223: Is this a monk?

“Have you heard? In Qingyang, another immortal family was completely slaughtered... The Zhao Family, I hear, is furious!”

“I’ve heard. It’s said that a Late Stage Dao Foundation Immortal Master from the Zhao Family has already begun to apprehend that rogue!”

“That immortal family... I did hear about them. Weren't they called the Xiahou Family? It’s said their Family Head was a Half-Step Dao Foundation Cultivator... and they even had a Rank 9 grand formation as their foundation, and their relationship with the Zhao Family was quite good! Everyone died overnight... it truly makes one ponder in terror!”

“I have a friend... who knows the inside story. It's said to be a lingering issue left by the Xiahou Family from early years... They didn't completely eradicate the roots when they cut the grass, and later, they were retaliated against... All the Cultivators in the family died.

Even the family dog was butchered, and the egg yolks were scrambled.”

“The Zhao Family must have nowhere to cry now, right?”

“Fellow Daoist... What do you mean?”

“Qingyang is a large prefecture managed by Qingchi Mountain, with over a dozen large immortal families and hundreds of small immortal families located within it... It’s the core area of Qingchi Mountain!”

“The Mountain Patrol Hall governs the immortal laws in Qingyang. When various immortal families usually have conflicts, they are not allowed to resolve them privately, but rather report them to the Mountain Patrol Hall... The Zhao Family, being able to play both sides, the benefits within are imaginable!”

“And to wield such power, one must be extremely cautious... Qingchi Mountain has assessments, and if they fail the assessment, the Zhao Family’s jurisdiction over Qingyang affairs by the Mountain Patrol Hall will likely be lost.”

“After all, within the mountain, chaos at its own base is absolutely not allowed, don’t you agree?”

“Some time ago, a Qingxuan Immortal Master in the mountain killed a Dao Foundation Cultivator... This matter involved an Immortal Master, and it was reported to the Discipline Hall, which already caused the Zhao Family to suffer a setback.”

“Now another immortal family has been completely wiped out... All within less than a month. What does this mean? It means there are errors and loopholes in the Zhao Family’s jurisdiction.”

“So how could Qingchi Mountain still trust the Zhao Family so much?”

“If this matter isn’t settled, the Zhao Family shouldn’t even think about re-election... It’s likely they’ll lose this power in the next selection.”

“Don’t you think they have nowhere to cry?”

A Cultivator asked curiously.

“Isn’t the Zhao Family ranked ninth? It shouldn’t be so easy for them to fall, right?”

“Old Master Zhao... his age is almost upon him.”

“The Zhao Family... has lost too much Face recently. If everyone were like this, the Zhao Family would have no prestige left!”

“Oh, Face.”

......

“Young Master...”

Inside a tavern in Qingchi Market.

Shen Li drank clear tea, listening to the various rumors around him.

His thoughts, however, were turning a hundred times over.

The feud with the Zhao Family... it seems it was forged when Great Ancestor seized the celebration spot.

It turns out everything had a trace... The Zhao Family should have originally gotten the celebration spot for the aging Old Master Zhao, who was nearing his end, but it was intercepted.

After the celebration ended... the Zhao Family seemed to have learned some news and wanted to test the Shen Family.

If the test succeeded, they would certainly strike hard... splitting the Shen Family and slowly devouring it, which would also count as retaliation.

Unfortunately, the Zhao Family didn't expect Shen Li to return home first during the celebration... and even less did they expect the Shen Family to directly tear off all pretense and kill that Dao Foundation Cultivator.

What they never, ever expected was... that after killing the mountain’s Dao Foundation Cultivator, Shen Li would be completely fine.

What they never, ever, ever expected was that Grand Master Shenqian would sit in the Discipline Hall and invite many Discipline Hall Cultivators into a trap to protect him, Shen Li.

So they had doubts in their hearts... and didn't dare to make a move against the Shen Family or against him, the Qingxuan Immortal Master.

It’s just... this Xiahou Family... why does it sound so familiar?

Slowly coming back to his senses, Shen Li shook his head as he looked at the scene before him.

Xuan Zang was seen embracing a courtesan, drinking wine and eating meat.

While eating, he was still spouting righteous scriptures... Shen Li suddenly felt the world was chaotic.

Is this a monk?

Does he call himself 'this humble monk'?

Truly... abstract.

After eating and drinking their fill, the three prepared to leave.

The market at the foot of Qingchi Mountain was enormous, yet one couldn't see its end; it was packed with people, an endless stream.

Xuan Zang reluctantly bid farewell to the female Cultivator, and before leaving, he also slipped her some Spirit Stones.

Clearly, the relationship between the two was very pure... Mm, too pure.

The female Cultivator left with a radiant Face.

The Magical Artifact boat slowly floated into the air, without causing the slightest ripple.

On the Magical Artifact boat.

Qiu Ya saw Xuan Zang and addressed him as Immortal Master.

But after the address, she quietly hid behind Shen Li.

As an Extreme Martial Warrior, she could naturally sense many things.

