On the Avenue.

Chapter 755 Protecting the Master
Upon seeing his smile, Yun Zhongzi felt a surge of nameless anger.

If the person sent by the Great Celestial Venerable is Doumu or Leisheng Puhua Tianzun, then it is aimed at Emperor Gouchen. Because Doumu and Leisheng Puhua Tianzun have a long-standing grudge against Emperor Gouchen, and Gouchen is an immortal, the two of them are coming to kill him, determined to bring back Gouchen's head.

—Back then, Doumu's disciple was Leisheng Puhua Tianzun, who died at the hands of Yun Zhongzi, who refined him to death with the Tongtian Divine Fire Pillar. Gouchen was Yun Zhongzi's disciple, so it's a perfect example of repaying kindness with kindness.

However, it was Chen Shi who was sent by the Great Celestial Venerable to quell the rebellion.

Chen Shi was too weak; he couldn't kill Gouchen at all. He was clearly cannon fodder sent by the Great Celestial Venerable to his death. —The Ming Dynasty had cannons. Over time, ash would accumulate in the cannon barrels, clogging the talismans and array patterns drawn inside. Therefore, they needed to be cleaned. Cannon fodder were simply useless things sent to their deaths.

The plan was going well. Chen Shi's arrival to quell the rebellion wouldn't have much impact on Yun Zhongzi's plans. After Chen Shi's death, the Great Celestial Venerable would still send someone. Or, if Chen Shi angered the Great Emperor Gouchen, and Gouchen killed Chen Shi, Gouchen would still have no choice but to rebel.

Surprisingly, Chen Shi actually had the ability to quell the rebellion.

Chen Shi actually quelled the rebellion in a very effective way!

The key point is that this bastard did a better job suppressing the rebellion than anyone else!

Chen Shi swept through the land without harming the common people, smoothly eliminating all the rebellious and non-rebellious gods and immortals along the way, turning them into ordinary mortals, thus eliminating the need for war.

Ping Tian Lou, Xin Xianjun, Mei Zhenren, and others set up an ambush, and Wu Yue Xingjun lured Chen Shi into the ambush. They even went so far as to have Xi Zi appear in Wu Yue Xingjun's mansion to confuse Chen Shi's mind. This was also at the behest of Yun Zhongzi.

What he never expected was that Chen Shi was indeed captivated by Xi Zi's beauty, but his reason for entering the Fuzhou was not related to Xi Zi's beauty, but rather because he felt he could quell these rebels.

—And Chen Shi did indeed have the strength to suppress the rebels, sweep away the chaos in the Heavenly Market, capture more than 100,000 immortals, and send them to the Heavenly Court for trial.

Although Yun Zhongzi grew increasingly disgusted with Chen Shi, he couldn't help but admire Chen Shi's performance along the way, which had indeed exceeded his expectations.

Yun Zhongzi and Emperor Gouchen both fell silent, and Chen Shi, feeling insignificant, also remained silent.

After a long while, Yun Zhongzi said, "The Celestial Court does not want you to stand in the Heavenly Court's ranks. If you stand there, I, as your master, must eliminate you. Only in this way can we cooperate closely with the Celestial Court."

Emperor Gouchen said, "The Great Celestial Venerable also does not wish for me to appear in the ranks of the Celestial Court."

Yun Zhongzi fell silent again.

The atmosphere was somewhat depressing.

Emperor Gouchen broke the silence and said, "Master, I can remain neutral. I will stay here at Tian Shi Yuan and not go anywhere else."

Chen Shi's heart stirred slightly: "The fact that the Great Emperor Gouchen does not refer to himself as 'I' but as his disciple shows that he has not yet given up hope and hopes to avoid conflict with Yun Zhongzi, so that the master and disciple can still maintain a superficial appearance of respectability."

Yun Zhongzi sighed and said, "Good disciple, sometimes even your master has no choice. I am no longer the Qi cultivator of Zhongnan Mountain. I am now the Sect Master of Shangqing Realm. Under my command are no longer just you and Jinxia Tongzi and a few others, but the entire Shangqing lineage, thousands of direct disciples, hundreds of thousands of grand-disciples across generations, and countless Shangqing disciples."

He said softly with a hint of bitterness, "Sitting in this position, I am the leader of the Shangqing Sect, and I must set an example."

