Chapter 1177: Qing Asks Bai

The giant, gleaming white hand that emerged from the bright moon seized the frantically fleeing White Bone Daoist, much like one might snatch a chick.

The Three Courts Dharma Lord, who moments before had vowed to unleash a slaughter, had no intention of engaging in a magical duel with the owner of the giant hand. He simply pleaded piteously, "Senior Bixiao, spare my life."

The old Daoist priest of the temple said calmly, "Gods struggle to persuade those intent on death. Moreover, what kind of god am I? Merely a nameless piece of rotten wood."

The White Bone Daoist was terrified, "I humbly beg Senior Bixiao to clearly state my transgression. I will change, I will truly mend my ways."

As he spoke, the soul of this esteemed Fourteenth Realm cultivator seemed to be forcibly squeezed out of his physical body by the massive hand. Twisted faces contorted and shifted incessantly, his阴神 (yin shen/spiritual self) ethereal and fleeting like a flowing ribbon.

Though the White Bone Daoist's current Fourteenth Realm had been achieved through secret magical arts and was somewhat inflated, coupled with the small boat intimately linked to his great Dao being split in two by that fellow surnamed Chen's brute force, his Dao Fruit was flawed, weakening his might. But a Fourteenth Realm was still a Fourteenth Realm.

Had it not been for the sudden appearance of the old Daoist, who arrived from across the world, the White Bone Daoist, following his usual route of violence once provoked, would have truly capitalized on his remaining Fourteenth Realm power to stir up trouble within the Dali territory, wreaking havoc and leaving it shattered before stopping.

No exquisite Daoist techniques were witnessed from the Three Courts Dharma Lord, only clamorous pleas.

The old temple master slightly furrowed his brow; this fellow was truly regressing with age.

The White Bone Daoist showed not a hint of his former defiance, still humbly begging Senior Bixiao to be lenient.

Among the handful of "old Fourteenth Realm" cultivators in the world, the old temple master of the East Sea Guan Dao Temple might have had the least reputation among the mountain sects. Yet, even ferocious ancient demons of the White Bone Daoist's era, including the swordsman Bai Jing, showed considerable restraint when facing the Bixiao Cave Master of Luobao Tan. Didn't she stop at the edge of the Luobao Tan territory, never daring to enter?

"Unrivaled since emerging from the cave" referred to the strength of this old Daoist priest's Dao power.

Of course, you could call it flattery, but never let the old Daoist priest hear it.

Because the latter half of the phrase, "Showing no mercy where mercy could be shown," had already clearly explained the Bixiao Cave Master's style of action.

The old temple master sneered, "My humble sect is small, and I haven't accumulated many principles to flaunt or give away outside my Dao field."

The White Bone Daoist's expression was desolate; a tragedy indeed, his life was over.

On the road outside the city, the Qingqiu Fox Master, in human form, first cast a spell to pay respects to the Bixiao Cave Master with ancient rites, then adopted the demeanor of a modern woman, performing a graceful curtsy towards the sky.

This was because, when she was still an Earth Immortal, she had been jointly hunted by two great demons. The disparity in strength was vast, and she had fled for her life, narrowly escaping death. She had no choice but to escape to Luobao Tan for refuge. Although the Bixiao Cave Master had not appeared to save her at the time, the two great demons had lingered for several days before finally leaving wisely, not daring to cross the boundary by even half a step, nor daring to apprehend that seemingly easy-to-catch seductive fox.

The old temple master paid no mind to the little white fox's display of goodwill on the ground. He simply stared at the Three Courts Dharma Lord from afar, his expression displeased, and furrowed his brow, saying, "Stop your theatrics, fellow. Hurry and show some ferocity and fight. I'm in a hurry to get back to the temple to refine elixirs."

The White Bone Daoist was no longer aggressive. He simply pleaded piteously, begging for mercy repeatedly.

Xu Xie's eyes were truly opened today.

Even Liu Cha felt that the old Daoist priest's words were truly arrogant and full of flavor.

Chen Ping'an, sitting on the pure white high platform, had already tied up his hair. He watched the mountains and rivers with his hands tucked in his sleeves, the green and shallow red hues breathtakingly beautiful.

As for the old temple master's words, they seemed self-deprecating but were actually directed at a specific target.

