Chapter 645: How Dare You Show Up (7K + 3K, Still Owe 13K)

Chapter 645: How Dare You Show Up (7K + 3K, Still Owe 13K)



"What's wrong?"

Min Zhiyan was taken aback, as this was the first time he had seen such obvious emotional fluctuations on Shen Yi's face.

For a moment, he couldn't help but feel a mix of surprise and uncertainty.

Just a moment ago, everything seemed fine.

"It's nothing," Shen Yi said after a long silence, quickly adjusting his breathing. He shook his head and turned to leave the Earth God Temple.

If he could endure the grudge of patricide, could he still remain rational when he saw the person carrying the Magical Artifact that suppressed his father's residual soul, eternally tormenting him?

It should be known that Zi Yang did not go alone; many of his old friends from Hongze were with him.

Moreover, if Zi Ling saw these people from Hongze, she would naturally realize that something had happened to Shi Ren, and it would be only natural for her to go to Hongze to investigate.

Shen Yi had long anticipated that the time he had left was limited, but when this day finally arrived, he still felt a sense of unease.

If the matter of killing the Immortal Official were exposed, it would be like rebelling, and it was not something that could be countered by the strength of one person.

Now, both the Ascetic and the Immortal paths had reached the Seventh Stage Perfection, and no matter where he went, his strength would be considered commendable.

However, in this situation, it seemed completely inadequate.

"..."

Meng Xiwen sensed something unusual but didn't ask further. He quietly quickened his pace, leading the two back to the Jianyang Mansion and into Ye Lan's room, where he pulled Ye Jing out and closed the door.

It should be known that even in front of the Immortal Official, this Shen Yi dared to kill the White Cloud Cave Cultivators.

If even he found the situation troublesome, then among the entire Jianyang Prefecture, perhaps only Ye Lan could help.

"What happened?"

Ye Lan glanced at the tightly closed door and then at the young man standing before her with his hands hanging by his sides. She had a rough idea of what was going on: "Just say it."

As a General with the title of Demon Slayer, it was her responsibility to help her subordinates solve their problems.

Of course, as long as it wasn't too excessive.

Ye Lan observed Shen Yi's solemn expression and recalled how, the last time he caused such a big problem, he had acted as if he didn't need anyone's help, which had saved her a lot of trouble.

She rubbed her temples and sighed softly to herself... Oh well, it wouldn't hurt to be a little excessive.

"Shen Yi wants to ask the General for a favor."

Shen Yi slowly cupped his hands in a gesture of respect. He rarely asked for help, so he felt a bit awkward: "If possible, I hope the General can protect my old friends and safely bring them back to Jianyang."

"Hmm?"

Ye Lan had prepared herself to hear about a big problem, but when she heard his request, she was a little surprised and raised her head.

Was that all?

Such a small matter, and he was being so serious.

This time, not only the Generals with the title of Demon Slayer were going to Crane Mountain to listen to the teachings, but also many important figures from the Imperial Capital had been sent by the court, showing the importance they attached to this event.

In this situation, it would be extremely easy to protect a few people under the name of the Demon Slayer Bureau.

"Is there anything else? Just say it all at once." Ye Lan stood up and walked behind him.

"Nothing else."

Shen Yi opened his palms and said sincerely, "After this matter is resolved, I will owe you a favor."

No one noticed the faint glint of madness in his eyes, as if he was staking his life on this.

Zi Ling must not return to the heavens, nor could she go to Hongze.

The rest was not something that could be solved by relying on the relationship between colleagues.

This time, no matter what, he had to obtain the Ascetic's cultivation method that led to the Sixth Stage.

"..."

Ye Lan nodded slightly. She wouldn't take the young man's promise too seriously, but she could tell that Shen Yi had rarely asked for help, so there was no need to reject him.

"So, who exactly is after your old friends?" She turned around curiously.

Shen Yi looked at her but didn't respond. Instead, he pointed at the roof.

"The heavens?"

Ye Lan raised her eyebrows slightly, clearly not expecting this.

She was very curious as to how a group of cultivators from a remote area could offend those heavenly Immortals.

But she was only surprised, nothing more.

She soon withdrew her gaze: "Okay."

Since she had agreed, it didn't matter where they were from.

"Let's go."

...

In a certain city on the Great Southern Continent, it was noon, and the entire city was already crowded. With people everywhere, it was hard to find a quiet place.

This city was not unique; the surrounding towns near the mountain at the end of the line of sight, shrouded in white clouds, were almost identical.

A mix of mortals and Immortals created a bustling scene, truly a picture of prosperity.

The mountain, originally nameless and known only for its crane-like shape, would from now on have an additional name.

