Please call me Dadaozu

Chapter 298 Born here, raised here, will die here! (4000)

Zhang Yuanzhu's eyes were indifferent as he changed the hand seals in his palm.

One after another, spiritual objects flew out of the storage bag, hovered above the Taoist's remains, and quickly melted away, merging into the blood flames.

Unlike normal corpse refining, this time he abandoned the potential of corpse refining and focused all his power on his bones, wanting to form combat power as quickly as possible.

As time passed, the blood flames dissipated, and a skeleton appeared on the ground, with blood-red patterns shimmering on the white bones.

Eerie evil.

A pale yellow aura of death mixed with yin energy spread out the moment the white skeleton appeared, filling every tiny corner of the space.

Click~click~
The one-armed skeleton trembled and sat up.

His eyes, dark and hollow, stared directly at the young man.

Zhang Yuanzhu remained calm as he cast a spell, causing various spiritual entities to continuously merge into the white bone skeleton.

Every minute, every second, this skeleton is getting stronger.

However, this enhancement is not a comprehensive improvement; only the skeleton becomes stronger and more robust.

After an unknown amount of time, the blood-red patterns on the white skeleton faded, and its aura gradually stabilized.

Sensing the aura emanating from the skull, the young man nodded slightly.
The next moment, a hand reached out, fingers spread wide.

A jade bottle shrouded in pale yellow mist appeared.

"The essence of the Yellow Springs!"

With a light touch of his fingertip on the jade bottle, drops of deep yellow water floated out and landed on the refining corpse.

roar~
The skeletal skeleton opened its mouth and hissed softly.

The missing arm grew back under the nourishment of the Yellow Springs Water Essence.

Half an hour later.

The yin energy, corpse energy, resentment energy, and all sorts of negative energies slowly dissipated, revealing a complete white jade skeleton.

Zhang Yuanzhu stared at the jade bottle in his palm, his eyes gleaming.

The essence of the Yellow Springs is born from death, a rare treasure, especially since its cycle of life and death is somewhat related to the principles of Yin and Yang.

With these thoughts in mind, he stood up and stood in front of the skeleton.
Extend your palm, knuckles slightly bent, and tap gently.

clang~clang~
The sound of metal clashing echoed in the room.

"With its flesh and blood, internal organs, and various spiritual objects, its skeletal strength is quite impressive. Based on its skeletal structure alone, it should be able to contend with a seventh-level Foundation Establishment cultivator."

Zhang Yuanzhu speculated.

It took a large number of spiritual objects, as well as the corpses of Foundation Establishment peak experts, to create this refined corpse.

However, this corpse has no potential whatsoever; it is merely a tool.

After all, the spiritual platform wasn't even forged; everything else was used to strengthen the bones.

Lost in thought, he brushed his hand across the skull.

The white bone demon's body shrank rapidly, transforming into a white jade bead.

Zhang Yuanzhu held the bead in his hand and hung it around his waist.

Immediately, his gaze fell upon the monster's corpse, and without hesitation, he began refining it again.

Unlike the remains of a Taoist priest, this time the refining method was normal, preserving the potential for corpse refining.

Time passed, and two days later.

A tall, slender figure pushed open the stone door and stepped out of the cave.

He held the white bone bead in one hand and rested the other on the gleaming white ruler at his waist.

"Senior brother, you've emerged from seclusion."

A soft female voice came from ahead.

A beautiful woman in a green dress walked briskly towards them.

"This is?"

Bibi's gaze first lingered on the beads in the young man's palm, then fell on the long ruler at his waist.

Zhang Yuanzhu raised his palm, and the white bone bead fell in front of the woman.

"The White Bone Corpse Demon is a type of corpse refinement different from the conventional ones. It is currently at the ninth level of Qi Refining and has considerable potential. It can grow alongside you."

The young man explained.

"Corpse refining?"

