I'm already a Great Luo Golden Immortal, how come you're only Martial Saints?

Ning Chen's heart stirred. Did the patriarch mean that he should return to Blue Star and save the people from suffering?

The patriarch seemed to know what he was thinking and continued.

"However, merit cannot be forced. Deliberately doing it will only lead to a lower level of merit. It must come from the heart and be in accordance with the times. Moreover, in the midst of a great calamity, performing great merit also means facing great danger and having a life-or-death situation."

After the patriarch finished explaining the three paths, he looked at Ning Chen with a profound gaze.

"The three paths each have their own merits, but also their own dangers."

"Although nurturing the spirit in a grotto is safe, it requires great opportunity. In ancient times, there were innate treasures such as the Map of Mountains and Rivers, the Chaos Bell, and the Taiji Diagram, all of which could accelerate the flow of time. However, after the Investiture of the Gods, these three treasures have not appeared in the world for a long time."

Ning Chen's lips twitched slightly.

These three treasures, the Map of Mountains and Rivers, belong to the goddess Nuwa.

The Chaos Bell, also known as the Eastern Emperor Bell, is the treasure that Donghuang Taiyi was born with.

The Tai Chi symbol is the key to Lao Tzu's enlightenment.

Which of these three innate sacred treasures could I possibly obtain?

Let alone borrow it for cultivation, being able to catch a glimpse of it from afar would be a great blessing.

Patriarch Bodhi also knew that this path was basically hopeless for Ning Chen at the moment, and continued speaking.

"Experiencing the mortal world requires leaving the protection of the mountain gate. It is fraught with danger and the cause and effect are unpredictable. Only by accumulating merit can one follow the noble and righteous path, but this requires fighting and conquest, and there is a risk of death."

"These three things can perhaps be done simultaneously, but how to choose is entirely up to your own heart...?"

The lecture hall was completely silent, with only the lingering echoes of the patriarch's words and Ning Chen's heavy, rapid breathing.

Even with Ning Chen's comprehension, his head felt completely dizzy at this moment.

The patriarch's words today contained so much information that, for a moment, he felt as if he had grasped something, yet at the same time, he seemed to have understood nothing at all...

The patriarch did not urge him, but quietly waited for his youngest disciple, who aspired to great freedom and liberation, to make the final decision that would determine his fate.

Unable to figure it out for a while, Ning Chen had no choice but to return to the teahouse and close his eyes to carefully comprehend it.

The three paths spoken by the patriarch were etched into his heart like knives, but which one was the most suitable for him?

Just as I was pondering this, the chat box of the Divine Realm Walker group suddenly popped up.

It was a red emergency message sent by Tang Hao in the small group.

"Brothers! An incredible opportunity has arrived! Today I met an old Taoist priest who said I have extraordinary talent and wants to take me to Zhongnan Mountain to learn Taoism, to accept me into Louguantai, and to study the Yellow Emperor's Yin Fu Jing! He also said that he would take as many people with my aptitude as he could come. Does anyone want to go with me?"

In the small group chat, everyone cheered.

"I want to go!"

"I want to go too!"

"Where should we meet?"

"Really? It can't be a scam!"

Tang Hao replied.

"It's not fake. He demonstrated his palm lightning technique right in front of me, melting the iron sword I forged. I've made up my mind to learn Taoist magic from him and I'm on my way. I'll be arriving in Luoyang soon. Get ready, those of you going together, meet at Wu Dajin's pancake stall!"

"@Wu Dajin, Dajin, I want to eat your scallion pancakes!"

Wu Da said with a delighted expression.

"Alright, everything's ready for you, plenty!"

Qian Quan, however, had some concerns.

"I just checked the map. It's 300 li from Luoyang to Zhongnan Mountain, and many of those roads are mountainous, infested with cannibalistic refugees and Yellow Turban rebels. The 2,000 shi of grain that the imperial court purchased was all robbed by bandits halfway there!"

"The grain and fodder being escorted by the government troops can't even travel three hundred li. Do we really think we can reach Zhongnan Mountain alive?"

Tang Hao responded.

"It shouldn't be a big problem. We all have internal energy and martial arts skills, and we also have the old Taoist priest. However, he seems to be nearing the end of his life and looks like he's about to die. We need to hurry! We don't want the old man to pass away before we learn the Taoist arts."

Zhou Tao offered kind words of advice.

"I inquired at the Ministry of War and learned that Guanzhong is suffering from a severe drought, with the land parched and barren. The famine victims are resorting to cannibalism. Brother Qian, Brother Tang, if the old Taoist priest dies along the way, we pale-faced scholars, setting off alone, will only be sending ourselves to our deaths!"

Tang Hao replied.

"It's alright, he said he has two more years to live, enough to take us to Zhongnan Mountain! Once we get there, we can do whatever we want!"

Sun Rongrong made a kneeling, weeping expression, like a frail woman.

"Waaah, I guess I won't make it to Luoyang. I'm in Tongguan City. Yesterday, the mutinous soldiers broke through the city's defenses and stormed into the embroidery workshop, kidnapping all the sisters. Luckily, I still have some martial arts skills, so I barely escaped. Otherwise, my situation would be unimaginable!"

Among the Divine Realm Walkers of the same year, Sun Rongrong is the only girl who has survived to this day.

It's clear that it's difficult to be a person in chaotic times, and it's even more difficult to be a 36E-cup, fair-skinned, and beautiful woman in chaotic times.

Qian Quan suddenly swindled Ning Chen.

"@Ningchen, Brother Ning! You're the only one who has succeeded in cultivation now, can you think of a way? The brothers have been stuck in the mortal realm for too long, and they might not even be qualified to be cannon fodder in the next divine realm mission!"

Wu Dajin also pleaded.