Chen Ping'an simply pretended not to hear them. He stretched, stood up, and chose an empty area in the capital's vicinity, planning to slowly land with the divine platform beneath his feet.

He glanced at the capital. Great Swordsman Yuan seemed very anxious, probably afraid that the Three Courts Dharma Lord's true body would be accidentally crushed by the old Daoist priest.

Chen Ping'an had no choice but to send a private message to the old temple master from afar.

The old temple master acted as if he hadn't heard, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Chen Ping'an, habitually rolling up his sleeves again, attempted to gather the ancient treasures used by the ancient shamans for worship and offerings. There were scattered pieces, at least thirty-odd in number. He wanted to collect them all, but then realized, awkwardly, that he had forgotten that the Sleeve of Qiankun (cosmos in a sleeve) was a divine ability, not something a First Realm great cultivator could possess. This resulted in a series of invaluable ancient artifacts bumping and clanging against his sleeves.

Fortunately, Master Chen remained composed. He guided the various treasures with a thread of fist intent, making them circle in the air and slowly rotate, pretending to examine their quality one by one.

Cao Ci suppressed a laugh. With such thick skin, it seemed difficult to repay him in kind and regain face.

Zhusou felt embarrassed for the Hidden Official.

Liu Cha, sword in hand, exchanged a message with Chen Ping'an. Having received his reply, he determined that he did not need to remain and watch the battle, so he flew back to Huanghu Mountain first.

The Old Deaf Man had already withdrawn his two destiny flying swords, and he gently exhaled a breath of turbid air.

Thousands of years in a daze, how deeply sunken was one's sword heart? The Savage Homeland, the Sword Qi Great Wall, the Haoran Foreign Land, a life of wandering and displacement. Finally, finally, I have seen the Dao after the rain.

The Old Deaf Man soothed the two flying swords in his destiny acupoints that were "raring to go out and fight it," stabilized his state of mind, and one by one sorted out the two currents of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy triggered by the flying swords within his body. Each contained completely different true meanings of the Great Dao. The Old Deaf Man understood the importance and potential dangers. Just like controlling a flood, he did not block their path forward. Instead, he actively opened many cave mansions, guiding the ebb and flow, the ascent and descent, of the two majestic spiritual energies.

After completing this "homework" that he had never dared to dream of doing before, the Old Deaf Man's state of mind brightened, much like the view after the rain.

He had trampled a large pit into the small dirt mound. He thought he should report it to the Dali yamen. He should pay for the damages and have it recorded. There had to be an explanation, clean and clear. It wasn't as if the Hidden Official had become the Dali Imperial Tutor, and he, the new second-in-command of Luopo Mountain, could do whatever he pleased.

The Old Deaf Man released a bit of his spiritual sense, his gaze falling on a spot, a rest pavilion thirty li away. He chuckled inwardly, "Are you two officials from the Ministry of Justice?"

He had to admit, Dali's "officials" were truly bold. In the Savage Desolation, daring to approach a great cultivator so proactively was practically suicide. In the Savage world, especially for long-established great demons, there was no such concept as "accidental killing."

The two cultivators reported their identities, one from the Ministry of Justice's Patrol Department and the other from the Investigation and Grinding Department. The former was also a consecrated official with a Second-Class Unhindered Token.

Of course, they knew the Luopo Mountain register identity of "Swordsman Gantang," but it was their duty. Recently, they were responsible for the movements of cultivators in this area. The previous incident involving Immortal Liu Laocheng of Zhenjing Sect had put them under great pressure.

Even if the Imperial Tutor's residence didn't pursue accountability, and His Majesty the Emperor didn't say anything, how could the Ministry of Justice and the Northern Yamen not take it seriously?

The Old Deaf Man shrank the earth and rivers, going directly to the rest pavilion by the roadside. He didn't enter, but took out a money pouch from his sleeve, pulled out a Snowflake Coin, and gently tossed it to the cultivator inside. The Old Deaf Man didn't forget to remind him, "As for the damaged land over there, you can inquire with the local county yamen and help calculate the price. We'll make up the difference."

The two consecrated officials from the Ministry of Justice exchanged glances. Were the sword immortals of Luopo Mountain all so eccentric?

Outside the capital city, Xie Gou continued to hide among the battlements, pointing at the field that had been overturned by fox claws. Chewing on wedding candies, she mumbled, "The silver for compensating the field I mentioned earlier wasn't a joke. Our mountain master is quite petty, just like Daoist Bixiao. That's why they get along."

