Simulation becomes reality, have I ever looked down upon the eternity?

Chapter 521 Senior Brother is Unfathomable - Ant Daoist!
[The expressions on the faces of Zhu'er, the young girl from Caomutang, and Murong Heshan changed drastically.]

The voice drifted over like a gentle breeze rustling through bamboo, and the two were completely unaware that someone was so close.

[A sweep of divine sense revealed no one in the area.]

[Only the rustling of bamboo in the forest could be heard!]

[A pair of compound eyes, gleaming with a purplish-gold luster, flickered in the darkness, then gradually quieted down.]

Shang Fang's eyes lit up; she knew she had made the right bet.

The way Zhou Jing and Shen Qingxue left during the day had already planted suspicions in her heart.

[The main reason is that Shang Fang had long noticed that this fellow disciple, Shen Qingxue, was not as simple as she appeared; her cultivation level was not limited to the late stage of Body Shaping, and she seemed to be hiding her true abilities.]

Moreover, Zhou Jing, whom Shen Qingxue so highly regards, is naturally not as simple as he appears on the surface.

[Especially today, seeing the two from Caomutang singing in unison, I became suspicious and waited here, following them as they arrived.]

As expected, their purpose was discovered: they were after the "Purple-Gold Horned Ant" larvae.

The voice lingered in the bamboo grove, seemingly blending into the night breeze, but no one was ever seen.

"Leave now. This is Xiaoqingfeng, not a place for your Caomu Hall to act so presumptuously."

Murong Heshan frowned, his mind racing through all the disciples of Xiaoqing Peak, but he couldn't recall any "Senior Brother Zhou."

Zhu'er sneered, spiritual energy surging at her fingertips, a cold glint in her eyes.

"What arrogance! You think you can make us give up such an opportunity with just a few words?"

"Hiding in the shadows, not even daring to show your true face, who knows if you're a spy from outside Fangcun Mountain?"

Before the words were finished, the night wind suddenly changed, and several golden threads, sharp as blades, shot out from the void, instantly severing the spider silk binding Shang Fang and freeing her.

[Shang Fang made a hand seal, and a gilded Bagua mirror appeared, spinning rapidly in front of her and spreading out a screen of light.]

She lightly touched the ground with her toes and retreated three zhang (approximately 10 meters), her divine sense spreading out to probe in all directions, yet she still couldn't detect even the slightest trace of the newcomer's presence.

"Gengjin Sword Qi!"

Murong Heshan and the young girl frowned, recalling the skill this person had just displayed.

That wisp of golden light, thin as a spider's thread, possessed a sharpness capable of cutting through metal and jade; it was clearly the renowned Geng Metal Sword Technique from the *Five Elements Escape Techniques Sword Manual*. Even more astonishing was that the sword energy could precisely sever fine spider silk without harming Shang Fang in the slightest—such effortless control!

The person who came is definitely not simple!

Murong Heshan said in a low voice, "Junior Sister, let's retreat first... We've already alerted the people of Little Green Peak."

"We can't leave. If we miss this opportunity today, we may never have another chance. Once it's exposed, it will be beyond our control!"

The two seemed to be on the same wavelength; Murong Heshan summoned nine green-eyed centipedes from his beast-taming pouch, which spewed out blue poisonous mist, obscuring their surroundings.

Murong Heshan's figure shot straight into the cave below.

The girl finally made her move, displaying cultivation at the early stage of the Dao Embryo realm, her left hand, clasped in a cicada shell, shielding the two of them.

Holding a foot-sized, seven-colored ancient tree in his right hand, he suddenly swept it outwards, and seven-colored rays of light swept outwards like waves.

Shang Fang hurriedly held her breath and formed hand seals to avoid the poisonous mist, but was swept by the seven-colored light. She immediately felt her true energy stagnate, her legs went weak, and she almost knelt down. She was only supported by the Bagua Mirror to avoid collapsing to the ground.

The iridescent light shimmering through the bamboo grove gradually faded, leaving only dappled moonlight shadows on the ground.

