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

Chapter 190 The Reform Was Too Thorough

"Li Zhuo has been arrested?"

In a manor not far from Nanxiang City, Qiao Bujue held a communication jade talisman, his brows furrowed.

His disciples and followers from Wantongfang were spread all over the world, and they were the most well-informed. Even if they weren't the first to notice any movement in the world, they were definitely among the first to know.

Five days have passed since they left Beiming. Although they did not travel by flying boat due to Chen Qing's opposition, they have arrived at the edge of Leichi thanks to Chen Qing's teleportation ability and various modes of transportation along the way.

To take care of his seriously ill wife, Qiao Bujue bought a manor here, and now he arranged for Chen Qingxian to rest for a while and wash away the hardships of his journey.

No sooner had they settled in than news arrived that Li Zhuo had been captured by a monk from the Western Wilderness!
"This matter is of utmost importance and must be reported to Master Li."

"Wow!"

In the distance, thunderclouds gathered!
Streaks of lightning streaked through the clouds.

The lightning reflected in Chen Qing's eyes, making the lightning tribulation magic weapon on his body restless, as if it wanted to follow the mysterious evolution of heaven and earth!
At the same time, the pseudo-mysterious gate in his heart kept changing, allowing him to sense many practitioners of spiritual methods.

"I didn't expect so many spiritual cultivators to gather here! If they are all related to the Taiyi Dao Palace, then they must have invested a lot of manpower! However, thanks to the gathering of so many people, I realized that this pseudo-spiritual sect in my heart should have a restraining effect on them. When we face each other, this group of people can be used to my advantage!"

Beneath the thunderclouds lies the Thunder Pool.

According to Qiao Bujue, the latest news is that this Thunder Pool is related to a relic from the ancient divine court, possibly left behind by an ancient god in charge of thunder-related duties.

As he was thinking, Qiao Bujue's voice came from behind him—

“Master Li, as you know, there’s been some recent news about Li Zhuo. Wherever he went before, he would loudly proclaim his relationship with you, acting arrogantly and recklessly, almost deliberately stirring up trouble. But this time in Nanxiang City, he did the same thing, and was captured by a powerful monk from the Western Wilderness, causing quite a stir!”

Hearing this, Chen Qing withdrew his gaze and inquired about the monk's situation.

Qiao Bujue handed over the jade talisman and said, "That monk's Dharma name is Jianmie. His origins are mysterious and his cultivation is unfathomable. Five days ago, after capturing Li Zhuo, he set up an array by the Thunder Pool. In the past few days, he has defeated several cultivators from the Central Continent and even said that he wanted to discuss the Dao with you."

After a moment's hesitation, he guessed, "I think the timing is too coincidental. Could it be that the Taiyi Dao Palace is pulling the strings behind the scenes? This trip may be fraught with danger at every turn. The Dharma Master must be extremely cautious."

Chen Qing probed the jade talisman with his divine sense and, after understanding the general situation, turned his gaze back to the dark, thunderous cloud in the sky and said, "I have a general idea of ​​what arrangements the Taiyi Dao Palace has made. You just need to make the arrangements, and I will take care of them."

That fake sect can now be used as a trump card, giving him a slight advantage when facing cultivators from the Taiyi Dao Palace. However, if he doesn't use it in time and the other side notices and makes targeted arrangements, he may fall into a passive position, and his advantage may turn into a disadvantage.

"Even if there is someone who can restrain this secret in my heart, it must be a high-ranking member of the Taiyi Dao Palace. After all, they would not entrust such a secret to ordinary disciples. Even true disciples may not have the opportunity to come into contact with it. Only the higher-ranking members would know about it! But the higher the rank and the higher the cultivation level, the more they are suppressed and restricted by the laws of the Immortal Dynasty."

Over time, Chen Qing, this lawless outlaw, was able to obtain many preferential treatments by taking advantage of the laws of the Immortal Dynasty!
Seeing his composure, Qiao Bujue felt somewhat relieved, but his worries remained. He then said, "There is another matter that I need to inform you, Dharma Master. In recent years, due to Li Zhuo and the instigation of certain people in the Immortal Dynasty, some places in the Central Continent have expressed some reservations about your reputation, Dharma Master."

Princess Hongling, who had come to inquire, happened to hear this and immediately sneered, interjecting, "That Li Zhuo is just a clown, but all the shady things he did were attributed to the name of 'the younger brother of the Hidden Star Dharma Master'! So, the places he's been to all have a lot of complaints about you."

“There’s another reason,” Qiao Bujue continued, “Back then, during the Northern Frontier Demon Calamity, although Master Li turned the tide, the Immortal Dynasty used this as an excuse to impose the ‘Demon Suppression Tax’ and ‘Spirit Source Tax,’ which caused widespread resentment. Those people dared not criticize the Immortal Dynasty, so they threw this mud at you! Now there are even rumors circulating that the Demon Calamity was not actually that serious, but that someone exaggerated it to make money and harm the common people!”