The old Qingqiu master nodded. Small change.

Xie Gou shook her head, a blockhead that couldn't learn. I'm teaching you how to conduct yourself and adapt to local customs, but you just don't get it. You still need a poking.

In the mortal world, you can judge based on actions, not intent. In Baoping Province, once you step onto the mountain, cultivate the Dao, and become an immortal, Dali will judge both your actions and your intent.

The old Qingqiu master asked inwardly, "Bai Jing, is it too late to withdraw from Baoping Province now?"

Xie Gou lifted her chin towards the divine platform, "My words don't count. You can ask him yourself what he thinks. Our mountain master is extremely reasonable."

The old Qingqiu master smiled bitterly, "I haven't seen it."

Xie Gou rolled her eyes. This woman really didn't know how to talk; she needed more practice.

Actually, it wasn't difficult. Just throw her to Luopo Mountain, have a few chats with Old Mr. Zhu, and drink a few times with Old Immortal Jia. She'd probably be ready.

The old Qingqiu master asked inwardly, "Why did Senior Bixiao intervene?"

That year, on the border of Luobao Tan, having narrowly escaped, she retreated across the line. With genuine sincerity, she prostrated herself towards the Bixiao Cave, kowtowing three solid times.

Xie Gou rubbed her mink hat. She was also puzzled. To say that Daoist Bixiao simply intervened to avenge Xiao Mo was certainly a reason, but it didn't quite make sense. She knew the temperaments of both Xiao Mo and the Bixiao Cave Master too well; they were both extremely stubborn and one-track-minded.

If either side were willing to speak up and say, "I'm about to have a life-and-death battle, and I need your help to hold the line," or if they needed the other to assist in their closed-door cultivation, seeking a fellow Daoist they could entrust their life and Dao to, both were the perfect candidates for the other.

But to deal with a Three Courts Dharma Lord, whether Xiao Mo sought a sword duel or the Bixiao Cave Master sought a Dao discussion, neither was necessary; they could simply watch.

Xie Gou thought for a moment and offered a guess, "Perhaps this Three Courts Dharma Lord had already provoked Daoist Bixiao long ago, there was an old grievance, and he was just caught red-handed."

Over at Yuanrou Zhan's Qingxuan Cave, as soon as Zheng Juzhong appeared, the atmosphere instantly became tense.

It was inappropriate and daring for Xu Xie and Zhusou to exchange pleasantries with him. Liu Cha was too lazy to talk; he could maintain a clear distance from a figure like Zheng Juzhong.

Only Cao Ci spoke up with a smile, "Why are you here, Mr. Zheng?"

Zheng Juzhong smiled, "I needed to come here first to see my master's attitude and stance. If possible, I can also pick up some scraps."

Cao Ci asked doubtfully, "Senior Qingzhu is also nearby?"

Zheng Juzhong nodded. His master was in a coastal area not far away, enjoying the scenery and nourishing his spirit.

At this moment, besides Xie Shiji, Chen Qingliu was accompanied by an old ascended cultivator who had just attended the Youyi Peak wedding banquet, Jing Hao of Liuxia Province.

Old Immortal Jing, in the eyes of the young boy in green, was someone who had received a decree early on to seek an audience with the true master of Qinggong Mountain.

Zheng Dan glanced at the woman in the green skirt who had been watching from the sidelines, and asked inwardly, "It's her?"

Zheng Juzhong smiled, "Otherwise?"

The woman in the green skirt, who was even calmer than the onlookers, did not stop the man with the great halberd from dissolving himself, nor did she offer any form of compensation. She allowed his physical body to dissolve into the heavens and earth. She did not prevent the old Qingqiu master from surrounding the capital, did not interfere with Chen Ping'an's and the ancient shaman's mock battle, and certainly did not prevent Chen Ping'an and the Three Courts Dharma Lord from displaying their respective divine abilities.

She simply watched the myriad states of humanity in this new world repeatedly and carefully.

Zheng Dan shifted her gaze, seeing the White Bone Daoist casually held in the Bixiao Cave Master's hand. She smiled, "Why does it feel like this skeleton's actions are completely chaotic?"

Zheng Juzhong said, "Without a clear脉络 (mài luò/context or framework), it appears chaotic."

