong, and more and more followers joined, appeasing Evesting Celestial with killings, invoking the true name of the immortal to revive him. Then I understood, I am the Evesting Celestial that the Undying Sect revived. As long as someone truly believes in me, prays to me, and worships me, I would gain their memories. The sect leader prayed to me, and through the statue, I appeared in this world, meeting the sect leaders expectations. I possess the sect leaders memories, and whatever he knows, I know. I saw he was gravely injured, needing a century to recuperate. Considering he was my most devout and powerful follower, I helped heal him. As I gained a name, I could feel that I possessed a golden light, whichbined with the memories, I guessed was the immortal ariya-ph. I used part of the immortal ariya-phs power to heal the sect leader. But I dont know if I am truly Evesting Celestial. My earliest memoryes from the first follower, from over ten thousand years ago, and I dont have any memories from ancient times. For instance, when the sect leader asked who had refined the myriad stars, I couldnt answer this question, but I couldnt just say I didnt know, so I told him that it was a matter of high level, not for him to know. Im not sure how the believers would react if they knew my condition, so for now I must pretend to have awakened from the ancient times. Being in a spirit state for so long was unsustainable, so I told the sect leader that I needed a new body to return to my peak and save the world. The sect leader believed me and gathered all the Qi training and Foundation building disciples to hold apetition, from which I would select a suitable host. Then you chose me? Lu Yang asked. Evesting Celestial nodded helplessly, indeed, who else but you, who suffered a severe beating because of my poor choice in hosts. If it had been anyone else, the possession would have been sessful. Evesting Celestials ount rified some questions, like why he couldnt perform ancient techniques, why he needed to possess someone, and why his face was so undistinguished. However, there were still some questions that even he could not rify. For instance, who exactly is he? Where did hee from? How did the undying ariya-phe to exist? Lu Yang looked expectantly at the Eldest Senior Sister and the Evesting Fairy, hoping for insights from these well-informed seniors. Evesting Fairy furrowed her brows, deep in thought and seemingly unreliable. Eldest Senior Sister listened quietly to Evesting Celestials experiences, trying to discern whether they were true or fabricated. Eldest Senior Sister believed that the experiences were mostly true. She noticed Lu Yangs gaze, understanding that the junior brother had many questions and hoped to get answers from her. She spoke up, The Grand Elder Dao Yan of the Heavens Mysteries Sect once proposed a hypothesis: that originally, there was no Evesting Celestial, no undying ariya-ph; the Undying Sect was creating deities. Lu Yang nodded secretly, appreciating the reliability of the senior. Hearing Yun Zhis words, Evesting Celestial suddenly looked up, Where did this Dao Yane from to dare question the existence of my ariya-ph? Do you know how much effort I put into forming the ariya-ph? Ying Tian Immortal and the others all envied it! Lu Yang suggested that Evesting Fairy should first listen to what Eldest Senior Sister had to say, and then settle ounts with Dao Yanter. Yun Zhi continued, The origin and destiny of souls are still unsolved mysteries in the world of cultivation. Dao Yan believes that human thoughts are a form of power, and that if there are enough strong thoughts, a soul could emerge. Of course, this is just a hypothesis and it does not exin how the first soul came into being. But your situation fits this hypothesis. From its founding, the Undying Sect has been around for fourteen thousand years. During this time, at least a million devotees have prayed to the non-existent Evesting Celestial. Over such a long period, the sheer amount of thought energy could indeed create a soul, which is you, Evesting Celestial. However, another condition might be necessary for your emergencemurder. Have you ever considered where the resentful demonic energy you recently used came from? Humans are the noblest of creatures, the favored children of Heaven and Earth, born with spirituality. The practice of demonic cultivation involves killing to strip away a persons spirituality and convert it into ones own power. The followers killed to please you, resulting in boundless karmic murder. The power gained from these killings became your power, the power at the Tribtion Crossing Stage. (End of the chapter) Chapter 198: The Man Behind the Curtain The gap between mortals and immortals is like a chasm, not merely bridged by will alone. Evesting Celestial has not reached the realm of immortals and is at the Tribtion Crossing Stage. Although hecks a physical body, possessing only a soul, he does not fully qualify as at the Tribtion Crossing Stage, but he has mastered the nascent form of the immortal ariya-ph, whichpensates for hisck ofbat prowess. If a being at the Tribtion Crossing Stage encounters Evesting Celestial in the mental space, they would find themselves at a disadvantage. However, Evesting Celestial happened to meet the genuine Evesting Fairy. The nascent form of ariya-ph is powerless in the presence of the true ariya-ph. After being reprimanded, Evesting Celestial realized that he is not a true immortal, but rather an imitation of Evesting Fairy. As for how the ariya-ph came into being, senior, what are your thoughts? Yun Zhi posed this question to Evesting Fairy. Evesting Fairy had been pondering this very question and she presented a golden glow: My initial judgment was not wrong. This item can be reluctantly called an immortal ariya-ph, though it is far from mature and is merely a nascent form. The emergence of ariya-ph should follow the same principle as this youngsters appearance, both reliant on the power of will. Lu Yang was curious, Can ariya-ph be formed just by willpower? If so, wouldnt bing an immortal be very simple?Evesting Fairy shook her head, correcting Lu Yangs misunderstanding, Its not the ariya-ph, but its nascent form. Not to mention that this ariya-ph is the result of over ten thousand years of umtion by the Undying Sect, just the production of a nascent form through willpower alone has significant limitations. Ariya-ph is a sign of bing an immortal, a final product that can change the rules of the world, a concept far beyond Lu Yangs understanding, something he cannot grasp at this moment. The difference between ariya-ph nascent form and ariya-ph is vast. I can produce as many nascent forms of immortal ariya-ph as I want, but there will always be only one immortal ariya-ph, which is the one I possess. With that, Evesting Fairy showed a confident smile, believing her immortal ariya-ph to be the strongest, superior to those of Ying Tian Immortal and others. As for the ariya-ph nascent forms, in her view, they were inferior. But the nascent forms might rece the ariya-ph. Yun Zhis words threw cold water on Evesting Fairy, who instantly cooled down. What do you mean by that? Lu Yang asked. Only Evesting Fairy and Yun Zhi knew the truth about the ariya-ph; Lu Yang and Evesting Celestial werepletely in the dark. Evesting Celestial couldnt even differentiate between ariya-ph and its nascent form; if not exined now, he wouldnt even know how his ariya-ph nascent form came into existence. Yun Zhi exined, The ariya-ph nascent form is crude and simplistic, even its internal structure is unstable. If the ariya-ph nascent form gradually matures, it will be increasingly simr to the ariya-ph. And since only one of the same kind of ariya-ph can exist, a mature ariya-ph must be discarded for the nascent form to fully mature. Lu Yang was astonished, So you mean to say that the fairys ariya-ph might be reced by an immortal ariya-ph nascent form? Lu Yang was worried for the fairy; although she was not particrly reliable and often unhelpful, creating trouble for him, he still hoped that she would always possess her ariya-ph and not be usurped. Yun Zhi shook his head, his expression grave, The senior holds the highest authority in the Immortal lineage, no one can contend with her in the realm of Immortality, not even a nearly mature ariya-ph nascent form. The recement of ariya-ph by its nascent form can only ur under one circumstancewhen the ariya-ph is ownerless, and the nascent form has an owner. Lu Yang breathed a sigh of relief: Thats good, the fairy is still alive, no one can rece her. But she was not supposed to be alive. Hearing Eldest Senior Sisters words, Lu Yang felt as if he had been struck by lightning. Indeed, if he hadnt inadvertently called out Evesting Fairys true name, she might not have been able to resurrect by the end of the great conflict. Perhaps as Eldest Senior Sister said, without him, it would take another 300,000 years for someone to identally call out Evesting Fairys true name. But if Evesting Fairy hadnt resurrected and Evesting Celestial was able to mature the immortal ariya-ph nascent form, recing the original immortal ariya-ph. By the time of the great conflict, Evesting Celestial leading the Undying Sect would make his name known, and by then, who would dare to casually utter Evesting Fairy as a joke. By then, Evesting Fairy might never be able to resurrect, truly dead. Evesting Fairy also realized this and was terrified. Yun Zhi organized her thoughts briefly: In ancient times, the senior was assassinated, the immortal ariya-ph lost its owner, bing ownerless. The man behind the scenes made the concept of the immortal ariya-ph public, fabricating the non-existent Evesting Celestial, making the followers of the Undying Sect believe, envision, and resurrect Evesting Celestial, while Evesting Celestial himself was unaware, desperately trying to mature the ariya-ph nascent form. When the time was ripe, the man behind the scenes would act, harvesting the immortal ariya-ph for himself. Now the only uncertainty is whether the man behind the scenes wants to harvest the mature immortal ariya-ph, or just before it matures, or perhaps he has already arrived? At this, Yun Zhis voice was as cold as eternal ice, his murderous intent chilling Lu Yang. Yun Zhi and Evesting Fairy unleashed their spiritual awareness, sweeping through every inch of the surrounding area, determined to uncover the man behind the scenes. Suddenly, in the corner of the secret room, space trembled, and a dark figure walked in rhythmically pping his hands, praising Yun Zhis extraordinary abilities. Lu Yang stared at the dark figure, who was right here, yet his spiritual awareness scanned nothing. Lu Yang felt like the man was an unfathomably deep ck hole, with tremendous ambition capable of devouring everything, utterly terrifying. Yun Zhi and Evesting Fairy positioned themselves in front of Lu Yang, wary of the neer. Truly, as the strongest of the Five Great Immortal Sects, you pose the biggest threat in Central Continent to me. Originally, I came here to see if the immortal ariya-ph nascent form had really formed, but I didnt expect such a great gain just from observing for a few days. The dark figure looked towards Evesting Fairy, and although his face was unclear, Lu Yang felt he was smiling. Unexpectedly, Evesting Fairy, you have resurrected, the biggest variable, beyond my expectations. Since you have resurrected, the n to rece the ariya-ph with the immortal ariya-ph nascent form is now null and void, what a pity for the 14,000 years of preparation by the Undying Sect, all for naught. The dark figure shook his head in regret, unsure whether he felt sorry for the Undying Sect or for his own schemes. Ying Tian, Qilin, Immemorial, Nonuple, which are you! Come out and show your true face! Evesting Fairy shouted harshly, the person intending to erase her existence, a feud of life and death, unresolvable! A confrontation between her and the shadow was inevitable! The shadow shook his head,ughing wryly: Were there really only five immortals in your era? Is Nonuple truly the first immortal? Fairy, so many things are uncertain, how can you be sure I am one of those four? Deceiver! Evesting Fairy gritted her teeth. Yun Zhi said no more, acting decisively with full force. The shadows expression hardened: Indeed, your strength is far greater than you show to the outside world, even my true form would likely not be able to defeat you. After the ancient times, to have someone like you is truly a miracle of nature. Knowing he was no match, the shadow chose to self-destruct. What a pity for my true body, unable to know whats happening here. (End of the chapter) Chapter 199: Who Could It Be? Knowing he was no match for Yun Zhi, and the gap between them too great, the dark shadow knew his chances of escaping sessfully were slim. Rather than expose himself, it was better to self-destruct immediately to keep his true body safe. If Yun Zhi were to find hisir, the great conflict and his true body would no longer be connected. Damn it, why does such a person exist in the Central Continent! Could it be that all the fortune of the world is concentrated in the Central Continent? And why did Evesting Fairy resurrect? Apart from those few, not many people know of Evesting Fairys existence, let alone her name! How exactly did Evesting Fairy resurrect! Only by reciting her honorable title and true name could she be resurrected. Who recited it?! The immortal ariya-ph is indeed as described, eternally immortal, capable of resurrection even afterplete destruction. As the dark shadow self-destructed, questions surged in his mind, unanswered. His self-destruction was silent, his body turned to dust, the dust to spiritual energy, returning to the cosmos. He ran away? Lu Yang was puzzled, the dark shadows methods were too profound for him to understand. Yun Zhi shook her head lightly, her eyes revealing a killing intent mixed with regret: He didnt run, he ended himself. Then, does his true body know about the situation here? About Evesting Fairy? Lu Yang thought of the shadowsst words before self-destructing, What a pity my true body wont know whats happening here.Was it a diversion, or was it true? Yun Zhis response denied Lu Yangs thought: His true body wont know, and his clone wouldnt dare let the true body know. If the situation of his clone could inform his true body, then I could use the connection between the clone and the true body to find the true body. Lu Yang also did not understand Eldest Senior Sisters methods. However Yun Zhis eyes held a trace of doubt, as if pondering something. However what? The dark shadow felt very familiar; I might have fought with him before. Both Lu Yang and Evesting Fairy were surprised. Yun Zhi continued, It was about a hundred years ago, I sensed an immortal appearing in the Central Continent, I asked him to reveal his identity, but he refused, and soon after we engaged in battle. He probably didnt anticipate my strength, and was at a disadvantage as soon as we crossed hands. I pressed my advantage, injuring him, and seeing that continuing the fight would not end well for him, he feinted an attack on the city below. While I protected the city, he escaped. By the time I wanted to pursue him, he had already vanished. That person concealed his identity using chaotic mist, and his techniques were fairlymon, indistinguishable in origin, very simr to the dark shadow we encountered today. Yun Zhi believed todays dark shadow is the clone of the man from a hundred years ago. Lu Yang pondered; if Eldest Senior Sisters guess is correct, then what the dark shadow said, Indeed, your strength is far greater than what you show to the outside, would be pretending not to know Eldest Senior Sisters strength, which is a lie. The more Lu Yang thought about it, the more usible it seemed. If he didnt know Eldest Senior Sisters strength, why would his first reaction be to self-destruct rather than flee? This doesnt make sense. The dark shadow barely spoke a few words throughout, and most likely, most of them were lies. Old cunning fellow. Evesting Celestial was terrified, although the two fairies didnt hold back when attacking him, each hitting harder than the other, at least they hadnt killed him. If he fell into the dark shadows hands, not only would the ariya-ph be stolen, but murder to silence him would likely ur. Can the fairy guess who he is? Lu Yang asked. Evesting Fairy frowned, somewhat hesitant: The Nonuple Immortal is best at manipting clones, but the other three could also achieve this if they wished. Is it possible that besides you five, there are other immortals? Lu Yang continued to inquire. Evesting Fairy herself seemed uncertain upon hearing Lu Yangs question. Could it be that Nonuple Immortal really wasnt the first immortal? How did you determine that Nonuple Immortal was the first immortal at the time? Evesting Fairy recalled, When Nonuple Immortal ascended to immortality, the heavens and earth shone with immortal light, celestial music yed, and nine-colored raindrops fell from the sky, bringing blessings and cheers, benefiting all living beings. Later, when the four of us ascended, none of this urred. Lu Yang was astonished: Is that the special treatment for the first one to be immortal? Yun Zhi nodded, having seen records of Nonuple Immortals ascension in ancient texts, consistent with what Evesting Fairy described, or rather, as a participant, her description was more detailed. The first one to be immortal was indeed extraordinary. Evesting Fairy shook her head, No,ter when the five of us were eating, Nonuple Immortal, having drunk too much, told us that the phenomena at the time of his ascension were all orchestrated by him, using up a lot of heavenly materials and earthly treasures. Lu Yang: Yun Zhi: Why does every ancient tale Evesting Fairy tell seem to refresh their understanding? Lu Yang even felt that the ancient times described by Evesting Fairy and the shadow didnt seem to belong to the same narrative. In a mysterious ce, a ck silhouette sat on a throne built of skeletons. He opened his immortal eyes, emitting boundless immortal light, illuminating the heavens and the earth. The sh of immortal light made the ground full of corpses and skeletons appear especially eerie. The ck silhouette slowly stood up, stretching his body, frowning slightly: Why is this chair so ufortable? Whose idea was it to make a chair out of bones, without even a cushion? The ck silhouette shook his head, deciding to find another ce to sleep. Suddenly, the ck silhouette sensed something unusual and hummed. What is it, my lord? A servant cautiously asked. Has my clone sent to the Undying Sect disappeared? The ck silhouette could always sense the connection with his clone, determining its location. Just now, the connection with his clone waspletely severed, which meant it had been eradicated. The loss of this clone, into which he had poured countless efforts, was indeed painful to admit. What? My lords clone has disappeared?! The servant was genuinely shocked. Being an immortal, a single clone of an immortal was powerful enough to dominate the world, how could it disappear in the Central Continent? The ck silhouette pondered: Who could be responsible? He immediately ruled out Evesting Celestial, a soul created from willpower, whose capabilities he could guess; it was impossible for such a being to silently kill his clone. There are only a few people in the Central Continent capable of killing his clone. He had sent a clone instead of going himself because he was worried about being discovered by a few individuals in the Central Continent. He was not yet ready to reveal his identity. Even if his clone were captured, it was impossible for anyone to deduce his identity from the clone, and it might even mislead them into suspecting other immortals. Its best to be cautious in life. Otherwise, living carelessly like Evesting Fairy, one might unexpectedly be killed one day. Is it that guy in the pce? Is it Yun Zhi from the Dao Seeking Sect? Or someone else? His clone was hidden within the Undying Sect, only those who had contact with the Undying Sect could be involved, possibly only The Great Xia Dynasty, alwaysmitted to fighting demonic cults, and the Five Great Immortal Sects, known for subduing demons and eradicating evil. (End of the chapter) Chapter 200: I’m Still a Baby! The guy in the pce lives in a forbidden area and seldom makes a move, so hes unlikely. So, is it Yun Zhi from the Dao Seeking Sect? Thats not right either. My clone was hiding near Evesting Celestial. The Undying Sect is always careful; how could someone sneak up on them? Could it be that Evesting Celestial has awakened his conscience, turned from evil to good, and voluntarily surrendered to The Great Xia Dynasty or the Dao Seeking Sect for leniency? Mentioning those few people from the Central Continent, the ck shadow felt troubled. Ever since the end of the ancient times, he had been plotting, and everything had been going ording to n, supposedly without any issues. Neither the era of Great Qian nor Great Yu had deviated from his ns, iming that future generations would have the chance to be immortals, putting people to sleep to wake them during the great conflict to divert attention. But it was only during The Great Xia Dynasty that continuously, individuals not in his ns emerged, bing immortals. Those who became immortals were no longer just pawns but chess yers of equal status to him, forcing him to modify his ns repeatedly. Especially that Yun Zhi, so young yet supremely talented.Lord, may I ask, this Yun Zhi is The servant recalled the influential figures of the Central Continent, among whom there was no one named Yun Zhi. The lord rarely praises anyone so freely; how extraordinary must this Yun Zhis talent be? The ck shadow scoffed, Shes just a little girl from the Dao Seeking Sect. A hundred years ago, I went to the Central Continent, and she personally came out to greet me, even warmly asking me where I was from. I couldnt be bothered with her, and she couldnt say much. Later, seeing she had some abilities, I exchanged a few moves with her, giving her a couple of pointers. After the encounter, when I wanted to leave, she persistently followed, asking for more guidance. I think interactions between cultivators should be as light as water; why force it? Its best if our paths do not cross again, as too many pointers might interfere with her own path. I used a technique to leave directly, not wanting to get entangled with her any further. The lords cultivation is unparalleled throughout the ages. The servant praised, bowing, which made the ck shadowugh heartily. The servant felt fortunate; getting involved in the great conflict, a slight misstep could lead to irreversible doom, but following the lord was safe. The lords supreme cultivation and calctions could definitely give him an edge in the great conflict. Following the lord and benefiting even just a little would be enough for a lifetime of happiness, and with some luck, perhaps even achieving immortality. Thinking back to his encounter with Yun Zhi a hundred years ago, the ck shadow felt embarrassed. Of course, he couldnt admit that he had been eagerly trying to take advantage of her youth, only to be soundly beaten and forced to flee. He had lived for countless years, yet to be defeated by a child and forced to run was a disgrace. He couldnt say these things to his subordinates; it would damage his prestige. Remembering the incident a hundred years ago, he had intended to visit the Undying Sect to check how close they were to producing the nascent form of ariya-ph, but before he could reach the Undying Sectsir, he was spotted by Yun Zhi, and a great battle ensued. Thinking of Yun Zhis demonstrated strength, the ck shadow felt she could be considered the foremost person in the Central Continent, the biggest obstacle in the great conflict. Thus, since then, he had sent only clones to the Central Continent to avoid being captured. Could it be that The Great Xia Dynasty is favored by destiny? The notion of destiny is elusive. To be immortal, one needs talent, strength, and also luck. Like that one who learned tomand with his words at the Tribtion Crossing Stage, he could have be immortal, but his luck was poor, encountering Yellow Bean and perishing midway. The ck shadow thought for a long time but couldnte up with an answer, so he decided not to dwell on this issue any longer. Let it be, no need to think about these things. Since the clone was killed, it shows that others have discovered the matter of the nascent immortal ariya-ph. People in the Central Continent will be vignt against immortals sneaking into the maind, and being discovered would cause unnecessary trouble. I wont go to the Central Continent for the time being; Ill make my move when the immortal ariya-ph is nearing maturity! If I can obtain the immortal ariya-ph, I will have a significant advantage in the great Who would get the immortal ariya-ph if she didnt die? It was unimaginable at the beginning, that it would be her who could produce the immortal ariya-ph. Its enviable The ck shadows voice faded away, leaving only a pile of dry bones as he departed from the ce. How should we deal with the Undying Sect? Lu Yang raised the question, having achieved the objective of this trip by finding the headquarters of the Undying Sect, capturing Evesting Celestial, and even forcing a clone of the man behind the scenes to self-destruct. Now the only question that remained was how to handle the Undying Sect. Would rashly dealing with the Undying Sect startle the snake, making the man behind the scenes notice something was amiss? Could they use the Undying Sect to lure out the man behind the scenes? Yun Zhi looked at Lu Yang, surprised at his question. Of course, we should report it. Ah? With so many people, our Dao Seeking Sect wouldnt be able to handle the interrogation alone; better to let The Great Xia Dynasty take care of it. Lu Yang almost blurted out, Does our Dao Seeking Sect even have such formal methods? In Lu Yangs mind, wasnt the Dao Seeking Sect known for torture, intimidation, infiltrating demonic sects, and winning first ce in demonicpetitions? Oh right, half of that was what I did. When are we reporting this? Lu Yang was eager, finding the thrill of dismantling a major hub exhrating. Yun Zhi thought for a moment: Four days ago? What? Yun Zhi exined, Just after we entered the headquarters four days ago, I left my body spiritually and went to report to The Great Xia Dynasty. The reason we didnt act immediately was that we were waiting for all the Foundation Building and Qi Training people to arrive so we could round them up all at once. Of course, capturing Evesting Celestial was an unexpected bonus, which I hadnt anticipated. Evesting Celestial felt like he was just wasting time; he didnt need to do anything like soul snatching. As long as he didnte forward, even if the whole Undying Sect was destroyed, The Great Xia Dynasty couldnt find him. Yun Zhi turned her attention to Evesting Celestial: As for you Evesting Celestial quickly said, My attempt at possession failed, which could be considered akin to attempted murder, not warranting the death penalty! Ive always abided by thew, never done anything illegal, look, even the statue is looking at the criminalw. Lu Yang looked and indeed, the statue of Evesting Celestial was holding a criminalw book. The sect leader was quick to act, having already changed the statue of Evesting Celestial to hold the criminalw book, aiming to encourage the followers to study thew. Moreover, my soul was onlyplete from the moment I received my name, and its only been five days since then. I am only five days old, still a baby. ording to The Great Xia criminalw, I am of an age without criminal responsibility and do not bear criminal liability or undergo penal punishment. Im still a baby! Please, show mercy, raise your noble hand, and spare me! Lu Yang stared at Evesting Celestials aged face that seemed almost ready for the grave, thinking his name really wasnt given wrongly. Could you really say such shameless things? (TL Note: As previously mentioned, his name in chinese Bu Yao Lian sounds like shameless) (End of the chapter) Chapter 201: Drills Do Have Their Uses Evesting Celestial was grateful that he possessed the memories of all his followers, especially those of a group of followers who were experts in criminalw, represented by the sect leader. This was a huge help! His case was exceptional. In the cultivation world, children generally mature quickly, and The Great Xia Dynastys criminalw sets a very low age for criminal responsibility. However, no matter how low, it does not stipte that a five-day-old infant canmit crimes. He was truly only born five days ago, albeit with powerful abilities and knowledge of many things right from birth. Currently, The Great Xia Dynastys criminalw does not specify how to deal with someone like him. Usually, in the absence of specific legal statutes, the principles of criminalw are considered, and based on the principle of protecting minors, he does not qualify tomit a crime. Moreover, even if a crime weremitted, his failed possession attempt would not warrant a death sentence. These righteous sects definitely abide by thew and are not like the demonic sects that resort to killing and erasing traces at will. Evesting Fairy frowned; she felt that Evesting Celestial made some sense, but upon reflection, something seemed off, though she couldnt pinpoint exactly what. Evesting Fairy knew very little about contemporaryw.Lu Yang pondered and muttered, You make some sense, but as long as we kill you here without anyone knowing, it seems like the criminalw wouldnt reach us, right? What The Great Xia Dynasty doesnt know, it cant manage. Oh, so we can do that? Lu Yang, youre clever! Evesting Fairy praised Lu Yang, truly worthy of being the chosen sect leader, always so sharp. Evesting Celestial: !!! Is that something a righteous path should say? After learning that Lu Yang was from the Dao Seeking Sect, Evesting Celestial thought that all his actions in the Foundation Buildingpetition were deliberately staged. Now he realized, this was simply his true nature! Yun Zhi had different ideas about how to handle Evesting Celestial: The Five Great Immortal Sects all have enforcement authority, theoretically, you could be handed over to our Dao Seeking Sect for processing. You know all your followers memories, which could be helpful to the Dao Seeking Sect. As long as you confess honestly, we can imprison you in the Dao Seeking Sect. Hearing that he wouldnt have to die, Evesting Celestial was overjoyedthis is what being on the righteous path means! As for imprisonment, that was a minor issue. But if any of the information you provide is false, we will just extract your soul. Evesting Celestial quickly promised that he would definitely be loyal to the Dao Seeking Sect, answer all questions, and reform himself. He even swore to the real immortalYellow Bean. Senior, please return the nascent form of the immortal ariya-ph to him. Evesting Fairy understood Yun Zhis intention and gently nodded, inserting the nascent form of the immortal ariya-ph back into Evesting Celestials soul. Feeling the nascent form of the immortal ariya-ph restored, Evesting Celestial sensed his powers gradually returning, and the pain from being beaten earlier was also alleviated. Even the ariya-ph was returned to him; there are indeed many good people in the world. Yun Zhi added, Senior, as the controller of the immortal lineage, you can control those who possess the nascent form of the immortal ariya-ph. With you here, we can control Evesting Celestial. Evesting Celestial: Is the status of the nascent form of the ariya-ph really that low? This was knowledge unknown to both Lu Yang and Evesting Celestial. When Lu Yang left the secret chamber, The Great Xia Dynasty had already begun to act. After receiving intelligence from Eldest Senior Sister, The Great Xia Dynasty treated the information with high importance, sending it directly to Emperor Xia, who was moved upon reading the contents. Dao Seeking Sect had found a demonic cult headquarters, and the cult waspletely unaware of it! This was a rare opportunity! The four major demonic cults caused endless harm, and there was a chance topletely eradicate one. Emperor Xia couldnt let this opportunity slip by. He immediately ordered the mobilization of troops, in coordination with Dao Seeking Sect, to ensure that not a single member of the Undying Sect escaped. The Great Xia Dynasty sealed all exits, and several Unity Stage powerhouses led the operation, ordering their subordinates to arrest everyone. In this existential crisis, the Undying Sect demonstrated high disciplinethey proactivelyid down their weapons and surrendered themselves. We surrender! All efforts paid off, even those that seemed useless like surrender drills, yed a crucial role at this moment. The Great Xia Dynasty wouldnt have dared to arrest them without being fully prepared. Those dozens of Unity Stage powerhouses were just the visible forces; surely, there were Tribtion Crossing Stage powerhouses hidden in the background. With such forces arrayed against them, not a single member of the Undying Sect could escape. Rather than resist, it was better to surrender peacefully, and with some luck, they might even spare their lives. Lu Yang, how dare you betray the Undying Sect! The sect leader, upon seeing Lu Yang, wished he could tear him apart. Unfortunately, he was now sealed, his magical powers solidified, and he had lost all his cultivation, unable to move. He still did not realize that Lu Yang was actually an undercover agent sent by the Dao Seeking Sect. Leader, this is where you are wrong, insubordination is a tradition of our demonic cult! Lu Yang exined to the leader, thinking that the leader had not fully understood the essence of the demonic path. How could someone like that lead the Undying Sect? The two Unity Stage cultivators escorting the leader twitched at the corners of their eyes; Lu Yang indeed fitted seamlessly into the demonic cult, not a bit out of ce. Suddenly, the space twisted, and a figure stepped through a portal, approaching Lu Yang. The figure was tall and handsome, a youthful man who bowed to Lu Yang: My name is Ming Song, please, I would like to see Yun Zhi. Yun Zhi emerged from Lu Yangs mental world and returned the bow: Lord Ming. Ming Song quickly responded, Please, I dare not be called lord in front of Daoist Yun Zhi. Ming Song was a Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator affiliated with The Great Xia Dynasty, responsible for this operation. Despite his youthful appearance, Ming Song was older than Daoist Non-Speaker. As a Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator, he knew much more than ordinary people, including the strength of Yun Zhi. Ming Song knew that even if The Great Xia Dynasty hadnt intervened, Yun Zhi alone could have single-handedly wiped out the entire Undying Sect. Whether it was in terms of strength or the credit for this operation, Ming Song did not dare to be arrogant in front of Yun Zhi. Just as Ming Song was about to say something, a subordinate approached with a report. Sir, weve captured two members of the Undying Sect. They are only at the Foundation Building stage but have already reached the position of helmsmen, likely being carefully cultivated seeds of the demonic path by the Undying Sects higher-ups. However, both insist they are righteous cultivators sent as undercover agents, not true members of the Undying Sect. We have also received intelligence that the Undying Sect recently held a Foundation Buildingpetition, where these two ced second and third, respectively. Such achievements make it hard to believe they are truly from the righteous path. Lu Yang: How am I not a righteous person! Ming Song rubbed his temples in frustration and sighed, Is one of these two called Meng Jingzhou? Hes the young master of the Meng family; I even attended his one-month celebration. Both are undercover agents from the Dao Seeking Sect. Meng Jingzhou, being both a member of the Meng family and the Dao Seeking Sect, naturally thrives in the Undying Sect. Let them go. Yes. (End of the chapter) Chapter 202: Joined the Sect for 2 Months and the Undying Sect is Destroyed When the sect leader saw Yun Zhi emerge from Lu Yang, his heart chilled significantly. Initially, he thought perhaps Evesting Celestial had sessfully possessed Lu Yang, and that recent behaviors were all an act. Now, it seemed Evesting Celestial was also doomed. So it turns out that you, along with Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone, are all from the Dao Seeking Sect! The sect leader was a clever man, and he quickly understood the whole situation. It wasnt that he had sent Lu Yang and the other two to infiltrate the Dao Seeking Sect, but rather that the Dao Seeking Sect had sent them to infiltrate the Undying Sect! Despicable Dao Seeking Sect! He stared intently at Lu Yang. To think that as a righteous sect, they could masquerade so convincingly as demonic cultists, without a single w in their demeanor. How cunning! Ming Song waved his hand, ordering that the sect leader be taken away. This operation was sessful thanks to the intelligence provided by Daoist Yun Zhi. Otherwise, who knows when the Undying Sect would have been caught. I will suggest to His Majesty upon my return that we reward Daoist Yun Zhi. A small effort; the real hard work was yours. I didnt contribute much, so please, lets not talk of rewards, Yun Zhi said, her tone light. She then added, You dont need to report to Emperor Xia; I will be visiting him shortly myself.Seeing Yun Zhis firm attitude, Ming Song did not insist further. He bowed to everyone and said, Now that the headquarters are captured, we need to act quickly to locate all the branches and try topletely eradicate the Undying Sect. Time is of the essence; if the branches get wind of this, it could spell trouble. I must take my leave first! Ming Song hurried off to continue dealing with the Undying Sect, while Yun Zhi didnt say much more. She then pulled Evesting Celestial aside, making him quite nervous, thinking Yun Zhi might have second thoughts. You are an important witness;e with me to see Emperor Xia and the leaders of the other four great immortal sects. Exining the situation of the Undying Sect would be easiest by bringing Evesting Celestial along. Evesting Celestial breathed a sigh of relief; as long as he wasnt being refined, all was well. He had heard from Lu Yang in the mental space that the Dao Seeking Sect had a tradition of refining powerful souls into Spiritual Treasures. This sounded less and less like the actions of a righteous path. Evesting Celestial doubted the reliability of his followers memories. Werent the Five Great Immortal Sects supposed to advance together, defending the righteous path? You, Meng Jingzhou, and Barbarian Bone go back first; Dai Bufan is waiting for you outside, Yun Zhi left these words and carried Evesting Celestial away as if he were a little chick. Lu Yang met up with Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone. Meng Jingzhou said cheerfully, We finally settled the Undying Sect, another great achievement! Barbarian Bone hesitantly added, Did we move too quickly? Weve only been in the Undying Sect for less than two months, and its already been taken down. The Undying Sect had existed for fourteen thousand years, a major scourge. How could it be that as soon as Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou joined, the sect was wiped out? Even if they were defending the righteous path, this efficiency seemed too high. Lu Yang seriously said, Barbarian Bone, you need to understand something. Did we destroy the Undying Sect? No, of course not! Everything today is the retribution for the evil deeds of the Undying Sect; we merely made an insignificant contribution. Meng Jingzhou nodded vigorously; Undying Sect invited them in without knowing who they really were, so how was it their fault? Barbarian Bone had an epiphany: Ive learned something today. The three of them left headquartersughing, and indeed, Dai Bufan was waiting for them. Are you out? You three did well! Dai Bufan said cheerfully, patting each of them on the shoulder, clearly very pleased. One less demonic cult meant one less major concern for him, allowing him some relief. Dai Bufan casually plucked a leaf from a tree, and with some technique, the leaf grew asrge as a small boat. Come aboard. Using the green leaf as a flying vessel, Dai Bufan transported the three back to the Dao Seeking Sect. Lu Yang shivered as he looked down, feeling like he could fall at any moment. Dai Bufan saw this andughed heartily: Lu Yang, youre afraid of heights? How will you ever be a sword cultivator? Back at the mission hall, Dai Bufan and the three calcted the rewards for this mission. Eldest Senior Sister told me before she left that although the maximum reward for a Foundation Building mission is one thousand contribution points, due to your significant roles in eradicating the Undying Sect, each of you will receive an exceptional reward. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone, you two get two thousand contribution points each. Lu Yang, since you contributed the most in the Undying Sectpetition, you get two thousand five hundred contribution points. With the contribution points they still had left fromst time, and now receiving so many more, the three were very pleased. Among those at the Foundation Building stage, they had the most contribution points! Dai Brother, do you think this sword can be exchanged for contribution points? Lu Yang pulled out a demonic sword, asking Dai Bufan to appraise it. Dai Bufan examined the demonic sword, flicked it lightly, and listened to the vibration of the sword: This is indeed a rare good sword, arent you keeping it for yourself? Oh right, you have the Qingfeng Sword given to you by Eldest Senior Sister, you dont need this demonic sword. The material of this sword is good, but the forging method is poor, and the excessive killing has imbued it with karmic forces and corrupted blood, damaging the original properties of the material. Ill give you seventeen hundred contribution points for it. After settling their respective contribution points, everything was thoroughly concluded. The three yawned continuously, exhausted from the effort and stress of the operation, both physically and mentally. Lets go back and sleep, we can talk about exchanging the rewards tomorrow. Meng Jingzhou yawned so much he could barely keep his eyes open. Barbarian Bone was so tired he almost copsed right there and then. Lu Yang wasnt much better off; the battle had taken ce in the mental space, which had drained him the most. However, hisck of focus was due to another reason. Why dont I have any contribution points! It must be that girl Yun Zhi afraid of letting me be the sect leader again! Evesting Fairy was making a racket in the mental space. Fairy, can you keep quiet for a bit, I need to sleep. Back in his cave, Lu Yang mumbled sleepily. Evesting Fairy quieted down and stayed still in the mental space, ceasing herints and chatter. After the three left, Dai Bufan looked over the demonic sword, unsure of how to deal with it. Forget it, Ill just store it in the warehouse for now, and ask the Five Elderster. Dai Bufan casually carried the demonic sword and ced it in a corner of the warehouse. The warehouse was pitch dark, with only the faint silhouettes of various Spiritual Treasures visible. The demonic sword emitted a sinister aura, starkly conspicuous. No matter where it was, the demonic sword was domineering, its dark red glow proiming it the boss of the warehouse, ready to sever anything that defied it. A treasuremp floated in the air, emitting the aura of a superior Spiritual Treasure, enveloping the demonic sword. A jade ruyi lit up with a blue light, covering the demonic sword. (TL Note: A ruyi (Chinese: ; lit. as desired, as [you] wish) is a Chinese curved decorative object that serves as either a ceremonial scepter in Chinese Buddhism or a talisman symbolizing power and good fortune in Chinese folklore. The ruyi image frequently appears as a motif in Asian art.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruyi_(scepter) ) A paper fan opened with a swish, gently fanning the air. Scythes, brushes, gourds, chess boards all sorts of Spiritual Treasures seemed toe to life, gathering around the demonic sword. The demonic sword trembled and took the initiative to withdraw its ominous aura. Making it look harmless to humans and animals. What kind of ce is this? Its so scary. (End of the chapter) Chapter 203: The Paradox of Late Foundation Building Stage After a nights rest, Lu Yang stepped out of his cave dwelling, stretching with a long yawn, his face radiant and rejuvenated, brimming with energy. Feels likeing back to life! Lu Yang moved his body, feeling strength coursing through him. A good nights rest indeed had its benefits. Lu Yang reflected on the destruction of the Undying Sect, which felt as if it had just happened yesterday, still fresh in his memory. He noticed that Evesting Fairy was sound asleep in the mental space. When asleep, Evesting Fairy was the epitome of serene elegance, her beauty unmatched, her bodys curves aligning perfectly with themon perception of a fairy. Evesting Fairy, when silent, could indeed deceive those who didnt know her well. Such rare tranquility. Do spiritual bodies also need sleep? Lu Yang remembered Evesting Fairys use of the Dream Pillow and concluded that her reason for sleeping must be hobby-based.Basking in the hazy morning sunlight, the spiritual energy inside him elerated uncontrobly, as if a new power was surging within. Im nearing thete stage of Foundation Building. Lu Yang muttered to himself, sitting cross-legged right there, channeling the Enlightenment of Heart and Nature technique. His spiritual energy followed the prescribed paths of the technique, increasing in speed, continually refining every part of Lu Yangs body. Lu Yang tried to use this opportunity to strengthen his hair but to no avail. I wonder how Meng Jingzhou trains his hair. He recalled how Meng Jingzhou fought against someone from the Five Elements Sect, using his hair to strike, with outstanding effectiveness. Clearing his mind, he immersed himself, blending with nature, continually drawing in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, exhaling it back into the environment. During this process, his cultivation level kept increasing. What are you doing? Cultivating? Evesting Fairy woke up, rubbing her eyes groggily. She sensed Lu Yangs increasing cultivation but felt something was off. No, Im advancing. Lu Yang exined seriously. Im now halfway to thete stage of Foundation Building. Oh, so youre about to reach thete stage? Soon, but Ive thought of a problem. What is it? If I now take half a step of the half-step, wouldnt I be even closer to thete stage? Yes. And if I take half a step of the half-step of that half-step, wouldnt I be even closer than before? Right. If I keep taking half-steps based on the previous ones, wouldnt I keep getting closer to thete stage of Foundation Building? Evesting Fairy nodded vaguely. I keep breaking through, but I never seem to reach thete stage of Foundation Building. Does this mean that thete stage of Foundation Building is just an elusive state that actually no one has ever reached? Evesting Fairy furrowed her brows, thought for a moment, and decided she was probably still not fully awake. She went back to sleep. Evesting Fairys head tilted to one side, and she went back to sleep. After Evesting Fairy had fallen asleep, Lu Yang continued to ponder this philosophical question. What is the answer to this problem? Is my continual breakthrough meaningless? Does thete stage of Foundation Building not actually exist? A hidden puppet could no longer bear to watch, sneaking up behind Lu Yang and giving him a kick. Lu Yang, rxed by the kick, sessfully took another half-step. Late Foundation Building Stage! Who kicked me! Lu Yang whirled around, but the puppet had already fled. Even though the puppet had run off, Lu Yang could guess it was the puppets doing. Apart from Lu Yang, only the puppet could move at Heavens Gate Peak. Forget it, I wont stoop to its level. Lets go to the mission hall to exchange for rewards! Lu Yang felt even if he found the puppet, he wouldnt be able to beat it; there was no need to start his post-breakthrough experience with a beating. Unlucky. Lu Yang waited outside the mission hall for a while before Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone finally arrived. The two were also very tired, having slept continuously from the previous night until just now. Meng Jingzhou, as usual, went to the mission hall to buy high-quality fodder, mixed it in the right proportion, and went back to feed the old horse. Ice-making talismans are so cheap, give me twenty! Lu Yang looked at Meng Jingzhou in surprise: What do you need so many low-grade ice-making talismans for? These ice-making talismans were only effective against mid tote-stage Qi cultivation practitioners and were considered filler items on the list. Heh, you dont understand, do you? Its summer now, and do you know whats most important in summer? Staying cool! Barbarian Bone was puzzled: But isnt there a heat-dissipating formation in the cave, isnt that enough? Meng Jingzhou held up his index finger and wiggled it: Come, let me show you. Meng Jingzhou pulled a wooden bucket from his identity jade token, filled it with cold water, and jumped in with a ssh, leaving only his head visible. He then activated an ice-making talisman, and the entire bucket of water instantly turned into a block of ice, with him frozen inside. Cool! Meng Jingzhou shouted, frozen into an ice lump, only his head free from the ice. This kind of sensation was exhrating. This was something only cultivators could endure; ordinary people would have suffered from the cold long ago. Lu Yangs eyes lit up, and he pulled Meng Jingzhou, along with the ice block, out of the bucket, and rolled it around the mission hall. This form of art was rarely seen even in the advanced Dao Seeking Sect, attracting the attention of many fellow Senior Sisters and Brothers. Lu Yang, you bastard! Meng Jingzhou cursed as he felt disoriented, unable to tell up from down. As Lu Yang rolled the ice block around, he exined: You see, you dont understand. The biggest problem for us during our fusion is getting too dizzy from spinning too much! We can use this method to train, getting used to spinning in advance. Barbarian Bone nodded in agreement, thinking how clever Lu Yang was; he didnt think Lu Yang was just tormenting Meng. Meng Jingzhou had a different opinion: Talking theory is easy, Lu Yang, if youre so capable, why dont we switch ces and I push you around! You were frozen first, you train first! Lu Yang was not falling for that. Childish provocation. Eventually, it was the brother on duty at the mission hall, wearing a sour expression, who stopped Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Only then did the two behave and went back to exchange their rewards. Ill take a Ten Bulls Strength Pill. Lu Yang saw a Golden Core stage version of the Ten Bulls Strength Pill on the list for fifteen hundred contribution points and bought it without a second thought. The price was definitely a bargain. Hmm? A Golden Core Realm Experience Voucher, whats this? Meng Jingzhou noticed something very odd; the description was also quite vague. Meng Jingzhou pondered: Could it be a way for Foundation Building cultivators to temporarily enter the Golden Core stage and experience what its like? He had heard that some powerful cultivators liked to let their disciples feel higher realms in advance, which is beneficial for theirter cultivation. Buy one and try it, theres no loss. Lu Yang encouraged Meng Jingzhou to buy one. Meng Jingzhou thought it made sense, it wasnt expensive, so he bought one. He ran to the front desk, found the brother on duty. Brother, I would like to use this voucher. After confirming its authenticity, the brother nodded: You can use it right now. Meng Jingzhou curiously asked: Brother, what does this voucher do? As the brother contacted someone, he casually said: It lets you experience thebat power of a Golden Core stage cultivator. Meng Jingzhou felt uneasy, just as he was about to say something, someone patted his shoulder. Meng Jingzhou turned around to see a bald brother at the Golden Core stage, kind-faced, who showed a row of neat teeth and smiled. Young brother, I hear you want to experience the power of a Golden Core stage cultivator? Come, lets go to the outdoor arena and have a spar. Meng Jingzhou: Lu Yang, you tricked me! (End of the chapter) Chapter 204: Defending the Righteous Path After Meng Jingzhou was dragged away struggling, his screams soon followed. Lu Yang and Barbarian Bone were focused on selecting their rewards. Barbarian Bone, what are you going to buy? I think Ill buy a calligraphy practice book. Master says my handwriting is not good and needs more practice. Barbarian Bone was attracted by a calligraphy practice book listed on the exchange menu. Thunderbolt Calligraphy Book, what a powerful name, Ill buy it. Lu Yang wanted to suggest that Barbarian Bone think it over, but before he could speak, Barbarian Bone had already made the purchase. The cover of the Thunderbolt Calligraphy Book featured a huge bolt of lightning, and the first page contained the usage instructions. Lets see the rules Use a brush to write on this book, and if you go beyond the margin area, the book will emit a thunderous force, please use with caution. Note: Do not soak this book in water, as there is a risk of electrical leakage.Barbarian Bone: Is writing now this dangerous? Barbarian Bone didnt buy anything else; instead, he nned to use the remaining contribution points at the Refining Peak to strengthen his iron hammer. Merely reciting Sages Words during battle didnt fully reflect his identity as a Confucian cultivator. Barbarian Bone wanted to engrave Sages Words on his hammer and add two spikes to ensure a dent with every strike. Perfect. Imperial Pce. The chief eunuch, who had served Emperor Xia for over forty years, thought he knew the ruler of The Great Xia Dynasty well, but the following scenepletely shattered his understanding. Emperor Xia, seated on his throne, saw Yun Zhi approaching slowly and stood up to greet her with a smile. Daoist Yun Zhi has arrived, please have a seat. The emperor actually moved a chair for Yun Zhi himself and then sat down next to her, not returning to his throne. Someone bring the newly tribute fruits from the south for Daoist Yun Zhi to try. Soon, a young eunuch brought a fruit tter containing various fruits, some resembling lychees, others like bananas Yun Zhi picked a fruit that looked like a lychee; its flesh was golden, containing astonishing natural treasures. Just eating one could elevate a cultivator from thete Qi-training stage to the middle Foundation Building stage. The taste is quite good, Yun Zhi politelymented, which delighted the emperor. Quick, bring a whole box for Daoist Yun Zhi to take with her! Even the chief eunuch, who was usually unppable, showed a slight change in expression at this scene. He had never seen the emperor treat someone with such eager attentiveness. Yun Zhi stopped the emperors gesture: Your Majesty, theres no need for such formalities. If you have any requests, just say so. The emperor had everyone, including the chief eunuch, withdraw. The emperor rubbed his hands together, somewhat excitedly: I hear that Daoist Yun Zhis cultivation might be much higher than our ancestral patriarchs? Yun Zhi slowly shook her head: Its just a slight difference, please dont exaggerate, Your Majesty. Actually, our ancestortely feels he is unbeatable, which isnt good for his cultivation. Ive been thinking it might be beneficial to find someone who could give him a challenge. Ive thought it over, and you, Daoist Yun Zhi, seem the most suitable. Yun Zhi: Your Majesty, do you have some grievance with your ancestor? Yun Zhis impression of Emperor Xias ancestor was not of someone like that. Ha, Daoist Yun Zhi, you really can joke. Hes been spanking me since I was little, how could there be any grievance? Yun Zhi: Alright, alright, that was just a little joke I made, Daoist Yun Zhi, dont take it seriously, the emperor said, his smile fading. Yun Zhi thought it best not toment that the emperor didnt seem to be joking just now, as it might damage their rtionship. Such simple interpersonal tact was something Yun Zhi understood. Daoist Yun Zhi has convened The Great Xia Dynasty and the four great immortal sects here, presumably due to some major discovery in the process of eradicating the Undying Sect? Yes, Yun Zhi nodded but said nothing further. Emperor Xia, thinking she might have concerns, said, Do you worry that information might leak here? You neednt worry; this ce is protected by an immortal-grade formation set up by our ancestor. Even immortals could not eavesdrop secretly. Or do you think the secrets of heaven should not be revealed in words and need to be indicated through actions? The emperor pondered what Yun Zhis behavior might imply. Was she suggesting that enemies are everywhere? That silence is the best way to deal with enemies? Or that Daoist Non-Speaker is key to solving the puzzle? Yun Zhi hesitated for a moment before speaking, I just dont want to repeat myself to Your Majesty and then again to the leaders of the four great immortal sects. Emperor Xia: The leaders of the four great immortal sects soon arrived at the pce, including Qiu Jinan, the leader of the Five Elements Sect, whom they had just parted with not long ago. Qiu Jinan was surprised by the speed of the Dao Seeking Sects actions. In less than five days, they had dismantled the Undying Sect, even sealing off the breeding farms run by its leader. Daoist Yun Zhi, we meet again, Qiu Jinan greeted her with a bow. The Dao Seeking Sect has done a splendid job. One of the four major demonic sects is gone. I wonder how the remaining three will react when they hear this news. They must be scared enough to run! The leader of the Prison-Suppressing Sectughed heartily, thrilled by the news. He decided to give his sect a five-day holiday to celebrate. Well done, the abbot of the Hanging Temple said sparingly, his joy apparent despite his concise words. Moon Laurel Immortal Pces pce lord, Luo Hongxia, didnt dare speak to Yun Zhi, worried she might remember the marriage arrangement and push for Lu Yang and Lan Tings wedding. This operation had refreshed the four great immortal sects view of the Dao Seeking Sect. The previous perception was The four great immortal sects defend the righteous path, the Dao Seeking Sect shakes it. Now, the opinion had shifted to The Five Great Immortal Sects defend the righteous path. Yun Zhi was unaware of their thoughts and stated her purpose directly. Ive called you all here to share some intelligence obtained from the Undying Sect, information not even known to the leader of the Undying Sect. Let me start with the conclusion. The existence of the four major demonic sects may have overturned our previous understanding. We used to simply think these sects were just gatherings of demonic cultivators, not as threatening as the imminent great cmity. Now, Ive revised my opinion. I believe the four major demonic sects are backed by ancient immortals, and their purpose is to gather the nascent forms of ariya-ph. The ancient immortals will harvest these nascent forms at the opportune moment, converting them into their own power. This statement startled everyone present. With their extraordinary backgrounds, they knew many secrets rted to immortals, including matters concerning ariya-ph and its nascent forms. Emperor Xia asked seriously, Is there evidence? The existence of the four demonic sects to gather nascent ariya-ph forms, ancient immortals harvesting these forms. This implies that an immortal might possess two ariya-ph! This was a terrifying prospect! Of course, I have brought a witness. Yun Zhi snapped her fingers, and an ancient immortal appeared from another space. This is the deity of the Undying Sect, Evesting Celestial. Hello respected seniors, you can all just call me Little face. (TL Note: His original name is Bu Wants Face so hes asking people to address him as little face to show his respect for them) (End of the chapter) Chapter 205: The Three Great Demonic Sects As soon as Evesting Celestial appeared, he immediately attracted everyones attention. Little face? Although Evesting Celestial was only five days old, his face looked old, as if he only had five days left to live, which hardly connected with the nickname little face. Are immortals always this modest? Qiu Jinan observed Evesting Celestials restrained and ingratiating demeanor, finding it a bit odd. Qiu Jinan looked towards Yun Zhi, attributing this behavior to Yun Zhi having scared him into submission. Looking at his level, he doesnt seem to be an immortal? Among those present, apart from Yun Zhi, the abbot of the Hanging Temple had the highest cultivation level. The abbot of the Hanging Temple used his divine vision to thoroughly examine Evesting Celestial and discovered that his cultivation level was not yet that of an immortal, at most simr to his own, or even less. Emperor Xia hesitated as he looked at Evesting Celestial, feeling something familiar about him. Is this the power of incense and faith?The foundation of The Great Xia Dynasty was simr to that of incense and faith, but it was a concept based on this, which in the emperors words, was called the will of the people. Thus, Emperor Xia had the clearest understanding of what constituted Evesting Celestial, more so than the other sect leaders who could only guess at the implications. Could he be a new soul born from the thoughts of the Undying Sects followers? Yun Zhi nodded, Yes, and its not just him; his ariya-ph nascent form was also born this way. He has an ariya-ph nascent form?! This revtion shocked everyone. In Evesting Fairys view, the ariya-ph nascent form was something ambiguous and inferior, unworthy of being presented publicly. That was because she herself was an immortal, and also the possessor of an undying ariya-ph. The concept of ariya-ph was almost equivalent to that of an immortal, a supreme treasure. As an iplete form of ariya-ph, the ariya-ph nascent form was incredibly precious, ranking just below the supreme treasures. In ancient times, it could ignite wars capable of destroying stars. The golden ariya-ph nascent form was disyed before everyone, with the highest rules of undying continuously flickering and bursting within the ariya-ph. The supreme rules of undying were too profound, and if ones resolve was not strong enough or their cultivation insufficient, even a nce could affect their mind and subsequently their future path. This was precisely why Evesting Fairy did not allow Lu Yang to view the ariya-ph nascent form. All those present were at least at the invincible stage of Unity Stage, each having their own path, unlikely to be lost to the supreme rules of undying. This is the nascent form of the undying ariya-ph. Undying ariya-ph? The people were unaware of Evesting Fairys existence. From an outsiders perspective, the existence of Evesting Fairy belonged to the ultimate mysteries of ancient times, a taboo hidden in the dust of history, unknowable and untraceable. Revealing the existence of Evesting Fairy could lead to earth-shattering events. However, both Lu Yang and Evesting Fairy were oblivious to this. Yun Zhi did not intend to disclose anything about Evesting Fairy. Although those present were trustworthy and there was no concern about eavesdropping here, if the ancient immortals decided to investigate and resorted to extreme measures like using soul-searching on those present, the secret of Evesting Fairy could no longer be kept. Yun Zhi was uncertain how the ancient immortals would react upon discovering Evesting Fairys resurrection. She exined gently, Based on my estimation, the undying ariya-ph, as the name literally suggests, can confer immortality. Whats the difference between immortality and the eternal life of immortals? Emperor Xia asked. As far as he knew, once one became an immortal, they transcended the limitations of lifespan and would not die of old age, achieving true eternal life. During thest meeting of the Five Great Immortal Sects, Yun Zhi introduced the method to revive Evesting Celestial, and the sects understood the concept of immortality. However, Emperor Xia was not invited to that meeting. Immortals live eternally, but they can still die in battle or be killed and cannot be revived. An immortal possessing an undying ariya-ph, however, can be revived on the spot if someone calls out their title and true name, being truly undying and immortal, Yun Zhi said. In other words, as long as someone knows of this immortals existence, the immortal will not die. If someone identally calls out the title and true name, the immortal can also be revived. Emperor Xias pupils constricted, realising the powerful and unreasonable nature of an ariya-ph that could change the rules of the world. This nascent form of the undying ariya-ph was also created through the faith of followers, though its not as potent as a mature ariya-ph. Given enough time, it could also mature. Prison-Suppressing Sects leader frowned deeply: Does that mean the other three demonic sects, Sr Sect, Nine Nether Sect, and Heartless Sect, might also produce simr ariya-ph nascent forms? The Sr Sect worships the sun as the supreme entity, the beginning and end of all things, containing the power to create and destroy everything, even the ubiquitous spiritual energy of the world is believed to emanate from the sun. The Nine Nether Sect believes that upon death, souls travel to a ce called the Nine Nethers, where they are cleansed of sin before reincarnating back into the world. The Heartless Sect is unique; although its members are human, the mainstream cultivation world refers to them as demons, not considering them part of humanity. Heartless Sect believes that emotions are chains imposed by the heavens to limit beings potential. They advocate for beings to free themselves from these chains to fully unleash their potential. Members of Heartless Sect, having freed themselves from these chains, are ruthless in achieving their goals. ording to a captured Heartless Sect follower, once he freed himself from emotional chains, he felt lighter, and the entire world seemed more expansive. Rtives, friends, lovers these no longer became factors limiting his cultivation but instead could be used as resources for his practice. The existence of ariya-ph nascent forms in the remaining three demonic sects is just my spection, it may not necessarily be true. Yun Zhi could not guarantee her spection was urate. For instance, her previous discussion with Daoist Dao Yan of Heavens Mysteries Sect about the purpose of the Undying Sects existence was closer to the truth than her own guesses. Regardless, the Undying Sect has been eradicated, thankfully revealing the issue in time, giving us new insights into the other three demonic sects, Emperor Xia concluded. He then proposed a series of strategies to strengthen actions against the demonic sects, which had the leaders of the Five Great Immortal Sects nodding in agreement. Emperor Xia excelled in this area. Before the meeting concluded, Yun Zhi made another request. Your Majesty, after the interrogation of the leader and deputy leader of the Undying Sect isplete and all intelligence gathered, could you hand these two over to the Dao Seeking Sect for handling? Emperor Xia was momentarily stunned, then nodded. Strictly speaking, the entire Undying Sect was Yun Zhis trophy; she just hadnt imed it, giving it to The Great Xia Dynasty instead. Naturally, she could im it if she wished. Ill ask one more thing, what do you need these two for, Daoist Yun Zhi? Our sectcks a ughterhouse. Huh? (End of the chapter) Chapter 206: Draw a Prison From The Ground After bidding farewell to the leaders of the Five Great Immortal Sects, Emperor Xia heard the call of the Ancestor, instructing him to go to the forbidden area as there was an important matter to discuss. Ancestor, what is it? Emperor Xia arrived at the forbidden area and respectfully saluted the Ancestor. After waiting for a long time, Emperor Xia did not receive a response from the Ancestor, so he cautiously lifted his head. When he looked up, he saw the Ancestors face with a fake smile, causing him to instinctively take a few steps back. I heard you just encouraged Yun Zhi to teach me a lesson? Emperor Xia was shocked. The pce was shrouded in an immortal formation, and only he and Yun Zhi were present. How did the Ancestor know?! Nonsense, I set up the immortal formation myself. I can listen to whatever I want! You brat, I must not have beaten you enough when you were young! The Ancestor extended hisrge hand and dragged Emperor Xia into the forbidden area. An-Ancestor, please go easy on me. You watched me grow up. If you hit me, itll hurt your heart as well!Dont worry, my heart is as hard as iron! Soon, miserable screams echoed from the forbidden area. No wonder there were rumors in the pce that an undying ominous creature was suppressed in the forbidden area, often emitting miserable cries as it was worn down by the formation. Of course, some eunuchs and maids spected that the screams might be from Emperor Xia, but such spection was considered highly disrespectful and never spread. Even if it did spread, people would probably think it was just a rumor. Brother Lu, do you want to learn a new technique? Senior Brother Ji Hongwen is going to teach. Lu Yang was practicing swordsmanship in a sleek white outfit when Barbarian Bone came up to him, apanied by Meng Jingzhou. I was also called by Barbarian Bone, Meng Jingzhou exined with a smile. Why not take the opportunity to learn another technique? Why would Senior Brother Ji Hongwen want to teach us a technique? Lu Yang wondered. Ji Hongwen was the chief disciple of the fourth elder. A Confucian cultivator, he was proficient in the art of painting, with a cultivation levelparable to that of Senior Brother Dai Bufan. Oh, heres the thing, Barbarian Bone exined. I think Confucianbat should be more elegant. Fighting with arge iron hammer like I do is not a proper technique for a Confucian cultivator, so I wanted to learn some refined techniques. Lu Yang looked at Barbarian Bone in amazement, finding him extraordinary. Could it be that Barbarian Bone was about to break the curse ced on the barbarian tribe by the Evesting Fairy? How delightful! And my hammer is being upgraded by Li Haoran, so I cant practice hammer techniques for a while. I figured I might as well find something else to do. So, I approached Senior Brother Ji and asked if he could teach me one or two Confucian techniques. He agreed, and I asked if I could bring you and Brother Meng along. He said yes, so here I am, inviting you both. Lu Yang nodded. Very thoughtful of you. Barbarian Bone quickly said, Brother Lu, its nothing. Ive learned a lot from following you and Brother Meng. This is just a small favor, asking Senior Brother Ji to teach you as well while hes teaching me. Meng Jingzhou patted Barbarian Bones shoulder. Thats called going with the flow. Brother Meng is indeed knowledgeable. Meng Jingzhou: The three of them arrived at the bamboo forest, where Senior Brother Ji Hongwen was dozing in a pavilion. As soon as they stepped into the forest, he woke up. Lu Yang shook his head. This sleep quality was far inferior to that of the Evesting Fairy. The Evesting Fairy was still sleeping soundly even now. Here? Senior Brother Ji greeted them with a smile. Hello, Senior Brother Ji! The three of them cupped their hands and said in unison. Senior Brother Ji put on a serious expression. Junior Brother Barbarian Bone asked me to teach him a Confucian technique, which is fine. However, Confucian techniques are always difficult to learn. You three are geniuses, but even if you cant learn it, dont be discouraged. Barbarian Bone had full confidence in Lu Yang. Brother Lus talent for techniques far surpasses mine. He will definitely be able to learn it! Senior Brother Ji shook his head andughed, thinking Barbarian Bones words were overly exaggerated. Except for the Eldest Senior Sister, who can guarantee that they will definitely learn the technique once they start? I am going to teach you a technique called Draw a Prison From The Ground. This technique, as you may have heard, involves drawing a circle on the ground to trap your opponent within it. Combined with swift and fierce attacks, your opponent will have no ce to escape and must endure your onught! The threes eyes lit up. They hadnt expected it to be this technique, which was quite famous. Drawing a simple circle to trap an opponent was a top-tier immortal method, exuding elegance. I will demonstrate it for you. Senior Brother Ji extended a finger, using it as a pen, and lightly drew a circle around Lu Yang and the other two. They found themselves confined by an invisible barrier, unable to leave. Barbarian Bone and Meng Jingzhou tried using brute force to break the barrier but to no avail. Lu Yang attempted to escape underground using Shrinking Earth, but he solidly hit the ground and failed. Haha, this is Draw a Prison From The Ground. Senior Brother Ji casually dispelled the circle. To master Draw a Prison From The Ground, you first need to draw a circle freehand, and then remember the incantation. Senior Brother Ji instructed the three to draw circles, but their circles were wavy and looked like worms forming a circle. Look at what you drew; it looks like an egg, Meng Jingzhou mocked Lu Yang. Lu Yang nced at Meng Jingzhous drawing. Yours is worse; it looks like a tea egg. (TL Note: Tea eggs look just like normal eggs so I dont get what theyre talking about. If anyone understands please message me on discord yikai and ill credit you in the TL note) A tea egg is more valuable than your egg. But its more troublesome to make. Their argument gradually veered away from drawing. Practice more. For cultivators, controlling your body to draw is not difficult, Senior Brother Ji advised, causing Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou to stop their meaningless dispute. As expected, with conscious effort to control their bodies, they soon managed to draw circles freehand. Now Ill teach you the incantation. Listen carefully. You need to remember not just the words, but the tone of each word as well! Force must not be entered, argument must not be confronted The three listened intently, trying to memorize each word and its tone, stumbling several times before they finally remembered everything. Finally, and most importantly, you need to fully understand the incantation and naturally integrate it into your internal energy cirction to sessfully perform the technique! Ji Hongwen warned them that learning Draw a Prison From The Ground required utmost diligence. Barbarian Bone silently recited the incantation, attempting to perform the technique. He circled himself over and over but never seeded. Meng Jingzhou was slightly better, perhaps due to betterprehension. After numerous attempts, he asionally managed to form invisible cages with his circles, but the sess rate was too low to be practical inbat. Dont be impatient. When I learned this technique during the Golden Core stage, it still took me five days to master it. Ji Hongwen, fearing he might discourage them, did not mention he actually learned it in two days. How about Lu Yang? At this moment, Lu Yang closed his eyes, repeatedly reciting the incantation in his mind. He imagined himself as the person who created the technique, pondering the creators intentions. Lu Yang opened his eyes, which shone brightly. I got it! Lu Yang said confidently, exuding the calmness of a master who had practiced martial arts for fifty years, stepping into the ring and effortlessly defeating a formidable foe. Lu Yangs words caught Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bones attention. They stopped practicing to observe Lu Yang. Could Lu Yang seed on his first try? Even Barbarian Bone, who believed in Lu Yangs extraordinary talent, doubted he could seed immediately. At least practice a few more times. Lu Yang, emting Senior Brother Ji, extended his forefinger and drew a wless circle around himself. Draw a Prison From The Ground! Suddenly, Lu Yang noticed the surroundings change. It was dark and silent. Pirs trapped him, and heavy soil was above him. He was in a dungeon. Lu Yang: So, what I learned how to draw was a dungeon? (TL Note: ΪΡ (hu d wi lo) literally trantes to drawing the ground as a prison. This idiom describes a situation where someone confines themselves by setting unnecessary boundaries or limitations, much like drawing a circle around oneself and imagining it as a prison. In Chinese, the word for dungeon is (d lo). Notice that these characters are the second and fourth characters of the idiom Ϊ. Individually, ء means ground and Ρ means prison. Whenbined, they form dungeon. Therefore, instead of merely imagining a prison drawn on the ground, Lu Yang unintentionally created an actual dungeon () around himself.) (End of the chapter) Chapter 207: Senior Brother Ji: "I Know Where the Problem Lies." Just as Lu Yang was deep in thought about how to escape, Evesting Fairy woke up from her slumber. She saw Lu Yang locked in the dungeon and grinned with delight. Lu Yang, have you finally done something bad and been caught as punishment? Lu Yang: Fairy, cant you wish me well for once? Alright then, I wish you a smooth reduction of your sentence. Lu Yang took a deep breath and reluctantly exined, Im practicing a technique; I just had a little mishap. What kind of technique are you practicing? Evesting Fairy was curious about what kind of technique couldnd someone in a dungeon. Draw a Prison From The Ground. Understood. As the two were talking, arge hand suddenly appeared and pulled Lu Yang up from the ground. It was Ji Hongwen.Just now, Senior Brother Ji watched as Lu Yang burrowed into the ground and built a cell for himself with dirt. Senior Brother Ji was baffled. The spells he taught had nothing inmon with what Lu Yang was learning. Oh, except for the name. That made it even more absurd! Meeting Senior Brother Jis helpless gaze, Lu Yang blinked innocently. Senior Brother Ji, can my Draw a Prison From The Ground technique be salvaged? Senior Brother Ji nodded confidently. The sage advocated for teaching without discrimination. As long as the method is correct, there are no students who cant be taught. Im sure I can teach you! Lu Yang rejoiced, feeling that Senior Brother Ji was indeed reliable. Show me your results again. This time, draw a circle around me so I can see where the problem lies. Alright. Recalling his earlier spell-casting state, Lu Yang drew a circle around Senior Brother Ji with his finger. The circle was perfect, adhering to the principles of pi. Then Senior Brother Ji felt a weight descend upon him, locking him in the dungeon. Senior Brother Ji: He blinked, unable to understand what had happened. Being at the Nascent Soul stage, if he wanted to resist, Lu Yang naturally couldnt imprison him, but doing so wouldnt help him understand how Lu Yang had gotten it wrong. Senior Brother Ji often substituted for the Fourth Elder in teaching, making him a half-teacher. As a teacher, he was supposed to teach his students. Before teaching them, he needed to understand them. Senior Brother Ji knocked on the earth pir, finding the dungeon sturdy enough to hold a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivatora viablebat technique. Yet he still couldntprehend how Lu Yang had mislearned it. Senior Brother Ji emerged from the dungeon, Again. Lu Yang once more drew a circle around Senior Brother Ji, trapping him back in the dungeon. Senior Brother Ji popped in and out like a groundhog, repeating the process dozens of times. Just as Lu Yang was about to try again, Senior Brother Ji stopped him. I know where the problem lies. Senior Brother Ji nodded, his gaze profound. Lu Yang was overjoyed, eagerly asking what the problem was. The problem is that I shouldnt have taught you. Huh? Senior Brother Ji sighed inwardly. It wasnt that he didnt uphold the sages principles, but his own vision was limitedhe couldnt figure it out. He even doubted that even a sage could teach Lu Yang. Barbarian Bone, Meng Jingzhou, remember to practice diligently. Yes. After practicing for so long, Meng Jingzhou had gradually grasped the trick to Draw a Prison From The Ground, with a significantly improved sess rate, while Barbarian Bone was still just drawing circles without trapping anyone. After saying this, Senior Brother Ji departed gracefully, leaving the three of them drawing circles. Youre doomed, Senior Brother Ji has given up on you, Meng Jingzhou mocked Lu Yang gleefully. Draw a Dungeon! Enraged and embarrassed, Lu Yang quickly drew a circle around Meng Jingzhou, trapping him in the dungeon. Meng Jingzhou violently broke free, then drew a circle around Lu Yang, trapping him. Draw a Prison From The Ground! Draw a Dungeon! Draw a Prison From The Ground! Draw a Dungeon! Draw a Prison From The Ground! (TL Note: As per my previous TL note, the original technique is called ΪΡ (hu d wi lo). In Chinese, the word for dungeon is (d lo). Which are the second and fourth characters of the idiom Ϊ. Individually, ء means ground and Ρ means prison. Whenbined, they form dungeon. When he uses the technique, he uses Ρ which is Draw a Dungeon instead of ΪΡ which is Draw a Prison From The Ground) Evil creature, youve caused endless ughter and countless wronged souls. Watch as this monk seals you in the dungeon forever! Bald donkey, lets see who seals whom today. I want to see if you can escape the circle drawn by this demon lord! (TL Note: Bald donkey is a derogatory term for buddhist monks) Hey! Take this! Take this! The two practiced their newly learned spell in battle, their proficiency visibly increasing. Only Barbarian Bone, focused and undistracted, kept drawing circles nearby. The two fought until they were exhausted, mutually ceasing hostilities. They sat on the ground, panting heavily. Both parched from shouting spells, they used their remaining magic to conjure water droplets in the air to drink heartily. Senior Brother Barbarian, I finally found you. A figure walked into the bamboo grove, spotting Barbarian Bone. Li Haoran? Lu Yang recognized the neer. So Senior Brothers Lu and Meng are here too, Li Haoran greeted them. Senior Brother Barbarian, Ive finished modifying the hammer you asked for. So fast, quickly, let me see. Excited and eager to see his upgraded weapon, Barbarian Bone urged him. Li Haoran said no more, retrieving arge iron hammer as tall as a person from his identity token. The hammers head resembled a huge red agate, looking extremely heavy, shining brightly in the sunlight. The handle was pure white, matching Barbarian Bones white schrs robe perfectly. Not bad, not bad. Barbarian Bone weighed the hammer, swung it twice, creating a whooshing sound, very satisfied. The important function of ying the The Sages Words during battle was also retained by Li Haoran. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou exchanged odd looks. Junior Brother Li, are you sure this is an iron hammer? Of course, Li Haoran nodded naturally. Meng Jingzhouined, Of course my foot! This is clearly a giant lollipop, and Barbarian Bone just licked the hammerhead! Li Haoran exined his reasoning for the modification: Originally, Senior Brother Barbarian wanted to add impact spikes to both ends of the hammer. Considering that Senior Brother Barbarian is a schr cultivator, I suggested that using an iron hammer to hit people is unrefined and goes against peoples impression of schr cultivators. And since Senior Brother Barbarian likes to fight with a hammer, I thought of apromiseto transform the hammer into a giant lollipop shape, making it more approachable. It can be used as a weapon in battle, and eaten during leisure. Carrying a giant lollipop while walking through the streets can attract childrens interest and increase approachability, achieving multiple benefits! Indeed, for approachability, no weapon beats a giant lollipop. Lu Yang: I cant believe it, but Li Haorans reasoning makes some sense. Have I been influenced by the Evesting Fairy? Barbarian Bone added, Also, Junior Brother Lis lollipop is twenty percent cheaper than the cafeterias. Lu Yang suddenly remembered that the cafeteria was also a business of the Hundred Refinements Peak. Li Haoran might be nning to open a lollipop shop in the cafeteria and used Barbarian Bone as a trial. This isnt about the price Forget it, as long as youre happy. Lu Yang gave up trying to reason, unable to resist anymore. Hm? Lu Yang heard someone sending him a message. What is it? Senior Sister is back. She wants me to return to Heavens Gate Peak. Chapter 208: The Immortal Treasures of the Undying Sect Eldest Senior Sister, youre back? Hearing his Eldest Senior Sister call him, Lu Yang cheerfully returned to Heavens Gate Peak. Eldest Senior Sister still had her usual cold demeanor. Yes, I went to the pce to discuss some matters. I just got back from the pce and heard that youve reached thete Foundation Establishment stage. Lu Yang thought to himself that it must have been the puppet who told Eldest Senior Sister. Eldest Senior Sister nced at Lu Yang, as if seeing through himpletely. Now that youve reached thete Foundation Establishment stage, the next step is to n how to form your Golden Core. The step of forming the Golden Core is crucial for a cultivator. In ancient times, before there were flying boats and such, the ability to fly freely in the sky granted by the Golden Core stage was seen as a watershed between immortals and mortals. Some even refer to the Golden Core as the Great Dao of the Golden Core, which shows the importance of this stage. If you form a high-quality Golden Core, it will naturally pave the way for forming a Nascent Soul effortlessly. Of course, with your sword spirit root and exceptional talent, forming a high-quality Golden Core should not be difficult. What you need to consider is what type of high-quality Golden Core to form. Our sect has recorded countless varieties of Golden Cores formed by our disciples in the library. You can go to the library and read them for inspiration. Understood.And take this; it will help you. Before leaving, Eldest Senior Sister took out a small medicine bottle. What is this? Lu Yang wondered if it was a pill that would prevent damage to his foundation if he failed to form the Golden Core, or perhaps an elixir that guaranteed the formation of a high-quality Golden Core. As expected of Eldest Senior Sister, she could even get her hands on such valuable items. Eye drops. Use them when youve read too much. Thank you for your concern, Eldest Senior Sister. Senior, could you pleasee out for a moment? Eldest Senior Sister called out Evesting Fairy. Whats the matter? Evesting Fairy was a bit nervous, quickly wondering if she had done something wrong. Recently, she had been quite well-behaved, not causing trouble for Lu Yang. At most, she just slept while he was cultivating. Eldest Senior Sister took out arge pile of immortal treasures, each one with a different shape, radiating an immortal aura, clearly not ordinary items. These are immortal treasures seized from the Undying Sect. Is there anything here that you want? Eldest Senior Sister intended to return the items to their original owner. Evesting Fairy nced over them and pouted, Nothing I want. Senior, what is this? Eldest Senior Sister picked up a bamboo needle. There were many items among the treasures whose original uses even Eldest Senior Sister didnt know. She and the Great Xia Dynasty had studied them for a long time without figuring them out. Now was a good time to ask the original owner. This bamboo needle could be easily controlled by thought, moved extremely quickly, and could prate defenses, making it the king of hidden weapons. A toothpick. And this? Eldest Senior Sister picked up an iron rod, which was coated with a potent poison, including ancient, long-lost poisons only recorded in ancient texts and poisons with unknown pharmacology. The schrs of the Great Xia Dynasty spected that this must be a stirring rod used by ancient immortals when refining poisons. Long-term contact with various poisons had given it its current state. A chopstick. And this? Eldest Senior Sister lifted the lid off a water jar. A pungent odor wafted out, and the jar was full of ck liquid, seemingly brewing countless wronged souls. Oh, oh, oh, thats vinegar I brewed! I didnt expect the Undying Sect to still have such a good thing. Can you return it to me? Eldest Senior Sister pondered for a moment and, for safety reasons, refused Evesting Fairys request. You dont keep your word! Evesting Fairy put her hands on her hips and scolded Eldest Senior Sister. Eldest Senior Sister turned a deaf ear. What is this used for? Eldest Senior Sister asked, pointing to a piece of cloth nine zhang long and nine zhang wide. (TL Note: One zhang is equivalent to 3.58 meters 11 feet 9 inches so each side of the cloth was 32.22 meters or 105 feet 8 inches.) ording to the leaders of the Undying Sect, this cloth contains the power of space and can wrap around anything, even living people. If someone stands on the cloth, even though it seems only a few steps to the edge, they will be unable to leave its range no matter how much power they use. A bedsheet, which I refined to rece the mattress. When I sleep, I can roll around on the bed without falling off. Now that I dont have a physical body, this thing is useless to me. You can keep it. And what about this? Eldest Senior Sister took out a round disc. This disc was incredibly hard and indestructible. Schrs specte it was an ancient shield, just smaller. Others guessed that if used properly, it could appear above an enemys head and immobilize them. My specially made dinner te. Evesting Fairyined, The dinner tes from our time werent very good and often leaked, so I specially refined a set myself. After going through a round of questions, Lu Yang discovered that the so-called immortal treasures of the Undying Sect were actually Evesting Fairys household items. One can only say that the items of an immortal have extraordinary properties, such as a wooden bucket that can hold the waters of thousands of miles of rivers being her swimming pool, or the yellow millet pillow still being treated as a treasure by the Grand Elder. Skewers, fresh skewers, tender and juicy! Exclusive recipe, guaranteed to be addictive! Eat one and youll want another, eat two and youll want ten In themercial district of Dao Seeking Sect, loud shouts echoed through the streets, the aroma of barbecue lingering in the air, attracting many people to taste. At this time, night had just fallen, and the disciples of Dao Seeking Sect, after a busy day, loved to rest, shop, and exchange cultivation insights here. As the shouting suggested, the skewers at the Come Again barbecue shop had a unique vor. Many disciples who came to eat on the first night wanted toe again the next night. Some suspected that the barbecue shop used an addictive drug, but after verification by the Seventh Elder of Pellet Cauldron Peak, it was confirmed that they were just delicious and not drugged. Three hooded figures stood dumbfounded in front of the barbecue shop, momentarily lost in thought. The bustling scene became distant and the stream of customers blurred. One of the hooded figures removed their hood and, seeing the lively barbecue shop, sighed: Little Liu, Little Gao, are you still alive? Hearing the familiar voice, Master Liu and Master Gao froze, thinking they were hearing things. They looked up and saw the owner of the voice, their faces filled with disbelief. Leader?! And me. The second hooded figure lifted their hood, revealing Deputy Leader Jin. At this moment, the highest ranks of the Undying Sectthe leader and three deputy leaderswere gathered here. They were once influential figures, wielding absolute power within one of the four great demon sects. Now, they could only gather at a barbecue stall. The leader never believed that the fall of the Undying Sect was the fault of Liu and Gao, the true traitor was himself, and he couldnt me anyone else. Take a seat, well finish thesest few orders and close up. A long queue still lined up in front of the shop. Master Liu and Master Gao told the people at the back not to queue anymore; they would close after five more orders. The leader noticed that the boy wiping tables and tidying skewers was an elder from the sect, shook his head lightly, and felt an indescribable emotion. After Master Liu and Master Gao sold thest order, they announced the end of the business day, closed the shop, and sat down to chat with the leader. How did you end up here? Very few people knew about the fall of the Undying Sect, and Master Liu and Master Gao were just ordinary barbecue shop owners, unaware of the outside world. Its a long story The leader sighed deeply, expressing endless helplessness. He detailed how Lu Yang and the other two infiltrated the Undying Sect headquarters and how the Great Xia Dynasty surrounded the sect. The news of the fall of the Undying Sect was heavy. After a moment of silence, Master Liu acknowledged the reality of the sects downfall and quickly regained his spirits. Luckily, you came. The Dao Seeking Sect is currently divided into many factions. Its a good time to show our strength, and we were short of manpower. Now youre here! Master Liu looked at the leader and Deputy Leader Jin with a burning gaze. The leaders eyes lit up. (End of the chapter) Chapter 209: The Three Giants of the Dao Seeking Sect The leader initially thought that their group had fallen to such a point that it was destined to be hopeless, living a muddled life in the Dao Seeking Sect. Unexpectedly, they found new hope with Deputy Leader Liu! It seemed that the Dao Seeking Sect was not a monolithic entity; there were internal strifes and power struggles. And what is the specialty of the demonic path? Isnt it sowing discord and exploiting divisions? Quickly, tell us, how many factions are there within the Dao Seeking Sect? The leader appeared somewhat impatient. Master Liu opened a barrier and set up several arrays to effectively prevent the sound from leaking and being overheard by spiritual senses. Seeing Deputy Leader Lius thorough preparations, the leader felt a bit ashamed. In his haste earlier, he had actually forgotten to set up means to prevent eavesdropping. The five elders of the Undying Sect hesitated upon seeing this. They werent sure if they should listen in, as this seemed to be a highly confidential meeting beyond their rank. The leader waved them over, indicating they should attend. These were the remaining forces of the Undying Sect and deserved to be part of the discussion. Once everyone was seated, Master Liu lowered his voice and said, As of now, there are three main factions we can interact with. These are the three giants of the Dao Seeking Sect. Despite the numerous disciples, none can escape the control of these three giants. Each of these giants has several beings in the Nascent Soul stage, including some powerfulte-stage Nascent Soul beings! The Sect Leader nodded. It was not surprising that the three giants of Dao Seeking Sect hadte-stage Nascent Soul powerhouses: Are there any Tribtion Crossing Stage beings? Master Liu shook his head: None have been discovered yet. Such old monsters rarely show their positions and should not be part of the three giants!Deputy Sect Leader Jin sighed in relief: Its good that there are no Tribtion Crossing Stage beings. With our methods, maneuvering between the three giants is not difficult. What are the rtionships between these three giants? Is there room to maneuver? Master Liu agreed with Deputy Sect Leader Jins thoughts. The Tribtion Crossing Stage threat was too great, and no strategy could counter absolute force. He continued, Dont be fooled by my daily barbecuing on the street. In fact, I listen to the conversations of Dao Seeking Sect disciples, extracting intelligence and deducing the rtionships between the three giants. Master Liu ced three bowls on the table to represent the three giants. The three giants are the time-honored Hundred Fragrances Pavilion, the Stir-fry Alliance, and the Hot Pot League. Hundred Fragrances Pavilion has been on themercial street the longest. Some disciples have eaten there since they first joined and still do after reaching the Nascent Soul stage. Hundred Fragrances Pavilion not only offers excellent food but also has emotional value, making it the most revered of the three giants! Master Liu ced arge bowl upside down to represent the Hundred Fragrances Pavilion. The Stir-fry Alliance isnt a single shop but a coalition of various stir-fry shops, each with unique vors that attract different Dao Seeking Sect disciples, ranking second among the three giants! Master Liu ced a medium bowl upside down to represent the Stir-fry Alliance. Finally, the Hot Pot League, thergest hot pot chain on themercial street, backs many hot pot shops, manipting their rise and fall as well as their menus. However,pared to stir-fry, hot pot is somewhat limited in variety, making it the weakest among the three giants. Master Liu ced a small bowl upside down to represent the Hot Pot League. Hundred Fragrances Pavilions dishes are high-end, with someparable to top elixirs, helping disciples rapidly advance in their cultivation. Only the wealthy and powerful can frequent it, hence its superior status, indifferent topetition with the other two giants. In thepetition between the Stir-fry Alliance and the Hot Pot League, thetter,cking foundation, is at a disadvantage. Although our barbecue shop is newly established, its popr. Given time, it wont be inferior to the three giants, holding great potential. I believe we can ally with the Hot Pot League to counter the Stir-fry Alliance! Master Gao interjected: Moreover, geographically, the Hot Pot League is close to us, just half a street away, fitting the strategy of uniting distant enemies and befriending close allies! Master Gao, well-versed in military strategy, was the barbecue shops strategist. Above the three giants, theres a transcendent powerthe Canteen! Regardless of background, customer flow, or spending level, the Canteens status surpasses the three giants! The good news is, Dao Seeking Sect disciples go to the Canteen not for food but for weapons. Functionally, it doesnt ovep with us, so we neednt worry about conflicts with the Canteen. After Master Liu and Master Gaos thorough analysis, the Sect Leader and Deputy Sect Leader Jin had a general understanding of the current situation. Despite the tough start, with proper maneuvering, it might be possible to be the fourth giant! Master Gao expressed concern: Theoretically, we can ally with the Hot Pot League, but being an established giant, they might not want to cooperate with our fledgling barbecue shop. Master Gao nned to discuss with the Hot Pot League tomorrow, though he was prepared for rejection. Seeing Master Gaos worry, the Sect Leader smiled faintly and presented a paper representing the Dao Seeking Sects high-level will before everyone. Look at this. Master Liu, Master Gao, and the five high-ranking members of the Undying Sect were shocked by the writing on the paper. One high-ranking member eximed: This is the operation permit for a farm! The Sect Leaders smile was full of confidence: Yes, this is our ticket to alliance with the Hot Pot League! What do a barbecue shop and a hot pot shop need most? Fresh ingredients. If we have the chance to raise some rare beasts and supply Hundred Fragrances Pavilion, we can connect with Hundred Fragrances Pavilion! Everyone gasped. The Sect Leader had nned well in advance. The surprises arent over. The Sect Leader revealed a third person in a ck robe. The third person, silent until now, removed his hood, revealing a kind yet weathered face. Believers, its our first meeting. You can call me the Evesting Celestial. The Evesting Celestial!! Everyone was genuinely shocked. They didnt expect the Evesting Celestial to have revived! With the Sect Leaders guarantee, no one doubted the Evesting Celestials identity. More importantly, they felt an inexplicable connection with the Evesting Celestial, which couldnt be faked. We greet the Evesting Celestial! Master Liu and Master Gao led the kneeling. We greet the Evesting Celestial! The five high-ranking members of the Undying Sect also knelt. Rise. The Evesting Celestial said calmly, I have reached an agreement with the Dao Seeking Sect. As long as I dont leave, I can move freely within the sect! After much thought, I decided its best to be with you. From what Ive heard, Im disappointed in you. The Evesting Celestials gaze showed a hint of frustration. You, being in the Nascent Soul stage, intend to run a barbecue shop and a farm in Dao Seeking Sect your whole lives? Are you satisfied with this? Please enlighten us, Evesting Celestial! The Sect Leader and others, once influential figures, now felt ashamed of being content with a chance to be the fourth giant. Is the Dao Seeking Sect your goal? If youre opening shops, make it a chain across the Central Continent! If youre doing it, be the biggest and the best! Chapter 210: The Strongest Golden Core Lu Yang, following Eldest Senior Sisters guidance, obediently went to the Library Pavilion. At the entrance of the Library Pavilion, he encountered Senior Sister Zhou Lulu, whom he hadnt seen since she took him to the canteen to buy weapons. Senior Sister Zhou Lulu, long time no see. Senior Sister Zhou Lulu was immersed in the world of books. Hearing Lu Yangs voice, she looked up and smiled, Oh, its Junior Brother Lu. Its you who hasnt seen me for a long time. Didnt everyone see you when you were the Sect Master a few days ago? Lu Yang smiled awkwardly, not knowing how to respond. He couldnt exactly say that it wasnt him who was the Sect Master, but the sixteen-year-old fairy within him. I havent been to the Library Pavilion for two or three months. Are you looking for any specific book? I want to find books on how to form a Golden Core. Senior Sister Zhou Lulu suddenly understood, Oh right, youre now at thete Foundation Establishment stage. Its time to consider forming a Golden Core. How did you form your Golden Core, Senior Sister?Senior Sister Zhou reminisced about the past, It was a rainy day. I was reading under the eaves, and as I read, I dont know how, but the words in the book started to jump out and imprint in my mind. The words flowed from my mind through my organs to my dantian. The spiritual energy transformed from mist to liquid, bing a trickling stream, then fused with the words, condensing into a Golden Core. Senior Sister, you have remarkable talent! Lu Yang eximed. He had heard that for exceptionally talented individuals, forming a Golden Core was a natural process that didnt require much effort. Some prodigies even seeded after a nap. For instance, the ancient prodigy Yellow Bean formed her Golden Core in her sleep. Zhou Lulu waved her hands repeatedly, feeling a bit embarrassed, Junior Brother Lu, you cant say that. There are many Senior Brothers and Sisters in the sect with greater talent than me. They had to go through many hardships to form their Golden Cores. You cant judge talent based on the ease of forming a Golden Core. I heard that Senior Brothers Dai Bufan and Ji Hongwen made many preparations and received assistance from the sect before they sessfully formed their Golden Cores. There are books you need on the easternmost bookshelf on the first floor of the Library Pavilion. Lu Yang thanked Senior Sister Zhou and entered the Library Pavilion, though he felt a bit puzzled. The Library Pavilion was vast, with numerous bookshelves along the walls. In the past, when he looked for a book, Senior Sister Zhou would tell him the specific row and column. Why was she so vague today? Soon, Lu Yang found the answer. The entire eastern wall of the Library Pavilion was filled with books on the experiences of forming Golden Cores. A small portion was from the outside world, but most were the umted results of the Dao Seeking Sect over 120,000 years. Books from 120,000 years ago wouldnt be ced here. What were here were copies. Fairy, do you have any advice on forming a Golden Core? Lu Yang decided to ask Evesting Fairy, the self-proimed leader of the Five Ancient Fairies. In ancient times, I saw a type of Golden Core that could be called the strongest first-grade Golden Core. Even my own Golden Core paled inparison. Theres such a Golden Core? Lu Yang was surprised. Evesting Fairy was always boastful and never admitted being the least among the Five Ancient Immortals. He didnt expect her to acknowledge that someone elses Golden Core was superior. Moreover, Golden Cores have various focuses. How could one be rated the best? In ancient times, before anyone became an immortal, prodigies from various pathspeted, showing their skills, backgrounds, and talents At that time, I was the best in the world. Immortals Ying Tian and Nonuple werent as good as me then. I beat them thoroughly. At that time, there was a prodigy whose romantic encounters were exceptionally abundant. When he formed his Golden Core, he was apanied by seven female confidantes, each renowned as talented women, demonesses, or saints. The prodigy and his seven confidantes all formed first-grade Golden Cores. The prodigys core was the main one, while the seven womens cores were auxiliary, forming a Seven-Star alignment. In battle, the prodigy could merge his confidantes Golden Cores with his own, increasing hisbat power by at least seven times. This is the strongest Golden Core I know of. Thanks, that waspletely unhelpful, Lu Yang rolled his eyes, treating Evesting Fairys words as nothing more than a story. Where would he find seven female confidantes? Did she think he could summon them like the Seven Brothers? (TL Note: Reference to the seven cbash brothers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cbash_Brothers) I also know of another very powerful Golden Core, but I only heard about it. Im not sure how true it is; this happened before my time. In ancient times, there was a pair of cultivator spouses. Initially, the wifes Golden Core was nothing special, just an ordinary first-grade core. But as time passed, the core grewrger andrger, and the wife appeared as if she were pregnant. After three years, the Golden Core left her body on its own, shattering and forming a baby, bing the wifes external Nascent Soul. And then? Later, the wife discovered that it wasnt a Nascent Soul; it was her son. Fairy, maybe you should go back to sleep. These are ancient secrets; I dont usually share them with anyone! Evesting Fairy was very dissatisfied with Lu Yangs dismissive attitude. She, a dignified ancient immortal, the master of the evesting ariya-ph, was giving precious information. He should appreciate it! Evesting Fairys stories aligned with Lu Yangs consistent impression of herunreliable. Realizing he couldnt rely on the fairy, Lu Yang decided to stop looking for shortcuts and began earnestly reading the insights on Golden Core formation from his senior brothers, uncles, and ancestors. ording to Evesting Fairys guidance, it was uncertain whether he was on a shortcut or a wrong path. Single Golden Core, first-grade Golden Core, as brilliant as the sun, righteous and impartial, residing at the center of the dantian, guarding all directions. Evil creatures and demons cannot approach, and indulgence in women leads to the cores destruction and the cultivators death. Lu Yang was quite fortunate. He randomly picked a book and, after flipping a few pages, found information rted to Meng Jingzhous Golden Core. Closing the book, he saw the title on the cover: Golden Core InsightsWritten by the Solitary Daoist. The Solitary Daoist was the venerable senior of the cultivation world who named the Single Spirit Root. This senior was a cultivator from the early Great Yu Dynasty. It was unclear whether he had exhausted his lifespan and perished or had buried himself to awaken in a future era. Continuing to read, Lu Yang discovered that this book, said to be Golden Core insights, was more of the Solitary Daoistsints. To hell with the solitary root! Why am I cursed with such an unprecedented root? Was it retribution for my misdeeds in a past life, or did I have too many wives in my previous life, and now its bncing out? Isnt the goal of cultivation to be surrounded by beauties and have numerous wives and concubines? Why am I different from everyone else? Whats the point of cultivation! Lu Yang silently closed the book, returned it to its ce, and pretended nothing had happened. He continued to read the next book. Oh, these are Eldest Senior Sisters Golden Core insights? Lu Yang felt like he had found a treasure. This was a thick book containing the methods and insights on forming Golden Cores from various senior brothers and sisters. Naturally, Eldest Senior Sister was listed first. Suppressing his excitement, he continued reading. Eldest Senior Sister wrote: My method of forming my golden core is of no reference value and should not be imitated. Those who try to learn from me will die, and those who try to emte me will die. To prevent future people from imitating my method of forming the core, the details of my method will not be disclosed. (End of the chapter) Chapter 211: The Methods of Forming Golden Cores by Senior Brothers Lu Yang naturally flipped past Eldest Senior Sisters page and looked at how the other senior brothers and sisters formed their Golden Cores. From what Lu Yang knew about Eldest Senior Sister, her method of forming a Golden Core was not something that could be replicated. Lu Yang had heard that Eldest Senior Sister reached the extreme in every realm. When she shattered her core to form her Nascent Soul, she attracted terrifying divine lightning as a punishment. It should be noted that its usually only when breaking through from the Nascent Soul Stage to the Spirit Transformation Stage that one attracts divine lightning. Attracting divine lightning at the Nascent Soul Stage was unprecedented! One senior brother tried to imitate Eldest Senior Sisters method, hoping to form a Nascent Soul that would attract divine lightning. He spent countless efforts, repeatedlypressing the mana of the Golden Core Stage to solidify his foundation. Finally, he seeded in shattering his core to form a Nascent Soul, attracting divine lightning. To everyones surprise, this senior brothers Nascent Soul actively engaged, withstanding and defeating the divine lightning. A Nascent Soul acting independently was something even Eldest Senior Sisters Nascent Soul could not achieve. It was equivalent to having a powerful clone, significantly increasing hisbat power. Just when people thought history was being made, this senior brothers Nascent Soul turned on him, defeating him thoroughly despite his desperate resistance. Although he had reached the Nascent Soul Stage, he was no match for his own Nascent Soul. In a sense, history was indeed made.Daoist Non-Speaker tried to help this senior brother control his Nascent Soul. After several failed attempts, he had to destroy the Nascent Soul, advising the senior brother to shatter his core and form the Nascent Soul through other methods, not to seek unnecessary trouble by taking a different path. Due to the embarrassing nature of the incident, only those within the sect knew about it. As for the name of this senior brother, it was also a secret. However, Lu Yang heard from Meng Jingzhous side that this embarrassing senior brother was the second disciple of Daoist Non-Speaker, his own second senior brother. This senior brother was training in the Western Golden Buddhist Country, so Lu Yang had not yet met him. He had only seen his ck-and-white portrait in the main hall of Heavens Gate Peak. Sometimes, when praying for his second senior brothers sessful training, Lu Yang would offer him incense to wish him well. Lu Yang would also offer incense for his third senior sister, ensuring he did not favor one over the other. Let me see Senior Brother Dai Bufans Golden Core. Water Exquisite Golden Core, top-grade Golden Core, pure and fragrant, spiritually rich but not cold, with a blue hue amidst the gold, rotating and cultivating itself in the dantian, converting spiritual power into waves that spread within, ensuring spiritual power is always at its peak state. Cultivation method: Drink water daily to the point of water intoxication, then soak in ake for ten days without emerging, imagining oneself as a fish freely swimming, with a body as fluid as water. Finally, use the dantian as a storage ring, utilizing the space power to absorb theke water into the abdomen, merging it with ones spiritual power, andpressing it into a Golden Core. Note one: Do not immerse yourself too deeply in the fish imagery to avoid biting a hook. Note two: Report in advance when absorbing ake into your abdomen to avoid imprisonment like I experienced. Note three: Water intoxication is normal, prepare the corresponding elixirs beforehand. Lu Yang found it hard to imagine what Senior Brother Dai Bufan had gone through when he saw the three notes. Ah, its a water-attribute Golden Core. The Evesting Fairys voice rang out. Lu Yang was surprised: Fairy, youre not asleep yet? Ill sleep after ying enough. The Evesting Fairy waved her hand. Speaking of water-attribute Golden Cores, I remember encountering two opponents with water-attribute Golden Cores. Both had top-grade Golden Cores and were rare to match within the Golden Core Stage. If they teamed up, they were unstoppable. Ones Golden Core was the Three Rivers Five Lakes Core, capable of mobilizing the forces of three rivers and fivekes, summoning river water. The others was the Boundless Ocean Core, capable of mobilizing the oceans power, summoning seawater. Which of these Golden Cores is stronger? The Boundless Ocean Core? Lu Yang was curious since river forces seemed inferior to the ocean. The Evesting Fairy shook her head: The rivers power is indeed less than the ocean, but the Golden Core Stage cannot mobilize it all at once, theres a limit. The ultimate power of these two Golden Cores is almost the same, not much difference. Lu Yang was even more curious. These two were both water-attribute top-grade Golden Cores. Functionally, they didnt seem much different, and their power was evenly matched. Whats the difference between these two Golden Cores? Of course, one releases freshwater, the other saltwater. The Evesting Fairy said as if it was obvious, giving Lu Yang a look as if he were foolish. Lu Yang: You ancient cultivators had too much time on your hands, even differentiating between freshwater and saltwater Golden Cores. Although they were quite powerful, they were no match for my Water-Avoidance Technique. The Evesting Fairy tried to speak lightly, exuding the confidence of easily defeating enemies, but Lu Yang could see her barely concealed pride in the corners of her mouth. Lu Yang silently admired her. The Evesting Fairy, though unreliable in daily life, was indeed extraordinary. The ancient times were full of exceptional talents, the most brilliant period in history. The fiercepetition of the ancient era made it even more impressive that the Evesting Fairy became one of the five immortals. Her path to immortality must have been paved with countless victories against formidable foes. How could herbat power be low? Golden Cores are graded from one to nine, with one being the strongest and nine the weakest. Top-grade Golden Cores are as rare as gold in the sand. Even in a sect like Dao Seeking Sect, where every disciple is a genius, only a few have top-grade Golden Cores. This speaks volumes about the power of top-grade Golden Cores. Two top-grade Golden Cores teaming up must have been invincible, yet she defeated them with one move, a terrifying feat. By the way, what was your cultivation level at that time, Fairy? Nascent Soul Stage. I knew it. What did you say? Nothing. Lu Yang continued reading. After Senior Brother Dai Bufan came Senior Brother Ji Hongwen. Four Seasons Green Bamboo Core, top-grade Golden Core, with bamboo patterns in the core, rotating through the seasons, the green bamboo remains unchanged, evergreen and elegant, tough and resilient, gentle as a gentleman. Cultivation method: Bamboo begins to grow, an inch-long shoot, but already possessing nodes and leaves. Hence, painting bamboo requires having aplete image in mind, observing it closely, then imagining oneself as a bamboo shoot, feeding on bamboo, drinking bamboo juice, close to nature,prehending nature. Wherever you look, you see greenery, thus forming the Golden Core. Note one: Do not attempt this if you are not skilled at painting. Note two: Beware of attacks from giant pandas while meditating in the bamboo forest, they may think youre stealing their food. Note three: This method is limited to green bamboo, do not extend it to other nts like cacti or rafflesias. It was evident that both Senior Brother Dai Bufan and Senior Brother Ji Hongwen had unique experiences forming their Golden Cores. (End of the chapter) Chapter 212: Step by Step Lu Yang continued flipping through the pages. The methods his senior brothers and sisters used to form their Golden Cores were quite unconventional, showing no signs of the Golden Core without regrets mindset. Or maybe, the senior brothers and sisters believe that if they formed their Golden Cores in a conventional way, they would regret it? Lu Yang roughly guessed their thought process. This also aligned with the usual approach of the Dao Seeking Sect. Lu Yang himself was firmly against this kind of thinking. He believed that the future of the Dao Seeking Sect required a determined individual like him to lead, correct its improper practices, and guide it on a proper path! The methods his senior brothers and sisters used to form their Golden Cores were varied. For example, one senior brother read in ancient texts that many ancient powerful beings had unusual natural features like double pupils, seven-colored eyebrows, or a third eye. Although he was already born and couldnt possess innate divine traits, he believed that diligence could make up forck of talent. He ced his Golden Core in the center of his forehead, imitating a third eye, which made him appear quite divine, especially when his Golden Core emitted light, leaving others in awe. The so-called innate anomalies, ha, its all nonsense. They were addedter on. Thepetition among geniuses back then was so fierce that without some unique traits and unusual legends, they couldnt stand out. Evesting Fairy sneered at this false propaganda. But there were real innate anomalies, like when a child born to two humans grew wings, causing a sensation. Later, it was discovered that the childs father was not human but from the feathered race, which caused an even bigger sensation. Fairy, what was your most famous trait back then?Beauty, of course. Im not boasting, but none of the saints or demonesses back then were as beautiful as I was! If there had been a ranking of the top ten beauties of ancient times, I would have been first! Lu Yang took her words as truth. Lu Yang also read about a senior brother who, after observing the celestial phenomena for a long time, realized that none of the stars in the sky were as powerful as the sun. So, he formed a Sr Core that harnessed sr energy forbat. During the day, his Golden Core was extremely powerful, but at night, it became weak. Fortunately, the Dao Seeking Sect had various techniques, including one that could store sr energy, which made up for this senior brothers shoring. Lu Yang went through the records of his senior brothers and sisters, finding nothing particrly useful for himself. However, there were some gains. Lu Yang understood the specific process of forming a Golden Core. Apart from the basic requirement of reaching the peak of the Foundation Establishment Stage, one needed to have an insight. Some pursued this insight actively, like Senior Brother Dai Bufan who pursued water, and Senior Brother Ji Hongwen who pursued bamboo. Others let it happen naturally, like Senior Sister Zhou Lulu. There was no better or worse method between these two; it was all a matter of choice. As of now, Lu Yang hadnt decided which method to choose for forming his Golden Core. This one should be the methods of forming Golden Cores from my masters generation. Lu Yang opened the first page, where fourrge characters by the Daoist Non-Speaker were disyed. It contained his masters insights upon sessfully forming a Golden Core. Haha, Ive cultivated a top-grade Sword Core. Future generations dont need to envy me. Of course, if you do envy me, theres nothing I can do. After all, its the result of my diligent cultivation. Cultivation is a serious matter that allows no sloppiness. It requires one to be down-to-earth, progressing step by step. However, insights are something that cant be learned from others. Everyone knows about my talent in the way of the sword. I could easily learn the sword techniques of my predecessors. You see, my senior brothers worked so hard to form their Golden Cores, but I found it wasnt that difficult. Ah, my senior brothers are just not talented enough. The followingments by the eight elders praised the Daoist Non-Speaker: Step by step, what Old Ninth says is reasonable. Lu Yang turned the page and saw a picture of the Daoist Non-Speaker identally falling, covered in footprints. Lu Yang counted eight footprints. Sword Core A Sword Core was unique to those with sword roots. If Lu Yang wanted, forming a Sword Core wouldnt be difficult. It might even be a natural process for him, just like the Daoist Non-Speaker, achieving enlightenment in his dreams. Should I form a Sword Core? Lu Yang shook his head. He had just reached thete stage of Foundation Establishment and had time. There was no need to rush his choice; he could take it slow. Fairy, do you have any rmendations, other than the Harem Core? Hehe, of course, I do! My Invincible Core is the second strongest Golden Core in the world. How do you form it? Lu Yang had never heard of this Golden Core before. The name was so straightforward. By continuously fighting other cultivators, not fearing challenges, and winning a hundred battles. Develop an invincible aura that says none can match me. Use this aura to guide your spiritual power, forming the Golden Core! This is my unique Golden Core. I named it the Invincible Core. I dont tell just anyone how to form this Golden Core! See the benefits of being with me? Evesting Fairy said proudly, expecting admiration from Lu Yang. Just to be sure, when you say winning a hundred battles, do you mean fighting people of the same level or one level lower? Of course, one level lower! Evesting Fairys Golden Core was indeed vicious, so Lu Yang decided to take her words with a grain of salt. Lu Yang spent three whole days in the scripture library, making his eyes dry and his mind cloudy. Fortunately, Eldest Senior Sister provided eye drops. After using two drops, his eyes and mind felt much better. Forming a Golden Core is really something that requires careful consideration. Lu Yang rubbed his temples painfully. He had read so many methods of forming a Golden Core that he was unsure which one to choose. Lets go out for a walk. Lu Yang felt stiff all over. He greeted Zhou Lulu, who was guarding the door, and left the scripture library. Facing the sun, Lu Yang stretchedfortably at the librarys entrance, twisting his body until the stiffness eased. Senior Brother Lu, there you are. Finally, I found you. A slightly excited voice sounded in his ear. Oh, its Haoran. It was Li Haoran, whom he had met a few days ago. See, I told you hed be here. Behind Li Haoran was azy Meng Jingzhou. Whats up? Li Haoran looked a bit embarrassed, finding the matter awkward to bring up but knowing he had to: Yesterday, my parents sent a letter saying my fiance has returned. They want me to meet her. Ive never met my fiance before, and Im a bit nervous, so I thought Id find someone to go with me. I originally wanted to find you, Senior Brother Meng, or Senior Brother Barbarian. But Senior Brother Barbarian is busy studying spells and cant get away. I only found Senior Brother Meng. Senior Brother Lu, do you have time? Lu Yang thought for a moment. He had nothing urgent to do and apanying Li Haoran home wouldnt hurt. A change of environment might even give him some inspiration for forming his Golden Core. Sure, when do we leave? Is tomorrow morning okay? Sure. (End of the chapter) Chapter 213: Artistic Processing (TL Note: Please provide suggestions for chapter title. The original is ӹ) Early the next morning, the three gathered at the agreed location. Li Haoran was the first to arrive and seemed a bit nervous. With Old Ma around, Lu Yang didnt have to worry about nervously boarding a flying boat. Who would have thought, kid, that youre so discreet but actually have a fiance? Meng Jingzhou teased Li Haoran, winking. As the eldest son of the Meng family, even before his birth, nobles from the capital were visiting to establish connections through Meng Jingzhou. After Meng Jingzhou was born, many people came with marriage proposals, wearing out the floor of their doorstep. If it werent for my cultivation, Id be living it up in the capital now. Meng Jingzhou sighed nostalgically. Li Haoran consoled him, As the saying goes, when you gain something, you lose something else. You may have lost the chance to be a capital yboy, but you gained the Pure Yang Spiritual Root, something many would dream of.Lu Yang also chimed in, Exactly, look on the bright side. Treasure your opportunity to interact with female cultivators now. Once you form your Single Golden Core, it will automatically repel females, and you wont even get a chance to talk to them. Meng Jingzhou angrily retorted, Scoundrel, dont mess with my state of mind! Ive never heard of a Single Golden Core with such a function! Lu Yang calmly replied, This is an ancient secret. I dont usually share it with just anyone. Meng Jingzhou looked suspiciously at Lu Yang, recalling that he had a formidable ancient true immortal inside him. With such a mentor, it wasnt surprising he knew some ancient secrets. No, wait, the Single Spirit Root first appeared during the Great Yu Dynasty. There were no Single Spirit Roots in ancient times! Youre just trying to trick me! Meng Jingzhou quickly realized. Take this, turtle punches! The two engaged in a fierce fight in the confined space until Li Haoran intervened. Junior Brother Li, whats your fiances background? Lu Yang remembered Li Haorans humble originshis parents were ordinary wandering cultivators with Foundation Establishment cultivation and no special skills. Li Haorans fire spiritual root was purely coincidental, simr to Lu Yangs situation. Speaking of his fiance, Li Haoran looked troubled and sighed, I dont know. Dont know? Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were surprised. It was unusual not to know ones fiances background. ording to my parents, they encountered a life-threatening situation while adventuring. A high stage cultivator happened to pass by and saved them. My mother was already three months pregnant with me. The high stage cultivator saw this and suggested that our families be inws, arranging a betrothal. Afterward, the high stage cultivator left and was never seen again. Being able to fly, that high stage cultivator was at least at the Golden Core stage, but their exact cultivation is unknown. My parents didnt know the high stage cultivators name, title, origin, or destination. Thats a rather hasty betrothal. Isnt it? Li Haoran smiled wryly. My parents thought they were just Foundation Establishment cultivators. What could a high stage cultivator want from them? Even if I had some talent, it would at most be enough to reach the Golden Core stage. But as you can see, I have the fire spiritual root. A Single Spirit Root cultivator, if they didnt die prematurely, was destined to be a great power in the cultivation world. This kind of talent was something every family would strive to recruit, much like when Lu Yang was found to have the sword spiritual root. Many ancient families hoped to marry their daughters to him. However, after Lu Yang became the disciple of the Daoist Non-Speaker and stayed at Heavens Gate Peak, those families had no chance to propose. Could it be that the high stage cultivator saw your fire spiritual root back then? Meng Jingzhou was puzzled. No, Ive never heard of such a technique. If such a technique existed, the Meng family would have mastered it long ago and wouldnt have waited until Meng Jingzhou was four years old to test his spiritual root. Strange. Forget it, well know everything once we meet your fiance. The three couldnt figure it out, so they gave up. Old Ma pulled the cart for a whole day before they reached Li Haorans home. Li Haorans home was in Luofeng County, named after a pure-blooded phoenix supposedly perished there, blessing the area with its fortune. Its much grander than Yanjiang County! Lu Yang poked his head out of the cart, seeing the imposing city walls, the bustling traffic, and the subtle, watchful gazes falling on them, knowing Luofeng Countys formidable power. Stop, get out for inspection. The guards at the gate stopped the cart. The three handed over their credentials from the Dao Seeking Sect for inspection. Oh, youre from the Dao Seeking Sect. Please,e in. The guards, upon seeing their credentials, showed great respect. Regardless of the sects internal practices, its disciples were all exceptional, achieving great things. Moreover, Dao Seeking Sect, as one of the Five Great Immortal Sects, held a lot of power,manding respect from local authorities. For instance, the troublesome and terrifyingw enforcement power. If the sect found local authorities involved in illegal activities or colluding with the demonic path, they had the right to act first and reportter. However, the Five Great Immortal Sects usually respected the Grand Xia Dynasty, handing over offenders unless absolutely necessary. Revealing their Dao Seeking Sect identity made the subtle watchful gazes disappear, as they belonged to in clothes guards preventing intruders from causing trouble. As for Dao Seeking Sect causing trouble, that was beyond their duty. Our home is this way. Li Haoran directed Old Ma. On the way, they heard a storyteller in a teahouse narrating The Legend of the Dao Seeking Sect. The Daoist Non-Speaker, with an immortal demeanor, often experienced the hardships of the mortal world by going to prison, sharing meals and conversations with prisoners, showing concern for why they ended up in such situations Sometimes, the Daoist Non-Speaker would learn from prisoners about ces infested with demons and would go there to eliminate them. Todays story begins with the Daoist Non-Speaker getting a tip from prison The Daoist Non-Speaker heard from a prisoner that Anjia Vige seemed eerie. Anyone leaving the vige was despondent, their spirits scattered. Despite this, they still wanted to return The Daoist Non-Speaker saw through the vige chiefs plot, fought in and out seven times, killing demons who then begged for mercy, promising never to do evil again Lu Yangs face turned odd. He felt his masters story had been embellished: If I remember correctly, Anjia Vige was actually a brothel disguised as a vige, run by flower demons to evade taxes. Later, the Grand Xia Dynasty discovered the tax loophole and shut it down. Li Haoran was surprised, Really? But the Sect Master must have had a reason to tell it this way. Maybe he yed a crucial role! He was a customer, imprisoned for fifteen days. (End of the chapter) Chapter 214: The Broken Engagement! Lu Yang began to ponder whether or not to tell Senior Sister about their masters fabrications. If he told Senior Sister, their master would definitely get a beating, but if he didnt tell her, Senior Sister might think he was colluding with their master. On one side is my master, and on the other side is my senior sister. Its a tough decision, Lu Yang sighed, feeling stuck in a dilemma. He pulled out a coin, deciding to leave the choice to fate. Lu Yang flicked the coin lightly, and it made a crisp sound as it spun rapidly in the air. The three of them kept their eyes on the coin, looking up and then down. Clink. It was heads. Looks like its fate for my master to suffer. Brother Lu, try it again, Li Haoran suggested. He had heard Elder Zhou Xinin about Master Daoist Non-Speaker being unreliable while soaking inva.But still, the sect master was the sect master after all. Lu Yang nodded. He didnt really want to tattle either, so he flicked the coin again. The coinnded on tails. Li Haoran sighed, the sect master had dodged a bullet. Lu Yang sighed as well, Looks like its fate for my master to suffer. Wait a minute, Brother Lu. Howe heads means telling Senior Sister, and tails also means telling Senior Sister? What would it take not to tell her? That would be if the coinnds on its edge. Seeing Li Haorans bewilderment, Meng Jingzhou exined, Think about it, there are two possibilities when the coinnds: t or on its edge, right? Right. So, Lu Yang has a fifty percent chance of not telling Senior Sister. Thats already pretty high. Lu Yang gave Meng Jingzhou a look of deep appreciation. Li Haoran twitched, Brother Lu, if you want Master dead, just say it. Why bother with the process? Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou reminisced about Barbarian Bone. If it had been Barbarian Bone earlier, he would have believed it already. As they talked, they arrived at Li Haorans old family home. The old horse stopped, and Li Haoran got off first, showing the two of them around. Brothers, this is my home. Its a bit run-down, but it holds my childhood memories. I remember climbing the tree in front of the gate when I was little. Brother Li, I think a bit run-down is an understatement. Li Haoran turned and saw his familys old house being dismantled. Wheres my home?! He had only been away for a little over a year, how had his house disappeared? Hey, isnt this the Li familys kid? I heard you did well and went to the Dao Seeking Sect? An old man recognized Li Haoran. Uncle Zhang, wheres my house? Li Haoran asked hurriedly. Huh? Didnt your parents tell you? To celebrate you bing a Dao Seeking Sect disciple, your family sold the old house and moved to Chun Yuan Street. Did they really sell it to celebrate me bing a Dao Seeking Sect disciple? Li Haoran covered his face, feeling helpless. Following Uncle Zhangs directions, the three of them finally found Li Haorans real home. Before entering, Lu Yang quietly asked Meng Jingzhou, Did you prepare a gift for Uncle and Auntie? Ive been ready for a long time. I have plenty of good stuff in my identity jade token. How about you? I went to the task hall beforeing here and exchanged for some pills and heavenly materials. After their exchange, they felt at ease and got off the carriage. Before Li Haoran could knock, they heard a strange womans voice from inside. I absolutely will not agree to this engagement! A marriage arranged before birth? Was it agreed upon by me? Dont even think about me acknowledging this engagement! Then they heard Li Haorans fathers voice, This engagement was agreed upon Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou exchanged a nce. It seemed things were not going smoothly. Li Haoran frowned and pushed open the door, deliberately calling out loudly, Mom, Dad, Im back! As the door opened, they saw a couple looking somewhat at a loss, as if things had gone beyond their expectations. They were Li Haorans parents. Arguing with Li Haoran was a beautiful young girl who looked about his age. Behind the girl stood an attractive female cultivator, who bore some resemnce to the girl. It was unclear if she was the girls sister or mother. Haoran, youre back? Li Haorans parents were overjoyed to see him return. Mom, Dad, let me introduce you. These are my senior brothers from the Dao Seeking Sect, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Hello, Uncle and Aunt, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou greeted warmly, presenting the gifts they had prepared. You didnt have to bring anything. These are just some small things we picked up on the way, nothing valuable. After some polite refusals, Li Haorans parents epted the gifts. So, youre Li Haoran? The girl frowned at Li Haoran. To be fair, Li Haoran was quite handsome, but the girl found him displeasing at the moment. Who are you? Li Haoran responded coldly to the girl. Li Haorans parents, fearing the situation might worsen, quickly introduced, She is Qin Yanyan, and this is her mother, Su Yiren, the master who saved us. In the spiritual space, the Evesting Fairy chuckled, This Su Yiren is impressive, shes a Unity Stage cultivator. The Central Continent had many talented people, and there were many Unity Stage cultivators that Lu Yang had never heard of. Not to mention Lu Yang, even Meng Jingzhou, born into the Meng family, hadnt recognized all the Unity Stage cultivators. Unity Stage? Lu Yang was surprised. Was Brother Li that valuable? Not only did a Unity Stage cultivator save his parents, but also arranged a marriage. Lu Yang couldnt see anything particrly special about Li Haoran other than his fire spirit root. He neither had the misfortune of falling from genius to wastrel nor said strange things or behaved oddly. The Evesting Fairy teased, Youre quite valuable too. Little Yun Zhi herself arranged a marriage for you and Lan Ting. If it seeds, youd have a group of Unity Stage cultivators backing you. Lu Yang rolled his eyes and didnt respond to the Evesting Fairys teasing. Qin Yanyan scrutinized Li Haoran, I heard youre from the Dao Seeking Sect and ranked fifth in your batch. Thats pretty disgraceful, a fire spirit root only ranking fifth. Li Haoran thought about the top four: one with a sword spirit root personally taught by Senior Sister with talent equal to hers in spellcasting, one with a Single Spirit Root from thergest family, the Meng family, one with the rare and powerful Feathered Immortal Physique, and one with the legacy of the ancient barbarian tribe. Being fifth didnt seem so bad. Barbarian Bone was thest of the ancient barbarian tribe, and legends said thest member of a tribe would carry all its luck. In fact, it would be strange if he could surpass the top four. I advise you to break the engagement. Lets all go our separate ways and meet in the future as friends. If you refuse Qin Yanyan smiled coldly, implying a serious threat. What if I refuse? Qin Yanyan continued to sneer, but hadnt thought of how to threaten Li Haoran if he refused. (End of the chapter) Chapter 215: Betrothal from the Womb If you refuse, dont even think about leaving this house today! This is my house. Then Ill use my connections to make your life miserable! Im a disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect. Then Ill go to the Dao Seeking Sect and use you of forcing a good woman into prostitution! Spreading false usations can get you imprisoned. Then the two people you brought today will be in danger! Please, go ahead. One is our sect leaders fourth disciple, and the other is the eldest son of the Meng family. Then IllLi Haorans parents were at a loss, not expecting Qin Yanyan to resist so fiercely. Although they were the elders, their cultivation levels were the lowest in the room. Su Yiren held Qin Yanyans shoulder from behind, trying to calm her daughter: Yanyan, I know its hard for you to ept this betrothal right now, but why dont you try getting to know Haoran? Maybe youll Theres no maybe about it! Qin Yanyan shook off Su Yirens hand, looking like an angry little lion. Mom, did you ask for my consent when you arranged this marriage? You werent born yet at the time. And after I was born, you didnt tell me about the betrothal until a few days ago! Qin Yanyan recalled how a few days ago, her gentle mother suddenly informed her of the engagement, which felt like a bolt from the blue. You could have at least told me earlier! Then I wouldnt be at a loss for how to threaten him. Su Yiren was speechless. Seeing her mother like this only made Qin Yanyan angrier: In any case, I do not agree to this marriage! Qin Yanyan pointed at Li Haoran: Im giving you a chance to save face. Annul the engagement now, and well call it quits Li Haoran also got angry. If they had discussed it nicely and she didnt want to honor the engagement, he would have annulled it. But her aggressive attitude was too much: You think you can annul it just because you say so? He spoke slowly and clearly: Im telling you, I will never annul this engagement in my lifetime! Qin Yanyans temper red at his words. Today, you will annul this engagement whether you want to or not! Dawn Talisman! Qin Yanyan pulled out a talisman, which turned into a beam of white light, shooting towards Li Haoran. Li Haoran put on his gloves and punched the white light away. Lets move back a bit, Lu Yang suggested to the others, stepping back. Shouldnt we stop them? Li Haorans parents and Su Yiren were worried about the fight. They need to vent their anger. Let them fight it out, Lu Yang said with a smile. Su Yiren agreed, using her powers to fortify the new house to prevent damage. Noticing Su Yirens actions, Li Haoran and Qin Yanyan unleashed their full power, fighting openly. Li Haoran pulled a spear from his storage space, his finest crafted weapon. The spear scraped the ground, sending sparks flying. Qin Yanyan, holding several talismans, cast one at Li Haoran: Breaking Dawn Talisman! Li Haoran stepped forward, the spear slicing through the air, splitting the talisman in half before it could activate. Break! The spear moved like a dragon, its every motion exuding dominance. The speed of its swings broke the sound barrier, the spearhead stopping just three inches from Qin Yanyan. Qin Yanyans pupils contracted. She couldnt fully dodge this strike: Diamond Talisman! She dodged to the right, the spear grazing her shoulder with a metallic sh. Qin Yanyan bit her finger, using her blood to draw a talisman in the air. A giant hammer appeared above Li Haoran. Smash! Li Haoran raised his spear to block the hammer, but its force numbed his hands, causing him to drop the spear. Amazing talisman skills! Lu Yang observed, initially thinking the talismans were provided by her family. But given her talent, she likely made them herself. Without your weapon, lets see how you fight! Qin Yanyan used a speed talisman, her body moving like lightning towards Li Haoran. Li Haoran didnt respond, swinging his fists instead. He wasnt a weapon-dependent fighter; his strengthy in refining! Qin Yanyan used three Diamond Talismans to block Li Haorans punch, but he refined the barrier on the spot, tearing it apart and kicking her away. Qin Yanyan grabbed Li Haorans ankle, mming him to the ground. She used a strengthening talisman to temporarily enhance her body, ignoring the subsequent pain. Li Haoran shifted his weight, using a kick to push her back. Qin Yanyan, trained for closebat unlike typical talisman masters, engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand fight. Suddenly, Li Haoran feinted and headbutted her, leaving her dazed on the ground. Did he strengthen his hair?! Lu Yang was surprised. This scene resembled the move Meng Jingzhou used to win during the exchange with the Five Elements Sect. Meng Jingzhou was even more shocked. Hair strengthening was an advanced technique from the third elder, with stringent conditions. Where did Li Haoran learn it? Li Haoran noticed their reactions, smiled, and removed a wig. Refining could strengthen hair; likewise, refining could make a wig. Senior Brother Mengs victory inspired me. Im not a body refiner, so I shaved my head and made a wig. It worked well today. Lu Yang: Meng Jingzhou: Youre really tough on yourself. Seeing Li Haorans shameless wig, Qin Yanyan felt both angry and tearful, holding back her tears. You win. Marry my mom then. I wont stop you! Do whatever you want! But Ill never call you dad! Li Haoran: !!! He barely enjoyed his victory before this bombshell left him stunned. Marry her mom? Li Haoran turned to his parents and the blushing Su Yiren: Mom, didnt you say it was a betrothal from the womb? His mother averted her eyes: Yes, Yiren pointed at my belly, saying she wanted to marry you. Is that how betrothal from the womb works?! Give me some sunflower seeds. Lu Yang grabbed half of Meng Jingzhous sunflower seeds, and they both started munching like hamsters. Lu Yang mused, Whats the saying? Older women are more charming? (End of the chapter) Chapter 216: Li Haoran: “Is It Too Late to Call Off the Engagement?” When Lu Yang found out who Li Haorans betrothed was, a series of mythical stories inexplicably popped into his mind: the tale of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, the Three Holy Mothers and Liu Yanchang, and the Heavenly Immortal Pair There are numerous historical examples of an old cow eating young grass that prove marrying a celestial being is the fastest way to achieve instant sess, with a very high sess rate. Liu Yanchang was an exception, but that was due to issues with the Three Holy Mothers brother Yang Jian, or perhaps the heavenly courts rules. However, Su Yiren didnt seem to have a Tribtion Crossing Stage brother, and there were no heavenly rules in ancient times. Therefore, the conclusion was clear. Junior Brother Li is in for a good life ahead. This saves him so many years of hard work, making others green with envy, Lu Yang marveled. He and Meng Jingzhou felt that this trip wasnt made in vain. It was worth it. By the way, what did Junior Brother Li call us here for in the first ce? Lu Yang had forgotten the original purpose of their visit. Meng Jingzhou cracked some melon seeds and tossed them into his mouth, savoring the taste. He thought for a moment and said, He was worried about being too nervous to meet his fiance and wanted us to support him. Oh, Junior Brother Li doesnt seem very nervous. He shouldnt need our help, Lu Yang observed Li Haorans expression of despair, which didnt seem to match being nervous.Any more melon seeds? Im out, Lu Yang said, holding out his hand, full of melon seed shells. Meng Jingzhou pulled out a bag of seeds. Yes, but theyre raw. No problem, I have fire. Let me roast them. What vor do you want? A bit salty. Consider it done. Lu Yang breathed out Three vour True Fire, controlling the mes temperature to roast the seeds. At this moment, Li Haoran was still unaware that his two reliable senior brothers hadpletely given up on him. He was too preupied to notice. Li Haoran was listening to his mother recount how he was betrothed. Wasnt it that your father and I were saved by Yiren? At the time, she noticed I was pregnant and asked if she could betroth you to her. I thought she was a pretty girl and very skilled in cultivation. Being engaged to her was a huge honor. She was willing, and so were we. But Mom, didnt you consider the age difference? Li Haoran was dumbfounded. He had never heard of an engagement being arranged like this. His mother gave him a look of disdain. Havent I taught you from a young age not to be constrained by worldly views? For cultivators, is age really an issue? Of course not. Look at the great cultivators in the Unity Stage. Their spouses often have age differences of hundreds or thousands of years, and they live in harmony. She counted on her fingers, listing several examples of couples with significant age differences in the cultivation world, emphasizing their harmonious rtionships. And in the Tribtion Crossing Stage, the age difference is even greater. Li Haoran rubbed his temples in pain. So this was the reason behind the theories his mother had taught him when he was young. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou nodded repeatedly. Lis mother had a point: in the cultivation world, age difference wasnt a problem as long as there was love. Moreover, there was no worry about the younger one waiting for the older one to die to inherit their fortunewho knew who would outlive whom. Lu Yang had heard of a famous Unity Stage cultivator near the end of his life who sought ate-in-life romance. Many women with ulterior motives married him, but they all died before him, while the cultivator continued to live well. And besides, was there really a three-thousand-year age difference between Su Yiren and Li Haoran? Not necessarily. Su Yiren might have just been exceptionally talented and reached the Unity Stage early. Lu Yang had a current example. The Evesting Fairy had be an immortal at just sixteen, while Lu Yang, at the same age, was still in the Foundation Establishment Stage, which was quite embarrassing. So, as long as one party lied about their age, the age gap might not be that significant. His mother continued, At that time, we didnt know how high Yirens cultivation was. We thought she might be in the Golden Core Stage or the Nascent Soul Stage, both of which were above us. Later, when we tested your spiritual roots, we found you had an extremely rare fire root, with boundless future potential, definitely surpassing the Nascent Soul Stage. Marrying her wouldnt be a loss. His parents never considered breaking off the engagement because of Li Haorans talent. They owed Yiren their lives, and the engagement was set early. How could they break it? We originally wanted to remind you that once your cultivation was high enough, you could support Yiren. Just a few days ago, Yiren brought her daughter over, and we found out she was in the Unity Stage, far beyond our expectations. You need to work hard in your cultivation to not be unworthy of her. But Yanyans reaction was intense, opposing the engagement and repeatedly suggesting breaking it. You know what happened after that. Li Haoran was speechless. No wonder Qin Yanyan reacted so strongly. After living for over a decade, your mother suddenly tells you shes getting married, and youll have a new father. Who could handle that? Putting himself in her shoes, Li Haoran guessed he would have reacted the same way. Li Haoran seriously told Qin Yanyan, I think you have a point. Nowadays, we advocate free love. We should dissolve this marriage that goes against our will. Su Yiren quietly took out a recording sphere, which yed Li Haorans bold deration during his fight with Qin Yanyan. I tell you, I will never dissolve this engagement in my lifetime! I tell you, I will never dissolve this engagement in my lifetime! I tell you, I will never dissolve this engagement in my lifetime! Su Yiren said nothing, but her actions spoke louder than words. Stop, stop, stop, dont y it anymore. Li Haoran pleaded, wanting to find a hole to crawl into. Why hadnt he learned Lu Yangs Shrinking Earth technique? If he had known, he wouldnt havee home and would have stayed at the Dao Seeking Sect, focusing on cultivation and artifact refining. How could he, so young, live off someone else? What would his peers think? Li Haoran looked at Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, who were still eating melon seeds, showing no intention of helping. Li Haoran stared at them until they felt ufortable and had to step in to mediate. The biggest question here is for Senior Su. Senior Su, why did you betroth Junior Brother Li to yourself? Everyones attention turned to Su Yiren, whose face turned red. She was easily embarrassed, especially in front of many people. But things had reached this point, and she had to exin. She spoke as briefly as possible to exin the situation: Actually, Li Haoran is my husbands reincarnation. Yanyan, Li Haoran really is your father reincarnated. Lu Yang: Meng Jingzhou: This was getting moreplicated. Was it toote to leave now? In the mental space, the Evesting Fairy perked up, thinking that following Lu Yang always led to interesting encounters. (End of the chapter) Chapter 217: Qin Haoran At this moment, everyone had moved from the courtyard to the reception hall. Lis father and mother led the group, while Qin Yanyan, being the youngest, served tea to everyone. In terms of age, Qin Yanyan was about the same age as Li Haoran, Lu Yang, and Meng Jingzhou. However, hierarchy dictated her serving role. Li Haorans previous life, my husband, was named Qin Haoran. He was a peak Unity Stage cultivator, Su Yiren revealed, naming someone unknown to everyone present. Reactions varied. Lis parents were shocked to learn of their sons extraordinary past life. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou appeared eager for gossip but recognized the potential trouble. Qin Yanyan, despite not epting Li Haorans identity, was curious about her father, a subject rarely discussed by her mother. Li Haoran remained expressionless, having resigned himself to see how things unfolded. Perhaps it was the burden of keeping this secret for so long, or the depth of her memories, or some other reason, but Su Yirens narration flowed more smoothly as she continued. Qin Haoran and I met five hundred years ago. At that time, I was a reclusive cultivator living in the mountains, seldom leaving except once every ten years to pay taxes. One day, while meditating in the forest, a blood-soaked figure broke through my barrier and copsed at my feet. Seeing me approach, he instinctively tried to muster his strength for defense, but his injuries were too severe, and he quickly lost consciousness. Feeling pity, I saved him. He remainedatose for a month. When he awoke, he was initially very wary, but after realizing I had been caring for him all that time, he let his guard down and thanked me for saving his life.Su Yiren instinctively omitted certain details, such as how Qin Haorans internal injuries required her to bandage him from head to toe, making him look like a mummy among the terracotta soldiers when he awoke. Or that he could have awakened two weeks earlier without her care. These were trivial details, not worth mentioning. He told me his name was Qin Haoran, a cultivator at the Unity Stage. A month earlier, he was pursued by enemies. Although he managed to kill them, he sustained severe injuries himself. He even apologized for breaking my barrier. I could see he was telling the truth. Even after awakening, he could barely use a fraction of his power. His injuries were that severe, his meridians shattered and his body in ruins. He wanted to leave, but I feared for his safety and offered him to stay. He remained in the mountains to recuperate. Over time, we developed feelings for each other and eventually got married. Our wedding was very low-key, with only the mountain spirits and a few close friends as guests. After recovering, he was always busy. When I asked if he needed help, he said his work was too dangerous and that it was safer for me to remain uninformed. Trusting him, I didnt pursue the matter further. Over five hundred years, Haoran advanced fromte Unity Stage to the peak, just a step away from the Tribtion Crossing Stage. He told me that before meeting me, he believed in a celibate life as the best path to cultivation. But our marriage made him realize his previous belief was wrong. His bottleneck loosened, and his cultivation improved significantly during our time together. I asked why my cultivation hadnt advanced, and he suggested it was due to myck of talent. High-level cultivators rarely conceive, but after five hundred years, I became pregnant with Yanyan. He then told me he was ready to face the tribtion for our future. Despite the high risk of the tribtion, he felt his identity was too precarious to remain hidden forever. Only by reaching the Tribtion Crossing Stage could he secure our future. Unfortunately, the tribtion was too fierce. Despite all his preparations, he couldnt survive the final lightning strike and fell from the sky. I caught him, desperately feeding him top-grade elixirs. He told me he knew he wouldnt survive. He said not to worry, as he had practiced a technique allowing endless reincarnations, each life more gifted than thest. Qin Haoran was his eighth reincarnation. He intended to inform his subordinates about his reincarnation, hoping they would support his next life. However, fearing their unreliability, he entrusted me with the task. He taught me the secret method to find his next life. Following it, I found your pregnant mother. After saving your parents from danger, I arranged your engagement, hoping to rekindle our past rtionship. Li Haoran questioned, Didnt you doubt that Qin Haoran might have been lying in his final moments? Su Yiren shook her head. I had my doubts, but your talent is undeniable. When you were six, I witnessed your fire root test result in hiding. No matter how powerful Haoran was, he couldnt predict someones rare single spiritual root. What if Qin Haoran had a way to foresee others talents? Li Haoran persisted. Su Yiren smiled. I know you dont fully believe me yet, but time will tell. Haoran said as your cultivation improves, you will start recalling fragments of your past lifes memories. But dont worry, these fragments wont affect your personality. You are still you. Involving the high-level topic of reincarnation, Lu Yang sought advice from the immortal knowledgeable about ancient secrets. Fairy, does reincarnation really exist? Reincarnation has been mentioned since even before ancient times. Back then, there were numerous prodigies, and people often said that such and such a person was the reincarnation of someone else. Some even imed that we five who became immortals were also reincarnations. After bing immortals, we jointly explored and understood the worlds mysteries, realizing that reincarnation was just a myth. So, Qin Haoran was really lying? Lu Yang was shocked, having believed Li Haoran was Qin Haorans reincarnation. The Evesting Fairy shook her head. I only said reincarnation didnt exist in ancient times. That doesnt mean it doesnt exist now. What do you mean? Lu Yang was even more confused. You must understand that the emergence of an ariya-ph signifies the creation of a new rule in the world. If someone had condensed the Reincarnation ariya-ph while I was dead, wouldnt reincarnation be a reality? (End of the chapter) Chapter 218: The Secret of Ariya-Phalas Lu Yang listened in amazement. During his experience with the Rules of Commoner Town, he had heard the Daoist Non-Speaker talk about the concept of rules. In the Unity Stage, one begins to grasp rules; in the Tribtion Crossing Stage, one masters a broader range of rules; and immortals, through the power of their ariya-phs, control the worlds rules. But he had never imagined that ariya-phs could even create rules like the Reincarnation Rule. If an immortal could indeed create the rule of reincarnation, then could they create other rules as well? How many seemingly ordinary things today were nonexistent in ancient times and wereter created? Why did the ancient unnamed person refine stars into continents? Was it a manifestation of a certain rule, or was it to create a new rule? Lu Yang looked up at the bright sun in the sky, which also served as the moon, an impossibility in his previous life. The sun, regarded as the source of life and power, could very well be a manifestation of a certain rule. Lu Yang bombarded the Evesting Fairy with questions, and she seemed overwhelmed by theplexity. From what Ive seen and heard since my revival, the present is not much different from ancient times. The refinement of stars into continents and the sun being the moon are significant changes. Since you brought up ariya-phs, Ill exin a bit.However, the knowledge of ariya-phs is too distant for you. Knowing too much now could hinder your future cultivation. Ill tell you a little. If it were that little girl Yun Zhi, I could tell her much more about ariya-phs Oh, she probably doesnt need me to exin this to her. The Evesting Fairy raised two fingers and started exining ariya-phs to Lu Yang: Ariya-phs can be divided into two types based on the rules they control. The first type is like the Ariya-Ph of Time, which controls the rule of time. The rule of time exists objectively; the Ariya-Ph of Time allows one to master and alter the existing rule to some extent, depending on the immortals capability. The second type is like my Evesting ariya-ph, which controls the Rule of Evesting. The Rule of Evesting is a created rule, nonexistent before. It applies primarily to me oh, and to Shame Less, but its effect on him is far less. (TL Note: His real name is Bu Yaolian but I changed it to Shame Less so it fits the previous joke better. Let me know if I should change it back.) Shame Lesss nascent Evesting ariya-ph only allows him to appear in any statue, a basic immortality rule used for escape. If he dies, he cannot resurrect. But I am different. The Evesting Fairy grinned confidently. As long as my name is spoken, regardless of time, ce, ornguage, I can revive! This ability makes Ying Tian Immortal and the others very envious! Unfortunately for them, they couldnt condense an immortality ariya-ph. The Evesting Fairy was smug, and rightly so, as the self-proimed leader of the Five Ancient Immortals. Lu Yang suspected that the Evesting Fairy had an epiphany and grasped the essence of immortality while on the brink of death, condensing her immortality ariya-ph, and then automatically erased the unpleasant memories post-transformation. Then theres Ying Tian Immortal, whose ariya-ph created the Tribtion Rule. The Tribtion Rule? The mostmon manifestation is the thunder tribtion during breakthroughs, like from Nascent Soul to Spirit Transformation, and so on. This was not a requirement in ancient times. Ying Tian Immortal believed that cultivators, in their pursuit of speed and power, neglected their mental state, losing the true meaning of cultivation. So, he condensed the Tribtion ariya-ph, adding a test for cultivators. This proved to be correct. With the introduction of thunder tribtions, cultivators began to value their mental state, preparing diligently, thus reducing instances of qi deviation. The tribtion ariya-ph is a prime example of a rule imposed on the world, adding a rule for everyone. So you see, if someone condensed the Reincarnation ariya-ph after my death, it would be like Ying Tian Immortal and me, creating a new rule out of nothing. Its just uncertain whether this reincarnation rule applies to specific individuals or everyone. The Evesting Fairy further exined, If it applies to specific individuals, it means the holder of the nascent reincarnation ariya-ph can reincarnate endlessly, achieving an alternative form of immortality. If it applies to everyone, then everyone would have a past life, including you, Meng Jingzhou, Barbarian Bone, Peach Blossom Leaf, and others. But I doubt this possibility. Why? Lu Yang asked. Think about it, if everyone is reincarnating, it means the total number of souls in the world is fixed. Lu Yang nodded. Then have you considered how souls appeared in ancient times, before the reincarnation rule? Lu Yang was stunned; he hadnt thought about this. In ancient times, a fetus in the womb would naturally absorb the essence of heaven and earth, forming a soul. This essence, invisible and intangible, was the source of souls. The origin of souls was always a mystery. After bing immortals, we deduced that there existed a previously undiscovered substance called essence, which is the source of souls. The birth of a soul can be seen as a rule, lets call it the soul rule. If the reincarnation rule applied to everyone, it would conflict with the soul rule. Such a conflict is a taboo in condensing ariya-phs. No wise immortal would create such a rule. Hearing this, Lu Yang asked, Evesting Fairy, could your Evesting rule apply to everyone? If the Evesting rule applied to everyone, it would mean universal immortality, an irresistible temptation. The Evesting Fairy denied this: When I first condensed the Evesting ariya-ph, I considered this. I thought, why do people strive for higher realms and resources? To be immortals and gain eternal life. If I made everyone immortal, wouldnt the world be peaceful? I shared this idea with Ying Tian Immortal and the others, and they strongly opposed it, saying I mustnt have such thoughts. (End of the chapter) Chapter 219: The Second in Command of the Everlasting lineage They stopped me for two main reasons. The first reason is that people dont just fight for resources to survive, but to live better lives. If everyone lived forever, hoarding vast amounts of resources, it would be incredibly difficult for newborns. They would have to scheme against ancient monsters or beg for scraps from their fingers. Over time, the newer generations would suffer more and more. They wouldnt be born to enjoy life but to endure suffering, leading to a world filled with stagnation. The second reason is that every beings lifespan is limited, which can be seen as a kind of rule. If everyone were made immortal, it would conflict with the rule of lifespans, shaking the foundation of the Evesting ariya-ph. I realized they were right. Even though they werent as smart as me, their points were valid, so I epted their reasoning. But dont worry, Lu Yang. While I cant make everyone immortal, I can give you a nascent Evesting ariya-ph, granting you immortality. The Evesting Fairy generously offered, So, how about it? Want to join my Evesting lineage? Stick with me, and I promise youll live a life of luxury, getting whatever you want. Youll be the second inmand of my Evesting lineage! Just out of curiosity, how many people are in this Evesting lineage?Three people: me, you, and Shame Less. Youd rank higher than Shame Less and be immortal. See how precious this offer is? The Evesting Fairy chuckled foolishly. The Five Ancient Immortals each had their own confidants and disciples. Although not many, it was unheard of for an immortals lineage to have only one person. The Evesting Fairy was the exception. The Evesting lineage only consisted of her. Shame Less was manipted into joining her, and now she was trying to recruit Lu Yang. Lu Yang remained silent for a few seconds, then firmly shook his head. Ill rely on my own efforts. Boring, the Evesting Fairy pouted, disappointed in Lu Yangs decision. She genuinely wanted to give Lu Yang a nascent Evesting ariya-ph to have him join her. In ancient times, countless people desired to be part of the Evesting lineage, but the Evesting Fairy refused them all. Those with ulterior motives were ignoredpletely. From ancient times until now, Lu Yang was the most appealing cultivator she had ever met. It was her first time inviting someone to join her lineage, only to be turned down. Can you tell if Li Haoran possesses a Reincarnation ariya-ph or its nascent form? This was Lu Yangs main concern. The Evesting Fairy shook her head. I cant tell; its out of my domain. Alright then. Although Lu Yangs conversation with the Evesting Fairy seemed long, their mental exchange was much faster than reality. In the real world, Li Haoran remained adamant that he had no connection to Qin Haoran. Consider the consequences if he admitted to being Qin Haorans reincarnation. He would gain a beautiful, Unity Stage wife. He would have an adorable daughter. He would receive endless resources: spiritual stones, elixirs, weapons, and rare materials. He would have an Unity Stage protector. It seemed admitting to being Qin Haorans reincarnation wasnt so bad? No, no, he couldnt think this way. He had to consider the drawbacks. After thinking for a long time, Li Haoran couldnt find any significant drawbacks. Temptress! My goal is to be a cultivation genius like Senior Brother Lu, relying on talent and hard work to reach the highest realm! Look at Senior Brother Lu. At a simr age, he became the acting sect master. In contrast, he was only living off someone else. Enough for today. Lets rest, Lis father and mother suggested, seeing no immediate resolution to the matter. We have plenty of guest rooms. Little Lu and Little Meng, since youvee all the way from the Dao Seeking Sect, stay in Luofeng County for a few days. And Yiren and Yanyan, dont stay at an inn. Stay here with us. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou epted the offer, and after some persuasion from Su Yiren, Qin Yanyan agreed to stay as well. After a long day, it was already time for dinner. Despite the issues surrounding Qin Haoran, everyone got along well. Oh dear, weve talked so much and havent prepared dinner! Lis mother eximed, flustered. Lu Yang stopped her. Leave dinner to us. Meng Jingzhou and I are famous for our cooking skills in the Dao Seeking Sect! Lis mother hesitated, but Li Haoran assured her of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous capabilities. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou skillfully took out cooking tools from their identity tokens: a barbecue grill, brushes, fans, skewers, meat, seasonings, and the most important, the automatic skewer formation. This was thetest invention by Master Liu and Master Gao, who aimed to expand their barbecue restaurant beyond the Dao Seeking Sect to the entire continent. The key to a sessful chain was standardization and automation, starting with the automatic skewer formation. Qin Yanyan watched with a twitching mouth. She had heard that disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect were versatile, but she thought it meant proficiency in various cultivation arts. How could barbecue be included? And ording to Li Haoran, these two were highly regarded, one being the personal disciple of the sect master and the other the eldest son of the Meng family. Were they always this down-to-earth? True Fire?! Qin Yanyan eximed, seeing Lu Yang spit out True Fire. True Fire was a me that even Golden Core cultivators found difficult to master due to its high cultivation difficulty. Li Haoran scoffed, This is not just any True Fire. Its one of the top-ranked Samadhi True Fires! Do you know who Senior Brother Lu and Senior Brother Meng are? They are the first and second-ranked disciples in our generation! Qin Yanyans eyes widened. She had previously thought Li Haorans fifth ce ranking indicated hisck of ability. After their sparring, she had to admit that even without a wig, she couldnt beat Li Haoran. At that time, she wondered what kind of monsters the top four were. Now she knew. Lis mother hadnt expected Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou to be the top disciples of their generation, which exined why she found them so likable. Haoran, look at how they cultivate. Senior Brother Lu must wake up at dawn to train. And look at you, always cking off. Im not around, and you probably sleep until noon. If only you were half as diligent as Lu Yang! Li Haorans face darkened. If he had known, he wouldnt have brought Senior Brother Lu and Senior Brother Meng over. Besides, Senior Brother Lu and Senior Brother Meng didnt train that hard. They were all the same age; who didnt know whose routine? (End of the chapter) Chapter 220: Cloudy and Sunny Days As the founders of Come Again Barbecue Shop, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were naturally skilled. This was evident back in Yanjing County. Now that Lu Yang had mastered the Three vours True Fire, his abilities had further improved. Among those in the Foundation Establishment stage, Lu Yang was confident that no one could match his grilling skills. Lu Yang shook the meat skewers, causing the cumin and chili powder to roll over the meat. When the fire hit them, the vors were fully unleashed, making even Qin Yanyan, who preferred light vors, swallow her saliva. Come on, its ready! Lu Yang ced tworge handfuls of skewers onto the grill te, producing a heavy thud that emphasized their weight. Meng Jingzhou was also busy, grilling potato slices, chives, and tofu, emitting an aroma no less enticing than Lu Yangs. Delicious! Father and Mother Li eximed after eating two skewers each. They were genuinely impressed, praising the students for their high cultivation and superb cooking skills, which made Li Haoran look inferior inparison. I want one too! Li Haoran had heard of the legendary skewers from Senior Brother Lu and Senior Brother Meng but had never had the chance to try them.These were the skewers so delicious they once caused the downfall of the entire Undying Sect. (TL Note: Probably a reference to the phrase Country toppling beauty, we now have a Sect toppling skewer) Delicious! Li Haorans eyes lit up. These were the best skewers hed ever tasted. Qin Yanyan and Su Yiren initially ate delicately, but as the atmosphere grew more lively, they also rxed. Everyone ate to their hearts content, wearing satisfied expressions. Seeing their enjoyment, the Evesting Fairy almost drooled with envy. She was in a soul state, without taste buds, unable to eat anything. Lu Yang, let me use your body. I want to eat too. The Evesting Fairy negotiated with Lu Yang. Lu Yang didnt mind and generously switched control of his body to the fairy. The Evesting Fairy joyfully took over Lu Yangs body, eating heartily without any reservation. Haha, Senior Brother Lu, youre finally letting loose! Li Haoranughed, noticing Senior Brother Lus previously refined eating habits had suddenly changed, now devouring skewers and drinking bamboo juice with gusto. Near Luofeng County, the red-leaf bamboo forests produced clear, sweet bamboo juice that many tourists loved to try. Lu Yang sighed. As a fairy, couldnt she be a bit more reserved? Ying Tian Immortal and the others also advised me to speak less in front of outsiders. They said that after much effort, they had managed to improve the public image of immortals, and I shouldnt ruin it. But there are no outsiders here, the Evesting Fairy didnt consider Lu Yang an outsider. The problem is, youre using my body! Lu Yang retorted. Come on, why differentiate between yours and mine? The Evesting Fairy generously offered, When we find my inheritance, Ill give you half. Lu Yang recalled that when he first met the Evesting Fairy, she mentioned having buried an immortal treasure under the North Star, filled with her cherished items. From what Lu Yang knew of the Evesting Fairy, there probably wasnt anything valuable in there. If thats not enough, Ill teach you a few immortal-level cooking techniques. The Evesting Fairy considered Lu Yang her sessor. Lu Yang rolled his eyes but said nothing. Setting aside this little episode known only to the two of them, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Father and Mother Li arranged rooms for their guests. After washing up, Lu Yang took out a half-human-sized pillow from his identity jade tag. He liked hugging something while sleeping. With over ten years of sleeping experience, Lu Yang could sleep well anywhere and was not picky. Early the next morning, Lu Yang woke up to find his pillow kicked to the foot of the bed, looking pitiful. That little girl Su Yiren is thoughtful. The Evesting Fairy suddenly remarked. What do you mean? While you were all asleep, she set up a formation in the courtyard. It wont do much for you, but for Li Haorans parents, it will subconsciously help them cultivate and infuse spiritual energy, slowly increasing their cultivation. It will take a long time to see effects, so they wont notice. Lu Yang stretched as he walked out of his room. The weather was nice; it was cloudy and cool. Lu Yang preferred cloudy days to sunny ones. He saw Li Haoran practicing boxing and meditating in the courtyard. Li Shidi, so diligent even at home? Lu Yang was surprised, thinking he had woken up early, only to find Li Haoran up even earlier and already training. He didnt remember Li Haoran being this diligent at the Dao Seeking Sect. Li Haoran seriously transmitted to Lu Yang, Senior Brother Lu, you dont know. Yesterday my parents were happy to see me back. From my experience, after sleeping on it, the next day theyll start scolding me for beingzy, only eating and sleeping at home. Rather than getting scolded, Id better take action and pretend to be diligent. Its just for the morning; they wont mind what I do the rest of the day. Lu Yang understood. He didnt expect such wisdom in this situation. What Li Haoran didnt mention was that if Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou hadnte, his parents would have pampered him for two more days. But with them around, the pampering time was greatly reduced! Haoran, up so early? Mother Li beamed, seeing her son practicing so early, with Lu Yang standing nearby. She assumed Lu Yang was encouraging Haoran to cultivate. Li Haoran: He wanted to say, Mom, my fifth ce in the Dao Seeking Sect isnt that bad. Indeed, with Li Haorans talent, he would be the top in any first-rate or super-first-rate sect, and even in the Dao Seeking Sects previous cohorts, hed rank in the top three. But this cohort had too many exceptional talents. During breakfast, Su Yiren quietly ate, not mentioning the formation she set upst night. It seemed she didnt want anyone to know. If not for Evesting Fairy, Lu Yang wouldnt have known either. Lets go for a walk in the county! Li Haoran invited Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. After thinking for a moment, he also invited Qin Yanyan and Su Yiren. Considering you are guests, Im inviting you. Dont overthink it. Li Haoran told Su Yiren. Despite his words, Su Yiren smiled happily. As they were about to set out, the initially overcast weather grew darker, with thickening clouds and faint thunder. Its going to rain heavily. Li Haoran looked up regretfully. Luofeng County often had rain. Given the dark clouds, a heavy rain was imminent. Looks like we cant go out today. Hearing this, Su Yiren struck the sky with a palm. The dark clouds instantly dissipated, revealing a clear, sunny sky. Su Yiren smiled gently as if nothing had happened, Its sunny now, lets go out. Li Haoran: (End of the chapter) Chapter 221: Phoenix Blood Stone On the bustling street, a group of men and women turned heads frequently, especially the two women, one older and one younger, each showcasing their own unique charm, making peoples imaginations run wild. The most enviable was the ordinary-looking man in the middle of the three men. His cultivation was merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, yet the beautiful woman was clinging to his arm. Li Haoran maintained a stoic expression. Despite Su Yirens seemingly delicate demeanor, she was a genuine Unity Stage cultivator. If she wanted to hold on to him, he had no chance of breaking free. Turning calmly to meet Su Yirens gaze, he said, I know you really want to walk with me, but please control your strength. This is the third time youve broken my arm. Li Haoran shook his arm to show that it was seriously injured. Su Yiren quickly took out a healing pill from her storage ring and mended his bone. Given Su Yirens cultivation level, she shouldnt have such control issues. Li Haoran could only attribute it to her excitement of being with him, causing her to lose control of her strength. You didnt even scream when your bone broke? Qin Yanyan looked at Li Haoran in astonishment. Did this man not feel pain? Li Haoran chuckled, After soaking in magma for a year, I dont know what pain is anymore.Recalling his early days in the sect when his master threw him into magma, Li Haoran felt he survived purely by luck. Magma? For a year? Qin Yanyans eyes widened. Was he even human? Li Haoran spoke wistfully, When I first entered the magma, I screamed my lungs out. The pain was unbearable, and I kept screaming until my voice went hoarse, but the pain remained. My master wouldnt let anyone help me, insisting I ovee it on my own. Senior Sister Zhou Lulu couldnt bear to see me suffer, so she secretly brought me a cup of water infused with rare herbs, saying it would help alleviate my condition. Qin Yanyan shuddered at the thought of being in magma herself and couldnt help but ask, Did it help you adapt to the magma faster? It was a hundred-year-old monk fruit soaked in water. Senior Sister Zhou saw my throat was hoarse from screaming and brought it to soothe my throat. Qin Yanyan: Since Lu Yang learned that Li Haoran had been soaked in magma for a year by Elder Zhou Xin, he no longer thought it was a big deal for his senior sister to bathe him in boiling water. To be fair, if Li Haoran werent a fire spiritual root, Elder Zhou wouldnt have dared to immerse him in magma. It was a unique cultivation method for fire spiritual roots. Each single spiritual root of the five elements had its exclusive cultivation methods. For example, fire spiritual roots could soak in magma or be burned by fire toprehend fire-rted spells or abilities, such as Li Haoran mastering artifact refining. Earth spiritual roots could be buried in the ground to learn earth escape techniques. Water spiritual roots could be thrown into water toprehend water control techniques. However, there were exceptions. Lu Yang had heard that Senior Brother Dai Bufan, who had a water spiritual root, was thrown into a pool by the Grand Elder, hoping he wouldprehend water control or underwater breathing techniques. But unfortunately, heprehended space techniques instead, drinking all the water in the pool. Dear niece, what do you fancy? Uncle will buy it for you, Meng Jingzhou teased Qin Yanyan, boasting about his wealth. Qin Yanyan was infuriated at being called niece by Meng Jingzhou but had no way to retaliate. What is this? Qin Yanyan tried to change the subject, pointing to a blood-red stone being sold by the roadside. The stone was bright and vivid, naturally formed, and reflected an enchanting light under the sun. Oh, thats a Phoenix Blood Stone, a specialty of Luofeng County. Phoenix Blood Stone? Everyone except Su Yiren hadnt heard of this stone before. Li Haoran exined, You may have heard of our Luofeng Countys origin story. Long ago, a pure-blooded phoenix flew freely between heaven and earth. But it grew too old to fly and found a ce to rest, falling into an eternal sleep. The old phoenixs bones and flesh turned into hills, Li Haoran pointed to the distant mountains vaguely surrounding Luofeng County, Do you see those mountains? Dont they resemble a phoenix? The phoenixs feathers turned into forest trees, which is why there are so many red nts on the hills. The phoenixs blood stained the stones, which are now known as Phoenix Blood Stones. Lu Yang wondered if this was a phoenix or Pangu. (TL Note: Pangu is a primordial being and creation figure in Chinese mythology and Taoism. ording to the legend, Pangu separated heaven and earth, and his bodyter became geographic features such as mountains and roaring water. ) When I was a child, I thought it was just a legend. But when I joined the Dao Seeking Sect and learned artifact refining, I found out that Phoenix Blood Stones are indeed stained by phoenix blood. They are excellent materials for artifact refining. A phoenix The Evesting Fairy, hearing this long-forgotten term, recalled some memories. Back then, not only the qilin but also dragons and phoenixes had the potential to be immortals. Both the dragon and phoenix ns meticulously nurtured two talented youths, with unparalleled gifts and strong support from their ns, giving them a high chance of bing immortals. In contrast, although the qilin was called Heavens favorite, it actually meant it had no roots and was weak. Most of the demon ns didnt think highly of him. The qilin faced many strong enemies and was often defeated. Yet, he rose rapidly within the demon ns, oveing enemies he shouldnt have been able to defeat. His ariya-ph concept was simr to those of the dragon and phoenix n prodigies. To be an immortal, a deadly battle was inevitable. With immense fortune, the qilin fought and defeated the dragon and phoenix n prodigies, achieving the ariya-ph and bing the Qilin Immortal. Did the Qilin Immortal kill the dragon and phoenix prodigies? Despite the Evesting Fairys calm tone, Lu Yang detected a hint of cruelty. Yes, bing an immortal wasnt childs y. The winner took all, and the loser might lose everything, including their life. No, they got married. What? Demons admire strength. After losing to the Qilin Immortal, the dragon and phoenix prodigies fell in love with him. Eventually, they got married. I wanted to attend the Qilin Immortals wedding, but he said I was too beautiful and would steal their thunder, so he didnt let mee. What a shame. I was nning to showcase my skills at the wedding. What skills did you want to showcase? Cooking, of course. Let me tell you, those four couldnt cook at all. I was the only one who could cook. The Evesting Fairy looked disdainful, feeling that the four of them were disgraceful. Lu Yang thought it made sense that the Qilin Immortal didnt invite the Evesting Fairy. After all, with many guests at the wedding, if the Evesting Fairy cooked, there wouldnt be enough antidote to go around. Later, I thought, since its a friends wedding, I should give a gift. So, I gave them an immortal fruit blessed by me, with a note saying For the most beautiful demon. I heard this gift caused quite a stir. Maybe they had never seen such a precious gift before. Lu Yang was silent for a few seconds before asking, How many immortal fruits did you give? One. Lu Yang sighed deeply, You thrive on chaos, dont you? Ah, why? (End of the chapter) Chapter 222: The Ancient Mastermind Yellow Bean Fairy, couldnt you at least have given out two immortal fruits back then? Lu Yang could imagine themotion caused by this single immortal fruit. The longer he interacted with the Evesting Fairy, the more Lu Yang couldnt figure out the reason she had been taken downthere were too many reasons, and Lu Yang didnt know which one to choose. I told you, it had to go to the most beautiful demon n member, and most implies there can only be one, didnt you know? The Evesting Fairy earnestly exined the basics of grammar to Lu Yang. Lu Yang remained silent for a long time before saying, You have a point. See? The Evesting Fairy ced her hands on her hips, looking triumphant. So, who did you give the immortal fruit to? Later, I heard from the Immemorial Immortal that at the wedding scene, the prodigies of the Dragon n and the Phoenix n were arguing fiercely over the ownership of the immortal fruit, leading to a showdown. Speaking of which, the Qilin Immortal is really stingy. He himself had immortal fruits, he could have given one to each of his wives, and there wouldnt have been a fight. The Evesting Fairy shook her head. Compared to the Qilin Immortal, she felt she was very generous, willing to give out an immortal fruit as a gift.What happened next? Later, the Qilin Immortal suggested that fighting at a wedding was inappropriate, and proposed a different form ofpetition. It just so happened that three immortal guests were present, so he suggested that the Ying Tian Immortal, Nonuple Immortal, and Immemorial Immortal be the judges, while he abstained to avoid a two-to-two tie. You see, if the Qilin Immortal had invited me, there would have been five of us immortals as judges. Moreover, you know me, Im fair and impartial, I could have judged alone. If he was worried that I might outshine the Dragon and Phoenix n prodigies, I could wear a veil! As one of the top ten beauties of ancient times, the Evesting Fairy was very confident in her appearance. Lu Yang thought to himself that the Qilin Immortal simply didnt want to be a judge and was using any excuse to step aside. What was thepetition between the Dragon n prodigy and the Phoenix n prodigy about? Culinary skills. The Evesting Fairy regretfully shook her head: What the Qilin Immortal and the others didnt know was that both the Dragon n and Phoenix n prodigies had learned their cooking skills from me. Though not officially my disciples, they were in practice. They only grasped a tenth of my culinary skills, but even so, it was unrivaled during the tribtion period. During thepetition, since both were taught by the same master, neither could outdo the other, and their dishes were indistinguishable in quality. The Immemorial Immortal told me that when they tasted the dishes made by the Dragon and Phoenix n prodigies, they were astounded, feeling as if the dishes contained the power of time, making them swiftly review their entire lives. I modestly said it was I who taught them, but they only learned the basics. The Immemorial Immortal was silent for a while before saying they had wronged the Qilin Immortal too early; he wasnt the main culprit. When I asked what he meant, he didnt borate. Lu Yang bowed to the Evesting Fairy out of respect. If others who didnt know the Evesting Fairys nature heard this story, they might say the Evesting Fairy was an ancient mastermind: without being present, a single immortal fruit caused a fierce fight between the Dragon and Phoenix n prodigies, turned the four ancient immortals against each other, and left the Qilin Immortal in an awkward position. She also secretly taught the Dragon and Phoenix n prodigies, waiting for the right moment to act. Such wisdom could only be described as unfathomable. Anyone would be fearful and cautious when facing such a deeply scheming old monster. However, Lu Yang knew the Evesting Fairy well, so he decided to describe her wisdom with a different term Profound stupidity resembling wisdom You should know that the Dragon and Phoenix ns are the most proud among the demon ns, and their blood is extremely precious. Its almost impossible for humans to obtain their blood, hence the importance of the Phoenix Blood Stones. Phoenix Blood Stones are not only a feature of our Luofeng County but also our main industry. The number of spirit stones we earn each year from selling Phoenix Blood Stones is immense! Phoenix Blood Stones are excellent materials for refining tools. When worn as jewelry, they also have unexpected benefits. My father said that the mining of Phoenix Blood Stones in Luofeng County has been ongoing for four thousand years, yet the veins have not dried up, with a continuous supply of Phoenix Blood Stones being extracted. Li Haoran introduced the local economy, with Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou nodding continuously, like visiting leaders inspecting the area. How many spirit stones for this Phoenix Blood Stone? Meng Jingzhou asked while selecting items in the shop, finding this material intriguing and wanting to buy some for fun. Three hundred spirit stones. And this one? Four hundred and fifty spirit stones. Meng Jingzhou kept shaking his head; such cheap Phoenix Blood Stones were not worthy of his status. Show me your best Phoenix Blood Stone. I dont care about the cost. Meng Jingzhou disyed the demeanor of a young master. The shop owners eyes lit up upon hearing this, recognizing a big customer. He looked around and, seeing only Meng Jingzhous group in the shop, led them to the back yard. Carefully, he took a delicate wooden box from the shelf. Opening it revealed an egg-sized, bright red stone, as vivid as blood, seemingly stained by the freshly shed blood of the mythical old phoenix. Even Qin Yanyan could sense the extraordinary nature of this Phoenix Blood Stone. The shop owner whispered, A few days ago, a mine tunnel copsed. This is thest Phoenix Blood Stone extracted from it. It took me a lot of effort to get it. The price is fixed at five hundred thousand spirit stones. Meng Jingzhou nodded, thinking it was about right: Ill take ten. Five hundred thousand or even five million spirit stones meant nothing to Meng Jingzhou, the young master of the Meng family; it was like a drop in the ocean, not worth mentioning. The shop owner pulled a long face, Sir, its not that I dont want to sell more, but this is the only Phoenix Blood Stone I have. Alright, just give me this one. The shop owner was overjoyed. In fact, he had quoted a slightly high price, leaving room for negotiation, but Meng Jingzhou bought it without haggling. The shop owner even threw in several other good quality Phoenix Blood Stones, though they paled inparison to the one Meng Jingzhou bought. Meng Jingzhou knew he could haggle, but he always found bargaining too troublesome. He had the shop owner drill a hole in the Phoenix Blood Stone and string it on a cord. Meng Jingzhou wore it around his neck, feeling quite pleased. He thought everyone was out shopping and that he shouldnt be the only one buying Phoenix Blood Stones. He visited several shops in a row, trying to buy a piece for each of Lu Yang and the others, but none matched the quality of his own Phoenix Blood Stone. Many shop owners asked where Meng Jingzhou had bought his Phoenix Blood Stone, but he didnt say. Why is it so hard to spend money? Li Haoran advised, Senior Brother Meng, let it go. The Phoenix Blood Stones contained phoenix power isnt very useful to us. Even for refining, I currentlyck the ability to refine such high-quality Phoenix Blood Stones. Buying them would be a waste. Alright. Hearing Li Haorans reasoning, Meng Jingzhou reluctantly gave up. By the way, whats the effect of wearing Phoenix Blood Stones long-term? Meng Jingzhou pointed at the stone on his chest. It enhances vitality. Meng Jingzhou responded casually, Thats not very useful. (End of the chapter) Chapter 223: That Object The Meng family, as a top-tier family on the Central Continent, boasts a history of a hundred thousand years and is well-mannered. As the eldest son of the Meng family, Meng Jingzhou naturally wouldnt be displeased with Li Haoran over trivial matters. Meng Jingzhou looked at Li Haoran and said solemnly, Could you mention the aphrodisiac effects earlier next time? Li Haoran responded with an oh, as if recalling something, and added, My master told me that soaking inva long-term also has aphrodisiac effects. This is one of the motivations that kept me going, and it turns out the results are indeed quite good. Can we skip the topic of aphrodisiacs? Alright. When Lu Yang and his group returned to the Li residence, Lis mother had already prepared a sumptuous dinner for everyone. After all, they couldnt always let the guests, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, cook. Meng Jingzhou had bought a ton of itemsessentially anything he hadnt seen before, he bought in abundance. Whether they were useful or not was secondary; what mattered was that they were intriguing.Of course, he didnt buy items that were tantly ridiculous, such as pure 100% natural spiritual energy supposedly with a history of four thousand years and witnessing the entire demise of the old phoenix. Lu Yang bought a finely crafted phoenix pendant, which he tied together with his identity jade token and pinned to his waist. Qin Yanyan bought a box of bamboo juice; she enjoyed the bamboo juice, a specialty of Luofeng County, while having barbecue the night before. Su Yiren bought nothing. As someone at the Unity Stage, Luofeng County had nothing worthy of her interest unless it was the corpse of an old phoenix. Mom, you have such skills? Li Haoran was dumbfounded when he saw the table full of delicacies. In his memory, his mother couldnt cook so well. Lis mother smiled, I just learned. During the time you were away, I thought I might as well learn something new. Lis father interjected, Your mother just learned how to buy dishes from the old tavern. Lis mother red at Lis father. Li Haoran: The culinary skills of the old tavern needed no introduction; they were naturally excellent. Centuries-old restaurants, which were rare in Lu Yangs previous life, weremonce on the Central Continent. However, a century-old restaurant didnt qualify as an old restaurant. To earn that title, a restaurant had to be at least five hundred years old. The old tavern was a millennium-old establishment. The staff had changed many times, but the owner had never changed in a thousand years, ensuring the preservation of the vors from the source. The oldest thing in the old tavern wasnt the recipe or the furniture but the owner himself. What, you say the food you ate here as a child didnt taste like this? I was also the one who cooked it myself back then! After dinner, Lu Yang sought advice from Su Yiren about the matter of forming a golden core. Forming a golden core? Su Yiren didnt expect Lu Yang to ask her about this. Hadnt Haoran mentioned he was the fourth disciple of the Dao Seeking Sects leader? Why not directly ask the Dao Seeking Sect leader? Although they were both at the Unity Stage, the Dao Seeking Sect leaders expertise far surpassed hers. Lu Yang couldnt tell outsiders that his master was a frivolous old man who spent most of his time telling stories outside, barely teaching him anything. My master is preupied with the worlds affairs and has no time for me. I see, Su Yiren nodded, believing Lu Yangs exnation. Meng Jingzhou, on the other hand, rolled his eyes. Meng Jingzhou and Li Haoran were also in the room, listening to Su Yirens exnation about forming a golden core. Although Li Haoran was only at the early Foundation Building Stage, it didnt matter; the knowledge about forming a golden core would be useful eventually. I believe that the most important aspect of forming a golden core is fate. I have mediocre talent, and my greatest aspiration was to form a second-grade golden core. That was the best scenario I could imagine. To form a second-grade golden core, I tried everything to gain insights, from fighting in deep forests with beasts to sitting on boulders under waterfalls, observing human life to understand the worldly aura all to no avail. One day, after finishing my cultivation, Iy on the edge of a cliff, gazing at the starry sky, feeling incredibly small. It was at that moment, an indescribable insight surged into my heart. I seized the opportunity to gather my energy and form my core. The resulting core was full and bright, a first-grade golden core. When I stopped deliberately seeking it, I gained the insight. I discussed this with several fellow practitioners, and two of them had simr experiences. Lu Yang gained some insight from her words and thanked Su Yiren. In the middle of the night, Lu Yang opened his eyes, not knowing what time it was. Youre awake? I was just about to call you, the Evesting Fairy spoke, unsurprised by Lu Yangs awakening. Lu Yang frowned, sensing that someone had sneaked into Li Haorans home in his sleep. What was their purpose? Two people, mid-golden core stage, the Evesting Fairy informed him of the intruders situation. Lu Yang was puzzled. Lis father and mother were only at the Foundation Building Stage, with average financial means. What in Li Haorans home could attract golden core cultivators? Could it be the Phoenix Blood Stone Meng Jingzhou bought? Lu Yang wasnt worried about danger. Even if Su Yiren didnt intervene, he and Meng Jingzhou were more than capable of handling these two uninvited guests. Mr. Lu, Mr. Meng, are you awake? Su Yirens voice echoed in Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous minds. Li Haoran and Qin Yanyan, being less experienced,cked the alertness of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Just woke up, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou replied, Senior Su, whats the situation now? Su Yiren shook her head, I dont know much. I only know that two mid-golden core cultivators have sneaked into the house, behaving suspiciously. My intuition tells me theres someone behind them. I want to capture them but worry about alerting their backers. This is simple. Senior Su, you can stay on standby, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou quickly came up with a n. Under Su Yirens curious gaze, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou skillfully donned night suits and quietly left the house. The two golden core cultivators were clearly searching for something but didnt dare use their divine senses for fear of being detected. They had heard that a genius from the Dao Seeking Sect was in this house. Unless absolutely necessary, they didnt want the Dao Seeking Sect to know about their actions. They believed their movements were secretive, but they were already under observation. They suddenly became alert, sensing danger approaching, and dodged Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous attack. To think you could dodge this strike, you have some skills, Lu Yang sneered, using divine sense tomunicate. Who are you! What are you doing at the Li residence? the two golden core cultivators responded. Hah, you know the answer. Since we meet at the Li residence, what else could it be? Naturally, were here for that object! Meng Jingzhouughed nonchntly, seemingly mocking the two for their foolish question, As for who we are, who else would know about this matter? The two golden core cultivators widened their eyes, How did you know! There are no secrets in the world, no eternal mysteries. What should be known will be known, no matter how hard you try to hide it, Lu Yangughed, Did you think you were the only ones interested in that object? Damn it, how did the Mo family find out about the Phoenix Blood Stone! the two golden core cultivators quickly deduced Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous identities. It must be the Mo family, their rivals! Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou exchanged nces; indeed, it was rted to the Phoenix Blood Stone Meng bought. The two golden core cultivators, realizing they were exposed, decided not to linger after a brief skirmish and fled. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou gave chase but couldnt catch up with the fleeing golden core cultivators, feeling somewhat frustrated. The two golden core cultivators, seeing they had escaped, hurried back to report. Senior Su, if we follow them, well find out whos behind this, Lu Yang said, quickening his pace to follow the two golden core cultivators secretly. Su Yiren looked at them oddly. How did they get so good at this sort of thing? (End of the chapter) Chapter 224: This Amount of Spirit Stones Might Not Be Enough Two golden core cultivators darted through Luofeng County at night. They were clearly familiar with the paths, skillfully avoiding the patrolling cultivators arranged by the county. At this time, Li Haoran was awakened by Su Yiren. After she briefly exined the situation, his expression turned strange. Has Senior Brother Mengs unting of wealth finally caught someones attention? What do you mean unting? Cant I just tell people that Im rich? Meng Jingzhou retorted. Back in the imperial city as the Meng familys young master, who would dare target his possessions? Su Yiren led the three, stealthily following the two golden core cultivators. As they moved across rooftops, Lu Yang glimpsed a shadow in the distance, moving simrly on the roofs. Is Luofeng County always this lively at night? Lu Yang wanted to chase after the shadow but saw the two golden core cultivators climb over a high wall into a courtyard. He decided to focus on the matter at hand. If I remember correctly, this is the governors mansion? Li Haoran hesitated, doubting his memory. While the five hundred thousand spirit stone Phoenix Blood Stone was indeed precious, it wasnt valuable enough to tempt a governor.Unless there was more to the Phoenix Blood Stone Meng bought. The courtyard was shielded by a formation. Proceeding without knowledge of its workings would alert those inside. Ignoring the formation, Su Yiren smoothly led the group into the courtyard. Master, we have returned, the two golden core cultivators respectfully addressed a middle-aged man standing with his hands behind his back. Li Haoran had never seen the governor and didnt know if this middle-aged man was him or a steward. The middle-aged man responded indifferently, Did you obtain the item? The two cultivators looked ashamed, We encountered unexpected trouble. We feared causing too muchmotion, so we didnt continue the theft. Trouble? Yes, at Li Haorans house, we ran into others trying to steal the same item. Though they didnt reveal their identities, I suspect they were sent by the Mo family. Exin in detail. The two recounted the scene meticulously. Unexpectedly, the master became furious: Hmph, you were deceived! Those were not Mo family members but disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect! If Im correct, they are eavesdropping from the rooftops right now! Since Ive said this much, you might as welle out. Lets have an open discussion. Li Haoran was about to step out when Lu Yang held him back. Lu Yang shook his head, saying nothing. The master waited but no one appeared. It seems you did encounter Mo family members. Indeed, the Mo family also knows about the item. He was merely testing them. Yesterday, he had been informed by his subordinates that three Foundation Building Stage Dao Seeking Sect disciples had arrived in Luofeng County, one of whom was a local. He hadnt given it much thought. Butter that day, his subordinates reported that one of the Dao Seeking Sect disciples had bought an extremely rare Phoenix Blood Stone and was searching for simr stones in other shops. The description of the stone had rmed him, suspecting it was the problematic Phoenix Blood Stone. This stone must not fall into the hands of the Dao Seeking Sect. If they discovered the truth, it would be disastrous. He sent two subordinates to steal the stone, only for them to encounter the Mo family. The Mo family, the most powerful in Luofeng County, opposed him, always seeking to undermine him. Tsk, I wonder how that item got out. Did you question the shopkeeper? The shopkeeper is gone. His assistants said he made arge sum, took his family on a trip, and wont return for a while. Only a few assistants remain to mind the shop. How enviable. What did you say, master? Nothing. The governor thought to himself that once this matter was settled, he too would take his family somewhere nice. Whats the status of the mine? When will it be ready? We cant keep using the mine copse excuse to stop miners from digging. The mine copse excuse could only buy so much time. In the cultivation world, high-level cultivators could easily clear a new tunnel. He himself could clear a tunnel in half a day. Now, he imed he had suffered a cultivation mishap and would be unable to act for half a month. They say they need three more days. Tell them to hurry, but ensure secrecy. This matter affects not just us but also the interests of the Phoenix n! Yes! Lu Yang and the others were stunned. The governor was colluding with the Phoenix n? With the great era approaching, tensions between the Central Continent and various forces, including the demon n, were intensifying. Some demons wanted to go to war with the Great Xia Dynasty, while others sought to ally with it to face the eras crises, causing internal divisions between war and peace factions. I wonder which side the Dragon and Phoenix ns are on. Lu Yang had heard that demon spies were infiltrating the Central Continent, nning to cause trouble. Also, you know what to do with them after they finish the job, right? The governor showed a reluctant but resolute expression. The two golden core cultivators were momentarily confused, then their eyes showed a murderous intent. Do you mean we should pay them triple overtime wages? Yes. The governor turned to see the two cultivators strange looks. Whats with those expressions? The cultivators tone was resentful, Master, youve never paid us overtime wages for night shifts, like tonight. Even though they didnt need sleep, it wasnt fair to use them day and night without extra pay. My wife is waiting in bed too. Why should others get paid extra while they worked for free? Ill pay you overtime too. Master, what about the Phoenix Blood Stone? Hmph, if we cant do it secretly, well do it openly. Tomorrow, pose as merchants and offer a high price to buy it! How high? One million spirit stones! The governor couldnt believe anyone would refuse a profit of 500,000 spirit stones. The golden core cultivators hesitated. Whats wrong? Speak up. Master, that Dao Seeking Sect disciple might not need the money. Then 1.5 million spirit stones! The governor was getting desperate. Two million spirit stones should be irresistible. (TL Note: The raws say 1.5 million then 2 million so i guess they mean 1.5 million profit) Maybe still not enough. Two million! Still not enough. The governor was furious, Then how much will it take? I refuse to believe a Foundation Building Stage cultivator wouldnt be tempted by two million spirit stones! We heard the disciple is the Meng familys eldest son. The words Meng family and eldest son together signified immense power and wealth, deterring most people. The Meng family was the foremost family on the Central Continent, renowned far and wide. Hearing this, the governors anger red. Unfazed by Meng Jingzhous status, he dered, So what if hes the Meng familys eldest son? Ill steal it myself tomorrow night! (End of the chapter) Chapter 225: Fellow Thieves The governor didnt want to escte the situation unnecessarily. If spirit stones could resolve the issue, he preferred to use them. As the governor of Luofeng County, which relied heavily on mining as its primary economic activity, he controlled a vast amount of spirit stones, practically an ocean of wealth. He couldnt believe that a mere Dao Seeking Sect Foundation Building Stage disciple couldpare to him in terms of wealth. Now, he realized he had overestimated himself. Competing with the Meng familys eldest son was out of his league. It was better to steal it himselfcheaper and more efficient. Do you think offering ten million spirit stones would tempt the Meng familys eldest son? he asked. The two golden core cultivators hesitated before shaking their heads. No, it wouldnt. Fine, then Ill make my move worth ten million spirit stones, the governor dered, trying to motivate himself. On the rooftop, Lu Yang turned to Meng Jingzhou and asked, Would you sell it for ten million spirit stones? Meng Jingzhou rolled his eyes. Id sell it for fifty thousand. Why would I hold on to something meant for enhancing virility? To train your willpower?Shut up. Meanwhile, at the Mo family residence. Patriarch, the lower-ranked miners shop reported that a group came in today with a very unique Phoenix Blood Stone, asking if there were more like it, an aide reported. From the description, it seems to be the kind of Phoenix Blood Stone weve been searching for. Really? The Mo family patriarchs eyes lit up, pleased to have finally found this type of Phoenix Blood Stone. Its said that businesses cantpete with officials. Despite the Mo familys wealth and influence, they were still at a disadvantage against the governor. If they could get hold of this Phoenix Blood Stone, it would be evidence to use against the governor, giving them leverage. I n to steal the Phoenix Blood Stone tonight, the aide suggested. Tonight? Tell me, who bought the Phoenix Blood Stone? Whats their identity and cultivation level? What if theyre at the Spirit Transformation Stage? the patriarch queried. The aide stammered, realizing he was too eager to impress the patriarch and had rushed his n. The Mo family patriarch snorted, This matter cant be taken lightly. Find out who obtained the Phoenix Blood Stone tomorrow, and if all goes well, Ill personally steal it tomorrow night! Youll do it yourself? the aide was shocked. Was this task really worth the patriarchs involvement? Of course. This could be the leverage we need against the governor. Its worth my personal attention. The patriarch smiled with excitement. It was time to turn the tide in their battle against the governor. Whats different about this stone? Back at Li Haorans house, Meng Jingzhou took out the Phoenix Blood Stone and examined it closely, finding nothing unusual. Senior Su, can you see anything wrong with it? Su Yiren shook her head. Im not very familiar with Phoenix Blood Stones. We might need a craftsman to identify any differences. Everyone turned their gaze to Li Haoran. Li Haorans mouth twitched. I think youre overestimating me. My master might be able to figure it out, but not me. Fairy, can you see anything? Lu Yang asked the Evesting Fairy. The Evesting Fairy frowned. It has a bloody smell, and its very fresh. I dont like it. A bloody smell? Very fresh? Lu Yang had a bad feeling. Could this Phoenix Blood Stone be a clue left by a deceased person? Fairy, did a phoenix really die here in Luofeng County? The Evesting Fairy nodded. Yes, but it didnt die around here as Haoran said. Its right beneath our feet. The Evesting Fairy pointed downward. Theres a body of a phoenix at the Unity Stage under the entire Luofeng County. What should we do? Li Haoran asked, surprised that his visit home had caught the governors attention to the point where hed act personally. Luofeng County was a major county, and the governor was at the Spirit Transformation Stage. Should we just catch him? Su Yiren, being the highest-ranking cultivator present, suggested simply capturing the troublemaker. Lu Yang thought for a moment. Without evidence, it wouldnt be proper to act directly. We represent the Dao Seeking Sect and cant misuse our authority. Letsy in wait. When the governores to steal the item tomorrow night, well use a recording sphere to capture everything. Then, Senior Su can act. Catching him red-handed will make him confess. At that point, hell have no choice but to admit it, Lu Yang concluded. Alright, Su Yiren agreed. Lu Yang reminded everyone, We should keep this to ourselves. Junior Brother Li, you wouldnt want your parents involved, would you? Li Haoran nodded, a bit helplessly, as if recalling something. Its best if they dont know about this. Ill also keep it from Yanyan, Su Yiren added. Li Haoran sighed with relief. Luckily, Senior Su is here. Otherwise, wed be in trouble tomorrow night. Meng Jingzhou chuckled, Why worry? We have Lu Yang here. He defeated a Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator at the Foundation Building Stage. With him, we dont need to fear the governor. Su Yiren, who was about to correct Li Haorans address for her, was stunned by this revtion. A Foundation Building Stage cultivator defeating a Spirit Transformation Stage one? Thats unheard of. Was I being presumptuous in teaching him about core formation? Shut up! Lu Yang red at Meng Jingzhou, knowing he was getting back at him for mocking him earlier. Curious, Su Yiren kept pressing for details about the battle, but Lu Yang refused to share, embarrassed by the whole affair. He warned Meng Jingzhou and Li Haoran with a re not to say a word. During the day, everyone acted as if nothing had happened the night before, enjoying their meals and leisure time. Lu Yang took some time to inquire about any missing or deceased cultivators recently, but found none. As the sun set and night deepened, a figure blended with the darkness, sneaking into Li Haorans house. The governor was fully prepared, wearing a night suit and mask. His outfit could conceal his presence and change his voice and spiritual energy fluctuations, making even his wife unable to recognize him. Should be foolproof, right? The governor, doing this for the first time, felt nervous. But thinking about the ten million spirit stones at stake, he steeled himself. He spread his divine sense, locating the Phoenix Blood Stone by Meng Jingzhous bedside. Meng Jingzhou seemed to be sound asleep,pletely unaware. Meng Jingzhou was actually wide awake, frustrated that he had to y along. He couldnt sleep elsewhere without raising suspicion, so he pretended to sleep, listening to Lu Yangs live updates. Found it! Just as the governor was about to proceed, another figure climbed over the wallit was the Mo family patriarch. The patriarch was dressed simrly, fully disguised, unrecognizable to anyone. Both froze, surprised to find a fellow thief. Was this ce really that desirable? No, Im the governor/patriarch, just moonlighting as a thief temporarily. (End of the chapter) Chapter 226: The Third Shadow The Mo family patriarch had already investigated the origins of the purchased Phoenix Blood Stone. It was somewhat tricky, as the buyer was a Foundation Building Stage disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect, presumably a nouveau riche, apanied by twopanions, also from the Dao Seeking Sect. A Foundation Building Stage cultivator meant nothing to him, but the addition of Dao Seeking Sect changed everything. The higher ones cultivation, the more one understood hidden truths and the more terrifying the Dao Seeking Sect seemed. Thus, he had to personally handle this matter. He couldnt believe that as a Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator, he couldnt steal from three Foundation Building Stage disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect without them noticing. However, he wasnt the only thief tonight. Thief, the thing Ive set my sights on isnt something you can touch. Leave immediately! The governor and the Mo family patriarch simultaneously unleashed their directed pressure. Amon thief would be paralyzed with fear upon encountering such pressure. The governor smirked, guessing that the Mo family, having failed the previous night, was still unwilling to give up and had sent someone again tonight.Whats the use? Running into me is just bad luck! Their pressures shed silently, causing both to frown. Hmm? Both realized that the others pressure was unusual, indicating they werent ordinary people. Old Freak Mo! Old Ghost Shi! They recognized each other, followed by a long silence. Luofeng County only had two Spirit Transformation Stage cultivators, making them easy to identify. They both considered themselves too dignified to engage in petty theft, making this encounter particrly awkward. They couldnt very well im to be out for a moonlit stroll. Fancy meeting you here. Yes, what a coincidence. This was followed by another lengthy silence. The governor seized the initiative, projecting his voice with divine sense, his tone solemn and righteous: I anticipated a thief woulde tonight and have been waiting here. And indeed, I caught you, Old Mo! Surrender now! The governor pulled out an iron chain and swung it towards the Mo family patriarch. Bah! You think Im blind? Dressed like that, you still have the nerve to im you were waiting for a thief? The Mo family patriarch didnt buy it. This guy was dressed in ck just like him, fooling no one. He drew his weapon to fight. Both feared exposure and tacitly agreed not to use spells, making their fight silent. Having fought each other for decades, they were well-versed in each others methods and knew they couldnt best each other easily. After dozens of exchanges, they both stopped. This wont get us anywhere. Youre here for the Phoenix Blood Stone, right? Lets agree that whoever steals it first keeps it, the governor proposed. Agreed, the Mo family patriarch replied readily. The governor sneered internally. Even if the other guy got the stone, hed find a way to take it back. His future depended on itno way hed honor the agreement. Coincidentally, the Mo family patriarch had the same thought. In the shadows, Lu Yang recorded everything with a recording sphere. Both had already detected the Phoenix Blood Stones location and were about to head to Meng Jingzhous room when another shadow climbed over the wall. Another one? The governor and Mo family patriarch were puzzled, as were Lu Yang, Su Yiren, and Li Haoran observing from the dark. Is your house that attractive? Lu Yang asked Li Haoran. Li Haoran rolled his eyes, not wanting to speak. It wasnt his house; it was Mengs Phoenix Blood Stone that was attracting everyone. Lu Yang recalled the shadow he had glimpsed while tracking the two golden core cultivators the previous night. Could it be the same person as tonights third shadow? The third shadow is also at the Spirit Transformation Stage, Su Yiren warned, making Lu Yang wary. Who was the third shadow? What was their purpose? What, not only the governor but also the Mo family patriarch and a third Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator tonight? Meng Jingzhou, unable to see, felt itchy hearing the conversation. He really wanted to see what was happening outside. The third shadow, seeing the governor and Mo family patriarch, wasnt surprised. He nodded, Good, youre early by fifteen minutes. Lets go. The governor and Mo family patriarch exchanged nces, realizing they couldnt discern the shadows cultivation level. Spirit Transformation Stage? Where did a third Spirit Transformation Stage cultivatore from in Luofeng County? It seemed the shadow mistook them for someone else. They decided to y along and followed the third shadow. Sir, I heard there are Dao Seeking Sect disciples living here. Is it safe for us to act? the governor asked as he followed. The third shadow was unconcerned. Theyre just Foundation Building Stage disciples. Whats the problem? Everything is ready, except for a top-grade Phoenix Blood Stone. The best quality Phoenix Blood Stone is in the hands of this Dao Seeking Sect Foundation Building Stage disciple. Once this is done, well all be promoted. Were so close to sess, why are you two hesitating? Hurry up! The third shadow was also after Meng Jingzhous Phoenix Blood Stone. What on earth is that Phoenix Blood Stone, attracting all these Spirit Transformation Stage cultivators? Lu Yang muttered. This is what you get for unting wealthnow everyone knows you have a top-grade Phoenix Blood Stone. Who knows? If I had known it would cause so much trouble, Id have thrown it in the trash, Meng Jingzhou grumbled. The three Spirit Transformation Stage cultivators arrived at Meng Jingzhous room. Phoenix Blood Stone! The governors eyes gleamed seeing the stone beside Meng Jingzhou. As expected, it was the Phoenix Blood Stone that mustnt enter the market. The Mo family patriarch, seeing the governors reaction, knew his guess was right. The third shadows eyes also shone. Although he hadnt seen a top-grade Phoenix Blood Stone, its quality was unmistakable. Even if it wasnt top-grade, it was close enough. By the way, sir, what do we need the Phoenix Blood Stone for? the governor asked nonchntly. Perhaps because the target was within reach, the third shadow let his guard down and replied, To refine the phoenix beneath our feet into a corpse puppet, overthrow Luofeng County, and strengthen our Nine Nether Sect. The n is almostplete; we just need the top-grade Phoenix Blood Stone as the core. Youre from the Nine Nether Sect?! the Mo family patriarch eximed. Of course, were not from the Undying Sect wait, who are you? The third shadow realized that these two werent his subordinates. All three intruders became wary, ready to fight at any moment. Now that youve been discovered, you must die! The third shadow attacked, revealing his peak Spirit Transformation Stage cultivation, aiming to kill the other two. The governor and Mo family patriarch werent pushovers. As fellow Spirit Transformation Stage cultivators, they wouldnt be easily killed. In fact, they were confident they could turn the tables. At that moment, space froze. None of the three could move, as if time had stopped. Rule alteration, a power of the Unity Stage. Su Yiren had made her move. (End of the chapter) Chapter 227: Su Yiren Takes Action Is there someone else?! The county governor, the head of the Mo family, and the disciples of the Nine Nether Sect were shocked. They prided themselves on controlling everything from the shadows, being the chess masters. How did they end up being controlled instead? Who was in the shadows? They employed various methods. The county governor tried to manipte the chains hidden on his back, but no matter how hard he tried, the chains seemed nailed to the space on his back, not moving an inch. The head of the Mo family had tattoos of eighteen types of weapons on his arms, which were actually eighteen weapons he had personally crafted. These weapons had always been invincible, but now, they were all dormant, not a single one responding. The disciples of the Nine Nether Sect attempted to summon the ghostly shadows hidden in their bodies, but these shadows seemed to have encountered something terrifying, trembling and cowering inside their bodies. The three of them realized that the person who acted was no ordinary individual. This ability to disregard reality and casually change local rules was it a Unity Stage cultivator?! Did the disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect travel with such extravagance, always apanied by a Unity Stage powerhouse? The county governor and the head of the Mo family regretted their actions. Stealing a Phoenix Blood Stone had caused so many problems, involving both the Nine Nether Sect and a Unity Stage cultivator.Meng Jingzhou, seeing Su Yiren finally take action, was so frightened that he got up quickly and ran to seek Su Yirens protection. He was the only one in the room who could move. Lu Yang whispered to Li Haoran, If she uses force, it seems like you dont have the ability to resist. You might as wellply with her. In that case, she can have my body, but not my heart! Li Haoran responded righteously, though he was also feeling apprehensive inside. Su Yiren, gentle and kind, like a considerate elder sister. It seems not so bad toply with her. Su Yiren pushed open the door, looking at the three people she had immobilized. Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhou, and Li Haoran followed behind her, feeling extremely safe. Who would have thought, governor Shi, that you would not only collude with the Phoenix n but also with the Nine Nether Sect? Your crimes are heinous, and Ive recorded everything with a shadow ball! Lu Yang immediately used. Hey, hey, hey, you cant just say things like that. The county governors face changed. Ah yes, yes, yes, he is indeed colluding with the Phoenix n and the Nine Nether Sect. I can testify. The head of the Mo family seized the opportunity to add fuel to the fire. Nice to meet you, Im Lu Yang, a disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect. Meng Jingzhou, Dao Seeking Sect disciple. Li Haoran, Dao Seeking Sect disciple. Su Yiren said nothing. She was kind to Li Haoran, but not so to outsiders. I originally wanted to see what secrets this Phoenix Blood Stone held, but I didnt expect to catch such a big fish. Lu Yang removed the mask of the Nine Nether Sect disciple, revealing an ordinary face. You just mentioned refining the phoenix into a corpse puppet. Tell us what happened, and I might spare your life. This was no small matter. A Unity Stage phoenix corpse was at their feet. Even the phoenix just turning over would spell disaster for Luofeng County. The county governors face turned grim as well. If the Nine Nether Sect seeded, his position as governor would be over. The Nine Nether Sect discipleughed loudly, You discovered it, and you think I can still live? Senior Su, search his soul. Seeing that the other party had no intention of speaking, Lu Yang directly asked Su Yiren to act. Su Yiren stepped forward and pressed the brow of the Nine Nether Sect disciple. Her brow furrowed, Hes not human, hes a corpse! The disciples eyes went dull, his body rapidly decaying until only a pile of bones remained. This was amon method of the Nine Nether Sect. They animated corpses, controlling them from behind the scenes. Once discovered, they severed the connection, and the corpse decayed quickly, leaving no clues, making it extremely difficult to capture them. However, the people present did not know much about the Nine Nether Sect. Trying to escape? Su Yiren took action again, using her Unity Stage abilities to envelop the entire Luofeng County, making it impossible for even insects to enter or birds to leave. She was determined to find the members of the Nine Nether Sect. Controlling corpses had a range. The opponent couldnt have escaped Luofeng County. If she let them escape despite a two-realm difference, it would be too embarrassing. She didnt mind losing face herself, but losing face in front of Li Haoran was uneptable! She spread her divine sense, scanning every inch of Luofeng County. Under normal circumstances, a Unity Stage rogue cultivator scanning a city with divine sense would be seen as a provocation to the Great Xia Dynasty, but given the circumstances, no one would hold Su Yiren ountable. Found them! Su Yiren quickly locked onto several suspicious cultivators with her divine sense. These suspicious cultivators seemed to have some kind of restriction on them, and once immobilized by Su Yiren, they died instantly. So ruthless? The county governors face turned pale. Ive heard that the Nine Nether Sect believes in the existence of the Nine Nether, that death is just a cycle of reincarnation for them, so they are not afraid of death. The Nine Nether Sect is a group of desperados and very dangerous! Su Yiren discovered through her divine sense that many dry wells in wealthy households contained intricate formations, linked together very tightly, covering the entirerge formation. This should be the formation used to refine the phoenix. No, the disciples of the Nine Nether Sect who died instantly were not even at the Spirit Transformation Stage. The real maniptor hasnt been found! Su Yiren realized that those who died were just the subordinates of the mastermind. Theyre below, inside the phoenixs corpse! Lu Yang was the first to think of it. The old phoenix was at the Unity Stage before it died, and a Unity Stage corpse could block divine sense scans of the same level. Su Yiren also thought of this, but she did not act. Senior Su, whats the matter? Lu Yang was puzzled. For a Unity Stage cultivator, drilling into the ground shouldnt be difficult, right? Dont Unity Stage cultivators know a few ground-prating techniques? Exactly, Senior Su, hurry up and go down. If the Nine Nether Sect refines the phoenix, Luofeng County will be in danger. Li Haoran also urged. Su Yiren thought about her wording and said, My methods might not be what you expect. Su Yiren took a deep breath, calming herself. At this point, there was no point in pretending to be a refineddy anymore. She clenched her fist and punched the ground, creating a deep hole wide enough for a person. Then she jumped in and drilled into the ground. Lu Yang and the others widened their eyes and swallowed hard. Senior Su Yirens methods seemed not to match her gentle appearance. They suddenly remembered a previously overlooked question. What aspect of cultivation is she skilled in? Meng Jingzhou found the hole particrly familiar. This technique was simr to his masters. The three exchanged nces, an absurd guess emerging in their minds: Could Su Yiren be a body cultivator? A phoenix with vibrant red feathersy quietly underground, as if it had just died. Suddenly, the formations left by the Nine Nether Sect on the ground activated one by one. The phoenixs eyes lit up with a green glow, like jade, and real phoenix mes ignited around it, burning the underground space into a hollow. Since youve discovered us, we might as well go all out! The phoenix echoed with the voice of the Nine Nether Sect disciple, hoarse and frantic. Although he said that, the Nine Nether Sect disciple felt immense regret. Setting up formations, stealing a Phoenix Blood Stone, reviving the phoenix, overthrowing Luofeng Countyit was a perfect n, simple and foolproof, unlikely to be discovered. Why did stealing a Phoenix Blood Stone have to involve a Unity Stage cultivator overseeing it? Is this Phoenix Blood Stone really that valuable? Huh? Although I cant revive the phoenix to its peak state in such haste, its more than enough to overthrow Luofeng County! The Nine Nether Sect disciple couldnt care less at this point. I know youre at the Unity Stage, but so what? Whether youre skilled in formations or talismans, it doesnt matter. Before youpletely stop the phoenix, I can destroy Luofeng County several times over! The phoenix, wrapped in true mes, screeched in the underground hollow. It spread its wings, carrying an endless destructive force, like rebirth through fire. The Nine Nether Sect disciple was about to control the phoenix to soar into the sky but found that the phoenix couldnt fly up. Whats happening? He used his divine sense to probe outside and discovered that Su Yiren was holding the phoenixs beak with one hand, preventing it from flying even an inch. Fly? Su Yirens delicate face showed a cold smile. She gripped the phoenixs beak with one hand and forcefully mmed it down, smashing the phoenix hard onto the ground. The county governor and the head of the Mo family, along with Lu Yang and the others, descended through the hole and witnessed the scene of Su Yiren hurling the phoenix. The blend of beauty and violence was striking. Li Haoran swallowed hard. If he married her, would he even survive? (End of the chapter) Chapter 228: True Phoenix Flames At first, Li Haoran was resistant to Su Yiren. He thought, how could he, a proud man, live off a woman? He wanted to be independent like Senior Brother Lu. Later, he found Su Yiren to be beautiful, kind-hearted, gentle, and caring, exuding maternal qualities that made one want to be spoiled by her. Now, seeing Su Yirens powerful punches and kicks, leaving the phoenix unable to get up, he thought his small frame was no match for the phoenix. For safety reasons, he decided to stay away from Su Yiren. This is what it means to stay true to oneself. Li Haorans legs trembled, extinguishing any thoughts of relying on Su Yiren for support. He simply didnt have the physical strength for it. Walking on the street holding arms might just lead to broken arms. If their rtionship progressed further, he couldnt imagine the damage his body might endure. Lu Yang seemed to understand Li Haorans state of mind and patted his shoulder. Everything has its pros and cons. Not only Li Haoran, but even the county governor and the head of the Mo family were shaken by Su Yirens terrifying fighting style.This senior looked delicate and weak, but when she fought, it was as if she turned into a different person. They hade underground to see if there was any need for help, but now they were worried that if they went down to help, Su Yiren might beat them up as well. Is this senior from the Dao Seeking Sect a body cultivator? They both thought Su Yiren was some elder from the Dao Seeking Sect. Senior Su is not an elder of the Dao Seeking Sect; she is his fiance, Meng Jingzhou introduced Li Haoran, an outstanding young man from Luo Feng County. The county governor and the head of the Mo family were filled with respect. While the people above were chatting andughing, the state of the Nine Nether Sect followers below was not so good. In order to refine the phoenixs corpse, destroy Luo Feng County, and provoke a conflict between humans and the phoenix n, he had nned for years, studying ancient texts, consulting elders, exploring ruins, and finally learning how to refine the phoenixs corpse. The phoenix n advocated peace and had good rtions with humans. If he could provoke a conflict under the guise of refining the phoenixs corpse, leading to war, countless lives would be lost, sending more souls into the cycle of reincarnation. Just one step away! Just one step away! How could a Unity Stage expert suddenly appear? Even if youre in the Unity Stage, it doesnt matter! the Nine Nether Sect follower screamed,pletely insane. Controlling such a massive corpse was a test of his cultivation and mental strength. Logically, other Nine Nether Sect followers should have helped him bear the burden of control, but they had already been killed by Su Yiren. The old phoenix ignited into fierce mes, crackling, with even the space showing signs of distortion. Even Lu Yang and his group standing at the edge could feel the rolling heat wavesing one after another. The county governor had no choice but to take out a string of golden bells from his storage ring, shielding everyone. Su Yiren stomped on the phoenixs back, causing it to crash down, but the mes did not weaken in the slightest. True Phoenix mes could dissolve everything, including the earth. This underground hollow was burned out by the true mes. If the mes spread unchecked, the entire Luo Feng County would turn into a sea of fire! True Phoenix mes and True Golden Dragon mes were mes as renowned as the Samadhi True Fire, famous and formidable. True Phoenix mes are as troublesome as ever when they bloom, Evesting Fairy observed in the spiritual space, recalling the prodigies of the phoenix n she had taught. Prodigies of the dragon and phoenix ns naturally mastered their ns signature skills, their control over fire was masterful, perfect for cooking. Is there a way to counter it? Lu Yang asked hurriedly. If there was no way, he would have to summon his Eldest Senior Sister. Theres a unique acupuncture point in the middle of the neck of a phoenix. Its the source of the True Phoenix mes. Hit that point, and it wont be able to spit fire anymore, Evesting Fairy provided the solution at the critical moment. Hearing this, Lu Yang quickly transmitted the information to Su Yiren. She nced at Lu Yang in surprise but didnt think much of it, assuming that a Dao Seeking Sect disciple would be well-versed in such knowledge from their sects teachings. After all, his master was the sect leader of the Dao Seeking Sect. Su Yiren targeted the spot Lu Yang mentioned and charged forward. The True Phoenix mes surged towards her like a mad tide. She clenched her five fingers together, her right hand forming a fist, positioned at her waist. With a sudden burst of power, she punched, distorting the space in front of her, rendering the True Phoenix mes unable to approach her. Die! Su Yiren threw another punch, producing a sound like muffled thunder, striking the old phoenixs neck. The True Phoenix mes, as if losing their source, gradually vanished. Whats going on?! The Nine Nether Sect follower was horrified. The True Phoenix mes were said to dissolve everything and be inextinguishablehow could they just disappear? Evesting Fairy had revealed a secret known to very few within the phoenix n, let alone the Nine Nether Sect followers. Without the True Phoenix mes, the old phoenix was no longer a threat. The Nine Nether Sect follower, in a desperate attempt to fight his way out, found himself unable to move, hammered down by Su Yiren. Su Yiren was also inwardly furious. After acting like a quiet and demuredy for several days to leave a good impression on Li Haoran, it had all been ruined by this situation. Damn Nine Nether Sect! Die, die, die! Seeing Su Yirens earth-shattering punches, one after another, Li Haorans eye twitched involuntarily. If those punchesnded on him, not even his soul would be left. Finally, Su Yiren delivered an extremely powerful punch, the sound of which prated the ground. The entire Luo Feng County could hear it, marking the end of the battle. She tore open a gap in the phoenixs corpse and pulled out the Nine Nether Sect follower, directly searching his mind. She frowned immediately. During the fight, this follower had used his spiritual sense far beyond its limits, leaving his mind inplete disarray, revealing nothing useful. In other words, the follower had gone insane. Unlucky, Su Yiren said as she snapped the followers neck, sending him to the Nine Nether Hells. The underground hollow left by the battle was difficult to manage. Su Yiren temporarily used the power of rules to stabilize the upper space, leaving the Great Xia Dynasty to handle the rest. She wasnt skilled in this area. Thank you, senior, for your assistance. Without you, Luo Feng County would have struggled to escape this disaster, the county governor sincerely expressed his gratitude, cupping his hands. Dont thank me just yet. Whats the deal with this phoenix bloodstone? Exin it. Senior, theres really nothing special about this phoenix bloodstone. I just found it interesting The county governor was clearly reluctant to tell the truth. Lu Yang took out a recording orb. This contains evidence of the county governor breaking into private homes, stealing property, and colluding with the Nine Nether Sect. Wait a minute, breaking into homes and theft aside, when did I ever collude with the Nine Nether Sect? Lu Yang yed the recording orb. In the recording, a Nine Nether Sect follower climbed over a wall, with the county governor and the head of the Mo family following him into Meng Jingzhous guest room. The recording stopped there. And what about after that? Wheres the part where the two of us extracted information about the Nine Nether Sects ns and prepared to fight? The county governor and the head of the Mo family were frantic. Lu Yang remained expressionless. The recording orb malfunctioned. It doesnt show anything after that. If the county governor is willing to exin the reasons, I might be able to fix the recording orb. Dao Seeking Sect disciples are indeed worthy of their reputation, the county governor said through gritted teeth. (End of the chapter) Chapter 229: The Origin of the Phoenix Bloodstone The county governor looked at Lu Yang with gritted teeth, but he was helpless. He was deeply reluctant to reveal this matter, but things had reached a point where he had no choice. The head of the Mo family watched with a look of amusement, gloating. The county governor let out a heavy sigh. Please follow me, everyone. The group followed the county governor to the surface and headed straight for the mine. The mine copse was a cover story; theres more to it, the county governor exined. He led them expertly to the end of the mine tunnel, pressing a hidden mechanism on the wall. With a rumbling sound, a stone door opened, leading deeper into the mine. This was a secret passage known to only a few, equipped with arrays to avoid detection by spiritual sense. If scanned, the arrays would disy a simted scene. The head of the Mo family became serious. This matched the information he had gatheredthere really was a secret passage.The further they walked, the stronger the stench of blood became, as if a major massacre had urred, with bodies piled high and blood drained. When Lu Yang emerged into an open area, the smell of blood was overwhelming. Fortunately, Lu Yang quickly adapted to the smell and could see the scene before him clearly. In the center of the open area was arge pit, blood-red, with countless stones protruding from the bloodke, exceptionally bright, all of simr quality to the Phoenix Bloodstone Meng Jingzhou had bought. A few people were moving around the edge of the pit, asionally pouring blood into the bloodke. This this is The county governor exined helplessly, This is how Phoenix Bloodstones are produced. The Phoenix Bloodstone is fake? Meng Jingzhou was shocked. Did he spend fifty thousand on a fake? Li Haoran shook his head. No, the blood in the pit is all phoenix blood. Ive seen my teacher use it for crafting, but the quality my teacher used was higher. County governor, who are these people? A young man with red eyes and red feathers on his neck approached. He frowned at the county governor, displeased with him bringing outsiders here. The county governor sighed. I had no choice. If I didnt bring them, Id be the one in trouble. The red-eyed youth was about to lose his temper. Bringing outsiders here meant exposurehow would he exin this to the n leader? These few people are from the Dao Seeking Sect and this person here is my grandson, the Mo family patriarch Screw off! Dao Seeking Sect? The red-eyed youth scrutinized Lu Yang and the others, his expression changing as if recalling unpleasant memories. His attitude became less arrogant. Who is Yun Zhi to you? Shes my Eldest Senior Sister. And Gan Tian? Shes my Third Senior Sister, Lu Yang replied. His unseen Third Senior Sister named Gan Tian was currently training in the demon domain. So youre Dao Seeking Sect disciples here for an inspection. Please,e this way. The red-eyed youths attitude did aplete 180, bing warm and friendly. The county governors eye twitched. He had never seen the red-eyed youth be so friendly. Let me introduce, this is Jiang Shan, a member of the phoenix n. Senior Jiang Shan, do you know Eldest Senior Sister and Third Senior Sister Ah, calling me Senior Jiang Shan is too formal. Just call me Little Jiang from now on. For some reason, Jiang Shan was particrly friendly towards Lu Yang. As for Senior Yun Zhi and Senior Gan Tian, they have been very good to our phoenix n. They even came to spar with us and guided us in our cultivation. I was fortunate enough to receive their guidance. Of course, if possibleIm just saying if possiblecould you ask your Eldest Senior Sister and Third Senior Sister not toe to our phoenix n anymore? The dragon n has arger territory; they could go there. Lu Yang: Eldest Senior Sister and Third Senior Sister, what exactly did you do in the phoenix n? Su Yiren was also curious. This behavior was not typical of the proud phoenix n she had heard of. I came here to understand what exactly the Phoenix Bloodstone is. The county governor said, Jiang Shan doesnt know as much about this matter as I do, so let me exin. This matter dates back four thousand years. Four thousand years ago, a phoenix senior passed away here, and their blood soaked into the mine, producing the first batch of Phoenix Bloodstones. The ancients discovered the Phoenix Bloodstones by chance and were ecstatic, setting up camp here and forming the early beginnings of Luo Feng County. About seven hundred yearster, Phoenix Bloodstones became scarcer and harder to mine. The county governor at the time saw that without Phoenix Bloodstones, the economic pir of Luo Feng County would copse, leading to the countys downfall. So, he secretly went to the phoenix n, hoping to buy some phoenix blood to produce a new batch of Phoenix Bloodstones. Initially, the phoenix n refused. They were proud and untouchable, unwilling to sell their blood. When the county governor presented the annual revenue from selling Phoenix Bloodstones and promised to give the phoenix n a thirty percent profit share, their attitude changed immediately. Everyone looked at the only phoenix present, Jiang Shan. Jiang Shan defended himself righteously, Our phoenix n has many members, and we need spirit stones for food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. Whats wrong with earning some money with our own abilities to support our families? It was the first time Lu Yang had heard selling blood described so elegantly. Lu Yang recalled Li Haoran mentioning, The phoenix n is the proudest among the demon ns, and their blood is extremely precious. It is almost impossible for humans to obtain their blood. So much for being almost impossible. The county governor nced at Jiang Shan. If your phoenix n is so righteous, why do you insist on making the Phoenix Bloodstones look aged, ensuring no one can tell they were freshly made? Jiang Shans guilty gaze shifted away, unable to meet the county governors eyes. The phoenix n agreed to sell phoenix blood on the condition that it must be kept secret and no one should be able to tell. That county governor then researched ways to quickly age the Phoenix Bloodstones. Like this. The county governor picked up a stone from the blood pool, using a technique to make the originally bright Phoenix Bloodstone appear dull and ancient, as if it had aged for hundreds or thousands of years. Every few years, Luo Feng County receives a batch of blood from the phoenix n, soaks the stones, and produces Phoenix Bloodstones. This has continued for over three thousand years, a secret passed down between each county governor. Later, something went wrong, and an unaged Phoenix Bloodstone was leaked. After several exchanges, it was bought by the eldest son of the Meng family. If an experienced artifact refiner saw that Phoenix Bloodstone, they could guess that the current Phoenix Bloodstones produced in Luo Feng County are newly made, revealing the agreement between Luo Feng County and the phoenix n. If this matter gets exposed, it would be embarrassing for both Luo Feng County and the phoenix n. Thats why I have always wanted to retrieve that Phoenix Bloodstone. As for this Mo fellow, he has the same idea. But now that you all know the truth, retrieving it is pointless. (End of the chapter) Chapter 230: The Legend of Rebirth by Fire If the Phoenix Bloodstone was a fake, it wouldnt be entirely urate to say so, since the crime scene was right therethe stones were genuinely soaked in phoenix blood. Even if this matter were exposed, nothing significant would happen. The only downside would be that the phoenix n would lose face, damaging their proud reputation. Everyone present knew a little about the Dao Seeking Sects ethos. Although their ethos wasnt perfect, they werent known for gossiping. They wouldnt spread this matter around just because they knew about it. So, the truth about the Phoenix Bloodstone would likely only circte within the Dao Seeking Sect. Everyones eyes turned back to Jiang Shan. He didnt mind that the Dao Seeking Sect members were now aware of the truth. Who doesnt know the reputation of the Dao Seeking Sect? They y demons and monsters, uphold righteousness, and keep their promises. I believe you wont spread this matter around. After all, it wasnt the first time the phoenix n had lost face with the Dao Seeking Sect. Compared to that previous incident, selling blood wasnt such a big deal. The three of them nodded, thinking it wasnt a big deal. Li Haoran, curious, pointed at the officials making Phoenix Bloodstones in the distance. County Governor, how do you ensure they dont leak the secret? By paying them more?There were quite a few officials working here, at least a dozen. If even one of them leaked the secret, the truth about the Phoenix Bloodstones wouldnt be safe. Who knows if someone might carelessly blurt it out. The county governor shook his head. They certainly wont leak the secret. Why not? You should know that wearing a Phoenix Bloodstone for a long time enhances virility. Ultimately, its the phoenix bloods effect. If merely wearing a Phoenix Bloodstone can enhance virility, imagine the effect of working in an environment filled with their blood mist. If anyone leaks the secret, none of them will be allowed to work here again. Alright. By the way, Ive heard that a phoenix can be reborn from fire. Is that true? Lu Yang recalled the old phoenix not long ago, bathing in True Fire, as if about to be resurrected. This ancient legend came to mind. Jiang Shan nodded solemnly, filled with reverence and admiration. Yes, but its almost a legend even within our phoenix n. ording to legend, in ancient times, our phoenix n had an ancestor who reached a state just a step away from attaining an immortal ariya-ph, exuding supreme majesty with every move, capable of altering the heavens with a single thought. In the history of the phoenix n, she was the strongest, unmatched even within the demon ns records. This ancestor had a titanic battle with the dragon ns ancestor. That battle shattered the stars and extinguished the sun, leaving the universe in deathly silence. No one knows the oue of that battle. A great power from our phoenix n at the Tribtion Crossing Stage witnessed a fragment of the battle from afar. He saw our ancestor lying quietly in the cosmos, lifeless, her soul silent,pletely dead. Her body floated like a small boat on the waves, while the dragon ns ancestor remained vignt. Suddenly, celestial fire rose from our ancestors body. She bathed in the celestial fire, spread her wings, and let out a resounding cry to the heavens. The celestial fire was dazzling, brighter than the sun. She emitted waves of phoenix cries that echoed through the universe. It wasnt just our phoenix n; many at the Tribtion Crossing Stage watched this epic battle from afar and witnessed this scene. If you get a chance to browse through the records of other demon ns, you can find rted ounts. Since then, the saying phoenix reborn from fire has existed. But its something only our ancestor could achieve. Some specte that perhaps only by reaching our ancestors level can one transcend life and death, resurrecting after death. Thus, for ordinary phoenixes, the idea of being reborn from fire is nothing more than a legend. Jiang Shan spoke humbly, though he was a pure-blooded phoenix, a rarity even among the phoenix n, with noble blood and high status. Without such an identity, how could he have received guidance from the Third Senior Sister, Gan Tian, ande to Luo Feng County to oversee the production of Phoenix Bloodstones? So, the rebirth by fire is real. I always thought it was a baseless legend, Su Yiren said, eyes widened. She seldom interacted with people, let alone conversed with the phoenix n. The others also nodded, expressing their newfound understanding. That phoenix ancestor must have reached a transcendent level, far beyond the ordinary Tribtion Crossing Stage, someone remarked. Dare I ask where this phoenix ancestor is now? Lu Yang was particrly interested, hoping to learn about the whereabouts of the Qilin Immortal through the phoenix ancestor. Jiang Shan shook his head. The ancestor has been missing for a long time. Even the oldest elders in the n dont know where she is. Fairy, do you know anything about the phoenixs rebirth by fire? Lu Yang suddenly remembered Evesting Fairy, his invaluable resource within his spiritual space. Evesting Fairy was sleeping and was woken up by Lu Yang. She rubbed her eyes, yawning, barely able to keep her eyes open. What did you just ask? Do you know anything about the phoenixs rebirth by fire? Lu Yang repeated. Still groggy, Evesting Fairy struggled to recall. She tilted her head back, thinking hard. Oh, yes, there is such a thing. As expected of the foremost of the five ancient immortals, her knowledge was vast. The saying Having an elder at home is like having a treasure certainly applied here. After another yawn, Evesting Fairy continued, I remember a long time ago, a prodigy from the dragon n and a prodigy from the phoenix n fought over a man. I was just watching from the side. The two of them were ruthless, using all sorts of trickssetting things on fire, pulling hair, cursing each other. Quite the spectacle. Wait, what do you mean by setting things on fire, pulling hair, and cursing? Lu Yang thought this didnt sound like a fight between two Tribtion Crossing Stage powerhouses. Oh, they were using their ns true mes to attack each other, burning semi-immortal level talismans, and using each others hair to set up curses, Evesting Fairy exined offhandedly. Please continue. Anyway, they fought fiercely. As the battle progressed, it became clear that the dragon n prodigy had the upper hand. They werent fighting for the first time. The dragon n prodigys win rate was about sixty percent, so her winning this time was normal. Just as I thought the fight was about to end, the phoenix n prodigy used a technique she learned from meying dead. Shey on the ground, feigning death, her life force dissipating, making it impossible for anyone to tell she was still alive. The dragon n prodigy was baffled. Dering victory felt hollow, but saying she lost was ridiculous. However, she couldnt strike a dead person; that would look bad. Then she had a clever ideato burn the phoenix n prodigy. The phoenix n prodigy was in such pain from the fire that she cried out and sprang up, her scream echoing through the universe. Somehow, this got turned into the story of the phoenix reborn from fire. Who knows who spread that rumorso hical. Evesting Fairy shook her head, displeased with the phoenix n prodigy. She hadnt mastered the art of ying dead. If it were me, I would have continued pretending. Fortunately, no one knows I taught her that. Its embarrassing to say I was her teacher, given how poorly she performed. Lu Yang: Youre the one whos embarrassing, Fairy. (End of the chapter) Chapter 231: Li Haoran’s Past Life Out of respect for the phoenix ancestor and peoples beautiful fantasies about the phoenix, Lu Yang felt there was no need to reveal the ancient secrets he had just learned. Lu Yang felt burdened by many things, even though he was only at the Foundation Establishment stage. Normally, knowing many ancient secrets should allow a Foundation Establishment cultivator to gain various opportunities. For example, an ancient race might have lost their heritage, and Lu Yang, with a slight smile, casually reveals the location of their heritage, allowing them to regain it. They would be astonished by Lu Yang and offer their saintess as his wife. Or, he might enter an ancient secret realm where others struggle to pass through dangerous trials, while he, knowing the secrets, leisurely obtains the final reward, leaving all the other prodigies dumbfounded. Alternatively, at an auction, a seemingly useless treasure might appear, almost failing to sell. Only Lu Yang would recognize it as a priceless ancient artifact and win it at a low price. None of these scenarios had ever happened to Lu Yang. He felt that knowing a bunch of ancient secrets was utterly useless since he couldnt utilize any of them. Lu Yang pondered, wondering where things had gone wrong. The matter of the Phoenix Bloodstone came to an end. After a whole night of turmoil, the greatest achievement was unintentionally thwarting the Nine Nether Sects conspiracy and Li Haoran discovering that Su Yiren was a body cultivator. When Li Haorans parents woke up and saw the bottomless pit in their courtyard, they fell into deep thought. It had been fine before they went to bed, so how did such arge pit appear overnight? Su Yiren had worried that the noise from the night would wake up Li Haorans parents and Qin Yanyan, so she set up an array to iste outside sounds. To be honest, themotionst night from Su Yiren hammering the old phoenixs corpse wasnt small. While the Li family didnt hear it, everyone else in Luo Feng County did. The county governor publicly announced that the noise was due to nighttime underground operations that werent well controlled and asked for everyones understanding. He couldnt possibly admit that he had been ipetent and that the Nine Nether Sect had exploited the situation. Without Su Yiren, everyone would have been doomed. If he said that, his position as county governor would be over. Something unexpected happenedst night. Some viins sneaked in, but fortunately, Senior Su was there to handle it, Lu Yang briefly exinedst nights events, omitting the details about the Phoenix Bloodstone, the county governor, the Mo patriarch, the Nine Nether Sect, and the old phoenix. In summary, nothing significant happenedst night. Qin Yanyan rolled her eyes at Lu Yang, knowing he was not telling the whole truth. If it required her mother to intervene and resulted in such arge pit, something big must have happened. However, she refrained from asking in front of Li Haorans parents and let Lu Yang continue his tale. Li Haorans parents nodded, somewhat understanding. When Lu Yang promised to fill in the pit, they didnt pursue the matter further. The hole was pitch ck inside. If someone could see through the darkness, they would see an old phoenix lying at the bottom. ording to Jiang Shan, the old phoenix senior had willingly buried itself there. As for the hidden details, he didnt know. Senior Su, I think Call me Yiren, Su Yiren finally found an opportunity to correct Li Haorans way of addressing her. Her tone was gentle, like a tender whisper that could make heroes fall. It was hard for anyone to associate her with the powerful body cultivator from the previous night. Although Su Yiren was a body cultivator, she didnt have the explosive muscr physique of the third elder. Her body lines were well-proportioned and conformed to popr aesthetics, more like a fitness enthusiast from Lu Yangs past life. Yi Yiren Li Haoran stammered. Yes? Su Yiren smiled. I think we might not be Before he could say the words suitable for each other, Su Yiren gently pressed her index finger against his lips. Haoran, I know its hard for you to ept this truth right now. We are both cultivators with long lifespans. Lets try to get to know each other and slowly adapt. If it really doesnt work out, you can break up with me then, okay? Li Haoran couldnt bring himself to refuse and nodded slightly. Su Yiren smiled and released her hand. Watching this, Qin Yanyan stamped her feet in frustration. Su Yirens finger seemed to lightly press against Li Haorans lips, but only he knew how strong that finger was, making it impossible for him to open his mouth. However, even without Su Yiren pressing his lips, he wanted to give their rtionship a try. Having aplished her goal, Su Yiren didnt stay any longer. She was worried that being too enthusiastic might make Li Haoran ufortable. It was better to keep some distance and give each other space. Su Yiren and Qin Yanyan stayed the entire day and left after dinner. Before leaving, Su Yiren secretly set up various formations to benefit Li Haorans parents and waved to Li Haoran, saying, Ille to find you when I have time. Another day passed, and Li Haoran followed his usual routine of demonstrating his cultivation to his parents, practicing both martial arts and meditation. As he cultivated, he felt something was off. Spiritual energy surged within him, wave after wave. His fingers and toes involuntarily stretched and curledan indication of overflowing spiritual energy. Am I about to advance? That makes sense; its about time, Li Haoran thought. This wasnt his first time experiencing such a situation. He had encountered something simr during the Qi Refinement stage. Currently, he was at the early Foundation Establishment stage. Due to spending too much time soaking inva, he started the Foundation Establishment stage more than a monthter than Lu Yang and the others. Among the top five of their cohort, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had just entered thete Foundation Establishment stage. Peach Blossom Leaf and Barbarian Bone had been in the mid Foundation Establishment stage for some time. Li Haoran was the slowest to progress. Now, he was finally catching up to the other four. Li Haoran sent a message to Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, asking them to protect him while he advanced. