[Fantasy] The Romantic Substitute Duan Yu of the Heavenly Dragon (Complete) - 22-24

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“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

“Thump! Crack…”

A purple dragon was lashed by the golden dragon’s tail and slammed into a nearby building. The luxurious royal building was instantly destroyed. It was utterly annihilated. Several eunuchs and guards, unable to dodge in time, were crushed to death on the spot.

Only then did they realize how dangerous the place was. Palace maids and eunuchs fled in terror, trying to get away from this place.

Zhao Xu stood coldly outside the palace, his eyes burning with fervor. “Fight! Fight! Fight for me, and fight for me, Zhao Xu. I am the true Son of Heaven, I, Zhao Xu, am destined to be the most sagacious emperor. As long as I can seize power, I will surely quell the rebellion of my ancestors and conquer a vast empire. Khitan, Western Xia, Dali… I can do it!”

Zhao Xu almost shouted.

Under Duan Yu’s control, the two dragons relentlessly attacked the golden dragon’s aura. Dragon flames flew everywhere! Wherever the dragon's flames scorched, everything burst into flames.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!..."

Powerful energy flew everywhere, and with a bang! A tall roof beam was violently lifted, hurtling into the sky before crashing back down. A group of soldiers watching the dragon intently in the distance had no time to dodge.

"Ah..."

A scream rang out instantly. Blood splattered, brains splattered! The three-headed dragon was completely beyond their imagination. This was not something human could handle.

The three dragons grappled, each using its claws to leave deep marks on the other's body.

Duan Yu was extremely serious, his hands rapidly forming hand seals. "How can I, with only two dragons, not be able to deal with the aura of a true dragon? How is this possible!" He

rapidly channeled his true energy. The Nine True Words were continuously used by Duan Yu, striking the golden dragon energy.

Under his powerful true energy, the hand seals he unleashed slammed into the golden dragon. Bang! Bang!

"Roar!"

The golden dragon, instantly wounded, focused its gaze on the open space where Duan Yu stood.

Its invisibility spell was completely useless against it. It roared, enraged that a mere ant had managed to harm it.

It abandoned its two dragon heads and charged after Duan Yu.

Watching the rapidly descending golden dragon, a cold smile appeared on Duan Yu's lips.

Just as the dragon was about to grab him, he leaped up and landed on its back.

A powerful aura emanated from Duan Yu's body. The divine dragon summoned by the Divine Dragon Exterminates Evil had reached its time limit and vanished into thin air.

Only the purple dragon energy lingered in the sky, occasionally letting out a roar.

Duan Yu now stood atop the golden dragon's head, one hand on its horn, the other relentlessly striking its head.

Each strike was heavier than the last!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!..."

Dozens of blows followed, scales flying everywhere. With a snap, Duan Yu broke off the golden dragon's massive horn in an instant!

" Roar! " The golden dragon roared, carrying Duan Yu as it crashed into the buildings. "Thud! Thud! Crack! Crack!" Everything the dragon touched was destroyed. Everyone was stunned. From the disappearance of one dragon to its current rampage, everything was beyond their comprehension. Their minds couldn't keep up. What was happening? What was going on? Was this truly a power struggle? The intense battle chilled everyone who witnessed it. Every impact was so powerful! Zhao Xu's face was pale. "How is this possible? How is this possible! Why, why… two dragons couldn't defeat one… Why? Why! Am I destined to be suppressed? No! No! I'm not reconciled! I'm not reconciled! I am the emperor! I am the emperor!" With Zhao Xu's shout, something astonishing happened. A golden dragon aura suddenly emanated from Zhao Xu's body, instantly rushing towards the golden dragon. True dragon aura! There was a true dragon aura. The world seemed to have gone mad; the guards stared in horror. Zhao Xu went berserk, laughing wildly, his laughter so arrogant: "I am indeed the Son of Heaven, this empire is destined to be mine! Hahahaha… I am a dragon! I am the emperor, the undisputed emperor!" The golden dragon emerging from Zhao Xu's body was considerably smaller than the enormous golden dragon, yet it was still larger than the purple dragon controlled by Duan Yu. Emperors were protected by true dragons! Many emperors spent their entire lives without ever seeing a true dragon, but when a cultivator intervened, the true dragon aura finally revealed the majesty of the emperor. Zhao Xu's golden dragon did not attack the largest golden dragon; instead, it attacked Duan Yu's purple dragon. Zhao Xu choked. He had thought the purple dragon was helping him, so why was the golden dragon emerging from his body attacking the purple dragon? His face changed drastically, his hands clenched tightly, and he let out a deafening scream. "No..." A mouthful of blood spurted from his mouth. He was overcome with rage! Zhao Xu stared in disbelief at the dragons fighting in the sky, his eyes suddenly closing. He fainted. What a devastating blow this was to him! "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Quickly, summon the imperial physician!" A concubine beside him said anxiously, supporting Zhao Xu. "Yes, this servant will go immediately!" A eunuch scrambled down the corridor. Several people carried Zhao Xu into the palace. Everyone was filled with unease. Everything in the world was so chaotic, everything was developing too fast, and many were bewildered. With the successive appearances of giant dragons, this day would be an unforgettable, desolate one for everyone. "Boom!" "Bang! Stop! Stop right now!" Duan Yu pounded his hands forcefully on the golden dragon's head. Streams of true energy were unleashed through hand seals. Each strike made the giant dragon tremble. "How can I subdue this True Dragon Qi? If I had this True Dragon Qi, my strength would definitely increase significantly." Duan Yu's thoughts were frantic. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him, and Duan Yu thought of a way to deal with the giant dragon. "True Dragon Qi, in the end, is just a gathering of qi; it's just a kind of power, not a real dragon. Since it's just power... hehehe... I'll just drain it dry!" A beam of light burst forth from Duan Yu's hand and slammed into the dragon's body. With Duan Yu's hand seal, the golden dragon suddenly trembled violently. A hint of fear even appeared on its face. "As expected, it can be absorbed! Scary! Only now do you realize the fear! Too bad it's too late. I told you to stop earlier, but you wouldn't. Now you'd better become my power." After saying that, Duan Yu placed his other hand on the dragon's body.

At this moment, Duan Yu was using the Northern Darkness Divine Art to absorb the True Dragon Qi. A continuous stream of dragon Qi flowed into his body.

"Roar! Roar!..."

The giant dragon roared again and again in despair, its body pounding against the building. Unfortunately, no matter how it moved, Duan Yu remained firmly atop its body.

The dragon's roars grew weaker and weaker, its body fading until finally, with a final, defiant roar, it vanished from the world. No! It shouldn't be said that it vanished, but rather that it became Duan Yu's power.

After absorbing the last wisp of True Dragon Qi, Duan Yu suddenly realized that he felt completely transformed. An extremely powerful imperial aura filled his body. At this moment, he felt an overwhelming sense of supreme power, as if he were the only one worthy of respect in the world. Duan Yu glanced up at the sky, then quickly turned his head back.

As Duan Yu absorbed the golden dragon, Zhao Xu's True Dragon Qi instantly ceased its attack.

Zhao Xu's dragon aura was ultimately the dragon aura of the Song Dynasty. Now that Duan Yu had absorbed the ancestor's power, the dragon aura froze.

Seeing the stunned dragon aura, Duan Yu wouldn't let the opportunity pass. He leaped up and landed on the golden dragon's body. He instantly unleashed the Northern Darkness Divine Art.

The enormous golden dragon was completely absorbed by Duan Yu in a short time!

When he absorbed Zhao Xu's golden dragon as well, Duan Yu suddenly let out a burp! The purple dragon aura, without waiting for his signal, automatically rushed into Duan Yu's body.

At that moment, the previously unconscious Zhao Xu suddenly let out a shrill scream. His face was deathly pale. If a fortune teller were observing him now, they would surely see that Zhao Xu no longer possessed the aura of an emperor. He no longer had the countenance of a king!

Duan Yu, having absorbed the dragon aura, wasn't as unscathed as he appeared. The dragon aura was immense; he felt his entire body surging with power.

It was a feeling both painful and wonderful, because the sense of submission to heaven and earth was so intense.

As soon as Duan Yu absorbed the dragon energy, he flashed forward, quickly arriving at a luxurious imperial study. He rapidly searched for something inside. This imperial study was truly magnificent; Duan Yu marveled at its clearly labeled layout, which saved him a considerable amount of time. Inside

, books on history, Taoism, Buddhism, agriculture, Confucianism… and many other subjects were categorized and labeled.

Duan Yu went directly to the bookshelf labeled with Taoist doctrines, quickly browsing through the various books. After searching tirelessly, he finally found the Taoist teachings of Baopuzi.

Those without an understanding of the Tao would consider these books useless, like the Tao Te Ching—it's everywhere, but very few can truly comprehend it!

Time was of the essence. Having obtained Baopuzi's Taoist text, Duan Yu didn't even have time to look at the other books before quickly leaving the imperial study and using his land-based flight technique to leave the palace. He had to leave. Having witnessed this, Duan Yu knew he was in trouble.

Such an event would inevitably attract the attention of various forces. Someone in the heavens was watching.

However, at the same time, he felt a strong sense of excitement. Duan Yu realized that since absorbing the dragon energy, he seemed to have understood something.

What would happen if he absorbed the dragon energy of all the countries in Asia? A sense of anticipation suddenly filled Duan Yu's heart.

This dragon energy was like a tonic bestowed by heaven; it was indescribably wonderful! What he had just absorbed should be the dragon energy of the entire Song Dynasty.

In any case, new dragon energy would be born after absorption. The dragon energy of the supreme ruler of the world would definitely not be lacking.

Just after absorbing the dragon energy, Duan Yu suddenly felt as if he were being watched. The feeling came from the heavens!

Duan Yu was horrified; he knew he had overlooked something. In modern mythological movies, there's a kind of mystical mirror that can probe the earth from the heavens.

Duan Yu was certain that his actions had been noticed, but he also had doubts. The Xuan Guang Mirror, logically, should only be able to detect him if it knew him, so why was the feeling so intense? It felt as if he had been constantly being monitored.

With

a whoosh of wind, Duan Yu flew rapidly, feeling a strong sense of oppression. He continued flying into the distance, finally stopping at a dilapidated temple. It was a

run-down Nuwa temple, drafty and desolate. The old doors creaked and swayed in the breeze. Entering, he was greeted by a large spiderweb, on which a spider the size of a thumb was devouring a captured mosquito.

Looking at the Nuwa statue, now covered in dust, Duan Yu felt a pang of unease.

He slowly walked inside and stood before the Nuwa statue. "I wonder who is watching me. Whoever it is, I will find you."

From the moment he entered the temple, Duan Yu noticed that the glimmer of light from the sky had vanished.

It seemed his suspicions were correct; they truly were from the Heavenly Court.

After surveying his surroundings, Duan Yu sat cross-legged on the worn-out futon before the Nuwa statue.

He could still deeply feel the surging True Dragon Qi within his body.

Having absorbed so much dragon Qi at once, Duan Yu's body was completely saturated. Had he not already possessed dragon Qi, this hasty absorption would have surely led to his death.

True Dragon Qi was absolutely taboo for cultivators; few dared to presume to possess it.

It was like the rules of heaven and earth; throughout history, few emperors had achieved immortality. This destined emperors to be forbidden from cultivating the Dao.

Throughout Chinese history, only the Yellow Emperor and the Human King Fuxi attained immortality; they were the ancestors of humankind, possessing great merit and blessings.

The True Dragon Qi, absorbed by Duan Yu using the Northern Darkness Divine Art, was initially dormant, but now it surged and churned within him.

The immense dragon Qi occupied every part of Duan Yu's body. The golden core within his dantian was also suppressed by the dragon energy. Seeing the dragon energy circulating much slower than before, Duan Yu frowned. His current situation was truly far from ideal.

"There is something undifferentiated and complete, existing before heaven and earth. Silent and still, it stands alone and unchanging, ever-present and inexhaustible. It can be regarded as the mother of all things under heaven. I do not know its name, so I call it the Way. I forcibly name it Great. Great means flowing, flowing means far-reaching, far-reaching means returning." All things in heaven and earth are born from the Way. Previously, Duan Yu would never have believed this. As a person from a technologically advanced society, Duan Yu understood the principles of evolution.

But when he merged with the dragon energy and secretly deduced the Heavenly Court, Duan Yu's heart had come to believe in the Way! The Way absolutely exists.

"The Way gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, Three gives birth to all things." After the Way generates all things, it is also contained within heaven and earth themselves as the basis for their existence. The Way is universally present, all-pervasive, and all-encompassing. Although the Dao exists within heaven and earth and all things, it differs from tangible, perceptible things. It is invisible, inaudible, and intangible; it constitutes the common essence of all things. Therefore, the Dao exists beyond human language and imagery; it can be perceived by the mind but cannot be expressed or illustrated. It cannot be recognized through the senses, nor can it be represented by ordinary words; its existence can only be explained through metaphors and descriptions.

According to Daoist philosophy, at the beginning of heaven and earth and all things, a primordial Qi arose in a place unknown to anyone. This primordial Qi then differentiated into Yin and Yang. In this context, the Dao is nothingness!

Could the dragon's Qi then be understood as originally a part of nothingness? Explore the primordial Qi and harness the dragon's Qi for your own use.

Various Taoist doctrines swirled in his mind: "The Tao is the beginning of all things... the source of all things," it is "the reason why all things are so," "the reason why all things are formed," regarding the Tao as the universal law of the material world, the general basis for the existence and development of heaven and earth and all things. "The Tao" is the ultimate category, the universal law of all things, while the special essence of all things is "virtue" (德), "virtue is the function of the Tao"; the special law of all things is "principle" (理), the Tao is "the source of all things," "all things have different principles, but the Tao exhaustively investigates the principles of all things," regarding the relationship between Tao, virtue, and principle as the universality and particularity, the infiniteness and finiteness of the material world.

Those with virtue gain the world, so could this mean that dragon energy is actually virtue and fortune? The fact that the Yellow Emperor could obtain it suggests that he was a representative of dragon energy. The more

Duan Yu thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. The dragon energy of heaven and earth should inherently be the energy of Taoism. It's just that those who cultivate Taoism in the world cannot grasp dragon energy, cannot consume or utilize it.

So, could he do the opposite? Since he couldn't consume it, why not imagine himself as a volume, like a deep-water blanket, merging his entire body with dragon energy? Like a boat sailing on the ocean, spreading dragon energy completely throughout his body's ocean.

"When the world is governed by the Way, even warhorses are used for fodder; when the world is without the Way, warhorses breed in the suburbs." One thought after another arose in Duan Yu's mind, a sudden enlightenment, an enlightenment of the Way. At this moment, Duan Yu's mind merged with heaven and earth.

One after another, the cycle of life and death unfolded, from the beginning of the world by Pangu to the origin of all things. "The Way gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, Three gives birth to all things." Everything developed in an orderly fashion. But then, a resounding dragon roar echoed, and a five-clawed golden dragon appeared in the turbid void. The five-clawed golden dragon emanated an aura of disdain for the world. A voice carrying the aura of primordial chaos rang out, "When the world attains the Way, dragon energy is supreme!"

With this resounding boom, stars began to scatter, and the sun and moon began to evolve. Everything in heaven and earth changed.

And with this sound, a cataclysmic change also occurred within Duan Yu's body. At this moment, he seemed to transform into a five-clawed golden dragon. He roamed the world, experiencing the domineering aura of an emperor. He revered heaven and earth, comprehending the essence of the Dao.

The Dao is unrestrained, without law or thought; the true Dao is carefree and at ease, roaming freely between heaven and earth.

"Simplicity is the root of the Dao. Ease is the foundation of the classics. The Dao is the path of things. The classics are the steps of things. Without the Dao of simplicity, things are crooked; without the classics of ease, things are desolate. Simplicity gives rise to the Dao; the Dao follows nature. Losing the Dao leads to instability; following the Dao leads to growth."

The upright Dao originates from simplicity, hence simplicity gives rise to the Dao. The Dao's methods depend on nature; taking nature as the guide is the true Dao. Without this Dao, things cannot survive forever. Following this Dao not only allows for long-term development but also continuous growth and expansion.

The Dao is formless and imageless, soundless and odorless, infinitely large and infinitely small, yet it is the source of all things in heaven and earth, the ultimate energy that governs all things in heaven and earth.

At this moment, Duan Yu understood; he comprehended the Dao. All the events of the past flashed before his eyes like a fleeting glimpse—his understanding of humanity, his feelings about circumstances.

Everything was, in fact, the pursuit of the Dao. "Joyful Zen! Joyful Buddha! No wonder Buddhism has the Dharma of Joyful Zen. It turns out everything is the pursuit of one's true nature! Feeling the essence of oneself, feeling the simplest yin-yang attraction at the beginning of life, experiencing the fusion of yin and yang, comprehending the transformation of the Dao of Heaven!"

"Boom!" At this moment, the golden core within Duan Yu's body suddenly emitted a dazzling light, his mind and body soaring to new heights. The golden core grew larger and larger, finally becoming a fist-sized form within his body. A primordial aura faintly emanated from his body. At this moment, Duan Yu discovered that his soul had transcended, surpassing the Three Realms. He had finally truly transcended life and death.

But that wasn't all; an even more astonishing change occurred next: all the true dragon energy suddenly transformed into a torrent flowing towards Duan Yu's Niwan Palace in his mind. The true dragon energy within his Niwan Palace (the center of his mind) transformed into a miniature, shimmering golden dragon!

Duan Yu was dumbfounded! This golden dragon's form emanated an incredible Buddhist aura, a powerful ancient Buddhist intent.

"Could it be a relic! A relic that only Buddhists can cultivate? But how can this be? Relics can take the form of a golden dragon,"

Duan Yu muttered to himself. He felt utterly bewildered. This was completely beyond his imagination.

Even with all his knowledge, he couldn't understand what was happening! Following his

will, as Duan Yu tried to move the golden dragon, he discovered that with each movement of his heart, a power instantly flowed from the dragon. A halo of Buddhist light rose instantly behind his head—a seven-colored Buddhist light!

With the growth of this light, Duan Yu suddenly experienced a profound understanding of the universe. Rays of light emanated, and Duan Yu's mind became increasingly clear. His body suddenly moved without wind. He slowly rose into the air. Various hand seals arose in his hands. At this moment, he was like a transcendent, awe-inspiring Buddha.

"Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, practicing the profound Prajnaparamita, illuminates the emptiness of the five aggregates, thus transcending all suffering and distress. Shariputra, form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form; form is emptiness, emptiness is form. Sensation, perception, volition, and consciousness are also like this. Shariputra, all dharmas are empty in nature, neither arising nor ceasing, neither defiled nor pure, neither increasing nor decreasing. Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, no sensation, perception, volition, or consciousness; no eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, or mind; no form, sound, smell, taste, touch, or dharma; no eye-consciousness, and so forth, up to no mind-consciousness; no ignorance, and also no end of ignorance, and so forth, up to no old age and death, and also no end of old age and death. There is no suffering, no origination, no cessation, no path; no wisdom, and also no attainment. Because there is nothing to be attained, Bodhisattvas, relying on Prajnaparamita, have no hindrance in their minds. Because there is no hindrance, they have no fear, are far removed from distorted views and dreams, and ultimately attain Nirvana. All Buddhas of the three times..." "By relying on Prajnaparamita, one attains Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. Therefore, know that Prajnaparamita is the great divine mantra, the great bright mantra, the supreme mantra, the unequaled mantra, capable of removing all suffering, truly and without falsehood. Therefore, the Prajnaparamita mantra is spoken, namely: Gate Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhi Svaha…"

At this moment, heaven and earth trembled, and a bolt of lightning suddenly appeared in the sky. In the unseen underworld, in the eighteen levels of hell, all the celestial demons howled and wailed. Their mournful cries were so terrifying. The entire underworld was in chaos.

Only a bewildered voice was heard: "Heaven and earth have changed, demons are howling and wailing. Transcending the three realms, the soul leaps! Another earth-shattering change has occurred!"

At this moment, the entire underworld was in turmoil, and in the unseen clouds high above, the celestial court, shrouded in immortal energy, was also in chaos.

The underworld and the celestial court were the first to feel the changes in heaven and earth. The Lingxiao Mirror atop the Lingxiao Palace was emitting a dazzling light, a light that shook the entire Heavenly Court.

At this moment, everyone in Heaven knew that another being who had transcended the Three Realms had appeared.

"Investigate! Investigate! Investigate who this person is who has transcended the Three Realms! Why is there no record of this person before!"

A fair-skinned middle-aged man in a dragon robe and feathered crown sat on a golden dragon throne, angrily addressing his subordinates. Beside him sat a beautiful woman, smiling gently. Her deep affection exuded a solemnity that seemed to defy the heavens and earth.

These two were the absolute representatives of the Eastern Heavenly Court: the Queen Mother and the Jade Emperor!

Below them, the Twenty-Eight Mansions, the various constellations, the Nine Luminaries, and other stars of the Milky Way, along with Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King clad in armor and holding a magnificent pagoda, and Nezha, dressed as a child and wielding a fire-tipped spear… and a series of other celestial officials, all curiously gazed at the Lingxiao Mirror.

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How many years has it been since the Lingxiao Mirror underwent such a change? Looking at its dazzling light, the celestial soldiers and generals couldn't help but recall the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, from years past! They secretly wondered if another Sun Wukong had been born.

Thinking of the scene of Sun Wukong's havoc in the Heavenly Palace, some of the celestial soldiers and generals couldn't help but shudder.

"Investigate! We must investigate!"

these generals thought to themselves. How could such a figure not be investigated?

"Reporting to the Jade Emperor, according to reports from various local deities in the mortal realm, we have not been able to ascertain who this person is. He seems to be in a Nuwa Temple, a place we cannot freely investigate. Furthermore, not long ago, a conflict over dragon energy occurred in the Great Song Dynasty, and a cultivator stole the dragon energy of the Song Dynasty." Taibai Jinxing suddenly stepped forward and spoke

up .

"Eh, it's you again, Taibai Jinxing. How come you're always the first to receive the news?" The Jade Emperor was taken aback by Taibai Jinxing's sudden appearance. The other deities also turned their gazes to Taibai Jinxing, their expressions strange. The Heavenly Court was not as harmonious as it appeared on the surface. Besides the Great Sage Equaling Heaven who had wreaked havoc in Heaven, other deities had also caused chaos, though Sun Wukong was the most notorious among them. Besides the Jade Emperor, the Heavenly Court also has six other emperors: the Central Heaven Purple Star Emperor (also known as the Purple Star Emperor, the North Star Emperor, or the North Star Lord), the Southern Pole Longevity Emperor (also known as the Supreme Divine Firmament Jade Pure True King Longevity Emperor, the Heavenly Venerable of the Primordial Saint), the Gouchen Upper Palace Heavenly Emperor (also known as the Gouchen Emperor or the Heavenly Emperor), and the Empress Earth Goddess who follows the laws of Heaven (also known as Houtu, or the Empress Houtu). As the saying goes, wherever there are people, there is a world of conflict, and the Heavenly Court is no exception. Now, with various forces gathered, even the Jade Emperor cannot completely control them. Take the Western Taiji Heavenly Emperor, for example; he has eight marshals and five war gods under his command: the Sky War God, the Earth War God, the Human War God, the North Pole War God, and the South Pole War God. Each of these gods is arguably the most powerful in the Heavenly Court. "This… this humble immortal doesn't know the reason either," said Taibai Jinxing. Inwardly, he cursed his own mouth for being so foul; why did he have to say it out loud? "I'm really unlucky. I just chatted with Rainbow Girl for a while and accidentally found out about this! " The Jade Emperor glanced at Taibai Jinxing and said sadly, "Since it's in the temple of Goddess Nuwa, which immortal is willing to go see Goddess Nuwa?" Hearing the Jade Emperor say this, chaos erupted below. One said, "You go," another said, "You go." Seeing the chaotic scene, the Jade Emperor frowned: "Is it that you all have to make excuses for such a small matter? Do you even respect me, the Jade Emperor?" "Jade Emperor, it's not that we're making excuses, but because of the rules of Nuwa Palace. Have you forgotten Goddess Nuwa's rules for Nuwa Palace? Men are not allowed to enter freely there," said Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King. "Look at my memory, it's indeed so! I'm sorry to put you immortals in such a difficult position. So, who do you think is suitable to go?" the Jade Emperor asked. "In my opinion, it would be feasible to send Xuan Nu!" Zhang Tianshi said. "Send Xuan Nu? This..." The Jade Emperor hesitated. "We all agree that Xuan Nu should go to Nuwa's Palace," the immortals below said in unison. "In that case, summon Xuan Nu to see me," the Jade Emperor sighed. A moment later, a stunningly beautiful woman dressed in a nine-colored emerald robe slowly walked out of the Lingxiao Palace. The beautiful woman bowed slightly to the Jade Emperor and said, "Xuan Nu greets the Jade Emperor and the Empress!" "No need for formalities!" the Jade Emperor said with a smile. "I wonder what brings the Jade Emperor here?" Xuan Nu asked softly. Xuan Nu's gentle expression stunned the surrounding immortals. In the entire immortal realm, Xuan Nu's beauty was the most outstanding. "Judging from the state of the Lingxiao Mirror, Xuan Nu, you should know what has happened!" the Jade Emperor said. "Yes. It must be that someone in the mortal realm has cultivated the art of immortality and truly transcended the Three Realms," Xuan Nu nodded. "That's right, someone has indeed broken free from the Five Elements," the Jade Emperor said. "But even so, I still don't understand why the Jade Emperor wants me here. Do you want me to capture this person?" Xuan Nu asked, speechless. "Of course not. This person is currently hiding inside the temple of the Goddess Nuwa. Even you celestial beings find it difficult to investigate Nuwa's temple, so you can only ask Goddess Nuwa. You know the rules of Nuwa's Palace, so I would like to ask you, Xuan Nu, to inquire," the Jade Emperor said. "I see… but…" Xuan Nu hesitated, her expression full of doubt. "I know this is putting you in a difficult position. Nuwa's Palace is now restricted to both men and women, but as an ancient goddess, Xuan Nu, inquiring with Goddess Nuwa should be no problem," the Jade Emperor said. Xuan Nu's face still showed difficulty: "Jade Emperor, it's not that I don't want to inquire, but the Nuwa Palace is currently under very strict control. Have you forgotten what happened to that Star Lord a hundred years ago? He was annihilated, body and soul. I don't know what's going on with the Nuwa Palace now." "How about this, Xuan Nu, I see you haven't been to the mortal realm for quite some time. If you inquire with Goddess Nuwa this time, I'll allow you to descend to the mortal realm for a few days, how about that?" the Jade Emperor said. "That's not good, is it? The Heavenly Court is under martial law now. What will the immortals think if I go down to the mortal realm alone?" Xuan Nu said. "What's wrong with that? Anyway, after inquiring with Goddess Nuwa, I will send people down to find out who this person is. Xuan Nu, your going down will be a safeguard, won't it?" the Jade Emperor said. "In that case, I'll go to the Nuwa Palace and give it a try." Xuan Nu said. "Then I'll trouble you, Xuan Nu." the Jade Emperor said kindly. "Then, Xuan Nu takes her leave!" Xuan Nu finished speaking and turned to leave the Lingxiao Palace. As she left, a seductive smile appeared on her lips. "I didn't expect things to progress so smoothly. Hmph… Duan Yu, you just wait. See how I deal with you. You've caused me so much trouble in such a short time. I never imagined you'd transcend the Three Realms, cultivate great supernatural powers, and become a being like an Earth Immortal." A charming smile graced Xuan Nu's face. That smile was chilling to behold. It was a bewitching smile. Yes, she was the one who had been watching Duan Yu with the Xuan Guang Mirror. She was also the one who brought Duan Yu to this time and space. From the moment Duan Yu absorbed the True Dragon Qi, Xuan Nu knew she was in trouble. How could the Heavenly Court not notice such a huge incident? However, Duan Yu truly surprised her; she hadn't expected him to dare absorb the dragon qi. Watching Duan Yu absorb the dragon qi, Xuan Nu felt a surge of anxiety; she was quite flustered at that moment. Even Xuan Nu herself didn't understand why. Anyway, at that time she only knew one thing: she had to deal with this villain. And everything that followed seemed to be a stroke of luck; unexpectedly, the Jade Emperor sent her to Nuwa's Palace. Xuan Nu's smile deepened. She was an ancient goddess, and she had often seen Nuwa before. Not only had she often seen her, but she was also one of Nuwa's few close friends. So this time, she was just going to Nuwa's Palace to make a show of it; few of the gods in heaven could guess this connection.

