Reincarnation Immortal Venerable: Starting from the Ninety-Nineth Incarnation

As they headed south, Shi Dazhuang, though not very bright, was incredibly helpful.

He took on all the heavy and tiring work, carrying luggage, chopping firewood, finding water, and picking wild fruits. Li Yanzhou and Su Qingyao only needed to focus on their journey and didn't have to worry about anything else.

On this day, the three of them walked into a remote mountain valley. The valley was surrounded by dense forests on both sides. The wind rustled the leaves, which looked a little scary.

Just as Li Yanzhou sensed something was wrong, seven or eight people suddenly rushed out from around the corner, each wielding a machete and looking menacing, completely blocking the road.

They're bandits!

The leader was a scarred-faced man whose spiritual energy revealed him to be at the late stage of the Qi Sensing Realm. He glanced at the three men, his gaze settling on Su Qingyao's face, and he immediately grinned wickedly: "Damn it, what great luck today! Two delicate beauties, and a big oaf with them! Hand over your storage bags and all your valuables. The woman stays, and the two men can dig their own graves, or I'll make sure you die a quick death!"

Li Yanzhou's eyes darkened.

Together, he and Su Qingyao could handle two or three opponents, but the other side had seven or eight people, including a leader who was at the late stage of the Qi Sensing Realm. If they really fought, they would be no match for them and might even die here today.

He immediately shielded Su Qingyao behind him and whispered to Shi Dazhuang, "Dazhuang, I'll hold them off for a bit. You take Qingyao and run, don't look back, run as far as you can!"

Shi Dazhuang didn't understand what "don't look back" meant, but he understood Li Yanzhou's tense expression and saw the gleaming knives in those people's hands.

Scarface, growing impatient, waved his hand and roared, "Attack! Kill the men, and take the women back!"

A group of bandits rushed up immediately. Su Qingyao drew the short knife she used for gathering herbs from her waist and stayed close to Li Yanzhou, but she was instantly surrounded.

At this critical moment, Shi Dazhuang made his move.

Despite his large size, he was incredibly fast. He charged forward, grabbed Su Qingyao with his left hand and pulled her into his arms, then grabbed Li Yanzhou by the back of his collar with his right hand. He hoisted them both onto his shoulders like carrying two bundles of firewood, and turned to run.

"Let's run!"

Shi Dazhuang chuckled and moved with incredible speed, taking two or three steps at a time, rushing through the bandits and running wildly towards the edge of the ravine, faster than a leopard in the mountains.

The bandits stood there stunned, unable to react for a long time.

They've been robbing people for so many years, what kind of people haven't they seen? People begging for mercy on their knees, people fighting back desperately, but they've never seen anyone carry two people away without hitting or cursing them!

When he finally realized what was happening, Scarface turned green with rage and roared, "Chase them! Chase them! If we don't kill them today, I'm done working here!"

A group of people chased after it, yelling, but they couldn't catch up no matter how hard they tried.

Shi Dazhuang looked fat, but he ran as lightly as if he were flying. No matter how hard the bandits tried, the distance between them kept widening until they could no longer even see his shadow.

After running for about half an incense stick's time, making sure no one was chasing them, Shi Dazhuang stopped. He carefully put Li Yanzhou and Su Qingyao down, even reaching out to support them, afraid they might fall. He chuckled, "Dazhuang can run! They can't catch up!"

Li Yanzhou rubbed his aching shoulders, both amused and exasperated: "I told you to take Qingyao with you, not to carry both of us!"

Shi Dazhuang scratched his head, his face serious: "Dazhuang will protect you! I'll protect you all!"

Su Qingyao was both touched and moved, almost bursting into tears. She quickly took out a string of candied hawthorns she had prepared beforehand from her Qiankun bag and handed it to him: "Dazhuang, you're amazing! This is a reward for you!"

Shi Dazhuang's eyes lit up immediately. He took the candied hawthorn and took a big bite. His eyes narrowed from the sweetness, and he smiled very happily.

Although he was childlike in mind and seemed silly, he was very meticulous and strong enough to break stones, yet he would never accidentally hurt Li Yanzhou and Su Qingyao.

As the sun slowly set, golden light spilled onto the mountain path, casting long shadows of the three people.

Li Yanzhou and Su Qingyao followed behind, exchanged a smile, and their steps became much lighter.

The sound of their footsteps and Shi Dazhuang's simple laughter drifted along the mountain path as they headed towards Qiyun Sect.

He unconsciously looked at Su Qingyao beside him.

She walked quietly, her eyes gentle. A different feeling quietly welled up in Li Yanzhou's heart, warm and a little sweet, which he couldn't quite explain.

They endured wind and rain and slept outdoors, but did not encounter any further major dangers.

Shi Dazhuang was tough and fearless of any injuries. Li Yanzhou secretly practiced the "Dust Boat Technique," and his chaotic energy became more and more stable, making his cultivation in the late stage of the Qi Sensing Realm more and more solid. Su Qingyao learned about herbs and refined pills along the way, ready to respond to any emergency.

After several days, the three of them finally arrived at Qiyun Town at the foot of Qiyun Sect Mountain.