Emperor Gouchen nodded silently and said, "I understand. The Sect Master of Shangqing Realm, in alliance with the Celestial Court, cannot tolerate his disciple's betrayal of Shangqing Realm. They must take a stand."

Yun Zhongzi smiled and said, "So even though I know the Great Celestial Venerable is watching this place, I still have to come. I'm coming to show the Celestial Court, Taiqing, Yuqing, and the Western Heaven the attitude of Shangqing."

Emperor Gouchen smiled and said, "I understand. The Shangqing Sect Leader is upright and honest. Even if he knows he will be facing the Great Celestial Venerable, he still has to go. Moreover, the Shangqing Sect Leader's trip is not without purpose. He can test the Great Celestial Venerable's abilities and also have the opportunity to eliminate Gouchen and Master Chen. It's a win-win situation. Taking a little risk is worthwhile and not a loss."

Yun Zhongzi laughed and said, "Yes. Your master never suffers a loss. Good disciple, you are now the Great Emperor Gouchen, no longer the mischievous seven-year-old child you once were. It's time to return the two red apricots you took to your master."

Chen Shi's heart skipped a beat. He looked at Emperor Gouchen, shook his head slightly, and signaled him not to take the bait.

Emperor Gouchen ignored it and said solemnly, "With the help of these two red apricots, I have mastered the wind and thunder techniques of the heretical sects, repeatedly slaying powerful enemies and protecting the Great Zhou. I have received too many favors. I should return them to my master."

He channeled his own magical power, refined the external Dao power within his physical body and primordial spirit, and highly condensed the essence and blood within his body, soon producing two red apricots.

Emperor Gouchen gained a significant portion of his abilities from these two red apricots: wind and thunder wings, a two-zhang golden body, and unpredictable Daoist techniques. However, his current realm is far beyond what it once was, and the powerful physical body and wings granted by the red apricots are no longer important to him.

Emperor Gouchen, having refined the red apricot, appeared quite relaxed. He held the red apricot in both hands and presented it to Yun Zhongzi.

Yun Zhongzi accepted the red apricot and said with a smile, "Over the years, you have comprehended many extraordinary Taoist techniques and supernatural powers through them, and you have benefited greatly. Although the red apricot has returned, the Taoist techniques are still on you, so you have still gained an advantage."

"Yes."

Emperor Gouchen did not refute, but said, "Now that I have regained my human form, I am free from constraints. If I can survive this, I can take another step forward." "Yes, you are truly enviable."

Yun Zhongzi laughed and said, "I also gave you the Wind and Thunder Cudgel. Today, our master-disciple relationship is severed, and it's time to return it."

Chen Shi coughed and said in a deep voice, "Back then, the Wind and Thunder Cudgel, bestowed upon us by the Yun Sect Leader, was just an ordinary magic weapon. Now, after 360,000 years of incense offerings at the Gouchen Palace, the Wind and Thunder Cudgel has been refined to a level far superior to what it was back then, a world of difference. This magic weapon should not be returned."

Yun Zhongzi smiled but remained silent.

Chen Shi sneered, "Can we ask for the things that the Yun Sect Leader gave away be taken back? The Shangqing Realm is far too stingy, which is despicable even to us heretics on Jin'ao Island!"

Yun Zhongzi still ignored him.

Chen Shi frowned and transmitted his voice, "Your Majesty, he intends to kill you before the Grand Celestial Venerable can make a move. Hand over the Wind and Thunder Cudgel, and he will be absolutely certain of eliminating you and me!"

Emperor Gouchen remained expressionless, but with a slight thought, the Wind and Thunder Cudgel flew out from the Upper Palace of Gouchen.

This treasure, having been refined by this Great Luo Golden Immortal and blessed with incense offerings for 360,000 years, has become incredibly powerful, which is why it was able to force back the Pure Void Moral Heavenly Venerable with a single strike.

Back when the Wind and Thunder Cudgel was used to fight against the Shang Dynasty, it was just a slightly more powerful immortal artifact. Now, the Wind and Thunder Cudgel is a rare treasure in the world, with boundless power, rivaling even the most precious treasures!
Emperor Gouchen bowed and presented the treasure, saying, "I have borrowed the Wind and Thunder Cudgel for 360,000 years to survive many calamities and preserve my life. I am deeply grateful for my master's kindness. Today, I return this treasure to you."