Not far from the Lingxiao Palace, Xuan Nu beckoned, and a fire phoenix appeared beside her. She swiftly mounted the phoenix, and it flew towards Nuwa Palace under her guidance.

Passing through countless clouds, it soared upwards until it finally arrived.

As soon as she arrived, before Xuan Nu could even admire the unique clouds surrounding Nuwa Palace, a little girl in white with pigtails approached.

"Sister Xuan Nu, you really came! I thought the Empress was just teasing me!"

the little girl said, winking cutely at Xuan Nu.

"You little imp, daring to speak ill of Sister Nuwa, be careful she punishes you,"

Xuan Nu said, a doting smile appearing on her face as she pinched the little girl's nose.

"No way! The Empress wouldn't bear to punish me. Hehe, Sister Xuan Nu, did you bring me anything delicious this time?"

the little girl asked.

"Qing'er, all you know is food. But I did forget to bring anything this time. I'll make it up to you next time,"

Xuan Nu said with a smile, spreading her hands.

"No, never mind then..."

Qing'er said, her face still showing a hint of dejection.

"Little thing... here, this is for you."

Xuan Nu suddenly produced a strange fruit in her hand.

"Sister Xuan Nu is the best. Even the Empress won't let me eat anything casually."

Qing'er said with a smile.

"Sister Nuwa is only doing this for your own good. With your current cultivation level, how can you just eat anything from Nuwa Palace? Every single one of those fruits is of the highest quality. If you eat them, not only will you not get any help, but it will also be very dangerous."

Xuan Nu said.

"I know, but I really want to grow up quickly! I want to grow up to be like Sister Xuan Nu."

Qing'er looked at Xuan Nu's figure and said with a grin.

"Then just focus on your cultivation!"

Xuan Nu said.

"Hmm... cultivation isn't as fast as eating fruit."

Qing'er winked mischievously. "Oh dear, I can't say anymore. Her Majesty sent me to fetch you. If we delay any longer, Her Majesty will really spank me."

"Now you know fear, you little rascal. Let's go..."

After saying this, Xuan Nu had the fire phoenix stop outside, and she and Qing'er flew into Nuwa Palace on a cloud.

Passing through the huge palace gate, what appeared inside was not the enclosed courtyard of the past, but another world.

Everywhere was peaceful. Many rare birds and beasts were chasing and playing inside. When they saw Xuan Nu, they all ran over. From among these birds and beasts came

cheers : "Sister Xuan Nu!"

"Don't come over, Her Majesty has been waiting for a long time. Wait until Sister Xuan Nu goes in before you talk to her."

Qing'er blocked Xuan Nu's way and said to the birds.

"You guys are really naughty, none of you will transform into human form, you insist on playing in your original form."

Xuan Nu said to the phoenixes.

"Hehe, transforming into human form is not as fun."

A leading blue phoenix spoke up.

"Hehehe, Sister Xuan Nu, don't pay them any mind. They're not what I think. Human form is best."

Qing'er made a face at the birds and pulled Xuan Nu inside.

"Qing'er, you're so naughty..."

came the chirping voices from behind.

"Qing'er isn't naughty at all."

Qing'er turned back and made another face.

They walked through a garden and several corridors. Qing'er led Xuan Nu to a courtyard with the sound of flowing water.

The courtyard was bathed in the glow of seven-colored clouds, and in the center stood a pavilion. To the left of the pavilion was a towering waterfall. Below the waterfall, swirling clouds of mist rose.

Inside the pavilion sat a graceful and dignified woman, dressed in celestial robes and draped in colorful ribbons. The long ribbons danced in the breeze, serene and natural, exuding a sense of contentment.

140

After Duan Yu transcended life and death, he still found himself being watched. However, this time the watcher had changed; it was none other than the Nuwa statue before him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your protection!"

Duan Yu suddenly bowed to the stone statue. As he spoke, the Nuwa statue seemed to be protected by something, radiating brilliant light. The statue suddenly came to life.

"How will you thank me?"

a faint voice echoed.

"Are you the Goddess Nuwa?"

Duan Yu asked tentatively, his heart pounding. Although he now knew that mythology was no longer just mythology, he still couldn't suppress his excitement upon seeing the statue of the Goddess Nuwa speaking to the progenitor of humankind.

"Do you think anyone else would dare to bow down in my Nuwa Temple?"

the ethereal voice replied again.

Duan Yu shook his head. "It seems you truly are Your Majesty. I wonder why Your Majesty has appeared at this time!"

"Why… didn't you consider that I might investigate you when you chose to seek refuge in my temple?"

the Goddess Nuwa said.

"It's not that I didn't think about it, it's that I simply didn't dare to. I knew one thing back then: if there really was a Heavenly Court, then no one would dare to disrespect Goddess Nuwa!"

Duan Yu said honestly.

"With your courage, you wouldn't dare to think about it?"

Goddess Nuwa said.

"Does Your Majesty know me well? Otherwise, how would you know I'm so bold?"

After the initial excitement subsided, Duan Yu returned to his usual roguish manner. "Although I know I'm handsome, I haven't reached the point where Your Majesty would investigate me." "

You're the first person to dare speak to me like that... Aren't you afraid I'll punish you?" Goddess Nuwa said. "Although I don't know why Your Majesty appeared, I know you would never do that! You must have some purpose!" Duan Yu said with a smile. "Is that so?" Goddess Nuwa suddenly unleashed a terrifying aura after speaking. Duan Yu looked at Goddess Nuwa with a serious expression. Duan Yu appeared calm, but his heart was extremely tense. He scolded himself inwardly, why was his mouth so foul? This wasn't just anyone, but the ancient goddess Goddess Nuwa! "You can actually absorb dragon energy; that truly surprises me. This dragon energy is like primordial chaos energy. Although it's not as powerful as primordial chaos energy, the difference isn't huge. Your future is limitless." Nuwa's imposing aura suddenly vanished, uttering words that surprised Duan Yu. "Primordial chaos energy? What's that?" Duan Yu asked. "Primordial chaos energy? You don't even know that? I really don't understand how you cultivated to become an Earth Immortal," Nuwa said. "Primordial chaos energy is the origin of the universe; when heaven and earth were first created, it was originally a state of chaos."

Hearing Nuwa's words, Duan Yu suddenly recalled his own experiences during his fifth Dao, from the beginning of heaven and earth to the birth of the divine dragon. Could all of this be real? Then why was he able to witness such scenes? Duan Yu frowned.

"Was the first thing born after the beginning of heaven and earth the divine dragon?"

Duan Yu asked, raising his head.

"No wonder you can absorb dragon energy. It seems you comprehended the profound mysteries of dragon energy during your enlightenment. You have fully gained the recognition of dragon energy! Several eras have passed, and the inheritance of dragon energy has reappeared. The conflict has started again. You'd better watch yourself!" After

Nuwa finished speaking, a flash of light appeared, and the Nuwa Temple was once again left with only a stone statue.

"Wait!... Wait..."

Duan Yu's pleading voice stopped abruptly. "You just leave like that, without even explaining anything to me. At least teach me a couple of moves!"

Duan Yu said, pouting.

However, from Nuwa's simple words, Duan Yu understood that his absorption of dragon energy really would trigger unusual conflicts.

In the celestial pavilion, Nuwa smiled, shook her head, and turned to look at the side, just in time to see Qing'er leading Xuan Nu towards her.

"Sister Nuwa!"

Xuan Nu greeted her with a smile.

"Come and sit down, Qing'er, you go down first. I have something to say to your sister Xuan Nu,"

Nuwa said, looking at the two.

"Oh~!"

Qing'er reluctantly replied and went down.

Xuan Nu watched Qing'er leave, her expression hardening. "Sister Nuwa..."

"No need to say anything, I know everything. You... you've really gotten yourself into trouble this time,"

Nuwa said, looking at Xuan Nu.

"Get into trouble? What do you mean?"

Xuan Nu asked, sitting down.

"Haven't you realized it yet? You went to the future and, by chance, brought Duan Yu to this time and space. Now he's become an Earth Immortal, his achievements will be limitless. Many things will change because of him,"

Nuwa said.

"I know he became an Earth Immortal, but he's just a minor one. It's not as scary as you make it out to be, sister,"

Xuan Nu said, pouting.

Nuwa shook her head and said, "Then let me ask you, how long did it take him to reach such a level of cultivation?"

Xuan Nu was taken aback and said, "In the human realm, it should be less than two years."

"Less than two years? In less than two years he transcended the Three Realms and the Five Elements. If he were just an ordinary immortal ascending to heaven, it wouldn't be a big deal; it's not uncommon for people to become immortals in two years. But he underwent a soul transformation and transcended the Three Realms. This is not something an ordinary person can do,"

Nuwa said solemnly. "And these are not the main points. The most important thing is that you don't understand the importance of dragon energy."

Xuan Nu nodded and said, "I know. It seems you've already contacted him, sister."

"That's right. Since he achieved the status of an Earth Immortal in my Nuwa Temple, how could I not investigate? This person didn't just absorb dragon energy; he comprehended the dragon energy inherited from ancient times,"

Nuwa said.

"You said he comprehended dragon energy? How is that possible? Even Xuanyuan didn't fully comprehend dragon energy back then. Is he even more powerful than Xuanyuan?"

Xuan Nu said in surprise.

"I don't know either, but from our conversation, I know he has indeed grasped the dragon's energy, or at least come into contact with it. You know, he actually asked me if the first thing born when heaven and earth were created was a divine dragon?"

Nuwa said.

"Then what should I do? If he really has grasped the dragon's energy, doesn't that mean a catastrophe is about to befall the Heavenly Court?" Xuan Nu

adopted a serious demeanor for the first time. As an ancient goddess of justice, Xuan Nu was extremely perceptive when she was serious.

Nuwa shook her head: "Everything is because of you. You can't escape responsibility. Everything in heaven and earth follows the Dao. Since you were able to bring him to this time and space, perhaps it was ordained by heaven. I can't see his destiny either."

141

"Sister, you can't see it either! How could that be!"

Xuan Nu said in shock.

"I really can't see it. After all, he is from the future, and his destiny is inherently elusive. Now that he has absorbed the dragon's energy and become an earth immortal, I can see him even less clearly,"

Nuwa said.

Xuan Nu fell silent. "Then, sister, what do you think I should do this time I descend to the mortal realm?"

Nuwa shook her head and said, "I don't know either. It all depends on you. With the Jade Emperor's personality, to maintain the majesty of the Heavenly Court, he will definitely deal with those who disobey him. Duan Yu will definitely be a thorn in the side of the Jade Emperor!"

"That's right. Right now, the Jade Emperor only said he would investigate, but based on my understanding of Duan Yu, he is not one to obey orders. From the moment he began to doubt the Heavenly Court, he was trying to increase his own strength. In such a short time, he has become an Earth Immortal. I must say that his comprehension and fortune are both very good."

Xuan Nu said.

"The world is in chaos, all things rise and fall. This heaven, this earth, everything is uncertain. A great calamity will befall the world, and how many lives will perish in vain? The calamity of heaven and earth is about to begin again. Xuan Nu, you should take care of yourself."

As Nuwa spoke, her body suddenly disappeared from the pavilion.

Watching Nuwa disappear, Xuan Nu frowned slightly: "Duan Yu, it seems I really underestimated you. Perhaps I should have killed you immediately. Since I didn't kill you then, you'd better live well from now on. I want to see what you'll do. A cataclysmic disaster? You'll be the master of it!"

After resting briefly in the pavilion, Xuan Nu headed towards the corridor. As soon as she stepped out of the corridor, Qing'er skipped and hopped up to her: "Sister Xuan Nu, why did you come out so quickly?"

"Little rascal, Sister Xuan Nu had things to do, of course I came out quickly."

Xuan Nu smiled.

"Have things to do? Uh... Sister Xuan Nu, you also have things to do? Weren't you always so free before?"

Qing'er said in surprise.

"Who said I didn't have things to do? When have you ever seen me free?"

Xuan Nu said.

"I always saw you so free before! Sister Xuan Nu, don't try to fool me."

Qing'er pouted.

"You little rascal, you actually don't believe me."

Xuan Nu pinched Qing'er's delicate nose. "Alright, I really have something to do, I'll play with you next time."

"Oh!"

Qing'er nodded reluctantly. "Then I'll see you off, sister."

"Okay, let's go!" Xuan Nu said, then walked ahead.

"Sister Xuan Nu, you're finally out."

The phoenixes saw Xuan Nu come out and ran over.

"Don't block Sister Xuan Nu, she has something to do."

Qing'er said loudly, hands on her hips.

"You... you're bad, Qing'er!"

the phoenixes said one after another.

"Qing'er isn't bad, I really do have something to do, if you don't believe me, ask me."

Qing'er said.

"Sister Xuan Nu, do you really have something to do?"

a phoenix asked.

"Yes, don't worry, I'll come see you again in a few days,"

Xuan Nu smiled.

"Oh, is that so? Sister Xuan Nu, remember what you said today. You must play with us next time."

"I know,"

Xuan Nu said, looking at the phoenixes with affection.

"See, I told you so! You still don't believe me,"

Qing'er huffed.

"We were wrong, so we apologize,"

the phoenixes said in unison.

"Since you sincerely apologize, I'll be magnanimous and reluctantly accept it,"

Qing'er said with a smile.

Watching Qing'er's antics, Xuan Nu shook her head helplessly. This little girl always bullies the other phoenixes.

After leaving Nuwa Palace, Xuan Nu rode her fire phoenix directly towards the Lingxiao Palace. Xuan Nu's mind was filled with thoughts. "Now that I've descended to the mortal realm, what should I do? If it's really as Sister Nuwa said, and I absolutely cannot touch Duan Yu, then I can only teach him a lesson. Yes! I must teach him a lesson. Let him know what true strength is, otherwise he'll think he's so powerful, always wanting to come to the Heavenly Court to flirt with fairies. Humph, I've never seen such a fickle person before."

Xuan Nu said, her silver teeth twitching. The thought of Duan Yu's fickleness filled her with intense emotion. She couldn't understand what those women were thinking, knowing full well how fickle he was yet still following her. If it were her, she would definitely castrate him.

Xuan Nu's thoughts were extremely vicious, unaware that she had already subtly included herself among Duan Yu's group. Of course, even if she knew, she wouldn't admit it, since she had never actually been in contact with Duan Yu. Love was out of the question.

Arriving at the Lingxiao Palace, Xuan Nu regained her holy and elegant fairy demeanor and slowly walked inside. The generals were surprised to see Xuan Nu return so quickly.

"Mysterious Maiden, you're back. Has everything been settled?"

The Jade Emperor was also slightly surprised.

"Reporting to the Jade Emperor, everything has been settled. According to the Goddess Nuwa, that person was an emperor of the Dali Kingdom named Duan Yu. He absorbed dragon energy and attained enlightenment in the temple of the Goddess Nuwa, becoming an Earth Immortal!"

Mysterious Maiden said softly.

"What did you say? He absorbed the dragon energy of the Song Dynasty! He actually absorbed dragon energy and attained enlightenment! How is that possible! How is that possible?"

The Jade Emperor muttered to himself, his face filled with disbelief.

Not only the Jade Emperor was incredulous, but all the celestial generals who heard this news were also incredulous. They understood very well what dragon energy was. Even these celestial generals who were already Great Luo Golden Immortals dared not rashly absorb dragon energy; dragon energy was absolutely taboo for cultivators.

The Queen Mother was the first to react. Seeing the Jade Emperor's loss of composure, the Queen Mother coughed lightly and tugged at the Jade Emperor's clothes. The Jade Emperor felt the Queen Mother's movement, looked at his ministers, his expression solemn, and gave the Queen Mother a grateful look. For the Jade Emperor of Heaven, such a loss of composure was a great embarrassment.

Fortunately, all the immortals were too shocked to notice his lapse.

"Alright, all immortals, quiet down,"

the Jade Emperor said sternly.

The hall fell silent again upon hearing this.

"Immortals, what do you suggest we do now? Absorbing dragon energy is a matter of great importance. I don't need to explain, you all understand its significance,"

the Jade Emperor said solemnly.

"In my humble opinion, it would be best to offer him amnesty,"

Taibai Jinxing suggested.

"Another amnesty?"

several generals exclaimed in surprise.

"Taibai Jinxing, have you forgotten about Sun Wukong?"

the Thunder God asked.

"Of course I haven't forgotten. That's precisely why I suggest amnesty. Have you all forgotten the Great Sage Equaling Heaven's power? Besides, hasn't he now obediently become the Victorious Fighting Buddha?"

Taibai Jinxing said.

"Taibai! Are you playing dumb or just pretending? Victorious Fighting Buddha! That sounds nice, but let me ask you, is Sun Wukong still one of us?"

Thor said coldly.

"Ahem... Fellow immortals, let's not discuss the matter of the Great Sage Equaling Heaven any further,"

the Jade Emperor coughed, subtly stopping the discussion.

Sun Wukong was a sore spot for the Heavenly Court. They didn't know that Sun Wukong had actually become a sacrifice for the Heavenly Court. The Journey to the West was orchestrated to form an alliance with the Buddha of the West; in essence, it was a script arranged by the Heavenly Court and Mount Ling. In this script, Sun Wukong was a complete tragedy. It was his sacrifice that allowed for the perfect alliance between Mount Ling and the Heavenly Court. The gods of the Heavenly Court had previously avoided mentioning this matter. The Buddha was too powerful; conversations in the Lingxiao Palace couldn't escape his notice. That's why the Jade Emperor coughed to stop the immortals from discussing it further.

All the immortals fell silent, each looking down at their own thoughts.

142

“Jade Emperor, I still think it’s better to offer amnesty. If we choose to eliminate him, who knows what might happen? Since he can absorb dragon energy, he must have some ability,”

said Taibai Jinxing.

“No, Jade Emperor, it’s better to eliminate him. Our Heavenly Court hasn’t made any major moves in recent years. Many demons and monsters are no longer so afraid of our Heavenly Court. So, eliminating Duan Yu is a way for our Heavenly Court to regain its prestige. This way, we can also show those winged birdmen the power of our Heavenly Court,”

said Lei Shen proudly.

“Jade Emperor, we five stars all think it’s better to offer amnesty,”

said the other star lords among the five stars, including Taibai.

“We seven luminaries also think it’s better to offer amnesty,” said Tian Shu . “We also think it’s better to offer amnesty!” Twenty-eight

constellations agreed. “Hmph, we four departments of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning all think it’s better to eliminate him,” said Lei Shen, looking at Taibai Jinxing and the others. “I agree with Thor! Eliminating him is best; our Heavenly Court hasn't had a proper battle in a long time,” the God of Fire said. The entire hall suddenly split into three factions: one advocating war, one advocating surrender, and one remaining neutral. Zhang Tianshi and Li Jing remained silent. “Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, tell me, should we surrender or eliminate him?” the Jade Emperor suddenly asked, looking at Li Jing. “This humble immortal doesn't know either! But I will follow Your Majesty's orders,” Li Jing said, bowing and passing the buck back to the Jade Emperor. “Oh… then Nezha, tell me, should we send someone to eliminate Duan Yu, or should we send someone to offer him amnesty?” the Jade Emperor smiled, looking at Nezha. At this, the group of immortals who had initially advocated surrender understood the Jade Emperor's thoughts. It seemed the Jade Emperor was also in favor of war.

Nezha and Li Jing were already at odds, and the Jade Emperor only asked Li Jing before asking Nezha, which clearly indicated something.

"Nezha doesn't know,"

Nezha replied.

"Oh? Don't you have your own ideas, Nezha?"

the Jade Emperor asked curiously.

"Do Nezha's ideas matter to the Jade Emperor?"

Nezha countered.

A glint flashed in the Jade Emperor's eyes, and he chuckled, "Hehe, how could I not listen to the Third Prince? In my Lingxiao Palace, Nezha, your combat power is absolutely top-tier in the entire Heavenly Court. I, the Jade Emperor, will absolutely listen to your words, Nezha."

"Is that so?"

Nezha simply smiled but didn't answer. Nezha was naturally righteous and loved making friends. He had the most friends in the Heavenly Court. The celestial generals were also willing to associate with Nezha.

Because of Nezha's loyal and trustworthy character, all the immortals in the Heavenly Court liked him.

"Yang Jian, what do you think we should do?"

the Jade Emperor asked Yang Jian, the God of Justice.

"Given the majesty of the Heavenly Court, eliminating this person is the best course of action. Since he has absorbed dragon energy, he is definitely a bad influence on the Heavenly Court,"

Yang Jian said calmly.

Nezha coldly stared at Yang Jian. Nezha felt his second brother was drifting further and further away. The carefree and generous second brother was gone, replaced by a cold-faced man who only obeyed the Heavenly Rules.

"Hmph!"

Nezha snorted coldly. He glanced at Erlang Shen and then turned his head away.

"Alright, then let's do as the God of Justice says and eliminate this person. Now, who is willing to descend to the mortal realm to capture him?"

the Jade Emperor said, surveying the crowd. "

The Thunder God is willing to descend to the mortal realm to capture this person,"

the Thunder God stepped forward and said proudly.

"Since you, Thunder God, are willing to accept the order first, then I, the Thunder God, will send you to the mortal realm to capture this person,"

the Jade Emperor said loudly.

"As you command,"

the Thunder God replied.

"Jade Emperor, now that everything has been settled, may I now fulfill the vacation you promised me?"

Xuan Nu asked softly.

"Of course, this time it's all thanks to your intelligence, Xuan Nu. From now on, you can descend to the mortal realm for a few days of travel,"

the Jade Emperor said with a smile.

"Then, Xuan Nu will take her leave,"

Xuan Nu said with a slight bow.

Watching Xuan Nu slowly depart, the immortals of Heaven were all envious.

Xuan Nu was an ancient goddess, even older than the Jade Emperor. Although Xuan Nu obeyed the Jade Emperor, she wasn't as subservient as other divine generals. Even the Jade Emperor didn't dare to ask Xuan Nu to do too

many things. Xuan Nu knew many reclusive ancient gods, and if she were truly made a subject, it would be no small matter. That's why the Jade Emperor took special care of Xuan Nu. As long as it wasn't too much, he would grant her requests.

**In the mortal realm, Duan Yu had already left the Nuwa Temple. At this time, his strength had greatly increased, and he had also acquired many new abilities. The Daoist teachings he retrieved from the Empress were not just for show.

According to Daoist texts, "There are three vehicles of Dharma, and five ranks of immortals," namely: Celestial Immortals, Divine Immortals, Earthly Immortals, Human Immortals, and Ghost Immortals. He was currently at most an Earthly Immortal. Above him were two higher ranks.

Duan Yu knew he needed to increase his strength as quickly as possible. If things didn't go as planned, Duan Yu knew the Heavenly Court was probably already plotting against him.

Having watched countless episodes of Heavenly Court dramas, Duan Yu understood their tactics perfectly: either offer amnesty or eliminate. Given his absorption of dragon energy, amnesty was out of the question; elimination was the obvious choice. With

a bitter smile, Duan Yu flew towards Shaolin Temple. With a mere thought, he appeared outside the temple. This was an ability he had automatically grasped after his enlightenment: instantaneous teleportation. He could instantly reach any place his divine sense could scan.

However, this instantaneous teleportation consumed a tremendous amount of immortal energy!

Duan Yu's purpose in coming to Shaolin Temple was simple: first, there were countless Buddhist scriptures here; second, there was a beautiful woman like Li Canghai.

Buddhist scriptures were exactly what Duan Yu needed. His Niwan Palace, having formed the Divine Dragon Relic, already possessed Buddhist aura, so naturally, Duan Yu wanted to further comprehend its profound mysteries.

After a period of enlightenment, Duan Yu discovered he was now very curious about both Taoist and Buddhist teachings. He now had a strong interest in these books that he had previously found abstract.

Upon entering Shaolin Temple, Duan Yu sensed a strong Buddhist aura. He also discovered a considerable power—a power that had actually broken through to the Golden Core stage. This greatly surprised Duan Yu. A sweep of his divine sense revealed a smile! His smile was very strange, because he suddenly discovered something very interesting. He hadn't expected the source of this power to be her!

Although the person was currently dressed as a bald old man, with Duan Yu's current divine sense, he clearly knew that the person was Li Canghai. He hadn't realized that the online evidence from his previous life was true. Li Canghai was actually inside the Shaolin Temple.

"It is said that Mr. Jin Yong devoted half his life to writing a remarkable book called *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*. The plot is full of twists and turns, with vivid and compelling characters; the characters are deeply emotional and distinct; the structure is grand; it is a masterpiece of martial arts novels. The admiration for this novel is like a surging river, endless; like the Lushan Waterfall cascading down three thousand feet, seemingly the Milky Way falling from the ninth heaven; like the Yellow River flowing from the sky, rushing to the sea never to return; like the Yangtze River bursting its banks, with hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians fighting the flood…

*Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils* is indeed a remarkable book, but it leaves us with too many questions and speculations, such as: who exactly was the nameless old monk of Shaolin? What was his connection with the Xiaoyao Sect? Wuyazi …" Is Li Qiushui's beloved younger sister alive or dead? If alive, where is she? If dead, where will she be buried? Although Rodin said that imperfection is also a kind of beauty, these questions always attract me to think, to imagine, and to associate. After all, there's a saying that goes, what would the world be like if we lost our imagination? Ahem, I've digressed again.

