Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

Chen Yuan's eyes flashed: "Where is Falling Star Peak?"

Zhang Xuancang had already descended his escape light again and explained, "Falling Star Peak is located more than 5,200 miles south of the Iron Mist Mountain Range. It is a thousand-foot-high peak in the Nine Prisons Mountain Range, which is rugged, steep and majestic with magnificent scenery."

"However, this peak has no spiritual veins, the terrain is too steep, and it is rarely visited by people."

"Again, at the border between the Blood Serpent and the Flood Dragon races, the demon race also abandoned it like trash, using it as a buffer zone between the two races."

Master Zuiyun also landed and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Shen clearly stated in the transmission talisman that he has been traveling abroad for the past two years and was stranded in a dangerous place. He only managed to escape recently and immediately came to Xingzhu City."

"Coincidentally, he also met fellow Daoists Yuan Ting and Jiu Yuan on the way, who were both waiting for him at Falling Star Peak."

As he spoke, he handed over the communication talisman.

Chen Yuan took the communication talisman. Its patterns were extremely intricate, and it shimmered with spiritual light. It was almost comparable to a low-level magic weapon, far surpassing the communication talismans he had seen in the human realm. Its transmission distance should also be extremely far.

The talisman emitted a strange fluctuation of divine consciousness, accompanied by a faint aura of cultivation, clearly belonging to a great cultivator, who must have left it behind by Shen Jibai.

Chen Yuan cast a spell, and a voice rang in his ears: "Fellow Daoist Zuiyun, I received your message and was shocked to hear that our human race has gained another great cultivator. I was so excited that I wanted to rush to Xingzhu City immediately to pay my respects to Fellow Daoist Xinghuo."

"However, Mr. Shen was in a dangerous situation and could not get out for a while. It was not until a month ago that he was able to get out of trouble and set off immediately."

"On the way, we were fortunate to meet two fellow Daoists, Yuan Ting and Jiu Yuan, who also wanted to go to Xingzhu City to visit fellow Daoist Xing Huo, so we traveled together."

"However, the demon race has always been wary of us. If we rashly appear in Xingzhu City, we may bring disaster to the cultivators and mortals in the city."

"Therefore, the three of us have come to wait for you at Falling Star Peak, and respectfully invite Fellow Daoist Xinghuo to come and have a chat. Please ask Fellow Daoist Zuiyun to convey this message. Respectfully yours, Shen Jibai."

The voice was clear and melodious, tinged with joy, and spoke in a gentle, soothing way that it was like a spring breeze. Naturally, the image of a handsome young man would appear in one's mind, and one couldn't help but be captivated.

Chen Yuan remained unmoved, his brows furrowing slowly as he withdrew his divine sense.

The sound transmission talisman flashed and spontaneously combusted without fire, turning into specks of light that dissipated into the air.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Xuancang's eyes flashed with a hint of doubt: "Fellow Daoist Chen wished to see Fellow Daoist Shen, Fellow Daoist Yun Ting, and Fellow Daoist Jiu Yuan, and for this he did not hesitate to wait in Xingzhu City for two years. Now that the three fellow Daoists have invited you, why are you not pleased?"

Chen Yuan shook his head slightly: "I am naturally delighted to have the opportunity to meet with the three of you."

"But even if the three of you are concerned about the demon race and are unwilling to come to Xingzhu City, there is no need to wait for me at Zhuixing Peak, which is five thousand miles away."

"Why not find a secluded and deserted place within the Iron Mist Mountains?"

Zhang Xuancang and Master Zuiyun were taken aback, and their brows furrowed involuntarily.

The two were overjoyed upon hearing the news, but they overlooked this point.

The eight royal families fought each other endlessly, but they were deeply wary of the great cultivators of the human race. As soon as they received news of it, they would join forces to annihilate them.

It's understandable that Shen Jibai and the other two were unwilling to come to Xingzhu City.

But waiting at Falling Star Peak, five thousand miles away, is somewhat illogical.

Master Zuiyun murmured, "The divine imprint on the transmission talisman is undoubtedly left by Fellow Daoist Shen."

"Fellow Daoist Shen probably did not want to involve my human city, which is why he did not enter the Iron Mist Mountain Range."

Zhang Xuancang also spoke up, saying, "Although Falling Star Peak is three thousand miles away, it's only half a day's journey for us Nascent Soul cultivators, so it's nothing."