Zheng Dan asked curiously, "Please, Mr. Zheng, enlighten me."

Zheng Juzhong said, "You are only invited to serve as the doorman of White Emperor City. Just practice your sword diligently and patiently seek the path to merging with the Dao."

Zheng Dan was helpless.

Zheng Juzhong actually understood the Three Courts Dharma Lord's intentions, but since it involved his own transmitter of the Dao, he had to show some deference to the elder.

First, find new allies, regroup, and plot a grand future. For example, establishing a sect and claiming ancestry. First, weigh Chen Ping'an's strength. If he's weak, kill him easily. If he's strong enough, invite him to be the Deputy Sect Master.

Second, see if they can simultaneously win over the Qingqiu Fox Master and a few others. Relying on the hidden Fourteenth Realm, form an alliance and rebuild the Dao field, naturally with itself as the leader. If the old Qingqiu master or anyone else is ignorant, simply devour their true body and consume them entirely. This can also extend the lifespan of the Fourteenth Realm Dao power, and even use their existing Dao context to erect two or three bridges to the Dao, laying the groundwork for the future path of merging the阳神 (yang shen/spiritual self) and阴神 (yin shen/spiritual self).

Third, fulfill an appointment.

In the past ten thousand years, the only enlightened being who could regard a long river of time as a scenic spot, and who could coexist without disturbing that ancient deity serving as the doorkeeper, was probably his master, Chen Qingliu, who possessed that destiny flying sword.

When Chen Qingliu flowed back up the river of time, he must have met the Three Courts Dharma Lord. Perhaps the two sides even reached some unspoken secret agreement.

The man with the great halberd came here for a simple purpose: to see Chen Ping'an, who "after a long eighty thousand years, could still retain his name in the human world."

The ancient shamans came together to determine if Chen Ping'an or Zhou Mi was the reincarnation of "the One." The answer was no.

The old Qingqiu master was worried about the turbulent world after ten thousand years. Traveling with a few familiar and trusted "fellow Daoists" would prevent her from meeting an instant death upon exposure.

Only the Three Courts Dharma Lord was ambitious, wanting to choose a location to establish a sect and claim ancestry. Unfortunately, his ambition was sky-high but his fate was thin as paper; he still underestimated the art of "patience." Ultimately, the timing, location, Dao Heart, and Dao power were all insufficient.

Chen Ping'an greeted Xie Gou and asked her to help collect the treasures left behind by the ancient shamans.

It wasn't that he didn't trust the Old Deaf Man, but he believed in Xie Gou's "luck."

The young girl in the mink hat immediately stood up from between the battlements, eager to try, rubbing her hands and saying, "Understood!"

Seeing the seductive fox still standing there, Xie Gou glared, "What are you standing around for?"

The old Qingqiu master hesitated, "What should I do over there?"

Xie Gou complained, "Look at your awkwardness. If you're destined to be sleepless, you don't know how to interact with people, do you?"

The old Qingqiu master had no choice but to follow Xie Gou to the area in the capital where the divine platform had landed, appearing above the pure white boundary.

Upon seeing Xie Gou, the first thing Chen Ping'an asked was whether the divine platform beneath his feet could be repaired.

Xie Gou lay on the edge of the cracked divine platform, bending her fingers and lightly tapping. She moved to another spot and continued to lie there, investigating.

Chen Ping'an squatted by the side, patiently waiting for the result.

Xie Gou looked up and said, "It can't be done."

Chen Ping'an cupped his hands in his sleeves and tentatively asked, "Is there no possibility of refining it back into one? I'll spend more money, no matter the cost."

Xie Gou snapped, "Mountain Master, do you just now realize how much it hurts?"

Chen Ping'an rubbed his chin, "It's rare to unleash a punch with such satisfaction. I got a bit carried away."

Xie Gou scoffed, "Oh dear, only 'a bit'? I think the Mountain Master's punches were quite impressive."

Chen Ping'an reached out and pressed down on her mink hat, smiling, "Showing off a basket full of empty words to me? How do you talk to your Mountain Master?"

Xie Gou grumbled, "I'm just used to writing and composing. Exclamations and particles are quite important too."

They didn't care whether they were neglecting the old Qingqiu master or if it was impolite.

Xie Gou stood up, passing each treasure through her hands and collecting them into her sleeves for safekeeping.