So, is Li Qiushui's younger sister alive or dead? First, let's deduce the ages of Wu Yazi, Li Qiushui, Tong Lao, and Qiushui's younger sister. Wu Yazi is 93 years old when he appears, and Tong Lao is 96 years old. Tong Lao once said, "I am your master Wu Yazi's senior sister. If Wu Yazi hadn't died, he would be 93 years old this year. I am three years older than him, so wouldn't I be 96 years old?"

"That's right, I'm the one who scarred her face. I... I achieved success in my cultivation, and at the age of 26, I could have grown up and become no different from ordinary people, but she secretly framed me, causing me to go mad. Tell me, shouldn't this deep-seated hatred be avenged?" Regarding Li Qiushui

, the book states: Although Li Qiushui is younger than Tonglao and Wuyazi, she is still an old woman in her seventies or eighties.

Since Li Qiushui was competing with Tonglao, she should have been around 17 years old when Tonglao was 26. At that time, Wuyazi was 23, and Li Qiushui's younger sister was less than 11 years old, because the book says: "Moreover...moreover, when my senior sister and I were competing, my little sister was only eleven years old."

Thus, Li Qiushui should have been around 88 years old when she appeared, and her younger sister, if alive, would have been around 82. So when did Wuyazi and Li Qiushui part ways? Wang Mengluo is described as follows: "However, this woman was a middle-aged beauty, not yet forty years old, but the jade statue in the cave was an eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl."

Thus, Li Qiushui was 48 years old, Wuyazi was 54 years old, and Madam Wang was born. That year, Li Qiushui's younger sister was around 41 years old, and she made a major decision that had a significant impact on deducing the true identity of Li Qiushui's younger sister in Tianlong.

This all began with the Boundless Jade Wall. When the Romeo and Juliet of the two sects of Sword Lake Palace met during the Song Dynasty, Gan Guanghao said, "We're family now, how could I hide anything from you? My master said that many years ago, when my great-grandfather was the head of the Eastern Sect, he often saw figures dancing with swords on the wall on moonlit nights. Sometimes it was a man, sometimes a woman, and sometimes a man and a woman wielding swords against each other, striking and thrusting."

The woman (Junior Sister Ge) said, "My master said that my great-grandfather also saw these sword shadows on the wall, but later he only saw a woman wielding a sword; the male swordsman disappeared."

For thirty-five years, the Eastern and Western sects had fought each other. The Eastern Sect won four times, and the Western Sect won twice.

After my great-grandfather passed away, all the disciples burned incense and prayed before the Jade Wall every night, hoping that the swordsman's image would reappear, but they never saw it again. My master only hoped to see it again, but in the past ten years, he lost two sword duels to your Eastern Sect. "

Gan Guanghao said that the Eastern Sect Grandmaster saw Wuyazi and Li Qiushui practicing swordsmanship on Sword Lake using the Lingbo Weibu technique. However, Ge Shimei said that the Western Sect Grandmaster later saw only one woman practicing swordsmanship. These two Grandmasters saw scenes from 40 to 45 years ago and 30 to 35 years ago, respectively. During the period 35 to 40 years ago, the Northern Sect occupied Sword Lake Palace, which confirms our previous deduction. Therefore, we can deduce when Wuyazi left Wuliang Mountain. We can also look at Duan Yu's adventure at the bottom of the valley:

firstly, the construction of such a strange underground palace at the bottom of the lake, combined with our previous deductions, proves that Wuyazi and Li..." Qiu Shui had lived here for at least 20 years. Furthermore, what Duan Yu saw:

Turning around, he saw a stone table in the room with a stool in front of it. A bronze mirror sat on the table, and beside it were combs and hairpins, indicating it was a woman's quarters. The bronze mirror was covered in verdigris, and the table was covered in dust, suggesting that no one had been here for many years. This shows that after Li Qiu Shui and Wu Ya Zi left, no one had lived here for an extended period, but someone had visited, or perhaps stayed for a short time. Duan Yu saw the following about the Xiaoyao Sect's martial arts manual: This silk package was about a foot long, with several lines of fine writing on the white silk: "Since you have kowtowed a thousand times, you should serve me without regret for the rest of your life. This scroll contains the essence of my Xiaoyao Sect's martial arts. You must diligently practice it three times a day, at dawn, noon, and dusk. If you are even slightly negligent, I will frown and feel heartbroken." "Once you have mastered the divine skill, you may go to the blessed land of Langhuan (the character '扌' is a variant of '女') to read all kinds of classic texts. The martial arts techniques of all schools in the world are gathered there, and all of them will be at your disposal. Strive hard, strive hard, and after you have mastered it, descend the mountain and kill all the disciples of the Xiaoyao Sect for me. If there is even one I have overlooked, I will regret it forever, both in heaven

and on earth." This passage indicates that the secret manual was placed there by Wu Yazi after he was killed by Ding Chunqiu, and that it was placed there by Li Qiushui's sister. Why? Don't forget that the Northern Sea Divine Skill and the Lingbo Steps were placed in a futon, and to retrieve them, one had to kowtow a thousand times to the jade statue

. Wu Yazi was about 63 years old when he was killed, because he once told Xuzhu: The old man sighed and said, "Back then, this traitorous disciple suddenly attacked and threw me into a deep valley. I almost lost my life at his hands. Fortunately, my eldest disciple, Su Xinghe, pretended to be deaf and mute, deceiving the traitorous disciple, and I was able to survive for another thirty years." "

When Wu Yazi was murdered, Lady Wang was 10 years old. From Lady Wang's birth until Wu Yazi's death, a period of ten years, Wu Yazi and Wang Mengluo's mother gradually grew distant. Li Qiushui once said: '

Back then, your master and I lived in a stone cave by the Sword Lake in Wuliang Mountain, Dali, enjoying a carefree life, better than immortals. We collected martial arts manuals from all schools and sects, hoping to create a unique and all-encompassing skill. One day, he found a huge piece of beautiful jade in the mountains and carved a portrait of me. After it was finished, he would stare at the jade statue all day, lost in thought, and from then on, he rarely paid attention to me.

Normally, Li Qiushui would feel disgusted by the jade statue and want to smash it, because Wu Yazi's daily facing of the jade statue was the trigger for their estrangement. Therefore, the manual in the prayer mat was put there by Li Qiushui's sister. She naturally knew that the jade statue Wu Yazi carved was not her sister, but herself.'" This is why there's the saying "bowing a thousand times." This passage also suggests that Wu Yazi might not have seen Li Qiushui's sister again after Lady Wang's birth; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so troubled by the stone statue every day. Li Qiushui's sister did indeed hide after Lady Wang's birth. But why didn't Li Qiushui's sister avenge Wu Yazi herself? This question is also an important clue to inferring her identity. Furthermore, there's a "Precious Chess Game" at the bottom of the valley. The original text describes it as: "This game of chess was incredibly complex, resembling what chess players call a 'Precious Chess Game,' a game of 'knock within a knock,' with both shared life and immortality… I lit a candle to look at it again, and only felt dizzy and nauseous."

This indicates that Li Qiushui's younger sister might have lived in the cave for some time. The person Wu Yazi asked Xuzhu to find was indeed Li Qiushui. Wu Yazi believed Li Qiushui had always lived in the Wuliang Mountain cave, but he didn't know that after being disfigured by the Child Granny, Li Qiushui had entered the Western Xia palace. That's why he instructed Xuzhu: "She saw..." "Your appearance is not good, so he probably won't teach you. You'll have to beg him for my sake..."

After Li Qiushui left Wuliang Mountain, sword dancing was rarely seen at Wuliang Jade Wall anymore, because no one lived permanently in the valley anymore. Li Qiushui's younger sister would occasionally return for a few days, and her sword dancing would sometimes be seen by people from Sword Lake Palace, but this was extremely rare, as she wasn't a permanent resident.

At this point, the life experiences of several masters from the Free and Unfettered Sect are basically revealed, and we can also deduce some basic characteristics of Li Qiushui's younger sister. First, she must have disguised herself and lived in a place unknown to others, or somewhere no one would expect her to be; otherwise, it would have been very difficult to escape Wu Yazi's search. From the time Wu Yazi left Wuliang Mountain until he was assassinated by Ding Chunqiu, Wu Yazi probably didn't give up trying to find his younger sister, but this effort was clearly futile, because his younger sister was very well hidden. Secondly, Li Qiushui's younger sister should be around 80 years old when she appears in *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*. Thirdly, she must have experienced significant hardship and upheaval approximately 40 years prior, around the time of Lady Wang's birth. Finally, she must have many secrets and must employ special methods to protect them. As for her residence, it must be governed by strict rules she cannot ignore; otherwise, she could have easily gone out to confront Ding Chunqiu without resorting to such elaborate methods as leaving a secret manual in the meditation cushion. Furthermore, her martial arts skills must be exceptionally advanced, possessing a foundation in the Xiaoyao Sect.

With these premises, we can sift through the many characters in *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*, making bold assumptions and carefully verifying them. The only one who fits all these criteria is the nameless old monk of Shaolin.

Firstly, regarding the timeline, the nameless old monk himself admitted: "I don't know if it's forty-two years or forty-three years." "

If we factor in the 1-2 year discrepancy in our calculations, and the time it took for the three great heroes, Qiao, Duan, and Xu, to roam the martial world, the time the nameless old monk entered Shaolin coincides with the birth of Madam Wang and the time when Li Qiushui's younger sister went into seclusion to escape Wuyazi. If Qiushui's younger sister had become a nun, Wuyazi would probably have found her long ago. Therefore, even someone as clever as Wuyazi would hardly have guessed that she disguised herself as a man and infiltrated Shaolin.

Secondly, regarding martial arts, many people have noticed the nameless monk's familiarity with the Lesser Formless Skill. In addition, her explanation of Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo's internal energy injuries clearly bears the shadow of the Northern Sea Divine Skill. Her explanation of Buddhism and internal energy cultivation is precisely a method to counteract the inability to recover internal energy after the Northern Sea Divine Skill absorbs it. It is evident that she also practiced the Northern Sea Divine Skill in her youth, and only by practicing Buddhism at Shaolin did she resolve the harm caused by the Northern Sea Divine Skill. With such familiarity with the Xiaoyao Sect, coupled with the age deduction, the nameless monk of Shaolin and Li Qiushui's younger sister are completely..." That matches.

Two other points also strongly suggest that the Nameless Monk was indeed a woman disguised as a man. First, her invincible aura barrier, which I believe left a deep impression on everyone, but upon closer examination, given her martial arts skills and agility, what purpose would this aura barrier serve? With her martial arts prowess, no one could harm her; using an aura barrier for self-defense would be completely redundant. Was she deliberately showing off? No, while the Nameless Monk's martial arts were indeed invincible, even if you can guarantee victory against a master, it's hard to guarantee that the enemy won't encounter you! To avoid revealing her true identity as a woman disguised as a man, cultivating an aura barrier is perfectly normal. Secondly, given the Nameless Monk's high level of martial arts, why did she end up so miserable, sweeping floors? Why didn't she become the abbot? Besides reasons related to her own will, being a woman limited her development within Shaolin. Sweeping floors kept her identity unknown, avoiding the possibility of her true gender being exposed. Furthermore, having studied martial arts classics extensively on Wuliang Mountain, being assigned to the Sutra Repository was indeed the best choice. As for her disguise skills, there should be no doubt about that!

Then there's the matter of her occasional trips to Wuliang Mountain to reminisce. So, while she was away, the Shaolin Temple experienced the abbot having a son, and the heinous incident of the stolen Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic) occurred. Fortunately, she wasn't originally from Shaolin, so she wasn't subject to the temple rules or her conscience for these mistakes. However, being a member of Shaolin, she still had to abide by the precept against killing, so she couldn't leave the mountain to personally kill Ding Chunqiu. She left some secret manuals in the Wuliang Mountain cave, waiting for fools like Duan Yu to discover them!

Duan Yu had previously only smiled slightly when he saw this kind of argument, but now, truly sensing the aura of the bald old man, Duan Yu was certain that Li Canghai was indeed the Sweeper Monk. Because only the Sweeper Monk could possess such powerful strength as the old monk sweeping the floor in the Sutra Repository. However, things had changed somewhat. Duan Yu had previously thought Wang Mengluo was Li Qiushui's daughter, but he never imagined that Li Qiushui and the others were actually three sisters! However, Wang Mengluo was indeed Wuyazi's daughter, but born to his third sister.

143

With a swift movement, Duan Yu's figure vanished outside Shaolin Temple. When he reappeared, he was already inside the temple's most important area—the Sutra Repository.

Gazing at the endless scrolls of scriptures, Duan Yu moved slowly, casually picking up a book and glancing at it. He discovered that his memory was now even stronger than before; the Buddhist scriptures seemed to be scanned by a scanner, all the words and classic texts automatically merging into his mind. The Buddha is the Tao!

Buddhist teachings evolved from the Tao, and each short passage and allusion represented a Tao for Duan Yu.

While Duan Yu was briefly immersed in this Taoist understanding, a few bookshelves away, an old monk was lightly sweeping the floor. He didn't sense anything amiss, sweeping gently—for him, sweeping was... Sweeping the floor is a kind of enjoyment; if you look closely, you'll find that his sweeping method reflects an understanding of the Tao. This old monk is no ordinary person either. He is none other than the sweeping monk from *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*, and also our beautiful Li Canghai.

After sweeping several bookshelves, she froze, staring incredulously at a figure beside them. She couldn't believe anyone could evade her detection. Who was it? She was shocked; years of meditation suddenly stirred. Her heart couldn't maintain its composure. If it were just an ordinary person standing there, she wouldn't be surprised. What surprised her was that the person before her revealed the state of being she had always aspired to reach—the state of "supreme goodness is like water."

At this moment, Duan Yu had completely merged with all the scriptures present; he seemed as if he had always been there. He didn't seem out of place at all.

"The state of 'supreme goodness is like water'! Who are you?" "

Li Canghai's aged voice rang out.

Duan Yu seemed to have just woken from a dream. He stretched and turned to look at Li Canghai's current appearance. She wore a loose monk's robe, had a white beard, even her eyebrows had streaks of white, and a completely bald head that shone brightly. Looking at this face, Duan Yu sighed slightly. If he didn't know that this person was originally a great beauty, anyone looking at this face would think that this person was a master who had achieved success in Buddhist cultivation.

"The highest good is like water. You also know the highest good is like water. Your Golden Core cultivation is not bad!"

Duan Yu said with a smile.

Li Canghai's pupils shrank. She had never felt so oppressed. At this moment, her heart was in turmoil.

"Your heart is in turmoil. After so many years of cultivating Buddhism, can't you still maintain a calm mind? You are attached to appearances."

Duan Yu's gentle voice rang out. "

Amitabha, Buddha is merciful. This humble monk thanks you, benefactor." "

Li Canghai chanted a Buddhist prayer, clasped his hands in a Buddhist salute, and said.

Seeing Li Canghai's actions, Duan Yu smiled inwardly. He was laughing wildly, though his face remained expressionless, devoid of any genuine joy.

"We are both on the path of enlightenment, why speak of gratitude? It is my abrupt visit that has surprised you, Master,"

Duan Yu said.

"Your cultivation is far beyond my comprehension. May I ask your name?"

Li Canghai stammered.

"In this mortal world, a name is merely a label, it doesn't matter. However, you can call me Xiaoyao,"

Duan Yu continued, maintaining his charlatan persona. Xiaoyao was indeed Duan Yu's name, as he was originally known as Emperor Xiaoyao.

"Xiaoyao? Your realm seems far superior to mine,"

Li Canghai said.

"Is my realm superior? I don't think so. Your realm seems to have reached the critical point long ago, but do you know why you haven't broken through?"

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"This humble monk does not know?" "Could you please answer this humble monk's question, benefactor?"

A hint of surprise and anticipation appeared on Li Canghai's face.

Duan Yu shook his head and said, "All of this originated from you. Your heart seems as still as water, but is it truly still? You haven't seen your true self."

"True self? The true self is without form, without illusion, without extinction. What is my true self? I've never understood what my true self is,"

Li Canghai stammered.

"No, you know!"

Duan Yu said firmly.

"My heart is turned towards Buddha, Buddha is my home. In this vast and chaotic world, namelessness is my true self. In this mundane world, only by merging my heart with Buddha can I find true bliss,"

Li Canghai said.

"Pfft!..."

Duan Yu suddenly burst into laughter. "I don't know what Buddha is, and I don't care about any kind of bliss. For me, freedom is the true path!" To achieve harmony with the nature of heaven and earth, to master the changes of the six energies, and to roam freely in the boundless realms, one must seek one's true self, not place one's heart on the so-called Buddha.

Moreover, I don't believe you think that way. If you truly thought that way, how could you have reached the Golden Core realm?

You have no such absolute attachment.

Buddha… laughable! Do you truly believe in Buddha? That sincere faith has never manifested in you.”

Li Canghai’s cloudy eyes flashed with a sharp light. “What are you saying? This humble monk doesn’t understand!”

“You really don’t understand, Senior Sister Canghai!”

Duan Yu said with a smile.

“Senior Sister Canghai? Benefactor, what are you saying? I don’t understand at all.”

Li Canghai said.

“With your cultivation, Senior Sister, why are you confined to Shaolin Temple? Don’t you plan to return to the Free and Unfettered Sect?”

Duan Yu said.

“Amitabha, benefactor, you’ve mistaken me for someone else. This old monk is a man.”

Li Canghai said.

“A man?” Duan Yu shook his head and said, "

Although I can't see your true face hidden beneath your appearance, I can be certain that you are a woman, and that you are my Fourth Senior Sister of the Xiaoyao Sect!"

"Who exactly are you?"

Li Canghai frowned and suddenly said in a cold voice. After speaking, an extremely powerful aura erupted from her body. The entire Scripture Pavilion was suddenly covered by the aura.

At this moment, Li Canghai's expression was one of horror, constantly shifting as her body was enveloped by an extremely powerful aura. Her true energy even stagnated under the suppression of this aura. Suddenly, her face began to change; her white beard and eyebrows vanished, and her aged face began to contort. Her bald head disappeared, replaced by a profusion of black hair. Her entire face underwent astonishing transformation; as the hair grew, her facial contortions corrected, and then a stunningly beautiful face appeared before Duan Yu. "Isn't this face beautiful? Why do you hide it every day, Senior Sister?" Duan Yu said with a wicked smile. "Let me go!" Li Canghai shouted, her delicate brows furrowed
.

"

No

!

"

Duan

Yu said cheekily.

"You shameless… Even if you are my junior brother, is this how you treat your senior sister? Not only are you disrespectful, but you also made indecent advances towards me,"

Li Canghai said.

"Flirtatious! Senior Sister, you still know what frivolous means? I thought you'd completely forgotten your girlish nature after all these years in Shaolin,"

Duan Yu said.

Upon hearing this, Li Canghai's right foot flashed with light, and she suddenly thrust forward violently towards Duan Yu's lower body.

Duan Yu spun around, pulling Li Canghai up and dodging the attack. He then grabbed her hands, pulling her face forward into his arms, and said with a wicked grin, "Senior Sister, how can you be so heartless? What if I were crippled? How can you face your sisters like this? Do you want them to live as widows?"

Li Canghai was shocked: "What do you mean? If you were crippled, what would it have to do with my sisters?"

"They are all my women now. Do you think it wouldn't concern them if I were crippled?"

Duan Yu said.

"Impossible! How could they be your women? I know perfectly well how much they love Senior Brother Wuyazi. You, a lecherous rogue, think you can win my sisters' hearts? You're delusional!"

Li Canghai said.

"Haven't you heard the saying, 'Women love bad boys'? Yes, I admit they were infatuated with Senior Brother Wuyazi before, but that's all in the past. Now, they only love me,"

Duan Yu said.

"Is that really true? How could they be so fickle? Is love so unreliable?"

Li Canghai said.

"You've cultivated Buddhism for so many years, yet your heart hasn't been corrupted at all. Love isn't simply proven with words. When true love comes, you can't just refuse it. Love is about fighting for it. If you don't even have the heart to love, how can you talk about loving?"

Duan Yu said.

As the two exchanged blows, the scrolling scriptures didn't fall at all. Just then, Abbot Xuanci of Shaolin Temple and others finally arrived at the Sutra Repository. All those who arrived were absolute masters of Shaolin Temple. All the abbots of Shaolin Temple had arrived. The eighteen golden-bodied Arhats, representing Shaolin, stood outside the Sutra Repository, holding wooden staffs and coldly observing, awaiting Abbot Xuanci's command before rushing in.

"Amitabha, this old monk is Xuanci of Shaolin. I wonder which two benefactors have dared to trespass into my Shaolin Sutra Repository? Please come

out and meet me," Xuanci said loudly, his hands clasped together in a Buddhist verse. His voice, like a lion's roar, echoed throughout Shaolin. Xuanci displayed an extremely skillful Buddhist lion's roar.

The Shaolin disciples, hearing such a powerful roar, were all shocked, filled with reverence for their Shaolin leader. Those lay disciples who had recently joined Shaolin were now even more determined to continue.

Hearing Xuanci's voice, Duan Yu smiled; he was currently embracing Li Canghai in an ambiguous manner. Li Canghai's back was completely against his chest, Duan Yu's legs were wrapped around Li Canghai's legs, and her hands were also held by Duan Yu. The two were practically whispering sweet nothings.

At this moment, Duan Yu could clearly feel the perfect body hidden under Li Canghai's monk's robe. His dragon was stimulated and stood erect, pressing tightly against Li Canghai's shapely buttocks.

As time passed, Li Canghai's cheeks flushed red, and she twisted against Duan Yu's body in shame and indignation. The more she twisted, the more comfortable Duan Yu felt.

"Let me go!"

Li Canghai said anxiously.

"Let you go, let you go for what? Do you want to stay here any longer, to continue being a fake monk? You may be willing, but I don't. Now that I am the leader of the Free and Unfettered Sect, you must abide by the sect's rules and come back with me."

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"The rules of the Free and Unfettered Sect? When has our Free and Unfettered Sect ever had such rules? Who said that disciples of the Free and Unfettered Sect are not allowed to stay in other sects?"

Li Canghai said coldly.

"Who said that? Of course, I said it! Since I am the sect leader, I naturally have the right to make sect rules. Senior Sister, you had better come back with me obediently, otherwise don't blame me for using my power. If that happens, then I will have to seal all your skills."

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"You..."

Li Canghai said coldly. In just a brief exchange, Li Canghai had already felt the huge gap in skill. She couldn't even withstand a single move from Duan Yu. After such a brief period of being restrained, Li Canghai fell silent.

"So, Senior Sister, are you willing to come back with me..."

Duan Yu asked again.

"Since Senior Sister doesn't speak, then I will take it as your consent."

After Duan Yu finished speaking, he released Li Canghai's hand with his left hand, put his right arm around her waist, and waved his left hand, causing all the scriptures to automatically open. Duan Yu's gaze was fixed intently on all the scriptures. The sight of tens of thousands of scriptures turning simultaneously was truly magnificent.

Duan Yu's divine sense rapidly swept across these scriptures; such absorption of knowledge was astonishing.

"May Buddha have mercy! Who is this master inside? Please show yourself..."

Xuan Ci spoke again after a long silence.

"Hehehe... Xuan Ci, you'd better wait outside a little longer. If you rashly come in, don't blame me for being impolite." Duan

Yu's calm voice carried on. The voice was faint, yet everyone outside heard it clearly. It was as if the sound had directly pierced their eardrums.

Xuan Ci and the other leaders of the Bodhidharma Hall exchanged a startled glance, their eyes flashing.

"Senior brother, the other party is so aggressive. What should we do? Should we really wait outside? If this gets out into the martial world, the reputation of Shaolin will be severely damaged,"

the Bodhidharma Hall leader said seriously.

"Please show yourself!"

Xuan Ci once again used the Buddhist Lion's Roar. The sound was like a thunderclap, lingering for a long time.

"Hmph!"

A cold snort came from inside the Scripture Pavilion. Xuan Ci and the others were struck dumb, their faces turning deathly pale. Xuan Ci coughed up a mouthful of blood. They stared in horror at the Scripture Pavilion. With just a cold snort, Abbot Xuan Ci had been injured.

"This is a warning. If you dare to shout and yell outside again, I won't hesitate to raze this place to the ground today."

Duan Yu's cold voice rang out again.

Xuan Ci and the others exchanged glances, their expressions shifting, unsure what to do. From the slight display of strength this man had shown, it was clear he could easily defeat them.

"Step back! Everyone, step back five hundred meters!"

Xuan Ci suddenly ordered, scanning the surrounding abbots.

"Abbot..."

The abbots' expressions changed drastically.

Xuan Ci shook his head. "Step back! For the survival of Shaolin Temple, today is not the time for rash actions. I, Xuan Ci, have failed the predecessors of Shaolin. All of you, step back."

Hearing Xuan Ci's words, the abbots sighed inwardly. If this incident were to spread, Shaolin Temple's centuries-old reputation would be ruined.

"Senior brother, for the sake of Shaolin Temple's reputation, I will not retreat. Even if I die in battle, I will fight to the death!"

The abbot of the Bodhidharma Hall stepped forward and said. "What is there to fear in death? If we just let things continue like this, what difference is there between us and the destruction of Shaolin Temple?"

"Yes! We also choose to fight. At worst, we'll just convert to Buddhism."

The head of the Arhat Hall stepped forward and said. Then one after another, the heads of the halls expressed their stance.

"We swear to live and die with Shaolin."

The heads of the halls echoed each other.

146

"Xuan Nan, Xuan Ku, Xuan Tong... you all step back. Do you even respect me as the abbot?"

Xuan Ci said sternly.

"Senior brother, you don't need to say anything more. Now that Shaolin has sent such a master, this mistake cannot be borne by you alone."

The head of the Bodhidharma Hall said.

At this time, in the Sutra Repository, Duan Yu was finishing his reading. Tens of thousands of books flashed by in his eyes, constantly being organized in his mind. Not only Buddhist scriptures, but also Shaolin martial arts. All kinds of martial arts moves were entering his mind.

A sudden realization dawned on Duan Yu's mind. When the Dao merges, all martial arts techniques ultimately lead to the same goal. No wonder the Formless Divine Skill could mimic all martial arts techniques; so that's how it is. Buddhism and Taoism are one family; how laughable is Buddhism…

The Seventy-Two Shaolin Arts merged with the Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand of the Free and Unfettered Sect, and a martial art of Duan Yu's own took shape in his mind once more. The Arhat's Golden Body? He didn't have that, but he had the body of a divine dragon. At this moment, Duan Yu suddenly resonated with the divine dragon in his Niwan Palace. He felt a tendency to transform into a divine dragon.

"Roar!" A

dragon-like roar erupted from Duan Yu's mouth.

"Boom boom boom boom…"

A surging, invisible aura burst forth, turning all the rare Buddhist scriptures to ashes in an instant, and the Sutra Repository exploded. All the Shaolin monks who were around the Sutra Repository and couldn't retreat in time were thrown back.