The extreme Dao method she Cultivated was called the Demonic Saber.

Qiu Ya originally thought the Demonic Saber was already strange enough, but after seeing this Immortal Master Xuan Zang, the will of the Demonic Saber, which was originally difficult to tame in her mind, prostrated like a well-behaved doll.

This situation was extremely rare.

And the Physical Body senses of the Extreme Martial Warrior also perceived the terror of this Immortal Master Xuan Zang; goosebumps seemed to grow all over her body.

This made her retreat three steps.

Seeing this situation, Xuan Zang also seemed to sense something and smiled slightly at Qiu Ya.

In an instant, the illusion of a sea of blood and a floating pagoda formed in Qiu Ya's mind.

However, very quickly, the Yin Qi emitted by the Moonlight Talisman Seed dispersed this sea of blood and floating pagoda.

The fierce gale howled in the sky, but Shen Li said calmly.

“Fellow Daoist Xuan Zang... please don’t smile at people anymore; it’s quite unnerving.”

Xuan Zang also shook his head helplessly.

“My apologies... It truly wasn’t my intention.”

“Fellow Daoist Xuan Zang’s appearance must have originally been that of a charming person, skilled in arranging flowers and playing with jade... I wonder how you entered the Baima Temple back then?”

Xuan Zang thought for a moment, then said apologetically.

“My apologies... I forgot.”

“As for this appearance... my appearance... is far inferior to Fellow Daoist Qingxuan’s.”

“Fellow Daoist Qingxuan must surely attract countless Fairies on a daily basis, right?”

“...”

“...”

Seeing Xuan Zang so sincere, Shen Li was at a loss for words for a moment.

The Xuan Zang before him and his Heart Demon were like two completely different personalities, two personalities that influenced each other, yet were clearly distinct.

The words spoken, the attitude, the manner, none could be faulted; respectful, polite, a true gentleman, indeed the image of an enlightened monk.

But the pure malice in his eyes, and the subtle, imperceptible seduction and erosion, were truly impossible to guard against.

It was as if he was in some ignorant stage, not knowing good from evil.

Truly, I don't know... what kind of Dao method the True Monarch imparted back then.

Nor do I know how many people like Xuan Zang are in the Locking Madness Cave.

And among them, what stage of mental illness is Xuan Zang in?

Are there Dao Foundation Perfection, Purple Mansion Great True Person among them?

How deep is the water in this giant mental hospital, Qingchi Mountain?

Shen Li sighed, too lazy to say more... These secrets could only be sought out in the future.

The fierce winds passed by on both sides, the Magical Artifact boat was steady, and lush greenery covered the ground below... Within the Qingchi Mountain territory, there was little yellow earth.

Except for certain areas that suited Spiritual Roots, the rest was verdant.

The air was fresh... which made one feel much more open-minded.

The destination of the Magical Artifact boat... was not directly towards the Yellow Sand Plains.

Before returning to the Yellow Sand Plains, they had to make a trip to the Qi Sect.

The Qi Sect was also in Qingyang, in the market at the foot of Qingchi Mountain. Shen Li received a letter from Ou Yening of the Qi Sect.

The Magical Artifact that was entrusted to the Four Seas Merchant Guild for forging, after many turns, the forging rights ultimately fell into the hands of the Qi Sect.

After all, within the Realm of Qingchi Mountain, the Qi Sect's forging techniques were second to none.

The Four Seas Merchant Guild would not seek far and wide when something was close at hand.

The letter from the Qi Sect stated... that the Natal Magical Artifact he desired had already taken shape... and only needed to be recognized by the Immortal Master's Qi to complete the final step.

The person who sent the letter was Ou Yening... Ever since Shen Li became a Dao Foundation, everything seemed to have changed.

This Ou Yening was originally just a minor Elder-level figure in external affairs; logically speaking, he shouldn't have been able to speak with Shen Li.

After all, those who could converse with a Dao Foundation Immortal Master must also be Immortal Masters.

It was just that the Qi Sect had heard rumors that this Qingxuan Immortal Master had engaged in a massive slaughter at the Yellow Sand Celebration... and then, upon returning home, even killed a Dao Foundation Cultivator from Qingyang in broad daylight.

His killing intent was too great.

Therefore, some were timid and dared not approach him.

After much consideration, they decided to use Ou Yening.

After all, the two had some acquaintance before... This would be more secure.

A letter arrived at the market.

It said there was an important matter.

Ou Yening had some acquaintance with Shen Li in earlier years... and the Qi Sect was also the first force to establish itself in Black Ridge City.

Its value and significance were extraordinary.

So Shen Li didn't think much of it.

He just paid a little attention.

In Ou Yening's words, however, the sharpness and arrogance from before were gone, replaced by complete respect.

It seemed a bit uninteresting.

The elevation in status brought by strength.

Truly... wonderful.

Putting down the letter, Shen Li controlled the Magical Artifact boat, traveling day and night without stopping... The Magical Artifact boat headed towards Cast Iron City, where the Qi Sect was located.