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Upon hearing the old Taoist's words, Fang Qingyu's speeding figure suddenly came to a halt.

The lightning subsided.

The true form of the person in green robes wielding a knife was revealed.

Suspended above the giant leaf.

His expression was calm and composed, his gaze deep as he looked at the old man who had suddenly appeared.

In this treacherous swamp where friend and foe are indistinguishable.

Any sudden approach should be met with extreme caution.

Although Fang Qingyu did not immediately sense any malice from the other party.

However, the necessary precautions should still be taken.

Fang Qingyu's posture appeared very neutral.

Qi and blood flow slowly within the body, like a volcano poised to erupt.

There was neither obvious hostility nor any sign of closeness.

He simply spoke calmly:

"Who are you?"

When the old man, with his otherworldly air, saw that Fang Qingyu was willing to stop and listen to him, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly, revealing an even more amiable smile.

He was not displeased by Fang Qingyu's wariness; on the contrary, he seemed to see a quality that suited him.

He calmly adjusted his sleeves, gave Fang Qingyu a standard Daoist bow, his posture elegant and full of ancient charm, and replied in a clear voice:
"This humble Taoist priest, Zhunti, greets young friend."

"Zhunti?!"

These two words made Fang Qingyu's eyes widen slightly.

Taoist Cundi!

No one is unfamiliar with this name.

Even in Fang Qingyu's original era, the myths and legends about the ancient primordial world were already scattered, but anyone who knew even a little about the primordial world would be familiar with this name.

Furthermore, Fang Qingyu had also specifically looked at some information about Zhunti.

One of the two saints of the West, the second leader of the Western Sect, and the junior brother of the Guide!

Legend has it that all of them, the fellow disciples, were incarnations of lotus flowers.

He was extraordinary and detached from worldly affairs, and his attendants were water and fire children.

The Taoist Zhunti possesses unfathomable magical power. He is a Great Enlightened Golden Immortal, a peer of Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun, and has long since transcended the mortal realm, attaining the Primordial Dao Fruit.

Its most famous feature is its powerful Dharma body supernatural abilities.

Once the golden body with eighteen hands and twenty-four heads is revealed.

It possesses boundless supernatural powers, enough to awe the world.

its strength.

In the legends of the primordial era, he was undoubtedly one of the giants standing at the very top of the pyramid.

Fang Qingyu quickly concealed the surprise in his eyes.

In the blink of an eye, he regained his composure.

He was not a person who did not know etiquette. When facing such legendary predecessors and sages, regardless of whether they were enemies or friends at this moment, whether they were real beings or projections evolved from this world, he was respectful.

Proper etiquette should not be neglected.

Fang Qingyu then bowed slightly, clasped his hands in return, and said in a calm tone, "I have long admired your great name, Daoist."

His words were neither humble nor arrogant.

It expressed respect while maintaining distance.

However, Fang Qingyu's doubts quickly spread.

This is a saintly being who holds a revered position in mythology, usually residing in the Western Paradise and rarely getting involved in Eastern affairs.

Why would they appear in the Mirage Dragon Swamp and find me at this time?

Just as Fang Qingyu's mind was racing, trying to sort things out.

Mutations reborn!

"Moo-!!!"

A deep, thunderous roar.

It suddenly came from the direction of the overwhelming shadow behind Zhunti Daoist.

The terrifying monster with ferocious bull horns and a massive size that still gave the impression of towering over the sky even in the swamp where the rules had shrunk, seemed to be alarmed by the appearance of Zhunti Daoist and his conversation with Fang Qingyu.

Or perhaps he couldn't suppress Qingyu's greed.

Finally, a major move has been made.

Its mountain-like head drooped, and its crimson eyes stared intently at Fang Qingyu, the desire within them almost tangible.

Its thick, pillar-like forelimbs rose, stirring up a dense, multicolored miasma.

With a terrifying force that seemed to crush the void, it ignored the Zhunti Daoist blocking its way and directly punched towards Fang Qingyu's location from a distance!

Before the punch was even fully delivered, a terrifying sonic boom had already erupted.

The space in front of the fist visibly twisted and collapsed, and wherever it passed, even the most resilient plants turned to dust.

A fist's force pressed down on my face.

Fang Qingyu's sixth sense triggered a sudden, subconscious alarm.

Without a doubt, if one were to be hit head-on by this punch...

Even with his current Divine Prison Realm physique, plus the numerous protective measures he has acquired after the Return of All Laws to the Origin, he would definitely be severely injured instantly, or even perish completely.

The monster's strength.

Far more than any attacker he had encountered before.

However, faced with this earth-shattering attack, Zhunti Daoist, who had his back to the monster, did not even flinch.

He didn't even look back.

However, Fang Qingyu changed the subject, still wearing that gentle smile, and spoke in a relaxed tone:

"Please wait a moment, young friend. It's a bit noisy around here. Let me tidy up the area first, and then I'll have a proper chat with you."

The moment the words fell.

Only then did Master Zhunti slowly turn around to face the oncoming giant fist head-on.

