"Where is the person!"

Tianji Zi entered and questioned unceremoniously.

If the aura of the Mountain Demon Old Demon was like a storm just now, then this old Taoist was like an endless deep sea, making one shiver with fear.

The air in the cave suddenly became oppressively heavy, as if sinking into thick sludge, with a faint sound of thunder rumbling.

Fatty Tiger was so frightened that he crouched on the ground, trembling all over.

Zhu Sheng remained expressionless and silent.

He recalled the last time he sparred with his master.

At that time, Songfengzi was already at the Celestial Tribulation Realm, and the pressure was such that one couldn't muster the will to resist, yet his master still forced him to draw his sword again and again.

The master said: Sword cultivation is arduous, but the most fearsome thing is losing the courage to draw your sword.

Zhang Kui, on the other hand, looked indifferent, watching the occasional flashes of lightning on Tianji Zi's face, his eyes twitched.

"Chased away by another old demon, if senior runs fast, perhaps you can catch up."

He didn't retaliate with futile sarcasm, knowing that being clever with such a deep-minded old monster wouldn't bear any advantage.

Moreover, there was something off about this guy's state, as if the thunder tribulation had already arrived, yet he was forcibly suppressing it in some way.

At the brink of life and death, such people are the most dangerous.

Tianji Zi gave him a cold glance and instantly disappeared.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Fatty Tiger shakily crawled to his feet, "This won't do, this place is too dangerous, even the National Guardian True Man has come here, Master Taoist, we should leave quickly."

Zhang Kui's face was gloomy, without speaking. Instead, he turned around and walked into the kitchen, taking out the baby lying on the cutting board.

Seemingly sensing safety, the baby opened its dark eyes and looked at him, putting its hands in its mouth, drooling all over.

Zhang Kui felt a bit better, the corners of his mouth curved into a smile.

"Little one, little one!"

Zhu Sheng also saved the young woman, running over, crying out as he accepted the child and immediately kneeled to kowtow to both men.

"Thank you, Taoist, thank you, hero..."

Zhang Kui was about to speak, but turned his head to look at the cave entrance.

He saw a man in a black robe with floral hair, with gentle androgynous features, gracefully walking in, slightly cupping his hands,

"Taoist Zhang, I trust you've been well."

"Eunuch Yin?"

Zhang Kui was slightly taken aback, then smiled broadly, "Even you got conscripted by that old man?"

It turned out to be Eunuch Yin, who was nominally in charge of the Qingzhou Astronomical Bureau, unexpected to see him here in the southwest.

"Saddled by circumstances, not as carefree as the Taoist."

Eunuch Yin smiled slightly, then looked around pointedly, "By the way, before I left, Lord Wu asked me to pass a message to the Taoist, the National Guardian True Man has arrived in the southwest, and all demons will inevitably be punished. The Taoist can leave with peace of mind."

After speaking, he cupped his hands again, turned, and was about to leave.

This message sounds off...

Zhang Kui's gaze slightly tightened, then suddenly understood, shaking his head, "Eunuch Yin, you two are playing with fire here."

Though his words were vague, Zhang Kui immediately guessed that these two had outrageous audacity, actually setting a trap involving Tianji Zi.

No wonder Tianji Zi was looking for news about the reincarnated, even Fatty Tiger knew about it.

Maybe, all the times that girl escaped to the southwest, they had a hand in it...

Eunuch Yin's body stiffened slightly, but he didn't say anything more and quickly left.

Their conversation was like riddles, leaving Zhu Sheng puzzled beside them, but his sect disliked dealing with the court, so he couldn't be bothered.

"Brother Zhang, the demon nest is broken, let's go."

Zhang Kui nodded, intending to leave, but remembered something and turned to head towards the inner chamber.

The stone bed had been smashed by the girl, Zhang Kui remembered she had hastily placed a gem back and probably didn't have time to take it.

Sure enough, after feeling around for a bit, he found it.

"Brother Zhu, do you know this item?"

"Fallen Crystal!"

Zhu Sheng's eyes showed surprise. After taking a look, "The sect's records mention it, it should indeed be that Celestial Meteor Crystal, only a lot of its Spirit Charm is dispersed."

"It was absorbed by someone, I saw..."

After Zhang Kui narrated what he saw, Zhu Sheng sighed, "Indeed, there are countless magic techniques in the world."

"Can this be used to refine a sword?"

