The meal concluded.
The old Daoist sat on the doorstep, drinking tea and watching the sky, which was beginning to change.
Lin Zhao and Xu Ming'an, the two young men, sat on a tree stump not far away, discussing matters after parting ways. Xu Ming'an had little to say, only that on his journey back, he had purified many wandering souls. Passing through a small town in the distant mountains, he had bought many vegetable seeds. Upon returning, he cultivated the land while practicing his dao, and also raised a few chickens, his life becoming increasingly abundant. Lin Zhao, however, had much to recount. He had fished in Dongting Lake and met its Lord, Shang Xuli. In Furong Prefecture, he had encountered Dragon Lord Dong, Xie Yiying, Chen Mengjun, and others, recounting all these events. He deliberately omitted the matter of meeting Zhao Shutong outside Baidi City, as it concerned court affairs, and Xu Ming'an, a reclusive Daoist, might not wish to hear it.
The young Daoist listened with great interest and said, "Lin Zhao, your journey is far more exciting than mine. I never expected that a rogue cultivator from the wilderness would know so many influential figures, and even the great Lord of Dongting Lake would treat you with such respect. It seems the principles of the world are indeed the same: as long as one remains open-minded, the path ahead will surely be smooth."
Lin Zhao nodded. "Yes, the Jianghu below this mountain is not so easy, but it is not as bad as imagined."
"Lin Zhao!"
Xu Ming'an said, "Are you still traveling the Jianghu to make a living? If you don't mind, why not settle down on Jiuhua Mountain? Once I've saved enough 'Flying Fish Money,' we'll hire artisans to build more rooms on the mountain. I'll open a Daoist temple on the left peak, and you can open a Sword Sect on the right peak. Although your cultivation is a bit lower, it shouldn't be difficult to gather some disciples from below the mountain. Wouldn't that save a lot of trouble?"
"Alas..."
Lin Zhao pursed his lips and said, "Who doesn't want to retire to a pastoral life? But the Jianghu is too turbulent, and I am not master of my own fate."
"Indeed."
Xu Ming'an felt a touch of disappointment, but then his expression brightened, and he smiled. "It doesn't matter. You can visit often. Keep me company. Otherwise, on this entire mountain, I'll only have flowers, birds, insects, and fish to talk to."
"Mhm."
Lin Zhao nodded with a smile.
Not far away, the old Daoist shook his head. That foolish boy Xu Ming'an actually thought Lin Zhao was merely a rogue cultivator of the Jianghu? The news on Jiuhua Mountain was too secluded. What a case of being close to home yet ignorant of what was happening. This boy, believing himself Lin Zhao's confidant, actually didn't know Lin Zhao was the legendary Lin Baiyi of Xueyu Tianchi, the master of the Peak Villa of Xueyu Tianchi? However, it was indeed possible. This dense young man might not even know about the history of the Battle of Xueyu Tianchi, only caring about his deceased master and his own small plot of land, never inquiring about the affairs of the Jianghu.
"Alright."
The old Daoist rose and said, "It's time to leave."
He then walked up to Xu Ming'an and looked down at the young Daoist. His spiritual essence was clear, and he carried a Daoist Xuanjian inscribed with "Zhen Wu." It was indeed a matter of destiny. Thus, he smiled and said, "Xu Ming'an, I will give you an opportunity now. Are you willing to call me Master?"
"Ah?!"
Xu Ming'an was slightly startled and said, "Senior, I have a master. Although he was killed by demonic cultivators back then, my master's appearance and voice remain forever..."
"Ai ya!"
Lin Zhao slapped his forehead. What a fool! Didn't he know how to accept a fortune dropped from the heavens? Thinking of this, Lin Zhao immediately turned and kicked Xu Ming'an's backside. "Elder Wang is both highly respected and a master of deception. Isn't he qualified to be your master, Xu Ming'an? Hurry up and kneel and kowtow. What are you thinking?!"
"Ah?!"