The ground within a radius of several miles trembled violently, and an invisible shockwave spread outwards, shaking even Mount Shaoshi.

Residents around Mount Shaoshi stared in shock at its summit. Those who sensed something amiss immediately fled to other areas. To them, this tremor was a harbinger of an impending earthquake.

"Boom boom boom..."

Explosions echoed continuously.

A man in black and a man in gray arrived outside the Sutra Repository. They were immediately thrown back by the shockwave, both landing on the ground, spitting out blood. They exchanged a glance.

"It's you..."

they both said simultaneously.

"Having studied at Shaolin Temple for so many years, this is the first time we've met,"

the man in gray said.

"I've known of your existence for a long time and have always wanted to spar with you. I never expected to meet you under these circumstances,"

the man in black said.

Xuan Ci and the others were also shocked to see the suddenly appearing men in black and gray.

"Amitabha Buddha, my esteemed Shaolin Temple has actually hidden such a figure. I, Xuanci, am ashamed..."

Xuanci recited a Buddhist verse.

As soon as Xuanci finished speaking, the eighteen Arhats beside him surrounded the gray-robed and black-robed men.

Li Canghai also stared at Duan Yu in shock. She was now the one who could best sense Duan Yu's transformation; the intensity was astonishing. She was also the one most deeply affected, as the power of the Divine Dragon Relic enveloped her first. She could deeply feel Duan Yu's strength, a strength that shook her soul.

However, she also gained something, for she gleaned insights into the path she would take from Duan Yu's aura! She felt a breakthrough once more.

The ashes vanished, all the dust settled, and Duan Yu and Li Canghai appeared before Xuanci and the others. Seeing the two embracing intimately, Xuanci and the others almost instinctively turned their heads away, offering apologies. However, at the same time, their eyes held murderous intent. The Scripture Pavilion, the sacred site of Shaolin, the Scripture Pavilion, had been destroyed just like that. This was a huge blow to them.

While they were furious, they were also astonished, because Li Canghai was wearing their Shaolin monk's robes.

"Amitabha, benefactor, who are you? Why have you come to our peaceful Shaolin Temple to cause trouble, destroying our Scripture Pavilion? What is your intention?"

Xuan Ci said, his eyes blazing.

"Who am I? I am Xiaoyao! I can only apologize for destroying your Scripture Pavilion; it wasn't something I could control,"

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"You…"

The head of the Discipline Hall snorted coldly, a murderous aura surging within him.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm telling the truth. I didn't deliberately damage your Scripture Pavilion,"

Duan Yu said. After speaking, Duan Yu put his arm around Li Canghai and walked towards the men in black and gray.

"Let go of me!"

Li Canghai whispered coldly.

"Senior sister, can't you just cooperate with me? If you cooperate, I'll teach you the art of invisibility later,"

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"Invisibility? Are you serious? You can become invisible..."

Li Canghai asked curiously.

"That depends on whether you believe it or not, but no matter what, I won't let go of you, Senior Sister,"

Duan Yu said.

"..."

Li Canghai choked. This junior brother who appeared out of nowhere was so powerful; his aura just now was simply beyond human comprehension.

"Xiao Yuanshan, do you remember me?"

Duan Yu said, sitting down in front of the man in black. The eighteen Arhats looked at Duan Yu warily.

"How do you know my name is Xiao Yuanshan? It's you..."

Xiao Yuanshan pointed at Duan Yu in shock.

"It's me! Your palm strike almost killed me back then. I didn't provoke you, yet you dared to provoke me. What kind of logic is that?"

Duan Yu smiled, seemingly unconcerned about the past. However, everyone present could sense a chill in his words. "I truly don't understand. Your primary enemy, the leader of the group, Murong Bo, is right beside you, yet you still come to attack me. I really don't know what you're thinking."

Duan Yu's words shocked not only Xiao Yuanshan, but also the gray-clad man beside him, and the Shaolin Abbot Xuanci and others' expressions changed drastically.

"You said that leader is right beside me,"

Xiao Yuanshan said, his voice filled with icy coldness.

"That's right, isn't that the gray-clad man beside you, Murong Bo? Murong Bo, tell me, am I right? The dignified head of the Murong family actually came to Shaolin to steal martial arts techniques, don't you feel ashamed?"

Duan Yu said calmly.

"Shame on me? What's there to be ashamed of? Who are you? Why do you know our identities so clearly? You say we should be ashamed, but you're just as shameless as everyone else, secretly learning Shaolin martial arts. Do you think you can be so shameless in front of me?"

Murong Bo said coldly.

"I'm different from you. You secretly learn Shaolin martial arts, while I learn them openly and honestly. And my senior sister here has a high seniority in Shaolin Temple. At least Xuan Ci should call me senior sister/aunt,"

Duan Yu said calmly.

Every word Duan Yu said shocked everyone present. At this moment, everyone's impression of him was like that of a ghost.

Xuan Ci stared intently at Li Canghai, wondering who this person was. Given this man's strength, he shouldn't be lying, so this woman must really be his aunt. But who could she be?

"Xuan Ci, you don't need to look anymore. No matter how you look at my senior sister now, you won't be able to guess. My senior sister has been disguised as a man while staying in your Shaolin Temple,"

Duan Yu said calmly.

"Please tell me, female benefactor, which senior monk are you?"

Xuan Ci said calmly.

"Xuan Ci, now that I have revealed my true colors, I will no longer remain in Shaolin Temple. As for which senior monk I am, it seems that no one in the entire Shaolin Temple is of higher seniority than me now. I have been in Shaolin for over sixty years, alas... I have been a sweeping monk in the Sutra Repository for nearly twenty years since those two came to Shaolin Temple to steal martial arts."

Li Canghai said quietly.

"Amitabha..."

Xuan Ci sighed, then turned to Murong Bo and said, "Elder Murong, we have been friends for many years, and I have always respected your character. That day you told me about the Khitan invasion, and I believed you without a doubt. Afterwards, I mistakenly killed an innocent person, and I never saw you again. Later, I heard that you had passed away due to illness, and I was deeply saddened. I always thought that you, like me, had been misled by others and made an unintentional mistake, feeling guilty and dying young. Who knew... Alas!"

His long sigh contained endless regret and blame.

"Old thief Murong, you culprit, die!"

Xiao Yuanshan finished speaking and attacked Murong Bo with a powerful force in his hand.

Murong Bo laughed loudly and said, "Xiao Yuanshan, you only happened to be here by chance. I orchestrated everything to incite conflict in the martial arts world, preferably to plunge the Song Dynasty into chaos. That way, my Yan Kingdom would have hope of restoration. I never expected you to be so valiant, with so many martial arts masters falling at your hands."

As he spoke, Murong Bo struck Xiao Yuanshan with a palm. Their palms clashed, each taking a step back, evenly matched.

Just as they were fighting, several figures suddenly flew in from afar. Looking at the newcomers, Duan Yu was momentarily speechless. It was Murong Fu, Qiao Feng, Bao Butong, and others. Why were they here again?

"Brother Qiao!"

Duan Yu said, looking at Qiao Feng and the others. "Brother Murong!"

"Second brother, what are you doing here?"

Qiao Feng asked, bewildered. Murong Fu clasped his hands in a fist salute: "I am grateful for Brother Duan's kindness in letting me pass through Lingjiu Palace last time."

"Hehe, I had some business to attend to here,"

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"Hey, it hasn't been long since I last saw you, Second Brother, and you've gained a sister-in-law."

Qiao Feng joked.

"Hmph!"

Li Canghai snorted coldly. Qiao Feng's expression changed. So strong!

"She's not a sister-in-law, hehe, this is my senior sister! Li Canghai."

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"Oh! It was Xiao Feng who was rude."

Qiao Feng clasped his hands in apology, but gave Duan Yu a look that only men could understand.

"Xiao Feng greets all the Shaolin abbots."

Qiao Feng clasped his hands in apology to Xuan Ci and the others.

"Chief Qiao, what brings you to Shaolin?"

Xuan Ci asked.

"I happened to be passing by Shaoshi Mountain when I discovered that the mountain was shaking violently. Although I am no longer a Shaolin disciple, I am still a disciple of Shaolin, so I came to see for myself."

Qiao Feng said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Looking at Qiao Feng's appearance, Duan Yu smiled happily. His sworn brother had been completely corrupted by him.

"Second Brother, do you know what's going on?"

Qiao Feng asked, staring at the people fighting.

"Brother Qiao, the man fighting down there is your father, Xiao Yuanshan,"

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"My father? How can it be him? Isn't he the man in black who attacked you that day?"

Qiao Feng had felt the man in black looked familiar from the start, and his expression changed drastically upon hearing Duan Yu's words.

"That's right, but he is indeed your father," Duan Yu nodded

.

"Then who is the other person?"

Qiao Feng asked.

"The leader!" Duan Yu said.

"The leader, he is the leader,"

Qiao Feng said coldly.

"That's right, he is the leader, Murong Bo,"

Duan Yu said.

As soon as Duan Yu finished speaking, Murong Fu's expression changed. "Brother Duan, is what you say true?"

"Of course! If you don't believe me, you can go down and ask him!" Duan

Yu said with a smile.

147

At this moment, Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo were engaged in a passionate fight, their energy flying everywhere, explosions resounding constantly. The Shaolin abbots around them retreated, watching them in horror.

"Boom boom boom..."

Several palm strikes clashed in succession. Murong Bo and Xiao Yuanshan stepped back, staring at each other.

"Xiao Yuanshan, your martial arts are at best on par with mine. You're delusional if you think you can defeat me,"

Murong Bo said coldly.

"Is that so? What if I join the fray?"

Qiao Feng's cold voice rang out, and he instantly joined the battle. Seeing Qiao Feng join the fray, Murong Fu also moved, standing before Murong Bo.

"Are you really my father? Father, you…you're not…you're not dead?"

Murong Fu asked Murong Bo with a puzzled expression. Overwhelmed with surprise and joy, countless doubts surged in his mind: On the day his father passed away, he had tried more than once to ensure his father's life had stopped, personally preparing him for burial. How could he have revived? Of course, he had used his divine skill to feign death. But why fake death? Why hide it from even his own son?

"As an emperor, the first thing you must have is decisiveness. If you can't even make a decision on something as simple as this, how can you become an emperor? If I hadn't faked my death that day, the reputation of the Murong family would have been completely ruined,"

Murong Bo said authoritatively.

"Father, you really are my father!" Murong Fu no longer hesitated at this moment. Upon hearing Xuanci's words, Murong Fu immediately understood: "Father's false message was intended to incite a great conflict between the Song and Liao warriors, from which our Great Yan could profit. Afterwards, Xuanci would inevitably question my father. My father, of course, would have no way to defend himself. As a great hero and a great valiant man, he couldn't directly admit to the matter and ruin his lifelong reputation. He anticipated that Abbot Xuanci's character meant that once he died, Xuanci would not reveal the truth and damage his posthumous reputation."

He then thought deeper: "That's it. With my father dead, the Murong clan's reputation remains intact, and I can still continue my great cause of restoration. Otherwise, if the heroes of the Central Plains rise up against the Murong clan, survival would be difficult enough, let alone rallying the masses to restore the country. It's just that I'm still young, and if I knew that my father had faked his death, I would inevitably be exposed. Therefore, he simply kept it from me as well."

Thinking of his father's painstaking efforts, sacrificing everything for the restoration of Yan, he felt an even greater weight on his shoulders. Murong Fu already knew what had happened at Xingzilin, but he hadn't expected that the leader was actually his father.

Murong Bo shook his head and said, "Haven't you improved at all after all this time? You're still so impetuous! How can you shoulder the great task of restoring the Yan Kingdom like this?"

Murong Fu composed himself and respectfully said, "Your son heeds your teachings, Father. I was reckless."

"That's what makes a good man of Yan Kingdom,"

Murong Bo said with a hearty laugh.

On the other side, Qiao Feng and Xiao Yuanshan were also looking at each other.

"What are you looking at? Don't you believe I'm your father?"

Xiao Yuanshan said to Qiao Feng in a bold voice.

Qiao Feng shook his head and said, "It's not that I don't believe you, but I don't understand why you attacked my second brother."

"He disrupted my original plan. Do you think I should have attacked him? If I hadn't been soft-hearted back then, he wouldn't be alive at all,"

Xiao Yuanshan said coldly.

"I don't understand... I still don't understand. What plan do you have that makes you treat my second brother like that?"

Qiao Feng murmured.

"A man must avenge his wrongs. These martial arts practitioners harmed my wife and children so cruelly, do you think I'll let them get away with it? My poor wife died under a hail of blades. I won't let anyone involved go unpunished. Your second brother ruined a series of my plans, can't I attack him?"

Xiao Yuanshan became more and more agitated as he spoke.

"That's right, a man must avenge his wrongs. Since Murong Bo killed Mother, then let him pay with his life,"

Qiao Feng said loudly.

"Alright, let's fight them together, father and son,"

Xiao Yuanshan said with a loud laugh.

After speaking, Xiao Yuanshan stepped forward and attacked Murong Bo again. At the same time, Qiao Feng also engaged in battle with Murong Fu.

The four of them fought back and forth, their attacks coming one after another. Qiao Feng unleashed golden dragons from his hands, and the powerful force of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms brought a series of whistling sounds as it attacked Murong Fu.

Seeing Qiao Feng's fierce strength, Murong Fu's eyes flashed, and he immediately gathered his inner energy in his hands, unleashing the "Shifting Stars" technique.

Their hands clashed simultaneously, "Bang!"

A deafening roar echoed as Murong Fu quickly staggered back several steps, while Qiao Feng only swayed slightly.

Their brief exchange already revealed who was stronger. Murong Fu's expression changed slightly, and he unleashed several palm strikes in quick succession, the force of his palms accompanied by a gurgling sound, the immense power seemingly capable of tearing through space.

"Well done!"

Qiao Feng shouted with delight, not worry. He drew circles with both hands, unleashing the "Regretful Dragon" technique. The force of "Regretful Dragon" collided with Murong Fu's palm strike, exploding with a deafening roar. Dust billowed around them, and the ground was riddled with craters from the combined energy of the two.

On the other side, "Good, good, good! Take another one!"

Xiao Yuanshan laughed heartily, throwing a punch that crashed down on Murong Bo like a mountain. The sheer force of Xiao Yuanshan's punch sent shivers down the spines of the surrounding Shaolin abbots. Even they weren't certain they could withstand such a powerful blow.

"Why not? An eye for an eye. Take this kick!"

Murong Bo casually caught Xiao Yuanshan's attack and delivered a swift, whip-like kick aimed at Xiao Yuanshan's head.

Xiao Yuanshan blocked Murong Bo's attack with his left hand, while his right fist, flashing with light, struck towards Murong Bo's thigh.

Murong Bo spun around, dodging Xiao Yuanshan's attack. With a whoosh, he attacked Xiao Yuanshan again.

The two fought rapidly, the thrilling scene leaving Xuan Ci and the others speechless.

"Senior brother, what should we do?"

Xuan Mie murmured.

"Today's events are an unprecedented blow to Shaolin. If we rashly attack this person, it will surely bring about the annihilation of our entire sect. We ourselves are not afraid of death, but what about our disciples? Amitabha, let us endure."

Xuanci recited a Buddhist verse helplessly. As the abbot of Shaolin, he had to consider his disciples. The martial arts this person displayed had exceeded the scope of martial arts. If they attacked rashly, it would definitely bring about the annihilation of their entire sect. Since that person said that the woman was their martial aunt, then everything had to remain calm for the time being.

Hearing Xuanci's words, Xuansheng, Xuanmie, and the others shook their heads, each feeling bitter. Everything was clearly displayed before their eyes. How could they not understand Duan Yu's power? Just by his aura, he could make Shaolin Mountain shake. What kind of extraordinary ability was that?

"Murong Bo, Elder Benefactor Murong, that day you spread false information, saying that the Khitan warriors were going to launch a large-scale attack on Shaolin Temple to seize martial arts manuals, which led to all sorts of terrible mistakes. Have you ever felt any remorse for this?"

Xuan Ci suddenly said loudly.

Murong Bo said, "Man proposes, God disposes!"

Xuan Ci's face showed pity as he said, "My junior brother Xuan Bei was ordered by me to come to Suzhou to ask you about this matter. I suppose he offended you with his words. He also saw some clues in your residence and guessed your intention to rebel, so you wanted to kill him to silence him. But why did you endure for so many years until he went to Dali before you made your move? Hmm, you wanted to provoke a conflict between the Duan and Shaolin sects. I guess when you attacked my junior brother Xuan Bei, you used the Duan family's One-Finger Divine Skill. However, your One-Finger Divine Skill was not proficient enough to defeat him. In the end, you used the Murong family's 'using their own methods against them' technique to kill my junior brother Xuan Bei."

"Xuan Ci, I don't have time to listen to your nonsense now. Look at this."

After Murong Bo finished speaking, he slightly turned his body to dodge Xiao Yuanshan's attack and threw a punch.

Xiao Yuanshan laughed heartily and raised his hand to catch the attack. The two were using exactly the same thing.

More than ten old monks in Shaolin Temple shouted in unison, "Weituo Pestle!"

Their voices were filled with shock.

Xuanci nodded and continued, "You've been in our temple for so many years, and you've even mastered the 'Weituo Pestle' skill, one of the Seventy-Two Shaolin Arts. But with your status and martial arts skills, you probably wouldn't bother practicing the 'Heavenly Spirit Thousand Splits' move from the Henan Funiu Sect. The skill you used to kill Benefactor Ke Baisui was truly a family heirloom, but I wonder what your motive was?"

Murong Bo smiled sinisterly and said, "The old abbot is incredibly shrewd. He never leaves the mountain gate, yet he knows everything about the affairs of the martial world. It's truly admirable. This matter requires your guess..." Xuanci

said, "That Benefactor Ke is extremely wealthy and always acts cautiously. Hmm, you've been recruiting soldiers and accumulating wealth, and you've set your sights on Benefactor Ke's fortune, wanting to take him under your wing. Benefactor Ke refused, and might even be considering reporting it to the authorities." Murong

Bo laughed heartily, gave a thumbs-up, and said, "The old abbot is truly remarkable, truly remarkable!" " It's a pity that while you are so discerning, you fail to see the bigger picture. Brother Xiao and I have been hiding in your temple for so many years, and you know nothing of it."

Xuanci slowly shook his head, sighed, and said, "Understanding others is easy, understanding oneself is extremely difficult. Defeating an enemy is not easy, but overcoming the three poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance within oneself is even more difficult."

Murong Bo said, "Old Abbot, considering our long-standing friendship, I will tell you everything frankly. Is there anything else you want to ask me?"

"My Shaolin Temple is facing a calamity today, but being able to fully understand this matter has brought some peace to my heart. The matter of Benefactor Xiao has always troubled me, and today the truth has finally come to light."

Xuanci said sadly.

"Xiao Yuanshan, you are no match for me. Let's abandon this pointless struggle. With our combined strength, we could fight for days and nights without a clear winner, and if I wanted to escape, you couldn't stop me." "

Murong Bo laughed loudly.

"That's not necessarily true."

Xiao Yuanshan snorted coldly. He used another of the Seventy-Two Shaolin Arts.

The martial arts used by the two dazzled Xuan Ci and the others. They were shocked that these two were proficient in so many of the Seventy-Two Shaolin Arts at the same time. You must know that apart from Bodhidharma, no one in Shaolin Temple could be proficient in so many of the Seventy-Two Shaolin Arts at the same time.

"Ah!"

A muffled groan. A trace of blood flowed from the corner of Murong Fu's mouth. His skill was still quite different from Qiao Feng's.

"Young Master, take the sword." Bao

Butong tossed his sword to Murong Fu.

Murong Fu spun around and caught it with ease. His spirits lifted, and he unleashed the Murong family's ancestral swordsmanship, each move flowing seamlessly like clouds and water. In an instant, his entire body seemed enveloped in a curtain of light. Martial artists had always heard of the Murong family of Gusu's vast martial arts prowess, their knowledge of various schools and techniques, but few had imagined their swordsmanship to be so exquisite.

However, no matter how fierce and ruthless Murong Fu's moves were, they never managed to reach Qiao Feng. Within a few feet, Qiao Feng's palms flashed, forcing Murong Fu to leap high and low, dodging and weaving. Suddenly, with a loud crack, Murong Fu's longsword was shattered by Qiao Feng's palm strike, breaking into twenty or thirty pieces, each about an inch long, which flew into the air, flashing white light in the setting sun.

After breaking the sword, Qiao Feng unleashed a powerful strike from the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, aiming for Murong Fu's chest. It seemed Murong Fu was about to die at Qiao Feng's hands.

Suddenly, a loud shout rang out: "You've hurt my son!"

It was Murong Bo who had heard Murong Fu's muffled groan and rushed to his aid. Sensing the powerful force behind him, Qiao Feng had no choice but to abandon his attack. Murong Fu countered with a strike against Murong Bo.

"Bang bang..."

The two palms clashed. Qiao Feng staggered back a few steps. Qiao Feng's skill was considerably inferior to Murong Bo's.

"You bullied my wife and children back then, and now you want to use a tag-team attack?"

Xiao Yuanshan arrived at that moment, unleashing several palm strikes towards Murong Bo. "

Xiao Yuanshan, do you really think I'm afraid of you?"

Murong Bo roared, his attacks now unleashed.

"Finally willing to go all out! No matter what happens today, you're all doomed."

Xiao Yuanshan laughed heartily. "Feng'er, let's finish them off together. It'll avenge your mother."

Both

sides were now completely unrestrained, each move carrying an intense killing intent, the powerful energy destroying everything around them.

Every strike sent flying rocks, a battle of speed, skill, and technique. Laughter frequently echoed.

"Murong Fu, take my move, 'Regretful Dragon'!"

Qiao Feng pushed forward, unleashing a double dragon roar. Murong Fu retreated hastily! Just as he was about to call out to receive the attack, his body was suddenly pulled away.

"Get out of the way! I'll take it! " "

Murong Bo snorted coldly, his hand moving to deflect Murong Fu, and his right hand unleashed a powerful palm strike towards Qiao Feng's attack.

Qiao Feng sneered, gathering all twelve layers of his internal energy into the Regretful Dragon Technique, the energy exploding in the air. Murong Bo's left foot slammed heavily on the ground, and from Murong Bo's center, an extremely powerful energy storm spread outwards, cracking the ground layer by layer, creating dozens of fissures.

"Whoosh..."

The powerful energy blew the clothes of the two men, and Murong Bo's face mask fell off, revealing his refined face. His long hair danced wildly in the wind.

Qiao Feng's face was pale, his chest heaving slightly, and a trace of blood was clearly visible on his lowered left hand. "Murong Bo, you shameless bastard, what kind of skill is it to bully a junior?"

Xiao Yuanshan coldly snorted.

"With your son's current reputation in the martial world, I don't think I've done anything to bully him." "

Murong Bo smiled calmly.

"Hmph, if the son is no good, the father will do it. You truly are a despicable and shameless person."

After saying that, Xiao Yuanshan changed his palm stance and struck out heavily.

Murong Bo hurriedly raised his hand to catch it, while Xiao Yuanshan's body shot out at the same time, launching a continuous barrage of attacks on Murong Bo. The [Thousand Hands of Tathagata] technique split into thousands of hands

, attacking the two of them separately. Murong Bo quickly deflected the attacks with his Vajra Prajna Palm. After several consecutive moves, Xiao Yuanshan suddenly struck out with his right hand, unleashing a tremendous force. Murong Fu was unable to catch it, and his body flew out like a kite with a broken string.

Murong Bo hurriedly flew out and caught Murong Fu's body with his left hand, bringing him to the ground.

"Cough cough cough..."

Murong Fu coughed several times in succession, spitting out several mouthfuls of blood. He looked at Murong Bo with a face full of shame.

"Father, it's all because your son is useless." "

Murong Fu said guiltily.

"Nonsense, how could a man of Great Yan be useless? Of course, your current skill is no match for this person. This is just a temporary setback. A true man has things he should do and things he shouldn't do; he can bend and stretch, that's what makes a real man."

Murong Bo reprimanded.

"Hmph, Murong Bo, you slapped my son, and I'll return the favor to your son."

Xiao Yuanshan said with a loud laugh.

"Fine, fine, Xiao Yuanshan, today we're locked in a life-or-death struggle. I couldn't kill you back then, but today I'll finish you both off."

Murong Bo said coldly. His eyes flashed with a sharp glint

, and his tone was filled with boundless killing intent. "A life-or-death struggle? That's a joke. Did you think we were being polite just now, Murong Bo? Today, you and your son will die."

Xiao Yuanshan pointed at Murong Bo and laughed loudly.

"Let's see who dies first,"

Murong Bo said coldly. A flash of light, and another powerful palm strike.

"Prajna Palm! Murong Bo, do you think you're the only one who knows it? Try taking one of my Prajna Palms and see if your martial arts are more refined, or mine are more mastered."

Xiao Yuanshan neither dodged nor evaded, striking back with the same Prajna Palm.

"Bang! Boom!"

"Bang bang bang... Boom..."

"Crack, snap..."

Both Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo remained completely still. A powerful gust of wind howled.

Xiao Yuanshan's expression turned serious, his mind racing. "This old thief Murong Bo's skill is comparable to mine. If I really want to deal with him, just as he said, it won't be a clear winner for several days."

Thinking this, Xiao Yuanshan glanced at Qiao Feng beside him. Seeing Qiao Feng beating Murong Fu into retreat, Xiao Yuanshan laughed heartily. In this way, once they dealt with Murong Fu and his son's martial arts, dealing with Murong Bo would be extremely easy.

Xiao Yuanshan was racing through his thoughts, and so was Murong Bo. The current situation was definitely unfavorable for Murong Bo. What to do? Murong Bo's mind raced. "Xiao Yuanshan's martial arts are exactly the same as mine. Even my 'Star Shift'

technique can't defeat him. Looking at Fu'er's current condition, he's far inferior to Qiao Feng. He'll be defeated soon. The longer this drags on, the more disadvantageous it will be for my son and me." The more Murong Bo thought, the more ferocious his moves became. He had to come up with a solution immediately.

The more Murong Bo did this, the weaker his attacks became. Although they looked incredibly powerful, his moves were actually chaotic.

Bao Butong, watching from the side, was secretly anxious. Now, both the master and the young master were in trouble. Bao Butong, Feng Bo'e, and the other two exchanged a glance, their expressions hardening. The three of them shouted and attacked the arena.

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind swept through, startling the three men. They tried to resist but were powerless, feeling utterly helpless. "Bang!"

Duan Yu effortlessly flung them dozens of meters away, his calm voice ringing out, "Anyone who dares to interfere again will face my ruthlessness."

The surrounding Shaolin monks stared in horror at the three men, deeply embedded in the ground dozens of meters away! No one had clearly seen how Duan Yu had acted. And how could he have embedded them so easily? What kind of skill was this?

"What do you want to do now? What's the point of your interference?"

Li Canghai asked, puzzled.