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had already woken up but were still lying in bed. Hearing that their good friend was about to advance, they hurriedly got up and rushed to the courtyard without even washing up, ready to guard Li Haoran. Li Haoran sat cross-legged, took two deep breaths, and formed a small vortex above his head, absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy. His body made crackling sounds as he used a body-refining technique to harden his blood vessels, meridians, acupuncture points, and organs. His skin turned red, like a piece of heated iron. Sweat seeped out of his body, producing a sizzling sound as it evaporated into steam almost instantly. Fortunately, this change didntst long. He let out a muffled groan, his aura surged, and afterpleting a cycle of Great Heavenly Cirction, he sessfully entered the mid Foundation Establishment stage. As he advanced, an unprecedented memory surfaced in his mind. It felt extraordinarily familiar, as if he had personally experienced it. Hmm? He slowly opened his eyes, looking confused. Whats wrong? Lu Yang asked with concern, fearing that something had gone wrong in his cultivation. My past life seems to be the Sect Leader of the Nine Nether Sect, Li Haoran said uncertainly. What? (End of the Chapter) Chapter 232: Senior Brother Dai, We’ve Captured the Nine Nether Sect Leader Are you sure your past life was the leader of the Nine Nether Sect? Lu Yang scrutinized Li Haoran, finding it hard to associate him with the leader of the Nine Nether Sect. Li Haoran hesitated and said, Most likely, yes. Yiren mentioned that as my cultivation level increases, I would receive fragments of memories and recall my past life. After I broke through to the mid Foundation Establishment stage, a scene shed in my mind. In the scene, there was a man dressed in ck, probably my subordinate. It was dark all around, so I couldnt see the surroundings clearly. The subordinate was holding a few sheets of paper, saying, Sect Leader, here is the annual ie and expenditure of our sect in spirit stones. Please review it. I took the papers and saw the first line read Nine Nether Sect spirit stone ie and expenditure. Before I could read more, the scene disappeared. Being addressed as Sect Leader and given the financial records of the Nine Nether Sect, its clear who I was in my past life. The Nine Nether Sect is one of the four major demonic sects. Just as people dont know the name of the Undying Sects leader, they also dont know the name of the Nine Nether Sects leader.Now Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou knewit was Qin Haoran. Lu Yang pondered, and with this new information, it did seem that Li Haoran was indeed the reincarnation of the Nine Nether Sect leader. He looked at Meng Jingzhou, who was also deep in thought. What do you think? Meng Jingzhou raised his head, frowning. The Nine Nether Sect is quite poor. They cant even light amp. Lu Yang ignored Meng Jingzhous odd focus and analyzed, If Junior Brother Lis past life was the leader of the Nine Nether Sect, it exins some things Senior Su mentioned. For instance, why was Qin Haoran, a Unity Stagete-stage cultivator, unknown to everyone? He either practiced seclusion like Senior Su or had a special identity that couldnt be revealed. And why was Qin Haoran being hunted at the beginning? There are usually two reasons: either he obtained an extremely precious spiritual treasure, and the attacker wanted to rob him, or Qin Haoran held a very high position, and the attacker wanted to usurp power. The first scenario is unlikely on the Central Continent. If that were the case, Qin Haoran would have sought help from the Great Xia Dynasty, avoiding the need to run into Senior Sus cultivation area. So, the second scenario is more likely. There was an internal rebellion within the Nine Nether Sect, aiming to seize power. Qin Haoran was outmatched and severely injured. Qin Haoran never told Senior Su about his identity and mentioned his actions were very dangerous. The less Senior Su knew, the safer she would be. As the leader of one of the four demonic sects, he couldnt reveal his identity. If Senior Su knew, she would also be in danger once the Nine Nether Sects affairs were exposed. Qin Haoran also mentioned his special identity, saying that unless he broke through to the Tribtion Crossing Stage, he would never see the light of day. If a demonic sect leader bes a Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator, they could do many things they previously didnt dare to. In fact, Lu Yang had long suspected Qin Haorans identity but had no proof. He couldnt just tell Su Yiren that her husband was a demonic sect leader, not someone honorable. Lu Yang looked at Li Haoran and smiled, Junior Brother Li, do you now believe youre the reincarnation of Qin Haoran? Lu Yang had also considered the possibility that Su Yiren might have fabricated a memory and imnted it in Li Haorans mind. Although unlikely, it was still possible. However, Evesting Fairy had confirmed that it was indeed Li Haorans own memory, with no tampering involved. Li Haoran was dejected. Given the circumstances, he had no choice but to believe it. Suddenly, he thought of another issue and broke into a cold sweat. The Great Xia Dynasty doesnt have a policy of holding people ountable for their past lifes actions, right? Lu Yang quickly reviewed the books he had read in his mind and confidently said, No, the legal principle of the Great Xia Dynasty is that responsibility ends with death. Youve been reincarnated, so the Great Xia Dynasty has no jurisdiction over you. Li Haoran breathed a sigh of relief. Why are you three up so early? Li Haorans mother saw the three of them practicing in the courtyard and beamed with delight. Auntie, Haoran just broke through to the mid Foundation Establishment stage, Lu Yang said with a smile. Both of Li Haorans parents were at the early Foundation Establishment stage. Previously, Li Haoran had surpassed them inbat strength, and now he had even surpassed them in cultivation level, which made his mother very happy. Li Haoran decided not to mention his past life identity to his parents to avoid causing them unnecessary worry. Oh, we should definitely celebrate. See, didnt I tell you? If you spend more time with Little Lu and Little Meng, youll definitely make progress. Li Haoran: Yes, youre right. During the celebratory meal, Li Haoran informed his parents that he needed to return to the sect. His parents were quite surprised. The matter of Li Haoran being the reincarnation of the Nine Nether Sect leader was too significant for the three of them to handle alone. They needed to report back to the sect as soon as possible. Youve only been here a few days and now youre leaving. Little Lu, Little Meng, have you had enough fun yet? Lu Yang put down his chopsticks and smiled reassuringly. Junior Brother Lis breakthrough needs to be stabilized by the elders in the sect. We need to return as soon as possible. This was a lie. The Dao Seeking Sect always encouraged self-cultivation without needing elders to stabilize breakthroughs. However, Lu Yangs tone was sincere and believable. Hearing this, Li Haorans parents no longer insisted that they stay a few more days. They set off for the Dao Seeking Sect again with Old Ma pulling the carriage. Meng Jingzhou urged Old Ma to hurry back to the sect. Old Ma nodded leisurely but continued at his usual unhurried pace, covering hundreds to thousands of miles with each step. Junior Brother Li, your identity as the Nine Nether Sect leader has great potential. Once we return to the sect, if we handle it well, we can make a significant gain. How about we split the profits three to seven afterward? Is there really such a good thing? Of course, but youll have to bear with it for now. Before long, the three of them returned to the Dao Seeking Sect and headed to the task hall. Is Senior Brother Dai inside? Lu Yang asked the guarding senior brother. The senior brother looked up and saw Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou smiling, with Meng Jingzhou carrying a bup sack on his shoulder. Senior Brother Dai is inside. He said if you two have business with him, just go in directly, no need to report. But whats in the sack? A trophy. Oh, then go ahead. The guarding senior brother didnt think much of it, assuming it wasnt anything dangerous. The two carried the sack into Dai Bufans room. As usual, Dai Bufan was reviewing documents and searching for task clues. What brings you two here? Whats the matter? Dai Bufan asked. Meng Jingzhou spoke up first. Good news, Senior Brother Dai! After our relentless efforts, we finally captured the Nine Nether Sect leader. I wonder how many contribution points this achievement will earn us. The Nine Nether Sect leader? Dai Bufan looked at Meng Jingzhou skeptically. Meng Jingzhou showed no signs of lying, meeting Dai Bufans gaze without guilt. Dai Bufan then looked at Lu Yang, who also showed no guilt and met his gaze. Dai Bufan grew more puzzled, unable to figure out what these two were up to. Where is the Nine Nether Sect leader? Meng Jingzhou loosened the sack, revealing Li Haoran, gagged and bound. With a righteous gesture, he dered, Its this viin! Dai Bufan: Do you two think Im an idiot? (End of the chapter) Chapter 233: So That’s How It Is Meng Jingzhou saw that Senior Brother Dai didnt believe him, so he began to tell the story vividly. A few days ago, the two of us went out and saw ck smoke rising from the mountain stream. We thought there must be some demon causing trouble, so we went straight to confront it. That viin imed to be the leader of the Nine Nether Sect and had great powers. Fortunately, we are not ordinary people and have some skills. After a fierce battle, we finally captured the viin. When we took off his mask, we discovered that the viin was Li Haoran! The leader of the Nine Nether Sect, how mysterious, huh? But we captured him. We dont ask for much, just three One-Day Sect Master Experience in Dao Seeking Sect tickets each. Do you realize what youre saying? Dai Bufan, being the most senior among the disciples and having lived for nearly a thousand years, had never felt so insulted in terms of intelligence as he did today. Lu Yang shrugged and squatted down to untie Li Haoran while saying, See, I told you Senior Brother Dai wouldnt believe it. The promise to give Li Haoran thirty percent of the contribution points naturally couldnt be fulfilled. How could I not believe it? We really did catch the leader of the Nine Nether Sect. Meng Jingzhou insisted that he was telling the truth. Alright, whats really going on? Dai Bufan knew that although these two were jokesters, they wouldnt joke about such matters. There must be a reason.Of course, if these two really dared to say they were just trying to scam contribution points, he would bind them and hang them at the entrance of the task hall. Ahem, heres the situation. Initially, Junior Brother Li noticed that his fiance was a bit tense, so he called us to assist. Later, we found out that his fiance was beautiful and kind-hearted, with a higher cultivation level than Li Haoran. She was perfect in every way, except for being a bit older. Dai Bufan, sipping tea with his legs crossed, casually asked, Being a bit older is not an issue. Where is thedy from? Is she one or two years older? Two thousand years older. Pfft Dai Bufan spat out a mouthful of tea, thinking he had misheard. He coughed vigorously and took a while to recover. How much? Two thousand years? Wouldnt she be from the same generation as the sect master? Dai Bufan looked Li Haoran up and down several times but couldnt see where Li Haorans charmy. Junior Brother Lis fiance is named Su Yiren, a Unity Stage cultivator. Oh, Su Yiren. Ive heard shes a beauty and should be cultivating at Tianzhu Mountain. Dai Bufan, in charge of all the intelligence of Dao Seeking Sect, had eyes and ears all over the Central Continent and knew about Unity Stage cultivators that ordinary people didnt. Senior Sus husband was named Qin Haoran, also a Unity Stage cultivator. Qin Haoran died during his breakthrough to the Tribtion Crossing Stage due to the special nature of his cultivation method and was reincarnated. Qin Haoran? Dai Bufan thought about the Unity Stage cultivators in his memory but couldnt recall anyone by that name. Qin Haoran was reincarnated as Junior Brother Li. Senior Su, wanting to continue their past rtionship, became Junior Brother Lis fiance. Later, in Luofeng County, we identally discovered the actions of the Nine Nether Sect followers. Senior Su took action, destroyed their plot, and led us to see the process of making Phoenix Blood Stones. You saw them using phoenix blood to soak the Phoenix Blood Stones in Luofeng County? Dai Bufan wasnt surprised by this. Senior Brother Dai knew about this? Lu Yang was shocked. Dai Bufan rolled his eyes. Its obvious. How can a mineral vein formed after the fall of a Unity Stage cultivator be mined for four thousand years? What, does a phoenix have no flesh, only blood sma? Its just that phoenix blood is hard to find, and we worry that pointing this out would anger the phoenix n and make them stop selling their blood. Lu Yang: Alright. Then, Junior Brother Li broke through and gained fragmented memories of his past life, realizing that he was the reincarnation of the Nine Nether Sect leader. After Lu Yang finished speaking, Dai Bufan remained silent, rhythmically tapping his finger on the table. Reincarnation, rebirth, Nine Nether Sect The Nine Nether Sect believes in a ce called Nine Nether where souls reincarnate, and Li Haoran is the reincarnation of the Nine Nether Sect leader Senior Brother Dai, is reincarnation real? Senior Brother Dai shook his head. I dont know, but there are many rumors. For instance, in the north, theres a divine child who emits golden light, is born with knowledge, and can fly and disappear at will. The locals regard him as a deity. And in reality? Some fools Nascent Soul escaped because he didnt cultivate properly. Meng Jingzhou: Then theres a genius boy in a small sect with extraordinary talent. One day, a powerful figure visits the sect, sees the boy, and is shocked because the boys talent and appearance are exactly like an old friend who passed away. And what happened then? It turned out that his old friend had faked his death to be reborn as a boy and show off at the small sect. Li Haoran: In short, these reincarnation rumors are not credible. They are either baseless or fabricated for various strange reasons. From the information Ive gathered, not a single case of genuine reincarnation exists. The Nine Nether Sect leader is connected to many things, and I know little about reincarnation. We should let Eldest Senior Sister decide. Then lets find Eldest Senior Sister Before Lu Yang could finish speaking, a cold voice interrupted. No need, Im already here. The voice was icy, like it had been frozen for a thousand years. Space distorted, and a graceful figure emerged from the unknown, appearing before the four of them. It was Yun Zhi. While they were speaking, Dai Bufan had already notified Yun Zhi. I never imagined that Junior Brother Li would be the reincarnation of a powerful being. Reincarnation doesnt exist. Its nonsense. If Junior Brother Li truly is the reincarnation of the Nine Nether Sect leader, it must be the work of an ariya-ph. Yun Zhi recalled specting about the roles of the Four Great Demonic Sects. Could it be that the Nine Nether Sect formed the embryonic form of a reincarnation ariya-ph long ago? Clear your mind and think of nothing. Li Haoran quickly cleared his mind, making it pure and free of thoughts. Yun Zhis eyes seemed to contain a sky full of stars, exceptionally beautiful and captivating, as if epassing all the mysteries of the world, making one lose oneself in them. These eyes were like the legendary divine eyes that could see through everything, akin to one of the Buddhist six divine powers, the divine eye. Only Dai Bufan knew that this was a unique method created by Eldest Senior Sister, known only to her. (TL Note: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhij%C3%B1%C4%81) Li Haoran felt as if all his secrets, his entire life, cultivation process, and psychological journey, wereid bare before Eldest Senior Sisters eyes. Yun Zhi withdrew her gaze, closed her eyes, then opened them again, returning them to normal. Li Haoran breathed a sigh of relief, the pressure from Eldest Senior Sister had been overwhelming. So thats how it is. Her tone revealed undeniable confidence, as if she had seen through certain things. Lu Yang hurriedly asked, Eldest Senior Sister, what did you see? Yun Zhis voice was calm and indifferent as she replied: There are things even I cannot see through. Lu Yang: (End of the chapter) Chapter 234: Li Haoran and Lu Yang’s Differences When Yun Zhi said that even she couldnt see through it, the Evesting Fairy let out a sigh of relief. Hehe, I told you this thing crosses disciplines, no one can figure it out. This indicated that not being able to see through Li Haorans issue wasnt due to herck of skill, but because that was simply the truth. I have observed that Junior Brother Lis body is no different from an ordinary persons and shows no signs of an ariya-ph. So my body is fine? Yun Zhi shook her head slightly. No, this actually means your body has a problem. Since your body is no different from an ordinary persons, where did the memory fragmentse from? The matter of ariya-ph involves the principles of the world, which even I cannot fully understand or rify. Junior Brother Lis situation requires long-term consideration. If Junior Brother Li gains more memory fragments in the future, you should inform the sect. The more we know, the easier it will be to analyze what exactly is happening to you. Moreover, this is also an opportunity to learn about the Nine Nether Sect. Li Haoran nodded. If he gained more memory fragments, he would definitely tell the sect. Keeping this to himself would make him anxious. He was just a small cultivator in the Foundation Establishment stage who suddenly learned he was the leader of one of the Four Great Demonic Sects. Anyone in his position would be nervous and in need of a powerful backer.Fortunately, the Dao Seeking Sect he belonged to was the greatest backing in the world. I have another question. Ask without hesitation. Youve been talking about ariya-ph, but what exactly is ariya-ph? It was only then that Dai Bufan realized that Li Haoran didnt know what ariya-ph was. That made senseariya-ph was fundamental to bing immortal. How could someone in the Foundation Establishment stage be qualified to know about ariya-ph? But why had he instinctively thought it was normal for someone in the Foundation Establishment stage to know about ariya-ph? Dai Bufan looked at the remaining two Foundation Establishment cultivators presentLu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Why do you two know about ariya-ph? Such top-level secrets as ariya-ph are known by few, even amongmon Unity Stage cultivators. Only those in thete or peak Unity Stage, like Su Yiren, have the qualification to understand ariya-ph. Su Yiren only had a general idea of the concept, knowing less about ariya-ph than Lu Yang. Dai Bufan was an exception. Although he was only at the early Unity Stage, he managed the task hall and had ess to many intelligence channels, giving him considerable knowledge about ariya-ph. Moreover, hisbat power couldnt be judged by his early Unity Stage status. In theory, Li Haoran wasnt qualified to know about ariya-ph. However, since he might have a nascent ariya-ph within him, it was unreasonable not to inform him. Therefore, Eldest Senior Sister had briefly told Li Haoran about ariya-ph, making him aware of his importance. He now realized that he was not only rted to the Nine Nether Sect but also to a potential path to immortality. If outsiders learned of this, countless people would be tempted. Li Haoran, like the Tang monks flesh in his past life, would be a target. Whether they could obtain the reincarnation ariya-ph or not, theyd capture Li Haoran first. (TL Note: Reference to Tang Sanzang from the Journey to The West) Is there an immortal behind the nascent ariya-ph? Will the same be true for the reincarnation ariya-ph? Back at Heavens Gate Peak, Lu Yang was worried about Li Haorans situation. If an immortal took action, capturing Li Haoran and extracting the reincarnation ariya-ph or its nascent form would be effortless. Li Haoran would have no ability to resist. Thats why I suggested just now that unless theres a special circumstance, Junior Brother Li shouldnt leave the Dao Seeking Sect. Here, he is safe. Her tone was calm, yet it exuded absolute confidence. Yun Zhi did not have this requirement for Lu Yang. Whenever Lu Yang wanted to go out, she never stopped him. In fact, she even encouraged him to go out, telling him not to stay cooped up in the Dao Seeking Sect all the time and to go out and see the world. In fact, Lu Yangs situation is even more dangerous than Li Haorans. While Li Haoran is suspected of having a nascent ariya-ph, Lu Yang definitively has an immortal that everyone wants to attack residing in his body, along with an immortal ariya-ph that the four ancient immortals envied. However, if Lu Yang encounters danger, he can use the ultimate form of the Shape-Imitating Fist to summon Eldest Senior Sister. If Li Haoran is the Tang monk, then Lu Yang is the Tang monk who can summon the Buddha. Their levels of safety are notparable. I heard from the fairy that the appearance of an ariya-ph represents the emergence of a new rule in the world. Have there been any ariya-phs that affected the entire world after ancient times? Eldest Senior Sister quietly looked at Lu Yang, her gaze as calm as the surface of ake. It made Lu Yangs heart flutter with unease. He couldnt tell if a few seconds or a few minutes had passed, or perhaps even a lifetime, before he heard Eldest Senior Sister slowly speak. Senior, pleasee out for a chat. Whats the matter? Evesting Fairy was confused. Junior Brother is only in the Foundation Establishment stage. Knowing too many secrets that only great powers are privy to can create an overambitious mindset, which is not conducive to his future cultivation. Please consider Junior Brothers level when discussing these matters. Oh, alright. The Evesting Fairy actually wanted to say that she had considered Lu Yangs level when she exined things, but she didnt dare to argue in front of Yun Zhi. Just wait until I regain my strength, then Ill suppress this little girl! After ancient times, there was indeed an ariya-ph that affected the entire world, and you are very familiar with this impact. Eldest Senior Sister felt it was alright for Lu Yang to know this. Im very familiar with it? Lu Yang was slightly surprised. Besides the changes in stars and continents, what is different nowpared to ancient times? Not only Lu Yang but also Evesting Fairy couldnt think of what was different nowpared to ancient times. Its the Great Xia Dynasty. Yun Zhi revealed the answer. What about the Great Xia Dynasty? Lu Yang didnt understand. Its the entire Great Xia Dynasty. Lu Yangs eyes widened. What does it mean that its the entire Great Xia Dynasty? Despite Lu Yangs repeated inquiries about what Eldest Senior Sisters words meant, Eldest Senior Sister felt that discussing further was not appropriate for Lu Yangs current level and didnt borate. The Evesting Fairy seemed to be lost in thought, as if she had understood something. Junior Brother, have you made any progress in forming your Golden Core? As Lu Yangs nominal Eldest Senior Sister and his actual master, Yun Zhi frequently paid attention to Lu Yangs cultivation progress. Lu Yang shook his head helplessly. There are too many types of Golden Cores to choose from, and I havent decided which one to form yet. However, he could definitely exclude the Evesting Fairys Invincible Core. He followed Li Haoran home, hoping to gain insights from meeting different people or experiencing different events during the journey. The biggest insight he gained from this trip was that living off someone else is really enjoyable. What, should he form a Golden Core of freeloading? That would be too embarrassing to admit. Dont rush the matter of forming your Golden Core. Just let things take their natural course. By the way, Eldest Senior Sister, I saw the insights on forming Golden Cores from all the Senior Brothers and Sisters in the Sutra Library, but yours wasnt there. How did you form your Golden Core, and what type of Core did you form? With the person in question present, Lu Yang couldnt help his curiosity and asked. Who knows, maybe he could be as outstanding as Eldest Senior Sister? (End of the chapter) Chapter 235: Eldest Senior Sister’s Golden Core Method Do you really want to know? Really, really. Lu Yang nodded vigorously, like a chicken pecking at grain. Yun Zhi thought for a moment about the pros and cons and decided it wouldnt hurt to tell him. It would just satisfy her junior brothers curiosity. Alright, since you want to know, Ill tell you. But remember, just listen, dont try to imitate me. I definitely wont. Lu Yang promised. The Evesting Fairy was also very interested in Yun Zhis method of forming her Golden Core. She wanted to see if this junior could have a core stronger than her own Invincible Core. It was hundreds of years ago Yun Zhi began to reminisce. Lu Yang blurted out, unable to hide his surprise: Hundreds of years ago?! Eldest Senior Sister was an absolute cold beauty, looking like she was in her twenties. Walking with Lu Yang, they looked like siblings. Additionally, Yun Zhis attitude towards Lu Yang was not that of an elder but more like the concern of a mature peer. This led Lu Yang to often mistakenly feel that Eldest Senior Sister was around his age.Now that Eldest Senior Sister mentioned her story of forming her Golden Core happened hundreds of years ago, Lu Yang realized she was the most senior disciple and far older than he had imagined. How old is Eldest Senior Sister really? Hundreds of years? Could she be nearly a thousand years old? These thoughts seemedplicated but happened in a sh, as quick as lightning. Lu Yang, without even thinking, directly voiced his real thoughts. The moment he spoke, he felt a sense of impending doom. Yun Zhis gaze slowly fell on Lu Yangs shoulder. For an instant, Lu Yang felt as if a bright, sharp knife was hovering over his neck. He was walking on the edge of death, just a thought away from it. Fortunately, the feeling passed as quickly as it came. Eldest Senior Sister withdrew her gaze and did not dwell on Lu Yangs excessive curiosity. She continued her story. Hundreds of years ago, I had reached thete Foundation Establishment stage and was preparing to form my Golden Core. At that time, Master saw that my talent was extraordinarily rare and that I could take on great responsibilities in the future. So he told me some secrets to prepare me for the future. This included the fact that in ancient times, an unknown figure refined the stars into continents. Most of the stars we see today are mere projections; the real stars are beneath our feet. It is generally epted in the cultivation world that only those at the Nascent Soul stage or above are qualified to know that the stars are false. The general public and ordinary cultivators are led to believe that the world is peaceful. Otherwise, people might start worrying that just as an ancient figure once refined the stars into continents, someone mighte along to refine continents into stars now. Causing unnecessary worry is not beneficial, so its better not to tell the masses. I think I told you that I grew up in a secret realm and only left itter toe to the Dao Seeking Sect. Lu Yang nodded. Eldest Senior Sister had indeed mentioned this before. She had said that she grew up in a secret realm, surrounded by cultivators. Even aftering to the Dao Seeking Sect, she remained isted from ordinary people. As a result, she was unaware ofmon human customs, such as the fact that ordinary people cant bathe in boiling water. This was exined by Eldest Senior Sister when she applied ointment to Lu Yangs skin after he took a boiling water bath and ended up with red, swollen skin. There was no night sky in the secret realm. When I left the secret realm and saw the night sky dotted with stars for the first time, I thought it was incredibly beautiful. In my spare time from cultivating, I ofteny on the grass, watching the stars and counting them. When Master told me there were no real stars in the sky, I didnt show it outwardly, but I felt disappointed inside. I realized that the stars I saw every day were merely illusions left behind 300,000 years ago. When I thought about this, the night sky no longer seemed beautiful. When I was contemting what kind of Golden Core to form, I read in the Golden Core Theory that gold represents something firm, evesting, and indestructible; a core represents something perfect, luminous, and wless. Lu Yang had a ridiculous idea forming in his mind: Eldest Senior Sister, you didnt really do something that outrageous, did you Yun Zhi continued, At that time, I thought, the Golden Core is wless and indestructible, isnt it just like the stars in my heart? Since there were no stars, why not use the Golden Core to rece the stars and recreate the splendid night sky of ancient times? Lu Yang thought to himself, Indeed, Eldest Senior Sister, you really did think that way. The best Golden Cores are Grade One, so I formed a Golden Core based on the stars in my mind, creating a new Grade One Golden Core called the Splendid Star Core. At first, my technique for forming the core was a bit clumsy, but as I formed more cores, my speed improved. Throughout my Golden Core stage, I mainly focused on continuously forming Golden Cores until their number matched the stars in the sky. Lu Yang took a deep breath, amazed at Eldest Senior Sisters audacity and execution. During the Golden Core stage, recing stars with Golden Cores was challenging. When I broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, I shattered one of the Golden Cores to form the Nascent Soul, but left the other Golden Cores in my body. Later, as my cultivation progressed, I took out all the Golden Cores from my body to rece the illusions of the night skys stars with real objects. Unfortunately, there are too many star illusions in the night sky. Even with all my efforts, I couldnt create enough Golden Cores to match their number. But having some is better than none. The hard work of forming the Golden Cores was to rece the star illusions, after all. So now, some of the stars in the sky are your Golden Cores? Lu Yang asked cautiously, unable to hide his respect for the outrageous nature of Eldest Senior Sisters actions. Just a small portion. Even a small portion is a lot. Lu Yang didnt know what else to say. Eldest Senior Sister, worried about Lu Yang, repeatedly warned him, My method of forming Golden Cores is different from the norm. Do not think it strange and try to imitate me. I definitely wont imitate it. Previously, Lu Yangs assurance that he wouldnt imitate her might have been perfunctory, but now it was sincere. To imitate such an oundish process was unthinkable. It was clear that forming Golden Cores was not as simple as Eldest Senior Sister made it sound. What does it mean, the more Golden Cores you form, the faster you get? Does that even make sense? No wonder Eldest Senior Sister wrote in her experience notes, My method of forming Golden Cores is of no reference value. Do not imitate. Those who imitate me will die. Those who resemble me will die. Sometimes, Lu Yang felt that the gap between people could be greater than the gap between people and dogs. Everyone was cultivating immortality, so how could she be so exceptional? Fairy, can your Invincible Corepare to Eldest Senior Sisters? Lu Yang asked secretly. The Evesting Fairy was dismissive, Its just a bunch of Golden Cores. No matter how many useless Golden Cores there are, theyre still trash. As the second-inmand of the Immortal lineage, remember, we always prioritize quality over quantity. This girl has a lot of Golden Cores; mine are of high quality. The two are iparable. Do you dare say that to Eldest Senior Sisters face? No. She said it with conviction. Lu Yang felt that with Eldest Senior Sister and the Evesting Fairy as his backers, his cultivation journey should be smooth sailing. (End of the chapter) Chapter 236: Eldest Senior Sister’s Age Ill say it again, do not imitate me. Yun Zhi repeatedly warned, worried that Lu Yang might try topete with her. I absolutely, absolutely wont imitate! Lu Yang promised earnestly. Alright, I need to cultivate now. You go on and continue choosing your Golden Core method. Okay. After learning the specific process of how Eldest Senior Sister formed her Golden Core, Lu Yangpletely abandoned any thoughts of imitation. Not even a trace of such an idea remained. This method of forming the Golden Core was too outrageous. He was just an ordinary sword spirit root, nothing extraordinary,cking Eldest Senior Sisters talent. The old nursery rhyme went, Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are, but now should it be changed to, Twinkle, twinkle, Golden Core, how I wonder what you are? It makes sense and is catchy. One problem was solved, and another immediately came to mindhow old exactly was Eldest Senior Sister?Specifically, how many hundreds of years old? Lu Yang was itching to uncover the truth. He recalled that during the sects entry selection, the first round was conducted by Senior Brother Dai Bufan. With just a touch, Dai Bufan could determine a persons bones and age. Fairy, do you have a technique to see someones age? Of course I do. Lu Yang had asked casually, not expecting an affirmative answer. As expected of the Fairy. Hehe, my technique is amazing; it can see someones age regardless of their cultivation level. Really?! Of course, dont you know who I am? This was a minor technique, or rather, a small skillsimple and easy to learn. After reciting the ancient words and practicing twice, Lu Yang had mastered it. Lu Yang activated the ancient technique and felt his vision clear, as if gaining an understanding. Lets test it on myself first. Lu Yang spread his hands and saw a number appear before his eyessixteen. Correct, he was indeed sixteen. Now, lets check the Fairy. Lu Yang activated the ancient technique to look at the Evesting Fairy, who was lounging contentedly, and saw the numbersixteen. Hmm? Although the Evesting Fairy always boasted about being a genius teenage girl, tragically dead at sixteen, Lu Yang knew that was nonsense. Sixteen years old and already an immortal? One eon per year, perhaps? Curious, Lu Yang tested the technique on a passing senior brother, and again, it showed sixteen! Fairy, is there something wrong with this technique? Why does everyone show as sixteen? Given his own past mistakes, Lu Yang first suspected he had practiced it incorrectly. The Evesting Fairy confidently replied, Never mind whether the age is urate, just tell me if it can see the age regardless of cultivation! The Evesting Fairy continued, In ancient times, people loved to rank by age. But does being older mean youre always right? Does being younger mean youre always wrong? To change this mindset, I created this technique that shows everyone as sixteen. Unfortunately, my concept was too advanced for its time, and people couldnt ept it. Your concept is still very advanced even today. How to determine Eldest Senior Sisters age then? Lu Yangs first idea was to check which batch of disciples she belonged to. The Dao Seeking Sect, or rather the Five Great Immortal Sects, recruited disciples very regrly, every three years without interruption. He quickly dismissed this idea. The Dao Seeking Sect even dared to ept Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, appearing to have low entry requirements, but in reality, the threshold is astonishingly high and the batch Lu Yang was from would be considered as a lot of people. Sometimes during the entrance exams, there were candidates who met the Spirit Root requirements but did not meet the mental standards and, therefore, could not enter the Dao Seeking Sect. This sometimes resulted in the Dao Seeking Sect not recruiting anyone at all. This meant that Lu Yang couldnt calcte Eldest Senior Sisters age by figuring out which batch of disciples she belonged to. Then lets ask Senior Brother Dai Bufan? Senior Brother Dai joined the sect at the same time as Eldest Senior Sister, so he must know her age! Lu Yang decided to act on this idea. However, due to his nervousness from the third trial of the sects entry exam, he felt uneasy about facing Senior Brother Dai Bufan alone. He needed an aplice. Ask Senior Brother Dai Bufan about Eldest Senior Sisters age? Upon hearing Lu Yangs n, Meng Jingzhous eyes lit up with excitement. Are you sure Eldest Senior Sister wont find out? She wont. When I left, Eldest Senior Sister was deep in cultivation and had no time to notice us. Then what are we waiting for? Lets go. Meng Jingzhou urged Lu Yang to hurry up. You want to ask about Eldest Senior Sisters age? Dai Bufan looked at Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou with a peculiar expression. You two are quite bold, daring to ask about such a secret. Be careful, you might bring trouble upon yourselves! Senior Brother Dai Bufan kindly warned them. This was a top-level secret in the Dao Seeking Sect, even more confidential than information about ariya-ph and should not be disclosed to others. Do you know what happened to thest disciple who asked this question? Were just asking out of curiosity. Meng Jingzhou put on a businesslike smile, which looked very fake. Yes, yes, we care about Eldest Senior Sister. She works so hard for the sect day and night. If we know her age, itll be easier to give her appropriate gifts. Lu Yang wore a smile identical to Meng Jingzhous. Dai Bufan rolled his eyes, knowing full well not to trust their words. This was a forbidden topic and absolutely not to be discussed. Arent you worried Eldest Senior Sister will find out? Meng Jingzhou chuckled, Eldest Senior Sister is cultivating right now. She cant be bothered with us. As long as you dont tell her, she wont find out! Dai Bufan shook his head gently. Eldest Senior Sister has great powers; how could she not know? Let me advise you onest timestop asking. This question is extremely dangerous. It wont be dangerous. Meng Jingzhou thought it was no big deal. Hearing this, Dai Bufan, with a half-smile, said, Really? If thats the case, why dont you just turn around and ask her directly? Hmm? What do you mean? Both of them had a bad feeling, sensing the temperature around them dropping rapidly, as if they were about to be frozen into ice sculptures. They stiffly turned around and saw Eldest Senior Sister standing behind them, elegant and upright, her face expressionless as she looked at Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, showing no sign of emotion. Dai Bufan sighed, See? I told you not to ask about this. It would bring trouble. From the moment they came looking for him, Eldest Senior Sister had been quietly standing behind them. Despite Dai Bufans frantic hints, these two seemed determined to court disaster. Perhaps they were destined to face this cmity. Eldest Senior Sister spoke softly, Junior Brother. Lu Yang jumped in surprise and quickly responded, Here! Junior Brother Meng Here! Do you two find cultivation boring and thus upy yourselves with such trivial matters? Eldest Senior Sisters voice had a rare hint of softness, as if she were genuinely concerned about Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous cultivation progress. (End of the chapter) Chapter 237: Exile It seems that the two junior brothers have found their recent cultivation boring andck the motivation to elevate their realms, which is why theyre concerned with such trivial matters. In that case, why dont the two of you go train at the border between the maind and the demon region? Eldest Senior Sister, this is not Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou still wanted to resist, but Eldest Senior Sister, without any exnation, grabbed the cors of the two, lifting them like two little rabbits, and casually threw them. The two only felt the scenery change before their eyes, and then they were in the air, flying southward at an extremely terrifying speed, or rather, being thrown southward. The scenery around them changed so quickly that they couldnt calcte their current speed, only seeing asional flying boats passing by in a sh, or powerful figures flying by, also in a sh. These passersby were left bewildered, secretly guessing what cultivation level these two figures had reached to fly at such an astonishing speed. ThudC The twonded, falling head over heels, heads to the ground, feet in the air, entangled in tree vines. I feel like my body is about to fall apart. Lu Yang grimaced, standing up, his body aching as if it had been disassembled and reassembled. Where is this ce? Meng Jingzhou looked around. He saw that the ce was dense with jungle, with many rare nts nearby, and extremely humid.Didnt Eldest Senior Sister say she wanted us to train at the border with the demon region? This is probably the border with the demon region. Lu Yang pointed out the local specialties: Look, this is a rarely seen nt on the maind. This is money flower, this is floating cloud grass, this is evergreen wood, this is a snake demon whose cultivation level we cant discern huh? Several snake demons with dark green bodies and triangr heads appeared within their sight, hissing as they rapidly slithered towards them. Run quickly! The two couldnt discern the cultivation levels of the snake demons, so they didnt dare to be careless. They broke free from the vines, did a flip, and started running. This group of snake demons looked like trouble at first nce. They werent afraid if the snake demons were at the foundation establishment stage, but they were afraid that they might be above that stage. Little brothers, dont run,e and y with us sisters, the snake demons said in seductive voices, tinged with charm. Sisters will make you feel heavenly~ Come y~ The two looked back and saw the snake demons transforming into human shapes, looking alluring and pitiful, dressed skimpily, clearly not from decent families. No, no, you are too ugly, Meng Jingzhou politely declined. The snake demons were stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then flew into a rage, chasing faster. Fortunately, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were not amateurs. When it came to escaping, they feared no one, their legs moving rapidly. Unfortunately, misfortune struck again, and the two fell into a swamp due to a moments inattention. Seeing the snake demons about to catch up, Lu Yang gritted his teeth, This wont do. Lets use the Shrinking Earth Into Inches technique to escape. What about me? Stand still, Drawing Prison From the Ground! Lu Yang quickly drew a circle around Meng Jingzhou. Before Meng Jingzhou could react, he found himself in a prison. Lu Yang used the Shrinking Earth Into Inches technique, pushing the prison and the prisoner Meng Jingzhou as he ran. These two techniques can be used together? The snake demons were stunned, not understanding what had just happened. When they spread their divine sense to search for the two, they had already run out of range, leaving no trace. Are we that scary? The snake demons looked at each other. They wanted to use their bodies to earn some spirit stones on the human side but didnt expect humans to have such strong willpower, running away at the sight of them. More ridiculously, when the snake demons said they could have fun with their bodies, their targets ran even faster. These snake demons belonged to The Azure Sky Green Snake n, known for such activities in the demon region. Now, they wanted to expand their business among humans, but not a single deal had been sessful. Shouldnt we apply for jobs at human brothels instead of engaging in wild encounters here? Ive heard many sisters do that, one sister asked. Didnt they say humans also like ying outdoors? Plus, theres no tax in the wild. I dont get it Meanwhile, Lu Yang was still pushing Meng Jingzhou while running, their feet moving as swiftly as fish. Is it almost over? We should have escaped by now. The two popped their heads out of the ground, only to see the foot of a giant elephant stepping towards them. Behind it was a herd of elephants, their eyes blood-red, and tusks over three meters long, clearly not to be trifled with. Lu Yang hurriedly pulled himself and Meng Jingzhou back underground. They poked their heads out again, only to find a beast that looked like a mix between a tiger and a leopard feasting on a deer demons corpse. The two men and the beast stared at each other for a moment, then the beast roared, and the two men once again fled underground. Finally, they sessfully emerged from the ground, leaning on crutches, not knowing what other hardships they had faced. This isnt training; this is basically ex Meng Jingzhousst word, exile was cut off by Lu Yang. Dont say such things! This is training given to us by Eldest Senior Sister! Lu Yang, more vignt than Meng Jingzhou, worried that Eldest Senior Sister might have ways to monitor their situation, frantically gave Meng Jingzhou looks. Fearing Meng Jingzhou would anger Eldest Senior Sister, resulting in more punishment for both of them. Meng Jingzhou suddenly realized and quickly corrected himself, Ex examining our unstable cultivation level, making us fight here to seek breakthroughs! Where should we go? We cant stay here forever, Lu Yang said, trudging along with great difficulty. Dont worry, since this is the border between the Central Maind and the demon region, there must be arge city nearby! I heard from my family that the Great Xia Dynasty has established six cities here to guard against the demon n. One of my uncles is stationed in one of these cities! Whats that on your arm? Lu Yang noticed a small ck worm wriggling on Meng Jingzhous arm, thick at the head and thin at the tail, not knowing when it had crawled up. Its a leech! Meng Jingzhou panicked and shook his arm, but the leech stuck to his arm and wouldnte off. Dont panic. I heard these things are afraid of fire. Watch me burn it off! Pah! Lu Yang spat out a small me, barely touching the leech, but it was enough to burn it to death and make it release its grip, falling off the arm. They had kept their divine senses active the entire time but had only been on guard againstrge beasts, never expecting even the insects in this ce needed caution. The leech couldnt break through Meng Jingzhous defenses, but having been pampered all his life, he couldnt physiologically handle it. After diving into monster nests seven times, being besieged by monsters five times, fighting monsters four times, and crawling out of a monsters belly once, they finally emerged from the dense forest and saw a human-built city. They looked disheveled, limping, with beast saliva still stuck to their hair. The threerge characters Demon Suppression Pass on the city tower shone brightly, emitting an inexplicable pressure that gave the two a sense of relief. (End of the Chapter) Chapter 238: The Difference Between Barbarians and Ancient Barbarians This was the most rugged and heroic city the two had ever seen. Constructed withrge, refined steel stones, it was impregnable and exuded a murderous aura. Like a towering figure, it stood at the border between the human and demon realms, ready to annihte any invading enemies. The three characters Demon Suppression Pass were not merely decorative. This was a rare treasure capable of distinguishing between humans and shape-shifting demons. Anyone entering the city had to pass through its illumination to prove their innocence, and Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were no exception. My uncle guards the Demon Lock Pass, so it seems we wont be able to see him, Meng Jingzhou said regretfully, shaking his head. Make way, make way! My brother is injured and needs a healer! Just as the two were about to enter the city, they heard shouts from behind. Two sturdy men were carrying a stretcher, with a frail person on it moaning in pain. The crowd instinctively made way, but as the group prepared to enter the Demon Suppression Pass, the three characters Demon Suppression Pass shone down on them. The three screamed, white smoke rising from their bodies, revealing their true forms. The two sturdy men were actually giant wolves, and the one on the stretcher was an uninjured old jackal. The soldiers guarding the Demon Suppression Pass reacted swiftly and decisively, raising their spears and weapons to kill the three beasts without hesitation. Attempts to sneak into the Demon Suppression Pass by demons were not umon, but they all met the same fate: death. Inside the Demon Suppression Pass, they saw people selling beast hides and inner cores on the streets, hawking healing pills at a twenty percent discountpared to stores, and offering high-level bodyguard services.These people, like the city itself, were rough and uninhibited. The two found an inn to rest for the night, regaining their energy and understanding the current situation. Lu Yang pointed at the map, analyzing the gathered intelligence. This is the Demon Suppression Pass, twenty thousand miles from the Demon Lock Pass where your uncle is stationed. The forest we just entered is the boundary between the Great Xia Dynasty and the demon realm, isting the two sides and acting as a neutral zone, not belonging to any faction. Passing through the forest and navigating through a foggy area, you can reach the true demon realm. I also asked the newspaper vendor, who said this is a major trade hub for demons. The Land of Gold Commerce Guilds airship regrly flies here. Theres a flight tomorrow at noon. What do you think? Should we go back? Meng Jingzhou was about to say, of course, they should go back, but changed his mind at thest moment. Go back? Why should we go back? Weve suffered so much in that forest. If we dont show those beasts a thing or two, how will we live it down in the future? Lu Yang smiled broadly. Thats exactly what I was thinking. The two hit it off, deciding to stay for a while and make a name for themselves before going back. Returning in such a disheveled state didnt fit their style. Its a pity that little Barbarian Bone didnte along. His ancient barbarian bloodline naturally suppresses beasts, Evesting Fairymented in Lu Yangs mind. Lu Yang suspected that Evesting Fairy had known all along when Eldest Senior Sister stood behind them and hadnt warned him just to watch him make a fool of himself. A reasonable suspicion. Lu Yang was soon captivated by Evesting Fairys topic. Is there such a thing? he asked. Proudly, Evesting Fairy put one hand on her hip, looking quite regal. Of course! Did you think I just raised the intelligence cap for barbarians by giving them wisdom? I also shared a small portion of my power! Who do you think I am? Do you know how many ancient beasts Ive eaten while making The Complete Book of Cooking? The ancient beasts feared me because of an inherent bloodline terror. The Barbarian race gained a minuscule part of my power and thus indirectly acquired this ability, which naturally suppresses beasts! Thanks to my gifts, the ancient barbarians could practically unt their strength in front of the demon n. Facing opponents a full level lower, they could make them cower just with the pressure of their bloodline. Against those of the same level, they could easily fight two at once! Lu Yang was about to praise Evesting Fairys might and power when another question urred to him: Can this suppression be temporarily hidden? For example, if an ancient barbarian were hunting and hiding in the dark, would approaching beasts instinctively fear the ancient barbarians bloodline and run away, even without seeing them? Evesting Fairy first calmly pondered for a moment, then burst intoughter. Hahaha, you are thorough in your thinking! With my protection, how could the barbarians everck food? Please stopughing and answer my question. Hahaha, the barbarians are under my protection! Lu Yang: Lu Yang had always been curious about the difference between the ancient barbarians and the current ones. He had asked Barbarian Bone, but he couldnt answer, only saying that the ancient barbarians had a mysterious power that granted them various abilities, greatly aiding them. However, this power was so strong that it defied the natural order and gradually faded away over time. As for what this mysterious power was, Barbarian Bone himself didnt know. The elders in his tribe couldnt exin it either, only calling it a gift from the heavens. Thinking back, could this mysterious power be Evesting Fairys doing? Why there was only one Barbarian Bone left of the ancient barbarian lineagewhether it was natural selection, survival of the fittest, or the dilution of Evesting Fairys power over generationsremained unknown. In fact, I was very popr among the demon n, Evesting Fairy boasted. Lu Yang looked at Evesting Fairy skeptically. Really? Were the demons hit on the head? Why dont you believe me? The Qiongqi n said the Taotie n would be very pleased to have me, and the Taotie n said the Qiongqi n would wee me with open arms. I traveled through the demon realm, and everywhere I went, there wasughter and cheers, sending me off. (TL Note: The Taotie and Qiongqi are part of the Four Perils in Chinese mythology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Perils) Well, its understandable. After all, the arrival of an immortal is like a divine blessing to the demon n. Now you see, having me in your mental space is an incredible fortune! Just talking about ancient secrets, I can casually mention things no one else could. Is there a single ancient secret youve mentioned thats been useful? Lu Yang felt that he couldnt handle this fortune and should find someone with a stronger fate to bear it. Someone like Eldest Senior Sister would be perfect. In reality, Lu Yang sighed softly, Poor Barbarian Bone. Meng Jingzhou was puzzled, Whats wrong with Barbarian Bone? They had suffered in the forest, so why was Barbarian Bone pitiful? (End of the chapter) Chapter 239: What Are You Pretending To Be? Give me two bottles of insect repellent, the most expensive ones. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou arrived at the Land of Gold Commerce Associations Demon Suppression Pass branch to purchase the necessary supplies. Demon Suppression Pass is one of the major cities on the frontier, where a massive amount of items rted to demon beasts are sold daily and transported to various parts of the central continent, meeting the needs of people of different cultivation levels, with a staggering flow of spirit stones. Insect repellent is a local specialty of the bordend, a specially formted spirit liquid designed to fend off the relentless mosquitoes of the dense forests. When applied to the body, it emits a special scent that only mosquitoes can detect, causing them to stay away from cultivators. This way, you wont have to worry about leeches crawling on you. Do you have arge stock of insect repellent? Meng Jingzhou suddenly thought of a question. The attendant was slightly taken aback, not understanding what Meng Jingzhou meant, and politely asked, How much insect repellent would you like, sir? Enough to drive all the mosquitoes out of the dense forest, probably. Even the well-trained attendant couldnt help but twitch his mouth: Im sorry, sir, the quantity of insect repellent youre asking for is toorge. Even if we emptied the main warehouse, it might not be enough to meet your needs.Everyone applies insect repellent to their bodies, but you want to sprinkle it in the forest; no amount of insect repellent would be sufficient. Meng Jingzhou pursed his lips, somewhat dissatisfied with themerce associations slogan: And you say as long as we have money, you can meet all the customers needs? Forget it, if you dont have it, you dont have it. The environment of the dense forest is harsh, with even mosquitoes having the strength of the first level of Qi Refining. It is almost impossible for Qi Refining stage cultivators to survive in the dense forest. However, on the other hand, if a Qi Refining stage cultivator can survive in the dense forest, they are destined to achieve great things in the future. In fact, many famous great cultivators in history chose to train themselves in the dense forest during their Qi Refining stage, honing their skills andying a solid foundation for the long-term conditioning of their bodies due to heavy moisture. Also, give me two bottles of the best dehumidifying pills. And antidote pills. I heard that some demonic beasts have aphrodisiac properties. Id like to get a solution for aphrodisiacs No, no, Im not asking for directions to a brothel! I mean two bottles of the antidote for the aphrodisiac (TL Note: A cliche trope in cultivation novels is a cold, jade beauty type identally gets bitten by a poisonous snake which has aphrodisiac properties and she will die if she doesnt have sex with a man causing the main character to be forced to do it with her. Its a really disgusting trope in my opinion and the author is making fun of it by preparing in advance and having an antidote in case this kind of situation happens to our main characters.) Poison your poison quality here is not good. Fortunately, I came prepared, heres a list of herbs with quantities and weights. Follow this, well make it ourselves. Lu Yang was worried about the quality of the poisons from the Land of Gold Commerce Association; they were too subpar. Even the people from Dao Seeking Sect could make better quality ones casually. Would you like thetest edition of the Dense Forest Guide? It records most of the demon beasts found in the dense forest and the dangers you might encounter. Good stuff, give me one. Do you need a tent? It might be necessary for camping in the wild. Its a hot-selling item in our association. Buying a tentes with a free bottle of Golden Core stage demon beast urine. Sprinkling it around while sleeping can effectively drive away low-level demon beasts. It might also attract higher-level demon beasts, not safe, no need. Directional teleportation talisman? What is it used for? Lu Yang noticed a talisman, its high price making him secretly click his tongue. In contrast, the Ten Bull Strength Pills seemed very cheap. Sir, you have a good eye. This is a life-saving item. If you encounter a life-threatening crisis in the dense forest, just activate this teleportation talisman, and it will teleport you back to the town. Even if a Nascent Soul stage demon n member attacks, it cannot interrupt the teleportation process! Sounds good, give me five! Meng Jingzhou spent moneyvishly. He always bought whatever he liked without ever looking at the price. The attendants face lit up with joy upon hearing this, bing more enthusiastic. Themission from just five directional teleportation talismans was enough to cover his monthly sry. These two are indeed wealthy patrons. It looks like he can earn a substantialmission today. These two rich young masters, who appeared out of nowhere, must be from somerge family or disciples from a great sect here for training, visiting for the first time. The attendant, thinking of this, kindly reminded them, Gentlemen, the frontier is different from your ce, its essential to keep a low profile here. Its not just the demon beasts that are dangerous, but the people too. Every day, people go missing in the dense forest, especially recently. More people have disappeared, and though its said to be the work of demon beasts, everyone knows its not always the beasts doing. He estimated that these two customers would be training here for a while and would inevitably continue dealing with them. Naturally, such big clients needed to be catered to in every possible way. Although the Guardian has set the Rule in this city, No One is Allowed to Steal, Rob, or Plunder. This rule only applies within the Demon Suppression Pass. Once you leave the town and enter the dense forest, the rules no longer apply. This is the benefit of having a Unity Stage cultivator; they can set rules in the city they oversee, ensuring order to the greatest extent. If it werent for the rarity of Unity Stage cultivators, the Great Xia Dynasty would have liked to have one in every city. Please, gentlemen, step into the VIP room. The attendant bowed slightly, making a gesture of invitation, which Lu Yang declined. No need. My brother and I are both in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, and the world is peaceful now. Who would dare rob us? Seeing this, the attendant couldnt persuade them further and continued to serve them. What kind of healing pills do you have? Golden Wound Pills, taking one can quickly heal injuries; Hemostasis Pills, if you encounter a severe bleeding situation, taking this pill can quickly stop the bleeding; Qi Recovery Pills, can maximize the speed of restoring spiritual power; and the Buddha Country Merit Creation series White Bone Pills, which can bring the dead back to life Give us two bottles of each. Do you have any protective Spiritual Treasures? Two of each. After they finished their purchases and checked to ensure nothing was missing, they said, Lets check out. You are VIPs of this association, so you can get a 10% discount on future purchases. Meng Jingzhou didnt say anything, he just took out a ck token with the word Meng written on it. The attendant saw the token, his pupils shrank suddenly, and his hands began to tremble. In the first lesson of his training before starting work, he learned to identify the special tokens of the association, which represented different identities, such as the royal family or the Meng family, all of which required utmost respect and could not be offended. He had been working here for over ten years and had seen members of the Meng family before, but those were from the coteral branches. This token had the word Meng on it. This meant the holder was from the main branch, potentially having the right to control part of the Meng familys power in the future. This was a major background, an absolutely significant background. It wasughable that he even mentioned a 10% discount; they probably didnt even care about such a small discount. Keep it quiet, Meng Jingzhou said, his tone t, but he was secretly overjoyed. Yes, yes, this was the reaction he wanted. Lu Yang nced at Meng Jingzhou disdainfully. What are you pretending to be? The Dao Seeking Sect also had such tokens, but only the Eldest Senior Sister and elders were qualified to use them. The attendant took the token, verified its authenticity, and quickly checked out, adding a bunch of small gifts. Do you have a storage ring? I can put everything in for you. Lu Yang casually took out the identity jade token of the Dao Seeking Sect, with the words Lu Yang written on it. Seeing the jade token, the attendants heart tightened again. A disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect, this was an identity that could make waves in the cultivation world. He had guessed that these two were from a big family or a major sect, but he hadnt imagined it would be this big. Keep it quiet, Lu Yang said, his tone t, but he was secretly overjoyed. Finally, its my turn. Meng Jingzhou nced at Lu Yang disdainfully. What are you pretending to be? The two took their items and headed to the dense forest. (End of the chapter) Chapter 240: Trying to Rob This Helmsman? What Courage! Did you see the way they were buying things at the association earlier? They didnt even ask the price, just bought whatever they wanted. Five figures, dressed in ck robes with hoarse voices that gave no clue to their gender or age, moved skillfully through the dense forest, unnoticed by Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. They have fair skin and are dressed differently from us. They look like disciples from some sect or noble family out to see the world. Another person sneered, like a hidden venomous snake: See the world? Lets show them the harshness of it. Did you hear that pretty boy earlier? He said theyre at mid-stage Foundation Establishment. Considering their background, theirbat strength might matchte-stage Foundation Establishment. So what if theyre at thete-stage Foundation Establishment? The five of us are allte-stage Foundation Establishment with plenty of experience. These two kids are no match for us. Better to be cautious. Remember thest time we encountered those sect disciples? We hit the jackpot and rested for three months. If we pull this off today, we can rest for another three months! Not just that, I think they have more spirit stones than we imagined. Theyre big fat sheep.This should be the spot; not many peoplee here. Move in! At the leadersmand, the five figures spread out swiftly, surrounding the two. They stood in predetermined positions, ensuring the two couldnt escape in any direction. Their practiced movements showed they had done this many times before. Stop! the leader shouted harshly, using a voice technique to intimidate. Who are you? Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were visibly startled. Although they assumed defensive stances, their fearful expressions were evident. Newbies, huh? You dare to wander in the forest without knowing the name of the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain? The leader pulled back his hood, revealing a sharp, thin face with a hooked nose and cold eyes. As they spoke, the five released thete-stage Foundation Establishment aura, signaling the two not to resist. Which sect or family raised you, unable to even recognize who we are? So naive. Another voice, eerie and sinister, spoke as its owner pulled back his hood, revealing a single blinded eye. In this forest, weve surrounded you two. What do you think this means? We saw you buying a lot of things at the association earlier. You must be pretty wealthy. So, tell us, how many spirit stones do you have? If the amount satisfies us, we can negotiate. If you dont have enough spirit stones, dont me the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain for being ruthless! The voice turned chillingly cold, hinting at cruelty. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou exchanged a smile and shrugged helplessly. Who would have thought the first enemies theyd encounter in the forest would be humans, not demon beasts? Attack! Show them our power! At the leadersmand, the five moved in unison. Their coordination was impable, making them unmatched within the Foundation Establishment stage. They were about to capture Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. However, the two moved simultaneously, their speed astonishing. Draw a Prison From The Ground! Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou quickly drew circles, executing simr techniques. Invisible barriers formed around the five, blocking their escape routes, and they were pulled into a prison. What is this technique? The legendary Draw a Prison From The Ground? No, we are in a prison. This is a space technique! Its the Dao of Drawing, definitely the Dao of Drawing! The five discussed frantically, trapped in the prison and invisible barriers, bewildered by the sudden turn of events. Trying to rob this Helmsman? Are you tired of living? Meng Jingzhou sneered. Trying to rob this Sect Leader? What courage! Lu Yang sneered. Meng Jingzhou turned around in surprise, Im just a Helmsman, since when did you promote yourself? The Undying Sect had gone bankrupt due to poor management and misfortune, and yet this guy still managed to get a promotion? What do you mean, promoting myself? This is a special appointment from an immortal, Lu Yang said with confidence. Meng Jingzhou remembered that Lu Yang had an immortal soul residing in his body, and he understood. He was quite envious of Lu Yang, having an immortal soul in his body, meaning he could consult the immortal at any time and receive guidance. What a great fortune. Tell me, how many times have you robbed, and have you ever killed anyone? Whats the point of asking? Of course, they have. Look at his face, does it look like someone who hasnt killed? Lets hand them over to the authorities. Whether its execution or imprisonment, let them decide. Wait, wait, gentlemen, theres a misunderstanding! the hook-nosed leader quickly said. I cant decide how I look, and were not robbers. Meng Jingzhou didnt believe the hook-nosed leaders nonsense: What misunderstanding? Youve been following us since we left the association, hiding just outside our spiritual sense range in the forest, and then surrounded us here! Isnt this a robbery? Lu Yang added, You even said you wanted to show us the harshness of the world and mentioned howst time you encountered sect disciples, you hit the jackpot and rested for three months. The five were shocked. They didnt expect their movements to be exposed from the beginning. They thought they had stayed outside the spiritual sense range of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Where on earth did these twoe from, with such keen senses? What they didnt know was that Lu Yangs spiritual sense was alreadyparable to that of a Golden Core stage cultivator. He heard their conversation clearly. Were really not robbers, were bodyguards, bodyguards! What? Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were both confused. We saw you didnt even ask the prices at the association, so you must be disciples of a noble family training here, never worried about spirit stones. We feared you might suffer here due to unfamiliarity, so we came to act as bodyguards! Then what did you mean by showing us the harshness of the world? The hook-nosed leader stammered, We saw you had money, so we nned to charge more. If we made a lot this time, we could rest for a few months afterward. Why did you ask how many spirit stones we had? To set the price ordingly. And what about if we didnt have enough spirit stones, the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain wouldnt show mercy? If you kept going forward, youd enter the territory of a half-step Golden Core stage demon beast. If you didnt have enough spirit stones, we wouldnt warn you and let you continue forward. What did you mean by attack just now? When you shrugged, we thought you were going to refuse our bodyguard service, so we were ready to lure out the half-step Golden Core stage demon beast ahead, fight it, and show our strength. Another person muttered, But seeing you now, it seems you dont need bodyguards after all. Why did you insist on negotiating the bodyguard service in the forest? To avoid taxes. Lu Yang: (End of the chapter) Chapter 241: Arhat Fist Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had heard that Demon Suppression Pass was notorious for its rampant looting, with people often getting robbed after buying things from the association and venturing into the dense forest. Their original n was to underreport their cultivation level to lure in robbers. However, instead of attracting robbers, they ended up attracting a group of self-proimed bodyguards. We are the most highly rated bodyguards among the Foundation Establishment stage. Our prices are reasonable, our service is thorough, and we have long-term cooperative rtionships with several half-step Golden Core stage demon beasts, maximizing safety and intelligence transmission in the dense forest. If the noble families or sects of you, two young masters, have assigned training tasks, we can customize three ns for you to choose from without any extra charge. The hook-nosed leader continued to enthusiastically promote their bodyguard services. How many spirit stones would it cost to hire you? Meng Jingzhou asked with great interest. They needed to gather as much information about the dense forest as possible, and these local experts knew a lot. They didnt need bodyguards but could use guides. Seeing their extraordinary demeanor and refined speech, the hook-nosed leader guessed that they had a significant background and held up five fingers.Five hundred thousand spirit stones? Thats not expensive. The hook-nosed leader was taken aback. He had meant fifty thousand spirit stones and was willing to lower the price if needed. He didnt expect this wealthy young master to raise the price tenfold without batting an eye. Meng Jingzhou took out twenty thousand spirit stones, forming a small pile: Heres twenty thousand for now. Well pay the rest afterward. If your service satisfies me, Ill increase the payment. Rest assured, our service is worth every spirit stone! The fives eyes lit up at the sight of so many spirit stones. They had never met such a wealthy client before. Strange, do you feel its getting hotter here? Meng Jingzhou fanned his chest, feeling increasingly warm. I feel it too, Lu Yang replied, puzzled. The hook-nosed leader remarked softly, Could it be that the seven of us are in a dungeon, and the air is running out? The dungeon was underground and airtight. With the seven of them talking, the oxygen was quickly depleting. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou released the technique binding them, and the seven returned to the surface. Old Turtle,e out. The deal is settled, the hook-nosed leader called out. Arge turtle, the size of a millstone, slowly crawled over from not far away, emanating an unusual Foundation Establishment stage power. Lu Yang guessed that when the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain mentioned fighting with a half-step Golden Core stage, they were referring to this old turtle. They even have a demon beast in their act. This is Old Turtle. Theres a smallke ahead, and Old Turtle is the lord of one-fifth of it, the hook-nosed leader exined. Old Turtle shook its head: Little Eagle, Ive told you many times that your sales pitch sounds like robbery and easily leads to misunderstandings. I saw from a distance that these two young masters are geniuses capable of using Draw a Prison From The Ground. They dont need your bodyguard services. So, it really was Draw a Prison From The Ground? The five were shocked. They had only spected earlier, not daring to confirm, thinking it might have been a life-saving technique provided by their sect. After all, the Draw a Prison From The Ground technique is not only legendary but also incredibly difficult to cultivate, almost impossible for a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator to master. This turtle has a keen eye. Indeed, what I used was Draw a Prison From The Ground, Lu Yang quickly admitted, earning a roll of the eyes from Meng Jingzhou. Young masters, may I ask your purpose in the dense forest? To challenge demon beasts. Weve heard that this ce is teeming with powerful ancient beasts, and we wish to hone our skills by fighting them. The hook-nosed leader nodded. It was a fairlymon reason. What level of demon beasts do you wish to challenge, young masters? Are you looking for those who have just entered thete Foundation Establishment stage, or the seasonedte Foundation Establishment ones? Golden Core stage. Golden Core stage?! The five people and the old turtle all eximed in shock. Dont boast, young masters. The gap between Foundation Establishment and Golden Core stage is like a chasm, impossible to cross easily. Moreover, both humans and demon beasts living in the dense forest are extremely ruthless; they cant be taken lightly! The old turtle reminded them. It also knew these two were wealthy clients, and protecting them well would undoubtedly earn a lot of spirit stones. Forget about the Golden Core stage. You might not even be able to defeat me! The old turtle said confidently. It had been at the half-step Golden Core stage for a long time, with incredible defense. Even if the tiger demon that refined specters were resurrected, it wouldnt break its defense. Then lets try. Meng Jingzhou smiled, stretching his muscles and bones. Without showcasing their strength, the demon beasts the group would find for them wouldnt be strong enough to be effective for their training. The group came to thekeside, with the old turtle and Meng Jingzhou standing on opposite ends. Begin! Lu Yang announced. The old turtle took two deep breaths, activating the bloodlines inherent techniques. A golden mark faintly appeared on its shell, indicating its lineage from the ancient demon beast, the Sky-prating Turtle. The ancient Sky-prating Turtle was known for its defensive power, a trait it had fortunately inherited. If you cant even break my defense, then dont mention Arhat Fist! Meng Jingzhou took a big step forward, his legs like a drawn bow, and his upper body like the arrow. His body tensed and then released forcefully, striking the turtle shell. The golden mark shattered, and the old turtle was sent flying far away. It skipped across theke like a stone, bouncing several times before plunging into the water. The Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain watched this scene with their mouths agape. The old turtle was known for its defense. Even when the five of thembined their efforts, they couldnt break its defense. Yet, Meng Jingzhou had toppled it with one punch? This smallke was also home to four other half-step Golden Core stage demon beasts, who, along with the old turtle, were thekes rulers. Seeing the old turtle being knocked away, they were all shocked. Arhat Fist? Ive never seen you use it. Is it new? Lu Yang asked curiously. Master said part of his Heaven Shaking Six Forms was inspired by the Arhat Fist and suggested I learn it to help with practicing the Six Styles. Its said that cultivating the Arhat Fist to its highest level can grant the Arhats ariya-ph. Maybe youll seed, Lu Yang teased. Oh, please, the Arhats ariya-ph? You might as well suggest I be a monk. Youre practically a monk already. Shut up. Once I be an immortal, Ill break all my vows and indulge myself. Breaking the Pure Yang state would mean a significant slowdown in cultivation speed. Bing an immortal is the peak of cultivation, so speed would no longer matter. Arhat Fist, huh Evesting Fairy, who had been silent for a while, seemed to recall something upon hearing the keyword. Fairy, do you know the Arhat Fist? Lu Yang was curious about learning a new fist technique, as he currently only knew the Shape-Imitating Fist. Evesting Fairy sneered, Whats the Arhat Fist? Never heard of it. I know a more advanced fist technique that directly leads to Arhats ariya-ph. Do you want to learn it? What technique? Monk Fruit Fist. Lu Yang: Does it help with clearing heat, moistening the lungs, and soothing the throat? (TL Note: In Chinese, the word for ariya-ph () contains the same word used for fruit (), so the Arhats ariya-ph (޺λ) can also refer to the monk fruit, (޺) hence the joke above) (End of the chapter) Chapter 242: Lu Yang, I Want to Go Out and Play The Arhat Fist is one of the supreme fist techniques of the Golden Buddhist Kingdom. If cultivated to the extreme, it can grant the practitioner the Arhats ariya-ph. However, this exists only in theory, as Lu Yang had never heard of anyone sessfully cultivating this technique. The Monk Fruit Fist, created by an immortal, seems very close to the Arhats ariya-ph in name, differing by just one word. Its effects include clearing heat, moistening the lungs, and benefiting the throat and voice. Based on the origins of the techniques, the Monk Fruit Fist seems superior. But the problem is that this technique was created by Evesting Fairy. No need to practice it. Just from the name, I can guess what this fist technique is for. Hey, hey, hey, whats with that look? The Monk Fruit Fist is a proper immortal-level technique created by me. The so-called Arhat Fist cant evenpare to it! Evesting Fairy jumped up, feeling that Lu Yang was underestimating her. Its not that Im underestimating you. Its just that the name of your fist technique is a bitcking. It doesnt sound powerful at all. What do you know? Do you think learning fist techniques is just for fighting and showing off? No, the most important aspect of fist techniques is health maintenance. Evesting Fairy educated Lu Yang, correcting his mistaken beliefs: Isnt the purpose of cultivation to live better? And whats most important for living? Its the body.Thats why I specially created these health-maintaining fist techniques, including the Monk Fruit Fist for clearing heat and moistening the lungs, the Fennel Fist for dispelling cold and relieving pain, regting qi and the stomach, and so on. There are thousands of them. If you maintain your body well, why worry about not bing an Arhat? If you can master all these thousands of fist techniques and integrate them, youll be able to learn my supreme fist technique C the Immortal Fairy Fist! The Immortal Fairy Fist was the technique Evesting Fairy used to beat up Evesting Celestial back in the day. Its power was astonishing, leaving Evesting Celestial fleeing in panic and disgrace. So, what do you think? Want to learn it? Evesting Fairy felt it was time to show Lu Yang her skills, lest he think she was just a fraud. As one of the five ancient immortals, how could she be considered a fraud? I have absolutely no interest in learning it, Lu Yang directly refused. In reality, the old turtle had crawled back up from theke, still dizzy. A single punch had such power. If they fought for real, even among Golden Core stage beings, few could match them. The other person hadnt even shown his strength yet, but it was clear he was on par with this junior surnamed Meng. Which force nurtured these geniuses? Thinking this, the old turtle decided not to hinder them anymore and agreed to help them find opponents. The old turtle broke off a branch and started drawing a map on the soft soil. He first drew an irregr oval. This is where we are now, by the smallke. Ten miles south from here is a ck panther with a white spot on its forehead. Its extremely fierce and carries ancient blood. Although its at the early Golden Core stage, it can easily overpower mid-Golden Core cultivators in a fight. Further south from the ck panther is a pack of Moonshadow Wolves. The wolves are generally at thete Foundation Establishment stage, with the wolf king at the peak of the early Golden Core stage. They never act alone. Encountering one Moonshadow Wolf means arge pack is hiding nearby, so you need to be very careful. To the east, there are To the west, there are The old turtle, one of the five great overlords of theke, knew a great deal of information. Little Eagle and the others know the exact locations and can guide you there, the old turtle said. It needed to stay by the smallke. Otherwise, it feared that if it left for ten days or so, its territory would be divided among the other four half-step Golden Core beasts. Having a smallke as a territory in the dense forest is no easy feat. These demonic beasts with fixed territories are manageable because we know their habits. What you really need to watch out for are the wandering demonic beasts with no fixed location. These beasts are very cunning, can transform into human form, and love to ambush and hunt humans. Ive seen at least fifty people die under their fangs. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou thanked the old turtle and set off with the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain towards the ck panthers territory. Lu Yang, Lu Yang, can we discuss something? Evesting Fairys tone, unusually, had a hint of pleading. What is it? How long do you n to stay in the dense forest? At least five days. Lu Yang calcted. They needed to fight various demonic beasts and conduct night battles. A shorter time wouldnt be enough for effective training. He and Meng Jingzhou nned to continuously fight in the dense forest to gainbat experience and consolidate their cultivation. Finding an opportunity for forming their cores here would be a bonus. Evesting Fairy counted on her fingers and said to Lu Yang, Look, I stay in the mental space every day. Besides eating and sleeping, I just watch you guys fight. Its really boring. They say the meaning of life is movement. Shouldnt I go out for a bit? So, Fairy, what do you want? Give me a bodhi tree avatar to use. Evesting Fairy smiled ingratiatingly. Of course, if you really dont want to give it to me, I cant force you. But it would be great if you could! Seeing Evesting Fairys hesitant yet expectant expression, Lu Yang couldnt help butugh. Why are youughing! Nothing, nothing. Lu Yang tried to maintain a serious expression. I can give you a bodhi tree avatar, but you have to behave in the forest, dont cause trouble, and make sure to return before Meng Jingzhou and I head back to town. Absolutely no problem! Evesting Fairy promised confidently. I can always find you with my wide range divine sense. Alright then. In reality, Lu Yang stopped in his tracks. Whats wrong? Meng Jingzhou and the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain were puzzled, thinking Lu Yang had sensed some danger. Nothing, I just want to send an avatar to explore other parts of the forest. Avatar? The Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain looked at each other in confusion, while Meng Jingzhou understood immediately. Lu Yang held the bodhi tree seed, performed an earth escape technique, and sank into the ground. Then he used the Tree nting Art, causing the bodhi tree to sprout and grow two Lu Yangs. The two Lu Yangs simultaneously broke free from the bodhi trees restraint. The real one stayed put while Evesting Fairy upied the avatar. Once on the ground, the avatar ran off swiftly, just like the legendary stories of ginseng fruit disappearing as soon as it touched the ground. The Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain were stunned, their eyes wide open and mouths agape. An an avatar?! They had never heard of anyone, not even in the Golden Core stage, using such a technique. Its just a minor technique, nothing worth mentioning. Lu Yang pretended to be humble, eliciting admiration from the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain. Master Lu, can you control this avatar? No need to control it, the avatar can act on its own. Then your avatar should be careful. Ive heard some cultivators like to ambush solitary cultivators, and several have gone missing because of it. (End of the chapter) Chapter 243: Everlasting Fairy’s Adventure Gathering mushrooms, gathering mushrooms, picking a little mushroom An ancient nursery rhyme echoed through the dense forest, its melodious and cheerful voice clearly belonging to a lively and bright little girl. However, if anyone saw the singers appearance, they would be greatly surprised. The singer was a bald man, looking solemn and dignified, wearing clothes made of leaves. It was hard to imagine someone like him singing a childrens song. Evesting Fairy squatted by theke, looking at the body, her eyes darting around. Although this kid Lu Yang isnt ugly, he is a man. Since hes not around, why not change to my original appearance? Once Evesting Fairy had the thought, she acted on it. Finally able toe out and y without anyone watching over her, she wanted to do things her way. She pressed her two fingers together, brought them to her lips, and whispered something, causing a resonance with the world around her, making the surrounding space blur and distort. When the space returned to normal, the figure squatting by theke was no longer the bald Lu Yang but a young girl who looked about sixteen or seventeen years old.The girl was innocent and charming, with big, twinkling eyes. Her long hair reached her waist, and she wore a light yellow dress, barefoot, looking like a youngdy who had sneaked out of her house, not even properly dressed. Hehe, Im so cute. Evesting Fairy, seeing her original appearance reflected in theke, smiled happily. She sat by theke, barefoot, yfully kicking the water, creating ripples. The ripples attracted small fish, who, thinking food had appeared, swam closer. Realizing it was just a human ying with water, they swam away in disappointment. Although Evesting Fairy could conjure anything in Lu Yangs mental space, those were all mental constructs and didnt feel as real or fun as this. Even kicking water felt more enjoyable now. Theke water was cool and refreshing, and her little feet soaking in it made her grin with delight. She picked up a slightly long branch from thekeside, infused it with her immortal energy to make a fishing line, and tied it to the branch, creating a simple fishing rod. Heave ho. Without even using bait, she cast the line, embodying a carefree attitude. The thread of immortal energy was thin, but it was still immortal energy, a power unique to immortals. It didnt need bait; the line itself was the best bait. Evesting Fairy halfy by theke, squinting her eyes. She used a technique that kept her perfectly clean despite the muddykeside. If Lu Yang were here, he would recognize it as the Clean Clothes Spell he always wanted to learn. However, Evesting Fairys version was far more advanced than the one Lan Ting taught him, reaching the level of immortal arts, with virtually no energy consumption. Soon, a big fish bit the line, firmly mping down on it. The fish wanted to refine that strand of immortal energy, but the difference in their levels was too vast; it couldnt do it. Got a bite? Evesting Fairy jumped up excitedly, her eyes sparkling. With a strong pull, she lifted a fathead fish out of the water. Oh dear, its a fathead fish. Not pretty, not tasty, and not nutritious. Disappointed, Evesting Fairy shook her head, patted the fishs face, signaled it to let go, and threw it back into theke. Reincarnate as a tastier animal next time, she advised the fish, sparing its life. As a fish, it should repay this kindness. The fathead fish,cking intelligence, didnt understand what she was saying. After the fathead fish left, various otherke creatures bit the linefish, shrimp, crabs, shells, and other post-ancient era creatures Evesting Fairy didnt recognize. But that didnt matter. With her extensive experience in cooking and life, she knew what was edible and what wasnt after just one taste. Soon, a pile ofke delicacies surrounded Evesting Fairy. Worried they might escape, she mixedke water with ck soil to make mud, fashioned it into a small enclosure, and penned the creatures in. Suddenly, a dark shadow shot out from theke, covered in spikes, resembling a porcupine but with much shorter spines. Thiske was several timesrger than the one controlled by the old turtle, and ordingly, its rulers strength was extraordinary. The dark shadow was the master of theke, possessingte Golden Core stage cultivation. Countless humans and demonic beasts had been swallowed by it while drinking from theke. Upon seeing Evesting Fairy, it was incredibly tempted. Although she looked like ate Foundation Establishment stage girl, it had an inexplicable feeling that devouring her would allow it to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. At that point, it could expand its territory further and grow even stronger. Lu Yangs cultivation was at thete Foundation Establishment stage, and the bodhi tree avatar inherited eighty percent of his strength. This meant Evesting Fairy was also at thete Foundation Establishment stage now. Evesting Fairy blinked once and was immediately swallowed by theke master. Theke master wasnt worried about Evesting Fairy attacking it from inside. Its stomach was filled with highly corrosive fluid; any attempts to attack from within would be neutralized by this fluid, posing no threat to it. Water-repelling never mind, Fennel Fist. A soft punchnded on the stomach wall, and theke master felt its insides churning violently, as if a massive force was stirring its body. Wait, let me off Before theke master could finish begging for mercy, the force of the Fennel Fist tore it into pieces. Evesting Fairy held a piece of theke masters flesh and swam back to the surface. Initially, she nned to use the water-repelling technique to deal with theke master. But then she realized theke master was a creature she had never encountered before, and she was curious about its taste. Using the water-repelling technique would dry out theke master, making it less appetizing. So, she decided on the spot to use the Fennel Fist. The Fennel Fist regtes qi and aids digestion. When used on an opponent, it could nurture their body, but if the opponent was healthy, the Fennel Fist turned into a deadly weapon. Why doesnt Lu Yang learn such a powerful fist technique? This wet feeling is ufortable, water-repelling technique. As she uttered the words water-repelling technique, the water on and around her quickly dissipated, and an invisible force lifted her up. Standing on thekes surface, holding a piece of theke masters flesh, she hummed a tune as she returned to thekeside, feeling at ease. I wonder how theke master tastes. Her intuition as an immortal chef told her that theke master should taste quite good. But theres no pot. Evesting Fairy scratched her head, noticing that there werent any proper cooking utensils nearby. Then she saw the lotus leaves on theke and her eyes lit up. Got it! I can wrap it in lotus leaves, cover it with mud, and roast it over a fire. Without any seasoning, she used nearby nts that resembled spices as substitutes. Evesting True Fire. She exhaled a me, a fire unknown to the world and independent of the 108 known True Fires. Evesting True Fire was gentle, heating the food from the inside out, soon releasing a fresh aroma. Just as Evesting Fairy was about to start eating, a gentle voice sounded behind her. Little girl, what are you doing here alone? Its dangerous. Evesting Fairy turned around, her face showing a naive and confused expression. There were a few spots of mud on her cheeks, sttered while making the Beggars fish. (TL Note: Beggars fish doesnt exist but the method used here is the same method used for Beggars Chicken which is famous in Huangzhou /2013/02/chinese-recipe-beggars-chicken.html) Behind her stood four people, all at the Golden Core stage. Whether it was a trick of her mind or not, Evesting Fairy felt their initial smiles were insincere, quickly reced by kind and friendly expressions. Little girl, where are your family members? (End of the chapter) Chapter 244: This Meal is Poisoned... Who are you? Evesting Fairy asked warily, looking at the four neers. Each of them had a higher cultivation level than hers, all at the Golden Core stage. Lu Changs smile widened. (TL Note: Not really relevant but the Lu in Lu Changs surname and Lu Yangs surname are different) These four often roamed the dense forest. Outwardly, they were like everyone else, fighting demonic beasts and gathering rare treasures. In reality, they were all demonic beasts in disguise. They secretly killed and robbed, taking storage rings, looting everything, and trading with corrupt humans for high profits. They initially came to discuss their next n with thekes master, but unexpectedly encountered a young girl here. She was at thete Foundation Establishment stage, looked cute and innocent, dressed sloppily, and was barefoot. She was likely a youngdy from some noble family out for training, separated from her guards. This was amon urrence since the vast forest couldnt be patrolled entirely by just Golden Core stage cultivators. ording to their knowledge, there was a giant demonic beast of the elephant tribe with Nascent Soul stage cultivation nearby, an incredibly powerful entity. Lu Chang couldnt identify what Evesting Fairy was wearing, but he could tell the material was extremely valuable. A youngdy from a noble family out for training surely had plenty of good things on her. Even if the family pursued themter, it didnt matter. This was the dense forest, where life and death were often left to fate. Who could guarantee that training wouldnt lead to idents?At worst, they could me the deaths on other humans, as humans often did simr things themselves. And this young girl was cooking here, seemingly carefree and easy to deceive. Lu Chang considered all possible scenarios, ensuring there was no danger, before approaching Evesting Fairy kindly to inquire about her background. We are cultivators here to gather medicinal herbs by theke. We didnt expect to meet a young girl like you here. This ce is very dangerous, with Golden Core stage demonic beasts lurking around. Even we dare not stay here long. Evesting Fairy recalled thekes master she had easily killed with a punch earlier, thinking it was weak and posed no threat. She shook her head, Dangerous? Not really. Maybe you havent encountered any yet. Where are your family elders? This ce is very dangerous! They went to challenge a Golden Core stage demonic beast. I felt bored, so I ran out wait, no, hes not my family elder! Evesting Fairy instinctively followed Lu Changs lead but quickly corrected the logical inconsistency. Lu Yang was just a junior; she was the elder. Lu Chang and the other three exchanged nces, convinced that this young girl had snuck out. King Fish, are you here? Lu Chang secretly used his divine sense tomunicate with thekes master, trying to inquire about the young girls situation and whether to coborate for a big haul. Not here? Lu Chang called out several times with his divine sense but got no response from the King Fish. Could it have transformed and gone elsewhere to hunt? If so, it was just bad luck for thekes master, and the four of them would enjoy this unexpected bounty alone. Are you looking for a fish? Evesting Fairys question startled Lu Chang. How could she detect his divine sense transmission with thekes master? How about we eat? I just finished cooking. Evesting True Fire had turned the branches to ashes, and the residual heat of the ashes was now cooking the beggars fish. Evesting Fairy dug out arge lump of y from the ashes, cracked open the outeryer, and peeled off the middleyer of lotus leaves, releasing a fragrant aroma into the air. Lu Chang and the others inhaled deeply. After surviving in the wild for so long, this was the first time they smelled such delicious food. So this was the difference a noble familys resources made, even their outdoor food was different. Eat up. This is the fish you were looking for, Evesting Fairy said cryptically. (TL Note: The word for cryptically can also mean unclearly or brainlessly.) Although Evesting Fairy is an immortal chef, at the end of the day, a chef is still a chef. And what do chefs love most? Having guests enjoy their food. Thus, Evesting Fairy generously shared the freshly made beggars fish with the four men. The four men saw the little girl as carefree and harmless, not suspecting that she would poison the food. Besides, the fish smelled incredibly delicious. They decided to enjoy this meal before sending the girl on her way, nning to be a bit gentler in their approach. The four foundrge stones to sit on, forming a circle to enjoy the meal. Lu Chang took out chopsticks from his storage ring and gently picked up a piece of fish. He didnt expect the fish to be so tender that it fell apart with slight pressure. Adjusting his strength, he carefully picked up another piece. The fish melted in his mouth, sliding down his throat without him even tasting it properly. Evesting Fairy used two small twigs as chopsticks after washing them in theke. She carefully picked up a piece of fish, savoring it as she put it in her mouth. Delicious. By the way, why do you, demonic beasts transform into human form? Evesting Fairy suddenly asked. Isnt it said that moving in your beast form is more efficient in the dense forest? The four men sprang up, staring down at Evesting Fairy intensely. You know were demonic beasts?! I saw through it a long time ago. Then why didnt you react? Why should I? Just as Lu Chang was about to praise her courage, he felt the fish in his stomach turn from water to fire, burning his meridians and rendering him powerless, sweat beading on his forehead. Thud Lu Chang copsed, clutching his stomach and writhing on the ground. The other three men were simrly affected, lying on the ground, staring at the harmless-looking Evesting Fairy in disbelief. They reverted to their original forms: Lu Chang as a fox, the others as a hedgehog, a snake, and a lynx. Evesting Fairy realized that the fish meat was highly toxic, potent enough to corrode Lu Yangs wooden avatar. If this continued, she would soon have to return to Lu Yangs side. She quietly activated her immortal ariaya-ph, dispersing the fishs toxins. What kind of fish is this? How did you poison it? Lu Chang widened his eyes, trying to divert Evesting Fairys attention while secretly using his cultivation to resist the poison. She saw through their disguises, acted nonchntly, and even invited them to eat the poisoned food. What a cunning mind! Its the fish king you were looking for. It tried to eat me, but I ate it instead, Evesting Fairy said innocently. You were looking for it, right? Its a bad demonic beast, so dont look for it anymore. Evesting Fairy wrinkled her nose, annoyed at the fish kings impudence. In ancient times, no demonic beast would dare behave like this towards herit would be considered treason and grounds for suicide. The fish king was a pufferfish?! Lu Chang eximed. The fish king was the master of thiske, ate Golden Core stage pufferfish, with a body full of deadly poison! Most importantly, this little girl was only at thete Foundation Establishment stage. How could she have defeated the fish king? Attack! Kill her! She ate the fish and survived, so she must have an antidote on her! Lu Chang and the others temporarily suppressed the pufferfishs poison with their cultivation andunched an attack. And grab her storage ring while youre at it! Four Golden Core stage cultivators against a Foundation Establishment stage girlthere was no way she could win, right? So, youre just like the big fish, all bad demonic beasts! Evesting Fairy was displeased with their attitude. She had intended to detoxify them but hadnt expected them to turn on her. (End of the chapter) Chapter 245: One Punch Evesting Fairy was startled for a moment and instinctively pped downward, a reflex left over from ancient times when fighting, as herbat methods had long since be second nature. Lu Chang had just gotten up when his head felt like it was struck by a giant stone, and he copsed to the ground with a thud. You are the bad guys. Monk Fruit Fist, Evesting Fairy said, hearing that they wanted to rob her storage ring, which triggered unpleasant memories. She pped each of them. Her delicate pink hands concealed tremendous power. Coupled with a special force technique, the four early Golden Core stage demonic beasts couldnt even block a single p. They fell to the ground again, spitting ck blood. Demonic beasts have more vigorous vital energy than humans. After being pped by Evesting Fairy, their previously boiling blood quickly cooled, even the blood flow slowed down, and finally, it stoppedpletely, turning hot blood into dead silence. Monk Fruit Fist, has the effect of clearing internal heat and moistening the lungs. (TL Note: Internal heat is a traditional chinese medicine concept. Some foods are considered heaty and will lead to an excess of yang energy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight_principles#Full_heat) Combined with the pufferfishs deadly poison, the four demonic beasts breathed theirst. In less than half an hour, five Golden Core stage demonic beasts were dead. Even Qilin Immortal doesnt dare bully me. You four little demons think you can bully me? Evesting Fairy snorted coldly, putting her hands on her hips, feeling very proud as she spoke.In ancient times, there were people like you who loved to bully me. Its really annoying, and it hasnt changed even after 300,000 years. Evesting Fairy muttered to herself as she left, soon putting the matter behind her, humming a cheerful song, leaving four corpses behind. In ancient times, some people saw that she was a woman, beautiful and easily deceived, and wanted to trick her. The result was always the same: she, being smart, saw through them and killed them all. Gathering mushrooms, gathering mushrooms, picking a little mushroom Human bodies are really fragile, getting poisoned so easily. If everyone could learn my health-preserving boxing techniques and turn their bodies into great medicines, no poison would be effective. That Lu Yang too, I was kind enough to offer to teach him, why didnt he want to learn? Ying Tian Immortal and the others knelt and begged me, but I didnt teach them, Evesting Fairy walked leisurely, breaking a branch, refining it into a Spiritual Treasure, and swinging it around in the dense forest, like holding a peerless sword. A strange force radiated from her, and no insects dared toe near her. This forest gave her a familiar feeling. Before she became an immortal, she often traversed the forest, looking for herbs to enhance her cultivation level or facing sneak attacks from various prodigies. She was very famous at the time, not only because of her beauty but more so for her terrifyingbat prowess and mysterious thoughts. No one could understand what she was thinking or what she would do. But one thing was certain: she was definitely a nightmare on everyones path to immortality. She was the biggest obstacle to bing an immortal. At that time, Ying Tian Immortal and Qilin Immortal had not yet made a name for themselves. The world knew nothing about them. Their greatest wish was to defeat the powerful Evesting Fairy, be famous in one battle, and gain the attention of the world. But this wish was never fulfilled. As a result, Evesting Fairy became very adept at facing various dangers and challenges. It was impossible to ambush her in the forest. Roar An angry beast roar came from not far away, catching Evesting Fairys interest. Before she could get closer, she noticed the ground shaking, the epicenter getting nearer, like some huge creature was running. BoomBoom Evesting Fairy jumped onto arge rock, stood on her tiptoes, and ced her right hand on her brow, looking into the distance: What is that Trees toppled, dust filled the air, and a huge body, taller than the forest trees, revealed a rough back. It was a raging elephant chasing a few people, its bodypletely white like jade, with six long tusks. Those people were highly skilled, all at the middle orte Golden Core stage, but facing the raging giant elephant, they had no thoughts of resistance, only focusing on running forward. Evesting Fairy jumped down from the rock. When those people saw Evesting Fairy appear, they were shocked and desperately shouted at her: This is a Nascent Soul early-stage elephant king, a purebred ancient bloodline, a six-tusked white elephant. We dont know why it went mad. Little girl, you must run! The six-tusked white elephant, although not as prestigious as dragons, phoenixes, taotie, or qiongqi in ancient times, was still a famous demonic n, second only to them. Their n produced at least three great masters at the Tribtion Crossing Stage. The people being chased by the six-tusked white elephant could tell at a nce that Evesting Fairys cultivation was only at thete Foundation Establishment stage. Facing the raging elephant king, even those at the early Nascent Soul stage dared not confront it head-on. If this little girl didnt leave, her fate would be predictable. They didnt want to see this little girl die tragically. The little girl seemed petrified, standing motionless. One person exerted force, trying to pick up Evesting Fairy and run with her, but to his surprise, Evesting Fairy seemed fused with the ground. The man was astonished. Despite being at thete Golden Core stage, he couldnt lift this little girl. Whats with this little girl? The others also tried to move Evesting Fairy, all to no avail. The six-tusked white elephant was right behind them, so they couldnt afford to dy and had to keep running. Elephant, youre being naughty. Your chieftain swore to me long ago not to harm humans, Evesting Fairy revealed a secret unknown even within the six-tusked white elephant n. Unfortunately, the white elephant had gone berserk and couldnt understand any words. Evesting Fairy sighed. If she didnt stop this white elephant, those people would surely perish. It was a pity for this body. She took a deep breath, assumed a stance, and clenched her right fist, cing it at her waist. Fairy Fist Technique. She slowly threw a punch. Young Master Song Hua, and the other young masters, are you all right? We noticed somemotion here earlier. You didnt identally enter the six-tusked white elephants territory, did you? Thats a ce you absolutely mustnt go! The bodyguards came running, panting. These young masters were from the Song family of the imperial capital,ing to the Demon Subjugation Pass to gain experience for future promotions. For safety reasons, the Song family had also hired several bodyguards for them. At first, they were obedient, butter, these young masters found the bodyguards increasingly annoying, forbidding them from doing this or that. If they did nothing, what was the point ofing to the Demon Subjugation Pass? Was it just for sightseeing? So, they sneaked away when the bodyguards werent looking. They hadnt gone far when they identally entered the six-tusked white elephants territory and inexplicably provoked it. Seeing Song Hua and the others sitting on the ground, dumbfounded, not knowing what to say. The bodyguards followed their gaze and were equally stunned, lost in thought. There was a terrifying trench, as if some enormous creature had slid through, knocking down countless giant trees. At the end of the trench, a white elephant the size of a small mountainy on the ground, unconscious. What happened? Song Hua and the others couldnt answer or didnt know how to describe what had just happened. A petite girl, about sixteen or seventeen years old, at thete Foundation Establishment stage, faced the rampaging Nascent Soul Stage giant elephant and knocked it down with a single punch. That punch seemed to drain all the girls strength. She copsed weakly to the ground, merging with the soil, disappearing. Are you saying theres a six-tusked white elephant at the Nascent Soul Stage nearby? After a long battle, Lu Yang was panting, sitting on the ground to rest, listening to the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain introduce the extremely dangerous demonic beasts in the vicinity. That giant elephant is said to be at the early Nascent Soul stage, its extremely territorial. If anyone enters its territory, they will be trampled to death without mercy. Moreover, it has a violent temper. It treats other early Nascent Soul stage demonic beasts the same way. If anyone dares to intrude without greeting, it attacks. It once fought another early Nascent Soul stage demonic beast for this reason. The result was a pyrrhic victory for the white elephant, with the other beast dying tragically. Hiss Meng Jingzhou took a deep breath. Was it really that fierce? Indeed. Although I know the two young heroes have remarkablebat power, having defeated several Golden Core stage demonic beasts with ease, even so, facing that six-tusked white elephant would not end well. So we must absolutely avoid the six-tusked white elephants territory, advised the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain. I understand. Lu Yang nodded. He was always receptive to advice. Lu Yang, Im back. Evesting Fairys immortal soul floated into the mental space, unnoticed by anyone. Youre back so soon? Its not even three days yet, Lu Yang was surprised. Based on his understanding of Evesting Fairy, he thought she would y for at least three days. Wellyour wooden clone wasnt sturdy. I broke it while ying, Evesting Fairy said pitifully. What did you do? Evesting Fairy stuck out her tongue, feeling it was quite embarrassing to have broken the wooden clone: Not telling you. If she used Lu Yangs main body to fight, Evesting Fairy was confident she could knock down the white elephant with one punch without damaging Lu Yangs body. (End of the chapter) Chapter 246: Twin Golden Cores In the clearke water, a graceful figure swam lightly, her movements fluid as she cut through the water like a fish leaping out, incredibly beautiful. The graceful figurey in theke, drifting with the waves, enjoying this moment of leisure. On the shore, Lu Yang looked helpless: Fairy, can you not swim here? Youre even meddling in my swimming? Take this, Evesting Fairy pouted, sped her hands together, and a stream of water spurted from her fingers towards Lu Yang, who easily dodged it. I dont mind you swimming, but please dont swim in my mental space. It makes it seem like my brain is full of water, Lu Yang said helplessly. He didnt know what was going on, but since the fairy had returned, she particrly enjoyed ying with water, even creating ake in his mental space. Go, go, go, go on your training and leave me alone, Evesting Fairy pushed Lu Yang out of the mental space, as if she were the master there. Lu Yang was indeed in the middle of training. He was currently being besieged by three Golden Core stage wild boars, while Meng Jingzhou and the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain watched from a tree. The wild boars charged fiercely with great strength. Lu Yang tried to avoid their onught and attack from the side, but the three boars coordinated perfectly, giving him no chance to strike from the side. BoomOne of the wild boars rammed into Lu Yang solidly, sending him flying far away, dust rising in the air. Go wild boars, trample him to death! Meng Jingzhou shouted gleefully from the side. Is Young Master Lu alright? I see that one of the boars is mid-Golden Core stage, and the other two are peak early-Golden Core stage, the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain, who were more considerate, expressed concern for Lu Yangs safety. Hes fine, hes fine. If he cant handle this, then he doesnt deserve to be ranked first in our generation. I might as well take his ce, Meng Jingzhou waved dismissively. Last time, Lu Yang had kicked him off a tree to face a challenge; now it was the other way around. The three wild boars wanted to continue their pursuit, but as the dust settled, Lu Yang was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, the wild boars sensed danger and tried to dodge, but it was toote. A cold glint burst from the ground, and a three-foot Qingfeng Sword pierced one boars abdomen. The boar tried to resist, but Lu Yang flicked his wrist, changing his sword technique, and softly said, sh. He split the boar in half from the middle. With one strike, the mid-Golden Core stage demonic beast was dead. After days of training in the dense forest, Lu Yang had fought against more than a dozen different Golden Core stage demonic beasts. His biggest takeaway was that fighting against Dao Seeking Sects brothers and sisters feltpletely differentthe Golden Core stage outside was so much easier to handle. From now on, to regain confidence, he should look outside the Dao Seeking Sect. Ive always told you, you have the ability to challenge higher levels. Its just that your previous opponents were too monstrous! Evesting Fairy in the mental spacemented. When she first revived, she wanted to show off using Lu Yangs body to demonstrate what a real higher-level challenge was. Who would have thought that the guys at Dao Seeking Sect were so ridiculous, ranking at the top even among the geniuses of ancient times. She couldnt beat them at all. Fortunately,ter on, relying on her extraordinary wisdom, she used Lu Yangs body to challenge and defeat a Spirit Transformation Stage, regaining her reputation. The other two wild boars, seeing their leader dead, fled in panic. Chase them, dont let them escape! Lu Yang reminded Meng Jingzhou. I know, you dont have to tell me, Meng Jingzhou jumped down from the tree, and he and Lu Yang divided the task, each chasing one wild boar. These three wild boars were demonic beasts that roamed around, ambushing humans. Countless human cultivators had been killed by them, so Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were determined not to let them go. The Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain waited in ce. After just a few minutes, they heard the sounds of battle not far away. The fight was swift, both starting and ending quickly. When the five of them came to their senses, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had already returned, each dragging a wild boar. Looks like weve got dinner sorted for tonight. As night fell, Three vours True Fire rose, casting a red glow on everyones faces. A wild boar was roasting over the fire, sizzling with oil that dripped onto the mes, causing them to leap high. Who would have thought that in our lifetime, we could eat food roasted with True Fire? All thanks to Young Master Lu, one of the Five Heroes remarked, amazed that Lu Yang, so young, had mastered a type of True Fire. While Lu Yang was busy with the roasting, the Five Heroes were dissecting the other two wild boars. The inner core, leather, tusks, and even bones were all valuable items that could fetch a high price at the Demon Subjugation Pass. The inner core could be used as a main ingredient for alchemy, the leather for crafting Spiritual Weapons, the tusks as status symbols, and the bones for making hearty soups. Look at this, this wild boar demon has twin Golden Cores! one of the Five Heroes eximed in surprise. What? How is that possible? The hook-nosed leader hurried over to check. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were intrigued and put down their tasks. They had only seen twin Golden Cores within the Dao Seeking Sect and had never heard of anyone outside the sect who could form two Golden Cores. On the groundy two Golden Cores, one golden and shiny, the other pitch ck, seemingly representing two extremes, one bright and one dark, imbued with the essence of Dao. The more Lu Yang studied the two Golden Cores, the more extraordinary they seemed, containing infinite profound principles. These were great treasures. Never thought Id one day defeat a demonic beast with twin Golden Cores, Lu Yang marveled at his growth. Meng Jingzhou also found it remarkable. He had never heard of anyone having a ck Golden Core. Golden Cores are ranked from one to nine, with the first grade being the brightest and most golden, and the ninth grade being the dimmest, but still gold. This wild boar, which appeared unremarkable, had actually formed a ck Golden Core. Was it of ancient bloodline, or did it have some other extraordinary encounter? This wild boar is a descendant of the ancient Mountain Carrying Pig, capable of bearing two mountains on its shoulders. As far as I know, the Mountain Carrying Pig is full of courage butcks brains, holding a low position among the demonic beasts, the hook-nosed leader pondered, well-versed in demonic beasts due to his long-term residence in the dense forest. Then it must have had some extraordinary encounter? Meng Jingzhou spected, Ive heard there is a rare heavenly material and earthly treasure in the dense forest called the Twin Stem Lotus, with one bright and one dark seed. Consuming it can reverse yin and yang and change ones constitution. Could it be that this wild boar identally found the Twin Stem Lotus, consumed it, and then formed these ck and white twin Golden Cores? The hook-nosed leader nodded, agreeing with Meng Jingzhous guess, If thats the case, this wild boar was really lucky. So many peoplee to the dense forest looking for the Twin Stem Lotus and find nothing, yet this wild boar ate it! Everyones hearts were ame with excitement. Was there any Twin Stem Lotus left? Could they find clues on this wild boar and trace them back to the Twin Stem Lotus? Fairy, do you have any thoughts? Can you identify the origin of these twin Golden Cores? Lu Yang secretly asked Evesting Fairy. Twin Golden Cores? Isnt that ck one just a gallstone? Evesting Fairy was very puzzled. Wasnt it because this Mountain Carrying Pig, full of courage, had been secreting bile for a long time, leading to the formation of a gallstone? She had seen such cases often in ancient times. What had this group been discussing for so long? Where did the twin Golden Corese from? Lu Yang: (End of the chapter) Chapter 247: Would You Believe Me If I Said It Was an Accident? With Lu Yangs exnation, everyone finally understood that they had made a huge mistake earlier. The ck Golden Core they had been examining for so long was not a Golden Core at all. You couldnt me them. The Mountain Carrying Pig was full of gall, but the urrence of gallstones due to excess bile secretion only happened at the Golden Core stage or above. The Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain had never encountered Golden Core stage demonic beasts before, so it was understandable they didnt know. The crucial point was, who could have thought that Golden Core stage creatures could get gallstones? This is perfectly normal, Evesting Fairy said matter-of-factly in response to Lu Yangs question. Mortals get ordinary gallstones, so naturally, Golden Core stage beings get Golden Core stage gallstones. Its only logical. You justck experience. Have you heard of viruses that grow in the body and make you sick? Ive even seen cultivators whose cultivation increased alongside the growth of the virus. Have you ever seen Nascent Soul Stage viral flu? Evesting Fairy boasted about her strange knowledge. Lu Yang shook his head. He hadnt even heard of such things, let alone seen them. In ancient times, viruses grew along with living beings, causing quite a bit of trouble. Ying Tian Immortal established the lightning tribtion partly to help high-level cultivators eliminate viruses, killing them during the tribtion, Evesting Fairy revealed another secret. Third Brother, if you dont recognize something, dont shout it out! the hook-nosed leader reprimanded the third brother, who was in charge of dissecting. The third brother felt wronged. Earlier, everyone had been enthusiastically guessing, but no one recognized it was a gallstone, and now they were ming him?Being a leader doesnt mean you can be unreasonable. As he thought this, the third brother casually took out the galldder of the Mountain Carrying Pig. One, two, three, four, five the Mountain Carrying Pig was full of gall was not just a description, but a fact. The Mountain Carrying Pig is indeed fearless, attacking any demon it encounters, including dragons and phoenixes, Evesting Fairy exined. Wouldnt that provoke everyones anger? No, everyone avoids it. Think about it, demonic beasts mainly fight using their mouths and ws. If you defeat the Mountain Carrying Pig and get sttered with its bile, which is bitter and astringent, who can stand that? But based on the characteristics of the Mountain Carrying Pig, I created a delicious dish that was widely praised. What did fairy create? Bile stewed with bitter melon, to clear heat and detoxify. Lu Yang shivered involuntarily, And this was well received? Who was lucky enough to try it? Nonuple Immortal, back when he wasnt an immortal yet. He was poisoned, and I saved him. Seeing him on the brink of death, I made him a bowl of bile stewed with bitter melon to clear heat and detoxify. When he woke up, he took a sip and said good before falling unconscious again. Maybe it was because of the poison, but when he saw me bringing food, he struggled desperately. His face was contorted when he said good, truly pitiful. Indeed, very pitiful. And did the poison get cured? Yes, after he woke up, he vomited for half a day, expelling all the poison. Lu Yang: Why does this detoxification method not align with my expectations? No more chatting, go fight, Evesting Fairy said, then kicked Lu Yang out of the mental space again. Fight? Lu Yang muttered, then suddenly realized and spread his divine sense to scan the surroundings. No one? No, itsunderground! Lu Yang looked down and saw the ground sinking, indicating a demonic beast below. Prepare for battle! Lu Yang loudly reminded everyone, feeling a sense of trepidation from the beast underground. Boom A worm as thick as a water jar emerged from the soil. The worm had four silver rings shining brightly under the moonlight. It opened its blood-red mouth and swallowed the two recently dissected wild boars in one gulp. Thanks to Lu Yangs warning, everyone dodged in time and quickly jumped away before the worm appeared. What is that? Meng Jingzhou was shocked. A worm this powerful? Its a Silver Ring Heavenly King Worm! Lu Yang instantly recognized the demonic beast. Old Ba, who guarded the medicinal garden, used a pair of them for tilling the soil. Oh, now it was two pairs, two pairs of Silver Ring Heavenly King Worms, the kings among worms. The worm couple in the medicinal garden had five silver rings, and the sixth was forming, indicating Spirit Transformation peak cultivation. This worm had four silver rings, indicating Nascent Soul Stage cultivation. Moreover, Lu Yangs prideful sword techniques would likely be ineffective against this worm. Cutting it might result in splitting it into two worms, making the situation even worse. After swallowing the third wild boar that was being roasted over the Three vours True Fire, the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worm licked its lips and turned its gaze towards Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had never faced a Nascent Soul Stage opponent before, and the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain couldnt help in such a situation. Heaven Shaking Six Forms! Meng Jingzhou attacked first, clenching his fists, veins bulging, creating an overwhelming momentum that seemed capable of shaking the heavens and earth. However, the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worm had ayer of mucus on its body. Meng Jingzhous full-strength punch didnt even break the skin as the force was absorbed. The Silver Ring Heavenly King Worm flicked its tail, sending Meng Jingzhou flying and breaking several of his bones. If he hadnt been a body cultivator, that blow would have killed him. The gap between Nascent Soul Stage and Foundation Establishment was too vast, with a whole Golden Core stage in between. Break! Lu Yang shouted, using the Break Word Technique. His sword light was like a waterfall, breaking the sound barrier and tearing through the darkness. The Qingfeng Sword carried the moonlight, resembling a god of deaths strike. This was Lu Yangs strongest move. The Qingfeng Sword pierced through the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worms mucus and into its body. The worm howled in pain and tried to shake off the human. It rolled violently, and whenever Lu Yang touched the ground, he used the Shrinking Earth technique to avoid being crushed to death. Lu Yang tried to lift the sword, but the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worms body was too strong and tight, trapping the Qingfeng Sword inside. Roar, roar The Silver Ring Heavenly King Worm let out a low sound, seemingly mocking Lu Yangs futile efforts. It could speak, but it disdained tomunicate with such weak humans. It opened its mouth wide, trying to bite Lu Yang. At thest moment, Lu Yang pulled out the Qingfeng Sword and dodged the attack. Lu Yangs heart sank. The Break Word Technique was his full-strength attack, capable of killingte-stage Golden Core and even half-step Nascent Soul stage demonic beasts, but it didnt critically injure the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worm. Instead, it angered it. Most importantly, that attack had drained most of his spiritual qi. Damn, this is troublesome. Meanwhile, Meng Jingzhou, seeing that Lu Yang was also struggling, remembered something and pulled out five directional teleportation talismans from his pocket. But there were seven people present. If he and Lu Yang escaped, the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worm would not spare the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain. Young heroes, dont worry about us, just go! the hook-nosed leader shouted, seeing the teleportation talismans in Meng Jingzhous hand. In their line of work, they had long since put their lives on the line. What to do? What to do? Meng Jingzhou gritted his teeth. Running away wasnt his style, but if they didnt escape, everyone would die here! In the end, he closed his eyes, pulled out a teleportation talisman, and threw it to Lu Yang. Lu Yang, catch! Lu Yang lunged forward, but the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worm sneered and ced its massive body between him and Meng Jingzhou, pinning the teleportation talisman beneath it. Trying to run? The Silver Ring Heavenly King Worm spoke for the first time, mocking Lu Yangs futile efforts. Now! Lu Yang shouted. Do you really need to say it? Meng Jingzhouszy voice responded as he activated the teleportation talisman. He had been waiting for this moment. An invisible cubic barrier enveloped the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worm. It didnt understand what was happening and struggled violently, but the barrier was unbreakable. The moment they saw the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worm, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou remembered the merchants introduction: If you encounter a life-threatening situation in the dense forest, just activate this teleportation talisman, and it will transport you back to the Demon Subjugation Pass. Even Nascent Soul stage demonic beasts cannot interrupt the teleportation! In reverse, if it could transport them back safely, why couldnt it transport the demonic beast? The cubic barrier, enveloping the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worm, turned into a stream of light and flew towards the Demon Subjugation Pass. The threerge characters Demon Subjugation Pass in front of the city gate stopped the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worm in its tracks. The guards, seeing a Nascent Soul stage demonic beast suddenly appear, were perplexed. They had worked there for over a decade and had never seen such an audacious demonic beast that didnt even bother to disguise itself and directly attacked the pass. What audacity, demonic beast, to attack the Demon Subjugation Pass under cover of night! A powerful voice came from within the pass, belonging to a Spirit Transformation stage cultivator on night duty. The Silver Ring Heavenly King Worm watched helplessly as a burly man flew out of the city towards it, feeling utterly hopeless. Would you believe me if I said this was an ident? The Silver Ring Heavenly King Worm tried to force a smile. The burly man sneered, Do you think I believe that? He extended a giant hand and pped the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worm to death. (End of the chapter) Chapter 248: Fairy, Please Stop Speaking of Ancient Legends, I’m Worried My Life Isn’t Enough Directional teleportation talismans can be used this way?! The Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain were dumbfounded as they watched the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worms being forcibly teleported away. The desperate look in the eyes of the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worms was especially memorable. It was obvious what the fate of this Nascent Soul Stage demon would be. The rules set by the Demon Subjugation Pass were clear: anyone below the Unity Stage who approached the pass would die. Even though a Nascent Soul Stage demon was formidable, it stood no chance against the colossal Demon Subjugation Pass. Huh? Isnt this the obvious way to use it? Lu Yang was surprised. He had thought that only demonic beastscked the brains to figure this out, but it seemed the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain couldnt think of it either. Just look at Meng Jingzhou; he figured it out in an instant. Are there really so many Golden Core Nascent Soul Stage demonic beasts in the forest? Lu Yang thought about the encounters over the past few days. Besides those deliberately seeking them out, there were quite a few roaming demonic beasts they encountered, all of which were at the Golden Core Stage. Tonight was even more absurd, with a Nascent Soul Stage demonic beast showing up. Fortunately, Meng Jingzhou had a directional teleportation talisman to send the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worms to the Demon Subjugation Pass; otherwise, Lu Yang would have had to use the Eldest Senior Sister Shape-Imitating Fist.The hook-nosed leader shook his head. Impossible. In this forest, whether its humans or demons, the majority are at the Foundation Building Stage. If it were really like now, encountering several Golden Core Stage demonic beasts in ambush, no one would daree here. Lu Yang thought about it and agreed. The demonic beasts were unlucky to run into their group, but any other Foundation Building Stage cultivators would have been dead by now. It must be because the two young heroes have killed too many demonic beasts, attracting their attention with your scent, the hook-nosed leader analyzed. He sighed inwardly. The five of them, at thete Foundation Building Stage, struggled to fight against demons of the same level. Yet, the two young heroes could kill early to mid Golden Core Stage demonic beasts as easily as chopping vegetables. The difference was stark. I suggest we return to the city at dawn when the gates open, get some rest, change clothes, and wash off the scent. Lu Yang nodded. The hook-nosed leaders suggestion was reasonable. For the past few days, the seven of them had been on edge, either fighting or on their way to fight. The mental strain was enormous. Although his mental strength far surpassed that of others in the same stage and shouldnt deplete so quickly, Meng Jingzhou and the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain felt exhausted. He shouldnt normally feel tired. But who could me him for having an Evesting Fairy in his spiritual space causing trouble every day? Lu Yang had to allocate a portion of his mental strength to deal with the Evesting Fairy and listen to some ancient legends. The ancient legends included but were not limited to: the rivalry and jealousy between the prodigies of the dragon and phoenix ns, the Qilin Immortal fleeing overseas due to a harem of fire and being nicknamed the Fire Qilin, Ying Tian Immortal calling for fewer fights to elevate the status of immortals, the Immemorial Immortal suffering through Evesting Fairys meals andprehending the theory of rtivity, and Nonuple Immortal proving himself as the first immortal through academic papers and leading archaeological digs to establish his legitimacy. Honestly, these were all valuable ancient legends rted to immortals and could fetch a sky-high price at auctions. If those old schrs who studied ancient history heard them, they would probably be too excited to sleep. The information contained in these stories was enough to overturn current understandings of ancient times. But for Lu Yang, he was very worried that one day he might wake up to find the Four Immortals of ancient times standing beside him, looking down with sinister smiles, saying, You know too much, you must die now. He didnt have the Evesting ariya-ph. Optimistically speaking, if Eldest Senior Sister arrived in time, she could at least collect his corpse. Lu Yang expressed his worries to the Evesting Fairy, who remained nonchnt: Oh, Ying Tian Immortal and the others are kind and easy-going. They wont deal with you like that. Look at me, even though I know so much, Im still living well, arent I? Lu Yang silently looked at the soul form of the Evesting Fairy, wanting to remind her that she had been dead for over 300,000 years and had just been revived two months ago. After these days of fierce battles, both Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had significantly improved theirbat experience, bing increasingly adept at delivering lethal blows. Their cultivation was also steadily progressing, consolidating theirte Foundation Building stage and slowly advancing toward the Golden Core stage. Why do I feel like yourbat experience is richer than mine? Meng Jingzhou was surprised, thinking it wasnt just his imagination. Lu Yang replied expressionlessly, If you were beaten by our senior brothers and sisters from night till morning, yourbat experience would improve too. Lu Yang still remembered that while he was getting beaten, this guy was pping and cheering from the sidelines. Meng Jingzhou seemed thoughtful: Does it really work that way? Having never been inferior to anyone, he couldnt afford to lose to Lu Yang in terms ofbat experience. The nights rest was not peaceful; they were still ambushed by a Golden Core stage demon beast, which Meng Jingzhou, on night watch, beat to death with a flurry of punches. It was a rabbit about the size of a domestic pig, with tworge buck teeth three or four inches long, and eyes as red as rubies. Are we really so hated? We cant even rest at night! Meng Jingzhou angrily kicked the rabbit demon. During the fight, he had been distracted, and the rabbit had gnawed a bit of his hair. Fortunately, he had already practiced body refinement to the extent that even his hair was protected, so he escaped unscathed. The Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain couldnt exin it either, as they had little experience and had never seen anyone hunt demon beasts so relentlessly: It really shouldnt be like this. Logically, this is the outskirts of the forest, and there shouldnt be so many Golden Core stage demon beasts. Its not worth it for them toe here. Forget it, lets discuss this when we get back. Lu Yang called everyone to return to the Demon Subjugation Pass to rest. When they returned to the Demon Subjugation Pass, they heard people at the city gate talking. Did you hear? Last night, a Nascent Soul stage demon tried to sneak attack the Demon Subjugation Pass under the cover of darkness but was pped to death by a Spirit Transformation stage expert on night watch. Really? Was the demon drunk? A Nascent Soul stage daring to attack? The Demon Subjugation Pass, being one of the six cities guarding the border with the demon domain, couldnt be breached without several Unity stage cultivators making a move. However, there had been precedents. A few demons got drunk, ran to the Demon Subjugation Pass to test their courage. The lucky ones were chased away; the unlucky ones ended up in the pot the next day, with the whole city feasting. Of course, its true. Havent you noticed there are more guards today than yesterday? The higher-ups suspect that the demon n might be nning something big, sending a scapegoat to test our defenses! Are we going to fight again? Unlikely, its probably just a test. Theres also an unreliable rumor. What is it? They say that the demon was sent over with a directional teleportation talisman. Really? Can directional teleportation talismans be used that way? Thats why I said its an unreliable rumor. So, can we have a good meal today? The Demon Subjugation Pass often distributed the meat of the demon beasts killed at the gate to everyone. I doubt it. Why? The one that died was an earthworm demon. How do you eat that? In his mental space, the Evesting Fairy was surprised: Hey, dont you guys eat earthworms here? Fairy, do you hear yourself? (End of the chapter) Chapter 249: Twin Stem Lotus Lu Yang had to do a lot of convincing, finally using the argument mortals arent worthy of enjoying the fairys culinary skills to dissuade the Evesting Fairy from showing off her cooking. Lu Yang, your thinking is incorrect. In front of delicious food, everyone is equal. But lets leave it at that for now. Fairy, you are very wise, Lu Yang praised generously. He felt that his action had saved countless lives, a deed of immense virtue. If the cultivation world had a theory of achieving immortality through virtuous deeds, Lu Yang believed he could be immortal just from this. The seven of them arrived at the Land of Gold Commerce, taking out various demon beast corpses from their identity jade tokens. These were their spoils of war, drawing exmations of surprise. These these are all Golden Core Stage demon beasts?! The attendant who had previously received Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou recognized at a nce that these were Golden Core Stage beasts, and their bodies were almost intact. This was mainly due to Lu Yangs use of the sword, aiming for one-hit kills, and Meng Jingzhou using his fists to crush the beasts brains with internal force. The attendant understood when he thought of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous identities.A disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect, known for their unparalleledbat strength among their peers. In fact, disciples of the Five Great Immortal Sects were all known for being invincible at the same level. If they couldnt fight above their level, they would be embarrassed to say they were from the Five Great Immortal Sects. What the attendant didnt know was that Lu Yang was exceptionally skilled even among the Five Great Immortal Sects, having defeated the strongest Foundation Building Stage disciple of the Five Elements Sect in battle. A direct descendant of the Meng family, known in the capital for their ability to stir up trouble. A queue of people seeking revenge against the Meng family could stretch from the Meng household to the pce. Without considerable skills, a direct descendant of the Meng family would have been killed long ago. The attendant had also heard that the headquarters was considering setting up an idental death insurance policy for the Meng family members. Dont you want the inner cores? The attendant picked out the inner cores, the most valuable part of a Golden Core Stage demon beast, used to make pills that could increase the sess rate of forming a Golden Core, highly sought after byte Foundation Building Stage cultivators. Some half-step Golden Core Stage cultivators were just one pill made from an inner core away from truly bing Golden Core Stage. No use to us, just sell it all, Meng Jingzhou waved dismissively. The attendant quickly assessed the value of these demon beast corpses, determining that the price of threeplete mid-Golden Core Stage demon beasts could buy one directional teleportation talisman, even with a discount for the Meng family. Get five more directional teleportation talismans, Meng Jingzhou, having tasted the benefits, bought five more. Now he had nine directional teleportation talismans, enough to deal with nine Nascent Soul Stage demon beasts, a configuration that allowed them to move freely in the forest. Here are four for you, Meng Jingzhou gave Lu Yang four talismans. Do you have higher-level teleportation talismans? Meng Jingzhou asked. Higher-level ones? Ones that wouldnt be interrupted by a Spirit Transformation Stage beasts attack. One moment, let me check. Due to the high price of directional teleportation talismans, few people bought them, so the attendant wasnt very knowledgeable about them. Sorry, we only stock Nascent Soul level directional teleportation talismans here. The Spirit Transformation level ones are only avable at our headquarters. Should we order some for you? Have three sent over from your headquarters, Meng Jingzhou, always prioritizing safety, said. Alright. Has there been any news of heavenly materials or earthly treasures appearing in the forest recently? Lu Yang inquired. Themerce guild offered this service, iming that they could find any information you wanted as long as you paid enough spirit stones. Of course, this is false advertising. At the very least, themerce guild didnt know Eldest Senior Sisters age. The attendant gestured for the two to enter a soundproof room and activated the formation to prevent external eavesdropping. This was important information and couldnt be disclosed publicly. Someone has discovered the Twin Stem Lotus, the attendant said directly. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were both stunned. They had just mentioned this heavenly materialst night, and now it had surfaced? Where? The attendant spread out a map and pointed to ake: It was found in ake a hundred and ten miles south of the Demon Subjugation Pass. Originally, thatke was dominated by ate Golden Core Stage fish king, a poisonous pufferfish demon. Few at the same level could withstand its poison. It was the undisputed overlord of the area. Furthermore, it was rumored to have formed an alliance with four other Golden Core Stage demon beasts, causing much harm. Three days ago, someone identally entered the fish kings territory, expecting to die, but was not attacked. Instead, they found the corpses of the four Golden Core Stage demon beasts, dead from poisoning. Later autopsies confirmed this. That person also found the fish kings body in theke, torn to pieces. We specte that the fish king had a falling out with the four demon beasts, leading to a fight over the spoils. The fish king poisoned the four beasts, but was also beaten to death. Later, people discovered the Twin Stem Lotus in theke, previously well-hidden by the fish king. The Twin Stem Lotus will bloom in five days. Many have already received the news and are preparing to seize it. Twin Stem Lotus Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou both showed intrigued smiles. Neither had decided what kind of Golden Core to form. Lu Yang didnt want to form a sword core, and Meng Jingzhou didnt want to form a Single Golden Core. They both needed external items for inspiration. Observing the Twin Stem Lotus could provide Golden Core insights. There was a precedent for this in the Dao Seeking Sect. A senior brother, during his core formation, happened to have a Twin Stem Lotus blooming in his room. Under the moonlight, he observed the lotus, gained insight, and formed a highly aggressive Yin-Yang Golden Core. Using the Yin-Yang Golden Core, sarcastic remarks would effortlesslye out, excelling in provoking others. (TL Note: The words for Yin-Yang is . The phrase ,containing the words yin yang in them, refers to being sarcastic) Lu Yang was familiar with him, as he was their second senior brother currently training in the Golden Buddha Kingdom. There was also the abbot of the Hanging Temple, the only Tribtion Crossing Stage among the heads of the Five Great Immortal Sects. He also referred to the Twin Stem Lotus when forming his Golden Core. The abbot had a lotus pattern on his Golden Core. As a result, when debating or lecturing, special effects like lotusesing from his mouth and blossoming with each step would appear, which was highly impressive. This was different from spells, which relied on external forces. His effects were natural and automatic. This drew the admiration of many great cultivators, showing the powerful effect of the Twin Stem Lotus. The lotus seeds are also delicious, the Evesting Fairy reminded Lu Yang of another benefit of the Twin Stem Lotus. She had noticed the Twin Stem Lotus when she killed the fish king, but since it hadnt bloomed yet, harvesting it rashly would have ruined its spiritual essence. As an immortal chef, or rather the worlds only immortal chef, she couldnt waste such a treasure. The lotus seeds can be made into a sweet soup, symbolizing fertility and blessing. If you want children in the future, you can make this for your wife. Fairy, youre thinking too far ahead. I dont even have a fiance. You will eventually. This is a blessing from an immortal! The Evesting Fairy was confident. Her blessings had never failed. Lu Yang felt that his fate was fraught with challenges. (End of the chapter) Chapter 250: The Sensible Yellow Bean Leaving themerce guild and temporarily parting ways with the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou returned to the inn. They asked the waiter to buy some good dishes from nearby and deliver them to their respective rooms. By the way, no tofu, Lu Yang reminded the waiter before going upstairs. Nothing beats thefort of a bed! Lu Yang eximed as he dove onto the cozy bed, wearing a blissful expression. Right, sleeping is sofortable, agreed Yellow Bean, who had been dead for over 300,000 years. She now spent her days sleeping in the spiritual space, sleeping longer when she was in a good mood and less when she was not. Fortunately, she was always in a good mood. The Evesting Fairy waited for a response from Lu Yang for a long time, but when she finally noticed him, he was already asleep, his mouth slightly open, sleeping deeply. The days spent in the dense forest had been utterly exhausting. Lu Yang had been constantly on high alert, like a tightly stretched string. Once in afortable environment, hepletely rxed. Meng Jingzhou was in a simr situation, falling asleep as soon as he hit the bed. He had been pampered since childhood, and his family could get him anything he wanted, even the stars in the sky. He had never suffered like he did in the forest.Sir, your food is here, the waiter lightly knocked on the door. The Evesting Fairy, worried about waking Lu Yang, temporarily took over his body to answer the door. Shh, keep it down, hes sleeping, the Evesting Fairy said softly, cing her finger to her lips to remind the waiter to lower his voice. The waiter handed the tray to the Evesting Fairy and instinctively whispered, Understood, sir. The Evesting Fairy took the tray, closed the door, ced the food on the table, and returned Lu Yangs body to the bed, arranging it as before, as if nothing had happened. So boring, Ill sleep too, the Evesting Fairy yawned and fell asleep in the spiritual space. As the waiter reached the staircase, he suddenly remembered the rooms situation from the corner of his eye. Wasnt there only one person in that room? Whos sleeping? An inexplicable chill ran down his spine as if he were being watched. He quickened his pace down the stairs. Gods protect me, gods protect me! Ive done nothing wrong! Sofortable! Lu Yang woke up from the bed. Smells delicious. He saw the table filled with three meat dishes, one vegetable dish, and a soup, and was very surprised. Where did this foode from? He did remember asking the waiter to bring food, but he didnt recall opening the door. Do I have a sleepwalking habit? Lu Yang scratched his head, thinking he was confused from sleep. To give credit, the waiters taste was quite good. The dishes delivered had a distinct local vor and were very tasty, soft, and smooth. The ingredients were likely from Foundation Building Stage demon beasts, replenishing spiritual power and restoring mental energy. Originally, Lu Yang wanted to ask the Evesting Fairy if she wanted to take over his body temporarily to taste the specialties of the Demon Subjugation Pass. But seeing she was still asleep, he didnt wake her. After eating and drinking to his fill, Lu Yang felt revitalized, like apletely different person fromst night. He went to find Meng Jingzhou next door. Are you saying you want me to teach you Arhat Fist? Meng Jingzhou was slightly surprised at Lu Yangs request. This morning I thought about it. Ive made progress in spells and swordsmanship, but Imcking a fist technique for versatility. In battle, the situation can change unpredictably, and a fist technique mighte in handy. Dont you know Shape-Imitating Fist? And summon Eldest Senior Sister? Meng Jingzhou conceded that this was indeed a bit much. If you used fist techniques like that, the battle would be unmanageable, essentially turning it into a summoning spell. Moreover, Lu Yangs Shape-Imitating Fist is more of a transformation technique than a true fist technique. Is it convenient? My master isnt secretive about it. Although the Arhat Fist is precious, you could learn it from Eldest Senior Sister as well. The only difference is whether you learn it from me or from her. Anyone who knows the name can learn it from Eldest Senior Sister. Even if she doesnt have it, she can make up a set on the spot based on the name. Thats great. The thought of learning another fist technique made Lu Yang excited. Youd rather learn the Arhat Fist than my Monk Fruit Fist? The Evesting Fairy was so angry that she stomped her foot. The name Arhat Fist didnt sound powerful at allpared to her celestial fist techniques. Once you learn the Monk Fruit Fist, you can then learn the Pepper Fist, Star Anise Fist, Cumin Fist, and thousands of other techniques, eventually mastering the Celestial Fairy Fist. By then, youll be invincible! Faced with the grand promises of the Evesting Fairy, Lu Yang sighed, Fairy, if you just changed the names of your techniques, Id learn them. In battle, others would use techniques with names like Eight Extremes Fist or Heaven Shaking Six Forms. If asked what fist technique he used, Lu Yang couldnt very well say it was the Celestial Fairy Fist. Hed lose half his momentum before the fight even started. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou rented a secluded training ground and began learning the Arhat Fist. I wont bore you with the history of the Arhat Fist; its just textbook stuff. You can read up on it when you have time, Meng Jingzhou said, skipping the introductory part and moving straight to practical teaching. The main principles of this technique involve breaking from above to below and vice versa, attacking the right when pointing to the left, feigning movements to deceive. It emphasizes unpredictability, quick changes, and using breath to enhance power, like this. Meng Jingzhou stood straight with his chest out, arms naturally hanging down, eyes looking forward. He took a half step to the left with his left foot and moved his palms in an upward and outward arc. Ha! When Meng Jingzhou demonstrated the technique, he was impressive, like an angry vajra, imposing and dignified, his voice loud, almost resembling the Buddhist Lions Roar. The sea of suffering is boundless; a turn of the head is the shore! This is the horse stance single whip! This is the kick punch! This is the great roc spreading its ws! Meng Jingzhou showcased each move of the Arhat Fist, making Lu Yangs blood boil. When he finished a set of moves, perfectly disying the essence of the Arhat Fist, it seemed as if a true Arhat appeared before Lu Yang, vanquishing demons. Especially knowing that the Third Elders famous technique, the Heaven Shaking Six Forms, was derived from the Arhat Fist, Lu Yang was even more excited. Perhaps he could also derive other techniques from the Arhat Fist. By the way, did the Third Elder ever tell you how he derived the Heaven Shaking Six Forms from the Arhat Fist? Lu Yang asked, thinking he might gain some insights. He did, Meng Jingzhou recalled. Master said that when he was young, he traveled to the Golden Buddha Kingdom and met an elder who was proficient in the Arhat Fist, known as the Demon-Subduing Arhat. This elder beat Master like a child. Master was beaten and had to flee to avoid further beatings. In his desperation, he created his own fist technique, the Heaven Shaking Six Forms. Lu Yang: This process of creating a technique was not what he had imagined. Did the Third Elder win against the elder? No, the elder was a whole major realm higher than Master. (End of the chapter) Chapter 251: Arhat Fist Come, get into the horse stance, strike the pose, and start learning the Arhat Fist. Lu Yang imitated Meng Jingzhous earlier movements, sinking his energy to his dantian, standing straight, taking a half step to the left with his left foot, and moving his palms in an arc. Ha! Not loud enough, again! Ha! Louder! Ha! Lu Yangs voice grew louder until it finally met Meng Jingzhous standards. My master taught me that shouting duringbat is a way to release your limits. The louder the voice, the more power you can exert, even surpassing your usual strength.When punching, keep your arm level with your line of sight. Clench your fist tightly, imagine youre holding a stone and use all your strength to grip it as if you want to crush it. These were teachings Meng Jingzhou had received from the Third Elder when he learned the fist technique, and now he passed them on to Lu Yang. The Arhat Fist emphasizes the coordination of upper and lower body movements, the hands moving with the steps, and the bnce of hard and soft forces. Your movements are too stiff; they need to be fluid and soft! Meng Jingzhou pointed out Lu Yangs mistakes one by one and corrected them, as these weremon errors when practicing fist techniques. Lu Yang was quite talented in martial arts. This was evident from how he learned the Shape-Imitating Fist in half a day and then improved it into the Lu Familys Shape-Imitating Fist in another half day. The sea of suffering is boundless; a turn of the head is the shore! Lu Yang quickly got the hang of it, with a look ofpassion in his eyes, making him appear like a benevolent person. In his ear, Meng Jingzhous earnest teachings echoed: Master told me that the Arhat Fist is a technique to encourage people to do good. The saying the sea of suffering is boundless; a turn of the head is the shore means that if you can finish a set of moves and make someone put down their weapon and turn to goodness, then the Arhat Fist is truly perfected. But unfortunately, people are often ignorant and cant put down their weapons and turn to goodness. Hence, throughout history, only a few people have truly mastered the Arhat Fist. Meng Jingzhou ced one hand on his chest, truly embodying the demeanor of a high monk. When learning the Arhat Fist, the state of mind is also very important. Its best to imagine yourself as a disciple of Buddha. When I learned the Arhat Fist, I even studied Buddhist scriptures for a while. Recite Buddhist scriptures? Lu Yang felt he had found a method. Lu Yang didnt need to learn Buddhist scriptures anew. During his free time in the library, he had read several days of Buddhist scriptures like the Diamond Sutra, the Golden Light Sutra, and the Heart Sutra, which were excellent for inducing sleep. He slowly closed his eyes, envisioning the Evesting Fairys delicate face in his mind. The Evesting Fairy, dressed in a beige nightgown, tilted her head to meet Lu Yangs gaze. Fairy, could you stand to the side of my spiritual space? Im recalling Buddhist scriptures. Oh. With the Evesting Fairy out of his sight, Lu Yang began recalling the Buddhist scriptures. The content of the Diamond Sutra, the Golden Light Sutra, and the Heart Sutra surfaced in his mind as he pondered and understood the mindset of their authors, cing himself in their shoes. In reality, Meng Jingzhou watched Lu Yang with surprise. Lu Yang had his eyes closed, and his movements were slower, resembling an old tree, but his gestures exuded the aura of apassionate high monk. Could it be that Lu Yang is suited to be a monk? Meng Jingzhou secretly wondered. As Lu Yangs understanding of the Buddhist scriptures and the Arhat Fist deepened, his movements became smoother, like flowing water, without any hesitation, as if he had practiced hundreds or thousands of times and the actions were ingrained in his muscle memory. Bangbang With each punch Lu Yang threw, a sound of air breaking echoed, apanied by faint Buddhist chants, as if an old monk was reciting sutras in the void, teaching people to be kind. Lu Yang practiced with his eyes closed, continuing from morning until evening. Meng Jingzhou, seeing that he had nothing left to teach, squatted nearby, waiting to see when Lu Yang would finally open his eyes. Whoo Finishing a set, Lu Yang exhaled deeply, gathered his breath, and opened his eyes, which were now bright and spirited. Did you master it? Meng Jingzhou looked at Lu Yang in surprise. It had taken him a full three days to learn, yet this guy had managed it in just one day? Is there any justice in this world? Ive made some progress, Lu Yang said modestly. Lets give it a try. Meng Jingzhou was eager to test Lu Yangs progress. He couldnt believe that after practicing for half a month, he could be surpassed by Lu Yang, who had only been at it for a day. Lets try, Lu Yang also felt eager to spar and test his level. The two exchanged nces, assumed their stances, and simultaneously performed the Arhat Fist, engaging in a pure test of skill. ck Tiger Steals Heart! ck Tiger Steals Heart! Downward Hammer! Downward Hammer! Their fists and feet collided with great force, like thunderps echoing in the training ground, causing the leaves on the old trees around to rustle loudly. Their moves and strength were equally matched, making the fight thrilling and even, with no clear victor in sight. Unbelievable, youve only practiced for a day, and youre already at the same entry level as me with the Arhat Fist. Maybe one day youll master it and persuade people to do good! Just lucky, Lu Yang said, but his proud expression showed that he didnt believe it was luck at all. Just as he was about to say something modest, he caught a glimpse of Meng Jingzhous head and his expression changed. Whats wrong? Is there something wrong with my head? Meng Jingzhou was puzzled. No, no problem at all, Lu Yang said, avoiding eye contact like he had done something wrong. Suspicious, Meng Jingzhou reached up to touch his head. Wait, was something missing from his head? Wheres my hair?! Meng Jingzhou took out a small mirror from his identity jade and looked at his head for a long time. His head waspletely bald, so smooth that even a sparrow would slip off. He was bald. Like an Arhat. In the spiritual space, the Evesting Fairy wasughing uncontrobly. Lu Yang, you better exin whats going on! Meng Jingzhous first reaction was to me Lu Yang. His hair was part of his body refinement. How could it fall out for no reason? He just noticed that his feet were surrounded by freshly fallen hair. I, I dont know either. I just noticed your hair falling out quickly while we were sparring. By the time I tried to tell you, it was all gone, Lu Yang stammered, genuinely clueless about what had happened. Suddenly, a realization dawned on Lu Yang: I understand now. What do you understand? Think about it, isnt the purpose of the Arhat Fist to persuade people to do good? Where does evile from? Ites from worries. Buddhism talks about the three thousand strands of worry. Without those strands, theres no evil, and one can do good. Moreover, dont you now look like an Arhat? It fits perfectly with the Arhat Fist! Hearing this, Meng Jingzhou lunged at Lu Yang like a hungry tiger: I think you look more like an Arhat! Feeling guilty, Lu Yang ran off: Ive mastered the Arhat Fist, you cant hit me! This isnt the Arhat Fist; its the Balding Technique! Stand still! (End of the chapter) Chapter 252: You Still Say You’re Not a Monk Four days passed quickly. When the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain gathered at the city gate as agreed, they were surprised to see Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Young heroes, where is your hair? The hook-nosed leader asked the question immediately upon seeing that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou werepletely bald. He regretted asking as soon as the words left his mouth. Both young heroes faces turned noticeably darker. Meng Jingzhous hair hadnt grown back yet and, optimistically, would take a few more days. To apologize and calm Meng Jingzhous anger, Lu Yang had shaved his own head as well. These past few days, the Evesting Fairy hadnt stoppedughing. The hook-nosed leader spected silently: could it be that these young heroes are disciples of Buddhism and had been wearing wigs all along? The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. The young heroes had never mentioned their backgrounds, likely because they came from a Buddhist sect that didnt unt their status. Now, in the contest for the Twin Stem Lotus, they needed not only strength but also the intimidation of their identity!As for killing and eating demon beasts, that could also be understood. There were meat-eating monks in Buddhism, though rare, they did exist. Lets go, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou said in a muffled voice, unwilling to exin further. Following the map provided by themerce guild, the group quickly arrived at theke where the Twin Stem Lotus were located. By now, theke was already surrounded by people. Looking around, there were few cultivators below thete Foundation Building stage; most were at thete Foundation Building stage, followed by Golden Core stage cultivators. The Twin Stem Lotus had miraculous effects on core formation, attracting many cultivators on the verge of forming their cores. For Golden Core stage cultivators, it was less useful, otherwise, the fish that guarded theke wouldnt have been able to keep it. In the center of theke, two lotus buds were about to bloom, pink and tender, like twins, drawing everyones attention. Theres water everywhere. When the timees to snatch them, it will be inconvenient to fight, ate Foundation Building stage cultivator frowned. He wasnt good at water battles, and if his opponent was proficient in water techniques, it would be very disadvantageous. Lets drain the water. Saying this, he took out a storage ring and started filling it withke water. Seeing this, others thought it was a good idea and followed suit to help. Storage rings could only store non-living things, so they could store just the water without the living creatures in theke. Hes the White Tiger Saint Child of the Four Symbols Sect! Its said hes mastered lethal techniques, and even though hes only in the mid Foundation Building stage, he can fight against half-step Golden Core stage cultivators! The hook-nosed leader hadnt been idle these past few days, investigating who mightpete for the Twin Stem Lotus. The White Tiger Saint Child was one of them. The Four Symbols Sect was a renowned first-grade sect, known for its Four Symbols legacy, consistently producing outstanding sessors and rarely declining. In the central continent, sects were habitually categorized by grades. Sects without Spirit Transformation stage cultivators were considered unranked, at the lowest end. Third-grade sects had one to several Spirit Transformation stage cultivators. Second-grade sects had one to several Void Refinement stage cultivators. First-grade sects had one to several Unity stage cultivators. Above the first-grade sects were the super sects, which had a Tribtion Crossing stage expert. Above the super sects were the Five Great Immortal Sects. The apparent standard for the Five Great Immortal Sects was having a Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator and techniques equivalent to such cultivators. But how many hidden cards they had was anyones guess. And that female cultivator, An Ke, the closed-door disciple of the Clear Moon Sects sect master, at thete Foundation Building stage, the strongest among the Clear Moon Sects Foundation Building stage cultivators. Even the Clear Moon Sects sect master admits that at the same level, he isnt a match for her. Rumor has it that the Clear Moon Sect is backed by the Moon Pce, though no one has been able to confirm this. Thats Duan Hongchen, the Heaven Inquiry de. He has repeatedly killed Golden Core stage demon beasts. People assumed he had already formed his core, but hes actually at the half-step core formation stage, still looking for the right opportunity! The hook-nosed leader pointed out notable individuals one by one. Some came from various prestigious sects and families, with remarkable legacies, while others were local powerhouses from the Demon Subjugation Pass, known for their fierce reputations. Inparison, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were rtively unknown. They had only arrived at the Demon Subjugation Pass a few days ago and had spent most of their time in the dense forest, not interacting with others. Very few people knew them. Who are those two bald guys? Disciples of the White Horse Temple or the Floating Pagoda Temple? Someone noticed Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Their bald heads made them stand out in the crowd. The White Tiger Saint Child frowned: Ive visited both the White Horse Temple and the Floating Pagoda Temple with my master, but Ive never seen these two. Are they wild monks? Or from some obscure temple? As a member of the Four Symbols Sect, he regarded any sect below first-grade as insignificant and not worth his attention. An Ke nced at Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou out of the corner of her eye. Not recognizing them as any of the powerful Foundation Building stage cultivators she knew, she dismissed them. Duan Hongchen, the Heaven Inquiry de, saw that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were only at thete Foundation Building stage and ignored them. His opponents were the Golden Core cultivators hidden in the crowd. These Golden Core cultivators were here to seize the Twin Lotuses for their juniors core formation and wouldnt fight to the death. In a life-and-death battle, they would be the first to retreat. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou overheard people guessing which Buddhist temple they were from, causing veins to pop on their foreheads. Youre the monks! Your whole family are monks! Its all your fault for making me shave my head! Lu Yang was the first tosh out. Meng Jingzhou had anticipated this: My fault? Its obviously your Arhat Fist thats crooked! Ill write a rmendation letter to get you into the Hanging Temple! With Lu Yangs talent, he was certainly qualified to enter the Hanging Temple, which would likely wee him warmly. After all, finding someone with magical talentsparable to Eldest Senior Sisters was nearly impossible worldwide. Lu Yang, are you going to be a monk? The Evesting Fairy asked reluctantly. No, Dao Seeking Sect is my home. Im not going anywhere! Lu Yang dered his position, stating that he was a Dao Seeking Sect disciple in life and in death. Look, the lotus is about to bloom! Someone shouted, drawing everyones attention. As the Twin Lotuses bloomed, a delightful fragrance filled the air, inciting a frenzy among the crowd. With a roar, the White Tiger Saint Child made the first move, a king character slowly appearing on his forehead, white fur sprouting on his cheeks, and his pupils bing vertical, resembling a tiger. The Twin Lotuses are mine! No one else should dare to take them! He roared, moving as swiftly as the wind. You think theyre yours just because you say so? Arhat Fist! Meng Jingzhou struck, his face showingpassion and benevolence, as if he had twenty years of monk training. His punches were overwhelmingly powerful, sending the White Tiger Saint Child flying into the mud pit, dazed and confused. The White Tiger Saint Child was stunned. This was his first time failing in a cross-level challenge. He had always won cross-level battles, easily defeatingte Foundation Building stage opponents while being in the mid Foundation Building stage, and had never lost before. But this time, he failed. Definitely a monk! An Ke confirmed her earlier suspicion. Youre the monk! Meng Jingzhou retorted angrily. Bald head, uses Arhat Fist, and still ims not to be a monk? (End of the chapter) Chapter 253: Buddhist Gathering The Twin Stem Lotus were crucial for core formation, and no one was willing to yield. Numerouste Foundation Building stage cultivators shed in a chaotic melee. The Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain knew their limits. They understood that their skills were adequate for surviving in the dense forest, but in direct confrontations, they fell short. Having witnessed Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous prowess, the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain didnt believe anyone could outmatch the two. Some cultivators boasted about defeating opponents one small stage above their own, considering it a significant achievement. In contrast, these two monks could fight and win across a major stage. Such power was previously only heard of in rumors, and the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain had never seen it before. Could these two be from the Hanging Temple? Could the Hanging Temple recruit two people at once? Judging by their skills, its not impossible. Meng Jingzhou, being the second in the Dao Seeking Sect for his generation, could almost be considered the second among the entire generation of the Five Great Immortal Sects. His extraordinarybat power naturally drew many cultivators to attack him, including Golden Core stage cultivators who recognized his strength and joined forces.Lu Yang, stop watching the show! Meng Jingzhou shouted as he fought with Arhat Fist, calling Lu Yang over to help. I thought the great Meng Jingzhou could take on a hundred enemies single-handedly, Lu Yang teased as he entered the fray. Fourte Foundation Building stage cultivators attacked Lu Yang in unison. Without even ncing at them, Lu Yang sidestepped their assault and gently tapped their abdomens with the back of his hand. They immediately felt a sharp nausea and began vomiting violently. Quick, stop him! The crowd realized Lu Yang was as formidable as Meng Jingzhou and a significant threat in the battle for the Twin Lotuses. Mountain Crushing Palm! Another cultivator attacked Lu Yang, his palms iron-blue from countless tempering sessions, tough as steel and resistant to melting even in a furnace. Draw a Dungeon! Lu Yang extended his index finger and drew a circle on the ground. The attacker suddenly disappeared, swallowed by the earth. It felt as though an invisible hand had forcibly dragged him down. This eerie technique frightened everyone; they had no idea how to counter it. A disciple of the Dao of Painting?! Someone eximed, recognizing Lu Yangs method, reminiscent of Confucian cultivators skilled in painting, who could alter reality with a simple stroke! Isnt this person a Buddhist disciple? How does he know Confucian techniques? Lu Yang smiled faintly without exining, continuing to draw circles. Amidst the crowds attacks, he moved as if strolling through an empty courtyard. Anyone who came near him was sent to the dungeon below. Take my de, Heaven Inquiry! Duan Hongchen struck from the shadows. The Heaven Inquiry de gleamed so brightly it hurt to look at. Arhat Fist! Lu Yangs right leg bent into a half squat, left leg tensed, channeling power throughout his body and finally into his left fist. With a forward strike, he deflected the Heaven Inquiry de and smashed into Duan Hongchens face. Duan Hongchen felt like he was being hit by a mountain, the force overwhelming and unstoppable. All techniques seemed futile. The sea of suffering knows no bounds; repent and the shore is at hand! Lu Yang continued his assault, each hit making Duan Hongchen feel like his bones were being dismantled one by one. Duan Hongchen flew backward, his vision darkening. Huh? Whats this? His vision darkened not from impending unconsciousness but because something ck blocked his sight. Hair? Whose? Duan Hongchen instinctively touched his head. So smooth, whose head is this? Wheres my hair?! Duan Hongchen finally realized the issuewhat happened to his meticulously groomed hair? As a top expert, what was most important? Maintaining an aura of mystery and profundity. One essential element of that was his hair! Now that his hair was gone, his air of mystery was halved. Be careful, his Arhat Fist can make your hair fall out! Duan Hongchen loudly warned everyone. An Ke, who had been nning a sneak attack, turned pale upon hearing this. Failing to get the Twin Lotuses was a small matterthere were other ways to form a corebut losing her hair was a big deal! Run! Without a second thought, she turned and fled! Trying to run? Lu Yang clearly had no habit of letting enemies escape, and he pursued her relentlessly. Dont chase me! I dont want the Twin Lotuses anymore! An Ke shouted, signaling her surrender. Trying to make me let my guard down, huh? Ive yed that trick myself too many times! Lu Yang thought, assuming An Ke was using the same dirty tactics he would. Stop hurting Fairy An Ke! Someone infatuated with An Kes beauty tried to block Lu Yang, only to be sent flying by two of his punches, leaving a trail of hair behind. Stop, viin! Dont harm people! One by one, people stepped in to stop Lu Yang, only to be punched away by his Arhat Fist. Can you give me a buzz cut? someone timidly asked Lu Yang. Lu Yang nodded. After four days of practicing Arhat Fist in the martial arts field, he could now customize hairstyles at will. Give me one! Lu Yang obliged, sending the person flying. The entireke area descended into chaos. An Ke ran around theke, and Lu Yang chased after her. Everyone he touched got two punches and became bald. Fortunately, in the end, An Kes dao protector appeared, grabbed her, and ran away, preventing Lu Yang fromnding a hit. Next! Losing his target, Lu Yang quickly found a new one. The power of Lu Yangs Arhat Fist was on par with the original,plete with hair removal effects. It was unmistakably a Buddhist martial art, even revered monks would praise it as authentic Buddhist technique. Whether they liked it or not, regardless of their cultivation level, everyone got two punches from Lu Yang. Lu Yang was like awnmower, leaving not a single hair in his path. Lets take down this guy first! the crowd shouted in anger, abandoning the fight for the Twin Lotuses and targeting Lu Yang. Meng Jingzhou was left alone as a result. The Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain watched in horror, cold sweat pouring down their backs as they tried to reduce their presence, fearing the crowds wrath would turn on them. Heaven knows, they were just guides and had no vested interest with Lu Yang. Whats happening here? A gentle voice startled the hook-nosed leader, making the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain jump, thinking someone hade after them. They turned to see a man and a woman, unaware of when they had arrived. The man was burly, looking like a barbarian, while the woman was slender, with a somewhat youthful face, not very old. It was Barbarian Bone and Peach Blossom Leaf. Not long ago, Eldest Senior Sister had found Barbarian Bone and Peach Blossom Leaf, saying that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were achieving great results in the dense forest and suggesting they learn from them. They had then traveled by airship and carriage, finally arriving at the Demon Subjugation Pass. Upon arrival, they heard that the Twin Lotuses were about to bloom and came to see what was happening and join in the fun. Unexpectedly, upon arrival, they saw a group of bald heads fighting fiercely in a mud pit, looking like a Buddhist gathering. After asking around, they learned that Lu Yang had used some magic to shave peoples heads, inciting public outrage and leading to his being besieged. I see, Eldest Senior Sister wants us to learn from Brother Lus courage to face many enemies fearlessly! Barbarian Bone suddenly understood. (End of the chapter) Chapter 254: Fusion Battle Technique Now Flawless Excuse me, fellow cultivator, do you know those two bald men in the mud pit? Peach Blossom Leaf politely asked the hook-nosed leader. At the same time, she was puzzled. She didnt remember Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou being bald. What kind of mishap could have caused them to be bald? Peach Blossom Leaf paused for a moment, realizing that with those two around, nothing would surprise her. The Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain thought Peach Blossom Leaf and Barbarian Bone hade from afar to seek revenge, so they quickly shook their heads and said they didnt know them. We also just arrived and dont know the two bald heroes. We only heard that one of them is called Lu Yang, suspected to be a Buddhist disciple, proficient in Arhat Fist. Anyone hit by his Arhat Fist loses their hair. Peach Blossom Leaf: When did Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou be Buddhists? Which Buddhist sect would be so blind as to ept these two?As far as she knew, the abbot of the Hanging Temple was always moring to suppress Daoist Non-Speaker, calling him a scourge. Barbarian Bone pondered for a moment and understood the deeper meaning behind Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous actions: While traveling, they need to hide their identities. Brother Lu and Brother Meng know their actions are ostentatious and might implicate the Dao Seeking Sect, so they shaved their heads and pretended to be Buddhists to avoid trouble! Barbarian Bone thought Eldest Senior Sister was indeed remarkable. When she sent them to the Demon Subjugation Pass to learn from Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, she must have foreseen this situation. Sure enough, they had learned quite a bit already. Do you two know them? The hook-nosed leader saw the change in Peach Blossom Leaf and Barbarian Bones expressions and suspected they knew each other. I am Peach Blossom Leaf, this is Barbarian Bone, and the two in the mud pit are Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. The four of us are disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect, Peach Blossom Leaf exined. Dao Seeking Sect?! The Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain were shocked, not expecting Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou to have such an astonishing background. On second thought, it made sense. The two young heroes could easily defeat disciples from first-grade sects, so their backing must be far greater than a first-grade sect. But being from the Dao Seeking Sect was truly terrifying. What was the Dao Seeking Sect? One of the Five Great Immortal Sects with a history of 120,000 years, older than the Great Xia Dynasty, with unfathomable foundations. There were even rumors that the Dao Seeking Sects power was unparalleled, making it the foremost of the Five Great Immortal Sects! The strongest sect! The hook-nosed leader sighed in relief, d they were not enemies. He then exined that the five of them were hired by Meng Jingzhou as guides and that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou hade to seize the Twin Stem Lotus. Core formation, huh? Peach Blossom Leaf nodded. She and Barbarian Bone were also on the verge of thete Foundation Building stage, seeking opportunities in the dense forest for core formation. Could it be that Brother Lu intends to find an opportunity for core formation in battle, thus deliberately inciting public anger and being besieged? Peach Blossom Leaf suspiciously looked at Lu Yang, considering it the most likely scenario. Lu Yang was under a lot of pressure. He came here just to seize the Twin Stem Lotus, and using Arhat Fist was purely in self-defense. He hadnt expected that a set of Arhat Fist techniques would lead him to face the wrath of nearly a hundredte Foundation Building stage cultivators and more than a dozen Golden Core stage cultivators. Meng Jingzhou was deeply moved. Earlier, when he asked Lu Yang for help, Lu Yang had surprisingly taken the initiative to draw aggro, and now no one was paying attention to him. Such loyalty! Lu Yang calmly exined, Fellow cultivators, I think there might be some misunderstanding between us. I have a friend who is skilled in crafting and can even make wigs. After this matter is settled, I can take you to him Go to hell! The crowd didnt listen to Lu Yangs exnation at all and rushed at him en masse. Lu Yangsbat prowess was exceptional, capable of taking onte Golden Core stage cultivators, but facing such arge number of opponents, he still felt his strength was limited. While Lu Yang felt his power was limited, those besieging him found his strength unfathomable. Despite only being at thete Foundation Building stage, he was handling the siege with ease. Not even a Golden Core stage cultivator could achieve such a feat. Shrink Earth! Lu Yang used the Shrink Earth technique, attempting to escape. Hes using an earth escape technique! someone in the crowd, proficient in earth-based spells, quickly identified Lu Yangs skill. Without hesitation, they attacked the ground, forcing Lu Yang to emerge. Struggling to fend off enemies from all directions, Lu Yang spotted Peach Blossom Leaf and Barbarian Bone standing by thekeside, and they seemed like his saviors. Junior Brother Barbarian,e save me! Lu Yang shouted. Junior Sister Peach, help from the shore! Barbarian Bone, seeing the situation, jumped into the mud pit to rescue Lu Yang. Meng Jingzhou also broke through the obstacles and reached Lu Yangs side. At this moment, the three-member team from the Undying Sect reunited, unleashing immense power. You all know what to do, right? Lu Yang faced the enemy, while Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone nodded in understanding. Fusion! The three shouted simultaneously, reenacting their fusion battle technique. This time, however, Lu Yang was the main body, holding Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone. The onlookers hesitated for a moment, never having seen such a fighting style. Peach Blossom Leaf also paused on the shore, having never seen such a formation. Additionally, she was unsure of her role from the shore as instructed by Lu Yang. Lu Yang snorted, channeling sword energy into Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone, making them exceptionally sharp, like two swords. Show them our power! Lu Yang shouted. As a sword spirit root cultivator, Lu Yang had avoided using his sword, Qingfeng Sword, fearing its excessive power might kill people. Now, with Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone in his hands, he no longer had to worry. These two were almost like blunt weapons, just with an addedyer of sword energy, ensuring they wouldnt kill anyone. Lu Yangs months of practicing dual-wielding sword techniques now had a purpose. He swung Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone around like a top, spinning in the mud pit. Anyone hit by them was sent flying, including hidden Golden Core stage cultivators. After the fall of the Undying Sect, the three had returned to the Dao Seeking Sect, practicing their spinning technique. This time, they could spin much longer than before! Stay away from them; this move wontst long! Duan Hongchen, with his battle experience, quickly spotted the weakness of the technique. Indeed, although the three had practiced diligently, prolonged spinning would ultimately tire them out. Brother Lu, Im about to throw up, Barbarian Bone transmitted to Lu Yang. Me too, Meng Jingzhou added. Trust in Junior Sister Peach, Lu Yang calmly responded. Peach Blossom Leaf, understanding Lu Yangs intentions, opened her red paper umbre, ced two fingers on her lips, and softly recited a spell, creating an illusion barrier. The illusion, which affected perception, enveloped the mud pit. Her specialty was illusions. However, her target wasnt the enemy but Lu Yang and the other two. The dizziness the trio had been experiencing immediately dissipated. They felt weightless, as if they couldnt sense their surroundings, and the dizziness vanished. Lu Yang deliberately refrained from using the Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique keeping himself within the illusion. In reality, Lu Yang and the other two continued to fight, but now Peach Blossom Leaf controlled their bodies through the illusion, disconnecting their consciousness from the external environment. They couldnt feel the changes in their bodies! This eliminated the dizziness problem! Thus, the fusion battle technique became wless! (End of the chapter) Chapter 255: Reliable Peach Blossom Leaf Huh, this is a good method! Meng Jingzhou said, rxing with a smile. Since Peach Blossom Leaf was now controlling their bodies, the three of them had nothing to do. I just thought of this method on the spot. It shows how clever Junior Sister Peach is; I gave her a look, and she understood my intention immediately, Lu Yang said, feeling quite pleased with himself foring up with the idea. At first, Barbarian Bone didnt understand what was happening and tried to resist the illusion, but Lu Yang persuaded him otherwise. This is an illusion set up by Junior Sister Peach, allowing the three of us not to feel dizzy. In reality, the three of them fought with broad and bold moves, exuding the aura of ancient generals sweeping through armies. Peach Blossom Leaf grew increasingly adept at controlling the trio, driving their opponents into disarray. The Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain exchanged nces, seeing the shock in each others eyes. They should have expected nothing less from disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect; even theirbat methods were different from ordinary cultivators.What kind of battle technique is this!? The people in the mud pit were astonished. Historically, three-person attacks were always hampered byck of coordination or insufficient teamwork, preventing them from utilizing their full power. Take them, for example. Seven people besieged Lu Yang, but theirbined strength was equivalent to only three or four individuals. In contrast, Lu Yangs trio saw theirbat power triple after merging, their coordination seamless, their strength fully unleashed. Is this a Buddhistbat technique? It wasnt surprising that people guessed this way. Buddhists rarely fought, and Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were clearly Buddhist disciples. Barbarian Bone, with his fierce demeanor, seemed likely trained by the Buddhists as a guardian. Its rare to see a Buddhistbat technique; today weve finally witnessed one. This could somewhat be considered a bragging point. Hair can grow back, but witnessing a Buddhistbat technique was much rarer. On thekeside, Peach Blossom Leaf was panting heavily, struggling to maintain the illusion while nning the trios actions to break through the blockade. Perhaps Lu Yang had drawn too much aggro; the crowd was determined not to let him escape. If the goal of this trip is the Twin Stem Lotus, then taking the lotus should suffice, right? Peach Blossom Leaf used the illusion to erase her presence, sneaking into the mud pit to take the Twin Stem Lotus. The lotus is gone Someone, ncing back unintentionally, noticed the missing lotus. About to shout, they saw Peach Blossom Leaf extend her index finger and lightly touch their forehead, plunging them into a deep illusion. Seeing the lotus in her hand, Peach Blossom Leaf ran off, leaving only a fleeting shadow. The lotus is gone! Finally, someone noticed that the most important objective of the tripthe Twin Stem Lotushad been stolen. She took it! Someone pointed at the distant Peach Blossom Leaf. Chase her! More than half the people chased after Peach Blossom Leaf, allowing Lu Yang and the others to finally breathe a sigh of relief. With only twenty to thirtyte Foundation Building stage cultivators remaining, they were no longer a threat. The three werent worried about Peach Blossom Leaf; she excelled in illusions, making escape easy. Even Meng Jingzhou wasnt confident he couldpletely see through her illusions. Among Foundation Building stage cultivators, Peach Blossom Leafs illusions were arguably the strongest. Only Lu Yang, with his special technique, was unafraid of illusions. Young Hero Lu, Young Hero Meng, Miss Peach said for you to go to Yuanming Inn to wait for herter, the hook-nosed leader said, rushing over as Lu Yang quickly defeated the remaining people. Alright, I got it. Thank you, Leader Ying, Lu Yang replied. Leader Ying quickly waved his hand, Oh, dont say that. We couldnt help at all this time. Barbarian Bone added, Yuanming Inn is where Senior Sister Peach and I are staying at the Demon Subjugation Pass. Among their peers, Peach Blossom Leaf ranked third, and Barbarian Bone ranked fourth. Lu Yangughed, What a coincidence, Yuanming Inn is also where Meng Jingzhou and I are staying. Lets head back. Maybe Junior Sister Peach will get there before us. The group returned to the inn, and sure enough, Peach Blossom Leaf was already there waiting for them. Leaning against the wall, she yawned out of boredom, holding a wooden box in her right hand. Whats with your getup? Peach Blossom Leaf asked, looking at Lu Yang and the other two with a strange expression. The three of them were wearing ck hoods, covering their faces as if they were up to something shady. This kind of attire wasmon in Demon Subjugation Pass, but unusual for Lu Yang. Lu Yang sighed. On our way back, we ran into some of the cultivators I had shaved bald. We were worried about being recognized, so we disguised ourselves. I guess weve managed to offend everyte Foundation Building stage cultivator in Demon Subjugation Pass. Peach Blossom Leaf rolled her eyes. You brought this on yourself by insisting on using Arhat Fist. And why does Arhat Fist make peoples hair fall out? Is it supposed to turn them into Arhats? Its called guiding people to virtue. Its a sign of mastering Arhat Fist. And who knew it would be so effective at making people lose their hair? Lu Yang tried to defend himself. Ignoring his exnation, Peach Blossom Leaf raised the wooden box she had been carrying. The Twin Lotuses are in here. Lets go upstairs. The box was made of high-quality sandalwood, capable of blocking divine sense and preventing the Twin Lotuses aura from leaking out. Well take our leave then, young heroes, the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain said, cupping their fists in farewell to Lu Yang. Lets go. Meng Jingzhou and I are staying at this inn too. Really? Peach Blossom Leaf was surprised, then remembered Meng Jingzhous habits. Is it because this is the most expensive inn in Demon Subjugation Pass? Exactly, Meng Jingzhou replied with a smile. He always chose the most expensive option, and lodgings were no exception. The four of them went to Meng Jingzhous room. Why did you twoe to Demon Subjugation Pass? Lu Yang asked curiously. Did you two also ask Eldest Senior Sisters age and get sent here as punishment? A few days ago, I made some progress in my cultivation and wanted to discuss it with someone. I went to Heavens Gate Peak to find you. Eldest Senior Sister told me you werent there and that you and Meng Jingzhou had gone to Demon Subjugation Pass for ten days of training. Eldest Senior Sister said she has been keeping an eye on you two and noticed you were making good progress. She suggested that Barbarian Bone and I alsoe to Demon Subjugation Pass. We originally wanted to bring Li Haoran too, but for some reason, Eldest Senior Sister said it wasnt safe for him to leave Dao Seeking Sect right now, so he stayed behind. And thats how the two of us ended up here. After listening, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou broke out in a cold sweat. Eldest Senior Sisters reach was indeed vast. They were d they had been careful with their words and behavior these past few days and hadnt spoken ill of her. Meng Jingzhou, in particr, felt a chill. He remembered that when they first arrived in the dense forest, he hadined that Eldest Senior Sister had exiled them. Fortunately, Lu Yang had warned him, and he had corrected himself just in time. As Peach Blossom Leaf spoke, she opened the wooden box. Inside, the Twin Stem Lotusy quietly. Now that weve gone through all the trouble to get the Twin Lotuses, how should we divide them? Lu Yang, I want the lotus seeds! They taste good! the Evesting Fairy shouted in the mental space, reminding Lu Yang by hitting the ground. Lu Yang pretended not to hear themotion in the mental space. (End of the chapter) Chapter 256: The Mother-Child River and the Twin Lotus River When I was still a dominant force, an entire was under my domain. I could manipte it at will and bring benefits to the world. This Twin Stem Lotus is also a new species that I cultivated. Is that so? The Evesting Fairy had been chattering incessantly in Lu Yangs mental space. Initially, Lu Yang treated her words like background noise, in one ear and out the other, not really listening. But now, Lu Yang was intrigued. Lu Yang had always had a feeling that heavenly materials and earthly treasures had existed since ancient times, unchanged. For instance,mon precious herbs like ginseng and lingzhi, and even roadside weeds like foxtail and wild chrysanthemums, have been recorded in human history for ages. Since theyre called heavenly materials and earthly treasures, they must be naturally urring. Lu Yang had never heard of any heavenly material or earthly treasure being cultivated by a great power inter generations. Now he had. Tell me more, whats the story? Lu Yang asked eagerly.The Evesting Fairy smiled proudly, very pleased with Lu Yangs attitude. This was how one should treat an immortal. Speaking of this matter, I must mention my skills. This happened after I became an immortal. You know, I was extremely renowned in ancient times, and many people willingly worshipped me. At that time, a devout female believer came to me with a request. She wanted twins, but such a thing was beyond human capability, so she came to me. I considered it and decided that fulfilling this wish wouldnt be problematic, so I got to work, the Evesting Fairy said, being a discerning immortal who wouldnt fulfill just any wish. I could have originally crafted a pill to help this believer bear twins, but then I remembered something Nonuple Immortal once said. Nonuple Immortal said that when one believer makes a wish, there will be ten more wanting the same. Childbearing is an eternal desire, and it was unlikely that only one believer wanted twins. Even if I crafted a pill now, what would I do if more people came to me with the same request? Continuously making pills would be too troublesome. I thought of a once-and-for-all solution: using my supreme divine power, borrowing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, extracting Daoist rhymes, altering some rules, and using various means you cant understand yet, I transformed a river into an immortal artifact. Anyone who drank the river water would conceive twins. I named the river Twin Lotus River. Lu Yang was silent for a moment, then asked, You didntter on have another sudden idea and create another river called the Mother-Child River, where drinking the water would make women pregnant, and theyd all give birth to girls, did you? (TL Note: This is from Journey to The West /item/%E5%AD%90%E6%AF%8D%E6%B2%B3/551739) No, I didnt Lu Yang sighed in relief. I created the Mother-Child River before the Twin Lotus River. The Evesting Fairy was curious. How did you know about the Mother-Child River? Is it recorded in ancient texts? Lets just say I dreamed about it. The Evesting Fairy didnt think much of it and continued, The creatures living in the river were influenced by the water, changing from their soul essence, or you could say they evolved. The most notable change was in a lotus nt. Originally, it would bloom with a single flower, but after growing in the Twin Lotus River, it started blooming with two. I found it interesting and named this lotus Twin Stem Lotus? Lu Yang interjected, following the Evesting Fairys train of thought. Twin Sister Flowers. (TL Note: The word used here to refer to the flower, û, can also refer to a pair of beautiful sisters) Lu Yang: When Ying Tian Immortal learned about this, he advised me to change the name. He said Twin Sister Flowers didnt reflect the grandeur of an immortals creation and suggested I rename it Twin Stem Lotus. I thought the name was good and agreed. The seeds of the Twin Sister Flowers taste great. I often made porridge with them for Ying Tian Immortal and the others. The Evesting Fairy had mentioned before that the lotus seed soup could bless people with many children and good fortune. This wasnt just talk; it was a real possibility. With the end of the ancient era, I dont know where the Mother-Child River and the Twin Lotus River went. Whether they were refined into other immortal artifacts or hidden away by someone, I have no idea. The Twin Stem Lotus, a precious heavenly material and earthly treasure that could help in forming a first-grade core, was always assumed to be naturally urring. No one ever thought it was an immortal creation, and its original use wasnt for core formation but for making porridge. Using the Twin Stem Lotus to form a core is nothing special. Stick with me, and Ill teach you how to form an unbeatable core, the Evesting Fairy sneered at the idea of forming a core with the Twin Lotus, believing that cores formed this way were far inferior to what she could teach. Even among first-grade cores, there were differences in quality. Lu Yang rolled his eyes and ignored the Evesting Fairy. He turned his attention back to discussing how to divide the lotus. Since the Twin Lotus is meant for core formation, why dont the four of us observe it together? Whoever gains insights for core formation can keep it. How about that? Meng Jingzhou suggested. The other three agreed. Meng Jingzhou found a vase and ced the Twin Lotus in it. The four of them sat around, staring intently at the lotus. The scene was quite strange, resembling some kind of forbidden ritual from a demonic sect. Fortunately, they were all disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect, a legitimate righteous sect, so no one would suspect anything. Lu Yang stared intently at the Twin Stem Lotus, hoping to form an extremely powerful yin-yang core like his Second Senior Brother. Meng Jingzhou imprinted the image of the Twin Lotus in his mind. Over time, the Twin Lotus had developed the ability to reverse attributes. Meng Jingzhou hoped to use this opportunity to reverse yin and yang, changing his single spirit root into a harem spirit root. Peach Blossom Leaf aimed to enhance the yin-yang changes in her illusions, making them even more mysterious. If she could integrate the insights from the Twin Lotus into her illusions, it would be perfect. Barbarian Bone, meanwhile, thought about poetic descriptions of lotuses, such as untainted by the mud, purified by the clear water, and boundless green lotus leaves, unique red lotus flowers reflected in the sun. Soon, Barbarian Bone pondered another key question: Can the lotus be eaten? Can it be roasted? The four of them sat like this for two whole days. Lu Yangs eyes grew dry from staring at the lotus. He took out the eye drops given by Eldest Senior Sister and felt much better after using them. Have you gained any insights? he asked. The other three shook their heads, indicating they had gained nothing. After two days of observation, it was clear that their opportunity for core formation wasnt tied to the Twin Lotus. Forcing it wouldnt work. It wouldnt be right to just discard it. We worked hard to obtain it. How about we sell it to the guild and split the spirit stones? Peach Blossom Leaf suggested, seeing no point in continuing and advocating for cutting their losses. That works, Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone agreed. Lu Yang raised his hand with a different request: I want the lotus seeds. I dont need any spirit stones from the auction, is that okay? The Evesting Fairy had been causing a ruckus in the mental space, insisting on having the lotus seeds. To appease the immortals demands, Lu Yang decided to take the seeds. (End of the chapter) Chapter 257: Expensive Wigs in Demon Subjugation Pass Lu Yangs proposal was quickly epted by the other three. The most valuable part of the Twin Lotus on One Stalk was the lotus itself; the seeds werent particrly valuable. The seeds couldnt grow into new Twin Lotuses. The appearance of a Twin Lotus was randoma regr lotus could be a Twin Lotus under certain conditions. ording to Evesting Fairy, the twin roots are hidden in all lotuses; the key is how to activate these twin roots. Then its decided. Brother Lu gets the seeds, and the three of us will sell the lotus and split the spirit stones equally. Peach Blossom Leaf extracted eight lotus seeds and handed them to Lu Yang. The seeds had a special fragrance. Lu Yang sniffed them instinctively, finding the scent pleasant. The attendant at themerce guild was greeting customers as usual when three people in ck robes entered, arousing his suspicion. Its me, one of the ck-robed figures said in a low voice.Young Master Meng? The attendant recognized the voice as belonging to the young master of the Meng family. So the ones with him must be disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect? But who was the third ck-robed figure? Peach Blossom Leaf stood behind the three ck-robed figures, feeling quite helpless. The faces of the three had been recognized by all thete Foundation Building stage cultivators in Demon Subjugation Pass. They would be hunted if seen. Reluctantly, the three had to cover their faces. From the beginning, Peach Blossom Leaf had only shown her back to those people, so she wouldnt be recognized and could walk around openly. The attendant didnt question their disguises. What Meng Jingzhou and the others had done didnt affect their transaction. He led the four into the reception room, where Meng Jingzhou took out the Twin Lotus on One Stalk, catching the attendants eye. He hadnt expected the highly discussed Twin Lotus to end up with Meng Jingzhou. We want to sell it. How much spirit stones? Forty thousand spirit stones. Meng Jingzhou frowned, thinking the price was too low. He had paid half a million spirit stones for a piece of phoenix blood stone. Peach Blossom Leaf nodded, finding the price fair. Meng Jingzhous feeling that it was low was purely because he was too wealthy and had no concept of spirit stones. If Young Master Meng finds the price low, our guild will soon hold an auction mainly for Foundation Building and Golden Core stage cultivators. It would be perfect for auctioning the Twin Lotus on One Stalk. What do you think? Meng Jingzhou thought for a moment. Alright, lets auction it. He hadnt been to an auction in a long time. A dayter, the four of them arrived at the auction with their entry tickets. Themerce guild had announced that the Twin Lotus on One Stalk would be featured, attracting manyte Foundation Building and half-step Golden Core stage cultivators. Looking around, they saw many familiar faces. The auction was hosted by a rare beauty named Xiaoyue, whose alluring figure drew a lot of attention. For the cultivators of Demon Subjugation Pass, who often danced on the edge of life and death, this was immensely appealing. After a brief warm-up, the beautiful auctioneer began with the first auction item. The first item is different from usual. In the entire history of Demon Subjugation Pass auctions, this is a unique piece. Even I was stunned when I saw it. She removed the red cloth, revealing the first itema wig. This wig was meticulously crafted by Master Guan over three days and nights. Wearing this wig not only allows you to change hairstyles at will, but it also promotes hair growth. In other words, wearing it will regrow your hair in just a few days! Moreover, its a rare magical item with certain defensive properties! The first auction item immediately brightened the eyes of the audience. They were all people whom Lu Yang had shaved bald. What they needed most right now was a wig! What a great item! The price of wigs in Demon Subjugation Pass had skyrocketed, reaching absurd levels. And those were just ordinary wigs, nothingpared to the one being auctioned. Instead of spending money on an ordinary wig, it was better to spend a bit more for a superior one. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were unfazed. Their hair loss had urred earlier than the others, and now they had a lush growth of new hair sprouting on their heads, so they were no longer bald. Moreover, the craftsmanship of this wig was clearly inferior to that of Li Haoran. Starting bid, five hundred spirit stones! Five hundred! Six hundred! Eight hundred! One thousand spirit stones! The price of the wig quickly soared to a thousand spirit stones, an unimaginable amount previously. One thousand spirit stones for a wig had already reached its limit. Suddenly, a voice rang out, setting a new high for the wigs price. One thousand five hundred spirit stones! Everyone looked towards the source of the voice. It was none other than Duan Hongchen, the cultivator who first took a hit from Lu Yangs Arhat Fist! As a half-step Golden Core stage cultivator, Duan Hongchen was wealthy. Fifteen hundred spirit stones for a wig that allowed hairstyle changes was worth it! The second auction item is a bottle of pills made by Master Alchemist Wu Ming of the Dao Seeking Sect! Senior Brother Wu? Lu Yang was startled upon hearing the familiar name. He knew Senior Brother Wu well; the Ten Bulls Strength Pill was his creation. Senior Brother Wu had unique insights into both alchemy and poison making. The audience buzzed with excitement. Its from the Dao Seeking Sect? Items from the Five Great Immortal Sects are rare! This must be something special! I wonder what the pill does. How long has it been since something from one of the Five Great Immortal Sects appeared at an auction? Thest one was from the Five Elements Sect while this is from the Dao Seeking Sect, which is even stronger than the Five Elements Sect. This must be extraordinary! Clearly, most grassroots cultivators didnt know much about the Dao Seeking Sect. The beautiful auctioneer took out a jade bottle containing several gray-brown pills with three alchemy lines circling them, emitting a fragrant aromaclearly not ordinary pills. These are fasting pills. The audience groaned in disappointment at the second auction item. The Dao Seeking Sect might be powerful, but so what? Could they make fasting pills with different vors? The auctioneer was not surprised by the audiences reaction; she had anticipated it. She smiled and exined, When hunting demonic beasts in the dense forest, the mostmon method is poisoning. But demonic beasts are naturally keen and can often detect and avoid poison. This is where these fasting pillse in. These arent ordinary fasting pills. Calling them pills is misleading; they are more urately poison. Or rather, they are pills, but their effect is toxic. Their potency is thousands or even tens of thousands of times that of regr fasting pills. Imagine what happens when a demonic beast consumes this fasting pill. Its equivalent to ingesting tens of thousands of fasting pills, far beyond what any beast can handle, causing its stomach to burst instantly. In simple terms, it will be stuffed to death. The audience gasped in shock, never imagining that fasting pills could be used in such a way. I suspect Senior Brother Wu Ming made a mistake in his alchemy, producing these odd pills, and is now selling them to recoup losses, Lu Yang reasonably spected. Sounds like something Senior Brother Wu would do. Others, unaware of Wu Mings background, believed this was a carefully crafted pill by Master Wu, backed by the Dao Seeking Sect, guaranteeing its quality. Soon, this stomach-bursting fasting pill was auctioned off for six thousand spirit stones to a Golden Core stage cultivator. Being disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect, Lu Yang and hispanions had seen many fine items, making the subsequent auction items quite uninteresting. The sixth auction item is a piece of red silk of unknown age and quality. The beautiful auctioneer unveiled the sixth item, a long strip of red silk. Huh, this looks familiar, Evesting Fairy murmured. (End of the chapter) Chapter 258: The Mysterious Red Silk Huh, this looks familiar, Evesting Fairy murmured as the auctioneer disyed a piece of red silk. Do you know what this is, Fairy? Lu Yang asked. Evesting Fairy scratched her head, trying to recall the origin of the red silk, but she was a bit groggy and couldnt remember right away. What was it again? The Sky-Covering Immortal Veil crafted by Ying Tian Immortal that could shroud an entire? The Myriad Illusions Cloth made by Nonuple Immortal that could turn everything into nothing with a single thought? Or was it the veil used by Qilin Immortal at her wedding? I cant remember. But this cloth carries the aura of the five immortals, so it must belong to one of us! Evesting Fairy stated confidently. Lu Yangs eyes lit up. A piece of cloth with an unknown origin and the aura of five immortals must have an extraordinary background. It might even be the legendary immortal artifact.The pots and pans of the Undying Sect were immortal treasures, and they could be used for significant purposes whenbined. This cloth, imbued with the aura of five immortals, must surpass those in status! Evesting Fairy proved useful at a crucial moment! Someone in the audience questioned, Is this auction seriously presenting a piece of fabric with unknown age and material? Are they just filling space because they dont have many good items this time? The auctioneer smiled gently, not surprised by the skepticism. This cloth was obtained by a cultivator after ying a demonic beast in the dense forest. Even our most experienced appraisers couldnt determine its material or age. It appears to be from ancient times, possibly belonging to an ancient genius who fell during the great age wars, leaving the cloth as an unimed item. The fabric is incredibly tough; even a Nascent Soul stage cultivator couldnt tear it apart. What about a Spirit Transformation stage cultivator? The auctioneer replied honestly, It hasnt been tested. The cloths primary value is its perfect condition. If a Spirit Transformation stage cultivator damages it, the value would drop significantly. The starting bid for the red silk is one thousand spirit stones. Themerce guild wasnt sure of the red silks value. Despite iming it was an ancient item, the silk was so well-preserved that it looked newly made, making it hard to believe it was thirty thousand years old. Thus, they set a low starting bid. One thousand spirit stones. An Ke from the Clear Moon Sect bid. She found the cloths color beautiful, thinking it could be used to make clothes or modified into a shawl. One thousand two hundred spirit stones, Peach Blossom Leaf bid. An Ke frowned, not expectingpetition for the fabric. She turned and saw that the bidder was a female cultivator even more beautiful than herself. It seemed they had the same purpose. That made her more determined not to let it go! One thousand five hundred spirit stones! Two thousand, Peach Blossom Leafszy voice indicated she didnt care who bid; she would just keep raising the price. Two thousand two hundred spirit stones! An Ke increased her bid again. Three thousand, Peach Blossom Leaf bid without hesitation. An Ke had many admirers who would usually help her with bidding, but upon seeing that thepetitor was a stunning beauty, they tacitly chose not to assist An Ke. Three thousand one hundred Four thousand. An Ke fell silent. She could continue bidding, but the Twin Lotus on One Stalk was still toe. She couldnt spend all her spirit stones on a piece of cloth. Four thousand spirit stones going once, four thousand spirit stones going twice, four thousand spirit stones going thrice, sold! The auctioneers gavel fell, marking the red silk as Peach Blossom Leafs. Thank you for your help, Junior Sister. Ill return the spirit stones after the auction! Lu Yang quietly transmitted his voice. He had asked Peach Blossom Leaf to bid. If a man like him bid for the silk, people might suspect it had some hidden secret, driving the price up. But if Peach Blossom Leaf bid, people would just think a beautiful woman liked the fabric and was willing to spend money on it for her own pleasure. Theres no need for thanks between us, Brother Lu. Were fellow disciples. Have you identified the origin of the red silk? Peach Blossom Leaf asked with a smile, showing her dimples. Lu Yang paused, then said honestly, It should be an ancient item with an extraordinary origin, but I cant be sure what exactly it is. Evesting Fairy, only sixteen years old, seemed to be showing early signs of senilitytruly tragic. The next few auction items didnt catch the attention of the four. Only when the auctioneer presented the Twin Lotus on One Stalk did they sit up straight, eager to see how much it would fetch. As soon as the Twin Lotus appeared, the audience fell silent, their gazes intense. For anyte Foundation Building stage cultivator, the Twin Lotus was a treasure that could open the door to their future. The auctioneer introduced it with a gentle smile, The Twin Lotus on One Stalkmany of you may have seen this very nt in the dense forest a few days ago. Its effects need no further exnation. Starting bid, thirty thousand spirit stones. The audiences eyes seemed ready to snatch the Twin Lotus right away, making the auctioneers introduction unnecessary. Thirty-one thousand spirit stones! I must have the Twin Lotus, thirty-two thousand spirit stones! Youre trying to get the Twin Lotus with such a small amount of spirit stones? Thirty-five thousand spirit stones! The White Tiger Saint Child from the Four Symbols Sect sneered at the incremental bidding. Thirty-eight thousand spirit stones! An Ke countered. Forty thousand spirit stones! Duan Hongchen, the Heaven Inquiry de, shouted. He was just a step away from forming his core, needing only the Twin Lotus. Forty-one thousand spirit stones! Forty-four thousand! Forty-five thousand! The price of the Twin Lotus kept climbing, making Barbarian Bone grin widely. Finally, the price settled at forty-nine thousand spirit stones. Forty-nine thousand spirit stones, going once, forty-nine thousand spirit stones, going twice Meng Jingzhou pondered, and while the auctioneer called out the bids, he muttered just loudly enough for those nearby to hear, Those Buddhist disciples who know Arhat Fist are truly despicable. I wonder if there are any clues about them on this Twin Lotus? Fifty thousand spirit stones! The White Tiger Saint Child immediately raised his bid. He wasnt in a hurry to use the Twin Lotus but vowed to find those Buddhist disciples! Fifty thousand spirit stones was more than any Foundation Building stage cultivator could gather in a lifetime, affordable only to core disciples of major sects like the White Tiger Saint Child. Fifty-three thousand spirit stones! An Ke raised her bid again. The White Tiger Saint Child regained hisposure. While he could raise the bid further, doing so would offend An Ke, and the Twin Lotus wasnt worth that much spirit stone. An Ke won the Twin Lotus for fifty-three thousand spirit stones. After the auction, Peach Blossom Leaf handed the red silk to Lu Yang. Fairy, can you tell what this is now? Lu Yang asked quietly, hoping the Fairy could identify the red silk. Evesting Fairy pondered for a moment, searching her memories. Then she smacked her hand, an expression of sudden realization on her face. She finally remembered the origin of the red silk from an obscure corner of her memory. Isnt this my familys tablecloth? Fairy, you really dont hold back. What do you mean? Always tricking people close to you. (End of the chapter) Chapter 259: Activating Ancient Barbarian Bloodline The four ancient immortals often epted Evesting Fairys invitations to dine at her immortal residence, savoring rare delicacies. Due to Evesting Fairys unique cooking style, the quality of food and utensils had to meet extremely high standards. Chopsticks, bowls, tes, tablecloths these items endured countless trials without breaking, standing the test of time and the present, making them extremely valuable. Inevitably, these utensils absorbed the aura of the five immortals. This just goes to show how invincible we ancient five immortals are. Without doing anything, just sitting there, we could make objects absorb our aura,sting 300,000 years without fading! Evesting Fairy bragged, praising herself energetically. Or perhaps she was just in a good mood seeing these old items. Lu Yang: Upon reflection, it wasnt so bad. Acquiring an immortal artifact for four thousand spirit stones was a great bargain. Moreover, this cloth couldnt be damaged, making it an absolute treasure.What a pity, though. You cant use this cloth, Evesting Fairy said regretfully, catching Lu Yang off guard. Why not? This tablecloth was refined by me. Even though I died once, the fact that I refined it remains, so only I can use this tablecloth. So, I spent four thousand spirit stones and asked Junior Sister Peach to bid on it just to buy you a tablecloth? Evesting Fairy sincerely said, Second-inmand, I will remember your kindness. In reality, Peach Blossom Leaf noticed the changing expressions on Lu Yangs facefrom excitement to disappointment, from hope to despairmaking for quite a spectacle. Brother Lu, whats wrong? Lu Yang sighed, Nothing, I just feel like a big fool. As he spoke, he tried to store the tablecloth in his identity jade token. He failed. Fairy, please let your tablecloth enter my identity jade token. Oh, right. Since the tablecloth belonged to Evesting Fairy, it couldnt be stored directly in the jade token. After the attendant handed Meng Jingzhou the spirit stones from the Twin Lotus auction, he also gave three talismans enclosed in jade boxes. These were three Spirit Transformation-grade directional teleportation talismans, useful for escaping from Spirit Transformation stage monster attacks or teleporting such monsters to Demon Subjugation Pass to diemulti-purpose tools. Lets head to the dense forest for training, Lu Yang called out. The four didnt forget their purpose in the dense forest and left the auction directly to enter the forest. This time, the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain did not apany them. Lu Yang had discussed with them that most of the early to mid-Golden Core stage monsters encountered in the forest outskirts posed no challenge to him and Meng Jingzhou. To achieve the true purpose of their training, they needed to explore deeper, into areas wherete-Golden Core stage monsters gathered. Given this, the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain couldnt ensure their own safety with their lower cultivation levels. Moreover, their knowledge of the deeper forest was limited, reducing their usefulness. Brother Lu, isnt it too hasty to fightte-Golden Core stage monsters right away? Shouldnt we start withte-Foundation Building stage monsters? Peach Blossom Leaf asked, worried. She and Barbarian Bone had just reached thete-Foundation Building stage and should take it step by step, starting with same-level battles. Peach Blossom Leaf had fought same-level opponents like Lu Yang and the strongest Foundation Building stage cultivators of the Five Elements Sect and hadnt won a single match. Despite having a Feathered Immortal Physique, which was supposed to be stronger than a Single Spirit Root talent, she was only ranked third among her peers. This left hercking confidence in herbat abilities. Lu Yang smiled, Junior Sister Peach, have more confidence. As a contemporary genius, there are few in the Foundation Building stage who can defeat you. Oveing higher-level challenges isnt as difficult as you think. Not just against Foundation Building stage monsters, even against early to mid-Golden Core stage monsters, you are bound to win. Otherwise, the training wont be effective. Barbarian Bone suddenly realized, I thought Brother Lu was worried about encountering those you shaved bald in the original area, causing a lot of trouble, so we moved deeper into the forest. It turns out I was too shallow in my thinking! Lu Yang: Why speak the truth out loud? Currently, the outskirts of the dense forest were filled with Lu Yangs enemies. If he showed his face, he would be hunted down by countless people. Oh, Junior Sister Peach, could you set up an illusion? What kind of illusion? Lu Yang touched his newly sprouting hair and smiled awkwardly, An illusion that makes us think our hair is just as it used to be. Meng Jingzhou also nodded in agreement. Peach Blossom Leaf sighed, Alright. She cast a small spell, cing the four of them into an illusion where the only difference from reality was that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had thick, luscious hair. Ill find ate-Golden Core stage monster first, so Junior Sister can practice, Lu Yang said. He then asked Evesting Fairy in his mental space to spread her immortal sense to locate the nearestte-Golden Core stage monster. Fairy, please. I can do that, but first, I want to activate the ancient barbarian bloodline in this little barbarian kid, Evesting Fairy replied. She was eager to assist upon seeing one of her own creations. The barbarian tribecked detailed records about the ancient barbarians, which was why Barbarian Bone wasnt aware of Evesting Fairys existence. Moreover, Barbarian Bone didnt know how to activate his ancient barbarian bloodline and was still exploring the process. In the past, ancient barbarians would gradually activate their bloodline as their cultivation progressed, but this method was inefficient. With Evesting Fairys help, the process of activating the ancient barbarian bloodline could be significantly elerated. Once the ancient barbarian bloodline is activated, this little barbarian will have an overwhelming advantage against monsters, which will be very helpful to you! Lu Yang thought for a moment and agreed it made sense. Barbarian Bone, Im going to tell you how to activate your ancient barbarian bloodline now. Be prepared. Although Barbarian Bone didnt know how Lu Yang knew the method, he trusted that Lu Yang wouldnt deceive him. Alright, Im ready. In the mental space, Evesting Fairy spoke a sentence, and in reality, Lu Yang ryed it to Barbarian Bone. The ancient barbarian bloodline originates from Evesting Fairy, a blessing from an immortal. You need to spread your arms and shout, Evesting Fairy lives forever, three times. Your body will heat up, which is the initial sign of bloodline awakening. Barbarian Bone was shocked to learn that his ancient barbarian bloodline originated from Evesting Fairy. Next, you must praise Evesting Fairys status, calling her the supreme being, the head of the five immortals, iparable and irreceable. You must sing her praises three times. Do you remember? Lu Yang realized that the awakening ritual was essentially just ttering Evesting Fairy. Uhwhat was the first line again, Evesting Fairy lives? Its Evesting Fairy lives forever! Barbarian Bone spread his arms and shouted to the sky: Evesting Fairy lives forever! Evesting Fairy lives forever! Evesting Fairy lives forever! His heartfelt shouts startled the birds in the trees. As the awakening ritual progressed, Barbarian Bone felt his blood boiling as if it were on fire. His skin turned bright red, and he grimaced in pain, his face contorted. Sweat asrge as soybeans formed on his forehead, and it felt like his body was about to explode. Huffhuff Barbarian Bones bloodline gradually stabilized, and the excruciating sensation faded. How do you feel? I feel full of power! Then lets Before Lu Yang could finish his sentence, the sound of monsters running came from nearby. The sounds came from multiple directions, converging on their location. Boom Trees crashed down as a scaly monster with blood-red eyes stared intently at Barbarian Bone. Boom Another monster appeared behind them, also fixating on Barbarian Bone as if it had found an enemy. One after another, Golden Core stage monsters appeared, surrounding the four of them. The monsters target was clear: Barbarian Bone. Brother Lu, is this what you meant by finding ate-Golden Core stage monster for me to practice on? Peach Blossom Leaf asked quietly, having never seen such arge-scale confrontation before. Fairy, whats going on?! Lu Yang realized that something had gone wrong with Barbarian Bones ancient barbarian bloodline activation. Hmm, it seems the ancient barbarian bloodline activation wasntplete. Instead of suppressing the monsters, it enraged them No problem, this was all within my expectations! Fairy, look me in the eyes and say that again. Evesting Fairy averted her gaze, This is an immortals trial. (End of the chapter) Chapter 260: Bloodline Hatred This shouldnt be happening! Following the ritual I taught back in ancient times, there shouldnt be any issues. Whats going on? Evesting Fairy, acknowledging her mistake, began to search for the problem and find a solution to avoid repeating the error in the future. I understand now. The barbarians I knew in ancient times were the first-generation barbarians, with pure bloodlines directly blessed by me. After 300,000 years of inheritance, the proportion of my divine blessing in the ancient barbarian bloodline has diminished significantly. By now, its very low. So, when my blessing was strong, it suppressed the monsters, but now with the lower blessing, the monsters retaliate against it? These monsters bully the weak and fear the strong! How did Qilin Immortal manage these beasts? They show me no respect at all! The more Evesting Fairy thought about it, the angrier she became. She decided that when she found Qilin Immortal, she would give him a good lesson. Fairy, is there a way to make Barbarian Bones ancient barbarian bloodline go dormant again? Lu Yang anticipated the trouble that activating the ancient barbarian bloodline might bring. Given the outrageous deeds Evesting Fairy had done while alive, it was normal to have enemies.It was only because Evesting Fairy was alive before that she could keep things under control. Once Evesting Fairy was gone, her enemies woulde sniffing around. Evesting Fairy pondered, I hadnt considered this problem before. Let me think Shouting Qilin Immortal is a bastard wont work; it might draw more hatred. Oh, right! By having Barbarian Bone continually shout Evesting Fairy lives forever, he can further activate his bloodline, eventually reaching a level that can suppress the monsters! Lu Yang thought this method sounded quite unreliable. Lets fight. Its just six Golden Core stage monsters; the four of us can handle it. Lu Yang sighed, admitting his cheat skill had failed, and began to formte a battle n. Meng Jingzhou and I will each take on two Golden Core stage monsters. Junior Sister Peach and Barbarian Bone, you each handle one of thete-Golden Core stage monsters. Yes, those two are your responsibility. They hade to the forest seeking battle opportunities. Now, they were simply advancing their n slightly ahead of schedule; it wasnt a big deal. Peach Blossom Leaf and Barbarian Bone felt immense pressure. They had never fought against Golden Core stage monsters before. Barbarian Bone was under the most pressure. He said helplessly, Brother Lu, I have no objections to your battle n, but I have one question. What is it? These six monsters seem to be targeting me. How do we fight? Lu Yang: The three of us will go first and leave one for you. A giant patterned python, about ten meters long, hissed as it flicked its tongue, its eyes cold. Its body coiled and moved swiftly on the ground, aiming to entangle Barbarian Bone. It had never met Barbarian Bone before, but its bloodline origin kept telling it that this person was very dangerous and needed to be killed. So, it had to kill this person! But he was just ate-Foundation Building stage cultivator! It tightly wrapped around Barbarian Bone, making it difficult for him to breathe, his face turning blue. Suddenly, the python felt its body lighten, and Barbarian Bone disappeared from its coils. The pythons pupils contracted, realizing something was wrong. It had unknowingly fallen into an illusion! Your opponent is me. A graceful figure stood behind the python, holding a red paper umbre, looking like a beauty from a painting. The python turned sharply, ready to attack Peach Blossom Leaf, only to see more graceful figures emerging behind her, surrounding it. It had fallen into another illusion! Lu Yang walked slowly towards two monsters, sword in hand, the tip tracing a straight line on the ground. Suddenly, Lu Yang flicked his sword upward, sending a cloud of dust into the eyes of the two monsters. The two monsters extended their spiritual senses to locate Lu Yang. However, they couldnt find Lu Yang. Instead, they saw a fierce tiger holding a peerless sword in its mouth. Lu Familys Shape-Imitating Fist, First StyleTiger Fist! The two monsters were momentarily stunned, not expecting this turn of events. In that brief moment of distraction, the tiger charged forward with the sword in its mouth, aiming to slice the throats of the two monsters! The monsters hurriedly dodged, but the Qingfeng Sword still grazed their hides, cutting a gash in their prized fur, causing blood to flow. The two monsters werent pushovers. They tensed the muscles around their wounds, using their muscr control to immediately seal the injury! At the Golden Core stage, one could control every part of their body! This was why Lu Yang said their Fusion Battle Technique would only be perfected at the Golden Core stage. The tigers ws were already sharp enough to tear flesh and bone. Now, with the addition of the sword in its mouth, itsbat power increased significantly! Adding a sword to a tiger! (TL Note: This is a y on the famous saying 绢 which means adding wings to a tiger aka doubling the power) The two monsters searched for the tiger but couldnt find it. Where was it? One of the monsters finally reacted, staring at the ground. Just as it was about to spread its spiritual sense to check, the tiger emerged from the ground and thrust the sword forward! It directly severed one of the monsters front legs! The two monsters tried to counterattack, but the tiger jumped back into the earth. For Lu Yang, who had mastered the Shrinking Earth technique, the ground wasnt earth but a water pool! Barbarian Bone faced an armored monster, about as tall as a person, with scales like fish but finer, resembling a pangolins scales. The armored monster roared and charged at Barbarian Bone. Unwilling to back down, Barbarian Bone shouted, Bless me, Evesting Fairy, and charged at the armored monster. The armored monster had never seen such bravery in a human. A merete-Foundation Building stage human dared topete with it in physical strength? Boom The sh between the two was deafening. Both were pushed back several steps, unable to stand firm, eventually crashing into trees to steady themselves. The armored monster was rmed. It hadnt expected the humans body to be so formidable, matching its own. Barbarian Bone panted heavily. The impact had taken a toll, but as he kept shouting Evesting Fairys name, he felt his body growing stronger. Bless me, Evesting Fairy! He roared and charged at the armored monster again. Meng Jingzhou, like Lu Yang, faced two mid-Golden Core stage monsters: a tiger with blood from the ancient demon Lu Wu and a lion with blood from the ancient nine-headed lion. Both were formidable opponents. (TL Note :½ (Lu Wu) is a mythical creature in Chinese mythology. It is often described as a guardian of the Kunlun Mountains. Lu Wu is typically depicted as a beast with the body of a tiger and wings, and sometimes it is said to have multiple tails. /wiki/lu-wu/ ) These monsters were even more dangerous than the ones Lu Yang faced. The two demonic beasts red menacingly at Meng Jingzhou. The power of their bloodlinespelled them to kill Meng Jingzhou, who was an obstacle, and then to kill Barbarian Bone. This was a bloodline hatred, unresolvable and unending, ceasing only with death! Tsk, why is my luck so bad, Meng Jingzhou muttered, rummaging in his pocket. The monsters tensed, focusing all their energy and preparing to dodge and counterattack, no matter what weapon Meng Jingzhou pulled out. This was the pride of their ancient bloodline! In a sh, Meng Jingzhou tossed something shining with an unusual light far away, not even aiming at the monsters. The lion monster, with its exceptional vision even among Golden Core stages, saw what it was and immediately turned to chase it. The tiger monster stood bewildered, asking, Human, what did you just throw? An upper-grade spirit stone. The tiger monster instantly turned to chase the lion. It seemed bloodline hatred wasnt all that important after all. (End of the chapter) Chapter 261: Lu Family’s Shape-Imitating Fist - Yellow Bean Fist Meng Jingzhou, you bastard! Is this how you fight? Tiger-shaped Lu Yang shouted angrily upon seeing the scene, speaking in human tongue. Im here fighting hard, and youre just throwing high-grade spirit stones! Is that even reasonable? Yeah, is that reasonable? Howe you dont have a single spirit stone? The two monsters fighting Lu Yang were also furious. Lu Yang: Can you two stop talking? It ruins the dignity. The two monsters ignored him. They had been fighting hard and were almost losing, while the tiger and lion monsters did nothing and got a high-grade spirit stone for free. That was a high-grade spirit stone! They had lived so long and never got one. Bloodline hatred was important, but reality had to be considered.How about you two go fight him instead? Lu Yang suggested, trying to divert the trouble to another target. Hey, Lu Yang, thats not fair! Meng Jingzhou shouted from a distance. This guy was jealous of his wealth! Stop shouting. Those two monsters areing back! Lu Yang casually warned, causing Meng Jingzhou to pause. Roar A lions roar echoed, more terrifying than thunder, shaking Meng Jingzhou to his core, making his brain spin. The lion and tiger monsters returned, emitting a chilling aura. Why are you back? The tiger monster showed a greedy expression. Since you could take out a high-grade spirit stone, you must have more. Hand them all over, and Ill spare your life! The lion monsters mane shook as it saw Meng Jingzhou as a treasure trove, threatening, If not, well capture you and take all your spirit stones! Meng Jingzhou frowned and snorted, Greedy! He was reluctant to fight, but it didnt mean he feared them. Just two mid-Golden Core stage monsters, not even worthy of guarding our Meng family gate! Courting death! The tiger and lion monsters were furious, ready to tear Meng Jingzhou apart. Heaven Shaking Six Forms! Meng Jingzhou stopped ying around, his eyes wide with divine wrath, exuding an intimidating aura. After constantly practicing Arhat Fist, he gained new insights into Heaven Shaking Six Forms, making it more powerful than ever! Meng Jingzhou moved like a phantom, his steps swift and chaotic, weaving through the battlefield. His fists swung like the wind,nding on the two monsters. Caught off guard, the tiger and lion monsters took solid blows, coughing up blood. They were shocked. They had thought he was a spoiled rich kid who threw money around but didnt expect such terrifyingbat strength! The patterned giant python, with blood-red eyes, waspletely enraged by Peach Blossom Leaf. Its eyes widened as it searched for the annoying figure, determined to swallow the girl who had been toying with it. Monsters were naturally weak in mental strength, making Peach Blossom Leaf, who excelled in illusions, their natural nemesis. Throughout the battle, the python hadnt touched even the hem of Peach Blossom Leafs clothes. Crack With a crisp sound, like a shattered mirror, the truth beneath was revealed. Found you! The giant python finally broke through the illusion and spotted Peach Blossom Leaf. Peach Blossom Leaf, seemingly unprepared for the change, stood there dumbfounded, unsure of what to do. The python opened its massive jaws, swallowing the terrified and desperate Peach Blossom Leaf whole. Despite her desperate struggle, she couldnt match the python, and it swallowed her bit by bit. Not far away, the real Peach Blossom Leaf, holding her red paper umbre, watched the python swallowing its own tail, shaking her head slightly. Though it seemed like she was toying with the python, only she knew how dangerous it truly was. The patterned giant python was ate-Golden Core stage monster, and Peach Blossom Leaf had to exert all her effort just to keep it lost in her illusion. If she made the slightest mistake, the python would break free and attack her in reality. Then, she would be in real danger. Lack of offensive means, Peach Blossom Leaf realized her w. If she had Lu Yangs attacking skills, she would have defeated the python long ago. Illusions could kill, but only if the target was in a deep illusion. Peach Blossom Leaf could confidently trap any Foundation Building stage cultivator in a deep illusion, but Golden Core stage was much harder. This meant she couldnt kill enemies above her level. As for her Feathered Immortal Body, it focused more on defense than attack. All she could do now was keep the python trapped. As Barbarian Bone kept chanting Evesting Fairys name, the ancient barbarian bloodline, dormant for so long, erupted like a volcano, unstoppable. Barbarian Bones body continued to strengthen. At the start of the battle, he had been at a disadvantage against thete-Golden Core stage armored monster, but now he was holding his own. This was incredibly terrifyingate-Foundation Building stage body matching ate-Golden Core stage. Barbarian Bone realized that in ancient times, all ancient barbarians might have been capable of this, meaning the Fairys blessing had significantly enhanced theirbat power. Evesting Fairy is unparalleled! The armored monster began to feel an urge to retreat. It sensed a threat from Barbarian Bone, not from his abilities but from a deep-seated fear rooted in its bloodline. Previously, the monsters bloodline origin both feared and hated Barbarian Bone, with hatred overshadowing fear. Now, fear was starting to outweigh hatred. Lu Yang, in his tiger form, was deftly handling two mid-Golden Core stage monsters. Just as he was about to deliver the killing blow to the two monsters, his keen hearing detected something off. A babys cry echoed from the distance, sending chills down Lu Yangs spine. This was the dense forest, teeming with ferocious monstershow could there be a baby? The two monsters exchanged nces, fear evident in their eyes. Itsing! Lu Yang was puzzled. Who? The two monsters didnt answer. The crying grew closer. Suddenly, the crying stopped, and an ancient aura that made everyones hearts race burst forth. Fighting all this time and you still cant handle a few humans? A cold voice sounded in everyones ears. Lu Yang reverted to his human form, gripping the Qingfeng Sword in readiness. The owner of the voice emerged slowly from the forest, revealing its true forma massive creature over ten meters tall with nine snake heads. Lu Yang exhaled slowly. Nine Infant. An ancient monster, a Nine Infant. (TL Note: Ӥ (Nine Infant) is a mythical creature from Chinese mythology, often depicted as a fearsome monster with nine heads. It is known for its malevolent nature and its association with water and floods. ording to legend, the Nine Infant could spew water and fire from its multiple heads, causing destruction wherever it went. Its cry is like a baby crying. The word Ӥ means infant but its often depicted as a snake monster simr to a hydra. I dont really like the trantion of the name but I cante up with a better one. Please suggest one in thements. /item/%E4%B9%9D%E5%A9%B4/7148151) Judging by its appearance, this was not a descendant of the tiger or lion monsters. This was a pureblood Nine Infant. You two,e with me and kill this sword-wielding human! Nine Infantmanded with authority. It too had been drawn by the ancient barbarian bloodline. Upon arriving at the battlefield, it realized that Lu Yang was the strongest of the four and knew that to kill Barbarian Bone, it first had to kill Lu Yang. The two monsters, aware of Nine Infants terrifying power, dared not disobey. Fairy, what is its level? Late-Golden Core stage peak. Lu Yangs expression grew troubled. Ate-Golden Core stage pureblood Nine Infant, plus two mid-Golden Core stage monstershe couldnt win against them with his current abilities. The four of them could leave at any time using Meng Jingzhous directional teleportation talismans. They hadnt left because of his and Meng Jingzhous mutual understanding. Both realized this was an excellent training opportunity for Barbarian Bone and Peach Blossom Leaf, with enemies that were just within and beyond their limitsa rare chance. Lu Yang nced at Barbarian Bone, who was engaged in fiercebat with the armored monster, his ancient barbarian bloodline continuously activating. Interrupting this process would be detrimental. Meng Jingzhou and Peach Blossom Leaf were both tied up in their battles. Given the situation, he had no choice but to face Nine Infant himself. Hey, you cant win this fight! Evesting Fairy worried for Lu Yang. I can. I have one move, theoretically feasible, but Ive never used it before. I need your help, Fairy. Hmm? In reality, Lu Yang slowly closed his eyes, appearing to fall asleep, his body swayingzily. Nine Infants nine heads sneered simultaneously. Sleep Arhat Fist? Maybe that move will be effective against me once you reach the Golden Core stage. No, this isnt Sleep Arhat Fist. This is a technique I created myselfLu Familys Shape-Imitating Fist. Lu Familys Shape-Imitating Fist? Nine Infant repeated instinctively. As Lu Yangs movements changed, his form began to shrink, and his appearance gradually became more feminine. Bluff! One of the monsters snorted and charged at Lu Yang first. A delicate fist punched the monsters face with lightning speed. The monster had no time to react and was sent flying by the punch. Nine Infants expression turned serious, staring intently at Lu Yang. By now, Lu Yang hadpletely transformed, bing a small yet stunningly beautiful girl. Lu Familys Shape-Imitating FistYellow Bean Fist. Please, teach me! (End of the chapter) Chapter 262: The Side Effects of Yellow Bean Fist Not far away, Meng Jingzhou saw this scene and staggered, almost getting injured by the lion demons ws. Damn, Lu Yang, youre ying with fire. How dare you transform like this?! When Evesting Fairy first resurrected, Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone had seen Evesting Fairys appearance. Further away, Barbarian Bone was astonished, thinking that his sincere heart had summoned an immortal, making his fighting style even more ferocious. Who did Senior Brother Lu transform into? Only Peach Blossom Leaf didnt know about Evesting Fairy and didnt understand why Senior Brother Lu suddenly changed gender. But so cute. The Nine Infant looked grave, sensing a tremendous danger from Lu Yang, a danger that could be fatal. This is impossible! Unlike those wild mongrels in the dense forest, it was a direct descendant of the Nine Infant n, at the peak of the Golden Core stage, one of the best in the demon n. How could it feel threatened by a merete Foundation Building stage human?And it was a fatal threat! The Lu Familys Shape-Imitating Fist appeared to be a fist technique but was actually a spell to summon a deity. The targets of the Shape-Imitating Fist were people Lu Yang was familiar with and had simr strength to, such as the tiger demon he fought, Meng Jingzhou, and Barbarian Bone. This transformation method gave Lu Yang a slight boost inbat power. Another type of target was someone far beyond Lu Yangs level, like the Eldest Senior Sister. Transforming into the Eldest Senior Sister allowed him to borrow her strength, greatly enhancing hisbat abilities. However, this situation was uncontroble. Lu Yang had tried transforming into the Eldest Senior Sister, only to find that the borrowed strength exceeded his capacity, causing the Eldest Senior Sisters power to revert him to his original form. Lu Yang spected that if the Eldest Senior Sister lent him a bit less power, he might be able to use her strength. But Lu Yang didnt have the courage to propose this to the Eldest Senior Sister. So, Lu Yang generally treated the Eldest Senior Sister Shape-Imitating Fist as an Eldest Senior Sister summoning technique. While pondering how to develop the Shape-Imitating Fist to borrow strength from powerful beings, he suddenly remembered that there was an ancient, supreme immortal in his mental space. If Evesting Fairy was willing to share some of her power, wouldnt that make him stronger? Faced with a crisis today, he discussed with Evesting Fairy and immediately performed a set of Yellow Bean Shape-Imitating Fist. It indeed worked. Lu Yang moved his body, feeling as light as a feather, with reflexes as quick as lightning. Every part of his body was perfect, capable of maximizing his strength. Moreover, Lu Yang felt that his usable power had significantly increased after the transformation, as if he had been reborn. Why does it feel like my brain isnt working very well now? Lu Yang hesitated for a moment, noticing a change in his way of thinking but didnt dwell on it. Forget it, as long as I get stronger. He held his sword in his right hand, the bright sword tip pointing at the Nine Infant, a confident smile ying on his lips. Have you figured out how you want to die? Courting death! The Nine Infant was furious, never having been so looked down upon. It roared to the sky, its piercing cry like a babys wail, waves of sound crashing one after another. You two, attack together! It ordered the two demon beasts. Knowing the Nine Infants terror, they dared not disobey and attacked Lu Yang simultaneously. Lu Yang responded calmly, his eyes tranquil like an ancient well. He stepped half a pace forward, his toe touching the ground, slowly drawing an arc. His waist twisted forcefully, and with a flick of his right hand, the Qingfeng Sword traced a beautiful semicircle. sh. The heads of the two demon beasts flew five or six meters away, blood spurting as they died tragically. The sh Word Technique, a single sword strike beheading them. Hiss A snake head pierced through the blood spurting from the necks of the two demon beasts, taking advantage of Lu Yangs blind spot, biting towards Lu Yang. The snake head exposed dagger-like venomous fangs. This was the venom of the Nine Infant. Just one drop could turn an entire smallke into a dead zone. Lu Yang grabbed the fangs with both hands, unafraid of the venom. Realizing something was wrong, the snake head frantically twisted its neck, trying to break free from Lu Yangs grip. Lu Yangs seemingly delicate hands, without strength or threat, actually contained a terrifying power that should not belong to someone at thete Foundation Building stage, gripping the venomous fangs firmly. No matter how much the Nine Infant struggled, it couldnt break free. Lu Yangs arms pushed outward, forcibly pulling out the two venomous fangs, causing the snake head to howl in pain. Taking advantage of the situation, Lu Yang pressed down on the snake head, kneeing upwards, causing the snake head to explode into pieces! The other eight snake heads took the opportunity, while Lu Yang was focused on dealing with one snake head, to attack from eight different directions. No matter what methods he had, he couldnt block attacks from eight directions by eight snake heads! Arhat Fist. Lu Yang threw several punches, his facepassionate like a merciful Buddha, with Buddhist scriptures echoing, supreme and unparalleled. The so-called eight-headed attack posed no threat in the face of the Arhat Fist. Not to mention the hair-dropping effect of the Arhat Fist, it was itself one of the supreme fist techniques of Buddhism, unparalleled in power. Lu Yang felt that after transforming into the appearance of Evesting Fairy, his understanding of the Arhat Fist had also improved. The Nine Infant seemed to be hit by eight punches at the same time, flying backward. Infant Transformation Fire! The Nine Infant used its trump card, mobilizing its bloodline power to breathe venomous fire. Wherever the Infant Transformation Fire passed, nts withered, unable to grow for a hundred years. The Infant Transformation Fire contained deadly poison, second only to true fire. To control such a me with Golden Core stage cultivation was truly remarkable. Three vours True Fire. Lu Yang countered with true fire, and in an instant, the two mes shed, crackling incessantly. In the blink of an eye, the Three vours True Fire overpowered the Infant Transformation Fire, devouring itpletely. This is impossible! This is impossible! The Nine Infant roared madly, unable to ept being defeated by a merete Foundation Building stage human. What kind of sorcery is this! I told you, its the Yellow Bean Fist. Seeing the Nine Infants fury, Lu Yang revealed a smug smile, feeling quite pleased. Not far away, Meng Jingzhou saw this scene and felt something was off. Why does Lu Yang look so foolish when he smiles? Is it just my imagination? Lu Yangs smile faded as he gathered his energy and spirit into the Qingfeng Sword, slowly shing down. Break! The Nine Infant felt as if it was nailed to the ground, unable to move, watching helplessly as the Qingfeng Sword approached, the swords shadow reflected in its snake eyes. With a single swing, like the setting sun symbolizing the end of all things, the Nine Infant was cleaved in two, its Golden Core exploding, venomous blood flowing everywhere. Worried that the venomous blood would contaminate the forest, Lu Yang once again used the Three vours True Fire to burn the Nine Infants flesh, turning it to charcoal. So fragrant! Lu Yang sniffed, drooling. No, no, the Nine Infant is poisonous, I cant eat it! Lu Yang suddenly realized, recognizing his mistake. Strange, why did I have such an unreliable thought just now? Lu Yang felt that his recent thinking wasnt like himself. He tried to ponder the issue deeply but found it troublesome and didnt want to think about it. Hey, Lu Yang, youre wasting my body. If you had learned my health-preserving fist technique, you could have killed the Nine Infant with one punch instead of all this trouble, Evesting Fairy said, jumping up and down in the mental space. Is that so? Lu Yang felt Evesting Fairys words made sense but also seemed off in some ces. (End of the chapter) Chapter 263: Ancient Inheritance, Not to Be Spoken Lightly With the death of the Nine Infant, Lu Yangs side was filled with high spirits, seizing the momentum to end the battle in one fell swoop. Barbarian Combat TechniqueOne Force Overwhelms Ten Skills! Barbarian Bone roared, striking with both fists from left and right, crushing the head of the armored beast. The patterned giant python got lost in an illusion, lost its sanity, and swallowed half of its own body. By the time it woke up, it was toote to save itself. Meng Jingzhou, seeing Lu Yang y two monsters with one sword, felt a sense ofpetition rise within him. He used the Heaven Shaking Six Forms to forcefully kill both the tiger demon and the lion demon, not even giving them a chance to escape. The three of them, Meng Jingzhou, Barbarian Bone, and Peach Blossom Leaf, panted heavily, their faces beaming with smiles. No matter what, they had finally won this battle. Lu Yang hadnt expended much energy; he had just used the power of Evesting Fairy. Dispel!With the battle over, there was no need to maintain the appearance of Evesting Fairy. As soon as he returned to his original form, Lu Yang felt his mind be more active, and his thinking became less singr than before. What did I just do?! Recalling his foolish actions just now, Lu Yang broke out in a cold sweat. You did pretty well just now, very much like my style! Evesting Fairy gave a thumbs-up, praising Lu Yang for having the potential of an immortal. Thats the biggest problem! Reflecting on the recent battle, Lu Yang realized that using the Yellow Bean Fist to transform into Evesting Fairy did indeed boost hisbat power significantly, even explosively. He could guarantee that using the Yellow Bean Fist, he was invincible in the Foundation Building Stage; no one could match him. But the price was too high. Sillyughter, saying foolish things Fortunately, he hadnt done anything too outrageous this time, otherwise, how could he face anyone if word got out? Lu Yang secretly decided to treat the Yellow Bean Fist as a forbidden technique, to be used only as ast resort. Fairy, I cant easily mimic you in the future, its too dangerous, Lu Yang sighed, feeling like he was trading his brain for power. I dont think its dangerous at all? Evesting Fairy was puzzled. Impressive, Lu Yang! You even killed the Nine Infant. I didnt expect your Shape-Imitating Fist to be so powerful, Meng Jingzhouughed heartily. Too bad I cant learn your Lu Familys Shape-Imitating Fist. Otherwise, Id transform into my dad or my grandpa, borrow their power, and see who could beat me! At this point, Meng Jingzhou showed a regretful expression. But theres something I havent figured out. What is it? The Nine Infant was tough to fight. Why didnt we just use a teleportation talisman to send it to the Demon Subjugation Pass? Meng Jingzhou was puzzled, especially since Lu Yang had disyed such a heroic attitude while using the Shape-Imitating Fist. Was that really necessary? Lu Yang: He was gradually being assimted by Evesting Fairy, and his brain wasnt working properly. Senior Brother Lu, who did you transform into just now? Peach Blossom Leaf asked curiously. She didnt know that Senior Brother Lu knew such a cute girl. This is an ancient inheritance, not to be spoken lightly, Lu Yang replied mysteriously, though he wasnt exactly lying. The fewer people who knew about Evesting Fairy, the better. Up to now, no one knew who had killed Evesting Fairy, what methods they had, or what their purpose was. Anyone who knew of Evesting Fairys existence could potentially be targeted by them. Currently, only five people knew about Evesting Fairy: Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhou, Barbarian Bone, Eldest Senior Sister, and Evesting Celestial. Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone had no choice; they were both present when Evesting Fairy resurrected. Eldest Senior Sister goes without saying; its uncertain who is more dangerous. Her, or the person behind the scenes. Evesting Celestial wasnt allowed to leave the Dao Seeking Sect, making it much safer. Come on, lets count the spoils. Meng Jingzhou called everyone to dissect the beasts and see if there was anything valuable. Meng Jingzhou wasnt short on treasures or spirit stones; he enjoyed the process of collecting them. The Nine Infant had been roasted to charcoal by Lu Yang, its demon core split in half, rendered useless. Nothing good could be found on the Nine Infant. The two beasts decapitated by a single sword were quite ordinary, possessing just demon cores, pelts, and other such items. The tiger demon killed by Meng Jingzhou had many valuable parts, like tiger bones and tiger genitalia, which could enhance virility. Unfortunately, this was the least useful for Meng Jingzhou. The blood of the tiger demon and lion demon was very valuable. A master alchemist could refine it to trace its origin and produce a drop of true blood of Lu Wu and the nine-headed lion. The bile of the patterned giant python could detoxify, fetching a good price. Peach Blossom Leaf was the poorest among the four. The other three had all participated in the undercover mission for the Undying Sect and had yed a minor role in its downfall. These were all contribution points. In contrast, Peach Blossom Leaf, although havingpleted many tasks, couldntpare with the Undying Sect mission. Barbarian Bone stripped the scales off the armored beast. The scales were hard and not easy to grip, making them good material for armor. Well take these back and show them to Junior Brother Hao Ran. Barbarian Bone put the scales into his identity jade pendant. The four of them tidied up, built a bonfire, and started preparing dinner. From the auction in the morning, to the dense forest at noon, and the battle in the afternoon, they had been busy all day and needed a break. Especially after acquiring so many good ingredients, it would be a shame not to have a meal. Can we eat lion? Ive heard theres a traditional Central ins dish called lions head. Ive never had it, Barbarian Bone suggested. Peach Blossom Leaf was silent for a moment before saying, Is it possible that the lions head you heard about isnt the same as the one we have now? Arent they both called lions head? Fine, lions head it is. Well eat lion today. (TL Note: Lions Head or stewed meatball is a dish from the Huaiyang cuisine of eastern China, consisting ofrge pork meatballs or beef meatballs stewed with vegetables. The name lions head, derives from the shape of the meatball which is supposed to resemble the head of the Chinese guardian lion, specifically.) Everyone worked together. Although Barbarian Bone had never eaten lion, he had often handled other beasts in the barbarian tribe, and the process was simr. He was responsible for preparing the lion. Lu Yang chopped down arge tree and used the Qingfeng Sword to carve a three-meter-long stick to skewer the lion. Meng Jingzhou set up arge automatic barbecue array and erected the grill. Peach Blossom Leaf searched the surrounding area for edible fruits to bnce out the heaviness of the meat. Barbarian Bone plucked the lions fur and removed its internal organs, brushing it with a secret barbarian race sauce. Lu Yang skewered the lion, ced it on the grill, and lit it with the Three vours True Fire. In therge automatic barbecue array, the lion was skewered on a stick, slowly rotating, sizzling with oil under the heat of the Three vours True Fire, emitting a mouth-watering aroma. Barbarian Bone stared at the lion, lost in thought. Barbarian Bone, whats wrong? Lu Yang thought Barbarian Bone was homesick. I was thinking that the automatic barbecue array is mainly for small skewers. When dealing with whole roastedmb, whole roasted lion, or otherrge animals, its somewhat inadequate, and the heating is uneven, which really tests the barbecue masters skills. So youre thinking Lu Yang wasnt sure what Barbarian Bone meant. I heard some sects in the southern border are good at controlling corpses. Can we learn such techniques and apply them to barbecuing? For example, controlling the corpse of amb so it roasts itself over the fire? Lu Yang: Am I the only sane person in the Dao Seeking Sect? (End of the chapter) Chapter 264: Do You Still Need to Play Dead After Becoming an Immortal? After hearing Barbarian Bones imaginative idea, an image involuntarily appeared in Lu Yangs mind: Under the night sky, a pitch-ck silence enveloped the lonely dense forest. The bonfire, crackling and popping, was the only source of light, highlighting the eerie stillness of the woods. A goat, with its belly slit open and its organs removed, was smeared with bizarre herbs and stood atop the bonfire, dancing a meaningless dance as if it were a sacrifice to an evil god. The scene was indeed quite strange, surpassing the current human races capacity for artistic appreciation. What a great idea! As expected of the barbarians, their thinking is very close to their ancestors! Evesting Fairy eximed excitedly, pping her thigh. She vaguely saw the shadow of an old acquaintance in Barbarian Bone. You have to admit, though the barbarians might be muscle-brained and not very sharp, they have a lot of innovative ideas when ites to food! The key is their high degree of self-motivation and creativity. Of course, not to brag, but I contributed a bit to that as well, Evesting Fairy said, making a small gesture with her thumb and forefinger. Lu Yang thought Evesting Fairy was being too modest, considering she was the enlightenment teacher of the ancient barbarians. Fairy, do you know any corpse-controlling spells?Evesting Fairy thought for a moment. Does ying dead count? Its an immortal technique that both the dragon and phoenix ns scrambled to learn. Conservatively, it can be used up to the Tribtion Crossing Stage. That doesnt count. Then no, I dont. Lu Yang thought of another question. Fairy, did you use the ying dead technique after bing an immortal? He thought ying dead was something Evesting Fairy would use when she was weaker. After bing immortal and iming to be the leader of the five ancient immortals, she shouldnt need to use it. Yes, I did. Huh? You used it even after bing an immortal? Talking about this topic, Evesting Fairy rarely blushed, giggling embarrassedly. You know, I couldnt save money. I spent itvishly, and at that time, I quickly ran out of spirit stones, leaving me penniless. I was too embarrassed to ask my followers for spirit stones since I was their object of faith. So, what did I do when I ran out of money? I soon thought of a way. I used the ying dead technique to fake my death. Then, Ying Tian Immortal and the other three woulde to mourn me and give me spirit stones. That way, I had money again. I used this trick several times, and it worked pretty well. Lu Yang: There were so many points to criticize about this that he didnt know where to start. Theres another matter. Can Barbarian Bones ancient barbarian bloodline be temporarily sealed? This time we were lucky; only Golden Core Stage monsters were attracted. Next time we might not be so lucky. If a Nascent Soul Stage monster gets drawn, it will be disastrous. Lu Yang was worried. If they encountered a Nascent Soul Stage monster, even the Yellow Bean Fist might not save them. They would have to use a directional teleportation talisman to return to the Demon Subjugation Pass. Its fine, Barbarian Bone doesnt need to seal his bloodline temporarily. Didnt you notice towards the end of the battle? Barbarian Bone was already able to suppress the armored beast with his bloodline. This means Barbarian Bones ancient barbarian bloodline can suppress Golden Core Stage and below monsters. Golden Core Stage monsters would flee from Barbarian Bone, while Nascent Soul Stage monsters wont be affected by his bloodline. However, if Barbarian Bone advances to the Golden Core Stage, it will be a different story. Evesting Fairy analyzed everything meticulously. In terms of professionalism, she had never faltered, especially considering she single-handedly created the ancient barbarian tribe. Lu Yang sighed with relief, feeling a weight lifted from his mind. Otherwise, he would have to be on edge for the next few months in the dense forest. Do you want long hair? I have a way, Evesting Fairy said with a cheeky smile. What way? I have a set of ginger boxing techniques. Once you learn them, you can grow a head of shiny, ck hair! To be honest, Lu Yang was tempted, but considering Evesting Fairys unreliability,bined with the dubious name of the technique, he had his doubts. Forget it, my hair will grow back in ten days or so. Ordinary hair wouldnt grow this fast, but Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou stimted their scalps with spiritual energy every night to speed up hair growth, and the results were significant. In the real world, the four of them were eating the freshly roasted lion meat, with Barbarian Bone gnawing on the lions head. As expected of Golden Core Stage lion meat, its tender and juicy. Lu Yangs True Fire technique is also excellent. Generally, this kind of roasting would char the exterior while leaving the inside undercooked, but under Lu Yangs precise control, the True Fire simultaneously roasts the outeryer and the interior, ensuring uniform doneness. Hes better than me in this regard, Meng Jingzhou analyzed, admitting that in terms of using True Fire, he was inferior to Lu Yang. Meng Jingzhou hadnt mastered even one type of True Fire, so he was definitely no match for Lu Yang. Actually, Single Spirit Roots naturallye with a type of True Fire called Pure Yang True Fire, which can subdue all ghosts and demons. Once they reach the Golden Core Stage, they automatically master it. This is a pretty heaven-defying talent, butpared to Lu Yang, it didnt seem all that extraordinary. After they were full and satisfied, they prepared to rest. Peach Blossom Leaf and I will take the first half of the night, Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone will take the second half. How about it? Sounds good. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had experience spending the night in the dense forest, so they had to split the night watch shifts. If Peach Blossom Leaf and Barbarian Bone were on watch together and an unexpected situation urred, like an attack by beasts or humans, they might not react in time. In the dense forest, the dangers werent limited to beasts; humans could be just as dangerous. During a night in the forest with the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had encountered a human ambush. Luckily, the opponents were of average cultivation and were quickly dealt with by Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. As they started their night watch, Lu Yang saw Peach Blossom Leaf immediately spread her divine sense to scout the surroundings and reminded her, Dont keep your divine sense spread out all the time. Using it like this will soon exhaust you. The night is long. How long do you think you can maintain this? Its not just Peach Blossom Leaf that cannot use divine sense in this way; even Lu Yang, whose divine sense rivals that of the Golden Core Stage, doesnt dare to use it like this. What should I do then? Peach Blossom Leaf obediently retracted her divine sense. Use your eyes to look, your ears to listen, and engage your five senses to observe your surroundings. At first, it might feel ufortable, but try it a few times. With your talent, youll easily master this method. Once you learn it, it will be very useful in battles too. Dont overly rely on your divine sense. Over-reliance can easily lead you into the opponents traps. This was a lesson Evesting Fairy had taught Lu Yang, and now Lu Yang passed it on to Peach Blossom Leaf. Peach Blossom Leaf nodded and began focusing on observing the surroundings as Lu Yang had instructed. The two sat quietly, not saying another word. When it was time to switch shifts, Peach Blossom Leaf jumped up onto a tree,y t, and fell asleep in a rxed position. Seeing this, Lu Yang couldnt help but recall the first time he and Peach Blossom Leaf undertook a task dealing with a Paint Skin Ghost, staying at the Shang residence, where Peach Blossom Leaf hadined that the bed wasnt asfortable as the one at Dao Seeking Sect and couldnt sleep. Im not the only one growing. (End of the chapter) Chapter 265: New Acquaintances In the depths of the dense forest, several disheveled figures staggered and ran towards the forests edge, bleeding profusely. Pant pant Damn it, arent Golden Core Stage beasts supposed to be highly independent and never act in groups? Why are there so many Golden Core Stage beasts? Song Huained while running. Who knows? Does it matter now? Just run! This is all your fault. After using the directional teleportation talismanst time, you didnt buy new ones and dragged everyone back into the forest! How could I have known this would happen? Ask these two bodyguards, have they ever encountered Golden Core Stage beasts acting in groups? Four young masters, can you stop arguing? Our top priority is to reach the edge of the forest and get out of danger. We can discuss meter. The two bodyguards, drenched in sweat, had always known these young masters were hard to serve. Last time, they encountered the Nascent Soul Stage six-tusked white elephant; this time, they inexplicably provoked severalte-stage Golden Core beasts. What kind of luck is this! In their many years as bodyguards, they had never encountered such absurd situations. One of theirpanions had already died at the ws of the pursuing beasts.Awoo Among the beasts chasing them was a one-eyed lone wolf with a vicious, bloodthirsty gaze. It was the beast that had brutally killed one of the bodyguards. The one-eyed lone wolf had four red paws, running as if it were flying, incredibly fast. With a howl, it elerated again, charging at Song Hua and the others. Damn, its a Red Cloud Wolf. It was probably the wolf king before, and the new wolf king defeated it and drove it out! Song Hua cursed. Hearing Song Huas curses, the one-eyed lone wolfs gaze grew colder. It kicked off its hind legs, leaping high, aiming to bite Song Huas neck. Song Hua turned his head, seeing this, his face turned pale, showing a look of death. Just as he thought he was doomed, he heard the sound of a sword beside his ear. Buzz The sword hum was short and powerful, carrying an inexplicable charm. Only a master swordsman could produce such a strike. A sword pierced towards the one-eyed lone wolf, startling it into turning around. The sword was too fast; it reacted too slowly, unable to dodge. It could only open its bloody mouth to receive the sword head-on. The Qingfeng Sword collided with the wolfs teeth, producing a piercing sound that made ones scalp tingle. The one-eyed lone wolfs mouth was full of blood, its sharp teeth reduced to half. Lu Yang struck again, swinging at the one-eyed lone wolf. Meanwhile, three other figures faced off against the other three beasts. Song Hua and the others were bewildered by the sudden reinforcements. Should they help, keep running, or stay where they were? There wasnt much time for them to think. The one-eyed wolf kings head flew off, dead beyond a doubt. Lu Yang sheathed his Qingfeng Sword, a few drops of wolf blood sttering on his face. Watch out, theres another beast in the sky! Song Hua shouted. By the Golden Core Stage, beasts could fly. Song Hua and the others had nned to escape by air but were deterred by a demonic bird circling above. Anyone attempting to fly would be targeted. Noticing Lu Yang, the demonic bird pped its wings, turning into a rain of meteor arrows, diving at Lu Yang. Lu Yang had already noticed the demonic bird. Without even looking up, he casually raised his Qingfeng Sword, the movement as nonchnt as stretching in the morning. The demonic bird flew directly into the swords tip, its head impaled. Are you okay? Lu Yang asked with concern. Who are you Song Hua and the others were shocked. Lu Yang appeared to be in thete Foundation Building stage, but how could someone at that level y a one-eyed lone wolf and a demonic bird? Tch, still slower than you. As he spoke, Meng Jingzhou also killed a beast, his fists covered in beast blood. Meng Jingzhou? Song Huas eyes widened in recognition. Are you Song Hua from the Song family? Meng Jingzhou asked with some uncertainty. The person before him was too disheveled, covered in dust and dirt, looking more like a refugee than the Song Hua he remembered. The Song family, although not as prominent as the Meng family, was a well-known and respected family in the imperial capital with a high standard of living. Thest time Meng Jingzhou had seen Song Hua was on a pleasure boat, singing and dancing better than the courtesans. Yes, its me! Song Hua didnt expect that among his rescuers would be Meng Jingzhou. He had heard that Meng Jingzhou had been missing for over a year with no news. However, judging by the Meng familys calm andposed attitude, Meng Jingzhous disappearance seemed questionable. Hes Meng Jingzhou, the eldest son of the Meng family? Several people behind Song Hua whispered in surprise. They were branch members of the Song family and had never met Meng Jingzhou. Youve made so many enemies that even here you can run into them? Lu Yang asked curiously. Meng Jingzhou rolled his eyes. Enemies my foot. Let me introduce you. This is Song Hua, the third young master of the Song family in the imperial capital. Hes a few years older than me. We used to hang out in the capital. Theyve probablye to the dense forest for training, just like us, or maybe just to gain some experience. Nice to meet you. Im Lu Yang from the Dao Seeking Sect. Dao Seeking Sect?! Song Hua eximed but quickly regained hisposure. Bowing with sped hands, he said, So, its a friend from the Dao Seeking Sect. No wonder you have such skills. So, Meng Jingzhou had been missing for over a year because he went to Dao Seeking Sect for training? This is serious. The Meng family was already a major troublemaker, and Dao Seeking Sect was an even bigger threat. With Meng Jingzhous background from both ces, wouldnt he have enemies all over the world in the future? Meng Jingzhou frowned. Why do I feel like youre thinking something very rude? Not at all, not at all. Weve taken care of ours too. Before long, Peach Blossom Leaf and Barbarian Bone had also finished off their respective beasts. Song Hua noticed that both of them were in thete Foundation Building stage and that their clothes were intact after the fight. The four of them, Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhou, Peach Blossom Leaf, and Barbarian Bone, had been training in the dense forest for two months, only returning to the Demon Subjugation Pass three times. The rest of the time was spent honing their skills in the forest. By now, ordinaryte Golden Core Stage beasts no longer posed a threat to them. Young Master Song, tell us, what did you do to provoke the wrath of heaven and make several Golden Core Stage beasts chase you? Meng Jingzhou askedzily. Song Hua wasnt like Barbarian Bone, who had ancient barbarian blood that naturally attracted hatred. It would be one thing to provoke one or two Golden Core Stage beasts, but how could they possibly have five beasts chasing them? Song Hua and the others smiled bitterly. We really dont know what happened. We just went a bit deeper than usual, thinking we could hunt a few higher-quality Golden Core Stage beasts to have something to show for our efforts. Oddly enough, the deeper parts of the forest should have more Golden Core Stage beasts, but we didnt encounter any for a long time. When we finally did, you saw the result. Five appeared at once, and one of our bodyguards was swallowed whole. Thanks to your help, otherwise, Im afraid Id be dead in the forest today. Song Hua felt a sense of relief after surviving the ordeal. After this near-death experience, he decided to return to the Demon Subjugation Pass and take a flying boat back to his family. Their harvest on this trip was enough to report back to the family; there was no need to take further risks. Lu Yang and the others exchanged nces. There was undoubtedly some unknown change deep within the forest. (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) (End of the chapter) Chapter 266: Mu Tian Grass After two months of training, the four had gained a thorough understanding of the dense forest. Golden Core Stage beasts generally had a strong sense of pride and wouldnt usually act in groups unless provoked by something that universally angered them, like the ancient barbarian bloodline. Its indeed strange. My bloodline is supposed to suppress beasts, but I didnt feel that in thest battle, Barbarian Bone recalled the anomaly during their fight. The ancient barbarian bloodline had always been effective against beasts. Since awakening his bloodline, Barbarian Bone had never encountered such a situation. Lu Yang frowned, pondering the reason behind this. Ahwhat is this! Suddenly, a sharp cry interrupted Lu Yangs thoughts. Song Wuguo, why are you screaming! Song Hua scolded hispanion. Everyone was deep in thought, and his shout disrupted their concentration. Look at this! Song Wuguo, sitting on the ground, was trembling as he pointed at the beast he had just gutted.He had intended to dissect the beast to retrieve its demon core as a token of gratitude for Lu Yang and the others, but was frightened by the unusual core he found. Lu Yang walked over and saw the disemboweled lone wolf. In its dantian area, there was a demon core, somewhat dim, wrapped in withered yellow leaves. The leaves were thin and dense, connected by white thread-like substances, sticky and messy. Lu Yang covered his right arm with spiritual power and took out the strange core. The core seems normal, so the issue lies with these leaves? Lets dissect the other beasts! Everyone began dissecting the beasts, and the results were quickly apparentall five beasts had their cores wrapped in these withered yellow leaves. Lu Yang searched through all his knowledge but couldnt identify the leaves. Does anyone recognize these leaves? Even the well-read Meng Jingzhou shook his head repeatedly. Peach Blossom Leaf and Barbarian Bone also shook their heads, indicating they didnt know. The Song family members, with even less experience than Peach Blossom Leaf and Barbarian Bone, were limited to identifyingmon spiritual nts. The two bodyguards, who had lived at the Demon Subjugation Pass for years, had never seen such leaves. I feel like Ive seen this in a book somewhere could it be Mu Tian Grass? Song Wuguo muttered softly. Mu Tian Grass? Everyone turned to look at Song Wuguo. Song Wuguo immediately felt immense pressure. Timid by nature, he preferred reading books over social interactions. This was the first time so many people had focused on him. Wuguo, do you recognize the source of these leaves? I just think it looks familiar. Im not sure. I saw it in an ancient book from the Da Yu period in the Sutra Library. It was a diary of an alchemy master, mentioning a spiritual herb called Mu Tian Grass. The drawing looked like this. The book said that Mu Tian Grass initially grows like weeds, with a strong camouge ability, mimicking the appearance of surrounding nts. When its about to mature, it devours beasts, using them as nutrients to promote its own growth. At the same time, it can parasitize a part of itself inside the beast, controlling the beasts movements and making it hunt for food. The Mu in Mu Tian Grasses from its parasitic nature, meaning to herd. You know the corpse-driving techniques, right? Its said that the cultivator who created these techniques was inspired by the parasitic method of Mu Tian Grass. What an evil grass! Meng Jingzhou frowned. The Mu Tian Grass exuded a sense of malevolence. Fairy, have you heard of Mu Tian Grass? Lu Yang secretly asked Evesting Fairy. There are a few small mistakes, but overall, its pretty urate. Evesting Fairy confirmed the existence of Mu Tian Grass. Song Wuguo, rarely receiving so much attention, became increasingly excited as he spoke, Brother Song Hua, this Mu Tian Grass is so rare that even powerful cultivators at the Unity Stage havent seen it. It benefits their cultivation as well. If we can obtain it and bring it back to our family to present to our great-grandfather, our position in the Song family will be secure! If we manage it well, the position of patriarch might not be out of reach for you! Is this thing really that extraordinary?! Indeed, the ancient book I read was written by an Unity Stage alchemy master. In his lifetime, he only encountered two Mu Tian Grass nts. The book also recorded that refining Mu Tian Grass into Mu Tian Pills could elevate an Unity Stage cultivator by a small realm! Song Huas eyes lit up; it was indeed a valuable treasure. But he quickly calmed down. We were almost hunted by the Mu Tian Grass. With our skills, how could we hope to obtain it alive? Its better to inform our uncles and ask for their help. If we let the uncles handle it, how will the credit be calcted? Dont worry, Brother Song Hua, we might actually have a chance to get the Mu Tian Grass ourselves. How so? Mu Tian Grass can control up to ten beasts. These five are all Golden Core Stage, which means it can only control Golden Core Stage beasts. Therefore, it has only five Golden Core Stage beasts left. With Young Master Mengs help, these five Golden Core Stage beasts are nothing to worry about! Song Hua thought it over and found it reasonable. Both the Meng family and Dao Seeking Sect cultivators shared a traitthey didnt use pills to directly elevate their cultivation. Thus, neither the Meng family nor Dao Seeking Sect wouldpete with them for the Mu Tian Grass. Thats the situation. If I obtain the Mu Tian Grass, I will report it to the family and reward the four of you handsomely! The Song family was known for keeping their promises and would not go back on their word. Song Hua didnt hide anything and openly shared his true thoughts. If he concealed anything now and Meng Jingzhou found outter, it could damage the rtionship between the Meng and Song families, causing more harm than good. Representing the group, Meng Jingzhou agreed. They originally intended to eliminate the Mu Tian Grass as its threat was too great. Allowing it to hunt and gain nutrients could lead to countless casualties. We were attacked by the beasts in this direction, so the Mu Tian Grass is likely this way! Song Wuguo recalled their escape route. He had remained the mostposed, remembering the path during their retreat. Lets go! After resting, the group headed towards the depths of the forest. Ten figures moved through the dense forest, taking turns to extend their spiritual senses, searching for traces of the Mu Tian Grass. The ancient book mentioned that Mu Tian Grass prefers dark and damp environments. Please focus on these areas while searching, Song Wuguo reminded loudly. Got it. I found it! Its in the center of that swamp! Song Hua shouted, his voice filled with excitement. Stay alert! The beasts controlled by the Mu Tian Grass might be nearby! Lu Yang warned everyone with his spiritual sense. As soon as Lu Yang finished speaking, they heard the roar of beasts above them. Roar Five majestic beasts appeared overhead. ording to the n, pair up. We from Dao Seeking Sect will take the lead, the Song family will provide support, and the two bodyguards will handle one beast together! Understood! Everyone reacted instantly. Lu Yang faced one beast with Song Wuguo supporting him, and Song Hua supported Meng Jingzhou. Zheng Qingfeng Sword was drawn, a silver light cutting through the air like a bright, untouchable moon. The sword light transformed into a sharp killing intent, confronting a beast. Peach Blossom Leaf nced at the Mu Tian Grass in the swamp, feeling a strange unease. She felt something was off but couldnt pinpoint what it was. (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) (End of the chapter) Chapter 267: Speaking Nine Truths and One Lie Is a Trick I’ve Already Mastered (TL Note: Trying to remove the auto censoring of my name by the site stealing my trantion) The other five beasts controlled by the Mu Tian Grass were quite formidable. Though they didnt reach the level of the Nine Infant, they were among the best of thete Golden Core Stage beasts. Even cultivators of the same level found these five beasts difficult to handle. Unfortunately for the beasts, their opponents were disciples of Dao Seeking Sect, the most outstanding in the Foundation Building Stage. Previously, Peach Blossom Leaf and Barbarian Bone would have struggled againstte Golden Core Stage beasts, but their strength had significantly improved after continuous training. In Lu Yangs words, they had reached the pinnacle of thete Foundation Building Stage. Given this, it was needless to say that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, who had advanced further, were beyond the normal measurement of the Foundation Building Stage. These fivete Golden Core Stage beasts posed no threat! Lu Yang faced a four-armed ck gori, even its pupils were ck.With a sword hum, the ck gori lost an arm, which enraged it, causing it to roar loudly. Roar Why are you yelling? Arhat Fist! Lu Yang struck with a single-handed Arhat Fist. Although its power was reduced, the hair-loss effect was undiminished. The gori felt a chill on its head. When it touched its scalp, it found itpletely bald. What did this human do?! What a bald ck gori, a beast never seen before! Lu Yang acted as if facing a great enemy. Unknown beasts were the most feared by cultivators; this ck gori, not recorded by anyone, must have terrifyingbat power! What?! Is that the legendary bald ck gori?! Meng Jingzhou, also in battle, noticed Lu Yangs opponent and his expression changed drastically. Legend has it that the ck goris realm can be gauged by the number of hairs on its head. One hair signifies the Qi Training Stage, also called the one-hair realm. Two hairs indicate the Foundation Building Stage, the two-hair realm. Three hairs signify the Golden Core Stage, the three-hair realm! What realm is this gori at now?! Lu Yangs face darkened. Its at the no-hair realm! Song Hua: Guys, can you not act while were fighting? I get distracted easily. Oh, sorry, its a habit. Song Hua: Luckily, the cultivators from the Meng family and Dao Seeking Sect were all extremely capable. They could even joke around while fighting beasts beyond their level. Anyone else would have been in serious trouble. Daoist Lu, save me! Song Wuguo, who was providing support, was targeted by a beast and took a tail swipe, breaking half his ribs. Knowing it wasnt Lu Yangs match, the beast roared and continued attacking Song Wuguo. Hold on! Lu Yang kicked off, dashing toward the beast and blocking its path to Song Wuguo. Qingfeng Sword stood firm in front of him, preventing the beast from moving an inch forward despite its efforts. Just as Lu Yang was about to end the beast with a decisive strike, he felt a sharp pain. A dagger pierced his chest. Lu Yang turned slowly, looking at Song Wuguo in disbelief. Why Meng Jingzhou witnessed this, his eyes widened in shock, instantly filling with blood. Lu Yang! He wanted to rush to help Lu Yang, but the beast, as if maddened, attacked fiercely, preventing Meng Jingzhou from breaking free. Song Wuguo, you deserve to die! The others were simrly upied by the beasts. Song Wuguos timid and fearful demeanor vanished, reced with a smug look as he shook his head. The dagger is poisoned. Even a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator would die from it. I can tell you since youre about to die. Youre nourishment. Youre the strongest among these people. Controlling you means the others are no threat. Song Wuguo flipped his palm, revealing a seed. He pped it onto Lu Yangs dantian. This is the seed of the Mu Tian Grass. Rx, youll soon be a servant of the master. No, why cant the Mu Tian Grass seed enter your body! Song Wuguos expression changed drastically as he realized something was wrong. He tried to escape, but then saw Lu Yangs mouth curl into a terrifying, eerie smile. A tiny Lu Yang crawled out from Lu Yangs chest. The small Lu Yang grew rapidly in the wind, soon bing asrge as the original. He took up the Qingfeng Sword and, with one strike, killed the beast that was still preparing to attack. At the same time, the poisoned Lu Yang fell backward, merging with the ground. A clone?! Song Wuguos eyes widened in disbelief. For the past half month, Lu Yang had been shrinking and hiding in his chest, controlling the clone in battle to train his divine sense and improve his proficiency with the clone. I waited for you to make a move for quite a while, Lu Yang said with a smile. How did you find out about me! Song Wuguo was shocked. They had only been in contact for a short while, and he thought he had done everything perfectly without revealing any ws. How could he have been discovered? Song Wuguo, whats going on with you! Song Hua was even more shocked than Song Wuguo. When were you parasitized? Seeing that Lu Yang was unharmed, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and quickly dealt with the remaining four beasts. They surrounded Song Wuguo, their faces full of anger. Lu Yang sneered, not minding letting Song Wuguo know how childish his actions were. When you introduced the Mu Tian Grass, you said it controls beasts and uses them as nutrients. The beasts we encountered were all controlled by the Mu Tian Grass. Then the question arises, if Mu Tian Grass uses beasts as nutrients, why would it make the beasts kill humans? The answer is simple: because humans are also nutrients for the Mu Tian Grass. If humans are nutrients, is it possible for the Mu Tian Grass to control humans? The answer is yes. Given this, why didnt you clearly exin this? Was the alchemy master of the Unity stage you mentioned not thinking straight when writing his book, or were you deliberately avoiding this detail? Lu Yang kicked Song Wuguo to the ground. Nine truths and one liethese tricks are something Ive long mastered. ying them in front of me is underestimating me. I didnt expose you earlier because I wanted you to lead us to the Mu Tian Grass. The dense forest was vast, and it would be difficult to find the Mu Tian Grass without a guide. Song Wuguo had intended to deceive Lu Yang and the others into going there. After discussing with Meng Jingzhou, they decided to turn the tables. Hearing Lu Yangs exnation, Peach Blossom Leaf finally understood where her sense of unease hade from. Meng Jingzhou wasnt surprised; his earlier shouts were just an act. Song Wuguo has been parasitized and controlled by the Mu Tian Grass. You others are also under suspicion, so please cooperate and return to the Demon Subjugation Pass for examination to prove your innocence, Lu Yang said coldly. Knowing that their family had a traitor, Song Hua and the others, feeling guilty, could onlyply and return for inspection. Heh, heh, heh. Song Wuguo chuckled dryly, his voice no longer sounding human. So what if youve discovered it? Do you think you can still leave? As he spoke, bubbles rose continuously from the swamp, making it look like a pot of boiling water. Muddy figures emerged from the swamp, including both beasts and humans. Judging by their auras, they were all at the Golden Core Stage, numbering at least fifty or sixty! Lu Yang suddenly recalled the words of the merchant servant who had first met them: People go missing in the forest every day, especially recently, with more frequent disappearances. Could this be the reason for the recent disappearances of cultivators? No, isnt the Mu Tian Grass supposed to control a maximum of ten beings? Even without considering the beings emerging from the swamp, there had already been ten beasts and one Song Wuguo earlier. That made eleven already! Fairy, whats going on? Evesting Fairy frowned. Song Wuguo didnt lie to you. A regr Mu Tian Grass can control a maximum of ten beings. But the one in front of you isnt an ordinary Mu Tian Grass, or rather, it isnt an ordinary spiritual nt. It has developed intelligence, simr to the Immemorial Immortal, and has be a spirit. (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) (End of the chapter) Chapter 268: Preplanned Chapter 268: Prenned Is the Immemorial Immortals true form simr to Mu Tian Grass, both being spiritual nts that have developed intelligence? Lu Yang was surprised. It was already extremely rare for spiritual nts to gain intelligence, and even fewer achieved notable aplishments. From what he knew, there were two ways a spiritual nt could develop intelligence. One way was simply living long enough, gradually gaining intelligence over time, like the small medicinal kings in the Dao Seeking Sects herb garden. The small medicinal kings had lived for at least a hundred thousand years. For a spiritual nt to survive that long without being harvested, its luck had to be extraordinary. The other way involved various coincidences, such as living in a top-grade spiritual stone vein and absorbing spiritual energy day and night, oring into contact with certain heavenly principles and receiving the favor of the Dao, or even being enlightened by a great master. The number of intelligent spiritual nts was so rare that the world knew very little about them. Even with a few small medicinal kings in the Dao Seeking Sects herb garden, it was challenging to study them thoroughly. The characteristics of each spiritual nt varied greatly, making it impossible topare or research them effectively. However, one thing was certain: a spiritual nt with intelligence would have its abilities grow by hundreds of timespared to those without. For example, the Mu Tian Grass in front of them controlled at least fifty or sixty Golden Core Stage beings, and who knew if there were more hidden ones? If the Immemorial Immortal heard youpare it to Mu Tian Grass, it would be very unhappy. The Mu Tian Grass cant even begin topare. The Immemorial Immortals true form is a heaven-reaching World Tree. Even without intelligence, it is an exceptionally rare immortal tree. Before gaining intelligence, its branches and leaves could grow from one to another, vast and enormous. After gaining intelligence, it was still very weak and worried about being targeted by evil beings. So, it split off a branch, took on a human form, and walked and cultivated in the world. The cultivation results would feed back to its true form. When it became an immortal, the event was so grand it couldnt be concealed, nor did it need to be. Only then did the world know that the supreme genius proficient in time was not a person, but a tree. Perhaps because the World Tree lived so long, the Immemorial Immortal had a natural talent for time and used [Years] as its ariya-ph, bing an immortal. If Evesting Fairy hadnt exined, Lu Yang might have thought that the Immemorial Immortal gained the power of time from eating the food Evesting Fairy cooked, like a revolvingntern. Lu Yang stopped listening to Evesting Fairys ancient secrets. The situation at hand was critical, and as the leader, he needed to decide quickly whether to fight or return to the Demon Subjugation Pass. Lu Yang transmitted a message to Meng Jingzhou and the others: Prepare the directional teleportation talismans, take the Song family members, and return to the Demon Subjugation Pass! Lu Yang made a quick decision. In this situation, they had no choice but to run. Even without the burden of the Song family, the sixty Golden Core Stage beings in the swamp were beyond their ability to handle. Fourte-stage Foundation Building cultivators defeating sixty Golden Core Stage beings? That was impossible. They would be exhausted to death. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had twelve directional teleportation talismans, more than enough to transport everyone. Excluding Song Wuguo, there were three Song family members left, plus two bodyguards, making five people in the Song familys camp that needed rescuing. Lu Yang, holding the Qingfeng Sword, stood at the forefront, warily watching the Golden Core Stage beings emerging from the swamp. He signaled Meng Jingzhou to quickly distribute the directional teleportation talismans while the Mu Tian Grass hadnt yetunched an attack. Two muddy Golden Core Stage beings made a move. Both were humans, their faces covered in mud, making their original appearance unrecognizable. Lu Yang met them with his sword, severing their arms. They seemed to feel no pain and continued their relentless attack on Lu Yang. Though these two were only mid-stage Golden Core, their unrelenting fighting style, unaffected by physical damage, allowed them to temporarily hold their own against Lu Yang. Dont get entangled with them. Once the talismans are distributed, run! Meng Jingzhou transmitted through his divine sense. Alright! Lu Yang swung his sword with all his might, forcing the two attackers back. He and the others pulled out their directional teleportation talismans. The talismans ignited automatically, transporting everyone to the Demon Subjugation Pass. Suddenly, a light chuckle echoed, Everyone else can run, but you, Lu Yang, cannot. Lu Yangs expression changed as he realized something was wrong. The voice came from the center of the swampit was the Mu Tian Grass speaking! The Mu Tian Grass swayed gently, and the spirit stones buried underground were instantly drained of their spiritual energy, turning back into transparent crystals. A hidden formation around the area was activated, creating light spots that converged on Lu Yang, interrupting his teleportation. Lu Yang! Senior Brother Lu! Brother Lu! Meng Jingzhou and the others saw this just before they were teleported, and they couldnt help but shout. No one had expected the Mu Tian Grass to specifically target Lu Yang and prepare a formation to interrupt the teleportation in advance. The change happened in an instant, and by the time they realized it, they had already returned to the Demon Subjugation Pass. What should we do? Song Hua and the others were at a loss. Although they were safe, Lu Yang was still there and needed to be rescued. Meng Jingzhou didnt hesitate and rushed towards the Demon Subjugation Pass, intending to reveal his identity to the local guard and organize a rescue for Lu Yang. I didnt expect to be targeted like this, Lu Yang said, staring at the Mu Tian Grass, a humorless smile on his lips. The Mu Tian Grass spoke again, its voice youthful, like a refined young man. Lu Yang, Ive had my eye on you for two months. Now that youve stepped into my trap, how could I let you leave? Lu Yangs heart sank. Had the Mu Tian Grass been watching him since he entered the depths of the forest? He recalled the Golden Core Stage cultivators he encountered over the past two monthswere they controlled by the Mu Tian Grass? From the power youve disyed, you must have a Sword Spirit Root, right? We spiritual nts have various life-preserving methods butck offensive techniques. Ive always wanted to absorb a Gold Spirit Root or Sword Spirit Root cultivator to enhance my attack methods. I thought I wouldnt get the chance before I matured, but here you are. Of course, thats not the most important thing. The most important thing is your clone technique! If you hand over your clone technique, I might spare your life! The Mu Tian Grass had been observing Lu Yang from a distance, and Lu Yangs wooden clone technique had piqued its interest. Without reaching a certain age, spiritual nts couldnt move. The Mu Tian Grass desperately desired a clone technique so it could control a clone to do what it wanted. Lu Yangs clone technique was a wood attribute technique, perfectlypatible with spiritual nts. No matter what, it had to obtain this clone technique! To that end, it meticulously designed a trap to lure Lu Yang step by step. Although Song Wuguos cover was blown, it didnt affect the overall n. Once Lu Yang reached the swamp, he was doomed! Even if I gave it to you, you wouldnt be able to learn it, Lu Yang shook his head. He had managed to practice the Tree nting Art incorrectly; he doubted the Mu Tian Grass could master it either. How about we sit down and talk? Come back to the sect with me. The sect has plenty of resources to nurture you, and you wont need to go to such lengths to collect nutrients. Its beneficial for both of us. The Mu Tian Grass sneered, I know what youre thinking. You just want to buy time for yourpanions to call for help from the Demon Subjugation Pass. Do you think Im unprepared? Mountain Moving Formation, activate! The leaves of the Mu Tian Grass swayed rhythmically, and the Golden Core Stage beings raised their hands, activating another hidden formation. Lu Yang felt the ground shake beneath his feet, then it stabilized. Weve been transported to another location. The big shots at the Demon Subjugation Pass wont find us here. Now, are you ready to be my nourishment? Lu Yangs expression grew serious. Was this damned grass forcing him to summon Eldest Senior Sister? ( Chapter 269: Daring to Bully the Second in Command of the Everlasting Lineage? Lu Yang didnt immediately summon Eldest Senior Sister. Calling her without even trying to fight would likely get him scolded, considering her personality. There was a good chance he or the Mu Tian Grass would get beaten up first. He thought it would be best to take down a few Golden Core Stage opponents to earn some credit before summoning her. Attack! At Mu Tian Grasssmand, both human and beast Golden Core Stage cultivators roared and attacked together. These Golden Core Stage cultivators were covered in mud, making their original appearances indistinguishable. One person wielded a golden disc that spun rapidly, capable of cutting through flesh easily if it touched. Another held an ancient bowl, chipped and worn, looking like a beggars bowl. A beast spread its wings and soared into the sky, emitting a cranes cry. Lu Yang remembered reading in thetest edition of the Dense Forest Guide that there was ate Golden Core Stage white crane deep in the forest with the potential to revert to a Dragon Sparrow. Severalte Golden Core Stage cultivators had died by its hand.Another beast resembled a tiger or leopard, with five tails and a horn on its head, making a noise like striking stone. Lu Yang matched it with the descriptions in the Dense Forest Guide: An ancient mid-Golden Core Stage beast, a Zheng. There was also a beast shaped like a horse, with dark gray eyes devoid of whites, roaring like a singing human. An ancient mid-Golden Core Stage beast, a Lu Shu. You have so many beasts and still want me? Lu Yangughed, standing calmly amidst the encirclement of enemies. Such greed will not take you far on the path of immortality. Evesting Fairy had repeatedly warned Lu Yang that cultivators must not be overly greedy. Greed might bring temporary satisfaction but would prevent long-term sess on the path to immortality. Save your concerns for yourself, Mu Tian Grass replied dismissively, ignoring Lu Yangs advice. During the conversation, the golden disc flew out, with lightning shing as it spun, carving a trench in the ground. ng Qingfeng Sword intercepted the golden disc mid-air. But the golden disc split into two, bypassing Qingfeng Sword, and headed straight for Lu Yang. Lu Yang kept retreating, but the golden discs pursued relentlessly. No matter how he moved, they tracked him, narrowly missing him several times. When Lu Yang tried blocking with Qingfeng Sword again, the discs split into four, maintaining their speed. It seems that the golden discs multiply upon impact and can track me. Lu Yang quickly deduced the golden discs characteristics, finding them quite troublesome. Shrinking Earth! Lu Yang sank into the ground. The golden discs struck the ground, unable to move further. Just as Lu Yang was about to catch his breath and look for an escape, a beam of light pierced through the earth, immobilizing him. Unable to move, Lu Yang was pulled out of the ground by the beam. He looked up and saw the source: the broken bowl. Numerous beasts seized the opportunity while Lu Yang was immobilized, lunging at him to tear him apart. It seems to be a paralyzing artifact. With a thought, Lu Yang released sword energy, sweeping the surroundings and upturning the earth to temporarily fend off the beasts. The sword energy shifted again, targeting the bowl above, shing at it. The radiant sword energy shed with the bowl, and suddenly, it expanded brilliantly, slicing a notch into the bowls bottom. The bowls owners palm glowed, striking multiple blows with faint lightning. Lu Yang countered with Arhat Fist. A cranes cry resounded from above. The white crane dived, its beak like a sword aiming to pierce Lu Yang. Qingfeng Sword, go! While exchanging blows with the bowls owner, Lu Yang used his mind to control Qingfeng Sword, blocking the attack from above. Lu Yang spread out his divine sense and detected numerous humans and beasts preparing to deliver a fatal blow. These attacks wouldnt kill him, but they would be enough to severely injure him. As the battle intensified, Lu Yang felt an epiphany forming in his mind, like a halo of light shrouded in dense fog that he couldnt quite see through. Just as he tried to dispel the fog and see clearly, the beast Zheng attacked. The Zheng scraped the ground with its hooves and charged at Lu Yang with its horn. Though Lu Yang managed to sever the Zhengs horn with Qingfeng Sword, he was injured in the process, with his waist pierced and blood flowing freely. He quickly took a pill to stop the bleeding. The beast Lu Shu descended from above, its four hooves like four massive millstones aiming to crush Lu Yang. Lu Yang adopted a sky-supporting posture and shed head-on with the Lu Shu. The Lu Shu was sent flying by two palms, but Lu Yang didnt fare much better, feeling as if his arms were about to break apart. After continuous attacks, Lu Yangs condition worsened. He didnt even have time to take another pill, and the fog between him and the halo grew thicker. Just ate Foundation Building cultivator, yet you can withstand so many ultimate moves from Golden Core Stage beings. I really want to know what you taste like, Mu Tian Grass remarked, increasingly satisfied with Lu Yang. The stronger Lu Yang was, the stronger Mu Tian Grass would be after devouring him. It was rare for spiritual nts to develop intelligence, but once they did, their potential was immense. This pisses me off! Just a damned piece of grass, daring to bully the second-inmand of the Evesting line! Do you think I dont have a temper? Evesting Fairy, seeing Lu Yang injured, became furious. Lu Yang, give me a wooden clone using the Twin Stem Lotus seed; it works better than the Bodhi tree seed! Lu Yang was stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up. He nodded and burrowed into the ground. Trying to hide in the ground again? Its useless! Mu Tian Grass thought Lu Yang was attempting to escape with the Shrinking Earth technique. Lu Yang quickly took out the Twin Stem Lotus seed and activated the Tree nting Art. A lotus flower sprouted from the ground, with two Lu Yangs standing on its leavesone the original, the other a clone made from the lotus root. Thats it! Thats the technique Ive been dreaming of! Mu Tian Grass eximed in excitement upon seeing Lu Yang use the clone technique. You think you can learn a technique that even I, an immortal, couldnt master? The lotus root Lu Yang sneered, mocking Mu Tian Grass for overestimating itself. The lotus root Lu Yang stretched and felt that the original form was better. With a snap of her fingers, the outeryer transformed into pink lotus petals. As the petals fell, they revealed Evesting Fairy in her true form. The usually smiling girl now frowned at the mass of humans and beasts, clearly displeased. A bunch of dirty things, it sullies my hands to hit you. Lu Yang, bring out my tablecloth; itll do as a weapon. The tablecloth was sturdy and durable, a timeless item from Evesting, indeed the best weapon. As Evesting Fairy spoke, she tied her long hair back into a knot to keep it clean during the fight. Lu Yang took out a red silk cloth from his identity jade pendant and handed it to Evesting Fairy. Holding the red silk, Evesting Fairys eyes showed a touch of nostalgia. She gave the silk a shake, and it seemed toe alive, red as fire and long as a dragon, floating lightly. Go! Evesting Fairy grabbed one end of the red silk and flicked it out. The other end shed through the air like a sharp de, slicing the beast Zheng in half. Your ancestors wouldnt dare breathe in my presence, and you dare to hurt Lu Yang? (TL Note: Heres what the Zheng and Lu Shu look like. /item/%E7%8B%B0/7040176) (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) (End of the chapter) Chapter 270: Lu Yang’s Transformation T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? She frowned slightly, looking very attractive. This was the first time Lu Yang had seen Evesting Fairy in action. The strike seemed casual but was profoundly skilled. To Lu Yang, that strike demonstrated Evesting Fairys precise control over her power, with not a bit of strength wasted. It was important to note that Evesting Fairy was using Lu Yangs clone, which only had eighty percent of his power. Lu Yang could also kill that Golden Core Stage beast in one strike, but not with the same finesse. He would waste a lot more power. Swish The red silk ribbon moved like a dragon in the sea, each strike taking down a Golden Core Stage opponent. In the blink of an eye, it had already cut down two Golden Core Stage beasts and one Golden Core Stage cultivator.If there was an attack, Evesting Fairy could control the red silk to protect herself, with no marks left on the ribbon from the blows. The red silk ribbon was on the same level as the immortal treasures obtained from the Undying Sect. It could not be damaged by a Golden Core Stage opponent, not even by one at the Unity Stage. Who are you! Mu Tian Grass shouted, rmed by Evesting Fairys frequent attacks. Just moments ago, the situation was under control, and Lu Yang was as good as dead. Now, there was a sudden twist! Mu Tian Grass had clearly seen Lu Yang use a clone technique, creating another Lu Yang. But why did the clones appearance change, transforming into a woman? And why was the womans demeanor so different from Lu Yangs? Was Lu Yang schizophrenic, or was there another reason? Mu Tian Grass couldnt figure it out. Evesting Fairy sneered at Mu Tian Grasss question, showing disdain. A mere sentient weed, controlling a group of stinking corpses, dares to ask who I am? Ive killed countless beings like you before I became an immortal! Such arrogance! Youre just two Foundation Building Stage cultivators. Everyone, attack together! Mu Tian Grass, enraged by Evesting Fairy, barked orders. The red silk strike had not surpassed the Foundation Building Stage, meaning its opponent was just another Foundation Building Stage cultivator. There were seventy Golden Core Stage beings here. They couldnt lose to two Foundation Building Stage cultivators, could they? The disparity in levels and numbers was insurmountable. Evesting Fairy faced the swarm of Golden Core Stage beings without fear, as if she were ustomed to such situations. The red silk ribbon flew out with a swish, wrapping around the attacking beast Lu Shu. Despite the Lu Shus fierce struggles, it couldnt break free. Evesting Fairy held the other end of the red silk and violently mmed the Lu Shu to the ground. The impact caused the ground to shake slightly. Other Golden Core Stage beings attacked from all directions, aiming to destroy this Lu Yang clone! Evesting Fairy used the bound Lu Shu like a il, swinging it around like a meteor hammer. With each powerful blow, any Golden Core Stage hit was either killed or seriously injured, with broken limbs that even Mu Tian Grass couldnt control back into action. However, as more Golden Core Stage beings surrounded her, the red silk ribbons movements became increasingly restricted, preventing it from freely striking down enemies. Evesting Fairy immediately switched tactics, discarding the now crushed Lu Shu and wrapping the red silk around her body. This clone wasnt as strong as Lu Yangs original body and couldnt withstand the uing intense closebat without the red silks protection. A Golden Core Stage body cultivator charged at her, and Evesting Fairys eyebrows arched. She pped his face with a single powerful palm strike. Ha! With a delicate yet forceful shout, Evesting Fairy increased the power of her palm strike, swinging downwards and mming the Golden Core Stage body cultivator into the ground. Roar Beasts and humans attacked in unison. Evesting Fairy stepped forward with her left foot, setting up her stance. Fairy Fist! Her delicate fists rained down like a storm. Though they looked graceful, the power behind them was terrifying, giving the illusion that one was facing not fists, but torrents of unstoppable rivers. The Fairy Fist was so fast it created afterimages, each punch precisely targeting the Golden Core Stage cultivators dantians, severing their connection with the Mu Tian Grass. If you were allte Golden Core Stage, this body wouldnt be able to handle it. Unfortunately, youre not. Most of these Golden Core Stage cultivators were in the early or mid stages, withte-stage cultivators being the minority. Lu Yang was captivated by Evesting Fairys fist technique. This was the second time he had witnessed the Fairy Fist. The first time was when Yellow Bean had thrashed Evesting Celestial. As the third-inmand of the Evesting lineage, Evesting Celestial was naturally suppressed by Evesting Fairy. Back then, no matter what move Yellow Bean used, it could suppress Evesting Celestial, so the true profundity of the Fairy Fist was not evident. But this time was different. Evesting Fairy was facing opponents a whole major realm higher, and in this situation, Lu Yang could immediately see that the Fairy Fist was undoubtedly one of the top fist techniques in the world, with boundless mysteries. With his current abilities, even understanding the basics of this fist technique was challenging. But that didnt stop Lu Yang from trying toprehend it. So thats it. In battle, one must pay attention to the distribution of power and the rhythm of the fight. Its not about how heavy the punches are Lu Yang mused, starting to grasp some initial insights. Lu Yang, be careful! Some Golden Core Stage cultivators areing your way! I see them! Lu Yang had anticipated this. It was impossible for over seventy Golden Core Stage cultivators to attack Evesting Fairy all at once. If they did, their attacks would collide with each other before even reaching her. Moreover, Mu Tian Grass couldnt control so many cultivators simultaneously. It hadnt fully matured yet, and its limit was controlling ten Golden Core Stage cultivators. If they were allte-stage, that number would drop to eight. Currently, four to six Golden Core Stage cultivators were attacking Evesting Fairy at once, with others on standby. If Evesting Fairy took down or knocked away one, a new Golden Core Stage cultivator would rece them. Mu Tian Grass had a clear goal: bypass Evesting Fairy and swarm Lu Yang. After the earlier incident, Lu Yang had seized the opportunity to recover his strength and was no longer afraid of these Golden Core Stage cultivators. He channeled his sword energy into Qingfeng Sword, making it less mboyant than before. Come! Mu Tian Grass controlled the Golden Core Stage cultivators, initially unconcerned. But as soon as they shed, it realized that Lu Yang was nowpletely different from before. Although it seemed like the Qingfeng Sword held no sword energy, each sh with a Golden Core Stage cultivator made the sword energy surge, catching the Mu Tian Grass off guard. When the Mu Tian Grass prepared to withstand the sword energy, it would vanish, leaving it struggling in vain! Lu Yang had somehow advanced in his control of power within a short time! Though this control was still unrefined, it was undeniably on another level! This couldnt continue. The Mu Tian Grass needed a quick resolution; dy would bring unforeseen changes! Unaware of the Mu Tian Grasss decision, Lu Yang once again entered that earlier stateseeing a fog before him, with an indistinct halo of light beyond. Hmm? Evesting Fairy noticed Lu Yangs change and blinked in surprise. (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) (End of the chapter) Chapter 271: Forming the Golden Core Lu Yang had entered a rather profound state. His perception of the outside world had greatly diminished, allowing him only to sense the Golden Core Stage beings attacking him, while everything beyond became blurry. Conversely, the fog surrounding his dantian was thinning. It seemed that if he could just clear away the fog, he would see whaty behind the halo of light. A beast with a tigers head and a dragons body lunged at Lu Yang. This was a tiger-dragon, a Golden Corete-stage beast that lived in water but could temporarily move onnd. Mu Tian Grass had brought it from theke specifically to hunt Lu Yang. Sensing the tiger-dragons attack, Lu Yang gently exhaled a breath of Three vours True Fire, which then clung to Qingfeng Sword. Already sharp, Qingfeng Swords power was further enhanced by the Three vours True Fire. As the tiger-dragon roared and charged, Lu Yang twisted his wrist and lightly shouted Sever. The Qingfeng Sword sliced through, decapitating the tiger-dragon. Its head rolled to Lu Yangs feet, emitting a tantalizing roasted scent. This was the Sever Word Technique. Although it wasnt as powerful as the Break Word Technique, which drained much of his spiritual power, it could be used repeatedly and was slightly stronger in single strikes. The Mu Tian Grass attempted to control the tiger-dragons corpse, but Lu Yang anticipated this. He activated the Sever Word Technique again, dismembering the tiger-dragon into eight pieces. Another beast, resembling a small, three-legged turtle, appeared by Lu Yangs feet. It held sand in its mouth, which it spat at Lu Yangs shadow.This was a Yu, capable of shooting poison through shadows to kill its enemies. Lu Yang, keeping his divine sense active, had already noticed the Yus actions. He channeled a surge of sword energy into Qingfeng Sword, causing the Three vours True Fire to re up, altering Lu Yangs shadow. With a swift reverse thrust, he pierced the Yus tough, dark green shell, killing it. A Ba Snake and a Fei Wei appeared on either side of Lu Yang. Both ancient serpent-like beasts attacked simultaneously, intending to strangle him. Lu Yang used Draw a Prison From The Ground to drag the Ba Snake underground, following it with Shrinking Earth. Unable to wield the Qingfeng Sword effectively underground, he covered his fists in True Fire and used Arhat Fist. The zing fist marks turned the earth to scorched ground, smashing the Ba Snakes dantian before it could react. Emerging behind the Fei Wei, Lu Yang took a Great Restoration Pill to replenish his spiritual power and then split the Fei Wei in half with the Qingfeng Sword. I dont believe it. With so many Golden Core Stage beings, I cant take you down! Youre just a Foundation Building Stage cultivator. Stop struggling and die! Mu Tian Grass, feeling panicked, tried to mask its anxiety with loud threats. Whether it was the tiger-dragon or the Ba Snake, these were Mu Tian Grasss prized servants, each with immense potential and almost as valuable as Lu Yang himself. Now, all had been effortlessly killed by Lu Yang. Mu Tian Grass sensed that Lu Yang was growing stronger, his control over his power bing more refined, his movements more fluid and seamless, and hisbat techniques increasingly sophisticated, allowing him to achieve victory with minimal effort. This transformation needed to be stopped! Mu Tian Grass shifted its focus from Evesting Fairy to Lu Yang, sending more beasts to attack him. Evesting Fairy noticed Lu Yangs transformation and couldnt help but smile. More and more beasts attacked Lu Yang, either being in by him or having their dantians shattered by Arhat Fist. However, Lu Yangs physical state was deteriorating. Continuous use of sword techniques and Arhat Fist rapidly drained his spiritual power. Even constantly taking Great Restoration Pills couldnt keep up with the depletion. Several Golden Core Stage beings had severely injured Lu Yang. His left arm was fractured, and deep cuts on his abdomen and back exposed his bones. Covered in blood, Lu Yang staggered with each step. At this rate, he would soon be exhausted and die, fulfilling Mu Tian Grasss wish. This should have been a cause for celebration, but Mu Tian Grass couldnt feel happy. It noticed that although Lu Yangs injuries increased, his eyes shone brightly like the moon, especially noticeable in the dark forest. What are youughing at! What are youughing at! Mu Tian Grass roared, feeling mocked by Lu Yang. Indeed, Lu Yang wasughing, and he wasughing heartily. Why shouldnt Iugh? A swarm of Golden Core Stage cultivators cant defeat ate-stage Foundation Building cultivator like me. Shouldnt I be happy? Am I too strong, or are these Golden Core Stage cultivators too weak? Step by step, Lu Yang moved towards Mu Tian Grass, nearly falling several times due to his severe injuries. Even so, he made Mu Tian Grasss heart race with fear. In a frenzy, Mu Tian Grassmanded the beasts to attack Lu Yang en masse, not caring about precise control. It wanted to crush this human prodigy to death, no matter what! Lu Yang no longer had the strength to wield his sword. He fought off the beasts with his bare fists, squeezing out everyst bit of his energy. Meanwhile, the fog in his dantian grew thinner. Or rather, it wasnt the fog that was thinning but the halo of light behind it that was absorbing the fog, bing moreplete. Lu Yang felt a realization dawn on him. Is this the umtedbat experience from my challenges in the forest? His body began to change, with the wounds on his abdomen and back gradually healing and scabbing over, and his broken left arm miraculously reattaching. His essence, energy, and spirit merged, like a torch burning fiercely, continuously fueled, and the torch of his vitality burned ever brighter. The fogpletely dissipated, revealing the halos true forma plump, golden core. This golden core was incredibly profound. Its appearance symbolized invincibility. With a slight rotation, it swept away Lu Yangs fatigue. Lu Yang felt an endless surge of power, far beyond what a Foundation Building cultivator could possess. Under this overwhelming force, the bottleneck of the Foundation Building Stage was effortlessly shattered. Golden Core Stage! Yazi, kill him! A formidable beast stood out among the Golden Core Stage beings. It was Yazi, a fierce beast with the body of a wolf and the head of a dragon, born from a dragon and a wolf, holding a sword in its mouth and ring at Lu Yang. This beast was on par with the Nine Infant, a ruler of the forest, but before the current Lu Yang, it was nothing. Lu Yang extended his index and middle fingers, merging them into a sharp, sword-like phantom. Go. The sword phantom shed downward and then vanished. Yazi red at Lu Yang, a thin line of blood appearing from its head to its tail. With a gentle breath from Lu Yang, Yazi split in two and fell to the sides. The mere sword phantom surpassed the power of Lu Yangs strongest Break Word Technique! Youve broken through to the Golden Core Stage! Mu Tian Grass stared at Lu Yang in disbelief. This shock surpassed all its previous astonishment; it had never heard of such a way to break through. Lu Yang ignored Mu Tian Grasss shock. It was no longer a threat. He was studying his newly formed golden core. This golden core seems to have many profound aspects that I havent discovered yet. The ancient texts dont mention it either. In other words, this golden core is unique. What should I name it Ah, I got it. Ill call it the Primordial Qi Core! As Lu Yang finalized the name, Evesting Fairys excited voice echoed in his ear. Thats my Invincible Core! Lu Yang, you hypocrite! You said you wouldnt form my golden core, but deep down, you knew my Invincible Core was the best for you! Evesting Fairy, having dealt with the beasts surrounding her, elbowed Lu Yang and winked, her smile radiant. Lu Yang: What?! (TL Note: Here are the Yu, the Ba Snake, the Fei Wei and the Yazi. /v32695.htm /item/%E5%B7%B4%E8%9B%87/2927345 /item/%E8%82%A5%E9%81%97/4223742 /item/%E7%9D%9A%E7%9C%A6/1525774) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note 2: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (End of the chapter) Chapter 272: I’ve Always Said My Battle Prowess Is Unparalleled Youre saying this is the Invincible Core?! Lu Yang didnt know what expression to show. He had pored over numerous insights on forming a core, painstakingly searching for inspiration, and finally, in the heat of battle, formed a unique Golden Core. And now you tell me this Golden Core is the same as your Invincible Core? Aiya, Ive told you, continuous battles, fearless challenges, winning a hundred battles, nurturing an invincible aura that recognizes no one above yourself. Using this aura as a guide, you circte your spiritual energy and condense it into a core. At this point, stop pretending. You followed my steps exactly and sessfully formed your core. Evesting Fairy assumed Lu Yang was too embarrassed to admit he was imitating her. Theres nothing to be shy about. Follow me, and I guarantee youll dominate the ages. When I return to my peak, Ill be first, youll be second, and that little girl Yun Zhi will be third! Lu Yang couldnt help but recall how Evesting Fairy had described her unique core formation experience. Fairy, do you remember how you said you formed your core? This is my unique Golden Core. I named it the Invincible Core. I dont tell just anyone how to form this Golden Core! See the benefits of being with me? Evesting Fairy said proudly, expecting admiration from Lu Yang. Just to be sure, when you say winning a hundred battles, do you mean fighting people of the same level or with a one level difference? Of course, with a one level difference! Exactly, one level higher. I defeated Golden Core Stage cultivators while at the Foundation Building Stage. Isnt that a one level difference? Evesting Fairy stated matter-of-factly, not understanding why Lu Yang was so surprised. Hadnt she always said she was known for her beauty andbat prowess before bing an immortal? Known for her battle prowess, wasnt it routine for her to fight above her level? Lu Yang: It wasnt Lu Yangs fault for not thinking of this. Evesting Fairy had never given him any reliable guidance, and she often boasted about bullying lower-level cultivators as a point of pride. All along, Lu Yang had regarded Evesting Fairy as an ancient source of ckedy, not taking her cultivation advice seriously. Listening to Evesting Fairys cultivation tips was less reliable than asking Eldest Senior Sister for advice. Although asking Eldest Senior Sister might not yield an answer either. Lu Yang had always found Evesting Fairys cultivation methods unreliable. And Eldest Senior Sisters methods seemed absurd. Neither were useful as references. Back in myte Foundation Building Stage days, I exhibited extraordinary talent, undefeated among Foundation Building cultivators. Holy Sons and Holy Daughters of major sects, Heavens blessed individuals, and those with supreme physiques none were my match. My talent incited envy. The protectors of these geniuses saw me as a future threat and wanted to eliminate me. However, they were prominent figures and didnt want to tarnish their reputation by bullying a junior, so they sent numerouste Foundation Building cultivators who would break through to Golden Core Stage during battle. This way, if I lost, it wouldnt look bad. Hah, those guys thought they could defeat me? So what if they broke through to Golden Core Stage? They were all trash, none could fight! I kept defeating them, honing my skills in battle, forming an invincible aura, and sessfully forming my core! Evesting Fairy spoke nonchntly as if it were a trivial matter. My Golden Core was unprecedented, and since I was invincible, it naturally had to be named the Invincible Core. Alright, this bodys power is nearly exhausted. The rest is up to you. Later, Ill teach you how to use the Invincible Core. Yawn The downside of a clone is that it cant replenish spiritual energy like the main body. Once used up, it cant be restored. Evesting Fairy stretched and yawned before sinking back into the earth, her spirit returning to the mental space. After all that hard work, she deserved a good nap as a reward. The Mu Tian Grass remained silent throughout. If it were human, cold sweat would have drenched its back by now. Though Lu Yang seemed to be conversing with his clone, the Mu Tian Grass could sense that Lu Yangs divine sense was firmly locked onto it. Any slight movement from the Mu Tian Grass would have been met with Lu Yangs swift sword strike. Quick, stop him Before the Mu Tian Grass could finish, Lu Yangs figure blurred into a sh of lightning, knocking aside the beasts blocking his way and appearing directly in front of the Mu Tian Grass. Who are you trying to stop? Lu Yang bent down and grabbed the Mu Tian Grass, his voice icy. Having ascended to the Golden Core Stage, not only had his strength greatly increased, but his speed had as well. Without giving the Mu Tian Grass a chance to exin, Lu Yang yanked it up by the roots. The Mu Tian Grasss roots spread throughout the entire swamp. As Lu Yang pulled out all of its roots, he discovered they were entangled with numerous bonesboth of beasts and humansits previous nutrients. Lu Yangs gaze grew even colder. He removed the bones one by one, tore off the Mu Tian Grasss roots, and tossed them aside. Carrying the Mu Tian Grass, he left the swamp. Seeing a beast fighting with a cultivator, he casually struck it down and asked the cultivator where they were. The cultivator, shocked by Lu Yangs effortless kill of an early Golden Core Stage beast, dared not lie and respectfully provided the location. After calcting, Lu Yang found that they were about six hundred miles from the Demon Subjugation Passclose enough. When Lu Yang returned to the Demon Subjugation Pass, he saw Meng Jingzhou and the others anxiously waiting at the gate. Beside them stood a young man with red lips and white teeth, looking a few years younger than Lu Yang. Where did the Mu Tian Grass take Senior Brother Lu? Peach Blossom Leaf was frantic. They had brought help to find Lu Yang, only to discover a huge pit where the swamp had been. Dont worry, Lu Yang has the ultimate trump card. Nothing will happen to him, Meng Jingzhou reassured, though he was still on edge. If Lu Yang had summoned Eldest Senior Sister to deal with the Mu Tian Grass, he should have returned by now. If he hadnt, how could he have managed it alone? Im back. Lu Yangs cheerful voice rang out, bringing joy to everyone. Lu Yang! Senior Brother Lu! Brother Lu! Dressed in pristine white, with a sword at his waist and a jade pendant, Lu Yang held the defeated Mu Tian Grass, looking every bit the dashing young noble. You dealt with the Mu Tian Grass by yourself? How? Meng Jingzhou noticed the Mu Tian Grass in Lu Yangs hand. Who do you think I am? A mere Mu Tian Grass, I can pull it out effortlessly. Hes formed his Golden Core, the young man with red lips and white teeth suddenly said, secretly amazed. He had heard of the Mu Tian Grasss oddities. For someone to defeat it just after reaching the Golden Core Stage was beyond his own capabilities. Youve formed your Golden Core? Meng Jingzhou had thought he would be the first, but Lu Yang had beaten him to it. And who might this be Let me introduce you. This is Zeng Tairan, the guardian of Demon Subjugation Pass. I asked him to rescue you as soon as I returned. Greetings, Lord Zeng. Zeng Tairan waved his hand. You will achieve far more than I. No need for formalities. Brother Lu turned misfortune into a blessing and sessfully formed his Golden Core. Hes the first of our generation to do so. We should go back and celebrate properly, Barbarian Bone suggested. Lu Yang shook his head. Not just yet. Theres still something to deal with. Protector Zeng, may I ask how many Void Refinement Stage cultivators are in the Demon Subjugation Pass? (End of the chapter) Chapter 273: Tidying Up Loose Ends Trator: yikaii Editor: yikaii As night fell, after the Mu Tian Grass was dug out by Lu Yang, the Golden Core Stage cultivators lost control andy quietly in the swamp. asionally, someone would mistakenly enter here, and upon seeing the scene of corpses strewn everywhere, they would be frightened by the eeriness and quickly turn to run away. A gray figure floated down and, upon seeing this mess, picked up the useless Mu Tian Grass roots, furrowing his brow. Who did this! Anger surged within him. Years of preparation had been ruined in an instant, and this matter must have a conclusion. Far away in the demon realm, he suddenly couldnt sense the Mu Tian Grasss movements, so he rushed here immediately. Unfortunately, it was toote; the Mu Tian Grass had already been taken. Backtrack!He formed aplex and ancient hand seal, moving so quickly that it produced afterimages. This was a great supernatural ability he had mastered, allowing him to backtrack time and view past events. A light screen appeared before him. In the screen, a Golden Core Stage cultivator uprooted the Mu Tian Grass. This was the limit of his backtracking ability. How bold! A mere Golden Core Stage junior dares to ruin my ns! Ill remember your face! The gray figure gnashed his teeth, staring intently at Lu Yang. He was determined to find Lu Yang, retrieve the Mu Tian Grass, and tear him apart! Im just a small character, why remember me? Azy voice sounded from the side. Who! The gray figure was startled. The disappearance of the Mu Tian Grass had thrown his mind into chaos. In his haste, he hadnt noticed someone nearby. Its you! You dare appear before me again! The gray figures eyes narrowed upon seeing Lu Yang. This person had ruined his ns by uprooting the Mu Tian Grass and now dared to show up, as if he had no temper, as if he were made of mud. No, hes just a Golden Core Stage cultivator. No matter how anxious I am, I shouldnt have failed to notice a Golden Core Stage hiding nearby. Its a trap! He suddenly soared into the sky, attempting to escape, but arge descended from above, trapping the gray figure. Cultivating the Mu Tian Grass in secret, harming living beingseither ept justice on the spot or obedientlye back with me to face trial! Protector Zeng emerged from another space, standing beside Lu Yang, his eyes full of anger. Ten Void Refinement Stage cultivators controlled the Sky Net, and no matter what methods the gray figure used, he couldnt escape its coverage. Protector Zeng squinted his eyes slightly. The gray figures methods were quite ancient, not those used by modern cultivators. It seems hes an ancient cultivator, secretly cultivating the Mu Tian Grass to refine pills and enhance his realm. Void Refinement Stage cultivators have highly vtile cultivation, but that doesnt mean they cant make a move. These ten Void Refinement Stage cultivators cultivation levels also fluctuated, but they could ensure that there were always two cultivators at the Unity Stage. Plus, with Protector Zeng on the ground, there were three at the Unity Stage, enough to activate the Sky Net. The Sky Net was a secret treasure from the Great Xia Dynastys treasury, one of the trump cards ced at the Demon Subjugation Pass to guard against demon invasions. Unless it was an elder from the Dao Seeking Sect, the Sky Net could suppress anyone. The gray figure was clearly not at the level of a Dao Seeking Sect elder, otherwise, he wouldnt have been cultivating the Mu Tian Grass. Take him away! Protector Zeng ordered, and the ten Void Refinement Stage cultivators dragged the gray figure back to the Demon Subjugation Pass. How did you know there was someone behind the Mu Tian Grass? Protector Zeng asked curiously on the way back. Even the Mu Tian Grass itself didnt know it was being cultivated by someone. This was the result of Protector Zengs personal interrogation of the Mu Tian Grass. the Mu Tian Grass didnt know because the person behind it might have altered its memory. I guessed there was someone behind the Mu Tian Grass for two reasons. First, the location of the Mu Tian Grass was too coincidental. Its ability is to control Golden Core Stage cultivators, and it appeared precisely in the dense forest where there were the most Golden Core Stage demon beasts and cultivators. It was as if someone had deliberately nted it there to make it easier for it to hunt. I have considered that possibility too. Could it really be a coincidence? Thats where the second reasones in. What you might not know, Protector Zeng, is that during my battle with the Mu Tian Grass, it first used a formation to interrupt my directional teleportation talisman. The directional teleportation talisman was made by a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, and since the Mu Tian Grass only controlled Golden Core Stage cultivators, it couldnt have known how to interrupt it from them. Moreover, it moved the swamp using the Great Mountain Shift Array, which is another formation the Mu Tian Grass shouldnt have known. Someone must have taught the Mu Tian Grass these techniques for survival, and that person, fearing exposure, altered the Mu Tian Grasss memory. Since the Mu Tian Grass can help a Unity Stage Cultivator advance a minor realm, it means the person behind it is definitely a Unity Stage Cultivator. Such an important thing like the Mu Tian Grass would certainly have a mark left on it. Once the mark disappeared, that person woulde over. Thats why I asked you, Protector Zeng, to assist in ambushing the person behind it. Protector Zeng waved his hand. You didnt ask for my help. Its my duty as a guardian. I should be thanking you. Without you, who knows how long the Mu Tian Grass and the person behind it would have continued hiding, harming more people. While the two talked, they returned to the Demon Subjugation Pass. Protector Zeng needed to interrogate the gray figure overnight and parted ways with Lu Yang. Lu Yang returned to the inn where Meng Jingzhou and the other two had prepared a feast to celebrate Lu Yangs advancement to the Golden Core Stage. Come, lets toast to Lu Yangs advancement to the Golden Core Stage! The four raised their drinks and gulped down a cup each. With Lu Yang advancing to the Golden Core Stage, the three of us need to speed up our progress too. I have some ideas, what about you two? Meng Jingzhou asked. Im considering forming a Golden Core rted to illusions, but I still need to study how to do it, Peach Blossom Leaf said. I havent decided what kind of Golden Core to form yet, Barbarian Bone scratched his head, smiling a bit embarrassed. Dont rush, we have plenty of time. At our age, besides Lu Yang, the three of us are cultivating the fastest. Theres no need to hurry, Meng Jingzhou advised Barbarian Bone, who nodded in understanding. I need to return to my sect to consolidate my realm. Theres a flying boat tomorrow, so I wont be going to the dense forest with you. The three understood. Now that Lu Yang was a Golden Core Stage cultivator, joining them in the dense forest to hunt demon beasts would make them feel no sense of crisis, greatly reducing the effect of their training. Early the next morning, Lu Yang bought some local specialties from the Demon Subjugation Pass, took the Mu Tian Grass, bid farewell to Meng Jingzhou and the others, and boarded the flying boat. Lu Yang didnt choose to fly back to the Dao Seeking Sect for two reasons: first, the distance between the Demon Subjugation Pass and the Dao Seeking Sect was too great. The Golden Core Stages spiritual power reserves wouldnt be enough and would require many stops for rest, which was not practical. Second, Lu Yang had a fear of heights. Of course, the first reason was the main one. Inside the flying boat cabin, Lu Yang intended to study the shiny Invincible Core, so he entered his spiritual space, where he saw the Evesting Fairy sleeping. Clearly, she didnt differentiate between day and night. Um, Lu Yang, youre here? The Evesting Fairy rubbed her eyes, groggily greeting Lu Yang. Originally, Lu Yang intended to ask the Evesting Fairy about the Invincible Core, but the words changed when he spoke: Fairy, why dont you sleep a bit more? Okay. The Evesting Fairy went back to sleep instantly. Lu Yang: I was just being polite. (End of the chapter) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 274: Getting Carried Away Trator: yikaii Editor: yikaii Evesting Fairy was sleeping soundly. Not wanting to disturb her slumber, Lu Yang began studying the Invincible Core on his own. Lu Yangs spiritual power reserves were already higher than those of others at his level, thanks to his affinity for absorbing energy. After forming his Golden Core, his spiritual power reserves underwent a tremendous transformation. My spiritual power reserves have increased at least tenfold, and the speed at which I absorb external spiritual energy has also improved. As long as I dont use high-damage techniques like sh Word Technique or Break Word Technique, I can maintain a bnce between using spiritual power and absorbing energy in regrbat. This will save me the cost of buyingrge rejuvenation pills in the future. During his battle with the Mu Tian Grass, he consumed rejuvenation pills like they were free, leaving him with only a few pitiful ones. Thinking back on it, he felt a pang of heartache. Additionally, my physical attributes have improvedstrength, speed, and reflexesall far surpassing those at thete Foundation Building stage. Now, I canpete with physical cultivators of my level! Lu Yang said with a smile, feeling very confident in his current self. His physical strength had always been a weak point,gging behind physical cultivators like Meng Jingzhou and confucian cultivators like Barbarian Bone. Now, he had finally made up for this shoring. Lu Yang was extremely proud, knowing that his Golden Core was the same an immortal possessed, second only to the Harem Golden Core, making it the second strongest among first-grade Golden Cores.The Harem Golden Core concentrated the power of a harem into one person, which was borrowed strength and didnt count as personal power. Strictly speaking, the strength of the Harem Golden Core was that of a group, whereas the Invincible Cores power was truly personal. ording to Evesting Fairy, this was even stronger than Eldest Senior Sisters Golden Core! Lu Yang felt invincible, thinking he could defeat anyone. This is colloquially known as getting carried away. My divine sense has also increased. The most immediate effect was the change in Lu Yangs spiritual space. What used to be like a single hotel room was now a spacious four-room, two-hall, two-bath t! Evesting Fairy was the first to notice the change in the spiritual space, promptly erging her bed threefold and then sleepingfortably. Lu Yang extended his divine sense, and the entire flying boat was within its range, something that wasnt possible before. He saw that the levitation array of the flying boat had malfunctioned. The array repair master had worked on it for a long time, only to make it worse. Afraid of being discovered and having his year-end bonus deducted, the repair master flew under the boat to carry it manually. Did I just witness something unbelievable? The range for controlling avatars and the number of avatars I can control should also have increased, though I dont know by how much. It wouldnt be appropriate to conjure an avatar on the flying boat just to test it out. Ill test it when I get back. I still dont know what other uses my Golden Core has. Lu Yang pondered for a long time but couldnt figure it out. Oh well, Ill ask the fairy when she wakes up. The journey was uneventful, and at the next stop, the array repair master sought help and managed to fix the array just before the flying boat took off. After stopping at several major cities, the flying boat finallynded in front of the Dao Seeking Sect, and Lu Yang disembarked. Suddenly, Lu Yang noticed that his dantian was emptyhis Golden Core was nowhere to be found. Wheres my Golden Core? He was about to enter his spiritual space to ask the Evesting Fairy what was going on when he saw the Evesting Fairy lying on the bed, hugging the Invincible Core, sleeping soundly. Lu Yang felt helpless and woke the Evesting Fairy: Fairy, can you stop hugging my Golden Core? It made me think I lost it. She quickly came up with an excuse using her extensive ancient knowledge: You just dont understand, do you? Do you know the way of the ancient martial arts? The Evesting Fairy gently pushed the Invincible Core away. Lu Yang nodded: I remember, its a kind of physical cultivation from ancient times? Yes, this kind of martial art doesnt use spiritual energy; its purely about tempering the body. At its peak, the body can rival the Nascent Soul Stage! Ancient martial arts can be divided into direct strength, hidden strength, transformation strength, and core embracing. So? So now that Im hugging your Golden Core, its to help you reach the core embracing stage. Lu Yang: (TL Note: This is referring to body cultivation where a cultivator only cultivates their body to make it stronger. Kind of like Meng Jingzhou but he still uses spiritual energy.) Evesting Fairy had the same habit as Lu Yang, liking to hold something while sleeping. The Invincible Core was something she hadnt seen in a long time, making her feel nostalgic, but she couldnt say thatit would damage her dignity as an immortal. Fairy, do you think our intelligence is on the same level? How could you be as smart as I am? Fairy, youve been sleeping for two days, Lu Yang hinted that the fairy was sleeping too much and should cut back a bit. What do you know? I sleep to recover my strength. Without recovering my strength, how can I defeat that little girl Yun Zhi? In ancient times, if I died, I would resurrect immediately, and the dissipated power would be reabsorbed by me. Now, having been dead for over 300,000 years, the power in my body at the time of death has long since vanished. I can only rely on sleep to slowly recover my strength. So, how much have you recovered now? About ten to twenty percent. Without any other ways to speed up the process, Ill be fully recovered in another hundred years or so. She said it nonchntly. A hundred years was but a blink of an eye to the sixteen-year-old Evesting Fairy. How does it feel to form the Invincible Core? Do you feel invincible? The Invincible Core allows you to be unstoppable in attack and invincible in battle. Its the Golden Core that I am most proud of! Evesting Fairy patted Lu Yangs shoulder as if seeing a second version of herself rising, destined to illuminate an entire era. What exactly do I need to do? Evesting Fairy chuckled. When I first formed the Invincible Core, I put a lot of effort into figuring out its functions. With me here, you can skip the research phase and directly understand its uses. To know yourself and your enemy is the key to a hundred victories. The first function of the Invincible Core is to see your opponents weaknesses, allowing you to develop strategies to exploit them during battle. Doesnt that ensure victory? When I was at the Golden Core Stage, I defeated Ying Tian Immortal and Qilin Immortal using this function! Lu Yangs heart pounded. The Invincible Core truly lived up to its name as an immortals golden core, incredibly powerful. Come, let me teach you how to use it. Alright! The method to use the Invincible Core wasnt difficult; Lu Yang had just never found the right approach. With Evesting Fairy as his guide, he quickly mastered the usage of the Invincible Core. Try it out on someone. Following Evesting Fairys advice, Lu Yang targeted a senior brother. He remembered this senior brother as one of those who had lined up to beat him after the Five Elements Sect exchange meeting. He couldnt win back then and had taken the me for Evesting Fairy. Now, with the Invincible Core, he wanted to clear his shame and prove his strength. The Invincible Core rotated slowly, analyzing the senior brothers weaknesses. Soon, a line of text appeared before Lu Yangs eyes. You cant win. Pick someone else. (End of the chapter) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 275: The Function of the Invincible Core Trator: yikaii Editor: yikaii (Im changing Evesting Celestials real name from Shame Less to Dont Wants Face with his name being Dont and Want Face his surname meaning he, the person named Dont wants face) Lu Yang was silent for a long time before asking, Fairy, why does this function seem different from what you mentioned? This brings us to the second function of the Invincible Core: if you cant win, it will clearly tell you not to fight. Think about it, why do you sometimes win and sometimes lose in battles? The reason for failure is that you couldnt beat the opponent! Now the Invincible Core directly tells you that you cant win, which prevents you from being defeated. Evesting Fairys reasoning was clear and logical. This time, Lu Yang was silent for even longer, mainly because he felt the fairys argument made a lot of sense. Lu Yang used the Invincible Core to check each of his senior brothers and sisters, and the answer was the same: he couldnt win against them. Your senior brothers and sisters are at least in thete Golden Core stage and can all fight above their level. You, a Golden Core early stage cultivator who hasnt even stabilized, want to defeat them? If I controlled your body, maybe it would be possible, Evesting Fairy advised Lu Yang not to aim too high and to wait until Meng Jingzhou formed his Golden Core to fight him instead.When you fought Ying Tian Immortal and Qilin Immortal, what weaknesses did the Invincible Core tell you they had? Oh, the Invincible Core told me they were just at the Foundation Building Stage and to use my discretion. It wasnt until Lu Yang reached themercial street that he regained some confidence. Not all the shops were run by retired cultivators; there were also some visiting Golden Core Stage cultivators running businesses here. These Golden Core Stage cultivators were formidable, but they paled inparison to Lu Yang. The meat sandwich vendor is at the early Golden Core stage, with weak divine sense, suitable for mental attacks. The waiter at Hundred Fragrances Pavilion, cant beat him, choose another. Six-winged duck, ingredient, early Golden Core stage, weak to fire, can use Three vours True Fire to fight or order a roast duck for the kitchen to handle. The tea stall owner, cant beat him, choose another. The tailor shop owner, mid-Golden Core stage, no weaknesses, can forcefully win. The essence of the Golden Core was the integration of Lu Yangs energy, spirit, and mind, meaning that the Invincible Core was essentially a part of Lu Yangs body. It could formte effective strategies based on Lu Yangs understanding, effectively giving him an extra brain. Barbecue shop Master Liu, cant beat him, choose another. Barbecue shop Master Gao, cant beat him, choose another. Hmm? It was only then that Lu Yang realized he had unknowingly arrived at the headquarters of the Undying Sect. The barbecue shop was bustling. The sect leader and the Evesting Celestial were delivering meat, moving freshly ughtered beef andmb from storage rings. Lu Yang! The Undying Sects Sect Leader saw Lu Yang and had aplex expression, a mix of regret, remorse, and relief. Master Liu and Master Gao had simr reactions. If not for Lu Yang, how could the Undying Sect have ended up like this? Who would believe that this kid, after joining the sect for only two months, had brought down the entire Undying Sect! Lu Yang? Come,e, have a seat! The Evesting Celestials expression was entirely different from that of the Undying Sects sect leader and vice leader, showing genuine warmth. He had to be hospitable. Aside from the fact that this kid had Evesting Fairy residing in him, making him a direct descendant of the Evesting lineage, he also had a naturally superior status. Not to mention that this kid was highly favored by both Evesting Fairy and Yun Zhi, either of which was enough to be cautious about. He had to curry favor. Its a pity its still morning, the meat hasnt been marinated yet. Otherwise, Id grill some skewers for you. The Evesting Celestial said regretfully, clearly wanting to grill some for Lu Yang. Having the Evesting Celestial grill skewers for you was a privilegeparable to having a strongman remove your shoes in his past life. Lu Yang also felt a bit uneasy. All the high-ranking members of the Undying Sect were here. If it werent for the fact that the Undying Sects Sect Leader, Master Liu, and Master Gao had been refined into wraiths by Eldest Senior Sister and couldnt harm any disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect, Lu Yang felt he wouldnt be able to leave the barbecue shop alive. The Undying Sects Sect Leader was from the same era as the elders of the Dao Seeking Sect and had reached the peak of the Unity Stage. I have urgent matters to discuss with Eldest Senior Sister, so I wont being in, Lu Yang declined. As soon as Evesting Celestial heard that Lu Yang was going to see Eldest Senior Sister, he quickly released his hold and stopped trying to keep him. After Lu Yang left, Evesting Celestial narrowed his eyes. Lu Yang has formed his Golden Core. Did you see what kind it is? The Undying Sects Sect Leader shook his head. From its appearance, its a first-grade Golden Core, but I cant tell exactly which type. It must be a new kind of Golden Core, which aligns with the Dao Seeking Sects style. Having stayed in the Dao Seeking Sect for so long, the high-ranking members of the Undying Sect had picked up on some of the Dao Seeking Sects patterns. For instance, the disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect never followed conventional paths in forming their Golden Cores, resulting in a variety of types. Should we initiate the n targeting Lu Yang? The Undying Sects Sect Leader set up a barrier and asked softly, fearing someone might overhear. Evesting Celestial nodded. Since he has already formed his Golden Core, lets proceed with the n and catch him off guard. Remember, the n must be executed when Yun Zhi is not around! If Yun Zhi shows up, all ns will go to waste, and well be in big trouble! This matter must be kept confidential. If sessful, well have a future ahead of us! Evesting Celestial said gravely, Even though we dont know the exact type of Golden Core Lu Yang has, knowing that hes formed it is enough. We can use this opportunity to send him gifts and try to win his favor! Remember, the gift-giving n must be wless. This determines whether we can open a branch outside the Dao Seeking Sect! We understand! Lu Yang returned to Heavens Gate Peak, where Eldest Senior Sister was, as usual, meditating. Sensing Lu Yangs arrival, she slowly opened her eyes and carefully scrutinized him. Youve formed your Golden Core? For once, Eldest Senior Sister showed a rare expression of puzzlement, unable to identify the type of Lu Yangs Golden Core. What type of Golden Core did you form? Lu Yang honestly replied, Its the same type as Evesting Fairys, called the Invincible Core. Yun Zhi nodded. It seems to be a Golden Core that vanished in the long river of history. The name of the Golden Core is quite fitting for the fairy. As for its power, since its the same as the fairys, it should rank among the top three first-grade Golden Cores. What are its functions? It can see through the opponents weaknesses and formte targeted strategies to achieve victory. Oh? Eldest Senior Sister became interested, her tone softening, no longer cold as ice. If I were your opponent, could your Invincible Core see my weaknesses? Lu Yang broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this. I-Ill try. Lu Yang activated the Invincible Core to probe Eldest Senior Sisters weaknesses. Unsurprisingly, the Invincible Cores response was the same as before: You cant win, choose another. Lu Yang conveyed the result to Eldest Senior Sister, who then asked, What if I insist on fighting? Since a battle seemed inevitable, the Invincible Core quickly provided a follow-up answer: Commit suicide now, and youll maintain your record of a hundred victories. Lu Yang: Is it toote to form a new Golden Core? Despite the saying that theres no regret in forming a Golden Core, Lu Yang wasnt sure about others, but he was definitely regretting it. To hell with this immortal-grade Golden Core! (End of the chapter) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 276: Invincible Momentum Trator: yikaii Editor: yikaii Didnt I tell you that the Golden Core leaves no regrets? How can you go back on your word? Evesting Fairys earnest teachings echoed in Lu Yangs ears, This is the Invincible Core. In the future, it can help you be an immortal, second only to me. How can you not be satisfied with that? Evesting Fairy stepped out from the spiritual space and manifested in the real world, I havent finished yet. This Golden Core has a third function. What is it? Do you know that the most important thing in cultivation is not talent but an indomitable Dao heart? There are so many people who have smooth sailing in their cultivation journey, but lose their fighting spirit at the slightest setback and thus fall into decadence. Ive seen this happen far too many times. The invincible momentum I told you about is a kind of Dao heart. The invincible momentum you formed in the dense forest, condensed into the Invincible Core, is a core of the Dao heart. The third function of the Invincible Core, and its main function, is to stabilize the Dao heart! Do you know how important the invincible momentum is? There is a saying from ancient times: When two paths cross, the bravest wins. When you and your enemy battle, victory and defeat are often decided in an instant. With invincible momentum, you can win decisively in this battle!Take me as an example. Back in the Golden Core Stage, I faced Ying Tian Immortal and Qilin Immortal, and with full preparation and reliance on invincible momentum, I defeated them both in one fell swoop! But I remember they were only in the Foundation Building Stage back then, werent they? So what if they were in the Foundation Building Stage? Combat is a serious matter, and you must never take it lightly. Even a lion fights a rabbit with all its might; you must understand this principle! There are quite a few examples of Foundation Building Stage beating the Golden Core Stage, such as you and me. We are both living examples. What if Ying Tian Immortal and Qilin Immortal could fight against people at the Golden Core Stage? What the Fairy says makes sense. Evesting Fairy continued, Even if you lose miserably, the Invincible Core can keep you confident and make you believe you are invincible! Lu Yang: Isnt that just being overconfident? Then, Fairy, did you ever lose when you were in the Golden Core Stage? Are you kidding? Me, lose? When I was in the Golden Core Stage, I defeated Ying Tian Immortal, Qilin Immortal, and Nonuple Immortal. Who could beat me? What about Immemorial Immortal? Evesting Fairy waved dismissively, Immemorial Immortal is a spirit born from the ancient tree. Its meaningless to measure him by cultivation level. Theres no point in me fighting him. Yun Zhi listened quietly from the side, unsurprised. She already knew that Immemorial Immortal was a spirit born from the ancient tree, as recorded in ancient texts from the Great Qian era. By the way, Eldest Senior Sister, I found a Mu Tian Grass that has developed intelligence in the dense forest, Lu Yang said, pulling out the struggling Mu Tian Grass from his sack. When Eldest Senior Sisters indifferent gaze fell on the Mu Tian Grass, the Mu Tian Grass felt a chill, as if it had fallen into a cold ice cer. Ive known about this for a long time. Its good that you noticed there was someone behind the Mu Tian Grass. Lu Yang was stunned. From Eldest Senior Sisters words, could it be that they were being watched by Eldest Senior Sister throughout their entire training process in the dense forest? Then what about this Mu Tian Grass? Mu Tian Grasss maturity method is not limited to devouring humans. It chose the most aggressive way, so it must be severely punished. Take this grass to Pellet Cauldron Peak and inform the Seventh Elder of Mu Tian Grasss actions. The Seventh Elder will know how to deal with it. Come see me after you return from Pellet Cauldron Peak. I have something else to tell you. Understood. Lu Yangs curiosity was piqued. He wanted to know what Eldest Senior Sister meant by something else, but since she didnt borate, he didnt dare to ask. He decided to go to Pellet Cauldron Peak first. The first thing Lu Yang did on his way to Pellet Cauldron Peak was to hold his breath andplete the self-cirction within his body to avoid being poisoned by the unknown toxins that might appear. The Golden Core Stage was still insufficient to counter the poisons at Pellet Cauldron Peak. Fortunately, after advancing to the Golden Core Stage, he could control his organs to some extent, like moving the internal organs and performing self-cirction within the body, achieving true freedom of movement. Excuse me, where is the Seventh Elder? Lu Yang found a familiar senior brother from Pellet Cauldron Peak, who was likely one of those who had queued up to fight him back then. Is that Junior Brother Lu? Are you looking for Master? He should be writing in the alchemy room. Writing? As the senior brother from Pellet Cauldron Peak led Lu Yang, he exined, Yes, our Pellet Cauldron Peaks alchemy style is not mainstream in the alchemy world. The outside world is jealous of our talents. To expand the influence of Pellet Cauldron Peak, Master encourages us to write articles and publish them outside to let the world see the real us. Pellet Cauldron Peak was lush with vegetation, with greenery providing shade and spirit grass everywhere. The materials for refining major restorative pills and fasting pills were abundant. If one wasnt careful, they might step on a valuable herb. Although these herbs were not as precious as those in the medicine garden, they could still fetch a high price outside. Here we are. In contrast to the luxurious decorations that high-status alchemists usually preferred to disy their special status, the Seventh Elders alchemy room looked like a thatched cottage from the outside, embodying simplicity. However, the environment inside the alchemy room was iparable to that of a thatched cottage. Lu Yang could sense the rich medicinal properties emanating from the alchemy room, which could be highly beneficial even to a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, slowly improving their physique. After the senior brother from Pellet Cauldron Peak left, Lu Yang knocked cautiously, worried about disturbing the Seventh Elders thoughts. Come in. Greetings, Seventh Elder, Lu Yang saluted respectfully. The Seventh Elder had white hair, yet not a single wrinkle on his face. He looked youthful and energetic, possibly due to long-term alchemy practice. I heard you were writing an article? Lu Yang wanted to know thetest academic trends in the alchemy world, which might help him in future encounters with alchemists. Yes, Im researching an ancient pill recipe discovered by the chief alchemist of the Great Xia Dynasty. He couldnt solve the puzzle of the recipe and offered a reward, inviting renowned alchemists to analyze and solve it. If someone could decode it, it would validate the reputation of our Pellet Cauldron Peak. The recipe is from an ancient alchemy master and describes a pill that can make women conceive, but it doesnt have a name. We decided to call it the Son-Bearing Pill. However, the recipe is too old and iplete. I have been experimenting with the herbs identifiable from the recipe,bined with my understanding, trying to restore it. Although all attempts have failed, I have eliminated most possibilities. So far, I havent heard of anyone sessfully restoring the recipe. What puzzles me is that the herbs listed in the recipe are all for beauty and skin care, with no fertility effects. I suspect the missing ingredient is an ancient herb that has now disappeared. Can I take a look? Lu Yang felt that the effects of this Son-Bearing Pill sounded familiar. The Seventh Elder handed him a copy of the recipe, which listed many herbs with some parts missing. The recipe was written by an alchemist named Qing He, who described the Son-Bearing Pills effect as follows: Taken with river water, it can cause pregnancy. Lu Yang was silent for a moment, then said, Is it possible, just possible, that its not the Son-Bearing Pill that causes pregnancy, but the river water? (End of the chapter) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 277: Role Model Lu Yang Trator: yikaii Editor: yikaii When Lu Yang first saw the pill recipe, he wasnt sure if the river water mentioned by Alchemist Qing He referred to the water of the Mother-Child river. However, Evesting Fairys voice soon confirmed this idea for Lu Yang. Eh, its Qing He? This little girl was my most devout follower and always acted in line with my wishes. River water? Ive read in an ancient book that in ancient times, there was a river. Women who drank from this river could conceive. Such a magical river exists? The Seventh Elder was very surprised. He had never heard of such a river. Lu Yang thought to himself, Whats thispared to a river that can grow sisters?Under Evesting Fairys guidance, Lu Yangs knowledge had already surpassed that of Unity cultivators. The Seventh Elder was not surprised that Lu Yang knew ancient secrets. Lu Yang had shown his knowledge when he represented the sect master in receiving the Five Elements Sect. Considering that Lu Yang was Junior Brother to Yun Zhi, his knowledge of ancient secrets was also understandable. Where does this river watere from? Could it be naturally urring? Lu Yang hesitated. The Mother-Child river water was created by Evesting Fairy, but her existence could not be revealed to outsiders. Just say it was made by Ying Tian Immortal. After all, he has already imed the authorship of my recipes. One more Mother-Child river wont hurt! Evesting Fairy waved her hand, appearing very generous. Respecting Evesting Fairys wishes, Lu Yang said to the Seventh Elder, It was water refined by Ying Tian Immortal in ancient times. I see. When an immortal takes action, its naturally extraordinary. Refining such an unnatural river water is within reason. The Seventh Elder quickly believed Lu Yangs story. By the way, what brings you here? Lu Yang took out the Mu Tian Grass and exined what had happened: Thats the situation. Eldest Senior Sister said to leave this grass to you. The Seventh Elders eyes lit up, A spirit-intelligent herb is indeed rare. Most intelligent herbs do not do evil and cannot be easily refined into pills. Its a rare chance to have one in my hands! It was the first time the Seventh Elder was allowed to use a spirit-intelligent herb for alchemy, making him very happy. The value of this Mu Tian Grass is immeasurable. Tell me what you want, and I will fulfill your wish! Lu Yang waved his hand repeatedly, No need, no need. The Mu Tian Grass has harmed many. Its enough just to deal with it. Seeing that Lu Yang didnt want anything, the Seventh Elder made a decision for him, That wont do. How about this, Ill refine three batches of pills for you for free. His alchemy skills were unmatched in the entire cultivation world. Inviting him to refine pills even once could exhaust the resources of a Void Refinement Stage cultivator. After leaving Pellet Cauldron Peak, on his way back to Heavens Gate Peak, Lu Yang encountered a group of over a dozen people. Their eyes lit up when they saw him. Greetings, Senior Brother Lu! Their synchronized shout startled Lu Yang. Lu Yang noticed that the group consisted of both men and women, all around his age. You are Junior Brother Wei Nanfei and Junior Sister Jin Qinqin? Lu Yang recognized them as disciples who had entered Dao Seeking Sect with him. Junior Brother Wei Nanfei had been poisoned by his stepmother in his childhood but was saved by Senior Brother Dai Bufan. Junior Sister Jin Qinqin had eaten a fruit in a valley, the Azure Wood Immortal Fruit, which allowed the internal energy in her body to circte endlessly. He hadnt seen them before because they hadnt yet reached Foundation Building. Now that they had recently seeded in Foundation Building, they were allowed toe out. Lu Yang scanned them with his divine sense and found it to be true; these dozen junior brothers and sisters had all reached Foundation Building. Reaching Foundation Building at this age would already make them geniuses in the outside world, worthy of being groomed as the next sect master by a top-tier sect. Lu Yang and his fourpanions were exceptions. As Eldest Senior Sister put it, their talents were proof of the great era toe. Dao Seeking Sect had never recruited five disciples with such extraordinary talents in the same cohort before. The junior brothers and sisters all looked at Lu Yang with eyes full of admiration. So this is the legendary Senior Brother Lu Yang? While they had just reached Foundation Building, Senior Brother Lu Yang had already formed his Golden Core, a full major realm ahead of them. They had heard that Senior Brother Lu Yang had served as acting sect master, a first in the history of Dao Seeking Sect, which was full of prodigies. They heard from the senior brothers who participated in the exchange with the Five Elements Sect that Senior Brother Lu Yang was proficient in the Five Elements spells, capable of using Samadhi True Fire, Shrinking Earth, and the Water Avoidance technique. He could even create clones and was the best in swordsmanship among his peers! Mastering even one of these techniques was difficult enough, let alone all of them. He was their role model. They secretly vowed to learn from Senior Brother Lu Yang and catch up to him as soon as possible! Lu Yang encouraged his junior brothers and sisters and said, Eldest Senior Sister has something for me to do, so I must leave first. Goodbye, Senior Brother Lu Yang! The junior brothers and sisters enthusiastically bid farewell to Lu Yang, reluctant to see him go. Lu Yang had a smile on his face the entire way. It felt good to have junior brothers and sisters. Eldest Senior Sister, Im back. Eldest Senior Sister was handling official matters, dealing with variousints against Dao Seeking Sect. For instance, the sect master of the Five Elements Sect strongly condemned the second elder for harassing his mother. Then there was the matter of the Five Elements Sect masters mother hoping the second elder would bring more innovative gifts next time. Another issue involved Daoist Non-Speaker staggering into jail, hoping that Yun Zhi could bail him out as his guarantor. Some people even wanted to hear Daoist Non-Speaker narrate the continuation of The Legend of Dao Seeking Sect, applying to be jailed next to him. The Great Xia Dynasty hoped Yun Zhi would quickly get Daoist Non-Speaker out, as the prison was now full of prisoners who came to hear his storytelling. She gently rubbed her temples, puzzled as to why there were so many troublesome matters to handle in the thriving Dao Seeking Sect. Why did it seem that there were fewer problems when the master was the sect leader? Eldest Senior Sister stood up and motioned for Lu Yang toe over. Since youre back,e with me. Where are we going? Lu Yang was curious. After the downfall of the Undying Sect, the Undying Sects Sect Leader revealed the location of the Undying Sects origin, where the first Undying Sects Sect Leader saw the Evesting Celestial relics. The Great Xia Dynasty had sent people to investigate. Their report mentioned many things that seemed to be from ancient times. Since the ancient period was so long ago, their understanding of the texts, traditions, and ancientnguages was minimal. The Great Xia Dynasty was cautious about moving these ancient items, fearing they might damage them. My knowledge of the ancient period is not as extensive as Senior Evesting Fairys, and this matter is closely rted to her. She should be the one to go. After the Great Xia Dynasty informed me of this, I initially nned to take you and Senior to explore the relics. At that time, you were training in the dense forest, at a crucial stage of forming your Golden Core, so I didnt disturb you. Now that you have sessfully formed your Golden Core, I can safely take you to the relics. As Eldest Senior Sister spoke, she walked out of the cave, waved her hand to the sky, and a gap appeared in the clouds. A white cloud descended from the sky andnded in front of her. Lets go. (End of the chapter) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 278: The First Sect Leader Trator: yikaii Editor: yikaii The Great Xia officials have named the ruins the Evesting Ruins. The Evesting Ruins are located in a small mountain near the Great Yan County. Locals call this mountain the Wastnd Mountain due to its scarce resources and mediocre scenery, which means its not a popr destination. Initial explorations suggest that these ruins date back to thete ancient period. Before heading to the ruins, Yun Zhi gave Lu Yang and Evesting Fairy a brief introduction about the site. Modern understanding of the ancient period isrgely dependent on past records, about 70%, and the excavation of relics from the Great Qian Dynasty, about 30%. Because of the anonymous ancient persons refining of stars, there are very few ruins from the ancient period, and most are severely damaged, offering little useful information. Lu Yang, however, is different. His understanding of the ancient period is entirely based on Evesting Fairy. After hearing Eldest Senior Sisters introduction, Lu Yang hesitated and then spoke up.What is it? Do we really need to discuss the ruins while eating hotpot? In front of Lu Yang, the hotpot was bubbling away. The table was filled with tes of beef, and ording to the restaurant, these included different parts of the cow such as tenderloin, sirloin, shank, brisket, and a mixed offal tter. Lu Yang hadnt realized one could divide a cow into so many distinct parts. Across the hotpot, the fairy-like female cultivator watched Lu Yang eat with an expressionless face, making him feel quite pressured. This was like an execution. He would rather just go straight to the Evesting Ruins. The beef hotpot was famous throughout thend, attracting many diners. However, Eldest Senior Sisters ethereal and transcendent aura waspletely out of ce in the lively hotpot restaurant, drawing many curious nces towards Lu Yang and Yun Zhi. Observant people would notice that although they were talking, they couldnt hear a word. This wasnt due to a simple soundproofing formation but rather a more profound technique, closer to an illusion. Yun Zhi picked up a piece of beef from the pot, dipped it in sa cha sauce, and delicately ced it in her mouth. Her graceful movements made it seem like she was eating a rare and precious delicacy rather than hotpot. (TL Note: Shacha sauce is a savory, slightly spicy Chinese condiment used in Min Nan cuisine. It is made from soybean oil, garlic, shallots, chilies, Chinese brill, and dried shrimp. It is also sometimes sold as Chinese barbeque sauce. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shacha_sauce) Beef hotpot is a specialty of the Great Yan County. Since you rarelye here, you should try the local cuisine to broaden your experiences. Your lively nature indicates that you are destined to follow the path of worldly cultivation, and this is part of your training. Yun Zhi paused, then continued, It also serves to celebrate your sessful advancement to the Golden Core Stage. She raised her teacup and clinked it against Lu Yangs. Lu Yang, feeling honored, carefully lifted his teacup. After the meal, the two left the restaurant. Lu Yang was still savoring the taste of the hotpot. He had to admit, it was quite delicious. Just as Lu Yang was about to ask where they were heading next, he felt Eldest Senior Sister grab his cor. She took a step forward, and space distorted around them. The scene changed from the restaurant entrance to the deste Wastnd Mountain. Now this is Shrinking Earth into Inches! Evesting Fairy eximed excitedly. Having spent so much time with Lu Yang, she had almost forgotten that true Shrinking Earth into Inches was a spatial technique, not just digging through the earth. On the Wastnd Mountain, soldiers had set up camp and were on high alert. These were the elite troops of the Great Xia Dynasty, all cultivators capable of forming a battle soul array to face enemies. The Evesting Ruins, being the origin of the Undying Sect,manded great attention from the court. Is that Daoist Yun Zhi? A veteran general d in heavy armor approached, each step he took producing a resounding nk. The old general had received prior notice that Dao Seeking Sect would send someone to explore the Evesting Ruins. Hemanded this elite army, capable of fighting even cultivators at the Tribtion Crossing Stage, holding a significant position in the court. Yet, he dared not unt his authority in front of Yun Zhi. The reason was simple: he had witnessed Yun Zhi in action. At the same time, he wondered, by inviting Yun Zhi here, did the court intend to explore the Evesting Ruins or dismantle them? Yun Zhi nodded without saying much. The generals gaze lingered on Lu Yang, a junior cultivator who had just formed his Golden Core. He couldnt fathom why Daoist Yun Zhi brought him along. The general didnt question it. Since Yun Zhi had brought him, there was no need to interfere. Could he stop Yun Zhi anyway? This way, please. The general gestured respectfully, inviting Yun Zhi to enter the Evesting Ruins. The soldiers witnessing this scene spected about the visitors identity, causing the general to treat them with such respect. A princess? A high-ranking noble? A great cultivator at the Tribtion Crossing Stage? The soldiers were highly disciplined. Despite their curiosity, they did not show it and remained focused on their duties, practicing battle techniques. The general led the two to a cave, dark and deep. This is the ce. ording to the followers of the Undying Sect, more than ten thousand years ago, the first Undying Sect Sect Leader was inspired by Evesting Celestial. In a dream, he came to this ce and saw two old men ying chess. One was Evesting Celestial, and the other was an ancient nameless immortal. The first Sect Leader was captivated by the game. When the game ended, the two old men and the chessboard vanished. The Sect Leader awoke to find himself at the entrance of the Evesting Ruins. However, our investigation suggests that this story was fabricated to elevate the Undying Sects origins. The only factual element is that the protagonist was the first Sect Leader. The reality is, the first Undying Sects Sect Leader was illegally logging here to sell the wood. He was caught by the court and imprisoned for fifty years. After his release, he reflected on his criminal past, improved his methods, and learned the Tree nting Technique. He would nt trees and then harvest them, quickly mastering the technique. One day, he uprooted an ancient tree and discovered a deep, mysterious cave beneath it. He was intrigued and bought an ident insurance policy before venturing into the cave. There, he discovered the Evesting Ruins, learned about Evesting Celestial, and obtained several celestial treasures. Inspired, he realized that running a cult was a faster way to earn spirit stones than logging. This is also reflected in the criminal code: the former leads to the death penalty, while thetter results in a fixed-term imprisonment. Founding the Undying Sect was fraught with difficulties, such asck of funds and manpower. He overcame financial constraints by taking loans and recruited members from prisons. After surmounting numerous challenges, he finally established the Undying Sect. How did you uncover such detailed information? Lu Yang was amazed at the first Undying Sects Sect Leaders rich experiences, enough to write a book. The court was impressive, managing to investigate in such detail. Oh, investigating this wasnt difficult since he wrote an autobiography. The general pulled a book from his robe, This is it. Ive been reading it as a novel recently. Its quite entertaining. Lu Yang: You really think youve achieved something, dont you? The general added, Later, the second Sect Leader usurped power, killed the first Sect Leader, and imed his insurance payout. (End of the chapter) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 279: Subversive Historical Speculations The old generals duty was to guard the Evesting ruins and prevent outsiders from entering. The only ones who entered the Evesting ruins were Eldest Senior Sister and Lu Yang, along with the immortal ghost within Lu Yangs body. Upon entering the Evesting ruins, Lu Yang did not feel out of ce. The Undying Sects Yanjiang stronghold had a secret realm constructed entirely based on the Evesting ruins, meant to increase the sense of belonging and faith in the Evesting Celestial. The floating tforms in the air, the ancient buildings on the tforms, everything was very familiar. The buildings had copsed under the baptism of time, making it hard to imagine their appearance before they crumbled. Eldest Senior Sister snapped her fingers, causing the copsed buildings to float up and reassemble, forming their original appearance, as if time had reversed. Although the architectural style differed from contemporary ones, these buildings could not be associated with the term ancient. Modern architecture started in the Great Qian era and evolved over 300,000 years, changing with the times. The ancient period spanned much more than 300,000 years. By the end of the ancient period, arts andnguage were highly developed, no worse than now, with the only difference being in style. The main structure of the buildings was majestic, with pavilions arranged in an orderly manner. Even the main gates were iid with yellow jade, green jade, and red gold, exuding a grand aura.Do you recognize these buildings, senior? Yun Zhi asked. Only the three of them were in the ruins, so the Evesting Fairy didnt need to hide her presence and emerged from the spiritual space. She carefully examined the buildings and then shook her head gently, I dont recognize these buildings. Although I dont understand architectural styles, I always feel these dont belong to our era. Yun Zhi rarely showed a surprised expression: ording to the Great Xia dynastys identification, this ruin dates back 300,000 to 400,000 years. The Great Xia dynasty has never made a mistake in time identification. Moreover, the architectural style andyout here do not match the early Great Qian period. The academicmunity generally believes that as the ancient nameless ones refined the stars, the glorious ancient era was reduced to ashes, along with countless treasures. Thus, the Great Qian dynasty, upon its establishment, advocated frugality, reduced taxes and rents. But look at the buildings in the Evesting ruins; they are not luxurious but cant be associated with frugality either. These were not Yun Zhis words but rather from a report submitted to the Emperor Xia by veteran schrs organized by the court after investigating this ce. Then I dont know. Evesting Fairy honestly said, not adept at thinking about such matters. Lu Yang remained silent throughout. He hadnt expected to encounter difficulties at the start of exploring the ruins, with even the era of the ruins undecided. Moving forward, they encountered murals familiar to Lu Yang. On the murals, the Evesting Celestial, with an indistinguishable gender and arms outstretched, held countlesss in their embrace, with tiny figures on each, raising tributes to the Evesting Celestial. Reflecting on four months ago, when the Yanjiang Countys Helmsman Chu brought Lu Yang and two others into the secret realm and introduced the origin of the Evesting Celestial before the murals, revealing the secrets of the ancient nameless ones refinings to them. Things have changed, Lu Yangmented. It hadnt been long, yet the good man Helmsman Chu was gone, the murderer still atrge, unpunished. On the right side of the mural was arge section of text that Lu Yang could not understand. Is this ancient text? Yun Zhi nodded and gave Lu Yang a brief trantion. The general meaning was that in ancient times, the Evesting Celestial protected the human race and fought against the ancient nameless ones, dying of exhaustion. However, by chanting the Evesting Celestials name, one could resurrect them. Now it can be confirmed that this part of history was fabricated. Neither the Evesting Fairy Yellow Bean nor the Evesting Celestial Dont Wants Face did such things. The Evesting Fairy had already fallen before the ancient nameless ones refined the stars, while the Evesting Celestial had only been born a few months prior. So, is this actually a relic from the ancient times? Lu Yang frowned, feeling that things were not that simple. Yun Zhi shook her head, If it were in the past, I would think so, but after what the senior just said, I now believe the text on the mural might have been deliberately left by someone behind the scenes to mislead us. Yun Zhi turned to ask the Evesting Fairy, Senior, I have just tranted most of the text. In this era, people cannot fully trante the ancientnguage. For instance, this inscriptionneither the schrs sent by the court nor I can trante it. The Evesting Fairy looked at the inscription, frowning and silent. She could, of course, understand it, but it was so strange that she thought she had misread it. She read it word by word, May the Evesting Celestial bless us, and may the Xinhuo Dynasty endure forever. Then the Evesting Fairy asked, What is the Xinhuo Dynasty? Lu Yang also found it odd. He had never heard of a dynasty called Xinhuo. From a chronological perspective, the ancient era ended, the Great Qian Dynasty was established from the ruins, ten thousand yearster, the Great Yu Dynasty reced the Great Qian Dynasty, and after another ten thousand years, the Great Xia Dynasty reced the Great Yu Dynasty, up to the present day. There was no ce for the Xinhuo Dynasty. The Xinhuo Dynasty could not have existed in the ancient times, ording to the Evesting Fairy. Lu Yang and the Evesting Fairy looked at Yun Zhi in unison, hoping for an answer. Yun Zhi frowned slightly, also puzzled by this, I have never heard of the Xinhuo Dynasty either. Could it be that there was a Xinhuo Dynasty in the ancient times? Lu Yang rejected this idea, Impossible. The Fairy told me that in the ancient times there were only tribes, not even the concepts of dynasty or w. The Evesting Fairy nodded. Lu Yang proposed a hypothesis, Is it possible that the concept of a dynasty emerged after the Fairys fall, and a dynasty was established? Yun Zhi shook her head, After the senior fell, the ancient nameless ones soon refined the continent, wiping out all who knew the Fairys true name. The time between these two events is too short to establish a dynasty. Yun Zhi implied that the fall of the Evesting Fairy marked the beginning of the end of the ancient era. Lu Yang seemed to think of something, but the spection was too shocking,pletely overturning themon understanding. Since all doubts are eliminated, only two possibilities remain. The first possibility is that the mural was made by the mastermind behind the scenes, who fabricated an non-existent Xinhuo Dynasty to mislead us. The problem with the first possibility is that fabricating a non-existent dynasty is too easily debunked, making it meaningless. The second possibility is that between the ancient era and the Great Qian era, there was another dynasty called the Xinhuo Dynasty. The Xinhuo Dynasty was actually the first dynasty in history, inheriting from the ancient times, using the ancientnguage, and obtaining ancient treasures. The fall of the Xinhuo Dynasty marked theplete end of the ancient heritage. The problem with the second possibility is, why does no one know about the existence of the Xinhuo Dynasty? How could the rise and fall of a dynasty leave no records at all? (End of the chapter) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 280: Sacrificing to the Everlasting Fairy If the second possibility is true, then it is hard to imagine that the rise and fall of a dynasty, both major events, would not have been recorded in great detail. But now, there are no records at all, not even the name. Who was the founding emperor, how many years did the dynasty exist, how many Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators were there, what problems led to its downfall, why is there no record of any of this these questions remain unanswered. The most crucial question is thest one, which may have simrities with the method used to erase the existence of the Evesting Fairy. Fairy, do immortals falls have any celestial phenomena? The Evesting Fairy was taken aback by this question: There has never been a recorded instance of an immortal falling in history, so who knows if there are any phenomena Oh, wait, I have died before. I dont know what happens after death, probably nothing? The Evesting Fairy wasnt very sure. No phenomena, Yun Zhi answered this question for the Evesting Fairy, surprising Lu Yang.How did Eldest Senior Sister know this? Lu Yang didnt delve into this question further. If an immortals fall had no phenomena, it might mean that no one would know when an immortal fell. Why did the Four Ancient Immortals not resurrect the Evesting Fairy? Was it because they didnt want to, couldnt, or simply didnt know that the Evesting Fairy had fallen? No, even if they didnt know at the time, over the span of 300,000 years, they should have realized that something was wrong and that the Fairy needed to be resurrected. Stop thinking about this, Yun Zhi said, not lingering in front of the mural and walking away directly. Lu Yang and the Evesting Fairy quickly followed. The only text in the ruins is on that mural. If we cant think of an answer right now, lets wait until weve gathered more information, Yun Zhi reminded Lu Yang not to get stuck on this problem. Lu Yang listened to Yun Zhi and nodded, stopping his thoughts on the matter. This ruin has neen floating tforms. Though there are many, theiryouts are mostly the same, just some buildings. Eldest Senior Sister spread her hands, creating a model of the ruins in her palm. The eighteen floating tforms were arranged in a guarding formation around thergest floating tform, with a regryout, as if they were performing some kind of sacrificial ritual. On thergest floating tform, there were numerous pavilions, also arranged in a protection formation, guarding the central altar. The three were headed to this altar. The Evesting Fairy found theyout increasingly familiar: This sacrificial method, why does it look like the one used to sacrifice to me in ancient times? Like sacrificing to the Fairy? The Evesting Fairy nodded and revealed a secret about immortals: Yes, after I became an immortal, Ying Tian Immortal and the others insisted on giving me a. They said that bing an immortal meant having followers, to conveniently demonstrate ones power and celestial dignity. I said it was troublesome, and they said it didnt matter, they could design a sacrificial process for me. The sacrificial method in these ruins is simr to what Ying Tian Immortal and the others designed. They said the number eighteen has special significance in cultivation. Nine is the extreme, and eighteen is the double extreme, the ultimate of ultimates. This sacrificial method symbolizes that I have received eighteen blessings, allowing me to endure forever, neither increasing nor decreasing, the highest standard of sacrifice. The four of them dont even do this. Lu Yang took a deep breath, amazed at the grandeur afforded to the Fairy. Four immortals coborated to design a sacrificial process for her and even exined their design concept? The Four Ancient Immortals were truly broad-minded, not minding the Evesting Fairy causing trouble everywhere. Perhaps only with such a mindset could one be an immortal. Lu Yang had some insight but felt that something was off. Eldest Senior Sister, who had been silently listening to the Evesting Fairys story, had a strange expression on her face. She said, But ording to the old schrs research on this sacrificial method,bined with ancient records, they believe this is an obscure formation from ancient times called the Eighteen Hells Demon-ying Formation. Lu Yang felt that everything made sense now. The Evesting Fairy gritted her teeth upon hearing this, wishing she could single-handedly challenge the Four Ancient Immortals to show them who the strongest immortal was. Those dog bastards, Ying Tian Immortal and the others, I treated them well, yet they dared to do this to me! I think they were being quite restrained with you. Of course, Lu Yang only thought this to himself and wouldnt dare say it aloud in front of the Evesting Fairy for fear of being beaten. Yes, it must be because I beat them too many times before they became immortals, and when they saw me form the Evesting ariya-ph upon bing an immortal, they were jealous of my talent and sought revenge! The Evesting Fairy quickly found the reason within herself, attributing it to her own overwhelming strength. The three of them arrived at the center of the altar, where a giant immortal statue stood, a hundred meters tall. It was the same indistinguishable gender figure of the Evesting Celestial that Lu Yang had seen before. It seemed that this was the origin of the Evesting Celestial statue. The first Sect Leader had seen this statue and established the Undying Sect. At the feet of the statue, there were various rare delicacies made from rare treasures of heaven and earth. The lowest quality ingredient was a 5,000-year-old Ganoderma. (TL Note: Ganoderma is a genus of polypore fungi in the family Ganodermataceae that includes about 80 species, many from tropical regions. They have a high gic diversity and are used in traditional Asian medicines. Ganoderma can be differentiated from other polypores because they have a double-walled basidiospore. They may be called shelf mushrooms or bracket fungi. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganoderma.) Perhaps due to the high quality of the ingredients, they hadnt molded or spoiled after such a long time. The Evesting Fairy showed a face of disdain, very displeased with the Undying Sects method: How crude, cing food at the feet. This was left by the Undying Sect when they came here for sacrificial offerings before their downfall. The Evesting ruins were of utmost importance to the Undying Sect. Besides the once-a-decade prayers, significant events such as appointing or blessing the Sect Leader and even betraying the Sect Leader all took ce here, under the watchful eye of the Evesting Celestial. Lets go. ording to the report, theres something special inside the statue. Yun Zhi led the two around to the back of the statue, where a door was hidden. Mysterious symbols floated in front of the door, continuously sinking, floating, and shaking, sealing the door shut and preventing it from being opened. Yun Zhi felt the strength of the mysterious symbols and believed she could forcefully open it, but doing so might damage the things inside. The first Sect Leader discovered several immortal treasures behind this door. He identally opened it and took a few items. When he tried to return for more treasures, the door had already closed. He tried several times but still couldnt open the door. Helplessly, he had to leave the ruins with the treasures he had taken and established the Undying Sect. The first Sect Leader spent his entire life trying to open this door but failed. Every subsequent Sect Leader also tried to open the door to take the treasures and strengthen the Undying Sect, all to no avail. The old schrs were also at a loss, saying this was a seal left by an immortal, and only an immortal could open it. Fairy, do you know what this symbol means? Can you open this door? The Evesting Fairy had a look of reminiscence: Why does this look like my kitchen door? Look at this symbol; I wrote it myself. It means Important kitchen area, no idle people allowed. (End of the chapter) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 281: The Fairy’s Kitchen Lu Yang couldnt help but recall the immortal treasures possessed by the Undying Sect: The Yellow Millet Pillow. A toothpick. Poisoned chopsticks. Aged vinegar. A bedsheet. A te. It indeed seemed like someone had wandered into a kitchen and randomly taken some items. The power of these items was undeniable, worthy of being called immortal treasures, but their origins were peculiar.As a chef, the thing I dislike most is people entering my kitchen and disturbing my cooking. You can understand that feeling, right? Evesting Fairy asked Lu Yang. Since Lu Yang was a barbecue chef, she considered him a peer and assumed he would share the same sentiments. Lu Yang wanted to say, Where would I have a kitchen, being a roadside barbecue vendor? But considering the unpredictable consequences of not agreeing with the Evesting Fairy, he reluctantly nodded and said, Yes. The Evesting Fairy was pleased to find someone who could empathize with her. She then sighed, I didnt expect that even after I closed the door, someone would still break in. That shouldnt have been possible. Is there anyone else besides you who can open this door? Lu Yang suspected that the mastermind had secretly opened the door, allowing the first Sect Leader to take a few treasures as the Undying Sects foundational treasures. Ying Tian Immortal and the other three can do it. I was afraid theyd be too impatient to wait for my cooking, so I told them how to open the door. But they were too polite and never came in. Yun Zhi shook her head secretly. The seal set by the Evesting Fairy wasnt hard to break. Any immortal, given enough time, could figure out how to open it. How strong could a kitchen seal be? The Evesting Fairy did nothing but stand before the door. The mysterious symbols automatically dissipated, the door opened, revealing the true immortal relicthe Fairys kitchen. This should be the first immortal relic ever opened in history, making it highly significant. The Fairy truly lived up to her title as the sole immortal chef; her kitchen was clean and bright, without any stains, likely due to a dust-removal formation. Once inside, the door closed, cutting off the light source, and the Evesting light illuminated the kitchen. So quiet, it feelspletely isted from the outside world. Hehe, thats thanks to the soundproofing formation I set up. When I handle ingredients, they always make noise, which would disturb the guests. So I set up soundproofing and spirit-severing formations, preventing the outside world from detecting whats going on inside. Lu Yang had a strange expression; it sounded like a room meant for silencing people. Dont touch anything in the kitchen. Its dangerous for you, Yun Zhi warned Lu Yang, knowing he was curious and reminding him to be cautious. Hearing this, Lu Yang quickly retracted his hand. These were items used by immortals. The residual energy from even a single item could shatter Lu Yang to pieces. While Yun Zhi could certainly save him, it wasnt an experience worth having. The Evesting Fairy dismissed the concern with a confident demeanor: Oh, dont worry. With this Fairy protecting Lu Yang, what could possibly go wrong? Upon hearing this, Lu Yangs restless heart settled down. By the way, Fairy, why do you have a Yellow Millet Pillow and a bedsheet in your kitchen? Lu Yang remembered the two immortal treasures of the Undying Sect, which shouldnt logically be in a kitchen. The Evesting Fairy replied matter-of-factly, Thats normal. I like cooking and sleeping. After waking up, Id study how to cook. When I got tired, Id lie down to sleep. With this positive cycle, both my culinary skills and sleeping ability improved rapidly. As she spoke, the Evesting Fairy gestured, mimicking a flying motion. Nonuple Immortal advised me not to spend all my time in the kitchen working so hard, saying that theres no end to culinary skills and that I should get out more. Although outsiders might think Im overworking, I actually find it quite rxing. Is it possible that Nonuple Immortal wasnt concerned about you being tired? Maybe he just didnt want you to continue honing your culinary skills. Evesting Fairy was taken aback, Why? I always let them be the first to taste my new dishes. Yun Zhi noticed a pile of bottles and jars in the corner of the kitchen. She casually lifted the lid off one, and a pungent aroma hit her so hard that she nearly thought she was under attack and instinctively struck out with her palm. Senior, what is this? Yun Zhi asked, pointing to the red liquid in the jade bottle. Chili oil. Havent you seen it before? I remember the Dao Seeking Sect has hot pot? Yun Zhi was silent. She certainly knew chili oil, but this was the first time she had encountered chili oil so potent that it almost made her attack. It was an eye-opening experience. Lu Yang was even more shocked. What kind of chili oil couldst 300,000 years? This chili oil was made using countless heavenly materials and treasures, absorbing the essence of the sun, moon, and stars. Evesting Fairy tapped the bottle, Look at this bottle. I had several master refiners craft it to store this chili oil. Now, about this chili oil. It may look ordinary and simr to regr chili oil, but just a few drops can elevate a dish to a whole new level. Additionally, this chili oil has the ability to discern lies. I didnt realize this during the refining process; it must have been a happy ident. How so? Qilin Immortal loves spicy food. After learning this, I invited him over and added a few drops of this chili oil to his food. I didnt put any in Ying Tian Immortals food. After a few bites, Qilin Immortal started waving his hand, saying he didnt actually like spicy food and asked me to make another dish. Let me tell you, my culinary skills are widely acimed. Even before I became an immortal, I was very popr. For instance, Nonuple Immortal repeatedly asked me to cook for him. Lu Yang was astounded, thinking that Nonuple Immortal must indeed be courageous to have the guts to eat her food multiple times, which surpassed even Ying Tian Immortals bravery. Is that really true? Of course! The first time I cooked for Nonuple Immortal, he was amazed and thought I had great potential. Evesting Fairy spoke with great enthusiasm. Originally, she wasnt very confident in her culinary skills, but this incident gave her immense confidence, allowing her to progress further on the path of celestial cooking, reaching unprecedented heights. Ancient and modern spiritual chefs all admired her. Its a pity she died early; otherwise, she would have be the ancestor of spiritual chefs, worshipped and revered. At celestial gatherings, she often brought up this story, especially thanking Nonuple Immortal for his support. Other immortals, upon hearing this, would smile kindly at Nonuple Immortal. Lu Yang had a strange expression, Did Nonuple Immortal really say that? Evesting Fairy put her hands on her hips, pouted, and furrowed her brows, displeased with Lu Yangs doubt. When have I ever lied to you? A few dayster, he came to me again, asking me to cook for him once more to take away. I asked why he wanted to take it away, but he avoided the question, saying something about the prisoner is stubborn, no amount of torture works, so we need to use unconventional methods. (End of the chapter) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 282: The Final Battle Before the Four Ancient Immortals Achieved the Dao Did the prisoner confess? Lu Yang asked instinctively. The Evesting Fairy was puzzled by Lu Yangs question. How would I know if the prisoner confessed? Nonuple Immortal must have been exhausted from interrogating the prisoner and needed some food to refresh himself. Lets see what ingredients are left in storage. The Evesting Fairy hummed a cheerful tune as she wandered around the kitchen, eventually stopping in front of a pool. Taiyi Holy Water? Yun Zhi softly read out the source of the water in the pool. It wasnt ordinary water but rather the extremely rare Taiyi Holy Water, something so rare it didnt even appear in auctions. Legend had it that Taiyi Holy Water could purify all things and cleanse the soul. A single drop could pull a cultivator back from the brink of a Qi deviation. If Yun Zhi remembered correctly, there were now only a few drops of Taiyi Holy Water left, scattered among the major powers as part of their foundational resources, never to be used lightly. The Dao Seeking Sect once had three drops, which they used on elders who were in a state of Qi deviation. Currently, the Dao Seeking Sect had no Taiyi Holy Water left. But here was an entire pool of Taiyi Holy Water. The surface of the water was calm, reflecting the delicate face of the Evesting Fairy.Why is there a pool here? Lu Yang didnt recognize the Taiyi Holy Water but was curious why there was a pool in the kitchen. Its a sink for washing vegetables. Dont you wash your ingredients before cooking? The Evesting Fairy looked at Lu Yang with a youre really unhygienic expression, making Lu Yangs eye twitch. Taiyi Holy Water could purify all things, so using it to wash vegetables could make sense somewhat. Eldest Senior Sister hesitated, thinking that the ingenuity of the ancient immortals was truly impressive, able toe up with such unique uses. The Evesting Fairy extended her index finger and lightly touched the surface of the water. Ripples spread out from the point of contact. The water seemed to respond to some kind ofmand, parting in the middle to reveal an underwater space. The underwater space waspletely dry, with no water droplets or mist. A strange power separated the pool from the underwater space. If the pool and the underwater space were seen as a container, the pool would be the lid. The items in the underwater space left Lu Yang astonished: unknown but vibrant beast meat, immortal fruits that had long disappeared from history, perfectly spherical stones of incredible precision, and flowers that emitted multicolored radiance. All these items hinted at their extraordinary origins. But the most crucial question was After 300,000 years, these things are still perfectly preserved?! Lu Yang was shocked. Even Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators, if they lived ry-style, many would have died several times over in 300,000 years. Yun Zhi raised an eyebrow. In her perception, the time in the underwater space waspletely still. The Evesting Fairy first made sure her treasures were intact, then secretly breathed a sigh of relief before proudly saying, This space was created for me by Immemorial Immortal! He used the power of the Time ariya-ph topletely freeze the time in this space. Whatever you put in will stay exactly as it was when you take it out! Lu Yang gasped. Freezing time in a localized area, could the Time ariya-ph really aplish such a thing?! When Immemorial Immortal first became an immortal and formed the Time ariya-ph, he couldnt do this. It was only with my help that he mastered this technique. To thank me, he created a space where time stands still for my use. Fairy, are you also proficient in the power of time? Lu Yang recalled the time-rted divine powers mastered by the Evesting Fairy. One was a feigning death technique that could control her own time, elerating the decay of her corpse. Another was a weather forecast ability that could urately predict future weather. No matter how he looked at it, the Evesting Fairy didnt seem capable of instructing Immemorial Immortal. Immemorial Immortal said that only when facing a threat can the power of the ariya-ph be stimted. But for an immortal, there are almost no threats. So he asked me to cook for him. He wanted to freeze his own time while eating. After a few days of practice, he mastered it. Lu Yang: Maybe while eating, he remembered being pinned to the ground and beaten by me during his Tribtion Crossing Stage days, and felt a sense of threat. Nonuple Immortal taught me that this is called a conditioned reflex. Tribtion Crossing Stage? Yun Zhi perked up at the keyword, recalling a story she had read in ancient texts. Fairy, do you know about the grand battle that Ying Tian Immortal and the other three went through before they became immortals, back when they were still in the Tribtion Crossing Stage? The final battle before bing immortals? Lu Yangs interest was piqued. This sounded like an epic story, evoking numerous passionate and thrilling associations. Yun Zhi nodded slightly, reminiscing about the contents of the ancient texts. ording to legend, before the four ancient immortals achieved the Dao, there was a great decisive battle. Ying Tian Immortal, Qilin Immortal, and Nonuple Immortal, these three proud prodigies, joined forces against Immemorial Immortal. ording to those who witnessed the battle, Ying Tian Immortal sternly questioned Immemorial Immortal during the fight, asking Who can be an immortal!. Facing Ying Tian Immortals question, Immemorial Immortal didnt dare respond, losing in terms of mindset. People spected that among the four ancient immortals, Immemorial Immortals true form was a Heaven-Reaching World Tree, a being that existed for countless ages with terrifyingly deep foundations, making him the most likely to be an immortal. Ying Tian Immortal and the other two teamed up to prevent Immemorial Immortal from bing the first immortal. At first, the Evesting Fairy furrowed her brows, not recalling any such final battle before bing immortal. But as she listened further, she suddenly realized, Oh, that! Youvee to the right person. I know about this. Let me tell you, before Immemorial Immortal became an immortal, he always had his nose in the air, looking down on everyone. At that time, we were both in the Tribtion Crossing Stage. Immemorial Immortal once asked me, out of all the heroes in the world, who could be an immortal? I asked if Ying Tian Immortal could, and he said Ying Tian Immortal ced too much importance on his status, which was a burden on the path to immortality. I asked if Qilin Immortal could, and he said Qilin Immortal was a crude warrior, relying on innate luck, and his smooth cultivation path made it difficult for him to pass the trials of bing an immortal. I asked if Nonuple Immortal could, and he said Nonuple Immortal had mediocre talent and would have been defeated by other prodigies long ago if not for his Immortal Physique. Such a person couldnt be an immortal. I asked if I could, and he said I was too sharp and aggressive. Though I walked the path of invincibility, being too rigid would break me. He also said I had a meticulous mind, which was not in harmony with the natural way, making my mindset inferior and thus impossible to be an immortal. I asked him who could be an immortal then, and hemented that despite the vastness of the world, only he could be an immortal, doomed to eternal loneliness. I was so angry at the time that I pinned him to the ground and gave him a beating. Only then did he admit that I could be an immortal too. Even then, I was still angry, feeling that one beating wasnt enough. But having already beaten him once, doing it again wouldnt look good. So I told Ying Tian Immortal, Qilin Immortal, and Nonuple Immortal about our conversation. Then the three of them teamed up to teach Immemorial Immortal a lesson. In one-on-onebat, Immemorial Immortal feared no one, but against three, he was just there to take a beating. When Ying Tian Immortal asked him Who can be an immortal, Immemorial Immortal knew he was in the wrong and didnt dare answer. Yun Zhi: So this was the true story behind the legendary final battle of the four ancient immortals before they achieved the Dao? Lu Yang sneaked a nce at Eldest Senior Sisters reaction, thinking, now you know what kind of ancient stories I listen to every day, right? (End of the chapter) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 283: Great Harvest Lu Yang could confidently say that his understanding of ancient knowledge was nowparable to that of old schrs who had studied it their entire lives. Unlike the misceneous knowledge of those old schrs, the knowledge Lu Yang had mastered was all rted to ancient immortals, something those schrs deeply desired. Previously, Lu Yang knew nothing about ancient knowledge, and he would listen to whatever the Evesting Fairy said, epting it easily. But someone like the Eldest Senior Sister, who had her own unique insights into ancient times, found it difficult to ept when listening to the Evesting Fairys stories. This was the advantage of ignorance. Lu Yang no longer fretted over the discrepancies between legends and truths. He curiously inquired about the items stored in the underwater space. What is this piece of beast meat that exudes vigorous vitality? The Evesting Fairy, touching her chin, tried hard to recall what the creature looked like when it was alive. Is it the meat of a Bi Fang no, its the meat of a Chaos beast no, what was it again? (TL Note: The ssic of Mountains and Seas lists the Bifang bird as item sixty-nine. Described as one-legged, crane-like, red markings on green, white-beaked, named by onomatopoiesis by the sound it makes, and an omen of fire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bifang)Fairy, you cant remember what kind of meat this is? Then how do you cook it? Lu Yang was quite astonished. Although the Evesting Fairy was from 300,000 years ago, from her perspective, it was as if she had been killed 300,000 years ago, fell into a deep sleep, woke up to be scolded by the Eldest Senior Sister, and then stayed in her own mental space for three months. In other words, to the Evesting Fairy, it was as if she hadnt been in the kitchen for just three months and had forgotten what kind of meat this was? Why do I need to know what kind of meat it is? the Evesting Fairy retorted, leaving Lu Yang speechless. Meeting is fate, and eating also follows the fate. The piece of meat I choose means it has a fate with todays meal. Clearly, the Evesting Fairy had her own unique views on cooking. Then what about this fruit? Lu Yang pointed at a rather conspicuous fruit. It was about the size of an apple, pure white, with three faint rings of light surrounding it. The light emitted brilliance that lingered in the air, staying still due to the time suspension. This, ah, is the Evesting Immortal Fruit I nted. Evesting Immortal Fruit? What does it do? Grant immortality? Lu Yang immediately thought the fruit was incredibly valuable. Immortality was the wish of many. When people die, they vanish like extinguishedmps, no matter how powerful they were in life, they be mere dust, rendering everything they owned useless. An immortal fruit that could grant eternal life was an irresistible temptation even for those in the Tribtion Crossing Stage. The Evesting Fairy solemnly nodded, The person who consumes the immortal fruit will have an evesting corpse. Lu Yang: How does this rte to what I guessed? Senior, is this a Azure Wood Immortal Fruit? Yun Zhi pointed at another dark blue fruit. She thought it resembled the Azure Wood Immortal Fruit that the newly recruited disciple Jin Qinqin had consumed in her childhood. One Azure Wood Immortal Fruit had given Jin Qinqin a physiqueparable to top-tier dual spirit roots. Yes, this is the Azure Wood Immortal Fruit nted by an Immemorial Immortal. I asked for a few, they taste good, and this is the only one left after I ate the others. What about this stone? Is it a whetstone? Lu Yang then noticed a very regr spherical stone, puzzled as to why a stone was stored in an underwater space meant for food. Even the Eldest Senior Sister frowned. She could sense the strange power contained in this stone,parable to the power of the Void Refinement Stage or even Unity. But she couldnt identify what the stone was. This is a star core, the core of a. I dug it out from a massive uninhabited. You dont recognize it? Oh right, there are no mores in the universe now. So this is a star core. The Eldest Senior Sister had seen it in ancient books, stating it was a good material for refining artifacts, capable of creating immortal treasures. But why was a star core in the kitchen? What is this star core used for? Food. Lu Yang was shocked, This thing can be eaten?! The Evesting Fairy waved her hand, feeling that Lu Yang was very ignorant. If it couldnt be eaten, why would I put it here? Ordinary people certainly cant eat it. For instance, you, a little guy who just formed a golden core, would break all your teeth if you tried to take a bite. But immortals are different. Immortals have immortal bodies, the hardest bodies in the world. Teeth, being the hardest part of the body, can definitely bite through a small star core. Dont you know the higher the energy content of an ingredient, the more delicious it is? Star cores are top-notch ingredients in my eyes! Moreover, isnt one of the purposes of eating to replenish energy? Besides, havent you heard of the Goldstone Powder pill form? Stones can be used in medicine, so they can naturally be eaten as food. Lu Yang felt that the Evesting Fairy made some sense. Immortals chewing on star cores might be as simple as chewing on cookies, but it still felt odd. Could it be that he had always misunderstood the four ancient immortals? Thinking they spent their days happily chewing on stones, why did it feel like they were so impoverished? What about this flower? Is it also an ingredient? Lu Yang pointed at a flower emitting five-colored light, frozen in time. No, its a garnish for ting. But if you want to eat it, thats fine too; it tastes good and is quite refreshing. The Evesting Fairy knew that cooking required attention to color, aroma, and taste. This five-colored light flower represented the color aspect. The three of them wandered around the kitchen, which greatly broadened the horizons of both Lu Yang and Yun Zhi. Lu Yang felt that this kitchen perfectly matched the Evesting Fairys style. Yun Zhi was worried that the Evesting Fairy, living in Lu Yangs mental space, might lead him astray. Seeing the fairy leave the kitchen reluctantly, Yun Zhi asked, Fairy, are you reluctant to leave the kitchen? Not really, its just rare to see familiar things. Its quite nostalgic. The Evesting Fairyughed, a bit embarrassed. Yun Zhi nodded, No problem, these were originally your things. After we leave, I will speak with Emperor Xia to get your kitchen back. The Evesting Fairys eyes lit up, Really? Really. The three of them took another turn around the Evesting ruins but found nothing new, so they left the ruins. The Evesting Fairy voluntarily entered Lu Yangs mental space. The old general had been guarding the entrance to the ruins. Seeing the twoe out, he asked, Did you gain anything from your trip to the ruins? A great harvest. I will inform His Majesty, Emperor Xia, about the ruins, Yun Zhi said calmly, not at all like someone who actually had a great harvest. Its good to have gains. The old general saw the two off. On the way back, Lu Yang pondered the issue of the ruins and asked, Eldest Senior Sister, how exactly were the Evesting ruins formed? Yun Zhi thought for a moment and said, I believe they were created by the mastermind. Lets first assume that the Xinhuo Dynasty really existed and that it worshiped the Evesting Celestial. This exins the origin of the neen floating stones in the ruins. As for the predecessors kitchen, I specte that during ancient times, when the nameless person refined the stars, he caused the predecessors cave to crumble and split into several parts, with the kitchen being one of them. The mastermind refined the Xinhuo Dynastys sacrificial site into the body of the Evesting ruins and refined the predecessors kitchen into the Evesting Celestial statue. This way, the first-generation Sect Leader not only knew of the Evesting Celestials existence and established the Undying Sect but also, with the masterminds secret help, obtained immortal treasures from the predecessors kitchen, ensuring the Undying Sect wouldnt perish prematurely. I see. Halfway through, Lu Yang realized that the Eldest Senior Sister had no intention of returning to the Dao Seeking Sect but was instead heading towards Great Yan County. Eldest Senior Sister, do we still need to return to Great Yan County? Eldest Senior Sister said faintly, Our master is imprisoned in Great Yan Countys jail. We should visit him, both emotionally and logically. (End of the chapter) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 284: Daoist Non-Speaker and His Inexplicable Connection to Jail Lu Yang heard that Daoist Non-Speaker was in jail and blurted out, Master is in jail again? Wait, why did I say again? Yun Zhi sighed deeply and nodded, I dont want to admit it, but its true. Even though Ive told Master many times, If you cause trouble in the future, dont mention your disciples, But in the end, he is still our Master. Even if he embarrasses himself outside, we must call him Master when we meet him, and not pretend we dont know him. So the main point just now was about calling him Master, not why he ended up in jail? Master wrote a letter asking someone to go and get him out of jail. ording to past practice, its usually the Fourth Elder who goes to bail him out. This time, since Master is in Great Yan County, we can visit him after dealing with the Evesting ruins and see why hes in jail again. Does Master often go to jail? Not often, but he spends more time in jail than most prison guards. Due to Masters unique experiences, he believes that one must leave something behind in their life, so he wrote books based on his personal experiences and gained the support of the court. Lu Yang was curious, What did Master write? The book is called Changes in the Prison Environment of the Great Xia Dynasty over Two Thousand Years. Yun Zhi casually listed a few examples, I heard that during the Dao Seeking Sects Nine era, Master often drove his flying sword under the influence of alcohol,mitting the crime of dangerous driving, and would spend months in jail each time. Yun Zhi further exined to Lu Yang about the current legal situation in the Great Xia Dynasty, This is actually the mostmon crimemitted by cultivators. Its not just driving flying swords, but also gourds, jade flutes, and the like. Many cultivators dont want to use spiritual qi to sober up after drinking, so they fly around drunk, and the Great Xia Dynasty has repeatedly tried to stop this. Master also once pretended to be a fortune teller, confidently telling a client that they would lose money that day. If they wanted to avoid being cheated, they had to pay to avert the disaster. The client believed Master and paid him spirit stones. Master took the spirit stones and said, See, I told you youd be cheated today. My prediction was urate, right? And then he was jailed. Daoist Non-Speaker had done so many things that Yun Zhi couldnt finish listing them all at once, so she just picked a few examples for Lu Yang. I dont know if youve heard, little junior brother, but Master once created a spell called Minor Major As You Wish (Localized Version). Its easy to learn and master. (TL Note: This spell was mentioned in Chapter 109) Lu Yang nodded. He had indeed heard of that spell, where men could change their lower parts and women their upper parts. He had even wanted to learn it but never found the opportunity. Originally, the court wanted to charge Master with creating, copying, publishing, selling, and spreading obscene materials for profit. The Fourth Elder stepped in and argued that Masters spell was a health technique without any explicit intent. After much debate, the court relented, did not charge Master with a crime, but required him to stop spreading the spell and pay the tax for selling the books. The Fourth Elder is righteous! Lu Yang didnt expect that although the Fourth Elder usually seemed displeased with Master, he would step up and save him from imprisonment at a critical moment. Yun Zhi nced at Lu Yang and said faintly, Because the Fourth Elder was also involved in the selling. If Master were guilty, he wouldnt escape either. In other words, if Master were guilty, the entire of the Dao Seeking Sects Nine would be charged, and theyd all go to jail together. No matter what, Master made a lot of money that time, living extravagantly and not treating spirit stones as precious. Master once imitated the Supreme Elder by visiting a brothel. At that time, he was dressed in gold and silver, looking like a nouveau riche. The madam of the brothel was delighted, thinking he was a big customer. But when Master asked for a receipt, the madams face turned sour, thinking he was there to cause trouble, and refused to give one. Master believed the brothel was evading taxes, so he reported it to the authorities. In the end, the authorities found the brothel guilty of tax evasion and jailed the madam. They then also jailed Master for soliciting prostitution. When the era of the Nine Sons of Dao Seeking Sect ended, and the Supreme Elder retired, Master and the others took over the sects major responsibilities, but he didnt settle down. You should know, the Great Elder has a hobby of building tombs. Master apanied the Great Elder to build tombs all over. While digging a pit for a tomb, they identally dug up a real tomb. They were reported as grave robbers, and the authorities sent people to arrest them. The two thought zombies were attacking and almost started a fight. The Evesting Fairy, listening from the mental space, clicked her tongue in amazement. Dao Seeking Sect indeed had many extraordinary people, and staying in Lu Yangs mental space truly broadened her horizons. Lu Yang: Lu Yang felt it was not easy to remain steadfast and honest with the influences of both the Evesting Fairy and Daoist Non-Speaker surrounding him. Isnt Master at the Unity stage? How did he get caught? As the leader of Dao Seeking Sect and a top-tier Unity Stage Cultivator, possibly the strongest in the Unity Stage, even if everyone in Great Yan County were stacked together, they wouldnt be a match for Daoist Non-Speaker. How could he still get caught? Master says jail time is part of worldly cultivation. Does breaking out of jail count as part of worldly cultivation? Yun Zhi was silent for a long time, then looked deeply at Lu Yang: Dont ask Master this question. Im afraid hell get ideas. Lu Yang scratched his head and said, I have one more question. What is it? Arent we supposed to visit him in jail? Why are we eating now? At this moment, Lu Yang and Yun Zhi were sitting in a small private room, in front of a table filled with delicious dishes. After returning from the Evesting ruins, Yun Zhi didnt go directly to the jail but instead brought Lu Yang to the best restaurant in Great Yan County, ordering all the local specialties, making Lu Yangs eyes widen. He wanted to ask, with Master being held nearby, wasnt it inappropriate for the two of them to be feasting here? Considering that he was sitting across from the Eldest Senior Sister, he ultimately didnt dare to ask. Yun Zhi took a bite of the steamed beef balls. The beef balls were firm and juicy, and she was very satisfied. Putting down her chopsticks, Yun Zhi exined without any expression, Little junior brother, you must understand, what is Master to us? He is our elder. The greatest wish of an elder is to see the younger generation healthy and thriving. Us eating well and sleeping well here will surely make Master very happy when he learns about it in jail. Lu Yang felt that what Eldest Senior Sister said made a lot of sense but still found it a bit strange. Is my brain not working welltely because of the aftereffects of practicing the Yellow Bean Fist? (End of the chapter) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 285: I Agree to Sentence the Old Thief Non-Speaker to Death! Mo Danxin, the current governor of Great Yan County, was known for his fairness and impartiality, earning him the nickname Righteous Mo. He remained unmoved by local forces bribes and gestures of goodwill, firmly rejecting them. He treated mortals and cultivators equally, showing no special treatment to cultivators. Moreover, he was the most powerful cultivator in thr Great Yan County, with a mid-Spirit Transformation cultivation level. With the nations fortune supporting him, no one could threaten his safety. Mo Danxin also vigorously promoted the tourism industry and developed a unique culinary culture for Great Yan County, attracting more people to visit and boosting the local economy. Under his governance, Great Yan County thrived. However, he recently encountered two unexpected events that he felt were beyond his capabilities. The first was that the court had stationed troops in the abandoned mountains, reportedly discovering a demonic cults stronghold. It was unclear whether it was rted to the destroyed Undying Sect or one of the other three demonic cults. The troops were led by General Lu, a Unity cultivator with high military prestige. With the general stationed there, Mo Danxin, as a mere county governor, didnt need to worry. The second event was that a high-profile figure was imprisoned, someone second only to the emperor, the leader of one of the Five Great Immortal Sects, the strongest below the Tribtion Crossing Stage, and the most powerful swordsman of the era with enemies all over the world: Daoist Non-Speaker. Fortunately, this bigshot waspliant, staying in jail without resistance. If he had resisted, Mo Danxin couldnt have detained him. From a legal standpoint, he had jurisdiction, and Daoist Non-Speakers offense was minor, warranting only a few days in jail. But Mo Danxin felt that Daoist Non-Speakers high status warranted reporting his case to the court. Mo Danxin also faced another problemalthough Daoist Non-Speaker was detained, he was storytelling in jail, attracting many people.For instance, someone who stole a few taels of silver should be jailed for five days ording to thew. Their family could bring them meals, the jail wasfortable in all seasons, and next door, a Unity master was storytelling. Those five days were more than pleasant. Somehow, this experience spread, and many people followed suit, filling the jail to capacity. Outsiders might think Great Yan County was full of heinous criminals, with the jail overcrowded. If such rumors reached the emperor, all of Mo Danxins achievements would be tarnished, and he wouldnt be able to exin himself. Who would believe that the jail was full because people wanted to hear stories? Fortunately, the court took this matter seriously, and the Minister of Justice personally flew to Great Yan County to handle Daoist Non-Speakers case. Sir, the Minister of Justice is almost here, a subordinate whispered. Mo Danxin, hearing this, quickly changed from his casual clothes to his official uniform and went out to greet him. As Mo Danxin stepped out, the Minister of Justice descended from the sky, without even bringing his attendants, showing the urgency of his visit. The Minister of Justice, Xu Xin, was tall and imposing, with well-defined features. His elegant clothes highlighted his esteemed status, and his profound understanding of thew earned the emperors deep trust. Sir Xu, regarding the Dao Seeking Sect leaders matter The Minister of Justice waved his hand, I know all the details. I agree to sentence the Old Thief Non-Speaker to death! Ah? But the leader of Dao Seeking Sect is Death sentence! The Minister of Justice dered emphatically. Seeing the Ministers attitude, Mo Danxin remembered a rumorsupposedly, any stone thrown towards the imperial city would hit an official who was an enemy of Daoist Non-Speaker. Theres even a poem: Under the heavens, who doesnt recognize you?? referring to Daoist Non-Speaker. (TL Note: This is a famous piece written by Tang Dynasty poet Gao Shi. It was written as a farewell to his friend. The full line is Dont worry that there are no friends on the road ahead, Under the heavens, who doesnt recognize you? https://.gushiwen/mingju_839.aspx) Lets go see the Old Thief Non-Speaker! The Minister of Justice dragged Mo Danxin towards the jail. He had heard that Daoist Non-Speaker was detained in Great Yan County, and he had even skipped a meal with his colleagues to rush over and see the spectacle. The jail was bustling with noise, as if filled with dangerous criminals causing a ruckus. Listening closely, one would realize that it was someone in the jail telling a story. So on that day, Qin Jiunian, the Great Elder of Dao Seeking Sect, and I were traveling across the Central Continent. Using the Heavenly Eye, we discovered a tomb with a sky-high aura of corpse energy. I calcted that a corpse king-level zombie must have been born! Originally, we nned to return to the sect for reinforcements to surround the corpse king, but the corpse king discovered us and attempted to escape by burrowing underground! Acting quickly, I struck first with the move Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens, breaking throughyers of seals and thick soil to block the corpse kings retreat. Seeing this, the corpse king led a vast army of zombies to attack Qin Jiunian and me! Who are we? The Sect Leader and the Great Elder of Dao Seeking Sect. How could a mere corpse king think of defeating us? The corpse king revealed its true form, transforming thend into a dry, deste area, connecting with underground fire, turning the sky and earth into a sea of mes! With one swing of my sword, the wind and clouds stirred, darkening the heavens and earth. Qin Jiunian used his Heaven and Earth Form, making a finger as thick as a mountain. The prisoners watched Daoist Non-Speaker intently, holding their breath, afraid to disturb him. Daoist Non-Speakers dramatic storytelling brought nonexistent events to life, making everyone feel as if they were witnessing the battle firsthand. The Minister of Justice, Xu Xin, had a strange expression. If he remembered correctly, the incident between Non-Speaker and the Great Elder involved building a tomb, identally digging up a real one, and being mistaken for grave robbers. Where was this corpse king and zombie storying from? It seemed that in the few years he hadnt seen him, Non-Speakers ability to spin tall tales had only grown! Recalling past incidents where he had been fooled by Daoist Non-Speaker, Xu Xin gritted his teeth. Finally, hes fallen into my hands! Non-Speaker, youre living quitefortably, arent you? Xu Xin said with a smile, looking at Daoist Non-Speaker. Everyone in the jail turned to look at Xu Xin, eyes filled with anger, feeling that this person was very rude for interrupting their storytelling session. Seeing Xu Xins elegant attire and Mo Danxin following behind him, they realized Xu Xin was a high-ranking official. As for how high, they didnt know. Daoist Non-Speakerughed heartily upon seeing Xu Xin. Let me introduce everyone. This is Lord Xu Xin, the current Minister of Justice! Non-Speaker, I advise you to show me some respect. Whether you stay in jail for ten days or ten years is up to me! Mo Danxin quietly reminded from behind, Lord Xu, this should be determined ording to thew. Lord Xu red at Mo Danxin, who quickly lowered his head in fear. Lord Xu then turned back to Daoist Non-Speaker, resuming his smiling demeanor. Daoist Non-Speaker, maintaining an air of immortality and grace even in jail, replied, What do you want from me? Should we go outside and have a real fight? If I win, you let me go. If I lose, you can keep me here as long as you want? Upon hearing this, Xu Xin mmed the table. Alright, its a deal! Although he had been defeated by Daoist Non-Speaker at the Golden Core Stage, Nascent Soul Stage, and Spirit Transformation Stage, he was now the Minister of Justice, having subdued countless vicious criminals. In terms of cultivation andbat experience, he was not afraid of Daoist Non-Speaker! Lord Xu tore off the jail chains and opened the cell door. Come out! Daoist Non-Speaker smiled faintly and said to Mo Danxin, Lord Mo, you saw that, right? I wanted to escape, and Lord Xu agreed to my escape n, even personally opening the cell door for me. Im the main culprit, and hes the aplice. You should lock him up too. Mo Danxin pondered for two seconds, then stepped forward, making a polite gesture. The Sect Leader of Dao Seeking Sect is right. Lord Xu, you have openly broken thew in front of me. Pleasee in. Xu Xin: Non-Speaker, even in jail, you can still screw me over! (End of the chapter) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 286: The Minister of Justice Must Also Go to Jail Daoist Non-Speaker, whose real name is Ye Wanli, is 2,230 years old and currently serves as the Sect Leader of Dao Seeking Sect. During his detention, he attempted to escape but stopped due to his own will, which constitutes an aborted crime. He voluntarily surrendered, showed remorse, and reported his aplice. ording to the criminalw, he should be given a lighter or reduced punishment and can be exempted from criminal penalties. Xu Xin, 2,232 years old, currently serves as the Minister of Justice of the Great Xia Dynasty. While guiding work in Great Yan County, he openly discussed an escape n with Daoist Non-Speaker, voluntarily opened the cell, and released him. His act of knowingly breaking thew, showing contempt for thew, and publicly facilitating an escape had a severely negative social impact and should be severely punished. Mo Danxin silently evaluated both Daoist Non-Speaker and the Minister of Justice. As expected of the Sect Leader of Dao Seeking Sect, he managed to get a Minister into jail right upon meeting, and its the Minister of Justice, who is most knowledgeable about thew. Lord Xu, please enter. I will set a court date to hear this case, Mo Danxin said. ording to jurisdictional regtions, Mo Danxin could hear this case. Lord Xu is perhaps the most knowledgeable person about thew in the dynasty, understanding both legal theory and practice much better than Mo Danxin. However, Non-Speakers tricks were too insidious, luring him to open the cell door impulsively without realizing the trap behind it. Ordinarily, if he let someone out, no one would say anything, but this time was different. With Mo Danxin, who takes everything seriously, he had no legal ground to stand on. Since he had no legal ground, he decided to honestly spend some time in jail, considering it a life experience.Lord Xu snorted coldly and voluntarily walked into the cell, ncing at the serene and dignified Daoist Non-Speaker. Move aside. This spot is mine! Its just jail time. Whos afraid? Everyone came to listen to stories, so the jail was overcrowded, but Daoist Non-Speakers cell was empty. Daoist Non-Speaker didnt mind and moved to another spot, smiling warmly, weing Lord Xu to share the cell. Lord Xu, from now on, we are cellmates. Lets get along harmoniously. Non-Speaker, you must be tired of living! Lord Xu punched Daoist Non-Speaker in the face, but Daoist Non-Speaker tilted his head to dodge it. Daoist Non-Speaker wasnt one to be easily bullied. Letting someone attack him without retaliating would be too humiliating. He kicked at Lord Xus groin, but Lord Xu quickly closed his legs, trapping Daoist Non-Speakers foot. The two controlled their strength with perfect precision, not wasting a bit, ensuring all the force would hit their opponent without spilling over. The two top-tier Unity Stage experts began to brawl in the cell, with neither gaining the upper hand. The other prisoners watched in amazement, never expecting to see two Unity experts fight. Mo Danxin observed silently. Jailhouse fighting didnt vite the criminalw, and maintaining order in the jail was the wardens responsibility, not his. He thought about how Daoist Non-Speaker and the Minister of Justice were topbatants among Unity experts, making the average cultivation level of the jails prisoners at the Spirit Transformation Stage. A new historical high. Lord Mo, someone outside is requesting to visit the prison, a warden reported, running up to Mo Danxin. Mo Danxin waved his hand impatiently. For such a small matter, you need my permission? Let them through. Every day, countless people came to visit the prison. Though they said it was to visit, it was actually to deliver meals. Some would even sit outside the cells, listening to Daoist Non-Speakers stories. Mo Danxin assumed it was another such visitor. The warden signaled his colleague at the entrance to let the visitor in. By the way, who are they here to visit? Mo Danxin asked on a whim. They im to be the first and fourth disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect leader, here to visit their master, the warden replied. Mo Danxin didnt notice that when the warden mentioned the first disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect leader, both Unity experts in the cell stopped fighting simultaneously, a look of fear shing in their eyes. You called Yun Zhi here?! Lord Xu, an old minister of the court, knew of Yun Zhis existence. He wondered how the disciple would view him if he were seen beating up her master. Daoist Non-Speaker was also anxious. Nonsense! I wrote to the sect asking them to get me out, but its usually old fourth whoes. Who knew Little Yun would show up! He couldnt exin why, but he felt a distinct fear of Yun Zhiing. Its good to see someone from the Dao Seeking Sect finally here, Mo Danxin, who didnt recognize Yun Zhi, said out of courtesy. Ill go out and greet them. No need, Lord Mo, we are already here, Yun Zhis cold voice rang out. Before Mo Danxin could react, Yun Zhi and Lu Yang were standing before him. Shrinking Earth into Inches. Were here to visit our master. Where is he? Yun Zhi asked. Mo Danxin pointed to the nearby cell. Yun Zhi followed his gesture and saw Daoist Non-Speaker sitting in a corner, with the Minister of Justice sitting next to him. She was silent for a long time, unable to understand what had happened. Had her master and the Minister of Justice gotten into a street fight and been arrested? Given her masters past actions and his rtionship with the Minister of Justice, it didnt seem impossible. Eldest Senior Sister, whos the person locked up with Master? Lu Yang asked quietly. He noticed that Xu Xin was dressed in luxurious clothes and had an imposing demeanor that subtly rivaled Daoist Non-Speakers, suggesting he was also a significant figure. Hes the Minister of Justice, Xu Xin. Hiss Lu Yang thought, The Great Xia Dynastys legal system is so strict that even the Minister of Justice gets jailed. Id better be careful in the future to avoid ending up like Master. Determined, Lu Yang decided he would studyw diligently to avoid any future prison time. Yun Zhi looked down at her master with a cold voice, Its been months since west met, and its reassuring to see Master as lively as ever, with numerous listeners and enemies forpany. It seems youre living well in prison, so I can rest easy. Lu Yang thought, Eldest Senior Sister, youre doing this on purpose, arent you? You were just having a meal with me, eating more than I did. Were you worried about Master at all? Though Master doesnt really need anyones worry. Its those who get caught up in his schemes who should be concerned. Seeing Yun Zhis apparent attitude of letting him fend for himself, Daoist Non-Speaker quickly said, Good disciple, you cant just leave me here! Im innocent! The Minister of Justice, experienced in determining innocence, suggested, Theres a record in the Great Yu Dynasty that if an innocent person is beheaded, it snows in June. Now its June, so I propose we behead Non-Speaker once and see if it snows! (TL Note: The part about snowing in June is closely rted to the story of Dou E from the Yuan Dynasty y The Injustice to Dou E by Guan Hanqing. The story tells of Dou E, a young woman who was wrongfully used and executed. Upon her execution, she dered three curses to prove her innocence, one of which was that it would snow in June, an impossible phenomenon meant to signify her unjust death. Indeed, snow fell in June, highlighting the depth of her wrongful conviction and the cosmic injustice of her fate?. This phrase has be a metaphor for extreme injustice, where even nature reacts to human wrongdoing. The phrase ·˪ (Li yu fi shung), meaning snow in June, is often used in Chinese culture to describe a great injustice or a shocking event, as such an urrence would be seen as a sign from heaven indicating something gravely wrong) Xu Xin, you bastard! As the Minister of Justice, cant you act fairly? Daoist Non-Speaker roared. I can, but not for you. Can you count how many times youve schemed against me? And you expect me to speak well of you? Unity Stage-levelbat resumed in the cramped cell. Yun Zhi rubbed her temples in frustration. She had wanted to take a break and rx, but peace seemed impossible. (End of the chapter) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 287: Ancestor of the Thieves’ Sect Lord Mo, what crime has my mastermitted this time to end up in jail? Was it soliciting prostitutes without paying, faking an ident to extort money, or secretly selling Minor Major As You Wish (Localized Version) again? Yun Zhi was skeptical of her masters im of innocence. Having spent nearly a thousand years with him, Yun Zhi knew when to believe her masters words and when not to. Eldest Senior Sister, when can you believe Masters words? Lu Yang asked curiously. When Master isnt talking. Then when cant you believe Masters words? When Master is talking. Lu Yang: The Minister of Justice, upon hearing this, excitedly pped his thigh. Yun Zhis words instantly enlightened him.No wonder her cultivation was so high. Her ability to summarize things was beyond him. If he had learned not to trust Non-Speakers nonsense earlier, he wouldnt be stuck in the same cell with him now. Lord Mo shook his head, None of those. ording to our investigation, Daoist Non-Speaker has been in Great Yan County for over ten days. During this time, he has been quite well-behaved. By day, he tells the story of The Legend of Dao Seeking Sect at a teahouse, drawing full houses every time, ending each session with Stay tuned to listen to the next part, leaving countless people eagerly anticipating the next day. At night, he thinks about how to fabricate the story for the next day, living quitefortably. Lu Yang was dumbfounded. So his masters storytelling was made up on the spot? Lu Yang considered himself good at improvising, no worse than Meng Jingzhou, but he couldnt match Daoist Non-Speakers ability to make up a story one night and tell it the next day. So The Legend of Dao Seeking Sect was your creation! Lord Xu looked at Daoist Non-Speaker in surprise. The Legend of Dao Seeking Sect was widely known, even the teahouses in the imperial city told the story. He had listened out of boredom once. He heard the stories from the era of the Dao Seeking Sects Nine, with many embellishments glorifying Daoist Non-Speaker. Displeased with the exaggerations, he stopped listening. Other officials in the capital had simr reactions. They listened out of curiosity but found the stories deviated greatly from their understanding and didnt continue. However, themon people were very entertained. Despite the exaggerations, it was still a story about cultivators from a top-tier sect, full of colorful and captivating deeds. Do you have any shame? The character in the story has nothing inmon with you except the name! Lord Xu gave Daoist Non-Speaker a disdainful look. Its called appropriate embellishment, Daoist Non-Speaker said without a trace of shame. Lord Mo continued, Just three days ago, the monthly cultivator market opened. Daoist Non-Speaker set up a small stall in the corner, selling a technique that supposedly increased movement speed, iming it was the same technique practiced by the famed Ancestor of the Thieves Sect. When people realized theyd been deceived, they confronted him for a refund. He denied the usations, insisting the technique was genuine. Unable to resolve the dispute, they reported it. After investigating, I found the technique to be fake and decided to detain him for ten days. The Evesting Fairy, upon hearing an unfamiliar term, knocked on Lu Yangs mental space for help. Lu Yang, who is the Ancestor of the Thieves Sect? As the Evesting Fairys reliable source of information, Lu Yang promptly exined, Regarding the Ancestor of the Thieves Sect, I know a bit. Fairy should know that there are over three thousand unorthodox paths, and one of them is the Thieves Sect. The Evesting Fairy nodded, signaling Lu Yang to continue. The Thieves Sect had a peerless thief whose speed was unparalleled, reaching heights never before achieved. His speed was unmatched, making the Thieves Sect before and after him two entirely different concepts. Members of the Thieves Sect honored him as the Ancestor of the Thieves Sect,monly referred to as the Thief Ancestor. The Thief Ancestor was so fast that he coulde and go from the pce as he pleased, stealing numerous spirit stones and magical treasures. The most outrageous feat was stealing the pce gate. The court was furious but helpless against him. What happened to the Thief Ancestorter? the Evesting Fairy asked excitedly. She had never encountered a speed-specialized cultivator, and if she met one, she would definitely want topete. Lu Yang shook his head, Its a mystery. No one knows what happened to the Thief Ancestor. Some say he died, some say he grew tired of worldly conflicts and secluded himself, and others say he failed to ascend to immortality and perished. Speaking of the Thief Ancestor, Lu Yang couldnt help but think of another figure, the second fastest person after the Thief Ancestorthe King of Thieves. The King of Thieves reached a level where he could go anywhere in the world. He vited the Thieves Sects ancestral teachings by stealing from the Land of Gold Commerce and then vanished without a trace, seemingly evaporating from the world. Meanwhile, Daoist Non-Speaker was still insisting on his innocence, confidently proiming, Really, if you practice the technique I sold, you can definitely be as fast as the Thief Ancestor! Yun Zhi was silent for a moment, as if recalling something, then asked, Lord Mo, may I see the technique my master sold? Of course, Mo Danxin replied, summoning a subordinate to fetch the confiscated evidence from the yamen. (TL Note: Yamen is somewhat of abination of a police station and a court ofw, as they arrest and judge. I tranted it as Government Office previously but i think sticking to yamen is better. Copied my previous TL note lol) Soon, the subordinate returned, panting, with a book in hand. The book was thin and very old, without a title or authors name, looking like it had been stolen from a grave and brought back to daylight. No wonder cultivators were deceived into buying it; the book indeed looked quite convincing. Lord Mo added, Daoist Non-Speaker sold ten copies of the technique, all identical. We confiscated all ten, and this is one of them. Yun Zhi opened the first page, and Lu Yang curiously peeked over. The first page read: To practice this technique, first break a leg. Daoist Non-Speaker spread his hands, See, I told you, I didnt deceive anyone. Practice this technique, and I guarantee you can be as fast as the Thief Ancestor! Lu Yang: Lord Mo, my master is not wronged at all! With this, hes still iming to be wronged? Even a years imprisonment isnt too much! Lu Yang roughly understood why his master was the strongest below the Tribtion Crossing Stage. If his cultivation were any weaker, he would have been beaten to death long ago. Yun Zhis expression turned peculiar, The Thief Ancestor indeed had only one leg, so he imed his speed was unparalleled, and no one ever argued with him. Thats true; Ive heard of this as well, the Minister of Justice nodded. There was one more thing Yun Zhi didnt mention. After flipping through the technique and making some calctions, she realized that practicing it could indeed make one the fastest in their rank. So, could this really be the Thief Ancestors technique? (End of the chapter) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 289: Meng Jingzhou Forms His Core The life of thew lies in its enforcement, and enforcing thew helps solidify the national destiny of the Great Xia. As a result, very few people dare to vite thews of the Great Xia, especially the most severe criminalws. Althoughws must be strictly enforced, unexpected situations always arisecases where punishment is required byw, butmon sense suggests that punishment is unnecessary. In such cases, the criminalw specifically grants the Ministry of Justice the power to exempt from liability, and this power is entrusted to the Minister of Justice. In theory, this power could easily be a means for the imperial family and nobility to evade legal consequences. In practice, however, such situations rarely ur. The main reason for this is the oversight power of the Five Great Immortal Sects, which prevents the Minister of Justice from acting recklessly. Yet even the original legitors did not foresee one scenariothe Minister of Justice being imprisoned. In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Emperor Xia rubbed his temples in distress. Why does everything involving the Dao Seeking Sect always result in some new twist?He received two pieces of news. One was that Yun Zhi had found results in the Evesting Secret Realm, discovering a nonexistent Xinhua Dynasty. This was not urgent; they could slowly investigate the Xinhua Dynastys details. As for Yun Zhis request to move the ancient immortals cave mansion from the Evesting ruins to the Dao Seeking Sect, he could agree to that. The second piece of news was that the Minister of Justice was imprisoned, right next to Daoist Non-Speaker. If the Minister of Justice dared to leave the prison, Daoist Non-Speaker would spread rumors that the Great Xia Dynasty was corrupt and unjust. If Daoist Non-Speaker dared to leave the prison, the Minister of Justice would stop him, ensuring he couldnt escape. A stalemate. Should I pardon Xu Xin? Emperor Xia muttered to himself. As the emperor, he naturally had the power to pardon his subjects. After pondering for a while, he abandoned the idea and issued another order instead. The entire Ministry of Justice is to relocate to Great Yan County for work. So, this is the reason you all came to visit me in the dungeon? Minister Xu red at his subordinates, his face full of anger. His Majesty ordered it; we had no choice, the Assistant Minister of Justice said, trying to maintain a serious expression, but the situation was too ridiculous. He and his colleagues could barely suppress theirughter. Daoist Non-Speaker squatted nearby. By habit, the Assistant Minister of Justice and others should have greeted him, but seeing Minister Xus livid face, they dared not act. Minister Xu, here are the documents from the past two days. Please review them, the Assistant Minister of Justice said respectfully, handing over several memos that Minister Xu needed to handle. Minister Xu snorted, Leave them here. The Assistant Minister of Justice originally wanted to say something like, Wait a few days, His Majesty will pardon you after he has had his fun, or Do you need some food and bedding? But he thought better of it and kept quiet. After his subordinates left the dungeon, Minister Xu picked up the memos from the ground and began to review them. He frowned, feeling displeased. Ridiculous. This system is something I devised after much thought, and it has been proven feasible through pilot programs in various counties. How could it be wrong? Daoist Non-Speaker nced at the contents of the memo and roughly understood the situation. The memo mentioned that a certain system was useless, increased the workload of counties, and suggested simplifying its rules. However, this system was something Xu Xin prided himself on, and he wouldnt allow others to point out its ws. He chuckled, which sounded like mockery to Minister Xu, Do you think youre a saint without any mistakes? If youre so capable, why dont you be the emperor? Minister Xu grew even more displeased, ring coldly at Daoist Non-Speaker. If it were his subordinates, they wouldnt dare speak at this point, but Daoist Non-Speaker wasnt afraid of him. Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Spirit Transformationall three were stages where he had defeated Xu Xin. Daoist Non-Speaker was well-traveled, with extensive criminal experience and a mastery of legal theory that rivaled Minister Xus. Have you ever considered legitive interpretation, what the legitors originally intended You forgot about theg in thew Dont give me theories; is this the reality The debate grew increasingly heated, with neither side yielding. They even set up a soundproof barrier to prevent other prisoners from hearing their conversation. In the end, Minister Xus tone became less sharp, and his momentum diminished. He had to admit that Daoist Non-Speaker made some valid points. Shut up and let me think! Minister Xu lowered his head and pondered. Although Daoist Non-Speaker was unscrupulous, he never joked about these matters. If he said so, he must be very serious. This was the result Emperor Xia wanted. Although Xu Xin was devoted to the country, working tirelessly to fill the gaps in thew, he inevitably made some inappropriate decisions. Emperor Xia was helpless about this. Xu Xins mastery of thews of the Great Xia Dynasty was unparalleled, leaving few qualified to debate with him. Emperor Xia couldnt definitively say whether Xu Xin was right or wrong; he just felt that some actions were inappropriate. As for how to improve, he didnt know. Luckily, Daoist Non-Speaker was proficient inw and had rich experience, making him the perfect person to debate with Xu Xin. Emperor Xia seized this opportunity to let the two of them argue. Once Xu Xin recognized his own shorings, he could be pardoned. When Yun Zhi and Lu Yang returned to the Dao Seeking Sect, they happened to meet Meng Jingzhou returning from the dense forest. In the forest, Meng Jingzhou had an epiphany. Enlightened, he returned to Demon Subjugation Pass and formed his core, leaving Peach Blossom Leaf and Barbarian Bone to continue seeking their own fortunes while he returned to the Dao Seeking Sect alone. As for encountering some aristocratic disciples unting their wealth on the way back and being humiliated by his hidden identity, it was too trivial to mention. Haha, guess what, Ive also formed my core! Meng Jingzhou began to boast the moment he saw Lu Yang. Although he didnt know what kind of Golden Core Lu Yang had formed, he was confident that his own Golden Core was the strongest and unbeatable. Let me tell you, my Golden Core is unprecedented. Im going to break the fate of the single spirit root! Meng Jingzhou was so high-spirited that he seemed like a newly ascended Tribtion Crossing Stage expert, swaggering as if he couldnt walk straight. Lu Yang was genuinely surprised and didnt fake it: You have such ability? What kind of Golden Core did you form? Meng Jingzhou chuckled, pulled Lu Yang into a teahouse, and boasted while drinking tea. As you know, Im a single spirit root, so If I wanted to form a core, theres of course no doubt that I would form a Single Golden Core. Lu Yang nodded, remembering that the first single spirit root cultivator, Solitary Daoist, had said this in his core formation insights. Did you form a Single Golden Core? Meng Jingzhou didnt answer but ced a teacup on the table: This is a person, single! Then he ced another teacup: This is also a person, single! He gently clinked the two teacups together, producing a crisp porcin sound, and dered a conclusion he had pondered for a long time: Two singles together make a pair, right? So? So I formed two Single Golden Cores! (Authors Note: I originally wanted to write a detailed ount of the debate between Daoist Non-Speaker and Minister Xu, but to avoid any resemnce to reality, I decided against it.) (End of the chapter) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 289: Meng Jingzhou Forms His Core The life of thew lies in its enforcement, and enforcing thew helps solidify the national destiny of the Great Xia. As a result, very few people dare to vite thews of the Great Xia, especially the most severe criminalws. Althoughws must be strictly enforced, unexpected situations always arisecases where punishment is required byw, butmon sense suggests that punishment is unnecessary. In such cases, the criminalw specifically grants the Ministry of Justice the power to exempt from liability, and this power is entrusted to the Minister of Justice. In theory, this power could easily be a means for the imperial family and nobility to evade legal consequences. In practice, however, such situations rarely ur. The main reason for this is the oversight power of the Five Great Immortal Sects, which prevents the Minister of Justice from acting recklessly.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Yet even the original legitors did not foresee one scenariothe Minister of Justice being imprisoned. In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Emperor Xia rubbed his temples in distress. Why does everything involving the Dao Seeking Sect always result in some new twist?He received two pieces of news. One was that Yun Zhi had found results in the Evesting Secret Realm, discovering a nonexistent Xinhua Dynasty. This was not urgent; they could slowly investigate the Xinhua Dynastys details. As for Yun Zhis request to move the ancient immortals cave mansion from the Evesting ruins to the Dao Seeking Sect, he could agree to that. The second piece of news was that the Minister of Justice was imprisoned, right next to Daoist Non-Speaker. If the Minister of Justice dared to leave the prison, Daoist Non-Speaker would spread rumors that the Great Xia Dynasty was corrupt and unjust. If Daoist Non-Speaker dared to leave the prison, the Minister of Justice would stop him, ensuring he couldnt escape. A stalemate. Should I pardon Xu Xin? Emperor Xia muttered to himself. As the emperor, he naturally had the power to pardon his subjects. After pondering for a while, he abandoned the idea and issued another order instead. The entire Ministry of Justice is to relocate to Great Yan County for work. So, this is the reason you all came to visit me in the dungeon? Minister Xu red at his subordinates, his face full of anger. His Majesty ordered it; we had no choice, the Assistant Minister of Justice said, trying to maintain a serious expression, but the situation was too ridiculous. He and his colleagues could barely suppress theirughter. Daoist Non-Speaker squatted nearby. By habit, the Assistant Minister of Justice and others should have greeted him, but seeing Minister Xus livid face, they dared not act. Minister Xu, here are the documents from the past two days. Please review them, the Assistant Minister of Justice said respectfully, handing over several memos that Minister Xu needed to handle. Minister Xu snorted, Leave them here. The Assistant Minister of Justice originally wanted to say something like, Wait a few days, His Majesty will pardon you after he has had his fun, or Do you need some food and bedding? But he thought better of it and kept quiet. After his subordinates left the dungeon, Minister Xu picked up the memos from the ground and began to review them. He frowned, feeling displeased. Ridiculous. This system is something I devised after much thought, and it has been proven feasible through pilot programs in various counties. How could it be wrong? Daoist Non-Speaker nced at the contents of the memo and roughly understood the situation. The memo mentioned that a certain system was useless, increased the workload of counties, and suggested simplifying its rules. However, this system was something Xu Xin prided himself on, and he wouldnt allow others to point out its ws. He chuckled, which sounded like mockery to Minister Xu, Do you think youre a saint without any mistakes? If youre so capable, why dont you be the emperor? Minister Xu grew even more displeased, ring coldly at Daoist Non-Speaker. If it were his subordinates, they wouldnt dare speak at this point, but Daoist Non-Speaker wasnt afraid of him. Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Spirit Transformationall three were stages where he had defeated Xu Xin. Daoist Non-Speaker was well-traveled, with extensive criminal experience and a mastery of legal theory that rivaled Minister Xus. Have you ever considered legitive interpretation, what the legitors originally intended You forgot about theg in thew Dont give me theories; is this the reality The debate grew increasingly heated, with neither side yielding. They even set up a soundproof barrier to prevent other prisoners from hearing their conversation. In the end, Minister Xus tone became less sharp, and his momentum diminished. He had to admit that Daoist Non-Speaker made some valid points. Shut up and let me think! Minister Xu lowered his head and pondered. Although Daoist Non-Speaker was unscrupulous, he never joked about these matters. If he said so, he must be very serious. This was the result Emperor Xia wanted. Although Xu Xin was devoted to the country, working tirelessly to fill the gaps in thew, he inevitably made some inappropriate decisions. Emperor Xia was helpless about this. Xu Xins mastery of thews of the Great Xia Dynasty was unparalleled, leaving few qualified to debate with him. Emperor Xia couldnt definitively say whether Xu Xin was right or wrong; he just felt that some actions were inappropriate. As for how to improve, he didnt know. Luckily, Daoist Non-Speaker was proficient inw and had rich experience, making him the perfect person to debate with Xu Xin. Emperor Xia seized this opportunity to let the two of them argue. Once Xu Xin recognized his own shorings, he could be pardoned. When Yun Zhi and Lu Yang returned to the Dao Seeking Sect, they happened to meet Meng Jingzhou returning from the dense forest. In the forest, Meng Jingzhou had an epiphany. Enlightened, he returned to Demon Subjugation Pass and formed his core, leaving Peach Blossom Leaf and Barbarian Bone to continue seeking their own fortunes while he returned to the Dao Seeking Sect alone. As for encountering some aristocratic disciples unting their wealth on the way back and being humiliated by his hidden identity, it was too trivial to mention. Haha, guess what, Ive also formed my core! Meng Jingzhou began to boast the moment he saw Lu Yang. Although he didnt know what kind of Golden Core Lu Yang had formed, he was confident that his own Golden Core was the strongest and unbeatable. Let me tell you, my Golden Core is unprecedented. Im going to break the fate of the single spirit root! Meng Jingzhou was so high-spirited that he seemed like a newly ascended Tribtion Crossing Stage expert, swaggering as if he couldnt walk straight. Lu Yang was genuinely surprised and didnt fake it: You have such ability? What kind of Golden Core did you form? Meng Jingzhou chuckled, pulled Lu Yang into a teahouse, and boasted while drinking tea. As you know, Im a single spirit root, so If I wanted to form a core, theres of course no doubt that I would form a Single Golden Core. Lu Yang nodded, remembering that the first single spirit root cultivator, Solitary Daoist, had said this in his core formation insights. Did you form a Single Golden Core? Meng Jingzhou didnt answer but ced a teacup on the table: This is a person, single! Then he ced another teacup: This is also a person, single! He gently clinked the two teacups together, producing a crisp porcin sound, and dered a conclusion he had pondered for a long time: Two singles together make a pair, right? So? So I formed two Single Golden Cores! (Authors Note: I originally wanted to write a detailed ount of the debate between Daoist Non-Speaker and Minister Xu, but to avoid any resemnce to reality, I decided against it.) T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 290: Equivalent Exchange Technique Lu Yang leaned back slightly, seemingly startled by Meng Jingzhous Golden Core. Two Single Golden Coresno one, not even the Solitary Daoist, would dare attempt such a thing. Truly, this was an unprecedented Golden Core. He carefully organized his thoughts and gently said, Are you sure having two Single Golden Cores wont make you even more single? Meng Jingzhou waved dismissively, You dont understand. As the saying goes, extremes meet. When something reaches its peak, it turns to the opposite. My Golden Core is the same. When singleness reaches its limit, it should start changing for the better, making me more popr with women. This was evident when I was on my way back by airship. What happened?n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om While on the airship, a nouveau riche from some small ce was bullying others, unting his wealth. I couldnt stand it, so I revealed my identity as the eldest son of the Meng family, scaring him into kneeling and begging for mercy. At that moment, several quite attractive women gathered around me, drawn by my charisma. Youre really deluding yourself. Meng Jingzhou pretended not to hear Lu Yangs remark, his eyes shining as if he could see a bright future ahead: In any case, Ive broken the curse of the single spirit root through the ages. Im about to be reborn! Hey, this little guys Golden Core is interesting, Evesting Fairys voice interrupted, catching Lu Yangs attention.Fairy, what do you mean? Lu Yang thought, could it be that Meng Jingzhou really broke the curse of the single spirit root? Have you ever heard of a curse spell? Evesting Fairy asked mysteriously. Lu Yang shook his head. Other than the curses cast by the ancient barbarians, he hadnt heard of any curse spells. This kind of spell is called a curse, but its actually a form of exchange or a rule. Some people call it the Equivalent Exchange Technique. Using this type of spell, whatever you lose, you gain something else in return. For example, Lu Yang, youre very smart, right? You could use the Equivalent Exchange Technique to reduce your intelligence in exchange for unparalleledbat power! Thats amazing! Lu Yang was quite surprised. Evesting Fairy was pleased with Lu Yangs reaction: Heh, now you see how knowledgeable I am. I bet no one in your era knows about this spell. Youre the first in your time to learn about it! Can you perform this spell, Fairy? Lu Yang asked, now deeply interested in this spell. If he could learn it, wouldnt he be able to exchange for anything he wanted and be invincible? Evesting Fairy shook her head, pouring cold water on Lu Yangs excitement: No one can learn this spell. Or rather, those who want to learn it can never do so. Lu Yang was puzzled by this strange logic. People who want to learn the spell can never learn it, but does that mean those who dont want to learn it can? Yes, those who dont want to learn the spell can. Evesting Fairy continued, The Equivalent Exchange Technique doesnt need to be learned. When the time is right, it will naturally be cast. And the person casting the spell usually doesnt realize theyve done so. Its like the first person in human history who cast this spell. He didnt deliberately learn or cast it; it just happened naturally due to abination of factors. I see, Lu Yang said, clearly disappointed. He had hoped to learn a new spell. Then Lu Yang realized something was off. The conversation had drifted: Wait, werent we discussing Meng Jingzhous Golden Core? How did we get to the Equivalent Exchange Technique? We didnt drift off topic. It wasnt obvious before, but now I see that this Meng kid has already used the Equivalent Exchange Technique. How so? Evesting Fairy analyzed seriously and unraveled the secret of the single spirit root: Why is the single spirit root so powerful? It exchanges being single for immense cultivation talent andbat power. This is the true essence of the equivalent exchange technique! If an ordinary single spirit root cultivator engages in a rtionship with a woman, the cost is that their pure yang body is broken, and their cultivation will no longer improve. With the enhancement of two single spirit roots, if he engages in a rtionship with a woman, his cultivation will plummet! The Meng kid has amplified the single attribute of his spirit root, using a do-or-die courage to gain supreme power. Among all single spirit root cultivators throughout history, he should be the strongest! Lu Yangs eyelid twitched. If Meng Jingzhou knew this, he would probably regret it deeply. Out of concern, he asked, Is there a way to break this? There is. The equivalent exchange technique cannot manifest in immortals. If the Meng kid bes an immortal, he will be fine. Whether Meng Jingzhou could be an immortal was one thing; even if he could, it would take who knows how long to achieve it. There were only five immortals in the ancient great era, and no one knew how many had appeared in the past 300,000 years, not even Eldest Senior Sister would tell him. Bing an immortal is harder than ascending to the heavens. Lu Yang pondered, So, Meng Jingzhou traded his future happiness for his current strength. Impressive. Why are you looking at me like that? Meng Jingzhou felt that Lu Yangs gaze was strange, indescribable, almost pitying? Meng Jingzhou stretchedzily: I just formed my core, and fighting in the forest wasnt enough. Im going to the arena to stretch my muscles. Having formed an unprecedented twin Single Golden Cores, he had to show off a bit. Before Lu Yang could react, Meng Jingzhou paid the bill and headed towards the bustling arena nearby. At that moment, the fight in the arena had just ended, and the contestants were stepping down. Meng Jingzhou leaped onto the stage, radiant like a small sun: Haha, Ive just formed my core. Which senior brother or sister would like to spar? Meng Jingzhou thought that previously as a Foundation Building stage cultivator, he couldnt beat his senior brothers and sisters. But now that everyone was at the Golden Core stage, could he still not win? Ill go, a bald senior brother, who seemed to have achieved minor sess in the Buddhist golden body, jumped onto the stage with a simple smile. Meng junior brother, please go easy on me. The bald senior brother was named Zheng Jing, ate Golden Core cultivator, not particrly outstanding among the Golden Core stage brothers. Haha, senior brother, please dont hold back. Ive changed a lot, Meng Jingzhou said heartily. Soon, Lu Yang used his wood clone to carry Meng Jingzhou off the stage on a stretcher. A perfectly fine person, why seek death? Lu Yang sighed, grateful that he had the Invincible Core and knew who he could and couldnt beat. Otherwise, he would have ended up like Meng Jingzhou, carried off the stage. If Meng Jingzhou were still in the Foundation Building stage, Senior Brother Zheng wouldnt have been so harsh. But now that Meng Jingzhou had formed his core and had strong resilience, he naturally didnt hold back. As Lu Yang was about to carry Meng Jingzhou back, three figures blocked his path. Lu Yang looked up and saw familiar faces, Master Liu and Master Gao from the barbecue shop. Pleasee with us. T?r?a?n?s?l?a?t?e?d? ?B?y? ?Y?i?k?a?i?i? (TL Note: Ive noticed a site stealing my trantions. . Check NovelUpdates for the original <3 and while youre at it, please rate it 5 stars! /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Chapter 291: You Two Better Not Push Your Luck! Upon seeing this, Meng Jingzhou stopped pretending to be in pain and sprang up from the stretcher. Master Liu and Master Gao were no longer dressed in their greasy barbecue shop uniforms, nor did they wear the simple smiles they had when serving customers. Instead, they were in formal attire, their faces solemn, as if reminiscing about the glorious days of the Undying Sect. When they looked at Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, it gave the two of them a chilling, spine-tingling feeling. Gentlemen, pleasee with us. We have something wed like your assistance with. Master Liu and Master Gao had already done their research. After Lu Yang and Yun Zhi returned, Yun Zhi left the Dao Seeking Sect again for some unknown reason, presenting a perfect opportunity to deal with Lu Yang! If they didnt act now, when would they? There were too many people around here, making it inconvenient to act. They needed to bring Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou to the Undying Sects headquartersthe Come Again barbecue shop! Previously, the Come Again barbecue shop had barely established a foothold on themercial street, surrounded by enemies, with powerful Unity Stage figures eyeing them covetously, making their situation very precarious. Butter, under the guidance of the Sect Leader and the Evesting Celestial, and through careful nning by the high-ranking members of the Undying Sect, the barbecue shop had been turned into a den of the Undying Sect.And the Dao Seeking Sect knew nothing about the Come Again barbecue shops upation of themercial street and its secret expansion Then lets go, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou said without losing their momentum.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om With two Unity Stage experts nking them, they had no strength to resist. Even if they didnt want to go, they would be dragged along, so they might as well walk on their own. This way, please. Master Gao extended his hand, inviting the two into the barbecue shop. Standing at the entrance of the barbecue shop, Lu Yang noticed that it was pitch ck inside, with only two Daoist shadows vaguely visible in the darkness. As they stepped into the barbecue shop, Master Liu and Master Gao stood silently at the entrance, like two iron statues guarding it. Once inside, Lu Yang feltpletely isted from the outside world. He couldnt hear a sound or see anything from outside. What he didnt know was that not only were sound and sight cut off, but the Sect Leader had long since set up a peerless formation in the barbecue shop, even blocking divine senses. A mysterious light gradually filled the barbecue shop, revealing the true identities of the two shadows: one was the Sect Leader, and the other was the Evesting Celestial. Both were dressed in formal attire, seemingly determined to aplish something significant. Please, have a seat, the Sect Leader invited the two to sit down. Go ahead, what is it? Lu Yang asked coldly, unable to figure out the Sect Leaders intentions. However, Lu Yang was not afraid of him, especially with the Evesting Celestial sitting right beside him. As the owner of the Evesting Lineage, Evesting Fairy couldpletely control the Evesting Celestial, the source of the Undying Sect. With this rtionship, the Sect Leader couldnt cause much trouble. Its not a big deal. We just want to ask Fellow Daoist Lu Yang for a small favor. Given your status in the Dao Seeking Sect, its just a matter of saying a few words. You see, we learned that you both have just formed your Golden Cores, so we prepared a little gift, a token of our goodwill. We hope youll ept it. The Sect Leader silently pushed two gift boxes towards Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. The Sect Leader opened the gift boxes, revealing their contents: extremely valuable Consolidating Vitality Pills that could stabilize ones Golden Core cultivation. The remaining medicinal power would turn into foundational strength, aiding future breakthroughs without leaving any residual effects that might hinder progress. One of the gifts was a protective magic artifact capable of withstanding a full-force attack from a Unity Stage expert. A book titled Golden Core Stage Cultivation Insights. Five small bottles containing the five elements, including True Fire, Pure Water, and Resting Earth, which can be used to refine growth-type five-element artifacts. In addition, there were various precious items, each one unaffordable for an ordinary Golden Core Stage cultivator. The two did not take this modest gift. Lu Yang bluntly said, Sect Leader, were old acquaintances. Lets not beat around the bush. Just say it. The Sect Leader slowly revealed the n he had been plotting for a long time: To be specific, its about recruiting rogue cultivators to join us, expanding our influence, and increasing our powers impact on the Great Xia Dynasty, making it impossible for people to leave us! Once the n seeds, we will reward you handsomely! Perhaps you two are unaware, but our influence is quietly spreading and has already reached the entiremercial street. The Dao Seeking Sect knows nothing about this. Lu Yang frowned. The Sect Leaders words implied that the wholemercial street was under their control. If they didnt agree, it would be hard to get out of this street. But he still didnt relent. What if we dont help you with this little favor? Dont help? The Sect Leader slowly stood up, like a dormant mountain god awakening, exerting immense pressure on the two. The Sect Leader squinted at them and viciously threatened, I have been very polite to you. We just want to open a branch of our barbecue shop in the outside world. If you push your luck, dont me me for begging you on my knees! The Sect Leader felt he had done enough. He had instructed Master Liu and Master Gao not to wear their shop uniforms but formal clothes, to invite these two over with smiles. Considering it was June and scorching hot, he had even reminded Master Liu and Master Gao to cast cooling spells when meeting Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou so they wouldnt feel hot. For safety, to preventpetitors from eavesdropping, he had set up a peerless formation to iste external detection. He had cleaned the barbecue shop spotlessly, without a trace of grease. The protective magic artifacts were crafted during all his spare time running a ughterhouse. The Golden Core Stage Cultivation Insights was aption of all the Undying Sect followers memories, personally written by the Evesting Celestial. The five-element materials were bought by personally visiting and persuading themercial street shop owners. Opening a branch in the outside world was just a matter of saying a word. Why werent these two satisfied? The Sect Leader resolved to swallow his pride. A great man can be flexible. For the barbecue shops long-term n, he would kneel if necessary! Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou hurriedly stopped the Sect Leader, bewildered by the sudden change: You want to open a barbecue shop branch? Yes. And you mentioned recruiting rogue cultivators to join you? To hire staff for the shop. They couldnt leave the Dao Seeking Sect to open a branch in the outside world, so they needed to hire staff. And expanding your influence? Opening the barbecue shop outside the Dao Seeking Sect. And increasing your impact on the Great Xia Dynasty? Bing a major taxpayer. And making it impossible for people to leave you? Getting more customers to our shop. Meng Jingzhou looked at the Sect Leader suspiciously: You also said your influence has spread to the entiremercial street, and the Dao Seeking Sect knows nothing about it? We reported false earnings and paid less management fees. The Evesting Celestial added, Anotheryer of meaning is that our barbecue shops earnings in the Dao Seeking Sect have saturated, so we need to open branches in the outside world to explore new markets. Lu Yang: Meng Jingzhou: Do you really need to make it thisplicated to open a barbecue shop branch? Chapter 292: The Second and Third Leaders Isnt it that you just dont want to pay the management fee? Lu Yang squinted his eyes. He remembered that Eldest Senior Sister had asked them to pay the management fee, with all the remaining barbecue shop profits to be handed over. This left a lot of room for maneuver. For example, the barbecue shop could coborate with other shops, with part of the profits from other shops going to the barbecue shop, and Eldest Senior Sister wouldnt be aware of this. They could also use the barbecue shops profits to buy assets, which wouldnt need to be handed over to Eldest Senior Sister, and sell the assets when they needed spirit stones. Lu Yang coulde up with seven or eight ways to circumvent this with just a bit of thinking. He didnt believe the Sect Leader couldnt think of any. The Sect Leader broke out in a slight cold sweat, not expecting his slip of the tongue to reveal such a w. You two get thirty percent of the barbecue shops profits. Lu Yang was unmoved. All of it goes to Eldest Senior Sister, not a penny less. You are already specters and cannot cultivate, so what use do you have for spirit stones? He had the backing of Eldest Senior Sister and Evesting Fairy. Whatever hecked, Eldest Senior Sister would provide. Evesting Fairy also had a lot of contribution points. If Lu Yang needed them, Evesting Fairy would give them. He didnt need to profit from the barbecue shop.Moreover, by handing over all the barbecue shops profits to Eldest Senior Sister, who wouldnt manage the ounts, the profits would ultimately end up in his hands. Meng Jingzhou didnt need to say anything either. As the eldest young master of the Meng family, his only worry was having too much money. If you dont agree to these terms, Ill tell Eldest Senior Sister about you hiding spirit stones right now. You can guess how Eldest Senior Sister will react when she finds out. The Sect Leader broke out in a cold sweat. As specters, they indeed had no use for spirit stones; saving them was just to have a goal. But that Dao Seeking Sect Eldest Senior Sister wouldnt necessarily ept this reasoning. Lu Yang said slowly, On the other hand, if you agree to these terms and fix the loopholes, this matter can be brushed aside. Eldest Senior Sister wont know, and Ill persuade her to let you open branches outside. How about it? Why dont you consider it? The Sect Leader was silent, contemting the feasibility of Lu Yangs proposal. Specters were also considered ghosts, and if a ghost had no goal or spiritual sustenance, it would eventually fade away and return to the heavens and earth. As high-ranking members of the Undying Sect, their spiritual sustenance was the Evesting Celestial. Since the Evesting Celestial required them to open barbecue shops outside and spread them across the Central Continent, they had to fulfill the immortals instructions. The Sect Leader nced at the Evesting Celestial from the corner of his eye. Seeing the Evesting Celestial nod almost imperceptibly, he wrestled with his decision before gritting his teeth and making up his mind. Alright, I agree to your terms! Thats more like it. By the way, do you know the Sect Leader of the Nine Nether Sect, Qin Haoran? Lu Yang remembered that the person in front of him was not only the butcher of the ughterhouse but also the Sect Leader of the Undying Sect. Qin Haoran? The Sect Leader was stunned. The previous Sect Leader of Nine Nether Sect had the surname Qin, but I dont know his full name. Meng Jingzhou was puzzled. As the Sect Leader of a demonic sect, how could you not know his name? The Sect Leader exined helplessly, Really, the rtionship between the four major demonic sects is not as close as you think. We usually meet andmunicate during joint actions or mutual exchanges, and the fundamental differences in our teachings make it difficult for us to stand on the same side. For example, Nine Nether Sect believes in reincarnation, that after death one goes to the Nine Netherworld, while we, the Undying Sect, believe in the Evesting Celestial, who can bring the dead back to life. Our teachings are vastly different. Moreover, even within the same sect, we may not know each other well. Suppose Sect Leader Qin had a wife and children. Would he tell his subordinates? Of course not. Lu Yang nodded, understanding the logic. If the Nine Nether Sect knew about Su Yirens existence, how could they have remained silent for over ten years? Su Yirens existence was a threat to the Nine Nether Sect. Su Yiren didnt know Qin Haorans identity or the location of Nine Nether Sect, but would Nine Nether Sect believe that? Qin Haoran must have intentionally concealed Su Yirens existence. However, I do know a few things about Sect Leader Qin. Without using immortal treasures, the Nine Nether Sects overall strength is slightly stronger than our Undying Sect. Actually, Sect Leader Qin has privatelyined to me about the immense pressure hes under. So, I suspect that Qin Haorans position as Sect Leader is not as stable as mine, and many people are vying for power. Nine Nether Sect doesnt worship any immortal; they probably dont have any immortal treasures. The Sect Leader spoke with pride. Among the four major demonic sects, only they worshiped an immortal and possessed immortal treasures. It was a pity they couldnt obtain the immortal treasures from the Evesting ruins, otherwise, the Undying Sects strength could rank first among the four major demonic sects! Nine Nether Sect believes in the existence of the Nine Netherworld, that they will go there after death, so they fear nothing. Theyve proposed many radical ns, such as building a city as an entrance to the Nine Netherworld and dering war on the Great Xia Dynasty. All these were suppressed by Sect Leader Qin. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou gasped. Proposing to dere war on the Great Xia Dynasty was audacious. Could it be, the ones who proposed this were undercover operatives infiltrating the Nine Nether Sect and trying to destroy it from within. Applying this to Lu Yang would be like the Sect Leader of the Undying Sect, dering war on Eldest Senior Sister. It would only happen if he were possessed by Evesting Fairy and became dumber. The Sect Leader continued to share more intelligence about the Nine Nether Sect, which greatly benefited Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. After listening to the intelligence, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou felt there was no need to stay any longer, so they got up to leave. Ill see you off, the Sect Leader said politely, sending off Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Lu Yang, I have something to discuss with Evesting Celestial. Ill be right back, Evesting Fairy said. Alright. A Daoist figure slowly floated out from behind Lu Yang. It was a beautiful woman in a light yellow dress. She appeared silently in front of Evesting Celestial, who felt immense pressure as if he were facing the end of his path. Evesting Fairy was a higher-level existencepared to Evesting Celestials embryonic form, which had no capacity for resistance. Immortal, Evesting Celestial crossed his hands over his head, bowing to Evesting Fairy. Evesting Fairy responded indifferently, Today, we have the opportunity to meet. I have something to inform you. Please go ahead, Immortal. I have observed Lu Yangs temperament and talent, and both meet my requirements. I have decided that Lu Yang will be the second leader of the Evesting line, and you will be the third leader. From now on, you must treat Lu Yang with the same respect as you treat me. Do you understand? Evesting Celestial was initially shocked. Even if Lu Yangs temperament and talent were sufficient, his level wasnt high enough to qualify as the second leader. Then, as if understanding something, he respectfully said, Yes. Evesting Fairy soon returned to Lu Yangs spiritual space. What did you go off to do? Not telling you. Evesting Fairy secretly chuckled. Lu Yang, you dont want to be the second leader, so Ill make everyone think you are. Even if you deny it, it wont help.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Im so clever. Chapter 293: The Tormented Li Haoran At the cafeteria of the Artifact Refining Peak, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou found Senior Sister Zhou Lulu, who was reading a book while making sugar figurines. Senior Sister Zhou, is Junior Brother Li on the mountain? Lu Yang asked politely. Oh, its Junior Brothers Lu and Meng. Youve formed your golden cores? So fast. Zhou Lulu looked up, seeing the cultivation levels of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, with a sh of surprise in her eyes. When she was their age, she was only at thete Foundation Building stage. Are you looking for Junior Brother Li? Hes in his cave. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou both smiled. They were as close as brothers with Li Haoran, and naturally wanted to show off their golden cores to him. Otherwise, whats the point of all the hard work in cultivation?n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Junior Brother Li is probably sleeping. Sleeping? I remember Junior Brother Li wasnt one to sleep much.He wasnt before. Ever since he came back from visiting his family, hes been sleeping more, and every time he wakes up, hes gloomy, as if he had a nightmare. I asked him if he dreamed of something bad, but he wouldnt say. I asked my father, and he said not to worry about it. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou exchanged a nce, roughly guessing the situation. It must be that Li Haoran was dreaming of memories from his past life. Qin Haoran was a bona fide leader of a demonic sect, doing all sorts of heinous things. Considering the Sect Leader said many were coveting Qin Haorans position, these memories would certainly make Li Haoran ufortable. The two put aside their desire to show off and decided to visit Li Haoran. However, it wouldnt be good to go empty-handed. Lu Yang noticed Senior Sister Zhous sugar figurines were interesting and thought about buying one for Li Haoran. Before he could speak, Zhou Lulu gently blew on the figurines. The two sugar figures seemed toe alive, holding sugar weapons and shing with each other. Lu Yangs eye twitched. If he wasnt mistaken, thebat power of these two sugar figures was equivalent to the Golden Core Stage. If he bought these for Li Haoran, they might end up beating him up. Better to choose another gift. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou walked around the cafeteria, finding churros that could change size and be used as beams to hold up hoses, buns that could be used as hidden weapons, biscuits that served as heart-protecting mirrors, and fried sesame seeds for practicing iron palm techniques None of these could be used as gifts. Your cafeteria has a high level of culinary skill! The only immortal chef in existence gave a high evaluation to the Artifact Refining Peaks cafeteria. Id rather they be less skilled. Youck ambition! Lu Yang turned a deaf ear. In the pitch-ck cave, a figure twisted in pain, his face contorted, as if tormented in his sleep, unable to wake and silently enduring the agony. He suddenly opened his eyes, his clothes and bedding soaked in sweat. Candlelight ignited, illuminating the entire cave and Li Haorans face. Li Haoran stared nkly at the cave, realizing that he was awake. He recalled the experiences in his dream: the dark side of Nine Nether Sect, the unknown pressures on Qin Haoran, and couldnt help but shiver, cursing softly, Damn past life memories For the recurring memories of his past life, his master, the Fifth Elder in charge of the Artifact Refining Peak, had no good solution. Li Haoran chanted a mantra, first casting a spell to clean his clothes, then another to cleanse his body, feeling morefortable afterward. Hmm? Senior Brothers Lu and Meng are at the door? The formation in the cave alerted him, making Li Haoran perk up. He opened the cave door to see Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou standing there with cheerful smiles. Junior Brother Li, are you awake? Lu Yang smiled, secretly observing Li Haorans condition. Li Haoran had dark circles under his eyes, drooping eyelids, and a sluggish expression. Excluding the possibility of depleting his yang energy, the reason could only be Qin Haorans memories. Pleasee in, Li Haoran greeted warmly. The two walked into Li Haorans cave, seeing many refined artifacts disyed, including armor, shields, and bronze tripods. If any Golden Core Stage artifact master saw this, they would be impressed. With a slight move of his finger, the teapot on the table started to move on its own. It sprouted two arms and legs and began to run on the tea table. It filled itself with water, added tea leaves, covered itself, and sat on the stove to boil. In a short while, the water was boiling. The teapot tilted, pouring tea into cups and pushing them towards Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou instinctively said, Thank you, before realizing that the teapot was just a lifeless artifact, and there was no need to thank it. I heard Junior Brother Li hasnt been resting welltely? Upon hearing this, Li Haoran looked despondent, showing a bitter smile. Senior Brother Lu guessed right. I cant tell anyone else that Im the reincarnation of Qin Haoran, so I can only confide in you two. Lu Yang patted Li Haorans shoulder with an understanding expression. You must have seen many secrets of Nine Nether Sect in your dreams, and these secrets are causing you great pain. Li Haoran nodded, finally feeling understood, and spoke excitedly, Yes, every time I close my eyes, all I see are the deficits of Nine Nether Sect! The wages of the followers, the costs of funerals, travel expenses, the costs of building strongholds everywhere is a money sink. Nine Nether Sect has no proper way of making money, just robbing and killing, which only earns a little, like a drop in the bucket. Every day is a loss, loss, loss! Such a huge Nine Nether Sect, all the living expenses, but spirit stones dont just fall from the sky, where do theye from? And those below are clueless, fancifully talking about building an underground Nine Nether City. Never mind whether it will be discovered by the court, does Nine Nether Sect even have the spirit stones to build a city? Can you imagine, Qin Haoran just sitting in the Sect Leaders position every day, dealing with various matters, and then trying to figure out ways to make money. In my dreams, I am seeing things from Qin Haorans perspective, sitting there nkly with him, trying to figure out how to make money. If not that, then I am facing deficit figures with him, trying to find a way out. Now, I get a headache just looking at numbers! Luckily, Qin Haoranter met Yiren, giving him a haven. Otherwise, I cant even imagine how difficult Qin Haorans situation would have been. Li Haoran rubbed his temples painfully,ining to the two. Lu Yang: Meng Jingzhou: This isnt what we imagined at all. Lu Yang recalled the situation when Qin Haoran met Su Yiren. Someone was chasing Qin Haoran, causing him serious injuries. He broke through a barrier and fell unconscious in front of Su Yiren, leading to their fateful encounter. Previously, Lu Yang deduced that Nine Nether Sect was chaotic internally, with someone plotting to seize power and attacking Qin Haoran. Now, hearing this, it seemed that wasnt the case at all. Then the person who was chasing Qin Haoran before was Li Haoran replied expressionlessly: His creditor. Chapter 294: The Reason Qin Haoran Was Chased Debt collectors, a term very familiar to Lu Yang, as he had a friend with that identity. Why are you looking at me? I didnt borrow any money! Meng Jingzhou noticed Lu Yangs gaze and snapped. Do you know which faction the debt collectors belong to? Is it the Meng family, the Land of Gold Commerce, or some other faction? In Lu Yangs impression, the two most famous lending forces were the wealthy Meng family and the Land of Gold Commerce, which had merchants all over the world. Li Haoran shook his head. I dont know which faction they belong to. The dream fragmentse in bits and pieces. A few days ago, I dreamt of a fragment from just before Qin Haoran was seriously injured. From their conversation, I learned that they were debt collectors, and Qin Haoran had no money. However, it might not necessarily be Qin Haoran who borrowed the money. It could be the entire Nine Nether Sect borrowing money, and the debt collectors found the person in charge, which is the Sect Leader. The debt collectors knew Qin Haoran was the Sect Leader of Nine Nether Sect? Lu Yang was surprised. Were they brave enough to lend money to Nine Nether Sect? If the Great Xia Dynasty found out, they would be in serious trouble. Li Haoran shook his head again, touching his chin in thought. His knowledge was rapidly expanding due to the repeated torment from Qin Haorans memories.They probably didnt know. From the memory fragments I obtained and my understanding of Qin Haoran, the most likely scenario is that Qin Haoran first took some spirit stones from Nine Nether Sects treasury to register a small business association, with members being Qin Haoran and a few dozen Nine Nether Sect people. Then, using some methods or short-term but risky operations, he made the small business association look very prosperous and thriving. The small business association borrowed money several times, and each time, they repaid it on time. This way, when the lenders evaluated the small business association, they thought it had high credit, good assets, and a promising future.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om The small business association then proposed borrowing arge sum to expand its operations, and the lenders would likely agree. Once they got the money, the small business association could ostensibly spend it on business. In reality, they secretly transferred all the spirit stones to Nine Nether Sect. Finally, the small business association dered bankruptcy. Since Qin Haoran registered the small business association as a limited liabilitypany, it only bore responsibility up to the amount of capital invested, and the members didnt bear personal liability. The lenders couldnt directly demand the debt from Qin Haoran and the other Nine Nether Sect high-level members. Li Haoran concluded, This way, Qin Haoran and Nine Nether Sect borrowed money without having to repay it. A perfect n. After hearing this, Lu Yang felt that it made sense for the debt collectors to chase after Qin Haoran. He could understand. Fortunately, Qin Haoran is dead, so you dont have to bear his debts, Meng Jingzhou said, feeling relieved for Li Haoran. Otherwise, even selling Li Haoran wouldnt cover the debt, let alone the interest. Hopefully. Li Haoran didnt feelforted. This was one of the reasons for his sleepless nights. Legally, he wouldnt inherit his past lifes debts, but who knew if the debt collectors would respect thew? Damn Qin Haoran, he deserved to die! Lu Yang patted Li Haorans shoulder. Staying cooped up in the cave isnt good for you. How about going out for a walk? Have you found a way to form your golden core yet? Li Haoran shook his head. No. He actually had Qin Haorans golden core formation method in his memory, but he didnt want to follow Qin Haorans path. Then its perfect timing. You should be forming your golden core soon. Go out and change your mood. You might find an opportunity to form your golden core. With us two Golden Core Stage experts protecting you, this trip will be foolproof! Meng Jingzhou gave himself a thumbs up, not forgetting that the initial purpose of this visit was to show off their golden cores. Li Haoran: So what if youve formed your golden cores! With the insights and experiences from a Unity Stage peak expert, Ill surpass both of you eventually! Li Haoran was under strict orders from Eldest Senior Sister not to leave Dao Seeking Sect, or he would have already gone to the dense forest to seek an opportunity to form his golden core. The only condition for Li Haoran leaving Dao Seeking Sect was under Lu Yangs leadership. With Lu Yang leading, it would be safer than being led by the Fifth Elder. They wouldnt fear even encountering immortals. Before leaving, I need to inform my master. Lets go. The three of them found the Fifth Elder who was forging weapons. He held arge iron hammer, striking a weapon with sparks flying everywhere. Each strike was like a mountain colliding, causing the earth to tremble. Haoran, whats the matter? The Fifth Elder stopped forging and shrunk the hammer, using it to massage his stiff back when he saw the three of them approaching. Its like this, Master. I want to go out with Senior Brother Lu and Senior Brother Meng Li Haoran briefly exined his situation. The Fifth Elder nodded frequently, understanding Li Haorans difficulties. It was like Li Haoran was handling the affairs of arge sect every day, which was very stressful. That was the reason they had given the Sect Master position to Daoist Non-Speaker Nephew Yun Zhi said if you go out with Lu Yang, nothing will happen. You may go. Should we inform Eldest Senior Sister? Li Haoran asked, feeling uneasy about leaving without her knowing. Eldest Senior Sister is out on an errand and wont be back for a while, Lu Yang said. He was probably the only one in Dao Seeking Sect who knew what Eldest Senior Sister was doing. The Emperor of Xia had given the green light to move the Immortals abode, and Eldest Senior Sister had gone to move Evesting Fairys kitchen. Moving an Immortals abode without damaging the integrity of the Evesting ruins was extremely difficult, requiring Eldest Senior Sisters personal attention. Evesting Fairy had been delighted about this for days, unable to stop smiling, saying that once the kitchen was moved back, she would definitely show Lu Yang her skills. Lu Yang was too scared to say a word. After reporting to the Fifth Elder, as the three were about to board the boat to leave Dao Seeking Sect, Lu Yang suddenly asked, By the way, where are we going? How could they buy boat tickets if they didnt know their destination? The three of them looked at each other, having only thought about leaving Dao Seeking Sect without deciding where to go. They couldnt go back to the dense forest. How about this, lets go to the task hall and choose a task. Wherever the task is, well go there, Li Haoran suggested. He happened to need contribution points. Sounds good. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou agreed, deciding to apany Li Haoran in earning contribution points. Of the three, only Li Haorancked contribution points. Lu Yang had many contribution points and could use Evesting Fairys points at any time. Meng Jingzhou could exchange spirit stones for contribution points. When they arrived at the task hall, Meng Jingzhou immediately spotted a task he liked. Southern Jizhou, Shoutian County, Ancient Lotus Town. Outside the town, there is an abandoned temple where travelers often stop. It is suspected that a female ghost who feeds on yang energy appears here, and travelers have been continuously going missing This is it! Meng Jingzhou excitedly pped his thigh, feeling a fateful connection with the task. It was a perfect opportunity to test his dual spirit root! Li Haoran rubbed his chin, thinking that Ancient Lotus Town sounded very familiar. Chapter 295: How Rumors Are Born In the imperial city, there are many bizarre and oddly shaped buildings. Some were whimsically created by powerful beings, someck artistic sensibility, while others serve as symbolic structures. A bronze cauldron stands in a corner of the imperial city, towering like a small mountain. Its surface is smooth as a mirror, covered with intricate details, exuding an ancient beauty even from a distance. This is the most bustling area of the imperial city, where every inch ofnd is worth its weight in gold. The cost of cing such a bronze cauldron here is astronomical. Aside from a few major powers like the Land of Gold Commerce, no one could afford such an expense. Numerous elderly men with white hair and white robes, exuding the fragrance of elixirs, walked into the bronze cauldron with their hands behind their backs, paying no attention to anyone else. Passersby would gaze at the elderly men entering the bronze cauldron with looks of admiration and envy. These were all renowned masters in the field of alchemy, many of whom were pioneers of certain alchemical methods. This is the Alchemy Alliance, representing the authority and pinnacle of alchemy. Each year, countless alchemical recipes are released to the world from here, showcasing their remarkable achievements. This ce is considered a holynd for all alchemists, second only to Pellet Cauldron Peak of the Dao Seeking Sect. Inside the bronze cauldron, silent alchemists sat around an exquisite stone table, their faces expressionless.A figure finally arrived, announcing the start of the meeting. He was Azure Cloud Daoist, the chief alchemist of the Alchemy Alliance. His skill was unparalleled, making him the undisputed strongest alchemist. Seated around him were venerable elders of the alchemy world, all highly skilled but acknowledging Azure Cloud Daoists position. Even the usually arrogant Seventh Elder admitted that Azure Cloud Daoist was an alchemist second only to himself. Azure Cloud Daoist smiled faintly, unhurried andposed. This regr meeting is as usual, aimed at exchanging alchemical insights. Everyone is free to speak their mind. Really free to say anything? An alchemist master raised his hand and asked. Yes. The alchemists face changed, and he mmed the table angrily. Azure Cloud Daoist, why are you acting cool here after beingte? Weve been waiting for you for half a day! Clearly, acknowledging Azure Cloud Daoists alchemical prowess didnt mean tolerating his tardiness. Apologies, apologies. I was just researching a new prescription and made a significant breakthrough. I was so excited I lost track of time. What kind of prescription were you researching that had you so engrossed? Azure Cloud Daoist smiled mysteriously. An ancient prescription, the Child-Conceiving Pill. Youve refined it?! The crowd was shocked. They all had prescriptions for the Child-Conceiving Pill, but no matter how they refined it, it could only enhance the beauty of their partners. Recently, many beauty-enhancing pills had circted in the ck market, they were all Child-Conceiving Pills they had refined. Aside from making the user more attractive, they were useless. Not yet, but Ive made some progress. ording to my research, the original creator of the Child-Conceiving Pill was named Qinghe. She was possibly closely associated with a certain immortal. The pill might also be connected to this immortal! Rted to an immortal? That makes sense. The crowd was initially surprised but then understood. It must be that one of the ingredients was an immortal fruit, making it hard to replicate. Hah, I thought it was some major breakthrough. Turns out its just this? Seventh Elder sneered at Azure Cloud Daoists so-called research. I wondered who it was. Turns out its Wuji Zi from the Alchemy Peak. Do you have any insightfulments? Azure Cloud Daoists calm demeanor changed upon seeing Seventh Elder, his words now charged with hostility. Azure Cloud Daoist and Seventh Elder locked eyes, sparks flying. The crowd wisely kept silent, aware of the history between these two. In their youth, both had fallen for the same girl. After a series of conflicts, mostly involving Seventh Elder beating Azure Cloud Daoist into the ground, the girl ultimately chose the talented Seventh Elder. Thus, their enmity was born. Since Seventh Elder frequently crafted unusual pills, it was hard to gauge his alchemical skills. But one thing was certain, inbat, none of the alchemists present were a match for Seventh Elder. Seventh Elder slowly said, ording to my research, the key to the prescription is not in the elixir itself, but in the method of consumption. Have you noticed that the prescription begins with the method of consumption: Take with river water to conceive? Why specifically mention river water? Wouldnt it be simpler to just say water? With this question in mind, Ibed through ancient texts and consulted a young schr knowledgeable about ancient times. Eventually, I found the answer. The river water mentioned in the prescription is not ordinary river water but the water of the Mother-Child River, refined by an immortal in ancient times! Drinking the water from the Mother-Child River will result in conception! As soon as he said this, everyone was shocked. What?! Mother-Child River? Is there really such a miraculous river?! Although the elixirs Seventh Elder refined were often strange, he had never joked about such matters. Which immortal is it? Azure Cloud Daoist couldnt hold back his curiosity and asked eagerly. He had searched through ancient texts and even borrowed rare volumes from the pce but couldnt find the name of that immortal, as if it was deliberately hidden! Seventh Elder nodded calmly and revealed a secret, Its Ying Tian Immortal. Azure Cloud Daoist suddenly understood, So it was him? Now everything makes sense. How so? The others didnt understand why Azure Cloud Daoist said that. They had never heard of Ying Tian Immortal refining the Mother-Child River. Azure Cloud Daoist said mysteriously, I found an ancient book in a relic called The Complete Book of Cooking Although I havent fully deciphered it, I am certain of one thing: this book, which seems to teach cooking, actually hides a deeper secret. The crowd was puzzled. The books name suggested an ancient recipe collection, didnt it? At first, I thought like you that it was an ancient recipe book. But when I randomly made a few dishes, I discovered that anyone who ate them ended up at least unconscious! This is not a cookbook but a poison manual! Everyone gasped. An ancient poison manual sounded terrifying. And the author of this poison manual is Ying Tian Immortal! Alchemy and poison are intertwined. If Ying Tian Immortal could write this poison manual, he must also be very knowledgeable about elixirs! Ive heard an ancient saying: the strongest alchemist doesnt just find medicinal ingredients but invents them! The Mother-Child River should be a medicinal ingredient created by Ying Tian Immortal! No, maybe the water of the Mother-Child River isnt a medicinal ingredient but a poison! Imagine using the water of the Mother-Child River to poison an opponent in battle. If they get pregnant, they cant fight! Azure Cloud Daoists eyes brightened as he spoke, feeling his analysis was perfectly logical, as if he had uncovered ayer of ancient mystery! How many women conceived because of Ying Tian Immortals Mother-Child River? The crowd marveled at Ying Tian Immortals power. As expected of an immortal, able to create such a wondrous thing. After the servant finished pouring water for everyone, he quietly left. These were all master alchemists discussing immortals, and he was too terrified to stay any longer. As soon as he stepped outside, hispanions surrounded him. How was it? What did they say? This was the top-tier alchemist meeting, representing the cutting-edge of alchemy knowledge. Hearing even a bit was enough for them to brag about.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om The servant hesitated. He had been too scared to listen carefully. He tried to recall the conversation of the alchemy masters, somewhat uncertain: It seemed they were saying that the ancient immortal Ying Tian Immortal made countless women pregnant? Hispanions gasped. This was an ancient secret. Chapter 296: The Three Scholars Shoutian County, Ancient Lotus Town, Abandoned Temple. In the southern part of Jizhou, torrential rain poured down. The green grass had long been turned into a muddy mess by the rain, and the vibrant leaves stood lifeless under the relentless downpour. The sky was dark and oppressive, making it hard to breathe, as if darkness could engulf everything at any moment. A schr, with a hurried expression, wore a straw raincoat and hat, holding a book wrapped in cloth tightly to his chest, running frantically through the rain. He saw the abandoned temple not far away, his eyes brightened, and he clutched his book tighter, quickening his pace as he ran towards it. Huffing and puffing, the schr finally reached the temple, shut the doors and windows tightly. Though the temple was dpidated, it at least provided shelter from the wind and raina small mercy in an otherwise unfortunate situation. He unwrapped his book, checking to see if it had gotten wet. Thankfully, it was still dry, thanks to his careful protection. The schr lit an oilmp and began reading aloud in the dim light. A graceful silhouette suddenly appeared behind the schr, with a seductive smile ying on her lips. She tapped the schr on the back.Seeing the graceful silhouette, the schr seemed entranced, smiling involuntarily. After the heavy rain, the schr, looking exhausted, left the abandoned temple. Three figures dressed as schrs walked through the muddy ground, stumbling and looking quite disheveled. Why is this road so difficult to walk on? one of the schrsined. Another figure rolled his eyes. Just deal with it. Dont be ungrateful; these conditions are much better than when we were in the dense forest. True. The third figure exined, I heard there was an unprecedented downpour yesterday, soaking Ancient Lotus Town thoroughly. The river even overflowed its banks, and its said it might rain again tonight. Ugh, that doesnt sound like a good omen.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Lu Yang pointed to a temple andughed, Well, theres a temple ahead. Although its a bit rundown, the Buddha statue should still be there. You can take the opportunity to pray while we stay the night. Lets go over the n again. ording to the information we have, the target is very cautious and wont reveal themselves easily. Moreover, the target is a ghost with advanced escape techniques, making it hard to catch. The female ghosts strength should be at the Foundation Building Stage, but the exact level is unknown. If the female ghost appears, we must ensure she cant escape before we make a move to capture her! Our current identities are schrs heading to the imperial city to seek fame. Well stay here for the night and use this opportunity to lure the female ghost out! So far, we havent heard of the female ghost killing anyone. When capturing her, dont use lethal force. We were inexperienced when traveling before. After seeing our master imprisoned, I learned the importance of using an alias outside. That way, if we embarrass ourselves, it wont disgrace Dao Seeking Sect. Lets confirm our aliases again. Im Lu Yiyang. Im Long Jingzhou. Im Li Hao. The three discussed their n and, finding no issues, suppressed their auras to the extreme, disguising themselves as ordinary people before entering the temple. This temple is so clean, Meng Jingzhou remarked in surprise. He had expected the ce to be covered in dust and cobwebs. The temples interior was unexpectedly clean, as if someone had been maintaining it. The only disappointing thing was that the Buddha statue in the center was missing its upper half, making it impossible to pray properly. Li Haoran found some dry firewood behind the Buddha statue, likely left by thest person who stayed here. He piled the firewood together, gathered some dry grass, took out a flint from his bag, and used the grass to kindle the firewood. Li Haoran held his hands to the fire, looking extremelyfortable. Ah, I feel alive again. Lu Yang took out some steamed buns from his bag, skewered them with wooden sticks, and began roasting them over the fire. When the buns were slightly browned on the outside, Lu Yang broke one open, releasing a fragrant steam. Meng Jingzhou took a stroll around the abandoned temple and then returned to the main hall. Besides the main hall, there are two other rooms. We can each have one when we sleep. Alright. The three of them gathered around the fire, eating buns with pickles andmenting the difficult journey ahead. Lu Yang was full of worries, not even savoring the taste of the bun in his hand. I wonder if our trip to the imperial city will be smooth. Ive heard that the city is full of cultivators. It will be incredibly difficult for usmon folk to make a name for ourselves there. Meng Jingzhou waved his hand dismissively. There arent as many cultivators in the imperial city as you think. If theres one cultivator among twenty people, thats already a lot. Bing a cultivator is extremely difficult; the Spirit Root alone filters out ny-nine percent of people. One cultivator among twenty people was already an astounding ratio, one that even thergest cities on the Central Continent couldnt reach. Although we dont have Spirit Roots, we possess knowledge. We can write various essays effortlessly and have unique insights into current affairs. Tomorrow, well leave Shoutian County and head to the capital to take the imperial exam. Gaining the emperors favor and securing an official position is not an impossible task. In the Great Xia Dynasty, not all officials were cultivators; some weremon folk. Meng Jingzhou pointed at Li Haoran with a bun. Take Brother Li, for instance. He could recite the Thousand Character ssic at five, write poems at seven,pose essays at ten, and his literary talent is unmatched. His teacher praised him as the best student he ever taught. (TL Note: The Thousand Character ssic, also known as the Thousand Character Text, is a Chinese poem that has been used as a primer for teaching Chinese characters to children from the sixth century onward. It contains exactly one thousand characters, each used only once, arranged into 250 lines of four characters apiece and grouped into four line rhyming stanzas to make it easy to memorize. It is sung, much as children learning the Latin alphabet sing an alphabet song. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thousand_Character_ssic) Li Haoran smiled modestly. Brother Long overpraises me. My teachers praise was just meant to encourage me. In contrast, Brother Long, who has a family business to inherit, chooses to seek a future in the capital. Your confidence and the foundation behind it are things Brother Lu and I cantpare with. The three of them ttered each other, then turned to reading the ssics, engrossed in the timeless wisdom of the sages. It was as if they thought if they could write an essay like those immortalized in history, they would die content. Meng Jingzhou yawned, crushing Lu Yangs dreams mercilessly. Alright, stop dreaming and go to sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow. Following their earlier agreement, the three of them went to their respective rooms. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou went to the rooms on either side, while Li Haoran stayed in the main hall, sleeping in front of the half-Buddha statue. In the darkness, three graceful silhouettes stared at Lu Yang and hispanions, their eyes glowing with a faint green light. Three more people, and their yang energy is strong. Im really curious how they taste the figure in green said with a lightugh. Yes, its been a long time since Ive seen schrs with such strong yang energy. Although schrs can cultivate a righteous aura by reading the ssics, its rare to see ones as vigorous as these three. The figure in red licked her lips seductively. The figure in white, who appeared younger, quickly said, Sisters, you must be careful not to drain their yang energypletely. We should adopt a sustainable approach. If they enjoy themselves once, theylle back for more. Gradually, well absorb more yang energy than if we took it all at once. Got it, got it. Little Seven, youre the youngest, but youre the most nagging. We know our limits. If we overdo it and attract the righteous sects investigation, well be the ones in trouble. Lets split up. Well each take one of the side rooms, and Little Seven, you stay here and take care of this Li fellow. Chapter 297: Li Haoran is Probably Doomed In the side room, Lu Yang lit an oilmp, concentrating on his book,pletely unaware of the green-d silhouette appearing in the room. Although Lu Yang appeared to be reading, he was actuallymunicating with the immortal in his spiritual space. Hmm? Lu Yang, have you done so many bad deeds that you were expelled from Dao Seeking Sect and now youre living in a ce like this? Evesting Fairys eyes sparkled with glee, clearly relishing his misfortune. Your imagination is really something. Besides, other people measure their sleep by the hour, why do you measure yours by the day? Evesting Fairy put her hands on her hips, puffing up indignantly, How can an immortal be the same as a mortal? Yes, yes, youre unique, Fairy. So, can you go back to sleep now? I have things to do. What things? Evesting Fairys interest was piqued. Seeing that Evesting Fairy wouldnt let it go without hearing the whole story, Lu Yang had no choice but to exin everything. So, youre trying to lure the female ghost over and capture her?Exactly. Thats simple, leave it to me, Evesting Fairy patted her chest confidently, exuding the same invincibility as the Invincible Core. Evesting Fairy, being in a soul stateessentially a ghostwas perfect for the current situation. Wait, arent you afraid of ghosts? Lu Yang recalled how Evesting Fairy had been terrified of the ghosts when they had visited the tomb built by the Great Elder. Im not afraid of visible ghosts No, Im not afraid of ghosts at all! Evesting Fairy realized she had misspoken and quickly corrected herself. Alright, but dont do anything out of line! Lu Yang cautioned before relinquishing control of his body to Evesting Fairy. My dear, Im so lonely. Keep mepany~~ The green-d silhouette appeared before Lu Yang, looking at him affectionately, her voice sweet and enticing, enough to make ones bones go soft. Little did she know, this was no longer the same Lu Yang. Lu Yang shed a mischievous smile, suddenly pulling the green-d figure into his arms. The green-d figure was taken aback. This wasnt how Lu Yang had acted in the main hall earlier. Lu Yang lifted the green-d figures chin with his index finger and said in a flirtatious tone, Lonely little beauty, do you need sister to keep youpany? Lu Yang held the green-d figure closely, his hands roaming freely. You look pretty good, but your figure isckingpared to mine. What did he mean her figure wasckingpared to his? And calling himself sister? She didnt seem like she was disguised as a man. The green-d figure felt a chill, thinking she had encountered a pervert. Come on, little beauty, the night is short,e y with sister. Lu Yangughed sinisterly, looking anything but decent. The green-d figure tried to escape, but found that Lu Yangs grip was terrifyingly strong. Even with her Foundation Building Stage strength, she couldnt break free. Trying to run? Lu Yang lunged at her. In the spiritual space, the real Lu Yang lunged at Evesting Fairy. Yellow Bean, you bastard! What are you trying to do with my body?! Just having some fun, not the real thing, Evesting Fairy ran away. Thats not eptable either, it damages my image! Meng Jingzhou pretended to be fast asleep, struggling to suppress the smile at the corners of his mouth, quietly waiting for the female ghost to arrive.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om The female ghost appeared beside Meng Jingzhous bed, dressed in red like a bride. ?֨rch???Nࢥ????da?s?f?? t????Glѧ???.?Fi?d ??l???? ????t?s??????.?Al?????????????????, I? ̧?????? ?n??x?Ԩ???at?? ֢???$5???Ѧe? The red-d ghost blew gently on Meng Jingzhou, making him drowsy. My dear, wake up. The red-d ghosts soft voice whispered in Meng Jingzhous ear. Meng Jingzhou groggily woke up, seeing the red-d female ghost and hesitated, Who are you? My dear, have you forgotten? I am your wife. Meng Jingzhous eyes lit up. The effect of his Twin Single Golden Cores was working. She imed to be his wife at first sight! He needed to stay calm, not get ahead of himself. He then returned to his dazed look. The red-d ghosts rosy lips slowly approached Meng Jingzhou, and his heart pounded with excitement. Bang Before her lips could touch him, an invisible force from Meng Jingzhous body knocked her away, rendering her unconscious. Her lips were swollen from the energy, resembling sausages,pletely losing their charm. The Single Golden Core, akin to a brilliant sun, was upright and unyielding, centered in the dantian, guarding all directions. Evil beings such as demons and ghosts couldnte close. The Twin Single Golden Coress effect was naturally even stronger. Meng Jingzhou: The ghost couldnt even touch him. In the main hall, Li Haorany in front of the half Buddha statue, keeping his senses alert for any movements. He didnt dare to make a move easily, fearing the ghost might detect it. Shes here! A white-d figure quietly approached Li Haoran, unaware that every move had already been detected by him. Whoosh The white-d ghost exhaled a breath of cold air, making Li Haoran shiver. Who are you? Li Haoran jumped in fright upon seeing the white-d female ghost. The white-d ghost spoke softly, Dont be afraid, kind sir. I am just a lonely ghost without any spiritual qi, seeking a bit of your yang energy. She looked pitiful and harmless. Li Haoran didnt believe her words for a second. How could she have no spiritual qi when her ghostly form was solid, her mind clear, and she emitted a faint spiritual qi? Late Foundation Building Stage. What rotten luck, running into a ghost of the same level. I will make you feel veryfortable, the white-d ghost whispered seductively, making his heart itch. Li Haoran was puzzled. By now, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou should have made a bigmotion catching their ghosts. Why was there no sound? Had something gone wrong? Li Haoran decided not to expose the ghosts lies and to y along to extract some information. Why do ghosts need yang energy? Toe back to life? Youre joking, sir. Ghosts cante back to life. Gathering a bit of yang energy is just for survival. As she flirted, the white-d ghost climbed onto Li Haoran, their eyes locking. Suddenly, the main hall door was pushed open, and a young girl rushed in. Excuse me, is anyone here? Ive run out of travel funds. Can I stay here for the night? The girl stood tall, dressed inly, yet she had no travel bag. The ground around the temple was muddy, but her shoes were spotless. Li Haoran and the white-d ghost both stared at the sudden arrival. The girl was also stunned by the scene. This was her first time traveling, and she wondered if the outside world was this open, even engaging in such activities in a dpidated temple? Feeling awkward, the girl didnt expect to encounter such a situation. Even with her limited worldly knowledge, she knew to avoid this. She instinctively wanted to turn and leave but found the man lying on the ground somewhat familiar. The girl silently stepped forward, confirming she wasnt mistaken. She looked down at Li Haoran, her smile not reaching her eyes, and asked softly, her voice gentler than the white-d ghosts: Father, what are you doing? Li Haoran swallowed hard, feeling that he was probably doomed. The girl was none other than Qin Yanyan, Li Haorans daughter from his past life. (TL Note: Sorry for thete chapter, another website is stealing my trantions and getting way more views than me which is making me very demotivated to continue. I have not given them permission to upload my trantions and have been ignored by the owner when I messaged them about uploading my trantion to their website.) Chapter 298: Former Father Former father, a term unique to Li Haoran, refers to the father from a past life. Qin Yanyan was traveling the world, seeking opportunities for forming her Golden Core and gaining insights into the mortal world to achieve a breakthrough in her state of mind. She had just passed through several counties and stopped at this dpidated temple for the night, only to encounter such an exciting situation.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om After being persuaded by her mother for a month, Qin Yanyan was just about to ept this father with no blood rtion when she stumbled upon this scene. Gaining insights into the mortal world wasnt supposed to be like this. Wait, Yanyan, let me exin! Li Haoran was flustered. Heaven knows he was really here to catch ghosts. He hadnt even managed to extract any useful information before being caught by Qin Yanyan. How could she have run into him in this vast Central Continent? Is this the karmic entanglement between father and daughter? The white-d female ghost also realized something was amiss and tried to escape. Li Haoran used a capture technique, transitioning between the tangible and intangible, pressing the ghost to the ground.This was a skill Li Haoran had learned while refining tools, now adapted for ghost-catching. Both at thete Foundation Building stage, the female ghost was no match for Li Haoran. I received a sect mission and came with Senior Brother Lu and Senior Brother Meng to catch ghosts! Li Haoran hurriedly exined. If Qin Yanyan left with a misunderstanding and reported to Su Yiren, he might as well forget inheriting Qin Yuanhaos memories and start over in his tenth life. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou? Qin Yanyan recalled these two prodigies of Dao Seeking Sect. One was the disciple of the Sect Master of Dao Seeking Sect, and the other was the eldest young master of the Meng family. Their credibility was much higher than Li Haorans. Yes, theyre both sleeping in the rooms next door. They can prove my innocence! Li Haoran said, binding the white-d female ghost to a load-bearing pir with a refined soul-locking chain before going to find Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Qin Yanyan followed Li Haoran, still skeptical. Li Haoran quickly pushed open the door, speaking at a rapid pace: Brother Lu, you have to prove my innocence. Were here to catch ghosts, right? You havent signaled that youve caught yours, so the ghost must not havee to you He hadnt finished when he saw Lu Yang with a strange smile, pulling at a green-d female ghost. She struggled in vain, looking desperate,pletely at Lu Yangs mercy. This scene was anything but what a gentleman would do. Senior Brother Lu, you Li Haoran stammered, shocked that Lu Yang could behave like this. Seeing this, Qin Yanyan felt Li Haoran was lying and exploded in anger: You dare im youre here to catch ghosts?! Go check on Senior Brother Meng. He must be catching his ghost properly! Li Haoran was sure that nothing unexpected would be happening with Meng Jingzhou, as his Single Spirit Root wouldnt have the capacity to form such thoughts, let alone act on them. Then Qin Yanyan saw the unconscious red-d female ghost and Meng Jingzhou squatting nearby, observing seriously. Rape?! Qin Yanyan was horrified. Each situation was more shocking than thest! Compared to them, Li Haoran seemed the most conservative. Li Haoran: Why is it that every time he goes out with Senior Brother Lu and Senior Brother Meng, nothing good happens? Last time, he ended up with a fiance two thousand years older than him and a daughter with no blood rtion, bing the former Sect Leader of one of the four major demonic sects. This time, when he needed them to prove his innocence, they pulled these stunts. Nonsense, who says Im raping? Dont you know I have a Single Spirit Root? Meng Jingzhou retorted angrily, turning to see who was so clueless. Hey, niece, here to see your father? Qin Yanyan felt the Golden Core aura emanating from Meng Jingzhou and repeatedly reminded herself that she couldnt beat him. S????h o?????lp???e? ?o? t?????Ga????L.???????????s? ?p?֧s?h??.?????h?k?o???my?k???,??? ̧?a??n??a???????hap?????v?ry?$5??ϧa?e? Meanwhile, Lu Yang finally subdued Evesting Fairy and regained control of his body. He dragged the green-d female ghost to find Li Haoran and Meng Jingzhou. After the three of them showed the mission issued by their sect and Meng Jingzhou revealed his Single Spirit Root identity, Qin Yanyan finally believed that they were here to catch ghosts, not to solicit prostitutes. The green-d female ghost trembled with fear, realizing that these three were from Dao Seeking Sect, one of the Five Great Immortal Sects. Everyone gathered in the main hall, where Li Haoran tied the still trembling green-d female ghost and the unconscious red-d female ghost next to the white-d female ghost. With this, all three female ghosts were captured. So, Dao Seeking Sect issued a ghost-catching mission, and you came to Ancient Lotus Town toplete it? Qin Yanyan believed most of what they said. Qin Yanyan still didnt know that her father in her past life was the reincarnation of a Nine Nether Sect leader. Li Haoran received Qin Haorans memory fragments after Su Yiren and Qin Yanyan had already left, so this was something difficult to exin to her. Li Haoran couldnt exactly say, Your father was a demonic sect leader in his past life, not a good person. That wouldpletely ruin their father-daughter rtionship. And you, why are you here in Ancient Lotus Town? Mother said that when I visited your housest time, I argued as soon as I arrived and was too impatient. She said my state of mind needed improvement. Since Im about to form my Golden Core, she told me to go out and refine my state of mind. Today, I was in Shoutian County, wandered around the marketce, and spent all my money. There were no free inns in Shoutian County, so I had to keep going north. I saw this old temple and thought I could stay for the night, so I came here. Li Haoran was very worried about Qin Yanyans journey. In a few more days, she might have to perform on the streets to make money. Four four heroes, although we are ghosts, we have never harmed anyone! The green-d female ghost pleaded. They had been careful to absorb yang energy without causing trouble, fearing it would attract righteous cultivators. But what they feared hade, and it was the strongest righteous sect, Dao Seeking Sect. It was said that righteous cultivators hated demons and ghosts, killing them on sight. Would they survive in their hands? Never harmed anyone? Meng Jingzhou sneered. The mission clearly states that you drain peoples yang energy, leaving them weak and lethargic. Are you saying thats false? The white-d female ghost was on the verge of tears. Really, we only take a very small amount of yang energy, just enough to live on. It doesnt harm people. We even have a record of this with the town mayor. We know that taking too much yang energy affects people negatively. If that happens, who woulde back? Its better to take a little at a time than to drain everything at once. We understand the principle of sustainable harvesting. Wait, the town mayor knows about this? Not just the mayor, but the travelers in the town can testify! The white-d female ghost said confidently. Lu Yang and the others were puzzled by what the white-d female ghost said. Really, were not lying. Earlier, the three of us went around to various inns offering our services. We had just finished when we saw you three lying in the temple. Seeing that your yang energy was strong, we thought wed take a bit to end our night. Lu Yang: ??? You offer door-to-door services?! The white-d female ghost said sheepishly, Good service brings repeat customers. Qin Yanyan was even more shocked than Lu Yang. Is this what the mortal world is like? Chapter 299: The Hardworking Female Ghosts You say the mayor knows about this. Do you dare toe with us to see the mayor? Li Haoran didnt believe their words and hoped to see some hint of fear in their expressions. Unfortunately, there was none. The four humans and three ghosts waited in the dpidated temple all night. Just before dawn, as the moonlight began to soften and give way to the sun, they set off to find the mayor. Ancient Lotus Town is famous for its locust trees, which are everywhere and quite old. The thickest locust tree was so wide that even three Lu Yangs couldnt wrap their arms around it. The white-d female ghost, who called herself Little Seven, said this ancient locust tree was over a thousand years old, older than the town itself. Locust trees are yin-natured, giving the whole town a gloomy, cool atmosphere, making it a great ce to escape the summer heat. Of all the towns Lu Yang had visited, Ancient Lotus Town was thergest. Moreover, the town was thriving and showed promise to grow even more in the future. After presenting their identities at the government office, the mayor quickly came out to greet them. The mayor had a somewhat prosperous appearance and greeted everyone with a cheerful demeanor. I didnt expect Dao Seeking Sects esteemed cultivators toe here. I apologize for not weing you properly, the mayor apologized, adopting a very humble attitude.Lu Yang noticed that the mayor was at thete Foundation Building stage. The mayor, upon noticing the three female ghosts behind the four cultivators, showed a brief change in expression but quicklyposed himself and politely said, My surname is Fan, given name Fan Guiren. You can call me Little Fan. Pleasee in. Mayor Fan, you are too kind, Lu Yang said, taking a sip of the tea Mayor Fan had poured. He nodded slightly, unable to discern what type of tea it was. We came here because, as Mayor Fan might already know, we want to understand the origins and circumstances of these three female ghosts. Indeed, Mayor Fan sighed dejectedly. Honestly, he wasnt keen on discussing this matter, but since Dao Seeking Sect was asking, he had no choice.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Mayor Fan, are you aware that these three female ghosts have been absorbing peoples yang energy? Lu Yang asked directly. I am. Initially, a traveler reported to me that female ghosts in the abandoned temple outside town were draining peoples yang energy. When I heard this, I thought it was serious and immediately went to investigate. When we arrived at the temple, I discovered that Little Seven and the other two ghosts werent the kind of evil spirits that drain all of a persons yang energy at once. Instead, they were benign ghosts with no intention of harming anyone. Back then, Ancient Lotus Town wasnt as bustling as it is today. I wanted to develop tourism to increase the towns ie, but locust trees alone werent enough to attract people. I thought of the female ghosts. To avoid any issues, I checked thews and found that while thew prohibits female ghosts from absorbing yang energy to the extent that it harms people or affects their normal lives, it doesntpletely forbid them from absorbing yang energy. Female ghosts absorbing yang energy isnt considered prostitution, meaning travelers dont even have to pay. Furthermore, the tax regtions dont require ghosts to pay taxes on the yang energy they absorb. After careful consideration, I decided to use the female ghosts as a gimmick to promote Ancient Lotus Town. And it worked quite well. Many travelers came seeking romantic encounters, and the towns ie visibly increased. The local finances improved, the county rewarded us, and I personally had enough resources to smoothly cultivate to thete Foundation Building stage. There was even talk of promoting me within the county. But being the mayor here, with plenty of food, drink, and spirit stones, is better than being an underling in the county. So, I declined. I n to wait until I reach the Golden Core stage before considering any promotions. Mayor Fan had a clear vision for his political career. The three female ghosts nodded repeatedly, affirming that they were innocent and harmless. Wait, if this is all good, who was it that requested our sects help saying there were female ghosts here? Meng Jingzhou wondered aloud. This mission wasnt initiated by the sect; someone had reported it to Dao Seeking Sect. Apetitor? Could this business have apetitor? Mayor Fan was also surprised. He had assumed that Lu Yang and the others were just passing by, discovered the ghosts, and decided to exorcize them. Mayor Fan, do you have any idea who it could be? Not yet Oh, can I ask how the mission was described? It said that female ghosts in Ancient Lotus Town were draining the yang energy of schrs, leaving them weak and lethargic. Mayor Fans expression turned peculiar. Mayor Fan, do you know whats going on? Mayor Fan nodded. Theres a schr named Zhou who has a son everyone calls Little Zhou. Little Zhou is an average student who has failed the imperial exams multiple times. But Little Zhous mother believes that his frequent visits to the female ghosts are to me, thinking they distract him and drain his energy, preventing him from studying properly. She came to me, asking me to punish the female ghosts, but Little Zhous poor study habits are well known. Hes naturally yful and doesnt apply himself; it has nothing to do with the ghosts. I thought she was just making a fuss and ignored her. After she left, a few other parents also med the ghosts for their childrens failures in the exams. I dismissed them all. I didnt expect them to be so persistent and take the matter to Dao Seeking Sect. Mayor Fan sighed. Little Seven and the others have already done their best. The white-d female ghost, Little Seven, said, We were afraid this matter would get out of hand and the righteous cultivators would discover us, so we called the poor-performing students to the temple and tutored them. We three sisters came from schrly families when we were alive, so teaching them is easy for us. If they studied well, they would be rewarded. If not, they would get nothing. Under this reward and punishment system, their grades improved rapidly. Lu Yang sized up the three female ghosts. The red-d ghosts lips were still swollen like sausages, not to mention. The white-d and green-d ghosts were attractive, dressed skimpily, each with their own charm. How did those schrs manage to focus on studying in such conditions? Oh right, no reward if they didnt study well. The schrs were willing to study this way too. For example, yesterday, despite the once-in-a-decade heavy rain that made the day as dark as night, Little Zhou and the others still braved the rain to listen to our lessons. They studied until the rain stopped and then left the temple, exhausted. To think that despite our efforts, we were still reported by their parents. Little Sevenmented, feeling the hardships of both life and death. Lu Yang summarized, So, you run a private school during the day, teaching students, and wander the town at night, going to inns to absorb yang energy? Yes. Lu Yang and the others felt a bit ashamed, realizing the female ghosts were more diligent than they were. Qin Yanyan marveled at the story. Were all ghosts like this? Little Seven continued, Moreover, we have to turn in seventy percent of the yang energy we absorb, keeping only thirty percent for ourselves. Hmm? Who do you turn it in to? Lu Yang was puzzled. The government didnt need yang energy. Our superior, whom we call Master Mi. Master Mi also mentioned that in Ancient Lotus Town, there are treasures left by a former sect leader and asked us to keep an eye out for them. Chapter 300: Your Father is a Demonic Sect Leader Upon hearing what Little Seven said, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou couldnt help but turn to look at Li Haoran with strange expressions. There seems to be a former Sect Leader here. Hey, hey, hey, why are you all looking at me! Li Haoran snapped. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou averted their gazes. Right, it wasnt only the Nine Nether Sect that had former Sect Leaders. The Sr Sect and Heartless Sect could also have them. Besides, Qin Haoran was so poor that he ended up being chased by debt collectors. He didnt seem like someone who could leave behind treasures. Who is Master Mi? Who is the former Sect Leader that Master Mi mentioned? And what is the treasure left behind? Qin Yanyan asked a series of questions. Across the entire Central Continent, only the four major demonic sectsoh wait, three nowcould have a position titled Sect Leader. This Master Mi could very well be a member of one of the three demonic sects. Little Seven was startled by Qin Yanyans intensity and shook her head. I dont know. Master Mi onlymunicates with us one way. He ced a restriction on our souls, making us obey him. He rarely tells us anything.Every time Master Mies to collect yang energy, he asks if anything strange has happened in Ancient Lotus Town or if weve found any unusual items. The three ghosts didnt know Master Mis identity. Mayor Fan was also shocked. He knew Little Seven and the others were under Master Mi, but he didnt know that Master Mi was from a demonic sect. If he had known, he would never have used Little Seven and the others for promotion. No matter how much he wanted to advance his career, he wouldnt risk associating with a demonic sect. With the Undying Sect being uprooted recently, many officials who had coborated with them for personal gain were ousted, causing upheaval in the court. Speaking of which, it was the Dao Seeking Sect that discovered the Undying Sect. Truly, the Dao Seeking Sect deserved its ce as one of the Five Great Immortal Sects. One wondered which important figure from Dao Seeking Sect found the Undying Sect headquarters. Fairy, do their souls have restrictions? When it came to knowledge about souls, Lu Yang waspletely in the dark. It was better to ask the all-knowing Evesting Fairy. They do, but the method used to ce the restrictions is quite crudebeginner level. Should I remove them? Lu Yang pondered for a moment and asked, Will Master Mi notice? Are you joking? Do you know who I am? Even if Master Mi were here in person, he wouldnt notice the restrictions being removed from these ghosts. Then please go ahead, Fairy. Lu Yang informed the three female ghosts that Master Mi was from a demonic sect. The three ghosts were immediately terrified, shaking like leaves and repeatedly insisting they were good ghosts with no ties to the demonic sects. Lu Yang smiled, I know you three have no connection to the demonic sects. But Im worried that under Master Mis control, you might be forced to do things against your will. So, I intend to remove the restrictions on you and have the Dao Seeking Sect supervise you to ensure you dontmit any evil deeds. How about that? The three female ghosts dared not disagree and nodded vigorously. Evesting Fairy secretly removed the restrictions ced by Master Mi and reced them with identical fake ones. Anyone below the Unity stage wouldnt be able to detect the difference. The three female ghosts felt an immediate relief in their souls as the long-standing restrictions disappeared. Little Seven timidly raised a hand and cautiously asked, Um, excuse me, can we go back now? Its almost time for ss. They had to teach the schrs every day, always punctual and dedicated. Very well, weve learned enough about the situation. Everyone prepared to leave. Before leaving, Lu Yang reminded the mayor, Mayor Fan, the matter of the demonic sect is of great importance. Please do not mention our visit to anyone. Knowing that there were traces of a demonic sect here, they had to take some action before heading back. Of course, Mayor Fan nodded. When it came to dealing with a demonic sect, it was best to let professionals like the Dao Seeking Sect handle it. He was just a small official and didnt want to get involved. After bidding farewell to Mayor Fan, the four humans and three ghosts returned to the dpidated temple. The three female ghosts went to the main hall to teach their ss, while the four humans gathered in a side room to discuss their next steps. Earlier, in front of the mayor, Li Haoran had been unable to speak freely. Now, without outsiders present, he felt it was safe to share more. Actually, I have a vague memory ofing to Ancient Lotus Town in my past life to hide something. I took measures to iste it from any kind of detection, so it must be a treasure. So there really is a treasure here? Is Master Mi really from the Nine Nether Sect? Where is the treasure hidden? What is the treasure?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om How could you have left behind a treasure when you were so poor in your past life? Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou fired off questions one after another. Li Haoran rolled his eyes and said helplessly, Its just a fragment of a memory. I dont remember clearly, but there is something in Ancient Lotus Town for sure. Wait, what are you three talking about? Qin Yanyan was confused. What treasure? What Nine Nether Sect? What did this have to do with her former father? The three exchanged nces. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou both saw the resignation in Li Haorans eyes. Qin Yanyan and Su Yiren will find out about this eventually. Its better to be open about it now, Lu Yang advised. As Qin Yanyans uncle, he felt she deserved to know the truth. Meng Jingzhou agreed. Li Haoran hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell his former daughter the truth about Qin Haorans identity. Actually, your father, Qin Haoran, was the previous Sect Leader of the Nine Nether Sect Li Haoranid out the entire story. As Qin Yanyan listened, her expression grew increasingly strange. She had never imagined that her unseen father was a demonic sect leader, adept at deception, and deeply in debt. After quietly listening to the revtions about her father, Qin Yanyan let out a long sigh and then a wry smile. What could she do upon learning her father was a demonic sect leader? She could only ept it. In truth, she had no emotional attachment to Qin Haoran. She had grown up with Su Yiren, and Qin Haoran was merely a symbol of father to her. Oh, by the way, your dad being a demonic sect leader means youll face restrictions if you pursue a career in government, military, or any sects entrance exams. You wont pass the political vetting, Lu Yang kindly reminded her. He had recently been brushing up on thews of The Great Xia and had learned quite a bit. Qin Yanyan: Thank you for the reminder. Meng Jingzhou also chimed in, Your parents were married for five hundred years. Given your fathers habits, he probably rued more debts during that time. But dont worry, your mother isnt responsible for those debts since she wasnt aware of them and your father spent the money on the Nine Nether Sect. ording to thew, these debts are not joint marital debts. Meng Jingzhou was well-versed in economicw. Qin Yanyan: Thank you for the reminder as well. Qin Yanyan felt the earnest concern of her two uncles. My father was so eager to break through to the Tribtion Crossing Stage. He even said he wanted to secure a future for me and my mother Li Haoran nodded solemnly. To increase his loan limits. And to enhance his ability to withstand overdue debt collections. Chapter 301: Reincarnation Qin Yanyan finally understood why her father never wanted to reveal his identity. Although Qin Haoran was the Sect Leader of one of the four major demonic sects, a dark emperor of the underworld with countless ruthless and cold-blooded demon cultivators under hismand, this identity was not something he could unt. Otherwise, if Qin Yanyan encountered an opponent, and the opponent first boasted about their identity, saying they were someone from a top-tier sect, and that she should surrender, things would getplicated. If Qin Yanyan then revealed with a wicked smile that her father was the Sect Leader of a demonic sect, and they should obediently surrender to avoid being beaten to death by her, the scenario would be clear-cut. Then, there would be no more then. The opponent would directly report to the authorities, and the Nine Nether Sect would be eradicated. The Sect Leader of the Nine Nether Sect was the number one wanted criminal of the Great Xia Dynasty. It would be akin to walking right into a trap. Moreover, if his identity was exposed, and everyone knew that Qin Yanyans father was the Sect Leader of a demonic sect, it would affect Qin Yanyans political examination and future prospects. Most importantly, he was also burdened with huge debts, leading to an extremely unstable life with the constant risk of being hunted down by creditors.Su Yiren might even think Qin Haoran was unreliable and decide to divorce him upon knowing all this. Do you really not remember where the treasure is hidden at all? Meng Jingzhou asked persistently, knowing that this was a treasure belonging to a demonic sect leader, its value immeasurable. Li Haoran frowned deeply, trying hard to recall his memories. Qin Haorans memory fragments were not only intermittent but also blurry in some ces, like seeing flowers through a fog. Let me think, let me think It should be something from four hundred years ago rted to locust trees Lu Yang pondered for a moment and then transmitted a message to the three female ghosts. In the main hall, the sound of students reciting books brought a refreshing feeling to the dpidated temple. The three scantily d female ghosts moved about in the hall, causing the schrs to be very excited. Whoever performs well in this ss, I will give private lessons, the green-d female ghost said softly, full of charm. Upon hearing this, the schrs eyes lit up, and they started studying with unprecedented enthusiasm: Isnt it a joy to learn and practice what is learned The three female ghosts, upon hearing Lu Yangs transmitted message, pped their hands and said, Gentlemen, we have some matters to attend to. The next ss will be self-study. They left the puzzled schrs and went to the side room. How many locust trees over four hundred years old are there in Ancient Locust Town? The three female ghosts were stunned by the question. Little Seven, being the smartest, replied, Currently, there are eighty locust trees over four hundred years old, but not all locust trees from four hundred years ago have survived to this day. Some were cut down to make furniture, some were burned as firewood, and Ancient Locust Town also experienced a great fire that killed many locust trees. Meng Jingzhou felt the situation was tricky. He originally thought that there wouldnt be many locust trees over four hundred years old and that they could check them one by one, but he realized he had underestimated theplexity, as most locust trees hadnt survived until now. Lu Yang nodded and asked again, When will you submit the yang energy to Master Mi? Tomorrow morning. What is Master Mis level? Should be at the early stage of Nascent Soul. This was roughly what Lu Yang had guessed. The head of a county in the demonic sect usually had a cultivation level at the early stage of Nascent Soul. Someone like Helmsman Chu of Yanjiang County, who was only at thete stage of Golden Core, was an exception. After all, the cultivators in Yanjiang County generally had lower cultivation levels, so there was no need to send someone too powerful as the local head. Tomorrow, you three will follow my arrangement In Shoutian County, in a basement rented for twenty spirit stones a month. Master Mi, the head of the Nine Nether Sect in Shoutian County, was cautiously pouring tea for a handsome young man. The young mans cultivation level was not high, only at thete stage of Foundation Building. Master Mi, youre too courteous. Im just a low-level disciple in the sect. I dare not trouble you, Master Mi. Please, dont call me Master Mi. Just call me Old Mi, he said with a forced smile, while secretly cursing inside. Who would dare to treat you as a low-level disciple? The young man leisurely sipped his tea, showing no respect for Master Mi, as if Master Mi was his subordinate. You should know the purpose of my visit this time.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om For the treasure that Sect Leader Qin hid in Ancient Locust Town? The young man set down his teacup and casually said, with an air of confidence, To be precise, its my treasure. Seeing Master Mi hesitate, the young man crossed his arms over his chest, leaned back slightly, and reclined in his chair. Whats the matter? Master Mi still doesnt believe that I am the reincarnation of Qin Haoran? Young Master Qin, you jest. Everyone in the sect knows you are the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin. Although Master Mi said this, he was somewhat skeptical inside. At some point, a rumor started circting in the sect, saying that the former Sect Leader Qin Haoran had glimpsed part of the truth of reincarnation. Although his life te shattered and he died, in reality, he entered the cycle of reincarnation, nning for the great struggles of the future era. Recently, three young men with the surname Qin emerged, each iming to be the reincarnation of Qin Haoran and seeking to inherit his legacy. Each of these three young men was backed by high-ranking members of the Nine Nether Sect, so no one dared to openly deny any of their ims to be Qin Haorans reincarnation, nor could they assert which one truly was. This involved the internal power struggles of the Nine Nether Sects upper echelon. Master Mi suspected that the higher-ups had split into three factions, each wanting to seize Qin Haorans legacy, thus promoting their own candidate as his reincarnation. The young man in front of him was one of the three alleged reincarnations, so Master Mi treated him with utmost respect, not daring to show any neglect. What if he really was the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin? Being polite wouldnt hurt. Moreover, how could someone like him venture out without a guardian? Surely, someone was hidden in the shadows, protecting this young man. Master Mi spected that this young mans position was unstable and that he wanted to find the treasure left by Sect Leader Qin in Ancient Locust Town to strengthen his im as the reincarnation. There were many rumors about the treasure in Ancient Locust Town. This was not something Qin Haoran had disclosed himself, but rather something a trusted confidant revealed after his fall. The confidant imed that Sect Leader Qin had put some papers in a wooden box, and he had glimpsedrge amounts of spirit stones written on the papers, possibly silver notes that could be exchanged for spirit stones at the guilds. The confidant also deduced from various clues left by Sect Leader Qin that he had hidden the wooden box in Ancient Locust Town. Initially, the confidant didnt think much of it, but after Sect Leader Qins fall, he developed a greedy desire to im the box for himself. However, the box had been sealed with special restrictions by Sect Leader Qin, blocking all external probing methods. The confidant had visited Ancient Locust Town several times without sess. The higher-ups were aware of this matter but had also been unable to locate the box. They couldnt openly turn Ancient Locust Town upside down, as it would alert the court. Thus, the matter was put on hold, with Master Mi instructed to keep an eye out. Master Mi had been monitoring for years with no results, only asionally asking the female ghosts about it to show the higher-ups that he was still diligently searching. Chapter 302: Genius from Ancient Times Awoken How does Young Master Qin n to find his treasure? Young Master Qin chuckled twice. Why do you think I hid my treasure in Ancient Locust Town, Master Mi? Do you think it was randomly chosen? No, no. What do you think Ancient Locust Town is most famous for, Master Mi? Master Mi hesitated. Female ghosts? Mentioning Ancient Locust Town reminded him of the three highest-performing female ghosts. Master Mi had nned to have the three female ghosts write summaries of their experiences and methods, report them to him, and then he would present these as sessful strategies to the higher-ups. This would help promote sustainable yang energy absorption strategies, improve the survival rate of female ghosts in the sect, and increase the yang energy absorption rate. What Little Seven and the others didnt know was that Master Mi had hundreds of ghosts under hismand, all diligently collecting yang energy for him. But only these three had the highest performance, earning Master Mis favor. Young Master Qin: Young Master Qin suppressed his anger, a smile appearing on his face. Its the locust trees. Locust trees nurture ghosts; they are rare objects thatmunicate between the yin and yang worlds. Our sect believes in the existence of the Nine Nethers. Locust trees align with our sects doctrine. In my previous life, I was well-versed in this, and I favored locust trees. Ancient Locust Town, with its abundance of locust trees, naturally drew the attention of my past self. Therefore, my past self buried the treasure beneath the locust trees, adding multipleyers of seals. Influenced by the yin energy of Ancient Locust Town, methods like divine sense, karma, and irvoyance cant find it. Only the naked eye can discover it. Young Master Qin spoke with a serene confidence, as if reminiscing about various experiences from his past life. In reality, he had no idea where Sect Leader Qins treasure was hidden. But he had a high-ranking member of the Nine Nether Sect behind him who was proficient in the Dao of Karma. At a certain cost, they had roughly calcted clues about Sect Leader Qins treasure. [Locust Tree] This was the result deduced by that Nine Nether Sect higher-up. With this clue, he only needed to search systematically in Ancient Locust Town for a while, and he would eventually find it. And having Master Mi watch the whole time would make him the best witness. This way, his identity as the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin could be confirmed. Unfortunately, reincarnation is tooplex and involves too many factors. Even though I sessfully reincarnated, I still cant grasp all the mysteries of reincarnation. Ive only unlocked a corner of my past lifes memories and cant clearly remember the exact location of the treasure, Young Master Qin said, shaking his head, his tone full of aged sorrow and regret. If thats the case, I need to go to Ancient Locust Town tomorrow to retrieve the yang energy collected. Would Young Master Qin like toe along? Sure. The next morning, Master Mi brought Young Master Qin to the dpidated temple in Ancient Locust Town. Young Master Qin instinctively frowned, feeling somewhat disdainful of the dpidated temple. Here? Master Mi smiled. Dont underestimate this ce, Young Master Qin. It can provide arge amount of yang energy each month. Just Ancient Locust Town alone collects as much yang energy as seven or eight small towns, sometimes even more.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om That is interesting. Please, tell me more. There are three female ghosts here. They have forgotten their past lives and real names, so they gave themselves nicknames: Little Five, Little Six, and Little Seven. Among them, Little Seven is the youngest and smartest, with the highest cultivation talent among the three sisters. She is at thete stage of Foundation Building. Her two sisters are at the middle stage of Foundation Building. Young Master Qin was somewhat surprised. Normally, a ce like Ancient Locust Town shouldnt be able to nurture a ghost at thete stage of Foundation Building. This Little Seven must be truly talented. Little Five, Little Six, Little Seven,e out! Master Mimanded the three female ghosts. The three female ghosts floated out of the temple, timidly calling out, Master Mi, in a way that could make anyones heart itch. Each of them held a white jade bottle in their hands, containing the yang energy they had collected over the past month. Young Master Qins spirit was lifted. He had seen many female cultivators and ghosts with decent looks, but these three, especially Little Seven, were the first of their kind. Little Seven and the others were surprised to see Young Master Qin. Master Mi always appeared alone, so why did he bring someone today? In the n, Young Master Qin wasnt included. Master Mi, could you lend me these three female ghosts? They have been wandering in Ancient Locust Town for a long time and could greatly assist me in finding the treasure, Young Master Qin asked with selfish intent. Dont worry, Master Mi, I know they are your money-makers. I just need to borrow them for a while. Once I find the treasure, Ill return them to you. How about it? Master Mi hesitated. To say he was willing would be a lie, but the person before him was suspected to be the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin. Offending him could result in troubleter on. Gritting his teeth, he decided not to offend the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin for the sake of three female ghosts. Alright, then I will lend them to Young Master Qin. Master Mi began to form a spell to transfer the soul restrictions to Young Master Qin when suddenly, his expression changed. Grabbing the still-dazed Young Master Qin, he quickly retreated. Three sword energies descended from the sky, stabbing the spot where Master Mi had just stood. The sword energies were so sharp they cut through the earth like slicing tofu, prating deep into the ground before finally disappearing. Master Mi was still in shock. These three sword energies had aimed at his vital points. If not for his special cultivation method allowing him to sense and avoid danger to some extent, he would have had to use his life-saving treasure to block them. That was a treasure he had exchanged his fortune and life for. p, p, p Casual apuse came from behind the three female ghosts, sounding like it belonged to a carefree young noble. Master Mi, what a skillful move. I thought these three swords would at least injure you if they couldnt kill you. Unexpectedly, you managed to dodge them with such agility, a voice said. As the dust settled, four young figures appearedthree men and one woman, all full of youthful vigor. Compared to them, the supposed reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin seemed less imposing. Who are you? Master Mi demanded, prepared for the worst. The other party knew his identity, and they were certainly prepared, showing no fear of a Nascent Soul stage cultivator like him. Most importantly, among the four, there were two at thete stage of Foundation Building and two at the early stage of Golden Core. The sword energies likely came from one of the early Golden Core cultivators. But how could sword energy from an early Golden Core cultivator threaten him? What kind of genius were they? Not even top-tier sects could nurture such talents. Only the Five Great Immortal Sects could produce such peerless geniuses. Or perhaps they were candidates cultivated by the Great Xia Dynasty for the Tribtion Crossing stage? Whatever the case, the situation was dire. Five Great Immortal Sects? The court? Master Mi was ready to flee at the first sign of trouble. The leader of the four, who had been pping, seemed oblivious to Master Mis vignce and hostility. He chatted amicably with Master Mi. You must be Master Mi of the Nine Nether Sect? He was cleaning his nails and didnt even look up. My name is Lu Yiyang. Lu Yang suddenly raised his head, his gaze sharp like two swords, causing Master Mi to avoid eye contact. Instinctively blinking, Master Mi found that he could see nothing unusual, as if he had imagined it all. Master Mi, you may not have heard of us. Lu Yang chuckled. What are the Five Great Immortal Sects? What is the Great Xia Dynasty? We are all geniuses from ancient times, destined for immortality. Unfortunately, Ying Tian Immortal and others were jealous of our talents, setting obstacles and sealing the path to immortality. We had no choice but to sleep, waking now topete for the position of immortal and to restore the glory of our Heavenly Court. Chapter 303: The Heavenly Court Sect Geniuses from ancient times! Ying Tian Immortal was jealous of their talents! Master Mi was shocked by these two explosive pieces of information. As the era of great change approaches, many ancient powers have awakened. Some hail from the Great Yu era, some from the Great Qian era. These powerful beings, starting from thete Unity stage, have incredibly solid foundations, qualifying them to step onto the grand stage andpete for the chance of immortality. However, never had there been tales of cultivators from ancient times waking up. Yet, the other partys cultivation andbat power couldnt be faked. Golden Core stage fighting Nascent Soul stage to a standstill was a rare feat, worthy of being recorded in history. Listening to their tone, they didnt seem to think much of the Five Great Immortal Sects or the Great Xia Dynasty. And their demeanor didnt suggest they were pretending. Could it be true?The very thought was terrifying. If true, it was enough to scare anyone senseless and was certainly beyond the meddling of a mere Nascent Soul stage cultivator like him. Wait, Master Mi realized something was off. The sword energy just now might not havee from them; it was very likely borrowed from a sword talisman left by an elder. Such deceit! Master Mi felt he had seen through their ploy. Dark energy swirled around his heart, and a de-wielding ghost appeared, merging with Master Mi. Master Mis aura changed drastically, holding a bone-cutting knife, looking like a ghost general, ready to eliminate the four youngsters and show them he wasnt easily deceived. This was a highly unusual cultivation method known as the Five Organs Ghost-Driving Technique, where five ghosts were nurtured within the five organs. In battle, the ghosts could either possess the cultivator or be controlled by them, useful for both close and distantbat. One person behind Lu Yang narrowed his eyes and made a move, unleashing his full power, glowing brilliantly like the sun, subduing all demons and evil spirits. Boom The collision of forces created a huge sound, shaking the earth. Long Jingzhou, hes all yours. Meng Jingzhouughed heartily, looking down on Master Mi. A bunch of cultists who dont even know the origins of the Nine Nether Sect dare to challenge me? Meng Jingzhous body ignited in zing mes, causing the surrounding air to boil as if a sun had risen from the ground. The ghost possessing Master Mi screamed in agony as its body continuously dissolved. This was the Pure Yang True Fire granted to every Single Spirit Root cultivator, extremely yang and rigid, the bane of all ghosts. A single nce at the Pure Yang True Fire made Young Master Qins eyes feel like they were burning. He had to use all his cultivation to suppress the difort. Anyone fighting Master Mi for the first time would be thrown off by his ghost-drivingbat style and quickly fall behind. Unfortunately for him, he was up against Meng Jingzhou, a cultivator bold enough to form two single Golden Cores. Meng Jingzhous Pure Yang True Fire was the strongest among all Single Spirit Root cultivators throughout history. Master Mis ghostly aura, though seemingly terrifying, was actually spilling out uncontrobly, indicating he was already at a disadvantage. Meng Jingzhous iron fists pounded on the de, covering its surface with countless punch marks. Thats enough, Lu Yang said calmly. Meng Jingzhou tactfully stepped back, sparing Master Mis life. Master Mis spirit was still shaken as he quickly recalled the de-wielding ghost to his heart to heal. The ghost wouldnt be able to fight again for some time. Master Mi was now certain; the opponent was indeed an extraordinary genius. An early Golden Core stage cultivator managed to put a Nascent Soul stage cultivator like him at a disadvantagealthough he hadnt used all his techniques, had the opponent used their full power? Judging by their rxed demeanor, it seemed like they hadnt even been in a fight. Master Mi couldnt tell if Ying Tian Immortal would be jealous of them, but he was certain such talent was rare even in an era brimming with geniuses! Master Mi, we are not your enemies. The Five Great Immortal Sects and the Great Xia Dynasty may be nothing, but our Heavenly Court Sect has not fully revived yet, and we are not fully prepared to deal with them! Moreover, we have a deep-seated enmity with the Dao Seeking Sect! The Dao Seeking Sect annihted the Undying Sect, severing the revival chance of Evesting Celestial. Evesting Celestial was the protector of our ancient Heavenly Court and held great significance for us! Lu Yangs eyes gleamed with hatred and a thirst for vengeance against the Dao Seeking Sect. Heavenly Court? Master Mi showed a puzzled expression. The other side had been mentioning the Heavenly Court repeatedly. What was the Heavenly Court? Why had he never heard of it? Lu Yang patiently exined, The Heavenly Court was the ruler of ancient times. All the stars in the sky, all natural phenomena, were under our jurisdiction. In the era before Ying Tian Immortal and others rose to power, all living beings respected the Heavenly Court. Unfortunately, as they rose, the Heavenly Court lost its advantage and gradually declined. Heavenly Court worships the Supreme Great Venerate, Bean Venerate. The brilliant stars are nothing more than grains of soybeans in front of the Supreme Great Venerate, utterly insignificant. (TL Note: Soybeans in chinese can be called ƶ or Yellow Bean. To rify, Evesting Fairys real name in chinese is ƶ which would be more urately tranted as Yellow Bean Bean but it makes no sense to call her that and thest part with the extra is just to make her name sound cuter in chinese) The Bean Venerate was the first to achieve immortality. Its detestable that Nonuple Immortal, to obscure the Heavenly Courts existence, stole the Bean Venerates glory and imed to be the first to achieve immortality! Master Mi was shocked. He didnt even know about Nonuple Immortal, let alone that Nonuple Immortal was supposedly the first to achieve immortality. From Lu Yangs few words, he sensed the brutal struggles of ancient times. It seemed the ancient times were filled with deceit and intrigue, and even immortals were not exempt! We are all members of Heavenly Court, awakened from slumber to form the Heavenly Court Sect. We intend to use theing great era to restore the former glory of Heavenly Court!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om We are not the only ones who have awakened from ancient times. There are elders who have awakened and are lying in wait, silently preparing for more elders to awaken and plot the grand scheme. Master Mi thought to himself, could it be that the reason no ancient cultivators have been known to awaken is not because there were none but because those who did were all members of Heavenly Court Sect? Did they hide after waking up? The ancient methods of concealment might not be known to the Great Xia Dynasty, which made sense. There was a Spirit Transformation stage cultivator hidden behind Young Master Qin, sent by the upper echelons of the Nine Nether Sect to protect him. He had not expected to encounter such a situation. He was just about to reveal himself and scold Lu Yang for spouting nonsense when Lu Yang suddenly raised his eyes slightly and made eye contact with him. How was this possible? His concealment technique was rare in the world. How could someone at the early Golden Core stage detect him? Unless there was also a protector hiding near the other party, with a cultivation far above his own! The Spirit Transformation stage protector quickly realized this and dared not make a move. Lu Yang averted his gaze. It was Evesting Fairy who had informed him about the Spirit Transformation stage protector behind Young Master Qin. Fortunately, his nce had intimidated the protector. Smart people will automatically fill in the gaps on how they were discovered, saving him the effort. Our Heavenly Court Sect is more closely rted to your Nine Nether Sect than you might think, Master Mi. The Heavenly Court represents the yang and governs the living world, while the Nine Nethers represents the yin and governs the underworld. The Heavenly Court and the Nine Nether realm were the true rulers of ancient times! What! Master Mi eximed, unable to believe that the Nine Nether realm had such a close rtionship with Heavenly Court. Even the Spirit Transformation stage cultivator hidden behind Young Master Qin felt his heart tighten. So the Nine Nether realm originated from ancient times? Seeing Master Mi so flustered, Lu Yang gently shook his head, seeming pained by their reaction. It seems that with the end of ancient times, many heritages have been lost. Even the oldest Nine Nether realm haspletely forgotten its rtionship with us. Thats why we say, theres no need for us to fight to the death. Master Mi, consider this: if we were from the Five Great Immortal Sects or the Great Xia Dynasty, wouldnt we just wipe you out instead of wasting time here? If you still dont believe us, we have more proof. In ancient times, Heavenly Court and the Nine Nether realm were close. Our elders know some reincarnation techniques. Using these, we found the reincarnation of your previous Sect Leader, Qin Haoran! Chapter 304: Conning a Cripple Young Master Qin, who had previously looked indifferent, changed his expression upon hearing Lu Yangs words. Whether Lu Yang was an ancient genius or from the Heavenly Court Sect didnt matter to him; it wasnt something he could get involved in. However, when Lu Yang said he had found the reincarnation of Qin Haoran, that was uneptable. If they found the reincarnation of Qin Haoran, then what was he? Young Master Qin had a clear understanding of himself. His existences purpose was to seamlessly inherit Qin Haorans legacy. Even though he was the same age as Lu Yang and already at thete Foundation Building stage, advancing faster than Lu Yangs junior disciples, his cultivation talent wasnt as good as it appeared. The Nine Nether Sects upper echelons had enhanced his cultivation to make him appear as talented as Qin Haoran, artificially boosting his power. This method of forcibly elerating growth came with severe consequences. Future cultivation would be extremely difficult, making advancement to the Unity stage nearly impossible. He might be stuck at the Void Refinement stage, or even lower, for life. Who do you say is my reincarnation? Young Master Qin red at Lu Yang, feeling an intense urge to devour him. Who are you? Lu Yang was puzzled. Little Seven had mentioned that Master Mi always came alone for safety. Why was there now ate Foundation Building cultivator and a hidden Spirit Transformation stage bodyguard?Whose illegitimate child was this? I am the reincarnation of Qin Haoran, Qin Tian! Oh? Lu Yang looked at Qin Tian, first showing a bit of surprise, then a knowing smile as he quickly figured out the situation. Excluding the possibility that Qin Haorans soul had split into three, it was certain that Li Haoran was the reincarnation of Qin Haoran. This so-called Qin Tian was likely a fake, pushed forward by some interested party. Perhaps it was to inherit Qin Haorans legacy, or maybe it was a ploy by the Nine Nether Sects upper echelons to secure the position of Sect Leader and prove their legitimacy. Whatever the reason, it was inconsequential and did not affect therger picture. Youre talking nonsense! Qin Yanyan, hearing Qin Tians im, bristled like a cat, clutching eight thunder talismans between her fingers and shooting them at Qin Tian like arrows aiming to pierce the sun! Although Qin Haoran was an unreliable father, she wouldnt tolerate anyone impersonating his reincarnation in front of her! The talismans shed, and thunder roared, white lightning bursting forth like dancing dragons, crashing towards Qin Tian. Qin Tian hadnt expected Qin Yanyan to attack in such a fury. He quickly responded, summoning an array beneath his feet that sent beams of light to intercept the lightning. The lightning and beams shed continuously. Qin Haoran was most skilled in formations, and coincidentally, so was Qin Tian. The white lightning turned into a slurry, exploding with a deafening roar, nearly knocking Qin Tian off bnce. Seizing the opportunity, Qin Yanyan enhanced her talismans, sticking them on herself, boosting her strength and speed to the limit. She moved like a ghost, her right foot sweeping horizontally. Qin Tian quickly formed a seal with his hands, changing the array underfoot to erect a barrier in front of him. Ha! Crack! Qin Yanyan shouted, adding three more degrees of force to her kick, shattering the barrier with a single blow. In the brief moment the array failed, Qin Yanyan bit her finger and drew a symbol in mid-air. A blood-red rune appeared between them, turning into a crimson streak aiming for Qin Tians neck. Qin Tian couldnt set up another array in time, blocking with his hand and screaming as blood flowed from his palm. Qin Yanyan stepped forward, closing the distance, engaging Qin Tian in closebat. Last night, Li Haoran had nothing to do, so he refined Qin Yanyans clothes from head to toe. Though her clothes appeared light and airy, they had be a suit of armor, difficult for anyone at the Foundation Building stage to prate. Li Haoran had even suggested Qin Yanyan shave her head and refine her hair into a wig for battle effectiveness, but she had firmly refused. Seeing the situation turn dire, Master Mi was about to intervene but was stopped by Lu Yang, who swiftly grabbed his wrist. Master Mi, do you have so little faith in the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin? Qin Tian and Qin Yanyan exchanged rapid blows. Although Qin Tians formations were somewhat intricate, he was not adept at closebat. Under Qin Yanyans fierce assault, he began to fall behind.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Qin Yanyan excelled in talismans and, like her mother, preferred closebat. Qin Tian coughed up blood repeatedly, retreating continuously. His entire body trembled uncontrobly, his internal organs twisted. This was the hidden force Qin Yanyan had struck into his body during the fight. Qin Tian pressed his hand against a tree, which exploded, dissipating the strange hidden force. Who are you? Qin Tian demanded, having suffered a significant loss in their brief exchange. He hadnt expected such arge disparity inbat ability despite both being at thete Foundation Building stage. Qin Yanyan, she coldly replied, giving her name without further words. Seeing that Qin Yanyan wanted to continue fighting, Lu Yang transmitted a message to her, informing her that there was a Spirit Transformation stage expert hidden at the scene who might intervene if she kept attacking Qin Tian. Qin Yanyan reluctantly stopped and angrily retreated, with Li Haoran kindly consoling his former daughter, telling her not to be so upset. Meng Jingzhou also transmitted a message to Qin Yanyan: Niece, why did you give your real name? Didnt we agree to use fake names? Last night, while discussing their strategy, Lu Yang suggested that they shouldnt use their real names or faces when dealing with the demonic sects to avoid future troubles. Hence, the four standing in front of Master Mi today were all disguised. I was too angry and forgot, Qin Yanyan said, a bit embarrassed. Herck of experience in the martial world made her easily driven by emotions. Lu Yang smiled at Qin Tian, You im to be the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin. What proof do you have? Still shaken by his fight with Qin Yanyan, Qin Tian had lost his previous arrogance but still stubbornly said, Iprehended the Dao of Reincarnation and recalled clues about the treasure hidden in Ancient Locust Town. Let me guess. You remembered that the treasure hidden by Sect Leader Qin is rted to locust trees? Master Mi, Qin Tian, and the Spirit Transformation stage expert behind Qin Tian were all shocked. How did he know that? Could it be that he really was from the Heavenly Court Sect and had found the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin? Lu Yangs mysterious smile left the three uncertain and uneasy. In truth, it was easy to guess. If the Nine Nether Sect had truly known where the treasure was, they would have retrieved it long ago. The only exnation was that the Nine Nether Sect had a clue, but it was quite vague. What could the clue be, if not rted to locust trees? Even if Lu Yangs guess was wrong about the clue the Nine Nether Sect had, the clue he mentioned was indeed a real one. Seeing Qin Tians reaction, Lu Yang knew he had guessed correctly. Master Mi, being a seasoned veteran, didnt let his expression betray him. Qin Tian, inexperienced in worldly affairs, easily revealed the truth when bluffed. Master Mi tried to remain calm. That proves nothing. Locust trees are what Ancient Locust Town is famous for. If the clue wasnt rted to locust trees, would it be rted to female ghosts? Anyone could think of such a clue with a bit of thought! It seems thats all the clues you have, Lu Yang said, shaking his head in disappointment. I didnt expect the Nine Nether Sect, once equal to the Heavenly Court, to have declined so much. I told you, our Heavenly Court Sect found the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin long ago and learned the treasures location from him. What!! Chapter 305: Have I Become My Father’s Reincarnation? (TL Note: If the novel reaches 60 5-star ratings on NU (Its at 52 right now), I will release 3 extra chapters so please support!) Thats impossible! Qin Tian was the first to object, but everyone present ignored him. The Spirit Transformation stage cultivator behind him felt a murderous intent, wanting to kill Lu Yang and hispanions on the spot, as the threat they posed was too great. However, after a brief consideration, he abandoned this idea. The other party clearly showed no fear of him. As ancient geniuses, they surely had several life-saving trump cards. Failing to kill them now would mean that if the Nine Nether Sect and Heavens Court Sect formed an alliance in the future, he would be the one in trouble. Lu Yang waved his hand,pletely disregarding Master Mi: Dont believe it? Your Nine Nether Sect has lost too much of its heritage. Its normal not to believe. Fine, Ill find what Sect Leader Qin hid. Master Mi didnt find Lu Yang arrogant. After all, he was an ancient peerless genius who had forced Ying Tian Immortal to intervene and block the path to immortality. How could such a person care about an ordinary Nascent Soul stage cultivator? Not only Lu Yang but Meng Jingzhou, Li Haoran, and Qin Yanyan behind him all had the same attitude.Among them, Qin Yanyans acting was the worst, having practiced the entire night. Li Haoran, whether due to natural disposition or the influence of memory fragments, disyed the attitude perfectly on the first try, earning apuse from Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Lu Yang turned and walked into the abandoned temple, surprising Master Mi. Come in and see for yourselves. Your Nine Nether Sect has been oppressed by the righteous path for too long, hiding everywhere. Its understandable that you find it hard to trust others. Lu Yang walked straight into the main hall, followed closely by Meng Jingzhou, the three female ghosts, Master Mi, and Qin Tian. The main hall was as dpidated as ever, with half a Buddha statue, old doors and windows, a cracked roof beam, a dim incense table, and dusty walls that covered many patterns and writings, making the residents of Ancient Locust Town forget the temples original purpose. Lu Yang stared nkly at the scene, seemingly recalling memories of ancient times, as if Heavens Court, like this forgotten temple, had also been forgotten. Who could forget the might of Heavens Court back then? he muttered, loud enough for Master Mi and the Spirit Transformation stage cultivator to hear. Lu Yang raised his arm, gathering sword light into a golden beam. This golden sword light, once famous in ancient times, was now unknown. The golden sword light fell, splitting the half Buddha statue in two, revealing a wooden box wrapped in old sealing talismans. The relic of Sect Leader Qin! Master Mi eximed, his eyes widening in shock. He never imagined that the treasure he had been searching for was right under his nose the whole time! What do you think? Lu Yang weighed the wooden box, surprisingly light, uncertain of its contents. Li Haoran seized the moment to sigh, Who would have thought that four hundred years ago, hiding something in a locust tree would lead to the tree being cut down to carve a Buddha statue for building a temple in Ancient Locust Town. Fate truly ys tricks. This wasnt a memory from Li Haoran but a conclusion Lu Yang deduced the previous night. The reasoning was simple: if the Nine Nether Sect knew that Sect Leader Qins relic was here, they would have turned the ce over multiple times, like plowing thend and digging through the soil. Lu Yang even suspected that the great fire in Ancient Locust Town was set by the Nine Nether Sect to burn down the locust trees and find the wooden box. After all, the box wouldnt burn. Even so, the Nine Nether Sect still couldnt find the box. This could only mean that Qin Haorans box was hidden in the Nine Nether Sects blind spot. For instance, in a locust tree that had long been carved into a Buddha statue. Why had Little Seven and the others stayed in this temple all this time? Was it really just because there was no one around? What a joke. This ce was on the outskirts of Ancient Locust Town, with only a few locust trees around. It made more sense for them to live in the town itself rather than here. The real reason they stayed was because the half-Buddha statue in the main hall was made of ancient locust wood, which could nurture souls. Lu Yang exerted force but couldnt open the wooden box. Just as he suspected, the box was sealed by Qin Haoran, and no one but Qin Haoran himself could open it. Trying to force it open might damage the contents inside. Kid, catch! Didnt you say youre the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin? Try opening it! Lu Yang tossed the box to Qin Tian. Qin Tian was startled, fumbling with the box as if it were a hot potato, nearly dropping it. He knew perfectly well whether he was the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin or not. But what if he was? What if he really was? He gritted his teeth, sweat beading on his forehead, and used all his strength to try and open the box. The box didnt budge. The Spirit Transformation stage cultivator looked at Qin Tian with disappointment. Fool! Who said it had to be opened here? Why not take it back and open itter? Master Mi took the box, examining it carefully. He had some knowledge of seals and recognized that this one was set by Sect Leader Qin, requiring vast spiritual energy. Only Sect Leader Qin himself, or his reincarnation, could open it. Li Hao, you open it, Lu Yang said with a lightugh, indicating that Li Haoran, the legitimate previous Sect Leader, should open the box. As a former Sect Leader who understood the mysteries of reincarnation and was on par with ancient geniuses, Li Haoran naturally couldnt lower himself by taking the box directly. This would undermine his status. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, being Golden Core stage cultivators, were also unsuitable for the task. Therefore, the duty of maintaining Li Haorans dignity fell to Qin Yanyan. Qin Yanyan stepped forward, took the box from Master Mi, and was about to hand it to Li Haoran. As soon as the box touched Qin Yanyans fingers, the blood seal recognized its owner and instantly disappeared. Qin Yanyan blinked, confused, not understanding what had happened. Lu Yang was also puzzled but fortunately had Evesting Fairy within him. After Evesting Fairys exnation, Lu Yang understood. This was a blood seal left by Qin Haoran, only to be opened by someone with the same blood. Four hundred years ago, this would have been Qin Haoran himself. But now, there was another person who met this conditionhis daughter. Master Mis eyes widened. With his vast knowledge and experience, he quickly grasped what had happened, looking enlightened as if he had just discovered the truth. The surname Qin. Able to break Sect Leader Qins seal. The age corresponded with the time of Sect Leader Qins fall. Incredible talent, reaching thete Foundation Building stage at a young age, and defeating Qin Tian, who was also at thete Foundation Building stage! It all made sense. Everything made sense! Excitedly, he pointed at Qin Yanyan: You, you are the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin! If she wasnt the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin, who was? Though she was a girl, who said reincarnation had to maintain gender? Reincarnation was mysterious and full of unknowns. Anything was possible. Didnt Lu Yang also say that their Heavenly Court Sect had found the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin?n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Lu Yang had specifically asked Qin Yanyan to take the box, clearly intending for them to witness her breaking the seal and confirming they had indeed found the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin! Qin Yanyan: Have I be my fathers reincarnation? Chapter 306: What Qin Haoran Buried As Qin Yanyan entered the mortal world, she immediately felt its unfathomable depths. When she first arrived in Ancient Locust Town, she saw her former father closely mixing with female ghosts, and her fathers two senior brothers were even more shameless in their exploits. After the misunderstanding was cleared up, she heard the rare news about the Nine Nether Sect. Fortunately, her father, whom she had never met, turned out to be the former Sect Leader of the Nine Nether Sect. Moreover, her father had incurred a huge debt for the sake of his career, unbeknownst to her and her mother. In the end, she became her father. At the tender age of seventeen, she had experienced what many could not in their entire lives. Lu Yang: At this point, even if he said that Li Haoran was the reincarnation of Qin Haoran, the other side wouldnt believe it, right? Lu Yang thought his n was quite foolproof. First, he used his extensive knowledge of ancient times to create a grand narrative, constructing a mythical Heavenly Court Sect, with Yellow Bean as the Bean Celestial at its helm.He even wrote a chronological history for the Heavenly Court Sect, ensuring that no matter who examined it, they wouldnt find any ws. Then, he nned to find the wooden box and have Li Haoran open it naturally, proving that Li Haoran was indeed the reincarnation of Qin Haoran. This would demonstrate that the Heavenly Court Sect had immense power and was willing to support the Nine Nether Sect. This way, they could establish a connection with the Nine Nether Sect. If luck favored them, they might even establish ties with the other two demonic sects. After destroying the Undying Sect, Lu Yang had reflected on his actions multiple times. He realized that his previous actions were too aggressive; there was no need to destroy the Undying Sect so quickly. He could have followed the leads from the Undying Sect to find the three major demonic sects and eventually wipe them out all at once. However, it wasnt toote to make amends. Master Mi, you guessed right. She is indeed the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin, found by our Heavenly Court Sect. After undergoing the baptism of reincarnation, Sect Leader Qins soul has be a pure, innate soul, shedding postnatal influences and returning to its primal state, bing a being without gender. After reincarnating as a human, Sect Leader Qin was born into a female body, influenced by the mysteries of the womb, and forgot her past memories. Later, our elders found her using the secret methods of reincarnation and awakened a part of her past consciousness, gradually recovering her memories! The surname is the root of the soul. A soul that loses its surname bes like a rootless duckweed, drifting and gradually forgetting itself. Fortunately, Sect Leader Qins unparalleled mastery of reincarnation allowed him to retain the same surname through his past and current lives! You were deceived by this person named Qin Tian, thinking he was the reincarnation of Qin Haoran. I suppose the surname yed a part in that. Its a pity that you only understand a fraction of reincarnation, not the whole picture. Otherwise, you wouldnt have mistaken Qin Tian for Sect Leader Qins reincarnation. Lu Yangughed self-deprecatingly: But then again, theplete ariya-ph of reincarnation has not yet been realized. Who can im to have fullyprehended the Dao of Reincarnation? Even Ying Tian Immortal and the others cannot, Im sure. Everyone present was stunned by Lu Yangs long-winded exnation, even Li Haoran couldnt help but transmit a message to Meng Jingzhou: Senior Brother Meng, how does Senior Brother Lu know so much about reincarnation? He knows nothing. Its all nonsense. Meng Jingzhou was the clearest-headed, realizing from the beginning that Lu Yang was making it up on the spot. Lu Yang took the wooden box and tossed it to Master Mi. What does this mean? Master Mi was puzzled. This was a treasure specially hidden by Sect Leader Qin. Lu Yang smiled confidently: Though the items of Sect Leader Qin are precious, they mean little to our Heavenly Court Sect. Take the box back and show it to your higher-ups so they can see that its genuinely Sect Leader Qins possession and not something fabricated by us. In his words, Lu Yang clearly intended tomunicate with the upper echelons, using Master Mi merely as a messenger.N?v(el)B\\jnn As an unparalleled ancient genius, he indeed had this right. And also, these three female ghosts are mine now, Lu Yang dered. He casually tapped the foreheads of the three ghosts, Little Seven and herpanions, causing Master Mi to instantly lose control over them. What kind of technique was this!? The soul restrictions he had painstakingly ced were wiped out effortlessly? He was a full level higher than Lu Yang! Was this an ancient technique that had been lost for ages? Or did it involve [Reincarnation]? Cold sweat dripped from Master Mis forehead. He realized Lu Yang and hispanions had unfathomably deep roots. If you are willing to cooperate with our Heavenly Court Sect,e find us at the barbecue restaurant in Yanjiang County. If not, then this matter ends here. Master Mi and the Spirit Transformation stage cultivator hadplex expressions. These people came from ancient times, hadplete inheritances, and the support of Heavenly Court elders. Coborating with them would be a significant advantage for the Nine Nether Sect. I will certainly ry this to the higher-ups of the sect! Master Mi said respectfully to Lu Yang and his group. With that, he took Qin Tian and left Ancient Locust Town. Arent you leaving? Lu Yang nced casually in the direction of the Spirit Transformation stage cultivator. The cultivator, now convinced there was a hidden master among Lu Yangs group, didnt dare stay and quickly departed. What do you think? Will they believe it? Qin Yanyan asked, worried. Lu Yang smiled, unconcerned: Whether they believe it or not doesnt matter. The righteous path has been suppressing the demonic path for so long. A sudden emergence of a powerful ally will definitely prompt them toe to Yanjiang County to verify. Lets go back. The Heavenly Court Sect needs more than just us to look convincing. We need to go back to the sect and find a few more people to fill the ranks. Can I go to the Dao Seeking Sect too? Qin Yanyan was surprised. She always thought the Five Great Immortal Sects were mysterious, aloof, and highly exclusive, impossible for outsiders to enter. Of course you can. After all, you are Junior Brother Lis former daughter. Lu Yang continued, Not just you. Even Lis former wife, Su Yiren, cane to the Dao Seeking Sect. Old Mi, we need to report this to the sect immediately! The Spirit Transformation stage cultivator said seriously. This matter had exceeded their capacity to handle. Master Mi nodded. He thought the same. Whether the Heavenly Court Sect was real or not wasnt up to them to decide. It was up to the higher-ups in the sect. This is the whole story, Master Mi and the Spirit Transformation stage cultivator reported nervously to the person before them. The person in front of them wore a hemp robe, had a thin build, a face full of wrinkles, and deep, dark eyes that seemed to hide endless secrets. This was Petrified Bone, one of the three deputy sect leaders of the Nine Nether Sect. Qin Tians identity had been fabricated by him. Petrified Bone gave a cold, chilling smile. Whether its real or not, well know once we see if the treasure in the box truly belongs to Qin Haoran. Other things could be faked, but Qin Haorans possessions could not. He opened the wooden box. Inside was only a yellowed piece of paper with Qin Haorans handwriting, stating: I, Qin Haoran, hereby dere that I owe one billion spirit stones. If not repaid on time, may I be struck by five bolts of lightning. It was an IOU. As Petrified Bone was stunned, the words on the paper quietly changed. The name Qin Haoran morphed into Petrified Bone. The content of the IOU changed to: I, Petrified Bone, hereby dere that I owe one billion spirit stones. If not repaid on time, may I be struck by five bolts of lightning. Petrified Bone looked up to see dark clouds gathering ominously overhead, brewing terrifying lightning. He instinctively swallowed hard. Seeing this, Master Mi and the Spirit Transformation stage cultivator bolted in fear. Chapter 307: The Unlucky Deputy Sect Leader On the way back to the Dao Seeking Sect, Meng Jingzhou suddenly asked, By the way, the item in the wooden box is something left by Qin Haoran. Shouldnt Junior Brother Li keep it? Lu Yang was silent for a moment, then sincerely replied, Trust me, Junior Brother Li definitely wouldnt want that thing. After the seal on the wooden box was broken, Lu Yang had intended to open it and take a look, but Evesting Fairy hurriedly stopped him. The box contains an IOU involving the power of karma. Qin Haoran used the box to iste the IOU and himself from its karma. If the person opening the box is rted to Qin Haoran, then that person will establish a karmic link with the IOU and be responsible for repaying the debt on Qin Haorans behalf! This IOU cannot be destroyed. If someone with a karmic link to it tries to destroy it, they will suffer an attack equivalent to a full strike from a Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator! Presumably, Qin Haoran was unable to repay the debt and hid the IOU. Whoever digs up the box thinking its a treasure will be unlucky! Evesting Fairy warned with rare seriousness. Lu Yang took a sharp breath. Qin Haoran truly lived up to his reputation as a demonic sect leader, acting with ruthless cunning. Whoever was unlucky enough to establish a karmic link with the IOU would be in serious trouble. Moreover, Lu Yang realized why the seal on the box was a blood seal. Qin Haoran never intended for his reincarnation to open the seal. He wasnt stupid; why would he want his next life to bear a massive debt? At the Nine Nether Sect headquarters, dark clouds loomed low, and a rare lightning tribtion brewed in the sky. Suddenly, a massive purple lightning bolt illuminated the entire sky, like a giant electric ball bursting and spreading outwards. \x3C!--sse-->\x3C!--/sse--> Under its light, everything appeared abnormally clear, as if time had paused. Then another massive lightning bolt streaked across the sky, followed by a second, a third As time passed, Petrified Bone, bombarded by wave after wave of lightning, had turned into a piece of charcoal. After the lightning and thunder ceased, Petrified Bone opened his eyes. Cough, coughn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om He spat out a mouthful of ck smoke mixed with the smell of roasted meat. Damn it, I almost thought I was going to die, Petrified Bone cursed, still shaken with fear. For a yin attribute cultivator like him, yang lightning was his greatest fear. If not for his solid foundation, he would have been dead for sure. Strangely, despite the lightning being so intense it was almost liquid, the area was a mess, and Petrified Bones clothes were burned to a crisp. Yet the IOU remained untouched by the lightning. Seeing the IOU made Petrified Bone furious, and he wished he could crush it into powder. But he knew the power of the IOU. If he dared to destroy it, even stronger lightning would descend upon him. That would be a situation of certain death. If he didnt repay the debt, the IOU would summon a lightning strike every month. Who could withstand that? There were two options now: either break through to the Tribtion Crossing stage or repay the debt. \x3C!--sse-->\x3C!--/sse--> One billion spirit stoneshe didnt have that much wealth even if he gathered all his assets. Karma transfertruly fitting for Sect Leader Qin who knew how to rob Peter to pay Paul, Petrified Bones eyes were cold and frightening. He had thought about transferring the IOU again, but unfortunately, the IOU had already established a karmic link with him. It couldnt be transferred until the karmic link was severed. Heavenly Court Sect, huh? Good, very good. This is your way of giving me a warning! Petrified Bone gritted his teeth. The other side was indeed cunning and calcting. When Master Mi and the Spirit Transformation stage cultivator returned and saw Petrified Bone looking like a piece of charcoal, they cautiously asked, Deputy Sect Leader, are you alright? Petrified Bones face was ck with anger: Do I look alright to you? The Spirit Transformation stage cultivator understood the meaning behind Petrified Bones words and carefully asked: Deputy Sect Leader, are you not alright? Petrified Bone struggled to suppress his murderous intent. Find the Sect Leader! Petrified Bone used a spell to clean his body and changed into new clothes, putting on a wig since his hair had been burned off by the lightning and wouldnt grow back anytime soon. Master Mi and the Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator tacitly agreed not to mention what had happened beforeing to the sect. Master Mi, being neutral, had initially intended to hand the wooden box directly to the Sect Leader, but the Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator, being Petrified Bones confidant, wouldnt allow it. Under the Spirit Transformation Stage cultivators strong insistence, the wooden box was sessfully opened by Petrified Bone. If Petrified Bone knew this, he would undoubtedly kill the Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator in a fit of rage. Master Mi now had leverage over the Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator. \x3C!--sse-->\x3C!--/sse--> The current Sect Leader of the Nine Nether Sect was a handsome young man, whose appearance seemed out of ce with the sects dark atmosphere. Heavenly Court? The Sect Leader pondered, thinking for a long time before slowly asking, Do you think this Heavenly Court Sect has money? Can they lend us some? What? Petrified Bone thought his lightning-struck head must be malfunctioning. Oh, nothing. I mean, so its the Heavenly Court. The Sect Leader quickly corrected himself. When he became Sect Leader, he saw the monthly deficit reports and realized how difficult the previous Sect Leaders life must have been. He worked hard, learning finance from scratch, conducting market surveys, and finding business opportunities, opening new industries to make money and sustain the Nine Nether Sect. Unfortunately, no matter how much spirit stone he earned, it was never enough to fill the bottomless pit of constructing Fengdu. (TL Note: Fengdu Ghost City argeplex of shrines, temples and monasteries dedicated to the afterlife located on the Ming mountain, in Fengdu County, Chongqing municipality, China. It is situated about 170 kilometres downstream from Chongqing on the north bank of the Yangtze River. The city consists of buildings, structures, dioramas, and statues rted to Diyu and Naraka, concepts from Chinese mythology and Buddhism that signify the underworld or hell. It is modeled to resemble Youdu, the capital of Diyu. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fengdu_Ghost_City) Such matters couldnt be discussed with others as it would cause panic. Facing the pressure from the righteous path was already challenging enough. If the followers knew about the sects financial troubles, they might even consider surrendering. So, he admired Qin Haoran, who managed to keep the Nine Nether Sect running despite such deficits. If he knew that Qin Haoran also managed to start a family in such circumstances, his admiration would probably grow even more. The reincarnation of Qin Haoran \x3C!--sse-->\x3C!--/sse--> Previously, he thought the story of Qin Haorans reincarnation was fabricated by the three deputy Sect Leaders to fight over Qin Haorans legacy. Although the Nine Nether Sects teachings mentioned [Reincarnation] and theoretically it was possible, in the long history of the Nine Nether Sect, no one had ever achieved it. Now, an ancient Heavenly Court Sect appeared, iming to have found Qin Haorans reincarnation, who turned out to be a woman. It sounded strange but made sense upon reflection. Are you sure its Qin Haorans item? Petrified Bone silently took out the IOU. Petrified Bone didnt know about the sects financial issues; he thought the IOU was left by Qin Haoran to intentionally deceive someone. Seeing the IOU, the Sect Leader instantly knew it was undoubtedly Qin Haorans, as it couldnt be faked. He remembered Qin Haoran was skilled in karma and formations, capable of blocking and transferring karma. In that case, the Heavenly Court Sect and Qin Haorans reincarnation seem quite credible. Call the other two deputy Sect Leaders for a meeting. But can we get the one billion spirit stones from the treasury? Petrified Bone didnt want to be struck by lightning every month. The Sect Leader replied seriously, epting Qin Haorans legacy is your personal matter. You cant use public funds. Public and private matters must be distinguished! However, I have a small suggestion. Please go ahead, Sect Leader. The next time youre struck by lightning, please stay far from the headquarters. Repairing the headquarters costs money. \x3C!--sse-->\x3C!--/sse--> Chapter 308: Nine Nether Sect Regular Meeting (TL Note: The novel has reached 60 5-stars so as promised, here is 3 extra chapters. If we manage to reach 75 5-stars, Ill release 5 more!) At the headquarters of the Nine Nether Sect, arge rectangr conference table was ced in the center of the room. The Sect Leader sat on one side of the table, while the three deputy Sect Leaders sat on the other side. Each had a white ceramic cup filled with hot water ced before them. The Sect Leader coughed lightly and opened his notebook: Lets start todays regr meeting. We have three items on the agenda. First, we will have Deputy Sect Leader Xiang report on the activities of the Nine Nether Sect over the past month. Deputy Sect Leader Xiang had a peculiar appearance, with three eyes on his forehead that allowed him to see in all directions and perceive everything. He was the executive deputy Sect Leader. Since June, our sect has shown a stable and positive trend overall. This month, we have recruited thirty-three new disciples, including twenty-three male cultivators, ten female cultivators, and three non-humans who are ghosts. The male-to-female ratio remains skewed towards males. The Sect Leaders directive to recruit more female cultivators has not been fully implemented. We will address this issue after the meeting and strive to achieve a bnced gender ratio as soon as possible. Eighteen disciples were arrested by the Great Xia Dynasty this month. Three disciples went missing in the demon region, and two disciples turned themselves in at the Hanging Temple. ording to reliable sources, the Great Xia Dynasty is revising the Great Xia Dynasty Ghost Management Regtions in response to the increasingly rampant ghost activities. Once implemented, these regtions may affect the activity range of our sects ghosts, indirectly impacting the construction progress of Fengdu.In terms of new business ventures, our sect has thoroughly implemented the Sect Leaders directives, vigorously promoting diversified business channels. We have started aprehensive funeral and cremation service, encouraging people and cultivators to bury their remains in our sect-established cemeteries and offering tomb rental services, with fees collected every fifty years. We have also significantly developed the smuggling industry, which has actively supported the implementation of the Great Xia Dynasty Smuggling Law. The Great Xia Dynasty has recognized and supported our efforts, even awarding us amendation banner, though no one dared to im it. Currently, the smuggling industry is struggling, with thin profits, and new strategies are needed. During the development of the tomb raiding industry, our sect has frequently encountered the Grand Elder of the Dao Seeking Sect, indicating that the Dao Seeking Sect has likely obtained some clues about our tomb raiding patterns. Additionally, while tomb raiding, our sect unintentionally unearthed a sleeping ancient Unity cultivator. After a fierce battle, both sides were arrested by the Great Xia Dynasty. Lastly, after rigorous and thorough investigation, we havepletely ruled out anymunication channels established by the Undying Sect. It is impossible for the Great Xia Dynasty or the Dao Seeking Sect to contact us through any remnants of the Undying Sect. That concludes my report.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om The Sect Leader listened to the report and secretly sighed. Managing the Nine Nether Sect was truly challenging; these were some ridiculous issues! Money was hard toe by. Old Xiang, what happened to those eighteen unlucky disciples arrested by the court? Another deputy Sect Leader asked out of curiosity. His surname was Shi, and he was a ghost cultivator. He was once a disciple of the Buddhist sect, but during an overzealous recitation of the Rebirth Mantra, he transcended himself, leaving his soul detached. The Nine Nether Sect found him and recruited him into their ranks. Deputy Sect Leader Xiang sighed: Aside from the ten who were arrested because their tomb raiding led to a fight with an ancient Unity cultivator and made too much noise, there were eight idiots. I tasked these eight with setting up a brothel. After conducting some field research, they found that the taxes on brothels were too high. So, they brought in dozens of female shapeshifting demon beasts from the demon region and registered an animal zoo instead, thinking it would lower the tax rate. They imed it was a zoo, but the activities were the same as those in a brothel. When the officials came to inspect, they pretended to be a legitimate zoo. Thats actually quite clever, Deputy Sect Leader Shi, the ghost cultivator, said, surprised by the ingenuity of the eight disciples. Deputy Sect Leader Xiang sighed, But the problem is, normal zoos dont have signs that say No Minors Allowed.'' The most disastrous part was when a private tutor heard about the new zoo in town and took his students there for an educational visit. And they certainly got an education. Deputy Sect Leader Shi: Ahem, we can discuss this further after the meeting. Lets move on to the second item on the agenda. Deputy Sect Leader Shi, please update us on the progress of the Fengdu construction. Everything is going smoothly. Wevepleted eighty percent of the project. As long as the funding is in ce, the remaining twenty percent can be finished quickly. The Sect Leader sighed in relief upon hearing this. It was finally nearingpletion. To build Fengdu, he had almost sold off everything he owned. If he were part of the Phoenix n, hed have considered selling his blood. A demonic sect was supposed to be the underground emperor, showing off its power, but how had the Nine Nether Sect ended up in such a dire state? Look at the Undying Sect, Sr Sect, and Heartless Sectnone of them were in this kind of mess. The other two deputy Sect Leaders were visibly excited by this news. Fengdu was their dream. As the Nine Nether Sect, how could they not have a city symbolizing the afterlife? How many more spirit stones are needed? 3.8 billion. The Sect Leaders hands trembled. This was practically a death sentence. Was it toote to step down? Seventeen years ago, when Qin Haorans life token shattered and he died suddenly, the Nine Nether Sect fell into chaos. The four deputy Sect Leaderspeted for the position of Sect Leader. The four deputies had simr levels of power and influence, making it hard to determine a winner. Thats when he made a bold promise: if he became Sect Leader, he would ensure the construction of Fengdu. This promise won him the support of many disciples, and he smoothly became Sect Leader. He regretted making that promise. Anyone else could have had this cursed position. But it was toote for regrets. Qin Haoran hadnt managed to build Fengdu in eight hundred years, and here he was, close topleting it in seventeen years, but not without significant strategies. He was adept at transformation techniques and had spent these seventeen years taking out loans using each disciples identity information. If this were ever exposed, it wouldnt just be the end of his term as Sect Leader; it would be the end of his life. With the recent fall of the Undying Sect, the Great Xia Dynasty and the Five Great Immortal Sects are closely watching us. To be cautious, lets dy the Fengdu construction for a while. The Sect Leaders cautious approach was supported by the three deputy Sect Leaders. Although the four major demonic sects couldnt truly unite due to ideological differences, they had coexisted for over ten thousand years. The fall of one sect made the others fearful for their own survival. The demonic sects hadsted this long because they always prioritized safety. Now for the third and final agenda itemregarding the reincarnation of Qin Haoran and the authenticity of the Heavenly Court Sect. Heavenly Court Sect? Deputy Sect Leaders Xiang and Shi exchanged puzzled nces. They were familiar with the four major demonic sects, but when did a Heavenly Court Secte into the picture? And what did this have to do with the reincarnation of Qin Haoran? Both of them had arranged for their own disciples to im to be the reincarnation of Qin Haoran. Deputy Sect Leader Shi, you know the most about this issue. Why dont you exin? Chapter 309: Multiple Versions of Heavenly Court (TL Note: Heres extra chapter 1/3) Petrified Bone felt he had enough bad luck for one day. He had just been screwed over by the long-dead Qin Haoran, owing a debt of one billion spirit stones and getting struck by lightning because he couldnt repay it. Afterward, he had to exin the situation about the Heavenly Court to the Sect Leader. Now he had to exin it all over again. He might as well write a memoir to avoid recalling these painful experiences repeatedly. The other two deputy Sect Leaders looked at Petrified Bone with suspicion. Themotion caused by the lightning was too loud; it was impossible not to notice. Since when did Unity cultivators face lightning tribtions? Did Petrified Bone manage to break through?With a dark expression, Petrified Bone recounted everything that happened in Ancient Locust Town, focusing not on Qin Haorans reincarnation as Qin Yanyan, but on the Heavenly Court Sect. The most powerful organization of ancient times, the Heavenly Court? The first one to be an immortal was Bean Celestial? Manipting stars like soybeans, what an incredible feat of creation! The other two deputy Sect Leaders gasped. In just a few words, this Lu Yiyang had revealed many ancient secrets. The first person to be an immortalthis was incredibly significant, the pioneer of the immortal path, the ancestor of immortals. As the top echelon of the Nine Nether Sect, they knew far more secrets than the average Unity cultivator, yet even they didnt know that the first immortal was Nonuple Immortal. Nonuple Immortal reced Bean Celestial as the first immortal? Ancient times were said to be full of heroes, powerful enough to dominate, yet such corruption was hidden behind the scenes! Seeing the two deputy Sect Leaders gradually absorb this information, the Sect Leader spoke slowly, Actually, I know a bit about the Heavenly Court. Please enlighten us, Sect Leader. The two deputies were eager, sensing a rare opportunity to learn ancient secrets. The Sect Leader, satisfied with their eagerness, began his exnation without further dy. I once came across an ancient immortal book written by Nonuple Immortal. I had it tranted, though only partially, and some parts were missing. But it was enough to understand the content. The book mentioned the existence of the Heavenly Court, stating that in ancient times, bing an immortal was just the first step on the immortal path. Beyond immortals were sages, beyond sages were gods, and beyond gods were supreme gods, with countless realms.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Heavenly Court was the organization of the supreme god realm, governing all things. The two deputy Sect Leaders and Petrified Bone, hearing this for the first time, leaned forward, captivated by the ancient revtions. But this contradicts what Lu Yiyang said. Is he lying? Petrified Bone frowned. The Sect Leader waved his hand, Let me continue. Later, I found another ancient immortal book, written by Ying Tian Immortal. That book was titled Prisoning Heaven, primarily describing the ancient Heavenly Court. It stated that immortals could be ssified into Human Immortal, Earth Immortal, Heavenly Immortal, Golden Immortal, Great Luo Golden Immortal, and Primordial Immortal. It also mentioned that the highest ruler of Heavenly Court was the Heavenly Emperor, residing in the Lingxiao Pce, with Two Sages and Three Pure Ones as the actual rulers. The descriptions were so detailed that I initially thought it was a novel by Ying Tian Immortal. Then I reconsidered. Ying Tian Immortal, an immortal, would not have the leisure to write novels. It was illogical. The three deputy Sect Leaders nodded in agreement, finding the Sect Leaders reasoning sound. Later, I encountered yet another immortal book, also by Ying Tian Immortal, mentioning the Heavenly Court and ssifying immortals into First-level Immortal, Second-level Immortal, Third-level Immortal, Fourth-level Immortal, and Fifth-level Immortal. The plot was entirely different from Imprisoning Heaven! How could there be such contradictions? The three deputy Sect Leaders were astonished. Had Ying Tian Immortal developed a split personality? The Sect Leader shook his head. Originally, I couldnt understand the reason for these contradictions either. I consulted old schrs who study ancient times, but they couldnt provide any answers. They only mentioned that there were many inconsistencies in ancient history that remain unexined to this day. But just now, upon learning about the existence of the Heavenly Court Sect, everything started to make sense. What do you mean? The Sect Leader exined seriously, There was indeed a Heavenly Court in ancient times, but it wasnt as Nonuple Immortal and Ying Tian Immortal described with many levels of hierarchy. It was exactly as Lu Yiyang said, with Bean Celestial ruling over Heavenly Court and Nonuple Immortal usurping the throne. Nonuple Immortal and Ying Tian Immortal deliberately fabricated history to cover up the truth and confuse future generations. They quickly imagined the scene of ancient times: Bean Celestial was the first to be an immortal and established Heavenly Court, bing the ruler of ancient times. Benevolent and kind-hearted, Bean Celestial did not prevent others from bing immortals. Thus, Nonuple Immortal, Ying Tian Immortal, and others sessively became immortals. For fame and power, or other purposes, Nonuple Immortal and others rebelled against Heavenly Court, defeated Bean Celestial, and took over as the rulers of ancient times. To legitimize their rule, Nonuple Immortal and others used the name of Heavenly Court but created apletely different version of it to misleadter generations. So thats how it is! The four of them collectively felt a thrill, believing they had glimpsed a hidden corner of ancient secrets. This means our Nine Nether Sects roots can be traced back to ancient times as well? The Nine Nether Sect had always imed that the Nine Nether existed since ancient times, but there had never been any evidence. Now, with the testimony from the Heavenly Court Sect, the Nine Nether Sect could finally hold its head high. Lu Yiyang must have hidden some things from us. Nine truths, one lie. But most of what he said should be true. We can try to connect with them! And now, with the righteous path increasing its suppression of us, the Heavenly Court Sect, as a top ancient power, has deep foundations that can help us withstand the attacks from the righteous path! They felt that establishing a connection with the Heavenly Court Sect would be beneficial and not harmful. They tacitly agreed not to discuss the matter of Qin Haoran and Qin Yanyan. For the sake of Qin Haorans legacy, they couldnt acknowledge Qin Yanyan as Qin Haorans reincarnation. If they did, wouldnt they have to hand over Qin Haorans legacy to the Heavenly Court Sect? Even though they hadnt yet managed to open Qin Haorans legacy, they knew that the inheritance of a half-step Tribtion Crossing stage powerhouse and a demonic Sect Leader would be incredibly rich. They couldnt let it fall into the hands of the Heavenly Court Sect! Even if they believed Qin Yanyan was indeed Qin Haorans reincarnation. We should go to Yanjiang County and connect with them. We can also test their strength. The Sect Leader concluded. But why a barbecue restaurant? Is there any significance to that? Petrified Bone analyzed seriously, From a culinary history perspective, the first cooking technique mastered by humans was barbecue. The Heavenly Court Sect might be using this to subtly hint at their ancient history. That makes sense! Old Petrified is really insightful! The three praised Petrified Bones clear thinking, making him feel much better, reducing the pain from the lightning strike. (Authors Note: Chapter 142 and Chapter 162 mention Evesting Fairy talking about the Heavenly Court.) Chapter 310: Senior Brother Dai: This Time, I Won’t Be Surprised No Matter What Happens So this is the Dao Seeking Sect? Qin Yanyan eximed, standing at the entrance of the Dao Seeking Sect. As one of the Five Great Immortal Sects, the Dao Seeking Sect was extremely active in the cultivation world. Even a reclusive cultivator like Qin Yanyan had heard of the Dao Seeking Sects renowned deeds in subduing demons and upholding justice, all of which attested to its immense power. Even her mother, Su Yiren, had praised the Dao Seeking Sects strength, iming it might be the strongest among the Five Great Immortal Sects.N?v(el)B\\jnn After passing through the sect-protecting formation, Qin Yanyan could clearly feel the difference between this ce and the outside world. The temperature and humidity were meticulously controlled to the mostfortable levels, and the concentration of spiritual energy was significantly higher, almostparable to her own home. Bear in mind, her home only housed her and her mother, Su Yiren. Su Yiren, being a Unity stage powerhouse, had only managed to elevate the spiritual energy of one mountain to this level. But the Dao Seeking Sect? It spanned a hundred thousand miles, and the spiritual energy concentration was akin to her homes, which was astonishing. This is the foundation of twelve thousand years? Three men and one woman entered the mountain gate. As they passed through a bamboo forest, the flowing river in the bamboo grove rippled, and the river water surged, forming a river spirit.Stop! Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhou, who are these people youve brought into the Dao Seeking Sect? The river spirit, wielding two axes of gold and silver, red at Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou with hostility. The river spirit served as a defense for the Dao Seeking Sect, preventing intruders from entering. For instance, when the two deputy Sect Leaders of the Undying Sect had entered the Dao Seeking Sect, the river spirit hadnt stopped them because Yun Zhi had given secret instructions not to intervene. Otherwise, even with Lu Yang leading them, they wouldnt have gotten past the gate. This is Qin Yanyan, a rtive of Junior Brother Li, Lu Yang introduced generously. Rtive? The river spirit looked suspiciously at the blushing Qin Yanyan and the oddly behaving Li Haoran. I have records of all Dao Seeking Sect disciples. Ive never heard of Li Haoran having a rtive named Qin Yanyan. Li Haoran thought to himself that he hadnt known either until two months ago. Lu Yang gave a brief exnation: Its like this. You should know that Junior Brother Li has a fiance. The river spirit nodded. Junior Brother Lis fiance has a daughter, and thats Qin Yanyan. The river spirit was stunned. Meng Jingzhou, hearing the river spirit mention that he had information on all Dao Seeking Sect disciples, got an idea. Without thinking, he blurted out, Then you must know Eldest Senior Sisters age Lu Yang, sensing danger, acted swiftly and kicked Meng Jingzhou, interrupting his question. If you want to die, dont drag everyone else down with you! Li Haoran, is what he says true? From experience, the river spirit couldnt entirely trust Lu Yangs words. Li Haoran hesitated, then nodded, Its true. The river spirit, impressed, saluted Li Haoran and allowed the four of them to pass. Go ahead. You know the sect rules; some ces are off-limits without permission. Their first destination was the Mission Hall. After all, their original purpose for leaving the sect was toplete a mission. Despite some unexpected events, they had ultimatelypleted the task. Dear niece, wait here at the entrance. The Mission Hall is quite special, and you cant enter without the permission of an elder-level figure. Lu Yang apologized to Qin Yanyan and said, Please wait at the entrance of the Mission Hall. Its a special area, and entry requires permission from an elder. Qin Yanyan waited at the entrance of the Mission Hall. Being a new face, she caught the attention of every passing disciple, making her feel extremely self-conscious and awkward, to the point where she wanted to dig a hole and hide in it. Suddenly, two figures caught Qin Yanyans attention. I heard from Senior River Spirit that Senior Brother Lu is at the Mission Hall. Lets go and get some guidance from him! Sister Peach, theres no need to rush. We can just wait for Brother Lu at the entrance of Heavens Gate Peak. Well run into him eventually. A man and a woman chatted as they walked towards the Mission Hall. Hey, a new face. The woman noticed Qin Yanyan, who was awkwardly standing with her hands and feet fidgeting, and warmly approached her. My name is Peach Blossom Leaf, and this is Barbarian Bone. Who are you? Senior Brother, were here to report on our mission. Lu Yang said to the senior disciple at the front desk. The mission about the female ghosts in Ancient Locust Town, right? One moment. The senior disciple turned and skillfully pulled a thin file from the bottom of arge stack of files behind him. Oddly, despite pulling from the bottom, the towering pile of files above remainedpletely unaffected and unmoved. Lu Yang keenly observed that these files werent stacked but were actually floating in the air, just packed so tightly that they appeared to be stacked. Lu Yang handed over the mission report, the proof provided by Mayor Fan, and the verification of the harmlessness of the female ghosts. The senior disciple, experienced from long hours at the front desk, wasnt particrly surprised. Although using female ghosts to boost the local economy sounded bizarre, it wasnt the first time he had heard of such things. These matters couldnt be widely publicized, which is why they were rtively unknown. Junior Brother Lu, your report includes a request to register the three female ghosts with Dao Seeking Sect. Someone will be sent for an on-site inspection soon. Dao Seeking Sect subdues demons, but they dont kill all demons and ghosts indiscriminately. For those who are harmless, Dao Seeking Sect conducts checks to ensure they pose no threat and then registers them to prevent harm from well-meaning but uninformed righteous cultivators. If any righteous cultivators insist on eliminating Little Seven and the other two female ghosts, they just need to present the registration proof from Dao Seeking Sect, and the cultivators would back off. You also mentioned in your report that the three female ghosts were acting under someones instructions. Whats that about? This matter involves the demonic sects, and I need to report it to Senior Brother Dai, Lu Yang said seriously. Wait a moment, Ill inform him. Lu Yang and the others want to report again? At that moment, Dai Bufan, shrunken and encased in a giant water sphere along with sharks, whales, and octopuses that were eyeing him menacingly, heard about Lu Yangs request. He extricated himself from the water sphere, returned to his original size, and opened his mouth to swallow the water sphere along with the ferocious creatures. This was one of hisbat techniques, allowing him to drag enemies into a water sphere and have the water beasts tear them apart. Let them in. Dai Bufan pondered. This time, besides Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, there was also Li Haoran. Could this situation be rted to the Nine Nether Sect? Why do these two always end up involved with demonic sects during their missions? Dai Bufan wondered, suspecting that it was a case of like attracting like, with Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou maically drawn to the demonic sects. But this time, no matter what Lu Yang reported, he wouldnt be surprised anymore. What could it be? At most, they had sessfully infiltrated the Nine Nether Sect. When Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhou, and Li Haoran found Dai Bufan, Lu Yang honestly reported: Senior Brother Dai, the three of us have established a new demonic sect. Chapter 311: Yun Celestial and Bean Celestial At that moment, Dai Bufan couldnt help but want to emte the abbot of Hanging Temple, subduing Lu Yang the way he subdued Daoist Non-Speaker. So, you didnt go to the Undying Sect as an undercover agent but to learn from them?! Wait, wait, wait, its not what you think, Senior Brother Dai! Seeing Dai Bufan about to lose his temper, Lu Yang hurriedly shouted that there was a misunderstanding. This was a senior brother at the Unity stage, and the Invincible Core even advised Lu Yang tomit suicide quickly to maintain the win rate. Lu Yang automatically ignored the Invincible Cores suggestion. Tell me, what is the situation? Dai Bufan asked the three to exin honestly. Its like this, we encountered three female ghosts in Ancient Locust Town. These female ghosts were actually under the soul restriction of the Nine Nether Sect. To gain the trust of the Nine Nether Sect, we imed to be ancient geniuses from the Heavenly Court Sect and said that we had found the reincarnation of Qin Haoran Dai Bufan: You two can really make things up.If he didnt know Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous character, he would have believed that there was an ancient Heavenly Court, and that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were ancient geniuses resurrected to rebuild the Heavenly Court. He instinctively excluded Li Haoran; based on his understanding of Li Haoran, he would just be an actor in this scenario. He would believe it, and surely, the Nine Nether Sect would too. Although Qin Yanyan being mistaken by the Nine Nether Sect as Qin Haorans reincarnation was unexpected, it did not affect the overall n. So, what do you need me to do? Its like this, our Heavenly Court Sect has few members now, only four people, and weck someone who can intimidate the Nine Nether Sect. I want to ask Senior Brother Dai for help to find another follower for our Heavenly Court Sect. Hey, Lu Yang, as the supreme Great Heavenly Celestial, cant I even intimidate a mere Nine Nether Sect? In the spiritual space, Evesting Fairy appeared very formidable. When creating the Heavenly Court Sect, Lu Yang had repeatedly sought Evesting Fairys opinion. Evesting Fairy not only provided many constructive suggestions, helping Lu Yang to improve the history and teachings of the Heavenly Court Sect but also strongly suggested that Lu Yang ce himself at the highest position. So, Lu Yang changed the original Yun Celestial to Bean Celestial. He hoped that Eldest Senior Sister would not mind. Facing Evesting Fairy, Lu Yang said solemnly, Fairy, as the supreme Great Heavenly Celestial, how can you act rashly? This would harm your dignity. Evesting Fairy thought this made sense and stopped fussing. Dai Bufan pondered. Lu Yangs nominal master was still in prison and could not help. He dared notmand Lu Yangs actual master. Meng Jingzhous master, the third elder, had sufficient cultivation butcked the necessary mindset, making it inconvenient to involve him in this matter. We can let the fifth elder help you. The fifth elder was stable in character, had enough cultivation, and was Li Haorans master, making him the most suitable for this matter. After the three left, Dai Bufan called over the senior brother on duty at the front desk. Investigate the three female ghosts mentioned in Lu Yangs task. If there are no problems, bring them directly to the Dao Seeking Sect. Dai Bufan was worried that people from the Nine Nether Sect might secretly monitor the three female ghosts. If they sent someone to test the ghosts and exposed that the three were registered with Dao Seeking Sect, it would be disastrous. Taking the three female ghosts to Dao Seeking Sect was the safest option. Lu Yang and the others are still young. What, you are Junior Brother Lis former daughter? Listening to Qin Yanyans ount of her identity, Peach Blossom Leaf and Barbarian Bone were greatly astonished. Setting aside the matter of Junior Brother Li being the former Sect Leader of the Nine Nether Sect, how could he have a daughter older than himself at such a young age? Even in the Dao Seeking Sect, this was quite absurd. Quick, tell us, how do you address Junior Brother Li? And after leaving his hometown, how did youe to Dao Seeking Sect? Peach Blossom Leafs face was full of gossip, eager to know the whole story. Qin Yanyan was a bit overwhelmed by Peach Blossom Leafs enthusiastic questioning, but fortunately, Lu Yangs voice interrupted Peach Blossom Leafs inquiries. Sister Peach, Brother Barbarian, have you two formed your Golden Cores? Lu Yang was a bit surprised to see Peach Blossom Leaf and Barbarian Bone; their speed in forming Golden Cores was quite fast. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou instinctively nced at Li Haoran, the only one who hadnt formed his Golden Core yet. Go, go, go, I call this umting strength for a breakthrough! Li Haoran replied with a dark expression. Peach Blossom Leaf showed a sly smile, Thanks to Senior Brother Lu and Senior Brother Meng, with your experiences in forming Golden Cores before us, it gave me and Brother Barbarian a lot of insights. What kind of Golden Core did you form? Barbarian Bone was about to answer when Peach Blossom Leaf stretched out her hand to stop him, Senior Brother Lu, its been a long time since we sparred. Instead of asking us directly about our Golden Cores, why not find out in the ring? Lets see if you can guess. Alright. Lu Yang smiled; he hadnt fought since forming his Golden Core. Then Ill fight you, and Brother Barbarian will fight Senior Brother Meng. Junior Brother Li will watch. Peach Blossom Leaf had already decided on the match-ups. Meng Jingzhou was a bit excited, always fighting above his level, and now it was time to fight against geniuses of the same level, Shall we go to the ring? To the ring! The pairs jumped onto the ring. This action caught the interest of many Dao Seeking Sect disciples, especially those of the same generation as Lu Yang; the four people in the ring were their idols. Who will win? Qin Yanyan asked curiously, turning to her father. Li Haoran rolled his eyes, Who knows? Anyway, Im not qualified to participate.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Li Haoran felt it was unfair. As a reincarnated mighty existence, he should be the top talent of the younger generation. Thinking carefully, all that scoundrel Qin Haoran left him was a mother and daughter with no blood rtion and some unpleasant past life memories. Qin Haoran, your memories are all about how to solve the Nine Nether Sects deficit crisis, not a single one about opportunities! Instead of asking who will win, why not see for yourself. A faint voice came from behind Qin Yanyan. Curiously turning her head, Qin Yanyan saw a cold and aloof woman behind her. The woman was indifferent and proud, her beauty unmatched, like an unreachable snowy mountain. Her long ck hair flowed like a waterfall to her waist, dressed in simple yet elegant clouds-like robes, moving with a celestial grace. Qin Yanyan had thought her mother was the most beautiful in the world, but now she saw someone even more beautiful. Sister, who are you? Hearing the voice of the Eldest Senior Sister, Li Haoran instinctively broke out in a cold sweat. He quickly turned around and saw that eternally expressionless face. Although he had done nothing wrong, facing the Eldest Senior Sister always made Li Haoran uneasy, Eldest Senior Sister, youre back. Hmm, Ive finished my task and just returned. Eldest Senior Sister replied, leaving Li Haoran unsure how to continue the conversation. Forget it, lets watch the fight, Li Haoran thought silently. Yun Zhi had just moved Evesting Fairys kitchen back and was about to find Evesting Fairy when she heard about Lu Yang and the others sparring in the ring. Watching the fight would be good too. We hit 85 5-stars on novel updates which is kinda crazy to me. Heres the extra 5 chapters as promised. Ill upload another 5 if we hit 100. Time for me to work on building up my backlog again Chapter 312: Peach Blossom Leaf’s Golden Core In the martial arts arena, Lu Yang stood with his hands behind his back, the red tassel of his sword hilt swaying in the wind, a faint smile on his lips, as if he had already fully grasped the oue of the battle. In stark contrast to Lu Yang was Peach Blossom Leaf, who was treating this as a dire situation. The Golden Core gave her the confidence to challenge Lu Yang, but it was only confidence. She wasnt sure if her Golden Core could defeat Lu Yang. Invincible Core, how can I defeat Peach Blossom Leaf? Lu Yang felt it necessary to show Peach Blossom Leaf the power of his Golden Core. Invincible Core quickly gave a brief and effective answer. Use the Arhat Fist. Lu Yang suddenly realized that he had this powerful technique. The Lu Familys Arhat Fist was notorious for causing baldness in those it hit, especially effective against females. Seeing the confident smile on Lu Yangs face, Peach Blossom Leaf seemed to realize something, and her face suddenly turned pale.Senior Brother Lu, we are fellow disciples, please dont use the Arhat Fist! Alright. Lu Yang thought for a moment and agreed; after all, they were all from the same sect, and there was no need to go to such extremes. Arhat Fist? Is it the one from Buddhism that, when perfected, can transform one into an Arhat? Below the arena, the senior brothers and sisters whispered among themselves, not understanding why Peach Blossom Leaf was so afraid of the Arhat Fist. It should be. As far as I know, there is no other Arhat Fist in the world. Although the Arhat Fist is incredibly powerful, with Peach Blossom Leafs talent, she shouldnt be this afraid, should she? I dont know. Even the knowledgeable senior brothers and sisters couldnt understand the inside story. Qin Yanyan was equally puzzled and asked Eldest Senior Sister, Sister, do you know why? She and Li Haoran were father and daughter in their past lives, and her mother had not yet married into the family, so she and Li Haoran were of the same generation. Since Yun Zhi was Li Haorans senior sister, calling her sister shouldnt be a problem. Qin Yanyan thought she saw a faint smile on Yun Zhis face, Compared to ordinary Arhat Fists, Lu Yangs Arhat Fist causes hair loss. What? Qin Yanyan was stunned, thinking she had misheard. She had never heard of such a fist technique. Is this the talent of the top young generation? On the arena, Lu Yang held his long sword, its light flickering like twinkling stars. Peach Blossom Leaf opened her red paper umbre, which gently rotated, causing ripples in the space. Lu Yang was surprised to find that the surrounding spectators had disappeared, and the arena beneath his feet had expanded infinitely with no boundaries. Realizing that he had fallen into Peach Blossom Leafs illusion, he knew that if he believed the arena was truly boundless and fought carelessly, he might identally fall out and lose the match. Lu Yang pressed forward with his sword towards Peach Blossom Leaf while activating the Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique to break the illusion. The red paper umbre closed, shielding Peach Blossom Leaf. Feeling the force transmitted through the Qingfeng Sword, Peach Blossom Leaf understood she couldnt sh head-on with Senior Brother Lu. She gracefully stepped back. Lu Yang wouldnt let this opportunity slip and continued to pursue. The material of the red paper umbre was unknown, but it managed to block continuous attacks from the Qingfeng Sword. Peach Blossom Leaf tried to maneuver Lu Yang into stepping out of the arena, but no matter what she did, Lu Yang lingered at the edge without stepping out. Youve seen through my illusion again! Peach Blossom Leaf said bitterly. She was confident in her illusions; Golden Core Stage cultivators couldnt see through them even if they knew they were in one. Only Lu Yang could see through instantly. Youve done well, Sister Peach. Previously, when you used illusions, my technique would automatically dispel them. This time, I had to actively dispel it. While Lu Yang praised her verbally, his sword moves became increasingly fierce. Even though the red paper umbre was made of special material, Peach Blossom Leafs body couldnt withstand such high-intensitybat. Each collision made her arms numb. sh! The sword light converged and instantly exploded, forming an arc in the air. Peach Blossom Leaf couldnt withstand this move and was sent flying. Seizing the opportunity, Peach Blossom Leaf distanced herself from Lu Yang, opened her red paper umbre, and with a flick in front of her, another Peach Blossom Leaf appeared. There were now two Peach Blossom Leafs on the scene, each holding a red paper umbre and smiling charmingly, indistinguishable from each other. Senior Brother Lu, didnt you want to know what kind of Golden Core I have? Then please dont use that technique. Peach Blossom Leaf had no other choice; this trick should give her an advantage against anyone, but Lu Yangs technique naturally countered her. Her high-level illusions seemed like childs y to Lu Yang. Then I wont! Lu Yang meant what he said. He took out the Twin Stem Lotus seeds and used the Shrinking Earth Technique to nt them. The lotus bloomed, creating two Lu Yangs. The audience was in an uproar. The senior brothers and sisters had never seen such a cloning technique. Lu Yangs junior brothers and sisters looked at him with admiration; Senior Brother Lu indeed used extraordinary techniques. The two Lu Yangs simultaneously attacked the two Peach Blossom Leafs. One of these Peach Blossom Leafs had to be an illusionary clone, which could use techniques but not engage in physicalbat. So, as soon as they shed, Lu Yang would know which was the real Peach Blossom Leaf and which was fake. Bang Bang Two collision sounds echoed, and Lu Yang was slightly astonished. Both Peach Blossom Leafs could engage in closebat. Could it be that Sister Peach had learned a real cloning technique? No, Sister Peach must be using illusions, or she wouldnt have asked him not to use his technique. But if it was an illusion, how could both Peach Blossom Leafs feel so real inbat? Eldest Senior Sister, who had been watching, nodded slightly, finding Peach Blossom Leafs Golden Core quite interesting. It was another type of Golden Core that had never existed in history. One of them must be fake! Lu Yang made a judgment. His long sword danced, the sword light like a dragon, stabbing towards one of the Peach Blossom Leafs. Lu Yangs clone also attacked the other Peach Blossom Leaf. Break! Lu Yang shouted, using the Break Word Technique. Both Peach Blossom Leafs felt a sh of white light and a cold sensation on their necks. The Qingfeng Sword was ced against their throats. Lu Yang frowned. Even until the end of the battle, he couldnt tell which one was the real Peach Blossom Leaf. He had no choice but to use absolute strength to defeat both Peach Blossom Leafs. Lu Yang had a bold guess in his mind. So, Senior Brother Lu, did you figure it out? Peach Blossom Leaf wasnt annoyed despite losing. With Lu Yangs technique, she knew she couldnt win. A Golden Core with the ability to switch between reality and illusion? Peach Blossom Leafs mouth opened slightly, not expecting Lu Yang to guess so closely. Pretty much. This is apletely new type of Golden Core. When I use illusions, the biggest problem is that people can probe which one is real and which one is fake. My Golden Core avoids this problem. For example, just now, both clones could be real, or both could be fake. The key lies in how the opponent perceives it. If you believe both are real, then both are real. If you believe both are fake, then both are fake. Senior Brother Lu, you were constantly uncertain about which was real and which was fake, continually probing. You didnt make a decisive judgment, so both were real versions of me. The only way is for you to decide that one is real and the other is fake, then fully attack the one you believe to be real. Only then would the illusion break. This is my Golden Core, the Reality-Illusion Core.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Junior Brother. Lu Yang looked up and realized that Eldest Senior Sister had also been watching. Lu Yang jumped off the stage and stood obediently in front of Eldest Senior Sister, wearing a ttering smile, Eldest Senior Sister, youre back. Qin Yanyan was surprised. It was the first time she had seen Lu Yang so well-behaved. Chapter 313: Meng Jingzhou Enlightened on the Arena That was a good fight. I initially thought that after you advanced to the Golden Core Stage, your swordsmanship fundamentals would not keep up with your current realm and intended to remind you. It seems I was overthinking. Its all thanks to Eldest Senior Sisters excellent teaching. Lu Yang dared not cken in his fundamental training. Recalling when he first started cultivating, Eldest Senior Sister had him practice his basics relentlessly, ying with tofu during the day and soaking in hot baths at night. If not for the ample supply of elixirs, whether he could have survived was uncertain. If Eldest Senior Sister found his basicscking and put him through that again Lu Yang shivered at the thought. He couldnt go through that again! Little Peach,prehending the yin-yang transformation from the Twin Stem Lotus and integrating it with your illusions is a good thing, but dont forget you also have the Feathered Immortal Physique. Dont neglect its development. Yes, Eldest Senior Sister! Alright, you two can review this battle after you return. For now, lets watch Little Meng and Little Barbarians fight. These two have been fighting for this long? Peach Blossom Leaf was surprised. She and Lu Yang had fought long enough, yet Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone were still at it.Both of them are body cultivators, making it hard to determine a winner, Lu Yang was not surprised. Meng Jingzhous Golden Core was highly effective against demons and ghosts but not as much against Barbarian Bone, who was also a body cultivator. Barbarian Bone wielded a beast leg bone, a trophy from the forest taken from a Nascent Soul Stage beast he and Peach Blossom Leaf had jointly defeated. Barbarian Bone swung the beast leg bone, howling like a wild man, his eyes filled with madness and savagery. Lu Yang was puzzled. He had never seen Barbarian Bone in this state, and this manner didnt seem to match Barbarian Bones usual demeanor. Barbarian Bone fought with brute strength but had never been this frenzied, like hunting beasts in the wild. Meng Jingzhou was startled by Barbarian Bones appearance, losing the initiative and being suppressed from the start, spending most of his energy on defense and rarely attacking. Despite Barbarian Bones wild fighting style, a closer look revealed it to be a refinedbat method, both offensive and defensive, honed through countless tests and improvements. Hmm, this fighting style looks familiar, just like the barbarians I encountered. They wield stones and bones, swarming their enemies and smashing their brains out! Evesting Fairy, seeing something familiar, was quite excited. Lu Yang was curious, Is this the ancient barbarian fighting style? But I heard that the ancient barbarianbat techniques have been lost. The barbarian lineage had severe discontinuities, with few records of ancient events. Did you forget? Barbarian Bones bloodline is blessed by me. Just as beasts can pass on their innate abilities through their bloodline, so can I! When beasts reach a certain realm, the hidden power in their bloodline unlocks, allowing them to learn their innate abilities. The Taotie ns Devour and the nine-tailed fox ns Charm are examples. The purer the bloodline, the earlier the inheritance power is unlocked. By the way, what kind of Golden Core did Barbarian Bone form? Lu Yang turned to Peach Blossom Leaf, thinking there was no need to keep it a secret now. It should be apletely new type of Golden Core, like mine. I think its called the Ancestral Spirit Golden Core, allowing him to summon the spirits of his ancestors to possess him and aid in battle. Thats amazing! Lu Yang was astonished, Does this mean the souls of the ancient barbarians still exist? Yun Zhi shook her head slowly, Its not as you think. Souls thatst three hundred thousand years without dissipating are only within the realm of immortals. Then whats going on with Barbarian Bone? Although Barbarian Bones ancestors souls dissipated and returned to heaven and earth, they had a bloodline connection with Barbarian Bone. Sensing the existence of their descendant, the ancestors reassembled parts of their lost souls from heaven and earth, channeling them through the ancient barbarian bloodline into Barbarian Bones body. However, this possession is more instinctive andcks true consciousness. Lu Yang thought of Evesting Fairy. This was somewhat simr to Evesting Fairys method, but not nearly as miraculous. So Meng Jingzhous opponent isnt just Barbarian Bone, but an entire ancient barbarian tribe? Lu Yang realized Meng Jingzhou was in for a tough fight. The ancient barbarians were a race that had fought alongside Evesting Fairy, engaging in battles as often as eating. Theirbat experience was incredibly rich, making Meng Jingzhou no match. On the arena, Meng Jingzhou was being steadily pushed back. Neither Arhat Fist nor Heaven Shaking Six Forms were effective. Barbarian Bones eyes were vacant,pletely taken over by the ancestors of the ancient barbarians, fighting purely on instinct. In terms of physical strength, Meng Jingzhou was slightly stronger than Barbarian Bone, but Barbarian Bones vastbat experience made up for it.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om The ancestors of the ancient barbarians had hundreds of thousands of years ofbinedbat experience, a formidable challenge for Meng Jingzhou. Although Barbarian Bone had the upper hand, pressing Meng Jingzhou hard, he couldnt defeat him quickly. Doesnt Meng Jingzhou look a bit off? Meng Jingzhou felt himself entering a strange state. Inside his body, his two single Golden Cores sensed Barbarian Bones Golden Core, spinning uncontrobly like two small suns, warming his body and making his acupoints open, each one absorbing spiritual energy. As the two Golden Cores spun, Meng Jingzhous mind went nk, with past experiences shing through his mind. Those memories condensed to an extreme before suddenly exploding in his mind with a thunderous roar. Meng Jingzhous head shook, and he found the world clearer than ever before. Did I just have an enlightenment andprehend a new set of fist techniques? Meng Jingzhou clenched his fists, incredulous. He had heard that enlightenment was rare and often unattainable for most cultivators in their lifetime. Yet, he had achieved it at the Golden Core Stage? And from the recent experience, it seemed the two single Golden Cores were helping him reach this enlightenment? I knew my single Golden Cores were unbeatable! Meng Jingzhou mentally rehearsed the newlyprehended fist technique, his expression bing odd. This fist technique seems Hold on! Meng Jingzhou extended his hand, stopping Barbarian Bones attack. I justprehended a new fist technique. If your ancestors insist on fighting, dont me me for using it! Barbarian Bone paused, seemingly curious about what Meng Jingzhou would say next. The fist technique Iprehended involves the power of karma, curses, and carries the grievances of my single lineage! Anyone hit by my fist will be cursed to remain single like me for life. This is a karmic curse! I have named it the Single Curse Fist! This should be the innate fist technique of the Twin Single Golden Cores! If youre willing to let Barbarian Bone get hit by this fist, go ahead and keep attacking me! The ancestors of the ancient barbarians hurriedly used Barbarian Bones body to jump off the arena and concede defeat. Their instincts told them that Meng Jingzhou was telling the truth! Chapter 314: Fist Techniques Are Also Techniques He managed to master a curse-type fist technique on his own? No, should it be called a curse-type spell? Even the well-informed senior brothers were astonished. The path of curses falls under karma. Karma and time are universally recognized in the cultivation world as some of the most difficult divine abilities toprehend, learn, and solve. Unexpectedly, this Junior Brother Meng, so young, managed to master such a cruel curse technique on his own. Youre asking whether its a fist technique or a spell? Its clear you didnt pay attention in Eldest Senior Sisters sses! A Spirit Transformation Stage senior brother looked disdainfully at the Nascent Soul Stage junior sister who had just eximed. Such ignorance. How do you expect to advance to the Spirit Transformation Stage in the future? The Nascent Soul Stage junior sister stammered. Outside, she was highly regarded, known for her knowledge and respected as a talented woman. But in the Dao Seeking Sect, these des were meaningless. Who dared to im they were knowledgeable in the Dao Seeking Sect? Eldest Senior Sister has repeatedly emphasized not to draw too clear a line between fist techniques and spells. Fist techniques are techniques, and spells are techniques. All ten thousand techniques ultimately converge. If you separate them too distinctly, how can you achieve mastery in all techniques in the future? Its because many people have this mistaken understanding that they end up being defeated. They might possess very powerful spells, far stronger than their opponents, but if their opponents manage to get close, they cant effectively defend themselves and get defeated.Cultivators who specialize in spells fear closebat the most. They spend a long time honing their spells, often neglecting their physical strength. If they get entangled in closebat, not only do they lose the chance to use their spells, but they also cant ensure their own safety. The Spirit Transformation Stage senior brother earnestly taught, So the best state is to use fist techniques to perform spells. This way, whether in long-range spell duels or closebat, there are no weaknesses, right? The Nascent Soul Stage junior sister nodded. It made sense. Although she was diligent, practicing both fist techniques and spells, and didnt neglect either, she realized she needed to reflect more on herself after hearing her senior brothers words. Eldest Senior Sister even praised Junior Brother Lu Yang, saying he achieved this point, showing signs of mastering all techniques. Hes much stronger than you or me. Although we dont know to what extent Junior Brother Lu Yang has achieved this, being praised by Eldest Senior Sister means he has certainly made significant progress in this area! While the senior brothers and sisters took turns challenging Lu Yang, acknowledging his talent was a different matter. Lu Yang, Peach Blossom Leaf, and the others were astonished to see Meng Jingzhou achieve enlightenment andprehend a fist technique that could cut off someones lineage.. This technique was unbelievably ruthless. The most shocked was Qin Yanyan. Beforeing to Dao Seeking Sect, she had been somewhat proud, thinking that she was merely slightly behind Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou in cultivation speed. If she worked hard, she could catch up. She was two months older than Li Haoran, and their cultivation levels were the same. Li Haorans talent was enough to rank him in the top ten of the younger generation, and she wasnt far behind, fully qualified to be a disciple of the Five Great Immortal Sects. She had Su Yirens guidance, so she didnt see the need to join the Five Great Immortal Sects. She believed that even if there was a gap between her and the top young talents like Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, it wouldnt be toorge. She thought she could learn something by watching from the sidelines. Now she realized there was no chance of learning anything. No wonder her father, with the purest fire Spirit Root, could only rank fifth among his peers. The top four were indeed difficult to surpass. Moreover, the first-ce cultivators Arhat Fist made people lose hair, and the second-ce cultivators Single Curse Fist condemned people to lifelong singleness. Were these techniques from the Dao Seeking Sect or the Hanging Temple? Evesting Fairy, witnessing Meng Jingzhous fist technique, sighed, So this is what they mean by each generation produces its own talents, each dominating for hundreds of years. Lu Yang raised an eyebrow, looking conflicted. The poem was recited correctly, but he felt it didnt quite fit the context here. Does this fist technique have no limitations? Peach Blossom Leaf was puzzled. Barbarian Bones Ancestral Spirit Core was within reasonable limits, not synchronizing with the ancestors cultivation. Could Meng Jingzhous fist technique disregard cultivation levels? Wouldnt everyone run away at the sight of him? Eldest Senior Sister looked at Meng Jingzhou, who was proudly standing on the arena, for a moment, then shook her head lightly and exined, Its not as exaggerated as you think. Meng Jingzhou is at the Golden Core Stage, so his fist technique can only affect cultivators at the Golden Core Stage and below, and he must be wary of bacsh. Bacsh? Yes. Take Li Haoran as an example. His fiance is Su Yiren, a Unity cultivator. Their marriage bond is not something that can be easily broken by ordinary means. If Meng Jingzhou tries to use the Single Curse Fist on Li Haoran, he would face bacsh because he cant break Li Haorans marriage bond.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om What would happen to Meng Jingzhou if he suffers bacsh? Lu Yang was curious. Would Meng Jingzhou end up being single himself? In that case, wouldnt bacsh or no bacsh be the same? Eldest Senior Sister calcted and said, He might lose his karma connection with women for a period. This means he wouldnt be able to interact with any women during this time, being kept away from them by various coincidences, or women might be kept away from him. The Single Curse Fist sounded highly restricted and risky due to the bacsh, but when you think about it, who else besides Li Haoran has a Unity Stage fiance at a young age? Li Haoran, listening on the side, was puzzled. Isnt the biggest bacsh of Meng Jingzhous fist technique the fact that people will hunt him down after he uses it? Lu Yang: Lu Yang thought he had a point. Meng Jingzhous fist technique couldnt kill anyone, but anyone hit by it would likely seek revenge relentlessly. Earlier, Meng Jingzhou said his fist technique was an innate ability of his Golden Core. Ive never heard of a Single Golden Core having such a technique, Li Haoran wondered. He had read many experiences about forming Golden Cores, which included descriptions of Single Golden Cores. Lu Yang pointed out the w in Li Haorans thinking. Youve got it wrong. Meng Jingzhou didnt form a single Golden Core but an unprecedented two. Li Haoran: ??? Lu Yang continued, The fact that previous Single Spirit Root predecessors didntprehend this fist technique shows that their singleness wasnt as profound as Meng Jingzhous. Lu Yang, youre ndering me again! This is clearly a sign of my exceptional talent! Meng Jingzhou jumped down from the arena, ring at Lu Yang. Lu Yang shrugged, pretending he hadnt said anything. Barbarian Bone slowly woke up, looking around the noisy surroundings in confusion. Did I lose? He had no memory after summoning his ancestors to possess him. Lu Yang sincerely said, Your ancestors were worried about losing their only descendant, so they conceded. Huh? Barbarian Bone blinked, not understanding what had just happened. Did Brother Meng use underhanded tricks like Monkey Steals the Peach to win? (TL Note: Monkey Steals the Peach is a martial arts technique where someone squeezes/attacks their opponents testicles) That couldnt be it. Lu Yang,e with me, Eldest Senior Sister said and then headed straight back to Heavens Gate Peak. The Dao Seeking Sect disciples who had been watching the battle dispersed. Some went back to cultivate, some to the library to read, and others to meet their junior sisters, each with their own business. Lu Yang jogged to keep up with Eldest Senior Sister. Eldest Senior Sister, did the fairys kitchen get moved back? Yes. In the spiritual space, Evesting Fairys eyes lit up. Chapter 317: The Fifth Elder’s Ingenious Idea Its a pity Lu Yang didnt learn my Fairy Fist Technique, otherwise, he wouldnt have fainted. Evesting Fairy thought that Lu Yang was good in every way, except that he was too stubborn and unwilling to learn her fist techniques. Fairy Fist Technique? Yun Zhi repeated softly, putting down her chopsticks with a look of interest. Also known as the Health-preserving Fist techniques, if practiced sessfully, your body itself bes a remedy. You wont need to take pills for sickness or cultivation, and no poison in the world will affect you. But to learn the Fairy Fist Technique, you must first master over a thousand different fist techniques, such as Monk Fruit Fist, Fat Sea Fist, and Ginseng Fist. You must integrate them, discard the false and retain the true, eliminate the dross and keep the essence, using your body as a furnace to merge the thousand fist techniques into one, which is the Immortal Fist. Yun Zhi was silent for a moment, then stood up and solemnly asked, Senior, may I learn it from you? Of course you can. When Lu Yang woke up, he had already left the kitchen. Awake? How do you feel?Lu Yang thought to himself that he had been fainted by the spiciness, and she was asking how he felt. My cultivation level Lu Yang moved slightly and discovered that his cultivation level had slightly improved, from the early stage of the Golden Core to the mid-early stage of the Golden Core. He hadnt done anything. Hehe, did you think I made an ordinary dish of stir-fried tomatoes with eggs? How could that be? I made a dish that can enhance cultivation! You think the improvement is small because you only took one bite. If you ate the whole te, I guarantee youd advance to thete stage of the Golden Core! Lu Yang thought that his slow and steady cultivation progress, though gradual, was safe. If he followed Evesting Fairys theory and ate the whole te, he feared he might ascend directly to heaven. (TL Note: The word here is which can mean to ascend in daoism but also has another meaning which is to die) Outside the cave, Meng Jingzhou shouted at the top of his lungs, Lu Yang, are you awake? Awake. Lu Yang stepped out of the cave, squinting against the blinding sunlight. In front of the cave stood Meng Jingzhou, Li Haoran, and Qin Yanyan. Seeing Lu Yang awake, Meng Jingzhou breathed a sigh of relief, Finally, youre awake. Youve been unconscious for three months! Lu Yang was shocked, not expecting Evesting Fairys poison to be so potent. Li Haoran said helplessly, Senior Brother Meng, Senior Brother Lu has only slept for two hours. Hey, Junior Brother Li, thats not fair. How hard is it for me to trick Lu Yang once, and you just expose me. Qin Yanyan silently observed the scene, wondering if Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, these two extraordinary geniuses, had honed their cunning and deceitful skills through such daily interactions, thus developing their impressive talents. Quite possible. Lets go find the Fifth Elder together. Since the Fifth Elder joined our Heavenly Court Sect, hes be one of the founding members! With Li Haoran leading, the group quickly found the Fifth Elder who was refining tools. The Fifth Elder threw his robe into the fire, subjecting it to the test of mes. When the robe turned red-hot, he retrieved it from the fire with a calm expression. The Fifth Elder took a small hammer from his waist, tapped the robe a few times, then ced it in water. With a hiss, the refining process wasplete. The Fifth Elder looked with satisfaction at the newly refined robe and casually put it on. Only then did he notice Lu Yang and the others standing not far away. Little Lu, is that you? Fifth Elder, are you refining clothes? Lu Yang asked uncertainly, as the process resembled refining a metal artifact rather than clothing. Im trying tobine clothes with transportation tools. Combine them? Everyone was puzzled. Was there any connection between these two items? Why not? As a grandmaster of refining, the Fifth Elder enlightened everyone on the spot. Transportation tools, whether a carriage or a flying boat, are meant to facilitate travel, right? Carriages, flying boats, and flying swords all share amon featurethey can carry us. If thats the case, why have we always overlooked the mostmon thing that carries usclothes? Lu Yang thought about it and realized it was true. Clothes, when worn, essentially wrap around their bodies. From another perspective, people are the carriers for their clothes. So I believe that clothes are the most suitable means of transportation. Look. The Fifth Elder channeled his spiritual qi, and the refined robe flew up, carrying him with it. The Fifth Elder flew around in the air for a while, thennded steadily and continued, Generally, cultivators in the Golden Core Stage can fly by themselves. In special cases, sword cultivators can fly with their swords as early as the Foundation Building Stage. So if Foundation Building Stage sword cultivators can fly with swords, why cant regr Foundation Building Stage cultivators fly with clothes? Of course, my current method of refining clothes is too cumbersome and not yet feasible for the Foundation Building Stage. But once I refine and simplify it, and patent it, promoting it in the cultivation world, wouldnt an endless stream of wealth flow into our Artifact Refining Peak? The Fifth Elder spoke excitedly, envisioning buying more materials and refining better artifacts with the influx of wealth. Fifth Elder, you have great talent! Lu Yang sincerely felt this idea was very feasible. The Dao Seeking Sects immense wealth depended on the talents of extraordinary artifact refiners and alchemists like the Fifth Elder and the Seventh Elder. Particrly, artifact refining was highly praised in the cultivation world. And who is that young girl? The Fifth Elder pointed at Qin Yanyan. She is the daughter of Junior Brother Lis former wife. Lu Yang exined. The Fifth Elder was shocked. When did his disciple get married? Shes the daughter of my wife from a previous life! Li Haoran quickly rified. The Fifth Elder understood, Oh, Qin Yanyan, right? Haoran mentioned you before. So, technically, youre my grand-disciple. Qin Yanyan: She regretteding to the Dao Seeking Sect a bit. Here, she had the lowest seniority. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou kept calling her little niece, and now she was directly a grand-disciple. Qin Yanyan was about to say that past lives were past lives, and this life was this life; they shouldnt be mixed. But then she saw the Fifth Elder take out a magical artifact from his robe. Its our first meeting, and its customary to give a little something. I dont have anything great on hand, but seeing that youre a talisman cultivator, take this talisman brush. It contains eighteenmon talismans, and you can instantly draw them by channeling your spiritual qi. It should be of some help to you. Qin Yanyan was startled by the artifacts capabilities. A talisman brush was an essential magical artifact for talisman cultivators. She had a talisman brush that contained ten talismans, which Su Yiren had speciallymissioned a renowned artifact refiner to make. The refiner had said that the maximum number of talismans a Golden Core level talisman brush could hold was ten. This is too precious; I cant ept it. Take it. Its just a little something I made in my spare time; its not worth much. The Fifth Elder generously said. Li Haoran looked enviously at Qin Yanyan. Why was his masters first meeting with Qin Yanyan a gift-giving asion, while his own first meeting involved being thrown into magma? By the way, why are you looking for me? The Fifth Elder finally remembered that Lu Yang and his group must havee for a reason. Well, weve established a Heavenly Court Sect. It has profound foundations, with ancient immortal inheritances, support from prominent families, someone who was once at the half-step Tribtion Crossing Stage, and the first hei of the Nine Nether Sect. We would like to ask the Fifth Elder to be the protector of our Heavenly Court Sect. (End of the chapter) Chapter 316: Lu Yang Is Gone Lu Yang deeply regretted his earlier thought of entering the kitchen. After receiving the mark of Evesting Fairy, he felt a connection to the kitchen and could enter it with just a thought. Then, with a single thought, Lu Yang indeed entered the kitchen. Lu Yang ran desperately and pushed open the door. However, being a mere mortal with a low cultivation level, pushing the door was as futile as a mayfly trying to shake a tree,pletely useless. Lu Yang used all his strength to push the door, but it didnt budge an inch. Even an Immortal would be of no use here; otherwise, why didnt the four of them, including Ying Tian Immortal, leave at the time? Why did Ying Tian Immortal and the others beat up Nonuple Immortal who encouraged Evesting Fairy to cook after they woke up? There are reasons for everything.Little junior brother, why are you running? Yun Zhi was puzzled. Evesting Fairy is the only one among The Five Ancient Immortals who can cook, a unique celestial chef. Why not cherish the opportunity to eat her food? Moreover, with the ancient inheritance lost, no one knows the cooking style of ancient cultivators, only a living fossil like Evesting Fairy can restore the ancient culinary arts. Last time, when the Five Elements Sect visited, Evesting Fairy painstakingly prepared a table full of food. Yun Zhi didnt get a chance to eat before the furious sect master of the Five Elements Sect overturned the table. As for adding salt for twenty seconds, it should be an ancient cooking habit. The dangerous celestial kitchenware of the Undying Sect should have been refined by the Undying Sect after they acquired them; the original kitchenware was not so dangerous. Moreover, this is a rare learning opportunity that should be cherished. A spiritual chef is always weed wherever they go. Yun Zhi thought that if Lu Yang could learn even ten or twenty percent of Evesting Fairys skills, he could traverse the central continent unimpeded. Just as Lu Yang was about to exin, Evesting Fairy interrupted him.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Yes, why are you running? Its rare for me to be willing to cook for you; this is a privilege only for immortals. Evesting Fairy frowned, dissatisfied with Lu Yangs reaction, but then she seemed to understand something and suddenly realized. OhI get it. You think my status is too high to lower myself to cook for you, and you feel guilty eating it, right? Oh, its okay. Im not that particr. Youve been with me for so long; dont you know what kind of person I am? Come, let me use your body. Ill give it back after cooking, it wont dy your meal! Evesting Fairy needed to temporarily borrow Lu Yangs body since she couldnt interact with the physical world. Little junior brother, let the senior use it, Eldest Senior Sister found Evesting Fairys request reasonable. Lu Yang still wanted to resist, but after hearing Eldest Senior Sister, he hesitated. In that brief moment of hesitation, Evesting Fairy happily took over his body. Lu Yang could only watch as Evesting Fairy used his body. This body isnt strong enough; it cant even withstand explosions, so you cant eat too high-level dishes, Evesting Fairy said with a bit of disdain. Lu Yangs body was indeed among the strongest in the Golden Core Stage, but this level was far from enough for Evesting Fairy. Wait, why are there explosions involved in cooking? Lu Yang was rmed. Evesting Fairy found Lu Yangs reaction strange: Its a normal thing. Isnt it said that the ultimate taste explodes on your taste buds the moment you take a bite? Lu Yang: Eldest Senior Sister nodded secretly, taking note of what Evesting Fairy said. These must be the experiences of the senior fairy, and she, as a junior, should humbly learn. This time, learn well, and I can consider making you my heir! The head of the Evesting Lineage said to the second inmand of the Evesting Lineage. The second inmand of the Evesting Lineage was filled with trepidation. Your body cant handleplex dishes, let me think, yes, lets make stir-fried tomatoes with eggs! Evesting Fairy thought for a moment and quickly made a decision. Lu Yang breathed a slight sigh of relief. He could cook this dish too, it was very simple, and nothing would go wrong with Evesting Fairy cooking it. Whats in this jar? Evesting Fairy opened the medicine jar, and a pungent smell hit. In the spiritual space, Lu Yang only felt a dizziness, swayed twice, and fainted. Whats in the jar Evesting Fairy was wholeheartedly cooking and did not notice Lu Yangs abnormality. Now the control of Lu Yangs body was with Evesting Fairy, whether Lu Yang was unconscious or not did not affect Evesting Fairys use of Lu Yangs body. Look, you have to stir vigorously when beating the eggs, like this. Evesting Fairy exined the cooking steps, and Eldest Senior Sister listened attentively. Use the egg liquid to make stir-fried tomatoes with eggs, and the remaining eggshells can be used to make soup. This is what is meant by using the original soup to neutralize the original food. Eldest Senior Sister nodded asionally, feeling that the cooking methods of ancient times were indeed very different from now, with much to learn. Her current cultivation level was not just due to her understanding but also her habit of diligent study and questioning. However, there were now very few things she needed to learn. When Lu Yang slowly woke up, he found himself sitting at the dining table with the dishes prepared by Evesting Fairy in front of him. Across the table sat the elegantly seated Eldest Senior Sister. Youre awake? Youve been busy managing everything in Ancient Locust Town, then fighting with Peach Blossom Leaf without rest. You must have been too tired and fell asleep. Evesting Fairy exined kindly, worried that Lu Yang might not understand the situation. Evesting Fairys cooking skills were excellent. The stir-fried tomatoes with eggs were red and yellow, vibrant and eye-catching, with an alluring aroma that made ones mouth water. A simple home-cooked dish was made to look astonishing by Evesting Fairy. As for the eggshell soup on the side, Lu Yang automatically ignored it. Lu Yangs appetite was whetted, and he picked up a piece of tomato and put it in his mouth. How is it? Are the eggs good? Evesting Fairy looked at Lu Yang expectantly. Well, eggs? Lu Yang remembered picking up a red piece just now. Yes, I added some chili powder to the eggs. Lu Yang: Fairy, how much chili powder did you add to make the eggs as red as tomatoes! He cked out from the spiciness. How did he fall asleep again Could it be an allergy to chili? Evesting Fairy was very worried. Yun Zhi remembered that Lu Yang could eat spicy food and analyzed from the side: Maybe the spiritual power contained in the food was too much, causing him to faint from the impact, but this is also a good thing, helping to gradually absorb the spiritual power in the food and consolidate his cultivation. The chili powder was a treasure cherished by the fairy, truly an immortal delicacy. I see. By the way, how was my cooking? Yun Zhi gently picked up a piece of egg, chewed it carefully, and the spicy vor surged, the spiritual power in the chili impacting her taste buds, leaving an endless aftertaste. Extremely delicious. Thats good. I was worried my cooking skills had deteriorated. Chapter 317: The Fifth Elder’s Ingenious Idea Its a pity Lu Yang didnt learn my Fairy Fist Technique, otherwise, he wouldnt have fainted. Evesting Fairy thought that Lu Yang was good in every way, except that he was too stubborn and unwilling to learn her fist techniques. Fairy Fist Technique? Yun Zhi repeated softly, putting down her chopsticks with a look of interest. Also known as the Health-preserving Fist techniques, if practiced sessfully, your body itself bes a remedy. You wont need to take pills for sickness or cultivation, and no poison in the world will affect you. But to learn the Fairy Fist Technique, you must first master over a thousand different fist techniques, such as Monk Fruit Fist, Fat Sea Fist, and Ginseng Fist. You must integrate them, discard the false and retain the true, eliminate the dross and keep the essence, using your body as a furnace to merge the thousand fist techniques into one, which is the Immortal Fist. Yun Zhi was silent for a moment, then stood up and solemnly asked, Senior, may I learn it from you? Of course you can. When Lu Yang woke up, he had already left the kitchen. Awake? How do you feel?Lu Yang thought to himself that he had been fainted by the spiciness, and she was asking how he felt. My cultivation level Lu Yang moved slightly and discovered that his cultivation level had slightly improved, from the early stage of the Golden Core to the mid-early stage of the Golden Core. He hadnt done anything. Hehe, did you think I made an ordinary dish of stir-fried tomatoes with eggs? How could that be? I made a dish that can enhance cultivation! You think the improvement is small because you only took one bite. If you ate the whole te, I guarantee youd advance to thete stage of the Golden Core! Lu Yang thought that his slow and steady cultivation progress, though gradual, was safe. If he followed Evesting Fairys theory and ate the whole te, he feared he might ascend directly to heaven. (TL Note: The word here is which can mean to ascend in daoism but also has another meaning which is to die) Outside the cave, Meng Jingzhou shouted at the top of his lungs, Lu Yang, are you awake? Awake. Lu Yang stepped out of the cave, squinting against the blinding sunlight. In front of the cave stood Meng Jingzhou, Li Haoran, and Qin Yanyan. Seeing Lu Yang awake, Meng Jingzhou breathed a sigh of relief, Finally, youre awake. Youve been unconscious for three months! Lu Yang was shocked, not expecting Evesting Fairys poison to be so potent. Li Haoran said helplessly, Senior Brother Meng, Senior Brother Lu has only slept for two hours. Hey, Junior Brother Li, thats not fair. How hard is it for me to trick Lu Yang once, and you just expose me. Qin Yanyan silently observed the scene, wondering if Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, these two extraordinary geniuses, had honed their cunning and deceitful skills through such daily interactions, thus developing their impressive talents. Quite possible. Lets go find the Fifth Elder together. Since the Fifth Elder joined our Heavenly Court Sect, hes be one of the founding members! With Li Haoran leading, the group quickly found the Fifth Elder who was refining tools. The Fifth Elder threw his robe into the fire, subjecting it to the test of mes. When the robe turned red-hot, he retrieved it from the fire with a calm expression. The Fifth Elder took a small hammer from his waist, tapped the robe a few times, then ced it in water. With a hiss, the refining process wasplete. The Fifth Elder looked with satisfaction at the newly refined robe and casually put it on. Only then did he notice Lu Yang and the others standing not far away. Little Lu, is that you? Fifth Elder, are you refining clothes? Lu Yang asked uncertainly, as the process resembled refining a metal artifact rather than clothing. Im trying tobine clothes with transportation tools. Combine them? Everyone was puzzled. Was there any connection between these two items? Why not? As a grandmaster of refining, the Fifth Elder enlightened everyone on the spot. Transportation tools, whether a carriage or a flying boat, are meant to facilitate travel, right? Carriages, flying boats, and flying swords all share amon featurethey can carry us. If thats the case, why have we always overlooked the mostmon thing that carries usclothes? Lu Yang thought about it and realized it was true. Clothes, when worn, essentially wrap around their bodies. From another perspective, people are the carriers for their clothes. So I believe that clothes are the most suitable means of transportation. Look. The Fifth Elder channeled his spiritual qi, and the refined robe flew up, carrying him with it. The Fifth Elder flew around in the air for a while, thennded steadily and continued, Generally, cultivators in the Golden Core Stage can fly by themselves. In special cases, sword cultivators can fly with their swords as early as the Foundation Building Stage. So if Foundation Building Stage sword cultivators can fly with swords, why cant regr Foundation Building Stage cultivators fly with clothes? Of course, my current method of refining clothes is too cumbersome and not yet feasible for the Foundation Building Stage. But once I refine and simplify it, and patent it, promoting it in the cultivation world, wouldnt an endless stream of wealth flow into our Artifact Refining Peak? The Fifth Elder spoke excitedly, envisioning buying more materials and refining better artifacts with the influx of wealth. Fifth Elder, you have great talent! Lu Yang sincerely felt this idea was very feasible. The Dao Seeking Sects immense wealth depended on the talents of extraordinary artifact refiners and alchemists like the Fifth Elder and the Seventh Elder. Particrly, artifact refining was highly praised in the cultivation world. And who is that young girl? The Fifth Elder pointed at Qin Yanyan. She is the daughter of Junior Brother Lis former wife. Lu Yang exined. The Fifth Elder was shocked. When did his disciple get married? Shes the daughter of my wife from a previous life! Li Haoran quickly rified. The Fifth Elder understood, Oh, Qin Yanyan, right? Haoran mentioned you before. So, technically, youre my grand-disciple. Qin Yanyan: She regretteding to the Dao Seeking Sect a bit. Here, she had the lowest seniority. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou kept calling her little niece, and now she was directly a grand-disciple. Qin Yanyan was about to say that past lives were past lives, and this life was this life; they shouldnt be mixed. But then she saw the Fifth Elder take out a magical artifact from his robe. Its our first meeting, and its customary to give a little something. I dont have anything great on hand, but seeing that youre a talisman cultivator, take this talisman brush. It contains eighteenmon talismans, and you can instantly draw them by channeling your spiritual qi. It should be of some help to you. Qin Yanyan was startled by the artifacts capabilities. A talisman brush was an essential magical artifact for talisman cultivators. She had a talisman brush that contained ten talismans, which Su Yiren had speciallymissioned a renowned artifact refiner to make. The refiner had said that the maximum number of talismans a Golden Core level talisman brush could hold was ten.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om This is too precious; I cant ept it. Take it. Its just a little something I made in my spare time; its not worth much. The Fifth Elder generously said. Li Haoran looked enviously at Qin Yanyan. Why was his masters first meeting with Qin Yanyan a gift-giving asion, while his own first meeting involved being thrown into magma? By the way, why are you looking for me? The Fifth Elder finally remembered that Lu Yang and his group must havee for a reason. Well, weve established a Heavenly Court Sect. It has profound foundations, with ancient immortal inheritances, support from prominent families, someone who was once at the half-step Tribtion Crossing Stage, and the first hei of the Nine Nether Sect. We would like to ask the Fifth Elder to be the protector of our Heavenly Court Sect. Chapter 318: Deceiving the Nine Nether Sect is a Dao Seeking Sect Tradition This Heavenly Court Sect is not well-known, yet its foundations are so deep? The Fifth Elder gasped, having never heard of a Heavenly Court Sect before. Seeing that the Fifth Elder was fooled, Lu Yang continued, In addition to the aforementioned foundations, the Heavenly Court Sect will soon be expanding its recruitment. We already have two candidates, one with an innate Immortal Physique. The first person to be immortal in ancient times, Nonuple Immortal, achieved immortality because of an innate Immortal Physique. The other candidate has the fortune of their entire n, with overwhelming luck and dual cultivation in barbarism and Confucianism! Fifth Elder, how about joining us? Originally, our Heavenly Court Sect nned to take a long time to grow, so we could stand out in the Great Competition. However, the detestable Nine Nether Sect has set its sights on us, and we need a protector to help us deal with the Nine Nether Sect! Lu Yang sped his hands solemnly and said, If the Fifth Elder is willing to extend a helping hand to our Heavenly Court Sect this time, we will surely give you a great reward in the future! The Fifth Elder was silent for a moment. Just when Lu Yang thought the Fifth Elder was going to agree, he slowly asked: Has your Heavenly Court Sect registered with the court? Lu Yang was stunned: Registered?Yes, ording to thews of The Great Xia, the establishment of any power requires registration with the local government office. Unregistered entities are considered illegal operations and are severely cracked down on. The former Four Major Demonic Sects, now the Three Major Demonic Sects, were never registered. Lu Yang: Seeing the silence of Lu Yang and the others, the Fifth Elderughed heartily, Alright, alright, just tell me the truth. Whats really going on? As one of the famous Nine Disciples of Dao Seeking, the Fifth Elder naturally wouldnt be easily deceived by Lu Yang. What ancient immortal inheritance and assistance from great families? He knew they were talking about themselves. The fall of the Undying Sect left Lu Yang with the inheritance of the Evesting Celestial. Meng Jingzhou, as the eldest son of the Meng family, spent money that counted as aid from a great family. Li Haorans past life, Qin Haoran, was at the half-step Tribtion Crossing Stage. Qin Yanyans father was Qin Haoran, making her the first heir. Lu Yang had no choice but to honestly recount the events, leaving the Fifth Elder amazed and his eyes gleaming. You all are quite talented, fabricating a fictitious Heavenly Court to deceive the Nine Nether Sect and leveraging this to form a coboration. If youre lucky, you might even find the Sr Sect and the Heartless Sect. The Fifth Elder reminisced, We nine did something simr back in the day. What happened? Lu Yang and the others looked at the Fifth Elder curiously. The Fifth Elder picked up a stone and casually refined it into a table and chairs, inviting Lu Yang and the others to sit. The table and chairs looked thin, but after being refined by the grandmaster of artifact refining, they were sturdy enough to withstand several blows from a Golden Core Stage cultivator. It must have been around nine hundred years ago. The Eighth Junior Brother pretended to be a low-level cultivator and went out to act chivalrously. By chance, he discovered a Nine Nether Sect disciple. Instead of raising the rm, he followed his nature, mingling with the disciple, frequenting brothels and gambling dens, mostly at the Eighth Junior Brothers expense. This behavior quickly earned the trust of the Nine Nether Sect disciple. The Eighth Elder, whom Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had little contact with but remembered vividly, once sold the entrance exam questions from twenty years ago to Meng Jingzhou, confidently iming they were the real questions. What happened next? The Nine Nether Sect disciple asked, since they were both at the Nascent Soul Stage, where did the Eighth Junior Brother get so many Spirit Stones? The Eighth Junior Brother said they had discovered a recipe for an elixir that extended life. Although the improvement wasnt significant, it was enough to drive those nearing the end of their lifespan mad. Eighth Junior Brother also said that this was insider information from their organization, and he wouldnt have told him if they werent such good friends. However, the elixir for extending life had a very low yield, and supply couldnt meet demand. It required arge amount of Spirit Stones to buy materials and expand production. Eighth Junior Brother said their organization was currently short of money and asked if he could lend some. It wouldnt be for free; after a year, he promised to return the principal along with twenty percent interest. The Nine Nether Sect disciple was tempted but still skeptical. He initially invested only a few ten thousand Spirit Stones. A yearter, Eighth Junior Brother returned the principal along with twenty percent interest. The Nine Nether Sect disciple tried this for three years, and it was the same every year. Later, this matter was discovered by the disciples superior in the Nine Nether Sect. The superior also wanted to invest and asked Eighth Junior Brother if it was possible. Eighth Junior Brother said he needed to consult his superiors, then brought out Old Ninth, who is your master. Your master said it was possible to invest. The disciples superior invested for five years and doubled his assets, being overjoyed. There is no secret that doesnte to light eventually. This matter finally reached the ears of the Nine Nether Sect Sect Leader. The Sect Leader didnt tell anyone but cautiously requested to observe the alchemy process. Eighth and Ninth Brothers called us over to fake an alchemy scene, with Big Brother posing as someone who had taken the elixir. After observing, the Sect Leader felt we were reliable and first invested his own Spirit Stones, making quite a profit. Although he made a lot of money, the Sect Leader felt it wasnt enough, so he set his sights on the Nine Nether Sect treasury. He nned to use the treasurys funds for investment, then return the funds after a year and keep the interest for himself. Wouldnt that be perfect? The Sect Leader embezzled a portion of the treasury, made even more money, but was still not satisfied. He ended up investing most of the treasury. And then we absconded with the funds. Dont tell anyone about this. Not even your grandmaster knows about it. The Fifth Elder reminded. Qin Yanyan was puzzled, Werent the Spirit Stones you used to return the profits from the Dao Seeking Sect? How could the grandmaster not know? The Fifth Elder shook his head, We didnt need Dao Seeking Sects money at all. The only time any Spirit Stones were used was when Eighth Junior Brother initially tricked the disciple using his own Spirit Stones. Qin Yanyan was even more confused. The Fifth Elder patiently exined to his grand-disciple, Think about it. When we returned the profits, werent there other Nine Nether Sect disciples investing in us? Qin Yanyan nodded. Then couldnt we just use the Spirit Stones from the new investors to pay the previous ones? Qin Yanyan suddenly understood. Wait, isnt this a scam? I asked Eighth Junior Brother the same question. He said, How can this be called a scam? We just had a business failure, and the investment funds were lost. Its normal for businesses to have gains and losses.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om If they feel wronged, they can report us to the authorities. We have nothing to hide. And besides, if anyone is guilty, its the Nine Nether Sect Sect Leader for embezzling the treasury. Qin Yanyan: Lu Yang noticed Li Haorans strange expression and asked, Whats wrong? Li Haoran looked conflicted, The Sect Leader who got scammed was so angry that he soon died. Then Qin Haoran took over as Sect Leader and discovered the Nine Nether Sects finances were in serious trouble. The previous Sect Leader never found out who scammed him until his death. Chapter 319: Learning the Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth Technique The Nine Nether Sects ten thousand years of umtion werepletely deceived by the Dao Seeking Sect over a hundred thousand years, leading to the Sect Leaders death and resulting in a total loss of both people and wealth. For the next nine hundred years, the Nine Nether Sect never recovered. Survival of the fittestperhaps this is the brutal cultivation world what nonsense. Lu Yang couldnt continue the narration halfway through. Shouldnt the brutal cultivation world be about the strong plundering the weak? Why did it turn into a financial investment scam here? What happened to strength being the ultimate rule? The thousand-year-old mystery of the Nine Nether Sect was solved today, leaving Li Haoran speechless. Although the previous Sect Leader had nothing to do with him, and his immediate predecessor Qin Haoran had little connection with him, he felt that he should express something. He began to apud.Everyone despised the Nine Nether Sect, and tricking them was well done! The Fifth Elder coughed lightly: In any case, I agree to your invitation to be the protector of the Heavenly Court Sect. ording to your description, the external base of the Heavenly Court Sect is at a barbecue shop in Yanjiang County. When shall we depart? Better sooner thanter. How about we leave tomorrow? Lu Yang suggested. Agreed. Also, please remember to disguise yourself, Elder. It wouldnt be good if someone from the Nine Nether Sect recognizes you. Lu Yang reminded, as they had used fake names and faces when they met with people from the Nine Nether Sect before. Thats easy. Although my disguise skills are not as proficient as Old Ninths, its more than enough to deal with the Nine Nether Sect people. This time, there might be someone at the Unity level from the Nine Nether Sect. In front of someone at the Unity level, your current disguises will be easily seen through. Before we set off, Ill give you all a disguise. It seemed the Fifth Elder had considerable experience in this regard. After bidding farewell to the Fifth Elder, Lu Yang did not forget to expand the membership of the Heavenly Court Sect. He wanted to invite Peach Blossom Leaf and Barbarian Bone to join the Heavenly Court Sect and pose as ancient geniuses in Yanjiang County. Unfortunately, when Lu Yang arrived, he found that Peach Blossom Leaf and Barbarian Bone were in seclusion. Senior Sister told Lu Yang that Peach Blossom Leaf and Barbarian Bone were consolidating their Golden Core stages and couldnt be disturbed for a while. By the way, Fairy, can you teach me some spells or divine powers that look very ancient, ones that would clearly be from ancient times? Lu Yang exined, Think about it. My current identity is that of an ancient genius. If I use modern techniques, it would be suspicious and easy to expose. Evesting Fairy silently looked at Lu Yang, thinking to herself that none of his techniques looked modernwas it Shrinking Earth into Inches or the Tree nting Technique? However, as a kind and understanding fairy, she didnt say anything discouraging: Sure. I have an ancient Qi Training technique here. It gathers the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, the morning and evening glows, and if consumed and refined, can extend life and maintain youth. The Qi Training Stage is derived from this ancient Qi Training technique. Nonuple Immortal, when proving he was the first immortal, reviewed many ancient texts, which mentioned this ancient Qi Training technique. He used celestial techniques to deduce that if practiced to the extreme, it could cultivate Hongmeng Purple Qi, extremely powerful. But this is just theoretical; Ive never seen anyone actually achieve it. Lu Yang shook his head: This wont do. Theres no opportunity to demonstrate it to the Nine Nether Sect people, and they wouldnt be able to tell its an ancient Qi Training technique. How about the Dragon Transformation Technique? The dragon n is incredibly strong in physical body, and mastering the Dragon Transformation Technique can allow parts of your body to dragonize and gain some of the dragon ns innate abilities, such as summoning wind and rain, and controlling rivers and seas. Ying Tian Immortal practiced the Dragon Transformation Technique and achieved the highest aplishments with it to date. He could fully transform into a dragon, and the dragon n even called him Dragon Ying. Lu Yangs eyes lit up: Hey, this sounds great. How do I learn it? Let me think. First, you should soak in dragon blood for three days. Although it might cause your body to swell like Ying Tian Immortals, with my guidance, it shouldnt be a problem. But, right, isnt dragon blood hard to obtain in your era? In ancient times, to get dragon blood, you either had to force the dragon n to hand it over with strength, kill a lone true dragon, or, like Ying Tian Immortal, have the dragon n see your potential and be willing to invest in you. We do have dragon blood.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om The Dao Seeking Sect certainly isntcking in dragon or phoenix blood. But the problem is that they are leaving tomorrow, and he cant soak in dragon blood on the way, especially not for three days. Evesting Fairy had just mentioned the possibility of ending up like Ying Tian Immortal. Is there anything else? How about the Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth technique from the Taotie n? Lu Yang was taken aback. The Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth technique from the Taotie n was famous. He had heard about it from storytellers even before he started cultivating. Its said that this technique can devour souls, spiritual energy, sun, moon, stars, space, and all things in the world! If he could learn it, it would naturally be beneficial. But isnt this supposed to be an innate divine ability only the Taotie n can learn? Can I learn it too? Evesting Fairy, as confident as always, patted her chest and said, Look at you. With my guidance, what cant you learn? Then Ill learn this one! Lu Yang made up his mind, full of joy at finally being able to learn a new skill. Lu Yang found an open space far from the kitchen on Heavens Gate Peak, and Evesting Fairy appeared to guide him. To learn Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth, the most important thing is to have the desire to devour. This is fundamental. Why is the Taotie n particrly good at eating? Its because their desire to devour is instinctual and uncontroble! Close your eyes and imagine yourself being very hungry, wanting to eat. Lu Yang followed Evesting Fairys instructions, imagining himself as a mortal with an empty stomach, feeling very hungry and wanting to eat, so hungry that he was drooling. He imagined a te of delicious food in front of him like stir-fried tomatoes with eggs. Lu Yang instantly wasnt hungry anymore. He opened his eyes to see Evesting Fairy tilting her head and looking at him. The fairy looked at him innocently: Whats wrong? Nothing, I just made a mistake. Let me imagine again. Lu Yang pushed the stir-fried tomatoes with eggs out of his mind and reced it with tes of mouth-watering dishes: Red and tender braised pork knuckle absorbing the juices after being fried, spicy and firm river snails, noodles with oil and chili poured over them Lu Yang wiped his saliva, feeling truly hungry. The fairys voice came at the right moment: Remember the mantra Im reciting. Dont try to memorize it; understand it. Think about the deeper meaning of the mantra. Then came the esoteric and obscure ancientnguage. Perhaps Lu Yangs hunger and the mantra were a good match. Although he still couldnt understand it, Lu Yang didnt find it difficult to understand. From noon till dusk, Lu Yang kept himself in a state of hunger to understand the mantra. Gradually, he became more familiar with it and seemed to grasp its meaningthe desire to eat. He opened his eyes again, the mantra echoing in his mind. He looked down at the soil under his feet and felt an impulse. He wanted to eat dirt. Wait, why do I want to eat dirt?! Lu Yang realized something was wrong. Evesting Fairyy on her side on the ground, propping her face with her arm, and said matter-of-factly: Congrattions, youve mastered Devouring Earth. Chapter 320: The History of the Taotie Clan (TL Note: Just 8 more 5-star ratings until i upload 5 extra chapters! Vote now at Novel Updates!) Devouring Earth? Lu Yang bent down to pick up a clump of dirt from the ground, resisted the urge to eat it, and threw it back down. Evesting Fairy jumped up from the ground with a hey: Yes, Devouring Earth literally means eating dirt. Is that so hard to understand? Evesting Fairy thought that while Lu Yangs intelligence wasnt up to her level, understanding this should be quite simple. Lu Yang: So in your house, Devouring Earth is meant literally? Seeing that Lu Yang was still confused, Evesting Fairy sighed softly, thinking it was fortunate that she was there to give him advice in the spiritual space. Otherwise, with Lu Yangs brains, he would be easily deceived outside. She further exined: Although the Taotie n is one of the four ancient fiends, that reputation cameter. Initially, they lived a miserable life. They had big appetites but no skills, often going hungry. Without food, they had no energy, couldnt hunt, and thus fell into a vicious cycle.The Taotie n cannot go without food; they eat their whole lives. When they got desperate, theyd eat tree bark and leaves, but bark and leaves arent filling. Then, one day, it seemed like the ancestors of the Taotie n were blessed, and a genius emerged in their tribe with both talent for cultivation and a clever mind. This Taotie beast thought, If tree bark and leaves are edible, why not the soil on the ground? It went into seclusion for three days, not eating or drinking a drop of water. As it was on the verge of starvation, its life shed before its eyes. It thought it was going to die, but then it remembered its tribe, its family, those skinny brothers and sisters, and their eager expectations. It felt it couldnt fall here; it had to fight back! In the face of death, it saw hope. The instinct to survivebined all its knowledge, and finally, it created a great divine abilitySwallowing Heaven Devouring Earth! This divine ability became a part of their bloodline, integrating into the Taotie blood. From then on, every member of the Taotie n learned this divine ability naturally and began eating dirt. Wait a minute, Ive heard that the Taotie ns Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth can tear apart even space. From what youre saying, it doesnt sound like something that can tear apart space. Lu Yang was puzzled; this wasnt how it was written in books. Evesting Fairy looked at Lu Yang angrily: Youre so impatient! Let me finish! Please, continue. Evesting Fairy, feeling proud, said, Thats more like it, and continued: In the past, the Taotie n lived miserably, and their cultivation levels were generally low because they didnt have the energy to cultivate. Once they were full, they had the extra energy to cultivate. Their innate talent for cultivation wasparable to the top monster ns, like the dragon n, phoenix n, kunpeng n, and the qilin n. Their cultivation speed was fast for another reason: eating dirt really could make them stronger. The better the quality of the dirt, the faster their cultivation progressed. At one time, the price of ck soil skyrocketed because these guys were eating it. The soil in the Dao Seeking Sects medicinal garden is of high quality. If youre interested, you can try it. I guarantee it will speed up your cultivation! Let me think about it. While Lu Yang pretended to consider it, Evesting Fairy continued: As the Taotie ns cultivation advanced rapidly, they began to stand out among the monster ns. Eventually, it wasnt just their talent; the entire ns strength wasparable to the top ns. This is how they solidified their name as one of the four fiends. When the Taotie n prospered, they thought that as a major n, eating dirt all the time wasnt appropriate. So they modified the Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth skill to devour all things, which is what you see now. Lu Yang was silent for a moment and then asked, So why didnt you teach me the modern version of Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth? Evesting Fairy looked at Lu Yang strangely, not understanding his question: Isnt this what you asked for? You wanted the oldest skill, the kind that is clearly from ancient times at a nce. This is indeed an ancient skill. Its so old that even for me, its something I learned from ancient books and from hearing Qilin Immortal embellish the story. Im telling you, this move is almost lost. There might not even be anyone in the Taotie n who knows it anymore. If you hadnt begged me, I wouldnt have taught you! Lu Yang: Thank you, I guess. Does this move only let you eat dirt? Lu Yang asked, holding onto a sliver of hope. Of course not. Really? Lu Yang was delighted, thinking the Fairy might be reliable after all. Try eating a clump of dirt. Its dry and hard to swallow. If you drink water, it turns into mud, which is still hard to swallow and sticks in your throat. This is where Devouring Heavenes in. It allows you to eat dirt and then use spiritual energy as water to swallow the dirt, gulping it down smoothly! So this is abo move? Of course! The creator was a genius from the Taotie n. Isnt it normal for the move to be well thought out? Devouring Heaven can also be used alone to absorb spiritual energy. Let me try. Lu Yang silently recited the mantra, opened his mouth, and a massive amount of spiritual energy poured in, filling his entire body. Cough, cough. Feeling like he was choking, Lu Yang felt short of breath and instinctively closed his mouth, coughing. Youre absorbing spiritual energy too fast. With your current level, you cant absorb it that quickly.N?v(el)B\\jnn Upon hearing this, Lu Yang adjusted his technique, calming the spiritual energy within him, then reopened his mouth and deliberately slowed the absorption rate. The spiritual energy felt like sweet dew, delicious and refreshing. It was digested in his stomach and spread throughout his body, providing extremefort. Sofortable~ Lu Yang sighed. Wait, this feeling of absorbing spiritual energyits just like using a spirit-gathering array! You guessed it. The earliest human spirit-gathering arrays were created based on this skill. Evesting Fairy revealed another ancient secret. Many cultivation arts, such as talismans and arrays, were created by ancient humans mimicking nature and monster beasts. Among these monster beasts was the Taotie n. No wonder But wait, even if I master this version of Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth, its useless. Who nowadays knows this history of the Taotie n? Even if I start eating dirt, the Nine Nether Sect people wont recognize it as Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth! Lu Yang suddenly realized that while the skill was indeed ancient, it was too ancient. No one would recognize it. He even suspected that in Evesting Fairys era, few people knew these things! Evesting Fairy hesitated: So, do you want to learn the modern version of Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth? Lu Yang nodded vigorously. Evesting Fairy breathed a sigh of relief: Then the case is closed. How so? I dont know it. She didnt know it, so Lu Yang didnt need to learn it. A simple solution. Chapter 321: Everlasting Fairy Suppresses the Little Medicine Kings Dao Seeking Sect, Medicine Garden. Under the night sky, Old Man Ba was as usual guarding the medicine garden. He sent out a clone to sit opposite him and y chess with himself. Old Man Ba, a familiar voice reached his ears. Little Lu? What are you doing at the medicine garden sote? Cultivators activities arent bound by day or night, but most disciples rarelye to the medicine garden at night. Lu Yang, looking a bit embarrassed, said, Do you have any particrly precious Herbs? Dirt. What do you need dirt for?To eat. Old Man Ba: He had long heard that Yun Zhi was out of touch with the world and could inadvertently torment people. Now, it seemed she had finally tormented Lu Yang to this extent? No, its not that. I cultivated a technique that allows me to eat dirt. I want to try some and see what it tastes like. Old Man Ba rubbed his chin and looked Lu Yang up and down: I remember thest time you came to the medicine garden, you had just learned the Shrinking Earth technique. This time, youe back and youre eating dirt. Did you inherit from the earthworm lineage? Shrinking Earth and eating dirt were the specialties of the Silver Ring Heavenly King Worms. Lu Yang said seriously, This is an ancient inheritance. Ancient earthworm? Old Man Ba didnt delve into it further. Nothing the Dao Seeking Sect disciples did would surprise him; he had seen it all: Never mind, its not your first time here. One pair of earthworms is resting, and another is on their honeymoon. Just go find some dirt in the garden yourself, near the Little Medicine Kings. Just as Lu Yang was about to enter the garden, Old Man Ba called out, By the way, have you ever been in love? No. Old Man Ba nodded thoughtfully and asked, Do you know what girls like to hear the most? Lu Yang turned and asked Evesting Fairy in his spiritual space, What do you like to hear from others? Praise my beauty and intelligence. Lu Yang turned back to Old Man Ba and said, Praise her beauty and intelligence.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Old Man Ba pondered, Got it, you can go in. Returning to the medicine garden after a long absence, Lu Yang walked familiarly toward the residence of the Little Medicine Kings. Under the tall Enlightenment Tree, the Little Medicine Kings were holding hands, singing, and dancing around a campfire. What smells so good Ginseng King, your roots are burning! Quick, help me put out the fire. The Little Medicine Kings swarmed the Ginseng Child, stomping and kicking until they managed to put out the fire just before it went out. Lu Yang, youre here? The Enlightenment Tree was the first to notice Lu Yangs arrival and greeted him with a smile. Is it Lu Yang? The Little Medicine Kings, hearing the Enlightenment Tree speak, also noticed Lu Yang. The Little Medicine Kings jumped around Lu Yangs feet, looking very happy. Lu Yang shrank his body and looked over the Little Medicine Kings he hadnt seen for months: the Ginseng Child, Three-Leaf Star Grass, Flower of Times End, and the Qilin Immortal Medicine. Seeing that Lu Yang was willing to shrink down to their size, the Little Medicine Kings were even more pleased: So, hows the n to counterattack the female demon progressing? Last time they parted, Lu Yang had tricked the Little Medicine Kings, saying he also hated the female demon Yun Zhi and wanted to team up with them to counterattack Yun Zhi. At that time, Lu Yang didnt know the true strength of Eldest Senior Sister, thinking she was just a Unity Stage Cultivator, and figured he might surpass her after cultivating for a few thousand years. Now it seemed, even if he cultivated for thousands of years and revived Evesting Fairy, they still might not be able to defeat Eldest Senior Sister. I knew it, Lu Yang, you also wanted to teach that Yun girl a lesson! Evesting Fairy, finding a like-minded friend, excitedly left the spiritual space. Huh, a soul form or a human. Who are you? The Ginseng Child, with its two roots akimbo, looked confident. It had heard and seen cases of human cultivators harboring powerful souls. Those powerful souls, at best, were at the Tribtion Crossing Stage. A Tribtion Crossing Stage? Can they live as long as these Medicine Kings? Little medicine child, show some respect to this fairy. Do you know who I am? As the head of The Five Ancient Immortals, Evesting Fairy had seen everything. Medicine Kings were nothing to her. She could have as many as she wanted; countless Little Medicine Kings willingly followed her, but she was toozy to care for them. Evesting Fairy released a faint aura, which immediately caused the Little Medicine Kings to fall to the ground in shock. It seemed that the presence of this fairy had a natural suppressive effect on them. Wh-who are you? Even the Enlightenment Tree was taken aback. It didnt know who this soul was, but instinctively felt a strange fear mixed with a bit of desire toward Evesting Fairy. The Little Medicine Kings could live for a long time, but they could never escape the constraints of their lifespan and would eventually reach the end of their lives. However, Evesting Fairy, being a symbol of eternal life and immortality, was the ultimate pursuit of the Little Medicine Kings, and she naturally suppressed them. For instance, when Lu Yang was previously struggling against the Mu Tian Grass in the dense forest, Evesting Fairy intended to teach it a lesson by releasing her aura to suppress it. However, when Lu Yang entered a state of enlightenment, she decided not to proceed with it. I am Evesting Fairy, head of The Five Ancient Immortals from three hundred thousand years ago. Currently, I am the only guest elder of the Dao Seeking Sect, respectfully invited by Yun Zhi herself! I was the first to be immortal in ancient times, established the Heavenly Court, and am the Supreme Great Celestial of the Heavenly CourtBean Celestial! Thats amazing! The Little Medicine Kings were stunned by the numerous identities of Evesting Fairy and looked at her with admiration. Hehe, now you see how powerful this fairy is? When I fully recover my strength, I will lead you to attack Yun Zhi, so she will know who is truly the strongest! The Little Medicine Kings apuded enthusiastically, thinking Evesting Fairy was incredibly powerful and confident. Fairy, are you currently recovering your strength inside Lu Yang? Youre half right. Not only am I recovering my strength inside Lu Yang, but I have also set up various trials for him. Once hepletes these trials, I will designate him as my heir! Ive made Lu Yang experience the feeling of gaining power, letting him be the Sect Master of Dao Seeking Sect for three days, holding supreme authority, basking in glory. After three days, his senior brothers and sisters were all lining up to see him! I guide his cultivation, tell him ancient secrets, teach him great divine abilities like Shrinking Earth into Inches and Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth, and use his body to challenge stronger opponents, building his invincible aura! Lu Yang sessfully formed the first ever Invincible Golden Core under my guidance! The Little Medicine Kings were left speechless, thinking Lu Yang was incredibly fortunate to be the heir of an immortal who taught him everything. What a tremendous opportunity! Even though they had never heard of an Invincible Core before, being called the first ever Golden Core by an immortal spoke volumes about its power. Lu Yang opened his mouth, wanting to say that Evesting Fairy was exaggerating. But on second thought, it seemed that she was telling the truth. Who taught her to speak like this? Lu Yang interrupted Evesting Fairys self-praise, saying, We came to the medicine garden to ask if there is any particrly precious soil here. I need it for my cultivation. Chapter 322: The Origin of the Qilin Immortal Medicine When did humans need precious soil to cultivate? The Ginseng Child was surprised. It had never seen cultivators, even those specializing in earth-element spells,e to them for soil. The medicine gardencked many things, but soil was never one of them. Especially for the Little Medicine Kings, the soil that was something money couldnt even buy. Wait a moment. The Ginseng Child said, then ran into the wooden hut. After a ttering search, it emerged holding four shovels. Lets dig up some rare soil and see which one Lu Yang can use. It kept one shovel for itself and distributed the remaining three to the other Little Medicine Kings. The four Little Medicine Kings scattered, disappearing in a blink. Left behind were the Enlightenment Tree, Lu Yang, and Evesting Fairy. The Ginseng Child was the first to return, holding a heap of dark soil with its roots: Here, this is ck soil. Do you want it? Lu Yang had often heard about this type of soil. It was known to make any spiritual nt thrive. Thends farmed by the Blue-eyed Water Buffalo n were made of this ck soil. This isnt the ck soil you see outside. This is the source of ck soil. It can be used for farming and improving the quality of the surrounding soil, turning it into ck soil as well. The ck soil you see outside has been assimted by the source ck soil. Or rather, what you see are derivatives of ck soil. These derivatives have a usage limit and time restriction; after several uses, they revert to their original state. What I have here is the genuine ck soil that never changes, the Ginseng Child said proudly, as this was the favorite type of soil among the Little Medicine Kings.Thats amazing. Lu Yang grabbed a handful and quickly stuffed it into his mouth, swallowing it down. The Ginseng Child and the Enlightenment Tree were dumbfounded. They had wondered how Lu Yang would use the soil for cultivation, only to see him eat it directly. How is it? How do you feel? Evesting Fairy asked eagerly. Lu Yang smacked his lips, savoring the taste: No change. My cultivation level hasnt improved, the cirction speed of spiritual energy in my body hasnt changed, my strength hasnt increased, my agility hasnt improved, and the intensity of my spiritual sense hasnt changed. Maybe the amount wasnt enough. Try eating some more? Evesting Fairy suggested. Lu Yang thought it made sense and ate all the ck soil the Ginseng Child had brought, running his cultivation technique for a full cycle: Still no change. Evesting Fairy thought seriously and analyzed: Maybe the ck soils effect is to improve your innate talent. For example, a Triple Spirit Root could be a Double Spirit Root, and a Double Spirit Root could be a Single Spirit Root. Since you already have a Single Spirit Root, the best innate talent, theres no room for improvement. Lu Yang looked at Evesting Fairy suspiciously: Fairy, have you never eaten it? How could you say that? As one of the Top Ten Beauties of Ancient Times, would it make sense for me to eat dirt? Besides, when I learned this divine ability, I was already immortal, with my cultivation at its peak. Why would I need to eat dirt? Lu Yang interrupted Evesting Fairys boasting: Wait a moment, where did the Top Ten Beauties of Ancient Timese from? Ive never heard of such a ranking. Im the most beautiful in ancient times, right? Lu Yang looked at Evesting Fairys wless face and nodded. If theres a first, there must be a tenth, right? Lu Yang nodded again. Although I dont know who the top ten beauties are, if theres a tenth, then naturally there are ten beauties. So you made this up? How can you call it making it up? Im just stating what must exist! Besides, three of the top ten beauties are certain: Qilin Immortals two wives and my most devout follower, Qing He. Qilin Immortal? At this moment, the Qilin Immortal Medicine came over with another type of soil, coincidentally hearing Evesting Fairy mention Qilin Immortal. Fairy, the Qilin Immortal you mentioned does it have anything to do with me? Seeing the Qilin Immortal Medicine so nervous, Lu Yang remembered a rumor told by the Ginseng Child. It said that there were no real qilins in the world, and what people saw as qilins were actually Qilin Immortal Medicines. The Little Medicine Kings themselves didnt know if there were real qilins in the world. Lu Yang also believed this until he learned about the existence of Qilin Immortal from Evesting Fairy, which dispelled this lie. Lu Yang realized that knowledge he considered ordinary, like the names of The Four Ancient Immortals, was something even few people in the Unity Stage knew. Even beings with long lifespans like the Little Medicine Kings didnt know about it. Could it be that Evesting Fairy is truly my golden finger? Qilin Immortal is the only qilin in the world and the only immortal among the monster n. As for you Qilin Immortal Medicines The Qilin Immortal Medicine asked eagerly, How did wee to be? The blood of Qilin Immortal fell onto a spiritual nt, and that nt, influenced by the immortal blood, transformed into the form of a qilin. The Qilin Immortal Medicine immediately felt its status rise, standing tall with pride. Lu Yang was astonished: Qilin Immortal got injured after bing immortal? Who was the enemy? Could it be that there were terrifying beings in ancient times that could threaten ancient immortals? Evesting Fairy always worried that my cultivation was too low and didnt tell me, nning to wait until my cultivation improved? The fairys careful consideration but I still found clues! Should I pretend not to know, or keep asking? Evesting Fairy was also puzzled: I wasnt there at the time, so I dont know the details. It happened when Qilin Immortal got married, and Ying Tian Immortal and the other two attacked, causing Qilin Immortal to bleed a lot. Why fight on such a joyous day? I dont get it. Is this what they call a wedding prank? Lu Yang: Wasnt it you, fairy, who started trouble at the wedding with immortal fruits, causing the two culinary geniuses you trained, Dragon and Phoenix Prodigies, topete in cooking? Ying Tian Immortal and the other two were the judges. Afterward, they thought Qilin Immortal was the cause and taught him a lesson. So the Qilin Immortal Medicines appeared then. The Qilin Immortal Medicine in the medicine garden was a descendant of that first nt.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Immortal battle? The Enlightenment Tree and the Ginseng Child gasped, realizing that even in ancient times, bing immortal didnt mean being free from danger. They filled in the story based on Evesting Fairys words: In ancient times, Qilin Immortal got married, and ten thousand monsters came to pay homage. On this joyous day, three rival immortals provoked Qilin Immortal. For his beloved and dignity, Qilin Immortal, furious and unafraid, fought back, wielding supreme immortal power to create a scene of awe-inspiring battles, shaking the ages! This battle defended his supreme status as the only immortal of the monster n! Seeing the immortal bleed showed how fierce the battle must have been! A true battle of immortals! This Evesting Fairy really didnt treat them as outsiders, casually revealing ancient secrets with a single sentence. They looked at Lu Yang. How much ancient secrets must Lu Yang know by staying by the fairys side, hearing about so many brutal ancient struggles! Chapter 323: Qilin Immortal, I’ll Remember You! By the way, this is the soil I foundSelf-Renewing Soil. The Qilin Immortal Medicine snapped out of the shock from the story of the Immortal Battle and remembered its purpose. (TL Note: The soil was a magical soil in Chinese mythology with the ability to self-expand and grow continuously. Its properties made it particrly effective for use by Gun and Yu the Great in fighting the rising waters of the Great Flood. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xirang) Self-Renewing Soil, the legendary soil that can block rivers with just a small amount?! Lu Yang had only read about this precious soil in books. Because of its miraculous properties, it was called Immortal Soil by the world. Evesting Fairy circled the Self-Renewing Soil a few times, recognizing its origin: Ah, this is something the Nonuple Immortal created. It expands when ites into contact with water and was used to control river flooding. Back then, the river channels were chaotic, and floods were frequent. Settlements were often near rivers, which were the most densely popted areas. Every time a flood urred, it caused massive casualties, and post-disaster reconstruction was very difficult.N?v(el)B\\jnn Large tribes were fine because they had powerful cultivators who could control the river flow with water control techniques, preventing the tribe from being endangered. But small and medium-sized tribes suffered; their cultivators werent strong enough to control the vast amount of river water. Although the Nonuple Immortal came from thergest human tribe, the Lian Shan n, he treated all tribes equally well. After bing immortal, he worked on solving the flood problem and refined a type of soil that expands upon contact with water, which is the Self-Renewing Soil in your hand. Oh, and Lu Yang, you cant eat Self-Renewing Soil, Evesting Fairy reminded.Is there a problem with it? Evesting Fairy looked at Lu Yang with pity: Self-Renewing Soil expands upon contact with water, including saliva. If you eat even a bit, it will expand and envelop you. Then forget it. Lu Yang quickly distanced himself from the Self-Renewing Soil. The Three-Leaf Star Grass and the Flower of Times End brought two other types of precious soil. Lu Yang ate them in turn but experienced no effects. They dont work. The effects of the three types of soil couldnt all be just about improving physical attributes. Try eating a bit more? Evesting Fairy was still skeptical. Lu Yang ate all the soil they brought, but there was still no change. Thinking he hadnt eaten enough, Lu Yang continued asking the Little Medicine Kings to find more soil. He kept eating until dawn, but still, he felt no change. Fairy, is this Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth reliable? Lu Yang began to suspect that Evesting Fairy was ying a trick on him. How could it be unreliable? This is a great Taotie divine ability taught to me by Qilin Immortal! Lu Yang immediately had a bad feeling: Wait, it was Qilin Immortal who taught you? Yes. When did he teach you? Was it after his wedding? Evesting Fairy was quite surprised: How did you know? Not long after the wedding, Qilin Immortal came to me and asked if I wanted to learn an ancient divine ability of the Taotie n. I said learning wouldnt hurt. Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth wasnt difficult to learn; I mastered it quickly. Afterward, Qilin Immortal asked if I wanted to try eating dirt. I said I was already immortal, how could eating dirt be useful? Hearing that, he walked away disappointed. Lu Yang was silent for a while before tentatively asking, Fairy, you mentioned youve read about the Taotie n in books. Did the books say that eating dirt could improve cultivation talent? No, that was something Qilin Immortal told me. Lu Yang: Lu Yang finally understood. Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth was indeed about eating dirt, and the Taotie n did rise by eating dirt, but there was no saying that eating dirt could improve cultivation talent! Qilin Immortal had wanted to take revenge on Evesting Fairy. He intentionally taught her this divine ability and used the im of improving cultivation talent to pique her curiosity, hoping she would eat dirt. This way, Qilin Immortal could spread the word about the fairy eating dirt and ridicule her. But Evesting Fairy, simple as she was, didnt fall for it! Three hundred thousand yearster, the pit that Qilin Immortal dug was stumbled upon by Lu Yang, making him the unlucky one who spent an entire night eating dirt. Qilin Immortal, you couldnt fool Evesting Fairy, so you decided to fool me instead? Ill remember you! When everyone arrived at the rendezvous point, Lu Yang was still nowhere to be seen. Just as they were about to go look for him, they saw Lu Yang trudging over, his face looking somewhat ashen. Meng Jingzhou was startled by Lu Yangs appearance: What happened to you? Did you fall into a mud pit while sleeping? Lu Yang waved his hand nonchntly: Its nothing, just a small setback while learning a divine ability. This is quitemon on the path of cultivation. Fortunately, being at the Golden Core Stage meant he didnt need to sleep; otherwise, he wouldnt be able to keep his eyes open right now. The Fifth Elder also expressed concern for Lu Yang: Are you really okay? Really, Im fine. Thats good. The Fifth Elder took out a flying shuttle from his sleeve and gently tossed it up. The shuttle expanded to the size of amercial flying boat. The shuttle opened, revealing seats and various exquisite facilities inside. This was the Fifth Elders favorite flying artifact. In terms of cost, it was far more expensive than a flying boat. Get on. Everyone jumped onto the shuttle one after another, and it closed up. Is everyone seated and strapped in? The Fifth Elder stood at the front, asking calmly. Everyone, not understanding the intent, obediently sat down and replied in unison that they were ready. Good. The Fifth Elder nodded, raised his index and middle fingers, and activated the shuttle. The shuttle broke through the air barrier with a sonic boom and elerated rapidly. It felt like a heavy force was pressing against them, pinning everyone tightly to their seats, rendering Lu Yang immobile. The force was so immense that even if Lu Yang gritted his teeth and used all his strength, he couldnt move. He tried to form a protective barrier of spiritual energy around himself, but at this speed, the energy shattered instantly and couldnt form a shield. Finally, the pressure disappeared, and the four of them leaned forward, resting their arms on their legs and their heads hanging down to stabilize themselves. They felt a sense of relief as if they had survived a great ordeal. Facing the Nine Nether Sect hadnt even felt this intense. The Fifth Elder paced in front of them, teaching: I elerated suddenly on purpose to train your reflexes in unexpected situations. Remember that feeling. As cultivators, you must always be alert to potential dangers around you. When I was young, I often raced flying boats and had to evadew enforcement cultivatorsing from all directions. Not once did they catch me. The four looked warily at the Fifth Elder, feeling that the biggest danger was now him! The flying shuttles speed was incredibly fast. Originally, Lu Yang had wanted to show off his newly learned Devouring Heaven, but before he could speak, the Fifth Elder announced. Were here. Meng Jingzhou looked down and saw Yanjiang County below. The shuttle hovered directly above Yanjiang County,pletely invisible to the naked eye. Lets get down. The four of them looked at each other, searching in vain for a way to descend. Only Golden Core Stage cultivators could fly, and Li Haoran and Qin Yanyan were not yet at that stage. Lu Yang was afraid of heights. How were they supposed to get down? The Fifth Elder pped his forehead: Ill take you down. With a wave of his sleeve, Lu Yang didnt have time to react before everything went ck. When he managed to open his eyes, he found himself lying on the floor of the barbecue shop, with Li Haoran on his left and Qin Yanyan on his right. What happened? Does the Fifth Elder also know the Universe in Sleeves Art? Lu Yang was surprised, as this was supposed to be an extremely difficult divine ability to master. Evesting Fairy spoke softly: No, he just knocked you all out and carried you here. Chapter 324: The Barbecue Restaurant Reopens After Lu Yang woke up, Li Haoran and Qin Yanyan woke up one after another. The father and daughter looked around, unsure of their surroundings. Youre all awake? The Fifth Elder sat on a stool, looking calm andposed. Qin Yanyan recalled the moment before they lost consciousness. The Fifth Elder had waved his sleeve, and their vision went ck. When they came to, they were already here. It must have been the legendary Universe in Sleeves Art! Qin Yanyan eximed excitedly, thrilled to experience such a mythical divine ability firsthand. As expected of an elder of the Dao Seeking Sect! The Fifth Elder smiled faintly, letting silence speak for itself. Li Haoran looked thoughtful. He hadnt heard that his master knew the Universe in Sleeves Art. Meng Jingzhou, who had been observing the entire time, raised an eyebrow. He was the only one among the four who hadnt fainted. The Fifth Elder had knocked out Lu Yang and the other two, then exined to Meng Jingzhou that he was concerned they might be afraid of heights orck flying experience. It was easier to knock them out and carry them down.Then the Fifth Elder had taken out three sacks, skillfully bagging the three of them, as if he had done it many times before. This is the Come Again Barbecue Restaurant youve been talking about? Before their departure, the Fifth Elder had done his homework, asking Dai Bufan for the mission report and learning about what had happened in Yanjiang County. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou looked at the familiar setup, lost in reminiscence. Time flies, the world changes, peoplee and go. Years had passed, and even the Undying Sect had fallen. They hadnt expected to return here. The Fifth Elder rubbed a table, revealing a thickyer of dust: Its been three months; it needs cleaning. Just as the four juniors were about to start cleaning, the Fifth Elder waved his hand: No need to bother. His lips moved slightly, muttering an inaudible incantation, and he casually cast a mark. The marknded on the ground, causing the space to tremble slightly and creating invisible ripples that spread outward. Dust on the tables, chairs, and floor began to shake, detaching from the surfaces and dispersing outward. Even the dust on Lu Yang and the others bodies trembled and left them. When all the dust and grime had gathered in the corners, the Fifth Elders palm emitted a suction force, pulling the dirt inward into a vortex. Finally, the dirt condensed into a small ball, which disappeared when the Fifth Elder clenched his fist. The entire barbecue restaurant now looked refreshed, as if everything was brand new.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om This is the Dust Cleansing Spell, often used for cleaning. You can practice these practical little spells in your spare time, the Fifth Elder exined. If you dislike someone, you can use the Dust Cleansing Spell to gather the dirt into a ball and throw it at them. That was the Fifth Elders original reason for learning the Dust Cleansing Spell. Reopening! Lu Yang took out various seasonings, skewers, and the automatic skewering formation from his identity jade token. The barbecue rack and other items were already in the restaurant; they hadnt taken them when they left. This automatic skewering formation is interesting and creative. The Fifth Elder nced at the formation and immediately understood its function. Lu Yang thought to himself that this was thetest achievement of the Undying Sects upper echelon,bining the wisdom of four Unity stage experts. The Fifth Elder asked, Is there an automatic grilling formation or artifact? Lu Yang shook his head; it hadnt been designed yet. In that case, Ill design one. But Ive never grilled before, so I need to practice for a couple of days first to understand how to design an automatic grilling artifact. The Fifth Elders favorite thing was crafting artifacts that had never been created before. Lu Yang was delighted. He had been wondering whether he needed to capture a couple of Specters, but it seemed unnecessary now. Lu Yang mixed the spices in a certain proportion, quickly preparing a batch of bright red, barbarian-style barbecue sauce. Im going out to buy some ingredients, Lu Yang said, suggesting that the Fifth Elder start grilling. Go ahead, go ahead. Lu Yang pushed open the door, attracting curious nces from the passersby on the street. Manager Lu! What, is this really Manager Lu? Is the barbecue restaurant reopening? I heard Manager Lu went out to start a new business. Is he back to continue running the barbecue restaurant after failing? Didnt they say Manager Lu went home to inherit the family business? Why is he back? Is there such a story? You didnt hear? Manager Lu got lost with his parents when he was a child. The barbecue recipe is a childhood memory. A great figure came here to eat the barbecue, was moved to tears by the taste, saying only his family could make this vor, asked who made it, and then father and son recognized each other, so the barbecue restaurant closed. I heard Manager Lu has a very wealthy fiance who took him away? The passersby discussed fervently. The Come Again Barbecue Restaurant was the most popr spot in Yanjiang County, known even in the neighboring counties. Unfortunately, the restaurant had closed after the Spring Festival, leaving people craving the food. People spected wildly about Lu Yangs departure. As for the county magistrates death, no one connected it to the barbecue restaurant, especially not to a restaurant covered in banners of praise. Manager Lu, is the barbecue restaurant reopening? Yeah, without your skewers at night, something feels missing! Facing the enthusiastic public, Lu Yang raised his hand and loudly announced, Everyone, quiet down. Wevee back to continue running the barbecue restaurant, so rest assured. We n to reopen tomorrow! Great! After finally breaking free from the crowd in the vegetable market, Lu Yang was surrounded again. When he finally returned to the barbecue restaurant, he was exhausted and out of breath, feeling that a trip out was more tiring than a battle. Im back! Lu Yang threw the meat and vegetables onto the automatic skewer formation, which smoothly cut the meat and vegetables into small pieces. Wooden skewers floated and threaded the pieces together in a seamless process. The Fifth Elder took the skewers to the barbecue rack and asked, Do you have a specific me for grilling? As a grandmaster of artifact crafting, the Fifth Elder controlled seven kinds of true fire, but they were all too fierce for grilling. I have the Three vours True Fire! Lu Yang volunteered. His true fire was perfect for grilling. I also have true fire, Meng Jingzhou said, raising a scorching me in his palm. Pure Yang True Fire? The Fifth Elder recognized the origin of the me. Every Single Spirit Root cultivator who condensed a Single Golden Core would automatically control this true fire. But your fire isnt as suitable as Lu Yangs Three vours True Fire, is it? Meng Jingzhou smiled confidently, No, my Pure Yang True Fire is the product of a Twin Single Spirit Root and has effects that traditional Pure Yang True Fire doesnt. The Fifth Elder curiously asked, What are they? It enhances virility. Food grilled with Pure Yang True Fire can enhance virility! Chapter 325: The Barbecue Restaurant Without Suspicion (TL Note: Ive changed Yanjiang Rudder to Yanjiang County) The Fifth Elder took a deep breath. Just based on this one effect, Pure Yang True Fire could be ranked first among the 108 kinds of true fire. The 108 kinds of true fire each have different functions. Some have weak power, unable to even harm mortals, but are highly effective in burning space. Some are very powerful but difficult to control, prone to explosions. Others burn not the flesh but the soul. Because of these varied reasons, its hard to rank them definitively as first or second. But if you im your true fire can enhance virility. No one else might dare to say it, but the Fifth Elder would vote for Pure Yang True Fire. Ill study it and see if your Pure Yang True Fire can be stabilized into a fire seed. And your Three vours True Fire too, Ill study that as well. The Fifth Elder took Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous true fires to try and stabilize them into continuous fire seeds. Otherwise, theyd need Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou to continuously input spiritual energy to ignite the automatic barbecue rack, which would defeat its purpose. The best solution is tobine the two fires. The Fifth Elder pondered, surprised to encounter such a challenge right after arriving in Yanjiang County.Can two fires bebined? Qin Yanyan asked in astonishment. She had never heard of such a theory before. The Fifth Elder, without looking up, replied, Its possible. Historically, there have been people who fused two, three, or even more fires and hurled them at enemies with astonishing power. Its a highly effective method for challenging people at higher levels. (TL Note: Possibly a reference to Battle Through The Heavens) Alright, you all go out. I need to research this alone. The Fifth Elder shooed the four out like little chickens. Three powerful cultivators arrived in Yanjiang County. They concealed their auras, blending in with the crowd, disguised as traveling merchants. Sir, ording to the map, this should be Yanjiang County. Yes, lets find a ce first. The three entered a private room in a random restaurant, using formations to block detection, and only then did they remove their disguises. The visitors were none other than the Vice Sect Leader of the Nine Nether Sect, Petrified Bone, and his two subordinates. One of the subordinates was the Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator who had brought Petrified Bone the IOU from Qin Haoran, named Huo Huashen. Huo Huashens parents named him with the hope that he would reach the Spirit Transformation Stage. (TL Note: Huashen means Spirit Transformation) Petrified Bone lifted the curtains of the private room. From the windows position, he could see the Come Again Barbecue Restaurant diagonally opposite. It was already evening, and the barbecue restaurant was bustling, with a long queue forming at the entrance. So many people? Petrified Bone was surprised. Since the barbecue restaurant was supposed to be the contact point for the Heavenly Court Sect, shouldnt it be kept as low-profile as possible? Was this a reverse tactic, or did it reflect the Heavenly Court Sects strength, showing no fear of being discovered by the Righteous Path? He retracted his gaze and looked at his two subordinates. Our task in Yanjiang County, assigned by the Sect Leader, is to ascertain the depth and potential of this Heavenly Court Sect. If theres a possibility for cooperation, I have the authority to act on behalf of the Sect Leader to establish an agreement. You two are my trusted aides, so I trust there will be no mistakes. Huo Huashen, you were the first to contact the Heavenly Court Sect. Zhou Shan, you are well-versed in ancient history and the most knowledgeable in the sect regarding ancient times. Sir, should we contact the Heavenly Court Sect now? Petrified Bone shook his head, No rush, lets observe for a while. You two investigate the background of this barbecue restaurant and see if theres anything suspicious.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Yes, sir! The two responded in unison and disappeared from the private room. Shortly after, Petrified Bone left the private room, and the waiter handed him a bill: Sir, your two friends have left. Here is your bill Petrified Bones face darkened. Shouldnt his subordinates have hurried to pay the bill for him? During the investigation, Huo Huashen chatted, Zhou Shan, everyone says you are the most knowledgeable about ancient history. Whats thetest progress in the archaeological study of ancient history? Zhou Shan nodded, Theres significant progress rted to immortals. What is it? Zhou Shan looked around mysteriously, ensuring no one was nearby, and transmitted his voice, What I heard is just a rumor and might not be true. Dont worry, I can discern for myself. In ancient times, there was an immortal named Ying Tian Immortal. He was charming and left his seed everywhere, causing countless women to be pregnant! Huo Huashens neck tilted back slightly, Is that possible?! Zhou Shan continued, ording to my analysis, theres an eighty percent chance its true. Think about it, hes an immortal who has reached the end of his cultivation. With nothing else to do, having such a hobby isnt out of the question. Huo Huashen nodded, finding Zhou Shans analysis reasonable, No wonder everyone says you know ancient history best. Not at all, Zhou Shan smiled modestly. Lets stop chatting andplete the task at hand. Sir, ording to our investigation, this barbecue restaurant indeed has some issues. The owner of Come Again Barbecue Restaurant has the surname Lu, but his real name is unknown. Customers like to call him Manager Lu or Little Manager Lu. Four months ago, Manager Lu bought this shop and started the barbecue restaurant. Due to its delicious, tender, and juicy meat,parable to that made by a spiritual chef, it has received high praise. If it were anyone else, with such a booming business, they would have opened a chain by now. But this restaurant has never shown any intention of opening a branch. Petrified Bone nodded, That makes sense, considering its a base for the Heavenly Court Sect. If they focused on expanding the restaurant, it would be putting the cart before the horse. Also, the barbecue restaurant has a good rtionship with the local government, often helping them capture fugitives. The local government has given them severalmendation banners. Using a disguised identity to curry favor with the Righteous Path avoids a lot of trouble. The cultivators in Yanjiang County generally arent very high-level, with the highest only being at the Golden Core Stage, so they wouldnt be able to see through the Heavenly Court Sects disguise. We also discovered that the entire Yanjiang branch of the former Undying Sect once dined at the barbecue restaurant. Petrified Bone lowered his head in thought, Its possible that the Heavenly Court Sect intended to use the Yanjiang branch to contact the higher-ups of the Undying Sect, but before they had the chance, the Dao Seeking Sect eradicated them. What a pity. ording to our analysis, four months ago, Manager Lus outwardly disyed cultivation was at the early Foundation Building stage. Its unclear whether that was a disguise or if he was genuinely at that stage and only recently advanced to the Golden Core Stage. Thats not important. The barbecue restaurant was closed for three months and only reopened in the past half-month, introducing a new product linethe virility-boosting series, which caused a sensation across the county upon itsunch. From our investigation of the brothels, the number of customers has significantly increased, indicating the virility-boosting effects are likely genuine. Customers have also reported that the taste of the barbecue has improved even morepared to three months ago. Only reopening in thest half-month? It seems this is a temporary base, and the Heavenly Court Sect reopened to provide us with an opportunity for contact. Not revealing the actual base location to us shows they dont fully trust us. Alright then, since the barbecue restaurant seems to have no suspicions, lets visit and see what depth lies here! Chapter 326: Three Visits to the Barbecue Restaurant (TL Note: Weve reached 75 5-stars on NU so here are the 5 chapters as promised, apologies that they were a littlete. I didnt notice. ) Is this the barbecue restaurant in Yanjiang County thats known for boosting virility? Thats right, hurry up and get in line. We thought we came early, but it looks like we still have to wait! This ce closed down three months ago and has just reopened. The business is even better than before. I came here during the Spring Festival, and the taste was quite good! So, the whole shop went out for training and hase back with great results? That seems to be the case. I wonder if we can get a seat today. I heard some people waited in line for several days without getting in. What a booming business! Petrified Bone stood in front of the barbecue restaurant, feeling the heat of the business much more acutely than when he observed from upstairs before.The Nine Nether Sect had many businesses, but none had the exaggerated customer flow of this one. The line started from the entrance and extended to the door of the neighboring shop, directly blocking the neighbors entrance. The neighboring shop wasnt angry; those waiting in line woulde in to eat out of impatience, making their business even better than before. Huo Huashen said through a sound transmission: I heard that this shop used to have delivery services, but now the dine-in business is so overwhelming that theyve stopped offering it. Originally, Zhou Shan and I wanted to taste the food ourselves, but we couldnt get in line. We had to ask the customers who had eaten there. Petrified Bone snorted coldly and headed straight into the shop: Have you forgotten who you are? Do we still need to queue? Two Spirit Transformation Stages and one Unity Stage could establish a second-tier sect. Even a first-tier sect would have to respectfully invite them in. A mere barbecue restaurant, its not like its the headquarters of the Heavenly Court Sect. Someone is cutting in line! Hey, dont you three know how to behave? How rude! Those in line cursed as they saw the three walking in, but Petrified Bone and hispanions ignored them. At this moment, a graceful figure blocked their way. Stop! Dont you know you need to queue? Qin Yanyan stood at the entrance, her eyes zing with anger. Everyone else was lining up, so why couldnt they follow the rules? Qin Yanyan did not recognize the three. At that time, Huo Huashen had been hiding in the shadows, and only Lu Yang had detected his presence. Petrified Bone was about to lose his temper when Huo Huashen urgently transmitted, Sir, this is Qin Yanyan, the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin. What? Petrified Bone was taken aback. Qin Haoran had been the Sect Leader of the Nine Nether Sect for nine hundred years. Though he had fallen, he stillmanded respect within the sect. Qin Haorans methods and cultivation were both superior to his own. Petrified Bone held a certain respect for the former Sect Leader. It seems the Heavenly Court Sect already knows were here and deliberately sent the reincarnated Sect Leader Qin to block us! Are they implying that this is the Heavenly Court Sects territory and that we must follow their rules here? And by having the reincarnated Sect Leader Qin maintain order, theyre suggesting that no matter how significant your background, you are nothing in front of the Heavenly Court Sect? Petrified Bone, being clever, quickly deduced the implications behind this arrangement. The Heavenly Court Sect was not to be offended. They hailed from ancient times and were profoundly powerful, with at least one, if not several, Tribtion Crossing Stages. He, a mere Unity Stage, could not afford to provoke them. Well queue! The three high-ranking members of the Nine Nether Sect queued at the end of the line. They waited untilte at night, and just as there were only four or five people left in front of them, Qin Yanyan peeked out from the door: Sorry, were closing now. Petrified Bones face was ashen, but he didnt dare to lose his temper. Hmph, welle back tomorrow! The next morning, Petrified Bone brought his two subordinates to the barbecue restaurant before it opened. He didnt believe that they would still need to queue during the day. The barbecue restaurant doors opened, and Constable Wei was inside, chatting andughing with Lu Yang. Congrattions, Constable Wei, or rather, Chief Constable Wei now! Lu Yang said with a smile. After they had taken down the county magistrate, the chief constable was promoted to county magistrate, and Constable Wei took the position of chief constable, saving over ten years of time in an instant, a true leap to sess. Chief Constable Wei beamed with joy: You tter me. Being chief constable may sound impressive, but its exhausting work every day. My monthly sry is probably less than your barbecue restaurants daily ie. Lu Yang smiled without responding, acknowledging the truth of the statement without a word. Chief Constable Wei didnt dwell on the topic and continued: I owe my promotion in part to your barbecue restaurant. I remember you had some friends who came to eat and ended up getting caught for brawling. They were locked up for a few days, andter, when the Undying Sect was destroyed and their member list was made public, it turned out those two were from the Undying Sect! Little Lu, you need to be more careful when making friends. Its dangerous. They might have been targeting you to use you as a sacrifice for the Undying Sect! Lu Yangughed heartily and promised he would be more cautious in the future. Your barbecue restaurant has been open for over half a month now, but unfortunately, no criminals havee to turn themselves in. It would be great if some clueless person or, better yet, a member of a demonic cult came here. That would solidify my position as chief constable. Chief Constable Wei realized he had misspoken and shook his head with a smile: Listen to me, talking like Im cursing your ce to have demonic cult members. At this moment, Chief Constable Wei noticed Petrified Bone and hispanions at the door and curiously asked: Are those three people at the door your friends? Where? Lu Yang turned his head, but Petrified Bone and hispanions had already vanished. No one there? Maybe just passersby. What a show from the Heavenly Court Sect, chatting andughing with the Righteous Path, even with the chief constable who wants to capture members of the demonic cult. Are they demonstrating their methods to us? Petrified Bone, having dealt with government officials many times, knew that a chief constable at this level would have a token. If they encountered an enemy they couldnt handle, they could crush the token, and a powerful cultivator woulde to their aid. Sir, what should we do? Queue again tonight! Weve been staking out here for over half a month. Why havent the people from the Nine Nether Secte yet? Meng Jingzhou wondered. He thought the Nine Nether Sect people should have arrived by now. Niece, you stand guard at the door every day. Have you seen anyone who looks like theyre from the Nine Nether Sect? Qin Yanyan innocently shook her head. asionally, there were a few unreasonable people trying to barge in, but after a few words from her, they obediently went to the back of the line. The Nine Nether Sect shouldnt be so well-behaved. Lu Yang was puzzled too. He had made up the Heavenly Court Sect. Anyone with knowledge of ancient times should believe it. He thought there must be such people in the Nine Nether Sect. Since they believed in the Heavenly Court Sect, they should send someone over. Lets wait a bit longer. In the evening, Petrified Bone and hispanions, having learned their lesson, came to queue early. This time, they were lucky, with only about twenty people ahead of them. After waiting half a day, it was finally their turn.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Three pounds ofmb skewers! Chapter 327: Personal Disciple of Bean Celestial You have to admit, this taste is really something! Petrified Bone eximed. He savored the food, detecting a vor that seemed to have been grilled by true fire. Could it really have been grilled with true fire? It was the first time Petrified Bone had seen a barbecue restaurant use true fire for grilling, a truly grand gesture. Thinking about how he had to visit the barbecue restaurant three times before finally getting in made Petrified Bone furious. After finishing three pounds ofmb skewers, he wiped his mouth and said, Give me ten skewers of grilled kidneys! The surrounding diners looked at Petrified Bone in astonishment. The regr skewers already had a strengthening effect, and here he was ordering ten more potent grilled kidneys. How was this different from taking an aphrodisiac? But for someone like Petrified Bone, ate-stage Unity cultivator, this level of potency was negligible. Huo Huashen and Zhou Shan were eating so much that their mouths were greasy. They felt it was good to follow Petrified Bone; not only did they not have to spend money when going out, but they also got to enjoy all kinds of delicious food. However, after they had their fill, they noticed a problem. There was still some time before the restaurant closed. The Heavenly Court Sect members were busy ying waiters and had no time to deal with them. If they left, it would be obvious they werent there just to eat.If they stayed, sitting around doing nothing wasnt an option either. Hey, do you think those three are sitting there because they cant pay the bill? Meng Jingzhou asked quietly. It was his first time encountering someone trying to dine and dash. Li Haoran replied through a sound transmission: I dont recognize the two on the side, but the one in the middle who ate the most is Petrified Bone. He used to be the Vice Sect Leader. After Qin Haoran was gone, I dont know if he got promoted.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Meng Jingzhou was delighted: The Nine Nether Sect has finally sent someone? Qin Yanyan didnt dare to speak. These three seemed to haveest night and were driven away by her. In the backyard, two automatic barbecue grills were running at full capacity. Designed by the Fifth Elder, they not only automated the skewering process but also greatly improved barbecue efficiency. The grills resembled bookshelves with fouryers, each filled with slowly rotating skewers being grilled by true fire, sizzling with oil. After painstaking research, the Fifth Elder had finallybined the Three vours True Fire with Pure Yang True Fire to create a fire seed used for grilling. The past few days customer flow had proven the Fifth Elders research sessful. Fifth Elder, people from the Nine Nether Sect are here, Lu Yang said to the Fifth Elder, who was squatting on the ground, studying how to improve the automatic barbecue grill. Got it. When the barbecue restaurant closed and thest customer left, the restaurant revealed its true identitya Heavenly Court Sect stronghold. At one table, two forces sat distinctly apart: the Nine Nether Sect, represented by Petrified Bone, and the Heavenly Court Sect, represented by Lu Yang. Its really not easy to meet you Heavenly Court Sect people, Petrified Bone said with a cold smile, dissatisfied with the treatment he had received the previous night and this morning. Lu Yang didnt understand why the other party was so resentful and didnt respond to theint. I presume this is the renowned Unity Stage cultivator of the Nine Nether Sect, Petrified Bone. A man stepped out from behind Lu Yang, making Petrified Bone, who had been somewhat rxed, immediately tense up. He felt a strong threat from the man. In a one-on-one fight, he might not be able to defeat this person! Lu Yang smiled and said, Let me introduce, our Heavenly Court Sect has nine protectors. This is the Fifth Protector, Heavenly King of Many Treasures. In ancient times, he was renowned. Even our master praised his unique craftsmanship and said he had the potential to forge celestial artifacts. I wonder if Sect Leader Bone has heard of him? Whether the other party was the Sect Leader or Vice Sect Leader, addressing him as Sect Leader was always correct. Fifth Elder bowed: Young Sect Leader, that was just a jest from the Celestial, not to be taken seriously. Petrified Bone looked at Zhou Shan, who subtly shook his head, indicating that he hadnt heard of it either. Petrified Bone sped his hands: Greetings, Daoist Friend Many Treasures. Unfortunately, matters from ancient times are too distant for us, and weve forgotten much, so I havent heard of your esteemed name. May I ask why Daoist Friend Many Treasures addresses him as Young Sect Leader? Bone Daoist Friend might not know, but Lu Yiyang is the personal disciple of Bean Celestial, and the only disciple at that. He is the undisputed next Head of the Heavenly Court Sect. Petrified Bone was taken aback. A personal disciple of Bean Celestial? Bean Celestial was the first to achieve immortality in ancient times. Does this mean that Lu Yang is a disciple of an immortal? In terms of status, he might be even higher than Petrified Bone, a Unity cultivator! In the spiritual realm, Evesting Fairy was joyfully jumping around: Lu Yang, I always knew you truly regarded me as your master! Lu Yang: In reality, Lu Yang sighed when he heard that Petrified Bone had never heard of Heavenly King of Many Treasuress name: Indeed, ancient times are too far removed from the present. Even when we first awakened, we found the world had changed drastically. The original stars had vanished, refined into boundless continents, and all familiar people and things were gone. Lu Yangs gaze grew deep, showing a hint of loneliness as if recalling ancient times. Petrified Bone took the opportunity to ask: Do you know who refined the stars? Lu Yang shook his head: This happened after our Heavenly Court Sect fell into slumber. We do not know the reason. Our sect is currently searching for Ying Tian Immortal and others to inquire about the events of these past thirty thousand years. Does the Nine Nether Sect have any clues about immortals? Petrified Bone had no idea where Ying Tian Immortal and the others were, so he could only regretfully say he didnt know. He gave Zhou Shan a look, signaling him to ask something. Zhou Shan thought for a moment, sped his hands, and asked: My name is Zhou Shan. While researching ancient history, I encountered some confusion. I wonder if my Daoist Friends could enlighten me? Of course, if theres anything we know we will speak about it. I heard that in ancient times, there was a great cultivator who mastered the divine ability Word Bes Reality, bing invincible in the same realm. But in the end, he disappeared without a trace. Do you know his whereabouts? Lu Yang smiled slightly: I happen to have heard of that seniors deeds. He was a formidable rival on my masters path to immortality. In the end, he couldnt match my master and perished. Lu Yang had heard this story from Evesting Fairy. Evesting Fairy had ambushed the opponent, who then shouted, It hurts me to death, activating Word Bes Reality and killing himself with his own words. But saying it this way might not convince the other party. Please borate. That senior had mastered the great divine ability Word Bes Reality. His opponents life and death were decided in an instant. He was undefeated in a hundred battles until he met my master. That day, my master encountered the senior who had learned Word Bes Reality. Knowing that they were both strong adversaries, holding back would mean self-destruction. So they engaged in a fierce battle. Daoist principles surged, spiritual energy roared, and the universe fell silent. My masters movements were unparalleled, elusive, and couldnt be captured. Seeing that he couldnt defeat my master, the senior used Word Bes Reality and shouted die. Unexpectedly, Word Bes Reality waspletely ineffective against my master. Instead, the senior was countered by Word Bes Reality, leading to his demise. Petrified Bone was greatly shocked. At that time, Bean Celestial hadnt even achieved immortality and was already immune to the invincible Word Bes Reality? How powerful was that? He had been closely observing Lu Yangs pupils and heartbeat, and all signs indicated that the other party was telling the truth! Chapter 328: Not a Single Lie Petrified Bone possessed a unique secret technique that could discern whether someone was telling the truth or lying. This ability had helped him uncover numerous undercover agents nted by other vice Sect Leaders. Although this secret technique wasnt foolproof, it had an eighty to ny percent sess rate.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Activating this technique demanded a high amount of spiritual qi and mental focus. Even someone as strong as Petrified Bone couldnt keep it running continuously, but he had no trouble maintaining it during his conversation with Lu Yang. Additionally, he excelled at reading peoples expressions, knowing the subtle changes that ur when they lie. Combining these factors, almost no one could lie to him. This was why the Sect Leader had sent him. To cooperate with the Heavenly Court Sect, the first thing they needed to confirm was that the other party was genuinely from the Heavenly Court Sect. Lu Yang disyed a confident smile, took a sip of tea, and said with a slightly boastful tone, I wonder if Sect Leader Bone has heard of Ying Tian Immortal and Qilin Immortal? Of course, the titles of those two ancient immortals are well-known. The Nine Nether Sect had many ancient texts that recorded the titles of The Four Ancient Immortals. Ive heard that nowadays when someone is praised for their talent, people often say they have the potential of a young immortal. You all think young immortals are invincible and unbeatable, but I must tell you that my master once fought against both Ying Tian Immortal and Qilin Immortal at once while in the Golden Core Stage. Despite their many techniques, they still couldnt defeat my master!My master was considered invincible in the Golden Core Stage! The pupils of the three from Nine Nether Sect contracted in astonishment. Having the potential of a young immortal meant being invincible and unmatched in the same realm. They had taken this stage to its limit, with no room for further improvement. If two young immortals were to fight, they would exhaust their trump cards and spiritual power, barely deciding a victor. The gap between them would be minimal. For Bean Celestial to defeat two young immortals alone while in the Golden Core Stage demonstrated an extraordinary talent! Surpassing all immortals! No wonder Bean Celestial was the first to achieve immortality in ancient times! Zhou Shan calmed himself and asked, Young Sect Leader Lu, have you heard of the final battle between the ancient dragons and phoenixes? Lu Yang pondered for a moment and asked, Do you mean the battle where they used Rebirth By Fire? No, the dragon and phoenix ns had multiple confrontations in their quest to be immortals. This series of battles is historically known as the Dragon-Phoenix War. What Sect Leader Lu mentioned is the second-tost battle. I am referring to the final battle. Lu Yang smiled and said, I am not familiar with theter generations terms, please exin further. When Zhou Shan mentioned that battle, he felt a lingering fear. Just from the descriptions in the books, one could imagine the terrifying nature of that battle. It is recorded in ancient texts that during the ancient times, there were two demonic beasts, one dragon and one phoenix, who were only a half-step away from bing immortals. They were the great enemies of the Qilin Immortal. Even after Qilin Immortal became an immortal, the dragon and phoenix continued to battle. This is thest recorded battle. The conflict began over a mysterious immortal fruit. It was believed that the immortal fruit held immense opportunities, leaving no room forpromise. To im the fruit, the dragon and phoenix fought fiercely. Their terrifying auras darkened the sky and earth, space trembled, and dao patterns filled the sky. The true mes of the dragon and phoenix shed, making the stars themselves shudder. At that time, the Qilin Immortal, Ying Tian Immortal, Nonuple Immortal, and Immemorial Immortal were present, yet even the four immortals could not stop the Dragon-Phoenix Battle! Qilin Immortal first attempted to mediate. He took no sides, wanting to cease the conflict, but the dragon and phoenix ignored him, even driving him away. In the end, the Dragon-Phoenix Battle came to an end in a draw, and it is unknown who ultimately obtained the immortal fruit! In the spiritual space, Evesting Fairy found this narrative style quite familiar: I remember now, Ying Tian Immortal liked to say things this way, iming it elevated the status of immortals! This was the first time Petrified Bone had heard this legend. From just a few words, he could sense the immense power of the dragon and phoenix. No wonder the dragon and phoenix ns are still so powerful; their heritage is incredibly profound. Petrified Bone observed Lu Yang and found that his expression remained unchanged, with a hint of amusement in his eyes, which greatly shocked him. Could it be that even a battle of this level is just so-so to him? Are the disciples of immortals truly this terrifying? Lu Yang chuckled and said, So this battle waster known as the final battle between the ancient dragon and phoenix. On the day of Qilin Immortals grand wedding, a fairy sent over an immortal fruit, saying it was for the most beautiful person present.. Both the dragon and phoenix prodigies wanted the fruit, causing Qilin Immortal a headache. Unable to prevent the conflict, Ying Tian Immortal and two other mediators persuaded them to change the martial contest into a culinary contest, with Ying Tian Immortal and the others as judges. However, what Ying Tian Immortal and the others didnt know was that the dragon and phoenix prodigies had been taught cooking by Evesting Fairy I know some inside information about this battle. It all started because of a casual move by my master. That time, Qilin Immortal held a banquet and invited many friends, including countless Tribtion Crossing Stage experts and the three immortals: Ying Tian Immortal, Nonuple Immortal, and Immemorial Immortal. Out of fear of my master, he did not send an invitation. My master, upon learning of this, was not angry. Instead, deciding to repay the slight with kindness, casually sending over an immortal fruit with blessings. The blessings on that immortal fruit were countless. The four immortals, of course, would not fight over this fruit, but it ended up being the dragon and phoenix whopeted for it. This fruit was of great significance, so even the Qilin Immortal did not dare to rashly dere who deserved it the most. So the dragon and phoenix had no choice but to fight, but since it was at the Qilin Immortals banquet, a martial contest was inappropriate, so they turned it into a contest of true mes. Zhou Shan was startled. This was a detail he had deliberately omitted. Ancient texts recorded that after Qilin Immortal stepped back, Ying Tian Immortal, Nonuple Immortal, and Immemorial Immortal presided over justice and suggested a contest of true mes. The details of the true me contest was unknown, but it was known that even the three immortals, Ying Tian Immortal and the others, were injured during the contest. A contest of true mes! Everyone knew that the final Dragon-Phoenix battle started over an immortal fruit, but few knew the method of the contest was a true me duel! Zhou Shan had obtained a rare ancient text, and this detail was recorded in it. The author of the text was Ying Tian Immortal, making the content undoubtedly authentic! Lu Yang, unaware of Zhou Shans thoughts, continued, The true me contest included aspects like the degree of torment inflicted on living beings, the control over true mes, and the proficiency in using utensils. In the end, the three immortals tested the results of the true me contest and suffered mental attacks, their spirits shaken. An immortal fruit ultimately caused Qilin Immortal to step down, Ying Tian Immortal and the other two immortals to suffer mental shocks. Bean Celestials scheming was truly terrifying! Petrified Bone eximed, astonished by Bean Celestials cunning. They must never be enemies! In the spiritual realm, Evesting Fairy frowned slightly, feeling that Petrified Bone was talking about her, yet not about her: Is that really me? Lu Yang seized the opportunity and said, Fairy, your wisdom is as deep as an abyss, unfathomable. Common people like Petrified Bone are overwhelmed by your intelligence and speak carelessly! Evesting Fairy understood, Indeed, I am very clever! In reality, Zhou Shan transmitted to Petrified Bone, Sir, given how much the other side knows about ancient secrets, they must indeed be from ancient times! Petrified Bone nodded, I believe the same. Chapter 329: If This Immortal Venture Succeeds, The Nine Nethers Shall Rise The heritage of the Heavenly Court Sect is truly awe-inspiring! Confirming that the other party was indeed the ancient Heavenly Court Sect, Petrified Bone no longer had a probing attitude and was ready to discuss cooperation in detail. He believed that with the help of the Heavenly Court Sect, the power of the Nine Nether Sect would reach new heights. To be honest, although I speak of these matters in detail, they are actually stories my master told me. When these events urred, I had not yet been born. Lu Yang spoke with apparent humility, but the confidence on his face was unmistakable. Li Haoran and Qin Yanyan remained cold and silent, like ruthless assassins. Though the father and daughter had some acting skills and had practiced repeatedly before setting out, they felt that in this situation, the best approach was to say nothing and act as high-level experts. The Fifth Elder thought that Lu Yang was truly deserving of being the top of his ss. When the nine Dao Seeking Sect members were Lu Yangs age, they couldnt weave such wless tales. Meng Jingzhou had doubts in his mind. He didnt know much about ancient legends and couldnt tell if Lu Yangs stories were true or false, but he had a feeling that Lu Yang was telling the truth, though perhaps not the whole truth. Huo Huashen felt like an illiterate person; he didnt understand the content of Lu Yang and Zhou Shans conversation. However, it didnt matter because his role was to be part of the crowd, maintaining a cold expert image.Although Daoist Lu keeps calling me Sect Leader, I actually hold the position of Vice Sect Leader in the Nine Nether Sect. On this visit, I can fully represent the Sect Leader in deciding the cooperation matters between our sects. Beforeing, the Sect Leader asked me to ry two questions to your sect. Daoist Lu will answer to the best of his knowledge. Petrified Bone, mimicking the Sect Leaders tone, said, Thend of the Nine Nethers is covered in dust, and the Righteous Path ignores the facts, refusing to acknowledge the existence of the Nine Nethers. To prove the Nine Nethers existence, we kill people and send them there, but the Righteous Path brands us as demonic. Its truly infuriating! In ancient times, the Nine Nethers was as renowned as the Heavenly Court, flourishing together. But now, the Nine Nethers are humiliated and in decline, which is heartbreaking. The foundation of the Nine Nether Sect is far inferior to the ancient Nine Nethers. Reviving the Nine Nethers seems nearly impossible. With the destruction of the Undying Sect, the four great demonic sects have been reduced to three, and our situation has be even more difficult. Even so, we believe that the Nine Nethers exist and that reincarnation is real. Our Nine Nether Sect wants to revive the ancient glory and make the Nine Nethers shine once more. Does your sect have any way to help? Lu Yang pondered for a moment and said, The central continent is the key battleground. Currently, it is upied by the Great Xia Dynasty and governed by the Five Great Immortal Sects. Our Heavenly Court Sect members have not fully revived, with only five of the nine protectors awakened. Even if you and I join forces, it would be difficult to withstand the attacks from the Five Great Immortal Sects and the Great Xia Dynasty. Therefore, a direct assault is out of the question. I wonder if Sect Leader Bone has studied the rise of the Great Xia Dynasty. After awakening, I wanted to understand what happened over the past three hundred thousand years and delved into history. At the end of the Great Yu Dynasty, the world was in chaos, with countless heroes rising, connecting states and counties. At that time, the ancestors of the Xia Emperor and the Meng family were not outstanding. How did they manage to emerge victorious and be the only two contenders for the emperors throne? The reason is that they had the advantages of timing and human harmony. What is timing? The Great Yu Dynasty was unable to govern, and chaos ensued. That was timing! And what is human harmony? Individual strength and the will of the people, that is human harmony! In contrast, the Great Xia Dynasty is at its peak, the strongest it has ever been, showing no signs of weakness. Moreover, the Great Xia Dynasty governs well and has the peoples support, along with the Five Great Immortal Sects acting as their watchdogs, surveying thend. I even suspect that the Great Xia Dynasty has immortals on their side! Without the advantage of timing and human harmony, recklessly stepping forward is the worst choice. Petrified Bone said angrily, Does that mean our Nine Nether Sect will never have its day? Lu Yang calmly responded, Not necessarily. The rise and fall of great powers is a historical rule. While the Great Xia Dynasty appears to be at its zenith, it is actually on the verge of copse. A great era is approaching, new immortals will emerge, the Southern Demon Territory and the East Sea are eyeing the Great Xia Dynasty, and the powerful beings who slumbered during the Great Qian and Great Yu eras are gradually awakening. As the opportunities for immortality arise, we might see a repeat of the end of the Great Yu era. By then, the Great Xia Dynastys advantage in timing will be gone! So, before the chaos arrives, we must remain low-key and avoid blindly proiming the existence of the Nine Nethers, which would invite unnecessary trouble. The downfall of the Undying Sect is a precedent! As for human harmony, given the current strength of the Nine Nether Sect, I believe that even with hidden trump cards, it will be difficult to gain an advantage in the great eras struggle. The Nine Nether Sect has too few strong members. The immediate priority is to focus on cultivation and increase the number of Unity and even Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators! In this process, the Nine Nether Sect should ally with the Demon Domain and the East Sea externally, and internally with the Heartless Sect and the Sr Sect. When the great eras struggle arrives, if our two sects act together, and immortal venture seeds, the Nine Nethers shall rise. Petrified Bone was stirred by Lu Yangs words, feeling a bright future ahead. Previously, they had been too hasty, eager to build Fengdu and prove the existence of the Nine Nethers. Listening to Lu Yang now, he realized that their previous actions werepletely wrong! Current patience is for future development. Its ridiculous that Ive lived so long and havent figured out this simple principle? This is the difference in vision. The Heavenly Court Sect ruled the ancient times, observing the past and present without missing anything. Their opponents were the Four Ancient Immortals, including Ying Tian Immortal, and the Nine Nether Sect was not on the same level as them. Excited, Petrified Bone did not forget the Sect Leaders instructions before his departure: The Sect Leader has one more question for your sect. Please ask. The Sect Leader asked if your sect has any advice on the economic development of the Nine Nether Sect.