Fei Huangfu followed He Canshang swiftly flying to the gate of Jushen Manor. With her delicate eyes, she looked ahead and indeed saw that familiar figure!
Daozhang Qingyuan still wore his traditional water-color robe, fan-shaped cloud crown, silk sash, and hemp shoes. His refined and transcendent appearance had barely changed from years ago, as if he had escaped the erosion of time.
“It has been many years, and Daozhang’s charisma is even greater than before,” Fei Huangfu said joyfully upon seeing her savior.
He Canshang also deeply bowed. His advancement to the External Scene was not only due to his own efforts and fortunate opportunities, but also greatly influenced by Daozhang Qingyuan’s guidance to Fei Huangfu.
The supplementation and refinement of the Five Thunder True Method and the Divine Halberd Art, the descriptions of the stages from the Heaven-Man Resonance to the External Scene, and especially the demonstration of that miraculous slash—seemingly the ultimate refinement of the Divine Halberd Art—had all played a crucial role in enhancing his strength and cultivation.
Without these, relying solely on his original techniques and understanding, he would have barely reached the half-step stage!
The remaining few gatekeeping disciples watched in astonishment as their seemingly celestial He Zhu Zhu and fairy-like young mistress paid such a grand tribute to an unfamiliar Taoist priest.
Who exactly was this person? What was his background and strength?
Meng Qi chuckled and said, “This humble Daoist also sees the two lay devotees unchanged.”
Fei Huangfu had long outgrown her girlish innocence, becoming more enchantingly beautiful, exuding the vibrancy of blooming flowers. As for He Canshang, as an External Scene expert, his every movement resonated harmoniously with nature, making him more mature, reserved, and composed.
Fei Huangfu, who later caught up, had also cultivated to the Nine Apertures level. Observing Meng Qi now, she could only roughly estimate he had reached about Seven or Eight Apertures back then. Now, Daozhang Qingyuan appeared even more carefree and unrestrained, like drifting clouds in the sky, unfathomably deep.
Could it be that Daozhang Qingyuan had also advanced to the External Scene?
Although his cultivation level was lower than that of the eldest disciple back then, his talent, bearing, vision, insight, and strength surpassed the eldest disciple by far. It was not surprising that he had caught up within a few years and become one of the few External Scene experts in the world.
“Daozhang, where have you been all these years? We’ve always tried to find news about you, but you seemed to vanish from the world…” Fei Huangfu’s accumulated questions poured out like a string of pearls.
Meng Qi smiled and waved his hand: “It’s a long story. Today is a blessed time for the two of you, so don’t let this humble Daoist delay your wedding. We can talk in detail after the ceremony, as I am in no hurry.”
After reaching the External Scene, the duration of the Reincarnation Talisman had extended to two months, and he could now fly, making the journey to the mausoleum quite short.
As Fei Huangfu was about to speak, He Canshang nodded slightly: “Please, Daozhang, come inside.”
The two respectfully led Meng Qi in, leaving the path disciples and servants along the way stunned, unable to comprehend who this young Taoist was.
Upon entering the grand hall, the curious martial artists immediately turned their gazes.
“Could this be Daozhang Qingyuan—the one who once braved the snowy night alone with a single blade, rescuing Lady Huangfu and her daughter from Jushen Manor?”
“It must be him. He suppressed the Green Blood Dragon King and the Red Eyebrow Blade King at the Seven or Eight Apertures level, truly unprecedented!”
“He disappeared for so many years and now reemerges. What could his intentions be?”
Back in the Jiuxiang World, Meng Qi had left behind a legendary tale, which the martial artists gradually recalled.
As they watched the elegant young Taoist priest walk past in his hemp shoes, they whispered again:
“He was already that strong back then. After all these years, he must be even more terrifying. I wonder if he has broken through to the External Scene…”
“I can’t gauge his depth. He must be either half-step or full External Scene!”
“The world is vast, yet External Scene experts are few. Now there’s another one…”
They murmured among themselves, all feeling that the current Daozhang Qingyuan was unfathomable, his exact realm and strength indiscernible, but guessing he was likely already at the External Scene, a contender for the Tianyuan Emperor position!
