There are no ancestors at all; I made them all up.

Chapter 189 lacks scope.

The next day.

Chen Qing met with Qiao Bujue again early in the morning.

Without any delay, he stated his purpose directly: "I have a general understanding of the situation, so I will accompany you on this journey. But I must say this beforehand: the innate calamity is ever-changing. Even if it is tainted by the power of thunder, I can only try my best. Whether it succeeds or not is up to fate."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Bujue's face showed gratitude, and he even wanted to bow deeply again: "The Dharma Master's willingness to help is an immense favor! I, Qiao..."

With a flick of his sleeve, Chen Qing lifted him up as before: "No need for that. The reason I went there was because I had my own affairs to attend to and had to clean up my own sect. Alright, saving lives is urgent and cannot be delayed. You don't need to worry about me. Send a message immediately to have people prepare, and we will set off shortly."

"Yes! Yes! I will send the message right away!" Qiao Bujue hurriedly took out the communication jade talisman. After sending the message, he said, "What does the Dharma Master Jiming want me to inquire about at Wantongfang? Just tell me, and I will do my best."

"No rush, we can talk about it after we rescue them." Chen Qing waved his hand. What he wanted to find out was actually quite sensitive, and it was not appropriate to tell him until they had brought their relationship closer.

After dealing with this matter, he turned to the disciple standing outside the door and instructed him, "Go and invite Senior Brother Han Jing over."

A moment later, Daoist Hanjing arrived swiftly, followed closely by Fairy Huanyun.

Chen Qing gave him a brief explanation, mainly that he needed to go away for several days and that he and Senior Sister Huanyun would temporarily take charge of the affairs of the villa.

But when Han Jing asked for the specific reason, he did not hide it.

Upon hearing that it involved innate tribulation, Master Han Jing's expression hardened, and he immediately instructed, "Junior brother, the situation outside is chaotic right now. If anything happens, report it to the sect immediately, and also maintain close contact with the other branches."

Chen Qing nodded and said, "Don't worry, senior brother, I'll remember everything."

Fairy Huanyun said with some concern, "Junior brother, you must be careful. Those kinds of evil spirits are most likely to erode your mind. Although you are exceptionally talented, you should not be careless and slow down your cultivation."

Chen Qing nodded, "Don't worry, Senior Sister, I know what I'm doing."

Upon hearing this, Master Hanjing immediately said, "With your skills and talent, Junior Brother, in this situation, it's always others who suffer!"

Chen Qing laughed upon hearing this, then said no more. He bowed to his senior brothers and sisters, then turned and called over Qiao Bujue, the princess in red, and the others: "Let's go."

Qiao Bujue then said, "I have already arranged manpower and carriages three hundred miles away. Please, Master Jiming, accompany me."

“No need for such trouble. As I said before, saving lives is urgent. You send a message first, telling your people to return to the Immortal Dynasty on their own. I will take you ahead.” With that, he took a step forward and was already in an open space in the courtyard, gesturing for the others to come over.

Qiao Bujue and the princess in red exchanged a glance. Although they were somewhat confused, they could not ignore Chen Qing's words and quickly followed.

Qiao Bujue also took the time to pass on a message to the person who stayed behind.

Then Chen Qing pointed his fingers like a sword and slashed through the air!
"Shoot-"

A pitch-black rift appeared out of nowhere, with starlight flowing within and emitting strong spatial fluctuations.

"Walk."

Chen Qing was the first to step inside.

Qiao Bujue exchanged a glance with the red-clad princess and the others, and followed closely behind.

The two of them knew that although he had agreed to their request for a light meal, the Hidden Star Dharma Master clearly still wanted to keep the initiative in his own hands and would not let them take the lead completely.

As for the others who came with them, they hesitated slightly, but eventually followed.

The old man, who was wrapped in a cloak, glanced back at the deep, icy canyon before following.

As everyone disappeared into the space, the spatial rift quickly closed.