She first asked Chen Ping'an and the old Qingqiu master to move to the other half of the divine platform. Then she squatted down again, extended her palm, and pressed it against the divine platform. In the blink of an eye, she stood up and moved to Chen Ping'an's side. Xie Gou held out her hand and said the word "Rise." The half of the divine platform, which had been condensed to an extreme degree, instantly transformed into a miniature object the size of a palm, held in Xie Gou's hand like a pure white scroll.

The old Qingqiu master sighed softly in her heart. This Bai Jing truly possessed a variety of techniques. She had clearly fallen in realm to Jade Purity, yet she could still perform such magical creations at will?

Xie Gou first threw the "scroll" to the Mountain Master. Then she waved her hand, signaling them not to get in the way. She squatted down, preparing to continue refining the remaining half of the divine platform.

Chen Ping'an advised, "There's no rush to refine this half. Anyway, we don't have to worry about thieves."

Xie Gou didn't lift her head, her face twitching, cold sweat streaming down. Her tone, however, was calm, "Where is the logic in doing things halfway? That's not like me."

Chen Ping'an held the scroll in one hand, nodding. The corner of his eye, however, was on the old Qingqiu master.

This was indeed Xie Gou's weakest moment. Why didn't fellow Daoist give it a try?

The old Qingqiu master was instantly angered and embarrassed. Bai Jing, is this the "most reasonable" Mountain Master you spoke of?! Isn't this bullying people?

Chen Ping'an narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Fellow Daoist, you don't seem to be qualified for me to speak of any logic with you at the moment."

The old Qingqiu master's autumn-water eyes instantly shone with brilliant light, but she instantly lost her momentum and turned her head away.

Xie Gou let out a long breath, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and tossed the second white "scroll" to the Mountain Master. She laughed heartily, "How about that? A small matter."

Putting two scrolls into one sleeve was not a problem, but it was strange. Chen Ping'an took the scrolls out again and gave them to Xie Gou.

Xie Gou understood instantly.

The old Qingqiu master was unclear and chose not to dwell on it.

They returned to the city wall. The Old Deaf Man also came to meet them. Of course, it wasn't to claim credit, but to submit his "resignation" to the Mountain Master and hurry back to Huaying Peak.

Chen Ping'an asked doubtfully, "Aren't you going to cultivate in seclusion at the Sword-Worshiping Platform first?"

The Old Deaf Man shook his head and said, "It's not merging with the Dao, so what seclusion do I need? I can teach others the Dao while comprehending it myself."

Chen Ping'an was speechless for a moment, feeling a rare sense of guilt. But then he thought again, no, the Old Deaf Man was called by Xie Gou, it has nothing to do with me.

Xie Gou actually took out a stack of specially made talismans and chewed them directly in her mouth.

The old Qingqiu master sighed, "Of all the things that shouldn't have happened, the Three Courts Dharma Lord shouldn't have provoked Senior Bixiao."

Xie Gou said casually, "Mistaken."

Chen Ping'an remained silent.

The Confucian tradition had long proposed the "Three Ages Theory," specifically discussing the age of chaos, the age of rising peace, and the age of great peace.

The fundamental Dao of the old temple master was closely related and intimately connected to the prevailing trend of the human world. When the world was good, his Dao power would rise accordingly. When the world was bad, the old temple master's Dao would be damaged invisibly. This is why the Daoist of the Guan Dao Temple in Ouhua Blessed Land became the being who cared most about "small matters of the human world."

After the ascent battle, the alchemists, scholars, and sword cultivators of various races, collectively known as Daoists in ancient times, were either dead or injured. Otherwise, they fell into deep sleep like Bai Jing and Xiao Mo.

Perhaps that was a bleak era when "without heroes, even commoners achieved fame."

The Savage Ancestor was busy building the Tuoyue Mountain and was challenged by three swordsmen, including Chen Qingdou. The newly risen great demons constructed the Yingling Hall, Zhu Yan shattered mountains with his staff, Yangzhi occupied the Yeluo River. After that, the rise of throne-level great demons like Fei Fei and existences like Xianzan City came about.

