This humble Taoist priest, Qianhe, begins his quest for immortality by slaying demons and monsters.

In response to Mo Ling's concerns, Zhong Bai simply exhaled a breath of stale air and looked towards the distant horizon.

“Mo’er, there’s always a reason… Don’t dwell on it. Besides, your husband is, after all, a disciple of Maoshan!”

Mo Ling listened to Zhong Bai's words and said no more. Indeed, thinking about those messy things was useless. It was better to follow Maoshan's arrangements. Would the sect harm them?

The family tidied up the courtyard and then settled in.

The entire courtyard occupies the best location on the mountain peak, and it is the only courtyard on the entire mountain. The towering mountain peak exudes a domineering aura. After settling in, Zhong Bai sat cross-legged, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Even though he had already guessed that the Immortal Realm was different in the lower realm, Zhong Bai only realized when he actually started cultivating that his cultivation speed was extremely slow. In the Immortal Realm, there was no bottleneck at all.

Zhong Bai could easily sense the affinity of the laws of heaven and earth. Unlike the suppression of the lower realm, the feeling of smooth sailing made Zhong Bai draw upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to create a tide that very night. In that instant, his understanding of the primordial spirit realm was also pushed to its peak.

Naturally, Zhong Bai's cultivation level also rose accordingly, and three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The moment Zhong Bai stood up, his aura involuntarily emanated, surging and powerful.

"Congratulations, my husband!"

As Zhong Bai gathered his breath, Mo Ling stepped forward to congratulate him, and at the same time, she took the time to wipe Zhong Bai's face, which hadn't been washed for three days, clean with a silk scarf, even though it wasn't actually dirty...

Zhong Bai was very cooperative, whispering sweet nothings to each other. Isn't this how life should be lived?

However, just as Zhong Bai embraced Mo Ling and was about to give her a gentle kiss, a cough broke the precious moment of tenderness.

"Ahem, you two are really in love..."

Zhong Bai was a little embarrassed, but the atmosphere had already been set up, and regardless of whether the Third Elder had something to do, Zhong Bai still kissed Mo Ling's lips.

After finishing, Zhong Bai looked at the Third Elder, Qianxun.

"Zhong Bai greets the Third Elder!"

Mo Ling also blushed and bowed...

"Hahaha, it's alright, it's alright, no need for formalities. You're still young, unlike us old men."

Seemingly remembering something, the Third Elder immediately changed the subject, saying, "I came here this time to take you to the Scripture Pavilion to select a magic technique."

Also, I'll tell you some information about the Immortal Realm..."

At this point, the Third Elder's expression as he looked at Zhong Bai became intriguing.

The four patriarchs of the underworld have been urging them to settle things as soon as possible after Zhong Bai has chosen his magic technique and crossed the primordial spirit realm to reach the human immortal realm, so that he can go to the underworld to take up his underworld post.

Such favoritism was something even the elders envied. Of course, they knew the reason behind it. Talent was important in some ways, but not in others; it all depended on who received it.

Zhong Bai did not refuse. In fact, Zhong Bai knew nothing about the situation in the world, the Taoist and Buddhist sects, demons and monsters, etc. It would be best if the Third Elder could tell Zhong Bai about the situation.

"Zhong Bai understands, thank you, Third Elder!"

Seeing Zhong Bai's impeccable manners, the Third Elder realized that Zhong Bai was only a hundred years old.

He began to understand why the Fourth Patriarch admired Zhong Bai so much.

"Let's go, let's choose our cultivation techniques and supernatural abilities first."

Zhong Bai followed behind the Third Elder, transforming into a streak of light and leaving in a short while. He arrived in front of a magnificent palace, made entirely of white jade. Spiritual energy turned into mist and enveloped the palace. Only when he got close did Zhong Bai see the large characters "Scripture Pavilion" written in the center.

Just three words, yet they exude a different kind of power; the longer you look at them, the more you feel a piercing sensation in your soul.

"Don't keep staring at the plaque. These three characters were personally written by a sword immortal patriarch of Maoshan. They contain a special sword intent that ordinary people cannot look directly at. It's only because you're not yet at the Celestial Immortal realm that you don't understand the fierce killing intent of this plaque..."

The Third Elder was somewhat moved, but he quickly regained his composure and began to discuss the important matter at hand.

"Qianxun requests an audience with his martial uncle!"

As the Third Elder Qianxun finished speaking, an aged voice rang out from the Scripture Pavilion.

"It's Chihiro? Bring him in..."

Upon hearing this, the Third Elder breathed a sigh of relief and led Zhong Bai into the Scripture Pavilion. As soon as they stepped through the gate, the world before them changed.

An endless array of Taoist scriptures were neatly arranged on the shelves. In the center of the entire scripture pavilion, at the core of a bookshelf arranged in the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) pattern, sat an old man, who was the senior uncle mentioned by the Third Elder.

The old man's eyes looked somewhat cloudy, but he clearly became interested the moment he saw Zhong Bai.

He glanced up and down and nodded to himself.