The place where the Seven Treasures Bodhisattva imparted his teachings.

"Huff."

Zi Yang patted his chest vigorously, calming the excitement in his heart.

The reason for his excitement had little to do with Crane Mountain; the status of the Bodhisattva was too lofty, far removed from a wild demon like him. The sutra he preached would likely sound like gibberish to ordinary people.

What truly concerned Zi Yang was the powerful cultivators with extraordinary auras that could be seen everywhere in this small town.

These people were obviously from prestigious families, and any one of them might have a direct lineage to the Immortal Court.

"Look more, talk more, and perhaps one of those Immortals will be willing to take you in and recreate your Dao body."

Zi Yang whispered this reminder to the person beside him.

If it were anyone else, he would have had some personal motives, hoping that they would remember him and the old dragon who had died tragically in East Hongze after obtaining this opportunity.

But for Xuan Qing, his former almost-brother-in-law, he only felt a deep sense of indebtedness and sincerely wished for his well-being.

"Okay."

Xuan Qing nodded slightly, and as he saw more, the faint fear in his eyes gradually faded.

Since leaving Hongze and arriving in this new world he should have entered ten thousand years ago, the former pride of South Hongze was slowly regaining his former confidence.

The world is vast, and the mystical powers within it are profound and mysterious. Their journey has not ended, and one could say it has only just begun, with the opportunity to start anew.

Zi Yang did not bring many people with him this time.

Most of them were people whom the Earth God Temple would have difficulty finding suitable paths for in a short time.

Xuan Qing had lost his Dao Body, Ye Jiu and Ji Jingxi had cultivated to the Heaven Realm, reaching the pinnacle of the Celestial Immortal Realm. It would be a waste of talent for them to be ordinary elders in other sects, and they would need to wait for the right opportunity to join a true immortal sect, which couldn't be achieved in a short time.

Their visit to Crane Mountain was also a chance to test their luck.

As for Zi Xian, she had become a Cloud Traveling Envoy, and together with her brother, they ensured that Juyang Prefecture enjoyed harmonious weather. They made up for the gaps that the Immortal Court couldn't attend to in detail.

The five of them didn't notice that among the crowd, two figures were silently watching them.

"Are these the old friends that Elder Shen wants to protect?"

Meng Xiwen crossed his arms, not feeling troubled at all. These demon slayers were supposed to blend into the crowd, working with the officials to maintain order. It was just a matter of keeping an eye on a few more people.

He was just a little surprised.

In this remote place, so many talented individuals had emerged, even he found them quite impressive.

In the Divine Dynasty, cultivation level wasn't as important as one might think.

The Immortal Court could use a single seal to grant immortality to mortals, and while other major sects and teachings couldn't do the same, as long as one had the right talent and understanding, and was valued by their sect, it was normal for them to advance rapidly in their cultivation.

"It's about to begin," Ye Jing said, slowly placing her palm on the hilt of her sword.

Sure enough, the next moment, the entire county, and even the surrounding world, seemed to come to a standstill.

With their powerful cultivation, these cultivators could easily see through the clouds and mist, revealing the true form of Crane Mountain's peak.

Even Hongze, who wasn't here for the Bodhisattva, couldn't help but feel curious, and they all looked towards the distance.

On the flat summit, a golden lotus platform had been set up by the Bodhimanda Sect's disciples.

Below the platform were numerous meditation cushions, arranged in front and behind.

There were only forty-nine in the front, and more in the back, but not exceeding five hundred, occupying all the space around the lotus platform.

Despite their ordinary appearance, each meditation cushion was worth far more than any so-called heavenly treasures.

To occupy one of them required not only an unimaginable amount of wealth but also sufficient background and strength to support it.

To put it bluntly, even the last seat was reserved for a major sect with heavenly origins.

Among Hongze's group, even the proud Ye Jiu didn't think he had the chance to sit below that platform.

But for them, it was an opportunity to broaden their horizons.

When seeking opportunities, one must first understand which sects are worth pursuing.

The clouds gently drifted, revealing a figure on the lotus platform, their gender indistinguishable, dressed simply in a plain gray robe, similar to the ascetic monks but with their right shoulder covered.

They sat cross-legged, palms together, and as they lifted their gaze slightly, seven golden lights suddenly appeared behind them, like seven great suns, instantly turning the heavenly curtain into a pale yellow color.

Buddha's light shone upon all!

In an instant, this Seven Treasures Bodhisattva, without uttering a word, filled the air with a deep, resonant chanting sound, the meaning of which was unclear, but it mysteriously calmed everyone's excitement, making them feel peaceful and serene.