"Moreover, the scenery of Falling Star Peak is magnificent. Sitting there discussing philosophy and admiring the mountains and rivers is a unique experience. Isn't that wonderful?"

Chen Yuan's eyes flashed, and he nodded slightly: "That makes sense. I cannot let down the kindness of you three fellow Daoists. I will set off now."

Zhang Xuancang pondered for a moment and said, "Fellow Daoist Chen has never met those three fellow Daoists before. I will go with you to avoid any misunderstandings."

Chen Yuan nodded: "Then I'll have to trouble you, fellow Daoist."

Zhang Xuancang laughed and said, "To be honest, fellow Daoist, I have long wanted to have a chat with Yuan Ting and Jiu Yuanwei, but the demon race keeps a close eye on our human race's great cultivators, so the two of you rarely show yourselves. This time, I am only able to do so because of your presence."

Master Zuiyun sighed, "It has been a long time since I last met Fellow Daoist Shen, but Xingzhu City cannot be left unattended. I can only miss this opportunity."

Chen Yuan smiled slightly: "Fellow Daoist Zuiyun, do not worry. Perhaps you will be able to meet Fellow Daoist Shen soon."

Master Zuiyun shook his head, clearly not believing it, but still replied, "Thank you for your kind words, fellow Daoist."

……

Chen Yuan and Zhang Xuancang wasted no time. They immediately bid farewell to Master Zuiyun, mounted their escape lights, and quietly left Xingzhu City.

Chen Yuan did not bring Liu Kaiyang with him. Before his injuries had healed, he was still worried that Liu Kaiyang would reveal his secrets.

But now that he has fully recovered his strength, he has no more worries.

There are no spiritual veins in the Nine Prisons Mountains, so they were not marked on the map that Zhang Xuancang gave to Chen Yuan.

Fortunately, Zhang Xuancang was there to guide us, so we didn't have to worry about deviating from the path.

According to Chen Yuan's speed, it would only take half an hour to travel five thousand miles, but Zhang Xuancang's speed was several times slower, so Chen Yuan had no choice but to slow down and travel patiently.

Four hours later, the two had fled more than three thousand miles away. A glint of light suddenly flashed in Chen Yuan's eyes, but it disappeared immediately.

Two more hours passed before the two finally arrived at Falling Star Peak and descended into the light of their escape.

Just as Zhang Xuancang had described, this peak was indeed rugged, precipitous, and magnificent.

The Falling Star Peak before us is a thousand feet high, resembling a giant jade sword piercing the sky.

The mountain is covered with lush primeval forests. The western side is like a giant axe cleaving down, with sheer cliffs thousands of feet high. Countless gnarled branches burst out from the cracks in the rocks, and vigorous roots cling tightly to the rock face.

A waterfall, like a white ribbon, cascades down, crashing against the jagged rocks, splashing up countless fragments of jade, and rising a layer of hazy mist, making it look like a fairyland.

Beside the waterfall at the mountaintop, there is a flat, huge rock, several meters in size.

Three figures stood on the edge of the boulder, hands behind their backs, looking down at the scenery below. Their clothes were billowing in the mountain wind, fluttering like clouds, exuding an air of otherworldly elegance.

Seeing Chen Yuan and Zhang Xuancang descend with their escape lights, the three of them turned around and looked at the two.

Zhang Xuancang landed on the boulder and quickly went to greet them. He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to the two of them, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes: "It's been many years. Fellow Daoist Yuan Ting and Fellow Daoist Jiu Yuan are still as elegant as ever. I, Zhang, am very pleased."

After saying that, he clasped his hands in a respectful bow to another person, his expression quite humble: "Is this fellow Daoist Shen Jibai?"

"Fellow Daoist Zuiyun originally intended to come and meet you in person, but Xingzhu City cannot be left unguarded, so I had to ask Zhang to convey his greetings to you on his behalf."

The last person smiled and returned the greeting: "Thank you for your trouble, Fellow Daoist Zhang."

Among the other two, one of them, a man with a full head of white hair, looked at Zhang Xuancang and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Zhang, on your great progress in cultivation. You are only a step away from the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm."