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Petrified Bone didnt understand why the Sect Leader asked this. He felt that the Nine Nether Sects economy was doing well. When Sect Leader Qin was in charge, they couldnt even pay sries on time. Since the new Sect Leader took over, not only have they been paying sries on time, but theyve also funded the construction of Fengdu. Lu Yang smiled knowingly, It seems your Sect Leader is quite perceptive. What do you mean? As I mentioned earlier, the most important thing for your sect right now is to focus on cultivation. And what do you need for focused cultivation? Arge amount of Spirit Stones! So, before you cultivate, you need to earn Spirit Stones! Petrified Bone suddenly understood and felt a bit embarrassed, realizing that the other party understood the Sect Leader better than he did. How do we earn Spirit Stones then? Lu Yang pointed his finger at the ceiling and smiled, Sect Leader Bone, what do you think of the business of this barbecue restaurant? Petrified Bone thought of the long queues outside the door: Naturally, its very good. What if I said you could open such barbecue restaurants all over the Great Xia Dynasty? What?! Chapter 330: Our Sect Leader and Dao Seeking Sect’s Yun Zhi Are Equally Matched in Cultivation Petrified Bone was greatly shocked, and even the usually silent and stoic Huo Huashen couldnt maintain his fa?ade. Everyone had seen the booming business of the barbecue restaurant; demand far exceeded supply, and profits were made faster than robbing a bank. Even at closing time, people were still queuing outside, illustrating just how popr it was. As a Unity-stage cultivator, Petrified Bone had tasted all kinds of worldly delicacies, many far superior to these skewers, made from ingredients so rare that they couldnt be bought even with Spirit Stones.N?v(el)B\\jnn Yet, this barbecue restaurant used ingredients that could be found at any market. The ingredients were ordinary, but the prices were astronomical, and the profits were immense. The profit from a single barbecue restaurant wouldnt be enough to mobilize Spirit Transformation Stage or Unity Stage cultivators. But what if there were barbecue restaurants all over the central continent? The profits would be enormous, tempting to anyone.Moreover, he was burdened with a billion spirit stone debt. If he didnt repay it, he would be struck by lightning once a month. He desperately needed money! Fortunately, Petrified Bone was mature and cautious, not showing too much excitement. He suppressed his agitation and said, Your sects barbecue business is certainly excellent. Our Nine Nether Sect also has industries, but they are far inferior to this. Whether it was smuggling or running a zoo, none of itpared to the barbecue business, which had dozens of times the profit. The key was that it was a legitimate business, not subject to investigation, unlike their Nine Nether Sect, which mostly ran illegal businesses. The only legitimate business they had was in the funeral industry. Even the funeral industry was risky; one high-ranking member of the Nine Nether Sect, who was skilled in corpse refinement, had the bright idea of digging up buried bodies to refine them. Somehow, the customers found out and reported them. Fortunately, the Nine Nether Sect acted quickly, disassociating from the fool entirely. But how can we promote this across the entire continent? Ive eaten a lot of barbecue, but nothingpares to what I had today. Your sect must have unique grilling techniques, recipes, and, most importantly, the virility-boosting secret method. Can these be promoted as well? Sect Leader Bones sharp insight quickly grasped the challenges of nationwide promotion. Lu Yang chuckled, Our barbecue recipese from ancient times. Its normal that Sect Leader Bone hasnt tasted them before. Please follow me. Lu Yang stood up and led Petrified Bone to the backyard, where he showed him the automatic barbecue grills and the automatic skewer array, leaving Petrified Bone in awe. As expected of the Heavenly Court Sects young Sect Leader, he was well-prepared. The automatic barbecue grill was crafted by Protector Many Treasures, and as for the automatic skewer array Lu Yang disyed a meaningful smile. Where did this automatic skewer arraye from? This array was crafted by several Unity Stage Specters under our Sect Leader, Lu Yang revealed a startling piece of information. Petrified Bones pupils contracted. Unity Stage Specters were the highest known level of Specters. Only someone a whole level higher could refine a Specter. This indicated that the Sect Leader Lu Yang spoke of was a Tribtion Crossing Stage master! The Heavenly Court Sect indeed had a Tribtion Crossing Stage master! May I ask who your sects Sect Leader is? Lu Yang didnt answer directly but smiled and said, Has Sect Leader Bone heard of Yun Zhi from the Dao Seeking Sect? Petrified Bone had secretly gathered a lot of information about the Five Great Immortal Sects, including Yun Zhi, who was superior to the sect leaders of the Five Great Immortal Sects. ording to his analysis, Dao Seeking Sects Yun Zhi had already reached thete stage of Tribtion Crossing. Reaching such a level at a young age made Yun Zhi a major obstacle in the great eras struggle for immortality, a formidable opponent indeed! Our Sect Leader has fought Yun Zhi from the Dao Seeking Sect, and their cultivation levels are equally matched. What?! Petrified Bones eyes widened sharply. The Sect Leader of the Heavenly Court Sect truly possessed unparalleled cultivation. Only someone of such cultivation could qualify as the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Court Sect. Petrified Bone initially thought that with many of the Heavenly Court Sect members still dormant, their strength was significantly diminished. Todays meetingpletely overturned that assumption. The Heavenly Court Sect might not be as powerful as the ancient Heavenly Court, but they were definitely stronger than the Nine Nether Sect by several degrees. Choosing to contact the Heavenly Court Sect was indeed a wise decision! And this me is a new type of true fire our sect has developed. It not only enhances the vor of the skewers but also has virility-boosting effects! Lu Yang held up a me, abination of Three vours True Fire and Pure Yang True Fire. Petrified Bone used his spiritual sense to examine the me carefully, discovering it was indeed a new type of true fire, not among the known 108 types. It had traces of Samadhi True Fire and Pure Yang True Fire but was unique. Pure Yang True Fire alone did not have virility-boosting effects. It seemed that while the Heavenly Court Sect appeared inactive, they had been making strategic moves in secret, waiting for the right moment to reveal them! Otherwise, why would they develop a new type of true fire specifically for barbecue? Young Sect Leader, these things shouldnt be shown to outsiders. This is originally part of our Heavenly Court Sects expansion strategy and intelligencework! The Fifth Elder frowned and advised. Lu Yang didnt appreciate the Fifth Elders remarks and countered, Its no problem. In ancient times, the Heavenly Court and Nine Nether were closely rted. Now, seeing the Nine Nether Sect, it makes sense to help them restore their ancient glory. Even if the Sect Leader and my master knew about this, they wouldnt me me. Moreover, the Heavenly Court Sect has few members. Even if we mobilized everyone, how many barbecue restaurants could we open? The Fifth Elder fell silent. Since the Young Sect Leader was willing to take full responsibility, as a protector of the Heavenly Court, he had no more to say. Petrified Bone was greatly moved, never expecting their Nine Nether Sect to have such wealthy rtives. This Young Sect Leader was noble and selfless, willing to risk being reprimanded by the Sect Leader and Bean Celestial to help the Nine Nether Sect. Lu Yang turned around, smiling as if he hadnt just had a disagreement with the Fifth Elder, and said, Sect Leader Bone, as you heard, although I am a disciple of the Celestial, I cant make all decisions. However, this doesnt affect our cooperation. I can provide your sect with the methods for mixing the barbecue sauce and the array for the automatic skewer for free. The principles behind the barbecue sauce and the automatic skewer array could be discerned with spiritual sense, so Lu Yang saw no need to withhold them. It was better to give them freely and earn goodwill with the Nine Nether Sect. As for the automatic barbecue grill and the fire seed, I can provide them regrly and in limited quantities, but our Heavenly Court Sect will need sixty percent of the profits. The automatic barbecue grill was restricted by the Fifth Elder and couldnt be reverse engineered. The fire seed required Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous involvement. Since opening the barbecue restaurant was primarily the Heavenly Courts initiative, it made sense for them to take therger share of the profits, which Petrified Bone understood. However, considering his status, he couldnt directly ept Lu Yangs proposal: You take forty, we take sixty! Our Heavenly Court Sect takes sixty percent, Lu Yang insisted calmly. Lets split it fifty-fifty! Our Heavenly Court Sect takes sixty percent. Lu Yang remained firm, leaving Petrified Bone no room for negotiation. Realizing he had no advantage in this aspect, Petrified Bone gritted his teeth and epted Lu Yangs terms. They discussed some details and quickly finalized the contract. Happy cooperation, Lu Yang said with a cheerful smile as they shook hands. Chapter 331: Happy Cooperation (TL Note: Here are the 5 chapters as promised, time for me to replenish my stock of chapters.) This is equivalent to Lu Yangs side only providing the barbecue grills and fire seeds, leaving the business operations to the Nine Nether Sect, while still receiving 60% of the profits. Even the Fifth Elder did not expect Lu Yang to dare to make such a deal. This was far more profitable than when he followed Old Nine in his younger days selling Big Or Small As You Wish (Localized Version)! Each generation produces talents, and the young surpass the old. Lu Yang was also not afraid that the Nine Nether Sect could break the Fifth Elders restrictions, or replicate the fire seed and kick their Heavenly Court Sect aside to work independently. He had already hinted that their Heavenly Court Sect had the Sect Leader and Bean Celestial, whose strength far surpassed that of the Nine Nether Sect. Now, coborating with the Nine Nether Sect so harmoniously was only out of respect for the ancient Nine Nethers. If the Nine Nether Sect did not acknowledge the Heavenly Court Sect, the Heavenly Court Sect would also turn against them. If the Nine Nether Sect dared to act alone, it would be a path to self-destruction. Lu Yang had another consideration in letting the Nine Nether Sect open barbecue chain stores, which was to limit the actions of Nine Nether Sect followers.The current situation did not allow for theplete eradication of the Nine Nether Sect, and during this time, the followers of the Nine Nether Sect could potentially engage in criminal activities. Rather than letting them run amok, it was better to give them something to do. Afterpleting the Sect Leaders task and discussing the cooperation matters, the Petrified Bone was very pleased. It wouldnt be long before he could pay off the billion spirit stone bill in full. Speaking of the billion spirit stone bill, the Petrified Bone set his gaze on the silent Qin Yanyan, stood up, and chuckled, I assume this is the reincarnation of Sect Leader Qin that your sect has found? Lu Yang alsoughed, Whether she is or not, doesnt Sect Leader Bone already have the answer in his heart? Qin Yanyan remained expressionless, unwilling to say a word. What could she say? The Nine Nether Sect was now convinced she was the reincarnation of Qin Haoran. Even if she said that Li Haoran was the true reincarnation of Qin Haoran, the Nine Nether Sect might not believe it. Who would have thought that the former leader of the Nine Nether Sect, Sect Leader Qin, would be reincarnated as a woman? The impermanence of the world is truly unpredictable. Despite these words, the Petrified Bone still had great admiration for Qin Haoran. All signs pointed to the fact that the other party had sessfully reincarnated, possibly connected to the Reincarnation Ariya-Ph. The Reincarnation Ariya-Ph was what the Petrified Bone was most interested in. The three deputy Sect Leaders were so persistent inpeting for the legacy left by Qin Haoran precisely because they suspected it was rted to the Reincarnation Ariya-Ph! The Petrified Bone had already decided that the cultivator he had originally pushed forward to impersonate the reincarnation of Qin Haoran was no longer needed. There was the real reincarnation of Qin Haoran right in front of him. When it was time topete for the legacy, Qin Yanyan would be asked to act. The Nine Nether Sect and the Heavenly Court Sect had just established a cooperative rtionship, and it was not the right time to discuss these matters. The Sect Leader had instructed him to discuss cooperation with the Heavenly Court Sect, and future cooperation would still require his continued involvement, so there was no need to rush. Would it be possible for Qin Yanyan to return to the Nine Nether Sect with me? Sect Leader Qin managed the Nine Nether Sect for nine hundred years and left many traces. Perhaps Qin Yanyan, upon returning to the Nine Nether Sect, could recall more things by revisiting those ces? Qin Yanyan was somewhat panicked. Returning to the Nine Nether Sect alone was like walking into the lions den, where a single misstep could lead to endless cmity. Li Haoran stepped forward, blocking half of Qin Yanyans body, and calmly said, As far as I know, your sect is not entirely united, is it? Not to mention the new Sect Leaders attitude toward Qin Yanyan, how would those old subordinates view her? Would they support her as the new Sect Leader? Wouldnt that throw your sect into chaos?. And furthermore, the meaning of reincarnation lies in severing ties with ones past life, to have no further connection. Pursuing past memories so deliberately is actually a step down. As a deputy Sect Leader, is this the extent of your understanding of the Nine Nethers and reincarnation? In the entire room, if anyone truly understood the Nine Nether Sect, it wasnt the always serious and seemingly nonsensical Lu Yang, but Li Haoran. With fragmented memories from his past life, Li Haoran could barely piece together Qin Haorans understanding of reincarnation and the Nine Nethers. After reincarnation, all karma is eliminated. The Nine Nethers is the ce of reincarnation and also the ce where karma is cleansed. Petrified Bone didnt doubt why Li Haoran had such a deep understanding of reincarnation. After all, he was a prodigy from ancient times, often dealing with the ancient Nine Nethers, so knowing these things was perfectly normal. He originally just wanted to try to take Qin Yanyan from the Heavenly Court Sect, but since that didnt work, he decided to drop it. Heughed heartily, I was only joking just now. Dont take it seriously, dont take it seriously. Lu Yang alsoughed, Its good that it was a joke. I was beginning to think your sect wanted to snatch someone from our Heavenly Court Sect. Thats something even Ying Tian Immortal never dared to do. Petrified Bone could tell that although Lu Yangs tone was calm, he was actually a bit angry, so he didnt dare to continue probing. Enough, its a good thing that our two sects have reached a cooperation. Ill leave this barbecue shop to you. Heres a jade pendant; if you want to contact me, just crush it. Lu Yang saidzily, tossing a jade pendant to Petrified Bone. Lu Yang and his group couldnt stay at the barbecue shop forever, so it was better to transfer the shop to the Nine Nether Sect. If they needed to find the Nine Nether Sect, they could alwayse here. Petrified Bone knew this was a sign of Lu Yangs trust and didnt dare take it lightly. He turned around and instructed Huo Huashen, Take a few trusted people and manage this barbecue shop well! In the future, when the chain stores were established, this would be considered the main store, and it wouldnt be excessive to have someone at the Spirit Transformation Stage overseeing it. Yes! Huo Huashen thought to himself that he must seize this opportunity to earn Spirit Stones. If the day ever came when it was revealed that he was the one who brought back the billion spirit stone IOU, at least he would have an excuse. Petrified Bone released the analysis secret technique. Keeping the secret technique active for so long had been a great mental burden. Throughout this conversation, he noticed that this young Sect Leader Lu hadnt uttered a single lie, and he secretly admired him. This was the demeanor of the future Heavenly Court rulerdoing things openly and uprightly, disdainful of using lies to deceive or test others. In contrast, he had been cautiously using the analysis secret technique, which put him at a disadvantage. In fact, from the beginning, Evesting Fairy had warned Lu Yang that Petrified Bone was using a secret technique to detect lies and asked if it should be blocked. Lu Yang refused, thinking it would trouble Evesting Fairy too much. He could deceive people with the truth; why would he be afraid of Petrified Bone detecting it? On the way back to the Nine Nether Sect, Petrified Bone suddenly thought of a possibility. Could it be that the young Sect Leader was already aware of the billion spirit stone IOU and deliberately sent it to me? Did he burden me with the billion spirit stone debt and then show me the potential of the barbecue shop, forcing me to agree to the cooperation? Petrified Bone broke out in a cold sweat, realizing how deeply calcting this young Sect Leader was! Such a strategic mind! And it was an open schemehe had no choice but toply. No wonder he was a disciple of Bean Celestial! The future ruler of the Heavenly Court! On the way back to Dao Seeking Sect, the flying shuttle wasnt moving as fast as it had on the way there. The Fifth Elder curiously asked, Lu Yang, the analysis of the worlds situation you gave just now, the n youid out for the Nine Nether Sect, and the idea of the barbecue chain storesyou never discussed those with us, did you? In the original n, there was no mention of how to respond to the two questions posed by the Nine Nether Sect Sect Leader. Oh, those were just things I thought of on the spot. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Chapter 332: You Dare Claim to Be the Fastest? The speed of the flying shuttle was reduced to a fraction of what it had been on the way there, slowed by more than several hundred times. ording to the Fifth Elder, this was to give Lu Yang and the others a chance to enjoy the scenery in the sky. Even so, the shuttle still overtook flying boat after flying boat, moving so fast that Lu Yang and his threepanions were terrified, with no courage to look at the scenery outside. Maybe we should just focus on cultivating. After all, cultivation is a cultivators duty, Li Haoran suggested shakily, raising his hand. The Fifth Elder thought about it and appreciated the diligence of these young ones. Alright, do you want me to activate the Spirit Gathering Array? Lu Yang confidently waved his hand, No need, I just learned an ancient divine ability that can gather all the spiritual energy around us, recing the Spirit Gathering Array. The Fifth Elder was quite surprised; he didnt expect such a divine ability. Was this something taught by Yun Zhi? Lu Yang proudly lifted his head, opened his mouth, and used the Taotie ns original great divine abilitySwallowing Heaven. Immediately, endless spiritual energy began to converge around them. The concentration of spiritual energy around them skyrocketed instantly. Such a miraculous divine ability! The Fifth Elder, with his vast experience, immediately recognized the extraordinary nature of this ability. It consumed almost no spiritual power, was far cheaper than a Spirit Gathering Array, and the effect was nearly identical. Moreover, it wasnt limited by terrain and could be used anytime and anywhere for cultivation!Though the posture was somewhat ungraceful, with the head tilted back and mouth open like a divine dog howling at the moon. But as a cultivator, making cultivation the first priority, elegance orck thereof was secondary. Meng Jingzhou also noticed the power of this divine ability and leaned in to ask, How do you cultivate this divine ability? Can you teach me? Li Haoran and Qin Yanyan also looked at Lu Yang eagerly; it was clear they both wanted to learn this technique as well. Sure, no problem. Lu Yang generously agreed. After getting Evesting Fairys approval, he taught them the method and key points of this ability. Practice it when we get back; for now, lets just cultivate. Lu Yang said, then opened his mouth to gather more spiritual energy. Stop! Dont even think about running! Daring to actwlessly within the territory of The Great Xia, do you still think this is your Great Yu Dynasty? Damn Great Xia, just a bunch of usurpers, and yet you dare to be so arrogant! Three streaks of light were chasing each other in the sky. One streak of light was in front, desperately trying to shake off the two behind. He was a Unity Stage Cultivator from the Great Yu Dynasty, who had chosen to sleep during his peak state to prepare for the great world conflict in the future. He wasnt supposed to wake up now; ording to the n, the National Preceptor was supposed to awaken them one by one. Unfortunately, his ce of slumber was discovered by a few ignorant cultivators who thought they had found a great fortune and excitedly dug him up, ultimately breaking his slumber. In his fury, he killed those cultivators. Unexpectedly, this action alerted the local constable. The constable, seeing his overwhelming power, immediately contacted higher authorities, and two Unity Stage cultivators were dispatched from the capital to capture him. The reason for the arrest wasughableintentional murder. He, a Unity Stage cultivator, killing a few minor cultivators was nothing, just an excuse to capture him. In his view, the Great Yu Dynasty was at its zenith, dominating the central continent with no rivals, its fortunes flourishing endlessly, as if eternal. However, the so-called Great Xia Dynasty must have been a bunch of usurpers, shamelessly proiming themselves as the legitimate rulers. Fortunately, he had a backup n to restore his peak state in a short time. Moreover, he was skilled in escape techniques, easily capable of shaking off his pursuers. Once I shake you off, Ill secretly control a small family, investigate the situation of this Great Xia Dynasty, and pave the way for the National Preceptor! He believed it was worthy of the National Preceptors efforts. During the peak of the Great Yu Dynastys former glory, it had unified the central continent and had no enemies, with an overwhelming momentum, its fortunes stretched unceasingly, almost eternal. However, the National Preceptor believed that no dynasty is eternal. Even the most powerful of ancient times eventually reached their end. No matter how strong the Great Yu Dynasty was, it could never surpass the ancients who had The Four Ancient Immortals. The Great Yu Dynasty would notst forever. The only way to continue the legacy of the Great Yu Dynasty was to revive it in a new era, leveraging the Ancient Great Era to re-establish the Great Yu Dynasty and prolong its fortune! He shook his head, deciding not to dwell on these matters for now. The most important thing at the moment was to shake off his two pursuers. The two cultivators from The Great Xia frowned; their target was incredibly fastfast enough to rank among the top ten in Unity Stage speed. Even with their speed-boosting talismans, they were stillgging behind. One of the cultivators happened to spot a flying shuttle and found it quite familiar. Old Chu, you keep chasing him; Im going to get some help. Old Chu was puzzled, thinking that it might be toote to look for help now. However, he trusted hispanions judgment and nodded, Alright. The Great Xia cultivator knocked on the flying shuttle, and the Fifth Elder opened the hatch to let him in. As soon as the cultivator entered, he saw Lu Yang with his head tilted back and mouth open, while Meng Jingzhou and the other two sat around him in a triangr formation. The four of them were meditating, creating a rather eerie atmosphere. Was this thetest cultivation method of the Dao Seeking Sect? Never mind, now wasnt the time to think about that. The Great Xia cultivator noticed the Fifth Elder standing with his hands behind his back and immediately brightened up. A savior indeed. Haha, Zhou Xin! I knew this flying shuttle was yours! The Fifth Elder turned his head to look at him, his expression cautious. Yu Qian, my flying shuttle wasnt speeding. What do you want? (TL Note: The Yu in Yu Qian () is different from the Yu in Great Yu ().) Seeing a cultivator he didnt recognize but who seemed familiar to the Fifth Elder, Lu Yang and his threepanions slowly opened their eyes to see what was going on. The Fifth Elder casually introduced him, This is Yu Qian, a constable of The Great Xia Dynasty. When I used to speed with my flying shuttle, he was always chasing me down to give me tickets. Later, when I stopped speeding, he stopped chasing me. Lu Yang twitched his eyelids. Back when the Fifth Elder was speeding with his flying shuttle, his cultivation level was at least at the Spirit Transformation Stage. Since this Yu Qian was from the same era, his cultivation level must be quite high as well. Even as a constable, he must be a significant figure, probably a chief constable in the imperial capital. Yu Qians veins bulged as he listened, Youre talking nonsense! You didnt stop speeding; it was just that no one could catch up to you anymore! Just over half a month ago, I heard someoneining that you were speeding again! When the Fifth Elder was younger, his speeding antics caused no small amount of trouble for Yu Qian and his colleagues. Yu Qians current speed was all thanks to the training he got from chasing after the Fifth Elder. You cant just throw around usations like that. When did I speed after that? Do you have any evidence?n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Yu Qian was so frustrated he wanted to hit someone. You were going so fast that even a recording sphere couldnt catch your shuttles shadow! Where would I get the evidence? (TL Note: Recording sphere in chinese is Ӱ which is sort of like ball that leaves behind shadows as (li) means to stay or to remain., Ӱ (yng) means shadow or image. and (qi) means ball.) Alright, lets stop arguing. Theres something urgent right now. Did you see that guy up ahead who was speeding? Hes a Great Yu cultivator. We need to catch up to him! Yu Qian was so angry at the Fifth Elder that he almost forgot the main task. He ims to be the fastest in Unity Stage from the Great Yu era, and we havent been able to catch him. The Fifth Elder nced at the rapidly fleeing Great Yu cultivator and scoffed, And he dares to call himself the fastest? Everyone, sit tight! The Fifth Elder was about to get serious. No one had ever dared to challenge him in the domain of aerial speed. Yu Qian breathed a sigh of relief. The Fifth Elder was a tough opponent when they were on opposite sides, but when he was an ally, it was a stroke of luck. Chapter 333: You High-Level Cultivators Sure Have a Lot of Tricks Oh, by the way, Im now part of the Luoshui Guard, not a constable anymore. Oh, that makes sense. This isnt the imperial capital, so why would a constable be in charge of chasing ancient cultivators? The Fifth Elder wasnt surprised, or rather, he was more concerned about when they would catch up to that Great Yu cultivator. What is the Luoshui Guard? Lu Yang struggled tomunicate with Meng Jingzhou through his divine sense. When it came to the official positions in The Great Xia Dynasty, he wasnt as knowledgeable as Meng Jingzhou. Li Haoran and Qin Yanyan were also curious and listened in with their divine senses. In fact, Qin Yanyan had heard her mother mention it, but Meng Jingzhou undoubtedly knew more. The Luoshui Guard is a special organization established by The Great Xia Dynasty, specifically responsible for capturing cultivators whomit heinous crimes, such as those from demonic sects, evil cultivators who abuse their power, and unruly ancient cultivators. Do you remember the strange events in Commoner Town? After we escaped with the Sect Master and reported the situation to the court, it was the Luoshui Guard that was sent to clean up the aftermath. After the headquarters of the Undying Sect was breached, the task of eradicating the various branches of the Undying Sect was also carried out by the Luoshui Guard. Ive heard of this Constable Yu before. He used to be one of the four chief constables in the imperial capital. The court probably transferred him to the Luoshui Guard because of his high cultivation, extensive experience, and formidable methods.The Luoshui Guard is led by a group called the Nine Pces. With his qualifications and cultivation, he should be one of the Nine Pces. Is he really that powerful?! Qin Yanyan was surprised that the person who suddenly boarded the shuttle to ask the Fifth Elder for help was such a big shot. Given his role in capturing dangerous cultivators, it was clear he had abundantbat experience and was likely among the top cultivators in the Unity Stage. Oh, thats pretty impressive. Lu Yang, however, wasnt particrly moved. He was used to hearing Evesting Fairy talk about ancient ck history, where immortals were the starting point. Unity Stage cultivators didnt impress him much. Li Haoran didnt react as strongly as Qin Yanyan either. As a disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect, the elders he interacted with daily were all top-tier Unity Stage cultivators. The four of them stopped using their divine senses tomunicate. The shuttles speed had increased to the point where even a slight extension of their divine sense would cause it to dissipate, making it impossible tomunicate. The Fifth Elder and Yu Qian, on the other hand, remained calm and even had time for some casual conversation. Yu Qian wasnt in a hurry. If the Fifth Elder couldnt catch up, no amount of effort on his part would help. By the way, dont hold back when we catch himhes a murderer. What nerve! The Fifth Elders anger red at those words. He stomped his foot, and a green me burst forth from his body, propelling the shuttle to an even higher speed. The Great Yu cultivator suddenly felt a sense of impending doom. He turned his head and saw a flying shuttle engulfed in green mes hurtling straight toward him. What the hell?! His expression changed drastically. The speed of this shuttle was unbelievablehe would believe it if someone told him it was a Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator chasing him. The shuttle was so fast that he had no time to react before its sharp tip crashed into his chest. The shuttle was a meticulously crafted flying artifact by the Fifth Elder, incredibly durable and nearly indestructible. Flying at near-Tribtion Crossing Stage speed, the destruction it could cause was unimaginable. BoomBoomBoom The shuttle smashed through three mountains in a row before pinning the Great Yu cultivator against the cliff of a fourth mountain, with dust and debris filling the air.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Old Chu, the Luoshui Guard following behind, was dumbfounded. Thats Zhou Xins shuttle! He finally remembered the origin of the shuttle. Competing with me in speed? The Fifth Elder snorted coldly and jumped off the shuttle. The Fifth Elder had intentionally held back, not killing the Great Yu cultivator outright. The Great Yu cultivator had arge hole in his chest where the shuttles tip had struck. He coughed up blood and struggled to use the power of rules. I hereby establish a rule: These mountains shall be mountain gods, serving me Yu Qian sneered and knocked him out with a single punch. Under his watch, someone dared to use the power of rulesdid they really think he was useless? So it was Elder Zhou Xin. No wonder Yu Qian said he needed help. Old Chu arrived, seeing the Great Yu cultivator already unconscious and bound by chains by the Fifth Elder, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Chu Dalong! The Fifth Elder had coborated with the Luoshui Guard many times and had pretty much met all their Unity Stage cultivators. Old Chu scowled, How many times have I told you? I changed my name to Chu Long. This scoundrel seems to possess some unknown secrets that are of great importance. Thank you for your help in capturing himits a huge help. Ill find time to treat you to a drink! Yu Qian sped his hands in thanks. No need to thank me. Its not often I get to legally race a flying shuttle. The Fifth Elder had thoroughly enjoyed this chase. Next time you encounter someone you cant catch, just call me. I guarantee Ill catch them! This chain has sealed all his spiritual qi. Consider it my contribution to justice; you can keep it. The Luoshui Guard had simr methods, but none as effective as the artifact crafted by the Fifth Elder, a grandmaster of artifact refinement. The Fifth Elder kindly reminded them, For safetys sake, since this person holds unknown secrets, its best to have a few more Unity Stage cultivators escort him back. If someone intercepts him on the way, it could be disastrous. Understood, Ill call for reinforcements. Yu Qian nodded, sending a talisman into the sky. Before long, two more Unity Stage cultivators arrived. These two Unity Stage cultivators also recognized the Fifth Elder. After a brief greeting, the four Luoshui Guards escorted the Great Yu cultivator back to the capital. Alright, lets head back. Matters involving ancient cultivators are beyond your reach for nowtoo dangerous. Wait until you reach the Spirit Transformation Stage before you start worrying about such things. The Fifth Elder called out to the four youngsters, advising them not to overthink it. Before they left, several Daoist figures appeared in the distance. They used earth-based spells to repair the mountains that had been damaged by the shuttles impact. Rocks and soil floated in the air, rhythmically filling the gaps in the mountains. They also gathered the scattered trees. Those that were still alive were rented using the Tree nting Technique, while new trees were nted in ce of the broken ones. Who are these people? The four of them, including Lu Yang, had never seen anything like this before. The Fifth Elder exined, Oh, theyre from the court, responsible for post-battle cleanup. Your cultivation isnt high enough yet, but when you reach a certain level, youll find that even casual moves can puncture mountains, crack the earth, and break rivers. If left unattended, the terrain would constantly change, and after a few years, The Great Xias maps would need to bepletely redrawn. To prevent this, The Great Xia Dynasty recruited a group of cultivators who specialize in terrain repair, proficient in earth and wood-based spells. This time, the capture was an official matter, so Im not responsible for the damage to the mountainsthe court will handle the aftermath. However, if a fight breaks out over a private matter, either I repair the damaged terrain myself or I pay Spirit Stones to hire someone to do it. So when your cultivation reaches a certain level, to avoid unnecessary trouble, you either fight in the arena or take the battle to the sky. Of course, if youre fighting against a demonic cultivator, youre not responsible for the damage. In fact, the rule requiring the restoration of terrain after battles originated from an incident two ten thousand years ago. The governor of Qingzhou, who was the highest authority in the province, envied the prosperity of the neighboring provinces cities and wondered how to make Qingzhou just as prosperous. As it happened, his cultivation was quite highat the Tribtion Crossing Stageso he came up with a clever n. He invited his friend, also a Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator. The two of them engaged in a massive battle, causing significant changes in the terrain. Under the guise of battle, they relocated the prosperous cities of the neighboring province into Qingzhous territory. When the court learned of this, they realized there were nows governing such actions, making it difficult to handle. As a result, they issued a decree: any high-level cultivators who engage in battle must restore thendscape to its original state. Lu Yang: You high-level cultivators sure have a lot of tricks up your sleeves. Chapter 334: Li Haoran Forms His Golden Core Lu Yang felt that The Great Xia Dynasty had an incredibly difficult task on its hands. In his view, the legal system was already quiteprehensive, leaving no room for additions or subtractions, capable of addressing any situation. But the minds of cultivators were boundless. It wasnt just that cultivators had many ideasplenty of them didbut only some among them actually had the extraordinary abilities to turn those ideas into reality. This led to the legal system constantlygging behind the whims of these powerful individuals. Take, for example, the case of the governor of Qingzhou mentioned by the Fifth Elder. Its perfectly normal for Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators to engage in duels, right? And during those duels, its normal for them to move mountains and fill seas, right? So wouldnt it also be normal for me to identally relocate a city from a neighboring province into Qingzhou during a duel? What Lu Yang didnt know was that Dao Seeking Sects Nine had made significant contributions to The Great Xias legal systemprimarily by demonstrating to The Great Xia just how iplete theirws were and how many loopholes existed. Luckily, Im an honest person and never cause trouble for The Great Xia Dynasty, Lu Yang thought as he nced at Meng Jingzhou and Li Haoran, realizing that he had a heavy responsibility ahead. Why did he work so hard to be the best? Wasnt it to set a good example for them, showing that they should also abide by thews?Hey, why do you look so pale? Qin Yanyan noticed the sweat beading on Li Haorans forehead. Li Haorans body was trembling uncontrobly, and his aura fluctuated wildly, sometimes dropping to the early stages of Foundation Building, other times surging to the early stages of the Golden Core stage. He struggled to squeeze out a few words through clenched teeth: Ive had a realization I want to form my Golden Core. The Fifth Elder shed to Li Haorans side and used his divine sense to scan his dantian, discovering that it was shrouded in mista sign that a Golden Core was beginning to form. He spoke seriously, Haoran, your situation is unique. You are the reincarnation of Qin Haoran, and something unpredictable could happen during your core formation. The best choice is to return to the sect for itthats the safest ce! Li Haoran struggled to respond, Ill try, but my body is instinctively trying to form the core on its own, and Im losing control. Lu Yang had read about this situation in books. This was the ideal scenario for a cultivator who had perfected the Foundation Building stagethe body automatically begins core formation, everything happens naturally, theres no risk of failure, and the Golden Core will definitely be of the highest grade. The more reincarnations someone had gone through, the better their innate talent would manifest at this moment! Unfortunately, there were too many uncertainties surrounding Li Haoran, and their understanding of reincarnation was limited. Forming his core on the spot wasnt the best option. Haoran, hang in there! Ill get the flying shuttle going! The Fifth Elder opened the cabin door, pulling the four of them into the shuttle, which then sped forward at full throttle. Deep breaths, rx your body, deep breaths yes, inhale, exhale Junior Brother Li, you have to hold on! You and your Golden Core will be just fine! Elder, slow down the shuttle a bitJunior Brother Li cant hold on! Junior Brother Li, rx. This isnt anything major. Every cultivator goes through this; just push through it. On the shuttle, the two Golden Core stage protectorsLu Yang and Meng Jingzhouwere taking care of Li Haoran, encouraging andforting him, wiping away his sweat, and attending to him with utmost care. Qin Yanyan: Anyone who didnt know better would think you two were taking care of a pregnant woman. The mist in the dantian is condensinghes about to form his core! The outline of the Golden Core is starting to appear! Keep going, Junior Brother Liyou can do it! Qin Yanyan thought to herself that this scene was bing more and more fitting. Li Haoran, with his five hearts facing the sky, absorbed the surrounding spiritual energy. Not a drop was left as he drew it all into his body, intensifying the reaction in his dantian. Waves of spiritual qi rippled through his entire bodythrough his skin, marrow, and meridians The mist in his dantian was continuously purified, transformingpletely into liquid golden spiritual energy. The golden spiritual energypressed again, emitting a bright glow. The light flickered, continually devouring the surrounding golden spiritual energy. Finally, a fully formed Golden Core took shape. Li Haoran sessfully formed his Golden Core! Did I seed? Li Haoran asked, somewhat uncertain. His core formation process seemed surprisingly smooth, aside from the annoying voices of the two protectors in his ear. You seeded. The Fifth Elder confirmed with a nod after a thorough examination. But its still best to return to the sect for a more detailed checkup. Seeing that there were no unusual changes in Li Haoran before or after the core formation, the Fifth Elder breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, Ive formed my core. Li Haoran also let out a long breath. Now, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou would have no reason to show off in front of him. What kind of Golden Core did you form? Li Haoran grinned, Its an undocumented type of Golden Corea Rebirth Golden Core! Rebirth Golden Core?! Lu Yang thought the name sounded grand. Rebirth Golden Coredid it mean that Li Haoran hadprehended the true essence of reincarnation, allowing him to retain memories and live a second life, fixing past regrets? If that were the case, the name would indeed be fitting. Let me show you. Without another word, Li Haoran raised a knife and cut off one of his arms, shocking everyone. They thought he had lost his mind. An astonishing scene unfoldedthe severed flesh wriggled, and in the blink of an eye, the severed arm grew back. Regeneration! Meng Jingzhou eximed, recognizing the ability. This was a miraculous power that eunuchs dreamt of having. Lu Yang: So thats what a Rebirth Golden Core is about? But on second thought, regeneration is incredibly useful in battle. And judging by Li Haorans demeanor, regrowing an arm didnt seem to take much effort. Compared to Meng Jingzhous Twin Single Golden Core and Barbarian Bones Ancestral Spirit Golden Core, Li Haorans Rebirth Golden Core actually seemed the most normal among this group. Its not just limb regenerationheart, blood, even the head, I can regrow them all, Li Haoran proudly exined while the severed arm continued twitching on the ground. Why did you suddenly want to form your core? Did you have some sort of epiphany? Meng Jingzhou tried to recall what had happened before the core formation, but the only noteworthy event seemed to be the cleaners summoned by the court. Do you want to work in cleanup in the future?N?v(el)B\\jnn Li Haoran rolled his eyes, not sure how to respond: Of course not. I dont even know earth and wood-based spells. I just gained another part of Qin Haorans memories and realized I could use them for core formation, which led to my epiphany. This made Meng Jingzhou even more curious. What did you see in the memories? Li Haoran was silent for a long time before slowly saying, He used his ability to regenerate limbs to sell blood. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou gasped in shockwhat a ruthless man. While not as valuable as phoenix blood, the blood of a Unity cultivator was still highly prized. Qin Haoran sold blood so many times that he became very proficient in regeneration. When I received this memory, I thought regeneration would be very useful, so I used it for core formation. I never expected Qin Haoran to be so devoted to the Nine Nether Sect, going so far as to sell blood, the Fifth Elder said, stroking his beard in admiration. Lu Yang nced at the Fifth Elder, thinking, Isnt it your sect that drove the Nine Nether Sect to such poverty? Li Haorans expression grew even more peculiar. He sold blood before he became the Sect Leader. Then why was he selling blood? To earn money for prostitutes. A Unity cultivator didnt have enough money for prostitutes? He visited them a lot. Chapter 335: This Core Can Sever Karma! Chapter 335: This Core Can Sever Karma! Trantor: yikaii Editor: yikaii Although talking about a fathers involvement with prostitutes in front of his daughter is generally not a good idea, Li Haoran decided to set aside his reservations. After all, he had been tormented by Qin Haorans memories, and so he began recounting Qin Haorans dark history. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou secretly observed Qin Yanyan, but she didnt show any signs of anger or disappointment. Noticing their subtle nces, Qin Yanyan questioned them, Why are you two looking at me like that? What kind of good person would be in a demonic sect? Did you think I wouldnt expect something like this? Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou thought about it and realized she had a point. They hadnt even considered that they were part of a demonic sect themselves. Li Haoran continued, Back then, Qin Haoran hadnt yet be the Sect Leader. He would spend whatever money he had and never saved anything. His philosophy was to live for the moment, enjoying life as much as possible. So, when he ran out of money, he often resorted to selling his bodyby which I mean selling his blood. Of course, he was cautious. Before selling his blood, he would erase any trace of himself from it, because there are spells that can curse someone through their blood, and Qin Haoran was careful to avoid that. When the previous Sect Leader before thest one died of a sudden heart attack, Qin Haoran thought that with so many people and so much money in the Nine Nether Sect, bing the Sect Leader would mean he could spend as much as he wanted. He eliminated a series of obstacles, defeated his rivals, and finally became the Sect Leader as he wished. But then he discovered that the Nine Nether Sect wasnt as wealthy as he had imagined. And by then, it was toote to step down. Lu Yang could only imagine how desperate Qin Haoran must have felt at that moment: He was ecstatic to be the Sect Leader, dreaming of a life of luxury and indulgence, only to find that the Nine Nether Sect was so poor it couldnt even pay the monthly stipends of its followers. Moreover, no one knew about this. Even if he told the truth and exined that the previous Sect Leader had squandered the money on failed investments, people would just assume that Qin Haoran had embezzled the funds himself. The previous Sect Leader got scammed? Thats impossible. The demonic sects are the ones who scam others, not the other way around. Surely, Qin Haoran must be lying! Given this situation, after bing Sect Leader, Qin Haoran had no choice but to change his ways, abandon his old habits, and focus on developingor rather, maintainingthe Nine Nether Sect. Lu Yang suspected that the current Sect Leader of the Nine Nether Sect had a simr mindset: thinking that bing Sect Leader was a good thing, only to find out that it was a tremendous burdena position cursed by bad luck. The current Sect Leader probably couldnt even speak the truth, as people would question, The Nine Nether Sect was functioning normally under Qin Haoran, so why is it suddenly broke as soon as you take over? Where did all the money go? Lu Yang had a question: how was the current Sect Leader making money? Was he following Qin Haorans example and taking out loans? Li Haorans voice interrupted Lu Yangs thoughts: Of course, Qin Haorans limb regeneration wasnt just for selling blood. It could also sever karma. However, Ive just formed my core, so I cant use that technique yet. What do you mean? Lu Yang hadnt expected limb regeneration to have anything to do with something as profound as karma. Li Haoran exined, Think about it: if you regenerate a limb, when your arm is cut off, it can grow back, right? Yes, Lu Yang nodded. If your leg is cut off, it can grow back too, right? Yes, Meng Jingzhou nodded. If your torso and internal organs are damaged, they can also regenerate, right? Yes, Qin Yanyan nodded. And if your head is severed, a new one can grow back, right? Yes, the Fifth Elder nodded. Li Haoran smiled slightly and asked, If the head, torso, and limbs all regenerate, does that not mean Ive essentially reced my entire body? Am I still the same person I was before? !!! If my entire body has been reced, Im no longer the original me. How can karma still find me? Lu Yang thought to himself, No wonder he became the Sect Leader of the Nine Nether Sect. This is a ruthless and clever movewho would have thought of something like this? However, this technique involves karma, and my cultivation level isnt stable yet. Once Ive stabilized my realm, I might be able to achieve this as well. Li Haoran felt quite satisfied with his Golden Core. Not only would it be useful in battle, but it could also dissolve karma, truly living up to the name Rebirth. While they were talking, the flying shuttle returned to the Dao Seeking Sect. The Fifth Elder grabbed Li Haoran and took him to see the other elders and Yun Zhi, to ensure there were no issues with his core formation. Junior Brothers Lu and Meng, Senior Brother Dai Bufan is looking for you, a senior brother said when he saw the two of them. Both of them were surprised. Looking for us? They hadnt done anything wrong during their trip, right? Little niece, you stay at Hundred Refinements Peak while we go take care of this, Lu Yang told Qin Yanyan, suggesting she spend some time at Hundred Refinements Peak either cultivating or exploring to get a feel for the culture of the Dao Seeking Sect. Hopefully, she would check out the dining hall as well. The two of them headed to the mission hall. Senior Brother Dai, you were looking for us? We had the Fifth Elder with us on this trip, and we didnt do anything out of line! Lu Yang immediately dered their innocence. Dai Bufan sighed in relief, Thats good. You two have a knack for stirring up trouble every time you go out. Im always worried that one day youlle back having wiped out the entire demonic sect without me even knowing what you did. Dai Bufan, who managed the Dao Seeking Sects intelligence, often had to reorganize the information after every trip Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou took because they always returned with significant results. He feared that one day they might happily report, Senior Brother Dai, good news! Weve wiped out all four major demonic sects! If that happened without him knowing the details, hed consider himself a failure at managing intelligence. To prevent such a scenario, he felt it necessary to find out what they had done on each trip. This time, we made the Nine Nether Sect believe that our Heavenly Court Sect was established by ancient powerful figures. We took this opportunity to form a long-term strategic partnership with them, and were going to open a barbecue restaurant together. Well provide the technology, theyll provide the manpower. We get 60% of the profits, and they get 40%. I estimate that after some time, once they figure out the ins and outs of running the business, theyll be able to elerate the opening of new stores. I believe well soon see a chain of barbecue restaurants across the continent. Dai Bufan highly praised their n. Thats indeed good news. It looks like the Nine Nether Sect will be stable for a while. By the way, what identity did you give the Fifth Elder for this trip? Given the turbulent times, avoiding unnecessary trouble was best. Meng Jingzhou replied earnestly, One of the nine protectors of the Heavenly Court Sect, the Heavenly King of Many Treasures.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Dai Bufan stretched his neck. Oh, the Heavenly King of Many Treasuresthats a fitting title. The Fifth Elder will like it Wait, nine protectors? Where did these nine protectorse from? Lu Yang began counting on his fingers, Eight elders, plus Master, that makes nine. Were also nning to appoint Eldest Senior Sister as Sect Leader. After all, the Heavenly Court Sect is supposed to be a major power capable of dominating the world, so having such a lineup isnt excessive, right? So youre nning to include all the high-ranking members of our sect in your Heavenly Court Sect?! Chapter 336: The Formal Establishment of the Heavenly Court Sect Yes, we do have a general n, Lu Yang began, exining the rationale behind it. Think about it, Senior Brother Dai. If the Heavenly Court Sect only has me and Meng Jingzhou as ancient prodigies, wouldnt that make it seem too empty? It wouldnt be easy to convince the Nine Nether Sect of our strength. Even if we include the Fifth Elder, having only one Unity Stage cultivator in the Heavenly Court Sect still doesnt seem sufficient. In the end, we need a few high-level cultivators to support the structure of the Heavenly Court Sect. You know that I dont have many connections in the cultivation world, so after thinking it over, I realized that the elders of our sect are the most suitable candidates! Meng Jingzhou added, Besides, the more you do something, the better you get at it. In the business of deception, experience is key. The elders have already deceived the Nine Nether Sect once, so doing it again shouldnt be too difficult. Dai Bufan was silent for a moment, unsure of what to say. The main thing was that he felt Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou made a lot of sense. The Nine Nether Sect wasnt foolish; the actors couldnt always be the same peoplethey needed to switch things up. Alright then, if thats the case, just make sure you talk to the elders. If they agree, I wont have anything to say against it. Dai Bufan was temporarily managing the mission hall on behalf of the Grand Elder, but ultimately, he was still a disciple and couldnt make decisions for the elders. Although he had a feeling the elders would be quite pleased with the idea.After all, it was a rare opportunity for them to collectively deceive the Nine Nether Sect a second time. Dai Bufan was aware that thest time the Dao Seeking Sects Nine elders acted together, they almost bankrupted the Nine Nether Sect through their scheme. Nine hundred years ago, the elders original n was to drain the Nine Nether Sect of all its funds, which would naturally lead to internal conflicts and the sects copse. Who would have guessed that the Nine Nether Sect would prove to be so resilient? Even after being stripped of their money, they still managed to survive. At Heavens Gate Peak, in the council hall. Eight elders were gathered around Li Haoran, observing him as if he were a rare specimen. They had just learned that Li Haoran was the reincarnation of the previous Sect Leader of the Nine Nether Sect. Who would have thought that reincarnation really exists, and that it would happen within our Dao Seeking Sect? How fascinating! Indeed, but then again, our Dao Seeking Sect is a ce of outstanding people and a blessedndwhy wouldnt something like this happen here? Ive always said that our founder made the right choice when he selected this location. The feng shui of our Dao Seeking Sect is far better than that of the other four immortal sects. Ive studied feng shui extensively! Dont start, Senior Brother. Your feng shui studies mostly involve choosing burial sites. I even heard that when you were sleeping in a coffin, you encountered several groups of tomb robbers. They were so frightened by you that they nearly died, thinking you were a corpseing back to life. Let me correct youthat was what I call lying in wait. His limb regeneration is perfect, and his Golden Core is smooth and wless. Its a first-grade Golden Core with no defects, which doesnt seem like something Qin Haoran would have left as a backup n if he died and reincarnated. I dont see any issues either. By the way, Nephew Li, do you know what type of Golden Core Qin Haoran formed? Its possible that your Golden Core is somehow linked to his, and he might be gradually assimting you through it, turning you into him. Li Haoran thought carefully and replied, I dont know what Qin Haorans Golden Core was called. I only have a vague memory of him holding a soul-summoning banner, summoning his Golden Core, apanied by the wailing of hundreds of ghosts and the howling of monstrous beasts. The scene was grand, like the king of a hundred ghosts making an appearance. The eight elders, with their vast experience, quickly identified the type of Golden Core. From that description, it sounds like the Wailing Ghosts and Howling Wolves Core. It creates a big spectacle that can scare people and also allows for sonic attacks. It can also be used to create an impressive disy when yourecking in manpower. It has quite a few functions. Li Haoran asked curiously, What grade is that Golden Core? Second grade. Qin Haorans Golden Core and Nephew Lis Golden Core have no simrities. Nephew Lis Golden Core should be fine. Junior Nephew Yun Zhi, have you noticed any problems? Yun Zhi, who had been silent until now, gently shook her head. No. Then there are no issues, the elders concluded. Just as everyone was about to disperse, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou walked in. The moment they stepped into the council hall, both of them felt a suffocating pressurethe Sixth Elder, who possessed the wless Immortal Physique, was present, and the group had beenmunicating via divine sense. Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhou, do you have something to discuss? the Fifth Elder asked curiously. Lu Yang used his divine sense to exin, Its like this: to deceive the Nine Nether Sect, we specifically established a Heavenly Court Sect Lu Yang gave a brief overview of the situation, with Meng Jingzhou asionally adding details. So thats the situation. We dont have enough people at the moment and would like to ask the elders to pose as protectors of the Heavenly Court Sect. Silence. A long silence. Just when Lu Yang thought the elders might not agree, the divine sensemunication suddenly became lively. If theres something this fun, you shouldve told me soonerI wouldve taken Old Fifths ce! Haoran is my disciple, so its naturally my responsibility to go! Junior Nephew Lu, you really have some good ideas. Why didnt I think of this back then? Heavenly Court Protectorthat sounds much grander than being an elder of the Dao Seeking Sect! Count me in, count me in. Deceiving the Nine Nether Sect is something I excel at.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Exorcising demons is our duty! I missed out on messing with the Undying Sectst time, but I cant miss this chance with the Nine Nether Sect! The elders were far more enthusiastic about this n than Lu Yang had imagined. It seemed to remind them of their youthful days when they had caused all kinds of chaos in the mortal world. Ive spent years dealing with graves, so Ill be called the Netherworld Heavenly King. I guard the medicine garden and have extensive knowledge of spiritual nts. How about the Hundred Herbs Heavenly King? Im skilled in body refinement. Even the monks who have cultivated the Vajra Body in the Buddhistnds are no match for me. Ill be the Indestructible Heavenly King. Im a Confucian cultivator, so Ill be the Great Schr Heavenly King. Junior Nephew Lu already named me the Heavenly King of Many Treasures. Let me think I possess the wless Immortal Physique, so I could be the Purity Heavenly King or the Cleanliness Heavenly King no, Ill stick with the wless Heavenly King. But Cleanliness Heavenly King does have a nice ring to it. (TL Note: Somewhat rted, while doing research, I found out that the wless Immortal Physique is the same as the Void Imperfection Physique that the protagonist of Emperors Domination has.) Im best at alchemy, and controlling fire is crucial in alchemy, so Ill be the Golden mes Heavenly King. I was the one who first deceived the Nine Nether Sectst time, and here I am againit must be fate. Ill be the Genesis Heavenly King. Its a pity that Old Nine isnt here for this fun. Hes currently locked up with the Minister of Justice, so I doubt hell make it in time. What would Old Nine be called? Sword Fighting Heavenly King? The Sword Fighting Heavenly King? Thats ridiculous! Dont forget how Old Nine helped us get rich back in the dayhe should be called the Prosperity Heavenly King! Old Nine spends all his time in prisonwhy not call him the Imprisonment Heavenly King? Can wee up with names that actually sound like they belong to the Heavenly Court Sect? How about the Ten Thousand Swords Heavenly King? That still doesnt sound quite right. The elders enthusiastically discussed their titles, chatting noisily. After settling their own titles, they began to specte on what Daoist Non-Speakers title should be. While the elders were busy discussing, Lu Yang quietly asked Yun Zhi, who had been quietly observing. Yun Zhis brow was slightly furrowed, as if she was making an important decision. Eldest Senior Sister, are you considering whether or not to join the Heavenly Court Sect? The position of Sect Leader was crucial. Yun Zhi looked up, her eyes gleaming slightly. No, Im considering what title Master should have. Hes so talkativehow about the Loud Mouth Heavenly King? Chapter 337: I Found You a Franchisee Lu Yang thought that his master had quite the reputation; even though he was trapped in prison, so many people still cared about him. Seven senior brothers, one senior sister, and his beloved first disciple. In just a few minutes, his master had gained several new titles as a Heavenly King. Lu Yang really wished he could share this good news with his master. His master would probably be so happy that hed break out of prison just to personally thank his senior brothers and sisters. As for Yun Zhi, his master wouldnt thank herafter all, he couldnt beat her in a fight. I think my master should decide his own title as a Heavenly King. Eldest Senior Sister, will you be the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Court Sect? Lu Yang asked. Yun Zhi thought for a moment, then looked at Lu Yang seriously and asked, You mentioned that the Head of the Heavenly Court is Bean Celestial. Is that senior really the head? In the mental space, Evesting Fairy stood with her hands on her hips, full of confidence. Since the elders were present, she couldnt appear physically, so shemunicated with Yun Zhi via telepathy. Yes, indeed! Who would have thought that I am the ruler of the Heavenly Court? I am the leader of the Five Ancient Immortals, so being the Head of the Heavenly Court is more than fitting!I thought youd name me Yun Celestial and make me the Head of the Heavenly Court. Evesting Fairy was so startled she didnt dare make a sound. Originally, Lu Yang had nned for Eldest Senior Sister to be the Head of the Heavenly Court, given her reliability. However, after much persuasion from Evesting Fairy, Lu Yang had reced Yun Celestial with Bean Celestial as the leader. This was something that could never be revealed to Yun Zhi.N?v(el)B\\jnn Very well, Sect Leader it is, Yun Zhi agreed cheerfully. Lu Yang was delighted. Having her as the Sect Leader was much more reliable than the title of the Head of the Heavenly Court. With the ancient Head of the Heavenly Court, the Heavenly Court Sects Sect Leader, and all nine protectors settled, Lu Yang felt he had gained a lot. After the elders dispersed, they continued to discuss what title would suit Daoist Non-Speaker. Old Nine once modified the Big Or Small As You Wish, and it became a hot seller in the market. How about calling him the Growth Heavenly King? Thats a good name. I vote for it. I vote for it too. The Eight Elder reminisced about the grand scheme they once used to deceive the Nine Nether Sect. Who wouldve thought the Nine Nether Sect was so wealthy? I was shocked when I saw it back then. No kidding. With that money, I upgraded all my magical artifacts to high-end ones, and Im still using them today! Back then, I was so wealthy at auctions that I only went for the finale items. Once, I even bought something that the auction house couldnt identify. By chance, I discovered it was a map, which led me to a treasure trove! I wondered why we all had about the same amount of Spirit Stones, but you were spending morevishly. So you had an unexpected windfall! Do enough good deeds, and luck wille your way. Lu Yang suddenly remembered that he hadnt informed the upper management of the Undying Sect about the n to open chain stores, so he told Eldest Senior Sister and then headed to the barbecue restaurant on themercial street. At the barbecue restaurant, he saw someone who shouldnt have been thereQin Yanyan, eating skewers. Hmm, the taste isnt as good as what I had in Yanjiang County, but its still pretty decent. Master Liu and Master Gao had never faced such a challenge to their culinary skills. Hearing Qin Yanyansment, they were determined to cook skewers that would fully satisfy her. Hey, niece, what are you doing here? Qin Yanyan, her mouth greasy from eating, looked up while still chewing on a skewer. She was clearly enjoying herself. After swallowing with some effort, she exined, A senior sister named Zhou Lulu told me there was a barbecue restaurant on themercial street with the same name as the one you opened in Yanjiang County. I thought this might be the main store and came to see how it tastes. When Master Liu and Master Gao saw Lu Yang, they greeted him respectfully, Boss Lu! Lu Yang was startled. Since when did he be the boss? Master Liu and Master Gao themselves didnt really understand why, but the Evesting Celestial had instructed them to treat Lu Yang with the utmost respect, just as they would treat the Evesting Celestial. After all, Lu Yang was the second-inmand of the Evesting Lineage, holding a position even higher than the Evesting Celestial. Lu Yang asked Master Liu to contact the Sect Leader of the Undying Sect, who was still at the ughterhouse, saying that he had something to discuss. They called you boss. Is this your restaurant? Who are these people? Qin Yanyan asked curiously. Its sort of my restaurant. If you want to get technical, the one in Yanjiang County is the main branch, and this is Branch No. 1. Master Liu and Master Gao, who grilled the skewers for you, are former deputy Sect Leaders of the Undying Sect. Qin Yanyan was taken aback. She hadnt expected the people grilling her skewers to have such high status. In the Dao Seeking Sect, do even former deputy Sect Leaders of the Undying Sect end up grilling skewers? And the personing over is the former Sect Leader of the Undying Sect. He runs a ughterhouse here in the Dao Seeking Sect and is the main supplier for the barbecue restaurant. Qin Yanyan was even more shocked. Deputy Sect Leaders and the Sect Leaderhas the Dao Seeking Sectpletely taken over the Undying Sect and put them all to work? She looked at Lu Yang with a strange expression. Why were former deputy Sect Leaders of the Undying Sect treating him with such respect? And how could he summon the Sect Leader of the Undying Sect so easily? Even if the high-ranking members of the Undying Sect had fallen from grace, they shouldnt be so deferential to a Golden Core Stage disciple, right? Could it be that Lu Yang held a very high position within the Undying Sect? Qin Yanyan felt like she had identally stumbled upon a significant and secretive truth. The Sect Leader hurried over as soon as he received Lu Yangs message, followed by three female ghosts who seemed quite familiar. Little Five, Little Six, Little Seven, shouldnt you be in Ancient Locust Town? Little Seven stepped forward to exin, True Lord Dai was concerned that the Nine Nether Sect might try to verify Mr. Lus situation with us, so he had us brought back to the Dao Seeking Sect to stay with Sect Leader Xie. Lu Yang took a moment to realize who True Lord Dai wasSenior Brother Dai Bufan. Senior Brother Dai Bufan was at the Unity Stage, a level of cultivation worthy of the title True Lord. Lu Yang didnt think of Dai Bufan as particrly special, often finding him jumpy, but to the three female ghosts, Dai Bufan was an untouchable figure deserving of utmost respect. We usually help Sect Leader Xie at the ughterhouse, absorbing the yang energy of the livestock to maintain the stability of our souls. The Sect Leader knew that Lu Yang was familiar with the three female ghosts, so he had specifically brought them along to show Lu Yang that he was treating them well. Second-inmand! The Evesting Celestial appeared, showing great respect. Lu Yangs eye twitched upon hearing this. He could easily guess that Evesting Fairy was behind this. Boss Lu, what are your instructions? Lu Yang was about to settle things with Evesting Fairy, but the Sect Leaders words interrupted his thoughts. Instructions? Not quite. I just came to tell you that your n to expand the barbecue restaurants has been approved by the Eldest Senior Sister. When the expansion of the barbecue restaurants for the Nine Nether Sect was mentioned in the council hall, the Eldest Senior Sister didnt object, which likely meant her approval. Thats fantastic! The upper management of the Undying Sect hadnt expected Lu Yang to move so quickly. Not only that, but Ive also found you a franchisee who will be responsible for the expansion of the barbecue restaurants. Theyre absolutely reliable. A franchisee? Who is it? The Sect Leader hadnt expected Lu Yang to be so invested in this matter. The Nine Nether Sect. Who? Chapter 338: The Confidence Brought by the Invincible Core Who? The Nine Nether Sect. Dont you know them? Lu Yang was a bit surprised, not understanding why the upper management of the Undying Sect was so shocked. Considering that they were already selling barbecue skewers, wasnt it perfectly normal for the Nine Nether Sect to be opening chain stores outside? Even someone at the Unity Stage was reacting so stronglyclearly, their mental cultivation wasnt fully mature yet. In contrast, Senior Brother Dai Bufan handled the news of the Nine Nether Sect preparing to open chain stores with remarkable calm. The Nine Nether Sect asked me if I had any money-making opportunities. I told them there was a barbecue project here that was guaranteed to be profitable and asked if they were interested. They said yes. Lu Yang briefly exined how things had transpired. The Sect Leader and the others thought they must have misheardwas the Nine Nether Sect really responsible for expanding barbecue restaurants? That didnt sound like something the Nine Nether Sect would do. Even though Lu Yang made the process sound simple, the Sect Leader and the others werent foolsthey believed Lu Yang had left out many details. But no matter how much was omitted, the idea of the Nine Nether Sect helping the Dao Seeking Sect expand a chain of barbecue restaurants seemed odd. It must be that Lu Yang had used some clever lie to deceive the Nine Nether Sect.But even that didnt make sense, as Petrified Bone from the Nine Nether Sect had a secret technique to detect liesno one could lie in his presence. They couldnt figure it out. Well, no point in dwelling on it. They were all Specters now, with no great ambitions left. As long as the barbecue business thrived, that was enough. If the Nine Nether Sect was willing to help with the barbecue business, it was a good thing. The more people involved, the better. When we partnered with the Nine Nether Sect, we provided them with two extremely important technical supports. As the first branch of Come Again Barbecue, you are also entitled to receive them. As the upper management of the Undying Sect watched expectantly, Lu Yang took out something that resembled a bookshelf from his identity token. This is an automatic barbecue grill. ce the skewers on it, and it will automatically grill them. Master Liu and Master Gao were unimpressed, feeling that this device was challenging their status. Boss Lu, with all due respect, using this grill produces food without a soul. We dont need something like that. Lu Yang thought about it and realized they had a point. Master Liu and Master Gao were both in thete stages of the Unity Stage, and their grilling skills were definitely superior to this tool. More importantly, if the automatic grill reced them, they would be out of a job. And this, Lu Yang continued, pulling out a small jade bottle. When he opened the bottle, a flickering me hovered in the air, looking mysterious and awe-inspiring. The upper management of the Undying Sect didnt react much, but the three female ghosts, Little Seven and herpanions, felt a deep, instinctual fear. The me contained the Pure Yang True Fire of a Single Golden Core cultivator, which naturally suppressed ghosts. Lu Yang smiled and exined, This is a product ofbining Three vours True Fire with Pure Yang True Fire. The Three vours True Fire has miraculous effects on barbecuing, providing three distinct vors. This Pure Yang True Fire, unlike the usual Pure Yang True Fire youre familiar with, has the added effect of enhancing virility. Is there really something so miraculous in this world? Not only the Sect Leader but even the Evesting Celestial showed a somewhat surprised expression. The Evesting Celestial had ess to the memories of all the followers of the Undying Sect, yet even he had never heard of Three vours True Fire or Pure Yang True Fire that could enhance virility. This Pure Yang True Fire was discovered by a close friend of mine in his pursuit of the ultimate power. I greatly admire his dedication, Lu Yang exined. The Sect Leader pondered for a moment. Pure Yang True Fire is indeed good, but I dont see much use for it in our Dao Seeking Sect. After all, the cultivation levels in the Dao Seeking Sect were generally high, and they didnt need help with virility. Besides, the sect had no shortage of medicinal herbs for that purpose. Even Lu Yang knew that Ginseng Childs ginseng was considered a supreme virility tonic. Lu Yang realized the point and put away the Three vours Pure Yang True Fire seed, flipping his hand to release the Three vours True Fire. This is the seed of the Three vours True Fire. You can give it a try and see if it has any special effects on barbecuing. Master Liu, somewhat skeptical, epted the fire seed and reced the coal. He then took ten skewers of tofu skin from the side and began grilling. As the tofu skin cooked, under Master Lius skillful flipping, its vors began to develop. Everyone, have a taste. The tofu skin was grilled to perfection, and everyone took a skewer. Master Liu took a bite of his own creation and suddenly widened his eyes. He had grilled simple tofu skin countless times and knew its taste inside out, but he was surprised to find that, after being infused with the Three vours True Fire, the tofu skin now had aplex vor profile, starting sweet and ending with a spicy kick. The taste of the grilled tofu skin had been elevated to a whole new level! This wasnt just a matter of techniquethis was something truly extraordinary! No wonder Qin Yanyan had been dissatisfied with their skewersthe reason was right here. Despite months of meticulous research into barbecuing, they had not achieved the depth of vor that a Golden Core Stage cultivator had managed to create. After this, they would need to enter seclusion and strive to gain new insights into the art of grilling! You can keep this fire seed, Lu Yang said. Master Liu and Master Gao received it as if they were holding a treasure. And niece, did you tell anyone when you left Hundred Refinements Peak? I dont think I did. Then youd better go back now. If the Fifth Elder and Junior Brother Li return to Hundred Refinements Peak and find youre not there Will they be worried? Theyll forget you even exist. Ill go back right now. Lu Yang stretchedzily, feeling like he had done a good deed.N?v(el)B\\jnn In truth, the Fifth Elder and Li Haoran wouldnt forget Qin Yanyan if she disappeared. Quite the opposite, they would probably search everywhere for her. But saying that might sound too sentimental, so he decided against it. He slowly made his way toward the library. What are you going to the library for? In the mental space, Evesting Fairyyzily on a bed, her legs straight up in the air, wiggling her toes. Then, with a slight shift, she flopped down onto the bed. I can teach you whatever you dont know, she offered. Im working on extending a cultivation method. My technique, Enlightenment of Heart and Nature, was self-created. But back then, my knowledge was limited, so I only wrote it up to the Foundation Building Stage. Now that Ive reached the Golden Core Stage, the technique cant keep up, so Im going to the library to find some inspiration for how to continue my cultivation. Youre young, and you can already create cultivation methods? Evesting Fairy was shocked. Even getting to the Foundation Building Stage was impressive. Not really. After I wrote it, Eldest Senior Sister revised some parts of it for me. Evesting Fairy quietly sighed in relief. I knew it. When I was at the Foundation Building Stage, I couldnt have written a cultivation method myself. How much did Yun Zhi revise? Lu Yang hesitated before deciding to tell the truth. She only kept the name of the technique. Evesting Fairy: Then you might as well let Yun Zhi continue writing the method for you. A person needs to be independent. I cant rely on Eldest Senior Sister for everything. Who knows, maybe this time the technique I write myself will get her approval? Lu Yang was full of confidence. Evesting Fairy remained silent, thinking that Lu Yangs confidence likely came from his Invincible Core. It was probably best not to disagree with him. Chapter 339: The Cultivation Method of an Ancient Immortal Its not really Lu Yangs fault. Expecting someone with only Foundation Building Stage cultivation to write aplete cultivation method is simply too much to ask. Hecked the experience and knowledge necessary for such a task. How could he be expected to create a cultivation method? Not only could Lu Yang not aplish this, but even Evesting Fairy couldnt do it. As he walked toward the library, Lu Yang chatted casually, What cultivation method did you practice back then, Fairy? Profound Extremes Art, a fairly ordinary method, but it suited me at the time. I used it to cultivate to the Tribtion Crossing Stage. Then I realized that this method had its limits and couldnt lead to immortality. Thats when I had an epiphany and created the Evesting Immortal Art. I switched methods and used it to attain the Dao and be immortal. When you reach the Tribtion Crossing Stage, youll find that every cultivation method has its limit at that stage. After all, the limit of living beings is the Tribtion Crossing Stage. Bing immortal is an act of defiance against the natural order; only by breaking through these limits can one achieve immortality. So, the old methods can no longer be used. To attain the Dao and be immortal, you must create a method tailored to your own insights and circumstances. Thats how I did it, and it was the same for Nonuple Immortal, Ying Tian Immortal, and the other three. But I encountered difficulties in writing my method, so I was thest among them to be immortal. I thought you would have named your method Invincible Immortal Art, Lu Yang quietly quipped. Evesting Fairy waved her hand grandly, I couldnt do that. Invincible Immortal Art was already the name of Ying Tian Immortals method. I couldnt take his spot.Lu Yang: Whats going on with Ying Tian Immortal? Has he been influenced by Evesting Fairy?n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Compared to the Chaos One Qi, Two Instruments, Four Images, Six Harmonies, Eight Destions, Nine Lands, Ten Heavens, Solely Revered Immortal Technique of Nonuple Immortal and Ying Tian Immortals Invincible Immortal Art, Evesting Fairys method name was actually the most proper. Then again, it might just be that Evesting Fairycked creativity and simply named her method Evesting Immortal Art because she had achieved Evesting ariya-ph. What about Qilin Immortals method? Even More Invincible Immortal Art. I actually wanted to name mine that, but unfortunately, Qilin Immortal was a bit better at it and took the name first. Considering that Qilin Immortal and Ying Tian Immortal often argued about who had a closer rtionship with the heavens, Lu Yang could see why Qilin Immortal might choose such a name Lu Yang tried to justify it in his mind. Whats the name of Immemorial Immortals method? Eternal Evergreen Art. Lu Yang took a sharp breath, thinking to himself that as expected of the oldest among them, Immemorial Immortal had such a superior naming sensepared to Evesting Fairy and the other 3 immortals who were essentially illiterate. Evesting Fairy shook her head in disdain, I think Immemorial Immortals name is the worst. It sounds like any run-of-the-mill method youd find anywhere. Back then, the methods cultivated by those at the Tribtion Crossing Stage or Unity Stage had names like Undying Inextinguishable Scripture, Heavenly Evolution Dao Manual, and Five Elements Rotation Art. Immemorial Immortals method name doesnt stand out at allnothing like an immortals method. Lu Yang thought, So, because you four are bad at naming things, you want to drag Immemorial Immortal down with you. Wait, Ying Tian Immortal was known for caring a lot about appearances. Why would he choose a name like that? Does Ying Tian Immortals method have another name? Yes, outwardly, he calls his method Primordial Infinite Immortal Art. As Lu Yang absorbed these ancient secrets, he finally arrived at the library. The first thing he did upon entering was to find the book that recorded his senior brothers and sisters experiences in forming their Golden Cores. It was time to add his own Golden Core entry to the book. Lu Yang, Invincible Core, First-Grade Golden Core. Cultivating this core allows one to discern strength and weakness clearly, instilling a sense of invincibility, making the cultivator feel unbeatable, victorious in every battle, and invincible under the heavens. Originally, Lu Yang had considered adding the phrase This Golden Core is truly the number one Golden Core in the world, as suggested by Evesting Fairy. But on second thought, considering that Eldest Senior Sisters Golden Core was listed first, he decided against it. Method of Cultivation: Challenge opponents with a one level difference, achieving victory in a hundred battles without defeat, thereby generating an aura of invincibility. Utilize this momentum to gather Qi in the dantian, forming the Golden Core. Note 1: Challenge opponents with a one level difference means opponents of a higher level, not those of a lower level. (TL Note: Im considering changing it to to challenge others, with a higher level and contrast it with to challenge others with a higher level without ama so it makes it sound like you have a higher level in the first one) Note 2: This Golden Core may lead to overconfidence. Note 3: The name of the Golden Core is for reference only; actualbat performance should be the standard. Done! Lu Yang closed the book with satisfaction. Lets check out some Golden Core Stage cultivation methods. Lu Yang headed up to the second floor. The first floor housed secr books, as well as the Qi Training and Foundation Building stages of various cultivation methods. The advanced stages of these methods, such as Golden Core and Nascent Soul, were located on the second floor. Mortal World Heavenly Art: Immersed in the mortal world, the heart remains in the Pure Land. Only by experiencing the sufferings of the world, the seven emotions and six desires, and then attaining great enlightenment, can one shatter the core and form the Nascent Soul. Didnt expect the first method to be this one. Have you seen it before? The concept of cultivating through worldly experience and seclusion wasntmon in Evesting Fairys era. Eldest Senior Sister told me about it. Back in the day, werent there many old beggars on the streets of The Great Xia? Many cultivators practicing this method disguised themselves as old beggars to blend in, as begging was considered the most efficient way to experience worldly suffering. Back in the day? Its not like that anymore? Evesting Fairy noticed the past tense. Lu Yang rolled his eyes, With the development of The Great Xia Dynasty, increased grain production, and the establishment of welfare institutions, there are no more beggars. The old beggars you see on the streets now are all Golden Core Stage cultivators. I estimate that before long, these Golden Core cultivators will have to find a new way to experience the mortal world. Eldest Senior Sister also mentioned that the court ns to open several mines and send these Golden Core Stage cultivators there to mine. Evesting Fairy: Hundred Flowers Art: At each stage, collect thirty-three different rare flowers. By the time one reaches the peak of the Golden Core Stage, merge ny-nine rare flowers into a single bud. When this bud blooms, it signifies the breaking of the core and the formation of the Nascent Soul. Many female cultivators favor this method; its simple to start with and has great aesthetic appeal. However, as this method became popr, some of the rare flowers were nearly driven to extinction. One person managed to acquire thest few flowers and held an auction, selling them at exorbitant prices. After some time, he imed to have found a few more flowers and auctioned them again. And then again, after another period. Eventually, people realized that he was the one who wrote this method and had preemptively gathered all those flowers. He released a few at a time to make money. True Understanding of Sword Dao: This is the method my master cultivates. During the Qi Training Stage and Foundation Building Stage, as long as one continues toprehend the Dao of the Sword, there are no bottlenecks in cultivation. Its the most suitable method for those of us with Sword Spirit Roots. I originally wanted to directly cultivate this method, but unfortunately, only one person in the world can practice this method at a time. Since my master is already cultivating it, I cannot. Evesting Fairy seemed thoughtful. Based on her observations of Daoist Non-Speakers mastery of the Sword Dao, he didnt seem like someone who would be stuck at the threshold of the Tribtion Crossing Stage. Chapter 340: The Everlasting Fairy’s Dilemma The number of cultivation techniques stored in the Dao Seeking Sects Scripture Pavilion surpasses even that of the Great Xia Dynastys imperial pce. Various cultivation methods from ancient times, along with those written by the sects predecessors, are all stored within the Scripture Pavilion. Here, Lu Yang even found the Pure Yang Technique practiced by Meng Jingzhou. Compared to Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhous technique is much simpler. The illustrious path has already been paved by the Single Spirit Root predecessors; as long as he follows this path, the destination is the glorious Tribtion Crossing Stage. However, Lu Yang is unsure if Meng Jingzhou, who has broken through the limitations of the Single Spirit Root predecessors and created the Twin Single Spirit Root, can still walk the path they prepared for him. Why is it so thin? Lu Yang wondered, holding the Pure Yang Technique, which detailed the cultivation methods for the Golden Core and Nascent Soul stages. Even if thenguage was concise and profound, it shouldnt be this thin, right? He opened the technique manual, only to find a single sentence inside: Keep going, dont lose your virginity, cultivation is just beginning! Lu Yang: Indeed, the Single Spirit Root lineage has had many who reached the Unity and even the Tribtion Crossing Stages, andpared to these predecessors, the Golden Core Stage is just the beginning. So as long as you Single Spirit Root practitioners keep your virginity intact, you can keep cultivating, huh? Lu Yang had heard of a Single Spirit Root predecessor who painstakingly cultivated to the Tribtion Crossing Stage. Afterward, he celebrated grandly, renting out all the brothels in the imperial city and indulging for an entire month, single-handedly raising the spending threshold of the citys brothels. This is what you call retaliatory spending. Single Spirit Root practitioners arent the same as those in the Buddhist sects. Buddhism advocates eliminating desires, viewing beauties as mere skeletons covered in flesh, fleeting and unworthy of attachment. Single Spirit Root practitioners, on the other hand, cannot eliminate such desires; in fact, these desires may grow with their cultivation level. Faced with this, they can only suppress and endure, to the point where even seeing a skeleton as a beauty isnt out of the question. Lu Yang also found a rather unique technique called the Sacrificial Body Method. As the name suggests, its a method that involves sacrificing parts of ones own body. The idea behind it is that all things originate from nature and must eventually return to nature. Since everythinges from nature, why not return oneself to nature? To cultivate this technique, one must sacrifice a part of their body in exchange for a strong cultivation aptitude and an elevation in cultivation stage. As a result, those who practice this technique often end up blind, mute, and with bodies in a state of disrepair, with some even reducing their bodies to mere shells through repeated sacrifices. The technique is quite extreme but hasnt reached the level of demonic cultivation. One of Lu Yangs senior brothers practiced this technique. He sacrificed his appendix during the Qi Training Stage, his fat during the Foundation Building Stage, his hair during the Golden Core Stage, and his eyesight during the Nascent Soul Stage. Currently, hes a nearsighted individual who wears sses. All things originate from nature and must eventually return to nature. This sounds so familiar. The Immemorial Immortal said something simr to me. He told me that everything has a time of prosperity and decline, and that both are but fleeting moments in the grand scheme of nature.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Only by imitating nature and returning to simplicity can one maintain evesting strength. The Immemorial Immortals words solved a problem that had troubled me for a long time. Inspired by his words, I wrote the Evesting Immortal Technique and attained the Dao, bing an immortal. With your intelligence, Fairy, is there still a problem that troubles you? Hearing Lu Yang praise her so highly, the Evesting Fairy beamed with joy, but then she thought about it and decided that she should maintain herposure in front of Lu Yang. She shouldnt be so easily pleased by a fewpliments, so she restrained her smile and said with a slight smile: Even though this immortals talent is unparalleled across ten thousand ancient times, surpassing even that of Ying Tian Immortal and the others, I still encountered difficulties when it came to bing an immortal. Lu Yang nodded, acknowledging that bing an immortal is a major focus for cultivators, and its understandable that the Evesting Fairy would face challenges in this area: Is it about how to achieve ariya-ph? Which type of ariya-ph to form. Lu Yang: At that time, I had many choices. I could have formed the Tribtion Ariya-ph like Ying Tian Immortal, or the Void Ariya-ph thatprehends the mysteries of space, or even the Time Ariya-ph simr to Immemorial Immortal. But I wasnt satisfied with any of these ariya-phs, feeling that they didnt reflect my true abilities. Originally, ording to my progress, I should have been the first to be an immortal, ahead of Nonuple Immortal and Immemorial Immortal. But unfortunately, I encountered difficulties in choosing which ariya-ph to form and couldnt decide on one. It dyed me for just a little while, really, just a little while. The Evesting Fairy gestured with her thumb and forefinger to indicate a short amount of time, emphasizing how brief it was. Lu Yang had no idea how long her little while really waswhether it was days, months, or even years. Given that the Evesting Fairy dared to im she was only sixteen years old, Lu Yang was highly skeptical of her sense of time. And then Nonuple Immortal, Immemorial Immortal, Ying Tian Immortal, and Qilin Immortal all became immortals one after another, leaving me behind. As she spoke, the Evesting Fairy wrinkled her nose, clearly displeased with Nonuple Immortal and the others for getting ahead of her. Finally, when Qilin Immortal became thest to achieve immortality, Immemorial Immortal spoke those words to me, which greatly inspired me. In the end, I formed the Evesting Ariya-ph that they all envy! The Evesting Fairy said this proudly, as it was the ariya-ph she took the most pride in. To thank Immemorial Immortal for the inspiration, she specially prepared a table full of delicious dishes for him. Immemorial Immortal was so moved that he wept bitterly,menting his past decisions. Lu Yang was deep in thought. The words of Immemorial Immortal contained profound wisdom, but with his current low cultivation level, he couldnt grasp their full meaning. Such hidden profundity, if exined inly by someone else, would lose much of its impact. He made a note of Immemorial Immortals words and continued to delve into the cultivation techniques. Besides themon techniques found in the market, the Scripture Pavilion also housed some slightly different techniques. These techniques came from Lu Yangs senior brothers and sisters. Although his seniors werent able to createpletely new techniques, they had no problem innovating upon existing ones. For example, the technique Lu Yang was currently studying, the Great Sun Dharma Body Technique, involvesprehending the sun and harnessing its contained power to form a Great Sun Dharma Body that can incinerate everything. During the day, the power of the Great Sun Dharma Body reaches its peak, but as the sun sets and night falls, its power diminishes. One senior sister made a slight modification to this technique and wrote the Great Moon Dharma Body Technique, which involvesprehending the moon and forming a Great Moon Dharma Body that is gentle as water and possesses strong healing abilities. More importantly, these two techniques arepatible, allowing the practitioner to switch between the Great Sun Dharma Body and the Great Moon Dharma Body. The Great Sun Dharma Body can be used during the day, and the Great Moon Dharma Body at night. And this is only the firstyer, which can be cultivated during the Golden Core Stage and Nascent Soul Stage. Upon reaching the secondyer, one can summon both the Great Sun Dharma Body and the Great Moon Dharma Body simultaneously, a phenomenon known as Sun and Moon Shining Together, which doubles the power. In the thirdyer, the Great Sun Dharma Body and the Great Moon Dharma Body merge into one, forming a new Dharma Body called Tai Chi Transformation, whichbines the advantages of both Dharma Bodies, excelling in both offense and defense. Lu Yang was deeply fascinated by this technique, finding it extremely formidable. While on the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion, he had encountered a technique called the Sun Watching Technique, which stated that once one reached the Golden Core Stage, they could proceed to the second floor to learn the continuation techniques, the Great Sun Dharma Body Technique and the Great Moon Dharma Body Technique. At that time, he had no idea that the continuation techniques would be this powerful. Who is the senior sister that created this technique? Shes amazing! Lu Yang checked the author: Yun Zhi. He looked up and realized that, unknowingly, he had arrived in the legendary Yun Zhi Area. Chapter 341: A Surge of Inspiration Lu Yang had long heard of the reputation of the techniques created by Eldest Senior Sister. These were so significant that the Dao Seeking Sect had specially designated an area in the Scripture Pavilion for them. Unfortunately, the techniques on the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion were too elementary, so he had never had the chance to see them before. Today, he finally got to witness them. I knew it; no matter how talented the disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect are, they cant casually create techniques of this level, the Evesting Fairy suddenly realized. She had initially thought that the geniuses of the Dao Seeking Sect were exaggerated to such an extent that even the Great Moon Dharma Body Technique was nearly as advanced as the techniques she had written. Thats quite a statement. Eldest Senior Sister is also a disciple of our Dao Seeking Sect, Lu Yang emphasized. While the most outstanding Senior Brothers, Dai Bufan and Ji Hongwen, were still trying to catch up to the elders, Eldest Senior Sister of the same generation had already left them far behind. Thats the difference in talent. The bookshelf in front of him was filled with an array of techniques, all either modified by Eldest Senior Sister or directly created by her.N?v(el)B\\jnn Hehe, whats the matter? Are you intimidated by the number of techniques Yun Zhi has written? A hoarseugh sounded in Lu Yangs ear.Lu Yang turned his head and saw a hunched old man standing beside him. The man looked quite ordinary. And you are? Just an old man with some free time, now spending my days watching over the Scripture Pavilion. You can just call me Old Tao. Lu Yang wouldnt dare to actually call him Old Tao. He secretly spected that this person was either of the elder generation or perhaps even of the grandmaster generation. Considering the special nature of the Scripture Pavilion, thetter seemed more likely. Do you have any advice for me, Senior Tao? Its not so much advice. With Yun Zhi guiding you, what could an old man like me possibly teach you? I just saw you here and it reminded me of Yun Zhi when she was a child. Yun Zhi as a child? Lu Yangs interest was piqued, even suppressing his eagerness to study the techniques. The Evesting Fairy also jumped up from the bed with excitement, eagerly waiting for Old Tao to tell the story. When Yun Zhi was first brought into the sect by your master, she wasnt very tall, about this high. Old Tao gestured at his chest, and given his hunched posture and short stature, Yun Zhi would have only reached his chest back then. She was silent and cold, whether by nature or because of her time spent living in the secret realm, no one knew. But her expression clearly became more animated after she arrived at the Scripture Pavilion. At that time, the girl was too young to begin cultivation, so your master let her browse the Scripture Pavilion freely toy a foundation. That girl focused intently on the techniques in the Scripture Pavilion, frowning as she read. I thought the girl, with her delicate and lovely appearance, was adorable, so I walked over and asked if there was anything she didnt understand. I told her she could ask me if she had questions, and I would help exin. She looked unhappy, pouting and saying that these techniques were poorly written. I asked her what was wrong with them, and she shook her head like a rattle, saying she couldnt tell, just that they didnt seem well-written. While these techniques certainly had ws, they were far beyond what a little girl could notice. Iughed it off, thinking she just found the techniques too obscure and difficult to understand, so she was being stubborn and saying they were poorly written. Who could have imagined that in just a few years, that little girl would grow to a level that no one could keep up with, developing her own unique insights into cultivation techniques? Old Tao sighed deeply, never having expected that the little girl from back then would rise to such heights in her cultivation. Keep cultivating diligently; you might surpass Yun Zhi one day! Old Tao patted Lu Yang on the shoulder, entrusting him with a heavy responsibility. Ill do my best! Lu Yang was inspired and began to study the techniques written by Eldest Senior Sister. The Burning Blood of the Heavens Technique, a technique hidden in ancient caves Cultivators often have lifespans far exceeding that of ordinary mortals, as cultivation is meant to achieve longevity. However, this technique goes against that principle, achieving rapid cultivation growth by burning ones lifespan. At critical moments, one can also temporarily burn their lifespan to enhance theirbat power. The mission hall requires every disciple toplete two tasks each year. To fulfill her task, Eldest Senior Sister falsely imed to have visited an ancient cave and discovered the Burning Blood of the Heavens Technique, when in reality, she created it herself. Eldest Senior Sisters knowledge was iplete, as she only knew that it was a technique that traded lifespan for power. In her version of the technique, burning ones own lifespan was changed to burning the lifespan of others. In battle, by forcibly burning the lifespan of others, the technique grants them immensebat power while elerating their aging process. Before they can fully utilize their newfound strength, they would age rapidly and die. The Chaotic Transformation Sutra is the core technique of the Dark Azure Sect, never passed on to outsiders. When mastered, it allows the cultivator to exhale chaotic mist, which cannot be dispersed. Both vision and spiritual senses are blocked, allowing the cultivator to move freely within the mist and ambush opponents. Eldest Senior Sister falsely imed to have gone to Dark Azure Sect to learn this technique, and then submitted her own version of the Chaotic Transformation Sutra to the mission hall. When mastered, this technique creates a chaotic domain that suppresses all paths and nullifies all techniques within its boundaries. All living beings within the domain lose the will to resist, and theres even a small chance of cultivating a Chaotic Dao Body. Currently, Dark Azure Sect has reced their core technique with Eldest Senior Sisters version. The more Lu Yang read, the more his scalp tingled. Theres no way he could surpass Eldest Senior Sister. However, the good news was that these techniques werent written by Eldest Senior Sister during the Golden Core Stage, so Lu Yang still had a chance. Lu Yang stopped thinking about the outside world and gradually immersed himself in various cultivation techniquesthose of Eldest Senior Sister, the sect elders, and even those circting in the market. He delved into the mindset of the technique creators, pondering the purpose behind each step. He became utterly absorbed, forgetting everything else. More than half a month passed in a sh. Lu Yang eventually emerged from his deep study of the techniques, suddenly remembering that he hade to continue writing his own technique. Time to start writing! Lu Yang scratched the back of his head. He had read so many techniques and felt full of knowledge, confident that he had a bright future in the art of creating cultivation techniques. However, as soon as he picked up the pen to start writing, he realized he didnt know where to begin. I thought I had learned everything while reading the techniques? Pushing through the difficulty, Lu Yang began to write, with the Evesting Fairy watching silently by his side. Saying anything now would only harm Lu Yang. After half a day of hard thinking, he finally had an idea and started to continue writing his technique. Yes, this is it! Inspiration surged, and his pen moved swiftly across the paper, his strokes flowing like dragons and snakes. The past half-month of studying techniques hadnt been in vain. He felt he had fully grasped the concepts and was now innovating upon them, with ideas pouring onto the paper continuously. Yes, this part should be written like this! Now, he only regretted that he couldnt write fast enough to keep up with the rapid flow of his thoughts. Two dayster, hepleted the Golden Core chapter of the Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique. Afterward, he revised and refined it, making the technique more concise and the wording more precise. Mission aplished! He immediately left the Scripture Pavilion and headed to Heavens Gate Peak to submit the final draft to Eldest Senior Sister. Eldest Senior Sister carefully reviewed it, nodded slightly, and praised him: Not bad. This time, only eighty percent of the content needs minor revisions from me. Chapter 342: Significant Progress Upon learning that his painstaking efforts had resulted in his work being 20% approved by Eldest Senior Sister, Lu Yang was quite happy. It was rare for Eldest Senior Sister to acknowledge his work, even if it was just 20%. It was a precious achievement and a good start. This was a vast improvementpared to thest time when his work waspletely rejected. All his sleepless nights spent studying in the Scripture Pavilion for over half a month, followed by two days of scratching his head while writing, hadnt been in vain. This time, with 20% of his work being approved by Eldest Senior Sister, maybe next time, it would be 40%. Before long, he might be able to write cultivation techniques on par with Eldest Senior Sisters level. The future seemed bright! Just as Lu Yang was about to modestly express that he still needed to work hard, he heard Eldest Senior Sister continue: The remaining 20% consists of sentences you quoted from my writings, so I didnt change those. Lu Yang: Eldest Senior Sister, could you please not pause for dramatic effect when you speak next time? In the spiritual space, the Evesting Fairy wasughing so hard she was rolling on the bed, tears streaming down her face. Seeing the visible disappointment on her junior brothers face, Yun Zhi spoke tofort him: Its still quite good. At least you were able to correctly quote my sentences. Lu Yang didnt feel particrlyforted. Yun Zhi, noticing that her junior brother was still dejected, realized she might not be the best atforting others. She recalled when the Five Great Immortal Sects held apetition. She had defeated all her opponents, bing the undisputed champion. The leaders of the Five Great Immortal Sects, in an attempt to keep her from bing arrogant, decided to spar with her under the guise of giving her some pointers. The oue was predictable: it was the sect leaders who ended up being advised by Yun Zhi, as she defeated them soundly. The sect leaders were not only embarrassed at being defeated by a junior but also deeply frustrated. Yun Zhi, seeing their gloom, tried tofort them, saying, Its only because my cultivation level is higher. If I suppressed my level to match yours, I wouldnt be able to defeat you in a single move. The sect leaders expressions turned even darker. Daoist Non-Speaker, seeing the sect leaders suffer, couldnt help but gloat on the side. As Yun Zhis master, Daoist Non-Speaker knew well how unbeatable his talented disciple was; no one could win against her. The sect leaders red at Daoist Non-Speaker. If they couldnt beat the disciple, they could at least beat the master, right? They all teamed up and gave Daoist Non-Speaker a thorough beating. If it were a one-on-one fight, Daoist Non-Speaker wouldnt fear anyone, but how could he win against a group beating? The Immortal Sect Conference concluded with Daoist Non-Speaker nursing serious injuries. You still dont fully understand the essence of cultivation techniques, which is why you inevitably imitate others techniques. But the truth is, those others also dont fully grasp the essence of cultivation techniques. They think they understand everything, but theyre still in a state of half-understanding. When you first started cultivating, I told you that the theme of the Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique that you came up with was very well chosen. Cultivators must focus not only on their cultivation level but also on their state of mind. When they reach the Golden Core Stage, they might encounter the Heart Demon Tribtion, which is a major hurdle for cultivators. Demons are born from the heart, and mental attacks are the most difficult to guard against. Countless cultivators have been stuck at this stage, unable to progress in their cultivation. Why do heart demons arise? Its because theres no clear standard of measurement in the heart. When faced with choices, one is torn. If you choose the left path, you keep wondering what the right path would have been like. When faced with the dilemma of saving either your girlfriend or your mother, the inability to choose stems from theck of a clear standard. If you save your mother and your girlfriend drowns, youll regret it, and this bes the material for the Heart Demon Tribtion. Cultivating the Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique will help you rify your true intentions, preventing the Heart Demon Tribtion from troubling you. Previously, Yun Zhi had only mentioned that Lu Yang had made a good choice in his cultivation technique without exining why. Now that Lu Yang had achieved the Golden Core stage, a remarkable aplishment in the outside world, she decided to share her thoughts with him. The Evesting Fairy, upon hearing the topic, provided a concise exnation to Lu Yang: Simply put, you need to have a healthy and positive mindset. If you are carefree and without worries, how could you possibly have a Heart Demon Tribtion? Lu Yang quietly looked at the Evesting Fairy, thinking to himself that she didnt seem like someone who would suffer from a Heart Demon. Ill make some revisions to your technique and let you know once Im done, Eldest Senior Sister said, leaving this remark before turning and walking into the cave. After Eldest Senior Sister left, the puppet poked its head out, scrutinizing Lu Yang up and down, shaking its head as if dissatisfied with his cultivation progress. Hey, its you again! The puppet was an indispensable presence on Lu Yangs cultivation path. Ever since he began cultivating, the puppet had been under Eldest Senior Sisters orders to push Lu Yangs progress. During that time, Lu Yang was tormented by the puppet during the day and had nightmares about the Tofu Celestial at night, living a rather miserable life. In the past, Lu Yang was at the Foundation Building Stage and was powerless against the puppet. Now, he was a powerful Golden Core Stage cultivator, capable of battling Nascent Soul Stage opponentsa revered figure who could be worshiped as a patriarch in the outside world. Lu Yang knew the puppet could speak but chose not to, likely because it didnt deem him worthy of conversation. Im not the same as before; watch me defeat you today! Filled with fighting spirit, Lu Yang felt invincible, thinking he could easily defeat the mere puppet with a single move! The puppet beckoned him with a provocative gesture, signaling Lu Yang toe closer. Just as Lu Yang was about to make his move, the Invincible Core issued a warning. This is an opponent you cannot defeat. To maintain your win rate, you may choose to flee ormit suicide. Lu Yang: Fairy, what kind of Invincible Core is this? Ever since I formed my Golden Core, I havent used it to win a single fight! The only victory Lu Yang had since forming his Golden Core was during his battle with Peach Blossom Leaf, and even then, the Invincible Cores advice was to use the Lu Family Arhat Fist.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om The Evesting Fairy shrugged: You cant me me. Back in the day, with the help of the Invincible Core, I could easily defeat anyone during the Foundation Building and Golden Core stages, including Ying Tian Immortal. But you, on the other hand, keep encountering Unity Stage cultivators or your senior brothers and sisters. Lu Yang started to think that being in a superrge sect might not be entirely advantageous. In a normal sect, if senior brothers and sisters bullied him, mocking hisck of background and poor origins, Lu Yang could have publicly defeated ate-stage Golden Core senior with his early-stage Golden Core cultivation, shocking the sect elders and master, who would then make him a core disciple. But in the Dao Seeking Sect, such a thing would never happen. There was one thing the Evesting Fairy didnt tell Lu Yangjust now, it was the confidence brought by the Invincible Core that made him believe he could defeat the puppet, while the Invincible Core simultaneously warned him that he couldnt win against it. The positive and negative effects canceled each other out. Nothing too serious, the Evesting Fairy muttered to herself. Seeing that Lu Yang wasnt taking the bait, the puppet attacked first, prompting Lu Yang to turn and run. Knowing he couldnt win, only a fool would stay and fight. The puppets speed was just a bit faster than Lu Yangs, so no matter how hard he tried to escape, he couldnt outrun it. Just as Lu Yang was about to give up, the Invincible Core began to spin frantically, channeling his spiritual energy, making him run faster and faster. This Invincible Core doesnt help in battle, but why is it so effective when ites to running away? Chapter 343: A New Use for Illusions With the help of the Invincible Core, Lu Yang sessfully escaped from the puppet. As Lu Yang stepped out of Heavens Gate Peak, the puppet stopped its pursuit, standing at a distance and watching him walk away. Thankfully, the puppet cant leave the mountain, Lu Yang sighed in relief. He had long noticed that the puppet had a limited range of activity and couldnt leave Heavens Gate Peak. Senior Brother Lu, why were you running so fast? Is there something dangerous at Heavens Gate Peak? Peach Blossom Leafs voice sounded from behind Lu Yang. With Eldest Senior Sister at Heavens Gate Peak, how could there be any danger? N-no, its nothing. I just hadnt gone for a run in a while and needed to stretch my legs. Lu Yang couldnt possibly admit that he was running away from a puppet chasing him. That would be embarrassing. Are you busy right now? Ive been thinking about some new ideas for illusions and wanted to discuss them with you. Lu Yang thought for a moment and realized he had nothing pressing to do: Sure, should we head to Dust-Free Peak? On the way to Dust-Free Peak, Lu Yang casually asked, What new ideas do you have about illusions, Junior Sister?Its an idea that came to me after you, Senior Brother Meng, and Junior Brother Barbarian fused. You all voluntarily epted my illusions, and I started wondering if illusions could be used outside ofbat. Thats an interesting thought. Go on. The biggest challenge in casting illusions is making the target willingly immerse themselves in the illusion. So why not think of it the other way around? Are there situations where the target might voluntarily immerse themselves in an illusion? Lu Yang began to ponder this question, realizing that he might be grasping what Junior Sister Peach was trying to convey. Following Peach Blossom Leafs line of thought, he said, For someone to voluntarily immerse themselves in an illusion, two conditions must be met: one is safety, and the other isfort. Safety ensures that the illusion is not perceived as abat technique, which is the most basic requirement. Comfort is the prerequisite for the target to willingly ept the illusion. The nature of illusions is to create an immersive experience. If we can offer the target something they cant enjoy in reality, they might willingly immerse themselves. Are you suggesting, Junior Sister, that we show them something they wouldnt normally be able to see, like Lu Yang looked at Peach Blossom Leaf incredulously, surprised that someone as innocent-looking as her would think of something typically associated with men.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Peach Blossom Leaf nodded enthusiastically, pleased that Senior Brother Lu, with his quick mind, understood her intentions so quickly. Exactly, like showing them scenes of cultivators battling! Lu Yang: Im sorry, I misunderstood. Ill reflect on that. Peach Blossom Leaf continued excitedly, Im not talking about low-level cultivator battles, which are quitemon. But battles between Golden Core Stage cultivators are rare, especially since Golden Core Stage cultivators can fly through the air and have far more spiritual power than those at the Foundation Building Stage. The variety of spells they can use is endless, making their battles highly entertaining! Mortals and low-level cultivators rarely have the opportunity to witness battles between Golden Core Stage cultivators or higher. If we use illusions to show them such battles, they would definitely be thrilled! Of course, Im not doing this for charity. There will be a fee. She was also hoping to make some money from this. What Im considering now is whether starting the illusion with a battle right away would feel too abrupt. Should we add some kind of storyline? The two of them arrived at the entrance of Peach Blossom Leafs cave dwelling on Dust-Free Peak. Peach Blossom Leaf was visibly excited: Let me give you a demonstration. Dont resist. Alright. Peach Blossom Leaf opened a red paper umbre, using it to shield her body. She gently swayed it twice in front of Lu Yang, and he suddenly felt a moment of disorientation. When he regained his senses, he found himself amidst a vast, endless mountain range. Feeling something, he looked up and saw two Daoist figures in the sky, dressed simrly, seemingly brothers from the same sect. One of them was in tears, his voice trembling slightly: Senior Brother, tell me, why did you kill our master, kill your most beloved Junior Sister, and ughter the other senior brothers and sisters? Why? The otherughed maniacally, a sinister ck aura emanating from his body: Hahaha, why? You should ask Master! Ask yourself! Ask myself? The junior brother was stunned, not understanding his meaning. I was the first to enter the sect, diligently practicing every day, all with the goal of one day inheriting Masters legacy. Even when more junior brothers and sisters joinedter, I didnt mind, for their talents were inferior to mine! But your arrival changed everything. Master wanted to pass the position of Sect Leader to you! I questioned Master, asking why, and he said I was too eager for sess, too shortsighted, and that you were the one truly worthy of inheriting his legacy! I was enraged. Did all my efforts over the years mean nothing to him, just because he saw them as a rush for sess? In my anger, I killed him. It just so happened that Junior Sister witnessed it. She screamed in terror, drawing the attention of the others. To silence them, I had no choice but to kill them too! Now that you know everything, you must die as well! Your cultivation level is far below mine, so surrender quietly! Golden mist began to rise from the junior brothers body, and his aura gradually becameparable to that of his senior brother. The senior brother was shocked: How is this possible? You should only be at the early Golden Core stage! How can you be at thete Golden Core stage like me? The junior brothers expression turned cold as he remembered the scene of corpses strewn across the sect when he arrived, the sight of his dying master transferring all his power to him, and the moment when his Junior Sister lost all signs of life in his arms. The culprit behind all this must die! The senior brother suddenly realized, his expression turning manic: I understand now! That old man transferred all his cultivation to you! I knew he favored you! The junior brother, having inherited the sects legacy, wielded two magical artifacts. With a flick of the scissors in his hand, they transformed into two golden flood dragons, roaring and lunging at the senior brother. A massive ghostly w emerged from the senior brothers back, pinning down the two golden flood dragons. The junior brother opened a jade bottle, from which a torrent of yellow sand surged forth like a tsunami, overwhelming the senior brother. The senior brother shouted, drawing a broadsword from his waist, and with a swing, he split the sand tsunami in two. The brothers engaged in an intense battle, with magical artifacts, spells, and strategies unfolding one after another, dazzling the viewer, making them wish they could join the fight themselves. Suddenly, the scene turned into andscape painting, then soaked in water, the ink dissolving and everything fading away. Lu Yang snapped back to reality, seeing Peach Blossom Leaf holding the red paper umbre, smiling brightly at him. Senior Brother Lu, how was it? I tried adding a bit of storyline. Doesnt it make the fight scenes more engaging? Lu Yang remained silent for a long time, with countless thoughts swirling in his mind, unsure where to even begin hismentary. Isnt this like watching a movie? A full-fledged, holographic immersive movie! The battle scenes were indistinguishable from reality, although the plot was a bit thin. But that didnt matter; this was just the beginning, and the storyline could be fleshed out over time. If something like this had existed in his previous life, it would have been unbeatableno special effects couldpare. Thats a great idea. Lu Yang was genuinely impressed. He believed that if this concept were refined and introduced to the public, it would undoubtedly be a huge sess! Chapter 344: The Eighth Elder Lu Yang spected that if Peach Blossom Leaf were to join the Nine Nether Sect, the Sect Leader would likely elevate her to the status of a saintess or even directly make her the Sect Leader. This method of making money is much faster than Qin Haorans loans; calling it a profit with no capital investment would not be an exaggeration. With no need for investment, theres no worry about losses. Theres no need to hire actors, nor to shoot scenes dozens of times. Illusions can be created freely, and the special effects are as real as reality. In battle, if you fall victim to an illusion and die within it, your death is real. The illusions effects are more real than reality itself. Theres also no need to worry about the storyline. The daily happenings in the cultivation world can serve as material, and with slight adaptation, they could easily be movies. If the plot is too long, it could be turned into a series. For instance, Masters storytelling of The Legend of the Dao Seeking Sect could be adapted into a film. This is a good thing, but there are still areas that need improvement. After pondering for a moment, Lu Yang pointed out the shorings in Peach Blossom Leafs use of illusions.Youve realized that relying solely onbat isnt enough to attract people, and adding a brief storyline was a good idea, but its still not sufficient. To create apelling story, it needs to leave the audience feeling exhrated, with a lingering impression. It should have foreshadowing and twists. Hmm, hmm. Peach Blossom Leaf nodded repeatedly. As expected of her senior brother, his mind worked faster than hers, and he could think so far ahead even with just a brief introduction. For now, the plot is secondary. The main issue is how to cast the illusion. Peach Blossom Leaf was puzzled and didnt understand what he meant: I can cast illusions myself. Lu Yang shook his head: Of course, you can cast them, but you cant possibly go everywhere casting illusions. Youd be exhausted. You mentioned wanting to make money from this. To earn money, you need to promote it, and to promote it, you need a more convenient way to cast illusions. For example, through talismans. If I remember correctly, talismans are the mostmon medium for carrying illusions. Peach Blossom Leaf lowered her head, thinking about whom she could ask for help: When ites to talismans the Sect Leader is skilled in swordsmanship, the First Elder specializes in dream crafting, the Second Elder is an expert in formations, the Third Elder focuses on body refinement, the Fourth Elder is proficient in Confucianism, the Fifth Elder is a master of artifact refining, my master excels in Immortal Physiques, the Seventh Elder is an alchemy expert, and the Eighth Elder is good at deception. It seems none of the elders specialize in this. Should we ask the senior brothers and sisters for help? Lu Yang paused for a moment before hesitantly saying, Is it possible that, besides deception, the Eighth Elder also specializes in talismans? Although there were rumors that when Daoist Non-Speaker first came up the mountain, it was the Eighth Elder who raised him,ying the foundation for hister crooked development. Although, nine hundred years ago, the Eighth Elder deceived the Nine Nether Sect to the point of bankrupting their treasury, driving the previous Sect Leader to suicide. Although the Eighth Elder sold Meng Jingzhou the exam papers from twenty years ago. Although the Fifth Elder adamantly refused to let the talisman practitioner Qin Yanyan study talismans under the Eighth Elder, fearing shed be led astray. One cannot deny that the Eighth Elder is indeed a master of talismans. We should consult the Eighth Elder, but to be safe, it would be wise to bring the Sixth Elder along, Lu Yang cautiously suggested, and Peach Blossom Leaf agreed. At the top of Dust-Free Peak, the breathtakingly beautiful Sixth Elder sat cross-legged, surrounded by a vacuum-like area created by the wless Immortal Physique. She tried her best to minimize the range of her Immortal Physique, realizing that the smaller the effective range, the stronger the repelling effect. The optimal state was to let the field of the wless Immortal Physique adhere to the surface of her body, forming a thinyer, making her impervious to any attack. However, ording to the records, no previous holder of the wless Immortal Physique had ever achieved this level of mastery. She sensed someone approaching from a distance, opened her beautiful eyes, and saw Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf. What brings the two of you here? she asked telepathically. Apologies for disturbing your cultivation, Master. Its like this: I recently had some new ideas about illusions Peach Blossom Leaf exined in detail the discussion she had with Lu Yang. An interesting idea. With Old Eights level of skill in talismans, it shouldnt be difficult to implement. The Sixth Elder also recognized themercial potential in Peach Blossom Leafs idea and felt a sense of pride. Peach Blossom Leafs idea seemed far more lucrative than the Ninth Junior Brothers Big Or Small As You Wish (Localized Version). Look at thatthis is the kind of outstanding disciple Ive trained! Lets go; Ill take you to find him. The Sixth Elder raised her hand, and a strange energy enveloped Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf, transporting them directly from the summit of Dust-Free Peak to the nearby summit of Rune Peak. Rune Peak was the mountain overseen by the Eighth Elder. As theynded, Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf, visiting Rune Peak for the first time, noticed that the entire ce was covered with runes. Even the leaves had rune markings on them, and the shapes formed by various nts subtly resembled talismans. Old Eight,e out. We need your help! The Sixth Elder sent a telepathic message to the Eighth Elder. Senior Sister is looking for me? The Eighth Elder emerged from his cave dwelling with a surprised expression. He rarely remembered the Sixth Elder asking for his help. Did someone out there have the audacity to deceive you, Senior Sister? Do you need me to trick them back? That might not be possible; I havent been out deceiving anyone for decades.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Lu Yang thought to himself, Eighth Elder, have you forgotten you tricked Meng Jingzhou just a year and a half ago? Peach Blossom Leaf, unaware of this incident, thought the Eighth Elder had genuinely reformed. But dont worry, if anyone dares to deceive you, Senior Sister, I can send my disciples to trick them so badly they wont even have their underwear left! Im not like the Ninth Junior Brother. Ive been deceiving people for so many years and have never been caught! My disciples are just as reliable. They wont get caught by the authorities either! The Eighth Elder patted his chest confidently, showing deep respect and loyalty to his senior sister, who had taken care of him a lot when they were younger. Lu Yang was filled with admiration, realizing the Eighth Elders deception skills were so advanced that hed never been caughtnot even his master couldpare to that! After all, his master was notorious afternding the Minister of Justice in prison. Optimistically speaking, his master probably still hasnt been released. Lu Yang had heard that since the Minister of Justice was imprisoned in The Great Yan County jail, the entire Ministry of Justice had moved their office there, and crime rates in The Great Yan County had dropped to unprecedented lows. Not a single crime had been reported. Criminals werent foolishwho would daremit a crime under the nose of the entire Ministry of Justice? They werent Daoist Non-Speaker, after all. But there was a price to pay. Lu Yang had heard from Meng Jingzhou that even the capitals officials would make a point of visiting The Great Yan County jail whenever they took a leave of absence, just to see something novel. They called it showing concern for a colleague. And incidentally, they would suggest to the governor of The Great Yan County that Daoist Non-Speaker should be sentenced to death. The Sixth Elder rolled her eyes at the Eighth Elder. After two thousand years of being senior and junior siblings, she knew exactly what kind of person he was. Yes, youve never been caught because you always turn yourself in, saying itll reduce your sentence. And dont think I dont know why you never leave the sect. Youre just waiting for the statute of limitations to expire. The criminalw of the Great Xia Empire clearly states that once the statutory limitation period for prosecuting a crime has expired, the offender will no longer be subject to criminal liability. Chapter 345: Even Eldest Senior Sister isn’t a match for me! (TL Note: Ive gone back and changed Miles in a Step -> So Close Yet Worlds Apart. Also going to release the 5 chapters I promised for reaching 100 5-star reviews on NU. Next goal is 125 i guess) You cant say it like that; Im just making reasonable use of the legal provisions, the Eighth Elder defended himself confidently. Besides, how could I have expected the other party to expose their identity as a demonic cultivator just to report me to the authorities? Lu Yang was very curious about what kind of deception the Eighth Elder had pulled off to make someone so desperate that theyd risk revealing their identity as a demonic cultivator just to get him arrested. Normally, demonic cultivators are the ones most afraid of contact with the authorities. The Sixth Elder didnt dwell on the matter: Alright, I didnte here today to discuss who youve deceived. We need your help with something rted to talismans. Peach Blossom Leaf innocently looked at Lu Yang, who understood the meaning in her gaze: See, you cant me me for having the impression that the Eighth Elder is all about trickery and deceithe practically admits it the moment we meet. You should have said so earlier; Im the most knowledgeable when ites to talismans! The Eighth Elderughed heartily, feeling proud of his expertise in the field.What kind of talisman do you need? Offensive, defensive, and how many? Just tell me, Senior Sister, I can handle it all! Tribtion Crossing and Half-Immortal level talismans are challenging, but I can easily create Unity level talismans. The Sixth Elder shook her head: We dont need talismans of such a high level. My disciple has an idea that requires you to implement it using talismans. The Eighth Elder looked at Peach Blossom Leaf with great interest: Lets hear it. Peach Blossom Leaf exined the discussion she had with Lu Yang. The Eighth Elders eyes lit up as he listened, and he grew more and more fond of Peach Blossom Leaf: What an innovative idea! So, how about it? Would you be interested in bing my disciple? After all, it seems you havent done much research on your Feathered Immortal Physique. If youre not interested in developing it, theres no need to remain under your masters tutge. Your illusion techniques would be perfect for assisting me in my deceptions. Someone with such quick thinking would be well-suited to be his disciple. He knew that Lu Yang was also quick-witted, but he didnt dare to poach him from Yun Zhi. Peach Blossom Leaf was startled, immediately resolving to start researching her Feathered Immortal Physique as soon as she returned, to avoid any possibility that her master might decide to hand her over to the Eighth Elder. Alright, Eighth Junior Brother, stop scaring her. Lets talk about the talismans. Can you make them? The Eighth Elder stroked his chin and chuckled: Senior Sister, you dont trust me. Making these talismans is no big dealI could draw them with my eyes closed. Lu Yang added two more requirements: It would be best if they could be mass-produced and sold at a low price. And they shouldnt harm ordinary people. If an illusion is too powerful, it could leave ordinary people confused and unable to distinguish between the illusion and reality, even after escaping from it. The Eighth Elder looked troubled: Not harming ordinary people is easy, but mass production is a bit tricky. Do you know much about talismans? So far, no one has been able to mass-produce them. Even the simplest strength talisman cant be mass-produced. My friends and I have studied this problem. Our initial idea was to use woodblock printing, like printing money, to produce talismans. This would significantly reduce their cost. (TL Note: Woodblock printing or block printing is a technique for printing text, images or patterns used widely throughout East Asia and originating in China in antiquity as a method of printing on textiles andter on paper. Each page or image is created by carving a wooden block to leave only some areas and lines at the original level; it is these that are inked and show in the print, in a relief printing process. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodblock_printing) Anyone who could discuss talismans with the Eighth Elder must have been an expert in the field. But we found that this doesnt work. When writing talismans, every stroke needs to be infused with essence, energy, and spirit. This alone stumps 99% of those who want to be talisman makers. And using woodblock printing to create talismans requires even higher precisionit demands infusing ones essence, energy, and spirit into the gaps of the printing temte. Its not that no talisman makers can do this, but the number who can is too small to allow forrge-scale production. We also considered using puppets to create talismans, but puppetsck essence, energy, and spirit, so they cant make talismans at all. In short, we tried many methods but didnt seed, so we set the matter aside. Niece Peach Blossoms illusionsts between half an hour to an hour. This is arge-scale illusion, and high-level talismans can achieve this, but they cant be mass-produced. Lu Yang fell into deep thought. He hadnt realized the difficulties involved in talisman-making. Suddenly, an idea struck him: I remember that formations can also induce illusions. What if webine talismans and formations? The Eighth Elder made a noise of surprise and did some quick calctions, realizing that this method might actually work. Great idea! By simplifying both the talismans and the formations to the Qi Training level, thenbining them, it could work! After simplification, Qi Training Stage cultivators would be able to create these talisman-formations! Im not skilled in formations, so Ill have to discuss this with my Second Brother. You two head back, and well let you know as soon as we have a conclusion! The Eighth Elder, excited by the idea, immediately flew off toward the herb garden. At that moment, Lu Yang received a message from Eldest Senior Sister. Come back; the cultivation technique has been written. Lu Yang was delighted. Eldest Senior Sisters efficiency in writing cultivation techniques was as high as evershe hadpleted it in just half a day. Cautiously, Lu Yang approached the base of Heavens Gate Peak, ensuring that the puppet wasnt waiting to ambush him at the entrance before he felt safe enough to ascend the mountain. All the way up, Lu Yang remained vignt against any potential surprise attacks from the puppet, but fortunately, he encountered no trouble. When he reached the summit of Heavens Gate Peak, he found Eldest Senior Sister sitting quietly at a stone table, sipping tea. The puppet was serving tea to Eldest Senior Sister with utmost obedience, a stark contrast to how it treated Lu Yang. On the stone tabley a brand new cultivation manual: the Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique, Golden Core Stage Chapter. Try cultivating with it. I made some changes based on your original technique. Lu Yang was overjoyed, feeling that Eldest Senior Sister was indeed reliable, much more so than the Evesting Fairy, who was always talking about teaching him the art of ying dead. Eldest Senior Sister, on the other hand, wrote cultivation techniques for him. The handwriting on the manual was as meticulous, beautiful, and cold as Eldest Senior Sister herself. Since the technique was based on Lu Yangs own ideas, he quickly grasped it. After reading through it twice, he had it memorized and was ready to practice circting his qi. Following the theory in the technique, Lu Yang focused his mind on a stream of spiritual energy, guiding it to circte through his body in a controlled and rhythmic manner. He soonpleted a full cycle of cirction, signifying that he had sessfully begun practicing the technique. Feeling confident, Lu Yang thought, I really am an extraordinary genius, the strongest there ever was! He believed that cultivation was something that came easily to him and that no one could match his talent. He then turned his gaze to Eldest Senior Sister, who was calmly sipping tea. Even Eldest Senior Sister wouldnt be a match for me! Wait, somethings not right! Lu Yang suddenly realized that something was off. No matter how slow-witted he might be, he knew this conclusionEven Eldest Senior Sister isnt a match for mewaspletely illogical. Its the Invincible Core. The Invincible Core gave me an overwhelming sense of invincibility, but Ive always been able to suppress this feeling with logic. The Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique amplified the confidence from the Invincible Core, making me feel utterly invincible! Lu Yangs body moved uncontrobly toward Eldest Senior Sister, while the Invincible Core kept warning him not to act. Pleasemit suicide immediately to maintain a 100% win rate. Pleasemit suicide immediately to maintain a 100% win rate. The Invincible Core persistently urged Lu Yang to ensure a perfect record. Eldest Senior Sister lifted her eyelids slightly, realizing she had overlooked this particr trait of the Invincible Core when she wrote the technique. Fortunately, Lu Yang had faced many crises before, and in this moment of danger, he reacted swiftly. Turning Beans into Soldiers! Lu Yang relinquished control of his body to the Evesting Fairy, who had been merely observing the situation. Huh? Huh?? The Evesting Fairy was shocked, suddenly finding herself in the midst of the chaos she had been watching. She tried to control Lu Yangs out-of-control body to attack Eldest Senior Sister, but Eldest Senior Sister simply flicked her finger, sending him flying. Lu Yang sessfully maintained his undefeated record. (TL Note: Should have added this in chapter 179 but the phrase Turning Beans into Soldierses from Taoism, where it was believed that powerful Taoist priests or immortals could perform miraculous feats through their mastery of magic and the natural elements. One such feat was the ability to transform ordinary objects into soldiers or warriors. Evesting Fairys name is Huang Dou Dou (ƶ) which contains the word bean in chinese which is so hes basically turning her into a soldier and making her fight for him.)N?v(el)B\\jnn Chapter 346: The Qingzhou Festival (TL Note: Extra chapters releasing soon. Next goal is 125. When it hits 125 5-star ratings on NU, I will release an 5 extra chapters. Ive also released an EPUB version of the novel up to chapter 375 on my ko-fi for $5 /s/445767594a. If anyone purchases the EPUB, I will upload an extra chapter for everyone and thank you in the chapter.) Evesting Fairy was flicked away by Eldest Senior Sisters finger,nding upside down on a nearby tree branch, her body swaying back and forth. Lu Yang, youre disrespecting immortals! Evesting Fairy shouted angrily, having suffered misfortune for no reasonthis was truly an unprovoked disaster. Thinking back to the ancient times when she dominated the world, who would dare treat her like this? Lu Yang respectfully said, Its not that I disrespect you, Fairy. I have just formed the Invincible Core and am not yet familiar with it. I was hoping you could demonstrate how to use the Invincible Core. Thanks to your demonstration earlier, I have learned how to use the Invincible Core. Really? Evesting Fairy looked at Lu Yang suspiciously, feeling something was off. Im just a mere mortal; how could I possibly deceive the Fairy? Thats true.Evesting Fairy, thinking herself magnanimous, decided not to pursue the matter further. (TL Note: Unrted, I just wanna say that I love our girlfailure Yellow Bean so much lmao) A puppet leapt up and took Lu Yang down from the tree branch, holding him by the cor like a mischievous cat. Eldest Senior Sister ced two fingers on Lu Yangs wrist, as if diagnosing him like a doctor. She nodded almost imperceptibly. I see now. I didnt consider this when I wrote the technique; I forgot that the Invincible Core has a trait that makes you blindly confident. The technique makes you overly self-assured, causing you to lose your normal ability to think, and your body bes uncontroble. She picked up the technique manual that had fallen to the ground. It spontaneouslybusted, burning to ashes, as if it had never existed.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Ill revise it; just wait a moment. Eldest Senior Sister sat by a stone table, tore open space, and retrieved a nk book from it. She thought for a moment and immediately knew how to modify it, writing swiftly. Before long, a new edition of the Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique Golden Core chapter waspleted. Here, try it again. Lu Yang took the revised manual, noticing thatpared to the previous version, only some phrases had been altered. Would this really suppress the urges of the Invincible Core? Lu Yang practiced aplete cirction as usual, then sneaked a nce at Eldest Senior Sister, who was meditating with her eyes closed, and breathed a sigh of relief. This time, there was no reckless urge to challenge Eldest Senior Sister. Lu Yang sat down in ce and meditated, feeling the changes brought by the technique. The most significant change was a newfound rity in his mind. The technique pointed out the path forward, and all he had to do was follow the routeid out by the technique. Previously, his cultivation had been merely umting spiritual qi, without any real advancement in realm. Now, with the new technique, the previously stored spiritual qi became useful, allowing him to advance from the early stage of the Golden Core to still the early stage of the Golden Core. It seemed like no progress, but in reality, the change was substantial. Additionally, his divine sense and mental space had expanded slightly. Evesting Fairys bed, which used to be against the wallthe edge of the mental spacewas now two feet away from the boundary. Evesting Fairy noticed this as well and pushed her bed back to the mental space boundary. She liked having her back against the bed, kicking her little feet against the wallshe found this position quitefortable. Is Lu Yang here? Meng Jingzhou called softly as he climbed the mountain. Given his usual boisterous personality, he would typically shout to find someone. But this was Heavens Gate Peak, where besides Lu Yang, there was also the terrifying Eldest Senior Sister. Even with eight lives, Meng Jingzhou wouldnt dare make a ruckus here. Eldest Senior Sister, are you here? Meng Jingzhou, seeing Eldest Senior Sister resting with her eyes closed by the tree, greeted her with a bow. Eldest Senior Sister softly acknowledged him. From the moment Meng Jingzhou stepped onto Heavens Gate Peak, she was already aware of his presence. What do you want? Meng Jingzhou spoke mysteriously, Of course, its good news! Have you heard of the Qingzhou Festival? Its about to start. Formon events in the Great Xia Dynasty, I dont know much, Lu Yang said. What is the Qingzhou Festival? Its a grand event held for cultivators, organized by the Qingzhou government with the participation of several first-rank sects. It takes ce every year in early August, featuring battles, auctions, and other lively activities. The main goal is to attract young cultivators to stay in Qingzhou, so many participants are around our age. Lu Yangs eyes lit up; he rarely interacted with his peers, so this was a great opportunity. Lets go! By the way, is Qingzhou the same ce the Fifth Elder mentioned, where two ten thousand years ago, the Qingzhou Governor at the Tribtion Crossing Stage moved a neighboring city there under the guise of a duel? Thats the same Qingzhou. (TL Note: Qingzhou was the county that helped with the Commoner Town incident mentioned in chapter 143 and moving the city was mentioned in chapter 334) Eldest Senior Sister, who had been resting with her eyes closed, slowly opened them, showing a hint of curiosity. Did the Fifth Elder tell you about the Qingzhou Governor? Eldest Senior Sister, you know about it too? Of course, I know. After all, that Qingzhou Governor was our sects founder. Lu Yang: Meng Jingzhou: For some reason, the two were not surprised by this fact. It did fit the usual style of the Dao Seeking Sectlogical yet absurd. You know about the Qingzhou Governors story, but dont spread it around. It would damage our Dao Seeking Sects reputation, Eldest Senior Sister, the de facto head of the Dao Seeking Sect, said, clearly cherishing the sects name. Though she wasnt exactly sure what the outside world thought of the Dao Seeking Sect. Meng Jingzhou asked curiously, Eldest Senior Sister, what happened to the Governor afterward? He continued to develop Qingzhou step by step. The Qingzhou Festival you mentioned was his idea. The event attracted many talented cultivators and was highly effective, prompting other governors to follow suit. Qingzhou became increasingly prosperous under his governance. When he had achieved fame and sess, he retired and returned to the sect. Lu Yang realized something. Wait a minute, can people from the Five Great Immortal Sects actually be government officials? He had assumed that the Five Great Immortal Sects, being highly influential, would be barred from holding office due to the Great Xias fears and suspicions. They certainly can. Meng Jingzhou exined to Lu Yang, The court is always seeking talent. Where are the most sages found? Naturally, within the Five Great Immortal Sects. The court even invited the Abbot of the Hanging Temple to join as an official; if he had agreed, he would have be the Prime Minister, but he declined. They also invited the Sect Leader of the Prison-Suppressing Sect, but he refused as well. Talents like me and you are very wee as officials, but unlike the Abbot of Hanging Temple, we would need to pass the imperial exams to qualify. Eldest Senior Sister reminded, Lu Yang, you cannot take the imperial exams, nor can you be an official. Lu Yang was stunned. Why? He had no desire to be an official, but to be barred from even having the chance felt unfair. Because of our master. Lu Yang, being sharp-witted, quickly grasped the reasoning: Two ten thousand years ago, the Dao Seeking Sect was not yet the leading sect among the Five Great Immortal Sects. But now, the Dao Seeking Sect had risen to be the indisputable number one immortal sect. The court fears the growing dominance of the Dao Seeking Sect and does not dare allow its disciples, especially the direct disciples of its sect master, to be officials, lest they conspire with the government and threaten the rule of the Great Xia Dynasty. Eldest Senior Sister continued, Our mastermitted numerous crimes, and because of that, his disciples, and even our grandmaster, are all prohibited from bing officials. (TL Note: Their grandmaster is mentioned in chapter 146 as the person guarding Prison Peak) Chapter 347: Where’s My Royalty Fee? (TL Note: Extra chapter 1/5) Eldest Senior Sister took out a gold-embossed invitation; just from the cover, it was clear that this invitation was of significant value. The Qingzhou Festival includes apetition for the younger generation, and the Qingzhou government has sent our Dao Seeking Sect an invitation, hoping we can send someone to participate. I was going to mention this to you, but since Junior Brother Meng brought it up, it saves us a lot of trouble. Apetition for the younger generation? Lu Yang was eager to try; besides the Five Elements Sect, he hadnt faced any peers yet. Lets go then, and use my carriage, Meng Jingzhou suggested. Just the two of us? Arent Junior Sister Peach and the othersing? I did ask them all. Junior Sister Peach said shes waiting for results from the Second Elder and the Eighth Elder, though Im not sure what results shes waiting for. Shes also focused on studying the Feathered Immortal Physique, so I didnt press further. Junior Brother Barbarian has gone back to his tribe for a family visit, and who knows when hell be back. Junior Brother Li is enjoying family life, doing everything he can to help our niece form her core, so he didnt want toe either. Meng Jingzhou sighed in disappointment. This was such a rare opportunity. There were only seventeen events of this scale ur annually across the Great Xias seventeen states. Missing this one means waiting more than half a month, and theyre just missing the perfect timing.He was someone who enjoyed lively events, so the more people that joined, the better. After Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou departed, Eldest Senior Sister remembered something and flipped open the invitation: On the third day of the ninth month in the year 98,960 of the Great Xia Calendar, the Qingzhou Festival will be held as per tradition. We kindly request your esteemed sect to send outstanding disciples to participate in the festival and serve as judges to offer guidance. Surely Junior Brother and Meng Jingzhou wont enter the arena right? Yun Zhi mumbled to herself, feeling like she might be overthinking it. Both of them were the first and second among the younger generation of the Dao Seeking Sect, their strength undeniable and far above others. If they were to enter the arena, it would be too much of a bullying situation. When I was at home, Id often hear about how grand these ceremonies were. Hearing their descriptions always made me want to see it for myself. Its a pity I wasnt cultivating back then and didnt have the qualifications to attend. The Qingzhou Festival is a grand event for cultivators. To avoid disrupting the normal lives of ordinary people, Qingzhou will cordon off a specific area outside the city, and high-level cultivators will temporarily construct a city. In the carriage, Meng Jingzhou animatedly described the event, and Lu Yang listened with great interest. The festival includes not onlybatpetitions but also auctions, appraisal challenges, bartering, ruin explorations, Golden Core evaluations, and more. Its a mix of everything, and every cultivator who goes there is sure to gain something valuable. Its not just for our younger generationthere are also mid- to high-level cultivators, though they have their own circles and wont mingle with us. Mid- to high-level cultivators were much older than Lu Yang and the others, and if they were present, the younger generation would find it hard to act freely. Lu Yang deeply understood this feeling: when ssmates visited his house, there was a stark difference between when parents were around and when they werent. A cultivator exchange conference, huh? We used to have those back in the day, but back then, everyone was full of hostility, and it often escted to Ill kill your whole family threats. What was supposed to be an exchange often turned into robbery and ambushes in the dark, making it extremely dangerous. Thats why only major races were qualified to host such cultivator exchanges; they had the highest safety standards, like the Lianshan n behind the Nonuple Immortal, the Dragon n, the Phoenix n, and the Four Ancient Fiends ns. Evesting Fairy sighed nostalgically, remembering how difficult things were back then. Lu Yang recalled that there was a time when the Nonuple Immortal asked Evesting Fairy to cook to force prisoners into confession. Those prisoners must have been cultivators like the ones involved in robbery, who had crossed the bottom line of the ancient Lianshan n. Later, the five of us became immortals and would hold exchange meetings from time to time. Our meetings were very safeno one dared tomit murder or robbery. Im not good at organizing such things, so Qing He would take care of it for me. One time, I suggested that since we were meeting at my ce, we should pick a unique location, like the Mother-Child River or the Twin Rivers. With mountains and water, the scenery was beautiful. If anyone wanted to y in the water, they could just go down to the river. Qing He sternly rejected my suggestion, saying it was too dangerous. Lu Yang thought to himself, Fairy, your river is the biggest enemy of family nning; who would dare go in? Sometimes, Ying Tian Immortal would discreetly leave some books at these exchanges, which recorded our five immortals great achievements. I asked Ying Tian Immortal why he did that, and he said that books publicly bestowed by immortals would lead people to question their authenticity. But if they seemed to be leaked unintentionally, the public would believe them much more. Lu Yang found Ying Tian Immortals reasoning sound and learned a clever trick. What Lu Yang didnt know was that the rumor of Ying Tian Immortal making countless women pregnant spread in just the same way. The old horse trotted slowly for two days, crossing mountains and rivers, and finally arrived in Qingzhou. As soon as they entered the Qingzhou territory, the old horse suppressed its space-traversing ability. It had previously been taking hidden mountain paths, unseen by anyone, but that was no longer possible here in Qingzhou, where crowds and prying eyes were everywhere, and it might frighten passersby. Meng Jingzhou poked his head out and, seeing the distant scenery, beamed with joy. Were almost there. Lu Yang also poked his head out from the other side. The dense, lush mountains were interspersed with carefully arranged buildings made of green stone, beautifullyid out like a painting. Though temporarily constructed, the structures were intricately designed, reflecting the effort that went into them. Many tiny ck dots moved between the buildingsthese were the cultivators.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Their carriage was in and unremarkable, so the arrival of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou went unnoticed. Swish A dark shadow streaked overhead. The two looked up and saw a high-speed flying boat. The arrival of the boat caused a stir among the pedestrians. Look, thats the Thunderfire Sects flying boat! Look at that speed! I wonder how many Spirit Stones this boat costs. I heard the Thunderfire Sect has produced an extraordinary genius this generation. The people following behind must be the geniuss protectors. Oh, I was mistaken. The Thunderfire Sects flying boat was speeding, and those behind arew enforcers. Whats that strange artifact? The mark on it belongs to the Yunmeng Sword Sect! Theres a sword beneath the artifact, and on the sword is arge metal shell. Ive never seen anything like it. I know this! Its called a flying carriage. I heard it was invented by a Dao Seeking Sect sword genius, but it hasnt be popr yet. In the past, sword flight was limited to a single person, but this carriage can carry five. As expected of the Dao Seeking Sectsuch creativity is beyond us. Exactly! I heard the Dao Seeking Sect is increasingly bing the leader of the Five Great Immortal Sects. Everyone in the sect is a peerless talent! Meng Jingzhou turned to look at Lu Yang, whose expression was odd. The flying carriage was his invention. The Fifth Elder hadter asked Li Haoran to file for a patent, but Lu Yang hadnt followed up on it since. He hadnt expected it to already be in mass production. Wait, wheres my royalty fee? Chapter 348: Spending Money to Avoid Disaster (TL Note: Extra chapter 2/5) Even if only a small group of people were manufacturing flying carriages, the patent fees alone would be enough for Lu Yang to make a fortune. Lu Yang had always thought that the patent was still under review and that the flying carriages had not yet been mass-produced, so he had put the matter of patent fees out of his mind. But with the flying carriages boldly soaring overhead, it was hard to argue that the patent hadnt been approved. Could it be that the Fifth Elder, with his kind appearance but dark heart, embezzled my patent fees? This thought shed briefly in his mind but was quickly dismissed. The Fifth Elder wouldnt stoop so low for such a petty gain. Forget it, Ill ask the Fifth Elder about it when I see him. Lu Yang decided not to dwell on the matter. The old horse pulled the carriage and brought Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou to the foot of the mountain, where a newly built inn was located.The Qingzhou Festivalsted seven days each time, and during these seven days, cultivators couldnt be expected to sleep roughit would be undignified. Since Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had arrived early, there were still some vacant rooms. Two of your best rooms, please! Sure, two Heaven Character Rooms. Would you also like to book a room for your horse? (TL Note: The rooms are graded from Human (), Earth () and finally Heaven (). It originates from ancient Chinese philosophy, particrly from Taoism and Confucianism. In Confucian thought, these three elements are seen as the primary forces that influence life and society. Heaven represents moral order and divine will; Earth represents nature and the environment; Human represents human actions and ethics. For Taoism, Im honestly not too sure so feel free to exin in thements. Also, I probably should have mentioned this in chapter 131.) Meng Jingzhou was surprised, wondering if the innkeeper had somehow discerned the profound nature of his old horse and intended to treat it like a person. The innkeeper smiled and exined, Guests, its like this: we offer free care for spiritual beasts, but space is limited, so we keep all the beasts in the backyard. During the Qingzhou Festival, high-level cultivators often bring their high-level spiritual beasts, and when these powerful creatures are housed in the backyard, other spiritual beasts can be affected. If you dont mind your spiritual beast being affected, we can care for it for free. Meng Jingzhou thought about it. Though he didnt know the exact strength of the old horse, given that it was sent as a guardian by his family, it was likely quite formidablemore likely to bully others than be bullied. However, considering the old horses penchant for flirting with mares, it seemed more prudent to book a separate room for it. Then lets get a room for the old horse as well. Alright, three Heaven Character Rooms it is! Old horse, level with mewhats your realm? I promise Ill pretend not to know, Meng Jingzhou whispered. The old horse nced at Meng Jingzhou, snorted, and clearly didnt believe a word of it. After Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou went upstairs, another group arrived at the inn, though they werent as wealthy as Meng Jingzhou. Innkeeper, three Human Character Rooms, please. Sorry, guests, we dont have Human Character Rooms. The group was stunned. Are the Human Character Rooms all sold out? After calcting their remaining funds, they found they could barely afford it. Then two Earth Character Rooms. They could manage with a little squeezing. Im sorry, guests, but we only have Heaven Character Room avable.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om What? They were only at the Qi Training Stage; how could they afford such high-ss amodations? Senior Brother, lets find another inn. The innkeeper smiled and said, Forgive me for saying so, but other inns only have Heaven Character Room as well. Their faces turned dark. Were they really going to sleep on the streets on the first day of the grand event? The innkeeper wasnt surprised by their reaction. Its not as you imagine. Every year, when the event begins, there are fights over Heaven Character Rooms, so the Qingzhou government instructed us to upgrade all rooms to first-grade but keep the price of Human Character Rooms. The government subsidizes the difference. Rather than deal with the chaos of fighting cultivators, the Qingzhou government would rather spend a few extra Spirit Stones to nip the risk in the bud. Meng Jingzhou was unaware that his first-grade room was priced so affordably; he never paid attention to such trivial expenses. Lu Yang,e out when youre ready! I heard theres a street on the mountain that sells all kinds of antiques and magical treasures. Got it. Lu Yang didnt have much to unpack. After a long journey, he took off his clothes, and since he didnt know the Cleansing Spell, he used the rooms formation to wash up, changed into a fresh, tidy outfit, and stepped out for some fresh air. The old horse had nothing to unpack. After the long journey, it set down its saddle and, being capable of using the Cleansing Spell, didnt need the rooms formation to wash itself. It then extended its divine sense, checking if any mares were nearby. Foundation Building Pills! Containing pill patterns, guaranteed to help you reach Foundation Building! Full refund if it doesnt work! Beast fur, Peak of the Qi Training stage beast fur, the best material for refining magical artifacts! Beast barbecue! Freshly stocked Peak of the Qi Training stage beast barbecue! Solid Origin Technique, Flowing Cloud Sword Technique, Clear Sound Secret Tome all kinds of techniques and spells, we have it all! The mostplete star chart! Ive observed the heavens for twenty years, painstakingly creating this star chart, an essential for cultivating star-rted techniques! Phoenix Blood Stone, a strengthening stone; Taiwen Stone, enhances the quality of des and swords; Gold Absorbing Stone, capable of absorbing gold! The street was filled with constant shouting and bustling activity. As soon as Lu Yang entered the marketce, he felt a sense of suppression, not of his cultivation realm but of his divine sense. After all, items like techniques could be easily scanned with divine sense, making it impossible for vendors to make a sale. They even have the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique? Lu Yang was surprised. The Flowing Cloud Sword Technique was created by the Flowing Cloud True Lord two thousand years ago and was extremely rare, not publicly circted. Meng Jingzhou, with more experience in such matters, said, Dont trust the techniques here. The Flowing Cloud True Lords sword technique can be called Flowing Cloud Sword Technique, but you could name any sword technique you write the same. Buyers likely havent seen the real Flowing Cloud Sword Technique, and even if they find ws, they cant im they bought a fake. New techniques are created every day; identical names are quitemon. Lu Yang suddenly understood; he hadnt expected so many tricks in this ce. Do you have a star chart? Lu Yang noticed the vendors im. Although his cultivation technique had nothing to do with stars, buying a chart to guess which stars were Eldest Senior Sisters Golden Core would be fun. Good eye, customer! This star chart was created using a far-seeing artifact. My cultivation technique is rted to vision, so I poured my heart and soul into this, persisting tirelessly toplete it! Can I take a look? The vendor immediately became alert. No. I cant discern your cultivation level, and even though divine sense cant be used here, you might have mental space abilities and could memorize the chart just by looking at it. Lu Yang chuckled; he had no such intentions. How many Spirit Stones? Ill buy it. This is the only copy of this star chart in the worldtwo thousand Spirit Stones, no bargaining. Two thousand Spirit Stones wasnt too expensive for Lu Yang. As he was about to pay, he heard a voice behind him. Senior Brother, look! Theres a star chart here! What? The senior brother was overjoyed; he had a senior sister who cultivated a star-rted technique and needed a star chart. Wanting to please his senior sister, he felt that the star chart was a must-have. He found Lu Yangs appearance friendly and assumed he would be easy to talk to, silently rehearsing in his mind: Senior Brother, this star chart is for a beloved senior sister of mine. Would you be willing to part with it for me? He repeated the lines twice, feeling that his phrasing and tone were fine. Suppressing his nervousness, he sped his hands and spoke to Lu Yang: Senior Sister, this star chart is for a beloved senior brother of mine. Could you let me have it? Lu Yang turned his head, confirmed his gender and the other persons, then silently took two steps back. Chapter 349: Stellar Techniques (TL Note: Extra chapter 3/5) Lu Yang felt that although he wasnt exactly handsome, it wasnt to the extent that someone would mistake his gender. He wanted to say he was a man, but considering that the other person was infatuated with a senior brother, he hesitated. He thought about saying he was a woman, but then hed be paying too high a price just to buy the star chart for fun, guessing Eldest Senior Sisters Golden Core. Better to just make a quick escape. The senior brother immediately regretted his words, wanting to p himself. What kind of nonsense was that? His two followers were even more embarrassed; this was amon problem with their senior brotherhe tended to say the wrong things when nervous. The bad news was that he was often nervous. Rumor had it that their Pce Lord had suggested he switch to a practice of silent meditation.No, I meant to say, Senior Brother, this star chart is needed by my beloved senior brother for cultivation. Could you part with it? He paused, deciding to start by introducing himself to gather his thoughts. I am Gu Qisheng, a disciple of the Rainbow Pce, at the early stage of Foundation Building. Im here to participate in the grandpetition. I see that you appear to be around my age; you must also be here for thepetition. Gu Qisheng, not yet eighteen, had already reached the early stage of Foundation Buildinga cultivation speed that ranked in the top five in Rainbow Pces history. Although cultivators at higher stages can change their appearance at will, based on Gu Qishengs experience, if the person were an old Golden Core or Nascent Soul Stage master, they wouldnt be buying things at such a ce. Those old monsters lived long lives, had plenty of experience, and had their own sources for purchases. Lu Yang had heard of Rainbow Pce, a top-tier sect in Jizhou, but knew little else about it. I am indeed here to participate in thepetition, and perhaps well meet on the stage. As for the star chart, you may have it, Junior Brother. Lu Yang took another step back. Seeing Lu Yang retreating further, Gu Qisheng hurriedly exined, I misspoke earlier; its actually my senior sister who needs the star chart for her cultivation. Hearing this, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou both sighed in relief. Meng Jingzhou had been so startled earlier that he almost unleashed his Single Curse Fist. Lu Yang smiled and said, Im only interested in the star chart, but its not as important as Junior Brother Gus romance. Overjoyed, Gu Qisheng took out fifteen hundred Spirit Stones and bought the chart. Fifteen hundred Spirit Stones was a significant amount for him, but it was worth it to please his senior sister! He eagerly opened the star chart, only to find it covered in bloodstains, making it nearly illegible. Whats going on?! Gu Qisheng fumed. He had worked hard to buy a star chart, only to end up with a blood-soaked piece of paper. The vendor calmly exined, I did mention, didnt I? The star chart was painstakingly drawn by me, and its normal to cough up some blood while making it.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Lu Yang: Why did this marketce seem to be full of scams? Meng Jingzhou transmitted a message to Lu Yang, Most things in these markets are fakes. One of the challenges in the Meng familysing-of-age ceremony is to buy something genuine from the marketce. I see. Wait, isnt theing-of-age ceremony at sixteen? Howe I never heard of you going back for it? The entry age for the Dao Seeking Sect was before sixteen, and Lu Yang had never seen Meng Jingzhou return to the Meng family. Meng Jingzhou replied matter-of-factly, I ran away from home! Who bothers with aing-of-age ceremony after that? Gu Qisheng continued arguing with the vendor, If thats the case, why dont you redraw the star chart? Thats where you dont understand, customer. The stars hold great secrets. Over the past few centuries, no one has sessfully drawn a star chart. Even when one ispleted, it ends up destroyed for various reasons. Moreover, those who draw the charts cant remember the staryouts. Its already a rare feat that part of this chart isnt stained with blood. Selling it to you for fifteen hundred Spirit Stones is a bargain. Gu Qisheng naturally didnt believe the vendors nonsense, but he recalled that his senior sister had never possessed a star chart. Given her status, this shouldnt have been the case. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had never heard of such a thingwho would just casually observe stars and remember their positions? However, Lu Yang thought of Eldest Senior Sisters Golden Core and found some credibility in the vendors words, so he entered his mental space to wake up the fairy. Huh? You called me? Evesting Fairy mumbled, yawning groggily. Lu Yang repeated what the vendor had said, which piqued Evesting Fairys interest. She temporarily borrowed Lu Yangs body and looked up at the sky. Although it was daytime, she could still see the stars hidden behind the sunlight. She returned Lu Yangs body. So? Is there a barrier set up by Eldest Senior Sisters Golden Core that prevents people from observing which star is Eldest Senior Sisters Golden Core? Im not sure if its Little Yun who set it up, but theres definitely a barrier that blocks recognition, making it impossible to remember the positions of the stars unless you observe them directly in the sky. Lu Yang pondered, convinced that it was likely Eldest Senior Sisters doing, but he couldnt guess the purpose. Was it to prevent enemies from pinpointing her Golden Cores location? Or was Eldest Senior Sister trying to stop people from cultivating ster techniques? As stars had been refined into thend beneath their feet, ster techniques were no longer as powerful as they were in ancient times. After all, the power of ster techniques derived from the stars in the sky. Still, some stubbornly believed that ancient techniques were superior and insisted on cultivating ster techniques. Youvee to Qingzhou for the festival? Come, let this immortal show you the discerning eye of an immortal! Lu Yang regretted waking Evesting Fairy up. She was full of energy once awake, lively and restless. Lu Yang walked past a stall disying various books, mostly historical ones that recorded all sorts of hidden histories. Lu Yang, look at that book called Secrets of the Ancient Era. Buy it so I can see what it says! Evesting Fairy eximed excitedly. Boss, how much for this book? Three thousand Spirit Stones. Lu Yang frowned, feeling it was too expensive. The vendor seized the opportunity to say, Dont think its overpriced, guest. You must know how many unknown opportunities are hidden within the secrets of the ancient era. If youre lucky and discover a hidden opportunity from this book that no one else has noticed, you could soar to the heavens and roam the world freely! This is thetest edition of the ancient secrets, documenting thetest schrly research on the ancient period! Heres three thousand Spirit Stones. Lu Yang paid, and three thousand Spirit Stones werent much for him. Not to mention the mysteriously missing patent fees, just the future revenue share from the Nine Nether Sect made three thousand Spirit Stones a mere trifle. Meng Jingzhou, curious about ancient secrets, leaned in to read. The first chapter of the book read: In ancient times, Ying Tian Immortal was fond of beautiful women, particrly those already married, and impregnated countless of them. Lu Yang was utterly confused and entered his mental space to ask, Was Ying Tian Immortal really like this? Evesting Fairy looked innocent. Whos spreading this rumor? Ying Tian Immortal wasnt that kind of person. Chapter 350: "Secrets of the Ancient Era" (TL Note: Extra chapter 4/5) Evesting Fairy sighed, feeling that this was a tragic sign of the times. How could your era be so full of rumors, even daring to nder immortals? As a member of this era, Lu Yang listened to the fairys teachings and promised to reflect deeply on his behavior. Ying Tian Immortal was such a good person. Even though he was repeatedly challenged by me beyond his level before bing an immortalunlucky as he washe was still a once-in-ten-thousand-years genius, with great fame. Who would have thought that after achieving immortality, he would be gued by rumors? Lu Yang seized the chance to ask, Did Ying Tian Immortal have a wife or children? He probably didnt, but he was very popr with women. How so? By normal standards, Ying Tian Immortal was exceptionally handsome. I never really saw it that way, of coursemaybe because I always beat him up until his face was swollen. Before bing immortal, there were often powerful female cultivators who fancied him and forcibly took him away. This happened not just once or twiceI personally saw it happen more than five times, and I heard about many more instances.Im so enviousI mean, thats so unfortunate. Lu Yang continued to flip through Secrets of the Ancient Era and found references to The Four Ancient Immortals. However, only Ying Tian Immortal was specifically named; the other three immortals were referred to with titles like Demon Immortal or simply a certain immortal. It seems Ying Tian Immortal is the most famous among The Four Ancient Immortals. Or perhaps its just that you wont get the full story from a book that costs three thousand Spirit Stones. Considering that Ying Tian Immortal had created the lightning tribtion, Lu Yang suspected that his name was either widely known or widely despised among high-level cultivators. Look at this! It even mentions the ancient battle between the Dragon and Phoenix ancestors, where the Phoenix ancestor used the rebirth by fire technique! Meng Jingzhou pointed to a page, excited to see a familiar story. He had heard a more detailed version from the pureblood Phoenix n in Luofeng County, but the general events matched what was written in the book. Lu Yang rubbed his temples in frustration, feeling that archaeologists had a difficult job. The things they painstakingly researched often differed greatly from what actually happened. Theres also a secret about the Chaos n, one of the Four Ancient Fiends. The Chaos n is born faceless and genderless, capable of adjusting their gender and appearance at will upon reaching adulthood. In ancient times, the Chaos n established a rule that in the cultivation world, strength was revered. The strong would submit to the weak, the strong were considered male, and the weak were female. Is that true? Lu Yang asked Evesting Fairy for confirmation. Evesting Fairy nodded. Yes, thats true. The Chaos n, as youve heard, is born in a state of chaos with nothing definedits one of the rare species where the environment shapes the innate nature, almost like proof of cause and effect reversed. The rule was simple: the strong would decide the gender of the weak. There was nothing wrong with the rule itself, but it just so happened that the Chaos n produced an extraordinary genius at the time. He wasnt on par with the prodigies of the Dragon and Phoenix ns, but he was among the top three strongest in Chaos n history. This man had a penchant for maintaining a harem and seeking thrills, so he defeated every member of the Chaos n and turned them all into females. Since the Chaos n could freely determine their appearances, they all turned into beauties. As a result, the once vast Chaos n had only him as the sole male; the rest were all females, nearly leading to their extinction. It was only when Qilin Immortal intervened, advising him to restrain his desires and persuading the Chaos n to change their rules. Afterward, the Chaos n modified the rule to allow individuals to determine their own gender. Who knows if its changed again since then. Lu Yang: Better not let Meng Jingzhou hear about this; hed be way too envious. Theres also a legend here about a woodcutter who went up a mountain to chop wood and identally stumbled into a cave where two immortals were ying chess. Their game was infused with the principles of the Dao and the universe. When the game ended, the woodcutter realized that thendscape outside the cave hadpletely changed, and a hundred years had passed. That must be where the story of the first Sect Leader of the Undying Sect originated, based on this ancient legend, Lu Yang said confidently. If Im not mistaken, one of the two ancient immortals in this story must have been Immemorial Immortal. Only he could make a woodcutter watch a game of chess for a hundred years! Evesting Fairy chuckled, Wrong guess. The ones ying chess were Ying Tian Immortal and Qilin Immortaltwo hopeless chess enthusiasts. At that time, I invited all four of them over to my house for a meal. They all agreed, but Ying Tian Immortal and Qilin Immortal said they were in the middle of a chess match and woulde after they settled the game. I said fine. I waited and waited, but they didnt show up. So, I asked Nonuple Immortal to chop some wood. He volunteered to check on them, but once he went, he never came back. During this time, Immemorial Immortal also went over. When he returned, he told me they wereprehending the Dao through their game and couldnt be disturbed. I suggested we just eat, but Immemorial Immortal insisted that since they were all immortals, they should share both fortune and hardship. If they were going to eat, theyd eat together; otherwise, no one would eat. It wouldnt be right for two to eat while three starved! I thought he made a good point, so I waited some more. That wait ended up being a hundred years. After a hundred years, the food had long gone cold, and we never got to eat. Evesting Fairy seemed a bit regretful, thinking Ying Tian Immortal and Qilin Immortal were truly terrible at chessying for a hundred years without a conclusion. Lu Yang: Immortals, with their infinite lifespans, really did let a hundred years pass just like that.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Ying Tian Immortal and hispanions were especially relentlesswilling to y chess for a hundred years just to avoid a meal. Even though this book, Secrets of the Ancient Era, differed slightly from the real ancient events, it was still based on schrly research and wasnt entirely made up. There was a kernel of truth in the stories. As for why there were rumors of Ying Tian Immortals supposed love for beauty, Lu Yang had no idea. Maybe there was an error in the research methods, or perhaps the information sources were wrong. As Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou passed by a roadside stall, Lu Yang nced over, noticing a golden small pagoda, a jade purification bottle, sealed pills that were slowly losing potency, a broken flying sword, and more. Lu Yang, wait! Did you see that flying sword? Thats a great findits a flying sword once used by Qilin Immortal! Evesting Fairy eximed, stopping Lu Yang excitedly. The flying sword was in a broken state and looked very different from its original form. Evesting Fairy wouldnt have recognized it as Qilin Immortals sword if she hadnt seen it a few times before. What? Lu Yangs heart skipped a beat. He hadnt expected to find a sword used by Qilin Immortal in a ce like thisit was an immortal sword! Finally, the golden finger, Evesting Fairy was paying off. Wait, this wouldnt happen to be a sword Qilin Immortal used when he was at the Foundation Building Stage, right? Lu Yang asked warily, eyeing Evesting Fairy. Evesting Fairy was displeased, feeling Lu Yang didnt trust her enough. How could you say that? Of course not! This is the immortal sword Qilin Immortal wielded after achieving immortality. Qilin Immortal specifically asked Ying Tian Immortal to temper it with thunder power! Lu Yang was overjoyed. Refined by Ying Tian Immortal and used by Qilin Immortal, the value of this flying sword had just skyrocketed. What a huge find! Chapter 351: A Lucky Find (TL Note: Extra chapter 5/5. Next goal is 125 5-star ratings on NU (Its at 103 right now), I will release 5 extra chapters. You can vote at /series/who-let-him-cultivate-immortality/) Boss, how much for this bottle? Lu Yang squatted down and asked casually. Good eye, guest. This jade purification bottle was obtained from a secret realm opened by a Nascent Soul cultivator, and it contains diluted Taiyi True Water. The price is eighty thousand Spirit Stones. Lu Yangs eye twitched. He thought, Are you trying to rob me? Even a Golden Core Stage cultivators entire worth is only around a hundred thousand Spirit Stones. Plus, Evesting Fairy had already told him that the Taiyi True Water inside was diluted ten thousand timeshis own urine would have more potency than this. In the marketce, if youre not sharp, knowledgeable, or observant, its easy to get scammed. Thankfully, he had Evesting Fairy. Whats the effect of these pills? Its often difficult for cultivators to form their cores in one go. These pills simte the process of core formation with about sixty percent uracy, significantly increasing the chances of sess. Thirty thousand Spirit Stones per bottle, the vendor enthusiastically promoted.Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou exchanged a puzzled look; wasnt core formation supposed to be a one-time sess? Lu Yang shook the bottle of pills and smiled. Boss, youre not being honest. Even with the sealing method, the medicinal efficacy of the pills is still leaking. Thirty thousand per bottle is the price for aplete pill, not for this degraded one. The vendor forced a smile, praising Lu Yangs keen eye while secretly shockedhe had run into someone who knew their stuff. And what about this flying sword? Dont tell me its the sword used by the secret realms owner, Lu Yang said casually, his attitude making the vendor uncertain. While the vendor was clueless, Meng Jingzhou had figured it outLu Yang wasying the groundwork, aiming for this flying sword. Could there be some hidden secret in such a broken sword? This flying sword is made of tough material and hassted for centuries. Though its not quite worthy of a Nascent Soul Stage cultivators use, its definitely one of their closebat treasures. It went through a great battle, and the cost of repairs outweighed its worth, so it was left in the secret realm! the vendor confidently dered, as if he had witnessed the Nascent Soul Stage cultivator using the sword in battle. Lu Yang didnt believe the vendors story but suddenly thought of another issuehow could an immortal sword be so badly damaged? Even after several hundred thousand years, it shouldnt be like this. Unless it had truly gone through a great battle and the sword was broken! Who was the enemy? Enough. You can fool others with that story, but dont think I cant see through it. This swords quality is so poor that even a Golden Core Stage cultivator would struggle to use itits likely a Foundation Building cultivators sword. Although the vendor didnt know the true origins of the sword, he couldnt let Lu Yang determine its value. This is definitely the sword used by the secret realms owner when he was in the Golden Core Stage! It couldnt have been used by someone in the Foundation Building Stage! Lu Yang put on a dismissive expression. Three thousand Spirit Stones. The sword is so broken that Ill have to spend more to fix it. At least twenty thousand! Were leaving. Lu Yang stood up and started to walk away. Wait, wait! We can negotiate. Eighteen thousand Spirit Stones! Lu Yang coldly replied, Five thousand Spirit Stones. The vendor gritted his teeth. He had set up stalls elsewhere, but the sword was always considered too broken, and no one would buy it. Now, at the Qingzhou Festival, someone finally showed interest, and who knew how long it would be before another opportunity arose. Five thousand it islets call it a friendly deal! Seeing Lu Yang obtain the sword as he wished, Meng Jingzhou curiously sent a voice transmission asking, Whats the origin of this flying sword? It was used by an ancient immortal. Meng Jingzhou gasped, looking at Lu Yang with envy. He had really scored big! Originally, Lu Yang had intended to subtly ask the vendor about the swords origins, but the vendor had immediately imed it was from a secret realm opened by a Nascent Soul cultivator, so there was no point in asking further. To inte the price, vendors would often fabricate the backstory of their items, meaning this sword was, at most, acquired from a Nascent Soul secret realm. It was probably picked up by some Nascent Soul Stage cultivator at some point, and the true origins can no longer be traced. Lu Yang examined the sword closely. It was damaged, but there were no bloodstains or chips; the break was rough, as if it had been forcibly snapped. His sword spirit intuition told him that this must have once been an exceptional sword. Was Qilin Immortal a sword cultivator? Evesting Fairy shook her head. No, Qilin Immortal didnt use swords. Come on, lets keep looking for other good stuff. Wait a minute. If Qilin Immortal didnt use swords, what was this flying sword for? Oh, didnt I tell you? When Qilin Immortal messed up, those two Dragon and Phoenix girls would set up flying swords in a square formation and make Qilin Immortal kneel on the sword tips. So Qilin Immortal asked Ying Tian Immortal to forge a batch of flying swords that looked impressivesharp and shiny but harmless, like kneeling on foam. Later, when the Dragon and Phoenix girls found out, they were furious and broke all the flying swords. The one in your hand is one of them.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Lu Yang: So I just spent five thousand Spirit Stones on this junk? Lu Yang initially thought he could have Evesting Fairy help him find a real treasure, letting Meng Jingzhou experience the thrill of a lucky find as well. But now, it seemed better to give up on that idea. He didnt want Evesting Fairy wasting Meng Jingzhous Spirit Stones too. My lord, the disciples from Moon Laurel Immortal Pce, Five Elements Sect, and Prison-Suppressing Sect have arrived and are waiting at the entrance, a subordinate reported respectfully. Upon hearing this, the governor nodded slightly, paying great attention to the presence of members from the Five Great Immortal Sects. Only three sects? Dao Seeking Sect and Hanging Temple havent arrived? Well, invite them in. The Qingzhou Festival was co-hosted by the Qingzhou government and several top local sects. If disciples from the Five Great Immortal Sects attended, it would raise the prestige of the event. That old ancestor of Dao Seeking Sect who served as governor here really set a great example, the governor sighed. Whether or not Dao Seeking Sects people were reliable was debatable, but their wild ideas were second to none. After all, the Qingzhou Festival itself was an idea that came from Dao Seeking Sect. If the event was sessful, it would count as an achievement. The most appealing aspect of the Qingzhou Festival was the exchange among cultivators. However, the Five Great Immortal Sects had their own internal exchanges with fellow geniuses, so they didnt particrly care for this event. Sending people was more about giving face to the Qingzhou government. What are you standing around for? Go on! The governor looked at his subordinate in confusion as he remained in ce. My lord, theres a bit of a problem. It seems the disciples from the immortal sects have nowhere to stay. What about the post stations? Following your instructions, we reserved those for higher-level cultivators to show the governments hospitality. And the inns at the foot of the mountain? Theyre all full. Then build some temporary housing. Theres no space. During the nning, to amodate more people, we upied every avable area. The governor felt troubled. Having disciples from the Five Great Immortal Sects attend was a great opportunity, but if they were poorly treated, it would be hard to invite them in the future. Isnt there even one government-constructed house left? The governor was still hopeful, urging his subordinate to think harder. The subordinate suddenly remembered something. There is a ce that can house peoplerge grounds, plenty of vacant rooms, built by us, and it wouldnt cost a single Spirit Stone to stay. Its all up to yourmand. The governors eyes lit up. Where is that? The jail Chapter 352: Heard That Lu Yang Can Fight Across Three Major Realms The governor took a deep breath, trying to suppress the urge to kick his subordinate away. Letting people stay in prison cellsdid he think the guests were from Dao Seeking Sect? He red at his subordinate fiercely. Go, invite the immortal sect disciples in. There are still a few guest rooms avable at the mansion. Go clean them up, set up spirit-gathering arrays where needed, and ce the Heart-Nurturing Stones ordingly. Yes, sir! Soon, three immortal sect disciples entered the governors officetwo men and one woman, full of vigor and confidence in their eyes. The governor nodded in approval. As expected of disciples from immortal sects, they were truly outstanding individuals. To have reached the Golden Core Stage at such a young age was an incredible talent. He could tell that all three had just recently formed their cores, and from the information provided by the sects, none of them were even eighteen yet. Golden Core Stage at eighteen, and all with first-grade coresthis level of cultivation speed was rarely seen in history.In the uing era of great contention, talents like these would surely be the main protagonists. Greetings, Governor. I am Lan Ting from Moon Laurel Immortal Pce, Lan Ting said gracefully, her slim figure d in flowing white robes. Her eyes sparkled like stars, and her skirts fluttered with her steps. I am Bai Ming of the Five Elements Sect, Bai Ming said, maintaining his usual aloof demeanor. Yan Tianzhi of the Prison-Suppressing Sect, Yan Tianzhi said, sparing with his words. I will be counting on the three of you to providementary for tomorrows battles at the festival, the governor said with a broad smile. Though the participants were all peers, these three, as disciples of immortal sects, had broad knowledge and were more than capable of evaluating the matches. We will do our best. By the way, have any of you seen the disciples from Dao Seeking Sect? The three shook their heads. They had traveled separately from their sects and met in Qingzhou, but they hadnt encountered anyone from Dao Seeking Sect. Thats odd. Dao Seeking Sect replied to me saying they would send two people: one named Lu Yang and the other Meng Jingzhou, the most outstanding geniuses of their generation. Judging by the timing, they should have arrived by now, the governor said, puzzled. Lan Ting perked up at the familiar names, recalling her time running a barbecue shop in Yanjiang County. She had received a mission from her sect to infiltrate the Undying Sect, but due to a time discrepancy, she missed their recruitment. She then met Lu Yang and his twopanions and learned that they had sessfully joined the Undying Sect. At the end of her time in Yanjiang County, she teamed up with Lu Yang and his group to take down the local Helmsman of the Undying Sect. The three of them earned recognition from the higher-ups of the Undying Sect and were promoted, while she returned to her sect to report on the mission. She had even considered reaching out to Lu Yang to see if there were any other branch strongholds they could take down together. But less than two monthster, news came of the Undying Sectsplete destruction. When she first heard the news, she was stunned for a long time, thinking it was a hoax. It had only been two months! Although the official story was that Dao Seeking Sect and the imperial court had joined forces to wipe out the Undying Sect, Lan Ting was certain that Lu Yang must have been involved! Later, during a Dao Seeking Sect meeting, their Eldest Senior Sister even proposed marriage between herself and Lu Yang, causing Lan Tings master to grab her and run, terrified of being left behind. She still didnt understand why her master was so afraid of Dao Seeking Sects Eldest Senior Sister. I see The governor was troubled but then shrugged it off. Since Dao Seeking Sects reply mentioned that the two would be attending, they were sure to show up eventually. Perhaps they were just enjoying the festivities today and would go straight to the judges seats before thepetition began tomorrow. That made sense. By the way, the Hanging Temple asked me to pass a message to you, Governor. They originally intended to send Senior Brother Shi Chan, but he ran into some unexpected issues while spreading Buddhist teachings and couldnt make it. Since the Hanging Temple has very few people, they were unable to send anyone else. Shi Chan is the contemporary true sessor of the Hanging Temple. Is he in danger? Do you need me to send someone to help him? Its not really about danger. Its just that he still cant understand the saying Lay down the butchers knife and be a Buddha. So, he joined a ughterhouse to see if he could achieve enlightenment when he put down the knife. The Governor held back for a long time, unsure of what to say, and finally said, Its gettingte. The three of you should rest at the mansion.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om After the Governor left, Lan Ting suddenly asked, Senior Brother Bai Ming, when the Governor mentioned Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, your expression changed. Do you know them? Bai Ming sighed, I more than know himIve even fought against him. Sister Lan Ting, you might not know this, but four months ago, my Five Elements Sect went to Dao Seeking Sect for an exchange. During the Foundation Building Stagepetition, Lu Yang used various Five Elements spells, including the Three vours True Fire and Earth Escape Technique. I consider myself to be unmatched among my peers in Five Elements spells, but Lu Yang countered me at every turn. At the moment of my defeat, I had an epiphany, broke through my bottleneck, and advanced to thete Foundation Building stage. What surprised me was that Lu Yang hadnt even been serious from the start. When he saw me breaking through, it was like he became a different personhis gaze and movements changed. Before I could even make a move, he defeated me in one strike. If it werent for my masters timely intervention, I would have been either dead or gravely injured. The Five Great Immortal Sects share good rtions, and peers often address each other as senior brother or sister. That strong! Lan Ting was astonished. She knew Lu Yang had an amazing talent for spells but never imagined he could defeat Bai Ming in one move. Yan Tianzhis eyes widened in shock. He had also fought against Bai Ming, who was proficient in spear techniques and Five Elements spells, making him formidable in both long-range and closebat. How could he be defeated in a single move? ording to my master, Lu Yang used an ancient and lost great divine abilitythe Water Avoidance Technique. Without a special countermeasure, its almost impossible to resist; it can drain the water from the enemys body, reducing them to a dried husk. Bai Ming recalled the scene when Lu Yang casually performed the Water Avoidance Technique, sending chills down his spine. Seeing how effortlessly he wielded such ancient divine powers, Bai Ming feared that even if he could withstand the Water Avoidance Technique, other divine abilities would await him. Moreover, the Great Elder of Dao Seeking Sect personally admitted that Lu Yang can challenge beyond his level despite being at the Foundation Building stage. Yan Tianzhi smiled, unfazed. All three of them could challenge levels beyond their stage; it wasnt something worth bragging about. Bai Ming said gravely, He surpassed three major stages in a row. When he was in the Foundation Building Stage, he defeated opponents in the Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and even Spirit Transformation stages! Lan Ting and Yan Tianzhi were too stunned to speak. Surpassing three levels in session seemed like pure fantasy. Lan Ting recalled the battle where she and Lu Yang killed the Helmsman of the Yanjiang Stronghold. Lu Yang had always appeared at ease, and now she realized he hadnt even used his full strength. I suspect that when he challenged higher levels, he relied on environmental advantages, formations, pills, and other conditions, Bai Ming analyzed. Otherwise, he couldnt imagine how someone in the Foundation Building stage could defeat a Spirit Transformation stage opponent. Even so, being able to fight across three major stages was terrifying. At the very least, the three of them couldnt achieve that. What a pity; who knows where those two have gone. Maybe well see them in thepetition tomorrow. Chapter 353: Why Are You Sitting in the Judges’ Seats? (TL Note: Trying out advanced chapters. The website currently has no ads and it takes a lot of time to trante and its not worth it financially for me to trante right now. Im not going to quit tranting, Im really passionate about this novel but passion doesnt pay the bills. I have a full time job and so I dont have a lot of free time. It would be nice to make some money off this hobby but dont feel obligated to pay for advanced chapters.) The Qingzhou Festival officially began, with the most eye-catching event being thepetition for the younger generation. Every year, thispetition brings forth highly talented young cultivators, making those who have toiled in obscurity for a lifetime feel inadequate and sigh in despair. These young cultivators potential has been proven over time; most of them, except for those who fall to unforeseen idents, go on to achieve great sess, either bing seeding their sect leaders or founding their own sects. Its not just the Qingzhou government that values these young cultivators; many sects and factions also attend, hoping to recruit some of the talents. Perhaps due to the impending era of great contention, the young cultivators participating in recent years have been increasingly extraordinary, continuously breaking records from previouspetitions. Look at that oneisnt that Li Shaoyang from the Dingfeng Sect? I heard hes already at the peak of the Qi Training Stage. When he went down the mountain to travel, he was blocked by robbers. With a single spear, he pierced through three robbers at the ninth level of Qi Training! What? Hes already at the peak of the Qi Training Stage at such a young age? Thats a level that ranks within the top eight! Cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Training can attempt Foundation Building. To increase their sess rate, they meticulously hone this stage, which outsiders refer to as the peak of Qi Training.Most of the spectators here were at the Qi Training Stage, and reaching the peak of Qi Training was their highest aspiration. The Five Great Immortal Sects, however, didnt even bother with this notionthey werent interested in subdividing the Qi Training Stage. Whether one was at the first level or the peak, it made no difference to them. And that especially beautiful female cultivator next to him, her name is Qiao Hongye, from the top-tier sect Sleeveless Sect. Shes also at the peak of Qi Training, with dual Wood and Fire Spirit Roots. There was an internal sectpetition in the Sleeveless Sect with several peak Qi Training participants, and Qiao Hongye took first ce! The peak of Qi Training would have ranked in the top eight in previous years, but this year its hard to say. Rumor has it that several Foundation Building Stage cultivators are participating this year! Foundation Building Stage before eighteen? And there are several of them? Onepanion whispered mysteriously, Have you heard of Gu Qisheng from Rainbow Pce? Born at the yin hour of a yin month in a yin year, he has the Profound Yin Constitution. He faced a great cmity at birth and would have died young if not for the intervention of the Rainbow Pces leader. The Profound Yin Constitution suffers from heavenly jealousy; those born with it face great cmity. If they survive, their cultivation will be smooth. If not, they die young. Someone spotted Gu Qisheng arriving yesterdayhes already at the early stage of Foundation Building. Hello, were here to register for thepetition. At a nearby registration point, an officer was recording names. The area was rtively quiet. Mostpetitors registered in advance, but a few made spontaneous decisions topete. The officer nced at the two young men with friendly smiles. He couldnt determine their cultivation level but wasnt too concerned; it wasmon to travel with artifacts that concealed ones true strength. Pointing to a nearby stone, he said, This is a low-grade ck iron stone. Only cultivators in thete stage of Qi Training can shatter it. Break the stone. To the two men, the ck iron stone was no different from tofu. With a light p, the stone shattered into pieces. Looks like we have Foundation Building Stage cultivators this year. Truly a year of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. This is the Year Wheel Stone. ce your hand on it and infuse it with spiritual energy. On the other side, the officer had a stone simr in appearance to a tree stump, marked with concentric rings. It was a toolmonly used in the cultivation world to test a persons age. Both men ced their hands on the stone and channeled their spiritual energy. The rings lit up one by one, finally stopping at the seventeenth ring. Under eighteen years old, youre eligible topete. Name? Lu Yang. Sect? Dao Seeking Sect. Hm? The officer suddenly looked up, scrutinizing Lu Yang as if he had seen a ghost. Lu Yang asked curiously, Is there a problem? The officer recalled the governors words: encourage participation in thepetition; the more participants, the better. Dont be afraid if those with significant backgrounds join; the real worry is if they dont. Two disciples from Dao Seeking Sect participating? The governor would be pleased. No, nothing at all. Youre eligible topete. And you? Whats your name? Meng Jingzhou, also from Dao Seeking Sect. Here are your numbers. In a quarter of an hour, the drawing will begin to arrange the matchups. Be prepared. No problem! This is strange; the first round of thepetition is about to start, but Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou are nowhere to be seen, Lan Ting said, sitting in the judges seats with a puzzled expression. Maybe something happened on the way that caused a dy, Bai Ming guessed. It was amon urrence, as unexpected situations often arose during his training trips down the mountain. Wait, Yan Tianzhi said, asconic as ever. Lan Ting had only recently met Yan Tianzhi and wasnt familiar with him yet. Bai Ming had told her that Yan Tianzhi rarely spoke, so relying on him formentary was unlikely. Lan Ting sighed helplessly, realizing that the responsibility of providingmentary would likely fall on her shoulders. People below began to notice the three judges and whispered among themselves. Who are those three? They look so youngare they qualified to be judges? Especially that young girl. Shes beautiful, sure, but Ive never seen someone so pretty. Still, she doesnt look like she has much battle experience. Thats where youre wrong. These three are immortal sect disciples, prodigies of the highest order. I heard theyre the most outstanding among their peers! Its more than that. I have a rtive working at the governors office who says all three are at the Golden Core Stage! Golden Core Stage?! Now you see the difference in talent, dont you? The highest cultivation level among thepetitors was Foundation Building Stage, so having Golden Core Stage judges was more than enough. Lan Ting nced at the profiles of the contestants for the first match and spoke gently, The firstpetitor is Feng He, a true disciple of the top-tier Seven Emotions Sect. Not long ago, Feng He broke through to Foundation Building Stage without using a Foundation Building Pill, relying solely on the solid foundation he built during the Qi Training Stage. He is now at the early stage of Foundation Building. The Seven Emotions Sect expresses insights into the seven emotions and six desires through music. Feng He has mastered the true teachings of his sect and excels in musical arts. His piece Parting Joy is said to make birds pause and flowers bloom! Feng He is also a seeded contestant in thispetition. Lets look forward to his performance!n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Feng He wore a confident smile. With his early Foundation Building cultivation, he was sure to shine brightly in thispetition. In the world of cultivation, one relied on both strength and reputation. Thispetition would be the starting point of his fame! Feng Hes opponent is a cultivator who registered at thest minute. His opponent is Lu Yang from Dao Seeking Sect?! Lan Ting almost lost herposure halfway through her announcement. She put down the information sheet, looked at the stage, and saw a familiar figure. Her expression turned quite peculiar. She turned to Bai Ming beside her, whose expression mirrored hers. Lu Yang spotted Lan Ting and Bai Ming in the judges seats. He raised his hand to greet them, then scratched the back of his head in confusion. What was going on? Werent you guys here topete? Why are you sitting in the judges seats? Chapter 354: How to Judge This? (TL Note: Thanks to cas for purchasing the EPUB of the novel. Heres an extra free chapter on them. Please thank them in thement section!) Lu Yang on the stage and Meng Jingzhou below the stage both fell into deep thought. Eldest Senior Sister had mentioned that the Qingzhou government had invited Dao Seeking Sect disciples to participate in the festival. The standard for the festival was for cultivators under eighteen years old. The two of them wanted to interact with the younger generation, so signing up for thepetition made perfect sense, and there was no w in their logic. But why were Lan Ting, Bai Ming, and someone they didnt recognize sitting in the judges seats? Were they all over eighteen? The crowd below gasped when they heard that Lu Yang was from Dao Seeking Sect. They hadnt expected disciples from the Five Great Immortal Sects to participate in this event. That had never happened before. But who is Lu Yang? Have you heard of him? People were puzzled. Dao Seeking Sect was well-known, but hardly anyone had heard of Lu Yang. I havent heard of him. Ive only heard of his opponent, Feng He.Same here. I heard Feng He entered the path of immortality through music, drawing in spiritual energy. After Foundation Building, he obtained a damaged ancient zither at an auction, said to be the possession of a powerful cultivator. Greedy robbers tried to steal it, but the early Foundation Building cultivator and twote Qi Training robbers were subdued by Feng He using the zithers power. Lu Yangs name wasnt as famous as the popr seeded contestants. The popr contestants often had their sects promoting their achievements, building their reputations by highlighting how their disciples descended the mountain to rid the world of evil, ying bandits, demons, and evil spirits, or winning first ce in their sectpetitions and having no rivals at the same level. If they had nothing else, theyd be portrayed with tragic backstoriesparents deceased, oveing countless hardships on their path to immortality. In short, they were promoted in the most eye-catching ways possible. Then there were people like Lan Ting, Bai Ming, and Yan Tianzhi, whose sect missions often involved acts of justice. Local gentry, town leaders, and county governors would treat them with the utmost respect, fearing they might invoke thew enforcement powers of the immortal sects. Their deeds were widely known among themon people, giving them even greater fame than the popr contestants. In contrast, Lu Yangs deeds included infiltrating the Undying Sect at the Foundation Building Stage, taking down the Helmsman of the Yanjiang branch, who also held a county governors position, and then causing the Deputy Sect Leader of the Undying Sect to be killed by Dao Seeking Sect, ultimately dismantling the 14,000-year-old Undying Sect. Later, at the Golden Core Stage, he pretended to be an ancient genius, founded the Heavenly Court Sect, tricked the Nine Nether Sect into temporarily giving up on their killing spree, and even opened a barbecue shop. Not only did these actions need to be kept secret, but even if they were shared, no one would believe them. Ah, so its a friend from the Dao Seeking Sect. Lets fight! Feng He said confidently, shing a bright smile. He took out a perfectly intact ancient zither from his storage ring. Under the sunlight, its golden strings gleamed. His master had it appraised and confirmed that this zither was the relic of a Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator, and it had been about seventy percent restored. Although it couldnt fully unleash its power as it could in the hands of a Spirit Transformation cultivator, even using a fraction of its power made it formidable against others of the same level. Feng He had reasons to be proud. Lu Yang had a dozen junior disciples who were in the same cohort as him and were all under eighteen. They had just recently reached the Foundation Building Stage, and the fastest among them might have reached the mid-Foundation Building Stage. This showcased Feng Hes impressive talent. However, it was important to note that Lu Yangs juniors were in a free-range state, while Feng He was meticulously nurtured by his sect, making a directparison unfair. Facing an opponent of the same age who was brimming with confidence, Lu Yang did not let his guard down and activated the Invincible Core. The Invincible Core quickly provided its assessment: Just hit him casually. ng The ancient zither rang like a golden bell, its sound resounding like a coiled dragon or crouching tiger. Golden micro-lights began to tremble,unching a powerful soundwave that swept toward Lu Yang. The zithers music traced an exact arc in the air like a white snake, with the soundwave carrying a scorching aura and force, filled with killing intent. Feng He made the first move, infusing spiritual qi into the zither, seizing the initiative and gaining an early advantage in the battle. Whether Lu Yang chose to block the attack head-on or evade it, Feng He had already nned his next step. Combat is all about calction! Soundwave manifestation! Hes just reached Foundation Building, and hes already mastered this technique? an experienced cultivator eximed. Many cultivators who study music spend ten to twenty years to achieve this level, yet Feng He, a mere junior, had already mastered it. Rumor has it Feng He used this very method to defeat an old early Foundation Building stage bandit! At that time, the zither was still damaged. Now that its fully restored, its power can only be stronger! Hes using his trump card right off the bat! Can Lu Yang of the Dao Seeking Sect withstand this move? Facing the soundwave manifestation, Lu Yang didnt rx. He put in his full effort, swiping his right hand downward, dispersing the malicious soundwave with a single p. He stepped forward, extended his index finger, and unleashed an invisible sword qi. Feng He couldnt react in time, and the zither automatically shielded its master, blocking the attack in front of Feng He. The sword qi was sharp and heavy, striking the zither. The residual impact reverberated through Feng Hes internal organs, and he was knocked off the stage, clutching his zither.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om The cultivators below were momentarily stunned before erupting into a buzzing discussion that made the scalp tingle. Did you see that? Was that sword qi? Its my first time seeing sword qi! He dispersed the soundwave with a single p and defeated Feng He in one move. This Lu Yang is strong! What realm is he at?! Lan Ting, sitting in the judges seats, remained silent for a long time. When she received the governors task, she thought it would be simpleat most, some small skirmishes at the Foundation Building Stage. Pointing out strengths and weaknesses wouldnt be difficult. But this scene was beyond her expectations. What could she even say? Should she praise Lu Yang for defeating the seeded contestant Feng He with Golden Core Stage cultivation? She couldnt bring herself to say that. Or should she praise Feng Hes soundwave attack as evidence of his musical talent, with a bright future ahead? But it looked impressive only to be dispersed by Lu Yangs casual p. She turned her head to look at Bai Ming and Yan Tianzhi. Bai Ming was silent, as if temporarily blind to the events unfolding in the arena. Yan Tianzhi opened his mouth and slowly uttered a single word: Incredible. Incredible? Incredible what? Was he praising Lu Yangs sword technique for its exquisite executionmanaging to knock Feng He out of the ring without causing him harm, controlling his power to perfection? Just as Lan Ting was puzzled, she heard Yan Tianzhi utter three more words: ly shameless. Lan Ting: Clearly, she couldnt rely on these two. Taking a deep breath, she racked her brains for hermentary: Feng Hes soundwave attack just now was truly unexpected, living up to his reputation as a musical prodigy. Even if other seeded contestants could block it, they would suffer serious damage and fatigue. Unfortunately, this time Feng He faced Lu Yang. Lu Yang is a sword cultivator dedicated to pursuing the highest swordsmanship. His invisible sword qi contained vast power, showcasing his remarkable attainment in the path of the sword! Of course, the above isnt the key reason for Lu Yangs victory. The main factor is that Lu Yang is at the Golden Core Stage. Chapter 355: Fighting Across Levels, Defeating Foundation Building Stage (TL Note: Im so happy someone bought the EPUB Im releasing another bonus chapter. Remember to thank cas in thements. It means so much to me.) Golden Core Stage?! A Golden Core Stage under eighteen? What kind of cultivation talent is that?! Calling it monstrous wouldnt be an exaggeration! This is something rarely seen in history, isnt it? Rare? ording to historical records, its not something that happens even once in a few hundred years. The crowd didnt know the exact ages of Lan Ting and the others. In reality, among the three, Bai Ming was the oldest, at eighteen and a few months, while Lan Ting and Yan Tianzhi were both just a few months shy of turning eighteen. The pressure on thepetitors increased significantly, especially on the seeded contestants who hade with confidence, having worked hard to reach Foundation Building and believing they could defeat their opponents to im the championship.They never expected a Golden Core Stage cultivator to participate in the festival. What kind of luck was this? Foundation Building Stage fighting against Golden Core Stagehow could they possibly win? Among the contestants, only one wore an excited smile, muttering to himself, Golden Core Stage, huh? Interesting. He was dressed in a ck cloak, obscuring his face. He had been traveling the continent and happened to pass through Qingzhou, where he stumbled upon the festival and decided on a whim to participate. To others, he appeared to be at the early Foundation Building Stage, but his true cultivation was far beyond that. His name was Zhou Fangge, and his actual cultivation level waste Foundation Building. Ive never fought a disciple from an immortal sect before. Though this Lu Yang has advanced faster than me, in battle, cultivation level isnt everything. Even if his cultivation speed is quick, it cant be that much quickerhes probably just reached Golden Core. Zhou Fangge had previously defeated an early Golden Core Stage cultivator, though the battle had been somewhat challenging; in the end, he emerged victorious. Theres no reason I cant win. Heh, Lu Yang, I hope youre a worthy whetstone for my de! Get ready; its almost your turn, Lu Yang said, fist-bumping Meng Jingzhou. It was their first time participating in such arge-scale exchange event, and it was turning out to be quite enjoyable. Theyre all peersthere might be some formidable opponents hidden among them. Meng Jingzhouughed, As if Ive ever held back in a fight? They were always cautious in battle, never letting their guard down. In the judges seats, Lan Ting watched Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou fist bump, her eyelids twitching. She sent a message to Bai Ming: When its Meng Jingzhous turn, you handle thementary. Meeting Lan Tings murderous gaze, Bai Ming nodded heavily, reluctantly epting the task. The battles continued, each more exciting than thest. Facing opponents of the same age, neither side dared to rx, engaging in calcted maneuvers, hidden spells, and mind games. Both sides went all out, making the spectators cheer with excitement. Most of the spectators were at the Qi Training Stage, and they hadnt expected to see such spectacr battles even among Qi Training Stage cultivators. Even the sect cultivators responsible for scouting talent nodded frequently, impressed by the high quality of this years participants. Were about halfway through the matches, right? Including those whove already appeared, weve seen five Foundation Building Stage cultivators. There werent this many in previous years. Youre right. Especially the fifth one, at mid-Foundation Building Stagehe wouldve been the guaranteed first ce in earlier editions! Bai Ming nced at the participant list and introduced, Our nextpetitor is Shang Deshui from the Canghai Sect, another highly anticipated seeded contestant. Hes at the early Foundation Building Stage and is particrly skilled in water-based spells, with his mastery of the Water Control Technique being especially impressive. Mentioning the Water Control Technique, Bai Mings eye twitched involuntarily, remembering how Lu Yang had instantly defeated someone using the Water Repelling Technique. Shang Deshui shed a confident smile. At the early Foundation Building Stage, he was prepared to sweep through the preliminary rounds. Shang Deshuis opponent is also ast-minute entrantMeng Jingzhou of Dao Seeking Sect. Meng Jingzhou beamed, waving at Bai Ming. Why is there another one from Dao Seeking Sect? Shang Deshuis smile froze on his face. One wasnt enoughthey sent two? Was the Qingzhou Festival such a grand event that it needed two Dao Seeking Sect disciples to participate? Shang Deshui tried to remain calm. Just because they were disciples of Dao Seeking Sect didnt necessarily mean they were Golden Core Stage. It was rare to see Foundation Building Stage cultivators under eighteen even once in a few centuries. At most, Meng Jingzhou was likelyte Foundation Building, and with skillful maneuvering, there was still a chance to win. Shang Deshui encouraged himself and pulled a small vial from his sleeve, containing water purchased at great expense from the depths of the East Seapure and ideal for water-based techniques. Water Control TechniqueSimted Serpent! Water vapor surged, and waves sshed as the East Sea water transformed into thin lines emerging from the vial. The water umted and changed shape, forming a ferocious serpent. Go!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om The serpent opened its blood-red mouth and rushed toward Meng Jingzhou like a roaring tsunami. The serpents menacing aura left everyone present in awe. Heaven Shaking Six Forms! Meng Jingzhou assumed his starting stance and shattered the serpent with a single punch. The serpent exploded into a spray of rain, and his punch, undiminished in power, stopped right before Shang Deshuis face. The force of the punch knocked Shang Deshui off bnce, sending him stumbling backward off the stage. Bai Ming: Youre a Golden Core Stage cultivator using Heaven Shaking Six Forms right from the startanyone watching would think your opponent was Lu Yang! Bai Ming gave a seriousmentary: The Water Control Techniques mimicry series is divided into three stages: serpent, flood dragon, and dragon. Generally, its not until thete Foundation Building Stage that the Water Control Technique is considered mastered. Shang Deshui being able to use the Water Control Technique to simte a serpent at the early Foundation Building Stage is truly impressive. Its clear that Shang Deshui has put in extensive practice offstage and has a deep understanding of water techniques, which is exceptionally rare for someone his age. Ive only seen suchprehension in a few of my own junior disciples. Victory and defeat are part of the cultivation journey. I hope Shang Deshui wont be disheartened by this loss and will continue to pursue mastery in water techniques. Meng Jingzhou is Golden Core Stage. Commentaryplete. A great uproar rose from the audience, who were now filled with admiration for Dao Seeking Sect. Golden Core Stageanother Golden Core Stage cultivator under eighteen. Was Dao Seeking Sect really this powerful? Once considered rare even in centuries, now two of these peerless talents appeared at once! As the first elimination round concluded, aside from the standout Golden Core Stage cultivators Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, the ten most outstanding participants were at the Foundation Building Stage. The fiftypetitors at the peak of Qi Training Stage had already lost the audiences attention. Lu Yang was particrly enjoying his battles, especially since his next two opponents were at the early Foundation Building Stage. The Invincible Cores suggestion was to fight casually. Lu Yang couldnt help but feel nostalgiche hadnt had such easy fights in a long time. Thinking back to the grueling battles in Dao Seeking Sect, Lu Yang felt that this type of fight was more his style. Evesting Fairy found the scene deeply nostalgic, as if shed returned to the good old days of fighting across levels in ancient times. She mored to seize control of his body, wanting to experience the thrill herself. With no other option, Lu Yang agreed to let Evesting Fairy take over for his third match, letting her have her fun. Meng Jingzhou had a simr reaction to Lu Yangs, recalling that ever since joining Dao Seeking Sect, aside from the fight with Five Elements Sect, he hadnt had a proper battle with his peers. It turned out that fighting with peers was this satisfying. He was even luckier; his next two opponents were at the peak of Qi Training Stage. Watching theughing, carefree Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, Lan Ting and herpanions wished they could pretend not to know them. After four rounds of battles, the top eight were determined. Aside from the indisputable Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, the remaining contestants included Zhou Fangge, who had been hiding his cultivation, one mid-Foundation Building Stage cultivator, and four early Foundation Building Stage cultivators. ording to thepetition rules, the top eight would face off in a chaotic battle, testing their adaptability and teamwork skills. Chapter 356: Invincible Core: I’ve Never Fought Such A Well-Funded War (TL Note: The chapter title is a chinese meme which originated from the context of military orbat scenarios. The meme generally conveys a sense of astonishment at having an unexpectedly abundant supply of resources for a particr task. Its often used jokingly when people find themselves in a situation where they are given much more than what is usually expected or needed. The phrase ys on the idea that in many situations, people are used to working with limited resources, so when they suddenly have more than enough, its a luxury they havent experienced before. Here is it being used on bilibili when talking about Honor of Kings, a MOBA. simr to League of Legends. /video/BV1qB4y1b729/?uid=425631714234793162373239) Six Foundation Building Stage cultivators, two Golden Core Stage cultivators, this lineup The Foundation Building Stage cultivators who were lucky enough to enter the top eight showed troubled expressions.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om ording to tradition, the top eight would duel in the arena, and the final rankings would be determined based on the order of elimination. To this end, they had devised strategies with the help of their sect elders, calcting how to eliminate opponents and stay in thepetition for as long as possible. The ns included, but were not limited to: feigned cooperation, backstabbing, double-crossing, and sudden betrayal But now, facing this situation, none of their ns were useful. The only way to win was for the six Foundation Building Stage cultivators to join forces against Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Just as the seed cultivators were contemting how to proceed, a calm voice rang out: If you follow mymand, theres still a chance of victory. The seed cultivators looked up to see the only mid-stage Foundation Building cultivator present. So, its the heir of the Yan family.The Yan family was a prominent n in Qingzhou, with a legacy of six thousand years and a continuous lineage. The family had three Unity realm ancestors, and even the state governor treated the Yan family with respect. If the Yan heir is directing, then its worth a try. With someone taking the lead, the seed cultivators nodded in agreement. The Yan heir had the highest cultivation among them and enjoyed the highest prestige, backed by the Yan family. With him inmand, everyone was convinced. Zhou Fangge, what about you? The Yan heir turned his gaze to the ck-robed youth. I have no objections, Zhou Fangge replied with a smile, but I have only one request: the five of you deal with Meng Jingzhou, and Lu Yang will be mine alone. The crowd erupted in anger, feeling that Zhou Fangge was being utterly reckless. Are you kidding? With your mediocre performance so far, how dare you think you can take on Lu Yang by yourself?! Only by working together could they possibly defeat Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, and now this one was shouting to go to his death, how could they not be furious? Suddenly, Zhou Fangge released his true cultivation, causing everyones expressions to shift. It was a cultivation level even stronger than the Yan heir. Late-stage Foundation Building?! No one expected that Zhou Fangge would be at thete stage of Foundation Building, hiding his strength so well. Without Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, he would have been the greatest threat. Imagine this: in the arena, with eight people battling, and Zhou Fangge unleashing his true strength at the final momentwho could possibly stand against him? Zhou Fangge had already anticipated their reactions and said calmly, Now, am I qualified to take on Lu Yang alone? In fact, I could already form a Golden Core, and it would definitely be one of the top-three first-grade Golden Core. But in order to forge a first-grade Golden Core, I halted my progress. The Yan heir frowned and advised, With all due respect, even as ate-stage Foundation Building cultivator, your chances of defeating Lu Yang are still not very high. Zhou Fangge smiled yfully, Actions speak louder than words. Since the Yan heir doesnt believe me, then just watch. Alright, the finals are about to start. Lets get on stage. Zhou Fanggeughed heartily as he ascended to the arena. Seeing Zhou Fangges confidence, the Yan heir felt more at ease. If Zhou Fangge dared to make such ims, he must have something up his sleeve. Whatever it was, as long as it could defeat Lu Yang, it was good enough. Everyone knows that my Yan familys most famous skill is the Weapon Mastery Manual, unparalleled in offense. I was taught by my great-grandfather from a young age and know the Weapon Mastery Manual better than anyone. I will take the lead in the attack. Gu Qisheng, your Yin Constitution imbues your attacks with a chilling effect, and even I would struggle against you. The two of us will attack Meng Jingzhou together. Shi Xuan, youre familiar with formations, use them to disrupt Meng Jingzhou. Yang Xianyi, youve mastered talismans, use them as needed to support us. Sima He, your Jishi Manor is renowned for the Amrita technique. In the previous battles, your opponents couldnt harm you faster than you could heal. Stay at the back and heal Gu Qisheng and me! The Yan heir gave out instructions one by one, and soon, a well-coordinated temporary team was formed. Senior Brother Meng, please guide us! The Yan heir sped his fists firmly, his expression resolute. Senior Brother Meng, please guide us! the other four shouted in unison. Meng Jingzhou was startled. Before the match, he had discussed with Lu Yang that each would take on three opponents. Why were there five people on his side now? The Yan heir didnt give Meng Jingzhou time to think. Holding an axe in his left hand and a halberd in his right, he swung his weapons swiftly, like a dragon soaring through the clouds or an eagle striking through the sky. His moves were fierce and swift, making others feel a surge of excitement. Gu Qisheng tensed his muscles, and the tip of his spear quivered slightly before thrusting toward Meng Jingzhou with a whoosh. The true energy surged, whipping up a fierce gale, creating a spectacr scene. The other three were not idle either. A binding formation rose under Meng Jingzhous feet, making him feel as if his legs were trapped in a swamp, unable to move. Paper cranes made of talismans flew out from Yang Xianyis sleeves, blocking all of Meng Jingzhous escape routes. Sima He chanted incantations that resonated in the ears of the Yan heir and Gu Qisheng. Their minds cleared, and their consciousness temporarily surged. They discarded all external distractions, fully immersing themselves in battle, amplifying the power of their weapons even further! The wless cooperation of the five drew exmations from the audience. Even the Golden Core Stage cultivators watching couldnt help but look troubled, knowing that such a scenario would be difficult to handle, even for them, making a clean retreat nearly impossible. For a Golden Core Stage to be harmed by Foundation Building Stage cultivators was a humiliating affair. Lu Yang withdrew his gaze and looked at Zhou Fangge, somewhat puzzled. Just you alone? You seem to be just ate-stage Foundation Building cultivator, right? Zhou Fangge was taken aback. It was the first time since his debut that someone could see through his cultivation, but he remained unafraid, smiling coldly. One is enough. He had defeated a Golden Core early stage cultivator before, and that was without using his trump cardsrelying solely on solid fundamentals and techniques. However, facing a top-tier cultivator like Lu Yang would not be as simple. So, he decided to use his trump card. He understood the mindset of high-level cultivators: the higher their cultivation, the higher their standards. They generally looked down on those of lower stages, and when facing opponents beneath their level, they often unconsciously rxed. That was his chance! He would show Lu Yang that cultivation level wasnt everythingbat prowess was the key! Seeing Zhou Fangges confidence, it was clear he had some extraordinary means. Lu Yang did not take him lightly. He pulled out his Qingfeng Sword from his identity jade token, ready to give his all. Then, he activated the Invincible Core to find a strategy. The Invincible Core extracted a sliver of Lu Yangs spiritual energy and spun rapidly, quickly providing an analysis. The opponent is at thete-stage Foundation Building level. His eyes are predominantly ck with a hint of gray, a characteristic of the Vast Dao Body. The Vast Dao Body is boundless and infinite, and its internal spiritual energy reserves are ten times that of others at the same level. He excels in prolonged battles; the longer the fight, the more unfavorable it bes. Its rare to find opponents at the same level, and challenging higher levels is amon urrence. Lu Yang continued to ask, So, how should I fight him? Just hit him casually. With that, they engaged inbat. Chapter 357: Concession What kind of nonsense Golden Core is this? After all that, the conclusion didnt change at all! Lu Yang shouted angrily. How can you call it nonsense? This is an analysis of the situation. Evesting Fairy defended her Golden Core. As the creator of the Invincible Core, she couldnt tolerate Lu Yang belittling it. While Lu Yang and Evesting Fairy were fiercely debating the usefulness of the Invincible Core, Zhou Fangge seized the opportunity to strike. Kill! Zhou Fangge pulled out four small gs from his robe and tossed them into the air. The gs positioned themselves at the four cardinal pointsnorth, east, south and westencircling Lu Yang! Lu Yang felt a shadow cast over his head. He looked up to see a small mountain descending rapidly towards him. Mountain Shifting Divine Power! Lan Ting recognized the spell Zhou Fangge was using. Even for a Golden Core Stage cultivator, this divine power was difficult to execute. Zhou Fangge used the four gs to unleash a technique beyond his cultivation level. Zhou Fangge didnt hold back at all; he immediately used one of his three trump cards, a move that could immobilize even a Golden Core Stage cultivator.Facing the approaching mountain, Lu Yang responded with an ancient divine power. Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth! Lu Yang opened his mouth and swallowed the mountain whole, even letting out a satisfied burp. Its the Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth of the Taotie n! Bai Ming was in disbelief. This was the foundational divine power of the Taotie n, and he never expected Lu Yang to have mastered it. Compared to the Mountain Shifting Divine Power, Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth was on a whole different level of difficulty. Bai Ming had heard that even a pureblood Taotie wouldnt be able to grasp this bloodline divine power at the Golden Core Stage. I knew Lu Yang wouldnt be limited to just one ancient divine power! Yan Tianzhi squinted his eyes slightly. As expected of a cultivator capable of challenging across levels, Lu Yang had even mastered Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth. He also knew Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth, but his was a shortcut version, not learned through his own skills like Lu Yang. Zhou Fangge hadnt anticipated his carefully prepared trump card would be so easily neutralized. As expected of a disciple of an immortal sect, but Im not done yet! Zhou Fangge pped his hands together, and a blinding white light erupted between his palms, producing an ear-piercing noise that forced the audience to cover their ears. A mass of searing lightning condensed in Zhou Fangges palms, casting electric light on his face, creating shadows that made him look sinister. This is Palm Thunder, Evesting Fairy recognized the spell. This is a technique developed by Ying Tian Immortal. When I challenged him across levels, he used it, except he formed it under his foot when he kicked me for surprise. Somehow, this technique got modified and now people use it with their palms. Maybe for aesthetic reasons. While Lu Yang was speaking, the Palm Thunder struck him directly. Boom The Palm Thunder erupted with terrifying energy, dust billowed, and the shockwaves swept across the entire arena, affecting even Yan heir and the others who were fighting. Zhou Fangge was panting heavily; Palm Thunder was a technique he obtained from a Tribtion Crossing Stage legacy. His spiritual energy was ten times that of others at his level, but executing Palm Thunder had drained himpletely. Taking this move head-on, even a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator wouldnte out unscathed, let alone an early-stage one! Zhou Fangge sneered. This was the price for underestimating him. Oh, really? I was wondering why it felt like nothing at all. Lu Yangs voice came from within the dust, sending chills down Zhou Fangges spine. Just as Zhou Fangge braced himself for Lu Yangs attack, Lu Yang appeared behind him, smiling as he patted Zhou Fangges shoulder. Zhou Fangge instinctively leaped forward to dodge, but Lu Yangs hand was like a mountain, throwing Zhou Fangge off bnce, making it difficult for him to even stand. Zhou Fangge swallowed a Replenishing Qi Pill, eyeing Lu Yang warily. As expected of a disciple of an immortal sect, even this didnt hurt you. I wont hold back anymore. His third trump card came at a heavy cost but was powerful enough to contend with ate-stage Golden Core cultivator. For the sake of victory, Zhou Fangge felt it was worth the gamble. Just as Zhou Fangge resolved to use his final ace, he suddenly felt weightless. His surroundings blurred as Lu Yang grabbed his sleeve and threw him out of the arena. Yan heir and the others, who were locked in battle, watched Zhou Fangge, who had been so confident before the fight, get defeated effortlessly by Lu Yang. They couldnt help but feel helpless. To think he dared to im hed defeat Lu Yang when Lu Yang hadnt even used his full strength. Didnt they notice he hadnt even raised his sword hand? Then, they heard the most despairing words: Haha, Old Meng, youre still not done? Youre so slowlet me join in! Lan Ting and the others couldnt help but close their eyes, not wanting to witness what was about to happen. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were both capable of contending with early Nascent Soul cultivators; fighting a group of Foundation Building Stage cultivators was easier than dealing with children. Seeing Lu Yang join the fight, Yan heir and the others abandoned their pre-battle strategies and scattered, fleeing in all directions. Instead of fighting head-on, they decided it was better to see who could run the fastest or have the best luck to be thest one standing and secure third ce. The spectators watched as Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou chased Yan heir and the others around like they were chasing chickens. They couldnt help but feel these two didnt seem like good people and started to gossip. Why do Yan heir and the others seem so pitiful? No kidding, a Golden Core bullying Foundation Building cultivators andughing so happilywhat a disgrace. Brother Meng, Im from the Yan family of Qingzhou, were both from noble families! Yan heir tried to establish a connection, having heard of Meng Jingzhous reputation. Meng Jingzhou maintained a stern expression. This is the arena; theres no distinction of status here. Winning shouldnt be determined by identity or rank. Holding back against you would insult thepetition and tarnish the Yan familys name. Yan heir cautiously asked, But Brother Meng, doesnt you participating in this tournament as a Golden Core Stage cultivator bring disgrace to the Meng family? Of course not. Ive already run away from home. And with that, Yan heir was kicked out of the arena. When Gu Qisheng voluntarily jumped off the tform, only Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou remained. It seems the first and second ces will be decided between us. Lu Yang smiled. He hadnt had enough of the fight earlier, and now he could let loose. Meng Jingzhou also smiled, releasing his Golden Core aura, causing the ground beneath them to tremble. Come to think of it, we havent fought each other before. This is a great opportunity. Thats exactly what I was thinking. Lu Yang released his aura, matching Meng Jingzhous. On the stage, the two auras shed, far exceeding what early Golden Core cultivators could typically emit. The entire arena seemed like a boiling pot, bubbling ominously. Suddenly, Lu Yang remembered something and looked up at the judges panel. Oh right, Lan Ting, I forgot to ask you something. Go ahead. Is there a prize for first ce? Lan Ting smiled strangely, a look that made Lu Yang uneasy. There is. What is it? Third ce gets a Core Formation item that increases Core Formation sess by 50%, with a 10% chance of forming a first-grade Core. Second ce gets a Core Formation item and the Core Formation insights treasured by the State Governor.N?v(el)B\\jnn As for first ce, besides receiving the Core Formation item and insights, the State Governor also mentioned that the participating cultivatorsck realbat experience and Core Formation knowledge, so the three of us judges will personally enter the arena to instruct the first-ce winner on how to fight. Lu Yang blinked, looking at the strange smiles of the three judges. A chill ran down his spine, and he turned to jump off the arena. Old Meng, first ce is all yours! Meng Jingzhou grabbed Lu Yang, running off the stage himself. My fate is too thin; I cant bear the burden of first ce. Its all yours! Chapter 358: The Duel (TL Note: Im changing Meng Jingzhous Spirit Root from Single Spirit Root -> Single Bachelors Spirit Root to differentiate itself from people with a regr Single Spirit Root (i.e only have one spirit root such as Lu Yang) and people who have a Pure Yang Spirit Root like Meng Jingzhou. The same goes for his Golden Core which has been changed to Single Bachelors Golden Core.) BoomBoomBoom On the arena, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou exchanged blows, each impact resounding like thunder. Their footwork and movement techniques were honed to perfection, with the slightest shift allowing them to evade attacks. Their control over their strength was so precise that even the Golden Core Stage cultivators watching below couldnt help but twitch at the corners of their eyes and swallow nervously. Such intensebat, yet not a trace of power leaked outit was hard to believe they were only early-stage Golden Core. No, could this level of control even belong to the Golden Core Stage? You have the Single Curse Fist. You can easily take on three opponents! Nonsense, my Single Curse Fist only works on men, and using it actually makes them fight with double theirbat power! Youve got the Lu ns Arhat Fist, so whats three people to you? Are you kidding? If I use the Arhat Fist, do you think Lan Ting will let me off? The entire Moon Laurel Immortal Pce wouldnt spare me! Besides, didnt you say you wanted to be first? Ill let you have first ce!No rush; you can be first. Theyunched into battle,peting for second ce. One-on-one, they feared no one, but taking on three at once? Unless their brains werepletely taken over by the Invincible Core, neither would take that kind of risk. Lu Yang tried to jump off the stage but was pulled back by Meng Jingzhou, who pinned him down by the shoulder. When Meng Jingzhou attempted to leap off, Lu Yang grabbed his wrist and flung him back. They repeatedly blocked each others attempts to exit, each trying to be the first to concede the top spot but constantly thwarted by the other. After a fierce struggle, they ended up dragging each other down and fell off the stage simultaneously. Bai Ming stood up and apuded. A tie for first! Lets give them a round of apuse! Skipping the post-matchmentary, Bai Ming, holding his white and gold patterned spear, leapt directly from the judges seat onto the arena. Lan Ting and Yan Tianzhi followed closely behind. Congrattions, Senior Brother Lu Yang, Senior Brother Meng Jingzhou. Who wouldve thought youd defeat so many talented Foundation Building cultivators to im first ce! Bai Ming said, struggling to contain his schadenfreude. I think theres been a misunderstanding between us. Lan Ting, you know meIve never bullied anyone weaker than myself! Lu Yang protested his innocence. Attack! Bai Ming didnt give Lu Yang or Meng Jingzhou a chance to speak. It was a rare opportunity to spar, and who knew when the next chance woulde. As the most gifted disciple of the Five Elements Sect, Bai Ming rarely found suitable opponents. No one at his level could defeat him, and fighting those above his levelcked the right feel. Calcting his options, only the other four disciples from the immortal sects could be his true rivals. He swung his spear upwards, leaving a white streak across the arena. Lu Yang raised his sword to block, deflecting the spear tip, fully alert as if facing a formidable foe. A fine strike. Even when I was battling Foundation Building cultivators on this stage, I didnt feel this kind of pressure! Lu Yangs interest was piqued, his eyes shing with a restless desire. If it was a fight Bai Ming wanted, then he would give him a proper battle. After all, his purpose in attending the Qingzhou Grand Meeting was to exchange techniques with peers. Bai Ming, provoked by Lu Yang, ignited the True Fire of the Sun at his spears tip. The temperature on the stage soared, and even the audience behind protective barriers could feel the heat waves emanating from the arena. Lu Yang raised an eyebrow. He remembered Bai Ming had used the Golden Crow me during the Foundation Building Stage. It seemed that after ascending to Golden Core, the me had evolved into the True Fire of the Sun,parable to Pure Yang True Fire. Of course, in terms of power, it couldnt match Meng Jingzhous Pure Yang True Fire, which was acquired at the cost of two Single Bachelors Golden Cores. Historically, no cultivator with a Single Bachelors Spirit Root dared to take such an extreme route. Break! Lu Yang shouted softly. The Qingfeng Sword sliced through the air with a sharp whistle that echoed across the arena. Those with lower cultivation levels felt their eyes sting, as if pricked by needles. Its sword energy! A Golden Core cultivator in the audience eximed in shock. They had heard that when sword energy reached a certain level, even looking at it directly could cause physical harm. He had never seen anyone cultivate sword energy to such a degree before. Who would have thought that Lu Yang, just an early-stage Golden Core cultivator, had already mastered sword energy to the point where it could cause injury. The sword energy pierced through the True Fire of the Sun at the tip of Bai Mings spear, causing the True Fire to fall to the ground, burning small pits wherever itnded. During the earlier team battle between Yan heir and Meng Jingzhou, the arena remainedpletely undamaged. Lu Yangughed heartily, his spirits soaring: Lan Ting, you and Bai Minge at me together! Lan Ting smiled faintly, As Senior Brother Lu Yang wishes. Her skirt ribbons danced like swimming dragons, swirling around Lu Yang before suddenly tightening, attempting to bind him. Shrinking Earth! Lu Yang had anticipated this and burrowed underground, causing the ribbons to miss. This girl is interesting. She also has an Immortal Physique; youre in for a good fight. In the mental space, Evesting Fairy observed from her bed. Lan Ting also has an Immortal Physique? Lu Yang had assumed Lan Ting just had a Single Spirit Root. Yes, she has the Primordial Chaos Immortal Physique. Legend has it that this was the first Immortal Physique mastered by the human race. Before the Immortal Physique cultivation system was established, the universal cultivation method for humans was Qi Training, where practitioners would draw various types of qi from nature into their bodies. Those who seeded were called Qi Trainers. However, the Qi Training method was not universally applicable and was gradually abandoned by humans. The creator of Qi Training was a Primordial Chaos Immortal Physique. He pioneered human cultivation, leading humanity in resisting beasts and natural disasters, allowing humans to establish themselves in the wilderness era. As the Primordial Chaos dawned and humanity saw the first light, this Immortal Physique was named Primordial Chaos Immortal Physique. So, do you want me to help you fight? No need, Ill give the Invincible Core a try. Yan Tianzhi quietly approached Meng Jingzhou, a faint light flickering on his back that extended to his neck. It was only then that Meng Jingzhou noticed a tattoo on him. A phantom of a mythical beast appeared behind him, with the body of a sheep, tiger teeth, eyes under its armpits, and a cry that resembled a babys wail, stirring up a sense of irritation. Taotie? The crowd below stirred, confused about what was happening. An elder selecting sect disciples recognized the Taoties origins and exined to those around him: This is a Prison-Suppressing Sect battle tattoo. Starting from the Foundation Building Stage, they can tattoo images of demons and beasts onto their bodies, gaining their power and divine abilities. With each realm ascended, they can add another beast tattoo. But this is the first time Ive seen someone tattoo the Taotie at the Golden Core Stage. So, youre a fellow from the Prison-Suppressing Sect. Our n elders highly praise the battle tattoos of your sect, and today I see that reputation is well deserved! Meng Jingzhou sped his fists with respect. Dao Seeking Sect, Meng Jingzhou.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Prison-Suppressing Sect, Yan Tianzhi. Yan Tianzhi opened his mouth, and the Taotie phantom behind him became clearer, almost as if it wereing to life. Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth! A fierce wind swept through the arena, and the terrifying suction made it difficult for Meng Jingzhou to keep his footing. Heaven Shaking Six FormsEarth Tremors! Meng Jingzhou responded calmly. His fists struck like muffled thunder, creating shockwaves in the air. Each wave was drawn into Yan Tianzhis stomach, causing him stomach pain and forcing him to stop the Taoties divine power. Meng Jingzhou gathered his inner strength, shaking the heavens and earth. The wind howled, and his momentum was astonishing. Yan Tianzhi resembled a human Taotie, devouring everything in his path. Their massive fists collided repeatedly, each sh producing a deafening roar that sent shivers down the spines of the onlookers. Sweat dripped down their foreheads, and their faces were filled with excitement. They moved so fast that they became near-blurs, invisible to those with weaker eyesight. The top eight of the tournament could still see them, but only barely; their minds struggled to keep up with the rapid exchanges. Is this really thebat power of early-stage Golden Core? The Golden Core cultivators below the arena were in disbelief, feeling as though their own cultivation had gone to waste. What kind of Golden Core are they? Oh, right! Isnt there a Golden Core appraisal event? Get those people over here to take a look! Chapter 359: Golden Core Appraisal Event (TL Note: Extra chapter thanks to r5 for buying the EPUB on my kofi) In a luxurious courtyard, blinding shes of golden light asionally flickered. As the golden light dissipated, a Golden Core emitting a faint, misty aura slowly rotated, drawing in light, ethereal energy from all directions. Ive long heard of Fellow Daoist Yuan Zhi forming a Moon-Grasping Golden Core. It truly lives up to its reputation as a high quality third-grade Golden Core! An old man stroked his white beard, smiling so broadly that wrinkles creased his face. Oh, you tter me. It took me thirty years of hard cultivation to form this third-grade Moon-Grasping Golden Core. Its hardly anything impressive, and with someone as knowledgeable as Elder Kang, this core is not worth much. Elder Kang, a learned schr passionate about his studies, was a highly respected figure in Qingzhou and recognized as a grand schr by the Imperial City Academy. He was revered by many. Another person quickly interjected, Fellow Daoist Yuan Zhi, you underestimate yourself. Its challenging for us even to form fourth or fifth-grade Golden Cores, and a third-grade Golden Core is exceptional. Our greatest hope is to shatter our cores and form Nascent Souls, while you, Fellow Daoist Yuan Zhi, have the potential to break through to Spirit Transformation, or even further, to Void Refinement Stage, where even Unity Stage Cultivators would respect you. A middle quality third-grade Golden Core had the potential to cultivate to the Spirit Transformation Stage, though the chances were slim. They dared not hope for too much, considering themselves fortunate if they reached Nascent Soul. In contrast, Yuan Zhis high quality third-grade Golden Core guaranteed a smooth path to Nascent Soul, with Spirit Transformation, Void Refinement, and Unity all within reach. His future was limitless, his potential far exceeding theirs.Though Yuan Zhi spoke humbly, inwardly, he couldnt help but feel ted. A high quality third-grade Golden Core surpassed over ny percent of Golden Core cultivators. Despite being in the early stage of Golden Core, even mid tote-stage cultivators wouldnt dare underestimate him; instead, they would treat him with respect. The small courtyard was hosting the Golden Core Appraisal Event, where various Golden Cores vied for attention, eliciting frequent exmations of awe from the crowd. Yuan Zhis Moon-Grasping Golden Core stood out among the rest, being one of the most remarkable third-grade Golden Cores. Just as Yuan Zhi was basking in his pride, a Daoist figure stumbled into the courtyard. You all need to head to the arena! Its extremely lively over there! Yuan Zhi frowned, recognizing the intruder as a lower-third-grade Golden Core cultivator who didnt even qualify to participate in the Golden Core Appraisal Event. Whats so interesting at the arena? Just a few early-stage Foundation Building cultivators fighting for first ce. No, its the disciples of the Five Great Immortal Sects battling each other! All are Golden Core Stage, and apart from the Hanging Temple, the other four Great Immortal Sects all have participants! What?! Immortal sect disciples fighting?! The crowd was stunned, their faces lighting up with excitement. It was exceedingly rare to witness a battle between disciples of the immortal sects. Elder Kang was the most excited of all and quickly asked, Are there any from the Dao Seeking Sect? Theres not just one; there are two of them! Without another word, Elder Kang, more agile than the young men, leapt up and rushed toward the arena. Seeing this, the others quickly followed, leaving Yuan Zhi standing there, stunned. I have to see how these immortal sect disciples are stronger than me! Immortal sect disciples or not, werent they also high quality third-grade Golden Cores like him? When Yuan Zhi finally arrived at the scene, the arena was packed tight, making it difficult even to find a gap to squeeze through. It was rare to witness a battle between the most outstanding immortal sect disciples, something that might not happen in decades. Just this fight alone made everyone feel that attending the Qingzhou Grand Meeting was worth it. Even if they couldnt see the battle clearly on the stage. Feeling helpless, Yuan Zhi cast a spell and discreetly made his way to the front, joining his fellow participants from the Golden Core Appraisal Event. The fellow cultivators from the Golden Core Appraisal Event didnt notice Yuan Zhis arrival, as their full attention was fixed on the five people battling on the arena, watching intently, afraid to miss a single detail. Aside from Elder Kang, the rest were newly-formed Golden Core stage cultivators, all in the early stage of Golden Core. Watching the fivebatants on stage, they felt an absurd sense of inadequacy, as if they themselves had never formed their cores and were still stuck at the Foundation Building Stage. Is this really the power and speed of an early-stage Golden Core cultivator?! Setting aside theirbat skills, just the sheer strength and speed disyed by Lu Yang and the others were enough topletely overwhelm them. Yuan Zhis initial sense ofpetitiveness was quickly extinguished. He suspected that if he faced any one of the five, he wouldntst more than ten moves. Was there really such a vast gap between cultivators of the same high quality third-grade Golden Core? Elder Kang, can you tell what kinds of Golden Cores these five immortal sect disciples have? The arena wasnt an appraisal event where cores were openly disyed for the audience, so they could only make educated guesses based on subtle cues in the battle. Unfortunately, their limited experience made it difficult to draw any solid conclusions.