As he spoke, he sighed and said, "Many people only know that taxes are increasing and life is getting harder, but they don't know that if the ruthless methods of the past were not implemented, the North would become a demonic land, and all living beings would suffer! No one remembers the merits, but the resentment of the oppressive government will all fall on them, which is chilling."

As Chen Qing listened, he couldn't help but shake his head, the original contents recorded on the broken stele flashing through his mind: the demonic tide shrouded the three continents.

“That’s what you call a revolution that went too far, to the point that later generations felt it was unnecessary.” His remark made Qiao Bujue and Princess Hongling pause slightly, seemingly understanding but not quite.

"Let's go," Chen Qing said without saying anything more, turning around and saying, "You've rested enough, let's go see your wife."

Qiao Bujue's spirits lifted, and he immediately said, "Master, please come with me. My wife usually recuperates in this manor, but every now and then her condition worsens, and she has to get close to the Thunder Pool." He hesitated for a moment, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Chen Qing saw through his thoughts and said, "Don't worry, if we run into that monk, we can resolve the matter at the same time. There won't be any trouble."

Qiao Bujue felt uneasy and suggested sending someone over to clarify the misunderstanding.

"What misunderstanding? Li Zhuo is indeed related to me by blood, and given what he did, I would want to slap him to death, let alone others?" Chen Qing shook his head. "Moreover, the monk capturing him was just a means to an end. He won't listen to explanations before the duel. If you want to explain the misunderstanding, you'll have to wait until I beat him down!"

Qiao Bujue smiled wryly upon hearing this, and then the group left the manor without further delay. With a few leaps, they arrived at Kulei Slope outside Nanxiang City.

The further they went, the stronger the scorching aura in the air became, and blue lightning bolts would occasionally crackle and pop across the gravel ground.

In the distance, however, lies a tranquil lake, reflecting the sky and clouds.

Only when you get closer can you see that what ripples in the pool is a condensed, mercury-like liquid of lightning! Occasionally, a thick bolt of lightning will leap up, emitting a blazing aura.

More than a dozen figures were scattered around the pool, spaced far apart from each other, each occupying a corner.

All eyes, whether open or hidden, were focused on the thunderous liquid in the pool and a flattened hill on the edge of the pool.

On the high ground, the Moon-White Monk sat cross-legged, his face handsome and his expression indifferent.

Around the high ground, three or four cultivators lay paralyzed, their faces ashen and their breath weak. They were struggling to regulate their breathing, and their eyes were filled with fear and resentment as they looked at the monk.

Just then, a crimson streak of light rushed over, its momentum overwhelming, heading straight for the core of the Thunder Pool!

The seated monk raised his right hand and reached out to grab the flowing light from afar!
"Buzz!"

The Buddha's light transformed into a giant hand, carrying the overwhelming power to seize the universe, instantly enveloping the crimson light within!
"Wow!"

A sharp screech rang out from the streak of light, which suddenly exploded and transformed into three ferocious birds with wingspans of several meters, made of blazing blood flames, tearing with sharp claws and pecking with sharp beaks!

The Golden Elixir undergoes eight cycles, and the Dharma possesses primordial spirit!
"It's the Crimson Blood Monster!"

"He actually came too! And he's even cultivated the Blood Flame Three Tribulations Body!"

However, the giant Buddha's palm trembled slightly, and the swastika Buddha seal appeared and expanded in the palm, with a vast amount of Buddha power rolling down!

"Zi la..."

The three ferocious birds of prey, their blood-red flames dissipating and extinguishing at a visible speed, emitting a series of mournful cries, were instantly crushed by the Buddha's palm, reverting to a pale-faced figure spitting blood, which fell to the ground in a sorry state, struggling for a moment before being unable to get up.

The monk withdrew his hand and said calmly, "Your anger is deep-seated and your foundation is superficial. I already know your path; it is nothing more than this."

You could hear a pin drop all around.

The previously somewhat agitated crowd fell completely silent. "This monk's strength is truly unfathomable!"

After a brief silence, suppressed murmurs finally broke out.

"Just who is this bald monk? His protective supernatural powers are so formidable!"

"Even the Crimson Blood Old Monster couldn't withstand a single move from him. It seems that only those true disciples of major sects, who are kept hidden away and possess Nascent Soul-level protective techniques, can rival him!"

"Such a person would not easily come to this remote place. By the time they receive the news and arrive, the opportunities in Thunder Pool will probably have already been taken by this monk!"

Amid the murmurs, someone suddenly muttered, "Isn't there someone else readily available? That Ji Mingzi from the Hidden Star Sect, who can also defeat a Nascent Soul cultivator, is infamous and destroyed the Moonflower Palace without a second thought! If he were here, would he allow this monk to act so arrogantly? Why hasn't he shown up?"

"It has long been rumored that this Hidden Star Dharma Master has been in seclusion cultivating profound arts for many years and has not been involved in worldly affairs."

But no matter what the crowd was saying, the monk ignored it all and remained seated with his eyes closed. But suddenly, a thought struck him, and his eyes turned to look in one direction.