"Is this Zhong Bai, who came from the lower realm?"
"His talent is good, but his cultivation technique is a bit weak. The Divine Firmament Five Thunder Technique and the Upper Clarity Dragon Elephant Technique are not consistent, resulting in less effort for greater results. Reaching this level is already quite good."

Listening to the old man's comments, Zhong Bai agreed. He realized that he had to add points separately, which was inconvenient and had limitations. Adding points to the Shangqing Dragon Elephant Technique was useless. Without the help of essence and blood, the speed was too slow.

"Hehe, Uncle is absolutely right. That's why I brought Zhong Bai to the Scripture Pavilion to choose a technique. If you have any recommendations, Uncle, that would be even simpler. Your judgment is definitely not bad!"

A smile appeared on the old man's face.

Nodding, he said, "You're really cunning. Alright, this old Taoist has nothing better to do than offer a recommendation!"

Seeing this, the Third Elder began to introduce Zhong Bai.

“Zhong Bai, this is the elder of the Scripture Pavilion, the old Taoist’s uncle. You can call him Ancestor.”

Zhong Bai nodded obediently and bowed to the old man.

"Disciple Zhong Bai pays respects to the Ancestor. May the Ancestor enjoy eternal bliss and peace!"

"Hahaha, the little guy is so clever!"

However, this is a rather pleasing statement. Your situation is actually quite simple. If you are not pursuing the simultaneous advancement of your physical body and spirit, then choose the Shangqing Great Cave True Scripture, which is no worse than the Great Celestial Immortal Technique!
If one's thoughts, body, spirit, and soul can all advance simultaneously, then there is only one path: the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts.

The other methods of cultivating both body and soul have no chance of reaching the pinnacle, so it's better not to cultivate them. Therefore, Zhong Bai, what will you choose?

The old man maintained his faint smile, as if the recommendation was merely a casual gesture.

Zhong Bai had actually considered it over the past few days. The Eight-Nine Arcane Technique was definitely more difficult, but it was absolutely the most suitable for him if he could succeed.

Taking a deep breath, Zhong Bai made his decision after only a moment's consideration.

"This disciple chooses the Eight-Nine Arcane Technique!"

Upon hearing Zhong Bai's choice, neither the Third Elder Qianxun nor the old man showed any surprise; on the contrary, they seemed to have known about it beforehand.

"It seems you've already made up your mind."

The Eight-Nine Arcane Arts is a top-tier skill in Taoism, and ordinary people don't have the opportunity to come into contact with it. Even in Maoshan, only those who have reached the Celestial Immortal realm are qualified. However, you are different. The Fourth Patriarch has made an exception for you!

The Eight-Nine Arcane Arts are mysterious and profound. Mastering them can lead to physical sainthood, as exemplified by Erlang Shen, the True Lord of Guanjiangkou in Heaven, who practiced the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts.

Of course, that's still a long way off for you...

However, as the old saying goes, "Though the road is long, if you keep walking, you will arrive!" As soon as the old man finished speaking, he pointed towards the void. In an instant, a beam of spiritual light flew from the Scripture Pavilion to the top of Zhong Bai's head. The next second, the spiritual light entered Zhong Bai's sea of ​​consciousness, and the content about the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts appeared.

Zhong Bai was a little dizzy. Even though he was at the peak of the Yuan Shen realm, he still found it somewhat difficult to cope with the vast content of the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts.

After a long while, Zhong Bai's forehead was covered in sweat.

"Zhong Bai kowtows in gratitude to the Ancestor for bestowing the Dharma!"

After regaining his senses, the old man smiled and nodded.

"Alright, Qianxun, take Zhong Bai away. It's impossible for him to digest the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts in less than ten days to half a month. What the future holds is up to him. Hopefully, he'll achieve something..."

"Qianxun will respectfully obey his master's decree!"

After Elder Qianxun finished speaking, he waved his sleeve and left the Sutra Repository with Zhong Bai.

After returning to his own courtyard, Zhong Bai finally regained some clarity of mind, even though the content of the Eight-Nine Arcane Technique in his sea of ​​consciousness was still vast.

"These days you continue to comprehend the mysteries of the Eight-Nine Arcane Technique. It's not easy, to say the least. When I crossed the threshold of the Celestial Immortal Realm, I also had my eye on the Eight-Nine Arcane Technique, but alas, my talent was insufficient..."

Elder Qianxun was straightforward and approachable. After Zhong Bai nodded in agreement, Elder Qianxun left.

Back in the courtyard, Zhong Bai, Zhao Ling'er, Mo Ling, and the little girl shared what they had seen and heard in the Scripture Pavilion, and soon became engrossed in the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts.

Time passes bit by bit...

Ten days later, Zhong Bai, sitting quietly on the futon, closed his eyes with a hint of helplessness.

The Eight-Nine Arcane Arts truly lived up to its reputation as a top-tier Taoist technique. Zhong Bai spent ten whole days trying to comprehend it, yet he still had no clue whatsoever. Let alone cultivating it, even understanding it was difficult.

"Alas, I am indeed not a gifted person. Without a demon-slaying panel in this life, I am useless. It is better to just use cheat codes."