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Elder Kang frowned deeply, as he could discern only so much. What is certain is that all five of them have formed first-grade Golden Cores, and they rank very highly among such cores. The crowd nodded in agreement. Nothing else could exin why thebat power of these five disciples was so extraordinary. That one named Meng Jingzhou, his yang energy surges like the zing sun, driving away all evil. It resembles the Sr Golden Core or even the Pure Yang Golden Core, but neither of those seem capable of reaching this level of intensity. Strange, is there a core with yang energy even stronger than the Sr and Pure Yang Golden Cores? The female disciple moves as light as a fairy, exhaling white breath with a boundless aura and remarkable stamina. Her eyes are bright, reminiscent of dawn, closely resembling the legendary Primordial Chaos Golden Core. However, historical records on the Primordial Chaos Golden Core are scarce, so even I wouldnt dare make a definitive statement. The younger generation is truly impressive. Elder Kang mused that even if the esteemed schrs of the Imperial City Academy were summoned to assess these cores, they might still struggle to make sense of it all. On the arena, under the fierce assault from Lan Ting and Bai Ming, Lu Yang was steadily pushed back, finding himself in a tough battle. Lu Yang, stop pretending. I know you have a clone technique, Bai Ming said, noticing Lu Yang showing signs of fatigue but not letting his guard down. He knew Lu Yangs true strength was far beyond what was currently on disy. The one who defeated Bai Ming previously wasnt Lu Yangs main body but one of his clones! Didnt fool him, huh, Lu Yang muttered with some frustration. He had hoped to lure Bai Ming closer and then split into two with his Tree nting Technique, catching Bai Ming off guard. Clone technique? Lan Tings eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked at Lu Yang. Senior Brother Lu Yang had mastered even such a techniqueno wonder he had the greatest talent for magic among anyone she had ever seen. Lu Yang pulled out a Twin Stem Lotus seed and used the Tree nting Technique. The lotus bloomed, and Lu Yang and his lotus clone stood atop the lotus leaves. So what if you have a clone? Can your divine sense control two bodies at once? Bai Ming knew the weakness of clone techniques. During theirst battle, Lu Yangs main body had sat on the judges seat, focusing solely on controlling his wooden clone. This time was different; he would need to control two bodies, which demanded an immense amount of divine sense. Lets find out, Lu Yang said with a grin. In the past, it wasnt possible, but after forming his core, his divine sense had grown exponentially. No one at the same stage could match him. Lu Yang looked at the Qingfeng Sword in his hand, thought for a moment, and tossed it to his lotus clone, letting it fight Lan Ting. I really should forge another swordoh well, Ill deal with thatter. Lu Yang decided to face Bai Ming barehanded. Warm-ups over; time to use the Invincible Core Whats the strategy to defeat these two? The Invincible Core quickly responded. Use Arhat Fist on Bai Ming. A smile spread across Lu Yangs face. Chapter 360: The Power of the Invincible Core (TL Note: Another extra thanks to someone else buying it. Their username is their full name so Im not sure if i should put it here as I dont want to dox them.) Aside from the side effect of turning people bald, Arhat Fist is the supreme fist technique of the Buddhist sect. Previously, Lu Yang was concerned about identally injuring Lan Ting, so he hadnt used it. Now that his clone was dealing with Lan Ting, he could face Bai Ming himself and freely unleash the Arhat Fist. Lets see how you control two bodies at once! Bai Ming was certain Lu Yang couldnt manage both bodies simultaneously. His sharp spear thrust forward like a shining star in the sky. Lu Yang calmly focused on the spears tip, his body emitting a hollow, resonant sound as if a Buddha were chanting, spreading mercy to all beings. His fist struck out, thunderous and forceful, smashing into the spear with the momentum of a battering ram, sending rippling waves through the air like ink spreading in water. Arhat Fist! ng The spear quivered, emitting a metallic ring, while Lu Yangs fist moved gracefully along the spears length, closing in on Bai Ming.Bai Ming put his full strength into his waist, aligning his body and spear, trying to pull back. But Lu Yangs continuous strikes with the Arhat Fist kept the spear trembling, making it impossible to maintain a firm grip. Bai Ming sensed danger. He had been guarding against Lu Yangs divine abilities, but he hadnt expected that Lu Yangs bare-handedbat would be so fearsome. Seeing the fist about to strike him, Bai Ming quickly formed a hand seal with his left hand. A sharp wind de descended from above like a guillotine, aiming to slice Lu Yang in half. Bai Ming used the distraction to evade, but he was still grazed by the Arhat Fist.N?v(el)B\\jnn What a heavy punch! Bai Ming was shocked. He was fortunate to have dodged; the force of that punch was immense. Even a ncing blow left him injuredtaking it head-on would have been far worse. He couldnt afford to be hit again. Suddenly, several strands of ck hair fell, startling Bai Ming. Before he could react, more and more hair started falling. Wait, could this be Bai Ming instinctively touched his head, his face changing dramatically: Wheres my hair?! Seeing his hair scattered all over the ground, Bai Ming red furiously at Lu Yang. Combining martial arts and magicyouve perfected the integration so well that even I got caught! Bai Ming forced himself to remain calm and analyze the situation, trying not to lose hisposure. Meanwhile, more and more cultivators were arriving at the arena to watch the battle. Hey, whos that bald guy? Wasnt it said that the Hanging Temple didnt send anyone? I heard something about an Arhat just now. Is this bald guy iming to be an Arhat? Thats fake; he doesnt even have the discipline marks on his head. Bai Ming, hearing the discussions from the audience, could no longer hold back his anger and shouted, Lu Yang, you forced me into this! Five Elements Rotating Spear Technique! Five Elements Rotating Spear Technique? He even learned that? Elder Kang eximed. Whats the Five Elements Rotating Spear Technique? the surrounding people asked. Its a spear technique created by an ancestor of the Five Elements Sect who was adept in the Five Elements arts,bining these arts with spear techniques. Mastery of both is required to learn it. I never expected this disciple of the Five Elements Sect to have reached the qualifications to wield it. I always thought he had the characteristics of a Five Elements Golden Core, but the Five Elements Golden Core shouldnt have this level of offensive power! Shining Gold! The spear moved like a dragon, striking toward Lu Yang with unbelievable speed and overwhelming force. Lu Yang stepped forward boldly, his voice resonating like a Buddhas chant, his aura swallowing the heavens as he once again used the Arhat Fist to sh head-on with the spear. The violent shockwaves spread in all directions. His fists were like anvils, his energy surging, and his strikes exuded a fierce momentum. The collision of fist and spear left the onlookers astounded. Even Nascent Soul Stage cultivators expressions changed; theycked the confidence to withstand such high-frequency attacks. Is this really just early-stage Golden Core? Ive always heard that immortal sect disciples defy conventional wisdom, and seeing it today confirms it! Those ancient geniuses were probably no different from this. Even in an era of greatpetition and countless prodigies, it would be difficult to find talents who can rival them! For the first time, Bai Ming encountered a cultivator of the same realm who could withstand his Five Elements Rotating Spear Technique. He sneered coldly and struck the arena floor with his spear. A dragon made of earth rose from the ground like a tsunami, roaring towards Lu Yang. Lu Yang used Shrinking Earth tounch a sneak attack on Bai Ming from below. Bai Ming, his divine sense fully deployed, clearly saw Lu Yangs movements and thrust his spear downward. There you are! To Bai Mings surprise, he witnessed Lu Yangs body suddenly shrink, allowing him to dodge the attack. Big or Small As You Wish?! Although Bai Ming had anticipated that Lu Yang might use various divine spells, seeing him use Big or Small As You Wish was unexpected. Normally, spells were part of a systematic learning processmastering one could lead to learning others of a simr nature. However, Lu Yangs abilitiesSwallowing Heaven Devouring Earth, Shrinking Earth, Big or Small As You Wishand the strange hair loss spell Bai Ming had never even heard of, had no clear connection. So what! Bai Ming stabbed eighteen times in rapid session, but Lu Yang dodged each strike. As he prepared for the neenth thrust, his body suddenly sank, and darkness enveloped him. Bai Ming hadnt noticed that when he struck at the shrunken Lu Yang, Lu Yang had circled around him. Just enough to cast the spell Draw a Dungeon. Another unknown earth spell! Bai Ming couldnt stand being outssed in Five Elements spells. He tried to break through the ground with another spell, only to be met with a solid punch from Lu Yang. Draw a Dungeon! Once again, Lu Yang trapped Bai Ming in the dungeon. Bai Ming tried to keep hisposure. Since he couldnt escape directly, he decided to dig his way out from another angle. As he half-emerged from one spot, he heard Lu Yangs voice from above. Draw a Dungeon. Back to square one. Earth Dragon Bai Ming formed a seal with his hands, attempting to summon an earth dragon. Draw a Dungeon. Bai Mings body shuddered as he vanished and reappeared in the same spot, his spell interrupted. This isnt an earth spellits a space spell! Bai Ming finally realized the problem. I dont believe it. Earth Dragon Draw a Dungeon. Lu Yang squatted on the ground, drawing circles and watching Bai Ming with his divine sense. Every time Bai Ming made a move, Lu Yang would cast Draw a Dungeon to interrupt him. After several failed attempts, Bai Ming gave up. Fine, I concede! Left with no other option, Bai Ming admitted defeat. When he emerged to the surface and saw Lu Yangs smiling face, his frustration only grew. If it werent for your faster casting speed Bai Ming gritted his teeth, feeling constrained by the speed at which he could cast his spells. The earth techniques he had learned wererge-scale attacks that required more time to cast. If he could have cast his spell before Lu Yang used Draw a Dungeon, he would have been able to escape and continue the fight. The oue would still be uncertain. Lu Yang said nothing, recalling the strategy provided by the Invincible Core earlier: Bai Mings spear technique is just a fa?ade; the root of his attacks lies in Five Elements spells. His moves are fundamentally based on these spells, which enhance their power whenbined strategically. Do not give him any opportunities. It is rmended to use Arhat Fist to provoke him, causing him to lose hisposure. This creates an opening to use Draw a Dungeon, trapping him underground. Forced to rely solely on earth spells, you can exploit your faster casting speed to continually disrupt his attempts, leaving him with no choice but to surrender. This is the most efficient and effortless strategy. Chapter 361: I Concede (TL Note: Extra chapter thanks to Pastel5000 for buying the EPUB)n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om To be honest, when the Invincible Core provided such a detailed strategy, Lu Yang was astonished. Previously, the Invincible Core only offered two options: escape or fight however you wish, making Lu Yang treat it like a glorified cultivation detection tool. Who would have thought that when facing a formidable opponent, it would offer such a reliable n? No wonder it was recognized by the Evesting Fairy! Hehe, now you see how amazing my Invincible Core is, right? Evesting Fairy, rarely smug, got up from her bed, conjured a chair, sat on it with her legs crossed, and swung her feet yfully. Show some respect to me in the future! I can do much more than this! My shoulders are sore; give me a massage. Evesting Fairy gestured for Lu Yang to massage her. Lu Yang thought that, as the junior disciple of Yun Zhi, the top cultivator of his generation, the number one sword cultivator at the Golden Core Stage, and the Dao Seeking Sects Sect Masters disciple, it wasnt unreasonable to massage a senior immortal.Is this pressure okay? A little harder, hmm~ thats about right. Evesting Fairy was quite satisfied with Lu Yangs service. The moment Bai Ming conceded, the audience erupted in shock. No one expected Bai Ming to lose so quickly. Both were immortal sect disciples and both at the early stage of the Golden Core, so the gap shouldnt have been thatrge. Its said Bai Ming is proficient in Five Elements magic, but he only used gold and earth spells before giving up? What else could he do? Stay buried underground forever? Bai Ming lost so unfairly; he couldnt even use his full abilities before being restrained. A cultivator with battle experience from Demon Subjugation Pass was displeased by such remarks and scolded, Unfair? Who cares about that on the battlefield? Do you think the enemy will wait for you to use all your moves? The scolded person mumbled, unable to respond. Elder Kang, did you figure out what Lu Yangs Golden Core is? A group of Golden Core Stage cultivators gathered in front of the arena, still waiting for Elder Kangs insights. Though their talents meant they would never form a first-grade Golden Core in their lifetimes, it was still worthwhile to broaden their horizons, giving them bragging rights when they returned home. Elder Kang was almost tugging his beard out in frustration, unable to determine what type of Golden Core Lu Yang possessed. I couldnt pinpoint Bai Mings or Yan Tianzhis Golden Cores either, but there were at least cluesBai Mings is rted to the Five Elements, and Yan Tianzhis has something to do with suppression. But Lu Yangs I must admit, my old eyes cant discern anything. Elder Kang shook his head. The Dao Seeking Sects Golden Cores were so varied and unique that even someone like him, who had seen countless Golden Cores and had the qualifications to appraise all Qingzhou cultivators cores, couldnt recognize them all. In the Imperial City Academy, there was a consensus: being able to identify three or four out of ten Dao Seeking Sect Golden Cores was considered having remarkable schrship. Perhaps Lu Yangs Golden Core is something entirely new, unlike anything seen before. The Golden Core Appraisal Event had only managed to roughly identify Lan Tings Primordial Chaos Golden Core and Meng Jingzhous Pure Yang Golden Core. Out of courtesy to Meng Jingzhou, Elder Kang referred to his Single Bachelors Golden Core as Pure Yang Golden Core to make it sound better. On the arena, Lan Ting was still fiercely battling Lu Yangs lotus clone, but she remained distracted. Earlier, she had caught a glimpse of Lu Yangs fight with Bai Ming out of the corner of her eye, and with just one strike of Arhat Fist, Bai Mings hair hadpletely fallen out. She was worried that Lu Yangs clone would throw away the Qingfeng Sword and hit her with a set of Arhat Fist as well. Staying away from the clone is the safest. Lan Ting distanced herself from Lu Yangs clone and took out a small palm-sized box from her identity jade token. What is that? Lu Yangs clone used his divine sense to probe it. Inside the box was a thick stack of talismans, and at the bottom of the box was a formation that seemed oddly familiar to him. Lan Ting didnt keep him guessing. After returning to the Immortal Pce, I researched the automatic skewer formation day and night. Unfortunately, my talent in formations is limited, and I couldnt perfect it. The bamboo skewers always shot out at an incredible speed. So, I changed my approach. If bamboo skewers could be propelled by the formation, why not talismans? Based on that idea, I made a few modificationsshrinking the formation and recing the skewers with talismans, just like this. Lan Ting aimed the box at Lu Yangs clone and activated the formation. The talismans shot out with a swish, transforming into lightning, mes, wind des, and other shapes mid-air. Each was meticulously crafted by Lan Ting, and each could severely injure a Golden Core Stage cultivator, making Lu Yangs eyelids twitch. Boom Crack Snap Each talisman manifested a different attack, and they struck without pause, one after another, pounding Lu Yangs clone with varying sounds. Qingfeng Sword blocked in front of him, his wrist trembling as he deflected the relentless attacks. The talismans exploded, raising a cloud of dust on the field. As the box of talismans was exhausted, the dust settled, revealing Lu Yang stillrgely intact. Quite impressive, Senior Brother Lu Yang. But what about double the attack? Lan Ting smirked and pulled out two more boxes filled with talismans, aiming them at Lu Yangs clone. Just as she was about to unleash another round of attacks, Lu Yangs main body walked over with a smile. Bai Ming has already conceded, so youre thest one. Conceded? Lan Ting was stunned. She had been so focused onunching talismans that she hadnt noticed what was happening on Bai Mings side. Had he lost already? She turned her head and saw Bai Ming sitting on the judges seat, looking disgruntled. She turned back to face Lu Yang and his clone, realizing her chances of winning werent great. Fine, Ill concede too. Meanwhile, Meng Jingzhou and Yan Tianzhi were locked in a fierce battle. Yan Tianzhi seemed like a true Taotie, devouring everything in sight with ferocity. Meng Jingzhou was even fiercer. He opened his mouth and used the divine ability he had just learned from Lu Yang, Swallowing Heaven. The spiritual energy on the arena was immediately sucked dry and held in his mouth. PuiC! The spiritual energypressed into a perfectly shaped sphere in his mouth, which he spat at Yan Tianzhi. Yan Tianzhi dared not touch the spiritual energy sphere and somersaulted out of its path. Meng Jingzhou sneered coldly. Lets see how many times you can dodgepuiC, puiC, puiC! Three spiritual energy spheres blocked Yan Tianzhis escape routes. Yan Tianzhis eyes narrowed, and another tattoo shed on his body. Shield Ghost! A ghost king wielding a shield appeared behind Yan Tianzhi, brandishing its ws. The ghost kings shield blocked the spiritual energy spheres, which exploded upon contact. This was one of Yan Tianzhis battle tattoos from his Foundation Building Stage, the Shield Ghost, known for its exceptional defense, though it had no offensive capabilities. I dont believe thispuiC! Spiritual energy spheres continuously shot out of Meng Jingzhous mouth, with the attack duration determined by how long he could keep spitting. Meng Jingzhou spat until his mouth went dry. He pulled out a gourd from his identity jade token, took a drink, and advised, Brother, let me give you some advice. Concede early, and we all save trouble. Dont make me beat you so bad you cant even crawl, or what would that look like when word gets out? Yan Tianzhi, furious, spoke each word deliberately: Ill con cede. Meng Jingzhou was overjoyed. That was easier than expected. He jumped off the stage and joined Lu Yang. Then he heard Yan Tianzhi finish his sentence. In.. your dreams! Meng Jingzhou: Chapter 362: Don’t Go Around Saying You’re a Disciple of Daoist Non-Speaker (TL Note: Extra chapter thanks to Just a Buyer and Fan for buying the EPUB. I appreciate the support everyone!) Meng Jingzhou resisted the urge to use the Single Curse Fist. Although he had been tricked once, it wasnt enough to justify cursing someone to remain single. It just wasnt right. With Lan Tings voluntary concession, the match finally came to an end, leaving the cultivators in the audience wanting more. So this is what a battle between geniuses looks like? Its just not enough to watch. I wont have the face to call myself an early-stage Golden Core cultivator anymore. I feel like even ten of mebined wouldntpare to them. Exactly. When I formed my core, I thought of myself as a formidable figure, a powerhouse in my own right. But after watching their battle, I think Id better go back and keep cultivating honestly. Reaching the Golden Core Stage meant that ones family could thrive for five hundred years. In small regions, Golden Core cultivators were dominant figures, like in Yanjiang County, which had only three Golden Core cultivators. So, they formed their cores with excitement and joined the Golden Core Appraisal Event eagerly, hoping to make connections, only to have their confidence shattered by the battles of Lu Yang and his peers.Elder Kang had anticipated that they would see the gap and struggle to ept it due to the immense disparity. You mustnt belittle yourselves. Reaching the Golden Core Stage means youve surpassed ny-nine percent of cultivators. Youre all mid-grade Golden Cores with potential to reach Nascent Soul. Dont let one battle make you doubt yourselves. Yuan Zhi smiled wryly. Its not that were doubting ourselves; its just that the gap between us is too vast. We cant even feel like weve surpassed ny-nine percent of other cultivators. Elder Kang shook his head. You shouldntpare yourselves to immortal sect disciples, especially these five today. Geniuses like them only appear once in several centuries, even millennia. Why now? Because they are destined to shine in the great era ofpetition, even to be the protagonists who may shape that era! Elder Kangs message was clear: in the world of ordinary cultivators, youre doing quite well; in the Central Continent, there are plenty like you. Lu Yang and his group are once-in-a-millennium talents, iparable by any standard. Dont trouble yourselves. Yan heir, Gu Qisheng, and the others who were eliminated watched the battles on the arena with sparkling eyes. They were all under eighteen, yet these geniuses had already formed their cores and could bypass levels to challenge Foundation Building Stage opponents. Meanwhile, they were still struggling to form their cores. The difference was visible to the naked eye. But they were not discouraged. The gap was so enormous that it didnt inspire jealousy or anger, only admiration for Lu Yang and the others. By watching these battles, they identified their shorings and resolved to continue cultivating upon their return. Lu Yang hadnt paid attention to what was happening on Meng Jingzhous side, so he was surprised to hear that he was the first to finish his battle. How did you lose so quickly? Meng Jingzhou, with a dark expression, shooed Lu Yang away. Get lost! Dont bring up that topic, or Ill hit you with a Single Curse Fist. Lu Yang wasnt afraid of Meng Jingzhous threat. With an immortal protecting him, how could he be cursed by the likes of Meng Jingzhou? As they spoke, Lan Ting approached, holding a small tricolor stone in her hand. Whats that? Lan Ting smiled. Did Senior Brother Lu Yang forget? This is the first-ce reward, a Core Formation treasure that increases the probability of forming a core by fifty percent. Lu Yang had heard of such items; they were highly sought after by half-step Golden Core Stage and pseudo-core cultivators, valued so high they could drain ones entire wealth. The Dao Seeking Sect had everything except Core Formation treasures. The same was true for the other Four Great Immortal Sects. They were all prodigieswho among them needed external help to form their cores? Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, being first and second ce, were to receive two Core Formation treasures and two Core Formation manuals. Lan Ting, stop joking. What would Meng and I need these for? Give them to the third and fourth ces instead. Lan Tingughed and put the Core Formation treasure away. It was actually one from her own collection, taken out to tease Lu Yang. The real Core Formation treasures had already been given to the third and fourth ce winners. Bai Ming and Yan Tianzhi also approached and invited, Its rare for us to meet; lets find a ce to sit down? Sure, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou agreed. As disciples of the Five Great Immortal Sects, interaction between them was inevitable. The governors subordinates rmended a few restaurants to us. Theyre quite famous in the city, and theyve opened temporary branches here, Bai Ming said. Bai Ming led the group to a three-story restaurant. Though it was temporarily built using magic, the decor resembled that of a centuries-old establishment, showing great attention to detail. The waiter saw Bai Ming enter and asked enthusiastically, Master, are you here to receive alms? Im here to eat. Vegetarian food? Bai Ming, irritated, replied, Im not a monk! The waiter recalled a rumor about a martial art circting in the Jianghu, which used hair as a weapon. Each strand could be wielded as a powerful tool, but the art had a w: used hair wouldnt grow back, and once used up, it was gone forever. There was a story of someone who mastered this technique, lost all their hair in a fierce battle, and ended up bing a monk. The waiter looked at Bai Ming with a sympathetic expression, thinking he was yet another unfortunate soul unable to ept his hair loss. Oh, right, this is for you. You can use it for now. Seeing this, Lu Yang pulled out a wig and handed it to Bai Ming. Since learning Arhat Fist, Lu Yang always kept spare wigs on hand, just in case, and now was the perfect time to use one. Bai Ming stared at the wig offered by the culprit behind his baldness, resisting the urge to draw his spear and stab Lu Yang, before reluctantly putting it on. Fortunately, Lu Yangs Arhat Fist didnt cause permanent hair loss; wearing the wig for about a month would suffice. Bai Ming then introduced Yan Tianzhi. This is Yan Tianzhi from the Prison-Suppressing Sect. He doesnt talk much. Yan Tianzhi nodded silently.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om He seemed a quiet type, so Lu Yang greeted him, Im Lu Yang, from the Dao Seeking Sect, disciple of Daoist Non-Speaker. Meng Jingzhou. Weve fought before. Upon hearing Lu Yangs background, Yan Tianzhis eyes widened in shock. Its youyour masterhe killedhe killed my master! My master killed your master? Lu Yangs first reaction was disbelief. No matter how unreliable Daoist Non-Speaker was, he wouldnt do such a thing. Lan Ting cleared her throat and exined, Yan Tianzhi has a stutter and speaks in short bursts. Its not what you think. Yan Tianzhis master is the Sect Master of the Prison-Suppressing Sect. In his youth, he had a terrible rtionship with Daoist Non-Speaker. When he found out that Daoist Non-Speaker had be the Sect Master of Dao Seeking Sect, he was furious, wondering what merit or virtue Daoist Non-Speaker had to deserve such a position. He dered that hed rather lose eight thousand years of this lifespan than let Daoist Non-Speaker remain as Sect Master. Unity Stage Cultivators can live for eight thousand years. Now, isnt your senior sister Yun Zhi the current Sect Master? So Yan Tianzhis master decided to honor his words, made himself a tombstone, and when hes free, he buries himself in it. When somethinges up, he crawls out, telling everyone hes already dead. Lu Yang: He recalled his Eldest Senior Sisters advice: when out in the world, never say youre a disciple of Daoist Non-Speakerit only brings trouble. Chapter 363: Even the BBQ Restaurant Has Opened a Branch Here? Lu Yang couldnt help but recall the excitement he felt when he first became a disciple. Back then, he knew nothing about the cultivation world. Upon learning that he had a Sword Spirit Root and was epted as a disciple by the Dao Seeking Sects Sect Master, he was so excited that he couldnt sleep all night. But as time went on, and he learned more about the Dao Seeking Sect, he realized that his master was a big pitfall. Not only did his master not cultivate properly and was often locked up by the Eldest Senior Sister, but he also made enemies everywhere. Lu Yang had heard that officials in the Imperial City had a tradition of forming cliques. He thought it was simr to his past life, where people formed groups based on their hometowns. But Meng Jingzhou exined to him that the divisions were based on whether or not they had conflicts with Daoist Non-Speaker. Lu Yang couldnt fathom how his master managed to provoke so many people. Did he p each of them during the imperial exams? Lu Yang used to think that although the officials in the Imperial City had grudges, surely the Five Great Immortal Sects would stand united and not hold a grudge against his master too, right?Now it seemed he had been too optimistic. In contrast, Eldest Senior Sister Yun Zhi was reliablestunningly beautiful, guiding him in cultivation, and always ready to help him in life-or-death situations. By that standard, doesnt that make me reliable too? Evesting Fairy was overjoyed, feeling that Lu Yang was finally seeing things her way. She was one of the Top Ten Beauties of Ancient Times, her appearance wless,parable to Yun Zhi. She had taught Lu Yang spells, guided him on how to form the Invincible Core, and helped establish his reputation. When Lu Yang was almost possessed, she stepped in to protect him. She ticked all the boxes! Lu Yang looked at Evesting Fairy with a weary expression, silently recalling how she never mentioned how his senior brothers and sisters lined up to beat him. Yan Tianzhi realized his words had caused some misunderstanding, making it seem like he had a deep grudge against Lu Yang. After some thought, he tried to express goodwill: Masterandyour sectsGreat Elderare verygood friendsofteninteract. Is that so? Lan Ting and Bai Ming were surprised. Lu Yangs expression turned strange. Interact how? Discussing which coffins were mostfortable to lie in? Yan Tianzhi wanted to say more, but it was tooborious. Instead, he pulled out a set of blueprints from his identity jade token and spread them out on the table while they waited for the food. The blueprints depicted numerous rectangles connected in a honeb pattern.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om The more Lu Yang looked, the more it seemed like blueprints for a three-bedroom apartment. Thisthey designedcoffinssaidtheyrefortableto sleep in. And you cancarry them aroundif you cant finda ce to stayyou can sleepinside. Lu Yang: So, the Great Elder had handed over the task halls responsibilities to Senior Brother Dai Bufan just to spend his days designing coffins? Did Senior Brother Dai know about this? At that moment, the waiter shouted, Heree the dishes! Could the esteemed guests please make some room? Yan Tianzhi quickly put away the blueprints, and a series of mouth-watering dishes were ced on the table. None of the dishes were familiar to Lu Yang, but their aromas alone suggested they were of top-notch quality. Bai Ming said, Help yourselves. The governor has covered all expenses for food, amodation, and travel during the grand event. Lu Yang smiled and raised his teacup. To the governor. To the governor. To the governor. They clinked cups and began eating. During the meal, Lan Ting asked, By the way, theres an appraisal eventter. Are you guys interested in joining? Whats an appraisal event? Its hosted by Land of Gold Commerce. Theyll disy all sorts of rare and strange items, and anyone who can identify their origins gets to keep them. Its not about the value of the items; its just for fun. Sounds interesting, Im in, Lu Yang was the first to respond. Count me in, Meng Jingzhou followed closely. Bai Ming thought for a moment. The task assigned by the governor was alreadypleted, so joining the event seemed like a good idea. Ill go too. Im in, Yan Tianzhi said concisely. All five were eager to attend the appraisal event to broaden their horizons, so they sped up their eating and finished the meal quickly. As they walked out of the restaurant, Meng Jingzhou nudged Lu Yang and gestured for him to look in a certain direction. Lu Yang followed Meng Jingzhous gaze and saw a bustling barbecue shop with a line stretching out onto the street. The barbecue shop was called Come Again BBQ. A small line of text at the bottom right corner of the sign read: Temporary Branch at the Qingzhou Festival. The Nine Nether Sect moves fast, huh? Theyve already opened a shop here? Meng Jingzhou whispered. Lu Yang shook his head. Its unlikely. Its been less than a monththeres no way theyve opened branches everywhere. The fire seeds we gave them arent even enough. Theyre probably just here for publicity, taking advantage of the grand event. Bai Ming noticed the odd expressions on Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous faces and smiled. Are you guys interested in this barbecue shop? Last night, when Lan Ting wasnt around, Tianzhi and I tried it. The owner imed their skills were inherited from ancient times, boasting that it was a 300,000-year-old establishment. Who knows if thats true, but the taste is indeed top-notch. Its the best barbecue Ive ever had. Yan Tianzhi nodded, agreeing with the barbecue shops vor. Lu Yang thought, You Nine Nether Sect guys really know how to boast. A 300,000-year-old shop? Why not say your fire seeds are also 300,000 years old? But it was true that the technique had ancient origins, given that the basic barbecue recipe was provided by Barbarian Bone. How about we have a meal there after the appraisal event? Bai Ming suggested. No need, we just thought the shops name was interesting, Lu Yang said. He and Meng Jingzhou didnt need to eat there since they made the most authentic version themselves. Lan Ting noticed the shops name; she was one of the second batch of employees at the main branch, with considerable seniority. The first batch of employees was the Specters. Same name, and particrly deliciouscould it be a coincidence? Worried there might be something more to it, she sent a message to Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou: Does this barbecue shop have anything to do with you? Lan Ting was sharp and perceptive, so there was no point in hiding it. Lu Yang exined, Theres a bit of a backstory. Dont mention it to othersthere could be cult infiltrators in your Immortal Pce. Hearing the word cult, Lan Ting realized the gravity of the situation and assured, Dont worry, I wont even tell my master. Lu Yang felt reassured and continued, Through Meng Jingzhous and my efforts, we improved the barbecues vor. With thepletion of the automatic skewering formation and automatic grill, were ready to expand with chain stores. To prevent Nine Nether Sect from causing trouble everywhere, our Dao Seeking Sect is coborating with Nine Nether Sect to open Come Again BBQ shops across the entire continent. This is just the beginning. Of course, were not using the Dao Seeking Sects name for the coboration. Lan Ting: The Undying Sect was just destroyed a few months ago, and now your Dao Seeking Sect has set its sights on the Nine Nether Sect? Even though ying demons and eliminating evil is a duty of righteous Daoists, your efficiency is off the charts. How long do you n to take to deal with Nine Nether Sect this time? A month or two? Chapter 364: Appraisal Event The appraisal event had no cultivation requirements; anyone from the Qi Training Stage to the Unity Stage could participate. However, most Unity and Void Refinement Stage cultivators showed little interest in such small-scale activities. At the temporary venue set up by Land of Gold Commerce, four items were lined up and surrounded by formations that blocked divine sense probing, allowing only visual inspection. When Lu Yang and his group arrived, there was already a crowd gathered. Fortunately, the distance didnt affect judgment, especially for early-stage Golden Core cultivators who could clearly see the details of items several hundred meters away. A painting of a woman in armor. A charred bamboo stalk with two green leaves. A bugcould it be some kind of Gu worm? A metal ring, possibly a ne or decorative item?Lu Yang examined each item but couldnt discern their origins. No one present seemed to know what these items were either; everyone was carefully observing, trying to find any clues. The person next to Lu Yang raised his hand and asked, Is the third one a Gu worm? The merchant cultivator politely replied, Im sorry, but I cant answer that question. After some thought, the person made his guess: The fourth item is a Gu worm. The pattern on its wings resembles coins, so it must be a Money Gu that helps its owner find treasure! Unfortunately, youre wrong. Do you recognize any of these items? Lu Yang asked Meng Jingzhou and the others through a voice transmission. The first painting might have a painting spirit hidden in it, but Im not sure, Lan Ting said, having some knowledge of painted artifacts. The bamboo looks familiar; I feel like Ive read about it somewhere. Let me check my books. Bai Ming pulled out a series of ancient texts from his identity jade token, flipping through them one by one. Yan Tianzhi remained silent; he hadnt recognized anything. Meng Jingzhou stroked his chin. The fourth one should be a Gu worm. Let me give it a try. Meng Jingzhou raised his hand and asked, Is the fourth one a Love Gu? The kind that, when used on someone, makes them gradually fall in love with you. The merchant cultivator was quite surprised; he hadnt expected anyone to identify an item so quickly. He ced the small bug in a wooden box and handed it to Meng Jingzhou. Congrattions, you guessed correctly. This is a Love Gu. The person next to Lu Yang, who was well-versed in Gu worms, protested, A Love Gu? I remember that Love Gu has blood-colored wings, but this one has transparent wings! The merchant cultivator exined, This is a mutated Love Gu. The wing color has changed to transparent, but its effect remains the same. You could identify it? Have you seen it before? Lu Yang asked Meng Jingzhou through a voice transmission. Meng Jingzhou smirked proudly. No, Ive only heard of Love Gu beforeI had no idea what it looked like. Then how did you figure it out? I owe it to my careful observation. What did you observe? When I looked at the bug, it trembled in fear. Why would it fear me? I thought about it and realized that with my Twin Single Bachelors Spirit Roots and mastery of the Single Curse Fist, the Gu worm I naturally suppress would be the Love Gu! Lu Yang felt that this wasnt something worth boasting about. Is the painting of a general who protects homes? Theres a type of painting believed to ward off evil spirits when hung in the home. No. Is the bamboo withered ink bamboo? Ink bamboo can be ground into powder and mixed with water for painting. No. Is the metal ring an imitation of a Vajra bracelet? No. Three people in front of Lu Yang raised their hands and made guesses, all incorrect. Lan Ting and Bai Ming were still flipping through their books, unsure when theyd find an answer. Lu Yang discreetly asked Evesting Fairy, Do you recognize any of these items? Evesting Fairy yawned out of boredom. Theyre all just trivial little things. The woman in the painting is alive, or rather, she can change. Every night at midnight, she moves and changes her clothes. Today shes wearing armor; tomorrow, she might be in a long dress, the day after in a Daoist robe, and the day after that in pajamas. She never repeats an outfit all year. It doesnt have any attack power; its just for novelty. I can also change my clothes every day, Evesting Fairy tried to prove that she was better than the painting. Lu Yang nced at Evesting Fairy, who was still disheveled after waking up, and looked at her with disdain. You really should change your clothes. Whats the deal with the ck bamboo? Its Thunderstruck Bamboo. If a bamboo is struck by lightning and manages to sprout new leaves, its called Thunderstruck Bamboo. Iron-Eating Beasts love to eat it. If you take Thunderstruck Bamboo into the Demon Territory, you can attract an Iron-Eating Beast to be your mount. I remember Confucian Peak has Iron-Eating Beasts. Those are just ordinary Iron-Eating Beasts; they cant handle Thunderstruck Bamboo. Im talking about those with cultivation, known today as Ancient Iron-Eating Beasts. What about the metal ring? Do you recognize it? Oh, thats just junk,pletely useless. Junk? Yes, junk. Havent you ever heard the saying, A good chef needs good tableware? I thought it was A good chef needs good cookware. Close enough. When I became an Immortal Chef, I realized there wasnt any tableware worthy of my food. tes, bowls, chopsticksanything that touched my dishes would just melt. So, I asked Ying Tian Immortal to forge a set of tableware for me. At first, he was reluctant, but after some coercion and persuasion, he finally agreed. The forging process was incredibly difficult. He tried using ceramics, iron, wood, and other materials, but all failed. This metal ring was one of the failed attempts. I poured my freshly made soup into a te, and the te just leaked. Lu Yang: This was the first time hed heard that even tableware needed to be crafted by immortals. But still, something made by Ying Tian Immortal should be sturdier than the flying sword Qilin Immortal used to deceive his wife, right?N?v(el)B\\jnn Lu Yang raised his hand and said, The metal ring is part of a te. The merchant cultivator was greatly surprised. The metal ring was the hardest item to identify among the four, and yet Lu Yang had guessed it correctly. Congrattions, you guessed right. A te? Are you kidding me? This thing looks just like a Vajra bracelet! Yeah, even if its not a Vajra bracelet, it should at least be some kind of weapon! The merchant cultivator calmly exined, This cultivator is correct; the metal ring is indeed part of a te. ording to our appraisal experts, someone once forged an extremely durable iron te for unknown reasons. Later, the te was corroded by some kind of poison, dissolving the middle and leaving only the rim, which is what you see now. As for the exact nature of the poison, we havent been able to determine it. No known toxin can cause this level of corrosion. Hearing this exnation, Evesting Fairy stomped her feet in anger. What nonsense! The food I make is highly nourishing, and they dare to call it poison! Lu Yang didnt dare say a word. If he dared to suggest Evesting Fairys food was poisonous, she might cook him another meal to prove otherwise. Lu Yang took the metal ring, and Bai Ming and the others sent him voice transmissions, saying, Great eye, how did you figure that out? Be careful with the ring; there might still be some poison left on it, Lan Ting warned, concerned for Lu Yangs safety. Even a trace of that poison could be fatal. Well done. Lu Yang smiled and responded to each of them. Just as everyone was about to continue guessing, a sudden explosion sounded nearby, and a powerful aura swept over the entire event like a tidal wave. Lu Yang could feel the rage and killing intent emanating from the aura. Fairy, whats their cultivation level? Unity Stage Cultivatorstwo of them. They seem to be those ancient cultivators you mentioned. Lu Yang narrowed his eyes. They clearly werent here with good intentions. Bai Ming immediately went on high alert. That directionis it the secret realm? (TL Note: This appraisal event reminds me ofntern riddles during the Mid Autumn Festival) Chapter 365: The Only Reason I Haven’t Been Expelled is Because I’m Powerful The pressure from the Unity Stage Cultivators nketed the entire event. Most people had never even seen a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, let alone experienced pressure of this magnitude. Countless cultivators instantly turned pale, their bodies trembling as they struggled to stand. With a thud, many copsed to the ground. Get down! Increase your contact area with the ground as much as possible! A government cultivator shouted, guiding the crowd to minimize the damage. Meng Jingzhou, Bai Ming, and the other two each held spiritual treasures to counteract the effects of the Unitys pressure on themselves. These spiritual treasures were standard issue for disciples of the Immortal Sects. Meng Jingzhou held a stone shaped like the Body Refinement Peak, Bai Ming had a colorful disk, Lan Ting held a moon-shaped embroidery, and Yan Tianzhi carried a small cageeach representing the unique characteristics of their respective sects. When disciples ventured out, they represented their sects. Kneeling under a Unity Stages pressure would bring shame to their sect. Originally, Lu Yang should have had a Heavens Gate Peak-shaped stone, but with Evesting Fairy by his side, he had nothing to fear from pressure of this level. Even a Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator couldnt hope to use their pressure to suppress Lu Yang. Whats going on? Which Unity Stage is so reckless to act here? Meng Jingzhou was shocked. Unity Stage Cultivators were forbidden from engaging in battles that affected civilians. Otherwise, the people of Great Xia would have long been wiped out. Unity Stage battles could devastate everything, turning the earth into wastnd. Even cultivators would struggle to endure such destruction, let alone ordinary people. Theyre not contemporary Unity Stage Cultivators; theyre ancient cultivators! Lu Yang learned from Evesting Fairy that the aura came from two ancient Unity Stage Cultivators, a man and a woman, radiating murderous intent.Bai Ming frowned. That makes sense, then. He pointed in the direction of the pressures source. Theres a secret realm over there. Exploring the secret realm is part of this grand event. Someone must have triggered the awakening of these ancient cultivators, and now theyre enraged, wanting to destroy everything. This wasnt the first time such an incident had urred. Ancient cultivators had no reason to follow modern rules. In their time, Unity Stage Cultivators held supreme power and the authority over life and death. How bold! A furious shout echoed from the horizonit was the governor. In the blink of an eye, the governor appeared above the crowd, holding a grand seal. A strange energy rose from it, dispersing the pressure of the ancient Unity Stage Cultivators.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Huh, what a peculiar power, Evesting Fairy remarked, surprised. She had never seen such energy before. Lu Yang, Lan Ting, and the others were also witnessing this energy for the first time, but Meng Jingzhou knew a bit about it. This is the power of national fortune, Meng Jingzhou exined. Ive heard from my family that beneath the Great Xia Dynasty lies a mystical force, the foundation of the dynasty itself. Every governor and the magistrates ofrge counties can temporarily harness this power for battle and protection. Its why they can minimize the damage from ancient Unity Stage Cultivators each time. Interesting, Evesting Fairy observed, analyzing the power of national fortune with her immortal sense. In her view, the small amount of power the governor wielded was insignificant, but if the entire Great Xia Dynasty were to channel this power, it would be an incredibly formidable forcetruly fascinating. Quite creative. Seems like there are some pretty strong people in this era besides Little Yun. Youve got some nerve, causing trouble right under my nose! The governors hair and beard fluttered as if he were a furious lion. The ancient Unity Stage Cultivators, a man and a woman, were not afraid of the governor. The man replied coldly, Arent you twisting the truth? It was your people who awakened us, forcing us to wake up early. How is this us causing trouble? The male cultivator squinted at the governor and his grand seal, showing some apprehension. I see that your primordial spirit isplete, putting you on par with us. You have the qualifications topete in the great era, so you should understand how much trouble our premature awakening has caused us. Is it not reasonable for us to kill a few people to vent our anger? Of course, its not reasonable! Another three figures flew in from the horizon, all of them Unity Stage Cultivators. Master Mi, Daoist Zhang, Dean Hong, youve arrived, the governor greeted them, his pressure greatly relieved. If he were to fight alone, he might not be able to protect the cultivators attending the event below. Thats the Vice Sect Master of the Frenzy Sect, the Vice Dao Master of the Chonglou Temple, and the Vice Dean of the Baihua Academy. All three are mid-stage Unity Stage Cultivators! Now free from the pressure, the crowd could stand up, and a local Qingzhou cultivator recognized the three, rejoicing. Frenzy Sect, Chonglou Temple, and Baihua Academy were local sects in Qingzhou and organizers of the Qingzhou Festival. Traditionally, these sects sent their deputies to participate in the event, just as a formality. They were invited, exchanged cultivation insights at the governors residence, and enjoyed pleasant discussions, not expecting the sudden appearance of two ancient cultivators. Seeing that the other side had the advantage in numbers and the governor could wield a mysterious energy they didnt understand, the two ancient Unity Stage Cultivators hesitated to fight, fearing unexpected oues. Hmph, fine, in deference to your face, we wont pursue this matter for now. Were leaving! With that, they turned to flee. Hmph, trying to escape? Stay! Letting them go would only bring endless troublester, and the governor couldnt allow their departure. The governor and the other three positioned themselves in the north, south, east, and west, encircling the two ancient cultivators. Arent you worried about the safety of the people below? The two ancient cultivators realized the governor and his allies were different from them; they prioritized protecting weaker cultivators. The governor had anticipated this and was prepared. The four of them nodded and activated the power of rules. In unison, they dered, We establish a rule here: No attacks will affect anything below 3,000 meters. The highest peak where the Qingzhou Festival was held was 3,000 meters tall. Ridiculous! Even if you set this rule, how will you maintain it during battle? To keep the rule, one of you will inevitably be unable to fight! the female cultivator sneered. With only threebatants, they couldnt hold back her and her husband. Thats not something you need to worry about, Senior. I can maintain the rule. A voice came from behind Lu Yang, startling the five of them. The neer was dressed in official robes, smiling as he looked up at the sky, utterly at ease. Its you?! Lan Ting, Bai Ming, and Yan Tianzhi eximed in surprise. You know him? Who is this? Lu Yang asked via voice transmission. Hes a subordinate of the governor. Yesterday evening, Senior Brother Bai Ming, Senior Brother Yan Tianzhi, and I visited the governor, and this man was the one who invited us into the residence and arranged our amodations. We thought he was just a minor official, but it turns out hes a Unity Stage cultivator. Only Unity Stage Cultivators could maintain rules. Its to be expected. The governors staff wouldnt be without at least one Unity cultivator, Meng Jingzhoumented, unsurprised due to his familiarity with government structures. What Lan Ting and the others didnt know was that this official had initially suggested that the three of them stay in a prison cell. Evesting Fairy rxed after confirming Lu Yangs safety and yawned. I thought Little Yun might need to step in, but it looks like that wont be necessary. Lu Yang frowned, feeling uneasy. He couldnt shake the feeling that this wasnt going to be simple. Those two Unity Stage Cultivators had awakened from the secret realm. Hadnt the authorities thoroughly inspected the secret realm? How could they have missed these two? Chapter 366: Supreme Sword High in the sky, six Unity stage experts were engaged in battle, each disying their mystical abilities. The cultivators below were dazzled by the spectacle, even Lu Yang and his fourpanions watched the fight with rapt attention, as it was incredibly rare to witness a battle between Unity stage cultivators. Only one person had no interest in observing the fight between the Unity experts, instead, he was ring fiercely at the ancient cultivator couple, gnashing his teeth. Those damn ancient cultivators, theyre everywhere! Vice Sect Leader Petrified Bone from the barbecue shop wished he could join the fight himself and give the ancient cultivator couple a beatingbetter yet, kill them and turn their bodies into corpse puppets to vent his anger. Regardless of the oue of this battle, the authorities would thoroughly investigate this ce, and for safety reasons, the Qingzhou Grand Gathering would surely be cut short. The gathering was supposed tost eight days, but now, it had only been two days and it was alreadying to an end. He hade to Qingzhou to do some field research, to see if the barbecue business had potential here, and to find out what types of skewers the people of Qingzhou liked best in order to tailor his preparations ordingly. As it turned out, the barbecue shop was extremely popr with the people of Qingzhou, and its future looked promising. He had also nned to use the gathering as an opportunity to boost the barbecue shops reputation and break into the Qingzhou market. But now, all those ns were up in smoke.Ancient cultivators, huh? Just dont let me run into you! In terms of cultivation andbat strength, he far surpassed the three sect deputies. If he joined the battle, it would undoubtedly result in a one-sided victory. Unfortunately, his identity was too unique, and he couldnt participate. If his true identity were discovered, he would be as good as dead. Stealing the Sky and Swapping the Sun! The male cultivator formed a hand seal, and clouds gathered in the sky, blotting out the sunlight. In an instant, the sky became pitch ck, so dark that one couldnt even see their hand in front of their face. Amidst the darkness, the eerie sound of teeth grinding could be heard, as if some enormous creature was chewing on bones. Night Parade of a Hundred Ghosts! another voice shouted. It was the female cultivator, exuding endless ck qi, which coalesced into various forms of ghosts floating in the air. Specters, seductive ghosts, de ghosts, headless ghosts, corpse-possessing ghosts The hundred ghosts remained silent, exuding a deathly aura, like an army of the undead, ready to overrun the mortal realm. If not for the rules restricting them, the death qi from the hundred ghosts would turn this entire mountain into a deste wastnd, with no survivors. Even though they knew the area below wouldnt be affected, the more timid among the onlookers were so terrified by the sight that their legs trembled, and they wanted to flee the scene. Let me tell you all, dont be afraid. With the State Governor here, these are just petty tricks that cant amount to much, the Unity stage expert maintaining the rules reassured Lu Yang and hispanions. After some conversation, they learned that his name was Xia Qun, an early-stage Unity realm cultivator. Besides, the State Governor has the power of the nations fate. For dealing with these unsophisticated ancient Unity cultivators, hes is more than enough. I just wonder when Ill get to be a State Governor myself. You dont have to be so formal with me; after all, Im somewhat connected to your Five Great Immortal Sects, so you could say Im like half a senior brother to you. Lord Xia, did you join one of the Immortal Sects? Lan Ting asked, surprised. Not exactly, but I did take part in your sects entrance exam. The questions were ridiculously hard, you know? I was eliminated in the first round. I almost became your senior brother, so its not too much to say Im half of one. Lan Ting: I had originally nned to try my luck at the Dao Seeking Sect, but on my way there, I participated in the imperial examination as well, and hey, I passed. Thats how I ended up on the official path, Xia Qun said cheerfully, his conversation lightening the mood, even Lu Yang and hispanions no longer felt tense.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om These truly are wicked demonic techniques! The State Governor raised the seal in his hand, and an endless stream of power flowed into his body, his aura rising higher and higher. The ancient cultivator couple watching from across him couldnt help but flinch as they saw him rapidly approaching the Tribtion Crossing Stage. The State Governors entire body emitted a faint glow, like the first light of dawn breaking through the night. This thin ray of light suddenly expanded, dispelling the darkness and the deathly qi that clung to the hundred ghosts, though the ghosts themselves still remained, armed and unting their strength. Behind the male cultivator, a grotesque, mountainous ghost wielded a bone clubrge enough to pluck the stars, moon, and sun from the sky. Attack! the female cultivatormanded, and the ghostly army surged forward, heading straight for the State Governors side. Ill handle these! Daoist Zhang stood at the forefront, emitting a strange sound from his nostrils. A golden pagoda appeared above the ghost army, radiating immeasurable energy. The ghost army let out mournful wails, and half of the army was annihted in an instant. As expected of the Twelve Story Pagoda, always so effective against ghostly entities, Dean Hong quipped, flipping open The Sages Words. The words flew off the pages, charging toward the remaining ghost army. The Confucian techniques of summoning words to fight, how envious! Sadly, an uncultured brute like me could never learn it, Sect Leader Mimented as he watched Dean Hong easilymand the battlefield with just the flick of a finger. Well, if you cant learn it, you cant learn it, Sect Leader Mi roared, suddenly going berserk, his eyes zed over as he lost his senses, leaping toward the female cultivator like a crazed ape. The female cultivator raised her fist, meeting Sect Leader Mis punch head-on. She was surprised to find that even though Sect Leader Mi only had a cultivation at the middle Unity stage, his strength was almost on par with hers, an ancient Unity stage cultivator. It seems hes sacrificing his rationality in exchange for temporary strength, the female cultivator quickly deduced his method after a brief exchange of blows. Not worth worrying about! she scoffed, knowing thatbat involved far more than just brute strength. After Daoist Zhang and Dean Hong dealt with the hundred ghosts, they rushed over to join in, surrounding the female cultivator. On the other side of the battlefield, the State Governor summoned a Mountain-Moving Saint, who hurled a mountain at the male cultivators ghost. The ghost met the attack with its bone club, but the mountain, formed from the nations fortune, shattered upon impact, sending shockwaves through the sky and dispersing the clouds overhead. The State Governor then summoned an Axe-Wielding Saint, who raised a giant axe and swung it at the male cultivator. The male cultivators expression changed as he pulled the ghost to block the blow, resulting in ck blood spilling from the ghosts chest. Heh, to turn the Forming Heaven and Earth technique into such a grotesque form, thats quite a skill, the Evesting Fairy mocked, clearly disdainful of the male cultivators methods. Or maybe the form reflects his heartperhaps he actually likes looking like that? she added sarcastically. Who do you think will win? Lu Yang asked quietly. Naturally, The Great Xia has the upper hand. Their overall strength surpasses the other side, and with the nations fortune aiding them, which can both defend and attack, how could the ancient cultivators possibly win? Is that so? Lu Yang muttered, still feeling like something was off. This is all your fault! the male cultivator roared in fury, pulling out a golden pair of scissors from his chest. The scissors transformed into two golden dragons that soared into the sky, letting out deafening dragon roars that disrupted the spiritual energy of the battlefield. The appearance of the golden dragons was like throwing a stone into a calmke, sending ripples across the entire region of Qingzhou. A treasure refined at the Tribtion Crossing Stage! The State Governor had seen this kind of treasure before in the imperial city. It required a great cost for a Unity cultivator to activate such a treasure. Fortunately, before my wife and I went into hibernation, we sacrificed the lives of an entire city; otherwise, activating the Golden Dragon Shears would have been impossible. Go! The male cultivatormanded, and the two golden dragons coiled around the ghosts arms, charging towards the State Governor. The State Governor activated the power of the nations fortune, which manifested as a sword as long as a river. On one side of the sword were inscribed the words ten thousand citizens, and on the other, mountains and rivers. Supreme Sword Projection! The State Governor is going all out! Xia Qun eximed in shock. Using the Supreme Sword Projection will cost himhe wont be able to engage in any intimate activities for three months! Im telling you, using the Supreme Swords shadowes with a heavy price, but the effect is absolutely phenomenal. Unless a Tribtion Crossing Stage expert shows up, the State Governor could use it to cut down both of these ancient cultivators! The Supreme Sword Projection shed with the golden dragon and the ghost, the resulting brilliance blinding everyone present, forcing them to close their eyes. Who won? No one could tell which side had gained the upper hand. As the smoke cleared, the Supreme Sword Projection shattered, the golden dragons disappeared, the Golden Dragon Shears were broken, and the ghost was sliced in half, its ck blood gushing out. The male cultivator was severely injured, coughing up blood. In contrast, the State Governor stood there, radiant and unfazed, as though the collision had never happened. The State Governor won! The cultivators below cheered, and even Sect Leader Mi and the others breathed a sigh of relief. If the State Governor had lost, it would have been difficult to stop these two ancient cultivators. ppp. A rhythmic apuse rang out. The sound was thin but managed to suppress all other noise. After three ps, the entire area fell silent, as if in the dead of winter. A figure dressed in red appeared in the center of the battlefield, walking through the air. When one tried to probe him with their spiritual sense, they found no trace of spiritual energy within himhe seemed like a mere mortal. But how could a mortal possibly appear in a ce like this? The figure in red smiled faintly and spoke slowly, Ive long heard of The Great Xias extraordinary national fortune. Seeing it today, it truly is impressive. It can protect tens of thousands of citizens, enhance cultivation levels andbat power, and even transform into a sword projection. Though I cant tell exactly what sword that was, the fact that its mere projection could sever a Tribtion Crossing Stage treasure means the real thing must be beyond the Tribtion Crossing Stage. It seems my efforts in orchestrating this battle werent in vain. Its been quite fruitful. The State Governors expression grew tense, as if facing a formidable enemy. You nned all of this? He had been suspicious all along. The secret realm had been thoroughly inspected; it was safe, with no ancient cultivators in hibernation. Where had these two ancient cultivatorse from? Now it made sensethey had a backer. Below, Meng Jingzhou grew anxious. The State Governor looks very grim. That guys at the Tribtion Crossing Stage. If a Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator started ughtering here, who could stop him? What do we do? Meng Jingzhou sent a telepathic message to Lu Yang. Dont worry, he wont cause much trouble, Lu Yang responded calmly. Wheres that confidenceing from? Meng Jingzhou turned his head in surprise. What he saw was a cold, stunningly beautiful woman standing next to Lu Yang. Xia Qun, standing nearby, didnt dare make a sound. Eldest Senior Sister?! Lu Yang had long suspected someone was pulling the strings behind this situation. To be safe, he had called his Eldest Senior Sister ahead of time. Chapter 367: Whose Life Do You Plan to Take? Who? Yan Tianzhi noticed the woman who had appeared beside Lu Yang. He had been focused on the battle high in the sky and hadnt paid attention to Lu Yangs situation. How had a person suddenly appeared in the blink of an eye? Lan Ting and Bai Ming reacted simrly to Yan Tianzhi,pletely unaware that Lu Yang had just used the Shape-Imitating Fist to summon Eldest Senior Sister. Acting Sect Leader? Lan Ting had seen Eldest Senior Sister before when she apanied her master to a meeting at the Dao Seeking Sect, and during that time, Eldest Senior Sister had even tried to tie a red thread between her and Lu Yang, suggesting marriage. Afterward, her master had told her that Yun Zhi was the Acting Sect Leader of Dao Seeking Sect, with a cultivation that was deep and unfathomable. Bai Ming had also seen Yun Zhi at an exchange event between the Five Elements Sect and Dao Seeking Sect. He had heard from his master that Dao Seeking Sects Eldest Senior Sister was considered the top talent of her generation within the immortal sects and was someone not to be provoked. Yan Tianzhi, however, didnt recognize Eldest Senior Sister. He had heard that Dao Seeking Sect had changed sect leaders, but he didnt know who had taken the position. Meng Jingzhou smiled confidently, suddenly feeling that the appearance of the red-robed Tribtion Crossing Stage expert wasnt such a big deal anymore. He even thought that if he had to fight this expert, he could manage it. This is our Eldest Senior Sister, the Acting Sect Leader of Dao Seeking Sect, Yun Zhi, Meng Jingzhou introduced solemnly.With her here, this ce is absolutely safe! Lan Ting and the others didnt quite understand. As far as they knew, Dao Seeking Sects Acting Sect Leader had a cultivation level simr to Daoist Non-Speaker, or if they were being bold, perhaps even at the Tribtion Crossing Stage. If Dao Seeking Sects Eldest Senior Sister were to fight the Tribtion Crossing Stage expert in the sky, the aftershocks alone would overturn mountains and seas, even destroy the heavens and earth. How could they possibly be safe? Yun Zhi paid no attention to the group, her eyes quietly fixed on the battle high above, her face expressionless, giving no hint of her thoughts. Suddenly, Lan Ting noticed that Xia Qun, who had been chattering non-stop, had fallen silent and was trembling uncontrobly. Lord Xia, are you alright? Xia Qun gulped, swallowing with great difficulty as he forced a smile. I-Im fine. See how happy I am? The State Governor will be saved. Yun Zhi turned her gaze to Xia Qun. You know me? Faced with Yun Zhis question, Xia Qun didnt dare not answer. When my familys patriarch left the ancestral grounds to personally greet Senior, I happened to be nearby. Xia Qun couldnt help but feel afraid. His familys patriarch was an unparalleled figure in history, with few able to match him. He had never even heard of the patriarch leaving the ancestral grounds before. Who could have guessed that the day he went to visit the patriarch, he would witness the patriarch leaving to personally wee this otherworldly beautiful Senior from Dao Seeking Sect? The significance of this Senior from the Dao Seeking Sect was clear. Yun Zhi nodded. You and I are about the same age; theres no need to call me Senior. Just address me as Daoist Yun Zhi. Xia Qun nodded in agreement, but he didnt dare actually call her that. If his familys patriarch found out about this, Xia Qun feared he wouldnt live to leave the imperial city. Lu Yang was momentarily stunned when he heard this. If Lord Xia was around the same age as Eldest Senior Sister but already at the early Unity stage, didnt that mean his talent was on par with Senior Brother Dai Bufan? Meng Jingzhou, observing Xia Quns reaction and thinking about his talent, was somewhat puzzled. What are you thinking about? Lu Yang sent a telepathic message to ask, Do you know the royal familys surname? I remember it being Jiang, right? Yes, Jiang. But when the royal family travels incognito, they usually change their surname to Xia. Are you saying that Lord Xia is from the royal family? Thats a possibility. In the sky, the red-clothed figure let out an eerieugh as he rescued the two ancient cultivators, giving them pills to restore their strength. Master. The two ancient cultivators, seeing the red-clothed figure, immediately dropped their arrogance and dared not show any negligence. You two did well. It wasnt in vain that I hid you both in this secret realm, giving me a chance to witness the legendary national fortune and the projection of the Supreme Sword. With the cultivation level of the red-clothed figure, he could deduce many things from just the swords shadow. The national fortune and the Supreme Sword would undoubtedly be major obstacles to the rise of their Great Yu Dynasty. If the red-clothed figure had acted himself, the State Governor would have only used the national fortune to evacuate the cultivators below; he would never have used the national fortune to fight. The State Governors heart sank. The national fortune was foundational to their strength. If the ancient cultivators learned how to counter it, they could find ways to weaken its influence. Once that happened, their unbeatable national fortune would be severely limited. As for the Supreme Sword, the State Governor himself didnt fully understand what it was, but if the Tribtion Crossing Stage expert valued it so highly, it must be of great significance. I cannot let you live! At this point, Sect Leader Mi and the others were of no use anymore. The only thing the State Governor could rely on was the seal in his hand. He once again activated the national fortune, and the vast power of the nation condensed into the form of the Supreme Sword once more. The sword energy surged, and the brilliant light was even more dazzling than the sun, as if splitting the heavens and the earth. The red-clothed figure smirked coldly, thinking the State Governors efforts were futile. He could temporarily make his body intangible, rendering all attacks ineffective. While hisbat power wasnt the strongest at his level, no one could harm him. The projection of the Supreme Sword shed down, and to the red-clothed figures shock, a wound appeared on his chest, skin splitting apart to reveal his white bones. What?! The red-clothed figure was stunned. His ability to be intangible was part of a rule, and it had never failed before. Yet, he had been careless and was now injured by the projection of the Supreme Sword, his life force severely damaged. No wonder the National Teacher warned me to be cautious of the Supreme Sword projection. It turns out it can temporarily nullify rules! Crack. A crisp sound rang out. The red-clothed figure looked down to find that the jade pendant hanging around his neck had shattered. This pendant was a life-saving treasure, which meant that the Supreme Sword projection had already killed him once! The red-clothed figure was enraged butughed bitterly. Now is not the time to tear apart rtions with The Great Xia. I was nning to spare your life, but since youve forced my hand and injured my body, you will all die here, along with the cultivators below!n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om As the red-clothed figure finished speaking, the air grew heavy with an indescribable sense of death, making it difficult to even breathe. Vibrant flowers bloomed at his feet, spreading across the sky in an instant. He clenched his fist, and the flowers withered. From the decayed flower buds, a small light flew out, condensing into a long whip in his hand. Crack! He flicked the whip, and space itself shattered. The State Governors face changed drastically. This was a treasure capable of breaking space. Even if he could withstand it, the cultivators below wouldnt survive such an attack. The two ancient cultivators, closest to the red-clothed figure, trembled uncontrobly. They knew just how terrifying this man could be when enraged. Back during the Great Yu era, he had wiped out entire cities to quell his fury, earning him the title Crimson Cmity. You will all die here! The red-clothed figure roared, his whip crackling with lightning. The entire space trembled, as if it were about to copse. The cultivators below were filled with despair, their hearts consumed by fear and panic. The destructive power they now faced was beyond anything they had ever imagined. The red-clothed figureughed maniacally, swinging his whip forcefully. Hmm? He raised his hand to swing the whip but found that his arm wouldnt move. Somethings wrongnot just my arm! He realized in terror that his entire body was immobilized. Spatial confinement! He was an expert in spatial maniption with his whip, a treasure capable of tearing space apart. How could he be trapped by someone using spatial confinement? When had this happened? A graceful figure appeared before him, cold as frost. She spoke slowly, her icy eyes devoid of any emotion. Whose life do you n to take here? Chapter 368: Boredom The red-clothed figure, known by the nickname Crimson Catastrophe, was a harbinger of endless death during the Great Yu period. Anyone who saw him would tremble and beg for a quick death. But now, it was his turn to feel fear. The pressure brought on by the woman before him was something even the Grandmaster couldnt match. Who on earth was she? He had investigated Qingzhou beforehand and confirmed that there were no Tribtion Crossing Stage experts here. How could such a terrifying presence suddenly appear? Even if she were a Tribtion Crossing Stage expert, it would take time to travel to Qingzhou. And how had she appeared so silently? How had she managed to immobilize him, someone who was an expert in space maniption? Which faction did she belong to? One question after another popped up in his mind.Who who are you? Only now did he realize that in his extreme fear, his voice was trembling, and he hadnt even noticed it. Yun Zhi had no intention of answering her enemys questions. He wasnt worth her time. She extended her jade-like hand, and the bell on her wrist jingled softly. Thud The red-clothed figures chest suddenly caved in, and he was sent flying, losing half his teeth in the process. The impact blew away his clothes and hat, revealing an old face stitched together from countless human skins. He felt as though he had been struck by an overwhelming force as vast as the ocean, like stars crashing down from the sky. This power was invincible, beyond measure, and utterly terrifying. Run! Ironically, being sent flying allowed him to break free from the spatial confinement. Ignoring the two ancient Unity stage cultivators, who werepletely stunned, he swung his long whip, tearing open space to escape. As he swung the whip and the space cracked open, Yun Zhi appeared on the other side of the spatial tear, looking at him coldly and expressionlessly. Die! Lightning coiled around the long whip as heshed it toward Yun Zhi, a single strike powerful enough to cleave a city in two. Yun Zhi paid no heed to the lightning on the whip, grasping it firmly as itshed toward her. With a swift kick, she sent the red-clothed figure flying again. Thud The area where he was kicked was a bloody mess. He coughed up blood, staggered back two steps, and fell to his knees. The State Governor watched, dumbfounded. The opponent was at the Tribtion Crossing Stage, but in Yun Zhis hands, he seemed like a mere child, incapable of causing the slightest disturbance. The State Governor knew that Yun Zhi was the Acting Sect Leader of Dao Seeking Sect, and being in such a position meant her strength wouldnt be weaker than Daoist Non-Speaker. But he never expected Yun Zhis power to be this terrifying. Below, Lan Ting, Bai Ming, and Yan Tianzhi were simrly shocked, their mouths hanging open for a long time. Facing a Tribtion Crossing Stage expert typically required someone at the level of the sects grand elders. Yet, here was a junior, whose rank was even lower than the sect leaders, defeating such an expert in apletely overwhelming manner. Lan Ting finally understood why her master was reluctant to talk about Yun Zhi. Her strength had reached a level that defied imagination. Wait, if Senior Sister Yun Zhi forces a marriage between herself and Lu Yang, what should I do? Lan Ting thought to herself, a trace of delight shing through her heart. Bai Ming, on the other hand, felt that he should go back and convince his master. There was no need to hold a grudge against Dao Seeking Sect. After all, they were all fellow cultivatorsperhaps they could sit down and have a friendly conversation. And if Dao Seeking Sect sat while the Five Elements Sect stood during that conversation, it wouldnt be the worst thing. However, the issue with the Dao Seeking Sects Second Elder being interested in his masters mother might be a problem. Forget it, he thought, better to continue disliking Dao Seeking Sect. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, who knew Yun Zhis power, were unsurprised by the scene. It would have been more shocking if a Tribtion Crossing Stage expert could cause trouble in Eldest Senior Sisters hands. Xia Qun finally understood why his familys patriarch had personally left the ancestral grounds to wee this Senior from Dao Seeking Sect. Of all those present, the one most terrified was Vice Sect Leader Bone. He knew that Yun Zhi had once suppressed the sect leaders of the Four Great Immortal Sects in apetition, but he never imagined she could so easily overpower the red-clothed figure. The red-clothed figure should be at the early Tribtion Crossing Stage, and yet she suppressed him so effortlessly. Could it be that Dao Seeking Sects Eldest Senior Sister is already at a level akin to the ancestral figures of the Dragon and Phoenix ns, a Half-Immortal? But shes so young what a monster Wait a minute, didnt the Sect Leader of Heavenly Court Sect fight this kind of monster to a draw? Suddenly, another thought struck him, making him realize that the depth of Heavenly Court Sects power was far beyond what he had anticipated. What other secrets does Heavenly Court Sect have? The ancient geniuses that made even immortals wary, the Nine Great Heavenly Kings, a Half-Immortal Sect Leader what else is there that our Nine Nether Sect doesnt know? Indeed, what we know is only what Heavenly Court Sect wants us to know. Their true strength likely goes much deeper!n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Not opposing Heavenly Court Sect, and instead choosing to cooperate with them, was definitely the smartest choice. As for Sect Leader Qins reincarnation its best to leave her with Heavenly Court Sect. After all, she was our previous sect leader. Once she regains her memories, she should still have some feelings for our Nine Nether Sect. Suddenly, Vice Sect Leader Bones expression changed, and he hurriedly left. Damn it, its already been a month! The red-clothed figure coughed up blood, his voice muffled, and his eyes bloodshot with madness. Heh heh to think Id run into someone at the Half-Immortal level. Even if I die, Ill take you with me! Driven to insanity, the red-clothed figure caused endless, blood-red flowers to bloom at his feet once more. Their bloom symbolized death. The vibrant flowers exploded in session, the deafening sound shaking the heavens and the earth. The very air trembled, and a primal fear of the flowers arose in peoples souls. If you dodge, my Mand explosion will turn half of this province into a crater! (TL Note: A mand is a geometric configuration of symbols. In various spiritual traditions, mands may be employed for focusing attention of practitioners and adepts, as a spiritual guidance tool, for establishing a sacred space and as an aid to meditation and trance induction. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mand) Yun Zhi remained indifferent, not even raising an eyebrow. The red-clothed figures threats werent worth a response. How boring. A series of explosions echoed across the sky, the smoke thick and imprable, preventing anyone from seeing the result of the battle. Will that master be okay? Some of the cultivators attending the gathering began to worry. No matter how strong the one who came to save them was, it seemed impossible to block such an attack without injury. Tribtion Crossing Stage or Half-Immortalit was all far beyond their reach. There must be some method to block it, onepanion said, though not very confidently. Lets hope so. The rest of the cultivators shared simr concerns. The red-clothed figure had brought an overwhelming sense of dread, as if the world itself were on the verge of destruction. Just as the crowds anxiety peaked, Yun Zhi descended from the sky, dragging the red-clothed figure behind her. Walking through the air, she calmly approached Lu Yang. Lu Yang, fully aware of his Eldest Senior Sisters strength, had never once worried about her safety. Curious, he stretched his neck to look at the red-clothed figure behind her. At this point, the figure could no longer be called the red-clothed figure. His once ominous red robes had been torn to shreds by the explosions, and his body was now charred and unrecognizablethere was no way to tell what he had looked like before. Is he dead? Lu Yang wondered silently. Eldest Senior Sisters attack had been so ruthless that she hadnt even left behind a soul? In the mental space, the Evesting Fairy pouted, Theres only a corpse left; his soul has escaped. Yun Zhis expression remained unchanged. I know. I want to find out where he fled to. Chapter 369: How Many Unity Stage Cultivators Are Hiding in This Qingzhou Gathering? Huff huff The blood-stained figure panted heavily, his heart pounding violently as though it might leap out of his chest,pletely devoid of the calm and arrogance he had shown before. Damn it, such bad luck! I had nned to observe the power of the national fortune for future ns, but instead, I ran into a Half-Immortal! This era is truly full of surprises. Fortunately, I always prepare thoroughly. Besides having the life-saving jade, I had this backup body ready! When I self-destructed earlier, it was to confuse that Half-Immortal expert and create an opportunity to escape! During the Great Yu era, people feared the blood-clothed figure, calling him the Cmity Sovereign. His appearance signaled chaos and bloodshed, bringing disaster to the world. In this current age, as a Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator with no one to restrain him, he acted as he pleased. Who could stop him? He had hoped to seize the opportunity of this era to restore his country and elevate his cultivation even further, but unexpectedly, he encountered a peerless expert who could end his life. Damn it, when have I ever been so humiliated!The Cmity Sovereign scowled at the battered Unity-level body he now upied, full of regret. In order to fool the Half-Immortal, his self-destruction had been incredibly convincing. He had damaged most of his soul, nearly dispersing his three souls and seven spirits, and even deliberately left soul remnants on the exploded body. However, the backup body he had prepared for resurrection was only at the Unity stage. Both his soul and physical body were now Unity level, and restoring his former strength would require an unimaginable amount of heavenly materials and earthly treasures. This wasnt the Great Yu era anymore. All such treasures were now imed, and obtaining them would require extensive effort and risk exposure. But now is not the time to worry about these difficulties. The priority is to leave this ce! He hadnt fully escaped danger yet. His resurrection method had a range limitation, and he had revived in a room at an inn near the foot of the mountain. With the area under tight surveince, flying out would be too conspicuous and likely get me noticed. Running out on foot is the safest option. He stepped out of the room and left the inn, when something caught his eyea group of fine horses leisurely grazing on a nearbywn, seemingly unaffected by the pressure released earlier by the two ancient Unity cultivators. These horses were all sleek and shiny, and all of them were mares. In the center stood an old, white horse that appeared quite aged. Strangely, all the mares seemed to be brushing up against the old white horse, as if exchanging affectionate nces and hidden emotions. The old white horse epted the attention from all the mares without hesitation. A pureblood dragon horse! The Cmity Sovereigns eyes lit up. He hadnt expected toe across a pureblood dragon horse here. This rare species usually resided in the vast East Sea. He had always wanted to capture one, but there were legends of the ancient immortal, Ying Tian Immortal guarding the East Sea, so he hadnt dared venture there. The horses owner must have disguised it as an old horse. The dragon horses superior bloodline naturally attracts these ordinary horses due to its strength. A dragon horse is incredibly fast. If I ride it to escape, it will at least help make up for todays losses! The Cmity Sovereign quickly calcted his n, figuring this was the fastest way to flee the area. He released a faint pressure, causing the mares to scatter in fear. The dragon horses eyes red with anger, but the Cmity Sovereign didnt care. Heughed and said: Good dragon horse, I know you understand human speech. Follow me, and I promise you wont be mistreated! With that, he strode toward the dragon horse. The dragon horse was a demonic beast, and it would surely follow him. Bang! The dragon horse kicked with its hind legs, dislocating both of the Cmity Sovereigns arms. A Unity-level great demon king! The Cmity Sovereign was stunned. How could there be a Unity-level being here? And why hadnt it intervened when they were fighting the two ancient Unity stage cultivators earlier? Riding a Great Demon King as a mountwho could its master be? The mount of that Half-Immortal expert! The Cmity Sovereign immediately thought of this possibility. Realizing he had attacked the mount of a Half-Immortal, he feared that the expert might have already noticed him. Run! Still too afraid to fly, the Cmity Sovereign boldly used his spiritual qi to burrow into the ground, crawling through the dirt while keeping his spiritual sense retracted, fearful of being detected. After some time, with no sign of the terrifying pressure of the Half-Immortal descending upon him, he finally felt somewhat relieved. Looks like she didnt notice me after all. Poking his head above the ground, he found the area deste, with only one person nearby, meditating. Feeling safe, he crawled outpletely. It should be safe here. Seeing the lone cultivator nearby, greed filled his heart. They were now far from the Qingzhou gathering, and if this cultivator disappeared, no one would suspect him. Devouring this cultivator might help restore some of his lost spiritual qi. He walked directly toward the meditating figure, but before he got too close, the cultivator, eyes still closed, coldly spoke in a detached tone. If I were you, I wouldnte any closer. The Cmity Sovereign sneered. Clearly, the cultivator had sensed his malicious intent but, unable to escape, was now trying to scare him off.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om It seemed the cultivators of this era liked to bluff, but unfortunately for them, these were tricks he had perfected long ago! Oh really? Lets see what happens if I do get closer! The Cmity Sovereign stepped toward the cultivator. Vice Sect Leader Bone opened his eyes and, seeing the Cmity Sovereign approaching, gently shook his head. The Cmity Sovereign had changed bodies, so Vice Sect Leader Bone didnt recognize him. But if someone was looking for death, he certainly wouldnt stop them. Boom! Thunder roared, shaking the heavens, the deafening sound reverberating across the sky, causing fear in all who heard it. Lightning descended like a massive silver spear, connecting heaven and earth, piercing through the sky. Whats happening? Where did this tribtion lightninge from? The Cmity Sovereign was stunned. Why had a tribtion suddenly appeared? More importantly, why was the lightning targeting him?! Damn it, its you! The Cmity Sovereign red at Vice Sect Leader Bone, realizing that the man was undergoing a tribtion and that he had been caught up in it, now deemed an intruder by the lightning. I told you not toe closer, Vice Sect Leader Bone said coldly. Tribtion lightning? What do I have to fear from mere lightning?! The Cmity Sovereign roared angrily, his robes fluttering as he summoned all his strength. Its you! Vice Sect Leader Bones expression changed. Sensing the aura from the Cmity Sovereign, he recognized him as the culprit behind the disruption of the Qingzhou gathering. For a moment, Petrified Bone felt a surge of nervousness. But realizing that the Cmity Sovereigns vitality had greatly diminished, leaving his cultivation on par with his own, his fear faded. It was you who ruined the Qingzhou gathering, causing my business to fail! Vice Sect Leader Bone shouted angrily. Huh? The Cmity Sovereign was briefly taken aback, the informationing from Petrified Bone overwhelming him. You, a Unity stage cultivator, were opening a shop at the Qingzhou gathering? The Cmity Sovereign widened his eyes in disbelief. Another Unity stage cultivator? How many more hidden monsters were lurking at the Qingzhou gathering? Enough talk! Lets face this tribtion together! Vice Sect Leader Bone was at full strength, while the Cmity Sovereign was barely hanging on. In the face of tribtion lightning, Petrified Bone was confident that the Sovereign would fare much worse than him. This was poetic justicerevenge served by the heavens! Seeing his enemy in front of him, Vice Sect Leader Bones rage red. He hadnt expected to run into his nemesis while sneaking away to endure his tribtion. If he didnt take this chance to exact revenge, when would he? Boom! The tribtion lightning struck, and endless bolts of electricity turned to sma, carrying searing energy that engulfed both men. Chapter 370: Hiding in a Jail Cell Should Be Safe After the tribtion lightning, the Cmity Sovereign was left barely alive, his entire body charred, looking not much different from a corpse. Damn it! How can a Unity-level cultivator face such powerful tribtion lightning? he cursed. The Vice Sect Leader Bone didnt answer. In his mind, he thought, Of course the tribtion is powerfulits worth a billion Spirit Stones. Having gone through a tribtion once before, Vice Sect Leader Bone had fully prepared himself this time. Now charred ck like a statue, a faint cracking sound emerged as his skin began to split. He peeled off the burntyer, revealing fresh skin underneath. An entry-level Cicada Molting Technique? The Cmity Sovereign recognized the technique. Vice Sect Leader Bone nced at him without speaking, calmly swallowing a pill. The sight made the Cmity Sovereign burn with envy. The Cicada Molting Technique only kept his body clean; he still needed the pill to restore his strength after enduring the tribtion. The Cmity Sovereign wanted to seize the pill, but his body was in such terrible shape that just being able to move was a miracle. Trying to take the pill was out of the question.Vice Sect Leader Bone absorbed the medicinal power of the pill, smirking at the Cmity Sovereign. I finally turned over a new leaf and started a legitimate business, and you ancient cultivators ruined everything. Now that I have you, consider yourself unlucky! Abandoning any formal spells or techniques, Vice Sect Leader Bone proceeded to beat the Cmity Sovereign with his fists and feet, venting his frustration. You wretched scum! You ruined my business! Do you think todays cultivators are pushovers? I wont stop until I beat you so badly that even your own mother wont recognize you! The Cmity Sovereign was left bruised and battered, with not a single intact bone in his body. His groin received especially harsh treatment. Vice Sect Leader Bone shook his right hand, producing a thick iron chain. He bound the Cmity Sovereign tightly, slinging him over his shoulder like a pig and preparing to leave. No no! I cant let him take me away! The Cmity Sovereign realized that Vice Sect Leader Bone was ruthless. If he was taken away, there would be no chance of survival! He had to escape! Biting his tongue, he spat out a mouthful of blood essence, turning his body into smoke. He slipped out of the chains and tore open a rift in space, disappearing instantly. Burning lifespan! Vice Sect Leader Bones eyes narrowed. He hadnt expected the Cmity Sovereign to be so desperate. His chains could lock both the body and soul, and in the Sovereigns weakened state, escaping would require burning at least several thousand years of his lifespan. Thats ruthless. How many years do you have left after that? Unable to counter the Cmity Sovereigns desperate method, Vice Sect Leader Bone sighed, Fine, let him run. Ill find other ancient cultivators to settle the score. The Cmity Sovereign was still fleeing for his life. After this encounter, it would be difficult for him to gain any advantage in the current eras power struggles. My strategy was wed. I hid in a deste ce earlier and ran into that lunatic undergoing tribtion. This time, Ill hide in a city instead! He quickly adjusted his n and headed for the nearest city. Great Yan Countywhat a fitting name. Like migrating geese flying south, I too will rise again. It suits my situation perfectly! (TL Note: The Yan here is which means goose) Being cautious, he used his spiritual sense to survey the city. It appears to be a prosperous ce, and the county governor is only at the Spirit Transformation Stageperfect for hiding! The Cmity Sovereign smiled slightly. A bustling city with a weak governorthis was an ideal hiding ce! Heaven was on his side! After burning his lifespan, his cultivation had plummeted, falling to the early Unity Stage, and he had barely managed to maintain even that level. Due to the unique nature of the Void Refinement Stage, falling from the Unity stage meant he would bypass Void Refinement and drop directly to the Spirit Transformation Stage. Fortune continues to favor me! he thought, sneaking into Great Yan County, considering where he could hide and recover his cultivation. I can restore my power by devouring the energy of others. The process must not be interrupted, so I need to find a ce filled with death and stillness. Then, the Cmity Sovereign thought of the perfect hiding spot. The jail! Prisoners in a jail had no rights, and no one would care if something strange happened to them. The Cmity Sovereign turned into a cloud of smoke and slipped into the jail. As soon as he entered, he heard two people arguing. Ive told you, thatw isnt supposed to be used this way. Are you out of your mind? Nonsense, I wrote thatw. How would I not know how to use it? Just because you wrote it doesnt mean you understand it! I raised Yun Zhi, and even I dont know how strong she is now! Thats ridiculous! No, youre ridiculous. Daoist Non-Speaker and the Minister of Justice were in the middle of a heated argument, with the once calm andposed minister bing increasingly irritable. Hold on a second. Daoist Non-Speaker raised his hand, sensing something was wrong. Whos there? he demanded. What a heavy stench of blood! The Minister of Justice was shocked. He had executed many criminals in his time, but none of them carried such a strong aura of death as the Cmity Sovereign. Most demonic cultivators used secret techniques to hide their bloodthirsty aura, fearing the Righteous Paths power. However, the Cmity Sovereign had no such concerns. During the Great Yu era, the more bloodstained one was, the bettersometimes, it was even a mark of honor. Heh heh, to think you two small fry could sense my presence. Impressive, but now you will be nourishment for me! The Cmity Sovereign believed he had merely let his guard down for a moment, leaking his aura. It was of no consequence. He had a way to handle these two! He couldnt deal with other opponents, but surely these two prisoners would be easy targets. A sinister, terrifying light suddenly shed as an evil energy swirled around the confined space, creating a force like a ck hole. Silent screams seemed to echo from the depths of an abyss. Be my ves! The Minister of Justice immediately struck back, summoning a massive invisible golden hand that swatted away the cloud of smoke. The Cmity Sovereign was sent tumbling to the ground, and the evil energy, light, and the chilling screams all vanished. What nonsense. You dare to pull that kind of trick in front of me? The Cmity Sovereigny dazed on the ground, unable toprehend what had just happened. How had he been knocked down so easily? Demonic cultivator! Capture him! Daoist Non-Speaker shouted, as his sword heart pulsed. A stream of sword qi, like a river of ten thousand des, surged through the room, filling the space with unstoppable force. There was no chance for the Cmity Sovereign to escape, not even to tear open space and flee! Daoist Non-Speaker, being an expert in escaping himself, knew exactly how to prevent others from doing so. Only someone like Yun Zhi could have captured him. If it were anyone else, they might not have seeded. The Cmity Sovereign fell silent,pletely speechless. He didnt even know what kind of expression to wear to reflect his current state of mind. What was happening? Why were there such powerful individuals locked up in this prison? They were even stronger than the lunatic he encountered during the tribtion! There were no restrictive formations in this jailwhy were they locked up here? Forfort during the cool summers and warm winters? What kind of fool is this? The Minister of Justice had never seen anyone so eager to die. Who knows? Hes clearly not a decent person. Hes probably some ancient cultivator whos never seen the world, got injured, and thought he could hide out in this jail to recover. Lets capture him and im the credit! We might even get our sentences reduced! Daoist Non-Speaker said excitedly. Sitting in jail and having credit fall into theirpsit was like a dreame true! Hearing this, the Minister of Justice became equally excited. Meanwhile, Yun Zhi, who had been following the Cmity Sovereign, sighed softly as she witnessed the scene. Clearly, expecting him to return to hisir was impossible. The Cmity Sovereign had the worst luck she had ever seen. First, he was kicked by an old horse, then he had to face tribtion lightning with Vice Sect Leader Bone, and now he had stumbled into Great Yan Countys jail, where he was captured by two Unity Stage cultivators. The fact that he was still alive was a miracle. Yun Zhi had never seen someone so unlucky. She decided it was time to take him back for a severe interrogation. Appearing in the jail, Yun Zhi greeted the two men, Master, Minister, its been a long time.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Chapter 371: The Kind-Hearted Cultivator, Vice Sect Leader Bone Daoist Non-Speaker and the Minister of Justice were closely inspecting the Cmity Sovereign when a familiar, light voice behind them made them both shudder in surprise. Master, Minister, its been a while. Its you! Upon seeing the figure responsible for his downfall, the Cmity Sovereign screamed in terror and desperately tried to crawl away. Daoist Non-Speaker and the Minister of Justice nced at each other, wondering why this old man was more frightened than they were. Being intelligent men, they quickly pieced it together: this person must have been chased by Yun Zhi, fleeing all the way to the jail, hoping to use the ominous atmosphere to hide, only to be caught by the two of them. If Im not mistaken, this is the Cmity Sovereign from the middle period of the Great Yu Dynasty. He instigated the riot at the Qingzhou Gathering,manding two ancient Unity stage cultivators to act out. He forced the State Governor of Qingzhou to use the national fortune and the Supreme Sword Projection to respond, aiming to gather intelligence. Fortunately, my junior brother was alert and noticed something off about the two ancient Unity cultivators. He informed me just in time, allowing me to capture this one. If he had passed on the national fortune and Supreme Sword information to other ancient cultivators, it would have caused great trouble. So thats why it seemed strangean unknown Unity-level cultivator suddenly appearing. Turns out hes another ancient Unity stage! The Minister of Justice looked at the Cmity Sovereign with gritted teeth.Daoist Non-Speakers usual yful demeanor vanished. The ancient cultivators were indeed one of the great dangers threatening the Great Xia. Yun Zhi narrowed her eyes slightly. This was the second time she had captured an ancient Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator. Earlier, she, along with the other four leaders of the Five Great Immortal Sects and the Emperor Xia, had agreed that more ancient cultivators would awaken over time. Currently, it was Unity stage cultivators, but soon it would be Tribtion Crossing Stage experts. However, based on this ancient Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators actions, it was clear he already knew about the national fortune and the Supreme Sword. He must have awakened long ago. It seems many ancient cultivators are hidden in ces we dont know about, Yun Zhi said coldly, her voice revealing a trace of displeasure. These ancient cultivators, dull and unfit, sought immortality but brought disaster to the world in their scheming and ambition. The Cmity Sovereign looked like a withered corpse, barely alive and on the verge of death. Seeing his pitiful state, Yun Zhi lightly tapped her finger, pulling his soul out from his body. It would be much easier to deal with just his soul. Rather than dragging along his copsing body, she would simply take his soul back. Yun Zhi held an invisible chain in her right hand, the other end securely binding the Cmity Sovereign. Oh, by the way, Master, Minister, capturing the Cmity Sovereign is a significant aplishment. I will inform the Emperor Xia about your achievement. Before leaving, Yun Zhi suddenly mentioned this. The two men were stunned at first but then overjoyed. Such a grand achievement would be more than enough to secure their release from prison. They had feared they would miss their chance to get out. Where should I find another ancient cultivator to take revenge on? Vice Sect Leader Bone pondered. He never dyed vengeanceit was always immediate. You, my friend, are truly noble and righteous, going out of your way to seek out ancient cultivators. I, Sun, greatly admire you! A heartyugh full of joy rang out. (TL Note: His surname is Sun but it doesnt refer to the actual sun, its just spelt the same way just like Sun Wukong) Vice Sect Leader Bone found the voice familiar. Turning his head, he flinchedit was the State Governor. The State Governor sped his hands in respect toward Petrified Bone, his attitude sincere. I do not know where you are from, nor your esteemed name, but to use the opportunity of the tribtion lightning to severely wound the Cmity Sovereign is a tremendous feat. I must invite you back to my residence, where you will be richly rewarded. Afterward, I will also submit a formal report to the court, rmending you for an award! Just like Yun Zhi, the State Governor had been following the Cmity Sovereign. However, he wasnt as fast as Yun Zhi and had missed most of what had transpired. When the State Governor arrived, he saw Vice Sect Leader Bone dragging the Cmity Sovereign through the tribtion lightning. The Cmity Sovereign had tried to escape multiple times, but each attempt was blocked by Vice Sect Leader Bone, who seemed to be enjoying the struggle, clearly holding a grudge against him. After the tribtion, Vice Sect Leader Bone tied up the Cmity Sovereign, fearing he might escape. The State Governor filled in the details in his mind: Vice Sect Leader Bone was a hidden rogue cultivator, undergoing his tribtion in a deste area. Recognizing the Cmity Sovereign as a viin dripping with bloodshed, Shi used the tribtion lightning to trap him. A noble and righteous person! the State Governor thought, deeply moved. He immediately offered to reward Vice Sect Leader Bone for his heroic deeds. However, Vice Sect Leader Bone frantically declined. How could he dare to follow the State Governor? If the State Governor found out his true identity, wouldnt the State Governor get promoted immediately? That wasnt something he said; it was written just like that on the bounty board. State Governor, youre too kind. I merely couldnt stand seeing these ancient cultivatorsmitting crimes with no regard forw and order, so I decided to teach them a lesson. As for any reward, where is the justice in seeking payment for doing what is right? That would be putting the cart before the horse. Farewell! he said, hurriedly leaving before the State Governor could stop him. The State Governor watched him disappear, sincerely praising, Truly a virtuous and reclusive cultivator. At the Qingzhou Gathering, the two ancient Unity stage cultivators had been captured, their cultivation sealed, and were being guarded in turns by several Unity-level cultivators. The imperial court would soon dispatch the Luoshui Guard to take the two ancient Unity cultivators away, crippling their meridians and locking them in the imperial prison. Officials worked diligently to restore order. With the State Governor absent, Xia Qun, as the highest-ranking official, sat in the yamen, overseeing and directing the recovery efforts. While the physical damage was minimal, the event had caused significant psychological impact. Ancient Unity cultivators, the national fortune, the Supreme Sword projection, an ancient Tribtion Crossing Stage expert, and a mysterious figure who easily subdued such an expertthese were things beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators. Even seasoned cultivators like Lan Ting and herpanions were still in shock, struggling to process what had just happened. As for Lu Yang, he remained unfazed. What was an ancient Tribtion Crossing Stagepared to what he knew? After all, in his mental space resided the First Immortal of the Ancient Era, one of the Top Ten Beauties of Ancient Times, who often casually discussed ancient secrets that involved immortals. Byparison, a Tribtion Crossing Stage expert was hardly worth mentioning. He overheard some passersby discussing the recent events. Thank goodness that expert intervened, or we wouldve been in real danger, one Golden Core Stage cultivator said, still feeling lucky to be alive. Hispanion nodded, the fear still evident in his eyes. No doubt. But now that you mention it, what did that expert look like? You forgot the appearance of the person who saved your life? Wait, yeah was it a man or a woman? The two exchanged confused nces, unable to recall. Elsewhere, more people were discussing the battle. State Governor was amazing! He withstood a Tribtion Crossing-level treasure all by himself. Thats nothing! The State Governor nearly killed that ancient Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator. Especially with that swordit was out of this world! A sword? What sword? Dont you remember? The sword was um, what was it made of?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Now that you mention it, what weapon did the State Governor use to defeat the ancient Unity cultivators? Both were filled with questions, and soon, theypletely forgot what had just transpired. Lu Yang frowned at the scene, recalling the events clearly in his mind: the national fortune, the Supreme Sword projection, Eldest Senior Sister everything was vivid. Immortal, whats going on here? Chapter 372: The Nature of Immortals So, you need to ask me, an Immortal, again, dont you? Evesting Fairy was more than happy to answer Lu Yangs question. First, ask the other little ones from the sects and see how much they remember, Evesting Fairy suggested, guiding Lu Yang to seek the root of the issue himself. Lan Ting, do you remember the battle that just happened? Lan Ting shot Lu Yang a look, thinking it was a silly question. Of course, I remember. It was Senior Sister Yun Zhi disying her divine abilities, suppressing that Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator. And what about the events before that? Are you talking about the fight between the State Governor and the ancient Unity cultivators? Didnt the State Governor use Lan Ting suddenly stopped, feeling like the answer was right on the tip of her tongue but couldnt quite grasp it. What had the State Governor used? Lu Yang didnt push further. The oue was simrLan Ting had forgotten about the national fortune and the Supreme Sword Projection. He turned to ask Yan Tianzhi next, Do you still remember Eldest Senior Sister?Yun Zhi? Yes, Senior Sister, I remember her. What about the methods the State Governor used in the fight? Yan Tianzhi blinked and answered bluntly, Forgot. Old Meng, what about you? Is your mind still sharp? Lu Yang asked, moving on to Meng Jingzhou. Dont be ridiculous. My minds always sharp. The State Governor used the national fortune to form the Supreme Sword Projection and fought the ancient Unity cultivators. Then Eldest Senior Sister suppressed the ancient Tribtion Crossing Stage. Lu Yang began to ponder. The ordinary cultivators had forgotten about the national fortune and Eldest Senior Sister, while Lan Ting, Yan Tianzhi, and Bai Ming had only forgotten the national fortune. Only he and Meng Jingzhou remembered the entire battle. The key seems to be the national fortune. The national fortune erased everyones memories. Since Meng Jingzhou is from the Meng family, which once vied with the royal family for control of the empire and intermarried with the royal bloodline multiple times, its likely that his royal blood lets him remember the national fortune. But why did Eldest Senior Sister leave some peoples memories intact? Did she not erase ours because she didnt want to draw attention, and yet, she kept the memories of us five intact? Lu Yang thought he had found the answer and sought confirmation from Evesting Fairy. Youre close enough. The national fortune did erase everyones memories. However, its not that Little Yun deliberately left your memories intactits that she intentionally preserved them. Do you understand the difference? Evesting Fairy asked. Lu Yang lowered his head in thought, then suddenly realized with a shock, Eldest Senior Sister and the national fortunes memory-erasing effect happens automatically! Exactly. Its a trait of Immortals. Their actions naturally cause mortals to forget their abilities unless they specifically want people to remember. Both the national fortune and Little Yuns actions fall under the category of Immortal abilities. The State Governor oversees this ce, so he wont forget the national fortune. That Xia Qun guy, with his royal blood, wont forget either, and the same goes for the Meng kid. Lu Yang suddenly thought of another question. Wait, you mentioned Immortal abilities. Does the ariya-ph count as one of those? Evesting Fairy was quite pleased with how quickly Lu Yang was connecting the dots. You catch on fast! Yes, ariya-ph is one of the most essential traits of an Immortal, so its certainly considered an Immortal ability. For example, Ying Tian Immortals ariya-ph that causes tribtions and Immemorial Immortals Time-based ariya-ph are ssic examples of Immortal abilities. Even though Immemorial Immortal practically named himself after his power, people still cant remember that his abilities are tied to time. The mystery of Immortals stems from this very reason. Then why can I remember all of this? Evesting Fairy puffed up with pride. Isnt it obvious? With me watching over you, how could you possibly forget? Youre under my protection as the second-inmand of the Evesting Lineage, and you know nothing of other Immortals? If word of that got out, people wouldugh at my Evesting Lineage! Lu Yang finally realized how valuable the knowledge he had was. Of course, not all Immortals possess the ability to make people forget their abilities automatically. I, for one, am an exception! Otherwise, there wouldnt be the Undying Sect, right? said the Evesting Fairy, raising two slender fingers. Based on this trait, Immortals can be divided into two categories. One group consists of those who have the automatic memory-erasing ability for their techniques. The other group is Immortals like me, who dont possess such traits! These are actually two different paths, two distinct choices. Lu Yang remained silent for a long time before slowly raising his hands in a respectful gesture, sincerely saying, You truly are remarkable, Immortal Fairy! His serious attitude left the Evesting Fairy a bit flustered. Her cheeks turned slightly red, and she didnt know where to ce her hands or feet. She crossed her arms, tilting her head upward, her lips pouting. Ive told you all along how amazing I am, but you didnt believe me, she said. After speaking, she peeked at Lu Yang through a small slit in her eyes, trying to gauge his reaction. Seeing that Lu Yang still maintained a serious expression, she grew even more flustered. Im going to sleep now. Go, go, go! Dont bother me while Im resting! Evesting Fairy shooed Lu Yang out of his mental space. Though the Cmity Sovereign seemed to have been fleeing for a long time, the entire process was actually quite brief. After waiting only a short while, Lu Yang and the others saw Eldest Senior Sister return to the Qingzhou Gathering, dragging the Cmity Sovereigns soul behind her.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Eldest Senior Sister, youre back already? Lu Yang was surprised. Didnt she n to follow the Cmity Sovereign to hisir? This was way too fast. Yun Zhi: There was a change in ns. Yun Zhi didnt want to exin further. How could she exin that the Cmity Sovereign had the worst luck, running into four Unity cultivators, and even helping her reduce the sentences of both her master and the Minister of Justice along the way? Senior Senior Sister Yun Zhi, Lan Ting greeted timidly, too nervous to meet Yun Zhis gaze directly. Yun Zhis disy of power in the sky had been truly intimidating. Anyone who had witnessed it would naturally feel a sense of fear. Yun Zhi nced at Lan Ting and nodded slightly. I remember you. Your master brought you to propose to Lu Yang, but after I agreed, your master changed his mind and ran off with you. Lan Ting stood silent for a long time, struggling to connect Yun Zhis words to her past experience. Senior Sister Yun Zh. Senior Sister. Both Bai Ming and Yan Tianzhi nervously greeted her, far more tense than when facing their own sects ancestors. The State Governor has informed me that the Qingzhou Gathering is over for this year. Youre free to make your own travel arrangements, Yun Zhi said, kindly reminding them. She tugged at the chain in her hand. I still need to interrogate this person, so Ill be heading back to the sect. Just as Yun Zhi was about to leave, she nced at Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, suddenly remembering something. She turned to ask Lan Ting. By the way, how did my junior brother and Meng Jingzhou perform as judges in the Qingzhou Gathering? Did they provide urate feedback on thepetitors strengths and weaknesses? Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were both taken aback, cold sweat breaking out. It turned out Eldest Senior Sister had sent them to be judges, not participants! Lan Ting thought for a moment and smiled sweetly. Senior Brother Lu Yang and Senior Brother Meng Jingzhou are true role models for our younger generation. They are exceptionally talented and experienced in battle. Their feedback was sharp and insightful, hitting the mark with every word. All thepetitors were thoroughly convinced and said theyd train hard after returning home. Eldest Senior Sister nodded approvingly. Thats good to hear. I was worried they might have participated in thepetition themselves. d to know they didnt. Hearing Yun Zhisment, Evesting Fairy suddenly wasnt sleepy anymore. She sprang up from her bed, eager to expose Lu Yang, but Lu Yang quickly covered her mouth, silencing her. Chapter 373: The Great Yu’s National Teacher Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were deeply moved by Lan Tings efforts to cover for them, feeling an immense gratitude that was as strong as if she had been their second parent. Meanwhile, Evesting Fairy was thoroughly enjoying the drama, causing more trouble, but fortunately, Lu Yang was quick to cover her mouth, preventing any further chaos that could have had serious consequences for him. Lets go back, Yun Zhi said, leaving that single sentence behind as she flew down to the base of the mountain. Seeing this, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou hurriedly said their goodbyes to Lan Ting and the others. Were heading out first! Until we meet again. Come visit the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce sometime! The five parted ways. The gathering hade to an end, and each of them had their own matters to attend to. They couldnt stay together forever. When Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou reached the bottom of the mountain, Yun Zhi lifted the curtain of a carriage and said, Get in. Meng Jingzhou looked at the old horse in front of him with a puzzled expression. Normally, the horse had dull fur and droopy eyes, looking like it was just living out the remainder of its days, scraping by. But now, the horses coat gleamed brightly, and it appeared full of vitality, like a rare, magnificent steedpletely different from before.Yun Zhi held a soul-binding chain in her hand, the other end of the chain hanging out of the carriage. The Cmity Sovereign was floating outside, like a balloon tethered to the carriage, looking utterly ridiculous. The Cmity Sovereign, seeing the old horse now humble and subdued, pulling the carriage for Yun Zhi, felt more certain of his suspicion. This Dragon Horse Great Demon King was indeed the mount of the Half-Immortal!n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Dont be so arrogant! The National Teacher will surely restore the glory of the Great Yu! The Cmity Sovereign roared with a fierce expression,ughing madly. Yun Zhi frowned, finding hisughter irritating. With a casual flick of her hand, she cast a seal, shutting off all his senses, rendering him unable to speak or perceive anything around him. National Teacher? So, the National Teacher of Great Yu is behind all this? Lu Yang pondered as he climbed into the carriage, searching his mind for any relevant information about the National Teacher. Whats a National Teacher? Evesting Fairy asked. She hadnt yet fully grasped the knowledge of the current world, let alone about a now-extinct system like the National Teacher. The National Teacher was a unique position in the Great Yu Dynasty. You could think of Great Yu as a sect, and the National Teacher was like the Protector of the Sect, responsible for ensuring its longevity. The National Teacher system dates back over 200,000 years, to the very founding of the Great Yu Dynasty. Its said that the first National Teacher was the teacher of the first Yu Emperor, and with the National Teachers help, the first Yu Emperor established the Great Yu Dynasty. The first Yu Emperor was a formidable ruler who managed to overthrow the previous dynasty and unify the central continent. However, none of his children possessed the same talents for cultivation or state management. At that point, the emperor thought of his teacher and created the position of National Teacher, appointing his mentor to the role. Thus, the first National Teacher came to be. Historical records suggest that the National Teacher system yed a major role after the death of the first Yu Emperor. During the early period of Great Yus strength, much of its sess can be attributed to the National Teacher, who nurtured emperors and governed effectively. But this created another consequencethe National Teacher became the real power behind Great Yu. At the height of the National Teachers influence, they could even decide to rece the Yu Emperor. Though some of these recements did make Great Yu stronger, what emperor would be happy to have someone ruling over them like a puppet master? Moreover, while the first National Teacher truly worked for the good of Great Yu,ter National Teachers may have been driven by personal desires rather than the interests of the empire. By the middle andte periods of the dynasty, Great Yu seemed prosperous on the surface, but beneath that, deadly conflicts brewed. The struggle between the National Teacher and the Yu Emperor intensified, leading to assassinations, political maneuvering, seductions, and disputes over sessionall part of a tangled web of schemes. No one could predict what hidden cards the other side held. The Meeting at t Top Mountain, which took ce 110,000 years ago, marked the breaking point of these tensions. The factions of the National Teacher and the Yu Emperorpletely tore each other apart, battling at t Top Mountain. At least eight Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators participated, with many more fighting from the shadows. The National Teacher and the Yu Emperor both suffered greatly, their top forces were decimated, and the Great Yu Dynastys power drastically declined. The conflicts that had been suppressed for so long erupted, pushing the Great Yu Dynasty toward its downfall. Do you remember the ancient Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator, the Blood Demon Sovereign, who was captured by Eldest Senior Sister? He was also once a National Teacher. Blood Demon? Oh, right. I remember now. Isnt he the one who came up in the tales from Commoner Town, where there were a few ancient Unity cultivators? Little Yun learned from them about some treasure they left in the Three Perfections Heaven, which they believed could help them rise again. Later, Little Yun found the Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator sleeping in Sanlis Heavenly Realmthats the Blood Demon Sovereign you mentioned. Exactly. Afterward, I researched it. In theter years of the Great Yu Dynasty, the Blood Demon Sovereign supported an emperor and became the National Teacher himself. Then, to participate in the grand era, he chose to go into slumber. When he woke up, he was immediately captured by Eldest Senior Sister. From what I remember, the Blood Demon Sovereign was only in the early Tribtion Crossing Stage. Was the Great Yu Dynasty really that weak in its final days? As one of the Five Ancient Immortals, Evesting Fairy thought of Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators as trash, regardless of who they were. However, the fact that someone at the early Tribtion Crossing Stage could be a National Teacher showed just how weakened Great Yu had be at the time. The Cmity Sovereign and the Blood Demon Sovereign were both at the same level, both early Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators. Judging by how highly the Cmity Sovereign spoke of the National Teacher, the National Teachers cultivation level must be incredibly high. Theter years of the Great Yu Dynasty were chaotic. Many high-level experts had been lost, and there were few Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators left. Those stronger than the Blood Demon Sovereign werent interested in the position of National Teacher, so it ended up in his hands. For example, the first and second National Teachers were extremely powerful. Some specte they were at the peak of the Tribtion Crossing Stage, while others believe they were Half-Immortals. But no one knows their exact cultivation levels. Evesting Fairy let out a nonchnt Oh, before adding, Well, thats not that high. Does the Great Xia have a National Teacher? If not, I could graciously take on the role. Lu Yang couldnt help but think that if Evesting Fairy were to be a National Teacher, the Great Xia would probably copse long before the grand era even began. Fairy, youve forgotten what I saidNational Teacher is a position unique to the Great Yu Dynasty. Great Xia doesnt have a National Teacher. Tsk, what a pity, Evesting Fairy muttered, clearly disappointed at the lost opportunity to show her talents. Lu Yang was about to say something more when Eldest Senior Sisters calm voice interrupted, Weve arrived. Get out of the carriage. Lu Yang was startled. Weve arrived? He stuck his head out of the carriage window and realized they had reached the gates of their sect. How much time has passed? Has it even been an hour? Meng Jingzhous expression was less than pleasant as he stared at the old horse. It had taken several days for the horse to pull Lu Yang and him to Qingzhou, but now, with Eldest Senior Sister on board, the return trip had taken less than an hour? It had been hiding its true strength all along! Old horse, tell me the truthwhats your real cultivation level? Meng Jingzhou whispered, wrapping his arm around the horses neck. The old horse snorted,pletely ignoring him. Frustrated but powerless, Meng Jingzhou could only sigh in defeat. He couldnt beat the old horse, after all. Im heading to Prison Peak to see what I can get out of this guy. You two can do as you please, Eldest Senior Sister said, dragging the Cmity Sovereign as she flew toward Prison Peak. Chapter 374: The Envy of Li Haoran Prison Peak is the ce within Dao Seeking Sect used to imprison criminals, most of whom are ancient cultivators guilty of various misdeeds. At the base of Prison Peak, the cells are divided into small cages. Each cage contains ancient Unity cultivators who, in their time, had dominated the world but are now reduced to mere prisoners, theirst bit of value being drained.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om The imperial court and the other four immortal sects also have simr ces to prevent these ancient cultivators frommitting further atrocities. In the cells, the once mighty spirits now leaned lifelessly against the walls, their eyes dull. When they sensed someone approaching, their eyes lit up, and they put on fierce expressions, attempting to intimidate the neerone of their few remaining sources of amusement. However, when they saw that the visitor was Yun Zhi, their expressions changed dramatically. They scrambled to hide in the corners of their cells, holding their breath, trembling, and doing everything they could to reduce their presence, fearing that Yun Zhi might notice them. There were many empty cages in Prison Peak, withbels such as True Lord of Destion, True Lord of Taishan, Mad Demon of Xuanling, and Master of Tranquility written on the top corners. In ancient times, just hearing these names would make people go pale with fear. But now, these figures had all been turned into artifact spirits, integrated into Yun Zhis magical tools. If they angered Yun Zhi, they knew theyd be next in line for such a fate.Yun Zhi removed the seal on the Cmity Sovereign, and as he nced around, he realized this ce was meant to imprison beings like him. A slight tremor ran through him. No wonder some people who should have awakened were missing when he tried to contact themthey were imprisoned here. It seemed that Great Xia was far more formidable than he had anticipated Suddenly, his attention was drawn to a nearby cage,beled Blood Demon Sovereign. The Blood Demon Sovereign recognized the Cmity Sovereign, having seen his image before. He knew this cultivator had emerged tens of thousands of years earlier than him. The Cmity Sovereign roared, Blood Demon, you worthless piece of luck! Youre only at the early Tribtion Crossing Stage, and you dare call yourself National Teacher? Both were early-stage Tribtion Crossing cultivators, yet while the Cmity Sovereign had served under the National Teacher, the Blood Demon Sovereign had actually be one. The difference was too great. He had studied the history of Great Yu after his slumber and was well aware of the Blood Demon Sovereigns existence. The Blood Demon Sovereign, for his selfish gain, had supported a weak emperor, using him to issue orders and gather countless benefits. To please the noble families of the time, he created policies that empowered them, elerating Great Yus copse. The fall of Great Yu and the subsequent chaos that allowed noble families to vie for power all stemmed from the Blood Demon Sovereign. The Cmity Sovereign would never ept that someone like the Blood Demon Sovereign was also a National Teacher! The Blood Demon Sovereign, however, was unbothered by the raging Cmity Sovereign. He smiled coldly, saying, Senior Cmity Sovereign, isnt that a bit too much? The position of National Teacher was there for anyone to take. If I didnt take it, someone else would have. How can you call it luck? If the National Teacher hears about you being here, hell surely kill you! Then Ill be waiting. Little Yun, caught another one? A childish voice echoed through Prison Peak as a white-haired child appeared, scrutinizing the Cmity Sovereign. The Cmity Sovereign was startledhe hadnt sensed this childs presence at all. His soul is damaged, and he burned through his lifespan. Hes quite ruthless with himself. Was he once at the Tribtion Crossing Stage? asked the child. Yes, an early Tribtion Crossing Stage from the early days of the Great Yu Dynasty, the Cmity Sovereign, Yun Zhi answered. The white-haired child nodded in understanding. Ah, so its him. Quite a famous name. Two Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators caught in less than six months. It seems some people cant stay hidden any longer, the child remarked. Yun Zhi hesitated briefly, feeling a bit embarrassed. In the past, she had never captured a Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator, yet in the span of six months, she had caught two. It wasnt so much that others couldnt hold backit seemed more like sheer luck. The first lead hade from Commoner Town, and the second time, Lu Yang had practically stumbled upon it. The onlymon factor in both instances was that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had been present. Considering that Lu Yang had also revived the Evesting Fairy, it was hard to say whether hidden forces were being drawn out or if Lu Yang simply had some fateful connection to high-level cultivators. Master, Im going to start using some methods on him, said Yun Zhi. Go ahead, go ahead. I hope we get some useful information this time, the white-haired child replied cheerfully, clearly very pleased with this talented junior. The Blood Demon Sovereign had been active toote in history to provide much valuable information, but the Cmity Sovereign was different. He had been a prominent figure during the early years of Great Yu, specifically during the rule of the second National Teacher. He surely possessed crucial knowledge. Although the other nine of them were pretty embarrassing and caused me trouble, at least the ninth disciple took in a good student, the white-haired childs voice faded into the distance. It was reced by the Cmity Sovereigns screams of agony. You havent even asked me anything yet, why are you hitting me already?! When Lu Yang headed to Hundred Refinements Peak, he happened to see Li Haoran spending time with his former daughter, Qin Yanyan, on the mountainside, enjoying a peaceful moment together. Qin Yanyan was still at thete Foundation Building stage, seemingly still undecided about how she would form her golden core. Li Haoran greeted Lu Yang enthusiastically, Senior Brother Lu, youre back! A few days ago, Senior Brother Meng invited me to attend the Qingzhou Gathering, but I had some matters I couldnt leave behind. Did you go? Yes, Junior Brother Li, you missed out. The Qingzhou Gathering was incredibly lively. I even found a flying sword once used by an Immortal at a street stall, though it was damageddestroyed by two Half-Immortal Stage experts. Both Li Haoran and Qin Yanyan gasped in shock. From this simple description, they could easily imagine the intensity of the battle. Later on, I participated in apetition for the younger generation with old Meng. The two of us stepped in to personally guide them, pointing out their cultivation ws and helping them understand the gap between us. The first and second ce winners were especially grateful, practically moved to tears. They swore they would go back and train harder to close the gap. Guiding others in their cultivation Li Haoran imagined himself sitting in the judges seat, pointing out ws in others cultivation pathsit was a thrilling thought. Moon Laurel Immortal Pce, Five Elements Sect, and Prison-Suppressing Sect also had participants in thepetition, but their performance as judges was averagepared to me and old Meng. We really stood out. Old Meng and I received generous rewards for our guidance, but in our noble spirit, we declined to take them. Unfortunately, halfway through the event, ancient cultivators attackedtwo at the Unity stage, one at the Tribtion Crossing Stage. The Tribtion Crossing expert was truly overwhelming. The moment he appeared, it felt like all hope was lost. We thought we were going to die, but luckily, Eldest Senior Sister arrived in time to save us. Thats the only reason we made it out alive. Li Haoran was filled with envy as he listenedan Immortals flying sword, guiding cultivators, and Eldest Senior Sister battling an ancient Tribtion Crossing expert. Every detail sounded like a legendary adventure. Too bad he had missed it, as he had stayed behind to help Qin Yanyan with her core formation. Senior Brother Lu, is there a reason youvee to Hundred Refinements Peak today? Im here to see the Fifth Elder. Is he around? Lu Yang hadnt forgotten about the patent fees for his flying carriage design. Li Haoran pointed to the cloud-covered mountaintop. Yes, hes up there. Senior Sister Peach just went to see him too. Im not sure what its about. Ill head up then. Farewell for now. As Lu Yang departed, Qin Yanyan, still recovering from the vivid imagery Lu Yang had described, turned to Li Haoran and asked, Does he encounter this many events every time he goes out? This time it was an ancient Tribtion Crossing expert,st time it was the Nine Nether Sect? Li Haoran chuckled. More than that. You have no ideaSenior Brother Lu has a knack for attracting trouble. Before the Nine Nether Sect incident, he even ran into the Undying Sect, and it all started because he went to deal with a simple Foundation Building Stage tiger demon. Chapter 375: Peach Blossom Leaf’s New Script When Lu Yang reached the top of Hundred Refinements Peak, half of the Dao Seeking Sect elders were gathered there. Present were the Second Elder, Fifth Elder, Eighth Elder, and the projection of the Sixth Elder. The Fifth Elder nced at the Second and Eighth Elders, calling them two troublemakers and asking, You two came up with something new and want me to apply for a patent? In his mind, the Second Elder was someone who spent all his days tending the herb garden, practically already retired. If it hadnt been for his sudden burst of energy recently, the Fifth Elder would have thought he had gone moldy. As for the Eighth Elder, he had been hiding within the sect recently, likely avoiding trouble he caused outside. It wasnt the two of them; it was Peach Blossom Leaf who came up with the idea, and the Second and Eighth Elders helped bring it to life, exined the Sixth Elder. The Fifth Elder nodded. That made much more sense. Disciple Peach, what have you invented? The Fifth Elder spoke kindly. He encouraged disciples to think creatively and push the boundaries of conventional thought. In this area, he had high hopes for Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, though Li Haoran needed a bit more effort in that regard. Its abination of formations and talismans that can lead someone into an illusion Oh, Senior Brother Lu, what brings you here? Peach Blossom Leaf was just about to exin when she noticed Lu Yang approaching leisurely.Seeing how lively the scene was, Lu Yang quickly guessed what they were doing and smiled, asking, Junior Sister Peach, have youpleted the illusionary realm? With the help of the Second and Eighth Elders, the initial version isplete. I was just about to demonstrate it to the Fifth Elder. Would you like to try it too? Lu Yang readily agreed. He was also curious to see how Peach Blossom Leafs movie production had turned out. Peach Blossom Leaf took out two talismans from her identity jade token, handing one to the Fifth Elder and the other to Lu Yang. Then she unrolled a scroll inscribed with a formation that Lu Yang couldnt quite understand. Is this the talisman designed by the Eighth Elder? And the formation drawn by the Second Elder? The Fifth Elder recognized their handiwork. Both the talisman and the formation were designed with impressive simplicity. Fifth Elder, Senior Brother, please stand on the formation. Once youre in ce, tear the talisman in half. Youll feel a slight pulling sensationthats the sign that youre about to enter the illusionary realm, Peach Blossom Leaf exined. This illusion was crafted for mortals and low-level cultivators, so she worried that if either of them resisted the pulling sensation, the talisman would be rendered useless. Following the instructions, Lu Yang tore the talisman in half. He felt a gentle pull on his consciousness, and without resisting, his mind was soon drawn into another world. Boom! The moment he entered this new world, Lu Yang was greeted by the deafening roar of countless thunderps, as if the very heavens were filled with nothing but the sound of thunder. Amid the shing lightning and booming thunder, a lone figure stood majestically in the sky, unafraid of the relentless barrage of thunderbolts striking him. This looks like someone is about to ascend to the Tribtion Crossing Stage. Its pretty urate, Evesting Fairy whispered in Lu Yangs ear, startling him. Lu Yang nced quickly at the Fifth Elder, who had also entered the illusionary realm with him. He whispered, Fairy, why are you here? What if someone notices? Evesting Fairy smiled smugly. This illusion is so simple that I cane and go as I please. As for being discovered, my ability to hide is unparalleled in the worldno one could possibly notice me! Relieved, Lu Yang remembered what Evesting Fairy had said earlier. Fairy, you mentioned this is the scene of someone bing a Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator? Thats right. This is the Ninefold Celestial Lightning Tribtion, the test one must face to reach the Tribtion Crossing Stage. Ying Tian Immortal designed this tribtion, and whoever created this illusion must have witnessed it firsthand. Amid the thunderous storm, Sky Epassing True Lord threw back his head andughed, choosing to face the terrifying tribtion head-on with his most powerful sword techniques. One after another, the bolts of lightning were cleaved by the True Lords sword, leaving himpletely unscathed. Gradually, as the lightning struck again and again, Sky Epassing True Lord became exhausted. When the final bolt of lightning descended, his swordsmanship shattered, and the lightning struck his body directly. The thunderstorm subsided, and Sky Epassing True Lord fell from the sky. Boom He crashed into a mountain, leaving arge crater. Before losing consciousness, Sky Epassing True Lord muttered to himself: How hateful! I, Sky Epassing True Lord, have cultivated for over two thousand years and was just a step away from reaching the Tribtion Crossing Stage. But I failed, my swordsmanship shattered, and my cultivation has been sealed by the heavenly lightning, rendering me powerless! No one knows how long had passed before a young woman from a nearby vige, with great courage, approached the crater. Seeing someone inside, she daringly brought Sky Epassing True Lord back to her home. When Sky Epassing True Lord awoke, he had lost all his memories. He didnt know who he was, nor did he understand cultivation. The woman who saved him was named Xiu Xiu, and since Sky Epassing True Lord had lost his memory, she gave him the name Ah Lei. The vigers considered Ah Lei an unlucky person and wanted to drive him away. Xiu Xiu, however, insisted that he could stay until he regained his memory. Ah Lei and Xiu Xiu lived in the mountains, helping with farming, fishing, and hunting. During an attack by a demon beast, Ah Lei disyed extraordinary strength. Ah Lei, what what was that? Xiu Xiu was stunned. The seemingly ordinary Ah Lei had just killed a Foundation Building Stage demon wolf with a single punch. I-I dont know whats going on either, Ah Lei replied, equally bewildered. Half a yearter, demonic cultivators ced a magical treasure in the mountains, ordering their minions to capture all the vigers for sacrifice to enhance the treasure. Xiu Xiu was among those taken. When Ah Lei returned to find Xiu Xiu missing, he went mad, frantically searching for her. He eventually found the demon cultivators hideout and killed several of their minions in an attempt to rescue Xiu Xiu. Unfortunately, it was tooteXiu Xiu had already been sacrificed, and the magical treasure had increased in power. The demon cultivatorughed arrogantly, boasting that with the power of the treasure, he no longer feared the Righteous Path and could now roam the world freely. In his fury, Ah Leis emotions triggered the unsealing of the lightning that had bound him. His shattered swordsmanship reformed, and lightning gathered once again, threatening to strike him down. But the brilliance of his swordsmanship pierced the sky, scattering the heavenly lightning. He regained his original strength and his memories. Ah Lei, now restored to his identity as Sky Epassing True Lord, erupted in rage. His swordsmanship enveloped the entire Hundred Thousand Mountains, and with each step he took, anotheryer of seal broke. Apanied by endless spiritual energy, his presence surged like a heavenly demon descending to destroy the world. You are dead! The demon cultivator copsed in terror, finally recognizing Ah Leis true identity. Sky Epassing True Lord the strongest swordsman below the Tribtion Crossing Stage We should have never provoked him! No, no, no! With this magical treasure in hand, I am no longer the same as before! The demon cultivator activated the treasure, and a fierce wind arose. The earth quaked, as if trying to bury the Sky Epassing True Lord. But a single strike of sword light descended like divine punishment, splitting the treasure and the demon cultivator in two, turning them to dust. Xiu Xiu, I have avenged you Sky Epassing True Lord murmured, holding Xiu Xius lifeless body as a single tear rolled down his face. The illusion ended. So, what do you think? Hows the script this time? Peach Blossom Leaf was brimming with excitement, eagerly awaiting Lu Yangs feedback. She had taken his suggestions to heart and added much more detailed plot development. The story had a male protagonist who, after losing his memory and powers, lived a peaceful life with a gentle vige girl. When the girl was killed, the protagonists rage broke his seal, allowing him to exact revenge with a single, mighty strike. Just imagining the scenario was thrilling. Lu Yang, however, looked conflicted, unsure how to respond. The script is great, but why does the male lead have my masters face the entire time? While his master was indeed dignified and handsome, Lu Yang had known him for so long that seeing his masters face on the male lead made it impossible to immerse himself in the story. The Fifth Elder wholeheartedly agreed.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om What should have been a poignant sceneSky Epassing True Lord holding Xiu Xius lifeless bodynearly made the Fifth Elder burst outughing, all because the male lead looked exactly like the Ninth Elder. Chapter 376: The Fragile Immortal Sword (TL Note: I changed Heavenly King of Many Treasures -> Myriad Treasures Heavenly King. I thought I changed it already but turns out I didnt lmao) (TL Note: Really sorry for not posting this advance chapter thing up. I fell asleep immediately after reaching home) Peach Blossom Leaf shrugged helplessly and said, I cant help it. When I was constructing the illusion, I encountered a big problem. People conjured out of thin air tend to look unreal. Later, my master told me that this is amon issue when building illusions. Whether youre creating someone from scratch or piecing together people youre familiar with, they end up looking fake. So, I could only use people I know. I thought about it for a while and consulted with my master, the Second Elder, and the Eighth Elder. We all agreed that the Sect Masters image was the most appropriate. Senior brother, you are familiar with the Sect Master, so you dont feel a strong connection seeing him as the protagonist. But outsiders wouldnt think that way, since they dont know him. Lu Yang: Alright, that does make sense. The Fifth Elder slowlymented, Setting aside the image of our Sect Master, the plot is still quite interesting.Previously, the Fifth Elder hadnt thought much of it, but after experiencing this illusion, he suddenly realized that pretending to be a low-level cultivator and revealing ones true cultivation at a critical moment was actually quite thrilling. The Fifth Elder could see the immense business potential in Peach Blossom Leafs invention. It would definitely attract mortals and low-level cultivators, and even mid to high-level cultivators would find it quite appealing. Moreover, promoting this illusion system would be simple, and it could be mass-produced. Setting up the illusion wasnt difficult. Peach Blossom Leaf had taken less than half a month to develop a framework. If word of this got out, counterfeit versions would inevitably appear. The key was who came up with the idea first. They had to apply for a patent as soon as possible. The formation and talismans are one set. Have you thought of a name yet? Not yet. Senior brother, can you help me think of one? Peach Blossom Leaf turned to Lu Yang for help. Senior Brother Lu was always creative and had unique insights. Me? Lu Yang was just watching the excitementhow did this suddenly be his responsibility? Let me think. The illusion isnt real. Though one gets deeply immersed while watching, and might feel a sense of longing after it ends, in the end, its like a reflection in the waterillusory and unreal. How about calling it Dreamlike Bubble Illusion? (TL Note: The namees from the phrase һΪλӰ¶硱 which is from Buddhist scriptures, specifically from the Diamond Sutra. It trantes to All conditioned dharmas are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow, like dew, and like a sh of lightning. Everything we experience, everything that has a form or is conditioned by causes and conditions, is temporary, illusory, and without a permanent, unchanging essence. Like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows, dew, or lightning, they appear momentarily and then disappear.) Dreamlike Bubble Illusion? Peach Blossom Leafs eyes lit up. She repeated the name a few times silently, and the more she said it, the more she liked it. Alright, well call it Dreamlike Bubble Illusion! Dreamlike Bubble Illusion, what a great name. The Fifth Elder nodded. He had always trusted Lu Yangs ability toe up with names. After all, his own title, Myriad Treasures Heavenly King, was also coined by Lu Yang. Does Nephew Peach still have any talismans? I need to take some back. Also, how do we apply for the patent? Yes, yes, I do. Peach Blossom Leaf hadnt expected the Fifth Elder to agree so readily. She handed all the remaining talismans to him, along with the formation scrolls, wrapping them up neatly. After receiving the talismans and scrolls, the Fifth Elder suddenly remembered something. With a meaningful smile, he said, Applying for a patent isnt hard, but Nephew Peach, have you thought about who the patent belongs to? Who the patent belongs to? Peach Blossom Leaf saw the Fifth Elders smile and suddenly recalled that she had only provided the idea, while the transformation of the illusion into talismans and the simplification of the formation were done by the Second and Eighth Elders. Strictly speaking, the Second Elder and Eighth Elder also deserved part of the patent. How much would they im? Or would they buy the entire patent from her? She had heard that some sect elders liked to seize their disciples opportunities, and the disciples had no choice but to swallow their grievances. Grandpa Ba yfully shoved the mischief-making Fifth Elder. Youve been a little rascal since you were young. Back when you swindled the Nine Nether Sects treasury, you contributed even less than Old Eight! The Sixth Elder gazed at the Fifth Elder gloomily, frightening him into breaking out in a cold sweat. He quickly waved his hand and denied it. I was just joking with her. Its better to scare her a little now and let her learn the harshness of the world from me than to have her tricked by outsiderster, right? Grandpa Ba spoke kindly, Nephew Peach, neither Old Eight nor I need this patent. We dont really have anything we need Spirit Stones for. We just helped you with something small during our spare time. The patent is all yours. The Eighth Elder nodded in agreement. He never engaged in anything that would harm his own sect. Peach Blossom Leaf was deeply moved. Once the Dreamlike Bubble Illusion earned Spirit Stones, she vowed to repay the sect. After Peach Blossom Leaf and the others left, Lu Yang remained behind, which puzzled the Fifth Elder. Nephew Lu, is there something you need? Its nothing major. I just wanted to askhas my flying vehicle patent made any money? The Fifth Elder became even more curious. It has, of course. I already gave the Spirit Stones to Nephew Yun. Didnt you receive them? Lu Yang, making sure he hadnt forgotten anything, shook his head firmly. Thats odd. Why dont you go ask Nephew Yun whats going on? Lu Yang: Suddenly, he felt like the patent fees werent that important after all. No, no, no! He couldnt think like that. Those Spirit Stones rightfully belonged to him. He had to find Eldest Senior Sister and get to the bottom of this! Fairy, how about you handle this matter for me? Evesting Fairy, who had been watching the scene unfold, was caught off guard. How did this involve her? Huh? Fairy, youre not afraid of Eldest Senior Sister, are you? Of course not! Little Yun is nothing to be afraid of! Evesting Fairy stiffened her neck as she spoke, refusing to show weakness in front of Lu Yang. Lu Yang pped for Evesting Fairys bravery. You and I share the same body. Your business is my business, and my business is your business, right? Right. Then isnt it perfect for you to ask Eldest Senior Sister about this? That makes sense Fine, dont worry, leave it to me! Evesting Fairy patted her chest in assurance. One more thing, Lu Yang added, as he took out an immortal sword from his identity jade te. It had been refined by Ying Tian Immortal and previously used by Qilin Immortal. Could you take a look at this flying sword? Can it be repaired? One Qingfeng Sword wasnt enough for Lu Yang, so he wanted to refine another sword. The moment the sword appeared, the Fifth Elders eyes widened, and his lips trembled. Heavens! This is an immortal sword, a sword forged by an immortal! Where did you find it? I picked it up from a street stall at the Qingzhou Grand Event. The Fifth Elder gazed at Lu Yang with envy. This kids luck was off the charts. Shaking his head, the Fifth Elder exined, Its as difficult as ascending to the heavens. A sword forged by an immortal is indestructible. Even a heavenly tribtion wouldnt cause damage. Though this sword is broken and only half remains, if my guess is correct, it must have been damaged in a great battle. Lu Yang nodded, recalling that when the Dragon and Phoenix Prodigies discovered Qilin Immortals deceit, they likely didnt hold back their anger. It must have indeed been an epic battle. The Fifth Elder wore a look of longing. The level of that battle is beyond anything you or I could ever participate in. Only in such a battle could an immortal sword be destroyed. You might not believe me when I say this, but you see how fragile this sword looks? You might think I could just snap it in half, like this? As the Fifth Elder spoke, he casually gave the sword a small twist. Crack A soft cracking sound echoed, and the immortal sword snapped into two pieces. The Fifth Elder: How many Spirit Stones would it cost topensate for the sword? Would selling myself be enough? n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Chapter 377: Enlightened Monk At the moment the immortal sword snapped, the Fifth Elder had already mentally nned out the rest of his life. Zhou Xin had worked diligently for two thousand years, finally reaching a realm just one step away from the Tribtion Crossing Stage. He had be the master of Hundred Refinements Peak and held countless patents, generating immense wealth for the Dao Seeking Sect every year. However, whether his lifetimes savings could afford an immortal sword was uncertain. Immortal swords were incredibly difficult to forgethey were exclusive weapons of immortals. Immortal swords werepletely different from the immortal treasures of the Undying Sect. At best, the Undying Sects treasures could be considered semi-finished immortal artifacts. But the sword in Lu Yangs hand was a genuine immortal weapon, and the difference in power was like night and day. It was said that when an immortal artifact takes shape, its quality is so high that the heavens cannot tolerate it. The heavens will send countless trials to destroy the artifact. If left unchecked, the artifact would surely crumble. To preserve the artifact, the immortal must resist the forces of heaven, which is as difficult as bing an immortal all over again, fraught with unimaginable dangers. Having survived such trials to take shape, the value of an immortal weapon was beyond measure. It was certainly not something a mere cultivator at the Unity stage could afford to repay. Even if he were to work his entire life, the Fifth Elder optimistically estimated that he might just barely be able to afford one. Seeing theplex expression on the Fifth Elders face, Lu Yang coughed awkwardly. Fifth Elder, this immortal sword isnt as indestructible as you think. Based on my research, this sword was likely crafted by an immortal specifically to ovee a difficult situation. It may look like a real immortal sword, but it actually doesnt have much power.This sword had been forged by Ying Tian Immortal, who controlled tribtions, specifically to deceive the prodigies of the dragon and phoenix nsboth of whom were half-immortal beings. If it could fool those two, it could certainly fool the Fifth Elder. Is that so? Hearing Lu Yangs exnation, the Fifth Elder finally breathed a little easier. Still, he worried that Lu Yang was just trying tofort him, so he carefully inspected the sword. He scanned it with his spiritual sense, quenched and refined it, and even used metal-forging techniques. After a series of tests, the Fifth Elder finally understood the swords construction. Which madman forged this sword? It nearly scared me to death! First, they mixed Firestone and Mountain Peak Spirit Stone to create the sword embryo. Then, through some unknown method, they quickly shaped it into a spirit sword. Finally, they applied ayer of immortal gold dust to the sword, making it look as though it had survived heavenly lightning strikes. Even someone as knowledgeable as me mistook this for a real immortal sword. No, not just meany cultivator at the Tribtion Crossing Stage wouldve been fooled as well. Without touching it, if you only look at it or use your spiritual sense, this sword is indistinguishable from a true immortal sword! The Fifth Elder turned to Lu Yang and asked, You said this immortal sword was used by an immortal to get through a difficult situation. What situation? Was the immortal broke and resorted to extorting people for money? Lu Yang: Although Qilin Immortal scammed me out of my resources, spreading the story about Qilin Immortal tricking his wife probably wouldnt be a good idea. Lu Yang preferred to hold grudges one-sidedly. Also, Fifth Elder, do you even realize that the madman you just insulted is an ancient immortal who rules over tribtions? You mentioned wanting to forge a sword earlier? No problem, leave it to me! The Fifth Elder red at the broken sword in his hand, filled with anger. If he didnt transform this fraudulent immortal sword into something else, he might as well change his surname! Thisyer of immortal gold dust is useless. Its just for show, meant to make the sword look like an immortal weapon. But the Firestone and Mountain Peak Spirit Stone are excellent materials, perfect for you. Why do you say that? Youre currently at the Golden Core Stage. With your talent, fighting against Nascent Soul Stage cultivators wont be an issue. The Firestone and Mountain Peak Spirit Stone can be forged into a Nascent Soul-level spirit sword. Given the Fifth Elders status in the artifact refining world, crafting a Nascent Soul-level spirit sword was a bit beneath him. Normally, he would assign such tasks to his disciples, but in order to vent his frustration, he agreed to do it himself this time. By the way, do you want a spirit sword or a magic sword? A spirit sword is used for directbat, while a magic sword serves as a medium for casting spells. Both fall under the category of sword cultivation, but so far, Lu Yang had only learned the use of a spirit sword. A spirit sword. Alright. Fifth Elder brought Lu Yang to his artifact refining chamber. Even before stepping inside, Lu Yang could feel a wave of heat rushing toward him, as if this was not a chamber but an erupting volcano. Fifth Elder casually exined, Normally, with your current cultivation level, you wouldnt be able to enter here. But since you possess a type of True Fire, it will protect you from the searing heat of the chamber. Ive established a rule hereTrue Fires wont explode upon contact. Instead, different True Fires work in harmony, assisting me in refining artifacts. The room was vast, shaped like a semi-circle, and lined with small bottles of various colors on the walls. The Fifth Elder casually grabbed a green bottle from the wall. As he removed the cork, a me leapt out, and the green bottle turned jade white. The bottle had originally been white but had changed color from the heat of the me.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Ive traveled the world and collected eighty-eight out of the one hundred and eight known True Fires. I keep each True Fire in specially made bottles, and whenever I refine an artifact, I take them out. Later on, I gathered twelve more True Fires, which is how I ended up with my current collection. Lu Yang was amazed. No wonder the Fifth Elder was renowned in the artifact refining worldjust the collection of these True Fires would make countless artifact refiners green with envy. The Fifth Elder continued, Unfortunately, the remaining eight True Fires are either extremely difficult to obtaindespite me offering high bounties, no one hase forwardor they are forbidden items, which are not allowed to be collected. True Fires are forbidden? For example, theres a Lust True Fire. Just a tiny spark of it can cause a person to fall into uncontroble lust. If they dont find release, they might die from holding it in. The court deemed this True Fire too dangerous and banned its collection. Of course, if I really wanted to collect it, I could still find it. Some secret brothels use this fire, but since its useless for refining artifacts, theres no need to bother with it. Fifth Elder held the green me in his hand, smiling faintly. Perhaps youve heard of thisthis is the Desireless True Fire, which is the counterpart to the Lust True Fire. Ites from the Golden Buddha Kingdom. When ignited in the heart, it can rid you of all desires, leaving your mind clear and focused solely on the Dao. When I was younger, I traveled with the Third Elder to the Golden Buddha Kingdom. We went there hoping to find the Lust True Fire in a brothel, but luck wasnt on our side. We didnt find the fire, but we did encounter an enlightened monk in the brothel. The monk saw that both the Third Elder and I had strong connections to Buddhism, so he felt we were fated to meet. He gave me the Desireless True Fire and even demonstrated the Arhat Fist technique to the Third Elder. The Third Elder was so inspired that he returned and created the Heaven Shaking Six Forms. Lu Yang: Why do I recall the story differently? Wasnt it that the Third Elder got beaten up with the Arhat Fist in the Golden Buddha Kingdom, which made him so determined to improve that he created the Heaven Shaking Six Forms out of spite? Wait, why was an enlightened monk in a brothel? Fifth Elder wasnt surprised by the question. He had asked the same thing at the time, and the monk had answered: Oh, that monk exined it. He said, Naked, I walk through the brothel, yet the Buddha remains in my heart. (TL Note: Parody of the phrase ⴩c^ which trantes to Alcohol and meat pass through my gut, Buddha remains in my heart. It ismonly used by fake monks to justify taking part in vices while pretending to be buddhists, the second part of this statement is ѧңͬħ which means But if ordinary people do like me, this is like entering the world of evil) Chapter 378: The Underworld Moon Sword Lu Yang thought to himself that it was no wonder the enlightened monks of the Golden Buddha Kingdom were so revered; even their words were filled with profound wisdom. Curious, Lu Yang asked, Elder, how did you meet this monk? The seniority of this monk is extremely high; he belongs to the Ming generation of masters. His heart is as lofty as the sky, and his Dharma name is Ming Tian. Everyone who knows him addresses him as Master Tomorrow. (TL Note: The Ming here is andbined with the word sky 족, bes 조 which means tomorrow) At the time, both Master Tomorrow and I were interested in the same woman. Since one woman cannot have two husbands, we beganpetingmostly to see who had more Spirit Stones. Back then, I had already applied for many patents and wasnt afraid of anyone when it came to Spirit Stones. Master Tomorrow realized he couldnt outmatch me in Spirit Stones, so he asked if I could let him have her. He said that he saw potential in me and was willing to give me the Desireless True Fire. I said it wasnt necessary, but he insisted and practically forced the Desireless True Fire on me. At that moment, I realized that beauty was nothing but a fleeting illusion, so why waste my time in a brothel? I left. Later, I wanted to find Master Tomorrow to discuss this matter and, if possible, teach him a lesson. Unfortunately, Master Tomorrows understanding of the Dharma was so profound that he left me speechless. And most importantly, his cultivation was far superioralready at the Tribtion Crossing Stage. Both the Third Elder and I couldnt stand up to him.Lu Yang: So, the Third Elders Heaven Shaking Six Forms werent created to challenge the heavens but to challenge Master Tomorrow? (TL Note: The 족 in the word 족 which means Tomorrow, can also mean Heaven) Lu Yang then turned to the Evesting Fairy and asked, Fairy, did your time have Buddhism? Of course. Lu Yang was surprised. ording to historical records, Buddhism had existed since ancient times. But after meeting the Evesting Fairy and learning about the Five Ancient Immortals, he had always assumed Buddhism was just a fabricated story to elevate its reputation. If Buddhism truly existed in ancient times, with a Buddha and all, why had Evesting Fairy never mentioned the Buddha? And none of the Five Ancient Immortals seemed like they could match the figure of a Buddha. Really? So Buddha existed too? Was he an immortal? I remember reading that Buddhism speaks of Buddhas, countless Bodhisattvas, and the thirty-three heavens, right? Yes, all of that is recorded in various texts. Evesting Fairy grinned mischievously and said, Now, doesnt that setup remind you a lot of the Heavenly Court? !!! Lu Yangs face showed extreme shock as a certain possibility dawned on him. Evesting Fairy, satisfied with his reaction,ughed and said, Thats right. We five made it all up together. No wonder Evesting Fairy confidently believed her Monk Fruit Fist was more authentic than the Arhat Fist. As one of the founding members of Buddhism, her authority was unquestionable. If she said her technique was the real deal, then it was the real deal. Lu Yang gasped in disbelief. The trickery of the Five Ancient Immortals was far beyond what he had imagined. They had created multiple versions of the Heavenly Court that didnt spread far, but the Buddhism they fabricated not only survived but was passed down and flourished. The Fifth Elder, unaware of the conversation between Lu Yang and the Evesting Fairy, noticed Lu Yangs changing expressions and found it quite odd. However, such things werent too unusual in the Dao Seeking Sect. When the Ninth Elder was about Lu Yangs age, he used to fantasize that an ancient beast was sealed within his body. He imed that if the beasts aura leaked out, it would destroy the world. He would walk around with a cold, expressionless face, telling people that he had sealed off all emotions. Sometimes, he would grip his wrist in agony, saying that he could no longer suppress the beast inside and telling everyone to run. Nowadays, if anyone mentioned this to the Ninth Elder, hed get furious and chase them with his sword. Compared to the Ninth Elder, who would often kneel and wail for no reason, Lu Yangs changing expressions seemed rtively normal. Perhaps its the fate of those with the Sword Spirit Root passed down from master to disciple, the Fifth Elder muttered. Huh? Fifth Elder, what do you mean by the fate of the Sword Spirit Root? Lu Yang snapped out of his thoughts, his heart tightening at the mention of this so-called fate. Could it be that there was some hidden destiny associated with the Sword Spirit Root? Something like a lifelong rival that every wielder of the Sword Spirit Root had to face, only to fail time and again, leaving them with endless regret? Was Lu Yangs master wandering the world as a way to express his own regrets and frustrations? The more Lu Yang thought about it, the more likely it seemed. The Desireless True Fire is the one I use most often in refining. Treasures forged with it allow the wielder to remain calm during battle, which greatly enhances their chances of sess, the Fifth Elder exined, believing firmly that calmness was the key to victory. Raising his hand again, the Fifth Elder pulled out another True Fire from a different small bottle. This is the Six Deities Divine Fire, passed down from one generation to the next among the masters of Hundred Refinements Peak. Its perfect for refining since it can consume impurities. The Firestone and Mountain Peak Spirit Stone in this sword need to be separated using the Six Deities Divine Fire.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om (TL Note: The Six Deities refer to a group of six celestial deities or spirits who serve as protectors and assistants in Taoist practices, especially in rituals and magical works. These deities are often associated with the control of natural forces and protection from evil influences. They are typically paired with another set of deities called the (Liu Jia), who haveplementary roles in Taoist cosmology and magic. Its tooplicated so Im not going to exin it here. Feel free to google it for more context.) He ced the Six Deities Divine Fire at the center of the refining chamber, activating the formations engraved beneath their feet and on the walls. The temperature in the room soared instantly, forcing Lu Yang to activate his Three vours True Fire to protect himself from the intense heat. The Fifth Elder, unaffected by the heat, kept his focus entirely on the sword. As the mes licked at it, the swords outeryer of immortal gold powder melted away and was consumed by the fire. The true form of the sword was revealed: a dull gray-ck,pletely unremarkable. There was no sign that it had been forged from two rare and precious stones. Under the scorching heat of the Six Deities Divine Fire, the sword began to melt, splitting into two pools of molten metalone red and one ck, both radiating a subtle liveliness. The Fifth Elder swung his hammer, striking the molten metal repeatedly. Each time the metal was struck, it exploded in the fire, but it could never escape the confines of the Six Deities Divine Fire. With a flick of his left hand, the Desireless True Fire shot into the Six Deities Divine Fire, and the two fires merged,bining their unique properties. Lu Yang, unaware of the significance of this technique, couldnt appreciate the skill involved. But any experienced artifact refiner watching would have had their worldviewpletely overturned. Gradually, the two pools of molten Firestone and Mountain Peak Spirit Stone fused into one, forming a sword embryo. The Fifth Elder reached into the True Fire and pulled out the sword embryo. With two fingers, he gently stroked the sides of the de, causing intricate patterns to emerge clearly. These were sword veins, which helped reduce the wear and tear of the spirit sword and extended its lifespan. Each magical artifact had its own specific pattern. However, most refiners didnt possess the skill to engrave such veins, and those who could effortlessly bring them out, like the Fifth Elder, were exceedingly rare. Sss The sword embryo, glowing red-hot, was dipped into water multiple times until its temperature dropped, revealing its true silver-white de. The Fifth Elder then added a hilt, a tassel, and other finishing touches, finallypleting the sword. Here, give it a try, the Fifth Elder said with a smile, tossing the spirit sword to Lu Yang. Lu Yang took the sword and gave it a few swings, immediately noticing how light it felt, as if it were an extension of his own arm. Each movement was effortless and fluid, bringing him immense satisfaction. Break! sh! Cut! Lu Yang executed several sword techniques one by one, his movements smooth and precise. It felt as though he had been using this sword for years. Afterpleting a full set of sword techniques, Lu Yang sheathed the sword behind his back, a broad smile on his face. What a fine sword! Give it a name, the Fifth Elder said with augh. Lu Yang studied the swords veins and smiled. A sword is a weapon of death, and this de shines silver-white, like a moon hanging in the sky. Lets call it the Underworld Moon Sword. The Fifth Elder nodded approvingly. Qingfeng Sword, Underworld Moon Swordthe two go quite well together. Chapter 379: Mid-Golden Core Stage The Underworld Moon Sword is quite powerful, more than enough for you to use at the Golden Core Stage. However, once you reach the Nascent Soul Stage, this sword will no longer match your strength, the Fifth Elder said with a smile. Although the Underworld Moon Sword was a Nascent Soul-level treasure, it didnt necessarily mean it would still suit Lu Yang when he reached that stage. Lu Yang nodded, acknowledging this fact. Magical treasures are divided into levels, and if a treasure doesnt match a cultivators stage, it can be a hindrance. This is why many cultivators desire growth-type treasures, though such items are rare and oftene at an exorbitant price. Additionally, they require advanced refining techniques, making them difficult to obtain. What level is my Qingfeng Sword, then? Lu Yang suddenly remembered the sword he frequently used, which had been gifted to him by his Eldest Senior Sister to celebrate his sess in building his foundation. The sword that Nephew Yun gave you? I cant tell what level it is, the Fifth Elder said, shaking his head slowly. He had long noticed that Lu Yangs Qingfeng Sword was not ordinary. Is it a growth-type treasure? Lu Yang had been using the Qingfeng Sword smoothly since the early Foundation Building Stage and now into the early Golden Core Stage. He hadnt encountered any mismatch between the sword and his cultivation level, which led him to believe that only a growth-type treasure could meet such criteria. Moreover, since the sword was a gift from Eldest Senior Sister, there was no way it could be a regr sword. The Fifth Elder corrected Lu Yangs misunderstanding. No, growth-type treasures dont work like that. For a Foundation Building-level treasure to grow into a Golden Core-level treasure, it needs to be upgraded using various spiritual irons and divine minerals. Think of it like a framework. To improve the treasures quality, you need to constantly fill in the framework with materials like spirit iron or divine minerals. Now think about your Qingfeng Sword. Have you ever added anything to it?Also, growth-type treasures undergo major upgrades at each stage. The feel of a treasure at the beginning of the Foundation Building Stage should be different from how it feels by thete stage. Have you ever experienced this with your Qingfeng Sword? Lu Yang thought for a moment and realized this hadnt been the case. So, whats the deal with my Qingfeng Sword then? Its been sealed by Nephew Yun. The number of seals on it is so numerous that I cant even count them, which is why I said I couldnt determine the Qingfeng Swords level. Every time your strength increases a bit, part of the seal will unravel, which is why the sword always feels perfectly suited to your level no matter how much you progress. Nephew Yun has been very thoughtful in her care for you. This Qingfeng Sword, along with its seals, is a priceless treasure. Lu Yang hadnt expected that Eldest Senior Sister had put so much thought into the Qingfeng Sword, and he was deeply moved. Alright, I need to go help Nephew Peach apply for that patent, so I wont stay and chat, the Fifth Elder said, preparing to leave. Lu Yang quickly said, Thank you, Elder, for forging the Underworld Moon Sword. Please, go ahead with your work. The Fifth Elder waved his hand, took out his flying shuttle, and vanished in a sh. Fairy, can you tell what quality the Qingfeng Sword really is? Lu Yang wondered if his other reliable source, the Evesting Fairy, could offer any insight. The Evesting Fairy nced around at the Qingfeng Sword and shook her head bluntly. Its sealed too tightly. Cant see through it. It took Lu Yang a moment to understand what the Evesting Fairy meanttheyers of seals were too numerous to gauge its true quality. Lu Yang returned to Heavens Gate Peak, but there was no sign of his Eldest Senior Sister. She was probably still torturing the Cmity Sovereign. Either the Cmity Sovereign was too stubborn to talk, or he knew too much and couldnt finish exining it all in one go. Its a pity. I was hoping to ask about your patent fees for you, Evesting Fairy sighed in relief, secretly feeling much lighter. Lu Yang gave Evesting Fairy a sideways nce, thinking, Youre practically wearing your fear on your face, Fairy. Time to cultivate, Lu Yang reminded himself. After all, he was still a cultivator, and the essence of a cultivators life is cultivation. Not only was he a genius, but he was a hardworking genius! Evesting Fairy gave Lu Yang a skeptical look. Since you formed your Golden Core, have you really spent much time cultivating? Lu Yang confidently started counting on his fingers. What do you mean? Do you think I dont want to cultivate? Its just that Ive been too busy! First, after returning from the dense forest, Eldest Senior Sister dragged me to visit the Evesting Ruins, where we also checked in on our master. Then, Junior Brother Li got trapped by Qin Haorans memories, so Old Meng and I took him out into the world for a bit, and identally encountered members of the Nine Nether Sect, leading us to create the story of the Heavenly Court Sects alliance with them.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om After that, I brought along the Fifth Elder to meet with the Nine Nether Sect again, to further convince them of the Heavenly Court Sects existence. To continue writing the Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique, I spent more than half a month in the scripture library and sessfully wrote the Golden Core chapter. Lastly, Old Meng and I attended the Qingzhou Grand Ceremony, where we encountered ancient cultivators. From the moment I formed my Invincible Core to now, its only been two months. Evesting Fairy: It seemed like that was indeed the case. Perhaps Lu Yangs eventful experiences had given her the illusion that a much longer time had passed? Choosing to reside in Lu Yangs mental space had been a great decision after all. Where else could she have encountered so many interesting things? And even with all of that, havent I still managed to squeeze in cultivation here and there? Have I really dyed my cultivation progress? Lu Yang argued, quite reasonably. He had a habit of cultivating whenever he had a moment to spare, effortlessly absorbing spiritual energy and progressing without missing a beat. Sitting on arge boulder covered with sword marks, Lu Yang closed his eyes to meditate, immersing himself in the vast sword intent contained within. He recalled Eldest Senior Sister telling him that this boulder was where their master had once practiced swordsmanship in his youth. Over time, the stone had absorbed so much sword intent that it became a precious treasure for sword cultivators, enhancing their understanding of the sword. Sitting on the boulder allowed one to both cultivate andprehend sword intent at the same timekilling two birds with one stone. Lu Yang sat cross-legged, hands open toward the sky, mouth agape, his head tilted upward. To a casual observer, it might have looked like he was sleeping. Spiritual energy surged into his body, expanding his meridians, gradually increasing his cultivation. Each small improvement brought a surge of satisfaction. It was no wonder some cultivators willingly retreated into seclusion for decades, or even centuries, only to emerge feeling as though the world hadpletely changed. Of course, Lu Yang wasnt one for such long periods of seclusion. The Dao Seeking Sect didnt encourage such practices either. Even Eldest Senior Sister, who was devoted to cultivation, followed their masters advice and limited her seclusion to three days. Seclusion may increase your experience, but it doesnt make you any smarter, you know, Evesting Fairy chimed in, wholeheartedly agreeing with the Dao Seeking Sects philosophy. She was bing increasingly pleased with her decision to be an honorary elder of the sect. I, on the other hand, fought my way to the top, defeating countless famous figures! I grew rapidly through battles and the spoils of war. You should learn from me, advancing throughbat! Facing the vast world and its myriad beings, youll not only improve your skills and cultivation level, but youll also be as clever as me! Hearing this, Lu Yang wondered if perhaps extending his periods of seclusion wasnt such a bad idea after all. In the blink of an eye, half a month passed. Sitting cross-legged on therge boulder, Lu Yang slowly opened his eyes, exhaling a breath of clear air. His gaze was sharp, and his aura surged outward before swiftly retracting, fully under his control. A smile crept across his face. Mid-Golden Core Stage. Chapter 380: Advanced Body Refinement Concepts At the moment when Lu Yang sessfully advanced to the mid-stage of Golden Core, a five-colored rainbow appeared above his head. The spiritual energy floating in the air seemed like fish swimming joyfully, blowing bubbles, while the wild grass and leaves swayed without wind, making a rustling sound. Dew, formed from the condensed spiritual energy, gathered on the leaves, rolled, and dripped onto the ground, raising light mists. Heaven and earth manifested these phenomena to celebrate Lu Yangs sessful advancement to the mid-stage of Golden Core. Congrattions, congrattions on reaching the mid-stage of Golden Core! Evesting Fairy pped enthusiastically. Lu Yang, a bit helpless, reminded her, Fairy, Ive only advanced to the mid-stage of Golden Core, not ascended to immortality. Theres no need for such heavenly phenomena. Please, put them away. Oh. Evesting Fairy dispersed the magic with a p of her hands. The heavenly phenomena disappeared. Lu Yang hadnt expected to advance to the mid-stage of Golden Core so quickly. He hadnt even felt the usual bottleneck, likely due to having eaten the meals prepared by Evesting Fairy. After all, the trials of immortals shoulde with some rewards. Lu Yang felt a warmth in his chest it came from a wooden que with the words Nine Nether inscribed on it.A message slowly appeared on the que: Were out of firewood and grills. See you at the main store. This was the magical tool that Vice Sect Leader Petrified used tomunicate with Lu Yang. Each side could only say one sentence, followed by a long cooldown period. Lu Yang responded with a single word: Okay. The grill situation was easy to resolve, as the Fifth Elder had already crafted a batch of automatic grills ready for use at any time. As for the firewood, Meng Jingzhous help would be required. Lets see what Old Meng is up to. As soon as Lu Yang approached the Body Refinement Peak, he felt an astonishing surge of yang energy. Any ordinary ghost passing by would have its soul scorched. Even standing at the foot of the mountain, Lu Yang could hear the booming voice of the Third Elder. The essence of body refinement is to train every part of the body! There must not be any ws! You must understand, our greatest reliance as body refiners is our powerful physique. If your body has any issues, what other advantages do you have? Recently, Ive noticed that some disciples are cking in their training. To avoid practicing their hair, they shave their heads bald! This is self-deception! And some are so focused on training their hair that they neglect their shadows! Leaving such a ring weakness for your opponents to exploit, what are you thinking? We, body refiners, fear no challenges, but we must never ck off in our own discipline! The Third Elder, with his wealth ofbat experience, deeply understood that the best defense against unforeseen attacks was to strengthen oneself. Lu Yang: Body refinement even includes training your shadow? Is this how body refiners train in the outside world? Lu Yang had heard of certain spells that could attack through shadows, so training ones shadow might not be a bad idea. But how does one train a shadow? What an advanced body refinement concept! Evesting Fairy eximed in amazement. Even in the ancient era with all its innovative thinking, no one ever proposed such an idea. Alright, everyone get back to training! The Third Elder waved his hand, dispersing the group of disciples. Meng Jingzhou, do you think the Third Elder was talking about you, shaving your head bald like a monk? Meng Jingzhou teased Senior Brother Zhao Zhao, whose head was so shiny it looked as though it had been struck by Lu Yangs Arhat Fist. Senior Brother Zhao Zhao rolled his eyes. I didnt shave my head because I was toozy to train my hair. I had deeper reasons for it. What reasons? Think about it, Meng. During a fight, if your opponent grabs your hair, wouldnt that restrict your movements? Hair is a weakness! To ovee that, whats wrong with shaving it all off? Lu Yang mentally noted this exnation. The next time he used his Arhat Fist, he could exin it to his opponent in this way. They would probably appreciate his thoughtful reasoning. Meng Jingzhou shook his head and came up with a more effective solution. But Senior Brother Zhao, wouldnt it be better to keep your hair short? That way, your opponent cant grab it, and your hair would be like a hedgehogs quills, useful as an attack method! Senior Brother Zhao Zhaos eyes lit up. Meng Jingzhous suggestion made perfect sense to him. He gave Meng Jingzhous shoulder a hearty p, causing Meng to grimace in pain. Good junior brother, Ill keep my hair short from now on. Ill head to the scripture pavilion to see if there are any spells that promote hair growth! After saying this, Senior Brother Zhao Zhao rushed off in a hurry. Meng, over here! Lu Yang waved. Meng Jingzhou quickly walked over. What are you doing here, trying to steal our body refining techniques? Yeah, right. Its the Nine Nether Sect contacting me, Lu Yang replied. Lu Yang pulled out the wooden que, and Meng Jingzhou immediately understood. The Nine Nether Sect had too many barbecue shops, and now they were running low on firewood and grills. Lets borrow some fire. No problem. Lu Yang pulled out a pile of small bottles from his identity jade token. These were specially made jade bottles from Hundred Refinements Peak, designed to store fire seeds. One of them breathed out Three vours True Fire, while the other breathed out Pure Yang True Fire. The two mes merged, creating a fire seed that fell into the bottle, which was quickly sealed. Task aplished. The two of them made 200 fire seeds in one go, their mouths puffing out smoke. After drinking a few sips of water, they finally felt better. These shouldst the Nine Nether Sect for a while. Laughing, they packed away the jade bottles and headed to Hundred Refinements Peak first to collect the batch of automatic grills that had been refined. Lu Yang wanted to speak with the Fifth Elder, but unfortunately, the Fifth Elder was still away applying for a patent. Submitting the patent was easy, but getting it approved took a long time. The Fifth Elder knew the immense value of the Dreamlike Bubble Illusion, so he stayed in the imperial city, nning to leave only after the patent was granted. The two of them set off for Yanjiang County, partly to deliver the supplies to the Nine Nether Sect and partly because the barbecue shop had been running for a while, and it was time to collect the profits. After all, their Heavenly Court Sect wasnt running a charity. Should we inform Eldest Senior Sister when we get to Yanjiang County? Lu Yang sighed. Id like to, but ever since Eldest Senior Sister went to Prison Peak, she hasnte out. It seems the Cmity Sovereign isnt giving in and isnt saying anything. She might be considering a soul search. Meng Jingzhou nodded in agreement. Anyone who had cultivated to the Tribtion Crossing Stage had surely faced endless hardships and obstacles to reach the peak. It wouldnt be easy to make such a person talk. Even if Eldest Senior Sister resorted to torture, it probably wouldnt be very effective. Prison Peak. I was wrong. I shouldnt have coveted my masters wife back when I was in the Golden Core Stage, but I couldnt help it! She was just too beautifulI couldnt control myself Cmity Sovereign confessed, spilling all his wrongdoings like beans from a jar. Half a month had passed, and he had already confessed everything from peeping on the vige widow bathing during his childhood, to selling inferior pills during the Qi Training Stage to earn his first bucket of Spirit Stones, to killing fellow explorers for treasure during a Foundation Building Stage secret realm adventure, to joining the sect at Golden Core Stage and lusting after his masters wife, all the way to the Nascent Soul Stage He confessed every detail without needing Yun Zhi to even ask. Yun Zhi sat across from him, legs crossed, expressionless, contemting whether to simply refine the Cmity Sovereigns soul to save time and effort. Aplete Tribtion Crossing Stage soul could be refined into a high-quality, sentient magic treasureperfect for her grandmasters use.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om It would be a shame to destroy it like this. Such a dilemma. Cmity Sovereign stole a nce at the emotionless Yun Zhi. Remembering the torture methods she had initially used, he was filled with dread. If he still had a body, he would have been drenched in cold sweat by now. He continued his confession, not daring to withhold a single detail. After my masters wife seduced me into bed Chapter 381: Another New Member for the Heavenly Court Sect Do you want to go with me to Yanjiang County? Lu Yang asked Meng Jingzhou. Meng Jingzhou was clearly tempted, but he still shook his head and refused: I still need to train my shadow, so I wont go out for now. Meng Jingzhou felt that if the Third Elder suddenly checked his progress and found him cking in his cultivation, things would not end well for him. The dangers of the path of cultivation were evident in many ways. Alright then. Lu Yang pouted slightly, feeling a bit bored at the thought of going alone. Hey, Junior Sister Peach, over here. At the foot of the mountain, Lu Yang spotted Peach Blossom Leaf not far away. Judging by her aimless pace, it seemed she had nothing pressing to do. Senior Brother Lu, whats the matter? Peach Blossom Leaf smiled faintly, her expression both pleasing and naturally elegant. It was clear that she would grow into an even more graceful beauty in the future. How about joining our Heavenly Court Sect? Lu Yang invited enthusiastically. As the young Sect Leader, it was his duty to recruit more geniuses for the Heavenly Court Sect. You probably havent heard of the Heavenly Court Sect; its the number one sect of this eraSure. Hm? Lu Yang was momentarily stunned as Peach Blossom Leaf agreed with a smile. Youve heard of the Heavenly Court Sect? Lu Yang wondered if the Sixth Elder had mentioned it to Peach Blossom Leaf. Nope. Then why did you agree so quickly? Peach Blossom Leaf gave a mischievous smile, blinking her eyes: Would Senior Brother Lu trick me? Of course not! Then there you have it. If Senior Brother Lu is asking me to join the Heavenly Court Sect, it must be for my own good. And if its for my own good, why would I refuse? Lu Yang was left speechless by her reasoning. He hadnt considered it from that perspective. So, what exactly is this Heavenly Court Sect? Peach Blossom Leaf asked curiously. Its the number one sect of this era. Our sects eight elders and master are the Celestial Kings of the Heavenly Court Sect. Eldest Senior Sister is the Sect Leader, and Im the young Sect Leader. We worship the all-powerful Bean Venerate! Peach Blossom Leaf automatically ignored the unfamiliar term Bean Venerate. She thought to herself that it exined why her master had been struggling with namestely, wondering what title to give themselves as a Celestial King. Aside from that, theres also Meng Jingzhou, Li Haoran, and Li Haorans former daughter, Qin Yanyan. Peach Blossom Leafs expression turned strange, feeling that the members of the Heavenly Court Sect were quiteplicated. And why create the Heavenly Court Sect? Did Senior Brother Lu not feel satisfied with just defeating the demonic sect? Did he want to take their ce? Heres the situation. It all started when Meng Jingzhou, Li Haoran, and I were just out hunting ghosts Lu Yang exined everything from start to finish, leaving Peach Blossom Leaf bewildered. As expected of Senior Brother Lu, his mind was so creative, evening up with the idea of creating a fake sect to deceive the Nine Nether Sect for their trust. This was much more proactive than infiltrating as an undercover agent. Our Heavenly Court Sect at least ims to be the ancient Heavenly Court, so we need to have some geniuses to show off. I think you, Junior Sister Peach, are perfect for the role of an ancient genius. Peach Blossom Leaf felt a bit pleased, thinking that she had been acknowledged by Lu Yang. Now Im about to meet with the higher-ups of the Nine Nether Sect. Junior Sister, are youing? Yes. In Yanjiang County, at the headquarters of the Come Again Barbecue Restaurant. The barbecue business was booming and expanding rapidly. The Come Again Barbecue Restaurant could now be found in counties all around Yanjiang County. If it werent for the shortage of grills and fire supplies, the barbecue restaurant would have already blossomed everywhere, forming a chain business. The Nine Nether Sect put a great deal of effort into opening barbecue restaurants. The Sect Leader strongly supported this endeavor, even suggesting that everyone put aside their usual work and temporarily stop going around killing people. The current goal of the Nine Nether Sect was to focus on running the barbecue business. This was far safer than taking out loans with their cult member identity. The Sect Leader could hardly stop smiling, evenughing out loud during meditation. Vice Sect Leader Petrified had no idea that the sect had been running a deficit for nearly a thousand years, nor did he understand why the Sect Leader had paused all religious doctrines, simply urging him to focus on opening barbecue restaurants. Perhaps the Sect Leader loved money, or maybe there was some other reason. Whatever the Sect Leaders motives, they had nothing to do with him. He was opening barbecue restaurants to solve the problem of his one billion spirit stone loan. Even if he had profound cultivation, he couldnt withstand the monthly punishment of heavenly lightning. If one day he slipped up and failed to endure it, it would be the end of him. Expanding the barbecue business was a must. Moreover, he knew there were two key factors to opening a sessful restaurant: one, a secret recipe, and two, a good business environment. The first point was obviousthe barbecue restaurants booming sess was entirely due to its secret recipe. As for the second point, there were many ways to achieve it, such as maintaining a good rtionship with the local government. Bribery was risky and unreliable. What if the bribed official got caught? Wouldnt their barbecue business be finished? Vice Sect Leader Petrified had a new strategy. What the government needed was stability and order. Their barbecue restaurant could help the government catch criminals and punish wrongdoers. When it came to crime, who was more professional than a demonic sect? Nowadays, all the crimes were things the Nine Nether Sect had long mastered, so handling them was a piece of cake. Of course, they couldnt do this openlyit would attract too much attention. The best way was to act secretly, letting the government think they were responsible, but without leaving any evidence. That was the ideal situation. In this way, the government would start to suspect that the barbecue restaurant was a hidden operation of some Righteous Path faction. Moreover, the barbecue restaurant was constantly punishing evildoers and maintaining order. With these two factorsbined, the government would undoubtedly favor and protect the barbecue restaurant. Vice Sect Leader Petrifieds thoughts were proven correct. The order in Yanjiang County had never been so stable; many cells in the prison were empty. The government no longer conducted frequent inspections and dropped any hints of suspicion. Late at night, when the headquarters of the barbecue restaurant had closed for the day, the followers cleaned the hall and the backyard. Vice Sect Leader Petrified sat at a table, writing down the lessons hed learned from running the business over the past month. Sect Leader, the people from the Heavenly Court Sect have arrived, Huo Huashen reported respectfully. He was the manager of the main branch and the one responsible for executing Vice Sect Leader Petrifieds policies. Three days had passed since the message was sent, and during those three days, Vice Sect Leader Petrified hadnt gone anywhere, staying at the main branch, waiting. Vice Sect Leader Petrified, long time no see! Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf pushed the door open and entered. It seems your sects business is going wellyoure already in need of more grills and fire supplies. Oh, its just luck, Vice Sect Leader Petrified replied modestly upon seeing Lu Yang. He dared not act too casually; after all, this was the young Sect Leader of the Heavenly Court Sect and the direct disciple of Bean Venerate, someone he couldnt afford to slight. And this is? Vice Sect Leader Petrified asked, puzzled as he looked at Peach Blossom Leaf. This is also a member of our Heavenly Court Sect, Peach Blossom. Her talent is so extraordinary that both my master and the Sect Leader sing her praises. Vice Sect Leader Petrified respectfully bowed: So this is Peach, the Heavenly Prodigy. Peach Blossom Leaf remained outwardly calm, though she was secretly astonished. She knew that Senior Brother Lu was going to meet with the Nine Nether Sect, but she hadnt expected him to immediately meet with the higher-ups and to engage as equals. Is this the kind of social circle Senior Brother Lu usually moves in? Within the sect, he talks with elders, and when outside, he meets with sect leadersall of them at the Unity Stage! Lu Yang chatted casually with Vice Sect Leader Petrified,pletely unfazed by the others high status. (TL Note: While doing research for Peach Blossom Leafs name, I found out ites from a poem called ز C Tao Yaowhich is called Peach Blossom in english. Heres a trantion of it online: The peach tree is young and elegant; Brilliant are its flowers. This youngdy is going to her future home,n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om And will order well her chamber and house. The peach tree is young and elegant; Abundant will be its fruits. This youngdy is going to her future home, And will order well her house and chamber. The peach tree is young and elegant; Luxuriant are its leaves. This youngdy is going to her future home, And will order well her family. Here is the source https://ctext.org/book-of-poetry/tao-yao/ens) Chapter 382: In-Depth Cooperation After some pleasantries, Lu Yang handed a storage ring to Vice Sect Leader Petrified. Inside are 200 bottles of fire seeds and 200 barbecue grills. That shouldst you for a while. Vice Sect Leader Petrified sent a sliver of his divine sense into the storage ring for a quick scan and was delighted. With these supplies, the number of branch stores would no longer be a problem. He then handed Lu Yang a ledger and another storage ring. Here is the business report for the past month, along with your sects share. Lu Yang checked the storage ring, finding approximately 120,000 Spirit Stones. That amount was equivalent to the entire wealth of an ordinary Golden Core Stage cultivator. He acted nonchnt, casually handing the storage ring to Peach Blossom Leaf: Take this back to the treasury when we return. Peach Blossom Leaf silently epted the ring without saying a word, but inside, she was far from calm.120,000 Spirit Stonesa lifetimes savings for a Golden Core Stage cultivator, and she had never seen so many Spirit Stones before. Lu Yang transmitted a message to Peach Blossom Leaf via sound transmission, safe from being overheard by the Petrified Bone thanks to the Evesting Fairy. Junior Sister Peach, keep yourposure. Once your Dreamlike Bubble Illusion patent is approved, youll be earning far more than this. Also, dont feel intimidated just because the other party is Unity Stage or a deputy sect leader of a demonic sect. In the future, he might be the one asking for your help. After all, your Dreamlike Bubble Illusion is perfect for advertising. Why is that? Peach Blossom Leaf asked, confused. Lu Yang simply smiled and didnt borate further. Vice Sect Leader Petrified noticed Lu Yangs indifferent demeanor and assumed that the amount of Spirit Stones was too little and that Lu Yang was dissatisfied. Fearing this might create a rift between the Nine Nether Sect and the Heavenly Court Sect, he quickly exined, Since weve just started operations, the initial investment has been quite high, making it difficult to turn a profit. I ask for your understanding, Heavens Favored, Lu. I am confident that in a year or two, once our barbecue restaurants are established across the entire continent, our business will bring in millions of Spirit Stones daily for both our sects! (TL Note: Petrified Bone uses the term 콾 followed by their surname here which can mean something like Heavens proud one or Heavens favored.) Vice Sect Leader Petrified wasnt just making empty promises; his projections were based on solid calctions. Lu Yang waved his hand dismissively: Vice Sect Leader Petrified misunderstands. Its not that Im dissatisfied with the number of Spirit Stones. Our sects treasury holds countless ancient treasures, celestial weapons, and immortal fruits. If we wanted Spirit Stones, selling even a small fraction of our items would generate limitless wealth. I merely wanted to remind Vice Sect Leader Petrified that the coboration between our sects in establishing these barbecue restaurants is a symbol of the bond between us. We should not reduce it to mere Spirit Stone transactions. The friendship between our sects cannot be measured in Spirit Stones. If their cooperation was only limited to Spirit Stone transactions and opening barbecue restaurants, it would remain superficial. What Lu Yang desired was a deeper partnership with the Nine Nether Sect. Vice Sect Leader Petrified felt deeply ashamed, realizing that despite being at the Unity Stage, his perspective was still narrow. As expected of a genius from the ancient Heavenly Court Secthis vision far surpassed his own. Just as Lu Yang was about to leave, feeling that he had given Peach Blossom Leaf enough exposure to the world, Vice Sect Leader Petrified hurriedly called out to him. Young Sect Leader Lu, Heavens Favored, Peach, please wait! Peach Blossom Leafs heart skipped a beat, thinking they had been discovered. Whats the matter? Lu Yang asked, puzzled. He had given the supplies and epted the Spirit Stones, so what else could there be? At the same time, he sent another message to Peach Blossom Leaf, signaling her to stay calm. What is Young Sect Leader Lus opinion on ancient cultivators? Vice Sect Leader Petrified suddenly asked, inspired by the thought that Lu Yang was aiming for something beyond Spirit Stonesa deeper cooperation. If that was the case, then they should cooperate on a deeper level! Ancient cultivators? Lu Yang chuckled lightly, a proud glint in his eyes as he disyed the confidence of a genius from the ancient Heavenly Court Sect. There was also a hint of disdain for so-called ancient cultivators. In front of our Heavenly Court Sect, who dares im to be an ancient cultivator? Vice Sect Leader Petrified suddenly realized. Of course, whether they were cultivators of the Great Yu or Great Qian eras, they were nothing more than juniors in Lu Yangs eyes. In terms of antiquity, who couldpare to the Heavenly Court Sect? In terms of foundation, who couldpare to the Heavenly Court that governs the stars across the skies? Even though the Central Continent is vast, how could itpare to the boundless heavens? As for the strength of an era, the ancient times had the well-known Four Ancient Immortals, the hidden Evesting Celestial, and the Bean Venerate, making six immortals in total. Whether the Great Yu and Great Qian dynasties even had immortals is still uncertain! So-called ancient cultivators couldnt possiblypare to the Heavenly Court Sect! Ridiculous! Hearing Lu Yang speak, Vice Sect Leader Petrified felt more at ease. He said angrily, Has Young Sect Leader Lu heard about what happened at the Qingzhou Festival half a month ago, when ancient cultivators suddenly appeared and disrupted the event, causing it to end prematurely? Lu Yang nodded, Ive heard a bit about it. To be honest, I had set up a temporary branch store during the Qingzhou Festival to test how the people of Qingzhou would take to the barbecue restaurant. Before I could get a clear picture, the Great Yu Dynasty cultivators disrupted everything! Vice Sect Leader Petrified became frustrated as he spoke. He had been running his business peacefully, not interfering with the ancient cultivators, but they had to cause trouble. Did they not understand how important Qingzhou was? Among the seventeen provinces of the Great Xia Dynasty, Qingzhous strength ranked in the top three! Opening a barbecue restaurant in Qingzhou could make a fortune! He had heard that Qingzhous strength used to rank below average, but two millennia ago, a powerful governor of Qingzhou emerged. Not only was this governor a Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator, but he also had unconventional thinking, often doing things no one else could imagine. The Qingzhou Festival was this governors idea.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Under his leadership, Qingzhous strength rapidly climbed, eventually ranking in the top three and even reaching the number one spot at its peak! Our two sects jointly opened 15 barbecue restaurants. Losing one restaurant isnt a big deal, but the issue is that if these ancient cultivators destroy it once, they can destroy it again! Vice Sect Leader Petrified subtly reminded Lu Yang that the restaurant destroyed by the Great Yu cultivators wasnt just Nine Nether Sects; it was a joint venture between Nine Nether Sect and Heavenly Court Sect. Vice Sect Leader Petrified, unable to vent his frustration by striking down the Cmity Sovereign after wounding him during a lightning tribtion, had no choice but to channel his anger toward other ancient cultivators. The barbecue business was tied to his billion-spirit-stone debt. If he couldnt repay it and was struck down by heavenly lightning, he would have a life-and-death feud with these ancient cultivators! This grudge could not go unavenged! Lu Yang understood now. Vice Sect Leader Petrified had shed with the ancient cultivators and was seeking the Heavenly Court Sects help. Lu Yang was more than happy to get involved. Lu Yang looked at Vice Sect Leader Petrified with a half-smile: Does Vice Sect Leader Petrified remember the n Iid out for your sectst time at the barbecue restaurant? Vice Sect Leader Petrifieds Unity Stage memory was impable: Nine Nether Sect should ally with the Demon Territory and the East Sea externally, and with the Heartless Sect and the zing Sun Sect internally. When the era of great conflict arrives, our two sects can act together, establishing an immortal enterprise and reviving the Nine Nethers! In that n, did I ever mention allying with the cultivators of the Great Yu and Great Qian eras? Vice Sect Leader Petrifieds eyes lit up. Thats right, there was no mention of ancient cultivators in the n! This world originally belonged to our Heavenly Court. If we couldnt tolerate the likes of Ying Tian Immortal ruling in ancient times, how could we possibly allow Great Qian, Great Yu, or the Great Xia Dynasty to rule the continent? Vice Sect Leader Petrified was overjoyed. The Heavenly Court Sects stance was even more forceful than he had imagined. With the strong backing of the Heavenly Court Sect, those damned ancient cultivators would be in real trouble! I humbly request your sect to join forces with the Nine Nether Sect to fight against the ancient cultivators! Vice Sect Leader Petrified stood up, his eyes burning with anticipation, hoping to reach a cooperative agreement with the Heavenly Court Sect. His words were filled with sincerity. Lu Yang slowly stood up, a confident smile ying on his lips, and shook hands with Vice Sect Leader Petrified. Then, a pleasant cooperation. Chapter 383: Scent of Blood I know of a lead that might be rted to the cultivators of Great Yu, Vice Sect Leader Petrified said after hearing Lu Yang agree to cooperate. Feeling more confident in their chances of dealing with the Great Yu cultivators, he was willing to proceed with deeper coboration. Lu Yang responded with a casual Oh? rxing as he leaned back in his chair. Lets hear it. There are two reasons why Great Yu cultivators are not epted by the Great Xia Dynasty. Vice Sect Leader Petrified held up two fingers. The first is obvious: Great Yu cultivators refuse to acknowledge the existence of the Great Xia Dynasty, demanding the restoration of the Great Yu Dynastys rule. Naturally, the Great Xia would not tolerate that. The second reason stems from the conflict between righteousness and evil. ording to historical records, blood sacrifice incidents were rampant during the Great Yu Dynasty. The imperial advisor and Emperor Yu would silently allow such practices to consolidate their power by attracting powerful individuals. Take the Cmity Sovereign, for instance. He brought disaster to the people, yet the Great Yu did nothing about it. The reason lies here. Great Yu believed that sacrificing a few cities in exchange for securing a Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator was a very profitable deal. Vice Sect Leader Petrified sneered at Great Yus actions. Though their demonic sect also killed people, it was with purposeto promote the existence of the Nine Nether Realm. This was vastly different from someone like the Cmity Sovereign, who killed purely for pleasure.If the Great Yu had done this in ancient times, it would have been eradicated by the Heavenly Court long ago, Lu Yang said coldly. Blood sacrifices by cultivators were rare even in ancient times. Before The Five Ancient Immortals ascended, there was chaos in ancient times, so blood sacrifices werent entirely unheard of. However, after their ascension, anyone who continued such practices clearly didnt respect The Five Ancient Immortals. This much was evident from the attitude of the Evesting Fairy. The Evesting Fairy was innocent, but not naive. She wouldnt tolerate something like blood sacrifices. From this, it could be inferred that the Four Ancient Immortals, who were close friends with her, wouldnt have been mass murderers, as she wouldnt have befriended them otherwise. The recently revived Great Yu cultivators are weak. The fastest way for them to recover is through blood sacrifices or blood feeding. Nowadays, with the Great Xia Dynastys tight control, its much harder for them to perform public blood sacrifices like they did ten thousand years ago. However, by using certain rules or other hidden methods, they could carry out secret blood sacrifices without the Great Xia Dynasty even knowing, Vice Sect Leader Petrified exined with a smile. His Nine Nether Sect had informants spread across the continent. When it came to covert activities, they knew far more than the Great Xia Dynasty. A few days ago, I received some information about a suspected blood sacrifice. It doesnt seem to be the work of the Sr Sect or the Heartless Sect, so its highly likely that its the ancient cultivators! A suspected blood sacrifice? Yes, suspected. Were not entirely certain yet. What are the specifics?n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om My subordinate reported that while passing through a small vige called Huaian Vige in Liangzhou, he noticed something strange. From a distance, he saw that the vige appearedpletely deserted, with no signs of life whatsoever. His cultivation method makes him particrly sensitive to the scent of blood, and he detected a faint trace of it. To be able to smell blood from such a distance means there must have been arge number of deaths in the vige! He feared there might be rules set by a Unity stage cultivator in the vige, so he didnt dare approach. As soon as he realized something was wrong, he reported it to me! Peach Blossom Leaf was startled, sensing the eerie nature of the situation. Lu Yang frowned. An entire vige empty, and the authorities havent taken any action? Thats the strangest part, Vice Sect Leader Petrified replied. The authorities havepletely ignored the vige, as if they dont even know it exists! Its also possible that the people only recently disappeared, and the government hasnt caught wind of it yet. My theory is that ancient cultivators performed a blood sacrifice in the vige and used some means to block peoples perception or perhaps shield it from the awareness of Righteous Cultivators. Lu Yang tapped his finger rhythmically on the table. The situation was indeed bizarre, and while Vice Sect Leader Petrifieds exnation wasnt entirely convincing, it was something that needed to be investigated. He wasnt worried about being tricked by Petrified Bone. The Heavenly Court Sect had already demonstrated some of its power, and he wouldnt dare deceive the young Sect Leader, especially after the Fifth Elders flying shuttle had nearly struck him. Then lets go take a look, Lu Yang said as he stood up, preparing to head to Liangzhou. Vice Sect Leader Petrified was surprised by Lu Yangs decisiveness. He had expected the young Sect Leader to first return and gather the protection of a Celestial King before investigating Liangzhou. Were these two Heavenly Court prodigies really heading to a ce potentially involving ancient cultivators all on their own? Either they had some extraordinary life-saving abilities, or there was a Celestial King already nearby, and he simply hadnt noticed! Is Vice Sect Leader Petrifieding with us? Lu Yang asked. Of course, Vice Sect Leader Petrified answered readily. Since he had brought up the matter, there was no reason for him not to go. His flying boat was docked just outside Yanjiang County, and the three of them boarded and set off. Vice Sect Leader Petrified wanted to say more to Lu Yang, but seeing him close his eyes to rest as soon as they boarded, giving off an air of disinterest, he decided not to push his luck. Peach Blossom Leaf didnt say anything either; she knew that Senior Brother Lu closed his eyes because he had a fear of heights and didnt want to see the outside. Three dayster, the flying boat arrived in Liangzhou. Liangzhou, located on the western side of the Central Continent, was mostly grasnd with few forests, influenced by the local climate. Further westy the Golden Buddhist Kingdom, where vast deserts stretched endlessly, making greenery a rare sight. This is the ce. Vice Sect Leader Petrified hovered the flying boat in the air, checking the location in the report. Confirming that the strange vige was below them, he leapt down. Lu Yang, still afraid of heights, didnt dare jump down directly, but he hade prepared. Junior Sister Peach, cast an illusion so I think Im stepping onto solid ground. Peach Blossom Leaf chuckled softly and cast an illusion around Lu Yang, and together they descended. At the Golden Core Stage, cultivators could fly freely. Theynded about a mile from the vige. Worried about alerting anyone, Vice Sect Leader Petrified refrained from using his divine sense to scan the vige. There doesnt seem to be any signs of rule-based restrictions, Vice Sect Leader Petrified said after circling the vige. He was experienced and rarely wrong in such matters. That makes it even stranger. Where did all the vigers go? Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf were equally puzzled; it didnt make sense. The three cautiously walked into Huaian Vige, and to their surprise, there were no rule-based traps or barriers affecting them. Vice Sect Leader Petrified sniffed the air, his expression growing more serious. The scent of blood here is far stronger than I imagined! Do you smell anything? Peach Blossom Leaf also sniffed the air but detected nothing. Vice Sect Leader Petrified exined, You two are different from me. You practice the orthodox techniques of the Heavenly Court. Those of us who follow the demonic path often cultivate methods rted to blood sacrifice. Only demonic cultivators like myself can sense the abnormalities here. Lu Yang asked, Is the smell of blood that strong? Very strong. Even if the entire poption of this vige was killed, there shouldnt be this much blood. This is very likely an ancient altar established by ancient cultivators where they gathered mortals and cultivators to performrge-scale blood sacrifices! Chapter 384: Ten Thousand Soul Banner The overwhelming scent of blood in the area made Vice Sect Leader Petrified feel nervous, worrying that there might be more than one ancient Unity stage cultivator here. If his luck were any worse and he encountered someone at the Tribtion Crossing Stage, it would be his misfortune. He felt a bit fortunate to have brought Lu Yang along. Even if he met with disaster, could the Heavenly Court Sect really allow their young Sect Leader to fall here? I know very little about demonic blood rituals. Ill have to trouble Sect Leader Petrified with the situation in this small vige, Lu Yang said seriously, and it was the truth. Vice Sect Leader Petrified didnt refuse. He walked to the door of one of the outermost thatched houses, pushed it open, and found no one inside. The bowls and chopsticks were still set on the table, as if the houses owner had been about to eat when something suddenly happened, and they disappeared without a trace, without any sign of struggle or resistance. Vice Sect Leader Petrified opened several more doors, all showing simr scenes. Signs of life were evident; it was clear people had lived here, but for some unknown reason, everyone had vanished. It was as if time had stopped, and one by one, the people had been moved away, then time resumed. Peach Blossom Leaf felt chills watching this scene. It reminded her of the ghost stories she used to read under her nket at night as a child. She cautiously tugged on Lu Yangs sleeve, instantly feeling much safer.Sect Leader Petrified, can you tell what happened here? Vice Sect Leader Petrified analyzed, From what I know, there are two ways this could have been done: spatial confinement or time stop. If its spatial confinement, thats manageable. A Unity stage cultivator proficient in spatial techniques could achieve this. But if its with time stop, thats a problem. Anyone capable of stopping time is likely at least at the Tribtion Crossing Stage! In my memory, no one has ever managed to stop time. Even those at the Tribtion Crossing Stage can only theoretically aplish it! Lu Yang nodded. Immemorial Immortal could achieve such a feat. Immemorial Immortal? Vice Sect Leader Petrified was shocked. He had never heard of such an immortal. Lu Yang nodded again. Immemorial Immortal mastered the Time Ariya-Ph, having an unparalleled understanding of time during ancient times. Is that even possible?! Vice Sect Leader Petrified eximed. The Dao of Time was notoriously obscure and difficult toprehend, with even entry-level mastery being rare. He hadnt expected that in ancient times, an immortal had actually wielded time as an Ariya-Ph. What kind of terrifying power would such a skill unleash? Even Peach Blossom Leaf was moved. Why was Senior Brother Lu suddenly talking about immortals? Judging by Vice Sect Leader Petrifieds extreme reaction, it seemed like even a Nine Nether Sect vice sect leader had never heard of this. Where had Senior Brother Lu learned such things? Had the gap between her and Senior Brother Lu already grown so vast? Vice Sect Leader Petrifieds expression gradually returned to normal. He blinked and then asked Lu Yang, Wait, what did you just say? I must have spaced out for a second. Nothing, Lu Yang replied, surprised that even ate-stage Unity powerhouse like Vice Sect Leader Petrified couldnt resist the forgetting trait of an immortal. He had thought a Unity stage cultivator might be immune. Its unlikely that the culprit is someone at the Tribtion Crossing Stage who controls time. Im more inclined to believe its a Unity stage cultivator proficient in spatial confinement. From the moment they stepped into the small vige, Lu Yang had been frowning continuously. So many people had died in such a bizarre mannerhow terrifying must the murderer be? Killing people right under the imperial courts nose, without anyone noticing. If Huaian Vige was like this, what about the other viges? Just how many people had the murderer killed? Vice Sect Leader Petrified squatted down, grabbed a handful of soil from the ground, and gently pinched it. The originally dark brown soil revealed a deep red color. Seeing the confusion on Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leafs faces, he took the initiative to exin, So many people have died here that even the soil has absorbed the scent of their blood! But because of that, Ive confirmed something! What is it? The stench of blood here is overwhelming, yet its not as strong as it should be. Someone must have transferred the blood energy elsewhere! I recall that blood energy can be used to forge the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, a powerful demonic tool? Lu Yang recalled his knowledge rted to demonic cultivation. Exactly. Whether its the Soul Summoning Banner, Soul Guiding Banner, or the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, they all require blood energy and resentment. Vice Sect Leader Petrified seemed confident. He ground the soil into powder, tossed it into the air, and quickly formed a seal with one hand, casting a ck mark. The soil powder was gathered by the ck mark, floating like silk in the air, drifting toward a distant location. Lets go, follow it. If the blood energy had been refined on-site, it would be difficult to track. But since it was moved first and then refined, I can follow the lingering blood energy to find the real refining site! Vice Sect Leader Petrified grabbed Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf, and the three flew several hundred miles in one breath,nding in a mountainous area. The trail ends there! Vice Sect Leader Petrified pointed to a spot not far away. The three of them exchanged nces, nodded, and cautiously proceeded, holding their breath. Suddenly, Vice Sect Leader Petrified and Lu Yang both stopped in their tracks at the same time. Lu Yang instinctively reached out and stopped Peach Blossom Leaf from walking any further. Peach Blossom Leaf looked ahead. The trees were lush, and the birds were chirping amidst the fragrant flowers, nothing out of the ordinary. Vice Sect Leader Petrified nced at Lu Yang in surprise, not expecting him to react as quickly as he did. You noticed it too? One more step and wed be inside a barrier! Lu Yang nodded. In ancient times, this was known as the Ghost Wall Formation. Anyone who enters it loses their sense of direction, bing confused and ultimately trapped inside until they die. Its still called the Ghost Wall Formation nowadays. Setting up such a formation here clearly means someone doesnt want outsiders entering. Theres definitely a secret!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om More than that, the Ghost Wall Formation also conceals other types of formations within it, isting everything from external detection. Meanwhile, those inside the formation cant detect anything outside either. Someone is likely cultivating inside, unwilling to be disturbed by the outside world. I can smell a hint of blood. Its leaking out from the formation! Judging by the way the formation is set up, it wasnt created by someone at the Tribtion Crossing Stage. Good to know its not someone at that level. The two of them continued to analyze the formation, deducing that a Unity stage cultivator had set it up in the mountains to refine blood energy, ensuring no one could interfere. This was most likely rted to the massacre at Huaian Vige. Peach Blossom Leaf silently followed behind, feeling a bit left behind by Lu Yangs pace. Why could Senior Brother Lu converse so easily with a Unity stage cultivator about such matters? Peach Blossom Leaf had encountered skilled cultivators at the Foundation Building Stage and Golden Core Stage during missions, and they spoke confidently, almost as if they knew everything. Yet when faced with someone at the Spirit Transformation Stage, they would hesitate, appearing nervous. And if they encountered someone at the Void Refinement Stage or Unity Stage, they could barely speak properly. Compared to Senior Brother Lu, those people were far behind. Vice Sect Leader Petrified chuckled. He particrly enjoyed interrupting others cultivation, hoping the ancient Unity stage cultivator inside would suffer from qi deviation. He pulled out an eight-sided hammer from his storage ring, tossed it into the air, and the hammer swelled in size, growing to the size of a small mountain. Each edge gleamed with a cold, sharp light. The massive eight-sided hammer descended like a falling meteor, its momentum overwhelming. Crack The enormous hammer collided with something, making a cracking sound. Vice Sect Leader Petrified rubbed his hands together and pressed down harder, infusing the hammer with more power. The hammer smashed through the invisible barrier with renewed force. CrackCrackCrash The barrier shattered, and the stench of blood rushed out, filling the air. Peach Blossom Leaf widened her eyes in disbelief at the scene before her. The once tranquil setting of chirping birds and lush trees was gone. The trees had withered, rivers of blood flowed, the ground was stained red, ghostly figures flickered, and howling winds blew. At the center sat a shriveled old man, beside him stood a blood-red, tattered banner. Who are you?! The old man suddenly opened his eyes,pletely ignoring Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf. He red fiercely at Vice Sect Leader Petrified, his teeth clenched. His formation wasnt supposed to be discovered. The only w had been the leaking blood energy, but only a seasoned demonic cultivator could have detected it. Why would such a cultivator, with no enmity between them, break his formation!? Im your grandpa! Vice Sect Leader Petrified burst outughing, called the eight-sided hammer back to his hand, and swung it at the old man. The shriveled old man grabbed the tattered banner and dodged while chanting under his breath. Vice Sect Leader Petrified was unconcerned. In his other hand, he held a bone scythe, swinging it wildly at the old man. He could tell that the bacsh from the broken formation had weakened the old man significantly. Time to hit him while hes down! Is this all youve got? Youve brought shame to ancient cultivators! Still refining that Ten Thousand Soul Banner? I yed with those things ages ago! Die, and greet your grandpa! Vice Sect Leader Petrified unleashed his full power, and the shriveled old man retreated in defeat, unable to mount a proper counterattack. Boom The eight-sided hammer and bone scythe struck together, mming the shriveled old man deep into the mountain. Impressive, very impressive, youngsters these days! The old man, furious but smiling through gritted teeth, emerged from the cave, his blood-red banner now glowing. Vice Sect Leader Petrified clicked his tongue. I was careless. What do you mean, careless? Peach Blossom Leaf asked. Vice Sect Leader Petrified pointed at the old man and spat on the ground. I was having too much fun fighting and didnt notice that while I was hitting him, he was still refining the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. Now that its fully refined, its going to be much harder to deal with. The shriveled old mans expression was so dark that it could drip water. His words came through clenched teeth, making everyone feel deeply ufortable. I stumbled upon an enormous amount of blood energy, perfect for refining the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. Today, you younglings will witness my power! Ten Thousand Soul Banner, arise! A freezing wind howled as it converged toward the shriveled old man. Countless ghostly figures began to appear behind him, their massive forms numbering not just in the tens of thousands. As the old manughed, the Ten Thousand Soul Banner was fully refined, and the outlines of the ghosts became clearer. Lu Yang recognized the forms of these ghosts: pigs, cows, sheep Huh? All four of them were stunned. Chapter 385: Is There Any Benefit to Being Struck by Lightning Every Month? Chapter 385: Is There Any Benefit to Being Struck by Lightning Every Month? A chilling wind swept through, and the scene fell silent, with only the wails of countless ghosts echoing in the area. Oink oink Moo Baa Neither the shriveled old man nor Vice Sect Leader Petrified, both Unity stage cultivators with thousands of years of experience, had ever encountered anything like this before. Vice Sect Leader Petrifieds expression was a bit stiff. Just moments ago, he had been gravely stating how troublesome things had be after the opponent sessfully refined the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. Yet looking at the current situation, even if the opponent had refined ten Ten Thousand Soul Banners, it might not have been a problem. The shriveled old man hadnt expected such a result either. He had merely passed by a small vige and noticed an incredibly high concentration of blood energy, perfect for refining the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. So, he had swept away all the blood energy and hastily chosen a secluded ce to refine it. Facing a powerful enemy, he managed toplete the refinement of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner just in time. He had been preparing to sacrifice his enemies blood to it, intending to unleash millions of vicious ghosts to im their lives.But instead, he had summoned this? Gritting his teeth, the shriveled old man formed hand seals again to activate the Ten Thousand Soul Banner. No matter. Whether its people or livestock, as long as theyve been refined into the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, they are all considered vicious spirits! Vice Sect Leader Petrified realized the same issue. The Ten Thousand Soul Banner might look ridiculous right now, but its power couldnt be underestimated! Attack! Devour them! the shriveled old man ordered,ughing wildly, determined to bury Lu Yang and hispanions here. The pigs, cows, and sheep scattered in all directions. If not for the Ten Thousand Soul Banner holding them together, they would have already bolted off into the distance. A few pigs even nuzzled the shriveled old man before slowly wandering away. The shriveled old man: Vice Sect Leader Petrified: Senior Brother Lu, is this what a Unity stage battle looks like? Peach Blossom Leaf asked Lu Yang via sound transmission. She had little experience and was witnessing a Unity stage battle for the first time, but she couldnt make sense of what was happening. Lu Yang thought to himself, This is my first time seeing something like this too. Fairy, why did refining livestock into the Ten Thousand Soul Banner make them uncontroble? Inside his mental space, Evesting Fairy wasughing so hard she could barely catch her breath. Hahaha, what an idiot! You refined livestock into a Ten Thousand Soul Banner? Why didnt you try refining insects while youre at it? Hahaha After she had calmed down, she exined to Lu Yang, The essence of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner is to control souls. The souls that can be controlled muste from intelligent beingshumans, demonic beasts, and the like. The higher their Cultivation in life and the greater their resentment, the stronger the banners power. A bunch of livestock without intelligencedo you really expect them to understandmands and attack? But I seem to remember that using infants souls to refine the Ten Thousand Soul Banner is possible, right? And infants dont have intelligence either. It is possible to refine the Ten Thousand Soul Banner using infants souls, but theres something you missed. Demonic cultivators dont immediately refine an infants soul into the banner. The process takes several years. During that time, while the infants soul remains physically unchanged, their mind matures. By the end of the process, they reach an age where they can understandmands, which is when the refinement is trulyplete. Before she became an immortal, Evesting Fairy had dealt with many demonic cultivators. During the ancient era, when order was chaotic, demonic cultivators were everywhere. Her understanding of demonic practices far surpassed that of even Vice Sect Leader Petrified. She gave onest piece of advice to Lu Yang: You should study harder and not end up like that old illiterate fool. With this answer in mind, Lu Yang ryed it to Peach Blossom Leaf, earning a look of admiration from her. Senior Brother Lu was so knowledgeable. Waitwhy did Senior Brother Lu know so much about demonic cultivation? The shriveled old man tossed the Ten Thousand Soul Banner aside and pulled out a ne. Each bead on the ne was a small skull, each with a different, terrifying expression. This was his lifebound magic weapon, the Eighteenth Generation Ancestral Ne. To craft this ne, the creator must first marry, have children, and then continue to reproduce for eighteen generations. Once the eighteenth generation is born, the most outstanding descendant from each generation is selected, subjected to torturous suffering, and refined into a bead. The beads are then strung together using the intestines of the creators wife. The shriveled old man threw the Eighteenth Generation Ancestral Ne into the air. The ne broke apart, and each skull bead swelled, transforming intorge floating bone heads that rushed toward Vice Sect Leader Petrified, snapping and biting at him. This single move alone would deter most Unity stage cultivators from confronting it head-on.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Haha, you old bastard! Youre ruthless enough to turn your eighteen generations of descendants into a demonic weapon. Their bloodline is tied to you, making it easy for you to control the ne with ease! Vice Sect Leader Petrified remained calm, recognizing the nes origin, but so what? To survive and rise to the position of Vice Sect Leader within the Demonic Sect, his methods were beyond what the shriveled old man could imagine. He gripped his Bone Scythe, and spikes extended from the scythes handle, piercing into his palm. The scythe absorbed his blood, and a red line appeared along its de. Whoosh Vice Sect Leader Petrified swung the Bone Scythe, a brilliant light shing through the sky, illuminating the entire mountain. Six of the eighteen demonic heads were instantly cut down. The shriveled old mans expression changed. How is your scythespatibility even higher than my ne?! Vice Sect Leader Petrified strode forward, continuing to sh with the remaining demonic heads. Of course! To forge this scythe, I pulled out my own bones and nourished them with my blood day and night. My bones remained alive after being removed, and only then did I refine them into this scythe! No matter how closely your descendants are rted to you, how could they everpare to me and my own bones? Madman! The shriveled old man cursed. Refining ones own bones into a magical weapon was a process that took hundreds of years and left one highly vulnerable to ambush. A single misstep could lead to severe depletion of vital energy or even death. Heh, I was fortunate that Sect Leader Qin valued me highly and protected me during the refinement process! The two fought intensely, with the shriveled old man unleashing an endless array of demonic techniques. The eighteen demonic heads reassembled themselves repeatedly, disrupting Vice Sect Leader Petrifieds attacks. Meanwhile, Vice Sect Leader Petrifieds figure flickered into elusive afterimages, making him hard to pin down. His Bone Scythe reaped life after life, forcing the shriveled old man to avoid closebat. Ill set a rule here: Within a radius of 500 zhang, everybody except me shall have their movements slowed! the shriveled old man invoked the power of rules, trying to restrict Vice Sect Leader Petrifieds actions. Both Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf immediately felt as if they were sinking into quicksand, struggling to move. Vice Sect Leader Petrified let out a coldugh. His soul left his body, unaffected by the slowing effect. He switched weapons, and his soul wielded a giant hammer, swinging it toward the shriveled old man. So you think you can make rules? Lets set another rule: Within a radius of 500 zhang, no one can use demonic weapons! The Eighteenth Generation Ancestral Ne dimmed, and the eighteen demonic heads vanished. Only a soul left, and you still dare to challenge me! The shriveled old man charged toward Vice Sect Leader Petrified, only to be struck down by a swing of the hammer. He screamed in disbelief, How is this possible? How is your soul so powerful?! The shriveled old man had always been confident in his soul techniques, and yet, in terms of soul strength, he found himself inferior to Vice Sect Leader Petrified. If you get struck by heavenly lightning worth a billion spirit stones every month, youd be like this too! Vice Sect Leader Petrified cursed angrily. He risked his life every month to undergo Heavenly Lightning Tribtionof course, hed gain some benefits! Chapter 386: I Am the Protector of the Heavenly Court Sect, Netherworld Heavenly King! The shriveled old man, seeing that Vice Sect Leader Petrified was suppressing him in every aspect, realized things were going badly. This younger opponent was far more powerful than he had anticipated.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om In the Great Yu Dynasty, the shriveled old man was considered among the strongest Unity stage demonic cultivators. The only ones who could pressure him were the top-tier Unity stage powerhouses. Damn it, what kind of luck was this? He had merelye out to refine a Ten Thousand Soul Banner, ended up with a bunch of unresponsive livestock, and now he had encountered one of the strongest Unity stage powerhouses. The great struggle of this era hadnt even fully erupted, and yet he was already facing such an opponent? If this continued, he would be the one to lose! Run! The shriveled old man no longer had any desire to continue the fight and immediately turned to flee. His vast survival experience told him that just because he couldnt win now didnt mean he couldnt win in the future. As long as he cultivated diligently, he could take his revengeter. Who would mock him for running away today if he triumphed tomorrow? He didnt target Lu Yang or Peach Blossom Leaf. Though their foundations were solid, their Cultivation levels were too lowthey were likely just the disciples of his opponent. For demonic cultivators like him, personal survival was paramount. The idea of kidnapping disciples for leverage wasughable in their eyes.The shriveled old man left six demonic heads behind to block Vice Sect Leader Petrified and transformed into a streak of light, flying away. Damn it! The old bastards shamelesshe just up and runs! Vice Sect Leader Petrified cursed loudly, disgusted by theck of dignity his opponent showed. That being said, if he were in the shriveled old mans shoes, he wouldve made the same choice. Suddenly, the space rippled, and a figure silently appeared behind the fleeing shriveled old man. Holding an object resembling a brick, the figure swung it at the old mans head. The shriveled old man stumbled, plummeting from the sky. Who is it?! He quickly took a defensive stance, but the blow had been too hard, and too expertly delivered. Dizzy, he struggled to stand. Realizing another expert had appeared, he prepared to flee again. The figure with the brick curled his lips into a cold smile that sent chills down ones spine. You think you can run from me? The figures gaze locked onto the shriveled old man, leaving him momentarily stunned and unable to resist. The old man was dazed for only half a second, but for Unity stage cultivators, that was enough to make a big difference. The figure kicked the shriveled old man over, pressing him to the ground with a heavy stomp. The shriveled old man attempted to escape underground, but the figure remained unhurried. Pointing a finger at the ground, the earth beneath instantly hardened like meteorite iron, rendering it unbreakable. No matter how hard the shriveled old man tried, he couldnt break through. Turning Earth into Steel?! (TL Note: This was used in chapter 180 by Lu Yangs senior brothers) Both the shriveled old man and Vice Sect Leader Petrified eximed at the same time, recognizing the techniquea grand magical ability that could restrict earth-based escape techniques. It had nearly been lost to history and was only known by the Five Great Immortal Sects and ancient cultivators. The figure looked coldly at the shriveled old man, applying more pressure with his foot, causing the old man to scream in pain. Who are you? the shriveled old man demanded, ring at the figure. Had it not been for this persons sudden appearance, he would have already escaped. Yet he couldnt muster the will to resist. The techniques this figure had just demonstrated were even stronger than those of Vice Sect Leader Petrified. Vice Sect Leader Petrified also eyed the figure warily. The fact that this person had intervened at a critical moment implied he had been following them all along, but Vice Sect Leader Petrified hadnt sensed him at all. An unfathomable mastery of concealment techniques! The figures gaze was deep, like an ancient well, impossible to read. He nced at the fallen shriveled old man, then at Vice Sect Leader Petrified, his tone calm yet filled with arrogance and disdain. I am the Netherworld Heavenly King, Protector of the Heavenly Court Sect. Vice Sect Leader Petrifieds expression shifted slightly. As he had suspected, the figure was a Protector of the Heavenly Court Sect. And with the title Netherworld, could he be connected to the ancient Nine Nethers? The shriveled old man was utterly confused. Heavenly Court Sect? What kind of organization was that? The shriveled old man had investigated the major powers of today, but he had never heard of anything called the Heavenly Court Sect. Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf looked at the Great Elder, who was arrogantly stepping on an ancient Unity stage cultivator while dismissively mocking the Vice Sect Leader of the Demonic Sect. They struggled to hold back their desire toin. When Lu Yang went to meet the Vice Sect Leader of the Demonic Sect, a dangerous endeavor, the Dao Seeking Sect naturally sent someone along. Originally, Lu Yang hadnt nned to let anyone follow him, but somehow the Great Elder had heard that he and Peach Blossom Leaf were meeting Petrified Bone, and the elder insisted oning along, offering to protect them. The reason given was to safeguard the future of the Dao Seeking Sect. Seeing the Great Elder now, Lu Yang thought that protecting them was just a cover. It seemed more like the elder wanted to seize the opportunity to show off. Once Vice Sect Leader Petrified confirmed that the Great Elder was an ally, he rxed. He crouched down and pped the shriveled old man twice, demanding answers. Tell me, why did you kill all those livestock? The shriveled old man was furious, feeling utterly insulted. Do you think Im crazy, ughtering livestock? Im a demonic cultivator, not a butcher! If Id known the blood energy came from a ughterhouse, do you think I wouldve wasted my time refining the Ten Thousand Soul Banner? Petrified Bone thought about it and figured the shriveled old man had a point. He pped him two more times. Then exin how the vigers disappeared! What vigers? When I got there, the ce was already empty! The shriveled old man was baffled. He had no enmity with Petrified Bone, so why was he being targeted? Are you sure it wasnt you? It wasnt! Vice Sect Leader Petrified could tell the shriveled old man wasnt lying. After all, they were both demonic cultivators, and there was no reason to hide the truth when it came to killing. Thats odd At the Dao Seeking Sect, at the Evesting Pasture. The former Sect Leader of the Undying Sect stood gazing over the endless pastures, where cows and sheepzily grazed in peaceful tranquility. He sighed softly. My Lord, whats troubling you? The three female ghosts, Little Five, Little Six, and Little Seven, approached him with concern. I was just thinking back to my time as the Sect Leader running a ughterhouse. You ran a ughterhouse too? Well, of course! Who doesnt have a hobby or two? I never told you this before, but before I joined the Undying Sect, my family ran a ughterhouse. Later, we were caught for tax evasion, and the authorities came after us. Seeing that I had potential, the Undying Sect took me in. And before I knew it, I became the Sect Leader. After I became Sect Leader, I often reminisced about my days running the ughterhouse. My subordinates were always as dumb as pigs, and when they angered me, Id think about killing them. But we had too few people in the Undying Sect, and recing subordinates was hard, so I bought a bunch of puppets. I built a small vige out in the wilderness and named it Huaian Vige. I controlled the puppets and disguised them as vigers, opening up a ughterhouse. Every day I ughtered pigs, pretending they were my subordinates. I did this for about three or four hundred years, and eventually, the ce became a well-known, long-established ughterhouse in the area. Then I got caught, and the ughterhouse was confiscated. The pigs, cows, and sheep were all sold by the authorities, and they ordered me to cease all puppeteering activities. The puppets were also taken by the court. Now Huaian Vige is nothing but an empty shell, just filled with useless blood energy. The authorities dont know what to do with it, so theyve just left it there. Wont the blood energy be used by demonic cultivators for things like refining a Ten Thousand Soul Banner? Xiao Qi asked with concern, remembering how close they came to being turned into souls for a banner. The Sect Leader burst intoughter. Impossible! What kind of idiot demonic cultivator would use such blood energy to refine a Ten Thousand Soul Banner? Chapter 387: Truth After the Meal What a strange situation Could it be that another demonic cultivator performed a ritual in Huaian Vige? Everyone surrounded the shriveled old man, puzzled and unable to make sense of the events. The Great Elder coughed quietly and transmitted a message to Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf. I know a bit about what happened in Huaian Vige. ording to the Sect Leader of the Undying Sect, he built a ughterhouse in Huaian Vige, disguising puppets as vigers. Dai Bufan was supposed to be managing the task hall and intelligence, but in reality, it was the Great Elder who was in control. Although the Great Elder usually busied himself with constructing his own tombs, he wasntpletely out of touch. He was fully aware of the happenings in the task hall and the intelligence Dai Bufan handled, which included the confession from the Undying Sects Sect Leader. Lu Yang: Peach Blossom Leaf: Elder, you knew about what happened in Huaian Vige all along, and yet you let us run around aimlessly? The Great Elder thought to himself, I was just waiting for the most dramatic moment to make my entrance. How could I find a chance to show off if you didnte to Huaian Vige?The Great Elder had been hoping Vice Sect Leader Petrified would attack Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf so that, at the critical moment, he could recite a heroic line and swoop in to save them. Unfortunately, the opportunity never camethough the shriveled old man did provide him with a bit of face. The information the Great Elder had couldnt be shared with Vice Sect Leader Petrified, as it wasnt intelligence the Heavenly Court Sect should have. Sharing it might lead to suspicion about their true identities. Well, capturing this ancient cultivator is a gain in itself. This trip wasnt in vain, Lu Yang said, sensing there was no more reason to stay in Huaian Vige. Sect Leader Petrified, youve contributed greatly to this. Why dont you take care of this person? Vice Sect Leader Petrified couldnt believe his ears. The Netherworld Heavenly King had been the one to capture the shriveled old man, yet he was being handed over to him. This this doesnt seem right, does it? Lu Yang folded his hands behind his back andughed, Why not? Our two sects are in a cooperative rtionship. Consider this a gesture of goodwill. Besides, your Nine Nether Sect has ess to far more intelligence than we do. The information you could extract from him would be much more useful to your sect than to the Heavenly Court Sect. Vice Sect Leader Petrified nodded in agreement. Their Nine Nether Sect already had intelligence on other ancient cultivators, and with the shriveled old mans information, they could gain even more insight into the movements of the ancient cultivators. Such intelligence was crucial. It might even lead them to the hidden treasures of ancient cultivators, enriching their resources. The Heavenly Court Sects indifference to ancient cultivators showed they didnt really care about them at all. The Heavenly Court Sect must have terrifying resources if they were so casual about it. Lu Yangs actions could be interpreted as a gesture of goodwill toward the Nine Nether Sect, or perhaps even a subtle disy of power. Vice Sect Leader Petrified couldnt quite figure out Lu Yangs intentions, but he was impressed by his deep strategic thinkingsomething far beyond his peers. After weighing the situation, Vice Sect Leader Petrified cupped his hands and expressed his gratitude, In that case, thank you. The Great Elder put away his brick-like object and handed the shriveled old man over to Vice Sect Leader Petrified. Damn it! My precious pillow is being used as a weapon! Evesting Fairy grumbled in frustration. She had seen it clearlythe Great Elder was holding her celestial treasure, the Yellow Millet Pillow. This was a prize confiscated by the Dao Seeking Sect when they defeated Master Liu and Master Gao, who ran a barbecue shop and had invaded the sect. The pillow had the ability to forcibly put people to sleep. Farewell! Vice Sect Leader Petrified retrieved his flying boat, sealed the shriveled old mans Cultivation, tossed him onto the boat, and flew away. The Great Elder pulled a scroll from his sleeve, an ink painting of mountains and waterfalls. Though the painting was silent, upon seeing it, Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf could almost hear the rushing of the waterfall in their ears. The Great Elder smiled and said, This is the High Mountains and Flowing Water Painting, a magical treasure I often use while traveling. It contains a miniature world within it, simr to a pocket dimension. I asked my Fourth Junior Brother to paint it for me.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om (TL Note: Based off this painting probably /item/%E9%AB%98%E5%B1%B1%E6%B5%81%E6%B0%B4%E5%9B%BE/66689) Peach Blossom Leaf hesitated, unfamiliar with this kind of treasure and unsure how to use it. Do we jump inside? Lu Yang recalled seeing Senior Brother Ji Hongwen, the First Disciple of the Fourth Elder, use a simr technique. Exactly, the Great Elder replied. The Great Elder jumped into the painting, and Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf followed suit, imitating his actions. As soon as they entered, the sound of the waterfall filled their ears. Looking up, they found themselves standing beside a waterfall, with water crashing down from the sky, spraying countless droplets into the air. They crouched down to inspect the nts by the shore. The greenery was lush, with dew glistening on the leaves, indistinguishable from the real thing. Was this truly a painting, or was there a small world hidden within it? Seeing their amazement, the Great Elder felt immensely proud but didnt bother exining. He directed the painting to fly back toward the Dao Seeking Sect. Hmm, so this is the Dao of Painting. I didnt expect there to still be skilled practitioners in this age, Evesting Fairy remarked in mild surprise. Throughout history, Saints and schrs had pursued various Dao, and in ancient times, many great cultivators had practiced the Dao of Painting. Are these nts and mountains real or fake? Lu Yang asked. Theyre fake, but very close to real. If a soul of the nts were infused into them, theyd be real. This level of technique was extremely rare even in my time, Evesting Fairy exined. Do you know the Dao of Painting? Lu Yang asked. Evesting Fairy waved her hand dismissively, showing no interest. Thats just a small, trivial art. Its something for those pretentious schrs. I wouldnt bother learning it. The Great Elder seemed to recall something and turned his head, asking, Speaking of the Dao of Painting, I once read an ancient record about two immortals from ancient times. One was a Demon Immortal and the other a Wood Immortal. The Demon Immortal was imprisoned inside a painting by the Wood Immortal, leading to a great battle between the two. Their fight caused such a disturbance that it shook the entire universe. If it hadnt been for the intervention of the ancestors of the Dragon and Phoenix ns, who knows how many stars would have been shattered. Multiple ancient texts record this event in varying degrees. Lu Yang, youre familiar with ancient history. Have you heard of this? Lu Yang shook his head. It was the first time he had heard of this. The Demon Immortal and Wood Immortalcould they be Qilin Immortal and Immemorial Immortal? It was time to use his golden finger. Fairy, have you heard of this story? Evesting Fairy thought for a moment, then suddenly realized, Ah, I remember now! There was one time when Immemorial Immortal ate my food and blurted out the truthhe mentioned this story! Youve asked the right person. If youd asked anyone else, they wouldnt know! Wait, hold on. Why did Immemorial Immortal start telling the truth after eating your food? Lu Yang asked, puzzled. Evesting Fairy seemed confused as to why Lu Yang would even ask such a thing. She replied matter-of-factly, Isnt itmon? After a good meal, people get sleepy. Ying Tian Immortal and Immemorial Immortal often ate my food and ended up dozing off, their heads hitting the table. Theyd start muttering to themselves, and if you asked them anything at that moment, theyd spill all the details. The funny thing is, theyd forget everything they said afterward. Please, continue, Lu Yang prompted. Evesting Fairy continued, I never cared to learn the Dao of Painting, but Immemorial Immortal was quite interested in it. He was pretty skilled, too. Even I had a hard time telling if his paintings were real or fake. Then again, hes the Heaven-Reaching World Tree incarnate, standing at the pinnacle of all nt spirits, so of course he had a natural affinity for paper and painting. Chapter 388: The Battle Between the Demon Immortal and the Wood Immortal The most important things for a painter are twofold: immortal paper and an immortal brush. At that time, Immemorial Immortal had already ascended to immortality, but finding a brush suitable for an immortals use was nearly impossible. Even Ying Tian Immortal couldnt forge one without the right materials, and there were none avable. Immortal paper wasnt a problem for him, though. He could just use wood shavings from his own body to make it. But the brushthat was the challenge. The closest suitable material for the brush was the hair of a few of us. But since we were all human, our hair wasnt suitable for refining an immortal brush. So, Immemorial Immortal set his sights on Qilin Immortal. Qilin Immortal had a tuft of hair on his tail that was perfect for making the brush. First, Immemorial Immortal painted a One Hundred Beasts Painting with a semi-immortal-level brush. The painting depicted a group of beautiful female beasts, irresistible to any beast. He then invited Qilin Immortal over as a guest and showed him the painting. When Qilin Immortal became captivated by it, Immemorial Immortal suggested that he could enter the painting to experience it for himself. (TL Note: Based off this painting with horses instead of beasts https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Hundred_Horses) Overjoyed and unsuspecting, Qilin Immortal praised Immemorial Immortal as his true brother and quickly lost himself in the painting. While Qilin Immortal was distracted, Immemorial Immortal snuck into the painting and shaved off all of the hair from Qilin Immortals tail. Just as Immemorial Immortal was about to use his power over time to speed up the regrowth of Qilin Immortals tail hair and cover up the theft, Qilin Immortal discovered what had happened.Furious, Qilin Immortal fought Immemorial Immortal, and they unleashed all manner of celestial techniques. Cultivators across severals witnessed the battle, awestruck by the sight. Themotion was so great that it attracted the attention of the prodigies from the Dragon and Phoenix ns. These prodigies rushed over to find out what had happened. Of course, Qilin Immortal couldnt admit that he had been lured in by the beauty in the painting and tricked by Immemorial Immortal. So, he imed that he had been trapped in the painting by Immemorial Immortal while his guard was down. Immemorial Immortal apologized, saying that he just wanted to test the limits of his painting skills and used Qilin Immortal to experiment, begging for forgiveness. Qilin Immortal pretended to forgive him, praising Immemorial Immortal for his respectful attitude. Immemorial Immortal then promised to give Qilin Immortal a grand gift aspensation. Qilin Immortal graciously replied, We are brothers, no need for grand gestures. Immemorial Immortal insisted, saying it was only right. The prodigies from the Dragon and Phoenix ns, curious about what kind of painting had trapped Qilin Immortal, asked to see it. But both Qilin Immortal and Immemorial Immortal replied in unison that the painting had been destroyed during the battle. The prodigies didnt think much of it and believed them, expressing regret over the paintings loss. Later, Immemorial Immortal gifted the One Hundred Beasts Painting to Qilin Immortal, and the two became close again, like true brothers. Lu Yang: n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om What a way to make up and be friends. Seeing Lu Yang lost in thought, the Great Elder assumed he was reflecting on the story and added, I remember the ancient texts also mentioning that the Wood Immortal painted the One Hundred Beasts Painting and trapped the Demon Immortal inside, ordering the beasts to attack him. Do you recall any of that? Lu Yang thought to himself, Where are these ancient textsing from? The story has been ridiculously embellished. He decided that it would be best to keep the truth of ancient times to himself. If this story ever reached the ears of the Dragon and Phoenix n prodigies and they ended up beating up Qilin Immortal again, and if Qilin Immortal then traced everything back to him, his own small life might be at risk. He shook his head in confusion. Ive never heard of it. Alright, the Great Elder said, not suspecting Lu Yang. After all, Lu Yang was still young and couldnt possibly know everything. As they spoke, the Great Elder manipted the painting, guiding Lu Yang and Peach Blossom Leaf back to the sect. Meanwhile, he vanished to some unknown destination. Second Brother, stop sleeping! Do you know what I just did? The Great Elder found Grandpa Ba, who was napping at the entrance to the medicinal garden, and shook him awake. When Grandpa Ba saw it was the Great Elder, he ignored him, rolled over, and tried to go back to sleep. But the Great Elder wasnt about to let Grandpa Ba rest. I just met the Vice Sect Leader of the Demonic Sect, using the identity of the Netherworld Heavenly King. What?! Grandpa Ba immediately snapped awake, sitting up with wide eyes. Tell me what happened! Lu Yang was going to meet the Nine Nether Sects Vice Sect Leader. He was worried about his safety, so he begged me toe along for protection. Seeing as Lu Yang is one of our sects most outstanding disciples, how could I refuse? I hid in the shadows to guard him. The Vice Sect Leader of the Nine Nether Sect, named Petrified Bone, met Lu Yang. With me backing him up, Lu Yang was calm andposed, speaking with ease and confidence, intimidating that guy. He mentioned discovering traces of an ancient cultivator and invited Lu Yang to investigate. With me by his side, there was nowhere Lu Yang couldnt go, so he agreed readily. Sure enough, his information was urate. There was indeed an ancient cultivator at the location, and he was utterly evilusing overwhelming blood energy to refine a Ten Thousand Soul Banner. As soon as it wasplete, the howling of ten thousand beasts filled the sky, shaking the heavens. The deafening roar and fierce winds were terrifying. Even Lu Yang was scared stiff, frozen in ce, having never seen such a sight before! Grandpa Ba nodded. A Ten Thousand Soul Banner at the Unity level, once fully refined, could unleash tens of thousands of ghosts, sweeping through heaven and earth. Even those at the same level would find it troublesome to deal with, so it was no surprise Lu Yang was frightened. And it was a beast-type Ten Thousand Soul Bannerbeast souls are far more vicious than human souls. Even the slightly weaker cultivators would be driven mad by just hearing the howls. Petrified Bone and the ancient cultivator were locked in fierce battle. Seeing that the opponent was formidable, I boldly intervened. Armed with a celestial treasure, I ignored the attacks of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner and defeated the ancient cultivator with a single strike! The ancient cultivator, realizing my profound cultivation, was terrified. He refused to ept defeat and desperately asked who I was. Stepping on him, I gazed over the world with disdain and calmly dered my title: I am the Netherworld Heavenly King, Protector of the Heavenly Court Sect! Grandpa Bas eyes lit up with admiration. Why hadnt he been there for such a dramatic moment? The Great Elder thought to himself, As the one managing intelligence for the Dao Seeking Sect, naturally I knew about Lu Yangs ns before you did. Anyway, Ive got things to do. Ill be off. The Great Elder hurriedly left, leaving behind a very envious Grandpa Ba. Third Brother, stop plowing the fields! Do you know what I just did? Fourth Brother, stop reading! Do you know what I just did? Peach Blossom Leaf said goodbye to Lu Yang, reflecting on what she had learned from their journey. She had witnessed many grand scenes and be more aware of her shorings. It looks like I still have a long way to go before I can catch up to Senior Brother Lu! Senior Brother Lu can converse with Unity-level cultivators so casually, effortlessly referencing ancient knowledge and cultivation techniques. How does he do it? His extensive knowledge and calm demeanor are exactly what I aspire to. Ive heard Senior Brother Lu is especially proficient in ancient history, surpassing even the elders. If thats the case, Ill start by studying ancient history! Suddenly, Peach Blossom Leaf felt an overwhelming pressureso intense it was suffocating. She turned her head and saw her master smiling gently at her, transmitting a message to check on her progress in cultivation. Just got back from outside? How is your Feathered Immortal Physique cultivation going? Cold sweat broke out on Peach Blossom Leafs forehead. In her excitement about going out with Senior Brother Lu, she hadpletely forgotten about her need to cultivate the Feathered Immortal Physique! Chapter 389: Nine Stars Align Chapter 389: Nine Stars Align Lu Yang returned to Heavens Gate Peak and sat cross-legged on the giant stone infused with sword energy, opening his mouth to absorb spiritual energy as he focused on his cultivation. An endless stream of spiritual energy flowed into his body, and under the effects of the Enlightenment of Heart and Nature Technique, it transformed into pure spiritual power, surging within him. He slowly extended two fingers, and a yard-long cyan sword energy condensed at his fingertips. Go! With a sharp gesture, the cyan sword energy flew forward, piercing through three trees and embedding itself half an inch into a fourth before dissipating. These werent ordinary trees but rather Coiling Dragon Trees that Daoist Non-Speaker had specifically nted on Heavens Gate Peak. Their roots were thick like coiling dragons, and their bark resembled dragon scales. (TL Note: Qiulong or qiu was a Chinese dragon that is contradictorily defined as horned dragon and hornless dragon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qiulong) Legend has it that during a great war in the Demon Territory, many true dragons participated and fell. Their blood dyed a nearbyke red, and the trees that grew on the shores of thatke were imbued with the essence of true dragon blood, mutating and gaining the power of the dragon. Thus, the Qiu Dragon Tree was born. These trees were incredibly expensive. Lesser sects could only afford to buy one or two for decoration, but on Heavens Gate Peak, there was a small forest of them. Lu Yang opened his eyes and, through the holes in the three trees, saw the fourth tree had been pierced half an inch. He felt a surge of joy. Previously, he could only pierce three Coiling Dragon Trees before his sword energy weakened, unable to even scratch the bark of the fourth. Seems like my training has paid off! Lu Yang thought, feeling more adept in wielding his sword energy. A three-inch cyan sword energy coiled around his fingertips like a snake, nimble and precise. He even joked to himself that he could use the sword energy to clean his ears. Unfortunately, theres no one at my level who can match me in the way of the sword. It would be great to spar with someone topare techniques. He shook his head in regret. Although he hadnt fought with others in his realm, the confidence brought by the Invincible Core made him believe he was the top swordsman among his peers. Evesting Fairy nodded in secret approval. This was the aura of invincibility! Lu Yang had the bearing of her former self. He was bound to achieve greatness in the future! By the way, Fairy, since you and the others created Buddhism, do you know the Buddhist Kingdom in the Palm technique? Whats the Buddhist Kingdom in the Palm? Youve never heard of this grand technique? Its said to be the supreme space technique of Buddhism, even surpassing the six divine abilities like Heavenly Eyes and Heavenly Ears. In the Buddhist Kingdom in the Palm, the palm holds a vast country, with space infinitelyrge. No matter how great your divine powers or speed, once youre trapped within, theres no escape. One strike of the palm brings down an entire nation, unmatched and unstoppable. Some say the Western Golden Buddha Kingdom is actually a manifestation of the Buddhist Kingdom in the Palm. Evesting Fairy pondered for a moment. Ive never heard of the Buddhist Kingdom in the Palm. Its likely a technique created inter generations or a renamed version of something from our time. For instance, I know of a technique called Universe in the Palm, where the palm contains the heavens and the earth. The stars in the sky are merely toys in the palm, and the sun and moon are like two orbs of yin and yang, insignificant inparison. Perhaps Universe in the Palm is whatter generations call the Buddhist Kingdom in the Palmthey probably just renamed it. There are even legends about a nameless figure refining all the stars into a continent. Its likely the same technique! Lu Yang shuddered at the thought of someone using Universe in the Palm to control the stars. What terrifying power must it take to manipte entire celestial bodies at will? Compared to the power of immortals, even natural disasters seemed as small as dust. Did you know that the rotation of stars follows a specific pattern? Oh, right, youve never been to space, so you wouldnt have seen how the stars move. With a tone of mild arrogance, Evesting Fairy continued, Ive traveled through the cosmos before, watching meteors revolve around stars, and smaller stars orbitrger ones. It made me wonder, could this pattern of smaller objects revolving aroundrger ones be the naturalw of celestial movement? The great Evesting Fairy observed, spected, drew diagrams, calcted, and finally Finally, you figured out thews of star movement, Fairy? Lu Yang couldnt help but interject, thinking that the fairy had moments of real intelligence. In the end, Nonuple Immortal told me that someone had already figured out thews of star movement long ago. Lu Yang: That made sense. It wasnt necessary to be an immortal to venture into space. Even those at Unity or Tribtion Crossing Stage could reach space. If someone with enough interest decided to sit beside the stars for a few years, they could figure it out easily. And if they knew time-rted magic, they could probably calcte it within half an hour. Back then, it was popr to use stars for divination. There was a great astrologer who pointed to a specific constetion and said that when the Nine Stars aligned, chaos would ensue in that region of space, causing the fall of empires and the destruction of the star domain. Based on the movement of the stars, the alignment would happen in three years!