"Hehe, who says it's pointless? My elder brother and the others are avenging their family, of course I can't let others disrupt that,"

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"That's not what I meant. Don't tell me you don't know about Xiao Yuanshan and the other man's physical condition,"

Li Canghai said. Li Canghai's heart was still unsettled; this suddenly appearing junior brother was far too mysterious. He had initially thought his junior brother was in his forties or fifties, but judging from his current understanding of Qiao Feng, he was definitely not that old.

"Although Murong Bo and Xiao Yuanshan both have hidden ailments, so what? Their bodies haven't caused any problems yet, have they? We'll deal with it when they do. At least then I, as their elder brother, can vent my anger,"

Duan Yu said, shrugging.

Li Canghai shook his head and asked, "Who exactly are you? From Qiao Feng's words, you seem to be only in your twenties at most. How did you acquire such skills?"

"Who am I? Didn't I just say? I am Duan Yu! I am the head of the Xiaoyao Sect, and also the current emperor of Dali! As for how I acquired these skills? Need I say more? Don't you know what exceptional talent is? I, Duan Yu, am a genius!"

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"The emperor of Dali? A member of the Duan family? How did you become my junior brother?"

Li Canghai asked in surprise.

"I obtained the martial arts of the Xiaoyao Sect by chance, and later, my senior brother Wuyazi took me in as his disciple, thus inheriting the position of sect leader,"

Duan Yu said.

"Obtained the martial arts of the Xiaoyao Sect by chance? Did you go to Wuliang Valley?"

Li Canghai's expression changed.

"That's right, I obtained the martial arts of the Xiaoyao Sect in Wuliang Valley. If I'm not mistaken, I have to thank you for all of this, Senior Sister. You must have placed the Lingbo Weibu and Beiming Divine Skill there, right?" Duan Yu

said with a grateful expression.

Li Canghai shook her head resentfully, saying, "If I had known it would be you who obtained the martial arts of the Xiaoyao Sect, I shouldn't have left the manual there. I never imagined it would be me who broke my own mental state."

Thinking about everything, Li Canghai understood. It turned out that she herself had brought all of this upon herself. She hadn't expected that her unintentional placement of the Beiming Divine Skill would actually lead to a successor of the Xiaoyao Sect. She glared at Duan Yu fiercely: "Then how did you know I was at Shaolin Temple?"

"It's simple, but I can't tell you right now!"

Duan Yu said with a mischievous grin.

"You..."

Li Canghai frowned, her face turning icy. "Let me go..."

she said, struggling again.

"Good senior sister, look, everyone's watching! It's not good for you to keep moving like this..."

Duan Yu said.

"If I don't move, am I letting you off easy! Don't you understand the proper distance between men and women?"

Li Canghai said coldly.

"How could I not understand! But didn't you see everyone treating you like my girlfriend?"

Duan Yu said cheekily.

"..."

"Hehe... Good senior sister, just let me hug you one more time. It's not that I don't want to tell you how I knew you were at Shaolin Temple, it's just that if I did, it would be too shocking. And given our current relationship, I can't tell you. This is something I can only tell my closest people,"

Duan Yu said.

Listening to Duan Yu's flirtatious words and feeling the warmth of his breath on her ear, Li Canghai's heart pounded like a deer. She truly didn't know what to do. This unscrupulous junior brother was holding her like that, and she couldn't break free at all. She had never seen such a bold person!

"Let me go! How can I... how can I be seen like this..."

Li Canghai said shyly, her pretty face flushed.

Seeing Li Canghai's shy expression, Duan Yu chuckled. He simply ignored Li Canghai's words. How could he possibly let go? Holding such a lovely woman like her, there was absolutely no possibility of him letting go.

Seeing Duan Yu's wicked smile, Li Canghai knew that this bad guy was unlikely to let go of her. Her heart was bitter. Her innocence had been completely ruined by this person. She wondered where this bad guy came from. How could he know so clearly that she was in Shaolin Temple? Li Canghai's mind raced, recalling everything, searching for any possible flaws.

But after recalling everything, she realized with despair that there were no flaws at all! Unless this person was a god, there was no way he could know that she was disguised as a man and had entered Shaolin Temple.

“Good senior sister, do you know that your strength is already very high? Golden Core stage! You can use many types of Dao techniques. But I see that you can’t use any Dao techniques at all, which is a real waste of your powerful true essence,”

Duan Yu said.

"There really is Taoist magic? Although I have entered the Tao, reached the state of perfect tranquility, and achieved what you call the Golden Core, I haven't felt any Taoist magic at all,"

Li Canghai said doubtfully.

"That's because you haven't carefully felt the Tao. The Tao is actually everywhere, but your mind was indeed too confused before. If I hadn't come here, I really don't know how long you would have remained so decadent. What's so fun about being a monk? It's such a waste of talent,"

Duan Yu said with a smile. "After this trip to Shaolin Temple, I'll teach you Taoist magic! Hehe, but I'm really quite surprised, Senior Sister. If I had come to Shaolin Temple earlier, I really wouldn't be your match. I never thought you had already achieved the Golden Core. Qiu Shui and Xing Yun haven't achieved the Golden Core yet."

"My sisters really followed you?"

Li Canghai asked curiously again.

"Of course, according to seniority, hehe, Senior Sister, you have to call me Brother-in-law. Look how many times I've called you Senior Sister, shouldn't you call me Brother-in-law?"

Duan Yu laughed heartily.

"Don't even think about it..."

Duan

Yu and Murong Bo were flirting when the scene suddenly changed. With a

loud "Bang!", Murong Fu plummeted into the distance, crashing into a wall. The already dilapidated wall shattered under the force of his fall, sending up clouds of dust that obscured his life.

"Fu'er! Qiao Feng, die!"

Murong Fu roared, glancing at Qiao Feng before charging at him.

"Hmph... You think you can escape? Don't even think about it! You old thief Murong, just die!"

Xiao Yuanshan blocked Murong Bo's path, a mocking smile on his face. Xiao Yuanshan was genuinely pleased with the anxious Murong Bo, laughing loudly, "Old thief Murong, you feel pain too! It's a miracle someone like you can feel pain."

"Clap clap clap..."

A series of blows rang out.

A terrifying burst of energy erupted from Xiao Yuanshan's hand, its power seemingly capable of tearing apart the heavens and earth, completely engulfing Murong Bo.

Murong Bo stomped his left foot on the ground, his movements as fluid as a dragon shaking its armor, unleashing the "Shifting Stars" technique. A white light emanated from his fist, crackling as it shot towards Xiao Yuanshan.

"Hmph..."

Xiao Yuanshan sneered; he had already parried dozens of such attacks. "Murong Bo, don't you have any new tricks?!"

"Boom..."

Another deafening explosion shrouded both of them in dust.

Murong Bo was frantic; Murong Fu hadn't risen from the rubble for a long time. He couldn't leave anytime soon.

One attack after another. Qiao Feng joined the fray.

With both attacking Murong Bo simultaneously, the pressure on him was immense.

"Qiao Feng, you dare come here yourself? Die!"

Murong Bo suddenly drew a strange line with his hands, and a huge ball of true energy appeared before him.

The aura emanating from the ball revealed its immense power. The ball grew larger and larger, its power increasing with it.

Qiao Feng and Xiao Yuanshan both showed a hint of caution. Neither of them dared to interrupt Murong Bo's attack, not because they didn't want to, but because a rash attack would surely result in a devastating blow. His move was clearly a calculated, devastating strike.

Of course, neither of them would sit idly by. They exchanged a glance and moved. Each unleashed their ultimate techniques.

All the combined moves of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms suddenly appeared in Qiao Feng's hands. Golden dragons flashed forth, all controlled by Qiao Feng.

"Merge!"

With a soft shout, the golden dragons merged together. All the golden dragons now converged into a single dragon force! Judging from Qiao Feng's expression, this move was extremely taxing on his true energy. He was pale and his expression was incredibly fierce.

Xiao Yuanshan also made a hand gesture, and a ball of true energy appeared before him. Xiao Yuanshan also knew how to condense his own true energy and force it out of his body to form a ball of true energy. This move was usually used as a last resort; it was definitely a trump card. If the opponent wasn't injured by this move, the user had to retreat immediately, as it consumed at least two-thirds of their true energy.

Dazzling light emanated from all three simultaneously, and they formed a peculiar attack pattern.

"Retreat, retreat..."

Xuan Ci suddenly called out to the monks.

Without needing further instructions, Xuan Sheng, Xuan Mie, and the others began to retreat. The attack unleashed by the three made the monks' expressions solemn.

Although Qiao Feng was also a disciple trained by Shaolin, they hadn't expected him to be so powerful. It seemed his reputation was indeed well-deserved.

"Senior brother, what do you think?"

the head of the Dharma Hall asked Xuanci.

Xuanci shook his head and said, "These three alone are no match for Shaolin Temple. And those two are an even greater disaster for us. This battle is over. Let them go. After this battle, I will resign as the head of Shaolin and go to Qingxin Pavilion to reflect on my mistakes. From now on, everything will be in your hands, junior brothers. Amitabha, the Buddha said that all beings suffer. Although Shaolin is not entirely based on universal salvation, it has still done its duty to the world. I never expected that such a thing would happen to Shaolin. The taller the tree, the more the wind blows. Junior brothers, let's retreat into seclusion. Reputation! Perhaps without the burden of reputation, Shaolin can truly understand the true meaning of Buddhism."

At this moment, Xuanci seemed to have attained enlightenment, and a golden Buddhist light emanated from his body. Suddenly, bursts of Buddhist chants appeared in the void. A dazzling light instantly enveloped the entire Shaolin Temple. Golden Buddhist light soared into the sky, filling the entire heavens with auspiciousness.

"Amitabha! Congratulations, Senior Brother, on attaining enlightenment!"

The surrounding abbots offered their congratulations, clearly seeing that Xuan Ci had achieved enlightenment. Although they didn't know exactly what he had comprehended, Xuan Ci's physical reactions indicated it was a state they had always aspired to reach.

"Amitabha! I never imagined that I, Xuan Ci, would comprehend the Buddhist path under such circumstances,"

Xuan Ci sighed, shaking his head. He felt a sense of unreality. Sudden enlightenment… it had always been a state passed down in Buddhism, but when it truly arrived, Xuan Ci found it all so unimaginable.

"Xuan Ci, not bad! You've actually entered the Golden Core realm at this moment! Forming a relic! Not bad, not bad!"

Duan Yu's clear voice rang out.

Upon hearing this, Xuan Ci turned to look at Duan Yu. He was stunned for a moment, then clasped his hands together in a Buddhist prayer and proclaimed, "So you've already reached such a realm, Layman! The Golden Core Path—it truly exists! You must have transcended the human realm and entered the realm of Immortals and Buddhas."

"Eh! I didn't expect you to be a bit smarter than my senior sister. You've only just formed a relic, yet you already know I've reached the realm of Immortals and Buddhas… Sigh, Senior Sister, why are you pinching me…"

Duan Yu said, frowning and sounding aggrieved.

"Hmph…"

Li Canghai let out a cold snort. She thought to herself, "Fine, you dare call me stupid! Once I've mastered the Dao techniques, I'll deal with you. If I don't teach this bad guy a lesson, he'll really think I'm easy to bully."

"Achoo..."

Duan Yu felt a chill run down his spine and sneezed. "Senior Sister, you're not talking badly about me behind my back, are you? You know, for us cultivators, our perception is incredibly powerful."

"How could I possibly talk badly about you? Why would I? You're nobody to me."

Li Canghai said coldly. Her icy, fairy-like demeanor was truly authentic.

"Xuan Ci, now that you've entered the Golden Core realm, you should understand some things. Destroying your Scripture Pavilion this time wasn't intentional. For a moment, I entered a state of Buddhist and Daoist enlightenment, and the Scripture Pavilion was only accidentally damaged. I'll return a new Scripture Pavilion to you when I have the chance. Don't worry, I've memorized all those so-called Buddhist scriptures."

Duan Yu said with a smile. At this point, Duan Yu suddenly changed the subject: "Fine, so be it. Consider it a favor to you. Since I've already obtained such a great opportunity here, I'll settle this karmic debt first."

With that, Duan Yu waved his hand, and a beam of white light shot towards Xuan Ci.

Xuan Ci, seeing the white light coming from Duan Yu, didn't dodge at all. As the white light struck him, Xuan Ci's body trembled violently.

"Senior brother! I'll fight you to the death..."

The head of the Dharma Hall suddenly roared and charged towards Duan Yu.

Duan Yu shook his head and said loudly, "Why are there so many ignorant people!"

"Junior brother, stop!"

Xuan Ci's voice rang out.

"Senior brother, are you alright?"

the other heads called out.

"I'm fine!"

Xuan Ci said, looking around. Then, he bowed to Duan Yu and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Layman." "It's nothing," Duan Yu said,

"Although I don't like Buddhism or Taoism, your Shaolin Temple is truly quite good, Xuanci. I just hope you won't submit to the Western Buddha in the future. If you do, I might really destroy your Shaolin Temple." Xuanci was stunned, then recited a Buddhist verse, "Layman, you...?" "It's nothing, you wouldn't understand even if I explained, but Xuanci, just remember what I said today," Duan Yu waved his hand. "The words of Layman Jinzun," Xuanci said. "Don't agree so quickly. There are many things you don't understand now. When you can truly use magic in the future, you will understand why I said this today," Duan Yu said. Duan Yu said this because he knew he would definitely have to deal with Western Buddhism in the future. Given Duan Yu's personality, conflict was inevitable; in any case, Duan Yu looked down on Western Buddhism. This wasn't a matter of carelessness. He didn't actually have any aversion to Buddhism; what bothered him was that Buddhism wasn't from Central China, yet it constantly sought to rule the Central Plains—what was the difference between that and racial invasion? "They're here!" Duan Yu said calmly, turning his head to look at the place where Qiao Feng and the other two were fighting. With a wave of his hand, a protective shield of shimmering true energy enveloped himself and Li Canghai. "Aren't you afraid something will happen to your elder brother?" Li Canghai asked. "Hehe, do I need to be afraid? With me here, how could anything happen to him?" Duan Yu said domineeringly. "Are you so sure?" "Of course, you should know that your junior brother is now a terrestrial immortal, at least considered an immortal." Duan Yu said with a smile. "I don't quite understand what you mean by terrestrial immortal?" Li Canghai asked. "According to some general ranking of immortals, they can be divided into celestial immortals, divine immortals, terrestrial immortals, human immortals, and ghost immortals. Ghost immortals are the lowest, and celestial immortals are the higher-level beings. With my current terrestrial immortal cultivation, who am I afraid of? I can hold a considerable position in the Heavenly Court!" Duan Yu said with a smile. Duan Yu gained a great deal from his trip to the Imperial Palace and Shaolin Temple. The book *Baopuzi* alone provided him with immense benefits. *Baopuzi* contains Laozi's Mountain-Entering Talisman, Taoist self-cultivation techniques (called Taoist arts), and Taoist rituals. The content includes Taoist scriptures, repentance rituals, fasting, offerings, talismans, incantations, concealment, riding a celestial chariot, exorcism, subduing demons, eliminating disasters, prayer, sexual arts, immortal arts, fasting, feng shui, divination, etc. Besides these, there are also alchemy and artifact crafting. Although Duan Yu hasn't specifically studied these things yet, with his current strength, they are already completely integrated into his mind. He only lacks proficiency. Exorcising demons and subduing evil spirits, while not Duan Yu particularly enthusiastic, is currently very interesting to him. With a deafening roar, the attacks of Qiao Feng and his companions finally collided. A towering wave of energy spread outwards. Xuan Ci chanted a Buddhist prayer, and with a wave of his hand, a golden aura enveloped Xuan Miao and the others. Duan Yu's earlier gift to Xuan Ci was immense; he had transmitted all the knowledge from the Sutra Repository. This knowledge, processed by Duan Yu, was far more profound than ordinary knowledge, explaining Xuan Ci's rapid mastery of Buddhist energy. As for the transmission technique Duan Yu had just used, it was something Xuan Ci had developed himself. While studying various Buddhist scriptures in the Sutra Repository, Duan Yu had already integrated a set of techniques for his own use. These things were only useful if one knew how to use them; otherwise, they were merely decorations. Although the attack from the three wasn't as powerful as Duan Yu's initial attack, it was still astonishing to martial artists. When the attack subsided, a massive crater over a hundred meters wide appeared before them. All traces of the three had vanished from the ground. Duan Yu smiled, put his arm around Li Canghai, and with a flick of his wrist, stood suspended in mid-air. With a wave of his right hand, Xiao Yuanshan and Qiao Feng reappeared on the ground. Both were now extremely haggard, but clearly neither was in mortal danger. 150 "Father! Father!..." Murong Fu's anxious voice rang out. Murong Fu staggered to his feet and ran towards the pit. Qiao Feng's attack had knocked him unconscious, and he had only just regained consciousness when he saw this scene. "Father! Father... answer me..." Murong Fu's face was pale, and he no longer possessed the dashing demeanor expected of the young master Murong. He jumped into the pit. A moment later, he leaped back up, holding someone in his arms. That person was Murong Bo. Murong Bo was now in a sorry state, his face pale and bloodless, even his lips were tinged with purple. Murong Fu quickly placed Murong Bo on the ground, channeled his inner energy, and struck Murong Bo with a palm strike, the light of his inner energy enveloping both of them. As his inner energy flowed, Murong Bo's complexion began to regain its color. Seeing Murong Bo's expression, Murong Fu knew that his father was indeed still alive, and quickly increased the amount of inner energy he was channeling. "Cough cough... Hahaha..." Xiao Yuanshan threw his head back and laughed loudly, his disheveled hair flying wildly in the breeze, looking extremely ferocious. "Old thief Murong, you've finally met your match... Cough cough cough..." Xiao Yuanshan laughed and coughed at the same time. "Father, please stop laughing, it will aggravate your injuries," Qiao Feng said with a slight frown.

"No... I want to laugh. I'm happy... More than thirty years! More than thirty years! Today I've finally avenged your mother. Hahaha... Hahaha!"

Xiao Yuanshan's smile was so desolate. "So many years have passed, and I haven't taken good care of you. Feng'er, do you blame me?"

Qiao Feng shook his head and said, "If it were me, I would have done the same as Father."

"Good! Good! Cough cough cough..."

Xiao Yuanshan suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Father!" Qiao

Feng said worriedly .

"It's alright! The blood clot will go away. Don't worry, now that I've finally avenged you, how could I die like that?"

Xiao Yuanshan said.

"You'd better not laugh too much! With your current body, it's not just your injuries that are affected, but also the hidden ailments of your abilities."

Duan Yu landed on the ground with Li Canghai and said.

"I didn't expect you to be so powerful!"

Xiao Yuanshan looked at Duan Yu and said proudly.

Duan Yu shook his head and said, "Originally, given my personality, I would never have let you go. But I'll let it go now. After all, you're my elder brother's father."

"Second brother!"

Qiao Feng said gratefully. He had spent some time with Duan Yu and understood his second brother's personality well.

"Hehe... Brother Qiao, don't look at me like that. You know I have no interest in men," Duan Yu

said with a wicked smile.

"Go away!"

Qiao Feng said irritably, but inwardly he was extremely grateful.

"Let me heal your injuries first."

After saying that, Duan Yu waved his right hand and quickly drew two true essence talismans in the air.

"Go!"

With a soft shout, the two talismans entered the bodies of the two men. The complexions of the two men instantly improved, turning from white to red almost without any significant transition.

Xiao Yuanshan's eyes flashed with a sharp light. What kind of skill was this? Qiao Feng's expression was equally astonished.

With the talismans entering his body, he could clearly feel that the true energy he had consumed had been completely restored, and his body had instantly returned to its peak condition.

"No matter what, I, Xiao Yuanshan, owe you this time,"

Xiao Yuanshan said.

"There's no such thing as owing or not. Just like Brother Qiao said, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't let anyone who disrupted my plans get away with it either,"

Duan Yu said.

"This time, that old scoundrel Murong is finished. His meridians are all severed; even if he regains consciousness, he'll be a cripple. Hahaha, this makes me happier than killing him,"

Xiao Yuanshan said with a laugh.

"Actually, you chose the wrong method. With your talent, if you properly practiced martial arts, as long as you could transcend the limits of your physical body and cultivate the Golden Core Dao to become an immortal, then you would still have a chance to meet your wife. What good is this kind of revenge?"

Duan Yu said calmly.

"An immortal?"

Xiao Yuanshan looked at Duan Yu in horror. "Are you joking?!"

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

Duan Yu pursed his lips and didn't say anything more. "But your wife has already been reincarnated, hasn't she? Who knows who she will be in this life? There's no need for you to meet her again."

"Reincarnation? Could all of this be real? Does that mean I'm not without the possibility of meeting my wife again? Even just one more meeting would be enough for me,"

Xiao Yuanshan murmured.

Duan Yu shook his head and said to Qiao Feng, "Brother Qiao, I'm leaving now. I'll teach you a cultivation technique; you must practice it diligently. Only when you become a Golden Core cultivator can we brothers truly fight side-by-side. Your brother here is in deep trouble, so I won't talk to you any longer. Goodbye!"

Duan Yu finished speaking, waved his right hand, sending a beam of light into Qiao Feng's body, then vanished with Li Canghai.

The remaining people looked at each other in astonishment.

"Feng'er, it seems your brother has completely transcended the boundaries of mortals,"

Xiao Yuanshan murmured, looking at Qiao Feng.

Qiao Feng was also rapidly processing the massive amount of information flooding his mind. The overwhelming information assailed him. As he processed it, he quickly understood Duan Yu's current cultivation level and also learned about his father's physical condition and the hidden ailments of the Shaolin Seventy-Two Arts. "My brother is actually an immortal!"

Qiao Feng murmured.

"Amitabha, laypeople, if there's nothing else, please descend the mountain. Shaolin Temple is about to close its gates. There won't be any Shaolin Temples for at least several hundred years,"

Xuan Ci chanted a Buddhist verse.

"Since that's the case, then Qiao Feng will take his leave." After saying this,

Qiao Feng and Xiao Yuanshan walked down the mountain. Neither of them glanced at Murong Bo again.

They had already understood Murong Bo's physical condition during the battle. Having withstood the simultaneous attacks of the two, Murong Bo's meridians were already severed.

On the other side, Murong Bo, standing before Murong Fu, finally opened his eyes, looking at Murong Fu with relief and saying, "Fu'er, I'll rely on you from now on. Your father is no longer able to help you."

"Father... don't say that, Father still has to lead me to restore the Great Yan Dynasty!"

Murong Fu said sadly.

"Fu'er, you know my current situation. For me, having all my meridians severed is far more terrifying than death."

Murong Bo murmured. "Alright, don't waste any more true energy, just let me go like that."

After Murong Bo finished speaking, his eyes closed, and the once mighty hero passed away just like that.

"Father!..."

Murong Fu cried out.

"Amitabha, Elder Xiao has passed away, Layman Murong, please accept this loss. Now, Shaolin Temple is about to close its gates, please leave the mountain, Layman Murong."

Xuan Ci said with his hands clasped together.

"Hahahaha..."

Murong Fu laughed, a series of desolate laughs. He staggered to his feet and picked up Murong Bo.

“Young Master…cough cough cough…Master…”

Bao Butong and Feng Bo’e struggled to their feet. Duan Yu hadn’t killed the three; he had only subdued them.

Murong Fu’s expression was somber as he laughed and walked straight down the mountain.

“Old monks, you’re all so heartless…”

Bao Butong said coldly.

“Master Bao, it’s not that we’re heartless, but Shaolin Temple is about to close. Please leave.”

Xuan Ci said calmly.

“You… Shaolin Temple is unworthy of its reputation as a leading institution. Is this how you drive people away?”

Bao Butong said sneer.

“Master Bao is right, indeed. Shaolin doesn’t deserve such empty titles.”

Xuan Ci still spoke calmly.

"Very well, you Shaolin can slowly become tortoises."

Bao Butong sneered as he followed Murong Fu.

"Senior Brother!"

Xuan Mie exclaimed indignantly.

Xuan Ci shook his head and said, "Junior Brother, say no more. Give the order: from now on, Shaolin Temple will close its gates and no longer receive any pilgrims. All Shaolin disciples are forbidden from leaving the mountain. Also, inform the lay disciples that those who wish to leave should do so now, otherwise they will not be able to leave the mountain."

"Senior Brother! Won't Shaolin decline in this way?!"

The abbots exclaimed in shock.

"Listen to me, only in this way can we preserve the Shaolin lineage. Otherwise, we will inevitably be dragged into calamity."

Xuan Ci said loudly.

"Amitabha!"

The abbots helplessly recited a Buddhist verse and dispersed. They already knew that Shaolin was about to undergo reform. After this, it seemed that Shaolin was truly going to decline.

Watching the abbots leave, Xuan Ci looked up at the sky. "The world is changing! The world is about to change. Immortals! Immortals are no longer just legends... So what about Buddha? It seems Buddha exists too. But what should I do?"

Xuan Ci shook his head again and left dejectedly. From Duan Yu's words, he had vaguely understood some things. Xuan Ci knew that his priority now was to quickly integrate all the knowledge in the Sutra Pavilion in his mind and teach the Shaolin monks a completely new way of cultivation.

From this day on, Shaolin was no longer just a martial arts sect; from this day on, Shaolin could be considered to have entered the path of cultivation. Duan Yu was unaware of all this.

At this moment, he was comfortably embracing Li Canghai!

"Duan Yu, you should let go of me now,"

Li Canghai said.

"No!"

Duan Yu said with a wicked smile.

"You... how could you do this?"

Li Canghai said in shame and indignation.

"Hehe, who told you to be so beautiful, Senior Sister? Hehe, Senior Brother Wuyazi said before he left that I should take good care of you and your fellow disciples. Now Xingyun and Qiushui are already my wives, and now only you are left."

Duan Yu said.

"Hmph! I won't go with you. Who wants to be your wife? Let me go. Senior Brother is Senior Brother, he can't make decisions for me."

Li Canghai said, her tone a little angry.

"I don't care, I've decided you're my wife. As the saying goes, the eldest brother is like a father, how can you not listen to your senior brother?"

Duan Yu grinned mischievously.

"You... Senior Brother Wuyazi isn't my real brother, you can't say things like that."

Li Canghai pouted.

"Who says you can't say that? Well, you should listen to your sister now, hehe, your sister has also agreed to marry you to me!"

Duan Yu said.

"Impossible, impossible... absolutely impossible. My sister would never do such a thing. Of course, she and Senior Sister Xingyun hurt each other because of jealousy, but how could she possibly agree to several women sharing one husband?"

Li Canghai stared at Duan Yu with disbelief in her eyes.

"How can it be impossible? Every word I said is the truth. It's all about personal charm. Your sister and Xingyun are getting along incredibly well now. I've restored her appearance, and I've also resolved Xingyun's hidden health issues. So, just obediently agree to my request."

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"Anyway, I just don't believe you. Let go of me! What kind of behavior is this, hugging me like this?"

Li Canghai said indignantly.

