The monster actually came to life!

Corpse Demon, Evil Ghost?

Zhang Kui's leopard eyes widened, muscles tensed, ready to strike at any moment, regardless of what it was.

However, he was horrified to discover that he seemed to be trapped in a nightmare. Not only did the sensation in his body become increasingly dull, but the surrounding scenes also became blurred.

Elder Huayan...

Zhang Kui wanted to speak up and warn, but he couldn't even make a sound. He could only watch helplessly as the giant corpse opened its eyes and slowly stood up.

Damn, what kind of demon skill is this!

Zhang Kui's eyes were about to burst, and he wanted to try using a clone technique to escape, but even his thoughts seemed nearly frozen.

Looking at that enormous body, he couldn't help but feel a touch of despair in his heart.

Suddenly, the giant's corpse wobbled, as if it couldn't sustain itself, and knelt on the ground, yet still struggled to extend its right palm.

A tiny light spot rose from its palm...

Perhaps it was an illusion, but Zhang Kui seemed to see a trace of pain and grief on the face of that dried-up corpse.

"Save..."

A hoarse voice inexplicably appeared in his mind, and then all the illusions abruptly vanished.

Zhang Kui rubbed his eyes in disbelief, horrified.

The three-eyed giant's corpse was still lying in the coffin, and Elder Huayan was muttering about the court's previous discoveries.

It seemed like it was just a momentary dream.

But he knew it wasn't because somehow, there was now a stone sphere in his hand, heavy as steel and carved with ancient patterns.

Zhang Kui frowned, and the stone sphere instantly vanished into his personal space. Instinctively, he felt this was something he shouldn't casually speak of to anyone.

Willing to endure ten thousand years of karmic fire burning,

Who does this giant want him to save...

"Little friend, why not come and look at the ancient artifacts?"

Elder Huayan's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Looking over, Zhang Kui saw that the old man had somehow already jumped to the back of the chamber, where there were various stone and jade artifacts of different sizes.

He dashed over and took a closer look, only to find some simple stone bowls, stone plates, and jade knives.

Zhang Kui frowned,

"Elder, are these all ancient artifacts?"

Elder Huayan shook his head, smiling,

"Of course not. Ancient artifacts are essentially magical artifacts from ancient times. Although they lost all spiritual energy in the secret realm, they underwent some strange transformations. These here, having three or four would be quite good..."

As he spoke, the stone lotus lamp reappeared in his hand, its faint red glow revealing a blue and a white light among the pile.

"Only two..."

Elder Huayan frowned and shook his head, then turned and said, "Little friend, you may try and see if there's one you can use."

Zhang Kui was taken aback, "Isn't it inappropriate..."

Elder Huayan laughed heartily, "This was meant to be your reward for the discovery, feel free to choose, I will be in charge."

Zhang Kui nodded, "Thank you, Elder."

The power of ancient artifacts is beyond doubt; no one would have too many. Besides the big black umbrella, he also had Chang San's stone bowl.

Unfortunately, the stone bowl didn't react to his blood and was just gathering dust in the storage space.

The items emitting light were a stone axe and a jade cong, but it's unknown what kind of power they hold.

Zhang Kui dripped two drops of blood on them separately.

Sadly, after waiting for a while, there was no reaction.

The recognition of an ancient artifact by a master involves two steps: first, the blood, then one's spiritual Qi must match it, and after nurturing it with substantial mana, it can be activated and used.

If he couldn't even pass the first step, it meant these items weren't destined for him.

Seeing this, Elder Huayan consoled him:

"Never mind, this is common. I tried earlier and found no fate with them either. These two ancient artifacts will go into the inner treasury, and your reward will be noted. You can claim one from the inner treasury in the Capital City later."

After speaking, he tossed an item over.

Zhang Kui caught it, finding it to be a bronze token with the character "Hua" inscribed on it.

"Thank you, Elder."

Zhang Kui respectfully cupped his hands.

Throughout the journey, Daoist Hua Yan had been very protective of him. Although it's for the sake of humanity's greater good, Zhang Kui grew increasingly respectful and curbed his usually unruly demeanor.

Just then, Elder Huayan suddenly furrowed his brows and then smiled broadly, "Someone opened the Sky-Breaking Sect, and those kids were quite fast this time."

As soon as he finished speaking, the sharp cry of an Immortal Crane was heard from outside, "Old drunkard, old drunkard, are you dead yet!"

Elder Huayan rolled his eyes,

"That damned bird, always cursing me to die!"

Even though he said that, his face was filled with a smile as he turned and strode outside.

"The old Daoist has a long life, you'll die before I do!"

Watching the Taoist leave, a trace of envy appeared in Zhang Kui's eyes.

The pursuit of cultivation values wealth, companionship, techniques, and location, and this "companionship" does not necessarily refer to a marital partner.

For practitioners of cultivation, though immortality seems elusive, it is true that they have long lifespans.

When your cultivation deepens, and you witness the transformations of the world, watching those around you turn to dust, having a lifelong friend to accompany you through life and death is a fortune for anyone.

