Immortal Road.

Boom! Crack!

Thunder rumbled and rain poured outside, foreshadowing an unusual night.

The Liang clan leader and the others unconsciously shrank back in front of the dark figure. As fellow powerful beings, they could sense the aura brewing around him, indicating that he was no ordinary person!

"Venerable Tanmu, how dare you bring just anyone in here? This fellow Daoist has the air of a bandit. Could he be an outlaw from some cultivation world?"

The men's voices trembled, their hearts filled with unease, and they blamed him for not informing them beforehand.

"Fellow Daoist Xiong Shan is not a bandit, but a disciple of the immortal Jinglian Jushi from the Upper Realm. I don't need to elaborate on the prestige of being a disciple of an immortal, do I?"

Venerable Tanmu introduced Xiong Shan to the group, but to their surprise, the man was so straightforward that he honestly admitted it!
"You guessed right. When I was a kid, I was ignorant and was a bandit for a while. I've never been able to shake off that bandit spirit since then."

The people on Xiongshan Mountain were also frustrated. Every time they met a stranger, their first impression was always, "Are you a bandit?"
Who can bear this!
But there's nothing we can do about it. We've seen it so many times that we've gotten used to it. With my own kind of demeanor, it's hard not to make people draw those associations.

Venerable Tanmu quickly smoothed things over:

"Fellow Daoist Xiongshan, don't speak such discouraging words. Who hasn't made mistakes when they were young? These aren't dark histories, they're just part of the path you came from!"

The group reluctantly forced a few smiles and agreed, but in reality, they were all secretly dissatisfied.

Where did you find this person? He doesn't look very bright. With his character, he thinks he can kill Qianbu?

However, considering the support of the Spring and Autumn Sword Sect, they knew there was no way out. The arrow was on the bowstring and had to be released. After tonight, they would have no more chances.

Thump, thump, thump, thump
Outside, thunderous drumbeats resounded amidst the storm, continuous and powerful, while the welcoming band's shouts echoed throughout the holy site.

"The envoy from the Spring and Autumn Sword Sect has arrived. This is a formal visit between the holy lands. Qian Bu, as the Holy Lord, is probably welcoming them in the main hall. Let's go!"

Hearing the drumbeats, they knew the grand performance was about to begin. They couldn't hide their nervousness and forced themselves to go outside.

At this moment, outside the main hall of the Ghost Valley Holy Land, tens of thousands of Ghost Valley disciples lined up to welcome them, clad in armor and wielding weapons. The fierce aura of the army swirled in the sky, condensing and not dissipating. Even in the heavy rain, they remained unmoved, displaying strict discipline, which was a testament to the elite force of the Holy Land!
Qian Bu stood before the steps, surrounded by a group of armored soldiers with their hands on their swords, and maids and servants holding umbrellas, their eyes fixed intently on the road leading down the mountain from the square.

The envoy team from the Spring and Autumn Sword Sect has finally emerged!
When they saw that what awaited them in the square was an army of tens of thousands lined up, they were all so frightened that they stopped in their tracks, filled with doubt and uncertainty.

"What are you standing there for? Let's go!"

A cold female voice came from behind, and a slender and graceful figure came to the front. Seeing this scene, she couldn't help but sneer.

"Lord of Qian, what day is it that warrants such a great commotion?"

"Hehehe, Venerable Lan Jian, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Qian Bu bowed respectfully from afar, his expression unchanged.

"We knew you were coming, so we specially set up a guard of honor to welcome you along the way."

Lan Jian Zun Zhe Ping Shuang glanced at them with a stern look, then stepped into the military formation in the square with her chest out. Behind her, the Spring and Autumn Sword Sect envoys followed cautiously, each of them looking rather unwell, because the formation was simply too large.

What if something really happens later? How will they survive in the midst of a massive army?

Qian Bu waited quietly until the other party walked hundreds of steps to the front of the steps. Only then did he slowly walk down the steps according to etiquette and meet the envoy of the Spring and Autumn Sword Gate.

They then chatted and laughed as they walked into the main hall together.

By this time, a banquet had already been set up in the hall, with countless delicacies and fine wines. At each seat, a maid was arranged to pour wine.

