The river water roared and the waves surged as a waterbird swooped by, snatching a small fish while the muddy waves slapped against the reeds on the shore.

In the distance, a merchant ship sailed along the river.

The large ship was heavily laden, filled with grain, and the "Gu" escort flag fluttered fiercely in the river wind.

A teenager atop the ship had been watching for a long time, then with an agile flip, he landed at the bow, his face full of excitement. "Leader, the river is open, really open, no Yin Qi or black mist, it's clean and clear!"

"Good!"

The ship suddenly erupted in cheers, everyone was very excited, laughing heartily and teasing each other.

A middle-aged man with a dark complexion also smiled, "Good, Lei lad, you deserve credit."

The speaker was the leader from the Gu Family Escort Agency, which specialized in canal business and was considered top in Bozhou.

When it came to a blocked canal, those making a living on the canal were the first to be affected.

People of the Jianghu had no roots, spending today's money today and worrying about tomorrow tomorrow. With the canal blocked and the bandits on land, truly, many were inclined to do wrong.

In these chaotic times, survival is the most important.

The Gu Family Escort Agency was no exception; just maintaining their guards had drained all their savings.

When news came from the Bozhou Astronomical Bureau that the canal reopened, no one believed it. The Gu family, barely holding on, took the first big job.

If it was false, they would dissolve the agency after losing money, but if it was true, as the first agency to cross the river, their reputation would naturally soar.

Leader Gu held back his excitement and looked respectfully at an old Daoist beside him, "Taoist Li, if anything happens later, it's all up to you."

The old Daoist nodded arrogantly, "Rest assured, as long as it's not a Great Demon, ordinary Water Ghosts won't last a round under my Evil-breaking Talisman."

Beside him, Lei chuckled uncontrollably, seeing the leader's glare, he quickly covered his mouth, muttering to himself, any cultivator can use the Evil-breaking Talisman, how shameless this old Daoist is.

The old Daoist chuckled, not minding.

Heaven pity him; his talents were limited, making no progress after Enlightenment, spending his days deceiving people with theatrics, he had been beaten countless times.

Now with the Evil-breaking Talisman, he could rightfully take on jobs, even being respectfully addressed as Taoist.

Why fear boasting; he would boast with all his might to recover all the grievances suffered, after all, he didn't have many years left to live...

The large ship slowly sailed past Ghost Cry Gorge, everyone held their breath, even the old Daoist looked tense.

Legend had it that a wild river turn here led to the Nine Netherworld, where all Evil Spirits originated. The common people didn't know, but those wandering Jianghu knew it connected to the Jingjiang Water Mansion, the culprit of this canal blockage.

Even the former Qian Dynasty dared not provoke it, meeting it meant bad luck.

However, as they passed Ghost Cry Gorge, everyone gaped, staring dumbfounded at the collapsed mountains that had completely blocked the wild river.

"What... what happened..."

Beyond the collapsed mountains, the river was filled with decaying corpses, the stench mixed with miasma and Yin Qi, almost forming black smoke.

Countless River Demons and Water Ghosts were extinct, the Evil Qi soared to the skies, sooner or later it would cause trouble, even now shadows with red eyes were passing by the riverbed.

The collapse of the mountains was naturally Zhang Kui's doing. After emerging from the Ancient Secret Realm at the river's bottom, he immediately collapsed the cliffs on both sides, completely sealing the river.

As for the lake full of corpses, no matter what emerged, he had no plans to deal with it for the time being.

This matter was too significant.

A Forbidden Land being completely destroyed, surely no one imagined he was the culprit, it was better to play deaf and allow it to cool down.

Above the cliffs surrounding the Water Mansion, a black wind blew by, revealing the figure of Yuan Huang, the black-robed scholar of Lanjiang Water Mansion.

He looked in bewilderment at the lake of corpses, especially at the rotting corpses of several Celestial Tribulation Realm demons, his expression became grave.

"What could be so powerful..."

"Could it be poison, it doesn't seem like it..."

Thinking this, Yuan Huang's figure flashed into the water. As a Great Water Demon of the Water Mansion himself, he was naturally adept, quickly reaching the underground lake of the Jingjiang Water Mansion.

It was already a mess here, with collapsed buildings everywhere, even the Central Divine Hall had its dragon-shaped reliefs removed, completely destroyed.

Though Yuan Huang couldn't perform Image Retrospection Skills, he recognized the traces caused by Sword Qi.

"Zhang Kui... this..."

Yuan Huang was stunned, his face filled with disbelief, then with clenched pointed teeth, he seethed.

"Truly a calamity-bringer, if other families catch wind, there'll be all sorts of troubles next year."

The more he thought, the angrier he got, while his eyes flickered with ghostly light, "This kid must be hiding an ace... forget it, I'll cover for him this time."

With that, Yuan Huang took out a bottle from his sleeve, carefully opened it and quickly left the underground lake.

The bottle emitted a blood-red mist, gradually spreading, rapidly decaying and eroding all buildings along the way, as if after ages, leaving no trace of Sword Qi.

After a while, several more dark shadows arrived one after another, circled around a few times, and then quickly left.

The news of the destruction of the Jingjiang Water Mansion quickly spread, with some rumors suggesting internal conflict, while others claimed an attack by forces from outside Central State.

