Seeing Xiahou Ba readily agree, Yellow Eyebrow Monk put away the strange tile, showing no surprise on his face.

The world says that General Xiahou is loyal to the country, guarding the Northern Border for thirty years, without strictly disciplining his only son, indulging him excessively, which led to his downfall.

Even after being stripped of his military power and ordered to reflect on his mistakes, many officials spoke out for him.

But Yellow Eyebrow Monk knew that this general was a cold-hearted person, focused solely on cultivation, indifferent to his wife and child, and guarded the Northern Border only to hone his Tao cultivation.

Thinking of this, Yellow Eyebrow Monk slightly raised his eyelids, "There is one more thing to trouble Xiahou with."

"Speak!"

"The State Preceptor ordered the National Guardian True Man not to get involved in this matter. It's inconvenient for us to show up, so we'll trouble you with the half map from the Shaman Saintess."

"Consider it done."

Xiahou Ba laughed heartily, his single eye gleaming with bloodlust, saying coldly, "The Shamanism Church, an old rival indeed."

After leaving General Heyang's residence, Yellow Eyebrow Monk walked leisurely but moved exceptionally fast, disappearing into the crowd in a few steps, heading towards Grand Profound Lake.

Across the street corner, a disheveled beggar slowly looked up, a white gleam flashing in his eyes, hurriedly picked up a broken bowl, and limped into a dark alley.

Turning left and right, not knowing how far he walked, he arrived at the back door of a mansion, knocked rhythmically a few times, and was led by a maid to a chamber, kneeling on the ground.

"Master, Yellow Eyebrow Monk went to find Xiahou Ba."

On the bed, a charming woman sat cross-legged with her eyes closed, six jade-like arms twisting peculiarly behind her.

"I see..."

The woman replied blandly, "Find an opportunity and reveal the hiding place of the Shamanism Church to Xiahou Ba."

"Yes, Master."

The beggar got up, bowed his head, and left.

The woman then slowly opened her eyes and sighed,

"Star Lord, you're too impatient. Rest assured, I will soon bring the entire Qian Dynasty to accompany you..."

......

Zhang Kui rode on a tiger to the Astronomical Bureau.

Eunuch Yin, leading a group of black-clothed Profound Guards, was already waiting at the door, full of joy, cupping his hands and saying, "Brother Zhang, today the world will know your fame!"

Zhang Kui chuckled, "Just going through the motions, why make it so troublesome? Tell me, who do I fight first?"

Eunuch Yin laughed,

"I don't know either, but I've heard that many Guest Ministers find it hard to accept that you were promoted to State Preceptor from the Grain Avoidance Realm, and they probably want to challenge you."

Zhang Kui was surprised, "Isn't it supposed to be a match against the National Guardian True Man?"

Eunuch Yin's face froze, "Brother Zhang must be joking."

Zhang Kui felt it was uninteresting, cupped his hands, "Alright then, I'll go ahead, Old Zhang."

Watching Zhang Kui ride off on the tiger, Eunuch Yin slightly shook his head, "Brother Zhang is straightforward, but doesn't understand worldly affairs. The National Guardian True Man would never lower himself to fight you."

Nearby, a black-clothed Profound Guard Captain looked puzzled, "Commander, although Taoist Zhang looks fierce, he's actually quite nice and speaks politely with us. Why do those Guest Ministers dislike him?"

"Simple, not envying those who excel is mediocrity, but those Guest Ministers, tsk tsk... are probably picking the wrong opponent..."

Zhang Kui swaggered atop the tiger, but noticed that the forest path on either side was mottled with daylight, and the snow hadn't completely melted, yet the ground was curiously without insect eggs.

Lost in thought, Zhang Kui contemplated.

After the Locust Demon exploded in the sky, the bizarre and evil aura spread throughout the Central State, but once it turned into insect eggs, it lost that undying attribute.

He wondered if the Locust Demon would revive.

Furthermore, if this Locust Demon was a "Disaster Beast," could those strange evil auras also be called "Disaster Qi"?

Perhaps the Disaster Exorcism Skill truly restrains this "Disaster Qi"...

As he pondered, he suddenly focused his gaze and stopped.

In front, on the forest path, stood an old Daoist in a black robe, with black and white hair, holding a duster, a sword box strapped to his back.

Upon seeing him, the old Daoist flicked his duster, his face calm, cupping his fists, "Congratulations True Man Zhang, I am Shi Jianzi, I've heard that True Man Zhang's flying sword is unparalleled, and I wish to learn from you."

Saying this, he waved his duster and formed a hand seal, the sword box behind him spewed air waves, and a streak of silver light shot out, buzzing around him.

Zhang Kui nodded in approval, "Hmm, not bad."

Old Daoist: "..."

