I created the myth of the Great Old Ones.

Nighttime, Jiangcheng Theater.

This location is not the same as the future Jiangcheng Grand Theatre; it's in the city center. There were no performances today, so it was vacant and rented by Du Ming.

After dinner, the three of them came here.

The huge theater was empty, with only one light shining on the center of the stage.

"Let's wait a bit."

Du Ming seemed to know that the others would be late, so he lit a cigarette.

Lu Ban glanced around, and soon, the first person arrived.

He was a man who looked overweight and had been seduced by fine wine and food.

He was wearing a mandarin jacket, his steps were heavy and hurried, his face was shiny with oil, and he was holding a folding fan in his hand.

"Brother Du, this location is so hard to find! I had the driver drive around in circles for ages before we finally found it."

He and Du Ming seemed to know each other, as he spoke in a familiar tone from the start.

"Don't joke around. If there are any roads in this world that Seventh Master doesn't recognize, then I'd like to see for myself."

Du Ming exchanged pleasantries and then made his introduction.

"Seventh Master, a descendant of the Mountain Moving and Dragon Seeking masters, whose ancestors were tomb raiders appointed by the emperor."

"No way, there are no emperors anymore, it's called archaeology, archaeology."

Seventh Master corrected.

Judging from his clothes and lifestyle, Lu Ban thought that the income from archaeology in this era must have been considerable.

“I heard that many people are watching this battle for the Xuanjun title. Brother Du, I’m usually so busy, so I just came to join in the fun and respect the tradition.”

Seventh Master took out a handkerchief and wiped his sweat.

This is probably what a greasy, fat otaku looks like.

"Hey, Brother He, long time no see! And who's this?"

He noticed He Chong and Lu Ban.

"My name is Lu Ban, and my goal is to become a Xuanjun."

Lu Ban immediately replied.

"?"

Seventh Master was a little confused.

"You're really joking."

He wiped his sweat again.

Then, the second person arrived.

The man glanced around and stepped out of the darkness.

This is a woman.

She looked to be in her early thirties, wearing a cheongsam, a common style for women of this era. She still possessed a charming and graceful demeanor, exuding elegance in every gesture.

Of the group, only Seventh Master seemed to recognize her, the portly "archaeologist" remarked.

"This is a descendant of the Tang family, Miss Tang Que. Her family is a lineage of morticians."

"The mortician..."

Lu Ban simply couldn't connect this woman with this profession.

Tang Que's gaze swept over them, lingering only on Lu Ban's face for a moment. After greeting them, she sat down to one side, separating herself from the others.

"The morticians who sew up corpses to suppress ghosts all learn hard skills, but I didn't realize that Miss Tang had such superb skills."

Du Ming made a joke.

The two people behind appeared one after the other.

The first one to appear was wearing a short shirt. Although his hair was already white, he looked strong and capable, with a gun at his waist and sharp eyes.

"I am Shi Buwen, the old man who travels a hundred miles. My children are all useless and won't embarrass themselves by showing off."

He bowed.

The one who appeared next was wearing a brand-new suit, was forty years old, and had a cunning glint in his eyes.

"I am Dai Yuanyang from the Star-Picking Sect. Please bear with me."

Is anyone else here?

The group waited a while longer, and Lu Ban counted them; they were probably still missing one paper cutter.

"Let's begin."

Just then, a voice came from a corner of the theater. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw an old man wearing sunglasses and dressed in a simple style sitting there with a cane.

No one knew when he sat there; it was as if he had disappeared from everyone's sight from the very beginning.

"Old Zhang, you really are elusive."

Du Ming said something and then introduced himself to the others.

"Old Zhang, a senior member of the paper-cutting lineage, has participated in four battles for the Mysterious Lord."

"Heh, he's just an ordinary blind old man."

He answered in a low voice.

"You participated four times, so you didn't win in any of them?"

Lu Ban blurted it out subconsciously.

"..."

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.

"Ahem, everyone, we've gathered here today for the upcoming position of Xuanjun. According to tradition, we will hold a series of competitions to determine the final winner..."

Before Du Ming could finish speaking, he saw someone raise their hand.

That was Dai Yuanyang, dressed smartly.

"What insightful opinion does Mr. Dai have?"

Du Ming suppressed his thoughts and asked.

"Well, I spent some time studying abroad and came into contact with many advanced countries. This time I came back mainly because of my mentor's request. He is very interested in the abilities and skills of people like us from the lower classes. His country is currently in need of such talents. Therefore, I would like to invite you all to participate in the research and visit the country."

Dai Yuanyang said directly.

"At the same time, it's a waste to keep the legacy left by Xuanjun sealed in Jiangcheng Mountain. I think we can take it out and make good use of it for the benefit of everyone."

After he finished speaking, everyone fell silent.

"Oh dear, this breaks the rules, Brother Dai. We're all people who can't be brought into the open. Things done in secret should be kept buried in the ground. We can't just dig them up. You should take back what you just said."

Seventh Master spoke first, offering his advice.

"Everyone, the current situation is turbulent, with war raging. You are all capable people. A good bird chooses a good tree to perch on. There is no need to limit yourself because of these traditions. Xuanjun may look imposing, but he is actually just a local tyrant. Why not come with me overseas? We can have all kinds of money and fine wine."

Dai Yuanyang did not accept Seventh Master's suggestion, but continued.

“There are many people abroad with similar abilities to us. Through scientific research and development, they have become even more powerful. Instead of wasting time here, why don’t we work together to make something of ourselves?”

Upon hearing this, Seventh Master couldn't keep his composure.

"The last person who came to Zhaixing, I remember his name was Dai Yuanzheng?"

Suddenly, the blind paper cutter spoke up.

"Yes, that's my brother."

Dai Yuanyang assumed that the other party was interested, so he immediately replied.

Do you know how he died?

Blind Zhang asked again.

"I was overseas at the time and only heard the bad news. I don't know the details. I would like to hear more."

Dai Yuanyang hesitated for a moment.

"He tried to steal from the trains carrying the calligraphy, paintings and treasures left by our ancestors back to their own countries. After being discovered, he was shot to death. His body was hung up to dry for three days and three nights without anyone claiming it. It was I, a blind man, who took advantage of the darkness to retrieve it and properly bury it."

"That's what Blind Zhang said in a calm tone."

“This… Mr. Zhang, times have changed. I have seen the powerful ships and cannons of those foreigners. No matter how strange or powerful your abilities are, they are difficult to withstand bullets and cannon fire. I am really thinking of everyone.”

Dai Yuanyang defended himself.

"Don't be so insistent, Mr. Dai."

He Chong suddenly spoke up at this moment.

"I have good eyesight and can't stand too much filth. If this is all you wanted to say, then please leave."

"As one of the Nine Schools, you have no right to stop me from participating in this Xuanjun Competition. Or, could you try to defeat me?"

Dai Yuanyang also abandoned his previous amiable demeanor and became serious.

"Okay."

He Chong adjusted his glasses.

The next moment, he suddenly stood up, and the distance between him and Dai Yuanyang suddenly decreased to zero. He loosely clenched his right hand and slowly pushed his palm out.

Chapter 553 Depletion of Spiritual Energy

He Chong's palm strike looked ordinary, but it was angled in a tricky way. No matter how Dai Yuanyang dodged, he would be at a disadvantage in the ensuing fight.

He Chong seemed to have anticipated all of Dai Yuanyang's moves, choosing the most difficult one from among countless options.

Dai Yuanyang's expression changed. He took half a step back and met He Chong's palm with one hand. The two forces collided and exploded in the empty theater.

Crackling sound—