"Wow, these little things sure run fast..."

The lazy voice of the military advisor echoed once again.

Zhang Kui concealed all his presence underground, frowning with increasing caution and vigilance.

As for Yellow Eyebrow and his group, it didn't matter; he informed Elder Huayan to temporarily lead his people to avoid them, just let them and the General's Tomb bite one another.

What unnerved him was this military advisor.

Logically, if he encountered the General Hou of the Mahayana Realm, even if he couldn't win, escaping should not be a problem.

But although the military advisor's voice was clearly nearby, he couldn't find anyone after looking around.

The Mahayana Realm is the final realm of the mortal world.

Is it possible that this guy is an Immortal?

Yet, if he's an Immortal, why linger in the mortal world?

As Zhang Kui pondered, the starlit image projected another change, a long-lost figure slowly emerged from the darkness.

The Shamanism's Saintess, Manzudia.

Behind her were not only several hooded, face-shrouded individuals but also a five or six-meter-tall White Wolf.

Zhang Kui wasn't surprised, the Demon Star Pavilion initially attempted to drag the Ghost Rong Kingdom into this quagmire with the Qian Dynasty, unexpectedly resulting in cooperation between the two sides.

In retrospect, Manzudia seemed very suspicious.

She's undoubtedly a traitor to Shamanism, deliberately sabotaging plans to prevent the Ghost Rong Kingdom from getting embroiled in conflict. With so many subordinates at her service, she surely has deep ties with the Royal Court of the Golden Tent.

According to her, the purpose of betraying Shamanism was to prevent another divine corpse from reaching the Blood Sea Forbidden Land, but she could have just destroyed the map, so why venture into the Underworld personally?

Perhaps, more than the Blood Sea Forbidden Land, it's the Royal Court of the Golden Tent that desires the divine corpse...

This world is filled with treacherous hearts indeed.

Upon seeing this, the military advisor directly retracted his magic, the starlight faded, the image vanished, and the green flames on the altar gradually extinguished.

The lazy voice of the military advisor rang out once more,

"Alright, you all know the place now, decide for yourselves what to do. Also, Counselor Zuo was a bit hasty this time, but it's understandable, you two don't cause me trouble."

"Yes, military advisor."

General Hou and Left Vanguard bent over and cupped their hands.

After a while, it seemed the military advisor had left, and the two Mahayana Realm evil spirits slowly lifted their heads.

"The military advisor is being too biased!"

The black-haired, tusked Left Vanguard couldn't hold back his anger, smashing the large hammer in his hand onto the ground. With a thunderous crash, the altar and surrounding cliffs collapsed, and even the Nether Soil stone coffin trembled incessantly.

"What good is venting out?"

General Hou snorted, ghostly fire flickering unpredictably under the bronze helmet, his voice as cold as ice:

"Last time, we lost many comrades due to failure, allowing Counselor Zuo to take advantage of the situation. Let him go this time, we'll deal with it next year."

"This bead has been nurtured for a long time, and we cannot afford any loss. You must pass through the Lanjiang and Jingjiang Water Mansions on your way, and with Mid-Autumn approaching, everyone is on high alert. Conceal your presence and don't cause trouble."

"Understood."

After the discussion, a gust of eerie wind swept past, and the two evil spirits disappeared with it, leaving only a moonlit ruin behind.

Zhang Kui's eyes narrowed slightly, and he also manipulated the Nether Soil stone coffin back to the Astronomical Bureau's backyard.

Fatty Tiger lay in the courtyard snoring, with flashes of thunder light flickering through its fur. Zhang Kui glanced at it, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

This foolish creature indeed had dumb luck, seamlessly gaining an opportunity. Celestial Power is a natural nemesis for demon beasts, and this one had somehow absorbed a trace of its essence into its bloodline.

Since returning, it had been sleeping soundly. It's likely that once it wakes, it will break through, facing no obstacles, and even reaching the Celestial Tribulation Realm won't be an issue, saving Zhang Kui from worrying.

Upon entering his room, Zhang Kui immediately took out the Divine Court Bell, ordering Shen Xu to notify Elder Huayan.

Although Haojing City was destroyed, the vast expanse of farmland outside couldn't be abandoned, so Elder Huayan was helping Princess Li Qing gather refugees, build a city, and cultivate the land for survival.

With potential troubles arising, in Anqing State, only Elder Huayan is present, which might be difficult to handle. It's best to take a trip...

......

Moonlight like water, a gentle night breeze blowing.

In the valley outside Haojing City, surrounded by earthen walls and wooden beams, a crude Earth City had already been erected, with rundown shanties stretching far and wide, and many tents made of tattered cloth.

In the stillness of the night, faint sounds of weeping could be heard...

This place was originally a gathering spot for cultivators, with temples and Taoist temples standing tall, some had collapsed in the earthquake, and some still lit with lights.

Though Elder Huayan was highly respected, with Haojing City destroyed and this place in ruins, those cultivators who sought wealth naturally left for various provinces, with only a few willing to stay and help.

Zhang Kui's Iron Blood Manor occupied a vast area, and upon gaining permission, it had been dismantled to become part of the new city.

On a distant hillside, a giant White Tiger lay under the moonlight, and a noble-looking, charming young girl stood silently beside it, gazing at the Earth City below with a sigh.

"Last year around this time, I remember the Capital City hosted a courtesan competition; petals fell like rain, songs and dances abounded, the streets were bustling and lively, who would have thought it would become an old dream so quickly."