Zhang Kui was speechless, "Do you really want to fight?"

The old Daoist looked slightly angry, "Could it be that True Man Zhang looks down on me?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a golden light soared into the sky, and a terrifying murderous aura instantly spread.

The old Daoist's breath caught, feeling his skin crawl, and the flying sword beside him wobbled back into the sword box.

Zhang Kui shook his head, retracted Lu Li, and continued forward.

Not long after, a middle-aged scholar blocked the road ahead, holding a stone lantern and smiling, "I am Lin Jixian, my magic is mediocre, but I obtained the position of Guest Minister relying on the benefit of an ancient artifact."

"I've heard that True Man Zhang's ancient artifact is miraculous, may I witness it for myself?"

As he spoke, the stone lantern in his hand glowed faintly, and eighteen incarnations appeared in an instant, each holding a lantern, their actions and expressions varying greatly.

"Not bad, not bad..."

Zhang Kui praised, "All of them are true forms, it would be formidable if they fought together. Much better than Old Zhang's cloning skill. Just don't take a look at my ancient artifact, it's eerily frightening."

The scholar gave a calm smile,

"True Man Zhang, you're joking. We've seen all kinds of scenes while catching demons and slaying ghosts."

Zhang Kui nodded, "Alright then."

As soon as he finished speaking, the scholar was horrified to find himself suddenly in a Netherworld space.

The sky and earth were filled with twisted black shadows, and the stone lantern in his hand had completely extinguished, causing the incarnations to withdraw instantly.

In the distance, black mist surged, towering with a giant black parasol that blocked out the sky and sun. Blood curse-covered white veils hung low, vaguely revealing a terrifying black figure, like the Emperor of the Netherworld on tour...

"Hey, are you okay?"

Zhang Kui retracted "Longevity," asking cautiously.

Ever since it devoured that strange white veil, "Longevity" had transformed. Now, it no longer needed to be stored in his personal space; instead, it hovered within him like a magical treasure, manifesting as rolling black energy at a mere thought.

Now, "Longevity" possessed an aura of sorts.

Its function had shifted from previously trapping and defending against enemies to something akin to a field. As long as the Spiritual Qi level didn't surpass "Longevity," any ancient artifact or magic would be suppressed, let alone those continuously sprouting terrifying vines.

When fully unleashed, the field range could reach thousands of meters.

Yet, the more powerful it was, the more cautious Zhang Kui became.

"Longevity" wasn't a divine artifact yet but already exhibited such mighty power. He had witnessed the strength of the "Nine Heavens Profound Fire Mirror" and the "Blood Weng Zhong." Who knew when he might encounter them...

"Ne... Netherworld..."

The scholar's lips trembled as he swallowed drily, finding his mouth parched and words unspoken.

"Heh heh, scared stiff..."

Fatty Tiger looked down and mocked.

"Noisy!"

Zhang Kui flicked his finger on Fatty Tiger's forehead, then clasped his hands to the scholar and continued forward.

Fatty Tiger couldn't help but complain:

"Master Kui, when will this end, with one after another popping out? We don't have the time for this."

"You have a point!"

Zhang Kui nodded, "Let's hurry then."

Hearing this, Fatty Tiger immediately sprinted off towards the Grand Profound Lake.

Suddenly, a young Daoist leapt out in front,

"True Man Zhang, I've long heard of your exquisite magic skills..."

"Fix!"

The Daoist took out a talisman, only to become rigid and motionless instantly, helplessly watching Zhang Kui and Fatty Tiger move forward unimpeded.

"True Man Zhang, this humble monk..."

"Fix!"

"Zhang..."

"Fix!"

As Zhang Kui pressed forward, all those standing in his way were immobilized.

His Tao cultivation far surpassed these people, and the Body Fixing Skill never failed, leaving rigid figures in his wake.

Currently, the Body Fixing Skill was only at level four; it would wear off after three two-hour periods. If it were to reach full level, unless he dispelled it, these people might remain there until the end of time.

Rushing forward, he quickly reached Lake Heart Island.

In front of the Seven Star Tower, Elder Huayan shook his head with a wry smile, "You little rascal, you don't leave any face for others. I'm afraid your reputation will suffer again."

Zhang Kui laughed heartily,

"Cultivation, cultivation, surely it's not for reputations. That's not Old Zhang's way."

"Alright, alright..."

Seeing this, Elder Huayan said no more, "Follow me inside, all the fellow Daoists are waiting."

After entering the hall, Zhang Kui's expression shifted subtly.

Inside the hall, more than twenty National Guardian True Men had gathered, which meant not only those permanently stationed in the Capital City, but also others from different states.

Over thirty National Guardian True Men from the Qian Dynasty, and more than half had gathered here.

He didn't think he had such influence,

What had happened?

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