Meng Qi calmly accepted Lady Huangfu’s grand courtesy and leisurely sat at the table with Zhenwu Immortal, Red Thread Lady, and the Divine Camel of the Northern Wastes, nodding slightly: “I hope the two of you have been well.”
Red Thread Lady’s boldness remained unchanged. Though not yet middle-aged, she already possessed protective qi. The Divine Camel of the Northern Wastes, however, had grown increasingly aged, his body frail, yet his internal energy more refined.
They quickly stood to pay respects: “Daozhang’s charisma remains unchanged.”
Meng Qi chuckled: “Shouldn’t it be even greater than before?”
They were momentarily stunned, then laughed, recalling that Daozhang Qingyuan was a humorous and free-spirited person.
After exchanging old memories, Fei Huangfu and He Canshang left the table to continue toasting guests. Taking advantage of the noisy environment, Fei Huangfu whispered secretly: “Senior apprentice-brother, what do you think is Daozhang’s current level?”
He Canshang frowned: “I can’t gauge Daozhang’s depth.”
Even the senior apprentice-brother couldn’t gauge Daozhang’s depth? Fei Huangfu was momentarily stunned. What realm had Daozhang reached? Was it the level of her father back then, or even higher?
At the same table, Immortal Wuliang looked at Meng Qi, also feeling Daozhang Qingyuan’s depth unfathomable. He wanted to ask if he had broken through to the External Scene, but knew it was a sensitive topic in the martial arts world—never delve too deep into shallow relationships.
Lightly chatting, Meng Qi calmly picked up his chopsticks to eat and raised his cup to drink, seemingly unaware that he was the center of attention.
After a while, the wedding ended, and martial artists quietly exchanged words before departing, leaving only Meng Qi’s table.
Still dressed in groom and bride attire, He Canshang and Fei Huangfu, along with Lady Huangfu, came over again to pay respects.
“Daozhang’s reappearance in the martial world—could it be that you have urgent matters? Is there anything we can assist with?” After some small talk, He Canshang directly asked.
Seeing this, Immortal Wuliang and others immediately stood up, intending to leave them alone.
“No need,” Meng Qi waved his hand. “This humble Daoist has nothing to hide.”
He paused and continued: “After many years of cultivation, I have finally mastered my techniques and found a way to counter the evil spirits in the mausoleum. I plan to enter the mausoleum again to eliminate this threat. Have there been any unusual activities there in recent years?”
The remaining people were either close friends of Huangfu Tao or trusted retainers of Jushen Manor. Most had heard from Lady Huangfu about the cause of Jiuxiang Patriarch’s madness in his later years. They deeply feared the evil spirits. Upon hearing Meng Qi’s words, they all gasped in shock.
These were the evil spirits capable of possessing even External Scene experts without their awareness—those that had driven people mad and lured them into the mausoleum!
Could he really deal with such eerie and terrifying spirits? What exactly was this countermeasure?
As their thoughts raced, they all firmly believed Meng Qi’s words about “mastery of techniques,” because Daozhang Qingyuan made no boasts, speaking calmly as if merely stating a fact.
“There indeed have been unusual activities at the mausoleum,” He Canshang was the first to recover, saying steadily.
“What specific activities?” Meng Qi asked unhurriedly.
Fei Huangfu replied: “Over the past year, strange lights have frequently appeared in the mountains, accompanied by ghostly wails and wolf howls. Recently, the mausoleum has occasionally become visible. Experts such as Master Ximeng, Old Immortal Zhaixing, Chan Master Buyu, and Sword Moving Jiuzhou have gathered nearby, awaiting developments. They speculate that rare treasures or formidable techniques might emerge.”
“We know about the evil spirits and dared not approach, so we first rebuilt Jushen Manor.”
Indeed, the evil intent of Zhenwu was extraordinary, capable of sensing things from the mysterious realm… Meng Qi nodded slightly, asked several more questions to clarify the details, and decided not to delay any further, immediately heading to the mausoleum to ensure the evil intent did not escape first!
“There is no time to lose. This humble Daoist will go now,” Meng Qi stood up to take his leave.
He Canshang immediately said: “Let me guide Daozhang!”