Yin Qingping, Zhang Shi, and the others who rushed over were filled with regret upon seeing the scene.

"Master is leaving already?" Yin Qingping stamped her foot. "We haven't even had a proper get-together since he came out of seclusion."

Upon hearing this, Fairy Huanyun immediately reprimanded, "In the past, everyone was led into cultivation by their master. Cultivation depends on the individual. Everyone seeks the path to immortality. There is no time for much joyful gathering. Your mindset is not right and you need to change it."

Upon hearing this, Yin Qingping quickly lowered her head to acknowledge that she had learned something.

During Chen Qing's seclusion, the main instructors were Han Jing and Huan Yun, whom Yin Qingping held in high esteem.

Zhang Shi clenched his fist, his eyes filled with longing: "One day, I will also be like my master, roaming the world, deciding life and death with a wave of my hand, and saving people from danger in an instant!"

South Lane City.

Elegant residence in the city

The handsome Li Zhuo sat cross-legged on the cloud bed, with a jade talisman floating in front of him, shimmering with clear light.

Fu Zhongzheng issued an edict: "...Any instance of unending spiritual energy or surging magical power must be reported immediately! There must be no error!"

Once the message was delivered, the jade talisman shattered into pieces.

"Hmph!" Li Zhuo swept away the debris with his sleeve. "Spiritual energy is inexhaustible? How do you determine that? Are you going to go up to everyone and ask, 'Is your magical power about to run out?' Ridiculous!" He turned to the white-bearded old Taoist priest beside him and complained, "Elder Qiu, the sect's orders are becoming more and more inexplicable. I have the important task of 'planting jade' on my shoulders, yet I have to be distracted by such trivial matters?"

Elder Qiu, with his white hair and youthful face, held a whisk in his hand. Hearing this, he smiled and said, "Zhuo'er, calm down. Planting jade is a fundamental plan. How could the sect take it lightly? There is a reason why we asked you to pay attention to these strange phenomena. In fact, in my opinion, they are just a smokescreen. You can just pretend to be at it."

As he spoke, he changed the subject: "The reason I sent you to Nanxiang City is ostensibly to inspect the area, but in reality, it's to build up your experience. Once you return, the position of true successor will be yours for the taking."

Li Zhuo was eager to hear this, but his tone was gloomy: "The position of true disciple was something I deserved in my previous life! If it weren't for the 'bloodline affinity' method, which forced me to reincarnate and acknowledge those old people as my parents, thus getting entangled in karma, I would have been a true disciple long ago! The sect promised that as long as I could use my bloodline as a lock to entangle that Hidden Star Dharma Master Li Qing and help the sect collect its fortune, they would grant me the position of Dao Child! Does that still stand?"

"A promise is a promise." Elder Qiu stroked his beard and smiled. "Not only that, if you can take advantage of the situation to lure Li Qing out and help us capture him in one fell swoop, that would be an even greater achievement! At that time, not only would you be a Daoist disciple, but you would also have a place in the Inheritance Temple!"

Li Zhuo, however, looked wary: "That Li Qing is a ruthless man who could destroy Yuehua Mansion! It is said that even a Nascent Soul True Monarch cannot last more than a few rounds against him! If we lure him out, and things go wrong, the situation will get out of control, and who can protect my life?"

"Hehe, Zhuo'er, you're overthinking it." Elder Qiu looked confident. "You've already received the profound teachings and can communicate with the Xuanmen. You can use these extraordinary treasures to activate them. With the protection of numerous guards and the talisman of the Li family elders, even if Li Qing is truly a reincarnation of a killing star, he'll be hesitant to act against you. What can he do to you? If he dares to touch you, it would be patricide and incest, unforgivable by Heaven, and his inner demons will arise!"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhuo's expression softened slightly: "That would be best."

Elder Qiu glanced out the window and reminded him, "The time has come; you should go and make a name for yourself." Upon hearing this, Li Zhuo revealed a twisted excitement, but pretended to be helpless: "Going to do that bullying and monopolizing business again? Sigh! It's truly an insult to scholarship."