“If I am not mistaken, the bottleneck seems to have loosened, and Fellow Daoist Zhang is about to break through this difficulty.” Zhang Xuancang’s smile widened: “Fellow Daoist Jiuyuan has keen insight. I have benefited greatly from Fellow Daoist Xinghuo’s guidance and have finally gained some understanding. I am planning to break through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm.”

As he spoke, he raised his hand to Chen Yuan: "This is Fellow Daoist Xinghuo, whom I mentioned in the message. Like the two fellow Daoists, he is a great cultivator."

"Moreover, he is an extremely rare body cultivator with great strength. He killed three demon generals and one demon sect elder in succession, saving the lives of everyone in Ping Le City. He has done me a great favor."

"Fellow Daoist Xinghuo, these three are Fellow Daoist Yuanting, Fellow Daoist Jiuyuan, and Fellow Daoist Shen Jibai, all of whom are pillars of our human race."

Upon hearing this, both of them turned to look at them.

Chen Yuan clasped his hands in a bow and said, "I am Xinghuo, and I greet you three fellow Daoists."

The white-haired man looked him up and down, his eyes slightly unfathomable. He clasped his hands in a salute and said, "I am Jiu Yuan. If it weren't for Fellow Daoist Xing Huo's heroic efforts, I would have lost a dear friend. Please accept my bow."

Although the Nine Yuan Master's hair was white, his appearance was extremely young, like that of a teenager. His thick eyebrows were also pure white, and his eyes showed a slightly weathered look.

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "It was nothing, just a small favor. As fellow human beings, we should help each other out."

Upon hearing this, the cultivator beside him had a strange look in his eyes, which was tinged with a hint of mockery.

He spoke calmly: "Fellow Daoist Xinghuo is absolutely right. It is only right to help one’s fellow clansmen in danger."

"However, I have cultivated for hundreds of years and am known to all Nascent Soul cultivators of the human race, but I have never heard of your name before."

"May I ask where you hail from, fellow Daoist? Is it a city of our human race, or under the rule of some demonic sect?"

Chen Yuan turned to look and saw that the man was tall and imposing, dressed in a purple robe, with a few long wisps of beard under his chin, his temples already streaked with frost, and his face square and sculpted, exuding an air of authority without anger.

Instead of answering, Chen Yuan asked, "Is this Fellow Daoist Yuan Ting?"

The purple-robed cultivator nodded and said in a deep voice, "Not bad, please enlighten me, Fellow Daoist Xinghuo."

Chen Yuan said calmly, "I cannot reveal my background for the time being. Fellow Daoist Yuan Ting will know when the time is right."

Yuan Ting Zhenren's eyes turned cold, and Shen Jibai suddenly interjected, "Is there something inconvenient for you, sir?"

"Rest assured, Your Excellency, we are all regarded as thorns in the side by the demon race, and we will never reveal Your Excellency's background. Please speak frankly."

Chen Yuan turned his head and looked at Shen Jibai, who looked to be in his early twenties. His tall and slender figure was accentuated by his blue robe.

His full head of black hair was loosely tied up with a jade hairpin, with a few strands falling down his temples. His eyes were warm and clear, and there was a slight smile on his lips, which made people feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze.

These words were spoken with utmost sincerity and a gentle expression, which naturally inspired a sense of conviction in the listener.

Before Chen Yuan could answer, the white-haired Venerable Jiuyuan slowly spoke up: "We are here today at the invitation of Fellow Daoist Xinghuo."

"Why are you being so secretive now, refusing to even reveal your origins and background? What is the reason for this?"

Chen Yuan said calmly, "What if I don't wish to tell you?"

Master Yuan Ting snorted coldly: "Then we can't help but worry that you might have ulterior motives, ostensibly saving the people of Ping Le City, but actually using this as a pretext to get close to the three of us and harm us!"

The mountaintop fell silent, save for the thunderous roar of the waterfall crashing against the rocky cliffs, which only added to the sense of deathly stillness.

Zhang Xuancang sensed the sudden shift in the tense atmosphere and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He stepped forward, standing between Chen Yuan and the three great cultivators, and bowed deeply: "The four of you are all great cultivators, and your cultivation is far superior to mine. Logically speaking, I have no right to speak here."

"But all four of you are pillars of our human race. Fellow Daoist Xinghuo saved my life, and Fellow Daoists Yuanting and Jiuyuan have also been very kind to me."