At the edge of the slope, a courtyard stood, barely protected by a layer of array-like spiritual light.

Chen Qing and his group are currently stationed here.

“This courtyard is a magical artifact.” Qiao Bujue pointed to the courtyard. “It can conceal oneself and calm the mind. Because it is neither too close nor too far from the Thunder Pool, it is not easily discovered. Please follow me.”

As soon as Chen Qingfu stepped into the courtyard, a burnt smell hit him.

When he entered the house, he saw a woman lying on a couch in the inner room. Her face was as pale as paper, her eyes were closed, and her lips were cracked.

Her brows were tightly furrowed, her meridians bulged from time to time, electric currents seemed to flow under her skin, and her body would spasm occasionally.

Chen Qing's brow twitched, and the black hairpin on his head trembled slightly. He raised his hand to pinch it, calming the tribulation lightning.

Seeing his beloved wife in such a terrible state, Qiao Bujue clenched his fists, his eyes instantly reddening, and his voice becoming hoarse: "Master, this is my wife..."

Chen Qing's eyes narrowed slightly. A projection of himself appeared beside him, revealing the Eye of Ice Soul. Upon closer inspection, he saw that the chaotic tribulation lightning energy within the woman's body was even more violent than expected.

"I need to give it a try."

Qiao Bujue nodded.

Chen Qing extended a finger and slowly touched the woman's brow!

"Zi..."

A spark of Qingqiu fire danced on her fingertip and landed on the woman's brow on the couch. Instantly, her convulsing body gradually calmed down. Although she was still unconscious, the tormenting agitation of the thunderous demon seemed to be temporarily suppressed.

“It is indeed a backlash from an innate calamity, penetrating deep into the Niwan Palace and Qi Sea, entangled in the Golden Core,” Chen Qing withdrew his finger, his brows furrowing slightly. “It’s a bit troublesome, but… it should be solvable.”

While the lightning energy was indeed concentrated, it was not comparable to the lightning of a heavenly tribulation. He could use his natal magic weapon to absorb the lightning energy from the woman's body, but he would need to operate carefully and process it slowly.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Bujue was overjoyed and almost knelt down: "Please help me, Master Li!"

“I need to set up a trap here to draw out the evil energy within her body, and then slowly absorb and refine it,” Chen Qing said without any hesitation, immediately giving the order: “During this time, there must be no disturbance. Master Qiao, you will guard the door from the outside, and no one is allowed to approach.”

"Yes!" Qiao Bujue replied repeatedly without the slightest doubt. He immediately retreated outside the door and stood guard personally, his expression extremely vigilant.

With a flick of his sleeve, Chen Qing sent out several Qi talismans that embedded themselves in the four corners of the room, forming an invisible barrier.

Then he walked to the bed and made a hand seal.

"Buzz!"

The black hairpin emitted a buzzing sound, transforming into a streak of pitch-black lightning, like a serpent emerging from its hole, or a black dragon coiling around, wrapping around the body of the woman on the bed!

Instantly, the lightning energy within the woman's body was drawn out bit by bit!
Outside the door, Qiao Bujue peeked through the crack and saw this scene, which greatly invigorated him.

However, at this crucial moment...

"Amitabha!"

A Buddhist chant suddenly erupted from outside the courtyard without warning!

Chen Qing's eyes narrowed, but his hand gestures remained unchanged.

Qiao Bujue, dressed in a moon-white monk's robe, arrived gracefully. His Golden Core cultivation erupted as he blocked the courtyard gate, shouting, "How dare you, you bald monk!"

He pushed forward with both palms, and the air surged, transforming into a roaring fire lion that pounced!
The sword-wielding monk raised one palm and gently pressed it forward.

"Om-"

As the chanting began softly, a swastika symbol formed from Buddhist light appeared out of thin air, rotating and imprinting itself on the fiery lion!

The ferocious fire lion crashed into the magic seal, let out a mournful cry, and disintegrated inch by inch!

Qiao Bujue coughed up a mouthful of blood, staggered backward, and crashed into the courtyard wall, his eyes filled with horror!

The Sword-Extinguishing Monk broke through the obstruction and his gaze fell on the tightly closed door. He spoke indifferently, "This humble monk sensed the causal connection. Is the person inside the room the Hidden Star Dharma Master who allowed his brother to commit murder? Why don't you come out and show yourself!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already struck out with his palm again!
A giant, golden Buddha-light palm, with the force to grasp mountains, grabbed at Chen Qing, who was sitting cross-legged inside the house!
Qiao Bujue's eyes were bloodshot!
His gang and followers were about to make a move, but their minds were immediately suppressed by the Buddha's light!

Inside the room, Chen Qing guided the black hairpin of tribulation lightning while sighing, "You monk, you have no discernment."

"Boom!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a towering crimson light shot into the sky from behind Chen Qing!

The crimson light grew longer in the wind, instantly transforming into a turbulent river of blood that crashed directly into the giant Buddha-light palm that was grabbing at them!

(End of this chapter)