In any case, other forbidden lands began strict precautions, closing their doors, inadvertently giving the human race a brief respite.

…

Above Helian Castle, the blood evil still surged.

On the hillside outside, the cries of battle continued incessantly. In the training grounds, shirtless youths were still practicing, a scene that has been around for years and is expected to last for many more.

Inside Helian Castle, in each room, regardless of age, internal or external family name, everyone was meditating, with the blood evil gradually dissipating and being absorbed into their bodies.

Zhang Kui generously imparted the "Six Sins Meridian Technique." Helian Boxiong did not keep it to himself but taught everyone. In no time, there were four more in the Grain Avoidance Realm, and even an elder with deep accumulation entered the Celestial Tribulation Realm.

In the hall of Helian Castle, Elder Huayan, Helian Boxiong, Huo Yu, Gu Ziqing, and Taoist Puyang each took their seats, holding tea with smiles on their faces.

"Hahaha..."

Elder Huayan stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "After the canal opened this time, Anqing State, Lai State, Bozhou, Qingjiang State, and Qingzhou are all connected. Fellow Daoists, if we support each other from now on, we can end the chaotic times sooner."

"I didn't think that far ahead..."

Huo Yu with Double Pupils lazily crossed one leg over the other, "Now that the ghost nest of Jingjiang Water Mansion is gone, I can sleep peacefully without worry."

Taoist Puyang squinted slightly, holding his tea with a face full of curiosity, "When the Sacred Artifact's spirit light dimmed, it gave me quite a scare. Do you think, how did Taoist Friend Zhang manage it?"

Helian Boxiong's expression darkened, "Do not speak further of this matter. What we need to know, Taoist Friend Zhang will not hide. The destruction of Jingjiang Water Mansion is of great importance and cannot be leaked even to our closest kin!"

"Understood, understood..."

Taoist Puyang smiled awkwardly, "I will bury this matter in my heart and cast a Silence Spell on myself when I return."

He didn't mean any harm, as everyone else present had a deep friendship with Zhang Kui, while he saw himself as a follower, spreading books everywhere claiming Zhang Kui taught at Puyang Temple.

He was a thorough "Kui fan."

Gu Ziqing elegantly took a sip of tea, "Where is Taoist Friend Zhang? He called us here to discuss important matters. Why isn't he here yet?"

Helian Boxiong nodded slightly,

"He's training in the back mountain. He should be here soon."

In the back mountain of Helian Castle, a cliff faced a vast forest, stretching endlessly.

Zhang Kui sat cross-legged, breathing slowly and deeply. As his breath extended, the water vapor above the forest transformed into clouds and mist, with white clouds rolling and a magnificent scene under the colorful light.

He discovered a loophole of sorts.

Though the Golden Core Path was not at its maximum level and could only be enhanced through skill points or pills, the earlier Guiding and Breathing Skill and Wind and Dew Feeding Skill could still be further practiced, effectively increasing mana.

Not only those, but the skills that had reached maximum level, though mastered, could also continue to be honed.

He realized that perhaps only when the Seventy-Two Demons Technique was fully mastered, it would truly begin.

In the battle of the Secret Realm of the Water Mansion, besides fully mastering the Tongyou Skill, Array Formation Skill, and Talisman Skill, he had 106 points left.

But that wasn't the biggest gain. The Divine Court Bell, after calculation, had absorbed a total of ninety-eight Divine Strange Pearls, which, added to the original two, made a perfect hundred.

Having absorbed and fused so many Divine Strange Pearls, the Divine Court Bell's nature completely changed, resembling a bell-shaped Divine Strange Pearl.

According to Tai Shi, all the Divine Statue incense fire offerings within Central State were completely unobstructed, with not a bit of loss in collecting incense fire wish power.

Do not underestimate this. The accumulated incense fire wish power within the Divine Court Bell increased severalfold in a short time, and its range grew ever wider. Even when someone offered sacrifices in Ghost Rong and Peacock Buddha Country, it still could be collected.

Besides this, there was the Dragon Pearl, possibly related to a far more powerful force than even the "Four Caves and Five Water Mansions," which Zhang Kui kept for now, not wanting anyone to know.

Additionally, a problem had been bothering him since his return. What did the Yunshan Monarch mean by "enemies come from beyond the heavens?"

Was it the legendary Celestial Court, or extraterrestrial demons? The mysteries were perplexing.

He couldn't help but worry, seeing the Mountain Spirit's tragic state and the Demon-Entering Mountain Ancestor. The ancients must have faced a monumental disaster.

When disaster strikes, some hide aside, claiming to remain wise and safe, mocking others as fools.

Some go with the flow, lamenting over an old drink in a roadside inn, mourning the difficulty of the times, and the passing of youth.

Others reveal their true heroic colors amid turbulent seas.

Old Zhang was no hero, but he was never one to shy away from challenges. Having gained such opportunities, would he not be suffocated if he continued to cower?

In great waves and currents, people like us should laugh and walk proudly through the Jianghu, not wasting great opportunities of youth!

Thinking of this, Zhang Kui stood up tall, sword light roaring as he arrived in the hall of Helian Castle.

"Everyone, I, Old Zhang, want to end this chaotic world!"

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