Zhu'er and Murong Heshan stood frozen in place, fine beads of sweat appearing on their foreheads.

That powerful offensive just now has vanished without a trace.

The entire bamboo forest seemed to be shrouded in an invisible barrier, all movement being silently silenced.

The girl's throat bobbed slightly, her Taoist robe soaked through the back. Only now did she truly feel the overwhelming pressure emanating from that powerful figure—their cultivation level was likely far beyond their imagination.

[The two of them had just deliberately created chaos and a diversion, feigning to enter the cave and steal the larvae of the horned ants inside.]

The figure that had just slipped inside was none other than the iron-backed ape kept in Murong Heshan's beast-taming pouch.

If this person intends to steal the Heavenly Horned Ants, they will inevitably make a move and leave traces.

If this person doesn't intervene, then this Ironback Ape, at the late-stage Body Shaping realm, will be able to obtain the Heavenly Horned Ant.

Even with such a brilliant plan, the newcomer remained unmoved.

Murong Heshan's expression changed as he looked at the dark cave on the ground. "Not good!"

[Through divine sense, the mental imprint connecting the spirit beast to the soul was severed.]

"The iron-backed ape is dead!"

[If you die inside, there's only one possibility: you'll be killed by the Purple-Gold Horned Ants within.]

The girl couldn't believe it. This horned ant should have just hatched and was still in its developmental stage, so it should be quite weak. How could it have killed the ironback ape in such a short time?

The voice continued, "These are not ordinary juvenile Purple-Gold Horned Ants, and this matter is beyond your reach."

"Leave as soon as possible to avoid danger to your life."

[Not a juvenile Purple-Gold Horned Ant?]

The girl naturally didn't believe it. Adult Purple-Gold Heavenly Horned Ants possessed the cultivation of a Great Dao Golden Core, but if such a ferocious creature had truly appeared, the world within a hundred miles should have already undergone a dramatic change.

[Murong Heshan and his companion stood back to back, neither of them leaving.]

Seeing that the newcomer did not reveal himself and did not seem to be trying to capture the two, the young woman smiled and said, "I am a direct descendant of the Grass and Wood Hall. Although I do not know who you are, internal fighting is forbidden within Fangcun Mountain. I presume you do not wish to harm me."

"Why not show yourself? Although this Purple-Gold Heavenly Horned Ant is a rare treasure, my Herbal Hall has countless spiritual herbs and precious materials. Perhaps we can make a mutually beneficial deal with your esteemed peak."

She paused, then said, "Little Green Peak can't protect this True Spirit Larva right now."

The bamboo forest remained quiet, and the caves on the ground were once again silent.

No one spoke.

Shang Fang stood with difficulty, leaning against a bamboo stalk. Clearly, she had just been injured by the girl's treasure, and her vital energy was severely depleted.

No one answered.

[Zhu'er suddenly flipped her hand, revealing a bamboo arrow with mysterious patterns—the very same distress arrow standard issue for the Grass and Wood Hall, its engraved barrier-breaking runes flickering in the air.]

[Once activated, this item will unleash a torrent of light and flames that will gather fellow disciples, even if it is not a conventional magic array.]

[At this moment!]

A chilling, sinister voice rang in Zhu'er and her companion's ears.

"Little girl, what you just said makes sense to Grandpa, but you can't just play this thing."

"People will die!"

The voice was like a rusty knife scraping bone, completely different from the clear voice that had been spoken before.

[Murong Heshan and Zhu'er's expressions changed drastically at the same time, their hair stood on end, and they felt a chill that seemed to pierce their very soul, shooting from their tailbone to the top of their head!]

The two men slowly turned their necks stiffly, only to find an old Taoist priest in blue robes had somehow appeared behind them.

The hunched figures were as thin as bamboo poles, and beneath their disheveled, grayish-blue hair lay long, bluish-gray faces. The fingers resting on their shoulders were withered and claw-like.