After the ascent battle, before the Savage Desolation's dominance was solidified and Dao fields were established, during this period, "late bloomers" like the White Bone Daoist, who were skilled at concealing their abilities, had an unprecedented opportunity. The feeling of being unrivaled in the human world was exhilarating, and their actions and words became increasingly unrestrained. The White Bone Daoist was slightly better, belonging to the small group with the most patient Dao Hearts. Even so, the White Bone Daoist still inexplicably suffered misfortune, receiving a fierce Daoist technique that nearly took half his life at a critical juncture when he was secretly pursuing the Fourteenth Realm.

Originally, the success or failure of merging with the Dao was a fifty-fifty chance. The result was that the entire Dao field was flattened, and this Three Courts Dharma Lord was in a terrible state, sitting in a dilapidated straw mat, surrounded by flying dust. The Dao field he had painstakingly managed for a thousand years was completely reduced to ruins.

All of his flesh and blood had disappeared in an instant, barely protecting his soul and a set of bones.

Besides being deeply sorrowful, no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't figure out which enemy had inflicted this seemingly heavenly calamity upon him.

He cursed incessantly. After cursing, he threw himself on the ground and wept.

Just then, from the sky full of dust, a tall, bearded Daoist walked out and sneered, "Crying like you're attending a funeral here?"

He immediately sat up, his nerves tense. After much hesitation, he asked, "Are you just passing by, fellow Daoist?"

His fear was that a powerful enemy he had offended was hiding nearby, secretly waiting for an opportunity to strike. If he succeeded in merging with the Dao, they would certainly not dare to offend him. They wouldn't even offer congratulations, but would wisely flee. Otherwise, falling into the hands of a new Fourteenth Realm would be the best gift.

He didn't expect the old Daoist to shake his head and say, "I'm not just passing by. I came specifically for you."

The Three Courts Dharma Lord stood up, grinding his teeth, "For what reason, fellow Daoist, did you ruin my great endeavor of merging with the Dao?!"

The old Daoist said, "Like you, I also have a Dao name that I chose for myself. It's also four characters. Furthermore, neither of us has ascended. It seems we are destined."

He stammered, "Bixiao Cave Master?!"

The old Daoist nodded, "Not too foolish. I am indeed from Luobao Tan, a small place that must have dirtied your ears."

After a moment of stunned silence, he screamed heartbreakingly, "I have no feud with the Bixiao Cave Master! Why would you make things so difficult for me, a junior?!"

The old Daoist exclaimed, "No feud? Then I am truly confused. You said yourself that you are of the same character as me, and not ascending is a wise choice. Why pursue that flicker of hope in reincarnation, that hopeless path? It's better to be the ashes after the calamity, only then can you achieve the Great Dao."

"I am simply puzzled. Is it up to you, the Three Courts Dharma Lord, to decide whether or not the Great Dao is achieved?"

"If that's truly the case, then I must borrow a few auspicious words of yours that come true, such as allowing me to instantly attain the Fifteenth Realm. How about it? If I succeed, I'll be in the Fifteenth Realm and I'll pull you up, returning you to the Fourteenth Realm. If I fail, then don't blame me for seeing you off."

Listening to those extremely harsh remarks, and seeing the old Daoist priest's mocking expression, he felt intense hatred.

He managed to compose himself and asked, "Just a few drunken ramblings, and the Bixiao Cave Master acts like this?"

The old Daoist priest said calmly, "Who said if someone says a few wrong words, their life should be ruined? I don't have such great power, nor such great face."

He wanted to cry but had no tears.

The Three Courts Dharma Lord had thought that after his reappearance, he would one day have a good showdown with that arrogant old Daoist!

Now that he had fallen into the hands of the Bixiao Cave Master again, the White Bone Daoist's ambitions had come to naught.

The White Bone Daoist's heart was like dead ash, but suddenly he burst into laughter, "I'll at least drag a few down with me."

He no longer concealed his Fourteenth Realm aura and forcibly manifested a Dharma image, black smoke rolling. All the greatly refined objects within his Qi Sea were stirring, and he was about to shatter that bright moon with his hand.

At the same time, the Dharma image pressed a hand towards the ground.

This showed the toughness of ancient great demons' physical bodies.

The old temple master shook his head imperceptibly. After many years, he was still so stubborn and unyielding. He had survived two great calamities by hiding, but how could he escape the third?

That time he attempted to merge with the Dao and enter the Fourteenth Realm, this Three Courts Dharma Lord was actually destined to fail and be crushed to dust by the heavenly tribulation.