Elder Qiu slightly raised his eyelids: "What? You're unwilling?"

Li Zhuo stood up and grinned: "Willing! How could I not? Normally I would have to restrain myself if I wanted to do it, but now, for the sake of the sect's grand plan, it is my duty! Moreover, just thinking about how powerful Li Qing is, yet he has to be restrained by me, get involved in karma, and be condemned by everyone in the future, makes me feel very happy!"

As he spoke, he strode outside, exclaiming, "This is the mystery of cultivation! It is not because of the height of the Dharma, nor because of the change in practice, but because of a single thought!"

Elder Qiu's voice came faintly from behind him: "Remember, always act under the name of Li Qing! My Taiyi Dao Palace is a righteous sect of Xuanmen, and its reputation cannot be tarnished in the slightest."

Once the man was gone, Elder Qiu's smile faded, and he said to the shadow beside him, "He's hopeless, with a low character. He's allowed to do evil, but he only knows how to do small evils, engaging in trivial matters, bullying men and women, and he even thinks he's clever."

The long street was teeming with people.

Li Zhuo, dressed in fine clothes and holding a jade-shaped bone fan, was followed by seven or eight imposing followers as he swaggered through the city.

Arriving at a spirit medicine shop, he pointed with the tip of his fan at a spirit herb gleaming with green light in the cabinet and said to the shopkeeper, "I want this."

The old shopkeeper recognized him and said tremblingly, "Young Master Li, this herb has already been reserved by Taoist Liu. What do you think..."

"Reservation?" Li Zhuo raised an eyebrow, snapping his folding fan shut. "What I, Li Qing, have set my sights on is mine!" With that, a follower stepped forward and snatched the spiritual herb from him.

"How dare you rob me?!" The old shopkeeper trembled with rage.

"Robbery?" Li Zhuo tossed out a piece of low-grade spiritual marrow, which rolled to the ground. "Here you go! Don't make a fuss, you're ruining my fun! I've reported this to my brother, and he'll have your whole family wiped out!" With that, he strode away.

He continued on his way, and whenever he saw something that caught his eye, he would "buy" it, paying less than eleven cents. If a vendor showed the slightest dissatisfaction, his followers would beat him up, smash his stall, and destroy his goods.

People along the way dared not speak out in anger, and all gave way, their eyes filled with resentment and fear.

"What are you looking at?!" Li Zhuo, feeling everyone's gaze, laughed heartily, extremely smug: "Remember this! I am Li Zhuo, and my actions are guided by a single thought—this is the principle my elder brother taught me! He is the Hidden Star Dharma Master! His power is astounding! Anyone who is dissatisfied can go to Dingyuan Mountain to find him!"

As he spoke, his gaze locked onto a female cultivator selling talismans on the street corner.

The female cultivator was dressed in plain clothes and had a beautiful face. She was glaring at him angrily.

Li Zhuo chuckled and stepped forward, using the rib of his fan to lift the female cultivator's chin: "Young lady, you're quite pretty. It's a pity to be exposed to the wind and sun here. Why not come with me? I guarantee you'll enjoy all the riches and honors. If I'm in a good mood, I can even introduce you to my brother..."

"Insolence!" The female cultivator slapped open her fan and angrily rebuked, "The Hidden Star Dharma Master is a hero of the North, how dare you, a shameless scoundrel, impersonate and defile him!"

"Impersonating?" Li Zhuo laughed loudly, his aura of the Great Perfection of the Yin God Realm suddenly erupting, pressing down on the female cultivator's face until it turned deathly pale. "I am the genuine younger brother of the Dharma Lord!" With that, he reached out to grab the female cultivator.

"Senior Sister!" A young talisman master beside him, his eyes wide with fury, summoned a fire crow talisman and pounced on Li Zhuo.

"An ant trying to shake a tree!" A follower behind Li Zhuo slapped the fire crow away with a single palm strike, and the residual force sent the young man flying backward, coughing up blood, his fate unknown.