When Venerable Lan Jian Ping Shuang saw that there was a person closely following behind Qian Bu, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and a dignified bearing, who seemed to be on equal footing with Qian Bu but was subtly protecting him, she remembered what she had learned before.

"If I'm not mistaken, this fellow Daoist is Mu Yan from the Ancient Searching Sect?"

"Haha, exactly."

Qianbu smiled and introduced the two to each other.

Mu Yan smiled and nodded as a greeting, but his eyes held a strong warning, which made Venerable Lan Jian feel slightly wary.

The leaders and elders of the various branches of the Ghost Valley Holy Land followed behind and filed in from outside the main hall. This visit by the Spring and Autumn Sword Sect was accidental. Due to delays on the way, they did not arrive at the Ghost Valley Holy Land until evening. In fact, everyone had been waiting for a long time.

Fortunately, it's not a big deal. After all, the Ghost Valley Holy Land is currently weak, its Supreme Elder has passed away, and there are no Nascent Soul stage cultivators who can travel outside. Compared to the Spring and Autumn Sword Sect, it is indeed inferior.

A loud shout suddenly came from outside:

"Oh dear, Venerable Lan Jian, welcome! We were so sorry for not greeting you properly!"

Venerable Tanmu, Master Liang, and the other four were a step too late. They had just entered when they found everyone already seated, so they quickly came up to apologize and bow.

"It's alright, fellow Daoists, you're too kind."

A barely perceptible glint flashed in Venerable Lan Jian Ping Shuang's eyes as she met the other's gaze, and they nodded tacitly in understanding.

Qian Bu, sitting at the very top, let out a cold laugh:
"The five elders are always together, rarely seen, whispering and plotting. Who knows what they're scheming about?"

The Liang family leader and the others were startled!
He almost thought his internal affairs had been leaked and he had been exposed, but Venerable Tanmu was mature and prudent, and knew that the closer it got to this moment, the more he had to appear confident.

"Your Majesty, you flatter us. The Supreme Elder has only been gone for a short time. We old bones have been worrying about the affairs of the Holy Land every day, working tirelessly. How did that become ulterior motives in your mouth?"

Qianbu's sharp eyes pierced straight into his heart.

"Oh? I, the Holy Lord, feel sorry for you all, so old yet still having to work so hard. How about I simply step down and make room for the younger generation?"

As he spoke, all the leaders of the various factions in the audience turned their gazes toward him!

Among them were many young and middle-aged cultivators in the Nascent Soul stage. Most of them had pledged allegiance to the new Holy Lord and had long been dissatisfied with the older generation who were occupying the latrines.

"you"

Venerable Tanmu felt a lump in his throat from the rebuttal. He knew he was no match for Qianbu in a battle of wits, so he simply stopped talking.

Venerable Lan Jian noticed all this and stepped in to ease the tension.

"Lord Qian, we originally planned to visit at noon today, but something happened along the way and we arrived in the evening. Speaking of which, it has something to do with you."

"What does this have to do with me? Please tell me."

Qian Bu curled his lips. He now had power, status, cultivation, and powerful backers. He was riding high!

After a period of time, he developed a remarkable demeanor and truly had the air of a holy ruler.

Lan Jian Venerable always felt that he was being overshadowed, as if he were facing his own Holy Lord, Minghuang Sword Master. He felt slightly displeased, but he did not show it.

"On this trip, we passed through the State of Lu. My niece went to Bailu Academy to visit her husband, and Venerable Shenxiu gave us a grand reception. As we chatted, we inevitably talked about the Xun Gu Sect Master. I heard that you once took the Xun Gu Sect Master as your godfather, so you must know him very well, right?"

Qian Bu leaned back slightly on the throne.

The Spring and Autumn Jianmen Envoy Delegation from the State of Lu first visited the White Deer Academy.
As an affiliated force of the Seeking Ancient Sect, Bailu Academy serves as a bridgehead for resisting outside forces in the central region of Lu State, a consensus that has been reached by many. He also secretly played a significant role in this regard.