"Don't you feel comfortable hugging me, Senior Sister? After so many years of loneliness, suddenly having a strong embrace to warm you, don't you feel comforted? Although I admit I'm a bit of a womanizer, I absolutely cherish my women."

Duan Yu smiled, and then deliberately brought his nose close to Li Canghai's face to sniff, making Li Canghai blush. Li Canghai had never encountered such blatant flirting before.

"You..."

"I...what's wrong with me? Senior Sister, let's go buy some women's clothes later. This monk's robe is really terrible. Look at you, wearing this monk's robe is incredibly tacky, and it greatly diminishes your appearance. To be honest, your outfit is far inferior to your sisters'."

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"What do you care what I wear? Humph, so what if it diminishes my appearance? I'm not dressed specifically for you."

Li Canghai pouted and said coldly. In her heart, she wondered if she really looked bad in this outfit, and how long it had been since she had worn women's clothes. She wondered how she would look now. A sliver of anticipation filled Li Canghai's heart. "I'll definitely give this bad guy a big surprise, humph!"

Seeing Li Canghai's expression, Duan Yu's lips curled into a wicked smile. What woman doesn't love beauty? Although Li Canghai was hiding in the Sutra Pavilion and always dressed in a monk's robe, Duan Yu could tell from the faint fragrance emanating from her that she was actually secretly dressing up. Otherwise, she wouldn't have used flower petals specifically for bathing. These petals smelled of a hundred flowers. Underneath this fragrance was a faint, delicate scent, undoubtedly Li Canghai's natural body odor.

"How did you learn these skills? Although the martial arts of my Free and Unfettered Sect are powerful, we don't have these cultivation methods,"

Li Canghai asked.

"I still can't tell you now!"

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"Hmph, I don't care if you don't tell me,"

Li Canghai said, then shut her mouth.

Looking at the angry Li Canghai, Duan Yu smiled, "Senior Sister, look."

"I won't look!"

Li Canghai snorted coldly.

"Really won't look...hehe..."

Duan Yu grinned mischievously. His right hand moved in the air. The clouds in the distance gathered with his movements. Soon, a peculiar pattern appeared in the sky. A pattern of Li Canghai appeared in the sky, formed from clouds. Li Canghai wore a white wedding dress with ribbons flowing behind her, looking incredibly alluring.

Li Canghai hadn't intended to look, but Duan Yu's mischievous grin made her look up. When she saw herself made of clouds, she was stunned. Was she really that captivating in that dress? What kind of dress was that? She'd never seen anything like it before.

Duan Yu's hands continued moving, refining the cloud sculpture of Li Canghai. He started with white clouds, then began controlling darker ones. A rainbow appeared, and Li Canghai stood quietly beside the Rainbow Bridge.

"Hehe!"

Duan Yu suddenly chuckled. Another cloud sculpture had appeared, this time depicting himself in a modern suit.

Seeing the second sculpture, and noticing the matching outfits, Li Canghai understood immediately, even though she didn't understand the style of the clothes. Her pretty face flushed.

Li Canghai took a breath, her beautiful eyes never leaving the two statues. Under Duan Yu's control, his own statue gentlemanly approached Li Canghai's statue and gently took its hand. Duan Yu waved his hand again, unleashing various spells that created a strange background image. The two statues, under Duan Yu's control, began to waltz.

After the waltz, the two statues gazed deeply at each other, and then Duan Yu's statue gently kissed her. Li Canghai's face flushed even more at this sight. Her heart was completely stirred. She was like a girl waiting for a kiss, filled with anticipation and conflicted emotions.

Suddenly, Li Canghai's eyes widened as the scene unfolding before her eyes was now vividly present in her own body—Duan Yu was kissing her lips. After a slight struggle, Li Canghai murmured something and fell into Duan Yu's domineering and passionate kiss.

Duan Yu's eyes were filled with laughter as he glanced at the sky. Suddenly, Duan Yu unleashed a technique combining Buddhist and Baopuzi (a school of Taoism) prohibitions. Several prohibition talismans drawn with true essence appeared in the air.

Now that he knew of the Heavenly Court's existence, Duan Yu naturally wouldn't allow them to observe freely; he had to be careful.

These prohibition talismans were specifically designed to prevent them from spying on him.

As Duan Yu kissed her, his hands roamed over Li Canghai's body. Even without Duan Yu's conscious control, he wasn't afraid of falling from the sky. Because beneath their feet was a cloud—

the cloud-riding technique possessed by immortals! Coincidentally, it was also described in Baopuzi's teachings.

As Duan Yu's hands moved, Li Canghai already knew what he intended to do. She immediately wanted to resist, as it was all too fast. But everything she did seemed so futile and powerless. Under Duan Yu's kisses, her body quickly went limp, completely lacking the strength to resist. She was completely immersed in an infinitely wonderful feeling.

Her clothes gradually came off, and Li Canghai could only accept it with fear and anticipation. As the firm member pressed against her softness, Li Canghai's cheeks flushed crimson.

The enormous thing plunged in, penetrating to the very bottom. With a soft gasp and a seductive moan, Li Canghai bid farewell to her girlhood. The transformation from girl to woman was swift. The tidal wave of pleasure assaulted her, and Li Canghai could no longer suppress her emotions, involuntarily letting out seductive moans.

"Ah..."

Li Canghai's pretty face instantly turned as red as the rising sun, her beauty radiant and alluring, her delicate lips hesitant to speak. Li Canghai lowered her head, not daring to look up.

Her delicate breasts were constantly changing shape in Duan Yu's hands.

Li Canghai, her face flushed, watched Duan Yu frantically climbing on top of her, thrusting relentlessly. The rhythmic, wet sounds of his thrusts accompanied the sensation. Pain was gradually replaced by another feeling. Each thrust brought Zhen Ruyu a moment of emptiness, a moment of fullness. The emptiness was like falling into an abyss, desperately wanting to grasp at a straw. When filled, her two fragrant buttocks felt as if they were being ripped apart, so swollen and painful. Each withdrawal brought an indescribable, unbearable tingling. Each thrust drove away this unbearable tingling, bringing a moment of satisfaction. Li Canghai found this alternating emptiness and fullness, tingling and satisfaction increasingly unbearable. She tried to lift her buttocks to meet him, only to fall back down in despair. Tears still clung to the corners of her eyes, her brows, tightly furrowed in pain, hadn't even had time to relax before tightening even further due to another kind of pain, another kind of pleasurable pain, scattering two lines of tears. Li Canghai opened her cherry-like mouth, her fragrant tongue half-protruding, licking her lips. Her eyes were languid, her breath sweet as orchids, and her seductive moans, rising and falling, grew increasingly chaotic: "Ah, ah, ah, oh, oh, ah, be gentle, oh, I can't take it. Ouch, oh, don't stop."

Suddenly, she felt a tremor run through her body as a cool liquid poured from the depths of her opening onto that enormous thing, like a warm sword piercing back into the depths of her paradise. She hurriedly used the last of her strength to tightly entwine her long legs around Duan Yu's waist, raising her fragrant buttocks high. At the same time, she gripped her already disheveled hair tightly with both hands. She didn't know how long it had been before the trembling slowly subsided. She let out a long breath, revealing a smile of utter satisfaction. Suddenly, she felt that enormous thing, still inside her, wriggle and begin a new thrust. She slightly opened her languid, seductive eyes and saw Duan Yu had already embraced her snow-white thighs, which had been tightly wrapped around his waist, and began to sway his muscular body. Li Canghai was terrified, her soul almost leaving her body, and she closed her eyes in despair.

The sounds of their thrusting and Li Canghai's fluctuating, intoxicating moans echoed across the sky.

"Ah...ah...ah...uh...uh...ah...ah...ah...ah...uh...uh...ah...ah...ah...ah...uh...uh...ah...ah...ah...ah...uh...uh...ah...ah...ah...ah...uh...uh...ah...ah...ah...uh...uh...ah...ah...ah...uh...uh...ah...ah...ah...uh...uh...uh...ah...ah...ah...uh...uh...uh...ah...ah...ah...uh...uh...uh...ah..."

Soon, the fluctuating, intoxicating moans returned. The suffocating awkwardness returned to the outer room.

Duan Yu carried Li Canghai higher and higher, then slammed her down helplessly. She felt her blood boiling, so boiling it felt like it would burst her thin, delicate skin, yet suddenly she inexplicably trembled uncontrollably, even though the room was warm and cozy. Several times she felt herself sinking rapidly, sinking deeper and deeper, with no end in sight. She desperately tried to grasp even the smallest straw, her heart screaming, "I can't take it anymore, I'm going to die, I'm going to die!"

Duan Yu would suddenly thrust her upwards, bringing her back to life.

In the end, she didn't know how many times she had died and how many times she had come back to life. But that feeling of wanting to die but being unable to, wanting to live but being unable to, was etched into her very being, deeply etched in her memory. A tremor she had never experienced before drained every drop of energy from her skin. An unnamed fire within her burned her as if she would be incinerated at any moment.

"He's gone mad, he's gone mad. He's going to kill me, he's going to kill me,"

she thought desperately, yet she was powerless and unwilling to push him away. That exquisite feeling was simply too intoxicating.

"Ugh...ugh, a little gentler...ah—ah...ah—gentle, gentler...please, a little gentler...ugh...ugh...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ugh...ugh...ah..."

Under Duan Yu's vigorous, relentless thrusting, the beautiful and shy Li Canghai cried out softly, moaning shyly. Stimulated by the intense, soul-stirring pleasure, she endured the lingering pain of losing her virginity, shyly and timidly offering her pleasure. However, she also harbored a trace of resentment, never expecting her first time to be taken under such circumstances. After putting on her monk's robe, Li Canghai gazed at Duan Yu with a melancholy look. 10-18
151

A snow-white body nestled tightly in Duan Yu's arms. One jade arm rested on Duan Yu's chest. Her firm, full breasts rose and fell evenly. A voluptuous, graceful body lay sprawled on her side, her ample buttocks resembling a protruding ball of white snow. Her long, firm thighs were smooth and round like jade pillars, one stretched straight out, the other lazily resting on top of the extended one. Her feet were so small and delicate. Two undried teardrops still clung to her long eyelashes. A satisfied smile rippled across her exquisitely beautiful face. What a sight to behold, like a pear blossom in the rain.

Duan Yu looked at Li Canghai's resentful expression, gently stroking her hair, and softly said, "I'm sorry, Canghai! But I truly won't let you slip away from me." His

voice was gentle yet brimming with boundless domineering power.

Looking at this first man of hers, Li Canghai sighed softly, "Since we've already come to this, what choice do you leave me to make? Yet you just took my first time like that..."

Li Canghai gave Duan Yu a resentful glare, then gently shifted her body. "Ah!"

A searing pain shot through her legs, causing her to cry out involuntarily. Pouting her delicate lips, she tapped Duan Yu's head: "So rough, you have no sense of tenderness."

Enduring the pain, she nestled into her beloved's arms, a shy yet satisfied blush creeping across her face as her gaze swept over Duan Yu's still-erect member.

"So, did you like what we were doing just now?"

Duan Yu asked mischievously.

Li Canghai glared at Duan Yu shyly, then pressed her head tightly against his chest without uttering a word.

Duan Yu chuckled: "I'll take you to buy clothes. Now that we're like this, I don't want my woman dressed like a monk."

Li Canghai retorted: "Who said she's your woman?"

"Oh, so even after what we've done, you won't admit it?"

Duan Yu grinned mischievously. "Since that's the case, hehe… I don't mind letting you get used to that feeling again."

Duan Yu finished speaking and prepared to mount her.

Li Canghai hurriedly and shyly stopped him, "Um... wait... wait a minute, I just... just got over that feeling, I really can't take it anymore!"

"So you admit you're my woman!"

Duan Yu grinned mischievously.

"Um..."

Li Canghai nodded shyly.

"Hehe..."

After a moment of tenderness, Duan Yu moved and led Li Canghai to the nearest town.

When the townspeople saw Duan Yu with a stunningly beautiful woman dressed in a monk's robe, they were all astonished. Such unusual attire was truly rare. They all speculated whether this beautiful woman was someone he had abducted from a nunnery.

While curious, they also envied Duan Yu's good fortune with women.

"Damn it, why isn't it me? All the beautiful flowers in the world are being taken by pigs. Fuck..."

A burly man cursed loudly, his eyes red. He stared intently at Li Canghai's beautiful face with burning eyes, his gaze following her every move. This burly man had a full beard, a long centipede scar on his face, and a face full of fat. " Broad-shouldered and burly.

'Tch, Niu Laosan, look at yourself! You think you can have a beautiful woman? She'd be better off with me.'"

Beside the burly man stood a small man with a rat-like mustache and beady eyes. The man's smile was lewd. A glistening drop of saliva clung to his lips.

"Huang Erwa, you want to get fucked? You rat-like guy dares to tease me? I think you're asking for trouble."

Niu Laosan's eyes flashed with murderous intent as he glared at Huang Erwa.

"Niu Laosan, you dare? Don't forget what my cousin does. He's a constable! If you dare touch me, hmph, you can prepare to spend the rest of your life in jail."

Huang Erwa completely disregarded Niu Laosan's threats.

Hearing Huang Erwa's words, Niu Laosan's arrogance immediately subsided, his eyes flashing with a struggle. Finally, as if making a decision, he cursed, "Damn, as long as I can get this beauty, I'd be willing to go to jail. Don't be too arrogant, or I'll kill you if I push you too far."

"With your cowardly appearance, do you dare? You wouldn't dare even if I gave you the guts. Don't talk nonsense if you don't have the temper."

Huang Erwa completely ignored Niu Laosan's words.

"You bald bastard, do you think I'm afraid of you? I'll fight you to the death. Damn, so what if it's jail? I'll kill you and go somewhere else right away."

Niu Laosan roared and pounced on Huang Erwa. This time, Huang Erwa was frightened. His expression froze and his face turned pale instantly. He never expected Niu Laosan to have such a temper today.

"Niu Laosan, wait, wait..."

Huang Erwa begged for mercy.

"Hmph, now you think of begging for mercy? Don't you think it's too late? You'd better die."

Niu Laosan said and swung his fist, which was as big as a sandbag, at Huang Erwa.

As the fist swung, the timid bystanders closed their eyes, some even turning their heads away in despair. No one believed Huang Erwa's frail body could withstand a punch from Niu Laosan.

"Waaah..."

Huang Erwa cried out. "Niu Laosan, I was wrong, please let me go..."

Just when everyone thought Huang Erwa was about to die under Niu Laosan's fist, a "whoosh..." came

as the massive fist stopped at the tip of Huang Erwa's nose.

"Waaah..."

Huang Erwa screamed again in terror, collapsing to the ground.

"Tch, do you really think I'm stupid? Killing you? I wouldn't even want to dirty my hands,"

Niu Laosan coldly sneered. Then, ignoring the excrement and urine, he led Huang Erwa straight towards Duan Yu and the other man.

This time, everyone's attention was drawn to Niu Laosan again. They all worried for the handsome young man; it seemed Niu Laosan had truly gone mad.

"Where are you going, little beauty?"

Niu Laosan blocked Duan Yu's path, ignoring him completely and speaking directly to Li Canghai.

Li Canghai wore a mocking expression, amusedly looking at Niu Laosan blocking her way. She and Duan Yu had both heard what had just happened, and she was thoroughly amused by this dramatic turn of events. Duan Yu,

seeing Niu Laosan's smile, was also amused. He hadn't expected an ordinary person to dare to try and take advantage of his woman. Having been in Tianlong for so long, Duan Yu had rarely encountered martial arts figures blocking his way, which had always frustrated him and prevented him from using his domineering aura. And today, a burly man had appeared. "Sigh..." Duan Yu shook his head and sighed.

"What are you sighing about... pretty boy, your woman is mine now. Get the hell out of here!"

Niu Laosan said with a cold laugh.

"Uh, aren't you afraid of getting sued for abducting a woman on the street?"

Duan Yu asked with a smile.

"Everyone knows I'm the one who forcibly took this woman, everyone knows she's mine!"

Niu Laosan shouted, turning his head.

"Don't be afraid, little beauty, brother will take you home right now."

Niu Laosan grinned lewdly and reached out his hand towards Li Canghai.

Suddenly, a hand appeared in Niu Laosan's hand. Niu Laosan frowned. Such an ignorant person, it seemed he had to be taught a lesson.

"Take your hand away."

Niu Laosan coldly shouted. Seeing that the hand didn't move at all, a playful smile appeared on Niu Laosan's face.

"Since you won't give it back, then you don't need your hand anymore."

Niu Laosan forcefully twisted his hand to the side.

"Ah..."

A scream of terror rang out. Everyone around knew that this handsome young man was finished.

But once again, they were disappointed. Seeing that the handsome young man was unharmed, Niu Laosan was indeed pale, sweating profusely, staring at the handsome young man in horror.

Niu Laosan was utterly shocked. He never expected to kick the iron bridge plank. He knew very well how much force he had used; to intimidate, he had gone all out. But not only did the man's arm not move, his own arm was in excruciating pain.

He instantly realized this man was a so-called martial arts practitioner.

Niu Laosan's face turned pale: "I...I'm sorry...I...I didn't know you were a martial arts practitioner, please spare me..." Niu Laosan

pleaded. He felt bitter inside. What had he done to deserve this? He'd been blinded by greed. What could he do now? Given the methods of martial arts practitioners, he could be killed in an instant. He could only pray that he had encountered a more lenient martial arts practitioner who wouldn't mind his recklessness.

Duan Yu's eyes narrowed slightly, a wicked smile playing on his lips as he looked at Niu Laosan.

"Young master, please let him go. Niu Laosan didn't do it on purpose. You're a magnanimous person, please forgive him,"

someone nearby said. The one who spoke was an old man selling candied hawthorns. Looking at his compassionate expression, anyone would feel a pang of sympathy.

"It's over, it's over..."

the onlookers murmured to themselves. It was truly a series of dramatic events, a continuous climax unfolding before their eyes. Now, everyone was speculating about what would happen to the old man selling candied hawthorns, imagining what they would do if they were martial arts masters and someone harassed their woman.

Just a simple thought gave them the answer: they would absolutely not let the harasser get away with it, no matter who that person was.

However, the ending is often unexpected, and many things cannot be decided by mere imagination.

Duan Yu coldly snorted, and without any apparent movement, his calm words rang out: "You can stand here for a day."

After saying this, Duan Yu, with Li Canghai in his arms, left the crowd's sight.

Only a stunned body remained; the old man was frozen to the ground in terror. Seeing Niu Laosan's pressure points sealed, Huang Erwa stood up. He ran up to Niu Laosan and cursed, "Fuck your grandpa, you dare to kill me! I... I'll spit you to death!"

Huang Erwa spat at Niu Laosan a few times but didn't dare to do anything too outrageous; he had been completely terrified by Niu Laosan.

"Why are you looking at me like that? How come you know how good I am now?"

Duan Yu said with a smile to Li Canghai, who had been staring at him.

Li Canghai spit lightly and said, "I'm just curious, you dealt with that person like that. Don't you care at all about your woman being harassed?"

"Oh... how could you have such thoughts? If it were before, I would have killed that person instantly, but now I don't care much about these ordinary people. After all, that person didn't actually harass anyone, don't you think... if that's considered harassment, then this society is a tragedy..."

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"Really? But I still think your punishment was too lenient. If it were an ordinary woman today, what do you think her reaction would be?"

"That's not how it works. After all, many things haven't happened yet. If I had to think about the consequences of every single thing, wouldn't life be quite meaningless?"

Duan Yu said.

"Hmph, you're always right."

Li Canghai said coquettishly.

"Hehe, are you not satisfied with my performance just now? How about I go back and deal with that person now?"

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"No way."

Li Canghai rolled her eyes at Duan Yu. "You know perfectly well that's not what I meant."

"Not what you meant? Then what did you mean?"

"You... I'm ignoring you."

Li Canghai glared angrily at Duan Yu and walked straight ahead. Suddenly, a strong pull brought her into Duan Yu's arms.

"Canghai, I've noticed you've changed quite quickly. You've already adapted to my womanly role so quickly." Duan Yu

said mischievously.

Li Canghai's cheeks flushed red, and she didn't refute Duan Yu's words at all.

Inside

an elegant clothing store, Duan Yu sat comfortably in a chair, sipping tea. Not far from him, Li Canghai was trying on several garments. Her eyes gleamed with excitement; she hadn't seen women's clothes in a long time, hadn't worn any in ages. Faced with this dazzling array of clothes, Li Canghai was overjoyed.

She tried on this and that, each piece so alluring, so dazzling.

Li Canghai had become the center of attention in the store, attracting countless people, all staring at the beautiful woman constantly selecting clothes.

An overwhelming aura of menace enveloped Duan Yu. Duan Yu was already used to this. "Sigh, this is the tragedy of having a beautiful wife. Constantly being enveloped by the menace of others makes me a little neurotic. If I suddenly lose control, all these people will be dead. It seems my heart isn't calm enough,"

Duan Yu thought strangely.

Taking another sip of tea, Duan Yu sighed, marveling at how fortunate he was to be enjoying himself alongside Li Canghai. He was drinking Da Hong Pao, a type of tea not easily obtained by ordinary people. He hadn't expected this seemingly unremarkable shopkeeper to possess it and be so generous as to offer it to him. Duan Yu chuckled. While the tea itself wasn't particularly rare—as the emperor of Dali, he'd tasted countless varieties—nowadays, only the finest teas held any appeal for him. The fact that this clothing shop owner could offer it suggested he was no ordinary person.

The shopkeeper was a portly man, dressed in luxurious brocade robes and wearing a jade thumb ring. Despite his size, his gait and movements exuded elegance—yes, elegance! The kind of elegance Duan Yu often encountered in modern society. To put it simply, this man possessed a feminine allure, his voice incredibly soft. Duan Yu couldn't help but suppress a laugh. He hadn't seen anyone like him in a long time.

Of course, although Duan Yu was laughing, he showed no sign of discrimination. Such a person must be someone who has immersed themselves in art, pursuing perfection.

Meanwhile, the fat man was secretly anxious, but he was helpless. He desperately wanted the woman to dress according to his design, but she simply wouldn't listen. After witnessing Duan Yu's occasional display of swordsmanship, the fat man remained silent.

Then, Li Canghai suddenly spotted a piece of fabric, took it, and said to Duan Yu, "Help me cut it."

Duan Yu showed no surprise. With a few casual flicks of his right hand, the fabric was completely cut. Then, Li Canghai demonstrated her needlework skills in front of the shopkeeper, leaving the fat man speechless. Watching Li Canghai simultaneously manipulate dozens of needles to sew the fabric together was incredibly stimulating for the fat man.

Although he pursued perfection in clothing, he wasn't stupid; he knew these two were so-called martial arts masters. For his own life, the fat man had no choice but to compromise.

However, the fat man had to admit that Li Canghai's skills were no worse than his; the clothes she made were absolutely perfect on her.

A set of clothes in several colors adorned Li Canghai, her figure radiant with vibrant hues. Her delicate features, graceful posture, and ethereal beauty exuded a captivating, otherworldly aura, leaving everyone who looked upon her breathless.

"How do I look? Pretty?"

Li Canghai asked, twirling in front of Duan Yu.

"Not bad, very good!"

Duan Yu smiled.

"That's all the praise I can offer,"

Li Canghai pouted.

"Because my heart is already filled with your image. I don't know what words can express my admiration for you,"

Duan Yu said tenderly, pulling Li Canghai into his arms.

Hearing Duan Yu's affectionate words, Li Canghai smiled. Her smile was incredibly alluring; she loved Duan Yu's words. It is said that a beautiful woman's smile is worth a thousand pieces of gold, but even a thousand pieces of gold cannot buy a beautiful woman's smile. Seeing Li Canghai's captivating smile, everyone watching felt intoxicated. They were all stunned, and when they came to their senses, they found that the place was already deserted. Duan Yu and Li Canghai had long since disappeared before their eyes. Only a gleaming gold ingot remained.

Duan Yu held Li Canghai and gently kissed her beautiful face, saying, "Canghai, since you've followed me, you'd better be prepared. I've gotten myself into some trouble, hehe, so you'll have to suffer!"

"Oh... what trouble have you gotten yourself into? And you... you mean? Tell me, how many sisters have you ruined~!"

Li Canghai said coquettishly, frowning.

"Um, how many... I don't really remember clearly. Let me count: Qiushui, Xingyun, Ling'er, Yuyan, Mengluo, Azhu, Abi, Azi..."

"Alright, alright! You...you're too fickle!"

Li Canghai said resentfully, "I still don't understand why my sisters are following you."

"Hehe, why do you think so! Don't you feel happy following me? Or do you still prefer the temple life?"

Duan Yu laughed.

Hearing Duan Yu's words, Li Canghai's expression shifted slightly. She nodded thoughtfully and said, "Although I mind you picking on other women like that, to be honest, I've felt very happy following you for a while. Hehe, seeing those people's jealous and competitive behavior, I realized that my life before was so bland. Life should actually be rich and colorful."

"Congratulations, my little darling, you've understood. From today onwards, you've been resurrected once again. Now is the true beginning of your life's journey."

After Duan Yu finished speaking, he waved his right hand, imprinting all the knowledge he had learned into Li Canghai's mind.

Li Canghai closed her eyes, her expression utterly holy and ethereal. Wisps of colorful light emanated from her body. The light gradually expanded, and she was now a veritable celestial being, her fair skin and jade-like bones shimmering with light.

Li Canghai opened her eyes, a hint of surprise in her expression: "The highest good is like water, so this is the highest good! After pursuing everything, I've realized that the path I've been following is actually within my own heart. Love leaves no trace. In fact, love is also a path." "

Indeed, love is indeed a path. The path is omnipresent. When a person is alive, it means their path has begun, but few truly understand its meaning; no one pays attention to this so-called path. Qiushui, do you still say you don't love me?"

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"I don't love you..."

Li Canghai unexpectedly pouted, leaving Duan Yu stunned.

"Hehehe, who told you to steal my body like that? Not romantic at all, not sentimental at all, hmph... I won't stand for it, I won't stand for it!"

Li Canghai said coquettishly. At this moment, Li Canghai's temperament had changed drastically. She had comprehended the highest good being like water, and Li Canghai had almost achieved the appearance of an immortal at this moment. At this moment, she had already possessed the realm of an immortal.

She even felt that she had a tendency to float away and fly, and there was an extremely strong suction force in the sky.

"Yu Lang, hold me tight, hold me tight."

Li Canghai suddenly said.

"What's wrong, Canghai? Why do you look a little flustered?"

Duan Yu asked in surprise. He didn't understand why Li Canghai, who was just laughing coquettishly, had changed her expression so drastically in the next moment. Although he didn't understand, he still held Li Canghai tightly. As soon as he held her, Duan Yu instantly understood Li Canghai's situation. Li Canghai's body actually had an ascension intention.

"Damn it... I haven't even gone to the Heavenly Court yet, and the Heavenly Court has already offended me. I'll fuck your grandpa."