"Brother Ning! Help us! I don't want to spend my whole life making pancakes. A few days ago, a matchmaker wanted to introduce me to a divorced woman named Jinlian. Although she has big breasts and a big butt, she doesn't look like a virtuous woman at all. I don't want to spend my whole life in this godforsaken place..."

Ning Chen pondered for a moment, then suddenly recalled the meaningful look in his eyes when the patriarch spoke of worldly trials and the use of illusion to cultivate truth.

Perhaps this is exactly what the patriarch was talking about!

Having cultivated diligently on Fangcun Mountain for a long time, his cultivation level has increased rapidly, but how difficult it is to break through one after another.

The flames of worldly calamity have already reached my feet; better to offer myself as fuel and throw myself into this chaotic furnace of life...

boom!

The wooden door of the shed was smashed open, and Sun Wukong, carrying an iron cudgel, burst in, his golden eyes shining brightly.

"Junior brother! A lot of refugees came down the mountain, crying and shouting that a demonic Taoist was causing chaos by driving corpses. I killed those walking corpses one by one with my staff. It was so satisfying!"

"Our master sent me to hunt down that evil Taoist. You stay in the mountains and cultivate diligently; your senior brother will be back soon!"

The monkey stopped in its tracks and sighed.

"This world is a living hell! Junior brother, you must be careful in your actions..."

After saying this, Sun Wukong, carrying his iron cudgel, leaped down the mountain without looking back and disappeared without a trace.

Huh? Senior brother, you're leaving already?

Senior brother, when did you take on the task of subduing demons and monsters?

This is getting further and further away from the historical trajectory he knows!

Ning Chen originally wanted to bring his senior brother along.

These days, ever since the Patriarch started giving his senior brother a private lesson, Monkey King has been unwilling to spar with him, probably because he's afraid of discouraging him.

Once a monkey embarks on the path of cultivation, its leveling speed is faster than a rocket.

Ning Chen sighed. Fine, fine. Even without you, Butcher Sun, can't I still eat hairy pork?

Without hesitation, he got up and went straight to the patriarch's cave, only to find the patriarch already waiting for him at the door.

Bodhi Patriarch already knew his purpose and slowly turned around.

"Foolish child, the calamity you witnessed is an illusion; what truly touches your heart is the stirring of your Dao!"

"The path to enlightenment is ever-advancing, but the path to evil is ever more treacherous; without enduring countless tribulations, how can one achieve the supreme path?"

With a light tap of his fingertip, the patriarch imprinted a profound and mysterious technique into Ning Chen's consciousness.

"I will teach you the Five Elements Great Escape Technique. When you travel three thousand miles into the mortal world, you should use escape techniques to protect yourself. Metal Escape allows you to pass through weapons, Wood Escape allows you to hide in the mountains and forests, Water Escape allows you to cross rivers, Fire Escape allows you to pass through the smoke of war, and Earth Escape allows you to shrink the earth's veins."

"Once this matter is resolved, you will naturally have hope of returning to the Void Realm!"

Ning Chen carefully comprehended the technique and quickly mastered the Five Elements Great Escape Technique.

During the Investiture of the Gods, Tu Xingsun used the Earth Escape Technique to move freely among thousands of troops.

With such profound escape techniques, as long as his magical power is not exhausted, he can go anywhere in the world.

"Silently recite your desired destination, and I will see you off!"

With a wave of his sleeve, the Bodhi Patriarch caused the sea of ​​clouds to hang upside down in an instant!

Ning Chen felt the earth melt into sand beneath his feet. He transformed into light and traversed underground. In just a few breaths, the majestic city wall of Tongguan rapidly enlarged in the light.

The ancestral master's earnest admonitions still lingered in his ears.

"Remember, Taoist arts can save a hundred lives, but not the world's calamities. Do not participate in the rise and fall of mortal dynasties, nor become too tainted by worldly affairs. What you must comprehend is the method of transcending the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth!"

"Yes, disciple understands!"

.......

On the ancient Tongguan Road, at dusk, the setting sun cast long, dark shadows of the refugees' hunched backs. Many of them would walk along, then lie down on the ground and never wake up again.

But they had no choice. The Yellow Turban army was defeated, and the rebels had turned into demons, burning, killing, looting, and raping women everywhere.

If these poor people stayed in the city, they would only become "two-legged sheep" (a derogatory term for people who live outside the city) and food for the rebel army.

Ning Chen emerged from underground, his earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a type of magical technique) emitting a yellow light that slowly dissipated, leaving his entire body free of any dust.

Ning Chen couldn't help but sigh. The Five Elements Escape Technique passed down by the patriarch was truly useful. As long as one's magical power was sufficient, it was much faster than taking an airplane.

As soon as it appeared, a stench assaulted the nostrils.

Along the roadside ditches lay numerous corpses of refugees, each one emaciated with a belly as big as a drum. These were the bodies of people who had starved to death after eating Guanyin clay and being unable to excrete it.

Ning Chen sighed, waved his hand to activate the Earth Escape Technique, and the yellow earth surged up, covering the starving corpses.

He sent a message to Sun Rongrong.

"I've arrived at Tongguan. Where are you? Tell me your exact location!"

Sun Rongrong was overjoyed.

"Brother Ning, have you come to save me? I'm in Tongguan City, at the Chunri Huahua Embroidery Shop. Yesterday, the marauding soldiers came and robbed us. I figured the more dangerous the place, the safer it would be, so I came back!"

"Okay, I'll be there right away. Hide well and don't give yourself away!"

Ning Chen raised his middle and index fingers, silently chanting an incantation. His figure was buried by the rolling yellow sand. When the sand settled, he had vanished...

Tongguan City was already a living hell, with cries and pleas from women and children filling the air!