“The mausoleum is full of dangers. You’d better not go,” Meng Qi shook his head.
If possessed, he could seek treatment from the Six Paths, but what about He Canshang? Moreover, the evil intent could use this opportunity to escape, making his mission fail.
“Daozhang, please don’t worry. I won’t recklessly enter the mausoleum. But my master is inside. Asking me to simply wait at home for news is truly unbearable,” He Canshang insisted. Lady Huangfu and Fei Huangfu already had red, swollen eyes.
If they could fly, they would have gone too.
Meng Qi hesitated slightly: “Then stay outside to assist.”
With that, he summoned clouds beneath his feet, soared into the sky, and dashed toward the horizon, with He Canshang closely following.
Indeed, Daozhang Qingyuan had become an External Scene expert! Others seemed to have their doubts resolved, understanding Meng Qi’s realm.
…
The mausoleum resembled a true dragon coiled on the earth, its mountainous terrain imposing. Recently, strange lights occasionally shone from its depths, revealing the mausoleum intermittently, surrounded by rolling black mist concealing numerous malevolent spirits, many of them formidable.
Master Ximeng, Chan Master Buyu, and other external experts hovered in midair, watching the scene with both anticipation and solemnity. They had just slightly tested the area and discovered zombies of External Scene level within the black mist—nine ancestral masters of Jiuxiang!
Had they gone mad in their later years and entered the mausoleum, transforming into zombies? Master Ximeng’s eyes seemed veiled in a layer of silver whiteness.
At that moment, they sensed two streaks of light approaching and simultaneously turned their attention.
One was the familiar He Canshang, the other a young Taoist priest in water-color robe, refined and elegant, his aura elusive, making it hard to judge his strength and realm.
“A newly promoted External Scene expert?” the thought simultaneously crossed the minds of Master Ximeng and others.
Master Ximeng was momentarily stunned and blurted out: “Qingyuan!”
Though they had never met, based on his son’s and subordinates’ descriptions, he had formed a deep impression of this person. Meng Qi’s appearance hadn’t changed much from before.
He had actually advanced to the External Scene!
What was his current strength? At what level had he reached?
As thoughts raced, he saw the refined Taoist priest look over, piercing through his body to gaze at the void behind him, smiling slightly.
He had detected his true form!
He could actually see through his true form!
Master Ximeng was greatly alarmed. This was the secret martial art developed by the Moon Clan over generations, based on the “True Explanation of Yin Subduing Demons.” It used one’s own qi combined with Yin energy to create an illusion, hiding the true body in the shadow of the illusion, making it extremely difficult to detect.
Yet now, upon first encounter, he was seen through?
Had Qingyuan become this terrifying?
Looking at the enemy who once chased him into a desperate escape, Meng Qi felt a complex mix of emotions. In his own world, his growth and his enemies’ conditions were constantly known to him, without the sudden impact of such an unexpected encounter.
He gazed at the true Master Ximeng with his discerning eyes and smiled faintly: “Master Ximeng, we met in haste before. Today, we finally have the chance to meet properly.”
Master Ximeng’s expression turned grave; he dared not underestimate him, after all, the other was now an External Scene expert: “If not for Daozhang’s abduction of my son, I wouldn’t have acted so rashly.”
The monk-clad Chan Master Buyu, the former lay master Zhaixing, and the middle-aged swordsman Sword Moving Jiuzhou all fell silent, roughly realizing that the young Taoist was indeed the former Qingyuan.
Indeed, he had become an External Scene expert. How did he compare to Huangfu Tao back then?
Meng Qi didn’t dwell on the past. Folding his hands behind his back, he gazed at the surging black mist below and said slowly: “This is the mausoleum of the ancient Zhenwu Emperor, where an evil spirit is sealed.”
“What?” Everyone, including He Canshang, was shocked into exclamation.
They had heard rumors that this mausoleum might belong to some ancient great figure, but never imagined the figure could be one of the Five Emperors of Antiquity!
Could this be real?
Meng Qi turned his head, scanning the group before settling on Master Ximeng: “Anyone who enters the mausoleum is possessed by the evil spirit, going mad in their later years. Moreover, all the techniques obtained there have been altered, making it difficult to cross the Heavenly Ladder after reaching the External Scene.”