There are dozens of versions of the legends about the Sunflower Fairy and the Venerable Shenxiu circulating on the mainland. Many songs, dances and operas have even been adapted and developed, and they have been performed by folk opera troupes!

These two enemies have long since parted ways, yet they still have dealings. It seems their relationship is truly tangled and complicated; it's best not to make things up. "Indeed, my adoptive father has helped me greatly at various stages of my life, and even sent Fellow Daoist Mu to assist me. His kindness is like a second birth, and our bond is like that of father and son. By the way, where is the Sunflower Fairy?"

"Let's keep you in suspense for now."

Venerable Lan Jian didn't beat around the bush with him, but went back to the previous topic.

"Speaking of the separation between Venerable Shenxiu and my Spring and Autumn Sword Sect, back then, with the support of the Xun Gu Sect Master, your Ghost Valley Holy Land's Lord Yanxi took the initiative to send troops to attack the White Deer Academy in the State of Lu. Do you still remember this?"

Qianbu frowned, deep in thought, then shook his head with a wry smile.

"It seems like that's true? I don't know. Back then, I was powerless and clueless, living in a daze in the Holy Land. No one even tipped me off. You should ask Chief Liang and the others."

Master Liang sneered, gritting his teeth.

"Back then, the leader of the Killing Intent Sect led his troops into the State of Lu and occupied the White Deer Academy together with the Spring and Autumn Sword Sect. But later, the leader of the Seeking Ancient Sect appeared and killed the leader of the Killing Intent Sect. And you took over the entire Killing Intent Sect right after that! Could it be that you made some kind of deal with the Seeking Ancient Sect?"

"!!!"

Qian Bu thought to himself, "This is bad. Tonight they're here to settle scores and interrogate me."
Sure enough, Venerable Tanmu's eyes were sharp, and he immediately asked a question.

"After our extensive investigation, we learned that the Supreme Elder lost his primordial spirit avatar after that battle and went into hiding. However, he was later found by the Ancient Seeking Sect Master, who then forcefully killed him! There must have been a traitor leaking information. Does the Holy Lord Qian know who it is?"

"You've asked the wrong person. I, the Holy Lord, am also deeply saddened by the passing of the Supreme Elder, but do you think I would know where his true form is hidden?"

Qian Bu's heart skipped a beat as he recalled the events of the past. Not long after he tricked Lin Shan into giving him the appointment letter that carried the aura of the God of Anxi, news of Lin Shan's demise arrived!
At the time, he couldn't believe it. How could the old man, Lord Yanxi, who was so cunning and had hidden himself so well that he didn't even know where the Holy Land was, have his true form killed so easily?

After much thought, I realized that the handwritten scroll I provided was the key!
Now that so much time has passed, I thought it was all in the past, but I never expected that my arch-enemies would find a clue.

"Hehe, I doubt it."

Another highly capable person has stepped forward to lend a hand, and their question hits the nail on the head!

"To find the Supreme Elder's true form, we need a medium to track his aura. Besides asking you, who else can the Ancient Seeking Sect Master turn to?"

Qianbu's heart pounded, and he thought to himself, "This is bad."

If it is confirmed that he was an accomplice in the murder of the Supreme Elder, even the Holy Lord would be dragged down. This move can be said to have hit the fatal spot!

"Iron-Blooded Wolf Mother, stop your nonsense and slander! I, Qian Bu, swear to heaven that I have never betrayed the Supreme Elder. If I have lied, may I be struck by lightning!"

"Boom, boom, boom~~~"

Thunder rumbled outside, and torrential rain poured down.

Everyone in the hall looked at each other, bewildered, staring at the stage and the audience below.

Qianbu awkwardly pressed his hand down:
"The heavy rain hasn't stopped tonight, and there's constant thunder outside, but it has nothing to do with me, so please don't take it personally."

The other side had no intention of letting him off the hook and immediately made their judgment!
"After the Supreme Elder's fall, it was you, Qianbu, who brought the wolf into the house, leading the Xun Gu Sect Master into my Ghost Valley Holy Land. Then you forged the Holy Lord's token, deceived the guardian beast to obtain the Heavenly Treasure, and then presented this treasure to the Xun Gu Sect Master in exchange for his support for your position as Holy Lord. You still dare to say that you didn't kill the Supreme Elder."

