Only after unifying the world did I realize that immortals existed in this world.

"Brother Lu, you can rest for a while. I need to go back and report."

"If you need anything, just let the manager know. We won't stop you from going out for a stroll, just don't break the rules..."

Upon entering the city, Ning Boxing led Lu Junfeng and his party to a post station, where he then bid them farewell.

"yes!"

"Thank you for your help along the way, General!"

"It's okay~"

As Ning Boxing's figure disappeared into the distance, everyone's tense nerves finally relaxed a little.

"Senior brother, what exactly is going on?"

"This...this place is too eerie!"

"Is that person really a member of the Demonic Sect? Could this be a trap?"

"Could we report to our sect and request their assistance?"

……

The crowd gathered in the courtyard, guarding the entrance, and kept asking Lu Junfeng questions.

Lu Junfeng ignored everyone and turned his gaze directly to one of them: "Junior Brother Bai, the army has now retreated. Although there is still a sense of oppression, we can now mobilize our magic power. Try again to see if you can recall the Chongyun Boat."

The Cloud-Piercing Boat is a top-grade magic treasure specially crafted by the sect leader for this voyage. Now that they are stranded in a foreign land, this flying boat is their only hope for returning home.

On the way back, they were escorted by eight hundred Imperial Guards led by Ning Boxing. Although these soldiers did not have the same imposing aura as Ning Boxing, when they gathered together, they exuded an aura of iron-blooded killing intent... A steel army, with an imposing momentum! Within the army formation, the cultivators felt as if they were trapped in a forbidden domain. Boundless sharp and fierce aura surged in, and they were completely unable to mobilize their magic power, just like ordinary people.

After waking up, Bai Yizhi left the group and tried to call back Chongyun Boat, but to no avail. In addition, he aroused Ning Boxin's suspicion, and it became difficult for him to have any more opportunities to stay in the dark.

This journey was ostensibly an escort mission, but in reality, it was also a surveillance operation.

Only now, within this post station, did Lu Junfeng and his group finally manage to catch their breath and have a moment of privacy.

Upon hearing this, Bai Yizhi's expression turned serious. He immediately sat down cross-legged, formed hand seals, and chanted incantations. An invisible breeze stirred gently, and ripples of magical power spread out from his body...

Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on Bai Yizhi, filled with hope.

However... after a while, Bai Yizhi opened his eyes, met everyone's gaze, and shook his head dejectedly: "Senior brother, I have completely lost my connection with the Chongyun Boat."

Lu Junfeng's pupils suddenly contracted: "What?! Junior Brother Bai, is there an error in the technique? Should we try again?"

Bai Yizhi shook his head: "I have recited the operating method twenty-three times, so there is no way there could be any error. Last time, I could at least feel a faint connection with the Chongyun Boat, but this time... I can't feel anything at all."

"This...how is this possible?!"

"Senior Brother Bai, the Cloud-Piercing Boat was crafted by the Sect Master! It can withstand even the divine powers of a Demonic Sect Venerable, how could it..."

Bai Yizhi's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over him, extinguishing all hope.

At this moment, the joy of discovering a new continent and making outstanding contributions has vanished; all that remains is the despair of a bleak future.

Without the Cloud Boat, it means they can't go back!

Having found themselves in this unfamiliar land, where should they go?

The calm state of mind that had been honed through years of practice was now completely lost.

"This place is too strange! How could a dynasty have developed into this?"

"What kind of hellhole is this?! The Chongyun Boat was perfectly fine, how did it get ambushed?"

"This place is harboring a murderous demon; they're probably colluding with the demonic sect! Senior brother, let's just fight them!"

Some were panicked and utterly dejected. Others were furious and filled with rage. With no outsiders around, these long-suppressed emotions finally erupted like a flood bursting its banks.

"quiet!"

"Cultivation is about cultivating the mind. Have you all forgotten everything you learned in the sect?!"

Lu Junfeng frowned and quelled the chaotic discussion with a low shout: "We are all disciples of the Taihua Sect. When traveling outside, we must not lose face for our sect!"

"Yes... Senior Brother!"