Duan Yu cursed at the sky.

With his right hand, he swiftly formed several hand seals. "Heaven and Earth, Yin and Yang, Nine Revolutions, All Things Borrow the Law, Hear My Command, Seal!"

The seven-colored light of the hand seals struck Li Canghai, instantly halting his ascension. Even after completing the seals, Duan Yu's expression remained unchanged, his brows furrowed as he stared blankly at the sky.

Seeing Duan Yu's expression, Li Canghai knew something horrifying had occurred.

"Canghai, you go first. I have some things to take care of. Go to Xixia Kingdom to find Qiu Shui and the others,"

Duan Yu said softly. Without letting Li Canghai refuse, he waved his hand, teleporting her dozens of miles away. At the same time, Duan Yu's admonishing voice reached her ears: "After arriving in Xixia, immediately practice all the information I've given you. Your foundation is unstable right now; without Daoist techniques, you can't conceal your aura. That's why you were summoned by Heaven and Earth, transported to the Heavenly Court according to its rules."

Li Canghai's starry eyes flickered, a hint of panic and worry in her expression. Given Duan Yu's domineering nature, the fact that he wouldn't let his woman by his side this time showed what kind of challenge he faced.

However, Li Canghai wasn't just a pretty face; she understood that staying wouldn't help Duan Yu. She took one last look at where Duan Yu was before heading towards Xixia. "Duan Yu, you must live. You've just captured my heart; you absolutely cannot die like that. Otherwise, I'll chase you to the ends of the earth and find you!"

Duan Yu breathed a sigh of relief as soon as Li Canghai left. His hand twitched, revealing a single, glistening teardrop. Duan Yu smiled, a bittersweet smile on his face. "Little girl, I will never die like that. If I can't even get through this, what right do I have to exist? What right do I have to conquer heaven and earth?"

Almost as soon as Duan Yu finished speaking, a figure riding on a seven-colored auspicious cloud appeared before his eyes. Upon seeing the person on the cloud, Duan Yu froze.

When he was helping Li Canghai resolve his physical distress, he had noticed a powerful aura rapidly approaching from the sky. At that moment, Duan Yu understood that Li Canghai's condition couldn't possibly go undetected by the Heavenly Court. That's why Duan Yu had asked Li Canghai to leave while he stayed. He hadn't stayed with a death wish; he simply assumed the Heavenly Court wouldn't send a powerful immortal. However, upon seeing the newcomer, Duan Yu discovered he couldn't discern the other's true strength. According to the Daoist text *Baopuzi*, if one couldn't detect the other's power, it meant the other's rank was higher than one's own. If one is higher than an Earth Immortal, then at least a Great Luo Golden Immortal.

The pressure from a Great Luo Golden Immortal is immense.

However, along with this pressure, Duan Yu also felt a sense of amazement and surprise. Before him stood an absolutely perfect and beautiful fairy. He sensed a faint, inexplicable emotion emanating from her, as if something were destined to be between them. Duan Yu was utterly perplexed, as if his fate were intertwined with hers.

153

"Who are you?" Duan Yu

asked, puzzled, noticing the hint of resentment on the other's face.

"Who am I? You actually ask me who I am, Duan Yu. Don't you know why you came to this world?"

the beautiful fairy said coldly.

"I know? How could I know? It would be strange if I knew who brought me here. I've been wondering who put me in Tianlong!"

Duan Yu pouted.

"Hehehe. You don't know? You deserve it! You're living a carefree life in the mortal world, do you know how much trouble you've caused me? You're always causing me trouble! Look at you now, boldly absorbing dragon energy, let's see what you do now!"

the beautiful fairy said irritably.

"I'll talk, can you explain it clearly? I'm not hearing it clearly."

Duan Yu pouted. "Who exactly are you? Judging from your tone, I came to this era because of you."

"Who would have wanted to bring you here? Humph! It was just that you happened to see someone open a spatial gate and followed them here. You big lecher! You scoundrel, all you do is chase girls and carelessly break the rules of this world. You're simply despicable!"

the beautiful fairy said.

"It really was you who brought me here! I have to say, you brought me here, so you should take care of my life, right? What kind of behavior is it to just throw me into the canyon like that?"

Duan Yu shrugged and teased her.

"You... I should have killed you from the beginning!"

the beautiful fairy said angrily.

"Would you be willing to kill me? Although I don't know who you are, I can vaguely sense a strange connection from you. It seems that my fate is actually intertwined with yours. It's really quite surprising. Could all of this be controlled by the Heavenly Dao?"

Duan Yu said with a smile.

Hearing Duan Yu's words, a hint of surprise appeared on the beautiful fairy's face. "You understand the 'Dao' so quickly. It seems you really have received the Dragon Qi inheritance."

"Oh, you also know I received the Dragon Qi inheritance." Duan

Yu said in surprise.

"Of course I know. Hmph, you're smart enough to have escaped a calamity by staying in Sister Nuwa's temple, otherwise you would have been punished by the Heavenly Court."

The beautiful fairy said.

"I say! After talking for so long, you still haven't told me your name. I'm really at a disadvantage here."

Duan Yu said with a smile.

The beautiful fairy rolled her eyes at Duan Yu and said, "I am the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden!"

"Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden, you're the Mystic Maiden? How could that be? Would the Mystic Maiden have a personality like yours?"

Duan Yu said somewhat incredulously.

"Of course I am the Mystic Maiden. Otherwise, who do you think would call Goddess Nuwa 'sister'!"

The Mystic Maiden said coldly.

"Indeed, it seems you really are the Mystic Maiden. So what are you doing here this time? You're not here to feel guilty and comfort me, are you?"

Duan Yu said with a mischievous smile.

"I don't need to comfort you. You're completely clueless. Don't you understand your current situation? You don't even show the slightest sign of anxiety. I really don't know if you're just incredibly bold or completely ignorant,"

Xuan Nu said coldly, frowning.

"How could I not understand my situation? Since you brought me from that timeline, you should understand that in our timeline, the Heavenly Court is just a fictional entity in TV dramas and novels. While I don't know much about the Heavenly Court, I'm not entirely ignorant either. Absorbing dragon energy, there's no way the Jade Emperor would let me off the hook. By the way, isn't the Jade Emperor in charge of the Heavenly Court?"

Duan Yu said with a smile.

Hearing Duan Yu's words, Xuan Nu's face showed a strange expression. She hadn't actually stayed in Duan Yu's timeline for very long, so what Duan Yu said was quite shocking to her.

"The Jade Emperor does indeed rule the Lingxiao Palace in the Heavenly Court. Since you know your situation, why do you still have this expression?"

Xuan Nu asked curiously.

"Although the Heavenly Court is powerful, it's not the only entity in this world. Those so-called Western angels and Buddhas must also exist, right? Since that's the case, what do I have to fear? I don't believe everyone in the Heavenly Court is a master,"

Duan Yu said seriously.

"While not everyone in the Heavenly Court is a master, there are many more powerful than you. Any one of them would be beyond your capabilities,"

Xuan Nu said.

"That's not necessarily true. Although I know very few Taoist arts now, I entered the Dao through martial arts. Don't forget, I am, after all, a successor of the Dragon Qi. By the way, what exactly does this Dragon Qi inheritance mean? Tell me,"

Duan Yu asked with a smile.

"You're simply unreasonable! You don't even know what the Dragon Qi inheritance is, yet you're so arrogant,"

Xuan Nu said, looking at Duan Yu.

"I may not know what the Dragon Qi inheritance is, but something that could shock even the Goddess Nuwa can't possibly be ordinary,"

Duan Yu said.

"Indeed, what you inherited is not just the so-called dragon energy, but the legacy of an ancient dragon. It was the first creature created at the beginning of time. Under Pangu, it was truly the first. Originally, I thought that after it transformed, it would not leave any legacy, but unexpectedly, it still left a legacy. And you actually obtained this legacy."

Xuan Nu shook her head and said with emotion.

"Then I'm the so-called chosen one by heaven."

Duan Yu smiled.

"You're so conceited. Chosen one by heaven, yes, it is the chosen one by heaven, but it's just that the Heavenly Court will end your little life."

Xuan Nu teased.

"I didn't expect you to be so witty. These rumors really can't be believed all the time. Who knew that the Goddess of Justice would have such a personality."

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"None of your business, hmph, what business is it of yours what kind of personality I have?"

Xuan Nu said coquettishly.

"Alright, tell me, what exactly did you come down here for this time?"

Duan Yu asked seriously. "I don't think you really came to see me."

"Actually, you're right. I really did come down here specifically to see you. I came here specifically for you."

Xuan Nu said with a charming smile.

"Since you came here specifically to see me, now that you've seen me, you can leave."

Duan Yu said, shrugging.

"You..."

Xuan Nu was astonished. Had this person changed his ways? Not only did he not keep her, this beautiful woman, but he was also sending her back. What was wrong with him? Was he sick? Xuan Nu muttered to herself.

"Duan Yu, you're not sick, are you..."

Xuan Nu asked, blinking her eyes.

"Sick? What sickness could I have? I'm telling you, we may be close, but don't curse me like that. I'm perfectly fine, what sickness could I have?"

Duan Yu said fiercely, his eyes wide.

"If you're not sick, then why didn't you keep me?"

Xuan Nu asked directly out of curiosity.

"Why would I keep you? Why would I keep you?"

Duan Yu looked at her like she was crazy.

"Am I not beautiful?"

Xuan Nu asked somewhat awkwardly.

"Beautiful! Extremely beautiful. Of all the women I know, you're the most beautiful right now,"

Duan Yu said honestly.

"Since I'm beautiful, why are you chasing me away? Have you really fallen ill and stopped liking beautiful women?"

Xuan Nu's expression darkened slightly.

"Could it be that Fairy Sister has fallen for me? Hehe. Otherwise, why would Sister want to stay so much?"

Duan Yu said, as if suddenly enlightened.

Xuan Nu blushed, looking down at Duan Yu coyly, "I haven't fallen for you. Humph, who would like a bad guy like you, always chasing girls and causing trouble? You're such a troublemaker."

Xuan Nu herself didn't know what she was thinking. Originally, she came down here to teach Duan Yu a lesson. Even if she didn't kill him, she would at least give him a good beating. But when she actually faced him, she was shocked to find herself unable to meet his gaze. She had only been with Duan Yu for a short while, and she already felt an urge to run away. This made her extremely distressed.

Seeing the sudden blush on Xuan Nu's face, Duan Yu was startled. "No way! This Xuan Nu really likes me!" At first, he thought her words were a test, but it turned out this goddess of justice was genuinely interested in him. Was his charm really that great? It seemed this was a matter of character. Look, the moment I came into contact with the Heavenly Court, the renowned Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden was interested in me! Hehehe! What else could this be but character?

"Stop being so conceited. I don't like you at all. Don't get the wrong idea. Humph, who would like you? All you know is how to use all sorts of tricks to pick up girls. I think you're just a lustful animal."

Xuan Nu raised her head and sneered.

"Eh, you know what I'm thinking?"

Duan Yu's expression changed slightly.

"What's so strange about that? It's just a little mind-reading."

Xuan Nu said calmly.

"Indeed, it's just mind-reading. But it's not good that you can do it and I can't. Anyway, it's just a small spell, so why don't you teach me?" Duan

Yu said with a cheeky smile.

"Teach you? No way. I won't teach you. If I do, you'll just use it to harm other women,"

Xuan Nu said coldly.

"Heh, you're always thinking of me, and you even say you've fallen for me. I think you're more like my housekeeper now,"

Duan Yu said.

Xuan Nu's expression changed again, and she wondered to herself what was wrong with her, why she was always at a disadvantage. She wasn't that stupid.

"Alright, Duan Yu, I won't waste any more time with you. My opportunity to come down here this time was purely by chance. What I need to tell you now is that you're really in trouble this time. You've offended the Heavenly Court. Just as I told you, the Heavenly Court isn't the only power there. There are also the angels of the Papacy, the Olympian gods, and even Buddha. But it's precisely because of this that the Heavenly Court is preparing to use you as a scapegoat to uphold its authority. Don't think I'm joking. The Thunder God will be descending soon. Among all the gods, the Thunder God is considered a powerful figure. He possesses the strength of a Great Luo Golden Immortal. You, a mere Earth Immortal, are not someone you can easily deal with. I advise you to find a place to hide."

The Goddess of the Mystic God spoke solemnly.

"The Thunder God is coming down to capture me. It seems the Jade Emperor is quite determined. He's even sending the Thunder God down for someone as insignificant as me."

A bitter smile appeared on Duan Yu's lips. He hadn't expected the Jade Emperor to be so decisive. "Of all the gods available, why send down the Thunder God, the one he finds most frustrating? Does he know I have the aftereffects of the Heavenly Thunder?

" "The Thunder God is one of the ancient gods, far superior to that Lei Zhenzi. He's the commander of the entire Thunder Department. Don't mistake him for Lei Zhenzi!"

Xuan Nu warned.

"Don't worry, I'm not that stupid. I've never considered the Thunder God to be Lei Zhenzi,"

Duan Yu said with a smile. "Do you know which other gods are coming down besides the Thunder God?"

"Can't one Thunder God handle you?"

Xuan Nu looked at him with an expression of utter idiocy.

"How could the Thunder God not handle me? But where am I supposed to hide? Is there anywhere in this world that the Heavenly Court can't find? I bet even if I hide in the West, the Heavenly Court will still chase after me. This is truly the Heavenly Court's method. First, they sent only one general, then the four departments of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, the four duty officers, and finally, 100,000 heavenly soldiers. Is that right?"

Duan Yu said with a sigh.

"Indeed, I think the Heavenly Court has finally decided to rebuild. Its prestige is far less than before. Even mortals in the mortal world have begun to disrespect the gods. Look! Look at those temples, even the Nuwa Temple is so dilapidated. They've long forgotten the existence of immortals and gods,"

Xuan Nu said with a sigh.

"They haven't forgotten, but as time has passed, you gods have ceased to appear in the mortal realm. That's why they have no scruples,"

Duan Yu said calmly.

"Yes, we immortals and gods have long since left their stage, but even with our departure, the world remains unsettled. Why is there constant warfare?"

Xuan Nu frowned slightly.

"I say, are you worried about me, or are you here to care about the people of the mortal realm? You've already veered off-topic so quickly. Now is not the time for sentimentality,"

Duan Yu said, pouting.

154

"Alright, Duan Yu, I've said what I needed to say. Now I'm leaving. Remember, don't die easily. If you're going to die, it must be by my hand. You'd better take care of yourself,"

Xuan Nu said calmly. With that, she vanished from Duan Yu's sight in a flash.

As Xuan Nu disappeared, Duan Yu dropped his nonchalant expression and stared blankly at the sky. The trouble was only just beginning.

Duan Yu's heart was filled with conflict. "The Thunder God is coming, so I can't go find my women now, or I'll definitely cause them trouble. Where should I go? That's it! I'll go to the East Sea. From what I understand, the Four Seas and the Heavenly Court aren't as harmonious as they seem. I didn't believe in the Dragon Palace before, but now that all the gods are slowly showing themselves, the Dragon Palace definitely exists. I don't even have a single magical artifact right now; dealing with these gods will be difficult."

Duan Yu muttered to himself, then his body flashed and he flew towards the East Sea on a cloud.

"However, going to the East Sea is also a gamble. I hope the East Sea won't gang up on me with Thor. Oh well! Whatever, I'll just go first. If I don't even dare to take this gamble, how can I claim to be transcendent and carefree? There are countless treasures in this sea. I must get one or two pieces from the East Sea. Ideally, I could also get a set of the golden armor, phoenix-winged purple-gold crown, and lotus-silk cloud-walking shoes that Sun Wukong wore back then."

Thinking of the cool outfit Sun Wukong wore on TV, Duan Yu felt incredibly envious. He secretly lamented the waste of talent. Why did a monkey need to dress so stylishly? Wearing it would be so much cooler for him! Duan Yu's desire grew stronger with each thought. Sun Wukong's seventy-two transformations were also something he coveted. However, he dared not go to the Bodhi Patriarch now. Who knew what the Bodhi Patriarch would do to him? The thought that the Bodhi Patriarch had only spent three years enabling Sun Wukong to achieve immortality and learn the somersault cloud and seventy-two transformations made Duan Yu secretly astonished.

"The Mysterious Woman is really something. Why didn't she teach me any Taoist arts? With the Taoist arts I've learned from the Baopuzi and Buddhist classics, I'm no match for these people. Perhaps I'm only good at close combat."

His thoughts raced, and Duan Yu arrived at the seaside. Riding a cloud in the sky, he flew to the center of the East Sea. Looking down, he cast a water-controlling talisman on himself and plunged into the sea.

With his current spiritual sense, Duan Yu immediately felt the imposing aura of the Dragon Palace upon entering the water. He swam straight towards the Dragon Palace, seeing many strange sea creatures along the way.

Swimming so freely in the East Sea was something Duan Yu had never even dreamed of before. At this moment, he felt his entire body merge into a state of carefree bliss. Heaven and earth were unbound, and all things were under his control. However, this state of bliss came and went quickly.

Even in this instant of enlightenment, Duan Yu had already gained immense benefits. His soul was sublimated once more. Although his power seemed to have not increased, in this brief moment of enlightenment, Duan Yu discovered that the Taoist arts he knew seemed to have become one with him. He felt as if he could control his own limbs.

A giant sea turtle swam past Duan Yu, curiously glancing at the radiant Duan Yu. Duan Yu was currently enveloped by a water-controlling talisman, causing his body to emanate a white halo. Looking at the sea turtle, Duan Yu suddenly felt a playful urge. He leaned forward, leaped onto the sea turtle's back, and lay down on its back.

The sea turtle didn't seem to mind Duan Yu's presence; as a creature of the deep sea, it wasn't ignorant. This was a sea turtle that Duan Yu had encountered that possessed spiritual power.

The sea turtle swam swiftly through the water, heading straight for the Crystal Palace, the very place Duan Yu was also going.

"Eh!"

Duan Yu exclaimed softly, surprised that the sea turtle was going there. He tapped the sea turtle's back and said, "I didn't expect you to be a spiritual turtle!"

The sea turtle suddenly nodded.

"Alright, since you're a spiritual turtle, then take me to the Crystal Palace."

Duan Yu smiled and lay down on the sea turtle's back. This sea turtle was several meters long; it could definitely be called a giant turtle.

"Hey, who goes there? A spiritual turtle like you dares to trespass into the Crystal Palace? Do you want to die?"

Suddenly, a loud shout rang out. Duan Yu looked down from the sea turtle's back.

A breathtaking scene unfolded before him. A shimmering, iridescent spectacle stretched out before him. The crystal palace was bathed in a rainbow of light, radiating dazzling beams of light. This crystal palace possessed a postmodern architectural feel, seemingly rooted in modern society.

Rare sea creatures swam about on its surface. Looking at the long-tailed mermaids, Duan Yu was filled with curiosity. Modern society said mermaids were actually manatees, but these were clearly real mermaids.

Looking at the person shouting, Duan Yu laughed. Just as he suspected. A creature with a shrimp's head. Shrimp soldiers and crab generals. Ha! These were the real shrimp soldiers and crab generals.

Funny, quite comical.

Duan Yu patted the sea turtle's tense lower body. "You should leave now."

The sea turtle nodded slightly, turned, and disappeared into the distance. As a psychic sea turtle, it understood how powerful this person was. That carefree, ethereal aura was what drew it there, and it had also gained some benefits from it, which was why it rashly sent Duan Yu to the Crystal Palace.

"Who are you, and why have you come to the Crystal Palace?"

the shrimp soldiers and crab generals asked Duan Yu warily.

Although they were weak, they knew that a human who could physically reach the Crystal Palace was definitely a powerful being.

"Go in and inform the Dragon King that Duan Yu, a wandering cultivator from the land, has come to pay a visit,"

Duan Yu said, his hands behind his back.

"Please wait a moment, Great Immortal, I'll go right away,"

the shrimp soldier said respectfully, bowing to Duan Yu. Ever since witnessing Sun Wukong's rampage in the Crystal Palace, these shrimp soldiers had learned their lesson: never offend anyone, and always inform your superiors to handle things.

Watching the shrimp soldier go inside, Duan Yu smiled and carefully examined the Crystal Palace.

Inside the Crystal Palace, the East Sea Dragon King Ao Guang was enjoying a song and dance performance with his two daughters, wife, and many dragon sons.

"Report! Report..."

Suddenly, an anxious report came.

Ao Guang frowned, but remained silent. A comical tortoise beside him, wearing a prime minister's hat, spoke up.

"What's all this commotion? Don't you know the Dragon King is enjoying a performance? Such haste is unbecoming."

"Reporting to Prime Minister Turtle, it's not that I'm deliberately disturbing you, but a human cultivator suddenly appeared outside, saying he's here to visit the Dragon King,"

the shrimp soldier stammered.

Prime Minister Turtle frowned. "A human cultivator? Oh? Who is he? Did he announce his name? And can you tell what his cultivation level is?"

"The man said his name is Duan Yu, but I can't tell his cultivation level. However, he should at least be at least an Earth Immortal. Because when I looked into his eyes a few times, it felt like my soul was about to shatter,"

the shrimp soldier said cautiously.

"Earth Immortal cultivation? It can indeed shake your soul."

The Turtle Prime Minister finished speaking and turned to the Dragon King respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty, shall we summon the other party?"

"Another human cultivator has come here. When did such a figure appear in the mortal world again? Right, last time the heavens and earth suddenly underwent a drastic change, and my Dragon Palace shook for no reason. It seems someone has transcended the Five Elements. Therefore, the visitor should be this person. Since it is this person, let him in. I want to see who can cause such a disturbance in the heavens and earth."

The Dragon King said loudly.

"Summon the other party in,"

the Turtle Prime Minister said to the shrimp soldier.

Upon hearing this, the shrimp soldier quickly apologized and carefully withdrew, secretly relieved that he hadn't disturbed the Dragon King's enjoyment.

The shrimp soldier quickly left the Crystal Palace and respectfully said to Duan Yu at the entrance, "Great Immortal, the Dragon King invites you in."

"Then I will trouble you to come forward,"

Duan Yu said.

Upon hearing this, the shrimp soldier stepped forward to Duan Yu's right, slightly turning his body as if to lead the way. Seeing the shrimp soldier's behavior, Duan Yu secretly thought that this shrimp soldier was very shrewd. Were all the people in the Dragon Palace so observant and perceptive?

Along the way, encountering all sorts of palace maids, mermaids, and so on, Duan Yu maintained a calm smile, as serene as water, his heart as clear as ice.

"Great Immortal, please come in. I won't go in!"

the shrimp soldier said respectfully, leading Duan Yu to a door with a rolled-up curtain.

Duan Yu nodded, lifted the curtain, and stepped inside. As soon as he entered, the Dragon King's majestic voice rang out: "Fellow Daoist, your visit is truly impolite of this old dragon not to greet you."

The Dragon King rose from his throne and gestured to a seat beside him. "Please sit!"

"Not at all, not at all. I'm sorry for disturbing Your Majesty with my sudden visit,"

Duan Yu said politely, cupping his hands in greeting. He then walked forward and sat down. At the same time, he began to look around. By now, the Dragon King had dismissed the Little Dragon Girl and the other dragon princes. Apart from the serving palace maids, there were only dancers present.

"If I'm not mistaken, it was you who caused the last change in the world, fellow Daoist,"

the Dragon King said with a smile.

"I am indeed Duan,"

Duan Yu replied knowingly.

"Then what brings you here this time, fellow Daoist?"

the Dragon King asked.

"I've come this time, quite shamelessly. I wonder if Your Majesty could bestow upon me some suitable equipment? I will certainly repay you tenfold in the future,"

Duan Yu said.

"Oh, fellow Daoist doesn't have a suitable weapon? That's not urgent. Come, fellow Daoist, try some of the fine wine specially brewed by my Dragon Palace,"

the Dragon King said, raising his cup.

Duan Yu picked up a cup of wine that had already been poured on the table: "Then I, Duan, will humbly accept your offer."

He then downed the wine in one gulp. As soon as the wine entered his body, Duan Yu instantly felt its difference. This wine actually contained the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. With just this one cup, Duan Yu felt an increase in his true essence.

Duan Yu was deeply moved; this was the enjoyment a celestial being should have, unlike himself, who was practically a beggar.

"Fellow Daoist, you are truly generous!"

the Dragon King laughed.

"Not at all,

I am honored by the Dragon King's high regard," Duan Yu replied with a smile. Upon arriving at the Dragon Palace, Duan Yu was not as calm as he appeared. He couldn't discern the true strength of the Dragon King before him. And the Turtle Prime Minister—he couldn't see through him either. Television was, after all, just television. The Turtle Prime Minister was, after all, a member of the Xuanwu clan, one of the Four Spirits; how could he possibly be as worthless as portrayed on television?

"I wonder how many years you've cultivated to reach your current level, fellow Daoist. Why haven't I heard a single word about you before?"

the Dragon King asked casually.

Duan

Yu's expression remained unchanged despite the Dragon King's nonchalant question, but his heart was in turmoil. Should he tell him or not? After some thought, Duan Yu decided to tell him, though he exaggerated the timeframe considerably. After all, besides Xuan Nu, Duan Yu guessed that only the Goddess Nuwa knew he came from another time and space; the other immortals and gods probably didn't know. "Hehe, I started practicing martial arts and exploring various Daoist doctrines when I was five years old, and I only attained Dao at twenty-two. I'm truly ashamed."

"To have achieved such strength in just over a decade, fellow Daoist, it seems you are a person of great fortune. May I ask which sect you belong to?"

the Dragon King asked again with a smile.

"My sect is just a small sect without any Daoists yet; even if I told you, Dragon King, you wouldn't know,"

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"Oh, is that so?"

The Dragon King was surprised but didn't ask further. " If he wanted to investigate, the Dragon King could easily find information about Duan Yu just by knowing his name.

" "Yes, that's right. I'm actually the first person in our sect to achieve immortality,"

Duan Yu said.

"So, you've learned all your skills on your own?"

the Dragon King asked.

Duan Yu nodded. "That's right. Alas, I'm quite pitiful. I've only mastered a little bit of Daoist arts. I hope you can teach me a little." Duan Yu adopted

the demeanor of a junior seeking guidance from a senior.

The Dragon King smiled and drank a cup of wine. "Of course, but the Daoist arts of my dragon clan are innate; they're not something ordinary people can practice. I'm sorry to disappoint you, brother."

Hearing this, Duan Yu secretly thought, "Old fox." He understood perfectly well what the Dragon King meant—he simply didn't want to teach him.

Duan Yu quickly changed his mind. Ever since he learned that these immortals could read minds, Duan Yu had been wary of them.

The thought that he had no secrets from them horrified him. However, in his mind, the Dragon King would definitely not use mind-reading on him now, because the Dragon King couldn't figure out who he really was or what his abilities were.