Xu Ming'an knew Lin Zhao had always been cautious, and his actions were definitely well-considered. Yet, Lin Zhao had just kicked him. He immediately realized he must have made a big mistake. The next moment, Xu Ming'an scratched his head and, albeit reluctantly, knelt before the old Daoist. "Xu Ming'an is naturally dull. Senior... Senior, please don't regret taking me as a disciple..."
"..."
The old Daoist also looked as though he wanted to kick someone. This傻小子 (shǎ xiǎo zi - foolish boy) was truly foolish!
Lin Zhao covered his face, not wanting to speak. He could actually guess most of it. Old Daoist Wang's identity was definitely not simple. Anyone who dared to scheme in the human world would have an extraordinary background and status. At least, he was of the level to establish a sect and become an ancestor. His cultivation level should be around the fourteenth realm, otherwise, he wouldn't dare to act so arrogantly and hide his strength in front of a group of twelfth-realm Sword Immortals like Chui Zhi and Huang Tingyu. Moreover, when the old Daoist arrived at the Peak Villa, Tang Guangjun seemed to have vanished, not daring to show his face.
"Enough."
The old Daoist raised his palm and gently pressed it on the top of Xu Ming'an's hair. He smiled and said, "Have you heard a poem?"
"..."
Xu Ming'an's face turned red. "From childhood, my master only taught me to read and write, not poetry. He said the ways of scholars and poets were useless. It was more practical to learn Daoist techniques."
"Ai..."
The old Daoist already felt a bit regretful. This new disciple was truly troublesome.
Beside them, Lin Zhao gently cupped his fists and said, "Is it that verse... 'In the Jade Capital of Heaven, twelve towers and five cities, an immortal touches my crown, and I bind my hair to receive eternal life'?"
"Mhm."
The old Daoist showed a hint of relief. What a pity, Lin Zhao already had a sect. Otherwise, he would have been a great prospect for the fourteenth realm. His future would not necessarily be much better than Xu Ming'an's, but it certainly wouldn't be worse. He looked down at Xu Ming'an and said, "Receive this precept from your master, and from now on, you are a disciple of this sect. Your cultivation in the human world must be cautious and careful."
"Yes, Master!"
"Alright."
The old Daoist raised his hand, and as his palm swept over Xu Ming'an's head, he had already opened up all his spiritual meridians and even dispersed a complete set of karma. The next moment, a secret manual fell before Xu Ming'an. It was inscribed with the words "Danxia Pu" (丹霞谱). The old Daoist smiled. "This manual not only records some cultivation techniques, spells, and abilities, but also some secrets of alchemy. Xu Ming'an, your nature is simple and pure. If you are unwilling to enter the world and become a divine immortal in the midst of worldly turmoil, then remain on the mountain and cultivate the Danxia Pu. Practicing alchemy and seeking immortality can also lead to a great Dao. In short, do not disappoint your master."
"Yes!"
Xu Ming'an knelt respectfully. "Thank you, Master!"
"Mhm."
The old Daoist's figure soared into the air and he smiled, "Lin Zhao, Xu Ming'an, I have other matters to attend to, so I must leave now. Take care of yourselves."
"Okay."
Lin Zhao cupped his fists, his expression respectful. "Senior Wang, we shall meet again in the Jianghu!"
"Mhm, Jianghu reunion!"
Xu Ming'an also said respectfully, "Master, I will cultivate diligently. Please do not worry!"
"Hahahaha, good!"
The old Daoist rode the wind and departed, truly free of all worries this time.
...
The Ghost Realm.
A ghost city, stretching from heaven to earth, its walls of orange and yellow, spanned across the land. At this moment, countless ghouls, giant-mouthed ghost soldiers, and undead cavalry had already landed on the city. The defenders on the city walls could not resist and were almost instantly slaughtered. Within the city, a Ghost King clad in golden armor, wielding a battle blade, his orange-yellow cloak billowing, stood tall.
The Ghost King of the Yellow City, an eleventh-realm ghost cultivator, a feudal lord who once dominated a region in the Ghost Realm. He had once been the greatest overlord of the Ghost Realm, but his power was now waning. Under the fierce assault of Tan Xin and her army of over two hundred thousand ghost soldiers, he could no longer hold on. This Yellow City was destined to become a thing of the past, trampled by the true overlord.