He had, in essence, saved the half-dead Three Courts Dharma Lord from a tribulation, and he still needed to teach this junior Daoist the meaning of "respect."

This time, descending to the Haoran world, the old temple master still hoped he could comprehend the word "awe" from the brink of life and death.

If the White Bone Daoist could truly change his mind, he could bring him back to the Guan Dao Temple to cultivate with his old acquaintance Daoist friend. What harm would there be?

The old Daoist priest raised his hand high again and said, "How long will you remain so obstinate and foolish?!"

The White Bone Daoist laughed wildly, one hand striking the bright moon, the other pressing towards the Dali capital, "The pretentious nonsense of bullying others is utterly disgusting. Today, this master shall subdue you and make you my mount, traveling the four directions, riding for ten thousand years!"

The old temple master crushed his soul with one hand, yet did not harm his true body at all. Then he slapped the Dharma image's head, utterly shattering it. He then flicked his wrist, sending the "true body" towards the Dali capital first. At the same time, he waved his sleeve, dispelling both currents of Dao afterglow completely.

The White Bone Daoist left behind some harsh words, but in his heart, he had already accepted his demise. As his body and Dao perished, the Daoist only glanced at the bright moon in the clear sky.

There was once a swordsman who called himself Qingzhu. On one occasion while crossing the water, he had made an agreement with him to walk together in the human world someday if the opportunity arose.

That swordsman had also cautioned him a few times, saying that the human world in later generations was full of brilliant techniques, branching out and flourishing, worth observing and not to be underestimated...

Heh, the Great Dao is ever-changing. Never mind, never mind, so be it.

The White Bone Daoist vanished thus, appearing and disappearing like a fleeting glimpse, as if he had merely given the onlookers a fleeting moment of surprise, and nothing more.

The old Qingqiu master looked dejected, inevitably feeling the sorrow of a rabbit's death for a fox. After all, a prominent ancient figure had fallen like a skipping stone on water.

The woman in the green skirt sighed softly and went to the mountain peak. She nodded to Zheng Juzhong.

Zheng Juzhong said, "Senior, you can go to the Savage Desolation with Zheng Dan."

The woman in the green skirt had a complex expression and said, "I can't trust the hearts of people nowadays."

Zheng Juzhong smiled, "You can trust Zheng Juzhong."

The old temple master put away the moon phase and restrained his Dao energy, but he did not return to his Dao field in the Qingming world. Instead, he landed on the rainy streets within the Dali capital.

Yuan Huajing had already summoned "Yelang" and successfully delivered the final sword strike, gaining another subordinate general, an Ascended Realm puppet.

The next scene startled Yuan Huajing, Ge Ling, and the others. From the White Bone Daoist's body, streams of dazzling treasure light burst forth, instantly piling up on the ground.

Gu Can, with Gu Lingyan, was on the coast of the West Sea of Baoping Province. She curtsied towards the Dali capital, thanking Mr. Zheng from afar for helping her escape the Heavenly Stem cultivators.

Zheng Juzhong asked, "Cao Ci, what are you looking at?"

Cao Ci hesitated for a moment and still said nothing.

He was looking for a higher realm of martial arts.

Since the woman in the green skirt had made up her mind, she glanced at the fox master on the city wall.

The latter was undecided: should she venture into the Savage Desolation and rebuild Qingqiu? Or stay in Haoran and refine her heart and seek the Great Dao amidst the myriad world?

Seeing this situation, the woman in the green skirt said nothing more and left with Zheng Juzhong and the female ghost immortal swordswoman.

However, before leaving, she smiled at Bai Jing, who was wearing a mink hat. Xie Gou gave her a thumbs-up in return.

The old Qingqiu master murmured, "I only hope I won't regret today's decision in the future."

Xie Gou said casually, "Over in the Savage Desolation, the fox race is scattered and insignificant, unable to even establish a sect-level Dao field. However, here in Baoping Province, there is a Fox Kingdom. In earlier years, they also engaged in pitiful trades of flesh and fox skin talismans. It wasn't until the Fox Kingdom was taken in by our Mountain Master that the situation became completely different. Sister Azi will know the truth when she goes."

The old Qingqiu master wrinkled her nose, sniffed towards Chen Ping'an, shook her head, and looked suspicious, "Fellow Daoist Bai Jing, don't try to deceive me."