"enough!"

Qianbu suddenly stood up and waved his hand to interrupt him.

“You all keep accusing me of causing the death of the Supreme Elder, but what evidence do you have to directly prove that I tipped him off?”

"It is true that the leader of the Xun Gu Sect is my adoptive father, but loyalty and filial piety have always been difficult to reconcile. Now that I have joined the Ghost Valley Holy Land, I must devote myself to the Holy Land. How can I collude with outsiders to harm my own ancestor!"

"The Heavenly Treasure is merely a temporary measure. The Ancient Seeking Sect Master is only borrowing it for now. Once I, the Holy Lord, break through to the Nascent Soul stage, he will return it to me. On the contrary, you lot are constantly creating divisions, sneaking around in the corners, instigating internal unrest and wishing for the Holy Land to disband. What are your true intentions!"

Those other people were not to be outdone and argued fiercely with him.

The great master, with his immense supernatural powers, was cursing like a shrew in the main hall. The leaders of the various sects below all fell silent, burying their heads in the sand like ostriches.

Finally, Venerable Tanmu and the others turned around and bowed to Venerable Lanjian from afar.

"We implore the Spring and Autumn Sword Sect to uphold justice for us!"

Qian Bu's heart sank. Sure enough, today was different from the past. These people would never have dared to be so arrogant in front of him before. It turned out that they had found outside help to back them up.

However, he was not entirely unprepared; over ten thousand elite troops were on standby in the square outside, ready to deal with any crisis.

In my opinion, this matter is not urgent.

Unexpectedly, at this critical juncture, Venerable Lan Jian did not act as referee, but instead stopped their verbal battle.

The woman glanced almost imperceptibly at Mu Yan, who was standing guard beside Qian Bu. Mu Yan had his hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist, ready to strike, and he was very wary of him.

"Today, our Spring and Autumn Sword Sect has come to celebrate the long-standing friendship between our two families. There should be singing and dancing to add to the festivities!"

Bang bang bang~~~
As she clapped her hands, a woman in a red dress gracefully entered the hall. Her figure was slender and her face was covered by a light veil. Her eyes were bright and her teeth were white. She held a sharp blade and moved with the wind, and she immediately began to perform a sword dance.

Who is this person?

Qian Bu's eyes lit up, and he felt a sudden surge of emotion, for he had never seen such a beautiful woman before.

"Hehe, my niece is the Sunflower Fairy."

As soon as Venerable Lan Jian finished speaking, Qian Bu's face froze. He twitched his lips and immediately became extremely wary.

Mu Yan realized that the situation on the field was not right, so he laughed loudly and took the initiative to leave the field.

"How can we dance without a partner? I'll practice with the fairy!"

The Liang family members on the other side were overjoyed. Seeing Mu Yan stepping into the fray, they all spoke up to prevent the Sunflower Fairy from being unable to stop him alone!

"Since you two are in such high spirits, let's invite a hero and righteous man as well. Wouldn't it be even more lively with the three of us on stage together?"

Boom! !
A burly, dark figure entered from outside the hall, wielding a spiked club, and joined the fray, engaging in a fierce battle with Sunflower Fairy and Mu Yan.

The moment Qianbu saw this person, his pupils instantly contracted.

"Bear Mountain Man?!"

Outside the Ghost Valley Holy Land, a dense crowd of people from all walks of life had gathered and stealthily sneaked into the mountain gate in the dark.

"Venerable Tanmu has instructed that once you enter, you should not commit any acts of killing. Just eliminate Qianbu and his gang of vassals, and we will handle the rest of the cleanup."

The traitor led the way, sending waves of outsiders into the area, rendering the protective mountain formation useless.

"Understood. Tell Venerable Tanmu to rest assured that we understand the importance of this matter."

The two young men at the head of the group had bright, piercing eyes, like firelight in the long night. With a wave of their hands, they directed their army to scatter in all directions and attack the mountainside from different strategic passes.

It was none other than Dai Budong and Zhu Duiyou, whom they hadn't seen in a long time! (End of Chapter)