“How could that be!” Master Ximeng and Old Immortal Zhaixing exclaimed in unison.
He Canshang and others also couldn’t hide their shock.
Meng Qi smiled: “Regarding martial techniques, you probably know more than this humble Daoist. Let me just say, the True Explanation of Yin Subduing Demons, after being altered, becomes increasingly imbalanced in yin and yang. Some practitioners become ghost-like, others harbor hidden dangers. Master Ximeng, at the third watch of noon, you experience heart palpitations, and at dawn, you suffer from lower back pain, correct?”
Having experienced the Zhenwu Emperor’s Seal and cultivated the Primordial Golden Scripture and the Eighty-Nine Mystical Arts, Meng Qi’s insight and vision were unparalleled at the same level. Identifying the issues in the True Explanation of Yin Subduing Demons was not difficult for him.
Master Ximeng’s pupils constricted, his fists tightening, his heart surging with shock. These were all secret matters of the Moon Clan, unknown to outsiders. Could it be that the martial manual had indeed been altered by the evil spirit?
Throughout generations, it was impossible for the Moon Clan not to notice the problems arising from practicing the manual, but they had never found a way to remedy them, resorting only to experimenting on suicide warriors to accumulate experience gradually.
Looking at the refined Taoist priest in his hemp robe and silk sash, hearing him speak eloquently about the ancient Zhenwu Emperor, describing the eerie terror of the evil spirit, and pointing out the flaws in the manual, Old Immortal Zhaixing and others felt the other party was unfathomable and mysterious, seemingly knowing countless secrets.
A few years ago, he was only at the Seven or Eight Apertures level. Now, what level of the External Scene had he reached?
Was he like Huangfu Tao, touching the threshold of the Heavenly Ladder?
The black mist churned, the ghostly wails growing increasingly shrill. Meng Qi glanced once more at Master Ximeng and addressed the group: “This humble Daoist intends to vanquish the evil spirit. Please keep your distance.”
Eliminate the evil spirit? He wanted to destroy the terrifying, eerie evil spirit that even the patriarchs of various sects and Huangfu Tao couldn’t resist? Shocked, they watched Meng Qi fly downward, nearing the black mist.
“Be careful, there are External Scene zombies!” Chan Master Buyu instinctively warned.
As the words fell, they felt the External Scene undead rushing out, their formidable auras filling the air.
At that moment, they saw Meng Qi raise his long blade, and numerous thunderbolts appeared in the sky, all converging at the blade’s tip.
Boom!
The long blade slashed at a certain point in the void, the concentrated thunder exploding, filling everyone’s vision with dazzling light, reflecting on their pupils.
Boom!
The extremely yang and righteous purple lightning rapidly spread, forming a sea that engulfed the External Scene undead, swallowing nearby peaks. Where the lightning flashed, there was no distinction between strong and weak!
Boom!
The electric bolts shattered the mountains, charred the corpses, vaporized the souls, and cleared the black mist, revealing the mausoleum itself—ancient and majestic!
An unimaginable slash! Chan Master Buyu and others stared at the scene, their skin tingling as if struck by the electricity.
His realm was also unimaginable!
The Thunder Slash Technique had such a usage, so domineering… He Canshang watched, utterly captivated.
“What a terrifying slash!” Feeling its aura and witnessing its power, Master Ximeng’s breathing became heavy. If he were caught in it, he feared he wouldn’t escape even with wings. Ten of him together would be reduced to nothing!
This was the strongest slash he had ever seen!
What realm had Qingyuan reached? He was countless times stronger than Huangfu Tao back then!
Thinking of how he once chased such a figure, his head spun, his soul trembling, his heart filled with fear, wanting only to turn and flee.
As his internal scene fully operated, the reminder Meng Qi had given him earlier suddenly surfaced in his mind. In his unstable mental state, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his heart and aching in his waist.
Stars burst in his vision. Master Ximeng forced himself to suppress it, spitting out a large mouthful of blood, nearly losing his ability to fly.
Without even attacking, Qingyuan had nearly scared him into a spiritual breakdown!
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