Seeing this, Shang Fang retreated several feet, attempting to leave the bamboo forest, but for some reason, as if trapped in a maze, she found herself circling back. She then witnessed the same scene: a tall, thin, old Taoist priest in blue robes "affectionately" hooking his arms around the shoulders of Murong Heshan and his companion.

[This fierce and domineering aura... this old Taoist priest is definitely not from Fangcun Mountain. Could he be some evil demon from outside?]

But how could this be? This is the blessed land of the Crescent Moon and Three Stars; what demon would dare to enter this place?!

The old Taoist priest laughed and said, "Don't be afraid, Grandpa will back you up."

[The young girl, Zhu'er, finally broke down in tears. "Don't be afraid of anything. What I'm afraid of is you."]

The old Taoist looked towards the bamboo forest. "Fellow Daoist, that's quite a skill. Even at this point, I still can't sense your presence or touch the hem of your robe."

"It seems that Grandpa is still weak and no match for you, fellow Daoist."

"How about it? I'll trade these two dolls' lives for a way out."

The bamboo grove was silent, save for the cold moonlight that cast shadows of bamboo on the ground that swayed like ghostly claws.

Murong Heshan and his companion looked tense, finally realizing what the visitor had meant by "a life-threatening situation."

Although we don't know where this old Taoist priest came from, he should be related to the Purple-Gold Horned Ants in the cave.

Could it be that what's inside the cave isn't the larvae of the horned ant, but rather this old Taoist priest?

Neither of them dared to move rashly; their intuition told them that if they did, they would likely die on the spot.

There was still no movement around.

The old Taoist chuckled strangely, "Fellow Daoist, since you remain silent, I shall take my leave."

Before the words were even finished, a blinding purple light suddenly erupted from the cave!

A giant, purple-gold ant, as tall as an adult, burst forth, its carapace shimmering with runes that illuminated the entire bamboo forest as if it were daytime. Its sickle-like mandibles clashed and snapped with a metallic clang!

[Possesses cultivation at the peak of the Heavenly Gate realm.]

The old Taoist priest instantly vanished, while the black ant, as tall as an adult, charged directly at Murong Heshan and his companion, intending to tear them to shreds.

[Upon seeing this, Murong Heshan felt his entire body's magical power being illuminated by the purple-gold light. His heart felt as if it were on fire, and he could barely muster any more magical power. In his pupils, the hideous head of the black ant was already inches away.]

[The young girl, Zhu'er, closed her eyes in despair, her heart filled with regret.]

The expected excruciating pain did not occur.

[Then five-colored clouds surged in, instantly surrounding and protecting the two.]

The black ant, crashing into the swirling, misty haze, was as if it had struck an impenetrable wall, and was thrown back several feet.

Murong Heshan stared blankly at the multicolored mist swirling around him. Golden light, green wood, blue water, crimson flames, and yellow earth intertwined, endlessly regenerating, within which lay the true essence of the five elements: gold, wood, water, fire, and earth, perpetually regenerating.

She couldn't help but exclaim, "So beautiful!"

[This... must have been because Kogoro came and rescued me just now.]

The old Taoist priest returned, his wide blue robe fluttering in the night wind. He chuckled sinisterly, "Fellow Daoist, you truly have impressive skills. You've completely surrounded this place, making it impossible for anyone to escape."

Shang Fang was suddenly startled to find that the surrounding bamboo forest had been shrouded in five-colored clouds and mist.

The rosy clouds shimmered and glowed under the bright moonlight, like a colorful ribbon dropped by the Weaver Girl from the heavens, breathtakingly beautiful.

The old Taoist priest said sternly, "I am not someone to be trifled with! If you force me to reveal my true form, I'm afraid you'll be in deep trouble!"

The voice from the void finally rang out again, tinged with amusement: "Then let's give it a try?"

"Arrogant!" The old Taoist priest laughed angrily. "Do you really think my reputation comes from nothing? I'll take you on!"

Before the words were even finished, the giant black ant, as tall as a person, twisted and deformed like a shadow, and was sucked into the old Taoist's body by his chest.