"I cannot stand idly by and watch my fellow Daoists misunderstand. Please hear what I have to say."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ting Zhenren's cold expression softened somewhat, and Shen Jibai's smile faded a little.

Master Jiuyuan spoke up: “Fellow Daoist Zhang, why belittle yourself? Everyone knows that you are upright and have the demeanor of an ancient gentleman. Please speak freely.”

Zhang Xuancang looked at Shen Jibai and solemnly said, "Fellow Daoist Shen clearly stated in the transmission talisman that he would be waiting for Fellow Daoist Xinghuo at Falling Star Peak, and his words were earnest."

"We came as instructed, so why are you three suddenly attacking Fellow Daoist Xinghuo?"

Master Yuan Ting coldly said, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, you are mistaken. It is not that we are deliberately making things difficult for Fellow Daoist Xing Huo, but rather that Fellow Daoist Xing Huo has consistently refused to reveal his origins and background."

"If he were honest and upright, why would he be so secretive?"

"We are worried that he is a spy sent by the demon race to infiltrate our human race in order to target our great cultivators. We must be on guard."

Shen Jibai looked apologetic: "I did not mean to deceive Fellow Daoist Zhang and Fellow Daoist Zuiyun. It was only to avoid affecting the mortal cultivators in Xingzhu City that I had to lure this person out of Xingzhu City. I had no choice but to do this. I hope you will forgive me."

Zhang Xuancang glanced at Chen Yuan and said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist Xinghuo did not intend to hide it, but there are other reasons that are inconvenient to tell you."

"However, Zhang personally witnessed Fellow Daoist Xinghuo kill three demon generals and one elder of the demon sect, including two royal demon generals, Ao Lin and She Mo."

"I, Zhang, am willing to vouch for Fellow Daoist Xinghuo. He is by no means a spy of the demon race. Do you three fellow Daoists not even believe me, Zhang?"

Shen Jibai sighed softly, his expression somewhat helpless: "We naturally trust Fellow Daoist Zhang's words."

"But the demon race is not monolithic. The eight royal families are scheming against each other, and the fierceness of their struggles is no less than that of the battles between the demon race and the human race."

"Even if this person killed three demon generals, it only proves that he has nothing to do with the Jiaolong and Blood Tongling Snake clans, but it does not prove that he was not instructed by the other six royal clans."

Master Yuan Ting said coldly, "Moreover, according to Fellow Daoist Zhang, this person is a body cultivator, and his physical strength far surpasses that of the royal demon general."

"But the body-tempering spiritual herbs are extremely precious, and the demon race regards them as treasures and never lets them out of the country."

"Eighteen thousand years ago, the last recorded Nascent Soul stage body cultivator of my human race, Duanlang Sanren, was killed by the Illusionary Butterfly Clan, which had not yet been wiped out at that time."

"Since then, there has not been a single Nascent Soul Body Cultivator in our human race. Even if someone embarks on the path of body refinement, there are very few of them, and all of them stop at the Core Formation stage."

"This Xinghuo Zhenren has appeared out of nowhere with the cultivation of the late Nascent Soul stage. His physical body is no less than that of a high-level demon general. If it weren't for the help of the demon race, where would he have obtained the body-tempering spiritual herbs?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xuancang's expression immediately turned ugly, and he glanced at Chen Yuan.

Faced with such sharp words, Chen Yuan remained silent, his expression as calm as ever, as if he didn't take them to heart at all.

Upon seeing this, Master Yuan Ting's expression grew even colder: "Fellow Daoist Zhang is a man of great loyalty and righteousness, and having been saved by this person, it's inevitable that he might have been negligent."

"But this person is eager for quick success and instant benefits. As soon as he appeared, he tried to use Fellow Daoist and Fellow Daoist Zuiyun to get close to us. Fortunately, Fellow Daoist Shen saw through his plan."

"This place will be where this man dies today. Fellow Daoist, why don't you retreat at once!"

Zhang Xuancang's expression shifted, but his feet seemed rooted to the spot, and his body remained motionless.

Just as Master Yuanting's face showed impatience, he suddenly sighed, "Fellow Daoist Xinghuo is definitely not a demon spy. The reason he has such a powerful physical body is because he is a human-demon hybrid, possessing the bloodline of the Xuanpo Snow Ape!" (End of this chapter)