"Good boy, really good boy."

Yun Zhongzi smiled, grabbed the Wind and Thunder Cudgel, and looked it over.

The staff gleamed with golden light, its interior and exterior entwined with wind and thunder patterns, and filled with the aura of incense. It was incredibly heavy, and its extraordinary power had condensed into the Dao. The divine and immortal Dao patterns moved slightly, and then burst forth like thunder!

In addition, there are various incomprehensible heterodox runes, which should be the result of the Great Emperor Gouchen's years of studying heterodox ways and refining them to a high degree of purity, and using heterodox methods to refine this treasure.

"What a wonderful treasure!" Yun Zhongzi couldn't help but exclaim.

Chen Shi's heart sank.

Previously, Emperor Gouchen had a chance to save his life, but now that he has refined the Red Apricot and handed over the Wind and Thunder Cudgel, his chance to save his life is probably less than one percent!

Emperor Gouchen asked, "Master, what else does this disciple need to hand over?"

Yun Zhongzi said, "There's also the cultivation method I passed on to you back then. But after you became the Great Emperor Gouchen, you naturally can't use the cultivation method I passed on to you back then. I suppose you've already walked your own path and comprehended the method of cultivating both immortals and gods. You don't owe me anything anymore."

Emperor Gouchen breathed a sigh of relief and suddenly activated the Wind and Thunder Staff. The staff shone with golden light, and wind and thunder roared, its power surging!
Yun Zhongzi knew something was wrong, so he immediately let go and raised his cultivation to the limit. Various sealing Dao patterns burst forth from his palm holding the Wind and Thunder Staff!

As the leader of the Shangqing Realm, he was a disciple of the Lingbao lineage and was proficient in the crafting of various magical treasures, as well as the sealing and enchanting techniques of arrays and seals. Knowing that Gouchen was harboring evil intentions and wanted to use the Wind and Thunder Cudgel to ambush him, he immediately conceived the idea of ​​sealing the Wind and Thunder Cudgel!
Gouchen clenched his other fist and slammed it towards him.

Yun Zhongzi raised his hand to block, and the moment their fists and palms clashed, Chen Shi withdrew and retreated, shouting as he did so, "Emperor Changchun, Lady Yuanjun, come quickly to my aid!"

The Dao Ruins appeared above his head, and a group of crippled Great Luo Golden Immortals hidden in the Dao Ruins, including Changchun Emperor and Niangpo Yuanjun, took action to resist the aftershocks of the supernatural powers of these two great masters of the world!
Changchun Emperor's expression changed drastically after receiving the aftershocks of the divine power. He felt he couldn't withstand it and hurriedly shouted, "Old Ghost Yangshuo, Old Ghost Shantang, come out and protect our master! This is too difficult!"

In the distance from Daoxu, elderly and disabled people such as Yangshuo Shanren and Shantang Jushi also hurried over to show their loyalty to their employer and avoid paying extra rent at the end of the year.

As Gouchen's fist collided with Yun Zhongzi's palm, his other hand had already grabbed the Wind and Thunder Staff.

The two forces erupted, their power spreading. Emperor Gouchen felt his divine power surge and his magic power could not withstand it. He groaned, turned over and stood up, grabbing the Wind and Thunder Staff and snatching the treasure from Yun Zhongzi's hand.

He landed on the ground, flicked his wrist, and his body shone with light. The Wind and Thunder Staff roared with thunder, shattering Yun Zhongzi's seal.

Emperor Gouchen laughed heartily and said, "Sect Leader Yun, I have already returned the items. Now that I'm taking them back, it doesn't mean I owe you anything, right?"

With his magical artifact in hand, his strength increased greatly, and he was not afraid at all even when facing the Grand Master of the Upper Clarity Realm.

Yun Zhongzi withdrew his hand, looking somewhat disappointed: "Gou Chen, I didn't know you had this skill. You're no longer the honest gentleman you used to be."

Emperor Gouchen laughed and said, "When I was a child, I was honest. After eating the red apricot, I became neither human nor ghost. If I were still honest after becoming Gouchen, you would have eaten me to the bone long ago."

(End of this chapter)