Demon Lord Tang Dynasty

Inside the large tent.

Gao Yi leaned against the bed, his eyes half-open, staring ahead.

Inside the camp, Protector Bai and Bai Yue'er still stood on opposite sides.

However, at this moment, the White Guardian was hunched over, looking like a quail trying to bury its head in its belly.

Bai Yue'er, however, changed her previous demeanor. Her gaze was like a knife, constantly scraping at Protector Bai. Every now and then, when she saw Gao Yi, her expression would instantly turn resentful.

Compared to the White Protector's stupidity, Bai Yue'er's premonitions were far more astute in some aspects.

Upon seeing Gao Yi today, she guessed that something she didn't want to see might have happened.

Gao Yi didn't care about the two's situation.

Throughout the entire process, his gaze never fell upon the two of them.

Because not far in front of him, a map shrouded in mist was slowly unfolding.

However, neither Protector Bai nor Bai Yue'er knew anything about this.

On the painting, after Bai Yue'er, a second figure has appeared.

Clad in purple armor, wielding a staff and leaping on horseback, his dashing and heroic figure was breathtaking, captivating all who beheld him.

This beautiful figure, combining both heroic spirit and gentleness, could only be Zhang Ziyan.

Below the figure, a line of small text also appeared.

The second bloom

Nurturing: Lotus—The lotus blooms and fades, the Tao perishes and the Tao is born.

Even Gao Yi's heart started pounding involuntarily when he first saw it.

It wasn't a human figure. After all, no matter how beautiful the human figure in the painting was, it was still just a painting. But he had seen the real person and even handled it himself.

For him, the most important part of the drawing manual was undoubtedly the small print at the bottom.

This is also the essence of the painting.

At first glance, the reward did indeed excite Gao Yi.

Putting everything else aside, the four characters "道灭道生" (the extinction of the Dao and the birth of the Dao) are extraordinary at first glance.

Moreover, in a novel from my previous life, there was a supreme sword technique with the same name, how could one not be excited?

Of course, after regaining his senses, Gao Yi also realized that the reward given by the scroll this time had nothing to do with that sword technique.

The annihilation of the Tao and the birth of the Tao, along with the preceding descriptions of the blooming and withering of the lotus, are merely descriptions of the reward.

However, the reward was only one word, which was rather vague and left Gao Yi somewhat confused.

However, he didn't see anything in reality, so it seems that the lotus is not a physical object.

"Xinlian?"

Gao Yi muttered to himself.

The lotus is considered a sacred object in both Buddhism and Taoism.

The lotus is noble and sacred, untouched by dust.

Furthermore, considering the comment about the annihilation and birth of the Tao, it might bring about an improvement in understanding or a spiritual effect.

With a thought, the scroll slowly closed.

Gao Yi turned his gaze to the two people in front of him.

"I have decided to release Xue Liang."

"what?"

The two people below simultaneously let out a soft exclamation, but their emotions were completely different.

Bai Yue'er's cheeks immediately puffed up.

On the other hand, Protector Bai's face showed a look of joy.

Neither of them cared about Xue Liang, but Gao Yi made this decision so suddenly.

Both of them immediately thought of Zhang Ziyan.

Bai Yue'er grew even more resentful, while Protector Bai felt that his bleak future had suddenly been brightened.

Gao Yi did not explain.

He already had similar thoughts about Xue Liang.

After all, stopping the enemy's desperate charge at the last moment was precisely to squeeze out the remaining value.

The value that Xue Liang himself possessed had long since become negligible; what remained was merely the value bestowed upon him by his status.

Therefore, from beginning to end, Gao Yi's attitude towards Xue Liang was always inclined to let him go.

After all, it poses no real threat and can bring certain benefits.

As for Zhang Ziyan, her role was simply to move the schedule forward by a few days.

"Left Protector".

Gao Yi spoke calmly.

"Here." Protector Bai stood at attention instantly.

"Would you be willing to act as my envoy and make this journey on my behalf?" Gao Yi asked softly.

"Your subordinate would gladly die for you," Protector Bai replied, extremely excited.

After he finished speaking, he looked at Gao Yi and asked:

"Where does the World Honored One intend to send his followers?"

Gao Yi's gaze remained unmoved as he calmly uttered a few words:

"The Great Sui Dynasty, Bingzhou."

"Wh-what?"

The White Protector trembled, somewhat unable to believe his ears.

"Although we will release him, it won't be for no reason. After all, he is my spoils of war, and Yang Lin has to pay some money to save his adopted son's life," Gao Yi added calmly.

The last glimmer of hope in Protector Bai's heart vanished completely, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Xue Liang, adopted son, money to buy his life.

His goal is to get him to meet Yang Lin.

It's over, it's over.

At this moment, Protector Bai had only one thought in his mind: the World-Honored One's anger must not have subsided, and this was clearly sending him to his death.

Gao Yi ignored Protector Bai.

This was indeed his deliberate act. Perhaps he's been having too good a time lately, and he's not only starting to get cocky, but he's also showing signs of becoming increasingly audacious.

Gao Yi then gave him a casual reprimand.

"Your Majesty, where is that Miss Zhang Ziyan?" Bai Yue'er asked sweetly.

Gao Yi chuckled lightly and responded calmly:

"As long as Yang Lin's price is right, there's nothing wrong with it."

Upon hearing this, Bai Yue'er's expression instantly brightened.

Only the White Protector remained with a deathly expression.

"Father, on this journey to the Great Sui Dynasty, you must not tarnish the prestige of the World Honored One and the Divine Sect, okay?"

With her mood improving, Bai Yue'er looked at Protector Bai with a smile.

"World Honored One..."

At this moment, Protector Bai had no time to pay attention to Bai Yue'er. His eyes looked at Gao Yi pitifully, like those of an abandoned puppy.

"Left Protector, I will not set any requirements for you. You can make your own decisions. Weapons, armor, warhorses, provisions, classics of the three religions, martial arts manuals—I will not be picky about anything that is beneficial."

"Yes...yes."

Protector Bai nodded with a heart full of despair. He could easily see that the World Honored One had given up on sending him to see Yang Lin.

Gao Yi smiled and nodded, then suddenly turned his head to look at the other side.

"How about you accompany the Left Protector on this trip?"

"I obey."

A voice suddenly rang out, startling both Protector Bai and Bai Yue'er.

Neither Protector Bai nor Bai Yue'er knew this person before today.

"Very good, then I'll have to trouble you." Gao Yi smiled broadly.

"If one's ambition is achieved, one will not fail in one's mission."

A burly man holding a long sword bowed slightly to Gao Yi.

Gao Yi nodded slightly, his eyes showing no emotion.

Yes, this person is Keda Zhi, whom Gao Yi discovered in the newly annexed tribes.

The other party readily submitted to his command.

However, Gao Yi was very clear about Ke Dazhi's identity.

Martial Venerable Bi Xuan—no, in Gao Yi's heart, it's more likely someone else.

Shibi's younger brother, the future overlord of the grasslands, Jieli.

He seems to have started making his moves as well.