218: An old friend reappears

In the eastern part of Shennong City, on an open space several hundred miles in circumference, three-story villas rose one after another.

These villas were scattered in an orderly fashion, each enclosed within a small courtyard.

This place was originally the office and residence for those traveling between various Human Bases. Although it wasn't as formal as the Demon Subduing Division's designated hotels, it was considered a place to settle down.

During this period, because of the Rookie Competition to be held in Shennong City, this area was also allocated for people from various Human Bases who came to participate in or observe the Rookie Competition.

Although the various Families from different Human Bases had their share of grievances, they all gave Shennong City Face. After settling in, they did not disturb each other, waiting for the written examination.

However, this afternoon, Qu Hongxi, contrary to his usual behavior, went alone towards Xuan Yuan Daoxuan's courtyard.

Qu Hongxi questioned her, and their back-and-forth voices gradually rose, attracting the attention of many people. Before long, for reasons unknown, the two actually started arguing. Several people from Families with some Face stepped forward to mediate, fearing that the two would start fighting.

But the two completely ignored everyone else and, in an instant, struck out, fighting each other.

As muffled 'boom boom boom' sounds successively rang out, Xuan Yuan Daoxuan's courtyard was battered beyond recognition, and the surrounding courtyards were also caught in the crossfire, suffering minor damage.

Seeing that they couldn't stop them, everyone could only stand by and wait for an opportunity.

And just a short while into the fight, a person from the Xuan Yuan Family appeared and forcibly intervened in their battle. He actually, by his own power, caused both of them to lose their combat ability, making them stand there blankly as if they were ordinary people who couldn't cultivate.

This person was draped in a Daoist robe, his hair was tied up, his complexion was sallow and thin, his eyes were dark, with deep dark circles under them. He swayed weakly as he walked, as if he had stayed up for a long time and was on the verge of sudden death at any moment.

The moment Qu Hongxi saw this man, all his aggression vanished, and he retreated a few steps, very wary.

This person was the most peculiar and mysterious existence among the younger generation of the Xuan Yuan Family!

This person was Xuanyuan Sect!

It is said that when Xuanyuan Sect was born, the Big Dipper shone brightly in the sky, and he had moles arranged like the Big Dipper on his back and feet.

The starlight in the sky did not fade for three days, and the seven-star moles on Xuanyuan Sect's feet continuously emitted golden light for three days.

From then on, everyone believed that this was a Heaven-bestowed Daoist child, and the Xuan Yuan Family even used all its Family power to cultivate this person.

Xuanyuan Sect also lived up to expectations, showing great aptitude for cultivating Dao techniques. By the age of seven or eight, he could already glimpse a bit of the will of the Heavenly Dao.

Just when everyone thought Xuanyuan Sect would lead the Xuan Yuan Family to surpass many other Families, an accident occurred!

One night, Xuanyuan Sect performed a divination and inquiry about something unknown.

When the divination was complete, the world changed color. A night with sparse stars and a bright moon suddenly grew dark, and a huge spatial vortex appeared in the sky. Spiritual Qi swirled, swallowing countless living beings.

Three thousand continuous bolts of thunder crashed down, and torrential rain fell endlessly for three full months.

Although Xuanyuan Sect was unharmed, after that night he lost his original ambition and became a slacker who didn't cultivate Dao techniques, only knowing how to stay up late playing games.

His entire Family took turns trying to persuade him, beat him, and scold him, but nothing worked.

Xuanyuan Sect no longer touched any Dao technique cultivation. Now, at twenty-five, his cultivation still remained at the Peak of the Fourth Realm, where it was three years ago.

Xuanyuan Sect's appearance truly surprised everyone.

Qu Hongxi was shocked, and Xuan Yuan Daoxuan was also very surprised.

She had originally thought that Xuanyuan Sect was already useless, which was why she had gone through all these elaborate schemes to contend for the position of Young Lord. But now that Xuanyuan Sect had appeared, and seemed to want to engage in worldly affairs, could he be planning to compete for the Young Lord position?

Before she could think further, Xuanyuan Sect lifted the restriction he had placed on the two, allowing them to continue fighting.

Qu Hongxi was somewhat wary and spoke with Xuanyuan Sect, agreeing to three conditions before continuing the fight.

Qu Hongxi and Xuan Yuan Daoxuan fought for an hour. Just as a winner was about to be decided, Xuanyuan Sect suddenly activated a spell formation, trapping Qu Hongxi and sending someone to notify Qu Hongqing to return to the Zhu Lu Qu Family to retrieve him, only then would Qu Hongxi be released.

Qu Hongqing understood that, given Qu Hongxi's current trapped state, if she truly went back, it would likely be too late. A flash of inspiration struck her, and she thought of Lu Ze!

Having made up her mind, Qu Hongqing immediately went to find Lu Ze... Qu Hongqing explained the situation clearly along the way.

Lu Ze also gained a general understanding of Xuanyuan Sect.

A decadent Genius, reappearing, is that right?

Soon, the two arrived in the three-story villa area.

At this moment, many people who had heard the news had rushed over, surrounding the area three layers deep, watching the excitement.

"Move aside!"

Qu Hongqing anxiously stepped forward, her small hands pushing at the people in front of her, trying to open a path for her and Lu Ze to pass through.

But everyone wanted to watch the excitement and naturally didn't notice the shouting behind them. Without turning their heads, they impatiently said, "If you want to get a closer look, go somewhere else. Don't you know you have to queue to watch a show? Be careful, I might just punch you in the Face."

Just as Qu Hongqing was about to say something, Lu Ze reached out and pulled her to the side.

Then, Lu Ze's mind stirred.

"Buzz!"

"Shunxin Sword Intent, condense!"

A powerful Sword Intent suddenly appeared above everyone!

Everyone's expressions suddenly changed. They all looked towards the person in the crowd, and upon seeing Lu Ze, they involuntarily made way.

Lu Ze lifted his foot and walked towards the dilapidated ruins.

As the Sword Intent faded, Lu Ze also saw Qu Hongxi trapped in the cage.

At this moment, Qu Hongxi sat dejectedly on one side of the cage, his legs spread wide, his head hanging limply, and a trickle of blood dripped from his nostrils.

Lu Ze only extended a wisp of Spiritual Qi and already sensed that Qu Hongxi's cultivation had retreated to the Minor Achievement of the Fifth Realm, a full minor Realm!

What kind of method is this?

Lu Ze examined the ordinary-looking black cage up and down, exploring it with Spiritual Qi, but found nothing strange.

Upon activating his Spirit Eye, he only noticed that the cage emitted a dark black light, seemingly made of some special material.

"Heh heh, Qu Hongqing, you truly lived up to this humble Daoist's expectations, bringing the person this humble Daoist most wanted to see."

A low voice slowly sounded, and Lu Ze followed the sound.

He saw that in the dilapidated ruins, two sections of stairs were still intact. A man dressed in a grey-blue coarse cloth Daoist robe was casually sitting on them, his legs curled up, his right elbow resting on his knee, his palm supporting his chin, and his dark-circled eyes fixed on Lu Ze.

"Lu Ze, long time no see. Do you still remember this humble Daoist? This humble Daoist's name is Xuanyuan Sect. Perhaps, you can still call me 'Little Daoist Priest' like before."

Lu Ze's eyes narrowed, and he quickly pulled out a long-buried memory from the original owner's mind.

"So it was you."

A hint of killing intent flashed in Lu Ze's eyes, "It was actually you."