Pinkie Pie murmured, seemingly understanding something, a hint of anxiety flashing across her face:
"Senior brother, I gave the Yellow Springs Water Essence not because I wanted it."

"I know!"

Zhang Yuanzhu interrupted the woman's voice, a gentle smile on his face, like the winter sun, warming people's hearts.

"Since we had two decent corpses, we refined them together."

The white jade beads at his waist trembled slightly, emitting a faint aura of death, confirming the young man's words.

Pinkie Pie glanced at the young man's waist, and her anxious expression subsided.

Does my senior brother also possess such a corpse-refining technique?

Without further hesitation, she reached out her delicate hand, grasped the white bone bead, and hung it on her jade belt like an accessory.

"Thank you, senior brother."

Zhang Yuanzhu nodded, stepped forward, and stopped a step away from the woman.

With a gentle caress of his palm, the white jade ruler unfolds, his fingertips tracing images one after another along its surface.

"The Measuring Ruler of the Sky!"

The young man whispered, his eyes gleaming with a dazzling light.

The Yin-Yang Jade Tree embodies the Great Dao and can be placed on the spiritual platform to comprehend the Dao's essence. It is constantly refined and elevated.

The Measuring Ruler, while capable of supporting its own path, is primarily used for offense and conquest. It is inscribed with the names of its enemies, worn at the waist, and used in battle alongside them.

Treading on blood and bones, we keep moving forward.

Of course, since low-grade spiritual weapons are mostly unsuitable, using one's natal magic weapon makes one's combat power even stronger.

"A measuring ruler?"

Pinkie Pie murmured.

Just hearing the name evokes a sense of overwhelming power and domineering grandeur.

"Only my senior brother is worthy of such a name as the ruler that measures heaven and earth."

Zhang Yuanzhu rested his arm on the ruler and said nothing.

His gaze passed over the woman and landed on Big Yellow behind her.

He stretched out his free hand and beckoned.

Woof woof~
Big Yellow ran straight behind the young man, its tail wagging wildly, its beastly face full of excitement.

"We should go!"

The young man gazed at the distant mountains and rivers and whispered.

Pinkie Pie's body stiffened slightly, her eyes filled with reluctance, and her head drooped.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but ended up saying something completely different.

"Senior brother, take care on your journey, and I hope to see you again someday."

"Junior sister, see you another day!"

Zhang Yuanzhu strode past the woman and into the jungle.

The sunlight was dappled, the leaves were falling, and a man and a dog walked further and further away until they gradually disappeared.

Bibi stood there, gazing at the empty jungle, recalling her senior sister's words.

When you're young, don't meet someone who's too amazing!

On the yellow jade boat, Zhang Yuanzhu stood at the bow, looking down at the mountains and rivers.

On one side, a large yellow dog was tearing at a piece of bloody meat.

As time passed, a crimson hue appeared at the edge of the earth.

A smile appeared on the young man's face.

The Scorching Sun Dharma Lineage has arrived!

With a light stomp of the foot, the flying boat increased its speed even further, rushing into the Dharma vein.

Volcanic eruptions, crimson earth, and cities nestled among them—what was once a strange sight now feels somewhat familiar.

The flying boat soared through the air, and after several hours, majestic mountains came into view.

Zhang Yuanzhu piloted his flying boat closer, and the great formation naturally parted to create a path for him to pass through.

As soon as Huang Yuzhou stopped on the mountaintop, a tall, elderly man emerged from the palace complex and quickly approached the young man.

Sensing Zhang Yuanzhu's aura, Huo Lao's serious face unconsciously broke into a smile.

Their own disciples have become even stronger.

"It seems that the trip to the Azure Thunder Dharma Lineage has yielded considerable results."

“That area is indeed suitable for cultivating lightning-attribute techniques, and the techniques have already been converted.”

Zhang Yuanzhu chuckled, stretched out his hand, and touched the dog's head.

"I also picked up Big Yellow."

"A demonic pet obtained from the Beast Taming Dao lineage?"