"Plop..."
The Ghost King of the Yellow City suddenly knelt on one knee, his body exuding death qi. He looked up at the twelfth-realm Tan Xin, who was controlling a coffin from afar. He could feel the intense killing intent emanating from Tan Xin. This was his last chance. The next moment, the Ghost King of the Yellow City said in a deep voice, "Yellow City is willing to follow the Empress and serve with utmost loyalty. I implore Empress, do not look down upon Yellow City's insignificance!"
"Oh?"
Tan Xin looked up and smiled. "Empress? Why do you call me that?"
The Ghost King said in a deep voice, "It has been hundreds of years since there was a Ghost Emperor in the Ghost Realm. Now, Ancestor Tan Xin leads the ghost armies to sweep through all opposition, and none can stop her. It is only a matter of time before the Ancestor becomes the ruler of the Ghost Realm. When the Ancestor unifies the Ghost Realm, she will naturally receive the imperial decree of the legendary Ghost Emperor. As a woman, the Ancestor is no weaker than men, and thus she will be the world's sole Empress!"
"Hahahahahahaha~~~~"
Tan Xin laughed with extreme arrogance and haughtiness. She said, "Ghost King of the Yellow City, seeing as you are so eloquent, I will spare your life. Serve at my side, and your army will remain under your command. From now on, you only need to follow my lead."
"Yes!"
The Ghost King of the Yellow City said in a deep voice, "Greetings, Empress!"
Instantly, the remaining hundred thousand ghost soldiers in the entire Yellow City prostrated themselves in kowtow, all pledging allegiance to Tan Xin's coffin-carrying faction. On the ground, Ding Chunqiu, Qiu Qianren, and others looked ambitious, shaking the blood from their swords. They hadn't had their fill of killing yet, but that was alright. First, they would unify the Ghost Realm, then they would seek revenge in the human world. Then, they would get revenge for their grievances, especially against that group of people like Lin Zhao, Su Xinghe, Leng Yan, and Yi Shi Cangliang. They would have to kill them multiple times to quell their hatred.
"Next, who?"
Tan Xin, sitting on the coffin, assumed a queenly posture.
The strategist Qi Lian Dao respectfully said, "Reporting to the Empress, it is the turn of the Gale Ghost King. This scoundrel was bragging a few days ago, saying that if the coffin-carrying faction dared to go to the Gale Ghost Realm, he would dismember all of us."
"Hmph!"
Tan Xin smiled. "I am very curious how the Gale Ghost King intends to dismember me. Let's go, without delay, we march to attack the Gale Ghost Realm!"
"Yes!"
The Ghost King of the Yellow City rose, brandishing his heavy weapon, and said in a deep voice, "Empress, your subordinate has just joined. I have not yet earned merit. The vanguard for attacking the Gale Ghost Realm must be Yellow City!"
"Fine."
Tan Xin waved her hand. "Take your troops and charge forward. We will follow."
"Yes!"
The land was vast and mighty. This unification campaign in the Ghost Realm was incredibly swift.
...
Furong Prefecture, Wangxin Lake, Lingyan Sword Sect.
A young girl in a green dress lightly tapped the surface of the pond with her toes, holding a graceful sword stance that blended with the surrounding lotus pond, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. At this moment, Chen Mengjun's state of mind finally calmed down, and she resumed her sword practice.
"Mengjun."
Suddenly, a figure descended from the sky. It was the Sect Master, Xie Yiying.
"Master, what is it?"
Chen Mengjun asked in surprise.
Xie Yiying looked towards the northwest and smiled. "Pack your things in the next few days, and come with me to the Ghost Realm. Perhaps you will see the person you long for."
"Ah?!"
Chen Mengjun's pretty face turned red. "Disciple... Disciple is not longing for anyone..."
Xie Yiying smiled, gently shook her head, and then flew away on her sword.