He merely waved the seemingly ordinary whisk in his hand.

The whisk rose, carrying not a trace of smoke or fire.

But in that seemingly casual wave of his hand, the laws of heaven and earth within a radius of 48,000 li, centered on Daoist Zhunti, were instantly activated.

It was as if all things in heaven and earth willingly obeyed its commands.

An endless breeze quietly arrived from all directions, initially gentle, but in the blink of an eye it transformed into a visible pale blue stream of air, like millions of flowing ribbons.

They frantically converged around the minotaur.

The monster's devastating punch, upon touching the seemingly gentle pale blue air currents, vanished like a mud ox sinking into the sea; all its power and momentum were silently and instantly dissolved.

For the first time, an extremely human-like look of horror and disbelief appeared in the monster's scarlet eyes.

It wanted to struggle, it wanted to retreat.

But it's too late.

The pale blue air currents instantly transformed into terrifying gales.

The gale formed a cage connecting heaven and earth.

It completely enveloped the sky-covering monster.

No matter how the monster roared and charged inside, using all its innate abilities, it could not shake the cage of gale-force winds in the slightest.

Fang Qingyu held his breath and concentrated.

His gaze was fixed on the area shrouded in the fierce wind.

In just a few breaths.

The colossal creature that had previously exuded overwhelming ferocity and filled Fang Qingyu with despair had completely vanished, as if it had never existed at all.

Not even a trace was left.

Only the gradually calming and dissipating pale blue gale proved that what had just happened was not an illusion.

Fang Qingyu witnessed this scene.

His expression instantly became extremely serious.

A tidal wave surged within me.

He had experienced firsthand the terror of that monster.

That was an absolute crushing power level. Even if one's strength greatly increased and all methods were used, it would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, with no possibility of resistance.

But it is such a terrifying existence.

He was not even a match for this Daoist Zhunti?
No, it's not even an enemy.

It's more like a mosquito or fly that accidentally got in the way, and was casually brushed away.

The entire process was handled with effortless ease. Is this the method of a top-tier being from the primordial era?
Fang Qingyu once again realized this deeply.

The world I live in is far more complex than I imagined.

These are the figures who left behind a glorious reputation during the primordial era.

As expected, none of them were anything but terrifying beings with extraordinary abilities.

In the following seconds, the cage of gale-force winds that connected heaven and earth began to slowly thin and dissipate.

Ultimately, it all returned to nothingness.

It was as if nothing had happened.

The swamp returned to its deathly silence.

It just means there's one less major threat.

Then, as if he had just casually swatted a fly, Daoist Zhunti turned around again with an air of nonchalance, his feet creating clouds as he gracefully flew towards Fang Qingyu, his face still bearing that gentle yet enigmatic smile:

"Alright, young friend, the disturbance has been cleared up, and now no one can disturb our peace and quiet."

Upon seeing this, Fang Qingyu suppressed his shock and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

He knew he was dealing with such beings.

There's no point in being insincere; it's better to be direct.

Fang Qingyu then showed a slightly puzzled expression and asked, "Does the Daoist Master know why these monsters suddenly swarmed here, as if they have targeted me?"

"To be honest, when I first entered this swamp, although it was strange, it was still relatively peaceful."

"But after I went into seclusion and set off again, danger followed me like a shadow, as if I had become the target of everyone's attacks."

This problem has been troubling Fang Qingyu for a long time.

Now is the perfect time to ask.

Upon hearing Fang Qingyu's question, Daoist Zhunti smiled meaningfully, stroked his long, snow-white beard, and said slowly:
"The reason for this is quite simple. It's because Kuafu, who guards this place, has entered."

"Kuafu?!"

Fang Qingyu instantly recalled the time when he had just woken up from his seclusion.

The one I sensed with my divine sense was standing at the entrance to the swamp.

The giant leader's aura was even more imposing and terrifying than the two giants who had previously pursued him.

It turns out that the one was Kuafu from mythology, who dared to chase after the sun.

"But..." Fang Qingyu frowned slightly, his doubts deepening, "What is the connection between Kuafu entering this swamp and so many terrifying creatures coming to hunt me down?"

It seemed that Daoist Zhunti had anticipated Fang Qingyu's question.

He proactively explained:
"Young friend, you may not know this. In the era when the human race still had emperors who ruled the land and communicated with heaven and earth, the human emperor once exhausted his energy to make a prophecy that a great calamity would befall the world in the future, and the one destined to face the calamity would step into this swamp, which is designated as a forbidden area, at a specific moment."

He paused, his gaze falling on Fang Qingyu, and continued meaningfully, "The Kuafu clan has been the guardians of this forbidden land since ancient times."

"Their mission is not to prevent outsiders from entering, but to ensure that the person destined for doom remains safe and sound in this place until he or she completes his ordeal when the prophetic moment arrives."

"Therefore, the moment Kua's father stepped into this swamp, it was like a signal."

"This signifies that the one destined for this calamity has appeared here."

