Fantasy: I, the Great Celestial Venerable of the Dao

Xiao Bai's gaze, which held a hint of laziness and scrutiny, had not yet left the young disciples of the Qingyun Sect.

A clear and melodious sword cry, as sharp as a cold spring, suddenly resounded through the sky without warning!

"Zheng—!"

The sound of swords seemed to cleanse the soul, instantly dispelling the slight clamor in front of the mountain gate.

A tall, upright figure, as evergreen as a pine tree, had silently appeared not far in front of everyone.

It was as if he had always been standing there, blending into the surrounding clouds, mist, and rocks.

The newcomer was dressed in a simple blue robe, with a loose belt fluttering in the breeze. He seemed casual, yet he possessed a restrained air of a sword hidden in its sheath. It was none other than Wan Jianyi!

"Greetings, Uncle Wan (Master Wan)!"

The Qingyun disciples, led by Xiao Yicai and Lu Xueqi, bowed in unison.

His voice carried genuine respect, even a hint of fanaticism.

For these young disciples, the name Wan Jianyi is itself a living legend.

It's another side of the spirit of Qingyun!

"Rise, there's no need for such formalities."

Wan Jianyi smiled slightly, like a spring breeze melting snow, and reached out to help.

A gentle yet irresistible force lifted everyone up.

His gaze then swept past the crowd and landed on the Taoist Cangsong, who stood to the side with a very complicated expression.

A thousand words, endless emotions and memories surged forth the moment their eyes met, yet were forcibly suppressed.

In the end, Wan Jianyi simply nodded slightly, and Cangsong's lips twitched, everything was understood without words.

It turned into a barely audible sigh and a few seemingly ordinary greetings:

"Senior brother."

"You've arrived."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Wan Jianyi's gentle yet sharp gaze...

It struck Xiaobai like a real sword blade.

His gaze instantly became incredibly focused and sharp, and for the first time, a solemn expression appeared on his face.

In his perception, the white-clad woman before him possessed an aura as profound as an endless sea of ​​stars.

The demonic energy was pure and boundless, forming a unified whole, without any of the impurities or ferocity of ordinary demons.

The Daoist aura that flowed subtly around him was in harmony with the natural world, and his strength was probably... no less than his!

Xiao Bai was also carefully observing Wan Jianyi, and was slightly startled.

She has seen countless geniuses and outstanding talents.

But someone like the person before me, who perfectly integrates sword intent with himself, reaching the profound state of "man is sword, sword is man."

They are extremely rare.

The Qingyun Sect is indeed terrifyingly profound, except for Dao Xuan Zhenren, whom she cannot see through at all.

There was actually such a peerless sword immortal hidden away!

It truly deserves to be called the leader of the righteous path in the world, far surpassing the likes of Burning Incense Valley.

"I've been sent by my senior brother, the sect leader, to welcome you, young lady. Please!"

Wan Jianyi concealed the piercing sharpness in his eyes and gestured for Xiaobai to enter.

He was courteous and spoke in a calm tone, yet possessed an undeniable authority stemming from absolute power.

The casualness and laziness on Xiao Bai's face also subsided, replaced by a touch of seriousness.

She parted her red lips slightly: "Thank you for your trouble, Master Wan."

Dao Xuan Zhenren is really too polite.

She understood that the arrival of Wan Jianyi from the Dao Xuan Sect was both a great honor and a silent deterrent.

Neither side said anything more, and the group rode various colored lights, passing through the swirling spiritual mist and clouds of Qingyun Mountain.

It flew towards the Jade Purity Palace.

Along the way, pavilions, towers, waterfalls, and springs appear and disappear amidst the clouds and mist, with cranes soaring and mythical beasts running about, creating a magnificent scene reminiscent of a celestial realm.

Even Xiaobai couldn't help but nod in approval.

Before long, the group entered the solemn and majestic Yuqing Hall.

The hall has a high and wide dome, and is entirely paved with spirit jade. The light is bright but not dazzling; instead, it has a warm and gentle feel.

On either side stood several figures with profound and unfathomable auras.

These were Tian Buyi, Master Shuiyue, Zeng Shuchang, Shang Zhengliang, and other leaders of the various branches of the Qingyun Sect.

Their eyes all fell on Xiaobai.

At the highest point, on the throne of the sect leader, sat a man as steadfast as a mountain.

He was dressed in a simple milky-white Taoist robe, and was none other than the universally recognized number one righteous person, the head of the Qingyun Sect, Dao Xuan Zhenren!

"Greetings, Senior Brother (Master)!"

As everyone entered the hall, they all bowed in greeting, with even Wan Jianyi and Cangsong nodding slightly in acknowledgment.

The atmosphere inside the hall was solemn and dignified; you could hear a pin drop.

Only Xiaobai remained standing upright, her beautiful eyes intently scrutinizing Daoxuan on the throne.

This was only the second time in her long life that she had this feeling of being completely unable to see through a person's true nature.

The first time was deep in the mountains of southern Xinjiang, the source of malevolent energy.

On that beast god, who was formed from the most ferocious and malevolent energy of heaven and earth and was immortal and indestructible.

The feeling that the Beast God gives people is one of destruction, end, and the coldness and brutality of the return of all things to nothingness.

But the Dao Xuan Zhenren before us gave off a completely different feeling.

He didn't have that suffocating sense of destruction; instead, he possessed a kind of unfathomable grandeur, like the way of heaven.

As deep and vast as the ocean.

He seemed to be the embodiment of "Tao," serene and all-encompassing.

Deep within Xiaobai's heart, a storm was already raging.

The person who was so solemnly challenged by the Beast God, whom even she deeply feared, was indeed... no ordinary person!

Dao Xuan's gaze calmly fell, meeting Xiao Bai's gaze directly in the void.

There was no pressure, no scrutiny, only a detached understanding that saw through everything.

"I've met the real person."

Xiao Bai composed herself, gave Dao Xuan a slight bow, and her face returned to its usual calm and expressionless state.

"Miss, you're too kind."

Dao Xuan's voice was quite gentle.

"I'm sure you already know the purpose of my visit, so I won't beat around the bush any longer."

Xiao Bai's expression became more serious, and her tone became somewhat cold as she got straight to the point.

"Please speak frankly, young lady." Dao Xuan nodded slightly.

In an instant, everyone in the hall became extremely solemn, and even their breathing became lighter.

Tian Buyi clenched his fists, Master Shuiyue's eyes were sharp, and Wan Jianyi stood with his hands behind his back, his sword intent hidden.

Xiao Bai's gaze swept over the crowd, her red lips parted slightly, and the words she uttered carried immense weight: "The Beast God entrusted me to convey a message—an invitation to a duel with the True Immortal next Mid-Autumn Festival!"

"Very well! I will certainly be there."

Dao Xuan did not hesitate at all, as if he had only agreed to an ordinary discussion of the Dao, rather than a life-or-death battle with the peerless demon.

He paused, his deep gaze seemingly able to pierce through the vast void and reach the very essence of the Southern Frontier.

"However, I'm afraid the Beast God... doesn't just want to fight me, does he?"

Upon hearing this, Xiaobai revealed a meaningful smile on her beautiful face.

Her laughter was like silver bells, yet it carried an elusive mystery.

"I don't know about that. As for the real person... we'll just have to wait and see."

Dao Xuan gave her a deep look, then stopped asking and said, "Please go and rest, young lady."

The scenery at Qingyun Mountain is quite pleasant; the young lady is welcome to visit at her leisure if she is interested.