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om That astrologers name was Shi Cang, from the Shi Royal n, and he was famous. Half of his predictions were urate. You know how it goessome cultivators believe in fate, and others dont. A big debate started about how to deal with the predicted disaster. Those who believed in fate said Shi Cang was right and that people living on those stars should be evacuated quickly. There were many other habitable stars they could move to, though it would take effort. Those who didnt believe in fate argued that forcing the migration of tens of billions of people over one prophecy was unnecessary. The process itself would result in countless deaths, and starting fresh on new stars would take generations of effort. And you, Fairydid you believe in fate or not? I listened to the whole thing and then smashed one of the uninhabited stars. That way, the Nine Stars could never align! Lu Yang silently gave a thumbs-up, thinking that the fairy was truly impressive. Even though I hadnt ascended to immortality at the time, smashing one or two stars was easy for me. After destroying that first star, I found a formation hidden in its core. Curious, I went to check the remaining eight stars, and sure enough, each one had the same formation at its core. My guess was that when the nine stars aligned, the formations would resonate, causing a massive explosion. Was this done intentionally?! Evesting Fairy growled, Yes, it was Shi Cang. That scoundrel disguised his plot as a divination to stir chaos and make a fortune off of it. The disasters he predicted were all ones they had secretly engineered! I was so furious that I killed Shi Cang. Even when the Shi Royal n came to apologize and offerpensation, I still didnt let it go. I killed him regardless, and when the Shi Royal n tried to interfere with my path to Tribtion Crossing, it didnt work! With a huff, Evesting Fairy added, It didnt mattermy talent was unparalleled in the ancient world. I became Tribtion Crossing Stage regardless of their interference! Lu Yang pped in awe. The devious plots of ancient times were truly unimaginable, using entire stars as tools in their schemes. How many people would have been affected by such a disaster? As Lu Yang was contemting the terrifying nature of ancient conspiracies, he heard Evesting Fairy ask, By the way, do you want to learn Universe in the Palm? I know it. Universe in the Palm? Me? Lu Yang nced at his small hand, wondering if the fairy had overestimated him. Chapter 390: Learning Universe in the Palm Chapter 390: Learning Universe in the Palm The way I see it, you have a remarkable aptitude for space techniques. Just think about itSo Close Yet Worlds Apart isnt something your current Cultivation level should be able to learn, but you managed it anyway, didnt you? Evesting Fairy, as the leader of The Five Ancient Immortals, highly regarded Lu Yangs talent in space magic. In ancient times, receiving praise from Evesting Fairy was considered more valuable than ten thousand opportunities, capable of propelling someone to greatness. However, Lu Yang didnt have that sense of realization. To him, Evesting Fairy only presented him with more challenges. If this were the ancient times, people would have called him ungrateful for not recognizing such a blessing. Oh well, might as well give it a try, Lu Yang said, deciding to take a break from his usual cultivation, seeing this as an opportunity to rx and expand his mind. I dont expect you to fully master Universe in the Palm, but even learning the basic principles will greatly enhance your ability to perform other space techniques. It will improve your learning speed and your execution will be much faster! Evesting Fairy knew that learning Universe in the Palm would be difficult for Lu Yang, but she wanted to teach him anyway. And when she wanted to teach, no one could stop her. Lu Yang leapt down from the sword-infused boulder, flipping three times in mid-air beforending gracefully. Evesting Fairy pulled Lu Yang into her spiritual space. With a thought, she changed her outfit to a traditional schrs robe, resembling an ancient teacher. The transformation made her appear more intelligent. Heh, now this feels right. Before I teach you, Ill give you a demonstration! Evesting Fairy said with a mischievous grin. Before Lu Yang could react, the cozy spiritual space of four rooms and two halls transformed into an endless, dark void. Massive stars appeared in front of him, their light faintpared to distant, barely visible stars scattered throughout the vast expanse. Evesting Fairy stood in front of Lu Yang and raised her small hand, pressing it downward with great force. Lu Yang squinted, trying to see through the darkness above him, but the void was too vast toprehend. He felt a presence overhead. Hm? Suddenly, the stars above him vanished, as if something had blocked them from view. A massive hand emerged from the darkness, filling his entire field of vision. He could see nothing but the hand, which dwarfed everything else. The lines on the palm were vividly clear, and the intricate fingerprint patterns resembled the pathways of celestial bodies. The stars within the palm were like mere grains of sand. Lu Yang had experienced mountains copsing and the oppressive might of a Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator, butpared to this hand, none of that mattered. Those past encounters felt insignificant,cking any true power inparison. Oppression, suffocation, despair These emotions surged in his heart uncontrobly, growing wildly like a gue. Watch closely. This is Universe in the Palm. The giant hand pressed down, and Lu Yangs vision went ck. His consciousness faded. When he awoke, Evesting Fairy was hovering over him, her upper body draped across him as herrge eyes blinked curiously, studying him. Did I scare you? No, you killed me, Lu Yang muttered. Oh, right. So, how was it? Did you feel the power of Universe in the Palm? Lu Yang still felt a lingering fear. He decided it would be wise to be more polite to Evesting Fairy from now on. Fairy, can you expand my spiritual space? Lu Yang recalled that Evesting Fairy had previouslyined that his spiritual space was too small, restricting her movements. With hands on her hips, Evesting Fairy proudly replied, I can temporarily expand it. I couldnt do it before, buttely, Ive been sleeping a lot and regaining some of my strength. As they say, Within a flower holds a world, within a tree holds fleeting life; within a de of grass holds the enlightenment, and within a leaf holds the Buddha. Within a grain of sand holds paradise, within a square ofnd holds the Pure Land, within a smile holds worldly connection, within a single thought holds peace and quiet. (TL Note: This sayinges from a buddhist text exining the Diamond Sutra, վ⡷and one exining the Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment,ԲҪ⡷. I really like the passage. Source is here btw https://baike.sogou/v170997.htm?fromTitle=%E4%B8%80%E8%8A%B1%E4%B8%80%E4%B8%96%E7%95%8C%EF%BC%8C%E4%B8%80%E5%8F%B6%E4%B8%80%E8%8F%A9%E6%8F%90) The concept of Universe in the Palmes from this idea. Within the palm holds a world, and not just any worlda vast, boundless world! Lu Yang seemed to gain some insight from this exnation. He had heard that Buddhism excelled in space-rted techniques, and perhaps this was the philosophy behind it. If you want to cultivate Universe in the Palm, the first step is visualization. Visualize yourself as a vast world. At the same time, you need to visualize the real worldevery detail of it appearing in your mind. In your mind, you must construct an entire, real world. Combine the internal and external, invert space, grasp the concept of infinitywhere the infinitelyrge and infinitely small coexist. If you canprehend the meaning of these words, youre nearly ready to perform Universe in the Palm. Evesting Fairy exined the principles of Universe in the Palm in great detail. As the exnation became more profound, she broke it down into smaller, digestible parts, interpreting the knowledge from various angles, trying her best to help Lu Yang understand the technique now. Alright, thats enough exining. Go try it out! Evesting Fairy raised her foot and kicked Lu Yang out of the spiritual space. Back in reality, Lu Yang gathered his thoughts and began recalling what Evesting Fairy had taught him. Internal and external must bebinedthis means I need to integrate what I visualize with the real world Infinity is the core of space techniquesthe idea ofrge and small transforming into each other Lu Yang extended his hand, studying the lines on his palm. Could the lines of the palm really correspond to the trajectories of stars? He infused his eyes with spiritual power to enhance his vision and saw the deeperyers of his skin, down to the epithelial cells. Each structure made up of cells resembled the bodycould they be seen as a type of life form? If there were countless cells in his hand, could it mean his hand held countless lives? So, when they say within a flower holds a world, is that what it really means? Lu Yang furrowed his brows in contemtion,bining his previous knowledge with what Evesting Fairy had taught him. He gradually began to grasp the Buddhist philosophy that served as the foundation of Universe in the Palm. Evesting Fairy already showed me that Universe means a world. Universe in the Palm is about creating a world in your handa supreme space technique, perfect for both offense and defense. Lu Yang muttered to himself, turning his hand over repeatedly. His thoughts became clearer, like the first light of dawn breaking through the fog in his mind, unveiling the secrets behind this legendary ability. So, thats how it works Lu Yang stood up, dusting off his clothes, a confident smile spreading across his face. Ive learned it.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Evesting Fairy reappeared, thinking Lu Yang had given up. Sheforted him, Its okay. Even if you havent mastered it yet, once your Cultivation improves, youll be able to learn it. Wait a minute, did you just say you learned it? Evesting Fairy stared at Lu Yang in astonishment. Universe in the Palm requires a massive amount of spiritual energy to support it. I dont have enough energy to maintain it for long, but with my Invincible Core, my spiritual reserves are five to ten times greater than others at my level. I can manage it for an instant! Lu Yang closed his eyes, his body bing a furnace as he began sketching the form of a world. This was something most people couldnt do, but with his past lifes knowledge of the universe,bined with Evesting Fairys demonstration and other factors, he could execute Universe in the Palm. He spread out his hand, his palm t, channeling his spiritual energy with great force, and called out. Universe in the Palm! Evesting Fairy watched in curiosity, and to her surprise, a small space appeared in Lu Yangs palm. Inside, stars were spinning, like a miniature universe! He really managed to learn it Wait, why is the space in his palm so small? Its only about one or two miles wide, and the stars are pitifully tiny. How about it? Did I master it or what? Lu Yang shot Evesting Fairy a proud nce. Evesting Fairys expression turned strange. If her technique was Universe in the Palm, then what Lu Yang had just performed could only be called a vige in the palm. Chapter 391: Pills and Poison Are Inseparable Chapter 391: Pills and Poison Are Inseparable How about it? Have I mastered it? Well, youve kind of learned it Evesting Fairy struggled to find the right words, realizing it was difficult to answer Lu Yangs question. Its like Universe in the Palm, but the size is off. Evesting Fairy gestured with her hands, Its about the size of a vige. You should probably call it Vige in the Palm. Lu Yang nced at the small space within his palm. It really wasnt that big. Vige in the Palm? That doesnt sound good, he argued, Even though the space is small, its still a universe. Look, there are even stars spinning around. It should be called Miniature Universe in the Palm! Evesting Fairy scoffed at Lu Yangs words, Come on, a pile of sand pretending to be stars. She blew gently toward Lu Yangs palm, scattering the stardust, which quickly disappeared. Realizing he couldnt get away with it, Lu Yang admitted defeat, Fine, Vige in the Palm it is. At least its still a spatial technique. He quickly moved on from the naming issue and started exploring how to properly use Vige in the Palm. The true Universe in the Palm can crush an entire world, leaving people helpless. So, Vige in the Palm should have the same principle! Lu Yang mimicked Evesting Fairys motion, pressing his right hand downward. Vige in the Palm! Boom A massive hand descended from the sky, the size of a vige, carrying an overwhelming sense of pressure. The mental impact was even greater than the physical! Before the giant hand could fullynd, it gradually faded and disappeared. Huff, huff Lu Yang was panting heavily, inhaling spiritual qi like a drowning man gasping for air after being pulled ashore. He hadnt deliberately dismissed the Vige in the Palm technique; his own spiritual power had been insufficient to maintain its form. Just that one move had drained all his spiritual power. This technique is still too difficult for you right now, Evesting Fairy shook her head. Even this simplified Universe in the Palm was beyond the capabilities of someone at the Golden Core Mid Stage. But that said, if one could fully execute this move, no cultivator at the Golden Core Stage would be able to withstand it! Not even the most gifted geniuses at the Golden Core Stage could hope to block it! Lu Yang quickly thought of a solution: Maybe I can use pills to restore my spiritual power while casting Vige in the Palm. He sat down cross-legged, spending half a moment to recover his state and adjust his mood for another attempt. He pulled out a medicinal gourd filled with Great Restoration Pills. He had taken these things since he was small and were extremely familiar with them. Lu Yang poured one Great Reversion Pill into his mouth and once again attempted to cast Vige in the Palm. Once again, before the hand could fullynd, it faded away, leaving Lu Yang copsing onto the ground, exhausted. One pill isnt enough. After another half-hour, Lu Yang swallowed three Great Restoration Pills and attempted Vige in the Palm again. Therge hand still vanished into thin air. Three pills arent enough either? Lu Yang gritted his teeth. How many Great Restoration Pills would it take to seed? Five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten In the end, Lu Yang came to a conclusionhe needed to stuff his mouth full of Great Restoration Pills for it to work. But then another problem arosehis mouth was too full to swallow them all at once, and taking them one by one wouldnt restore his spiritual power fast enough. Wait, I can ask Seventh Elder for help! Seventh Elder was the foremost alchemy master on the Central Continent and would surely be able to craft a pill that could quickly replenish spiritual power! Moreover, thanks to the Mu Tian Grass Lu Yang had gifted to Seventh Elder, the elder had already promised to help him refine pills three times! Lu Yang acted quickly. He found Seventh Elder, who was in the midst of refining pills. The rich fragrance of the pills filled the air, a clear sign of their purity andck of poison. Haha! My meticulously crafted Realm Breaking Pill is finallyplete! Seventh Elderughed heartily, filled with a sense of aplishment from creating an unprecedented pill. Congrattions, Seventh Elder! Lu Yang raised a hand in salute, having watched the process from a respectful distance without disturbing Seventh Elders work. Now that the pill refining was finished, he stepped forward. Its you, Lu Yang. What a pity that youre at the Golden Core Stage and cant try my newly refined Realm Breaking Pill. This is a pill like no other ever created! Lu Yang hesitated for a moment. From what he had heard, pills that could raise one to the Golden Core Stage had existed long ago. Seventh Elder waved his hand dismissively. How can those crude pills made by ordinary alchemistspare to mine? The Realm Breaking Pills out there are just mass-produced trash with no beauty or finesse! Lu Yang cautiously asked, So, the pill youve made The Realm Breaking Pills made by others are just meant for Foundation Building Stage cultivators to ascend to the Golden Core Stage. Far too basic! The Realm Breaking Pills Ive crafted, however, not only allow Foundation Building cultivators to ascend to the Golden Core Stage, but they can also downgrade a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator back to the Golden Core Stage! Lu Yang: At this point, he started to understand why Seventh Elder had a rather poor reputation in the wider world. After all, in the world of alchemy, it was well known that where there were pills, there was also poison. Most alchemists were well-versed in the properties of toxins. But someone like Seventh Elder, who bnced both pill and poison with such enthusiasm, was quite rare. Lu Yang still remembered his first visit to Pellet Cauldron Peak, where he was knocked unconscious by the potent scent of the pills. Under Seventh Elders guidance, every senior brother and sister at Pellet Cauldron Peak became proficient in the pharmacology of poisons, mastering the craft just as well as they mastered alchemy. Of course, even if the pills they refined werent meant to be poisonous, there was no guarantee that they were free of toxins. The mantra that pills and poison are inseparable was upheld with strict adherence. Since fate has brought us together, take one of these. Seventh Elder flicked his middle finger, and a green-patterned pill fell into Lu Yangs hand. What brings you to see me? Well, I recently learned a technique that consumes a tremendous amount of spiritual qi. Halfway through casting it, I run out of spiritual qi and have to stop. Ive tried taking Great Restoration Pills while casting, but the rate at which they restore spiritual qi isnt fast enough to keep up with my consumption. I was hoping you could craft a pill that would allow me to recover spiritual qi more quickly. Hmm, cases like yours havee up before. Its not difficult to refine such a pill. Let me check your meridians first. Seventh Elder held Lu Yangs wrist for a moment and looked surprised. At your current level, I didnt expect you to have such a vast reserve of spiritual power. It doesnt make sense. With your spiritual power, no spell should drain youpletely. Oh, you dont have to tell me what technique youre using if youd rather keep it secret. Its normal for cultivators to have secrets. For instance, Ninth Brother has an ancient ferocious beast sealed inside him, and Fourth Brother used to keep a stash of erotic drawings under his bed when he was a child. Lu Yang thought that such secrets werent exclusive to cultivators. Its not that I dont want to tell you; its just a bitplicated to exin. How about I demonstrate it for you? Lu Yang wasnt worried about exposing the presence of the Evesting Fairy, as everyone would naturally assume that his technique came from Eldest Senior Sister. He moved to an open space, raised his palm, and brought it down. A massive hand descended from the sky, blocking out the sunlight and enveloping the entire mountain peak. The gusts from the palm were so strong that the grass bent under its force. The giant hand disappeared in mid-air. Seventh Elders pupils contracted as he witnessed the scene, visibly moved. He had never seen such a technique before, and from the sheer momentum alone, he could tell that it was a move no ordinary Golden Core Stage cultivator should be able to perform. The fact that Lu Yang could pull it off defied all reason. What an incredible spell! What is the name of this technique? Seventh Elder asked in awe. Lu Yang responded seriously, Its an ancient art, a celestial inheritance, an unparalleled great divine ability: Vige in the Palm. Seventh Elder turned his head to look at Lu Yang in surprise, feeling that the name didnt quite match the grandeur of its description.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Chapter 392: Astonishing Power Chapter 392: Astonishing Power You can just think of it as a technique I created myself, Lu Yang said, not bothering to exin further since it would be tooplicated to do so. Seventh Elder didnt press the matter. After watching Lu Yang perform the technique once, he could easily calcte how to adjust the ingredients for the pill that Lu Yang needed. With a quick calction, Seventh Elder nodded. Give me a moment, and the pill will be ready. Seventh Elder, holding ab-like tool, casually gathered various herbs from the shelves without even needing to weigh them. He made a singlep around the shelves, and hisb was filled with ingredients, which he divided into five portions based on the order in which they should be used. Then, he stomped his foot, and a cluster of mes burst forth. The mes connected in a lotus-like shape, blooming brightly. Are these all True Fire? Lu Yang was shocked, suddenly reminded of the wall full of True Fire that the Fifth Elder had collected. Lu Yang mused, Fifth Elder once said that all of these True Fires were painstakingly gathered from all over the world. Could it be that the Dao Seeking Sect has a tradition where disciples travel the world to collect True Fire? Seventh Elder noticed Lu Yang staring and casually exined, I snatched these True Fires from Fifth Elder. Lu Yang: Seventh Elder ignited the furnace. Three different mes emerged, flowing under the tripod-shaped cauldron, sparking a fierce fire. The bottom of the cauldron turned red-hot, and even from a distance, Lu Yang could feel the heat waves from the three True Fires. The five portions of herbs were added to the cauldron in sequence, and within moments, they dissolved into a thick liquid, emitting a fragrant aroma. Inhaling it made Lu Yang feel like he was about to ascend to immortality. Outside the elixir liquid, a small ck glob of liquid floated. As more ingredients were added, the ck liquid grew in size, its color shifting from ck to green, releasing the same medicinal fragrance. Seventh Elder pped his hands together, and with a loud ng, the cauldrons lid shut tightly. Lu Yang could no longer see the transformation within the elixir liquid, but the scent in the air grew increasingly rich. What a remarkable alchemy technique. Even the excess herbal residue can be refined into other pills, and their quality is far from low, Evesting Fairy remarked with a hint of surprise. Among the Unity Stage experts she had seen, none had reached Seventh Elders level of mastery. Open! Seventh Elder shouted, and the cauldron opened with a bang. A series of pills, surrounded by swirling clouds of medicinal essence, flew out,nding on the prepared golden tray with a crisp clinking sound. This is a pill I concocted on the spot based on your physical traits and the way you cast your spells. Im calling it the Yang Revitalizing Pill. Im not sure how effective it will be, so why dont you give it a try? Seventh Elder flicked a pill over to Lu Yang. Lu Yang stepped outside, held the Yang Revitalizing Pill in his mouth, and circted his spiritual power to cast Vige in the Palm. Suddenly, the sky darkened as the massive hand, the size of a vige, descended. His spiritual power was rapidly drained, and at this point in the past, the technique would have failed. But this time, the Yang Revitalizing Pill transformed into a warm flow, replenishing his depleted spiritual power just in time, allowing the hand to continue its descent. Boom The enormous hand mmed down, generating a shockwave that sent dust flying. Lu Yang himself was nearly blown away by the force of the aftershock! And that was just from the residual impact! Lu Yang couldnt even imagine what kind of devastation someone standing directly beneath the hand would experience! The ground was left with a massive imprint of the hand, which slowly began to heal itself thanks to the spiritual nature of the soil on Pellet Cauldron Peak. Lu Yang was exhausted, his throat dry, but a smile spread across his face. He had finally been able to execute the full technique, and its power was far beyond what he had imagined. Seventh Elder, standing nearby, was also pleased with his work. Just as I predicted, one pill contains exactly enough spiritual power for you to cast that spell once. Any more spiritual power, and your body wouldnt be able to handle it. The power of that strike even if I were still at the Golden Core Stage, I wouldnt have been able to block it. Seventh Elder put the remaining Yang Revitalizing Pills into a medicinal gourd. To avoid confusion with the other gourds, hebeled it before tossing it to Lu Yang. There were still two green pills left in the golden tray. Seventh Elder picked them up and said, These pills were made from some ingredients that werent necessary for your pill. If you take them, within seven days your intestines will rot, and your soul will dissolve. Want to try? Lu Yang shook his head vigorously, afraid to even dy his refusal. He returned to Heavens Gate Peak and counted the number of Yang Revitalizing Pills. Seven pills, plus the one I just took, that makes eight. Excellent! Ill rely on these to cast Vige in the Palm! Actually, Vige in the Palm isnt just an offensive technique, Evesting Fairy popped up to remind him. What do you mean? Vige in the Palm is a spatial technique. It contains a vige within it, and can be used for storage or even holding people. Universe in the Palm isnt just a metaphor for the palm bing as vast as the heavens. It actually contains an endless space. Is that really possible? Lu Yang was surprised. While using it for storage was understandable, after all, many storage rings could do that, using it to hold people was much more difficult. It required specialized storage rings, usually used by cultivators who trained in taming beasts. Lets first test its storage capabilities. Lu Yang pulled out the Qingfeng Sword and the Underworld Moon Sword from his identity jade token. With a simple motion of his palm, both legendary swords disappeared. He opened his hand, revealing a small space where the two treasured swords had shrunk to an almost imperceptible size, stored safely within his palm. To keep items stored, I need to constantly maintain the Vige in the Palm spell. But the energy consumption is very low. I could easily keep it active for a quarter of an hour without even needing to take a Great Reversion Pill! Lu Yang assessed the rate of spiritual power consumption, noting it was slower than he had expected. Lu Yang wandered around Heavens Gate Peak, testing his technique. He absorbedrge stones, tree branches, and even fruitanything he touched disappeared into his palms space, and he was having a lot of fun with it. But how do I test it with people? Lu Yang looked around. Heavens Gate Peak had many things, but no people. He couldnt just grab a senior brother or sister from the lower peaks to test it. Ive got it! Lu Yang descended the mountain and went to the Hundred Fragrances Pavilion, where he bought a duck from the kitchen. Lets test it with this duck. Lu Yang absorbed the duck into his palm. The duck first pecked at his finger before disappearing into the space within his hand. Watching the duck hopping around inside the space, Lu Yang pondered, If the duck can fit, then people can probably fit too Wait, can I fit myself in here?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Lu Yang stared at his hand, unable to resist the temptation to try. The path to immortality is filled with challenges. As cultivators, we must be brave in our experiments. How could I let fear hold me back? Just as Evesting Fairy was about to warn him, Lu Yang pped his own forehead with his palm. Yun Zhi had just finished listening to the life story of the Sovereign of Cmities and left the Prison Peak. She had been away for over half a month and wondered if her junior brother had been diligently cultivating. With a great era approaching and all the forces stirring, advancing ones cultivation as quickly as possible was the highest priority. Her junior brother was sensible and mature, fully aware of the situation. He should have been focused on his cultivation. But when she returned to Heavens Gate Peak, she found that Lu Yang hadpletely disappeared, leaving only half an arm visible. The severed arm was being absorbed into a palm, which was struggling to consume it entirely due to the structure of the body. The palm and arm had formed a spinning ring, rotating rapidly in the air. Yun Zhi: ? What kind of cultivation technique was this? Chapter 393: Lu Yang’s Patent Fee Chapter 393: Lu Yangs Patent Fee Yun Zhi, known as the most proficient in Daoist techniques of her era, wasnt just talented in Daoism but had also spent countless hours in the Scripture Pavilion studying andprehending ten thousand different kinds of Daoist methods. Logically, even if she hadnt mastered a technique, she should at least have heard of it. Yun Zhi looked at the spinning arm in silence, trying to recall everything shed seen and heard but couldnt figure out what technique her junior brother was cultivating. With a soft sigh, she stepped forward, grabbed Lu Yangs wrist, and pulled him out from his own palm. Huffhuffugh After emerging, Lu Yang swayed unsteadily, seeing double and feeling the world spin around him. His mind was foggy, and he could barely stand. He leaned against a knobby dragon tree trunk, retching. At the Golden Core Stage, cultivators could adjust their organs to avoid dizziness caused by spinning, but that required training. Unlike Lu Yang, who had spun himself into a frenzy without any time to adapt. A self-contained space within the palm Are you learning a divine ability simr to the Buddhist Kingdom in the Palm technique? Yun Zhi observed some simrities. Lu Yang closed his eyes, steadied himself, and pressed his forehead against the tree. It made him feel a lot better. Yes, yes. Its a technique called Universe in the Palm that the Fairy taught me. Ive only grasped the basics. Given Lu Yangs learning ability, Yun Zhi quickly deduced what had just transpired. Mid-stage Golden Core, not bad. It seems junior brother has been diligently cultivating while I was away. Whoosh Yun Zhi gently blew on Lu Yangs face, like a spring breeze brushing past, instantly clearing his mind and returning him to normal. Eldest Senior Sister, youre back? Yes. Lu Yang red at the Evesting Fairy in his mental space, who was simply watching for entertainment. Hepared her with Yun Zhi, who had helped him escape the dizzying spin as soon as she returned. Look at you, he thought. How long did youugh while I spun around?! Evesting Fairy guiltily turned her head away. She had initially wanted to stop Lu Yang, but once she saw how amusingly he spun, she couldnt help but watch the show. Quick, go ask about my patent fee! Lu Yang wasnt about to let Evesting Fairy off so easily and took the initiative to let her possess him. Evesting Fairy tried to resist but couldnt ovee Lu Yangs persistence and reluctantly took control. Little Yun, did you finish questioning that Great Yu Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator? Evesting Fairy asked boldly, opting for a roundabout approach. Yes, I got some useful information. The one supporting him from the shadows is the second National Preceptor of the Great Yu Dynasty. His exact cultivation level is unknown. This second National Preceptor instructed him to test the strength and effects of The Great Xias national fortune, which is why he sent two ancient Unity Stage experts to confront the Qingzhou Governor. If not for my junior brother summoning me, he would have seeded. The National Preceptor system of the Great Yu Dynasty was one of the reasons for its eventual downfall, but theres no denying that it yed a critical role when Great Yu was first established. The first two National Preceptors, in particr, were exceptionally talented, with abilities to govern thend and bring stability, leading Great Yu to strength. The first two National Preceptors held significant status in the Great Yu Dynasty and, through oral tradition, had be almost mythological figures. Unfortunately, the second National Preceptor onlymunicated with him in a one-way manner, so he doesnt know the second National Preceptors exact location. As for how many Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators have revived within Great Yu, hes unsure. However, based on the tasks given to him by the second National Preceptor, he deduced that hes not the only one. Theres at least one other. He possesses quite a bit of intelligence regarding the Great Yu Unity Stage experts. This matter has already been handed over to Junior Brother Dai and The Great Xias Luoshui Guard. However, these Great Yu Unity experts are quite cautious. They might have noticed the events of the Qingzhou grand celebration and already fled. How many can actually be captured will depend on luck. He revealed that one of his subordinates is the most dangerous, named True Lord Tomb Bone. Although his cultivation isnt particrly outstanding, he possesses a shattered Ten Thousand Souls Banner. Originally, the Ten Thousand Souls Banner was intact, but while he was in a deep sleep, he failed to safeguard it. Over the ages, the banner began to decay, and the fierce spirits trapped within escaped, wreaking havoc upon the world. During the 30,000th year of The Great Xia, the province of Liangzhou experienced a ghost cmity. Malevolent spirits roamed unchecked, and themon people lived in terror. No one dared to venture out at night, and the vast region of Liangzhou was filled with ghosts. The imperial court dispatched arge force to suppress the chaos. Unfortunately, at that time, the court was unaware of the revival of ancient cultivators and didnt investigate the cause of the ghost cmity, leaving it unresolved. That ghost cmity was most likely caused by True Lord Tomb Bones Ten Thousand Souls Banner, as the timeline matches up. True Lord Tomb Bone is currently repairing the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, which requires an immense amount of bloodshed and resentful souls toplete the restoration. And to obtain that much blood and souls, ughter is inevitable. The fact that hes repairing the Ten Thousand Souls Banner means he has already found a ce where he can generate the required blood and resentful spirits. Yet, we havent received any intelligence about this. If we dont find him soon, once the Ten Thousand Souls Banner is restored, it will be toote even if we capture him. He could destroy the banner in a final act of defiance, unleashing the spirits within to gue an entire province. By the end of her exnation, Yun Zhis tone had be uncharacteristically heavy. Lu Yang: Evesting Fairy: Why did this True Lord Tomb Bone sound so familiar? Evesting Fairy hesitated for a moment before asking, What does this True Lord Tomb Bone look like?n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om The Sovereign of Cmities had already described all of his subordinates in detail. Yun Zhi snapped her fingers, and a puff of smoke appeared, slowly forming into the image of a face that both Lu Yang and Evesting Fairy found very familiar. A shriveled old man, looking as if he hadnt eaten in days, holding a tattered banner. It really is him! Lu Yang and Evesting Fairy eximed in unison. You know him? Yun Zhi was confused. True Lord Tomb Bone was a Great Yu cultivator who had remained hidden, and they hadnt even confirmed which province he was in. How had these two encountered him? Evesting Fairy, acting as if she were a great mastermind, confidently made some hand gestures, as if she were calcting something. In reality, it looked more like she was having a fit. This immortal foresaw a demonic cultivator stirring trouble in Liangzhou, so I had my subordinate, the Netherworld Heavenly King, join forces with the Nine Nether Sect to eliminate the demon. We located him, captured him, and gifted him to the Nine Nether Sect as a gesture of goodwill between our two sects! Yun Zhi tranted the boastful im in her mind: In short, the Great Elder and Vice Sect Leader Petrified had, for reasons unknown, already captured True Lord Tomb Bone, and Lu Yang and Evesting Fairy had simply watched. The details didnt matter, as long as the capture was sessful. Yun Zhi sped her hands in a salute, Venerable Beans nning is truly extraordinary. Evesting Fairy, feeling proud, gave a smug nce at Lu Yang. There is one more small matter regarding Lu Yang that I need to ask about, Evesting Fairy continued. Go ahead, senior. Lu Yang applied for a patent on a flying car, and Fifth Elder mentioned that the patent fees had already been handed over to you. Why havent you given the patent fees to Lu Yang yet? Evesting Fairy, as the Head of the Heavenly Court, was not shy about confronting the Heavenly Court Sect Leader. Yun Zhi seemed to remember something and responded with a calm tone. Oh, that matter. Why didnt you give the fees to Lu Yang? I forgot. Chapter 394: Dao Seeking Sect’s Treasury Chapter 394: Dao Seeking Sects Treasury Yun Zhi had indeed forgotten about the patent fees. The Dao Seeking Sect had two major sources of ie: one was the patent fees from Hundred Refinements Peak, and the other was the pill revenue from Pellet Cauldron Peak. Combined, these two streams were enough to support nearly half of Dao Seeking Sects operations. Fifth Elder and Seventh Elder handed over Spirit Stones to Yun Zhi, the acting sect leader, every month. Especially Fifth Elder, who submitted various patent fees, among which was Lu Yangs patent fee. Yun Zhi had overlooked it without realizing. She reviewed the ount books and found Lu Yangs patent fee. There are two months of flying car patent fees, totaling 110,000 Spirit Stones. Since the flying car was still a new invention and hadnt gained widespread poprity yet, the initial patent fees were minimal. Come with me to the treasury to retrieve it. Since Lu Yangs patent fees had been deposited into the sects funds, they naturally had to withdraw it from the official ounts. The treasury? Both Lu Yang and Evesting Fairy were surprised, not expecting Dao Seeking Sect to have such a ce. On reflection, it made sense. Even the rtively humble Nine Nether Sect had a treasury, so there was no reason Dao Seeking Sect wouldnt. If they didnt, where would all of Dao Seeking Sects wealth be stored? Lu Yang simply hadnte into contact with it before. Is it far? Its right on Heavens Gate Peak. Yun Zhi led them down a narrow winding path and through a pine forest. This area was once where Daoist Non-Speaker had been held. After exiting the forest and walking another 200 meters, they arrived. This is it. Under the watchful eyes of Evesting Fairy and Lu Yang, Yun Zhi lightly tapped the stone wall. Cracks spread across the surface until the entire wall crumbled with a loud crash, scattering to the ground. This is the ce. Lu Yang was shocked to discover that the treasury was right on Heavens Gate Peak. What surprised him even more was that, as the foundation of the sect, the treasury should have been heavily guarded or protected by arrays. Yet, Dao Seeking Sects treasury didnt even seem to have a guard. Even though Dao Seeking Sect had a grand protective array and didnt fear external enemies, werent they concerned about insiders sneaking into the treasury? After all, Eldest Senior Sister couldnt stay on Heavens Gate Peak all the time, as she often had to leave on various matters. Evesting Fairy chuckled mischievously. Who says theres no one guarding it? Who is it? Evesting Fairy smirked but refused to answer, no matter how much Lu Yang pressed. Sharing one body, the two bickered as they noisily made their way into the treasury, finally falling silent as they entered. Inside the treasury were all sorts of treasures that Lu Yang had never seen beforerare heavenly materials, treasures of various grades, and mysterious artifacts whose functions and levels were indiscernible. Evesting Fairy recognized them all. Thatndscape painting contains mountains and rivers. It was painted by a master artist and has the power to stabilize a nations geography. Its ancient, though its effects sh with the concept of national fortune, so it might be a relic of the Great Yu Dynasty. See that small red cauldron? Its made from Blood Vein Iron, which exists in the most perilous regionsthe depths of the sea, beneath ciers, or even within the core of stars. Its a natural material, and some say the blood veins on the iron are from the heavens themselves, though thats likely an exaggeration. Blood Vein Iron is extremely rare, and even a fingernail-sized piece could provoke a fight among Unity Stage cultivators. This cauldron is massive inparison. And that fruit over there, dont let its jade-like appearance fool you. Its called the Qingming Jade Fruit. One of these can transform a mediocre Five Elements Spirit Root into the purest form of a Single Spirit Root, and the best part is, you can choose which Spirit Root it bes. The essence of the ocean spirits, a Sea Soul Crystal A shield forged from the primordial essence of heaven and earth These are all remarkable treasures, Evesting Fairy said with a hint of surprise. The contents of the treasury exceeded her expectations. It was second only to the storages of immortals. Although she was the leader of the Five Ancient Immortals, she was the poorest among them, with fews, limited territory, and meager tributes. Sometimes she even had to fake her death to scrounge up some extra gifts. Even so, she was still wealthier than Dao Seeking Sect! In ancient times, aside from the five immortals, many Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators also existed. These cultivators builtrge and small factions, and Dao Seeking Sects treasury could rival the wealth of thergest of these factions. Proudly, Lu Yang said, his tone rising, Dao Seeking Sect has stood for 120,000 years. With founding ancestors like the Innate Daoist, Xiantian Daoist, the creator of the Immortal Sect concept Lord Guiyuan, and the revitalizer Lord Hanhai, its no surprise we have such treasures! Evesting Fairy had to admit, he had a point. Yun Zhi listened to Lu Yangs proud tone and reminded him, Our Dao Seeking Sect wasnt always this wealthy. Lord Hanhai lived over 50,000 years ago, and the foundations heid couldnt support us for this long. In fact, around 2,000 to 3,000 years ago, the sect went through a period of decline. To keep the sect running, we had to use up a lot of our valuable resources. Most of the treasures you see now were actually tricked out of Nine Nether Sect about 900 years ago. Lu Yang: This was just the outer section of the treasury. Yun Zhi led the two of them deeper inside, and as they ventured further, the value of the items increased dramatically. About halfway into the treasury, Yun Zhi stopped. On either side of them were two mountains made entirely of top-grade Spirit Stones. Yun Zhi casually pulled ten high-grade Spirit Stones from the mountain of top-grade Spirit Stones. In this vast pile of priceless stones, the high-grade Spirit Stones looked insignificant, almost like impurities. The market value of ten high-grade Spirit Stones was equivalent to 100,000 low-grade Spirit Stones. However, this was only the market value. In real transactions, converting low-grade Spirit Stones to high-grade ones required a premium, so about ten high-grade Spirit Stones would be worth 110,000 low-grade Spirit Stones. At that moment, Evesting Fairy was still in control of Lu Yangs body. Eldest Senior Sister handed the high-grade Spirit Stones to her, but Evesting Fairy stood frozen, staring deep into the treasury. She realized she had underestimated Dao Seeking Sects wealth. It was possible that this treasury was worth more than her own personal vault! If the outer section held items useful to Unity Stage and Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators, these two mountains of top-grade Spirit Stones marked the boundary. Beyond themy half-immortal-grade treasures, talismans, and heavenly materials valuable even to half-immortals.N?v(el)B\\jnn At the deepest part of the treasury, faint glimmers of light flickered. Evesting Fairy couldnt clearly make out what they were, but judging by their aura, they resembled the embryonic form of an ariya-phno, their aura was even more potent than an ariya-ph in its early stages Fairy? Fairy? Lu Yang called out twice, snapping Evesting Fairy back to reality. What happened to you? Lu Yang asked curiously. Its nothing. I just realized that your sects foundation barely qualifies to match my title as the greatest of the ancient immortals! Evesting Fairy proudly raised her head, filled with confidence. After leaving the treasury, Evesting Fairy returned control of the body to Lu Yang, whose face immediately turned pale. Oh no! Ive been using Vige in the Palm this whole time! Even though maintaining the Vige in the Palm technique didnt consume much spiritual power, using it for such a long period had worn him out. Hurriedly, he deactivated the spell, dumping out everything stored in his palmstones, branches, and a quacking duck Lu Yang silently watched as the duck pped its wings and wandered around. Heavens Gate Peak was already troublesome enough with Evesting Fairy; there was no way he could take care of a duck too. Night fell, and the aroma of roasted duck filled the air. After a brief struggle, Lu Yang first conquered the duck, then sessfully dealt with Evesting Fairy, finally earning the right to cook dinner. He presented the roasted duck to his Eldest Senior Sister, who had been waiting patiently. Chapter 395: An Enemy Infiltrates Dao Seeking Sect! Chapter 395: An Enemy Infiltrates Dao Seeking Sect! Evesting Fairy was renowned as the greatest immortal chef throughout the ages. Her culinary creations were legendary, widely praised across the realms. Lu Yang, as the second-inmand of the Evesting Lineage, was fortunate enough not to inherit her immortal cooking techniques. Instead, he created his own unique style from scratch. His roasted duck could only be described as Lu Familys Roasted Duck. Golden in color with an aroma that filled the air, Lu Familys Roasted Duck had tender meat beneath crispy skin. Each bite was a delightful burst of vor, with juices flowing and a rich, savory taste that lingered long after. Lu Yang and his senior sister savored the delicacy, eating slowly and deliberately. Lu Yang remained focused on the meal, pretending not to hear Evesting Fairys requests. Let me try a bite! Come on, just one bite! Evesting Fairy watched enviously as Lu Yang ate his roasted duck with a look of bliss on his face. She desperately wanted to taste it herself, but Lu Yang ignored herpletely, much to her frustration. She stomped her feet in annoyance. As night fell, a shadowy figure appeared silently at the entrance of Dao Seeking Sect. The ck-d figure moved forward, unnoticed by the two disciples guarding the gate, as if they couldnt see him at all. He passed through the entrance and into the bamboo forest, aware that there was a river spirit guarding the area. He held his breath and cautiously entered Dao Seeking Sect. The figure seemed intimately familiar with Dao Seeking Sect, knowing exactly where people were stationed and how to avoid being seen. Stepping lightly with a mysterious gait, he carefully bypassed the river spirits surveince, weaving through the bamboo forest until he reached the inner grounds of Dao Seeking Sect. Hmph, Dao Seeking Sect is nothing special, the figure sneered, his eyes cold and filled with disdain for the sect. After he passed through the bamboo forest, mist rose from the stream, gathering into the shape of the river spirit. It silently watched the shadowy figures retreating back without saying a word. Beyond the bamboo forest stood the mountain that housed the Task Hall, which could be considered the gateway to the inner sect of Dao Seeking Sect. The ck figure nced warily at the Task Hall, growing even more cautious, afraid to make the slightest mistake. This infiltration into Dao Seeking Sect is to steal their secret, forbidden techniques. Its a covert mission; I must not be detected by anyone! Right now, the Task Hall is mainly overseen by Dai Bufan. With Dai Bufans level of cultivation, theres no way he could sense my presence. After all, his experience is shallow, nowhere near as seasoned as his master, Qin Jiunian. But the real concern is whether that old man Qin Jiunian is here. While I detest him, his cultivation is truly formidable, and he might be able to detect me! He probably isnt here, though. That old guy is obsessed with building tombs and rarely stays at the Task Hall for long. With his heart pounding, the figure crossed the mountain of the Task Hall without encountering any obstacles. Looks like my luck is goodQin Jiunian isnt around. Having passed this critical point, the ck figure felt more at ease as he moved boldly through the inner sect of Dao Seeking Sect. Confident in his stealth abilities, he believed that even if he encountered elders, they wouldnt be able to notice him. And indeed, as he moved through the sect, he seemed invisible. Even when he brushed past disciples at the Spirit Transformation Stage or Void Refinement Stage, none of them noticed his presence! Even as he strolled through the market streets, he wentpletely undetected. The market was filled with old Unity Stage cultivators, yet none of them realized he was therean indication of just how profound his cultivation truly was! Body Refinement Peakthis is the ce. The eldest son of the Meng family is here! The ck figure let out a low, cold chuckle before confidently ascending Body Refinement Peak. The third elder of Dao Seeking Sect is all muscle. If I faced him head-on, even I would find it troublesome. But when ites to stealth techniques, hes no match for me! The ck figure passed through the spiritual fields and saw the Blue-Eyed Water Buffalo n diligently working thend. A sh of envy crossed his face. The Blue-Eyed Water Buffalo n was the ideal race for farming, and while his own faction had vast spiritual fields, they didnt have the help of the Blue-Eyed Water Buffalo n. The ck figure recalled, I remember that the third elder of Dao Seeking Sect once traveled to the Demon Territory when he was young and saved the life of a Blue-Eyed Water Buffalo. To repay the favor, the buffalo and its entire family settled at Dao Seeking Sect. Such an opportunity is rare and impossible to replicate. This ce not here not here either The ck figure knew that the eldest son of the Meng family was somewhere on Body Refinement Peak, but he didnt know the exact location. He had no choice but to check one cave dwelling after another. Found it. This is the one! He spotted an old horse sleeping nearby and confirmed that this must be the residence of the Meng familys eldest son. A cunning smile crept onto his face. The Meng family certainly knows how to treat their heirs, assigning a Great Demon King as the bodyguard for their eldest son. This is even better than the privileges given to the children of Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivators. The ck figure secretly marveled, skillfully bypassed the old horse, and entered the cave. Meng Jingzhou was sitting in meditation inside his cave, his palms facing upward as he trained his shadow technique, entirely unaware of the intruders presence. Meng family boy, wake up. A voice echoed in Meng Jingzhous ears, startling him. He had sealed the entrance to his cave, and the old horse was supposed to be guarding it. How could someone have entered unnoticed?! Who are you? Meng Jingzhou asked warily, his instincts on high alert. He knew his life could hang in the bnce in an instant. The person before him was certainly no one from Dao Seeking Sect! To infiltrate Dao Seeking Sect without being detected, not even by his master, implied a cultivation level beyondprehension. Who could this person be? Were they an enemy of Dao Seeking Sect, here to eliminate him, the second most talented of the younger generation? Were they a foe of the Meng family, trying to use him to threaten his n? Or was this amon enemy of both Dao Seeking Sect and the Meng family, here to kidnap him and strain the rtions between the two? As clever as Meng Jingzhou was, he quickly considered all three possibilities,ing dangerously close to deducing the ck figures true intentions and background! You dont need to know who I am, the ck figure said, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Meng Jingzhou. His tone was sharp with urgency. I just need to ask youdid you create a technique called Single Curse Fist, which curses anyone struck by it to remain single for life? Meng Jingzhous expression turned strange. He had been bracing himself to be kidnapped, but now the intruder was asking about this? It didnt feel like this person was a sworn enemy of the Meng family or Dao Seeking Sectn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om I did create the Single Curse Fist, but are you sure youre not an enemy of Dao Seeking Sect? Meng Jingzhou asked cautiously, still unable to determine the figures motives while stalling for time, hoping the old horse would notice something was wrong. The ck figure sneered, clearly finding Meng Jingzhous questionughable. My hatred for Dao Seeking Sect is boundless! As he removed his disguise, his face became one that Meng Jingzhou immediately recognized. With a menacing look, the figure growled, as though bearing a grudge of blood and vengeance against Dao Seeking Sect: Now, tell me how to train in the Single Curse Fist. Hurry up and teach me so I can punch that bastard Ba Laoer twice! That damn Ba Laoer somehow learned a trick and keeps praising my mom for being smart and beautiful every day! (TL Note: Im just gonna stick with Ba Laoer. The chinese used here is ϶ which is directly tranted as Ba Old Second, Ba being his surname and ϶ meaning old second. I previously had it as Old Second, Ba but its too clunky in my opinion so Im just calling him Ba Laoer. It was previously used in Chapter 176.) Meng Jingzhou: Youre the Sect Master of Five Elements Sect is this really necessary? Chapter 396: Watch the Fist! Chapter 396: Watch the Fist! Qiu Jinan, the leader of one of the Five Great Immortal Sects and Sect Master of Five Elements Sect, was a powerful figure on the Central Continent. With a singlemand, he could mobilize the entire Five Elements Sect, a force that could sway the fate of the world. The Five Elements Sect follows the philosophy of the five elements, and within the sect, one could find nearly every type of elemental magic. Besides elemental techniques, the sects vast library also contains an immense collection of other magical arts, rivaling even the royal familys archives. And yet, such a formidable person had humbled himself, sneaking into enemy territory, swallowing his pride to secretly learn a technique from a disciple of a rival sect. This act earned Meng Jingzhous deep respect for Qiu Jinans spirit. Meng Jingzhou pondered how his boxing technique could have leaked. It seemed he had casually mentioned it to Yan Tianzhi, Bai Ming, and others during the Qingzhou Festival. Bai Ming, likely unfamiliar with such a technique, must have asked his master, Qiu Jinan. Once Qiu Jinan heard of this unusual technique, he came to investigate.N?v(el)B\\jnn Everything made sense now. For Qiu Jinan to be the Sect Master of Five Elements Sect, his cultivation was beyond question. Even an elder would have trouble facing him in a one-on-one battle. Sneaking into Dao Seeking Sect must have been effortless for him. No matter how powerful the old horse guarding the cave was, it couldnt surpass the abilities of an Immortal Sect leader. Meng Jingzhous face twisted with hesitation. He had one good piece of news and one bad. The good news: his life was safe. The bad news: he had no idea how to teach the Single Curse Fist. Sect Master Qiu, its not that I dont want to teach you. Its just that I dont know how. The Single Curse Fist is a technique specific to those with the Single Bachelors Spirit Root, and its infused with intense resentment. I was only able to develop it because I have Twin Single Bachelors Golden Cores. Qiu Jinan silently observed Meng Jingzhou, thinking to himself that it was no wonder Meng Jingzhou, as the eldest son of the Meng family and a Dao Seeking Sect disciple, was so bold. It was the first time he had ever heard of a Single Bachelors Spirit Root manifesting in two Golden Cores. Such a burn the bridges mentality was something to be admired. After a moment of contemtion, Qiu Jinan said, So thats the case. Show me the technique once. Meng Jingzhou, knowing he couldnt disobey the sect master, began channeling his energy. His two Single Bachelors Golden Cores spun in his dantian, forming a vortex that circted spiritual energy throughout his body. Hah! Ha! Meng Jingzhou moved with impressive force, his punches creating fierce, powerful imprints. Even without the curse that condemned its target to lifelong singleness, the strength behind his punches was enough to make him a formidable opponent in the Golden Core Stage! He could also sense the curse power embedded in his punches, capable of inflicting the curse of eternal singleness. A born Buddha seed, Qiu Jinan thought. If Meng Jingzhou were to join a Buddhist sect, he would likely be hailed as a Buddha child. Though the Single Bachelors Spirit Root wasnt normally suited for Buddhism, that only applied when it was a passive condition. Meng Jingzhou was different; he had actively chosen his single path, solidifying hismitment by forming two Single Bachelors Golden Cores. When Meng Jingzhou finished his demonstration, he waited quietly for Qiu Jinans critique. Qiu Jinan found himself in a difficult position. Meng Jingzhou hadnt lied. The core of this techniquey in the Single Bachelors Golden Core, and only someone with a Single Bachelors Spirit Root could learn it. Should I try to replicate the Single Bachelors Golden Core? Qiu Jinan pondered. The Single Bachelors Spirit Root was a variant of the Gold Spirit Root, and with his mastery of the five elements, replicating the Single Bachelors Spirit Root and the Single Bachelors Golden Core wouldnt be difficult. But the reputation of the Single Bachelors Spirit Root was infamous. He dared not attempt such a replication lightly. What if he couldnt reverse the effect after mimicking it? No, that wouldnt be safe. He needed to find another way. Should I have Meng punch Ba Laoer instead? No, Mengs cultivation is too low. The curse in his fist wouldnt affect Ba Laoer. Qiu Jinan suddenly had an idea. Ive got it! I can borrow his body to execute the technique. That way, I dont have to worry about Meng Jingzhous lower cultivation level. It would essentially be me performing the punch! Qiu Jinan thought this was a clever solution, so he proposed it to Meng Jingzhou. Meng family boy, how about I borrow your body for a moment? In return, Ill pass on some of my cultivation insights to you, and you can even choose a secret technique from my Five Elements Sect. Ill personally teach it to you! Meng Jingzhous eyes lit up. The Five Elements Sects elemental techniques were famous throughout the entire cultivation world. He had heard that even the Meng family had tried to obtain one of their techniques at great expense, only to be refused by the Five Elements Sect. Deal! Meng Jingzhou agreed. Not that he had much of a choicefacing a sect master of Qiu Jinans level, even if he refused, Qiu Jinan could still forcibly take control of him. Given the situation and Qiu Jinans intentions, Meng Jingzhou figured the sect master would stop at nothing for his n. He mentally apologized to Grandpa Ba, resigning himself to the situation. Sorry, Grandpa Ba. Theres nothing I can do. I support yourte-life romance, but my cultivation level isnt enough to stop Sect Master Qiu. Seeing Meng Jingzhou agree, Qiu Jinan transformed into a spiritual light and entered his body. Now, perform the technique again. Meng Jingzhou executed the Single Curse Fist once more. With Qiu Jinans added power, Meng Jingzhou unleashed a version of the technique that could affect even a Unity Stage cultivator! Qiu Jinan smiled sinisterly. Ba Laoer, lets see how you handle this now! Should we go right now? Wait, going at night is too suspicious. Ba Laoer might get suspicious. Well go during the day. Having been rivals for over a thousand years, Qiu Jinan was well aware of Ba Laoers habits. His stealth technique, which he had learned to counter the Dao Seeking Sects Nine when they frequently ambushed him in his youth, was exceptionally effective. To counter these attacks, Qiu Jinan had diligently studied stealth techniques, eventually achieving a breakthrough. His stealth was now on par with that of Daoist Non-Speaker! Since it was still early, Meng Jingzhou decided to use the time to meditate and cultivate, and Qiu Jinan took the opportunity to give him some guidance. I know about your masters technique of refining the body and merging with shadows. Its impressive, but it has ws. Listen to me: when training your shadow, you need to avoid these issues These are defects even your master is unaware of. Qiu Jinans knowledge was vast, and with just a few pointers, he solved the problems that had troubled Meng Jingzhou for days, leaving him enlightened. Meng Jingzhou continued his training until dawn, at which point Qiu Jinan, sensing it was the right time, urged him to leave the cave. At that moment, Grandpa Ba was lying at the entrance of the medicinal garden, daydreaming about his bright future. Lu Yangs advice was really effective. Girls love being praised for their intelligence and beauty. Even Yuer is no exception! Grandpa Ba smiled to himself. Though he appeared old, he was only middle-aged in terms of a Unity Stage cultivators lifespan and didnt consider himself truly old. (TL Note: In chinese, an intimate way to address someone would be to use thest word of their name + the word er which is in chinese. For example, his parents could address Lu Yang as Yanger.) Little Meng, what brings you here? Grandpa Ba greeted Meng Jingzhou cheerfully, not noticing anything unusual due to his good mood. I have something to discuss with you. Whats that? Grandpa Ba asked curiously. I want you to be my stepfather! Meng Jingzhou shouted dramatically, his energy surging. What! Who are you? Now you realize, but its toote! Meng Jingzhouunched the Single Curse Fist directly at Grandpa Ba. Sensing danger, Grandpa Ba tried to subdue Meng Jingzhou, but an external energy surrounding Meng Jingzhou disrupted his efforts. With a sly smile, Meng Jingzhous punchnded squarely on Grandpa Ba. Grandpa Ba blinked,pletely unaffected. Both Meng Jingzhou and Qiu Jinan were stunnedit felt as though their fist had struck a web of red threads, preventing the blow from prating. Instead, the threads wrapped around them, binding them tightly. Whats going on?! Qiu Jinan was shocked. This was not the oue he had expected! Meng Jingzhou turned pale. Were doomed. Grandpa Bas fate is too powerful, not even you, Sect Master Qiu, can handle it. Weve both been cursed! Chapter 397: A Lively Night Chapter 397: A Lively Night What do you mean by saying I cant suppress Ba Laoers fate? And what is this bacsh youre talking about?! Qiu Jinan immediately felt something was wrong. It seemed that there were aspects of this technique he wasnt fully aware of. Meng Jingzhou felt a chill run down his spine, sensing that they had gotten themselves into big trouble. He exined, Take me as an example: I can use the Single Curse Fist on Golden Core Stage cultivators and, in some cases, on Nascent Soul Stage cultivators. But I cant use it on Spirit Transformation Stage cultivators because theyre stronger than meI cant overpower them. Also, if I use the fist on a Golden Core Stage cultivator whose romantic connection is tied to someone at the Spirit Transformation Stage, I still cantnd the punch. Its as if Im trying to use the technique on a Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator directly! Meng Jingzhou thought of Li Haoran. Li Haoran was romantically linked to Su Yiren, a powerful Unity Stage expert. If he tried using the technique on Li Haoran, the oue would be clear: nothing would happen to Li Haoran, but Meng Jingzhou would suffer the bacsh! Qiu Jinans eyes widened. Nonsense! Im the head of an Immortal Sect. How could I not be able to suppress someone like Ba Laoer? Meng Jingzhou stayed silent. The look in his eyes made Qiu Jinan feel as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. He understood what that look meanthe might be able to suppress Ba Laoer, but not the other half of Ba Laoers romantic connection! Qiu Jinan, having faced countless challenges in his life, managed to calm himself. He asked, Then what exactly is this bacsh? The bacsh means that, for a period of time, youll lose any fate connections with women. You wont be able to interact with any women, and circumstances will constantly drive them away from you. Likewise, women will also be driven away from you by strange coincidences. You know about apass, right? How the poles repel each other? Qiu Jinan was taken aback. The effect of the bacsh was far harsher than he had imagined. Have you ever experienced this bacsh? No. Then how can you be so sure its real? Eldest Senior Sister told me. Qiu Jinansst glimmer of hope was extinguished. Grandpa Ba wasnt much less experienced in the world than Qiu Jinan. Though he now seemed like a kindly old man lounging in front of the medicinal garden, he had once earned quite a reputation during his younger days wandering the martial world. It didnt take long for Grandpa Ba to piece together what was happening with Meng Jingzhou. That must be the Five Elements Sects possession technique! The only one who could be using Disciple Meng against me is Qiu Jinan! Previously, Grandpa Ba had always felt uneasy about Shangguan Yu spending so much time with Qiu Jinan, constantly seeing him as a nuisance.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Now, however, he couldnt feel more agreeable toward Qiu Jinan. Ah, Little Qiu, theres no need for such hostility between us. I misunderstood you in the past, but now that the air is cleared, we should get along harmoniously. And remember, the Five Great Immortal Sects move as one. As the Sect Master of Five Elements Sect, you represent its will. Acting like this toward me might give outsiders the impression that theres tension between Dao Seeking Sect and Five Elements Sect. Grandpa Ba spoke as if he were a kindly father trying to reconcile with a rebellious son. Ba Laoer, Ive had enough of you! Qiu Jinan erupted in anger, jumping out of Meng Jingzhous body and tossing him aside, rolling up his sleeves, ready to fight. Grandpa Ba calmly pressed his palms together, rotating them in opposite directions. At his feet, countless dark vines spread out. These vines were designed to drain spiritual power. Once someone was entangled, their spiritual power would rapidly deplete, leaving them weak and unable to resist. Wood Element Trap Formation? Qiu Jinan immediately recognized the formation beneath his feet and scoffed disdainfully. Qiu Jinan had been ambushed by this formation many times since he was young, so there was no way he would let Ba Laoer seed today. Bring it on! A blinding light appeared in his palm, forcing Meng Jingzhou to squint. When Meng Jingzhous vision returned, he saw Qiu Jinan wielding a radiant five-colored wheel. With a casual sweep of the wheel, the dark vines lost their vitality, withering and falling limply to the ground. Five-Colored Light Wheel! Grandpa Ba felt the pressure. While he excelled in wood-element techniques and formations, his proficiency couldnt match Qiu Jinans mastery of five-element spells. It was as if he had lost an arm in this confrontation. Qiu Jinans rise to sect leader was based on absolute power! Ba Laoer, take this! The Five-Colored Wheel spun rapidly and flew toward Grandpa Ba. In response, Grandpa Bas arms transformed into thick tree branches, catching the wheel as sparks flew from the impact. Qiu Jinan, how dare you sneak into Dao Seeking Sect and even kidnap my disciple! The voice of the Third Elder boomed from afar, reverberating like a lions roar from the Buddhist sects. His voice was so loud that all nine peaks of Dao Seeking Sect could hear him clearly. Upon hearing the Third Elders voice, countless disciples were thrilled, excited that there was a spectacle to watch. Twenty skewers to go, please! Ill take thirty beef skewers, extra spicy, also to go! Disciples hurried to the medicinal garden, hands filled with various snacks, eager to see themotion. Lu Yang was meditating, with the Qingfeng Sword and Underworld Moon Sword hovering beside him like divine protectors. Exiting his meditative state, he opened his eyes, puzzled. Whats going on? Is someone invading the Dao Seeking Sect? Lu Yang was baffled. Who would be bold enough to cause trouble at the Dao Seeking Sect? Could they have gotten drunk? Wait a minute For someone to infiltrate the Dao Seeking Sect, they must have some hidden cards. Maybe theyre nning an internal attack to break our defenses! Realizing the gravity of the situation, Lu Yangs expression turned serious. With his Eldest Senior Sister absent from the sect, he feared the worst. Could this be a sect-destroying crisis? A vivid scene shed in Lu Yangs mind: The Dao Seeking Sect in ruins, disciples scattered, and himself leading the remaining survivors, fleeing under fake identities, desperately preserving thest remnants of the Dao Seeking Sect. Above, enemy spells rained down, with survival hanging by a thread Gripping the Qingfeng Sword, Lu Yang began his descent from the mountain, but as he approached, he saw his senior brothers and sisters strolling by with snacks in hand, looking rxed. He stopped in his tracks, feeling like he had been cultivating for too long and lost touch with reality. Maybe I should grab a bite too. Meanwhile, the Third Elder stood righteously in mid-air, ring down at Qiu Jinan and Grandpa Ba. As the Third Elder arrived, the other elders still present at the sect quickly followed: the Fourth Elder, Seventh Elder, Eighth Elder Whats going on? Why is Qiu Jinan here? Seventh Elder, who had been deep in his alchemy research, was confused by the sudden call from the Third Elder. These two have been fighting since they were kids. This isnt the first time. Whats the big deal? Fourth Elder shrugged, indifferent. Who should we help? Seventh Elder asked, watching the intense battle between Grandpa Ba and Qiu Jinan, torn between the two. By all rights, they should support their Second Brother and fight the outsider Qiu Jinan. But considering that Grandpa Ba had been shamelessly pursuing Shangguan Yu, maybe he also deserved a good beating. The Third Elder, wise and decisive, quickly made a judgment. If we dont know who to help, then lets just beat up both of them! he said sternly. Great idea! The four elders reached unanimous agreement, activating their spiritual qi and charging down together. Qiu Jinans face changed. With the number of opponents growing, it was clear things wouldnt end well if this dragged on. His best option was to escape! Grandpa Ba also sensed something was off. The expressions of the four elders didnt seem to be solely focused on Qiu Jinan. Deep in the bamboo forest by Dao Seeking Sects entrance, the river spirit gazed at the brightly lit scene unfolding in the sect, watching with a look of amusement. Chapter 398: The Backlash of Karma Chapter 398: The Bacsh of Karma Heaven Shaking Six Forms! Falling Stroke, Astonishing the Gods! (TL Note: This move is a reference to the poem 侪꣬ʫ by the poet Du Fu. It trantes to When the brush touches the paper, wind and rain tremble. When the poem ispleted, ghosts and deities weep) Alchemy Fire Scorching the ins! Thunder Summoning Talisman! Massive waves of magical energy swirled in the sky, and the disciples who had rushed to watch the battle all stopped in their tracks, gazing upwards. They saw the four elders, each disying their divine abilities with awe-inspiring attacks, leaving the onlookers in amazement. The elders are taking action! Look at those techniques! Incredible! Theres still such a huge gap Even though I can sometimes reach the Unity Stage, I could never cast spells of this level! sighed a senior disciple in the Void Refinement Stage. Peach Blossom Leaf watched intently, trying to imprint these techniques into her memory. These spells could serve as perfect material for her Dreamlike Bubble Illusion. Wait, I need to modify them before using them in Dreamlike Bubble Illusion. I cant reveal the elders trump cards to outsiders, Peach Blossom Leaf reminded herself, bing more cautious. Boom! The four spells converged into a single mass and descended upon Qiu Jinan and Grandpa Ba. Qiu Jinan shattered his Five-Colored Wheel, allowing the five-colored divine light to break free from the wheels structure and form a protective shield above him, enduring the bombardment. Hey, hey! Are you aiming at Qiu Jinan or me? Grandpa Ba was left in tatters, looking as if he had just survived a lightning tribtion. Second Brother, apologies! The spells dont have eyes! Seventh Elder apologized with a hint of amusement in his tone. Grandpa Ba flew into a rage. Youre lying! I can hear theughter in your voice! Seventh Elder ignored him and continuedunching spells. Sensing the danger, Qiu Jinan detonated the five-colored divine light and used the ensuing chaos to flee. The river spirit, seeing Qiu Jinan sessfully escaping and running in its direction, sighed with regret and retreated back into the river. This kid from Five Elements Sect is good at everything, except hescking the drive to fight to the end. Seeing Qiu Jinan flee, Third Elder ced his hands on his hips and shouted after him, Old Qiu! Next time, you wont be so lucky He abruptly stopped mid-sentence, his mouth moving without producing sound. Turning his head, he saw exactly what he expected: Sixth Elder. Junior Sister, could you not show up just as Im delivering a line? Third Elder asked, clearly annoyed. Sixth Elder was breathtakingly beautiful, and her presence alone silenced everyone. The Third Elder quickly shut his mouth as he saw the icy expression on Sixth Elders face, realizing she had just been rudely awakened. With irritation, Sixth Elder sent a message to her brothers, her tone sharp, Are you done yet? Id like to get back to sleep. She was thoroughly fed up with her fellow elders. It seemed like there was never a peaceful day in Dao Seeking Sect. Couldnt they learn from the quiet and tranquil Moon Laurel Immortal Pce? Qiu Jinan sped toward the Five Elements Sect, having sessfully escaped Dao Seeking Sect. However, the bacsh from the Single Curse Fist had yet to be resolved, and he needed help. Ill solve my bacsh first, and then help that Meng family kid afterward. Parting the clouds, he saw the vast mountain range stretching across the north and souththe Five Elements Spirit Vein, the very foundation of the Five Elements Sect. Five colors swirled around the mountain range, like stars guarding a moon. Upon closer inspection, one could see that the five-colored earth was not surrounding the mountains but rather pressing against each other, creating the Five Elements Spirit Vein from the pressure. ording to legend, the five-colored earth came from five different ancients, refined by an ancient unnamed being. The fives, with their respective elements, collided and merged to form the continent.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Lu Yang, are you here? I need help! After the battle ended, Meng Jingzhou hurriedly climbed Heavens Gate Peak to seek out Lu Yang. Im right here. Lu Yangs voice sounded from behind Meng Jingzhou. Lu Yang held a dozen skewers of grilled meat, happily eating as he returned to Heavens Gate Peak. What just happened? Why was Sect Master Qiu attacking? Lu Yang kindly offered half of his skewers to Meng Jingzhou. After all, these were from their own sects enterprises. Meng Jingzhou sighed, his tone filled with frustration. Qiu Jinan snuck up on me in the middle of the night, asking if I knew the Single Curse Fist. When I said I did, he took control of my body to punch Grandpa Ba. Lu Yang suddenly recalled Grandpa Bas recent autumn love affair. A few days ago, while visiting the medicinal garden, Grandpa Ba had even asked him what girls liked the most. Evesting Fairy had responded that girls loved being praised for their intelligence and beauty, and Lu Yang had ryed those words to Grandpa Ba. Did Sect Master Qiu seed? Meng Jingzhous expression was as if he was suffering from constipation. No, he was hit by the bacsh. My condolences. Lu Yang recalled thete arrival of Sixth Elder. Since she and Sect Master Qiu didnt cross paths, it must have been due to the effects of the bacsh. Patting Meng Jingzhou on the shoulder, Lu Yang tried to console him, hoping he would ept the reality of the situation. So what if youre cut off from women? With your Single Bachelors Spirit Root, its not like this should bother you much. Meng Jingzhou fumed, Condolences? What do you mean! So what if I have a Single Bachelors Spirit Root? Even eunuchs can visit brothels, but now I dont even have the qualification for that! Didnt they say the bacsh would wear off after a while? Lu Yang asked, curious. The problem is that no one knows how long a while actually is! I was hoping Eldest Senior Sister could help, but now Oh, Eldest Senior Sister has been out on a mission for several days, Lu Yang replied. Where did she go? Lu Yang spread his hands. Do I look like someone who dares ask Eldest Senior Sister about her ns? Good point. Wait a minute Could the fact that I cant meet Eldest Senior Sister also be part of the bacsh? Lu Yang considered the possibility and decided to ask Evesting Fairy if this could indeed be part of the bacsh, given how obscure and unpredictable karmic ties could be. Evesting Fairy looked at Lu Yang as if he were an idiot. Im right here in front of Meng Jingzhou. Have you seen me affected by any bacsh? That Meng family kids karmic bacsh may be strong, but thinking it could influence me is a fools dream. Lu Yang asked, Then do you have a way to help Old Meng break free from the bacsh? Evesting Fairy thought seriously for a moment beforeing up with a solution. While Im not very familiar with karma, I do have a method. Please share, Fairy. That Meng brat can punch himself with the Single Curse Fist. Since the technique only works if the user can overpower their opponent, and here the opponent is himself, the effect would likely create enough confusion to disrupt the karmic bacsh. Lu Yang: Fairy, are you sure this wont just result in Old Meng condemning himself to be single for life? Well, theres no such thing as a risk-free solution. Everythinges with risks, Evesting Fairy said nonchntly. Lu Yang decided that maybe it was best not to tell Meng Jingzhou about this particr methodno need to add to his troubles. Since Eldest Senior Sister isnt around, how about consulting the elders? Lu Yang suggested, counting the avable members of Dao Seeking Sect. With Eldest Senior Sister away and Evesting Fairy being unreliable, the elders seemed like the most dependable option. Theyre all experienced Unity Stage cultivators, so they should have a solution. That works, Meng Jingzhou agreed, having no better ideas. Lu Yang asked Meng Jingzhou to wait at Heavens Gate Peak while he went to gather the elders. Once the elders had gathered, Meng Jingzhou tried circting his spiritual energy, but something went wrong, causing him immense pain. Rolling on the ground in agony, he tumbled into a ravine, vanishing from sight. This doesnt make sense! I told him to wait right here. Where did Old Meng go? Lu Yang was baffled. The elders kindly joined in the search, but they couldnt find him. Suddenly, Lu Yang had an idea and turned to look at Sixth Elder. Sixth Elder, could I trouble you to leave for a moment? Sixth Elder, understanding the situation, gave a strange look before nodding and heading off. As soon as Sixth Elder left, Meng Jingzhou climbed out of the ravine, covered in dirt and leaves, looking utterly disheveled. It was only then that they were able to find him. Lu Yang sighed quietly. It seemed that the karmic bacsh was quite severe. For the foreseeable future, Old Meng wouldnt be able to meet any women at all. Chapter 399: Elders’ Consultation Chapter 399: Elders Consultation At Heavens Gate Peak, the elders convened for a consultation. Five elders gathered around Meng Jingzhou, clicking their tongues in astonishment. This curse on Nephew Meng is quite fascinating. Indeed, in over two thousand years, its the first time Ive encountered such a peculiar curse. Even when I traveled through the Deste Lands, I didnte across anything like this. This curse doesnt seem to affect Nephew Meng much, considering he has the Single Bachelors Spirit Root. And anyway, the curse will wear off on its own after some time. Little Meng, dont worry! Qiu Jinan did you wrong, and Ill make sure he pays for it! My dear disciple, how are you feeling now? The Deste Lands is known for its witchcraft and curses. Fourth Brother, youre the only one whos been there and studied curses. Whats your opinion on this? The four elders, Meng Jingzhou, and Lu Yang all turned their heads to look at the fan-wielding Fourth Elder. Lu Yang recalled information about the Deste Lands. It was located on the western side of the Central Continent, bordering Liangzhou and the Buddhist Kingdom of the Western Regions. The region was steeped in witchcraft, corpse-driving techniques, and its people were known for their bold and unrefined character. It was also the homnd of Barbarian Bone. Fourth Elder looked troubled. When I was cursed, I did study curse techniques for a while. For instance, I can tell that Nephew Meng can only break the karmic bacsh by shattering his Golden Core and advancing to the Nascent Soul Stage. Even then, its just a possibility. If the bacsh isnt resolved by then, hell have to wait until he reaches the Spirit Transformation Stage, at which point the curse will certainly be broken. Upon hearing this, Meng Jingzhous face turned pale. Reaching the Nascent Soul Stage might still be manageable, but if he had to wait until the Spirit Transformation Stage, how many years of cultivation would that take?N?v(el)B\\jnn I can easily break simple curses that affect the surface level, like the ones you lot deal with dailyIve been removing them for you for years. But Nephew Mengs curse is far deeper, beyond my cultivation level to lift. If I could reach the Tribtion Crossing Stage, then Id have confidence in breaking it. Grandpa Ba rolled his eyes. You? Reaching the Tribtion Crossing Stage? Get in line. Do you really think your cultivation can advance faster than Eldest Brother or Old Nine? Fourth Elder shrugged. Well, I dont have any other ideas then. Wait, we could ask our master for help! Seventh Elder shook his head. Although our master is a Tribtion Crossing Stage cultivator, he doesnt know anything about curse techniques. Besides, hes busy guarding the Prison Peak and cant afford any distractions. Disciple, how about you punch Ba Laoer with the Single Curse Fist again? Maybe the bacsh will cancel itself out! Meng Jingzhou hurriedly shook his head. That wouldnt result in canceling the bacshit would be doubling it! Actually, Nephew Meng, theres no need to worry too much. Your curse isnt as bad as it seems, Fourth Elder said reassuringly. Could you exin further, Fourth Elder? The karmic bacsh is shared between you and Qiu Jinan, meaning its been split in half. You only bear half of the karmic bacsh, while Qiu Jinan carries the other half. Half the bacsh is much easier to resolve than the full one. Meng Jingzhous eyes lit up. Does that mean you have a solution? Not exactly. Meng Jingzhou: I heard Nephew Li has a technique for regrowing limbs, swapping out body parts to avoid karmic entanglements. Could we use that method for Nephew Meng? Seventh Elder, could you refine a pill that allows for limb regrowth and give it to my disciple? Third Elder was referring to Li Haorans Rebirth Golden Core. The medicine for limb regeneration is easy to make, we could just ask the Little Medicine Kings for a few root hairs, but will this method really work? Fourth Elder dismissed the idea. Li Haorans Rebirth Golden Core can indeed help bypass karma, but Meng Jingzhous karmic bacsh is too severe. This wont work. Grandpa Ba proposed another idea, The Heavens Mysteries Sect is adept at handling karma. Even our Dao Seeking Sects location was calcted by their experts, blessing us for twelve thousand years. If they can manage something like that, surely they can deal with karmic bacsh. Why not ask them for help? Eighth Elder shook his head. I recall that Heavens Mysteries Sect descends from the ancient Shi Emperor n. They are indeed masters of karma and divination, but they believe karma cannot be eliminatedonly transformed from one kind into another. Thats why they rarely interfere in worldly matters. Too much involvement brings karma onto themselves, making them lose their ability to divine the future. Ive heard that as well. In ancient times, the Shi Emperor n had a terrible reputation. They often used their divination abilities to amass wealth, harm others, and disrupt the world order, all while seeking breakthroughs for themselves. Eventually, they angered a mysterious powerful figure who severely crippled the Shi Emperor n. Ever since, the n fell into decline. When they tried to seek revenge, that very figure ascended to immortality, and fearing his attention, the Shi Emperor n ordered their family to close off from the world. They forbade any involvement with worldly matters, as they feared drawing catastrophic consequences. The Heavens Mysteries Sect inherited the remnants of the Shi Emperor n, bing a reclusive sect. If we ask them for help, Disciple Meng might end up going from being unable to meet women to being unable to meet men! How about cing another curse on Disciple Meng, one that gives him a peach blossom disaster every day? Maybe the two curses would cancel each other out? That might work. But who knows how to cast such a curse? Fourth Elder, can you do it? Fourth Elder rolled his eyes, feeling like his brothers were overestimating his abilities. No, I learned how to break curses, not how to cast them. If I knew how to give someone a peach blossom disaster, I wouldve cast it on myself first. Why would a Confucian cultivator like you need a peach blossom disaster? To emte the ancient sages who stayed calm even in the face of temptation, to cultivate the heart of a true gentleman. The so-called gentlemen in brothels all use that same excuse. They copied me. (TL Note: Peach blossoms are often associated with love, romance, and rtionships in Chinese culture. The peach blossom is a symbol of attraction and romantic encounters. Its different from the Peach Blossom in Peach Blossom Leaf. In peach blossom disaster, the peach blossom is һ which refer to the flowers of the peach tree. In Peach Blossom Leaf, the peach blossom is ز which refer to a peach tree in its early blossoming stage.) Does anyone have experience with voodoo from the East Sea, simr to curse techniques? Maybe that could solve this. Old Eight, didnt you visit the East Sea? Did you learn it? No, I was too busy being chased by the sea tribes to study voodoo. While the elders continued their lively discussion about how to break Meng Jingzhous curse, Lu Yang, meanwhile, retreated into his spiritual space to seek help from the ancient immortal. After all, he had an ancient immortal as his golden finger, and not just any immortalthe strongest one. No matter the problem, there should be a solution, right? Fairy, do you have any other ideas? Lu Yang asked. Yes, I do. What is it? As the saying goes, when one dies, the karma disappears. All you need to do is die once, and the karma will vanish! Evesting Fairy cheerfully offered what she called her second carefully thought-out solution. Lu Yang couldnt help but think that, given Meng Jingzhous intelligence, he was highly unlikely to ept such a method. Evesting Fairy was displeased with Lu Yangs skepticism. After all, she often used this method to avoid karmic entanglements, and it always worked. As Meng Jingzhou listened to the elders increasingly absurd ideas, he realized that relying on them might not be the best course of action. Maybe I should go to the Deste Lands. I might find a solution there. Thats actually a viable idea, the elders agreed. Chapter 400: Immemorial Immortal’s Protection Chapter 400: Immemorial Immortals Protection (TL Note: Changing Ying Tian Immortal to Heavens Will Immortal since its a better trantion.) Going to the Deste Lands is a good idea. You should be able to find a solution there, Third Elder nodded in agreement, thinking his disciple had a sharp mind. Ill go with you, Lu Yang chimed in. Ive been stuck here at Heavens Gate Peak cultivating for so long. Its time I got out and stretched my legs; otherwise, my brain might start to atrophy. Fourth Elder helpfully offered some advice: If youre going to the Deste Lands, you should seek assistance from the Corpse-Driving Sect. They have a good rtionship with our Dao Seeking Sect. The sect leaders have always been on good terms. Even if you ask to learn the art of corpse-driving, they wouldnt refuse. As a renowned first-grade sect in the Deste Lands, having the Corpse-Driving Sects help would undoubtedly smooth things over. Fourth Elder himself had received their aid during his own travels through the Deste Lands. (TL Note: Corpse driving is a practice where a Taoist priest would drive or lead a deceased persons body to their home or burial ce by making the corpse walk or hop. The belief was that this practice allowed families to retrieve the bodies of loved ones who had died far from home for burial in their ancestralnds, which was culturally significant for ensuring peace in the afterlife. It is simr to herding where they make use of the reanimated corpses basic instinct to drive them tomit certain actions. It is different from necromancy as corpse drivers do not have total control over the corpse.) Without dy, Fourth Elder penned a letter of rmendation, carefully sealed it, and handed it to Meng Jingzhou. Taking the envelope, Meng Jingzhou hesitated for a moment before asking, Just me and Lu Yang? None of you elders areing along? After all the heated discussions earlier, Meng Jingzhou thought they would join him. Though none of their suggestions had been useful, it was clear they were invested in helping him. But now it seemed only he and Lu Yang would be making the trip to the Deste Lands. Third Elder waved him off. Were not going. Its too embarrassing to talk about. Taking Meng Jingzhou around the Deste Lands seeking a cure for a curse was no different than taking him to seek treatment for impotence. If word of this got out, how could they maintain their reputation in the martial world? Meng Jingzhou: Lu Yang: Evesting Fairy remained optimistic about the journey to the Deste Lands. What are you two afraid of? With me here, what could possibly go wrong? And so, the elders consultation concluded with the resolution that Meng Jingzhou would have to take matters into his own hands. With a sigh, Meng Jingzhou returned to his cave to pack his things. Naturally, along the way, he didnt encounter a single senior sister. Lu Yang also began to prepare. The Deste Lands are filled with curses, corpse-driving techniques, tombs everywhere, and all kinds of miasma and poisonous creatures, Lu Yang muttered. I should probably exchange some points at the mission hall for antidote pills. And there are so many people skilled in curse techniques. Ive never encountered curses before, so its easy to suffer losses if youre unprepared. Should I buy some anti-curse items? Evesting Fairy puffed out her chest confidently. With me watching over you, what curse could harm you? She, as the strongest of The Five Ancient Immortals, feared no curse. Lu Yang nced at Evesting Fairy. She was right. The worlds most terrifying curse was already standing before himwhat other curse could possiblypare? Putting aside the worry of curses, the journey to the Deste Lands suddenly felt a lot less daunting. Now that youve got me by your side, theres no need to worry about curses. Back in the ancient days, before I became immortal, I was constantly fighting for a ce among immortals. Those people were all young geniuses with some skills and reputation in their tribes. But whenever they encountered me, their so-called genius status didnt matter! Evesting Fairy boasted. None of them even deserved to be called young geniuses. One defeat at my hands, and they were never the same. But look at Ying Tian Immortal and Qilin Immortalno matter how much I beat them down, they never gave up. When they couldnt beat me openly, they resorted to sneaky tactics, casting death curses on me. But luckily, with my unparalleled talent, I withstood it all, she said proudly. Lu Yang thought back to the ancient curses he had read about. They were far more malicious and terrifying than the curses of the present day. The fact that Evesting Fairy had survived such curses and ascended to immortality spoke volumes about her strength. He was quietly amazed. Evesting Fairy might seem unreliable at times, but her reputation during the ancient era was earned through true power. The most annoying part was dealing with the saintesses from various holynds. When they couldnt beat me and were jealous of my beauty, theyd curse me, hoping to ruin my looks, Evesting Fairy continued. Evesting Fairy pouted angrily, clearly still holding a grudge against those saintesses, even after all these years. Back when I hadnt yet ascended, my reputation was already quite big. My cultivation, looks, and wisdom were all outstanding, but I didnt have any backing. I was often excluded, and some people even openly mocked me, saying, So what if shes strong? Without a background, shell never ascend smoothly. Did they think they could bully me because I had no backing? Well, I became my own greatest backing! Evesting Fairyughed smugly. What used to infuriate her now seemed childish in retrospect. Fairy, youre amazing. Right? Lu Yang quickly finished packing his things, bringing along everything he could think of. He also went to the mission hall to exchange for more items that mighte in handy. We need antidote pills, for sure. And these herbsthey can be used to make antidotes in an emergency. Lu Yang had learned basic knowledge about poisons from Pellet Cauldron Peak. This was a required course for all Dao Seeking Sect disciples. Common poisons wouldnt work on him. When traveling, its crucial to not have ill intentions toward others, but always be prepared for theirsthis was a saying from Five Elements Sect. Later, Daoist Non-Speaker and the eight elders agreed with Qiu Jinans wisdom and passed it on to their disciples, encouraging them to be vignt. I should also get a few books on the Deste LandsCulture and Customs of the Deste Lands, Tales of the Corpse-Driving Sect, The Curse gue And we might run into fights, so Ill needbat talismans and Soul-Reviving Pills that should cover it. Once the preparations wereplete, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou met at the sects gate. Meng Jingzhou had arrived a bit earlier and was already waiting in the carriage. Youre too slow, Meng Jingzhou remarked. Whats the rush? Its not like leaving early will make us return any faster, Lu Yang replied as he boarded the carriage. The two of them went over their supplies, double-checking that nothing was missing before finally setting off. On the road, Evesting Fairy, bored, said, If only we could find Immemorial Immortal. Hes a Heaven-Reaching World Tree which has the power of blessing. Just plucking a leaf or breaking off a branch could resolve the karmic bacsh Meng Jingzhou is facing. The Heaven-Reaching World Tree can do that? Howe Ive never heard of it? Lu Yang was puzzled, but given how little ancient texts mentioned the Heaven-Reaching World Tree, it wasnt surprising that there were things he didnt know. Surely youve heard of the New Year tradition, right? Its the day when we transition from the old to the new, stepping over bad luck to wee good fortune in theing year. That concept of crossing over bad luck was created by him. You know how people cross over tree branches during the New Year? Originally, they were supposed to be crossing over branches of the Heaven-Reaching World Tree. But since people cant find those branches anymore, they use regr tree branches as a substitute. Actually, I didnt even know about the Heaven-Reaching World Trees blessing power at first. It was Qilin Immortal and the others who told me. Qilin Immortal and the others said Immemorial Immortal could predict when I would host a feast or visit their abodes, which let them prepare in advance. That, they said, was the greatest blessing of all.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Lu Yang nodded in agreement. Immemorial Immortal really does have the power to bring blessings and keep people safe. Chapter 401: The Black Inn Chapter 401: The ck Inn The carriage slowly traveled along the official road, which had fallen into disrepair over time, full of potholes. The old horse walked as if it were on t ground, and the two people inside the carriage did not feel the slightest bump. Weve reached the Deste Lands, Lu Yang said as he spread out a map. On the map, a glowing spot indicated their position. This was a magical artifact, an essential tool for travel, as it could roughly show their current location. Its gettingte. Lets find a ce nearby to rest, Meng Jingzhou suggested, noticing that dusk was approaching and they had already entered the Deste Lands. There was no need to rush. Hey, look, theres an inn over there. We can stay there! Meng Jingzhou pointed to an inn not far away. The signboard was barely hanging on, its name was illegible, and the overall condition of the inn was worrying. Lu Yang looked at the inn suspiciously. It looked eerie, as if a strong gust of wind could blow it down at any moment. Lets make do. Its better than spending the night in the carriage, Lu Yang consoled himself. The two of them, along with the old horse, arrived at the entrance of the inn. The door was wide open, and the inside was pitch ck, with no one in sight, as if the ce had been abandoned for a long time. They finally managed to make out the inns nameQingming Inn. This name doesnt bode well Is this ce closed or still in business? Meng Jingzhou muttered as he took a big step inside and called out, Anyone here? We need a room! (TL Note: The Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day in English during which Chinese families visit the tombs of their ancestors to clean the gravesites and make ritual offerings to their ancestors. Offerings would typically include traditional food dishes and the burning of joss sticks and joss paper. Its basically a way tomemorate the dead which is why it is considered unlucky to name an inn after this festival.) There was no response. Meng Jingzhou called out again, Anyone here? We need a room! Suddenly, there was a thud from behind the counter, like the sound of a corpse hitting the floorunusually dull. Whos shouting so loudly? Dont you know the rules for staying here? A man wearing a white paper hat cursed as he crawled out from behind the counter, ring at Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou with an unfriendly expression. We need a room, two of the best ones! Meng Jingzhou always opted for the best amodations. You two? Want to stay here? The man in the white paper hat looked at them in surprise, then craned his neck to look behind them, noticing that no one else was apanying them. Go, go! Stop causing trouble. This is not the ce for you. Find somewhere else to stay, the white paper hat man impatiently waved them away. Meng Jingzhou was puzzled. He had stayed in many inns, but this was the first time he encountered one that wouldnt take guests. Is your inn full? Half the rooms are still empty. Then why wont you let us stay? The man in the white paper hat was about to exin when suddenly, a noise came from upstairs. Stepstepstep The footsteps were steady and synchronized, unnervingly so. A cultivator dressed in a daoist robe descended from the second floor, followed by a group of people wrapped in ck cloth. They were silent, their presence in the dark of night made them especially terrifying. There were so many people wrapped in ck cloth that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou began to doubt whether there were enough rooms upstairs for so many people, especially considering the man had said that half the rooms were empty. Could it be that more than a dozen people were sharing the same room? How would that even work? Were they sleeping standing up against the walls? Little brother, check out. This is the worst Qingming Inn Ive ever stayed in, the cultivator in the daoist robe threw a string of copper coins to the man in the white paper hat. The style of the copper coins was unfamiliar to the two, and there was a faint trace of spiritual qi flowing through them, indicating they had a special function.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om The man in the white paper hat grinned, not responding verbally, content as long as there was money to be made. Lu Yang was confused. Why would anyone check out now, after nightfall? When Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou finally got a good look at the people wrapped in ck cloth, they were both shocked. The people wrapped in ck cloth had lifeless eyes. Some had mud and grass in their mouths and noses, some had disfigured faces as if something had smashed them, and others were so old and emaciated that they looked like they were just skin and bones. Drowned, crushed, died of old age These are all dead people! Corpse-driving technique? No wonder they checked out and left right at nightfallresting during the day and driving corpses at night, just like the books say. The two hadnt expected that as soon as they entered the Deste Lands, they would encounter the famous corpse-driving technique they had heard of. The man in the white paper hat pocketed the copper coins and gave them a disdainful look. This is a corpse inn, a ce for corpse drivers to rest. The rooms are for the dead. If youre not superstitious, you can stay here. The two couldnt help but twitch at the thought of staying in rooms meant for the dead; it was hard to get used to the idea. That person just now, who used the corpse-driving techniquewas he from the Corpse-Driving Sect? Lu Yang asked. If he was, they could take the opportunity to chat with him. The man in the white paper hat shook his head. You two must be from out of town. I figured as much. How could live people know the name of our inn in the Deste Lands and evene here to stay? Were from Yunzhou. The man in the white paper hat nodded in realization. Ah, from the central state. No wonder. Ive heard that Yunzhou is home to one of the Five Great Immortal Sects, the Dao Seeking Sect, which makes the whole region incredibly prosperous, with excellent transportation, a strong economy, and countless powerful cultivators. (TL Note: Their continent, Yunzhou in chinese is which shares the same with Yun Zhi which is ֥. Im not sure if theyre rted as the word also just means cloud.) He then corrected their misunderstanding. Corpse-driving techniques arent exclusive to the Corpse-Driving Sect. Many rogue cultivators know how to drive corpses, though its far less formal than the techniques used by the Corpse-Driving Sect. In the Deste Lands, whether its a rogue corpse driver or a disciple of the Corpse-Driving Sect, theyre all referred to as corpse drivers. Their transactions arent conducted with Spirit Stones, but rather withrge copper talisman coins. The man in the white paper hat shook the string of copper coins in his hand. Like these. The two thanked the man in the white paper hat and decided to find another inn. As they left the Qingming Inn, Lu Yang noticed a sign had fallen at the entrance. Out of kindness, he picked it up for the innkeeper. The sign read: Due to business strategy adjustments, this inn has been relocated twenty miles east of Baiquan Town. We appreciate your understanding. The date at the bottom was from five years ago. What?! The two looked up in shock at the Qingming Inn in front of them, feeling a chill rise in their hearts. The real Qingming Inn had moved away. So, who were the people they had just encountered? They rushed back into the inn, only to find itpletely empty. There was no trace of the man in the white paper hat. Was that person a human or a ghost? The two were horrified. They hadnt noticed anything unusual about the man in the white paper hat from the beginning. Even when he saw Meng Jingzhou, who had a Pure Yang Physique, he showed no reaction. How high must his cultivation have been? Was he a Ghost King? Move in! At that moment, amanding voice was heard, and a group of cultivators dressed in constable uniforms stormed into the inn. Damn it, he got away! The leader, a bearded man, frowned when he saw that the man in the white paper hat was nowhere to be found. Brother, whats going on here? Lu Yang politely asked. The bearded constable, seeing that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had juste out of the inn, knew they werent suspicious and exined: This Qingming Inn has been abandoned for five years, but during those years, people have constantly imed theyve stayed here, thinking it was haunted, and reported it to us. After secretly investigating andparing testimonies, we finally figured out the truth. A man wearing a white paper hat pretended to be the innkeeper, faking the inns operations and allowing corpse drivers to stay here for money. Since corpses arent picky about amodations, the poor environment could be overlooked. However, some corpse drivers couldnt stand it anymore andined to the main Qingming Inn branch, which was surprised, since this ce had been closed for years. Thats when the case was exposed. After uncovering the truth, we decided to lie in wait to capture the man in the white paper hat, but he managed to escape! Lu Yang: Are the people of the Deste Lands so desperate for money that theyd even resort to something like this? Chapter 402: The Man in the White Paper Hat Chapter 402: The Man in the White Paper Hat You two must be from out of town, right? The bearded constable noticed Lu Yangs unfamiliarity with the Deste Lands and kindly warned him. If you encounter anyone wearing a white paper hat in the future, be careful. That bastard has been causing trouble all over the ce and is incredibly slippery! What do you mean? the two asked, puzzled. The bearded constable angrily replied, Weve been hunting down this guy with the white paper hat for a long time, but weve never managed to catch him. He seems to havee out of nowhere and has been active in the Deste Lands for several years now. He can pick any random spot in the Deste Lands, and thats where hemits his crimes. This time, he pretended to run the Qingming Inn as a ck market shop. Last time, he manipted his aplices into stealing, got them wanted, and then turned them in for a reward. Whats worse is that none of us realized it was him who collected the bounty! Another time, he disguised himself as a corpse and sold himself to a corpse driver. When the corpse driver was about to refine him, the corpse moved on its own and almost scared the poor guy to death. When the man with the white paper hat finally left, the corpse driver was still shaken, thinking it was a case of a Jiangshi. He chanted mantras for days before realizing he had been tricked! And then there was another incident where the Barbarian Tribe reported a case of human trafficking at the edge of the Deste Landsturns out it was him too! This bastard will do anything for money! If we could catch him, wed all have five fewer workdays each year! Just thinking about the man with the white paper hat made the bearded constable furious. The more he talked, the angrier he became. If the man in the white paper hat were to appear now, he might just swallow him whole. Catching the man in the white paper hat wasnt just his wish, it was the wish of the entire Deste Lands. Theres something else strange about this bastardthereve been several asions where he appeared in two ces at the same time, almost like there are two of him. Were not sure if hes got a twin or something. And just now, we had the inn surrounded, and you two were at the entrance. Did anyone notice him leaving? Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou nodded. With their levels of Cultivation, no ordinary cultivators actions would escape their detection rangenot even a master thief. For him to escape in such a situation meant that the man in the white paper hat either had some extraordinary technique or a level of Cultivation beyond everyones expectations. Fairy, did you notice when the man in the white paper hat escaped? Lu Yang asked. Evesting Fairy rolled her eyes, feeling that Lu Yang was underestimating her. He ran west, but dont expect the constables to catch him. Even with the two of you helping, its uselessitd just be a waste of effort. His escape technique is nothing ordinary. And even if you do catch him, itll just be a clone. It doesnt really matter. Lu Yang was shocked. For Evesting Fairy to make such an assessment, the man in the white paper hat was even more formidable than he had imagined. The bearded constablemanded his subordinates to secure the area and see if they could find any clues. Dont forget to put up the seals! he shouted. Boss, do the seals really help? He tears them down every time, one of the constables nervously asked. Given the man in the white paper hats tant disregard for thew, even if they put up seals, hed just tear them down and reopen the inn. The bearded constable red at him. Just put them up! If he tears them down, well add another charge! Well be taking our leave now, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou said as they bid farewell to the bearded constable. Before leaving, Lu Yang kindly suggested, I had a feeling when the man in the white paper hat escapedhe fled westward. The bearded constable looked at Lu Yang in surprise but said nothing further. The Deste Lands is indeed and full of extraordinary people. Perhaps we can really find a way to break my curse here. Meng Jingzhou sighed, feeling that they really should travel more often. They had only just entered the Deste Lands and had already encountered such strange events and people. Weve been wandering around all day and still havent found a ce to rest, Lu Yang reminded Meng Jingzhou, urging him to focus on the current problem. Meng Jingzhou patted the horses back and said, Old horse, can you find us a vige to rest in? The old horse flicked its tail, took a bite of the fresh grass by the roadside, and then began pulling the cart towards the nearest vige. Before long, the old horse brought them to the closest vige. At the vige entrance stood arge stone with the words Jianshi Vige engraved on it. Why is it so quiet? The two dismounted, intending to find a ce to stay for the night. They soon noticed that every household had its doors shut, oilmps lit, but not a single sound could be heard. Naturally, the vige streets werepletely empty. In Lu Yangs mind, in a ce with no entertainment, this time of night should have been when vigers left their doors open and visited one another to chat. It feels like theyre afraid of something. Strange, Lu Yang muttered with a frown. Meng Jingzhou chose thergest house in the vige and knocked on the door. Excuse me, we are looking for a ce to stay for the night. BangCreak The door opened slightly, and an old man peeked out, eyeing Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou warily. Who are you? Meng Jingzhou gave a friendly smile, one perfected after many nights at barbecue joints. Were just travelers passing through. Its gettingte, and we were hoping to stay for the night. Were happy to pay, of course. The old man, clearly annoyed, tried to shoo them away. Go, go! Jianshi Vige doesnt wee outsiders. Youd better leave quickly, or the dead will eat you! Eaten by the dead? You have corpses here? Were cultivators. We can help you deal with them, Meng Jingzhou offered. Upon hearing this, the old man became even more agitated. We dont need your help. Now get out of here! he said before mming the door shut. Well, that was rude! Meng Jingzhou grumbled, frustrated. He had only offered to help, and instead, they were chased away. Maybe the old man has womenfolk inside and doesnt want to let you in? Lu Yang teased with a mischievous grin. Get lost, Meng Jingzhou waved Lu Yang away as if swatting a fly. Unwilling to give up, Meng Jingzhou tried knocking on other doors, but each time the response was the sameeither they were chased off, or the doors remained firmly shut. These people arent exactly hospitable, Meng Jingzhou muttered. So, should we try another vige? Lu Yang asked. Meng Jingzhou sighed. Too much trouble. I saw a ce by the vige entrance earliera shrine or maybe an ancestral hall. It looked clean and still in use. We can make do there for the night. That works, Lu Yang agreed. After being turned away from the Qingming Inn and now Jianshi Vige, who knew if the next vige would be any different? Instead of going back and forth, it made more sense to settle in for the night and investigate in the daylight. The two made their way to the ancestral hall and used Three vours True Fire to light the oilmps, brightening the ce instantly. Its quite clean. The two paid their respects to the ancestral tablets. Apologies to the ancestors; well only be staying for one night. At the edge of the vige, in the cemeteryn/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om The stones trembled, and the graves shifted, as if something underneath was moving. A withered w broke through the soil. Soon, more ws followed, bursting out of the ground one after another, too many to count Chapter 403: This Immortal Uses the Top-Level Corpse-Driving Technique! Chapter 403: This Immortal Uses the Top-Level Corpse-Driving Technique! Inside the ancestral hall. It seems like the vigers frequently visit the ancestral hall. Look, theres so much food in front of the spirit tablets, Meng Jingzhou remarked, surprised. The hall was spotless, and in front of the spirit tablets were simple offerings like steamed buns and pickled vegetables. Exactly, and the food is still warm. Lu Yang noticed the steam rising from the buns, indicating they had just been freshly steamed. Its making me hungry. Lets have something to eat. Meng Jingzhou pulled out some pre-prepared food from his identity jade token, which he had purchased from the marketce. These foods were not only delicious but also beneficial for Cultivation. Such was the magic of a spiritual chef. Seeing this, Lu Yang recalled that he had a celestial chef residing in his mental space. Eating her food provided an even greater boost to his cultivation. Thinking of this, Lu Yang felt a heavy weight on his heart. Raising his hand, Lu Yang conjured a ball of Three vours True Fire. Without the need for kindling or other materials, just a trace of spiritual energy could keep the fire burning for a long time. The two ced their food over the Three vours True Fire to heat it, making the already delicious food even more appetizing. Speaking of which, since Eldest Senior Sister isnt around, and you know the Lu Familys Shape-Imitating Fist, cant you summon her here? Meng Jingzhou suggested, struck by the idea of a quick solution. After all, Eldest Senior Sister wouldnt be affected by karmic bacsh. Lu Yang shot a re at Meng Jingzhou, clearly annoyed by the suggestion. Youre really something, thinking of summoning Eldest Senior Sister just because of this. Remember thest time I called Eldest Senior Sister? It was during a life-and-death crisis. This little karmic bacsh is nothing. If I summon her for something like this, do you think shell fix the karmic bacsh first or deal with you first? Meng Jingzhou shuddered at the thought of Eldest Senior Sister being summoned, hearing the exnation, and then coldly staring at him as if he were already dead. Alright, alright, forget it. Well deal with the karmic bacsh ourselves, he quickly changed his mind. Lu Yang continued, Besides, Eldest Senior Sister is busy managing ten thousand matters. The things she handles are far more important than this. If I disturb her and cause a mishap or dy her work, what then? This was the main reason why Lu Yang was reluctant to summon Eldest Senior Sister unless absolutely necessary. While it was true that she could solve difficult problems, it wouldnt help his growth, and her Cultivation was far too advanced to be distracted by minor issues. Only in life-or-death situations would Lu Yang even consider calling her. Its a shame the Grand Elder isnt here. With his vast experience, hed probably have another solution. Although they didnt know where the Grand Elder had gone, Meng Jingzhou had a good guessit was likely to build another tomb. Considering how often the Grand Elder built tombs and filled them with Jiangshi, Meng Jingzhou couldnt believe that he didnt have some kind of business rtionship with the Corpse-Driving Sect. Given the Grand Elders high cultivation and extensive knowledge, he might know how to deal with this situation, or at least point them to the right person in the Deste Lands. Ive heard that corpse-driving has been a tradition in the Deste Lands since ancient times. When the Great Yu Dynasty copsed a hundred thousand years ago, the world descended into chaos, with rebellions breaking out everywhere. This region was a killing field, rivers of blood flowed, and the ground was littered with corpses. Many of the bodies transformed into Jiangshi, giving rise to arge number of corpse drivers. A group of them banded together for safety, eventually forming the sect we now know as the Corpse-Driving Sect. Meng Jingzhou pointed to a passage in the book Culture and Customs of the Deste Lands and said, It seems that the practice of corpse driving has been around for quite a long time. Lu Yang sighed. A hundred thousand years ago is already such a distant time for me. Even the Dao Seeking Sect is one of the oldest sects, and its only twelve ten-thousand years old. Corpse driving is much older than you think, Evesting Fairy interjected at just the right moment. Did corpse-driving techniques exist even in ancient times? Evesting Fairy smacked her lips, recalling the turbulent past. More or less. Back then, people had all kinds of different ways to drive corpses, and the spells they used didnt have a unified name like they do now. Today, everything is simply called corpse-driving technique. Do you remember that fool who could use Word Bes Reality? He drove corpses with nothing but his voice. He was incredibly powerful. When faced with a strong enemy, hed just dive into a graveyard and shout once, and the corpses woulde crawling out in a rush. It was terrifying. He was one of the strongest opponents I ever faced. For Evesting Fairy to call someone a fool, they must have truly been one. Lu Yang remembered that fool, famous for his mastery of Word Bes Reality, a nearly invincible technique in ancient times. He was one of the few people who seemed destined to be immortal, with legends about him passed down through generations. Then, Evesting Fairy ambushed him, and after he uttered It hurts so much, Im dying, he really did die. And then there was that Harem Golden Cores creator. Through a stroke of luck, he nurtured a beautiful Jiangshi woman. After years of bonding, she developed feelings and, after advancing to the drought demon level, seemed almost like a fully revived person. She even became part of his harem. Lu Yang also remembered the Harem Golden Cores creator. He was famous for having countless beauties in his harem and practiced a cultivation method focused on the art of love. His progress skyrocketed with the help of these women. However, in the end, his inability to manage the rtionships in his harem led to a grisly death when they tore him apart. Honestly, despite the tragic ending, his life story was still one that many envied. Fairy, can you drive corpses? Lu Yang asked. Of course, this Immortal uses the top-level corpse-driving technique! Evesting Fairy replied proudly. You can? Lu Yangs eyes lit up in surprise. He shouldnt have been surprised. After all, she was an immortal and likely mastered all kinds of techniques, including the most advanced corpse-driving methods. It had to be more advanced than anything the Corpse-Driving Sect could offer. Do you want to learn the art of pretending to be dead? she asked slyly. I want to wait, pretending to be dead? Lu Yang paused, realizing what she meant. Yes, I pretend to die first, then revive myself. Isnt that the pinnacle of corpse-driving techniques? Lu Yang fell silent. Technically, reviving the dead was indeed the ultimate form of corpse-driving, but something about her logic felt off.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om He thought for a moment and asked, Aside from your pretending-to-be-dead technique, are there any other corpse-driving methods that can bring the dead back to life? Not sure. Not sure? In theory, yes. But this Immortal has never seen any corpse-driving technique thatpares to my pretending-to-be-dead technique. When the five of us were discussing this over a meal, we debated this exact question. In theory, the top-level corpse-driving techniques can revive the dead, but the original soul disappears, and a new one forms in the old body. How can that be considered a true resurrection? Lu Yang thought to himself that the conversation probably arose because Heavens Will Immortal and the others were worried they might die from eating her cooking. Wait, somethings approaching! Lu Yang suddenly stopped the conversation, pulling himself out of his mental space. He sensed something nearbysomething numerous, judging by the sounds! Almost simultaneously, Meng Jingzhou noticed it too, quickly getting into a defensive stance to prepare for the iing threat. Bang! The doors of the ancestral hall burst open, revealing a horde of withered corpsesclose to a hundred of them! The two released their divine sense and found that the dried corpses hadpletely surrounded the hall, leaving no way out. Why is it that everywhere in the Deste Lands is filled with living corpses? (TL Note: Theres been a site which has been stealing my trantion and its pissing me off a lot. Im considering just locking all future chapters behind coins.) Chapter 404: The People of the Desolate Lands Have Very Advanced Ideas Chapter 404: The People of the Deste Lands Have Very Advanced Ideas In just one nights sleep, they encountered two waves of living corpses. The living corpses held shovels, rakes, and other farming tools, which seemed to have been taken from the vigers homes. These tools had now transformed into dangerous weapons. You have to admit, this is quite something youd only see in the Deste Lands. You wouldnt run into this anywhere else, quite an eye-opener, Lu Yang joked, smiling as he unsheathed the Qingfeng Sword. His expression was rxed, and the sword gleamed brightly under the candlelight. Even though the number of living corpses was considerable and they were armed, surrounding the ancestral hall, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were both Golden Core Stage cultivators. Each of them could easily establish a family or even found a sect. Being trapped by rural living corpses was out of the question. No wonder the vigers didnt want us to staythey were probably afraid of the danger. When they said something about getting eaten by corpses, I guess this is what they meant, Meng Jingzhou remarked. Although the vigers hadnt been kind to them, Meng Jingzhou didnt hold grudges and saw no issue in helping solve their problem. Look! Theres a woman among the corpses! Lu Yang pointed to a disheveled female corpse and eximed in surprise. Meng Jingzhou was confused. Whats so special about that? Dead people can be male or female, right? A female corpse isnt unusual. I mean, since youre currently under karmic bacsh and cant be around women, this shows that your karmic bacsh only applies to living people. Dead bodies and demons dont count. If you cant resolve this problem here in the Deste Lands, you could always stay in the Demon Territory until you reach the Spirit Transformation Stage. Get lost! I refuse to believe that Eldest Senior Sister will never show up! Meng Jingzhou snapped, angry, and charged at the living corpses first. Copsing Fist! Meng Jingzhous fists clenched tightly as he charged, his arms forming a horn-like shape as he struck forward with force. Boom! The living corpse exploded. Meng Jingzhous punch sent the rest of the advancing corpses flying, clearing a path. Huh, these corpses are tougher than I thought. Meng Jingzhou was surprised. He had assumed these were just ordinary, fragile corpses and that one hit would be enough to destroy them. Fairy, these living corpses arent contagious, are they? Lu Yang originally intended to stop Meng Jingzhou to figure out if there was any danger, but it seemed it was toote for that now. Contagious? What do you mean by that? Evesting Fairy looked puzzled by Lu Yangs question. You know, where if a living person gets bitten, they turn into a living corpse too. Evesting Fairy gave Lu Yang a bewildered look, as if he were an idiot. Of course not! Ive never even heard of such a thing. Why would you think that? Just a random thought, Lu Yang said, relieved. Confident that there was no risk of infection, he boldly joined the battle. Once inbat, Lu Yang quickly noticed how strangely tough these corpses were. They had clearly been refined by someone skilled. Do you really think you could eat us with just this? What a joke! The twoughed as they tossed the living corpses out of the ancestral hall. To the living corpses, it seemed like they had surrounded Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, but from the two cultivators perspective, they were the ones surrounding the corpses. None of you will escape! Today, well rid this vige of this menace! they dered. Just as they were about to unleash their powerful techniques and wipe out the corpses, an old voice called out from a distance. Young men, please show mercy! They mean no harm! It was the elderly man who had refused them lodging earlier. They dont eat peopleI was just trying to scare you. They only wanted to go to the ancestral hall to eat the offerings. You two just happened to be there, the elderly man exined. Hearing this, both Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were stunned. Thinking back, it did seem like the living corpses never actually intended to attack them. They cautiously stopped attacking and noticed that the living corpses indeed ignored them, instead making their way around them and into the ancestral hall. Once the corpses had all entered, the two approached the elderly man to ask for an exnation. The elderly man sighed and said, I am the vige head of Jianshi Vige. The situation with the living corpses may be hard for you to believe, but its better to show you.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om The living corpses surrounded the warm steamed buns, circling them. In a short time, the buns became cold, losing all their heat, and only then did the corpses stop. When they left the ancestral hall, the corpses picked up their shovels, rakes, and plows, moving in sync as they walked out of Jianshi Vige. The three of them followed the corpses, who didnt go far. When they reached the fields, the living corpses stopped, picking up their tools and starting to dig and plow thend. Some of the corpses carried water from the river, diligently watering the fields. Others,cking tools, knelt to pull weeds and pinch insects. The living corpses worked methodically, like diligent farmers. Once the farming tasks wereplete, the corpses picked up their tools again and walked from the fields to the vige entrance, then to the cemetery at the far end of the vige. There, they dug holes with their tools and buried themselves back into the ground. Lu Yang: Meng Jingzhou: The two rubbed their temples in disbelief, as if they had seen an illusion. Do people in the Deste Lands all use living corpses to farm? This was far more advanced than anything in other regionseven their Dao Seeking Sect couldntpare. In the Dao Seeking Sect, they used the Blue-Eyed Water Buffalo n and the Third Elder for farming. The vige head of Jianshi Vige sighed and exined, Its not quite like you think. Were just ordinary peopletheres no way we could afford to maintain so many living corpses. In fact, we dont even know where these corpses came from. One night, we were cooling off under a tree at the vige entrance, and suddenly, this group of corpses appeared. At first, everyone was terrified, thinking the corpses were going to attack us. But after a while, we realized they didnt mean any harm. They just stopped moving, probably because they were out of energy. We dont have any corpse drivers in our vige, but when I was younger, I spent some time with a corpse driver and learned a few basics. I decided to try steaming buns to feed the corpses. Sure enough, it worked. The corpses started moving again. Then someone suggested using them to farm, and I thought that was a good idea, so I began directing them to help us. Now, we rest during the day, steam a batch of buns in the evening, and ce them in the ancestral hall. At night, the corpses climb out of their graves, absorb the yang energy from the buns, and start farming. Because everyone is still afraid of them, we lock our doors once night falls. After they finish farming, the corpses automatically bury themselves again, repeating the process the next night. To be honest, since the corpses started farming for us, life has gotten a lot easier. We now have more free time for other things. Then why didnt you let us stay? Meng Jingzhou asked. The vige elder responded honestly, I was afraid youd find out that these corpses have no owners and report it to the authorities. The government would then find the rightful owner of the corpses, and wed have to go back to farming ourselves. We wanted to scare you off, but who knew youd not only stay but also choose to sleep in the ancestral hall. I realized there was no way to hide the truth, so rather than let you get hurt by the corpses, I decided to exin everything. Chapter 405: Unusual Living Corpses Chapter 405: Unusual Living Corpses After hearing the vige heads exnation, the two of them suddenly understood. No wonder these living corpses are so tough, unlike those that could be refined by ordinary people. It turns out they are abandoned. Is itmon for living corpses to be abandoned? The vige head shook his head. Not at all. Ive lived for eighty years, and this is the first time Ive ever seen masterless living corpses. I had only ever heard of such a thing before. What are the possible causes of living corpses bing masterless? Ive heard that there are only two reasons for this: either the master has died, causing the living corpses to lose control and wander aimlessly, or the master has intentionally released control over them. Another possibility is that the corpses rebelled and ate their master. From the behavior of the corpses in our vige, they dont seem bloodthirsty, so the third scenario is unlikely. Is there a way to find the owner of these living corpses? When Lu Yang asked this, the vige heads expression became conflicted, and after furrowing his brow, he finally sighed. There is. Every corpse driver leaves a unique mark on their living corpses to signify ownership. The living corpses in our vige all have the same mark on their right wrist, like this. The vige head squatted down and drew three interlocking circles on the ground, with the word ghost written in the middle. If the owner of these living corpses is still alive, they will have the same pattern on their right wrist. Although Im only at the secondyer of the Qi Training Stage, I once studied under a remarkable corpse driver when I was younger. My teacher was at the peak of the sixthyer of the Qi Training Stage!n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om During my time studying with him, I memorized the marks of all the corpse drivers in the surrounding counties, and none of them match this style. As for corpse drivers from other areas, I havente across them. This was one of the reasons the vige head hadnt reported the situationsince the living corpses werent from local corpse drivers, even if the authorities got involved, they wouldnt be able to find the owner. Have you heard of the Corpse-Driving Sect? Lu Yang asked. The vige head chuckled. How could I not know the name of the Corpse-Driving Sect? Thirty years ago, I had the rare chance to catch a glimpse of a disciple from the Corpse-Driving Sect from afar. He was truly an outstanding young man, far beyond the likes of me, who can barely grasp the basics of corpse-driving. Do you know where the Corpse-Driving Sect is located? Thats quite far away. The vige head pointed west. The Corpse-Driving Sect is located in the central part of the Deste Lands. From here, its about eight million li westward. Meng Jingzhou nodded. Looks like we still have a few days to go. With their trusty old horse, eight million li wasnt that far. When Meng Jingzhou first ran away from home, the distance between the imperial capital and the Dao Seeking Sect was far greater than that, and it only took a few days. The speed of their travel depended entirely on the horses mood. Meng Jingzhou had initially thought that the carriages speed was due to a space-formation array in the chassis, allowing them to traverse distances quickly. Heter realized that while the carriage was indeed a treasure, the real reason for their speed was the old horse itself. Now that we know about the existence of the living corpses, could we stay here for the night? Lu Yang asked. Than[?]??ou for readi?g Rememer t() ?eav[e] a revi?w?on N0veIUdtes! Fine. My wife passed away, and my children have all moved to the county, so its no trouble for me to offer you a couple of extra nkets, the vige head replied. The two of them rested in Jianshi Vige for the night, adjusted their ns, and bid farewell to the vige head the next morning, continuing on their journey. You two were quite luckyst night, Evesting Fairy said, stretching her body as she woke up, twisting and flexing as if she were still alive. Even though a soul body didnt have muscles or bones, old habits from life tend to carry over. Why do you say we were lucky? Lu Yang asked. Well, the living corpses you encounteredst night were carefully refined by a high-level cultivator. They had no onemanding them, and due to theirck of yang energy, they were weak. They could only maintain basic activities by absorbing energy from those buns. Otherwise, you two wouldnt have stood a chance against them. If my guess is correct, that group of living corpses moving together could be enough to handle a Unity Stage cultivator. Unity Stage! Lu Yang was shocked. He knew that the living corpses they encounteredst night were tough, but he never imagined they could be strong enough to face a Unity Stage cultivator. Although Lu Yang didnt know much about the art of refining living corpses, he understood that creating corpses of that level required the skill of a Unity Stage cultivator. The fact that these living corpses were likely abat tool of a Unity Stage cultivator made it even more unimaginable that they could be abandoned. Could it be that a Unity-level corpse driver had died? Just the thought sent a chill down Lu Yangs spine. Nowadays, people rarely fought to the death, especially at the Unity Stage, where conflicts were typically resolved without fatal consequences. Unity Stage cultivators were incredibly powerful, with multiple life-preserving methods. Unless the power disparity was immensebetween someone like his master Daoist Non-Speaker, the Grand Elder or Qiu Jinan, fighting against a regr Unity Stage cultivatorit was incredibly difficult for one Unity Stage cultivator to kill another. Seeing Lu Yangs expression change, Meng Jingzhou curiously asked, Whats wrong? Consid? suppor?ing th? trantor?by reading on Dark??arTra[]s?at?ons. You remember that Evesting Fairy resides within me, right? Meng Jingzhou had been present when Evesting Fairy had been revived, so he knew about her existence. Meng Jingzhou blinked, then suddenly pped his hands as if he had just remembered something. Ah, right! I almost forgot. So, what did the fairy say? Hold on a second. Lets talk about what the fairy said in a bit. Why did you act like you only just remembered? Meng Jingzhou scratched his head sheepishly and started counting on his fingers. Well, in my imagination, someone who has an ancient immortal living inside them should have extraordinary luck, wield iplete ancient treasures as weapons, possess shocking secrets, be invincible at their level, and frequently attract beautiful women. You know, stuff like walking into secret realms as if its their own home. But from what Ive seen, you dont really act like that. The only thing that fits the profile is being invincible at your level, but thats not particrly unusual in our Dao Seeking Sect. Oh, right, you also know a bunch of ancient secrets that are only useful for scaring people from the Nine Nether Sect. Lu Yang: Yeah, Id like to know the reason for that too. So, what did the fairy say? Meng Jingzhou asked again. She said the group of living corpses we encounteredst night had the strength to rival a Unity Stage cultivator. Meng Jingzhous eyes widened, his pupils shrinking as he clearly came to the same realization as Lu Yang. How could living corpses of that level be left unattended like this? Something unusual must have happened! We should go to a major city and find out if theres been any recent battles or reports of a Unity Stage cultivators death. Theres no way something this significant would leave no trace. Lu Yang nodded. He was thinking the same thing. Oh, by the way, since you have an ancient immortal living inside you, could you ask her if she knows how to resolve my karmic bacsh? Meng Jingzhou looked at Lu Yang with eager hope. Right! Even if Eldest Senior Sister couldnt help, there was still the ancient immortal! An ancient immortal with heaven-defying abilities should be able to easily solve something as small as karmic bacsh, right? I already asked. And what did she say? She told you to go die. ? (TL Note: This is going to be thest free chapter for now. I might unlock some chapters in the future but for now itll be locked. The main reason for this is to prevent content thieves from reuploading my trantions on their website. Im thinking of a way to let readers continue to view chapters for free while preventing it from being stolen.) Chapter 406: Meng Jingzhou’s Immortal Tribulation Chapter 406: Meng Jingzhous Immortal Tribtion (TL Note: Im going to release more free chapters but at a slower rate. The main rationale is because the free chapters are going to be stolen and I feel taken advantage of whenever it happens so me aggregators. Theyre the main reason Im considering quitting tranting / losing my passion very quickly.) In the spiritual space. Lu Yang was doing his best as a mere mortal to help Meng Jingzhou resist his immortal tribtiona touching scene, truly a noble deed. Lets see how this Immortal deals with that Meng family kid! What does he mean by its the same whether Im here or not! Evesting Fairy was fuming, like an angry little yellow cat, ws out, ready to confront Meng Jingzhou. Fairy, Fairy, Old Meng is just a mortal, speaking carelessly. Its not worth getting angry at him, Lu Yang desperately held onto Evesting Fairys arm, not daring to let her storm out. Still furious, Evesting Fairy asked, Do you think I wasnt being nice by trying to help him, and this is how he repays me by ndering me? Fairy, youre so gracious. Old Meng is just young and foolishplease forgive him this time, Lu Yang pleaded. Pouting, Evesting Fairy sat back down, her little feet swinging angrily.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Tell me then, which part of that Meng family kids description doesnt fit me? Old Meng said people with an ancient immortal inside them should be extremely lucky? Havent I already made you the acting Sect Leader of the entire Dao Seeking Sect? Even Little Yun has to follow your orders! When the Five Elements Sect visited, you were the one who received them! And possessing ancient, iplete treasures as weapons? Isnt your Underworld Moon Sword exactly that? Its an immortal-grade flying sword, personally crafted by Heavens Will Immortal, with such care that even Qilin Immortal cherished it. It was only broken in the end by those two brats from the dragon and phoenix ns. And knowing shocking secrets? The ancient secrets Ive told youwhere else would you hear them if not from me? They are real secrets, you wont find them anywhere else, she boasted. Lu Yang thought for a moment. That was true. If he were to spread the stories Evesting Fairy had shared, the carefully maintained dignity of Heavens Will Immortal would crumble. They were definitely earth-shattering secrets. And familiar with multiple cultivation methods? Havent I shown you how to cultivate through sleeping every day? Not to mention the oldest method, Swallowing Heaven, Devouring Earth, which speeds up your cultivation. And being invincible at the same level? Hearing this, Evesting Fairy grew even more proud. She jumped up onto the bed, standing high above Lu Yang. Have you forgotten how I taught you the Invincible Core, making you invincible at your level, unbeatable in battle? Only I could do that! Even if you had someone like Heavens Will Immortal or Qilin Immortal teaching you, they wouldnt be able to do it! And remember when you were acting Sect Leader? With just Foundation Building Stage cultivation, you defeated Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Spirit Transformation experts. Without my help, could you have managed that? And often saying things far beyond your level of understanding, possessing knowledge that you shouldnt have at your stage? Evesting Fairys excitement died down as she shifted from standing to sitting again, her previous anger towards Meng Jingzhoupletely forgotten. You know so many immortal secrets and ancient mysteries at such a young age. Youre even more knowledgeable than some Unity Stage experts. Isnt that enough? And as for attracting beautiful women? At this, Evesting Fairy showed a rare hint of embarrassment and let out a small sigh. Well, attracting beautiful women might be a bit tricky, but youre surrounded by plenty of pretty girls, arent you? Like Little Yun, your junior sister Peach Blossom Leaf, and that girl from the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce. What was her name again? Oh right, Lan Ting. But I knew all of them before you were revived, Lu Yang pointed out. How about this Immortal gives you a hug, just to make do? Lu Yang looked at Evesting Fairys delicate face, known as one of the Ten Beauties of the ancient world, and calmly declined. His fate wasnt strong enough to bear the curse from the very sourceEvesting Fairy. And about entering secret realms like returning home? Thats a bit tricky. Most of the secret realms I know of probably no longer exist Wait, didnt you already visit the Evesting Secret Realm? My kitchen is in there! Lu Yang: Old Meng wasnt wrong at all. How do I look like someone with an ancient immortal sealed inside me? The fact that Im still alive is entirely thanks to sheer stubbornness. My master who used to say that an ancient ferocious beast was sealed within him was more believable than me. After finally calming down the agitated Evesting Fairy, Lu Yang left the spiritual space. Remember, you owe me your life. ? Lu Yangs odd behavior was nothing new, so Meng Jingzhou didnt pay much attention to it. Old horse, head to the nearest city. We need to gather some information, Meng Jingzhou said as he patted the horse. The old horse walked leisurely, as if it knew exactly where the nearest city was. The carriage continued along a quiet mountain path when, without warning, a torrential downpour began, as though the heavens were trying to cleanse the earth. Boom! A loud rumble echoed overhead, like something extremely heavy rolling down. The two lifted the carriage curtain and looked up. Through the curtain of rain, they saw the mountain shaking violently, mud and rocks flying everywhere. It was like a wild beast had been unleashed, surging madly down the slope. Trees were knocked over by the torrents of mud and debris, tumbling downhill. Its a mudslide! Boom! The mud and debris charged toward their carriage like an army of shadows in full assault. Fortunately, the old horse had a deep cultivation level, and the carriage itself was a magical artifact. A mere natural disaster posed no threat to it. After the mudslide ended, the two inspected the situation. The path ahead and behind are both blocked, Meng Jingzhou frowned slightly. Although the carriage was unharmed, both routes had beenpletely cut off by the mud and rocks, making passage impossible. If the old horse wanted to, it could easily clear the way. But the old horse, looking as rxed as an ordinary horse, showed no intention of making a move. Meng Jingzhou sighed but understood. The old horse was there to protect them, not serve them as aborer. If it did everything for them, how could they gain any valuable experience? Lets clear the obstacles ourselves, Meng Jingzhou said. The two got out of the carriage, using spiritual energy to shield themselves from the heavy rain. Each employed their own methods to clear the mud and rocks. Copsing Fist! Meng Jingzhou unleashed his Copsing Fist once again. Though its power wasnt overwhelming, its area of effrct was great, making it ideal for dealing with weaker opponents. Boom! The mud and rocks in front of them trembled slightly. Seeing this, Meng Jingzhou redoubled his efforts, repeatedly punching until he had carved out a path with his fists. Not to be outdone, Lu Yang activated a technique, his eyes narrowing as he opened his mouth slightly. Swallowing Heaven, Devouring Earth! Lu Yang took a deep breath, and the mud and rocks behind them were sucked up in a massive wave, all disappearing into his mouth. Meng Jingzhou was shocked, amazed at how powerful the technique wasso much mud and debris gone in an instant! As expected of the legendary technique of the Taotie n that could devour ten thousand things! Want to learn it? Lu Yang asked with a mischievous smile, causing Meng Jingzhou to instinctively sense a trap. Just as they were about to continue their conversation, another thunderous rumble echoed from above. Meng Jingzhou groaned in frustration. Another mudslide?! Will this ever end!? Lu Yang silently stared at Meng Jingzhou, starting to understand the reason for their predicament. He began to feel like he was being dragged into this misfortune. Were trying to get to the city, right? There are bound to be women in the city. You have karmic bacsh, and under the influence of karma, youre destined not to reach the city. Im just coteral damage in all this. What should we do then? Meng Jingzhou asked, now realizing the situation as well. You stay here. Ill go by myself. More free chapters will be released but at a slower rate. Chapter 407: Desolate Lands Report Chapter 407: Deste Lands Report (TL Note: Unlocking a chapter. Feel like shit today but life goes on. I havent been tranting for the past almost week. Im just relying on my stocked up chapters rn but it should stillst me a while. Hope the day is better for anyone reading this <3.) After parting ways with Meng Jingzhou, Lu Yangs luck indeed improved significantly. On his way to the nearest city, Lu Yang bravely fought off mountain bandits, rescuing two noble youngdies. After receiving their endless gratitude, he firmly declined their offers of marriage, gracefully taking his leave. Later, Lu Yang encountered an armed escort being ambushed. He stepped in to assist, deeply impressing the daughter of the escort agencys head. She expressed her admiration, mentioning that this was her first time leading an escort mission, and if it hadnt been for Lu Yangs timely intervention, the missions failure would have severely impacted their reputation. She praised Lu Yangs remarkable skills and invited him to join the escort agency as the chief escort head. As expected, Lu Yang also declined. Finally, he noticed a young woman holding a martial contest for marriage, openly challenging heroes from all walks of life and dering that anyone who could defeat her would earn her hand in marriage. Seeing this, Lu Yang quickened his pace, hurriedly leaving the scene. Ive heard that Deste Lands women are known for their heroic spirit and frequently venture out on their own. Today, I finally witnessed it. People of Deste Lands are bold, and the women are no different. Unlike most Central ins women, who remain indoors, Deste Lands women engage in activities much like the men. With Meng Jingzhou around before, Lu Yang hadnt had the chance to see this.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Its a pity for Old Meng. Hecks the fortune to witness this scene, Lu Yang thought, a little amused at Meng Jingzhous expense. However, its true that the public order in Deste Lands is poor. In other regions, there arent as many bandits and ambushes. After oveing various hurdles, Lu Yang finally reached the nearby city. The city was built from massive stones, rugged and grand, simr to the style of Demon Subjugation Pass, yet with its unique differences. Yuanshan City. Lu Yang softly recited the citys name as he stepped through the gates. The Land of Gold Commerce offers intelligence services, and the quickest way to understand the local situation is to purchase information from them. However, the Land of Gold Commerce doesnt dare sell just any informationparticrly intelligence on the Five Great Immortal Sects, especially anything regarding Dao Seeking Sect. For instance, when Yun Zhi defeated her peers in the Five Great Immortal Sectspetition, also besting the sect leaders, that information was not avable for sale. Lu Yang noticed that the general public knew very little about Eldest Senior Sister. Without specific connections, they didnt even know Yun Zhis name. Even if they knew of Yun Zhi, they merely thought of her as another Dao Seeking Sect disciple, with nothing to make her stand out, thus failing to draw any attention. Lu Yang spected that this was partly due to Eldest Senior Sisters infrequent appearances and partly because themercial chamber did not dare to sell information about her. As for the intelligence on the other four sects, themercial chamber would sell some of it, at least to a limited extent. For example, the Hanging Temple now has a record number of members, surpassing twelve. Also, the head of Hanging Temple, in his pursuit of true enlightenment in Buddhist teachings, has begun practicing Silent Meditation, where he only strikes people without speaking. Regarding intelligence on the Imperial Court, the agency selectively sells information. For instance, the news about Daoist Non-Speaker being jailed with the Minister of Justice, leading the entire Ministry of Justice to relocate, was not for sale. Lu Yang entered themercial chamber and purchased the most detailed Deste Lands Report avable. The first piece of information stunned him. The daughter of the Deste Lands Provincial Governor hosted a birthday banquet. The governor sent out invitations, asking representatives from various factions to attend, bring blessings, and present gifts. During the banquet, many young talents showed off their skills, vying for the youngdys attention and disying their potential. Now, however, the Deste Lands Provincial Governor is under investigation for bribery, and several factions face charges of bribery toward influential figures. All have been detained. The agency thoughtfully attached the relevant legal statutes and typical cases as a stern reminder. The new Deste Lands Provincial Governor has taken office and delivered a speech titled Addressing the Corrupt Winds in Deste Lands, mandating that all Deste Lands officials study and follow it. The Barbarian Tribeing-of-age ceremony proceeded as scheduled. The Barbarian Tribe youth Barbarian Bone survived for seven days in the Deste Lands and hunted nearly a hundred Golden Core Stage demonic beasts, securing first ce. So Barbarian Bone just said he was going home to visit family, but it turns out he was attending the Barbarian Tribeing-of-age ceremony, Lu Yang realized. He hadnt seen Barbarian Bone for some time and had wondered why his home visit was taking so long. Lu Yang had heard of the Barbarian Tribesing-of-age ceremony, where those nearing adulthood are sent to the most dangerous parts of Deste Lands. Surviving for seven days is enough to pass the ceremony, and hunting demonic beasts yields higher evaluations. Rankings are determined by the quantity and quality of beasts hunted. So the Barbarian Tribe still has this tradition, Evesting Fairy remarked with slight surprise. She had established this tradition for the ancient Barbarian Tribe, and it was surprising to see it still in practice. The Corpse-Driving Sect sectpetition has concluded. The winner is Huang Ming, just eighteen years old, with early-stage Golden Core cultivation. He has been epted as thest disciple of the sect master. The runner-up, Zhao Po, is also eighteen, with early-stage Golden Core cultivation. Lu Yang lingered on this piece of information. To reach early-stage Golden Core at eighteen is an extraordinary talent. Even in the Five Great Immortal Sects, such a cultivation speed is rare, second only to him and Meng Jingzhou. Two geniusesthe era of greatness is approaching, Lu Yang sighed. In the ancient golden age, these two would have been stepping stones for Evesting Fairys rise. The Seven Emotions Valley has developed a new type of curse. Anyone affected will hear the buzzing of insects when sleeping or in seclusion. Covering ones ears wont block the sound, making the cursed individual extremely irritable. Seven Emotions Valley I recall its also a first-grade sect in Deste Lands, known for its expertise in curses, Lu Yang muttered, having limited knowledge about Seven Emotions Valley. A man in a white paper hat (real name unknown, true identity unknown) has a bounty of one million Spirit Stones. The man in the white paper hat split into two, pretended to be captured, collected the bounty, and escaped. The Deste Lands authorities have now raised the bounty to two million Spirit Stones. A new yer in the barbecue world, Come Again Barbecue, hasunched in Deste Lands. It currently has thirty branches across Deste Lands, all thriving. ording to the barbecue shop, they love barbecue and hope to spread its vor across Deste Lands, with ns to open more stores. Corpse Drivers Home, Qingming Inn Chain Why are there ads here? Lu Yang fumed. He paid for intelligence, so why was it mixed with advertisements? The part about Come Again Barbecue was actually an ad as well, but since Lu Yang had a 60% share in it, he didnt mind. Why isnt there any intelligence on Unity Stage battles? Lu Yang wasnt distracted by the flood of Deste Lands Report. He still remembered that he bought the information to look for clues about the Living Corpse cluster in Jianshi Vige. Oh, here it is. There was indeed a record of a Unity battle, from two months ago. Let me see what its about Two Unity True Lords had a falling out and filed for divorce, leading to a major brawl over child custody. Lu Yang: Lu Yang rubbed his temples in frustration, wondering if the Living Corpses might have gotten lost along the way. Chapter 408: Speedrunning a Classic Trope Chapter 408: Speedrunning a ssic Trope (TL Note: Another chapter up. I really really appreciate thements. They give me motivation to continue.) Lu Yang thought that the Deste Lands certainly lived up to its name; the fierce and unruly customs here were something that an outsider like him would need time to adapt to. The Land of Gold Commerce doesnt have any reports of Unity Stagebat, so it seems there really hasnt been any. The Fairy had mentioned that with the amount of yang energy a Living Corpse could store, it could remain active for up to two months. Thus, Lu Yang had gathered all the information about the Deste Lands from the past two months. Aside from some marital quarrels, there was no sign of any Unity Stage battles. Did the battle happen in secret, so even themercework didnt detect it? Or did these Living Corpses get lost? If he hadnt seen the information from the Deste Lands, Lu Yang would have suspected the former. But after going through it all, he leaned towards thetter exnation. Whatever, lets deal with Old Meng first. Based on the intel, Seven Emotions Valley is skilled in the art of curses. Should I go to Seven Emotions Valley? By the way, do you know where Seven Emotions Valley is located? Lu Yang inquired with the people from themerce association.Having just spent a fortune purchasing the most detailed information, the association was more than willing to give him an additional map for free. Besides, the location of Seven Emotions Valley wasnt exactly top-secret information; anyone with sufficient cultivation would be aware of it. The association handed Lu Yang a map, clearly marking the location of Seven Emotions Valley. After leaving themerce association, Lu Yang suddenly heard a scream. Following the sound, he saw a local thug forcefully abducting a woman in the street, while a group of sycophantic servants cheered him on. The thug seemed to have considerable influence in the area, as the surrounding crowd was enraged but too fearful to speak up. The thugughed arrogantly, while the woman sobbed pitifully. Does this never end? Lu Yang sighed softly. He felt that his luck with women was bing absurdly strongtely. But wait, could it be that after saving Meng Jingzhou from the brink of death, earning great karmic merit, this was some sort of reward in the form of romantic fortune? Never mind. In any case, he decided to take care of the current situation first. Stop. Lu Yang spoke quietly, his voice not loud but unusually noticeable in this setting. As a result, everyone heard him. Ignoring the surprised looks from the onlookers, Lu Yang strode up to the thug and helped the woman to her feet. How dare you! You must be an outsider, do you know who I am The thug hadnt finished his sentence when Lu Yang, without blinking, pped him across the face. The thug was around the same age as Lu Yang, and his cultivation wasnt weak either; he had perfected the Qi Training realm. Seeing their master being hit, the thugsckeys drew various weapons and charged at Lu Yang. Feeling impatient, Lu Yang waved his hand, summoning a gust of wind that sent theckeys flying. Theseckeys werent weak either, having reached the Foundation Building Stage in cultivation. The surrounding crowd was astonished to see someone daring to strike the thug. Never seen this guy before. Is he an outsider? He has to be an outsider! Who in Yuanshan City would dare provoke the Gu Family, especially their eldest young master! Sure, it feels good to see someone stand up to him, but this guy wont make it out of Yuanshan City alive. To defeat servants at the Foundation Building Stage so easily, who is this young hero? Golden Core Stage! He must be at the Golden Core Stage! The woman gazed at Lu Yang with deep admiration. My savior The woman was delicate and pretty, a true little beauty. Seeing the look of adoration in her eyes, Lu Yang suspected her next words would be something along the lines of: I have nothing to repay you with but my body. Gu Family is a powerful, dominant force in Yuanshan City. Though saviors cultivation is formidable, facing the Gu Family is still dangerous. My savior, you should flee quickly. Haha, flee? You dare hit my son, and you think you can leave Yuanshan City? A furious voice echoed, loud enough to be heard throughout half of Yuanshan City. A middle-aged cultivator appeared, ring angrily at Lu Yang with clenched teeth. YouN?v(el)B\\jnn Lu Yang didnt give him a chance to say a second word. With a casual wave, he sent out a sword beam, pinning the man to the wall. After the fight, Lu Yang turned to the woman and asked, Is this the Gu Family Patriarch? The woman stiffly nodded, surprised by how decisive and powerful Lu Yang was, subduing the Late Golden Core Stage Gu Family Patriarch with a single move. The Gu Family Patriarch is indeed fearsome, but even more terrifying is his father Before she could finish, a second furious roar came from afar. You dare bully my son and my grandson Following the guidance of his Invincible Core, Lu Yang took out his Qingfeng Sword and performed the sh Word Technique. Before the man could finish his sentence, he was pinned to the wall next to the Gu Family Patriarch. This one was at the Early Nascent Soul Stage, a worthy opponent for Lu Yang to use sword techniques on. Anyone else from the Gu Family? Lu Yang continued to ask. The woman stood in shock for a long moment before nodding again stiffly. Yes, the Gu Family has an elder at the Spirit Transformation Stage. The woman cautiously observed Lu Yangs expression, but when she saw no change, her estimation of his cultivation rose even higher in her mind. While she was dazed, the Gu Family Patriarch secretly contacted the familys elder, begging for his intervention. Young one, how dare you bully the Gu Family. Even if my family was in the wrong first, its my responsibility to discipline them, not yours Lu Yang said nothing and instead pulled out the identity token hanging at his waist. No need for respected fellow cultivator to intervene. I, Gu XXX, deeply thank you for teaching my unworthy descendants a lesson! Upon seeing the token, the Gu Family Ancestor halted abruptly mid-air, immediately sped his hands in thanks, and bowed deeply. Lu Yang certainly couldnt defeat a Spirit Transformation Stage elder, but there was no need to. In the face of a giant like the Dao Seeking Sect, even a Spirit Transformation Stage elder wasnt worth mentioning. There was no need for an elder to act on his behalf. Any of his senior brothers or sisters from the Dao Seeking Sect could easily take care of the situation for him. The reputation of the Five Great Immortal Sects was enough tomand the respect of local family cultivators. Lu Yang wasnt afraid to deal with the younger generation, and he certainly wasnt afraid to meet their elders. Did you hear what the Gu Family Ancestor just said? Dao Seeking Sect Is it really that Dao Seeking Sect? The same Dao Seeking Sect from the tales in The Legend of the Dao Seeking Sect? The leader of the Five Great Immortal Sects! The onlookers were astonished, eximing in disbelief. No one had expected Lu Yang toe from such a prestigious background. The woman, too, looked at Lu Yang with even deeper admiration. No need for thanks, Lu Yang said loudly, addressing both the Gu Family Ancestor and the surrounding crowd. Please keep a closer watch on your descendants. If they cause trouble again, they might bring about your doom. You should know, my Dao Seeking Sect is always in need of more tasks to fill our mission hall. The Gu Family Ancestor instantly understood the hidden meaning behind Lu Yangs words and broke out into a cold sweat. He chuckled nervously, Of course, of course. Many thanks for your reminder, fellow cultivator. After this incident, I will strictly discipline my descendants. Should anything like this happen again, I will personally y and punish them! The woman respectfully bowed to Lu Yang. I have no way to repay you In your next life, repay me by bing a horse or ox, Lu Yang cut her off before she could finish her sentence. Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, Lu Yang left Yuanshan City and retraced his steps. Lets hope I dont run into anything like this on my way back. He felt that while he hadnt gained much useful information on this journey, there sure had been a lot of unnecessary trouble. May the immortals bless me No, wait, trusting immortals is unreliable. Ill have to rely on myself for luck. Chapter 409: Walking Among Three People, Each Must Harbor Ulterior Motives Chapter 409: Walking Among Three People, Each Must Harbor Ulterior Motives (TL Note: This isnt the actual saying. The original is by Confucious who said Walking among three people, I find my teacher among them. What it means is that there is always something you can learn from others and that no one knows everything. Also I copied the TL Note from chapter 50 lol /quotes/1106152-walking-among-three-people-i-find-my-teacher-among-them) Perhaps because his streak of romantic encounters had finally run out, this time along the journey, Lu Yang didnt run into any rich youngdies being blocked on their way, no female knights escorting goods being robbed, and certainly no martial artspetitions for marriage. Those martial artspetitions for marriage were the most troublesome. If Lu Yang encountered one, hed have no choice but to avoid it. If he participated and lost, the Invincible Core wouldnt allow it. If he won, hed end up with a wife he didnt even know out of nowhere. No matter how you looked at it, it wasnt worth it. Oh, clear skies? As Lu Yang was nearing the location of the carriage, he noticed the mountainous skies were clear for ten thousand miles, and finally, it had stopped raining. Maybe Old Meng has given up on going to the city. Not far away, Lu Yang saw four figures, coincidentally on the path he had to take to return. He quickened his pace and upon closer inspection, realized that the four figures were not all people; there were three cultivators and one Living Corpse.Their voices, carried by the wind, reached Lu Yangs ears. Ive told you, weve tried to pass through this ce several times, but all sorts of strange incidents keep blocking us. This is a warning! Theres great danger ahead, we shouldnt go any further! eximed a delicate-looking cultivator, trying to stop hispanions from moving forward. Brother Ye, this is just a series of coincidences. The world is vast, and coincidences happen. Ive never heard of any warning signs like this before, replied another, with bronze skin and short hair, who seemed carefree. He turned to ask the thirdpanion, Brother Zhao, youve traveled far and wide. Have you ever seen something like this? The one called Brother Zhao had a well-proportioned build, but his face was paler than normal, giving him a sickly appearance. Brother Zhao frowned deeply, as if he had heard of such things before but couldnt quite recall the details. Lu Yang silently skirted around the three and continued walking ahead. Hey, hey, hey! Brother, you cant go any further! The short-haired youth called out to Lu Yang. Cant go any further? There seems to be something strange up ahead, some kind of ghostly presence. The three of us kept encountering strange incidents that stopped us from moving forward. The delicate-looking cultivator chimed in, What Brother Wenren said is true. For instance, just a moment ago, as I was about to move forward, my cultivation technique suddenly malfunctioned, and I had to sit in meditation for nearly half an hour to get it back under control. After we got our techniques working again, we ran into an old man who had lost his way, and we took him back home. When we returned here, we realized we had left something at the old mans house, so we had to run back to retrieve it. And when we came back again, several huge boulders rolled down from the distance, blocking our path. It took all three of us to move the rocks, but then we realized something was wrong. It felt like there was an invisible force blocking the way. Suddenly, Brother Zhao seemed to recall something and eximed, I remember now! What did you remember? his twopanions asked eagerly. Ive heard the elders mention something like this before. When powerful cultivators gather to discuss the Dao or engage inbat, they sometimes set up formations to drive away bystanders. No one else can pass through the area and has to go around. But this is quite rare, since fighting in the mountains requires restoring the area afterward, which is troublesome. Fighting on the ins or in the sky is much moremon. There must be a great battle ahead! Didnt we just see it? The dark clouds, the shes of lightningthose are signs that a powerful cultivator is using the forces of heaven and earth to engage in battle! Brother Zhao spoke with increasing seriousness, convinced his analysis was reasonable. The delicate-looking cultivator and the short-haired youth, knowing Brother Zhaos impressive background, nodded in agreement with his exnation. If its really a battle between powerful cultivators, we should definitely avoid it. Since we cant pass through the mountains, well have to take a detour. Lu Yang stared at the three for a long time before suddenly asking, Which one of you three is disguised as a man? Upon hearing this, the delicate-looking cultivator, called Brother Ye, had a sudden change in expression. His face went through various emotions as he met Lu Yangs determined gaze and eventually conceded, How did you figure it out?N?v(el)B\\jnn Brother Ye, you The other two stared at the delicate cultivator in shock. Brother Ye smiled bitterly, removed a jade pendant from his neck, and smoothed down his Adams apple. His formerly delicate appearance became alluring, withrge, watery eyes, his hair lengthening to his waist, and his chest bing full. Seeing Brother Ye transform from a man into a woman, the twopanions were even more astonished. The three of them hadnt known each other for very long; they had met during their travels through the martial world. Feeling that it was safer to journey withpanions, and since their personalities got along, they decided to travel together. But after going through so much together, who would have thought that Brother Ye was actually a woman?! No wonder, Brother Ye, you never bathed with us, always insisting that we book separate rooms when staying overnight. And when we told bawdy jokes, you would blush and ask us to stop! Wait a minute, that night by theke I saw a woman bathing therewas that you?! Brother Wenren suddenly realized something. While camping outdoors,te at night, he had gone to theke to relieve himself. Under the moonlight, he had seen a graceful woman bathing in the water, resembling ake fairy. Unfortunately, the conditions had prevented him from seeing her face clearly. The next day, when he mentioned it to hispanions, Brother Ye hadughed and said he must have been dreaming. I lied. Im actually from the Liangzhou Ye Family, said Brother Yeor rather, Miss Ye, with embarrassment. She had disguised herself as a man, traveling from Liangzhou to the Deste Lands, and had met these twopanions along the way. The Liangzhou Ye Family was a famous noble family in Liangzhou, with ancestors who had been powerful cultivators and high-ranking officials. This jade pendant was given to me by my mother. She told me that when she roamed the martial world in her youth, she disguised herself as a man and met my father, relying on this very jade pendant to remain undiscovered. No one ever saw through her disguiseuntil today, when this brother here somehow managed to see right through it. Lu Yang smiled but said nothing, unwilling to expose Meng Jingzhou as the one who gave him the hint. To Miss Ye, however, his smile seemed mysterious. Miss Ye sighed inwardly. The martial world was indeed full of unfathomable experts. You could meet a random traveler on the road, and they could easily see through your disguise. Now that her identity was revealed, Miss Ye decided not to dwell on it and turned to Brother Wenren, her gaze filled with affection. Brother Wenren, Ive fallen for you. Do you remember when we were ambushed by those robbers, and you took a knife for me, saving my life? From that moment, I fell in love with you! Brother Wenren hadnt expected his good buddy, Brother Ye, to suddenly confess in this way and was momentarily at a loss. Fortunately, he quickly regained hisposure, sighed softly, and removed his ring. His body began to changehis arms grew slender, his short hair lengthened into shoulder-length tresses, and his chest filled out, making his clothes tight and revealing a full, round bosom. The only thing that didnt change was his bronze-colored skin, which still looked as healthy as ever. Sorry, but Im also a woman disguised as a man. Do you remember after I took that knife for you, I refused your help to heal my wound and insisted on treating myself? This was the reason. Miss Ye: Heartbreak hade swiftly. Lu Yang, Miss Ye, and Miss Wenren all turned to look at the sickly-looking Brother Zhao, the meaning clear in their eyes. It was his turn. Brother Zhao flew into a rage, Im a man! So out of the three of them, he was the only one who had been truthful all along! Chapter 410: Are You the Lu Yang Who Even Dared to Beat Up the Judges? Chapter 410: Are You the Lu Yang Who Even Dared to Beat Up the Judges? Brother Zhao was an experienced wanderer in the martial world. Unlike Miss Ye of the Ye Family and Miss Wenren of the Wenren Family, who were venturing out for the first time, Brother Zhao had been traveling for two to three years and was the most seasoned among the three. But he never could have imagined that among the three of them, hed be the only man! How was he supposed to continue his life with this kind of revtion? Lu Yang patted Brother Zhao on the shoulder, trying to offer somefort. Brother Zhao didnt feelforted in the slightest. His Living Corpse was betterat least it would never deceive him. Miss Yes eyes turned red, and she looked at everyone with reluctance. I left home with my familys permission, but they insisted that I couldnt reveal my identity as a woman. If I did, Id have to go back immediately. Originally, she had thought that even if her identity was revealed, it would be worth it if she could confess her feelings to Brother Wenren. If Brother Wenren epted her, she could have brought him into the Ye Family, and they could have enjoyed a life of wealth and luxury together. But now it seemed she had been too optimistic.Not only had her identity been exposed, meaning she had to return home ording to the rules, but she had also failed in her confession and was rejected on the spot. Her face flushed with embarrassment. Even if her family didnt require her to return home, she would be too embarrassed to stay any longer. Miss Wenren had a simr expression, reluctantly saying goodbye to everyone, her voice low. Im from the Wenren Family in Liangzhou. My situation is simr to Miss Yes. The family elders said my ring is a top-quality spiritual treasure that absolutely cannot be seen through unless I reveal my identity myself. Now that Ive exposed myself, I have no choice but to return home. When Lu Yang asked, Which one of you three is disguised as a man? her face had also changed dramatically. She thought Lu Yang had seen through her disguise, so she was just about to remove her ring and confess her feelings to Brother Ye. But unexpectedly, Brother Ye beat her to it, revealing her own secret first. She was one step too slow. Though in the end, the result was the same. Lu Yang had heard a bit about the Wenren Family of Liangzhou. The Wenren Family was a branch of the Barbarian Tribe that had split off, changed their surname to Wenren, and moved to Liangzhou. If one had ever traveled near the Western Regions, they would find many people with bronze-colored skin. In truth, Miss Wenren might even be rted to Barbarian Bone. Youre from the Wenren Family? Miss Ye was shocked. As someone from a prominent family in Liangzhou, she naturally had heard of the Wenren Family. Yes, my name is Wenren Hui. Shall we head home together? Itll be safer. Sure. Do you want me to escort the two of you? Brother Zhao, despite having been deceived, still maintained the demeanor of a big brother as their leader. No, no need. The two women quickly refused. They were too embarrassed to trouble Brother Zhao any further after having deceived him for so long. After bidding farewell to the two women, only Lu Yang, Brother Zhao, and the unresponsive Living Corpse remained. Oh, by the way, I havent introduced myself yet. Im Lu Yang from the Dao Seeking Sect. Lu Yang, finallying out of his shock from discovering the two womens disguises, remembered to introduce himself. Brother Zhaos eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Lu Yang. He hadnt expected this stranger to be from such a prestigious background. No wonder he could see through the disguises that Brother Zhao couldnt. Youre from the Dao Seeking Sect?! Wait, Lu Yang? Are you the same Lu Yang who made a huge name for himself at the Qingzhou Grand Festival, overpowering all his rivals, winning first ce, and even beating up the judges?! Brother Zhao waspletely shocked. Recently, in the world of cultivation, who among the younger generation hadnt heard of Lu Yang? The Five Great Immortal Sects were always the focus of attention, and with Lu Yangs feat of fighting as a Golden Core Stage cultivator against those in the Foundation Building Stage and even hitting a judge, it was hard not to notice him. Lu Yang had been training within the Dao Seeking Sect and hadnt left for a while. Otherwise, he would have realized long ago that people outside were constantly talking about him and Meng Jingzhou. Wait a second, what do you mean by even daring to beat up the judges well, I guess thats not entirely wrong. Clearly, he had only been challenging other prodigies from the immortal sects, but somehow, the rumors had evolved into him beating up the judges. Who spread that rumor? It was impressively well-crafted! Senior Brother Lu may not have heard of me. Im Zhao Po from the Corpse-Driving Sect, Zhao Po said humbly. Among the younger generation, he was considered quite exceptional, but whenpared to Lu Yang, he still felt a bitcking. I just heard about you. Youre the second-best in the Corpse-Driving Sect. Lu Yang recalled some rtively useless information hed bought at themerce association: the Corpse-Driving Sect had just finished their sectpetition, and the winner was someone named Huang Ming, who had just turned eighteen and was in the Early Golden Core Stage. He had been epted as the final disciple of the Sect Leader. Zhao Po, who came in second, was also eighteen and at the Early Golden Core Stage. I was second in the sectpetition, Zhao Po corrected Lu Yang. Its all the same. Lets goup ahead is my brother, Meng Jingzhou. Youve probably heard of him. Lu Yang chuckled, surprised to run into someone from the Corpse-Driving Sect here. This saved him quite a bit of trouble. Zhao Pos eyes lit up. He hadnt expected that the random person hed met on the road would turn out to be the famous Lu Yang, with the equally renowned Meng Jingzhou just ahead. Although, with Lu Yang showing up, his little group had fallen apart.N?v(el)B\\jnn Wasnt there supposed to be some great cultivators fighting up ahead? Can we pass? What great battle? Old Meng has been cursed. Any woman whoes near him will stay far away. Thats why you couldnt move forward! Lu Yangughed out loud, finding humor in the situation. Zhao Po was visibly startled by the curse. Theres a curse like that? Did ite from the Seven Emotions Valley? But that doesnt make sense; wouldnt they be too afraid to curse anyone from your Dao Seeking Sect? Itsplicated. We came to the Deste Lands to resolve this issue. The two of them arrived at the location of the carriage. By now, the rain had stopped, and the skies had cleared. Meng Jingzhou had already cleared the path blocked by the mudslide and was currently enjoying a barbecue. Haha, Old Meng, Im back! Ive been through quite a bit on the way here. What? Youre asking what happened? Well, let me tell you all about it! Without waiting for Meng Jingzhou to actually ask, Lu Yangunched into a detailed recount of his adventures. Let me tell you, you really missed out. After I left, I first encountered two nobledies being kidnapped, and I heroically saved them. They even offered to marry me as thanks. Then I ran into a female knight escorting goods, and she was being robbed. Of course, I saved her too, and she was so grateful that she hinted I could marry her at her securitypany. Then, I stumbled upon a martial artspetition for marriage. I have to say, the girl was quite beautiful. When I got to a nearby city, I saw a local bully harassing a woman in the street. Do you think I could just let that happen? Of course not! I immediately stepped in, beat up the bully and his father, and made their entire family submit. The woman even said she had no way to repay me and wanted to marry me as well. Tell me, how is it that my journey has been so eventful? Old Meng, dont you think? Lu Yang shook his head, looking as if he still hadnt had enough of his adventures. Meng Jingzhous eyes were red with jealousy. Zhao Po stood silently to the side, thinking to himself. If a fight broke out between the two, should he stay out of it or step in to help? Hed heard that both of them were at the Early Golden Core Stage, and he was at the Early Golden Core Stage as well. If a fight did break out, he should be able to break it up, right? Chapter 411: It Seems the Strength of Seven Emotions Valley is Far from Ordinary Chapter 411: It Seems the Strength of Seven Emotions Valley is Far from Ordinary Why didnt I encounter these situations! Meng Jingzhou regretted, feeling as though he had missed a great opportunity. That damn Lu Yang! Stealing my opportunitiesthis is a grudge that can never be forgiven! Its just fate, ept it, Lu Yang said, trying tofort him. Get lost! Meng Jingzhou shouted angrily, frustrated that all the good things seemed to happen to Lu Yang. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had no intention of actually fighting, making Zhao Pos concerns unnecessary. Whos this person you brought back? Meng Jingzhou asked, nodding toward Zhao Po. Afraid that Lu Yang might introduce him again as the second in the Corpse-Driving Sect, Zhao Po quickly introduced himself, I am Zhao Po, second ce in the Corpse-Driving Sects most recent Sect Competition, currently in the Early Golden Core Stage. Meng Jingzhou was instantly surprised. Zhao Po seemed about their age, at most a year older, and with such talent, he was only ranked second in the Corpse-Driving Sect? If Zhao Po joined their Dao Seeking Sect, he could easily rank sixth.Youre only second with this level of skill in the Corpse-Driving Sect? Speaking on the topic, Zhao Po smiled bitterly. Theres no helping it. As much as I hate to admit it, Senior Brother Huang Ming is indeed stronger than me by quite a bit. His battle sense far surpasses mine. Even if we were to fight again, I wouldnt win. During our battle, I used all of my trump cards, but Senior Brother Huang Ming was still at ease, showing no signs of fatigue. He always has another technique up his sleeve. Since we were young, Senior Brother Huang Ming has always been better than me. Whenever we went out toplete missions, while others were still looking for clues, he had already in the culprit behind the scenes. But Huang Ming has been an orphan since he was young, with no family, and hes always been withdrawn and unwilling tomunicate with others. Zhao Po shook his head regretfully. He had wanted to exchange cultivation insights with Huang Ming to help each other improve, but Huang Ming didnt even want to talk to him, the second-ranked disciple. Now that Senior Brother Huang Ming has be the Sect Leaders disciple, its going to be even harder to see him. Hes that strong? Lu Yangs estimation of Huang Ming rose even higher. He had initially thought that Huang Ming and Zhao Po were about the same level, but based on what Zhao Po said, the gap between them was quiterge. Enough about me. Ive heard that Senior Brother Meng has been cursed and cant get close to women? Meng Jingzhou thought for a moment. It seems like even before I was cursed, I couldnt get close to women. Zhao Poforted him, Dont be discouraged, Senior Brother Meng. As the sage says, those destined for greatness must first endure trials of the heart and body, face hardships and hunger, and suffer setbacks, all to strengthen their will and prepare them for what they cannot yet aplish. Meng Jingzhouughed. The more he looked at Zhao Po, the more he liked him. Well said! You truly are the pride of the Corpse-Driving Sect. You speak much better than this rascal Lu Yang. From now on, were friends. If you ever go to the Imperial City and are worried about getting into trouble, just mention my name, Meng Jingzhou! Zhao Po: He felt like something was off about thatst sentence. Did he hear it wrong? My curse, to be precise, makes it so I cant approach women. Ive heard that the Deste Lands has many cultivators who are skilled in curses. Since the Corpse-Driving Sect is one of the major sects here, I was hoping to ask your sect if theres a way to break the curse. After thinking for a moment, Zhao Po responded seriously, In that case, I actually suggest that Senior Brother Meng go to the Seven Emotions Valley. Seven Emotions Valley? Like Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhous understanding of the Seven Emotions Valley was limited to knowing it existed. Our Corpse-Driving Sect specializes in orthodox corpse-driving techniques, but when ites to curses, were far less skilled than Seven Emotions Valley. In the Deste Lands, whenever someone is cursed, the first suspicion is always that it was done by someone from Seven Emotions Valley. However, Seven Emotions Valley operates in a semi-hidden state, so people from outside the region know very little about it. Lu Yang nodded, affirming his thoughts: It seems that the strength of Seven Emotions Valley is far from ordinary. It should beparable to your Corpse-Driving Sect. Zhao Po was surprised. How did Senior Brother Lu know about this? Even he only learned of this after winning second ce in the sectpetition, when his status had risen, and an elder told him. The weaker ones were wiped out long ago, Zhao Po admitted, agreeing with Lu Yangs reasoning. Then lets head to Seven Emotions Valley. Its not far from here anyway, Lu Yang said as he checked the map. With their horses pace, they would arrive in less than half a day. Right here, Lu Yang pointed out the location on the map to their horse, and the horse snorted in response. Zhao Po was amazed by this sight. In his view, the horse was just an ordinary animal, yet it behaved as though it understood humannguage. This might involve some secret of the two senior brothers, so he didnt ask further. Zhao Po wasnt the type to pry. For example, during their journey, he had felt that Brother Ye and Brother Wenren were acting strangely but chose not to ask. Thats how the scene of two women disguised as men, secretly admiring each other while bullying an honest man, yed out. The three of them boarded the carriage, with Zhao Pomanding the Living Corpse to sit atop the carriage, keeping watch and deterring potential thieves. Corpse drivers held a high status in the Deste Lands. Many travelers who died far from home needed corpse drivers to return their bodies for burial. When bandits or raiders saw a living corpse, they would recognize that a corpse driver was present and abandon any ns of attacking the carriage. While on the carriage, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou asked Zhao Po questions about corpse-driving techniques. Ive always been curious about something. Living Corpses have no intelligence and are essentially objects. Why dont you store them in storage rings for transport instead of taking them to inns? Meng Jingzhou asked. Technically, Living Corpses are indeed objects and can be stored in storage rings. However, we corpse drivers believe that living corpses still possess life, though in a state that cultivators cannot perceive. Since they are considered alive, we must treat them as such, allowing them to eat, rest, and travel with us. When we ask them to fight, we use the word please, Zhao Po exined with a bitter smile. Because of our unique perspective on life and death, theres a rumor that the founder of the Nine Nether Sect originally came from our Corpse-Driving Sect, Zhao Po added, exining more about the customs and practices of corpse drivers, offering insights far more authentic than what others might say. After a half-days journey, the three of them, along with the living corpse, arrived safely at Seven Emotions Valley. I have a friend in Seven Emotions Valley. Hes a true disciple and very skilled at breaking curses. Whenever I get cursed, hes the one I turn to. If your curse is below the Nascent Soul Stage level, my friend can definitely lift it. If its at the Spirit Transformation Stage, theres a chance he can still break it. Even if he cant, he can at least alleviate it.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Meng Jingzhou hesitated for a moment and then said, If I had to estimate conservatively, its probably a half-step Tribtion Crossing Stage curse. After all, the curse had been split with Sect Leader Qiu, so its power had been somewhat diminished. Zhao Po leaned back slightly, his expression bing more respectful. When Zhao Po went out and made enemies, it was usually with Golden Core Stage cultivators. The chances of encountering Nascent Soul Stage monsters were slim, and he had never even crossed paths with anyone at the Spirit Transformation Stage. He couldnt help but think, These truly are prodigies of the Dao Seeking Sect. Even the curses they receive are at the half-step Tribtion Crossing level. What could someone possibly have done to earn a curse of this level? Even pping the Valley Master of Seven Emotions Valley twice wouldnt result in a half-step Tribtion Crossing curse. Lu Yang thought to himself, This is just the beginning. The people weve made enemies of, all start at the Unity Stage. Anyone below that doesnt even catch our eye. (End of the chapter) Chapter 412: The Foolish Old Man Removes the Mountains and Fills the Sea Chapter 412: The Foolish Old Man Removes the Mountains and Fills the Sea Up ahead should be Seven Emotions Valley. Lets stop here for now, and the two of us will go to Seven Emotions Valley to ask for someone to check on Old Meng. Lu Yang was worried that if they went further, some unforeseen event might ur, preventing them from moving forward. Thendslides and mudslides reminded him too much of his earlier experience using the Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth technique to devour dirt, and he had no desire to go through that again. Meng Jingzhou knew Lu Yang had a point and could only begrudgingly let the two of them get off the carriage while he stayed behind with the horse. After walking two or three miles with the living corpse, they arrived at a gorge that looked as if it had been split in half by a heavenly sword. The gorges sides were steep and smooth, without a single bump or recess. If this was the work of nature, then natures chisel was far too divine. Seeing Lu Yang notice the unusualness of the gorge, Zhao Po exined, The ce youre seeing wasnt always called Seven Emotions Valley. It used to be called the Seven Emotions Sect. A former Sect Leader thought there were too many sects and factions in the Central Continent, so Seven Emotions Sect didnt stand out. To make the sect more remarkable, they invited a sword cultivator of great renown to split the ins in two with a single strike, turning the ins into this gorge. Following that, Seven Emotions Sect changed its name to Seven Emotions Valley and even registered the name change with the imperial court. So thats a way to do it, huh? Impressive. They even made sure to go through proper channels to register the name change, Lu Yang remarked, then suddenly realized something. Wait a minute. Didnt the imperial court stipte that cultivators must restore thend to its original form after a fight? Wouldnt a case like Seven Emotions Valley need approval? Exactly. Thats why, to this day, Seven Emotions Valley is technically an illegal construction, Zhao Po replied with a grin. Lu Yang thought to himself, This is the first time Ive heard of a gorge being ssified as an illegal structuredefinitely a unique quirk of the cultivation world.In Lu Yangs mental space, Evesting Fairy muttered, You folks in The Great Xia are far too strict about this sort of thing. Back in the ancient days, we had much more freedom. There were no such troublesome regtions, and we could change thendscape however we liked. I remember a family back then who lived in the mountains for generations. Traveling in and out was extremely inconvenient because two huge mountains blocked the path. They had to take a long detour just to reach the outside world. There was a young boy in the family who saw how difficult travel was and decided to move the two mountains blocking the path. Some peopleughed at him, saying he was too young and weak to even lift a stone, let alone move two mountains. The boy replied that if he couldnt do it now, he could train. If he couldnt do it at the Qi Training Stage, he would try at the Foundation Building Stage. If not at the Foundation Building Stage, then at the Golden Core Stage. And if not at the Golden Core Stage, then at the Nascent Soul Stage. Since theres no limit to cultivation, there woulde a day when he could move the mountains. The boy went out to find a master and train, and by the time he returned, he was an old man. Those who knew him called him the foolish old man. The foolish old man had cultivated to a shocking level and returned to his homnd, where he used Heavenly Transformations to move the two great mountains, Taihang and Wangwu, and tossed them into the sea. After that, the foolish old man helped other families who lived in the mountains, moving the mountains from their doorsteps and throwing them into the sea as well. Because of his willingness to help others by moving mountains, over time, the ocean became filled with mountains. The story of the foolish old man moving mountains and filling the sea became an idiom, symbolizing that to ovee difficulties, one must persist in cultivation. Lu Yang massaged his temples, feeling his memories bing confused. (TL Note: This was based off the story The Foolish Old Man Removes the Mountains, The myth concerns a Foolish Old Man of 90 years who lived near a pair of mountains (given in some tellings as the Taihang and the Wangwu mountains, in Yu Province). He was annoyed by the obstruction caused by the mountains and sought to dig through them with hoes and baskets. To move the mountain, he could only make one round trip between the mountain and his home in a year. The food he brought on the road tost him through this difficult time is Chaoqi. When questioned as to the seemingly impossible nature of his task, the Foolish Old Man replied that while he may not finish this task in his lifetime, through the hard work of himself, his children, and their children, and so on through the many generations, some day the mountains would be removed if he persevered. The gods in Heaven, impressed with his hard work and perseverance, ordered the mountains separated. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Foolish_Old_Man_Removes_the_Mountains) Before he could respond, Evesting Fairy continued, You should know, the sea doesnt disappear; it just shifts. When the foolish old man filled the ocean with mountains, the water overflowed from the sea, causing a great flood.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Fortunately, back then, the Nonuple Immortal had already created a type of soil called Self-Renewing Soil, which expands upon contact with water. He used this Self-Renewing Soil to block the flood, preventing it from spreading. This eventter became known as The Immortals Flood Control. Lu Yang snapped back to reality, only to realize that there was a long queue of people in front of Seven Emotions Valley. If they had to wait their turn, who knew how long it would take? Whats going on? Did all these people get cursed by Seven Emotions Valley? Was the curse from Seven Emotions Valley airborne? How were there so many victims? Its not that bad. More than half of these people were cursed by others and havee to Seven Emotions Valley for help. Seven Emotions Valley uses this as an opportunity to train their disciples in curse-breaking. They assign some disciples to sit at the entrance of the valley, diagnosing and removing curses on the spot. Dont be fooled by therge crowd. Most of these are minor curses, such as toothaches or gout. However, standing in line wont help us. The disciples here cant even handle Foundation Building-level curses. To break Senior Brother Mengs curse, wed need the valley master to step in. Suddenly, a voice from the queue transmitted a message to Lu Yang and Zhao Po: Hey, little brothers, are you here to get a curse lifted? I can give you my spot. Just say youre my rtives, and itll only cost 500 Spirit Stones. Deal? Lu Yang followed the voice and saw the person offering them a spot, his eye twitching. It was the man in the white paper hat who had pretended to be the innkeeper at the Qingming Inn! The fact that he was bold enough to show up openly in Seven Emotions Valley suggested he had absolute confidence that even if caught, he could escape. Lu Yang walked over with a smile on his face. Do you remember me? The man in the white paper hat stared at Lu Yang for a moment before recognition dawned on him. I remember! You were a guest at my inn! That wasnt your inn to begin with, Lu Yang thought to himself, how did it suddenly be yours? The man in the white paper hat looked puzzled. Wheres that brother who was with you before? And what about that old horse? Why arent they here? Lu Yang felt a chill in his heart. The fact that the man mentioned the old horse specifically meant he had likely noticed something unusual about it. Fairy, whats this guys cultivation level? Lu Yang asked internally. Its hard to say. This is only an avatar, so I cant tell his exact level. He seems to be practicing a technique that splits himself into thousands of parts, like Myriad Incarnations Body, to train his mental strength. Looks like Ive run out of luck. Im out of here. The man in the white paper hat vanished on the spot. Though Lu Yangs cultivation wasnt high, his foundation was scarily solid, and the man could tell that Lu Yang had aplex background. As for the other person, though the man hadnt met him before, the method used to refine his Living Corpse clearly came from the Corpse-Driving Sect, meaning the other person was from that sect. With Lu Yangs unclear background and a Corpse-Driving Sect disciple like Zhao Po, the situation could easily be troublesome, so the man decided to flee. He used a type of escape technique right in front of Lu Yang, but even then, Lu Yang couldnt discern how he disappeared. That guy was the one from the wanted postersthe man with the white paper hat, right? Zhao Po recognized him as well. Youve heard of him too? Of course. When the three of us brotherswell, sisterswere traveling the martial world, we wanted to catch him for the reward but could never find him. Zhao Po had been about to take action, but seeing the serious expression on Lu Yangs face, he realized the man wasnt as simple as he initially thought, and he held back from making a move. (End of the chapter) Chapter 413: The Business of Seven Emotions Valley Chapter 413: The Business of Seven Emotions Valley The man in the white paper hat fled swiftly, and both Lu Yang and Zhao Po knew they couldnt catch him, so they didnt dwell on it. Zhao Po took out a small gong and gently tapped it, producing a pleasant sound. This is how Imunicate with my friend. If shes in the valley, she shoulde out to meet us soon. Not long after, a graceful woman emerged from Seven Emotions Valley. Upon seeing Zhao Po, her eyes lit up slightly, though she quickly hid her joy and said with a somewhat disdainful tone, What curse did you get hit with this time? Zhao Po didnt mind her tone and smiled as he introduced the others. This is my new friend, Dao Seeking Sects Lu Yang. Hes here to seek the valley masters help. This is Luo Yu, a true disciple of Seven Emotions Valley. Her master is the valley master herself. Lu Yang?! Luo Yu was taken aback upon hearing his name. Are you the Lu Yang who took first ce at the Qingzhou Grand Festival, and then, as if it wasnt enough, even beat up the judges? Lu Yang felt that, among all his aplishments, this reputation wasnt the best way to be famous. I have a friend whos been cursed with a difficult-to-remove curse. Id like to ask the valley master for help.Luo Yu looked at Lu Yang with pity. Another person iming they have a friend with a curse. My master is about toe out of seclusion, but whether shell agree to help lift the curse is uncertain. Come on in for now. Its not me, its my friend, Lu Yang corrected her. I understand, she said, clearly unconvinced. The two of them followed Luo Yu through the formation at the entrance, entering Seven Emotions Valley. Oh, by the way, do you have someone named Xie Shanren in the Dao Seeking Sect? Luo Yu suddenly asked. Yes, Xie Shanren is our fourth elder, is there a problem? The fourth elder rarely left the sect, and very few outside people knew their names. Theres a bit of a story. When my master was young, she fell in love with a man named Xie Shanren. They met by chance, and she fell for him at first sight. They often discussed the Dao together and had wonderful conversations. She even taught him the art of curse-breaking as a way to express her feelings, but unfortunately, Xie Shanren didnt reciprocate. He left her behind and returned to Dao Seeking Sect.N?v(el)B\\jnn My master still mentions Xie Shanren from time to time, so it seems she hasnt moved on from him. Whether that lingering feeling is love or hatred is unclear. Lu Yang broke out in a cold sweat after hearing this. No wonder the Fourth Elder didnt send them to Seven Emotions Valley despite it being the best sect for curse-breaking in the Deste Lands. Instead, they rmended the Corpse-Driving Sect. The reason was clear now. But now that they had already stepped into Seven Emotions Valley, it would be awkward to leave. He could only hope the valley master would be magnanimous and not hold a grudge against a small disciple from Dao Seeking Sect. Lu Yang felt that in his efforts to resolve Meng Jingzhous curse, he had gone above and beyondalmost like a father looking out for his son. Is itmon for friends to take on parental roles for each other? Evesting Fairy mused, suddenly asking Lu Yang. Not always, but it happens sometimes. Interesting. Why do you ask, Fairy? Lu Yang inquired. The Fairy nodded, a simple smile on her face. The first time I cooked for the Qilin Immortal, he called me Mother. Now I realize he was treating me like a friend. It seems food really does bring people closer. Evesting Fairys smile was warm and charming, far more pleasant than the cold, aloof demeanor of Eldest Senior Sister. But Lu Yang had known her long enough not to be fooled by her innocent expression. Tell me exactly what happened, he asked cautiously. Well, after I challenged both Heavens Will Immortal and Qilin Immortal, I felt bad about it, so I invited them for a meal. At first, they were very wary of me, thinking I might poison them. But after seeing me cook without any tricks, they finally rxed and started eating. Qilin Immortal took one bite of the food, called out Mother, and then passed out. Maybe it was too much for his weak constitution, Evesting Fairy mused. Heavens Will Immortal also passed out. Qilin Immortal was born from thebined luck of heaven and earth, with no parents. He must have mistakenly seen me as his mother, Evesting Fairy shook her head, thinking that Qilin Immortal was quite pitiable. Lu Yang, however, thought that Qilin Immortal probably meant to say, Mother f*cker, this is poisoned! but only got as far as Mother before losing consciousness, leading Evesting Fairy to misinterpret the situation. Its often hard forter generations to judge the strength of immortals when they were younger, but Lu Yang had his own method. Since Qilin Immortal managed to say at least one word, while Heavens Will Immortal couldnt even manage that, Qilin Immortals cultivation was likely superior. In the real world, the three of them continued through Seven Emotions Valley, where Lu Yang saw many peopleing to seek help for breaking curses. These were curses that the disciples at the entrance couldnt handle. Curse master, every night when I sit in meditation, I hear the buzzing of mosquitoes in my ears, and my body feels unbearably itchy. Ive heard youve developed a new type of curse with these symptoms. Have I been cursed with that? My fellow cultivator, while Seven Emotions Valley has indeed researched such a curse, I dont see any signs of it on you. Moreover, you have visible mosquito bites on your exposed skin. It seems youre simply surrounded by actual mosquitoes. I dont believe it! It must be your curse! The disciple from Seven Emotions Valley sighed softly. That curse was extremely expensive to produce. For someone with such low cultivation, who would bother to curse him? Very well, take this. ce it by your side when you meditate, and the curse will no longer affect you. What is this? Mosquito repellent incense. Three hundred Spirit Stones per coil. Curse master, from childhood to now, no female cultivator has ever liked me. Every time I confess my feelings, they always reject me without exception. All my peers are married, but I dont even have a girlfriend. Am I cursed? My fellow cultivator, your situation isnt due to a curse. Your personal charm is undeniable, but youck Spirit Stones. We at Seven Emotions Valley offer loans. Would you like to borrow some Spirit Stones? Our annual interest rate is only twenty percent. Curse master, ever since I killed someone, Ive been haunted by visions of the victim, bloody and screaming that he cursed me to never find peace. Ive been having nightmares of him crawling toward me, covered in blood, demanding my life. Im so scared I cant sleep. Lately, I feel a chill down my spine, like someone is following me. But when I turn around, theres no one there. When Im meditating in seclusion, I hear eerieughter mocking me, and no matter where I run, the sound stays in my ears. Sometimes, I even see a red figure in front of me, but when I rub my eyes and look closely, it vanishes. Am I cursed? The disciple from Seven Emotions Valley noticed the dark shadow under the mans brow, his swollen eyes, and his frightened expression. He nodded slightly. Finally, a case of someone truly cursed. You are indeed cursed, and its a difficult one to breakan extremelyplex Wronged Death Curse. Is there a way to lift it? Of course, theres no curse that Seven Emotions Valley cannot lift. However, this curse is too difficult for me to handle alone. Let me call my senior brother to assist. Not long after, the disciple returned with his senior brother, pointed at the man, and said, Senior Brother, this is the murderer. I cant handle him alone. Lets team up and escort him to the authorities! (End of the chapter) Chapter 414: If Someone Likes Me, I’d Know! Chapter 414: If Someone Likes Me, Id Know! Lu Yang withdrew his gaze, marveling at the wide range of services provided by Seven Emotions Valley. Aside from breaking curses, they also sold mosquito repellent, offered loans, and even captured murderers. The versatility of their operations really opened his eyes. Luo Yu, standing beside him, exined, Theres not much we can do. Most people cant tell whether theyre experiencing a regr problem or have been cursed, so they all rush to us, insisting theyve been cursed and asking for help. We feel bad if peoplee all this way and leave without a solution, so we address their issues in other ways. For example, the loan service is a recent addition. Not long ago, someone came to us, saying he was short on money and had tried to take out loans from variousmerce associations. But everywhere he went, they told him he had already taken out loans and couldnt apply for more until he paid them off. He suspected he might have been cursed, perhaps cursed to sleepwalk and unknowingly apply for loans. We checked him multiple times and confirmed he wasnt cursed. Then we looked into thew and discovered that any interest rate above thirty-six percent is considered unreasonable high. So, we offered him a loan with an interest rate of thirty-six percent. And thats how our loan business started. Lu Yang: What a convenient solution.Its not just ordinary people who cant tell the difference. Even those with some knowledge of curses often cant distinguish between curses and normal phenomena. Zhao Po here is a perfect example. Hes a disciple of the Corpse-Driving Sect and in the Early Golden Core Stage, but he still often cant tell whether hes cursed or not, Luo Yu said, casting a nce at Zhao Po, who awkwardly scratched his head and chuckled. Seeing this, Lu Yang found the situation amusing and sent Zhao Po a message via spiritual transmission: Is it possible that Junior Sister Luo likes you? Thats impossible! You wouldnt think that if you knew what shes done to me, Zhao Po replied confidently. There was one time I left Seven Emotions Valley and felt restless. I couldnt stop thinking about Luo Yucouldnt eat or sleep, tossing and turning at night. So, I went to her and described my symptoms. I asked if she had cursed me. She said yes. When I was exining my symptoms, her face turned red. And when she admitted to cursing me, she stomped her foot hard. She must have been furious that I figured out her curse! Zhao Po recounted the story withplete conviction. Its a shameI treated her like a friend, and she did that to me! I asked her to lift the curse, but she refused! Are you sure she doesnt just like you? Zhao Po waved his hand dismissively, his smile exuding deep confidence. Ive been wandering the martial world for two or three years now. Im a seasoned veteran. If someone likes me, Id know! In the mental space, Evesting Fairy nodded vigorously. How despicable! That girl cursed this poor fool, whos already not the brightest. You really cant judge someone by their appearance! Lu Yang: You two are making me question my own judgment here. So, how did you meet Junior Sister Luo? Lu Yang asked. That was about a year ago. I had just entered the Foundation Building Stage and heard rumors about a cold pond where a giant snake was causing havoc. I went to deal with it. Coincidentally, Luo Yu was also there, but she was after the snakes galldder to use it as a curse medium. We quickly decided to team up, and after an intense battle, we killed the giant snake. The snake had poisonous mist in its bellyan emotional poison. After the snake died, its body swelled and exploded, spreading the poison, which enveloped both of us. Luckily, I had anticipated this and had already given Luo Yu and myself antidote pills beforehand, so we escaped unharmed. As the three of them, along with the living corpse, walked down a long corridor, they arrived at the sealed stone doors where the valley master was in seclusion. Based on past experience, my master should have finished her seclusion by now, Luo Yu remarked. Experience? Does the Valley Master always have a set time for her seclusion? Lu Yang asked. Not exactly. Its just that whenever my master says shes in seclusion, shes usually justzing around in her cave, avoiding sect affairs. So, if we need her, we can just go find her, regardless of whether shes in seclusion or not. Luo Yu knocked on the stone door. Master, there are guests visiting. A faint voice came from behind the door, Im currently in seclusion. Theyre from Dao Seeking Sect. The moment those words left her lips, the three of them felt a slight blur in their vision as a light fragrance filled the air. A female cultivator wearing a white veil appeared before them. Although her face was partially covered, the veil didnt conceal much, and Lu Yang could easily make out her true appearanceshe was an incredibly beautiful cultivator. Master, are you done with your seclusion? Luo Yu covered her mouth, suppressing a giggle. My seclusion has ended. The valley master, dressed in a white robe, had an elegant demeanor that gave off a calm andposed aura. She scrutinized Zhao Po and Lu Yang, quickly dismissing Zhao Po from consideration. I cant tell what kind of Golden Core youve formed. Youre the disciple from Dao Seeking Sect? Lu Yang sped his hands together respectfully and bowed, Greetings, Valley Master. I am Lu Yang, a disciple of Dao Seeking Sect, under the tutge of Daoist Non-Speaker. So, youre that old thief Non-Speakers disciple. You look much more pleasant than he does. You can call me Valley Master Shuang. Did Xie Shanren send you to find me?n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Sensing a hidden threat in her calm tone, Lu Yang felt uneasy. He braced himself and responded, I was actually on my way to the Corpse-Driving Sect and, having long heard of Seven Emotions Valleys great reputation, decided to stop by and pay my respects. Corpse-Driving Sect? What are you going there for? Did Non-Speaker die, and you want to turn him into a living corpse? I have a friend whos been afflicted with an extremely difficult curse. The Fourth Elder rmended we visit Corpse-Driving Sect for help. Give it to me, Valley Master Shuang suddenly extended her hand. Give you what? Lu Yang was puzzled. Obviously, Xie Shanren would have written a rmendation letter to verify your identity when visiting the Corpse-Driving Sect. The letter would also describe your friends curse. Let me see it. Lu Yang retrieved the rmendation letter that the Fourth Elder had written before they left and handed it over with both hands. With a flick of her thoughts, the letter floated in midair, opened itself, and unfolded. As she read through the letter silently, her expression grew increasingly interested, and she murmured, A curse caused by karmic bacsh and the nature of the curse is something Ive never encountered before. Interesting. However, as she continued reading, her brows furrowed, her expression darkened, and she let out a cold snort before throwing the letter to the ground. Lu Yang immediately sensed that something had gone terribly wrong and stealthily nced at the contents of the letter. The Fourth Elder was indeed a learned schrthe handwriting was elegant and majestic, and the tone of the letter was formal and respectful, clearly written with great care. The letters content was fairly standard: it verified the identities of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, and detailed the cause and effect of Meng Jingzhous curse. But it was the final sentence that spelled trouble. Thest line read: Be sure not to suggest that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou seek a solution at Seven Emotions Valley, and if they insist on going, under no circumstances should they consult that demoness Shuang Feiyan! Lu Yang: Will I still be able to walk out of Seven Emotions Valley alive today? (End of the chapter) Chapter 415: The Past of the Fourth Elder and the Valley Master of Seven Emotions Valley Chapter 415: The Past of the Fourth Elder and the Valley Master of Seven Emotions Valley Shuang Feiyan, the Valley Master of Seven Emotions Valley, is one of the most formidable curse masters in the Deste Lands, and also one of the people you least want to provoke. She possesses all kinds of strange and unpredictable curse techniques, leaving no gaps and offering no protection against them. Anyone who crosses her must be ready to face an onught of various curses. Hundreds of years ago, one sect insulted Shuang Feiyan in secret. When she found out, every member of that sect had their genders swapped for half a year before things returned to normal. To this day, that sect remains aughingstock throughout the Deste Lands. Lu Yang didnt know much about Shuang Feiyans past deeds, but even without knowing the details, it was obvious that provoking a curse master was a terrible idea. Though Lu Yang knew ancient secretsespecially the dark history of ancient immortalsand would one day be entrusted with great responsibilities, there was no need to face the wrath of one of the most powerful curse masters right now. Who could possibly withstand that? Dont worry, with me here, no curse can harm you! dered Evesting Fairy confidently from within Lu Yangs mental space. This only made Lu Yang even more anxious.Zhao Po was also extremely nervous. Unlike Lu Yang, he knew full well what Valley Master Shuang was capable of. Her reputation was enough to make even the bravest tremble. Even though Corpse-Driving Sect and Seven Emotions Valley shared a long-standing friendship, whether or not that friendship would protect them depended entirely on the Valley Masters mood. Fortunately, Valley Master Shuang didnt seem inclined to take out her anger on her juniors. Her expression shifted several times before she let out a heavy sigh. When I first met Xie Shanren, we were about your age. One day, Xie Shanren passed through Mount Cang and heard cries for help. Bandits were causing trouble, and he bravely stepped in to save everyone. Thats how we met. Lu Yang nodded to himself. It sounded like a ssic hero saving the beauty scenario. The Fourth Elder certainly had his fair share of luck in romance. I was the leader of the bandits, Valley Master Shuang continued. When I saw Xie Shanrenhis elegant demeanor, his refined manner of speechI could tell at once that he was from a prestigious sect or a great family. So, I captured him and made him my husband. Lu Yang: Something seemed off about this story. I was a bandit, but I only robbed the rich to give to the poor. I never took money from the impoverished. The reason I became a bandit was that there were too many bandits in the Deste Lands, and eliminating them all was impossible. So, I figured it would be better to be the bandit myself, grow my power, and squeeze the other bandits out of existence. Wouldnt that solve the problem? She paused briefly, then continued, Anyway, after I captured Xie Shanren, I wanted to marry him. But, unfortunately, he refused, even at the cost of his life. So, I had no choice but to give up for the time being. Lu Yang thought to himself, Id heard rumors that arranged kidnappings were a tradition in the Deste Lands, but I never expected to witness it firsthand. Still, I didnt give up on Xie Shanren. His cultivation was on par with mine, and I only managed to capture him through a sneak attack. To prevent him from escaping, I ced a curse on him. Since he knew he couldnt break the curse quickly, he stayed with me. I shared my carefully crafted n for eliminating the bandits with him. After thinking it over, he found it reasonable and agreed to join me in robbing the rich to help the poor. Together, we became famous throughout the martial world as the Twin Bandits. Of course, during this time, Xie Shanren tried several times to escape and break the curse, but he failed each time. I admired that persistence of his. Lu Yang thought that the Fourth Elder must have developed his curse-breaking skills during this time. No wonder he was so proficient at breaking curses but not at casting themhe had been on the receiving end! Mount Cang was a great ce. We captured some famous cultivators in their youth, including the current Sect Leader of Corpse-Driving Sect and the chief of the Barbarian Tribe. After exining my n to them, they agreed it was a good idea, swore a blood oath, and joined my bandit gang, calling me their big sister. With the help of those three, our bandit forces in Mount Cang expanded rapidly. The surrounding bandits all surrendered to us. I gave the defeated bandits two options: be turned into living corpses or be cursed by me. Naturally, they all chose thetter and became my subordinates. We used this method to further expand our influence. Soon, dozens of mountain strongholds were under our control.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om In the end, we controlled nearly half of the Deste Lands. Everyone who was part of the underworld knew the name of the Four Dragons of Mount Cang. The biggest bandit leader at the time was someone called Zhen Shanhu. He saw how quickly we were expanding and decided to strike while our wings were still not fully grown, hoping to halt our momentum. Zhen Shanhu had Nascent Soul Peak Stage cultivation. None of us could take him on alone, but with the four of us working together, we managed to defeat him! After Zhen Shanhu was beaten, he fled in panic, but not before throwing out a threat. He imed that behind him was a Unity Stage rogue cultivator backing him up. He said wed basically signed our death warrants by crossing him, and that wed have to wait for death at the hands of that Unity Stage cultivator. I dont remember his exact words, but it was something along those lines. We knew we couldnt handle a Unity Stage expert, so we had no choice but to call upon our elders for help. When that Unity Stage rogue cultivator showed up to unt his power, the then Valley Master of Seven Emotions Valley, the Grand Elder of Corpse-Driving Sect, and the Grand Elder of the Barbarian Tribe all appeared. That rogue cultivator was terrified and tried to run, but how could he escape from our elders? He was only at the early Unity Stage, while our elders were all at thete Unity Stage. And they had already set up a, just waiting for him to fall into it. Lu Yang imagined the scene and felt a sense of despair. If he were a mere Unity Stage expert helping his subordinates eliminate their rivals, who could have predicted that such powerful figures would show up behind the enemy? The Unity Stage rogue cultivator had an incredible escape technique. Knowing he would die if captured, he burned his blood essence to flee from the. Thats when a child blocked his pathit was your Grandmaster, the Dao Seeking Sects Sect Leader at the time. He was the strongest of all the elders present. Once he made his move, even if that Unity Stage rogue cultivator burned through all his life force, he couldnt escape. After that, we unified the bandit forces of the Deste Lands, but our elders took us back to our respective sects and locked us away for punishment. Xie Shanren was also supposed to be taken back and put into confinement, but your Grandmaster said that there was no space left in Cliff of Reflection, so he was confined together with me in the punishment room of Seven Emotions Valley. Lu Yang had heard of Cliff of Reflection, a ce used by Dao Seeking Sect for punishment and reflection. However, he had always been an obedient disciple, so he had never been sent there. His Eldest Senior Sister had wanted to lock up their misbehaving master in Cliff of Reflection, but their masters cultivation was too high, and he was sent there so frequently that it had lost its effectiveness. So, they ended up just keeping him at home instead. Who was being confined in Cliff of Reflection at the time? Lu Yang asked. Your master and his seven senior brothers and sisters. Apparently, your master led them to wreak havoc in the Imperial City, tormenting the disciples of nobles so badly that they couldnt stand it. If you ever go to the Imperial City, you better not mention that youre a disciple of Daoist Non-Speaker. Lu Yang: Other peoples elders always seem to have their backs. But when ites to me, my elders are the ones creating all the grudges I have to deal with! (End of the chapter) Chapter 416: Valley Master Shuang: Curses Don’t Work on Me Chapter 416: Valley Master Shuang: Curses Dont Work on Me Lu Yang had heard of the reputation of the Dao Seeking Sects Nine before. This title carried a double-edged sword effect for the disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect. Against weaker opponents, like those in the Spirit Transformation Stage or Void Refinement Stage, it could easily intimidate them. However, if the opponent was a major figure at the Unity Stage and held a position in a powerful faction, then it almost certainly meant they had karmic entanglements with the Dao Seeking Sects Nine, and there was an eighty percent chance they bore a grudge. If you went to the imperial capital, that eighty percent chance would likely be a hundred. If Meng Jingzhou returns to the imperial capital, he would at least have the Meng family to back him up, so he should be safe. Looking at himself, however, with a master like Daoist Non-Speaker and a sworn brother like Meng Jingzhou, going to the imperial capital would be no different than entering the gates of hell. The imperial city, as the center of the Central Continent, carried the hundred-thousand-year heritage of the The Great Xia dynasty. It was the most powerful city of cultivation in the world. Not only people from the Central Continent wanted to visit the imperial city to admire its scenery, but even those from the Demon Territory, the Golden Buddha Kingdom, and the Sea Tribes longed to travel there. But Lu Yang had no desire to go. Lu Yang suddenly seemed to remember something and began counting on his fingers: Why does it feel like I have so many enemies? I know the dark history of The Four Ancient Immortals, and they certainly wont let me off the hook. My master has made enemies everywhere, and theyre all counted as mine. So does that mean even ancient powers from the past have grudges against me? That cant be right. I joined the most powerful sect of this era, became the Sect Leaders youngest disciple, and have the strongest ancient celestial within me. Shouldnt I be someone who can y gods if they block me and Buddhas if they stand in my way, enjoying the best of both worlds? How did it all turn into negative consequences?Lu Yang was relieved that his fate was tough enough to withstand all these dangers. After being put into solitary confinement, my master sealed my and Shanrens spiritual qi. We were locked in two solitary confinement rooms, and could only see each other through a small iron window on the wall. We discussed the Dao while in confinement. I exined the principles of cursing techniques, and he exined the sayings of sages. We helped each other improve. Lu Yang thought to himself, arent you two just talking past each other? Valley Master Shuang spoke in a softened tone. Lu Yang understood the principle that troublees from careless words, so he didnt provoke any unnecessary problems for himself. At the end, Valley Master Shuang sighed softly, In the end, Shanren still didnt ept my love. After I reached the Unity Stage, I went into seclusion to research a curse that would make Shanren fall madly in love with me. Unfortunately, he never came to see me. Lu Yang shuddered. He had long heard that reading the sages words could help one avoid harm, and now he saw that this was indeed true. Well, since we have some fate with your Dao Seeking Sect, Ill lend you a hand. Lu Yang didnt even have time to feel happy for Meng Jingzhou before Valley Master Shuang continued, However, based on the description in Shanrens letter, yourpanions curse is quite high-level, beyond my ability to fully handle. Moreover, its more of a karmic bacsh than a pure curse technique. Should we seek someone else for help then? No need for that just yet. Since youvee to my Seven Emotions Valley, I cant let you leave without doing something. If word got out, how could Seven Emotions Valley still im expertise in curses? Although I cant fully lift the curse, I can at least alleviate part of it. For example? For example, I could change yourpanions curse from being unable to approach women to making any woman he approaches loathe him. Lu Yang: How did that sound even worse? So, what do you think? Should I do it? Ill need to ask his opinion first. Lu Yang wasnt Meng Jingzhou, so he couldnt decide for him. Fair enough. Ill go ask him myself. Lu Yang hesitated, and Valley Master Shuang noticed his expression, asking, Whats wrong? Old Mengs curse makes it impossible for him to be near any women, and you, Valley Master Valley Master Shuang smiled. Is that all? Although hes cursed, I, as a top-tier curse master, am immune to all curses. His curse doesnt work on me. Ill go with you. Valley Master Shuang instructed Luo Yu and Zhao Po to stay where they were, while she and Lu Yang would return shortly. Valley Master Shuang led Lu Yang out of the Seven Emotions Valley and flew in the direction Lu Yang had indicated to find Meng Jingzhou. When they arrived at the ce where Meng Jingzhou had been, they found that both he and the old horse had disappeared without a trace, leaving only a circle on the ground. What is this circle? Valley Master Shuang asked, puzzled. I drew it. I was afraid Old Meng would wander off, so I drew a circle and told him not to leave it. I have no idea where he went now. Valley Master Shuang had some understanding of karmic techniques. She made a calction with her fingers and pointed in a direction. He should be over there. Lets go find him. The two of them flew in the calcted direction for a long time, but there was no sign of Meng Jingzhou.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om This is strange. At my flying speed, we should have caught up to him by now. Valley Master Shuang made another calction and came to a different conclusion. Ah, I see. He must have changed directions midway. Hes over this way. Lets go. They continued flying ording to the new calction, searching for Meng Jingzhou over and over, but to no avail. Just as Valley Master Shuang was about to make yet another calction to locate Meng Jingzhou, Lu Yang, seeing the situation, spoke with understanding. Why dont you calcte his location again, and Ill go look for Old Meng myself? If they kept searching, they would soon leave the Deste Lands. Valley Master Shuang, feeling a bit embarrassed, replied, That works. Hes just to the west. Lu Yang went west on his own and eventually found Meng Jingzhou copsed on the ground in an isted mountain forest, with the old horse leisurely drinking from a nearby spring. Are you alright? Meng Jingzhou weakly replied, Do I look alright to you? He angrily exined, I dont know what happened earlier, but a tornado suddenly appeared, and I was right in the middle of it. I got swept up into the air, with the old horse following leisurely behind me! When the tornado finally stopped, an uncontrolled Living Corpse showed up and started chasing me. When I saw how powerful the Living Corpse had been in life, I knew I couldnt defeat it, so I ran for my life. I almost died from exhaustion, but luckily, I had enough spiritual power to drain the Living Corpses energy. The old horse just stood there and watched without helping! I didnt even get a chance to catch my breath after barely escaping the Living Corpse when, for some unknown reason, my spiritual energy went haywire, probably due to running too fast. My body lost control and just kept running. I dont even know how long I ran before my out of control spiritual energy finally exhausted. I didnt even have time to take a Great Restoration Pill, when suddenly, two Spirit Transformation Stage cultivators started fighting right above me. Their battlefield was sorge that I almost got caught in the crossfire. Fortunately, Im a body cultivator, so I dont need spiritual power to run fast. I kept running west until I finally had a chance to catch my breath. Thats when you showed up. What bad luck By the way, Ive run so far. How did you manage to find me? Lu Yang didnt have the heart to tell him it was because Valley Master Shuang had been chasing after him the whole time, so he evaded the question. I found someone in the Seven Emotions Valley who can help alleviate your curse to some extent. How so? Do you like it when women look at you with a disgusted face? ? (TL Note: /watch?v=sq_Fm7qfRQk) (End of the chapter) Chapter 417: Under the Heavens, Who Doesn’t Have a Grudge with Your Master? Chapter 417: Under the Heavens, Who Doesnt Have a Grudge with Your Master? Do you like it when women look at you with a disgusted face? (TL Note: Its been a month+ since i tranted the previous chapter andpletely forgot i put that youtube video there LOL. Contemting deleting it but i thought it was funny) Meng Jingzhou felt that there must be something wrong with Lu Yang. Ever since they entered the Deste Lands, he felt that Lu Yangs condition had worsened. The thing is, I found Shuang Feiyan, the Valley Master of Seven Emotions Valley. Valley Master Shuang has some connections with the Fourth Elder and is willing to help you with the karmic bacsh. However, her ability is limited, and she can only alleviate part of it, not fully resolve it. On the way to find Meng Jingzhou, Lu Yang had considered that if Valley Master Shuangs Cultivation wasnt enough topletely resolve the bacsh, maybe they could ask the previous Valley Master or one of the Seven Emotions Valleys Elder figures for help. Valley Master Shuangs response wasdo you think that just because theyre older than me, theyve reached the Tribtion Crossing Stage? Valley Master Shuang can change the karmic bacsh from unable to see women to every woman you meet will hate you. However, topletely lift it will require further effort. Meng Jingzhous expression became strange. Why does it feel like those two effects are about the same?How can you say theyre the same? Before, you couldnt even enter the front doors of a brothel. Now, you can actually go inside. Next time, please use a better analogy, thanks. Meng Jingzhou squatted on the ground, stroking his chin as he thought. If part of the curse were lifted, he wouldnt have to hide in the mountains all the time, listening to Lu Yang brag about his luck with women. He could also return to the city, go wherever he wanted without restrictions, and no longer worry about disasters forcing him to flee in every direction. Alright, then Ill trouble Valley Master Shuang. Uh, how should Imunicate with her? Lu Yang sighed. Since Meng Jingzhou couldnt meet Valley Master Shuang, and the old horse was unreliable, it was up to him to be the messenger. epting his fate, he returned the way he came and found Valley Master Shuang meditating under a tree. Did you find yourpanion? Yes, I did. Hes willing to ept your treatment. Valley Master Shuang nodded, but then another issue seemed to cross her mind, and she frowned slightly. Is something wrong? His curse is extremely difficult to deal with. Even just partially alleviating it will be quite challenging. I need to observe his condition to determine the best method of resolution. But you cant meet Old Meng face to face, can you? Yes, thats exactly the problem. Valley Master Shuang, having lived over two thousand years and with far more experience than Lu Yang, quickly came up with a solution. There is a way. I can use the Suspended String Pulse Reading. However, the vegetation around here interferes with the diagnostic process, making it inconvenient to perform. So, bring yourpanion to the entrance of Seven Emotions Valley, where there are no obstacles. After saying this, Valley Master Shuang flew back to Seven Emotions Valley on her own to prepare the magical tools needed for the Suspended String Pulse Reading. Lu Yang once again returned to the barren mountain where Meng Jingzhou was, and with the help of the old horse, they were transported to Seven Emotions Valley. This time, the old horse didnt slow down and instead used a space technique to bring them back quickly. By the time they arrived, all the outsiders who hade to Seven Emotions Valley for curse removal had already dispersed, and the disciples who had been attending to them had carried their stools back into the valley. Meng Jingzhou returned to Seven Emotions Valley without any issues. Lu Yang entered Seven Emotions Valley and obtained the magical tool for the Suspended String Pulse Reading from Valley Master Shuang. The Suspended String Pulse Reading was an ancient diagnostic method originating from the Great Qian Dynasty. One of the Qian Emperors concubines fell ill and required a royal physician for treatment. However, since the concubine was the emperors woman, it was not permissible for other men to touch her. In the Great Qian dynasty, the royal physicians devised a method. They would tie one end of a silk thread around the concubines wrist, while the other end was held by the physician. Based on the sensations transmitted through the suspended threadsuch as pulse patterns, spiritual energy, and other factorsalong with their extensive medical knowledge, the physicians would diagnose the illness. The more skillful physicians, however, would master stealth techniques, secretly visiting the concubine under the cover of night to treat her without anyone knowing. (TL Note: I wrote an entire tl note to exin this I should have read further on) I understand all of this, but why have you tied me up so tightly? You said the Suspended String Pulse Reading only needed to wrap around my wrist! Meng Jingzhou was furious. He was entirely wrapped in white silk threads, with only his mouth left uncovered. Quiet, quiet. Lu Yang proceeded to wrap his mouth shut as well. This is the only way. This isnt an ordinary karmic bacsh. One silk thread isnt enough to diagnose it properly. You need to be fully bound for the best diagnosis. Just bear with it; its what Valley Master Shuang suggested. Meng Jingzhou finally gave in and obediently waited for Valley Master Shuangs diagnosis. Meanwhile, Lu Yang returned to the Seven Emotions Valley, where Valley Master Shuang sat holding a bundle of thread ends, her eyes closed in deep meditation, thinking over how to resolve the situation. Lu Yang held his breath, not daring to disturb Valley Master Shuangs diagnosis. Twin Single Bachelors Golden Cores, huh? Quite the bold choice. You can tell its a Single Bachelors Golden Core? Lu Yang was astonished. This was the first time someone outside of the Dao Seeking Sect had identified Meng Jingzhous Golden Core. I once encountered someone with a Single Bachelors Spirit Root in my youth. He was quite talented, but still couldntpare to yourpanion. Judging from these bloodline traits and the surname Meng, he must be a member of the Meng family. Valley Master Shuang smiled, reminiscing about her younger days. This karmic bacsh is interestingits even more severe than Shanren described. But fortunately, it hasnt exceeded my expectations. Valley Master Shuang had already formted a n to partially resolve the karmic bacsh. Have you studied the principles of curses? No.N?v(el)B\\jnn Curses have both spiritual and physical attributes. To break a curse, you need to address both the physical body and the soul. This is toad skin, dried centipede, and Five Poisons Insect Powder. Feed these to the Meng family kid in the order Ive outlined. Remember, they must be eaten raw to break the physical aspect of the curse. Then, use this set of Seven Star Silver Needles to perform bloodletting. Once the wounds heal, repeat the process two more times. The Seven Star Silver Needles have the ability to connect to the soul, which will help break the spiritual aspect of the curse. Do you remember everything I told you? Let me confirmare you sure that the toad skin and the other things must be eaten raw? You can cook them if you prefer, but eating them raw is more efficient. Absorption efficiency? Time efficiencyyoull save the time it takes to cook them. Alright, I got it. Lu Yang turned to leave but was stopped by Valley Master Shuang. Wait a moment, theres something else I need to confirm with you. Yes? That old thief Daoist Non-Speaker is really still alive, huh? I know some sect leaders like to secretly fake their deaths to avoid causing too much of a stir. But if that old thief really is dead, just tell me, and Ill personally take you to the Corpse-Driving Sect to learn how to refine a Living Corpse. You have a grudge against my master? Valley Master Shuangughed coldly. Who under the heavens doesnt have a grudge against your master? Back in the day, when your master was imprisoned, Shanren and I went to visit him. When he saw me, he imed that he was immune to curses, that no curse could harm him. He said if I didnt believe him, I could test it out. Naturally, I didnt believe him, so I ced a few curses on him. Then your master got released from prison on medical grounds. Lu Yang: Later, when the matter was exposed, the authorities arrested both your master and me again for prison escape. My master is still alive. He was in prison just a while ago, though Im not sure if hes been released yet. Thats a shame. (End of the chapter) Chapter 418: What Happened to "Curses Don’t Work on You"? Chapter 418: What Happened to "Curses Dont Work on You"? Oh, right, I also have a question for you, Valley Master. Go ahead. After Old Mengs curse changes to make women dislike him, will the curse affect you? Valley Master Shuang showed a displeased expression, feeling that Lu Yang was questioning her authority. I hadnt interacted with the Meng family kids curse before, which is why there was a mistake, and the Meng family kid ran around for half a day. But now, through the Suspended String Pulse Reading, I have fully diagnosed his curse. With my treatment, the curse has weakened to the point where it no longer affects me. Lu Yang let out a sigh of relief. That was good to know. Valley Master Shuang said the toad skin, dried centipede, and Five Poisons Insect Powder all need to be eaten, and they must be eaten raw for the best efficiency. Lu Yang ryed Valley Master Shuangs instructions to Meng Jingzhou. Meng Jingzhou, after untangling the white threads wrapped around him, looked at the strange medicinal ingredients, his face turning green. Are these things really edible?You sure eating them raw is more efficient? Thats not what I said. Its what Valley Master Shuang said. With no other options, Meng Jingzhou reluctantly followed the instructions, enduring the nausea as he consumed the ingredients one by one. Though the items were clearly lifeless, once in his stomach, it felt as if they hade alive, causing chaos inside him. Zhao Po watched silently from the side, wondering if this was how the geniuses of the Dao Seeking Sectpetedby scheming and sabotaging each other. Next, we need to perform bloodletting with needles. Lu Yang took out the Seven Star Silver Needles that Valley Master Shuang had lent him. The silver needles were clearly a remarkable magical tool; Lu Yang didnt even need to infuse them with spiritual qi. When he stabbed Meng Jingzhous arm, the needles effortlessly pierced through his defenses. Keep in mind that Meng Jingzhou was a body cultivator with absurdly strong physical defenses. Even Lu Yang himself couldnt guarantee that he could break through those defenses in a short time. Ahcouldnt you at least give me a heads-up before stabbing me? Meng Jingzhou gritted his teeth in pain, his face twisted in agony. It had been a long time since he had felt pain like this. A proper physician could perform acupuncture without causing any pain during the bloodletting process. Unfortunately for Meng Jingzhou, Lu Yang wasnt a proper physicianhe wasnt a physician at all. Do you know how to perform acupuncture, fairy? Lu Yang suddenly remembered the supposed golden finger in his spiritual space. Are you talking about bloodletting? Im very familiar with that. When dealing with demonic beast meat, the fishy smelles from blood not being properly drained. If you use my method, I guarantee there wont be a single drop of blood left. Lu Yang thought Meng Jingzhou probably didnt need to risk his life for such a method. Lu Yang pulled out the silver needles, and Meng Jingzhous blood gushed out like a fountain. The silver needles seemed to have an effect that prevented the wounds from healing quickly. Meng Jingzhous proud self-healing abilities werepletely ineffective; he had no choice but to wait for the wounds to heal naturally. The blood dripping from the wound belonged to a powerful Golden Core Stage cultivator. It was filled with precious spiritual energy, and since Meng Jingzhou was a cultivator with Twin Single Bachelors Golden Core, his blood was extremely pure and yang-filled, even more potent than many pure-yang elixirs. Various insects seemed to instinctively recognize the value of this blood and gathered to drink it, feeling energized after doing so. What these insects didnt know was that from now on, they would never be able to encounter any female insects again. But at the moment, no one knew this. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were unaware, and even the insects themselves didnt known/?/vel/b//in dot c//om As the wounds healed, Lu Yang repeated the process of acupuncture, removing the needles, letting the blood flow, and waiting for the healing. After repeating this three times, Meng Jingzhou felt a burden lifting from his heart, a sense of relief, and smiled. It really worked! Although the curse hadnt beenpletely lifted, even resolving part of it was a significant improvement. Coming to the Deste Lands was indeed the right choice. It was far more effective than seeking help from an elder. Valley Master Shuang calcted the time and, thinking it was about right, walked out of the Seven Emotions Valley and finally met Meng Jingzhou. So, youre the Meng family kid? The moment Meng Jingzhou saw Valley Master Shuang, he realized that the feeling of lightness and relief from the unease in his heart wasnt just his imaginationhis curse had truly been partially lifted. Replying to the Valley Master, I am Meng Jingzhou of the Meng family, a disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect. Valley Master Shuang snorted coldly. So, youre from the Meng family, as expected. Lu Yang immediately sensed that something was off and quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands in gratitude. Many thanks to Valley Master Shuang for treating mypanion. May I ask what our next step should be topletely cure Old Mengs curse? Valley Master Shuangs expression darkened. I shouldnt have helped you in the first ce. That old thief Daoist Non-Speaker tricked me once, and your Meng family is no better! Get lost, all of you! Lu Yang: What happened to curses dont work on you? Could you be more consistent, Valley Master? Given the situation, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had no choice but to abandon any further questions about how to proceed. They could only set off and leave Seven Emotions Valley. In the carriage, Zhao Po was the first to break the silence, suggesting, Why dont we head to our Corpse-Driving Sect first? Our elders and Sect Leader are familiar with the Deste Lands and know many top-tier curse masters and entric experts. Maybe they can help. That seems like our best option. As the group of three men, one corpse, and one horse traveled and approached a city to rest, they heard amotion nearby. Ladies and gentlemen, I am Qing Luo, the new Sect Leader of the Yuntai Sect. ording to the rules of our sect, any woman who ascends to the position of Sect Leader must choose a husband through martialpetition! To this end, I have set up a challenge stage here. Anyone can challenge me, and whoever can defeat me will be my ideal husband! Qing Luo, only sixteen years old, was pure and beautiful, with big, bright eyes that exuded an innocent charm. Her demeanor of both tenacity and delicacy made her all the more captivating. Qing Luo had long announced that she would choose a husband through martialpetition, so most of the people gathered here were aware of this and hade specifically to try and win her hand. However, there were also those unaware of the event, like Lu Yang and hispanions. Yuntai Sect? Ive never heard of that sect. Brother Zhao, do you know it? asked Lu Yang. Zhao Po thought hard and finally dug up some information about the Yuntai Sect from the corners of his memory. Yuntai Sect is a very small sect, barely even considered a minor sect. Its influence is limited to a single city, or perhaps even smaller. The highest level of cultivation in the sect is probably only at the Golden Core Stage. Yuntai Sect is most famous for one ancestral rule: if the Sect Leader is female, she must choose a husband who is stronger than herself. Thats likely whats happening here. Sects like Yuntai were as numerous as grains of sand in the The Great Xia dynasty. While it seemed like Lu Yang frequently dealt with people at the Golden Core Stage, Nascent Soul Stage, or even those at the Unity Stage and above, that was only because he was a disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect and interacted with people on that level. Dao Seeking Sect was the leader of the Five Great Immortal Sects and gathered the most extraordinary talents from across the continent. Any random person walking out of the sect could make a name for themselves in the Central Continent. In reality, most cultivators spent their entire lives unable to reach the Foundation Building Stage. Even reaching the Golden Core Stage was an unattainable dream for many, which is why there were Golden Core Stage Family ns and Golden Core Stage Sects. When Meng Jingzhou saw Qing Luo, his eyes lit up, and he felt a bit of excitement, thinking that his romantic luck was finally turning. (End of the chapter) Chapter 419: The Ancestral Rule Cannot Be Violated Chapter 419: The Ancestral Rule Cannot Be Vited You two stay out of this. Lu Yang, after everything youve been through, its about time my luck changed! Meng Jingzhou stopped Lu Yang and Zhao Po, even though neither of them had any intention of stepping onto the stage. Just before Meng Jingzhou could go up, another person stepped forward first. He was a middle-aged man with a calm demeanor, sporting a long beard and schrly elegance. This bearded middle-aged man was quite famous in the local area. Someone in the crowd recognized him and said, Thats Master Xiang from Tenglong Academy. He established the academy and has taught countless schrs, even producing a schr who passed the imperial exams. His students are spread all across the Deste Lands, and he even has disciples in the imperial capital! Not only that, but hes also a legitimate Confucian cultivator. ording to one of his former students, five years ago, he had already reached the early stage of the Golden Core Stage. No one knows if hes progressed since then, but many Golden Core families have tried to get their descendants to apprentice under him, offering extravagant gifts, but he refused them all! What? He was at the Golden Core Stage five years ago? How could any of uspete, and how could Qing Luo possibly defeat him? In the world of cultivation, people often used the term fairy to describe a female cultivators beauty, talent, or strength. After all, in public perception, there were no female immortals, so the term fairy could be used however one wished. Lu Yang never used the term fairy topliment someone. It wasnt that he was careful with his words; he just didnt think it was much of apliment. Dont panic! Fairy Qing Luo is extremely talented. She reached thete stage of Foundation Building Stage at just eighteen. Shes the youngest Sect Leader in the history of the Yuntai Sect. Its not impossible for her to take on someone at the early Golden Core Stage! Thats good news! Wait doesnt that mean we have no chance either?Master Xiang stood on the stage, a refined smile on his lips. Sect Leader Qing, please. Qing Luo sighed softly. Master Xiang, didnt you read the rules? Contestants must be under the age of twenty. Youre already in your forties. Even if I were to choose a husband, shouldnt I find someone closer to my own age? Master Xiang, clearly affected by this blow, was suddenly struck by poetic inspiration and recited two lines: You were not yet born when I was young; when you were born, I was already old. We are fated to be apart. Exactly, so could you please step down? Ive only paid for the stage rental for the day, and time is limited. With that, Master Xiang left the stage, heartbroken. The subsequent challengers were more appropriate, all young and talented cultivators in their twenties, some of whom were even women disguised as men. This Qing Luo has a solid foundation. Though there are some ws, its impressive considering she cultivated in such an environment with little guidance. Either she had some fortuitous encounters, or shes simply a genius. She is indeed quite good. Even in our Corpse-Driving Sect, she could qualify as a true disciple and could even ce in the top eight or top four in the sects grandpetitions. Lu Yang and Zhao Po whispered their evaluations of Qing Luos talent. Why not recruit her into your Corpse-Driving Sect? A genius like her staying in such a small ce seems like a waste, Lu Yang joked. Its up to personal choice. I could give it a try, but Ive seen many people who refuse to abandon their own sects, saying its the ce that sheltered and raised them, and they cant leave it behind. Besides, due to our Corpse-Driving Sects cultivation methods, our members all end up with faces as pale as death. Some cultivators refuse to join us for that reason and prefer other first-grade sects. Zhao Po pointed to his own pale face, which was paler than most womens. No matter if they were orthodox or unorthodox Corpse Drivers, they all had this look. Lu Yang nodded in agreement. When he first met Zhao Po, he thought he was a Living Corpse. Just as Lu Yang and Zhao Po had said, Qing Luo had a solid foundation and was unmatched by her peers. Her mastery of the Cloud Control Technique was exceptional, allowing her to easily defeat one ambitious young challenger after another. Finally, it was Meng Jingzhous turn to step up. Meng Jingzhou disyed a confident smile as he calmly walked onto the stage. Just standing there, he exerted a tremendous pressure on everyone present. I am Meng Jingzhou, a disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect! The moment he spoke, the crowds eyes widened, and a wave of astonished murmurs spread through the audience. Dao Seeking Sect? The Dao Seeking Sect, the leader of the Five Great Immortal Sects?! Ive heard that even the most casual person from that sect is a peerless genius. Even their cooks can establish their own sects and be revered! Why does the name Meng Jingzhou sound so familiar? Isnt he the one from the Qingzhou Festival, that Meng Jingzhou? Upon hearing Meng Jingzhous name, Lu Yangs expression changed drastically, and he blurted out, The one who had already formed his Golden Core but stillpeted to earn the reward for insights on forming the Golden Core? I heard he just likes bullying those at lower stages!