Hearing this, Fang Qingyu finally understood.

So, the reason why I went from being relatively safe to being constantly threatened wasn't because of anything I did.

Rather, it was because Kuafu came to protect himself in accordance with an ancient mission.

Instead, it proclaimed its existence to the powerful beings of the entire primordial world.

Fang Qingyu couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself.

It seems like it would have been better not to come at all.

However, what's done is done, and there's no use in being upset.

The only good news is...

At least from Zhunti's words, it can be confirmed that the Kuafu clan is an ally on his side, no longer a pursuer he needs to evade, and there is one less threat from one direction.

Fang Qingyu then composed himself.

He looked at the Daoist Zhunti and asked the most crucial question:
"I see. Thank you for clearing up my doubts, Daoist Master. So, what important matter brings you here to see me?"

According to Zhunti's explanation, the Kuafu clan were his nominal protectors.

Why would this Western saint, whose status and position are even more transcendent, come specifically to find me?
When Zhunti Daoist heard Fang Qingyu ask the question, the corners of his mouth slightly curved up, and his smile became even more profound:

"Although the Kuafu clan has a heart for protection, their clan's power is biased towards the physical body and the earth. They are already overwhelmed by the strange rules in this swamp and the covetous people from all sides who use all sorts of tricks. I'm afraid it will be difficult to ensure your safety, young friend."

His words carried an undeniable air: "Therefore, I have naturally sensed the will of Heaven and come here to lend you a helping hand, to protect you through this tribulation and to help you reach your destined place."

Upon hearing this, Fang Qingyu frowned almost imperceptibly.

Zhunti Daoist, a top power in the prehistoric world and the second leader of the Western Sect, came to this dangerous forbidden land specifically to be a bodyguard for himself, the one destined for calamity.

This treatment is a bit too good.

That's too abnormal.

Based on his experience of the forty-seven worlds he had previously visited.

While the sages or guardians of those worlds may offer assistance and pass on their knowledge, the core trials must be completed by oneself.

Ultimately, everything depends on one's own understanding and ability.

There has never been anyone like Zhunti.

It directly indicates that they intend to protect and support them.

Unless this Zhunti Daoist
Not a legacy NPC of this world?

Fang Qingyu began to slowly become wary.

However, he remained outwardly calm, even subtly revealing a hint of gratitude, and cupped his hands, saying, "Then I'll trouble you, Daoist Master."

Fang Qingyu did not refuse.

He was well aware of his current strength.

It is simply incomparable to Zhunti.

They had almost no chance of escaping.

If you show doubt or rejection at this moment.

On the contrary, it may immediately trigger unpredictable consequences.

It would be better to agree to it first and then wait and see how things develop.

Let's see what this sage really intends to do.

As expected, when Zhunti saw Fang Qingyu agree, his face immediately lit up with undisguised joy, and even his deep eyes brightened a bit.

He couldn't help but clap his hands and chuckle.

He said "good" three times in a row:
"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Young friend, you are indeed a person of great wisdom and great fortune, insightful and reasonable. Well done, well done!"

He seemed to be in a great mood, as if he had accomplished an important wish.

He then turned around, flicked his whisk, and pointed towards the deeper part of the swamp:

"Since that's the case, let's not delay any longer. Young friend, please come with me."

"This Mirage Dragon Swamp is merely the first hurdle. Within it, the universe is turned upside down and the rules are chaotic. I know a relatively safe path."

"The real challenge lies ahead, which will determine whether you can reach the place of inheritance."

As he spoke, Daoist Zhunti led Fang Qingyu in the direction he indicated.

However, just as he turned around, before he could take a step...
Zhunti then stopped walking.

Fang Qingyu's heart sank as well.

My gaze followed that direction.

They could see that about a hundred feet ahead of them.

The dense, multicolored miasma was silently parted like a curtain.

Several figures had silently appeared there at some point.

The leader, dressed in imperial robes and wearing a crown, had his face shrouded in a hazy aura of imperial authority, making it impossible to see clearly. However, the overwhelming and unquestionable majesty that commanded all heavens pressed down on him as if it were a tangible reality.

Beside him stood a woman in palace attire, exuding an aura of compassion as profound as the earth, capable of bearing all things, yet also carrying a hint of awe-inspiring and inviolable divine might.

Another old man, with white hair and a youthful face, held a jade ruler in his hand. His face had a compassionate expression, but his eyes were as deep as the sea.

Not just ahead.

Almost simultaneously, from the left and right sides, and even from behind.

In the once empty swamp, the air began to distort violently.

One after another, figures appeared like ghosts.

There are powerful demons with overwhelming demonic aura, ancient demons wreathed in demonic flames, true immortals protected by celestial light, and ancient gods with awe-inspiring divine might.
There are all sorts of things, too many to count.

Without exception, the oppressive aura emanating from them was terrifying.

Take any one out
They are probably not much weaker than Zhunti.

Just for a moment.

Fang Qingyu and Daoist Zhunti were then surrounded by these dozens of figures. (End of Chapter)