Duan Yu was right; the Dragon King wasn't using mind-reading on him. According to the Dragon King, everything Duan Yu said couldn't be entirely true. A person capable of shaking the heavens and earth was definitely not someone to be underestimated. He was well aware of this. The Dragon King began drinking with Duan Yu with a smile, but his mind was racing. What should he do? Should he befriend this person or kill him outright? Although this person could shake the heavens and earth, his strength was still very low; a mere Earth Immortal was no challenge for the Dragon King. Dealing with an Earth Immortal was a piece of cake for him. The

Dragon King's thoughts raced, sometimes advocating for killing, sometimes for winning him over. Finally, the Dragon King fixed his gaze on Duan Yu's face, and a decision suddenly came to him. Win him over! Taking a gamble, Ao Guang realized that his forces were growing rapidly, and the Dragon Palace's power was increasing. The Heavenly Court would certainly not allow him to expand so easily.

Sooner or later, when his power grew even larger, the Heavenly Court might restrict him, and a war between them was inevitable. So why not cultivate relationships with those who would benefit him?

Wasn't that what happened with Sun Wukong? Now, he had a good relationship with Sun Wukong. However, Sun Wukong was a tragic figure; such a shrewd individual was outmaneuvered by the Heavenly Court. If Ao Guang hadn't been discreet, he might have suffered the same fate. Just looking at the Eight Heavenly Dragons of the Western Buddha made it clear to Ao Guang.

All the dragon princes under Ao Guang's rule were originally his, but the Western Buddha had completely overturned this. The Eight Heavenly Dragons had no relation to him whatsoever. Although they were also separated from the dragon race, they were completely controlled by the Buddha. The Buddha had even long harbored the idea of bringing his own children into the Eight Heavenly Dragons.

The Dragon King weighed all the pros and cons, and finally his gaze became completely resolute. He would give it away! Not just any gift, but a grand one. Since he had been willing to give Sun Wukong his golden armor, phoenix-winged purple-gold crown, and lotus-silk cloud-walking shoes, what harm was there in giving him another set this time? It just seemed he would have to trouble his second brother and the others again. However, regarding weapons, the Dragon King hesitated, pondering what to give this person. Before giving the gift, he would first try to find out what this person was thinking.

"Fellow Daoist, what do you think of my Dragon Palace?"

the Dragon King asked with a smile.

"Very good. Your Crystal Palace, Dragon King, with its magnificent exterior, exudes an ethereal elegance, displaying great nobility and purity, yet without being vulgar,"

Duan Yu replied with a smile as well.

"So, Fellow Daoist, what are your thoughts after you attain enlightenment? What do you plan to do in the future? I think with your abilities, it's quite feasible for you to seek a position in the Heavenly Court,"

the Dragon King said casually.

"Seeking an official position? I've never considered that. I cultivate the Dao for a carefree life, not to become their subordinate. Why does the Dragon King need to beat around the bush? I'll be frank. This time, I'm not just here to ask you for weapons, but also to form an alliance with you, the Dragon King,"

Duan Yu suddenly said directly.

"An alliance?... What kind of alliance do we have? Fellow Daoist's words will surely surprise this old dragon,"

the Dragon King said with a smile.

"Why does the Dragon King deliberately ignore this? Since I've already brought this up, I'll be frank. It's all up to you, Dragon King. You only know that I'm the one who caused the heavens and earth to tremble, but do you know that I'm also the target of the Heavenly Court's extermination?"

"The Heavenly Court wants to exterminate you? Oh... I didn't know that. If that's the case, then why did you dare come to my Dragon Palace? Don't you know that my Dragon Palace is also part of the Heavenly Court's lineage?"

A hint of murderous intent suddenly appeared in the Dragon King's words, and he seemed ready to send someone to capture Duan Yu at the slightest provocation.

"Let's not beat around the bush. Since I've brought this up, I've come prepared. I believe you, Dragon King, understand the current situation of the Dragon Palace better than I do. Are you really willing to be controlled by the Heavenly Court forever? I think no one in the world truly wants to be controlled by others,"

Duan Yu said coldly.

The Dragon King gazed at Duan Yu intently and nodded, saying, "Alright, then I won't beat around the bush with you. Duan Yu, I have high hopes for your talent. What you said is exactly what I was thinking. My Dragon Palace's strength is growing ever stronger, and it has long been secretly restrained by the Heavenly Court. The Heavenly Court won't let my Dragon Palace grow so powerful forever. Since you want to form an alliance, then I'd like to know how you intend to do so."

"If I were family with you, would we still distinguish between each other?"

Duan Yu took a sip of wine and smiled.

"Family!"

A glint flashed in the Dragon King's eyes. "You mean you want to form a marriage alliance with me?"

"That's right!"

Duan Yu said calmly.

"Do you think you have the qualifications?"

The Dragon King suddenly let out a cold laugh.

Hearing the Dragon King's cold laugh, Duan Yu felt his soul tremble, and his heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself, "No wonder he's a Great Luo Golden Immortal or higher. If it weren't for the divine dragon relic in my Niwan Palace, I would probably have been seriously injured."

The Dragon King saw that his cold laugh had only caused Duan Yu's expression to change slightly, and a sense of unease rose in his heart. He had just used a soul-shaking technique, yet the other's expression remained unchanged. It seemed Duan Yu was no ordinary Earth Immortal. His soul power far surpassed that of an Earth Immortal.

"I think I have the qualifications,"

Duan Yu said confidently.

"Is that so?"

The Dragon King smiled.

"Dragon King, do you know how I attained enlightenment?"

Duan Yu asked with a smile.

The Dragon King shook his head and said, "Although I know that some people have achieved immortality and escaped reincarnation due to the changes in the world, I didn't know you attained enlightenment this way."

"I absorbed the royal dragon energy to attain enlightenment,"

Duan Yu said slowly.

Upon hearing this, the Dragon King's eyes flashed with a terrifying light. "You really absorbed the dragon vein to attain enlightenment?"

"That's right, absolutely true,"

Duan Yu nodded.

"Ha...hahaha...good! Good! Good indeed!"

The Dragon King suddenly burst into laughter.

The Dragon King's laughter confused Duan Yu, who couldn't understand what he was laughing at and why he was so happy.

"What does the Dragon King mean by this? Do you not believe what I said?" Duan

Yu asked coldly.

The Dragon King shook his head and said, "No, I'm just happy. It turns out that all of that wasn't just a legend. I didn't expect our ancestor really did leave behind a legacy."

"Ancestor, are you saying that the divine dragon at the beginning of creation was your ancestor?"

Duan Yu asked silently.

"That's right, he is our ancestor,"

Ao Guang said proudly. "You can name the divine dragon at the beginning of creation, so it seems you experienced the illusion of inheritance. Then there's no mistake, you truly are the inheritor of our ancestor."

"What exactly is going on?"

Duan Yu asked, puzzled.

"When Pangu first created heaven and earth, our dragon ancestor was born from chaos, his earth-shattering roar resounding throughout the nine provinces. Under Pangu, our ancestor could be considered the absolute first god. However, our dragon ancestor ultimately chose to pass away, creating our dragon race through his passing,"

Ao Guang said with boundless emotion.

"You mean you all evolved from that divine dragon? How is that possible?"

Duan Yu asked, utterly astonished.

"Nothing is impossible. With our ancestor's power surpassing that of a saint, mere creation power is extremely simple. However, what we find most incomprehensible is that our ancestor chose to pass away. It is precisely because of our ancestor's passing that our Dragon Clan has lost its guardian deity. And I, Ao Guang, have become the representative of the Dragon Clan. However, when our ancestor passed away, he left behind a statement saying that his successor would appear in the near future. This belief is directly imprinted in the souls of us four Dragon Kings. Originally, after so many years, we had lost the belief, but unexpectedly, truly unexpectedly, it turns out that all of this is real."

Ao Guang said.

"Since that's the case, then I am qualified to be related to you by marriage." Duan Yu

said with a grin.

"Of course, since you are the successor of our ancestor, you are naturally qualified, but the premise is that you demonstrate the power of our ancestor's inheritance."

Ao Guang said with a glint in his eyes.

Duan Yu knew that if he couldn't use it, he would suffer a devastating blow instantly. He smiled dismissively, shook his head, and immediately began to control the divine dragon in his Niwan Palace. A golden light flashed, and

a deafening roar echoed. Duan Yu's demeanor suddenly changed drastically. A vast dragon aura emanated from his body.

"Alright! Stop... I believe you now,"

the Dragon King hurriedly called for a halt.

Hearing this, Duan Yu immediately stopped the aura spreading from his body and instantly gathered it back.

"The aura you just displayed was indeed the aura of our ancestor. With your current combat power, you are very strong. If you were to combine it with appropriate magical artifacts and techniques, then it wouldn't be impossible for you to fight even a Grand Luo Golden Immortal,"

Ao Guang said with a joyful expression.

"That depends on your actions, Dragon King. I'm not very skilled in Taoist arts," Duan Yu

said with a smile.

"Since you have displayed the aura of our ancestor, I will not break my word. Tell me, which of my daughters do you wish to marry?"

the Dragon King said solemnly.

"Which daughter? I don't know. That depends on your decision, Dragon King,"

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"You possess dragon energy, so you can't be considered an outsider. It's feasible for my daughter to marry you. I have two daughters, Ao Luan and Ao Xue. Ao Xue is the eldest, and Ao Luan is the younger sister. You can decide for yourself,"

Ao Guang said with a chuckle.

156

"Really, I can decide for myself?"

Duan Yu asked, a glint in his eyes.

"Of course,"

the Dragon King nodded.

"Then if I choose both, will you agree, Dragon King?"

Duan Yu asked with a smile.

"Choose both?"

The Dragon King was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "Good, as expected of someone who inherited the legacy of our ancestors! We men should have this kind of spirit; having both is the way of the king."

Hearing the Dragon King's roguish words, the Turtle Prime Minister beside him quickly coughed repeatedly. "Cough cough cough..."

"Turtle Prime Minister, there's nothing to hide, no need to cough anymore,"

the Dragon King waved his hand and said.

"Dragon King, you..."

The Turtle Prime Minister was surprised.

"Since you are the successor of our ancestor, I, the old dragon, have no reason to hide anything. Our Dragon Lord is naturally lustful; as the saying goes, a dragon has nine sons, each possessing boundless energy,"

the Dragon King said with a smile. "Duan Yu, I can grant your request and marry both of them to you. However, whether I can make my daughters devoted to you depends on your own abilities. These two daughters are my precious darlings. If you were not the successor of our ancestor and made such a request, I would be the first to eliminate you."

The Dragon King made no attempt to conceal the intense killing intent on his face as he spoke.

Seeing the Dragon King's attitude, Duan Yu didn't mind at all; it was a father's duty. "Of course, all I want is for you, Dragon King, to create the necessary conditions for me."

"In that case, it's settled. I'll summon them to see you shortly. Now, let's discuss the weapons,"

the Dragon King said with a smile.

Duan Yu nodded: "Everyone says the East Sea Dragon Palace has the most treasures and the most valuable possessions. I wonder what the Dragon King will give me?"

"Actually, even if you hadn't brought up the marriage alliance, I was prepared to give you the Golden Armor, the Phoenix-Winged Purple-Gold Crown, and the Lotus-Silk Cloud-Walking Shoes. But now that you've brought up the marriage alliance, we're practically family now, so good things should be for family. This Golden Armor, Phoenix-Winged Purple-Gold Crown, and Lotus-Silk Cloud-Walking Shoes are truly top-tier armor. Sun Wukong took a set from me back then, and it pained me for a long time. Now, the last set is perfect for you, my nephew."

The Dragon King said with a smile. His form of address for Duan Yu had begun to change.

"Then thank you very much, Father-in-law."

Seeing that the Dragon King had changed his form of address first, Duan Yu was no fool.

"As for weapons, I wonder what weapons my nephew usually uses?"

the Dragon King asked with a smile.

"I don't have any particular weapons, but I do have a fondness for spears. After all, they look very cool, and their attack power is extremely strong. They're perfect for group battles,"

Duan Yu said without hesitation.

"A spear! Nephew, you want a spear! Are you sure?"

the Dragon King asked in surprise.

"Yes, I'm sure, I want a spear. It's just a primary weapon, after all,"

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"That's right, there are plenty of magical treasures in the world, you don't have to use just one. But since it's a primary weapon, I certainly can't shortchange you, nephew. I do have a spear,"

the Dragon King said, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, his tone full of pride.

"Father-in-law, do you have a top-grade spear?"

Duan Yu asked.

"Yes, there is a top-grade spear in my treasure room, but you'll have to take it yourself, nephew. Back when Sun Wukong came to my Crystal Palace, I deliberately let him take the Ruyi Jingu Bang (Golden Cudgel) but I didn't bring out this spear,"

the Dragon King said seriously.

"Father-in-law, are you saying that you deliberately let Sun Wukong take the Ruyi Jingu Bang (the magic staff) back then? In other words, you knew all along that the Ruyi Jingu Bang was the magic staff?"

Duan Yu asked in surprise.

"That's right. If it weren't for that, how could the Heavenly Court have allowed my Dragon Palace to develop again? Everyone laughs at me, the old dragon, for being foolish, but they don't know that all of this was actually my scheme. Back then, this Ruyi Jingu Bang was like a thorn in my Dragon Palace. Although it did suppress the seawater, it also brought me karma. How could the people of the Western Paradise be so kind? That's why I let Sun Wukong get this weapon."

A cunning smile appeared on the Dragon King's face. "The magic staff that stabilized the sea was taken by Sun Wukong, allowing my Dragon Palace to develop peacefully for another five hundred years. What's wrong with that?"

Duan Yu thought to himself, "There must be something behind everything that the world doesn't understand. Without the person involved, it's hard to find the real answer from rumors alone."

"Then I wonder what level of weapon Father-in-law's spear is? And can we go see it now? Hearing you say that, I'm quite eager to see it."

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"In that case, come with me. I'll take you to see what kind of weapon that spear is. Don't be too surprised when you see it."

The Dragon King led Duan Yu out of the main hall and towards a sea area.

After passing through several corridors, the Dragon King led Duan Yu to a treasure room with extremely strict security. It was a secret room exuding a strong sense of grandeur. If it weren't for the Dragon King's guidance, few would know it was the treasure chamber, as it was entirely concealed by a mountain. Although heavily guarded by shrimp soldiers and crab generals, their defenses were hidden behind a stone door with three large seal characters reading "Treasure Chamber." Even a cunning rabbit has three burrows; the Dragon King, too, knew how to create a smokescreen. This method of hiding treasure was not unfamiliar to Duan Yu. As a top-tier thief, he understood the Dragon King's intentions.

This smokescreen technique was commonly used.

The Dragon King waved his true energy, unleashing several hand seals towards the artificial mountain. Each seal produced a burst of strange light. After eighty-one seals, the artificial mountain suddenly opened and closed, shimmering with jewel-like light. The Dragon King led Duan Yu inside.

Along the way, numerous restrictions were placed; the Dragon King would unleash a seal at almost every point, and after about fifteen minutes, he led Duan Yu to the very center of the treasure chamber.

Upon reaching the central area, Duan Yu was immediately captivated by everything before him: countless divine weapons radiating dazzling light, laid out before him. This was the Dragon King's true treasure. Scanning them all, Duan Yu couldn't discern which one was the supreme spear the Dragon King had spoken of.

"The things here are also illusionary; the most important thing is actually here,"

the Dragon King said, walking towards a mural on the side of the secret chamber. It depicted a divine dragon, a ferocious and terrifying one.

"Now you know where that spear is?"

the Dragon King asked Duan Yu with a smile.

"You don't mean which one, do you?"

Duan Yu pointed to an inconspicuous purple-silver needle on the dragon's horn in the mural.

"I didn't expect my nephew to be so intelligent. That's right, it's this one. This spear is called the God-Slaying Spear; it's a divine spear no less powerful than Pangu's axe that created the world,"

the Dragon King said solemnly.

"No way, is it that powerful!"

Duan Yu exclaimed without changing his expression.

"Ahem, of course it's not that mysterious. Actually, I don't know exactly how powerful it is. Anyway, no one has ever used this gun."

The Dragon King coughed and said.

"No one has ever used it, why is that?" Duan Yu

asked in surprise.

"Because it was originally a weapon left behind by our ancestors. In fact, even this mural is a representation of our ancestors' original appearance," the Dragon King said solemnly. "No wonder I felt a sense of familiarity. Judging from the current appearance of this God-Slaying Spear, it seems to be no ordinary item. Then I'll test just how powerful it is." After saying this, Duan Yu walked towards the carved mural. He reached out and took the purple needle on the dragon horn. The moment his hand touched the purple needle, a dazzling light suddenly enveloped the entire treasure room. Duan Yu felt as if his soul was about to explode. A sharp pain shot through him, and a beam of light suddenly rushed into his body. Duan Yu's body suddenly froze in the treasure room. At this moment, strange scenes appeared in his mind. It was the scene of Pangu creating the world, where Pangu separated heaven and earth, and the divine dragon was born. There was a very mysterious feeling between Pangu creating the world and the birth of the divine dragon. Duan Yu was instantly captivated by it, his mind merging with the enlightenment he felt. The primordial energy of heaven and earth surged, and the five elements of heaven and earth rapidly merged into Duan Yu's body. Suddenly, a dazzling seven-colored light emanated from his body. "Roar!" A deafening dragon roar echoed. A dragon of light suddenly appeared out of thin air and surged into Duan Yu's body. Then, Duan Yu blinked, and a small purple needle appeared in his hand. "Nephew, I didn't expect you to have truly obtained the inheritance of the God-Slaying Spear. Now, let me see the true form of the God-Slaying Spear," the Dragon King said calmly. Duan Yu nodded and softly uttered, "Restore!" With a "Restore," a flash of light appeared in Duan Yu's hand, and a long spear gleaming with purple light appeared. The spear shaft was covered with dragon patterns, and the spearhead was incredibly ferocious. What a domineering spear! The dragon patterns alone exuded a powerful primordial aura. "Not bad, this is it. It's indeed very strong!" Duan Yu said solemnly. The Dragon King and the Turtle Prime Minister nodded in unison. The Dragon King exclaimed, "This is the first time I've seen its true form. Don't be fooled by this spear; like the Ruyi Jingu Bang (Golden Cudgel), it can change size, and it's more than ten times heavier. Ordinary people simply can't lift it, unless they've received its inheritance." "Indeed, I just received information about this spear. It is indeed much more powerful than the Ruyi Jingu Bang. As for whether it can compare to the Pangu Axe, I don't know," Duan Yu said with a smile. "Now that we have this spear, let's find a place to test its power. Also, I'll give you the Golden Armor, the Phoenix Wing Purple Gold Crown, and the Lotus Silk Cloud-Walking Shoes," the Dragon King said. "Then I'll trouble you, Father-in-law," Duan Yu smiled. "Hahaha, we've come this far, there's no need for formalities," the Dragon King laughed. The Dragon King immediately led Duan Yu out of the treasure room and resealed it. He then ordered someone to retrieve the golden armor, phoenix-winged purple-gold crown, and lotus-silk cloud-walking shoes from a prominent treasure room. Duan Yu accepted the armor without hesitation. He immediately focused his mind on the three pieces of armor and briefly refined them. Due to time constraints, Duan Yu only briefly refined them, performing a simple binding ceremony. After the refinement, the armor automatically donned Duan Yu's body at Shen Lang's command. With the spear in hand and the armor on his body, an overwhelming aura emanated from Duan Yu's body. At this moment, he was like a mighty war god. He had never felt so powerful before, his mind expanding infinitely. He suddenly felt as if he were the heavens, and the heavens were him. The heavens were vast and uncertain; with a light spin of the spear in Duan Yu's hand, a roaring wave was stirred up. The Dragon King immediately waved his right hand, casting several hand seals to seal the waves, and said solemnly, "Nephew, don't act rashly. This is not the place for testing." "I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself. I don't know why, but I couldn't resist swinging it a little," Duan Yu said embarrassedly. The Dragon King shook his head and said, "This is just a natural phenomenon, nothing to worry about. Your involuntary action was probably due to the resonance between the armor and the God-Slaying Spear. It seems this spear has been thirsting for blood for many years. Nephew, I don't know if obtaining this weapon is a good thing or a bad thing. This spear seems to be extremely thirsty for blood right now." "I like its character. I think we should wait a while before testing it. I haven't fully refined the spear and the armor yet, so using it rashly won't have much effect," Duan Yu said with a smile. "Hmm, alright then, I'll arrange for someone to prepare a special place for you to refine it," the Dragon King said with a smile. "Thank you, Father-in-law!" Duan Yu said with a smile. 157. A turbulent current flowed continuously, the surrounding天地元气 (heaven and earth energy) rapidly converging into a radiant purple spear, emanating a wildly powerful aura. This overwhelming aura, like a raging tide threatening to engulf everything, exuded an invincible, supreme power. Beside the purple spear, Duan Yu sat cross-legged, his hands constantly forming various hand seals. Each seal produced a dragon's roar from the purple spear. Duan Yu and the purple spear were perfectly integrated, forming a strange magnetic field. As he continuously refined the purple spear through hand seals, Duan Yu's heart burned ever brighter. From the information gleaned from the continuous refinement, he increasingly clearly sensed the power of the God-Slaying Spear. A wisp of the vast and profound primordial energy merged into Duan Yu's body during the refinement, causing another transformation in his spirit. A hint of primordial energy also subtly appeared in Duan Yu's aura. "Chūchūchūchū..." "Pōpōpō..." Explosive sounds echoed continuously in the space. Though the sounds were soft, they clearly reached Duan Yu's ears. Hearing the faint sounds, Duan Yu didn't pause at all, his hands continuing to form hand seals calmly. Suddenly, the purple spear trembled violently during the refining process, its overwhelming aura growing even stronger, accompanied by a deafening roar. A thunderous dragon's roar followed, the violent energy almost instantly engulfing Duan Yu. It was an aura that directly terrified Duan Yu's soul. If it weren't for the fact that his body already possessed a trace of the God-Slaying Spear's aura through the refining process, Duan Yu would have been in danger of his soul being scattered at this moment. "Boom boom boom!" The God-Slaying Spear vibrated incessantly, each vibration directly affecting Duan Yu's soul. Duan Yu knew he was now in the most critical moment; if he couldn't survive, he would definitely be in danger of death. Gritting his teeth, Duan Yu struggled to control his emotions, channeling all the true energy he could muster to continuously unleash refining hand seals. The primordial energy that had merged into his body was also triggered at this moment, causing a mouthful of blood to spurt from his mouth. "Blood Refinement!" At this moment, Duan Yu resolutely chose Blood Refinement; otherwise, he would never have chosen this method. Although Blood Refinement was quite powerful in the refining process, it was considered a devious method among sacrificial techniques, as it was extremely taxing on the person performing the refinement.

However, Duan Yu couldn't care less about that at this moment. "In the beginning of heaven and earth, all things were divided into yin and yang. The Taiji was chaos, the primordial chaos began! In the vast universe, all things were initially formed. With a heart transcending the Heavenly Dao, I forge a weapon to slay gods and Buddhas. God-Slaying Spear, heed my command, merge!"

With the fusion of Duan Yu's grand vow and true words, the God-Slaying Spear, sensing Duan Yu's unwavering will to kill gods and Buddhas, suddenly roared. It pulsated, like someone deep in thought.

"God-Slaying Spear, I, Duan Yu, swear on my soul that as long as I, Duan Yu, live, I will transcend this heaven and earth, and will never dishonor your name. I, Duan Yu, will trample all things under my feet. The intent to kill gods and Buddhas will never be buried in my hands."

Duan Yu formed hand seals while softly shouting.

"Don't you still believe my words, God-Slaying Spear? What are you waiting for? Heed my command! Merge!"

Duan Yu spat out another mouthful of blood onto the God-Slaying Spear. He then formed several more hand seals.

As Duan Yu spat out a mouthful of blood essence, the God-Slaying Spear unleashed an even more powerful aura than before, leisurely spinning a few times in the air before shooting directly into Duan Yu.

Duan Yu neither dodged nor evaded, allowing the God-Slaying Spear to penetrate him. The spear pierced his forehead in an instant.

With the entry of the God-Slaying Spear, Duan Yu suddenly felt his soul ascend once more. The scene of Pangu creating the world appeared again. This was the third time Duan Yu had seen this scene, and this time his experience was different from the previous two.

The phantom of Pangu wielded his axe, splitting the heavens and earth; even that slow initial swing gave Duan Yu boundless shock—a profound and mysterious feeling.

With only a slight shift in his mental state, Duan Yu withdrew from that state, shaking his head and saying, "I still can't grasp the profound meaning of that single strike. My soul power is still insufficient. I don't know what kind of power that is—the power to create heaven and earth. If one can create heaven, then one is not subject to heaven's control. That is true transcendence of heaven. Heaven and earth are created by oneself, so what can bind one?"

He gently extended his right hand, and the God-Slaying Spear appeared out of thin air in Duan Yu's hand. At this moment, the God-Slaying Spear had been completely refined by Duan Yu. Holding the God-Slaying Spear, Duan Yu felt a battle intent far exceeding that before. It was even stronger than the battle intent of the spear at the beginning.

Holding this spear, Duan Yu naturally felt an intent to kill gods and Buddhas. Since he had made a grand vow, Duan Yu would certainly not go against his will. The Heavenly Court and the Western Paradise were places he would inevitably return to conquer. If he couldn't defeat those who blocked his progress, he couldn't talk about enjoying a carefree life and chasing women.

After refining the God-Slaying Spear, Duan Yu then began refining the Golden Armor, the Phoenix-Winged Purple-Gold Crown, and the Lotus-Silk Cloud-Walking Shoes. While these were considered high-quality immortal artifacts, they paled in comparison to the God-Slaying Spear, making the refinement of these three items significantly faster.

Even so, it still took Duan Yu over a month to complete all the refinements. After finally refining the Golden Armor, the Phoenix-Winged Purple-Gold Crown, and the Lotus-Silk Cloud-Walking Shoes, Duan Yu strolled out of the secret chamber. He

hadn't been out long when the Turtle Prime Minister approached him. "Your Highness, you've come out!"

"Your Highness knew I would come out today?"

Duan Yu asked curiously.

"That's right, I, the old turtle, predicted it. Your Highness would come out today,"

the Turtle Prime Minister replied.

"How did you know?"

Duan Yu asked, surprised.

"This is merely one of my old tortoise's skills. In the world of divination and arithmetic, I, the old tortoise, am among the top three,"

the Tortoise Prime Minister said with a chuckle.

"Oh, Tortoise Prime Minister, you are indeed so capable. I misjudged you,"

Duan Yu said with a smile.

"Not at all," the Tortoise Prime Minister replied, "I am actually quite lazy. I can only calculate minor matters concerning the Prince Consort. If it comes to truly calculating the Prince Consort's affairs, I cannot deduce anything. I don't know why, but every time I carefully calculate the Prince Consort's life, all I get is chaos. I don't understand the meaning behind it at all."

The Tortoise Prime Minister looked at Duan Yu with fervent eyes.

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