In an instant, the old Taoist's aura surged, breaking through the Heavenly Gate's perfect barrier and reaching the Dragon Court realm!

A dazzling purple-gold light burst forth from his seven orifices, illuminating the entire bamboo forest as if it were daytime.

[With their breaths surging, Murong Heshan and Zhu'er could no longer hold on and collapsed to the ground.]

The voice softly rang out, "This sword is for swallowing."

A dark spot suddenly appeared deep within the bamboo forest, instantly transforming into a vortex-like black hole.

The terrifying suction force, capable of devouring heaven and earth, completely engulfed the countless purple-gold lights!

"Damn it!" the old Taoist priest exclaimed in utter horror, "The Taiyuan Yiyang Sword, that damned Cao Cao's imperial capital!"

The voice rang out again, like a clear spring striking stone: "This sword is a rebuke."

Suddenly, a tiny white light appeared in the bamboo forest, initially as small as a bean, but quickly grew to the size of a blinding sun, its oppressive power sweeping across the land.

"Good heavens!" the old Taoist priest exclaimed, "Grandpa won't fight anymore!"

[Before his newly unleashed Purple-Gold Ant Magic Form could even unleash its power—the hundred-foot-tall, ferocious phantom cast a chilling shadow, its aura soaring like smoke from a wolf's breath, its might crushing like a mountain.]

Upon seeing the black and white dots rotating, he was instantly terrified and hastily withdrew his supernatural powers.

"Stop fighting! Stop fighting!" The old Taoist waved his hands repeatedly, his voice trembling. "You're the real grandpa! That bastard from the Imperial Capital has been dead for a thousand years, how can anyone still wield the 'Taiyuan Yiyang Sword'?"

A faint "hmm" came from the bamboo tip, startling the old Taoist so much that he slapped himself hard across the face: "Grandpa Dixiang! It's Grandpa Dixiang!"

Suddenly, Shang Fang heard a soft laugh, and saw a figure gracefully appear on a bamboo branch as the moonlight shone through the air.

She struggled to her feet, trying to make out the person's face, when suddenly a colorful cloud of smoke swirled towards her. She felt dizzy, her vision went black, and she collapsed to the ground.

You landed gracefully, facing the old Taoist priest directly.

Shen Qingxue stood gracefully beside him, her bright, clear eyes filled with admiration.

She had initially thought her senior brother was only at the Perfected Dao Embryo stage, but now she realized he was hiding his true strength, and his cultivation was far beyond her comprehension.

Today, not only did they proceed with extreme caution, anticipating the return of the two from Caomutang tonight, but they also saved Murong Heshan and his companion at the last minute.

Bathed in moonlight, your figure, standing with your hands behind your back, exudes an ethereal beauty.

[My senior brother is truly unfathomable.]

[You were somewhat surprised as well, and first used the "Taiyi Five Elements Luo" to trap this bamboo forest to prevent any disturbance.]

[I thought it would take a lot of effort to capture this old Taoist priest, but unexpectedly, with the appearance of the "Taiyuan Yiyang Sword" and the prestige of the imperial capital, he surrendered without resistance.]

[Furthermore, no one expected that a mere matter of spirit fields would bring forth such a person.]

The old Taoist priest stared wide-eyed at you, a "youngster" of such a young age, his Adam's apple bobbing several times. He frowned and asked, "Fellow Taoist, who are you from the Imperial Capital?"

Instead of answering, you asked, "May I ask why you have trespassed into my Little Green Peak?"

Upon hearing this, the old Taoist's pale face twitched. Finally, unable to contain himself any longer, he roared in fury, "Who wants to come to this wretched place! Seventeen hundred years ago, that scoundrel from the Imperial Capital suppressed me here with the 'Taiyuan Yiyang Sword.' Not even a dog would come to this godforsaken place!"

He said angrily, "I am Ant Daoist, what is your name, fellow Daoist?"

After a moment's thought, you said without changing your expression, "Little Qingfeng, Nian Wubei."

The old Taoist priest repeated "No sorrow for the year!" twice.

(End of this chapter)