The female cultivator was bound by Li Zhuo's magic power and unable to move; her eyes were filled with rage.

The onlookers fell silent, their eyes filled with anger at the tyrannical man!
"Is there no one who can control him? Where is justice?!" someone sighed in a low voice.

Someone nearby said, "The Hidden Star Dharma Master is high above, a figure like a flying dragon in the sky. No one dares to interfere with the evil deeds of his blood relatives! Moreover, this person is close to the city lord, and the city lord has the power of discretion in governing and enforcing the law. Whether someone is guilty or not depends entirely on his own will!"

Another person said, "That's right. This Li Zhuo also has close ties with nobles. Someone accused him before, but the city lord said, 'When things happen, one should treat them like a gentle spring breeze and value harmony.' The matter was then resolved by turning a big problem into a small one and a small problem into nothing. It was even made into a storybook and was called the 'Spring Breeze Case'!"

The more they talked, the more helpless they became. Their anger gradually subsided, leaving only a sense of frustration!
at this time.

"Amitabha."

A majestic Buddhist chant resounded!

As the sound subsided, the restraints Li Zhuo had placed on the female cultivator quietly dissipated.

Before everyone's eyes, a monk dressed in a moon-white robe and with a heroic appearance stood in the center of the scene.

"So you are Li Zhuo? I've heard my virtuous brother speak of your evil deeds several times before! I'm so glad to finally meet you today!" He had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and carried seven swords on his back. He looked at Li Zhuo and said, "Benefactor, the sea of ​​suffering is boundless, but there is always a shore to turn back to."

Li Zhuo felt a chill run down his spine as he was swept by that gaze, but he forced himself to remain calm and said, "Bald monk, how dare you meddle in my affairs? I am the Hidden Star Dharma Master..."

Before he could finish speaking, the monk shook his head slightly and raised his hand.

"Crack!"

Li Zhuo let out a miserable scream as his limbs twisted at bizarre angles, and he was lifted off the ground, his face contorted, tears streaming down his face.

His followers were about to make a move when they were swept away by the Buddhist light and sword intent emanating from the monk. They all collapsed to the ground, bleeding profusely, but each still had a trace of life left.

"You dare touch me?! My brother is Li Qing! He will tear you to pieces..." Li Zhuo roared fiercely, but his voice betrayed his fear.

The monk looked at him with pity, as if he were looking at a struggling insect: "Li Qing? This humble monk was just about to have a discussion with him about what kind of Dharma Master could allow his younger brother to commit such a heinous act."

Having said that, he ignored everyone else, picked up Li Zhuo, and headed into the city.

"This humble monk, Jianmie, has come to the Central Continent to cultivate his Buddhist mind and seek the Buddhist seed that caused the changes in Mount Ling a few years ago. The Thunder Pool outside the city is connected to my Dharma. I will set up a great formation there and discuss the Dharma with the heroes of the Central Continent. I also await the arrival of the Hidden Star Dharma Master to discuss the Dao!"

Elder Qiu stood quietly in the shadows at the street corner.

"Where did this monk come from? How could he be so ruthless?" A man in black beside him whispered, "Elder, should we send someone to rescue Li Zhuo?"

Elder Qiu raised his hand to stop him, his face showing anger, but instead he revealed a sneer: "No need to interfere. Li Zhuo is a man of poor character, he doesn't even know how to do evil, so he can't lure Li Qing out. But he might still be useful as bait. Go quickly and invite the old couple from the Li family over, and spread the news that this monk has set up a formation. Then we'll try a different way to fish him out and see if Li Qing can still sit still!"

"Yes!" The man in black quietly withdrew.

Elder Qiu then looked at the monk's back.

"The sword monk from the Western Wilderness Sword Tomb? He's an enemy too. He's going up against Li Qing, it's like dogs fighting each other, and my Taiyi Dao Palace can reap the benefits!"

(End of this chapter)