"Without realizing it, I've grown up so much."

Old Huo stopped, looked at the yellow dog, which was about the size of a calf, and sighed.

"Woof woof~, senior."

Big Yellow was obedient, lying down on the ground.

The old man had a kind expression, and as he stretched out his palm, several bottles of pills appeared in his hand.

"He's quite clever. This is an Earth Condensation Pill, which is helpful for cultivation." The old man, naturally, also felt a fondness for the young man's demonic pet, as if he loved the house because of its owner.

“Yuanzhu, you can be considered to have officially ‘emerged from seclusion’ today.”

"I have summoned all the elders to the palace to celebrate for you."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuanzhu looked helpless, but still nodded.

"can."

Then, he spoke to Big Yellow:
"Go back to your cave and wait for me."

"Woof~ Woof~, I understand, Dao Master."

The yellow dog stretched out on all fours and ran into the distance.

"Daoist Master?"

Huo Lao's eyes were gentle as he softly murmured two words.

"I believe that this name will one day live up to its name."

The master of the Dao lineage is naturally the master of the Dao.

Zhang Yuanzhu smiled but didn't say anything.

After a few words, Elder Huo led Zhang Yuanzhu toward the palace complex.

Soon, they entered the hall.

At this moment, many cultivators were already seated on both sides of the main hall, each with a wooden table in front of them.

After seeing the young man stride forward.

"Yuan Zhu has emerged from seclusion!"

"His aura is vast; he has indeed broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm."

"A foundation-building master in his twenties is a rare sight, both in ancient and modern times."

Praise, exclamation, joy—friendly voices came from all directions.

Zhang Yuanzhu cupped his hands in a gesture of respect.

"You flatter me, seniors. The path to enlightenment is long and arduous; I have only taken one step."

"Yuanzhu, you're being modest."

With a smile on his lips, the young man sat at the head of the table on the right, as arranged by Elder Huo.

Old Master Huo sat upright on the steps, a smile in his eyes, and raised his cup in a loud laugh.

"My old friends, the lineage has successors. The younger generation has entered the Foundation Establishment stage. Even if we perish, we can still face our ancestors directly."

"Congratulations to Zhuoyang!"

Everyone raised their glasses, raised them to each other in mid-air, and drank the sacred wine with gusto.

Fire Elder drank the cup in one gulp, then filled it again with spiritual wine and raised it high.

"My two old friends, Fei and Li, have passed away at the age of 18. This is a joyous occasion and we should celebrate!"

Zhang Yuanzhu frowned slightly; the two elders had reached the end of their lives.

His gaze swept across the hall, and besides him, there were only twelve Foundation Establishment cultivators left.

Moreover, most of the elders sitting there exuded an aura of decay and didn't have much time left to live.

Lost in thought, I raised my glass and drank the wine in it.

After finishing the second cup, Elder Huo put down his cup, looked at the cultivators with a peaceful expression, and smiled even more broadly.

"It's a rare treat to gather here today; who knows when we'll meet again? Why not have a chat?"

Before anyone could speak, he began to explain his own path of cultivation.

“From the beginning of Qi cultivation to the Foundation Establishment stage, I have always practiced fire-attribute techniques and have gained some insights. Please listen.”

"It burns but is not fierce, it scorches but is controlled; it is fire, not killing or destroying."

Zhang Yuanzhu listened carefully to the old man's insights and verified them against his own experience. Many of the principles made him realize the truth.

Having cultivated for over two hundred years, Master Huo naturally possesses extraordinary qualities.

After the old man finished speaking, Elder Gong (the burly man from the Weapon Refining Pavilion) spoke directly, explaining his own cultivation.

Extremely detailed, without holding back a single detail.

One elder after another shared their insights gained from their spiritual practice.

Zhang Yuanzhu benefited greatly from this experience.

After going around the circle, it was finally the youth's turn.