From a distance, a large palace complex was built against the mountain amidst the clouds and mist, with upturned eaves and corners, looking particularly grand. Although the spiritual energy was not as strong as that of the former Qingxuan Sect, it was still a proper major sect.

The small town at the foot of the mountain was particularly lively, with cultivators and ordinary people crammed together. Stalls selling spiritual herbs, magical artifacts, and talismans lined the streets one after another, their shouts filling the air.

"We've finally arrived." Su Qingyao breathed a sigh of relief, the fatigue from days of travel lessening considerably.

Li Yanzhou glanced at the crowd and frowned: "There are many cultivators here. They should all be here to participate in the outer sect selection of Qiyun Sect. Let's find an inn to stay in first, change into clean clothes, find out the rules, and go up the mountain tomorrow."

The three of them found an inconspicuous little inn and booked two adjacent rooms. Li Yanzhou bought Shi Dazhuang a string of candied hawthorns and told him to stay in the room before he and Su Qingyao went downstairs to gather information.

The inn's lobby was filled with young cultivators, most of whom were about the same age as them, gathered in small groups, all talking about the Qiyun Sect's recruitment.

"I heard that this time only fifty outer disciples will be accepted, and the assessment is particularly strict. They will test spiritual roots, cultivation techniques, and character."

"My spiritual root is barely qualified, I'm afraid of being squeezed out by others."

"Have you heard? The Qingxuan Sect was wiped out by the demonic path. Now, Qingxuan remnants are everywhere. The Qiyun Sect has stated outright that they will not accept any members of the Qingxuan Sect; if they are found, they will be driven away!"

Upon hearing these words, Li Yanzhou and Su Qingyao's expressions changed simultaneously.

They were the only remaining members of the Qingxuan Sect. Once they were recognized, it would be difficult to say whether they could even leave the town alive, let alone join the Qiyun Sect.

"Don't panic." Li Yanzhou lowered his voice. "The spiritual jade in my sea of ​​consciousness can disguise spiritual roots. As long as I conceal my aura, no one will be able to tell where we come from. Qingyao, don't reveal your Danfeng skills either. Just act like an ordinary rogue cultivator."

Su Qingyao nodded gently, feeling a little more at ease.

She grew up in the Qingxuan Sect. Now that the sect is gone, her teachers and fellow disciples are either dead or scattered. She can't even mention it anymore. Her nose tingled and she almost burst into tears.

Seeing this, Li Yanzhou gently comforted him, "Once we've gained a foothold and uncovered the truth, we'll definitely help Qingxuan Sect rise again."

Just then, someone at the next table whispered, "I also heard that the demonic cultivators haven't left. They're searching for the remnants of Qingxuan around here. Everyone be careful and don't get too close to strangers."

Everyone nodded repeatedly, all afraid of getting into trouble, so they lowered their voices and became more wary.

Li Yanzhou's eyes turned cold.

The demonic forces are searching so thoroughly; they must enter the Qiyun Sect as soon as possible. Only by hiding inside the sect can they be completely safe.

He listened quietly for a while, memorizing the recruitment time, location, and rules, before taking Su Qingyao back to their room.

Li Yanzhou closed the door, his expression turning serious: "The situation is more complicated than we thought. Qiyun Sect doesn't accept Qingxuan people, and there are also demonic spies in the town. We must be careful during tomorrow's assessment."

"Can we... still go in?" Su Qingyao asked softly.

"Yes," Li Yanzhou said confidently. "I'm at the late stage of the Qi Sensing Realm, and you have good aptitude to begin with. You'll definitely pass if you perform normally. As for Dazhuang..."

He looked at Shi Dazhuang.

This big, clumsy guy has an absurdly strong physical body, but he has no cultivation at all. Even his spiritual root cannot be detected. If he goes to the assessment directly, he will definitely be regarded as an anomaly.

Shi Dazhuang seemed to sense his worry, so he put down the candied hawthorn, came closer, grabbed his sleeve, and said earnestly, "Dazhuang, be good and don't cause trouble."

Li Yanzhou's heart softened, and he patted his shoulder: "Don't worry, I won't abandon you. I'll find a way to take you up the mountain with me tomorrow."

As darkness fell, lights began to illuminate Qiyun Town.

Li Yanzhou sat on the bed and circulated the "Dust Boat Technique". The chaotic energy flowed slowly in his meridians. His cultivation in the late stage of the Qi Sensing Realm became more and more stable. In his sea of ​​consciousness, the spirit jade glowed slightly. Next to it lay the small, dusty seal. Although it did not move, it resonated with the spirit jade, making him feel comfortable all over.

He knew very well that Qiyun Sect was only a temporary foothold.

Why did the Qingxuan Sect perish? Did his brother Li Yanran truly betray him? Who is the "person above the clouds" that Meng Xuanji spoke of? What exactly does the demonic path want to do? There are too many mysteries waiting for him to unravel.

But now, they can only take it one step at a time.

First, survive in the Qiyun Sect, gain a foothold, and then slowly become stronger.

Moonlight streamed in through the window, falling on the three sleeping faces peacefully.

After a long and arduous escape, they finally found a place to catch their breath beneath this sea of ​​clouds.

Tomorrow will be a brand new beginning.