"This cultivation has reached a depth beyond human understanding," Ye Jiu's expression was complex. He had been the sharp blade of Southern Hongze for many years, but this Bodhisattva had erased all his sharpness with a single syllable.

"Nonsense... Do you know what it means to be comparable to a Fifth Stage?" Zi Yang stared intently at Crane Mountain. If it weren't for this chance encounter with the Bodhisattva's sermon, he and his group of loose cultivators would never have had the opportunity to witness the true form of a Fifth Stage Immortal Official.

They were existences that governed the laws of heaven and earth.

Their every word and action affected not just the lives of beings but the very operation of this heavenly realm.

Even outside the Immortal Court, they held the status of a founding ancestor within the Three Teachings.

As the chanting filled their ears, finally, figures began to rise from below Crane Mountain.

Even the sect masters of various sects did not dare to summon their immortal vehicles or use their treasures. They only dared to fly up to the mountain's waist before descending and climbing the rest of the way on foot, quietly sitting on their own meditation cushions, not daring to overstep their bounds.

This was a show of respect for the Bodhimanda Sect's venerable elder.

However, each of these humble figures, upon revealing themselves, elicited exclamations of surprise from the local cultivators of the same advanced cultivation level.

"Quick! Write it all down," Zi Yang urged, not daring to waste a moment, reminding the others to record the sects and masters of these senior experts, as well as the specific abilities and even small quirks that made them famous.

This was what opportunity looked like!

"Tsk," Meng Xiwen muttered from a distance, nodding in appreciation.

If only he had had such foresight in his youth, he wouldn't have ended up in the Demon Slayer Division.

With talent, perseverance, and a thick skin, what couldn't one achieve?

Now, he became even more curious about the small town where Elder Shen was from, wondering what kind of blessed land it was that could nurture such a group of talented individuals.

Finally, nearly five hundred meditation cushions were filled.

At this moment, fewer figures rose from the mountain's base, but the heavenly curtain began to shimmer with brilliant lights. Accompanied by the sound of chanting, figures emerged from the clouds, heading towards Crane Mountain.

"Immortal Officials are here!"

The town became abuzz with excitement. Today, not only could they witness the revered Bodhisattva, but they would also catch a glimpse of the true faces of the immortal elders.

The names shouted by the crowd grew louder.

Zi Yang and the others stopped recording and instead relaxed, enjoying the spectacle.

Among these Immortal Officials, there were even Sixth Stage Transcenders, genuine Immortals, who were far beyond their reach, making any interaction impossible.

Moreover, these people were seated at the very end of the forty-nine meditation cushions.

At this thought, their expressions revealed a hint of intense anticipation. Who could be so qualified to take the foremost seat below the Bodhisattva's Lotus Platform?

Finally, a dazzling golden light descended upon the world.

Two figures landed side by side on the first row of meditation cushions. In front was a young lady with an ethereal immortal appearance, and behind her stood a vigorous warrior with golden hair.

Upon seeing the two, the town fell into an unexpected silence.

The most bizarre thing was that everyone knew they were of high status, yet no one could recognize them.

At that very moment,

Zi Yang and Zi Xian's faces, filled with anticipation and smiles, suddenly froze. Even their facial features began to twitch slightly, and they stared with wide eyes, panting heavily, their eyes filled with panic.

Especially when they saw the beautiful little gourd gently swaying at the young lady's waist.

Zi Yang's neck stiffened, his veins bulging, and his face trembled. Bloodshot eyes stared back at him, and a purple beard sprouted from his jawline, with fine scales spreading from his ears to his cheeks.

Behind the siblings, a wooden figure silently observed the graceful silhouette.

She was the woman he had hated for ten thousand years, wishing to devour her flesh and bones.

For ten thousand years, he could only stand at the foot of the mountain and watch, while she had already reached the presence of a Bodhisattva, remaining calm and composed.

It seemed that the initial choice was indeed a good one.

"In all of Hongze, only she is qualified for this," Ye Jiu sighed softly, gently comforting his junior.

Old acquaintances reunited, but people had changed.

"It's time to leave."

Xuan Qing didn't show much emotion. After a brief moment of daze, he placed his hand on Zi Yang's shoulder, "Don't cause trouble for Shen Zongzhu."

This wasn't an opportunity but a disaster.

A disaster that would implicate all of Hongze.

Xuan Qing, who had experienced a similar situation before, had finally learned to let go for now.

"Yes, yes... It's time to leave... Let's go... Hurry!"

Zi Yang bit his lip, covered his face, and turned to flee in a panic.

The five quickly crossed the crowd and headed out of town, only to hear the familiar gentle voice of the woman in their ears.