Zhang Kui asked, knowing Zhu Sheng's sect had always been gathering materials to forge a second flying sword.

"Brother Zhang, this item is precious..."

"If it's useful, take it, don't be so wishy-washy."

Zhu Sheng was stunned, silently nodded, and put it away.

Originally, there were two women in the cell, but at some unknown time, they had bitten their tongues and committed suicide.

Zhang Kui shook his head, causing the cave to shake violently before striding out.

Fatty Tiger, looking limp, followed behind. Zhang Kui tossed something back, it was the Mountain Demon Old Demon's inner core.

Fatty Tiger's eyes suddenly lit up, jumping like a big cat, swallowing it whole, happily following after.

"Thank you, Master Taoist, I also know another old demon's hiding place..."

Behind them, the demon cave collapsed with a rumble, dust rising into the air.

...

In the cold autumn season, chilly winds swept through.

Amidst the rolling mountains, ancient trees stood tall with towering canopies, yellow leaves fluttering in the air.

Amongst those falling leaves, there was vaguely an obscure path paved with bluestone, its steps covered with mottled moss, flanked by overgrown weeds, winding its way deep into the forest.

The Qin Mountain Ancient Path.

The "Qian Geographic Records" noted: "The tea from Dianwan, entering Qingzhou from the border, was once considered a major route, taken by Yu and others in the past..."

Simply said, it was an ancient tea route, though it had gradually fallen into disuse since a branch of the canal was extended to Dianzhou hundreds of years ago.

A squirrel was gathering nuts among the fallen leaves when it suddenly looked up, ears perked, and swiftly darted up a tree.

From the forest trail, a gigantic fearsome tiger suddenly emerged, six to seven meters long, thick legs emitting black smoke, exuding an intimidating evil aura.

On its back sat a hulking man in a Taoist robe, lazily tipping a wine gourd to catch the last drop, sighing dejectedly.

Next, Zhu Sheng, with a tiptoe on the ground, shot forward agilely through the air, slicing the falling leaves before him like a knife, landing softly and shaking his head, "Brother Zhang, with the way you drink, no amount would suffice."

"Blame it on the wine being too bland..."

Zhang Kui shook his head, jumped off the tiger's back, and glanced around.

"Brother Zhu, where is that Evil Qi Ancient Cave you mentioned?"

It turns out after getting rid of the Mountain Demon, Zhang Kui did not want another encounter with Tianji Zi, so they left overnight, heading to the Qin Mountain Ancient Path.

Zhu Sheng's master, Songfengzi, had once seen an ancient cave here, filled with Geng Metal Evil Qi. Zhang Kui wanted to boost the power of his Demon-slaying Skill here.

Zhu Sheng looked around, gestured a handful of dead vines aside, revealing a small, moss-covered shrine, nodded, "This is the place, master said it only appears at night..."

"Then we'll wait."

Zhang Kui smiled, nodding, "Fatty Tiger, go hunt something, I want to make a barbecue."

"Yes, Master Taoist!"

Fatty Tiger, having gained the Mountain Demon's demon pill, felt more than ever it was promising to stick with Zhang Kui. Promptly, he dashed into the forest, and soon captured a wild deer.

Zhang Kui, having been a butcher in both lives, was adept at barbecuing, soon smoke was rising, and fragrance wafting in the air.

Their group, unafraid of the cold wind, set amidst this wildland, watching the mountains blanketed in yellow leaves, chatting and eating meat, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

As they passed the time, it unknowingly grew darker. When the moon hung from the branches, mist gradually rose across the mountains, the moonlight faint and dreamy.

"Brother Zhang, look!"

Zhu Sheng suddenly raised his hand and pointed.

Zhang Kui turned his head, seeing beside that shrine, where dense wild forest was, now within the mist, a bluestone ancient path had emerged.

Dimly discernible, leading who knows where.

Hiss!

Zhang Kui took in a breath, "Could this be the Ancient Secret Realm... it doesn't feel like it..."

Zhu Sheng shook his head, "The Qin Mountain Ancient Path is ancient, stretching across hundreds of mountains, with numerous bizarre tales, this being one of them. Ordinary people who mistakenly enter never return."

Zhang Kui burst into laughter, "Predecessor Songfengzi emerged unscathed, what should we fear, let's go!"

Saying this, the pair and a tiger entered the ancient path, disappearing into the thick mist.

Moonlight shone down, the ancient path now visible, then veiled by dense forest...

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