Zhang Kui followed out and saw Elder Huayan conversing with a gloomy old Daoist with a Tai Chi pattern on his forehead.

"Zhang Kui, come, let me introduce you."

Elder Huayan turned and said, "This is Daoist Tianji Zi, a famous master of array and divination in the Qian Dynasty, also the National Guardian True Man of Qingzhou."

Then he looked at Tianji Zi and smiled,

"This Little Friend Zhang has remarkable talent; he has defeated a Grain Avoidance Realm demon at the Enlightenment Realm. His performance in the Secret Realm was also impressive. Daoist Tianji Zi, please take good care of him."

Zhang Kui hurriedly clasped his hands in salute,

"Greetings, Senior Tianji Zi."

He did not have a good impression of the old Daoist before him, not only because of his gloomy demeanor but also because, as a National Guardian True Man, he paid no attention to Qingzhou.

However, Daoist Hua Yan was acting for his benefit, and Zhang Kui was not someone ungrateful for favors.

Tianji Zi absentmindedly nodded and then said to Elder Huayan, "Since Daoist friend has no other matters, I will take my leave."

With that, he flickered and disappeared.

"Tch..."

The Immortal Crane disdainfully spat, "That old scoundrel Tianji Zi acts all mysterious every day, not even fulfilling the duties of a host, with no manners at all."

Elder Huayan looked thoughtfully in the direction of Tianji Zi's departure, then sighed,

"Daoist Tianji Zi is beset by internal fire, perhaps worried about the challenges of the Karmic Fire Tribulation, the life-and-death crisis, which is why Qingzhou is as it is."

Zhang Kui listened on the side with a slight frown.

Is the Celestial Tribulation Realm so perilous...

With the Secret Realm broken, the subsequent matters were much simpler.

Elder Huayan would take the Ancient Artifact and some important vessels back to the Capital City first, while the remaining would be meticulously cleared by white-clothed Daoists, who removed all items before the Secret Realm shattered.

"Little Friend, if you come to the Capital City, you can find me at Jade Flower Temple on the outskirts. Let's drink together then."

Elder Huayan smiled farewell and then rode the white crane into the sky, just as ethereal as when he arrived.

Zhang Kui stood tall on Black Water City and deeply bowed.

Since he arrived in this world, it was the first time he felt the warmth of an elder's care, and he had gained much in these days, almost akin to a teacher's grace.

The nearby old yellow weasel was somewhat envious,

"True Man Yuhua, one of the top National Guardian True Men under the State Preceptor of the Qian Dynasty, in the future you can walk sideways, just remember to look after old me."

Zhang Kui laughed heartily without responding.

If he were someone who liked to curry favor, wouldn't he betray the great reputation of the Celestial Gang and Earthly Fiends?

Ultimately, he had to rely on himself.

Just then, thunder roared on the horizon, and a figure burst through the sky with fierce momentum.

Zhang Kui squinted slightly.

Tianji Zi?

What's he doing here...

...

The National Guardian True Man of Qingzhou, Tianji Zi, has emerged from seclusion!

This news rapidly spread like a storm, causing the demons in Qingzhou to fall silent, and the people and officials to rejoice.

Zhang Kui finally witnessed the might of a National Guardian True Man.

Although Elder Huayan was formidable, his concerns were more on the grand fate of the human race, and he was amiable and unpretentious.

But Tianji Zi was different.

Upon emerging from seclusion, he wrathfully took over the entire Astronomical Bureau, leaving Eunuch Yin and Wu Siyuan trembling with fear, in great misery.

What was even harder to accept was that this guy ignored the Demon Alliance already gathered in the southwest, yet mobilized all resources to secretly search for a demoness.

Bang!

"Why has it come to this, why has it come to this!"

Wu Siyuan, drunk and frustrated by his failed plans to restore Qingzhou, sought Zhang Kui for a drink, hugging a jar and drinking alone, already bleary-eyed from intoxication.

"You cultivators, in the end, seek longevity, finding the lives of the common people insignificant. Cultivation, cultivation, becoming an Immortal, and no longer human..."

"Lord Wu, mind your words..."

The old yellow weasel sighed and reminded with bitterness. He had hoped to secure a peaceful place for his disciples, but with Tianji Zi's arrival, it all turned to bubbles.

Zhang Kui remained silent, sipping wine and looking out the window. At some point, the night had grown deep, with unending rain and gloom.

In the latter half of the night, Wu Siyuan was dead drunk on the table, and the old yellow weasel puffed on his dry tobacco under the dim oil lamp.

Zhang Kui finished his last bowl of wine, then stood up, "I'm leaving, Old Huang, remember to have your disciples send me information."

The old yellow weasel was first stunned, then widened his eyes, "You're going to the southwest? Are you out of your mind!"

Zhang Kui smiled slightly, walked into the courtyard, looked up at the pitch-black sky, opened a black umbrella, and stepped into the rain.

"Life is woe, death is woe, what is sought in the carefree pursuit of longevity, a pot of wine in the night rain of Jianghu, gentlemen do not laugh, do not look back..."

With the leisurely singing, his figure gradually disappeared into the night rain...

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