"Qingluan Xuanwei General's subordinate, Zi Ling, accompanied by colleagues, has come on behalf of my master to pay respects and greet the Seven Treasures Bodhisattva."

With these words, the cultivators in the town could no longer remain silent, and exclamations of surprise rose again.

So that was it; no wonder she occupied such a position, representing the rumored Celestial General!

These exclamations felt like knives piercing the hearts of the Hongze group.

The more glorious this woman became, the more it proved that her initial decision was correct, while the Hongze cultivators who opposed her seemed like a joke.

The two biggest jokes were none other than Zi Yang and Xuan Qing.

Born in this small town, they could only rely on the path she had chosen to truly soar.

"..."

Ji Jingxi couldn't help but glance back.

Her pupils contracted slightly.

At the foot of the silent mountain, two figures emerged, stepping on clouds.

"Bodhimanda Church's Great Enlightenment Immortal, Shenvu Senior Ancestor's third-generation disciple, Ye Lan, accompanied by a fellow disciple, has come to pay respects."

The faint voice echoed around the mountain range, but there was no need for her to introduce herself. As the woman in the clouds landed, the entire area surrounding Crane Mountain erupted in excitement.

"It's Ye Lan Patriarch!"

"She hasn't appeared in the cultivation world for many years. Has she emerged from seclusion with improved cultivation, or is she just bringing her fellow disciple out to see the world?"

The long-awaited master of the foremost seat finally proved to be worthy of the title.

Shenvu Senior Ancestor, the Great Enlightenment Immortal, both of the Third Stage.

And this Ye Lan Patriarch was once the most outstanding among the third-generation disciples of the various lineages, but for some unknown reason, she suddenly disappeared without a trace.

In full view of everyone, Ye Lan slowly approached the first meditation cushion but did not sit down.

She glanced at the girl in the purple and white dress beside her, "..."

Zi Ling, who had been gazing at a town at the foot of the mountain, realized something from that glance.

Her lips twitched imperceptibly, and she quickly stood up, offering the second meditation cushion to the silent black-robed youth with a respectful smile, "Please, Senior."

The youth seemed rather aloof, unwilling to even return a smile. He slightly lifted his robe and sat down without hesitation.

Facing this cold attitude, Zi Ling's smile became even more forced.

In terms of background, the youth had the Great Enlightenment Immortal above him, far surpassing her own master. In terms of identity, the two in front of her were genuine disciples of an Immortal, while she was merely a mount.

Even if she was snubbed, she had no choice but to endure it.

Moreover...

Zi Ling settled for the rear meditation cushion.

She looked down at the foot of the mountain once more.

She was no longer the Purple Beard White Dragon who had achieved Dao Fusion. Under the generous rewards of the Qingluan General, her cultivation had undergone a tremendous transformation.

With her current strength, her perception of killing intent was extremely sharp.

Especially with such sharp killing intent, and beneath it, there was an aura identical to her own.

She had seen the person's appearance, and indeed... there were so many old acquaintances.

Zi Ling's face showed reminiscence, and a smile reappeared.

As the saying goes, returning home in glory.

However, she didn't enjoy such meaningless things. Instead, she hoped that these people would never come out, and it would be best if they all died in that stinking pond.

Zi Ling quietly clenched her teeth, adding a hint of coldness to her sweet smile.

Shi Ren, you should die.

How could he let them out? Or perhaps, was he already dead? Never mind, one shouldn't kill under the Bodhisattva's gaze.

Let these people leave on their own, lest their heads fall and dirty the Bodhisattva's eyes.

The Stinking Pond

Zi Ling was just a stone's throw away.

Shen Yi sat cross-legged, calmly observing the figure on the lotus platform ahead.

Whether it was the seating arrangement or anything else, it seemed nothing could stir the slightest emotion in this venerable Bodhisattva.

He quietly waited for everyone to gather, then began his sermon.

As for whether the people below listened or not, and what filth they harbored in their hearts, it had nothing to do with him.

"..."

Shen Yi closed his eyes. Ever since he borrowed the Bodhimanda Golden Body to meet this woman, he had known that this Purple Beard White Dragon had reached her current position by keenly observing others and her terrifyingly meticulous thoughts.

She had undoubtedly sensed the presence of Zi Yang and the others.

At the same time, Shen Yi also sensed the strength of this White Dragon... It was on par with Meng Xiwen.

After ten thousand years in the Celestial Court, this woman had truly been nurtured to a level beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.

Zi Yang, who had once been at the same level or even higher, was still lingering in the Heaven Realm, while she had effortlessly entered the Heaven Immortal Realm.