Everyone fell silent, forcibly suppressing their emotions.

However, some people still couldn't help but ask, "Senior brother, what should we do next?"

Lu Junfeng slowly shook his head and sighed softly, "Let's wait and see..."

Along the way, through what he saw and heard, and through his conversations with Ning Boxing, Lu Junfeng had already gathered a considerable amount of intelligence.

This land possesses a striking sense of contrast and contradiction; such a vast expanse of land is controlled by a single dynasty, a highly centralized state with a strict legal system. Farmers till the fields, merchants trade in the markets, soldiers guard the cities, and officials perform their respective duties…

The common people, dressed in their finery and performing arts, engaged in all sorts of daily life—it was clearly an ordinary world, and Lu Junfeng knew very well that there was no extraordinary power here. But strangely, the people here were quite peculiar; the common people, the soldiers, the officials… all were different from those on the Immortal Alliance's side.

General Ning Boxing, for example, clearly had no cultivation experience. His armor was unadorned with talismans, and his steps carried no spiritual power, yet he exuded a murderous aura and possessed the spirit to swallow mountains and rivers.

The rules of this world are completely different from those of the Taihua Sect, and they have been constrained in every way since their arrival.

Is it because of that vast and immense spiritual energy resource?

Or perhaps some cultivator with terrifying power has occupied this place and set up a powerful formation?

Lu Junfeng frowned, his mind filled with confusion, and looked up towards the north. In the heart of the bustling city, surrounded by purple aura and soaring good fortune, lay the imperial palace.

Perhaps the answers to everything will only be found after meeting that mysterious monarch.

"In that case, Senior Brother Lu, may I go out for a walk?"

The sky is overcast and gloomy, and the road ahead is shrouded in uncertainty.

However, among the dejected disciples, there was one whose eyes remained clear and bright. She looked around with curiosity and interest, but showed no fear of being stranded in a foreign land.

Everything about this dynasty and this land was new and interesting to her.

Lu Junfeng forced a smile and sighed, "Junior Sister Chu, the situation is still unclear, and this place is strange. To be on the safe side, let's stay together as much as possible..."

Before he could finish speaking, he met Chu Xiangyun's clear eyes.

He seemed to remember something else, and then suddenly stopped.

This junior sister is a weirdo...

If you call her dull-witted, she is exceptionally talented, making rapid progress in her cultivation. Just three days after joining the sect, she broke through to the first stage of cultivation, "Sitting in Oblivion," and sensed the existence of the Dao. But if you call her clever, she is overly straightforward. She answers whatever you ask without any concealment, completely unable to hide anything.

Soon they would be going to see that elusive monarch, and they would inevitably have to scheme and test each other.

Although it was somewhat rushed, this was, in a sense, the first round of negotiations.

Lu Junfeng never forgot the mission of these people.

The first meeting is especially important, as these people are protected by the sect and the immortal alliance, but they also need to be responsible to the sect and the immortal alliance.

Judging from the grandeur of this dynasty, even if it possesses some strange and suppressive power, its overall level is definitely inferior to that of the Immortal Alliance. They likely haven't even heard of any supernatural abilities or techniques, making it inferior to some small countries in Crane Cry Continent. They are using all their knowledge to try and shock the enemy, maintain the sect's reputation, and convey the Immortal Alliance's will.

If this place has nothing to do with the demonic sect, they need to explain the pros and cons and try their best to promote an alliance, so that this powerful dynasty can pay tribute to the immortal sect and provide them with spiritual energy and talents, and everyone can work together to fight against the demonic path.

If they could be incorporated into this dynasty and possess such vast lands, their Taihua Sect would surely be able to advance even further...

But if you bring along such a big sieve, before you can even persuade the other side's king, you might end up revealing all the information on your side.

Thinking of this, he smiled at the girl, then changed the subject: "Since you want to go, then go ahead. Remember to inform the manager outside and ask for some money, lest you be cheated."

"Hehe~ I know, I know~"

The girl's eyes crinkled into a smile, and she puffed out her chest: "No one can fool me, Chu Xiangyun!"