With the fall of the Qian Dynasty, only Princess Li Qing remains of the imperial bloodline, a series of upheavals matured this once favored daughter of the heavens considerably.

The White Tiger by the side suddenly spoke up:

"Now that your country has fallen and your family is gone, you have coincidentally entered the Grain Avoidance Realm. Why not take this chance to cut off worldly ties and focus on seeking the Dao?"

"What is the Dao, and what is the meaning of seeking it?"

Li Qing replied with a smile, "If it's about cultivation, are those hiding deep in the mountains truly stronger than others?"

"True Man Zhang is running all over the world, who can cultivate faster than him?"

"He is an Innate Divine Being!"

The White Tiger frowned slightly, "I really don't understand, there are officials to manage the people, True Man Yuhua to protect the land, what good is it for you to stay here?"

Li Qing smiled and looked at the Earth City below, suddenly feeling a surge of heroism.

"A thousand years ago, my ancestor, Emperor Qianyuan, gave up his entire Tao cultivation to protect the human race for a thousand years of peace. I want to let the world know that although the Qian Dynasty is gone, I, Li Qing, am willing to safeguard a part of it!"

"Good!"

In the distance, Elder Huayan approached with the wind, stroking his beard with a satisfied expression.

"It seems that Taoist Brother Xuanji has found a successor."

"True Man…"

Li Qing said with some embarrassment, cupping her hands.

"It's all reckless words, True Man, don't laugh at me."

Elder Huayan laughed heartily,

"You're still young, don't learn from those pedantic scholars and lose your enthusiasm."

He was about to continue encouraging her when suddenly his brows furrowed, looking towards the foot of the mountain, "Hmm, something's amiss at the Holy Temple..."

Saying that, he soared into the air and floated towards the base of the mountain, Li Qing quickly jumped on the White Tiger and chased after him.

In times of chaos, how could there be a lack of demon ghosts? So many refugees gathered together, continuous deaths, grievances brewing, just like a flickering candle in a dark night, attracting all sorts of bizarre and grotesque things.

However, with the Capital City fallen and the Astronomical Bureau severely damaged, without the powerful manufacturing ability of the Ministry of Industry, Talisman Arrows had become scarce, and no matter how strong Elder Huayan was, he couldn't handle it all.

Fortunately, with the Sacred Artifact Divine Court Bell appearing, the Evil-breaking Talisman was easily obtainable, and ordinary Enlightenment Realm cultivators could use it with ease, thus ensuring stability.

Temples in various places became a key focus.

Upon entering the city temple, Elder Huayan saw the stone statue of the Divine Court Bell emitting a faint Divine Light, his face changed immediately, and he dismissed the crowd, the figure of Shen Xu appeared instantly.

"Greetings, Taoist friend..."

This was a method Zhang Kui devised out of necessity; since it consumed a great deal of Divine Power, he usually communicated via Shadow Crow for messages, only using this in major events.

In no time, Elder Huayan walked out of the temple with a serious expression, convening officials overnight to forbid approaching the old city ruins and instruct the people to suspend farming around the plains.

The officials looked at each other but didn't ask much, after all, their survival depended entirely on Elder Huayan's guardianship.

After the officials departed, Li Qing rushed forward to inquire.

"True Man, has something major happened?"

The chief disciple Bu Xu, being dull, was suitable for inheriting the Dao but not for guarding a place. Elder Huayan intended to train Li Qing, thus he didn't hide anything.

"A Mahayana Realm evil spirit!"

Li Qing's face suddenly changed, then filled with indignation, "These people of Yellow Eyebrow, if they didn't want to take responsibility, fine, but to bring such calamity, they truly deserve to die!"

"Don't worry, we'll avoid it, and besides..."

Elder Huayan showed a smile,

"Taoist Friend Zhang Kui will soon come to assist."

"True Man Zhang is coming too!"

Li Qing's face lit up with joy, "True Man Zhang can slay a Mahayana Realm demon evil, if he comes to aid, it can ensure everything's foolproof."

Saying this, she snorted,

"The area around the Capital City's ruins is full of foul air, it would be best if that stinky toad there is dealt with as well, sever the roots of calamity!"

She was referring to the iron toad from the Astronomical Bureau's Inner Treasury, collected ancient artifacts there. This item was peculiar, neither demon nor ghost, and wouldn't flee; it appeared to swallow moonlight every full moon night.

The Qian Dynasty's thousand-year collection was all in its belly, truly a mobile treasure vault, countless cultivators and rogue cultivators came seeking treasure, engaging in endless battles, and the farming people didn't dare approach at night.

"Indeed, it's a problem..."

Elder Huayan nodded in agreement, but his thoughts turned to the seven National Guardian Divine Artifacts, except for the Blood Weng Zhong obtained by Helian Boxiong, the whereabouts of the rest were unknown.

The Divine Artifacts possess spirit and choose their own masters, and it's unknown whose hands they have fallen into...

On the other hand, after Zhang Kui finished explaining everything, he immediately engaged in a Sword Flight towards the Capital City.

However, just reaching Lanzhou, he was blocked by a surge of bloodthirsty evil energy.

In the Lanjiang Water Mansion, a black-robed scholar stood atop a mountain peak, initially watching him with a complicated expression, then waved, conjuring a stone table, a stone bench, and wine and dishes out of thin air.

"Taoist Friend Zhang, why not come and chat..."

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