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Didnt he crash the Qingzhou Festival just to cause trouble? No, no, I heard he didnt have any grudge against Qingzhou. He just wanted to challenge the judges for fun. Lu Yang added, He didnt even beat the judges. He just jumped off the stage and forfeited. The crowd continued debating, each person recounting different versions of the story, but all of them were based on facts. Qing Luos expression turned odd as she looked at Meng Jingzhou with disdain. It was clear she had heard of his infamous reputation. After the Qingzhou Festival, the tales of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had spread like wildfire across the Central Continent, particrly among lower-stage cultivators. However, due to how widely the stories had spread, the details had be somewhat distorted. Meng Jingzhou felt exasperated as he listened to the crowds gossip. His reputation had been thoroughly tarnished. As a cultivator, one must have a steady Dao heart. What others think of me is like clouds passing by. But why did some of those voices sound familiar? Never mind, Ill deal with all thatter. First, I need to win! Meng Jingzhou gestured politely, indicating for Qing Luo to make the first move. Since Meng Jingzhouplied with thepetition rules, Qing Luo had no choice but to go on the offensive. She struck first, summoning auspicious clouds behind her. The clouds transformed into various weaponsaxes, spears, swords, and many moreall sharp and deadly,unching toward Meng Jingzhou in a fierce barrage! This technique had been more than enough to defeat all the previous challengers in one move. What a good Cloud Control Technique! Meng Jingzhous eyes gleamed with admiration as he faced the oing assault of eighteen different weapons. He adopted a martial stance. Copsing Fist! With a double fist strike aimed at both sides of his head, the eighteen weapons collided with his fists, instantly dissolving into soft, harmless clouds. Qing Luo was undoubtedly powerful, but unfortunately for her, she had encountered Meng Jingzhou. Even if Qing Luo were at the Golden Core Stage, she still wouldnt have been Meng Jingzhous match. With just three punches, Meng Jingzhou forced Qing Luo to reveal all her hidden techniques, leaving her with no choice but to admit defeat. I concede. epting her loss, Qing Luo gritted her teeth and said to Meng Jingzhou, The ancestral rule cannot be vited. ording to our ancestral rule, the one who defeats me must be my husband. Meng Jingzhous eyes lit up. So then Qing Luos eyes were resolute as she made a life-altering decision. In that case, Ill have no choice but to abolish that ancestral rule! (End of the chapter) Chapter 420: Meng Jingzhou’s Romantic Streak Chapter 420: Meng Jingzhous Romantic Streak Below the stage, Lu Yang wasughing so hard that he bent over, tears streaming down his face. Zhao Po wanted tough too, but thinking it wasnt right to mock Meng Jingzhou, he held it in with great effort. Meng Jingzhous face darkened. Qing Luo had even abolished the ancestral rule; what else could he say? With the ancestral rule abolished and no longer bound by the previous rules, Qing Luo felt a sense of freedom and immediately left the stage, heading back home. Meng Jingzhou jumped down from the stage, ring fiercely at Lu Yang, who was stillughing, and at Zhao Po, who was barely holding back his ownughter. The group of three, along with a corpse and a horse, entered the city. Perhaps Meng Jingzhous romantic luck had been suppressed for too long, but now it was erupting all at once, and nothing could stop it. First, they encountered a woman selling herself to bury her father. The woman, dressed in mourning clothes, still had a noticeable beauty about her. She imed she was willing to sell herself as a ve or concubine in order to afford her fathers burial. When she saw Meng Jingzhou, she timidly called him young master, which made Meng Jingzhous heart stir. Although this woman currently had no cultivation and had missed the prime age for cultivation, Evesting Fairy instantly recognized something special about her. Interesting. This little girl selling herself has an extremely rare Illusion-Piercing Dao Physique. She may look frail now, but in truth, her physique is storing power. In half a year or so, the physique will fully awaken, and shell soar to great heights, quickly catching up to her peers in cultivation.If some sharp-eyed old master notices her and takes her as a disciple, her aplishments could reach even greater heights after a few years. In the world, there are the Nine Great Immortal Physiques, including Peach Blossom Leafs Feathered Immortal Physique and the Sixth Elders wless Immortal Physique. Aside from the Nine Great Immortal Physiques, there are also the widely recognized Thirty-Six Dao Physiques. Though Dao Physiques are slightly inferior to Immortal Physiques, they still qualify their bearers as outstanding talents. In the future struggles of the great eras, they will have a ce and be worthy to serve as trustedpanions and strong allies to geniuses like Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Meng Jingzhou, unaware of the girls physique and backstory, simply thought she was pitiful and pretty, so he paid the money to buy her freedom. And then he got scammed. The girl took the Spirit Stone, iming she was going to bury her father, but then disappeared without a trace. The trio reported the case to the authorities, but the officials said the girl was a repeat offender. They promised to investigate but warned that they shouldnt expect too much, as the girl was notoriously hard to catch. You little beauty, just ept this young masters proposal! Ill give you all the riches and luxury you could ever want! A lewd voice rang out, clearly belonging to someone unsavory. Meng Jingzhou perked up. This scenario felt familiar. Lu Yang had boasted about experiencing something like this, and Meng Jingzhou had been envious for quite a while. Stop right there! How dare you bully a respectable woman in my presence! Meng Jingzhou stood righteously in front, ready to step in. After beating up the local thug and his entire family, even the ancestor came out crying and swearing theyd never cause trouble again. The little beauty was overwhelmed with gratitude toward Meng Jingzhou. In my next life, I will repay your great kindness by being your loyal servant! Then she ran off, not wanting to spend another moment with Meng Jingzhou. As the three were about to check into an inn, they heard the sound of an argument nearby. Ler, dont you know how sincere I am? I truly love you. Why wont you ept my feelings? Is there something wrong with me? A young man, dressed in fine clothes but with a gloomy face, clung to a woman in a pale green dress, relentlessly pressing her for an answer. The woman named Ler could no longer endure the advances of the gloomy young master. Upon seeing Meng Jingzhou and the others, who exuded a remarkable aura, her eyes lit up. I really cannot ept your feelings. I already have someone I love! she dered. The gloomy young master clearly didnt believe her and shook his head. Ler, stop lying. I dont believe you. She pointed to Meng Jingzhou and said, Its him. Hes the one I love. Weve already pledged our lives to each other! Meng Jingzhou thought to himself that his romantic streak had finally arrived, and he even sent a message to Lu Yang and Zhao Po to boast. Lu Yang advised Meng Jingzhou not to act rashly and analyzed the situation for him. That gloomy young master is clearly a tough guy, a local bully, and not someone to mess with. He wants to possess Ler, but she doesnt like him, so shes using you as a shield. Of course, youre not afraid of this local bully, but Ler doesnt know that. Youre aplete stranger to Ler. She doesnt know who you are, how strong you are, or whether your background is strong enough to contend with the gloomy young master. To fend off his advances, shes putting you in the spotlight, making you take all the pressure. In this situation, do you think Ler will actually like you? That night, after the three of them had checked into an inn, a woman dressed in night attire suddenly crashed through Meng Jingzhous window. She wore a veil over her face, but her cat-like green eyes gleamed like emeralds. The woman, with eyes brimming with spring, was panting heavily, as if poisoned and in desperate need of yang energy to neutralize the toxin. Without help, she would likely explode and die. In this room, there were only her and Meng Jingzhou, leaving only one possible solution. The night-d woman shot Meng Jingzhou a look of disgust before pulling a detoxifying pill out of her storage ring and swallowing it. The pills effects were immediate and powerful, and after that, she left gracefully. Someone in her line of work naturally had to be fully prepared before heading out on any mission. Meng Jingzhou didnt even have a chance to say a word throughout the entire ordeal. After resting for the night, the trio was ready to depart. Just as they checked out of the inn and left, they encountered a well-dressed youngdy with decent looks, who seemed to be desperately seeking Meng Jingzhous help, as if he were her savior. Hello, may I ask if youre from out of town? Yes, Meng Jingzhou replied. The youngdy breathed a sigh of relief. Thats wonderful! My mother wouldnt know who you are. You see, my mother has been pressuring me to get married, but I dont want to, so I lied and told her I had a boyfriend. Ive been able to avoid her demands until now, but today she insists on meeting my boyfriend. Could you pretend to be him? Illpensate you! Meng Jingzhou happily agreed. Whats going on? Zhao Po asked, surprised. Who knows? Lu Yang shrugged, not paying much attention. The process of meeting the youngdys parents went unusually smoothly. Meng Jingzhou presented his family background, character, cultivation, and sect. He was clearly the perfect candidate for a husband, yet the youngdys mother was resolutely against him, finding everything about him displeasing. In the end, she even kicked Meng Jingzhou out, telling her daughter not to associate with him again. Later, the youngdy secretly met with Meng Jingzhou to exin, Im sorry, but when I first saw you, I found you quite annoying. My mother and I are very alike, so she must have felt the same way. I knew she wouldnt agree to you being my boyfriend, which means she wont push me to marry anymore. This is thepensation I promised. Lets not meet again. Meng Jingzhou: n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Damn it, this stupid curse isnt any better than before! Throughout the journey, Meng Jingzhous romantic luck seemed endless. Finally, by the end of their travels, it had run out, and the three of them arrived safely at the Corpse-Driving Sect. (End of the chapter) Chapter 421: The Studious Barbarian Bone Chapter 421: The Studious Barbarian Bone (TL Note: Merry Christmas / Christmas Eve, Ive unlocked 3 chapters. Sorry for not unlocking more, Ive been busy and dont have the time to check on this / unlock chapters.) The main city of the Deste Lands is called Han Shui City, the most important and prosperous city in the Deste Lands. The Corpse-Driving Sect is located outside Han Shui City, within the Yin Corpse Mountain Range, where the yin energy is strongest, making it the ideal ce for nurturing corpses. All Corpse Drivers revere the Yin Corpse Mountain Range, where the Corpse-Driving Sect is located, as a holynd. As they stepped into the Corpse-Driving Sects territory, despite the sunny weather, neither Lu Yang nor Meng Jingzhou could feel any warmth. Instead, they were met with a bone-chilling cold. Zhao Po showed a contented expression, clearly enjoying the environment. Evesting Fairy wasnt surprised at all: Its not just Corpse Drivers; anyone cultivating yin-aligned techniques would find this ce quitefortable. And it never thunders when it rains here, making it very safe. Yin-aligned techniques refer to cultivation methods rted to ghosts, souls, corpses, and simr entities. The cultivation techniques practiced by the Nine Nether Sect are also considered yin-aligned techniques. Cultivators of yin-aligned techniques fear thunder most, as thunder represents extreme yang energy, which counters yin-based cultivators. In the twenty-four sr terms, there is one term called Jing Zhe, which describes the frightening effect thunder has on yin creatures.Senior Brother Zhao, youve returned! Two gatekeeping disciples recognized Zhao Po and hurriedly saluted him. Each of them had their own Living Corpse standing beside them on guard. As the second-ranked disciple of the younger generation, Zhao Po was an idol to many of the disciples. Unlike the first-ranked disciple, Huang Ming, Zhao Po was known for being helpful and had assisted many others, earning him great poprity within the Corpse-Driving Sect. Senior Brother Zhao, who are these two? They are fellow Daoists from the Dao Seeking Sect, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, here to visit our Corpse-Driving Sect. The two gatekeeping disciples were shocked. Dao Seeking Sect, again?! Again? Senior Brother Zhao, you might not know, but while you were away, a Dao Seeking Sect disciple from the Barbarian Tribe came to our sect to learn corpse-driving techniques. Is his name Barbarian Bone? Lu Yang couldnt help but ask. Yes, thats the name. Why is Barbarian Bone learning corpse-driving techniques? Isnt he a Confucian cultivator? Meng Jingzhou asked, confused. Who knows?n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om After the gatekeeping disciples notified the sect, one of the sects stewards came out to greet the two guests personally. Could you inform the Sect Leader that we havee to pay our respects? Lu Yang requested. The steward looked troubled. The Sect Leader is at a critical point in his cultivation. Ever since he epted Huang Ming as a disciple, hes been in seclusion and cannot meet with anyone. Thats alright, we can meet with one of your sects elders instead, Lu Yang replied, unconcerned. After all, they were here to find a solution for Meng Jingzhous curse, so it didnt matter whom they consulted. Ill take you to see my master. He is the Grand Elder, Zhao Po offered with a smile. After the sects grandpetition, Huang Ming had been taken as a disciple by the Sect Leader, while Zhao Po had be the disciple of the Grand Elder. In terms of status, Zhao Po was actually higher than that of the steward. Well trouble you then, Junior Nephew Zhao. Dont mention it, Martial Uncle. The group of three men, a corpse, and a horse entered the Corpse-Driving Sect smoothly. After they settled the old horse, they set off to find the Grand Elder of the Corpse-Driving Sect. What is that amazing smell? Zhao Po sniffed the air, picking up a scent hed never encountered before. It does smell good, and its very familiar, Meng Jingzhou remarked, also sniffing the air and recognizing the scent of roasting meat. Its definitely Barbarian Bone, Lu Yang said with a smile. Only the three of them, along with the higher-ups of the Evesting Sect and the followers of the Nine Nether Sect, could produce such a smell. In other words, apart from demonic sects, only the three of them knew how to create such a delicious aroma. Lets go see him. Meng Jingzhou, temporarily forgetting his curse, followed the enticing smell. The three of them followed the scent to find Barbarian Boneor rather, they didnt need to follow the smell. They just had to go where the crowd was gathered. The disciples of the Corpse-Driving Sect were gathered around, clearly up to something, and the delightful smell wasing from the center. Make way, make way. The three squeezed to the front of the crowd and saw Barbarian Bone. Barbarian Bone was sitting cross-legged on the ground, muttering something under his breath. Two roasted sheep corpses danced over the fire, coating each other with seasoning. The aroma of the roasted meat blended perfectly with the spices, and the heat from the fire released a mouthwatering fragrance. The two roasted sheep had a delicious golden color, making everyones mouths water. Divide! Barbarian Bone shouted, and the two sheep corpses automatically broke apart into small portions, with each person receiving a piece. The Corpse-Driving Sect disciples had been eagerly waiting for this moment and quickly dug in, showering Barbarian Bone with praise. Ive never had roastmb this good before. Just look at that skincrispy and fragrant, and the meat, so juicy with every bite. Thats not all! The roastmb Ive had in the past always had uneven heatsome parts were overcooked, while others were half-raw. But look at what Daoist Barbarian Bone has roastedevery bit is infused with vor, even the bones! Ah, thats the benefit of being from the Dao Seeking Sect. Why didnt we think of using corpse-driving techniques for roasting? Look at how amazing the result is. Thats why people like him can get into the Dao Seeking Sect, and we cant. Their way of thinking is just on a different level. Its not just the way of thinking. Daoist Barbarian Bone also has incredible talent! Look at us, taking years just to learn corpse-driving, and Barbarian Bone mastered the basics in half a month. His dedication to learning surpasses ours. Barbarian Bone humbly replied, You all tter me too much. My skills are nothingpared to my two senior brothers. Im but a minor talent. Especially Senior Brother Lu Yangif he were to learn corpse-driving techniques andbine it with the Three vours True Fire, the vor of roastmb could be elevated to an even higher level! The crowd could hardly imagine how much more delicious that would taste. Lu Yang: Meng Jingzhou: No wonder Barbarian Bone came to learn corpse-driving techniquesit seems he hasnt forgotten the conversation we had in the dense forest. Back when Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhou, Peach Blossom Leaf, and Barbarian Bone were training in the forest, they had hunted many demonic beasts. It was then that Barbarian Bone discovered that roasting entire demonic beasts often resulted in uneven cooking, so he suggested using corpse-driving techniques for more even roasting. This method even earned high praise from the great backer of the ancient Barbarian TribeEvesting Fairy. Barbarian Bone is doing wellhes not only got sheep corpses roasting on the fire but can even have them automatically break apart. The two of them learned from Zhao Po that disassembling a Living Corpse is abat technique, and its very difficult to master. Barbarian Bone, long time no see! The two greeted him, unable to keep smiles from their faces. Barbarian Bone, hearing familiar voices, looked up suddenly. When he saw Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, his eyes lit up. Brother Lu! Brother Meng! What are you doing here? Old Meng here has done too many bad things and is finally paying for it, Lu Yang said with a mischievous grin. Bad things? Barbarian Bone was puzzled. In his memory, Brother Lu and Brother Meng were his role modelsboth were outstanding individuals. How could they have done anything bad? Old Meng got cursed, and now hes particrly unlucky with women. Barbarian Bone suddenly understood. Meng Jingzhou must have deliberately invoked a curse as part of his cultivation to fully develop the potential of his Single Bachelors Spirit Root, proving his determination in cultivation. During his time learning corpse-driving techniques, Brother Lu and Brother Meng must have been diligently training, using every second to better themselves. Inparison, Barbarian Bone felt ashamed. He had barely learned a bit of corpse-driving and was already proud of himself, even though it didnt benefit his cultivation at all. Compared to Brother Meng, he was wasting his time. He felt deeply guilty. (End of the chapter) Chapter 422: Barbarian Bone: Is the Heavenly Court Sect Still Recruiting? Chapter 422: Barbarian Bone: Is the Heavenly Court Sect Still Recruiting? So, Brother Meng, youre suffering from karmic bacsh, causing women to instinctively dislike you, and thats why you came to the Deste Lands to seek a solution? Barbarian Bone finally understood after hearing Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhous exnation. As expected of Brother Menghis experiences were truly on another level. How could an ordinary Golden Core Stage cultivator ever encounter something like karmic bacsh? After finishing the roastmb, the three brothers found a spot slightly farther from the Corpse-Driving Sect disciples to catch up. And what about you? How did you end up at the Corpse-Driving Sect? Did youe on your own? Well, after I returned to my tribe for theing-of-age ceremony, I expressed my desire to learn corpse-driving techniques at the Corpse-Driving Sect, mainly for improving my roasting skills. So, the n chief sent me here and took the opportunity to visit Sect Leader Lu Baqian, but the Sect Leader was in seclusion, so the n chief left me here and went back. Sect Leader Lu Baqian, Sect Leader of the Corpse-Driving Sect, was in thete Unity Stage. I had originally thought I might spar with Huang Ming from the Corpse-Driving Sect, but he seems to be away on a mission and hasnt returned. I heard that the Barbarian Tribesing-of-age ceremony is quite dangerous, requiring a fight with a Golden Core Stage demonic beast. As the current Eldest Senior Brother, Lu Yang was concerned for Junior Brother Barbarians safety. Barbarian Bone scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile. It wasnt particrly dangerous, especially considering the three of us infiltrated a demonic sect at the early Foundation Building Stage, and by thete Foundation Building Stage, we were chasing after Golden Core Stage demonic beasts in the forest.Indeed,pared to those two events, Barbarian Bone fighting a Golden Core Stage demonic beast with his Golden Core Stage cultivation was as safe as returning to the Dao Seeking Sect. At that moment, Zhao Po walked over. My master usually spends his time cultivating, but he happens to be free now.N?v(el)B\\jnn Lets go, then. Meng Jingzhou smiled, feeling that luck was finally on his side, but he quickly grew cautious and asked, Is your master a man or a woman? A man. Thats great. Barbarian Bone, no longer needed to learn corpse-driving techniques. He didnt have high expectations for mastering it. As long as he could roast meat, he was satisfied, following Meng Jingzhou to meet the Grand Elder. Barbarian Bone happily said, Seeing you guys reminds me of something interesting. A new barbecue restaurant opened in Han Shui City called Come Again Barbecue. Its name is just like ours, but its a chain, and they im to use an ancient secret recipe. I was nning to try it, but I just havent had the time. Barbarian Bone shook his head in regret. Lu Yang: Meng Jingzhou: Actually, that restaurant is somewhat rted to us, Lu Yang said, transmitting his voice so that Zhao Po wouldnt overhear and mistakenly think they were involved with a demonic sect. We didnt get the chance to tell you because you went home. During that time, Old Meng and I made contact with the Nine Nether Sect Barbarian Bone was left wide-eyed, speechless for a long moment. Hed only gone home for a short while, but in that time, Brother Lu and Brother Meng had established a sect called the Heavenly Court Sect. Not only that, but they had roped in Eldest Senior Sister, the Sect Leader, elders, and even Peach Blossom Leaf. They had also partnered with the Nine Nether Sect to start a chain of barbecue restaurants. He hadnt been gone that longless than two months. As expected, Brother Lu and Brother Meng were geniuses. Dont worry, youre a contributor through your barbecue techniques. Youll get a 10% share of the restaurants profits. After all, the recipe they used for the barbecue came from the ancient secret recipe passed down by the Barbarian Tribe. Barbarian Bone wasnt particrly concerned about the profits. After all, as the only surviving member of the Ancient Barbarian Tribe, he was treated like a precious treasure, and the entire tribe showered him with Spirit Stones. He nevercked resourceshe just didnt have much need for them. Is the Heavenly Court Sect still recruiting? Barbarian Bone eagerly asked, wanting to follow in the footsteps of his role models. Of course, were recruiting! Our Heavenly Court Sect needs talented individuals like you! Lu Yangughed, d that Barbarian Bone brought it up; if he hadnt, Lu Yang would have mentioned it himself. All five of Lu Yangs peers from his generation had already joined the Heavenly Court Sect. The group ventured deeper into the Corpse-Driving Sect, where the atmosphere grew increasingly cold. An old man sat in the depths of a grand yet empty hall, his eyes cold and emotionless. Master, these are the two visitors from the Dao Seeking Sect that I mentionedLu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Youve already met Barbarian Bone, Zhao Po said. We greet the Grand Elder! Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou bowed, offering the appropriate junior salutation. Enough of that, no need to be so formal between us. Daoist Non-Speakers disciple and the Meng family kidIve got connections to both, the old man chuckled, his ancient eyes regaining warmth. My surname is Gai. You can just call me Elder Gai. This is the letter from the Fourth Elder, Lu Yang said, handing over the letter written by the Fourth Elder to the Corpse-Driving Sect. Its been ages since Ive seen a letter from Xie Shanren. His handwriting is always delightful and worth a fortune. Just this letter alone could be auctioned for a high price Wait, did you open this letter? Elder Gais face darkened, displeased. He believed it was disrespectful for juniors to open a letter meant for seniors. It wasnt us. It was Valley Master Shuang who opened it, Lu Yang exined helplessly. The demoness? Elder Gai trembled at the mention of her name, quickly using his spiritual sense to scan the letter multiple times, worried that Shuang Feiyan had left a curse on it. There was precedent for such a thing. Thankfully, the letter is safe Now, exin the situation. Fourth Elder sent us to the Deste Lands to find a way to resolve the curse. He suggested wee to your sect first for advice. It was our first time here, and we didnt know the area well, but we heard that the Seven Emotions Valley specializes in curses, so we decided to visit them first Elder Gais eye twitched. Such fearlessness from young onesthey had no idea how dangerous their decision was. As the disciple of Daoist Non-Speaker, holding Xie Shanrens letter, yet daring to seek out Shuang Feiyan? It seemed they werent afraid of getting themselves killed. Especially at the end of the letter, where Xie Shanren referred to Shuang Feiyan as the demonessthat was a private nickname, and no one dared call her that to her face. The fact that this kid could stand unharmed in front of him now was a testament to his remarkable luck. The curse is something that Sect Leader Lu Baqian can handle. However, youll need to wait a while. Hes currently in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Tribtion Crossing Stage. Once he sessfully breaks through, the curse wont be much of an issue. (TL Note: The Lu is different from the Lu in Lu Yang. If anyone shares the same surname Ill mention it so please assume theyre different unless I put a note saying otherwise.) Hes breaking through to the Tribtion Crossing Stage?! everyone eximed in unison. Sect Leader Lu was of simr age to Daoist Non-Speaker and the other elders of the Dao Seeking Sect. In fact, most of the elders and Sect Leaders from various major powers were around the same age, all secretlypeting to see who could reach the Tribtion Crossing Stage first. No one expected Sect Leader Lu to be the first to attempt the breakthrough. Lu Yang quickly recovered and stepped forward. Should I inform our elders of this news? We should celebrate Sect Leader Lus breakthrough together. The Dao Seeking Sect and the Corpse-Driving Sect were on good terms. From both an emotional and practical perspective, Sect Leader Lus breakthrough to the Tribtion Crossing Stage was a great joy, and the Dao Seeking Sect should send someone to offer congrattions. However, he and Meng Jingzhou didnt have high enough status to officially represent the Dao Seeking Sect. Elder Gai waved his hand. No need. Before he went into seclusion, Old Lu specifically told me not to inform anyone about his breakthrough. He wants it to be a surprise. Ive told you this, but dont tell anyone else. (End of the chapter) Chapter 423: Ghostly Calamities Chapter 423: Ghostly Cmities Old Lu should break through in three to five days. Just wait for him, said Elder Gai with a smile, showing great concern for Lu Yang and the other two juniors. Recently, a lot of ghostly cmities have appeared around Han Shui City. If you have nothing else to do these days, you can go to Han Shui City and catch some ghosts. When you return, you can exchange them for contribution points. Ill write you a proof letter, Elder Gai said, caring for the group. Ghostly cmities? Lu Yang was puzzled. With the state governor overseeing Han Shui City and the Corpse-Driving Sect backing it, what ghost would dare to cause trouble? Elder Gai sighed, Didnt the former state governor get arrested due to reports, along with a bunch of officials? There was a reshuffling of the Deste Lands officialdom. At this time, Han Shui City suddenly encountered several ghostly cmities. Even rules cantpletely suppress them, so there must be a Unity expert in secret opposition. The newly appointed state governor hasnt even found his footing yet, and hes already facing such trouble. His handling of it hasnt been adequate, so the ghostly cmities remain unchecked. The Nine Nether Sect is the best at controlling ghosts. The governor suspects that the Nine Nether Sect is secretly stirring up trouble and is investigating, but no results have been found so far. As the Corpse-Driving Sect is a renowned sect in the Deste Lands, its only natural for us to take responsibility, encouraging disciples to deal with the ghostly cmities. The level of these ghostly cmities isnt high, and you should be able to handle it. Of course, you can also choose to stay in the sect and study the art of corpse driving. Its up to you.Lu Yang exchanged a nce with Meng Jingzhou, seeing the confusion in each others eyes. How could it be Nine Nether Sect causing trouble? They were busy running their barbecue shophow could they have time for this? Were they not earning enough from the shop? Regardless of who was causing the ghostly cmities, as disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect, they had to deal with it. After bidding farewell to Elder Gai, the voice of Evesting Fairy echoed in Lu Yangs mind. That old man just now wasnt alive. He was a Living Corpse. The technique used to refine him was quite advanced. Who? Lu Yang thought he had misheard. That old man just now. Lu Yangs mind raced as he instantly pieced together the most likely scenario, cold sweat dripping down his back: Elder Gai had died, and no one knew. Someone had refined his corpse to create the illusion that Elder Gai was still alive. Brother Zhao, I noticed something odd about Elder Gai just now, Lu Yang tentatively asked. Zhao Po gave a thumbs-up, Brother Lu, what keen eyes you have! You could tell that the person sitting there wasnt my master, but a Living Corpse he had refined. Whats going on? Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone were intrigued. Zhao Po smiled and exined without any hesitation, We Corpse Drivers have long dealt with corpse qi and death qi, causing an imbnce of yin and yang in our bodies. This leads to physical weaknessnot to mentionparing ourselves to someone like Brother Meng, even ordinary cultivators have stronger physiques than us. A Corpse Drivers entire cultivation is invested in the refinement of their Living Corpses. For safety reasons, once they reach the Spirit Transformation Stage, Corpse Drivers no longer reveal their true selves to the outside world. Instead, they use a refined Living Corpse in their ce. Its not just my masterall the elders in the sect use Living Corpses to represent themselves publicly. No one knows where their true bodies are. Moreover, most Corpse Drivers prefer not to interact with outsiders. They are introverted and silent, so its perfect for them to use a Living Corpse as their substitute, why wouldnt they do it? Dealing with corpses all the time made most Corpse Drivers introverted; Zhao Po was one of the few exceptions. So thats how it is. Lu Yang suddenly understood that he had been overthinking it. Next, should we head to the ssroom to study, or should I take up a task and join me in solving the ghostly cmities? Lu Yang smiled slightly, speaking righteously, Of course, we should go and deal with the ghostly cmity! Old Meng here has the Single Bachelors Spirit Root and has formed two Single Bachelors Golden Core. His Pure Yang Physique will make any ghost flee for their lives! With Old Meng leading the way, solving the ghostly cmities will be a piece of cake! Although it was rare for Lu Yang to praise him, and everything he said was true, Meng Jingzhou couldnt bring himself to be happy about it. Youre the one with the Single Bachelors Spirit Root! Your whole family has a Single Bachelors Spirit Root! Sometimes Meng Jingzhou really wanted to give Lu Yang a set of Single Curse Fist, but he didnt dare. His intuition told him that if he gave Lu Yang a set of Single Curse Fist, the karmic bacsh would be even worse than it is now, and it would truly be irreparable. Just you wait, Lu Yang. When I be an immortal, Ill give you the full set! So, does this mean we can freely take on Golden Core Stage missions? Zhao Po thought out loud. With the four of them at Golden Core Stage, they could sweep through any ghost rted missions for that level. Lu Yang waved his hand grandly, Be bolder when picking. We can even take on Nascent Soul Stage missions. Zhao Po was surprised for a moment, but he quickly realized that with the four of them working together, dealing with a Nascent Soul Stage ghost shouldnt be a problem. Alright, Ill go find a Nascent Soul Stage mission. The three of you wait here for a bit. While Zhao Po went to take up the mission, Lu Yang, having nothing to do, took out his Nine Nether Token and contacted Vice Sect Leader Petrified, inputting a message.N?v(el)B\\jnn Our Heavenly Court Sect has a Heavenly King currently in the Deste Lands Han Shui City. Weve discovered ghostly cmity outbreaks here, and the state governor suspects its your doing. Was it your sect? After waiting for a while, there was no response from the Nine Nether Token. Lu Yang thought Vice Sect Leader Petrified might be busy and hadnt seen the message, so he was about to put it away when the token suddenly heated up, and a long response appeared on its surface. Lu Yang was speechless, So, it wasnt that Vice Sect Leader Petrified didnt see it, he was just furiously writing. Vice Sect Leader Petrifieds reply read: This is pure nder! Those bastards in the imperial court are once again dumping their crap on us. Our Sect Leader thinks Young Sect Leader Lus idea of Store outlets is great. Right now, Nine Nether Sect has too few strong members, and we should focus on cultivating to increase the number of Unity Stage and even Tribtion Crossing Stage experts. Most of our sects activities are currently on hold. The whole sect is busy running chain stores and making money. This was the Sect Leaders decision. At the Nine Nether Sect branch, Vice Sect Leader Petrified was furious when he saw Lu Yangs question. We barely have enough time to make money! Who has the time to cause ghostly cmities? What benefit would we even get from it? This isnt the first or second time the court has ndered us. Whenever something mysterious happens, they me our demon sect. As if we have the time for such nonsense! As he replied to Lu Yang, he cursed angrily. If the Heavenly Court Sect misunderstood and thought Nine Nether Sect was acting on its own without considering the bigger picture, it would make future cooperation difficult. After finishing the reply, he thought he should exin more to Lu Yang, but found that the Nine Nether Token was no longer functional. It needs to cool down for five more days. What a hassle. Vice Sect Leader Petrified leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. Suddenly, he pped his forehead, Wait, why am I worrying about this? The Sect Leader is in Deste Lands! He took out another Nine Nether Token and ryed what Lu Yang had said to the Sect Leader, asking how they should handle it. The Sect Leader quickly responded with just one sentence. Im in Han Shui City. (End of the chapter) Chapter 424: Lu Yang: It’s My Turn to Act Chapter 424: Lu Yang: Its My Turn to Act In the southeast direction of Han Shui City, there is a small vige called Baishui Vige. In the vige, there was a couple. The husband, Liu San, woke up one morning and found that his wife had not woken him up as usual, which he found very strange. Liu San called for his wife at home, but there was no response. He started searching for her and eventually discovered that she had drowned in a water basin. The coroner found no signs of struggle when the wife died, as if she had willingly drowned herself in the water basin. This baffled everyone, and it was reported through various channels. After thorough investigation, the authorities concluded that it was the work of a Drowning Ghost. A Drowning Ghost is a ghost formed when someone dies by drowning with unresolved resentment, and coincidentally, at the time of death, they encounter a surge of yin energy, turning them into a ghost that haunts the mortal world. Drowning Ghosts usually reside in rivers,kes, and seas. Coincidentally, there is a cold pond near Baishui Vige. The water is so cold that long-term consumption by mortals causes illness. The yin energy is heavy there, making it an ideal dwelling for a Drowning Ghost. One of our senior brothers in thete Golden Core Stage happened to pass by while returning to the sect. After hearing about this incident, he went to the cold pond to investigate and ordered his Living Corpse to dive into the pond to capture the Drowning Ghost. But that Drowning Ghost was powerful, at least at the half-step Nascent Soul Stage, or possibly even in the early Nascent Soul Stage. There are too many ghost-rted disasters in Han Shui City, and both the government and the sects are stretched too thin to handle them all, leaving no manpower to deal with the Drowning Ghost. So, what do you think? Want to take this mission? Zhao Po had obtained the details of a mission and briefly exined it, asking Lu Yang and the others.Meng Jingzhou found a mere Drowning Ghost unchallenging: Doesnt sound too difficult. Is there anything more challenging? Well, theres this female ghost looking to marry in a ghost wedding The Drowning Ghost mission it is, Meng Jingzhou quickly interrupted Zhao Po. He wasnt joking. Given his current situation, either the female ghost wouldnt bother showing up because she disliked him, or shed p him to death because she disliked him. Alright then, lets set off. Before leaving, Zhao Po handed each of them a talisman. What kind of talisman is this? Its the Soul Dispelling Talisman, specially crafted by the sect. Every disciple assigned to resolve ghost cmities is issued one. The sect discovered that its difficult topletely destroy ghosts, even when they are severely weakened. Without the appropriate methods, its hard to kill a powerful ghost. So, the sect coborated with the governments talisman masters and ghost-exorcising Daoists to create this talisman overnight. Disciples of the Corpse-Driving Sect are all Corpse Driver, practicing yin-based cultivation techniques, which align closely with the nature of fierce ghosts. While they can defeat such ghosts, they find it difficult to kill them. Once we defeat the Drowning Ghost, we can use this talisman to finish it off! Your sect really thought this through. Lu Yang grinned as he put away the Soul Dispelling Talisman, although, truthfully, it wasnt really necessary for them. With Meng Jingzhou, the ultimate nemesis of ghosts, they could simply burn the fierce ghost to death. Whether it was the Pure Yang True Fire or the Three vours True Fire, both were highly effective against fierce ghosts. The cold pond was located at the opposite end of Han Shui City from the Corpse-Driving Sect, separated by the entire city. As they left the Corpse-Driving Sect and passed through Han Shui City, they walked by the Come Again barbecue shop, which was still in its trial phase. Han Shui City remained bustling, with peopleing and going, and the ghost cmity didnt seem to have had much impact on the citys prosperity. Firstly, Han Shui City had arge poption, and the abundance of yang energy made it difficult for fierce ghosts to easily enter and cause havoc. Secondly, staying at home wasnt necessarily any safer. A single door wouldnt stop a determined ghost from causing trouble. In fact, being outside in crowded areas might be safer. Following the task description, the four people and the Living Corpse passed by Baishui Vige and arrived at the cold pond. Standing by the edge of the pond, they could feel the coldness emanating from it. The cold pond was surrounded on three sides by mountains, and it never received sunlight throughout the year. The area was also covered in lush vegetation, with a few particrly conspicuous old locust trees. Under these conditions, the pond water had be icy cold. The water was crystal clear, but the bottom couldnt be seen, making it impossible to locate the Drowning Ghosts exact position. How strange, why arent there any fish? Meng Jingzhou was puzzled. Normally, a ce like this should be teeming with fish, and it wouldnt even be surprising to find somerge ones weighing a hundred or so pounds. But in reality, there wasnt a single fish in the pondnot even fish fry. Did the ghost eat them? Do ghosts even eat fish? Lu Yang pushed the ever-questioning Meng Jingzhou aside and squatted down to observe the pond, Dont worry about whether it eats fish. We can ask it after we catch it. The real question is how we get in. Who among us is skilled in water? We need to lure the ghost out. The four of them looked at each other in dismay. Lu Yang had the Sword Spirit Root, Meng Jingzhou had the Single Bachelors Spirit Root, Barbarian Bone was from the Ancient Barbarian Tribe, and Zhao Po was a Corpse Driver. None of them were skilled in water techniques. Ill do it. Ill send the Living Corpse down! Zhao Po lit three incense sticks and bowed three times to the Living Corpse. The Living Corpse absorbed the incenses qi, and its pale skin gained a hint of redness, while its hollow eyes seemed to flicker with some life. The Living Corpse jumped into the cold pond, causing ripples to spread across the calm water. Clearly, the Living Corpse had found the Drowning Ghost and was now engaged inbat. A ghosts poweres from the fear in living beings and the fragility of their souls. However, these two factors had no effect on a Living Corpse. Zhao Po broke out in a cold sweat, his teeth chattering. He could synchronize with the Living Corpses senses and could feel just how powerful the ghost it was facing was, increasing the pressure on him immensely. Brother Zhao? Lu Yang asked, concerned. The information was wrong! The Drowning Ghost below isnt half-step Nascent Soul or early Nascent Soul; its mid-stage Nascent Soul! The Living Corpse also saw a female corpse below, likely the wife who drowned in Baishui Vige! The Living Corpse is luring the Drowning Ghost out, get ready! Zhao Po shouted. Upon hearing this, Lu Yang and the others quickly assumed battle stances. The moment the Drowning Ghost surfaced, it would face a violent barrage of attacks. Bang The water exploded, and a figure leapt out of the pond. Three vours True Fire! Pure Yang True Fire! Barbaric Tyrant Fist! The three attacked simultaneously, their strikes about to hit the figure when Zhao Po hastily shouted for them to stop. Stop, stop, stop! Thats not the Drowning Ghost; its my Living Corpse! They quickly redirected their attacks, missing the mark and instead striking the cliffside, sending massive rocks tumbling down with loud crashes. Zhao Pos eye twitched at the sight. The power of their attacks clearly didnt seem like it came from Golden Core Stage cultivators. Wheres the Drowning Ghost? Lu Yang asked, puzzled.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Zhao Po gave a sheepish smile. When I yelled for you all to get ready, I was too loud. The Drowning Ghost heard us and, realizing it was an ambush, fled back into the pond. This is a problem. Now that it knows theres an ambush, it definitely wonte out, Barbarian Bone said, unsure of what to do. Should we just use a storage ring to drain the water? Meng Jingzhou suggested. Zhao Po shook his head. No, this cold pond has be the Drowning Ghosts domain. The storage ring cant absorb something that has an owner. Lu Yang smiled confidently. Leave this to me. This is the perfect chance for you all to witness the technique Ive been practicing for days! What new crooked magic have you learned now? Meng Jingzhou asked, curious. This divine ability is renowned. Youll know it when you see it! Lu Yang said, acting mysterious, which only piqued Meng Jingzhous curiosity more. Come on, show me! Lu Yang paced by the pond, using his spiritual qi to make his robes flutter, giving off an aura of someone ascending to immortality. Listen, ghost in the water, Ill give you one chance. If you donte out now, dont me me for using force! The pond remained still. Lu Yang had already anticipated that the Drowning Ghost wouldnt respond. He flipped his palm, pressing it against the waters surface, and then suddenly lifted it upwards. The water formed into a waterspout, all of it being sucked into his palm, revealing the Drowning Ghost lurking at the bottom of the pond. Lu Yang turned around and elegantly waved his sleeve, looking utterly carefree. Take a guess. This is the technique Ive been practicing so diligently Zhao Po stared in shock, unable to speak for a long moment. This this is the legendary Universe in Sleeves Art! With a flick of the sleeve, the entire ponds water was sucked in and disappeared. What else could it be but the Universe in Sleeves Art? Right, this is exactly the Universe in Sleeves Art! (End of the chapter) Chapter 425: Arhat Fist Proves Its Might Chapter 425: Arhat Fist Proves Its Might Before Zhao Po could finish being shocked, the four of them felt a massive, cold surge of spiritual energy rise from the bottom of the pond. A fierce ghost, covered in wet seaweed and dripping with water, flew out, fixing its cold gaze on Lu Yang, with a hint of dread in its eyes. Well, well, well. So young and already mastering the Universe in Sleeves Art. As expected from the wondrously talented The Great Xia dynasty, truly an exceptional genius! The Drowning Ghost sneered with a deathly look on its face, locking its gaze on Lu Yang, whom it saw as the biggest threat. There were no signs of magical treasures in y, which could only mean it was a spatial spellabsorbing an entire pond into a sleeve could only be the Universe in Sleeves Art! Learning such aplex spell at the Golden Core Stagewhat a world-ss prodigy! Lu Yang squinted slightly and demanded, Oh? From what youre saying, you arent a native of The Great Xia? Where are you from, and why are you in Han Shui City? The Drowning Ghost snorted disdainfully at Lu Yangs questioning. Why should I tell you? These little ones may have some talent for magic, but they were an entire realm lower than it. Why would they think they could defeat it? Foolish.After saying this, the Drowning Ghost turned and tried to flee. Joking aside, why would it fight if it could escape? Trying to run? Take my punch! Meng Jingzhou was the first to strike, using the Arhat Fist. The sound of chanting filled the air as Pure Yang True Fire enveloped his fist, surging violently. So hot! The Drowning Ghost hadnt expected Meng Jingzhou to be so fast, and before it could react, it took a direct hit. Thebination of Buddhist techniques and Pure Yang True Fire, both of which were extremely effective against fierce ghosts, was too much for it to handle! Youre just a Golden Core Stage cultivator, yet youre exhibiting the power of a Nascent Soul Stage fighter! And this technique Youre not from the Corpse-Driving Sect! The Drowning Ghost had underestimated them and lost the advantage. It seems I wont be able to leave today without dealing with you little brats! The Drowning Ghost gritted its teeth, clearly not looking for trouble but now forced into a fight. Hmph, after drowning mortals in a basin, do you still think you can escape, you vile ghost? Damn it! What does drowning a mortal have to do with you? You Great Xia cultivators are so annoying! The Drowning Ghost cursed loudly. Normally, the water was its domain, but with its control over the pond taken by Lu Yang, it was now reluctant to fight. Since fleeing wasnt an option anymore, it had no choice but to fight! Water Marsh Abyss! ck water spread from beneath the Drowning Ghosts feet, thick like blood, and in the blink of an eye, it had reached the feet of the four. A bone-chilling cold spread from their feet to their heads. Moving became incredibly difficult, and worse yet, after touching the ck water, even breathing becamebored, as if they were suffocating. At the Golden Core Stage, cultivators can create internal cirction and no longer need to breathe. There should be no sensation of suffocation, but the ck water could still drown them as if they were submerged. Lu Yang brought his index and middle fingers together and shouted, Break! The ck water receded, and everyone snapped back to rity. What they had just experienced wasnt real but an illusion, amon trick used by Drowning Ghosts. However, Lu Yangs cultivation technique was perfectly suited to dispelling illusions! With the illusion shattered, countless waterweeds wrapped around the group. These were the cause of the Drowning Ghosts own death by drowning and had now be one of its abilities. Sweep! The Qingfeng Sword pierced the ground, sending a torrent of sword qi across the ground, severing the roots of the waterweeds. Everyone attack together! sh Word Technique! Arhat Fist! Barbaric Tyrant Fist! The three attacked in unison, aiming for the Drowning Ghost. It swayed slightly, leaving behind a shadow while its true form instantly appeared behind Barbarian Bone, holding a strand of waterweed in its hand, which it wrapped around Barbarian Bones neck. Barbarian Bone, with his simple and honest appearance, seemed like the easiest target to deal with. Without even looking behind him, Barbarian Bone mmed his head backward, striking the Drowning Ghost so hard that it became dizzy and had to release the waterweed wrapped around Barbarian Bones neck. Once again, the three of them and the ghost were locked in battle. The three exceptional prodigies were attacking a Nascent Soul-level ghost, leaving Zhao Po at a loss as to how he could assist. The fight before him was no longer something he could get involved init had be a Nascent Soul-level battle. Wait, I thought we were all in the Golden Core Stage? Zhao Po felt like his Golden Core Stage cultivation was just for show. Arhat Fist! Lu Yang also unleashed his Arhat Fist, enhanced with Three vours True Fire. The Drowning Ghost had been prepared for this and dodged repeatedly, but Lu Yangbined his punches with the Shrinking Earth technique, allowing him to burrow underground and emerge unpredictably. A sudden punchnded squarely on the Drowning Ghosts shoulder. Ignoring the pain from the True Fire and the punch, the Drowning Ghost noticed something even more terrifying. My hair! The Drowning Ghosts water-soaked strands of hair, once distinctive, were now falling out uncontrobly thanks to the Arhat Fist. Huh, so it works on ghosts too, Lu Yang remarked, slightly surprised. He had only intended to use the Buddhist technique to restrain the ghost, not make its hair fall out. Eighteen Consecutive Strikes! Barbarian Bone pulled out arge iron hammer, chanting Confucian sayings while relentlessly pounding the Drowning Ghost. Wait, are you a Confucian cultivator?! The Drowning Ghosts face twisted in horror as it felt the righteous qi infused into the hammer. Long-term study of Confucian ssics could nurture a strong aura of righteousness. Though Barbarian Bones learning had been slow, his dedication had allowed him to cultivate this righteous qi. The attacks from Lu Yang and hispanions were filled with overwhelming yang energy, causing the yin energy that had been hovering over the pond to thin out. If the fight continued, they might even disperse all the lingering yin energy! The Drowning Ghost was furious. It had found such a good spot, only for these three to ruin it. Enraged, it spat, You puff dont puff force me puff stop hitting me, I surrender. If it were a one-on-one fight, Lu Yang would have used his Invincible Core to speed up the battle. But with three against one, it was aplete suppressionthere was no need for the Invincible Core. The Drowning Ghosty sprawled on the ground,pletely defeated and full of despair.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Arhat Fist, True Fire, righteous qi The Drowning Ghost wondered if it had chosen the wrong day to leave home. It had run into every method in existence for restraining ghosts. It had lost its home field advantage, was faced with techniques that specifically countered ghosts, and was up against geniuses capable of fighting across their level. How could it have possibly won in such circumstances? Is it over already? Zhao Po and his Living Corpse approached, still in disbelief. The fight had started and ended so quickly that he hadnt been able to keep up. Zhao Po wasnt untalented, butpared to Lu Yang and the others, his experience wascking. Although Zhao Po had wandered through the world and seen many things, he hadnt faced the constant challenges and life-or-death battles like Lu Yang and hispanions, who regrly fought demon sects and took on challenges far beyond their capabilities. Lu Yang pulled out the Soul Dispelling Talisman, causing the Drowning Ghost to retreat in fear. Wait, wait, I dont deserve this! Lu Yang remained unmoved, continuing his actions. You drowned a human, and you still have the face to say you dont deserve this? Its fake, all fake! The person didnt dielook at the bottom of the pond, shes alive and well! the Drowning Ghost shouted in terror. Lu Yang leaned over to check, and sure enough, there was a living woman at the bottom of the pond. It seemed the Living Corpse had mistakenly assumed she was dead. Using his spiritual qi, Lu Yang formed arge hand and lifted the woman out of the water, cing her beside the Drowning Ghost. Alright, exin whats going on. (End of the chapter) Chapter 426: Why Does a Ghost Need Money? Chapter 426: Why Does a Ghost Need Money? (TL Note: Happy new years!!!) Which faction of ghosts do you belong to? Are you from the Nine Nether Sect? Zhao Po asked, trying to sound intimidating as he interrogated the Drowning Ghost. The Drowning Ghost shook his head vigorously, emphasizing that he meant no harm. I ended up here purely by ident, really. I was originally a fisherman from the East Sea. After drowning, I was filled with resentment and turned into a vengeful spirit. By chance, my corpse came across a piece of Yin Wind Stone, and thats how I became a Drowning Ghost. The East Sea is vast and boundless, with ten thousand kinds of living beings and schools of fish everywhere. I secretly absorbed the yang energy from various Sea Tribes, gradually raising my Cultivation. I advanced from a Drowning Ghost that couldnt even stand sunlight to one at the Qi Training Stage, gaining enough strength to protect myself. After securing my survival, I rxed and wandered around the East Sea. asionally, Id leap out of the water to scare people. My boldness grew, and I decided to explore the depths of the East Sea, where I hadnt dared go when I was alive. But as soon as I left the safe zone, I encountered a fish king weighing over a hundred pounds. It opened its mouth wide, about to swallow me whole. Realizing the danger, I quickly retreated to the safe zone, determined not to leave it again! I continued cultivating slowly in the safe zone, devouring the yang energy from schools of fish, and sometimes even sneaking a bite of the fishermens offerings. We fishermen have a tradition of offering sacrifices to the East Sea. But since I had drowned, it was clear that offering to the sea wasnt going to keep anyone safe, so I ate the offerings without a second thought.Later, I lost track of my cultivation stage as I focused solely on training, ignoring everyone. One day, I encountered a Cultivator who tried to capture me for refinement. I easily drove him off and took his storage ring and some cultivation techniques. After studying the techniques, I realized I had reached thete Foundation Building Stage. By that time, I had already been dead for 200 years. Once I understood the direction of my cultivation, I resumed training. After another 800 years, I finally reached the mid Nascent Soul Stage. During this entire time, I never left the safe zone. I had nned to wait until I reached the Spirit Transformation Stage before venturing out again. But to my surprise, someone ambushed me and knocked me out with a single p. When I woke up, I was already in this pond. Lu Yang interrupted the Drowning Ghosts story: So, you have no idea who brought you here? No idea.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Any distinctive traits about the person? They were stronger than me. Continue. After several days, I figured out that I was now near Han Shui City in the Deste Lands of the The Great Xia dynasty, on the western edge of the central continent, separated by an unimaginable thousands of li from the East Sea. In my current state, I couldnt board a flying vessel or anything like that, so I had no choice but to stay here. While exploring the area, I encountered a couple in Baishui Vige. The mans name was Liu San, and the womans name was Huang Zaoershes the one lying unconscious here. The Drowning Ghost pointed to the woman beside him, still passed out. At first, they were terrified of me, but after seeing I meant no harm, they grew bolder and asked if I could fake Huang Zaoers drowning to help themmit insurance fraud. In return, they promised to share part of thepensation with me. At the time, I didnt have a single coin to my name and was in desperate need of money, so I agreed. With my abilities, it was easy to create the illusion that Huang Zaoer had drowned. Even the coroner couldnt tell it was fake. After they received the insurance payout, they held a fake funeral for her while secretly hiding her with me. The couple nned to leave Baishui Vige after the situation calmed down and move to another city to start a new life. But I didnt expect this crackdown on ghostly disturbances. The court, in coboration with the Corpse-Driving Sect, is specifically targeting me. I didnt want to cause trouble, so I ran whenever I saw people. If I couldnt run, I just scared them away. Just a few days ago, I scared off a Golden Core Stage cultivator, and now you four Golden Core cultivators have shown up! The Drowning Ghost looked aggrieved, almost losing its life over a bit ofpensation. None of the four were willing to believe just the Drowning Ghosts side of the story, so Lu Yang asked, How did Huang Zaoer end up unconscious? I made her unconscious. Letting her live freely underwater consumes too much spiritual qi, so I knocked her out and put a protective barrier around her. Its less effort that way. Wake her up. Alright. The Drowning Ghost, not daring to disobey, casted a small spell. A spark of light shot from its fingertip, and Huang Zaoer woke up. Still groggy and unaware of what had happened, Huang Zaoer found herself surrounded by four people and a Living Corpse, the pressure from their presence overwhelming. Terrified by the scene, Huang Zaoer answered every question truthfully. Her story was nearly identical to the Drowning Ghosts. The couple had devised a scheme tomit insurance fraud with the Drowning Ghosts help, intending to scam the merchant guildspensation. Something still doesnt add up. Why does a ghost need money? Meng Jingzhou narrowed his eyes, detecting a w in the Drowning Ghosts story. Ghosts, with their heavy yin energy, naturally make mortals feel ufortable. For a ghost to even enter a city would require a great deal of effort to disguise itself. Buying anything on the street would be nearly impossible, and visiting a merchant guild was out of the questioncultivators working there would see through the ghosts disguise immediately. Moreover, how muchpensation could they possibly get from mortals? It wouldnt even be worth a few Spirit Stones. A dignified mid Nascent Soul Stage ghost, who once dominated the East Sea, had no reason to need that little bit of money. Take, for example, the three morous ghosts Little Five, Little Six, and Little Sevenworking hard to serve households at night and not even asking for a single coin! Youve got some nerve trying to deceive us! Meng Jingzhous body ignited with fierce True Fire, ring angrily at the Drowning Ghost. No, no! Even ghosts need money for certain things! The Drowning Ghost cried out in grievance, scrambling to exin. Look, Im a fisherman who drowned in the sea and became a saltwater ghost. Now that Im in this cold pond, even though the yin energy is sufficient, its still freshwater, and Im not used to it. So, I asked Liu San and Huang Zaoer to use thepensation to buy salt and pour it into the pond. That way, the freshwater would turn into saltwater! Lu Yang: Meng Jingzhou: Barbarian Bone: Zhao Po: This was the first time they had ever heard of ghosts being divided into saltwater ghosts and freshwater ghosts. Lu Yang secretly sent a voice transmission to Zhao Po, You guys have a lot of ghosts in the Deste Lands. Have you ever heard of water ghosts being divided into seawater and freshwater ghosts? The Deste Lands are separated from the East Sea by an entire continent. This is the first time Ive seen a ghost from the East Sea, Zhao Po admitted, feeling like his knowledge was inadequate. Barbarian Bone was used to this kind of experience and even felt a sense of pride. Following Brother Lu and Brother Meng, he always learned something new wherever they went. Evesting Fairy rolled around on the bed, her small feet kicking in amusement,ughing at Lu Yangsck of imagination. You see, youre too narrow-minded! Didnt I tell you about the two types of first-grade Golden Cores? One is called the Three Rivers Five Lakes Core, and the other is the Boundless Ocean Core. The biggest difference between them is that one uses freshwater, and the other uses saltwater! (TL Note: Mentioned in Chapter 211) This esteemed cultivator has already used the Universe in Sleeves Art to absorb the pond water. Just take a taste, and youll see! The Drowning Ghost was still searching for evidence to prove it was telling the truth. Lu Yang, with a dark expression, asked, So, where did all the fish in the pond go? They all died from the salt. (End of the chapter) Chapter 427: The Power of Huang Ming Chapter 427: The Power of Huang Ming After rifying the entire situation, Lu Yang and his two senior brothers stayed in ce while Zhao Po brought his Living Corpse to Baishui Vige to capture Liu San, who was about to pack up and flee. As a Corpse Driver in the Deste Lands, Zhao Po held a special status, and since he was from the orthodox lineage, it was appropriate for him to apprehend Liu San without much resistance or question. Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing? Lu Yang shed a standard smile, revealing eight teeth. Were taking you to the authorities. I already said I didnt kill anyone! Who said only murderers get punished? Fraud is a crime too, and turning the pond into saltwater, killing all the fish, we can also charge you with environmental damage. Its all well deserved! Does The Great Xia even put ghosts on trial? Lu Yang smiled proudly. Its not just ghosts. Even the Sect Leader of the Dao Seeking Sect or the Minister of Justice would be thrown in jail if theymitted a crime! Zhao Po was astonished. He had never heard of such things before.Didnt the Five Great Immortal Sects have the authority to enforce thew? How could they be arrested? The Minister of Justice knows thew best, and he still vited it? Is this some secret only disciples of the Immortal Sects know? Meng Jingzhou and Barbarian Bone also looked at Lu Yang in surprisethey didnt know this either. The only ones privy to this information were the Emperor of The Great Xia, the entire Ministry of Justice, Eldest Senior Sister, and Lu Yang himself. Sentencing? Zhao Po, is this how youplete the tasks given to you by the sect? A cold voice suddenly echoed from above. They looked up to see a man hovering in the air, his expression arrogant, apanied by a Living Corpse cloaked in ck robes. Senior Brother Huang Ming? Zhao Po immediately recognized the man who had defeated him and taken the position as the top disciple of their sect. Huang Ming and his Living Corpse descended slowly, his gaze filled with displeasure as he looked at Zhao Po. The sects mission requires theplete elimination of ghosts. Why are you letting this one live? If youre too soft-hearted to kill, then let your senior brother do it for you! As he spoke, Huang Ming suddenly took out a Soul Dispelling Talisman and aimed to strike it on the Drowning Ghost. Zhao Po was faster. He stepped forward, positioning himself between Huang Ming and the Drowning Ghost, preventing Huang Ming from acting. Senior Brother Huang, not all ghosts are evil. This Drowning Ghost hasntmitted any heinous crimesit doesnt deserve to die! Ridiculous! I dont care about a ghosts morals. All I know is that the sects mission is to eradicate every ghost cmity! Huang Ming narrowed his eyes slightly. Are you determined to stop me, Zhao Po? Just as a conflict was about to break out, Lu Yang stepped between them. My friend, were all fellow sect disciples. Theres no need for things to escte. Huang Ming remained unmoved. Who are you? I am Lu Yang from Dao Seeking Sect. Huang Ming sneered, Ah, so its the Dao Seeking Sect disciple who won by defeating opponents one level lower at the Qingzhou Grand Ceremony. What, now, does the Dao Seeking Sect want to interfere with the internal affairs of our Corpse-Driving Sect? As a senior brother, disciplining a junior is none of your business, outsider! Barbarian Bone was about to lose his temper when he heard Huang Mings words, but Meng Jingzhou quickly restrained him. Meng Jingzhou sensed that this Huang Ming seemed to harbor some hostility toward them. Lu Yangs expression didnt change; he kept his usual polite smile. The Drowning Ghost was captured by us, so naturally, we will decide how to handle it. But it seems a bit rude for you to show up and try to take credit at thest moment, doesnt it? Heh, four Golden Core cultivators working together to capture a mid-stage Nascent Soul Stage Drowning Ghost, and you still think thats something to brag about? If it were me, I could have done it alone! Some people call you the top of your generation, but Im not impressed. Lu Yangs smile didnt falter. Oh? It seems youre quite confident in your own cultivation. Why dont we find out? Before the words had even fully left his mouth, Lu Yangunched the Arhat Fist, throwing a punch toward Huang Ming. ng The Living Corpse moved faster, standing like a towering iron fortress with its arms crossed, blocking Lu Yangs punch. Lu Yang was slightly surprised. While he hadnt used his full strength in that punch, it wasnt something that a mere early-stage Golden Core cultivator should have been able to block. The Living Corpse let out a roar, its body swelling as it lunged to grab Lu Yang.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Lu Yang chose not to engage in a direct confrontation with the Living Corpse. Instead, he stomped his right foot, sinking into the ground and reappearing behind Huang Ming! Rather than fighting the Living Corpse, it was better to go straight for its master! Arhat Fist! Yellow Springs Palm! As if anticipating Lu Yangs move, Huang Ming had already charged his palm with energy. He turned and struck with a powerful palm strike. Fist and palm collided, creating ripples in the air. Both of them were unable to withstand the sheer force of the blow and were forced to retreat. The energies from the punch and palm strike surged through their bodies, and both chose to expel the force by mming it into the ground, releasing a wave of power. Lu Yang squinted, a hint of excitement in his smile. It had been a long time since hed faced an opponent with such richbat experience. Impossible! Zhao Po couldnt believe what he was seeing. Corpse Drivers were known for having average physical strength, yet he had seen Lu Yangs fist technique before. For Huang Ming to match Lu Yangs strength head-on seemed unbelievable. Youre not an early Golden Core Stage cultivator, are you? You must be at mid Golden Core, right? Lu Yang said with a smile, recalling how Zhao Po had mentioned that both he and Huang Ming were at early Golden Core Stage. What makes you say that? I used my full strength in that punch. If an early Golden Core cultivator could block it, then Ive wasted my time training. Huang Ming snorted coldly but did not respond. He hadnt expected Lu Yang to be so difficult to deal with, or rather, so troublesome. My hair! Just as Huang Ming was preparing his next move, strands of his hair began to fall like snowkes. Unity of Fist and Technique?! Huang Ming quickly realized what had happened. He hadnt expected anyone at Golden Core Stage to achieve such a level of mastery. He didnt care about his hair; what concerned him was Lu Yangs talent. Whats Unity of Fist and Technique? Zhao Po asked,pletely confused by the concept. Meng Jingzhou stared intently at Huang Ming, his brow furrowed, but he didnt answer. It wasnt just the battle experienceHuang Mings knowledge seemed far beyond what the Corpse-Driving Sect could have provided, especially since he had only recently been taken in as a disciple by the Sect Leader. Where did all this knowledgee from? Boom The two resumed their fight, and the intensity of their sh surpassed the limits of their realm. Lu Yang attacked with Three vours True Fire, while Huang Ming countered with Dingmao True Fire. The temperature around them soared, forcing the Drowning Ghost to retreat further and further. Six Ding Six Jia True Fire! Zhao Po gasped. Among the 108 types of True Fire, 12 were ssified under the Six Ding Six Jia True Fire, and Dingmao True Fire was one of these twelve! (TL Note: refers to twelve celestial spirits in Daoist mythology, often used for protection and exorcism. The Six Ding () are nurturing yin spirits while the Six Jia () are powerful yang spirits. Dingmao refers to one of the Heavenly Stems, specifically the 4th one. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavenly_Stems) Neither Huang Mings powerful Yellow Springs Palm nor the Dingmao True Fire had been revealed during the sectspetition. Zhao Po had known that Huang Ming hadnt used his full strength during thepetition, but he had thought the secrety in his Living Corpses hidden abilities. He hadnt realized Huang Ming himself was hiding so much power. Lu Yangs curiosity about Huang Mings background only deepened. The gap between the number one and number two of the Corpse-Driving Sect seemed muchrger than expected. Aside from the disciples of the Five Great Immortal Sects, Lu Yang had never met an outsider who could match him like this. Their fight grew fiercer, with both unleashing various Daoist techniques and supernatural powers. The sound of their punches and palms crashing together echoed like thunder, yet no clear victor emerged. Gradually, the tide of battle began to shift. Lu Yangs foundation was stronger, and his energysted longer. When it came to a war of attrition, no one at the same realm could oust Lu Yang! Huang Ming was furious. Since his debut, he had never been defeated, and now, the thought of losing here was unbearable. Absolutely not! Huang Mings eyes gleamed like a tigers, and with a sudden surge of invisible mental power, he formed an arrow of spiritual energy, shooting it straight at Lu Yang! But Lu Yangs spiritual strength was formidable, and with Evesting Fairy guarding his mental space, even a cultivator in the Tribtion Crossing Stage wouldnt frighten him! A small shield appeared on Lu Yangs forehead, deflecting the Spiritual Arrow. Evesting Fairy suddenly realized something. I get it now. Hes not someone from your generationhes an old cultivator who dispersed his cultivation and is starting over! (End of the chapter) Chapter 428: Cultivation Dispersal and Re-Cultivation Chapter 428: Cultivation Dispersal and Re-Cultivation Cultivation dispersal and re-cultivation? Lu Yang had never heard of the term before, but its meaning was easy enough to grasp from the words. Yes, many cultivators have no proper guidance when they first begin their cultivation journey, so their progress is not smooth, and their foundation remains unstable. At lower realms, this doesnt seem like a big issueat most, they might lose to someone like you, who has a solid foundation. But when they reach higher realms, the problems be more severe. They encounter bottlenecks, where hundreds or even thousands of years of cultivation show no progress. And at that point, the cultivator faces a choicedisperse their cultivation and re-cultivate from scratch. Evesting Fairy exined confidently, her knowledge in cultivation unmatched. Dispersing ones cultivation is akin to a kind of reincarnation. With all their memories intact, they be like a newborn baby and start all over again. With the experience from their previous cultivation, they can avoid many of the mistakes they made before, ensuring a solid foundation this time around. The opportunities they missed before, whether because their cultivation was too advanced or they were too old, are now avable to them. No one can tell if a person has undergone this processnot even by checking bone age or other methods. However, there are three major risks to dispersing cultivation and starting over. First, it requires the cultivator to be at the Unity Stage and at their peak condition. Only when their essence, energy, and spirit are in perfect harmony can they ensure that a spark of their true soul survives the dispersal. If they attempt it when they are too old or their energy is weak, they risk failure, which could result inplete soul annihtion with no chance of recovery. Second, after re-cultivating, they are as defenseless as a newborn. They need to relearn how to eat and crawl, and even as they grow up, the cultivation world is dangerous. They could easily provoke an enemy and be killed before they ever have the chance to regain their power. Third, the new bodys spiritual roots are unpredictable. For example, someone may have had Dual Spirit Roots before dispersing their cultivation, but after re-cultivating, they might end up with Triple Spirit Roots or even Quad Spirit Roots. In such a case, no matter how much experience they have, it would be nearly impossible to reach the heights they once did. Lu Yang nodded, realizing that this sounded somewhat simr to the situation with Li Haoran, though there were distinct differences. At the very least, Li Haoran was apletely new individual, and his talent in his next life was guaranteed to surpass that of his previous life. Each method had its pros and cons.No wonder Huang Ming was so difficult to deal with. It was like fighting someone who had started cultivation at the Unity Stage but had suppressed their strength to match his. By the way, among The Five Ancient Immortals, are there any cultivators who dispersed their cultivation and started over? Nope, Evesting Fairy said, counting on her fingers. Ie from a small tribe, Heavens Will Immortal was a refugee, Nonuple Immortal was the first heir of the Lianshan n, Qilin Immortal was born of the earth, and Immemorial Immortal was a spirit born from the Heaven-Reaching World Tree. Can you tell who Huang Ming was in his previous life? Lu Yang asked. Evesting Fairy shook her head. I cant tell. If he hadnt used that spiritual attack, which doesnt belong to this realm, I wouldnt have known he was someone who had re-cultivated. Lu Yang pondered this. Did the Corpse-Driving Sect know about Huang Mings reincarnation and re-cultivation? Why had Huang Ming chosen to cultivate in this sect when someone with his talent could have easily joined the Five Great Immortal Sects? Was he afraid of something, or was there something special about the Corpse-Driving Sect? Ah, no matter. Ill stop thinking about it for now. Lu Yangs face lit up with an excited smile as he drew his Qingfeng Sword. This was the first time he had encountered someone who had dispersed their cultivation and re-cultivatedit was time to get serious. Huang Ming watched Lu Yang closely, his expression growing tense. He could no longer afford to underestimate this opponent. As a cultivator who had dispersed his cultivation and started over, he couldnt bear the thought of losing to a younger generation, which was why he had resorted to using his Spiritual Arrow attack. That attack was something no mid-stage Golden Core cultivator should be able to block, not even one who specialized in mental strength. How had Lu Yang managed it? Could it be that, like him, Lu Yang had also dispersed his cultivation and started over? Huang Ming had no idea that ever since the early Foundation Building Stage, when Evesting Fairy was resurrected, she had forcefully made Lu Yang open up his spiritual space, vastly enhancing his mental strengthpared to others of his age. With Evesting Fairy constantly tinkering within, the spiritual space had grownrger and more resilient over time. In terms of spiritual power, no one in the Golden Core Stage could surpass Lu Yang. sh! Lu Yang shouted, his essence, energy, and spirit bing one as a vicious de of sword qi, as fierce as a streak of lightning, danced through the air in a sharp arc aimed at Huang Ming. From the sidelines, Zhao Po felt his hair stand on end. Even from a distance, the sheer power of this sword strike was terrifyingcould this really be a technique used by a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator? The Drowning Ghost was also frightened, realizing for the first time that Lu Yang had been holding back in their earlier battle. If this sword strike had been used against him, it would have been enough to leave him severely injured! The sword strike was too fast, and Huang Ming had no way to dodge. If he tried to take the hit head-on, he knew he would lose. Gritting his teeth, he made a quick decision, and in an instant, he swapped ces with his Living Corpse! He swapped positions with the corpse?! Zhao Po eximed in shock. He hadnt expected his senior brother Huang Ming to have mastered such a secret technique, which was typically only avable to those in the Nascent Soul Stage. Huang Ming panted heavily, quickly swallowing a recovery pill to replenish his spiritual qi. Using the secret technique had drained what little spiritual qi he had left. The Living Corpse took the full brunt of Lu Yangs sword strike, splitting in two. However, red threads grew from the wound, reconnecting the two halves, and soon the Living Corpse was whole again. Huang Ming, no longer holding back, directed the Living Corpse to attack Lu Yang alongside him. Corpse Drivers typically relied on their corpses to fight, as their physical bodies were weaker. But Huang Mings physical strength and spiritual power were formidable, allowing him to fight alongside his Living Corpse,pensating for all the weaknesses of a typical Corpse Driver. Hisbat power skyrocketed! Zhao Po could only stare in awe as Huang Mings techniques shattered everything he thought he knew. The gap between him and Huang Ming was farrger than he had ever imagined. Haha, now this is getting interesting. Lu Yang, fighting against two opponents at once, showed no signs of retreat, his battle spirit burning fiercer with each passing moment, like a god of war. No wonder you became a disciple of Dao Seeking Sect. You do have some skill, but thats all it amounts to! Huang Mings eyes glinted like a wolfs, fierce and determined. With your talent, you must be undefeated among your peers. But today, Ill make sure you experience the taste of defeat! Huang Ming sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. The flowers of the Other Shore bloom, reshaping heaven and earth! This was his ultimate trump card. If he were to lose here, there would be no point in pursuing his goal of seizing control of the great eras future. He might as well end his life early. The delicate, blood-red flowers of the Other Shore bloomed, and both Huang Ming and his Living Corpses eyes turned red. Their power surged explosively, their nails lengthening into sharp ws like those of a wild beast. The ground trembled under the immense pressure, as if an earthquake was shaking the very earth. Lets see how you can win two against one now! Huang Mings face twisted with confidence, believing victory was at hand. Its true, this isnt looking good, Lu Yang muttered, before slipping into the ground. He quickly retrieved the Twin Stem Lotus seed and activated the Tree nting Technique.N?v(el)B\\jnn In Huang Mings momentarily stunned gaze, amidst the blooming field of Other Shore Flowers, a lotus blossomed, and two Lu Yangs appeared. One wielded the Qingfeng Sword, and the other held the Underworld Moon Sword. A calm and confident smile spread across Lu Yangs face. Now its two against two. (TL Note: The Other Shore, refers to the realm of Buddha, is where the enlightened ones live beyond transmigration without suffering and in the constant bliss of Nirvana. https://buddhisttemple.ca/teaching/the-other-shore/) (End of the chapter) Chapter 429: Huang Ming’s Identity Chapter 429: Huang Mings Identity Huang Ming was a Unity Stage cultivator who had dispersed his cultivation and re-cultivated, dominating the cultivation world for over two thousand years, but this was the first time he had seen a Golden Core Stage cultivator able to use a clone technique. And not just any clone technique, but one as formidable as this. Before Huang Ming could fully grasp what was happening, the Qingfeng Sword and Underworld Moon Sword cut through the air like two dragons swimming through the East Sea, bringing with them a bloody storm as they roared toward him. Lu Yang wasnt sure if the Living Corpse could regenerate again after being cut, and rather than risk uncertainty, he aimed his strikes directly at Huang Ming. He refused to believe that Huang Ming could regenerate like the Living Corpse. Huang Ming hurriedlymanded the Living Corpse to attack, but Lu Yangs clone wielding the Underworld Moon Sword held it back, allowing Lu Yang to engage Huang Ming directly. The two quickly became locked in a stalemate, but Huang Ming soon realized his disadvantage. Lu Yangs mental strength surpassed his own, allowing him to control his clone with greater precision. In the battle between the Living Corpse and Lu Yangs clone, the Living Corpse was steadily losing ground. Once the clone triumphed, Huang Ming knew he would have to face a two-on-one situation. Lu Yangs quietughter echoed in Huang Mings ears, sending a chill down his spine.Dont tell me you dont understand the principle of not dividing your attention during battle? Break Word Technique! Lu Yang unleashed the Break Word Technique, sword qi surged into the sky, radiating a dazzling brilliance, intertwining into a radiant curtain. Huang Ming summoned his strongest defensive technique, a blood-red barrier, to block the attack. However, the barrier only held for half a breath before shattering under the force of the Break Word Technique. St Huang Ming tried to use the corpse-swapping technique again, but he was a split second too slow. His right shoulder was pierced through. He was gravely injured, and it would take him at least half a month of rest to recover. Despite having consumed a Qi Replenishing Pill mid-battle, Huang Ming found himself once again running out of spiritual qi. Meanwhile, Lu Yang hadnt taken a single qi replenishing pill throughout the entire fight. This was thanks not only to his Invincible Core but also to the long-term benefits of having eaten tofu regrly during his early cultivation. Regr consumption of tofu helped bnce a cultivators five elements, significantly boosting their endurance in battle. I concede! Huang Ming gritted his teeth, admitting his defeat as he took a pill to heal his injuries. Lu Yang sheathed his sword and, as if he hadnt just injured Huang Ming, greeted him with a smile. What made you decide to disperse your cultivation and start over? Huang Ming sighed. I was too eager when I was younger, didnt build a solid foundation, and ended up stuck in the mid-Unity Stage, unable to break through. I figured this was a good opportunity to start fresh, so I reincarnated. Lu Yang was curious. Why didnt you join one of the Five Great Immortal Sects? They have better resources than the Corpse-Driving Sect. The Immortal Sects are hard to enter, and there are too many experts. Someone would have surely discovered my identity. But you, youve got guts. Not only did you sneak into an Immortal Sect, but youre making such a big ssh. Huang Ming, seeing Lu Yangs powerful spiritual strength, assumed that he too had dispersed his cultivation and re-cultivated. He continued, Judging by your unique clone technique, which Ive never heard of or seen recorded in history, Id guess its a lost art with no sessors. Were you a cultivator from the Great Qian Dynasty? No, I havent dispersed my cultivation and started over. Stop lying. You think a regr cultivator could beat me? Fine, Ill share my secret. I was Sovereign Huang Qin of the Great Yu Dynasty. Whats your name? Maybe Ive heard of you before. (TL Note: Huang Qin () is the name of a ntmonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, also known as the Chinese Skullcap. Im not sure if Huang Qin is his name or is it his title but it doesnt have much relevance to the plot anyways. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scuteria_baicalensis) Lu Yang remained silent, simply staring at Huang Ming. Huang Ming seemed to realize something. Huang Ming: Lu Yang: Youre from the Great Yu Dynasty!? Youre really a disciple of Dao Seeking Sect!? Both of them eximed in unison. Lu Yang had initially thought Huang Ming was just some elder from the Corpse-Driving Sect who had dispersed his cultivation and re-cultivated, so his tone had been rather casual. He hadnt expected Huang Ming to be a cultivator from the Great Yu Dynasty. Huang Ming was even more shocked than Lu Yang. The strength Lu Yang disyed was all achieved through step-by-step cultivation, without the benefit of dispersing and re-cultivating. Even the National Preceptor couldnt do this at the same level! Could geniuses of this era really be this terrifying?! Meng Jingzhou quickly realized the severity of the situation. Huang Ming was actually a cultivator from the Great Yu Dynasty. Barbarian Bone and Zhao Po, on the other hand, were encountering ancient cultivators for the first time and didnt react as strongly as Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Huang Ming soon regained hisposure, his tone bing sinister, his eyes clouded with darkness, showing no hint of a smile. Well, well, well, as expected of a genius born in this great era. Youve pushed me to such a pitiful state! In that case, I cant let you live! My original n was to have a chat with you and then kill everyone who overheard us. Now it seems Ill have to kill you too! Huang Ming no longer concealed his murderous intent, using a secret technique to call for reinforcements. Fellow Daoist Meng, kill them all! (TL Note: Different Meng from Meng Jingzhou. Im not putting any more notes about this kind of situation.) Lu Yang, be careful! Theres a Unity Stage cultivator rushing over! As soon as Evesting Fairys warning sounded in Lu Yangs mind, the overwhelming pressure of a mountain descended upon them. A middle-aged man with graying hair appeared in the sky,pletely ignoring Lu Yang and the others as he looked down at Huang Ming with a mocking smile. Huang, why do you look so miserable? If you were in my shoes, youd look the same! Huang Ming snapped. The talent of Lu Yang was terrifying. He, a mighty cultivator who had re-cultivated from the Unity Stage, couldnt even defeat him. If Lu Yang were allowed to grow, the consequences would be unimaginable! He had to be eliminated as soon as possible! Fair enough, the ancient cultivator, addressed as Fellow Daoist Meng,ughed. To him, these few Golden Core cultivators could be wiped out with a flick of his fingers. Thats him! the Drowning Ghost cried out, recognizing the familiar aura. Hes the one who knocked me out and brought me from the East Sea to this ce! Fellow Daoist Meng looked down and recognized the Drowning Ghost, chuckling quietly. Ah, so its the Drowning Ghost from the East Sea.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Lu Yangs heart sank. This meant that the ghostly disasters in Han Shui City had been caused by this Fellow Daoist Meng, who had been capturing ghosts from various ces and dumping them in the city. But what was their purpose? Fellow Daoist Meng paid no more attention to the Drowning Ghost, as a mere Nascent Soul Stage ghost was beneath his notice. Ill kill these people for you and stage the scene to make it look like they perished along with the Drowning Ghost. That way, you can continue hiding within the Corpse-Driving Sect. In return, youll tell me the location of one of your treasure troves. Huang Ming gritted his teeth but could only agree, knowing he was being exploited. Fine! Ha, thanks in advance for your generous gift, Huang! Fellow Daoist Mengughed, having secured what he wanted. He then looked at Lu Yang and the others as though they were already dead. You brats, Im feeling kind today, so Ill let you choose how you want to die. Would you prefer to be skinned alive, turned into human pellets, or have a hundred ghosts tear through your bodies? Cold sweat poured down Lu Yang and hispanions backs, especially Zhao Po, who had never encountered such a situation before. And how would you like to die? A sudden voice shattered the tense silence. Whos there? Fellow Daoist Meng was startled, having failed to notice when the neer had arrived! Boom Fellow Daoist Meng was struck by the Five Colored Light Wheel, sent crashing to the ground, coughing up blood as fear flickered in his eyes. With just that one strike, he had realized the vast difference in strength between him and his opponent. The neer wore simple green robes, his hands sped behind his back, speaking in a calm, indifferent tone. The Five Colored Light Wheel hovered behind him like a divine aura. Five Elements Sects Sect Leader, Qiu Jinan. (End of the chapter) Chapter 430: Using Five Elements Techniques in Front of Me? Chapter 430: Using Five Elements Techniques in Front of Me? Qiu Jinan? One of the so-called Five Great Immortal Sects leaders of The Great Xia? Fellow Daoist Meng climbed up from the ground, seemingly not too injured. He scoffed at Qiu Jinans identity. The reason he had been struck by Qiu Jinan earlier was purely because of a sneak attack. If they were to really fight, the oue would be far from certain. Fellow Daoist Meng came from the peak period of the Great Yu Dynasty. At that time, the Great Yu Dynasty was no less powerful than The Great Xia of today, and he had been one of the top Unity Stage cultivators of that era. In terms of status, he was no lower than Qiu Jinan. To have survived tens of thousands of years and to still be executing ns in this new era naturally meant that he had his own unique strengths. Although The Great Xia had many strong cultivators today, after tens of thousands of years, much of the knowledge and techniques had been lost. But he still held these ancient and lost techniques. One side mastered ancient, lost techniques, while the other side did not. It wasnt difficult to see who would be stronger. Sect Leader Qiu?!Lu Yang and the others were overjoyed. The Great Yu cultivators might be arrogant and ignorant of Qiu Jinans strength, but they knew all too well. This was the Sect Leader who had grown up being relentlessly challenged by the Dao Seeking Sects Nine! They had often fought to stalemates, with neither side iming clear victory. As one of the foremost masters of Five Elements Techniques in the current era, even the Minister of Justice would likely find it hard to defeat Qiu Jinan! Apart from Daoist Non-Speaker, the undisputed number one Unity Stage cultivator, no one dared say they could definitively defeat Qiu Jinan! Qiu Jinan! Zhao Po was equally stunned, but then felt reassured. The reputation of the Five Great Immortal Sects echoed throughout The Great Xia Dynasty, far surpassing that of the Corpse-Driving Sect. Zhao Po nced at Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou and saw that, while they were pleased, their reactions were much calmer than his. Suddenly, Zhao Po recalled Meng Jingzhous cursehalf a step into the Tribtion Crossing Stagewondering who Meng Jingzhou had provoked. Before, Zhao Po had been puzzled. How could someone at Meng Jingzhous Golden Core Stage have provoked such a powerful enemy? Now, he was starting to understand. In just a few days, they had encountered an ancient Unity Stage cultivator. Barbarian Bone, on the other hand, was no stranger to grand scenes. He had witnessed the fall of the Evesting Sect firsthand, a spectacle far grander than this. The Drowning Ghost was so terrified he nearly died again. The situation had far exceeded his understandingUnity Stage cultivators from the Great Yu Dynasty, the Sect leader of one of the Five Great Immortal Sectsthese were not figures a lowly water ghost like him could ever hope to encounter. As for Huang Zaoer, who had schemed tomit insurance fraud, she had long since fainted in fear. Amid the joy, Lu Yang suddenly thought of another problem. Wait a second, why is Sect Leader Qiu here, and why did he show up so conveniently? Its simplehes been following you, Evesting Fairy replied as if it were the most obvious thing. No matter how stealthy Qiu Jinans concealment techniques were, they were still no match for Evesting Fairys insight. Following us? Since when? Since you and Meng Jingzhou tried to enter the city but got caught in the mudslide. Thats basically from the beginning! Not exactly. It started when you entered the shady shop, Evesting Fairy corrected Lu Yangs mistaken logic with a serious tone. Fellow Daoist Meng was not intimidated by Qiu Jinans presence. He even considered making a move. Little brats of The Great Xia, let me show you what ancient techniques look like Great Sun Suspended in the Sky! A bronze tree illusion slowly manifested behind Fellow Daoist Meng, with two great suns flickering in and out of view, radiating endless light and heat. Just ncing at it made one feel as though they were melting. In the center of the suns, the Golden Crow spread its wings and let out a piercing cry. Qiu Jinan casually raised a light barrier to protect Lu Yang and the others. This was a Unity Stage killing movejust brushing past it would be fatal for Lu Yang and hispanions. Qiu Jinan pondered for a moment, as if recalling something he had read about this technique in ancient texts, and slowly began to speak. ording to legend, in ancient times, ten Golden Crows lived on the Fusang Tree. Each day, one Golden Crow would go out to circle the heavens. But one day, all ten Golden Crows flew out at once, bringing disaster upon the world. An ancient hero shot down nine of the suns with his bow. During the Great Yu Dynasty, there was a man who, inspired by this ancient tale, conducted his own research. He found a branch of the Fusang Tree andbined it with Golden Crow True Fire, creating a divine ability known as Ten Suns Patrol the Sky, which elevated the power of Golden Crow True Fire to a whole new level. That man became a grandmaster of the fire path and founded the Heavenly me Sect, gaining fame across the world. However, after his disappearance, the Ten Suns Patrol the Sky technique was lost, and after struggling for eight thousand years, the Heavenly me Sect was eventually destroyed by their enemies.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om ording to records, that mans title was Meng Tian True Lord. (TL Note: Wikipedia article about Hou Yi shooting down the 10 suns https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hou_Yi) Having his identity revealed by Qiu Jinan, Fellow Daoist Meng didnt seem perturbed, a cold smile appearing at the corners of his mouth. You are well-informed. While I can only use Two Suns Patrol the Sky at present, once I seed in my Tribtion Crossing, I will be able to use Five Suns Patrol the Sky. When I reach the Perfect Tribtion Crossing Stage, I will be able to use all ten suns, recreating the ancient catastrophe! Unfortunately, my current cultivation level cant keep up with the full technique. But its more than enough to deal with a little brat like you! Here and now, I set the rule: I can use Three Suns Patrol the Sky! On the Fusang Tree behind him, a third sun rose into the sky! Since they were close to Han Shui City, causing too much of amotion would certainly attract the citys experts. Therefore, Meng Tian True Lord skipped any drawn-out process and immediately used his strongest move. Unity Stage cultivators cannot casually set rules; otherwise, Meng Tian True Lord would have directly used all ten suns at once. In Unity-level battles, there are typically two kinds of rules: one that strengthens oneself, and one that restricts the opponent. The power of rules that strengthen oneself depends on the Unity Stage cultivators limits, a way to tap into hidden potential. When restricting opponents, the rules must be bnced in number. If you restrict your opponent once, they can also restrict you once, with the type of restriction being flexible. A single mistake can lead to defeat. For example, when a Great Yu Unity Stage cultivator, who used beasts to refine a soul-reaping banner, fought with Vice Sect Leader Petrified, the rule set by the Great Yu Unity was: Except for me, everyone within 500 feet moves slower. Vice Sect Leader Petrifieds rule in response was: Within 500 feet, no one can use demonic artifacts. This was an example of equal restriction in action. As the three suns zed in the sky, the Golden Crows cry echoed, and the scorching suns truly seemed capable of recreating the ancient disaster. Go! Meng Tian True Lord raised his hand, his two fingers pointing sharply at Qiu Jinan and those behind him. If Qiu Jinan dodged, the people behind him would certainly perish! He was confident that Qiu Jinan wouldnt evade! Sigh Qiu Jinan faced the three suns and sighed softly. Stepping forward, the Five Colored Light Wheel behind him shone brilliantly, transforming into Five Colored Divine Light. All things within the five elements were under its control. Swish Under the wash of the Five Colored Divine Light, the three zing suns gradually dissolved. So, the legendary Ten Suns Patrol the Sky, which was said to be like a natural disaster, is only this strong? Impossible! Meng Tian True Lord stared in disbelief. His strongest move had been neutralized so effortlessly? The opponent hadnt even set a rule! Before he could fully grasp what had happened, Qiu Jinan moved in a blur and stepped on Meng Tian True Lord. The force of that step was as heavy as a hundred thousand mountains, pinning Meng Tian True Lord to the ground, his limbs iling helplessly. Qiu Jinan looked down at Meng Tian True Lord calmly and said, Ive never seen anyone dare to use five elements techniques in front of me. Even the nine bastards from the Dao Seeking Sect wouldnt dare. (TL Note: In Chinese mythology, Fusang refers to a divine tree and an ind which are both located in the East, from where the sun rises. The term Fusang wouldter be used as a designation for Japan in Chinese poetry. Since Japanese name Nihon (ձ, lit. Root [i.e. source, birthce, origin] of the Sun) or the Chinese name Riben was a name of Japan, some Tang dynasty poets believed that Fusang y between the maind and Japan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusang) (End of the chapter) Chapter 501: The Celebration Ends Chapter 501: The Celebration Ends Sect Leader Lu and Young Sect Leader Lu fought to a draw, leaving the numerous prodigies with prideful smiles, their frustrations swept away. The cultivation dispersers looked grave. With the ancient Heavenly Court geniuses ahead and todays prodigies behind, they found themselves sandwiched in the middle, fearing that the final stage of this eras grand struggle would leave them with no role to y. In the stands, Qiu Jinan withdrew his gaze, recalling the battle that had just taken ce. He exhaled slowly andmented, Truly, the young are to be feared. Jiang Qun: Are you referring to how Sect Leader Lu has such impressive strength at his young age? No, I mean hes even better at deception than Daoist Non-Speaker ever was. When Daoist Non-Speaker was his age, his tricks were still crude. Then again, I was pretty naive back then, falling for his lies time and time again. Lu Yang is different. His deceptions are seamless. Hes not just deceiving a few people; hes deceived the entire world. Jiang Qun: Jiang Qun was relieved to have been bornter and missed living in Daoist Non-Speakers era. How unlucky would that have been?But Lu Yang does have one good quality: he only deceives outsiders, not his own people. I need Bai Ming to interact more with Lu Yang. Bai Ming is quite talented, and his mind is sharp, butpared to Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, he falls short. Yang Ding: Tian Zhi is even worse off than Bai Ming. Hes a bit one-track-minded. He should also learn from Lu Yang. However, Luo Hongxia wasnt about to let her excellent disciple get too close to Lu Yang. Closer interaction could spell disaster. Likewise, Master Jie Sha dared not let his disciple get too close to Lu Yang. As a monk, one must avoid falsehoods, and letting his disciple learn Lu Yangs ways would surely lead him astray. Evesting Fairy regained control of Lu Yangs body and cheerfully returned to the center of the judges seats. Everyones busy, so shall we continue thepetition? Thepetition was only halfway through, with several matches yet to take ce. The event progressed steadily. The Golden Core Late Stage group, the Nascent Soul Early Stage group asionally, cultivators with astonishing ideas rather than overwhelming strength would appear, leaving the crowd amazed. The Luoshui Guard and Immortal Sect secretly observed the participants, trying to identify those who might be ancient cultivators, powerful individuals hiding their true strength, or anomalies like Kong Hao, who had an ancient Taowu sealed within him. Evesting Fairy and the Immortal Sects sect master also discussed the suspicious cultivators. As thepetition neared its conclusion, a list waspiled. The remaining investigation of these individuals backgrounds was handed over to the Imperial Court. After ten days of intense and excitingpetition, the event concluded, and the Dao Seeking Sect Celebration drew to a close. Its finally over. Lu Yang let out a long sigh. He had been busy the entire celebration, with Evesting Fairy not lifting a finger to help. Well done, second-inmand! Evesting Fairy praised generously. Lu Yang, not daring to take credit, quickly responded, Its all thanks to your excellent delegation, Fairy, finding someone and working them to the bone. Sect Leader Lu, when youe to the Imperial Capital in the future, you must visit my residence. I will host you properly! The Crown Prince had recognized Lu Yangs talent, viewing him as a valuable ally for the day he needed to abdicate the throne. Not to mention that Sect Leader Lu could casually refer to Yun Zhi as Little Yuna rtionship he dared not specte on. With the celebration concluded, the final phase of distributing spoils began. Luo Hongxia, surrounded by the crowd, carefully produced a securely wrapped treasure box. Handle it gently. Dont damage the treasure box. This is my Immortal Pces treasure, not your familys makeup case. Luo Hongxia activated the treasure box, which emitted beams of light that enveloped everyone, pulling them into the box. Inside the box, Great Yu cultivators were still desperately attacking the barriers. Three Tribtion Crossing Stage experts joined forces, unleashing earth-shattering techniques, but it was futile against a box sealed with a single drop of Yun Zhis blood. Everyone, dont be afraid! The National Preceptor is still outside. Perhaps a fight has already broken out, and the National Preceptor wille to save us! The ck and White Sovereign tried to encourage the group. He calcted the timing; with the celebration nearing its conclusion, it was the perfect opportunity for the National Preceptor to make a move. Look, the seal has been lifted! ck and White Sovereign pointed to the light in the distance and shouted with excitement, rekindling hope in the hearts of the Great Yu cultivators. However, once the seal was lifted, what they faced was a flood of The Great Xia cultivators, descending like dumplings into a pot. Our Heart-Locking Sect contributed significantly during the capture. We deserve one of the Great Yu cultivators! Hey, hey, hey, Old Li, have you forgotten that during thepetition you lost all the Great Yu cultivators to our Void-Breaking Faction? Watch what you say! Gambling is illegal. Who gambled with you? Do you have any shame? Listen to me, everyone. Lets sit down and calmly discuss how to divide the Great Yu cultivators. As a newly ascended Tribtion Crossing Stage expert, Lu Baqian stepped forward to maintain order. With everyones interests at stake, the argument became heated, faces turning red as they quarreled. Thankfully, Lu Baqians intervention shifted the focus, and the group turned their collective ire on him. Only after he was dealt with did One Qi Sovereign step in to take charge. The discussions were so tedious that Lu Yang found himself yawning repeatedly. He didnt pay much attention to the oue, only noting that the strongest among the Great Yu cultivators, ck and White Sovereign, was allocated to the Dao Seeking Sect. As for the others, they could continue debating. By the way, Sovereign, what have you decided to do with the Old Taowu? Lu Yang asked One Qi Sovereign before leaving the treasure box. At the time, his identity as Young Sect Leader Lu made it inconvenient for him to address Kong Haos situation directly. Kong Hao said he wants to keep the Old Taowu sealed and live in harmony with it. He believes he can eventually reform Old Taowu and be friends with it. Well, thats one way to handle it. Lu Yang couldnt help but feel a little worried for Kong Hao. The Old Taowu was far inferior to Evesting Fairy. Evesting Fairy was beautiful, kind-hearted, loved by everyone and would never harm him. The Old Taowu, however, was a scheming ancient monster. Who knew when it might turn against Kong Hao? Still, this was Kong Haos choice, and it wasnt Lu Yangs ce to interfere. Eldest Senior Sister carried ck and White Sovereign and Lu Yang out of the treasure box. By the way, where is National Preceptor? After leaving the treasure box, Lu Yang suddenly realized that National Preceptor had not appeared from start to finish, nor had Eldest Senior Sister been able to locate them.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om He had assumed that the National Preceptor would cause trouble at the end of the celebration and had stayed on alert, but nothing happened. How strange. Could it be that they sensed something amiss and fled early? Lu Yang thought to himself, finding the National Preceptor a difficult opponent to deal with. Hm? Is this the barbecue shop? Lu Yang looked up and found himself at the barbecue shop. Master Liu and Master Gao were tidying up the grills, while Little Five, Little Six, and Little Seven were cleaning up the utensils. The Sect Leader was sweeping the floor, presenting a scene of closing time. He had nned to eat something, but seeing that they were closing, he decided not to ask them to reopen. Lu Yang, wee! Please,e in, the Sect Leader warmly invited Lu Yang inside. Within the Dao Seeking Sect, Lu Yang was their backbone. Why am I being so enthusiastic toward Lu Yang? Is it because hes Yun Zhis junior disciple? Somehow, I feel theres another reason. Who told me to treat Lu Yang with respect? To treat him even better than others? Who said that to me? Noticing the Sect Leader lost in thought, Lu Yang grew curious. Is something the matter? The Sect Leader snapped back to reality, realizing hispse in manners. Oh, nothing. Please, have a seat. Lu Yang looked around and noticed someone missing. Where is Evesting Celestial? At the animal ranch? Who? (End of the chapter) The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 433: I am a disciple of Seek Tao Sect, under the guidance of Yun Zhi Chapter 433: I am a disciple of Seek Tao Sect, under the guidance of Yun Zhi The Governor''s residence was located at the very heart of Hanshui City, the nexus of power in Wild State, with seven entrances and exits, all guarded by protective formations. It served both as the Governor''s home and office. As Lu Yang moved through the residence, he saw numerous officials in a hurry, clutching documents as they flew up and down, bustling with activity. This wasn''t just a brisk walk; they were literally flying. Before meeting with the Governor of Wild State, Mr. An had already briefed him on the intelligence. Upon seeing Qiu Jin''an and the others, the Governor greeted them warmly with a handshake. Mr. An had to arrange a city-wide search for Lord Mengtian and excused himself early. "Daoist Qiu, I''ve long admired your reputation! My surname is L, with a simple given name, Ke. People just call me Old L," said Governor L, a talkative man. Despite being run ragged by recent ghostly cmities, he was still full of vigor and showed no signs of fatigue.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "Pleased to meet you, Governor L," Qiu Jin''an smiled, refraining from calling him Old L. Thest person who had been so familiar with him was the ninth disciple of Seek Tao Sect, a memorable character. Qiu Jin''an''s father was the previous leader of The Five Elements Sect. As a youth, he had visited Seek Tao Sect with his father, where he met the enthusiastic ninth disciple of Seek Tao Sect.Back then, young and naive, he failed to see the mischief brewing in the ninth disciple, with the exception of the Sixth Elder, who was a paragon of elegance and the only outlier among them. Yet, she was inevitably involved in their schemes. Hence, he was always wary of those who were overly familiar. "The former Governor had no business throwing avish birthday party for his daughter, inviting numerous guests, and epting a mountain of gifts without prior notification to the imperial court. Now look, he''s been stripped of his position and taken away, along with several officials and prominent figures from the major sects of Wild State," Governor Lined bitterly. This was one reason for the current busyness: a shortage of manpower, difficulty in temporary recements for key positions, and even relying on The Corpse Driving Sect, the nearest sect, to help with the ghostly infestation. "Old Xu, who had been on leave for a long timeoh, the Minister of Justicehas finally had enough rest and is dealing with them." The Minister of Justice imed he needed leave due to the sudden death of an old friend. "As a result, His Majesty has lost trust in the officials of Wild State, pulling me, a mere financial administrator, to take over, forcing me to leave the imperial capital and rush to Wild State." "Right, I''ve been talking all this time and haven''t had the chance to ask, who are these young ones?" Governor L suddenly realized, noticing Lu Yang and the others. "These three are disciples of Seek Tao Sect, my juniors. I''m helping to look after them. This one is Zhao Po, a disciple of the Great Elder of The Corpse Driving Sect, and he witnessed the entire battle just now." Hearing that Governor L was an official from the imperial capital, Qiu Jin''an refrained from mentioning that Lu Yang was a disciple of Bu Yu Taoist. "Solid foundations, full Golden Cores, all promising youths," Governor L nodded in approval, "Please, Daoist Qiu, recount the recent battle." This was the most pressing matter at hand. Qiu Jin''an detailed how Lu Yang encountered Huang Ming, defeated him, and then how Lord Mengtian intervened, and his own ount of defeating Lord Mengtian. "So you''re saying it was Lord Mengtian who captured evil spirits from all over and dumped them into our Hanshui City?" Governor L was furious, finally identifying the culprit behind the day''s chaos. No wonder there were so many evil spirits; it''s as if he''s captured all the ghosts of Great Xia, not even sparing those from the Eastern Sea! It would be a miracle to clean up this mess! "The ghostly infestation in Hanshui City couldn''t have been the work of just one person; I suspect he has aplices," Qiu Jin''an suggested. "They must have known I had just taken office and was not yet adept at wielding the power of the nation''s fate!" Governor L had been unaware of the power of a nation''s fate until recently informed by the Emperor of Xia. "We must also be wary of Huang Ming, who has started over after dispersing his cultivation. We''ve only focused on Body Fusion ancient cultivators before, overlooking the possibility that some among them might have chosen to start anew!" Governor L sighed, "Noticing it doesn''t help, though. Starting over after dispersing one''s cultivation is like being reborn; it''s very hard to trace their origins." "Never mind, I''ll report the matter of starting over after dispersing one''s cultivation to the imperial courtter. The immediate priority is to deal with the ghostly infestation." "I initially thought the ghostly infestation was orchestrated by the Jiuyou Sect, given they have many ghosts themselves. Now that it''s confirmed to be the work of Great Yu cultivators, the situation is far more serious. Great Yu cultivators don''t rear ghosts; they''ve gone to great lengths to capture fierce spirits from various ces and throw them into Hanshui City. It must be more than just causing trouble; they definitely have other motives!" Governor L''s expression darkened, wishing he could tear those Great Yu cultivators limb from limb. "Could it be possible they''re setting up a formation?" Lu Yang raised his hand, tentatively asking. "A formation?" Both Governor L and Qiu Jin''an were taken aback, chewing over the word as if it sparked a realization. Lu Yang had encountered a simr situation in Yanjiang County, where the local leader, who also served as the county governor, had set up a formation across the county to absorb the lifespan of its residents and boost his own strength. With this in mind, Lu Yang posed the question. "It''s indeed possible they''re setting up a formation!" Governor L pped his thigh, his mind having been clouded by the recent chaos, failing to consider this possibility. He approached arge sand table, pped his hands lightly, and the sand vibrated, undting like waves before finally settling into the shape of Hanshui City. He took out a small g from his bosom and tossed it onto the sand table. Wherever the gnded marked the locations afflicted by ghostly cmities, with the type and level of the ghosts indicated above each g. "Wow, when you look at it like this, it does resemble a formation," Governor L said, pleased with Lu Yang''s conjecture, which seemed to be the answer. "Truly a disciple of Seek Tao Sect, a fine student from a great teacher. May I ask, young friend, who is your master in Seek Tao Sect?" Lu Yang: "" Before telling the truth, Lu Yang wanted to know how much enmity Governor L held against his own master. "I am a disciple of Yun Zhi." Lu Yang respected his teacher and, being away from home, dared not mention his master''s name. Meng Jingzhou looked at Lu Yang with disdain, thinking him shameless. "Yun Zhi? That name sounds somewhat familiar," Governor L pondered for a moment, not recalling any elders in Seek Tao Sect by that name. "My master seldom leaves the sect, so few people know of her." "I see." Governor L didn''t dwell on recalling who Yun Zhi was. Neither he nor Qiu Jin''an were adept at formations, so he ordered his subordinates to summon the city''s formation masters to study what kind of formation the Great Yu cultivators had set up in the city. Soon, several white-bearded old men were brought in to observe and deduce at the sand table. Fortunately, all these formation masters were male cultivators. The formation masters quickly reached a preliminary conclusion. After hearing their initial findings, Governor L, more rxed than when they first met, said to Qiu Jin''an, "Young Lu''s guess was correct. The Great Yu cultivators are indeed setting up a formation, albeit one that has been lost to time. It will take some time to deduce its purpose and how to break it. Let''s wait patiently for a moment." Seizing the opportunity, Qiu Jin''an respectfully said, "Since there''s a moment to spare, would the Governor be willing to let me and this young man tap into the power of the nation''s fate together?" Chapter 435: Innate Eight Trigrams and acquired Eight Trigrams Chapter 435: Innate Eight Trigrams and acquired Eight Trigrams "The positions of these ghosts, are they arranged ording to the innate Eight Trigrams with the Kun position as the core?" "The innate Eight Trigrams epass all phenomena in the world. Using ghosts to represent these phenomena, look here, this position is the Drowned Ghost, which died in water, representing water. This position is the Wronged Ghost, buried in the earth, representing earth. This position is the Seductive Ghost, the embodiment of lust, representing fire. And this position is the Skin-Peeling Ghost... hmm, probably just filling in the numbers." "No, I think this formation resembles the signs of the acquired Eight Trigrams, and the formation''s core should be in the Zhen position." "How did you all learn formation techniques? Are ghosts the only nodes for formations? Can''t buildings serve as nodes?" "Look at Hanshui City. On one side, there''s the Yin Corpse Mountain Range of the Corpse Driving Sect, symbolizing extreme yin. On the other side, there''s the bustling area with high-ss brothels, symbolizing extreme yang. With the governor''s mansion at the center, yin and yang are bnced, promoting the prosperity of Hanshui City. This was the original intention when Hanshui City was established." "Now someone has ced vengeful ghosts in Hanshui City, breaking the yin-yang bnce. Can''t you see such a simple principle?" "That''s nonsense! The rumor about Hanshui City''s yin-yang bnce has been around for thousands of years, and people still believe it!" "It''s not that I believe it; it''s called rational analysis!" "What rational analysis? We''re all cultivators here. Strength is what matters. If you have the ability, show it with your actions!"The formation masters were arguing more and more heatedly, almosting to blows. Lu Yang wanted to step forward to stop them, but he was too insignificant to stop these old schrs. Actually, there was a way to stop the old schrs from arguing. Just saying he was a disciple of Bu Yu Taoist would quickly shift their attention from the formation to himself. However, this method was too risky. Even an immortal fairy would find it hard to protect him. Even if it wasn''t that risky, the immortal fairy still wouldn''t be able to protect him. "Gentlemen, how is the formation research going?" Governor Lu emerged from the stone chamber and headed straight here, concerned about the masters'' progress. Qiu Jin''an and Meng Jingzhou looked relieved, as if a weight had been lifted off their shoulders. "Don''t worry, I promised to teach you a secret technique from our sect. Once this is over, I''ll teach you!" Qiu Jin''an had promised to teach Meng Jingzhou a secret technique when he was controlling him to fight Grandpa Ba. He always kept his word. "Is everything settled?" Lu Yang asked knowingly, not wanting to reveal that he had been eavesdropping. "Has Brother Meng''s curse been lifted?" Man Gu was genuinely concerned about Meng Jingzhou, and Zhao Po, following behind, was also very concerned. "It''s all good now, it''s finally over. This young master is free again!" "If you had followed my method,mitting suicide once, the curse would have been lifted long ago," the Immortal Fairy muttered, finding the curse-lifting process too slow.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "How was Brother Meng''s curse lifted again?" Man Gu suddenly asked, a bit confused, feeling like he had just remembered but now forgot. Zhao Po was in the same situation. This was the characteristic of immortals at y. Meng Jingzhouughed it off without answering. Otherwise, he might have to answer once, and after half a moment, Man Gu would ask again, and he would have to answer again, endlessly. "It''s a pity the eldest senior sister isn''t here; otherwise, we wouldn''t have had to make a trip to the Wild State," Meng Jingzhou reminisced about the days when the eldest senior sister was around. Qiu Jin''an was puzzled, not understanding why Meng Jingzhou asked: "Are you talking about Yun Zhi? She''s at the Seek Tao Sect. When I went to inquire about your whereabouts, I saw her." "When did the eldest senior sister return to the sect?" "The day after you set off for the Wild State." Meng Jingzhou: "..." Lu Yang: "..." "Why were you in such a hurry toe to the Wild State!" Lu Yang was the first to attack, taking the initiative. "What do you mean I was in a hurry toe to the Wild State? How was I supposed to know the eldest senior sister would return so quickly? But you, always following the eldest senior sister, didn''t even know where she went!" Meng Jingzhou skillfully shifted the me to Lu Yang. "Who dares to inquire about the eldest senior sister''s whereabouts? Do you dare?" "I don''t dare!" Meng Jingzhou replied confidently. "If you want to know what Yun Zhi was doing, I do know," Qiu Jin''an said. "She went to handle the release procedures for Bu Yu Taoist." Meng Jingzhou: "..." Lu Yang: "..." "The sect leader got into trouble again?" Man Gu was very surprised. Governor Lu was listening to the formation masters'' opinions. "Listen to me, the principle of this formation is definitely the innate Eight Trigrams!" "What innate Eight Trigrams? It''s clearly the acquired Eight Trigrams!" Qiu Jin''an sighed, feeling a bit of a headache: "Another debate between the innate and acquired Eight Trigrams, what a hassle." "The debate between the innate and acquired Eight Trigrams?" Lu Yang and the others had never heard of this debate. "This involves advanced formation theory. It''s normal that you haven''t heard of it." "The innate and acquired Eight Trigrams originated in ancient times. It is said that an ancient immortal observed the heavens and the earth, deriving a theory that must conform to thews of nature." "This ancient immortal proposed the Eight Trigrams theory. However, due to the severe loss of ancient civilization, only the innate and acquired Eight Trigrams have been passed down to the present, leading to constant debates about which is the orthodox one." "If the Eight Trigrams theory could bepleted, the debate between the innate and acquired would cease." "The Eight Trigrams theory, I know about that." The Immortal Fairy once again disyed her vast experience, having personally witnessed or orchestrated many ancient legendary events. "You know?" "Of course, I know everything. The birth of the Eight Trigrams theory is closely rted to me." "Did you propose this theory?" Lu Yang was astonished, suddenly finding the Immortal Fairy much wiser. The Immortal Fairy waved her hand, not taking credit: "Not exactly. It was the Time Immortal who deduced the theory. I was just there cheering him on." Lu Yang thought to himself, was there a punishment involved? If the Time Immortal didn''t deduce it within the stipted time, would he be your meal? The Immortal Fairy, unaware of Lu Yang''s innerints, continued to recall the experience: "He looked up at the stars, squatted down to observe the mud, and then calcted with his fingers,ing up with a theory." "ording to him, this Eight Trigrams theory epasses all phenomena in the world and can serve as the foundation for formations. Formations arranged using the Eight Trigrams theory are profound and difficult for cultivators of the same level to deduce and break, making it a top-notch formation theory!" "Theplete Eight Trigrams theory is divided into four parts: the innate Eight Trigrams, today''s Eight Trigrams, tomorrow''s Eight Trigrams, and the acquired Eight Trigrams. Somehow, only the innate and acquired Eight Trigrams have been passed down to the present." Chapter 436: Three possibilities Chapter 436: Three possibilities "Time Immortal''s naming skills arecking. He named the first three trigrams of the Eight Trigrams, but I named thest three. Don''t you think my names sound better?" The Immortal Fairy''s contributions to the Eight Trigrams theory weren''t just about cheering from the sidelines; she even participated in the crucial naming process. Lu Yang nodded reluctantly, "Indeed, the names of thest three trigrams are straightforward and easy to understand." "The Eight Trigrams theory is the orthodox time magic. Saying it epasses all phenomena in the world is not an exaggeration. The first three trigrams observe the past, today''s trigrams grasp the present, and tomorrow''s trigrams predict the future. These three represent the past, present, and future, forming aplete whole."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "Thest three trigrams represent the unpredictable distant future. What they predict is merely a possibility, the hardest to grasp. Even Time Immortal wouldn''t dare im he can predict the distant future, as the variables are too great." "Using the Eight Trigrams theory to set up formations is to n with time as the dimension, making it difficult for cultivators of the same level to deduce a way to break it." With the Immortal Fairy''s exnation, Lu Yang felt the prestige of the Eight Trigrams theory was restored. "No wonder formation masters have been debating the use of the first three trigrams and thest three trigrams without any conclusion. It turns out they haven''t even grasped the basics." Lu Yang inadvertently solved a puzzle that had baffled the formation world for thirty thousand years. Not to mention how to use the first three trigrams and thest three trigrams, they hadn''t even taken the right direction. This is the theory of time magic.If Lu Yang were to publish his research findings, it would surely shock the formation world. Even Grandpa Ba, who is proficient in formations, would serve him tea. Time magic is obscure and difficult to understand, the hardest magic to learn in the world. Even with the Immortal Fairy''s strong talent, she only managed to learn weather forecasting. With Lu Yang''s strong talent, he only learned to "predict a future that won''t happen." At this moment, the formation masters were still debating what kind of formation was set up in Hanshui City and the theoretical basis of the formation. "Enough, stop arguing!" Governor Lu''s angry shout finally silenced the formation masters. If they continued arguing, even if the Great Yu cultivators activated the formation, they wouldn''t reach a conclusion. "Master Fang, you are an expert in the first three trigrams. ording to your theory, what is the purpose of the formation set up by the Great Yu cultivators, and how should it be broken?" Master Fang, with an immortal demeanor and three strands of white beard, looked quite impressive, "I haven''t figured out the purpose of the city''s formation yet." "The key to breaking it lies in the formation''s core. In my opinion, the core is located at the Hundred Flowers Restaurant. The urgent task is to seal off the restaurant. If there is a fierce ghost in the restaurant, it will confirm my guess!" Governor Lu then looked at another formation master, "Master Miao, you are an expert in thest three trigrams. ording to you, what is the purpose of the formation set up by the Great Yu cultivators, and how should it be broken?" "The formation in Hanshui City has the ability to reverse thest three trigrams and invert yin and yang. I just don''t know what it aims to invert. The key to breaking it is also the formation''s core. What puzzles me is that the core is located at the entrance of the Corpse Driving Sect. There should be a fierce ghost acting as the core, possibly hidden right under the Corpse Driving Sect''s nose!" Master Miao didn''t know, but Governor Lu did. With Huang Ming as an insider, cing a fierce ghost as the core wasn''t difficult. "Master Ren, what about you? You said this is neither a formation of thest three trigrams nor the first three trigrams but rather the Great Yu cultivators overturning yin and yang?" "Exactly. With yin and yang imbnced, an army of ghosts will march, causing chaos in the city. We don''t know if the Great Yu cultivators n to take advantage of this. The current strategy is to speed up the elimination of the fierce ghosts." Governor Lu pondered. Master Ren didn''t know what chaos in the city would bring, but he did. Hanshui City is the core of the Wild State. If chaos breaks out in Hanshui City, it will destabilize the people''s hearts and shake the entire Wild State''s power of a nation''s fate. "Do any other masters have different opinions?" Governor Lu looked at the other silent formation masters. These formation masters shook their heads. Their views were just these three. Seeing no other possibilities, Governor Lu quickly made a decision and began assigning tasks, "Solving the theories of the first three trigrams and thest three trigrams isn''t difficult. Sect Master Qiu, please go to the Hundred Flowers Restaurant to investigate if there''s anything unusual." If the Hundred Flowers Restaurant is the core, there must be a fierce ghost of the ghost king level, extremely dangerous. Governor Lu was d Qiu Jin''an hade to Hanshui City; it was a great help. Such a dangerous ce as the core should be approached by a team of three to five Body Fusion cultivators for safety. But now, they couldn''t spare so many Body Fusion cultivators to go to the Hundred Flowers Restaurant. Fortunately, Qiu Jin''an alone was as good as three to five Body Fusion cultivators. "Alright, I''ll go now." Qiu Jin''an agreed, unhurried. He didn''t feel any danger even if the Hundred Flowers Restaurant was the core. "As for the Corpse Driving Sect, Sect Master Lu is in seclusion, so let Elder Gai conduct a thorough investigation of the Corpse Driving Sect!" Governor Lu sent a subordinate to rush to the Corpse Driving Sect to exin the situation. With Sect Master Lu in seclusion, Elder Gai was the de facto sect master. Governor Lu didn''t let Zhao Po deliver the message. Zhao Po''s cultivation was too low, and his speed too slow. They needed to act swiftly. Next, he summoned An Ping, the Sima of the Wild State, "Old An, we can''t just let the Corpse Driving Sect disciples do all the work. Increase manpower for a carpet search. We must resolve the ghost problem in Hanshui City as quickly as possible!" "Yes!" After assigning all the tasks, Governor Lu breathed a sigh of relief, feeling much more at ease. Governor Lu hadn''t forgotten to arrange for Lu Yang and his threepanions, "Hanshui City is not safe now. You should stay in the mansion. Once things are settled, I''ll ask Sect Master Qiu to escort you back." Lu Yang and hispanions wanted to go out and help kill ghosts, but Governor Lu thought their identities were special. If something happened, it would be hard to exin to the Seek Tao Sect, so he firmly refused. Lu Yang and hispanions had no choice but to stay in the governor''s mansion. ... "What, you say Huang Ming is a Great Yu cultivator starting over after dispersing his cultivation!" Elder Gai''s veins bulged, and he was furious when he learned this. The back mountain of the Corpse Driving Sect shook; this was where his true body was located. Huang Ming was a Great Yu spy and even brazenly became the sect''spetition champion. This was a stain on the Corpse Driving Sect, aughingstock! "Governor Lu is giving the sect a chance by asking for a self-investigation. We must conduct a thorough investigation!" Elder Gai called out the other three elders and informed them of the situation. Their reactions were simr to Elder Gai''s. They were determined to investigate the entire Corpse Driving Sect to see if Huang Ming had left any means behind. ... "Oh, Meng Tian and Huang Ming are out of contact. I sense a Body Fusion battle outside the city. Did Meng Tian get exposed and sh with Great Xia cultivators, getting captured by them?" "In that case, our n will soon be exposed. Since that''s the case, we must strike first." In a secret room, a figure slowly stood up, a confident smile on his lips. And from his body emanated a powerful aura that even a peak Body Fusion cultivator couldn''t possess. The second update will be at eleven o''clock. Chapter 437: Emergency! Chapter 437: Emergency! Hundred Flowers Restaurant. Hundred Flowers Restaurant is located on the west side of Hanshui City and ranks among the top twenty restaurants in the city. Its most famous feature is the Hundred Flowers Wine, made from over 150 seasonal flowers. The taste of the wine varies with each season. Qiu Jin''an stepped into the bustling restaurant, which was packed with people. The noise was so loud it seemed like it could lift the roof off. The waiters were as busy as spinning tops, constantly shuttling between the main hall and the kitchen. Qiu Jin''an finally found an empty seat in a corner. "Excuse me, is this seat taken?" Sitting opposite him was a round-bellied diner, eating with great relish, sweat dripping from his forehead. The diner nced at Qiu Jin''an and, seeing an unfamiliar face, said, "No, it''s not. Have a seat." "I can''t believe it. It''s not even mealtime yet, and there are already so many people here," Qiu Jin''an said, making small talk while waiting for the waiter. The diner, not much of a talker, focused on his meal and responded to Qiu Jin''an''s chatter half-heartedly.The waiter brought over the menu, and Qiu Jin''an casually flipped through it before handing it back. "One bowl of rice, five of your specialty dishes, five of the most expensive dishes, and a pot of Hundred-Year Hundred Flowers Wine." "Alright, sir, please wait a moment." Qiu Jin''an didn''t have to wait long. Soon, a bowl of rice and ten delicious dishes wereid out on the table, along with a pot of fragrant Hundred-Year Hundred Flowers Wine, making the diner opposite him envious. "If there''s nothing else, I''ll take my leave," the waiter said, ready to attend to other customers. Qiu Jin''an stopped him, "Waiter, I''m a living person. How can I eat food meant for the dead?" The waiter looked puzzled, not understanding what Qiu Jin''an meant. Qiu Jin''an snapped his fingers, and a series of cracking sounds echoed, like someone stepping on a freshly frozenke, breaking the ice to reveal the water beneath. Looking around the hall again, the bustling restaurant and its lively patrons were gone. The customers had their heads bowed, with tiny figures about a meter tall riding on their necks, waving their arms and legs. The round-bellied diner opposite Qiu Jin''an had a stomach sorge it looked like a ball. The waiter was as thin as a stick, so frail that a gust of wind could blow him away. The dishes in front of Qiu Jin''an were no longer delicious food but wriggling maggots and raw meat. Only the bowl of rice remained unchanged, except it now had three chopsticks stuck in it. Qiu Jin''an''s smile widened, "Two ghost kings, a bloated ghost and a starving ghost, along with their minions. You think this lineup can take me down?" The round-bellied diner and the waiter dropped their disguises, revealing eerie smiles. A tiny figure silently climbed onto Qiu Jin''an''s neck... ... The Corpse Driving Sect. Four anciently dressed cultivators appeared at the entrance of the Corpse Driving Sect. Ignoring the disciples on guard, they quickly split up and headed to four locations in the Yin Corpse Mountain Range. Boom Boom Boom Boom Intense battles erupted simultaneously in four ces. "Damn it, Huang Ming, that bastard, secretly found our location!" Elder Gai roared in anger. They hadn''t even started searching the Corpse Driving Sect when they were attacked. The four elders of the Corpse Driving Sect were caught off guard, but they quickly summoned their zombies. One of the ancient cultivators sneered, "Hmph, just a sect that identally obtained our legacy, and you dare oppose us?" "You are from the Witch Corpse Sect!" Elder Gai''s pupils contracted upon seeing the cultivators'' attire and hearing their words. The Corpse Driving Sect rose to prominence through a stroke of luck. Their founder stumbled into a secret realm, survived three near-death experiences, and obtained aplete corpse-driving technique. This legacy came from the Witch Corpse Sect of the Great Yu Dynasty, ssified as a super sect by Great Xia, with a Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator in residence. The Witch Corpse Sect was destroyed in the early wars of Great Xia''s founding, leaving only a legacy that the founder of the Corpse Driving Sect obtained. The ancient cultivator rubbed his ring, and sealed zombies broke free, bringing with them the stench of death and the weight of over a hundred thousand years of history, ready to battle their descendants. Four, eight, sixteen, twenty... A total of twenty zombies appeared, surrounding Elder Gai and the others! "Let''s see how much skill you juniors have learned from our legacy." ... A towering figure stood in the sky above Hanshui City, directly above the governor''s mansion. This person walked with the stride of a tiger and the grace of a dragon, exuding an aura of dominance and power with every move. His presence was so overwhelming that everyone in Hanshui City instinctively looked up, seeing a figure as imposing as the sun, filling their hearts with inexplicable fear. "After all this preparation, the n has been leaked. Huang Ming and Meng Tian, those two useless fools!" The emperor-like figure''s eyes shed with killing intent. If he hadn''t lost contact with them, he wouldn''t havee out early. A littleter, just a littleter, and the n would have been wless once the grand array''s conditions were met. "Oh well, there''s no such thing as a perfect n." "The Catastrophe Honored One failed and fell in Qingzhou, reportedly captured by a sudden expert." "I''ve already investigated Hanshui City these past days. There''s no one here who poses a threat to me." "To be safe, I''ll set a rule here: ''No information can leave Hanshui City within a day.''" Adding a time limit would strengthen the rule''s enforcement. Lu Yang looked up at the emperor-like figure in the sky, feeling a headacheing on. At the first warning from the Immortal Fairy, he had tried to call for the eldest senior sister, but it was toote. The emperor-like figure had already set the rule, preventing him from borrowing power from the eldest senior sister, who remained unaware of the situation here. "Tribtion Crossing stage cultivators are supposed to be rare. Why do I keep running into them? The Governor said this ce was the safest, but it feels like the most dangerous." "Maybe it''s because of my high status as the young sect master, and they all want to meet me."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "Hey, since you''re the young sect master, shouldn''t I get a position in the Heavenly Court Sect too?" "How about being the young sect master''sckey?" "Get lost." The old horse felt the Tribtion Crossing stage aura in the air and wondered if it was time to retire. Meng Jingzhou''s father had entrusted it to be Meng Jingzhou''s protector, and it had thought the task would be simple, readily agreeing. Thinking back to when it had taken Yun Zhi to the Seek Tao Sect, to reviving the Immortal Fairy at the Yanjiang stronghold, encountering an ancient Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator in Qingzhou, and now facing another in the Wild State. It felt it had overestimated itself. Man Gu had always had great confidence in Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. With two senior brothers around, nothing could go wrong, so he remained calm. Zhao Po was the most anxious of the four. In the morning, he had encountered Lord Mengtian, a Body Fusion stage cultivator of Great Yu, and in the afternoon, he ran into a Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator of Great Yu. What kind of luck was this? It seemed his luck had been terribletely. When had it started to go bad? Chapter 439: This move was not originally meant to deal with you Chapter 439: This move was not originally meant to deal with you As soon as Governor Lu and Wu Youdao shed, Lord An activated the grand formation. A hemispherical barrier, like an overturned bowl, covered Hanshui City, ensuring that the aftermath of their battle wouldn''t affect the city. In the sky above Hanshui City, thunder seemed to crack, deafeningly loud. The two fought fiercely, their fists and feet colliding, emitting dazzling rays of light. Mortals couldn''t bear to look at the battle directly. Even those with lower cultivation felt their chests tighten, as if resonating with the fight. Wu Youdao dared not use his Palm Universe technique to pierce through Governor Lu again, lest his other hand be fused with Governor Lu''s body. Now, with one of Wu Youdao''s arms fused to Governor Lu''s chest, his movements were greatly restricted. Coupled with Governor Lu''s astonishing healing speed, he had surprisingly gained the upper hand! "Damn it, get off me!" Wu Youdao couldn''t fight effectively and couldn''t understand how Governor Lu hade up with such an outrageous method. Wu Youdao punched Governor Lu in the face. Governor Lu''s head tilted to the side, but then his neck strained, slowly pushing back. "This move was originally meant for Bu Yu Taoist, but it looks like you''ll benefit from it first!" Governor Lu''s eyes gleamed with madness. "Bu Yu Taoist, could it be Bu Yu Taoist?" Clearly, Wu Youdao had heard of this name. "Rumor has it that Bu Yu Taoist has enemies everywhere. Could it be that Bu Yu Taoist intends to increase thebat power of Great Xia''s cultivators by making enemies?" Wu Youdao pondered. As an emperor, his thoughts were clearer and more extensive than others''."Seek Tao Sect truly is the greatest obstacle to Great Yu''s restoration!" Wu Youdao recalled the national teacher''s warning to be wary of Seek Tao Sect, as they were formidable foes. Fortunately, he had not yet encountered anyone from Seek Tao Sect. "Governor Lu is truly impressive. If this keeps up, he might win," Lu Yang''s eyes sparkled. He hadn''t expected Governor Lu to be so reliable and was d he hadn''t revealed his sect. From Governor Lu''s ruthless fighting style, it was clear he had significant grudges with his master. "He can''t win. This method relies on Wu Youdao''s unfamiliarity. Once Wu Youdao adapts, Governor Lu will be at a disadvantage," Immortal Fairy, wise and experienced in countless battles, immediately saw the w in this tactic. The only way to win was to restrain Wu Youdao and then, taking him by surprise, kill him with absolute power. Unfortunately, Governor Lu didn''t possess absolute power. As Immortal Fairy predicted, after taking a few hits, Wu Youdao quickly found a solution. His left hand transformed into a heavenly de, shing at Governor Lu. Governor Lu dodged to the side. But Wu Youdao''s target wasn''t Governor Luit was his own right arm! Swish The heavenly de cut down, severing his right arm. Blood spurted out, forming a river of blood that fell onto Hanshui City. Upon hitting the transparent barrier, it made a sizzling, corrosive sound, terrifying to hear. If the barrier couldn''t hold, the blood of a Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator falling to the ground would undoubtedly cause a disaster. Fortunately, the barrier was strong enough. Once the corrosive blood was exhausted, the barrier remained intact. Wu Youdao''s severed arm rapidly regenerated. "Heavenly Sound!" Wu Youdao, now free, opened his mouth, emitting a piercing sound. The sound carried a magical power, like countless people whispering. No matter how Governor Lu covered his ears or sealed his senses, the sound persisted. "Threefold Da Luo Force!" Wu Youdao seized the opportunity, his fist bursting with a radiant light as brilliant as the sun. "Even a high monk with a golden body would be broken by this punch!" Wu Youdaoughed heartily. Governor Lu, disturbed by the Heavenly Sound, couldn''t sense the outside world and took the punch head-on. Pfft Governor Lu spat blood continuously. The power of the nation''s fate rapidly healed his wounds, but the punch contained threefold force. The first force severely injured Governor Lu, while the second and third forces prevented healing. "Still not dead? Let''s add another punch!" Wu Youdao''s face showed greed, as if the power of the nation''s fate was within reach. "The emperor of Great Yu is indeed formidable." A steady voice came, and a five-colored light wheel suddenly appeared, blocking in front of Governor Lu. Wu Youdao''s punch was too powerful; the light wheel only held for two breaths.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Crack The light wheel shattered, and Governor Lu vanished without a trace. "Over here!" Wu Youdao turned and saw Governor Lu being supported by Qiu Jin''an. "Are you alright?" "Still alive." "It''s you, the sect master. You should be at the Hundred Flowers Restaurant at this time!" Wu Youdao coldly stared at Qiu Jin''an. The restaurant housed his two most powerful ghosts. ... Hundred Flowers Restaurant. A giant ghosty on the ground, its body hollowed out. Three chopsticks had shattered its Three Souls, and a bowl of rice was stuffed in its mouth. Countless smaller ghosts had their necks twisted, their heads severed, scattered across the hall. ... "You mean the Bloating Ghost and the Starving Ghost? They''re nothing special. If they fused into a new ghost by devouring each other, that might be interesting, but even then, not much." "As for the little ghosts that can lock the Three Souls and Seven Spirits by riding on your neck, those are just leftovers from Seek Tao Sect." The Bloating Ghost and the Starving Ghost were well-matched. The Bloating Ghost had died from overeating and, as a ghost, would eat endlessly, never satisfied. The Starving Ghost had died from hunger and, as a ghost, also ate endlessly, never full. When these two ghosts devoured each other, they would fuse into a Glutton Ghost, a creature that would spell certain death for any ordinary cultivator. "Using the Bloating Ghost and the Starving Ghost to deal with me is underestimating me." Wu Youdao''s eyes narrowed. Many Body Fusion stage cultivators had been devoured by these ghosts, even those in thete Body Fusion stage. These ghosts shouldn''t be something a Body Fusion stage cultivator could handle. This Qiu Jin''an''sbat power was beyond his expectations. "You take the hits, I''ll attack. How about that?" Qiu Jin''an transmitted his voice. "Alright." In terms ofbat power, Governor Lu was far inferior to Qiu Jin''an. "Sir, we''re here!" Several Body Fusion stage cultivators appeared to assist. Previously, they had been held back by the ghosts in the city. When Qiu Jin''an arrived, he helped them out, allowing them toe and assist. "You go down and help yourrades deal with the ghosts and maintain order in the city!" Governor Lu waved his hand. This battle couldn''t be decided by a few ordinary Body Fusion stage cultivators. Even he, a peak Body Fusion stage expert, would die in an instant without the power of the nation''s fate. Only a supreme Body Fusion stage expert like Qiu Jin''an could help now. But the problem was, where could you find a sect master of the five major immortal sects so easily? Wu Youdao tried his old trick, aiming to control Qiu Jin''an: "Heavenly Sound..." Qiu Jin''an''s battle experience far surpassed Governor Lu''s. He held a lotus of destruction in his palm. "Red Lotus Hellfire!" Boom Destructive energy exploded, and a massive red lotus bloomed above Hanshui City. Each petal had the power to shatter dimensions. With twenty-eight petals blooming, the released destructive energy was unimaginable. Even through the barrier, Lu Yang could feel the scorching heatwave. As the smoke cleared, Wu Youdao''s wretched appearance was revealed. His clothes were in disarray, his body covered in burns, his skin wrinkled, and his head shiny and bald. He no longer had his usualposed and domineering demeanor. "This move was originally meant for Seek Tao Sect, but it''s a pity it was used on you first." Qiu Jin''an slowly shook his head, and another red lotus formed in his palm. Chapter 441: The situation reversed Chapter 441: The situation reversed "Fairy, are you saying this person advanced from the early Body Fusion stage to the half-step Tribtion Crossing stage?" Lu Yang asked in astonishment, not quite understanding what was going on. The half-step Tribtion Crossing stage isn''t an actual realm but a symbol ofbat power. It refers to those whose strength surpasses the typical Body Fusion stage but hasn''t yet reached the Tribtion Crossing stage. "Didn''t I tell you before? This is a method of cultivating the soul, splitting into countless avatars, experiencing life, understanding the mortal world, and ultimately reuniting to return to peak condition, or even surpass it." "This person''s cultivation method is simr to that of Vice-master Shi." Lu Yang realized that the Immortal Fairy was referring to Vice-master Shi of the Jiuyou Sect. "He''s from the Jiuyou Sect?" "Not just that. ording to the rule that the higher the cultivation, the higher the status, he''s probably someone like the sect master." Lu Yang was puzzled and doubtful. "The Jiuyou Sect is so poor that even the sect master has to work part-time?"... The man in the white paper hat sighed, "All the avatars have returned. None of these identities can be used anymore. How many spirit stones will we lose this time?" "No choice. Who told you ancient cultivators to have a grudge against us?" He worked hard to earn money, fearing that the followers would discover they were burdened with huge loans, which were used to build the Jiuyou Sect and distribute allowances. Even if he reached the Tribtion Crossing stage in the future, he might not survive if the truth came out. He had to work hard while he was still alive to fill the gap. The barbecue shop was a lifeline for Vice-master Shi, and the man in the white paper hat thought the same. "Who are you?" Wu Youdao shouted. In front of the righteous path, the man in the white paper hat couldn''t reveal he was from the Jiuyou Sect. He could only sneer.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om To the onlookers, this was a symbol of mystery, even though the identity of the Jiuyou Sect master was indeed mysterious enough. "There''s no point in talking. Great Yu cultivators, let''s settle our old and new grudges together!" The man in the white paper hat knew the more he spoke, the more mistakes he could make. Without another word, he attacked Wu Youdao. "How dare you attack me!" "Infinite HellGreat Millstone!" A massive iceberg formed above Wu Youdao''s head, asrge as half of Hanshui City, like eternal ck ice, extremely cold, touching the edge of ultimate coldness! Under Wu Youdao''s feet, fierce mes erupted, boundless, like a prairie fire, but even fiercer and more intense! The iceberg and mes formed a millstone, with Wu Youdao trapped in the center, unable to move. "Hah, you think such a minor trick can deal with me?" "I''ll join in!" Qiu Jin''an made a move, quickly forming hand seals and casting a Five Elements spell. The coldness of the eternal ck ice intensified, even space and time seemed to freeze, and the fierce mes turned ck, bing Nether Ghost Fire, which specifically burned the soul. Wu Youdao''s expression changed. Thebined attack of the two was enough to threaten his life! Crackcrack The sound of bones being ground echoed, and Tribtion Crossing stage blood flowed, unable to freeze or burn, seeping from the edge of the millstone. "World in the Palm!" Wu Youdao roared, unleashing a furious strike, shattering the Infinite Hell Great Millstone with the weight of countless small worlds! "Form the Three Talents Formation!" Qiu Jin''anmanded, the appearance of the man in the white paper hat gave him confidence. "I control the power of the Five Elements, taking the Heaven position!" "You''ve used Infinite Hell, taking the Earth position!" "Lord Lu, you are the governor, the parent official of the people, taking the Human position!" The Three Talents Formation was renowned, born in ancient times, but rarely sessfully arranged due to its high requirements on fate and cultivation. The three didn''t say much, standing in the positions of Heaven, Earth, and Human ording to their fates. Once the Three Talents Formation was formed, the three immediately felt like they had be one, their strength increasing, and their souls more stable! "Threefold Da Luo Force!" Wu Youdao swung his fist, the fist mark shing, space cracking where the fist light passed, sealing off all escape routes. The fist moved closer, hitting the man in the white paper hat in the abdomen. The threefold force transmitted among the three, the first force borne by him, the second by Qiu Jin''an, and the strongest third by Governor Lu, greatly weakening the punch''s power! With the Three Talents Formation''s support, the power of a nation''s fate transmitted faster, and the three instantly recovered, as if they hadn''t been hit at all! "Kill!" The three drove the Three Talents Formation, unleashing their strongest moves, shing with Wu Youdao again. Their bodies were repeatedly blown apart and healed, what would be fatal injuries to lower-level cultivators were merely a drain on their spiritual power. "Huffhuff" Wu Youdao panted heavily, having been blown apart more times than his opponents, consuming a huge amount of spiritual power, even pills couldn''t restore it. He wanted to leave the battlefield but was surrounded by the three, unable to break through. "Damn it!" "Five-Colored Divine Light!" "Mortar Hell!" "Mountain Suppression Guard!" The three unleashed their ultimate moves, the five-colored dragon and tiger aura dissipated, unable to form, Wu Youdao took the three hits head-on, his body shattered, recovering slowly. Seeing this, the people of Hanshui City cheered, the gloom that had settled over their hearts when Wu Youdao appeared gradually lifting. "Stop watching ande help!" Wu Youdao roared. An old and gloomy voice sounded, and a hunched old man with a cane suddenly appeared on the battlefield. "Your Majesty, this isn''t like you. Are you asking for help?" "Cang Lei, this isn''t asking for help, it''s an order!" Wu Youdao red at the old man. "Same difference." The old man called Cang Leiughed, showing his few remaining teeth. "Cang Lei... could it be Cang Lei Venerable!" Governor Lu murmured, looking at Qiu Jin''an and the man in the white paper hat for confirmation, seeing the same shock in their eyes. The three had all heard of Cang Lei Venerable, their hearts sinking. He was a powerful Tribtion Crossing stage expert skilled in thunder techniques. Another Tribtion Crossing stage. It was already hard enough to deal with one, let alone two! "Hehe, surrender, our goal is merely the power of a nation''s fate." Cang Lei Venerableughed, his voice hoarse and unpleasant, his cane shing with thunder patterns, as if ready to strike if Governor Lu said no. Qiu Jin''an and the other two didn''t respond, falling into an eerie silence. Crack Suddenly, a thunderp broke the silence. Cang Lei Venerable was stunned, he hadn''t made a move yet. Governor Lu''s eyes lit up, looking towards the direction of the thunder: "It''s Sect Master Lu, he''s about to break through to the Tribtion Crossing stage!" ... The Corpse Driving Sect. Elder Gai spat on the scattered corpses of the Witch Corpse Sect. "Bah, what a joke, testing us with this level, don''t they know how to keep up with the times?" "You, you aren''t using the corpse-driving technique..." Thest living member of the Witch Corpse Sect pointed at Elder Gai with a trembling hand, his life force dim. He couldn''t believe what had just happened. He was clearly still alive, but his body had been refined by Elder Gai, bing a true zombie,pletely uncontroble. Moreover, there were all sorts of strange techniques. In front of Elder Gai and the other three, the ancient corpse-driving technique the Witch Corpse Sect prided itself on was utterly useless. "How is it not the corpse-driving technique? It''s been improved by the Seek Tao Sect!" Elder Gai puffed out his chest proudly. "Everyone sit and recover, we''ll go help in the cityter." Elder Gai called out, the battle just now had drained them. Crack Thunder roared above, the four elders looked up in astonishment. Elder Gai was the first to react, joy filling his heart. "The Sect Master is about to break through!" Chapter 442: The White Emperor Dragon Transformation Tribulation Chapter 442: The White Emperor Dragon Transformation Tribtion Boom A thunderp drew everyone''s attention. The Yin Corpse Mountain Range, where the Corpse Driving Sect was located, had never seen lightning due to the excessive yin energy. But today, the skies above the Yin Corpse Mountain Range roared with clouds, interwoven with lightning,pletely covered by blinding white thunderbolts, as if the world was being reborn, teeming with vitality. "All disciples of the Corpse Driving Sect, evacuate!" Elder Gai organized the disciples to evacuate the sect. Sect Master Lu''s breakthrough was faster than anticipated, making the Corpse Driving Sect extremely dangerous, with a high probability of being struck by the tribtion lightning. The tribtion lightning for breaking through to the Tribtion Crossing stage was not something the disciples could withstand; even a slight touch would mean death! The three from Governor Lu''s side and the two from Wu Youdao''s side tacitly stopped fighting. At the level of this tribtion lightning, there should be no energy fluctuations nearby, or else the tribtion lightning might mistake it for interference and target them. The three from Governor Lu''s side took the opportunity to recover their bodies, preparing for the next battle. They were relieved that with Sect Master Lu joining, the bnce of victory and defeat was restored. The oue of their battle with the Great Yu cultivators was still uncertain!Zhao Po was extremely excited. Was it nine thousand or ten thousand years? The Corpse Driving Sect had not seen a Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator for so long, reducing them from a super-grade sect to a first-grade sect. Today, they finally had a Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator, could they reim the title of a super-grade sect? This was the difference between the five major immortal sects and super-grade sects. A super-grade sect required a Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator, but cultivators eventually fall. When that happens, the super-grade sect bes a first-grade sect. In contrast, even when the five major immortal sects are in decline, with several generations unable to produce a Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator, they still have meansparable to the Tribtion Crossing stage, maintaining their immortal sect status. The Seek Tao Sect experienced such a period five thousand years ago, with no Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator for two thousand years, until the revival by Daoist Hanhai. During those two thousand years, the Seek Tao Sect remained one of the five major immortal sects. The tribtion lightning continued to brew in the sky, with only asional bolts striking down, earth-shattering but not even the prelude. Crack Dark clouds rolled and pressed down, white lightning flickered, the tribtion lightning fully erupted, covering the Corpse Driving Sect, gradually dissipating the yin energy umted over tens of thousands of years in the Yin Corpse Mountain Range. A long howl echoed, vaguely contending with the tribtion lightning. A Taoist in a robe broke through and flew into the sky, summoning various artifacts, clearly well-prepared. "So this is crossing the tribtion." Lu Yang marveled. He had long heard that cultivators must cross the tribtion, but today was his first time witnessing it, and it was the tribtion for breaking through to the Tribtion Crossing stage, incredibly powerful. Even from half of Hanshui City away, he could feel the tremors of the world, showing how powerful the tribtion lightning above the Corpse Driving Sect was. "This tribtion lightning is just so-so." The Immortal Fairy pouted, not finding the tribtion lightning impressive. If it were her, she could pass it while yawning, no need to prepare so many things. "Is there any exnation for the tribtion lightning?" Lu Yang remembered that the Immortal Fairy was an expert on tribtion lightning.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om After all, the current tribtion lightning originated from Heavenly Immortal Ying''s Dao fruit. "Heavenly Immortal Ying created the tribtion lightning to temper cultivators, not to kill them. The stronger the tribtion lightning, the greater the talent. Look at this tribtion lightning, it seems impressive, but if you really face it, you''ll find its power quite ordinary." "This tribtion lightning is called the White Emperor Dragon Transformation Tribtion, one of the weaker ones." The white tribtion lightning transformed into a dragon emperor, its whiskers flying, scales shimmering, baring its fangs and ws, as if a true dragon had gained intelligence! The white dragon emperor roared and shed with Sect Master Lu, directly piercing his flesh, exposing white bones and emanating death! "Sect Master Lu is going to die?!" Lu Yang was shocked. Did Sect Master Lu fail so quickly? "No, that''s a zombie. His real body is hiding below. Smart move, knowing the first wave of tribtion lightning is too strong to withstand, so he used a zombie to block it." The Immortal Fairy saw through Sect Master Lu''s trick at a nce. Sure enough, as the Immortal Fairy said, the zombie was shattered, and the real Sect Master Lu emerged from the ground to face the tribtion lightning. After the first wave of attacks, the white dragon emperor''s power was somewhat reduced. Boom! The white dragon emperor attacked again, Sect Master Lu''s body wracked with pain, screaming in agony, white lightning leaving electric scars on his body, burning his flesh and soul. He hurriedly took out a jade bottle from his bosom, consuming a pill. As soon as he took one to recover his body, the remaining pills and the jade bottle disappeared into the vast tribtion lightning. The white dragon emperor was unstoppable, crushing the void, subjecting Sect Master Lu to relentless tempering. The tribtion lightning dissipated, the pressure suddenly reduced, and the turbulent spiritual power gradually calmed down. Sect Master Lu''s body was charred, like a piece of charcoal, falling to the ground with a ng. "Failed?" The whole city felt a sinking feeling, murmuring and buzzing. If Sect Master Lu failed to cross the tribtion, no one could resist the Great Yu cultivators. "Look, the sect master''s body moved!" Thump, thump, thump A strong heartbeat sounded, indicating internal injuries healing, hidden wounds disappearing. Then came the sound of cracking, Sect Master Lu''s outeryer of charred skin peeled off, revealing new, crystal-clear skin, making him look ten years younger. "The tribtion lightning contains vitality, the lightning baptized the sect master''s body, making his flesh several times, even ten times stronger than before!" Elder Gai said excitedly, recalling the records of the Corpse Driving Sect''s ancestors breaking through to the Tribtion Crossing stage. Sect Master Lu suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze like lightning, piercing through the clouds. He stood up straight, brimming with vitality,pletely different from his previous battered state during the tribtion, looking renewed and confident. He had clearly crossed the tribtion, bing a Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator! The whole city cheered, whether it was Governor Lu''s three men or the city''s residents, seeing Sect Master Lu sessfully cross the tribtion, their anxious hearts finally rxed. Only Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were not happy. During the tribtion, Sect Master Lu''s clothes were torn by the heavenly lightning, and they both stared at Sect Master Lu''s right wrist, their scalps tingling, feeling horrified. There were three interlocking rings, with the character "ghost" in the middle! This was the same mark they had seen on the wrist of an ownerless zombie when they stayed overnight in Solid Stone Vige. The vige chief had exined it: "An ownerless zombie has two possible reasons: either the owner is dead, and the zombie is out of control, wandering aimlessly, or the owner has voluntarily released control over the zombie. Otherwise, the zombie has backfired and eaten the owner." A zombie can withstand the tribtion lightning, Sect Master Lu couldn''t have voluntarily released control over the zombie. Sect Master Lu was still here, so the zombie hadn''t eaten its owner. That left only one possibilitySect Master Lu had already died, and his zombie had wandered to Solid Stone Vige, where the vige chief found it! Since Sect Master Lu had died, who was controlling his body now?! The two exchanged a nce, instantly thinking of a possibility. "A Great Yu Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator has taken over Sect Master Lu''s body!" The second chapter will be at eleven o''clock. Chapter 444: Supreme Grand Heavenly Venerable of the Heavenly Court Sect! Chapter 444: Supreme Grand Heavenly Venerable of the Heavenly Court Sect! "Heavenly Court Sect? Battle Venerable?" Wu Youdao looked at the holy goddess before him with suspicion, a sense of unease rising in his heart.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om He had let Governor Lu take action, confident that even with Qiu Jin''an and the man in the white paper hat intervening, he would still have the upper hand. In the face of absolute power, these people couldn''t stir up any trouble. But now, he felt things were spiraling out of control. Since birth, he had never felt this way. "What is the Heavenly Court Sect? And what is the Battle Venerable?" Cang Lei Venerable and Venerable Wuji exchanged nces, seeing the panic in each other''s eyes. Their goal was the power of a nation''s fate. When Wu Youdao tried to seize it, they had been watching the surroundings closely. They could say that any movement around them couldn''t escape their notice. But this woman appeared under everyone''s eyes, and no one noticed how she arrived.How was this possible! They quickly searched their minds for the information they had gathered. From ancient times to the present, there was nothing that matched "Heavenly Court Sect" or "Battle Venerable." The closest were the current four major demon cults: Immortal Sect, Jiuyou Sect, Radiant Sun Sect, and Ruthless Sect. "It seems there are records of the Heavenly Court in ancient books!" Venerable Wuji''s voice trembled, fear spreading in his heart. "An ancient organization?!" Cang Lei Venerable eximed softly. He believed that the older something was, the stronger it was. As someone who had lived for over a hundred thousand years, he looked down on the current Great Xia, believing that Great Yu cultivators were the strongest. But now, the Battle Venerable seemed toe from the most ancient times. And with the title "Battle," she must be extremely skilled inbat! "Wait, did she just refer to herself as ''this immortal''?" Cang Lei Venerable recalled an important piece of information that had been overlooked. "She''s an immortal!" They had never expected that Hanshui City would hide an immortal! An immortal with the title "Battle" might not be weak even among immortals! ... "The Supreme Battle Venerable of the Heavenly Court Sect?" At first, the man in the white paper hat was puzzled when he saw the Immortal Fairy, not knowing who she was. Now that the Immortal Fairy had introduced herself, he finally understood. He remembered the message from the Vice-master of the barbecue shop, saying that people from the Heavenly Court Sect hade to Hanshui City and were displeased upon hearing that the ghost gue disaster might have been caused by the Jiuyou Sect. Fortunately, the Vice-master had exined everything to avoid affecting the cooperation between the two sects. Thinking back, the man in the white paper hat felt a chill of fear. The so-called people from the Heavenly Court Sect were likely this Supreme Battle Venerable before him. "Good thing it was exined clearly." What kind of person was the Supreme Battle Venerable? The first immortal of ancient times, an unparalleled existence that even the four ancient immortals feared! "Do you know this person?" Qiu Jin''an noticed the unusual expression of the man in the white paper hat and quietly transmitted his voice. "This is an unspeakable figure." The man in the white paper hat dared not and was unwilling to discuss the Supreme Battle Venerable in detail. Qiu Jin''an raised an eyebrow, wanting to speak but stopping himself. ... "Lord Lu, are you alright?" While everyone else was captivated by the Immortal Fairy bathed in the power of a nation''s fate, only Lu Yang was concerned about the still-bleeding Governor Lu. "Cough, cough, I''m fine." Governor Lu struggled to get up, took out a few pills from his storage ring, and sat down to meditate. Only then did Lu Yang look up at the focal point of everyone''s attention in the sky, a faint smile appearing on his lips as he recalled thest words the Immortal Fairy had said before the battle. "This immortal said, I will keep you safe in the Wild State." ... "Hmph, what immortal? Just bluffing!" Wu Youdao calmed down. If the person before him were an immortal, he would have been dead from that strike just now. The Immortal Fairy chuckled lightly, looking at Wu Youdao with disdain. "Ignorant. This is just a thought of mine. Seeing the power of a nation''s fate here, I borrowed it. Can''t you younger generations understand such a simple thing?" Wu Youdao, known as the second strongest in the history of the Yu emperors, wouldn''t be easily scared. "The power of a nation''s fate can only elevate you to the early stage of Tribtion Crossing, the same as the three of us. Do you think you can win against three?" Cang Lei Venerable and Venerable Wuji also realized that the other party might indeed be an immortal, but her true body wasn''t here, only a thought controlling the power of a nation''s fate. Since her power was still at the early stage of Tribtion Crossing, she was not to be feared. At the same stage of Tribtion Crossing, who could be weaker than whom? The Immortal Fairy spoke again, her tone indifferent. "If it were Ying Tian, Kylin, and Jiuzhong at the early stage of Tribtion Crossing, they might pose a threat to me. As for you three trash..." She shook her head slightly, saying no more. The so-called second strongest in the history of the Yu emperors was nothing in the eyes of the Immortal Fairy. He wasn''t even the second strongest in the ten thousand years of the Great Yu Dynasty. Seeing the Immortal Fairy''s attitude, Wu Youdao was furious and shouted, "Heaven and Earth in the Palm!" Though it was daytime, Hanshui City suddenly darkened. Countless citizens instinctively looked up, trembling. A massive hand covered the sky over Hanshui City. With the naked eye, they couldn''t see how big the hand was, only feeling it blocked everything, even the sky. Qiu Jin''an and the man in the white paper hat saw more. The palm contained countless small worlds, with exotic flowers and rare herbs, and countless heavenly treasures. Each small world was both a microcosm and a treasure trove! The Immortal Fairy looked at the frenzied Wu Youdao indifferently, her fingertip exerting a slight force. The fingertip contained endless stars and gxies, shattering and reassembling, exploding with immense energy. When the fingertip collided with the massive hand, Wu Youdao''s hand didn''tst long before it was shattered by a single finger. Boom Along with it, the rule Wu Youdao had established"No information can leave Hanshui City within a day"was also shattered. The rule that had persisted even during Venerable Wuji''s Tribtion Crossing was pierced by a single finger of the Immortal Fairy! The world fell silent. The Immortal Fairy withdrew her hand, looking at the heavily injured and coughing blood Wu Youdao, her tone still indifferent. "This is the true Heaven and Earth in the Palm." Second update before eleven o''clock. Chapter 445: Sweeping away Chapter 445: Sweeping away The world fell into a deathly silence. Whether it was the Great Xia or the Great Yu side, everyone was stunned by that single finger of the Immortal Fairy. Anyone could see that Wu Youdao had gone all out with his "Heaven and Earth in the Palm" move, a desperate,st-ditch effort, his ultimate killing technique. Yet, this move was effortlessly neutralized by the opponent, even breaking the rules that had trapped Hanshui City. To what terrifying extent had the opponent mastered power, spells, and the "rules"?! When low-level cultivators gain high-level power, they often can''t fully utilize it due to limitations in their thinking and vision. Moreover, the power of a nation''s fate is a technique of immortals, and even Tribtion Crossing stage cultivators find it difficult to understand its usage. This was why Governor Lu had been on the defensive throughout the battle. In contrast, the Immortal Fairy had fought many battles at the Tribtion Crossing stage and was intimately familiar with the power at that level. After bing an immortal, her vision had elevated even further, allowing her to guide Tribtion Crossing stage battles. No one in the world could better exploit the power of a nation''s fate than her. "Are you alright?" Venerable Wuji stepped forward to heal Wu Youdao, handing him an extremely precious semi-immortal-grade pill. This kind of pill required not only high cultivation to refine but also rare materials. Once a pill was sessfully refined, who knew when the next one would be avable. With a formidable enemy before them, they couldn''t afford to hold back.Wu Youdao was crucial to the restoration of Great Yu. ording to the national teacher''s n, Wu Youdao was to ascend the throne after the restoration of Great Yu and could not be lost here. The semi-immortal-grade pill was very effective. After taking one, the bacsh from the rules was no longer a problem, and the hole in his palm was slowly healing. However, the healing speed was far below expectations, a testament to the lingering effects of the Immortal Fairy''s technique. "Let''s go together!" Wu Youdao had to admit that the opponent was not someone he could defeat alone. "Stop holding back. Themotion here is too big. We need to finish this quickly before other strong cultivators from Great Xia arrive!" The power of a nation''s fate was right in front of them. Wu Youdao was determined to seize it! Returning empty-handed would be a huge loss this time. In a Tribtion Crossing stage battle, thepetition is usually about the mastery of rules. But the three of them had long realized that the opponent was likely a true immortal. ying with rules before an immortal was a sure way to die without even knowing how! It was better to fight with spells! Cang Lei Venerable and Venerable Wuji both recognized the formidable enemy before them and skipped the probing phase, immediately using their trump cards. "Mighty Thunder, heed mymand!" Cang Lei Venerable, who took "Thunder" as his title, was a master of thunder magic! In an instant, the sky seemed to copse, silver snakes danced wildly, as if countless flood dragons were transforming, galloping in the air. The massive sound shook Hanshui City. If not for the protective formation, everyone''s eardrums would have been shattered! With the rules just broken, those outside the city had no idea what was happening. They only saw a dark light above Hanshui City, with thunder and lightning pouring down like rain, scaring them so much that their legs trembled, and they copsed to the ground. The power of the thunder was no less than the previous tribtion lightning, even stronger! After all, tribtion lightning offers a slim chance of survival, while Cang Lei Venerable''s technique left no room for survival, it was certain death! The interwoven lightning formedyers of cages, trapping the Immortal Fairy within. As the cage shrank, one could imagine the kind of lightning strikes the person inside would suffer when it reached its smallest point! Facing all this, the Immortal Fairy remained unmoved, speaking in a voice only the three from Great Yu could hear. "The origin of tribtion punishment in this worldes from Heavenly Immortal Ying''s Tribtion Dao Fruits. Most tribtions are lightning-based. Even Heavenly Immortal Ying wouldn''t dare use lightning magic against me. How could your clumsy imitation seed?" Cang Lei Venerable''s pupils contracted, his face full of shock. The Immortal Fairy''s words revealed many ancient secrets! The Immortal Fairy''s lips curled into a smug smile, but under the shroud of the power of a nation''s fate, no one could see her face, let alone her expression. She extended her baster finger towards the sky, her lips moved slightly, and the terrifying lightning cage instantly vanished without a trace. The sky cleared up as if nothing had happened. Only Cang Lei Venerable, who was closest, heard what she said and couldn''t help but tremble. She said: "Decree, disperse." A decree is an order from a superior to a subordinate. Just these simple words made his proud imitation of tribtion lightning vanish, which could only mean one thing Her status was above the tribtion lightning, and the tribtion lightning dared not attack her! How was this possible! Cang Lei Venerable had never heard of such a thing, but now there was only this one exnation! He felt a deep fear from the bottom of his heart; the opponent was his nemesis! "Fist of Sacrifice!" Venerable Wuji stepped forward, his steps creating ripples in the air as he unleashed his fist technique. This was his strongest move, which had be his title. Venerable Wuji''s fist technique was incredibly domineering, with golden light piercing through, divine rays blinding, and a gray mist appearing behind him. This was the corpse energy he had umted, all bing nourishment for his Fist of Sacrifice. "Fairy Fist." The Immortal Fairy swung her delicate fist, which looked soft but contained profound truths and boundless mysteries. The Fairy Fist was a culmination of tens of thousands of fist techniques, including Arhat Fruit Fist, Forsythia Fist, and Tian Kui Fist. Among these techniques were those that could neutralize corpse energy, such as the Arhat Fruit Fist and Forsythia Fist, which clear heat and detoxify. In front of the Fairy Fist, the corpse energy automatically dissipated, leaving the Fist of Sacrifice without nourishment, like a rootless duckweed, its power nearly nullified. Venerable Wuji was stunned. Since mastering his fist technique, he had never encountered such a situation. Before he could react, the Fairy Fist was alreadying at his face. The delicate fistnded on Venerable Wuji''s face with a series of crackling sounds, leaving him bruised and battered.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "Threefold Da Luo Force!" "Cang Lei Body Refinement!" "Fist of Earth Sacrifice!" The three from Great Yu attacked together, their spells earth-shattering, their momentum overwhelming, as if to destroy the world. The Immortal Fairy transformed into a Martial Immortal, fighting one against three, capturing dragons and tigers, ignoring thunder magic, her fist technique invincible, sweeping away everything, herbat power defying the heavens, forcing the three to retreat step by step, their formation copsing. For the top geniuses, the highest praise from the world was that they had the potential to be immortals. But the Immortal Fairy was a true immortal, and even the highest praise was an understatement for her. The Immortal Fairy fought with ease, able to neutralize any attack. The secret techniques mastered by Wu Youdao and the others, the Immortal Fairy had seen them all in ancient times and could counter them effortlessly. The techniques the enemies knew, she knew them too, and even better. The techniques the enemies didn''t know, she also knew. The Immortal Fairy shook her head. These three, in ancient times, wouldn''t even qualify topete for immortality, they were too weak. Without the qualification topete for immortality, they had no right to be her opponents. Boom The three were sent flying by a single punch from the Immortal Fairy, soaring across half of Hanshui City, embedding themselves in the Yin Corpse Mountain Range of the Corpse Driving Sect. "None of them are any good, far inferior to Heavenly Immortal Ying and the others." Chapter 446: Deadly battle! Chapter 446: Deadly battle! The Immortal Fairy fought against three opponents without showing any signs of fatigue. Instead, she grew more and more courageous as the battle went on, striking fear into their hearts. Mountains were as fragile as tofu in the face of such cultivation. Wu Youdao and the other two crashed through countless mountains without stopping. The Immortal Fairy appeared behind them with even greater speed,nding several punches and sending them flying once more. The three of them bounced around like balls, unable to even stabilize themselves. "Spatial Defense!" Wu Youdao was the first to regain his footing. Facing the ferocious Immortal Fairy, he set up multipleyers of spatial defenses, an artifact passed down by the emperors of Great Yu. These spaces varied in size, impossible to cross, filled with deadly traps. Anyone who fell into them would face near-certain death, and even if they managed to escape, they would be left half-dead. The Immortal Fairy nced at the spaces blocking her path, lightly stepped forward, and passed through them effortlessly, delivering a kick to Wu Youdao''s face! She broke his neck with that kick! "How is this possible!" Wu Youdao was shocked. Even if the opponent was skilled in spatial techniques, it should have been impossible to cross these spaces.These spaces were designed to prevent anyone from using spatial techniques to bypass them. "She just used both Shrink Earth and Worlds Apart simultaneously!" Cang Lei Venerable''s sharp eyes recognized the Immortal Fairy''s methods. But he had never heard of anyone who could use these two top-tier spatial techniques at the same time! Not only were Wu Youdao and the other two terrified, but even Qiu Jin''an and the man in the white paper hat, who were watching from the sidelines, were stunned. To fight three opponents of the same level with such ease, the control she disyed was definitely that of an immortal! "No wonder she''s called Dou Heavenly Sovereign, who can manipte stars like beans." The man in the white paper hat sighed lightly. From the glimpse of her power that the Immortal Fairy had shown, this description was not an exaggeration at all. Qiu Jin''an looked at the man in the white paper hat in surprise. "Manipte stars like beans? Isn''t she the Battle Heavenly Sovereign?" "It''s beans, not battle." The man in the white paper hat corrected Qiu Jin''an''s misunderstanding but did not reveal any more information. ... The Immortal Fairy stretchedfortably. After staying in the spiritual space for so long, she finally got to stretch her muscles. "Enough ying around, time to wrap this up." She threw three punches, each containing her insights into spatial techniques, making them unavoidable. The three men took the punches and finally couldn''t hold on any longer, falling from the sky like ragdolls. "Cough, cough" Wu Youdao spat out dark blood, his eyes bloodshot. Since birth, he had possessed the aura of a dragon and tiger, everything going smoothly for him. His talent for cultivating immortality was extraordinary, and everyone praised him as having the demeanor of his ancestors, destined for greatness. And indeed, cultivation was as easy for him as drinking water, never encountering any bottlenecks. It was only when advancing to the Tribtion Crossing stage that he faced some difficulty, but that was all. He smoothly became the sixth emperor of Great Yu, with none of his siblings able topete with him. After bing emperor, he found that cultivating at the Tribtion Crossing stage was fraught with difficulties, no longer as smooth as before. But his ambition was not limited to the Tribtion Crossing stage. He wanted to be immortal. For this, he participated in the national teacher''s n and fell into a deep sleep, awakening 180,000 yearster topete for the chance to be immortal.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Before bing immortal, he set his sights on the power of a nation''s fate, which could transform his dragon and tiger aura, greatly benefiting him in future battles for immortality. The national teacher wanted to analyze the power of a nation''s fate, and he wanted to obtain it. Thus, the Hanshui City n was born. "I am the emperor of Great Yu, and an emperor never retreats!" Wu Youdao spat out a mouthful of ck blood, took a semi-immortal grade pill, and his aura surged. The dragon and tiger auras seemed like civil and military officials, apanying him! Cang Lei Venerable was embedded in a mountain crevice, his already aged appearance bing even more haggard. He panted heavily, having used many hidden techniques to block the Immortal Fairy''s punches. Even so, he couldn''tpletely block them. Under that punch, all he could do was save his own life. Cang Lei Venerable slowly closed his eyes, reminiscing about his life. He was born when the first national teacher was still helping to manage the country. He came from a middle-ss family, with the family patriarch being only a Divine Transformation stage cultivator. Due to his background, he was not valued in the family and was often bullied. While gathering herbs in the mountains, he identally stumbled into a secret realm and obtained the inheritance of thunder techniques. After gaining the inheritance, his situation only improved slightly. He had the inheritance but no resources. To obtain resources, he fought desperately, enduring countless bloody battles to improve himself, joining many factions, and defeating many seemingly invincible opponents. Eventually, he achieved fame and trampled the family that had looked down on him. Due to his reckless fighting in his youth and the iplete thunder technique inheritance, he lost a lot of his lifespan, making him shorter-lived than other Tribtion Crossing stage cultivators. To extend his lifespan, he chose to sleep, nning to give up the chance to be immortal and insteadpete for life-extending spiritual items when others fought for immortality. He didn''t care who became emperor or who could be immortal. He participated in the Hanshui City opportunity only because the national teacher promised to help himpete for life-extending spiritual items. He never expected to encounter such a strong enemy, putting his life at risk. Should he surrender? Cang Lei Venerable gradually lost consciousness, his mind shing through his hurried life. To obtain Foundation Establishment materials, he defeated his cousin. To gain insights into the Golden Core, he joined an assassin organization. To smoothly form his Nascent Soul, he defeated three cultivators of the same level in a row, fighting until hismp ran out of oil... No! Cang Lei Venerable suddenly opened his eyes. He had fought all his life, and opportunities were fought for and killed for! So what if she naturally countered him? Couldn''t he still win? "Kill!" Venerable Wuji looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar Yin Corpse Mountain Range and sighed. He was a descendant of the legendary hidden Wu n. For stealing the n''s secret corpse-driving technique, his cultivation was crippled, his memory of the technique erased, and he was expelled from the n. Fortunately, he didn''tpletely lose his memory. Fragments of the corpse-driving technique asionally shed in his mind. Relying on these fragments, he ventured into various tombs, using the environment to cultivate and regain his cultivation, eventually recalling theplete corpse-driving technique. To advance his cultivation, he caused a significant corpse tide in Great Yu. The imperial court captured him but didn''t execute him. Instead, they saw his potential and decided to cultivate him. Under the court''s cultivation, his cultivation gradually surpassed his peers, reaching the Tribtion Crossing stage. The first thing he did after breaking through the Tribtion Crossing stage was to attack the Wu n, ughtering them and obtaining many inheritances. The court gave him the cultivation for revenge, and he would repay the court with his life. This was loyalty! "His Majesty cannot die here. We must fight!" The three of them had a fierce determination in their eyes, ready for a desperate battle. "Dragon and tiger auras, fight with me!" Wu Youdao stepped on the dragon aura, the tiger aura transforming into a protective tattoo on his back, constantly roaring. His eyes changed, the left one bing a dragon''s eye, the right one a tiger''s eye, exuding wildness. "Cang Lei enters the body, tempered a thousand times!" A thick bolt of Cang Lei struck Cang Lei Venerable, a thunder mark appearing on his forehead. His hair stood on end, electric arcs shing at the tips, and his body became younger, returning to his prime. He burned his lifespan to regain his peak youthful body! "Cang Lei old ghost is burning his lifespan, I can''t fall behind. Wu n secret techniqueHeaven Sacrifice Fist!" Venerable Wuji went mad, no longer holding back. He let out a long howl, sacrificing himself to the heavens. A vast power descended from the sky, filling his body. Every cell emitted a faint glow, his power reaching its limit! "Attack together!" The three of them attacked simultaneously, using their strongest techniques, determined to kill the Immortal Fairy here! "Watch out!" Qiu Jin''an cried out in rm. Even from a distance, he felt the extreme danger of their desperate attacks, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead! The man in the white paper hat swallowed nervously, worried whether the Immortal Fairy could withstand this deadly assault! Bang, bang, bang The Immortal Fairy used her celestial fist technique,nding a punch on each of them, instantly putting them in a weakened state. The three of them fell to the ground, their bodies twitching. "What a joke, you scared me for nothing. I thought you had some powerful techniques." Second update at eleven o''clock. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 447: The war comes to an end Chapter 447: The wares to an end Wu Youdao and the other two finally understood that the person before them was an unbeatable opponent. Not only could they not defeat her, but they couldn''t even scratch her from the start of the battle until now. The Supreme Heavenly Venerable of the Heavenly Court Sect was terrifying beyond measure. "Run!" The three had recognized the reality. Since they couldn''t win, they had to escape and bide their time for aeback! Their physical speed was far inferior to their soul speed. Being seasoned fighters, they made the right choice immediatelysoul separation and fleeing in different directions! "Fortunately, she''s just a thought of an immortal and can''t chase all three of us at once. Moreover, the power of the nation''s fate is immobile. If she wants to chase us, she must abandon the power of the nation''s fate. But if she abandons it, her power will diminish, and even if she catches up, she won''t be able to defeat us!" The three of them felt lucky as they transformed into streaks of light and fled. ... Immortal Fairy watched the three leave and then withdrew her gaze.When Governor Lu arrived at the scene after the battle ended, only three corpses and the unimed power of the nation''s fate remained. Seeing this, he quickly used the Wild State Seal to reim the power of the nation''s fate. Qiu Jin''an turned and cupped his fists, "Thank you, Dao friend, for your assistance earlier. I haven''t had the chance to ask for your name?" There was no one beside Qiu Jin''an; the man in the white paper hat had already fled. "What a good escape technique. Did he leave, or did he escape?" Qiu Jin''an squinted and muttered to himself. The technique used by the man in the white paper hat during the battle made him somewhat suspicious. However, since the man had helped them, it wouldn''t be appropriate to turn hostile on the spot. Elder Gai and others also returned to the Corpse Driving Sect. Seeing the body of their sect master, they wailed in grief, tears streaming down like rain. "Sect Master, you died so tragically!" "We will definitely avenge you!" The disciples'' eyes were red, and they cried in unison, filling the entire Corpse Driving Sect with a sorrowful atmosphere. Lu Yang and the others also rushed to the Corpse Driving Sect. Seeing the three Tribtion Crossing stage corpses on the ground and the people of the Corpse Driving Sect crying uncontrobly, they clenched their fists, veins bulging. As the Great Elder, Elder Gai had to take on the responsibilities of the sect master in his absence. He turned tofort the grieving crowd, "Old Lu was an optimistic and cheerful person in life. If his spirit is watching, he wouldn''t want to see you like this. Smile, as a final farewell to him." "Old Lu, rest assured, we will definitely carry on your legacy and strengthen the Corpse Driving Sect!" Elder Gai chuckled softly, mourning Lu Baqian. "You bastard, Old Gai, I''m dead, and you still want them tough!" Sect Master Lu sat up straight, ring angrily at Elder Gai. This sudden change caught everyone off guard. Governor Lu was on alert, thinking Sect Master Lu hade back to life, and once again used the power of the nation''s fate. "Dead my ass, don''t think I don''t know you''re still alive!" Elder Gaiughed and cursed. "What on earth is going on?" Governor Lu was confused, seeing that Elder Gai didn''t seem surprised by Sect Master Lu''s revival. Sect Master Lu exined, "This must be the new Governor, right? This is our first official meeting. I am Lu Baqian, the sect master of the Corpse Driving Sect." Governor Lu politely responded, still not understanding what was going on. "Governor Lu might not know, but our Corpse Driving Sect and the Seek Tao Sect have always had a good rtionship. Although there is the exception of Bu Yu Taoist, overall, our two sects get along well." "The Corpse Driving Sect has a tradition to show friendly rtions. The high-ranking members of the Corpse Driving Sect make two soulmps, one kept in the Corpse Driving Sect and one ced in the Seek Tao Sect, to prevent situations like today." Qiu Jin''an nodded secretly. He had heard of this, so he never suspected any issues with the high-ranking members of the Corpse Driving Sect. Friendly sects often had such practices. The Five Elements Sect also kept soulmps of high-ranking members from other sects. Lu Baqian continued, "But we didn''t expect these ancient cultivators to have methods we don''t understand. They could possess my body without destroying my soul." "After Venerable Wuji possessed me, he was worried that the Seek Tao Sect would notice, so he didn''t dare to destroy my soul. He justpletely separated my soul from my body and sealed my soul. That''s how I survived." "At the same time, he couldn''t ess my memories. Frequent interactions with Elder Gai and others would expose him, so after possessing me, he imed to be in seclusion and only appeared once when making the Soul Dispersing Talisman." Sect Master Lu shivered at the thought. If it weren''t for Venerable Wuji''s fear of the Seek Tao Sect, he would have truly died. "So, are you now a Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator?" Governor Lu recalled another matter. "A blessing in disguise, I suppose. Not entirely. My body is at the Tribtion Crossing stage, but it was Venerable Wuji who crossed the tribtion. My soul is still at its original level. Now, I''m half a Tribtion Crossing stage. Only when my soul''s level improves will I be aplete Tribtion Crossing stage." "But anyway, I''m the first among my peers to reach the Tribtion Crossing stage, right?" Sect Master Lu looked at Qiu Jin''an, realizing his current level was the highest among his peers. "Have you no shame?" Qiu Jin''an looked at Sect Master Lu with disdain. No wonder he could get along with the Seek Tao Sect. "Shame or not, just admit that I''ve gone through life and death, narrowly surviving to be a Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator." Sect Master Lu was righteous, without a hint of embarrassment. Qiu Jin''an was speechless; Lu Baqian''s words seemed to make sense. As Lu Yang watched the argument between the Body Fusion and Tribtion Crossing stage cultivators with great interest, Immortal Fairy returned to the mental space. "Phew, I''m exhausted. So, how was it? Wasn''t I cool just now?" Immortal Fairy gave a thumbs up, her mouth curling into a bright smile. "Very cool, Fairy, you''re reliable... But I want to ask, what''s the deal with these three people behind you?" Lu Yang''s gaze shifted to the three soul bodies behind Immortal Fairy. There stood three familiar soul forms: Wu Youdao, Cang Lei Venerable, and Venerable Wuji. The three Tribtion Crossing stage cultivators looked ashen. They never expected that the one controlling the power of the nation''s fate was not just a thought of an immortal but aplete immortal soul. In front of an immortal soul, they had no chance of escape! What happened to just being a thought?N?v(el)B\\jnn "These three are spoils of war. As a guest elder of the Seek Tao Sect, it''s only fair for me to catch a few people for the sect and exchange them for contribution points, right?" Immortal Fairy counted on her fingers, her little abacus clinking. Last time, she caught an ancient Body Fusion stage cultivator and exchanged it for a three-day sect master experience voucher. How many good things could she get for catching three Tribtion Crossing stage cultivators this time? Lu Yang''s face darkened, recalling some unpleasant memories. The three Tribtion Crossing stage cultivators were shocked by their conversation. Such a powerful immortal was just a guest elder of the Seek Tao Sect. How deep was the water in the Seek Tao Sect? The national teacher had underestimated the strength of the Seek Tao Sect! And why was this Supreme Heavenly Venerable''s behavior nowpletely different from during the battle? Lu Yang was also puzzled and asked the question that the three Tribtion Crossing stage cultivators wanted to ask. Immortal Fairy revealed another ancient secret. "Heavenly Immortal Ying said that maintaining a high profile is a necessary skill for immortals." Chapter 448: Great Elder: Have I not seen everything in the world? Chapter 448: Great Elder: Have I not seen everything in the world? Lu Yang''s mental space was bustling with activity, hosting five powerful figures: an ancient immortal, three cultivators at the Tribtion Crossing stage, and one Golden Elixir stage expert. Lu Yang wondered if his mental space was getting a bit too crowded. Moreover, despite it being his mental space, the room was decorated by the Immortal Fairy in a pink and delicate style, which hardly seemed fitting for a grown man. At this moment, the Immortal Fairy, as the mistress of the mental space, was lecturing the three prisoners. "You three better behave yourselves. This ce is under my control. This kid named Lu Yang is the second-inmand of the Immortal lineage and is under my protection. Treat him as you would treat me, got it?" The Immortal Fairy, hands on her hips, looked like a spoiled youngdy from a wealthy family. Wu Youdao and the others, despite being at the Tribtion Crossing stage and having enjoyed endless wealth and luxury, were now kneeling in this cramped mental space, listening to her scolding. Especially Wu Youdao, who had once been the sixth emperor of Great Yu and the second strongest among all emperors, now found himself in such a humiliating position. The three exchanged bitter nces, even Wu Youdao had lost his former pride. They were simply outmatched; there was nothing they could do about it.Their goal in waking up after eighteen thousand years of slumber was to be immortals, but the Immortal Fairy had already achieved that, making the gap between them insurmountable. Moreover, who exactly was this Supreme Heavenly Venerable? No matter how hard they tried, they couldn''t match the Immortal Fairy with any of the ancient four immortals. Lu Yang felt at ease as he exited his mental space. With the Immortal Fairy around, the three Tribtion Crossing stage cultivators wouldn''t be able to cause any trouble. She could suppress three of them at the same level, let alone now that she was a whole realm higher. Outside, Sect Master Lu was alive and well, and everyone was overjoyed. Qiu Jin''an and Governor Lu were stillmenting their failure to capture Wu Youdao and the other two,pletely unaware that the three were imprisoned in Lu Yang''s mind. "It''s a pity we couldn''t capture Wu Youdao and the other two. It would have been a great achievement." "Don''t be ungrateful. The power of the nation''s fate and Hanshui City being intact is already extremely fortunate." Lu Yang had pondered why the Immortal Fairy didn''t capture the three on the spot and hand them over to Qiu Jin''an, but instead went through the trouble of pretending to let them escape and then capturing them back into his mental space. There could be three reasons: one, Qiu Jin''an and the others might not have been able to contain the three Tribtion Crossing stage cultivators. Two, it could have exposed the Immortal Fairy''s identity. Three, it was better to keep the benefits within the Seek Tao Sect rather than giving them to Governor Lu and Qiu Jin''an, as it could be exchanged for contribution points. Considering the Immortal Fairy''s personality, she probably only considered the third point. Qiu Jin''an noticed Meng Jingzhou in the crowd and called him over, "I told you before when I borrowed your body that in exchange, I would teach you a Five Elements spell. When you have time,e to the Five Elements Sect to learn it." Originally, Qiu Jin''an had nned to borrow Meng Jingzhou''s body to punch Old Ba and then take Meng Jingzhou away to fulfill his promise. However, unforeseen events like karmic bacsh, the trip to the Wild State, and the Great Yu cultivators'' conspiracy kept him busy until now.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om With the battle over, there were still many things to clean up, such as the lingering ghost problems in the city, checking for hidden Great Yu cultivators, and calming the popce. Qiu Jin''an had to stay temporarily to help Governor Lu. During the recent battle, the Immortal Fairy had disyed her divine power, destroying the Yin Corpse Mountain Range and the headquarters of the Corpse Driving Sect, along with the umted yin energy of tens of thousands of years. However, with Lu Baqian, a half-baked Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator, the Corpse Driving Sect would soon recover its former glory. From a linguistic perspective, "half-step Tribtion Crossing stage" and "half-baked Tribtion Crossing stage" essentially mean the same thing. With Meng Jingzhou''s karmic bacsh resolved and the mission to the Wild State aplished, Lu Yang and hispanions bid farewell to Zhao Po and boarded a carriage back to the Seek Tao Sect. Before leaving, a powerful figure arrived in Hanshui City, followed by arge contingent of elite soldiers, all at the Golden Elixir stage, flying in the sky. These were troops stationed at the border between Great Xia and the Golden Buddha Kingdom. The leader was an old general at the Tribtion Crossing stage. When the "rules" were broken, he immediately sensed the anomaly in Hanshui City and dispatched his troops there. But they were a step toote; the Immortal Fairy had already resolved the situation quietly. "With so many people around earlier, I didn''t dare ask, but was it the Immortal Fairy inside you who acted?" Meng Jingzhou finally couldn''t contain his curiosity and asked after holding it in for the entire journey. Meng Jingzhou, Man Gu, and the old horse had all witnessed how Lu Yang revived the Immortal Fairy. With no outsiders around, Lu Yang nodded, "Yes, it was her." Meng Jingzhou and Man Gu gasped. They had seen how the Immortal Fairy, with the power of the early Tribtion Crossing stage, had beaten Wu Youdao and the others like children. Invincible at the same level. Meng Jingzhou hadn''t expected the Immortal Fairy''sbat power to be so formidable. He looked at Lu Yang with envy, thinking that having an immortal as a guide must be the reason for Lu Yang''s terrifyingbat prowess. "Not only did she deal with those three Great Yu cultivators, but she also captured their souls and put them in my mind!" Lu Yang pointed to his head. Meng Jingzhou and Man Gu were about to gasp again when the carriage suddenly shook violently. The old horse, usually calm, was now using space magic, its four legs moving rapidly as it ran, eager to reach the Seek Tao Sect as soon as possible. The old horse couldn''t afford to be slow; it was scared. The carriage didn''t just carry three Golden Elixir stage youngsters but also the souls of three Tribtion Crossing stage cultivators. It had to hurry back. Thanks to the old horse''s desperate sprint, the three of them returned to the Seek Tao Sect in the shortest time possible, and the old horse finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling safe. "You two go ahead. I need to visit the mission hall and report this to Senior Brother Dai," Lu Yang said, bidding farewell to Meng Jingzhou and Man Gu before heading to the mission hall. At the mission hall, Lu Yang politely asked the senior sister at the front desk. This senior sister knew Lu Yang; they had sparred before. "Sister Tang, is Senior Brother Dai here? I have some findings from my trip that I need to report to him." "Senior Brother Dai isn''t here, but the Great Elder is. You can report to him." Lu Yang remembered that Senior Brother Dai was temporarily managing the mission hall in ce of the Great Elder, who was the actual person in charge. "Alright." "Before he left, Senior Brother Dai said that if you had anything important, you could go straight in." Lu Yang nodded, thanked Sister Tang, and walked into the depths of the mission hall. ... The Great Elder, who had returned to the mission hall after a long time, was sorting through various intelligence reports, assessing mission levels and dangers, and predicting future trends. "Sigh, Little Dai doesn''t know how to consider an old man''s feelings," the Great Eldermented, rubbing his eyes and reclining in his chair to rest. "Great Elder, are you there?" Lu Yang''s voice came from the door. "It''s Lu Yang,e in," the Great Elder straightened up, mindful of his appearance. He remembered what Dai Bufan had told him before leaving. "Master, be careful of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou when you''re at the mission hall. If they report something, it''s bound to be significant. Don''t be surprised." The Great Elder hadughed it off, thinking it was nothing. He knew what Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had been up to infiltrating the Immortal Sect, resolving the Immortal Sect, establishing the Heavenly Court Sect, and deceiving the Jiuyou Sect. Little Dai was still too young and hadn''t seen much of the world. Such things wouldn''t surprise him. As a half-step Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator, the strongest below the Tribtion Crossing stage, he had seen it all and could handle anything. "Lu Yang, I heard from the others that you went to the Wild State. Now that you''re back, what''s the matter?" The Great Elder sipped his tea leisurely, exuding calmness. "Well, I captured three Tribtion Crossing stage souls in the Wild State, and they''re now imprisoned in my mind." "Pfft" The second update will be at eleven o''clock. Chapter 449: How strong must Lu Yangs master be, when even the eldest senior sister is so powerful? Chapter 449: How strong must Lu Yang''s master be, when even the eldest senior sister is so powerful? Lu Yang wiped the tea from his face and looked innocently at the Great Elder. "Great Elder, what''s wrong?" The Great Elder stared at Lu Yang as if he were seeing a ghost, thinking his old age might have affected his hearing. He had lived for over two thousand years, as the eldest of the nine disciples of the Seek Tao Sect and a half-step Tribtion Crossing stage expert, yet this was the first time he had encountered such a situation. As far as he knew, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had gone to the Wild State, at most apanied by that Dragon Horse demon king. Even with this lineup, even if it were ten times stronger, it would be impossible to capture three Tribtion Crossing stage souls. "Who did you capture?" "Wu Youdao, Venerable Xuanlei, and Venerable Wuji," Lu Yang counted on his fingers for the Great Elder. The Great Elder took a sharp sip of tea. These three were all renowned Tribtion Crossing stage experts of the Great Yu Dynasty, especially Wu Youdao, who had the natural aura of a dragon and tiger emperor, often praised by historians of Great Yu. "The old horse ran fast, so we arrived first. The news probably hasn''t spread yet. Great Elder, you have no idea how dangerous it was in the Wild State. We almost lost our lives there; it was extremely perilous."The Great Elder squinted at Lu Yang. Did you mean it was perilous because you captured these three? "First, exin how you managed to capture these three Tribtion Crossing stage experts." Lu Yang replied mysteriously, "Great Elder, there''s no one else here, and we''re all from the Heavenly Court Sect, so I won''t hide it from you. We have a great figure in our sect, the supreme leader of the ancient Heavenly Court, the Supreme Heavenly Venerable, Dou Heavenly Sovereign!" "I captured these three Tribtion Crossing stage experts with the help of Dou Heavenly Sovereign!" The Great Elder was momentarily stunned, then smiled knowingly. It seemed Yun Zhi had intervened. Although Junior Niece Yun''s position in the Heavenly Court Sect was that of the leader, it didn''t prevent her from having multiple identities. For instance, she was both the eldest senior sister among the disciples and the acting sect master. "Alright, alright, since it''s Junior Niece Yun''s matter, you should discuss it with her." The Great Elder threw Lu Yang out of the mission hall. Lu Yang shook his head helplessly and said to the Immortal Fairy, "See, I told you, we need to find the eldest senior sister for this. You can''t just bypass her ande to the mission hall to exchange contribution points. It''s impossible." "Alright," the Immortal Fairy said dejectedly. Just as Qiu Jin''an had said, the eldest senior sister had alreadypleted the paperwork for their master''s release and returned to the sect. When Lu Yang returned to Tianmen Peak, the eldest senior sister still maintained her ethereal demeanor, sitting cross-legged at the mountain''s peak, her eyes containing countless stars, mysterious and unfathomable. Just looking at her from afar, one could feel immense pressure. Wu Youdao and the other two felt their scalps tingle at the sight. Lu Yang couldn''t understand the significance of this scene, but as Tribtion Crossing stage cultivators, they knew exactly what it meant. Because they knew, they felt fear deep in their hearts. During the Great Yu era, the stars in the sky were remnants from ancient times, with almost no real stars left. Because of this, when Wu Youdao and the others awoke from their slumber, they quickly noticed the anomaly in the starry sky. The stars, originally just remnants, had been silently filled in by someone, with no records of it. What kind of immense power was this? And what realm must one reach to achieve such a feat? They had always wanted to know who had rekindled the stars in the sky, and now they finally knew. They wished they didn''t. "Eldest Senior Sister, I''m back," Lu Yang said obediently in front of her. "What did he call this immortal? Eldest Senior Sister?" Venerable Xuanlei eximed, losing hisposure.N?v(el)B\\jnn The other two had simr reactions. This woman was actually Lu Yang''s eldest senior sister? Then what kind of powerhouse must Lu Yang''s master be? What a terrifying Seek Tao Sect. "You''re back?" The eldest senior sister stood up, the stars in her cold eyes shing briefly before disappearing, her ck and white eyes quietly observing Lu Yang. "What''s the deal with the three Tribtion Crossing stage experts inside you?" She casually nced at him, seeing the bustling activity in his mental space. "Alright,e out," the Immortal Fairy said, pulling the three out. In her hands, the three Tribtion Crossing stage experts were no different from chicks. "Their cultivation foundations are quite ordinary, making it difficult for them to be immortals. Exin the situation." The eldest senior sister recognized all the current Tribtion Crossing stage experts, having visited them for guidance. She didn''t recognize these three, indicating they were ancient cultivators. In her view, their foundations were too weak to achieve immortality. Lu Yang recounted the events, skipping over his romantic encounters, and only mentioned going to the Corpse Driving Sect, discovering the haunting in Hanshui City, encountering Huang Ming, a Great Yu Body Fusion stage cultivator starting over, and being saved by Qiu Jin''an when Lord Mengtian intervened. "Lord Mengtian and Huang Ming escaped and haven''t been caught. Wu Youdao appeared with a look of having his ns exposed, executing them ahead of schedule." Wu Youdao: "..." So, you didn''t capture Lord Mengtian and Huang Ming! Venerable Xuanlei and Venerable Wuji looked at Wu Youdao with resentment. Why did you jump out so eagerly? Their original n was to wait for Venerable Wuji to sessfully cross the tribtion, activate the grand array, and seize the power of the nation''s fate. Even though they followed the original n, the result was still the Immortal Fairy using the power of the nation''s fate to deal with the three of them. Lu Yang then described the battle between Wu Youdao''s side and Governor Lu''s side, emphasizing the possession of Sect Master Lu and the man in the white paper hat who appeared to help, suspected to be the Jiuyou Sect''s leader. "Possessed Sect Master Lu?" The eldest senior sister''s eyes narrowed, space rippling, causing Venerable Wuji''s soul to tremble as if being watched by an extremely terrifying presence, unable to escape. When she went to the Corpse Driving Sect for exchange and study, she mainly sought guidance on the corpse-driving technique from Sect Master Lu. "Sect Master Lu''s soulmp hasn''t extinguished, indicating he wasn''t fully possessed, but it''s still unforgivable." She stepped forward, coldly pressing down on Venerable Wuji''s head, causing him to scream in agony, as if his three souls and seven spirits were being forcibly torn apart, his consciousness rapidly dissipating. "Why have you disappeared? Why can''t I see you?" Venerable Wuji''s vision went ck, stumbling around blindly. "Venerable Wuji, you..." Venerable Xuanlei hesitated, wanting to say it wasn''t them who disappeared, but that he had lost his ability to perceive the outside world. "Is someone speaking? Louder, I can''t hear you," Venerable Wuji had lost his hearing. His consciousness faded, his mouth opening and closing without making a sound, and he copsed to the ground. His soul was cleansed, and from then on, Venerable Wuji ceased to exist. "Use him as an artifact spirit," the eldest senior sister said, tossing Venerable Wuji aside and looking at the trembling Wu Youdao and Venerable Xuanlei. A Tribtion Crossing stage artifact spirit, even Tribtion Crossing level artifacts might not have such a powerful spirit. Refining a cultivator''s soul into an artifact spirit was second only toplete soul annihtion in terms of brutality. "If you two hide anything, you''ll also be refined into artifact spirits." Chapter 450: Great Yus plan Chapter 450: Great Yu''s n Wu Youdao gritted his teeth, struggling internally. How could he, the sixth Emperor of Yu, the one destined to overthrow Great Xia and restore the glory of Great Yu, be easily threatened into revealing anything? He had weathered countless storms and seen bloodshed; being turned into a spirit weapon was nothing that could scare him! Just as Wu Youdao was about to speak, he heard Lu Yang thoughtfully say, "They say history is written by the victors. The Seek Tao Sect has always had a good rtionship with the imperial court. We can discuss with the historians to give your story some artistic embellishment." "If you confess honestly, we''ll have the historians write that after being captured by us, you remained unyielding, withstood all kinds of torture, and never leaked a single piece of informationa true paragon of integrity." "Even the Emperor of Xia would praise you as a wise ruler with the potential for immortality,menting that you were born in the wrong era. If you had continued to rule in the Great Yu Dynasty, you could have led it to unprecedented prosperity, your talents rivaling those of your ancestor, the founding emperor." "On the other hand, if you say nothing, we''ll have the historians write that after being captured, you cried and begged for mercy, admitted the legitimacy of Great Xia, and imed that the Great Yu Dynasty was inferior. Or we''ll write that Great Xia treats its prisoners well, and you lived a life of luxury in the Seek Tao Sect, forgetting all about Great Yu..." "I''ll confess." Wu Youdao immediately said, breaking out in a cold sweat upon hearing Lu Yang''s words. After all, he had already failed and been captured. He couldn''t decide his own life or death, let alone achieve immortality. The only thing he cared about now was his reputation. ording to Lu Yang, this would be worse than death, as he would be ridiculed and despised for eternity.Wu Youdao red hatefully at Lu Yang, who remained unfazed and indifferent. The eldest senior sister nced at Lu Yang in surprise, not expecting such a method. She had been nning to use traditional torture to make the two confess. The eldest senior sister extended her jade-like hand, and the golden bells on her wrist jingled, raising a light screen to separate Wu Youdao and Venerable Xuanlei for separate interrogations. "What are your ns in the Wild State?" "The national teacher and I... I mean, the power of Great Xia''s fate is the key to stopping their rise. He needs to study the power of a nation''s fate and its impact on Great Xia. The n is to seize the power of the nation''s fate in the Wild State. Once understood, it will be used to nourish my dragon-tiger energy, increasing my chances of achieving immortality." "How does Great Yu n to rise?" "Only the first national teacher knows the full n. The second national teacher and I only know parts of it. Since my awakening, I have never seen the legendary first national teacher; it has always been the second national teacher and me nning together." The first national teacher had disappeared before Wu Youdao was born, making him a legendary figure to Wu Youdao. "Our n involves allying with the Demon Realm, the Sea n, and the demon cult. When the great era arrives, we will coordinate from within and without to seize power in Great Xia, and I will be the Emperor of Yu." Immortal Fairy felt that the first part of Wu Youdao''s n sounded very familiar, as if she had heard it somewhere before. Lu Yang pondered. Wu Youdao''s n was very rough, just a basic outline. It seemed the real nners were the two national teachers. This also matched historical records. In the early days of the Great Yu Dynasty, the emperor and the national teacher were closely connected. The national teacher had the talent to govern, advising the emperor, who followed his counsel,plementing each other and promoting the prosperity of the Great Yu Dynasty. Not every emperor could be a great ruler. For example, Wu Youdao had high cultivation talent but no ability to govern a country. "You want to be the Emperor of Yu? What about the founding emperor?" The founding emperor was the strongest in the Great Yu Dynasty. ording to historical records, he fought on all fronts, eventually overthrowing Great Qian and unifying the world to establish the Great Yu Dynasty. He reigned for three thousand years before sumbing to hidden injuries from years of battles and dying of illness. Lu Yang was skeptical of this ount. He had encountered strong individuals before; how could the founding emperor, the strongest in the Great Yu Dynasty, die so simply? "My ancestor is truly dead. After I seeded as the Emperor of Yu, I even paid respects to his corpse," Wu Youdao said firmly. If the founding emperor were not dead, he would not have agreed to the national teacher''s n. After all, with the founding emperor around, he would never have the chance to be the new Emperor of Yu and gain the opportunity for immortality. "How many of your people have currently awakened, and what are their cultivation levels?" "There are thirty-two at the Body Fusion stage and seven at the Tribtion Crossing stage." Lu Yang frowned. This was far more than what the Catastrophe Honored One had disclosed. The Catastrophe Honored One had mentioned only two at the Tribtion Crossing stage. It seemed the Catastrophe Honored One was not important in the Great Yu Dynasty''s ns, being on the periphery. A Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator being on the periphery indicated that the hidden strength of Great Yu was terrifying. "What are the specific levels of the seven Tribtion Crossing stage cultivators?" "Three at the early stage, two at the middle stage, and two at thete stage. Four of them are still in slumber. As for whether there are others, I don''t know." Lu Yang calcted the Tribtion Crossing stage cultivators he had encountered from the Great Yu Dynasty: the Catastrophe Honored One, Venerable Xuanlei, and Venerable Wuji, exactly three at the early stage. "Where are the four mid-tote stage Tribtion Crossing cultivators sleeping?" "The national teacher knows; I don''t." "What are the cultivation levels of the two national teachers?" "No one knows the level of the first national teacher. I asked several strong individuals who had seen him; some said he was just a step away from immortality, while others said he had already achieved Dao fruits and be an immortal. The second national teacher is a semi-immortal level expert." When Wu Youdao mentioned the first national teacher being at the immortal level, his eyes showed admiration. Lu Yang, however, remained calm. When it came to immortals, all he could think of were Immortal Fairy and the four unlucky ones. He couldn''t muster any admiration for immortals. A semi-immortal level expert was someone in the Tribtion Crossing stage with a nascent Dao fruit. Lu Yang only knew one semi-immortal level cultivator, the third leader of the Immortal lineage, Immortal Fairy. "If the Wild State n seeds, what''s your next step?" "The Tribtion Crossing stage cultivators will act, using [rules] to envelop a city in Ji State, to see if they can use the power of rules to turn its people into subjects of Great Yu."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "Which city?" "Randomly chosen." The eldest senior sister asked Venerable Xuanlei the same questions again. Venerable Xuanlei knew much less than Wu Youdao, but as corroborative testimony, it was enough. The eldest senior sister felt it necessary to share the information Wu Youdao had confessed with the imperial court and the other four great sects, especially regarding Ji State, to prepare thoroughly. She bound the purified Venerable Wuji with chains and handed the other end to Lu Yang. "I''ll take these two to Prison Peak and then head to the imperial capital. You hand this person''s soul to the Fifth Elder." Watching the eldest senior sister leave, Immortal Fairy suddenly realized something. "Oh no, I forgot to contribute points!" The second update will be before eleven o''clock. Chapter 451: Leader Mu Baiyi of the Jiuyou Sect Chapter 451: Leader Mu Baiyi of the Jiuyou Sect The eldest senior sister arrived at Prison Peak, and the childlike grandmaster was stunned to see two Tribtion Crossing stage souls. How long had it been, and now there were two more Tribtion Crossing stage souls. Counting the time, they had captured four Tribtion Crossing stage souls in a year. If this continued, he wouldn''t be able to suppress Prison Peak in a few years. His strength wasn''t weak, but no one could suppress so many Tribtion Crossing stage souls. "Actually, it''s three. One of them was refined into an artifact spirit by me. All three were encountered by our junior brother while he was out." The childlike grandmaster''s face twitched. His grand-disciple was even more troublesome than Bu Yu. He was only at the Golden Elixir stage; what would he be capable of in the future? "Even in retirement, there''s no peace." The childlike grandmaster sighed. He had retired early, leaving the mess to Bu Yu Taoist and the other eight, because he was too exhausted. That generation of Seek Tao Sect had many outstanding talents, the most exceptional nine of whom were called the Nine Sons of Seek Tao Sect, considered the hope of the sect.Coincidentally, all nine were his disciples. When he was the sect leader, he spent every day cleaning up the messes these guys made. Thanks to him, he got to know all the high-level figures in the world of cultivation at that time. He had cultivated desperately to the Tribtion Crossing stage just to be able to discipline these little rascals. Otherwise, as a master, watching these little rascals cause trouble and being unable to beat them would have driven him crazy. "If I had known, I would have swapped with my junior brother back then. He could havee to Prison Peak, and I could have stayed in the Scripture Repository." The childlike grandmaster sighed as he locked up Wu Youdao and Venerable Xuanlei. ... Lu Yang swaggered through Seek Tao Sect with Venerable Wuji''s soul in tow, looking very punchable. Fortunately, he arrived at Hundred Refinements Peak without getting beaten up. He happened to see Li Haoran sparring with Qin Yanyan. Qin Yanyan''s body turned into a wisp of white smoke, ethereal and elusive, with talismans hidden within the smoke that could strike Li Haoran in the dark. Li Haoran wasn''t one to be passively defensive either. He took off the wig on his head, which spun rapidly, dispersing the white smoke. The father and daughter were evenly matched in their sparring. "Yanxia White Cloud Pill?" Lu Yang recognized Qin Yanyan''s Golden Elixir; it was a first-grade Golden Elixir. This kind of Golden Elixir could turn a cultivator into smoke and clouds, with form but no substance, making it very useful for bothbat and escape. No wonder Li Haoran had apanied his former daughter in cultivation for so long. "Congrattions on forming your Golden Elixir," Lu Yang said with a smile. The father and daughter noticed Lu Yang''s arrival and stopped their magic fight. "Senior Brother Lu, what brings you here?" Li Haoran didn''t know about Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou''s trip to the Wild State; he just felt it had been unusually quiet without them for a month. Being struck by karmic bacsh wasn''t something to be proud of, so Meng Jingzhou naturally kept it a secret. The disciples of Seek Tao Sect only knew that Qiu Jin''an had ambushed the sect; they knew nothing of the details. "Oh, Old Meng and I went to the Wild State and captured a Tribtion Crossing stage soul. The eldest senior sister asked me to bring it to the Fifth Elder." Lu Yang raised the chain in his hand, speaking as casually as if he were bringing back a small souvenir from a trip. Even the father and daughter, who were almost used to Lu Yang''s luck, didn''t know what to say. Was a Tribtion Crossing stage soul asmon as Chinese cabbage, to be encountered on a trip? "Master is at the mountaintop refining artifacts," Li Haoran pointed the way for Lu Yang. "Alright, I''ll be back soon. I have something to ask you." Li Haoran was puzzled. Lu Yang reached the mountaintop and saw the Fifth Elder pondering over a pot, his brows furrowed in deep thought. "Fifth Elder, what are you doing?" "Our Heavenly Court Sect coborates with the Jiuyou Sect using the automatic skewer array. I was thinking, could we refine an artifact that can automatically stir-fry dishes?" "Did you seed?" "Not quite, I encountered many problems. For example, the attack power of this pot is too high. I don''t know where the problem is. But enough about that, what brings you here... a Tribtion Crossing stage soul?!" The Fifth Elder snapped out of his daze and saw the soul of Venerable Wuji in Lu Yang''s hand. His eyes lit up, more excited than seeing his wife, rubbing his hands together with a grin that reached his ears. "The eldest senior sister asked me to give it to you, saying it could be used as an artifact spirit." "Just as I thought!" The Fifth Elder took the chain, as if receiving a treasure. With a Tribtion Crossing stage soul, he was confident he could refine a Tribtion Crossing level artifact. It was a precious experience that would greatly enhance his artifact refining skills. The Fifth Elder tossed the automatic stir-fry pot aside. With the chance to refine a Tribtion Crossing level artifact, who cared about an automatic stir-fry pot? Lu Yang bid farewell to the now oblivious Fifth Elder and went down the mountain to find Li Haoran, exining his purpose. "On this trip to the Wild State, I encountered someone from the Jiuyou Sect. Do you recognize him?" Lu Yang used his magic to conjure the image of a man wearing a white paper hat. "Mu Baiyi?" "Is this person named Mu Baiyi?" "Without a doubt, it''s Mu Baiyi. In Qin Haoran''s memory, he was one of the four deputy leaders of the Jiuyou Sect, the youngest of the four." "He''s now the leader of the Jiuyou Sect."N?v(el)B\\jnn If Lu Yang had any doubts before, after the battle in Hanshui City and seeing Mu Baiyi''s disyed power, he was certain Mu Baiyi was the leader. "He became the leader?" Li Haoran was slightly surprised. In terms of seniority and cultivation, Mu Baiyi wasn''t particrly outstanding. Even Stone Bone had a higher chance of bing the leader than Mu Baiyi. "Could he have made some promise, like building Feng City or something?" Li Haoran pondered. Mu Baiyi had no advantages in any aspect, so the only possibility was that he promised to build Feng City if he became the leader, swaying the neutral faction to his side. "But that doesn''t make sense. The Jiuyou Sect is so poor, Qin Haoran was always chased by creditors. Where would they get the money to build Feng City?" Li Haoran was baffled. "Mu Baiyi is best at the arts of duplication and transformation. He can change into anyone, young or old. When he was young and studying in the sect, his senior brothers didn''t like attending sses and preferred to cultivate on their own. But the elders often took attendance, so his senior brothers asked Mu Baiyi to answer for them, paying him in spirit stones." "Mu Baiyi came from a poor background andcked spirit stones, so he agreed." "Mu Baiyi was diligent. To avoid being discovered, he learned the arts of duplication and transformation, using them when answering roll calls." "Then why didn''t he continue studying in the sect and instead joined the Jiuyou Sect?" Lu Yang was curious. "Was he expelled for answering roll calls for others?" Who would leave a sect to join a demon cult? "No, it''s just that the sectter disbanded." "Disbanded?" Lu Yang was even more puzzled. Why disband a perfectly good sect? "The sect was quite strange. Although many disciples attended sses, with a 100% attendance rate, their end-of-term evaluations were terrible, except for Mu Baiyi, who excelled." "The sect felt it couldn''t teach properly and didn''t want to mislead the disciples, so it disbanded." Lu Yang: "..." Chapter 452: This Heavenly Court Sect is very likely a new demon cult! Chapter 452: This Heavenly Court Sect is very likely a new demon cult! Great Xia Pce. Emperor Xia dismissed the eunuchs and pce maids to discuss matters with the five major immortal sects. In the vast pce, only six people remained, making it feel empty. "Daoist Yun, long time no see." "Pce Master, you''re too kind." "Daoist Qiu, I heard you were involved in the Hanshui City incident?" "Just barely survived." After a brief exchange of pleasantries, only the abbot of the Floating Temple remained silent, as he was practicing the Silent Meditation. Seeing that everyone had arrived, Emperor Xia began, "Regarding the Hanshui City incident, I believe the five of you are already somewhat aware. If it weren''t for the unexpected appearance of certain individuals, the power of the nation''s fate would have been taken by Great Yu."Originally, Yun Zhi had intended to convene a righteous path meeting, but upon learning about the Hanshui City incident, Emperor Xia took the initiative to gather the five here. In terms of results, there wasn''t much difference. Emperor Xia''s eyes showed a hint of frustration. The loss of the nation''s fate was a significant matter. The ancestors might have to intervene personally to reim it, which would disrupt all subsequent ns. "Old Qiu, you were personally involved in the Hanshui City incident. Please recount what happened," said the leader of the Suppress Hell Sect. He was a burly man, with tattoos peeking out from his neck, wrists, and ankles, indicating that his entire body was covered in battle tattoos, a sign of mastery in the Battle Tattoo Cultivation Method. Qiu Jin''an, havingpleted the aftermath of the Hanshui City incident, hade to the pce for the discussion. "My trip to Hanshui City was purely idental. I was ambushed by viins and cursed. To lift the curse, I needed the power of the nation''s fate, so I went to the nearest Hanshui City to seek its help." "At that time, Hanshui City was gued by ghostly disasters, orchestrated by Great Yu cultivators, though no one realized it then." "Then Wu Youdao appeared, using the power of the Tribtion Crossing stage to seal off information from Hanshui City and wreak havoc within the city." "Wu Youdao, the sixth Emperor of Yu?" A woman interrupted Qiu Jin''an''s ount. She was Luo Hongxia, the Pce Master of the Moon Laurel Immortal Pce. "Yes, that''s him. He had the bearing of an emperor and used the Dragon and Tiger Qi in battle, making him difficult to deal with. Governor Lu and I barely managed to hold our ground together." "During the stalemate, a man wearing a white paper hat appeared, disyingbat strengthparable to mine." "Comparable to yours?" The leader of the Suppress Hell Sect was slightly surprised. He knew Qiu Jin''an''s strength well, and someone on par with him couldn''t be an unknown figure. "Although that man never revealed his identity, his fighting style resembled that of someone from the Jiuyou Sect. And within the Jiuyou Sect, only the leader could match my level." "Afterwards, I investigated and found that in recent years, his presence has been seen all over the Wild State. He used a clone technique tomit crimes everywhere, and was wanted by the Wild State authorities. However, since he relied on his wits for his crimes, his true cultivation was underestimated." "The three of us joined forces and were about to defeat Wu Youdao when Venerable Xuanlei appeared. To make matters worse, the leader of the Corpse Driving Sect was possessed by Venerable Wuji, posing a triple Tribtion Crossing stage threat to Hanshui City." "Venerable Wuji even used the identity of the Corpse Driving Sect leader and the Wild State Seal to temporarily strip Governor Lu of his control over the power of the nation''s fate." "Just as I was about to risk my life in resistance, a female cultivator appeared. Her strength and true identity were unknown. She imed to be Dou Heavenly Sovereign, the Supreme Heavenly Venerable of the Heavenly Court Sect. Using the unimed power of the nation''s fate, she single-handedly crushed Wu Youdao and the other two!" "Unfortunately, they still managed to escape in the end." Even though Governor Lu had already reported the incident, hearing Qiu Jin''an recount it again still left Emperor Xia astonished. To single-handedly crush three opponents meant Dou Heavenly Sovereign''s true realm far exceeded that of Wu Youdao and the others. At least a half-immortal! "What kind of force is this Heavenly Court Sect? Why have I never heard of it?" The leader of the Suppress Hell Sect voiced the question on everyone''s mind. Everyone racked their brains but could only recall ancient texts mentioning the "Heavenly Court." However, there were too many versions of the "Heavenly Court," and historians had always struggled to determine its existence. What was the rtionship between the ancient Heavenly Court and the Heavenly Court Sect? "I''ve never heard of it either. Judging by the reactions of Wu Youdao and the others, they hadn''t heard of the Heavenly Court Sect either." "But from the reaction of the Jiuyou Sect leader beside me, he seemed to know of the Heavenly Court Sect''s existence." "When he saw Dou Heavenly Sovereign appear, he was not only surprised but also delighted. He even told me that Dou Heavenly Sovereign was an unspeakable figure who could manipte stars like beans." "Manipte stars? Is Dou Heavenly Sovereign an ancient figure?" Emperor Xia rhythmically tapped the table. Everyone present was a high-ranking figure in the world of cultivation, and there were few secrets among them. They all knew that the stars in the sky had disappeared, reced by Yun Zhi''s Golden Core. In other words, no one in the current world of cultivation could manipte stars like beans. Dou Heavenly Sovereign could only be an ancient figure. With the appearance of cultivators from the Great Yu and Great Qian dynasties, even more ancient cultivators were emerging, and they were ancient powerhouses. But which ancient powerhouse was it? Even though much of ancient history was lost, the names of cultivators of such a level wouldn''t be forgotten!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "More and more forces are getting involved in this grandpetition." The leader of the Suppress Hell Sect sighed. Qiu Jin''an nodded, "I think so too. I suspect this Heavenly Court Sect is rted to the ancient Heavenly Court. Despite the many versions of the ancient Heavenly Court, one thing remains constant: the Heavenly Court was the ruler of ancient times!" He was well-versed in ancient knowledge and boldly hypothesized, "If we further specte, the Heavenly Court Sect''s goal might be to restore the rule of the ancient Heavenly Court. This would exin why Dou Heavenly Sovereign targeted Wu Youdaothey have conflicting interests." Luo Hongxia continued Qiu Jin''an''s analysis, "The Jiuyou Sect leader''s acquaintance with Dou Heavenly Sovereign suggests a connection between the two sects!" The leader of the Suppress Hell Sect also seized on this clue, "With a figure like Dou Heavenly Sovereign, the Heavenly Court Sect must be extremely powerful. The fact that we know nothing about them means they''ve been operating in the shadows, only now revealing themselves with overwhelming strength to announce their existence to the world!" The abbot of the Floating Temple wanted to speak but couldn''t due to his Silent Meditation practice. Emperor Xia spoke on his behalf: "This Heavenly Court Sect is highly likely to be the new demon cult. With the fall of the Immortal Sect, only three of the four major demon cults remain. Now, with the addition of the Heavenly Court Sect, there are once again four major demon cults!" Everyone nodded in agreement with Emperor Xia''s conclusion. At this moment, Qiu Jin''an noticed Yun Zhi, who had remained silent, and asked, "Daoist Yun, you are knowledgeable and have the highest cultivation among us. What do you think of the Heavenly Court Sect?" Yun Zhi nced around at everyone and calmly said, "I am the leader of the Heavenly Court Sect." "!!!" Chapter 454: Emperor Xia Shouyuan Chapter 454: Emperor Xia Shouyuan The support from the five major immortal sects for the Ji State affair put Emperor Xia in a particrly good mood. He immediately brought up another matter: "You all must have heard that the original Sect Master of the Corpse Driving Sect was about to be possessed. However, his soulmp was ced in the Seek Tao Sect. The Great Yu cultivators, fearing detection by the Seek Tao Sect, did not fully possess the Corpse Driving Sect''s Sect Master, leaving his soul intact." "Yes, when I was handling the aftermath in Hanshui City, that bastard Lu Baqian survived a great ordeal. With his Tribtion Crossing stage body, he unted it in front of me every day. He''s really despicable!" Qiu Jin''an snorted coldly. Emperor Xia pretended not to hear Qiu Jin''an''sints and continued, "Can we learn from this experience and ce the soulmps of other sects within the five major immortal sects and the imperial court for protection?" "Daoist Yun just mentioned that Great Yu has at least four Tribtion Crossing stage cultivators. If a Body Fusion stage cultivator tries to possess another Body Fusion stage cultivator, a battle is inevitable, and we can detect it. But if a Tribtion Crossing stage cultivator tries to possess a Body Fusion stage cultivator, it would be too easy and could seed silently." "If another incident like Sect Master Lu''s urs, having the soulmp system in ce would make Great Yu cultivators hesitant, preserving the soul of the one being possessed." "This is feasible," Yun Zhi nodded, the first to agree with Emperor Xia''s proposal. She had thought of a simr solution on her way here and intended to propose it at the meeting, but Emperor Xia beat her to it. "I also think it''s a good idea.""The Suppress Hell Sect finds it feasible." The host of the Floating Temple remained silent, indicating agreement. Seeing everyone reach a consensus, Emperor Xia continued, "After the meeting, I will have a list drawn up and distributed to you all, and notify the sects on the list." The sects in Great Xia follow a registration system. As long as they report to the government, providing basic information such as the number of members, scale, location, and sect master, the registration is consideredplete without the need for review and approval. If there are subsequent matters like a change of sect master, they still need to report to the government. Thanks to this system, Great Xia is very clear about the number and locations of sects. Officials can quickly draw up a list ording to Emperor Xia''s requirements. With the important matters discussed, the five of them walked out of the main hall, chatting andughing. The host of the Floating Temple also walked out with a smile, creating a harmonious atmosphere. The eunuchs and pce maids stood respectfully outside the main hall, ready to see off the five sect leaders. "Ah-choo" Emperor Xia, who was discussing Bu Yu Taoist with Qiu Jin''an, suddenly started coughing violently. He covered his mouth and nose, revealing a few blood spots on his palm. A strand of white hair appeared on his forehead, starkly contrasting with his thick ck hair. "Your Majesty!" The chief eunuch was so frightened that his soul almost left his body. He rushed forward to support Emperor Xia. "Summon the imperial physician, quickly summon the imperial physician!" The other eunuchs and pce maids were in a flurry, clearly terrified. "What happened to you?" Qiu Jin''an frowned, grabbing Emperor Xia''s wrist, his expression changing slightly. "Why is your body so weak?" Logically, this shouldn''t be the case. The governor has the power of a nation''s fate to protect him, making him immune to all poisons and diseases. As the Emperor of Great Xia, he has supreme control over the power of a nation''s fate, so his body shouldn''t have any problems. Emperor Xia smiled bitterly and waved his hand, unwilling to borate. The host of the Floating Temple silently recited a Buddhist chant, saying nothing. Yun Zhi, with the highest cultivation, saw through Emperor Xia''s condition at a nce: "He is at the end of his lifespan." "End of lifespan?" Luo Hongxia was shocked, not expecting Emperor Xia to face such a problem, and so suddenly. Emperor Xia nced at Yun Zhi, equally shocked. He always had the power of a nation''s fate protecting him, so no one should be able to see his condition. He didn''t expect Yun Zhi to see through his problem at a nce. Knowing he couldn''t hide it any longer, he had to speak: "After all, I''m only at the Divine Transformation stage." Among the six, Yun Zhi had the highest cultivation, while Emperor Xia had the lowest. Bing an emperor had nothing to do with cultivation. After all, no matter how high the emperor''s cultivation, he couldn''t suppress the world single-handedly. "Even so, you''re only a thousand years old. A Divine Transformation stage cultivator can live for fifteen hundred to two thousand years," the Sect Master of the Suppress Hell Sect frowned, puzzled. Now, with Great Xia facing internal and external troubles, if Emperor Xia''s body had a problem, especially one rted to lifespan, it would undoubtedly lead to turmoil, with all sorts of opportunists emerging. This was not a good thing. "I had a severe illness when I was the crown prince, teetering on the brink of death. To cure it, I took many precious herbs, including two roots and leaves of the King of Medicine. Unfortunately, my weak body couldn''t handle the supplements. Although my life was saved, it cost me my lifespan." The five of them had heard of this, and the older eunuchs and pce maids in the pce also knew. "Our sect has a few small Kings of Medicine that extend lifespan, like the Longevity Great Elm and the Eternal Life Stone," Qiu Jin''an said. Emperor Xia absolutely couldn''t have problems now. The Longevity Great Elm, which takes eight thousand years for spring and another eight thousand for autumn, is extremely rare and an excellent herb for extending lifespan. The Eternal Life Stone is a stone that grows every year, but its growth is so slow that it''s imperceptible to the naked eye. After ten thousand years, it grows a circle. Scraping off some stone kes makes it a treasure for extending lifespan, even tempting for Body Fusion stage cultivators. Emperor Xia''s eyes lit up when he heard Qiu Jin''an say this, but then dimmed as he shook his head gently: "It''s useless. I''ve taken too many heavenly materials and earthly treasures before. The imperial physician said my body has developed a resistance to them. No small King of Medicine will work." Lifespan issues are fatal, and even the power of a nation''s fate is hard topensate for it. Unless one can be an immortal with endless lifespan, there''s no solution. "How long can you live?" "About ten years." He knew his body best. Everyone fell silent. Ten years is a fleeting moment for cultivators, far too short. Could it be that Emperor Xia, just as he saw the grand era unfold, would close his eyes? Since ascending the throne, Emperor Xia had worked tirelessly for the country and its people. Great Xia''s national strength had increased day by day, and the power of a nation''s fate had grown thicker. He was a rare wise ruler, ranking among the top three in Great Xia''s history. Was heaven really so jealous of talent that it would let him die at such a critical moment, without seeing the true grand era? It''s not fair. But even if it''s unfair, what can be done?N?v(el)B\\jnn The Sect Master of the Suppress Hell Sect couldn''t help but say, "There''s still a lot of time. I''ll go back and discuss with the other elders. The world is so vast; there must be another way." He couldn''t believe that they couldn''t fill the gap in Emperor Xia''s lifespan or extend it by a few decades or a hundred years. The five sect leaders walked out of the imperial city, flying through the air, each silently sighing as they returned to their sects to find a solution. "By the way, the crown prince hasn''t been established yet, right? Another storm of blood and gore." "Great Yu, Great Qian, the Demon Realm, the Eastern Sea, internal and external troubles, and now his lifespan is running out. It''s a tumultuous time." After everyone left, Emperor Xia refused any attendants and walked to the ancestralnd of the imperial pce, hoping the ancestors could have a solution. The second update will be around eleven o''clock. Chapter 455: Immortal lineage, four heads of the family Chapter 455: Immortal lineage, four heads of the family Seek Tao Sect, Hundred Refinements Peak. Li Haoran was still reminiscing about the bits and pieces of his past life with Mu Baiyi. Mu Baiyi, as the new generation''s deputy leader, was young and ambitious. Qin Haoran held him in high regard. "Mu Baiyi was also a pitiful child. He grew up poor, and after bing a cultivator, he joined a sect hoping to make money. But instead of earning much, the sect closed down first." "Later, he saw that the Jiuyou Sect had good monthly offerings, so he joined them." "He said he originally wanted to join the Immortal Sect since their monthly offerings were three times that of local officials." "Then why didn''t he join?" Qin Yanyan interjected. "The Immortal Sect was too well-hidden, and he couldn''t find its entrance. The Jiuyou Sect was easy to find; just look for a wild ghost, and there''s a one in ten chance it''s from the Jiuyou Sect. Following the clues, he found the Jiuyou Sect." "Of course, that was in the past. Later, Qin Haoran realized this method was too risky and could easily get caught by the righteous path. So, he learned from the Immortal Sect, making the Jiuyou Sect hard to find as well.""Qin Haoran and Mu Baiyi had a good rtionship. When they were in the Jiuyou Sect, Mu Baiyi helped Qin Haoran a lot." "Once, Qin Haoran heard that running a bank was profitable and wanted to start one. But he was afraid no one would deposit money, which would be embarrassing. So, he had Mu Baiyi disguise himself as various people to deposit money on the opening day." "Just hiring shills, amon business tactic." Thanks to Qin Haoran''s memories, Li Haoran was now well-versed in all sorts of underhanded business methods. "Did the bank open?" "No, Qin Haoran forgot to get government approval, and they were both arrested for illegally collecting public deposits." "We exined that no one actually deposited money; it was all staged by us." "Did the government release you?" "No, they said we were guilty of both illegal deposit collection and fraud, and we were punished for both." Lu Yang: "..." Qin Yanyan: "..." "During their time in prison, they studiedw diligently and were released after serving their sentence, returning as legal experts." Li Haoran hadn''t fully absorbed Qin Haoran''s memories yet, or he would be a legal schr by now. "Fortunately, Qin Haoran had foresight and arranged everything before going to prison, ensuring the sect''s deficit wasn''t exposed." This showed Qin Haoran''s exceptional foresight. Li Haoran wanted to continue talking about the glorious days of the Jiuyou Sect when a cold figure appeared behind him. "Eldest Senior Sister." "Eldest Senior Sister." Qin Yanyan, a member of the Heavenly Court Sect, had struggled with whether to call Yun Zhi the sect leader or Eldest Senior Sister. After some internal conflict, she chose to follow the crowd. "Eldest Senior Sister, I was just confirming with Junior Brother Li that the man in Hanshui City wearing a white paper hat is the Jiuyou Sect''s leader, Mu Baiyi." "Jiuyou Sect''s leader Mu Baiyi? Got it. You did well. Junior Brother,e with me." Lu Yang obediently stood by Eldest Senior Sister''s side and followed her back to Tianmen Peak. "Eldest Senior Sister, is there something you need from me?" "Not from you, but from the Immortal Fairy." "Looking for me?" The Immortal Fairy, hearing this, sprang up from the bed and cheerfully emerged from the spiritual space. "What''s the matter?" The Immortal Fairy, rarely seeing Yun Zhi needing her help, was in high spirits, feeling ten years younger. Now she was only six years old. "The Emperor of Xia has a problem with his lifespan, with about ten years left. The Little Medicine King is useless to him. Do you have any ideas?" Lu Yang was shocked by this news. The outside world said the Emperor of Xia was in his prime, achieving great things, and the future of Great Xia looked bright. How could he suddenly have only a few years left to live? The Immortal Fairy, excited and eager, said, "When are we starting the uprising?" She believed the Seek Tao Sect had the potential to seize the world. When the time was right, with the world responding, sess was inevitable! Wasn''t this the strategy Lu Yang had given to the Jiuyou Sect? With her and Yun Zhi as top-tierbat forces, bing emperors would be a piece of cake! "Not an uprising. Do you have a way to extend his lifespan?" The Immortal Fairy''s Dao fruit characteristic was immortality. Even if she died, reciting her title and name could revive her. Not even the Little Medicine King could envy such an ability. In Yun Zhi''s impression, the Immortal Fairy was the most likely to solve the Emperor of Xia''s problem. "Give him an embryonic form of an Immortal Dao fruit and make him the fourth head of the Immortal lineage?" Everything had its order, and thest to join naturally rankedst. The Immortal lineage was strong, with the first head being the leader of the five ancient immortals, the second head a Golden Core ancestor, the third head a half-immortal, and the fourth head the current emperor. Lu Yang suddenly felt that his position as the second head of the Immortal lineage was quite significant. "The royal family won''t agree to that." Yun Zhi shook her head. The Emperor of Xia bing the fourth head of the Immortal lineage would surely infuriate the royal family, who might challenge the Immortal Fairy to a duel. Moreover, this would expose the Immortal Fairy''s existence. Yun Zhi wanted a method that everyone could see. "If the Little Medicine King is useless, then it''s an immortal fruit... My immortal fruit can preserve a corpse, but it''s only useful after death." "The immortal fruits of Kylin Immortal and Heavenly Immortal Ying don''t have the effects of immortality or prolonging life either." "Does he have any sons? Find some water from the Mother-Child River to leave him a descendant." "He has nine sons and seven daughters." "That''s a lot of children, like a piglet." The Immortal Fairy muttered, thinking even the water from the Mother-Child River and Twin River couldn''tpare to the Emperor of Xia''s fertility. The Kylin Immortal and the prodigies of the Dragon and Phoenix ns had tried for years without producing a single Kylin. The higher the cultivation, the harder it was to have offspring. "Wait." The Immortal Fairy suddenly remembered something. "There is a world spirit root, a peach tree, naturally born and not considered a heavenly treasure. The peaches it bears can extend life!"N?v(el)B\\jnn "The five of us have eaten peaches from that tree. They were delicious and juicy." "Where is this world spirit root?" Eldest Senior Sister had never heard of such a thing, and it wasn''t recorded in ancient texts. "I don''t know. The peach tree has legs and ran away after we picked its peaches." Eldest Senior Sister nodded. This was a clue, but it wouldn''t be easy to find. She told Lu Yang to continue cultivating while she consulted other elders. After Eldest Senior Sister left, Lu Yang, deep in thought, turned towards the Scripture Repository. "Where are you going?" "I vaguely remember seeing a spell rted to longevity in the Scripture Repository, buried at the bottom. It might be useful." Chapter 456: Eternal Life Technique Chapter 456: Eternal Life Technique The Scripture Repository was the ce where Lu Yang spent the most time, aside from Tianmen Peak. Most people''s cultivation techniques were written by predecessors, but Lu Yang''s technique was self-authored. To write his technique, he resided in the Scripture Repository, reading extensively and integrating the strengths of various schools into one. Finally, he produced a groundbreaking techniquethe "Heart and Mind rity Technique." During his extensive reading, he vaguely remembered a spell rted to longevity. At the time, he didn''t pay much attention, merely ncing at it briefly. He was only at the Golden Elixir stage, young and vigorous, far from facing the issue of lifespan. "Fairy, do you have any longevity spells or techniques?" As an immortal, even if she didn''t cultivate them herself, she should know a few longevity spells and techniques, right? The Immortal Fairy made a "hmm" sound from her throat, thinking seriously. "No longevity techniques, but I do know some spells that burn lifespan to temporarily boostbat power. I used them a few times before bing an immortal."Lu Yang thought about it and realized that for the Immortal Fairy to use lifespan-burning spells, the situation must have been dire. Seeing her indifferent expression, he didn''t ask for details. "What about after bing an immortal?" "After bing an immortal, there''s no need. Think about it, a half-immortal can''t beat an immortal, and an immortal''s opponent can only be another immortal. Since an immortal''s lifespan is infinite, burning lifespan in a fight between immortals makes no difference." Lu Yang thought about it and realized it made sense. In a magic fight between immortals, the main means should be their respective Dao fruits. "Although burning lifespan is useless, self-detonation is still very powerful." The Immortal Fairy chuckled. The self-detonation of an immortal could sweep across an entire gxy, or even arger area, with earth-shattering power. And her Dao fruit was most suitable for self-detonation. While Heavenly Immortal Ying and the others would be finished after one self-detonation, she could immediately resurrect and continue self-detonating, without even pausing for breath, unstoppable unless she chose to stop. Lu Yang looked at the Immortal Fairy with a strange expression; it was the first time he had heard of continuous self-detonation. The Immortal Dao fruit was indeed terrifying. Who wouldn''t be scared of such a fighting method? Lu Yang and the Immortal Fairy arrived at the Scripture Repository, where today''s guard was Senior Sister Zhou Lulu. Senior Sister Zhou was reading, with a few strands of ck hair hanging down, highlighting her delicate features. From a distance, she looked like a beautiful painting, exuding a sense of tranquility. If the Immortal Fairy could learn even a fraction of her demeanor, it would significantly elevate her status in Lu Yang''s heart. "Senior Sister Zhou, long time no see." Lu Yang greeted her with a smile. When he first joined the Seek Tao Sect, this Senior Sister had helped him a lot. When he first joined the sect, he was first knocked out by the scent of elixirs from a senior brother, then scalded in a hot bath by the eldest senior sister, and spent his days carrying water and making tofu to practice. In contrast, Senior Sister Zhou had advised him on which books to study for quick entry, which books were important for traveling, and told him that the weapons in the cafeteria were cheaper than those in the mission hall... all of which were invaluable. Zhou Lulu was engrossed in her reading. Hearing Lu Yang''s greeting, she was startled and instinctively used the book to cover half her face, her eyes darting around.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "Oh, it''s Junior Brother Lu." Lu Yang looked at Senior Sister Zhou helplessly, afraid that speaking too loudly would scare her. Senior Sister Zhou was the daughter of Fifth Elder Zhou Xin, with an Elemental Infant stage cultivation, incredibly strong. During exchanges with the Five Elements Sect, she was the main force at the Elemental Infant stage, and the participating cultivators from the Five Elements Sect were utterly defeated. If he were to fight Senior Sister Zhou, he would be the one getting beaten. But Senior Sister Zhou was too timid and afraid to speak. Considering her personality, using the Invincible Elixir might not be a bad idea to defeat her. Lu Yang noticed that Senior Sister Zhou was reading a book called "One Hundred and Eight Hammer Techniques," which didn''t match her image but suited her identity. "Are you here to study in the Scripture Repository?" Senior Sister Zhou asked bravely, wondering if there was any way she could help. "Looking for a spell rted to extending lifespan." Lu Yang didn''t borate. The Emperor of Xia''s lifespan issue would have widespread repercussions, and the fewer people who knew, the better. "A spell to extend lifespan... let me think. Is it ''Eternal Evergreen Technique,'' which transforms you into a tree, rooting in the earth, watching the winds and clouds?" "Or is it ''Turtle Longevity Technique,'' which extends lifespan by mimicking a turtle''s behavior?" "Neither of those sound right." Lu Yang found them unfamiliar and didn''t match his memory. "Then I don''t know." Zhou Lulu shook her head gently; she hadn''t read all the books in the Scripture Repository either. The Scripture Repository was vast, with countless books. It was normal for some books to be forgotten over time. For example, when Lu Yang first came to the Scripture Repository, he found a forbidden book, "Dragon and Phoenix Transformation." "I remember it was around here." "Found it!" Lu Yang''s eyes lit up as he found a book in a crevice. The title was simple and grand. "Eternal Life Technique." "I knew I wasn''t mistaken." Lu Yang was excited. The Scripture Repository was indeed a treasure trove, even containing such legendary spells. "Such a spell exists?" The Immortal Fairy clicked her tongue in wonder. This was indeed a good find. Though she couldn''t use it, Lu Yang could in the future. The second update will be around eleven o''clock.