Chen Ping'an chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Like a mortal tossed in a pot of boiling oil, and then jumping into a river to wash. What kind of smell would I have left?"

He voluntarily raised his arm, opened his palm, and a faint golden thread appeared.

Besides Pei Xiang, the ruler of the Fox Kingdom, who was already a consecrated official in the ancestral hall of Jishe Peak, and the young girls whose real name was Qiu Qing, they all had deep connections with Luopo Mountain. Moreover, Chen Ping'an had met Bai Ze and his maidservant in the snowy night inn early on.

She clasped her hands behind her back, interlacing her fingers, and squinted her eyes, observing carefully. Her expression was solemn. At the same time, she curled her fingers and quickly calculated. After a moment, she suddenly smiled, nodded, and her eyes flowed with autumn light, "Unexpectedly, he is a upright gentleman of both feeling and righteousness."

Xie Gou grinned. She was on the right track.

Chen Ping'an's face turned black, "What?"

She covered her mouth with one hand, squinting and smiling. She gently shook the other hand, her voice sweet and soft, saying, "Sorry, sorry, it's truly that I'm used to speaking this way. Don't you all say that it's hard to change one's nature? Please forgive me, Fellow Daoist Chen."

Zhusou, who was standing by, truly couldn't stand the foxy woman's behavior. It was sickening and gave one goosebumps.

The old Qingqiu master straightened her back, her eyes resentful, "Why didn't Fellow Daoist Chen tell me earlier about protecting the Fox Kingdom?!"

She was the most calculating and her teeth were itching with heartache.

Chen Ping'an smiled, "Why didn't Fellow Daoist Qingqiu ask earlier?"

If fellow Daoist hadn't received this beating and learned her lesson, whether in Haoran or going to the Savage Desolation, could she have been peaceful?

Xie Gou reached out and covered her mouth, saying, "Sister Azi, over here, you need to use a pseudonym. I have a suggestion, how about 'Xu Niang'?"

The old Qingqiu master knew the meaning behind this saying. She didn't mind and covered her mouth with a charming smile, "Okay."

Zhusou tutted.

The old Qingqiu master's face was blooming with smiles. She turned to look at the beautiful female sword immortal. Her cool and indifferent demeanor had a unique charm.

Zhusou quickly stabilized her Dao heart and said sharply, "Are you seeking death?!"

The old Qingqiu master clutched her chest, bit her lip, wanting to speak but hesitating... Zhusou ignored the seductive fox and was about to draw her sword.

The girl in the mink hat quickly stood between the two, glaring at the flirtatious woman. What was going on? Even rabbits don't eat the grass around their burrow. She maturely mediated, "We're all on the same side, on the same side."

Chen Ping'an, who couldn't bear to watch this, jumped onto the city wall and looked at the young man in white who was still on the mountain peak in the capital's vicinity. He called out loudly, "Cao Ci!"

Regarding Cao Ci, there was a situation in the Haoran world where he was guaranteed not to lose. The cultivators who bet that Cao Ci would definitely not lose to anyone treated it as saving money and collecting interest steadily, guaranteed against drought and flood. Why not?

For Chen Ping'an, it was simple: I'm short of money!

Cao Ci was already waiting for Chen Ping'an.

The reason he didn't speak first was simply because he was afraid of winning unfairly.

Chen Ping'an pointed towards the sea.

Cao Ci nodded.

Chen Ping'an tapped his toes, and his body ascended.

Cao Ci floated off the mountaintop, riding the wind.

A green-clad figure soared into the sky towards the sea, rolling up his sleeves. A series of thunderous sounds suddenly echoed, and the green figure disappeared in an instant.

Cao Ci followed closely, drawing a pure white trajectory in the air, like a white rainbow hanging in the sky, long-lasting and unwavering.

Between the land and the sea, between the clear sky and the azure waves.

Cao Ci delivered the first punch.

Chen Ping'an flipped his body, facing Cao Ci, his hands blocking in front of him, casually receiving a punch.

His body shot into the sea like an arrow. Chen Ping'an stepped on the water with bare feet, sliding backward, retreating again and again.

A moment later, the green-clad figure stood firm on the sea surface. Far behind him, layer upon layer of giant waves crowded together, forming a hundred-zhang high wall, with the wind whipping up the sea.