Even more terrifying was the golden-haired, robust man beside her.

This man gave Shen Yi a strange feeling; he didn't seem as powerful as Ye Lan, so he wasn't a Fifth Stage cultivator, but he was also completely different from Meng Xiwen, a Sixth Stage cultivator.

To keep him in the mortal realm... his current strength was far from sufficient.

Thinking of this, Shen Yi reopened his eyes and began observing his surroundings.

Although it seemed like only the Bodhisattva was present during the sermon, Bodhimanda disciples were everywhere.

・He just needed to meet one person, the one who could complete the Sixth Stage path.

"You promised to stay by my side honestly." Ye Lan slightly turned her eyes, sending her voice into his ear.

She had helped Shen Yi protect his old friends, but in return, this young man had to behave himself on this trip.

After all, the matters concerning the other party were trivial.

The real issue that enraged the court was today's sermon itself.

"..."

Shen Yi remained silent and looked back at the lotus platform.

Finally, the Bodhisattva spoke, and in that instant, the deep Buddha's voice resonated throughout the heavens and earth. Not only could the cultivators on the meditation cushions hear it, but even ordinary mortals at the foot of the mountain could understand every word clearly.

At that moment, Ye Lan's face slightly changed.

The sermon, which made no distinction between good and evil, loyalty and treason, or immortals and mortals, was incomprehensible.

At the same time, Shen Yi was also slightly stunned.

The reason for his daze was simple; he had understood what the Bodhisattva was preaching.

It was the Three Tribulation Lotus Platform Technique.

...

At the foot of the mountain, in the town.

The hastily fleeing group, led by Ji Jingxi, all paused in their tracks.

They had all seen what was happening at the mountain's peak—the woman above was forced to retreat and chose a lower-ranked meditation cushion.

This wasn't a big deal, as there was always someone stronger out there.

Zi Ling didn't need to be stronger than all other beings in the world; she only needed to be stronger than the people of Hongze.

What truly shocked them was that she had given her meditation cushion to a person from Hongze.

It was Shen Zongzhu! When they saw Shen Yi sitting quietly, even Xuan Qing was momentarily lost in thought.

When this young man, first seen outside Nanyang, sat down, he immediately restored Hongze's pride.

The other party was the master of Hongze, not a mount of an immortal or anyone's dog.

"Let's go!"

Zi Yang roared, the same word as before, but with a completely different emotion.

Even if he spent his entire life as a Heaven Realm wild demon, he would never do something as despicable as stabbing his Dao companion in the back, betraying his father, and imprisoning his father's soul.

"It can't be... Did they offend that person?"

Meng Xiwen smacked his lips. He had been observing this group, and when Zi Ling appeared, their reaction almost revealed everything.

It wasn't out of fear, as the court was watching, and nothing major would happen.

He was just surprised that a group of cultivators who hadn't reached the True Immortal Realm could be connected to the mount of a Fifth Stage Celestial General.

And if it were true, even Ye Lan would have a hard time dealing with it.

When you're out, your identity is what you make of it.

The identity of the third-generation disciple of the Great Dharmaraja was real, but the problem in between was also real; otherwise, Ye Lan wouldn't have joined the Demon Slayer Bureau.

Their lineage had only one descendant left.

Yes, just one, and Ye Jing, her younger sister, was not allowed to join this lineage.

"Protect them and make sure they don't get lost. It won't be easy once they leave here."

Meng Xiwen quickly followed, and Ye Jing obediently trailed behind.

At this moment, there was no safer place in the entire Great Southern Continent than around Crane Mountain.

However, just as the two took a step, the Buddha's voice from the Bodhisattva reverberated simultaneously.

Listening to the crystal-clear sutra.

The two demon slayers turned around simultaneously, and even with Ye Jing's limited experience, they both sensed something amiss.

She stared blankly at Crane Mountain.

The Bodhisattva must be preaching a cultivation method, and almost all Bodhimanda cultivation methods could be empowered by Imperial Qi.

This profound Dharmic Technique was now being imparted to everyone without any prerequisites.

It sounded like a benevolent act of saving all beings.

But Ye Jing's heart inexplicably chilled. Even if the Bodhisattva had encountered a bottleneck and needed a large amount of mortal Imperial Qi to overcome her Heart Tribulation, she shouldn't be so reckless and unrestrained, right?

If evil people obtained these cultivation methods and developed malicious intentions, it wouldn't be enough to manage even if the number of demon slayers in the prefecture tripled.

Meng Xiwen's face tightened as he stared intently at the figure on the lotus platform, feeling his brain go dizzy.

"Demon Monk—"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end