Zhong Bai resigned himself to his fate. The Eight-Nine Arcane Arts were not something ordinary people could cultivate. In any case, Zhong Bai had no clue what to do. Rather than staying in Maoshan and wasting his days, he might as well wander around the world and replenish his demon-slaying points.

Back on the Demon Extermination panel, Zhong Bai looked at the evolving panel and felt a little tempted.

Since arriving in the Immortal Realm, the Demon Extermination Panel has been evolving over a month. There are still about ten days left until the deadline. Zhong Bai has no idea what the evolved Demon Extermination Panel will look like.

Anyway, it's not the first time it has evolved...

The last evolution added a lottery function, but Zhong Bai has never drawn anything good since.

A few days later, Zhong Bai finally had his chance to go down the mountain.

The Third Elder visited again, but this time he came to tell Zhong Bai about the current state of affairs in the world.

"Zhong Bai, of the four continents, Xihe Niuzhou is the stronghold of Buddhism, Beiju Luzhou is full of demons, Nanchanbuzhou belongs to Taoism, and Dongsheng Shenzhou is more complicated, with both Taoism and Buddhism involved, but in general, Taoism still has the advantage."

Of course, you've probably heard about the discord within the Taoist community; the disciples of the three religions are not exactly on good terms on a daily basis.

However, it has nothing to do with sects like Maoshan. The conflict is between the disciples of the sage, not the lineage. Maoshan is nominally the Shangqing lineage, but the Yuqing sect also has many supernatural powers. We are intertwined, so there is no need to worry about it.

If you want to go out and gain experience, Dongsheng Shenzhou is a good place.

Think thrice before you act. You are a disciple of Taoism. Although Maoshan is not a sect of saints, it is still a lineage of Taoism. There is no need to fear those bald monks of Buddhism. That's all I can say.

Thanks to the Third Elder Qianxun's explanation, Zhong Bai finally gained a preliminary understanding of the Earthly Immortal Realm.

However, despite his understanding, the decision to descend the mountain had already been made. Although the Third Elder felt that Zhong Bai's decision to descend the mountain was somewhat risky and wanted Zhong Bai to become a human immortal before descending the mountain.

After Zhong Bai politely declined, the Third Elder stopped trying to persuade him. This was always the way geniuses were; the Third Elder simply assumed that Zhong Bai had his own pace…

Having only been at Maoshan for less than a month, Mo Ling and Zhao Ling'er were reluctant to see their husbands leave, but ultimately refrained from saying anything to persuade them to stay.

They knew their husbands' personalities well; once they made a decision, they generally wouldn't change it.

Zhong Bai comforted the two of them...

"Alright, Ling'er, Mo'er, I'm not stupid. There are some unavoidable reasons for going down the mountain. Besides, the stronger I become, the better I can protect you. That will never change."

Zhong Bai continued to comfort him gently...

Seeing her father like this, Zhong Ling couldn't help but chuckle. She had to admit, the atmosphere was really nice.

Zhong Bai has gone down the mountain.

The distance between Nanchanbuzhou and Dongsheng Shenzhou is vastly different. Even though Zhong Bai is now at the peak of the Yuan Shen realm, crossing Nanchanbuzhou to reach Dongsheng Shenzhou is still a very difficult task.

Fortunately, Maoshan has a teleportation array.

As the grand formation activated, Zhong Bai vanished from his spot...

The Divine Land of Dongsheng.

Suzhou and Hangzhou are places of great natural beauty.

No matter how much the Buddhist and Taoist sects in Dongsheng Shenzhou competed for the incense offerings, the result was the same for ordinary people. Zhong Bai arrived at midnight and immediately sat cross-legged to wait for dawn.

As the sun rose, Zhong Bai officially arrived in this bustling city.

Walking through Suzhou and Hangzhou, one is struck by the bustling atmosphere. Zhong Bai's gaze lingers on these ordinary people, for he too was once just as ordinary.

However, Zhong Bai quickly sensed something was wrong. Two streams of demonic energy shot into the sky. Although Zhong Bai did not deliberately release his divine sense, he could still tell what was going on at a glance.

It's quite rare to find someone with pure demonic energy and no karmic burdens.

Zhong Bai smiled. Since they had already met, he might as well go and see what was going on.

............................................................

West Lake.

Suzhou and Hangzhou are places where literati and poets often visit. At this moment, the sun shines brightly all around West Lake, but raindrops fall only above the lake.

On the shore of West Lake, two stunningly beautiful women stood quietly, holding oil-paper umbrellas, their figures like a painting, captivating the hearts of passersby.

"Pfft, sister, look at that idiot, it's raining and he still doesn't know to come ashore..."

He looks so ordinary, so weak and frail. I really don't know what my sister sees in him. Even if he's my sister's savior, my sister wouldn't need him..."

Before the woman in green could finish speaking, the woman in white interrupted her.

“Xiaoqing, I know what I'm doing. Guanyin Bodhisattva said that I only have one tribulation left before I can become an immortal, and that tribulation is my love tribulation…”

The woman in white didn't say anything more; her sister was stubborn, so she didn't try to persuade her further.

Just as the two women were waiting for the man in the lake to reach the shore, Zhong Bai happened to arrive nearby... (End of Chapter)