Before Zhang Yuanzhu could speak, Elder Huo interrupted, whispering:

"Let's conclude this discussion here; there are some miscellaneous matters that still need to be arranged."

In Huo Lao's view, such an unreserved exposition of one's own cultivation insights was extremely dangerous and would make one vulnerable to being targeted by adversaries.

It wasn't that he thought his old friends present would betray him, but rather that some things, once spoken aloud, could be exposed.

As for those old folks, most of them don't have many years left to live, so why would they care about these things?

But Yuanzhu is different!
Zhang Yuanzhu frowned slightly, glanced at Elder Huo, and looked thoughtful.

At this moment, Elder Huo's smile faded, and his eyes became solemn:

"I and seven other elders have some miscellaneous matters to attend to and will be leaving for a while."

“Yuanzhu, Elder Gong, while we are away, you will take charge of the operation of the Daoist lineage.”

Zhang Yuanzhu narrowed his double pupils, his mind flashing with various thoughts.

The miscellaneous matters handled by the eight Foundation Establishment cultivators are, by all accounts, far more than just 'miscellaneous matters,' but rather major events that affect the lineage of the Dao.

There is only one thing that can get the Zhuoyang lineage to go all out.

It's not hard to guess.

With bent knuckles, he lightly tapped the long table.

The sound of metal clanging echoed throughout the main hall.

A barrage of gazes fell upon them, each carrying a different emotion.

Zhang Yuanzhu, with a calm expression, inquired:

"Seniors, is this a war between humans and demons?"

The group of cultivators remained silent.

"hehe!"

"Crossing the Demon Land, crossing the Star Sea, and traversing the Monster Land to return to our homeland."

“Seniors, I am familiar with that area, I will go.”

The young man laughed lightly, his voice filled with determination.

The elders were filled with mixed emotions, but the young man remained as righteous and resolute as ever.

But that's precisely why we can't let them go.

My disciples have already done a lot; it's time for them to rest.

Huo Lao shook his head expressionlessly.

"This time, the Sword Sect will lead the support, with Zhuoyang, Hanhai, Lianshi, and Chuyun assisting. There won't be too much danger. It's enough for us old guys to go."

"Chu Yun, Lian Shi, Han Hai?"

Zhang Yuanzhu murmured.

He had come into contact with and understood all of these lineages.

It was precisely because he understood that he was even more determined to go.

The young man stood up, his eyes sharp and piercing, scanning all directions.

"Seniors, how could I miss such a battlefield where humans and demons clash? Fighting against the powerful and slaying all my enemies is the path I will walk."

He paused, then a smile played on his lips, a hint of smugness in it.

"Moreover, all of you seniors, your lifespans are coming to an end. You should stay and uphold the tradition, and take care of yourselves for the rest of your days."

Fallen leaves return to their roots and are buried in their native soil.

A group of old men, born and raised here, would find it rather tragic if they could not die here.

He leaned slightly forward.

A simple movement, yet a powerful aura bursts forth.

With an overwhelming force, like the sky collapsing and the earth sinking, it swept across the vast wilderness.

One by one, the Foundation Establishment cultivators looked bewildered, feeling as if they were ships in a storm, about to capsize at any moment.

This junior of mine has already grown to such a level.

Even Elder Huo couldn't remain calm and stood up.

Is this the talent of the seventh member of the Celestial Soldiers?

That's enough to astound the world!

The youth's imposing aura gradually dissipated, and he raised his hand from the measuring ruler.

Bow with hands clasped in greeting!
"This disciple has been insolent!"

"Ugh!"

Huo Lao was filled with mixed emotions.

There was relief, worry, and hesitation, all of which ultimately turned into a sigh.

Why must my disciple go through so many hardships?

He has clearly done enough; he should rest. He can now retreat into seclusion within the Daoist tradition and be protected, just like any other prodigy.

But Master Huo knew that once the young man made a decision, he would never back down.

"I will go with you!"

(End of this chapter)