Chaos Spirit Field

Zhao Shanhe was most apprehensive about trouble. Before arriving, he'd considered getting rid of Ouyang Shaogong, but after entering the Great Xia Palace, he abandoned the idea. Firstly, Ouyang Shaogong was a respectable person, someone who wouldn't offend someone who smiled. Secondly, their grudge wasn't deep, their conflict of interest wasn't significant, and they felt a certain camaraderie among fellow disciples. Most importantly, he was concerned for Yin Jie's sake; he had to leave some memory of the Yin clan.

Ouyang Shaogong's suggestion of taking Yin Jie with him tempted Zhao Shanhe, but he couldn't and didn't dare. First, Yin Jie carried the hatred of the Yin clan, and the very thought of the "forsaken" clan was terrifying. Second, Tan Tai Mingyue and Yang Hui weren't as obedient as they once were. There was no need to sacrifice two big watermelons for a single sesame seed. He knew that if he left, they would become strangers from then on.

Zhao Shanhe returned to the Qingniu Sect and said to Tan Tai Mieming, "Grandpa, Tan Tai Fengtian probably won't be coming back."

Tan Tai Mieming asked, "Shanhe, I must give the sect an explanation for what Tan Tai Fengtian did."

"Grandpa, what do you want to tell me? Tantai Fengtian is not dead. He will stay with his master from now on. What do you want to tell me?"

"I thought you had killed him. What a waste of joy! Who is his master?"

"Ouyang Shaogong."

Upon hearing this name, Tan Tai Mieming said in astonishment, "That's impossible! I saw with my own eyes that Ouyang Shaogong was struck by lightning outside the Xianyuan Secret Realm, leaving no trace of his body. There were many people present at the time, so how could he still be alive?"

"Grandpa, anything can happen in the world of immortal cultivation, and what you see may not be the truth. Ouyang Shaogong is backed by Qian Shishi, the second daughter of the Qian family of the Chamber of Commerce. He has no ill will towards the Qingniu Sect. Mingyue, Yang Hui, and I probably won't be able to stay in this world for long. If the Qingniu Sect wants to become a superpower, you still need to work harder. I will provide the resources needed to break through to the Spiritual Transformation Stage, and you can cultivate with peace of mind. Strengthening yourself is the true kingly way."

Tantai Mieming said awkwardly: "Shanhe, you are right, I was blinded by ambition."

Zhao Shanhe threw out a storage bag and warned, "Grandpa, my resources are only for my family. Please don't give them to others, especially the Third Elder. As long as you are strong enough, there will be no shortage of women throwing themselves at you."

Tantai Mieming said angrily, "Shanhe, you're right. I'm going to retreat now."

Ever since his conversation with Ouyang Shaogong, Zhao Shanhe had been feeling a nagging sense of unease, a sense of impending disaster, the danger coming from Tantai Mingyue and Yang Hui. So, he decided to prepare for a rainy day, taking precautions in advance. Just in case something happened to him, at least someone would be there to protect his family.

Tan Tai Mieming announced his retreat, and soon after, Tan Tai Fengdu announced his resignation as head, replaced by Tan Tai Yulin. The Qingniu Sect was in an uproar, with many theories circulating, but no one offered an explanation.

Time passed quickly. Zhao Shanhe tried hard, but there was no movement in the bellies of his three wives. It might be that the higher the cultivation level, the harder it is to give birth to children, or it might be that the opportunity has not come yet.

Ever since Ouyang Shaogong practiced the Great Emperor's Scripture, he'd embarked on a different path. As his cultivation increased, his immortal elixir slowly dissipated, leaving him like an ordinary person. Ever since Zhao Shanhe's last visit, Yin Jie had let go of her worries and fulfilled her duties as the Queen of the Great Xia Kingdom. Soon after, she became pregnant. Mortal couples have a relatively easy time conceiving.

Zhao Shanhe didn't show much emotion after learning that Yin Jie had given birth to Ouyang Shaogong's child. It was just that the magical chest wrap would occasionally appear in his mind.

At the same time, Ouyang Shaogong felt no joy at all, because Zhou Baitong had discovered Qian Shishi's affair in advance and came to confront him.

Zhou Baitong stared at Ouyang Shaogong sharply and asked, "Ouyang Shaogong, Shishi has become neither human nor ghost. Is it you who did this?"

Ouyang Shaogong took a deep breath and replied helplessly, "Senior Zhou, we've known each other for a while, and I don't want to lie to you. Shishi wants to take my life because of Qian Dafu's words. I really have no choice!"

"So you're just going to strike first? Ouyang Shaogong, considering our friendship over the past two years, as long as you turn Shishi back to normal, I'll take her away and will never hinder your grand career." Zhou Baitong's tone was pleading.

Ouyang Shaogong was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head and said, "Senior Zhou, you've helped me a lot over the past two years. If possible, I'd like you and Qian Shishi to grow old together. But I can't do that. She's practically dead."

Zhou Baitong's face turned pale when he heard this. Ouyang Shaogong's words shattered the last bit of hope in his heart. He roared angrily, "Ouyang Shaogong, I will kill you and bury you with Shishi."

His eyes were filled with despair and grief, his face was ferocious, his eyes were wide open, and he gathered all his strength and struck Ouyang Shaogong hard with one palm.

Surprisingly, however, Ouyang Shaogong only swayed slightly and did not fall to the ground as expected. Zhou Baitong's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief, and he blurted out, "How is this possible!"

Ouyang Shaogong looked at Zhou Baitong quietly and said calmly, "Senior Zhou, I owe you for that palm strike just now. I don't want to fight you with swords. Please leave."

At that moment, Yin Jie entered the room. She said, "Your Majesty, for the future of the Yin family, you must not let Zhou Baitong go. If you can't bring yourself to do it, then let me handle this. Zhou Baitong, you have two choices—surrender or die. Make your choice."

Zhou Baitong was furious after hearing Yin Jie's words. He said disdainfully, "Yin Jie, you are so arrogant! I am a cultivator at the Spiritual Transformation Stage. If I can't even defeat a mortal like you, how can I live in this world? Ouyang Shaogong, you killed my Shishi, and I will make you taste the pain of losing your loved one!"

Ouyang Shaogong remained silent, closing his eyes. Yin Jie ignored Zhou Baitong's magic and charged forward fearlessly, striking him squarely on the head with a powerful punch. With a dull thud, his head exploded like a watermelon, splattering brain matter and blood everywhere.

Zhou Baitong was actually not that weak. He just didn't expect Yin Jie to be immune to magic, and he didn't expect that a mortal could break his defense and blow him in the head.

Yin Jie saw Zhou Baitong's soul trying to escape, and could only watch helplessly, unable to do anything because she was just an ordinary person and didn't understand magic. Ouyang Shaogong took action, and a cage seemed to appear around him, locking the soul tightly. A trace of reluctance appeared on his face, but he still destroyed it.